cmd/mesh-host/authority.go

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+)
+
+// authorityPath is where this engine keeps the mesh's own certificate as it last applied it (public): beside the
+// certificate issued for the machine's name, read into its record (novox/hq ADR 0555 §3).
+func authorityPath(state string) string { return filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(state), "authority.crt") }
+
+// keepAuthority keeps the mesh's own certificate a composition carries (the resource a module's certificate.authority
+// asks for, catalogue.AuthorityID), so the record says the authority this machine holds. A composition carrying none
+// changes nothing.
+func keepAuthority(state string, c delivery.Composed) error {
+	for _, raw := range c.Resources {
+		var r struct {
+			ID      string `json:"id"`
+			Content string `json:"content"`
+		}
+		if json.Unmarshal(raw, &r) != nil || r.Content == "" || !strings.HasSuffix(r.ID, "."+catalogue.AuthorityID()) {
+			continue
+		}
+		path := authorityPath(state)
+		if was, err := os.ReadFile(path); err == nil && string(was) == r.Content {
+			return nil
+		}
+		if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(path), 0o755); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return os.WriteFile(path, []byte(r.Content), 0o644)
+	}
+	return nil
+}

cmd/mesh-host/authority_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+)
+
+// Issue 1126 (ADR 0555 §3): the mesh's own certificate a composition carries is kept for the machine's record, and the
+// record's keys read it; a composition carrying none changes nothing.
+func TestTheAppliedAuthorityIsKeptForTheRecord(t *testing.T) {
+	state := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "state", "state.json")
+	res := func(id, content string) json.RawMessage {
+		raw, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"id": id, "type": "file", "path": "/etc/x", "content": content})
+		return raw
+	}
+	if err := keepAuthority(state, delivery.Composed{Resources: []json.RawMessage{res("web.conf", "x")}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(authorityPath(state)); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatalf("a composition with no authority kept one: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := keepAuthority(state, delivery.Composed{Resources: []json.RawMessage{res("ca-trust.certificate-authority", "CA-1")}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got := recordKeys(state)(); got.Authority != "CA-1" {
+		t.Errorf("the record's keys read the authority %q", got.Authority)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-host/main.go

@@ -1115,6 +1115,8 @@ func runLink(ctx context.Context, opts options) error {
 	proof := &proving{statePath: opts.state, version: runningVersion(), say: say}
 	queue := &link.Session{
 		Membership: membership,
+		// And the public halves and certificate its record says (novox/hq ADR 0555 §3), read at each facts report.
+		Keys: recordKeys(opts.state),
 		// And the first have this build writes is what proves it to the launcher (ADR 0539 §9, ADR 0227 §8).
 		HaveWritten: proof.haveWritten,
 		// And the operator's hand-over of a directory used as found, carried by the controller from the
@@ -2131,3 +2133,28 @@ func newlyMissing(last map[string]bool, st liveness.Statement) ([]string, map[st
 	}
 	return missingModules(fresh), now
 }
+
+// recordKeys reads the public halves of the node's keys and the certificate the mesh issued for its internal name from
+// its state directory (novox/hq ADR 0555 §3): what the node's record says of them. A key that cannot be read is left
+// empty, never invented; the certificate is there only after the first declaration that carried it.
+func recordKeys(state string) func() link.RecordKeys {
+	return func() link.RecordKeys {
+		var k link.RecordKeys
+		if id, err := identity.Load(identity.Path(state)); err == nil {
+			k.TunnelKey = id.Overlay.Public
+		}
+		if sk, err := identity.LoadSealingKey(identity.SealingKeyPath(state)); err == nil {
+			k.SealingKey = sk.Public
+		}
+		if sv, err := identity.LoadServingKey(identity.ServingKeyPath(state)); err == nil {
+			k.ServingKey = sv.Public
+		}
+		if cert, err := os.ReadFile(identity.CertificatePath(state)); err == nil {
+			k.Certificate = string(cert)
+		}
+		if authority, err := os.ReadFile(authorityPath(state)); err == nil {
+			k.Authority = string(authority)
+		}
+		return k
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent.go

