diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/integration_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/integration_test.go
index 32069148..1d746b2a 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/integration_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/integration_test.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 	"slices"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
@@ -30,6 +31,9 @@ import (
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/provisions"
 	"mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/judge"
 
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/seats/nodeengine"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/enginereads"
+
 	"mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign"
 )
 
@@ -92,7 +96,14 @@ func startBed(t *testing.T, leaveOut string) *bed {
 		Subjects: []string{buscompose.LogSubject(delivery.BuilderModule, delivery.BuilderLog) + ".>"}, AllowDirect: true}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if _, err := js.CreateStream(ctx, jetstream.StreamConfig{Name: "EVENTS", Subjects: []string{"mesh.mod.*.event.>"}}); err != nil {
+	if _, err := js.CreateStream(ctx, jetstream.StreamConfig{Name: "EVENTS", Subjects: []string{"mesh.mod.*.event.>", "mesh.seat.*.event.>"}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// The assigner's durable consumer on EVENTS, as the grants part makes it from the manifest's consumes: a node-engine seat's
+	// event names the engine's machine last, so the filter is the event with every machine (mesh-grants buscompose
+	// machineEvent; the grants part's own test holds the derivation).
+	if _, err := js.CreateOrUpdateConsumer(ctx, "EVENTS", jetstream.ConsumerConfig{Durable: "n1_mesh-delivery-assigner",
+		FilterSubjects: []string{enginereads.SubjectPrefix + "*"}, AckPolicy: jetstream.AckExplicitPolicy}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	// The operator-channel seat's stream of conditions, which the assigner says its conditions on.
@@ -490,6 +501,116 @@ func TestWantsAreWrittenAndNoDifferenceIs(t *testing.T) {
 	if w := b.wantNow(t, "ace", "app", "the consumer's want once its provision is provided", func(w delivery.Want) bool { return w.FP == fpOf('3') }); w.FP != fpOf('3') {
 		t.Errorf("app's want = %+v", w)
 	}
+
+	// ADR 0618 §1, §3, §4, ADR 0624 §2: ace's engine answers the node-engine seat's manifest-reads; a build written only in a
+	// form it does not state is held on ace, naming the form, and moves once the engine says manifest-reads-changed on its
+	// subject and states the form; no timer moves it. g14's engine answers nothing and has no record: read as the baseline.
+	stated := catalogue.ManifestReads()
+	var statedMu sync.Mutex
+	nc, err := nats.Connect(b.srv.ClientURL())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer nc.Close()
+	if _, err := nc.Subscribe("mesh.seat.node-engine.tool.manifest-reads.ace", func(m *nats.Msg) {
+		statedMu.Lock()
+		answer, _ := json.Marshal(nodeengine.ManifestReadsAnswer{V: 1, Node: "ace", ManifestReads: stated, StatedAt: time.Now().Format(time.RFC3339Nano)})
+		statedMu.Unlock()
+		reply, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"result": json.RawMessage(answer), "node": "ace"})
+		_ = m.Respond(reply)
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	say := func(why string) {
+		body, _ := json.Marshal(nodeengine.ManifestReadsChangedEvent{V: 1, Node: "ace", ManifestReads: stated, At: time.Now().Format(time.RFC3339Nano), Why: why})
+		if _, err := b.js.Publish(b.ctx, enginereads.SubjectPrefix+"ace", body); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	say(enginereads.ReadsStarted)
+	formsOld, formsNew := fpOf('5'), fpOf('6')
+	formsDigest := b.manifest(t, "forms", `{"module":"forms","version":"1"}`)
+	formsAt := func(fp string) {
+		mod, _ := delivery.EncodeModule(delivery.Module{FP2: fp, Manifest: formsDigest, Repository: "novox/forms", Commit: strings.Repeat("3", 40), Path: delivery.RootPath})
+		b.putJSON(t, delivery.ModulesBucket, "forms", mod)
+	}
+	for _, fp := range []string{formsOld, formsNew} {
+		build := delivery.BuilderBuild{State: delivery.BuildDone, By: "builder.novox.1", Step: "pushed", Manifest: formsDigest}
+		if fp == formsNew {
+			build.Needs = []string{"form:new"}
+		}
+		built, err := delivery.EncodeBuilderBuild(build)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		bkey, _ := delivery.BuilderBuildKey("forms", fp)
+		b.putJSON(t, delivery.BuilderBuildsBucket, bkey, built)
+		gkey, _ := delivery.PartGrantKey("forms", fp)
+		grant, _ := delivery.EncodeGrant(delivery.Grant{})
+		b.putJSON(t, delivery.PartGrantsBucket, gkey, grant)
+	}
+	runsFormsOld, _ := delivery.EncodeHave(delivery.Have{FP: formsOld, Phase: delivery.PhaseRunning, Health: delivery.HealthOK})
+	b.putJSON(t, delivery.HaveBucket, "ace.forms", runsFormsOld)
+	b.place(t, "ace", "forms")
+	formsAt(formsOld)
+	b.wantNow(t, "ace", "forms", "the want at what ace runs, a build in the first form", func(w delivery.Want) bool { return w.FP == formsOld })
+	formsAt(formsNew)
+	statement := func(node string, ok func(enginereads.Statement) bool) enginereads.Statement {
+		var last enginereads.Statement
+		for deadline := time.Now().Add(15 * time.Second); time.Now().Before(deadline); time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond) {
+			if e, err := b.buckets[engineReadsBucket].Get(b.ctx, node); err == nil {
+				if last, err = enginereads.Decode(e.Value()); err == nil && ok(last) {
+					return last
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		t.Fatalf("%s's engine reads are %+v", node, last)
+		return last
+	}
+	statement("ace", func(s enginereads.Statement) bool { return s.From == enginereads.FromVerb && s.Answered })
+	if s := statement("g14", func(s enginereads.Statement) bool { return !s.Answered }); s.From != enginereads.FromNone {
+		t.Errorf("g14, whose engine answers nothing and which has no record, reads %+v", s)
+	}
+	if w := b.wantNow(t, "ace", "forms", "the want held on ace, naming the form", func(w delivery.Want) bool {
+		return w.Newest == formsNew && strings.Contains(w.Words, "form:new")
+	}); w.FP != formsOld || w.Rule != delivery.RuleComposed {
+		t.Errorf("forms' want = %+v, want it held at what ace runs under rule 7", w)
+	}
+	statedMu.Lock()
+	stated = append(slices.Clone(stated), "form:new")
+	statedMu.Unlock()
+	say(enginereads.ReadsStarted)
+	b.wantNow(t, "ace", "forms", "the want moved once ace's engine said it reads the form", func(w delivery.Want) bool { return w.FP == formsNew })
+	// assigner_engine_reads asks ace's engine again through the state: the assigner answers there with what it states now.
+	again, err := enginereads.AskAgainOf(bedState{b, engineReadsBucket}, "ace", "n1.ada", "a person asks", time.Now(), 15*time.Second)
+	if err != nil || again.From != enginereads.FromVerb || !slices.Contains(again.ManifestReads, "form:new") || again.AskAgain != nil {
+		t.Errorf("the ask again of ace answered %+v, %v", again, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// bedState is one of the bed's buckets as the engine reads' tool reads it.
+type bedState struct {
+	b      *bed
+	bucket string
+}
+
+func (s bedState) Keys() ([]string, error) { return s.b.buckets[s.bucket].Keys(s.b.ctx) }
+func (s bedState) Get(key string) ([]byte, uint64, bool, error) {
+	e, err := s.b.buckets[s.bucket].Get(s.b.ctx, key)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, 0, false, nil
+	}
+	return e.Value(), e.Revision(), true, nil
+}
+func (s bedState) Put(key string, value []byte) (uint64, error) { return s.b.buckets[s.bucket].Put(s.b.ctx, key, value) }
+func (s bedState) Delete(key string) error                     { return s.b.buckets[s.bucket].Delete(s.b.ctx, key) }
+func (s bedState) Await(key string, after uint64, done func([]byte) bool, bound time.Duration) ([]byte, error) {
+	for deadline := time.Now().Add(bound); time.Now().Before(deadline); time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond) {
+		if v, rev, found, _ := s.Get(key); found && rev > after && done(v) {
+			return v, nil
+		}
+	}
+	return nil, fmt.Errorf("no answer at %s within %s", key, bound)
 }
 
 // 1297/B9 (the assigner's half, ADR 0528 clause 6): started whole, the assigner holds a fingerprint whose health check
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/main.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/main.go
index ec894b3b..679199e8 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/main.go
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import (
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/process"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/provisions"
 
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/enginereads"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/graph"
 
 	"mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign"
@@ -75,7 +76,15 @@ var readFamilies = []string{delivery.ComposedRead}
 // (ADR 0567 §1), named after the assigner as every module state is.
 var ownBuckets = []string{delivery.AssignerAsksBucket, delivery.AssignerDifferencesBucket,
 	delivery.AssignerPutsBucket, delivery.AssignerWantsBucket, delivery.PlacementBucket, delivery.PlacementProposalsBucket,
-	delivery.PlacementCandidatesBucket, delivery.PlacementPulsesBucket, assign.FindingsBucket, assign.PoliciesBucket, delivery.SeatHoldersBucket}
+	delivery.PlacementCandidatesBucket, delivery.PlacementPulsesBucket, assign.FindingsBucket, assign.PoliciesBucket, delivery.SeatHoldersBucket,
+	engineReadsBucket}
+
+// engineReadsState is the assigner's state of what each node's engine states it reads (ADR 0618 §3), one key `<node>`, as
+// the verb manifest-reads last answered it or the fallback read it: what assigner_engine_reads lists and asks again.
+const engineReadsState = "engine-reads"
+
+// engineReadsBucket is that state's bucket.
+const engineReadsBucket = delivery.AssignerModule + "_" + engineReadsState
 
 // seatBuckets are the seat's states, new with it: until the controller has made them from the manifest and the bus grants
 // them, the assigner starts without them and binds each once the bus says it was created (issue 1790's kind).
@@ -99,6 +108,7 @@ var keptStates = []announce.State{
 	{Name: health.FindingsState, Readable: true},
 	{Name: delivery.AssignerPoliciesState, Readable: true},
 	{Name: delivery.SeatHoldersState, Readable: true},
+	{Name: engineReadsState, Readable: true},
 }
 
 // buckets is every bucket the assigner opened, by name.
@@ -156,6 +166,12 @@ func open(ctx context.Context, js process.BucketOpener, logf func(string, ...any
 			logf("the bucket %s cannot be opened (%v): no want waits for a verb it invokes until it is bound once the bus says it was made", name, err)
 			continue
 		}
+		if name == engineReadsBucket && err != nil {
+			// New with ADR 0618 §3: without it the statements the verb answers are kept in memory only, and
+			// assigner_engine_reads lists nothing.
+			logf("the bucket %s cannot be opened (%v): what each node's engine reads is kept in memory only until it starts again", name, err)
+			continue
+		}
 		if name == delivery.PartGrantsBucket && err != nil {
 			// The grants part's grants (ADR 0571 clause 9): without them no module counts as granted until it is bound.
 			logf("the bucket %s cannot be opened (%v): no grant is read until it is bound once the bus says it was made", name, err)
@@ -174,7 +190,7 @@ func open(ctx context.Context, js process.BucketOpener, logf func(string, ...any
 func startsWithout(name string) bool {
 	switch name {
 	case delivery.SeatHoldersBucket, provisions.ProvisionsBucket, assign.PoliciesBucket, assign.FindingsBucket,
-		delivery.AssignerPutsBucket, delivery.SourceBucket, delivery.MergesBucket, graph.Bucket:
+		delivery.AssignerPutsBucket, delivery.SourceBucket, delivery.MergesBucket, graph.Bucket, engineReadsBucket:
 		return true
 	}
 	return slices.Contains(seatBuckets, name) || name == delivery.PartGrantsBucket
@@ -260,6 +276,7 @@ var watched = []string{
 	delivery.SourceBucket,
 	delivery.MergesBucket,
 	graph.Bucket,
+	engineReadsBucket,
 }
 
 // follow watches every bucket a pass reads and makes a pass at start, once every watch handed what stands, and after
@@ -275,6 +292,16 @@ func follow(ctx context.Context, js jetstream.JetStream, nc process.Subscriber,
 	}
 	errs := make(chan error, len(watched)+2)
 	settled := make(chan struct{}, len(watched)+2)
+	// What each node's engine reads (ADR 0618 §3, §4): asked through the seat's verb, kept in the state engine-reads, read
+	// from the node's record where the engine does not answer (the fallback, said in the journal).
+	reads := &enginereads.Keeper{Fallback: w.recordReads, Changed: wake, Logf: logger.Printf}
+	if bus != nil {
+		reads.Call = bus.CallOn
+	}
+	if kv := kvs[engineReadsBucket]; kv != nil {
+		reads.Put = func(node string, v []byte) error { _, err := kv.Put(ctx, node, v); return err }
+		reads.Delete = func(node string) error { return kv.Delete(ctx, node) }
+	}
 	watch := func(name string, opts ...jetstream.WatchOpt) error {
 		kw, err := kvs[name].WatchAll(ctx, opts...)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -308,6 +335,10 @@ func follow(ctx context.Context, js jetstream.JetStream, nc process.Subscriber,
 					if e.Operation() == jetstream.KeyValuePut {
 						value = e.Value()
 					}
+					if name == engineReadsBucket {
+						reads.Heard(e.Key(), value, value == nil) // it wakes a pass when a statement changed
+						continue
+					}
 					w.putEntry(name, e.Key(), value, e.Revision(), e.Created())
 					wake()
 				}
@@ -405,7 +436,14 @@ func follow(ctx context.Context, js jetstream.JetStream, nc process.Subscriber,
 		case <-settled:
 		}
 	}
-	p := &passer{kvs: kvs, w: w, logf: logger.Printf, say: say, findings: findings, said: map[string]bool{}, answeredAt: map[string]uint64{}}
+	p := &passer{kvs: kvs, w: w, logf: logger.Printf, say: say, findings: findings, said: map[string]bool{}, answeredAt: map[string]uint64{},
+		reads: reads}
+	// The node-engine seat's manifest-reads-changed, for one node (ADR 0618 §4): that node is asked again, with no timer.
+	// Heard on the assigner's durable consumer on EVENTS, which the grants part makes from the manifest's consumes; where it
+	// is not there yet, a node is asked again only when it comes back online.
+	if js != nil {
+		hearReadsChanged(ctx, js, reads, logger.Printf)
+	}
 	if bus != nil && kvs[delivery.AssignerPutsBucket] != nil {
 		p.acts = newPutActs(bus, wake, logger.Printf)
 	}
@@ -470,3 +508,37 @@ func sayVia(ctx context.Context, js jetstream.JetStream) func(asks.Condition) er
 		return err
 	}
 }
+
+// hearReadsChanged hears the node-engine seat's event manifest-reads-changed on the assigner's durable consumer on EVENTS,
+// and asks the node it names again. Any other event the consumer hands is acknowledged and left.
+func hearReadsChanged(ctx context.Context, js jetstream.JetStream, reads *enginereads.Keeper, logf func(string, ...any)) {
+	account := process.Account{Node: thisNode, Module: delivery.AssignerModule}
+	cons, err := account.EventConsumer(ctx, js, process.EventsStream)
+	if err != nil {
+		logf("the consumer %s on %s does not exist yet, so %s is not heard until the assigner starts again (a node is asked again when it comes back online): %v",
+			account.EventConsumerName(), process.EventsStream, enginereads.Event, err)
+		return
+	}
+	cc, err := process.HearEvents(cons, func(m jetstream.Msg) {
+		if err := m.Ack(); err != nil {
+			logf("acknowledging %s: %v", m.Subject(), err)
+		}
+		node, ours, err := enginereads.NodeOf(m.Subject(), m.Data())
+		switch {
+		case !ours:
+		case err != nil:
+			logf("%s holds what is not %s, and %s is asked again all the same: %v", m.Subject(), enginereads.Event, node, err)
+			reads.AskNode(node, enginereads.Event+" that does not read")
+		default:
+			reads.AskNode(node, enginereads.Event)
+		}
+	}, logf)
+	if err != nil {
+		logf("%s is not heard: %v", enginereads.Event, err)
+		return
+	}
+	go func() {
+		<-ctx.Done()
+		cc.Stop()
+	}()
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass.go
index cc520b40..02b3dc23 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass.go
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ import (
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/provisions"
 
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/enginereads"
+
 	"mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign"
 )
 
@@ -68,6 +70,40 @@ type passer struct {
 	// saidWaits is the last said of the seat's wait for its states (sayWaits).
 	saidWaits string
 	intended  map[string]map[string]map[string]bool
+	// reads keeps what each node's engine states it reads, asked through the node-engine seat's verb (ADR 0618 §3); nil reads
+	// each node's record, as the rules did before the verb. online is, by node, whether the last pass saw it online.
+	reads  *enginereads.Keeper
+	online map[string]bool
+}
+
+// engineReads sets what the rules read of each node's engine (ADR 0618 §3, §4): the statement the verb manifest-reads
+// answered, or its record where the verb was not answered (the fallback) or not asked yet. A node is asked when the
+// assigner first hears of it, and again when it comes back online, since an engine built before the event says none.
+func (p *passer) engineReads(n assign.Nodes) {
+	if p.reads == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	known := p.w.knownNodes()
+	first := p.online == nil
+	for _, node := range known {
+		switch {
+		case first:
+			p.reads.AskNode(node, "the assigner started")
+		case !p.reads.Known(node):
+			p.reads.AskNode(node, "first heard of")
+		case !first && n.Online[node] && !p.online[node]:
+			p.reads.AskNode(node, "back online")
+		}
+	}
+	p.online = maps.Clone(n.Online)
+	if p.online == nil {
+		p.online = map[string]bool{}
+	}
+	for node, reads := range p.reads.Reads(known) {
+		if p.reads.Known(node) {
+			n.Reads[node] = reads
+		}
+	}
 }
 
 func (p *passer) clock() time.Time {
@@ -120,6 +156,7 @@ func (p *passer) wants(ctx context.Context) {
 		}
 	}
 	nodes := p.w.nodes(manifests, assigned)
+	p.engineReads(nodes)
 	nodesOf := map[string][]string{}
 	for node, modules := range assigned {
 		for _, m := range modules {
@@ -162,7 +199,7 @@ func (p *passer) wants(ctx context.Context) {
 	for name := range names {
 		fp := trunk[name].FP2
 		name := name
-		m := assign.Module{Name: name, FP: fp, Manifest: manifests[name], Needs: trunk[name].Needs, Chosen: chosenOf(chosen, name), Provisions: provisionsOf(name), Answering: answering(manifests, nodes), Offered: offered(manifests), Nodes: nodesOf[name], Now: time.Now(), Puts: puts[name],
+		m := assign.Module{Name: name, FP: fp, Manifest: manifests[name], Needs: trunk[name].Needs, Chosen: chosenOf(chosen, name), Provisions: provisionsOf(name), Answering: answering(manifests, nodes), Offered: offered(manifests), Nodes: nodesOf[name], Now: time.Now(), Puts: puts[name], FormNeeds: p.w.buildNeeds(name, fp),
 			Self: func(node string) bool { return placed[node] },
 			Composed: func(node, fp string) (delivery.ComposedDigest, bool) {
 				return p.w.composed(node, name, fp) // a placed node's own: the digest its own have names (ADR 0571 §6)
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass_test.go
index ec5f1bc0..560572a4 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass_test.go
@@ -14,9 +14,12 @@ import (
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/busretry"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/seats/nodeengine"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/enginereads"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/graph"
 
