diff --git a/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent.go b/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent.go
index 44d250e..8296b75 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent.go
@@ -56,6 +56,14 @@ func (w bucketWatch) Watch(ctx context.Context, pattern string) (<-chan agent.Up
 type sessionHaves struct{ session *link.Session }
 
 func (h sessionHaves) Read(ctx context.Context, module string) (agent.Have, bool) {
+	if module == agent.NodeModule {
+		// The node's own key: the digest of its own composition it runs, and what that carries sealed.
+		got, ok := h.session.ReadNodeHave(ctx)
+		if !ok || got.Composed == "" {
+			return agent.Have{}, false
+		}
+		return agent.Have{Module: module, Composed: got.Composed, Sealed: got.Sealed}, true
+	}
 	got, ok := h.session.ReadHave(ctx, module)
 	if !ok {
 		return agent.Have{}, false
@@ -68,7 +76,7 @@ func (h sessionHaves) Write(ctx context.Context, x agent.Have) {
 	if x.Module == agent.NodeModule {
 		// The node's own key holds its facts and the digest of the composition it runs.
 		if x.Phase == "" || x.Phase == string(delivery.PhaseRunning) {
-			h.session.NoteNode(ctx, x.Composed)
+			h.session.NoteNode(ctx, x.Composed, x.Sealed)
 		}
 		return
 	}
@@ -511,6 +519,10 @@ func nodeAgent(ctx context.Context, opts options, signer ed25519.PublicKey, sess
 			unseal: sealOpener(opts.state),
 			// And what each module's have says it runs sealed: after a restart the agent has applied nothing yet.
 			held: func(module string) []string {
+				if module == agent.NodeModule {
+					got, _ := session.ReadNodeHave(linked)
+					return got.Sealed
+				}
 				got, ok := session.ReadHave(linked, module)
 				if !ok {
 					return nil
@@ -523,6 +535,15 @@ func nodeAgent(ctx context.Context, opts options, signer ed25519.PublicKey, sess
 				}
 			},
 		}
+		// And its answer to every placement candidate, placed or not, applying nothing (novox/hq ADR 0559 §4): written into
+		// its own key, `<node>.node`, under candidates.
+		shadowHooks := hooks
+		shadowHooks.refused = nil
+		shadow := selfcompose.NewShadow(composerEnv(session, node, say, shadowHooks),
+			func(ctx context.Context, answers map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer) {
+				session.NoteCandidates(ctx, answers)
+			})
+		go shadow.Keep(linked, link.Backoff)
 		if composer := selfComposer(linked, session, node, say, hooks); composer != nil {
 			env.Composed, env.SelfComposed, env.Trusted, env.Policy = composer, true, nil, composer.Policy
 		} else {
@@ -838,7 +859,13 @@ func selfComposer(ctx context.Context, session *link.Session, node string, say f
 		return nil
 	}
 	say("this node composes its own modules: the catalogue places it (" + key + ")")
-	return selfcompose.New(selfcompose.Env{Node: node,
+	return selfcompose.New(composerEnv(session, node, say, hooks))
+}
+
+// composerEnv is what the node's composers read of the bus, the vault and the agent: its own composer and its answer
+// to placement candidates (selfcompose.Shadow) alike.
+func composerEnv(session *link.Session, node string, say func(string), hooks composerHooks) selfcompose.Env {
+	return selfcompose.Env{Node: node,
 		Watch: func(ctx context.Context, bucket, pattern string) (<-chan agent.Update, error) {
 			return bucketWatch{session, bucket}.Watch(ctx, pattern)
 		},
@@ -857,7 +884,7 @@ func selfComposer(ctx context.Context, session *link.Session, node string, say f
 		},
 		// And the vault's word that a secret changed, on which it composes again (ADR 0547 §2).
 		Hear:    session.Hear,
-		Running: hooks.running, Unseal: hooks.unseal, Refused: hooks.refused, Held: hooks.held})
+		Running: hooks.running, Unseal: hooks.unseal, Refused: hooks.refused, Held: hooks.held}
 }
 
 // endWhenPlaced calls stop once this node's placement key appears in the indexer's placement (a value after the watch
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent_integration_test.go b/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent_integration_test.go
index ffc9813..06bc6c8 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent_integration_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent_integration_test.go
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ func (b *itBed) start(trustOperator bool) (stop func()) {
 		}
 	}
 	b.session = &link.Session{Membership: link.Membership{Node: itNode}, Timeout: 2 * time.Second,
-		Say: b.say}
+		Say: b.say, Keys: func() link.RecordKeys { return link.RecordKeys{} }}
 	b.session.Attach(context.Background(), link.OverNATS{Conn: b.conn, JS: b.js, Node: itNode})
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	done := make(chan struct{})
@@ -316,7 +316,8 @@ func TestNatsTheHandPathAppliesACompositionTheOperatorSigned(t *testing.T) {
 // Issue 1126 (ADR 0547 §2, the milestone's H8): the node agent started whole against a real bus, once the catalogue
 // places its node (the placement written after it started), composes a module from its want, the indexer's manifest, its record and its mesh-config value, and applies it,
 // with no key in the controller's compositions; a changed config value is composed again on its event and applied as a
-// revision of what runs.
+// revision of what runs. And a catalogue pull request's placement candidate equal to its placement is answered "same"
+// in the node's own key, and nothing is applied for it (ADR 0559 §4, subtask 10 of the milestone).
 func TestNatsANodeThePlacementNamesComposesAndAppliesItsOwn(t *testing.T) {
 	b := newItBed(t)
 	kvOf := func(bucket string) nats.KeyValue {
@@ -329,6 +330,11 @@ func TestNatsANodeThePlacementNamesComposesAndAppliesItsOwn(t *testing.T) {
 	placement, modules, manifests := kvOf(delivery.PlacementBucket), kvOf(delivery.ModulesBucket), kvOf(delivery.ManifestsBucket)
 	resolved := kvOf(selfcompose.ResolvedBucket)
 	kvOf(delivery.BuilderBuildsBucket)
+	candidates := kvOf(delivery.PlacementCandidatesBucket)
+	// The controller's stream the node's facts go into, so the node's key carries the facts it says.
