From d9d1e57e3a13e67ec7f099d91fe90dc479bcd246 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: jochen <jschoubben@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2026 16:09:34 +0200
Subject: [PATCH] =?UTF-8?q?Delete=20the=20checker's=20hold,=20its=20own=20?=
 =?UTF-8?q?capacity=20and=20places,=20its=20node=20moves=20and=20its=20rea?=
 =?UTF-8?q?d=20of=20the=20controller's=20plans-building,=20so=20a=20check?=
 =?UTF-8?q?=20waits=20only=20in=20the=20build=20seats'=20streams=20(issue?=
 =?UTF-8?q?=201887=20A5b,=20closes=201685;=20ADR=200525=20=C2=A74,=20?=
 =?UTF-8?q?=C2=A77)?=
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

---
 .../cmd/mesh-delivery-checker-tools/main.go   |  32 +---
 .../cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/bus.go          |  37 -----
 .../cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/heard.go        |  26 ----
 .../cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/heard_test.go   |  30 ----
 .../cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/hold.go         | 101 -------------
 .../cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/hold_test.go    |  35 -----
 .../mesh-delivery-checker/integration_test.go |  28 ----
 .../cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/kept_test.go    |   3 +-
 .../cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/main.go         |  14 +-
 .../cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/settings.go     |  29 ----
 .../mesh-delivery-checker/settings_test.go    |  68 ---------
 .../mesh-delivery-checker/files/settings.json |   3 -
 .../internal/check/checker.go                 | 115 +-------------
 .../internal/check/checker_test.go            |  18 ---
 .../internal/check/gate_test.go               |  20 ++-
 .../internal/check/hold.go                    |   7 -
 .../internal/check/hold_test.go               |  38 -----
 .../internal/check/rank_test.go               | 140 ------------------
 .../internal/check/read.go                    |  44 ++----
 .../internal/check/read_test.go               |  21 +--
 .../internal/check/try.go                     |  12 +-
 .../internal/check/try_test.go                |  11 +-
 .../mesh-delivery-checker/manifest_test.go    |  40 ++---
 modules/mesh-delivery-checker/module.json     |  43 +-----
 24 files changed, 76 insertions(+), 839 deletions(-)
 delete mode 100644 modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/heard.go
 delete mode 100644 modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/heard_test.go
 delete mode 100644 modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/hold.go
 delete mode 100644 modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/hold_test.go
 delete mode 100644 modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/settings.go
 delete mode 100644 modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/settings_test.go
 delete mode 100644 modules/mesh-delivery-checker/files/settings.json
 delete mode 100644 modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/hold.go
 delete mode 100644 modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/hold_test.go

diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker-tools/main.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker-tools/main.go
index acac211..700988d 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker-tools/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker-tools/main.go
@@ -143,32 +143,16 @@ func Tools(r check.Reader) []stdio.Tool {
 				return map[string]any{"previews": ps, "unreadable": bad}, err
 			}},
 		{Name: check.StatusReadTool,
-			Description: "What holds the checker back and what runs: the capacity per node (the setting, the default one step per node), whether the controller's " +
-				"delivery plans in their build phase hold a key (no new check starts while one does), the steps in flight on the build modules by node, and the " +
-				"candidates without a verdict for their heads (a group of hq's pull requests alone is left out: merge-check.sh judges it), and the " +
-				"candidates whose check waits by kind (waiting_by_kind: new, nodes, and trunk, which start after the other two). A key a build " +
-				"module left running (started past the step bound, or its build module not running on its node) is listed apart under left_running " +
-				"with why, and not counted. The places the checker holds are in its process, not in a bucket, and the answer says so. Read-only.",
+			Description: "What runs: the steps in flight on the build modules by node, the candidates without a verdict for their heads, " +
+				"and the candidates whose check is owed by kind (waiting_by_kind: new, nodes, and trunk, a re-judge pulled after the other two). A key a " +
+				"build module left running (started past the step bound, or its build module not running on its node) is listed apart under " +
+				"left_running with why, and not counted. Nothing holds the checker and it has no capacity of its own: a check is an ask on the " +
+				"build seats' streams, whose backlog the delivery view shows (novox/hq ADR 0525). Read-only.",
 			Input: map[string]any{"type": "object", "properties": map[string]any{}},
 			Run:   func(map[string]any) (any, error) { return r.Status() }},
 	}
 }
 
-func capacity() (string, error) {
-	path := os.Getenv("MESH_CHECKER_SETTINGS")
-	if path == "" {
-		return os.Getenv("MESH_CHECKER_CAPACITY"), nil
-	}
-	raw, err := os.ReadFile(path)
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", err
-	}
-	var s struct {
-		Capacity string `json:"capacity"`
-	}
-	return s.Capacity, json.Unmarshal(raw, &s)
-}
-
 // stepBound is the checker's step bound as the checker reads it (MESH_CHECKER_STEP_BOUND), its default when unset or not a
 // duration.
 func stepBound() time.Duration {
@@ -180,9 +164,9 @@ func stepBound() time.Duration {
 
 func main() {
 	r := check.Reader{VerdictState: read(stdio.State("verdicts")), KeptState: read(stdio.State("kept")), CandidateState: read(stdio.State("mesh-delivery-indexer.candidates")),
-		PreviewState: read(stdio.State("previews")), PlansState: read(stdio.State("mesh-controller.plans-building")),
-		StepStates: map[string]check.StateRead{"mesh-build-go": read(stdio.State("mesh-build-go.steps")), "mesh-build-node": read(stdio.State("mesh-build-node.steps"))},
-		Capacity:   capacity, HaveState: read(stdio.State("node-engine.have")), StepBound: stepBound()}
+		PreviewState: read(stdio.State("previews")),
+		StepStates:   map[string]check.StateRead{"mesh-build-go": read(stdio.State("mesh-build-go.steps")), "mesh-build-node": read(stdio.State("mesh-build-node.steps"))},
+		HaveState:    read(stdio.State("node-engine.have")), StepBound: stepBound()}
 	tries := stdio.State(check.TriesState)
 	source := stdio.State("mesh-delivery-gate.source")
 	trunks := func() (map[string]string, error) {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/bus.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/bus.go
index 6415687..448979d 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/bus.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/bus.go
@@ -105,43 +105,6 @@ func follow(ctx context.Context, w jetstream.KeyWatcher, each func(jetstream.Key
 	}
 }
 
-// stepsWaiter waits for a build module's step by watching its key in the module's steps bucket (ADR 0469 clause 2): the
-// watch hands over the value the key holds now, so a step that ended before the watch began is read at once, and every
-// change after. No timer: the caller bounds the wait with its context.
-type stepsWaiter struct{ js bucketOpener }
-
-func (w stepsWaiter) Wait(ctx context.Context, module, key string) (delivery.Step, error) {
-	kv, err := w.js.KeyValue(ctx, delivery.StepsBucket(module))
-	if err != nil {
-		return delivery.Step{}, fmt.Errorf("the bucket %s: %w", delivery.StepsBucket(module), err)
-	}
-	watch, err := kv.Watch(ctx, key)
-	if err != nil {
-		return delivery.Step{}, err
-	}
-	defer watch.Stop()
-	for {
-		select {
-		case <-ctx.Done():
-			return delivery.Step{}, ctx.Err()
-		case e, ok := <-watch.Updates():
-			if !ok {
-				return delivery.Step{}, errors.New("the watch of the step ended")
-			}
-			if e == nil || !opOf(e) {
-				continue
-			}
-			step, err := delivery.DecodeStep(e.Value())
-			if err != nil {
-				return delivery.Step{}, fmt.Errorf("the step %s is not a step: %w", key, err)
-			}
-			if step.State != delivery.StepRunning {
-				return step, nil
-			}
-		}
-	}
-}
-
 // manifestReader reads manifests.<digest> of the indexer and parses the manifest it holds.
 type manifestReader struct{ kv jetstream.KeyValue }
 
