diff --git a/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent_integration_test.go b/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent_integration_test.go
index 933bbaac..be40a99a 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent_integration_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent_integration_test.go
@@ -490,7 +490,7 @@ func h8(t *testing.T, b *itBed, checkBuild bool) (func(), h8state) {
 		}
 		return kv
 	}
-	assignment, modules, manifests := kvOf(buckets.Assignments), kvOf(buckets.Modules), kvOf(buckets.Manifests)
+	assignment, manifests := kvOf(buckets.Assignments), kvOf(buckets.Manifests)
 	resolved := kvOf(selfcompose.ResolvedBucket)
 	candidates := kvOf(buckets.ProposalCandidates)
 	packages := kvOf(link.PackagesBucket)
@@ -502,7 +502,6 @@ func h8(t *testing.T, b *itBed, checkBuild bool) (func(), h8state) {
 	mraw, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeManifest(meshcatalog.ManifestsByDigestValue{Module: "web", Manifest: man})
 	mkey, _ := meshcatalogclient.ManifestsKey(digest)
 	fp := fpIt("a")
-	modv, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeModule(meshcatalog.ModulesByModuleValue{Fp2: fp, Manifest: digest, Repository: "novox/web", Commit: strings.Repeat("1", 40)})
 	place, _ := meshmoduleassignerclient.EncodeAssignments(meshmoduleassigner.Assignments{Node: itNode, Modules: []meshmoduleassigner.PlacedModule{{Module: "web"}}})
 	rec, _ := nec.EncodeHaveNode(nodeengine.HaveByNodeNodeValue{Record: &nodeengine.NodeRecord{Node: itNode, Capabilities: []string{"service-manager", "package-manager"}}})
 	// it1 in one key per module and node (research 072 row 37), it2 in the form before: a node reads both.
@@ -516,7 +515,6 @@ func h8(t *testing.T, b *itBed, checkBuild bool) (func(), h8state) {
 	mdigest := meshcatalogclient.ManifestDigest([]byte(mailer))
 	mlraw, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeManifest(meshcatalog.ManifestsByDigestValue{Module: "mailer", Manifest: mailer})
 	mlkey, _ := meshcatalogclient.ManifestsKey(mdigest)
-	mlmod, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeModule(meshcatalog.ModulesByModuleValue{Fp2: fpIt("b"), Manifest: mdigest, Repository: "novox/mailer", Commit: strings.Repeat("2", 40)})
 	places2, _ := meshmoduleassignerclient.AssignmentsValues(meshmoduleassigner.Assignments{Node: "it2", Modules: []meshmoduleassigner.PlacedModule{{Module: "mailer"}}})
 	rec2, _ := nec.EncodeHaveNode(nodeengine.HaveByNodeNodeValue{Record: &nodeengine.NodeRecord{Node: "it2", Capabilities: []string{"service-manager"}}})
 	pkey2, _ := meshmoduleassignerclient.NodeKey("it2")
@@ -525,9 +523,9 @@ func h8(t *testing.T, b *itBed, checkBuild bool) (func(), h8state) {
 		kv    nats.KeyValue
 		key   string
 		value []byte
-	}{{manifests, mkey, mraw}, {modules, "web", modv}, {b.haves, hkey, rec},
+	}{{manifests, mkey, mraw}, {b.haves, hkey, rec},
 		{resolved, itNode + ".web.greeting", []byte(`{"value":"bonjour","source":"module"}`)},
-		{manifests, mlkey, mlraw}, {modules, "mailer", mlmod}, {b.haves, hkey2, rec2}, {assignment, pkey2, places2[pkey2]}, {assignment, "it2.mailer", places2["it2.mailer"]},
+		{manifests, mlkey, mlraw}, {b.haves, hkey2, rec2}, {assignment, pkey2, places2[pkey2]}, {assignment, "it2.mailer", places2["it2.mailer"]},
 		{resolved, "it2.mailer.domain", []byte(`{"value":"example.org","source":"module"}`)}} {
 		if _, err := w.kv.Put(w.key, w.value); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
diff --git a/internal/selfcompose/composedstate.go b/internal/selfcompose/composedstate.go
index da0eec31..61180a01 100644
--- a/internal/selfcompose/composedstate.go
+++ b/internal/selfcompose/composedstate.go
@@ -89,47 +89,20 @@ func (c *Composer) publishComposed(ctx context.Context) {
 // is left out. A module whose newest build the builder holds failed is also returned in failed, by module, with the
 // indexer's fingerprint and the build's error: it is published as a refusal, not composed.
 func (c *Composer) newestFPs(ctx context.Context, at *published) (out map[string]string, failed map[string][2]string) {
-	if c.byEntries() {
-		// The newest build is the indexer's (and the builder's done key says it is built): neither is read, and the node
-		// follows no branch (design 47 G §421, §628), so the state holds the wanted builds alone. A placed module's newest
-		// build that ended is the last trunk end the builder said of it (NoteBuildEnded): a failed one is refused (A-293).