+	if _, err := b.js.AddStream(&nats.StreamConfig{Name: "CONTROL", Subjects: []string{link.ReportSubject(itNode)}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
 	path := filepath.Join(b.dir, "web.conf")
 	man := `{"module":"web","version":"1","config":{"greeting":{"type":"string","description":"what the file says","default":"hello"}},` +
 		`"resources":[{"id":"conf","type":"file","path":"` + path + `","mode":"0644","content":"greeting=${config:greeting}\n"}]}`
@@ -385,4 +391,37 @@ func TestNatsANodeThePlacementNamesComposesAndAppliesItsOwn(t *testing.T) {
 		h := b.have("web")
 		return h.FP == fp && h.Composed != first && h.Phase == delivery.PhaseRunning
 	})
+
+	// The node says its facts (its record, as the test wrote it), then a candidate equal to its placement is written: the
+	// node answers "same" at the candidate's head and revision in its own key, and applies nothing.
+	b.session.SayFacts(context.Background(), link.Report{Profile: map[string]any{"capabilities": []any{
+		map[string]any{"name": "service-manager", "present": true}}}})
+	second := b.have("web").Composed
+	same, _ := delivery.DecodePlacement(place)
+	craw, err := delivery.EncodePlacementCandidate(delivery.PlacementCandidate{Group: "feat/x",
+		Pull: delivery.Head{Repository: delivery.CatalogueRepository, Number: 1, Head: "h1"}, Placement: &same})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	ckey, _ := delivery.PlacementCandidateKey("feat/x", itNode)
+	crev, err := candidates.Put(ckey, craw)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var answer delivery.CandidateAnswer
+	within(t, 10*time.Second, "the node did not answer its candidate", func() bool {
+		e, err := b.haves.Get(hkey)
+		if err != nil {
+			return false
+		}
+		n, err := delivery.DecodeHaveNode(e.Value())
+		answer = n.Candidates["feat/x"]
+		return err == nil && answer.Head == "h1" && n.Record != nil
+	})
+	if answer.Verdict != delivery.CandidateSame || answer.Revision != crev || len(answer.Same) != 1 || answer.Same[0] != "web" {
+		t.Errorf("the answer to a candidate equal to the placement: %+v", answer)
+	}
+	if h := b.have("web"); h.Composed != second || b.file("web") != "greeting=salut\n" {
+		t.Errorf("a candidate moved what runs: %+v, %q", h, b.file("web"))
+	}
 }
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index be6daa0..0a71ab3 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module github.com/novox/mesh-host
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026210326-979644420117
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261027014310-cadd7b1b2f8f
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 	golang.org/x/crypto v0.57.0
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index e8660dd..04ad7e0 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,15 @@
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026210326-979644420117 h1:88CNZOoQgu7YPYKW16qkWT8Gw9Ucg07aTrIImA2nYUk=
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026210326-979644420117/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261027011211-82f10c3bc9fa h1:tT6sl3vY0iVAXw+mqy3iGKUBUjVBRWvQvKUOTmTyWwk=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261027011211-82f10c3bc9fa/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261027011927-ba398e2460ef h1:uMqybf/sTAjapyllVjy8mjCi8evpcOmgnjmqRdJRsFo=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261027011927-ba398e2460ef/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261027012259-a37d2622ed56 h1:PUc5s3oaWEg0uyVmXhJSSK3x0IXZBXWGqq30U/CSx30=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261027012259-a37d2622ed56/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261027012704-062c29c3a22f h1:AKzV973UTWe0OYFoIjgGu0f+B26xh8QsAHzCpsTIjM8=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261027012704-062c29c3a22f/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261027014310-cadd7b1b2f8f h1:mimAGERguQmCGYVNdRTrFcZ1dhpU6GWo+Q3EDhHOrVk=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261027014310-cadd7b1b2f8f/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/internal/agent/agent.go b/internal/agent/agent.go
index c49c539..dd101be 100644
--- a/internal/agent/agent.go
+++ b/internal/agent/agent.go
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ type Env struct {
 	// Policy is a module's upgrade policy as its manifest derives it (catalogue.DerivedUpgrade); with SelfComposed, a
 	// move of a module of policy record that recreates a container or moves its data waits for a person's yes in its
 	// want (ADR 0547 §3). Nil judges no move.
-	Policy func(module string) string
+	Policy func(ctx context.Context, module string) string
 }
 
 // transientFor is how many transient retries say the phase applying before the have says failed: past them the bus has
@@ -377,8 +377,8 @@ func (a *Agent) NotComposed(ctx context.Context, why string) {
 	}
 }
 
-// writeHave writes a module's have; on a node composing its own, with the sealed values of the composition it names
-// when the caller gave none (Have.Sealed): those of the composition the agent applied or holds at that digest, else
+// writeHave writes a module's have (the node's own key for NodeModule); on a node composing its own, with the sealed
+// values of the composition it names when the caller gave none (Have.Sealed): those of the composition the agent applied or holds at that digest, else
 // those the module's last have said at that digest.
 //
 // A writer that names no composition (one written from the agent's running entry before this agent ran anything of the
@@ -394,7 +394,9 @@ func (a *Agent) writeHave(ctx context.Context, h Have) {
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	if a.env.SelfComposed && h.Sealed == nil && h.Module != NodeModule && h.Composed != "" {
+	// The node's own composition too: its core boxes are sealed again by the vault at a restart, and kept in its key the
+	// composer reuses them, so the restart applies nothing again (review of L2, round 3, finding 1).
+	if a.env.SelfComposed && h.Sealed == nil && h.Composed != "" {
 		h.Sealed = a.sealedOf(ctx, h.Module, h.FP, h.Composed)
 	}
 	a.env.Haves.Write(ctx, h)
@@ -1101,7 +1103,7 @@ func short(s string) string {
 // for this composition; the have says phase waiting-yes with the judgement, and the assigner asks a person. A composition
 // equal to what runs is no move. True when the module waits.