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/heard.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/heard.go
deleted file mode 100644
index e186fce..0000000
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/heard.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,26 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"context"
-	"encoding/json"
-	"errors"
-
-	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
-
-	"mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check"
-)
-
-// heardCaller is the build runner's caller with the calls that reached nobody marked: no responders, or none answering within
-// the call's bound. The step never began there, so the check may give it to another node (issue 1820). A call that was
-// answered, with a failure or not, is left as it is.
-type heardCaller struct {
-	call func(node, key string, body any) (json.RawMessage, error)
-}
-
-func (h heardCaller) CallOn(node, key string, body any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
-	raw, err := h.call(node, key, body)
-	if errors.Is(err, nats.ErrNoResponders) || errors.Is(err, nats.ErrTimeout) || errors.Is(err, context.DeadlineExceeded) {
-		return nil, &check.Unheard{Err: err}
-	}
-	return raw, err
-}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/heard_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/heard_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index d660385..0000000
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/heard_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,30 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"context"
-	"encoding/json"
-	"errors"
-	"fmt"
-	"testing"
-
-	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
-
-	"mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check"
-)
-
-func TestACallThatReachedNobodyIsMarkedAndAnAnsweredFailureIsNot(t *testing.T) { // 1820/AC6
-	for _, err := range []error{nats.ErrNoResponders, nats.ErrTimeout, context.DeadlineExceeded} {
-		h := heardCaller{call: func(string, string, any) (json.RawMessage, error) { return nil, fmt.Errorf("call: %w", err) }}
-		_, got := h.CallOn("g14", "m.t", nil)
-		var u *check.Unheard
-		if !errors.As(got, &u) {
-			t.Errorf("%v: %v is not marked unheard", err, got)
-		}
-	}
-	h := heardCaller{call: func(string, string, any) (json.RawMessage, error) { return nil, errors.New("the module refused") }}
-	_, got := h.CallOn("g14", "m.t", nil)
-	var u *check.Unheard
-	if errors.As(got, &u) {
-		t.Errorf("an answered failure %v is marked unheard", got)
-	}
-}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/hold.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/hold.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 1518bd7..0000000
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/hold.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,101 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"context"
-	"errors"
-	"log"
-	"sync"
-
-	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
-
-	"mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check"
-)
-
-// holdWatch holds the checker back while a delivery builds (ADR 0484 clause 12): whether one does is the list of the keys of
-// the controller's bucket of the delivery plans in their build phase, read each time a check is about to start. Its keys age
-// out (a time to live, and no delete marker), which a watch never hears, so a watch cannot decide it (mesh-controller
-// internal/link/holds.go lists the keys too); the watch is only the wake-up, for a plan that ended by a delete. The bucket
-// is read as empty where it is absent (issue 1652 makes it) or cannot be read, saying so once. It may come into being after
-// the checker started and the checker holds no timer (ADR 0437 §8), so each time a check is about to start and the bucket is
-// not known yet, the checker looks for it.
-type holdWatch struct {
-	ctx     context.Context
-	js      bucketOpener
-	keys    func(ctx context.Context) ([]string, error)
-	changed func(ctx context.Context) // a plan key changed: the checks that waited may start
-	logger  *log.Logger
-	errs    chan error
-	mu      sync.Mutex
-	watched bool
-	said    bool
-}
-
-func newHoldWatch(ctx context.Context, js bucketOpener, changed func(context.Context), logger *log.Logger) *holdWatch {
-	return &holdWatch{ctx: ctx, js: js, changed: changed, logger: logger, errs: make(chan error, 1)}
-}
-
-// Held says whether a delivery builds now.
-func (w *holdWatch) Held() bool {
-	w.ensure()
-	w.mu.Lock()
-	keys := w.keys
-	w.mu.Unlock()
-	if keys == nil {
-		return false
-	}
-	list, err := keys(w.ctx)
-	if err != nil {
-		w.say("the keys of %s cannot be listed, so it is read as empty: %v", check.PlansBuildingBucket, err)
-		return false
-	}
-	return len(list) > 0
-}
-
-func (w *holdWatch) say(format string, args ...any) {
-	w.mu.Lock()
-	defer w.mu.Unlock()
-	if !w.said {
-		w.said = true
-		w.logger.Printf(format, args...)
-	}
-}
-
-// ensure finds the bucket if it is not known and exists, and starts the wake-up watch.
-func (w *holdWatch) ensure() {
-	w.mu.Lock()
-	if w.watched || w.js == nil {
-		w.mu.Unlock()
-		return
-	}
-	w.mu.Unlock()
-	kv, err := w.js.KeyValue(w.ctx, check.PlansBuildingBucket)
-	switch {
-	case errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrBucketNotFound):
-		w.say("the bucket %s does not exist yet: it is read as empty, so no check is held back", check.PlansBuildingBucket)
-		return
-	case err != nil:
-		w.say("the bucket %s cannot be read, so it is read as empty: %v", check.PlansBuildingBucket, err)
-		return
-	}
-	w.mu.Lock()
-	defer w.mu.Unlock()
-	if w.watched {
-		return
-	}
-	w.watched, w.said = true, false
-	w.keys = func(ctx context.Context) ([]string, error) {
-		list, err := kv.Keys(ctx)
-		if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrNoKeysFound) {
-			return nil, nil
-		}
-		return list, err
-	}
-	go func() {
-		wake, err := kv.WatchAll(w.ctx)
-		if err != nil {
-			w.errs <- err
-			return
-		}
-		w.errs <- follow(w.ctx, wake, func(jetstream.KeyValueEntry) { w.changed(w.ctx) })
-	}()
-}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/hold_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/hold_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 3f15b31..0000000
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/hold_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,35 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"context"
-	"errors"
-	"io"
-	"log"
-	"testing"
-)
-
-// The controller's plans-building keys age out of the bucket (a time to live, no delete marker), which a watch never hears:
-// whether a delivery builds is the list of the keys now, and the watch is only a wake-up (review D3).
-func TestADeliveryHoldsWhileItsKeyIsListedAndNotWhenItAgedOutWithNoEvent(t *testing.T) {
-	listed := []string{"plan-1"}
-	w := &holdWatch{watched: true, logger: log.New(io.Discard, "", 0), keys: func(context.Context) ([]string, error) { return listed, nil }}
-	if !w.Held() {
-		t.Fatal("a plan key is listed and nothing holds")
-	}
-	listed = nil // the key aged out: no delete reached the watch
-	if w.Held() {
-		t.Error("the key is gone from the bucket and the checker is still held")
-	}
-}
-
-func TestABucketThatCannotBeListedIsReadAsEmpty(t *testing.T) {
-	w := &holdWatch{watched: true, logger: log.New(io.Discard, "", 0), keys: func(context.Context) ([]string, error) { return []string{"plan-1"}, errors.New("the bus is down") }}
-	if w.Held() {
-		t.Error("an unreadable bucket held the checker")
-	}
-	var absent holdWatch
-	absent.logger = log.New(io.Discard, "", 0)
-	if absent.Held() {
-		t.Error("a watch with no bucket held the checker")
-	}
-}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/integration_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/integration_test.go
index 502c82f..632bbf1 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/integration_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/integration_test.go
@@ -561,34 +561,6 @@ func TestACheckLeftRunningIsTakenOverWhenTheCheckerStarts(t *testing.T) { // N6/
 	}
 }
 
