diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/meshpipelinerunner/contract.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/meshpipelinerunner/contract.go
index 7b0bfe66..87206148 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/meshpipelinerunner/contract.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/meshpipelinerunner/contract.go
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ const (
 	VerbAccept     = "accept"
 	VerbCancel     = "cancel"
 	VerbAskAgain   = "ask-again"
+	VerbRelease    = "release"
 )
 
 const (
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ const (
 
 // Verbs is every verb the seat serves, in its definition's order: a new copy each call.
 func Verbs() []string {
-	return []string{VerbRun, VerbStart, VerbShow, VerbList, VerbStands, VerbWhyCarried, VerbKept, VerbReview, VerbRerun, VerbAccept, VerbCancel, VerbAskAgain}
+	return []string{VerbRun, VerbStart, VerbShow, VerbList, VerbStands, VerbWhyCarried, VerbKept, VerbReview, VerbRerun, VerbAccept, VerbCancel, VerbAskAgain, VerbRelease}
 }
 
 // Events is every event published on the seat's subject: a new copy each call.
@@ -347,6 +348,14 @@ const (
 	GroupEndedOutcomeCancelled  = "cancelled"
 )
 
+// Held is a pipeline held for the new version of the runner: its steps are placed and asked when the node-engine seat says that fingerprint runs healthy (design 47 G 65, 266, 534, A-195).
+type Held struct {
+	// the fingerprint of the runner's own module the pipeline awaits running healthy (design 47 G 266, 276, A-195)
+	Fingerprint string `json:"fingerprint"`
+	// since when the pipeline is held, RFC 3339
+	Since time.Time `json:"since"`
+}
+
 // KeptResult is a package's passing result the runner keeps, by the digest of what its tests read (ADR 0666 section 8).
 type KeptResult struct {
 	// sha256:<hex> of what the package's tests read
@@ -427,6 +436,7 @@ type Pipeline struct {
 	Fingerprint string `json:"fingerprint,omitempty"`
 	// the gathered group, when the pipeline is its
 	Group   string `json:"group,omitempty"`
+	Held    *Held  `json:"held,omitempty"`
 	Module  string `json:"module"`
 	Outcome string `json:"outcome"`
 	// yes when the module is over its test budget (design 47 G section 419)
@@ -691,7 +701,7 @@ type Wait struct {
 	// for its end, how it ended: answered, ran, released, superseded
 	How    string `json:"how,omitempty"`
 	Module string `json:"module"`
-	// what the step waits on (design 47 *Health and going back*)
+	// what the step waits on (design 47 *Health and going back*); the runner version is what a pipeline held for the runner's new version waits on (design 47 G 534, A-206)
 	On string `json:"on"`
 	// the pipeline's key, <branch>.<revision>.<module>, a branch escaped as a key's name is
 	Pipeline string `json:"pipeline"`
@@ -711,9 +721,10 @@ type Wait struct {
 
 // The values of Wait's on.
 const (
-	WaitOnPerson       = "person"
-	WaitOnBuildNode    = "build node"
-	WaitOnRevisionView = "revision view"
+	WaitOnPerson        = "person"
+	WaitOnBuildNode     = "build node"
+	WaitOnRevisionView  = "revision view"
+	WaitOnRunnerVersion = "runner version"
 )
 
 // The values of Wait's step.
@@ -950,6 +961,18 @@ type AskAgainAnswer struct {
 	Result StepResult `json:"result"`
 }
 
+// ReleaseInput is what release takes.
+type ReleaseInput struct {
+	// why, written with the caller the runtime proves in the hand-act log
+	Why string `json:"why"`
+}
+
+// ReleaseAnswer is what release answers.
+type ReleaseAnswer struct {
+	// how many held pipelines were started
+	Released int64 `json:"released"`
+}
+
 // PipelineStartedEvent is the body of the event pipeline-started.
 type PipelineStartedEvent = PipelineStarted
 
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/seats/mesh-pipeline-runner/seat.json b/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/seats/mesh-pipeline-runner/seat.json
index 01778d80..60db0ab2 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/seats/mesh-pipeline-runner/seat.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/seats/mesh-pipeline-runner/seat.json
@@ -501,6 +501,35 @@
         ]
       },
       "class": "act"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "release",
+      "description": "The pipelines the runner holds for its new version started by hand with the running runner, whatever the new version's state; written in the hand-act log (design 47 G 276, A-206).",
+      "input": {
+        "type": "object",
+        "properties": {
+          "why": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "why, written with the caller the runtime proves in the hand-act log"
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "why"
+        ]
+      },
+      "answer": {
+        "type": "object",
+        "properties": {
+          "released": {
+            "type": "integer",
+            "description": "how many held pipelines were started"
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "released"
+        ]
+      },
+      "class": "act"
     }
   ],
   "events": [
@@ -672,6 +701,25 @@
       },
       "description": "how many tests a step ran and carried, per level (ADR 0666 section 8)"
     },
+    "Held": {
+      "type": "object",
+      "properties": {
+        "since": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "format": "date-time",
+          "description": "since when the pipeline is held, RFC 3339"
+        },
+        "fingerprint": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "description": "the fingerprint of the runner's own module the pipeline awaits running healthy (design 47 G 266, 276, A-195)"
+        }
+      },
+      "required": [
+        "since",
+        "fingerprint"
+      ],
+      "description": "a pipeline held for the new version of the runner: its steps are placed and asked when the node-engine seat says that fingerprint runs healthy (design 47 G 65, 266, 534, A-195)"
+    },
     "ToolchainUsed": {
       "type": "object",
       "properties": {
@@ -985,6 +1033,9 @@
           "type": "boolean",
           "description": "yes when the module is over its test budget (design 47 G section 419)"
         },
+        "held": {
+          "$ref": "#/defs/Held"
+        },
         "widens": {
           "type": "array",
           "items": {
@@ -1430,9 +1481,10 @@
           "enum": [
             "person",
             "build node",
-            "revision view"
+            "revision view",
+            "runner version"
           ],
-          "description": "what the step waits on (design 47 *Health and going back*)"
+          "description": "what the step waits on (design 47 *Health and going back*); the runner version is what a pipeline held for the runner's new version waits on (design 47 G 534, A-206)"
         },
         "who": {
           "type": "string",
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/ts/seats/meshpipelinerunner/index.d.ts b/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/ts/seats/meshpipelinerunner/index.d.ts
index 73c3dcb1..7ca146f9 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/ts/seats/meshpipelinerunner/index.d.ts
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/ts/seats/meshpipelinerunner/index.d.ts
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ export declare const verbs: {
   readonly accept: "accept";
   readonly cancel: "cancel";
   readonly askAgain: "ask-again";
+  readonly release: "release";
 };
 
 export declare const events: {
@@ -144,6 +145,14 @@ export interface GroupEnded {
   "why"?: string;
 }
 
+/** a pipeline held for the new version of the runner: its steps are placed and asked when the node-engine seat says that fingerprint runs healthy (design 47 G 65, 266, 534, A-195) */
+export interface Held {
+  /** the fingerprint of the runner's own module the pipeline awaits running healthy (design 47 G 266, 276, A-195) */
+  "fingerprint": string;
+  /** since when the pipeline is held, RFC 3339 */
+  "since": string;
+}
+
 /** a package's passing result the runner keeps, by the digest of what its tests read (ADR 0666 section 8) */
 export interface KeptResult {
   /** sha256:<hex> of what the package's tests read */
@@ -189,6 +198,7 @@ export interface Pipeline {
   "fingerprint"?: string;
   /** the gathered group, when the pipeline is its */
   "group"?: string;
+  "held"?: Held;
   "module": string;
   "outcome": "running" | "passed" | "failed" | "refused" | "superseded" | "cancelled";
   /** yes when the module is over its test budget (design 47 G section 419) */
@@ -377,8 +387,8 @@ export interface Wait {
   /** for its end, how it ended: answered, ran, released, superseded */
   "how"?: string;
   "module": string;
-  /** what the step waits on (design 47 *Health and going back*) */
-  "on": "person" | "build node" | "revision view";
+  /** what the step waits on (design 47 *Health and going back*); the runner version is what a pipeline held for the runner's new version waits on (design 47 G 534, A-206) */
+  "on": "person" | "build node" | "revision view" | "runner version";
   /** the pipeline's key, <branch>.<revision>.<module>, a branch escaped as a key's name is */
   "pipeline": string;
   /** the catalog graph revision of the branch the pipeline runs for */
@@ -569,6 +579,18 @@ export interface AskAgainAnswer {
   "result": StepResult;
 }
 
+/** is what release takes. */
+export interface ReleaseInput {
+  /** why, written with the caller the runtime proves in the hand-act log */
+  "why": string;
+}
+
+/** is what release answers. */
+export interface ReleaseAnswer {
+  /** how many held pipelines were started */
+  "released": number;
+}
+
 /** is the body of the event pipeline-started. */
 export type PipelineStartedEvent = PipelineStarted;
 
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/ts/seats/meshpipelinerunner/index.js b/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/ts/seats/meshpipelinerunner/index.js
index a36f83ae..5b96596a 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/ts/seats/meshpipelinerunner/index.js
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/ts/seats/meshpipelinerunner/index.js
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ export const verbs = {
   accept: "accept",
   cancel: "cancel",
   askAgain: "ask-again",
+  release: "release",
 };
 
 export const events = {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline-tools/main.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline-tools/main.go
index 64776e43..9e8adee7 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline-tools/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline-tools/main.go
@@ -86,21 +86,61 @@ func Tools(r pipeline.Reads) []stdio.Tool {
 	return out
 }
 
-// Module and Slug are the runner's module and its tools' prefix, as its manifest names them.
+// Module is the runner's module, and Prefix its tools' prefix (design 47 G §539: runner_first_views, runner_health).
 const (
 	Module = "mesh-delivery-pipeline"
-	Slug   = "pipeline"
+	Prefix = "runner"
 )
 
 // FirstViewTools are the runner's `<module>_first_views` and `<module>_first_view_again` over its state first-views
 // (design 47 G §77, §200): each view it holds or waits for, since when, and asked again by hand, a hand act.
 func FirstViewTools(st stdio.KeptState, acts views.HandActs, now func() time.Time) []stdio.Tool {
-	return views.StatusTools(Module, Slug+"_first_views", Slug+"_first_view_again", st, acts, now)
+	return views.StatusTools(Module, Prefix+"_first_views", Prefix+"_first_view_again", st, acts, now)
+}
+
+// HealthTool is the runner's health check, run outside its process (design 47 G §76, §468, §495; A-164): it reads the
+// runner's state pipelines as show does and the ages its process writes in the state consumers, and asks no seat verb.
+func HealthTool(pipelines, consumers pipeline.Kept, now func() time.Time) stdio.Tool {
+	return stdio.Tool{Name: Prefix + "_health",
+		Description: "The pipeline runner's health: healthy when it answers show and each of its durable consumers' oldest " +
+			"unacknowledged message waits less than five minutes; otherwise it names each consumer behind.",
+		Input: map[string]any{"type": "object", "properties": map[string]any{}},
+		Run:   func(map[string]any) (any, error) { return pipeline.Health(pipelines, consumers, now()), nil }}
+}
+
+// WaitsTool is the runner's tool runner_waits: the pipelines held for its new version, with the fingerprint each awaits and since
+// when (design 47 G §276, §539, A-195).
+func WaitsTool(r pipeline.Reads) stdio.Tool {
+	return stdio.Tool{Name: Prefix + "_waits",
+		Description: "The pipelines the pipeline runner holds until its new version runs healthy: each with its pipeline, the " +
+			"fingerprint of the runner it awaits and since when.",
+		Input: map[string]any{"type": "object", "properties": map[string]any{}},
+		Run:   func(map[string]any) (any, error) { return r.Waits() }}
+}
+
+// ReleaseTool is the runner's tool runner_release: it starts the pipelines held for the runner's new version with the running
+// runner, through the seat's verb release, which the process that holds the pipelines answers and records in the hand-act log
+// first (design 47 G §276, A-206).
+func ReleaseTool(ask func(key string, body any) (json.RawMessage, error)) stdio.Tool {
+	return stdio.Tool{Name: Prefix + "_release",
+		Description: "Start now, with the running pipeline runner, the pipelines it holds until its new version runs healthy " +
+			"(runner_waits lists them), each wait ending released. Written in the hand-act log (mesh-hand-acts).",
+		Input: map[string]any{"type": "object", "required": []string{"why"}, "properties": map[string]any{
+			"why": map[string]any{"type": "string", "description": "why, in plain words"}}},
+		Run: func(args map[string]any) (any, error) {
+			in, err := as[seat.ReleaseInput](args)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			return ask("seat:"+seat.Seat+"."+seat.VerbRelease, in)
+		}}
 }
 
 func main() {
 	r := pipeline.Reads{Pipelines: kept{stdio.State(seat.StatePipelines)}, Kept: kept{stdio.State(seat.StateKept)}}
 	tools := append(Tools(r), FirstViewTools(stdio.State(views.StatusState), meshhandactsclient.Recorder{Ask: stdio.Ask}, time.Now)...)
+	tools = append(tools, WaitsTool(r), ReleaseTool(stdio.Ask))
+	tools = append(tools, HealthTool(r.Pipelines, kept{stdio.State(pipeline.StateConsumers)}, time.Now))
 	if err := stdio.Serve("", tools); err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[mesh-delivery-pipeline-tools] %v\n", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline-tools/main_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline-tools/main_test.go
index 73d96db0..ef0bd12b 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline-tools/main_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline-tools/main_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@ func (none) Keys() ([]string, error)               { return nil, nil }
 func (none) Value(string) (json.RawMessage, error) { return nil, nil }
 
 // TestTools: the bundle serves the five read verbs as <seat>.<verb> (§83, §306; RN15/AC1), and the first-view tools
-// (§77, §200; RN2/AC4).
+// (§77, §200; RN2/AC4), named with the prefix runner_ (§539; RN25).
 func TestTools(t *testing.T) {
 	var names []string
 	for _, tl := range Tools(pipeline.Reads{Pipelines: none{}, Kept: none{}}) {
@@ -26,7 +27,19 @@ func TestTools(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, tl := range FirstViewTools(stdio.State(views.StatusState), nil, nil) {
 		names = append(names, tl.Name)
 	}
-	want := "mesh-pipeline-runner.show mesh-pipeline-runner.list mesh-pipeline-runner.stands mesh-pipeline-runner.why-carried mesh-pipeline-runner.kept pipeline_first_views pipeline_first_view_again"
+	// RN25 (§468, §76; A-164): the health check is the bundle's runner_health.
+	names = append(names, HealthTool(none{}, none{}, nil).Name)
+	// A-206: the tool runner_release asks the seat's verb release with its why.
+	var asked string
+	rel := ReleaseTool(func(key string, body any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+		asked = key + fmt.Sprintf(" %+v", body)
+		return json.RawMessage(`{"released":1}`), nil
+	})
+	if _, err := rel.Run(map[string]any{"why": "w"}); err != nil || asked != "seat:mesh-pipeline-runner.release {Why:w}" {
+		t.Errorf("runner_release asked %q, %v", asked, err)
+	}
+	names = append(names, rel.Name)
+	want := "mesh-pipeline-runner.show mesh-pipeline-runner.list mesh-pipeline-runner.stands mesh-pipeline-runner.why-carried mesh-pipeline-runner.kept runner_first_views runner_first_view_again runner_health runner_release"
 	if got := strings.Join(names, " "); got != want {
 		t.Errorf("tools %q, want %q", got, want)
 	}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/approval.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/approval.go
index 0927551a..67ec25b7 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/approval.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/approval.go
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ var _ pipeline.Asker = busAsker{}
 