@@ -13,11 +13,14 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose/frombus"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/declaration"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/overlay"
 	"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/selfcompose"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/store"
 )
 
@@ -57,7 +60,8 @@ func (h sessionHaves) Read(ctx context.Context, module string) (agent.Have, bool
 	if !ok {
 		return agent.Have{}, false
 	}
-	return agent.Have{Module: module, FP: got.FP, Composed: got.Composed, Phase: string(got.Phase), Detail: got.Detail}, true
+	return agent.Have{Module: module, FP: got.FP, Composed: got.Composed, Phase: string(got.Phase), Detail: got.Detail,
+		Sealed: got.Sealed}, true
 }
 
 func (h sessionHaves) Write(ctx context.Context, x agent.Have) {
@@ -73,7 +77,8 @@ func (h sessionHaves) Write(ctx context.Context, x agent.Have) {
 		phase = ""
 	}
 	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)})
+		Failed: phase == string(delivery.PhaseFailed), Detail: shorten(x.Detail), Judgement: x.Judgement, Waits: x.Waits,
+		Sealed: x.Sealed})
 }
 
 func (h sessionHaves) Removed(ctx context.Context, module string) {
@@ -401,6 +406,15 @@ func nodeAgent(ctx context.Context, opts options, signer ed25519.PublicKey, sess
 		}
 		var ag *agent.Agent
 		kept := keptOnce(opts, signer)
+		// The mesh's own certificate the declaration kept from before carries, kept for the record before this machine
+		// composes its own (ADR 0555 §3): without it a module that asks for a certificate would be stood in for.
+		if byModule, _ := kept(); byModule != nil {
+			for module, resources := range byModule {
+				if err := keepAuthority(opts.state, delivery.Composed{Module: module, Resources: resources}); err != nil {
+					say("the mesh's certificate the kept declaration carries could not be kept for this machine's record: " + err.Error())
+				}
+			}
+		}
 		// The bus's user list, written alone from the newest composition of the bus module (ADR 0547 §8): on every
 		// node, and a node whose compositions carry no list writes nothing.
 		users := userListFollower(opts, session, composedBucket, trustedKeys(opts, signer), say, func() {
@@ -459,6 +473,12 @@ func nodeAgent(ctx context.Context, opts options, signer ed25519.PublicKey, sess
 					res = applyComposition(actx, opts, held, others, sched, say)
 				}
 				done()
+				// The mesh's own certificate it carries is kept for this machine's record (ADR 0555 §3).
+				if !res.Failed {
+					if err := keepAuthority(opts.state, c); err != nil {
+						say("the mesh's certificate in " + c.Module + "'s composition could not be kept for this machine's record: " + err.Error())
+					}
+				}
 				// An apply of the bus module may write an older list than the newest composition holds: looked at again.
 				if module, _ := users.State(); module != "" && module == c.Module {
 					users.Again()
@@ -476,9 +496,44 @@ func nodeAgent(ctx context.Context, opts options, signer ed25519.PublicKey, sess
 				return res
 			},
 		}
+		// The node composes its own modules once the catalogue places it (novox/hq ADR 0547 §2, ADR 0549, issue 1126): its
+		// placement key is read at the agent's start; until then it applies the controller's compositions as before.
+		run, stopRun := context.WithCancel(linked)
+		// What the node runs and how it opens a sealed value, for the composer to keep the boxes it runs; and the agent
+		// told when the node cannot compose, so each wanted module's have says it.
+		hooks := composerHooks{
+			running: func() []delivery.Composed {
+				if now := current.get(); now != nil {
+					return now.Everything()
+				}
+				return nil
+			},
+			unseal: sealOpener(opts.state),
+			// And what each module's have says it runs sealed: after a restart the agent has applied nothing yet.
+			held: func(module string) []string {
+				got, ok := session.ReadHave(linked, module)
+				if !ok {
+					return nil
+				}
+				return got.Sealed
+			},
+			refused: func(why string) {
+				if now := current.get(); now != nil {
+					now.NotComposed(linked, why)
+				}
+			},
+		}
+		if composer := selfComposer(linked, session, node, say, hooks); composer != nil {