-		failed = map[string][2]string{}
-		c.mu.Lock()
-		if c.endsRead {
-			for _, module := range at.placed {
-				if e, ok := c.ends[module]; ok && e.Outcome == builds.BuildFailed {
-					failed[module] = [2]string{e.Fingerprint, e.Error}
-				}
-			}
-		}
-		c.mu.Unlock()
-		return maps.Clone(at.fps), failed
-	}
-	out = map[string]string{}
+	// The newest build is the indexer's (and the builder's done key says it is built): neither is read, and the node
+	// follows no branch (design 47 G §421, §628), so the state holds the wanted builds alone. A placed module's newest
+	// build that ended is the last trunk end the builder said of it (NoteBuildEnded): a failed one is refused (A-293).
 	failed = map[string][2]string{}
-	r := reader{c: c}
-	for _, module := range at.placed {
-		c.mu.Lock()
-		fp2 := c.modules[module].Fp2
-		c.mu.Unlock()
-		if fp2 != "" {
-			if b, err := r.Build(ctx, module, fp2); err == nil && b != nil {
-				switch b.State {
-				case builds.BuildDone:
-					out[module] = fp2
-					continue
-				case builds.BuildFailed:
-					failed[module] = [2]string{fp2, b.Error}
-				}
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	if c.endsRead {
+		for _, module := range at.placed {
+			if e, ok := c.ends[module]; ok && e.Outcome == builds.BuildFailed {
+				failed[module] = [2]string{e.Fingerprint, e.Error}
 			}
 		}
-		if fp, ok := at.fps[module]; ok {
-			out[module] = fp
-		} else if fp, ok := at.ran[module]; ok {
-			out[module] = fp
-		}
 	}
-	return out, failed
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	return maps.Clone(at.fps), failed
 }
 
 // writeComposed works out the state's keys from at and writes those that differ, then deletes what is past keeping.
@@ -291,7 +264,7 @@ func (c *Composer) composedValues(ctx context.Context, at *published) (map[strin
 func (c *Composer) endedRefusals(values map[string][]byte) []string {
 	c.mu.Lock()
 	defer c.mu.Unlock()
-	if !c.byEntries() || !c.endsRead {
+	if !c.endsRead {
 		return nil
 	}
 	var out []string
diff --git a/internal/selfcompose/entries.go b/internal/selfcompose/entries.go
index bcc6e610..0af82b00 100644
--- a/internal/selfcompose/entries.go
+++ b/internal/selfcompose/entries.go
@@ -66,10 +66,6 @@ type WantRow struct {
 	KeptSince   time.Time `json:"kept-since"`
 }
 
-// byEntries says the composer reads the catalog half by fingerprint (the node's own composer), as the shadow, which keeps
-// its reads of the indexer until it goes with the checker (§628), does not.
-func (c *Composer) byEntries() bool { return c.entries != nil }
-
 // newEntries makes the composer's cache of entries over env's call of `entry`.
 func (c *Composer) newEntries() {
 	if c.env.Entry == nil {
@@ -96,7 +92,7 @@ func wantStateKey(module string) string { return keptWantPrefix + module }
 // half (§683). A want read stands only until the live read of the wants answers (endKeptWants). A state that cannot be read
 // is said, and what it would have kept is asked of `entry` and read from the wants as they come.
 func (c *Composer) loadKept(ctx context.Context) {
-	if !c.byEntries() || c.env.ComposedState == nil {
+	if c.env.ComposedState == nil {
 		return
 	}
 	kept, err := c.env.ComposedState.Entries(ctx)
@@ -136,9 +132,6 @@ func (c *Composer) loadKept(ctx context.Context) {
 // says are the ones the node composes from, never a want older than its stream's (§683). A kept want the read did not
 // announce is gone.
 func (c *Composer) endKeptWants() {
-	if !c.byEntries() {
-		return
-	}
 	c.mu.Lock()
 	defer c.mu.Unlock()
 	for module := range c.keptWants {
@@ -252,9 +245,6 @@ func (c *Composer) wantedBuilds() map[string]bool {
 // composes from, and lays the picture frombus reads (c.modules, c.manifests) from the entries it holds. It runs at the start of
 // each pass.
 func (c *Composer) syncEntries(ctx context.Context) {
-	if !c.byEntries() {
-		return
-	}
 	need := c.wantedBuilds()
 	for fp := range need {
 		c.entryOf(fp)
@@ -393,9 +383,6 @@ func entryManifest(e meshcatalog.CatalogEntry) (digest string, raw []byte, err e
 // entryHolds is, of each module this node's want names, why its entry is not held: asked and not answered, or answered not
 // found. It is the phase held with a detail opening entry-asked: or entry-missing: and naming the fingerprint (§421, §614).
 func (c *Composer) entryHolds() map[string]string {
-	if !c.byEntries() {
-		return nil
-	}
 	c.mu.Lock()
 	wants := map[string]meshwants.WantsByWantNodeModuleValue{}
 	for module, w := range c.wants {
@@ -476,9 +463,6 @@ func (c *Composer) buildOf(module, fp string) *builds.BuilderBuild {
 // follows no branch), the entries it keeps and the wants it composes from.
 func (c *Composer) FirstViews() (views []map[string]any, entries []EntryRow, wants []WantRow) {
 	views, entries, wants = []map[string]any{}, []EntryRow{}, []WantRow{}
-	if !c.byEntries() {
-		return
-	}
 	seen := map[string]bool{}
 	for _, r := range c.entries.Rows() {
 		seen[r.Fingerprint] = true
@@ -508,9 +492,6 @@ func (c *Composer) EntryAgain(ctx context.Context, fp string) error {
 	if c.AlsoEntryAgain != nil {
 		c.AlsoEntryAgain(ctx, fp)
 	}
-	if !c.byEntries() {
-		return fmt.Errorf("this engine reads no entry by fingerprint")
-	}
 	c.mu.Lock()
 	_, kept := c.keptEnt[fp]
 	delete(c.keptEnt, fp)
@@ -554,9 +535,6 @@ const noEntryWords = "no entry of fingerprint"
 // to, each read from the entry the composer holds of its fingerprint (design 47 G §296, §297). An entry not held is an error: the
 // node agent then says it is not known and the move goes on.
