Merge pull request 'Tries record their asks; the try limit counts tries on a build node; build_usage shows capacity, hours and steps (issue 1890)' (#78) from fix/capacity-follows-cpu-share into main

A build module's capacity.<node> now carries its node's build window (the operator, 2026-10-26: g14
builds only from 18:00 to 06:00); the seat shows it, outside it says it takes nothing new, and a
value the module cannot read shows as any hour with the value and why. The checker's and the view's
SDK pin moves to mesh-sdk d00dac1.

modules/mesh-delivery-checker/cmd/mesh-delivery-checker-tools/main.go

@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ func TryTools(tr Trying) []stdio.Tool {
 		{Name: check.TryTool,
 			Description: "Try a pushed head before its pull request is opened: the checker judges it as it judges a pull request's head, merged onto its trunk's head, " +
 				"its unit and integration levels through the build modules, and owes the forge nothing. Answers the try's id at once; " + check.TryReadTool + " reads " +
-				"where it stands. A try of the same head that waits or runs is the answer to a second ask; at most 4 wait or run at once, mesh-wide. A repository " +
+				"where it stands. A try of the same head that waits or runs is the answer to a second ask; a new try is refused while 4 tries run on a build node or 8 wait for one, mesh-wide; tries let in while waiting may later all run at once, and each node's build capacity bounds what runs on it. A repository " +
 				"the checker checks no level of (one whose trunk the gate does not name) is refused. A try whose ask no build node took within the step " +
 				"bound ends as error; its ask stays in the build seat's stream and may still run later, judged by nobody (issue 734).",
 			Input: map[string]any{"type": "object", "required": []string{"repository", "head"}, "properties": map[string]any{
@@ -135,7 +135,8 @@ func TryTools(tr Trying) []stdio.Tool {
 			}},
 		{Name: check.TryReadTool,
 			Description: "Where a try stands, as stored: queued, running, or its end (pass, fail, or error when it could not run), with what was said of it, " +
-				"the head and the trunk commit it was merged onto, the time it took and what failed first. Read-only.",
+				"the head and the trunk commit it was merged onto, the time it took and what failed first; while it runs, each ask it put as soon as it is put, " +
+				"with the node that took it, its state and the phase its step says (fetch and merge, a level's digest, lint, tests) and since when. Read-only.",
 			Input: map[string]any{"type": "object", "required": []string{"id"}, "properties": map[string]any{
 				"id": map[string]any{"type": "string", "description": "the try's id, try-<digits>"}}},
 			Run: func(args map[string]any) (any, error) {

modules/mesh-delivery-checker/go.mod

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module mesh-delivery-checker
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026142434-65ee43f07583
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026202658-805b4d9a3536
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 )

modules/mesh-delivery-checker/go.sum

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026142434-65ee43f07583 h1:ikD/ggf9/5k23sxJOX1PFcGzb4M3+QeC66AT0MyQ9Zs=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026142434-65ee43f07583/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026202658-805b4d9a3536 h1:+SoDdDXF7Tgj38WP4kRpUSps6DJVl6P+w5u/KfdtwnQ=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026202658-805b4d9a3536/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=

modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/binaries.go

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+package check
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// A change that adds or modifies a compiled program fails (issue 1577): it is build output, `go build` in a module's folder
+// writes one beside go.mod, and `git add -A` takes it. The build module's fetch step, which holds the merged clone, reads the
+// first bytes of each changed file and reports the programs (mesh-sdk buildstep.MergeInto); the checker judges the answer.
+
+// NoProgramsReported is the warning of a build module whose fetch answered no programs field: an older module, which cannot
+// tell, so the check does not refuse a program it did not look for.
+const NoProgramsReported = "the build module did not report programs: a compiled program in the change is not refused"
+
+// checkBinariesOf fails a pull request whose change adds or modifies a compiled program, naming each file. It judges the
+// first fetch answer of the pull request, whichever build module gave it; a build module that reports no programs leaves a
+// warning on the check and passes it.
+func (st *state) checkBinariesOf(t *target) verdictPtr {
+	key := fmt.Sprintf("%s#%d", t.pull.Repository, t.pull.Number)
+	if t.fetched.Merge == "" {
+		return nil // no merge was made: nothing was changed to judge
+	}
+	if t.fetched.Programs == nil {
+		st.c.note(fmt.Sprintf("%s: %s (%s)", key, NoProgramsReported, t.module))
+		st.c.warn(key, fmt.Sprintf("a compiled program is not refused: %s reported no programs", t.module))
+		st.j.logf("%s: %s (%s)", key, NoProgramsReported, t.module)
+		return nil
+	}
+	var found []string
+	for _, p := range *t.fetched.Programs {
+		if p.Commit != "" {
+			found = append(found, fmt.Sprintf("%s: a compiled program added in %s and removed later: it stays in history; squash the branch (issue 1577)", p.Path, short12(p.Commit)))
+			continue
+		}
+		found = append(found, p.Path+": a compiled program is build output: remove it and add it to .gitignore (issue 1577)")
+	}
+	if len(found) > 0 {
+		return failed(t.node, fmt.Sprintf("%s: %s", key, strings.Join(found, "; ")))
+	}
+	return nil
+}

modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/binaries_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+package check
+
+import (
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+)
+
+func TestAChangeWhoseFetchReportsProgramsFailsNamingEachFile(t *testing.T) { // 1577
+	prog := func(p ...string) *[]ProgramFile {
+		out := []ProgramFile{}
+		for _, f := range p {
+			path, commit, _ := strings.Cut(f, "@") // `path@commit`: added by a commit of the branch and removed later
+			out = append(out, ProgramFile{Path: path, Kind: "ELF", Commit: commit})
+		}
+		return &out
+	}
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		name     string
+		programs *[]ProgramFile
+		fail     []string // paths named; none passes
+		warned   bool     // the build module reported no programs field
+	}{
+		{"none found", prog(), nil, false},
+		{"one program", prog("modules/m/m"), []string{"modules/m/m"}, false},
+		{"two programs", prog("a/x", "b/y"), []string{"a/x", "b/y"}, false},
+		{"added and removed in the branch", prog("gone/prog@0123456789abcdef0123"), []string{"gone/prog: a compiled program added in 0123456789ab and removed later: it stays in history; squash the branch (issue 1577)"}, false},
+		{"an older build module reports nothing", nil, nil, true},
+	} {
+		b := newBench(t)
+		b.fetch.Merge, b.fetch.Programs = "mmmm", c.programs
+		cs := caseOf(t, pullOf(repoA, 7, head1))
+		v := b.judge(t, cs).Verdict
+		if got := slices.ContainsFunc(cs.Notes(), func(n string) bool { return strings.Contains(n, NoProgramsReported) }); got != c.warned {
+			t.Errorf("%s: warned = %v, want %v (%v)", c.name, got, c.warned, cs.Notes())
+		}
+		line := Line(v, cs, cs.Pulls[0], nil, nil, nil)
+		if got := strings.Contains(line, "a compiled program is not refused: mesh-build-go reported no programs"); got != c.warned {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the status line holds the warning = %v, want %v: %s", c.name, got, c.warned, line)
+		}
+		if len(c.fail) == 0 {
+			if v.State != delivery.VerdictPass {
+				t.Errorf("%s: verdict = %+v", c.name, v)
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+		if v.State != delivery.VerdictFail {
+			t.Errorf("%s: verdict = %+v, want a failure", c.name, v)
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, p := range c.fail {
+			want := p
+			if !strings.Contains(p, " added in ") {
+				want = p + ": a compiled program is build output: remove it and add it to .gitignore (issue 1577)"
+			}
+			if !strings.Contains(v.Failed.Words, want) {
+				t.Errorf("%s: words %q do not name %s", c.name, v.Failed.Words, p)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}

modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/case.go

@@ -43,9 +43,16 @@ type Case struct {
 	Try *TryOptions
 
 	notesMu sync.Mutex
-	notes   []string
+	// warnings are, by pull request, what part of its check did not run (Case.warn).
+	warnings map[string]string
+	notes    []string
 	// asks are the ids of the asks the check put on the build seats' streams, in order: a try names them (Try.Asks).
 	asks []string
+	// Watch, when set, hears each ask the check puts, as it is put (step nil), and each value its step key takes while
+	// the check waits for it: the node that took it, the phase it says, its end. A try writes them into its record, so a
+	// running try names its asks and where each stands (issue 1890). Called from the check's goroutines; it must not block
+	// for long.
+	Watch func(askID string, step *delivery.Step)
 	// Progress says what the check is doing, so a check that ran past its bound names the step it was stuck at.
 	Progress *Progress
 	// Kind is what asked the check (KindNew, KindNodes, KindTrunk): a carry after a trunk or sibling move is asked on the
@@ -186,6 +193,23 @@ func (c *Case) note(s string) {
 	}
 }
 
+// warn says of a pull request (pullKey) that a part of its check did not run, in words for its status line (issue 1577).
+func (c *Case) warn(key, words string) {
+	c.notesMu.Lock()
+	defer c.notesMu.Unlock()
+	if c.warnings == nil {
+		c.warnings = map[string]string{}
+	}
+	c.warnings[key] = words
+}
+
+// Warning is what warn said of a pull request, or "".
+func (c *Case) Warning(key string) string {
+	c.notesMu.Lock()
+	defer c.notesMu.Unlock()
+	return c.warnings[key]
+}
+
 // Notes are the words noted on the case, in the order they were noted.
 func (c *Case) Notes() []string {
 	c.notesMu.Lock()

modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/judge.go

@@ -427,8 +427,14 @@ func (st *state) askNeeding(ctx context.Context, t *target, merged *[]Fetched, l
 		if err := st.j.Asks.Put(ctx, a); err != nil {
 			return fail(t.module, fmt.Sprintf("the check of %s#%d could not be asked: %v", p.Repository, p.Number, err))
 		}
+		waiting := ctx
+		if watch := st.c.Watch; watch != nil {
+			id := a.ID
+			watch(id, nil) // put: a try names it at once, not only when it ends (issue 1890)
+			waiting = buildrun.WithStepSeen(ctx, func(s delivery.Step) { watch(id, &s) })
+		}
 		var err error
-		step, err = st.j.Asks.Wait(ctx, a)
+		step, err = st.j.Asks.Wait(waiting, a)
 		if err != nil {
 			if ctx.Err() != nil {
 				return fail(t.module, ctx.Err().Error())
@@ -489,6 +495,9 @@ func (st *state) askNeeding(ctx context.Context, t *target, merged *[]Fetched, l
 		if v := st.checkPinsOf(ctx, t); v != nil {
 			return v
 		}
+		if v := st.checkBinariesOf(t); v != nil {
+			return v
+		}
 	}
 	ran := 0.0
 	for _, la := range answer.Levels {

modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/line.go

@@ -87,18 +87,20 @@ type pieces struct {
 	judged string
 	// carried says, of a carried verdict, the commits it was carried from (ADR 0548 §8); never dropped.
 	carried string
+	// warning says that a part of the check did not run, for instance that an older build module could not refuse a compiled program; never dropped.
+	warning string
 }
 
