diff --git a/cmd/mesh-host/main.go b/cmd/mesh-host/main.go
index b352d48..bff6c87 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-host/main.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-host/main.go
@@ -156,6 +156,17 @@ type options struct {
 	file     string
 	// out is where what a command says goes. Stdout, and a buffer under test.
 	out io.Writer
+	// runner is what the node agent's applies run commands through (issue 774, ADR 0594): nil is the machine's own,
+	// apply.ExecRunner; a test gives one that records what an apply asked of the container runtime.
+	runner apply.Runner
+}
+
+// run is the runner the node agent's applies use: the options' own, else the machine's.
+func (o options) run() apply.Runner {
+	if o.runner != nil {
+		return o.runner
+	}
+	return apply.ExecRunner
 }
 
 // parseArgs takes the subcommand first, then its flags.
@@ -1637,11 +1648,11 @@ func applyModuleHeld(ctx context.Context, opts options, declared *declaration.De
 		func(known store.State) (apply.Report, store.State, error) {
 			if scope == nil {
 				return apply.ApplyMindingWindows(ctx, built, declared, known, store.OriginDeclared,
-					apply.ExecRunner, announceOr(say), sealOpener(opts.state), apply.KeepIn(filepath.Dir(opts.state)),
+					opts.run(), announceOr(say), sealOpener(opts.state), apply.KeepIn(filepath.Dir(opts.state)),
 					apply.WindowsIn(filepath.Dir(opts.state)))
 			}
 			return apply.ApplyModule(ctx, built, declared, *scope, known, store.OriginDeclared,
-				apply.ExecRunner, announceOr(say), sealOpener(opts.state), apply.KeepIn(filepath.Dir(opts.state)),
+				opts.run(), announceOr(say), sealOpener(opts.state), apply.KeepIn(filepath.Dir(opts.state)),
 				apply.WindowsIn(filepath.Dir(opts.state)))
 		}, announceOr(say))
 
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent.go b/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent.go
index 8001ee3..00b5aa2 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent.go
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ func (h sessionHaves) Write(ctx context.Context, x agent.Have) {
 	}
 	h.session.NoteModule(ctx, link.ModuleFact{Module: x.Module, FP: x.FP, Composed: x.Composed, Phase: phase,
 		Failed: phase == string(delivery.PhaseFailed), Detail: shorten(x.Detail), Judgement: x.Judgement, Waits: x.Waits,
-		Sealed: x.Sealed})
+		BuildAlone: x.BuildAlone, Kept: x.Kept, Sealed: x.Sealed})
 }
 
 func (h sessionHaves) Removed(ctx context.Context, module string) {
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ func nodeAgent(ctx context.Context, opts options, signer ed25519.PublicKey, trus
 			// What this engine applied, kept on the machine and read at the start, so what runs is known before the node
 			// composes its own (issue 774).
 			Applied:  appliedStoreFor(opts.state),
-			Inactive: inactiveIn(&liveness.Exec{Run: apply.ExecRunner, System: builtFor}, heldBy(apply.WindowsIn(filepath.Dir(opts.state)))),
+			Inactive: inactiveIn(&liveness.Exec{Run: liveness.Runner(opts.run()), System: builtFor}, heldBy(apply.WindowsIn(filepath.Dir(opts.state)))),
 			Revisions: func(ctx context.Context, key string) ([]agent.Update, error) {
 				got, err := session.KVHistory(ctx, composedBucket, key)
 				if err != nil {
@@ -606,6 +606,12 @@ func nodeAgent(ctx context.Context, opts options, signer ed25519.PublicKey, trus
 					now.NotComposedEach(run, why, held) // a module held alone marks that module, never the others (issue 1126)
 				}
 			},
+			// And what it keeps of a module as it runs, for a manifest that does not say it yet: on the module's have (ADR 0601 §4).
+			kept: func(kept map[string][]string) {
+				if now := own.get(); now != nil && run.Err() == nil {
+					now.KeptNow(run, kept)
+				}
+			},
 			// And the vault's authority beside the controller's, and this node's certificate asked of the vault when a
 			// module here asks for one (ADR 0550 §2).
 			vaultAuthority: trust.VaultAuthority,
@@ -616,7 +622,7 @@ func nodeAgent(ctx context.Context, opts options, signer ed25519.PublicKey, trus
 		// 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, shadowHooks.certify = nil, nil
+		shadowHooks.refused, shadowHooks.kept, shadowHooks.certify = nil, nil, nil
 		shadowEnv := composerEnv(session, node, say, shadowHooks)
 		shadow := selfcompose.NewShadow(shadowEnv,
 			func(ctx context.Context, answers map[string]delivery.CandidateAnswer) {
@@ -630,7 +636,7 @@ func nodeAgent(ctx context.Context, opts options, signer ed25519.PublicKey, trus
 		composer := selfComposer(session, node, hooks, say)
 		machinesNow.Store(composer) // the machines a failing network part points at, by the placements (issue 774)
 		composerNow.Store(composer) // what the verb compose asks a pass of, this run's alone
-		env.Composed, env.SelfComposed, env.Policy = composer, true, composer.Policy
+		env.Composed, env.SelfComposed, env.Policy, env.ComposedToday = composer, true, composer.Policy, composer.ComposedToday
 		env.HoldsData = composer.HoldsData // what runs from the kept declaration says Data as its manifest does
 		session.NoteComposes(linked, delivery.ComposesOwn, "it composes its own modules, and applies no composition made elsewhere")
 		ag = agent.New(env)
@@ -958,6 +964,7 @@ type composerHooks struct {
 	running func() []delivery.Composed
 	unseal  func(string) ([]byte, error)
 	refused func(why string, held map[string]string)
+	kept    func(kept map[string][]string)
 	held    func(module string) (delivery.Seals, []string, error)
 	// vaultAuthority and certify are selfcompose.Env's VaultAuthority and Certify.
 	vaultAuthority func() string
@@ -1011,6 +1018,6 @@ func composerEnv(session *link.Session, node string, say func(string), hooks com
 		Hear: session.Hear,
 		// And a moved module's templates archive, in the artifact store, as every archive is fetched (issue 1126).
 		Fetch:   apply.Fetch,
-		Running: hooks.running, Unseal: hooks.unseal, Refused: hooks.refused, Held: hooks.held,
+		Running: hooks.running, Unseal: hooks.unseal, Refused: hooks.refused, Held: hooks.held, Kept: hooks.kept,
 		VaultAuthority: hooks.vaultAuthority, Certify: hooks.certify}
 }
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent_integration_test.go b/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent_integration_test.go
index 0c9f677..cecee45 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent_integration_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent_integration_test.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"crypto/ed25519"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
@@ -14,13 +15,17 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buscompose"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/declaration"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2/server"
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/agent"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/apply"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/link"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/nodegrant"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/selfcompose"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/store"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/system"
 )
 
 // The node agent whole, against a real bus with JetStream started in the test: the wants bucket, the node's composition
@@ -619,3 +624,253 @@ func mustComposedKey(t *testing.T, module, fp string) string {
 	}
 	return key
 }
+
+// recordingRuntime is a container runtime that keeps its containers in memory and records every command an apply asks
+// of it (issue 774): what the bus server's container met is read from it, never from a real runtime.
+type recordingRuntime struct {
+	mu         sync.Mutex
+	containers map[string]string // name: the spec label it was made with
+	asked      []string
+}
+
+func (r *recordingRuntime) run(_ context.Context, name string, args ...string) (string, error) {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.mu.Unlock()
+	r.asked = append(r.asked, name+" "+strings.Join(args, " "))
+	if name != "docker" || len(args) == 0 {
+		return "", nil
+	}
+	switch args[0] {
+	case "info":
+		return "27.0\n", nil
+	case "container":
+		if len(args) > 1 && args[1] == "inspect" {
+			spec, ok := r.containers[args[len(args)-1]]
+			if !ok {
+				return "", errors.New("no such container")
+			}
+			return "true\t" + spec + "\n", nil
+		}
+	case "image":
+		if len(args) > 1 && args[1] == "inspect" {
+			return "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z\n", nil
+		}
+	case "rm":
+		delete(r.containers, args[len(args)-1])
+	case "rename":
+		if spec, ok := r.containers[args[1]]; ok {
+			delete(r.containers, args[1])
+			r.containers[args[2]] = spec
+		}
+	case "run", "create":
+		var made, spec string
+		for i, a := range args {
+			if a == "--name" && i+1 < len(args) {
+				made = args[i+1]
+			}
+			if a == "--label" && i+1 < len(args) && strings.HasPrefix(args[i+1], "mesh-host.spec=") {
+				spec = strings.TrimPrefix(args[i+1], "mesh-host.spec=")
+			}
+		}
+		r.containers[made] = spec
+		return "made\n", nil
+	}
+	return "", nil
+}
+
+// moved is each command that removed, made, stopped, renamed or restarted the container named.
+func (r *recordingRuntime) moved(container string) []string {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.mu.Unlock()
+	var out []string
+	for _, a := range r.asked {
+		for _, verb := range []string{"rm ", "run ", "create ", "stop ", "restart ", "kill ", "rename ", "start "} {
+			for _, prefix := range []string{"docker ", "docker container "} {
+				if strings.HasPrefix(a, prefix+verb) && strings.Contains(a, container) {
+					out = append(out, a)
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// ADR 0599 §6 and §4 (issue 774): the bus server the node's own composition made while the bus module was folded is taken
+// over by the bus module's first want, the node agent started whole against a real bus: it composes the bus module, writes
+// its changed file and records the server as the bus module's, and asks the container runtime to remove, make, stop,
+// rename or restart nothing, since the build does not change the server. A later want whose build changes the server
+// replaces it once, as any module's, once the want carries the yes (§2: the assigner gives it from the release's Approve).
+// ADR 0601 §2: the bus module keeps data (its streams), so before each of those applies the node agent asks its node's
+// backup seat to back it up, as for every module that keeps data, and applies only once the backup says it is done.
+func TestNatsTheBusServerIsTakenOverAndReplacedOnlyWhenItsBuildChangesIt(t *testing.T) {
+	b := newItBed(t)
+	runtime := &recordingRuntime{containers: map[string]string{}}
+	b.opts.runner = runtime.run
+	const server = "mesh-broker-it"
+	conf := filepath.Join(b.dir, "nats.conf")
+	image := "registry.example/nats@sha256:" + strings.Repeat("a", 64)
+
+	// What the node's own composition made of the folded bus: the server and its file, recorded as the node's own.
+	built, err := system.For(builtFor)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	folded, err := declaration.Parse([]byte(`{"declaration":1,"resources":[` +
+		`{"id":"nats.server-conf","type":"file","path":"` + conf + `","mode":"0644","content":"listen: old\n"},` +
+		`{"id":"nats.server","type":"container","name":"` + server + `","image":"` + image + `"}]}`))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	_, known, err := apply.ApplyModule(context.Background(), built, folded, apply.Scope{Module: store.NodeModule}, store.State{},
+		store.OriginDeclared, runtime.run, nil, nil, nil, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := store.Save(b.opts.state, known); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if moved := runtime.moved(server); len(moved) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the folded server was not made once: %v", moved)
+	}
+	made := runtime.containers[server]
+	runtime.mu.Lock()
+	runtime.asked = nil
+	runtime.mu.Unlock()
+
+	kvOf := func(bucket string) nats.KeyValue {
+		kv, err := b.js.CreateKeyValue(&nats.KeyValueConfig{Bucket: bucket, History: 5})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		return kv
+	}
+	placement, modules, manifests := kvOf(delivery.PlacementBucket), kvOf(delivery.ModulesBucket), kvOf(delivery.ManifestsBucket)
+	kvOf(selfcompose.ResolvedBucket)
+	builds := kvOf(delivery.BuilderBuildsBucket)
+	kvOf(delivery.PlacementCandidatesBucket)
+	kvOf(link.PackagesBucket)
+	// The bus module at a build, done: its manifest written and the indexer's module naming it at fp.
+	publish := func(fp, env string) {
+		man := `{"module":"nats","version":"1","provides":[{"name":"mesh-bus","scope":"mesh"}],` +
+			`"data":{"own":[{"id":"jetstream","path":"` + b.dir + `","class":"valuable","why":"the bus's streams"}]},"resources":[` +
+			`{"id":"server-conf","type":"file","path":"` + conf + `","mode":"0644","content":"listen: new\n"},` +
+			`{"id":"server","type":"container","name":"` + server + `","image":"` + image + `"` + env + `}]}`
+		digest := delivery.ManifestDigest([]byte(man))
+		mraw, _ := delivery.EncodeManifest(delivery.Manifest{Module: "nats", JSON: man})
+		mkey, _ := delivery.ManifestsKey(digest)
+		modv, _ := delivery.EncodeModule(delivery.Module{FP2: fp, Manifest: digest, Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", Commit: strings.Repeat("3", 40)})
+		if _, err := manifests.Put(mkey, mraw); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		bkey, _ := delivery.BuilderBuildKey("nats", fp)
+		done, _ := delivery.EncodeBuilderBuild(delivery.BuilderBuild{State: delivery.BuildDone, Manifest: digest})
+		if _, err := builds.Put(bkey, done); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if _, err := modules.Put("nats", modv); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	rec, _ := delivery.EncodeHaveNode(delivery.HaveNode{Record: &delivery.NodeRecord{Node: itNode,
+		Capabilities: []string{"service-manager", "package-manager", "container-runtime"}}})
+	hkey, _ := delivery.HaveNodeKey(itNode)
+	places, _ := delivery.PlacementValues(delivery.Placement{Node: itNode, Modules: []delivery.PlacedModule{{Module: "nats"}}})
+	// The have the engine wrote of the folded bus: the old-form build, no fingerprint.
+	natsHave, _ := delivery.HaveKey(itNode, "nats")
+	oldHave, _ := delivery.EncodeHave(delivery.Have{Build: "build-1792674595610176744", Phase: delivery.PhaseRunning, Health: delivery.HealthOK})
+	for key, value := range map[string][]byte{hkey: rec, natsHave: oldHave} {
+		if _, err := b.haves.Put(key, value); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	busWant := func(w delivery.Want) {
+		raw, err := delivery.EncodeWant(w)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		key, _ := delivery.WantKey(itNode, "nats")
+		if _, err := b.wants.Put(key, raw); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	// The node's backup seat: its holder says the bus module has something to back up, starts a backup on now, and says
+	// when it ended on its event; each ask of now notes what the bus's file held then, so the order is seen.
+	var backups []string
+	var backupsMu sync.Mutex
+	if _, err := b.conn.Subscribe(link.SeatToolSubject("node-backup", "backed-up", itNode), func(m *nats.Msg) {
+		_ = m.Respond([]byte(`{"result":[{"module":"nats","runs":1}]}`))
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := b.conn.Subscribe(link.SeatToolSubject("node-backup", "now", itNode), func(m *nats.Msg) {
+		got, _ := os.ReadFile(conf)
+		backupsMu.Lock()
+		backups = append(backups, string(got))
+		backupsMu.Unlock()
+		// The node agent hears the backup's end before it asks (backupNode), so the event follows the answer at once.
+		_ = m.Respond([]byte(`{"result":{"started":true}}`))
+		_ = b.conn.Publish(backedUpEvent, backupEvent(itNode, "nats", true, time.Now(), ""))
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	backedUp := func() []string {
+		backupsMu.Lock()
+		defer backupsMu.Unlock()
+		return append([]string(nil), backups...)
+	}
+	first := fpIt("e")
+	publish(first, "")
+	busWant(delivery.Want{FP: first, Self: true})
+	stop := b.start()
+	defer stop()
+	for key, value := range places {
+		if _, err := placement.Put(key, value); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	within(t, 10*time.Second, "the bus module's first want was not applied", func() bool {
+		h := b.have("nats")
+		got, _ := os.ReadFile(conf)
+		return h.FP == first && h.Phase == delivery.PhaseRunning && string(got) == "listen: new\n"
+	})
+	if moved := runtime.moved(server); len(moved) != 0 || runtime.containers[server] != made {
+		t.Fatalf("the first want moved the bus server its build does not change: %v", moved)
+	}
+	if got := backedUp(); len(got) != 1 || got[0] != "listen: old\n" {
+		t.Fatalf("the bus module's first apply was not backed up first: the backups saw %q", got)
+	}
+	state, err := store.Load(b.opts.state)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if rec, ok := state.Find("nats.server"); !ok || rec.Module != "nats" {
+		t.Errorf("the server is recorded %+v, not as the bus module's", rec)
+	}
+
+	// A build that changes the server: replaced once, as any module's, with the yes the assigner writes from the release's
+	// Approve for a move the node judged to recreate it (ADR 0599 §2, §4).
+	next := fpIt("f")
+	publish(next, `,"env":{"CHANGED":"1"}`)
+	busWant(delivery.Want{FP: next, Self: true})
+	within(t, 10*time.Second, "the build that changes the server was not applied", func() bool {
+		h := b.have("nats")
+		if h.Phase == delivery.PhaseWaitingYes && h.Waits != "" {
+			busWant(delivery.Want{FP: next, Self: true, Yes: h.Waits})
+		}
+		return h.FP == next && h.Phase == delivery.PhaseRunning
+	})
+	var runs int
+	for _, a := range runtime.moved(server) {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(a, "docker run ") && strings.Contains(a, " --name "+server+" ") {
+			runs++
+		}
+	}
+	if got := backedUp(); len(got) != 2 || got[1] != "listen: new\n" {
+		t.Errorf("the replacing apply of the bus module was not backed up first: the backups saw %q", got)
+	}
+	if runs != 1 || runtime.containers[server] == made {
+		t.Errorf("the build that changes the server made it %d times, its spec still the folded one %v: %v", runs,
+			runtime.containers[server] == made, runtime.moved(server))
+	}
+}
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index 7ec0e0a..c3e5c35 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 v0.1.14-0.20261102191058-f02f142af128
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8
 	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 43cc4ec..7679a5d 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261102191058-f02f142af128 h1:aI1DhZAuqVBXbybSqhLNOGX5rUOrn9T0cHNCDUQF7IQ=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261102191058-f02f142af128/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8 h1:XEbIVImp6yGjA91rp0iZBoDdL5KfamjOuDLwWvqh0hc=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/internal/agent/agent.go b/internal/agent/agent.go
index c392947..b9ff6ff 100644
--- a/internal/agent/agent.go
+++ b/internal/agent/agent.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
+	"slices"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
@@ -58,6 +59,11 @@ type Have struct {
 	// waits for a person's yes (ADR 0547 §3).
 	Judgement string
 	Waits     string
+	// BuildAlone says, in phase waiting-yes, the move changes the build alone (novox/hq ADR 0601 §1, delivery.Have.BuildAlone).
+	BuildAlone bool
+	// Kept says, in words, what the node keeps of the module as it runs because its manifest does not yet say it (ADR 0601
+	// §4, delivery.Have.Kept): the watchman raises a condition from it.
+	Kept []string
 	// Sealed is, on a node composing its own, each value the composition it names carries sealed to the node's key, by
 	// slot (delivery.Have.SealedAt): kept in the have so the composer reuses them after a restart (ADR 0547 §3), each at
 	// its own slot alone (issue 1126, C1).
@@ -153,6 +159,11 @@ type Env struct {
 	// 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(ctx context.Context, module string) string
+	// ComposedToday is the digest of a module composed at the build fp with today's settings and secrets, as the node would
+	// compose it now, and whether it could be composed: a move to another build whose composition of the build it runs is
+	// what runs changes the build alone (novox/hq ADR 0601 §1), and the have says so. Nil: no move is said to change the
+	// build alone, and each is asked of a person.
+	ComposedToday func(ctx context.Context, module, fp string) (string, bool)
 	// HoldsData says whether a module's manifest declares data (catalogue.Manifest.DataItems), and whether its manifest
 	// could be read: what a composition's Data is, for what runs of a module from the kept declaration, which carries no
 	// Data of its own. A composition says Data, so without it a data module from the kept declaration is judged to move
@@ -198,6 +209,8 @@ type Agent struct {
 	// keptData is, for each module of the kept declaration whose manifest could be read, whether it declares data
 	// (Env.HoldsData): the Data of what runs of it from the kept declaration.
 	keptData map[string]bool
+	// kept is, by module, what the composer's last pass keeps of it as it runs (KeptNow, ADR 0601 §4). Under mu.
+	kept map[string][]string
 	// attempt is the last apply of a module that failed or is held, with the revisions it was made from.
 	attempt map[string]attempt
 	checked map[string]bool
@@ -572,6 +585,11 @@ func (a *Agent) NotComposedEach(ctx context.Context, why string, held map[string
 // said runs, its fingerprint, digest and sealed values, rather than a have naming nothing: what runs is not lost, and
 // the boxes the composer reuses after a restart stay (review of L2, rounds 2 and 3).
 func (a *Agent) writeHave(ctx context.Context, h Have) {
+	if h.Module != NodeModule {
+		a.mu.Lock()
+		h.Kept = a.kept[h.Module]
+		a.mu.Unlock()
+	}
 	if h.Composed == "" && h.Module != NodeModule {
 		if last, ok := a.env.Haves.Read(ctx, h.Module); ok && last.Composed != "" {
 			h.FP, h.Composed = last.FP, last.Composed
@@ -588,6 +606,36 @@ func (a *Agent) writeHave(ctx context.Context, h Have) {
 	a.env.Haves.Write(ctx, h)
 }
 