 	"mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign"
@@ -166,6 +169,72 @@ func TestAnAnswerCountsOnlyForTheAskingItAnswered(t *testing.T) {
 		if !slices.Equal(n.Reads["ace"], []string{"word:module", "word:tool-runner"}) || len(n.Reads["g14"]) != 0 || len(n.Reads["novox"]) != 0 {
 			t.Errorf("the nodes' reads are %v", n.Reads)
 		}
+		// ADR 0618 §3: with the verb asked, a node's reads are what its engine answered; where the engine answers it does not
+		// serve the verb, its record is read once in its place (the fallback, issue 774); a node asked again when it comes
+		// back online, since an engine built before the event says none.
+		asked := map[string]int{}
+		call := func(node, key string, _ any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+			asked[node]++
+			if node == "g14" || key != enginereads.Invoke {
+				return nil, &busretry.Answered{Words: "the seat node-engine serves no verb manifest-reads"}
+			}
+			return json.Marshal(nodeengine.ManifestReadsAnswer{V: 1, Node: node, ManifestReads: []string{"form:new"}, StatedAt: time.Now().Format(time.RFC3339Nano)})
+		}
+		p := &passer{w: w, reads: &enginereads.Keeper{Call: call, Fallback: w.recordReads, Sync: true}}
+		on, _ := delivery.EncodePresence(delivery.Presence{Online: false})
+		w.put(delivery.PresenceBucket, "ace", on)
+		n = w.nodes(nil, nil)
+		p.engineReads(n)
+		if !slices.Equal(n.Reads["ace"], []string{"form:new"}) || len(n.Reads["g14"]) != 0 || asked["ace"] != 1 {
+			t.Errorf("with the verb the nodes' reads are %v (asked %v)", n.Reads, asked)
+		}
+		if s := p.reads.Statements(); s["ace"].From != enginereads.FromVerb || s["g14"].From != enginereads.FromRecord {
+			t.Errorf("the statements are %+v", s)
+		}
+		p.engineReads(w.nodes(nil, nil))
+		on, _ = delivery.EncodePresence(delivery.Presence{Online: true})
+		w.put(delivery.PresenceBucket, "ace", on)
+		p.engineReads(w.nodes(nil, nil))
+		if asked["ace"] != 2 {
+			t.Errorf("ace, back online, was asked %d times, want 2", asked["ace"])
+		}
+		// The contract carries no checks, so its reader judges what the engine says (mesh-contracts seats/nodeengine): an
+		// answer or an event that does not hold is no statement, and an event's node is its subject's last token.
+		now := time.Now().Format(time.RFC3339Nano)
+		for _, row := range []struct {
+			name  string
+			raw   string
+			stays bool
+		}{
+			{"a whole answer", `{"v":1,"node":"ace","manifest-reads":["form:new"],"stated-at":"` + now + `"}`, true},
+			{"an engine stating nothing", `{"v":1,"node":"ace","stated-at":"` + now + `"}`, true},
+			{"another layout", `{"v":2,"node":"ace","stated-at":"` + now + `"}`, false},
+			{"no node", `{"v":1,"node":"","stated-at":"` + now + `"}`, false},
+			{"a node that is no token", `{"v":1,"node":"a.ce","stated-at":"` + now + `"}`, false},
+			{"another node's answer", `{"v":1,"node":"g14","stated-at":"` + now + `"}`, false},
+			{"an empty capability", `{"v":1,"node":"ace","manifest-reads":[""],"stated-at":"` + now + `"}`, false},
+			{"a time that is no time", `{"v":1,"node":"ace","stated-at":"yesterday"}`, false},
+		} {
+			s := enginereads.Ask(func(string, string, any) (json.RawMessage, error) { return json.RawMessage(row.raw), nil }, "ace", time.Now())
+			if (s.From == enginereads.FromVerb) != row.stays || !s.Answered {
+				t.Errorf("answer %s: %+v", row.name, s)
+			}
+		}
+		for _, row := range []struct {
+			name, subject, raw string
+			ours, fails        bool
+		}{
+			{"the event", enginereads.SubjectPrefix + "ace", `{"v":1,"node":"ace","at":"` + now + `","why":"returned"}`, true, false},
+			{"another reason", enginereads.SubjectPrefix + "ace", `{"v":1,"node":"ace","at":"` + now + `","why":"bored"}`, true, true},
+			{"another node in the body", enginereads.SubjectPrefix + "ace", `{"v":1,"node":"g14","at":"` + now + `","why":"started"}`, true, true},
+			{"a time that is no time", enginereads.SubjectPrefix + "ace", `{"v":1,"node":"ace","at":"x","why":"started"}`, true, true},
+			{"another event", "mesh.seat.node-engine.event.done.ace", `{}`, false, false},
+		} {
+			_, ours, err := enginereads.NodeOf(row.subject, []byte(row.raw))
+			if ours != row.ours || (err != nil) != row.fails {
+				t.Errorf("event %s: ours %v, %v", row.name, ours, err)
+			}
+		}
 	})
 }
 
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/tools.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/tools.go
index 2ed4d101..ddf992b2 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/tools.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/tools.go
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ import (
 
 	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/enginereads"
 )
 
 // The assigner's tools (novox/hq ADR 0546), served through the tool runner from its bundle: a process never serves (ADR
@@ -21,6 +23,9 @@ import (
 // every step as the event put. They are the module's own tools; the seat mesh-placement's verbs are served beside them
 // (seat_tools.go, ADR 0567 §10).
 
+// engineReadsTool lists what each node's engine reads, as the assigner uses it, and asks one node's engine again.
+const engineReadsTool = "assigner_engine_reads"
+
 // putsState is the assigner's state of puts, as the runtime names a module's own state.
 const putsState = "puts"
 
@@ -358,6 +363,8 @@ func serveTools() error {
 	})
 	wants.watched = stdio.NewWatchedStates() // the large states read whole from one watched copy (ADR 0580 clause 3)
 	tools = append(tools, wants.tools()...)
+	// What each node's engine reads, as the assigner uses it (ADR 0618 §3): its own state engine-reads, asked again through it.
+	tools = append(tools, enginereads.Tool(engineReadsTool, "the assigner", enginereads.KeptState(stdio.State(engineReadsState)), false, time.Now))
 	return stdio.Serve("", tools)
 }
 
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/world.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/world.go
index f37724e7..0cd66950 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/world.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/world.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package main
 import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
+	"maps"
 	"slices"
 	"sort"
 	"sync"
@@ -420,6 +421,42 @@ func (w *world) built(module, fp string) bool {
 	return err == nil && b.State == delivery.BuildDone
 }
 
+// buildNeeds are the reference forms the builder's done build of module at fp is written in (the build key's needs, ADR
+// 0618 §1): nil when it is not done or names none.
+func (w *world) buildNeeds(module, fp string) []string {
+	key, err := delivery.BuilderBuildKey(module, fp)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	b, err := delivery.DecodeBuilderBuild(w.value(delivery.BuilderBuildsBucket, key))
+	if err != nil || b.State != delivery.BuildDone {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return b.Needs
+}
+
+// recordReads is what node's record `<node>.node` states its engine reads (ADR 0614 §4), and whether the assigner holds
+// a record of it: the fallback where the engine does not answer the verb manifest-reads (enginereads.FromRecord).
+func (w *world) recordReads(node string) ([]string, bool) {
+	r, ok := w.records()[node]
+	return r.ManifestReads, ok
+}
+
+// knownNodes is every node the assigner hears of: placed, with a record, or with a presence.
+func (w *world) knownNodes() []string {
+	set := map[string]bool{}
+	for node := range w.placedNodes() {
+		set[node] = true
+	}
+	for node := range w.records() {
+		set[node] = true
+	}
+	for node := range w.online() {
+		set[node] = true
+	}
+	return slices.Sorted(maps.Keys(set))
+}
+
 // composed is the composition of module for node: a placed node composes its own, and its composition is the digest its own
 // have names (ADR 0571 §6); an unplaced node has none, so it gets no want (and the pass says so, unplacedFindings). The
 // controller's copy (mesh-controller_composed) is read no more (issue 774).
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.mod b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.mod
index 777c0c97..f1ce8f99 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.mod
@@ -24,3 +24,4 @@ require (
 require git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 
 replace git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk => ../../sdk
+
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.sum b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.sum
index 7679a5dc..98dc72c4 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8 h1:XEbIVImp6yGjA91rp0iZBoDdL5KfamjOuDLwWvqh0hc=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/wants.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/wants.go
index 5057439e..f029f074 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/wants.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/wants.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/provisions"
 
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/forms"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/graph"
 )
 
@@ -80,6 +81,10 @@ type Module struct {
 	// Needs are the reader capabilities the manifest at FP needs (the indexer's modules value, catalogue.ManifestNeeds, ADR
 	// 0614 §4): a node's want moves only while that node's engine states each of them. Nil: none.
 	Needs []string
+	// FormNeeds are the reference forms the module's build at FP is written in (`form:<name>`, the builder's build key's
+	// needs, ADR 0618 §1): a node's want is held only while that node's engine reads none of them (ADR 0624 §2). Nil: the
+	// build names none, and holds nothing.
+	FormNeeds []string
 	// Self says whether node composes the module itself: the catalogue's placement names the node (ADR 0547 §2). It is the one
 	// source of a want's Self: every want the rules write or keep is derived from it (selfDerived), so a want written Self while
 	// the node was placed does not outlive the placement (issue 1126). Nil: no node does.
@@ -179,8 +184,14 @@ func holds(m Module, node string, n Nodes, ordering bool) (bool, int, string) {
 // manifest needs that the engine does not state, read as the baseline when it states none. It is held under rule 7 (the
 // composition), since no rule of its own is numbered in this release, with words naming the capability; it moves once the
 // engine states it. The node-engine's own new build is held only by a word of its own manifest no engine states.
+//
+// A build's reference forms hold the want only when the engine reads none of them (ADR 0624 §2): every engine reads a
+// first form, so a build written in one is never held by its forms; the words name the forms it reads none of.
 func (m Module) readerLacking(node string, n Nodes) (string, bool) {
 	missing := catalogue.MissingManifestReads(m.Needs, n.Reads[node])
+	if len(missing) == 0 && forms.Current.Held(m.FormNeeds, n.Reads[node]) {
+		missing = slices.Clone(m.FormNeeds)
+	}
 	if len(missing) == 0 {
 		return "", false
 	}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/wants_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/wants_test.go
index 5e61414d..a3ce7e58 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/wants_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/wants_test.go
@@ -122,21 +122,33 @@ func TestEachRuleHoldsTheWantBack(t *testing.T) {
 		needs []string
 		reads map[string][]string
 		held  bool
+		// forms are the build's reference forms (ADR 0624 §2), and names what the hold's words name.
+		forms []string
+		names string
 	}{
-		{"a word the baseline lacks, on engines stating nothing", "mail", []string{"word:module", "word:tool-runner"}, nil, true},
+		{"a word the baseline lacks, on engines stating nothing", "mail", []string{"word:module", "word:tool-runner"}, nil, true, nil, "word:tool-runner"},
 		{"the same, once both engines state it", "mail", []string{"word:module", "word:tool-runner"},
-			map[string][]string{"ace": catalogue.ManifestReads(), "g14": catalogue.ManifestReads()}, false},
-		{"the baseline's words on engines stating nothing", "mail", []string{"word:claims.serves", "seat:mesh-catalog", "form:config"}, nil, false},
-		{"the node-engine's new build, whose contract has more words than its manifest uses", "mesh-host", hostNeeds, nil, false},
+			map[string][]string{"ace": catalogue.ManifestReads(), "g14": catalogue.ManifestReads()}, false, nil, ""},
+		{"the baseline's words on engines stating nothing", "mail", []string{"word:claims.serves", "seat:mesh-catalog", "form:config"}, nil, false, nil, ""},
+		{"the node-engine's new build, whose contract has more words than its manifest uses", "mesh-host", hostNeeds, nil, false, nil, ""},
+		// ADR 0624 §2, with form:new a form no engine reads unless it states it and artifact-store the first form.
+		{"g14 back stating {old}, a build carrying {old,new}: moves", "mail", nil, map[string][]string{"g14": {"word:module"}}, false,
+			[]string{"form:artifact-store", "form:new"}, ""},
+		{"an engine stating nothing, a build carrying the baseline's form: moves", "mail", nil, nil, false, []string{"form:artifact-store"}, ""},
+		{"a build carrying {new} only: held, naming the form", "mail", nil, map[string][]string{"g14": {"word:module"}}, true,
+			[]string{"form:new"}, "form:new"},
+		{"the same, once g14's engine states it", "mail", nil, map[string][]string{"g14": {"form:new"}}, false, []string{"form:new"}, ""},
+		{"a manifest needing an unstated word, its build in the first form: held, naming the word", "mail", []string{"word:tool-runner"}, nil, true,
+			[]string{"form:artifact-store"}, "word:tool-runner"},
 	} {
 		m, n := ready()
-		m.Name, m.Needs, n.Reads = c.name, c.needs, c.reads
+		m.Name, m.Needs, n.Reads, m.FormNeeds = c.name, c.needs, c.reads, c.forms
 		n.Haves["ace"][c.name], n.Haves["g14"][c.name] = n.Haves["ace"]["mail"], n.Haves["g14"]["mail"]
 		out := Wants(m, n, wantedOld(), nil)
 		if moved := out.Wants["g14"].FP == fNew; moved == c.held {
 			t.Errorf("%s: g14's want %+v, held by %+v", c.why, out.Wants["g14"], out.Rules["g14"])
 		}
-		if r := out.Rules["g14"]; c.held && (r.Rule != delivery.RuleComposed || !strings.Contains(r.Words, "word:tool-runner") ||
+		if r := out.Rules["g14"]; c.held && (r.Rule != delivery.RuleComposed || !strings.Contains(r.Words, c.names) ||
 			!strings.Contains(r.Words, "node-engine of g14")) {
 			t.Errorf("%s: held by %+v, want rule 7 naming the capability", c.why, r)
 		}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/manifest_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/manifest_test.go
index 087b34cd..0fdfc72d 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/manifest_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/manifest_test.go
@@ -47,7 +47,8 @@ func TestManifest(t *testing.T) {
 		states[s.Name] = s.History
 	}
 	if want := map[string]int{"asks": 5, "differences": 64, "puts": 20, "wants": 20,
-		"placement": 64, "proposals": 5, "candidates": 5, "pulses": 0, "findings": 5, "policies": 20, "seat-holders": 5}; !reflect.DeepEqual(states, want) {
+		"placement": 64, "proposals": 5, "candidates": 5, "pulses": 0, "findings": 5, "policies": 20, "seat-holders": 5,
+		"engine-reads": 1}; !reflect.DeepEqual(states, want) {
 		t.Errorf("state = %v, want %v", states, want)
 	}
 	if _, ok := m.OwnSecrets["broker"]; !ok || len(m.OwnSecrets) != 1 {
@@ -78,8 +79,9 @@ func TestManifest(t *testing.T) {
 	if seat, _ := catalogue.SeatNamed(catalogue.PlacementSeat); catalogue.CanHold(m, seat) != nil {
 		t.Errorf("the assigner cannot hold the seat: %v", catalogue.CanHold(m, seat))
 	}
-	if !slices.Equal(m.Tools, []string{"assigner_put", "assigner_release", "assigner_puts"}) {
-		t.Errorf("the assigner serves tools %v, want its three put tools", m.Tools)
+	// ADR 0618 §3: and assigner_engine_reads, which lists and asks again what each node's engine reads.
+	if !slices.Equal(m.Tools, []string{"assigner_put", "assigner_release", "assigner_puts", "assigner_engine_reads"}) {
+		t.Errorf("the assigner serves tools %v, want its three put tools and assigner_engine_reads", m.Tools)
 	}
 	if len(m.Streams) != 1 || m.Streams[0].Name != delivery.PlacementStream || m.Streams[0].MaxAgeDays != delivery.PlacementStreamDays ||
 		!slices.Equal(slices.Sorted(slices.Values(m.Streams[0].Events)), slices.Sorted(slices.Values(delivery.PlacementEvents))) {
@@ -87,9 +89,14 @@ func TestManifest(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	if want := []string{
 		"seat:mesh-hand-acts.hand-act", "seat:mesh-hand-acts.hand-acts", "seat:mesh-hand-acts.warranted", // ADR 0565 §9, §11: the seat alone
-		"seat:node-backup.backed-up", "seat:node-backup.now"}; !slices.Equal(slices.Sorted(slices.Values(m.Invokes)), want) {
+		"seat:node-backup.backed-up", "seat:node-backup.now",
+		"seat:node-engine.manifest-reads"}; !slices.Equal(slices.Sorted(slices.Values(m.Invokes)), want) { // ADR 0618 §3
 		t.Errorf("invokes = %v, want %v", m.Invokes, want)
 	}
+	// ADR 0618 §4: it hears each node's engine say its reads changed.
+	if !slices.Equal(m.Consumes, []string{"node-engine.manifest-reads-changed"}) {
+		t.Errorf("consumes = %v", m.Consumes)
+	}
 	if !slices.Equal(m.Emits, []string{"put"}) {
 		t.Errorf("emits = %v, want put", m.Emits)
 	}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/module.json b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/module.json
index 7f94deaa..392718f2 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/module.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/module.json
@@ -45,7 +45,11 @@
     "seat:mesh-hand-acts.hand-acts",
     "seat:mesh-hand-acts.warranted",
     "seat:node-backup.backed-up",
-    "seat:node-backup.now"
+    "seat:node-backup.now",
+    "seat:node-engine.manifest-reads"
+  ],
+  "consumes": [
+    "node-engine.manifest-reads-changed"
   ],
   "emits": [
     "put"
@@ -53,7 +57,8 @@
   "tools": [
     "assigner_put",
     "assigner_release",
-    "assigner_puts"
+    "assigner_puts",
+    "assigner_engine_reads"
   ],
   "state": [
     { "name": "placement", "history": 64 },
@@ -66,7 +71,8 @@
     { "name": "wants", "history": 20 },
     { "name": "findings", "history": 5 },
     { "name": "policies", "history": 20 },
-    { "name": "seat-holders", "history": 5 }
+    { "name": "seat-holders", "history": 5 },
+    { "name": "engine-reads", "history": 1 }
   ],
   "streams": [
     {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/buildrun/standing.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/buildrun/standing.go
index c0b92e96..fdaf1da6 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/buildrun/standing.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/buildrun/standing.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"maps"
 	"slices"
+	"sort"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
@@ -42,6 +43,9 @@ type ToolchainGate struct {
 	known   bool                         // the placement is settled
 	raw     map[string]map[string][]byte // module -> toolchains key -> value, as the bucket holds it
 	left    map[string]string            // <module>/<key> -> why it was said left out, so each reason is said once
+	// OnPlaced is told, outside the gate's lock, once the placement's history is read and after each revision of it
+	// FollowPlacement hears from then on (the counted nodes, Nodes, may have changed). Nil tells nobody.
+	OnPlaced func()
 }
 
 // NewToolchainGate is a gate over the toolchains of modules, passing what stands on to forward and saying with logf what
@@ -90,6 +94,19 @@ func (g *ToolchainGate) Placement(key string, value []byte, deleted bool, at tim
 	return g.again(node, changed)
 }
 
+// Nodes are the nodes the placement places any module on, sorted: the nodes the mesh counts (a node leaves the count
+// when the placement no longer names it; ADR 0624 §1). None until the placement is read.
+func (g *ToolchainGate) Nodes() []string {
+	var out []string
+	for node, modules := range g.placed.ByNode() {
+		if len(modules) > 0 {
+			out = append(out, node)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return out
+}
+
 // Settled says the placement's history is read: from now on only the reports of placed nodes pass, once a node's
 // placement is held. It answers whether what it passed on changed.
 func (g *ToolchainGate) Settled() bool {
@@ -203,6 +220,9 @@ func FollowPlacement(ctx context.Context, js process.BucketOpener, gate *Toolcha
 	if gate.Settled() {
 		changed(ctx)
 	}
+	if gate.OnPlaced != nil {
+		gate.OnPlaced()
+	}
 	go func() {
 		defer func() { _ = w.Stop() }()
 		for {
@@ -218,6 +238,9 @@ func FollowPlacement(ctx context.Context, js process.BucketOpener, gate *Toolcha
 				if e != nil && put(e) {
 					changed(ctx)
 				}
+				if e != nil && gate.OnPlaced != nil {
+					gate.OnPlaced()
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	}()
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder-tools/main.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder-tools/main.go
index 9f4e12e4..cba63ec1 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder-tools/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder-tools/main.go
@@ -18,10 +18,15 @@ import (
 	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/enginereads"
+
 	"mesh-delivery-builder/internal/build"
 	"mesh-delivery-builder/internal/versions"
 )
 
+// EngineReadsTool lists, asks again and drops what each counted node's engine reads, as the builder keeps it.
+const EngineReadsTool = "builder_engine_reads"
+
 // queueAsker writes a queues value and waits for the builder's answer to it.
 type queueAsker func(key string, value []byte) (json.RawMessage, error)
 