 // hearDecided wakes the runner on the operator-channel's decided for its own asks (§37, A-89): the warrant is read from the
 // router's record, so an event the record does not back yet is heard again.
-func hearDecided(hub *process.EventHub, h *pipeline.Hearer, module string, logf func(string, ...any)) error {
+func hearDecided(hub handlers, h *pipeline.Hearer, module string, logf func(string, ...any)) error {
 	return hub.Handle(oc.SubjectDecided(module), func(m jetstream.Msg) {
 		var ev oc.Warrant
 		if err := json.Unmarshal(m.Data(), &ev); err != nil {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/buildends.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/buildends.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fbb5149c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/buildends.go
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/builds"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/process"
+
+	"mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline"
+)
+
+// hearBuildEnds hears the builder's stream of build ends, kept last per subject and read whole at the start, then followed
+// (design 47 G A-181, §556): when the build of the runner's new version ended is the time the wait's bound counts from, and
+// each end heard for a runner held pipelines await starts their clock (§266, A-206). A stream it cannot hear is said, and the
+// bound of such a wait is not armed until the runner starts again.
+func hearBuildEnds(ctx context.Context, cred process.Account, js jetstream.JetStream, ends *pipeline.BuildEnds, st *pipeline.Starter, store pipeline.Updater,
+	logf func(string, ...any)) {
+	stream := catalogue.StreamBusName(builds.BuildsStream)
+	cc, err := cred.HearStream(ctx, js, stream, func(m jetstream.Msg) {
+		defer m.Ack()
+		md, err := m.Metadata()
+		if err != nil {
+			logf("%s has no time the stream stamped: %v", m.Subject(), err)
+			return
+		}
+		module, fp, ok := ends.Heard(m.Data(), md.Timestamp)
+		if !ok {
+			return
+		}
+		if n, err := st.Clocked(store, module, fp); err != nil {
+			logf("the clock of the %d pipelines held for %s: %v", n, fp, err)
+		} else if n > 0 {
+			logf("the build of %s ended: the bound of the %d pipelines held for it counts from it", fp, n)
+		}
+	}, logf)
+	if err != nil {
+		logf("the stream %s is not heard, so no wait for the runner's new version has its bound armed until the runner starts again: %v", stream, err)
+		return
+	}
+	go func() { <-ctx.Done(); cc.Stop() }()
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/buildends_integration_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/buildends_integration_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cb17252d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/buildends_integration_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+//go:build integration
+
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/builds"
+	seat "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/meshpipelinerunner"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/process"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/testbus"
+
+	"mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline"
+)
+
+// The runner hears the builder's stream of build ends, kept last per subject, read whole at its start: the end of its new version's
+// build, published before it started, starts the clock of the pipelines held for it, counted from the time the stream stamped the end
+// (design 47 G A-181, §266, A-206).
+func TestTheRunnerHearsTheBuildEndOfItsNewVersionAtItsStart(t *testing.T) {
+	nc, err := nats.Connect(testbus.URL(t))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer nc.Close()
+	js, err := jetstream.New(nc)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 30*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	stream, subject := catalogue.StreamBusName(builds.BuildsStream), process.ModuleStreamSubject(builds.BuilderModule, builds.BuildEndedEvent+".>")
+	if _, err := js.CreateStream(ctx, jetstream.StreamConfig{Name: stream, Subjects: []string{subject}, MaxMsgsPerSubject: 1}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	published := time.Now().UTC()
+	if _, err := js.Publish(ctx, process.ModuleStreamSubject(builds.BuilderModule, builds.BuildEndedEventName("mesh-delivery-pipeline", "src2:new")),
+		[]byte(`{"module":"mesh-delivery-pipeline","fingerprint":"src2:new","outcome":"done"}`)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	cred := process.Account{Node: "n1", Module: "mesh-delivery-pipeline"}
+	durable := cred.SeatEventConsumerConfig([]string{subject}, true)
+	durable.DeliverPolicy = jetstream.DeliverNewPolicy
+	if _, err := js.CreateOrUpdateConsumer(ctx, stream, durable); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	kv, err := js.CreateKeyValue(ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{Bucket: "pipelines", History: 1})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	store := pipelineStore{ctx: ctx, kv: kv}
+	held, _ := json.Marshal(seat.Pipeline{Pipeline: "main.4.app", Branch: "main", Module: "app", Outcome: seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning,
+		Held: &seat.Held{Since: published, Fingerprint: "src2:new"}})
+	if _, err := kv.Create(ctx, "main.4.app", held); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	ends := &pipeline.BuildEnds{}
+	armed := make(chan time.Time, 1)
+	st := &pipeline.Starter{Self: "mesh-delivery-pipeline", Ends: ends.At, Say: func(string, any) error { return nil },
+		Hold: func(fp string, from time.Time) error { armed <- from; return nil }}
+	hearBuildEnds(ctx, cred, js, ends, st, store, t.Logf)
+	select {
+	case from := <-armed:
+		if from.Before(published.Add(-time.Minute)) || from.After(time.Now().Add(time.Second)) {
+			t.Errorf("the bound counts from %s, not from the end published at %s", from, published)
+		}
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		t.Fatal("the end of the new runner's build was not heard at the start")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/consumers.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/consumers.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..288ab266
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/consumers.go
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/process"
+)
+
+// handlers is where a part of the runner registers its handler of the events it hears: the event hub, or agedHub over it.
+type handlers interface {
+	Handle(pattern string, handle func(jetstream.Msg)) error
+}
+
+// agedHub registers each handler on the hub so that every message it is handed is noted delivered on the consumer's
+// ledger, and applied once the handler acknowledges or ends it, so the runner's state consumers holds when the
+// consumer's oldest unacknowledged message was delivered (design 47 G §76, §468, §495; A-164, A-166, A-176). A message
+// the handler asks again (a refusal for now) stays unacknowledged.
+type agedHub struct {
+	hub    handlers
+	ledger *process.ConsumerLedger
+}
+
+func (a agedHub) Handle(pattern string, handle func(jetstream.Msg)) error {
+	return a.hub.Handle(pattern, func(m jetstream.Msg) {
+		a.ledger.Delivered(m)
+		handle(&agedMsg{Msg: m, ledger: a.ledger})
+	})
+}
+
+// agedMsg is a message whose acknowledgement or end is noted applied on its consumer's ledger, once.
+type agedMsg struct {
+	jetstream.Msg
+	ledger *process.ConsumerLedger
+	once   sync.Once
+}
+
+func (m *agedMsg) applied() { m.once.Do(func() { m.ledger.Applied(m.Msg, time.Time{}) }) }
+
+func (m *agedMsg) Ack() error { defer m.applied(); return m.Msg.Ack() }
+
+func (m *agedMsg) DoubleAck(ctx context.Context) error {
+	defer m.applied()
+	return m.Msg.DoubleAck(ctx)
+}
+
+func (m *agedMsg) Term() error { defer m.applied(); return m.Msg.Term() }
+
+func (m *agedMsg) TermWithReason(r string) error { defer m.applied(); return m.Msg.TermWithReason(r) }
+
+// consumersSink writes a consumer's facts in the state consumers.
+func consumersSink(kv jetstream.KeyValue) process.ConsumerSink {
+	return func(ctx context.Context, k string, v []byte) error { _, err := kv.Put(ctx, k, v); return err }
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/consumers_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/consumers_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..91ddcd8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/consumers_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/process"
+)
+
+type oneHub struct{ handle func(jetstream.Msg) }
+
+func (h *oneHub) Handle(_ string, handle func(jetstream.Msg)) error { h.handle = handle; return nil }
+
+type ackedMsg struct {
+	jetstream.Msg
+	seq uint64
+}
+
+func (ackedMsg) Ack() error { return nil }
+func (ackedMsg) Nak() error { return nil }
+func (m ackedMsg) Metadata() (*jetstream.MsgMetadata, error) {
+	return &jetstream.MsgMetadata{Sequence: jetstream.SequencePair{Stream: m.seq}}, nil
+}
+func (ackedMsg) Subject() string { return "mesh.seat.x.event.y" }
+
+// TestAgedHub: a message handed to a handler is noted delivered on the consumer's ledger, applied when the handler
+// acknowledges it, and left unacknowledged when the handler asks it again (§76, §468; RN25, A-166, A-176).
+func TestAgedHub(t *testing.T) {
+	var last process.ConsumerFacts
+	ledger := process.NewConsumerLedger(process.EventsStream, "n_runner", func(_ context.Context, _ string, v []byte) error {
+		last = process.ConsumerFacts{}
+		return json.Unmarshal(v, &last)
+	}, nil, nil)
+	hub := &oneHub{}
+	var inside process.ConsumerFacts
+	nak := false
+	if err := (agedHub{hub: hub, ledger: ledger}).Handle("x.>", func(m jetstream.Msg) {
+		inside = last
+		if nak {
+			_ = m.Nak()
+			return
+		}
+		_ = m.Ack()
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	hub.handle(ackedMsg{seq: 1})
+	if inside.OldestUnacknowledged.IsZero() {
+		t.Fatalf("inside the handler the consumer's facts = %+v, want its delivery written", inside)
+	}
+	if !last.OldestUnacknowledged.IsZero() || last.Acknowledged != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("after the handler acknowledged: %+v, want none unacknowledged and 1 acknowledged", last)
+	}
+	nak = true
+	hub.handle(ackedMsg{seq: 2})
+	if last.OldestUnacknowledged.IsZero() {
+		t.Errorf("a message asked again is noted applied: %+v", last)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/findingwriter.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/findingwriter.go
index 0fedcad4..b8d2d35e 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/findingwriter.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/findingwriter.go
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
@@ -9,12 +11,32 @@ import (
 	condseat "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/health-and-repair/go/seats/meshconditions"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/process"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/views"
+
+	seat "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/meshpipelinerunner"
 )
 
+// findingsWriter is the runner's finding writer as the mesh-sdk makes it.
+type findingsWriter = views.Writer[condseat.Finding, condseat.FindingCleared, condseat.FindingsStated, condseat.FindingsAskedEvent]
+
+// KindPipelineWaits is the finding of pipelines held for the runner's new version that the wait's bound started with the running
+// runner (design 47 G §266, A-206).
+const KindPipelineWaits = "pipeline-waits"
+
+// lateFinding is the finding pipeline-waits of one pipeline the bound's expiry started: scope module, id its key
+// `<branch>.<id>.<module>`, naming the fingerprint of the new runner it waited for and since when.
+func lateFinding(p seat.Pipeline, held seat.Held, runner, node string, at time.Time) condseat.Finding {
+	return condseat.Finding{Scope: views.FindingScope, ID: p.Pipeline, Kind: KindPipelineWaits, Severity: condseat.FindingSeverityWarning,
+		Headline: "the new pipeline runner did not run healthy in time",
+		Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the pipeline %s was held since %s for the runner at %s to run healthy; the bound passed and the running runner runs it",
+			p.Pipeline, held.Since.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), held.Fingerprint),
+		Source: "bound of the wait for the new runner", Observer: runner, At: at,
+		Subject: condseat.Subject{Scope: views.FindingScope, ID: p.Module, Machine: node}}
+}
+
 // findingWriter is the runner's mesh-sdk finding writer (design 47 G §461, §689): the runner observes only what its views
 // reader finds, so its own observe states none and the writer's statement covers the reader's open findings. The writer
 // forms its subjects itself (design 47 G §383, A-13).
-func findingWriter(ctx context.Context, cred process.Account, conn *nats.Conn, js jetstream.JetStream, state process.State, logf func(string, ...any)) (*views.Writer[condseat.Finding, condseat.FindingCleared, condseat.FindingsStated, condseat.FindingsAskedEvent], error) {
+func findingWriter(ctx context.Context, cred process.Account, conn *nats.Conn, js jetstream.JetStream, state process.State, logf func(string, ...any)) (*findingsWriter, error) {
 	w, err := views.NewWriter(views.WriterConfig[condseat.Finding, condseat.FindingCleared, condseat.FindingsStated, condseat.FindingsAskedEvent]{
 		Module: cred.Module, State: state, Node: cred.Node, Asked: condseat.SubjectFindingsAsked, JS: js, Conn: conn, Logf: logf,
 		Observe: func(context.Context) (views.Observed[condseat.Finding], error) {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/findingwriter_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/findingwriter_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8d9dd3fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/findingwriter_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	condseat "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/health-and-repair/go/seats/meshconditions"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/views"
+
+	seat "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/meshpipelinerunner"
+)
+
+// The bound's expiry's finding is pipeline-waits, scope module, id the pipeline's key, naming the awaited fingerprint and since
+// when (design 47 G §266, A-206); it passes the writer's own check of a finding.
+func TestLateFindingIsPipelineWaitsOfTheModuleScope(t *testing.T) {
+	since := time.Date(2026, 11, 11, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	f := lateFinding(seat.Pipeline{Pipeline: "main.4.app", Module: "app", Branch: "main"}, seat.Held{Since: since, Fingerprint: "src2:new"},
+		"mesh-delivery-pipeline", "n1", since.Add(30*time.Minute))
+	if f.Kind != "pipeline-waits" || f.Scope != views.FindingScope || f.ID != "main.4.app" || f.Severity != condseat.FindingSeverityWarning {
+		t.Errorf("finding %+v", f)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(f.Summary, "src2:new") || !strings.Contains(f.Summary, "2026-11-11T12:00:00Z") {
+		t.Errorf("summary %q", f.Summary)
+	}
+	if err := views.CheckFinding(f); err != nil {
+		t.Error(err)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/main.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/main.go
index 2190fdfb..f6b1d924 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/main.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"os/signal"
 	"sync/atomic"
 	"syscall"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
 