 func (c *Composer) FormChanges(_ context.Context, module, runningFp, appliedFp string) ([]catalogue.FormChange, error) {
-	if !c.byEntries() {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("this engine reads no entry by fingerprint")
-	}
 	read := func(fp string) (catalogue.Manifest, error) {
 		e, state := c.entryOf(fp)
 		if state != meshcatalogclient.EntryAnswered {
@@ -583,9 +561,6 @@ func (c *Composer) FormChanges(_ context.Context, module, runningFp, appliedFp s
 // c.manifests from the entries held, and says whether an entry asked is not yet answered: the shadow's picture of the catalog,
 // where it once watched the indexer's modules (design 47 G §421, A-308).
 func (c *Composer) syncShadowEntries(ctx context.Context) (pending bool) {
-	if !c.byEntries() {
-		return false
-	}
 	c.syncEntries(ctx)
 	c.mu.Lock()
 	defer c.mu.Unlock()
@@ -651,9 +626,6 @@ func (c *Composer) addedModule(ctx context.Context, module string) (fp string, e
 // and says the first not yet answered: the shadow composes a candidate from entries alone (§421, §628), and an answer wakes it. The
 // fingerprints are kept beside the candidates' added ones while a proposal stands (addedFps).
 func (c *Composer) askBuildsEntries(fps map[string]string) (pending string) {
-	if !c.byEntries() {
-		return ""
-	}
 	for _, module := range slices.Sorted(maps.Keys(fps)) {
 		fp := fps[module]
 		if !strings.HasPrefix(fp, meshcatalogclient.SourcePrefix2) {
diff --git a/internal/selfcompose/entries_test.go b/internal/selfcompose/entries_test.go
index 24d32128..6045d43f 100644
--- a/internal/selfcompose/entries_test.go
+++ b/internal/selfcompose/entries_test.go
@@ -212,23 +212,6 @@ func composeFromEntries(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-// takeModule lays one module of the catalog half's picture as the composer's own lay of an entry does (layModules): the tests
-// that compose from a picture they set read no indexer.
-func (c *Composer) takeModule(u agent.Update) {
-	name, err := meshcatalogclient.ParseModulesKey(u.Key)
-	if err != nil {
-		return
-	}
-	c.mu.Lock()
-	defer c.mu.Unlock()
-	m, err := meshcatalogclient.DecodeModule(u.Value)
-	if u.Deleted || err != nil {
-		delete(c.modules, name)
-		return
-	}
-	c.modules[name] = m
-}
-
 // catalogHalf is the catalog half's entries a test composes from, by fingerprint, answered through the seat mesh-catalog's verbs
 // entry and module (design 47 G §421, A-312): the node-engine reads no indexer.
 type catalogHalf map[string]meshcatalog.CatalogEntry
diff --git a/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose.go b/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose.go
index ed533851..d8a65be1 100644
--- a/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose.go
+++ b/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose.go
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ type Env struct {
 	SeatListChanged <-chan struct{}
 	// Entry asks the seat mesh-catalog's verb `entry` of a fingerprint (meshcatalogclient.EntryVerb), in the engine's own name.
 	// Set, the composer reads the catalog half by the fingerprints its wants and the runnings it heard name and nothing else of
-	// the indexer's or the builder's states (design 47 G §421, §628); nil reads the indexer's states, as the shadow does.
+	// the indexer's or the builder's states (design 47 G §421, §628); a composer is made with it.
 	Entry meshcatalogclient.Call
 }
 
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ type Composer struct {
 	notTaken map[string]string
 	// unmadeSaid is, by module, the stable part of the reason its last journal line said (without where the picture stands).
 	unmadeSaid map[string]string
-	// entries is the cache of entries asked by fingerprint, nil where the composer reads the indexer's states; keptEnt the entries
+	// entries is the cache of entries asked by fingerprint; keptEnt the entries
 	// held from the composition state or an answer, keptWantVal the wants it keeps there and keptWants the modules whose want
 	// stands from that state alone until the live read of the wants answers (entries.go). Under mu; keptWrite orders the writes.
 	entries *meshcatalogclient.Entries
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ type Pass struct {
 	// composed at (frombus.Scope.Holds), for LastHeld's words.
 	holds map[string]compose.Hold
 	// Unmade is each module wanted that the pass composed no composition of at its want's fp, with why: the want not
-	// taken, the module not assigned here, no manifest in the composer's picture of the indexer's modules (and where that
+	// taken, the module not assigned here, no entry of its build in the composer's picture of the catalog half (and where that
 	// picture stands), or what the composition left it out for. A module held alone is in Held, not here. Said once per
 	// change as a journal line, so a want that waits for the composer says what for.