@@ -373,7 +378,11 @@ func main() {
 		}
 		return e.Value, true, nil
 	}}
-	if err := stdio.Serve("", Tools(r, put, askQueue(stdio.State(build.QueuesState), 25*time.Second), buildAgain, stdio.Log(delivery.BuilderLog).Since, time.Now, vr, tags, tr, fr)); err != nil {
+	tools := Tools(r, put, askQueue(stdio.State(build.QueuesState), 25*time.Second), buildAgain, stdio.Log(delivery.BuilderLog).Since, time.Now, vr, tags, tr, fr)
+	// What each counted node's engine reads, as the builder keeps it (ADR 0618 §2, ADR 0624 §1): listed, one node asked
+	// again, or one node's key dropped.
+	tools = append(tools, enginereads.Tool(EngineReadsTool, "the builder", enginereads.KeptState(stdio.State("engine-reads")), true, time.Now))
+	if err := stdio.Serve("", tools); err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[mesh-delivery-builder-tools] %v\n", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder/integration_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder/integration_test.go
index 96c9d54d..9cbaf12e 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder/integration_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder/integration_test.go
@@ -439,6 +439,10 @@ func TestBuilderMakesADoneKeyWithTheDigests(t *testing.T) { // 1607/AC7
 	if v.Toolchains["go"].Version != "go1.27.1" || v.Toolchains["typescript"].Version != "tsc5" {
 		t.Errorf("toolchains = %+v", v.Toolchains)
 	}
+	// ADR 0618 §1: the done key names the reference forms it is written in.
+	if len(v.Needs) != 1 || v.Needs[0] != "form:artifact-store" {
+		t.Errorf("needs = %v, want the first form", v.Needs)
+	}
 	// 1955/L7 (ADR 0571 §1): the build's start and end are in the module log build-log under the module's key, read as a
 	// reader with the log's read reads them, the end naming the manifest and what was made.
 	ended := b.logged(t, "netcheck")
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder/main.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder/main.go
index c817114a..0c8b865d 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder/main.go
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, getenv func(string) string, logOut io.Writer) erro
 	// revision (the gate's source state). The source's revisions are watched with their history (a direct get of one revision
 	// is not what a read grants): a revision heard after the candidate that names it builds that candidate then. Where it
 	// cannot be read the trunk's keys are built and the candidates wait (issue 1945).
-	errs := make(chan error, 8)
+	errs := make(chan error, 9)
 	trunks := &trunkSource{ctx: ctx, js: js, heads: &sourceHeads{}, moved: func(ctx context.Context) {
 		// A source revision heard is the forge's merge: it wakes a floor whose bridge_tags was silent (design 51 *The floor*).
 		(&floorWake{b: b, waits: floorWaits, logf: logger.Printf}).wake(ctx, versions.WakeForge, "", "")
@@ -204,6 +204,11 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, getenv func(string) string, logOut io.Writer) erro
 	// placement is settled first, so the toolchains settle through the gate already knowing it.
 	gate := buildrun.NewToolchainGate([]string{buildrun.GoBuildModule, buildrun.NodeBuildModule}, tools.Put, logger.Printf)
 	watch.put = gate.Toolchain
+	// What each counted node's engine reads (ADR 0618 §2, ADR 0624 §1): asked through the node-engine seat's verb as the
+	// builder's own account, for every node the placement names, and kept in the state engine-reads once it is bound.
+	reads := newEngineReads(calls.CallOn, gate, logger.Printf)
+	gate.OnPlaced = reads.placed
+	b.Forms = reads.forms
 	placementErrs, err := buildrun.FollowPlacement(ctx, js, gate, b.NodesChanged, logger.Printf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -241,7 +246,7 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, getenv func(string) string, logOut io.Writer) erro
 		// And the four registry seats' published, refused and removed (DLV-B4), which move a numbered version.
 		seats := seatHearer{n: numberer, b: b, logf: logger.Printf}
 		cc, err := process.HearEvents(cons, func(m jetstream.Msg) {
-			if floor.heard(ctx, m) || seats.heard(ctx, m) {
+			if reads.heard(m, logger.Printf) || floor.heard(ctx, m) || seats.heard(ctx, m) { // reads: the node-engine seat's manifest-reads-changed (ADR 0618 §4)
 				return
 			}
 			heardGone(ctx, b, m, logger.Printf)
@@ -341,6 +346,11 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, getenv func(string) string, logOut io.Writer) erro
 		}
 		defer cc.Stop()
 	}
+	// The state engine-reads, new with ADR 0618 (issue 1790's kind): until it is on the bus each statement is kept in memory
+	// only, and builder_engine_reads answers nothing.
+	process.AwaitBucket(ctx, js, conn, engineReadsBucket, "what each node's engine reads is kept in memory only", logger.Printf).Ready(func(kv jetstream.KeyValue) {
+		reads.bind(ctx, kv, errs, logger.Printf)
+	})
 	logger.Printf("started on %s", cred.Node)
 	go func() { errs <- follow(ctx, w, each) }()
 	select {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder/reads.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder/reads.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..42e844f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder/reads.go
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"slices"
+	"sync"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/process"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/buildrun"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/enginereads"
+)
+
+// EngineReadsState is the builder's state of what each counted node's engine states it reads (novox/hq ADR 0618 §2, ADR
+// 0624 §1): one key `<node>`, written from the node-engine seat's verb manifest-reads at the builder's start, on the
+// seat's event manifest-reads-changed for that node, and when a person asks again (builder_engine_reads); a node that
+// is away keeps its last statement, and its key is removed when the placement no longer names the node. A counted node
+// with no key reads as stating the baseline: its first forms. No node's record is read in its place.
+const EngineReadsState = "engine-reads"
+
+// engineReadsBucket is that state's bucket.
+const engineReadsBucket = delivery.BuilderModule + "_" + EngineReadsState
+
+// engineReads keeps the statements and the counted nodes for the builder's forms (build.Builder.Forms).
+type engineReads struct {
+	keeper  *enginereads.Keeper
+	gate    *buildrun.ToolchainGate
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	counted []string
+}
+
+// newEngineReads asks through call (process.Conn.CallOn) and keeps each answer in the state once it is bound.
+func newEngineReads(call enginereads.Caller, gate *buildrun.ToolchainGate, logf func(string, ...any)) *engineReads {
+	return &engineReads{gate: gate, keeper: &enginereads.Keeper{Call: call, Logf: logf}}
+}
+
+// bind keeps the statements in kv and hears it: every node's last statement at the start, a person's ask again and drop
+// later. Bound once the state is on the bus (process.AwaitBucket).
+func (r *engineReads) bind(ctx context.Context, kv jetstream.KeyValue, errs chan<- error, logf func(string, ...any)) {
+	r.keeper.Put = func(node string, v []byte) error { _, err := kv.Put(ctx, node, v); return err }
+	r.keeper.Delete = func(node string) error { return kv.Delete(ctx, node) }
+	each := func(e jetstream.KeyValueEntry) {
+		r.keeper.Heard(e.Key(), e.Value(), e.Operation() != jetstream.KeyValuePut)
+	}
+	w, err := settle(ctx, kv, each)
+	if err != nil {
+		process.NotWatched(logf, engineReadsBucket, err, "builder_engine_reads is not answered until the builder starts again")
+		return
+	}
+	go func() { errs <- follow(ctx, w, each) }()
+	// Every counted node asked again, so what was asked before the state was bound is kept in it too.
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	nodes := slices.Clone(r.counted)
+	r.mu.Unlock()
+	for _, node := range nodes {
+		r.keeper.AskNode(node, "the state engine-reads is bound")
+	}
+}
+
+// placed takes the placement in: a node it names newly is asked, one it no longer names is forgotten, key and all. The
+// first call asks every counted node (the builder's start).
+func (r *engineReads) placed() {
+	nodes := r.gate.Nodes()
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	before, first := r.counted, r.counted == nil
+	r.counted = nodes
+	r.mu.Unlock()
+	for _, node := range nodes {
+		if first || !slices.Contains(before, node) {
+			r.keeper.AskNode(node, "counted: the placement names it")
+		}
+	}
+	for _, node := range before {
+		if !slices.Contains(nodes, node) {
+			r.keeper.Forget(node)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// heard takes an event of the builder's consumer on EVENTS: manifest-reads-changed asks its node again, and answers true.
+func (r *engineReads) heard(m jetstream.Msg, logf func(string, ...any)) bool {
+	node, ours, err := enginereads.NodeOf(m.Subject(), m.Data())
+	if !ours {
+		return false
+	}
+	if ackErr := m.Ack(); ackErr != nil {
+		logf("acknowledging %s: %v", m.Subject(), ackErr)
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		logf("%s holds what is not %s, and %s is asked again all the same: %v", m.Subject(), enginereads.Event, node, err)
+	}
+	r.keeper.AskNode(node, enginereads.Event)
+	return true
+}
+
+// forms is build.Builder.Forms: the counted nodes' statements, and those of the nodes whose engine answered.
+func (r *engineReads) forms() (present, counted map[string][]string) {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	nodes := slices.Clone(r.counted)
+	r.mu.Unlock()
+	return r.keeper.Present(nodes), r.keeper.Reads(nodes)
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder/refused_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder/refused_test.go
index 21f6ac58..b5c1dce9 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder/refused_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/cmd/mesh-delivery-builder/refused_test.go
@@ -3,8 +3,11 @@ package main
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"log"
+	"maps"
+	"slices"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
@@ -16,6 +19,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/buildrun"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/seats/nodeengine"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/enginereads"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 
 	"mesh-delivery-builder/internal/build"
@@ -54,6 +59,100 @@ func TestARefusedBucketIsSaidAndThePartGoesOn(t *testing.T) {
 	if src.opened {
 		t.Error("a refused source counts as opened, so it is never opened again")
 	}
+	t.Run("ADR 0624: the counted nodes' engine reads", theCountedNodesEngineReads)
+}
+
+// theCountedNodesEngineReads: the builder asks the node-engine seat's verb of every node the placement names; a node away
+// and never asked has no statement and reads as the baseline's first forms, with no node record read in its place; an
+// away node keeps its last statement; a node the placement no longer names leaves the count, its key removed; and
+// builder_engine_reads drops one node's key.
+func theCountedNodesEngineReads(t *testing.T) {
+	gate := buildrun.NewToolchainGate(nil, func(string, string, []byte, bool) bool { return false }, t.Logf)
+	place := func(nodes ...string) {
+		for _, node := range []string{"n1", "n2"} {
+			pl := delivery.Placement{Node: node}
+			if slices.Contains(nodes, node) {
+				pl.Modules = []delivery.PlacedModule{{Module: "web"}}
+			}
+			values, err := delivery.PlacementValues(pl)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			for key, raw := range values {
+				gate.Placement(key, raw, false, time.Now())
+			}
+			if !slices.Contains(nodes, node) {
+				key, _ := delivery.PlacementModuleKey(node, "web")
+				gate.Placement(key, nil, true, time.Now())
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	away := map[string]bool{"n2": true}
+	asked := map[string]int{}
+	r := newEngineReads(func(node, key string, _ any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+		asked[node]++
+		if away[node] {
+			return nil, nats.ErrNoResponders
+		}
+		return json.Marshal(nodeengine.ManifestReadsAnswer{V: 1, Node: node, ManifestReads: []string{"form:new"}, StatedAt: time.Now().Format(time.RFC3339Nano)})
+	}, gate, t.Logf)
+	r.keeper.Sync = true
+	kept := map[string][]byte{}
+	r.keeper.Put = func(node string, v []byte) error { kept[node] = v; return nil }
+	r.keeper.Delete = func(node string) error { delete(kept, node); return nil }
+	place("n1", "n2")
+	r.placed()
+	present, counted := r.forms()
+	if !slices.Equal(present["n1"], []string{"form:new"}) || len(present) != 1 || len(counted) != 2 || counted["n2"] != nil {
+		t.Errorf("away and never asked: present %v, counted %v", present, counted)
+	}
+	if s := r.keeper.Statements()["n2"]; s.From != enginereads.FromNone || s.Answered || asked["n2"] != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("n2, away and never asked, is %+v (asked %d)", s, asked["n2"])
+	}
+	// n2 back, stating {word:module}, then away again: it keeps that statement.
+	away["n2"] = false
+	r.keeper.Heard("n2", mustStatement(t, enginereads.Statement{Node: "n2", From: enginereads.FromVerb, Answered: true,
+		AskAgain: &enginereads.Again{By: "n1.ada", Why: "back"}}), false)
+	away["n2"] = true
+	r.keeper.AskNode("n2", "its event")
+	if _, counted = r.forms(); !slices.Equal(counted["n2"], []string{"form:new"}) || r.keeper.Statements()["n2"].Answered {
+		t.Errorf("away again, n2 reads %v (%+v)", counted["n2"], r.keeper.Statements()["n2"])
+	}
+	// n2 retired: it leaves the placement, and its key goes.
+	place("n1")
+	r.placed()
+	if _, counted = r.forms(); len(counted) != 1 || kept["n2"] != nil {
+		t.Errorf("retired n2: counted %v, its key %s", counted, kept["n2"])
+	}
+	// builder_engine_reads drops one key.
+	st := &memReads{v: map[string][]byte{"n1": kept["n1"]}}
+	tool := enginereads.Tool("builder_engine_reads", "the builder", st, true, time.Now)
+	if _, err := tool.Run(map[string]any{"node": "n1", "drop": "true", "why": "a test"}); err != nil || st.v["n1"] != nil {
+		t.Errorf("drop: %v, the key %s", err, st.v["n1"])
+	}
+}
+
+func mustStatement(t *testing.T, s enginereads.Statement) []byte {
+	t.Helper()
+	raw, err := enginereads.Encode(s)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return raw
+}
+
+// memReads is the builder's state of engine reads in memory, as the tool reads it.
+type memReads struct{ v map[string][]byte }
+
+func (m *memReads) Keys() ([]string, error) { return slices.Collect(maps.Keys(m.v)), nil }
+func (m *memReads) Get(key string) ([]byte, uint64, bool, error) {
+	v, ok := m.v[key]
+	return v, 1, ok, nil
+}
+func (m *memReads) Put(key string, value []byte) (uint64, error) { m.v[key] = value; return 2, nil }
+func (m *memReads) Delete(key string) error                     { delete(m.v, key); return nil }
+func (m *memReads) Await(string, uint64, func([]byte) bool, time.Duration) ([]byte, error) {
+	return nil, errors.New("no part answers here")
 }
 
 // refusingBus is a bus that refuses: every open (refuseOpen), or every watch of a bucket it opens, with err.
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.mod b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.mod
index ab72384a..3204c90a 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.mod
@@ -26,3 +26,8 @@ require (
 )
 
 replace git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/buildrun => ./buildrun
+
+
+require git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
+
+replace git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk => ../../sdk
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.sum b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.sum
index 7ff42872..4fbe62eb 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.sum
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-catalog/modules/mesh-build-go/buildstep v0.0.0-20261102193506-d221c633799a h1:oxgksCiq272/afXbUION/dxtAS5MPGnmyq6+AZQxmXg=
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-catalog/modules/mesh-build-go/buildstep v0.0.0-20261102193506-d221c633799a/go.mod h1:kpsX4Pgss5EeuBvel1zWa2ogj7MkR3jZso6oa/J0YUQ=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8 h1:XEbIVImp6yGjA91rp0iZBoDdL5KfamjOuDLwWvqh0hc=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/internal/build/run.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/internal/build/run.go
index 49c4a744..0b5aad8d 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/internal/build/run.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/internal/build/run.go
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/buildrun"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/forms"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buildstep"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
@@ -84,6 +85,11 @@ type Builder struct {
 	// Numbers numbers each trunk build at its claim and records what it was built with (design 51 *The versions*); nil
 	// numbers nothing.
 	Numbers Numbers
+	// Forms answers what each node's engine states it reads (ADR 0618 §2, ADR 0624 §1): present, the nodes whose engine
+	// answered when last asked, and counted, every node the placement names, present or away, a node with no statement
+	// stating nothing (the baseline's first forms). A done key names each artifact in the forms these keep, the oldest in
+	// its single reference, and its needs. Nil: no node states anything, and the first forms are kept.
+	Forms func() (present, counted map[string][]string)
 
 	once     sync.Once
 	sem      chan struct{}
@@ -623,6 +629,10 @@ func (b *Builder) build(ctx context.Context, module string, m delivery.Module, p
 		return failed("%s", keyError(errs))
 	}
 	var artifacts []delivery.BuiltArtifact
+	var present, counted map[string][]string
+	if b.Forms != nil {
+		present, counted = b.Forms()
+	}
 	keptModule := map[string]bool{}
 	for _, bm := range kept {
 		keptModule[bm] = true
@@ -651,6 +661,7 @@ func (b *Builder) build(ctx context.Context, module string, m delivery.Module, p
 			return failed("%s", err)
 		}
 		built := delivery.BuiltArtifact{Name: t.Artifact, Kind: t.Kind, Digest: d}
+		var answered []string
 		for _, l := range lanes {
 			if l.module != t.Module {
 				continue
@@ -662,10 +673,11 @@ func (b *Builder) build(ctx context.Context, module string, m delivery.Module, p
 				return failed("%s%s on %s: the build answered no reference, so its push to the artifact store was not answered", delivery.NotStored, t.Artifact, l.node)
 			}
 			if r != "" {
-				built.Reference = r
+				answered = append(answered, r)
 			}
 		}
-		artifacts = append(artifacts, built)
+		// The forms a counted node's engine reads are kept, the oldest in the single reference (ADR 0624 §1, §3).
+		artifacts = append(artifacts, forms.Current.Choose(built, answered, present, counted))
 	}
 	var steps []string
 	for _, l := range lanes {
@@ -687,7 +699,7 @@ func (b *Builder) build(ctx context.Context, module string, m delivery.Module, p
 		used = nil
 	}
 	done := delivery.BuilderBuild{State: delivery.BuildDone, By: b.Claimer.By, Manifest: m.Manifest, Step: step, Artifacts: artifacts, Toolchains: used,
-		Imports: importsOf(lanes)}
+		Imports: importsOf(lanes), Needs: forms.Current.Needs(artifacts)} // the forms it is written in (ADR 0618 §1)
 	if _, err := delivery.EncodeBuilderBuild(done); err != nil {
 		// A reference the build module answered that does not name the artifact and its digest is no reference.
 		return failed("%s%v", delivery.NotStored, err)
@@ -782,7 +794,7 @@ func (n *askNotes) note(ctx context.Context, language, id, step string) error {
 	n.mu.Lock()
 	defer n.mu.Unlock()
 	v := n.cl.Build
-	v.State, v.By, v.Step, v.Error, v.Artifacts = delivery.BuildBuilding, n.b.Claimer.By, step, "", nil
+	v.State, v.By, v.Step, v.Error, v.Artifacts, v.Needs = delivery.BuildBuilding, n.b.Claimer.By, step, "", nil, nil
 	v.Asks = maps.Clone(v.Asks)
 	if v.Asks == nil {
 		v.Asks = map[string]string{}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/internal/build/run_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/internal/build/run_test.go
index 54a54568..509c093f 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/internal/build/run_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/internal/build/run_test.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"reflect"
+	"slices"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
@@ -14,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/buildrun"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/forms"
 	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
@@ -224,6 +226,7 @@ var (
 
