diff --git a/cmd/mesh-builder/main.go b/cmd/mesh-builder/main.go
index e47b9ed7..2c21504b 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-builder/main.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-builder/main.go
@@ -327,6 +327,7 @@ func answer(ctx context.Context, publisher builder.Publisher, on, workspace stri
 			}
 			result.Against = built.Against
 			result.SourceFingerprint = built.Source
+			result.Predefined = built.Predefined
 			result.Trunk, result.OnTrunk, result.Branches = built.Trunk, built.OnTrunk, built.Branches
 			for _, r := range built.Read {
 				result.Read = append(result.Read, link.ReadRepository{Repository: r.Repository, Ref: r.Ref})
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/build.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/build.go
index 23cdcfd3..d4a64a38 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/build.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/build.go
@@ -696,6 +696,20 @@ func takeIn(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, result link.BuildResu
 			}
 		}
 	}
+	// **The list of predefined keys arrives with a build of the catalogue** (novox/hq issue 630): the
+	// builder reads predefined.json at the catalogue repository's root at the commit built, and it is kept
+	// before the module is registered, so a preference falling back to a key added in the same commit is
+	// judged against the list that adds it. Only from the catalogue: another repository names no list.
+	if len(result.Predefined) > 0 && isCatalogueRepository(result.Repository) {
+		list, err := catalogue.ParsePredefined(result.Predefined)
+		if err != nil {
+			return manifest, kept, fmt.Errorf("%s built %s (%s), recorded and not registered: %w", result.On,
+				manifest.Module, short(result.Commit), err)
+		}
+		if err := inv.SetPredefined(ctx, list, result.Repository, result.Commit); err != nil {
+			return manifest, kept, err
+		}
+	}
 	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, manifest, recorded); err != nil {
 		if errors.Is(err, inventory.ErrSuperseded) {
 			return manifest, kept, fmt.Errorf("%s built %s (%s), recorded and not registered: %w",
@@ -1025,3 +1039,16 @@ func buildLog(ctx context.Context, id string) error {
 	}
 	return nil
 }
+
+// catalogueRepository is the repository the catalogue is: the one whose predefined.json is the list of
+// predefined keys (novox/hq issue 630).
+const catalogueRepository = "mesh-catalog"
+
+// isCatalogueRepository is whether a repository, as a path on the forge or a URL, is the catalogue.
+func isCatalogueRepository(repository string) bool {
+	trimmed := strings.TrimSuffix(strings.TrimSuffix(strings.TrimSpace(repository), "/"), ".git")
+	if i := strings.LastIndex(trimmed, "/"); i >= 0 {
+		trimmed = trimmed[i+1:]
+	}
+	return trimmed == catalogueRepository
+}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/check.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/check.go
index 16e16ba6..c3f772ee 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/check.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/check.go
@@ -47,6 +47,13 @@ func moduleCheckFor(paths []string, longestMachine int, out io.Writer) error {
 	shelf := catalogue.Shelf{}
 	faulted := map[string]bool{}
 	failed := 0
+	// The list of predefined keys a preference may fall back to (novox/hq issue 630): the predefined.json
+	// at the root of the repository the manifests are in, found above the first of them.
+	list, listAt, listErr := predefinedAbove(paths[0])
+	if listErr != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s: %v\n", listAt, listErr)
+		failed++
+	}
 	for _, path := range paths {
 		raw, err := os.ReadFile(path)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -92,6 +99,20 @@ func moduleCheckFor(paths []string, longestMachine int, out io.Writer) error {
 			failed += len(named)
 			faulted[m.Module] = true
 		}
+		// A preference falls back only to a key on the list, with its type (novox/hq issue 630).
+		if named := catalogue.PredefinedNamed(m); len(named) > 0 {
+			if listAt == "" {
+				fmt.Fprintf(out, "note: %s: its preferences fall back to %s, and no %s was found above it; "+
+					"registration judges them against the list the mesh holds\n", path, strings.Join(named, ", "),
+					catalogue.PredefinedFile)
+			} else if wrong := catalogue.PredefinedProblems(m, list); len(wrong) > 0 {
+				for _, p := range wrong {
+					fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s: %s\n", path, p)
+				}
+				failed += len(wrong)
+				faulted[m.Module] = true
+			}
+		}
 		shelf[m.Module] = m
 	}
 