+// KeptNow takes in what the composer's last pass keeps of each module as it runs because its manifest does not yet say it
+// (ADR 0601 §4), and writes again the have of each module whose words changed, so it carries them; a have waiting for a yes
+// takes them at its next write, which keeps what it waits for.
+func (a *Agent) KeptNow(ctx context.Context, kept map[string][]string) {
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	var changed []string
+	for m := range a.kept {
+		if _, still := kept[m]; !still {
+			changed = append(changed, m)
+		}
+	}
+	for m, words := range kept {
+		if !slices.Equal(a.kept[m], words) {
+			changed = append(changed, m)
+		}
+	}
+	a.kept = map[string][]string{}
+	for m, words := range kept {
+		a.kept[m] = slices.Clone(words)
+	}
+	a.mu.Unlock()
+	slices.Sort(changed)
+	for _, m := range changed {
+		if h, ok := a.env.Haves.Read(ctx, m); ok && m != NodeModule && h.Phase != string(delivery.PhaseWaitingYes) {
+			h.Module = m
+			a.writeHave(ctx, h)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func (a *Agent) sealedOf(ctx context.Context, module, fp, composed string) delivery.Seals {
 	a.mu.Lock()
 	if c, ok := a.applied[module]; ok && c.Err == nil && c.Dig == composed {
@@ -1649,10 +1697,27 @@ func (a *Agent) waitsForYes(ctx context.Context, module string, w wantNow, comp
 	prev := a.running[module]
 	a.mu.Unlock()
 	a.writeHave(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: prev.FP, Composed: prev.Composed, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseWaitingYes),
-		Detail: j.Words, Judgement: string(j.Judgement), Waits: comp.Dig})
+		Detail: j.Words, Judgement: string(j.Judgement), Waits: comp.Dig, BuildAlone: a.buildAlone(ctx, module, prev, w.Want.FP)})
 	return true
 }
 
+// buildAlone says a move of module from what runs to the build want changes the build alone (ADR 0601 §1): another build than
+// the one it runs, and the build it runs composed with today's settings and secrets is the composition it runs. Anything it
+// cannot tell is no: the move is then asked of a person.
+func (a *Agent) buildAlone(ctx context.Context, module string, prev delivery.Have, want string) bool {
+	if prev.FP == "" && prev.Composed == "" {
+		// Nothing of it run since this agent's start: its last have says what runs, as the have written keeps it.
+		if h, ok := a.env.Haves.Read(ctx, module); ok {
+			prev.FP, prev.Composed = h.FP, h.Composed
+		}
+	}
+	if a.env.ComposedToday == nil || prev.FP == "" || prev.Composed == "" || prev.FP == want {
+		return false
+	}
+	dig, ok := a.env.ComposedToday(ctx, module, prev.FP)
+	return ok && dig == prev.Composed
+}
+
 // runningComposition is what the module runs now: the composition last applied, else its resources in the declaration
 // the node kept from before the switch. Called with a.mu held.
 //
diff --git a/internal/agent/agent_test.go b/internal/agent/agent_test.go
index f2b3306..9887661 100644
--- a/internal/agent/agent_test.go
+++ b/internal/agent/agent_test.go
@@ -1288,6 +1288,17 @@ func TestTheNodesOwnCompositionIsAppliedWhenItDiffersAndARecordMoveWaitsForAYes(
 		}
 		return catalogue.PolicyRoll
 	}
+	// ADR 0601 §1: what runs composed today. rec's build composed again is what it runs, so its move changes the build alone;
+	// db's is not (a setting changed too).
+	b.env.ComposedToday = func(_ context.Context, m, fp string) (string, bool) {
+		switch m {
+		case "rec":
+			return "sha256:" + strings.Repeat("8", 64), fp == fpOf("d")
+		case "db":
+			return "sha256:" + strings.Repeat("6", 64), true
+		}
+		return "", false
+	}
 	// The bucket's revisions of each key, as the verb composition reads them (issue 774).
 	var historyMu sync.Mutex
 	history := map[string][]Update{}
@@ -1329,6 +1340,15 @@ func TestTheNodesOwnCompositionIsAppliedWhenItDiffersAndARecordMoveWaitsForAYes(
 	want("web", fp, "")
 	eventually(t, "the node's own composition was not applied", func() bool { return len(b.appliedList()) == 1 })
 	eventually(t, "the have does not name the composed digest", func() bool { return b.haves.last("web").Composed == dig })
+	// ADR 0601 §4: what the composer keeps of web as it runs is carried on its have, and goes once it keeps none.
+	b.ag.KeptNow(context.Background(), map[string][]string{"web": {"web runs the tool runner's process here"}})
+	if h := b.haves.last("web"); len(h.Kept) != 1 || h.Composed != dig {
+		t.Errorf("web's have does not carry what is kept as it runs: %+v", h)
+	}
+	b.ag.KeptNow(context.Background(), nil)
+	if h := b.haves.last("web"); len(h.Kept) != 0 || h.Composed != dig {
+		t.Errorf("web's have still carries what was kept: %+v", h)
+	}
 	// The same composition handed again is no move.
 	b.comps.put(ck, craw)
 	time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
@@ -1452,6 +1472,9 @@ func TestTheNodesOwnCompositionIsAppliedWhenItDiffersAndARecordMoveWaitsForAYes(
 		h := b.haves.last("db")
 		return h.Phase == string(delivery.PhaseWaitingYes) && h.Waits == ddigMoved
 	})
+	if h := b.haves.last("db"); h.BuildAlone {
+		t.Errorf("a revision at the build it runs is said to change the build alone: %+v", h)
+	}
 	// The verb composition says why it waits: the revision that waits, what runs, the judgement, and with diff the
 	// container it recreates; the revision that runs, asked by its digest, is no move (issue 774).
 	keep(dk, draw)
@@ -1508,7 +1531,8 @@ func TestTheNodesOwnCompositionIsAppliedWhenItDiffersAndARecordMoveWaitsForAYes(
 	for _, row := range []struct {
 		module, fp, composed, waits string
 		sealed                      delivery.Seals
-	}{{"db", fp, "", ddig2, nil}, {"rec", recFP, recDig, rdig, delivery.Seals{"rec.key#sealed": `{"box":"rec"}`}}} {
+		alone                       bool
+	}{{"db", fp, "", ddig2, nil, false}, {"rec", recFP, recDig, rdig, delivery.Seals{"rec.key#sealed": `{"box":"rec"}`}, true}} {
 		eventually(t, row.module+"'s move did not wait for a yes", func() bool {
 			h := b.haves.last(row.module)
 			return h.Phase == string(delivery.PhaseWaitingYes) && h.Waits == row.waits
@@ -1518,6 +1542,9 @@ func TestTheNodesOwnCompositionIsAppliedWhenItDiffersAndARecordMoveWaitsForAYes(
 			(row.sealed != nil && !maps.Equal(h.Sealed, row.sealed)) {
 			t.Errorf("%s's have waiting for a yes does not keep what runs: %+v", row.module, h)
 		}
+		if h.BuildAlone != row.alone {
+			t.Errorf("%s's have waiting for a yes says build alone %v, want %v", row.module, h.BuildAlone, row.alone)
+		}
 	}
 	if got := b.appliedList(); len(got) != applied {
 		t.Fatalf("a move waiting for a yes was applied: %v", got)
diff --git a/internal/apply/process.go b/internal/apply/process.go
index 80c386e..121b683 100644
--- a/internal/apply/process.go
+++ b/internal/apply/process.go
@@ -536,7 +536,7 @@ func witnessOf(r *declaration.Process) string {
 	if r.Witness != "" {
 		return r.Witness
 	}
-	return witness.Default(r.Name)
+	return witness.Default(r.ID, r.Name)
 }
 
 // digestWritten is the bundle digest a process's record says was placed: the first half of what it
diff --git a/internal/bootstrap/adopted.go b/internal/bootstrap/adopted.go
index fdb5583..514ddd5 100644
--- a/internal/bootstrap/adopted.go
+++ b/internal/bootstrap/adopted.go
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ func (r Rewritten) declares(id string) bool {
 // container runtime's configuration whole — and neither is anything the operator installs later.
 var genesisTakes = map[string]bool{
 	RegistryModule: true, ControlPlaneModule: true, BuilderModule: true,
-	"postgres": true, BusModule: true, "mesh-vault": true, "mesh-catalog": true,
+	"postgres": true, BusModule: true, "mesh-vault": true,
 }
 
 // takeIfAdopted takes one of genesis's own modules on an adopted node, once it is assigned and
diff --git a/internal/bootstrap/bootstrap.go b/internal/bootstrap/bootstrap.go
index dbb2e08..425c9a4 100644
--- a/internal/bootstrap/bootstrap.go
+++ b/internal/bootstrap/bootstrap.go
@@ -64,7 +64,6 @@ const (
 	StepStore        Step = "store"
 	StepBroker       Step = "broker"
 	StepVault        Step = "vault"
-	StepCatalogue    Step = "catalogue"
 	StepNetwork      Step = "network"
 	StepFilter       Step = "filter"
 	StepExtras       Step = "extras"
@@ -89,7 +88,7 @@ var Steps = []Step{
 	// Phase two. The twelve above make a mesh that RUNS; these make one that WORKS — able to
 	// build, to say what it holds, on its network, filtering. They used to be things somebody
 	// typed afterwards, which is how they went missing without anything complaining.
-	StepBase, StepStore, StepBroker, StepVault, StepCatalogue, StepNetwork, StepFilter, StepExtras, StepExport,
+	StepBase, StepStore, StepBroker, StepVault, StepNetwork, StepFilter, StepExtras, StepExport,
 }
 
 // Error is a failure, named by the step it happened in.
@@ -750,12 +749,6 @@ func Run(ctx context.Context, o Options, d Deps, say func(string)) (Result, erro
 		return result, failed(StepVault, err)
 	}
 
-	// ---- 15. catalogue --------------------------------------------------------------------
-	say("catalogue — the module graph: what is held, what a change reaches, what to rebuild")
-	if err := InstallFromCatalogue(ctx, o, permanentControl, "mesh-catalog", say); err != nil {
-		return result, failed(StepCatalogue, err)
-	}
-
 	// ---- 16. network ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 	say("network — the private network, and this machine's name on it")
 	if err := PlaceOnTheNetwork(ctx, o, permanentControl, rewritten.BrokerAddress, say); err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/bootstrap/genesis_toolchains_test.go b/internal/bootstrap/genesis_toolchains_test.go
index cfae225..f1a81e3 100644
--- a/internal/bootstrap/genesis_toolchains_test.go
+++ b/internal/bootstrap/genesis_toolchains_test.go
@@ -13,14 +13,24 @@ import (
 // stopped genesis at step 17: "this mesh holds no copy of it. Build mesh-tools-go first".
 