@@ -71,6 +72,13 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, getenv func(string) string, logOut io.Writer) erro
 	}
 	defer calls.Close()
 	hub := process.NewEventHub(logger.Printf)
+	// The durable consumer's facts, among them when its oldest unacknowledged message was delivered, read by the tool
+	// runner_health (§76, §468; A-164, A-166, A-176): written when a message is delivered or applied.
+	consumers, err := process.EssentialBucket(ctx, js, "pipeline runner", ownBucket(cred.Module, pipeline.StateConsumers), "say how far its consumer is behind")
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	heard := agedHub{hub: hub, ledger: process.NewConsumerLedger(process.EventsStream, cred.EventConsumerName(), consumersSink(consumers), nil, logger.Printf)}
 	// A branch's view holding its first half asks again the steps placed in its running pipelines that were never asked
 	// (§88); the starter is made after the views, so it is reached through a pointer set once it is.
 	var resumer atomic.Pointer[func(string)]
@@ -96,14 +104,29 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, getenv func(string) string, logOut io.Writer) erro
 	hearer.Where = routerRecordOf(cred.Module, calls.Call, calls.Ask)
 	// Its asking half (§22, §24): a pipeline's steps are placed from the module's registration and each build seat is asked
 	// for its step.
+	ends := &pipeline.BuildEnds{}
 	starter := &pipeline.Starter{Pipelines: createdKV{ctx: ctx, kv: pipelines}, Logf: logger.Printf, Say: say,
 		Registration: rv.Registrations.Registration, Steps: busStepAsker{ctx: ctx, js: js, cred: cred}, Name: cred.Module,
-		Arm: armBound(ctx, bounds), Kept: keptReader(ctx, kept), Toolchain: toolchainReader(ctx, toolchains)}
+		Arm: armBound(ctx, bounds), Kept: keptReader(ctx, kept), Toolchain: toolchainReader(ctx, toolchains),
+		// The runner's own module and fingerprint (A-149): a take-in giving it another holds the pipelines it starts (§65, A-195).
+		Self: cred.Module, SelfFp: getenv("MESH_FINGERPRINT"), Awaiting: pipeline.Awaiting(pipelineStore{ctx: ctx, kv: pipelines}),
+		Ends: ends.At, Hold: armHeld(ctx, bounds),
+		// The bound's expiry writes the finding pipeline-waits for each pipeline it started (§266, A-206).
+		Late: func(p seat.Pipeline, held seat.Held) {
+			module, node := rv.Findings.ModuleNode()
+			if err := rv.Findings.Write(ctx, lateFinding(p, held, module, node, time.Now().UTC())); err != nil {
+				logger.Printf("the finding pipeline-waits of %s is not written: %v", p.Pipeline, err)
+			}
+		}}
 	resume := func(branch string) {
 		half, ok := rv.Catalog.View(branch)
 		if !ok {
 			return
 		}
+		// Pipelines held for the fingerprint this runner runs are started now: it is the new runner (§19, A-195).
+		if n, err := starter.Release(pipelineStore{ctx: ctx, kv: pipelines}, starter.SelfFp, "ran", rv.Catalog.View); err != nil {
+			logger.Printf("the pipelines held for the runner at %s: %d released, then %v", starter.SelfFp, n, err)
+		}
 		n, err := starter.Resume(pipelineStore{ctx: ctx, kv: pipelines}, branch, half)
 		if err != nil {
 			logger.Printf("the steps placed on %s and not yet asked: %d asked, then %v", branch, n, err)
@@ -112,25 +135,36 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, getenv func(string) string, logOut io.Writer) erro
 		logger.Printf("the steps placed on %s and not yet asked: %d asked again", branch, n)
 	}
 	resumer.Store(&resume)
-	if err := hearStepEnded(hub, hearer, logger.Printf); err != nil {
+	if err := hearStepEnded(heard, hearer, logger.Printf); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if err := hearToolchain(ctx, hub, toolchains, logger.Printf); err != nil {
+	if err := hearToolchain(ctx, heard, toolchains, logger.Printf); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if err := hearAskTaken(ctx, hub, bounds, logger.Printf); err != nil {
+	if err := hearAskTaken(ctx, heard, bounds, logger.Printf); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if err := watchBounds(ctx, bounds, hearer, logger.Printf); err != nil {
+	store := pipelineStore{ctx: ctx, kv: pipelines}
+	if err := watchBounds(ctx, bounds, hearer, func(key string) {
+		if n, err := starter.ReleaseExpired(store, key, rv.Catalog.View); err != nil {
+			logger.Printf("the pipelines held for the runner, whose %s passed: %d released, then %v", key, n, err)
+		} else {
+			logger.Printf("the runner's new version did not run healthy within %s: %d held pipelines started with the running runner", pipeline.HeldBound, n)
+		}
+	}, logger.Printf); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if err := hearDecided(hub, hearer, cred.Module, logger.Printf); err != nil {
+	hearBuildEnds(ctx, cred, js, ends, starter, store, logger.Printf)
+	if err := hearRunning(ctx, heard, cred.Module, starter, store, bounds, rv.Catalog.View, logger.Printf); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if err := hearPublished(ctx, hub, starter, calls, rv.Catalog, logger.Printf); err != nil {
+	if err := hearDecided(heard, hearer, cred.Module, logger.Printf); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if err := hearTakenIn(hub, starter, rv.Catalog, logger.Printf); err != nil {
+	if err := hearPublished(ctx, heard, starter, calls, rv.Catalog, logger.Printf); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := hearTakenIn(heard, starter, rv.Catalog, logger.Printf); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	if err := hub.StartUntilBound(ctx, js, cred, nil, nil); err != nil {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/run_integration_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/run_integration_test.go
index 5637d20c..cc28c592 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/run_integration_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/run_integration_test.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"sync"
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ import (
 	seat "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/meshpipelinerunner"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/process"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/testbus"
+
+	"mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline"
 )
 
 type syncBuffer struct {
@@ -53,7 +56,7 @@ func TestTheRunnerPlacesAPipelineAsksItsBuildTakesItsEndAndAnswersAReview(t *tes
 	defer cancel()
 
 	const module = "mesh-delivery-pipeline"
-	for _, state := range []string{"pipelines", "kept", "toolchains", "findings", "first-views"} {
+	for _, state := range []string{"pipelines", "kept", "toolchains", "findings", "first-views", "consumers"} {
 		if _, err := js.CreateKeyValue(ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{Bucket: module + "_" + state, History: 1}); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -74,7 +77,7 @@ func TestTheRunnerPlacesAPipelineAsksItsBuildTakesItsEndAndAnswersAReview(t *tes
 	}
 
 	// The seats the runner calls, answered as their holders do.
-	reg := catalog.Registration{Module: "app", Branches: []string{"main"}, Origin: "o/app", Policy: catalog.Policy{Steps: catalog.StepStatuses{Review: "optional"}}}
+	reg := catalog.Registration{Module: "app", Branches: []string{"main"}, Origin: "o/app", Policy: catalog.Policy{Steps: catalog.StepStatuses{Review: "optional", Composition: "bypass", Approval: "bypass"}}}
 	answer := func(subject string, body any) {
 		if _, err := nc.Subscribe(subject, func(m *nats.Msg) {
 			raw, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"result": body})
@@ -157,6 +160,43 @@ func TestTheRunnerPlacesAPipelineAsksItsBuildTakesItsEndAndAnswersAReview(t *tes
 	})
 
 	waitFor(t, ctx, logs, func() bool { return readPipeline(ctx, pipelines, key, &p) && p.Outcome == seat.PipelineOutcomePassed })
+
+	// RN25 (§76, §468; A-166): the durable consumer's age is in the state consumers, none waiting once every message heard
+	// is acknowledged, and runner_health reads it healthy.
+	consumers, err := js.KeyValue(ctx, module+"_consumers")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var facts process.ConsumerFacts
+	waitFor(t, ctx, logs, func() bool {
+		e, err := consumers.Get(ctx, "n1_"+module)
+		return err == nil && json.Unmarshal(e.Value(), &facts) == nil && facts.OldestUnacknowledged.IsZero() && facts.Acknowledged > 0
+	})
+	if a := pipeline.Health(kvKept{ctx, pipelines}, kvKept{ctx, consumers}, time.Now()); !a.Healthy {
+		t.Errorf("runner_health over the bus: %+v", a)
+	}
+}
+
+// kvKept reads a bucket as the tools bundle's states do.
+type kvKept struct {
+	ctx context.Context
+	kv  jetstream.KeyValue
+}
+
+func (k kvKept) Keys() ([]string, error) {
+	keys, err := k.kv.Keys(k.ctx)
+	if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrNoKeysFound) {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	return keys, err
+}
+
+func (k kvKept) Value(key string) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+	e, err := k.kv.Get(k.ctx, key)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return e.Value(), nil
 }
 
 func stepOf(p seat.Pipeline, step string) seat.StepResult {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/start.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/start.go
index 5c933297..f75f738f 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/start.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/start.go
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ func (c createdKV) Create(key string, value []byte) error {
 // hearPublished starts the pipelines of each package-published heard (§53, §334): the dependents the catalog's outdated
 // names behind, each asked as a kept call. The message is acknowledged once its starts are written, on a goroutine of its
 // own, so a slow catalog holds no other event.
-func hearPublished(ctx context.Context, hub *process.EventHub, starter *pipeline.Starter, calls *process.Conn, v *pipeline.Views, logf func(string, ...any)) error {
+func hearPublished(ctx context.Context, hub handlers, starter *pipeline.Starter, calls *process.Conn, v *pipeline.Views, logf func(string, ...any)) error {
 	outdated := func(in catalog.OutdatedInput) (catalog.OutdatedAnswer, error) {
 		raw, err := calls.CallKept(outdatedVerb, in)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func hearPublished(ctx context.Context, hub *process.EventHub, starter *pipeline
 
 // hearTakenIn starts the pipelines of each take-in.taken heard (§44, §54): one per entry, the message acknowledged once
 // they are written, and heard again when a write failed, so the keys already written start nothing twice.
-func hearTakenIn(hub *process.EventHub, starter *pipeline.Starter, v *pipeline.Views, logf func(string, ...any)) error {
+func hearTakenIn(hub handlers, starter *pipeline.Starter, v *pipeline.Views, logf func(string, ...any)) error {
 	return hub.Handle(pipeline.TakenInSubject, func(m jetstream.Msg) {
 		var ev catalog.TakeInTaken
 		if err := json.Unmarshal(m.Data(), &ev); err != nil {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/steps.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/steps.go
index 5e4aa9e7..58f0ad0f 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/steps.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/steps.go
@@ -6,9 +6,11 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"strings"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
 
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/seats/nodeengine"
 	builds "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/meshbuilds"
 	seat "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/meshpipelinerunner"
 	nodebuildgo "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/nodebuildgo"
@@ -99,7 +101,7 @@ func newHearer(ctx context.Context, js jetstream.JetStream, cred process.Account
 
 // hearStepEnded takes each build seat's step-ended into its pipeline (§24; ADR 0666 §21): refused and said, never taken,
 // when it is not as the runner asked it, and heard again when a write failed.
-func hearStepEnded(hub *process.EventHub, h *pipeline.Hearer, logf func(string, ...any)) error {
+func hearStepEnded(hub handlers, h *pipeline.Hearer, logf func(string, ...any)) error {
 	for _, bs := range pipeline.StepSeats {
 		bs := bs
 		err := hub.Handle(bs.Prefix+"*", func(m jetstream.Msg) {
@@ -137,7 +139,7 @@ func hearStepEnded(hub *process.EventHub, h *pipeline.Hearer, logf func(string,
 
 // hearAskTaken deletes the bound of each ask a build seat's holder took (§602, §647): the ask is answered, so its five minutes
 // end with no finding.
-func hearAskTaken(ctx context.Context, hub *process.EventHub, bounds jetstream.KeyValue, logf func(string, ...any)) error {
+func hearAskTaken(ctx context.Context, hub handlers, bounds jetstream.KeyValue, logf func(string, ...any)) error {
 	for _, ts := range pipeline.TakenSeats {
 		ts := ts
 		err := hub.Handle(ts.Subject, func(m jetstream.Msg) {
@@ -172,9 +174,54 @@ func armBound(ctx context.Context, bounds jetstream.KeyValue) pipeline.Arm {
 	}
 }
 
+// armHeld is the bound of the pipelines held for the runner's new version: a key of the state bounds named for the awaited
+// fingerprint, with its own time to live of 30 minutes counted from the end of that runner's build (design 47 G §266, A-195, A-77,
+// A-206).
+func armHeld(ctx context.Context, bounds jetstream.KeyValue) func(string, time.Time) error {
+	return func(fp string, from time.Time) error {
+		_, err := bounds.Create(ctx, pipeline.HeldKey(fp), []byte(`{"fingerprint":"`+fp+`"}`), jetstream.KeyTTL(pipeline.HeldTTL(from, time.Now())))
+		if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrKeyExists) {
+			return nil
+		}
+		return err
+	}
+}
+
+// hearRunning releases the pipelines held for the runner's new version when the node-engine seat says the runner's own module
+// runs that fingerprint healthy, on any node (§266, §276, A-195); its bound is then deleted. A running with no health reads
+// as healthy (§520). Heard again when the release could not be written.
+func hearRunning(ctx context.Context, hub handlers, self string, st *pipeline.Starter, store pipeline.Updater, bounds jetstream.KeyValue,
+	view func(string) (pipeline.Half, bool), logf func(string, ...any)) error {
+	return hub.Handle(nodeengine.SubjectRunningAll, func(m jetstream.Msg) {
+		var ev nodeengine.Running
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(m.Data(), &ev); err != nil {
+			logf("%s is no running: %v", m.Subject(), err)
+			_ = m.Term()
+			return
+		}
+		if ev.Module != self || ev.Stopped || ev.Fingerprint == "" || (ev.Healthy != nil && !*ev.Healthy) {
+			_ = m.Ack()
+			return
+		}
+		n, err := st.Release(store, ev.Fingerprint, "ran", view)
+		if err != nil {
+			logf("the pipelines held for %s: %d released, then %v; heard again", ev.Fingerprint, n, err)
+			_ = m.Nak()
+			return
+		}
+		if n > 0 {
+			logf("the runner runs %s on %s: %d held pipelines released", ev.Fingerprint, ev.Node, n)
+			if err := bounds.Delete(ctx, pipeline.HeldKey(ev.Fingerprint)); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrKeyNotFound) {
+				logf("the bound of the wait for %s is not deleted: %v", ev.Fingerprint, err)
+			}
+		}
+		_ = m.Ack()
+	})
+}
+
 // watchBounds hears the end of each ask's bound, the bus's marker of the key's expiry, and ends the step no holder took (§32,
 // §535, A-77): no timer in the process.
-func watchBounds(ctx context.Context, bounds jetstream.KeyValue, h *pipeline.Hearer, logf func(string, ...any)) error {
+func watchBounds(ctx context.Context, bounds jetstream.KeyValue, h *pipeline.Hearer, release func(key string), logf func(string, ...any)) error {
 	w, err := bounds.WatchAll(ctx, jetstream.UpdatesOnly())
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -189,6 +236,10 @@ func watchBounds(ctx context.Context, bounds jetstream.KeyValue, h *pipeline.Hea
 				if !ok {
 					return
 				}
+				if e != nil && e.Operation() == jetstream.KeyValuePurge && pipeline.IsHeldKey(e.Key()) {
+					release(e.Key())
+					continue
+				}
 				if e == nil || e.Operation() != jetstream.KeyValuePurge || !pipeline.IsAskKey(e.Key()) {
 					continue
 				}
@@ -252,7 +303,7 @@ func toolchainReader(ctx context.Context, toolchains jetstream.KeyValue) func(st
 }
 
 // hearToolchain keeps each toolchain-agreed heard as `<language>` in the state toolchains (A-104): the newest of a language.
-func hearToolchain(ctx context.Context, hub *process.EventHub, toolchains jetstream.KeyValue, logf func(string, ...any)) error {
+func hearToolchain(ctx context.Context, hub handlers, toolchains jetstream.KeyValue, logf func(string, ...any)) error {
 	return hub.Handle(builds.SubjectToolchainAgreed, func(m jetstream.Msg) {
 		t, err := pipeline.ToolchainOf(m.Data())
 		if err != nil || t == nil {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/verbs.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/verbs.go
index 6ddf5016..1517865c 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/verbs.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/verbs.go
@@ -32,15 +32,24 @@ func verbOf[In any](do func(caller string, in In) (any, error)) process.SeatHand
 	}
 }
 