-// TestNoCheckStartsWhileADeliveryBuildsAndOneStartsWhenItEnds: the controller's bucket of the plans in their build phase
-// holds a plan's key; the candidate waits, no step is called; the key deleted, the check starts and passes (ADR 0484 clause 12).
-func TestNoCheckStartsWhileADeliveryBuildsAndOneStartsWhenItEnds(t *testing.T) { // N8/AC1
-	b := startBed(t)
-	plans, err := b.js.CreateKeyValue(b.ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{Bucket: "mesh-controller_plans-building", History: 1})
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	if _, err := plans.Put(b.ctx, "plan-1", []byte(`{"plan":"plan-1","since":"2026-10-21T19:00:00Z","seen":1}`)); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	key := b.candidate(t, "feat/x", pull(repo, 7, head1))
-	b.start(t, nil)
-	time.Sleep(1500 * time.Millisecond) // a wait for nothing to happen: there is no event to wait on
-	if _, err := b.buckets[delivery.CheckerVerdictsBucket].Get(b.ctx, key); err == nil {
-		t.Fatal("a check started while a delivery builds")
-	}
-	if n := b.fake.count("mesh-build-go.build_go_fetch"); n != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("%d fetches while a delivery builds", n)
-	}
-	if err := plans.Delete(b.ctx, "plan-1"); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	if v := b.verdict(t, key, ended); v.State != delivery.VerdictPass {
-		t.Errorf("verdict = %+v", v)
-	}
-}
-
 // TestAMemberNamingAMeshSDKCommitOffTheTrunkFailsNamingTheCommit: the go.mod the forge answers names a commit that main does not
 // hold; the verdict fails naming the member and the commit and no test runs (ADR 0484 clause 9).
 func TestAMemberNamingAMeshSDKCommitOffTheTrunkFailsNamingTheCommit(t *testing.T) { // 1624/AC2
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/kept_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/kept_test.go
index e19c92c..c2f5f1e 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/kept_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/kept_test.go
@@ -37,7 +37,8 @@ func TestTheCheckerAnnouncesEveryStateItKeepsAndOwedReadable(t *testing.T) { //
 	if !equal(manifest, announced) {
 		t.Errorf("announced %v, the manifest keeps %v", announced, manifest)
 	}
-	if want := []string{"owed", "previews", "verdicts"}; !equal(readable, want) {
+	// kept is read by the Go build module for a check ask (issue 1887 design limit 1).
+	if want := []string{"kept", "owed", "previews", "verdicts"}; !equal(readable, want) {
 		t.Errorf("readable %v, want %v", readable, want)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/main.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/main.go
index fb98e28..776f7fb 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/main.go
@@ -114,7 +114,9 @@ func durationEnv(getenv func(string) string, name string, def time.Duration) (ti
 // keptStates is every state the checker keeps and which others may read (ADR 0495 §2-§3): owed by the forge module,
 // which writes mesh/check from it (ADR 0521), and by the forge bridge; previews by the indexer; verdicts by the gate.
 var keptStates = []announce.State{
-	{Name: "kept"},
+	// The kept verdicts are read by the Go build module, which takes them for a check ask's unchanged packages (issue 1887's
+	// design limit 1); the checker alone writes them (ADR 0444 clause 5).
+	{Name: "kept", Readable: true},
 	{Name: "owed", Readable: true},
 	{Name: "previews", Readable: true},
 	{Name: "tries"},
@@ -189,10 +191,6 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, getenv func(string) string, logOut io.Writer) erro
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	capacity, err := capacityFrom(strings.TrimSpace(getenv("MESH_CHECKER_SETTINGS")), getenv("MESH_CHECKER_CAPACITY"))
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("the capacity setting: %w", err)
-	}
 	link := strings.TrimSpace(getenv("MESH_CHECKER_LINK"))
 	if link == "" {
 		link = defaultLink
@@ -201,7 +199,6 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, getenv func(string) string, logOut io.Writer) erro
 	presence := &buildrun.PresenceSet{}
 	have := &buildrun.HaveSet{}
 	trunks := &check.Trunks{}
-	_ = capacity
 	// A check is one ask per pull request and build module on the build seats' check stream, pulled by a build node with a
 	// free slot (novox/hq ADR 0525 §1, §3): the checker chooses no node and starts no step.
 	asks := buildrun.JetStreamAsks{JS: js}
@@ -226,9 +223,6 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, getenv func(string) string, logOut io.Writer) erro
 	}
 	// The tries (ADR 0501 §5) are judged by the same judge, held by the same deliveries.
 	tryer := &check.Tryer{Tries: kvStore{buckets[check.TriesBucket]}, Bound: checkBound, Logf: logger.Printf}
-	holds := newHoldWatch(ctx, js, func(ctx context.Context) { ch.Reconsider(ctx); tryer.Reconsider(ctx) }, logger)
-	ch.Hold = holds.Held
-	tryer.Hold = holds.Held
 	announce := func(ctx context.Context, event, key string) {
 		body, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]string{"key": key})
 		if _, err := js.Publish(ctx, eventSubject(event), body); err != nil {
@@ -379,7 +373,5 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, getenv func(string) string, logOut io.Writer) erro
 		return err
 	case err := <-watch.errs:
 		return err
-	case err := <-holds.errs:
-		return err
 	}
 }
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/settings.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/settings.go
deleted file mode 100644
index d32d39f..0000000
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/settings.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,29 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"encoding/json"
-	"fmt"
-	"os"
-
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery/buildrun"
-)
-
-// capacityFrom is the build capacity of each node (ADR 0478 clause 3): the module's setting `capacity`, `<node>=<steps at
-// once>` pairs separated by commas, laid into the settings file the controller composes (issue 1661); empty is one step at a
-// time on every node. With no settings file named, fallback is read instead, for a run outside the module's launch.
-func capacityFrom(path, fallback string) (map[string]int, error) {
-	if path == "" {
-		return buildrun.ParseCapacity(fallback)
-	}
-	raw, err := os.ReadFile(path)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the settings file: %w", err)
-	}
-	var s struct {
-		Capacity string `json:"capacity"`
-	}
-	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &s); err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the settings file %s is not JSON: %w", path, err)
-	}
-	return buildrun.ParseCapacity(s.Capacity)
-}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/settings_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/settings_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 8543fe7..0000000
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker/settings_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,68 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-	"testing"
-
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery/buildrun"
-)
-
-func settingsFile(t *testing.T, body string) string {
-	t.Helper()
-	p := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "settings.json")
-	if err := os.WriteFile(p, []byte(body), 0o600); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	return p
-}
-
-// ADR 0484 clause 12: the build capacity is the module's setting `capacity`, laid into the settings file: empty is one step at a time everywhere.
-func TestCapacityIsReadFromTheSettingsFile(t *testing.T) {
-	for body, want := range map[string]map[string]int{
-		`{"capacity": "shanks=3,ace=2"}`: {"shanks": 3, "ace": 2},
-		`{"capacity": ""}`:               {},
-		`{}`:                             {},
-	} {
-		got, err := capacityFrom(settingsFile(t, body), "")
-		if err != nil || len(got) != len(want) || got["shanks"] != want["shanks"] || got["ace"] != want["ace"] {
-			t.Errorf("%s: capacity %v, %v, want %v", body, got, err, want)
-		}
-	}
-	p := &buildrun.Places{Capacity: mustCapacity(t, settingsFile(t, `{"capacity": ""}`))}
-	if p.CapacityOf("shanks") != 1 || p.CapacityOf("ace") != 1 {
-		t.Errorf("an empty setting gives %d and %d, want 1 everywhere", p.CapacityOf("shanks"), p.CapacityOf("ace"))
-	}
-}
-
-func mustCapacity(t *testing.T, path string) map[string]int {
-	t.Helper()
-	c, err := capacityFrom(path, "")
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	return c
-}
-
-func TestACapacitySettingThatIsNotOneIsRefusedNamingIt(t *testing.T) {
-	if _, err := capacityFrom(settingsFile(t, `{"capacity": "shanks=-1"}`), ""); err == nil {
-		t.Error("shanks=-1 accepted")
-	}
-	if c, err := capacityFrom(settingsFile(t, `{"capacity": "shanks=3,ace=2,g14=0,novox=0"}`), ""); err != nil || c["g14"] != 0 || len(c) != 4 {
-		t.Errorf("the starting value: %v, %v", c, err)
-	}
-	if _, err := capacityFrom(settingsFile(t, `not json`), ""); err == nil {
-		t.Error("a file that is not JSON accepted")
-	}
-	if _, err := capacityFrom(filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "none"), ""); err == nil {
-		t.Error("a settings file that is not there accepted")
-	}
-}
-
-// With no settings file named (a run outside the module's launch, as the tests do), the capacity is the environment's.
-func TestWithNoSettingsFileTheCapacityIsTheEnvironments(t *testing.T) {
-	got, err := capacityFrom("", "ace=2")
-	if err != nil || got["ace"] != 2 {
-		t.Errorf("capacity %v, %v", got, err)
-	}
-}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/files/settings.json b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/files/settings.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 1354ea4..0000000
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/files/settings.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "capacity": ""
-}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/checker.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/checker.go
index 850b7fe..2b92cc3 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/checker.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/checker.go
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"slices"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
@@ -69,10 +68,6 @@ type Checker struct {
 	Trunks   interface{ Heads() map[string]string }
 	// Bound is how long one check may run; DefaultBound when 0.
 	Bound time.Duration
-	// Limit is how many checks run at once; two when 0. A freed place goes to the first waiting check by rank (ADR 0536 §4).
-	Limit int
-	// Hold says whether a delivery builds, so no new check starts (ADR 0484 clause 12); nil never holds.
-	Hold func() bool
 	// Link is the base of the address a status points at; the verdict key follows.
 	Link string
 	// Announce says a status was written (EventOwedWritten); nil says nothing.
@@ -81,10 +76,6 @@ type Checker struct {
 	Logf     func(format string, args ...any)
 