 // pullKey names a pull request of a case: `<owner/repo>#<number>`.
 func pullKey(p Pull) string { return fmt.Sprintf("%s#%d", p.Repository, p.Number) }
 
 func (p pieces) join(drop int) string {
-	parts := []string{p.head, p.commits, p.carried, p.counts, p.judged}
+	parts := []string{p.head, p.commits, p.carried, p.warning, p.counts, p.judged}
 	switch {
 	case drop < 3 && p.times != "":
 		parts = append(parts, p.times)
 	case drop == 3 && p.shortTimes != "":
-		parts = []string{p.head, p.commits, p.carried, p.shortCounts, p.judged, p.shortTimes}
+		parts = []string{p.head, p.commits, p.carried, p.warning, p.shortCounts, p.judged, p.shortTimes}
 	}
 	if p.over != "" {
 		parts = append(parts, p.over)
@@ -210,6 +212,9 @@ func carriedWords(from map[string]string, v delivery.Verdict, cs *Case, p Pull)
 func parts(v delivery.Verdict, cs *Case, p Pull, builds []BuildNote, slowest []string, judged map[string]string) pieces {
 	var pc pieces
 	pc.judged = judged[pullKey(p)]
+	if cs != nil {
+		pc.warning = cs.Warning(pullKey(p))
+	}
 	commits := short12(p.Head) + " on " + short12(p.Trunk)
 	switch v.State {
 	case delivery.VerdictRunning:

modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/results.go

@@ -44,6 +44,17 @@ type Fetched struct {
 	Conflicts []string             `json:"conflicts,omitempty"`
 	Changed   []string             `json:"changed,omitempty"`
 	Trees     map[string]MergeTree `json:"trees,omitempty"`
+	// Programs are the changed files whose first bytes are an executable binary, read by the build module in its workspace
+	// (issue 1577); nil for a build module that does not report it, a pointer to an empty list for one that found none.
+	Programs *[]ProgramFile `json:"programs,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// ProgramFile is a changed file that is a compiled program, and its format (ELF, Mach-O or PE).
+type ProgramFile struct {
+	Path string `json:"path"`
+	Kind string `json:"kind"`
+	// Commit is set for a program a commit of the branch added and a later one removed: it stays in history once merged.
+	Commit string `json:"commit,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // GoPackage is one package of a Go test result.

modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/testdata/captured/README

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ TestFetchWithABaseMergesAndAnswersThePreview and TestFetchWithAConflictEndsPasse
 into a throwaway test that wrote them out, at mesh-catalog feat/r4c5-checker d5804927 (the git commands are the test's fake,
 so the shas are its constants; the shape and the field names are the module's own marshalling). node-fetch-clean.json is the
 FetchResult json.Marshal of mesh-build-node's fetch (fetch.go, preview.go) in its test TestFetchWithABaseMergesAndAnswersThePreview
-(cmd/mesh-build-node/preview_test.go) at the same commit. Captured on 2026-10-21 for issue 1679.
+(cmd/mesh-build-node/preview_test.go) at the same commit. Captured on 2026-10-21 for issue 1679. Both clean fetches carry `"programs":[]`, which a merging fetch of the build modules answers since issue 1577 (mesh-sdk buildstep.MergeInto's Programs), added by hand to the captured bytes: a fixture without it is an older build module's, and its line warns that no compiled program is refused.
 
 forge-get-file-go-mod.json is the answer of the forge's gitea_get_file (mesh-catalog modules/gitea, tools/index.ts) for modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.mod of
 novox/mesh-delivery at main, and forge-compare-trunk.json the answer of gitea_compare for novox/mesh-sdk base main, head cb54756c3865 (a commit on the

modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/testdata/captured/go-fetch-clean.json

@@ -1 +1 @@
-{"workspace":"mvii1iwu5414e4","commit":"0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01234567","modules":["."],"base":"abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01","merge":"fedcba9876543210fedcba9876543210fedcba98","changed":["a.go","modules/m/main.go"],"trees":{"modules/m":{"tree":"1111111111111111111111111111111111111111","manifest":"ca3d163bab055381827226140568f3bef7eaac187cebd76878e0b63e9e442356","locks":{"go.sum":"c5fc83c01e92404452b986527d239140ccf9a48b88e0c268fbf38c2e1429e9c9"}}}}
+{"workspace":"mvii1iwu5414e4","commit":"0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01234567","modules":["."],"base":"abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01","merge":"fedcba9876543210fedcba9876543210fedcba98","changed":["a.go","modules/m/main.go"],"programs":[],"trees":{"modules/m":{"tree":"1111111111111111111111111111111111111111","manifest":"ca3d163bab055381827226140568f3bef7eaac187cebd76878e0b63e9e442356","locks":{"go.sum":"c5fc83c01e92404452b986527d239140ccf9a48b88e0c268fbf38c2e1429e9c9"}}}}

modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/testdata/captured/node-fetch-clean.json