+			env.Composed, env.SelfComposed, env.Trusted, env.Policy = composer, true, nil, composer.Policy
+		} else {
+			// And once the catalogue places it, the agent begins again composing its own: the placement key appearing ends
+			// this run, so a node does not wait for a restart to follow the seed of its placement (ADR 0549 §4).
+			go endWhenPlaced(run, session, node, stopRun, say)
+		}
 		ag = agent.New(env)
 		current.set(ag)
-		err = ag.Run(linked)
+		err = ag.Run(run)
+		stopRun()
 		cancel()
 		current.set(nil)
 		if ctx.Err() != nil {
@@ -756,3 +811,73 @@ const applyBound = 30 * time.Minute
 func applyContext(ctx context.Context) (context.Context, context.CancelFunc) {
 	return context.WithTimeout(context.WithoutCancel(ctx), applyBound)
 }
+
+// selfComposer is the node's own composer when the catalogue places the node (its key `placement.<node>` in the
+// indexer's state), and nil, said once, while it does not or the key cannot be read.
+// composerHooks are what the composer reads of the agent and the machine (selfcompose.Env Running, Unseal, Refused).
+type composerHooks struct {
+	running func() []delivery.Composed
+	unseal  func(string) ([]byte, error)
+	refused func(string)
+	held    func(module string) []string
+}
+
+func selfComposer(ctx context.Context, session *link.Session, node string, say func(string), hooks composerHooks) *selfcompose.Composer {
+	key, err := delivery.PlacementKey(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		say("this node applies the controller's compositions: " + err.Error())
+		return nil
+	}
+	got, err := session.KVHistory(ctx, delivery.PlacementBucket, key)
+	if err != nil || len(got) == 0 || got[len(got)-1].Deleted {
+		why := "the catalogue does not place it yet"
+		if err != nil {
+			why = "its placement cannot be read: " + err.Error()
+		}
+		say("this node applies the controller's compositions: " + why)
+		return nil
+	}
+	say("this node composes its own modules: the catalogue places it (" + key + ")")
+	return selfcompose.New(selfcompose.Env{Node: node,
+		Watch: func(ctx context.Context, bucket, pattern string) (<-chan agent.Update, error) {
+			return bucketWatch{session, bucket}.Watch(ctx, pattern)
+		},
+		Get: func(ctx context.Context, bucket, key string) ([]byte, error) {
+			h, err := session.KVHistory(ctx, bucket, key)
+			if err != nil || len(h) == 0 || h[len(h)-1].Deleted {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			return h[len(h)-1].Value, nil
+		},
+		Mesh: frombus.Mesh{InternalSuffix: overlay.Suffix()},
+		Say:  say,
+		// Its modules' own secrets, sealed by the vault to this machine's key (ADR 0550 §5).
+		Own: func(ctx context.Context, args map[string]any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+			return session.AskVault(ctx, "own", args)
+		},
+		// And the vault's word that a secret changed, on which it composes again (ADR 0547 §2).
+		Hear:    session.Hear,
+		Running: hooks.running, Unseal: hooks.unseal, Refused: hooks.refused, Held: hooks.held})
+}
+
+// endWhenPlaced calls stop once this node's placement key appears in the indexer's placement (a value after the watch
+// caught up, or one already there), so the agent begins again and composes its own. A watch that cannot be made is said;
+// the node then switches at its next start.
+func endWhenPlaced(ctx context.Context, session *link.Session, node string, stop func(), say link.Announce) {
+	key, err := delivery.PlacementKey(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	updates, err := bucketWatch{session, delivery.PlacementBucket}.Watch(ctx, key)
+	if err != nil {
+		say("whether the catalogue places this node is not followed (" + err.Error() + "): it composes its own from its next start")
+		return
+	}
+	for u := range updates {
+		if !u.Caught && !u.Deleted && len(u.Value) > 0 {
+			say("the catalogue places this node now (" + key + "): the node agent begins again, composing its own modules")
+			stop()
+			return
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-host/nodeagent_integration_test.go

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/agent"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/link"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/selfcompose"
 )
 