 	once      sync.Once
-	limit     int
-	running   int       // checks holding a place
-	waiting   []*waiter // checks waiting for a place, in the order they asked
-	seq       uint64
 	wg        sync.WaitGroup
 	mu        sync.Mutex
 	known     map[string]delivery.Candidate // by candidates key
@@ -97,11 +88,6 @@ type Checker struct {
 
 func (ch *Checker) init() {
 	ch.once.Do(func() {
-		limit := ch.Limit
-		if limit <= 0 {
-			limit = 2
-		}
-		ch.limit = limit
 		ch.known, ch.inflight, ch.again, ch.tried = map[string]delivery.Candidate{}, map[string]bool{}, map[string]bool{}, map[string]bool{}
 		ch.nodesFail = map[string]uint64{}
 	})
@@ -190,10 +176,6 @@ func (ch *Checker) consider(ctx context.Context, key string, c delivery.Candidat
 	if cs == nil {
 		return // nothing to judge: hq's pull requests, or no trunk known
 	}
-	if ch.Hold != nil && ch.Hold() {
-		ch.logf("%s: not started, a delivery builds", cs.Key)
-		return // started when the plan bucket empties (Reconsider)
-	}
 	cs.Queued = ch.now()
 	ch.mu.Lock()
 	if ch.inflight[cs.Key] {
@@ -207,10 +189,11 @@ func (ch *Checker) consider(ctx context.Context, key string, c delivery.Candidat
 	go func() {
 		defer ch.wg.Done()
 		for {
-			cs.Kind = ch.kindOf(ctx, cs) // a re-judge after a trunk move is asked on the recheck stream (ADR 0536 §4)
-			ch.admit(cs, cs.Kind)
+			// Every check is asked at once: the build seats' streams hold the backlog, a new head's check and a check after a
+			// failure of the nodes on check, a re-judge after a trunk move on recheck, pulled after them (ADR 0525 §4, §9;
+			// ADR 0536 §4). The checker holds no place and no capacity of its own.
+			cs.Kind = ch.kindOf(ctx, cs)
 			ch.try(ctx, key, cs)
-			ch.leave()
 			ch.mu.Lock()
 			more := ch.again[cs.Key]
 			delete(ch.again, cs.Key)
@@ -223,62 +206,19 @@ func (ch *Checker) consider(ctx context.Context, key string, c delivery.Candidat
 			if next := CaseOf(ch.candidate(key, c), ch.heads()); next != nil {
 				cs = next
 			}
-			cs.Queued = ch.now() // asked again: it waits for a place by its rank like any other
+			cs.Queued = ch.now()
 		}
 	}()
 }
 
-// The kinds of a check waiting for a place, by the rank they start in (ADR 0536 §4): a head never judged and a head asked
-// again after a failure of the nodes first, then a head asked again only because its trunk moved.
+// The kinds of a check (ADR 0536 §4): a head never judged and a head asked again after a failure of the nodes are asked on
+// the build seats' check stream, a head asked again only because its trunk moved on the recheck stream, pulled after.
 const (
 	KindNew   = "new"
 	KindNodes = "nodes"
 	KindTrunk = "trunk"
 )
 
-var kindRank = map[string]int{KindNew: 0, KindNodes: 0, KindTrunk: 1}
-
-// waiter is a check waiting for a place.
-type waiter struct {
-	group, key, kind string
-	queued           time.Time
-	seq              uint64
-	ready            chan struct{}
-}
-
-// Waiting names a check waiting for a place: its group, its verdict key, its kind and when it was asked.
-type Waiting struct {
-	Group  string    `json:"group"`
-	Key    string    `json:"key"`
-	Kind   string    `json:"kind"`
-	Queued time.Time `json:"queued"`
-}
-
-// Waiting are the checks waiting for a place, in the order they would start.
-func (ch *Checker) Waiting() []Waiting {
-	ch.init()
-	ch.mu.Lock()
-	defer ch.mu.Unlock()
-	ws := slices.Clone(ch.waiting)
-	slices.SortStableFunc(ws, before)
-	out := make([]Waiting, len(ws))
-	for i, w := range ws {
-		out[i] = Waiting{Group: w.group, Key: w.key, Kind: w.kind, Queued: w.queued}
-	}
-	return out
-}
-
-// before orders waiting checks: the lower rank, then the one asked first, then the one that asked for a place first.
-func before(a, b *waiter) int {
-	if ra, rb := kindRank[a.kind], kindRank[b.kind]; ra != rb {
-		return ra - rb
-	}
-	if c := a.queued.Compare(b.queued); c != 0 {
-		return c
-	}
-	return int(a.seq) - int(b.seq)
-}
-
 // kindOf is the kind of a case's check, read from its verdict key: none (or one left running) is a head never judged; a
 // failure of the nodes is asked again after the nodes changed; a verdict on other trunk heads is a re-judge after a trunk
 // move. A verdict that stands is ranked with the re-judges: its claim finds nothing to do.
@@ -297,47 +237,6 @@ func (ch *Checker) kindOf(ctx context.Context, cs *Case) string {
 	return KindTrunk
 }
 
-// admit returns when the check holds a place: at once when one is free and no check waits, else when a check's end hands its
-// place to this one as the first by rank. No timer: a check's end wakes the next (leave).
-func (ch *Checker) admit(cs *Case, kind string) {
-	ch.mu.Lock()
-	if ch.running < ch.limit && len(ch.waiting) == 0 {
-		ch.running++
-		ch.mu.Unlock()
-		return
-	}
-	ch.seq++
-	w := &waiter{group: cs.Group, key: cs.Key, kind: kind, queued: cs.Queued, seq: ch.seq, ready: make(chan struct{})}
-	ch.waiting = append(ch.waiting, w)
-	ch.handOn()
-	ch.mu.Unlock()
-	<-w.ready
-}
-
-// leave frees the check's place and hands it to the first waiting check by rank.
-func (ch *Checker) leave() {
-	ch.mu.Lock()
-	ch.running--
-	ch.handOn()
-	ch.mu.Unlock()
-}
-
-// handOn gives each free place to the first waiting check by rank; it is called with mu held.
-func (ch *Checker) handOn() {
-	for ch.running < ch.limit && len(ch.waiting) > 0 {
-		first := 0
-		for i := range ch.waiting {
-			if before(ch.waiting[i], ch.waiting[first]) < 0 {
-				first = i
-			}
-		}
-		w := ch.waiting[first]
-		ch.waiting = slices.Delete(ch.waiting, first, first+1)
-		ch.running++
-		close(w.ready)
-	}
-}
-
 func (ch *Checker) candidate(key string, fallback delivery.Candidate) delivery.Candidate {
 	ch.mu.Lock()
 	defer ch.mu.Unlock()
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/checker_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/checker_test.go
index 295a9ff..d367ba6 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/checker_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/checker_test.go
@@ -298,24 +298,6 @@ func TestATrunkMoveRewritesTheSameVerdictKeyAndTheHeadsStatus(t *testing.T) { //
 	}
 }
 