 // genesisModules is every catalogue module genesis installs on its own, read from the steps that
-// install them: the registry, the build agent, the store, the bus, the vault, the catalogue and the
+// install them: the registry, the build agent, the store, the bus, the vault and the
 // filter (extras are the operator's choice and come after the base too, but are not genesis's own).
-var genesisModules = []string{RegistryModule, BuilderModule, "postgres", BusModule, "mesh-vault", "mesh-catalog", "nftables"}
+var genesisModules = []string{RegistryModule, BuilderModule, "postgres", BusModule, "mesh-vault", "nftables"}
 
 // Every genesis module's bundles are compiled in a toolchain the base step builds, read from the real
 // catalogue's manifests: a module that gains a language genesis does not build fails here, not at a
 // genesis.
 func TestTheBaseStepBuildsEveryToolchainAGenesisModuleIsCompiledIn(t *testing.T) {
+	// ADR 0604 section 7: the catalog is the indexer's seat now, so genesis has no catalogue step and installs or takes no
+	// mesh-catalog module.
+	for _, step := range Steps {
+		if step == "catalogue" {
+			t.Fatal("genesis still has a catalogue step")
+		}
+	}
+	if genesisTakes["mesh-catalog"] {
+		t.Fatal("an adopted genesis still takes mesh-catalog")
+	}
 	built := map[string]bool{}
 	for _, tc := range genesisToolchains {
 		built[tc.Language] = true
diff --git a/internal/compose/composed.go b/internal/compose/composed.go
index fffd0b8..03be678 100644
--- a/internal/compose/composed.go
+++ b/internal/compose/composed.go
@@ -316,7 +316,6 @@ func RunsAnyOf(runs *delivery.Composed, module string) bool {
 // nothing of has no Loads: the runtime dropped it, and the composition reads its loads again from the module's build
 // (issue 1126, review: shanks had already applied the drop of systemd-resolved). Nil when running holds no runtime process.
 func ToolsRunning(running []delivery.Composed) map[string][]catalogue.Bundle {
-	runtimeID := catalogue.RuntimeModule + "." + resolution.RuntimeProcessID()
 	type resource struct {
 		ID     string            `json:"id"`
 		Module string            `json:"module"`
@@ -339,7 +338,8 @@ func ToolsRunning(running []delivery.Composed) map[string][]catalogue.Bundle {
 				owner, _ = declaration.ModuleGuess(r.ID)
 			}
 			switch {
-			case r.Type == "process" && r.ID == runtimeID && owner == catalogue.RuntimeModule:
+			case r.Type == "process" && owner != "" && r.ID == owner+"."+resolution.RuntimeProcessID():
+				// The tool runner's process, by its id alone: `<its module>.runtime` (resolutionRuntimeProcess).
 				env = r.Env
 			case r.Type == "archive" && owner != "" && strings.HasPrefix(r.ID, owner+"."+resolution.BundleID("")):
 				name := strings.TrimPrefix(r.ID, owner+"."+resolution.BundleID(""))
diff --git a/internal/compose/composed_test.go b/internal/compose/composed_test.go
index 35091c1..59cb564 100644
--- a/internal/compose/composed_test.go
+++ b/internal/compose/composed_test.go
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ func TestCompositionsAreTheDeclarationSplitByModule(t *testing.T) {
 	// indexer's commit has no bundles (shanks's runtime lost the folded systemd-resolved, novox's the folded nats), and a
 	// held module's new build's bundles are not delivered.
 	dg := func(c byte) string { return "sha256:" + strings.Repeat(string(c), 64) }
-	runtime := catalogue.Manifest{Module: catalogue.RuntimeModule, Version: "1",
+	runtime := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "node-tools", Version: "1", ToolRunner: true,
 		OwnSecrets: catalogue.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/node-tools/broker"}},
 		Bundles: []catalogue.Bundle{{Name: "runtime", Source: catalogue.ArtifactStoreScheme + "node-tools/runtime/blobs/" + dg('a'),
 			Digest: dg('a'), Language: "go", Binary: "node-tools"}}}
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ func TestCompositionsAreTheDeclarationSplitByModule(t *testing.T) {
 		if dropped {
 			env = `"MESH_TOOL_MODULES":""` // the drop already applied (shanks, 2026-10-29)
 		}
-		return delivery.Composed{Node: "anchor", Module: catalogue.RuntimeModule, Resources: []json.RawMessage{json.RawMessage(
+		return delivery.Composed{Node: "anchor", Module: "node-tools", Resources: []json.RawMessage{json.RawMessage(
 			`{"id":"node-tools.runtime","module":"node-tools","type":"process","name":"node-tools","env":{` + env + `}}`)}}
 	}
 	lampRuns := `{"id":"lamp.bundle-tools","type":"archive","source":"` + catalogue.ArtifactStoreScheme + `lamp/tools/blobs/` + dg('b') +
@@ -155,13 +155,13 @@ func TestCompositionsAreTheDeclarationSplitByModule(t *testing.T) {
 		}, map[string]string{"lamp": fpFor('1')}, false},
 	} {
 		tools := aMesh(t)
-		tools.Catalogue[catalogue.RuntimeModule], tools.Catalogue["artifacts"], tools.Catalogue["lamp"] = runtime, store, lamp
+		tools.Catalogue["node-tools"], tools.Catalogue["artifacts"], tools.Catalogue["lamp"] = runtime, store, lamp
 		anchor := nodeOf(t, &tools, "anchor")
-		anchor.Assigned = append(anchor.Assigned, "artifacts", catalogue.RuntimeModule, "lamp")
-		tools.BusMinted = []string{"anchor." + catalogue.RuntimeModule}
+		anchor.Assigned = append(anchor.Assigned, "artifacts", "node-tools", "lamp")
+		tools.BusMinted = []string{"anchor." + "node-tools"}
 		anchor.SealingKey = keyOf(t, "anchor")
 		anchor.RunsTools = ToolsRunning([]delivery.Composed{runtimeRuns(row.dropped), row.set(anchor)})
-		row.fps[overlay.Name], row.fps["artifacts"], row.fps[catalogue.RuntimeModule] = fpFor('a'), fpFor('5'), fpFor('e')
+		row.fps[overlay.Name], row.fps["artifacts"], row.fps["node-tools"] = fpFor('a'), fpFor('5'), fpFor('e')
 		out, _, _, err := CompositionsIn(tools, "anchor", row.fps, Foreseeing)
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("%s: %v", row.name, err)
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ func TestCompositionsAreTheDeclarationSplitByModule(t *testing.T) {
 // 1943/AC1: the upgrade policies and sources a composition's value may name are the catalogue's own words.
 func TestTheComposedPoliciesAreTheCatalogues(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, p := range []string{catalogue.PolicyRoll, catalogue.PolicyTogether, catalogue.PolicyRecord} {
-		for _, from := range []string{catalogue.FromPerson, catalogue.FromModule, catalogue.FromBus, catalogue.FromData, catalogue.FromDefault} {
+		for _, from := range []string{catalogue.FromPerson, catalogue.FromModule, "the bus", catalogue.FromData, catalogue.FromDefault} { // "the bus": an older reader's word, still read
 			v := delivery.ComposedDigest{Digest: "sha256:" + strings.Repeat("a", 64), Judgement: delivery.JudgedNeither, Policy: p, PolicyFrom: from}
 			if _, err := delivery.EncodeComposedDigest(v); err != nil {
 				t.Errorf("%s from %s: %v", p, from, err)
diff --git a/internal/compose/credentials.go b/internal/compose/credentials.go
index 374302d..e05339c 100644
--- a/internal/compose/credentials.go
+++ b/internal/compose/credentials.go
@@ -386,13 +386,13 @@ type CoreBoxWanted struct {
 	Name   string
 }
 
-// coreModulesOf is every module of the plan on the core's list whose own secrets this machine's declaration carries, with their
+// coreModulesOf is every module of the plan whose manifest says its own secrets are the core's credentials, whose own secrets this machine's declaration carries, with their
 // plain own secret names, sorted: one handed to the provisioner has its secrets from the vault through the client, and one issued
 // outside the mesh is never the vault's to seal here.
 func coreModulesOf(modules []catalogue.Manifest, handed func(catalogue.Manifest) bool) map[string][]string {
 	out := map[string][]string{}
 	for _, m := range modules {
-		if !resolution.CarriesVaultSealed(m.Module) || (handed != nil && handed(m)) {
+		if !resolution.CarriesVaultSealed(m) || (handed != nil && handed(m)) {
 			continue
 		}
 		var names []string
diff --git a/internal/compose/credentials_test.go b/internal/compose/credentials_test.go
index dde374e..0ab188b 100644
--- a/internal/compose/credentials_test.go
+++ b/internal/compose/credentials_test.go
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ func aValidKey(t *testing.T, name string) string { return keyOf(t, name) }
 func TestACoreBoxTheInputHoldsNoneOfIsReturnedToKeepAndNothingIsWritten(t *testing.T) {
 	mk := func() Input {
 		in := aMesh(t)
-		in.Catalogue["nats"] = catalogue.Manifest{Module: "nats", Version: "1",
+		in.Catalogue["nats"] = catalogue.Manifest{Module: "nats", Version: "1", CoreCredentials: true,
 			OwnSecrets: catalogue.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/nats/broker", Taken: catalogue.TakenAtStart}}}
 		laptop := nodeOf(t, &in, "laptop")
 		laptop.Assigned = append(laptop.Assigned, "nats")
diff --git a/internal/compose/frombus/answer.go b/internal/compose/frombus/answer.go
index d2b0162..79be25e 100644
--- a/internal/compose/frombus/answer.go
+++ b/internal/compose/frombus/answer.go
@@ -404,11 +404,11 @@ func firstReason(err error, failed map[string]string) error {
 	return fmt.Errorf("%s; its stand-in is then refused: %w", strings.Join(named, "; "), err)
 }
 
-// blames says the composition with m's stub (again) makes m the culprit of err: it composes, or fails otherwise. The
+// blames says the composition with m's stub (again) makes m the culprit of err, m the tool runner (runner) or not: it composes, or fails otherwise. The
 // runtime's stub is never a runtime (no build is taken in, so it carries no bundle) and always fails otherwise: it is
 // the culprit only where its stub composes (issue 774, 2026-10-30 19:30: node-tools held for any error naming it).
-func blames(m string, again, err error) bool {
-	if m == catalogue.RuntimeModule {
+func blames(runner bool, again, err error) bool {
+	if runner {
 		// Or where its stub fails only for the modules of their own account it would run (issue 774): they are held
 		// after it, each for its own words, and the node composes the rest.
 		var none *resolution.NoRuntimeToRunError
@@ -470,7 +470,8 @@ func culprit(in compose.Input, node string, fps map[string]string, mode compose.
 	}
 	changes := func(m, leave string) bool {
 		_, _, _, again := compose.CompositionsIn(stubbed(in, node, m, leave), node, fps, mode)
-		return blames(m, again, err)
+		man, known := manifestOn(in, node, m)
+		return blames(known && catalogue.IsToolRunner(man), again, err)
 	}
 	for _, m := range order {
 		if _, done := failed[m]; done {
diff --git a/internal/compose/frombus/frombus.go b/internal/compose/frombus/frombus.go
index f063f49..ce704e6 100644
--- a/internal/compose/frombus/frombus.go
+++ b/internal/compose/frombus/frombus.go
@@ -154,6 +154,9 @@ type Scope struct {
 	// key), so a differing resource shows a value sealed again as such (delivery.CompareComposedWith). Nil shows them
 	// as differing.
 	SameValue func(a, b string) (same, known bool)
+	// Kept is told, in words, each module composed as what runs shows because its manifest does not yet say it (the tool
+	// runner, the core's credentials; ADR 0601 §4), so the node says it. Nil: said nowhere.
+	Kept func(module, words string)
 }
 
 // InOwn is, of the modules p places on its node, those whose resources the node's own composition it runs
@@ -229,7 +232,16 @@ func input(ctx context.Context, r Reader, mesh Mesh, s Scope, refuse func(module
 	if err != nil {
 		return compose.Input{}, err
 	}
-	return b.finish(ctx, r, r.Build, mesh, s, b.in, refuse, wanted)
+	in, err := b.finish(ctx, r, r.Build, mesh, s, b.in, refuse, wanted)
+	if err == nil {
+		// What runs is kept while a manifest does not yet say what shared code no longer infers (ADR 0601 §4).
+		for _, k := range keepWhatRuns(&in, s.Node, s.Running) {
+			if s.Kept != nil {
+				s.Kept(k.Module, k.Words)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return in, err
 }
 
 // base is the part of a node's input that the fingerprints it composes its modules at leave alone (issue 1954): read once
@@ -571,6 +583,58 @@ func Compose(ctx context.Context, r Reader, mesh Mesh, s Scope, fps map[string]s
 	return out, skipped, held, err
 }
 