@@ -1 +1 @@
-{"workspace":"mvii1sxt979f67","commit":"0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01234567","modules":["modules/m"],"installed":[],"refused":[],"base":"abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01","merge":"0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01234567","changed":["modules/m/package.json"],"trees":{"modules/m":{"tree":"0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01234567","manifest":"0581b699d9d05517e69b21f5cedbeb2eee8aba2b205280b561be731594d7feef"}}}
+{"workspace":"mvii1sxt979f67","commit":"0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01234567","modules":["modules/m"],"installed":[],"refused":[],"base":"abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01","merge":"0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01234567","changed":["modules/m/package.json"],"programs":[],"trees":{"modules/m":{"tree":"0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01234567","manifest":"0581b699d9d05517e69b21f5cedbeb2eee8aba2b205280b561be731594d7feef"}}}

modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/try.go

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"regexp"
+	"slices"
 	"sort"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
@@ -29,8 +30,13 @@ const (
 	// TriesState is the checker's state of tries: the bucket mesh-delivery-checker_tries, keys try-<unix nanoseconds>.
 	TriesState  = "tries"
 	TriesBucket = delivery.CheckerModule + "_" + TriesState
-	// MaxTries is how many tries may wait or run at once, mesh-wide: each holds a build node for minutes.
-	MaxTries = 4
+	// MaxTries and MaxTriesWaiting are checked when a try is asked, mesh-wide: a new try is refused while MaxTries tries run
+	// on a build node or MaxTriesWaiting wait for one (queued, or their asks not yet taken by a node). It is no bound on
+	// what runs later: tries let in while waiting may later all run at once, and each node's build capacity bounds what
+	// runs on it. A try waiting behind the seat's other asks holds no node, so it no longer blocks the next try (issue
+	// 1890: at 19:53 on 2026-10-26 four tries sat queued behind 44 checks for up to 47 minutes and no fifth could be asked).
+	MaxTries        = 4
+	MaxTriesWaiting = 8
 	// TryScan is how many of the newest tries a new ask reads to find the ones that wait or run (issue 1827).
 	TryScan = 64
 	// TryKeep is how long an ended try's key is kept before the checker removes it.
@@ -79,12 +85,104 @@ type Try struct {
 	Machines []string                        `json:"machines,omitempty"`
 	// Asks are the ids of the asks the try put on the build seats' streams, each ending on the step key <node>.<id> of its
 	// build module: the delivery view counts those steps as a try's, not a candidate's check (build_usage).
-	Asks    []string  `json:"asks,omitempty"`
+	Asks []string `json:"asks,omitempty"`
+	// Steps say where each ask stands while the try runs and after: asked until a node takes it, then the node, its
+	// state, the phase its step says and when (issue 1890: a 31-minute try could not be told queued from running).
+	Steps   []TryStep `json:"steps,omitempty"`
 	Asked   time.Time `json:"asked"`
 	Started time.Time `json:"started,omitzero"`
 	Ended   time.Time `json:"ended,omitzero"`
 }
 
+// TryAsked is a TryStep's state before a build node took its ask: it waits in the seat's stream.
+const TryAsked = "asked"
+
+// TryStep is one ask of a try as its step key last said it.
+type TryStep struct {
+	Ask     string    `json:"ask"`
+	Node    string    `json:"node,omitempty"`
+	State   string    `json:"state"`
+	Phase   string    `json:"phase,omitempty"`
+	Started time.Time `json:"started,omitzero"`
+	PhaseAt time.Time `json:"phase-at,omitzero"`
+	Ended   time.Time `json:"ended,omitzero"`
+}
+
+// tryWriter writes a running try's record again as its asks are put and their steps move: one writer per try, holding
+// the revision it wrote last, so the try's end is written at that revision. A write refused (the try ended by hand)
+// stops the writes; the end's own write then says it.
+type tryWriter struct {
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	tr      *Tryer
+	ctx     context.Context
+	key     string
+	t       Try
+	rev     uint64
+	stopped bool
+}
+
+// heard takes an ask put (step nil) or a value of its step key in, and writes the record when it changed.
+func (w *tryWriter) heard(askID string, step *delivery.Step) {
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	defer w.mu.Unlock()
+	if w.stopped {
+		return
+	}
+	changed := false
+	if !slices.Contains(w.t.Asks, askID) {
+		w.t.Asks, changed = append(w.t.Asks, askID), true
+	}
+	i := slices.IndexFunc(w.t.Steps, func(s TryStep) bool { return s.Ask == askID })
+	if i < 0 {
+		w.t.Steps, changed = append(w.t.Steps, TryStep{Ask: askID, State: TryAsked}), true
+		i = len(w.t.Steps) - 1
+	}
+	if step != nil {
+		now := TryStep{Ask: askID, Node: step.Node, State: step.State, Phase: step.Phase, Started: step.Started,
+			PhaseAt: step.PhaseAt, Ended: step.Ended}
+		changed = changed || now != w.t.Steps[i]
+		w.t.Steps[i] = now
+	}
+	if changed {
+		w.write()
+	}
+}
+
+// write writes the record at the revision written last; a refusal stops the writes.
+func (w *tryWriter) write() {
+	data, err := encodeTry(w.t)
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	rev, err := w.tr.Tries.Update(w.ctx, w.key, data, w.rev)
+	if err != nil {
+		w.stopped = true
+		w.tr.logf("%s: its asks' progress is no longer written: %v", w.key, err)
+		return
+	}
+	w.rev = rev
+}
+
+// end stops the writes and answers the record and its revision, for the try's end.
+func (w *tryWriter) end() (Try, uint64) {
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	defer w.mu.Unlock()
+	w.stopped = true
+	return w.t, w.rev
+}
+
+// HoldsANode says whether the try holds a build node now: it runs, and a step of its asks runs on a node, or it names
+// no step (a checker that writes its asks only at the end, or one about to put its first).
+func (t Try) HoldsANode() bool {
+	if t.State != TryRunning {
+		return false
+	}
+	if len(t.Steps) == 0 {
+		return true
+	}
+	return slices.ContainsFunc(t.Steps, func(s TryStep) bool { return s.State == delivery.StepRunning })
+}
+
 // Over says whether the try came to its end.
 func (t Try) Over() bool { return t.State == TryPass || t.State == TryFail || t.State == TryError }
 