@@ -285,3 +306,27 @@ func manifestsUnder(dir string) ([]string, error) {
 	sort.Strings(found)
 	return found, err
 }
+
+// predefinedAbove reads the predefined.json found in the directory of a manifest or one above it, up to
+// the repository's root (the directory holding .git). The path it was found at is "" when there is none.
+func predefinedAbove(manifest string) (catalogue.Predefined, string, error) {
+	dir, err := filepath.Abs(filepath.Dir(manifest))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", nil
+	}
+	for {
+		at := filepath.Join(dir, catalogue.PredefinedFile)
+		if raw, err := os.ReadFile(at); err == nil {
+			list, err := catalogue.ParsePredefined(raw)
+			return list, at, err
+		}
+		if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, ".git")); err == nil {
+			return nil, "", nil
+		}
+		up := filepath.Dir(dir)
+		if up == dir {
+			return nil, "", nil
+		}
+		dir = up
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/config.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/config.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cd09a289
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/config.go
@@ -0,0 +1,383 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"flag"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// configCommand reads and sets config values (novox/hq issue 630). A value resolves from four sources, the
+// last set winning: the module's default, mesh config, node config, and the module's own value on a node
+// (its module-assignment config). Mesh and node config hold values only for the predefined keys, the
+// catalogue's list; a module's own value is set on one node, never for the whole mesh.
+//
+//	config [list] [--node <node>] [--module <module>]
+//	config set <key> <value> [--node <node> [--module <module>]] --why <text>
+//	config clear <key> [--node <node> [--module <module>]] --why <text>
+//	config history <key> [--node <node>]
+//
+// A set or clear is recorded in the hand-act log with the caller and why, kept in the history, and takes
+// effect at the next push of the machines it reaches, which it names — as `settings set` does.
+func configCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
+	sub := "list"
+	if len(args) > 0 && !strings.HasPrefix(args[0], "-") {
+		sub, args = args[0], args[1:]
+	}
+	set := flag.NewFlagSet("config", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	node := set.String("node", "", "one node: its node config, or with --module the module's own value there")
+	module := set.String("module", "", "a module: its own value on --node (module-assignment config)")
+	acts := addHandActFlags(set)
+	positionals, err := parseAround(set, args)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if *module != "" && *node == "" && sub != "list" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("config: %s names no node, and there is no module layer for the whole mesh — an "+
+			"assignment is one module on one node (novox/hq issue 630). Give node, or set mesh config for a "+
+			"predefined key without module. Nothing was changed", *module)
+	}
+	open, err := openStores(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer open.Close()
+	inv := open.inventory
+
+	switch sub {
+	case "list":
+		if len(positionals) > 0 {
+			return errors.New("config list [--node <node>] [--module <module>]")
+		}
+		return configList(ctx, inv, *node, *module)
+	case "history":
+		if len(positionals) != 1 || *module != "" {
+			return errors.New("config history <key> [--node <node>] — a module's own values are in `settings show <module> --node <node> --history`")
+		}
+		past, err := inv.ConfigHistory(ctx, positionals[0], *node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		where := configWhere(*node, "")
+		if len(past) == 0 {
+			fmt.Printf("%s, %s: no value has been replaced\n", positionals[0], where)
+			return nil
+		}
+		for _, p := range past {
+			v, _ := json.Marshal(p.Value)
+			fmt.Printf("%s, %s: %s until %s (%s", positionals[0], where, v,
+				p.ReplacedAt.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05"), p.ReplacedBy)
+			if p.ReplacedWhy != "" {
+				fmt.Printf(": %s", p.ReplacedWhy)
+			}
+			fmt.Printf("); %s, because %s\n", orUnknown(p.SetBy), orUnknown(p.Why))
+		}
+		return nil
+	case "set", "clear":
+	default:
+		return fmt.Errorf("config has no %q; it has list, set, clear and history", sub)
+	}
+
+	// set and clear.
+	if err := acts.require("config " + sub); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	why := strings.TrimSpace(*acts.why)
+	var key string
+	var value any
+	switch {
+	case sub == "set" && len(positionals) == 2:
+		key = positionals[0]
+		if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(positionals[1]), &value); err != nil {
+			// A bare word is a string: `config set theme dark` means "dark".
+			value = positionals[1]
+		}
+		if value == nil {
+			return errors.New("config set takes a value; to remove one, config clear")
+		}
+	case sub == "clear" && len(positionals) == 1:
+		key = positionals[0]
+	default:
+		return errors.New("config set <key> <value> [--node <node> [--module <module>]] --why <text>, or " +
+			"config clear <key> [--node <node> [--module <module>]] --why <text>")
+	}
+	if *node != "" {
+		if _, err := inv.NodeByName(ctx, *node); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	where := configWhere(*node, *module)
+
+	// The module's own value on one node: a preference it declares, of its type, judged as `settings set`
+	// judges a layer, its trusted keys refused through a verb exactly as there (novox/hq issue 339, 340).
+	if *module != "" {
+		shelf, err := inv.Catalogue(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		m, known := shelf[*module]
+		if !known {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%w: %s", inventory.ErrNoSuchModule, *module)
+		}
+		p, declared := catalogue.PreferencesOf(m)[key]
+		if !declared {
+			return fmt.Errorf("config: %s declares no preference %q; config sets a module's preferences (%s) — "+
+				"any other setting is the settings verb's. Nothing was changed", *module, key,
+				preferencesOrNone(sortedPreferenceKeys(m)))
+		}
+		if value != nil {
+			if err := catalogue.ConfigValueProblem(fmt.Sprintf("%s's preference %q", *module, key), p.Type, value); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+		before, _, err := inv.Layer(ctx, *node, *module)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		after := map[string]any{}
+		for k, v := range before {
+			after[k] = v
+		}
+		if value == nil {
+			delete(after, key)
+		} else {
+			after[key] = value
+		}
+		if err := refuseTerminalSettingsThroughAVerb(ctx, inv, before, after, *module, *node); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		acts.record(ctx, "config", configActArgs(sub, positionals, *node, *module))
+		was, had, err := inv.SetModuleValue(ctx, *node, *module, key, value, setByWords()+": "+why)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		sayConfigChange(key, where, value, was, had)
+		fmt.Printf("  takes effect at the next push: run `plan %s --diff` to see it, `push %s` to send it\n", *node, *node)
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Mesh config or node config: a predefined key only, judged before the act is recorded.
+	if value != nil {
+		if err := inv.JudgeConfig(ctx, key, *node, value); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	acts.record(ctx, "config", configActArgs(sub, positionals, *node, ""))
+	before, had := configValueOf(ctx, inv, key, *node)
+	if value == nil {
+		removed, err := inv.ClearConfig(ctx, key, *node, setByWords(), why)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if !removed {
+			fmt.Printf("%s, %s: no value was set; nothing changed\n", key, where)
+			return nil
+		}
+	} else if err := inv.SetConfig(ctx, key, *node, value, setByWords(), why); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	sayConfigChange(key, where, value, before, had)
+	reached, err := reachedBy(ctx, inv, key, *node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if len(reached) == 0 {
+		fmt.Println("  no module assigned there falls back to it yet; nothing to push")
+		return nil
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("  takes effect at the next push of %s: run `push %s` to send it\n", strings.Join(reached, ", "),
+		strings.Join(reached, " "))
+	return nil
+}
+
+// configList lists the predefined keys with their mesh and node config, then each module's preferences
+// with the value on each node it is assigned to and where it comes from.
+func configList(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node, module string) error {
+	if node != "" {
+		if _, err := inv.NodeByName(ctx, node); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	list, err := inv.Predefined(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	values, err := inv.Config(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	var b strings.Builder
+	if len(list) == 0 {
+		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "no predefined keys: the list arrives with a build of the catalogue carrying %s\n",
+			catalogue.PredefinedFile)
+	} else {
+		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "predefined keys (the catalogue's %s), with mesh config and node config:\n", catalogue.PredefinedFile)
+	}
+	for _, key := range list.Keys() {
+		k := list[key]
+		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "  %s (%s): %s\n", key, k.Type, k.Why)
+		held := false
+		for _, v := range values {
+			if v.Key != key || (node != "" && v.Node != "" && v.Node != node) {
+				continue
+			}
+			held = true
+			shown, _ := json.Marshal(v.Value)
+			fmt.Fprintf(&b, "    %s: %s — %s, because %s\n", configWhere(v.Node, ""), shown, orUnknown(v.SetBy), v.Why)
+		}
+		if !held {
+			b.WriteString("    no mesh or node config: each module's default\n")
+		}
+	}
+	for _, key := range inventory.ConfigKeysSorted(values) {
+		if _, on := list[key]; on {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, v := range values {
+			if v.Key == key {
+				shown, _ := json.Marshal(v.Value)
+				fmt.Fprintf(&b, "  %s is no longer a predefined key, and %s still holds %s for it: it reaches nothing; "+
+					"config clear %s%s\n", key, configWhere(v.Node, ""), shown, key, nodeFlag(v.Node))
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	entries, err := inv.Catalogued(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	var listed []preferencesOf
+	for _, e := range entries {
+		m := e.Manifest
+		if len(catalogue.PreferencesOf(m)) == 0 || (module != "" && m.Module != module) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if node != "" && !containsString(e.On, node) {
+			continue
+		}
+		p := preferencesOf{Manifest: m, On: map[string][]catalogue.SettingSource{}}
+		for _, n := range e.On {
+			if node != "" && n != node {
+				continue
+			}
+			p.Nodes = append(p.Nodes, n)
+			layers, err := inv.SettingsFor(ctx, n, m.Module)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			p.On[n] = catalogue.Effective(m, layers)
+		}
+		listed = append(listed, p)
+	}
+	b.WriteString("\npreferences, and on each node the value and where it comes from (default, mesh config, " +
+		"node config, or the module on the node):\n")
+	b.WriteString(describePreferences(listed))
+	fmt.Print(b.String())
+	return nil
+}
+
+// configWhere is how a config value's place is said.
+func configWhere(node, module string) string {
+	switch {
+	case module != "":
+		return module + " on " + node
+	case node != "":
+		return catalogue.NodeConfigLayer(node)
+	}
+	return catalogue.MeshConfigLayer
+}
+
+// configValueOf is the value mesh config (node "") or a node's config holds for a key.
+func configValueOf(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, key, node string) (any, bool) {
+	values, err := inv.Config(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, false
+	}
+	for _, v := range values {
+		if v.Key == key && v.Node == node {
+			return v.Value, true
+		}
+	}
+	return nil, false
+}
+
+// reachedBy is the nodes a value of mesh config (node "") or a node's config for a key reaches: those
+// running a module whose preference falls back to it.
+func reachedBy(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, key, node string) ([]string, error) {
+	entries, err := inv.Catalogued(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	nodes := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, e := range entries {
+		if !containsString(catalogue.PredefinedNamed(e.Manifest), key) {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, n := range e.On {
+			if node == "" || n == node {
+				nodes[n] = true
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(nodes))
+	for n := range nodes {
+		out = append(out, n)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func sayConfigChange(key, where string, value, before any, had bool) {
+	was := "nothing"
+	if had {
+		w, _ := json.Marshal(before)
+		was = string(w)
+	}
+	if value == nil {
+		fmt.Printf("%s, %s: cleared (was %s); the next source down applies\n", key, where, was)
+		return
+	}
+	now, _ := json.Marshal(value)
+	fmt.Printf("%s, %s: %s (was %s); the value it replaced is kept\n", key, where, now, was)
+}
+
+func configActArgs(sub string, positionals []string, node, module string) []string {
+	args := append([]string{sub}, positionals...)
+	if node != "" {
+		args = append(args, "--node", node)
+	}
+	if module != "" {
+		args = append(args, "--module", module)
+	}
+	return args
+}
+
+func sortedPreferenceKeys(m catalogue.Manifest) []string {
+	declared := catalogue.PreferencesOf(m)
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(declared))
+	for k := range declared {
+		keys = append(keys, k)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	return keys
+}
+
+func orUnknown(s string) string {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(s) == "" {
+		return "not kept"
+	}
+	return s
+}
+
+func preferencesOrNone(keys []string) string {
+	if len(keys) == 0 {
+		return "it declares none"
+	}
+	return strings.Join(keys, ", ")
+}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/config_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/config_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4b79cc2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/config_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,187 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+)
+
+// The config verb's line: a listing without key, a set or clear with why, and a module value refused
+// without a node (novox/hq issue 630).
+func TestTheConfigVerbsLine(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		args map[string]any
+		want string
+	}{
+		{map[string]any{}, "config list"},
+		{map[string]any{"node": "g14", "module": "dunst"}, "config list --node g14 --module dunst"},
+		{map[string]any{"key": "font-size", "value": "12", "why": "bigger"}, "config set font-size 12 --why bigger"},
+		{map[string]any{"key": "font-size", "value": "13", "node": "g14", "why": "dense"},
+			"config set font-size 13 --node g14 --why dense"},
+		{map[string]any{"key": "font-size", "value": "14", "node": "g14", "module": "dunst", "why": "x"},
+			"config set font-size 14 --node g14 --module dunst --why x"},
+		{map[string]any{"key": "font-size", "clear": "true", "node": "g14", "why": "back"},
+			"config clear font-size --node g14 --why back"},
+		{map[string]any{"key": "font-size", "history": "true"}, "config history font-size"},
+	} {
+		argv, err := argvFor("config", c.args)
+		if err != nil || strings.Join(argv, " ") != c.want {
+			t.Errorf("%v: %v %v, want %s", c.args, argv, err, c.want)
+		}
+	}
+	for want, args := range map[string]map[string]any{
+		"no module layer for the whole mesh": {"key": "font-size", "value": "12", "module": "dunst", "why": "x"},
+		"why":                                {"key": "font-size", "value": "12"},
+		"names its key":                      {"value": "12"},
+		"not both":                           {"key": "font-size", "value": "12", "clear": "true", "why": "x"},
+	} {
+		if _, err := argvFor("config", args); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+			t.Errorf("%v: %v, want %q", args, err, want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// End to end through the verb, as the operator's acceptance reads it: cleared → the default; mesh font-size,
+// then the node's, then dunst's own on the node — each in the node's dunstrc as composed (novox/hq issue 630).
+func TestConfigReachesTheComposedFileFromEachSource(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	if err := open.inventory.SetPredefined(ctx, catalogue.Predefined{
+		"font-size": {Type: catalogue.TypeNumber, Why: "the size text is drawn at"}}, "", ""); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "dunst", Version: "1",
+		Preferences: map[string]catalogue.Preference{
+			"font-size": {Type: catalogue.TypeNumber, Default: float64(10), Predefined: "font-size", Why: "100 DPI"},
+		},
+		Resources: []map[string]any{{"id": "dunstrc", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/dunst/dunstrc", "mode": "0644", "trusted": false,
+			"content": "font = Inter ${setting:font-size}\n"}}})
+	for _, n := range []string{"laptop", "anchor"} {
+		if _, err := assign(ctx, open, n, "dunst"); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	dunstrc := func(node string) string {
+		t.Helper()
+		gens, err := generators(ctx, open)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		declared, problems, err := composedAndValidated(ctx, open, node, gens, Allocating)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%s does not compose: %v %v", node, err, problems)
+		}
+		for _, r := range declared.Resources {
+			if r["path"] == "/etc/dunst/dunstrc" {
+				return fmt.Sprint(r["content"])
+			}
+		}
+		t.Fatalf("%s has no dunstrc: %v", node, problems)
+		return ""
+	}
+	want := func(node, size string) {
+		t.Helper()
+		if got := dunstrc(node); got != "font = Inter "+size+"\n" {
+			t.Fatalf("%s's dunstrc: %q, want size %s", node, got, size)
+		}
+	}
+	verb := func(args map[string]any) error {
+		t.Helper()
+		return throughVerb(t, "config", args)
+	}
+	want("laptop", "10")
+
+	if err := verb(map[string]any{"key": "font-size", "value": "11", "why": "a larger default"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want("laptop", "11")
+	want("anchor", "11")
+	if err := verb(map[string]any{"key": "font-size", "value": "13", "node": "laptop", "why": "a dense screen"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want("laptop", "13")
+	want("anchor", "11")
+	if err := verb(map[string]any{"key": "font-size", "value": "15", "node": "laptop", "module": "dunst",
+		"why": "dunst alone larger"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want("laptop", "15")
+
+	listing := stdoutOf(t, func() error { return verb(map[string]any{}) })
+	for _, said := range []string{"font-size (number): the size text is drawn at", "mesh config: 11",
+		"node config (laptop): 13", "laptop: 15 (dunst on laptop)", "anchor: 11 (mesh config)",
+		"falls back to the predefined key font-size"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(listing, said) {
+			t.Errorf("the listing does not say %q:\n%s", said, listing)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Cleared, each falls back to the next source down.
+	for _, step := range []struct {
+		args map[string]any
+		size string
+	}{
+		{map[string]any{"key": "font-size", "clear": "true", "node": "laptop", "module": "dunst", "why": "x"}, "13"},
+		{map[string]any{"key": "font-size", "clear": "true", "node": "laptop", "why": "x"}, "11"},
+		{map[string]any{"key": "font-size", "clear": "true", "why": "x"}, "10"},
+	} {
+		if err := verb(step.args); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		want("laptop", step.size)
+	}
+
+	// Refused: a key not on the list for mesh config, a module value without a node, a type not the key's.
+	if err := verb(map[string]any{"key": "colour", "value": "blue", "why": "x"}); err == nil ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "predefined") {
+		t.Fatalf("mesh config for a key not on the list: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := runLine(t, []string{"config", "set", "font-size", "12", "--module", "dunst", "--why", "x"}); err == nil ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "no module layer for the whole mesh") {
+		t.Fatalf("a module value without a node: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := verb(map[string]any{"key": "font-size", "value": `"large"`, "node": "laptop", "module": "dunst",
+		"why": "x"}); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "is a number") {
+		t.Fatalf("a string for a number: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := verb(map[string]any{"key": "nothing", "value": "1", "node": "laptop", "module": "dunst",
+		"why": "x"}); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "declares no preference") {
+		t.Fatalf("a module value for a key it does not declare: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// The module check reads the catalogue's predefined.json at the repository's root and refuses a preference
+// falling back to a key not on it (novox/hq issue 630).
+func TestTheModuleCheckJudgesPreferencesAgainstTheCataloguesList(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	for _, dir := range []string{".git", "modules/dunst"} {
+		if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(root, dir), 0o755); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	manifest := filepath.Join(root, "modules/dunst/module.json")
+	write := func(path, body string) {
+		t.Helper()
+		if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte(body), 0o644); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	write(manifest, `{"module": "dunst", "version": "1",
+		"preferences": {"font-size": {"type": "number", "default": 10, "predefined": "font-size", "why": "100 DPI"}},
+		"resources": [{"id": "rc", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/rc", "mode": "0644", "trusted": false,
+			"content": "font ${setting:font-size}"}]}`)
+	write(filepath.Join(root, "predefined.json"), `{"theme": {"type": "string", "why": "light or dark"}}`)
+	var out strings.Builder
+	if err := moduleCheck([]string{manifest}, &out); err == nil || !strings.Contains(out.String(), "not on the catalogue's list") {
+		t.Fatalf("a key not on the list passed: %v\n%s", err, out.String())
+	}
+	write(filepath.Join(root, "predefined.json"), `{"font-size": {"type": "number", "why": "the size text is drawn at"}}`)
+	out.Reset()
+	if err := moduleCheck([]string{manifest}, &out); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a key on the list was refused: %v\n%s", err, out.String())
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/facts.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/facts.go
index 50b891cf..e0b92c53 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/facts.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/facts.go
@@ -263,6 +263,37 @@ func gatherFacts(ctx context.Context, open *stores, busVersion string) (snapshot
 		f.Controller.Commit = c.Commit
 	}
 
+	// The list of predefined keys, and mesh and node config (novox/hq issue 630).
+	predefined, err := inv.Predefined(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return snapshot.Facts{}, err
+	}
+	for key, k := range predefined {
+		if f.Predefined == nil {
+			f.Predefined = map[string]snapshot.PredefinedKey{}
+		}
+		f.Predefined[key] = snapshot.PredefinedKey{Type: k.Type, Why: k.Why}
+	}
+	config, err := inv.Config(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return snapshot.Facts{}, err
+	}
+	nodeConfig := map[string]map[string]any{}
+	meshConfig := map[string]any{}
+	for _, c := range config {
+		if c.Node == "" {
+			meshConfig[c.Key] = c.Value
+			continue
+		}
+		if nodeConfig[c.Node] == nil {
+			nodeConfig[c.Node] = map[string]any{}
+		}
+		nodeConfig[c.Node][c.Key] = c.Value
+	}
+	if len(meshConfig) > 0 {
+		f.Config = scrub.Values(meshConfig)
+	}
+
 	gens, gensErr := generators(ctx, open)
 	hostShelf := shelf[hostModule]
 	meshWide := map[string]bool{}
@@ -280,6 +311,9 @@ func gatherFacts(ctx context.Context, open *stores, busVersion string) (snapshot
 		if n.HostVersion != "" {
 			engines[n.HostVersion] = true
 		}
+		if values := nodeConfig[n.Name]; len(values) > 0 {
+			m.Config = scrub.Values(values)
+		}
 		m.System = systemOf(hostShelf, n.HostVersion)
 		m.Libc = libcOf(m.System)
 		reported, err := inv.DescribedOf(ctx, n.Name)
@@ -345,6 +379,10 @@ func gatherFacts(ctx context.Context, open *stores, busVersion string) (snapshot
 				return snapshot.Facts{}, err
 			}
 			for _, layer := range layers {
+				if layer.Config {
+					// Mesh and node config are said once, beside the machine and the mesh (novox/hq issue 630).
+					continue
+				}
 				if layer.From == catalogue.MeshWideLayer {
 					if !meshWide[module] {
 						meshWide[module] = true
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/facts_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/facts_test.go
index d5b3ac63..5e3eb51e 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/facts_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/facts_test.go
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ func aMeshWithSecrets(t *testing.T) (*stores, []string) {
 		}
 	}
 	secrets := []string{"Hunter2-Is-Not-A-Password-9f8e7d", "0123456789abcdefABCDEF0123456789zz"}
-	if err := open.inventory.SetSettings(ctx, "", "files", map[string]any{
+	if err := open.inventory.KeepSettings(ctx, "", "files", map[string]any{
 		"admin_password": secrets[0], "upstream": "10.77.0.9", "hub": "anchor"}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/handacts.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/handacts.go
index 147a6dca..49decc69 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/handacts.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/handacts.go
@@ -89,6 +89,8 @@ var handActVerbs = []handActVerb{
 	{Verb: handActIssued, Decision: "a credential the provider's software issued, kept for its consumers (ADR 0305)"},
 	{Verb: "hand-act drill", Decision: "a drill is a person's deliberate test of the mesh, never a repair"},
 	// A person's decisions by design.
+	// A config value is what a person chooses the mesh's modules use (novox/hq issue 630), never a repair.
+	{Verb: "config", Decision: "a config value is a person's choice of what the modules use, not a repair (issue 630)"},
 	{Verb: "retire approve", Decision: "nothing is retired past its bound without a person (ADR 0230)"},
 	{Verb: "retire reject", Decision: "keeping a consumer active is a person's word (ADR 0230)"},
 	{Verb: "cleanup delete", Decision: "nothing retired is deleted without a person (ADR 0230)"},
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/main.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/main.go
index 7269d761..4ddc6143 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/main.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/main.go
@@ -171,6 +171,8 @@ func run() error {
 		return adoptCommand(ctx, args[1:])
 	case "settings":
 		return settingsCommand(ctx, args[1:])
+	case "config":
+		return configCommand(ctx, args[1:])
 	case "secret":
 		return secretCommand(ctx, args[1:])
 	case "operator":
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/merge_gate.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/merge_gate.go
index ddcfd609..0e614fd2 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/merge_gate.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/merge_gate.go
@@ -296,6 +296,24 @@ func judgeChange(ctx context.Context, in mergeCheckInput) (mergeVerdict, error)
 		}
 		v.Failures = append(v.Failures, failures...)
 	}
+	// The list of predefined keys a head's catalogue tree carries, which the change composes with
+	// (novox/hq issue 630); the mesh's own list otherwise.
+	var changedList catalogue.Predefined
+	for _, h := range heads {
+		if h.Tree == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		raw, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(h.Tree, catalogue.PredefinedFile))
+		if err != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		list, err := catalogue.ParsePredefined(raw)
+		if err != nil {
+			v.Failures = append(v.Failures, err.Error())
+			continue
+		}
+		changedList = list
+	}
 	if len(in.group) > 0 {
 		say("a delivery group: %d head(s) composed together", len(heads))
 	}
@@ -319,7 +337,7 @@ func judgeChange(ctx context.Context, in mergeCheckInput) (mergeVerdict, error)
 