+// ComposingInput is the input the scope's node composes itself from at the builds fps, as Compose reads it (the same read,
+// the refusals it holds), with how Compose composes from it (compose.Input.ComposedHow): what a node-engine sends a
+// check's sandbox, so the sandbox composes the node through ComposeSent, the path Compose takes (issue 774). Read no
+// credential: the sandbox composes no pair value.
+func ComposingInput(ctx context.Context, r Reader, mesh Mesh, s Scope, fps map[string]string) (compose.Input, error) {
+	held := map[string]string{}
+	in, err := input(ctx, r, mesh, s, func(module string, err error) { held[module] = err.Error() }, fps)
+	if err != nil {
+		return compose.Input{}, err
+	}
+	c := &compose.ComposedHow{Node: s.Node, Builds: maps.Clone(fps), Held: held}
+	for _, run := range s.Running {
+		if _, isHeld := held[run.Module]; isHeld && run.Module != "" {
+			c.Running = append(c.Running, run)
+		}
+	}
+	in.ComposedHow = c
+	return in, nil
+}
+
+// ComposeSent composes node from an input ComposingInput read, through the path Compose takes (composeEach, the read's holds
+// first): what a check's sandbox runs. False when the input says no way of composing node (an input from a node-engine
+// before ComposedHow): the caller cannot compose it as the node does.
+func ComposeSent(in compose.Input, node string) (map[string]delivery.Composed, bool, error) {
+	c := in.ComposedHow
+	if c == nil || c.Node != node {
+		return nil, false, nil
+	}
+	held := maps.Clone(c.Held)
+	if held == nil {
+		held = map[string]string{}
+	}
+	out, _, _, err := composeEach(in, node, c.Builds, false, c.Running, held, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, true, err
+	}
+	// A module the sandbox held that the node-engine held neither in the read nor composing without the change is the change
+	// refusing it: the node does not compose, said in that module's words, never passed with the rest composed (issue 774,
+	// review of the sandbox input).
+	var refused []string
+	for _, m := range sortedKeys(held) {
+		_, was := c.Held[m]
+		if _, before := c.HeldBefore[m]; !was && !before {
+			refused = append(refused, m+": "+held[m])
+		}
+	}
+	if len(refused) > 0 {
+		return nil, true, fmt.Errorf("on %s the change refuses %s", node, strings.Join(refused, "; "))
+	}
+	return out, true, nil
+}
+
 // Plans is the provisioning plan of each module handed to the provisioner on the scope's node, composed from the bus
 // alone (novox/hq ADR 0570 clause 2): the controller's handedPlans over the same input (mesh-control
 // cmd/mesh-controller/compose_sdk.go), its rendering in the Foreseeing mode with the mesh's generators. A plan names
diff --git a/internal/compose/frombus/frombus_test.go b/internal/compose/frombus/frombus_test.go
index cd566f5..7e030c1 100644
--- a/internal/compose/frombus/frombus_test.go
+++ b/internal/compose/frombus/frombus_test.go
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@ func TestInput(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("a held module's first reason leads", aHeldModulesFirstReasonLeads)
 	t.Run("a held module of its own account never refuses the node", aHeldModuleOfItsOwnAccountNeverRefusesTheNode)
 	t.Run("another node not resolved is named", otherNodeNotResolvedIsNamed)
+	t.Run("what runs is kept while a manifest does not say it", whatRunsIsKeptWhileAManifestDoesNotSayIt)
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	xterm, err := os.ReadFile("testdata/catalogue-835bf22b-xterm.module.json")
 	if err != nil {
@@ -867,3 +868,34 @@ func statesOf(t *testing.T, ctx context.Context, b *bus) mapStates {
 	}
 	return out
 }
+
+// ADR 0601 §4: the new node agent meets the tool runner's older manifest (no tool-runner) while the node runs its runtime
+// process, and the provisioner's older manifest (no core-credentials) while its own secret runs as the vault's box: each is
+// composed as what runs shows, said, by what runs and never by a name; a manifest that says it, or nothing running so, marks
+// nothing.
+func whatRunsIsKeptWhileAManifestDoesNotSayIt(t *testing.T) {
+	running := []delivery.Composed{
+		{Node: "a", Module: "runner-x", Resources: []json.RawMessage{json.RawMessage(`{"id":"runner-x.runtime","type":"process"}`)}},
+		{Node: "a", Module: "prov-y", Resources: []json.RawMessage{json.RawMessage(`{"id":"prov-y.need-broker","type":"file","vault-sealed":{"box":"b"}}`)}},
+		{Node: "a", Module: "app", Resources: []json.RawMessage{json.RawMessage(`{"id":"app.need-broker","type":"file"}`)}},
+	}
+	input := func(runnerSays bool) compose.Input {
+		return compose.Input{Nodes: []compose.Node{{Name: "a", Assigned: []string{"app", "prov-y", "runner-x"}}},
+			Catalogue: map[string]catalogue.Manifest{"runner-x": {Module: "runner-x", ToolRunner: runnerSays}, "prov-y": {Module: "prov-y"},
+				"app": {Module: "app"}}}
+	}
+	in := input(false)
+	said := keepWhatRuns(&in, "a", running)
+	if !in.Catalogue["runner-x"].ToolRunner || !in.Catalogue["prov-y"].CoreCredentials || in.Catalogue["app"].ToolRunner ||
+		in.Catalogue["app"].CoreCredentials || len(said) != 2 || said[0].Module != "prov-y" || said[1].Module != "runner-x" {
+		t.Errorf("what runs was not kept: %+v, said %q", in.Catalogue, said)
+	}
+	in = input(true)
+	if said := keepWhatRuns(&in, "a", running[:1]); len(said) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("a manifest that says it is the tool runner was marked again: %q", said)
+	}
+	in = input(false)
+	if said := keepWhatRuns(&in, "a", nil); len(said) != 0 || in.Catalogue["runner-x"].ToolRunner {
+		t.Errorf("nothing running marked %q", said)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/compose/frombus/held_rows_test.go b/internal/compose/frombus/held_rows_test.go
index bc8fae7..ef66cee 100644
--- a/internal/compose/frombus/held_rows_test.go
+++ b/internal/compose/frombus/held_rows_test.go
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/compose"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/compose/resolution"
@@ -100,12 +99,12 @@ func theRuntimeIsBlamedOnlyWhereItsStubComposes(t *testing.T) {
 		{"lamp", nil, true},
 		{"lamp", errors.New("other"), true},
 		{"lamp", errors.New("lamp refuses"), false},
-		{catalogue.RuntimeModule, nil, true},
-		{catalogue.RuntimeModule, errors.New("node-tools is assigned to n1 and its build produced 0 bundle(s)"), false},
-		{catalogue.RuntimeModule, fmt.Errorf("compose: %w", &resolution.NoRuntimeToRunError{Held: true}), true},
-		{catalogue.RuntimeModule, &resolution.NoRuntimeToRunError{}, false},
+		{"node-tools", nil, true},
+		{"node-tools", errors.New("node-tools is assigned to n1 and its build produced 0 bundle(s)"), false},
+		{"node-tools", fmt.Errorf("compose: %w", &resolution.NoRuntimeToRunError{Held: true}), true},
+		{"node-tools", &resolution.NoRuntimeToRunError{}, false},
 	} {
-		if got := blames(row.module, row.again, err); got != row.blamed {
+		if got := blames(row.module == "node-tools", row.again, err); got != row.blamed {
 			t.Errorf("%s with %v: blamed %v, want %v", row.module, row.again, got, row.blamed)
 		}
 	}
@@ -117,13 +116,13 @@ func theRuntimeIsBlamedOnlyWhereItsStubComposes(t *testing.T) {
 // another build than the trunk's is composed from the build its want names.
 func aRunningModuleWaitsForItsBuild(t *testing.T) {
 	dg := func(c string) string { return "sha256:" + strings.Repeat(c, 64) }
-	tools := `{"module":"node-tools","version":"1","own-secrets":{"broker":"/var/lib/mesh/node-tools/broker"},` +
+	tools := `{"module":"node-tools","version":"1","tool-runner":true,"own-secrets":{"broker":"/var/lib/mesh/node-tools/broker"},` +
 		`"build":{"artifacts":[{"name":"runtime","kind":"bundle","language":"go","system":"arch","from":"cmd/node-tools"}]}}`
 	lamp := `{"module":"lamp","version":"1","resources":[{"id":"service","type":"service","unit":"lamp.service","state":"running","boot":"enabled"}]}`
 	store := `{"module":"artifacts","version":"1","provides":[{"name":"artifact-store","scope":"mesh"}],"serves":{"artifact-store":{"port":5100}},` +
 		`"receives":{"artifact-store":"/var/lib/artifacts/received.json"}}`
 	old, next := "src2:"+strings.Repeat("a", 64), "src2:"+strings.Repeat("b", 64)
-	running := []delivery.Composed{{Node: "n1", Module: catalogue.RuntimeModule, FP: old, Resources: []json.RawMessage{
+	running := []delivery.Composed{{Node: "n1", Module: "node-tools", FP: old, Resources: []json.RawMessage{
 		json.RawMessage(`{"id":"node-tools.runtime","module":"node-tools","type":"process","name":"node-tools","env":{"MESH_TOOL_MODULES":""}}`),
 		json.RawMessage(`{"id":"node-tools.bundle-runtime","module":"node-tools","type":"archive","source":"artifact-store://node-tools/runtime/blobs/` +
 			dg("1") + `","digest":"` + dg("1") + `","path":"` + resolution.BundlePath("node-tools", "runtime") + `"}`)}}}
@@ -207,7 +206,7 @@ func aHeldModulesFirstReasonLeads(t *testing.T) {
 // secrets: the node composes every other module, and the held one keeps the words it was first held for.
 func aHeldModuleOfItsOwnAccountNeverRefusesTheNode(t *testing.T) {
 	dg := "sha256:" + strings.Repeat("1", 64)
-	tools := `{"module":"node-tools","version":"1","own-secrets":{"broker":"/var/lib/mesh/node-tools/broker"},` +
+	tools := `{"module":"node-tools","version":"1","tool-runner":true,"own-secrets":{"broker":"/var/lib/mesh/node-tools/broker"},` +
 		`"build":{"artifacts":[{"name":"runtime","kind":"bundle","language":"go","system":"arch","from":"cmd/node-tools"}]}}`
 	own := func(name string) string {
 		return `{"module":"` + name + `","version":"1","runs-as":"` + name + `","secrets-owner":"` + name + `","tools":["status"],` +
diff --git a/internal/compose/frombus/keep.go b/internal/compose/frombus/keep.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..08f11fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/compose/frombus/keep.go
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+package frombus
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"maps"
+	"slices"
+	"sort"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/declaration"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/compose"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/compose/resolution"
+)
+
+// **What runs is kept while a manifest does not yet say what shared code no longer infers** (novox/hq ADR 0601 §4). mesh-sdk
+// knows the tool runner and the modules whose own secrets are the core's credentials only by what their manifests say
+// (`tool-runner`, `core-credentials`), no longer by their names. A module placed on the composing node whose manifest (an
+// older build's) does not say so yet, while what the node runs of it shows it (the tool runner's process, `<module>.runtime`;
+// an own secret carried as the vault's box, the file's `vault-sealed`), is composed as what runs shows: its tool runner
+// process and its sealed secrets alike are kept, never composed away, and the node says so until the manifest says it.
+// Known by what runs, never by a module's name.
+
+// keepWhatRuns marks, in in, each module placed on node that what runs shows is the tool runner or carries the core's
+// credentials, where its manifest does not say so; it returns, sorted by module, what it marked, in words. The tool runner is
+// marked only where no placed module's manifest says it is one.
+func keepWhatRuns(in *compose.Input, node string, running []delivery.Composed) []KeptAsRuns {
+	placed := assignedOn(*in, node)
+	if len(placed) == 0 || len(running) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	runner, sealed := "", map[string]bool{}
+	for _, run := range running {
+		for _, raw := range run.Resources {
+			var r struct {
+				ID   string `json:"id"`
+				Type string `json:"type"`
+			}
+			if json.Unmarshal(raw, &r) != nil || r.ID == "" {
+				continue
+			}
+			owner := run.Module
+			if owner == "" {
+				owner, _ = declaration.ModuleGuess(r.ID)
+			}
+			if owner == "" || !slices.Contains(placed, owner) {
+				continue
+			}
+			if r.Type == "process" && r.ID == owner+"."+resolution.RuntimeProcessID() {
+				runner = owner
+			}
+			if r.Type == "file" {
+				var fields map[string]json.RawMessage
+				if json.Unmarshal(raw, &fields) == nil {
+					if _, ok := fields[catalogue.VaultSealedField]; ok {
+						sealed[owner] = true
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	var said []KeptAsRuns
+	saysRunner := false
+	for _, m := range placed {
+		if man, ok := manifestOn(*in, node, m); ok && catalogue.IsToolRunner(man) {
+			saysRunner = true
+		}
+	}
+	mark := func(module string, set func(*catalogue.Manifest), words string) {
+		k := KeptAsRuns{Module: module, Words: words}
+		for i := range in.Nodes {
+			if in.Nodes[i].Name != node {
+				continue
+			}
+			if man, ok := in.Nodes[i].Kept[module]; ok {
+				set(&man)
+				in.Nodes[i].Kept[module] = man
+				said = append(said, k)
+				return
+			}
+		}
+		if man, ok := in.Catalogue[module]; ok {
+			set(&man)
+			in.Catalogue[module] = man
+			said = append(said, k)
+		}
+	}
+	if runner != "" && !saysRunner {
+		mark(runner, func(m *catalogue.Manifest) { m.ToolRunner = true }, fmt.Sprintf("%s runs the tool runner's process here and its "+
+			"manifest does not say it is the tool runner (tool-runner): it is composed as the tool runner it runs as, until its manifest says so", runner))
+	}
+	for _, m := range slices.Sorted(maps.Keys(sealed)) {
+		if man, ok := manifestOn(*in, node, m); ok && !catalogue.CarriesCoreCredentials(man) {
+			mark(m, func(m *catalogue.Manifest) { m.CoreCredentials = true }, fmt.Sprintf("%s carries its own secrets sealed by the vault here "+
+				"and its manifest does not say they are the core's credentials (core-credentials): they stay sealed, until its manifest says so", m))
+		}
+	}
+	sort.SliceStable(said, func(i, j int) bool { return said[i].Module < said[j].Module })
+	return said
+}
+
+// KeptAsRuns is one module composed as what runs shows, and why, in words (ADR 0601 §4): its have carries the words.
+type KeptAsRuns struct {
+	Module, Words string
+}
diff --git a/internal/compose/frombus/twice.go b/internal/compose/frombus/twice.go
index cb133df..e9738dd 100644
--- a/internal/compose/frombus/twice.go
+++ b/internal/compose/frombus/twice.go
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ func PlansHeldTwice(ctx context.Context, r Reader, mesh Mesh, s Scope) (at, newe
 			sc.into.Err = err
 			continue
 		}
+		keepWhatRuns(&in, sc.scope.Node, sc.scope.Running) // what runs is kept, as Compose keeps it (ADR 0601 §4)
 		sc.into.Plans, sc.into.Err = plansHeldOf(in, s.Node, held)
 		mark("plans at " + sc.name)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/compose/input.go b/internal/compose/input.go
index 72aecf7..d8eae82 100644
--- a/internal/compose/input.go
+++ b/internal/compose/input.go
@@ -73,6 +73,13 @@ type Input struct {
 	// issue 1126, C6). Used only while OperatorExport is nil.
 	KeptRuns map[string]map[string]map[string]any
 
+	// ComposedHow is how the node-engine that read this input composes its node from it (frombus.Compose): the builds
+	// it composes each module at, the modules it holds and what runs of each held one. A node-engine answers it with the
+	// input it sends a check's sandbox (composer.SentInput), so the sandbox composes the node through the same path, a
+	// module folded in the node's own composition kept as it runs rather than resolved from its manifest (issue 774, the
+	// check of the bus want: novox's nats). Nil from every other reader and from a node-engine before it.
+	ComposedHow *ComposedHow
+
 	// Issued is the credentials made for the consumers of each provider (inv.SecretsFrom): one row for each pair credential
 	// that exists, by the provider node it is for. The grants a provider must create are read from these, so a credential not
 	// made yet has no grant until the send that makes it. An assigner fills it from the facts snapshot's Grants of each
@@ -231,6 +238,22 @@ type Node struct {
 	RunsTools map[string][]catalogue.Bundle
 }
 
+// ComposedHow is how a node-engine composes its node from an Input (Input.ComposedHow).
+type ComposedHow struct {
+	// Node is the node composed.
+	Node string
+	// Builds is the build each module is composed at, by module: a module the node runs folded in its own composition
+	// at a build of the old form has none, and is composed there as it runs (Node.InOwn, Node.RunsOwn).
+	Builds map[string]string
+	// Held is each module the read held, with why: composed as what runs of it, and the rest without it.
+	Held map[string]string
+	// Running is what runs of each held module, its own composition, by which it is carried as it runs.
+	Running []delivery.Composed
+	// HeldBefore is each module the node holds composing without the change (the candidate's base), held by the read or
+	// blamed later for a refusal: the change refuses none of them (issue 774, review round 1).
+	HeldBefore map[string]string
+}
+
 // Place is where a node is, as its placement says (inv.Overlay).
 type Place struct {
 	Key      string
diff --git a/internal/compose/input_held.go b/internal/compose/input_held.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2d0befd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/compose/input_held.go
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+package compose
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"sort"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+)
+
+// What an input says of its held modules on the wire (issue 774, the group check of feat/l3-final 278aa5f0ccbe). A held
+// module stands in the input as its stub (Stub), and the stub's mark (catalogue.Manifest.Stubbed) is no field of a
+// manifest's JSON: an input a node-engine sent the check's sandbox lost it, so the sandbox read node-tools, held by its
+// manifest's verdict, as a tool runner with no bundle and refused every module of ace, g14 and shanks for "its build
+// produced 0 bundle(s)" instead of naming the verdict. So the input carries the mark itself, by module, for its catalogue
+// and for each node's kept manifests, and a reader marks each again. An input from a node-engine before the mark (no
+// Held) is read by its contract: a module Refused names stands in Catalogue as its stub.
+
+// heldMarks are the modules an input holds as their stubs: those of its catalogue, and those each node keeps, by node.
+type heldMarks struct {
+	Catalogue []string            `json:",omitempty"`
+	Kept      map[string][]string `json:",omitempty"`
+}
+
+// inputFields is Input without its JSON methods.
+type inputFields Input
+
+// inputWire is an input as it crosses the bus: its fields, and the modules it holds as their stubs.
+type inputWire struct {
+	inputFields
+	Held *heldMarks `json:",omitempty"`
+}
+
+// MarshalJSON writes the input with the modules it holds as their stubs named beside it (heldMarks).
+func (in Input) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
+	w := inputWire{inputFields: inputFields(in)}
+	marks := heldMarks{Catalogue: stubbedOf(in.Catalogue)}
+	for _, n := range in.Nodes {
+		if kept := stubbedOf(n.Kept); len(kept) > 0 {
+			if marks.Kept == nil {
+				marks.Kept = map[string][]string{}
+			}
+			marks.Kept[n.Name] = kept
+		}
+	}
+	if len(marks.Catalogue) > 0 || len(marks.Kept) > 0 {
+		w.Held = &marks
+	}
+	return json.Marshal(w)
+}
+
+// UnmarshalJSON reads an input and marks again each module it holds as its stub: those it names held, and, by the
+// input's contract, every module Refused names that its catalogue holds.
+func (in *Input) UnmarshalJSON(raw []byte) error {
+	var w inputWire
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &w); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	*in = Input(w.inputFields)
+	held := map[string]bool{}
+	for m := range in.Refused {
+		held[m] = true
+	}
+	if w.Held != nil {
+		for _, m := range w.Held.Catalogue {
+			held[m] = true
+		}
+	}
+	for m := range held {
+		if man, ok := in.Catalogue[m]; ok {
+			man.Stubbed = true
+			in.Catalogue[m] = man
+		}
+	}
+	if w.Held != nil {
+		for i := range in.Nodes {
+			for _, m := range w.Held.Kept[in.Nodes[i].Name] {
+				if man, ok := in.Nodes[i].Kept[m]; ok {
+					man.Stubbed = true
+					in.Nodes[i].Kept[m] = man
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// stubbedOf is each module of manifests held as its stub, sorted.
+func stubbedOf(manifests map[string]catalogue.Manifest) []string {
+	var out []string
+	for name, m := range manifests {
+		if m.Stubbed {
+			out = append(out, name)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return out
+}
diff --git a/internal/compose/node_test.go b/internal/compose/node_test.go
index 5dcbee4..1d2c67b 100644
--- a/internal/compose/node_test.go
+++ b/internal/compose/node_test.go
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ func TestWhatASendWouldMakeIsNamedAsForeseenAndNeverInvented(t *testing.T) {
 	in.Issued[0].ForProvider = ""
 	in.Catalogue["assistant"] = anAssistant()
 	in.Catalogue["web"] = aWebModule()
-	in.Catalogue["nats"] = catalogue.Manifest{Module: "nats", Version: "1",
+	in.Catalogue["nats"] = catalogue.Manifest{Module: "nats", Version: "1", CoreCredentials: true,
 		OwnSecrets: catalogue.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/nats/broker", Taken: catalogue.TakenAtStart}}}
 	anchor := nodeOf(t, &in, "anchor")
 	anchor.Assigned = append(anchor.Assigned, "assistant", "web", "nats")
diff --git a/internal/compose/resolution/core_credentials.go b/internal/compose/resolution/core_credentials.go
index 6b667f3..a584b7d 100644
--- a/internal/compose/resolution/core_credentials.go
+++ b/internal/compose/resolution/core_credentials.go
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@ package resolution
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
-	"slices"
 
 	mcat "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 )
 
-// CarriesVaultSealed says whether module's own secrets are the core's credentials.
-func CarriesVaultSealed(module string) bool {
-	return slices.Contains(mcat.CoreCredentialModules, module)
+// CarriesVaultSealed says whether a module's own secrets are the core's credentials, as its manifest says
+// (core-credentials): no list of modules is kept here.
+func CarriesVaultSealed(m mcat.Manifest) bool {
+	return mcat.CarriesCoreCredentials(m)
 }
 
 // vaultSealedOf is the vault's box for one of module's own secrets, if the rendering was given one.
diff --git a/internal/compose/resolution/core_credentials_test.go b/internal/compose/resolution/core_credentials_test.go
index 6c7ffd2..4a3692c 100644
--- a/internal/compose/resolution/core_credentials_test.go
+++ b/internal/compose/resolution/core_credentials_test.go
@@ -1,24 +1,24 @@
 package resolution
 
 import (
-	"reflect"
 	"testing"
 
 	mcat "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 )
 