@@ -124,8 +222,8 @@ func NotChecked(repository string) error {
 }
 
 // AskTry writes a new try, queued, and answers its id: a try of the same head that waits or runs is the answer to a second
-// ask, and at most MaxTries wait or run at once. trunks are the gate's trunk heads of every repository (source.main): a
-// repository with none is no repository the checker checks. A trunk asked by name is its trunk head now.
+// ask, and a new try is refused while MaxTries tries run on a build node or MaxTriesWaiting wait for one. trunks are the
+// gate's trunk heads of every repository (source.main): a repository with none is no repository the checker checks. A trunk asked by name is its trunk head now.
 func AskTry(store TryStore, trunks map[string]string, a TryAsk, now time.Time) (string, error) {
 	repo := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSuffix(strings.TrimSpace(a.Repository), ".git"))
 	head := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(a.Head))
@@ -188,7 +286,7 @@ func AskTry(store TryStore, trunks map[string]string, a TryAsk, now time.Time) (
 	}); err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
-	var open []string
+	var holding, waiting []string
 	for i, cur := range tries {
 		if !live[i] {
 			continue
@@ -196,10 +294,18 @@ func AskTry(store TryStore, trunks map[string]string, a TryAsk, now time.Time) (
 		if cur.Repository == t.Repository && cur.Head == t.Head && cur.Trunk == t.Trunk && cur.Tests == t.Tests && cur.Level == t.Level {
 			return cur.ID, nil
 		}
-		open = append(open, fmt.Sprintf("%s (%s@%.12s, %s)", cur.ID, cur.Repository, cur.Head, cur.State))
+		said := fmt.Sprintf("%s (%s@%.12s, %s)", cur.ID, cur.Repository, cur.Head, cur.State)
+		if cur.HoldsANode() {
+			holding = append(holding, said)
+		} else {
+			waiting = append(waiting, said)
+		}
 	}
-	if len(open) >= MaxTries {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("%d tries wait or run, the most at once: %s; ask again when one ends", len(open), strings.Join(open, ", "))
+	// Checked at this ask only: a try queued behind the seat's checks holds no node; tries let in while waiting may later
+	// all run at once, and each node's build capacity bounds what runs on it.
+	if len(holding) >= MaxTries || len(waiting) >= MaxTriesWaiting {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("a new try is refused while %d tries run on a build node or %d wait for one; now %d run and %d wait: running %s; waiting %s; ask again when one ends",
+			MaxTries, MaxTriesWaiting, len(holding), len(waiting), orNone(holding), orNone(waiting))
 	}
 	t.ID = "try-" + strconv.FormatInt(now.UnixNano(), 10)
 	data, err := encodeTry(t)
@@ -395,7 +501,8 @@ func (tr *Tryer) run(ctx context.Context, key string) {
 		}
 		return
 	}
-	cs := &Case{Key: key, Group: key,
+	progress := &tryWriter{tr: tr, ctx: ctx, key: key, t: t, rev: rev}
+	cs := &Case{Key: key, Group: key, Watch: progress.heard,
 		Pulls:    []Pull{{Repository: t.Repository, Head: t.Head, Trunk: t.Trunk}},
 		Trunk:    map[string]string{t.Repository: t.Trunk},
 		Queued:   t.Asked,
@@ -409,6 +516,7 @@ func (tr *Tryer) run(ctx context.Context, key string) {
 	if ctx.Err() != nil {
 		return // left running: the checker takes it over when it starts; or ended by hand, which wrote its end
 	}
+	t, rev = progress.end()
 	v := out.Verdict
 	t.Ended = tr.now().UTC()
 	t.Took = t.Ended.Sub(t.Started).Round(time.Second).String()
@@ -470,3 +578,11 @@ func judgeWithin(ctx context.Context, j Judge, cs *Case, bound time.Duration) (O
 	}
 	return out, true
 }
+
+// orNone joins the tries said, or says none.
+func orNone(said []string) string {
+	if len(said) == 0 {
+		return "none"
+	}
+	return strings.Join(said, ", ")
+}

modules/mesh-delivery-checker/internal/check/try_test.go

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package check
 import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
@@ -23,6 +24,19 @@ func (m memTries) Create(key string, value []byte) error {
 	return err
 }
 
+// writtenTries is a memKV that keeps every running try it was given to write, in order.
+type writtenTries struct {
+	*memKV
+	running []Try
+}
+
+func (w *writtenTries) Update(ctx context.Context, key string, value []byte, rev uint64) (uint64, error) {
+	if t, err := DecodeTry(value); err == nil && !t.Over() {
+		w.running = append(w.running, t)
+	}
+	return w.memKV.Update(ctx, key, value, rev)
+}
+
 var tryTrunks = map[string]string{repoA: trunkA, repoSDK: trunkS, hqRepo: trunkA}
 