 	Unmade map[string]string `json:"unmade,omitempty"`
@@ -1557,7 +1557,7 @@ func (r reader) Manifest(ctx context.Context, digest string) ([]byte, error) {
 	if ok {
 		return raw, nil
 	}
-	if r.c.byEntries() && !r.c.forCandidates {
+	if !r.c.forCandidates {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the catalog half's entries hold no manifest %s", digest)
 	}
 	key, err := meshcatalogclient.ManifestsKey(digest)
@@ -2195,7 +2195,7 @@ func (c *Composer) unmadeOf(fps map[string]string, comps map[string]engcomp.Comp
 			continue
 		}
 		if made[module] == fp {
-			// Composed, but from the indexer's manifest and not a build: said, since what it names no artifacts of is no module
+			// Composed, but from the entry's manifest and not a build: said, since what it names no artifacts of is no module
 			// that runs.
 			if w, ok := fromManifest[module]; ok {
 				out[module], keys[module] = w, fp+" "+w
@@ -2211,18 +2211,18 @@ func (c *Composer) unmadeOf(fps map[string]string, comps map[string]engcomp.Comp
 			why = fmt.Sprintf("the seat's assignment places no %s on this node (%d modules placed)", module, len(own.Modules))
 			key = "not placed"
 		case !in:
-			why = fmt.Sprintf("no manifest in the composer's picture of the indexer's modules (%d modules)",
+			why = fmt.Sprintf("no entry of its build in the composer's picture of the catalog half (%d modules)",
 				len(c.modules))
 			key = "no manifest"
 		case slices.Contains(skipped, module):
-			why = "the composition skipped it: the declaration gives it no fingerprint (indexer's picture: " + m.Fp2 + ")"
+			why = "the composition skipped it: the declaration gives it no fingerprint (the composer's picture: " + m.Fp2 + ")"
 			key = why
 		default:
 			if at := made[module]; at != "" {
-				why = fmt.Sprintf("the pass composed it at %s and the want names %s (indexer's picture: %s)", at, fp, m.Fp2)
+				why = fmt.Sprintf("the pass composed it at %s and the want names %s (the composer's picture: %s)", at, fp, m.Fp2)
 				key = "composed at " + at
 			} else {
-				why = fmt.Sprintf("the composition made nothing of it at %s (indexer's picture: %s)", fp, m.Fp2)
+				why = fmt.Sprintf("the composition made nothing of it at %s (the composer's picture: %s)", fp, m.Fp2)
 				key = "made nothing at " + m.Fp2
 			}
 		}
@@ -2444,7 +2444,7 @@ func (c *Composer) EngineModule() string {
 // stands says the want of a module stands for its placement in the early pass of a start: its want is a kept one the live read has
 // not answered, and the entry of its build is kept (design 47 G A-117).
 func (c *Composer) stands(module string, w meshwants.WantsByWantNodeModuleValue) bool {
-	if !c.byEntries() || !c.keptWants[module] {
+	if !c.keptWants[module] {
 		return false
 	}
 	k, ok := c.keptEnt[w.Fp]
diff --git a/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose_test.go b/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose_test.go
index 0620df94..78830f34 100644
--- a/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose_test.go
+++ b/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose_test.go
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ type fakeBus struct {
 	kv      map[string][]byte // bucket/key
 	said    []string
 	reads   [][2]string // bucket, pattern or key: every watch and get
+	half    catalogHalf // the catalog half the bus's composers ask the entry of
 }
 
 func newFakeBus() *fakeBus {
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ func newFakeBus() *fakeBus {
 }
 
 func (b *fakeBus) env() Env {
-	return Env{Node: "n1",
+	return Env{Node: "n1", Entry: b.half.call(), // the catalog half answers what the test's bus holds of it, nothing until a test sets it
 		Watch: func(_ context.Context, bucket, pattern string) (<-chan agent.Update, error) {
 			b.mu.Lock()
 			defer b.mu.Unlock()
@@ -163,10 +164,24 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 	man, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeManifest(meshcatalog.ManifestsByDigestValue{Module: "lemurs", Manifest: lemurs})
 	key, _ := meshcatalogclient.ManifestsKey(digest)
 	b.kv[buckets.Manifests+"/"+key] = man
+	// The catalog half the node composes from, by fingerprint: the node's own composer asks it and reads nothing of the indexer.
+	half := catalogHalf{}
+	half.add(t, "lemurs", fp, lemurs)
+	oldieFp := meshcatalogclient.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("c", 64)
+	toolFp := meshcatalogclient.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("7", 64)
+	keeperFp := meshcatalogclient.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("9", 64)
+	toolBody := `{"module":"tool","version":"1","capabilities":["systemd"],"build":{"artifacts":[{"name":"files","kind":"archive","from":"files"}]},` +
+		`"resources":[{"id":"service","type":"service","unit":"tool.service","state":"running","boot":"enabled"}]}`
+	half.add(t, "tool", toolFp, toolBody)
+	b.half = half
+	keeperBody := `{"module":"keeper","version":"1","own-secrets":{"password":"/var/lib/mesh/keeper/password"},` +
+		`"resources":[{"id":"state","type":"directory","path":"/var/lib/mesh/keeper","mode":"0700"}]}`
+	half.add(t, "keeper", keeperFp, keeperBody)
 
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	defer cancel()
 	env := b.env()
+	env.Entry = half.call()
 	// The vault's own: keeper's password sealed to n1's key, sealed again (other bytes) at every ask.
 	var asks, generation int
 	sealedAt := map[string]int{} // each box handed, by the generation it opens to
@@ -195,26 +210,22 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 	// oldie is placed and no want names it (a module at a build of the old form, nats on novox): the node runs it inside
 	// its own composition, and composes it there again, even before the agent has applied anything (Running empty).