+// The core's own credentials are what a module's manifest says (core-credentials, issue 774): no module is on a list.
 func TestTheCoresOwnCredentialsAreTheBusTheProvisionerAndItsClient(t *testing.T) {
-	if want := []string{"mesh-provisioner", "mesh-provisioner-client", "nats"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(mcat.CoreCredentialModules, want) {
-		t.Fatalf("the core's modules are %v, want %v (mesh-vault's CoreModules is the same list)", mcat.CoreCredentialModules, want)
-	}
-	for _, m := range []string{"nats", "mesh-provisioner", "mesh-provisioner-client"} {
-		if !CarriesVaultSealed(m) {
-			t.Errorf("%s is not on the list", m)
+	for raw, core := range map[string]bool{
+		`{"module":"nats","version":"1","core-credentials":true}`: true,
+		`{"module":"nats","version":"1"}`:                         false,
+		`{"module":"postgres","version":"1"}`:                     false,
+	} {
+		m, err := mcat.Decode([]byte(raw))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
-	}
-	for _, m := range []string{"postgres", "mesh-vault", "mesh-controller", ""} {
-		if CarriesVaultSealed(m) {
-			t.Errorf("%s is on the list", m)
+		if CarriesVaultSealed(m) != core {
+			t.Errorf("%s: carries the core's credentials %v", raw, !core)
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/compose/resolution/declaration.go b/internal/compose/resolution/declaration.go
index 3a774e3..3807e06 100644
--- a/internal/compose/resolution/declaration.go
+++ b/internal/compose/resolution/declaration.go
@@ -1046,7 +1046,7 @@ func resolutionCompose(r mcat.Resolution, with mcat.Rendering, owner map[string]
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		if process != nil { // none for a held runtime's stand-in: what runs of it is carried
-			owner[fmt.Sprint(process["id"])] = mcat.RuntimeModule
+			owner[fmt.Sprint(process["id"])] = fmt.Sprint(process["name"]) // the tool runner's module (resolutionRuntimeProcess)
 			out = append(out, process)
 		}
 		// And a runtime of its own for each module of its own account, after it (novox/hq ADR 0259 §8).
@@ -1308,7 +1308,7 @@ func resolutionOwnSecretOwner(r mcat.Resolution, m mcat.Manifest, name string) s
 	if o := m.OwnSecrets[name].Owner; o != "" {
 		return o
 	}
-	if r.Account != "" && (m.Module == mcat.RuntimeModule || ToolsBusSecret(m, name)) {
+	if r.Account != "" && (mcat.IsToolRunner(m) || ToolsBusSecret(m, name)) {
 		return r.Account
 	}
 	return m.SecretsOwner
diff --git a/internal/compose/resolution/foundation_manifests_test.go b/internal/compose/resolution/foundation_manifests_test.go
index 515f171..f495d15 100644
--- a/internal/compose/resolution/foundation_manifests_test.go
+++ b/internal/compose/resolution/foundation_manifests_test.go
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ func TestTheForgesOwnAddressFollowsThePortTheNodeGaveIt(t *testing.T) {
 	// The number this node was given for the forge — the one the machine it is about to run on
 	// already publishes.
 	out, err := Declaration(r, mcat.Rendering{ArtifactStore: "anchor.internal:5101",
-		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{mcat.RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-broker"}},
+		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{"node-tools": {"broker": "sealed-broker"}},
 		Given:  map[string]map[int]int{"gitea": {3000: 2999}},
 	})
 	if err != nil {
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ func TestTheForgesOwnAddressFollowsThePortTheNodeGaveIt(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("the forge is not published on the port this node gave it: %v", server["ports"])
 	}
 	// The forge's own code runs in the node's runtime (novox/hq ADR 0198), given its words there.
-	runtime := fileNamed(out, mcat.RuntimeModule+"."+RuntimeProcessID())
+	runtime := fileNamed(out, "node-tools"+"."+RuntimeProcessID())
 	if runtime == nil {
 		t.Fatalf("the node's runtime is not in the declaration: %v", ids(out))
 	}
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ func declaredGiteaSsh(t *testing.T, given map[int]int) map[string]any {
 		givenPorts[k] = v
 	}
 	out, err := Declaration(r, mcat.Rendering{ArtifactStore: "anchor.internal:5101",
-		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{mcat.RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-broker"}},
+		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{"node-tools": {"broker": "sealed-broker"}},
 		Ports:  map[string]map[int]int{"gitea": givenPorts},
 		Given:  map[string]map[int]int{"gitea": given},
 	})
diff --git a/internal/compose/resolution/proofs_test.go b/internal/compose/resolution/proofs_test.go
index cd1396b..892f382 100644
--- a/internal/compose/resolution/proofs_test.go
+++ b/internal/compose/resolution/proofs_test.go
@@ -46,9 +46,9 @@ func twoMergeableFiles(app, sidecar []any) mcat.Manifest {
 // The indexer's judge's proofs, items 1 to 13 of its list.
 func TestTheJudgesProofsOfAComposition(t *testing.T) {
 	runtimeWith := mcat.Rendering{ArtifactStore: "anchor.internal:5101",
-		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{mcat.RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-credential"}, "dash": {"token": "sealed-token"}}}
+		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{"node-tools": {"broker": "sealed-credential"}, "dash": {"token": "sealed-token"}}}
 	processOf := func(out []map[string]any) map[string]any {
-		return fileNamed(out, mcat.RuntimeModule+"."+RuntimeProcessID())
+		return fileNamed(out, "node-tools"+"."+RuntimeProcessID())
 	}
 
 	t.Run("1 a bundle's words resolve per machine into the runtime's tool env", func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/internal/compose/resolution/reads_test.go b/internal/compose/resolution/reads_test.go
index 91a6ade..ced1bd1 100644
--- a/internal/compose/resolution/reads_test.go
+++ b/internal/compose/resolution/reads_test.go
@@ -13,13 +13,13 @@ import (
 // place the operator-sealed secrets are kept — and no other module is told.
 func TestTheHolderOfNodeReadsIsToldWhereItsNodeKeepsASecret(t *testing.T) {
 	with := mcat.Rendering{ArtifactStore: "anchor.internal:5101",
-		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{mcat.RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-credential"}, "reads": {"broker": "own"}, "desk": {"broker": "own"}}}
-	goRuntime := mcat.Manifest{Module: mcat.RuntimeModule, Version: "1",
-		OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/" + mcat.RuntimeModule + "/broker"}},
+		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{"node-tools": {"broker": "sealed-credential"}, "reads": {"broker": "own"}, "desk": {"broker": "own"}}}
+	goRuntime := mcat.Manifest{Module: "node-tools", Version: "1", ToolRunner: true,
+		OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/" + "node-tools" + "/broker"}},
 		Build: &mcat.Build{Artifacts: []mcat.Artifact{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle, Language: "go",
 			System: "arch", From: "cmd/node-tools"}}}}
 	goRuntime, err := goRuntime.Resolve([]mcat.Built{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle,
-		Reference: mcat.ArtifactStoreScheme + mcat.RuntimeModule + "/runtime/blobs/" + bundleDigest, Digest: bundleDigest}})
+		Reference: mcat.ArtifactStoreScheme + "node-tools" + "/runtime/blobs/" + bundleDigest, Digest: bundleDigest}})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ func TestTheHolderOfNodeReadsIsToldWhereItsNodeKeepsASecret(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("the holder is not told its node's secret places: %v (%v)", err, given)
 	}
 	want := []string{"/etc/app/db.secret", "/home/ops/.config/app", "/var/lib/desk", "/var/lib/mesh-reads",
-		"/var/lib/mesh-vault", "/var/lib/mesh/" + mcat.RuntimeModule}
+		"/var/lib/mesh-vault", "/var/lib/mesh/" + "node-tools"}
 	if strings.Join(places, " ") != strings.Join(want, " ") {
 		t.Errorf("secret places:\n got %v\nwant %v", places, want)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/compose/resolution/runtime.go b/internal/compose/resolution/runtime.go
index 9eedf9c..ad85423 100644
--- a/internal/compose/resolution/runtime.go
+++ b/internal/compose/resolution/runtime.go
@@ -21,12 +21,8 @@ func BundlePath(module, bundle string) string { return mcat.BundleRoot + "/" + m
 // a node is sent exactly what it was sent before, bundles included, because a bundle nothing loads
 // is bytes nobody reads.
 func resolutionRuntimeHere(r mcat.Resolution) bool {
-	for _, m := range r.Modules {
-		if m.Module == mcat.RuntimeModule {
-			return true
-		}
-	}
-	return false
+	_, here := mcat.ToolRunnerOf(r.Modules)
+	return here
 }
 
 // bundleArchives is one archive per tools bundle of a module — a bundle the runtime LOADS something
@@ -59,13 +55,13 @@ func RuntimeProcessID() string { return "runtime" }
 // interpreterFor is how a bundle in a language is run: the program the host's unit starts, with the
 // bundle's entrypoint after it. The one thing the composer takes from a language, and said here
 // rather than in a manifest because the runtime's process is the mesh's to compose (to-be 38 WP3).
-func interpreterFor(language string) (string, error) {
+func interpreterFor(module, language string) (string, error) {
 	switch language {
 	case "typescript":
 		return "node", nil
 	}
 	return "", fmt.Errorf(
-		"%s is written in %q, and the mesh knows no interpreter to run a %q bundle with", mcat.RuntimeModule, language, language)
+		"%s is written in %q, and the mesh knows no interpreter to run a %q bundle with", module, language, language)
 }
 
 // runtimeProcess is the one process a machine runs the node's tool runtime as (novox/hq ADR 0175,
@@ -80,7 +76,7 @@ func interpreterFor(language string) (string, error) {
 func resolutionRuntimeProcess(r mcat.Resolution, with mcat.Rendering) (map[string]any, error) {
 	var runtime *mcat.Manifest
 	for i := range r.Modules {
-		if r.Modules[i].Module == mcat.RuntimeModule {
+		if mcat.IsToolRunner(r.Modules[i]) {
 			runtime = &r.Modules[i]
 		}
 	}
@@ -93,7 +89,7 @@ func resolutionRuntimeProcess(r mcat.Resolution, with mcat.Rendering) (map[strin
 	if len(runtime.Bundles) != 1 {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf(
 			"%s is assigned to %s and its build produced %d bundle(s); the runtime is one bundle "+
-				"the mesh runs, so the module declares exactly one (novox/hq to-be 38)", mcat.RuntimeModule, r.Node, len(runtime.Bundles))
+				"the mesh runs, so the module declares exactly one (novox/hq to-be 38)", runtime.Module, r.Node, len(runtime.Bundles))
 	}
 	bundle := runtime.Bundles[0]
 	// What runs it (novox/hq ADR 0193): a runtime compiled to a binary runs itself, from its own
@@ -105,9 +101,9 @@ func resolutionRuntimeProcess(r mcat.Resolution, with mcat.Rendering) (map[strin
 		if len(bundle.Entrypoints) != 1 {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf(
 				"%s's bundle %q names %d entrypoint(s); the runtime is run from one, so the module "+
-					"declares exactly one (novox/hq to-be 38)", mcat.RuntimeModule, bundle.Name, len(bundle.Entrypoints))
+					"declares exactly one (novox/hq to-be 38)", runtime.Module, bundle.Name, len(bundle.Entrypoints))
 		}
-		interpreter, err := interpreterFor(bundle.Language)
+		interpreter, err := interpreterFor(runtime.Module, bundle.Language)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -117,7 +113,7 @@ func resolutionRuntimeProcess(r mcat.Resolution, with mcat.Rendering) (map[strin
 	if !declared {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf(
 			"%s declares no own secret named broker, and the node's credential is delivered there: "+
-				"a module that speaks on the bus declares \"own-secrets\": {\"broker\": <path>}", mcat.RuntimeModule,
+				"a module that speaks on the bus declares \"own-secrets\": {\"broker\": <path>}", runtime.Module,
 		)
 	}
 
@@ -163,7 +159,7 @@ func resolutionRuntimeProcess(r mcat.Resolution, with mcat.Rendering) (map[strin
 		}
 	}
 	sort.Strings(served)
-	restartOn = append(restartOn, mcat.RuntimeModule+"."+mcat.NeedID("broker"))
+	restartOn = append(restartOn, runtime.Module+"."+mcat.NeedID("broker"))
 	sort.Strings(restartOn)
 
 	env := map[string]string{mcat.RuntimeToolModules: strings.Join(served, ","), mcat.RuntimeBrokerFile: credential.Path}
@@ -176,7 +172,7 @@ func resolutionRuntimeProcess(r mcat.Resolution, with mcat.Rendering) (map[strin
 		env[mcat.RuntimeToolEnv] = string(body)
 	}
 	process := map[string]any{
-		"id": mcat.RuntimeModule + "." + RuntimeProcessID(), "type": "process", "name": mcat.RuntimeModule,
+		"id": runtime.Module + "." + RuntimeProcessID(), "type": "process", "name": runtime.Module,
 		"source": bundle.Source, "digest": bundle.Digest,
 		"run":        run,
 		"env":        env,
@@ -193,7 +189,7 @@ func resolutionRuntimeProcess(r mcat.Resolution, with mcat.Rendering) (map[strin
 	}
 	// Routed through the artifact store as this network reaches it now, like everything the mesh
 	// built; refused with the same words when there is no store to route through.
-	if err := artifactsInto(process, mcat.RuntimeModule, with); err != nil {
+	if err := artifactsInto(process, runtime.Module, with); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return process, nil
@@ -229,14 +225,14 @@ func resolutionOwnRuntimes(r mcat.Resolution, with mcat.Rendering) ([]map[string
 	}
 	var runtime *mcat.Manifest
 	for i := range r.Modules {
-		if r.Modules[i].Module == mcat.RuntimeModule {
+		if mcat.IsToolRunner(r.Modules[i]) {
 			runtime = &r.Modules[i]
 		}
 	}
 	if runtime == nil || len(runtime.Bundles) != 1 || runtime.Bundles[0].Binary == "" {
 		return nil, &NoRuntimeToRunError{Held: runtime != nil && runtime.Stubbed, said: fmt.Sprintf("%s runs as its own "+
-			"account in a runtime of its own, and %s is not here to run it from: assign %s to %s first (novox/hq ADR 0259)",
-			own[0].Module, mcat.RuntimeModule, mcat.RuntimeModule, r.Node)}
+			"account in a runtime of its own, and the tool runner is not here to run it from: assign the tool runner to %s first "+
+			"(novox/hq ADR 0259)", own[0].Module, r.Node)}
 	}
 	program := runtime.Bundles[0]
 	var out []map[string]any
@@ -314,7 +310,7 @@ func resolutionOwnRuntimes(r mcat.Resolution, with mcat.Rendering) ([]map[string
 		if yielding != nil {
 			process["yields"] = yielding
 		}
-		if err := artifactsInto(process, mcat.RuntimeModule, with); err != nil {
+		if err := artifactsInto(process, runtime.Module, with); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		out = append(out, process)
diff --git a/internal/compose/resolution/runtime_health_test.go b/internal/compose/resolution/runtime_health_test.go
index 65043cf..b4d3377 100644
--- a/internal/compose/resolution/runtime_health_test.go
+++ b/internal/compose/resolution/runtime_health_test.go
@@ -9,12 +9,12 @@ import (
 // The runtime-health is composed onto <module>.own-runtime, in the words the node-engine takes; to an engine
 // that does not read health it is not sent, as for every resource.
 func TestARuntimeHealthIsComposedOntoTheModulesOwnRuntime(t *testing.T) {
-	goRuntime := mcat.Manifest{Module: mcat.RuntimeModule, Version: "1",
-		OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/" + mcat.RuntimeModule + "/broker"}},
+	goRuntime := mcat.Manifest{Module: "node-tools", Version: "1", ToolRunner: true,
+		OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/" + "node-tools" + "/broker"}},
 		Build: &mcat.Build{Artifacts: []mcat.Artifact{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle, Language: "go",
 			System: "arch", From: "cmd/node-tools"}}}}
 	goRuntime, err := goRuntime.Resolve([]mcat.Built{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle,
-		Reference: mcat.ArtifactStoreScheme + mcat.RuntimeModule + "/runtime/blobs/" + bundleDigest, Digest: bundleDigest}})
+		Reference: mcat.ArtifactStoreScheme + "node-tools" + "/runtime/blobs/" + bundleDigest, Digest: bundleDigest}})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func TestARuntimeHealthIsComposedOntoTheModulesOwnRuntime(t *testing.T) {
 		"looks": 2.0}
 	for _, reads := range []bool{true, false} {
 		with := mcat.Rendering{ArtifactStore: "anchor.internal:5101", ReadsHealth: reads,
-			Needed: map[string]map[string]string{mcat.RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed"}, "keeper": {"broker": "own"}}}
+			Needed: map[string]map[string]string{"node-tools": {"broker": "sealed"}, "keeper": {"broker": "own"}}}
 		out, err := Declaration(mcat.Resolution{Node: "anchor", Account: "ops", Modules: []mcat.Manifest{keeper, goRuntime}}, with)
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func TestARuntimeHealthIsComposedOntoTheModulesOwnRuntime(t *testing.T) {
 			h["timeout"] != "10s" || h["looks"] != 2 || h["grace"] != "1m0s" {
 			t.Errorf("its own runtime's health: %v", own[mcat.HealthField])
 		}
-		if machine := fileNamed(out, mcat.RuntimeModule+"."+RuntimeProcessID()); machine[mcat.HealthField] != nil {
+		if machine := fileNamed(out, "node-tools"+"."+RuntimeProcessID()); machine[mcat.HealthField] != nil {
 			t.Errorf("the machine's runtime was given the module's health: %v", machine[mcat.HealthField])
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/internal/compose/resolution/runtime_test.go b/internal/compose/resolution/runtime_test.go
index 0075bfe..ba0932f 100644
--- a/internal/compose/resolution/runtime_test.go
+++ b/internal/compose/resolution/runtime_test.go
@@ -31,12 +31,12 @@ func aToolsModule(t *testing.T, name string, entrypoints ...string) mcat.Manifes
 // loaded, and its broker secret to receive the node's credential in.
 func theRuntime(t *testing.T) mcat.Manifest {
 	t.Helper()
-	m := mcat.Manifest{Module: mcat.RuntimeModule, Version: "1",
-		OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/" + mcat.RuntimeModule + "/broker"}},
+	m := mcat.Manifest{Module: "node-tools", Version: "1", ToolRunner: true,
+		OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/" + "node-tools" + "/broker"}},
 		Build: &mcat.Build{Artifacts: []mcat.Artifact{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle, Language: "typescript",
 			Entrypoints: []string{"src/main.js"}}}}}
 	resolved, err := m.Resolve([]mcat.Built{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle,
-		Reference: mcat.ArtifactStoreScheme + mcat.RuntimeModule + "/runtime/blobs/" + bundleDigest, Digest: bundleDigest}})
+		Reference: mcat.ArtifactStoreScheme + "node-tools" + "/runtime/blobs/" + bundleDigest, Digest: bundleDigest}})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ func theRuntime(t *testing.T) mcat.Manifest {
 
 func TestEveryToolsBundleIsDeliveredWhereTheRuntimeRuns(t *testing.T) {
 	store := mcat.Rendering{ArtifactStore: "anchor.internal:5101",
-		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{mcat.RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-credential"}}}
+		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{"node-tools": {"broker": "sealed-credential"}}}
 	nftables := aToolsModule(t, "nftables", "tools/index.js")
 	zsh := aToolsModule(t, "zsh", "tools/index.js", "tools/more.js")
 