 // The node agent whole, against a real bus with JetStream started in the test: the wants bucket, the node's composition
@@ -311,3 +312,77 @@ func TestNatsTheHandPathAppliesACompositionTheOperatorSigned(t *testing.T) {
 		return h.FP == fp && h.Composed == dig && h.Phase == delivery.PhaseRunning
 	})
 }
+
+// Issue 1126 (ADR 0547 §2, the milestone's H8): the node agent started whole against a real bus, once the catalogue
+// places its node (the placement written after it started), composes a module from its want, the indexer's manifest, its record and its mesh-config value, and applies it,
+// with no key in the controller's compositions; a changed config value is composed again on its event and applied as a
+// revision of what runs.
+func TestNatsANodeThePlacementNamesComposesAndAppliesItsOwn(t *testing.T) {
+	b := newItBed(t)
+	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)
+	resolved := kvOf(selfcompose.ResolvedBucket)
+	kvOf(delivery.BuilderBuildsBucket)
+	path := filepath.Join(b.dir, "web.conf")
+	man := `{"module":"web","version":"1","config":{"greeting":{"type":"string","description":"what the file says","default":"hello"}},` +
+		`"resources":[{"id":"conf","type":"file","path":"` + path + `","mode":"0644","content":"greeting=${config:greeting}\n"}]}`
+	digest := delivery.ManifestDigest([]byte(man))
+	mraw, _ := delivery.EncodeManifest(delivery.Manifest{Module: "web", JSON: man})
+	mkey, _ := delivery.ManifestsKey(digest)
+	fp := fpIt("a")
+	modv, _ := delivery.EncodeModule(delivery.Module{FP2: fp, Manifest: digest, Repository: "novox/web", Commit: strings.Repeat("1", 40)})
+	place, _ := delivery.EncodePlacement(delivery.Placement{Node: itNode, Modules: []delivery.PlacedModule{{Module: "web"}}})
+	rec, _ := delivery.EncodeHaveNode(delivery.HaveNode{Record: &delivery.NodeRecord{Node: itNode, Capabilities: []string{"service-manager"}}})
+	pkey, _ := delivery.PlacementKey(itNode)
+	hkey, _ := delivery.HaveNodeKey(itNode)
+	for _, w := range []struct {
+		kv    nats.KeyValue
+		key   string
+		value []byte
+	}{{manifests, mkey, mraw}, {modules, "web", modv}, {b.haves, hkey, rec},
+		{resolved, itNode + ".web.greeting", []byte(`{"value":"bonjour"}`)}} {
+		if _, err := w.kv.Put(w.key, w.value); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	want, _ := delivery.EncodeWant(delivery.Want{FP: fp, Self: true})
+	wkey, _ := delivery.WantKey(itNode, "web")
+	if _, err := b.wants.Put(wkey, want); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	stop := b.start(false)
+	defer stop()
+	// Not placed yet: the agent applies the controller's compositions, of which there are none. The catalogue's seed then
+	// places the node, and the agent begins again composing its own (ADR 0549 §4), with no restart of the engine.
+	time.Sleep(300 * time.Millisecond)
+	if b.file("web") != "" {
+		t.Fatal("a node the catalogue does not place composed its own")
+	}
+	if _, err := placement.Put(pkey, place); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	within(t, 5*time.Second, "the node did not compose and apply its own module once placed", func() bool { return b.file("web") == "greeting=bonjour\n" })
+	within(t, 2*time.Second, "the have does not name the build", func() bool {
+		h := b.have("web")
+		return h.FP == fp && h.Composed != "" && h.Phase == delivery.PhaseRunning
+	})
+	if keys, _ := b.composed.Keys(); len(keys) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("the controller's compositions hold %v; the node composed its own", keys)
+	}
+	first := b.have("web").Composed
+	if _, err := resolved.Put(itNode+".web.greeting", []byte(`{"value":"salut"}`)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	within(t, 3*time.Second, "a changed config value was not composed and applied again", func() bool { return b.file("web") == "greeting=salut\n" })
+	within(t, 2*time.Second, "the have does not name the revision", func() bool {
+		h := b.have("web")
+		return h.FP == fp && h.Composed != first && h.Phase == delivery.PhaseRunning
+	})
+}

go.mod

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module github.com/novox/mesh-host
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026134601-17b7cc480d6d
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026210326-979644420117
 	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

go.sum

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026134601-17b7cc480d6d h1:7F/dFerm01wvuGLPgJ67/VfdcvDexc+BQEE3qzOrlu4=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026134601-17b7cc480d6d/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026210326-979644420117 h1:88CNZOoQgu7YPYKW16qkWT8Gw9Ucg07aTrIImA2nYUk=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026210326-979644420117/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 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=

internal/agent/agent.go

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 )
 