 func TestABundleAndAnArchiveAreBuiltOnOneNodeAndDone(t *testing.T) { // 1607/AC7, ADR 0478 clauses 1, 4
 	t.Run("the imports a build answers reach the done key and the log", importsABuildAnswersReachTheDoneKeyAndTheLog)
+	t.Run("ADR 0624: a done key keeps each form a counted node reads", aDoneKeyKeepsEachFormACountedNodeReads)
 	r := newRig(t, goBundle, archiveA, tsBundle)
 	// ADR 0584: a third node agrees with novox and ace's typescript is the odd one; the build is done and its step says ace sits out.
 	r.tools.Put(buildrun.NodeBuildModule, "g14.typescript", tcValue(t, "typescript", "tsc5"), false)
@@ -280,6 +283,11 @@ func TestABundleAndAnArchiveAreBuiltOnOneNodeAndDone(t *testing.T) { // 1607/AC7
 	if v.Artifacts[0].Kind != "archive" || v.Artifacts[1].Kind != "bundle" {
 		t.Errorf("kinds = %+v", v.Artifacts)
 	}
+	// ADR 0618 §1: the done key names the forms its references are written in, here the first form alone, and keeps no list
+	// beside the single reference while no counted node needs another form.
+	if !slices.Equal(v.Needs, []string{"form:artifact-store"}) || v.Artifacts[0].References != nil {
+		t.Errorf("needs = %v, references = %v", v.Needs, v.Artifacts[0].References)
+	}
 	if got := v.Toolchains["go"]; got.Version != "go1.27.1" || got.Recipe != "1" {
 		t.Errorf("toolchains = %+v, want go and typescript named", v.Toolchains)
 	}
@@ -1270,3 +1278,71 @@ type silentWatch struct{}
 func (silentWatch) WatchAsk(context.Context, string, string) (<-chan delivery.Step, error) {
 	return make(chan delivery.Step), nil
 }
+
+// aDoneKeyKeepsEachFormACountedNodeReads holds the builder's rows of ADR 0624's check: every build keeps each form a
+// counted node's engine reads, present or away, a node stating nothing reading the baseline's first form; the oldest kept
+// form is the single reference; a retired node leaves the count. old is the first form, new a fixture second form read
+// only by an engine stating form:new.
+func aDoneKeyKeepsEachFormACountedNodeReads(t *testing.T) {
+	fs := forms.ArtifactForms{
+		{Name: "old", First: true, Kinds: []string{"bundle"}, Is: func(r string) bool { return strings.HasPrefix(r, "artifact-store://") }},
+		{Name: "new", Kinds: []string{"bundle"}, Is: func(r string) bool { return strings.HasPrefix(r, "10.0.0.1:5000/") }},
+	}
+	both, nothing, onlyNew := []string{"form:new", "word:module"}, []string(nil), []string{"form:new"}
+	oldRef, newRef := "artifact-store://m/code/blobs/"+digest, "10.0.0.1:5000/m/code@"+digest
+	for _, row := range []struct {
+		name             string
+		present, counted map[string][]string
+		kept             []string
+		reference        string
+		references       []string
+	}{
+		{"A present {old,new}, B away {old}: both forms, the old in the single reference",
+			map[string][]string{"a": both}, map[string][]string{"a": both, "b": {"word:module"}}, []string{"old", "new"}, oldRef, []string{oldRef, newRef}},
+		{"A present {new}, B away stating nothing: the baseline's form stays",
+			map[string][]string{"a": onlyNew}, map[string][]string{"a": onlyNew, "b": nothing}, []string{"old", "new"}, oldRef, []string{oldRef, newRef}},
+		{"A present {old,new}, B away and never asked (no key): the baseline's form stays",
+			map[string][]string{"a": both}, map[string][]string{"a": both, "b": nil}, []string{"old", "new"}, oldRef, []string{oldRef, newRef}},
+		{"B retired: the new form only", map[string][]string{"a": both}, map[string][]string{"a": both}, []string{"new"}, newRef, nil},
+		{"B present stating nothing: the new form is not written",
+			map[string][]string{"a": both, "b": nothing}, map[string][]string{"a": both, "b": nothing}, []string{"old"}, oldRef, nil},
+		{"no node present: the first form", nil, map[string][]string{"a": both}, []string{"old"}, oldRef, nil},
+	} {
+		if got := fs.Kept("bundle", row.present, row.counted); !slices.Equal(got, row.kept) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: kept %v, want %v", row.name, got, row.kept)
+		}
+		a := fs.Choose(delivery.BuiltArtifact{Name: "code", Kind: "bundle", Digest: digest}, []string{newRef, oldRef}, row.present, row.counted)
+		if a.Reference != row.reference || !slices.Equal(a.References, row.references) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: %q %v, want %q %v", row.name, a.Reference, a.References, row.reference, row.references)
+		}
+		// An engine that predates the list reads the single reference, in a form every counted node reads (ADR 0624 §3).
+		if form, _ := fs.FormOf("bundle", a.Reference); form != row.kept[0] {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the single reference is in %q, want the oldest kept %q", row.name, form, row.kept[0])
+		}
+	}
+	// An answered reference no kept form names still names where the artifact is (ADR 0498 clause 1).
+	if a := fs.Choose(delivery.BuiltArtifact{Name: "code", Kind: "bundle", Digest: digest}, []string{oldRef}, map[string][]string{"a": both},
+		map[string][]string{"a": both}); a.Reference != oldRef {
+		t.Errorf("a lone answered reference was dropped: %+v", a)
+	}
+	withBoth := []delivery.BuiltArtifact{{Name: "code", Kind: "bundle", Digest: digest, Reference: oldRef, References: []string{oldRef, newRef}}}
+	if got := fs.Needs(withBoth); !slices.Equal(got, []string{"form:new", "form:old"}) {
+		t.Errorf("needs %v", got)
+	}
+	// What the assigner holds a want by (ADR 0624 §2), from the same forms.
+	for _, row := range []struct {
+		name   string
+		needs  []string
+		stated []string
+		held   bool
+	}{
+		{"a node stating {old}, a build carrying {old,new}: moves", []string{"form:new", "form:old"}, []string{"word:module"}, false},
+		{"a node stating nothing, a build carrying the baseline's form: moves", []string{"form:old"}, nil, false},
+		{"a build carrying {new} only, the node stating {old}: held", []string{"form:new"}, []string{"word:module"}, true},
+		{"a build naming no form: moves", nil, nil, false},
+	} {
+		if got := fs.Held(row.needs, row.stated); got != row.held {
+			t.Errorf("%s: held %v", row.name, got)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/manifest_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/manifest_test.go
index 5e5b03e6..9dc2b71a 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/manifest_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/manifest_test.go
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ func TestManifestDeclarations(t *testing.T) { // 1607/AC1
 	if m.Module != "mesh-delivery-builder" {
 		t.Errorf("module = %q", m.Module)
 	}
-	if want := []state{{Name: "builds", History: 5}, {Name: "findings", History: 5}, {Name: "floor-waits", History: 1}, {Name: "hearing", History: 1}, {Name: "instances", History: 1}, {Name: "queues", History: 1}, {Name: "reasks", History: 1}, {Name: "tag-asks", History: 1}, {Name: "versions", History: 1}}; !reflect.DeepEqual(m.State, want) { // delivery.BuilderBuildsHistory
+	if want := []state{{Name: "builds", History: 5}, {Name: "engine-reads", History: 1}, {Name: "findings", History: 5}, {Name: "floor-waits", History: 1}, {Name: "hearing", History: 1}, {Name: "instances", History: 1}, {Name: "queues", History: 1}, {Name: "reasks", History: 1}, {Name: "tag-asks", History: 1}, {Name: "versions", History: 1}}; !reflect.DeepEqual(m.State, want) { // delivery.BuilderBuildsHistory
 		t.Errorf("state = %+v, want %+v", m.State, want)
 	}
 	// 1887/A4c: the builder chooses no node, so it reads neither presence nor have, invokes no build module's tool and
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ func TestManifestDeclarations(t *testing.T) { // 1607/AC1
 	// 1955/L7 (ADR 0571 §2): the seat mesh-artifact-sweep's held, the controller's `held` is no longer asked (issue 1955).
 	// Design 51 *The floor*: the floor's three sources, the registry seats' versions, bridge_tags and indexer_requirements.
 	if want := []string{"mesh-delivery-forge-bridge.bridge_tags", "mesh-delivery-indexer.indexer_requirements", "seat:container-image-registry.remove", "seat:container-image-registry.versions",
-		"seat:go-package-registry.remove", "seat:go-package-registry.versions", "seat:mesh-artifact-sweep.held", "seat:npm-package-registry.remove",
+		"seat:go-package-registry.remove", "seat:go-package-registry.versions", "seat:mesh-artifact-sweep.held", "seat:node-engine.manifest-reads", "seat:npm-package-registry.remove",
 		"seat:npm-package-registry.versions", "seat:oci-artifact-registry.remove", "seat:oci-artifact-registry.versions"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(sorted(m.Invokes), want) || len(m.Config) != 0 {
 		t.Errorf("invokes = %v, config = %v, want %v and no config", m.Invokes, m.Config, want)
 	}
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ func TestManifestDeclarations(t *testing.T) { // 1607/AC1
 	if want := []string{"container-image-registry.published", "container-image-registry.refused", "container-image-registry.removed",
 		"go-package-registry.published", "go-package-registry.refused", "go-package-registry.removed",
 		"mesh-artifact-sweep.artifacts-gone", "mesh-build-go.toolchain.reported", "mesh-build-node.toolchain.reported",
-		"mesh-conditions.condition-cleared", "mesh-delivery-checker.tag-wanted", "mesh-delivery-forge-bridge.forge.**", "mesh-delivery-indexer.manifest-accepted",
+		"mesh-conditions.condition-cleared", "mesh-delivery-checker.tag-wanted", "mesh-delivery-forge-bridge.forge.**", "mesh-delivery-indexer.manifest-accepted", "node-engine.manifest-reads-changed",
 		"npm-package-registry.published", "npm-package-registry.refused", "npm-package-registry.removed",
 		"oci-artifact-registry.published", "oci-artifact-registry.refused", "oci-artifact-registry.removed"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(sorted(m.Consumes), want) {
 		t.Errorf("consumes = %v, want %v", m.Consumes, want)
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ func TestManifestDeclarations(t *testing.T) { // 1607/AC1
 		t.Errorf("secrets-owner = %q", m.SecretsOwner)
 	}
 	// 1945: the builder's tools (builder_seat_queue: note 62), served by its tools bundle, and the event it says when it asks an ask again.
-	if want := []string{"builder_announce_again", "builder_ask_again", "builder_build_again", "builder_builds_since", "builder_floor_again", "builder_floor_waits",
+	if want := []string{"builder_announce_again", "builder_ask_again", "builder_build_again", "builder_builds_since", "builder_engine_reads", "builder_floor_again", "builder_floor_waits",
 		"builder_publish_again", "builder_seat_queue", "builder_stuck", "builder_tag", "builder_tag_asks", "builder_untag", "builder_versions"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(sorted(m.Tools), want) {
 		t.Errorf("tools = %v, want %v", m.Tools, want)
 	}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/module.json b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/module.json
index f7392a4e..b4f51539 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/module.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/module.json
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
     "builder_ask_again",
     "builder_build_again",
     "builder_builds_since",
+    "builder_engine_reads",
     "builder_floor_again",
     "builder_floor_waits",
     "builder_publish_again",
@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@
     "mesh-delivery-checker.tag-wanted",
     "mesh-delivery-forge-bridge.forge.**",
     "mesh-delivery-indexer.manifest-accepted",
+    "node-engine.manifest-reads-changed",
     "npm-package-registry.published",
     "npm-package-registry.refused",
     "npm-package-registry.removed",
@@ -51,6 +53,7 @@
     "seat:go-package-registry.remove",
     "seat:go-package-registry.versions",
     "seat:mesh-artifact-sweep.held",
+    "seat:node-engine.manifest-reads",
     "seat:npm-package-registry.remove",
     "seat:npm-package-registry.versions",
     "seat:oci-artifact-registry.remove",
@@ -58,6 +61,7 @@
   ],
   "state": [
     { "name": "builds", "history": 5 },
+    { "name": "engine-reads", "history": 1 },
     { "name": "findings", "history": 5 },
     { "name": "floor-waits", "history": 1 },
     { "name": "hearing", "history": 1 },
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/engines.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/engines.go
index 2e077789..7b7f1909 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/engines.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/engines.go
@@ -214,7 +214,13 @@ func (e EngineCompositions) inSandbox(ctx context.Context, c *Case, head, node s
 			delete(verdicts, name) // a manifest the change brings is the checker's own judge's (ADR 0578 §2)
 		}
 	}
-	req := composer.Request{V: composer.Version, Input: a.Input, Depth: composer.DepthCompose, Machines: []string{node},
+	// The answer carries its input as the object the seat's contract names, decoded with its numbers as written
+	// (json.Number), so encoding it again gives the composer the same values the engine sent.
+	input, err := json.Marshal(a.Input)
+	if err != nil {
+		return a, fmt.Errorf("the engine of %s answered a composition input that cannot be encoded again: %w", node, err)
+	}
+	req := composer.Request{V: composer.Version, Input: input, Depth: composer.DepthCompose, Machines: []string{node},
 		Cases: []composer.Case{{Name: "change", Manifests: manifests, Verdicts: verdicts}}}
 	raw, err := json.Marshal(req)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/engines_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/engines_test.go
index fed2774f..18f5ac10 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/engines_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/engines_test.go
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ func TestTheCompositionIsMadeFromTheEnginesAnswers(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 		host := CaseOf(c, map[string]string{repoA: trunkA, nodeEngineRepo: trunkA})
 		withInput := composed("anchor")
-		withInput.Input = json.RawMessage(`{"nodes":[{"name":"anchor"}]}`)
+		withInput.Input = map[string]any{"nodes": []any{map[string]any{"name": "anchor"}}}
 		e := &fakeEngines{answers: map[string]delivery.ComposeCandidateAnswer{"anchor": withInput}}
 		sb := &fakeSandbox{v: func(node string) composer.Verdict {
 			return composer.Verdict{V: composer.Version, Cases: []composer.CaseVerdict{{Name: "change",
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ func TestTheCompositionIsMadeFromTheEnginesAnswers(t *testing.T) {
 		var req composer.Request
 		_ = json.Unmarshal(job.Request, &req)
 		if job.Fetch["repository"] != nodeEngineRepo || job.Fetch["commit"] != head2 || job.Package != composer.Package ||
-			string(req.Input) != string(withInput.Input) || req.Cases[0].Manifests["web"].Digest == "" {
+			string(req.Input) != `{"nodes":[{"name":"anchor"}]}` || req.Cases[0].Manifests["web"].Digest == "" {
 			t.Errorf("job = %+v, request %+v", job, req)
 		}
 		if v.State != delivery.CompositionFail || v.SDK != head2 || !strings.Contains(v.Words, "the new composer refuses it") {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.mod b/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.mod
index 4c66d058..1de264a7 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.mod
@@ -27,3 +27,4 @@ replace git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/buildrun
 require git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 
 replace git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk => ../../sdk
+
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.sum b/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.sum
index 7679a5dc..98dc72c4 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8 h1:XEbIVImp6yGjA91rp0iZBoDdL5KfamjOuDLwWvqh0hc=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/judge/rules_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/judge/rules_test.go
index 5e3c4325..57409c6d 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/judge/rules_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/judge/rules_test.go
@@ -4873,7 +4873,8 @@ func TestTheSeatsAreAClosedSetAndEachNamesItsDecision(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 	// The node seat node-engine is the node's engine's (novox/hq ADR 0563 §1): at node scope, delivering nothing, its verbs
-	// (compose-candidate since ADR 0593 §7) and three events, held by no assignment, and a module's claim of it refused.
+	// (compose-candidate since ADR 0593 §7, manifest-reads since ADR 0618 §3) and four events (manifest-reads-changed since
+	// ADR 0618 §4), held by no assignment, and a module's claim of it refused.
 	if engine, ok := catalogue.SeatNamed(catalogue.EngineSeat); !ok || engine.Scope != catalogue.ScopeNode || engine.Delivers != "" || !engine.HeldByTheEngine {
 		t.Errorf("node-engine is %+v, not a node seat delivering nothing that the engine holds", engine)
 	} else {
@@ -4885,8 +4886,8 @@ func TestTheSeatsAreAClosedSetAndEachNamesItsDecision(t *testing.T) {
 		if props, _ := engine.Serves[5].Input["properties"].(map[string]any); props["id"] == nil {
 			t.Errorf("acts takes no id: %v", engine.Serves[5].Input)
 		}
-		if strings.Join(verbs, ",") != "hand-over,access-act,judge-directories,setuid-search,root-free,acts,packages,composition,compose,compose-candidate" ||
-			strings.Join(engine.Emits, ",") != "asked,done,refused" {
+		if strings.Join(verbs, ",") != "hand-over,access-act,judge-directories,setuid-search,root-free,acts,packages,composition,compose,compose-candidate,pull-waits,manifest-reads" ||
+			strings.Join(engine.Emits, ",") != "asked,done,refused,manifest-reads-changed" {
 			t.Errorf("node-engine serves %v and emits %v", verbs, engine.Emits)
 		}
 	}
@@ -5129,6 +5130,9 @@ func TestUsingASeatNobodyDeclaresIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
 			catalogue.Manifest{Module: "shop", Invokes: []string{"seat:node-engine.root-free"}}, telegram(), false},
 		{"a verb the engine's seat does not promise", `the seat node-engine serves no verb "root-freed"`,
 			catalogue.Manifest{Module: "shop", Invokes: []string{"seat:node-engine.root-freed"}}, telegram(), false},
+		{"what the engine reads of a manifest, and its event (ADR 0618 §3, §4)", "",
+			catalogue.Manifest{Module: "shop", Invokes: []string{"seat:node-engine.manifest-reads"},
+				Consumes: []string{"node-engine.manifest-reads-changed"}}, telegram(), false},
 	} {
 		got := CatalogueProblems(catalogue.Shelf{"telegram": row.seat, "shop": row.shop})
 		joined := strings.Join(got, "; ")
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/cmd/mesh-delivery-teller/decided.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/cmd/mesh-delivery-teller/decided.go
index ee7780b5..18c2b3d8 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/cmd/mesh-delivery-teller/decided.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/cmd/mesh-delivery-teller/decided.go
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 
 	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/process"
 )
 
 // The teller's three bus adapters for mesh-sdk go/asker, which in a bundle reaches the bus through the runtime: here the
@@ -65,15 +66,32 @@ func recordVia(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn, module string) func(id stri
 }
 
 // decidedVia hears the warrants the router says to this module alone: its own `decided` event, a subject only the router
-// publishes (the grant to subscribe it names the module). The handler is the asker's: pattern is the key it expects.
-func decidedVia(conn *nats.Conn, module string, logf func(string, ...any)) func(pattern string, handle func(stdio.Envelope) error) error {
+// publishes (the grant to subscribe it names the module). They are pulled through the module's durable consumer on EVENTS
+// (made with its grant for the seat it uses), so an answer the router published while the teller was down is delivered
+// when it is back, never lost (issue 1126). hear starts the pull, handing each message to its handler; the message is
+// acknowledged once handled. The handler is the asker's: pattern is the key it expects.
+func decidedVia(hear func(func(jetstream.Msg)) error, logf func(string, ...any)) func(pattern string, handle func(stdio.Envelope) error) error {
 	return func(pattern string, handle func(stdio.Envelope) error) error {
-		_, err := conn.Subscribe(asks.DecidedSubject(module), func(m *nats.Msg) {
-			if err := handle(stdio.Envelope{Key: pattern, Body: m.Data}); err != nil {
+		return hear(func(m jetstream.Msg) {
+			if err := handle(stdio.Envelope{Key: pattern, Body: m.Data()}); err != nil {
 				logf("a warrant could not be handled and is read again from the router's record at the next start: %v", err)
 			}
+			if err := m.Ack(); err != nil {
+				logf("a warrant was handled but could not be acknowledged: %v", err)
+			}
 		})
-		return err
+	}
+}
+
+// pullDecided starts the pull of the module's durable consumer (process.HearEvents) and stops it when ctx ends.
+func pullDecided(ctx context.Context, cons jetstream.Consumer, logf func(string, ...any)) func(func(jetstream.Msg)) error {
+	return func(handle func(jetstream.Msg)) error {
+		cc, err := process.HearEvents(cons, handle, logf)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		context.AfterFunc(ctx, cc.Stop)
+		return nil
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/cmd/mesh-delivery-teller/decided_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/cmd/mesh-delivery-teller/decided_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ee1c86db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/cmd/mesh-delivery-teller/decided_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
+)
+
+// pulled is a message of the durable consumer: only what decidedVia reads and does.
+type pulled struct {
+	jetstream.Msg
+	data  []byte
+	acked *int
+}
+
+func (m pulled) Data() []byte { return m.data }
+func (m pulled) Ack() error   { *m.acked++; return nil }
+
+// An answer the router published while the teller was down is pulled from its durable consumer when it starts again:
+// the handler hears the warrant under the asker's key, and the message is acknowledged, handled or not (issue 1126).
+func TestDecidedViaHearsThePulledWarrantAndAcknowledgesIt(t *testing.T) {
+	var deliver func(jetstream.Msg)
+	var logs []string
+	sub := decidedVia(func(h func(jetstream.Msg)) error { deliver = h; return nil },
+		func(f string, _ ...any) { logs = append(logs, f) })
+	var got []stdio.Envelope
+	fail := false
+	if err := sub("k", func(e stdio.Envelope) error {
+		got = append(got, e)
+		if fail {
+			return errors.New("no")
+		}
+		return nil
+	}); err != nil || deliver == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("subscribe: %v, delivering %v", err, deliver != nil)
+	}
+	acked := 0
+	deliver(pulled{data: []byte(`{"ask":"a1"}`), acked: &acked})
+	fail = true
+	deliver(pulled{data: []byte(`{"ask":"a2"}`), acked: &acked})
+	if len(got) != 2 || got[0].Key != "k" || string(got[0].Body) != `{"ask":"a1"}` || string(got[1].Body) != `{"ask":"a2"}` {
+		t.Errorf("heard %+v", got)
+	}
+	if acked != 2 || len(logs) != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("acknowledged %d of 2, logged %d lines, want 1 (the failed handling)", acked, len(logs))
+	}
+	failing := decidedVia(func(func(jetstream.Msg)) error { return errors.New("no consumer") }, nil)
+	if err := failing("k", nil); err == nil {
+		t.Error("a pull that could not start is no error")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/cmd/mesh-delivery-teller/integration_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/cmd/mesh-delivery-teller/integration_test.go
index 5754987a..f7e015f0 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/cmd/mesh-delivery-teller/integration_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/cmd/mesh-delivery-teller/integration_test.go
@@ -165,15 +165,16 @@ func user(name string, pub, sub []string) string {
 }
 