 func readTry(t testing.TB, kv *memKV, id string) Try {
@@ -54,14 +68,38 @@ func TestATryIsAskedQueuedOncePerHeadAndAtMostFourAtOnce(t *testing.T) { // ADR
 	if err != nil || again != id {
 		t.Errorf("a second ask of the same head answered %q, %v, want %q", again, err, id)
 	}
-	heads := []string{head2, trunkA2, trunkS2}
-	for i, h := range heads {
-		if _, err := AskTry(store, tryTrunks, TryAsk{Repository: repoA, Head: h, Trunk: trunkA}, at.Add(time.Duration(i+2)*time.Second)); err != nil {
-			t.Fatalf("try %d: %v", i+2, err)
-		}
+	// Issue 1890: tries on a build node (a step of theirs running, or none named yet) and tries waiting for one (queued, or
+	// their asks not taken) are bounded apart, MaxTries and MaxTriesWaiting; the refusal names both counts.
+	onNode := func(i int) Try {
+		return Try{ID: fmt.Sprintf("try-%d", i), Repository: repoA, Head: fmt.Sprintf("%040x", i), Trunk: trunkA, State: TryRunning,
+			Steps: []TryStep{{Ask: "a", State: delivery.StepRunning}}}
 	}
-	if _, err := AskTry(store, tryTrunks, TryAsk{Repository: repoSDK, Head: head1}, at.Add(time.Minute)); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "4 tries wait or run") {
-		t.Errorf("a fifth try answered %v, want refused naming the four", err)
+	waitingFor := func(i int) Try {
+		return Try{ID: fmt.Sprintf("try-%d", i), Repository: repoA, Head: fmt.Sprintf("%040x", i), Trunk: trunkA, State: TryRunning,
+			Steps: []TryStep{{Ask: "a", State: TryAsked}}}
+	}
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		what          string
+		holding, wait int
+		refused       string
+	}{
+		{"four queued behind the checks, none on a node: a fifth is taken", 0, 4, ""},
+		{"four on a node", MaxTries, 0, "now 4 run and 0 wait"},
+		{"three on a node, eight waiting", 3, MaxTriesWaiting, "a new try is refused while 4 tries run on a build node or 8 wait for one; now 3 run and 8 wait"},
+	} {
+		kv := newMemKV()
+		for i := range c.holding + c.wait {
+			tr := waitingFor(i + 1)
+			if i < c.holding {
+				tr = onNode(i + 1)
+			}
+			data, _ := encodeTry(tr)
+			_, _ = kv.Create(context.Background(), tr.ID, data)
+		}
+		_, err := AskTry(memTries{kv}, tryTrunks, TryAsk{Repository: repoSDK, Head: head1}, at.Add(time.Minute))
+		if (c.refused == "") != (err == nil) || (err != nil && !strings.Contains(err.Error(), c.refused)) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: answered %v, want refused %q", c.what, err, c.refused)
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -89,7 +127,8 @@ func TestATryIsJudgedAsAPullRequestsHeadAndOwesTheForgeNothing(t *testing.T) { /
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	b := newBench(t)
-	tr := &Tryer{Tries: kv, Judge: b.ex}
+	written := &writtenTries{memKV: kv}
+	tr := &Tryer{Tries: written, Judge: b.ex}
 	raw, _, _, _ := kv.Get(ctx, id)
 	tr.Put(ctx, id, raw)
 	tr.Wait()
@@ -97,6 +136,15 @@ func TestATryIsJudgedAsAPullRequestsHeadAndOwesTheForgeNothing(t *testing.T) { /
 	if got.State != TryPass || got.Took == "" || got.Head != head1 || got.Trunk != trunkA || got.Said == "" || got.Levels[delivery.LevelUnit].Run != 2 {
 		t.Fatalf("try = %+v", got)
 	}
+	// Issue 1890: while it runs, the try names its ask as soon as it is put, and then where its step stands; the end
+	// keeps each ask's node and state.
+	if len(written.running) < 3 || len(written.running[1].Asks) != 1 || written.running[1].Steps[0].State != TryAsked ||
+		written.running[2].Steps[0].Node != "shanks" {
+		t.Errorf("the running try's writes = %+v, want its ask named while it ran, then its node", written.running)
+	}
+	if len(got.Steps) != 1 || got.Steps[0].Node != "shanks" || got.Steps[0].State != delivery.StepPassed {
+		t.Errorf("the ended try's steps = %+v", got.Steps)
+	}
 	// The try names the asks it put, so the delivery view counts their steps as a try's (build_usage).
 	if len(got.Asks) != 1 {
 		t.Errorf("asks = %v, want the one check ask the try put", got.Asks)

modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.mod

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module mesh-delivery-view
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026125731-2aae6f5580f2
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026202658-805b4d9a3536
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 )

modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.sum

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026125731-2aae6f5580f2 h1:s1WcG7Ll1OkEwwvMKEabdWvPvTiFCHghlXiY1LoIJDA=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026125731-2aae6f5580f2/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026202658-805b4d9a3536 h1:+SoDdDXF7Tgj38WP4kRpUSps6DJVl6P+w5u/KfdtwnQ=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026202658-805b4d9a3536/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=