 func (a *Agent) waitsForYes(ctx context.Context, module string, w wantNow, comp compNow) bool {
-	if module == NodeModule || a.env.Policy == nil || a.env.Policy(module) != catalogue.PolicyRecord || w.Want.Yes == comp.Dig {
+	if module == NodeModule || a.env.Policy == nil || a.env.Policy(ctx, module) != catalogue.PolicyRecord || w.Want.Yes == comp.Dig {
 		return false
 	}
 	a.mu.Lock()
diff --git a/internal/agent/agent_test.go b/internal/agent/agent_test.go
index 44290f5..ed10ab9 100644
--- a/internal/agent/agent_test.go
+++ b/internal/agent/agent_test.go
@@ -964,7 +964,7 @@ func TestAModuleRunningFromTheKeptDeclarationKeepsItsFilledPaths(t *testing.T) {
 func TestTheNodesOwnCompositionIsAppliedWhenItDiffersAndARecordMoveWaitsForAYes(t *testing.T) {
 	b := newBed(t)
 	b.env.SelfComposed, b.env.Trusted = true, nil
-	b.env.Policy = func(m string) string {
+	b.env.Policy = func(_ context.Context, m string) string {
 		if m == "db" || m == "rec" {
 			return catalogue.PolicyRecord
 		}
@@ -1001,6 +1001,21 @@ func TestTheNodesOwnCompositionIsAppliedWhenItDiffersAndARecordMoveWaitsForAYes(
 	// The same composition handed again is no move.
 	b.comps.put(ck, craw)
 	time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	// The node's own composition carries its sealed values in its key, as a module's have does, so a restart reuses its
+	// core boxes and applies nothing again (review of L2, round 3, finding 1).
+	box, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"id": "core-box", "type": "file", "path": "/tmp/r6/core-box", "sealed": "core"})
+	own := delivery.Composed{Node: node, Resources: []json.RawMessage{box}}
+	nk, _ := delivery.ComposedNodeKey(node)
+	nraw, _ := delivery.EncodeComposed(own)
+	ndig, _ := delivery.ComposedDigestOf(own)
+	b.comps.put(nk, nraw)
+	nwk, _ := delivery.WantNodeKey(node)
+	nwraw, _ := delivery.EncodeNodeWant(delivery.NodeWant{Self: true})
+	b.wants.put(nwk, nwraw)
+	eventually(t, "the node's own key does not carry its sealed values", func() bool {
+		h := b.haves.last(NodeModule)
+		return h.Composed == ndig && len(h.Sealed) == 1 && h.Sealed[0] == "core"
+	})
 	// The node cannot compose (a stand-in refused): each wanted module's have says so, failed, naming why, and still
 	// names what runs; composed again, the have is what it runs. web was applied by this agent; idle was not since the
 	// agent's start (the switch and every delivery of the node-engine restart it), so what runs is what its have said.
@@ -1035,7 +1050,7 @@ func TestTheNodesOwnCompositionIsAppliedWhenItDiffersAndARecordMoveWaitsForAYes(
 	// A revision at the same build (a config value changed) is applied.
 	_, craw2, dig2 := unsigned("web", fp, file("web", "x", "2"))
 	b.comps.put(ck, craw2)
-	eventually(t, "the revision was not applied", func() bool { return len(b.appliedList()) == 2 && b.haves.last("web").Composed == dig2 })
+	eventually(t, "the revision was not applied", func() bool { return len(b.appliedList()) == 3 && b.haves.last("web").Composed == dig2 })
 
 	// A record module: its first composition is no move; a new image recreates its container and waits for a yes.
 	container := func(image string) json.RawMessage {
@@ -1046,7 +1061,7 @@ func TestTheNodesOwnCompositionIsAppliedWhenItDiffersAndARecordMoveWaitsForAYes(
 	dk, draw, _ := unsigned("db", fp, container("db@sha256:"+strings.Repeat("1", 64)))
 	b.comps.put(dk, draw)
 	want("db", fp, "")
-	eventually(t, "the record module's first composition was not applied", func() bool { return len(b.appliedList()) == 3 })
+	eventually(t, "the record module's first composition was not applied", func() bool { return len(b.appliedList()) == 4 })
 	fpB := fpOf("b")
 	dk2, draw2, ddig2 := unsigned("db", fpB, container("db@sha256:"+strings.Repeat("2", 64)))
 	// rec is a record module this agent has run nothing of since its start (the switch and every delivery of the
diff --git a/internal/link/have.go b/internal/link/have.go
index f2b1931..d923ee8 100644
--- a/internal/link/have.go
+++ b/internal/link/have.go
@@ -47,6 +47,11 @@ type haveState struct {
 	node   *delivery.HaveNode
 	// nodeComposed is the digest of the node's own composition it runs (ADR 0539 §9), kept beside the node's facts.
 	nodeComposed string
+	// nodeSealed is, on a node composing its own, each value its own composition carries sealed to its key (ADR 0547 §3,
+	// issue 1126): kept in its key so a restart reuses them and applies nothing again.
+	nodeSealed []string
+	// nodeCandidates is the node's answer to each placement candidate group (novox/hq ADR 0559 §4), written into its key.
+	nodeCandidates map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer
 	// written is the build of each module this node-engine wrote a have key for and that the declaration it applied
 	// still holds; removed is each such module the latest declaration no longer holds, with the build its key last
 	// said, until the key is written once with the phase removed (issue 1369, novox/hq ADR 0408 §4: never deleted).
@@ -416,6 +421,8 @@ func (q *Session) writeHaves(ctx context.Context, bus Bus) {
 			var raw []byte
 			facts := *s.node
 			facts.Composed = s.nodeComposed
+			facts.Sealed = s.nodeSealed
+			facts.Candidates = s.nodeCandidates
 			if raw, err = delivery.EncodeHaveNode(facts); err == nil {
 				want := facts
 				if !q.putHave(write, bucket, key, raw, func(current []byte) bool {
@@ -703,12 +710,14 @@ func (q *Session) NoteRemoved(ctx context.Context, module, build string) {
 	q.writeHaves(ctx, bus)
 }
 
-// NoteNode takes the digest of the node's own composition it runs, and writes the node's key where it differs.
-func (q *Session) NoteNode(ctx context.Context, composed string) {
+// NoteNode takes the digest of the node's own composition it runs and the values it carries sealed to the node's key
+// (nil for a composition the node did not make itself), and writes the node's key where it differs.
+func (q *Session) NoteNode(ctx context.Context, composed string, sealed []string) {
 	q.init()
 	s := &q.haves
 	s.mu.Lock()
 	s.nodeComposed = composed
+	s.nodeSealed = sealed
 	if s.node == nil {
 		n := delivery.HaveNode{V: delivery.Version}
 		s.node = &n
@@ -720,6 +729,61 @@ func (q *Session) NoteNode(ctx context.Context, composed string) {
 	q.writeHaves(ctx, bus)
 }
 
+// NoteCandidates takes the node's answers to the placement candidates, by group (its shadow composer's, novox/hq ADR
+// 0559 §4), and writes the node's key where it differs; a group left out is no longer answered.