 	oldie := `{"module":"oldie","version":"1","capabilities":["systemd"],"resources":[{"id":"service","type":"service","unit":"oldie.service","state":"running","boot":"enabled"}]}`
-	odigest := meshcatalogclient.ManifestDigest([]byte(oldie))
-	oman, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeManifest(meshcatalog.ManifestsByDigestValue{Module: "oldie", Manifest: oldie})
-	okey, _ := meshcatalogclient.ManifestsKey(odigest)
-	b.kv[buckets.Manifests+"/"+okey] = oman
-	omod, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeModule(meshcatalog.ModulesByModuleValue{Fp2: meshcatalogclient.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("c", 64), Manifest: odigest, Repository: "novox/o", Commit: "c"})
+	half.add(t, "oldie", oldieFp, oldie)
 	place := assignedValues(t, meshmoduleassigner.Assignments{Node: "n1", Decided: meshmoduleassigner.NodeDecided{Hub: true, Address: "10.77.0.1"},
 		Modules: []meshmoduleassigner.PlacedModule{{Module: "lemurs"}, {Module: "oldie"}}})
 	have, _ := nodeengineclient.EncodeHaveNode(nodeengine.HaveByNodeNodeValue{Record: &nodeengine.NodeRecord{Node: "n1", TunnelKey: "k", SealingKey: "sk", Capabilities: []string{"systemd"}}})
-	mod, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeModule(meshcatalog.ModulesByModuleValue{Fp2: fp, Manifest: digest, Repository: "novox/x", Commit: "c"})
 	want, _ := bucketstest.Want(meshwants.WantsByWantNodeModuleValue{Fp: fp, Self: true})
 	nodeWant, _ := bucketstest.NodeWant(meshwants.WantsByWantNodeNodeValue{Self: true})
 	b.putAssigned(t, place)
 	b.put(t, buckets.Have, "n1.node", have)
 	oldHave, _ := nodeengineclient.EncodeHave(nodeengine.HaveByNodeModuleValue{Build: "build-1", Phase: nodeengineclient.PhaseRunning, Health: nodeengineclient.HealthOK})
 	b.put(t, buckets.Have, "n1.oldie", oldHave)
-	// The picture of the catalog half is set directly (no indexer is watched): lemurs's entry, which its want names, and oldie,
-	// which the node runs inside its own composition and no want names.
-	c.takeModule(agent.Update{Key: "lemurs", Value: mod})
-	c.takeModule(agent.Update{Key: "oldie", Value: omod})
-	c.holdEntry(t, "lemurs", fp, lemurs)
+	// The catalog half answers lemurs's entry, which its want names, and oldie's, which the node runs inside its own composition and
+	// no want names.
+	c.NoteRunning(nodeengine.Running{Node: "n1", Module: "oldie", Fingerprint: oldieFp})
+	c.RunningRead()
+	c.holdEntry(t, "lemurs", fp, lemurs) // held at the start, as the composition state keeps it, so the first pass composes
+	c.holdEntry(t, "oldie", oldieFp, oldie)
 	b.put(t, buckets.Wants, "want.n1.lemurs", want)
 	b.put(t, buckets.Wants, "want.n1.node", nodeWant)
 	for _, bucket := range []string{buckets.Wants, buckets.Assignments, buckets.Have, ResolvedBucket} {
@@ -289,18 +300,9 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 	// Issue 1966 (novox, 2026-11-09): every pass names each wanted module it composed nothing of, or composed from the indexer's
 	// manifest for want of a done build, with why, and a want it did not take; said once; the agent's word that it waits
 	// hands a composition the node believes handed again.
-	tfp := meshcatalogclient.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("7", 64)
-	tool := `{"module":"tool","version":"1","capabilities":["systemd"],"build":{"artifacts":[{"name":"files","kind":"archive","from":"files"}]},` +
-		`"resources":[{"id":"service","type":"service","unit":"tool.service","state":"running","boot":"enabled"}]}`
-	tdigest := meshcatalogclient.ManifestDigest([]byte(tool))
-	tman, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeManifest(meshcatalog.ManifestsByDigestValue{Module: "tool", Manifest: tool})
-	tkey, _ := meshcatalogclient.ManifestsKey(tdigest)
-	b.mu.Lock()
-	b.kv[buckets.Manifests+"/"+tkey] = tman
-	b.mu.Unlock()
-	tmod, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeModule(meshcatalog.ModulesByModuleValue{Fp2: tfp, Manifest: tdigest, Repository: "novox/t", Commit: "c"})
-	c.takeModule(agent.Update{Key: "tool", Value: tmod, Revision: 9})
-	for module, w := range map[string]meshwants.WantsByWantNodeModuleValue{"tool": {Fp: tfp, Self: true}, "ghost": {Fp: fp, Self: true}, "nofp": {Self: true}} {
+	tfp, ghostFp := toolFp, meshcatalogclient.SourcePrefix2+strings.Repeat("8", 64)
+	c.holdEntry(t, "tool", tfp, toolBody)
+	for module, w := range map[string]meshwants.WantsByWantNodeModuleValue{"tool": {Fp: tfp, Self: true}, "ghost": {Fp: ghostFp, Self: true}, "nofp": {Self: true}} {
 		raw, _ := bucketstest.Want(w)
 		c.takeWant(agent.Update{Key: "want.n1." + module, Value: raw})
 	}
@@ -320,22 +322,20 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 		return n
 	}
 	c.compose(ctx)
-	why := map[string]string{"tool": c.WhyUnmade("tool"), "ghost": c.WhyUnmade("ghost"), "nofp": c.WhyUnmade("nofp"), "lemurs": c.WhyUnmade("lemurs")}
-	if !strings.Contains(why["tool"], "the builder holds no done build of it at "+tfp) || !strings.Contains(why["ghost"], "places no ghost") ||
+	saidOfNofp := said("the node composes nothing of nofp")
+	why := map[string]string{"tool": c.LastHeld()["tool"], "ghost": c.LastHeld()["ghost"], "nofp": c.WhyUnmade("nofp"), "lemurs": c.WhyUnmade("lemurs")}
+	if !strings.Contains(why["tool"], "tool at "+tfp) || !strings.Contains(why["ghost"], "entry-asked: the entry of the build "+ghostFp) ||
 		!strings.Contains(why["nofp"], "want not taken: its want names no fingerprint") || why["lemurs"] != "" {
 		t.Errorf("the pass says it composed nothing of %q", why)
 	}
-	// An update of another module moves the picture's revision: the same reasons are not said again.