 const (
-	tellerAnswers = "mesh-delivery-teller_answers"
-	tellerAsked   = "mesh-delivery-teller_asked"
-	gateAsksKV    = "mesh-delivery-gate_asks"
-	assignerAsks  = "mesh-delivery-assigner_asks"
-	viewAnswers   = "mesh-delivery-view_answers"
-	seatAsk       = "mesh.seat.operator-channel.accept.ask.mesh-delivery-teller"
-	seatCancel    = "mesh.seat.operator-channel.accept.cancel.mesh-delivery-teller"
-	seatCondition = "mesh.seat.operator-channel.accept.condition.mesh-delivery-teller"
-	seatDecided   = "mesh.seat.operator-channel.event.decided.mesh-delivery-teller"
+	tellerAnswers  = "mesh-delivery-teller_answers"
+	tellerAsked    = "mesh-delivery-teller_asked"
+	gateAsksKV     = "mesh-delivery-gate_asks"
+	assignerAsks   = "mesh-delivery-assigner_asks"
+	viewAnswers    = "mesh-delivery-view_answers"
+	tellerConsumer = "n1_mesh-delivery-teller"
+	seatAsk        = "mesh.seat.operator-channel.accept.ask.mesh-delivery-teller"
+	seatCancel     = "mesh.seat.operator-channel.accept.cancel.mesh-delivery-teller"
+	seatCondition  = "mesh.seat.operator-channel.accept.condition.mesh-delivery-teller"
+	seatDecided    = "mesh.seat.operator-channel.event.decided.mesh-delivery-teller"
 )
 
 func fullConf(dir string) string {
@@ -181,6 +182,8 @@ func fullConf(dir string) string {
 	// without it held the start ten seconds on a read the bus never answered, and the tests raced that stall.
 	teller := append(append(append(append(keepsOf(tellerAnswers), keepsOf(tellerAsked)...), keepsOf(ends.Bucket)...), readOf(gateAsksKV)...),
 		seatAsk, seatCancel, seatCondition, "$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_"+messengerAsks+".$KV."+messengerAsks+".mesh-delivery-teller.>")
+	// The durable consumer on EVENTS the controller makes for the seat it uses, pulled and acknowledged (issue 1126).
+	teller = append(teller, "$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.EVENTS."+tellerConsumer, "$JS.API.CONSUMER.MSG.NEXT.EVENTS."+tellerConsumer, "$JS.ACK.EVENTS."+tellerConsumer+".>")
 	teller = append(append(teller, readOf(assignerAsks)...), readOf(viewAnswers)...) // issue 1297 B10: the manifest's reads
 	view := append(append(append(readOf(tellerAnswers), readOf(gateAsksKV)...), readOf(assignerAsks)...), keepsOf(viewAnswers)...)
 	assigner := keepsOf(assignerAsks)
@@ -197,7 +200,7 @@ accounts {
   }
 }
 `, filepath.Join(dir, "js"),
-		user("n1.mesh-delivery-teller", teller, []string{seatDecided}),
+		user("n1.mesh-delivery-teller", teller, nil),
 		user("n1.mesh-delivery-view", view, nil),
 		user("n1.mesh-delivery-assigner", assigner, nil),
 		user("n1.node-tools", tools, nil))
@@ -257,20 +260,30 @@ func startFull(t *testing.T) *fullBed {
 		Retention: jetstream.WorkQueuePolicy}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	if _, err := js.CreateStream(ctx, jetstream.StreamConfig{Name: "EVENTS", Subjects: []string{"mesh.seat.operator-channel.event.>"}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := js.CreateOrUpdateConsumer(ctx, "EVENTS", jetstream.ConsumerConfig{Durable: tellerConsumer, FilterSubject: seatDecided,
+		AckPolicy: jetstream.AckExplicitPolicy}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
 	return &fullBed{srv: srv, ctl: ctl, js: js, ctx: ctx}
 }
 
-// listening waits until the program hears the router's warrants (its subscription on the decided subject is on the bus),
+// listening waits until the program hears the router's warrants (its pull of the durable consumer is waiting on the bus),
 // which it does before it watches any bucket: an event, not a pause a loaded machine can outlast.
 func (b *fullBed) listening(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Helper()
-	acc, err := b.srv.LookupAccount("MESH")
+	cons, err := b.js.Consumer(b.ctx, "EVENTS", tellerConsumer)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	for deadline := time.Now().Add(20 * time.Second); !acc.SubscriptionInterest(seatDecided); time.Sleep(10 * time.Millisecond) {
+	for deadline := time.Now().Add(20 * time.Second); ; time.Sleep(10 * time.Millisecond) {
+		if info, err := cons.Info(b.ctx); err == nil && info.NumWaiting > 0 {
+			return
+		}
 		if time.Now().After(deadline) {
-			t.Fatal("the program did not subscribe to the router's warrants within 20 s")
+			t.Fatal("the program did not pull the router's warrants within 20 s")
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/cmd/mesh-delivery-teller/main.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/cmd/mesh-delivery-teller/main.go
index ad4a99fe..8557c036 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/cmd/mesh-delivery-teller/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/cmd/mesh-delivery-teller/main.go
@@ -67,8 +67,13 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, getenv func(string) string, logOut io.Writer) erro
 	}
 	state := kvStore{ctx: ctx, kv: kvs[1]}
 	publish := publishVia(ctx, js)
+	cons, err := cred.EventConsumer(ctx, js, process.EventsStream)
+	if err != nil {
+		// Essential: the router's warrants are how an answer reaches the teller.
+		return fmt.Errorf("the consumer %s on %s cannot be read (%v): the teller hears no answer without it, so it stops; where the bus refused it or did not answer, this module's consumer (made with its grant for the seat it uses) has not reached the bus yet", cred.EventConsumerName(), process.EventsStream, err)
+	}
 	client := &asker.Client{Module: delivery.TellerModule, State: state, Publish: publish,
-		Record: recordVia(ctx, conn, delivery.TellerModule), Subscribe: decidedVia(conn, delivery.TellerModule, logger.Printf)}
+		Record: recordVia(ctx, conn, delivery.TellerModule), Subscribe: decidedVia(pullDecided(ctx, cons, logger.Printf), logger.Printf)}
 	t := &Teller{Asker: client, Store: state, Answers: kvAnswers{ctx: ctx, kv: kvs[0]}, Gate: kvGate{ctx: ctx, kv: gate},
 		Say: sayVia(ctx, js, delivery.TellerModule), Logf: logger.Printf, Publish: publish}
 	// Hear the warrants first, so none that comes while the asks are read is missed.
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/manifest_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/manifest_test.go
index 2111e273..74420f55 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/manifest_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/manifest_test.go
@@ -149,9 +149,7 @@ func TestManifestProcess(t *testing.T) { // 1240/AC1
 
 func TestServesNoRequestSubjectAndHoldsNoTicker(t *testing.T) { // 1240/AC3 (ADR 0437 §8)
 	forbidden := []string{"Subscribe(", "QueueSubscribe", "ChanSubscribe", "Respond(", "RespondMsg(", "time.NewTicker", "time.Tick", "time.NewTimer", "time.AfterFunc", "time.After(", "time.Sleep"}
-	// The one subscription the teller makes is to its own `decided` event, the router's word on its asks (ADR 0259, ADR 0437
-	// §6): an event it hears, not a request it answers. It is allowed in decided.go and there only on that subject.
-	const decidedFile = "decided.go"
+	// The teller hears its own `decided` event through its durable consumer, pulled (decided.go): it holds no subscription.
 	var files int
 	for _, root := range []string{"cmd", "internal"} {
 		err := filepath.WalkDir(root, func(path string, d fs.DirEntry, err error) error {
@@ -167,13 +165,6 @@ func TestServesNoRequestSubjectAndHoldsNoTicker(t *testing.T) { // 1240/AC3 (ADR
 				return err
 			}
 			for _, f := range forbidden {
-				if f == "Subscribe(" && filepath.Base(path) == decidedFile {
-					if n := strings.Count(string(src), "conn.Subscribe("); n != 1 || !strings.Contains(string(src), "conn.Subscribe(asks.DecidedSubject(module),") ||
-						strings.Count(string(src), f) != n {
-						t.Errorf("%s holds %d subscriptions, and not just one to asks.DecidedSubject(module)", path, strings.Count(string(src), f))
-					}
-					continue
-				}
 				if strings.Contains(string(src), f) {
 					t.Errorf("%s holds %s: the teller serves no request subject and holds no timer", path, f)
 				}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/cmd/mesh-delivery-view-tools/main.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/cmd/mesh-delivery-view-tools/main.go
index 746dc902..4f681d8d 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/cmd/mesh-delivery-view-tools/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/cmd/mesh-delivery-view-tools/main.go
@@ -18,11 +18,88 @@ import (
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/provisions"
 
 	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/busretry"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/enginereads"
 )
 
+// ManifestReadsTool lists, per node, what its engine states it reads, by asking the node-engine seat's verb of every node
+// at once (ADR 0618 §3).
+const ManifestReadsTool = "node_manifest_reads"
+
+// ManifestReadsBound bounds each node's ask of the survey: the whole call stays within a tool call's 30 s.
+var ManifestReadsBound = 10 * time.Second
+
+// askEngine is the survey's caller: the node-engine seat's verb of one machine, through the runtime (stdio.Ask). An error
+// that is no lack of an answer is the engine's own words: it answered and does not serve the verb.
+func askEngine(node, key string, body any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+	raw, err := stdio.Ask(key+"@"+node, body)
+	if err != nil {
+		words := strings.ToLower(err.Error())
+		if !strings.Contains(words, "no responders") && !strings.Contains(words, "timeout") && !strings.Contains(words, "deadline") {
+			return nil, &busretry.Answered{Words: err.Error()}
+		}
+	}
+	return raw, err
+}
+
+// engineCaller is how node_manifest_reads asks; a test's fake in its place.
+var engineCaller enginereads.Caller = askEngine
+
+// manifestReads is node_manifest_reads over r's haves and presence: every node with a record or a presence, asked through
+// call.
+func manifestReads(r view.Reader, call enginereads.Caller) (any, error) {
+	set := map[string]bool{}
+	records := map[string][]string{}
+	if r.HavesState.Keys != nil {
+		keys, err := r.HavesState.Keys()
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the haves cannot be read: %w", err)
+		}
+		for _, key := range keys {
+			node, _, isNode, err := delivery.ParseHaveKey(key)
+			if err != nil || !isNode {
+				continue
+			}
+			set[node] = true
+			if raw, err := r.HavesState.Get(key); err == nil && raw != nil {
+				if h, err := delivery.DecodeHaveNode(raw); err == nil && h.Record != nil {
+					records[node] = h.Record.ManifestReads
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if r.PresenceState.Keys != nil {
+		if keys, err := r.PresenceState.Keys(); err == nil {
+			for _, key := range keys {
+				if node, part, _, err := delivery.ParsePresenceKey(key); err == nil && part == "" && node != "" {
+					set[node] = true
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	nodes := make([]string, 0, len(set))
+	for node := range set {
+		nodes = append(nodes, node)
+	}
+	rows := enginereads.Survey(call, nodes, func(node string) ([]string, bool) {
+		reads, ok := records[node]
+		return reads, ok
+	}, ManifestReadsBound, time.Now())
+	return map[string]any{"nodes": rows}, nil
+}
+
 // Tools are the read tools over a modules state, and build_usage over the build modules' states.
 func Tools(r view.Reader, u view.UsageReader) []stdio.Tool {
 	return []stdio.Tool{
+		{Name: ManifestReadsTool,
+			Description: "What each node's engine states it reads of a manifest (manifest words, forms and seat names, novox/hq ADR 0618 " +
+				"§3), for the whole mesh in one call: every node with a record or a presence is asked the node-engine seat's verb " +
+				"manifest-reads at once, each within " + ManifestReadsBound.String() + ". Per node: stated (with the capabilities and " +
+				"when the engine stated them), not served (the engine is built before the verb) or away (nobody answered), and for the " +
+				"last two the reads its node record states, which the assigner reads in their place. Read-only.",
+			Input: map[string]any{"type": "object", "properties": map[string]any{}},
+			Run:   func(map[string]any) (any, error) { return manifestReads(r, engineCaller) }},
 		{Name: view.StatusTool,
 			Description: "The mesh's status, derived by the view from the buckets it reads (novox/hq ADR 0564 §10), nothing written as a " +
 				"summary: every open condition of the condition keeper (mesh-conditions), urgent first then oldest; what is quiet (each " +
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/cmd/mesh-delivery-view-tools/main_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/cmd/mesh-delivery-view-tools/main_test.go
index 144d9d30..33f9e8b7 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/cmd/mesh-delivery-view-tools/main_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/cmd/mesh-delivery-view-tools/main_test.go
@@ -11,8 +11,12 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/busretry"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/seats/nodeengine"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/enginereads"
+
 	"mesh-delivery-view/internal/view"
 )
 
@@ -56,6 +60,7 @@ const (
 func TestModuleToolAnswersTheStoredValue(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("indexer_packages answers the published modules", packagesToolAnswersThePublishedModules)
 	t.Run("view_tiers names each module's wait", tiersToolSaysEachModulesWait)
+	t.Run("node_manifest_reads asks every node's engine in one call", manifestReadsAsksEveryNode)
 	r := fake{"a": withFP2, "b": withNone}.reader()
 	for key, want := range map[string]string{"a": withFP2, "b": withNone} {
 		out, err := run(t, r, view.ModuleReadTool, map[string]any{"module": key})
@@ -570,3 +575,48 @@ func packagesToolAnswersThePublishedModules(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Error("a path that is no mesh Go module's was read")
 	}
 }
+
+// manifestReadsAsksEveryNode: node_manifest_reads lists each node's capabilities by asking the node-engine seat's verb
+// (ADR 0618 §3) of every node with a record or a presence, at once, each within its bound: stated, not served (with its
+// record's reads, which the assigner reads in their place) or away (a node that never answers holds no other).
+func manifestReadsAsksEveryNode(t *testing.T) {
+	was, bound := engineCaller, ManifestReadsBound
+	defer func() { engineCaller, ManifestReadsBound = was, bound }()
+	ManifestReadsBound = 200 * time.Millisecond
+	hang := make(chan struct{})
+	defer close(hang)
+	engineCaller = func(node, key string, _ any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+		switch {
+		case key != "seat:node-engine.manifest-reads":
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("asked %s", key)
+		case node == "g14":
+			return nil, &busretry.Answered{Words: "the seat node-engine serves no verb manifest-reads"}
+		case node == "novox":
+			<-hang // never answers within the bound
+			return nil, nil
+		}
+		return json.Marshal(nodeengine.ManifestReadsAnswer{V: 1, Node: node, ManifestReads: []string{"form:new"}, StatedAt: time.Now().Format(time.RFC3339Nano)})
+	}
+	record := func(node string, reads ...string) string {
+		raw, _ := delivery.EncodeHaveNode(delivery.HaveNode{Record: &delivery.NodeRecord{Node: node, ManifestReads: reads}})
+		return string(raw)
+	}
+	on, _ := delivery.EncodePresence(delivery.Presence{Online: true})
+	r := view.Reader{HavesState: fake{"ace.node": record("ace"), "g14.node": record("g14", "word:module"), "ace.web": "{}"}.reader().State,
+		PresenceState: fake{"novox": string(on)}.reader().State}
+	started := time.Now()
+	out, err := run(t, r, ManifestReadsTool, nil)
+	if err != nil || time.Since(started) > 2*time.Second {
+		t.Fatalf("node_manifest_reads: %v after %s", err, time.Since(started))
+	}
+	rows, _ := out.(map[string]any)["nodes"].([]enginereads.SurveyRow)
+	byNode := map[string]enginereads.SurveyRow{}
+	for _, row := range rows {
+		byNode[row.Node] = row
+	}
+	if len(rows) != 3 || byNode["ace"].Answer != enginereads.Stated || byNode["ace"].ManifestReads[0] != "form:new" ||
+		byNode["g14"].Answer != enginereads.NotServed || !byNode["g14"].RecordRead || byNode["g14"].Record[0] != "word:module" ||
+		byNode["novox"].Answer != enginereads.Away || byNode["novox"].RecordRead {
+		t.Errorf("node_manifest_reads = %+v", rows)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.mod b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.mod
index 035f39f7..46742fd5 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.mod
@@ -24,3 +24,4 @@ require (
 require git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 
 replace git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk => ../../sdk
+
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.sum b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.sum
index 7679a5dc..98dc72c4 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8 h1:XEbIVImp6yGjA91rp0iZBoDdL5KfamjOuDLwWvqh0hc=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/manifest_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/manifest_test.go
index 4e65b88f..ee78cba2 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/manifest_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/manifest_test.go
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ type manifest struct {
 	Reads        []string          `json:"reads"`
 	Uses         []string          `json:"uses"`
 	Tools        []string          `json:"tools"`
+	Invokes      []string          `json:"invokes"`
 	Emits        []string          `json:"emits"`
 	OwnSecrets   map[string]string `json:"own-secrets"`
 	SecretsOwner string            `json:"secrets-owner"`
@@ -119,9 +120,13 @@ func TestManifestIsTakenAndReadsOnly(t *testing.T) { // 1134/AC7
 	}
 	// The two read tools of the indexer's modules (issue 1562), carried by a bundle the runtime launches; the indexer
 	// itself serves no tool (ADR 0437 §4). Carrying them gives the tool runner read access to every bucket the view reads.
-	if want := []string{"view_status", "indexer_module", "indexer_modules", "indexer_candidate", "indexer_candidates", "indexer_predefined", "indexer_config_candidates", "indexer_packages", "builder_build", "builder_builds", "builder_history", "assigner_wants", "assigner_want", "assigner_differences", "node_haves", "node_trusts", "build_usage", "view_reach", "indexer_module_history", "indexer_heard", "view_tiers"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(m.Tools, want) {
+	if want := []string{"view_status", "indexer_module", "indexer_modules", "indexer_candidate", "indexer_candidates", "indexer_predefined", "indexer_config_candidates", "indexer_packages", "builder_build", "builder_builds", "builder_history", "assigner_wants", "assigner_want", "assigner_differences", "node_haves", "node_trusts", "build_usage", "view_reach", "indexer_module_history", "indexer_heard", "view_tiers", "node_manifest_reads"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(m.Tools, want) {
 		t.Errorf("tools = %v, want %v", m.Tools, want)
 	}
+	// ADR 0618 §3: node_manifest_reads asks the node-engine seat's verb of every node, and the view invokes nothing else.
+	if want := []string{"seat:node-engine.manifest-reads"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(m.Invokes, want) {
+		t.Errorf("invokes = %v, want %v", m.Invokes, want)
+	}
 	for _, a := range m.Build.Artifacts {
 		// A bundle compiled to a binary is one executable: what the runtime loads is that binary's name, or the controller's
 		// module check refuses the manifest (mesh-sdk catalogue build.go, ADR 0193).
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/module.json b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/module.json
index 55bbbfb6..14523359 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/module.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/module.json
@@ -24,7 +24,11 @@
     "view_reach",
     "indexer_module_history",
     "indexer_heard",
-    "view_tiers"
+    "view_tiers",
+    "node_manifest_reads"
+  ],
+  "invokes": [
+    "seat:node-engine.manifest-reads"
   ],
   "emits": [
     "delivered",
diff --git a/modules/mesh-grants/go.mod b/modules/mesh-grants/go.mod
index ee23823d..3cf0be53 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-grants/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-grants/go.mod
@@ -20,3 +20,4 @@ require (
 	golang.org/x/sys v0.48.0 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/time v0.15.0 // indirect
 )
+
diff --git a/modules/mesh-grants/go.sum b/modules/mesh-grants/go.sum
index 7679a5dc..98dc72c4 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-grants/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-grants/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8 h1:XEbIVImp6yGjA91rp0iZBoDdL5KfamjOuDLwWvqh0hc=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/buscompose_test.go b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/buscompose_test.go
index 16a053d0..599ac580 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/buscompose_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/buscompose_test.go
@@ -712,7 +712,16 @@ func healthChecks(t *testing.T) {
 			// controller's built-before, and each node's engine's of restic's backed-up (issue 1126).
 			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.EVENTS.novox_mesh-catalog", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.EVENTS.novox_mesh-catalog",
 			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.EVENTS.a_mesh-host", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.EVENTS.a_mesh-host",
-			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.CONTROL.controller"},
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.CONTROL.controller",
+			// The take-in of the forge's events the controller made for the forge module, which no longer consumes it.
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.EVENTS.novox_gitea", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.EVENTS.novox_gitea",
+			// And the controller's take-in and config-follow consumers on three modules' buckets, each by its name (issue 1126).
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-builder_builds.mesh-controller-take-in",
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-builder_builds.mesh-controller-take-in",
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_modules.mesh-controller-take-in",
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_modules.mesh-controller-take-in",
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.KV_mesh-config_resolved.mesh-controller-config-follow",
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-config_resolved.mesh-controller-config-follow"},
 	}
 	mayNot := map[string][]string{
 		// The keeper writes no findings and no attempts; no observer writes the keeper's buckets (clause 2).
@@ -760,7 +769,13 @@ func healthChecks(t *testing.T) {
 			"$JS.API.STREAM.UPDATE.KV_mesh-host_acts", "$JS.API.STREAM.UPDATE.KV_mesh-controller_calls", "$JS.API.STREAM.UPDATE.EVENTS",
 			"$JS.API.STREAM.UPDATE.KV_mesh-controller_lease", "$JS.API.STREAM.PURGE.KV_mesh-controller_lease",
 			"$JS.API.STREAM.DELETE.KV_mesh-controller_other", "$JS.API.STREAM.DELETE.OBJ_declaration-files-zz",
-			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.EVENTS.a_mesh-delivery", "$KV.mesh-controller_lease.holder"},
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.EVENTS.a_mesh-delivery", "$KV.mesh-controller_lease.holder",
+			// Only the three named consumers of those buckets, never another of them nor a wider form (issue 1126).
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-builder_builds.mesh-delivery-take-in",
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.EVENTS.novox_gitea-other", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.EVENTS.a_gitea",
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_modules.mesh-config-follow",
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-config_resolved.mesh-controller-take-in",
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-config_resolved.other", "$JS.API.STREAM.DELETE.KV_mesh-config_resolved"},
 		"a.nats.other": {"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.DEAD_LETTER_NOTICES.controller", "$KV.mesh-host_acts.g14.a1",
 			"$JS.API.STREAM.UPDATE.KV_mesh-controller_lease"},
 		"a.nats":            {"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.DEAD_LETTER_NOTICES.controller", "$KV.mesh-host_acts.g14.a1"},
@@ -843,6 +858,8 @@ func healthChecks(t *testing.T) {
 		{"the holder says no other seat's", selfCheck, "mesh.seat.mesh-conditions.event.condition-raised", false},
 		{"a machine's event on a node seat is not composed here", Declared{Module: "pause", Holds: []Seat{{Name: "node-power",
 			Scope: "node", Emits: []string{"paused.*"}}}}, "mesh.seat.node-power.event.paused.b", false},
+		{"a flat event of a node seat held by a module is said flat", Declared{Module: "pause", Holds: []Seat{{Name: "node-power",
+			Scope: "node", Emits: []string{"slept"}}}}, "mesh.seat.node-power.event.slept", true},
 	} {
 		m := MembershipFor("a", c.d, Placements{})
 		listed := m.SeatTraffic != nil && slices.ContainsFunc(m.SeatTraffic.Publish, func(p string) bool { return p == c.subject })
@@ -855,6 +872,28 @@ func healthChecks(t *testing.T) {
 				MayPublish(perms, c.subject), c.may)
 		}
 	}
+	// ADR 0618 §4: the node-engine says each of its seat's events with its own machine as the last token, and a watcher hears
+	// that event from every machine, its consumer filtered the same way; a flat event of a node seat a module holds is
+	// heard flat. One rule (machineEvent) places both sides.
+	engine, err := PermissionsFor(Principal{Kind: KindNode, Node: "ace"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	watcher := Principal{Kind: KindModule, Node: "novox", Module: "mesh-delivery-assigner", Watches: []Seat{
+		{Name: EngineSeat, Scope: "node", Emits: []string{"manifest-reads-changed"}, HeldByTheEngine: true},
+		{Name: "node-power", Scope: "node", Emits: []string{"slept"}}}}
+	heard, err := PermissionsFor(watcher)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	consumer, _ := ConsumerFor(watcher)
+	said := "mesh.seat.node-engine.event.manifest-reads-changed.ace"
+	if !MayPublish(engine, said) || MayPublish(engine, "mesh.seat.node-engine.event.manifest-reads-changed.novox") ||
+		!MaySubscribe(heard, said) || !MaySubscribe(heard, "mesh.seat.node-power.event.slept") ||
+		!slices.Contains(consumer.Filters, "mesh.seat.node-engine.event.manifest-reads-changed.*") {
+		t.Errorf("the engine says %s: %v; the watcher hears it %v, the flat event %v; its consumer filters %v", said,
+			MayPublish(engine, said), MaySubscribe(heard, said), MaySubscribe(heard, "mesh.seat.node-power.event.slept"), consumer.Filters)
+	}
 	seen := map[string]bool{}
 	for _, u := range users {
 		name := u.Username()
diff --git a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/engine.go b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/engine.go
index 6426db7c..70853571 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/engine.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/engine.go
@@ -51,7 +51,9 @@ func EnginePackagesGrants(node string) []string {
 // principal may subscribe this seat's subjects of this node, and a caller is still granted each verb by name.
 func engineGrants(p Principal) (pub, sub []string) {
 	sub = append(sub, "mesh.seat."+EngineSeat+".tool.*."+p.Node)
-	pub = append(pub, "mesh.seat."+EngineSeat+".event.*."+p.Node)
+	// Any event of the seat about its own node, by the one rule a watcher of it is composed by (machineEvent).
+	every, _ := machineEvent(Seat{Name: EngineSeat, Scope: "node", HeldByTheEngine: true}, "*")
+	pub = append(pub, seatSubject(Seat{Name: EngineSeat}, "event", onMachine(every, p.Node)))
 	sub = append(sub, announcing(EngineSeat)...)
 	pub = append(pub, discovering()...)
 	tp, ts := seatTrafficGrants(SeatTrafficOf(asks.EngineAsker(p.Node), nil, p.Uses, nil))
diff --git a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/fixtures_test.go b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/fixtures_test.go
index bfeda2f4..aac9e87c 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/fixtures_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/fixtures_test.go
@@ -73,6 +73,17 @@ func UserListFixtures() []UserListFixture {
 			},
 			RootFree: map[string]bool{"ace": true},
 		}},
+		// ADR 0618 §4: an event of the node-engine's seat names the engine's machine, so its watcher hears it from every
+		// machine; a node seat held by a module says its other events flat, and is heard flat.
+		{Name: "a node seat's events, by machine and flat", Records: Records{
+			Nodes: []string{"ace", "novox"},
+			Assigned: map[string][]Declared{
+				"novox": {{Module: "mesh-delivery-assigner", Watches: []Seat{
+					{Name: EngineSeat, Scope: "node", Emits: []string{"manifest-reads-changed"}, HeldByTheEngine: true},
+					{Name: "node-power", Scope: "node", Emits: []string{"slept"}}}}},
+				"ace": {{Module: "pause", Holds: []Seat{{Name: "node-power", Scope: "node", Emits: []string{"slept", "paused.*"}}}}},
+			},
+		}},
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/health_grants.go b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/health_grants.go
index 7b06c49a..4b9bb5db 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/health_grants.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/health_grants.go
@@ -28,8 +28,12 @@ var HealersWould = health.HealersModule + "." + health.WouldState
 // mesh-delivery placed nowhere (issue 1126, milestone section 3), and mesh-catalog's of the controller's built-before,
 // which its manifest no longer consumes and no part composes; each `<stream>.<consumer>`.
 var ControllerLeftoverConsumers = []string{
-	"EVENTS." + ControllerName, "EVENTS." + MergesConsumerName, "EVENTS.novox_mesh-delivery", "EVENTS.novox_mesh-catalog",
+	"EVENTS." + ControllerName, "EVENTS." + MergesConsumerName, "EVENTS.novox_mesh-delivery", "EVENTS.novox_mesh-catalog", "EVENTS.novox_gitea",
 	"CONTROL." + ControllerName, DeadLetterNoticesStream + "." + ControllerName,
+	// The controller's consumers on three modules' buckets (issue 1126): the take-in on the builder's builds and on the
+	// indexer's modules, and the config follow on the resolved configuration.
+	"KV_mesh-delivery-builder_builds.mesh-controller-take-in", "KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_modules.mesh-controller-take-in",
+	"KV_mesh-config_resolved.mesh-controller-config-follow",
 }
 
