Merge pull request 'An unissued bus account holds back only its own module, never the whole node' (#490) from fix/vault-minted-accounts into main

The 1585 group's refusal turned one unissued account into a refusal of the node's whole
composition: novox's mesh-hand-acts, which the vault had minted but the controller's store
does not hold, stopped every take-in on the machine that runs the bus. The module is now held
out of the composition alone, in issue 203's words, and the rest composes; no placeholder is
sealed. A held module of the former form keeps the node's own composition as last written, so
the node-engine never removes it.

Counting the vault's accounts as issued needs the controller to read mesh-vault.bus-accounts,
which mesh-sdk's named readers give to the grants part alone (ADR 0547 clause 9): not built here.

Controller research piece: none moved; this narrows a refusal in the composition the controller
hands over (blocking-fault recovery).

Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01NcbgfJ9Gum47zkFKWRaovL

cmd/mesh-controller/acting.go

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/lease"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
@@ -72,6 +73,14 @@ type actor struct {
 	// lease over in a second rather than in a renewal of five (novox/hq issue 591). A renewal is given
 	// the lease's own RenewEvery to answer however often it is made, so a slow bus does not lose it.
 	renewEvery, poll time.Duration
+	// releasing is held for the whole of a release, so a second caller — the stop signal's and serve's own
+	// deferred one — waits until the lease is given back and its epoch recorded, never past it to the store's
+	// close (novox/hq issue 906).
+	releasing sync.Mutex
+	// keeper and inv are where a takeover is said (sayTakeover): set once the serving controller's condition
+	// store opens; nil before, and in a command.
+	keeper *conditions.Keeper
+	inv    *inventory.Inventory
 }
 
 // theLease is this process's standing to the lease.
@@ -174,8 +183,11 @@ func (a *actor) forACommand(ctx context.Context) (uint64, error) {
 	return holder.Epoch, nil
 }
 
-// release gives back what this process holds, at its end.
+// release gives back what this process holds, at its end — or at the stop signal, before the rest of the
+// process is taken down (serveUnderTheLease). A second call waits for the first to finish.
 func (a *actor) release() {
+	a.releasing.Lock()
+	defer a.releasing.Unlock()
 	a.mu.Lock()
 	closing := a.close
 	a.close = nil
@@ -266,20 +278,40 @@ func (a *actor) serveUnderTheLease(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory
 	}
 	a.mu.Lock()
 	a.close = func() {
-		if held, err := l.Epoch(); err == nil {
+		// Given back first, then recorded: an epoch is recorded released only when its key is gone, and
+		// whatever the gate says by then — a shutdown longer than half the key's age closed it, and the epoch
+		// was left open for the next holder to find "expired" (novox/hq issue 906, 2026-10-26).
+		if given := l.Release(context.Background()); given != 0 {
 			ending, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
-			if err := inv.EndEpoch(ending, held, inventory.EpochReleased); err != nil {
-				say("how epoch %d ended could not be recorded: %v", held, err)
+			if err := inv.EndEpoch(ending, given, inventory.EpochReleased); err != nil {
+				say("how epoch %d ended could not be recorded: %v", given, err)
 			}
 			cancel()
 		}
-		l.Release(context.Background())
 		js.Close()
 	}
 	a.mu.Unlock()
+	// **The stop signal gives the lease back first** (novox/hq issue 906): the moment ctx ends, before the rest
+	// of the process is taken down, the gate closes and the key goes, so the next controller takes the lease
+	// at once and the epoch is recorded released. Waiting for the process's own end left the key unrenewed for
+	// as long as the shutdown took — ten seconds on 2026-10-26, past the gate's half-age.
+	go func() {
+		<-ctx.Done()
+		if a.holds(l) {
+			say("stopping: the controller lease is given back first")
+		}
+		a.release()
+	}()
 	return gone, nil
 }
 
+// holds is whether this process holds l now.
+func (a *actor) holds(l *lease.Lease) bool {
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	defer a.mu.Unlock()
+	return a.held == l
+}
+
 // took is the lease taken: recorded, earlier epochs nobody gave back ended as expired, kept.
 func (a *actor) took(ctx context.Context, l *lease.Lease, inv *inventory.Inventory, epoch uint64, gone chan struct{}) {
 	a.mu.Lock()
@@ -288,15 +320,19 @@ func (a *actor) took(ctx context.Context, l *lease.Lease, inv *inventory.Invento
 	h := holderOf(instance)
 	recording, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 10*time.Second)
 	expired, err := inv.TookEpoch(recording, inventory.Epoch{Epoch: epoch, Instance: h.Instance, Host: h.Host,
-		Build: h.Build, Taken: time.Now()})
+		Build: h.Build, Taken: time.Now()}, l.GivenBack())
 	cancel()
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Printf("epoch %d could not be recorded as taken, so a stale refusal from it will not name it: %v\n", epoch, err)
 	}
+	if given := l.GivenBack(); given != 0 {
+		fmt.Printf("the lease was given back by the controller of epoch %d: taken at once, at epoch %d\n", given, epoch)
+	}
 	for _, e := range expired {
 		fmt.Printf("the controller of epoch %d (%s) stopped renewing the lease without giving it back: it is "+
 			"taken over at epoch %d\n", e.Epoch, e.Instance, epoch)
 	}
+	a.sayTakeover(ctx, epoch)
 	go l.Keep(ctx)
 	go func() {
 		<-l.Lost()

cmd/mesh-controller/acts.go

@@ -292,6 +292,22 @@ func unassign(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, modules ...string)
 			answer += "\n    " + strings.TrimSpace(line)
 		}
 	}
+	// Its bus accounts on the node go with it once it no longer resolves there (a module another requires keeps running
+	// and keeps them), so an assignment again issues them afresh (issue 1945). The node's own provisioner account stays.
+	if after.err == nil {
+		for _, module := range modules {
+			if slices.Contains(after.modules, module) {
+				continue
+			}
+			forgot, err := open.inventory.ForgetBusAccountsOf(ctx, node, module, false)
+			switch {
+			case err != nil:
+				answer += fmt.Sprintf("\n  its bus accounts on %s are not forgotten: %v", node, err)
+			case len(forgot) > 0:
+				answer += fmt.Sprintf("\n  its bus accounts on %s forgotten: %s", node, strings.Join(forgot, ", "))
+			}
+		}
+	}
 	// What it leaves behind that is irreplaceable is kept and retired, never removed (novox/hq ADR 0233).
 	for _, line := range keptOnUnassign(ctx, open.inventory, node, modules) {
 		answer += "\n  " + line
@@ -399,6 +415,8 @@ func blockedElsewhere(ctx context.Context, open *stores, except string) string {
 // purpose, never by re-assigning); and when the bus cannot be reached from here, the line names the
 // verb and the push that would refuse the module until it is run — never a silent placeholder (novox/hq issue 203).
 func issueOnAssign(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node, module string) string {
+	// Mint only what no row names: the assignments' watch hears the same write and may issue at once (ADR 0543).
+	ctx = onlyIfAbsent(ctx)
 	inv := open.inventory
 	shelf, err := inv.Catalogue(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -419,9 +437,9 @@ func issueOnAssign(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node, module string) strin
 		// A module running the provisioner client alone is minted the client's account (issue 917).
 		user = broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindProvisioner, Node: node, Module: module}.Username()
 	}
-	if _, minted, err := inv.BusUserHash(ctx, user); err != nil {
+	if _, sealed, err := inv.BusAccountIssued(ctx, user); err != nil {
 		return ""
-	} else if minted {
+	} else if sealed { // a row whose credential is not sealed to the node is not issued (issue 1945)
 		// Its own account stands and is kept; a process it gained is not issued yet (issue 1226).
 		return processAccountsOnAssign(ctx, inv, m, node)
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/addresses_integration_test.go

@@ -78,12 +78,14 @@ func TestTheRegistryTrustAndEveryImageFollowThePortTheNodeGaveTheStore(t *testin
 
 func TestTheControlPlaneIsToldWhereTheNodePutTheStoreAndTheBroker(t *testing.T) {
 	open := aMesh(t)
+	// Issue 1126: the placement export over this fresh mesh, before anything below changes it.
+	placementExportIsEachNodesPlacementFromTheStore(t, open)
 	ctx := t.Context()
 	raw, err := os.ReadFile("../../module.json")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest(raw)
+	m, err := catalogue.Decode(raw)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -111,6 +113,11 @@ func TestTheControlPlaneIsToldWhereTheNodePutTheStoreAndTheBroker(t *testing.T)
 		Kind: inventory.BusController, Node: "anchor", Module: "mesh-controller"}, "bootstrap"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	// Seeded with the credential the controller already uses, so it is sealed: an account counts as issued only once
+	// sealed (ADR 0543 §2, PR #467), and genesis's seed is the credential in use.
+	if err := open.inventory.MarkBusAccountSealed(ctx, "anchor.mesh-controller"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
 	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "anchor", "mesh-controller"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/asker_wire.go

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 // askerFrom is the serving controller's asker; nil in any other process.
-var askerFrom *asker
+var askerFrom atomic.Pointer[asker]
 
 // askWithin is how long a verb a warrant chose is given to answer.
 const askWithin = time.Minute
@@ -573,8 +574,8 @@ func startAsking(ctx context.Context, open *stores, server *link.Server, conn *n
 		fmt.Printf("the operator's answers cannot be heard, so nothing is asked: %v\n", err)
 		return
 	}
-	askerFrom = a
-	go a.keep(ctx)
+	askerFrom.Store(a)
+	goServing(ctx, func() { a.keep(ctx) })
 }
 
 // servingAsker is the serving controller's asker, wired to the mesh: what it reads, publishes, performs and

cmd/mesh-controller/assignment_accounts.go

@@ -0,0 +1,489 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"maps"
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/chain"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// An assignment that stands issues its node's bus accounts and the module's grant (novox/hq ADR 0543, issue 1945; a
+// step of research 072's grants: the memberships and credentials heard from placement, not from a send or a build).
+//
+// ADR 0539 clause 7 issues a module's credential and grant when its build is done. A module already built and assigned
+// to one more node never has a build done again, so nothing issued that node's account: on 2026-10-25 at 17:19
+// mesh-build-node and mesh-build-go were assigned to ace, composed for it, and the bus's user list never named
+// ace.mesh-build-node nor ace.mesh-build-go; one runtime found no credential, the other was refused by the bus, both
+// restarting every 5 s. The assign act composes the assigned node alone (composedAfterAct): never the node holding the
+// bus, never the grant.
+//
+// So the write of an assignments key is the event. When a key `<node>.<module>` of the assignments bucket comes to stand
+// (a new key, or one that was ended or pending), the lease holder issues the module's accounts on that node that are not
+// minted (idempotent: a minted account is never issued again, a rotation is on purpose), composes the node holding the
+// bus so its user list carries them, and writes the grants. A rewrite of an assignment that already stood (the
+// provisioner's plan kept in its value) does nothing. A starting controller looks at every standing assignment once,
+// from one reading of the catalogue: it issues what is missing, then composes the bus's node and writes the grants
+// once. The assign act issues too; both mint only an account no row names, in one statement, so exactly one of them
+// mints and seals it (mintBusUser, the review of issue 1945).
+
+// assignmentAccountSteps are what an assignment that comes to stand does, each a step a test may stand in for.
+type assignmentAccountSteps struct {
+	// holds says this controller holds the lease: only its holder issues.
+	holds func(ctx context.Context) bool
+	// forgetStale forgets every module's accounts on a node where the module no longer resolves, and answers a line for
+	// each (issue 1945: rows of an unassignment before this release, marked sealed by migration 0108).
+	forgetStale func(ctx context.Context) ([]string, error)
+	// catalogue reads the catalogue once, for every assignment a look issues for.
+	catalogue func(ctx context.Context) (map[string]catalogue.Manifest, error)
+	// issue issues the module's accounts on the node that are not minted, from the catalogue read; issued says it
+	// minted one, line what it did.
+	issue func(ctx context.Context, shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest, node, module string) (issued bool, line string, err error)
+	// busHolder is the node holding the bus, "" for none.
+	busHolder func(ctx context.Context) (string, error)
+	// compose writes the nodes' compositions; grants writes the grants issued.
+	compose func(ctx context.Context, nodes []string) error
+	grants  func(ctx context.Context) error
+}
+
+// settle issues what the standing assignment of module on node lacks. fresh says the assignment just came to stand: the
+// bus's node is composed and the grants written even when every account was minted before (a module assigned again
+// keeps its account, and the bus's user list left it out while it was unassigned). It answers what it did, "" for
+// nothing.
+func (s assignmentAccountSteps) settle(ctx context.Context, node, module string) (string, error) {
+	if module == controllerModule {
+		// The controller's own module is issued at the terminal alone: its `broker` secret is the credential it is
+		// using (rollout.go), and it is assigned and unassigned there only (refusedMovingTheController).
+		return "", nil
+	}
+	if !s.holds(ctx) {
+		return "", errNotHolding
+	}
+	shelf, err := s.catalogue(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the catalogue cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	_, line, err := s.issue(ctx, shelf, node, module)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("its bus accounts on %s are not issued: %w", node, err)
+	}
+	said, err := s.cover(ctx)
+	prefix := module + " on " + node + ": "
+	if line != "" {
+		prefix += line + "; "
+	}
+	return prefix + said, err
+}
+
+// look is the start's look: the accounts every standing assignment lacks, issued one after another from one reading of
+// the catalogue, then the bus's node composed and the grants written once, when it looked at any assignment, whatever
+// it issued (an assignment that came to stand while no controller heard it may have its accounts and still lack its
+// place in the bus's user list or its grant). It answers what it did.
+func (s assignmentAccountSteps) look(ctx context.Context, standing []chain.Assignment) (string, error) {
+	var forgot []string
+	if len(standing) > 0 && s.forgetStale != nil {
+		// Only from a reading of the assignments that holds some: an empty or failed one would forget every account.
+		if !s.holds(ctx) {
+			return "", errNotHolding
+		}
+		var err error
+		if forgot, err = s.forgetStale(ctx); err != nil {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("the accounts of modules no longer on their nodes are not forgotten: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+	var looked []chain.Assignment
+	for _, a := range standing {
+		if a.Module != controllerModule {
+			looked = append(looked, a)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(looked) == 0 {
+		return strings.Join(forgot, "\n"), nil
+	}
+	if !s.holds(ctx) {
+		return "", errNotHolding
+	}
+	shelf, err := s.catalogue(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the catalogue cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	var lines []string
+	for _, a := range looked {
+		if ctx.Err() != nil {
+			return "", ctx.Err()
+		}
+		if _, line, err := s.issue(ctx, shelf, a.Node, a.Module); err != nil {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("%s's bus accounts on %s are not issued: %w", a.Module, a.Node, err)
+		} else if line != "" {
+			lines = append(lines, a.Module+" on "+a.Node+": "+line)
+		}
+	}
+	said, err := s.cover(ctx)
+	lines = append(append(forgot, lines...), fmt.Sprintf("%d standing assignment(s) looked at; %s", len(looked), said))
+	return strings.Join(lines, "\n"), err
+}
+
+// errNotHolding is a controller that does not hold the lease: it issues nothing, and tries again until it holds it.
+var errNotHolding = errors.New("this controller does not hold the lease")
+
+// cover composes the node holding the bus and writes the grants, and says so.
+func (s assignmentAccountSteps) cover(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
+	holder, err := s.busHolder(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the node holding the bus cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	if holder != "" {
+		if err := s.compose(ctx, []string{holder}); err != nil {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("the bus's user list on %s is not composed: %w", holder, err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := s.grants(ctx); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if holder != "" {
+		return "the bus's user list composed on " + holder + ", the grants written", nil
+	}
+	return "the grants written", nil
+}
+
+// assignmentStands says a value of the assignments bucket holds an assignment that stands: made (a module only pulled in
+// by another names no time assigned), not ended and in no state (chain.Assignment.Stands).
+func assignmentStands(a chain.Assignment) bool {
+	return !a.Assigned.IsZero() && a.Stands() && a.Node != "" && a.Module != ""
+}
+
+// assignmentTurns keeps which keys of the assignments bucket stood when last heard, to tell an assignment that comes to
+// stand from a rewrite of one that stood.
+type assignmentTurns struct {
+	mu    sync.Mutex
+	stood map[string]bool
+}
+
+// heard records a value of key (nil for a delete or a purge) and answers whether it holds an assignment that just came
+// to stand.
+func (t *assignmentTurns) heard(key string, value []byte) (chain.Assignment, bool) {
+	var a chain.Assignment
+	stands := false
+	if value != nil && json.Unmarshal(value, &a) == nil {
+		stands = assignmentStands(a)
+	}
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	defer t.mu.Unlock()
+	if t.stood == nil {
+		t.stood = map[string]bool{}
+	}
+	was := t.stood[key]
+	t.stood[key] = stands
+	return a, stands && !was
+}
+
+// ownAccountOf is the username of the account a module speaks on the bus with on node, its own and no process's: the
+// module's when it reads a `broker` own secret, else its provisioner client's when it runs one; false when it has none
+// (a module whose accounts are its processes' alone, or one that does not speak on the bus).
+func ownAccountOf(m catalogue.Manifest, node string) (string, bool) {
+	if _, reads := m.OwnSecrets["broker"]; reads {
+		return broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindModule, Node: node, Module: m.Module}.Username(), true
+	}
+	if runsTheProvisionerClient(m) {
+		return broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindProvisioner, Node: node, Module: m.Module}.Username(), true
+	}
+	return "", false
+}
+
+// issueAssignmentAccounts issues module's accounts on node that are not minted: its own (issueOnTheNewBus) and its
+// processes' (issueMissingProcessAccounts). A module the catalogue does not hold, or one with nowhere to deliver an
+// account (mayIssue), has nothing to issue; an account minted before is kept.
+func issueAssignmentAccounts(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest,
+	node, module string) (bool, string, error) {
+	// Mint only what no row names: the assign act hears its own write and may issue at once (the review of issue 1945).
+	ctx = onlyIfAbsent(ctx)
+	m, known := shelf[module]
+	if !known || mayIssue(m) != nil {
+		return false, "", nil
+	}
+	if _, own := ownAccountOf(m, node); own {
+		minted, err := inv.BusMinted(ctx) // sealed accounts alone: a row with no sealed credential is not issued
+		if err != nil {
+			return false, "", fmt.Errorf("the issued accounts cannot be read: %w", err)
+		}
+		if missingAccounts(m, node, minted) {
+			busAddress, err := broker.BusAddress()
+			if err != nil {
+				return false, "", err
+			}
+			// Its processes' and provisioner client's accounts too: issueOnTheNewBus issues each that is not issued.
+			ctx, got := withIssued(ctx)
+			if err := issueOnTheNewBus(ctx, inv, m, node, busAddress); err != nil {
+				return false, "", err
+			}
+			if issued := got.list(); len(issued) > 0 {
+				return true, "issued and sealed to " + node + ": " + strings.Join(issued, ", "), nil
+			}
+			return false, "", nil
+		}
+		return false, "its bus accounts on " + node + " stood issued and sealed", nil
+	}
+	line, err := issueMissingProcessAccounts(ctx, inv, m, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, "", err
+	}
+	return line != "", line, nil
+}
+
+// missingAccounts says some account of m on node is not issued: its own, a process's, or its provisioner client's.
+func missingAccounts(m catalogue.Manifest, node string, minted []string) bool {
+	if user, own := ownAccountOf(m, node); own && !slices.Contains(minted, user) {
+		return true
+	}
+	if runsTheProvisionerClient(m) &&
+		!slices.Contains(minted, broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindProvisioner, Node: node, Module: m.Module}.Username()) {
+		return true
+	}
+	return len(processAccountsMissing(m, node, minted)) > 0
+}
+
+// liveAssignmentAccountSteps are the steps on the controller's own stores and the bus: the composer's passes, as the
+// done keys' take-ins use them, so a node asked for by both is composed once a pass.
+func liveAssignmentAccountSteps(open *stores) assignmentAccountSteps {
+	inv := open.inventory
+	return assignmentAccountSteps{
+		holds: func(ctx context.Context) bool {
+			// The lease's gate, as every act's: a serving controller the bus does not grant the lease yet acts unleased.
+			_, err := theLease.epoch(ctx)
+			return err == nil
+		},
+		forgetStale: func(ctx context.Context) ([]string, error) { return forgetStaleAccounts(ctx, open) },
+		catalogue:   func(ctx context.Context) (map[string]catalogue.Manifest, error) { return inv.Catalogue(ctx) },
+		issue: func(ctx context.Context, shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest, node, module string) (bool, string, error) {
+			return issueAssignmentAccounts(ctx, inv, shelf, node, module)
+		},
+		busHolder: func(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
+			holders, err := seatHolders(ctx, inv)
+			if err != nil {
+				return "", err
+			}
+			return holders[catalogue.BrokerSeat].Node, nil
+		},
+		compose: func(ctx context.Context, nodes []string) error {
+			return composerFor(open).compose(ctx, nodes, false)
+		},
+		grants: func(ctx context.Context) error {
+			return composerFor(open).compose(ctx, nil, true)
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+// assignmentAccountsRetry is how long a settle that failed waits before it tries again.
+var assignmentAccountsRetry = 30 * time.Second
+
+// untilSettled runs settle until it works or ctx ends: a failure, or a controller not holding the lease, is said and
+// tried again every assignmentAccountsRetry, never dropped, since no later write of the key may come.
+func untilSettled(ctx context.Context, what string, settle func(context.Context) (string, error)) {
+	for {
+		said, err := settle(ctx)
+		if err == nil {
+			if said != "" {
+				for _, line := range strings.Split(said, "\n") {
+					fmt.Printf("assignments: %s\n", line)
+				}
+			}
+			return
+		}
+		if ctx.Err() != nil {
+			return
+		}
+		fmt.Printf("assignments: %s: %v; tried again in %s\n", what, err, assignmentAccountsRetry)
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-time.After(assignmentAccountsRetry):
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// watchAssignmentAccounts settles every assignment of the assignments bucket that comes to stand, for as long as ctx: the
+// bucket's current values first (the start's look, settled as not fresh), then each write. A watch that ends, or a
+// bucket not there yet, is watched again a minute later.
+func watchAssignmentAccounts(ctx context.Context, open *stores) {
+	steps := liveAssignmentAccountSteps(open)
+	goServing(ctx, func() {
+		runAssignmentWatches(ctx, open.inventory.WatchAssignments, func(a chain.Assignment) {
+			inBackground(ctx, func() {
+				untilSettled(ctx, a.Module+" on "+a.Node, func(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
+					return steps.settle(ctx, a.Node, a.Module)
+				})
+			})
+		}, func(look []chain.Assignment) {
+			// The start's look, once in the process: one reading of the catalogue, one assignment after another,
+			// then one composition of the bus's node and the grants (issues 1945 and 1277).
+			inBackground(ctx, func() {
+				untilSettled(ctx, "the start's look", func(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
+					return steps.look(ctx, look)
+				})
+			})
+		}, func() bool {
+			select {
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+				return false
+			case <-time.After(time.Minute):
+				return true
+			}
+		})
+	})
+}
+
+// runAssignmentWatches watches the assignments again each time a watch ends, until ctx ends or pause says stop: each
+// assignment that comes to stand is handed to fresh, and the standing ones of the first watch that reads them all (its
+// Caught mark) to look, once. A watch that ends, or fails to open, before the start's look ran is no start's look: the
+// next one is, with what it hears from nothing (a fresh assignmentTurns), so no key it handed is dropped and no burst of
+// fresh settles replaces the look (the review of issue 1945).
+func runAssignmentWatches(ctx context.Context, watch func(context.Context) (<-chan chain.Entry, error),
+	fresh func(chain.Assignment), look func([]chain.Assignment), pause func() bool) {
+	turns := &assignmentTurns{}
+	first := true
+	for {
+		var atStart []chain.Assignment
+		if err := watchAssignmentsOnce(ctx, watch, turns, first, func(a chain.Assignment, isFresh bool) {
+			if !isFresh {
+				atStart = append(atStart, a)
+				return
+			}
+			fresh(a)
+		}, func() {
+			first = false
+			look(atStart)
+			atStart = nil
+		}); err != nil && ctx.Err() == nil {
+			fmt.Printf("assignments: the assignments are not heard, so a new assignment's bus accounts wait: %v\n", err)
+		}
+		if first {
+			turns = &assignmentTurns{} // the start's look has not run: the next watch hears every standing key anew
+		}
+		if ctx.Err() != nil || !pause() {
+			return
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// watchAssignmentsOnce watches the assignments until the watch or ctx ends, handing each assignment that comes to stand
+// to settle. On the process's first watch, the current values are the start's look (not fresh) and read is called once
+// they are all handed (the chain's Caught mark); every other value, and every value of a watch opened again after one
+// ended, is fresh: an assignment that came to stand while no watch heard it is settled whole, never as the start's look
+// (the review of issue 1945).
+func watchAssignmentsOnce(ctx context.Context, watch func(context.Context) (<-chan chain.Entry, error),
+	turns *assignmentTurns, first bool, settle func(a chain.Assignment, fresh bool), read func()) error {
+	ctx, stop := context.WithCancel(ctx)
+	defer stop()
+	entries, err := watch(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	current := true
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return nil
+		case e, ok := <-entries:
+			if !ok {
+				if ctx.Err() != nil {
+					return nil
+				}
+				return fmt.Errorf("the watch ended")
+			}
+			if e.Caught {
+				if current {
+					current = false // the current values are read: what follows is written from now on
+					if first {
+						read()
+					}
+				}
+				continue
+			}
+			var value []byte
+			if !e.Deleted {
+				value = e.Value
+			}
+			if a, turned := turns.heard(e.Key, value); turned {
+				settle(a, !current || !first)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// staleAccounts is, by node, each module some account of which stands on a node where the module no longer resolves:
+// the accounts of a module's own, its processes' and its provisioner client's. A node whose resolution is unknown is
+// left alone.
+func staleAccounts(users map[string]inventory.BusUser, resolved map[string]map[string]bool) map[string][]string {
+	seen := map[string]map[string]bool{}
+	for _, u := range users {
+		switch u.Kind {
+		case inventory.BusModule, inventory.BusNodeTools, inventory.BusProcess, inventory.BusProvisioner:
+		default:
+			continue
+		}
+		on, known := resolved[u.Node]
+		if u.Node == "" || u.Module == "" || !known || on[u.Module] {
+			continue
+		}
+		if seen[u.Node] == nil {
+			seen[u.Node] = map[string]bool{}
+		}
+		seen[u.Node][u.Module] = true
+	}
+	out := map[string][]string{}
+	for node, modules := range seen {
+		out[node] = slices.Sorted(maps.Keys(modules))
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// forgetStaleAccounts forgets the accounts of every module on a node where it no longer resolves (assigned or
+// required), from each node's own resolution; a node that does not resolve is left alone.
+func forgetStaleAccounts(ctx context.Context, open *stores) ([]string, error) {
+	inv := open.inventory
+	users, err := inv.BusUsers(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	ctx = withInputCache(ctx) // one reading of the mesh for every node resolved
+	resolved := map[string]map[string]bool{}
+	for _, u := range users {
+		if _, done := resolved[u.Node]; done || u.Node == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		plan, _, err := resolveNode(ctx, open, u.Node)
+		if err != nil {
+			continue // unknown: nothing of this node is forgotten
+		}
+		on := map[string]bool{}
+		for _, m := range plan.Modules {
+			on[m.Module] = true
+		}
+		resolved[u.Node] = on
+	}
+	var lines []string
+	stale := staleAccounts(users, resolved)
+	for _, node := range slices.Sorted(maps.Keys(stale)) {
+		for _, module := range stale[node] {
+			forgot, err := inv.ForgetBusAccountsOf(ctx, node, module, true)
+			if err != nil {
+				return lines, err
+			}
+			if len(forgot) > 0 {
+				lines = append(lines, fmt.Sprintf("%s no longer runs on %s: its bus accounts forgotten: %s", module, node,
+					strings.Join(forgot, ", ")))
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return lines, nil
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/assignment_accounts_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,498 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/chain"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// An assignment that comes to stand issues its node's bus accounts and the module's grant (ADR 0543, issue 1945): on
+// 2026-10-25 at 17:19 mesh-build-node and mesh-build-go, built long before, were assigned to ace, and nothing issued
+// ace's accounts nor put them in the bus's user list.
+
+func anAssignmentValue(t *testing.T, a chain.Assignment) []byte {
+	t.Helper()
+	raw, err := json.Marshal(a)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return raw
+}
+
+// Only a write that makes the key stand turns it: a rewrite of a standing assignment (the provisioner's plan kept in its
+// value), an ended one, a pending one or a module only pulled in by another does not. The process's first watch hands
+// the assignments standing when it starts to the start's look (not fresh), says once that they are all read, and hands
+// each assignment written afterwards as fresh; a watch opened again after one ended hands every standing assignment it
+// has not seen stand as fresh and never calls the start's look (the review of issue 1945).
+func TestAnAssignmentThatComesToStand(t *testing.T) {
+	at := time.Date(2026, 10, 25, 16, 19, 42, 0, time.UTC)
+	stands := chain.Assignment{Node: "ace", Module: "mesh-build-node", Assigned: at}
+	ended := stands
+	ended.Ended = at.Add(time.Hour)
+	pending := stands
+	pending.State = chain.StatePending
+	pulled := chain.Assignment{Node: "ace", Module: "mesh-build-node", RequiredBy: "mesh-build-go"}
+	replanned := stands
+	replanned.Provisioning = json.RawMessage(`{"plan":1}`)
+
+	type write struct {
+		value   *chain.Assignment // nil for a delete
+		turning bool
+	}
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		name   string
+		writes []write
+	}{
+		{"a new assignment turns", []write{{&stands, true}}},
+		{"a rewrite of one that stands does not", []write{{&stands, true}, {&replanned, false}, {&stands, false}}},
+		{"an ended one does not", []write{{&ended, false}}},
+		{"assigned again after it ended turns again", []write{{&stands, true}, {&ended, false}, {&stands, true}}},
+		{"a pending one does not, and turns once made", []write{{&pending, false}, {&stands, true}}},
+		{"a module only pulled in does not", []write{{&pulled, false}}},
+		{"one deleted and written again turns again", []write{{&stands, true}, {nil, false}, {&stands, true}}},
+	} {
+		t.Run(c.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			turns := &assignmentTurns{}
+			for i, w := range c.writes {
+				var value []byte
+				if w.value != nil {
+					value = anAssignmentValue(t, *w.value)
+				}
+				a, turned := turns.heard("ace.mesh-build-node", value)
+				if turned != w.turning {
+					t.Fatalf("write %d: turned %v, want %v", i, turned, w.turning)
+				}
+				if turned && (a.Node != "ace" || a.Module != "mesh-build-node") {
+					t.Fatalf("write %d: the assignment turned is %s on %s", i, a.Module, a.Node)
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	}
+
+	type handed struct {
+		key   string
+		fresh bool
+	}
+	for _, first := range []bool{true, false} {
+		t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("the watch, first %v", first), func(t *testing.T) {
+			bucket := chain.NewMemory()
+			put := func(a chain.Assignment) {
+				t.Helper()
+				value := anAssignmentValue(t, a)
+				if e, held, _ := bucket.Get(t.Context(), a.Key()); held {
+					if _, err := bucket.Update(t.Context(), a.Key(), value, e.Revision); err != nil {
+						t.Fatal(err)
+					}
+					return
+				}
+				if _, err := bucket.Create(t.Context(), a.Key(), value); err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+			}
+			put(chain.Assignment{Node: "g14", Module: "mesh-build-go", Assigned: at})
+			got := make(chan handed, 8)
+			read := make(chan struct{}, 8)
+			ctx, stop := context.WithCancel(t.Context())
+			done := make(chan error, 1)
+			go func() {
+				done <- watchAssignmentsOnce(ctx, bucket.Watch, &assignmentTurns{}, first,
+					func(a chain.Assignment, fresh bool) { got <- handed{a.Key(), fresh} },
+					func() { read <- struct{}{} })
+			}()
+			next := func() handed {
+				t.Helper()
+				select {
+				case h := <-got:
+					return h
+				case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+					t.Fatal("nothing handed")
+					return handed{}
+				}
+			}
+			// Standing when the watch opened: the start's look on the first watch, fresh on any other.
+			if h := next(); h != (handed{"g14.mesh-build-go", !first}) {
+				t.Fatalf("the standing assignment was handed %+v", h)
+			}
+			put(chain.Assignment{Node: "g14", Module: "mesh-build-go", Assigned: at, Provisioning: json.RawMessage(`{"plan":2}`)})
+			put(chain.Assignment{Node: "ace", Module: "mesh-build-node", Assigned: at})
+			if h := next(); h != (handed{"ace.mesh-build-node", true}) {
+				t.Fatalf("handed %+v, want ace.mesh-build-node as fresh (and nothing for the rewrite before it)", h)
+			}
+			stop()
+			if err := <-done; err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if want := map[bool]int{true: 1, false: 0}[first]; len(read) != want {
+				t.Fatalf("the start's look was called %d time(s), want %d", len(read), want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+	// A first watch that fails to open, or ends before its Caught mark, is no start's look: the next watch is, and hands
+	// every standing assignment to it once, none as fresh (the review of issue 1945: a burst of fresh settles, or keys
+	// handed and dropped).
+	for _, firstWatch := range []string{"fails to open", "ends before its Caught mark"} {
+		t.Run("a first watch that "+firstWatch, func(t *testing.T) {
+			bucket := chain.NewMemory()
+			standing := chain.Assignment{Node: "g14", Module: "mesh-build-go", Assigned: at}
+			if _, err := bucket.Create(t.Context(), standing.Key(), anAssignmentValue(t, standing)); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			watches := 0
+			watch := func(ctx context.Context) (<-chan chain.Entry, error) {
+				watches++
+				if watches > 1 {
+					return bucket.Watch(ctx)
+				}
+				if firstWatch == "fails to open" {
+					return nil, errors.New("the chain is not open yet")
+				}
+				cut := make(chan chain.Entry, 1)
+				cut <- chain.Entry{Key: standing.Key(), Value: anAssignmentValue(t, standing)}
+				close(cut)
+				return cut, nil
+			}
+			var looks [][]chain.Assignment
+			var fresh []chain.Assignment
+			ctx, stop := context.WithCancel(t.Context())
+			defer stop()
+			runAssignmentWatches(ctx, watch, func(a chain.Assignment) { fresh = append(fresh, a) },
+				func(look []chain.Assignment) { looks = append(looks, look); stop() },
+				func() bool { return ctx.Err() == nil })
+			if len(looks) != 1 || len(looks[0]) != 1 || looks[0][0].Key() != standing.Key() || len(fresh) != 0 {
+				t.Fatalf("after %d watch(es): looks %v, fresh %v; want one look at %s and nothing fresh",
+					watches, looks, fresh, standing.Key())
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// settle issues what is missing and then puts it on the bus: the node holding the bus composed (its user list) and the
+// grants written, even when every account was minted before (a module assigned again keeps its account). The start's
+// look reads the catalogue once, issues for each standing assignment, and composes the bus's node and writes the grants
+// once when it looked at any. Neither acts for a controller that does not hold the lease, nor for the controller's own
+// module.
+func TestSettlingAndTheStartsLook(t *testing.T) {
+	ace := func(m string) chain.Assignment { return chain.Assignment{Node: "ace", Module: m} }
+	cases := []struct {
+		name               string
+		look               []chain.Assignment // nil: settle mesh-build-node on ace
+		module             string
+		notHolding         bool
+		issued             bool
+		issueErr, composeE error
+		holder             string
+		wantIssues         int
+		wantComposed       []string
+		wantGrants         bool
+		wantErr            string
+		stale              []string // what forgetting the accounts of modules no longer on their nodes says
+	}{
+		{name: "an account not minted", module: "mesh-build-node", issued: true, holder: "novox", wantIssues: 1,
+			wantComposed: []string{"novox"}, wantGrants: true},
+		{name: "an account minted before: the bus and the grants still", module: "mesh-build-go", holder: "novox",
+			wantIssues: 1, wantComposed: []string{"novox"}, wantGrants: true},
+		{name: "no lease: nothing, and tried again", module: "mesh-build-node", notHolding: true, issued: true,
+			holder: "novox", wantErr: errNotHolding.Error()},
+		{name: "the controller's own module is the terminal's", module: controllerModule, issued: true, holder: "novox"},
+		{name: "no bus holder: the grants still", module: "mesh-build-node", issued: true, wantIssues: 1, wantGrants: true},
+		{name: "an issue that fails is the error, nothing composed", module: "mesh-build-node",
+			issueErr: errors.New("the bus cannot be reached"), holder: "novox", wantIssues: 1, wantErr: "the bus cannot be reached"},
+		{name: "a composition that fails is the error, no grant", module: "mesh-build-node", issued: true, holder: "novox",
+			composeE: errors.New("store refused"), wantIssues: 1, wantComposed: []string{"novox"}, wantErr: "store refused"},
+		{name: "the start's look: each issued, the bus and the grants once",
+			look: []chain.Assignment{ace("mesh-build-node"), ace(controllerModule), ace("mesh-build-go")}, issued: true,
+			holder: "novox", wantIssues: 2, wantComposed: []string{"novox"}, wantGrants: true},
+		{name: "the start's look with every account minted still covers once",
+			look: []chain.Assignment{ace("mesh-build-node"), ace("mesh-build-go")}, holder: "novox", wantIssues: 2,
+			wantComposed: []string{"novox"}, wantGrants: true},
+		{name: "the start's look at nothing does nothing", look: []chain.Assignment{ace(controllerModule)}, holder: "novox"},
+		{name: "the start's look forgets the accounts of modules no longer on their nodes first",
+			look: []chain.Assignment{ace("mesh-build-node")}, holder: "novox", wantIssues: 1, wantComposed: []string{"novox"},
+			wantGrants: true, stale: []string{"mesh-build-go no longer runs on ace: its bus accounts forgotten: ace.mesh-build-go"}},
+	}
+	for _, c := range cases {
+		t.Run(c.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			var composed []string
+			issues, catalogues, grants := 0, 0, 0
+			forgets := 0
+			steps := assignmentAccountSteps{
+				holds: func(context.Context) bool { return !c.notHolding },
+				forgetStale: func(context.Context) ([]string, error) {
+					forgets++
+					return c.stale, nil
+				},
+				catalogue: func(context.Context) (map[string]catalogue.Manifest, error) {
+					catalogues++
+					return map[string]catalogue.Manifest{}, nil
+				},
+				issue: func(context.Context, map[string]catalogue.Manifest, string, string) (bool, string, error) {
+					issues++
+					if c.issued {
+						return true, "its bus credential issued", c.issueErr
+					}
+					return false, "", c.issueErr
+				},
+				busHolder: func(context.Context) (string, error) { return c.holder, nil },
+				compose: func(_ context.Context, nodes []string) error {
+					composed = append(composed, nodes...)
+					return c.composeE
+				},
+				grants: func(context.Context) error { grants++; return nil },
+			}
+			var said string
+			var err error
+			if c.look != nil {
+				said, err = steps.look(t.Context(), c.look)
+			} else {
+				said, err = steps.settle(t.Context(), "ace", c.module)
+			}
+			if c.wantErr != "" {
+				if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), c.wantErr) {
+					t.Fatalf("error %v, want one saying %q", err, c.wantErr)
+				}
+			} else if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if issues != c.wantIssues || catalogues > 1 {
+				t.Fatalf("%d issue(s) from %d reading(s) of the catalogue, want %d from at most one", issues, catalogues, c.wantIssues)
+			}
+			if strings.Join(composed, ",") != strings.Join(c.wantComposed, ",") {
+				t.Fatalf("composed %v, want %v", composed, c.wantComposed)
+			}
+			if want := map[bool]int{true: 1}[c.wantGrants]; grants != want {
+				t.Fatalf("grants written %d time(s), want %d", grants, want)
+			}
+			if want := map[bool]int{true: 1}[len(c.look) > 0 && !c.notHolding]; forgets != want {
+				t.Fatalf("forgot stale accounts %d time(s), want %d (only from a reading that holds assignments)", forgets, want)
+			}
+			for _, line := range c.stale {
+				if !strings.Contains(said, line) {
+					t.Fatalf("said %q, want it to say %q", said, line)
+				}
+			}
+			if c.wantGrants && c.wantErr == "" && !strings.Contains(said, "the grants written") {
+				t.Fatalf("said %q, want it to name the grants", said)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// The accounts a module speaks with on a node: the module's own when it reads `broker`, its provisioner client's when
+// it runs one alone, none when its accounts are its processes' or it does not speak on the bus. A process's account is
+// held in the provisioner client's form, named for the process and carrying no claims, and may be issued only when
+// the process declares its own secret broker-<process id> (ADR 0436 §2; issue 1181).
+func TestTheAccountsAModuleSpeaksWithOnANode(t *testing.T) {
+	client := aProvisioner()
+	delete(client.OwnSecrets, "broker")
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		name string
+		m    catalogue.Manifest
+		user string
+		own  bool
+	}{
+		{"a module reading broker", catalogue.Manifest{Module: "mesh-build-node",
+			OwnSecrets: catalogue.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh-build-node/broker"}}},
+			broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindModule, Node: "ace", Module: "mesh-build-node"}.Username(), true},
+		{"a module reading broker and running the client", aProvisioner(),
+			broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindModule, Node: "ace", Module: "mesh-provisioner"}.Username(), true},
+		{"the provisioner client alone", client,
+			broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindProvisioner, Node: "ace", Module: "mesh-provisioner"}.Username(), true},
+		{"no broker, no client", catalogue.Manifest{Module: "hello-web"}, "", false},
+	} {
+		t.Run(c.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			user, own := ownAccountOf(c.m, "ace")
+			if user != c.user || own != c.own {
+				t.Fatalf("got %q %v, want %q %v", user, own, c.user, c.own)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+
+	t.Run("a process's account", func(t *testing.T) {
+		user := broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindProcess, Node: "novox", Module: "mesh-mail", Process: "send"}.Username()
+		if user != "novox.mesh-mail.send" {
+			t.Fatalf("the process's username: %q", user)
+		}
+		held, err := heldProcessAccount(broker.Broker{Fingerprint: "abc"}, "novox.example:4222", "novox", "mesh-mail",
+			user, "a-password")
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		var got map[string]any
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(held, &got); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		want := map[string]any{"url": "nats://novox.example:4222", "fingerprint": "abc", "node": "novox",
+			"module": "mesh-mail", "user": "novox.mesh-mail.send", "password": "a-password"}
+		for k, v := range want {
+			if got[k] != v {
+				t.Errorf("%s: %v, want %v", k, got[k], v)
+			}
+		}
+		if len(got) != len(want) {
+			t.Errorf("the held account carries %v; want exactly %v (never claims — a process holds no seat)", got, want)
+		}
+	})
+
+	// An issue mints and seals an account only when it is not issued: no row, or a row with no sealed credential (issue
+	// 1945, live on 2026-10-25 at 20:04: ace's mesh-build-go had a row from 17:19 and no credential), under the lock on
+	// the account; a seal that fails leaves it unsealed for the next issue. A rotation always mints.
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		name           string
+		only           bool
+		minted, sealed bool
+		sealErr        error
+		want           string
+	}{
+		{"no row: minted unsealed, sealed, marked", true, false, false, nil, "lock mint-unsealed seal mark release"},
+		{"a row sealed: nothing", true, true, true, nil, "lock release"},
+		{"a row with no sealed credential: minted and sealed again", true, true, false, nil, "lock mint-unsealed seal mark release"},
+		{"a seal that fails: not marked", true, false, false, errors.New("the vault did not take it"), "lock mint-unsealed seal release"},
+		{"a rotation mints whatever stands", false, true, true, nil, "mint seal"},
+	} {
+		t.Run("issuing an account: "+c.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			acts := &anAccountStore{minted: c.minted, sealed: c.sealed}
+			ctx, got := withIssued(t.Context())
+			if c.only {
+				ctx = onlyIfAbsent(ctx)
+			}
+			err := issueAccount(ctx, acts, inventory.BusUser{Username: "ace.mesh-build-go", Kind: inventory.BusModule},
+				func(password string) error {
+					acts.did("seal")
+					if password == "" {
+						t.Error("sealed no password")
+					}
+					return c.sealErr
+				}, func() error { acts.did("after"); return nil })
+			if (err != nil) != (c.sealErr != nil) {
+				t.Fatalf("error %v, want %v", err, c.sealErr)
+			}
+			if strings.Join(acts.acts, " ") != c.want {
+				t.Fatalf("acts %q, want %q", strings.Join(acts.acts, " "), c.want)
+			}
+			if issued := len(got.list()) == 1; issued != (c.sealErr == nil && strings.Contains(c.want, "seal")) {
+				t.Fatalf("said issued %v", got.list())
+			}
+		})
+	}
+
+	// Issue 774: where a vault is installed the controller mints nothing; `module issue` and an assignment's issue are
+	// forwarded to the vault's issue-account, and what the account needs beside its value still runs. A refusal fails
+	// `module issue` and only says itself on an assignment's issue: the vault mints on the want when it hears it.
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		name   string
+		only   bool
+		answer string
+		refuse error
+		want   string
+		fails  bool
+	}{
+		{"module issue: forwarded, minted by the vault", false, `{"minted":true,"account":{"secret":"own/ace/mesh-build-go/broker","generation":1}}`, nil, "after", false},
+		{"an assignment's issue: forwarded, held already", true, `{"minted":false,"why":"held already"}`, nil, "after", false},
+		{"an assignment's issue: refused, said", true, "", errors.New("nobody wants it yet"), "after", false},
+		{"module issue: refused, failed", false, "", errors.New("nobody wants it"), "", true},
+	} {
+		t.Run("forwarded to the vault: "+c.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			was := vaultIssuer
+			t.Cleanup(func() { vaultIssuer = was })
+			var asked []string
+			vaultIssuer = func(context.Context, accountIssuer) (vaultAsker, bool, error) {
+				return func(verb string, args map[string]any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+					asked = append(asked, verb+" "+fmt.Sprint(args["user"]))
+					return json.RawMessage(c.answer), c.refuse
+				}, true, nil
+			}
+			acts := &anAccountStore{}
+			ctx, got := withIssued(t.Context())
+			if c.only {
+				ctx = onlyIfAbsent(ctx)
+			}
+			err := issueAccount(ctx, acts, inventory.BusUser{Username: "ace.mesh-build-go", Kind: inventory.BusModule},
+				func(string) error { acts.did("seal"); return nil }, func() error { acts.did("after"); return nil })
+			if (err != nil) != c.fails || strings.Join(acts.acts, " ") != c.want {
+				t.Fatalf("error %v, acts %q; want failed %v, acts %q (nothing minted, locked or sealed here)", err,
+					strings.Join(acts.acts, " "), c.fails, c.want)
+			}
+			if strings.Join(asked, ",") != "issue-account ace.mesh-build-go" {
+				t.Errorf("the vault was asked %v", asked)
+			}
+			if minted := len(got.list()) == 1; minted != strings.Contains(c.answer, `"minted":true`) {
+				t.Errorf("said issued %v", got.list())
+			}
+		})
+	}
+
+	// The accounts of a module that no longer resolves on its node are stale, its provisioner client's among them; a
+	// module still resolved (assigned or required), an account of another kind, and a node whose resolution is unknown
+	// are left alone (issue 1945: ace's mesh-build-go rows from 17:19, marked sealed by migration 0108).
+	t.Run("stale accounts", func(t *testing.T) {
+		u := func(kind, node, module string) inventory.BusUser {
+			return inventory.BusUser{Username: node + "." + module + "." + kind, Kind: kind, Node: node, Module: module}
+		}
+		users := map[string]inventory.BusUser{}
+		for _, b := range []inventory.BusUser{u(inventory.BusModule, "ace", "mesh-build-go"),
+			u(inventory.BusProcess, "ace", "mesh-build-go"), u(inventory.BusProvisioner, "ace", "mesh-provisioner"),
+			u(inventory.BusModule, "ace", "mesh-build-node"), u(inventory.BusNode, "ace", ""),
+			u(inventory.BusModule, "g14", "mesh-build-go")} {
+			users[b.Username] = b
+		}
+		got := staleAccounts(users, map[string]map[string]bool{"ace": {"mesh-build-node": true}})
+		if want := map[string][]string{"ace": {"mesh-build-go", "mesh-provisioner"}}; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("stale %v, want %v", got, want)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("a process may be issued only with its own broker secret", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// mesh-mail's real shape: no `broker` of its own, its process declaring bus (review round 1 of issue 1181).
+		if err := mayIssue(mailSenderWithProcess()); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("a module with no broker of its own, whose process declares bus, was refused: %v", err)
+		}
+		m := mailSenderWithProcess()
+		delete(m.OwnSecrets, "broker-send")
+		err := mayIssue(m)
+		if err == nil {
+			t.Fatal("a process with no broker-<id> own secret was issued an account")
+		}
+		for _, want := range []string{"mesh-mail", "send", "broker-send", "own-secrets"} {
+			if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+				t.Errorf("the refusal does not say %q: %v", want, err)
+			}
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+// anAccountStore is an accountIssuer that writes down what was asked of it.
+type anAccountStore struct {
+	minted, sealed bool
+	acts           []string
+}
+
+func (a *anAccountStore) did(act string) { a.acts = append(a.acts, act) }
+func (a *anAccountStore) LockBusAccount(context.Context, string) (func(), error) {
+	a.did("lock")
+	return func() { a.did("release") }, nil
+}
+func (a *anAccountStore) BusAccountIssued(context.Context, string) (bool, bool, error) {
+	return a.minted, a.sealed, nil
+}
+func (a *anAccountStore) MintBusPassword(context.Context, inventory.BusUser) (string, error) {
+	a.did("mint")
+	return "a-password", nil
+}
+func (a *anAccountStore) MintBusPasswordUnsealed(context.Context, inventory.BusUser) (string, error) {
+	a.did("mint-unsealed")
+	return "a-password", nil
+}
+func (a *anAccountStore) MarkBusAccountSealed(context.Context, string) error {
+	a.did("mark")
+	return nil
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/build.go