modules/mesh-delivery-view/internal/view/usage.go

@@ -67,7 +67,8 @@ type UsageAnswer struct {
 	At      time.Time    `json:"at"`
 	Nodes   []NodeUsage  `json:"nodes"`
 	Backlog []BacklogRow `json:"backlog"`
-	// TriesRunning are the tries the checker runs now; their asks are counted under check until the try ends and names them.
+	// TriesRunning are the tries the checker runs now, each with its asks and where each stands (a checker that names its
+	// asks as they are put, issue 1890; an older one names them only at the end, and they are counted under check until then).
 	TriesRunning []TryRunning `json:"tries_running"`
 	Notes        []string     `json:"notes,omitempty"`
 }
@@ -77,6 +78,9 @@ type TryRunning struct {
 	ID         string    `json:"id"`
 	Repository string    `json:"repository"`
 	Started    time.Time `json:"started,omitzero"`
+	Asks       []string  `json:"asks,omitempty"`
+	// Steps are the try's own words for each ask: asked, or the node that took it, its state and the phase its step says.
+	Steps json.RawMessage `json:"steps,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // NodeUsage is one node: each build seat it holds or is set to build for, whether it is eligible to build, and its CPU.
@@ -101,7 +105,17 @@ type SeatUsage struct {
 	// Capacity is the asks it runs at once; CapacityFrom where that came from.
 	Capacity     int    `json:"capacity"`
 	CapacityFrom string `json:"capacity_from"`
-	Paused       bool   `json:"paused"`
+	// Configured is mesh-config's capacity when the module says it judges by a lower one (capacity.<node> of its pauses
+	// state: the configured capacity bounded by its node's build CPU, issue 1806's follow-up); Capacity is then the
+	// module's and CapacityFrom its why.
+	Configured int `json:"configured,omitempty"`
+	// BuildHours is the node's build window as the module says it (HH:MM-HH:MM and its zone), absent when it builds at any
+	// hour; OutsideHours says the module judged the time outside it, so it takes nothing new (the operator, 2026-10-26).
+	BuildHours   string `json:"build_hours,omitempty"`
+	OutsideHours bool   `json:"outside_hours,omitempty"`
+	// BuildHoursFault is why the module cannot read its node's build-hours value, naming it: it then builds at any hour.
+	BuildHoursFault string `json:"build_hours_fault,omitempty"`
+	Paused          bool   `json:"paused"`
 	// Eligible says it takes asks: it holds the seat, has a capacity above 0 and is not paused; WhyNot says why not.
 	// EligibleKnown is false when this tool cannot tell (it cannot read mesh-config's capacities): Eligible is then
 	// absent, never false, and WhyNot starts "not known: ".
@@ -384,8 +398,9 @@ func (u UsageReader) Usage() UsageAnswer {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Pauses: paused.<node> of each module.
+	// Pauses: paused.<node> of each module; and capacity.<node>, the capacity the module says it judges by.
 	paused := map[string]bool{} // <node>.<language>
+	judged := map[string]delivery.Capacity{}
 	for _, lang := range delivery.AskLanguages {
 		module, _ := delivery.BuildModuleOf(lang)
 		pr, ok := u.Pauses[lang]
@@ -411,6 +426,13 @@ func (u UsageReader) Usage() UsageAnswer {
 					paused[node+"."+lang] = p.Paused
 				}
 			}
+			if key, err := delivery.CapacityKey(node); err == nil {
+				if raw, err := pr.Get(key); err == nil && len(raw) > 0 {
+					if c, err := delivery.DecodeCapacity(raw); err == nil {
+						judged[node+"."+lang] = c
+					}
+				}
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -452,6 +474,18 @@ func (u UsageReader) Usage() UsageAnswer {
 				s.Capacity = (&buildrun.Places{Capacity: caps}).CapacityOf(node)
 				s.CapacityFrom = fmt.Sprintf("the modules' default %q: mesh-config holds no resolved value for %s on %s", buildstep.DefaultCapacities, s.Module, node)
 			}
+			if c, ok := judged[node+"."+lang]; ok && s.Holds && unknown == "" && !isBad && c.Configured == s.Capacity {
+				// The module running on the node says its build hours, and judges by less than mesh-config gives when its
+				// node's build CPU bounds it or the time is outside its build hours.
+				s.BuildHours, s.OutsideHours = c.BuildHours, c.OutsideHours
+				if c.BuildHoursFault != "" {
+					s.BuildHours, s.BuildHoursFault = "any hour", c.BuildHoursFault
+				}
+				if c.Effective != c.Configured {
+					s.Configured, s.Capacity = s.Capacity, c.Effective
+					s.CapacityFrom = fmt.Sprintf("%s, as %s on %s judges it (said %s)", c.Why, s.Module, node, c.At.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339))
+				}
+			}
 			s.Paused = paused[node+"."+lang]
 			s.EligibleKnown = true
 			switch {
@@ -466,6 +500,8 @@ func (u UsageReader) Usage() UsageAnswer {
 				s.WhyNot = "not known: this tool cannot read its capacity (" + unknown + ")"
 			case isBad:
 				s.WhyNot = "its capacity on " + node + " cannot be read, so its puller uses 0"
+			case s.OutsideHours:
+				s.WhyNot = "outside its build hours " + s.BuildHours + " on " + node + ": it takes nothing new until they open"
 			case s.Capacity == 0:
 				s.WhyNot = "its capacity on " + node + " is 0"
 			}
@@ -517,6 +553,7 @@ func (u UsageReader) tries(now time.Time, ans *UsageAnswer, note func(string, ..
 			want = append(want, k)
 		}
 	}
+	unnamed := 0
 	raws, err := u.Tries.values(want)
 	if err != nil {
 		note("the checker's tries cannot all be read: %v", err)
@@ -526,11 +563,12 @@ func (u UsageReader) tries(now time.Time, ans *UsageAnswer, note func(string, ..
 			continue
 		}
 		var t struct {
-			ID         string    `json:"id"`
-			Repository string    `json:"repository"`
-			State      string    `json:"state"`
-			Started    time.Time `json:"started"`
-			Asks       []string  `json:"asks"`
+			ID         string          `json:"id"`
+			Repository string          `json:"repository"`
+			State      string          `json:"state"`
+			Started    time.Time       `json:"started"`
+			Asks       []string        `json:"asks"`
+			Steps      json.RawMessage `json:"steps"`
 		}
 		if json.Unmarshal(raws[i], &t) != nil {
 			continue
@@ -539,11 +577,14 @@ func (u UsageReader) tries(now time.Time, ans *UsageAnswer, note func(string, ..
 			asks[a] = true
 		}
 		if t.State == "running" {
-			ans.TriesRunning = append(ans.TriesRunning, TryRunning{ID: t.ID, Repository: t.Repository, Started: t.Started})
+			ans.TriesRunning = append(ans.TriesRunning, TryRunning{ID: t.ID, Repository: t.Repository, Started: t.Started, Asks: t.Asks, Steps: t.Steps})
+			if len(t.Asks) == 0 {
+				unnamed++
+			}
 		}
 	}
-	if len(ans.TriesRunning) > 0 {
-		note("a running try's asks are counted under check until the try ends and names them")
+	if unnamed > 0 {
+		note("%d running tries name no ask yet (none put yet, or a checker that names them only at the end): their asks are counted under check until then", unnamed)
 	}
 	return asks
 }