+func (q *Session) NoteCandidates(ctx context.Context, answers map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer) {
+	q.init()
+	s := &q.haves
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.nodeCandidates = answers
+	if len(answers) == 0 {
+		s.nodeCandidates = nil
+	}
+	// Before the node's facts are first said, its key is not written for an answer alone: it would carry no record. The
+	// answers ride with the first facts.
+	known := s.node != nil
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	if !known {
+		return
+	}
+	q.mu.Lock()
+	bus := q.bus
+	q.mu.Unlock()
+	q.writeHaves(ctx, bus)
+}
+
+// ReadNodeHave is the node's own key as the bucket holds it, and whether it holds one: what the node's own composition
+// it last ran is and carries sealed, read after a restart (ADR 0547 §3).
+func (q *Session) ReadNodeHave(ctx context.Context) (delivery.HaveNode, bool) {
+	q.init()
+	q.mu.Lock()
+	bus := q.bus
+	q.mu.Unlock()
+	hb, ok := bus.(HaveBus)
+	if !ok || bus == nil {
+		return delivery.HaveNode{}, false
+	}
+	key, err := delivery.HaveNodeKey(q.Membership.Node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return delivery.HaveNode{}, false
+	}
+	read, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, q.timeout())
+	defer cancel()
+	bucket, err := hb.HaveBind(read)
+	if err != nil {
+		return delivery.HaveNode{}, false
+	}
+	value, _, err := bucket.Get(read, key)
+	if err != nil {
+		return delivery.HaveNode{}, false
+	}
+	n, err := delivery.DecodeHaveNode(value)
+	if err != nil {
+		return delivery.HaveNode{}, false
+	}
+	return n, true
+}
+
 // ReadHave is the have this node-engine last wrote for a module, and whether the bucket holds one. A bucket that cannot
 // be read answers as none: the agent then compares with the declaration it kept, and applies only what differs.
 func (q *Session) ReadHave(ctx context.Context, module string) (delivery.Have, bool) {
diff --git a/internal/link/have_test.go b/internal/link/have_test.go
index fdb66ca..309fb4d 100644
--- a/internal/link/have_test.go
+++ b/internal/link/have_test.go
@@ -582,9 +582,22 @@ func TestAnAppliedModulesHaveNamesTheFingerprintAndTheDigestAndFollowsItsHealth(
 	if got := l.have(t, "n1.web"); got.Phase != delivery.PhaseRemoved {
 		t.Fatalf("removed: %+v", got)
 	}
-	q.NoteNode(context.Background(), dig)
-	if n, err := delivery.DecodeHaveNode(l.kv["n1.node"].value); err != nil || n.Composed != dig {
-		t.Fatalf("the node key: %+v %v", n, err)
+	q.NoteNode(context.Background(), dig, []string{"core"})
+	if n, err := delivery.DecodeHaveNode(l.kv["n1.node"].value); err != nil || n.Composed != dig || len(n.Sealed) != 1 || n.Sealed[0] != "core" {
+		t.Fatalf("the node key, with its own composition's sealed values: %+v %v", n, err)
+	}
+	if n, ok := q.ReadNodeHave(context.Background()); !ok || n.Composed != dig || len(n.Sealed) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the node key read back: %+v %v", n, ok)
+	}
+	// The node's answers to placement candidates ride in the same key (ADR 0559 §4), and go when no group is answered.
+	answers := map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer{"feat/x": {Head: "h", Verdict: delivery.CandidateSame, Same: []string{"web"}}}
+	q.NoteCandidates(context.Background(), answers)
+	if n, err := delivery.DecodeHaveNode(l.kv["n1.node"].value); err != nil || n.Candidates["feat/x"].Head != "h" || n.Composed != dig {
+		t.Fatalf("the node key with its answers: %+v %v", n, err)
+	}
+	q.NoteCandidates(context.Background(), nil)
+	if n, _ := delivery.DecodeHaveNode(l.kv["n1.node"].value); n.Candidates != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("an answer left after its group went: %+v", n.Candidates)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose.go b/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose.go
index 19a4d9c..12ef2a7 100644
--- a/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose.go
+++ b/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose.go
@@ -453,11 +453,10 @@ func (c *Composer) runningBox(box string) string {
 	}
 	if c.env.Held != nil {
 		c.mu.Lock()
+		// The node's own key among them (agent.NodeModule): its core boxes, as its last run said them.
 		modules := make([]string, 0, len(c.wants))
 		for m := range c.wants {
-			if m != agent.NodeModule {
-				modules = append(modules, m)
-			}
+			modules = append(modules, m)
 		}
 		c.mu.Unlock()
 		sort.Strings(modules)
@@ -514,15 +513,16 @@ func (c *Composer) builtManifest(ctx context.Context, module, fp string) (string
 }
 
 // Policy is a module's upgrade policy as its manifest at the indexer's trunk derives it (catalogue.DerivedUpgrade), for
-// the agent's judgement of a move (ADR 0547 §3); empty when the manifest is not known or cannot be read.
-func (c *Composer) Policy(module string) string {
+// the agent's judgement of a move (ADR 0547 §3); empty when the manifest is not known or cannot be read. The manifest is
+// read within ctx, the agent's (review of L2, round 1, finding 5), so a stopping agent stops the read.
+func (c *Composer) Policy(ctx context.Context, module string) string {
 	c.mu.Lock()
 	m, ok := c.modules[module]
 	c.mu.Unlock()
 	if !ok || m.Manifest == "" {
 		return ""
 	}
-	raw, err := reader{c: c}.Manifest(context.Background(), m.Manifest)
+	raw, err := reader{c: c}.Manifest(ctx, m.Manifest)
 	if err != nil {
 		return ""
 	}
diff --git a/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose_test.go b/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose_test.go
index 8ade9a3..ba3a246 100644
--- a/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose_test.go
+++ b/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose_test.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose/frombus"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/agent"
@@ -237,14 +238,18 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 		return sealed[0]
 	}
+	// And the node's own key (review of L2, round 3, finding 1): a core box its own composition carries is held there, and
+	// kept after a restart as a module's is, so the node's own composition does not move either.