 	// Both compositions, each in a store of its own.
 	say("composing every machine as the mesh is")
-	before, _, notes, err := composeEveryMachine(ctx, in, base, sources, nil)
+	before, _, notes, err := composeEveryMachine(ctx, in, base, sources, nil, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return v, fmt.Errorf("the mesh as the snapshot says it is could not be raised: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -332,7 +350,7 @@ func judgeChange(ctx context.Context, in mergeCheckInput) (mergeVerdict, error)
 		}
 	}
 	sort.Strings(added)
-	after, tried, notes, err := composeEveryMachine(ctx, in, change, sources, added)
+	after, tried, notes, err := composeEveryMachine(ctx, in, change, sources, added, changedList)
 	if err != nil {
 		return v, fmt.Errorf("the mesh with the change could not be raised: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -748,13 +766,13 @@ func standInBuild(m catalogue.Manifest) (catalogue.Manifest, error) {
 // grant to compose — and answers each machine's composition. Notes are what of the snapshot could not
 // be raised: a refusal to register a module, keep a setting or a pin.
 func composeEveryMachine(ctx context.Context, in mergeCheckInput, shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest,
-	sources map[string]inventory.Source, trials []string) (map[string]mergeComposed, map[string]mergeTrial, []string, error) {
+	sources map[string]inventory.Source, trials []string, list catalogue.Predefined) (map[string]mergeComposed, map[string]mergeTrial, []string, error) {
 	open, drop, err := throwawayStores(ctx, in.admin)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, nil, err
 	}
 	defer drop()
-	notes, err := raiseFromFacts(ctx, open, in.facts, shelf, sources)
+	notes, err := raiseFromFacts(ctx, open, in.facts, shelf, sources, list)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, notes, err
 	}
@@ -950,9 +968,22 @@ func throwawayStores(ctx context.Context, admin string) (*stores, func(), error)
 // for each standing in for the one it holds, its assignments, the seats it holds, its pins and its
 // settings, and a stand-in for every secret a person gave.
 func raiseFromFacts(ctx context.Context, open *stores, f snapshot.Facts, shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest,
-	sources map[string]inventory.Source) ([]string, error) {
+	sources map[string]inventory.Source, list catalogue.Predefined) ([]string, error) {
 	inv := open.inventory
 	var notes []string
+	// The list of predefined keys before any module, which registration judges its preferences against
+	// (novox/hq issue 630): the change's own when its catalogue tree carries one, the mesh's otherwise.
+	if list == nil && len(f.Predefined) > 0 {
+		list = catalogue.Predefined{}
+		for key, k := range f.Predefined {
+			list[key] = catalogue.PredefinedKey{Type: k.Type, Why: k.Why}
+		}
+	}
+	if len(list) > 0 {
+		if err := inv.SetPredefined(ctx, list, "", ""); err != nil {
+			notes = append(notes, fmt.Sprintf("the list of predefined keys is not kept: %s", oneLine(err.Error())))
+		}
+	}
 	names := make([]string, 0, len(shelf))
 	for name := range shelf {
 		names = append(names, name)
@@ -1045,6 +1076,20 @@ func raiseFromFacts(ctx context.Context, open *stores, f snapshot.Facts, shelf m
 			}
 		}
 	}
+	// Mesh and node config, as the mesh holds them (novox/hq issue 630).
+	for _, key := range sortedAnyKeys(f.Config) {
+		if err := inv.SetConfig(ctx, key, "", f.Config[key], "the facts snapshot", "raised from the facts snapshot"); err != nil {
+			notes = append(notes, fmt.Sprintf("the mesh config of %s is not kept: %s", key, oneLine(err.Error())))
+		}
+	}
+	for _, m := range f.Machines {
+		for _, key := range sortedAnyKeys(m.Config) {
+			if err := inv.SetConfig(ctx, key, m.Name, m.Config[key], "the facts snapshot", "raised from the facts snapshot"); err != nil {
+				notes = append(notes, fmt.Sprintf("%s's node config of %s is not kept: %s", m.Described(), key,
+					oneLine(err.Error())))
+			}
+		}
+	}
 	for _, s := range f.Settings {
 		if err := inv.KeepSettings(ctx, "", s.Module, standInPaths(s.Values)); err != nil {
 			notes = append(notes, fmt.Sprintf("the mesh's settings of %s are not kept: %s", s.Module, oneLine(err.Error())))
@@ -1312,3 +1357,13 @@ func firstOr(items, otherwise []string) string {
 	}
 	return "it says nothing more"
 }
+
+// sortedAnyKeys is a map's keys, sorted.
+func sortedAnyKeys(in map[string]any) []string {
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(in))
+	for k := range in {
+		keys = append(keys, k)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	return keys
+}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/modules.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/modules.go
index 66804655..aeac0218 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/modules.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/modules.go
@@ -571,18 +571,14 @@ func settingsCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 			return err
 		}
 		m, ok := known[positionals[0]]
-		if !ok || len(m.Settings) == 0 {
+		if !ok || len(catalogue.PreferencesOf(m)) == 0 {
 			return nil
 		}
 		var layers []catalogue.Layer
 		if *node != "" {
-			if mesh, has, err := inv.Layer(ctx, "", positionals[0]); err != nil {
+			// Every source on the node: mesh config, node config, then the module's own (novox/hq issue 630).
+			if layers, err = inv.SettingsFor(ctx, *node, positionals[0]); err != nil {
 				return err
-			} else if has {
-				layers = append(layers, catalogue.Layer{From: catalogue.MeshWideLayer, Values: mesh})
-			}
-			if has {
-				layers = append(layers, catalogue.Layer{From: *node, Values: values})
 			}
 		} else if has {
 			layers = append(layers, catalogue.Layer{From: catalogue.MeshWideLayer, Values: values})
@@ -612,7 +608,7 @@ func settingsCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		var listed []preferencesOf
 		for _, e := range entries {
 			m := e.Manifest
-			if len(m.Settings) == 0 || (only != "" && m.Module != only) {
+			if len(catalogue.PreferencesOf(m)) == 0 || (only != "" && m.Module != only) {
 				continue
 			}
 			if *node != "" && !containsString(e.On, *node) {
@@ -682,7 +678,11 @@ func describeEffective(module, where string, values []catalogue.SettingSource) s
 	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "%s on %s, every value and where it comes from:\n", module, where)
 	for _, v := range values {
 		value, _ := json.Marshal(v.Value)
-		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "  %s = %s  (%s", v.Key, value, v.From)
+		from := v.From
+		if v.From == where && where != "the whole mesh" {
+			from = valueSource(module, where, v)
+		}
+		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "  %s = %s  (%s", v.Key, value, from)
 		if v.HasDefault && !v.FromDefault {
 			d, _ := json.Marshal(v.Default)
 			fmt.Fprintf(&b, "; the default is %s", d)
@@ -723,28 +723,27 @@ func describePreferences(modules []preferencesOf) string {
 			on = "on " + strings.Join(p.Nodes, ", ")
 		}
 		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "%s (%s)\n", p.Manifest.Module, on)
-		keys := make([]string, 0, len(p.Manifest.Settings))
-		for k := range p.Manifest.Settings {
+		declared := catalogue.PreferencesOf(p.Manifest)
+		keys := make([]string, 0, len(declared))
+		for k := range declared {
 			keys = append(keys, k)
 		}
 		sort.Strings(keys)
 		for _, k := range keys {
-			d := p.Manifest.Settings[k]
+			d := declared[k]
 			def, _ := json.Marshal(d.Default)
-			fmt.Fprintf(&b, "  %s, default %s: %s\n", k, def, d.Why)
+			falls := ""
+			if d.Predefined != "" {
+				falls = ", falls back to the predefined key " + d.Predefined
+			}
+			fmt.Fprintf(&b, "  %s, default %s%s: %s\n", k, def, falls, d.Why)
 			for _, n := range p.Nodes {
 				for _, s := range p.On[n] {
 					if s.Key != k {
 						continue
 					}
 					v, _ := json.Marshal(s.Value)
-					from := s.From
-					if s.FromDefault {
-						from = catalogue.DefaultLayer
-					} else if s.From != catalogue.MeshWideLayer {
-						from = "the node"
-					}
-					fmt.Fprintf(&b, "    %s: %s (%s)\n", n, v, from)
+					fmt.Fprintf(&b, "    %s: %s (%s)\n", n, v, valueSource(p.Manifest.Module, n, s))
 				}
 			}
 		}
@@ -752,6 +751,18 @@ func describePreferences(modules []preferencesOf) string {
 	return b.String()
 }
 
+// valueSource is where a value on a node comes from, as the four sources are said (novox/hq issue 630):
+// "default", "mesh config", "node config (<node>)", or "<module> on <node>" for the module's own value.
+func valueSource(module, node string, s catalogue.SettingSource) string {
+	switch {
+	case s.FromDefault:
+		return catalogue.DefaultLayer
+	case s.From == catalogue.MeshConfigLayer, s.From == catalogue.NodeConfigLayer(node), s.From == catalogue.MeshWideLayer:
+		return s.From
+	}
+	return module + " on " + node
+}
+
 // nodeFlag is ` --node <node>` for a machine's layer, nothing for the whole mesh's.
 func nodeFlag(node string) string {
 	if node == "" {
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/operator_wait.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/operator_wait.go
index 48e8bae4..d006e501 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/operator_wait.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/operator_wait.go
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func checkWait(module, machine string, w inventory.Wait, f operatorWaitFacts) er
 	case w.Provision != "":
 		return checkProvisionWait(module, machine, w, m, f)
 	case w.Setting != "":
-		if _, declared := m.Settings[w.Setting]; !declared {
+		if !catalogue.DeclaresPreference(m, w.Setting) {
 			return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for the setting %s, which %s does not declare", w.Setting, module)
 		}
 		return nil
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/probe_agent_root.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/probe_agent_root.go
index 95111959..d9b0245b 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/probe_agent_root.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/probe_agent_root.go
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ func (r *rootReader) executeServed(ctx context.Context, machine string) (bool, s
 		}
 		holders++
 		var setting *any
-		if _, declared := e.Manifest.Settings[loginShellVerb]; declared {
+		if catalogue.DeclaresPreference(e.Manifest, loginShellVerb) {
 			layers, err := r.settings(ctx, machine, e.Manifest.Module)
 			if err != nil {
 				served = true
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/proposals.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/proposals.go
index 6dd4d000..5a5a1416 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/proposals.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/proposals.go
@@ -542,6 +542,11 @@ const (
 