modules/mesh-delivery-view/internal/view/usage_test.go

@@ -191,4 +191,36 @@ func TestBuildUsageAnswersEveryNodesUseFromTheStates(t *testing.T) {
 	if verdict["shanks"] != "not known" || verdict["ace"] != "not eligible" {
 		t.Errorf("verdicts with mesh-config unreadable = %v, want shanks not known, ace not eligible (paused)", verdict)
 	}
+
+	// Issue 1806's follow-up: the module on shanks says it judges by 1 of mesh-config's 2 (its build CPU bounds it); the
+	// seat says the module's capacity and why. And issue 1890: a running try that names its asks is said with them.
+	u = usageFixture()
+	u.Pauses["go"] = states(map[string]string{"capacity.shanks": `{"v":1,"effective":1,"configured":2,"quota-from":"the cpu.max of /meshyield.slice","quota-cores":6,"cores-per-step":6,"by-cpu":1,"why":"1, bounded by the CPU","at":"2026-10-26T11:00:00Z"}`,
+		"capacity.ace": `{"v":1,"effective":2,"configured":3,"why":"stale: mesh-config says 2 now"}`})
+	u.Tries = states(map[string]string{"try-" + strconv.FormatInt(at("11:58").UnixNano(), 10): `{"id":"try-2","repository":"novox/mesh-delivery","head":"h","trunk":"t","state":"running","asks":["` + tryAsk0 + `"],"steps":[{"ask":"` + tryAsk0 + `","node":"shanks","state":"running","phase":"unit: tests of 3 packages"}]}`})
+	bound := u.Usage()
+	sc := seatOf(t, bound, "shanks", "node-build-go")
+	if sc.Capacity != 1 || sc.Configured != 2 || !strings.HasPrefix(sc.CapacityFrom, "1, bounded by the CPU, as mesh-build-go on shanks judges it") {
+		t.Errorf("a seat its CPU bounds: capacity %d of %d, from %q", sc.Capacity, sc.Configured, sc.CapacityFrom)
+	}
+	if sa := seatOf(t, bound, "ace", "node-build-go"); sa.Capacity != 2 || sa.Configured != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("a module's word older than mesh-config's value is not taken: %+v", sa)
+	}
+	// The operator, 2026-10-26: outside its build hours the seat takes nothing new, and says so.
+	u.Pauses["go"] = states(map[string]string{"capacity.shanks": `{"v":1,"effective":0,"configured":2,"build-hours":"18:00-06:00 CET","outside-hours":true,"why":"0, outside its build hours 18:00-06:00 CET until 18:00 (otherwise 2)","at":"2026-10-26T11:00:00Z"}`})
+	if so := seatOf(t, u.Usage(), "shanks", "node-build-go"); so.Capacity != 0 || !so.OutsideHours || so.Eligible == nil || *so.Eligible ||
+		so.WhyNot != "outside its build hours 18:00-06:00 CET on shanks: it takes nothing new until they open" {
+		t.Errorf("a seat outside its build hours: %+v", so)
+	}
+	// A build-hours value the module cannot read: it builds at any hour, and the seat says the value and why.
+	u.Pauses["go"] = states(map[string]string{"capacity.shanks": `{"v":1,"effective":2,"configured":2,"build-hours-fault":"the build hours \"shanks=18:00-6\": \"6\" is not a time HH:MM","why":"2; at any hour, because its build hours cannot be read","at":"2026-10-26T11:00:00Z"}`})
+	if sf := seatOf(t, u.Usage(), "shanks", "node-build-go"); sf.BuildHours != "any hour" || !strings.Contains(sf.BuildHoursFault, "shanks=18:00-6") || sf.Eligible == nil || !*sf.Eligible {
+		t.Errorf("a seat whose build hours cannot be read: %+v", sf)
+	}
+	if len(bound.TriesRunning) != 1 || len(bound.TriesRunning[0].Asks) != 1 || !strings.Contains(string(bound.TriesRunning[0].Steps), "unit: tests") ||
+		strings.Contains(strings.Join(bound.Notes, " | "), "name no ask yet") {
+		t.Errorf("a running try naming its asks: %+v, notes %v", bound.TriesRunning, bound.Notes)
+	}
 }
+
+var tryAsk0 = stepID(at("11:58"), "a00010")