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func TestEveryToolsBundleIsDeliveredWhereTheRuntimeRuns(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Errorf("zsh's tools bundle was not delivered: %v", ids(out))
 		}
 		// The runtime's own bundle is run, not loaded: its process delivers it, not an archive.
-		if fileNamed(out, mcat.RuntimeModule+"."+BundleID("runtime")) != nil {
+		if fileNamed(out, "node-tools"+"."+BundleID("runtime")) != nil {
 			t.Error("the runtime's own bundle was delivered as an archive beside its process")
 		}
 	})
@@ -86,6 +86,18 @@ func TestEveryToolsBundleIsDeliveredWhereTheRuntimeRuns(t *testing.T) {
 				t.Errorf("%s was delivered to a machine running no runtime to load it", id)
 			}
 		}
+		// The tool runner is what says it is one, never a name (issue 774): node-tools saying nothing is no runner.
+		silent := theRuntime(t)
+		silent.ToolRunner = false
+		out, err = Declaration(mcat.Resolution{Node: "anchor", Modules: []mcat.Manifest{nftables, zsh, silent}}, store)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		for _, id := range ids(out) {
+			if strings.Contains(id, BundleID("")) || strings.HasSuffix(id, "."+RuntimeProcessID()) {
+				t.Errorf("%s was composed for a module that does not say it is the tool runner", id)
+			}
+		}
 	})
 }
 
@@ -101,7 +113,7 @@ func ids(out []map[string]any) []string {
 // where its credential is, and who the operator is — restarted when any of that changes.
 func TestTheMachineRunsOneRuntimeLoadingEveryDeliveredBundle(t *testing.T) {
 	with := mcat.Rendering{ArtifactStore: "anchor.internal:5101",
-		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{mcat.RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-credential"}}}
+		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{"node-tools": {"broker": "sealed-credential"}}}
 	nftables := aToolsModule(t, "nftables", "tools/index.js")
 	// A bundle carrying a daemon beside its tools says which files the runtime loads.
 	showcase := mcat.Manifest{Module: "showcase", Version: "1", Tools: []string{"greet"},
@@ -118,12 +130,12 @@ func TestTheMachineRunsOneRuntimeLoadingEveryDeliveredBundle(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	process := fileNamed(out, mcat.RuntimeModule+"."+RuntimeProcessID())
+	process := fileNamed(out, "node-tools"+"."+RuntimeProcessID())
 	if process == nil {
 		t.Fatalf("no runtime process was composed: %v", ids(out))
 	}
-	if process["type"] != "process" || process["name"] != mcat.RuntimeModule || process["digest"] != bundleDigest ||
-		process["source"] != "http://anchor.internal:5101/v2/"+mcat.RuntimeModule+"/runtime/blobs/"+bundleDigest {
+	if process["type"] != "process" || process["name"] != "node-tools" || process["digest"] != bundleDigest ||
+		process["source"] != "http://anchor.internal:5101/v2/"+"node-tools"+"/runtime/blobs/"+bundleDigest {
 		t.Errorf("the runtime's process is %v", process)
 	}
 	if fmt.Sprint(process["run"]) != "[node src/main.js]" {
@@ -134,7 +146,7 @@ func TestTheMachineRunsOneRuntimeLoadingEveryDeliveredBundle(t *testing.T) {
 		"showcase="+mcat.BundleRoot+"/showcase/code/tools/index.js" {
 		t.Errorf("the runtime is told to serve %q: every loaded file, by module, and nothing a bundle runs", env[mcat.RuntimeToolModules])
 	}
-	if env[mcat.RuntimeBrokerFile] != "/var/lib/mesh/"+mcat.RuntimeModule+"/broker" {
+	if env[mcat.RuntimeBrokerFile] != "/var/lib/mesh/"+"node-tools"+"/broker" {
 		t.Errorf("the runtime reads its credential at %q, not where the module's own secret is placed", env[mcat.RuntimeBrokerFile])
 	}
 	if env[mcat.RuntimeOperatorAccount] != "ops" || env[mcat.RuntimeOperatorHome] != "/home/ops" || process["user"] != "ops" {
@@ -142,18 +154,18 @@ func TestTheMachineRunsOneRuntimeLoadingEveryDeliveredBundle(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	// The credential the process reads belongs to the account it runs as, or it could not read it
 	// (to-be 38 WP3); other modules' secrets are left as their manifests say.
-	if credential := fileNamed(out, mcat.RuntimeModule+"."+mcat.NeedID("broker")); credential == nil || credential["owner"] != "ops" {
+	if credential := fileNamed(out, "node-tools"+"."+mcat.NeedID("broker")); credential == nil || credential["owner"] != "ops" {
 		t.Errorf("the runtime's credential is not the account's to read: %v", credential)
 	}
 	restarts := fmt.Sprint(process["restart-on"])
-	for _, want := range []string{"nftables." + BundleID("tools"), "showcase." + BundleID("code"), mcat.RuntimeModule + "." + mcat.NeedID("broker")} {
+	for _, want := range []string{"nftables." + BundleID("tools"), "showcase." + BundleID("code"), "node-tools" + "." + mcat.NeedID("broker")} {
 		if !strings.Contains(restarts, want) {
 			t.Errorf("the runtime is not restarted when %s changes: %s", want, restarts)
 		}
 	}
 	// After every bundle and the credential, so both exist before it starts.
 	names := ids(out)
-	if names[len(names)-1] != mcat.RuntimeModule+"."+RuntimeProcessID() {
+	if names[len(names)-1] != "node-tools"+"."+RuntimeProcessID() {
 		t.Errorf("the runtime's process is not last: %v", names)
 	}
 
@@ -162,7 +174,7 @@ func TestTheMachineRunsOneRuntimeLoadingEveryDeliveredBundle(t *testing.T) {
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
-		process := fileNamed(out, mcat.RuntimeModule+"."+RuntimeProcessID())
+		process := fileNamed(out, "node-tools"+"."+RuntimeProcessID())
 		env := process["env"].(map[string]string)
 		if _, set := env[mcat.RuntimeOperatorAccount]; set {
 			t.Error("an operator account was named on a machine that has none")
@@ -170,13 +182,13 @@ func TestTheMachineRunsOneRuntimeLoadingEveryDeliveredBundle(t *testing.T) {
 		if _, set := process["user"]; set {
 			t.Error("a user was set on a machine with no account")
 		}
-		if credential := fileNamed(out, mcat.RuntimeModule+"."+mcat.NeedID("broker")); credential == nil || credential["owner"] != nil {
+		if credential := fileNamed(out, "node-tools"+"."+mcat.NeedID("broker")); credential == nil || credential["owner"] != nil {
 			t.Errorf("the runtime's credential was given an owner on a machine with no account: %v", credential)
 		}
 	})
 
 	t.Run("a runtime module built wrong is refused by name", func(t *testing.T) {
-		two := mcat.Manifest{Module: mcat.RuntimeModule, Version: "1", OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/b"}},
+		two := mcat.Manifest{Module: "node-tools", Version: "1", ToolRunner: true, OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/b"}},
 			Build: &mcat.Build{Artifacts: []mcat.Artifact{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle, Language: "typescript",
 				Entrypoints: []string{"a.js", "b.js"}}}}}
 		resolved, err := two.Resolve([]mcat.Built{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle,
@@ -195,7 +207,7 @@ func TestTheMachineRunsOneRuntimeLoadingEveryDeliveredBundle(t *testing.T) {
 // build from before launchers — so the move needs no flag day.
 func TestTheRuntimeStartsTheLauncherWhereTheBuildWroteOne(t *testing.T) {
 	with := mcat.Rendering{ArtifactStore: "anchor.internal:5101",
-		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{mcat.RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-credential"}}}
+		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{"node-tools": {"broker": "sealed-credential"}}}
 	launched := mcat.Manifest{Module: "dash", Version: "1", Tools: []string{"status"},
 		Build: &mcat.Build{Artifacts: []mcat.Artifact{{Name: "tools", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle, Language: "typescript",
 			Entrypoints: []string{"tools/index.js"}}}}}
@@ -210,7 +222,7 @@ func TestTheRuntimeStartsTheLauncherWhereTheBuildWroteOne(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	env := fileNamed(out, mcat.RuntimeModule+"."+RuntimeProcessID())["env"].(map[string]string)
+	env := fileNamed(out, "node-tools"+"."+RuntimeProcessID())["env"].(map[string]string)
 	want := "dash=" + mcat.BundleRoot + "/dash/tools/tools/index.serve.mjs,nftables=" + mcat.BundleRoot + "/nftables/tools/tools/index.js"
 	if env[mcat.RuntimeToolModules] != want {
 		t.Errorf("the runtime is told %q, want %q", env[mcat.RuntimeToolModules], want)
@@ -220,13 +232,13 @@ func TestTheRuntimeStartsTheLauncherWhereTheBuildWroteOne(t *testing.T) {
 // novox/hq ADR 0193: a runtime compiled to a binary runs itself from its own unpacked bundle.
 func TestARuntimeCompiledToABinaryRunsItself(t *testing.T) {
 	with := mcat.Rendering{ArtifactStore: "anchor.internal:5101",
-		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{mcat.RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-credential"}}}
-	goRuntime := mcat.Manifest{Module: mcat.RuntimeModule, Version: "1",
-		OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/" + mcat.RuntimeModule + "/broker"}},
+		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{"node-tools": {"broker": "sealed-credential"}}}
+	goRuntime := mcat.Manifest{Module: "node-tools", Version: "1", ToolRunner: true,
+		OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/" + "node-tools" + "/broker"}},
 		Build: &mcat.Build{Artifacts: []mcat.Artifact{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle, Language: "go",
 			System: "arch", From: "cmd/node-tools"}}}}
 	goRuntime, err := goRuntime.Resolve([]mcat.Built{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle,
-		Reference: mcat.ArtifactStoreScheme + mcat.RuntimeModule + "/runtime/blobs/" + bundleDigest, Digest: bundleDigest}})
+		Reference: mcat.ArtifactStoreScheme + "node-tools" + "/runtime/blobs/" + bundleDigest, Digest: bundleDigest}})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -234,7 +246,7 @@ func TestARuntimeCompiledToABinaryRunsItself(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	process := fileNamed(out, mcat.RuntimeModule+"."+RuntimeProcessID())
+	process := fileNamed(out, "node-tools"+"."+RuntimeProcessID())
 	if fmt.Sprint(process["run"]) != "[./node-tools]" {
 		t.Errorf("a Go runtime is run as %v, want its own binary", process["run"])
 	}
@@ -249,13 +261,13 @@ func TestARuntimeCompiledToABinaryRunsItself(t *testing.T) {
 // which runs as the operator's account and is given none of its words.
 func TestAModuleOfItsOwnAccountIsServedByARuntimeOfItsOwn(t *testing.T) {
 	with := mcat.Rendering{ArtifactStore: "anchor.internal:5101",
-		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{mcat.RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-credential"}, "telegram": {"broker": "own"}}}
-	goRuntime := mcat.Manifest{Module: mcat.RuntimeModule, Version: "1",
-		OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/" + mcat.RuntimeModule + "/broker"}},
+		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{"node-tools": {"broker": "sealed-credential"}, "telegram": {"broker": "own"}}}
+	goRuntime := mcat.Manifest{Module: "node-tools", Version: "1", ToolRunner: true,
+		OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/" + "node-tools" + "/broker"}},
 		Build: &mcat.Build{Artifacts: []mcat.Artifact{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle, Language: "go",
 			System: "arch", From: "cmd/node-tools"}}}}
 	goRuntime, err := goRuntime.Resolve([]mcat.Built{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle,
-		Reference: mcat.ArtifactStoreScheme + mcat.RuntimeModule + "/runtime/blobs/" + bundleDigest, Digest: bundleDigest}})
+		Reference: mcat.ArtifactStoreScheme + "node-tools" + "/runtime/blobs/" + bundleDigest, Digest: bundleDigest}})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -267,7 +279,7 @@ func TestAModuleOfItsOwnAccountIsServedByARuntimeOfItsOwn(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	machine := fileNamed(out, mcat.RuntimeModule+"."+RuntimeProcessID())
+	machine := fileNamed(out, "node-tools"+"."+RuntimeProcessID())
 	if served := machine["env"].(map[string]string)[mcat.RuntimeToolModules]; strings.Contains(served, "telegram") || !strings.Contains(served, "nftables") {
 		t.Errorf("the machine's runtime serves %q", served)
 	}
@@ -342,13 +354,13 @@ func TestAModuleOfItsOwnAccountIsServedByARuntimeOfItsOwn(t *testing.T) {
 // as the account agents run as there — either would hand what it holds back to the accounts it is kept from.
 func TestAModuleOfItsOwnAccountIsRefusedTheOperatorsAndTheAgentsAccount(t *testing.T) {
 	with := mcat.Rendering{ArtifactStore: "anchor.internal:5101",
-		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{mcat.RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-credential"}, "telegram": {"broker": "own"}}}
-	goRuntime := mcat.Manifest{Module: mcat.RuntimeModule, Version: "1",
-		OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/" + mcat.RuntimeModule + "/broker"}},
+		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{"node-tools": {"broker": "sealed-credential"}, "telegram": {"broker": "own"}}}
+	goRuntime := mcat.Manifest{Module: "node-tools", Version: "1", ToolRunner: true,
+		OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/" + "node-tools" + "/broker"}},
 		Build: &mcat.Build{Artifacts: []mcat.Artifact{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle, Language: "go",
 			System: "arch", From: "cmd/node-tools"}}}}
 	goRuntime, err := goRuntime.Resolve([]mcat.Built{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle,
-		Reference: mcat.ArtifactStoreScheme + mcat.RuntimeModule + "/runtime/blobs/" + bundleDigest, Digest: bundleDigest}})
+		Reference: mcat.ArtifactStoreScheme + "node-tools" + "/runtime/blobs/" + bundleDigest, Digest: bundleDigest}})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -368,16 +380,16 @@ func TestAModuleOfItsOwnAccountIsRefusedTheOperatorsAndTheAgentsAccount(t *testi
 // files it holds for its consumers, and what its words name — belongs to that account, never the operator's.
 func TestWhatAModuleOfItsOwnAccountReadsIsItsAccounts(t *testing.T) {
 	with := mcat.Rendering{ArtifactStore: "anchor.internal:5101",
-		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{mcat.RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-credential"}, "vault": {"broker": "own"}},
+		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{"node-tools": {"broker": "sealed-credential"}, "vault": {"broker": "own"}},
 		Kept:   &mcat.KeptExport{Export: 1, OperatorKey: "k"},
 		Grants: []mcat.Grant{{Provision: "secret", Consumer: "anchor", From: "telegram", Sealed: "sealed-to-anchor",
 			Values: map[string]any{"name": "telegram"}}}}
-	goRuntime := mcat.Manifest{Module: mcat.RuntimeModule, Version: "1",
-		OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/" + mcat.RuntimeModule + "/broker"}},
+	goRuntime := mcat.Manifest{Module: "node-tools", Version: "1", ToolRunner: true,
+		OwnSecrets: mcat.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/" + "node-tools" + "/broker"}},
 		Build: &mcat.Build{Artifacts: []mcat.Artifact{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle, Language: "go",
 			System: "arch", From: "cmd/node-tools"}}}}
 	goRuntime, err := goRuntime.Resolve([]mcat.Built{{Name: "runtime", Kind: mcat.ArtifactBundle,
-		Reference: mcat.ArtifactStoreScheme + mcat.RuntimeModule + "/runtime/blobs/" + bundleDigest, Digest: bundleDigest}})
+		Reference: mcat.ArtifactStoreScheme + "node-tools" + "/runtime/blobs/" + bundleDigest, Digest: bundleDigest}})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/compose/resolution/seats.go b/internal/compose/resolution/seats.go
index 85b5015..5e1beb8 100644
--- a/internal/compose/resolution/seats.go
+++ b/internal/compose/resolution/seats.go
@@ -193,7 +193,8 @@ var defaultSeats = append([]mcat.Seat{
 	// images and archives, by digest — which is why the provision is the artifact store and not an
 	// image registry.
 	{Name: "mesh-artifact-store", Scope: mcat.ScopeMesh, Delivers: "artifact-store", Decision: "novox/hq ADR 0075"},
-	{Name: "mesh-catalog", Scope: mcat.ScopeMesh, Decision: "novox/hq ADR 0121"},
+	// The catalog (novox/hq ADR 0604): the SDK's entry with its four verbs, so the copies of the table agree.
+	sdkSeat(mcat.CatalogSeat),
 	// The delivery's owner (novox/hq ADR 0239): one commit's journey from its pull request's head to every
 	// machine, and a group of them, recorded and ordered by its holder, which asks the controller for each act.
 	// What it says it says as its module (`mesh-delivery.transition`), through the runtime that launches it.
@@ -649,3 +650,12 @@ func vaultIntake(first map[string]string) map[string]string {
 	}
 	return out
 }
+
+// sdkSeat is the SDK's entry for a seat, taken whole, so this copy of the table cannot disagree with it.
+func sdkSeat(name string) mcat.Seat {
+	seat, ok := mcat.SeatNamed(name)
+	if !ok {
+		panic("the SDK's seat table holds no seat " + name)
+	}
+	return seat
+}
diff --git a/internal/compose/resolution/seats_test.go b/internal/compose/resolution/seats_test.go
index 8c3cdd5..bcbac2c 100644
--- a/internal/compose/resolution/seats_test.go
+++ b/internal/compose/resolution/seats_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package resolution
 