 // proposeCommand is `settings propose`, on this controller's stores and bus.
 func proposeCommand(ctx context.Context, module, node, valuesArg string, clear, replace bool) error {
+	if node == "" && !clear {
+		// There is no module layer for the whole mesh (novox/hq issue 630); clearing one left over still works.
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s: there is no module layer for the whole mesh — an assignment is one module on one "+
+			"node (novox/hq issue 630). Propose it for one node with --node. Nothing was proposed", module)
+	}
 	var values map[string]any
 	if !clear {
 		if valuesArg == "" {
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs.go
index ff43179d..3660438d 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs.go
@@ -881,6 +881,48 @@ func (a *verbArguments) commandLine() ([]string, error) {
 			argv = append(argv, "--adopted")
 		}
 		return argv, nil
+	case "config":
+		// Config values from four sources (novox/hq issue 630): mesh config and node config for a predefined
+		// key, and a module's own value on one node. A listing without key; a set or clear says why.
+		key := str("key")
+		if str("module") != "" && str("node") == "" && (key != "" || on("clear")) {
+			return nil, errors.New("config: there is no module layer for the whole mesh — an assignment is one module " +
+				"on one node (novox/hq issue 630); give node, or leave module out to set mesh config for a predefined key")
+		}
+		place := func(argv []string) []string {
+			if n := str("node"); n != "" {
+				argv = append(argv, "--node", n)
+			}
+			if m := str("module"); m != "" {
+				argv = append(argv, "--module", m)
+			}
+			return argv
+		}
+		switch {
+		case key == "":
+			if str("value") != "" || on("clear") || on("history") || str("why") != "" {
+				return nil, errors.New("config: a set, a clear or a history names its key")
+			}
+			return place([]string{"config", "list"}), nil
+		case on("history"):
+			if str("value") != "" || on("clear") || str("module") != "" || str("why") != "" {
+				return nil, errors.New("config: history reads a key's mesh or node config, and takes only node")
+			}
+			return place([]string{"config", "history", key}), nil
+		case on("clear") && str("value") != "":
+			return nil, errors.New("config: a value or clear, not both")
+		case on("clear"):
+			if err := need("why"); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			return append(place([]string{"config", "clear", key}), "--why", str("why")), nil
+		case str("value") != "":
+			if err := need("why"); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			return append(place([]string{"config", "set", key, str("value")}), "--why", str("why")), nil
+		}
+		return nil, errors.New("config: with key, give value, clear or history")
 	case "settings":
 		// Every module's preferences, their defaults and each machine's value (novox/hq ADR 0262):
 		// the one interface for them, so no module builds a settings tool of its own. Asked for by
@@ -1614,6 +1656,7 @@ var commandReadForms = map[string]func(rest []string) bool{
 	"node":       func(r []string) bool { return subIn(r, "list", "show") },
 	"module":     func(r []string) bool { return subIn(r, "list") },
 	"settings":   func(r []string) bool { return subIn(r, "show", "preferences", "proposals") },
+	"config":     func(r []string) bool { return flagsOnly(r) || subIn(r, "list", "history") },
 	"retire":     func(r []string) bool { return subIn(r, "list") },
 	"cleanup":    func(r []string) bool { return subIn(r, "list") },
 	"delivery":   func(r []string) bool { return subIn(r, "plan", "walks") },
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/settings_effective_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/settings_effective_test.go
index f248e2b4..bf024d3b 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/settings_effective_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/settings_effective_test.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ func TestSettingsSayWhereEachValueComesFrom(t *testing.T) {
 		{Key: "width", Value: float64(250), From: catalogue.DefaultLayer, FromDefault: true, Default: float64(250), HasDefault: true},
 	})
 	want := "dunst on laptop, every value and where it comes from:\n" +
-		"  font-size = 13  (laptop; the default is 10)\n" +
+		"  font-size = 13  (dunst on laptop; the default is 10)\n" +
 		"  width = 250  (default)\n"
 	if got != want {
 		t.Fatalf("said\n%s\nwant\n%s", got, want)
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ func TestPreferencesSayEachMachinesValueAndItsSource(t *testing.T) {
 	want := "dunst (on desk, laptop)\n" +
 		"  font-size, default 10: readable at 100 DPI\n" +
 		"    desk: 10 (default)\n" +
-		"    laptop: 16 (the node)\n" +
+		"    laptop: 16 (dunst on laptop)\n" +
 		"  width, default 250: forty characters\n" +
 		"    desk: 300 (the mesh)\n" +
 		"    laptop: 250 (default)\n"
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ func TestPreferencesListedFromTheStores(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	all := stdoutOf(t, func() error { return settingsCommand(ctx, []string{"preferences"}) })
-	if !strings.Contains(all, "notes (on laptop)") || !strings.Contains(all, "laptop: 16 (the node)") ||
+	if !strings.Contains(all, "notes (on laptop)") || !strings.Contains(all, "laptop: 16 (notes on laptop)") ||
 		!strings.Contains(all, "font-size, default 10: readable at 100 DPI") {
 		t.Fatalf("the listing:\n%s", all)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/terminal_settings_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/terminal_settings_test.go
index 783ca251..c354ac6e 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/terminal_settings_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/terminal_settings_test.go
@@ -263,8 +263,18 @@ func TestTheAgentsManagedSettingsAreRefusedThroughAVerb(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := atTheTerminal(t, "settings", "set", "claude-code", allow, "--node", "laptop"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("the managed settings at the terminal: %v", err)
 	}
-	if err := atTheTerminal(t, "settings", "set", "claude-code", server); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("a tool server for the mesh at the terminal: %v", err)
+	// There is no module layer for the whole mesh (novox/hq issue 630), at the terminal either; one the mesh
+	// still holds from before is kept as it is, and is the terminal's as before.
+	if err := atTheTerminal(t, "settings", "set", "claude-code", server); err == nil ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "no module layer for the whole mesh") {
+		t.Fatalf("a tool server for the whole mesh at the terminal: %v", err)
+	}
+	var held map[string]any
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(server), &held); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := open.inventory.KeepSettings(ctx, "", "claude-code", held); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a whole-mesh layer held from before: %v", err)
 	}
 	kept := layer("laptop")
 	// Through a verb they are neither changed, dropped nor cleared.
@@ -359,15 +369,15 @@ func TestOnlyATrustedFilesNamedKeyIsRefusedThroughAVerb(t *testing.T) {
 	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "anchor", "mailer"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if err := throughVerb(t, "settings", map[string]any{"module": "mailer", "values": `{"tags":{"todo":{"name":"To do"}}}`}); err != nil {
+	if err := throughVerb(t, "settings", map[string]any{"module": "mailer", "node": "anchor", "values": `{"tags":{"todo":{"name":"To do"}}}`}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("a key of a file nothing trusts is the verb's: %v", err)
 	}
-	err := throughVerb(t, "settings", map[string]any{"module": "mailer", "replace": "true",
+	err := throughVerb(t, "settings", map[string]any{"module": "mailer", "node": "anchor", "replace": "true",
 		"values": `{"tags":{"todo":{"name":"To do"}},"accounts":{"mail":{"address":"me@mail.example"}}}`})
 	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "controller's terminal") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "accounts") {
 		t.Fatalf("a key of a trusted file is the terminal's: %v", err)
 	}
-	values, _, err := open.inventory.Layer(ctx, "", "mailer")
+	values, _, err := open.inventory.Layer(ctx, "anchor", "mailer")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/builder/builder.go b/internal/builder/builder.go
index 586b375f..61df585a 100644
--- a/internal/builder/builder.go
+++ b/internal/builder/builder.go
@@ -98,6 +98,11 @@ type Result struct {
 	// recipe and the package it compiles; for any other, nothing is said and the whole of what the build
 	// sees stays its source, as before.
 	Sources []BuildSource
+
+	// Predefined is the repository's list of predefined keys (catalogue.PredefinedFile at its root) as
+	// read at the commit built, when it has one (novox/hq issue 630): what the controller keeps as the
+	// list mesh and node config hold values for. Empty for a repository without one.
+	Predefined json.RawMessage
 }
 
 // BuildSource is the build source a build read in one repository (novox/hq ADR 0267).
@@ -233,6 +238,25 @@ func build(ctx context.Context, run Runner, publish Publisher,
 		say("manifest", "INVALID: %v", err)
 		return Result{}, err
 	}
+	// The repository's list of predefined keys, at its root (novox/hq issue 630): read and judged here,
+	// where a changed list is first read, and handed on for the controller to keep. A preference that
+	// falls back to a key the list does not hold, or with another type, is refused here as at registration.
+	var predefined json.RawMessage
+	if raw, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(tree, catalogue.PredefinedFile)); err == nil {
+		list, err := catalogue.ParsePredefined(raw)
+		if err != nil {
+			say("manifest", "INVALID: %v", err)
+			return Result{}, err
+		}
+		if problems := catalogue.PredefinedProblems(manifest, list); len(problems) > 0 {
+			err := fmt.Errorf("%s", strings.Join(problems, "; "))
+			say("manifest", "INVALID: %v", err)
+			return Result{}, err
+		}
+		predefined, _ = json.Marshal(list)
+	} else if !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+		return Result{}, fmt.Errorf("%s's %s cannot be read: %w", repository, catalogue.PredefinedFile, err)
+	}
 	say("manifest", "%s v%s — %d artifact(s)", manifest.Module, manifest.Version, artifactCount(manifest))
 
 	// What it is made from, for its source fingerprint: the module's own tree first.
@@ -365,7 +389,7 @@ func build(ctx context.Context, run Runner, publish Publisher,
 	}
 	return Result{Manifest: resolved, Commit: commit, Built: built,
 		Against: against(within, manifest, stoodOn), Read: readBy(manifest), Source: fingerprint,
-		Trunk: trunk, OnTrunk: onTrunk, Branches: branches, Sources: sources}, nil
+		Trunk: trunk, OnTrunk: onTrunk, Branches: branches, Sources: sources, Predefined: predefined}, nil
 }
 
 // branchesHolding is every branch of a fresh clone's origin the commit is on, without `origin/`.
diff --git a/internal/catalogue/manifest.go b/internal/catalogue/manifest.go
index 866daf78..6e110155 100644
--- a/internal/catalogue/manifest.go
+++ b/internal/catalogue/manifest.go
@@ -530,6 +530,12 @@ type Manifest struct {
 	// stays refused by name until a layer sets it. The mesh's layer, then the node's, override it.
 	Settings map[string]SettingDeclaration `json:"settings,omitempty"`
 