@@ -5,10 +5,11 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"flag"
 	"fmt"
-	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
 	"io"
 	"os"
 
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
 )
@@ -127,17 +128,13 @@ type takenBuild struct {
 	carried func() error
 }
 
-// registerJudged judges a recorded build and registers its module, or says why not.
+// registerJudged registers its module, or says why not.
 func registerJudged(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, j takenBuild) (catalogue.Manifest, error) {
 	manifest, kept := j.manifest, j.kept
 	notRegistered := func(err error) (catalogue.Manifest, error) {
 		return manifest, fmt.Errorf("%s built %s (%s), recorded and not registered: %w", j.by, manifest.Module,
 			short(j.commit), err)
 	}
-	if err := namesNoInstallation(manifest); err != nil {
-		return manifest, fmt.Errorf("%s built %s (%s), and the mesh does not register it: %w",
-			j.by, j.what, short(j.commit), err)
-	}
 	// **Only from the repository the catalogue builds the module from** (novox/hq ADR 0266): else the trunk
 	// below is the trunk of whatever repository was built, which may be one an agent made — and a module named
 	// `sudo` from it would be what the next push sends. Another repository is the operator's, at the terminal.
@@ -150,18 +147,12 @@ func registerJudged(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, j takenBuild)
 			return notRegistered(err)
 		}
 	}
-	// Then the module is judged against the list the mesh publishes, as every manifest read again is: one naming a
-	// key that list does not hold, or of another type, is refused here and never enters the catalogue.
+	// The manifest was judged once, by the indexer, and its verdict taken before this (buildOfKey; ADR 0578 §3).
 	if j.carried != nil {
 		if err := j.carried(); err != nil {
 			return manifest, err
 		}
 	}
-	if manifest.NamesPredefined() {
-		if _, err := catalogue.ParseManifest(kept.Manifest); err != nil {
-			return notRegistered(fmt.Errorf("judged against the list of predefined keys the mesh publishes, %w", err))
-		}
-	}
 	// **A build whose source is unchanged is never a move** (novox/hq issue 280): a rebuild made from
 	// what the build the mesh stands on was made from registers that build's artifacts at the new
 	// commit, so no machine is sent a new digest for a source nobody changed — an image is not
@@ -172,7 +163,7 @@ func registerJudged(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, j takenBuild)
 			return manifest, err
 		}
 		if stands != "" && stands != kept.ID && len(raw) > 0 {
-			if was, err := catalogue.ParseManifest(raw); err == nil && was.Module == manifest.Module {
+			if was, err := catalogue.Decode(raw); err == nil && was.Module == manifest.Module {
 				fmt.Printf("%s at %s was made from the source %s was: registered with its artifacts, no move\n",
 					manifest.Module, short(j.commit), stands)
 				manifest = was
@@ -273,4 +264,7 @@ type answers struct {
 	// applied, is not well: an assignment somebody made is not made yet, or will not be.
 	pending       []inventory.PendingAssignment
 	pendingUnread string
+	// takeIn is the take-in's backlog of done keys on the bus (novox/hq ADR 0544 §6), nil where it cannot be read
+	// (a process with no bus, or a consumer not made yet).
+	takeIn *takeInBacklog
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/build_integration_test.go

@@ -49,8 +49,10 @@ func TestABuildHeardIsRecordedAndRegistered(t *testing.T) {
 			"env": map[string]any{"KC_HOSTNAME": "https://login.mesh-one.be"}}}})
 	_, _, err = takeIn(ctx, open.inventory, link.BuildResult{
 		ID: "b-2", Repository: "/r", On: "anchor", Commit: "0123456789", Manifest: named})
-	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "does not register it") {
-		t.Fatalf("a definition naming an installation was taken in: %v", err)
+	// Not registered from a source the catalogue does not build it from. That it names an installation is no longer the
+	// controller's to judge (ADR 0578 §3): the indexer's judge refuses it (mesh-delivery-indexer judge's installation rows).
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "recorded and not registered") {
+		t.Fatalf("a definition from a source the catalogue does not build it from was taken in: %v", err)
 	}
 	if shelf, _ := open.inventory.Catalogue(ctx); shelf["idp"].Module != "" {
 		t.Fatal("the refused module was registered anyway")

cmd/mesh-controller/builder_on_the_bus_test.go

@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ import (
 type builderOnTheBus struct {
 	js                         *broker.JetStream
 	builds, modules, manifests jetstream.KeyValue
+	// verdicts is the indexer's state of verdicts on manifests (ADR 0578 §1).
+	verdicts jetstream.KeyValue
 }
 
 func aBuilderOnTheBus(t *testing.T) builderOnTheBus {
@@ -40,6 +42,7 @@ func aBuilderOnTheBus(t *testing.T) builderOnTheBus {
 		{&b.builds, sdkdelivery.BuilderBuildsBucket, sdkdelivery.BuilderBuildsHistory},
 		{&b.modules, sdkdelivery.ModulesBucket, sdkdelivery.ModulesHistory},
 		{&b.manifests, sdkdelivery.ManifestsBucket, 1},
+		{&b.verdicts, sdkdelivery.VerdictsBucket, sdkdelivery.VerdictsHistory},
 	} {
 		kv, err := api.CreateKeyValue(ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{Bucket: c.bucket, History: c.history})
 		if err != nil {

cmd/mesh-controller/chain.go

@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func attachTheChain(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, server *link.
 	// keys laid out before skips them, so this takes seconds; one that fails is tried again beside the serving, loudly.
 	if err := inv.LayBuildsOut(ctx, func(format string, args ...any) { fmt.Printf("chain: "+format+"\n", args...) }); err != nil {
 		fmt.Printf("chain: the builds are not laid out under their modules yet, and none is read until they are: %v\n", err)
-		go layBuildsOutSoon(ctx, inv)
+		goServing(ctx, func() { layBuildsOutSoon(ctx, inv) })
 	}
 	// The requests the move of delivery 1 found never handed over are not asked again: the controller asks no build
 	// (novox/hq ADR 0501; issue 1851, A10), and the builder builds every fingerprint the indexer writes.
@@ -80,7 +80,11 @@ func layBuildsOutSoon(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) {
 			Source: "chain", Summary: "the builds are not laid out under their modules, so none is read: "}
 		if err != nil {
 			fmt.Printf("chain: the builds are not laid out under their modules, and none is read until they are: %v\n", err)
-			if keeper := conditionsFrom; keeper != nil && !failed {
+			if ctx.Err() != nil {
+				return // stopped: the next controller lays them out
+			}
+			// A cancelled layout is tried again and raises nothing: a cancellation is no fault of the chain (issue 1945).
+			if keeper := conditionsFrom; keeper != nil && !failed && !errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) {
 				o.Summary += err.Error()
 				if _, oerr := keeper.Observe(ctx, o); oerr == nil {
 					failed = true

cmd/mesh-controller/check.go

@@ -1,337 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"errors"
-	"fmt"
-	"io"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-	"sort"
-	"strings"
-	"time"
-
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
-	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
-)
-
-// moduleCheck judges manifests where they are written, with no mesh (novox/hq ADR 0037, issue 148).
-//
-// **The same functions registration runs, and nothing the command line adds** (ADR 0035): the strict
-// parse with every per-manifest problem, then the rules no single manifest can be judged against,
-// over exactly the manifests given. Somebody describing their own application in their own
-// repository runs this before pushing and finds out there, rather than when a running mesh refuses
-// the registration or, later, when a machine applies something that resolved and should not have.
-//
-// **What it cannot know without a store, it says.** The mesh's own seat set is the store's (ADR
-// 0122); this binary carries a compiled copy that the store overrides when loaded, so a claim on a
-// mesh seat is judged fully only at registration. A seat another module declares is unknown unless
-// that module's manifest is passed too. Both are printed as a note, not as a problem — a check that
-// refused what it could not see would teach people to ignore it.
-//
-// **And every identity against every bound it meets** (novox/hq ADR 0225, issue 263): each module's
-// identity, on a machine whose name is `longestMachine` characters, against the bound of every
-// provision it wants that a manifest given here offers. An overflow is refused in the pull request
-// that introduces it — a new requirement, a lowered bound, a longer slug — instead of on the
-// provider's machine when a real machine's name first meets the module's.
-// SomeManifestsVar, set by the merge gate, says the manifests given are only some of their repository's.
-const SomeManifestsVar = "MESH_MODULE_CHECK_SOME"
-
-func moduleCheck(paths []string, out io.Writer) error {
-	return moduleCheckFor(paths, catalogue.DefaultLongestMachine, out)
-}
-
-func moduleCheckFor(paths []string, longestMachine int, out io.Writer) error {
-	if len(paths) == 0 {
-		return errors.New("module check <manifest.json>... — one file per module; pass every " +
-			"manifest of a repository together so the rules between them are checked too")
-	}
-	shelf := catalogue.Shelf{}
-	faulted := map[string]bool{}
-	failed := 0
-	// The list of predefined keys at the root of the repository above each manifest (novox/hq ADR 0348 §7), read
-	// once per repository: a manifest naming a key is judged against the list its own tree holds.
-	lists := map[string]catalogue.PredefinedList{}
-	listOf := func(path string) (catalogue.PredefinedList, error) {
-		root := catalogue.RepositoryRoot(filepath.Dir(path))
-		if root == "" {
-			return nil, nil
-		}
-		if list, read := lists[root]; read {
-			return list, nil
-		}
-		list, err := catalogue.ReadPredefined(root)
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		lists[root] = list
-		return list, nil
-	}
-	for _, path := range paths {
-		raw, err := os.ReadFile(path)
-		if err != nil {
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s: %v\n", path, err)
-			failed++
-			continue
-		}
-		list, err := listOf(path)
-		if err != nil {
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s: %v\n", path, err)
-			failed++
-			continue
-		}
-		m, err := catalogue.ParseManifestWith(raw, list)
-		if err == nil {
-			// Each template's text read from the tree beside the manifest, and judged as inline content is
-			// (novox/hq ADR 0349 §2): a missing template is refused by name.
-			m, err = catalogue.WithTemplatesFrom(m, filepath.Dir(path))
-		}
-		if err != nil {
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s: %v\n", path, err)
-			failed++
-			continue
-		}
-		if first, twice := shelf[m.Module]; twice {
-			_ = first
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s: %s was already given; two manifests name one module\n", path, m.Module)
-			failed++
-			continue
-		}
-		// A definition names no installation (novox/hq ADR 0112, ADR 0155): judged here, in the
-		// catalogue-wide test, and at registration, which refuses in the same words.
-		if wrong := catalogue.TrustProblems(m); len(wrong) > 0 {
-			for _, p := range wrong {
-				fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s: %s\n", path, p)
-			}
-			failed += len(wrong)
-			faulted[m.Module] = true
-		}
-		// A module that declares a setting names the keys of its mergeable files (novox/hq ADR 0326 §3,
-		// issue 574): judged where a definition is written, as at registration, never where a stored
-		// build is read again.
-		if wrong := catalogue.WrittenSettingsProblems(m); len(wrong) > 0 {
-			for _, p := range wrong {
-				fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s: %s\n", path, p)
-			}
-			failed += len(wrong)
-			faulted[m.Module] = true
-		}
-		// A module lives whole in one repository (novox/hq ADR 0420 §1, issue 1019): when the check is told the
-		// repository it runs for (MESH_CHECK_REPOSITORY, set by the build's check), an artifact building from
-		// another is refused, as the merge gate refuses it. A run by hand names no repository and judges none.
-		if repo := os.Getenv("MESH_CHECK_REPOSITORY"); repo != "" && m.Build != nil {
-			for _, a := range m.Build.Artifacts {
-				if a.Context != nil && a.Context.Repository != "" && !sameRepository(a.Context.Repository,
-					link.SourceMoved{Owner: ownerOf(repo), Repo: repoOf(repo)}) {
-					fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s: %s builds artifact %s from %s: a module lives whole in one repository "+
-						"(novox/hq ADR 0420 §1)\n", path, m.Module, a.Name, a.Context.Repository)
-					failed++
-					faulted[m.Module] = true
-				}
-			}
-		}
-		if named := catalogue.InstallationProblems(m); len(named) > 0 {
-			for _, p := range named {
-				fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s: %s\n", path, p)
-			}
-			failed += len(named)
-			faulted[m.Module] = true
-		}
-		shelf[m.Module] = m
-	}
-
-	// Between the manifests: a seat declared twice, a use of a seat nothing declares, a claim on
-	// a seat that does not exist. Run only over what parsed, because a problem inside one manifest
-	// has already been said and would be said again here in a worse form.
-	//
-	// **Over some of a repository's manifests, a seat none of them declares is a note** (novox/hq issue 364), as
-	// this command's own word says above: the merge gate passes only the manifests a change touches, and says so
-	// with SomeManifestsVar, so a module that uses or claims a seat another module declares (the operator
-	// channel's, a channel bench) was refused there for a manifest it was not given. Given every manifest — the
-	// catalogue's own check, and registration — it stays a refusal.
-	some := os.Getenv(SomeManifestsVar) != ""
-	problems := catalogue.CatalogueProblems(shelf)
-	sort.Strings(problems)
-	for _, p := range problems {
-		if some && catalogue.IsUndeclaredSeat(p) {
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, "note: %s among the manifests given; registration judges it against the whole catalogue, "+
-				"and passing the declaring module's manifest too judges it here\n", p)
-			continue
-		}
-		fmt.Fprintln(out, p)
-		failed++
-	}
-
-	// Between the manifests too: an identity against the bounds of the provisions it wants, which
-	// only the provider's manifest states.
-	identities := catalogue.IdentityProblems(shelf, longestMachine)
-	sort.Strings(identities)
-	for _, p := range identities {
-		fmt.Fprintln(out, p)
-	}
-	failed += len(identities)
-
-	// And the data each module keeps (novox/hq ADR 0233): a provider that grants says what it keeps for
-	// its consumers, a directory a container writes is declared, and no backup line is written by hand.
-	data := catalogue.DataProblems(shelf)
-	sort.Strings(data)
-	for _, p := range data {
-		fmt.Fprintln(out, p)
-	}
-	failed += len(data)
-
-	var names []string
-	for name := range shelf {
-		names = append(names, name)
-	}
-	sort.Strings(names)
-
-	// **Every long-running resource says how it is ready** (novox/hq ADR 0240 rule 8): warned until the
-	// date, refused from it. The count is the catalogue's: its merge check keeps the number and lets a
-	// change lower it, never raise it.
-	undeclared := 0
-	required := !checkNow().Before(catalogue.HealthRequiredFrom)
-	for _, name := range names {
-		missing := catalogue.Undeclared(shelf[name])
-		undeclared += len(missing)
-		if len(missing) == 0 {
-			continue
-		}
-		if required {
-			for _, id := range missing {
-				fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s: %s stays up and does not say how it is ready: a long-running resource declares "+
-					"health since %s (novox/hq ADR 0240 rule 8)\n", name, id, catalogue.HealthRequiredFrom.Format("2006-01-02"))
-			}
-			failed += len(missing)
-			faulted[name] = true
-		}
-	}
-
-	// **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
-	for _, name := range names {
-		unsaid += len(catalogue.UnsaidTrust(shelf[name]))
-	}
-
-	for _, name := range names {
-		m := shelf[name]
-		if faulted[name] {
-			continue
-		}
-		fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s: ok", name)
-		if n := len(m.Tools); n > 0 {
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, ", %d tool(s)", n)
-		}
-		if len(m.Invokes) > 0 {
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, ", invokes %s", joinInvokes(m.Invokes))
-		}
-		// The state it keeps and reads (novox/hq ADR 0201), so a reviewer sees what lands on the bus.
-		if len(m.State) > 0 {
-			kept := make([]string, 0, len(m.State))
-			for _, s := range m.State {
-				kept = append(kept, s.Name)
-			}
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, ", keeps state %s", strings.Join(kept, ", "))
-		}
-		// And the logs it keeps, with their caps (novox/hq ADR 0297).
-		if len(m.Logs) > 0 {
-			kept := make([]string, 0, len(m.Logs))
-			for _, l := range m.Logs {
-				kept = append(kept, fmt.Sprintf("%s (%d MiB)", l.Name, l.Cap()))
-			}
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, ", keeps log %s", strings.Join(kept, ", "))
-		}
-		if len(m.Reads) > 0 {
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, ", reads %s", strings.Join(m.Reads, ", "))
-		}
-		// The data it keeps, by class, so a reviewer sees what the mesh will protect and how.
-		if items := m.DataItems(); len(items) > 0 {
-			kept := make([]string, 0, len(items))
-			for _, it := range items {
-				kept = append(kept, it.ID+" ("+it.Class+")")
-			}
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, ", keeps %s", strings.Join(kept, ", "))
-		}
-		// How what it runs is ready (ADR 0240): each declared check, and what is judged by liveness alone.
-		var checks []string
-		for _, r := range m.Resources {
-			if h, has, _ := catalogue.ReadHealth(r); has {
-				checks = append(checks, fmt.Sprintf("%v by %s", r["id"], catalogue.HealthWords(h)))
-			}
-		}
-		// And its own runtime's, where it runs as its own account (novox/hq ADR 0366).
-		if own, has := catalogue.OwnRuntimeHealth(m); has {
-			if h, _, _ := catalogue.ReadHealth(own); h.Kind != "" {
-				checks = append(checks, fmt.Sprintf("%v by %s", own["id"], catalogue.HealthWords(h)))
-			}
-		}
-		if len(checks) > 0 {
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, ", ready: %s", strings.Join(checks, "; "))
-		}
-		if missing := catalogue.UnsaidTrust(m); len(missing) > 0 {
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, "; WARNING: %s ask(s) for a setting and do(es) not say whether it is trusted, so it counts as "+
-				"trusted: set at the terminal alone; say %q false where nothing trusts it (novox/hq issue 339)",
-				strings.Join(missing, ", "), catalogue.TrustedField)
-		}
-		if missing := catalogue.Undeclared(m); len(missing) > 0 {
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, "; WARNING: %s stay(s) up and say(s) not how it is ready — judged by liveness alone, "+
-				"refused from %s (ADR 0240 rule 8)", strings.Join(missing, ", "), catalogue.HealthRequiredFrom.Format("2006-01-02"))
-		}
-		fmt.Fprintln(out)
-	}
-	// The count the catalogue keeps (ADR 0240 rule 8), in a line its merge check reads.
-	fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s %d\n", UndeclaredHealthLine, undeclared)
-	fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s %d\n", UnsaidTrustLine, unsaid)
-	if failed > 0 {
-		return fmt.Errorf("%d problem(s) in %d manifest(s)", failed, len(paths))
-	}
-	fmt.Fprintf(out, "%d manifest(s) checked. Judged against the seats this binary carries; a claim on "+
-		"one of the mesh's own seats is judged fully at registration, and a seat declared by a "+
-		"module not given here reads as unknown. Identities judged on a %d-character machine name, "+
-		"against the bounds of the providers given here\n", len(paths), longestMachine)
-	return nil
-}
-
-// UndeclaredHealthLine starts the line `module check` says the count of long-running resources without
-// `health` in, over the manifests given: the catalogue's merge check compares it with the number it keeps.
-const UndeclaredHealthLine = "long-running resources without health:"
-
-// UnsaidTrustLine starts the line `module check` says the count of files that ask for a setting and do not say
-// whether it is trusted, and so count as trusted (novox/hq issue 339).
-const UnsaidTrustLine = "files asking for a setting without saying whether it is trusted:"
-
-// checkNow is the clock `module check` judges the date by; a test sets it.
-var checkNow = time.Now
-
-func joinInvokes(invokes []string) string {
-	if len(invokes) == 1 && invokes[0] == "*" {
-		return "every tool"
-	}
-	s := ""
-	for i, t := range invokes {
-		if i > 0 {
-			s += ", "
-		}
-		s += t
-	}
-	return s
-}
-
-// manifestsUnder lists every module.json below a directory, for `module check <dir>`.
-func manifestsUnder(dir string) ([]string, error) {
-	var found []string
-	err := filepath.WalkDir(dir, func(path string, d os.DirEntry, err error) error {
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-		if d.IsDir() && (d.Name() == "node_modules" || d.Name() == ".git" || d.Name() == "dist") {
-			return filepath.SkipDir
-		}
-		if !d.IsDir() && d.Name() == "module.json" {
-			found = append(found, path)
-		}
-		return nil
-	})
-	sort.Strings(found)
-	return found, err
-}

cmd/mesh-controller/check_test.go

@@ -1,161 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"bytes"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-	"strings"
-
-	"testing"
-
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
-	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/beside"
-)
-
-// The check anybody can run is the check registration runs (novox/hq issue 148, ADR 0037): a manifest
-// with a known fault is named, and one without passes, with no store opened.
-func TestModuleCheckNamesAFaultAndNeedsNoMesh(t *testing.T) {
-	dir := t.TempDir()
-	good := filepath.Join(dir, "good.json")
-	bad := filepath.Join(dir, "bad.json")
-	os.WriteFile(good, []byte(`{"module":"shop","version":"1","tools":["price"],"invokes":["mesh-catalog.catalog_modules"]}`), 0o600)
-	os.WriteFile(bad, []byte(`{"module":"till","version":"1","invokes":["shop"]}`), 0o600)
-
-	var out bytes.Buffer
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{good}, &out); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("a sound manifest was refused: %v\n%s", err, out.String())
-	}
-	if !strings.Contains(out.String(), "shop: ok, 1 tool(s), invokes mesh-catalog.catalog_modules") {
-		t.Fatalf("the report does not say what it checked:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-
-	out.Reset()
-	err := moduleCheck([]string{good, bad}, &out)
-	if err == nil {
-		t.Fatal("a manifest invoking a module and no tool passed")
-	}
-	if !strings.Contains(out.String(), `till invokes "shop", which does not name a tool`) {
-		t.Fatalf("the fault is not named in the manifest's words:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-}
-
-// The rules between manifests run over what was given together: a seat two modules declare is
-// refused, which no single-manifest check can see.
-func TestModuleCheckJudgesBetweenTheManifestsGiven(t *testing.T) {
-	dir := t.TempDir()
-	a := filepath.Join(dir, "a.json")
-	b := filepath.Join(dir, "b.json")
-	os.WriteFile(a, []byte(`{"module":"a","version":"1","seats":[{"name":"printer","scope":"mesh"}]}`), 0o600)
-	os.WriteFile(b, []byte(`{"module":"b","version":"1","seats":[{"name":"printer","scope":"mesh"}]}`), 0o600)
-	var out bytes.Buffer
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{a, b}, &out); err == nil {
-		t.Fatalf("two declarations of one seat passed:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-	if !strings.Contains(out.String(), "a seat name means one protocol") {
-		t.Fatalf("the cross-manifest rule was not the one named:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-}
-
-// The real catalogue passes the command, the way it passes the test that used to be the only check.
-func TestModuleCheckPassesTheCatalogue(t *testing.T) {
-	root := beside.Catalogue(t)
-	paths, err := manifestsUnder(root)
-	if err != nil || len(paths) == 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("no manifests under %s: %v", root, err)
-	}
-	var out bytes.Buffer
-	if err := moduleCheck(paths, &out); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("the catalogue does not pass its own check: %v\n%s", err, out.String())
-	}
-}
-
-func TestRegistrationRefusesADefinitionNamingAnInstallation(t *testing.T) {
-	// novox/hq ADR 0155: the check moves to registration once the catalogue passes it. Both
-	// ways in — `module add` and a build's result — go through this, and a name declared on
-	// purpose passes with its reason.
-	named := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "idp", Resources: []map[string]any{
-		{"id": "server", "type": "container", "image": "x@sha256:aa",
-			"env": map[string]any{"KC_HOSTNAME": "https://login.mesh-one.be"}},
-	}}
-	err := namesNoInstallation(named)
-	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "login.mesh-one.be") ||
-		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), catalogue.NamesOnPurpose) {
-		t.Fatalf("a definition naming an installation is refused with the name and the way out; got %v", err)
-	}
-	meant := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "site", Resources: []map[string]any{
-		{"id": "server", "type": "container", "image": "registry.mesh-one.be/org/site@sha256:cc",
-			catalogue.NamesOnPurpose: map[string]any{
-				"registry.mesh-one.be": "built outside the mesh until its repository is a build source here"}},
-	}}
-	if err := namesNoInstallation(meant); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("a name declared on purpose passes; got %v", err)
-	}
-}
-
-// **The controller's own manifest names every verb of its seat** (novox/hq ADR 0132): its tools lagged
-// the seat's verbs for weeks, and `module check` — the gate's first step for a change touching it —
-// refused it. Held here, so a verb added to the table without the manifest fails this repository's
-// own suite rather than its next pull request's gate.
-func TestTheControllersManifestServesEveryVerbOfItsSeat(t *testing.T) {
-	var out strings.Builder
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{"../../module.json"}, &out); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("the controller's own module.json fails module check: %v\n%s", err, out.String())
-	}
-}
-
-// A module that uses a seat another module declares (novox/hq issue 364): refused over the whole catalogue when the
-// declarer is missing, a note when the gate says it gives only the manifests a change touches.
-func TestASeatAnotherModuleDeclaresIsANoteOverSomeManifests(t *testing.T) {
-	dir := t.TempDir()
-	user := filepath.Join(dir, "user.json")
-	os.WriteFile(user, []byte(`{"module":"asker","version":"1","uses":["operator-channel"]}`), 0o600)
-	var out bytes.Buffer
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{user}, &out); err == nil {
-		t.Fatalf("a use of a seat nothing given declares passed the whole-catalogue check:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-	t.Setenv(SomeManifestsVar, "1")
-	out.Reset()
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{user}, &out); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("over some manifests the use was refused:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-	if !strings.Contains(out.String(), "note: asker uses the seat \"operator-channel\"") {
-		t.Fatalf("the note was not said:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-}
-
-// **A module lives whole in one repository** (novox/hq ADR 0420 §1, issue 1019): `module check`, told the
-// repository it runs for, refuses an artifact whose build context names another; run by hand, it does not know.
-func TestModuleCheckRefusesAnArtifactContextNamingAnotherRepository(t *testing.T) {
-	dir := t.TempDir()
-	write := func(name, context string) string {
-		path := filepath.Join(dir, name+".json")
-		raw := `{"module":"` + name + `","version":"1","build":{"artifacts":[{"name":"server","kind":"image","from":"Dockerfile"` + context + `}]}}`
-		if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte(raw), 0o600); err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
-		return path
-	}
-	other := write("other", `,"context":{"seat":"git","repository":"novox/mesh-controller","ref":"main"}`)
-	own := write("own", `,"context":{"seat":"git","repository":"novox/mesh-catalog","ref":"main"}`)
-	none := write("none", ``)
-
-	t.Setenv("MESH_CHECK_REPOSITORY", "novox/mesh-catalog")
-	var out bytes.Buffer
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{other}, &out); err == nil {
-		t.Fatalf("a context naming another repository passed:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-	if !strings.Contains(out.String(), "other builds artifact server from novox/mesh-controller: a module lives whole in one repository (novox/hq ADR 0420 §1)") {
-		t.Errorf("the refusal is not in the words of the gate:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-	for _, path := range []string{own, none} {
-		out.Reset()
-		if err := moduleCheck([]string{path}, &out); err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("%s was refused: %v\n%s", path, err, out.String())
-		}
-	}
-	t.Setenv("MESH_CHECK_REPOSITORY", "")
-	out.Reset()
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{other}, &out); err != nil {
-		t.Errorf("a local run, with no repository named, refused it: %v\n%s", err, out.String())
-	}
-}

cmd/mesh-controller/compose_input_credentials_integration_test.go

@@ -217,6 +217,11 @@ func TestTheAdaptersInputCarriesTheOwnSecretsTheBoxesTheLicencesAndTheBus(t *tes
 		Module: "objects"}, "a-password"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	// Minted and sealed to its node: an account counts as issued, and is named among the minted, only once sealed
+	// (ADR 0543 §2, PR #467).
+	if err := inv.MarkBusAccountSealed(ctx, "anchor.objects"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
 	if err := inv.PutBusMembership(ctx, "laptop", "sealed-membership"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/compose_input_settings_test.go

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import (
 // configForm is a module in the config form, shaped as a real one (inventory's config_move_test).
 func configForm(t *testing.T, name string) catalogue.Manifest {
 	t.Helper()
-	m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(`{"module": "` + name + `", "version": "1",
+	m, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(`{"module": "` + name + `", "version": "1",
 		"config": {"level": {"type": "string", "description": "how much it says", "default": "info"}},
 		"resources": [{"id": "conf", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/` + name + `.json", "mode": "0640",
 			"content": "{\"level\": \"info\"}", "merge": "json", "takes-config": ["level"]}]}`))

cmd/mesh-controller/compose_perform.go

@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ func perform(ctx context.Context, open *stores, in *meshInput, node string, d co
 		}
 	}
 
-	// The node's own secrets: a module's superuser password, an administrator, an account. The composition refused what the
-	// send refuses (a bus credential nobody issued, a given value under an old key).
+	// The node's own secrets: a module's superuser password, an administrator, an account. A bus credential nobody issued is
+	// held out of the composition before this (holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts), a given value under an old key by the composition.
 	for _, one := range d.StoodIn {
 		module, name, ok := strings.Cut(one, "/")
 		if !ok || strings.Contains(one, " ") {

cmd/mesh-controller/compose_sdk.go

@@ -184,8 +184,10 @@ func composeQuestion(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, mode compos
 	if err := refusedBus(in, node); err != nil {
 		return sendable{}, nil, err
 	}
+	held := holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts(in, node, &d)
 	sayFound(ctx, d)
 	out := sendableOf(d)
+	out.heldForCredential = held
 	out.fileReferences = readsFileReferences(in.Input, node)
 	if !withOrder {
 		out.Sequence, out.Epoch, out.Generation = 0, 0, 0
@@ -212,6 +214,82 @@ func refusedBus(in *meshInput, node string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts holds out of d every module that stands in for a bus credential nobody issued: the module's
+// `broker` own secret (its account `<node>.<module>`) or the provisioner client's (`provisioner.<node>`). A bus credential is
+// minted, never invented: a send that made one would seal a placeholder its process cannot read (novox/hq issue 203).
+// mesh-sdk's composition stands one in, in the Foreseeing mode, since a node's answer to a proposal is asked before the vault
+// mints it (mesh-sdk #141, issue 774).
+//
+// **That one module is held, never the node.** Its resources, its stand-ins and its build leave this composition, it is named
+// among the left out with issue 203's words (said where the composition's other lines go), and the rest of the node composes:
+// a refusal of the whole node stopped every take-in on the machine that runs the bus for one account (2026-11-01, novox's
+// mesh-hand-acts, which the vault had in fact minted; the controller cannot read the vault's accounts yet, so such a module
+// stays held until its account is in the controller's store). The modules held are answered, sorted.
+func holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts(in *meshInput, node string, d *compose.Declared) []string {
+	why := map[string]string{}
+	for _, one := range d.StoodIn {
+		module, name, ok := strings.Cut(one, "/")
+		if !ok || strings.Contains(one, " ") {
+			continue
+		}
+		var user string
+		switch name {
+		case "broker":
+			user = node + "." + module
+		case compose.ProvisionerSecret:
+			user = "provisioner." + node
+		default:
+			continue
+		}
+		if _, said := why[module]; said || slices.Contains(in.Input.BusMinted, user) {
+			continue
+		}
+		why[module] = fmt.Sprintf("it has no bus credential: nothing was issued for %s, and a push would seal a placeholder "+
+			"its process cannot read (novox/hq issue 203). `module issue %s --node %s`, then push again", user, module, node)
+	}
+	if len(why) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	held := make([]string, 0, len(why))
+	for module := range why {
+		held = append(held, module)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(held)
+	ofHeld := func(s string) bool {
+		module, _, _ := strings.Cut(s, "/")
+		_, out := why[module]
+		return out
+	}
+	kept := d.Resources[:0:0]
+	for _, r := range d.Resources {
+		module := d.ModuleOf[fmt.Sprint(r["id"])]
+		if module == "" {
+			module, _ = r["module"].(string)
+		}
+		if _, out := why[module]; !out {
+			kept = append(kept, r)
+		}
+	}
+	d.Resources = kept
+	d.StoodIn = slices.DeleteFunc(d.StoodIn, ofHeld)
+	d.Foreseen = slices.DeleteFunc(d.Foreseen, ofHeld)
+	d.Modules = slices.DeleteFunc(d.Modules, func(m string) bool { _, out := why[m]; return out })
+	if d.LeftOutWhy == nil {
+		d.LeftOutWhy = map[string]string{}
+	}
+	for _, module := range held {
+		delete(d.BuildIDs, module)
+		d.LeftOutWhy[module] = why[module]
+		if !slices.Contains(d.LeftOut, module) {
+			d.LeftOut = append(d.LeftOut, module)
+		}
+		d.Said = append(d.Said, fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s is held out of %s's composition, and the rest of %s composes: %s",
+			module, node, node, node, why[module]))
+	}
+	sort.Strings(d.LeftOut)
+	return held
+}
+
 // markUnresolvable is an error of a node whose own set does not compose, as planFor marked it.
 func markUnresolvable(err error) error {
 	if compose.IsUnresolvable(err) {
@@ -256,6 +334,9 @@ func composeSendValidated(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string) (senda
 		if err := refusedBus(in, node); err != nil {
 			return sendable{}, nil, err
 		}
+		// Before perform makes what the composition stands in for: a bus credential is never one of them. The module
+		// whose account nobody issued is held out of this composition, and the rest of the node composes.
+		held := holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts(in, node, &d)
 		if len(byController) > 0 {
 			if d, problems, err = sealedByTheController(in, node, d, byController); err != nil {
 				return sendable{}, nil, err
@@ -272,6 +353,7 @@ func composeSendValidated(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string) (senda
 		if len(left) == 0 && len(in.wouldMake) == 0 {
 			sayFound(ctx, d)
 			out := sendableOf(d)
+			out.heldForCredential = held
 			out.fileReferences = readsFileReferences(in.Input, node)
 			// The sender stamps the order it allots (order.stamp); a composition for a send carries none of its own.
 			out.Sequence, out.Epoch, out.Generation = 0, 0, 0
@@ -326,9 +408,13 @@ 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 +424,12 @@ 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/compose_sdk_test.go

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose"
+	sdkdelivery "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 )
 
 // A declaration as the SDK composes it is the one the controller sends, byte for byte, whatever it carries: the body is the
@@ -85,3 +86,73 @@ func TestADeclarationThatStandsInForAValueIsStillForeseen(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// 2026-11-01 (issue 203's refusal after the 1585 group): a module standing in for a bus account nobody issued is held out of
+// the composition, alone; the rest of the node composes, with no stand-in left. An issued account holds nothing. And a held
+// module with no fingerprint of the new form keeps the node's own composition as last written.
+func TestAnUnissuedBusAccountHoldsItsModuleAloneAndNeverTheNode(t *testing.T) {
+	declared := func() compose.Declared {
+		return compose.Declared{
+			Resources: []map[string]any{
+				{"id": "hands.broker", "type": "file", "sealed": catalogue.ForeseenSealed},
+				{"id": "hands.unit", "type": "service"},
+				{"id": "client.broker", "type": "file", "sealed": catalogue.ForeseenSealed},
+				{"id": "web.config", "type": "file", "content": "ok"},
+			},
+			ModuleOf: map[string]string{"hands.broker": "hands", "hands.unit": "hands", "client.broker": "client",
+				"web.config": "web"},
+			BuildIDs: map[string]string{"hands": "b-1", "client": "b-2", "web": "b-3"},
+			Modules:  []string{"client", "hands", "web"},
+			StoodIn:  []string{"hands/broker", "client/" + compose.ProvisionerSecret},
+			Foreseen: []string{"hands/broker", "client/" + compose.ProvisionerSecret},
+		}
+	}
+	for name, c := range map[string]struct {
+		minted []string
+		held   []string
+	}{
+		"issued by nobody":            {held: []string{"client", "hands"}},
+		"the module's account issued": {minted: []string{"anchor.hands"}, held: []string{"client"}},
+		"both issued":                 {minted: []string{"anchor.hands", "provisioner.anchor"}},
+	} {
+		in := &meshInput{Input: compose.Input{BusMinted: c.minted}}
+		d := declared()
+		held := holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts(in, "anchor", &d)
+		if !reflect.DeepEqual(held, c.held) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: held %v, want %v", name, held, c.held)
+			continue
+		}
+		if len(c.held) < 2 {
+			continue // an issued account's stand-in is the send's to make (perform), not this one's
+		}
+		if left := stillForeseen(d); len(left) != 0 {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the rest of the node still stands in for %v", name, left)
+		}
+		if !reflect.DeepEqual(d.Modules, []string{"web"}) || len(d.Resources) != 1 || d.BuildIDs["hands"] != "" {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the rest of the node is not what composes: %v %v %v", name, d.Modules, d.Resources, d.BuildIDs)
+		}
+		if !reflect.DeepEqual(d.LeftOut, []string{"client", "hands"}) ||
+			!strings.Contains(d.LeftOutWhy["hands"], "module issue hands --node anchor") ||
+			!strings.Contains(d.LeftOutWhy["client"], "provisioner.anchor") || len(d.Said) != 2 {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the held modules are not said in issue 203's words: %v %v %v", name, d.LeftOut, d.LeftOutWhy, d.Said)
+		}
+	}
+
+	own, err := sdkdelivery.ComposedNodeKey("anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for name, c := range map[string]struct {
+		fps     map[string]string
+		keepOwn bool
+	}{
+		"a held module of the new form":    {fps: map[string]string{"hands": sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2 + "x"}, keepOwn: true},
+		"a held module of the former form": {fps: map[string]string{}},
+	} {
+		comps := map[string]sdkdelivery.Composed{own: {Node: "anchor"}}
+		said := withoutNodeOwnForHeld("anchor", comps, c.fps, []string{"hands"})
+		if _, kept := comps[own]; kept != c.keepOwn || (said == "") != c.keepOwn {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the node's own composition kept %v (want %v), said %q", name, kept, c.keepOwn, said)
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_integration_test.go

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ 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/identity"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/testbus"
@@ -76,13 +77,18 @@ func aComposingMesh(t *testing.T) *composingMesh {
 	return m
 }
 
-// trunkKeys are a done key and the indexer's trunk value naming it.
+// trunkKeys are a done key and the indexer's trunk value naming it. The indexer holds that value at the trunk's commit
+// alone, as the real one does: answering it for any commit made a module registered at an older commit look already
+// registered at the trunk's fingerprint, so the take-in only moved its commit and recorded no build (issue 1945).
 type trunkKeys struct {
 	keyBuckets
 	trunk sdkdelivery.Module
 }
 
-func (k trunkKeys) ModuleAt(context.Context, string, string) (sdkdelivery.Module, error) {
+func (k trunkKeys) ModuleAt(_ context.Context, _ string, commit string) (sdkdelivery.Module, error) {
+	if commit != "" && !sameCommitID(commit, k.trunk.Commit) {
+		return sdkdelivery.Module{}, builderkeys.ErrNoValue
+	}
 	return k.trunk, nil
 }
 
@@ -102,8 +108,10 @@ func TestTheDeclarationsStreamGoesOnceEveryNodeRunsTheNewEngine(t *testing.T) {
 	// The new node-engine registered at its fingerprint, from its done key.
 	n6 := fpOf('6')
 	keys, trunk := aKeyFor("mesh-host", "6", n6, "novox/mesh-host", "", "f00d0123456789ab")
-	if _, err := liveDoneKeySteps(m.open, trunkKeys{keyBuckets: keys, trunk: trunk}).take(ctx, "mesh-host"); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
+	settled, _ := liveTakeInSteps(m.open, trunkKeys{keyBuckets: keys, trunk: trunk}, m.js).batch(ctx,
+		[]delivered{{module: "mesh-host", again: true}}, map[string]string{})
+	if len(settled) != 1 || settled[0].err != nil || settled[0].verdict != acknowledged {
+		t.Fatalf("the take-in of mesh-host: %+v", settled)
 	}
 	if _, err := m.js.CreateOrUpdateKeyValue(ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{Bucket: sdkdelivery.HaveBucket, History: sdkdelivery.HaveHistory}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
@@ -140,4 +148,35 @@ 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

@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"maps"
+	"slices"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
@@ -12,205 +14,285 @@ import (
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	sdkdelivery "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 	"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/conditions"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
 )
 
 // A new fingerprint of a registered module, from its done key to its compositions (novox/hq ADR 0539 clauses 5 and 7,
-// ADR 0501 §2). With no delivery plan left to take a module's done key in, a write of the builder's or the indexer's
-// keys does it: the controller takes in the done key of the fingerprint the indexer's trunk value names (registers the
-// module at it, as a plan's take-in did), composes every node the module is assigned to (which makes what a module's
-// new manifest needs, a credential among it, as a send made it), composes the node holding the bus (its user list now
-// carries the module's permissions at the new fingerprint: a new revision of the bus module's composition alone,
-// written into its want at once by the assigner), and writes `grants.<module>.<fp>`. The assigner's sixth and seventh
-// rules then let a want name the fingerprint. **No timer**: woken by the keys, and a starting controller looks at every
-// module once (doneKeysAtStart).
+// ADR 0501 §2, ADR 0544). With no delivery plan left to take a module's done key in, a write of the builder's or the
+// indexer's keys does it: the controller takes in the done key of the fingerprint the indexer's trunk value names
+// (registers the module at it, as a plan's take-in did), composes every node the module is assigned to (which makes what
+// a module's new manifest needs, a credential among it), composes the node holding the bus (its user list now carries
+// the module's permissions at the new fingerprint), and writes `grants.<module>.<fp>`. The assigner's sixth and seventh
+// rules then let a want name the fingerprint.
+//
+// **A durable pull consumer, not a watch** (ADR 0544; research 072, milestones 2 and 4). The writes are read from two
+// durable consumers (take_in_consumer.go): the bus keeps what is not taken in yet, so a restart takes in only what the
+// controller before it left unacknowledged, and the start's look is the consumers' own catch-up. A batch of keys asks the
+// composer twice whatever its size, and a key with nothing new composes nothing.
 