-// answerVerbs answers the seat's write verbs `review`, `rerun`, `accept` and `cancel` over the bus, each writing the state
-// pipelines by compare-and-set (design 47 G §22, §70, §482, A-107). The returned stop ends the answers.
+// answerVerbs answers the seat's write verbs over the bus, each writing the state pipelines by compare-and-set (design 47
+// G §22, §70, §306, §482, A-107). The returned stop ends the answers.
 func answerVerbs(conn *process.Conn, v pipeline.Verbs) (func(), error) {
-	return conn.AnswerSeat(seat.Seat, map[string]process.SeatHandler{
-		seat.VerbReview: verbOf(func(c string, in seat.ReviewInput) (any, error) { return v.Review(c, in) }),
-		seat.VerbRerun:  verbOf(func(c string, in seat.RerunInput) (any, error) { return v.Rerun(c, in) }),
-		seat.VerbAccept: verbOf(func(c string, in seat.AcceptInput) (any, error) { return v.Accept(c, in) }),
-		seat.VerbCancel: verbOf(func(c string, in seat.CancelInput) (any, error) { return v.Cancel(c, in) }),
-	})
+	return conn.AnswerSeat(seat.Seat, writeHandlers(v))
+}
+
+// writeHandlers are the seat's write verbs the process answers: review, rerun, accept, cancel, start, ask-again and
+// release (§306; RN14; A-206).
+func writeHandlers(v pipeline.Verbs) map[string]process.SeatHandler {
+	return map[string]process.SeatHandler{
+		seat.VerbReview:   verbOf(func(c string, in seat.ReviewInput) (any, error) { return v.Review(c, in) }),
+		seat.VerbRerun:    verbOf(func(c string, in seat.RerunInput) (any, error) { return v.Rerun(c, in) }),
+		seat.VerbAccept:   verbOf(func(c string, in seat.AcceptInput) (any, error) { return v.Accept(c, in) }),
+		seat.VerbCancel:   verbOf(func(c string, in seat.CancelInput) (any, error) { return v.Cancel(c, in) }),
+		seat.VerbStart:    verbOf(func(c string, in seat.StartInput) (any, error) { return v.Start(c, in) }),
+		seat.VerbAskAgain: verbOf(func(c string, in seat.AskAgainInput) (any, error) { return v.AskAgain(c, in) }),
+		seat.VerbRelease:  verbOf(func(c string, in seat.ReleaseInput) (any, error) { return v.Release(c, in) }),
+	}
 }
 
 // dropBound deletes the bound of an ask a cancelled pipeline no longer waits on.
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/verbs_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/verbs_test.go
index 9b5fb4d6..61801856 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/verbs_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/verbs_test.go
@@ -2,11 +2,29 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
+	"slices"
 	"testing"
 
 	seat "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/meshpipelinerunner"
+
+	"mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline"
 )
 
+// RN12, RN14 (§306): the process answers every write verb of the seat, the bundle every read verb, so each verb the
+// manifest claims is served.
+func TestEveryWriteVerbIsServed(t *testing.T) {
+	var got []string
+	for v := range writeHandlers(pipeline.Verbs{}) {
+		got = append(got, v)
+	}
+	slices.Sort(got)
+	want := []string{seat.VerbAccept, seat.VerbAskAgain, seat.VerbCancel, seat.VerbRerun, seat.VerbRelease, seat.VerbReview, seat.VerbStart}
+	slices.Sort(want)
+	if !slices.Equal(got, want) {
+		t.Errorf("the process answers %v, want %v", got, want)
+	}
+}
+
 // A write verb is answered only for a caller the bus proved, and its input is the verb's own (design 47 G §394, A-107).
 func TestAVerbIsAnsweredOnlyForAProvedCallerAndItsOwnInput(t *testing.T) {
 	var got seat.CancelInput
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/views.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/views.go
index 363c34db..1236cf75 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/views.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/cmd/mesh-delivery-pipeline/views.go
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ import (
 type runnerViews struct {
 	Registrations *meshcatalogclient.Registrations
 	Catalog       *pipeline.Views
+	// Findings is the runner's finding writer, which also says the runner's own findings (A-206).
+	Findings *findingsWriter
 }
 
 // startViews wires the runner's views on hub and asks each first view; register every other handler on hub before or
@@ -53,7 +55,7 @@ func startViews(ctx context.Context, js jetstream.JetStream, conn *nats.Conn, cr
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	reader.Start(ctx, js, cred, status)
-	return &runnerViews{Registrations: regs, Catalog: cv}, nil
+	return &runnerViews{Registrations: regs, Catalog: cv, Findings: findings}, nil
 }
 