 // ControllerLeftoverConsumersOn are ControllerLeftoverConsumers and, for each node given, the consumer the controller
diff --git a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/nats.go b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/nats.go
index 7f85009a..8ad0c7b3 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/nats.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/nats.go
@@ -98,6 +98,9 @@ type Seat struct {
 	// PulledByKind says each accepted kind is a worker of its own on the seat's queue, filtered to that kind, which
 	// every holder pulls in the order Accepts lists them: the build seats' (novox/hq ADR 0525 §2, ADR 0536 §4).
 	PulledByKind bool
+	// HeldByTheEngine says every node's engine holds the seat on its own account (catalogue.Seat.HeldByTheEngine, novox/hq
+	// ADR 0563 §1): each of its events names the engine's machine as its last token (machineEvent).
+	HeldByTheEngine bool
 }
 
 // A Principal is one user of the bus. Its permissions are derived from what it declares and
@@ -406,6 +409,25 @@ func NodeLoginsReads(node string) []string {
 // holder's machine (novox/hq ADR 0219): `paused.<node>`, the build agent saying whether it takes work.
 var perMachineEvents = map[string]bool{"paused.*": true}
 
+// machineEvent is the one rule for where a node-scoped seat's event names its holder's machine as its last token (novox/hq
+// ADR 0219, ADR 0618 §4), as a pattern whose last token `*` is that machine, and whether e is such an event: every event
+// of a seat the node-engine holds (engineGrants), and each of perMachineEvents of any other node seat. The holder is
+// granted the pattern with its own machine in place of `*`, a watcher the pattern, so the two cannot differ.
+func machineEvent(s Seat, e string) (string, bool) {
+	switch {
+	case s.Scope != "node":
+		return "", false
+	case perMachineEvents[e]:
+		return e, true
+	case s.HeldByTheEngine:
+		return e + ".*", true
+	}
+	return "", false
+}
+
+// onMachine is a machineEvent pattern with node in place of its last `*`.
+func onMachine(pattern, node string) string { return strings.TrimSuffix(pattern, "*") + node }
+
 // enrolmentPrefix is the space every enrolling node's user and inbox live under, so the one place the
 // controller may answer an enrolment is derived from the same constant the user is named from.
 const enrolmentPrefix = "enrol"
@@ -879,6 +901,11 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 				continue // composed by SeatTrafficOf below
 			}
 			for _, e := range w.Emits {
+				// An event that names its holder's machine is heard from every machine (machineEvent): a flat subject would
+				// match no event the holder says.
+				if pattern, ok := machineEvent(w, e); ok {
+					e = pattern
+				}
 				sub = append(sub, seatSubject(w, "event", e))
 			}
 		}
@@ -921,8 +948,8 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 				// **A machine says its own state and no other's** (novox/hq ADR 0219): on a node-scoped
 				// seat, an event about the holder itself carries the machine as its last token, and
 				// each holder is granted its own machine's alone.
-				if s.Scope == "node" && p.Node != "" && perMachineEvents[e] {
-					pub = append(pub, seatSubject(s, "event", strings.TrimSuffix(e, "*")+p.Node))
+				if pattern, ok := machineEvent(s, e); ok && p.Node != "" {
+					pub = append(pub, seatSubject(s, "event", onMachine(pattern, p.Node)))
 					continue
 				}
 				pub = append(pub, seatSubject(s, "event", e))
diff --git a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/seattraffic.go b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/seattraffic.go
index 243f7ace..70356c86 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/seattraffic.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/seattraffic.go
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ func SeatTrafficOf(module string, holds, uses, watches []Seat) SeatTraffic {
 			// runtime and the runtime is granted them. A machine's event on a node seat carries the machine, which
 			// only the holder's own account is composed with, so it is left to that rule.
 			for _, e := range s.Emits {
-				if s.Scope == "node" && perMachineEvents[e] {
+				if _, ok := machineEvent(s, e); ok {
 					continue
 				}
 				t.Publish = append(t.Publish, seatSubject(s, "event", e))
diff --git a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/testdata/user-lists.json b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/testdata/user-lists.json
index 842a9753..48c11799 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/testdata/user-lists.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/testdata/user-lists.json
@@ -285,5 +285,48 @@
         ]
       }
     }
+  },
+  {
+    "Name": "a node seat's events, by machine and flat",
+    "List": "# The mesh's users, composed by the grants part. Do not edit: the next\n# composition overwrites it. Permissions are derived from what each module\n# declares and nothing else (novox/hq ADR 0043, design 29 §2).\n\naccounts {\n  MESH {\n    jetstream: enabled\n    imports = [\n      { stream: { account: \"$SYS\", subject: \"$SYS.ACCOUNT.MESH.CONNECT\" }, to: \"mesh.bus.connect\" }\n      { stream: { account: \"$SYS\", subject: \"$SYS.ACCOUNT.MESH.DISCONNECT\" }, to: \"mesh.bus.disconnect\" }\n      { service: { account: \"$SYS\", subject: \"$SYS.REQ.ACCOUNT.MESH.CONNZ\" }, to: \"mesh.bus.connz\" }\n    ]\n    users = [\n      { user: \"ace.pause\", password: \"$2a$11$ace.pauseace.pauseace.fixturefixturefixturefixture00\", permissions: {\n        publish: { allow: [\"$JS.ACK.EVENTS.ace_pause.\u003e\", \"$JS.ACK.SEAT_NODE_POWER.SEAT_NODE_POWER_worker.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-grants_memberships.*.$KV.mesh-grants_memberships.ace.pause\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-grants_memberships.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.EVENTS.ace_pause\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.SEAT_NODE_POWER.SEAT_NODE_POWER_worker\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.MSG.NEXT.EVENTS.ace_pause\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.MSG.NEXT.SEAT_NODE_POWER.SEAT_NODE_POWER_worker\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-grants_memberships.$KV.mesh-grants_memberships.ace.pause\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-grants_memberships\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-grants_memberships.\u003e\", \"mesh.seat.node-power.event.paused.ace\", \"mesh.seat.node-power.event.slept\"] }\n        subscribe: { allow: [\"$SRV.INFO\", \"$SRV.INFO.pause\", \"$SRV.INFO.pause.\u003e\", \"$SRV.PING\", \"$SRV.PING.pause\", \"$SRV.PING.pause.\u003e\", \"$SRV.STATS\", \"$SRV.STATS.pause\", \"$SRV.STATS.pause.\u003e\", \"_INBOX.ace.pause.\u003e\", \"mesh.mod.pause.call.\u003e\", \"mesh.mod.pause.tool.\u003e\"] }\n        allow_responses: { max: 1, ttl: \"1m\" }\n      } }\n      { user: \"node.ace\", password: \"$2a$11$node.acenode.acenode.afixturefixturefixturefixture00\", permissions: {\n        publish: { allow: [\"$JS.ACK.NODES.ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_composed-ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-config_resolved.*.$KV.mesh-config_resolved.ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_placement.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_wants.*.$KV.mesh-delivery-assigner_wants.want.ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-builder_builds.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_manifests.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_modules.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_verdicts.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-host_acts.*.$KV.mesh-host_acts.ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-host_data.*.$KV.mesh-host_data.ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-host_health.*.$KV.mesh-host_health.ace\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-host_packages.*.$KV.mesh-host_packages.ace\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-provisioner_provisions.*.$KV.mesh-provisioner_provisions.ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_node-engine_have.*.$KV.node-engine_have.*.node\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_node-engine_have.*.$KV.node-engine_have.ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.OBJ_declaration-files-ace.*.$O.declaration-files-ace.C.*\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_composed-ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-config_resolved.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_placement.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_wants.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-builder_builds.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_manifests.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_modules.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_verdicts.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-host_acts.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-host_data.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-host_health.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-host_packages.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-provisioner_provisions.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_node-engine_have.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.OBJ_declaration-files-ace.*\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.NODES.ace\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_composed-ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-config_resolved.$KV.mesh-config_resolved.ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_placement.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_wants.$KV.mesh-delivery-assigner_wants.want.ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-builder_builds.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_manifests.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_modules.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_verdicts.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-host_acts.$KV.mesh-host_acts.ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-host_data.$KV.mesh-host_data.ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-host_health.$KV.mesh-host_health.ace\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-host_packages.$KV.mesh-host_packages.ace\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-provisioner_provisions.$KV.mesh-provisioner_provisions.ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_node-engine_have.$KV.node-engine_have.*.node\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_node-engine_have.$KV.node-engine_have.ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.OBJ_declaration-files-ace.$O.declaration-files-ace.M.*\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_composed-ace\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-config_resolved\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_candidates\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_placement\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_wants\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-builder_builds\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_candidates\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_manifests\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_modules\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_verdicts\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-host_acts\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-host_data\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-host_health\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-host_packages\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-provisioner_provisions\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_node-engine_have\", \"$JS.FC.KV_composed-ace.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-config_resolved.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_placement.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_wants.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-builder_builds.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_manifests.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_modules.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_verdicts.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-host_acts.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-host_data.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-host_health.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-host_packages.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-provisioner_provisions.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_node-engine_have.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.OBJ_declaration-files-ace.\u003e\", \"$KV.composed-ace.\u003e\", \"$KV.mesh-host_acts.ace.\u003e\", \"$KV.mesh-host_data.ace.\u003e\", \"$KV.mesh-host_health.ace\", \"$KV.mesh-host_packages.ace\", \"$KV.node-engine_have.ace.\u003e\", \"$SRV.INFO\", \"$SRV.INFO.\u003e\", \"$SRV.PING\", \"$SRV.PING.*.ace\", \"$SRV.PING.\u003e\", \"mesh.control.ace.\u003e\", \"mesh.seat.node-backup.call.backed-up.ace.node~ace\", \"mesh.seat.node-backup.call.now.ace.node~ace\", \"mesh.seat.node-backup.tool.backed-up.ace\", \"mesh.seat.node-backup.tool.now.ace\", \"mesh.seat.node-engine.event.*.ace\"] }\n        subscribe: { allow: [\"$JS.EVENT.ADVISORY.STREAM.CREATED.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_candidates\", \"$JS.EVENT.ADVISORY.STREAM.CREATED.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_placement\", \"$SRV.INFO\", \"$SRV.INFO.node-engine\", \"$SRV.INFO.node-engine.\u003e\", \"$SRV.PING\", \"$SRV.PING.node-engine\", \"$SRV.PING.node-engine.\u003e\", \"$SRV.STATS\", \"$SRV.STATS.node-engine\", \"$SRV.STATS.node-engine.\u003e\", \"_DELIVER.ace\", \"_DELIVER.ace.\u003e\", \"_INBOX.node.ace.\u003e\", \"mesh.mod.restic.event.backed-up\", \"mesh.node.ace.ask.access-act\", \"mesh.node.ace.ask.hand-over\", \"mesh.node.ace.ask.judge-directories\", \"mesh.node.ace.ask.move-secret\", \"mesh.node.ace.ask.report\", \"mesh.node.ace.ask.setuid-search\", \"mesh.node.ace.declare\", \"mesh.seat.node-engine.call.*.ace.*\", \"mesh.seat.node-engine.tool.*.ace\"] }\n        allow_responses: { max: 1, ttl: \"1m\" }\n      } }\n      { user: \"node.novox\", password: \"$2a$11$node.novoxnode.novoxnofixturefixturefixturefixture00\", permissions: {\n        publish: { allow: [\"$JS.ACK.NODES.novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_composed-novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-config_resolved.*.$KV.mesh-config_resolved.novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_placement.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_wants.*.$KV.mesh-delivery-assigner_wants.want.novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-builder_builds.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_manifests.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_modules.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_verdicts.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-host_acts.*.$KV.mesh-host_acts.novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-host_data.*.$KV.mesh-host_data.novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-host_health.*.$KV.mesh-host_health.novox\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-host_packages.*.$KV.mesh-host_packages.novox\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-provisioner_provisions.*.$KV.mesh-provisioner_provisions.novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_node-engine_have.*.$KV.node-engine_have.*.node\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_node-engine_have.*.$KV.node-engine_have.novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.OBJ_declaration-files-novox.*.$O.declaration-files-novox.C.*\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_composed-novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-config_resolved.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_placement.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_wants.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-builder_builds.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_manifests.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_modules.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_verdicts.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-host_acts.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-host_data.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-host_health.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-host_packages.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-provisioner_provisions.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_node-engine_have.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.OBJ_declaration-files-novox.*\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.NODES.novox\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_composed-novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-config_resolved.$KV.mesh-config_resolved.novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_placement.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_wants.$KV.mesh-delivery-assigner_wants.want.novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-builder_builds.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_manifests.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_modules.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_verdicts.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-host_acts.$KV.mesh-host_acts.novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-host_data.$KV.mesh-host_data.novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-host_health.$KV.mesh-host_health.novox\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-host_packages.$KV.mesh-host_packages.novox\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-provisioner_provisions.$KV.mesh-provisioner_provisions.novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_node-engine_have.$KV.node-engine_have.*.node\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_node-engine_have.$KV.node-engine_have.novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.OBJ_declaration-files-novox.$O.declaration-files-novox.M.*\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_composed-novox\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-config_resolved\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_candidates\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_placement\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_wants\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-builder_builds\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_candidates\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_manifests\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_modules\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_verdicts\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-host_acts\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-host_data\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-host_health\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-host_packages\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-provisioner_provisions\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_node-engine_have\", \"$JS.FC.KV_composed-novox.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-config_resolved.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_placement.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_wants.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-builder_builds.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_candidates.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_manifests.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_modules.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-delivery-indexer_verdicts.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-host_acts.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-host_data.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-host_health.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-host_packages.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-provisioner_provisions.