-// doneKeySteps are what taking a module's done key in does, each a step a test may stand in for.
-type doneKeySteps struct {
-	// held says the catalogue holds the module (a new one is the new-module take-in's, new_modules.go).
-	held func(ctx context.Context, module string) (bool, error)
+// takeInSteps are what taking a batch of done keys in does, each a step a test may stand in for.
+type takeInSteps struct {
+	// catalogue is every module the catalogue holds, with the nodes it is assigned to: read once a batch. A module it
+	// does not hold is the new-module take-in's (new_modules.go).
+	catalogue func(ctx context.Context) (map[string][]string, error)
 	// trunk is the indexer's trunk value of the module.
 	trunk func(ctx context.Context, module string) (sdkdelivery.Module, error)
-	// registeredAt says the module is registered at the commit.
-	registeredAt func(ctx context.Context, module, commit string) (bool, error)
-	// takeIn registers the module from the builder's done key of the trunk's fingerprint (takeInKey); errKeyWaits when
-	// the key is not done yet.
+	// registered says whether the module is registered at the trunk's commit, and whether at its fingerprint: a commit
+	// that moves while the fingerprint stays (a catalogue merge that leaves the module's sources alone) is no new build.
+	registered func(ctx context.Context, module string, trunk sdkdelivery.Module) (atCommit, atFP bool, err error)
+	// recordCommit records the module's registration at the trunk's commit, its fingerprint unchanged: nothing composed.
+	recordCommit func(ctx context.Context, module, commit string) error
+	// takeIn registers the module from the builder's done key of the trunk's fingerprint (takeInKey).
 	takeIn func(ctx context.Context, module string, trunk sdkdelivery.Module) error
-	// nodesOf are the nodes the module is assigned to; busHolder the node holding the bus, "" for none.
-	nodesOf   func(ctx context.Context, module string) ([]string, error)
+	// taken says the module's compositions at fp exist for every node and its grant is written: nothing to compose.
+	taken func(ctx context.Context, module, fp string, nodes []string) (bool, error)
+	// busHolder is the node holding the bus, "" for none.
 	busHolder func(ctx context.Context) (string, error)
-	// compose writes the nodes' compositions; grants writes the grants issued.
-	compose func(ctx context.Context, nodes []string) error
-	grants  func(ctx context.Context) error
+	// compose composes the nodes, and writes the grants after when grants: each node's error, and the grants'.
+	compose func(ctx context.Context, nodes []string, grants bool) (map[string]error, error, error)
 }
 
-// take takes module's done key in and composes what it changed. It answers what it did in a line, "" when there was
-// nothing to do.
-func (s doneKeySteps) take(ctx context.Context, module string) (string, error) {
-	held, err := s.held(ctx, module)
-	if err != nil || !held {
-		return "", err
-	}
-	trunk, err := s.trunk(ctx, module)
-	if errors.Is(err, builderkeys.ErrNoValue) {
-		return "", nil
-	}
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", err
-	}
-	if !strings.HasPrefix(trunk.FP2, sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2) {
-		return "", nil
-	}
-	at, err := s.registeredAt(ctx, module, trunk.Commit)
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", err
-	}
-	said := ""
-	if !at {
-		if err := s.takeIn(ctx, module, trunk); err != nil {
-			return "", err
-		}
-		said = fmt.Sprintf("%s registered from the builder's done key %s (%s)", module, short(trunk.FP2), short(trunk.Commit))
-	}
-	nodes, err := s.nodesOf(ctx, module)
-	if err != nil {
-		return said, err
-	}
-	if len(nodes) == 0 {
-		return said, nil
-	}
-	// The module's nodes first: composing them makes what the new manifest needs, its credentials among it.
-	if err := s.compose(ctx, nodes); err != nil {
-		return said, err
-	}
-	// Then the bus's user list, which carries the module's permissions at its new fingerprint.
-	holder, err := s.busHolder(ctx)
-	if err != nil {
-		return said, err
-	}
-	if holder != "" && !inList(nodes, holder) {
-		if err := s.compose(ctx, []string{holder}); err != nil {
-			return said, err
-		}
-	}
-	// Then the grant, which with the composition lets a want name the fingerprint (rules 6 and 7).
-	if err := s.grants(ctx); err != nil {
-		return said, err
-	}
-	if said == "" {
-		said = fmt.Sprintf("%s at %s", module, short(trunk.FP2))
-	}
-	return said + "; composed for " + strings.Join(nodes, ", ") + ", its grant written", nil
+// delivered is one key a consumer delivered: its module, and whether it was delivered before (a take-in that may have
+// stopped half-way, so it is taken in whole).
+type delivered struct {
+	module string
+	again  bool
+	// deliveries is how often the bus delivered it, this time included: what a refusal's delay grows with.
+	deliveries uint64
 }
 
-func inList(list []string, s string) bool {
-	for _, v := range list {
-		if v == s {
-			return true
-		}
-	}
-	return false
-}
+// verdict is what becomes of a module's delivered keys.
+type verdict int
 
-// doneKeyTakeOnce is one take-in; a variable so a test may stand in for it. doneKeysSay says a line of the take-ins.
-var (
-	doneKeyTakeOnce = takeDoneKeyOnce
-	doneKeysSay     = func(s string) { fmt.Println(s) }
+const (
+	// acknowledged: taken in, nothing new, a wait a later write ends, or a build key that failed.
+	acknowledged verdict = iota
+	// refused: delivered again by the bus after doneKeyRetry (a wait on a read, or a failure).
+	refused
 )
 
-// doneKeysBeforeLetGo is called just before a follower lets go of its module; a variable so a test can wake the module
-// at that moment. Nil does nothing.
-var doneKeysBeforeLetGo func(module string)
-
-// doneKeysLookAgain marks a module woken while a take-in of it ran: that take-in goes round once more.
-var doneKeysLookAgain sync.Map
-
-// doneKeysMu keeps one take-in of a module's done key at a time in this process, per module.
-var doneKeysMu sync.Map
-
-// takeDoneKey is a woken module's take-in on the live stores and buckets, said. A take-in that fails (its compositions
-// or its grant not written) is tried again every doneKeyRetry while it fails, loudly: printed each time, and an urgent
-// condition raised by the first until it has worked, as the chain's own moves are (layBuildsOutSoon). A key not done
-// yet is no failure: it is said once for each reason it waits for and looked at again every doneKeyRetry.
-func takeDoneKey(ctx context.Context, open *stores, module string) {
-	mu, _ := doneKeysMu.LoadOrStore(module, &sync.Mutex{})
-	for {
-		if !mu.(*sync.Mutex).TryLock() {
-			// A take-in of the module already follows it: it is told to look again once it is done, so a newer key
-			// written meanwhile is never lost (the review of issue 1945).
-			doneKeysLookAgain.Store(module, true)
-			return
-		}
-		followDoneKey(ctx, open, module)
-		if doneKeysBeforeLetGo != nil {
-			doneKeysBeforeLetGo(module)
-		}
-		mu.(*sync.Mutex).Unlock()
-		// A wake between this follower's last look and its letting go failed its TryLock and only marked the module:
-		// looked at again now that it is let go, and taken once more (the review of issue 1945).
-		if _, again := doneKeysLookAgain.LoadAndDelete(module); !again || ctx.Err() != nil {
-			return
-		}
-	}
+// settledKey is what a batch did with one module.
+type settledKey struct {
+	module  string
+	verdict verdict
+	// taken: registered, composed and granted now (not nothing new); its condition is cleared.
+	taken bool
+	// nothingNew: registered and composed before, so nothing was done.
+	nothingNew bool
+	// waits is why it waits, "" when it does not.
+	waits string
+	// err is a failure: raised as the module's condition.
+	err error
+	// said is the line said of it, "" for none.
+	said string
 }
 
-// followDoneKey takes a module's done key in, under the module's lock, until it is taken in or ctx ends: a failure or a
-// wait is tried again every doneKeyRetry.
-func followDoneKey(ctx context.Context, open *stores, module string) {
-	failed := false
-	saidWait := ""
-	for {
-		doneKeysLookAgain.Delete(module) // what this look reads covers every wake before it
-		err := doneKeyTakeOnce(ctx, open, module)
-		o := doneKeyObservation(module)
-		if err == nil {
-			if keeper := conditionsFrom; keeper != nil && failed {
-				_, _ = keeper.Clear(ctx, o.Key(), "composed and granted")
-				failed = false
-			}
-			if _, again := doneKeysLookAgain.LoadAndDelete(module); again {
-				continue // a wake came while this one ran: once more, for the key written meanwhile
-			}
-			return
+// batch takes the delivered keys in, each module once: it answers one settledKey per module in the order first
+// delivered, and the number of composer passes it asked. memo is, per module, the trunk (fingerprint and commit) this
+// process took in last; a module at the same trunk delivered for the first time has nothing new.
+func (s takeInSteps) batch(ctx context.Context, keys []delivered, memo map[string]string) ([]settledKey, int) {
+	var order []string
+	again := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, k := range keys {
+		if _, seen := again[k.module]; !seen {
+			order = append(order, k.module)
 		}
-		if errors.Is(err, errKeyWaits) {
-			// A take-in that waits is said once for each reason, and tried again every doneKeyRetry: the key write that
-			// would wake it may never come (issue 1945, live on 2026-10-25: mesh-host's take-in waited unsaid).
-			if why := err.Error(); why != saidWait {
-				doneKeysSay(fmt.Sprintf("done keys: %s waits: %s; looked at again every %s", module,
-					strings.TrimPrefix(why, errKeyWaits.Error()+": "), doneKeyRetry))
-				saidWait = why
-			}
-		} else {
-			doneKeysSay(fmt.Sprintf("done keys: %s: %v; tried again in %s", module, err, doneKeyRetry))
+		again[k.module] = again[k.module] || k.again
+	}
+	out := make([]settledKey, 0, len(order))
+	all := func(v verdict, err error) ([]settledKey, int) {
+		for _, m := range order {
+			out = append(out, settledKey{module: m, verdict: v, err: err})
 		}
-		if errors.Is(err, errKeyWaits) {
-			select {
-			case <-ctx.Done():
-				return
-			case <-time.After(doneKeyRetry):
-			}
+		return out, 0
+	}
+	held, err := s.catalogue(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return all(refused, fmt.Errorf("the catalogue cannot be read: %w", err))
+	}
+	type toCompose struct {
+		at    int
+		nodes []string
+		mark  string
+		said  string
+	}
+	var need []toCompose
+	for _, m := range order {
+		r := settledKey{module: m}
+		nodes, isHeld := held[m]
+		if !isHeld {
+			out = append(out, r)
 			continue
 		}
-		if keeper := conditionsFrom; keeper != nil && !failed {
-			o.Summary += err.Error()
-			if _, oerr := keeper.Observe(ctx, o); oerr == nil {
-				failed = true
+		trunk, err := s.trunk(ctx, m)
+		if errors.Is(err, builderkeys.ErrNoValue) {
+			out = append(out, r)
+			continue
+		}
+		if err == nil && !strings.HasPrefix(trunk.FP2, sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2) {
+			// The indexer's next write names one: said once, as every wait for a write (ADR 0544 §4).
+			why := trunk.None2
+			if why == "" {
+				why = "the indexer wrote no fingerprint of the new form"
+			}
+			r.waits = fmt.Sprintf("%v: %s at %.8s has no fingerprint to take a build by: %s", errWaitsForAWrite, m,
+				trunk.Commit, why)
+			out = append(out, r)
+			continue
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			r.verdict, r.err = refused, err
+			out = append(out, r)
+			continue
+		}
+		mark := trunk.FP2 + "@" + trunk.Commit
+		if !again[m] && memo[m] == mark {
+			r.nothingNew = true
+			out = append(out, r)
+			continue
+		}
+		at, atFP, err := s.registered(ctx, m, trunk)
+		if err == nil && !at && atFP {
+			// Only the commit moved (issue 1945: every catalogue merge took about 200 modules in again, 25 minutes): the
+			// new commit is recorded, and the module is judged as one registered, composed only if something is missing.
+			if err = s.recordCommit(ctx, m, trunk.Commit); err == nil {
+				at = true
 			}
 		}
-		select {
-		case <-ctx.Done():
-			return
-		case <-time.After(doneKeyRetry):
+		if err != nil {
+			r.verdict, r.err = refused, err
+			out = append(out, r)
+			continue
+		}
+		said := ""
+		if !at {
+			if err := s.takeIn(ctx, m, trunk); err != nil {
+				switch {
+				case errors.Is(err, errWaitsForAWrite):
+					r.waits = err.Error()
+				case errors.Is(err, errKeyWaits):
+					r.verdict, r.waits = refused, err.Error()
+				case errors.Is(err, errKeyFailed):
+					r.err = err // acknowledged: only a new build ends it, and its key is delivered then
+				default:
+					r.verdict, r.err = refused, err
+				}
+				out = append(out, r)
+				continue
+			}
+			said = fmt.Sprintf("%s registered from the builder's done key %s (%s)", m, short(trunk.FP2), short(trunk.Commit))
+		} else if !again[m] {
+			// Registered at its trunk already: composed and granted by a take-in before this one, or at this
+			// controller's start, unless that take-in stopped half-way, which leaves a composition or the grant missing.
+			if done, err := s.taken(ctx, m, trunk.FP2, nodes); err == nil && done {
+				memo[m] = mark
+				r.nothingNew = true
+				out = append(out, r)
+				continue
+			}
+		}
+		if len(nodes) == 0 {
+			memo[m] = mark
+			r.taken, r.said = true, said
+			out = append(out, r)
+			continue
+		}
+		if said == "" {
+			said = fmt.Sprintf("%s at %s", m, short(trunk.FP2))
+		}
+		need = append(need, toCompose{at: len(out), nodes: nodes, mark: mark, said: said})
+		out = append(out, r)
+	}
+	if len(need) == 0 {
+		return out, 0
+	}
+	refuseNeed := func(err error) ([]settledKey, int) {
+		for _, n := range need {
+			out[n.at].verdict, out[n.at].err = refused, err
+		}
+		return out, 0
+	}
+	holder, err := s.busHolder(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return refuseNeed(fmt.Errorf("the node holding the bus cannot be read: %w", err))
+	}
+	// The modules' nodes first, in one pass: composing them makes what their new manifests need, credentials among it.
+	var union []string
+	for _, n := range need {
+		for _, node := range n.nodes {
+			if node != holder && !slices.Contains(union, node) {
+				union = append(union, node)
+			}
 		}
 	}
+	sort.Strings(union)
+	passes := 0
+	failed := map[string]error{}
+	if len(union) > 0 {
+		f, _, err := s.compose(ctx, union, false)
+		passes++
+		if err != nil {
+			return refuseNeed(err)
+		}
+		maps.Copy(failed, f)
+	}
+	// Then the bus's user list, which carries the modules' permissions at their new fingerprints, and the grants, which
+	// with the compositions let a want name each fingerprint (rules 6 and 7).
+	var bus []string
+	if holder != "" {
+		bus = []string{holder}
+	}
+	f, grantsErr, err := s.compose(ctx, bus, true)
+	passes++
+	if err != nil {
+		return refuseNeed(err)
+	}
+	maps.Copy(failed, f)
+	for _, n := range need {
+		var errs []error
+		for _, node := range append(slices.Clone(n.nodes), bus...) {
+			if e := failed[node]; e != nil && !slices.ContainsFunc(errs, func(x error) bool { return x == e }) {
+				errs = append(errs, e)
+			}
+		}
+		if grantsErr != nil {
+			errs = append(errs, grantsErr)
+		}
+		r := &out[n.at]
+		if len(errs) > 0 {
+			r.verdict, r.err = refused, errors.Join(errs...)
+			continue
+		}
+		memo[r.module] = n.mark
+		r.taken = true
+		r.said = n.said + "; composed for " + strings.Join(n.nodes, ", ") + ", its grant written"
+	}
+	return out, passes
 }
 
-// doneKeyRetry is how long a failed take-in of a done key waits before it tries again.
+// doneKeysSay says a line of the take-ins; a variable so a test may hear it.
+var doneKeysSay = func(s string) { fmt.Println(s) }
+
+// doneKeyRetry is how long the bus waits before it delivers again a key whose take-in was refused the first time; each
+// refusal after doubles it, up to doneKeyRetryMost, so a key refused for long (a manifest word this controller does not
+// read yet, a node whose composition keeps failing) costs a take-in every few minutes, not every half minute.
 var doneKeyRetry = 30 * time.Second
 
+// doneKeyRetryMost is the longest a refused key waits before it is delivered again.
+const doneKeyRetryMost = 10 * time.Minute
+
+// refusalDelay is how long the bus waits before it delivers again a key refused on its deliveries-th delivery.
+func refusalDelay(deliveries uint64) time.Duration {
+	d := doneKeyRetry
+	for i := uint64(1); i < deliveries && d < doneKeyRetryMost; i++ {
+		d *= 2
+	}
+	return min(d, doneKeyRetryMost)
+}
+
 // kindNotComposed is the condition of a module's new fingerprint whose compositions or grant are not written: until
 // they are, no want can name it.
 const kindNotComposed = "fingerprint-not-composed"
@@ -221,40 +303,37 @@ func doneKeyObservation(module string) conditions.Observation {
 		Summary: module + "'s new fingerprint is not composed or granted, so no want can name it: "}
 }
 
-// takeDoneKeyOnce is one take-in of a module's done key.
-func takeDoneKeyOnce(ctx context.Context, open *stores, module string) error {
-	keys, closeKeys, err := openBuilderKeys()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("the builder's keys cannot be read: %w", err)
-	}
-	defer closeKeys()
-	said, err := liveDoneKeySteps(open, keys).take(ctx, module)
-	if err == nil && said != "" {
-		fmt.Printf("done keys: %s\n", said)
-	}
-	return err
-}
-
-// liveDoneKeySteps are the steps on the controller's own stores and the bus.
-func liveDoneKeySteps(open *stores, keys registerKeys) doneKeySteps {
+// liveTakeInSteps are the steps on the controller's own stores and the bus.
+func liveTakeInSteps(open *stores, keys registerKeys, js jetstream.JetStream) takeInSteps {
 	inv := open.inventory
-	return doneKeySteps{
-		held: func(ctx context.Context, module string) (bool, error) {
-			_, err := inv.SourceOf(ctx, module)
-			if errors.Is(err, inventory.ErrNoSuchModule) {
-				return false, nil
+	return takeInSteps{
+		catalogue: func(ctx context.Context) (map[string][]string, error) {
+			entries, err := inv.Catalogued(ctx)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
 			}
-			return err == nil, err
+			out := make(map[string][]string, len(entries))
+			for _, e := range entries {
+				out[e.Manifest.Module] = e.On
+			}
+			return out, nil
 		},
 		trunk: func(ctx context.Context, module string) (sdkdelivery.Module, error) {
 			return keys.ModuleAt(ctx, module, "")
 		},
-		registeredAt: func(ctx context.Context, module, commit string) (bool, error) {
+		registered: func(ctx context.Context, module string, trunk sdkdelivery.Module) (bool, bool, error) {
 			src, err := inv.SourceOf(ctx, module)
 			if err != nil {
-				return false, err
+				return false, false, err
 			}
-			return sameCommitID(src.BuiltFrom, commit), nil
+			if sameCommitID(src.BuiltFrom, trunk.Commit) {
+				return true, true, nil
+			}
+			fp, err := registeredFingerprint(ctx, inv, keys, module, src.BuiltFrom)
+			return false, err == nil && fp != "" && fp == trunk.FP2, nil
+		},
+		recordCommit: func(ctx context.Context, module, commit string) error {
+			return inv.RecordBuiltFrom(ctx, module, commit)
 		},
 		takeIn: func(ctx context.Context, module string, trunk sdkdelivery.Module) error {
 			_, _, err := takeInKey(ctx, inv, keys, keyTake{Module: module, Trunk: trunk, Ask: registrationAsk{Merge: trunk.Commit}})
@@ -263,17 +342,8 @@ func liveDoneKeySteps(open *stores, keys registerKeys) doneKeySteps {
 			}
 			return err
 		},
-		nodesOf: func(ctx context.Context, module string) ([]string, error) {
-			entries, err := inv.Catalogued(ctx)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, err
-			}
-			for _, e := range entries {
-				if e.Manifest.Module == module {
-					return e.On, nil
-				}
-			}
-			return nil, nil
+		taken: func(ctx context.Context, module, fp string, nodes []string) (bool, error) {
+			return composedAndGranted(ctx, js, module, fp, nodes)
 		},
 		busHolder: func(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 			holders, err := seatHolders(ctx, inv)
@@ -284,107 +354,64 @@ func liveDoneKeySteps(open *stores, keys registerKeys) doneKeySteps {
 		},
 		// The composer's, never the take-in's own: one pass at a time composes each node asked for once, and writes the
 		// grants once (issue 1945, composer.go).
-		compose: func(ctx context.Context, nodes []string) error {
-			return composerFor(open).compose(ctx, nodes, false)
-		},
-		grants: func(ctx context.Context) error {
-			return composerFor(open).compose(ctx, nil, true)
+		compose: func(ctx context.Context, nodes []string, grants bool) (map[string]error, error, error) {
+			return composerFor(open).composeEach(ctx, nodes, grants)
 		},
 	}
 }
 
-// watchDoneKeys wakes the take-in of a module's done key for each module the builder or the indexer writes, until ctx
-// ends: never on the watch's own goroutine.
-func watchDoneKeys(ctx context.Context, open *stores) {
-	keys, closeKeys, err := openBuilderKeys()
-	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("done keys: the builder's keys are not watched: %v\n", err)
-		return
+// registeredFingerprint is the fingerprint a module is registered at, as currentFingerprints reads it: its commit's
+// newest build's, or the indexer's value at the commit when the commit has no build of its own; "" when neither says.
+func registeredFingerprint(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, keys registerKeys, module, commit string) (string, error) {
+	if commit == "" {
+		return "", nil
 	}
-	if err := builderkeys.Watch(ctx, keys.JS, func(module string) {
-		inBackground(func() { takeDoneKey(ctx, open, module) })
-	}); err != nil {
-		closeKeys()
-		fmt.Printf("done keys: the builder's keys are not watched: %v\n", err)
-		return
-	}
-	go func() {
-		<-ctx.Done()
-		closeKeys()
-	}()
-	// And every module once now, after the watch is open so no write falls between the two.
-	inBackground(func() {
-		doneKeysAtStart(ctx, catalogedModules(open), func(module string) { takeDoneKeyAtStart(ctx, open, module) })
-	})
-}
-
-// doneKeysAtStart takes in the done key of every catalogued module once, one after another: the start's look the watch of
-// new writes cannot give (it hears updates only). A done key written while no controller served, or whose take-in the
-// controller this one replaced was stopped in, is taken here; without it the module stays in the node's own composition
-// with no credential until its keys are written again (issue 1945, live on 2026-10-25 at 02:34). A take-in with nothing
-// to do does nothing; a catalogue that cannot be read is said.
-func doneKeysAtStart(ctx context.Context, modules func(context.Context) ([]string, error), take func(module string)) {
-	names, err := modules(ctx)
-	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("done keys: the modules are not looked at once at the start: %v\n", err)
-		return
-	}
-	sort.Strings(names)
-	// Side by side, a few at a time: their compositions meet in the composer's passes, each node composed once per pass
-	// (issue 1945), so the start's look is not one module's composition after another.
-	sem := make(chan struct{}, startTakeIns)
-	var wg sync.WaitGroup
-	for _, m := range names {
-		if ctx.Err() != nil {
-			break
+	if id, err := inv.BuildOf(ctx, module, commit); err == nil && id != "" {
+		if b, found, err := inv.BuildByID(ctx, id); err == nil && found && b.SourceFingerprint != "" {
+			return b.SourceFingerprint, nil
 		}
-		sem <- struct{}{}
-		wg.Add(1)
-		go func() {
-			defer func() { <-sem; wg.Done() }()
-			take(m)
-		}()
 	}
-	wg.Wait()
+	at, err := keys.ModuleAt(ctx, module, commit)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return at.FP2, nil
 }
 
-// startTakeIns is how many take-ins the start's look runs at once.
-const startTakeIns = 16
-
-// 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) {
-	mu, _ := doneKeysMu.LoadOrStore(module, &sync.Mutex{})
-	if !mu.(*sync.Mutex).TryLock() {
-		// A take-in already follows the module: told to look again, it takes what the start would have (issue 1945).
-		doneKeysLookAgain.Store(module, true)
-		return
+// composedAndGranted says the bus holds module's grant at fp and its composition at fp for every node: a few reads of
+// keys, never a composition.
+func composedAndGranted(ctx context.Context, js jetstream.JetStream, module, fp string, nodes []string) (bool, error) {
+	grants, err := js.KeyValue(ctx, broker.GrantsBucket)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
 	}
-	doneKeysLookAgain.Delete(module) // what this look reads covers every wake before it
-	err := doneKeyTakeOnce(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).
-	_, again := doneKeysLookAgain.LoadAndDelete(module)
-	if err != nil || again {
-		// A failure, a wait or a wake meanwhile is followed by takeDoneKey, which says it and looks again.
-		inBackground(func() { takeDoneKey(ctx, open, module) })
+	key, err := sdkdelivery.ControllerGrantKey(module, fp)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
 	}
-}
-
-// catalogedModules are the names of every module the catalogue holds.
-func catalogedModules(open *stores) func(context.Context) ([]string, error) {
-	return func(ctx context.Context) ([]string, error) {
-		entries, err := open.inventory.Catalogued(ctx)
+	if _, err := grants.Get(ctx, key); err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrKeyNotFound) {
+			return false, nil
+		}
+		return false, err
+	}
+	digests, err := js.KeyValue(ctx, sdkdelivery.ControllerComposedBucket)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	for _, node := range nodes {
+		key, err := sdkdelivery.ComposedKey(node, module, fp)
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, err
+			return false, err
 		}
-		out := make([]string, 0, len(entries))
-		for _, e := range entries {
-			out = append(out, e.Manifest.Module)
+		if _, err := digests.Get(ctx, key); err != nil {
+			if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrKeyNotFound) {
+				return false, nil
+			}
+			return false, err
 		}
-		return out, nil
 	}
+	return true, nil
 }
 
 // doneKeysComposers are the composers of the done keys' take-ins in this process, one for each set of stores (a test

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_keys_start_test.go

@@ -1,34 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"context"
-	"errors"
-	"reflect"
-	"sort"
-	"sync"
-	"testing"
-)
-
-// A starting controller takes in the done key of every catalogued module once, beside the watch of new writes: a done key
-// written while no controller served, or whose take-in the controller it replaced was stopped in, is otherwise never
-// taken, and its module stays in the node's own composition with no credential (issue 1945, live on 2026-10-25 at 02:34:
-// the controller replaced mid take-in left mesh-provisioner-client, gitea, postgres and many more unregistered at their
-// new fingerprints, and the new one, watching updates only, never looked).
-func TestAStartingControllerTakesEveryModulesDoneKeyOnce(t *testing.T) {
-	var took []string
-	var mu sync.Mutex
-	doneKeysAtStart(context.Background(), func(context.Context) ([]string, error) {
-		return []string{"mesh-provisioner-client", "gitea", "postgres"}, nil
-	}, func(module string) { mu.Lock(); took = append(took, module); mu.Unlock() })
-	sort.Strings(took)
-	if want := []string{"gitea", "mesh-provisioner-client", "postgres"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(took, want) {
-		t.Fatalf("took %v, want %v", took, want)
-	}
-	// A catalogue that cannot be read takes nothing and is said, never fatal.
-	took = nil
-	doneKeysAtStart(context.Background(), func(context.Context) ([]string, error) { return nil, errors.New("down") },
-		func(module string) { took = append(took, module) })
-	if len(took) != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("took %v from a catalogue that could not be read", took)
-	}
-}

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_keys_test.go

@@ -4,84 +4,305 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"slices"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	sdkdelivery "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/builderkeys"
 )
 
-// stepsFor are doneKeySteps over a module registered at registered, whose trunk value names fp at commit, assigned to
-// nodes, the bus held on holder; every act is written to acts in order.
-func stepsFor(acts *[]string, registered, commit, fp string, nodes []string, holder string) doneKeySteps {
-	return doneKeySteps{
-		held: func(_ context.Context, module string) (bool, error) { return module == "mesh-mail", nil },
-		trunk: func(context.Context, string) (sdkdelivery.Module, error) {
-			if fp == "" {
+// aTakeIn is a mesh for the take-in's steps: per module its registered commit, its trunk (commit, fingerprint), its
+// nodes, whether its compositions and grant exist, and what its take-in answers; every act is written to acts.
+type aTakeIn struct {
+	registered map[string]string
+	sameFP     map[string]bool   // registered at another commit, at the trunk's fingerprint
+	trunks     map[string]string // module -> commit; no entry: no trunk value
+	nodes      map[string][]string
+	taken      map[string]bool
+	takeInErr  map[string]error
+	composeErr map[string]error
+	grantsErr  error
+	holder     string
+	acts       []string
+}
+
+func (m *aTakeIn) steps() takeInSteps {
+	fp := func(module string) string { return sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat(module[:1], 64) }
+	return takeInSteps{
+		catalogue: func(context.Context) (map[string][]string, error) {
+			m.acts = append(m.acts, "catalogue")
+			out := map[string][]string{}
+			for k, v := range m.nodes {
+				out[k] = v
+			}
+			return out, nil
+		},
+		trunk: func(_ context.Context, module string) (sdkdelivery.Module, error) {
+			commit, ok := m.trunks[module]
+			if !ok {
 				return sdkdelivery.Module{}, builderkeys.ErrNoValue
 			}
-			return sdkdelivery.Module{Commit: commit, FP2: fp}, nil
+			return sdkdelivery.Module{Commit: commit, FP2: fp(module)}, nil
+		},
+		registered: func(_ context.Context, module string, trunk sdkdelivery.Module) (bool, bool, error) {
+			if m.registered[module] == trunk.Commit {
+				return true, true, nil
+			}
+			return false, m.sameFP[module], nil
+		},
+		recordCommit: func(_ context.Context, module, commit string) error {
+			m.acts = append(m.acts, "record "+module+" at "+commit)
+			return nil
 		},
-		registeredAt: func(_ context.Context, _ string, c string) (bool, error) { return c == registered, nil },
 		takeIn: func(_ context.Context, module string, trunk sdkdelivery.Module) error {
-			*acts = append(*acts, "take in "+module+" at "+trunk.Commit)
-			return nil
+			m.acts = append(m.acts, "take in "+module+" at "+trunk.Commit)
+			return m.takeInErr[module]
 		},
-		nodesOf:   func(context.Context, string) ([]string, error) { return nodes, nil },
-		busHolder: func(context.Context) (string, error) { return holder, nil },
-		compose: func(_ context.Context, ns []string) error {
-			*acts = append(*acts, "compose "+strings.Join(ns, ","))
-			return nil
+		taken:     func(_ context.Context, module, _ string, _ []string) (bool, error) { return m.taken[module], nil },
+		busHolder: func(context.Context) (string, error) { return m.holder, nil },
+		compose: func(_ context.Context, nodes []string, grants bool) (map[string]error, error, error) {
+			act := "compose " + strings.Join(nodes, ",")
+			if grants {
+				act += " and grants"
+			}
+			m.acts = append(m.acts, act)
+			failed := map[string]error{}
+			for _, n := range nodes {
+				if e := m.composeErr[n]; e != nil {
+					failed[n] = e
+				}
+			}
+			if grants {
+				return failed, m.grantsErr, nil
+			}
+			return failed, nil, nil
 		},
-		grants: func(context.Context) error { *acts = append(*acts, "grants"); return nil },
 	}
 }
 
-// 1945/AC3 (unit half): a done key of a new fingerprint of an assigned module is taken in, then the module's nodes are
-// composed, then the node holding the bus (its user list), then the grants: the grant and the composition exist
-// before the assigner's rules let a want name the fingerprint. A module registered at the trunk's commit already is
-// composed and granted without a second take-in; one assigned nowhere, unregistered, or with no trunk value is left
-// alone.
-func TestADoneKeyIsTakenInComposedAndGranted(t *testing.T) {
-	fp := sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("c", 64)
-	var acts []string
-	said, err := stepsFor(&acts, "old", "new", fp, []string{"ace", "g14"}, "novox").take(context.Background(), "mesh-mail")
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
+// A batch of done keys takes each module in once and asks the composer at most twice, whatever its size: once for the
+// nodes of every module with something new, then once for the node holding the bus with the grants (ADR 0544 §5). A
+// module registered at its trunk whose compositions and grant exist, or that this process took in at the same trunk,
+// composes nothing (§3): the old take-in composed it three times over, every key and every start (issue 1945, 17:36 on
+// 2026-10-25). A key delivered again is taken in whole. A wait for a write is acknowledged, a wait on a read and a
+// failure refused, a failed build key acknowledged with its condition (§4).
+func TestATakeInBatch(t *testing.T) {
+	waitsForAWrite := fmt.Errorf("%w: the key is building", errWaitsForAWrite)
+	waitsOnARead := fmt.Errorf("%w: the store is away", errKeyWaits)
+	keyFailed := fmt.Errorf("%w: the build failed", errKeyFailed)
+	type want struct {
+		verdict           verdict
+		taken, nothingNew bool
+		waits, err        bool
 	}
-	if got := strings.Join(acts, "; "); got != "take in mesh-mail at new; compose ace,g14; compose novox; grants" {
-		t.Errorf("the acts were %q", got)
+	cases := []struct {
+		name   string
+		mesh   aTakeIn
+		keys   []delivered
+		memo   map[string]string
+		acts   []string
+		passes int
+		want   map[string]want
+	}{
+		{name: "a new fingerprint: taken in, its nodes, then the bus's node and the grants",
+			mesh: aTakeIn{registered: map[string]string{"mail": "old"}, trunks: map[string]string{"mail": "new"},
+				nodes: map[string][]string{"mail": {"ace", "g14", "novox"}}, holder: "novox"},
+			keys: []delivered{{module: "mail"}},
+			acts: []string{"catalogue", "take in mail at new", "compose ace,g14", "compose novox and grants"}, passes: 2,
+			want: map[string]want{"mail": {taken: true}}},
+		{name: "registered, composed and granted: nothing composed (fails on the old take-in)",
+			mesh: aTakeIn{registered: map[string]string{"mail": "new", "nats": "n"}, trunks: map[string]string{"mail": "new", "nats": "n"},
+				nodes: map[string][]string{"mail": {"ace"}, "nats": {"novox"}}, taken: map[string]bool{"mail": true, "nats": true},
+				holder: "novox"},
+			keys: []delivered{{module: "mail"}, {module: "nats"}, {module: "mail"}},
+			acts: []string{"catalogue"},
+			want: map[string]want{"mail": {nothingNew: true}, "nats": {nothingNew: true}}},
+		{name: "a catalogue merge that moved the commit and not the fingerprint: recorded, nothing composed",
+			mesh: aTakeIn{registered: map[string]string{"mail": "a85d9037"}, sameFP: map[string]bool{"mail": true},
+				trunks: map[string]string{"mail": "2df05030"}, nodes: map[string][]string{"mail": {"ace"}},
+				taken: map[string]bool{"mail": true}, holder: "novox"},
+			keys: []delivered{{module: "mail"}},
+			acts: []string{"catalogue", "record mail at 2df05030"}, want: map[string]want{"mail": {nothingNew: true}}},
+		{name: "taken in by this process at the same trunk: nothing new, not even a look at its keys",
+			mesh: aTakeIn{registered: map[string]string{"mail": "new"}, trunks: map[string]string{"mail": "new"},
+				nodes: map[string][]string{"mail": {"ace"}}, holder: "novox"},
+			keys: []delivered{{module: "mail"}},
+			memo: map[string]string{"mail": sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("m", 64) + "@new"},
+			acts: []string{"catalogue"}, want: map[string]want{"mail": {nothingNew: true}}},
+		{name: "delivered again: taken in whole, even when it looks done",
+			mesh: aTakeIn{registered: map[string]string{"mail": "new"}, trunks: map[string]string{"mail": "new"},
+				nodes: map[string][]string{"mail": {"ace"}}, taken: map[string]bool{"mail": true}, holder: "novox"},
+			keys: []delivered{{module: "mail", again: true}},
+			acts: []string{"catalogue", "compose ace", "compose novox and grants"}, passes: 2,
+			want: map[string]want{"mail": {taken: true}}},
+		{name: "a take-in that stopped half-way: composed",
+			mesh: aTakeIn{registered: map[string]string{"mail": "new"}, trunks: map[string]string{"mail": "new"},
+				nodes: map[string][]string{"mail": {"ace"}}, holder: "novox"},
+			keys: []delivered{{module: "mail"}},
+			acts: []string{"catalogue", "compose ace", "compose novox and grants"}, passes: 2,
+			want: map[string]want{"mail": {taken: true}}},
+		{name: "three modules, one pass for their nodes and one for the bus",
+			mesh: aTakeIn{registered: map[string]string{}, trunks: map[string]string{"mail": "1", "web": "2", "bus": "3"},
+				nodes: map[string][]string{"mail": {"ace", "novox"}, "web": {"g14", "ace"}, "bus": {"novox"}}, holder: "novox"},
+			keys: []delivered{{module: "mail"}, {module: "web"}, {module: "bus"}},
+			acts: []string{"catalogue", "take in mail at 1", "take in web at 2", "take in bus at 3", "compose ace,g14",
+				"compose novox and grants"}, passes: 2,
+			want: map[string]want{"mail": {taken: true}, "web": {taken: true}, "bus": {taken: true}}},
+		{name: "assigned nowhere, held by no catalogue, no trunk value: nothing composed",
+			mesh: aTakeIn{registered: map[string]string{}, trunks: map[string]string{"mail": "1", "odd": "2"},
+				nodes: map[string][]string{"mail": nil, "none": {"ace"}}, holder: "novox"},
+			keys: []delivered{{module: "mail"}, {module: "odd"}, {module: "none"}},
+			acts: []string{"catalogue", "take in mail at 1"},
+			want: map[string]want{"mail": {taken: true}, "odd": {}, "none": {}}},
+		{name: "a grant not written refuses the key, never swallowed",
+			mesh: aTakeIn{registered: map[string]string{}, trunks: map[string]string{"mail": "1"},
+				nodes: map[string][]string{"mail": {"ace"}}, holder: "novox", grantsErr: errors.New("the bucket mesh-controller_grants: not found")},
+			keys: []delivered{{module: "mail"}},
+			acts: []string{"catalogue", "take in mail at 1", "compose ace", "compose novox and grants"}, passes: 2,
+			want: map[string]want{"mail": {verdict: refused, err: true}}},
+		{name: "a node that fails refuses only its modules",
+			mesh: aTakeIn{registered: map[string]string{}, trunks: map[string]string{"mail": "1", "web": "2"},
+				nodes: map[string][]string{"mail": {"ace"}, "web": {"g14"}}, holder: "novox",
+				composeErr: map[string]error{"ace": errors.New("store refused")}},
+			keys:   []delivered{{module: "mail"}, {module: "web"}},
+			acts:   []string{"catalogue", "take in mail at 1", "take in web at 2", "compose ace,g14", "compose novox and grants"},
+			passes: 2, want: map[string]want{"mail": {verdict: refused, err: true}, "web": {taken: true}}},
+		{name: "waits and failures: a write's wait acknowledged, a read's refused, a failed key acknowledged",
+			mesh: aTakeIn{registered: map[string]string{}, trunks: map[string]string{"a": "1", "b": "2", "c": "3"},
+				nodes: map[string][]string{"a": {"ace"}, "b": {"ace"}, "c": {"ace"}}, holder: "novox",
+				takeInErr: map[string]error{"a": waitsForAWrite, "b": waitsOnARead, "c": keyFailed}},
+			keys: []delivered{{module: "a"}, {module: "b"}, {module: "c"}},
+			acts: []string{"catalogue", "take in a at 1", "take in b at 2", "take in c at 3"},
+			want: map[string]want{"a": {waits: true}, "b": {verdict: refused, waits: true}, "c": {err: true}}},
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(said, "registered from the builder's done key") {
-		t.Errorf("said %q", said)
+	for _, c := range cases {
+		t.Run(c.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			memo := c.memo
+			if memo == nil {
+				memo = map[string]string{}
+			}
+			settled, passes := c.mesh.steps().batch(t.Context(), c.keys, memo)
+			if !slices.Equal(c.mesh.acts, c.acts) {
+				t.Fatalf("the acts were\n  %q\nwant\n  %q", c.mesh.acts, c.acts)
+			}
+			if passes != c.passes {
+				t.Fatalf("%d composer pass(es), want %d", passes, c.passes)
+			}
+			if len(settled) != len(c.want) {
+				t.Fatalf("settled %d module(s), want %d: %+v", len(settled), len(c.want), settled)
+			}
+			for _, r := range settled {
+				w := c.want[r.module]
+				got := want{verdict: r.verdict, taken: r.taken, nothingNew: r.nothingNew, waits: r.waits != "", err: r.err != nil}
+				if got != w {
+					t.Errorf("%s: %+v, want %+v (%v)", r.module, got, w, r.err)
+				}
+				if r.taken && memo[r.module] == "" {
+					t.Errorf("%s was taken in and not remembered", r.module)
+				}
+			}
+		})
 	}
 