 	for _, row := range []struct {
-		name, held string
-		kept       bool
-	}{{"the have holds the rotated value", boxOf(string(rotated.Value)), true}, {"the have holds the value before the rotation", boxOf(before), false}} {
+		name, held, in string
+		kept           bool
+	}{{"the have holds the rotated value", boxOf(string(rotated.Value)), "keeper", true},
+		{"the have holds the value before the rotation", boxOf(before), "keeper", false},
+		{"the node's own key holds the rotated value", boxOf(string(rotated.Value)), agent.NodeModule, true}} {
 		restarted := env
 		restarted.Running = func() []delivery.Composed { return nil }
 		restarted.Held = func(module string) []string {
-			if module == "keeper" {
+			if module == row.in {
 				return []string{row.held}
 			}
 			return nil
@@ -258,7 +263,7 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("not sealed to n1: %s", box)
 		}
 		again := New(restarted)
-		again.wants = map[string]delivery.Want{"keeper": {FP: fp, Self: true}}
+		again.wants = map[string]delivery.Want{"keeper": {FP: fp, Self: true}, agent.NodeModule: {}}
 		rows, err := reader{c: again}.OwnSecrets(ctx, "n1")
 		if err != nil || len(rows) != 1 {
 			t.Fatalf("%s: own secrets %+v, %v", row.name, rows, err)
@@ -313,4 +318,292 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 	if asked, _ := json.Marshal(sent["credentials"]); !strings.Contains(string(asked), `"role":"consumer"`) || !strings.Contains(string(asked), `"role":"provider"`) {
 		t.Errorf("the vault was asked %s", asked)
 	}
+	// ADR 0559 §4: the node answers placement candidates in shadow, placed or not, applying nothing and handing no
+	// composition: the same; a module the group adds, its secret not yet issued; a module removed; a placement it cannot
+	// compose; a group whose keys went is no longer answered. What runs is never composed from a candidate: the
+	// Composer does not read the state.
+	for _, in := range New(env).inputs() {
+		if in.bucket == delivery.PlacementCandidatesBucket {
+			t.Fatal("the node's own composer reads placement candidates")
+		}
+	}
+	sb := newPatternBus()
+	trunk := delivery.Placement{Node: "n1", Decided: delivery.NodeDecided{Hub: true, Address: "10.77.0.1"}, Modules: []delivery.PlacedModule{{Module: "lemurs"}}}
+	mods := map[string]delivery.Module{"lemurs": {FP2: fp, Manifest: digest, Repository: "novox/x", Commit: "c"},
+		"keeper": {FP2: fp, Manifest: kdigest, Repository: "novox/k", Commit: "c"}}
+	readOnly := &fakeBus{kv: map[string][]byte{delivery.ManifestsBucket + "/" + key: man, delivery.ManifestsBucket + "/" + kkey: kman}}
+	senv := readOnly.env()
+	senv.Watch = sb.watch
+	senv.Own = func(context.Context, map[string]any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+		return json.RawMessage(`{"node":"n1","key":"sk","own":[]}`), nil // nothing issued for keeper: it is not placed here
+	}
+	// What n1 runs: lemurs and its own composition, as its composer composes them from the trunk.
+	running, _, err := frombus.Compose(ctx, fixedReader{placements: map[string]delivery.Placement{"n1": trunk},
+		records: map[string]delivery.NodeRecord{"n1": {Node: "n1", TunnelKey: "k", SealingKey: "sk", Capabilities: []string{"systemd"}}},
+		modules: mods, manifests: map[string][]byte{digest: []byte(lemurs), kdigest: []byte(keeper)}}, frombus.Mesh{}, frombus.Scope{Node: "n1"}, map[string]string{"lemurs": fp})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	senv.Running = func() []delivery.Composed {
+		var out []delivery.Composed
+		for _, c := range running {
+			out = append(out, c)
+		}
+		return out
+	}
+	answered := make(chan map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer, 8)
+	sh := NewShadow(senv, func(_ context.Context, a map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer) { answered <- a })
+	sctx, scancel := context.WithCancel(ctx)
+	defer scancel()
+	// Review of L2b, round 1, finding 2: the candidates' state is not there when the node starts (a delivery before the
+	// indexer made it): the shadow tries again, and answers once it appears.
+	sb.missing(delivery.PlacementCandidatesBucket, true)
+	go sh.Keep(sctx, func(int) time.Duration { return 5 * time.Millisecond })
+	time.Sleep(30 * time.Millisecond)
+	sb.missing(delivery.PlacementCandidatesBucket, false)
+	sb.made(6)
+	rec, _ := delivery.EncodeHaveNode(delivery.HaveNode{Record: &delivery.NodeRecord{Node: "n1", TunnelKey: "k", SealingKey: "sk", Capabilities: []string{"systemd"}}})
+	tp, _ := delivery.EncodePlacement(trunk)
+	sb.put(delivery.PlacementBucket, "placement.n1", tp, 1)
+	sb.put(delivery.HaveBucket, "n1.node", rec, 1)
+	for name, m := range mods {
+		raw, _ := delivery.EncodeModule(m)
+		sb.put(delivery.ModulesBucket, name, raw, 1)
+	}
+	candidate := func(group string, rev uint64, modules ...string) {
+		p := trunk
+		p.Modules = nil
+		for _, m := range modules {
+			p.Modules = append(p.Modules, delivery.PlacedModule{Module: m})
+		}
+		raw, err := delivery.EncodePlacementCandidate(delivery.PlacementCandidate{Group: group,
+			Pull: delivery.Head{Repository: delivery.CatalogueRepository, Number: 1, Head: "h-" + group}, Placement: &p})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		k, _ := delivery.PlacementCandidateKey(group, "n1")
+		sb.put(delivery.PlacementCandidatesBucket, k, raw, rev)
+	}
+	candidate("same", 3, "lemurs")
+	candidate("adds", 4, "lemurs", "keeper")
+	candidate("drops", 5)
+	candidate("ghost", 6, "lemurs", "ghost")
+	sb.caught()
+	var answers map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer
+	waitFor := func(why string, ok func(map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer) bool) {
+		t.Helper()
+		deadline := time.After(10 * time.Second)
+		for answers == nil || !ok(answers) {
+			select {
+			case answers = <-answered:
+			case <-deadline:
+				t.Fatalf("%s: last answers %+v", why, answers)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	waitFor("every group answered", func(a map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer) bool { return len(a) == 4 })
+	for group, want := range map[string]func(delivery.CandidateAnswer) bool{
+		"same": func(a delivery.CandidateAnswer) bool {
+			return a.Verdict == delivery.CandidateSame && a.Head == "h-same" && a.Revision == 3 && len(a.Same) == 2
+		},
+		"adds": func(a delivery.CandidateAnswer) bool {
+			return a.Verdict == delivery.CandidateDiffers && len(a.Added) == 1 && a.Added[0].Module == "keeper" &&
+				len(a.Added[0].Unissued) == 1 && len(a.Refusals) == 0
+		},
+		"drops": func(a delivery.CandidateAnswer) bool {
+			return a.Verdict == delivery.CandidateDiffers && len(a.Removed) == 1 && a.Removed[0] == "lemurs"
+		},
+		"ghost": func(a delivery.CandidateAnswer) bool {
+			return a.Verdict == delivery.CandidateRefused && a.Refused != ""
+		},
+	} {
+		if !want(answers[group]) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: %+v", group, answers[group])
+		}
+	}
+	// The node's own key changing (its answers written) composes nothing again; a group's key deleted drops its answer.