+	// Preferences are the values this module reads that a machine may tune (novox/hq issue 630): each
+	// key's type, default and why, and the predefined key it falls back to, if any. The value resolves
+	// from the default, then mesh config and node config for the predefined key, then this module's own
+	// value on the node. `settings` entries of kind preference are read as preferences while they move.
+	Preferences map[string]Preference `json:"preferences,omitempty"`
+
 	// unknown is the first key this manifest has that this controller does not know, at any depth, when
 	// it was read from the store (novox/hq ADR 0262): a manifest a newer controller registered.
 	// ParseManifest refuses it; the store's catalogue still loads, and the module is left out of every
diff --git a/internal/catalogue/preferences.go b/internal/catalogue/preferences.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8acd6ad2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/catalogue/preferences.go
@@ -0,0 +1,270 @@
+package catalogue
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"regexp"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// A config value resolves from four sources, the last set winning (novox/hq issue 630):
+//
+//  1. the default in the module's manifest;
+//  2. mesh config: a mesh-wide value for a predefined key, such as `font-size`;
+//  3. node config: a value for a predefined key for one node;
+//  4. module-assignment config: that module's own value on that node, the most specific.
+//
+// An assignment is one module on one node: there is no module layer for the whole mesh. Mesh and node
+// config hold values only for the keys on a fixed, reviewable list — the catalogue's `predefined.json` —
+// that any module may fall back to, by naming one as its preference's `predefined`. A preference without
+// `predefined` reads only its default and its module-assignment config. A preference is never trusted.
+
+// Preference is one value a module reads that a machine may tune, as the manifest declares it under
+// `preferences`.
+type Preference struct {
+	// Type is "number", "string" or "boolean".
+	Type string `json:"type"`
+	// Default is the value when no source sets it, of Type.
+	Default any `json:"default"`
+	// Predefined names the key on the catalogue's list this preference falls back to: mesh config,
+	// then node config, for that key. Empty reads only the default and the module-assignment config.
+	Predefined string `json:"predefined,omitempty"`
+	// Why this default: one sentence for whoever wonders whether to change it.
+	Why string `json:"why"`
+}
+
+// The types a preference and a predefined key may have.
+const (
+	TypeNumber  = "number"
+	TypeString  = "string"
+	TypeBoolean = "boolean"
+)
+
+// PredefinedFile is the catalogue repository's root file holding the predefined keys.
+const PredefinedFile = "predefined.json"
+
+// PredefinedKey is one key mesh and node config may hold a value for.
+type PredefinedKey struct {
+	Type string `json:"type"`
+	Why  string `json:"why"`
+}
+
+// Predefined is the list of predefined keys, by key.
+type Predefined map[string]PredefinedKey
+
+// Keys is the list's keys, sorted.
+func (p Predefined) Keys() []string {
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(p))
+	for k := range p {
+		keys = append(keys, k)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	return keys
+}
+
+// predefinedName is what a predefined key looks like: the shape of a setting key.
+var predefinedName = regexp.MustCompile(`^[a-z0-9][a-z0-9._-]*$`)
+
+// ParsePredefined reads `predefined.json` strictly, and refuses a key whose name, type or why is wrong.
+func ParsePredefined(raw []byte) (Predefined, error) {
+	decoder := json.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(raw))
+	decoder.DisallowUnknownFields()
+	var list Predefined
+	if err := decoder.Decode(&list); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s is not a list of predefined keys ({\"<key>\": {\"type\": …, \"why\": …}}): %w",
+			PredefinedFile, err)
+	}
+	var problems []string
+	for _, key := range list.Keys() {
+		k := list[key]
+		if !predefinedName.MatchString(key) {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%q is not a usable key: lower-case letters, digits, dots, dashes and underscores", key))
+		}
+		if meshWords[key] {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%q is a key the mesh reads itself", key))
+		}
+		if !knownType(k.Type) {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%q has the type %q; a type is %q, %q or %q", key, k.Type,
+				TypeNumber, TypeString, TypeBoolean))
+		}
+		if strings.TrimSpace(k.Why) == "" {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%q has no why: say in one sentence what the key is for", key))
+		}
+	}
+	if len(problems) > 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: %s", PredefinedFile, strings.Join(problems, "; "))
+	}
+	if list == nil {
+		list = Predefined{}
+	}
+	return list, nil
+}
+
+func knownType(t string) bool {
+	return t == TypeNumber || t == TypeString || t == TypeBoolean
+}
+
+// TypeOf is the type a JSON value has, as a preference names it, or "" for one that is none of them.
+func TypeOf(v any) string {
+	switch v.(type) {
+	case float64, int, int64, json.Number:
+		return TypeNumber
+	case string:
+		return TypeString
+	case bool:
+		return TypeBoolean
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+// PreferencesOf is every preference a module declares: those under `preferences`, and — while the
+// catalogue moves to them — every `settings` entry of kind preference, its type read from its default.
+func PreferencesOf(m Manifest) map[string]Preference {
+	if len(m.Preferences) == 0 && len(m.Settings) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]Preference, len(m.Preferences)+len(m.Settings))
+	for key, d := range m.Settings {
+		out[key] = Preference{Type: TypeOf(d.Default), Default: d.Default, Why: d.Why}
+	}
+	for key, p := range m.Preferences {
+		out[key] = p
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// DeclaresPreference is whether a module declares a preference by this key.
+func DeclaresPreference(m Manifest, key string) bool {
+	_, has := m.Preferences[key]
+	if !has {
+		_, has = m.Settings[key]
+	}
+	return has
+}
+
+// PredefinedProblems is every way a module's preferences disagree with the list of predefined keys: a
+// `predefined` not on it, or a type other than the list's.
+func PredefinedProblems(m Manifest, list Predefined) []string {
+	var problems []string
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(m.Preferences))
+	for k := range m.Preferences {
+		keys = append(keys, k)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		p := m.Preferences[key]
+		if p.Predefined == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		k, on := list[p.Predefined]
+		if !on {
+			listed := "the list holds none"
+			if len(list) > 0 {
+				listed = "the list holds " + strings.Join(list.Keys(), ", ")
+			}
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s's preference %q falls back to the predefined key %q, which "+
+				"is not on the catalogue's list of predefined keys (%s; %s)", m.Module, key, p.Predefined, PredefinedFile,
+				listed))
+			continue
+		}
+		if k.Type != p.Type {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s's preference %q is a %s, and the predefined key %q it falls "+
+				"back to is a %s", m.Module, key, p.Type, p.Predefined, k.Type))
+		}
+	}
+	return problems
+}
+
+// Where a value from mesh or node config is said to come from.
+const MeshConfigLayer = "mesh config"
+
+// NodeConfigLayer is what the node config of one node is called where a value's source is said.
+func NodeConfigLayer(node string) string { return "node config (" + node + ")" }
+
+// ConfigLayers are the layers mesh config and node config make for one module: each of its preferences
+// that names a predefined key, given that key's value. Laid between the module's defaults and its
+// module-assignment config; like the defaults they fill `${setting:<key>}` only.
+func ConfigLayers(m Manifest, mesh, node map[string]any, nodeName string) []Layer {
+	var out []Layer
+	for _, source := range []struct {
+		from   string
+		values map[string]any
+	}{{MeshConfigLayer, mesh}, {NodeConfigLayer(nodeName), node}} {
+		values := map[string]any{}
+		for key, p := range m.Preferences {
+			if p.Predefined == "" {
+				continue
+			}
+			if v, set := source.values[p.Predefined]; set {
+				values[key] = v
+			}
+		}
+		if len(values) > 0 {
+			out = append(out, Layer{From: source.from, Values: values, Config: true})
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// ConfigValueProblem refuses a value of the wrong type for a predefined key or a preference.
+func ConfigValueProblem(what string, want string, v any) error {
+	if got := TypeOf(v); got != want {
+		shown, _ := json.Marshal(v)
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s is a %s, and %s is %s", what, want, shown, aOrNothing(got))
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func aOrNothing(t string) string {
+	if t == "" {
+		return "none of a number, a string or a boolean"
+	}
+	return "a " + t
+}
+
+// preferenceProblems is every way a module's `preferences` are wrong in themselves.
+func preferenceProblems(m Manifest) []string {
+	var problems []string
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(m.Preferences))
+	for k := range m.Preferences {
+		keys = append(keys, k)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		p := m.Preferences[key]
+		say := func(format string, args ...any) {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s's preference %q: ", m.Module, key)+fmt.Sprintf(format, args...))
+		}
+		if _, twice := m.Settings[key]; twice {
+			say("declared under settings too; declare it once, under preferences")
+		}
+		if !knownType(p.Type) {
+			say("the type is %q; a type is %q, %q or %q", p.Type, TypeNumber, TypeString, TypeBoolean)
+		} else if p.Default == nil {
+			say("no default: a preference has one")
+		} else if got := TypeOf(p.Default); got != p.Type {
+			shown, _ := json.Marshal(p.Default)
+			say("it is a %s, and its default %s is %s", p.Type, shown, aOrNothing(got))
+		}
+		if p.Predefined != "" && !predefinedName.MatchString(p.Predefined) {
+			say("%q is not a predefined key's name", p.Predefined)
+		}
+	}
+	return problems
+}
+
+// PredefinedNamed is every predefined key a module's preferences fall back to, sorted.
+func PredefinedNamed(m Manifest) []string {
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	var out []string
+	for _, p := range m.Preferences {
+		if p.Predefined != "" && !seen[p.Predefined] {
+			seen[p.Predefined] = true
+			out = append(out, p.Predefined)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return out
+}
diff --git a/internal/catalogue/preferences_test.go b/internal/catalogue/preferences_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..160b991a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/catalogue/preferences_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+package catalogue
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// The list of predefined keys is read strictly: a type and a why for each key (novox/hq issue 630).
+func TestThePredefinedListIsReadStrictly(t *testing.T) {
+	list, err := ParsePredefined([]byte(`{"font-size": {"type": "number", "why": "the size text is drawn at"},
+		"theme": {"type": "string", "why": "light or dark"}}`))
+	if err != nil || len(list) != 2 || list["font-size"].Type != TypeNumber {
+		t.Fatalf("a good list: %v %v", list, err)
+	}
+	for raw, want := range map[string]string{
+		`{"font-size": {"type": "integer", "why": "x"}}`:        `the type "integer"`,
+		`{"font-size": {"type": "number"}}`:                     "no why",
+		`{"Font Size": {"type": "number", "why": "x"}}`:         "not a usable key",
+		`{"font-size": {"type": "number", "why": "x", "a": 1}}`: "unknown field",
+		`{"ports": {"type": "number", "why": "x"}}`:             "the mesh reads itself",
+	} {
+		if _, err := ParsePredefined([]byte(raw)); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: %v, want %q", raw, err, want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// A manifest declares preferences with a type, a default of that type, a why and maybe a predefined key;
+// a `settings` entry of kind preference is read as one, its type from its default.
+func TestAManifestDeclaresPreferences(t *testing.T) {
+	file := `"resources": [{"id": "rc", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/rc", "mode": "0644", "trusted": false,
+		"content": "size = ${setting:font-size} width = ${setting:width}"}]`
+	m, err := ParseManifest([]byte(`{"module": "dunst", "version": "1",
+		"preferences": {"font-size": {"type": "number", "default": 10, "predefined": "font-size", "why": "100 DPI"}},
+		"settings": {"width": {"kind": "preference", "default": 250, "why": "forty characters"}}, ` + file + `}`))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	prefs := PreferencesOf(m)
+	if prefs["font-size"].Predefined != "font-size" || prefs["width"].Type != TypeNumber || prefs["width"].Default != float64(250) {
+		t.Fatalf("the preferences: %+v", prefs)
+	}
+	if got := PredefinedNamed(m); len(got) != 1 || got[0] != "font-size" {
+		t.Fatalf("the predefined keys named: %v", got)
+	}
+	for body, want := range map[string]string{
+		`"preferences": {"font-size": {"type": "number", "default": "10", "why": "x"}, "width": {"type": "number", "default": 1, "why": "x"}}`: `its default "10" is a string`,
+		`"preferences": {"font-size": {"type": "float", "default": 10, "why": "x"}, "width": {"type": "number", "default": 1, "why": "x"}}`:    `the type is "float"`,
+		`"preferences": {"font-size": {"type": "number", "why": "x"}, "width": {"type": "number", "default": 1, "why": "x"}}`:                  "no default",
+		`"preferences": {"font-size": {"type": "number", "default": 10}, "width": {"type": "number", "default": 1, "why": "x"}}`:               "no why",
+	} {
+		if _, err := ParseManifest([]byte(`{"module": "dunst", "version": "1", ` + body + `, ` + file + `}`)); err == nil ||
+			!strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: %v, want %q", body, err, want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// A preference falls back only to a key on the list, with the list's type.
+func TestAPreferencesPredefinedKeyIsOnTheListWithItsType(t *testing.T) {
+	m := Manifest{Module: "dunst", Preferences: map[string]Preference{
+		"font-size": {Type: TypeNumber, Default: float64(10), Predefined: "font-size", Why: "x"}}}
+	if p := PredefinedProblems(m, Predefined{"font-size": {Type: TypeNumber, Why: "x"}}); len(p) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("on the list: %v", p)
+	}
+	if p := PredefinedProblems(m, Predefined{"theme": {Type: TypeString, Why: "x"}}); len(p) != 1 ||
+		!strings.Contains(p[0], "not on the catalogue's list") || !strings.Contains(p[0], "theme") {
+		t.Fatalf("not on the list: %v", p)
+	}
+	if p := PredefinedProblems(m, Predefined{"font-size": {Type: TypeString, Why: "x"}}); len(p) != 1 ||
+		!strings.Contains(p[0], "is a string") {
+		t.Fatalf("another type: %v", p)
+	}
+}
+
+// Mesh and node config fill `${setting:<key>}` between the default and the module's own layer, and — like
+// the default — never reach a mergeable file.
+func TestConfigLayersFillAPlaceholderAndNoMergeableFile(t *testing.T) {
+	m := Manifest{Module: "dunst", Preferences: map[string]Preference{
+		"font-size": {Type: TypeNumber, Default: float64(10), Predefined: "font-size", Why: "x"},
+		"width":     {Type: TypeNumber, Default: float64(250), Why: "x"}}}
+	fill := func(layers []Layer) string {
+		t.Helper()
+		r := map[string]any{"id": "rc", "type": "file", "content": "font ${setting:font-size} width ${setting:width}"}
+		if err := settingInto(r, WithDefaults(m, layers), m.Module); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		return r["content"].(string)
+	}
+	mesh := map[string]any{"font-size": float64(11), "width": float64(999)}
+	node := map[string]any{"font-size": float64(13)}
+	if got := fill(nil); got != "font 10 width 250" {
+		t.Fatalf("the defaults: %s", got)
+	}
+	if got := fill(ConfigLayers(m, mesh, nil, "g14")); got != "font 11 width 250" {
+		t.Fatalf("mesh config, which a preference without predefined does not read: %s", got)
+	}
+	both := ConfigLayers(m, mesh, node, "g14")
+	if got := fill(both); got != "font 13 width 250" {
+		t.Fatalf("node config over mesh config: %s", got)
+	}
+	own := append(both, Layer{From: "g14", Values: map[string]any{"font-size": float64(15)}})
+	if got := fill(own); got != "font 15 width 250" {
+		t.Fatalf("the module's own value over both: %s", got)
+	}
+	sources := map[string]string{}
+	for _, s := range Effective(m, both) {
+		sources[s.Key] = s.From
+	}
+	if sources["font-size"] != NodeConfigLayer("g14") || sources["width"] != DefaultLayer {
+		t.Fatalf("where each comes from: %v", sources)
+	}
+	merged, err := ApplySettings(map[string]any{"id": "conf", "type": "file", "merge": MergeJSON, "content": "{}"}, both)
+	if err != nil || merged["content"] != "{}\n" {
+		t.Fatalf("config reached a mergeable file: %v %v", merged["content"], err)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/catalogue/setting_defaults.go b/internal/catalogue/setting_defaults.go
index 1bc72f67..d8ebb75b 100644
--- a/internal/catalogue/setting_defaults.go
+++ b/internal/catalogue/setting_defaults.go
@@ -114,15 +114,23 @@ func operatorsWord(key string) string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-// SettingProblems is every way a definition's setting defaults are wrong, in its own words.
+// SettingProblems is every way a definition's setting defaults and preferences are wrong, in its own
+// words. The list of predefined keys is not needed here; PredefinedProblems judges against it.
 func SettingProblems(m Manifest) []string {
-	if len(m.Settings) == 0 {
+	declared := PreferencesOf(m)
+	if len(declared) == 0 {
 		return nil
 	}
 	used := settingKeysUsedBy(m)
-	var problems []string
-	for _, key := range sortedSettingKeys(m.Settings) {
-		d := m.Settings[key]
+	problems := preferenceProblems(m)
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(declared))
+	for k := range declared {
+		keys = append(keys, k)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		d := declared[key]
+		_, old := m.Settings[key]
 		say := func(format string, args ...any) {
 			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s's setting %q: ", m.Module, key)+fmt.Sprintf(format, args...))
 		}
@@ -134,23 +142,27 @@ func SettingProblems(m Manifest) []string {
 			say("the mesh reads %q itself, and a module gives it no default", key)
 			continue
 		}
-		if d.Kind != KindPreference {
-			say("kind is %q, and only a %q has a default (novox/hq ADR 0262)", d.Kind, KindPreference)
+		if old && m.Settings[key].Kind != KindPreference {
+			say("kind is %q, and only a %q has a default (novox/hq ADR 0262)", m.Settings[key].Kind, KindPreference)
 		}
 		if word := operatorsWord(key); word != "" {
 			say("a key naming %q is the operator's value, and has no default — it is the "+
 				"assignment's, never the definition's (novox/hq ADR 0112, ADR 0262)", word)
 		}
-		switch v := d.Default.(type) {
-		case string:
-			if strings.TrimSpace(v) == "" {
-				say("an empty default is no default; give the value, or declare nothing")
+		if old {
+			switch v := d.Default.(type) {
+			case string:
+				if strings.TrimSpace(v) == "" {
+					say("an empty default is no default; give the value, or declare nothing")
+				}
+			case float64, bool:
+			case nil:
+				say("no default: a key without one is the operator's, and is not declared here")
+			default:
+				say("a default is a string, a number or a boolean, and this is %T", d.Default)
 			}
-		case float64, bool:
-		case nil:
-			say("no default: a key without one is the operator's, and is not declared here")
-		default:
-			say("a default is a string, a number or a boolean, and this is %T", d.Default)
+		} else if v, isString := d.Default.(string); isString && strings.TrimSpace(v) == "" {
+			say("an empty default is no default; give the value, or declare nothing")
 		}
 		if strings.TrimSpace(d.Why) == "" {
 			say("no why: say in one sentence why this default")
@@ -164,11 +176,12 @@ func SettingProblems(m Manifest) []string {
 
 // Defaults is the layer a module's own defaults make, or nothing when it gives none.
 func Defaults(m Manifest) (Layer, bool) {
-	if len(m.Settings) == 0 {
+	declared := PreferencesOf(m)
+	if len(declared) == 0 {
 		return Layer{}, false
 	}
 	values := map[string]any{}
-	for key, d := range m.Settings {
+	for key, d := range declared {
 		if d.Default != nil {
 			values[key] = d.Default
 		}
@@ -189,7 +202,7 @@ func WithDefaults(m Manifest, layers []Layer) []Layer {
 type SettingSource struct {
 	Key   string
 	Value any
-	// From is DefaultLayer, MeshWideLayer or the node's name.
+	// From is DefaultLayer, MeshConfigLayer, NodeConfigLayer(node), MeshWideLayer or the node's name.
 	From string
 	// FromDefault is whether the value is the module's default, whatever From reads.
 	FromDefault bool
@@ -199,10 +212,11 @@ type SettingSource struct {
 }
 