-	acts = nil
-	if _, err := stepsFor(&acts, "new", "new", fp, []string{"novox"}, "novox").take(context.Background(), "mesh-mail"); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	if got := strings.Join(acts, "; "); got != "compose novox; grants" {
-		t.Errorf("a module registered at its trunk already: %q", got)
-	}
+	// And each delivered key is acknowledged or refused by its module's verdict, the refused with the retry's delay.
+	t.Run("acknowledged and refused", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mesh := aTakeIn{registered: map[string]string{}, trunks: map[string]string{"a": "1", "b": "2"},
+			nodes: map[string][]string{"a": {"ace"}, "b": {"ace"}}, takeInErr: map[string]error{"b": waitsOnARead}}
+		var acked, naked []string
+		msg := func(module string) takeInMsg {
+			return takeInMsg{delivered: delivered{module: module, deliveries: 3}, ack: func() { acked = append(acked, module) },
+				nak: func(d time.Duration) {
+					if d != refusalDelay(3) {
+						t.Errorf("refused with a delay of %s", d)
+					}
+					naked = append(naked, module)
+				}}
+		}
+		state := &takeInState{memo: map[string]string{}, raised: map[string]bool{}, saidWait: map[string]string{}}
+		said := state.take(t.Context(), mesh.steps(), []takeInMsg{msg("a"), msg("b"), msg("a")})
+		if !slices.Equal(acked, []string{"a", "a"}) || !slices.Equal(naked, []string{"b"}) {
+			t.Fatalf("acknowledged %v and refused %v", acked, naked)
+		}
+		if !strings.Contains(said, "1 taken in") || !strings.Contains(said, "1 waiting") {
+			t.Fatalf("said %q", said)
+		}
+	})
 
-	for name, s := range map[string]doneKeySteps{
-		"assigned nowhere": stepsFor(&acts, "old", "new", fp, nil, "novox"),
-		"no trunk value":   stepsFor(&acts, "old", "new", "", []string{"ace"}, "novox"),
+	// A key refused for long holds no slot the others need: each consumer leaves far more keys unacknowledged than a
+	// batch takes, so 8 keys refused on each stop no ninth (the review of ADR 0544: with 8 a consumer, they stopped it
+	// for good), and a refusal waits longer each time, up to ten minutes.
+	t.Run("refused keys stop no other", func(t *testing.T) {
+		for _, bucket := range []string{sdkdelivery.ModulesBucket, sdkdelivery.BuilderBuildsBucket} {
+			if c := takeInConfig(bucket); c.MaxAckPending < 8+startTakeIns || c.AckPolicy != jetstream.AckExplicitPolicy {
+				t.Errorf("%s: %d unacknowledged at most (%v): 8 refused keys and a batch do not fit", bucket,
+					c.MaxAckPending, c.AckPolicy)
+			}
+		}
+		was := time.Duration(0)
+		for n := uint64(1); n <= 8; n++ {
+			d := refusalDelay(n)
+			if d < was || d > doneKeyRetryMost || (n == 1 && d != doneKeyRetry) {
+				t.Fatalf("the %d. refusal waits %s (the one before %s)", n, d, was)
+			}
+			was = d
+		}
+		if was != doneKeyRetryMost {
+			t.Fatalf("the 8. refusal waits %s, want %s", was, doneKeyRetryMost)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+// The take-in stalls when it holds work (keys not delivered yet, or a batch handed and not settled) and settles none
+// for five minutes; refused keys waiting for their delay are no work, so a quiet mesh is no stall. The first look
+// always says what it found, so a stall raised before a restart is cleared once this controller moves (ADR 0544 §6
+// and its second review).
+func TestATakeInStallsWhenItHoldsWorkAndSettlesNone(t *testing.T) {
+	at := time.Date(2026, 10, 25, 17, 36, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	type reading struct {
+		after            time.Duration
+		pending, taking  uint64
+		handed, settled  uint64
+		stalled, changed bool
+	}
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		name     string
+		readings []reading
+	}{
+		{"keys not delivered and nothing settled", []reading{
+			{0, 190, 8, 50, 50, false, true}, // the first look always says what it found
+			{4 * time.Minute, 190, 8, 50, 50, false, false},
+			{5 * time.Minute, 190, 8, 50, 50, true, true},
+			{6 * time.Minute, 190, 8, 50, 50, true, false},
+			{7 * time.Minute, 180, 8, 60, 60, false, true},
+			{20 * time.Minute, 0, 0, 60, 60, false, false},
+		}},
+		{"refused keys waiting alone are no stall", []reading{
+			{0, 0, 3, 40, 40, false, true},
+			{30 * time.Minute, 0, 3, 40, 40, false, false},
+		}},
+		{"every key settled, one of them refused by the bus, nothing pending: no stall", []reading{
+			{0, 0, 1, 3, 3, false, true},
+			{6 * time.Minute, 0, 1, 3, 3, false, false},
+		}},
+		{"a batch handed and never settled is a stall", []reading{
+			{0, 0, 16, 56, 40, false, true},
+			{5 * time.Minute, 0, 16, 56, 40, true, true},
+		}},
 	} {
-		acts = nil
-		if _, err := s.take(context.Background(), "mesh-mail"); err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
-		if name == "assigned nowhere" && strings.Join(acts, "; ") != "take in mesh-mail at new" {
-			t.Errorf("%s: %v", name, acts)
-		}
-		if name == "no trunk value" && len(acts) != 0 {
-			t.Errorf("%s: %v", name, acts)
-		}
-	}
-	acts = nil
-	if _, err := stepsFor(&acts, "old", "new", fp, []string{"ace"}, "novox").take(context.Background(), "unknown"); err != nil || len(acts) != 0 {
-		t.Errorf("a module the catalogue does not hold: %v %v", acts, err)
+		t.Run(c.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			w := &stallWatch{}
+			for i, r := range c.readings {
+				stalled, changed := w.look(takeInBacklog{Pending: r.pending, Taking: r.taking}, r.handed, r.settled,
+					at.Add(r.after))
+				if stalled != r.stalled || changed != r.changed {
+					t.Fatalf("reading %d: stalled %v changed %v, want %v %v", i, stalled, changed, r.stalled, r.changed)
+				}
+			}
+		})
 	}
 }
 
@@ -115,15 +336,3 @@ func TestAChangedUserListIsANewRevisionOfTheBusModulesCompositionAlone(t *testin
 		}
 	}
 }
-
-// 1945 (the review's D1): a grant that is not written is the take-in's error, never swallowed: with no send left,
-// nothing else would write it, and no want could name the fingerprint.
-func TestAGrantNotWrittenIsTheTakeInsError(t *testing.T) {
-	fp := sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("c", 64)
-	var acts []string
-	s := stepsFor(&acts, "old", "new", fp, []string{"ace"}, "novox")
-	s.grants = func(context.Context) error { return errors.New("the bucket mesh-controller_grants: not found") }
-	if _, err := s.take(context.Background(), "mesh-mail"); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "grants") {
-		t.Errorf("a grant not written: %v", err)
-	}
-}

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_keys_waits_test.go

@@ -1,184 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"context"
-	"fmt"
-	"strings"
-	"sync"
-	"testing"
-	"time"
-)
-
-// A take-in that waits is said once for each reason it waits for, and tried again every doneKeyRetry until it is taken
-// in: never left for a key write that may not come (issue 1945, live on 2026-10-25: mesh-host's take-in at 26bd waited,
-// said nothing, and nothing woke it until another write).
-func TestAWaitingTakeInIsSaidOnceAndTriedAgain(t *testing.T) {
-	was, wasRetry, wasSay := doneKeyTakeOnce, doneKeyRetry, doneKeysSay
-	t.Cleanup(func() { doneKeyTakeOnce, doneKeyRetry, doneKeysSay = was, wasRetry, wasSay })
-	doneKeyRetry = 5 * time.Millisecond
-	var mu sync.Mutex
-	var said []string
-	doneKeysSay = func(s string) { mu.Lock(); said = append(said, s); mu.Unlock() }
-	calls := 0
-	doneKeyTakeOnce = func(context.Context, *stores, string) error {
-		calls++
-		switch {
-		case calls <= 2:
-			return fmt.Errorf("%w: the artifact store could not hold mesh-host's artifact", errKeyWaits)
-		case calls == 3:
-			return fmt.Errorf("%w: mesh-host's key cannot be read", errKeyWaits)
-		}
-		return nil
-	}
-	done := make(chan struct{})
-	go func() { takeDoneKey(context.Background(), nil, "mesh-host"); close(done) }()
-	select {
-	case <-done:
-	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
-		t.Fatal("a waiting take-in was not tried again until it was taken in")
-	}
-	if calls != 4 {
-		t.Fatalf("tried %d times, want 4", calls)
-	}
-	mu.Lock()
-	defer mu.Unlock()
-	waits := 0
-	for _, s := range said {
-		if strings.Contains(s, "mesh-host waits") {
-			waits++
-		}
-	}
-	if waits != 2 {
-		t.Fatalf("said %q: want each of the two reasons once", said)
-	}
-}
-
-// A wake while a take-in of the module already follows it adds no second one: the follower looks again itself.
-func TestAWakeWhileATakeInFollowsAddsNone(t *testing.T) {
-	was, wasRetry, wasSay := doneKeyTakeOnce, doneKeyRetry, doneKeysSay
-	t.Cleanup(func() { doneKeyTakeOnce, doneKeyRetry, doneKeysSay = was, wasRetry, wasSay })
-	doneKeyRetry = 20 * time.Millisecond
-	doneKeysSay = func(string) {}
-	var mu sync.Mutex
-	calls := 0
-	release := make(chan struct{})
-	doneKeyTakeOnce = func(context.Context, *stores, string) error {
-		mu.Lock()
-		calls++
-		mu.Unlock()
-		select {
-		case <-release:
-			return nil
-		default:
-			return fmt.Errorf("%w: the key says building", errKeyWaits)
-		}
-	}
-	follower := make(chan struct{})
-	go func() { takeDoneKey(context.Background(), nil, "board"); close(follower) }()
-	time.Sleep(5 * time.Millisecond)
-	returned := make(chan struct{})
-	go func() { takeDoneKey(context.Background(), nil, "board"); close(returned) }()
-	select {
-	case <-returned:
-	case <-time.After(time.Second):
-		t.Fatal("a second wake waited for the follower")
-	}
-	close(release)
-	<-follower
-}
-
-// A wake while a take-in of the module follows it is not lost: the follower goes round once more after it succeeds, so
-// a newer build's key written meanwhile is taken in (the review of issue 1945).
-func TestAWakeDuringATakeInIsTakenAfterIt(t *testing.T) {
-	was, wasRetry, wasSay := doneKeyTakeOnce, doneKeyRetry, doneKeysSay
-	t.Cleanup(func() { doneKeyTakeOnce, doneKeyRetry, doneKeysSay = was, wasRetry, wasSay })
-	doneKeyRetry = 20 * time.Millisecond
-	doneKeysSay = func(string) {}
-	var mu sync.Mutex
-	calls := 0
-	inFirst := make(chan struct{})
-	release := make(chan struct{})
-	doneKeyTakeOnce = func(context.Context, *stores, string) error {
-		mu.Lock()
-		calls++
-		n := calls
-		mu.Unlock()
-		if n == 1 {
-			close(inFirst)
-			<-release
-		}
-		return nil
-	}
-	follower := make(chan struct{})
-	go func() { takeDoneKey(context.Background(), nil, "mesh-host"); close(follower) }()
-	<-inFirst
-	takeDoneKey(context.Background(), nil, "mesh-host") // the newer key's wake, while the first runs
-	close(release)
-	<-follower
-	mu.Lock()
-	defer mu.Unlock()
-	if calls != 2 {
-		t.Fatalf("taken %d times: the wake during the take-in was lost", calls)
-	}
-}
-
-// A wake that comes after the follower's last look but before it lets go of the module is not lost: the follower looks
-// at the mark again once it has let go, and takes the module once more (the review of issue 1945).
-func TestAWakeJustBeforeTheFollowerLetsGoIsTaken(t *testing.T) {
-	was, wasRetry, wasSay, wasHook := doneKeyTakeOnce, doneKeyRetry, doneKeysSay, doneKeysBeforeLetGo
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		doneKeyTakeOnce, doneKeyRetry, doneKeysSay, doneKeysBeforeLetGo = was, wasRetry, wasSay, wasHook
-	})
-	doneKeyRetry = 10 * time.Millisecond
-	doneKeysSay = func(string) {}
-	var mu sync.Mutex
-	calls := 0
-	doneKeyTakeOnce = func(context.Context, *stores, string) error {
-		mu.Lock()
-		calls++
-		mu.Unlock()
-		return nil
-	}
-	woke := false
-	doneKeysBeforeLetGo = func(module string) {
-		if !woke {
-			woke = true
-			takeDoneKey(context.Background(), nil, module) // fails its TryLock and marks the module
-		}
-	}
-	takeDoneKey(context.Background(), nil, "mesh-host")
-	mu.Lock()
-	defer mu.Unlock()
-	if calls != 2 {
-		t.Fatalf("taken %d times: the wake just before the follower let go was lost", calls)
-	}
-}
-
-// A wake during the start's take-in of a module is not lost: the start pass reads the mark once it lets go of the module,
-// and hands the module to takeDoneKey, which takes it once more (the review of issue 1945: the third dropped wake of its
-// kind).
-func TestAWakeDuringTheStartsTakeInIsTaken(t *testing.T) {
-	was, wasRetry, wasSay := doneKeyTakeOnce, doneKeyRetry, doneKeysSay
-	t.Cleanup(func() { doneKeyTakeOnce, doneKeyRetry, doneKeysSay = was, wasRetry, wasSay })
-	doneKeyRetry = 10 * time.Millisecond
-	doneKeysSay = func(string) {}
-	var mu sync.Mutex
-	calls := 0
-	doneKeyTakeOnce = func(context.Context, *stores, string) error {
-		mu.Lock()
-		calls++
-		n := calls
-		mu.Unlock()
-		if n == 1 {
-			takeDoneKey(context.Background(), nil, "mesh-host") // the newer key's wake, during the start's take-in
-		}
-		return nil
-	}
-	takeDoneKeyAtStart(context.Background(), nil, "mesh-host")
-	background.Wait()
-	mu.Lock()
-	defer mu.Unlock()
-	if calls != 2 {
-		t.Fatalf("taken %d times: the wake during the start's take-in was lost", calls)
-	}
-}

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_live.go

@@ -124,6 +124,9 @@ func composeModulesByNode(ctx context.Context, open *stores, nodes []string) (ma
 				errsOf[node] = append(errsOf[node], fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", node, err))
 				return
 			}
+			if out := withoutNodeOwnForHeld(node, comps, fps, declared.heldForCredential); out != "" {
+				fmt.Printf("compositions: %s\n", out)
+			}
 			if len(moved) > 0 {
 				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, ", "))

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_rejudge.go

@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ func watchHavesForJudgement(ctx context.Context, open *stores) {
 		fmt.Printf("compositions: the haves are not watched: %v\n", err)
 		return
 	}
-	go func() {
+	goServing(ctx, func() {
 		defer bus.Close()
 		defer w.Stop()
 		for {
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ func watchHavesForJudgement(ctx context.Context, open *stores) {
 				if err != nil || isNode {
 					continue
 				}
-				inBackground(func() {
+				inBackground(ctx, func() {
 					if err := rejudgeOn(ctx, open, []string{node}, module); err != nil {
 						fmt.Printf("compositions: %s on %s is not judged again: %v\n", module, node, err)
 					}
@@ -165,5 +165,5 @@ func watchHavesForJudgement(ctx context.Context, open *stores) {
 				})
 			}
 		}
-	}()
+	})
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_served_integration_test.go

@@ -608,8 +608,11 @@ func keepWhatServeSets(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Setenv(servedVar, "")
 	unheld, status, given, check, follow, keeper, hand := logUnheldChanges, statusFrom, givenEvents, checkEvents,
 		link.Calls.Follow, conditionsFrom, handActConn
+	doctor, asker := doctorFrom, askerFrom.Load()
 	t.Cleanup(func() {
 		logUnheldChanges, statusFrom, givenEvents, checkEvents, link.Calls.Follow, conditionsFrom, handActConn =
 			unheld, status, given, check, follow, keeper, hand
+		doctorFrom = doctor
+		askerFrom.Store(asker)
 	})
 }

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
@@ -306,26 +316,33 @@ func composeReplacedController(ctx context.Context, open *stores) error {
 // replacedComposition is the controller's composition on r's node at r's fingerprint: in composed with r's manifest
 // in place of the controller's registered one.
 func replacedComposition(in compose.Input, r replacedController) (sdkdelivery.Composed, error) {
+	return keptComposition(in, r.node, controllerModule, r.fp, r.manifest)
+}
+
+// keptComposition is module's composition on node at fp: in composed with manifest, that fingerprint's own, in place of
+// the module's registered one, in the reading mode (nothing made). in is not changed.
+func keptComposition(in compose.Input, node, module, fp string, manifest catalogue.Manifest) (sdkdelivery.Composed, error) {
 	shelf := make(map[string]catalogue.Manifest, len(in.Catalogue))
 	for k, v := range in.Catalogue {
 		shelf[k] = v
 	}
-	shelf[controllerModule] = r.manifest
+	shelf[module] = manifest
 	in.Catalogue = shelf
-	all, _, err := compose.Compositions(in, r.node, map[string]string{controllerModule: r.fp}, compose.Reading)
+	all, _, err := compose.Compositions(in, node, map[string]string{module: fp}, compose.Reading)
 	if err != nil {
 		return sdkdelivery.Composed{}, err
 	}
-	key, _ := sdkdelivery.ComposedKey(r.node, controllerModule, r.fp)
+	key, _ := sdkdelivery.ComposedKey(node, module, fp)
 	c, ok := all[key]
 	if !ok {
-		return sdkdelivery.Composed{}, fmt.Errorf("%s composes no %s with the replaced build's manifest", r.node, controllerModule)
+		return sdkdelivery.Composed{}, fmt.Errorf("%s composes no %s with the manifest of %s", node, module, short(fp))
 	}
 	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 +3,8 @@ package main
 import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"slices"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -45,51 +47,97 @@ func TestTheFirstStartDeletesThePlansBucketsAndSaysEachOnce(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-// 1945/AC6 (unit half): the controller this one replaced is composed on its node from its own build's manifest at its
-// own fingerprint: the composition holds what that manifest declares, not what the controller registered now declares.
-func TestTheReplacedControllerIsComposedFromItsOwnManifest(t *testing.T) {
-	now := catalogue.Manifest{Module: controllerModule, Version: "6", Resources: []map[string]any{
-		{"id": "settings", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/mesh-controller/settings", "content": "six\n"}}}
-	before := catalogue.Manifest{Module: controllerModule, Version: "5", Resources: []map[string]any{
-		{"id": "settings", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/mesh-controller/settings", "content": "five\n"}}}
-	in := compose.Input{Catalogue: map[string]catalogue.Manifest{controllerModule: now},
-		Nodes: []compose.Node{{Name: "anchor", Assigned: []string{controllerModule}, Stated: true}}}
-	fp := sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("5", 64)
-	c, err := replacedComposition(in, replacedController{node: "anchor", fp: fp, manifest: before})
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	if c.Module != controllerModule || c.FP != fp || c.Node != "anchor" || len(c.Resources) != 1 {
-		t.Fatalf("composed %s at %s on %s with %d resources", c.Module, c.FP, c.Node, len(c.Resources))
-	}
-	var f struct{ Content string }
-	_ = json.Unmarshal(c.Resources[0], &f)
-	if f.Content != "five\n" {
-		t.Errorf("the replaced controller's composition holds %q, its own manifest says five", f.Content)
-	}
-	if in.Catalogue[controllerModule].Version != "6" {
-		t.Errorf("composing the replaced controller changed the Input's catalogue")
-	}
-}
+// An earlier fingerprint is composed from its own build's manifest with today's inputs: the controller this one
+// replaced (1945/AC6), and every kept composition of a module whose config changed (ADR 0545: on 2026-10-25 a want back
+// to an earlier mesh-build-go on g14 applied the capacity of 0 its kept composition was made with). The composition
+// holds what that manifest declares and today's config, the kept keys are those of the touched modules at a
+// fingerprint other than the registered one, the build of a fingerprint is its newest that worked, and a write of
+// mesh-config's resolved values names the node and module it touches.
+func TestAnEarlierFingerprintIsComposedFromItsOwnManifest(t *testing.T) {
+	fp := func(c string) string { return sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat(c, 64) }
+	t.Run("from its own manifest, with today's inputs", func(t *testing.T) {
+		manifest := func(version string) catalogue.Manifest {
+			return catalogue.Manifest{Module: controllerModule, Version: version,
+				Settings: map[string]catalogue.SettingDeclaration{
+					"capacity": {Kind: catalogue.KindPreference, Default: float64(0), Why: "how many builds at once"}},
+				Resources: []map[string]any{{"id": "settings", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/mesh-controller/settings",
+					"content": version + " ${setting:capacity}\n"}}}
+		}
+		now, before := manifest("six"), manifest("five")
+		in := compose.Input{Catalogue: map[string]catalogue.Manifest{controllerModule: now},
+			Nodes: []compose.Node{{Name: "anchor", Assigned: []string{controllerModule}, Stated: true,
+				Settings: map[string][]catalogue.Layer{controllerModule: {{From: "mesh", Values: map[string]any{"capacity": float64(4)}}}}}}}
+		for name, compose := range map[string]func() (sdkdelivery.Composed, error){
+			"the replaced controller": func() (sdkdelivery.Composed, error) {
+				return replacedComposition(in, replacedController{node: "anchor", fp: fp("5"), manifest: before})
+			},
+			"a kept composition": func() (sdkdelivery.Composed, error) {
+				return keptComposition(in, "anchor", controllerModule, fp("5"), before)
+			},
+		} {
+			c, err := compose()
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("%s: %v", name, err)
+			}
+			if c.Module != controllerModule || c.FP != fp("5") || c.Node != "anchor" || len(c.Resources) != 1 {
+				t.Fatalf("%s: composed %s at %s on %s with %d resources", name, c.Module, c.FP, c.Node, len(c.Resources))
+			}
+			var f struct{ Content string }
+			_ = json.Unmarshal(c.Resources[0], &f)
+			if f.Content != "five 4\n" {
+				t.Errorf("%s holds %q, want its own manifest's five with today's capacity 4", name, f.Content)
+			}
+		}
+		if in.Catalogue[controllerModule].Version != "six" {
+			t.Errorf("composing an earlier fingerprint changed the Input's catalogue")
+		}
+	})
 
-// 1945/AC6 (unit half): the controller replaced is the newest earlier build of the controller that worked and names a
-// fingerprint of the new form, not the one registered now.
-func TestTheReplacedControllerIsItsNewestEarlierBuild(t *testing.T) {
-	now, before, older := sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2+strings.Repeat("6", 64), sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2+strings.Repeat("5", 64),
-		sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2+strings.Repeat("4", 64)
-	m := []byte(`{"module":"mesh-controller","version":"5"}`)
-	builds := []inventory.Build{
-		{ID: "c6", SourceFingerprint: now, Manifest: m},
-		{ID: "c5-failed", SourceFingerprint: before, Failed: "no", Manifest: m},
-		{ID: "c5", SourceFingerprint: before, Manifest: m},
-		{ID: "c4", SourceFingerprint: older, Manifest: m},
-	}
-	if b, ok := replacedBuild(builds, now); !ok || b.ID != "c5" {
-		t.Errorf("the replaced build is %+v (%v), want c5", b, ok)
-	}
-	if _, ok := replacedBuild(builds[:1], now); ok {
-		t.Errorf("a controller with no earlier build replaced one")
-	}
+	t.Run("which build, which keys, which touch", func(t *testing.T) {
+		m := []byte(`{"module":"mesh-controller","version":"5"}`)
+		builds := []inventory.Build{
+			{ID: "c6", SourceFingerprint: fp("6"), Manifest: m},
+			{ID: "c5-failed", SourceFingerprint: fp("5"), Failed: "no", Manifest: m},
+			{ID: "c5", SourceFingerprint: fp("5"), Manifest: m},
+			{ID: "c4", SourceFingerprint: fp("4"), Manifest: m},
+		}
+		if b, ok := replacedBuild(builds, fp("6")); !ok || b.ID != "c5" {
+			t.Errorf("the replaced build is %+v (%v), want c5", b, ok)
+		}
+		if _, ok := replacedBuild(builds[:1], fp("6")); ok {
+			t.Errorf("a controller with no earlier build replaced one")
+		}
+		if b, ok := buildAt(builds, fp("5")); !ok || b.ID != "c5" {
+			t.Errorf("the build at 5 is %+v (%v), want c5, the one that worked", b, ok)
+		}
+		if _, ok := buildAt(builds, fp("3")); ok {
+			t.Errorf("a fingerprint with no build has one")
+		}
+		key := func(node, module, f string) string { k, _ := sdkdelivery.ComposedKey(node, module, f); return k }
+		keys := []string{key("g14", "mesh-build-go", fp("2")), key("g14", "mesh-build-go", fp("1")),
+			key("g14", "mesh-build-go", fp("3")), key("g14", "hello-web", fp("1")), key("ace", "mesh-build-go", fp("1"))}
+		registered := map[string]string{"mesh-build-go": fp("3"), "hello-web": fp("9")}
+		got := keptToFollow(keys, "g14", map[string]bool{"mesh-build-go": true}, registered)
+		if want := []keptKey{{"mesh-build-go", fp("1")}, {"mesh-build-go", fp("2")}}; !slices.Equal(got, want) {
+			t.Errorf("kept to follow %v, want %v", got, want)
+		}
+		if got := keptToFollow(keys, "g14", nil, registered); len(got) != 3 {
+			t.Errorf("every module's kept compositions: %v", got)
+		}
+		for k, want := range map[string][2]string{"g14.mesh-build-go.capacity": {"g14", "mesh-build-go"},
+			"g14.mesh-build-go.limits.cpu": {"g14", "mesh-build-go"}, "g14.mesh-build-go": {}, "": {}} {
+			node, module, ok := configTouched(k)
+			if [2]string{node, module} != want || ok != (want[0] != "") {
+				t.Errorf("%q touches %s %s (%v), want %v", k, node, module, ok, want)
+			}
+		}
+		// A value set before the consumer was made reaches the kept compositions: it reads each key once at creation.
+		if c := configFollowConfig(); c.DeliverPolicy != jetstream.DeliverLastPerSubjectPolicy ||
+			c.AckPolicy != jetstream.AckExplicitPolicy {
+			t.Errorf("the config consumer delivers %v, acknowledged %v; want each key's last value, acknowledged",
+				c.DeliverPolicy, c.AckPolicy)
+		}
+	})
 }
 
 // 1945/AC14 (unit half): the declarations' stream stays while one node's have names another node-engine than the one
@@ -110,3 +158,28 @@ 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

@@ -486,3 +486,29 @@ func controllerSigner(ctx context.Context, open *stores) (func(sdkdelivery.Compo
 		return sdkdelivery.SignComposedBy(c, public, func(m []byte) ([]byte, error) { return ident.Sign(ctx, m) })
 	}, nil
 }
+
+// withoutNodeOwnForHeld takes the node's own composition out of comps when a module held for a bus credential nobody
+// issued (holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts) has no fingerprint of the new form: its resources would have been in the node's own,
+// and the node's own written without them would have the node-engine remove a module that may be running. The node's
+// own stays as last written; every module's composition is written. Answers what it said, "" when nothing was taken.
+func withoutNodeOwnForHeld(node string, comps map[string]sdkdelivery.Composed, fps map[string]string, held []string) string {
+	var old []string
+	for _, module := range held {
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(fps[module], sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2) {
+			old = append(old, module)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(old) == 0 {
+		return ""
+	}
+	own, err := sdkdelivery.ComposedNodeKey(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	if _, ok := comps[own]; !ok {
+		return ""
+	}
+	delete(comps, own)
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s's own composition is not written this pass: %s, held for a bus account nobody issued, would "+
+		"leave it, and the node-engine would remove what may be running", node, strings.Join(old, ", "))
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/composer.go

@@ -29,7 +29,13 @@ type composer struct {
 type waiter struct {
 	nodes  []string
 	grants bool
-	done   chan error
+	done   chan passResult
+}
+
+// passResult is a waiter's answer: the error of each of its nodes that failed, and of the grants when it asked for them.
+type passResult struct {
+	failed map[string]error
+	grants error
 }
 
 func newComposer(compose func(context.Context, []string) map[string]error, grants func(context.Context) error) *composer {
@@ -39,7 +45,23 @@ func newComposer(compose func(context.Context, []string) map[string]error, grant
 // compose asks for the nodes to be composed, and the grants written after when grants is true, and waits for the pass
 // that does it, with the errors of its own nodes alone.
 func (c *composer) compose(ctx context.Context, nodes []string, grants bool) error {
-	done := make(chan error, 1)
+	failed, grantsErr, err := c.composeEach(ctx, nodes, grants)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	var errs []error
+	for _, n := range nodes {
+		if e := failed[n]; e != nil {
+			errs = append(errs, e)
+		}
+	}
+	return errors.Join(append(errs, grantsErr)...)
+}
+
+// composeEach is compose answering each node's error apart, and the grants' (ADR 0544 §5: a batch of take-ins asks one
+// pass and settles each module by its own nodes); err is ctx's when it ends first.
+func (c *composer) composeEach(ctx context.Context, nodes []string, grants bool) (map[string]error, error, error) {
+	done := make(chan passResult, 1)
 	c.mu.Lock()
 	for _, n := range nodes {
 		c.pending[n] = true
@@ -52,10 +74,10 @@ func (c *composer) compose(ctx context.Context, nodes []string, grants bool) err
 	default:
 	}
 	select {
-	case err := <-done:
-		return err
+	case r := <-done:
+		return r.failed, r.grants, nil
 	case <-ctx.Done():
-		return ctx.Err()
+		return nil, nil, ctx.Err()
 	}
 }
 
@@ -90,16 +112,16 @@ func (c *composer) run(ctx context.Context) {
 			grantsErr = c.writeGrants(ctx)
 		}
 		for _, w := range waiters {
-			var errs []error
+			r := passResult{failed: map[string]error{}}
 			for _, n := range w.nodes {
 				if err := failed[n]; err != nil {
-					errs = append(errs, err)
+					r.failed[n] = err
 				}
 			}
-			if w.grants && grantsErr != nil {
-				errs = append(errs, grantsErr)
+			if w.grants {
+				r.grants = grantsErr
 			}
-			w.done <- errors.Join(errs...)
+			w.done <- r
 		}
 	}
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/conditions.go

@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func keeperOn(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn, looks conditions.LookStore)
 		Say:    func(format string, args ...any) { fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, format+"\n", args...) },
 		// What status leads with changed: composed again soon (a nudge outside the serving controller
 		// does nothing).
-		Changed: func() { statusFrom.nudge(); askerFrom.nudge() },
+		Changed: func() { statusFrom.nudge(); askerFrom.Load().nudge() },
 		// Written under the lease, carrying its epoch (novox/hq to-be 45 §6).
 		Epoch: func() (uint64, error) { return theLease.epoch(context.WithoutCancel(ctx)) }}), nil
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/config_moved_integration_test.go

@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ func aConfiguredMesh(t *testing.T) (*stores, configuredMesh, map[string]map[stri
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
-		m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest(text)
+		m, err := catalogue.Decode(text)
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("%s: %v", name, err)
 		}

cmd/mesh-controller/container_groups_test.go

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ const n8nWithAGroup = `{"module":"n8n","version":"1",
 
 // 1638/AC1: a node that reports the capability gets the module; one that does not has it held, the capability named.
 func TestAModuleWithGroupsIsHeldOnANodeThatDoesNotReportTheCapability(t *testing.T) {
-	m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(n8nWithAGroup))
+	m, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(n8nWithAGroup))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/credential_on_assign_test.go

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"slices"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -39,17 +40,23 @@ func TestAssigningAModuleThatSpeaksOnTheBusNamesItsCredential(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("an assignment whose credential could not be issued does not name the verb:\n%s", said)
 	}
 
-	// And the push refuses to send it, naming the same verb, rather than sealing a placeholder.
+	// And the push holds talker out, naming the same verb, rather than sealing a placeholder; the rest of the
+	// machine composes (2026-11-01: one unissued account refused the whole node that runs the bus).
 	plan, settings, err := resolveNode(ctx, open, "laptop")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	_, err = declarationFor(ctx, open, "laptop", plan, settings)
-	if err == nil {
-		t.Fatal("a push sealed a placeholder where talker's bus credential belongs")
+	held, err := declarationFor(ctx, open, "laptop", plan, settings)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("one unissued account refused the whole machine: %v", err)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "module issue talker --node laptop") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "issue 203") {
-		t.Fatalf("the refusal does not say what to run: %v", err)
+	why := held.leftOutWhy["talker"]
+	if !slices.Contains(held.LeftOut, "talker") || !strings.Contains(why, "module issue talker --node laptop") ||
+		!strings.Contains(why, "issue 203") {
+		t.Fatalf("talker is not held out in issue 203's words: %v %q", held.LeftOut, why)
+	}
+	if body, err := held.Body(); err != nil || strings.Contains(string(body), catalogue.ForeseenSealed) {
+		t.Fatalf("a push would seal a placeholder where talker's bus credential belongs: %v\n%s", err, body)
 	}
 
 	// Once the user is minted, the push goes on to the credential the mesh sealed, and re-assigning

cmd/mesh-controller/data_integration_test.go

@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func TestNatsUnassigningIrreplaceableDataRetiresItAndAnEmptyReplacementIsUrgent(
 		Claims: []catalogue.Claim{{Name: catalogue.BackupSeat, Scope: catalogue.ScopeNode, Serves: []string{"backed-up", "now", "restore"}}}}, built); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	house, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(houseManifest))
+	house, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(houseManifest))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/data_test.go

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ func shelfFor(t *testing.T, manifests ...string) map[string]catalogue.Manifest {
 	t.Helper()
 	out := map[string]catalogue.Manifest{}
 	for _, raw := range manifests {
-		m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(raw))
+		m, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(raw))
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}

cmd/mesh-controller/declaration_files.go

@@ -225,6 +225,9 @@ func filesNotPutObservation(node, summary string) conditions.Observation {
 // notePut records how putting a send's objects went: a failure counts, the second in a row raises the condition, a success
 // clears the count and the condition.
 func notePut(ctx context.Context, node string, put error) {
+	if errors.Is(put, context.Canceled) || ctx.Err() != nil {
+		return // a send cut by a cancellation or a stop says nothing of the bucket (issue 1945)
+	}
 	filesFailMu.Lock()
 	if put == nil {
 		delete(filesFailed, node)

cmd/mesh-controller/declaration_files_test.go

@@ -415,6 +415,7 @@ func TestAPutThatFailsSendAfterSendRaisesAConditionAndClearsWhenItWorks(t *testi
 	was := conditionsFrom
 	conditionsFrom = k
 	t.Cleanup(func() { conditionsFrom = was })
+	forgetPutFailures(t, "cond-node")
 	key := filesNotPutObservation("cond-node", "").Key()
 	open := func() bool {
 		_, found, err := conditions.ReadOne(t.Context(), store, key)
@@ -442,6 +443,36 @@ func TestAPutThatFailsSendAfterSendRaisesAConditionAndClearsWhenItWorks(t *testi
 	}
 }
 
+// A send cut by a cancellation counts as no failure to put its files, however often (issue 1945: a cancellation is no fault
+// of the bucket).
+func TestAPutCutByACancellationRaisesNothing(t *testing.T) {
+	store := conditions.NewInMemory()
+	k := conditions.NewKeeper(t.Context(), conditions.Options{Store: store, History: store, Teller: &conditions.Told{}})
+	t.Cleanup(func() { k.Close(context.Background()) })
+	was := conditionsFrom
+	conditionsFrom = k
+	t.Cleanup(func() { conditionsFrom = was })
+	forgetPutFailures(t, "cut-node")
+	cut := fmt.Errorf("the files could not be put: %w", context.Canceled)
+	for range filesNotPutAfter + 1 {
+		notePut(t.Context(), "cut-node", cut)
+	}
+	if _, found, err := conditions.ReadOne(t.Context(), store, filesNotPutObservation("cut-node", "").Key()); err != nil || found {
+		t.Fatalf("sends cut by a cancellation raised the condition (found %v, %v)", found, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// forgetPutFailures starts the node's count of failed puts at nothing and leaves it so, as a run of the test again finds it.
+func forgetPutFailures(t *testing.T, node string) {
+	forget := func() {
+		filesFailMu.Lock()
+		delete(filesFailed, node)
+		filesFailMu.Unlock()
+	}
+	forget()
+	t.Cleanup(forget)
+}
+
 // aBusThatSays is a bus that keeps the declarations published to it and, at each, asks whether the node's bucket is held.
 type aBusThatSays struct {
 	link.Bus

cmd/mesh-controller/declared_packages_integration_test.go

@@ -87,3 +87,29 @@ func TestTheDeclaredPackagesMirrorNamesWhatEachNodesModulesDeclare(t *testing.T)
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// 1945/AC-mirror-5: the digest the declared-packages mirror skips an unchanged pass by is made from a real reading of the
+// stores, is the same over two readings of the same records, and moves when an assignment does.
+func TestTheInputDigestOfTheStoresIsStable(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "viewer", Version: "1", Resources: []map[string]any{
+		{"id": "pkg-curl", "type": "package", "package": "curl"}}})
+	read := func() string {
+		in, err := readComposeInput(ctx, open)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		return inputDigest(in)
+	}
+	first, second := read(), read()
+	if first == "" || first != second {
+		t.Fatalf("two readings of the same records gave the digests %q and %q", first, second)
+	}
+	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "anchor", "viewer"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("assign: %v", err)
+	}
+	if read() == first {
+		t.Errorf("an assignment left the digest of the stores' Input at %s", first)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/given.go

@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ func watchHavesForGiven(ctx context.Context, open *stores) {
 		log.Printf("given values: the haves are not watched: %v", err)
 		return
 	}
-	go func() {
+	goServing(ctx, func() {
 		defer bus.Close()
 		defer w.Stop()
 		for {
@@ -195,8 +195,8 @@ func watchHavesForGiven(ctx context.Context, open *stores) {
 				if at.IsZero() {
 					continue
 				}
-				inBackground(func() { replaceGiven(ctx, open, node, map[string]time.Time{module: at}) })
+				inBackground(ctx, func() { replaceGiven(ctx, open, node, map[string]time.Time{module: at}) })
 			}
 		}
-	}()
+	})
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/grants.go

@@ -23,10 +23,13 @@ import (
 // writes `<module>.<fingerprint hex>` then, naming the accounts it composed for the module, never removed. A module one
 // of whose accounts has no password yet (the list leaves it out) has no grant until a later send carries it.
 