 import (
+	"reflect"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -69,4 +70,23 @@ func TestTheHolderIsTheModuleNotTheMachine(t *testing.T) {
 	if !held || holder.Module != "gitea" {
 		t.Fatalf("the holder was not told apart from a neighbour: %+v", holder)
 	}
+
+	// ADR 0604 section 1, F3: the seat table written here answers as the SDK's does for the catalog seat, its four
+	// verbs included, so no two copies of the table disagree.
+	want, ok := mcat.SeatNamed(mcat.CatalogSeat)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("the SDK holds no catalog seat")
+	}
+	var have *mcat.Seat
+	for i := range defaultSeats {
+		if defaultSeats[i].Name == mcat.CatalogSeat {
+			have = &defaultSeats[i]
+		}
+	}
+	if have == nil {
+		t.Fatal("the table here holds no catalog seat")
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(*have, want) {
+		t.Errorf("the table here has %+v, the SDK's is %+v", *have, want)
+	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/composer/composer.go b/internal/composer/composer.go
index 9204bc1..b5a8898 100644
--- a/internal/composer/composer.go
+++ b/internal/composer/composer.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"slices"
 	"sort"
+	"strings"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	sdk "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/composer"
@@ -149,6 +150,14 @@ func runCase(r Request, c Case, depth string) (CaseVerdict, error) {
 	for name, m := range base.Catalogue {
 		shelf[name] = m
 	}
+	// A module the input's node-engine holds as refused (compose.Input.Refused: its verdict, or bytes that do not decode) is
+	// held here as there, and its read says why, whatever the case's own verdicts: the check then names the cause the node
+	// holds it for, never a pass the node would not compose, nor a rule about its stub (issue 774, group check 278aa5f0ccbe).
+	for name, why := range base.Refused {
+		if read, carried := cv.Manifests[name]; carried && read.Accepted {
+			cv.Manifests[name] = ManifestRead{Refused: "its node-engine holds it: " + why}
+		}
+	}
 	in.Catalogue = shelf
 	in.Nodes = slices.Clone(in.Nodes)
 	in.Holdings = slices.Clone(in.Holdings)
@@ -205,8 +214,25 @@ func machine(in compose.Input, node, depth string, declarations bool) Machine {
 		}
 		return Machine{Composes: true}
 	}
+	// Composed as the node-engine composes it, when its input says how (compose.Input.ComposedHow, issue 774): the same
+	// path, at the same builds, a module folded in its own composition kept as it runs.
+	if !declarations {
+		if _, how, err := frombus.ComposeSent(in, node); how {
+			if err != nil {
+				return Machine{Reason: err.Error()}
+			}
+			return Machine{Composes: true}
+		}
+	}
 	d, problems, err := compose.Compose(in, node)
 	if err != nil {
+		// An input from a node-engine before ComposedHow says nothing of what runs of the modules folded in the node's
+		// own composition: the sandbox cannot compose them as the node does, so it does not judge the node, and names
+		// it (ADR 0593 §9), never a failure of the change and never a silent pass.
+		if folded := foldedUnsaid(in, node); len(folded) > 0 && in.ComposedHow == nil {
+			return Machine{NotJudged: NotJudged + strings.Join(folded, ", ") +
+				" (its own composition carries them as they run, and the sandbox cannot): " + err.Error()}
+		}
 		return Machine{Reason: err.Error()}
 	}
 	m := Machine{Composes: len(problems) == 0, Problems: problems, Refusals: d.Refusals()}
@@ -219,6 +245,33 @@ func machine(in compose.Input, node, depth string, declarations bool) Machine {
 	return m
 }
 
+// NotJudged opens the words of a machine the sandbox does not judge (Machine.NotJudged, the contract's field, ADR 0593 §9):
+// its node-engine sent an input that does not say how it composes (compose.Input.ComposedHow), and the node runs modules
+// folded in its own composition. The machine is then neither composed nor refused; a reader decides by the field.
+const NotJudged = "not judged: its node-engine sends no running state for "
+
+// foldedUnsaid is each module node runs folded in its own composition (Node.InOwn) whose manifest names a build: what
+// the node composes as it runs, and an input without ComposedHow cannot.
+func foldedUnsaid(in compose.Input, node string) []string {
+	var out []string
+	for _, n := range in.Nodes {
+		if n.Name != node {
+			continue
+		}
+		for m, ok := range n.InOwn {
+			man, known := n.Kept[m]
+			if !known {
+				man, known = in.Catalogue[m]
+			}
+			if ok && known && compose.NamesBuild(man) {
+				out = append(out, m)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return out
+}
+
 // pathsOf is every resource of a declaration that names a path, with its owner, group and mode as declared, sorted by
 // path.
 func pathsOf(d compose.Declared) []Path {
diff --git a/internal/composer/composer_test.go b/internal/composer/composer_test.go
index 281c310..18c5309 100644
--- a/internal/composer/composer_test.go
+++ b/internal/composer/composer_test.go
@@ -108,6 +108,118 @@ func TestARequestItCannotRunIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Errorf("the sandbox composed n1 %+v; the bus reader declared %+v", got, want)
 		}
 	})
+	// Issue 774 (the check of the bus want, the third of a kind: the sandbox's input differs from what the bus reader
+	// composes): a node like the bus node, its bus module folded in its own composition at a build of the old form and no
+	// build published for the module's server artifact, composes in the sandbox as its node-engine composes it, from the
+	// input that says how (compose.Input.ComposedHow); from an older engine's input, which does not, it is named not
+	// judged, never failed and never passed in silence.
+	t.Run("a module folded in the node's own composition", func(t *testing.T) {
+		bus := `{"module": "bus", "version": "1", "claims": [{"name": "node-files"}], ` +
+			`"resources": [{"id": "server", "type": "container", "name": "bus-server", "artifact": "server"}], ` +
+			`"build": {"artifacts": [{"name": "server", "kind": "upstream", "from": "nats:2.11@sha256:` + strings.Repeat("a", 64) + `"}]}}`
+		man, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(bus))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		node := compose.Node{Name: "a", Assigned: []string{"bus"}, InOwn: map[string]bool{"bus": true},
+			RunsOwn: &delivery.Composed{Node: "a"}}
+		in := compose.Input{Catalogue: map[string]catalogue.Manifest{"bus": man}, Nodes: []compose.Node{node}}
+		request := func(in compose.Input) Request {
+			return withInput(t, Request{V: Version, Machines: []string{"a"}, Depth: DepthCompose,
+				Cases: []Case{{Name: "change", Manifests: map[string]Manifest{}}}}, in)
+		}
+		older, err := Run(request(in))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if m := older.Cases[0].Machines["a"]; m.Composes || !strings.HasPrefix(m.NotJudged, NotJudged+"bus") || m.Reason != "" {
+			t.Errorf("an older engine's input of a node with a folded module: %+v", m)
+		}
+		in.ComposedHow = &compose.ComposedHow{Node: "a", Builds: map[string]string{}}
+		sent, err := Run(request(in))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if m := sent.Cases[0].Machines["a"]; !m.Composes || m.Reason != "" {
+			t.Errorf("the input that says how the node composes, its bus folded: %+v", m)
+		}
+		// A module the change refuses beside the folded one fails the node in its words, never passed with the rest
+		// composed (review of the sandbox input); held already where the node-engine composed, it stays held as there.
+		app, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(`{"module": "app", "version": "1", ` +
+			`"resources": [{"id": "env", "type": "file", "path": "/var/lib/app/env", "mode": "0600", "content": "N=${secret:repository}\n"}]}`))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		in.Catalogue["app"] = app
+		in.Nodes[0].Assigned = []string{"bus", "app"}
+		refused, err := Run(request(in))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if m := refused.Cases[0].Machines["a"]; m.Composes || !strings.Contains(m.Reason, "app: ") || !strings.Contains(m.Reason, "repository") {
+			t.Errorf("a module the change refuses on a node composed as its node-engine does: %+v", m)
+		}
+		// Held composing without the change, blamed for a refusal beyond the read (issue 1960's unset names): no refusal of
+		// the change either (review round 1).
+		in.ComposedHow.HeldBefore = map[string]string{"app": "its route names are unset"}
+		before, err := Run(request(in))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if m := before.Cases[0].Machines["a"]; !m.Composes {
+			t.Errorf("a module the node holds composing without the change: %+v", m)
+		}
+		in.ComposedHow.HeldBefore = nil
+		in.ComposedHow.Held = map[string]string{"app": "held on the node"}
+		held, err := Run(request(in))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if m := held.Cases[0].Machines["a"]; !m.Composes {
+			t.Errorf("a module the node-engine holds too: %+v", m)
+		}
+	})
+	// Issue 774 (the group check of feat/l3-final 278aa5f0ccbe): a tool runner its node-engine holds by its manifest's
+	// verdict is sent as its stub, and the input says it holds it: the sandbox composes the node with it held, never refuses
+	// it for its stub's missing bundle. An input from an engine before the mark is read by Refused alone, the same way.
+	t.Run("a refused tool runner the engine sends as its stub", func(t *testing.T) {
+		raw := `{"module": "runner", "version": "1", "tool-runner": true, ` +
+			`"build": {"artifacts": [{"name": "runtime", "kind": "bundle", "language": "go", "from": "cmd/runner", "binary": "runner"}]}}`
+		man, err := catalogue.Decode([]byte(raw))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		in := compose.Input{Catalogue: map[string]catalogue.Manifest{"runner": compose.Stub(man)},
+			Refused: map[string]string{"runner": "the indexer's judge refused the manifest of runner"},
+			Nodes:   []compose.Node{{Name: "a", Assigned: []string{"runner"}}}}
+		wire, err := json.Marshal(in)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		var back compose.Input
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(wire, &back); err != nil || !back.Catalogue["runner"].Stubbed || !strings.Contains(string(wire), `"Held"`) {
+			t.Fatalf("the input's held mark across the wire: %s, %v", wire, err)
+		}
+		older := strings.Replace(string(wire), `"Held":{"Catalogue":["runner"]}`, `"Unsaid":null`, 1)
+		for name, sent := range map[string]string{"with the mark": string(wire), "from an engine before it": older} {
+			var r Request
+			r = Request{V: Version, Machines: []string{"a"}, Depth: DepthCompose,
+				Cases: []Case{{Name: "change", Manifests: map[string]Manifest{"runner": {Raw: json.RawMessage(raw)}}}}}
+			if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(sent), &r.Input); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			v, err := Run(r)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if m := v.Cases[0].Machines["a"]; !m.Composes || strings.Contains(m.Reason, "bundle") {
+				t.Errorf("%s: the node with its tool runner held: %+v", name, m)
+			}
+			if read := v.Cases[0].Manifests["runner"]; read.Accepted || !strings.Contains(read.Refused, "the indexer's judge refused the manifest of runner") {
+				t.Errorf("%s: the runner's read names not why its node-engine holds it: %+v", name, read)
+			}
+		}
+	})
 	v, err := Run(Request{V: Version, Cases: []Case{{Name: "only-read", Manifests: map[string]Manifest{"demo": {Raw: json.RawMessage(demo)}}}}})
 	if err != nil || len(v.Cases) != 1 || !v.Cases[0].Manifests["demo"].Accepted || v.Cases[0].Machines != nil || v.SDK == "" {
 		t.Fatalf("a request with no machines: %+v, %v", v, err)
diff --git a/internal/link/have.go b/internal/link/have.go
index 6f8040a..eb13fb0 100644
--- a/internal/link/have.go
+++ b/internal/link/have.go
@@ -374,8 +374,9 @@ func (q *Session) writeHaves(ctx context.Context, bus Bus) {
 		f := s.modules[module]
 		h := delivery.Have{V: delivery.Version, FP: f.FP, Composed: f.Composed, Build: f.Build,
 			Phase: delivery.PhaseRunning, Health: delivery.HealthUnknown, Detail: f.Detail}
+		h.Kept = f.Kept
 		if delivery.Phase(f.Phase) == delivery.PhaseWaitingYes {
-			h.Judgement, h.Waits = delivery.Judgement(f.Judgement), f.Waits
+			h.Judgement, h.Waits, h.BuildAlone = delivery.Judgement(f.Judgement), f.Waits, f.BuildAlone
 		}
 		switch {
 		case f.Phase != "":
diff --git a/internal/link/have_test.go b/internal/link/have_test.go
index f092ed2..2fc4c41 100644
--- a/internal/link/have_test.go
+++ b/internal/link/have_test.go
@@ -270,7 +270,8 @@ func TestTheNodeKeyCarriesTheNodesFacts(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	wantRecord := delivery.NodeRecord{V: delivery.Version, Node: "n1", TunnelKey: "tk", SealingKey: "sk", ServingKey: "pk",
 		Certificate: "cert", Trusts: keys.Trusts, Capabilities: []string{"apt", "systemd"}, OutwardLinks: []string{"eth0"}, NetworksSaid: true,
-		Networks: []catalogue.AttachedNetwork{{Link: "eth0", Network: "192.0.2.0/24"}}, Contract: NodeKeyContract}
+		Networks: []catalogue.AttachedNetwork{{Link: "eth0", Network: "192.0.2.0/24"}}, Contract: NodeKeyContract,
+		ManifestReads: catalogue.ManifestReads()} // what it reads of a manifest: its contract's (ADR 0614 §4)
 	if !delivery.SameNodeRecord(*got.Record, wantRecord) {
 		t.Errorf("record = %+v, want %+v", *got.Record, wantRecord)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/link/messages.go b/internal/link/messages.go
index 531a1ab..dd65cb3 100644
--- a/internal/link/messages.go
+++ b/internal/link/messages.go
@@ -639,6 +639,10 @@ type ModuleFact struct {
 	// Judgement and Waits are, in phase waiting-yes, the judgement of the move and the composition waiting (ADR 0547 §3).
 	Judgement string
 	Waits     string
+	// BuildAlone says, in phase waiting-yes, the move changes the build alone (ADR 0601 §1, delivery.Have.BuildAlone).
+	BuildAlone bool
+	// Kept is what the node keeps of the module as it runs, for a manifest that does not say it yet (delivery.Have.Kept).
+	Kept []string
 	// Sealed is the values the composition it names carries sealed to this node's key, by slot (delivery.Have.SealedAt).
 	Sealed delivery.Seals
 }
diff --git a/internal/link/record.go b/internal/link/record.go
index f176bab..df204af 100644
--- a/internal/link/record.go
+++ b/internal/link/record.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package link
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"sort"
+	"sync"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
@@ -27,6 +28,11 @@ type RecordKeys struct {
 	Trusts []string
 }
 