-func TestNoCheckStartsWhileADeliveryBuildsAndOneStartsWhenItEnds(t *testing.T) { // N8/AC1
-	ctx, j := context.Background(), passJudge()
-	r := newRig(t, j)
-	held := true
-	r.ch.Hold = func() bool { return held }
-	r.ch.Candidate(ctx, "feat/x", candidateOf(t, "feat/x", pullOf(repoA, 7, head1)))
-	r.ch.Wait()
-	if j.count() != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("judged %d times while held", j.count())
-	}
-	held = false
-	r.ch.Reconsider(ctx)
-	r.ch.Wait()
-	if j.count() != 1 {
-		t.Fatalf("judged %d times after the hold ended, want once", j.count())
-	}
-}
-
 func TestTheStatusIsPendingWhileTheCheckRunsAndEndsSuccessOrFailure(t *testing.T) { // 1300/AC5 (unit part)
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	var seen []string
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/gate_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/gate_test.go
index 6c709e0..fcb4f62 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/gate_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/gate_test.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 )
@@ -71,11 +72,12 @@ func TestATrunkMoveMarksEveryOpenPullRequestIntoItPendingAtOnce(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Fatalf("%s#%d is %q before the move", p.repo, p.n, s)
 		}
 	}
-	// A delivery builds, so no check starts; mesh-delivery's trunk moves.
-	r.ch.Hold = func() bool { return true }
+	// mesh-delivery's trunk moves; the re-judges it asks are held in their judge (in the stream, since R4g) meanwhile.
+	release := make(chan struct{})
+	r.ch.Judge = &judgeFunc{f: func(context.Context, *Case, int) (Outcome, error) { <-release; return Outcome{Verdict: passing()}, nil }}
+	defer func() { close(release); r.ch.Wait() }()
 	r.setTrunks(t, map[string]string{repoA: trunkA2, repoSDK: trunkS})
 	r.ch.TrunkMoved(ctx)
-	r.ch.Wait()
 	if s := owedState(t, r, repoA, 7, head1); s != "pending" {
 		t.Errorf("mesh-delivery#7, into the moved trunk, is %q, want pending", s)
 	}
@@ -90,17 +92,25 @@ func TestATrunkMoveMarksEveryOpenPullRequestIntoItPendingAtOnce(t *testing.T) {
 func TestACheckThatEndsAfterItsTrunkMovedOwesPendingNotItsVerdict(t *testing.T) { // gate (a): a pass on an old trunk is never shown
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	var r *rig
+	release, judged := make(chan struct{}), make(chan struct{})
 	j := &judgeFunc{f: func(ctx context.Context, c *Case, call int) (Outcome, error) {
 		if call == 1 {
 			r.setTrunks(t, map[string]string{repoA: trunkA2, repoSDK: trunkS}) // the trunk moves while it runs
-			r.ch.Hold = func() bool { return true }                            // and a delivery holds the next check
+			defer close(judged)
+		} else {
+			<-release // the check asked again for the new trunk waits in the stream meanwhile
 		}
 		return Outcome{Verdict: passing()}, nil
 	}}
 	r = newRig(t, j)
 	r.ch.Candidate(ctx, "feat%2Fx", candidateOf(t, "feat/x", pullOf(repoA, 7, head1)))
-	r.ch.Wait()
+	<-judged
+	for deadline := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second); owedState(t, r, repoA, 7, head1) == "" && time.Now().Before(deadline); time.Sleep(time.Millisecond) {
+	}
+	time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
 	if s := owedState(t, r, repoA, 7, head1); s != "pending" {
 		t.Errorf("the status is %q, want pending: the pass was judged on a trunk that moved", s)
 	}
+	close(release)
+	r.ch.Wait()
 }
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/hold.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/hold.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 5725a8d..0000000
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/hold.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
-package check
-
-// PlansBuildingBucket is the controller's bucket of the delivery plans in their build phase, one key for each plan, written
-// by the controller alone (issue 1652): a plan key there means a delivery builds on the build nodes, and no new check starts
-// meanwhile (ADR 0484 clause 12, ADR 0483 clause 6). The keys age out with no delete marker, so the keys are listed, not watched. The bucket may be absent: the controller's issue 1652 is delivered
-// before R4c-5b, and if it is not, the bucket is read as empty.
-const PlansBuildingBucket = "mesh-controller_plans-building"
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/hold_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/hold_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 35f6ef1..0000000
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/hold_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,38 +0,0 @@
-package check
-
-import (
-	"context"
-	"testing"
-
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
-)
-
-func TestARunningCheckIsNotStoppedWhenADeliveryStartsToBuild(t *testing.T) { // ADR 0484 clause 12, ADR 0483 clause 4
-	ctx := context.Background()
-	held := false
-	j := &judgeFunc{f: func(_ context.Context, _ *Case, call int) (Outcome, error) {
-		if call == 1 {
-			held = true // a delivery starts while this check runs
-		}
-		return Outcome{Verdict: passing()}, nil
-	}}
-	r := newRig(t, j)
-	r.ch.Hold = func() bool { return held }
-	r.ch.Candidate(ctx, "feat/x", candidateOf(t, "feat/x", pullOf(repoA, 7, head1)))
-	r.ch.Wait()
-	if v := r.verdict(t, keyOf(t, "feat/x", candidateOf(t, "feat/x", pullOf(repoA, 7, head1)))); v.State != delivery.VerdictPass {
-		t.Errorf("verdict = %+v, want the running check to end as it was", v)
-	}
-	// A new candidate waits while the plan builds.
-	r.ch.Candidate(ctx, "feat/y", candidateOf(t, "feat/y", pullOf(repoA, 8, head2)))
-	r.ch.Wait()
-	if j.count() != 1 {
-		t.Errorf("judged %d times while a delivery builds, want only the one already running", j.count())
-	}
-	held = false
-	r.ch.Reconsider(ctx)
-	r.ch.Wait()
-	if j.count() != 2 {
-		t.Errorf("judged %d times after the delivery ended, want the waiting candidate too", j.count())
-	}
-}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/rank_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/rank_test.go
index 0de4329..10d306c 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/rank_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/rank_test.go
@@ -3,10 +3,8 @@ package check
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
-	"runtime"
 	"sync"
 	"testing"
-	"time"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 )
@@ -27,146 +25,8 @@ type rankRig struct {
 	errs    []error // ctx errors the held check saw when released
 }
 
-func newRankRig(t *testing.T) *rankRig {
-	rr := &rankRig{held: make(chan struct{}), release: make(chan struct{})}
-	j := &judgeFunc{f: func(ctx context.Context, c *Case, _ int) (Outcome, error) {
-		rr.mu.Lock()
-		rr.started = append(rr.started, c)
-		hold := rr.hold
-		rr.hold = false
-		rr.mu.Unlock()
-		if hold {
-			close(rr.held)
-			<-rr.release
-			rr.mu.Lock()
-			rr.errs = append(rr.errs, ctx.Err())
-			rr.mu.Unlock()
-		}
-		return Outcome{Verdict: passing()}, nil
-	}}
-	rr.rig = newRig(t, j)
-	rr.ch.Limit = 1
-	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 23, 14, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
-	var clock sync.Mutex
-	rr.ch.Now = func() time.Time {
-		clock.Lock()
-		defer clock.Unlock()
-		now = now.Add(time.Second)
-		return now
-	}
-	return rr
-}
-
 func group(n int) string { return fmt.Sprintf("feat/g%d", n) }
 