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.KV_node-engine_have.\u003e\", \"$JS.FC.OBJ_declaration-files-novox.\u003e\", \"$KV.composed-novox.\u003e\", \"$KV.mesh-host_acts.novox.\u003e\", \"$KV.mesh-host_data.novox.\u003e\", \"$KV.mesh-host_health.novox\", \"$KV.mesh-host_packages.novox\", \"$KV.node-engine_have.novox.\u003e\", \"$SRV.INFO\", \"$SRV.INFO.\u003e\", \"$SRV.PING\", \"$SRV.PING.*.novox\", \"$SRV.PING.\u003e\", \"mesh.control.novox.\u003e\", \"mesh.seat.node-backup.call.backed-up.novox.node~novox\", \"mesh.seat.node-backup.call.now.novox.node~novox\", \"mesh.seat.node-backup.tool.backed-up.novox\", \"mesh.seat.node-backup.tool.now.novox\", \"mesh.seat.node-engine.event.*.novox\"] }\n        subscribe: { allow: [\"$JS.EVENT.ADVISORY.STREAM.CREATED.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_candidates\", \"$JS.EVENT.ADVISORY.STREAM.CREATED.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_placement\", \"$SRV.INFO\", \"$SRV.INFO.node-engine\", \"$SRV.INFO.node-engine.\u003e\", \"$SRV.PING\", \"$SRV.PING.node-engine\", \"$SRV.PING.node-engine.\u003e\", \"$SRV.STATS\", \"$SRV.STATS.node-engine\", \"$SRV.STATS.node-engine.\u003e\", \"_DELIVER.novox\", \"_DELIVER.novox.\u003e\", \"_INBOX.node.novox.\u003e\", \"mesh.mod.restic.event.backed-up\", \"mesh.node.novox.ask.access-act\", \"mesh.node.novox.ask.hand-over\", \"mesh.node.novox.ask.judge-directories\", \"mesh.node.novox.ask.move-secret\", \"mesh.node.novox.ask.report\", \"mesh.node.novox.ask.setuid-search\", \"mesh.node.novox.declare\", \"mesh.seat.node-engine.call.*.novox.*\", \"mesh.seat.node-engine.tool.*.novox\"] }\n        allow_responses: { max: 1, ttl: \"1m\" }\n      } }\n      { user: \"novox.mesh-delivery-assigner\", password: \"$2a$11$novox.mesh-delivery-asfixturefixturefixturefixture00\", permissions: {\n        publish: { allow: [\"$JS.ACK.EVENTS.novox_mesh-delivery-assigner.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-grants_memberships.*.$KV.mesh-grants_memberships.novox.mesh-delivery-assigner\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-grants_memberships.\u003e\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.EVENTS.novox_mesh-delivery-assigner\", \"$JS.API.CONSUMER.MSG.NEXT.EVENTS.novox_mesh-delivery-assigner\", \"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-grants_memberships.$KV.mesh-grants_memberships.novox.mesh-delivery-assigner\", \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-grants_memberships\", \"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-grants_memberships.\u003e\"] }\n        subscribe: { allow: [\"$SRV.INFO\", \"$SRV.INFO.mesh-delivery-assigner\", \"$SRV.INFO.mesh-delivery-assigner.\u003e\", \"$SRV.PING\", \"$SRV.PING.mesh-delivery-assigner\", \"$SRV.PING.mesh-delivery-assigner.\u003e\", \"$SRV.STATS\", \"$SRV.STATS.mesh-delivery-assigner\", \"$SRV.STATS.mesh-delivery-assigner.\u003e\", \"_INBOX.novox.mesh-delivery-assigner.\u003e\", \"mesh.mod.mesh-delivery-assigner.call.\u003e\", \"mesh.mod.mesh-delivery-assigner.tool.\u003e\", \"mesh.seat.node-engine.event.manifest-reads-changed.*\", \"mesh.seat.node-power.event.slept\"] }\n        allow_responses: { max: 1, ttl: \"1m\" }\n      } }\n    ]\n  }\n  \"$SYS\" {\n    exports = [\n      { stream: \"$SYS.ACCOUNT.MESH.CONNECT\", accounts: [\"MESH\"] }\n      { stream: \"$SYS.ACCOUNT.MESH.DISCONNECT\", accounts: [\"MESH\"] }\n      { service: \"$SYS.REQ.ACCOUNT.MESH.CONNZ\", accounts: [\"MESH\"] }\n    ]\n  }\n}\n",
+    "Missing": null,
+    "Err": "",
+    "Memberships": {
+      "ace.pause": {
+        "node": "ace",
+        "module": "pause",
+        "serves": [
+          {
+            "subject": "mesh.mod.pause.tool.{tool}.ace"
+          },
+          {
+            "subject": "mesh.mod.pause.tool.{tool}",
+            "queue": "serve.pause"
+          }
+        ],
+        "emits": "mesh.mod.pause.event.{event}",
+        "tools": "mesh.mod.pause.tool.tools",
+        "seat-traffic": {
+          "publish": [
+            "mesh.seat.node-power.event.slept"
+          ]
+        }
+      },
+      "novox.mesh-delivery-assigner": {
+        "node": "novox",
+        "module": "mesh-delivery-assigner",
+        "serves": [
+          {
+            "subject": "mesh.mod.mesh-delivery-assigner.tool.{tool}.novox"
+          },
+          {
+            "subject": "mesh.mod.mesh-delivery-assigner.tool.{tool}",
+            "queue": "serve.mesh-delivery-assigner"
+          }
+        ],
+        "emits": "mesh.mod.mesh-delivery-assigner.event.{event}",
+        "tools": "mesh.mod.mesh-delivery-assigner.tool.tools"
+      }
+    }
   }
 ]
diff --git a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/writers.go b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/writers.go
index efb0712b..0fab7628 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/writers.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/buscompose/writers.go
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ var WritersTable = []WriterRow{
 		Shared: "the grants part creates a stream a manifest declares, by its name, and never updates or deletes one (novox/hq ADR 0547 §5; the operator, 2026-10-26 08:54); the bus module's tools account deletes the ended controller's leftover streams, each by its name, and no other (novox/hq ADR 0590 clause 6)"},
 	{State: "builds and their outcomes", Writer: "the build seat's holder", KeptIn: "its own state",
 		Others:   "the builder asks",
-		Subjects: []string{"mesh.seat.node-build-agent.event.built", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.event.built"},
+		Subjects: []string{"mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.event.built"},
 		Writes:   holdsSeatOf,
 		Shared:   "every machine holding the build seat answers the asks it took; each outcome names its ask"},
 	// What a module keeps and who may read it (novox/hq ADR 0495 clauses 2 and 3, issue 1790): said by the module.
diff --git a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/grants/records.go b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/grants/records.go
index c93bf116..cc6dfaf7 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-grants/internal/grants/records.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-grants/internal/grants/records.go
@@ -125,7 +125,10 @@ func declaredFor(m catalogue.Manifest, seats map[string]catalogue.SeatDeclaratio
 				}
 			}
 			if s, isASeat := seats[emitter]; isASeat && catalogue.SeatSays(s.Emits, event) {
-				watches = append(watches, buscompose.Seat{Name: s.Name, Emits: []string{event}})
+				// Its scope, and whether the node-engine holds it, place an event that names its holder's machine (ADR 0618 §4).
+				compiled, _ := catalogue.SeatNamed(s.Name)
+				watches = append(watches, buscompose.Seat{Name: s.Name, Scope: s.Scope, Emits: []string{event},
+					HeldByTheEngine: compiled.HeldByTheEngine})
 				continue
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/sdk/enginereads/enginereads.go b/sdk/enginereads/enginereads.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a50ae917
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sdk/enginereads/enginereads.go
@@ -0,0 +1,641 @@
+// Package enginereads is how a mesh-delivery part learns what each node's engine reads of a manifest (novox/hq ADR 0618
+// §3, §4): it asks the node seat node-engine's verb manifest-reads, on the part's start, on the seat's event
+// manifest-reads-changed for that node and when a person asks again, and keeps each node's last answer in a state of its
+// own, one key per node, so a node that is away keeps the statement it last made (ADR 0624 §1). The assigner, the
+// builder and the delivery view share it; it is mesh-delivery's, not mesh-sdk's (ADR 0593 §1, ADR 0608 §5).
+package enginereads
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"slices"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/busretry"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/seats/nodeengine"
+)
+
+// The verb and the event as the seat's contract names them (mesh-contracts seats/nodeengine), as a manifest names them,
+// and the subject the event is said on with the engine's machine last.
+const (
+	Verb     = nodeengine.VerbManifestReads
+	Event    = nodeengine.EventManifestReadsChanged
+	Invoke   = "seat:" + nodeengine.Seat + "." + Verb
+	Consumes = nodeengine.Seat + "." + Event
+)
+
+// SubjectPrefix is the event's subject up to the machine, its last token.
+var SubjectPrefix = strings.TrimSuffix(nodeengine.SubjectManifestReadsChanged("*"), "*")
+
+// The reasons an engine says its reads, in the event's why (ADR 0618 §4).
+const (
+	// ReadsStarted: the engine started, or what it states changed.
+	ReadsStarted = "started"
+	// ReadsReturned: the engine's node returned after being away.
+	ReadsReturned = "returned"
+)
+
+// ContractVersion is the layout version of the verb's answer and the event's body this reader reads.
+const ContractVersion = 1
+
+// checkNode refuses a node that is no subject token.
+func checkNode(node string) error {
+	if node == "" || strings.ContainsAny(node, ".*> \t\n") {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%q is no node", node)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// checkReads refuses an empty reader capability.
+func checkReads(node string, reads []string) error {
+	for _, c := range reads {
+		if strings.TrimSpace(c) == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("the reads of %s name an empty reader capability", node)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// DecodeAnswer reads the verb's answer as the contract lays it out, and judges it: the layout's version, the node a
+// name, no empty capability, and its stated-at an RFC 3339 time (the contract carries no checks; its reader does).
+func DecodeAnswer(raw []byte) (nodeengine.ManifestReadsAnswer, time.Time, error) {
+	var a nodeengine.ManifestReadsAnswer
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &a); err != nil {
+		return a, time.Time{}, err
+	}
+	if a.V != ContractVersion {
+		return a, time.Time{}, fmt.Errorf("the answer's layout is version %d, not %d", a.V, ContractVersion)
+	}
+	if err := checkNode(a.Node); err != nil {
+		return a, time.Time{}, err
+	}
+	if err := checkReads(a.Node, a.ManifestReads); err != nil {
+		return a, time.Time{}, err
+	}
+	at, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339Nano, a.StatedAt)
+	if err != nil {
+		return a, time.Time{}, fmt.Errorf("stated-at %q is no RFC 3339 time", a.StatedAt)
+	}
+	return a, at, nil
+}
+
+// DecodeChanged reads the event's body as the contract lays it out, and judges it as DecodeAnswer does, its why one of
+// ReadsStarted and ReadsReturned.
+func DecodeChanged(raw []byte) (nodeengine.ManifestReadsChangedEvent, error) {
+	var e nodeengine.ManifestReadsChangedEvent
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &e); err != nil {
+		return e, err
+	}
+	if e.V != ContractVersion {
+		return e, fmt.Errorf("the event's layout is version %d, not %d", e.V, ContractVersion)
+	}
+	if err := checkNode(e.Node); err != nil {
+		return e, err
+	}
+	if e.Why != ReadsStarted && e.Why != ReadsReturned {
+		return e, fmt.Errorf("the reads of %s changed for %q, not %s or %s", e.Node, e.Why, ReadsStarted, ReadsReturned)
+	}
+	if err := checkReads(e.Node, e.ManifestReads); err != nil {
+		return e, err
+	}
+	if _, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339Nano, e.At); err != nil {
+		return e, fmt.Errorf("at %q is no RFC 3339 time", e.At)
+	}
+	return e, nil
+}
+
+// Where a node's statement came from.
+const (
+	// FromVerb: the node's engine answered the verb.
+	FromVerb = "verb"
+	// FromRecord: the engine did not answer it (an engine built before the verb, or nobody answered) and the node's record
+	// `<node>.node` was read once in its place (the fallback, until every counted engine serves the verb; issue 774).
+	FromRecord = "record"
+	// FromNone: neither said anything, so the node is read as stating the baseline (ADR 0614 §4).
+	FromNone = "none"
+)
+
+// Version is the version of a statement this package writes and the only one it reads.
+const Version = 1
+
+// Statement is one node's key: what its engine states it reads, when it stated it, when it was asked, where it came
+// from, whether the engine answered that ask (it is present), and, while a person's ask again waits, that ask.
+type Statement struct {
+	V             int       `json:"v"`
+	Node          string    `json:"node"`
+	ManifestReads []string  `json:"manifest-reads,omitempty"`
+	StatedAt      time.Time `json:"stated-at,omitzero"`
+	AskedAt       time.Time `json:"asked-at,omitzero"`
+	From          string    `json:"from"`
+	Answered      bool      `json:"answered"`
+	Words         string    `json:"words,omitempty"`
+	AskAgain      *Again    `json:"ask-again,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// Again is a person's ask again of one node, written by the tool and answered by the part that keeps the state.
+type Again struct {
+	By  string    `json:"by"`
+	Why string    `json:"why"`
+	At  time.Time `json:"at"`
+}
+
+// Encode is s as JSON at Version.
+func Encode(s Statement) ([]byte, error) {
+	if s.Node == "" || strings.ContainsAny(s.Node, ".*> ") {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("enginereads: %q is no node", s.Node)
+	}
+	s.V = Version
+	return json.Marshal(s)
+}
+
+// Decode reads a statement; it refuses another version and a value naming no node.
+func Decode(raw []byte) (Statement, error) {
+	var s Statement
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &s); err != nil {
+		return Statement{}, err
+	}
+	if s.V != Version {
+		return Statement{}, fmt.Errorf("enginereads: version %d, not %d", s.V, Version)
+	}
+	if s.Node == "" {
+		return Statement{}, errors.New("enginereads: a statement names no node")
+	}
+	return s, nil
+}
+
+// Caller calls a seat's verb on one node: process.Conn.CallOn.
+type Caller func(node, key string, body any) (json.RawMessage, error)
+
+// Ask asks node's engine the verb once and says what it answered. An engine that answered the call with an error is
+// present and states nothing through it; one that did not answer is not present.
+func Ask(call Caller, node string, now time.Time) Statement {
+	s := Statement{Node: node, AskedAt: now.UTC(), From: FromNone}
+	raw, err := call(node, Invoke, map[string]any{})
+	var answered *busretry.Answered
+	switch {
+	case err == nil:
+		a, at, derr := DecodeAnswer(raw)
+		if derr == nil && a.Node != node {
+			derr = fmt.Errorf("it names the node %s", a.Node)
+		}
+		if derr != nil {
+			s.Answered, s.Words = true, "the engine answered what is no statement: "+derr.Error()
+			return s
+		}
+		s.ManifestReads, s.StatedAt, s.From, s.Answered = slices.Clone(a.ManifestReads), at.UTC(), FromVerb, true
+	case errors.As(err, &answered):
+		s.Answered, s.Words = true, "the engine does not serve "+Verb+": "+answered.Words
+	default:
+		s.Words = "nobody answered " + Verb + ": " + err.Error()
+	}
+	return s
+}
+
+// NodeOf is the node an event of manifest-reads-changed is about, read from its subject's last token and held equal to
+// its body's; ok false for a subject of another event.
+func NodeOf(subject string, data []byte) (string, bool, error) {
+	node, ok := strings.CutPrefix(subject, SubjectPrefix)
+	if !ok || node == "" || strings.Contains(node, ".") {
+		return "", false, nil
+	}
+	e, err := DecodeChanged(data)
+	if err != nil {
+		return node, true, err
+	}
+	if e.Node != node {
+		return node, true, fmt.Errorf("the event on %s names the node %s", subject, e.Node)
+	}
+	return node, true, nil
+}
+
+// Keeper keeps every node's statement for one part: in memory, and in the part's state when Put is set, so a statement
+// outlives the part's restart. Nothing in it waits on a timer: a node is asked when the part says so.
+type Keeper struct {
+	// Call asks the verb; nil asks nothing (every node then reads as the fallback or the baseline).
+	Call Caller
+	// Fallback reads a node's record `<node>.node` once where its engine did not answer the verb; nil reads none.
+	Fallback func(node string) ([]string, bool)
+	// Put writes a node's key of the part's state, Delete removes it; nil keeps the statements in memory only.
+	Put    func(node string, value []byte) error
+	Delete func(node string) error
+	// Changed is told after a node's statement changed.
+	Changed func()
+	Logf    func(string, ...any)
+	Now     func() time.Time
+	// Sync asks in the caller's goroutine (tests); otherwise each ask runs on its own.
+	Sync bool
+
+	mu     sync.Mutex
+	by     map[string]Statement
+	asking map[string]bool
+}
+
+func (k *Keeper) logf(f string, a ...any) {
+	if k.Logf != nil {
+		k.Logf(f, a...)
+	}
+}
+
+func (k *Keeper) now() time.Time {
+	if k.Now != nil {
+		return k.Now()
+	}
+	return time.Now()
+}
+
+// AskNode asks node's engine, unless an ask of it runs already; why is said in the log.
+func (k *Keeper) AskNode(node, why string) {
+	k.mu.Lock()
+	if k.asking == nil {
+		k.asking = map[string]bool{}
+	}
+	if k.asking[node] {
+		k.mu.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	k.asking[node] = true
+	k.mu.Unlock()
+	if k.Sync {
+		k.ask(node, why)
+		return
+	}
+	go k.ask(node, why)
+}
+
+func (k *Keeper) ask(node, why string) {
+	defer func() {
+		k.mu.Lock()
+		delete(k.asking, node)
+		k.mu.Unlock()
+	}()
+	s := Statement{Node: node, AskedAt: k.now().UTC(), From: FromNone, Words: "nothing asks the verb"}
+	if k.Call != nil {
+		s = Ask(k.Call, node, k.now())
+	}
+	if s.From != FromVerb && k.Fallback != nil {
+		if reads, ok := k.Fallback(node); ok {
+			s.ManifestReads, s.From = slices.Clone(reads), FromRecord
+			k.logf("%s on %s (%s): %s; its record %s.node is read once in its place (until every counted engine serves the verb)",
+				Verb, node, why, s.Words, node)
+		}
+	}
+	if s.From == FromNone {
+		k.logf("%s on %s (%s): %s; the node reads as its last statement, or the baseline", Verb, node, why, s.Words)
+	}
+	k.take(s)
+}
+
+// take keeps s, unless the node did not answer and an earlier statement stands: an away node keeps its last one (ADR 0624
+// §1), marked as not answering.
+func (k *Keeper) take(s Statement) {
+	k.mu.Lock()
+	if k.by == nil {
+		k.by = map[string]Statement{}
+	}
+	if old, ok := k.by[s.Node]; ok && !s.Answered && old.From != FromNone {
+		old.Answered, old.AskedAt, old.Words, old.AskAgain = false, s.AskedAt, s.Words, nil
+		s = old
+	}
+	k.by[s.Node] = s
+	k.mu.Unlock()
+	if k.Put != nil {
+		raw, err := Encode(s)
+		if err == nil {
+			err = k.Put(s.Node, raw)
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			k.logf("the statement of %s could not be kept: %v", s.Node, err)
+		}
+	}
+	if k.Changed != nil {
+		k.Changed()
+	}
+}
+
+// Heard takes a change of the part's own state in: at the start, every node's last statement; later, a person's ask again
+// (asked now) or a key a person dropped (forgotten). The part's own writes come back here and change nothing.
+func (k *Keeper) Heard(node string, raw []byte, deleted bool) {
+	if deleted {
+		k.mu.Lock()
+		_, had := k.by[node]
+		delete(k.by, node)
+		k.mu.Unlock()
+		if had && k.Changed != nil {
+			k.Changed()
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	s, err := Decode(raw)
+	if err != nil || s.Node != node {
+		k.logf("the key %s of the engine reads is no statement of it, left: %v", node, err)
+		return
+	}
+	if s.AskAgain != nil {
+		k.AskNode(node, fmt.Sprintf("asked again by %s: %s", s.AskAgain.By, s.AskAgain.Why))
+		return
+	}
+	k.mu.Lock()
+	if k.by == nil {
+		k.by = map[string]Statement{}
+	}
+	_, had := k.by[node]
+	if !had {
+		k.by[node] = s
+	}
+	k.mu.Unlock()
+	if !had && k.Changed != nil {
+		k.Changed()
+	}
+}
+
+// Forget drops a node the part no longer counts (it left the placement): its key too.
+func (k *Keeper) Forget(node string) {
+	k.mu.Lock()
+	_, had := k.by[node]
+	delete(k.by, node)
+	k.mu.Unlock()
+	if had && k.Delete != nil {
+		if err := k.Delete(node); err != nil {
+			k.logf("the statement of %s could not be removed: %v", node, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Known says whether the part holds a statement of node, from any source.
+func (k *Keeper) Known(node string) bool {
+	k.mu.Lock()
+	defer k.mu.Unlock()
+	_, ok := k.by[node]