 // catalogView is a branch's meshcatalogclient.Catalog as the runner reads it.
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/go.mod b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/go.mod
index 9bfc48db..028117ac 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/go.mod
@@ -11,9 +11,11 @@ require (
 require (
 	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/health-and-repair/go/clients/meshhandactsclient v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/health-and-repair/go/seats/meshconditions v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/builds v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/clients/meshcatalogclient v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/clients/meshpipelinerunnerclient v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/operator-and-conversation/go/clients/operatorchannelclient v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/seats/nodeengine v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/operator-and-conversation/go/seats/operatorchannel v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/nodebuildgo v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/nodebuildimage v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/approval.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/approval.go
index 2756fa75..6497dfe5 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/approval.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/approval.go
@@ -51,7 +51,15 @@ func approvalDue(p seat.Pipeline) int {
 // ApprovalAsk is the ask of a pipeline's approval step. Its id and its expiry follow from the pipeline and from when the
 // step was asked, so the ask built again for the same pipeline is the same ask, digest included: a warrant is held to it.
 func ApprovalAsk(p seat.Pipeline, from time.Time) (oc.Ask, error) {
-	sum := sha256.Sum256([]byte(p.Pipeline + "\n" + p.Commit))
+	// An approval asked again (ask-again) is an ask of its own, its id following from when it was asked again, so the
+	// ask rebuilt from the step is the same and the earlier, decided ask is not its duplicate.
+	idOf := p.Pipeline + "\n" + p.Commit
+	for _, st := range p.Steps {
+		if st.Step == seat.StepResultStepApproval && st.Rerun {
+			idOf += "\nasked again\n" + from.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339Nano)
+		}
+	}
+	sum := sha256.Sum256([]byte(idOf))
 	act := func(do string) (string, error) {
 		return operatorchannelclient.ActDigest(operatorchannelclient.Act{"pipeline": p.Pipeline, "commit": p.Commit,
 			"fingerprint": p.Fingerprint, "do": do})
@@ -98,6 +106,10 @@ func askApproval(key string, p *seat.Pipeline, from time.Time, asker Asker) (boo
 	if i < 0 || asker == nil {
 		return false, nil
 	}
+	// An approval asked again keeps the time ask-again wrote, so an ask published and then not written is the same ask.
+	if s := p.Steps[i]; s.Rerun && s.Started != nil {
+		from = *s.Started
+	}
 	a, err := ApprovalAsk(*p, from)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, fmt.Errorf("the approval of %s cannot be asked: %w", key, err)
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/consumers.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/consumers.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d7a85fab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/consumers.go
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+package pipeline
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/health"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/process"
+)
+
+// StateConsumers is the runner's old state section of its durable consumers' facts, a key per consumer, written by
+// mesh-sdk's consumer ledger (design 47 G §468, §76, §495; A-164, A-166, A-176).
+const StateConsumers = process.ConsumersState
+
+// BehindAfter is how long a consumer's oldest unacknowledged message may wait before the runner's health check names it
+// behind (§76).
+const BehindAfter = 5 * time.Minute
+
+// Health is the runner's health as its tool runner_health answers it (§468, §76, §495; A-164): healthy when its state
+// pipelines answers, as show reads it, and each durable consumer's oldest unacknowledged message waits less than
+// BehindAfter; otherwise unhealthy naming each consumer behind and how long.
+func Health(pipelines, consumers Kept, now time.Time) health.Answer {
+	if _, err := pipelines.Keys(); err != nil {
+		return health.Unhealthy(fmt.Sprintf("The runner does not answer show: its state pipelines cannot be listed (%v).", err))
+	}
+	keys, err := consumers.Keys()
+	if err != nil {
+		return health.Unhealthy(fmt.Sprintf("The ages of the runner's consumers cannot be read from its state %s (%v).", StateConsumers, err))
+	}
+	if len(keys) == 0 {
+		return health.Healthy(fmt.Sprintf("The runner answers show and has heard no event yet: its state %s holds no consumer.", StateConsumers))
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	var behind []string
+	for _, k := range keys {
+		raw, err := consumers.Value(k)
+		if err != nil {
+			return health.Unhealthy(fmt.Sprintf("The age of the consumer %s cannot be read (%v).", k, err))
+		}
+		var a process.ConsumerFacts
+		if raw != nil {
+			if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &a); err != nil {
+				return health.Unhealthy(fmt.Sprintf("The age of the consumer %s does not read (%v).", k, err))
+			}
+		}
+		if !a.OldestUnacknowledged.IsZero() {
+			if age := now.Sub(a.OldestUnacknowledged); age >= BehindAfter {
+				behind = append(behind, fmt.Sprintf("%s (its oldest unacknowledged message waits %s)", k, age.Round(time.Second)))
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if len(behind) > 0 {
+		return health.Unhealthy(fmt.Sprintf("The runner's consumers behind by %s or more: %s.", BehindAfter, strings.Join(behind, ", ")))
+	}
+	return health.Healthy(fmt.Sprintf("The runner answers show, and each of its %d consumers is less than %s behind.", len(keys), BehindAfter))
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/consumers_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/consumers_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8decf31c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/consumers_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+package pipeline
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/process"
+)
+
+type mapKept map[string]json.RawMessage
+
+func (m mapKept) Keys() ([]string, error) {
+	var out []string
+	for k := range m {
+		out = append(out, k)
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+func (m mapKept) Value(k string) (json.RawMessage, error) { return m[k], nil }
+
+type failingKept struct{}
+
+func (failingKept) Keys() ([]string, error)               { return nil, errors.New("no bucket") }
+func (failingKept) Value(string) (json.RawMessage, error) { return nil, errors.New("no bucket") }
+
+// TestHealth: runner_health is healthy when the runner answers show and each consumer is less than five minutes behind,
+// and otherwise names each consumer behind (§76, §468, §495; RN25, A-164).
+func TestHealth(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Date(2026, 11, 12, 10, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	age := func(name string, since time.Duration) mapKept {
+		a := process.ConsumerFacts{Name: name}
+		if since > 0 {
+			a.OldestUnacknowledged = now.Add(-since)
+		}
+		raw, _ := json.Marshal(a)
+		return mapKept{name: raw}
+	}
+	rows := []struct {
+		name      string
+		pipelines Kept
+		consumers Kept
+		healthy   bool
+		says      string
+	}{
+		{"none waiting", mapKept{}, age("n_runner", 0), true, "less than 5m0s behind"},
+		{"four minutes", mapKept{}, age("n_runner", 4*time.Minute), true, ""},
+		{"six minutes names the consumer", mapKept{}, age("n_runner", 6*time.Minute), false, "n_runner (its oldest unacknowledged message waits 6m0s)"},
+		{"show does not answer", failingKept{}, age("n_runner", 0), false, "does not answer show"},
+		{"no event heard yet", mapKept{}, mapKept{}, true, "has heard no event yet"},
+	}
+	for _, r := range rows {
+		a := Health(r.pipelines, r.consumers, now)
+		if a.Healthy != r.healthy || !strings.Contains(a.Why, r.says) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: healthy %v %q; want %v saying %q", r.name, a.Healthy, a.Why, r.healthy, r.says)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/ended_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/ended_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..765cb420
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/ended_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+package pipeline
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	seat "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/meshpipelinerunner"
+	nodebuildgo "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/nodebuildgo"
+)
+
+// pipeline-ended carries the module's test counts and says it over budget past 500 unit or 50 integration tests (design 47 G
+// §24, §419), and a group's one pipeline ends with group-ended under the group once every member ended (§73, §332).
+func TestPipelineEndedCarriesTestCountsAndAGroupEndsOnItsMembers(t *testing.T) {
+	h, store, _, _, _, _ := fixture()
+	bodies := map[string]any{}
+	var order []string
+	h.Say = func(subject string, body any) error {
+		ev := subject[strings.Index(subject, ".event.")+7:]
+		bodies[ev] = body
+		order = append(order, ev)
+		return nil
+	}
+	e := store[pkey]
+	e.p.Steps = e.p.Steps[:2]
+	e.p.Steps[1].Status = seat.StepResultStatusRequired
+	e.p.Group = "g1"
+	store[pkey] = e
+	// A second member of the same group, on the same source revision, still running.
+	store["main.5.lib"] = struct {
+		p   seat.Pipeline
+		rev uint64
+	}{seat.Pipeline{V: 1, Pipeline: "main.5.lib", Branch: "main", Source: 5, Module: "lib", Commit: "c2", Group: "g1", Outcome: seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning,
+		Steps: []seat.StepResult{{Step: seat.StepResultStepLint, Status: seat.StepResultStatusRequired, Outcome: seat.StepResultOutcomeRunning, Ask: "b1", Seat: nodebuildgo.Seat}}}, 1}
+
+	lint := ended("a1", "lint", "passed")
+	unit := ended("a2", "unit", "passed")
+	unit.Tests = &nodebuildgo.TestCounts{Unit: 501, Integration: 0}
+	for _, ev := range []StepEnded{lint, unit} {
+		if _, err := h.OnStepEnded(goSeat, goSeat.Prefix+"n1", ev); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	pe, ok := bodies["pipeline-ended.app.main.g1"].(seat.PipelineEnded)
+	if !ok || pe.Tests == nil || pe.Tests.Unit != 501 || !pe.OverBudget {
+		t.Fatalf("pipeline-ended = %+v (said %v)", bodies["pipeline-ended.app.main.g1"], order)
+	}
+	if _, said := bodies["group-ended.main.g1"]; said {
+		t.Fatalf("group-ended said while a member runs: %v", order)
+	}
+	lib := ended("b1", "lint", "passed")
+	lib.Pipeline, lib.Module, lib.Commit, lib.Fingerprint = "main.5.lib", "lib", "c2", ""
+	if _, err := h.OnStepEnded(goSeat, goSeat.Prefix+"n1", lib); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	ge, ok := bodies["group-ended.main.g1"].(seat.GroupEnded)
+	if !ok || ge.Outcome != seat.GroupEndedOutcomePassed || ge.Group != "g1" || ge.Branch != "main" || ge.Source != 5 || len(ge.Pipelines) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("group-ended = %+v (said %v)", bodies["group-ended.main.g1"], order)
+	}
+	// A pipeline of no group says no group-ended.
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/ends.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/ends.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cb7ae9e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/ends.go
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+package pipeline
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// BuildEnds are the done builds' ends heard from the builder's stream of build ends (event build.ended, kept last per subject
+// and read whole at the start, design 47 G A-181): when each build, by module and fingerprint, ended, which is the time a held
+// wait's bound counts from (§266, A-206).
+type BuildEnds struct {
+	mu sync.Mutex
+	at map[string]time.Time
+}
+
+// buildEnd is the part of the body of build.ended the runner reads.
+type buildEnd struct {
+	Module      string `json:"module"`
+	Fingerprint string `json:"fingerprint"`
+	Outcome     string `json:"outcome"`
+}
+
+// Heard keeps the end a message of the stream says, at the time the stream stamped it; a failed end, or a body naming no module
+// and fingerprint, is kept for nothing. It says the module and fingerprint it kept.
+func (e *BuildEnds) Heard(data []byte, at time.Time) (module, fp string, ok bool) {
+	var b buildEnd
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &b); err != nil || b.Module == "" || b.Fingerprint == "" || b.Outcome == "failed" {
+		return "", "", false
+	}
+	e.mu.Lock()
+	defer e.mu.Unlock()
+	if e.at == nil {
+		e.at = map[string]time.Time{}
+	}
+	e.at[b.Module+"\x00"+b.Fingerprint] = at.UTC()
+	return b.Module, b.Fingerprint, true
+}
+
+// At is when the build of the module at the fingerprint ended, false when no end was heard.
+func (e *BuildEnds) At(module, fp string) (time.Time, bool) {
+	e.mu.Lock()
+	defer e.mu.Unlock()
+	t, ok := e.at[module+"\x00"+fp]
+	return t, ok
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/hold.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/hold.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b6222c7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/hold.go
@@ -0,0 +1,269 @@
+package pipeline
+
+import (
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"slices"
+	"time"
+
+	runnerclient "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/clients/meshpipelinerunnerclient"
+	seat "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/meshpipelinerunner"
+)
+
+// HeldBound is how long the pipelines held for the runner's new version wait for it to run healthy (design 47 G §266: 30
+// minutes for the runner's `pipeline` step, A-195): a key of the state `bounds` with its own time to live, never a timer.
+const HeldBound = 30 * time.Minute
+
+// HeldPrefix starts the key of a held wait's bound.
+const HeldPrefix = "held-"
+
+// HeldKey is the bound's key for the awaited fingerprint: a fingerprint holds characters a key's name does not.
+func HeldKey(fp string) string {
+	sum := sha256.Sum256([]byte(fp))
+	return HeldPrefix + hex.EncodeToString(sum[:12])
+}
+
+// IsHeldKey says whether a key of the state `bounds` is a held wait's bound.
+func IsHeldKey(key string) bool {
+	return len(key) > len(HeldPrefix) && key[:len(HeldPrefix)] == HeldPrefix
+}
+
+// Awaiting is the awaited fingerprint of the pipelines held in store, "" and false when none is held (design 47 G §266, A-195):
+// a pipeline started while one is held is held for the same version, so it never runs on the old runner.
+func Awaiting(store Updater) func() (string, bool) {
+	return func() (string, bool) {
+		pkeys, err := store.Keys("*.*.*")
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", false
+		}
+		for _, key := range pkeys {
+			if p, _, err := store.Get(key); err == nil && p.Held != nil && p.Outcome == seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning {
+				return p.Held.Fingerprint, true
+			}
+		}
+		return "", false
+	}
+}
+
+// changesSelf says whether a take-in's entry is the runner's own module at a fingerprint other than the one that runs: its
+// pipelines are held for the new runner (design 47 G §65, §266, A-195).
+func (s *Starter) changesSelf(module, fp string) bool {
+	return s.Self != "" && module == s.Self && fp != "" && fp != s.SelfFp
+}
+
+// startHeld writes b's pipeline held for the runner's version awaiting, its steps neither placed nor asked, and says
+// wait-held with step `pipeline`; pipeline-started is said when it is released (§74, §266).
+func (s *Starter) startHeld(b Begin, key string, now time.Time, awaiting string) (bool, error) {
+	p := newPipeline(b, key, now)
+	p.Held = &seat.Held{Since: now, Fingerprint: awaiting}
+	if err := s.create(key, p); errors.Is(err, ErrExists) {
+		s.logf("%s is started already: this start writes nothing", key)
+		return false, nil
+	} else if err != nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("the pipeline %s is not written: %w", key, err)
+	}
+	from := s.clockOf(awaiting)
+	if from != nil && s.Hold != nil {
+		if err := s.Hold(awaiting, *from); err != nil {
+			s.logf("the bound of the wait for the runner at %s is not armed: %v", awaiting, err)
+		}
+	}
+	w := s.waitOf(p, now, "")
+	w.ClockFrom = from
+	if err := s.Say(runnerclient.Subject(seat.EventWaitHeld, b.Module, b.Branch, commitOrGroup(p)), w); err != nil {
+		s.logf("wait-held of %s is not said: %v", key, err)
+	}
+	return true, nil
+}
+
+// clockOf is when the build of the runner at fp ended, the time the bound counts from, nil while it has not (§266, A-181, A-206).
+func (s *Starter) clockOf(fp string) *time.Time {
+	if s.Ends == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if at, ok := s.Ends(s.Self, fp); ok {
+		return &at
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Clocked starts the clock of the pipelines held for the runner at fp, the end of whose build was heard: it arms the bound from that
+// end and says wait-held again for each with `clock-from`, so the watchman times it by the bound (§269, A-206). It says how many
+// pipelines it said, and nothing when none is held for fp or the end is not known.
+func (s *Starter) Clocked(store Updater, module, fp string) (int, error) {
+	if module != s.Self {
+		return 0, nil
+	}
+	from := s.clockOf(fp)
+	if from == nil {
+		return 0, nil
+	}
+	pkeys, err := store.Keys("*.*.*")
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("the pipelines are not listed: %w", err)
+	}
+	said := 0
+	var first error
+	for _, key := range pkeys {
+		p, _, err := store.Get(key)
+		if err != nil || p.Held == nil || p.Outcome != seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning || p.Held.Fingerprint != fp {
+			continue
+		}
+		if said == 0 && s.Hold != nil {
+			if err := s.Hold(fp, *from); err != nil {
+				first = fmt.Errorf("the bound of the wait for the runner at %s is not armed: %w", fp, err)
+			}
+		}
+		w := s.waitOf(p, p.Held.Since, "")
+		w.ClockFrom = from
+		if err := s.Say(runnerclient.Subject(seat.EventWaitHeld, p.Module, p.Branch, commitOrGroup(p)), w); err != nil && first == nil {
+			first = fmt.Errorf("wait-held of %s is not said: %w", key, err)
+		}
+		said++
+	}
+	return said, first
+}
+
+func commitOrGroup(p seat.Pipeline) string {
+	if p.Group != "" {
+		return p.Group
+	}
+	return p.Commit
+}
+
+func (s *Starter) waitOf(p seat.Pipeline, since time.Time, how string) seat.Wait {
+	return seat.Wait{V: 1, Pipeline: p.Pipeline, Branch: p.Branch, Module: p.Module, Commit: p.Commit, Fingerprint: p.Fingerprint, Group: p.Group,
+		Revision: p.Revision, Source: p.Source, Step: seat.WaitStepPipeline, On: seat.WaitOnRunnerVersion, Since: since, How: how}
+}
+
+// Release starts the pipelines held for fingerprint fp ("" for every held one) as the new runner running healthy lets
+// them, or the bound's expiry or a hand release (how: `ran` or `released`; §266, §276): each has its steps placed and asked and
+// says wait-ended and pipeline-started. A pipeline whose branch has no view yet stays held, and the first error is returned
+// so the event is heard again. It says how many it started.
+func (s *Starter) Release(store Updater, fp, how string, view func(branch string) (Half, bool)) (int, error) {
+	pkeys, err := store.Keys("*.*.*")
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("the pipelines are not listed: %w", err)
+	}
+	now := time.Now().UTC()
+	if s.Now != nil {
+		now = s.Now().UTC()
+	}
+	started := 0
+	var first error
+	note := func(err error) {
+		if first == nil {
+			first = err
+		}
+	}
+	for _, key := range pkeys {
+		p, rev, err := store.Get(key)
+		if err != nil || p.Held == nil || p.Outcome != seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning || (fp != "" && p.Held.Fingerprint != fp) {
+			continue
+		}
+		half, ok := view(p.Branch)
+		if !ok {
+			note(fmt.Errorf("the catalog half of %s is not held yet: %s stays held", p.Branch, key))
+			continue
+		}
+		held := *p.Held
+		p.Held = nil
+		var asks []Asked
+		if s.Registration != nil {
+			if reg, ok := s.Registration(p.Module); ok {
+				p.Steps, asks = Place(p, reg, half.Entries, now, s.Name)
+			}
+		}
+		if _, err := store.Update(key, p, rev); err != nil {
+			note(fmt.Errorf("the held pipeline %s is not released: %w", key, err))
+			continue
+		}
+		started++
+		if err := s.Say(runnerclient.Subject(seat.EventWaitEnded, p.Module, p.Branch, commitOrGroup(p)), s.waitOf(p, held.Since, how)); err != nil {
+			s.logf("wait-ended of %s is not said: %v", key, err)
+		}
+		ev := seat.PipelineStarted{V: 1, At: &now, Pipeline: key, Branch: p.Branch, Source: p.Source, Module: p.Module, Commit: p.Commit,
+			Fingerprint: p.Fingerprint, Group: p.Group, Revision: p.Revision}
+		if err := s.Say(runnerclient.Subject(seat.EventPipelineStarted, p.Module, p.Branch, commitOrGroup(p)), ev); err != nil {
+			s.logf("pipeline-started of %s is not said: %v", key, err)
+		}
+		if s.Steps != nil && len(asks) > 0 {
+			s.carry(key, asks)
+			if err := askAll(s.Steps, s.Arm, key, asks); err != nil {
+				note(err)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return started, first
+}
+
+// ReleaseExpired starts the pipelines held for the fingerprint whose bound key expired (§266, A-195): the 30 minutes passed
+// without the new runner running healthy, so the running runner runs them, and each started is said late through Late (A-206).
+func (s *Starter) ReleaseExpired(store Updater, key string, view func(branch string) (Half, bool)) (int, error) {
+	pkeys, err := store.Keys("*.*.*")
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("the pipelines are not listed: %w", err)
+	}
+	fp := ""
+	held := map[string]seat.Held{}
+	for _, k := range pkeys {
+		if p, _, err := store.Get(k); err == nil && p.Held != nil && p.Outcome == seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning && HeldKey(p.Held.Fingerprint) == key {
+			fp, held[k] = p.Held.Fingerprint, *p.Held
+		}
+	}
+	if fp == "" {
+		return 0, nil
+	}
+	n, err := s.Release(store, fp, "released", view)
+	for k, h := range held {
+		if p, _, gerr := store.Get(k); gerr == nil && p.Held == nil && s.Late != nil {
+			s.Late(p, h)
+		}
+	}
+	return n, err
+}
+
+// heldFingerprints are the fingerprints of the runner the held pipelines in store await, each once.
+func heldFingerprints(store Updater) []string {
+	pkeys, err := store.Keys("*.*.*")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var fps []string
+	for _, key := range pkeys {
+		if p, _, err := store.Get(key); err == nil && p.Held != nil && p.Outcome == seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning && !slices.Contains(fps, p.Held.Fingerprint) {
+			fps = append(fps, p.Held.Fingerprint)
+		}
+	}
+	return fps
+}
+
+// Release starts by hand the pipelines held for the runner's new version with the running runner, recorded in the hand-act
+// log first (§276, A-206): each says wait-ended `released` and pipeline-started, and the bound of each wait is dropped. It
+// says how many it started.
+func (v Verbs) Release(_ string, in seat.ReleaseInput) (seat.ReleaseAnswer, error) {
+	if v.Starter == nil || v.View == nil {
+		return seat.ReleaseAnswer{}, errors.New("the runner cannot release a pipeline: it holds no starter or no catalog half")
+	}
+	if err := v.record(seat.VerbRelease, "started the pipelines held for the new runner by hand", in.Why); err != nil {
+		return seat.ReleaseAnswer{}, err
+	}
+	fps := heldFingerprints(v.Hearer.Store)
+	n, err := v.Starter.Release(v.Hearer.Store, "", "released", v.View)
+	if n > 0 && v.Drop != nil {
+		for _, fp := range fps {
+			if derr := v.Drop(HeldKey(fp)); derr != nil && err == nil {
+				err = fmt.Errorf("the bound of the wait for %s is not dropped: %w", fp, derr)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return seat.ReleaseAnswer{Released: int64(n)}, err
+}
+
+// HeldTTL is how long the bound of a wait that counts from the build end at from still has to run at now: the 30 minutes less what passed since
+// the end, at least a second, the least a key's time to live holds (design 47 G §266, A-206).
+func HeldTTL(from, now time.Time) time.Duration {
+	return max(HeldBound-now.Sub(from), time.Second)
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/hold_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/hold_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d150d00a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/hold_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,234 @@
+package pipeline
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	catalog "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/meshcatalog"
+	seat "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-contracts/go/seats/meshpipelinerunner"
+)
+
+// memCreated is memStore with the Create a start writes through.
+type memCreated struct{ memStore }
+
+func (m memCreated) Create(key string, value []byte) error {
+	if _, ok := m.memStore[key]; ok {
+		return ErrExists
+	}
+	var p seat.Pipeline
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(value, &p); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	m.memStore[key] = struct {
+		p   seat.Pipeline
+		rev uint64
+	}{p, 1}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// A take-in giving the runner's own module a new fingerprint holds every pipeline it starts, a later take-in's too while one is
+// held, with no step asked; the new runner running healthy releases them, placing and asking their steps (design 47 G §65, §266,
+// §276, §534; A-195).
+func TestPipelinesAreHeldForTheNewRunnerAndReleasedWhenItRuns(t *testing.T) {
+	reg, entries := placeFixture()
+	entries["runner"] = catalog.CatalogEntry{Module: "runner"}
+	store := memCreated{memStore{}}
+	asks := &stepAsks{}
+	var said []string
+	var bounds []string
+	s := &Starter{Pipelines: store, Steps: asks, Name: "the-runner", Self: "runner", SelfFp: "src2:old",
+		Awaiting: Awaiting(store.memStore), Ends: func(string, string) (time.Time, bool) { return time.Unix(9, 0), true },
+		Hold:         func(fp string, _ time.Time) error { bounds = append(bounds, fp); return nil },
+		Registration: func(m string) (catalog.Registration, bool) { return reg, m == "app" },
+		Say: func(subject string, _ any) error {
+			said = append(said, subject[strings.Index(subject, ".event.")+7:])
+			return nil
+		}}
+	view := func(string) (Half, bool) { return Half{Entries: entries}, true }
+	n, err := s.TakenIn(catalog.TakeInTaken{Key: "m.1", Branch: "main", Source: 4, Entries: []catalog.TakeInEntry{
+		{Module: "app", Commit: "c1", Fingerprint: "src2:aa"}, {Module: "runner", Commit: "c2", Fingerprint: "src2:new"}}}, view)
+	if err != nil || n != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("take-in = %d, %v", n, err)
+	}
+	p, _, _ := store.Get("main.4.app")
+	if p.Held == nil || p.Held.Fingerprint != "src2:new" || len(p.Steps) != 0 || len(asks.asks) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("held = %+v, steps %d, asks %d", p.Held, len(p.Steps), len(asks.asks))
+	}
+	if strings.Join(said, "|") != "wait-held.app.main.c1|wait-held.runner.main.c2" || len(bounds) != 2 || bounds[0] != "src2:new" {
+		t.Errorf("said %v, bounds %v", said, bounds)
+	}
+	// A later take-in not naming the runner is held for the same version.
+	if n, err := s.TakenIn(catalog.TakeInTaken{Key: "m.2", Branch: "main", Source: 5, Entries: []catalog.TakeInEntry{{Module: "app", Commit: "c3", Fingerprint: "src2:bb"}}}, view); err != nil || n != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("second take-in = %d, %v", n, err)
+	}
+	if p, _, _ := store.Get("main.5.app"); p.Held == nil || len(asks.asks) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the later pipeline is not held: %+v", p.Held)
+	}
+	// Another fingerprint's release starts nothing.
+	if n, err := s.Release(store.memStore, "src2:other", "ran", view); err != nil || n != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("release of another version = %d, %v", n, err)
+	}
+	said = nil
+	n, err = s.Release(store.memStore, "src2:new", "ran", view)
+	if err != nil || n != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("release = %d, %v", n, err)
+	}
+	p, _, _ = store.Get("main.4.app")
+	if p.Held != nil || len(p.Steps) == 0 || len(asks.asks) == 0 {
+		t.Errorf("after the release: held %+v, steps %d, asks %d", p.Held, len(p.Steps), len(asks.asks))
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(strings.Join(said, "|"), "wait-ended.app.main.c1|pipeline-started.app.main.c1") {
+		t.Errorf("said %v", said)
+	}
+	if _, held := Awaiting(store.memStore)(); held {
+		t.Error("a pipeline is still held")
+	}
+}
+
+// The verb release starts the held pipelines by hand, recorded in the hand-act log first, saying why and ending each wait
+// `released`, and drops the bound of the wait; a release with no why does nothing (design 47 G §276, A-206).
+func TestReleaseVerbStartsTheHeldPipelinesByHand(t *testing.T) {
+	reg, entries := placeFixture()
+	entries["runner"] = catalog.CatalogEntry{Module: "runner"}
+	store := memCreated{memStore{}}
+	asks := &stepAsks{}
+	var said []string
+	s := &Starter{Pipelines: store, Steps: asks, Name: "the-runner", Self: "runner", SelfFp: "src2:old", Awaiting: Awaiting(store.memStore),
+		Registration: func(m string) (catalog.Registration, bool) { return reg, m == "app" },
+		Say: func(subject string, _ any) error {
+			said = append(said, subject[strings.Index(subject, ".event.")+7:])
+			return nil
+		}}
+	view := func(string) (Half, bool) { return Half{Entries: entries}, true }
+	if _, err := s.TakenIn(catalog.TakeInTaken{Key: "m.1", Branch: "main", Source: 4, Entries: []catalog.TakeInEntry{
+		{Module: "app", Commit: "c1", Fingerprint: "src2:aa"}, {Module: "runner", Commit: "c2", Fingerprint: "src2:new"}}}, view); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	acts, dropped := &actLog{}, []string{}
+	v := Verbs{Hearer: &Hearer{Store: store.memStore}, Starter: s, View: view, Acts: acts,
+		Drop: func(k string) error { dropped = append(dropped, k); return nil }}
+	if _, err := v.Release("operator", seat.ReleaseInput{}); err == nil || len(*acts) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a release saying no why: %v, acts %v", err, *acts)
+	}
+	said = nil
+	a, err := v.Release("operator", seat.ReleaseInput{Why: "the new runner will not come"})
+	if err != nil || a.Released != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("release = %+v, %v", a, err)
+	}
+	if p, _, _ := store.Get("main.4.app"); p.Held != nil || len(p.Steps) == 0 || len(asks.asks) == 0 {
+		t.Errorf("after the release: held %+v, steps %d", p.Held, len(p.Steps))
+	}
+	if len(*acts) != 1 || !strings.HasPrefix((*acts)[0], "mesh-pipeline-runner.release: ") || len(dropped) != 1 || dropped[0] != HeldKey("src2:new") {
+		t.Errorf("acts %v, dropped %v", *acts, dropped)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(strings.Join(said, "|"), "wait-ended.app.main.c1") {
+		t.Errorf("said %v", said)
+	}
+}
+
+// The bound's expiry starts the held pipelines and says each as late through the starter's Late, with the awaited fingerprint and
+// since when; a pipeline that stays held (no view) is not said (design 47 G §266, A-206).
+func TestExpiredBoundSaysEachReleasedPipelineLate(t *testing.T) {
+	reg, entries := placeFixture()
+	store := memCreated{memStore{}}
+	since := time.Date(2026, 11, 11, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	for _, k := range []string{"main.4.app", "dev.4.app"} {
+		store.memStore[k] = struct {
+			p   seat.Pipeline
+			rev uint64
+		}{seat.Pipeline{Pipeline: k, Branch: strings.Split(k, ".")[0], Module: "app", Outcome: seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning,
+			Held: &seat.Held{Since: since, Fingerprint: "src2:new"}}, 1}
+	}
+	var late []string
+	s := &Starter{Pipelines: store, Steps: &stepAsks{}, Name: "the-runner", Say: func(string, any) error { return nil },
+		Registration: func(string) (catalog.Registration, bool) { return reg, true },
+		Late: func(p seat.Pipeline, h seat.Held) {
+			late = append(late, p.Pipeline+"@"+h.Fingerprint+"@"+h.Since.Format(time.RFC3339))
+		}}
+	view := func(b string) (Half, bool) { return Half{Entries: entries}, b == "main" }
+	if n, err := s.ReleaseExpired(store.memStore, HeldKey("src2:new"), view); err == nil || n != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("release = %d, %v (the pipeline of a branch with no view stays held, an error)", n, err)
+	}
+	if len(late) != 1 || late[0] != "main.4.app@src2:new@2026-11-11T12:00:00Z" {
+		t.Errorf("late %v", late)
+	}
+}
+
+// A wait of the step pipeline waits on the runner version (design 47 G §534, A-206).
+func TestHeldWaitIsOnTheRunnerVersion(t *testing.T) {
+	w := (&Starter{}).waitOf(seat.Pipeline{Pipeline: "main.4.app", Branch: "main", Module: "app"}, time.Unix(1, 0), "")
+	if w.Step != seat.WaitStepPipeline || w.On != "runner version" {
+		t.Errorf("wait %+v", w)
+	}
+}
+
+// The wait of a held pipeline counts from the build end of the awaited runner: wait-held says it as `clock-from` and the bound is
+// armed from it; while that build has not ended nothing is armed, and hearing its end arms the bound and says wait-held again
+// with `clock-from`; a failed end starts no clock (design 47 G §266, §269, A-181, A-206).
+func TestHeldWaitCountsFromTheBuildEndOfTheAwaitedRunner(t *testing.T) {
+	reg, entries := placeFixture()
+	store := memCreated{memStore{}}
+	ends := &BuildEnds{}
+	var waits []seat.Wait
+	var armed []string
+	s := &Starter{Pipelines: store, Steps: &stepAsks{}, Name: "the-runner", Self: "runner", SelfFp: "src2:old", Awaiting: Awaiting(store.memStore),
+		Ends: ends.At, Hold: func(fp string, from time.Time) error {
+			armed = append(armed, fp+"@"+from.Format(time.RFC3339))
+			return nil
+		},
+		Registration: func(string) (catalog.Registration, bool) { return reg, true },
+		Say: func(subject string, body any) error {
+			if w, ok := body.(seat.Wait); ok && strings.Contains(subject, ".wait-held.") {
+				waits = append(waits, w)
+			}
+			return nil
+		}}
+	view := func(string) (Half, bool) { return Half{Entries: entries}, true }
+	taken := catalog.TakeInTaken{Key: "m.1", Branch: "main", Source: 4, Entries: []catalog.TakeInEntry{
+		{Module: "app", Commit: "c1", Fingerprint: "src2:aa"}, {Module: "runner", Commit: "c2", Fingerprint: "src2:new"}}}
+	end := time.Date(2026, 11, 11, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	// The runner's build has not ended: held, no clock, no bound.
+	if _, err := s.TakenIn(taken, view); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(waits) != 2 || waits[0].ClockFrom != nil || len(armed) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("waits %+v, armed %v", waits, armed)
+	}
+	// A failed end starts no clock; a done end does.
+	if _, _, ok := ends.Heard([]byte(`{"module":"runner","fingerprint":"src2:new","outcome":"failed"}`), end); ok {
+		t.Error("a failed end was kept")
+	}
+	if m, fp, ok := ends.Heard([]byte(`{"module":"runner","fingerprint":"src2:new","outcome":"done"}`), end); !ok || m != "runner" || fp != "src2:new" {
+		t.Fatalf("heard %q %q %v", m, fp, ok)
+	}
+	waits = nil
+	if n, err := s.Clocked(store.memStore, "runner", "src2:new"); err != nil || n != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("clocked = %d, %v", n, err)
+	}
+	if len(waits) != 2 || waits[0].ClockFrom == nil || !waits[0].ClockFrom.Equal(end) || len(armed) != 1 || armed[0] != "src2:new@2026-11-11T12:00:00Z" {
+		t.Errorf("waits %+v, armed %v", waits, armed)
+	}
+	// A pipeline held after the end is known says the clock at once.
+	waits = nil
+	taken.Key, taken.Source = "m.2", 5
+	if _, err := s.TakenIn(taken, view); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(waits) == 0 || waits[0].ClockFrom == nil || !waits[0].ClockFrom.Equal(end) {
+		t.Errorf("waits %+v", waits)
+	}
+}
+
+// The bound counts from the build end: the 30 minutes less what passed since, never under a second.
+func TestHeldTTLCountsFromTheBuildEnd(t *testing.T) {
+	end := time.Date(2026, 11, 11, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		after, want time.Duration
+	}{{0, 30 * time.Minute}, {10 * time.Minute, 20 * time.Minute}, {45 * time.Minute, time.Second}} {
+		if got := HeldTTL(end, end.Add(c.after)); got != c.want {
+			t.Errorf("after %s the bound has %s, want %s", c.after, got, c.want)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/place.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/place.go
index 05eee910..946ac980 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/place.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/place.go
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func AskID(pipeline, artifact, step string) string {
 