@@ -49,9 +50,16 @@ type Have struct {
 	Module   string
 	FP       string
 	Composed string
-	// Phase is "running", "failed", "held" or "removed"; empty reads as running.
+	// Phase is "running", "failed", "held", "waiting-yes" or "removed"; empty reads as running.
 	Phase  string
 	Detail string
+	// Judgement and Waits are, in phase waiting-yes, the judgement of the move and the digest of the composition that
+	// waits for a person's yes (ADR 0547 §3).
+	Judgement string
+	Waits     string
+	// Sealed is, on a node composing its own, each value the composition it names carries sealed to the node's key
+	// (delivery.Have.Sealed): kept in the have so the composer reuses them after a restart (ADR 0547 §3).
+	Sealed []string
 }
 
 // Haves is the node's have bucket as the agent uses it.
@@ -120,6 +128,14 @@ type Env struct {
 	// transient failure only on RetryTransient or a change of either key.
 	Backoff func(try int) time.Duration
 	Say     func(string)
+	// SelfComposed says the compositions are the node's own (novox/hq ADR 0547 §2, issue 1126): Composed hands what the
+	// node composed itself, unsigned, and a want names the build alone. The composition composed for the want's build is
+	// the one applied, when it differs from what runs.
+	SelfComposed bool
+	// Policy is a module's upgrade policy as its manifest derives it (catalogue.DerivedUpgrade); with SelfComposed, a
+	// move of a module of policy record that recreates a container or moves its data waits for a person's yes in its
+	// want (ADR 0547 §3). Nil judges no move.
+	Policy func(module string) string
 }
 
 // transientFor is how many transient retries say the phase applying before the have says failed: past them the bus has
@@ -143,7 +159,9 @@ type Agent struct {
 	// prior is a module the node ran before this agent started, so it has something to back up.
 	prior map[string]bool
 	said  map[string]string
-	retry chan []string
+	// notComposed is the modules whose have says the node could not compose them: why, and the have before (NotComposed).
+	notComposed map[string]notComposedMark
+	retry       chan []string
 	// tries counts the transient failures in a row of each module; again carries a retry whose wait ran out, and
 	// transient asks for every transiently failed module at once. stopped is closed when Run returns.
 	tries     map[string]int
@@ -189,7 +207,7 @@ func New(env Env) *Agent {
 		env.Say = func(string) {}
 	}
 	return &Agent{env: env, wants: map[string]wantNow{}, comps: map[string]compNow{}, running: map[string]delivery.Have{}, applied: map[string]compNow{},
-		attempt: map[string]attempt{}, checked: map[string]bool{}, prior: map[string]bool{}, said: map[string]string{},
+		attempt: map[string]attempt{}, checked: map[string]bool{}, prior: map[string]bool{}, said: map[string]string{}, notComposed: map[string]notComposedMark{},
 		retry: make(chan []string, 8), tries: map[string]int{}, again: make(chan againAsk, 64),
 		transient: make(chan struct{}, 1), stopped: make(chan struct{})}
 }
@@ -290,6 +308,141 @@ func (a *Agent) RetryTransient() {
 	}
 }
 