 // Effective is every key a module gives a default or a layer sets, with its value and where it came
-// from: the default, then the mesh's layer, then the node's — later wins.
+// from: the default, then mesh config, then node config, then the module's own layer on the node —
+// later wins (novox/hq issue 630).
 func Effective(m Manifest, layers []Layer) []SettingSource {
 	byKey := map[string]*SettingSource{}
-	for key, d := range m.Settings {
+	for key, d := range PreferencesOf(m) {
 		byKey[key] = &SettingSource{Key: key, Value: d.Default, From: DefaultLayer, FromDefault: true,
 			Default: d.Default, HasDefault: true}
 	}
diff --git a/internal/catalogue/setting_into.go b/internal/catalogue/setting_into.go
index ee04ee18..8f2b6002 100644
--- a/internal/catalogue/setting_into.go
+++ b/internal/catalogue/setting_into.go
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ func wholeID(v string) (uint64, bool) {
 func OwnerSettingProblems(m Manifest) []string {
 	var problems []string
 	asked := settingKeysAskedOutsideOwners(m)
-	for k := range m.Settings {
+	for k := range PreferencesOf(m) {
 		asked[k] = true
 	}
 	for _, r := range m.Resources {
diff --git a/internal/catalogue/setting_takes.go b/internal/catalogue/setting_takes.go
index 0cb7fca4..f239eac0 100644
--- a/internal/catalogue/setting_takes.go
+++ b/internal/catalogue/setting_takes.go
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func onlyTaken(layers []Layer, taken map[string]bool) []Layer {
 				values[key] = value
 			}
 		}
-		kept = append(kept, Layer{From: layer.From, Values: values, Default: layer.Default})
+		kept = append(kept, Layer{From: layer.From, Values: values, Default: layer.Default, Config: layer.Config})
 	}
 	return kept
 }
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ func TakenSettingsProblems(m Manifest) []string {
 // Said only when none of the module's mergeable files names its keys: when one does, §2 already
 // names every file that does not, and a file is not reported twice.
 func WrittenSettingsProblems(m Manifest) []string {
-	if len(m.Settings) == 0 {
+	if len(PreferencesOf(m)) == 0 {
 		return nil
 	}
 	var silent []string
diff --git a/internal/catalogue/settings.go b/internal/catalogue/settings.go
index 71357453..aa89f294 100644
--- a/internal/catalogue/settings.go
+++ b/internal/catalogue/settings.go
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ type Layer struct {
 	// Default marks the layer a module's own defaults make (novox/hq ADR 0262). Marked rather than
 	// recognised by From, which is a node's name for a node's layer, and a node may be called anything.
 	Default bool
+	// Config marks a layer of mesh config or node config (novox/hq issue 630): values for predefined keys,
+	// given to the preferences that fall back to them. Like the defaults, it fills `${setting:<key>}` only.
+	Config bool
 }
 
 // ApplySettings produces a resource's final content from the module's own and the layers over it.
@@ -136,7 +139,7 @@ func overridden(base map[string]any, layers []Layer, what string) (map[string]an
 				values[key] = value
 			}
 		}
-		kept = append(kept, Layer{From: layer.From, Values: values, Default: layer.Default})
+		kept = append(kept, Layer{From: layer.From, Values: values, Default: layer.Default, Config: layer.Config})
 	}
 	merged, err := settle(base, kept, nil, what)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -173,7 +176,7 @@ func settle(base map[string]any, layers []Layer, protected map[string]bool, what
 	map[string]any, error) {
 	merged := deepCopy(base)
 	for _, layer := range layers {
-		if layer.Default {
+		if layer.Default || layer.Config {
 			// A module's own defaults fill ${setting:<key>} only (novox/hq ADR 0262). A mergeable
 			// file's content already is its defaults, and a contribution or served fact declares its
 			// own; laid on here, a default would reach every mergeable file of its module (issue 168).
@@ -363,7 +366,7 @@ func UnusedSettings(m Manifest, layers []Layer) []string {
 	}
 	// A key the module gives a default reaches what asks for it (novox/hq ADR 0262): setting it
 	// overrides the default, which is how a running module gains a setting without a gap between.
-	for key := range m.Settings {
+	for key := range PreferencesOf(m) {
 		lands[key] = true
 	}
 	for _, values := range m.Contributes {
diff --git a/internal/catalogue/verbs.go b/internal/catalogue/verbs.go
index 8b13beae..62a9bc42 100644
--- a/internal/catalogue/verbs.go
+++ b/internal/catalogue/verbs.go
@@ -299,10 +299,33 @@ var ControllerVerbs = []Verb{
 			"adopted":     "\"true\" when the machine is in use and joins adopted",
 		}, nil, "adopted"),
 		Replaces: []string{"mesh-controller token issue", "wg set"}},
-	{Name: "settings", Description: "Read or set what an assignment is configured with: a module's settings for the whole " +
-		"mesh, or for one machine. Without values or clear, answers the layer as it stands — read it before setting it — " +
+	{Name: "config", Description: "Read or set config values (novox/hq issue 630). A module's preference resolves from " +
+		"four sources, the last set winning: its default; mesh config, a mesh-wide value for a predefined key; node " +
+		"config, a value for a predefined key on one node; and the module's own value on that node. Mesh and node " +
+		"config hold values only for the predefined keys, the catalogue's predefined.json, which a preference names " +
+		"as its predefined; there is no module layer for the whole mesh. Without key: the predefined keys with their " +
+		"mesh and node config, then each module's preferences with the value on each node and its source (default, " +
+		"mesh config, node config (<node>), <module> on <node>); node and module narrow it. With key and value (JSON; " +
+		"a bare word is a string): sets mesh config, or node config with node, or with module and node the module's own " +
+		"value on that node — refused for a key not on the list, a value of the wrong type, and a module without " +
+		"node. With clear instead of value: removes it, and the next source down applies. A set or clear says why, " +
+		"is recorded in the hand-act log with the caller, keeps the value it replaced in the history, and takes effect " +
+		"at the next push of the machines it reaches, which the answer names. With history: a key's past mesh or node " +
+		"config values.",
+		Input: schema(map[string]string{
+			"key":     "a predefined key (mesh or node config), or with module one of that module's preferences",
+			"value":   "the value as JSON (12, \"dark\", true); a bare word is a string",
+			"node":    "one node: its node config, or with module that module's value there",
+			"module":  "a module: its own value on node; needs node",
+			"clear":   "\"true\" to remove the value instead of setting it",
+			"history": "\"true\": the key's past mesh config values, or with node its node config's",
+			"why":     "why it is set or cleared, kept with the value and in the hand-act log; required to set or clear",
+		}, nil, "clear", "history")},
+	{Name: "settings", Description: "Read or set what an assignment is configured with: a module's settings on one " +
+		"machine; there is no module layer for the whole mesh (novox/hq issue 630) — a set or proposal without node is " +
+		"refused, and a mesh-wide value of a predefined key is the config verb's. Without values or clear, answers the layer as it stands — read it before setting it — " +
 		"then every value the module gives a default or a layer sets, with where it comes from: the module's default, " +
-		"the mesh, or the machine (novox/hq ADR 0262); with list \"preferences\", or with no module, every " +
+		"mesh config, node config, or the module on the machine (novox/hq ADR 0262, issue 630); with list \"preferences\", or with no module, every " +
 		"module's preferences and each machine's value; " +
 		"with history, the layers it replaced. Setting replaces that layer whole and answers each key it adds (+), " +
 		"changes (~) and removes (-); a set that would remove a key is refused unless replace says it is meant " +
@@ -317,7 +340,7 @@ var ControllerVerbs = []Verb{
 		Input: schema(map[string]string{
 			"module":  "the module's name; with list, only that module's",
 			"values":  "the settings as a JSON object, for set or propose",
-			"node":    "one machine; the whole mesh when absent",
+			"node":    "one machine; needed to set or propose values (no module layer for the whole mesh); without it, clear removes a whole-mesh layer left over",
 			"clear":   "\"true\" to remove the layer instead of setting it, or to propose its removal; not with values",
 			"replace": "\"true\": with values, the set (or the proposal) is meant to remove the keys the layer had and it does not name",
 			"history": "\"true\": without values or clear, the layers this one replaced, the latest first",
diff --git a/internal/facts/facts.go b/internal/facts/facts.go
index be55f445..5f61e744 100644
--- a/internal/facts/facts.go
+++ b/internal/facts/facts.go
@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ type Facts struct {
 	Modules []Module `json:"modules"`
 	// Settings are the mesh-wide layer of every module's settings, scrubbed.
 	Settings []Settings `json:"settings,omitempty"`
+	// Predefined is the list of predefined keys the mesh holds, and Config the mesh config's value for
+	// each it sets, scrubbed (novox/hq issue 630). A machine's node config is on the machine.
+	Predefined map[string]PredefinedKey `json:"predefined,omitempty"`
+	Config     map[string]any           `json:"config,omitempty"`
 	// Edges are the build dependencies between modules, as the mesh recorded them — what a merge's
 	// rebuild width is computed from.
 	Edges []Edge `json:"edges,omitempty"`
@@ -143,6 +147,9 @@ type Machine struct {
 	Pins []Pin `json:"pins,omitempty"`
 	// Settings are its own layer of each module's settings, scrubbed.
 	Settings []Settings `json:"settings,omitempty"`
+	// Config is the node config of the machine: its value for each predefined key it sets, scrubbed
+	// (novox/hq issue 630).
+	Config map[string]any `json:"config,omitempty"`
 	// Accepted are the secrets a person gave the mesh for modules here, by name only: the mesh cannot
 	// make them, so a check composing this machine gives each a stand-in instead of refusing it.
 	Accepted []Accepted `json:"accepted,omitempty"`
@@ -173,6 +180,12 @@ type Accepted struct {
 	Local    string `json:"local,omitempty"`
 }
 
+// PredefinedKey is one key of the list of predefined keys.
+type PredefinedKey struct {
+	Type string `json:"type"`
+	Why  string `json:"why"`
+}
+
 // Settings is one layer of one module's settings.
 type Settings struct {
 	Module string         `json:"module"`
diff --git a/internal/inventory/catalogue.go b/internal/inventory/catalogue.go
index 6ce3740c..78e02e5f 100644
--- a/internal/inventory/catalogue.go
+++ b/internal/inventory/catalogue.go
@@ -117,6 +117,18 @@ func (i *Inventory) RegisterModule(ctx context.Context, m catalogue.Manifest, fr
 			}
 		}
 	}
+	// **A preference falls back only to a key on the catalogue's list, and with its type** (novox/hq issue
+	// 630): mesh and node config hold values for the predefined keys alone, so a `predefined` the list does
+	// not hold is a fallback nobody can ever set.
+	if names := catalogue.PredefinedNamed(m); len(names) > 0 {
+		list, err := i.Predefined(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if problems := catalogue.PredefinedProblems(m, list); len(problems) > 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s is not registered: %s", m.Module, strings.Join(problems, "; "))
+		}
+	}
 	raw, err := json.Marshal(m)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -853,6 +865,14 @@ func (i *Inventory) setSettings(ctx context.Context, nodeName, module string, va
 	} else if _, err := i.declared(ctx, module); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%w: %s", ErrNoSuchModule, module)
 	}
+	if nodeName == "" && judge {
+		// **There is no module layer for the whole mesh** (novox/hq issue 630): an assignment is one module
+		// on one node. What every node should share is mesh config, for a predefined key. A layer the mesh
+		// already holds is still kept as it is (KeepSettings, the merge gate raising a store from facts).
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s: there is no module layer for the whole mesh — an assignment is one module on "+
+			"one node (novox/hq issue 630). Set it on each node with --node, or, for a predefined key, as mesh "+
+			"config with the config verb. Nothing was changed", module)
+	}
 	if nodeName == "" {
 		// A port is a fact about one machine (novox/hq ADR 0100). Refused here, in composition's
 		// words: stored, it refuses every node running the module at composition, and the mesh
@@ -1133,7 +1153,8 @@ func (i *Inventory) ClearSettingsBy(ctx context.Context, nodeName, module, clear
 	return tx.Commit(ctx)
 }
 
-// SettingsFor is the layers that apply to one module on one node, in the order they are applied.
+// SettingsFor is the layers that apply to one module on one node, in the order they are applied: mesh
+// config, node config (both marked Config), then the module's own layer on the node.
 //
 // The mesh's first, then the node's, so a node that differs is expressed by differing rather
 // than by restating everything the rest of the mesh already says.
@@ -1151,7 +1172,12 @@ func (i *Inventory) SettingsFor(ctx context.Context, nodeName, module string) ([
 	}
 	defer rows.Close()
 
