The node-engine finds the tool runner by what its manifest says (tool-runner), never by its name, pinned at mesh-sdk a973bfa (issue 774, the operator 2026-11-03)

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

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},
 	})

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) {

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)
 	}

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)

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])
 		}
 	}

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)
 	}