-	c.takeModule(agent.Update{Key: "lemurs", Value: mod, Revision: 10})
 	c.compose(ctx)
-	if n := said("the node composes nothing of ghost"); n != 1 {
-		t.Errorf("the journal says why ghost is not composed %d times, want once", n)
+	if n := said("the node composes nothing of nofp"); n != saidOfNofp || n == 0 {
+		t.Errorf("the journal says why nofp is not composed %d times after the second pass, %d after the first: want the same, not none", n, saidOfNofp)
 	}
 	// The state of this step is taken away again, and the pass that takes back what it handed is made here.
 	for _, module := range []string{"tool", "ghost", "nofp"} {
 		c.takeWant(agent.Update{Key: "want.n1." + module, Deleted: true})
 	}
-	c.takeModule(agent.Update{Key: "tool", Deleted: true})
 	c.mu.Lock()
 	placed.Modules = placed.Modules[:len(placed.Modules)-1]
 	c.assignments["n1"] = placed
@@ -365,18 +365,13 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("a build that cannot be composed was composed today: %s", dig)
 	}
 	chgJSON := strings.Replace(lemurs, `"state":"running"`, `"state":"stopped"`, 1)
-	chgDigest := meshcatalogclient.ManifestDigest([]byte(chgJSON))
-	chgMan, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeManifest(meshcatalog.ManifestsByDigestValue{Module: "lemurs", Manifest: chgJSON})
-	chgKey, _ := meshcatalogclient.ManifestsKey(chgDigest)
-	b.mu.Lock()
-	b.kv[buckets.Manifests+"/"+chgKey] = chgMan
-	b.mu.Unlock()
-	chgMod, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeModule(meshcatalog.ModulesByModuleValue{Fp2: fp, Manifest: chgDigest, Repository: "novox/x", Commit: "c"})
-	c.takeModule(agent.Update{Key: "lemurs", Value: chgMod})
+	c.holdEntry(t, "lemurs", fp, chgJSON)
+	c.layModules()
 	if dig, ok := c.ComposedToday(ctx, "lemurs", fp); !ok || dig == handedDig {
 		t.Errorf("composed today with a changed input: %s %v, want another digest than %s", dig, ok, handedDig)
 	}
-	c.takeModule(agent.Update{Key: "lemurs", Value: mod})
+	c.holdEntry(t, "lemurs", fp, lemurs)
+	c.layModules()
 
 	// Issue 1126, the switch made safe: a bus not answering for a moment (a reload of its accounts) is tried again and
 	// refuses nothing; a pass whose run ended refuses nothing either.
@@ -405,6 +400,7 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 		for k, v := range c.modules {
 			c2.modules[k] = v
 		}
+		maps.Copy(c2.keptEnt, c.keptEnt)
 		c.mu.Unlock()
 		return c2, &refusals
 	}
@@ -431,7 +427,7 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 		b.mu.Unlock()
 		failed := 0
 		pctx, pcancel := context.WithCancel(ctx)
-		c2, refusals := fresh(func(gctx context.Context, bucket, key string) ([]byte, error) {
+		get := func(gctx context.Context, bucket, key string) ([]byte, error) {
 			if failed < row.failures {
 				failed++
 				if row.cancel {
@@ -447,7 +443,20 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 			b.mu.Lock()
 			defer b.mu.Unlock()
 			return b.kv[bucket+"/"+key], nil
-		})
+		}
+		c2, refusals := fresh(get)
+		// What fails is the vault's own, asked for keeper's secret through the same read.