-// judged puts n candidates in and judges them on the current trunk.
-func (rr *rankRig) judged(t *testing.T, n int) {
-	for i := 1; i <= n; i++ {
-		rr.ch.Candidate(context.Background(), group(i), candidateOf(t, group(i), pullOf(repoA, i, head1)))
-	}
-	rr.ch.Wait()
-	rr.mu.Lock()
-	rr.started = nil
-	rr.mu.Unlock()
-}
-
-// waitFor returns when n checks wait for a place.
-func (rr *rankRig) waitFor(t *testing.T, n int) {
-	t.Helper()
-	deadline := time.Now().Add(5 * time.Second)
-	for {
-		if w := len(rr.ch.Waiting()); w == n {
-			return
-		} else if time.Now().After(deadline) {
-			t.Fatalf("%d checks wait, want %d", w, n)
-		}
-		runtime.Gosched()
-	}
-}
-
-// moveTrunkHoldingOne moves the trunk, so every judged candidate is asked again; the first re-judge to start is held.
-func (rr *rankRig) moveTrunkHoldingOne(t *testing.T, judged int) {
-	rr.mu.Lock()
-	rr.hold = true
-	rr.mu.Unlock()
-	rr.setTrunks(t, map[string]string{repoA: trunkA2, repoSDK: trunkS})
-	rr.ch.TrunkMoved(context.Background())
-	<-rr.held
-	rr.waitFor(t, judged-1)
-}
-
-func TestANewHeadStartsBeforeTheReJudgesOfATrunkMove(t *testing.T) { // 1897/AC1
-	rr := newRankRig(t)
-	rr.judged(t, 4)
-	rr.moveTrunkHoldingOne(t, 4) // one runs, three re-judges wait
-	rr.ch.Candidate(context.Background(), group(9), candidateOf(t, group(9), pullOf(repoA, 9, head2)))
-	rr.waitFor(t, 4)
-	close(rr.release)
-	rr.ch.Wait()
-	if len(rr.started) != 5 {
-		t.Fatalf("%d checks started, want 5", len(rr.started))
-	}
-	if g := rr.started[1].Group; g != group(9) {
-		t.Errorf("after the running check, %s started, want the new head's %s; order %v", g, group(9), groups(rr.started))
-	}
-}
-
-func TestTheReJudgeQueuedFirstStartsFirst(t *testing.T) { // 1897/AC2
-	rr := newRankRig(t)
-	rr.judged(t, 3)
-	rr.moveTrunkHoldingOne(t, 3) // one runs, two re-judges wait
-	close(rr.release)
-	rr.ch.Wait()
-	if len(rr.started) != 3 {
-		t.Fatalf("%d checks started, want 3", len(rr.started))
-	}
-	if a, b := rr.started[1], rr.started[2]; !a.Queued.Before(b.Queued) {
-		t.Errorf("%s (queued %s) started before %s (queued %s)", a.Group, a.Queued.Format(time.TimeOnly), b.Group, b.Queued.Format(time.TimeOnly))
-	}
-}
-
-func TestANewHeadDoesNotStopARunningReJudge(t *testing.T) { // 1897/AC3
-	rr := newRankRig(t)
-	rr.judged(t, 1)
-	rr.moveTrunkHoldingOne(t, 1) // the re-judge runs
-	rr.ch.Candidate(context.Background(), group(9), candidateOf(t, group(9), pullOf(repoA, 9, head2)))
-	rr.waitFor(t, 1)
-	close(rr.release)
-	rr.ch.Wait()
-	if len(rr.errs) != 1 || rr.errs[0] != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("the running re-judge saw %v, want it never stopped", rr.errs)
-	}
-	if len(rr.started) != 2 || rr.started[0].Group != group(1) || rr.started[1].Group != group(9) {
-		t.Errorf("started %v, want the re-judge to end before the new head starts", groups(rr.started))
-	}
-	key := keyOf(t, group(1), candidateOf(t, group(1), pullOf(repoA, 1, head1)))
-	if v := rr.verdict(t, key); v.State != delivery.VerdictPass || v.Trunk[repoA] != trunkA2 {
-		t.Errorf("the re-judge's verdict = %+v, want its pass on the moved trunk", v)
-	}
-}
-
-func TestWaitingChecksAreNamedByKind(t *testing.T) { // 1897/AC4, the checker's own view
-	rr := newRankRig(t)
-	rr.judged(t, 2)
-	rr.moveTrunkHoldingOne(t, 2)
-	rr.ch.Candidate(context.Background(), group(9), candidateOf(t, group(9), pullOf(repoA, 9, head2)))
-	rr.waitFor(t, 2)
-	kinds := map[string]string{}
-	for _, w := range rr.ch.Waiting() {
-		kinds[w.Group] = w.Kind
-	}
-	close(rr.release)
-	rr.ch.Wait()
-	running := rr.started[0].Group
-	other := group(1)
-	if running == other {
-		other = group(2)
-	}
-	if kinds[group(9)] != KindNew || kinds[other] != KindTrunk || len(kinds) != 2 {
-		t.Errorf("waiting = %v, want %s %s and %s %s", kinds, group(9), KindNew, other, KindTrunk)
-	}
-}
-
 func groups(cs []*Case) []string {
 	out := make([]string, len(cs))
 	for i, c := range cs {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/read.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/read.go
index 7fd9055..e87de2e 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/read.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/read.go
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery/buildrun"
 )
 
 // The read tools (novox/hq ADR 0484 clauses 8 and 13, issue 1686): what the checker stored, as stored, with the line of the
@@ -34,12 +33,10 @@ type StateRead struct {
 type Reader struct {
 	VerdictState, KeptState, CandidateState StateRead
 
-	PreviewState StateRead              // the checker's merge previews
-	PlansState   StateRead              // the controller's delivery plans in their build phase; zero where the bucket is absent
-	StepStates   map[string]StateRead   // the build modules' steps states, by module
-	Capacity     func() (string, error) // the capacity setting as written, `node=steps,...`
-	HaveState    StateRead              // the node-engine's have: whether a build module is on a node and running
-	StepBound    time.Duration          // how long the checker waits for one step; DefaultStepBound when 0
+	PreviewState StateRead            // the checker's merge previews
+	StepStates   map[string]StateRead // the build modules' steps states, by module
+	HaveState    StateRead            // the node-engine's have: whether a build module is on a node and running
+	StepBound    time.Duration        // how long the checker waits for one step; DefaultStepBound when 0
 	// Trunks are the trunk heads of every repository (the gate's source); nil names no re-judge after a trunk move.
 	Trunks func() (map[string]string, error)
 	Now    func() time.Time
@@ -266,18 +263,10 @@ type LeftStep struct {
 	Why string `json:"why"`
 }
 
-// Status is what holds the checker back and what runs now, read from the buckets: the checker's held and running steps live in
-// its process, so they are shown as what the buckets say (the steps in flight on the build modules, the candidates without a
-// verdict for their heads, and the delivery plans in their build phase), not as the process's own counters.
+// Status is what runs now, read from the buckets: the steps in flight on the build modules and the candidates without a
+// verdict for their heads. Nothing holds a check since R4g: a check is an ask on the build seats' streams, whose backlog
+// the delivery view shows (ADR 0525 §9).
 type Status struct {
-	Capacity       map[string]int `json:"capacity"`
-	CapacityNote   string         `json:"capacity_note,omitempty"`
-	DefaultPerNode int            `json:"default_per_node"`
-	PlansBuilding  struct {
-		Readable bool     `json:"readable"`
-		Keys     []string `json:"keys"`
-		Holds    bool     `json:"holds"`
-	} `json:"plans_building"`
 	Running       []RunningStep  `json:"running_steps"`
 	LeftRunning   []LeftStep     `json:"left_running"`
 	RunningByNode map[string]int `json:"running_by_node"`
@@ -288,24 +277,9 @@ type Status struct {
 	Notes   []string            `json:"notes,omitempty"`
 }
 