+	return ok
+}
+
+// Statements is every node's statement, by node.
+func (k *Keeper) Statements() map[string]Statement {
+	k.mu.Lock()
+	defer k.mu.Unlock()
+	out := make(map[string]Statement, len(k.by))
+	for n, s := range k.by {
+		out[n] = s
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// Reads is, of the nodes given, what each states it reads: its last statement, nil (the baseline) for a node with none.
+func (k *Keeper) Reads(nodes []string) map[string][]string {
+	k.mu.Lock()
+	defer k.mu.Unlock()
+	out := make(map[string][]string, len(nodes))
+	for _, n := range nodes {
+		out[n] = slices.Clone(k.by[n].ManifestReads)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// Present is, of the nodes given, those whose engine answered when last asked, with what each states.
+func (k *Keeper) Present(nodes []string) map[string][]string {
+	k.mu.Lock()
+	defer k.mu.Unlock()
+	out := map[string][]string{}
+	for _, n := range nodes {
+		if s, ok := k.by[n]; ok && s.Answered {
+			out[n] = slices.Clone(s.ManifestReads)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// State is what the tool needs of the part's state: the runtime's (stdio.KeptState through KeptState), or a test's.
+type State interface {
+	Keys() ([]string, error)
+	Get(key string) ([]byte, uint64, bool, error)
+	Put(key string, value []byte) (uint64, error)
+	Delete(key string) error
+	// Await waits at most bound for a revision of key after after whose value done says is the answer.
+	Await(key string, after uint64, done func([]byte) bool, bound time.Duration) ([]byte, error)
+}
+
+// Read lists every node's statement in st, by node name, or one node's; a key that does not read is named with why.
+func Read(st State, node string) (map[string]any, error) {
+	keys := []string{node}
+	if node == "" {
+		var err error
+		if keys, err = st.Keys(); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	nodes := map[string]any{}
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		raw, _, found, err := st.Get(key)
+		switch {
+		case err != nil:
+			return nil, err
+		case !found:
+			nodes[key] = map[string]any{"from": FromNone, "words": "no statement is kept: read as the baseline"}
+			continue
+		}
+		s, derr := Decode(raw)
+		if derr != nil {
+			nodes[key] = map[string]any{"unread": derr.Error()}
+			continue
+		}
+		nodes[key] = s
+	}
+	return map[string]any{"nodes": nodes}, nil
+}
+
+// AskAgainOf writes node's key with a person's ask again and waits at most bound for the part's answer: the next
+// statement it writes there.
+func AskAgainOf(st State, node, by, why string, now time.Time, bound time.Duration) (Statement, error) {
+	if node == "" || strings.ContainsAny(node, ".*> ") {
+		return Statement{}, fmt.Errorf("%q is no node", node)
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(why) == "" {
+		return Statement{}, errors.New("say why it is asked again")
+	}
+	s := Statement{Node: node, From: FromNone}
+	if raw, _, found, err := st.Get(node); err != nil {
+		return Statement{}, err
+	} else if found {
+		if old, err := Decode(raw); err == nil {
+			s = old
+		}
+	}
+	s.AskAgain = &Again{By: by, Why: why, At: now.UTC()}
+	raw, err := Encode(s)
+	if err != nil {
+		return Statement{}, err
+	}
+	rev, err := st.Put(node, raw)
+	if err != nil {
+		return Statement{}, err
+	}
+	answer, err := st.Await(node, rev, func(v []byte) bool {
+		got, err := Decode(v)
+		return err == nil && got.AskAgain == nil
+	}, bound)
+	if err != nil {
+		return Statement{}, fmt.Errorf("the part did not answer the ask again of %s within %s: %w", node, bound, err)
+	}
+	return Decode(answer)
+}
+
+// KeptState is a part's state as the runtime keeps it, for the tool.
+func KeptState(s stdio.KeptState) State { return keptState{s} }
+
+type keptState struct{ s stdio.KeptState }
+
+func (k keptState) Keys() ([]string, error) { return k.s.Keys() }
+
+func (k keptState) Get(key string) ([]byte, uint64, bool, error) {
+	e, err := k.s.Get(key)
+	if err != nil || e == nil {
+		return nil, 0, false, err
+	}
+	return e.Value, e.Revision, true, nil
+}
+
+func (k keptState) Put(key string, value []byte) (uint64, error) { return k.s.Put(key, json.RawMessage(value)) }
+
+func (k keptState) Delete(key string) error { return k.s.Delete(key) }
+
+// Await watches key for the answer, and reads it once too in case the watch heard it before it began; a context's bound,
+// no timer (ADR 0437 §8).
+func (k keptState) Await(key string, after uint64, done func([]byte) bool, bound time.Duration) ([]byte, error) {
+	heard := make(chan []byte, 1)
+	if err := k.s.Watch(key, func(c stdio.StateChange) error {
+		if c.Op == "put" && c.Revision > after && done(c.Value) {
+			select {
+			case heard <- c.Value:
+			default:
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if e, err := k.s.Get(key); err == nil && e != nil && e.Revision > after && done(e.Value) {
+		return e.Value, nil
+	}
+	wait, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), bound)
+	defer cancel()
+	select {
+	case v := <-heard:
+		return v, nil
+	case <-wait.Done():
+		return nil, errors.New("it is not running, or cannot read the verb's answer")
+	}
+}
+
+// AnswerWithin is how long the tool waits for the part to answer an ask again: the verb's own call bound and a margin.
+var AnswerWithin = 25 * time.Second
+
+// Tool is a part's tool over its state of engine reads (tools-first, ADR 0618 §3): read every node's statement or one,
+// ask one node's engine again now, and, where drops, drop one node's key (a node the part keeps by mistake). owner names
+// the part in the words.
+func Tool(name, owner string, st State, drops bool, now func() time.Time) stdio.Tool {
+	props := map[string]any{
+		"node":      map[string]any{"type": "string", "description": "one node; every node when left out"},
+		"ask_again": map[string]any{"type": "string", "description": "\"true\": ask the node's engine " + Verb + " again now, and answer what it states"},
+		"why":       map[string]any{"type": "string", "description": "why it is asked again or dropped, in plain words"},
+	}
+	description := "What each node's engine states it reads of a manifest (manifest words, forms and seat names, novox/hq ADR 0618 §3), " +
+		"as " + owner + " last asked the node-engine seat's verb " + Verb + " and uses it: per node its capabilities, when the engine " +
+		"stated them and when it was asked, whether it answered (present) and where the statement came from: verb, record (the " +
+		"engine did not answer and its node record was read once in its place) or none (read as the baseline). A node that is " +
+		"away keeps its last statement. With node and ask_again, " + owner + " asks that node's engine again and answers its new " +
+		"statement."
+	if drops {
+		props["drop"] = map[string]any{"type": "string", "description": "\"true\": drop the node's key, so it reads as stating the baseline until its engine is asked again"}
+		description += " With node and drop, the node's key is dropped."
+	}
+	return stdio.Tool{Name: name, Description: description, Input: map[string]any{"type": "object", "properties": props},
+		Run: func(args map[string]any) (any, error) {
+			str := func(k string) string { s, _ := args[k].(string); return strings.TrimSpace(s) }
+			node := str("node")
+			switch {
+			case str("ask_again") == "true":
+				return AskAgainOf(st, node, stdio.CallerOf(args), str("why"), now(), AnswerWithin)
+			case drops && str("drop") == "true":
+				if node == "" || str("why") == "" {
+					return nil, errors.New("drop takes node and why")
+				}
+				if err := st.Delete(node); err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+				return map[string]any{"node": node, "dropped": true,
+					"next": "the node reads as stating the baseline until its engine is asked again (ask_again, its event, or " + owner + "'s start)"}, nil
+			}
+			return Read(st, node)
+		}}
+}
+
+// How a node answered a survey (Survey).
+const (
+	// Stated: the engine answered the verb.
+	Stated = "stated"
+	// NotServed: the engine answered, but does not serve the verb (an engine built before it).
+	NotServed = "not served"
+	// Away: nobody answered within the bound: the node is away, or its engine does not serve the verb and nothing else
+	// answers for it.
+	Away = "away"
+)
+
+// SurveyRow is one node's row of a survey: how it answered, its statement when it stated one, and its record's reads
+// where it did not (the fallback the assigner reads in its place).
+type SurveyRow struct {
+	Node          string    `json:"node"`
+	Answer        string    `json:"answer"`
+	ManifestReads []string  `json:"manifest-reads,omitempty"`
+	StatedAt      time.Time `json:"stated-at,omitzero"`
+	Record        []string  `json:"record,omitempty"`
+	RecordRead    bool      `json:"record-read,omitempty"`
+	Words         string    `json:"words,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// Survey asks every node's engine the verb at once, each ask bounded by bound, so the whole survey takes at most about
+// bound however many nodes there are; a node that did not answer is named with its record's reads where record reads
+// one. Sorted by node.
+func Survey(call Caller, nodes []string, record func(node string) ([]string, bool), bound time.Duration, now time.Time) []SurveyRow {
+	rows := make([]SurveyRow, len(nodes))
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	for i, node := range nodes {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			got := make(chan Statement, 1)
+			go func() { got <- Ask(call, node, now) }()
+			var s Statement
+			wait, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), bound)
+			defer cancel()
+			select {
+			case s = <-got:
+			case <-wait.Done():
+				s = Statement{Node: node, Words: fmt.Sprintf("no answer within %s", bound)}
+			}
+			row := SurveyRow{Node: node, Words: s.Words}
+			switch {
+			case s.From == FromVerb:
+				row.Answer, row.ManifestReads, row.StatedAt = Stated, s.ManifestReads, s.StatedAt
+			case s.Answered:
+				row.Answer = NotServed
+			default:
+				row.Answer = Away
+			}
+			if row.Answer != Stated && record != nil {
+				row.Record, row.RecordRead = record(node)
+			}
+			rows[i] = row
+		}()
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+	sort.Slice(rows, func(i, j int) bool { return rows[i].Node < rows[j].Node })
+	return rows
+}
diff --git a/sdk/forms/forms.go b/sdk/forms/forms.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..298b27fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sdk/forms/forms.go
@@ -0,0 +1,226 @@
+// Package forms holds the artifact reference forms the builder writes a done build key in and the assigner holds a want
+// by (novox/hq ADR 0618 §1-§2, ADR 0624): logic only those two modules of mesh-delivery share, so it is mesh-delivery's
+// and not mesh-sdk's (ADR 0593 §1, ADR 0608 §5). The build key's fields (delivery.BuilderBuild.Needs,
+// delivery.BuiltArtifact.References) are the contract, in mesh-sdk.
+package forms
+
+import (
+	"slices"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+)
+
+// artifactStore opens the artifact store's references (delivery.BuiltArtifact).
+const artifactStore = "artifact-store://"
+
+// The artifact reference forms (novox/hq ADR 0605 §9, ADR 0618 §1-§2, ADR 0624): each form a done key's reference may be
+// written in, named as the reader capability `form:<name>` a node-engine states when it reads it. The forms written
+// before any engine stated what it reads are first forms: every engine reads them, so none needs a statement, and a
+// node whose engine states nothing (the baseline, ADR 0614 §4) reads exactly those. A new form is added to
+// Current, newest last, in the change that teaches the node-engine to read it.
+
+// The first forms, by name.
+const (
+	// FormArtifactStore: artifact-store://<module>/<artifact>/blobs/<digest>, or an image's kept artifact-store://…@<digest>.
+	FormArtifactStore = "artifact-store"
+	// FormRegistry: an image's or an upstream copy's <registry>/<module>/<artifact>@<digest>.
+	FormRegistry = "registry"
+	// FormPackageVersion: a package's <name>@<version>.
+	FormPackageVersion = "package-version"
+)
+
+// ArtifactForm is one reference form: its name, whether it is a first form, the artifact kinds it names, and how a
+// reference is told to be in it.
+type ArtifactForm struct {
+	Name  string
+	First bool
+	Kinds []string
+	Is    func(reference string) bool
+}
+
+// ArtifactForms are the forms a builder knows, oldest first.
+type ArtifactForms []ArtifactForm
+
+// Current are the forms the builder writes and the assigner knows: the three first forms (delivery.BuiltArtifact's
+// reference by kind).
+var Current = ArtifactForms{
+	{Name: FormArtifactStore, First: true, Is: func(r string) bool { return strings.HasPrefix(r, artifactStore) },
+		Kinds: []string{catalogue.ArtifactBundle, catalogue.ArtifactArchive, catalogue.ArtifactImage, catalogue.ArtifactUpstream}},
+	{Name: FormRegistry, First: true, Is: func(r string) bool { return !strings.HasPrefix(r, artifactStore) && strings.Contains(r, "@sha256:") },
+		Kinds: []string{catalogue.ArtifactImage, catalogue.ArtifactUpstream}},
+	{Name: FormPackageVersion, First: true, Is: func(r string) bool { return strings.LastIndex(r, "@") > 0 && !strings.Contains(r, "@sha256:") },
+		Kinds: []string{catalogue.ArtifactPackage}},
+}
+
+// FormNeed is the reader capability a form needs of a node-engine: `form:<name>`.
+func FormNeed(form string) string { return catalogue.ReadForm + form }
+
+// FormOf is the name of the form reference is written in for an artifact of kind, and whether one of fs names it.
+func (fs ArtifactForms) FormOf(kind, reference string) (string, bool) {
+	for i := len(fs) - 1; i >= 0; i-- { // the newest first: a newer form may be a narrower shape of an older one
+		f := fs[i]
+		if (kind == "" || slices.Contains(f.Kinds, kind)) && f.Is(reference) {
+			return f.Name, true
+		}
+	}
+	return "", false
+}
+
+// Reads says whether an engine whose statement is stated reads form: a first form always (the baseline included), any
+// other only when stated names `form:<name>`. A form fs does not know is read only when stated.
+func (fs ArtifactForms) Reads(stated []string, form string) bool {
+	for _, f := range fs {
+		if f.Name == form && f.First {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return slices.Contains(stated, FormNeed(form))
+}
+
+// Needs are the reader capabilities a done build's artifacts carry (ADR 0618 §1): `form:<name>` of every form any of
+// its references, single or listed, is written in, sorted. Nil when it names none (no artifact, or no reference).
+func (fs ArtifactForms) Needs(artifacts []delivery.BuiltArtifact) []string {
+	set := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, a := range artifacts {
+		for _, r := range append([]string{a.Reference}, a.References...) {
+			if r == "" {
+				continue
+			}
+			if form, ok := fs.FormOf(a.Kind, r); ok {
+				set[FormNeed(form)] = true
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if len(set) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(set))
+	for n := range set {
+		out = append(out, n)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return out
+}
+
+// Held says whether a build's reference forms hold a node's want (ADR 0624 §2): only when the build names forms and the
+// node's engine, its statement stated, reads none of them. A build that names none holds no want.
+func (fs ArtifactForms) Held(needs, stated []string) bool {
+	if len(needs) == 0 {
+		return false
+	}
+	for _, n := range needs {
+		if form, ok := strings.CutPrefix(n, catalogue.ReadForm); ok && fs.Reads(stated, form) {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
+// Writable are the forms of kind every present node's engine reads (ADR 0618 §2: a new form is written only once every
+// present engine states it), oldest first, by node its statement. With no node present, the first forms only.
+func (fs ArtifactForms) Writable(kind string, present map[string][]string) []string {
+	var out []string
+	for _, f := range fs {
+		if !slices.Contains(f.Kinds, kind) {
+			continue
+		}
+		every := f.First || len(present) > 0
+		for _, stated := range present {
+			every = every && fs.Reads(stated, f.Name)
+		}
+		if every {
+			out = append(out, f.Name)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// Kept are the forms a build key names an artifact of kind in (ADR 0624 §1, §3), oldest first, so the first is the one
+// the single reference holds: the newest form every present engine reads (Writable), then, for each counted node, present
+// or away, whose engine reads none of those kept so far, the newest form of kind it reads. A node stating nothing reads
+// the first forms. A form leaves only once no counted node reads it alone; a node leaves the count when it is retired.
+func (fs ArtifactForms) Kept(kind string, present, counted map[string][]string) []string {
+	writable := fs.Writable(kind, present)
+	kept := map[string]bool{}
+	if len(writable) > 0 {
+		kept[writable[len(writable)-1]] = true
+	}
+	nodes := make([]string, 0, len(counted))
+	for node := range counted {
+		nodes = append(nodes, node)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(nodes)
+	for _, node := range nodes {
+		stated := counted[node]
+		var newest string
+		readsKept := false
+		for _, f := range fs {
+			if !slices.Contains(f.Kinds, kind) || !fs.Reads(stated, f.Name) {
+				continue
+			}
+			newest = f.Name
+			readsKept = readsKept || kept[f.Name]
+		}
+		if !readsKept && newest != "" {
+			kept[newest] = true
+		}
+	}
+	var out []string
+	for _, f := range fs {
+		if kept[f.Name] {
+			out = append(out, f.Name)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// Choose names a built artifact by the references the build answered in the forms Kept keeps (ADR 0624 §1, §3): the
+// oldest kept form in the single Reference, every kept one in References when there are more than one. A reference in a
+// form Kept does not keep is left out, unless none of the answered is kept: then the artifact keeps what was answered,
+// its first answered in Reference, since a key names where its artifact is (ADR 0498 clause 1).
+func (fs ArtifactForms) Choose(a delivery.BuiltArtifact, answered []string, present, counted map[string][]string) delivery.BuiltArtifact {
+	kept := fs.Kept(a.Kind, present, counted)
+	type ref struct {
+		at        int
+		reference string
+	}
+	var in []ref
+	for _, r := range answered {
+		if r == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		form, ok := fs.FormOf(a.Kind, r)
+		if at := slices.Index(kept, form); ok && at >= 0 {
+			in = append(in, ref{at, r})
+		}
+	}
+	sort.SliceStable(in, func(i, j int) bool { return in[i].at < in[j].at })
+	a.References = nil
+	switch {
+	case len(in) > 0:
+		a.Reference = in[0].reference
+		if len(in) > 1 {
+			for _, r := range in {
+				a.References = append(a.References, r.reference)
+			}
+		}
+	default:
+		a.Reference = ""
+		for _, r := range answered {
+			if r == "" {
+				continue
+			}
+			if a.Reference == "" {
+				a.Reference = r
+			}
+			a.References = append(a.References, r)
+		}
+		if len(a.References) < 2 {
+			a.References = nil
+		}
+	}
+	return a
+}
diff --git a/sdk/go.mod b/sdk/go.mod
index 7e692d40..aa399329 100644
--- a/sdk/go.mod
+++ b/sdk/go.mod
@@ -3,3 +3,13 @@ module git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk
 go 1.26.0
 
 require git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8
+
+require (
+	github.com/klauspost/compress v1.20.0 // indirect
+	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0 // indirect
+	github.com/nats-io/nkeys v0.4.16 // indirect
+	github.com/nats-io/nuid v1.0.1 // indirect
+	golang.org/x/crypto v0.57.0 // indirect
+	golang.org/x/sys v0.48.0 // indirect
+)
+
diff --git a/sdk/go.sum b/sdk/go.sum
index bede8250..65100b8a 100644
--- a/sdk/go.sum
+++ b/sdk/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8 h1:XEbIVImp6yGjA91rp0iZBoDdL5KfamjOuDLwWvqh0hc=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/klauspost/compress v1.20.0 h1:a3C1ke2ohxFymNlb2HWAHjDeKCI90scRskErZkR0ezA=
 github.com/klauspost/compress v1.20.0/go.mod h1:LUdAzn7YLVvxLpc7y3V1m40wESHTgc1422pwwBSKYuI=
 github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0 h1:vsXoOxjHp/GmPUN+EcI7uOf/uB+iAP+kEsAFNQN0yzA=