+		c2.holdEntry(t, "keeper", keeperFp, keeperBody)
+		c2.wants["keeper"] = meshwants.WantsByWantNodeModuleValue{Fp: keeperFp, Self: true}
+		pk := c2.assignments["n1"]
+		pk.Modules = append(slices.Clone(pk.Modules), meshmoduleassigner.PlacedModule{Module: "keeper"})
+		c2.assignments["n1"] = pk
+		c2.env.Own = func(octx context.Context, _ map[string]any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+			if _, err := get(octx, buckets.Wants, "own"); err != nil {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("the vault's own could not be asked: %w", err)
+			}
+			return json.RawMessage(`{"node":"n1","key":"sk","own":[{"module":"keeper","name":"password","origin":"made","generation":1,"sealed":{"a":1}}],"handed":{"keeper":false}}`), nil
+		}
 		handed := c2.compose(pctx)
 		pcancel()
 		tries := 1 + len(composeAgain) // a bus paused for a moment is tried again at once; a timeout or a refusal is not
@@ -503,15 +512,16 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 		`{"id":"pkg","type":"package","package":"haproxy"}]}`
 	c3, told := fresh(env.Get)
 	for m, raw := range map[string]string{"de-spiegel": string(spiegel), "proxy": proxy} {
-		dig := meshcatalogclient.ManifestDigest([]byte(raw))
-		enc, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeManifest(meshcatalog.ManifestsByDigestValue{Module: m, Manifest: raw})
-		k, _ := meshcatalogclient.ManifestsKey(dig)
-		b.mu.Lock()
-		b.kv[buckets.Manifests+"/"+k] = enc
-		b.mu.Unlock()
 		mfp := meshcatalogclient.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat(map[string]string{"de-spiegel": "d", "proxy": "e"}[m], 64)
-		c3.modules[m] = meshcatalog.ModulesByModuleValue{Fp2: mfp, Manifest: dig, Repository: "novox/" + m, Commit: "c"}
-		c3.wants[m] = meshwants.WantsByWantNodeModuleValue{Fp: mfp, Self: true}
+		c3.holdEntry(t, m, mfp, raw)
+		w := meshwants.WantsByWantNodeModuleValue{Fp: mfp, Self: true}
+		if m == "de-spiegel" { // builds an image: the entry names it, the want the digest its part has
+			k := c3.keptEnt[mfp]
+			k.entry.Artifacts = []meshcatalog.Artifact{{Kind: "image", Ref: "de-spiegel:site"}}
+			c3.keptEnt[mfp] = k
+			w.Parts = map[string]string{"de-spiegel:site": "sha256:" + strings.Repeat("6", 64)}
+		}
+		c3.wants[m] = w
 	}
 	p3 := c3.assignments["n1"]
 	p3.Modules = append(append([]meshmoduleassigner.PlacedModule{}, p3.Modules...), meshmoduleassigner.PlacedModule{Module: "proxy"}, meshmoduleassigner.PlacedModule{Module: "de-spiegel"})
@@ -556,16 +566,16 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	c4, told4 := fresh(env.Get)
-	powerDig := meshcatalogclient.ManifestDigest(power)
-	powerEnc, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeManifest(meshcatalog.ManifestsByDigestValue{Module: "power", Manifest: string(power)})
-	powerKey, _ := meshcatalogclient.ManifestsKey(powerDig)
-	b.mu.Lock()
-	b.kv[buckets.Manifests+"/"+powerKey] = powerEnc
-	b.mu.Unlock()
 	powerFP := meshcatalogclient.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("c", 64)
-	c4.modules["power"] = meshcatalog.ModulesByModuleValue{Fp2: powerFP, Manifest: powerDig, Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", Commit: "ca8d6f33",
-		// The indexer's verdict on the captured manifest (ADR 0578): the engine judges nothing, it takes this.
-		Verdict: meshcatalogclient.VerdictRefused, Problems: []string{`bar item "shows" is none of them`}}
+	powerHalf := catalogHalf{}
+	powerHalf.add(t, "power", powerFP, string(power))
+	powerEntry := powerHalf[powerFP]
+	// The verdict the catalog half's entry carries on the captured manifest (ADR 0578): the engine judges nothing, it takes this.
+	powerEntry.Repository, powerEntry.Commit, powerEntry.Verdict = "novox/mesh-catalog", "ca8d6f33", meshcatalogclient.VerdictRefused
+	powerEntry.Inputs = &meshcatalog.EntryInputs{Problems: []string{`bar item "shows" is none of them`}}
+	c4.mu.Lock()
+	c4.keptEnt[powerFP] = keptEntry{entry: powerEntry}
+	c4.mu.Unlock()
 	c4.wants["power"] = meshwants.WantsByWantNodeModuleValue{Fp: powerFP, Self: true}
 	p4 := c4.assignments["n1"]
 	p4.Modules = append(append([]meshmoduleassigner.PlacedModule{}, p4.Modules...), meshmoduleassigner.PlacedModule{Module: "power"})
@@ -735,7 +745,7 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 	b.mu.Lock()
 	n := 0
 	for _, s := range b.said {
-		if strings.Contains(s, "lemurs is wanted at "+gone) {
+		if strings.Contains(s, "lemurs: entry-missing: the catalog half holds no entry of the build "+gone) {
 			n++
 		}
 	}
@@ -750,20 +760,16 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 	if u := next(t, out); u.Key != lemursKey {
 		t.Fatalf("lemurs wanted back handed %s", u.Key)
 	}
-	keeper := `{"module":"keeper","version":"1","own-secrets":{"password":"/var/lib/mesh/keeper/password"},` +
-		`"resources":[{"id":"state","type":"directory","path":"/var/lib/mesh/keeper","mode":"0700"}]}`
+	keeper := keeperBody
 	kdigest := meshcatalogclient.ManifestDigest([]byte(keeper))
 	kman, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeManifest(meshcatalog.ManifestsByDigestValue{Module: "keeper", Manifest: keeper})
 	kkey, _ := meshcatalogclient.ManifestsKey(kdigest)
 	b.mu.Lock()
 	b.kv[buckets.Manifests+"/"+kkey] = kman
 	b.mu.Unlock()
-	kfp9 := meshcatalogclient.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("9", 64)
-	kmod, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeModule(meshcatalog.ModulesByModuleValue{Fp2: kfp9, Manifest: kdigest, Repository: "novox/k", Commit: "c"})
+	kfp9 := keeperFp
 	both := assignedValues(t, meshmoduleassigner.Assignments{Node: "n1", Decided: meshmoduleassigner.NodeDecided{Hub: true, Address: "10.77.0.1"},
 		Modules: []meshmoduleassigner.PlacedModule{{Module: "lemurs"}, {Module: "oldie"}, {Module: "keeper"}}})
-	c.takeModule(agent.Update{Key: "keeper", Value: kmod})
-	c.holdEntry(t, "keeper", kfp9, keeper)
 	// n1 is held in keys per module and node, which the writes below move.