 // Place places a pipeline's steps (design 47 G §21, §23, §323; A-91): only the steps the module's registration policy
 // names, each artifact's lint, unit and integration steps beside the module's composition, review and approval. A step the
-// policy does not name is no step. A `bypass` step is placed bypassed and asked of no one; a build step is placed running,
+// policy leaves without a status is `optional` (§553). A `bypass` step is placed bypassed and asked of no one; a build step is placed running,
 // asked of the build seat the artifact's language names in the catalog half (§323), or, where no seat names it, ended
 // could not run naming the missing seat; the module's steps wait. It returns the steps and the asks to put on the seats'
 // work queues, one per running step.
@@ -74,9 +74,6 @@ func Place(p seat.Pipeline, reg catalog.Registration, entries map[string]catalog
 		}
 		for _, step := range buildSteps {
 			status := Status(reg, name, step)
-			if status == "" {
-				continue
-			}
 			s := seat.StepResult{Step: step, Artifact: a.Ref, Status: status, Fingerprint: p.Fingerprint}
 			if status == seat.StepResultStatusBypass {
 				s.Outcome, s.Why = seat.StepResultOutcomeBypassed, "bypassed by the module's policy"
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/place_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/place_test.go
index f5fb7fd4..67f9b960 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/place_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/place_test.go
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func placeFixture() (catalog.Registration, map[string]catalog.CatalogEntry) {
 
 // The runner's asking half (design 47 G §22, §24, §323; A-91): a pipeline's steps are the ones the policy names, a bypassed
 // step asked of no one, an artifact no build seat names ended could not run naming it, and each running step asked of its
-// build seat's accepted kind step with the pipeline's commit and fingerprint; a step the policy does not name is no step.
+// build seat's accepted kind step with the pipeline's commit and fingerprint; a step the policy leaves without a status is optional (§553).
 func TestStartPlacesTheStepsThePolicyNamesAndAsksEachBuildSeat(t *testing.T) {
 	reg, entries := placeFixture()
 	store := created{}
@@ -67,16 +67,19 @@ func TestStartPlacesTheStepsThePolicyNamesAndAsksEachBuildSeat(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, st := range p.Steps {
 		got = append(got, st.Artifact+" "+st.Step+" "+st.Outcome)
 	}
-	want := []string{" build running", "app:program lint running", "app:program unit running", "app:tools lint bypassed", "app:tools unit running",
-		"app:web lint could not run", "app:web unit could not run", " approval waiting"}
+	// §553: integration, composition and review are named by no policy, so they are optional steps and run.
+	want := []string{" build running", "app:program lint running", "app:program unit running", "app:program integration running",
+		"app:tools lint bypassed", "app:tools unit running", "app:tools integration running",
+		"app:web lint could not run", "app:web unit could not run", "app:web integration could not run",
+		" composition running", " review waiting", " approval waiting"}
 	if strings.Join(got, "|") != strings.Join(want, "|") {
-		t.Errorf("steps = %q, want %q (integration and composition are named by no policy: no step)", got, want)
+		t.Errorf("steps = %q, want %q", got, want)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(p.Steps[5].Why, `"rust"`) {
-		t.Errorf("the step of an artifact no seat builds says %q, want it to name the language", p.Steps[5].Why)
+	if !strings.Contains(p.Steps[7].Why, `"rust"`) {
+		t.Errorf("the step of an artifact no seat builds says %q, want it to name the language", p.Steps[7].Why)
 	}
-	if len(asks.asks) != 4 {
-		t.Fatalf("asked %d steps, want the build and the three running ones", len(asks.asks))
+	if len(asks.asks) != 7 {
+		t.Fatalf("asked %d steps, want the build, the five running build steps and the composition", len(asks.asks))
 	}
 	// A-99: the build is every pipeline's first step, required whatever the policy names, asked of mesh-builds for the
 	// module's own entry only.
@@ -92,7 +95,7 @@ func TestStartPlacesTheStepsThePolicyNamesAndAsksEachBuildSeat(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("the ask = %+v at %s", a, asks.at[1])
 	}
 	// A second start of the revision asks nothing.
-	if ok, err := s.Start(Begin{Branch: "main", Source: 4, Module: "app", Commit: "c1", Entries: entries}); ok || err != nil || len(asks.asks) != 4 {
+	if ok, err := s.Start(Begin{Branch: "main", Source: 4, Module: "app", Commit: "c1", Entries: entries}); ok || err != nil || len(asks.asks) != 7 {
 		t.Errorf("second start = %v, %v, %d asks", ok, err, len(asks.asks))
 	}
 }
@@ -198,9 +201,9 @@ func TestResumeAsksTheStepsPlacedAndNotEnded(t *testing.T) {
 	asks := &stepAsks{}
 	s := &Starter{Steps: asks, Name: "the-runner", Registration: func(string) (catalog.Registration, bool) { return reg, true }}
 	n, err := s.Resume(store, "main", Half{Entries: entries})
-	// main.4 has the build and three running steps of the fixture; main.5 one fewer, its build ended.
-	if err != nil || n != 7 || len(asks.asks) != 7 {
-		t.Fatalf("resume asked %d (%d put), %v; want 7", n, len(asks.asks), err)
+	// main.4 has the build, five running build steps and the composition of the fixture; main.5 one fewer, its build ended.
+	if err != nil || n != 13 || len(asks.asks) != 13 {
+		t.Fatalf("resume asked %d (%d put), %v; want 13", n, len(asks.asks), err)
 	}
 	for _, id := range asks.ids {
 		found := false
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/read.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/read.go
index ced5a604..4da65cb7 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/read.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/read.go
@@ -88,6 +88,25 @@ func (r Reads) Stands() (seat.StandsAnswer, error) {
 	return seat.StandsAnswer{Stands: out}, nil
 }
 