-	var layers []catalogue.Layer
+	// Mesh config, then node config, for the predefined keys the module's preferences fall back to
+	// (novox/hq issue 630): under the module's own layers, over its defaults.
+	layers, err := i.configLayers(ctx, node.ID, nodeName, module)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	for rows.Next() {
 		var meshWide bool
 		var raw []byte
diff --git a/internal/inventory/config.go b/internal/inventory/config.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..45ae2097
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/inventory/config.go
@@ -0,0 +1,339 @@
+package inventory
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+)
+
+// Mesh config and node config (novox/hq issue 630): a value for a predefined key, for the whole mesh or for
+// one node, that every module whose preference names the key falls back to. The list of predefined keys is
+// the catalogue's predefined.json, kept here as the last build of the catalogue carried it.
+
+// ErrNotPredefined is a key mesh or node config was asked to hold that is not on the list.
+var ErrNotPredefined = errors.New("not a predefined key")
+
+// SetPredefined replaces the list of predefined keys with the one a build of `repository` at `commit`
+// carried. Replaced whole: the file is a statement of the whole list.
+func (i *Inventory) SetPredefined(ctx context.Context, list catalogue.Predefined, repository, commit string) error {
+	tx, err := i.store.Pool().Begin(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = tx.Rollback(context.WithoutCancel(ctx)) }()
+	if _, err := tx.Exec(ctx, `delete from predefined_key`); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	for _, key := range list.Keys() {
+		k := list[key]
+		if _, err := tx.Exec(ctx,
+			`insert into predefined_key (key, type, why, repository, commit) values ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5)`,
+			key, k.Type, k.Why, nullable(repository), nullable(commit)); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return tx.Commit(ctx)
+}
+
+// Predefined is the list of predefined keys the mesh holds; empty before a build of the catalogue carried one.
+func (i *Inventory) Predefined(ctx context.Context) (catalogue.Predefined, error) {
+	rows, err := i.store.Pool().Query(ctx, `select key, type, why from predefined_key`)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	out := catalogue.Predefined{}
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var key string
+		var k catalogue.PredefinedKey
+		if err := rows.Scan(&key, &k.Type, &k.Why); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		out[key] = k
+	}
+	return out, rows.Err()
+}
+
+// ConfigValue is one value of mesh config (Node "") or node config.
+type ConfigValue struct {
+	Key   string
+	Node  string
+	Value any
+	SetAt time.Time
+	SetBy string
+	Why   string
+}
+
+// Config is every value of mesh config and node config, by key, the mesh's first, then by node.
+func (i *Inventory) Config(ctx context.Context) ([]ConfigValue, error) {
+	rows, err := i.store.Pool().Query(ctx,
+		`select c.key, coalesce(n.name, ''), c.value, c.set_at, coalesce(c.set_by, ''), c.why
+		   from config c left join node n on n.id = c.node
+		  order by c.key, c.node is not null, n.name`)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	var out []ConfigValue
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var v ConfigValue
+		var raw []byte
+		if err := rows.Scan(&v.Key, &v.Node, &raw, &v.SetAt, &v.SetBy, &v.Why); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &v.Value); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		out = append(out, v)
+	}
+	return out, rows.Err()
+}
+
+// SetConfig sets a predefined key's value for the whole mesh (node "") or for one node. Refused for a key not
+// on the list and for a value not of the key's type. The value it replaces is kept in config_history.
+func (i *Inventory) SetConfig(ctx context.Context, key, nodeName string, value any, setBy, why string) error {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(why) == "" {
+		return errors.New("config says why: one sentence, kept with the value")
+	}
+	if err := i.JudgeConfig(ctx, key, nodeName, value); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	raw, err := json.Marshal(value)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	nodeID, err := i.layerNode(ctx, nodeName)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	tx, err := i.store.Pool().Begin(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = tx.Rollback(context.WithoutCancel(ctx)) }()
+	if _, err := tx.Exec(ctx, keepConfigSQL, key, nodeID, "set", why); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if _, err := tx.Exec(ctx,
+		`delete from config where key = $1 and node is not distinct from $2::uuid`, key, nodeID); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if _, err := tx.Exec(ctx,
+		`insert into config (key, node, value, set_by, why) values ($1, $2::uuid, $3, $4, $5)`,
+		key, nodeID, raw, nullable(setBy), why); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return tx.Commit(ctx)
+}
+
+// JudgeConfig refuses, before anything is done, a value mesh or node config may not hold: a key not on the
+// list of predefined keys, or a value not of the key's type.
+func (i *Inventory) JudgeConfig(ctx context.Context, key, nodeName string, value any) error {
+	list, err := i.Predefined(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	k, on := list[key]
+	if !on {
+		return notPredefined(key, nodeName, list)
+	}
+	return catalogue.ConfigValueProblem(fmt.Sprintf("the predefined key %q", key), k.Type, value)
+}
+
+// ClearConfig removes a predefined key's value for the whole mesh (node "") or for one node, keeping it in
+// config_history; false when there was none. A key no longer on the list may still be cleared.
+func (i *Inventory) ClearConfig(ctx context.Context, key, nodeName, clearedBy, why string) (bool, error) {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(why) == "" {
+		return false, errors.New("config says why: one sentence, kept with the history")
+	}
+	nodeID, err := i.layerNode(ctx, nodeName)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	tx, err := i.store.Pool().Begin(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = tx.Rollback(context.WithoutCancel(ctx)) }()
+	if _, err := tx.Exec(ctx, keepConfigSQL, key, nodeID, "clear", why); err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	if clearedBy != "" {
+		if _, err := tx.Exec(ctx,
+			`update config_history set replaced_by = 'clear by ' || $3
+			  where key = $1 and node is not distinct from $2::uuid
+			    and replaced_at = (select max(replaced_at) from config_history
+			                        where key = $1 and node is not distinct from $2::uuid)`,
+			key, nodeID, clearedBy); err != nil {
+			return false, err
+		}
+	}
+	tag, err := tx.Exec(ctx, `delete from config where key = $1 and node is not distinct from $2::uuid`, key, nodeID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	return tag.RowsAffected() > 0, tx.Commit(ctx)
+}
+
+// PastConfig is one value of mesh or node config that was replaced or cleared.
+type PastConfig struct {
+	Value       any
+	SetAt       time.Time
+	SetBy       string
+	Why         string
+	ReplacedAt  time.Time
+	ReplacedBy  string
+	ReplacedWhy string
+}
+
+// ConfigHistory is the values a predefined key had for the whole mesh (node "") or one node, latest first.
+func (i *Inventory) ConfigHistory(ctx context.Context, key, nodeName string) ([]PastConfig, error) {
+	nodeID, err := i.layerNode(ctx, nodeName)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	rows, err := i.store.Pool().Query(ctx,
+		`select value, coalesce(set_at, 'epoch'), coalesce(set_by, ''), coalesce(why, ''), replaced_at, replaced_by,
+		        coalesce(replaced_why, '')
+		   from config_history where key = $1 and node is not distinct from $2::uuid order by replaced_at desc`,
+		key, nodeID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	var out []PastConfig
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var p PastConfig
+		var raw []byte
+		if err := rows.Scan(&raw, &p.SetAt, &p.SetBy, &p.Why, &p.ReplacedAt, &p.ReplacedBy, &p.ReplacedWhy); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &p.Value); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		out = append(out, p)
+	}
+	return out, rows.Err()
+}
+
+// keepConfigSQL copies the value about to be replaced or cleared into the history, with why it goes.
+const keepConfigSQL = `insert into config_history (key, node, value, set_at, set_by, why, replaced_by, replaced_why)
+	select key, node, value, set_at, set_by, why, $3, $4 from config
+	 where key = $1 and node is not distinct from $2::uuid`
+
+func notPredefined(key, nodeName string, list catalogue.Predefined) error {
+	where := "mesh config"
+	if nodeName != "" {
+		where = "node config"
+	}
+	listed := "the list holds none yet: it arrives with a build of the catalogue carrying " + catalogue.PredefinedFile
+	if len(list) > 0 {
+		listed = "the list holds " + strings.Join(list.Keys(), ", ")
+	}
+	return fmt.Errorf("%w: %s holds values only for the predefined keys, and %q is not one (%s); a module's own "+
+		"value is set with module and node", ErrNotPredefined, where, key, listed)
+}
+
+// configLayers are the layers mesh config and node config make for one module on one node: nothing when
+// neither holds a value, or the module names no predefined key.
+func (i *Inventory) configLayers(ctx context.Context, nodeID, nodeName, module string) ([]catalogue.Layer, error) {
+	rows, err := i.store.Pool().Query(ctx,
+		`select key, node is null, value from config where node is null or node = $1`, nodeID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	mesh, node := map[string]any{}, map[string]any{}
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var key string
+		var meshWide bool
+		var raw []byte
+		if err := rows.Scan(&key, &meshWide, &raw); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		var v any
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &v); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if meshWide {
+			mesh[key] = v
+		} else {
+			node[key] = v
+		}
+	}
+	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if len(mesh)+len(node) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	// Only the module's preferences, read from its stored definition: a whole catalogue per module per
+	// node would be read for every machine planned.
+	var raw []byte
+	err = i.store.Pool().QueryRow(ctx, `select manifest -> 'preferences' from module where name = $1`, module).Scan(&raw)
+	if errors.Is(err, pgx.ErrNoRows) || len(raw) == 0 || string(raw) == "null" {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var prefs map[string]catalogue.Preference
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &prefs); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s's preferences cannot be read: %w", module, err)
+	}
+	return catalogue.ConfigLayers(catalogue.Manifest{Module: module, Preferences: prefs}, mesh, node, nodeName), nil
+}
+
+// SetModuleValue sets or clears one key of a module's own layer on one node — its module-assignment config —
+// keeping the rest of the layer, judged as `settings set` judges it, with the layer it replaces kept.
+// value nil clears the key; the layer goes when no key is left.
+func (i *Inventory) SetModuleValue(ctx context.Context, nodeName, module, key string, value any, setBy string) (
+	before any, had bool, err error) {
+	if nodeName == "" {
+		return nil, false, errors.New("there is no module layer for the whole mesh: a module's own value is " +
+			"set on one node (novox/hq issue 630); for every node, set mesh config for a predefined key")
+	}
+	layer, has, err := i.Layer(ctx, nodeName, module)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, false, err
+	}
+	values := map[string]any{}
+	for k, v := range layer {
+		values[k] = v
+	}
+	before, had = values[key]
+	if value == nil {
+		if !had {
+			return nil, false, nil
+		}
+		delete(values, key)
+		if len(values) == 0 && has {
+			return before, had, i.ClearSettingsBy(ctx, nodeName, module, setBy)
+		}
+	} else {
+		values[key] = value
+	}
+	return before, had, i.SetSettingsBy(ctx, nodeName, module, values, setBy)
+}
+
+// ConfigKeysSorted is the keys of a set of config values, sorted, for saying them.
+func ConfigKeysSorted(values []ConfigValue) []string {
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	var out []string
+	for _, v := range values {
+		if !seen[v.Key] {
+			seen[v.Key] = true
+			out = append(out, v.Key)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return out
+}
diff --git a/internal/inventory/config_test.go b/internal/inventory/config_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..749d4d05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/inventory/config_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,274 @@
+package inventory
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+)
+
+// dunstLike is a module whose font-size falls back to the predefined key font-size (novox/hq issue 630).
+func dunstLike() catalogue.Manifest {
+	return catalogue.Manifest{Module: "dunst", Version: "1",
+		Preferences: map[string]catalogue.Preference{
+			"font-size": {Type: catalogue.TypeNumber, Default: float64(10), Predefined: "font-size", Why: "readable at 100 DPI"},
+			"width":     {Type: catalogue.TypeNumber, Default: float64(250), Why: "forty characters"},
+		},
+		Resources: []map[string]any{{"id": "rc", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/dunstrc", "mode": "0644",
+			"content": "font = Inter ${setting:font-size}\nwidth = ${setting:width}\n"}}}
+}
+
+func fontList() catalogue.Predefined {
+	return catalogue.Predefined{"font-size": {Type: catalogue.TypeNumber, Why: "the size text is drawn at"}}
+}
+
+// effectiveOn is a module's value for a key on a node, and its source, as composition reads them.
+func effectiveOn(t *testing.T, inv *Inventory, node, key string) (any, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	layers, err := inv.SettingsFor(t.Context(), node, "dunst")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, s := range catalogue.Effective(dunstLike(), layers) {
+		if s.Key == key {
+			if s.FromDefault {
+				return s.Value, catalogue.DefaultLayer
+			}
+			return s.Value, s.From
+		}
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("no %s", key)
+	return nil, ""
+}
+
+// Each of the four sources in turn, the most specific winning, and clearing each falls back to the next
+// one down (novox/hq issue 630).
+func TestAConfigValueComesFromFourSourcesTheMostSpecificWinning(t *testing.T) {
+	inv := fresh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	for _, n := range []string{"g14", "shanks"} {
+		if _, err := inv.AddNode(ctx, n); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := inv.SetPredefined(ctx, fontList(), "novox/mesh-catalog", "c1"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, dunstLike(), Source{}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, n := range []string{"g14", "shanks"} {
+		if _, err := inv.Assign(ctx, n, "dunst"); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	want := func(node string, value float64, from string) {
+		t.Helper()
+		v, f := effectiveOn(t, inv, node, "font-size")
+		if v != value || f != from {
+			t.Fatalf("font-size on %s: %v from %q, want %v from %q", node, v, f, value, from)
+		}
+	}
+	want("g14", 10, "default")
+
+	if err := inv.SetConfig(ctx, "font-size", "", float64(11), "the operator", "a larger default everywhere"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want("g14", 11, "mesh config")
+	want("shanks", 11, "mesh config")
+
+	if err := inv.SetConfig(ctx, "font-size", "g14", float64(13), "the operator", "a dense screen"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want("g14", 13, "node config (g14)")
+	want("shanks", 11, "mesh config")
+
+	if _, _, err := inv.SetModuleValue(ctx, "g14", "dunst", "font-size", float64(15), "the operator"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want("g14", 15, "g14")
+	want("shanks", 11, "mesh config")
+
+	// A preference without predefined reads only its default and the module's own value.
+	if v, f := effectiveOn(t, inv, "g14", "width"); v != float64(250) || f != "default" {
+		t.Fatalf("width: %v from %s", v, f)
+	}
+
+	// Clearing each falls back to the next source down.
+	if _, _, err := inv.SetModuleValue(ctx, "g14", "dunst", "font-size", nil, "the operator"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want("g14", 13, "node config (g14)")
+	if removed, err := inv.ClearConfig(ctx, "font-size", "g14", "the operator", "back to the mesh's"); err != nil || !removed {
+		t.Fatalf("clear node config: %v %v", removed, err)
+	}
+	want("g14", 11, "mesh config")
+	if removed, err := inv.ClearConfig(ctx, "font-size", "", "the operator", "back to the default"); err != nil || !removed {
+		t.Fatalf("clear mesh config: %v %v", removed, err)
+	}
+	want("g14", 10, "default")
+	if _, has, _ := inv.Layer(ctx, "g14", "dunst"); has {
+		t.Fatal("the module's layer was left empty rather than removed")
+	}
+
+	// What each replaced is kept, with why.
+	past, err := inv.ConfigHistory(ctx, "font-size", "g14")
+	if err != nil || len(past) != 1 || past[0].Value != float64(13) || past[0].Why != "a dense screen" ||