-// grantsFrom is the grant of every module whose accounts all have a password in hashes, at the fingerprint current names
-// for it; a module whose current build names no fingerprint of the new form has none. principals are the bus's users
-// as broker.Users composes them.
-func grantsFrom(principals []broker.Principal, hashes map[string]string, current map[string]string) map[string]sdkdelivery.ControllerGrant {
+// grantsFrom is the grant of every module at the fingerprint current names for it, naming its accounts that have a
+// sealed password in hashes; a module whose current build names no fingerprint of the new form has none. A module one
+// of whose accounts has none is granted its sealed accounts alone, and when it has none, its grant is dropped (drop):
+// an older grant naming a node whose account is gone would let the assigner want it (issue 1945, rule 6 per node), and
+// an empty grant names every node. principals are the bus's users as broker.Users composes them.
+func grantsFrom(principals []broker.Principal, hashes map[string]string, current map[string]string) (
+	map[string]sdkdelivery.ControllerGrant, []string) {
 	accounts, missing := map[string][]string{}, map[string]bool{}
 	for _, p := range principals {
 		if p.Module == "" || (p.Kind != broker.KindModule && p.Kind != broker.KindProcess) {
@@ -39,8 +42,9 @@ func grantsFrom(principals []broker.Principal, hashes map[string]string, current
 		accounts[p.Module] = append(accounts[p.Module], p.Username())
 	}
 	out := map[string]sdkdelivery.ControllerGrant{}
+	var drop []string
 	for module, fp := range current {
-		if missing[module] || !strings.HasPrefix(fp, sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2) {
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(fp, sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2) {
 			continue
 		}
 		key, err := sdkdelivery.ControllerGrantKey(module, fp)
@@ -48,10 +52,15 @@ func grantsFrom(principals []broker.Principal, hashes map[string]string, current
 			continue
 		}
 		names := accounts[module]
+		if missing[module] && len(names) == 0 {
+			drop = append(drop, key)
+			continue
+		}
 		sort.Strings(names)
 		out[key] = sdkdelivery.ControllerGrant{Accounts: names}
 	}
-	return out
+	sort.Strings(drop)
+	return out, drop
 }
 
 // currentFingerprints is, by module, the fingerprint of the build each registered module is registered at: its
@@ -248,13 +257,27 @@ func grantsIssued(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, js jetstream.Je
 	}
 	hashes := make(map[string]string, len(kept))
 	for name, u := range kept {
-		hashes[name] = u.PasswordHash
+		// A grant names an account whose credential is sealed to its node, never one only minted: the assigner wants a
+		// node only once the grant names its account (issue 1945, rule 6 per node).
+		if u.Sealed {
+			hashes[name] = u.PasswordHash
+		}
 	}
 	current, err := currentFingerprints(ctx, inv)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("the grants issued are not written: %w", err)
 	}
-	wrote, err := keepGrants(ctx, kv, grantsFrom(principals, hashes, current))
+	grants, drop := grantsFrom(principals, hashes, current)
+	wrote, err := keepGrants(ctx, kv, grants)
+	for _, key := range drop {
+		if _, gerr := kv.Get(ctx, key); gerr == nil {
+			if derr := kv.Delete(ctx, key); derr != nil {
+				err = errors.Join(err, fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", key, derr))
+			} else {
+				fmt.Printf("%sthe grant %s dropped: none of its accounts is sealed to its node\n", indent, key)
+			}
+		}
+	}
 	if wrote > 0 {
 		fmt.Printf("%s%d grant(s) issued written for the assigner\n", indent, wrote)
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/grants_test.go

@@ -23,12 +23,25 @@ func TestTheGrantsAListIssues(t *testing.T) {
 	y := broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindModule, Node: "ace", Module: "mesh-y"}
 	node := broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindNode, Node: "novox"}
 	hashes := map[string]string{x.Username(): "h1", xp.Username(): "h2", node.Username(): "h3"}
-	got := grantsFrom([]broker.Principal{x, xp, y, node}, hashes,
-		map[string]string{"mesh-x": grantFP('a'), "mesh-y": grantFP('b'), "web": grantFP('c'), "old": "src1:abc"})
+	// mesh-z is sealed on novox and not on ace (issue 1945: an older grant must not name ace): its grant names novox alone.
+	zn := broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindModule, Node: "novox", Module: "mesh-z"}
+	za := broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindModule, Node: "ace", Module: "mesh-z"}
+	hashes[zn.Username()] = "h4"
+	got, drop := grantsFrom([]broker.Principal{x, xp, y, node, zn, za}, hashes,
+		map[string]string{"mesh-x": grantFP('a'), "mesh-y": grantFP('b'), "web": grantFP('c'), "old": "src1:abc",
+			"mesh-z": grantFP('d')})
 	xKey, _ := sdkdelivery.ControllerGrantKey("mesh-x", grantFP('a'))
+	yKey, _ := sdkdelivery.ControllerGrantKey("mesh-y", grantFP('b'))
+	zKey, _ := sdkdelivery.ControllerGrantKey("mesh-z", grantFP('d'))
 	webKey, _ := sdkdelivery.ControllerGrantKey("web", grantFP('c'))
-	if len(got) != 2 {
-		t.Fatalf("grants = %v, want mesh-x's and web's", got)
+	if len(got) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("grants = %v, want mesh-x's, mesh-z's and web's", got)
+	}
+	if g := got[zKey]; len(g.Accounts) != 1 || g.Accounts[0] != zn.Username() {
+		t.Errorf("mesh-z's grant = %+v, want its sealed account alone", g)
+	}
+	if len(drop) != 1 || drop[0] != yKey {
+		t.Errorf("dropped %v, want mesh-y's grant, none of whose accounts is sealed", drop)
 	}
 	if g := got[xKey]; len(g.Accounts) != 2 || g.Accounts[0] != x.Username() && g.Accounts[1] != x.Username() {
 		t.Errorf("mesh-x's grant = %+v, want both its accounts", g)

cmd/mesh-controller/health_check_test.go

@@ -1,72 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"bytes"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-	"strings"
-	"testing"
-	"time"
-
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
-)
-
-// Every catalogue module that runs something long-lived declares how it is ready (novox/hq ADR 0240 rule
-// 8): `module check` warns and counts the undeclared before the date, and refuses them from it.
-func TestModuleCheckCountsTheUndeclaredAndRefusesThemFromTheDate(t *testing.T) {
-	dir := t.TempDir()
-	digest := "@sha256:" + strings.Repeat("a", 64)
-	path := filepath.Join(dir, "module.json")
-	os.WriteFile(path, []byte(`{"module":"web","listens":[{"name":"web","port":80,"from":"mesh"}],"resources":[
-	  {"id":"server","type":"container","name":"web","image":"registry.example/web`+digest+`","ports":["80"],
-	   "health":{"kind":"http","endpoint":"web"}},
-	  {"id":"worker","type":"container","name":"web-worker","image":"registry.example/web`+digest+`"},
-	  {"id":"seed","type":"container","name":"web-seed","image":"registry.example/web`+digest+`","run-once":true}]}`), 0o600)
-	defer func() { checkNow = time.Now }()
-
-	checkNow = func() time.Time { return catalogue.HealthRequiredFrom.Add(-time.Hour) }
-	var out bytes.Buffer
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{path}, &out); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("refused before the date: %v\n%s", err, out.String())
-	}
-	for _, want := range []string{"ready: server by http / on web every 30s", "WARNING: worker stay(s) up",
-		catalogue.HealthRequiredFrom.Format("2006-01-02"), UndeclaredHealthLine + " 1"} {
-		if !strings.Contains(out.String(), want) {
-			t.Errorf("the check does not say %q:\n%s", want, out.String())
-		}
-	}
-
-	checkNow = func() time.Time { return catalogue.HealthRequiredFrom }
-	out.Reset()
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{path}, &out); err == nil {
-		t.Fatalf("a long-running resource without health passed after the date:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-	if !strings.Contains(out.String(), "web: worker stays up and does not say how it is ready") {
-		t.Errorf("the refusal does not name the resource:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-}
-
-// A file that asks for a setting without saying whether it is trusted counts as trusted (novox/hq issue 339):
-// `module check` lists and counts it, and never refuses it — there is nothing unsafe to refuse.
-func TestModuleCheckListsUnmarkedFilesAndNeverRefusesThem(t *testing.T) {
-	dir := t.TempDir()
-	path := filepath.Join(dir, "module.json")
-	os.WriteFile(path, []byte(`{"module":"power","resources":[
-	  {"id":"logind","type":"file","path":"/etc/systemd/logind.conf.d/power.conf","mode":"0644","trusted":true,
-	   "content":"HandleLidSwitch=${setting:lid}\n"},
-	  {"id":"note","type":"file","path":"/var/lib/power/note","mode":"0644","content":"${setting:greeting}\n"}]}`), 0o600)
-	defer func() { checkNow = time.Now }()
-	for _, at := range []time.Time{time.Date(2026, 10, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC), time.Date(2036, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)} {
-		checkNow = func() time.Time { return at }
-		var out bytes.Buffer
-		if err := moduleCheck([]string{path}, &out); err != nil {
-			t.Fatalf("refused at %v: %v\n%s", at, err, out.String())
-		}
-		for _, want := range []string{"note ask(s) for a setting and do(es) not say whether it is trusted, so it counts as trusted",
-			UnsaidTrustLine + " 1"} {
-			if !strings.Contains(out.String(), want) {
-				t.Errorf("the check does not say %q:\n%s", want, out.String())
-			}
-		}
-	}
-}

cmd/mesh-controller/identity_bound_test.go

@@ -1,52 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"bytes"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-	"strings"
-	"testing"
-)
-
-// novox/hq ADR 0225, issue 263: a consumer's identity is bounded by the provision it requires, an
-// overflow is refused before merge by `module check`, and a provider's machine is never refused for
-// one consumer's identity.
-
-// `module check` refuses the pull request that introduces an overflow, naming the module.
-func TestModuleCheckRefusesAnIdentityThatOverflowsWhatItRequires(t *testing.T) {
-	dir := t.TempDir()
-	write := func(name, body string) string {
-		p := filepath.Join(dir, name+".json")
-		if err := os.WriteFile(p, []byte(body), 0o600); err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
-		return p
-	}
-	objects := write("objects", `{"module":"objects","version":"1",
-		"provides":[{"name":"s3-bucket","scope":"mesh","identity":{"max":20,"in":"an S3 access key"}}],
-		"receives":{"s3-bucket":"/var/lib/mesh/objects/mesh.json"}}`)
-	resolver := write("resolver", `{"module":"resolver","version":"1",
-		"provides":[{"name":"wildcard-resolution","scope":"mesh","identity":false}]}`)
-	album := write("photoalbum", `{"module":"photoalbum","version":"1","requires":["s3-bucket"]}`)
-	nm := write("networkmanager", `{"module":"networkmanager","version":"1","requires":["wildcard-resolution"]}`)
-
-	var out bytes.Buffer
-	if err := moduleCheckFor([]string{resolver, nm}, 6, &out); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("a long name requiring a keyless provision was refused (issue 263): %v\n%s", err, out.String())
-	}
-	out.Reset()
-	err := moduleCheckFor([]string{objects, album, resolver, nm}, 6, &out)
-	if err == nil {
-		t.Fatalf("an identity overflowing an S3 access key passed:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-	if !strings.Contains(out.String(), "photoalbum wants s3-bucket") ||
-		!strings.Contains(out.String(), "`slug` of at most 8 characters") ||
-		strings.Contains(out.String(), "networkmanager wants") {
-		t.Fatalf("the refusal does not name the one overflowing module and its remedy:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-}
-
-// Tonight's case, through the commands: networkmanager on a six-character machine requires the
-// resolver provision, and a second consumer there overflows an object store's access key. The
-// provider's machine still composes; the overflowing consumer is left out of its grants and named,
-// by push and by `status`, and the keyless consumer is granted with its long name.

cmd/mesh-controller/issued_test.go

@@ -182,6 +182,9 @@ func TestANeedIsIssuedToItsHolderOnlyWhereTheProviderIsMovedAndItsSoftwareIssues
 		offer := catalogue.Offer{Name: "gitea-read", Scope: catalogue.ScopeMesh}
 		if issued {
 			offer.Credential = &catalogue.OfferCredential{IssuedBy: catalogue.IssuedBySoftware, Tool: "gitea_agent_token"}
+		} else {
+			// A login of each consumer's own, said: an offer naming no form has no credential (mesh-sdk 6b8c694).
+			offer.Credential = &catalogue.OfferCredential{Form: catalogue.CredentialFormPair}
 		}
 		return catalogue.Manifest{Module: "gitea", Version: "1", Moved: moved, Provides: []catalogue.Offer{offer}}
 	}
@@ -216,8 +219,10 @@ func TestANeedIsIssuedToItsHolderOnlyWhereTheProviderIsMovedAndItsSoftwareIssues
 // marked moved; another module is not.
 func TestTheModuleHoldingTheVaultSeatCountsAsMovedForItsConsumers(t *testing.T) {
 	vault := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "mesh-vault", Version: "1", Claims: []catalogue.Claim{{Name: "mesh-vault", Scope: catalogue.ScopeMesh}},
-		Provides: []catalogue.Offer{{Name: "secret", Scope: catalogue.ScopeMesh}}}
-	other := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "mesh-vault", Version: "1", Provides: []catalogue.Offer{{Name: "secret", Scope: catalogue.ScopeMesh}}}
+		Provides: []catalogue.Offer{{Name: "secret", Scope: catalogue.ScopeMesh,
+			Credential: &catalogue.OfferCredential{Form: catalogue.CredentialFormPair}}}}
+	other := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "mesh-vault", Version: "1", Provides: []catalogue.Offer{{Name: "secret", Scope: catalogue.ScopeMesh,
+		Credential: &catalogue.OfferCredential{Form: catalogue.CredentialFormPair}}}}
 	if got := needOf(t, map[string]catalogue.Manifest{"mesh-vault": vault}, "mesh-vault", "gitea", "secret"); !got.IssuedToHolder || !got.ProviderMoved {
 		t.Errorf("the vault's consumer is not answered by a moved provider: %+v", got)
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/issued_to_vault.go

@@ -2,9 +2,15 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	sdkdelivery "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
 )
 
@@ -15,17 +21,19 @@ import (
 // controller mints such an account and writes its hash to the bus's user list, as before, and then hands the whole
 // value at once to the vault's `accept` with origin `issued`: sealed here to the key the vault made for that call, so
 // the vault alone opens it (ADR 0349 clause 8). The vault keeps it as the module's own secret on that machine and
-// raises `secret-changed`; a re-issue is the same hand with a new value, which replaces the old in place. An account
-// not covered is minted and kept as it was and handed to nobody.
+// raises `secret-changed`; a re-issue is the same hand with a new value, which replaces the old in place. Until issue 774 an
+// account not covered was minted and kept as it was and handed to nobody.
+//
+// **Since issue 774 every account the controller mints is handed, covered or not**, once a vault is installed: until
+// the grants part's take-over the controller still mints (the bus loads its list), and a vault that holds every value
+// at once needs no node to report a hash for it to adopt (ADR 0547 clause 9). From the take-over the vault mints every
+// account itself (issueAccount forwards to its issue-account), so this hand is reached only before it, and by
+// `rollout mint`'s re-issue of a module's account onto a new bus. The vault never lets such a hand replace an account it
+// minted.
 
 // vaultAskerForIssue is the vault as `module issue` asks it. A test replaces it.
 var vaultAskerForIssue = func(ctx context.Context) vaultAsker { return theVault(ctx) }
 
-// accountIsCovered says whether the bus accounts minted for m are the vault's to hold (ADR 0374 clause 1).
-func accountIsCovered(m catalogue.Manifest) bool {
-	return catalogue.CarriesVaultSealed(m.Module) || m.Moved
-}
-
 // vaultInstalled says whether the vault is assigned to any machine. Until it is, as in genesis (ADR 0113 §15 to §18,
 // mesh-host's bootstrap, which issues the bus's and the provisioner's accounts before the vault step), there is no
 // vault to hand to: the value is kept in the controller's store as before, and the vault takes it afterwards by the
@@ -44,13 +52,45 @@ func vaultInstalled(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) (bool, error)
 	return false, nil
 }
 
-// handIssuedToVault hands the value just minted for module's own secret name on node to the vault, when the module's
-// accounts are covered, and does nothing otherwise. Loud when the vault does not take it: the bus's user list
-// already holds the new hash, so a vault that kept the old value would serve a password that no longer logs in.
-func handIssuedToVault(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m catalogue.Manifest, node, name, held string) error {
-	if !accountIsCovered(m) {
+// grantsTookOver says whether the grants part took over the bus's user list: its key `user-list.sealed` says
+// FollowGrants (novox/hq ADR 0547 clauses 7 and 8), which the bus node's engine follows. No bucket or no key yet is no
+// take-over; a bus that cannot be read is an error, never a guess. A test replaces it.
+var grantsTookOver = func(ctx context.Context) (bool, error) {
+	over := false
+	err := onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+		js, err := jetstream.New(conn)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		kv, err := js.KeyValue(ctx, broker.GrantsUserListBucket)
+		if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrBucketNotFound) {
+			return nil
+		} else if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		e, err := kv.Get(ctx, broker.GrantsUserListKey)
+		if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrKeyNotFound) {
+			return nil
+		} else if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		g, err := sdkdelivery.DecodeGrantsUserList(e.Value())
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		over = g.Follow == sdkdelivery.FollowGrants
 		return nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("whether the grants part took over the bus's user list cannot be read: %w", err)
 	}
+	return over, nil
+}
+
+// handIssuedToVault hands the value just minted for module's own secret name on node to the vault, once one is
+// installed, covered or not (issue 774), and does nothing before. Loud when the vault does not take it: the bus's user
+// list already holds the new hash, so a vault that kept the old value would serve a password that no longer logs in.
+func handIssuedToVault(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m catalogue.Manifest, node, name, held string) error {
 	if installed, err := vaultInstalled(ctx, inv); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("whether the vault is installed cannot be read, so %s of %s was not handed to it: %w", name,
 			m.Module, err)

cmd/mesh-controller/issued_to_vault_test.go

@@ -8,21 +8,50 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	sdkdelivery "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/testbus"
 )
 
-// Every other test mints without a vault to hand to: a stand-in that takes anything, replaced by the tests below.
+// grantsTookOverOnTheBus is the reader of the grants part's take-over a test reads on its own bus.
+var grantsTookOverOnTheBus = grantsTookOver
+
+// Every other test mints without a vault to hand to: a stand-in that takes anything, replaced by the tests below; and
+// before the grants part's take-over, which no test bus says.
 func init() {
 	vaultAskerForIssue = func(context.Context) vaultAsker { return newStandInVault(nil).ask }
+	grantsTookOver = func(context.Context) (bool, error) { return false, nil }
 }
 
-// A covered account is handed to the vault when it is minted (novox/hq ADR 0374, issue 787): the whole value, sealed
-// to the key the vault made for the call, with origin issued. A module that is neither core nor moved hands nothing.
-func TestModuleIssueHandsACoveredAccountToTheVaultAndOnlyThat(t *testing.T) {
+// theGrantsPartTookOver says the grants part's take-over is on, or off, for the rest of the test.
+func theGrantsPartTookOver(t *testing.T, over bool) {
+	t.Helper()
+	was := grantsTookOver
+	grantsTookOver = func(context.Context) (bool, error) { return over, nil }
+	t.Cleanup(func() { grantsTookOver = was })
+}
+
+// An account is handed to the vault when it is minted (novox/hq ADR 0374, issue 787): the whole value, sealed to the
+// key the vault made for the call, with origin issued. Since issue 774 every account is, covered or not, until the
+// grants part's take-over, read on the bus as the bus node reads it; from the take-over nothing is minted here and the
+// issue is forwarded to the vault's issue-account.
+func TestModuleIssueHandsEveryAccountToTheVaultUntilTheTakeOver(t *testing.T) {
 	open := aMesh(t)
 	ctx := t.Context()
 	theVaultIsInstalled(t, open)
+	js, err := broker.Dial(testbus.URL(t))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(js.Close)
+	servingBus.Store(js)
+	t.Cleanup(func() { servingBus.Store(nil) })
+	was := grantsTookOver
+	grantsTookOver = grantsTookOverOnTheBus
+	t.Cleanup(func() { grantsTookOver = was })
 	inv := open.inventory
 	known := broker.Broker{Fingerprint: "ab"}
 
@@ -66,11 +95,11 @@ func TestModuleIssueHandsACoveredAccountToTheVaultAndOnlyThat(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Errorf("the vault was told %s, without %s", said, want)
 		}
 	}
-	if n := strings.Count(said, `"origin":"issued"`); n != 3 {
-		t.Errorf("%d accounts were handed with origin issued, want 3 (the core's two and the moved module's): %s", n, said)
+	if n := strings.Count(said, `"origin":"issued"`); n != 4 {
+		t.Errorf("%d accounts were handed with origin issued, want 4 (the core's two, the moved and the plain module's): %s", n, said)
 	}
-	if strings.Contains(said, "kept-bot") {
-		t.Errorf("an account that is neither core nor moved was handed to the vault: %s", said)
+	if !strings.Contains(said, "kept-bot") {
+		t.Errorf("an account that is neither core nor moved was not handed to the vault: %s", said)
 	}
 	if strings.Contains(said, "first-core-password") || strings.Contains(said, "first-moved-password") {
 		t.Errorf("a value crossed the bus in the clear: %s", said)
@@ -83,6 +112,38 @@ func TestModuleIssueHandsACoveredAccountToTheVaultAndOnlyThat(t *testing.T) {
 		!strings.Contains(got, `"url":"nats://10.0.0.1:4222"`) || !strings.Contains(got, `"fingerprint":"ab"`) {
 		t.Errorf("the vault was handed %q after a re-issue, not the new account whole", got)
 	}
+
+	// The take-over: the grants part's key says the bus node follows its list. From then the vault mints.
+	api, err := jetstream.New(js.Conn())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	kv, err := api.CreateOrUpdateKeyValue(ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{Bucket: broker.GrantsUserListBucket})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = api.DeleteKeyValue(context.Background(), broker.GrantsUserListBucket) })
+	client := broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindProvisioner, Node: "laptop", Module: "nats"}.Username()
+	for _, follow := range []string{sdkdelivery.FollowController, sdkdelivery.FollowGrants} {
+		value, err := sdkdelivery.EncodeGrantsUserList(sdkdelivery.GrantsUserList{Follow: follow})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if _, err := kv.Put(ctx, broker.GrantsUserListKey, value); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		before, _, _ := inv.BusUserHash(ctx, client)
+		if err := issueProvisionerClient(ctx, inv, core, "laptop", known, "10.0.0.1:4222"); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		after, _, _ := inv.BusUserHash(ctx, client)
+		if minted := before != after; minted != (follow == sdkdelivery.FollowController) {
+			t.Errorf("following %s's list, the controller minted %s: %v", follow, client, minted)
+		}
+	}
+	if said := vault.said(); strings.Count(said, `"verb":"issue-account"`) != 1 || !strings.Contains(said, `"user":"`+client+`"`) {
+		t.Errorf("the vault was not asked once, after the take-over, to issue %s: %s", client, said)
+	}
 }
 
 // A vault that does not take the value fails the issue loudly: the bus's user list holds the new hash already.

cmd/mesh-controller/kept_compositions.go

@@ -0,0 +1,352 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	sdkdelivery "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// **A kept composition follows its inputs** (novox/hq ADR 0545, issue 1945). The controller composes a module only at
+// the fingerprint it is registered at, and keeps the compositions of up to five fingerprints (ADR 0539 §4) so that
+// going back is one want. A kept one was never composed again, so it carried the config of the moment it was made: on
+// 2026-10-25 a want back to an earlier mesh-build-go on g14 applied its capacity of 0, the value from before it was
+// set. Now a write of mesh-config's resolved values for a module on a node, heard from that bucket, composes the node
+// and then every kept fingerprint of that module on that node again, each from its own build's manifest with today's
+// inputs, writing only those whose composition differs (writeComposed). The writes are read from a durable consumer,
+// acknowledged once handled, so a change made while no controller ran is delivered to the next one, and a start
+// composes again only what was written since the last write handled, never every kept composition.
+
+// configTouched is the node and module a key of mesh-config_resolved (`<node>.<module>.<key>`) names.
+func configTouched(key string) (node, module string, ok bool) {
+	parts := strings.SplitN(key, ".", 3)
+	if len(parts) != 3 || parts[0] == "" || parts[1] == "" {
+		return "", "", false
+	}
+	return parts[0], parts[1], true
+}
+
+// keptKey is one kept composition to compose again.
+type keptKey struct{ module, fp string }
+
+// keptToFollow is, of a node's composition keys, each of modules (every module when nil) at a fingerprint other than
+// the one it is registered at, sorted: the kept compositions. The node's own composition and other nodes' are not.
+func keptToFollow(keys []string, node string, modules map[string]bool, registered map[string]string) []keptKey {
+	var out []keptKey
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		n, module, fp, isNode, err := sdkdelivery.ParseComposedKey(key)
+		if err != nil || isNode || n != node || (modules != nil && !modules[module]) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if fp == registered[module] || !strings.HasPrefix(fp, sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2) {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, keptKey{module, fp})
+	}
+	sort.Slice(out, func(i, j int) bool {
+		if out[i].module != out[j].module {
+			return out[i].module < out[j].module
+		}
+		return out[i].fp < out[j].fp
+	})
+	return out
+}
+
+// buildAt is, of a module's builds newest first, the newest that worked at fp and kept its manifest.
+func buildAt(builds []inventory.Build, fp string) (inventory.Build, bool) {
+	for _, b := range builds {
+		if b.Worked() && b.SourceFingerprint == fp && len(b.Manifest) > 0 {
+			return b, true
+		}
+	}
+	return inventory.Build{}, false
+}
+
+// followKept composes again, on node, every kept composition of modules (every module when nil) with today's inputs,
+// and writes those that differ. It answers the keys written; a fingerprint whose build's manifest is gone is said and
+// left as it is.
+func followKept(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, modules map[string]bool) ([]string, error) {
+	if _, err := theLease.epoch(ctx); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	bus, err := aBus()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer bus.Close()
+	js, err := jetstream.New(bus.Conn())
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	inv := open.inventory
+	registered, err := currentFingerprints(ctx, inv)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	at, err := openComposedPlace(ctx, js, bus.Conn(), node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	lister, err := at.bucket.ListKeys(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrNoKeysFound) {
+			return nil, nil // empty-on-error: a node with no compositions keeps none to compose again
+		}
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var keys []string
+	for k := range lister.Keys() {
+		keys = append(keys, k)
+	}
+	kept := keptToFollow(keys, node, modules, registered)
+	if len(kept) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	sign, err := controllerSigner(ctx, open)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	upgrades, err := inv.Upgrades(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	at.sign = sign
+	at.policy = func(module string) (string, string, string) {
+		u, ok := upgrades[module]
+		if !ok {
+			return "", "", ""
+		}
+		return u.Policy(), u.From, u.Why
+	}
+	in, err := inputFor(ctx, open)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var wrote []string
+	var errs []error
+	builds := map[string][]inventory.Build{}
+	for _, k := range kept {
+		if ctx.Err() != nil {
+			return wrote, errors.Join(append(errs, ctx.Err())...) // stopped: the rest is the next controller's
+		}
+		if _, read := builds[k.module]; !read {
+			if builds[k.module], err = inv.Builds(ctx, k.module, 20); err != nil {
+				errs = append(errs, fmt.Errorf("%s's builds: %w", k.module, err))
+				continue
+			}
+		}
+		b, found := buildAt(builds[k.module], k.fp)
+		if !found {
+			fmt.Printf("compositions: %s's kept %s on %s has no build whose manifest is kept, and is not composed again\n",
+				k.module, short(k.fp), node)
+			continue
+		}
+		var m catalogue.Manifest
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(b.Manifest, &m); err != nil {
+			errs = append(errs, fmt.Errorf("the manifest of %s's build %s: %w", k.module, b.ID, err))
+			continue
+		}
+		c, err := keptComposition(in.Input, node, k.module, k.fp, m)
+		if err != nil {
+			errs = append(errs, fmt.Errorf("%s at %s on %s: %w", k.module, short(k.fp), node, err))
+			continue
+		}
+		key, _ := sdkdelivery.ComposedKey(node, k.module, k.fp)
+		// One write on the node's keys at a time in this process, held only for the write: composing in memory holds
+		// nothing, so a sweep never keeps a take-in from the node (the review of ADR 0545).
+		unlock := lockComposing(node)
+		w, err := writeComposed(ctx, at, key, c)
+		unlock()
+		if err != nil {
+			errs = append(errs, err)
+			continue
+		}
+		if w {
+			wrote = append(wrote, key)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(wrote) > 0 {
+		fmt.Printf("compositions: %s: kept compositions composed again with today's inputs: %s\n", node, strings.Join(wrote, ", "))
+	}
+	return wrote, errors.Join(errs...)
+}
+
+// configFollowGather is how long the config consumer waits after a write for more before it composes: mesh-config writes
+// a module's keys one by one.
+var configFollowGather = time.Second
+
+// configFollowConsumer is the controller's durable consumer of mesh-config's resolved values (ADR 0545 §1, §3).
+const configFollowConsumer = broker.ConfigFollowConsumer
+
+// configFollowConfig is that consumer: each resolved key's last value once when it is made, then each write,
+// acknowledged after the write is handled, so what a stop cut is delivered to the next controller. The first start of
+// the release that makes it composes again the kept compositions of every module with config, through the same gather,
+// lock and acknowledgement: mesh-config never writes an unchanged value again, so a value set before this release (g14's
+// mesh-build-go capacity of 2, against kept compositions carrying 0) would otherwise never reach them. Its deliver
+// policy is set before its first delivery; an existing durable's cannot be changed.
+func configFollowConfig() jetstream.ConsumerConfig {
+	return jetstream.ConsumerConfig{Durable: configFollowConsumer, FilterSubject: "$KV." + broker.ConfigResolvedBucket + ".>",
+		DeliverPolicy: jetstream.DeliverLastPerSubjectPolicy, AckPolicy: jetstream.AckExplicitPolicy, AckWait: takeInAckWait,
+		MaxAckPending: takeInPending, Description: "the controller's following of config into kept compositions (novox/hq ADR 0545)"}
+}
+
+// kindConfigNotFollowed is the condition of a config consumer that cannot be read: a change of config composes nothing
+// until it is.
+const kindConfigNotFollowed = "config-not-followed"
+
+func configNotFollowedObservation(err error) conditions.Observation {
+	return conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "config-follow", Token: kindConfigNotFollowed,
+		Kind: kindConfigNotFollowed, Severity: conditions.Urgent, Resolver: conditions.ResolverOperator, Source: "config",
+		Summary: fmt.Sprintf("mesh-config's resolved values are not heard, so a change of config composes nothing: %v", err)}
+}
+
+// watchConfigFollow reads the writes of mesh-config's resolved values from the controller's durable consumer and, for
+// each node and module they touch, composes the node and the module's kept compositions there again, until ctx ends
+// (ADR 0545). A consumer that cannot be made or read raises config-not-followed and is tried again a minute later; it is
+// cleared once it is read.
+func watchConfigFollow(ctx context.Context, open *stores) {
+	goServing(ctx, func() {
+		for {
+			err := followConfigOnce(ctx, open)
+			if ctx.Err() != nil {
+				return
+			}
+			fmt.Printf("config: %v; tried again in a minute\n", err)
+			if keeper := conditionsFrom; keeper != nil {
+				_, _ = keeper.Observe(ctx, configNotFollowedObservation(err))
+			}
+			select {
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+				return
+			case <-time.After(time.Minute):
+			}
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+// followConfigOnce reads the consumer until it fails or ctx ends.
+func followConfigOnce(ctx context.Context, open *stores) error {
+	bus, err := aBus()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer bus.Close()
+	js, err := jetstream.New(bus.Conn())
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	c, err := js.CreateOrUpdateConsumer(ctx, "KV_"+broker.ConfigResolvedBucket, configFollowConfig())
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("the consumer of %s: %w", broker.ConfigResolvedBucket, err)
+	}
+	it, err := c.Messages(jetstream.PullMaxMessages(startTakeIns))
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("the consumer of %s: %w", broker.ConfigResolvedBucket, err)
+	}
+	defer it.Stop()
+	if keeper := conditionsFrom; keeper != nil {
+		_, _ = keeper.Clear(ctx, configNotFollowedObservation(nil).Key(), "mesh-config's resolved values are heard")
+	}
+	type next struct {
+		m   jetstream.Msg
+		err error
+	}
+	got := make(chan next)
+	go func() {
+		for {
+			m, err := it.Next()
+			select {
+			case got <- next{m, err}:
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+				if m != nil {
+					_ = m.Nak()
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				return
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+	var held []jetstream.Msg
+	touched := map[string]map[string]bool{}
+	var gather <-chan time.Time
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			for _, m := range held {
+				_ = m.Nak() // delivered at once to the next controller
+			}
+			return nil
+		case n := <-got:
+			if n.err != nil {
+				for _, m := range held {
+					_ = m.Nak()
+				}
+				return fmt.Errorf("the consumer of %s stopped: %w", broker.ConfigResolvedBucket, n.err)
+			}
+			held = append(held, n.m)
+			key := strings.TrimPrefix(n.m.Subject(), "$KV."+broker.ConfigResolvedBucket+".")
+			if node, module, ok := configTouched(key); ok {
+				if touched[node] == nil {
+					touched[node] = map[string]bool{}
+				}
+				touched[node][module] = true
+			}
+			if gather == nil {
+				gather = time.After(configFollowGather)
+			}
+		case <-gather:
+			gather = nil
+			now, msgs := touched, held
+			touched, held = map[string]map[string]bool{}, nil
+			forgetResolved() // the next composition reads the values just written, not a read of the last 5 s
+			failed := false
+			for node, modules := range now {
+				if ctx.Err() != nil {
+					failed = true // stopped: the writes are refused below and delivered to the next controller
+					break
+				}
+				if err := composerFor(open).compose(ctx, []string{node}, false); err != nil {
+					fmt.Printf("config: %s is not composed after its config changed: %v\n", node, err)
+					failed = true
+				}
+				if _, err := followKept(ctx, open, node, modules); err != nil {
+					fmt.Printf("config: %s's kept compositions are not composed again: %v\n", node, err)
+					failed = true
+				}
+			}
+			for _, m := range msgs {
+				if failed && ctx.Err() != nil {
+					_ = m.Nak() // stopped: delivered at once to the next controller
+				} else if failed {
+					_ = m.NakWithDelay(doneKeyRetry) // tried again: the bus delivers the writes again
+				} else {
+					acking, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.WithoutCancel(ctx), 10*time.Second)
+					if err := m.DoubleAck(acking); err != nil {
+						fmt.Printf("config: the bus did not take the acknowledgement of %s: %v\n", m.Subject(), err)
+					}
+					cancel()
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// forgetResolved drops the last read of mesh-config's resolved values.
+func forgetResolved() {
+	theResolved.mu.Lock()
+	theResolved.entries = nil
+	theResolved.mu.Unlock()
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/kept_helpers.go

@@ -219,15 +219,3 @@ func theGraph(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) ([]inventory.Entry,
 	}
 	return entries, read, edges, nil
 }
-
-// refusedWord is the word a build's failure says the reader did not know; empty when it says none.
-func refusedWord(failed string) string {
-	if m := unknownWord.FindStringSubmatch(failed); m != nil {
-		return m[1]
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-// unknownWord is how the strict reading of a manifest says a word is not one it knows: encoding/json's own words, which
-// the build-agent's answer carries whole. The build's answer has no typed field for it (Failed is the builder's words).
-var unknownWord = regexp.MustCompile(`json: unknown field "([^"]+)"`)

cmd/mesh-controller/key_takein.go

@@ -39,6 +39,11 @@ import (
 // errKeyWaits says a take-in from a key waits: for the builder, a reference, the store or the forge. Never a failure.
 var errKeyWaits = errors.New("waits")
 
+// errWaitsForAWrite is a take-in that waits for the builder or the indexer to write again (the key not done, its
+// artifacts not referenced, no fingerprint of the new form): that write wakes it, so nothing looks again before it
+// (ADR 0544 §4).
+var errWaitsForAWrite = fmt.Errorf("%w for the builder's or the indexer's next write", errKeyWaits)
+
 // errKeyFailed says the module's key failed: the builder's own words follow.
 var errKeyFailed = errors.New("the builder's key failed")
 
@@ -46,6 +51,8 @@ var errKeyFailed = errors.New("the builder's key failed")
 type keyReads interface {
 	Build(ctx context.Context, module, fp string) (builderkeys.Key, error)
 	Manifest(ctx context.Context, digest string) (sdkdelivery.Manifest, error)
+	// Verdict is the indexer's verdict on the manifest of digest, nil when it wrote none (taken as accepted).
+	Verdict(ctx context.Context, digest string) (*sdkdelivery.ManifestVerdict, error)
 }
 
 // keyBuildID is the id a key's build is recorded under: the key and its revision, so the same revision recorded twice
@@ -298,12 +305,15 @@ func buildOfKey(ctx context.Context, keys keyReads, t keyTake, kc keyContext) (
 	waits := func(format string, a ...any) (inventory.Build, catalogue.Manifest, error) {
 		return inventory.Build{}, catalogue.Manifest{}, fmt.Errorf("%w: "+format, append([]any{errKeyWaits}, a...)...)
 	}
+	waitsForAWrite := func(format string, a ...any) (inventory.Build, catalogue.Manifest, error) {
+		return inventory.Build{}, catalogue.Manifest{}, fmt.Errorf("%w: "+format, append([]any{errWaitsForAWrite}, a...)...)
+	}
 	if t.Trunk.FP2 == "" && t.Hand == nil {
 		why := t.Trunk.None2
 		if why == "" {
 			why = "the indexer wrote no fingerprint of the new form"
 		}
-		return waits("%s at %.8s has no fingerprint to take a build by: %s", t.Module, t.Trunk.Commit, why)
+		return waitsForAWrite("%s at %.8s has no fingerprint to take a build by: %s", t.Module, t.Trunk.Commit, why)
 	}
 	k, err := keys.Build(ctx, t.Module, t.Trunk.FP2)
 	if t.Hand != nil {
@@ -319,24 +329,34 @@ func buildOfKey(ctx context.Context, keys keyReads, t keyTake, kc keyContext) (
 	case k.Failed():
 		return inventory.Build{}, catalogue.Manifest{}, fmt.Errorf("%w: %s", errKeyFailed, k.Says())
 	case !k.Done():
-		return waits("%s", k.Says())
+		return waitsForAWrite("%s", k.Says())
 	case len(k.Unreferenced()) > 0:
-		return waits("%s", k.Says())
+		return waitsForAWrite("%s", k.Says())
 	}
 	src, err := keys.Manifest(ctx, k.Build.Manifest)
 	if err != nil {
 		return waits("%s's manifest: %v", t.Module, err)
 	}
-	manifest, err := catalogue.ParseManifestWith([]byte(src.JSON), kc.list)
+	// **The controller judges no manifest; the indexer did, once** (ADR 0578 §3, §6): the manifest is read leniently, and
+	// the indexer's verdict on its digest is taken. A refused one is held and named, never registered; a word this
+	// controller does not read is set aside and named, and the rest is registered with no second build.
+	manifest, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(src.JSON))
 	if err != nil {
-		// **A word the running controller does not read waits for the controller that reads it** (ADR 0501 §7): the
-		// key stays done, and the controller that reads the word registers it with no second build.
-		if word := refusedWord(err.Error()); word != "" {
-			return waits("%s's manifest uses the word %q, which this controller does not read: it is registered "+
-				"when a controller that reads it runs", t.Module, word)
-		}
 		return inventory.Build{}, catalogue.Manifest{}, fmt.Errorf("the builder built %s and its manifest is "+
-			"refused: %w", t.Module, err)
+			"not read: %w", t.Module, err)
+	}
+	verdict, err := keys.Verdict(ctx, k.Build.Manifest)
+	if err != nil {
+		return waits("%s's verdict: %v", t.Module, err)
+	}
+	if refused, _ := sdkdelivery.TakeManifestVerdict(verdict); refused {
+		return waits("%s is held: %s", t.Module, verdict.Why())
+	}
+	if manifest.ReadNoFurther() {
+		return waits("%s is held: %s", t.Module, manifest.SetAside())
+	}
+	if aside := manifest.SetAside(); aside != "" {
+		fmt.Printf("%s's manifest has a field this controller does not read, set aside: %s\n", t.Module, aside)
 	}
 	if manifest.Module != t.Module {
 		return inventory.Build{}, catalogue.Manifest{}, fmt.Errorf("the key of %s names the manifest of %s",

cmd/mesh-controller/key_takein_test.go

@@ -23,6 +23,14 @@ import (
 type keyBuckets struct {
 	keys      map[string]builderkeys.Key
 	manifests map[string]string
+	verdicts  map[string]sdkdelivery.ManifestVerdict // by manifest digest; none is accepted
+}
+
+func (k keyBuckets) Verdict(_ context.Context, digest string) (*sdkdelivery.ManifestVerdict, error) {
+	if v, ok := k.verdicts[digest]; ok {
+		return &v, nil
+	}
+	return nil, nil
 }
 
 func (k keyBuckets) Build(_ context.Context, module, fp string) (builderkeys.Key, error) {
@@ -148,15 +156,38 @@ func TestAKeyNotReadyWaitsAndAFailedKeyFails(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-// ADR 0501 §7: a manifest word this controller does not read waits for the controller that reads it; never fails.
-func TestAManifestWordTheControllerDoesNotReadWaits(t *testing.T) {
-	raw := `{"module":"x","version":"1","not-a-word-yet":true,"build":{"artifacts":[{"name":"a","kind":"archive","from":"files"}]},
+// ADR 0578 §3, §6 (changing ADR 0501 §7): the controller judges no manifest. A word it does not read is set aside and the
+// module registered with no second build; the module the indexer's verdict refuses is held and named, never failed.
+func TestAKeyIsTakenInOnTheIndexersVerdictAndNeverJudgedHere(t *testing.T) {
+	const tail = `"build":{"artifacts":[{"name":"a","kind":"archive","from":"files"}]},
   "resources":[{"id":"a","type":"archive","path":"/opt/x","artifact":"a"}]}`
-	keys, trunk := aKeyOf(raw, 1, sdkdelivery.BuiltArtifact{Name: "a", Kind: "archive", Digest: shaOf("a"),
-		Reference: "artifact-store://x/a/blobs/" + shaOf("a")})
-	_, _, err := buildOfKey(t.Context(), keys, keyTake{Module: "x", Trunk: trunk}, keyContext{})
-	if !errors.Is(err, errKeyWaits) || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), `"not-a-word-yet"`) {
-		t.Fatalf("an unread word: %v", err)
+	refusal := func(digest string) map[string]sdkdelivery.ManifestVerdict {
+		return map[string]sdkdelivery.ManifestVerdict{digest: {Module: "x", State: sdkdelivery.VerdictRefused,
+			Problems: []string{"x names a seat nothing declares"}}}
+	}
+	for _, row := range []struct {
+		name, raw string
+		refused   bool
+		holds     string
+	}{
+		{"an unread word", `{"module":"x","version":"1","not-a-word-yet":true,` + tail, false, ""},
+		{"a fallback to a predefined key, no list at hand", `{"module":"x","version":"1","config":{"font-size":{"type":"number",
+  "description":"size","default":10,"predefined":"font-size"}},` + tail, false, ""},
+		{"no verdict is accepted", `{"module":"x","version":"1",` + tail, false, ""},
+		{"a refusal is held and named", `{"module":"x","version":"1",` + tail, true, "names a seat nothing declares"},
+	} {
+		keys, trunk := aKeyOf(row.raw, 1, sdkdelivery.BuiltArtifact{Name: "a", Kind: "archive", Digest: shaOf("a"),
+			Reference: "artifact-store://x/a/blobs/" + shaOf("a")})
+		if row.refused {
+			keys.verdicts = refusal(sdkdelivery.ManifestDigest([]byte(row.raw)))
+		}
+		_, _, err := buildOfKey(t.Context(), keys, keyTake{Module: "x", Trunk: trunk}, keyContext{})
+		switch {
+		case row.holds == "" && err != nil:
+			t.Errorf("%s: %v", row.name, err)
+		case row.holds != "" && (!errors.Is(err, errKeyWaits) || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), row.holds)):
+			t.Errorf("%s: %v", row.name, err)
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -215,7 +246,7 @@ func TestATemplatedModulesTextsAreReadFromItsArchive(t *testing.T) {
 // The launchers a key's bundle is resolved with are mesh-sdk's one rule (buildstep.Launchers), the names
 // mesh-build-node writes: a TypeScript bundle's entrypoint x.js runs as x.serve.mjs, a Go bundle has none.
 func TestALaunchersRuleIsTheBuildModules(t *testing.T) {
-	m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(tsBundle))
+	m, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(tsBundle))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/lease_integration_test.go

@@ -89,15 +89,28 @@ func TestTwoControllersOneActs(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("B, waiting, may act: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	// A hands over, as a controller being replaced does: B takes the lease at once, at a higher epoch.
+	// A is stopped, as its service manager stops a controller being replaced (novox/hq issue 906): the stop
+	// alone gives the lease back, before anything else of A is taken down, and B takes it within a second, at
+	// a higher epoch — no wait for the key's age, and no condition said.
 	stopA()
-	a.release()
+	stopped := time.Now()
 	var lostB <-chan struct{}
 	select {
 	case lostB = <-tookB:
 	case <-time.After(10 * time.Second):
 		t.Fatal("B did not take the lease A gave back")
 	}
+	if waited := time.Since(stopped); waited > time.Second {
+		t.Fatalf("B took the lease %s after A was stopped: the stop did not give it back first", waited)
+	}
+	a.release() // what serve's own end does after: waits for the release under way, gives nothing twice
+	conditionsOfB := conditions.NewInMemory()
+	keeperOfB := conditions.NewKeeper(ctx, conditions.Options{Store: conditionsOfB, History: conditionsOfB})
+	b.watchTakeovers(ctx, inv, keeperOfB)
+	keeperOfB.Close(ctx)
+	if said, err := conditionsOfB.Since(ctx, stopped.Add(-time.Minute)); err != nil || len(said) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a lease given back is said as a condition: %+v, %v", said, err)
+	}
 	select {
 	case <-lostA:
 	default:

cmd/mesh-controller/left_out_test.go

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ func leftOutNFS(t *testing.T) catalogue.Resolution {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest(raw)
+	m, err := catalogue.Decode(raw)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/legacy_takein_integration_test.go

@@ -73,10 +73,8 @@ func buildFrom(result link.BuildResult) inventory.Build {
 	kept.Manifest = recordedManifest(result.Manifest, announced)
 	// The module name comes from the manifest, which only exists when the build got that far.
 	if len(kept.Manifest) > 0 {
-		if list, err := judgedWith(result); err == nil {
-			if m, err := catalogue.ParseManifestWith(kept.Manifest, list); err == nil {
-				kept.Module = m.Module
-			}
+		if m, err := catalogue.Decode(kept.Manifest); err == nil {
+			kept.Module = m.Module
 		}
 	}
 	return kept
@@ -130,15 +128,7 @@ func takeIn(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, result link.BuildResu
 		return catalogue.Manifest{}, kept, fmt.Errorf("%s could not build %s:\n%s",
 			result.On, result.Repository, result.Failed)
 	}
-	// Judged first against the list the build was judged against: the catalogue's at the commit built (novox/hq
-	// ADR 0348 §7), so a module naming a key its own commit adds is read; and again below against the list the
-	// mesh publishes, before it is registered.
-	list, err := judgedWith(result)
-	if err != nil {
-		return catalogue.Manifest{}, kept, fmt.Errorf("%s built %s (%s), recorded and not registered: %w", result.On,
-			result.Repository, short(result.Commit), err)
-	}
-	manifest, err := catalogue.ParseManifestWith(kept.Manifest, list)
+	manifest, err := catalogue.Decode(kept.Manifest)
 	if err != nil {
 		return catalogue.Manifest{}, kept, fmt.Errorf("%s built %s and what came back is not a manifest: %w",
 			result.On, result.Repository, err)
@@ -268,16 +258,6 @@ func carriedList(result link.BuildResult) (catalogue.PredefinedList, error) {
 	return list, nil
 }
 
-// judgedWith is the list a build's manifest is first judged against at registration: the catalogue's own at the
-// commit built, which its build judged it against, where it carried one; the list kept otherwise.
-func judgedWith(result link.BuildResult) (catalogue.PredefinedList, error) {
-	list, err := carriedList(result)
-	if err != nil || list != nil {
-		return list, err
-	}
-	return catalogue.PublishedPredefined(), nil
-}
-
 // publishPredefined keeps a trunk build's list when it is newer than the one kept, says so, and loads what the
 // store keeps then — this build's, or a newer one another controller process kept.
 func publishPredefined(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, result link.BuildResult,

cmd/mesh-controller/main.go

@@ -223,7 +223,6 @@ var usageText = `mesh-controller — the control plane
   overlay place <node> [flags]   say where a node is and how it is reached
   overlay show                   the private network, as the mesh computes it
   module add <file>              register a module from its manifest
-  module check <file|dir>...     judge manifests where they are written, with no mesh (exit 1 on any problem)
   module list                    what modules this mesh knows about
   module moved <name> <commit>   the source has a newer commit than the mesh built
   module forget <name>           remove one, unless a node runs it or the mesh holds things for it

cmd/mesh-controller/modules.go

@@ -8,9 +8,10 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"net"
 	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
+	"slices"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
@@ -62,35 +63,7 @@ var provided = providedModules()
 
 func moduleCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	if len(args) == 0 {
-		return errors.New("module add <file>, module check <file>..., module list, or module forget <name>")
-	}
-	// `check` needs no mesh, and must not: it is what somebody runs in their own repository before
-	// there is a mesh in reach (novox/hq issue 148). A directory expands to every manifest under it.
-	if args[0] == "check" {
-		set := flag.NewFlagSet("module check", flag.ContinueOnError)
-		// The longest machine name an identity must fit on (novox/hq ADR 0225): a mesh passes its own.
-		longest := set.Int("longest-machine-name", catalogue.DefaultLongestMachine,
-			"judge each module's identity on a machine name this many characters long")
-		given, err := parseAround(set, args[1:])
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-		if *longest < 1 {
-			return errors.New("--longest-machine-name is a length, at least 1")
-		}
-		var paths []string
-		for _, a := range given {
-			if info, err := os.Stat(a); err == nil && info.IsDir() {
-				under, err := manifestsUnder(a)
-				if err != nil {
-					return err
-				}
-				paths = append(paths, under...)
-				continue
-			}
-			paths = append(paths, a)
-		}
-		return moduleCheckFor(paths, *longest, os.Stdout)
+		return errors.New("module add <file>, module list, or module forget <name>")
 	}
 	open, err := openStores(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -124,21 +97,19 @@ func moduleCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest(raw)
+		m, err := catalogue.Decode(raw)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		// A manifest handed over by hand takes each template's text from the tree beside it (novox/hq ADR 0349 §2).
-		if m, err = catalogue.WithTemplatesFrom(m, filepath.Dir(positionals[0])); err != nil {
-			return err
+		// A manifest handed over by hand is not judged here (ADR 0578 §3): a templated one has no build to read its
+		// texts from, so it is refused by name.
+		if p := catalogue.HeldTemplateProblem(m); p != "" {
+			return errors.New(p)
 		}
 		from, err := whereItComesFrom(*repo, *ref, *commit, *path, *self)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		if err := namesNoInstallation(m); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
 		if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, m, from); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -965,6 +936,175 @@ func processPrincipalFor(m catalogue.Manifest, processID string) (broker.Process
 	return broker.ProcessPrincipal{}, false
 }
 