-// Status reads the capacity, the plan bucket, the build modules' steps and the candidates against their verdicts.
+// Status reads the build modules' steps and the candidates against their verdicts.
 func (r Reader) Status() (Status, error) {
-	st := Status{DefaultPerNode: buildrun.DefaultCapacity, Capacity: map[string]int{}, RunningByNode: map[string]int{}}
-	if r.Capacity == nil {
-		st.CapacityNote = "the capacity setting cannot be read from here"
-	} else if setting, err := r.Capacity(); err != nil {
-		st.CapacityNote = "the capacity setting cannot be read: " + err.Error()
-	} else if st.Capacity, err = buildrun.ParseCapacity(setting); err != nil {
-		st.Capacity, st.CapacityNote = map[string]int{}, "the capacity setting is not valid: "+err.Error()
-	}
-	if r.PlansState.Keys == nil {
-		st.Notes = append(st.Notes, PlansBuildingBucket+" is not readable here (absent), so it is read as empty: no delivery holds the checker")
-	} else if keys, err := r.PlansState.Keys(); err != nil {
-		st.Notes = append(st.Notes, PlansBuildingBucket+" cannot be listed, so it is read as empty: "+err.Error())
-	} else {
-		sort.Strings(keys)
-		st.PlansBuilding.Readable, st.PlansBuilding.Keys, st.PlansBuilding.Holds = true, keys, len(keys) > 0
-	}
+	st := Status{RunningByNode: map[string]int{}}
 	mods := make([]string, 0, len(r.StepStates))
 	for m := range r.StepStates {
 		mods = append(mods, m)
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/read_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/read_test.go
index bbf5079..313b218 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/read_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/read_test.go
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ package check
 import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
-	"os"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
@@ -129,16 +128,14 @@ func TestThePreviewsToolShowsTheStoredPreviewOfAPullRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-// 1685 live acceptance: checker_status reads the capacity, whether a plan key holds the checker, the steps in flight by node and
-// the candidates without a verdict.
-func TestTheStatusToolReadsCapacityHoldsAndRunningSteps(t *testing.T) {
+// checker_status reads the steps in flight by node and the candidates without a verdict; since R4g nothing holds the checker
+// and it has no capacity of its own (ADR 0525 §4, §7; 1685 closed by the hold's deletion).
+func TestTheStatusToolReadsRunningSteps(t *testing.T) {
 	running, _ := delivery.EncodeStep(delivery.Step{ID: "abc1", Tool: "build_go_test", Node: "shanks", State: delivery.StepRunning, Started: time.Date(2026, 10, 22, 15, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)})
 	passed, _ := delivery.EncodeStep(delivery.Step{ID: "abc2", Tool: "build_go_test", Node: "ace", State: delivery.StepPassed})
 	cand := candidateOf(t, "feat/x", pullOf(repoA, 7, head1))
 	ckey, _ := delivery.CandidatesKey("feat/x")
 	rd := Reader{
-		Capacity:       func() (string, error) { return "shanks=2,ace=0", nil },
-		PlansState:     fakeState{"p1": []byte("{}")}.read(),
 		StepStates:     map[string]StateRead{"mesh-build-go": fakeState{"shanks.abc1": running, "ace.abc2": passed}.read()},
 		CandidateState: fakeState{ckey: cand}.read(),
 		VerdictState:   fakeState{}.read(),
@@ -149,21 +146,15 @@ func TestTheStatusToolReadsCapacityHoldsAndRunningSteps(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if st.Capacity["shanks"] != 2 || st.Capacity["ace"] != 0 || st.DefaultPerNode != 1 {
-		t.Errorf("capacity = %v default %d", st.Capacity, st.DefaultPerNode)
-	}
-	if !st.PlansBuilding.Holds || len(st.PlansBuilding.Keys) != 1 {
-		t.Errorf("plans = %+v", st.PlansBuilding)
-	}
 	if len(st.Running) != 1 || st.Running[0].Node != "shanks" || st.RunningByNode["shanks"] != 1 || st.RunningByNode["ace"] != 0 {
 		t.Errorf("running = %+v %v", st.Running, st.RunningByNode)
 	}
 	if len(st.Unjudged) != 1 || st.Unjudged[0] != "feat/x" {
 		t.Errorf("unjudged = %v", st.Unjudged)
 	}
-	// An absent plan bucket is read as empty and said; an unreadable capacity is said, not guessed.
-	st, err = Reader{Capacity: func() (string, error) { return "", os.ErrNotExist }}.Status()
-	if err != nil || st.PlansBuilding.Holds || st.CapacityNote == "" || len(st.Notes) == 0 {
+	// What cannot be read is said, not guessed.
+	st, err = Reader{}.Status()
+	if err != nil || len(st.Notes) == 0 {
 		t.Errorf("empty status = %+v, %v", st, err)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/try.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/try.go
index 77e42d3..41024bc 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/try.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/try.go
@@ -206,13 +206,11 @@ type TryOptions struct {
 	Run   string
 }
 
-// Tryer runs the tries: it takes a queued try, judges it through the same Judge as a pull request's check, and writes its
-// end. It holds no timer: a try starts when its key is written, or when a delivery that held it ends (Reconsider).
+// Tryer runs the tries: it takes a queued try, judges it through the same Judge as a pull request's check (a check ask, ADR
+// 0525 §1), and writes its end. It holds no timer: a try starts when its key is written.
 type Tryer struct {
 	Tries KV
 	Judge Judge
-	// Hold says whether a delivery builds, so no try starts (ADR 0484 clause 12); nil never holds.
-	Hold  func() bool
 	Bound time.Duration
 	Now   func() time.Time
 	Logf  func(format string, args ...any)
@@ -250,7 +248,6 @@ func (tr *Tryer) Put(ctx context.Context, key string, value []byte) {
 	if t.Over() {
 		return
 	}
-	held := tr.Hold != nil && tr.Hold()
 	tr.mu.Lock()
 	if tr.inflight == nil {
 		tr.inflight, tr.seen = map[string]bool{}, map[string]bool{}
@@ -259,11 +256,6 @@ func (tr *Tryer) Put(ctx context.Context, key string, value []byte) {
 		tr.mu.Unlock()
 		return
 	}
-	if held {
-		tr.mu.Unlock() // not seen yet: a try left running is still taken over when the hold ends
-		tr.logf("%s: not started, a delivery builds", key)
-		return
-	}
 	tr.seen[key] = true
 	tr.inflight[key] = true
 	tr.mu.Unlock()
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/try_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/try_test.go
index 5c9e5a0..07105ca 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/try_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/try_test.go
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ func TestAFailingTryNamesWhatFailedAndAStepThatCannotRunIsAnError(t *testing.T)
 	// No build node is no error since R4g: the try's ask waits in the check stream until a node pulls it (ADR 0525 §4).
 }
 