+		past[0].ReplacedBy != "clear by the operator" || past[0].ReplacedWhy != "back to the mesh's" {
+		t.Fatalf("node config history: %+v %v", past, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// Mesh and node config hold values for predefined keys only, of their type; a module value needs a node.
+func TestConfigRefusesAKeyNotPredefinedAWrongTypeAndAModuleValueForTheWholeMesh(t *testing.T) {
+	inv := fresh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	if _, err := inv.AddNode(ctx, "g14"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	err := inv.SetConfig(ctx, "font-size", "", float64(12), "the operator", "bigger")
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrNotPredefined) || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "the list holds none yet") {
+		t.Fatalf("a key before any list: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.SetPredefined(ctx, fontList(), "", ""); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	err = inv.SetConfig(ctx, "colour", "g14", "blue", "the operator", "blue")
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrNotPredefined) || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "node config") ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "font-size") {
+		t.Fatalf("a key not on the list: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.SetConfig(ctx, "font-size", "", "large", "the operator", "bigger"); err == nil ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "is a number") {
+		t.Fatalf("a string for a number: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.SetConfig(ctx, "font-size", "", float64(12), "the operator", ""); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a value without why was kept")
+	}
+	if err := inv.SetConfig(ctx, "font-size", "nowhere", float64(12), "the operator", "x"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("node config for a node the mesh does not know was kept")
+	}
+	if _, _, err := inv.SetModuleValue(ctx, "", "dunst", "font-size", float64(12), "the operator"); err == nil ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "no module layer for the whole mesh") {
+		t.Fatalf("a module value for the whole mesh: %v", err)
+	}
+	if values, err := inv.Config(ctx); err != nil || len(values) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a refused value was kept: %v %v", values, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// Registration refuses a preference whose predefined key is not on the list, or whose type differs.
+func TestRegistrationJudgesPreferencesAgainstThePredefinedList(t *testing.T) {
+	inv := fresh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, dunstLike(), Source{})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), `predefined key "font-size"`) {
+		t.Fatalf("a predefined key before any list: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.SetPredefined(ctx, catalogue.Predefined{"font-size": {Type: catalogue.TypeString, Why: "x"}}, "", ""); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	err = inv.RegisterModule(ctx, dunstLike(), Source{})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "is a number") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "is a string") {
+		t.Fatalf("a type other than the list's: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.SetPredefined(ctx, fontList(), "", ""); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, dunstLike(), Source{}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
+
+// The module layer for the whole mesh is moved into each assigned node's layer by migration 0096: the mesh's
+// values under the node's, maps merged key by key, every replaced layer kept in the history (novox/hq issue 630).
+func TestTheWholeMeshModuleLayerMovesIntoEachAssignedNode(t *testing.T) {
+	inv := fresh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	for _, n := range []string{"novox", "g14", "shanks"} {
+		if _, err := inv.AddNode(ctx, n); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	m := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "artifact-store-tools", Version: "1",
+		Resources: []map[string]any{{"id": "conf", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/t.json", "content": "{}", "merge": "json"}}}
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, m, Source{}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, n := range []string{"novox", "g14"} {
+		if _, err := inv.Assign(ctx, n, "artifact-store-tools"); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	// As held before the migration: a whole-mesh layer, and g14's own layer over it.
+	if err := inv.KeepSettings(ctx, "", "artifact-store-tools", map[string]any{
+		"older-store-names": "registry-api.novox.be", "nested": map[string]any{"a": 1, "b": 1}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "g14", "artifact-store-tools", map[string]any{
+		"nested": map[string]any{"b": 2}, "own": true}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	migrations, err := Migrations()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var moving string
+	for _, mig := range migrations {
+		if mig.Number == 96 {
+			moving = mig.SQL[strings.Index(mig.SQL, "create function pg_temp"):]
+		}
+	}
+	if moving == "" {
+		t.Fatal("migration 0096 moves no whole-mesh layer")
+	}
+	tx, err := inv.store.Pool().Begin(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := tx.Exec(ctx, moving); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := tx.Commit(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	layer := func(node string) string {
+		t.Helper()
+		values, _, err := inv.Layer(ctx, node, "artifact-store-tools")
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		raw, _ := json.Marshal(values)
+		return string(raw)
+	}
+	if got := layer("novox"); got != `{"nested":{"a":1,"b":1},"older-store-names":"registry-api.novox.be"}` {
+		t.Fatalf("novox's layer: %s", got)
+	}
+	if got := layer("g14"); got != `{"nested":{"a":1,"b":2},"older-store-names":"registry-api.novox.be","own":true}` {
+		t.Fatalf("g14's layer, the mesh's under its own: %s", got)
+	}
+	if got := layer("shanks"); got != "null" && got != "{}" {
+		t.Fatalf("a node the module is not assigned to gained a layer: %s", got)
+	}
+	if _, has, _ := inv.Layer(ctx, "", "artifact-store-tools"); has {
+		t.Fatal("the whole-mesh layer is still there")
+	}
+	mesh, err := inv.SettingsHistory(ctx, "", "artifact-store-tools")
+	if err != nil || len(mesh) != 1 || mesh[0].ReplacedBy != "moved-to-nodes" ||
+		mesh[0].Values["older-store-names"] != "registry-api.novox.be" {
+		t.Fatalf("the whole-mesh layer's history: %+v %v", mesh, err)
+	}
+	past, err := inv.SettingsHistory(ctx, "g14", "artifact-store-tools")
+	if err != nil || len(past) != 1 || past[0].ReplacedBy != "moved-to-nodes" || past[0].Values["own"] != true {
+		t.Fatalf("g14's replaced layer: %+v %v", past, err)
+	}
+	// And composition reads the same values on each node as before.
+	layers, err := inv.SettingsFor(ctx, "g14", "artifact-store-tools")
+	if err != nil || len(layers) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("g14's layers: %+v %v", layers, err)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/inventory/forget_test.go b/internal/inventory/forget_test.go
index b28e317c..5283b77f 100644
--- a/internal/inventory/forget_test.go
+++ b/internal/inventory/forget_test.go
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ func TestRegisteringAModuleAgainKeepsWhatTheMeshHoldsForIt(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, m, Source{}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "", "step-ca", map[string]any{"issuer": "the mesh"}); err != nil {
+	if err := inv.KeepSettings(ctx, "", "step-ca", map[string]any{"issuer": "the mesh"}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "anchor", "step-ca", map[string]any{"port": 9000}); err != nil {
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ func TestDiscardingAModuleSaysWhatWentWithIt(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, withOwnSecret(manifest("step-ca", nil, nil), "password"), Source{}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "", "step-ca", map[string]any{"issuer": "the mesh"}); err != nil {
+	if err := inv.KeepSettings(ctx, "", "step-ca", map[string]any{"issuer": "the mesh"}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if err := inv.AcceptSecretForModule(ctx, "anchor", "step-ca", "password", "sealed"); err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/inventory/migrations/0096-config-values-come-from-four-sources.sql b/internal/inventory/migrations/0096-config-values-come-from-four-sources.sql
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..db667c34
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/inventory/migrations/0096-config-values-come-from-four-sources.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+-- A config value comes from four sources, the last set winning (novox/hq issue 630): the module's
+-- default, mesh config, node config, and the module's own value on the node. Mesh config and node config
+-- hold values only for the predefined keys, a fixed list kept in the catalogue (`predefined.json`). An
+-- assignment is one module on one node: there is no module layer for the whole mesh any more.
+
+-- The list of predefined keys, as the catalogue's predefined.json last said it. Replaced whole when a
+-- build of the catalogue carries the file; `repository` and `commit` say which.
+create table predefined_key (
+    key        text        primary key,
+    type       text        not null check (type in ('number', 'string', 'boolean')),
+    why        text        not null,
+    repository text,
+    commit     text,
+    listed_at  timestamptz not null default now()
+);
+
+-- Mesh config (node null) and node config: one value per predefined key, and per node. Not a foreign key
+-- to predefined_key: a key the list drops keeps its value, said as reaching nothing, rather than losing it.
+create table config (
+    key    text        not null,
+    node   uuid        references node(id) on delete cascade,
+    value  jsonb       not null,
+    set_at timestamptz not null default now(),
+    set_by text,
+    why    text        not null
+);
+create unique index config_for_the_mesh on config (key) where node is null;
+create unique index config_for_a_node   on config (key, node) where node is not null;
+
+-- Every value that was replaced or cleared, with who set it and why, and who replaced it and why.
+create table config_history (
+    key          text        not null,
+    node         uuid        references node(id) on delete cascade,
+    value        jsonb       not null,
+    set_at       timestamptz,
+    set_by       text,
+    why          text,
+    replaced_at  timestamptz not null default now(),
+    -- set · clear
+    replaced_by  text        not null,
+    replaced_why text
+);
+create index config_history_by_key on config_history (key, node, replaced_at desc);
+
+-- The module layer for the whole mesh goes: each one is laid under the layer of every node the module is
+-- assigned to — the mesh's values first, the node's over them, maps merged key by key as composition
+-- merged them — so every machine composes what it did. Every layer replaced, and the mesh-wide layer
+-- itself, is kept in settings_history (ADR 0217) with the reason `moved-to-nodes`. A mesh-wide layer of
+-- a module assigned nowhere is kept in the history only: no machine read it.
+create function pg_temp.config_630_merge(under jsonb, over jsonb) returns jsonb language plpgsql immutable as $$
+declare
+    merged jsonb;
+    k      text;
+begin
+    if jsonb_typeof(under) is distinct from 'object' or jsonb_typeof(over) is distinct from 'object' then
+        return over;
+    end if;
+    merged := under;
+    for k in select jsonb_object_keys(over) loop
+        if merged ? k then
+            merged := jsonb_set(merged, array[k], pg_temp.config_630_merge(merged -> k, over -> k));
+        else
+            merged := merged || jsonb_build_object(k, over -> k);
+        end if;
+    end loop;
+    return merged;
+end
+$$;
+
+insert into settings_history (node, module, values, set_at, replaced_by, set_by)
+select t.node, t.module, t.values, t.set_at, 'moved-to-nodes', t.set_by
+  from settings t
+  join settings s on s.module = t.module and s.node is null
+ where t.node is not null
+   and exists (select 1 from assignment a where a.node = t.node and a.module = t.module);
+
+insert into settings_history (node, module, values, set_at, replaced_by, set_by)
+select null, module, values, set_at, 'moved-to-nodes', set_by from settings where node is null;
+
+insert into settings (node, module, values, set_at, set_by)
+select a.node, s.module, s.values, now(),
+       coalesce(s.set_by || '; ', '') || 'moved from the whole mesh''s layer to this node''s (novox/hq issue 630)'
+  from settings s
+  join assignment a on a.module = s.module
+ where s.node is null
+on conflict (node, module) where node is not null
+do update set values = pg_temp.config_630_merge(excluded.values, settings.values),
+              set_at = now(),
+              set_by = coalesce(settings.set_by || '; ', '') ||
+                       'the whole mesh''s layer laid under it (novox/hq issue 630)';
+
+delete from settings where node is null;
diff --git a/internal/inventory/settings_judged_test.go b/internal/inventory/settings_judged_test.go
index 1563fa17..6fb84b5d 100644
--- a/internal/inventory/settings_judged_test.go
+++ b/internal/inventory/settings_judged_test.go
@@ -40,15 +40,17 @@ func TestASettingIsJudgedWhereItIsStored(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	// A key that reaches nothing is refused too, where the spelling can still be fixed; a module
 	// with a mergeable file takes any key.
-	err = inv.SetSettings(ctx, "", "plain", map[string]any{"colour": "blue"})
+	err = inv.SetSettings(ctx, "anchor", "plain", map[string]any{"colour": "blue"})
 	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "reach nothing") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), `"colour"`) {
 		t.Fatalf("a stray key was stored: %v", err)
 	}
-	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "", "web", map[string]any{"colour": "blue"}); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
+	// There is no module layer for the whole mesh (novox/hq issue 630): a new one is refused.
+	err = inv.SetSettings(ctx, "", "web", map[string]any{"colour": "blue"})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "no module layer for the whole mesh") {
+		t.Fatalf("a module layer for the whole mesh was stored: %v", err)
 	}
-	// The mesh-wide layer is under the node's when the node's is judged.
-	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "anchor", "web", map[string]any{catalogue.PortsSetting: map[string]any{"8080": 10000}}); err != nil {
+	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "anchor", "web", map[string]any{"colour": "blue",
+		catalogue.PortsSetting: map[string]any{"8080": 10000}}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	// A kept network is for an adopted machine only (rule 4).
diff --git a/internal/inventory/unseen_test.go b/internal/inventory/unseen_test.go
index 73a98031..3fcfe5d1 100644
--- a/internal/inventory/unseen_test.go
+++ b/internal/inventory/unseen_test.go
@@ -56,10 +56,10 @@ func TestTheLayerASetReplacesIsKeptAndReadable(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("the replaced layer still has what the set dropped: %+v", past[1])
 	}
 	// The mesh-wide layer keeps its own history, apart from the node's.
-	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "", "web", map[string]any{"colour": "green"}); err != nil {
+	if err := inv.KeepSettings(ctx, "", "web", map[string]any{"colour": "green"}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "", "web", map[string]any{"colour": "grey"}); err != nil {
+	if err := inv.KeepSettings(ctx, "", "web", map[string]any{"colour": "grey"}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	mesh, err := inv.SettingsHistory(ctx, "", "web")
diff --git a/internal/link/build.go b/internal/link/build.go
index 8262b8b9..7a26489c 100644
--- a/internal/link/build.go
+++ b/internal/link/build.go
@@ -250,6 +250,11 @@ type BuildResult struct {
 	// the repository's default is the branch it follows.
 	Branches []string `json:"branches,omitempty"`
 
+	// Predefined is the built repository's list of predefined keys, its root predefined.json at the commit
+	// built, when it has one (novox/hq issue 630). The controller keeps it, when it registers the build,
+	// as the list mesh and node config hold values for. Empty from a builder that predates it.
+	Predefined json.RawMessage `json:"predefined,omitempty"`
+
 	// SourceFingerprint is what the build was made from, hashed (novox/hq issue 280): the module's
 	// tree at the commit, the trees of the contexts it read, its bases and toolchains by digest. Two
 	// builds with one fingerprint are one build, however their digests differ — an image is not
diff --git a/module.json b/module.json
index 4ceb785d..ad7e591f 100644
--- a/module.json
+++ b/module.json
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@
     "issue",
     "token",
     "settings",
+    "config",
     "command",
     "queue",
     "cancel",