+	sb.put(delivery.HaveBucket, "n1.node", rec, 2)
+	select {
+	case a := <-answered:
+		t.Errorf("answers handed again for nothing changed: %+v", a)
+	case <-time.After(100 * time.Millisecond):
+	}
+	k, _ := delivery.PlacementCandidateKey("same", "n1")
+	sb.del(delivery.PlacementCandidatesBucket, k)
+	waitFor("the deleted group's answer stays", func(a map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer) bool { _, ok := a["same"]; return !ok && len(a) == 3 })
+
+	// Review of L2b, round 2: a watch ends while the link stays; a group's key is deleted before the shadow watches
+	// again. The new run reads afresh, so that group is no longer answered.
+	sb.missing(delivery.PlacementCandidatesBucket, true)
+	sb.end(delivery.ModulesBucket)
+	dropsKey, _ := delivery.PlacementCandidateKey("drops", "n1")
+	sb.del(delivery.PlacementCandidatesBucket, dropsKey)
+	time.Sleep(30 * time.Millisecond)
+	sb.missing(delivery.PlacementCandidatesBucket, false)
+	waitFor("a group deleted while the shadow was down is still answered", func(a map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer) bool {
+		_, ok := a["drops"]
+		return !ok && len(a) == 2
+	})
+}
+
+// patternBus is a bus whose every watch gets the updates of its bucket matching its pattern, as the bus's own watches
+// do: two watches of one bucket each see what matches theirs.
+type patternBus struct {
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	watches []patternWatch
+	absent  map[string]bool
+	// kv is each bucket's keys now; once replay is set, a new watch gets those matching it and then Caught, as a watch
+	// of the bus's own does.
+	kv     map[string]map[string]agent.Update
+	replay bool
+}
+
+// end ends every watch of a bucket, as a watch the bus drops, and from then on each new watch replays what is there.
+func (b *patternBus) end(bucket string) {
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	defer b.mu.Unlock()
+	b.replay = true
+	kept := b.watches[:0]
+	for _, w := range b.watches {
+		if w.bucket == bucket {
+			close(w.ch)
+			continue
+		}
+		kept = append(kept, w)
+	}
+	b.watches = kept
+}
+
+// missing makes a bucket's watch fail, as one the bus holds no state for, or work again.
+func (b *patternBus) missing(bucket string, gone bool) {
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	defer b.mu.Unlock()
+	if b.absent == nil {
+		b.absent = map[string]bool{}
+	}
+	b.absent[bucket] = gone
+}
+
+type patternWatch struct {
+	bucket, pattern string
+	ch              chan agent.Update
+}
+
+func newPatternBus() *patternBus { return &patternBus{} }
+
+func (b *patternBus) watch(_ context.Context, bucket, pattern string) (<-chan agent.Update, error) {
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	defer b.mu.Unlock()
+	if b.absent[bucket] {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("nats: bucket not found")
+	}
+	w := patternWatch{bucket: bucket, pattern: pattern, ch: make(chan agent.Update, 64)}
+	b.watches = append(b.watches, w)
+	if b.replay {
+		for key, u := range b.kv[bucket] {
+			if matches(pattern, key) {
+				w.ch <- u
+			}
+		}
+		w.ch <- agent.Update{Caught: true}
+	}
+	return w.ch, nil
+}
+
+func matches(pattern, key string) bool {
+	p, k := strings.Split(pattern, "."), strings.Split(key, ".")
+	for i, tok := range p {
+		if tok == ">" {
+			return len(k) > i
+		}
+		if i >= len(k) || (tok != "*" && tok != k[i]) {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return len(p) == len(k)
+}
+
+func (b *patternBus) send(bucket string, u agent.Update) {
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	defer b.mu.Unlock()
+	if !u.Caught {
+		if b.kv == nil {
+			b.kv = map[string]map[string]agent.Update{}
+		}
+		if b.kv[bucket] == nil {
+			b.kv[bucket] = map[string]agent.Update{}
+		}
+		if u.Deleted {
+			delete(b.kv[bucket], u.Key)
+		} else {
+			b.kv[bucket][u.Key] = u
+		}
+	}
+	for _, w := range b.watches {
+		if w.bucket == bucket && (u.Caught || matches(w.pattern, u.Key)) {
+			select {
+			case w.ch <- u:
+			default: // a watch of a run that ended reads no more
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (b *patternBus) put(bucket, key string, value []byte, rev uint64) {
+	b.send(bucket, agent.Update{Key: key, Value: value, Revision: rev})
+}
+
+func (b *patternBus) del(bucket, key string) { b.send(bucket, agent.Update{Key: key, Deleted: true}) }
+
+// made waits until n watches are made, so nothing put is lost.
+func (b *patternBus) made(n int) {
+	for {
+		b.mu.Lock()
+		got := len(b.watches)
+		b.mu.Unlock()
+		if got >= n {
+			return
+		}
+		time.Sleep(5 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+}
+
+// caught says every watch caught up.
+func (b *patternBus) caught() {
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	defer b.mu.Unlock()
+	for _, w := range b.watches {
+		w.ch <- agent.Update{Caught: true}
+	}
+}
+
+// fixedReader is frombus's Reader over values held, for composing what a node runs.