+// manifestReads is what this engine reads of a manifest (novox/hq ADR 0614 §4): the reader capabilities of the mesh-sdk it
+// is built with, stated in its record so the assigner moves a want only to an engine that reads its manifest. Computed
+// once: it is the build's, and never changes while it runs.
+var manifestReads = sync.OnceValue(catalogue.ManifestReads)
+
 // recordOf is the node's record from one facts report and its keys; nil for a report that carries no profile (one that
 // says nothing of the machine, such as a rekey), so the record last written stands.
 func recordOf(node string, r Report, keys RecordKeys) *delivery.NodeRecord {
@@ -47,7 +53,8 @@ func recordOf(node string, r Report, keys RecordKeys) *delivery.NodeRecord {
 		return nil
 	}
 	rec := &delivery.NodeRecord{V: delivery.Version, Node: node, TunnelKey: keys.TunnelKey, SealingKey: keys.SealingKey,
-		ServingKey: keys.ServingKey, Certificate: keys.Certificate, Authority: keys.Authority, Trusts: keys.Trusts}
+		ServingKey: keys.ServingKey, Certificate: keys.Certificate, Authority: keys.Authority, Trusts: keys.Trusts,
+		ManifestReads: manifestReads()}
 	for _, c := range p.Capabilities {
 		if c.Present && c.Name != "" {
 			rec.Capabilities = append(rec.Capabilities, c.Name)
diff --git a/internal/selfcompose/candidate.go b/internal/selfcompose/candidate.go
index 9d8b091..1176808 100644
--- a/internal/selfcompose/candidate.go
+++ b/internal/selfcompose/candidate.go
@@ -181,14 +181,19 @@ func (s *Shadow) composeCandidate(ctx context.Context, c *Composer, ask delivery
 	if err != nil {
 		return unready(err.Error())
 	}
-	laidComps, laidHeld, laidErr := laid.composeShadow(ctx, running, touched, func(scope frombus.Scope) {
+	laidComps, laidHeld, laidErr := laid.composeShadow(ctx, running, touched, func(scope frombus.Scope, fps map[string]string) {
 		if !ask.Input {
 			return
 		}
-		in, err := frombus.Input(ctx, reader{c: laid}, laid.env.Mesh, scope)
+		// Read as the composition reads it, at the builds it composes at, with how it composes (compose.Input.ComposedHow),
+		// so the sandbox composes this node through the same path (issue 774).
+		in, err := frombus.ComposingInput(ctx, reader{c: laid}, laid.env.Mesh, scope, fps)
 		if err != nil {
 			return
 		}
+		// What the node holds composing without the candidate, a module blamed for a refusal among them, is no refusal of
+		// the change (review round 1).
+		in.ComposedHow.HeldBefore = maps.Clone(baseHeld)
 		// As the sandbox reads it (composer.SentInput, the one shape): this node's own modules as taken in from their
 		// builds, every other module's manifest left to the cases.
 		if body, err := json.Marshal(composer.SentInput(in, laid.env.Node)); err == nil {
@@ -411,7 +416,7 @@ func (c *Composer) layCandidate(ctx context.Context, cand delivery.Candidate) (m
 // composeShadow composes this node from what c holds, as the shadow composes it (shadowBuilds): each module at the build
 // it runs, one placed and not run at the indexer's, and one the candidate laid (laid) at the candidate's. input, when
 // given, is handed the scope.
-func (c *Composer) composeShadow(ctx context.Context, running []delivery.Composed, laid map[string]bool, input func(frombus.Scope)) (map[string]delivery.Composed, map[string]string, error) {
+func (c *Composer) composeShadow(ctx context.Context, running []delivery.Composed, laid map[string]bool, input func(frombus.Scope, map[string]string)) (map[string]delivery.Composed, map[string]string, error) {
 	node := c.env.Node
 	c.mu.Lock()
 	placement, placed := c.placements[node]
@@ -444,7 +449,7 @@ func (c *Composer) composeShadow(ctx context.Context, running []delivery.Compose
 	c.mu.Unlock()
 	scope := frombus.Scope{Node: node, KeptAt: kept, InOwn: inOwn, Running: running, SameValue: c.sameValue}
 	if input != nil {
-		input(scope)
+		input(scope, fps)
 	}
 	comps, _, held, err := frombus.Compose(ctx, reader{c: c}, c.env.Mesh, scope, fps)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/selfcompose/candidate_test.go b/internal/selfcompose/candidate_test.go
index 2efbfbb..ea78e81 100644
--- a/internal/selfcompose/candidate_test.go
+++ b/internal/selfcompose/candidate_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package selfcompose
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"strings"
 	"sync/atomic"
 	"testing"
@@ -10,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/agent"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/compose"
 )
 
 // novox/hq ADR 0593 §7: the verb compose-candidate composes a check's candidate on this node in shadow. A candidate that
@@ -105,6 +107,14 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesACandidateOnAsk(t *testing.T) {
 		a.Own.Module != delivery.HaveNodeWord || a.Took > delivery.ComposeAnswerBound.Milliseconds() {
 		t.Errorf("an accepted candidate answered %+v", a)
 	}
+	// Issue 774: the input it sends the sandbox says how it composed the node (the builds), so the sandbox composes it
+	// through the same path.
+	sent := s.ComposeCandidate(ctx, delivery.ComposeCandidateAsk{Candidate: accepted, Input: true})
+	var in compose.Input
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(sent.Input, &in); err != nil || in.ComposedHow == nil || in.ComposedHow.Node != "n1" ||
+		in.ComposedHow.Builds["lemurs"] != fpNew {
+		t.Errorf("the input sent for the sandbox does not say how the node composes: %+v, %v", in.ComposedHow, err)
+	}
 	r := s.ComposeCandidate(ctx, delivery.ComposeCandidateAsk{Candidate: refusedKey})
 	if r.Verdict != delivery.ComposeCandidateRefused || len(r.Modules) != 1 || r.Modules[0].State != delivery.ModuleRefusedState ||
 		!strings.Contains(r.Modules[0].Words, "a field the judge refuses") {
diff --git a/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose.go b/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose.go
index 3019186..a8f81a0 100644
--- a/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose.go
+++ b/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose.go
@@ -78,6 +78,9 @@ type Env struct {
 	// only within its own module.
 	// An error is a have the bus did not answer for, never one absent: the pass is then tried again (BusFailed).
 	Held func(module string) (slots delivery.Seals, legacy []string, err error)
+	// Kept is told, after each pass that composed, what the node keeps of each module as it runs because its manifest does
+	// not yet say it (ADR 0601 §4), by module, so each module's have carries it (agent.KeptNow). Nil tells nobody.
+	Kept func(kept map[string][]string)
 	// Fetch reads an archive at a URL in the artifact store: a moved module's templates archive, whose texts its built
 	// manifest carries (issue 1126). Read once per digest. Nil reads none, and a moved module does not compose.
 	Fetch func(ctx context.Context, url string) ([]byte, error)
@@ -844,7 +847,18 @@ func (c *Composer) compose(ctx context.Context) []agent.Update {
 	}
 	// Its own certificate, asked of the vault when a module here asks for one and the record holds none it trusts.
 	c.certifyIfWanted(ctx, r, own)
-	scope := frombus.Scope{Node: c.env.Node, KeptAt: kept, InOwn: inOwn, Running: running}
+	// What it keeps of a module as it runs, for a manifest that does not say it yet (ADR 0601 §4): said, and carried on the
+	// module's have, from which the watchman raises its condition.
+	keptRuns := map[string][]string{}
+	var keptMu sync.Mutex
+	scope := frombus.Scope{Node: c.env.Node, KeptAt: kept, InOwn: inOwn, Running: running, Kept: func(module, words string) {
+		keptMu.Lock()
+		defer keptMu.Unlock()
+		if !slices.Contains(keptRuns[module], words) {
+			keptRuns[module] = append(keptRuns[module], words)
+		}
+		c.sayOnceEach(words)
+	}}
 	c.mu.Lock()
 	c.dataScope = frombus.Scope{Node: c.env.Node, KeptAt: kept, InOwn: inOwn} // the data items are worked out as composed
 	c.mu.Unlock()
@@ -906,6 +920,11 @@ func (c *Composer) compose(ctx context.Context) []agent.Update {
 	done := c.waiting("the agent marking each held module's have")
 	c.refused("", held)
 	done()
+	if c.env.Kept != nil {
+		keptMu.Lock()
+		c.env.Kept(keptRuns)
+		keptMu.Unlock()
+	}
 	if len(held) == 0 {
 		c.sayOnce("")
 	} else {
@@ -1635,3 +1654,48 @@ func Transient(err error) bool {
 	}
 	return false
 }
+
+// ComposedToday is the digest of module composed at the build fp with today's settings and secrets, as this node would
+// compose it now beside its other modules at their wanted builds, the boxes it runs kept as compose keeps them, and whether
+// it composed (novox/hq ADR 0601 §1): the node agent compares it with what runs, to say whether a move to another build
+// changes the build alone. A module held, a node refused, or no placement: false, and the move is asked of a person.
+func (c *Composer) ComposedToday(ctx context.Context, module, fp string) (string, bool) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	fps, kept := map[string]string{}, map[string]string{}
+	for m, w := range c.wants {
+		if m == agent.NodeModule {
+			continue
+		}
+		fps[m] = w.FP
+		if mm, ok := c.modules[m]; ok && mm.FP2 != w.FP {
+			kept[m] = w.FP
+		}
+	}
+	fps[module] = fp
+	delete(kept, module)
+	if mm, ok := c.modules[module]; !ok || mm.FP2 != fp {
+		kept[module] = fp
+	}
+	own, placed := c.placements[c.env.Node]
+	inOwn := c.inOwnOf(own)
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	if !placed {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	var running []delivery.Composed
+	if c.env.Running != nil {
+		running = c.env.Running()
+	}
+	scope := frombus.Scope{Node: c.env.Node, KeptAt: kept, InOwn: inOwn, Running: running}
+	comps, _, held, err := frombus.Compose(ctx, reader{c: c}, c.env.Mesh, scope, fps)
+	if err != nil || held[module] != "" {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	for _, comp := range comps {
+		if comp.Module == module && comp.FP == fp {
+			dig, err := delivery.ComposedDigestOf(c.keepRunning(comp, running))
+			return dig, err == nil
+		}
+	}
+	return "", false
+}
diff --git a/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose_test.go b/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose_test.go
index a9e663a..170a0b3 100644
--- a/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose_test.go
+++ b/internal/selfcompose/selfcompose_test.go
@@ -268,6 +268,31 @@ func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 		b.mu.Unlock()
 		t.Fatalf("handed %v, want %s and %s", got, lemursKey, nodeKey)
 	}
+	// ADR 0601 §1: the module composed today at the build it runs, as the agent compares it with what runs. The same inputs give
+	// the digest handed; a changed input (here its manifest's service, as a changed setting would change a file) another; a
+	// build that cannot be composed (no done build or manifest of it: held) gives none.
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	handedDig := c.handed[lemursKey]
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	if dig, ok := c.ComposedToday(ctx, "lemurs", fp); !ok || dig != handedDig {
+		t.Errorf("composed today at the build it runs: %s %v, want %s", dig, ok, handedDig)
+	}
+	if dig, ok := c.ComposedToday(ctx, "lemurs", delivery.SourcePrefix2+strings.Repeat("9", 64)); ok {
+		t.Errorf("a build that cannot be composed was composed today: %s", dig)
+	}
+	chgJSON := strings.Replace(lemurs, `"state":"running"`, `"state":"stopped"`, 1)
+	chgDigest := delivery.ManifestDigest([]byte(chgJSON))
+	chgMan, _ := delivery.EncodeManifest(delivery.Manifest{Module: "lemurs", JSON: chgJSON})
+	chgKey, _ := delivery.ManifestsKey(chgDigest)
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	b.kv[delivery.ManifestsBucket+"/"+chgKey] = chgMan
+	b.mu.Unlock()
+	chgMod, _ := delivery.EncodeModule(delivery.Module{FP2: fp, Manifest: chgDigest, Repository: "novox/x", Commit: "c"})
+	c.takeModule(agent.Update{Key: "lemurs", Value: chgMod})
+	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})
 
 	// 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.
diff --git a/internal/witness/contract.go b/internal/witness/contract.go
index 35e8b0b..9c1c6e6 100644
--- a/internal/witness/contract.go
+++ b/internal/witness/contract.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ package witness
 import (
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/compose/resolution"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/link"
 )
 
@@ -33,15 +34,13 @@ const (
 	GiveUp = 30 * time.Minute
 )
 
-// NodeToolsService is the runtime's name on the services protocol, and its instance is this
-// machine's node name: what `$SRV.PING.<service>.<node>` asks, so only this machine's runtime can
-// answer (mesh-tools node-tools internal/runtime, announce.Service{Name: module, ID: node}).
-const NodeToolsService = "node-tools"
-
-// Default is the witness a process is judged by when it names none: the core process the mesh composes on every
-// machine, by the name it composes it under, and nothing else.
-func Default(process string) string {
-	if process == NodeToolsService {
+// Default is the witness a process is judged by when it names none: the tool runner's process, the core process the mesh
+// composes on every machine for the module whose manifest says it is the tool runner (catalogue.IsToolRunner), with the id
+// `<its module>.runtime` and named as its module (resolution's runtime process), and nothing else. It is pinged by that
+// name on this machine's instance, `$SRV.PING.<name>.<node>`, so only this machine's runtime answers; never known here by
+// a module's name (ADR 0601 §4).
+func Default(id, process string) string {
+	if process != "" && id == process+"."+resolution.RuntimeProcessID() {
 		return ByPing
 	}
 	return ByNone
diff --git a/internal/witness/contract_test.go b/internal/witness/contract_test.go
index 2ea5c5c..6677fe9 100644
--- a/internal/witness/contract_test.go
+++ b/internal/witness/contract_test.go
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import (
 
 // The runtime is asked by its own name and this machine's: only this machine's runtime can answer.
 func TestTheRuntimeIsAskedByItsNameAndThisMachines(t *testing.T) {
-	if got := link.PingSubject(NodeToolsService, "anchor"); got != "$SRV.PING.node-tools.anchor" {
+	if got := link.PingSubject("runner-x", "anchor"); got != "$SRV.PING.runner-x.anchor" {
 		t.Fatalf("the host asks %s; the runtime answers $SRV.PING.node-tools.<node>", got)
 	}
 }
@@ -21,9 +21,12 @@ func TestTheRuntimeIsAskedByItsNameAndThisMachines(t *testing.T) {
 // What is judged by default is the mesh's core process on every machine, by the name it is composed under, and
 // nothing else: the controller ended (issue 1126), so its name is judged as any other.
 func TestOnlyTheCoreProcessIsJudgedByDefault(t *testing.T) {
-	for name, want := range map[string]string{"mesh-controller": ByNone, "node-tools": ByPing, "greeter": ByNone} {
-		if got := Default(name); got != want {
-			t.Errorf("%s is judged by %q, want %q", name, got, want)
+	// The tool runner's process by its id and name, whatever its module is called (ADR 0601 §4); a process named so by
+	// another id, or another process, is not.
+	for id, want := range map[string]string{"runner-x.runtime": ByPing, "node-tools.runtime": ByNone, "runner-x.server": ByNone,
+		"mesh-controller.runtime": ByNone} {
+		if got := Default(id, "runner-x"); got != want {
+			t.Errorf("%s is judged by %q, want %q", id, got, want)
 		}
 	}
 	if NodeToolsWithin != 60*time.Second || PingWithin != 5*time.Second {
diff --git a/packaging/operator_keys_test.go b/packaging/operator_keys_test.go
index b86f6c4..5c77c08 100644
--- a/packaging/operator_keys_test.go
+++ b/packaging/operator_keys_test.go
@@ -75,6 +75,13 @@ func TestTheManifestConsumesTheBackupEvent(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	// ADR 0614 §4: the node-engine's own manifest uses only words every running engine reads (the baseline, what an engine
+	// stating none is read as), so its new build is never held for a word only it reads.
+	if needs, err := catalogue.ManifestNeeds(raw); err != nil || len(needs) == 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the manifest's needs: %v, %v", needs, err)
+	} else if missing := catalogue.MissingManifestReads(needs, nil); len(missing) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("the manifest needs %v, which an engine stating nothing does not read: its new build would be held", missing)
+	}
 	// 774 (the alert table): the state health, one key per node, the node's own health report, kept until
 	// written again (no TTL: a node that stops writing keeps its last word, which the watchman reads with its time).
 	// ADR 0577 clause 1: and the state data, one key per module placed on the node that declares data items, kept until