+// Waits is the pipelines held for the runner's new version, each as the wait of step `pipeline` it says (design 47 G §266, §276,
+// §534, A-195): the acting part awaited by its fingerprint, since when, and the pipeline.
+func (r Reads) Waits() (seat.StandsAnswer, error) {
+	all, err := r.pipelines()
+	if err != nil {
+		return seat.StandsAnswer{}, err
+	}
+	out := []seat.Wait{}
+	for _, p := range all {
+		if p.Held == nil || p.Outcome != seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, seat.Wait{Pipeline: p.Pipeline, Module: p.Module, Branch: p.Branch, Commit: p.Commit, Group: p.Group, Source: p.Source,
+			Revision: p.Revision, Fingerprint: p.Held.Fingerprint, Step: seat.WaitStepPipeline, On: seat.WaitOnBuildNode, Since: p.Held.Since, V: 1})
+	}
+	sort.SliceStable(out, func(i, j int) bool { return out[i].Since.Before(out[j].Since) })
+	return seat.StandsAnswer{Stands: out}, nil
+}
+
 // WhyCarried is where a step's result was carried from (§25, §83): the pipeline it names.
 func (r Reads) WhyCarried(in seat.WhyCarriedInput) (seat.WhyCarriedAnswer, error) {
 	p, ok, err := r.pipeline(in.Pipeline)
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/read_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/read_test.go
index 601e639c..5dabc4b4 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/read_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/read_test.go
@@ -127,3 +127,19 @@ func TestReads(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// runner_waits lists the pipelines held for the runner's new version as waits of step `pipeline` (design 47 G §276, A-195).
+func TestWaitsListTheHeldPipelines(t *testing.T) {
+	since := time.Date(2026, 11, 12, 6, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	held := seat.Pipeline{Pipeline: "main.4.app", Module: "app", Branch: "main", Commit: "c1", Source: 4, Outcome: seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning,
+		Held: &seat.Held{Since: since, Fingerprint: "src2:new"}}
+	plain := seat.Pipeline{Pipeline: "main.3.app", Module: "app", Branch: "main", Outcome: seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning}
+	pipes := memKept{}
+	put(t, pipes, held.Pipeline, held)
+	put(t, pipes, plain.Pipeline, plain)
+	r := Reads{Pipelines: pipes, Kept: memKept{}}
+	got, err := r.Waits()
+	if err != nil || len(got.Stands) != 1 || got.Stands[0].Step != seat.WaitStepPipeline || got.Stands[0].Fingerprint != "src2:new" || !got.Stands[0].Since.Equal(since) {
+		t.Fatalf("waits = %+v, %v", got, err)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/registrations.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/registrations.go
index 27bdbe82..91073caf 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/registrations.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/registrations.go
@@ -12,14 +12,20 @@ import (
 
 // Status is a step's status for one artifact of a module, read from the module's registration and never from a
 // manifest (design 47 G §21, §23): the artifact's own status where its policy names one, else the module's. A step
-// neither names is "" and is no step of the pipeline (A-91): Place places none for it.
+// whose status neither names is `optional` (§553): it runs and a failure holds nothing; an empty approval is no step (A-196).
 func Status(reg catalog.Registration, artifact, step string) string {
 	if a, ok := reg.Policy.Artifacts[artifact]; ok {
 		if s := statusOf(a, step); s != "" {
 			return s
 		}
 	}
-	return statusOf(reg.Policy.Steps, step)
+	if s := statusOf(reg.Policy.Steps, step); s != "" {
+		return s
+	}
+	if step == seat.StepResultStepApproval {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return seat.StepResultStatusOptional
 }
 
 func statusOf(s catalog.StepStatuses, step string) string {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/registrations_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/registrations_test.go
index 03eae010..8cc0b8cf 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/registrations_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/registrations_test.go
@@ -20,13 +20,20 @@ func TestPolicyAndBuildSeat(t *testing.T) {
 		{"tools", "unit", "bypass"},
 		{"tools", "integration", "optional"},
 		{"tools", "approval", "required"},
-		{"program", "composition", ""},
+		// A step whose status the policy leaves empty is optional (design 47 G §553), never no step.
+		{"program", "composition", "optional"},
+		{"program", "review", "optional"},
 	} {
 		if got := Status(reg, c.artifact, c.step); got != c.want {
 			t.Errorf("Status(%s, %s) = %q, want %q", c.artifact, c.step, got, c.want)
 		}
 	}
 
+	// An empty approval status asks the operator nothing (A-196): no step.
+	if got := Status(catalog.Registration{}, "", "approval"); got != "" {
+		t.Errorf("an empty approval status = %q, want none", got)
+	}
+
 	entries := map[string]catalog.CatalogEntry{
 		"mesh-build-go":   {Module: "mesh-build-go", Acts: []catalog.ActingRule{{Seat: "node-build-go", Step: "build", On: "go"}}},
 		"mesh-build-node": {Module: "mesh-build-node", Acts: []catalog.ActingRule{{Seat: "node-build-node", Step: "build", On: "typescript"}, {Seat: "node-build-node", Step: "check", On: "go"}}},
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/start.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/start.go
index 9e5737aa..3d01f85b 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/start.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/start.go
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ type Begin struct {
 	Group      string
 	Repository string
 	Revision   int64
+	// Await is the fingerprint of the runner's own module this pipeline is held for (§266, A-195); empty when it is not held.
+	Await string
 	// Entries are the catalog half's entries of the pipeline's branch: the steps' artifacts and build seats are read from them.
 	Entries map[string]catalog.CatalogEntry
 }
@@ -70,6 +72,30 @@ type Starter struct {
 	Toolchain func(language string) (*nodebuildgo.ToolchainUsed, error)
 	// Arm arms the bound of an ask put on a build seat's work queue (§535, §647); nil arms none.
 	Arm Arm
+	// Self is the runner's own module and SelfFp the fingerprint it runs (A-149); a take-in giving Self another fingerprint
+	// holds its pipelines for the new runner (§65, §266, A-195). Awaiting is the fingerprint the held pipelines await, while
+	// any is held; Hold arms the bound of that wait (HeldBound) counting from the time the awaited build ended. All nil: nothing is held.
+	Self, SelfFp string
+	Awaiting     func() (string, bool)
+	Hold         func(fp string, from time.Time) error
+	// Ends says when the build of a module at a fingerprint ended (BuildEnds.At): the clock of the wait's bound (A-181, A-206).
+	Ends func(module, fp string) (time.Time, bool)
+	// Late says a pipeline the bound's expiry started with the running runner (A-206): the finding pipeline-waits.
+	Late func(p seat.Pipeline, held seat.Held)
+}
+
+func newPipeline(b Begin, key string, now time.Time) seat.Pipeline {
+	return seat.Pipeline{V: 1, Pipeline: key, Branch: b.Branch, Source: b.Source, Module: b.Module, Commit: b.Commit, Fingerprint: b.Fp,
+		Group: b.Group, Repository: b.Repository, Revision: b.Revision, Outcome: seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning, Started: &now,
+		Steps: []seat.StepResult{}}
+}
+
+func (s *Starter) create(key string, p seat.Pipeline) error {
+	raw, err := json.Marshal(p)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return s.Pipelines.Create(key, raw)
 }
 
 // Start writes b's pipeline, running, and says pipeline-started; false, nil when its key was written already (the second
@@ -83,9 +109,15 @@ func (s *Starter) Start(b Begin) (bool, error) {
 		now = s.Now().UTC()
 	}
 	key := Key(b.Branch, b.Source, b.Module)
-	p := seat.Pipeline{V: 1, Pipeline: key, Branch: b.Branch, Source: b.Source, Module: b.Module, Commit: b.Commit, Fingerprint: b.Fp,
-		Group: b.Group, Repository: b.Repository, Revision: b.Revision, Outcome: seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning, Started: &now,
-		Steps: []seat.StepResult{}}
+	if b.Await == "" && s.Awaiting != nil {
+		if fp, ok := s.Awaiting(); ok {
+			b.Await = fp
+		}
+	}
+	if b.Await != "" {
+		return s.startHeld(b, key, now, b.Await)
+	}
+	p := newPipeline(b, key, now)
 	var asks []Asked
 	if s.Registration != nil {
 		if reg, ok := s.Registration(b.Module); ok {
@@ -94,11 +126,7 @@ func (s *Starter) Start(b Begin) (bool, error) {
 			s.logf("%s has no registration yet: its pipeline starts with no step", key)
 		}
 	}
-	raw, err := json.Marshal(p)
-	if err != nil {
-		return false, err
-	}
-	if err := s.Pipelines.Create(key, raw); errors.Is(err, ErrExists) {
+	if err := s.create(key, p); errors.Is(err, ErrExists) {
 		s.logf("%s is started already: this start writes nothing", key)
 		return false, nil
 	} else if err != nil {
@@ -288,9 +316,16 @@ func (s *Starter) TakenIn(ev catalog.TakeInTaken, view func(branch string) (Half
 	half, _ := view(ev.Branch)
 	started := 0
 	var first error
+	// A take-in giving the runner's own module a new fingerprint holds every pipeline it starts for that runner (§65, A-195).
+	await := ""
+	for _, e := range ev.Entries {
+		if s.changesSelf(e.Module, e.Fingerprint) {
+			await = e.Fingerprint
+		}
+	}
 	for _, e := range ev.Entries {
 		ok, err := s.Start(Begin{Branch: ev.Branch, Source: ev.Source, Module: e.Module, Commit: e.Commit, Fp: e.Fingerprint,
-			Group: ev.Group, Repository: e.Repository, Revision: half.Revision, Entries: half.Entries})
+			Group: ev.Group, Repository: e.Repository, Revision: half.Revision, Entries: half.Entries, Await: await})
 		if err != nil && first == nil {
 			first = err
 		}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/steps.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/steps.go
index fd2c3fa3..a5c60fc5 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/steps.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/steps.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
@@ -207,6 +208,49 @@ func (h *Hearer) said(p seat.Pipeline, asked, ended bool) error {
 		if err := h.say(seat.EventPipelineEnded, p, nil); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %s ended but %s is not said: %w", p.Pipeline, seat.EventPipelineEnded, err)
 		}
+		return h.groupEnded(p)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// groupEnded says a group's one pipeline's end once every member's pipeline of the same watched branch and source revision
+// ended (design 47 G §73, §332): on the subject under the group, no module part, with every member's end. A pipeline of no
+// group says none; a member still running says none yet.
+func (h *Hearer) groupEnded(p seat.Pipeline) error {
+	if p.Group == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	pkeys, err := h.Store.Keys("*.*.*")
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("the members of group %s are not listed: %w", p.Group, err)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(pkeys)
+	var members []seat.PipelineEnded
+	outcome, why := seat.GroupEndedOutcomePassed, ""
+	var last *time.Time
+	for _, key := range pkeys {
+		m, _, err := h.Store.Get(key)
+		if err != nil || m.Branch != p.Branch || m.Source != p.Source || m.Group != p.Group {
+			continue
+		}
+		if m.Outcome == seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning {
+			return nil
+		}
+		members = append(members, pipelineEnded(m))
+		if m.Ended != nil && (last == nil || m.Ended.After(*last)) {
+			last = m.Ended
+		}
+		if m.Outcome != seat.PipelineOutcomePassed && outcome != seat.GroupEndedOutcomeFailed {
+			outcome, why = m.Outcome, m.Module+": "+m.Why
+			if m.Outcome == seat.PipelineOutcomeFailed {
+				outcome = seat.GroupEndedOutcomeFailed
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	subject := "mesh.seat." + seat.Seat + ".event." + seat.EventGroupEnded + "." + keys.EscapeName(p.Branch) + "." + keys.EscapeName(p.Group)
+	if err := h.Say(subject, seat.GroupEnded{V: 1, Branch: p.Branch, Group: p.Group, Source: p.Source, Revision: p.Revision, Ended: last,
+		Outcome: outcome, Why: why, Pipelines: members}); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("group %s ended but %s is not said: %w", p.Group, seat.EventGroupEnded, err)
 	}
 	return nil
 }
@@ -247,8 +291,31 @@ func (h *Hearer) say(event string, p seat.Pipeline, step *seat.StepResult) error
 	}
 }
 