+type fixedReader struct {
+	placements map[string]delivery.Placement
+	records    map[string]delivery.NodeRecord
+	modules    map[string]delivery.Module
+	manifests  map[string][]byte
+}
+
+func (r fixedReader) Placements(context.Context) (map[string]delivery.Placement, error) {
+	return r.placements, nil
+}
+func (r fixedReader) Records(context.Context) (map[string]delivery.NodeRecord, error) {
+	return r.records, nil
+}
+func (r fixedReader) Modules(context.Context) (map[string]delivery.Module, error) {
+	return r.modules, nil
+}
+func (r fixedReader) Manifest(_ context.Context, d string) ([]byte, error) {
+	if raw, ok := r.manifests[d]; ok {
+		return raw, nil
+	}
+	return nil, fmt.Errorf("no manifest %s", d)
+}
+func (r fixedReader) Values(context.Context, string, string) (map[string]any, error) { return nil, nil }
+func (r fixedReader) OwnSecrets(context.Context, string) ([]compose.OwnSecretRow, error) {
+	return nil, nil
+}
+func (r fixedReader) Credentials(context.Context, string, []compose.CredentialKey, []compose.CredentialKey) ([]compose.Credential, []compose.Issued, error) {
+	return nil, nil, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/selfcompose/shadow.go b/internal/selfcompose/shadow.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2bbdb1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/selfcompose/shadow.go
@@ -0,0 +1,358 @@
+package selfcompose
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose/frombus"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/agent"
+)
+
+// Shadow is the node's answer to placement candidates (novox/hq ADR 0559 §4, issue 1126): for every group with a key in
+// the indexer's state `placement-candidates`, it composes this node in shadow from the trunk's placement with the group's
+// keys laid over it and its own inputs (the sealed values and boxes it holds among them), compares the result with what
+// the node runs, and hands the answers to be written into the node's own have key, `<node>.node`, under `candidates`.
+// It applies nothing and hands no composition: what runs is still composed from `placement` alone, by the Composer.
+//
+// **Event-driven, like the Composer.** It watches every candidate key, the trunk's placement, every node's record, the
+// indexer's modules, this node's config values, and this node's module haves (what it runs moved); a burst of changes
+// answers once. It runs whether or not the node is placed yet: a node that applies the controller's compositions answers
+// against what it runs from them. An answer is handed only when it changes, and a group's answer is dropped when its
+// keys go.
+type Shadow struct {
+	c      *Composer
+	answer func(ctx context.Context, answers map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer)
+
+	mu         sync.Mutex
+	candidates map[string]map[string]candidateKey // by group, by node
+	answers    map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer
+}
+
+// candidateKey is one candidate key as last read: its value and revision.
+type candidateKey struct {
+	c   delivery.PlacementCandidate
+	rev uint64
+}
+
+// NewShadow is the shadow composer of one node; answer writes the node's answers into its own have key.
+func NewShadow(env Env, answer func(ctx context.Context, answers map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer)) *Shadow {
+	return &Shadow{c: New(env), answer: answer, candidates: map[string]map[string]candidateKey{},
+		answers: map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer{}}
+}
+
+// Keep runs the shadow until ctx ends, beginning again after backoff(try) whenever it stops: an input it cannot watch
+// yet (the candidates' state not made, or the node's grant of it not loaded at a delivery) or a watch that ended is
+// tried again rather than leaving the node answering nothing for the rest of the link (review of L2b, round 1, finding
+// 2). Each distinct reason is said once.
+func (s *Shadow) Keep(ctx context.Context, backoff func(try int) time.Duration) {
+	said := ""
+	for try := 1; ctx.Err() == nil; try++ {
+		began := time.Now()
+		err := s.Run(ctx)
+		if ctx.Err() != nil {
+			return
+		}
+		if time.Since(began) > time.Minute {
+			try = 1 // it ran: a later stop begins the waits again
+		}
+		why := "it stopped"
+		if err != nil {
+			why = err.Error()
+		}
+		if why != said {
+			s.c.env.Say("this node answers no placement candidate for now, and tries again: " + why)
+			said = why
+		}
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-time.After(backoff(try)):
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Run answers until ctx ends or an input's watch ends.
+func (s *Shadow) Run(ctx context.Context) error {
+	// Each run watches afresh and starts from nothing read: what changed while it was down (a candidate key deleted)
+	// is then not missed, and the watches of a run before are not left open (review of L2b, round 2).
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(ctx)
+	defer cancel()
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.candidates = map[string]map[string]candidateKey{}
+	s.c = New(s.c.env)
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	c := s.c
+	node := c.env.Node
+	ins := []input{
+		{delivery.PlacementCandidatesBucket, ">", nil},
+		{delivery.PlacementBucket, ">", (*Composer).takePlacement},
+		{delivery.HaveBucket, "*." + delivery.HaveNodeWord, nil},
+		{delivery.ModulesBucket, ">", (*Composer).takeModule},
+		{ResolvedBucket, node + ".>", (*Composer).takeValue},
+		// What this node runs moved: an apply ends in its module's have.
+		{delivery.HaveBucket, node + ".*", nil},
+	}
+	type tagged struct {
+		in int
+		u  agent.Update
+		ok bool
+	}
+	merged := make(chan tagged, 64)
+	for i, in := range ins {
+		ch, err := c.env.Watch(ctx, in.bucket, in.pattern)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("the node answers placement candidates from %s, which cannot be watched: %w", in.bucket, err)
+		}
+		go func(i int, ch <-chan agent.Update) {
+			for u := range ch {
+				select {
+				case merged <- tagged{in: i, u: u, ok: true}:
+				case <-ctx.Done():
+					return
+				}
+			}
+			select {
+			case merged <- tagged{in: i}:
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+			}
+		}(i, ch)
+	}
+	caught := make([]bool, len(ins))
+	ready, dirty := false, false
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return nil
+		case t := <-merged:
+			if !t.ok {
+				return fmt.Errorf("the watch of %s ended; the node answers no placement candidate until its agent starts again", ins[t.in].bucket)
+			}
+			switch {
+			case t.u.Caught:
+				caught[t.in] = true
+			case t.in == 0:
+				dirty = s.takeCandidate(t.u) || dirty
+			case t.in == 2:
+				dirty = s.takeRecord(t.u) || dirty
+			case t.in == 5:
+				dirty = !isNodeKey(t.u.Key) || dirty
+			default:
+				ins[t.in].take(c, t.u)
+				dirty = true
+			}
+			if len(merged) > 0 {
+				continue
+			}
+		}
+		if !ready {
+			if ready = all(caught); !ready {
+				continue
+			}
+			dirty = true
+		}
+		if dirty {
+			dirty = false
+			s.answerAll(ctx)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func isNodeKey(key string) bool {
+	_, _, isNode, err := delivery.ParseHaveKey(key)
+	return err == nil && isNode
+}
+
+// takeCandidate takes one candidate key, and says whether it changed anything.