 	bothPlaced, _ := meshmoduleassignerclient.AssignmentsOf(both)
 	bothNode := bothPlaced["n1"]
@@ -884,6 +890,7 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 		for k, v := range c.modules {
 			again.modules[k] = v
 		}
+		maps.Copy(again.keptEnt, c.keptEnt)
 		c.mu.Unlock()
 		var composed string
 		for _, u := range again.compose(ctx) {
@@ -1930,7 +1937,19 @@ func TestAnUnreadSeatListHoldsWhatIsNewAndHandsItAtTheRead(t *testing.T) {
 	maps.Copy(c2.assignments, c.assignments)
 	maps.Copy(c2.records, c.records)
 	maps.Copy(c2.modules, c.modules)
+	maps.Copy(c2.keptEnt, c.keptEnt)
 	c.mu.Unlock()
+	// What fails is the vault's own, asked for the secret of a module the pass composes (the modules' manifests come from entries).
+	kfp := meshcatalogclient.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("9", 64)
+	c2.holdEntry(t, "keeper", kfp, `{"module":"keeper","version":"1","own-secrets":{"password":"/var/lib/mesh/keeper/password"},`+
+		`"resources":[{"id":"state","type":"directory","path":"/var/lib/mesh/keeper","mode":"0700"}]}`)
+	c2.wants["keeper"] = meshwants.WantsByWantNodeModuleValue{Fp: kfp, Self: true}
+	pk := c2.assignments["n1"]
+	pk.Modules = append(slices.Clone(pk.Modules), meshmoduleassigner.PlacedModule{Module: "keeper"})
+	c2.assignments["n1"] = pk
+	c2.env.Own = func(context.Context, map[string]any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+		return nil, errors.New("nats says ${dir:mesh-state}, and nats declares no directory")
+	}
 	c2.compose(ctx)
 	if line := fmt.Sprintf(WaitsForTheSeatListHeld, 2, "mesh-catalog, node-engine") + "; "; !strings.HasPrefix(refusal, line) {
 		t.Errorf("a pass refused while the list is unread says %q, want it to begin %q", refusal, line)
@@ -2090,6 +2109,8 @@ func TestTheHolderOfTheCatalogIsStartedFromTheOwnCompositionBeforeTheListIsReadA
 		`"resources":[{"id":"service","type":"service","unit":"other.service","state":"running","boot":"enabled"},` +
 		`{"id":"extra","type":"service","unit":"extra.service","state":"running","boot":"enabled"}]}`
 	b := newFakeBus()
+	half := catalogHalf{}
+	b.half = half
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	defer cancel()
 	env := b.env()
@@ -2107,12 +2128,11 @@ func TestTheHolderOfTheCatalogIsStartedFromTheOwnCompositionBeforeTheListIsReadA
 	mods := map[string]string{"catalog": catalog, "other": other}
 	var placed []meshmoduleassigner.PlacedModule
 	for _, m := range []string{"catalog", "other"} {
-		digest := meshcatalogclient.ManifestDigest([]byte(mods[m]))
-		man, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeManifest(meshcatalog.ManifestsByDigestValue{Module: m, Manifest: mods[m]})
-		mk, _ := meshcatalogclient.ManifestsKey(digest)
-		b.kv[buckets.Manifests+"/"+mk] = man
-		rec, _ := meshcatalogclient.EncodeModule(meshcatalog.ModulesByModuleValue{Fp2: meshcatalogclient.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("a", 64), Manifest: digest, Repository: "novox/x", Commit: "c"})
-		c.takeModule(agent.Update{Key: m, Value: rec}) // a module run inside the node's own composition: no want names it, so no entry is asked
+		mfp := meshcatalogclient.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat(map[string]string{"catalog": "a", "other": "b"}[m], 64)
+		half.add(t, m, mfp, mods[m])
+		// A module run inside the node's own composition: no want names it, the running heard does, so its entry is asked.
+		c.NoteRunning(nodeengine.Running{Node: "n1", Module: m, Fingerprint: mfp})
+		c.holdEntry(t, m, mfp, mods[m])
 		hk, _ := nodeengineclient.HaveKey("n1", m)
 		hv, _ := nodeengineclient.EncodeHave(nodeengine.HaveByNodeModuleValue{Build: "build-1", Phase: nodeengineclient.PhaseRunning, Health: nodeengineclient.HealthOK})
 		b.put(t, buckets.Have, hk, hv)