+// The test budget per catalog module (design 47 G §24, §419; the test budget): at most 500 unit and 50 integration tests.
+const (
+	budgetUnit        = 500
+	budgetIntegration = 50
+)
+
+// testCounts is the module's test counts, the sum of its test steps' own counts; nil when no step counted any.
+func testCounts(steps []seat.StepResult) *seat.TestCounts {
+	var t seat.TestCounts
+	counted := false
+	for _, s := range steps {
+		if s.Tests != nil {
+			t.Unit, t.Integration, counted = t.Unit+s.Tests.Unit, t.Integration+s.Tests.Integration, true
+		}
+	}
+	if !counted {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return &t
+}
+
 func pipelineEnded(p seat.Pipeline) seat.PipelineEnded {
-	return seat.PipelineEnded{V: 1, Pipeline: p.Pipeline, Branch: p.Branch, Module: p.Module, Commit: p.Commit, Fingerprint: p.Fingerprint,
+	tests := testCounts(p.Steps)
+	return seat.PipelineEnded{Tests: tests, OverBudget: tests != nil && (tests.Unit > budgetUnit || tests.Integration > budgetIntegration),
+		V: 1, Pipeline: p.Pipeline, Branch: p.Branch, Module: p.Module, Commit: p.Commit, Fingerprint: p.Fingerprint,
 		Group: p.Group, Revision: p.Revision, Source: p.Source, Run: p.Run, Outcome: p.Outcome, Why: p.Why, Started: p.Started,
 		Ended: p.Ended, EndCount: p.EndCount, Steps: p.Steps}
 }
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/verbs.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/verbs.go
index 65a924a6..e3caef80 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/verbs.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/verbs.go
@@ -334,3 +334,68 @@ func (v Verbs) askOf(p seat.Pipeline, s seat.StepResult, caller string, now time
 	}
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf("the %s step of %s is placed no ask now", s.Step, p.Pipeline)
 }
+
+// Start starts by hand a delivering pipeline for the head of a watched branch the runner's catalog half holds, recorded in
+// the hand-act log first (§306, §394): the pipeline of that branch's source revision and the module, as a take-in would
+// start it. A head whose pipeline is written already starts nothing and is refused, naming the pipeline.
+func (v Verbs) Start(_ string, in seat.StartInput) (seat.StartAnswer, error) {
+	if in.Branch == "" || in.Module == "" {
+		return seat.StartAnswer{}, errors.New("start names the watched branch and the module")
+	}
+	if v.Starter == nil || v.View == nil {
+		return seat.StartAnswer{}, errors.New("the runner cannot start a pipeline: it holds no starter or no catalog half")
+	}
+	half, ok := v.View(in.Branch)
+	if !ok {
+		return seat.StartAnswer{}, fmt.Errorf("the catalog half of %s is not held yet: nothing was started", in.Branch)
+	}
+	e, ok := half.Entries[in.Module]
+	if !ok || half.Source <= 0 {
+		return seat.StartAnswer{}, fmt.Errorf("the catalog half of %s holds no entry of %s at a source revision: nothing was started", in.Branch, in.Module)
+	}
+	key := Key(in.Branch, half.Source, in.Module)
+	if err := v.record(seat.VerbStart, "started the pipeline "+key+" by hand", in.Why); err != nil {
+		return seat.StartAnswer{}, err
+	}
+	started, err := v.Starter.Start(Begin{Branch: in.Branch, Source: half.Source, Module: in.Module, Commit: e.Commit, Fp: e.Fp,
+		Repository: e.Repository, Revision: half.Revision, Entries: half.Entries})
+	if err != nil {
+		return seat.StartAnswer{}, err
+	}
+	if !started {
+		return seat.StartAnswer{}, fmt.Errorf("the pipeline %s of the head is started already: a step of it is asked again by rerun", key)
+	}
+	return seat.StartAnswer{Pipeline: key}, nil
+}
+
+// AskAgain asks a declined approval step once more (§306, §36), recorded in the hand-act log first: the step waits again,
+// marked asked again by the caller the bus proved, and is asked at once when the pipeline's every other required step
+// passed, under an ask of its own (the earlier ask's decision ended it).
+func (v Verbs) AskAgain(caller string, in seat.AskAgainInput) (seat.AskAgainAnswer, error) {
+	p, i, err := v.change(in.Pipeline, seat.EventStepStarted, func() error {
+		return v.record(seat.VerbAskAgain, "asked the approval of "+in.Pipeline+" again", in.Why)
+	}, func(p *seat.Pipeline, now time.Time) (int, error) {
+		switch p.Outcome {
+		case seat.PipelineOutcomeCancelled, seat.PipelineOutcomeSuperseded:
+			return -1, fmt.Errorf("the pipeline %s is %s: its approval is not asked again", p.Pipeline, p.Outcome)
+		}
+		i, err := stepOf(*p, seat.StepResultStepApproval, "")
+		if err != nil {
+			return -1, err
+		}
+		s := &p.Steps[i]
+		if s.Outcome != seat.StepResultOutcomeDeclined {
+			return -1, fmt.Errorf("only a declined approval is asked again: the approval of %s is %s", p.Pipeline, s.Outcome)
+		}
+		*s = seat.StepResult{Step: s.Step, Artifact: s.Artifact, Status: s.Status, Fingerprint: s.Fingerprint,
+			Outcome: seat.StepResultOutcomeWaiting, By: caller, Rerun: true, Started: &now}
+		if p.Outcome != seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning {
+			p.Outcome, p.Why, p.Ended = seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning, "", nil
+		}
+		return i, nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return seat.AskAgainAnswer{}, err
+	}
+	return seat.AskAgainAnswer{Result: p.Steps[i]}, nil
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/verbs_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/verbs_test.go
index 602f33c2..633f120b 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/verbs_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/internal/pipeline/verbs_test.go
@@ -170,3 +170,67 @@ func TestAVerbWhoseHandActIsNotRecordedDoesNothing(t *testing.T) {
 type failingActs struct{}
 
 func (failingActs) RecordHandAct(views.HandAct) error { return errors.New("no holder") }
+
+// RN14 (§306, §394): start starts by hand the pipeline of a watched branch's head, recorded in the hand-act log, and a head
+// already started is refused; ask-again asks a declined approval once more under an ask of its own, recorded, and an
+// approval not declined is refused.
+func TestStartAndAskAgain(t *testing.T) {
+	v, store, _, _, acts, _ := verbsFixture()
+	made := created{}
+	v.Starter.Pipelines, v.Starter.Say = made, func(string, any) error { return nil }
+	_, entries := placeFixture()
+	v.View = func(string) (Half, bool) { return Half{Source: 7, Revision: 3, Entries: entries}, true }
+	a, err := v.Start("operator", seat.StartInput{Branch: "main", Module: "app", Why: "no pipeline for the head"})
+	if err != nil || a.Pipeline != "main.7.app" || made["main.7.app"] == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("start = %+v, %v; written %v", a, err, len(made))
+	}
+	if _, err := v.Start("operator", seat.StartInput{Branch: "main", Module: "app", Why: "again"}); err == nil {
+		t.Error("a second start of the same head was not refused")
+	}
+	if _, err := v.Start("operator", seat.StartInput{Branch: "main", Module: "absent", Why: "x"}); err == nil {
+		t.Error("a start of a module the half does not hold was not refused")
+	}
+	if len(*acts) != 2 || !strings.HasPrefix((*acts)[0], "mesh-pipeline-runner.start: ") {
+		t.Errorf("hand acts %v, want the two starts recorded", *acts)
+	}
+
+	// ask-again: the approval of the fixture's pipeline is declined; asked again it is asked under a new ask.
+	h := v.Hearer
+	asker := h.Asker.(*askRecorder)
+	e := store[pkey]
+	first, err := ApprovalAsk(e.p, time.Unix(1, 0))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for i := range e.p.Steps {
+		s := &e.p.Steps[i]
+		switch s.Step {
+		case seat.StepResultStepApproval:
+			s.Outcome, s.Ask = seat.StepResultOutcomeDeclined, first.ID
+		default:
+			s.Outcome = seat.StepResultOutcomePassed
+		}
+	}
+	e.p.Outcome = seat.PipelineOutcomeFailed
+	store[pkey] = e
+	if _, err := v.AskAgain("operator", seat.AskAgainInput{Pipeline: pkey}); err == nil {
+		t.Error("an ask-again saying no why was taken")
+	}
+	got, err := v.AskAgain("operator", seat.AskAgainInput{Pipeline: pkey, Why: "asked by mistake"})
+	if err != nil || got.Result.Outcome != seat.StepResultOutcomeRunning || got.Result.Ask == "" || got.Result.Ask == first.ID || !got.Result.Rerun {
+		t.Fatalf("ask-again = %+v, %v", got, err)
+	}
+	if len(asker.asked) != 1 || asker.asked[0].ID != got.Result.Ask {
+		t.Errorf("asked %v, want one ask %s", asker.asked, got.Result.Ask)
+	}
+	if store[pkey].p.Outcome != seat.PipelineOutcomeRunning {
+		t.Errorf("the pipeline is %s after ask-again, want running", store[pkey].p.Outcome)
+	}
+	// The ask rebuilt from the step, as a warrant is held to it, is the ask asked.
+	if again, err := ApprovalAsk(store[pkey].p, *stepNamed(store[pkey].p, "", seat.StepResultStepApproval).Started); err != nil || again.ID != got.Result.Ask {
+		t.Errorf("the ask rebuilt = %s, %v; want %s", again.ID, err, got.Result.Ask)
+	}
+	if _, err := v.AskAgain("operator", seat.AskAgainInput{Pipeline: pkey, Why: "twice"}); err == nil {
+		t.Error("an approval running was asked again")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/manifest_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/manifest_test.go
index a1ffc26d..bcf8f548 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/manifest_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/manifest_test.go
@@ -22,15 +22,19 @@ func TestManifest(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	var states, streams, objects []string
 	keyTTL := map[string]bool{}
+	stateMiB := map[string]int{}
 	for _, s := range m.State {
 		states = append(states, s.Name)
 		keyTTL[s.Name] = s.KeyTTL
+		stateMiB[s.Name] = s.MaxMiB
 	}
+	objectMiB := map[string]int{}
 	for _, s := range m.Streams {
 		streams = append(streams, s.Name)
 	}
 	for _, o := range m.Objects {
 		objects = append(objects, o.Name)
+		objectMiB[o.Name] = o.MaxMiB
 	}
 	var program catalogue.Artifact
 	if m.Build == nil {
@@ -50,9 +54,12 @@ func TestManifest(t *testing.T) {
 		{"claims the seat serving every verb of its definition", len(m.Claims) == 1 && m.Claims[0].Name == seat.Seat &&
 			equalSets(m.Claims[0].Serves, seat.Verbs())},
 		// §27, §85, §330, §355, §77: the old state sections.
-		{"old state sections", equalSets(states, []string{seat.StatePipelines, seat.StateKept, "aged", "bounds", "toolchains", "findings", "first-views"})},
+		{"old state sections", equalSets(states, []string{seat.StatePipelines, seat.StateKept, "aged", "bounds", "toolchains", "findings", "first-views", "consumers"})},
 		// §535, §647, A-77, A-104: an ask no holder takes is bound by a key with its own time to live.
 		{"bounds is key-ttl", keyTTL["bounds"]},
+		// RN25 (§469, §85): an old state section declares its cap, pipelines 256 MiB and kept 128 MiB.
+		{"pipelines 256 MiB", stateMiB[seat.StatePipelines] == 256},
+		{"kept 128 MiB", stateMiB[seat.StateKept] == 128},
 		// §470 (amending §27, §85): the step log is an old logs section kept 100 days, 128 MiB; RN24 (§383, §387): the finding
 		// stream its findings are said on is the one old stream.
 		{"old streams section", equalSets(streams, []string{"mesh-delivery-pipeline-findings"})},
@@ -62,13 +69,15 @@ func TestManifest(t *testing.T) {
 			equalSets(m.Streams[0].Events, []string{"finding-written.*", "finding-cleared.*", "findings-stated.*"})},
 		// RN24 (§368): the version as MAJOR.MINOR, 0.1 with none published.
 		{"version 0.1", m.Version == "0.1"},
-		{"old objects section", equalSets(objects, []string{seat.StateStepOutputs})},
-		{"step-outputs 1 GiB", len(m.Objects) == 1 && m.Objects[0].MaxMiB == 1024},
+		// RN25 (§477, §533, §59): a foundation part whose seat has verbs and events declares its sent store, 256 MiB.
+		{"old objects section", equalSets(objects, []string{seat.StateStepOutputs, catalogue.SentObjectsLocal})},
+		{"step-outputs 1 GiB", objectMiB[seat.StateStepOutputs] == 1024},
+		{"sent-objects 256 MiB", objectMiB[catalogue.SentObjectsLocal] == 256},
 		// §333, §54, §44, §53, §376, §24, §37, §4, §77: what the runner hears.
 		{"consumes", equalSets(m.Consumes, []string{
-			"mesh-delivery-indexer.take-in.taken", "mesh-builds.package-published", "mesh-builds.toolchain-agreed", "mesh-builds.step-ended",
+			"mesh-delivery-indexer.take-in.taken", "mesh-builds.package-published", "mesh-builds.toolchain-agreed", "mesh-builds.step-ended", "mesh-delivery-builder.build.ended.**",
 			"operator-channel.decided", "node-build-go.step-ended", "node-build-node.step-ended",
-			"node-build-image.step-ended", "node-build-go.ask-taken", "node-build-node.ask-taken", "node-build-image.ask-taken", "mesh-wants.step-ended", "mesh-catalog.registration-changed",
+			"node-build-image.step-ended", "node-build-go.ask-taken", "node-build-node.ask-taken", "node-build-image.ask-taken", "node-engine.running", "mesh-wants.step-ended", "mesh-catalog.registration-changed",
 			"mesh-catalog.catalog-revision", "mesh-conditions.findings-asked"})},
 		// RN2 (§21, §195, §200, §77): the registrations and the catalog half asked by their verbs, the first views read and
 		// asked again by hand (a hand act).
@@ -81,7 +90,10 @@ func TestManifest(t *testing.T) {
 			"seat:mesh-builds.step", "seat:mesh-wants.step", "seat:node-build-go.check.step", "seat:node-build-node.check.step",
 			"seat:node-build-image.check.step"})},
 		{"uses operator-channel", equalSets(m.Uses, []string{"operator-channel"})},
-		{"first-view tools", equalSets(m.Tools, []string{"pipeline_first_views", "pipeline_first_view_again"})},
+		// RN25 (§539): the runner's tools carry the prefix runner_.
+		{"first-view tools", equalSets(m.Tools, []string{"runner_first_views", "runner_first_view_again", "runner_health", "runner_waits", "runner_release"})},
+		// RN25 (§468, §76): the health check, run outside the process, is the tool runner_health.
+		{"health is runner_health", healthTool(raw) == "tool runner_health"},
 		// RN1/AC5 (§95, §130): the new assigner is delivered before the runner.
 		{"program needs the assigner's program", slices.Equal(program.Needs, []string{"mesh-delivery-assigner:program"})},
 	}
@@ -117,6 +129,28 @@ func TestNoVerbNamesItsCallers(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// healthTool is the process resource's health kind and tool.
+func healthTool(raw []byte) string {
+	var m struct {
+		Resources []struct {
+			Type   string `json:"type"`
+			Health struct {
+				Kind string `json:"kind"`
+				Tool string `json:"tool"`
+			} `json:"health"`
+		} `json:"resources"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &m); err != nil {
+		return err.Error()
+	}
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		if r.Type == "process" {
+			return r.Health.Kind + " " + r.Health.Tool
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
 func equalSets(a, b []string) bool {
 	x, y := slices.Clone(a), slices.Clone(b)
 	slices.Sort(x)
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/module.json b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/module.json
index b66b07dd..1bb8273d 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/module.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-pipeline/module.json
@@ -18,19 +18,24 @@
         "rerun",
         "accept",
         "cancel",
-        "ask-again"
+        "ask-again",
+        "release"
       ]
     }
   ],
   "tools": [
-    "pipeline_first_views",
-    "pipeline_first_view_again"
+    "runner_first_views",
+    "runner_first_view_again",
+    "runner_health",
+    "runner_waits",
+    "runner_release"
   ],
   "consumes": [
     "mesh-delivery-indexer.take-in.taken",
     "mesh-builds.package-published",
     "mesh-builds.toolchain-agreed",
     "mesh-builds.step-ended",
+    "mesh-delivery-builder.build.ended.**",
     "operator-channel.decided",
     "node-build-go.step-ended",
     "node-build-node.step-ended",
@@ -38,6 +43,7 @@
     "node-build-go.ask-taken",
     "node-build-node.ask-taken",
     "node-build-image.ask-taken",
+    "node-engine.running",
     "mesh-wants.step-ended",
     "mesh-catalog.registration-changed",
     "mesh-catalog.catalog-revision",
@@ -61,11 +67,13 @@
   "state": [
     {
       "name": "pipelines",
-      "history": 1
+      "history": 1,
+      "max-mib": 256
     },
     {
       "name": "kept",
-      "history": 1
+      "history": 1,
+      "max-mib": 128
     },
     {
       "name": "aged",
@@ -87,6 +95,10 @@
     {
       "name": "first-views",
       "history": 1
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "consumers",
+      "history": 1
     }
   ],
   "streams": [
@@ -105,6 +117,10 @@
     {
       "name": "step-outputs",
       "max-mib": 1024
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "sent-objects",
+      "max-mib": 256
     }
   ],
   "own-secrets": {
@@ -140,7 +156,8 @@
       },
       "user": "mesh-delivery-pipeline",
       "health": {
-        "kind": "unit"
+        "kind": "tool",
+        "tool": "runner_health"
       }
     }
   ],