-func TestATryWaitsWhileADeliveryBuildsAndATryLeftRunningIsTakenOver(t *testing.T) {
+func TestATryLeftRunningIsTakenOver(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	kv := newMemKV()
 	id, _ := AskTry(memTries{kv}, tryTrunks, TryAsk{Repository: repoA, Head: head1}, time.Now())
@@ -169,14 +169,7 @@ func TestATryWaitsWhileADeliveryBuildsAndATryLeftRunningIsTakenOver(t *testing.T
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	b := newBench(t)
-	held := true
-	tr := &Tryer{Tries: kv, Judge: b.ex, Hold: func() bool { return held }}
-	tr.Reconsider(ctx)
-	tr.Wait()
-	if n := len(b.steps.tool("fetch")); n != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("a try ran while a delivery builds")
-	}
-	held = false
+	tr := &Tryer{Tries: kv, Judge: b.ex}
 	tr.Reconsider(ctx)
 	tr.Wait()
 	if got := readTry(t, kv, id); got.State != TryPass {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/manifest_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/manifest_test.go
index a4b5442..62ebd1f 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/manifest_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/manifest_test.go
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ type manifest struct {
 	Consumes []string `json:"consumes"`
 	State    []state  `json:"state"`
 	Reads    []string `json:"reads"`
+	Uses     []string `json:"uses"`
 	Invokes  []string `json:"invokes"`
 	Config   map[string]struct {
 		Type        string `json:"type"`
@@ -96,12 +97,17 @@ func TestManifestDeclarations(t *testing.T) { // 1678/AC1
 		t.Errorf("state = %+v, want %+v", m.State, want)
 	}
 	if want := []string{"mesh-build-go.steps", "mesh-build-go.toolchains", "mesh-build-node.steps", "mesh-build-node.toolchains",
-		"mesh-controller.plans-building", "mesh-delivery-builder.builds", "mesh-delivery-gate.source", "mesh-delivery-indexer.candidates",
+		"mesh-delivery-builder.builds", "mesh-delivery-gate.source", "mesh-delivery-indexer.candidates",
 		"mesh-delivery-indexer.manifests", "mesh-delivery-indexer.modules", "mesh-delivery-watchman.presence", "node-engine.have"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(sorted(m.Reads), want) {
 		t.Errorf("reads = %v, want %v", m.Reads, want)
 	}
-	if want := []string{"gitea.gitea_commits", "gitea.gitea_compare", "gitea.gitea_get_file", "mesh-build-go.build_go_digest", "mesh-build-go.build_go_fetch", "mesh-build-go.build_go_test", "mesh-build-node.build_node_fetch", "mesh-build-node.build_node_test"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(sorted(m.Invokes), want) {
-		t.Errorf("invokes = %v, want only the build modules' fetch, digest and test (no run step before issue 1309, ADR 0484 clause 5) and the forge's two reads for a mesh-sdk pin (clause 9)", m.Invokes)
+	// 1887/A5b: the checker reads nothing of the controller's plans-building (ADR 0483 superseded by ADR 0525 §7), calls no
+	// build module's tool and holds no capacity: it puts check asks on the Go and Node build seats (ADR 0525 §1, §4).
+	if want := []string{"gitea.gitea_commits", "gitea.gitea_compare", "gitea.gitea_get_file"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(sorted(m.Invokes), want) {
+		t.Errorf("invokes = %v, want only the forge's reads for a mesh-sdk pin (ADR 0484 clause 9)", m.Invokes)
+	}
+	if want := []string{"node-build-go", "node-build-node"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(sorted(m.Uses), want) {
+		t.Errorf("uses = %v, want the Go and Node build seats", m.Uses)
 	}
 	// The checker is woken by a build module's report of a toolchain, as the indexer is: the bucket may not exist when it starts.
 	if want := []string{"mesh-build-go.toolchain.reported", "mesh-build-node.toolchain.reported"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(sorted(m.Consumes), want) {
@@ -122,7 +128,7 @@ func TestManifestDeclarations(t *testing.T) { // 1678/AC1
 	if want := []string{"checker_kept", "checker_previews", "checker_pull", "checker_status", "checker_try", "checker_try_read", "checker_verdicts"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(sorted(m.Tools), want) {
 		t.Errorf("tools = %v, want %v", m.Tools, want)
 	}
-	for _, k := range []string{"logs", "emits", "claims", "provides", "requires", "uses", "defines-seats", "seat", "seats", "bus"} {
+	for _, k := range []string{"logs", "emits", "claims", "provides", "requires", "defines-seats", "seat", "seats", "bus", "config"} {
 		if _, ok := top[k]; ok {
 			t.Errorf("the manifest declares %q: the checker has none", k)
 		}
@@ -148,35 +154,19 @@ func TestManifestProcess(t *testing.T) { // 1678/AC1
 		t.Errorf("process = %v", p)
 	}
 	env, _ := p["env"].(map[string]any)
-	// The capacity of each node is the module's setting `capacity` (ADR 0484 clause 12, as the builder's, issue 1661), laid into the
-	// settings file the program reads; empty is one step at a time everywhere. The environment holds no capacity.
-	if len(env) != 2 || env["MESH_BROKER_FILE"] != "${dir:state}/broker" || env["MESH_CHECKER_SETTINGS"] != "${dir:state}/settings.json" {
-		t.Errorf("env = %v", p["env"])
+	if len(env) != 1 || env["MESH_BROKER_FILE"] != "${dir:state}/broker" {
+		t.Errorf("env = %v, want the broker file alone", p["env"])
 	}
-	if !reflect.DeepEqual(p["restart-on"], []any{"settings"}) {
-		t.Errorf("restart-on = %v, want the settings file, so a changed capacity reaches the running program", p["restart-on"])
-	}
-	c, ok := m.Config["capacity"]
-	if !ok || len(m.Config) != 1 || c.Type != "string" || c.Default != "" || c.Description == "" {
-		t.Errorf("config = %+v, want one string setting, capacity, empty (one step at a time on every node) to start", m.Config)
-	}
-	var settings map[string]any
 	for _, r := range m.Resources {
 		if r["id"] == "settings" {
-			settings = r
+			t.Errorf("a settings resource %v: the checker has no capacity of its own (ADR 0525 §4)", r)
 		}
 	}
-	if settings == nil || settings["type"] != "file" || settings["merge"] != "json" || !reflect.DeepEqual(settings["takes-config"], []any{"capacity"}) || settings["path"] != "${dir:state}/settings.json" {
-		t.Errorf("settings resource = %v", settings)
-	}
-	if raw, err := os.ReadFile("files/settings.json"); err != nil || !strings.Contains(string(raw), `"capacity": ""`) {
-		t.Errorf("files/settings.json = %q, %v, want the setting's starting value", raw, err)
-	}
 	if _, bus := p["bus"]; bus {
 		t.Errorf("the process declares a bus: it runs on its own broker credential")
 	}
-	if len(m.Build.Artifacts) != 3 || m.Build.Artifacts[2].Name != "files" || m.Build.Artifacts[2].Kind != "archive" || m.Build.Artifacts[2].From != "files" {
-		t.Fatalf("artifacts = %+v, want the program, the tools and the files", m.Build.Artifacts)
+	if len(m.Build.Artifacts) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("artifacts = %+v, want the program and the tools", m.Build.Artifacts)
 	}
 	if a := m.Build.Artifacts[1]; a.Name != "tools" || a.Kind != "bundle" || a.Language != "go" || a.Binary != "mesh-delivery-checker-tools" ||
 		!reflect.DeepEqual(a.Loads, []string{"mesh-delivery-checker-tools"}) {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/module.json b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/module.json
index 2c22576..eeaf0ab 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/module.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/module.json
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
     "mesh-build-go.toolchains",
     "mesh-build-node.steps",
     "mesh-build-node.toolchains",
-    "mesh-controller.plans-building",
     "mesh-delivery-builder.builds",
     "mesh-delivery-gate.source",
     "mesh-delivery-indexer.candidates",
@@ -30,6 +29,10 @@
     "mesh-delivery-watchman.presence",
     "node-engine.have"
   ],
+  "uses": [
+    "node-build-go",
+    "node-build-node"
+  ],
   "tools": [
     "checker_kept",
     "checker_previews",
@@ -42,21 +45,9 @@
   "invokes": [
     "gitea.gitea_commits",
     "gitea.gitea_compare",
-    "gitea.gitea_get_file",
-    "mesh-build-go.build_go_digest",
-    "mesh-build-go.build_go_fetch",
-    "mesh-build-go.build_go_test",
-    "mesh-build-node.build_node_fetch",
-    "mesh-build-node.build_node_test"
+    "gitea.gitea_get_file"
   ],
-  "config": {
-    "capacity": {
-      "type": "string",
-      "description": "How many build steps the checker runs at once on each node, as node=steps pairs separated by commas, such as shanks=2,ace=1 (ADR 0484 clause 12); a node set to 0 never checks, a node not named runs one at a time, and empty is one everywhere. The builder's capacity is the builder's own.",
-      "pattern": "|[a-z0-9_-]+=[0-9]+(,[a-z0-9_-]+=[0-9]+)*",
-      "default": ""
-    }
-  },
+
   "own-secrets": {
     "broker": "${dir:state}/broker"
   },
@@ -77,17 +68,6 @@
       "place": ".",
       "unknown": "program"
     },
-    {
-      "id": "settings",
-      "trusted": false,
-      "type": "file",
-      "path": "${dir:state}/settings.json",
-      "mode": "0600",
-      "owner": "mesh-delivery-checker",
-      "takes-config": ["capacity"],
-      "merge": "json",
-      "template": "files/settings.json"
-    },
     {
       "id": "checker",
       "type": "process",
@@ -97,12 +77,8 @@
         "./mesh-delivery-checker"
       ],
       "env": {
-        "MESH_BROKER_FILE": "${dir:state}/broker",
-        "MESH_CHECKER_SETTINGS": "${dir:state}/settings.json"
+        "MESH_BROKER_FILE": "${dir:state}/broker"
       },
-      "restart-on": [
-        "settings"
-      ],
       "user": "mesh-delivery-checker",
       "health": {
         "kind": "unit"
@@ -129,11 +105,6 @@
         "loads": [
           "mesh-delivery-checker-tools"
         ]
-      },
-      {
-        "name": "files",
-        "kind": "archive",
-        "from": "files"
       }
     ]
   }