+func (s *Shadow) takeCandidate(u agent.Update) bool {
+	group, node, err := delivery.ParsePlacementCandidateKey(u.Key)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	if u.Deleted {
+		if _, ok := s.candidates[group][node]; !ok {
+			return false
+		}
+		delete(s.candidates[group], node)
+		if len(s.candidates[group]) == 0 {
+			delete(s.candidates, group)
+		}
+		return true
+	}
+	c, err := delivery.DecodePlacementCandidate(u.Value)
+	if err != nil || c.Group != group || (c.Placement != nil && c.Placement.Node != node) {
+		// Not one: read as gone.
+		if _, ok := s.candidates[group][node]; ok {
+			delete(s.candidates[group], node)
+			return true
+		}
+		return false
+	}
+	if s.candidates[group] == nil {
+		s.candidates[group] = map[string]candidateKey{}
+	}
+	s.candidates[group][node] = candidateKey{c: c, rev: u.Revision}
+	return true
+}
+
+// takeRecord takes a node's record, and says whether it changed: the node's own key changes with each answer written,
+// which moves nothing composed.
+func (s *Shadow) takeRecord(u agent.Update) bool {
+	node, _, isNode, err := delivery.ParseHaveKey(u.Key)
+	if err != nil || !isNode {
+		return false
+	}
+	c := s.c
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	before, had := c.records[node]
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	c.takeRecord(u)
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	after, has := c.records[node]
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	return had != has || (has && !delivery.SameNodeRecord(before, after))
+}
+
+// answerAll answers every group and hands the answers when any changed.
+func (s *Shadow) answerAll(ctx context.Context) {
+	c := s.c
+	node := c.env.Node
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	groups := make([]string, 0, len(s.candidates))
+	for g := range s.candidates {
+		groups = append(groups, g)
+	}
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	sort.Strings(groups)
+	next := map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer{}
+	for _, group := range groups {
+		if a, ok := s.answerGroup(ctx, group); ok {
+			next[group] = a
+		}
+	}
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	same := len(next) == len(s.answers)
+	for g, a := range next {
+		if old, ok := s.answers[g]; !ok || !sameAnswer(old, a) {
+			same = false
+		}
+	}
+	if !same {
+		s.answers = next
+	}
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	if !same && s.answer != nil {
+		out := make(map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer, len(next))
+		for g, a := range next {
+			out[g] = a
+		}
+		s.answer(ctx, out)
+		c.env.Say(fmt.Sprintf("%s answered %d placement candidate group(s)", node, len(out)))
+	}
+}
+
+// answerGroup is the node's answer to one group, and false when the node has nothing to answer: neither the trunk nor
+// the group places it.
+func (s *Shadow) answerGroup(ctx context.Context, group string) (delivery.CandidateAnswer, bool) {
+	c := s.c
+	node := c.env.Node
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	keys := s.candidates[group]
+	given := make(map[string]*delivery.Placement, len(keys))
+	var head string
+	for n, k := range keys {
+		given[n] = k.c.Placement
+		head = k.c.Pull.Head
+	}
+	// The revision answered is the node's own key's, 0 when the group has none for it (judged by the head alone).
+	own, mine := keys[node]
+	rev := own.rev
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	_, placed := c.placements[node]
+	modules := make(map[string]delivery.Module, len(c.modules))
+	for k, v := range c.modules {
+		modules[k] = v
+	}
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	if !placed && !mine {
+		return delivery.CandidateAnswer{}, false
+	}
+
+	var running []delivery.Composed
+	if c.env.Running != nil {
+		running = c.env.Running()
+	}
+	if p, ok := given[node]; ok && p == nil {
+		// The head removes this node's placement file: everything it runs is removed.
+		a := delivery.CandidateAnswer{Head: head, Revision: rev}
+		for _, r := range running {
+			if r.Module == "" {
+				a.Removed = append(a.Removed, delivery.HaveNodeWord)
+			} else {
+				a.Removed = append(a.Removed, r.Module)
+			}
+		}
+		sort.Strings(a.Removed)
+		a.Verdict = delivery.VerdictOf(a)
+		return a, true
+	}
+
+	// Each module at the build it runs; one the candidate adds at the trunk's build.
+	fps := map[string]string{}
+	kept := map[string]string{}
+	for _, r := range running {
+		if r.Module != "" && r.FP != "" {
+			fps[r.Module] = r.FP
+		}
+	}
+	placement := given[node]
+	if placement == nil {
+		c.mu.Lock()
+		p := c.placements[node]
+		c.mu.Unlock()
+		placement = &p
+	}
+	for _, m := range placement.Modules {
+		if _, runs := fps[m.Module]; !runs {
+			if mod, ok := modules[m.Module]; ok && mod.FP2 != "" {
+				fps[m.Module] = mod.FP2
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	for module, fp := range fps {
+		if mod, ok := modules[module]; ok && mod.FP2 == fp {
+			continue
+		}
+		digest, err := c.builtManifest(ctx, module, fp)
+		if err != nil {
+			return delivery.CandidateAnswer{Head: head, Revision: rev, Verdict: delivery.CandidateRefused,
+				Refused: fmt.Sprintf("%s runs at %s, whose manifest cannot be read: %v", module, fp, err)}, true
+		}
+		kept[module] = digest
+	}
+	// The boxes it runs, by what each module's have and its own key say after a restart (Held), are reused for the
+	// modules it runs: a value sealed again is no difference.
+	held := map[string]delivery.Want{agent.NodeModule: {}}
+	for module := range fps {
+		held[module] = delivery.Want{FP: fps[module]}
+	}
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	c.wants = held
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	a := frombus.Answer(ctx, reader{c: c}, c.env.Mesh, frombus.Scope{Node: node, Kept: kept, Placements: given}, fps, running, head, rev)
+	return a, true
+}
+
+func sameAnswer(a, b delivery.CandidateAnswer) bool {
+	x, errA := delivery.EncodeHaveNode(delivery.HaveNode{Candidates: map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer{"g": a}})
+	y, errB := delivery.EncodeHaveNode(delivery.HaveNode{Candidates: map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer{"g": b}})
+	return errA == nil && errB == nil && string(x) == string(y)
+}