+// mintOnlyIfAbsent marks a context whose issue mints only accounts that are not issued (onlyIfAbsent).
+type mintOnlyIfAbsent struct{}
+
+// onlyIfAbsent is ctx for an issue that never replaces an issued account: the assign act's, the assignments' watch's
+// and a registration's, which may run at once for one account (novox/hq ADR 0543, issue 1945).
+func onlyIfAbsent(ctx context.Context) context.Context {
+	return context.WithValue(ctx, mintOnlyIfAbsent{}, true)
+}
+
+// issuedNow collects the accounts an issue minted and sealed, for the line that says it (withIssued).
+type issuedNow struct {
+	mu    sync.Mutex
+	users []string
+}
+
+type issuedNowKey struct{}
+
+// withIssued is ctx collecting the accounts its issues mint and seal.
+func withIssued(ctx context.Context) (context.Context, *issuedNow) {
+	got := &issuedNow{}
+	return context.WithValue(ctx, issuedNowKey{}, got), got
+}
+
+func (g *issuedNow) list() []string {
+	if g == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	g.mu.Lock()
+	defer g.mu.Unlock()
+	return slices.Clone(g.users)
+}
+
+// accountIssuer is what issuing one account needs of the store.
+type accountIssuer interface {
+	LockBusAccount(ctx context.Context, username string) (func(), error)
+	BusAccountIssued(ctx context.Context, username string) (minted, sealed bool, err error)
+	MintBusPassword(ctx context.Context, u inventory.BusUser) (string, error)
+	MintBusPasswordUnsealed(ctx context.Context, u inventory.BusUser) (string, error)
+	MarkBusAccountSealed(ctx context.Context, username string) error
+}
+
+// issueLockedFor is the longest an issue holds an account's lock: a seal cut by it leaves the account unsealed, issued
+// again by the next issue.
+const issueLockedFor = 2 * time.Minute
+
+// issueAccount mints u's password and seals it to its node with seal. By default it replaces whatever stands (a
+// rotation: `module issue`). Under onlyIfAbsent it issues only an account that is not issued, a row with no sealed
+// credential counting as none (issue 1945, live on 2026-10-25 at 20:04: a row whose credential the node no longer held
+// left ace's mesh-build-go with no credential), under the store's lock on the account, so two issuers never interleave
+// their look, mint and seal: the hash the bus holds is always the password sealed. A seal that fails leaves the
+// account unsealed, issued again by the next issue.
+//
+// **From the grants part's take-over the controller mints nothing** (issue 774, research 072's gap "vault mints after
+// the lease"; the controller is deprecated and hands its duties over): the bus then loads the grants part's list, whose
+// hashes are the vault's, so the issue is forwarded to the vault's issue-account and only after runs (what the account
+// needs beside its value: its durable consumers). **Before it** the bus loads the controller's own list, whose hashes
+// come from its store alone, so an account the vault minted would be refused: the controller mints as before and hands
+// every account it mints to an installed vault at once (handIssuedToVault), so none waits on a node reporting its hash.
+func issueAccount(ctx context.Context, accounts accountIssuer, u inventory.BusUser, seal func(password string) error,
+	after func() error) error {
+	only, _ := ctx.Value(mintOnlyIfAbsent{}).(bool)
+	if ask, installed, err := vaultIssuer(ctx, accounts); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("whether the vault issues bus accounts yet cannot be read, so %s is not issued: %w", u.Username, err)
+	} else if installed {
+		return forwardToTheVault(ctx, ask, u.Username, only, after)
+	}
+	if !only {
+		password, err := accounts.MintBusPassword(ctx, u)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if err := seal(password); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	} else {
+		// A deadline on the locked section: it holds a connection of the store's pool across the vault and the bus.
+		var cancel context.CancelFunc
+		ctx, cancel = context.WithTimeout(ctx, issueLockedFor)
+		defer cancel()
+		release, err := accounts.LockBusAccount(ctx, u.Username)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		defer release()
+		if minted, sealed, err := accounts.BusAccountIssued(ctx, u.Username); err != nil {
+			return err
+		} else if minted && sealed {
+			return nil
+		}
+		password, err := accounts.MintBusPasswordUnsealed(ctx, u)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if err := seal(password); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if err := accounts.MarkBusAccountSealed(ctx, u.Username); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s is sealed and not marked so, and is issued again by the next issue: %w", u.Username, err)
+		}
+	}
+	if got, _ := ctx.Value(issuedNowKey{}).(*issuedNow); got != nil {
+		got.mu.Lock()
+		got.users = append(got.users, u.Username)
+		got.mu.Unlock()
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// vaultIssuer answers the vault to forward an issue to, and whether the issue is the vault's: one is installed
+// (vaultInstalled) and the grants part took over the bus's user list (grantsTookOver). A store that is not the
+// controller's inventory (a test's) has none. A test replaces it.
+var vaultIssuer = func(ctx context.Context, accounts accountIssuer) (vaultAsker, bool, error) {
+	inv, ok := accounts.(*inventory.Inventory)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, false, nil
+	}
+	installed, err := vaultInstalled(ctx, inv)
+	if err != nil || !installed {
+		return nil, false, err
+	}
+	if over, err := grantsTookOver(ctx); err != nil || !over {
+		return nil, false, err
+	}
+	return vaultAskerForIssue(ctx), true, nil
+}
+
+// issuedByTheVault is the vault's answer to issue-account (mesh-vault heldBackOrMinted).
+type issuedByTheVault struct {
+	Minted  bool   `json:"minted"`
+	Why     string `json:"why"`
+	Account struct {
+		Secret     string `json:"secret"`
+		Generation int    `json:"generation"`
+	} `json:"account"`
+}
+
+// forwardToTheVault asks the vault to issue user (its verb issue-account) and then runs after. The vault mints only
+// what the grants part wants and never anew a value it holds, so asking twice, or with the want's own mint, is harmless.
+// An issue on an assignment (only) is not failed by a refusal: the vault mints on the want itself when it is heard, and
+// the refusal is said; `module issue` fails with it.
+func forwardToTheVault(ctx context.Context, ask vaultAsker, user string, only bool, after func() error) error {
+	raw, err := ask("issue-account", map[string]any{"user": user})
+	if err != nil {
+		if !only {
+			return fmt.Errorf("the vault is the one issuer of bus accounts and did not issue %s: %w", user, err)
+		}
+		fmt.Printf("  %s is the vault's to mint, on the grants part's want of it; issue-account said: %v\n", user, err)
+	} else {
+		var got issuedByTheVault
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &got); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("the vault's answer to issue-account %s does not read: %w", user, err)
+		}
+		if got.Minted {
+			fmt.Printf("bus user %s minted by the vault as %s (generation %d)\n", user, got.Account.Secret, got.Account.Generation)
+			if g, _ := ctx.Value(issuedNowKey{}).(*issuedNow); g != nil {
+				g.mu.Lock()
+				g.users = append(g.users, user)
+				g.mu.Unlock()
+			}
+		} else {
+			fmt.Printf("bus user %s not minted anew by the vault: %s\n", user, got.Why)
+		}
+	}
+	if after == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return after()
+}
+
 // issueOnTheNewBus gives an assigned module its credential on the bus being built.
 //
 // **Three things differ from a management call, and each is the point of the move.** The credential
@@ -990,13 +1130,10 @@ func issueOnTheNewBus(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m catalogue
 	}
 	if _, reads := m.OwnSecrets["broker"]; reads {
 		user := broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindModule, Node: node, Module: m.Module}.Username()
-		password, err := inv.MintBusPassword(ctx, inventory.BusUser{
-			Username: user, Kind: busKindOf(m.Module), Node: node, Module: m.Module,
-		})
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-		if err := issueWith(ctx, inv, m, node, busAddress, known, reachable, user, password); err != nil {
+		if err := issueAccount(ctx, inv, inventory.BusUser{Username: user, Kind: busKindOf(m.Module), Node: node,
+			Module: m.Module}, func(password string) error {
+			return issueWith(ctx, inv, m, node, busAddress, known, reachable, user, password)
+		}, func() error { return ensureModuleConsumer(m, node, busAddress) }); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
@@ -1021,12 +1158,15 @@ func issueOnTheNewBus(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m catalogue
 func issueProcess(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m catalogue.Manifest, pr broker.ProcessPrincipal,
 	node, busAddress string, known broker.Broker, reachable string) error {
 	user := broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindProcess, Node: node, Module: m.Module, Process: pr.Process}.Username()
-	password, err := inv.MintBusPassword(ctx, inventory.BusUser{
-		Username: user, Kind: inventory.BusProcess, Node: node, Module: m.Module,
-	})
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
+	return issueAccount(ctx, inv, inventory.BusUser{Username: user, Kind: inventory.BusProcess, Node: node, Module: m.Module},
+		func(password string) error {
+			return sealProcess(ctx, inv, m, pr, node, busAddress, known, reachable, user, password)
+		}, func() error { return ensureProcessQueues(m, pr, node, busAddress) })
+}
+
+// sealProcess seals a process's minted account to its node, hands it to the vault and makes its work-queue consumers.
+func sealProcess(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m catalogue.Manifest, pr broker.ProcessPrincipal,
+	node, busAddress string, known broker.Broker, reachable, user, password string) error {
 	name := processSecretName(pr.Process)
 	held, err := heldProcessAccount(known, reachable, node, m.Module, user, password)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -1038,30 +1178,40 @@ func issueProcess(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m catalogue.Man
 	if err := handIssuedToVault(ctx, inv, m, node, name, string(held)); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if len(pr.Queues) > 0 {
-		if busAddress == "" {
-			fmt.Printf("  %s's process %s consumes its work queue; its consumer is created when the bus is "+
-				"reachable (`push --behind`, then `rollout mint` again is harmless)\n", m.Module, pr.Process)
-		} else {
-			js, err := broker.Dial(busAddress)
-			if err != nil {
-				return fmt.Errorf("the credential is minted and the mesh cannot reach the bus to create "+
-					"%s's process %s's work-queue consumer: %w", m.Module, pr.Process, err)
-			}
-			defer js.Close()
-			who := broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindProcess, Node: node, Module: m.Module, Process: pr.Process}
-			for _, q := range pr.Queues {
-				if err := js.EnsureConsumer(broker.QueueConsumer(who, q)); err != nil {
-					return err
-				}
-			}
-		}
+	if err := ensureProcessQueues(m, pr, node, busAddress); err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
 	fmt.Printf("bus user %s minted for %s's process %s, scoped to its bus declaration\n", user, m.Module, pr.Process)
 	fmt.Printf("  sealed to %s as %s. It arrives with the next push — `push %s` to send it\n", node, name, node)
 	return nil
 }
 
+// ensureProcessQueues makes a process's work-queue consumers where the bus can be reached: what its account needs beside
+// its value, whoever minted it.
+func ensureProcessQueues(m catalogue.Manifest, pr broker.ProcessPrincipal, node, busAddress string) error {
+	if len(pr.Queues) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if busAddress == "" {
+		fmt.Printf("  %s's process %s consumes its work queue; its consumer is created when the bus is "+
+			"reachable (`push --behind`, then `rollout mint` again is harmless)\n", m.Module, pr.Process)
+		return nil
+	}
+	js, err := broker.Dial(busAddress)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("the mesh cannot reach the bus to create %s's process %s's work-queue consumer: %w",
+			m.Module, pr.Process, err)
+	}
+	defer js.Close()
+	who := broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindProcess, Node: node, Module: m.Module, Process: pr.Process}
+	for _, q := range pr.Queues {
+		if err := js.EnsureConsumer(broker.QueueConsumer(who, q)); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 // heldProcessAccount is a process's account, in the provisioner client's form (novox/hq ADR 0436 §2):
 // {url, fingerprint, node, module, user, password} — never claims, since a process holds no seat (§3).
 func heldProcessAccount(known broker.Broker, reachable, node, module, user, password string) ([]byte, error) {
@@ -1091,12 +1241,15 @@ func runsTheProvisionerClient(m catalogue.Manifest) bool {
 func issueProvisionerClient(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m catalogue.Manifest, node string,
 	known broker.Broker, reachable string) error {
 	user := broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindProvisioner, Node: node, Module: m.Module}.Username()
-	password, err := inv.MintBusPassword(ctx, inventory.BusUser{
-		Username: user, Kind: inventory.BusProvisioner, Node: node, Module: m.Module,
-	})
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
+	return issueAccount(ctx, inv, inventory.BusUser{Username: user, Kind: inventory.BusProvisioner, Node: node,
+		Module: m.Module}, func(password string) error {
+		return sealProvisionerClient(ctx, inv, m, node, known, reachable, user, password)
+	}, nil)
+}
+
+// sealProvisionerClient seals the provisioner client's minted account to its machine and hands it to the vault.
+func sealProvisionerClient(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m catalogue.Manifest, node string,
+	known broker.Broker, reachable, user, password string) error {
 	held, err := json.Marshal(struct {
 		URL         string `json:"url"`
 		Fingerprint string `json:"fingerprint,omitempty"`
@@ -1163,28 +1316,8 @@ func issueWith(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m catalogue.Manife
 	if err := handIssuedToVault(ctx, inv, m, node, "broker", string(held)); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-
-	// And how it hears what it consumes. Derived from its declaration, and only when it declared
-	// something: a module that consumes nothing needs no consumer, and creating one would be a
-	// durable subscription nobody reads.
-	if consumer, needed := broker.ConsumerFor(broker.Principal{
-		Kind: broker.KindModule, Node: node, Module: m.Module,
-		Emits: m.EmitsAll(), Consumes: m.Consumes, Serves: m.Tools,
-	}); needed {
-		if busAddress == "" {
-			fmt.Printf("  %s consumes; its consumer is created when the bus is reachable (`push --behind`, then "+
-				"`rollout mint` again is harmless)\n", m.Module)
-		} else {
-			js, err := broker.Dial(busAddress)
-			if err != nil {
-				return fmt.Errorf("the credential is minted and the mesh cannot reach the bus to create "+
-					"how %s hears what it consumes: %w", m.Module, err)
-			}
-			defer js.Close()
-			if err := js.EnsureConsumer(consumer); err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
-		}
+	if err := ensureModuleConsumer(m, node, busAddress); err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
 
 	fmt.Printf("bus user %s minted for %s, scoped to what it emits and consumes\n", user, m.Module)
@@ -1194,6 +1327,30 @@ func issueWith(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m catalogue.Manife
 	return nil
 }
 
+// ensureModuleConsumer makes how a module hears what it consumes, where the bus can be reached: what its account needs
+// beside its value, whoever minted it. Derived from its declaration, and only when it declared something: a module that
+// consumes nothing needs no consumer, and creating one would be a durable subscription nobody reads.
+func ensureModuleConsumer(m catalogue.Manifest, node, busAddress string) error {
+	consumer, needed := broker.ConsumerFor(broker.Principal{
+		Kind: broker.KindModule, Node: node, Module: m.Module,
+		Emits: m.EmitsAll(), Consumes: m.Consumes, Serves: m.Tools,
+	})
+	if !needed {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if busAddress == "" {
+		fmt.Printf("  %s consumes; its consumer is created when the bus is reachable (`push --behind`, then "+
+			"`rollout mint` again is harmless)\n", m.Module)
+		return nil
+	}
+	js, err := broker.Dial(busAddress)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("the mesh cannot reach the bus to create how %s hears what it consumes: %w", m.Module, err)
+	}
+	defer js.Close()
+	return js.EnsureConsumer(consumer)
+}
+
 // whereItComesFrom is the provenance a module handed over by hand records, and what a record must
 // say to be worth anything later.
 //
@@ -1228,29 +1385,6 @@ func whereItComesFrom(repository, ref, commit, path string, self bool) (inventor
 	return from, nil
 }
 
-// namesNoInstallation is the mesh refusing a definition that names an installation, at the moment
-// it would enter the catalogue (novox/hq ADR 0112, ADR 0155). `module check` says the same thing
-// earlier, where the author is; this is the last moment the mesh can still say no, and a
-// definition that got past the check — written elsewhere, or checked by nobody — is refused here
-// in the same words. A name meant on purpose is declared with its reason and passes.
-func namesNoInstallation(m catalogue.Manifest) error {
-	if problems := catalogue.TrustProblems(m); len(problems) > 0 {
-		return fmt.Errorf("%s", strings.Join(problems, "; "))
-	}
-	// And a module that declares a setting names the keys of its mergeable files (novox/hq ADR 0326
-	// §3, issue 574): judged where a definition is written, never where a stored build is read again.
-	if problems := catalogue.WrittenSettingsProblems(m); len(problems) > 0 {
-		return fmt.Errorf("%s", strings.Join(problems, "; "))
-	}
-	named := catalogue.InstallationProblems(m)
-	if len(named) == 0 {
-		return nil
-	}
-	return fmt.Errorf("%s names an installation, and a definition names none — declare a name meant "+
-		"on purpose under %s with its reason, or take it out:\n  - %s",
-		m.Module, catalogue.NamesOnPurpose, strings.Join(named, "\n  - "))
-}
-
 // seatClaimed is one seat a module claims, as its runtime needs it: the name, the scope (a
 // node-scoped seat's verb carries the machine, design 33 §4) and the verbs the seat promises.
 type seatClaimed struct {

cmd/mesh-controller/new_module_on_merge_test.go

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import (
 // one module's directory and touches nothing else the mesh holds: nothing asks its first build, it opens no plan, and
 // the module is registered from the builder's first done key of it, assigned nowhere, with no build request written.
 func TestAMergeAddingAModuleEndsRegisteredFromItsKeyAndAsksNoBuild(t *testing.T) {
+	withNoNewModuleWaits(t)
 	open := aMesh(t)
 	ctx := t.Context()
 	inv := open.inventory
@@ -66,9 +67,11 @@ func TestAMergeAddingAModuleEndsRegisteredFromItsKeyAndAsksNoBuild(t *testing.T)
 	}
 }
 
-// ADR 0501 §7: a new module whose manifest uses a word this controller does not read is named waiting at once, never
-// failed, and registered from the same key, with no second build, when a controller that reads it looks.
-func TestANewModuleWithAnUnreadWordWaitsForTheControllerThatReadsIt(t *testing.T) {
+// ADR 0578 §6 (which changes ADR 0501 §7): a new module whose manifest uses a word this controller does not read is
+// registered at once, the word set aside, never failed and with no second build; one whose manifest the indexer's judge
+// refused is held, named in the indexer's words, and never registered (ADR 0578 §3).
+func TestANewModuleWithAnUnreadWordIsRegisteredAndARefusedOneIsHeld(t *testing.T) {
+	withNoNewModuleWaits(t)
 	open := aMesh(t)
 	ctx := t.Context()
 	inv := open.inventory
@@ -94,12 +97,38 @@ func TestANewModuleWithAnUnreadWordWaitsForTheControllerThatReadsIt(t *testing.T
 	}
 	b.built(t, "watchman", "1", fp, digest, sdkdelivery.BuildDone)
 	takeNewModules(ctx, open, "watchman")
-	if _, known := inventoryHolds(t, inv, "watchman"); known {
-		t.Fatal("0501 §7: a manifest with an unread word was registered")
+	if _, known := inventoryHolds(t, inv, "watchman"); !known {
+		t.Fatalf("0578 §6: a manifest with a word set aside is not registered: %+v", newModuleObservations(time.Now()))
 	}
-	obs := newModuleObservations(time.Now())
-	if len(obs) != 1 || obs[0].Kind != kindNewModuleWaits || !strings.Contains(obs[0].Summary, `"not-a-word-yet"`) {
-		t.Fatalf("0501 §7: the module waiting for a reader of its word is named by %+v", obs)
+	// The indexer refused another: held, named, not registered.
+	refusedFP := fpOf('9')
+	refusedRaw := `{"module":"refusedmod","version":"1","build":{"artifacts":[{"name":"a","kind":"archive","from":"files"}]},` +
+		`"resources":[{"id":"a","type":"archive","path":"/opt/refusedmod","artifact":"a"}]}`
+	refusedDigest := sdkdelivery.ManifestDigest([]byte(refusedRaw))
+	value, _ = sdkdelivery.EncodeManifest(sdkdelivery.Manifest{Module: "refusedmod", JSON: refusedRaw})
+	if _, err := b.manifests.Put(ctx, refusedDigest, value); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	verdict, _ := sdkdelivery.EncodeManifestVerdict(sdkdelivery.ManifestVerdict{Module: "refusedmod", State: sdkdelivery.VerdictRefused,
+		Problems: []string{"it breaks a rule"}, Judge: "exe:1", At: time.Now()})
+	if _, err := b.verdicts.Put(ctx, refusedDigest, verdict); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	trunk, _ = sdkdelivery.EncodeModule(sdkdelivery.Module{FP: "src1:" + refusedFP[5:], FP2: refusedFP, Manifest: refusedDigest,
+		Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", Commit: "5555555500000000", Path: "modules/refusedmod"})
+	if _, err := b.modules.Put(ctx, "refusedmod", trunk); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	b.built(t, "refusedmod", "1", refusedFP, refusedDigest, sdkdelivery.BuildDone)
+	takeNewModules(ctx, open, "refusedmod")
+	if _, known := inventoryHolds(t, inv, "refusedmod"); known {
+		t.Fatal("0578 §3: a manifest the indexer refused was registered")
+	}
+	// Said at once in the controller's journal; a condition once it waits past the bound (the watchman raises the
+	// indexer's manifest-refused at once).
+	obs := newModuleObservations(time.Now().Add(newModuleWaitBound + time.Minute))
+	if len(obs) != 1 || obs[0].Kind != kindNewModuleWaits || !strings.Contains(obs[0].Summary, "refused the manifest of refusedmod: it breaks a rule") {
+		t.Fatalf("0578 §3: the refused module is not held and named: %+v", obs)
 	}
 	builds, _ := inv.Builds(ctx, "watchman", 5)
 	for _, b := range builds {

cmd/mesh-controller/new_modules.go

@@ -200,14 +200,20 @@ func newModuleObservations(now time.Time) []conditions.Observation {
 // watchNewModules wakes the take-in of new modules for each module the builder or the indexer writes, until ctx ends, and
 // looks at every module once now. A bucket not there yet is said: the look at start and a first merge's word still work.
 func watchNewModules(ctx context.Context, open *stores) {
-	inBackground(func() {
+	inBackground(ctx, func() {
 		takeNewModules(ctx, open)
 	})
 	// And, beside it, the start's pass of release 6 and the take-in of each registered module's new done key (novox/hq
 	// ADR 0539 clauses 5, 7, 10 and 13; composed_start.go, composed_keys.go): the plans' buckets deleted, every node
 	// composed, the replaced controller composed, and from now on each new fingerprint registered, composed and granted.
-	inBackground(func() { composeAtStart(ctx, open) })
+	inBackground(ctx, func() { composeAtStart(ctx, open) })
 	watchDoneKeys(ctx, open)
+	// And a change of config composes the node and the touched modules' kept compositions again, heard from
+	// mesh-config's resolved values (ADR 0545, kept_compositions.go).
+	watchConfigFollow(ctx, open)
+	// And each assignment that comes to stand issues its node's bus accounts and the module's grant (ADR 0543): a module
+	// built long before is assigned to one more node with no build done again (issue 1945, assignment_accounts.go).
+	watchAssignmentAccounts(ctx, open)
 	watchHavesForJudgement(ctx, open)
 	// And the keep set keeps the builds every want names (ADR 0539 clause 1), with no plan left to name them.
 	open.inventory.SetWanted(wantedOnTheBus)
@@ -223,16 +229,16 @@ func watchNewModules(ctx context.Context, open *stores) {
 		fmt.Printf("new modules: the builder's keys are not watched: %v\n", err)
 		return
 	}
-	go func() {
+	goServing(ctx, func() {
 		<-ctx.Done()
 		closeKeys()
-	}()
+	})
 }
 
 // wakeNewModule takes module in when the catalogue does not hold it: never on the watch's own goroutine, which must keep
 // draining.
 func wakeNewModule(ctx context.Context, open *stores, module string) {
-	inBackground(func() {
+	inBackground(ctx, func() {
 		entries, err := open.inventory.Catalogued(ctx)
 		if err != nil {
 			return
@@ -250,14 +256,17 @@ func wakeNewModule(ctx context.Context, open *stores, module string) {
 // ends only once the work its mesh started has.
 var background sync.WaitGroup
 
-// inBackground runs work beside the caller, counted in background. A variable so a test of what a walk does around a
-// take-in may run it in the caller's turn and need not wait for it.
-var inBackground = func(work func()) {
+// inBackground runs work beside the caller, counted in background and, under a serving controller, in its serving group,
+// so serve's stop waits for it and a serve that is stopping starts none (serving_group.go). A variable so a test of what a
+// walk does around a take-in may run it in the caller's turn and need not wait for it.
+var inBackground = func(ctx context.Context, work func()) {
 	background.Add(1)
-	go func() {
+	if !goServing(ctx, func() {
 		defer background.Done()
 		work()
-	}()
+	}) {
+		background.Done()
+	}
 }
 
 // newModulesOf are the modules the indexer holds in a repository: what a first merge's word wakes.

cmd/mesh-controller/new_modules_test.go

@@ -9,11 +9,7 @@ import (
 // ADR 0501 §6, §7 (issue 1851, A5b): the condition of a new module reads its key's take-in: one waiting for a controller
 // that reads its manifest's word is named at once, one waiting for its key only past the bound, each reason said once.
 func TestANewModuleWaitingIsNamedByWhatItWaitsFor(t *testing.T) {
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		newModulesWaiting.Lock()
-		newModulesWaiting.by = map[string]newModuleWait{}
-		newModulesWaiting.Unlock()
-	})
+	withNoNewModuleWaits(t)
 	word := `waits: watchman's manifest uses the word "key-ttl", which this controller does not read: it is registered when a controller that reads it runs`
 	sayNewModuleWait(newModuleWait{Module: "watchman", Commit: "c1", Why: word, Word: wordIn(word)})
 	sayNewModuleWait(newModuleWait{Module: "view", Commit: "c1", Why: "waits: the build of view at aaaa is building on ace"})
@@ -31,3 +27,15 @@ func TestANewModuleWaitingIsNamedByWhatItWaitsFor(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("registered modules are still named: %+v", obs)
 	}
 }
+
+// withNoNewModuleWaits empties the controller's list of new modules waiting, for a test, at its start and at its end: the
+// list is the process's, so a test that leaves a module in it is read by the next.
+func withNoNewModuleWaits(t *testing.T) {
+	reset := func() {
+		newModulesWaiting.Lock()
+		newModulesWaiting.by = map[string]newModuleWait{}
+		newModulesWaiting.Unlock()
+	}
+	reset()
+	t.Cleanup(reset)
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/nodes.go

@@ -133,9 +133,14 @@ func nodeCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		// refuse (novox/hq issue 358). Read-only on the node and here, so a verb may run it too.
 		return nodeJudgeDirectories(ctx, open, args[1:])
 
+	case "placement-export":
+		// Each node's placement as the catalogue's placement file says it (novox/hq ADR 0555 §6): read-only, so a verb
+		// may run it.
+		return placementExport(ctx, open, args[1:])
+
 	default:
 		return fmt.Errorf("node has no %q; it has add, list, show, public-domain, account, agent-account, hand-over, "+
-			"setuid-search and judge-directories", args[0])
+			"setuid-search, judge-directories and placement-export", args[0])
 	}
 }
 

cmd/mesh-controller/paths_source_test.go

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import (
 // paths and its manifest alone. mesh-sdk's TypeScript package at its repository's root: a change to its go/ touches no
 // module, one to its src/ or its package.json touches it. A module with an artifact naming no paths reads its directory.
 func TestAModuleNamingItsPathsIsReadFromThemAlone(t *testing.T) {
-	m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(`{"module":"mesh-sdk","version":"1","build":{"artifacts":[{"name":"lib",
+	m, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(`{"module":"mesh-sdk","version":"1","build":{"artifacts":[{"name":"lib",
 		"kind":"package","language":"typescript","paths":["src","package.json","package-lock.json","tsconfig.json"]}]},
 		"resources":[]}`))
 	if err != nil {

cmd/mesh-controller/placement_export.go

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"sort"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose/frombus"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+)
+
+// placementExport prints each node's placement as the catalogue's placement file says it (novox/hq ADR 0555 §6, issue
+// 1126): what a person decided of the node and where its modules run, read by this controller's own code from its own
+// store, as JSON keyed by node. The one verb the controller gains for its exit (the operator, 2026-10-26 19:06:40, ADR
+// 0547 §1's one exception besides §5's grant): read once by the seed of the placement files, whose pull request merges
+// only when its composition check composes every node equal to what it runs. It reads the same Input every composition
+// of this controller reads (readMeshAndNodes, readSettings) and writes nothing.
+//
+// It moves a piece of the research "The controller, NATS-native": the controller's last node data (node rows, placement,
+// ports, pins, bindings, config placement) leaves it for the catalogue, before its exit at ADR 0547's third milestone.
+func placementExport(ctx context.Context, open *stores, args []string) error {
+	if len(args) > 1 {
+		return errors.New("node placement-export [<name>]")
+	}
+	in, _, err := readMeshAndNodes(ctx, open)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if _, err := readSettings(ctx, open, &in); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	var names []string
+	if len(args) == 1 {
+		names = []string{args[0]}
+	} else {
+		for _, n := range in.Nodes {
+			names = append(names, n.Name)
+		}
+		sort.Strings(names)
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]delivery.Placement, len(names))
+	for _, name := range names {
+		p, err := frombus.Export(in, name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		out[name] = p
+	}
+	return printJSON(out)
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/placement_export_integration_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+//go:build integration
+
+package main
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose/frombus"
+	sdkdelivery "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/overlay"
+)
+
+// Issue 1126 (novox/hq ADR 0555 §6, the operator's one export verb of 2026-10-26 19:06:40): `node placement-export`
+// answers, from the real store, each node's placement as the catalogue's placement file says it: what a person decided
+// of the node (its endpoint, site, hub and address on the private network) and its modules in the order the composition
+// reads them, exactly frombus.Export of the input this controller composes from; one node when named; a node the store
+// lacks is refused. Checked within TestTheControlPlaneIsToldWhereTheNodePutTheStoreAndTheBroker, over the same fresh
+// mesh, so the export adds no integration test of its own (the test budget).
+func placementExportIsEachNodesPlacementFromTheStore(t *testing.T, open *stores) {
+	t.Helper()
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	in, _, err := readMeshAndNodes(ctx, open)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := readSettings(ctx, open, &in); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var all map[string]sdkdelivery.Placement
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(stdoutOf(t, func() error { return placementExport(ctx, open, nil) })), &all); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(all) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("exported %d nodes, want anchor and laptop", len(all))
+	}
+	for i, name := range []string{"anchor", "laptop"} {
+		got := all[name]
+		d := got.Decided
+		if d.Endpoint != name+".example:51820" || d.Site != "here" || d.Hub != (name == "anchor") || d.Address != []string{"10.77.0.1", "10.77.0.2"}[i] {
+			t.Errorf("%s's decided facts are %+v", name, d)
+		}
+		if a := got.Assigned(); len(a) == 0 || !strings.Contains(strings.Join(a, ","), overlay.Name) {
+			t.Errorf("%s's modules are %v, want the private network among them", name, a)
+		}
+		// What it prints is the file the seed writes: at the placement file's version, read back by its reader.
+		if raw, _ := json.Marshal(got); got.V != sdkdelivery.Version {
+			t.Errorf("%s is exported at version %d: %s", name, got.V, raw)
+		} else if _, err := sdkdelivery.DecodePlacement(raw); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("%s's export does not read as a placement file: %v", name, err)
+		}
+		want, err := frombus.Export(in, name)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if !sdkdelivery.SamePlacement(got, want) {
+			t.Errorf("%s's export differs from frombus.Export of the controller's own input:\n%+v\n%+v", name, got, want)
+		}
+	}
+	var one map[string]sdkdelivery.Placement
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(stdoutOf(t, func() error { return placementExport(ctx, open, []string{"laptop"}) })), &one); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, ok := one["laptop"]; !ok || len(one) != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("one node named exported %v", one)
+	}
+	if err := placementExport(ctx, open, []string{"stranger"}); err == nil {
+		t.Error("a node the store lacks was exported")
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/placement_words_moved_integration_test.go

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ func aMeshWithTheWordsInItsLayers(t *testing.T) (*stores, wordedMesh) {
 	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "proxy", Version: "1", Provides: catalogue.FromAnywhere("route"),
 		Receives: map[string]string{"route": "/var/lib/proxy/routes.json"}})
 	for _, text := range w.Modules {
-		m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(strings.ReplaceAll(string(text), "IMAGE", image)))
+		m, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(strings.ReplaceAll(string(text), "IMAGE", image)))
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}

cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words.go

@@ -59,6 +59,38 @@ func dataWords(o conditions.Observation) (what, module string) {
 }
 
 var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
+	// A module's new build whose compositions or grant the controller could not write (composed_keys.go).
+	kindNotComposed: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
+		m := "a module"
+		if p := idPart(o, 0); o.Scope == conditions.ScopeBuild && p != "" {
+			m = p // the module: raised in the build's scope, its id the module's name
+		}
+		return words{Headline: "A new build of " + m + " cannot be delivered",
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("A new build of %s was made, and the mesh could not prepare it for the machines, so "+
+				"none can be given it yet. It is tried again every half minute; the details say what fails.", m),
+			Resolved: "the new build of " + m + " can be delivered"}
+	}),
+	// The take-in of done keys whose backlog stood still (take_in_consumer.go, novox/hq ADR 0544 §6).
+	kindTakeInStalled: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
+		return words{Headline: "New builds are not being prepared for the machines",
+			Explanation: "The mesh prepares each new build for the machines as it is made, and has prepared none for " +
+				"five minutes while builds wait. Until it moves, no new build reaches a machine; the details say how many wait.",
+			Resolved: "new builds are being prepared again"}
+	}),
+	// A bucket of done keys whose take-in consumer could not be made (take_in_consumer.go, novox/hq ADR 0544 §6).
+	kindTakeInNotConsumed: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
+		return words{Headline: "Some new builds are not being prepared",
+			Explanation: "The mesh could not start reading one of the two places new builds are announced in, so the " +
+				"builds announced there wait until the controller starts again. The details say which and why.",
+			Resolved: "the mesh reads where new builds are announced again"}
+	}),
+	// Config not followed into the compositions (kept_compositions.go, novox/hq ADR 0545).
+	kindConfigNotFollowed: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
+		return words{Headline: "Changes of settings are not reaching the machines",
+			Explanation: "The mesh could not read the settings as they change, so a changed setting is not prepared for " +
+				"the machines until it can. It tries again every minute; the details say why.",
+			Resolved: "changes of settings reach the machines again"}
+	}),
 	// Machines and their node-engine.
 	"silent": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")

cmd/mesh-controller/predefined_integration_test.go

@@ -10,7 +10,10 @@ import (
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 )
 
-func TestRegistrationPublishesTheNewestTrunkListAndJudgesEveryModuleAgainstIt(t *testing.T) {
+// Registration publishes the newest trunk's list of predefined keys. It judges no manifest against it (ADR 0578 §3): the
+// indexer's judge does, with the list it keeps, and a fallback to a key not on it, or of another type, is refused there
+// (mesh-delivery-indexer judge's tests).
+func TestRegistrationPublishesTheNewestTrunkList(t *testing.T) {
 	withoutAPublishedList(t)
 	open := aMesh(t)
 	ctx := t.Context()
@@ -28,22 +31,6 @@ func TestRegistrationPublishesTheNewestTrunkListAndJudgesEveryModuleAgainstIt(t
 		t.Fatalf("the controller judges against %v, not the list published", got)
 	}
 
-	// One naming a key not on the list, or of another type, is refused and never enters the catalogue.
-	for i, c := range []struct{ manifest, says string }{
-		{notifierFallingBackTo("font-scale", "number"), "not on the list"},
-		{notifierFallingBackTo("font-size", "string"), "which is a number"},
-	} {
-		id := []string{"b-2", "b-3"}[i]
-		if _, _, err := takeIn(ctx, open.inventory, catalogueBuild(id, c.manifest, theFirstKeys, 10)); err == nil ||
-			!strings.Contains(err.Error(), c.says) {
-			t.Errorf("wanted the registration refused saying %q, got %v", c.says, err)
-		}
-	}
-	src, err := open.inventory.SourceOf(ctx, "notifier")
-	if err != nil || src.BuiltFrom != strings.Repeat("1", 12) {
-		t.Fatalf("a refused build replaced the registered one: %+v %v", src, err)
-	}
-
 	// A newer build's list, which drops agent-managed-settings, replaces the published one.
 	smaller := `{"font-size": {"type": "number", "description": "points", "minimum": 6, "maximum": 72}}`
 	if _, _, err := takeIn(ctx, open.inventory, catalogueBuild("b-4",
@@ -60,7 +47,7 @@ func TestRegistrationPublishesTheNewestTrunkListAndJudgesEveryModuleAgainstIt(t
 		t.Fatalf("an older build's list heard later replaced the newer one: %+v", kept)
 	}
 
-	// A build of another repository publishes nothing, and its manifest is judged against the published list.
+	// A build of another repository publishes nothing.
 	other := catalogueBuild("b-6", notifierFallingBackTo("font-size", "number"), theFirstKeys, 99)
 	other.Repository, other.Source.Repository = "http://forge.internal:20000/novox/notifier.git", "novox/notifier"
 	other.Manifest = json.RawMessage(strings.Replace(notifierFallingBackTo("font-size", "number"), `"notifier"`,
@@ -71,9 +58,4 @@ func TestRegistrationPublishesTheNewestTrunkListAndJudgesEveryModuleAgainstIt(t
 	if kept, _, _ = open.inventory.PredefinedKept(ctx); kept.Build != "b-4" {
 		t.Fatalf("a build of another repository published its list: %+v", kept)
 	}
-	other.ID, other.Manifest = "b-7", json.RawMessage(strings.Replace(notifierFallingBackTo("agent-managed-settings",
-		"number"), `"notifier"`, `"chimes"`, 1))
-	if _, _, err := takeIn(ctx, open.inventory, other); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "not on the list") {
-		t.Fatalf("a key only another repository's list holds was registered: %v", err)
-	}
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/predefined_test.go

@@ -1,10 +1,7 @@
 package main
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
 	"encoding/json"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -12,8 +9,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
 )
 
-// The list of predefined keys (novox/hq ADR 0348 §7, design 57 package K2, issue 661): `module check` and the
-// merge gate judge each manifest against the list at the root of its tree; registration publishes the newest
+// The list of predefined keys (novox/hq ADR 0348 §7, design 57 package K2, issue 661): the
+// merge gate judges each manifest against the list at the root of its tree; registration publishes the newest
 // trunk build's list of the catalogue and judges every module against the list the mesh publishes.
 
 const theFirstKeys = `{
@@ -41,60 +38,6 @@ func withoutAPublishedList(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Cleanup(func() { catalogue.ReplacePublished(was) })
 }
 
-// aRepositoryTree is a repository's checkout holding one module at modules/notifier, and the list when given.
-func aRepositoryTree(t *testing.T, manifest string, list *string) string {
-	t.Helper()
-	root := t.TempDir()
-	if err := os.Mkdir(filepath.Join(root, ".git"), 0o755); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	if list != nil {
-		if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(root, catalogue.PredefinedFile), []byte(*list), 0o644); err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
-	}
-	return aTemplatedModule(t, filepath.Join(root, "modules", "notifier"), manifest, nil)
-}
-
-func TestModuleCheckJudgesAManifestAgainstTheListAtItsRepositoryRoot(t *testing.T) {
-	withoutAPublishedList(t)
-	list := theFirstKeys
-	check := func(path string) (string, error) {
-		var out bytes.Buffer
-		err := moduleCheck([]string{path}, &out)
-		return out.String(), err
-	}
-	if out, err := check(aRepositoryTree(t, notifierFallingBackTo("font-size", "number"), &list)); err != nil ||
-		!strings.Contains(out, "notifier: ok") {
-		t.Fatalf("a module naming font-size was refused: %v\n%s", err, out)
-	}
-	for _, c := range []struct {
-		manifest string
-		list     *string
-		says     string
-	}{
-		{notifierFallingBackTo("font-scale", "number"), &list, `"font-scale", which is not on the list`},
-		{notifierFallingBackTo("font-size", "string"), &list, "which is a number, and this value is a string"},
-		{notifierFallingBackTo("font-size", "number"), nil, "is not present"},
-		{notifierFallingBackTo("font-size", "number"), ptr(`{"font-size": {"type": "number"}}`), "no description"},
-	} {
-		if out, err := check(aRepositoryTree(t, c.manifest, c.list)); err == nil || !strings.Contains(out, c.says) {
-			t.Errorf("wanted the check refused saying %q, got %v:\n%s", c.says, err, out)
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-func ptr(s string) *string { return &s }
-
-// writeTheList puts the list at the root of a tree the gate judges.
-func writeTheList(t *testing.T, tree, list string) string {
-	t.Helper()
-	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(tree, catalogue.PredefinedFile), []byte(list), 0o644); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	return tree
-}
-
 // catalogueBuild is a trunk build of the catalogue carrying the list at a generation.
 func catalogueBuild(id, manifest, list string, generation int) link.BuildResult {
 	r := link.BuildResult{ID: id, Repository: "http://forge.internal:20000/novox/mesh-catalog.git",

cmd/mesh-controller/process_accounts.go

@@ -72,6 +72,8 @@ func issueMissingProcessAccounts(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory,
 	if len(m.ProcessBuses()) == 0 || mayIssue(m) != nil {
 		return "", nil
 	}
+	// Only the missing: never a second password over one another caller minted between this look and the mint.
+	ctx = onlyIfAbsent(ctx)
 	minted, err := inv.BusMinted(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
@@ -92,15 +94,18 @@ func issueMissingProcessAccounts(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory,
 	if err != nil {
 		busAddress = ""
 	}
-	var ids []string
+	ctx, got := withIssued(ctx)
 	for _, pr := range missing {
 		if err := issueProcess(ctx, inv, m, pr, node, busAddress, known, reachable); err != nil {
 			return "", err
 		}
-		ids = append(ids, pr.Process)
+	}
+	issued := got.list()
+	if len(issued) == 0 {
+		return "", nil // another issuer sealed them meanwhile
 	}
 	return fmt.Sprintf("its process account(s) %s issued and sealed to %s, and arrive with the push",
-		strings.Join(ids, ", "), node), nil
+		strings.Join(issued, ", "), node), nil
 }
 
 // issueGainedProcessAccounts runs after a module's new definition is registered: on each machine assigned it, the

cmd/mesh-controller/process_accounts_integration_test.go

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import (
 
 func gainedAndPlain(t *testing.T) (plain, gained catalogue.Manifest) {
 	t.Helper()
-	plain, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(`{"module":"mesh-mail","version":"1",
+	plain, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(`{"module":"mesh-mail","version":"1",
 		"own-secrets":{"broker-send":{"path":"/var/lib/mesh-mail/broker-send","owner":"mesh-mail-send"}},
 		"resources":[{"id":"account","type":"user","name":"mesh-mail-send"}]}`))
 	if err != nil {

cmd/mesh-controller/process_issue_integration_test.go

@@ -21,7 +21,9 @@ import (
 // account against the store — no bus to dial, busAddress "" — for mesh-mail's real manifest shape (review
 // round 1 finding 1: no own secret `broker` at all, its tools served by the tool runner), and issuing it
 // again is the path every bus account takes (`rollout mint`'s KindProcess case, and a re-run of `module
-// issue`): it rotates the password, and the old hash no longer matches.
+// issue`): it rotates the password, and the old hash no longer matches. Issue 774: every account minted is handed to the
+// vault, covered or not, until the grants part's take-over; from it the issue is forwarded to the vault's issue-account,
+// and the controller's hash stays as it was.
 func TestModuleIssueMintsAndDeliversAProcesssAccount(t *testing.T) {
 	open := aMesh(t)
 	ctx := t.Context()
@@ -29,7 +31,6 @@ func TestModuleIssueMintsAndDeliversAProcesssAccount(t *testing.T) {
 	theVaultIsInstalled(t, open)
 
 	m := mailSenderWithProcess()
-	m.Moved = true // so handIssuedToVault's accountIsCovered is true, and the hand-off is exercised whole
 	register(t, open, m)
 
 	vault := newStandInVault(t)
@@ -84,4 +85,13 @@ func TestModuleIssueMintsAndDeliversAProcesssAccount(t *testing.T) {
 	if hash1 == hash2 {
 		t.Fatal("issuing the process's account again did not rotate its password")
 	}
+
+	theGrantsPartTookOver(t, true)
+	issue()
+	if hash3, held, err := inv.BusUserHash(ctx, user); err != nil || !held || hash3 != hash2 {
+		t.Fatalf("the controller minted again after the grants part's take-over (held %v, %v)", held, err)
+	}
+	if said := vault.said(); !strings.Contains(said, `"verb":"issue-account"`) || !strings.Contains(said, `"user":"`+user+`"`) {
+		t.Errorf("the vault was not asked to issue %s after the take-over: %s", user, said)
+	}
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/process_issue_test.go

@@ -1,12 +1,9 @@
 package main
 
 import (
-	"encoding/json"
-	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
-	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
 )
 
 // mailSenderWithProcess is mesh-mail's real manifest shape (novox/hq ADR 0436 §7, §8, the lead's fixture):
@@ -14,7 +11,7 @@ import (
 // declares bus, whose own secret broker-send is where module issue delivers its account (ADR 0436 §2),
 // owned by mesh-mail-send, the user resource the process declares, at mode 0600 as every own secret is.
 func mailSenderWithProcess() catalogue.Manifest {
-	m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(`{"module":"mesh-mail","version":"1","emits":["mail.send.sent"],
+	m, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(`{"module":"mesh-mail","version":"1","emits":["mail.send.sent"],
 		"own-secrets":{"broker-send":{"path":"/var/lib/mesh-mail/broker-send","owner":"mesh-mail-send"}},
 		"resources":[{"id":"account","type":"user","name":"mesh-mail-send"},
 			{"id":"send","type":"process","run":["./mesh-mail","send"],"user":"mesh-mail-send",
@@ -25,61 +22,6 @@ func mailSenderWithProcess() catalogue.Manifest {
 	return m
 }
 
-// review round 1, finding 1 (1181): a module declaring no `broker` of its own at all — mesh-mail's real
-// shape, tools served by the tool runner — still passes mayIssue on its process's bus declaration alone.
-func TestAModuleWithNoBrokerAndOnlyAProcessMayBeIssued(t *testing.T) {
-	if err := mayIssue(mailSenderWithProcess()); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("a module with no broker of its own, whose process declares bus, was refused: %v", err)
-	}
-}
-
-// 1181/AC1: a process with a bus declaration and no own secret broker-<process id> cannot be issued — the
-// same refusal mayIssue already gives a module with no `broker` (novox/hq ADR 0436 §2).
-func TestAProcessWithNoBrokerSecretCannotBeIssued(t *testing.T) {
-	m := mailSenderWithProcess()
-	delete(m.OwnSecrets, "broker-send")
-	err := mayIssue(m)
-	if err == nil {
-		t.Fatal("a process with no broker-<id> own secret was issued an account")
-	}
-	for _, want := range []string{"mesh-mail", "send", "broker-send", "own-secrets"} {
-		if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
-			t.Errorf("the refusal does not say %q: %v", want, err)
-		}
-	}
-	if err := mayIssue(mailSenderWithProcess()); err != nil {
-		t.Errorf("a process declaring its own broker-<id> secret was refused: %v", err)
-	}
-}
-
-// 1181/AC1: the account held for a process is the provisioner client's form — {url, fingerprint, node,
-// module, user, password} — named for the process, never the module's own account.
-func TestAProcesssHeldAccountIsTheProvisionersForm(t *testing.T) {
-	user := broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindProcess, Node: "novox", Module: "mesh-mail", Process: "send"}.Username()
-	if user != "novox.mesh-mail.send" {
-		t.Fatalf("the process's username: %q", user)
-	}
-	held, err := heldProcessAccount(broker.Broker{Fingerprint: "abc"}, "novox.example:4222", "novox", "mesh-mail",
-		user, "a-password")
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	var got map[string]any
-	if err := json.Unmarshal(held, &got); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	want := map[string]any{"url": "nats://novox.example:4222", "fingerprint": "abc", "node": "novox",
-		"module": "mesh-mail", "user": "novox.mesh-mail.send", "password": "a-password"}
-	for k, v := range want {
-		if got[k] != v {
-			t.Errorf("%s: %v, want %v", k, got[k], v)
-		}
-	}
-	if len(got) != len(want) {
-		t.Errorf("the held account carries %v; want exactly %v (never claims — a process holds no seat)", got, want)
-	}
-}
-
 // 1181/AC1: composed, the process's own secret belongs to its own account at 0600 (novox/hq ADR 0436 §1, §2;
 // the owner mechanism is issue 1170's, proven generically there — this is mesh-mail's own shape).
 func TestAProcessesOwnSecretIsOwnedByItsOwnAccount(t *testing.T) {

cmd/mesh-controller/process_live_test.go

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import (
 // invoked seat verb), so the account module issue delivers for it can be put through every grant at once.
 func mailSenderLiveManifest(t *testing.T) catalogue.Manifest {
 	t.Helper()
-	m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(`{"module":"mesh-mail","version":"1",
+	m, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(`{"module":"mesh-mail","version":"1",
 		"emits":["mail.send.sent","mail.send.failed"],"state":["sends"],
 		"streams":[{"name":"mail-sends","events":["mail.send.approved"],"max-age-days":1,"max-mib":8,
 			"retention":"work-queue","max-deliveries":5}],

cmd/mesh-controller/provisioner_account_integration_test.go

@@ -27,9 +27,10 @@ func TestTheProvisionerClientsAccountIsIssuedForItsServiceAndNeverInvented(t *te
 		Username: "laptop.mesh-provisioner", Kind: inventory.BusModule, Node: "laptop", Module: "mesh-provisioner"}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	// The composition refuses it in the send's words (mesh-sdk's go/compose: TestTheSendsRefusalsAreRefusedInTheSendsWords).
-	if _, _, err := composeQuestion(ctx, open, "laptop", compose.Foreseeing, false); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "provisioner.laptop") {
-		t.Fatalf("a push would seal a placeholder for the client's account before it was issued: %v", err)
+	// The composition holds the module out in the send's words, and composes the rest of the machine.
+	if held, _, err := composeQuestion(ctx, open, "laptop", compose.Foreseeing, false); err != nil ||
+		!strings.Contains(held.leftOutWhy[m.Module], "provisioner.laptop") {
+		t.Fatalf("a push would seal a placeholder for the client's account before it was issued: %v %v", err, held.leftOutWhy)
 	}
 
 	if err := issueProvisionerClient(ctx, inv, m, "laptop", broker.Broker{Fingerprint: "ab"}, "10.0.0.1:4222"); err != nil {
@@ -45,8 +46,9 @@ func TestTheProvisionerClientsAccountIsIssuedForItsServiceAndNeverInvented(t *te
 	if !slices.ContainsFunc(states, func(s inventory.SecretState) bool { return s.Name == broker.ProvisionerSecret }) {
 		t.Fatalf("the client's account is not sealed to the machine for its service: %+v", states)
 	}
-	if _, _, err := composeQuestion(ctx, open, "laptop", compose.Foreseeing, false); err != nil && strings.Contains(err.Error(), "provisioner.laptop") {
-		t.Fatalf("an issued client account is refused: %v", err)
+	if held, _, err := composeQuestion(ctx, open, "laptop", compose.Foreseeing, false); err != nil ||
+		slices.Contains(held.heldForCredential, m.Module) {
+		t.Fatalf("an issued client account is held: %v %v", err, held.leftOutWhy)
 	}
 	if !runsTheProvisionerClient(m) {
 		t.Fatal("the module is not read as running the client")

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
@@ -122,7 +125,15 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 	defer theLease.release()
 	ctx, stopActing := context.WithCancel(ctx)
 	defer stopActing()
-	go func() {
+	// Every goroutine started from here is counted, and ended and waited for before serve returns (serving_group.go):
+	// on the way out by error here, and at the end before anything else is undone.
+	ctx, running := withServingGroup(ctx)
+	stopRunning := func() {
+		stopActing()
+		running.stop()
+	}
+	defer stopRunning()
+	goServing(ctx, func() {
 		select {
 		case <-lost:
 			stopActing()
@@ -132,7 +143,7 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 		// asks the controller after this one rather than have a command started and killed with this
 		// process (novox/hq issue 289).
 		handingOver.Store(true)
-	}()
+	})
 	defer func() {
 		select {
 		case <-lost:
@@ -159,6 +170,20 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 	if err := attachTheChain(ctx, inv, server); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	bus, isNATS := server.Bus().(link.OverNATS)
+	if !isNATS {
+		return errors.New("the mesh's verbs are served over the bus, and this control plane is not on it")
+	}
+	// The condition store, opened before anything that raises or reads a condition starts beside the serving, so none
+	// of them meets conditionsFrom being written (issue 1945); closed after they all ended.
+	keeper := openServingConditions(ctx, open, bus)
+	if keeper != nil {
+		defer closeConditions(keeper)
+		defer stopRunning() // on an error return, the goroutines end before the keeper closes
+		// The takeover of the lease said as it happened, raised and cleared (novox/hq issue 906).
+		theLease.watchTakeovers(ctx, inv, keeper)
+		defer theLease.watchTakeovers(ctx, nil, nil) // the keeper closes after this: nothing said into it then
+	}
 
 	// The bus's own objects, asserted on every start. **Not created once at genesis**: a stream
 	// somebody deleted, a mesh raised from a restored backup, or a bus whose data directory was
@@ -173,7 +198,7 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 	// And the pending assignments settled on a tick of their own (novox/hq ADR 0261): made once their module
 	// is registered, ended with why when its build will not register it, raised and cleared as conditions.
 	// Never by a read.
-	go settlingPending(ctx, open)
+	goServing(ctx, func() { settlingPending(ctx, open) })
 	// The durations the core's bounds are set from are kept a month (novox/hq to-be 45 Phase 0).
 	// And what the catalogue decided a build meant. The builder's own result is already handled
 	// above; this is the other half — the control plane is the only one of the three that knows
@@ -221,19 +246,17 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 			"Those answer the reason when called; everything else is served as usual\n",
 			catalogue.ControllerSeatName, strings.Join(behind, ", "))
 	}
-	bus, isNATS := server.Bus().(link.OverNATS)
-	if !isNATS {
-		return errors.New("the mesh's verbs are served over the bus, and this control plane is not on it")
-	}
 	// The hand-act log is counted for `status` on this connection rather than a new one a minute; no longer serving, the
 	// connection is closed, and a verb run after in this process dials its own (a served test's leftover failed the
 	// next test's `conditions` with "connection closed", issue 1945).
 	handActConn = bus.Conn
 	defer func() { handActConn = nil }()
+	defer stopRunning() // on an error return, the goroutines end before handActConn is put back
 	// And everything else this controller does on the bus for a moment (novox/hq issue 327).
 	servingBus.Store(server.JetStream())
 	// No longer serving: nothing is lent, and dead-letters says it is not read here (novox/hq issue 330).
 	defer servingBus.Store(nil)
+	defer stopRunning() // on an error return, the goroutines end before the bus is taken back
 	// And says when it replaced a value given by hand (novox/hq ADR 0228).
 	givenEvents = bus
 	// And a pull request's merge check, asked when the forge announces its head and said when judged
@@ -244,18 +267,18 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 		return err
 	}
 	// Composed now and kept current, before the verb that answers from it is served.
-	go statusFrom.keep(ctx)
+	goServing(ctx, func() { statusFrom.keep(ctx) })
 	// The facts snapshot a merge check is fed (novox/hq to-be 45 §9): kept current while this
 	// controller holds the lease, read by the build seat from the artifact store.
-	go exportingFacts(ctx, open, bus.Conn.ConnectedServerVersion)
+	goServing(ctx, func() { exportingFacts(ctx, open, bus.Conn.ConnectedServerVersion) })
 	// The record mirrors (novox/hq ADR 0289, design 57 F3): the assignments and each registered module's
 	// declared config on the bus, written from the store only when a record changed, by the lease holder.
 	// The provisioner's plan of each handed module, as its machine was last sent it (design 57 P6), in the module's
 	// assignment.
 	inv.SetProvisioningPlans(inv.SentProvisioningPlans)
-	go mirroringRecords(ctx, open, inv, bus.Conn, bus)
+	goServing(ctx, func() { mirroringRecords(ctx, open, inv, bus.Conn, bus) })
 	// And the bucket of the files that travel by digest, judged against what each machine's latest declaration names (ADR 0486 §3).
-	go sweepingDeclarationFiles(ctx, inv, bus.Conn)
+	goServing(ctx, func() { sweepingDeclarationFiles(ctx, inv, bus.Conn) })
 	// And the modules the catalogue does not hold yet, registered from the builder's first done key of each, woken by
 	// the builder's and the indexer's writes (novox/hq ADR 0501 §6, issue 1851): nothing asks a first build.
 	watchNewModules(ctx, open)
@@ -287,7 +310,7 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 	// signals table, what the bus says about itself, and the self-check. A store that cannot be opened
 	// is said and the controller serves on: status then says the conditions cannot be read, and is
 	// not well — louder than not serving at all, and the push that repairs the bus still runs.
-	if stopWatching := watchTheMesh(ctx, open, server, bus); stopWatching != nil {
+	if stopWatching := watchTheMesh(ctx, open, server, bus, keeper); stopWatching != nil {
 		defer stopWatching()
 	}
 	stopServing, err := bus.ServeSeatTools(catalogue.ControllerSeatName, handlers, log.New(os.Stdout, "", log.LstdFlags))
@@ -302,7 +325,7 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 	}
 	defer stopCLI()
 	// Its read calls write no line each; how many each caller made is said once an hour (novox/hq issue 762).
-	go sayReadCalls(ctx)
+	goServing(ctx, func() { sayReadCalls(ctx) })
 	// And says so on the bus (novox/hq ADR 0197): what it serves, as the NATS services protocol asks.
 	stopAnnouncing, err := bus.Announce(seatAnnouncement(handlers), log.New(os.Stdout, "", log.LstdFlags))
 	if err != nil {
@@ -310,7 +333,10 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 	}
 	defer stopAnnouncing()
 
-	return server.Serve(ctx)
+	err = server.Serve(ctx)
+	// Ended and waited for before the verbs stop being served and the globals are put back, not after.
+	stopRunning()
+	return err
 }
 
 // OverlayCIDRVar is the range the mesh allocates node addresses from.

cmd/mesh-controller/readable.go

@@ -111,6 +111,9 @@ type meshStatus struct {
 	// why they could not be read.
 	Pending       []pendingStatus `json:"pending,omitempty"`
 	PendingUnread string          `json:"pendingUnread,omitempty"`
+	// TakeIn is the take-in's backlog of done keys: keys not delivered yet and keys being taken in (novox/hq ADR 0544
+	// §6). Absent where it cannot be read.
+	TakeIn *takeInBacklog `json:"take-in,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // pendingStatus is one pending assignment as status says it.
@@ -266,6 +269,7 @@ func statusAsJSON(asked answers) ([]byte, error) {
 	out.Failing = providerStandings(asked.conditions)
 	out.Overflowing = asked.overflowing
 	out.PendingUnread = asked.pendingUnread
+	out.TakeIn = asked.takeIn
 	for _, p := range asked.pending {
 		out.Pending = append(out.Pending, pendingStatus{Node: p.Node, Module: p.Module, State: p.State,
 			Build: p.Build, Repository: p.Repository, Path: p.Path, Since: p.Since, Settled: p.Settled, Note: p.Note})

cmd/mesh-controller/record_mirrors.go

@@ -2,12 +2,15 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/hex"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"sort"
 	"time"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose"
+	sdkdelivery "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
 
@@ -24,7 +27,8 @@ import (
 // so no one call site sees every change; what every change has in common is that it is committed to the
 // store. So the serving controller reads the store every mirrorEvery and writes only what differs from what
 // the bucket holds (ADR 0289 §1): a quiet mesh writes nothing, and a change rolled back is never read. A
-// mirror is therefore at most mirrorEvery behind its store.
+// mirror is therefore at most mirrorEvery behind its store. The declared-packages mirror is the exception: it composes
+// every node, so it passes on a change of what it composes from, not on this tick (keepingDeclaredPackages, issue 1945).
 
 // mirrorEvery is how often the mirrors are compared with the store: two small reads of the store.
 const mirrorEvery = 10 * time.Second
@@ -45,21 +49,31 @@ func mirroringRecords(ctx context.Context, open *stores, inv *inventory.Inventor
 		return e
 	}
 	sources := map[string]func(context.Context) (map[string][]byte, error){
-		recordmirror.DeclaredConfig.Name:   inv.DeclaredConfigMirror,
-		recordmirror.Predefined.Name:       inv.PredefinedMirror,
-		recordmirror.DeclaredPackages.Name: declaredPackagesMirror(open),
+		recordmirror.DeclaredConfig.Name: inv.DeclaredConfigMirror,
+		recordmirror.Predefined.Name:     inv.PredefinedMirror,
 	}
+	packages := keepingDeclaredPackages(ctx, open, api, announce, epoch, holds)
+	held := false
 	writers := map[string]*recordmirror.Writer{}
 	failing := map[string]string{}
 	tick := time.NewTicker(mirrorEvery)
 	defer tick.Stop()
 	events := &assignmentEvents{}
 	for {
-		if holds() {
+		now := holds()
+		if now && !held {
+			// The lease taken: the declared-packages mirror is brought to the stores at once, not at its next change.
+			packages.poke()
+		}
+		held = now
+		if now {
 			// The assignments are keys of the bus, written by the verbs that change them (novox/hq ADR 0408): this tick
 			// keeps the provisioner's plan in their values and says what changed. They are no mirror of the store.
 			keepingAssignments(ctx, inv, announce, epoch, events, failing)
 			for _, m := range recordmirror.Mirrors() {
+				if sources[m.Name] == nil {
+					continue // the declared packages, kept on a change (keepingDeclaredPackages)
+				}
 				why := mirrorOnce(ctx, api, m, writers, sources[m.Name], announce, epoch, holds)
 				if why != failing[m.Name] {
 					if why != "" {
@@ -179,35 +193,263 @@ func keepingAssignments(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, announce
 	events.known = now
 }
 
-// declaredPackagesMirror is the source of the declared-packages mirror (ADR 0507 §5): each node's composition, asked as a
-// question that makes nothing, and the packages it declares with the modules that declare them. A node whose own set does
-// not compose has no key, and any other failure to read is the pass's error, so a key is never purged for a store that
-// could not be read.
+// declaredPackagesMirror is the source of the declared-packages mirror (ADR 0507 §5) over a fresh reading of the stores.
 func declaredPackagesMirror(open *stores) func(context.Context) (map[string][]byte, error) {
 	return func(ctx context.Context) (map[string][]byte, error) {
 		in, err := inputFor(ctx, open)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		// Which module owns each resource is carried only for a node-engine that reads it, so every node is asked as one that does.
-		asked := in.Input
-		asked.Nodes = append([]compose.Node(nil), in.Nodes...)
-		for i := range asked.Nodes {
-			asked.Nodes[i].ReadsModules = true
-		}
-		out := map[string][]byte{}
-		for _, n := range in.sortedNodes() {
-			d, _, err := compose.ComposeIn(asked, n.Name, compose.Foreseeing)
-			if compose.IsUnresolvable(err) {
-				continue
+		return declaredPackagesFrom(ctx, in)
+	}
+}
+
+// declaredPackagesFrom is the declared-packages mirror over an Input: each node's composition, asked as a question that makes
+// nothing, and the packages it declares with the modules that declare them. A node whose own set does not compose has no key,
+// and any other failure to read is the pass's error, so a key is never purged for a store that could not be read.
+func declaredPackagesFrom(_ context.Context, in *meshInput) (map[string][]byte, error) {
+	// Which module owns each resource is carried only for a node-engine that reads it, so every node is asked as one that does.
+	asked := in.Input
+	asked.Nodes = append([]compose.Node(nil), in.Nodes...)
+	for i := range asked.Nodes {
+		asked.Nodes[i].ReadsModules = true
+	}
+	out := map[string][]byte{}
+	for _, n := range in.sortedNodes() {
+		d, _, err := compose.ComposeIn(asked, n.Name, compose.Foreseeing)
+		if compose.IsUnresolvable(err) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the packages %s declares cannot be read: %w", n.Name, err)
+		}
+		if out[n.Name], err = inventory.DeclaredPackagesValue(n.Name, d.Resources, d.ModuleOf); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// **The declared-packages mirror passes on a change, not on a tick** (issue 1945 note 22). Its source composes every node in
+// full, about 45 s on the control node; on the 10 s tick it never rested and held the controller at 130-175 % CPU. Every
+// change that can move a node's packages is a change of its composition, which the controller writes into the bucket of the
+// compositions' digests, and of the assignments, which the verbs write into theirs: a watch of those two buckets wakes the
+// keeper. A pass reads the stores' Input once and composes only when the Input's digest differs from the one it last
+// mirrored, so a wake that changed nothing it composes from costs one reading. One pass at a time; the wakes during a pass
+// are one pass after it, at least packagesGap after the last began. A rare safety pass (packagesSafetyEvery) covers a
+// change no watched key says, and with an unchanged digest composes nothing either.
+const (
+	packagesSafetyEvery = 10 * time.Minute
+	packagesGap         = 30 * time.Second
+)
+
+// packagesTiming is when the declared-packages mirror passes: the safety pass's period and the least time between the
+// starts of two passes.
+type packagesTiming struct{ safety, gap time.Duration }
+
+// packagesKeeper keeps the declared-packages mirror: read is the Input, compose the mirror's values from it, sync writes
+// those that differ from the bucket, holds says this controller holds the lease. Each a seam a test stands in for.
+type packagesKeeper struct {
+	read    func(ctx context.Context) (*meshInput, error)
+	compose func(ctx context.Context, in *meshInput) (map[string][]byte, error)
+	sync    func(ctx context.Context, want map[string][]byte) error
+	holds   func() bool
+	wake    chan struct{}
+	// last is the digest of the Input last mirrored whole; empty after a failure or while the lease is not held, so the
+	// next pass composes.
+	last string
+}
+
+func newPackagesKeeper(read func(context.Context) (*meshInput, error),
+	compose func(context.Context, *meshInput) (map[string][]byte, error),
+	sync func(context.Context, map[string][]byte) error, holds func() bool) *packagesKeeper {
+	return &packagesKeeper{read: read, compose: compose, sync: sync, holds: holds, wake: make(chan struct{}, 1)}
+}
+
+// poke says something the mirror composes from may have changed; never blocks, and pokes before a pass are one.
+func (k *packagesKeeper) poke() {
+	select {
+	case k.wake <- struct{}{}:
+	default:
+	}
+}
+
+// pass brings the mirror to the Input, composing only when the Input differs from the one last mirrored.
+func (k *packagesKeeper) pass(ctx context.Context) error {
+	if !k.holds() {
+		k.last = ""
+		return nil
+	}
+	in, err := k.read(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		k.last = ""
+		return fmt.Errorf("the store cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	digest := inputDigest(in)
+	if digest != "" && digest == k.last {
+		return nil
+	}
+	want, err := k.compose(ctx, in)
+	if err != nil {
+		k.last = ""
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := k.sync(ctx, want); err != nil {
+		k.last = ""
+		return err
+	}
+	k.last = digest
+	return nil
+}
+
+// run passes once at its start, then on each wake and each safety period, until ctx ends. said hears why a pass failed,
+// and an empty line when one succeeds again.
+func (k *packagesKeeper) run(ctx context.Context, at packagesTiming, said func(why string)) {
+	safety := time.NewTicker(at.safety)
+	defer safety.Stop()
+	failing := ""
+	var began time.Time
+	for {
+		// The wakes so far are this pass's: drained before it reads, so a change after is a pass of its own.
+		select {
+		case <-k.wake:
+		default:
+		}
+		began = time.Now()
+		why := ""
+		if err := k.pass(ctx); err != nil {
+			why = err.Error()
+		}
+		if why != failing {
+			said(why)
+			failing = why
+		}
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-k.wake:
+		case <-safety.C:
+		}
+		if rest := at.gap - time.Since(began); rest > 0 {
+			select {
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+				return
+			case <-time.After(rest):
 			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// inputDigest is a digest of everything the composition reads (the Input, and why a node or the bus is refused): the same
+// for the same Input. Empty when it cannot be made, and then the pass composes.
+func inputDigest(in *meshInput) string {
+	refused := map[string]string{}
+	for node, err := range in.refused {
+		if err != nil {
+			refused[node] = err.Error()
+		}
+	}
+	bus := ""
+	if in.busRefused != nil {
+		bus = in.busRefused.Error()
+	}
+	body, err := json.Marshal(struct {
+		Input      compose.Input
+		Refused    map[string]string
+		BusRefused string
+	}{in.Input, refused, bus})
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	sum := sha256.Sum256(body)
+	return hex.EncodeToString(sum[:])
+}
+
+// keepingDeclaredPackages keeps the declared-packages mirror for as long as ctx: woken by the watch of the compositions'
+// digests and of the assignments. It answers the keeper, whose poke a caller may also wake it with.
+func keepingDeclaredPackages(ctx context.Context, open *stores, api jetstream.JetStream, announce recordmirror.Announcer,
+	epoch func() uint64, holds func() bool) *packagesKeeper {
+	m := recordmirror.DeclaredPackages
+	var w *recordmirror.Writer
+	read := func(ctx context.Context) (*meshInput, error) {
+		reading, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 2*time.Minute)
+		defer cancel()
+		return readComposeInput(reading, open)
+	}
+	sync := func(ctx context.Context, want map[string][]byte) error {
+		writing, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 30*time.Second)
+		defer cancel()
+		if w == nil {
+			kv, err := api.KeyValue(writing, m.Bucket)
 			if err != nil {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("the packages %s declares cannot be read: %w", n.Name, err)
+				return fmt.Errorf("the bucket %s cannot be read: %v", m.Bucket, err)
+			}
+			w = &recordmirror.Writer{Mirror: m, KV: kv, Announce: announce, Epoch: epoch, Holds: holds}
+		}
+		lost := w.LostEvents
+		r, err := w.Sync(writing, want)
+		if r.Written+r.Removed > 0 {
+			fmt.Printf("the %s mirror moved: %d written, %d removed\n", m.Name, r.Written, r.Removed)
+		}
+		if w.LostEvents > lost {
+			fmt.Printf("the %s mirror lost %d event(s): the bucket holds the change, its notice was refused twice\n",
+				m.Name, w.LostEvents-lost)
+		}
+		return err
+	}
+	k := newPackagesKeeper(read, declaredPackagesFrom, sync, holds)
+	for _, bucket := range []string{sdkdelivery.ControllerComposedBucket, broker.AssignmentsBucket} {
+		goServing(ctx, func() { wakeOnBucket(ctx, api, bucket, k.poke) })
+	}
+	goServing(ctx, func() {
+		k.run(ctx, packagesTiming{safety: packagesSafetyEvery, gap: packagesGap}, func(why string) {
+			if why != "" {
+				fmt.Printf("the %s mirror cannot be kept: %s\n", m.Name, why)
+			} else {
+				fmt.Printf("the %s mirror is kept again\n", m.Name)
+			}
+		})
+	})
+	return k
+}
+
+// wakeOnBucket calls wake on every write or delete of a key in the bucket, for as long as ctx: only the keys' metadata is
+// watched. A bucket not there yet, or a watch that ends, is watched again a minute later; the safety pass covers the gap.
+func wakeOnBucket(ctx context.Context, api jetstream.JetStream, bucket string, wake func()) {
+	for {
+		if err := watchBucketOnce(ctx, api, bucket, wake); err != nil && ctx.Err() == nil {
+			fmt.Printf("the declared-packages mirror does not hear %s: %v\n", bucket, err)
+		}
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-time.After(time.Minute):
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// watchBucketOnce watches the bucket until its watch ends or ctx does.
+func watchBucketOnce(ctx context.Context, api jetstream.JetStream, bucket string, wake func()) error {
+	kv, err := api.KeyValue(ctx, bucket)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	watch, err := kv.WatchAll(ctx, jetstream.UpdatesOnly(), jetstream.MetaOnly())
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = watch.Stop() }()
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return nil
+		case e, ok := <-watch.Updates():
+			if !ok {
+				return fmt.Errorf("the watch ended")
 			}
-			if out[n.Name], err = inventory.DeclaredPackagesValue(n.Name, d.Resources, d.ModuleOf); err != nil {
-				return nil, err
+			if e != nil {
+				wake()
 			}
 		}
-		return out, nil
 	}
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/record_mirrors_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,191 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose"
+)
+
+// The declared-packages mirror composes only when what it composes from changed (issue 1945 note 22: it composed every node
+// in full every 10 s, a pass of about 45 s, so the controller on the control node never rested at 130-175 % CPU).
+
+// scaled is a cadence of the mirror with a second taken as a millisecond, so a test's minute is 60 ms.
+func scaled() packagesTiming {
+	return packagesTiming{safety: packagesSafetyEvery / 1000, gap: packagesGap / 1000}
+}
+
+const scaledMinute = 60 * time.Millisecond
+
+// fakeMesh is the keeper's input as a test changes it: each node's assigned modules, and the compositions counted by node.
+type fakeMesh struct {
+	mu       sync.Mutex
+	assigned map[string][]string
+	composed atomic.Int64 // node compositions
+	synced   atomic.Int64
+	lastSync map[string][]byte
+	// block, when set, holds the next composition until it is closed; entered is closed when that composition began.
+	block   chan struct{}
+	entered chan struct{}
+}
+
+func newFakeMesh(nodes int) *fakeMesh {
+	f := &fakeMesh{assigned: map[string][]string{}}
+	for i := 0; i < nodes; i++ {
+		f.assigned[fmt.Sprintf("node%d", i)] = []string{"base"}
+	}
+	return f
+}
+
+func (f *fakeMesh) assign(node, module string) {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+	f.assigned[node] = append(append([]string(nil), f.assigned[node]...), module)
+}
+
+func (f *fakeMesh) keeper() *packagesKeeper {
+	read := func(context.Context) (*meshInput, error) {
+		f.mu.Lock()
+		defer f.mu.Unlock()
+		in := compose.Input{Catalogue: map[string]catalogue.Manifest{"base": {Module: "base", Version: "1"}}}
+		for _, n := range nodesOfFake(f.assigned) {
+			in.Nodes = append(in.Nodes, compose.Node{Name: n, Assigned: append([]string(nil), f.assigned[n]...)})
+		}
+		return &meshInput{Input: in}, nil
+	}
+	composeAll := func(_ context.Context, in *meshInput) (map[string][]byte, error) {
+		f.mu.Lock()
+		block, entered := f.block, f.entered
+		f.block = nil
+		f.mu.Unlock()
+		if block != nil {
+			close(entered)
+			<-block
+		}
+		out := map[string][]byte{}
+		for _, n := range in.Nodes {
+			f.composed.Add(1)
+			out[n.Name] = []byte(fmt.Sprint(n.Assigned))
+		}
+		return out, nil
+	}
+	syncAll := func(_ context.Context, want map[string][]byte) error {
+		f.mu.Lock()
+		f.lastSync = want
+		f.mu.Unlock()
+		f.synced.Add(1)
+		return nil
+	}
+	return newPackagesKeeper(read, composeAll, syncAll, func() bool { return true })
+}
+
+func nodesOfFake(m map[string][]string) []string {
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(m))
+	for k := range m {
+		out = append(out, k)
+	}
+	for i := range out {
+		for j := i + 1; j < len(out); j++ {
+			if out[j] < out[i] {
+				out[i], out[j] = out[j], out[i]
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func runKeeper(t *testing.T, k *packagesKeeper) context.CancelFunc {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		defer close(done)
+		k.run(ctx, scaled(), func(string) {})
+	}()
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		cancel()
+		<-done
+	})
+	return cancel
+}
+
+func eventually(t *testing.T, what string, cond func() bool) {
+	t.Helper()
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(time.Second)
+	for !cond() {
+		if time.Now().After(deadline) {
+			t.Fatalf("not within a second: %s", what)
+		}
+		time.Sleep(time.Millisecond)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1945/AC-mirror-1: given a mesh whose input does not change, when a minute passes after the mirror's first pass, then it
+// composes no node (before: a pass every 10 s, each composing every node). The count per minute is said.
+func TestTheDeclaredPackagesMirrorComposesNothingWithoutAChange(t *testing.T) {
+	const nodes = 5
+	f := newFakeMesh(nodes)
+	runKeeper(t, f.keeper())
+	eventually(t, "the first pass", func() bool { return f.synced.Load() >= 1 })
+	start := f.composed.Load()
+	time.Sleep(scaledMinute)
+	perMinute := f.composed.Load() - start
+	t.Logf("node compositions in a minute of an unchanged mesh of %d nodes: %d", nodes, perMinute)
+	if perMinute != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("an unchanged mesh of %d nodes was composed %d times in a minute; want 0", nodes, perMinute)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1945/AC-mirror-2: given a pass that is running, when fifty changes arrive during it, then exactly one more pass follows,
+// never two at once and never one per change.
+func TestTheDeclaredPackagesMirrorPassesOncePerBurst(t *testing.T) {
+	f := newFakeMesh(1)
+	release := make(chan struct{})
+	f.block, f.entered = release, make(chan struct{})
+	k := f.keeper()
+	runKeeper(t, k)
+	<-f.entered
+	for i := 0; i < 50; i++ {
+		f.assign("node0", fmt.Sprintf("m%d", i))
+		k.poke()
+	}
+	close(release)
+	eventually(t, "the pass after the burst", func() bool { return f.synced.Load() >= 2 })
+	time.Sleep(2*scaled().gap + 20*time.Millisecond)
+	if got := f.synced.Load(); got != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("a burst of 50 changes during a pass gave %d passes in all; want 2 (the running one and one after)", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1945/AC-mirror-3: given the mirror at rest, when an input changes and its event arrives, then the change is mirrored.
+func TestTheDeclaredPackagesMirrorMirrorsAChange(t *testing.T) {
+	f := newFakeMesh(2)
+	k := f.keeper()
+	runKeeper(t, k)
+	eventually(t, "the first pass", func() bool { return f.synced.Load() >= 1 })
+	f.assign("node1", "viewer")
+	k.poke()
+	eventually(t, "the change mirrored", func() bool {
+		f.mu.Lock()
+		defer f.mu.Unlock()
+		return string(f.lastSync["node1"]) == "[base viewer]"
+	})
+}
+
+// 1945/AC-mirror-4: the digest of the input is the same for the same input and differs when an assignment differs.
+func TestTheInputDigestFollowsTheInput(t *testing.T) {
+	of := func(assigned ...string) *meshInput {
+		return &meshInput{Input: compose.Input{Nodes: []compose.Node{{Name: "anchor", Assigned: assigned}}}}
+	}
+	a, b, c := inputDigest(of("base")), inputDigest(of("base")), inputDigest(of("base", "viewer"))
+	if a == "" || a != b {
+		t.Errorf("the same input gave the digests %q and %q", a, b)
+	}
+	if a == c {
+		t.Errorf("an added assignment left the digest at %q", a)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/reissue_verified_sender.go

@@ -207,8 +207,13 @@ func giveVerifiedSendersBack(ctx context.Context, d *doctor) {
 }
 
 // reissueVerifiedSendersOn is reissueVerifiedSenders on the bus: memberships read from the AssignmentsStream and
-// published to it.
+// published to it. Once the stream is gone (the bus module's tools delete it at the lease write, research 072 row 33)
+// the memberships are the grants part's alone, and there is nothing here to issue again.
 func reissueVerifiedSendersOn(ctx context.Context, bus link.OverNATS, records broker.Records, where broker.Placements) int {
+	if _, err := bus.JS.StreamInfo(broker.AssignmentsStream, nats.Context(ctx)); errors.Is(err, nats.ErrStreamNotFound) {
+		fmt.Printf("  the assignments stream is gone: the grants part issues the memberships, none is given a verified sender here\n")
+		return 0
+	}
 	return reissueVerifiedSenders(records, where,
 		func(node, module string) ([]byte, uint64, error) {
 			m, err := bus.JS.GetLastMsg(broker.AssignmentsStream, broker.MembershipSubject(node, module))

cmd/mesh-controller/reissue_verified_sender_integration_test.go

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"testing"
 
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/testbus"
@@ -17,7 +19,10 @@ func TestNatsAMembershipIssuedWithoutItsVerifiedSenderIsIssuedAgainWhenTheJudgem
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	t.Cleanup(js.Close)
-	if err := broker.AssertMeshStreams(js); err != nil {
+	// The assignments stream is no longer the mesh's (research 072 row 33): it is asserted by nothing, and stays on a
+	// bus only until the lease write deletes it. Made here as it is left there.
+	if _, err := js.Context().AddStream(&nats.StreamConfig{Name: broker.AssignmentsStream,
+		Subjects: []string{"mesh.assignment.*.*"}, MaxMsgsPerSubject: 1, AllowDirect: true}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	bus := link.OverNATS{Conn: js.Conn(), JS: js.Context()}

cmd/mesh-controller/replay239_test.go

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ func TestReplay239AModuleNameIsNotTakenOverByAnotherRepository(t *testing.T) {
 
 	register := func(raw, repository, path string) {
 		t.Helper()
-		m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(raw))
+		m, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(raw))
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}

cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs.go

@@ -349,6 +349,11 @@ func (a *verbArguments) commandLine() ([]string, error) {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		return []string{"node", "judge-directories", str("node")}, nil
+	case "placement-export":
+		if node := str("node"); node != "" {
+			return []string{"node", "placement-export", node}, nil
+		}
+		return []string{"node", "placement-export"}, nil
 	case "modules":
 		return []string{"module", "list", "--json"}, nil
 	case "seats":
@@ -1400,7 +1405,9 @@ func seatAnnouncement(handlers map[string]link.ToolHandler) micro.Info {
 // nodeReads are the `node` subcommands a verb may run: the ones that only read.
 var nodeReads = map[string]bool{"list": true, "show": true,
 	// Read-only on the node too: the engine judges its directories and changes nothing (novox/hq issue 358).
-	"judge-directories": true}
+	"judge-directories": true,
+	// Each node's placement as the catalogue's placement file says it, read from the store (novox/hq ADR 0555 §6).
+	"placement-export": true}
 
 // flagsOnly says a command line's rest names no subcommand: empty, or beginning with a flag. For a command
 // with no subcommands every word is a flag, its value or a name it reads.

cmd/mesh-controller/sendable.go

@@ -73,6 +73,9 @@ type sendable struct {
 	LeftOut []string
 	// leftOutWhy is why each was, for push and plan to say; never on the wire.
 	leftOutWhy map[string]string
+	// heldForCredential are the modules held out because their bus account was issued by nobody
+	// (holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts), sorted; never on the wire.
+	heldForCredential []string
 	// withheld is every consumer this machine's grants leave out, because its identity overflows the
 	// provision's bound (novox/hq ADR 0225); for push and plan to say, never on the wire.
 	withheld []catalogue.Overflow

cmd/mesh-controller/served_own_names_test.go

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import (
 func TestAProviderElsewhereServesItsOwnComposedName(t *testing.T) {
 	open := aMesh(t)
 	ctx := t.Context()
-	forge, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(`{"module":"forge","version":"1","requires":["route"],
+	forge, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(`{"module":"forge","version":"1","requires":["route"],
 	  "provides":[{"name":"npm-package-registry","scope":"mesh"}],
 	  "contributes":{"route":{"web":{"label":"git","port":3000}}},
 	  "serves":{"npm-package-registry":{"scheme":"http","port":3000,"npm-path":"/api/packages/novox/npm/",

cmd/mesh-controller/serving_group.go

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"sync"
+)
+
+// **Every goroutine the serving controller starts ends before serve returns** (issue 1945). A loop or a watch started
+// beside the serving runs until serve's context ends, and serve's stop waits for it before it closes the stores, the
+// bus and the condition keeper those loops read: a loop that outlived its serve met the next serve's globals, its
+// closed stores and its bus, and in the test process that is the next test (a race on conditionsFrom, a package that
+// passed every test and still exited failing). Where it is checked: the tests that run serve whole, under -race.
+
+// servingGroup counts the goroutines one serve started. Once its stop began it starts nothing more: what would start is
+// work for a controller that is stopping.
+type servingGroup struct {
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	stopped bool
+	wg      sync.WaitGroup
+}
+
+type servingGroupKey struct{}
+
+// withServingGroup is ctx carrying a new group, which goServing under it counts.
+func withServingGroup(ctx context.Context) (context.Context, *servingGroup) {
+	g := &servingGroup{}
+	return context.WithValue(ctx, servingGroupKey{}, g), g
+}
+
+// goServing runs work beside the caller, counted in the group ctx carries, so serve's stop waits for it. Under a group
+// whose stop began it runs nothing; under a context with no group (a part run alone, by a test or a verb) it is a plain
+// goroutine, as before. It says whether it started work.
+func goServing(ctx context.Context, work func()) bool {
+	g, _ := ctx.Value(servingGroupKey{}).(*servingGroup)
+	if g == nil {
+		go work()
+		return true
+	}
+	g.mu.Lock()
+	if g.stopped {
+		g.mu.Unlock()
+		return false
+	}
+	g.wg.Add(1)
+	g.mu.Unlock()
+	go func() {
+		defer g.wg.Done()
+		work()
+	}()
+	return true
+}
+
+// stop starts nothing more and waits for what was started; the caller ends their context first. A second stop waits
+// for nothing.
+func (g *servingGroup) stop() {
+	g.mu.Lock()
+	g.stopped = true
+	g.mu.Unlock()
+	g.wg.Wait()
+}

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/shares_test.go

@@ -1,14 +1,10 @@
 package main
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
 	"crypto/ecdh"
 	"crypto/rand"
 	"encoding/base64"
 	"encoding/json"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
@@ -41,7 +37,7 @@ func TestTheProvidersMachineReceivesTheSharesOfAnS3BucketRequirement(t *testing.
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &overlayModule); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	consumer, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(filesRequiringShares))
+	consumer, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(filesRequiringShares))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -79,26 +75,3 @@ func TestTheProvidersMachineReceivesTheSharesOfAnS3BucketRequirement(t *testing.
 		t.Fatalf("the provider's grant for the consumer carries shares %s, want %s", got, want)
 	}
 }
-
-// 1593/AC2 unit: the module check accepts a manifest with shares and refuses an unknown method, citing ADR 0468 §8.
-func TestModuleCheckAcceptsSharesAndRefusesAnUnknownMethod(t *testing.T) {
-	dir := t.TempDir()
-	write := func(name, body string) string {
-		p := filepath.Join(dir, name+".json")
-		if err := os.WriteFile(p, []byte(body), 0o600); err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
-		return p
-	}
-	var out bytes.Buffer
-	if err := moduleCheckFor([]string{write("files", filesRequiringShares)}, 6, &out); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("a manifest with shares was refused: %v\n%s", err, out.String())
-	}
-	out.Reset()
-	bad := write("bad", `{"module":"bad","version":"1","requires":[
-		{"name":"s3-bucket","shares":[{"to":"seat:node-files","methods":["delete"]}]}]}`)
-	err := moduleCheckFor([]string{bad}, 6, &out)
-	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(out.String(), "ADR 0468 §8") {
-		t.Fatalf("an unknown method passed or the refusal does not cite the ADR: %v\n%s", err, out.String())
-	}
-}

cmd/mesh-controller/signals.go

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
@@ -147,9 +148,10 @@ var signalsTable = []signalRow{
 			return newestOf(f.machines, func(m machineFacts) time.Time { return m.toolsHeard })
 		}},
 	{Row: "S12", Signal: "the controller lease renewed", Emitter: "controller", Trigger: "every 5 s",
-		Bound: "15 s (the key's age); a holder that lost the lease, or stopped renewing and was taken over, and a " +
-			"lease bucket found raised again from nothing, are said for an hour after; a controller serving without " +
-			"the lease, for as long as it does",
+		Bound: "15 s (the key's age); a holder that lost the lease or stopped renewing it is said once by the " +
+			"controller that took it over, raised and cleared as it takes it, and for an hour after while none " +
+			"holds it; a lease given back is never said; a lease bucket found raised again from nothing is said " +
+			"for an hour after; a controller serving without the lease, for as long as it does",
 		Kind: "lease-lost", Severity: conditions.Urgent, Phase: 2,
 		needs: func(f *signalFacts) error { return f.leaseErr }, watch: watchLease,
 		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time { return f.lease.renewed }},
@@ -644,10 +646,29 @@ func watchLease(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
 				"does not know it lost it",
 			Said: l.resetSaid})
 	}
+	// An epoch below the one this controller holds was taken over by it: said once by the takeover itself,
+	// raised and cleared (sayTakeover), not observed for an hour after (novox/hq issue 906). One that ended
+	// while this controller does not hold the lease — serving without it — is still said for the hour.
+	var ended []inventory.Epoch
+	for _, e := range l.ended {
+		if l.held && e.Epoch < l.epoch {
+			continue
+		}
+		ended = append(ended, e)
+	}
+	if o, ok := lostObservation(ended, l.epoch, f.now); ok {
+		out = append(out, o)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// lostObservation is the lease-lost condition of the epochs that lost the lease or let it expire within the
+// hour, named by the newest; false when none did. An epoch given back is no loss.
+func lostObservation(ended []inventory.Epoch, acting uint64, now time.Time) (conditions.Observation, bool) {
 	var lost []string
 	newest := inventory.Epoch{}
-	for _, e := range l.ended {
-		if e.Ended == nil || e.How == inventory.EpochReleased || f.now.Sub(*e.Ended) > advisoryQuiet {
+	for _, e := range ended {
+		if e.Ended == nil || e.How == inventory.EpochReleased || now.Sub(*e.Ended) > advisoryQuiet {
 			continue
 		}
 		lost = append(lost, fmt.Sprintf("epoch %d (%s) %s at %s", e.Epoch, e.Instance, e.How,
@@ -656,18 +677,95 @@ func watchLease(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
 			newest = e
 		}
 	}
-	if len(lost) > 0 {
-		how := "lost it: another holder wrote its key, or no renewal was made within the key's age"
-		if newest.How == inventory.EpochExpired {
-			how = "stopped renewing it without giving it back, and was taken over"
+	if len(lost) == 0 {
+		return conditions.Observation{}, false
+	}
+	how := "lost it: another holder wrote its key, or no renewal was made within the key's age"
+	if newest.How == inventory.EpochExpired {
+		how = "stopped renewing it without giving it back, and was taken over"
+	}
+	return conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "controller.lease", Token: "lost",
+		Kind: "lease-lost", Machine: newest.Host, Severity: conditions.Urgent, Source: "S12",
+		Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the controller of epoch %d (%s) %s; the controller of epoch %d acts now", newest.Epoch,
+			newest.Instance, how, acting),
+		Said: strings.Join(lost, "; ")}, true
+}
+
+// takeover is the condition a takeover says: the epoch just before the one taken, when it lost the lease or
+// let it expire; false when it gave it back, or none is recorded.
+func takeover(ended []inventory.Epoch, taken uint64, now time.Time) (conditions.Observation, bool) {
+	var before *inventory.Epoch
+	for i, e := range ended {
+		if e.Epoch < taken && (before == nil || e.Epoch > before.Epoch) {
+			before = &ended[i]
 		}
-		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "controller.lease", Token: "lost",
-			Kind: "lease-lost", Machine: newest.Host, Severity: conditions.Urgent,
-			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the controller of epoch %d (%s) %s; the controller of epoch %d acts now", newest.Epoch,
-				newest.Instance, how, l.epoch),
-			Said: strings.Join(lost, "; ")})
+	}
+	if before == nil {
+		return conditions.Observation{}, false
+	}
+	return lostObservation([]inventory.Epoch{*before}, taken, now)
+}
+
+// sayTakeover is the takeover said as an event (novox/hq issue 906): when the controller before this one lost
+// the lease or let it expire, the lease-lost condition is raised and cleared at once by this controller, which
+// holds the lease — the operator reads that it happened and that it is over, not an urgent alarm for an hour.
+// A lease given back says nothing. Said once the condition store is open; a take before that is said then.
+func (a *actor) sayTakeover(ctx context.Context, epoch uint64) {
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	keeper, inv := a.keeper, a.inv
+	a.mu.Unlock()
+	if keeper == nil || inv == nil || epoch == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	now := time.Now()
+	reading, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 10*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	ended, err := inv.EpochsSince(reading, now.Add(-advisoryQuiet))
+	if err != nil {
+		// Failure is loud: S12 no longer observes an epoch below the one held, so an unread takeover is said as
+		// one that was not a handover — raised, and left for S12 to clear (ADR 0558 §3).
+		fmt.Printf("how the epoch before %d ended cannot be read, so its takeover is said as an expiry: %v\n", epoch, err)
+		o := conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "controller.lease", Token: "lost",
+			Kind: "lease-lost", Severity: conditions.Urgent, Source: "S12",
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the controller of epoch %d took the lease, and how the controller before it ended "+
+				"cannot be read: it is said as one that stopped renewing without giving it back", epoch),
+			Said: err.Error()}
+		if _, err := keeper.Observe(reading, o); err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("the takeover at epoch %d could not be said: %v\n", epoch, err)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	sayTakeoverOf(reading, keeper, ended, epoch, now)
+}
+
+// sayTakeoverOf raises and clears the takeover's condition over the epochs read.
+func sayTakeoverOf(ctx context.Context, keeper *conditions.Keeper, ended []inventory.Epoch, epoch uint64, now time.Time) {
+	o, ok := takeover(ended, epoch, now)
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+	if _, err := keeper.Observe(ctx, o); err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("the takeover at epoch %d could not be said: %v\n", epoch, err)
+		return
+	}
+	if _, err := keeper.Clear(ctx, o.Key(), fmt.Sprintf("taken over: the controller of epoch %d holds the lease", epoch)); err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("the takeover at epoch %d was said and could not be cleared: %v\n", epoch, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// watchTakeovers gives the serving controller's condition store to the lease, and says the takeover of the
+// epoch it holds, if it took one over before the store opened.
+func (a *actor) watchTakeovers(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, keeper *conditions.Keeper) {
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	a.keeper, a.inv = keeper, inv
+	held := a.held
+	a.mu.Unlock()
+	if held == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if epoch, err := held.Epoch(); err == nil {
+		a.sayTakeover(ctx, epoch)
 	}
-	return out
 }
 
 // handActsWithin is how far back a repeated cause counts (S15).

cmd/mesh-controller/signals_test.go

@@ -491,13 +491,41 @@ func TestAStaleWriterIsNamedByItsEpoch(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-// **The lease lost is said for an hour, and serving without it for as long as it lasts** (S12).
+// **The lease lost is said for an hour while nobody took it over, a takeover is said once as it happens —
+// raised and cleared by the controller that took it — a lease given back is never said, and serving without
+// it for as long as it lasts** (S12, novox/hq issue 906).
 func TestALeaseLostOrMissingIsSaid(t *testing.T) {
 	now := time.Now()
 	f := calm(now)
 	expired := now.Add(-59 * time.Minute)
 	f.lease.ended = []inventory.Epoch{{Epoch: 41, Instance: "controller@anchor pid 7", Host: "anchor",
 		Ended: &expired, How: inventory.EpochExpired}}
+	// Held at epoch 57, above it: the takeover said it, and no hour of observation follows.
+	if got := watchLease(f); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("an epoch this controller took over is observed after the takeover: %+v", got)
+	}
+	store := conditions.NewInMemory()
+	k := conditions.NewKeeper(t.Context(), conditions.Options{Store: store, History: store, Now: func() time.Time { return now }})
+	sayTakeoverOf(t.Context(), k, f.lease.ended, 57, now)
+	if open, err := k.Open(t.Context()); err != nil || len(open) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the takeover is left open: %+v, %v", open, err)
+	}
+	k.Close(t.Context()) // its transitions written to the history
+	history, err := store.Since(t.Context(), now.Add(-time.Minute))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var changes []string
+	for _, e := range history {
+		if e.Key == "core.controller.lease.lost" {
+			changes = append(changes, e.Change)
+		}
+	}
+	if !slices.Equal(changes, []string{"raised", "cleared"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("the takeover of an expired lease is not raised and cleared: %v", changes)
+	}
+	// Not holding the lease, the loss is said for the hour.
+	f.lease.held = false
 	got := watchLease(f)
 	if len(got) != 1 || got[0].Key() != "core.controller.lease.lost" || !strings.Contains(got[0].Summary, "epoch 41") ||
 		got[0].Severity != conditions.Urgent {
@@ -512,6 +540,9 @@ func TestALeaseLostOrMissingIsSaid(t *testing.T) {
 	if got := watchLease(f); len(got) != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("a lease given back is said as lost: %+v", got)
 	}
+	if _, said := takeover(f.lease.ended, 57, now); said {
+		t.Fatal("the takeover of a lease given back is said")
+	}
 	f.lease = leaseFacts{held: true, epoch: 501, renewed: now, reset: now.Add(-time.Minute), resetSaid: "moved past 500"}
 	if got := watchLease(f); len(got) != 1 || got[0].Key() != "core.controller.lease.reset" {
 		t.Fatalf("a lease bucket raised again from nothing was not said: %+v", got)

cmd/mesh-controller/states_announced.go

@@ -67,16 +67,16 @@ func keepAnnouncements(ctx context.Context, js *broker.JetStream, open *stores)
 			return
 		}
 		if changed {
-			inBackground(func() { composeAnnouncedReads(context.WithoutCancel(ctx), open) })
+			inBackground(ctx, func() { composeAnnouncedReads(context.WithoutCancel(ctx), open) })
 		}
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("following the states announced: %w", err)
 	}
-	go func() {
+	goServing(ctx, func() {
 		<-ctx.Done()
 		consuming.Stop()
-	}()
+	})
 	return nil
 }
 

cmd/mesh-controller/status.go

@@ -151,6 +151,10 @@ func printStatus(asked answers) error {
 	}
 
 	printPending(asked.pending, asked.pendingUnread)
+	if b := asked.takeIn; b != nil && b.Total() > 0 {
+		fmt.Printf("the take-in of done keys has %d key(s) not taken in yet: %d waiting to be delivered, %d being taken in\n\n",
+			b.Total(), b.Pending, b.Taking)
+	}
 
 	if len(behind) > 0 {
 		var names []string
@@ -314,7 +318,7 @@ func printStatus(asked answers) error {
 			fmt.Printf("  %-12s %-20s %-22s %q is %d, %s keeps %d\n", o.Consumer, o.Module, o.Provision,
 				o.Identity, len(o.Identity), o.Bound.In, o.Bound.Max)
 		}
-		fmt.Printf("\n  a shorter `slug` in the module's definition fits it; `module check` refuses one before merge\n\n")
+		fmt.Printf("\n  a shorter `slug` in the module's definition fits it\n\n")
 	}
 
 	// Repairs done by hand this week (novox/hq to-be 45 §7). Not a fault, so it does not break "all
@@ -471,6 +475,13 @@ func theThreeQuestions(ctx context.Context, open *stores) (answers, error) {
 		out.pendingUnread = err.Error()
 		err = nil
 	}
+	// And the take-in's backlog of done keys, read from its consumers on the bus (novox/hq ADR 0544 §6): where there is
+	// a bus; a stall is a condition of its own, so this is said and judges nothing.
+	if _, onBus := broker.BusAddress(); onBus == nil {
+		if b, berr := readTakeInBacklog(ctx); berr == nil {
+			out.takeIn = &b
+		}
+	}
 	// And how many repairs were done by hand this week (novox/hq to-be 45 §7) — where there is a bus
 	// to read the log from; a process with none has no log to count.
 	if _, onBus := broker.BusAddress(); onBus == nil {

cmd/mesh-controller/status_summary.go

@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ func (l nudgingListener) Heard(ctx context.Context, report link.Report) (bool, e
 	// And, once the move of the secrets into the vault has started, what is left of this machine's (design 57's V3,
 	// issue 676): a machine asleep when it started is moved when it is next heard from. Off the report's path.
 	if err == nil && l.open != nil && report.Superseded == "" && report.Rekey == nil && report.Node != "" {
-		go moveWhenHeard(context.WithoutCancel(ctx), l.open, moveHeardOn(), report.Node)
+		goServing(ctx, func() { moveWhenHeard(context.WithoutCancel(ctx), l.open, moveHeardOn(), report.Node) })
 	}
 	return news, err
 }

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/take_in_consumer.go

@@ -0,0 +1,452 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"time"
+
+	sdkdelivery "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+)
+
+// The take-in's two durable pull consumers (novox/hq ADR 0544; research 072, milestones 2 and 4). On the indexer's
+// modules bucket the consumer delivers each module's last trunk value when it is made, then each write: the start's look
+// of a controller whose consumer is new, and nothing at a restart but what the controller before it left
+// unacknowledged. On the builder's builds bucket it delivers each write from when it is made. A key is acknowledged once
+// its module is taken in, has nothing new, or waits for a write that will be delivered; any other wait or failure is
+// refused with a delay that grows with each refusal, and the bus delivers it again.
+//
+// **The bound on the store is the one take-in loop**, a batch of at most startTakeIns keys at a time (issues 1945 and
+// 1277: a burst of take-ins once filled the store until it refused every connection). The consumers' own limit on
+// unacknowledged keys is far above it, because a refused key stays unacknowledged until its delay ends: with a limit of
+// a batch, a handful of keys refused for long (a manifest word this controller does not read yet) would stop a consumer
+// for good, the build that reads the word among what it holds back (the review of ADR 0544).
+
+// startTakeIns is the most a batch takes: the take-ins that may wait on the store at once.
+const startTakeIns = 16
+
+// takeInPending is how many keys each consumer may leave unacknowledged: delivered and being taken in, or refused and
+// waiting for their delay. Far above a batch, so refused keys never stop the others.
+const takeInPending = 1000
+
+// takeInBuffered is how many delivered keys each consumer's reader holds ahead of the loop.
+const takeInBuffered = startTakeIns / 2
+
+// takeInAckWait is how long a delivered key may stay unacknowledged before the bus delivers it again: longer than a batch
+// takes, its two composer passes among it.
+const takeInAckWait = 10 * time.Minute
+
+// takeInGather is how long a batch waits for more keys after its first, so a burst is one batch.
+var takeInGather = 200 * time.Millisecond
+
+// takeInStall is how long a backlog may stand without a key delivered before it is a condition (ADR 0544 §6).
+var takeInStall = 5 * time.Minute
+
+// takeInMsg is one delivered key, as the take-in uses it.
+type takeInMsg struct {
+	delivered
+	ack func()
+	nak func(delay time.Duration)
+}
+
+// takeInKeyOf is the module a delivered key names, false for a delete or a purge, which takes nothing in.
+func takeInKeyOf(bucket string, m jetstream.Msg) (delivered, bool) {
+	if op := m.Headers().Get("KV-Operation"); op == "DEL" || op == "PURGE" {
+		return delivered{}, false
+	}
+	key := strings.TrimPrefix(m.Subject(), "$KV."+bucket+".")
+	module, _, _ := strings.Cut(key, ".")
+	if module == "" {
+		return delivered{}, false
+	}
+	var deliveries uint64 = 1
+	if meta, err := m.Metadata(); err == nil {
+		deliveries = meta.NumDelivered
+	}
+	return delivered{module: module, again: deliveries > 1, deliveries: deliveries}, true
+}
+
+// takeInConsumer is one bucket's consumer of the take-in.
+type takeInConsumer struct {
+	bucket   string
+	consumer jetstream.Consumer
+}
+
+// takeInConfig is the take-in's consumer on bucket's stream.
+func takeInConfig(bucket string) jetstream.ConsumerConfig {
+	deliver := jetstream.DeliverNewPolicy
+	if bucket == sdkdelivery.ModulesBucket {
+		deliver = jetstream.DeliverLastPerSubjectPolicy // the start's look: every module's trunk value once
+	}
+	return jetstream.ConsumerConfig{
+		Durable: broker.TakeInConsumer, FilterSubject: "$KV." + bucket + ".>", DeliverPolicy: deliver,
+		AckPolicy: jetstream.AckExplicitPolicy, AckWait: takeInAckWait, MaxAckPending: takeInPending,
+		Description: "the controller's take-in of done keys (novox/hq ADR 0544)",
+	}
+}
+
+// takeInConsumers makes or finds the take-in's consumer on each bucket's stream; one that cannot be made is said, and
+// the other is still read.
+func takeInConsumers(ctx context.Context, js jetstream.JetStream) []takeInConsumer {
+	var out []takeInConsumer
+	for _, bucket := range broker.TakeInBuckets {
+		c, err := js.CreateOrUpdateConsumer(ctx, "KV_"+bucket, takeInConfig(bucket))
+		o := takeInNotConsumedObservation(bucket, err)
+		if err != nil {
+			// Loud: a consumer whose deliver policy differs cannot be updated, and nothing of its bucket is taken in.
+			doneKeysSay("done keys: " + o.Summary)
+			if keeper := conditionsFrom; keeper != nil {
+				_, _ = keeper.Observe(ctx, o)
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+		// Made: a condition a controller before this one raised for it is cleared (a restart that works clears it).
+		if keeper := conditionsFrom; keeper != nil {
+			_, _ = keeper.Clear(ctx, o.Key(), "the take-in's consumer on "+bucket+" is made")
+		}
+		out = append(out, takeInConsumer{bucket: bucket, consumer: c})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// watchDoneKeys takes in the done keys the two consumers deliver, batch after batch, until ctx ends, and watches their
+// backlog. A consumer that cannot be made is said: its bucket is then not taken in until the next start.
+func watchDoneKeys(ctx context.Context, open *stores) {
+	keys, closeKeys, err := openBuilderKeys()
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("done keys: the builder's keys are not taken in: %v\n", err)
+		return
+	}
+	consumers := takeInConsumers(ctx, keys.JS)
+	if len(consumers) == 0 {
+		closeKeys()
+		return
+	}
+	in := make(chan takeInMsg)
+	// moving counts the keys handed to the loop and the keys it settled (acknowledged or refused, each as the bus took
+	// it): what tells a take-in that moves from one that holds work and does nothing (the stall watch, ADR 0544 §6).
+	moving := &takeInMoving{}
+	read := make([]jetstream.Consumer, 0, len(consumers))
+	// The connection closes only once the readers and the loop have ended, so the refusals they send at the stop reach
+	// the bus (the third review of ADR 0544).
+	var users sync.WaitGroup
+	for _, c := range consumers {
+		bucket := c.bucket
+		read = append(read, c.consumer)
+		it, err := c.consumer.Messages(jetstream.PullMaxMessages(takeInBuffered))
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("done keys: the take-in's consumer on %s is not read: %v\n", bucket, err)
+			continue
+		}
+		goServing(ctx, func() {
+			<-ctx.Done()
+			it.Drain() // the keys it holds are handed out and refused at once below, not lost to their ack wait
+		})
+		users.Add(1)
+		goServing(ctx, func() {
+			defer users.Done()
+			for {
+				m, err := it.Next()
+				if err != nil {
+					if ctx.Err() == nil && !errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrMsgIteratorClosed) {
+						fmt.Printf("done keys: the take-in's consumer on %s stopped: %v\n", bucket, err)
+					}
+					return
+				}
+				d, ok := takeInKeyOf(bucket, m)
+				if !ok {
+					_ = m.Ack()
+					continue
+				}
+				// Settled is the loop's attempt, whatever the bus answers: an acknowledgement it refuses (at a first start,
+				// until the bus node is composed) is delivered again and settled again, and never counts as work held
+				// (the third review of ADR 0544). Acknowledged synchronously and past the stop, so a refusal is said.
+				msg := takeInMsg{delivered: d, ack: func() {
+					acking, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.WithoutCancel(ctx), 10*time.Second)
+					defer cancel()
+					if err := m.DoubleAck(acking); err != nil {
+						doneKeysSay(fmt.Sprintf("done keys: the bus did not take the acknowledgement of %s: %v", d.module, err))
+					}
+					moving.settled.Add(1)
+				},
+					nak: func(delay time.Duration) {
+						_ = m.NakWithDelay(delay)
+						moving.settled.Add(1)
+					}}
+				if ctx.Err() != nil {
+					_ = m.Nak()
+					continue // drained: each key it held, refused at once
+				}
+				select {
+				case in <- msg:
+					moving.handed.Add(1)
+				case <-ctx.Done():
+					_ = m.Nak() // delivered again at once to the controller after this one, not after the ack wait
+					continue
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	}
+	backlog := func(ctx context.Context) (takeInBacklog, error) { return backlogOf(ctx, read) }
+	steps := liveTakeInSteps(open, keys, keys.JS)
+	users.Add(1)
+	goServing(ctx, func() {
+		defer users.Done()
+		takeInLoop(ctx, in, steps, backlog)
+	})
+	goServing(ctx, func() { watchTakeInStall(ctx, backlog, moving) })
+	goServing(ctx, func() {
+		<-ctx.Done()
+		users.Wait()
+		closeKeys()
+	})
+}
+
+// takeInLoop gathers delivered keys into batches and takes each batch in, until ctx ends.
+func takeInLoop(ctx context.Context, in <-chan takeInMsg, steps takeInSteps,
+	backlog func(context.Context) (takeInBacklog, error)) {
+	t := &takeInState{memo: map[string]string{}, raised: map[string]bool{}, saidWait: map[string]string{}}
+	for {
+		var batch []takeInMsg
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case m := <-in:
+			batch = append(batch, m)
+		}
+		gather := time.NewTimer(takeInGather)
+	more:
+		for len(batch) < startTakeIns {
+			select {
+			case m := <-in:
+				batch = append(batch, m)
+			case <-gather.C:
+				break more
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+				gather.Stop()
+				for _, m := range batch {
+					m.nak(0)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+		}
+		gather.Stop()
+		said := t.take(ctx, steps, batch)
+		if b, err := backlog(ctx); err == nil {
+			said += fmt.Sprintf("; backlog %d", b.Total())
+		}
+		doneKeysSay("done keys: " + said)
+	}
+}
+
+// takeInState is what the take-in keeps between batches in this process: the trunk each module was last taken in at,
+// the modules whose condition it raised, and the wait last said of each.
+type takeInState struct {
+	memo     map[string]string
+	raised   map[string]bool
+	saidWait map[string]string
+}
+
+// take takes one batch in and acknowledges or refuses each key, raising and clearing the modules' conditions. It answers
+// the batch in a line.
+func (t *takeInState) take(ctx context.Context, steps takeInSteps, batch []takeInMsg) string {
+	keys := make([]delivered, len(batch))
+	for i, m := range batch {
+		keys[i] = m.delivered
+	}
+	settled, passes := steps.batch(ctx, keys, t.memo)
+	verdicts := make(map[string]verdict, len(settled))
+	var taken, nothing, waiting, failed int
+	for _, r := range settled {
+		verdicts[r.module] = r.verdict
+		o := doneKeyObservation(r.module)
+		switch {
+		case r.err != nil:
+			failed++
+			doneKeysSay(fmt.Sprintf("done keys: %s: %v", r.module, r.err))
+			if keeper := conditionsFrom; keeper != nil && !t.raised[r.module] && ctx.Err() == nil &&
+				!errors.Is(r.err, context.Canceled) {
+				o.Summary += r.err.Error()
+				if _, err := keeper.Observe(ctx, o); err == nil {
+					t.raised[r.module] = true
+				}
+			}
+		case r.waits != "":
+			waiting++
+			if t.saidWait[r.module] != r.waits {
+				doneKeysSay(fmt.Sprintf("done keys: %s %s", r.module, r.waits))
+				t.saidWait[r.module] = r.waits
+			}
+		case r.taken:
+			taken++
+			delete(t.saidWait, r.module)
+			if r.said != "" {
+				doneKeysSay("done keys: " + r.said)
+			}
+			// Cleared on every take-in, whoever raised it: a controller before a restart, whose key was delivered again.
+			if keeper := conditionsFrom; keeper != nil {
+				if _, err := keeper.Clear(ctx, o.Key(), "composed and granted"); err == nil {
+					delete(t.raised, r.module)
+				}
+			}
+		case r.nothingNew:
+			nothing++
+		}
+	}
+	for _, m := range batch {
+		if verdicts[m.module] == refused {
+			if ctx.Err() != nil {
+				m.nak(0) // cut by the stop: the next controller takes it at once
+			} else {
+				m.nak(refusalDelay(m.deliveries))
+			}
+		} else {
+			m.ack()
+		}
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%d key(s) of %d module(s): %d taken in, %d with nothing new, %d waiting, %d failed; %d composer pass(es)",
+		len(batch), len(settled), taken, nothing, waiting, failed, passes)
+}
+
+// takeInBacklog is the take-in's backlog on the bus: keys not delivered yet, and keys delivered and not acknowledged
+// (being taken in, or refused and waiting for their delay).
+type takeInBacklog struct {
+	Pending uint64 `json:"pending"`
+	Taking  uint64 `json:"taking"`
+}
+
+// Total is every key the take-in has not acknowledged.
+func (b takeInBacklog) Total() uint64 { return b.Pending + b.Taking }
+
+// backlogOf reads the consumers' own counts from the bus.
+func backlogOf(ctx context.Context, consumers []jetstream.Consumer) (takeInBacklog, error) {
+	var b takeInBacklog
+	for _, c := range consumers {
+		info, err := c.Info(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return takeInBacklog{}, err
+		}
+		b.Pending += info.NumPending
+		b.Taking += uint64(info.NumAckPending)
+	}
+	return b, nil
+}
+
+// readTakeInBacklog is the take-in's backlog for a reader in any process (`status`): the consumers asked by name.
+func readTakeInBacklog(ctx context.Context) (takeInBacklog, error) {
+	keys, closeKeys, err := openBuilderKeys()
+	if err != nil {
+		return takeInBacklog{}, err
+	}
+	defer closeKeys()
+	var consumers []jetstream.Consumer
+	for _, bucket := range broker.TakeInBuckets {
+		c, err := keys.JS.Consumer(ctx, "KV_"+bucket, broker.TakeInConsumer)
+		if err != nil {
+			return takeInBacklog{}, fmt.Errorf("the take-in's consumer on %s: %w", bucket, err)
+		}
+		consumers = append(consumers, c)
+	}
+	return backlogOf(ctx, consumers)
+}
+
+// kindTakeInStalled is the condition of a take-in that holds work and settles none (ADR 0544 §6); kindTakeInNotConsumed
+// that of a bucket whose consumer could not be made.
+const (
+	kindTakeInStalled     = "take-in-stalled"
+	kindTakeInNotConsumed = "take-in-not-consumed"
+)
+
+func takeInStalledObservation(b takeInBacklog, since time.Time) conditions.Observation {
+	return conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "take-in", Token: kindTakeInStalled,
+		Kind: kindTakeInStalled, Severity: conditions.Urgent, Resolver: conditions.ResolverOperator, Source: "done keys",
+		Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the take-in of done keys has %d key(s) waiting and has settled none since %s",
+			b.Total(), since.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339))}
+}
+
+// takeInNotConsumedObservation is the condition of bucket's consumer not made, with its own id, so it is raised and
+// cleared apart from a stall and from the other bucket's.
+func takeInNotConsumedObservation(bucket string, err error) conditions.Observation {
+	summary := "the take-in's consumer on " + bucket + " is made"
+	if err != nil {
+		summary = fmt.Sprintf("the take-in's consumer on %s is not made, so its keys are not taken in until the next "+
+			"start: %v", bucket, err)
+	}
+	return conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "take-in-" + bucket, Token: kindTakeInNotConsumed,
+		Kind: kindTakeInNotConsumed, Severity: conditions.Urgent, Resolver: conditions.ResolverOperator,
+		Source: "done keys", Summary: summary}
+}
+
+// takeInMoving counts the keys handed to the take-in loop and the keys it settled.
+type takeInMoving struct {
+	handed, settled atomic.Uint64
+}
+
+// stallWatch judges each look: stalled once there was work to do (keys not delivered yet, or keys handed to the loop
+// and not settled) and nothing settled for takeInStall. A refused key waiting for its delay is no work of the loop's:
+// with nothing else, a quiet mesh is not a stall; a loop that hangs on its batch is (the review of ADR 0544). Its first
+// look always says it changed, so a condition a controller before this one raised is cleared once this one moves.
+type stallWatch struct {
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	settled uint64
+	movedAt time.Time
+	stalled bool
+	known   bool
+}
+
+// look takes a reading at now: the backlog, and how many keys were handed and settled; it answers whether the take-in
+// stalls and whether that changed (always on the first look).
+func (w *stallWatch) look(b takeInBacklog, handed, settled uint64, now time.Time) (stalled, changed bool) {
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	defer w.mu.Unlock()
+	work := b.Pending > 0 || handed > settled
+	if !work || settled != w.settled || w.movedAt.IsZero() {
+		w.movedAt = now
+	}
+	w.settled = settled
+	nowStalled := work && now.Sub(w.movedAt) >= takeInStall
+	changed = !w.known || nowStalled != w.stalled
+	w.stalled, w.known = nowStalled, true
+	return nowStalled, changed
+}
+
+// watchTakeInStall reads the backlog every minute and raises take-in-stalled while the take-in holds work and settles
+// none, clearing it when it moves, and at its first look when it does not stall: a watchdog's timer, as research 072 §2
+// keeps them until the health part leaves the controller.
+func watchTakeInStall(ctx context.Context, backlog func(context.Context) (takeInBacklog, error), moving *takeInMoving) {
+	w := &stallWatch{}
+	tick := time.NewTicker(time.Minute)
+	defer tick.Stop()
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-tick.C:
+		}
+		b, err := backlog(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		stalled, changed := w.look(b, moving.handed.Load(), moving.settled.Load(), time.Now())
+		keeper := conditionsFrom
+		if !changed || keeper == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		w.mu.Lock()
+		since := w.movedAt
+		w.mu.Unlock()
+		o := takeInStalledObservation(b, since)
+		if stalled {
+			doneKeysSay("done keys: " + o.Summary)
+			_, _ = keeper.Observe(ctx, o)
+		} else {
+			_, _ = keeper.Clear(ctx, o.Key(), "the take-in moves")
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/template_test.go

@@ -1,123 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"bytes"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-	"strings"
-	"testing"
-)
-
-// A file's text kept as a template file in its module's repository (novox/hq ADR 0349 §2, design 57 package T1,
-// issue 654): `module check` and the merge gate read it from the tree beside the manifest, so a change to a
-// template alone is judged as a change to its module.
-
-const templatedNotifier = `{"module":"notifier","version":"1",
-  "build":{"artifacts":[{"name":"files","kind":"archive","from":"files"}]},
-  "resources":[{"id":"conf","type":"file","path":"/etc/notifier/notifier.conf","mode":"0644","template":"files/notifier.conf"}]}`
-
-// inlineNotifier is the same module as the mesh holds it: built, its text inline.
-const inlineNotifier = `{"module":"notifier","version":"1",
-  "resources":[{"id":"conf","type":"file","path":"/etc/notifier/notifier.conf","mode":"0644","content":"volume = 3\n"}]}`
-
-// aTemplatedModule writes a module's directory: its manifest and its files/.
-func aTemplatedModule(t *testing.T, dir, manifest string, files map[string]string) string {
-	t.Helper()
-	if err := os.MkdirAll(dir, 0o755); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	path := filepath.Join(dir, "module.json")
-	if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte(manifest), 0o644); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	for name, text := range files {
-		full := filepath.Join(dir, filepath.FromSlash(name))
-		if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(full), 0o755); err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
-		if err := os.WriteFile(full, []byte(text), 0o644); err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
-	}
-	return path
-}
-
-func TestModuleCheckReadsTemplatesFromTheTreeBesideTheManifest(t *testing.T) {
-	good := aTemplatedModule(t, t.TempDir(), templatedNotifier, map[string]string{"files/notifier.conf": "volume = 3\n"})
-	var out bytes.Buffer
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{good}, &out); err != nil || !strings.Contains(out.String(), "notifier: ok") {
-		t.Fatalf("a module with its text in files/ was refused: %v\n%s", err, out.String())
-	}
-
-	// A change to the template alone, to text the controller refuses inline, is refused the same.
-	bad := aTemplatedModule(t, t.TempDir(), templatedNotifier,
-		map[string]string{"files/notifier.conf": "volume = 3\nstore = ${dir:nowhere}\n"})
-	out.Reset()
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{bad}, &out); err == nil || !strings.Contains(out.String(), "nowhere") {
-		t.Fatalf("a template whose text is refused inline passed:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-
-	// A symlink under files/ that no template names: the build's packing refuses it, so the check does too.
-	linked := t.TempDir()
-	aTemplatedModule(t, linked, templatedNotifier, map[string]string{"files/notifier.conf": "volume = 3\n"})
-	if err := os.Symlink("/etc/hostname", filepath.Join(linked, "files", "elsewhere")); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	out.Reset()
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{filepath.Join(linked, "module.json")}, &out); err == nil ||
-		!strings.Contains(out.String(), "files/elsewhere is a symlink") {
-		t.Fatalf("a symlink under files/ passed the check:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-
-	// And a template the tree lacks, by name.
-	missing := aTemplatedModule(t, t.TempDir(), templatedNotifier, nil)
-	out.Reset()
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{missing}, &out); err == nil || !strings.Contains(out.String(), "files/notifier.conf") {
-		t.Fatalf("a missing template was not refused by name:\n%s", out.String())
-	}
-}
-
-// templatedMesh is catalogueMesh with the notifier on the laptop, registered as built: its text inline.
-
-// What the gate composes for the module in its template form is what the mesh composes for it inline.
-
-// A module whose files/ is unpacked onto the machine names its own templates directory (issue 731): `module check`
-// reads its templates from there and says of it exactly what it says of the same module with its text inline.
-func TestModuleCheckReadsTemplatesFromTheTemplatesDirectoryTheManifestNames(t *testing.T) {
-	const inline = `{"module":"notifier","version":"1",
-  "build":{"artifacts":[{"name":"scripts","kind":"archive","from":"files"}]},
-  "resources":[{"id":"scripts","type":"archive","path":"/usr/local/lib/notifier","artifact":"scripts"},
-    {"id":"conf","type":"file","path":"/etc/notifier/notifier.conf","mode":"0644","content":"volume = 3\n"}]}`
-	const templated = `{"module":"notifier","version":"1","templates":"templates",
-  "build":{"artifacts":[{"name":"scripts","kind":"archive","from":"files"},
-    {"name":"templates","kind":"archive","from":"templates"}]},
-  "resources":[{"id":"scripts","type":"archive","path":"/usr/local/lib/notifier","artifact":"scripts"},
-    {"id":"conf","type":"file","path":"/etc/notifier/notifier.conf","mode":"0644","template":"templates/notifier.conf"}]}`
-	scripts := map[string]string{"files/bin/notify": "#!/bin/sh\n"}
-	var want bytes.Buffer
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{aTemplatedModule(t, t.TempDir(), inline, scripts)}, &want); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("the inline module was refused: %v\n%s", err, want.String())
-	}
-	with := map[string]string{"files/bin/notify": "#!/bin/sh\n", "templates/notifier.conf": "volume = 3\n"}
-	var got bytes.Buffer
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{aTemplatedModule(t, t.TempDir(), templated, with)}, &got); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("a module with its text in templates/ was refused: %v\n%s", err, got.String())
-	}
-	if got.String() != want.String() {
-		t.Fatalf("module check says otherwise of the templated module:\ninline:    %s\ntemplated: %s", want.String(),
-			got.String())
-	}
-
-	// Its text in files/ instead, where the machine unpacks it, is not where its manifest says its templates are.
-	misplaced := strings.Replace(templated, `"templates/notifier.conf"`, `"files/notifier.conf"`, 1)
-	got.Reset()
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{aTemplatedModule(t, t.TempDir(), misplaced,
-		map[string]string{"files/notifier.conf": "volume = 3\n"})}, &got); err == nil ||
-		!strings.Contains(got.String(), "files/notifier.conf") {
-		t.Fatalf("a template outside the templates directory the manifest names passed:\n%s", got.String())
-	}
-}
-
-// Issue 876: the gate judges a moved module that names its templates as registration reads it after a real build,
-// handed its templates; it refused every such module as "marked moved and names no template". This calls the gate's
-// own shelf (shelfWithChange), which needs no database.

cmd/mesh-controller/unknown_fields.go

@@ -20,11 +20,12 @@ const (
 )
 
 // unknownFieldObservations is one condition for each module of the catalogue whose stored manifest has
-// a key this controller does not know.
+// a key this controller does not know and read no further than its name and version (ADR 0578 §6: a manifest read past
+// the key is registered and the key named, so it raises nothing).
 func unknownFieldObservations(known map[string]catalogue.Manifest) []conditions.Observation {
 	names := make([]string, 0, len(known))
 	for name, m := range known {
-		if m.UnknownField() != "" {
+		if m.ReadNoFurther() {
 			names = append(names, name)
 		}
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/unknown_fields_test.go

@@ -11,14 +11,18 @@ import (
 // A module whose stored manifest has a key this controller does not know is a condition, in plain
 // words, until it is read again; every other module raises nothing (novox/hq ADR 0262).
 func TestAModuleWithAnUnknownFieldIsACondition(t *testing.T) {
-	var later, now catalogue.Manifest
-	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(`{"module": "dunst", "version": "2", "settings": {}, "a-field-from-later": 1}`), &later); err != nil {
+	var later, now, aside catalogue.Manifest
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(`{"module": "dunst", "version": "2", "tools": "not-a-list", "a-field-from-later": 1}`), &later); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// A field set aside with the rest read raises nothing (ADR 0578 §6): the module is registered and the field named.
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(`{"module": "sway", "version": "2", "settings": {}, "a-field-from-later": 1}`), &aside); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(`{"module": "xorg", "version": "1"}`), &now); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	observed := unknownFieldObservations(map[string]catalogue.Manifest{"dunst": later, "xorg": now})
+	observed := unknownFieldObservations(map[string]catalogue.Manifest{"dunst": later, "xorg": now, "sway": aside})
 	if len(observed) != 1 || observed[0].ID != "dunst" || observed[0].Kind != kindUnknownField {
 		t.Fatalf("observed: %+v", observed)
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/vault_secrets_test.go

@@ -49,6 +49,12 @@ func (v *standInVault) ask(verb string, args map[string]any) (json.RawMessage, e
 	// The vault asks the desk's prompt and the provider's tool itself, in its own name (issue 723): one step from
 	// the controller, which carries no key and no sealed value.
 	switch verb {
+	case "issue-account":
+		// The vault is the one issuer once installed (issue 774): the controller forwards, and keeps nothing.
+		if v.refuse != nil {
+			return nil, v.refuse
+		}
+		return json.Marshal(map[string]any{"minted": true, "account": map[string]any{"user": args["user"], "generation": 1}})
 	case "secret-ask":
 		if v.refuse != nil {
 			return nil, v.refuse

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)
@@ -543,10 +545,9 @@ func later(a, b time.Time) time.Time {
 	return b
 }
 
-// watchTheMesh opens the condition store and starts the watchdogs, the bus's advisories and the
-// self-check, for the serving controller; the returned function stops them. Nil when the store could
-// not be opened, which is said.
-func watchTheMesh(ctx context.Context, open *stores, server *link.Server, bus link.OverNATS) func() {
+// openServingConditions opens the condition store for the serving controller and makes it conditionsFrom. Nil when the store
+// could not be opened, which is said: status then says the conditions cannot be read.
+func openServingConditions(ctx context.Context, open *stores, bus link.OverNATS) *conditions.Keeper {
 	keeper, err := keeperOn(ctx, bus.Conn, storeLooks{open.inventory})
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Printf("the condition store could NOT be opened, so nothing that goes wrong is kept or said, and "+
@@ -554,6 +555,22 @@ func watchTheMesh(ctx context.Context, open *stores, server *link.Server, bus li
 		return nil
 	}
 	conditionsFrom = keeper
+	return keeper
+}
+
+// closeConditions flushes what the keeper holds and closes it, once nothing that raises a condition runs.
+func closeConditions(keeper *conditions.Keeper) {
+	flushing, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	keeper.Close(flushing)
+}
+
+// watchTheMesh starts the watchdogs, the bus's advisories and the self-check over the condition store's keeper, for the
+// serving controller; the returned function stops them and waits for them to end. Nil when there is no keeper.
+func watchTheMesh(ctx context.Context, open *stores, server *link.Server, bus link.OverNATS, keeper *conditions.Keeper) func() {
+	if keeper == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
 	logf := func(format string, args ...any) { fmt.Printf(format+"\n", args...) }
 	stopHearing, err := server.HearAdvisories(logf)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -566,26 +583,26 @@ func watchTheMesh(ctx context.Context, open *stores, server *link.Server, bus li
 	d := &doctor{open: open, js: server.JetStream(), keeper: keeper, teller: bus, watchdogs: w, host: host}
 	w.doctor = d
 	doctorFrom = d
+	// Its own group as well as serve's: its stop waits for what it started.
 	watching, stop := context.WithCancel(ctx)
-	go w.keep(watching)
-	go d.keep(watching)
+	watching, running := withServingGroup(watching)
+	goServing(watching, func() { w.keep(watching) })
+	goServing(watching, func() { d.keep(watching) })
 	// And the healers (novox/hq to-be 45 §7): what is open that a registered healer answers, repaired
 	// under the lease and the brake, every act said.
 	healers := newHealing(open, keeper, bus, server.JetStream())
-	go healers.keep(watching)
+	goServing(watching, func() { healers.keep(watching) })
 	// And the asker (novox/hq ADR 0259): what needs the operator and names its answers is asked of them,
 	// and the answer chosen is performed on its warrant.
 	startAsking(watching, open, server, bus.Conn, keeper)
-	go forgettingOldHeals(watching, open.inventory)
+	goServing(watching, func() { forgettingOldHeals(watching, open.inventory) })
 	fmt.Printf("watching the mesh: %d signal(s) every %s, %d probe(s) every %s; what is wrong is kept in %s "+
 		"and said as %s events\n", len(watchedRows()), watchEvery, len(runnableProbes()), doctorEvery,
 		broker.ConditionsBucket, conditions.Seat)
 	return func() {
 		stop()
+		running.stop()
 		stopHearing()
-		flushing, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
-		defer cancel()
-		keeper.Close(flushing)
 	}
 }
 

cmd/mesh-controller/written_settings_test.go

@@ -1,46 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"bytes"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-	"strings"
-	"testing"
-
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
-)
-
-// ADR 0326 §3 is judged where a definition is written (novox/hq issue 574): `module check`, and
-// namesNoInstallation, which `module add`, a build taken in and the merge gate's registration run.
-func TestWhereADefinitionIsWrittenADeclaringModuleNamesItsFilesKeys(t *testing.T) {
-	const silent = `{"module":"mail-client","version":"1",
-		"settings":{"prefs":{"kind":"preference","default":"// none","why":"its own defaults until a machine names one"}},
-		"resources":[
-			{"id":"user-js","type":"file","path":"/var/lib/mail-client/user.js","mode":"0644","content":"${setting:prefs}\n"},
-			{"id":"accounts","type":"file","path":"/var/lib/mail-client/accounts.json","mode":"0600","merge":"json",
-			 "content":"{}\n"%s}]}`
-	dir := t.TempDir()
-	bad := filepath.Join(dir, "bad.json")
-	good := filepath.Join(dir, "good.json")
-	os.WriteFile(bad, []byte(strings.Replace(silent, "%s", "", 1)), 0o600)
-	os.WriteFile(good, []byte(strings.Replace(silent, "%s", `,"takes-settings":["accounts"]`, 1)), 0o600)
-
-	var out bytes.Buffer
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{bad}, &out); err == nil ||
-		!strings.Contains(out.String(), "mergeable accounts names no takes-settings") {
-		t.Fatalf("module check passed a declaring module's silent mergeable file: %v\n%s", err, out.String())
-	}
-	out.Reset()
-	if err := moduleCheck([]string{good}, &out); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("the file naming its keys was refused: %v\n%s", err, out.String())
-	}
-
-	raw, _ := os.ReadFile(bad)
-	m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest(raw)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("reading it is not where it is judged: %v", err)
-	}
-	if err := namesNoInstallation(m); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "names no takes-settings") {
-		t.Fatalf("registration passed it: %v", err)
-	}
-}

go.mod

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module github.com/novox/mesh-controller
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261024234636-10b6e202320f
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261101022206-8af6e7266915
 	github.com/jackc/pgx/v5 v5.10.0
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0

go.sum

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261018171808-9d9e3a46c4f5 h1:E5stfIeCN6uYgA9TCv+4K8JgaURg3zQppvUgJLaDMP4=
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261018171808-9d9e3a46c4f5/go.mod h1:4wyoCr6IIIIarEUuROThWDj7DAvJvIidqMjWcpSnOwE=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261024234636-10b6e202320f h1:lUEyNPPF3w4Q0LIgcUUD6ofkKVhCF0n7dVjMoixQmXo=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261024234636-10b6e202320f/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261101022206-8af6e7266915 h1:x8k7IeMirMTxUo8BH+xUO+MDnHYgU+636jl1NIw1wvs=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261101022206-8af6e7266915/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.0/go.mod h1:J7Y8YcW2NihsgmVo/mv3lAwl/skON4iLHjSsI+c5H38=