+// notComposedMark is why a module's have says the node could not compose it, and the have it said before.
+type notComposedMark struct {
+	why   string
+	prior Have
+}
+
+// NotComposed says the node composing its own could not compose its modules (ADR 0547 §2: a stand-in refused, an
+// input that cannot be read): each module with a want gets its have failed, naming why, while it keeps running what it
+// ran, so the failure is seen where every have is read and not only in the journal. The have keeps what runs: the
+// fingerprint, the digest and the sealed values the agent runs, or, before it ran anything since its start, those its
+// last have said (a refusal at the first compose after a start). Called with "" once the node composes again: each
+// module so marked has its have back as it was, unless an apply wrote it since.
+func (a *Agent) NotComposed(ctx context.Context, why string) {
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	var modules []string
+	if why != "" {
+		for module, w := range a.wants {
+			if w.Present && !w.Want.Removed && module != NodeModule && a.notComposed[module].why != why {
+				modules = append(modules, module)
+			}
+		}
+	} else {
+		for module := range a.notComposed {
+			modules = append(modules, module)
+		}
+	}
+	a.mu.Unlock()
+	sort.Strings(modules)
+	for _, module := range modules {
+		a.mu.Lock()
+		mark, marked := a.notComposed[module]
+		r, ran := a.running[module]
+		a.mu.Unlock()
+		if why == "" {
+			a.mu.Lock()
+			delete(a.notComposed, module)
+			a.mu.Unlock()
+			back := mark.prior
+			if ran {
+				back = Have{Module: module, FP: r.FP, Composed: r.Composed, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseRunning)}
+				if r.Phase != "" {
+					back.Phase = string(r.Phase)
+				}
+			}
+			if back.Composed == "" {
+				continue // nothing said what ran: nothing to say back
+			}
+			a.writeHave(ctx, back)
+			continue
+		}
+		if !marked {
+			if ran {
+				mark.prior = Have{Module: module, FP: r.FP, Composed: r.Composed, Phase: string(r.Phase)}
+				if mark.prior.Phase == "" {
+					mark.prior.Phase = string(delivery.PhaseRunning)
+				}
+			} else if h, ok := a.env.Haves.Read(ctx, module); ok {
+				mark.prior = h // what its last have said runs: this agent has run nothing of it since its start
+			}
+		}
+		mark.why = why
+		a.mu.Lock()
+		a.notComposed[module] = mark
+		a.mu.Unlock()
+		a.writeHave(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: mark.prior.FP, Composed: mark.prior.Composed, Sealed: mark.prior.Sealed,
+			Phase: string(delivery.PhaseFailed), Detail: "the node cannot compose it, and keeps running what it ran: " + why})
+	}
+}
+
+// writeHave writes a module's have; on a node composing its own, with the sealed values of the composition it names
+// when the caller gave none (Have.Sealed): those of the composition the agent applied or holds at that digest, else
+// those the module's last have said at that digest.
+//
+// A writer that names no composition (one written from the agent's running entry before this agent ran anything of the
+// module since its start: held by a failed backup, waiting for a yes, not composed) keeps what the module's last have
+// 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.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
+			if h.Sealed == nil {
+				h.Sealed = last.Sealed
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if a.env.SelfComposed && h.Sealed == nil && h.Module != NodeModule && h.Composed != "" {
+		h.Sealed = a.sealedOf(ctx, h.Module, h.FP, h.Composed)
+	}
+	a.env.Haves.Write(ctx, h)
+}
+
+func (a *Agent) sealedOf(ctx context.Context, module, fp, composed string) []string {
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	if c, ok := a.applied[module]; ok && c.Err == nil && c.Dig == composed {
+		a.mu.Unlock()
+		return SealedIn(c.C)
+	}
+	if c, ok := a.compositionFor(module, fp); ok && c.Err == nil && c.Dig == composed {
+		a.mu.Unlock()
+		return SealedIn(c.C)
+	}
+	a.mu.Unlock()
+	if h, ok := a.env.Haves.Read(ctx, module); ok && h.Composed == composed {
+		return h.Sealed
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// SealedIn is each value a composition carries sealed to its node's key: a file's `sealed` and a vault box
+// (catalogue.VaultSealedField), as their JSON text, in the order of its resources.
+func SealedIn(c delivery.Composed) []string {
+	var out []string
+	for _, raw := range c.Resources {
+		var r map[string]json.RawMessage
+		if json.Unmarshal(raw, &r) != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, field := range []string{"sealed", catalogue.VaultSealedField} {
+			f, ok := r[field]
+			if !ok {
+				continue
+			}
+			var text string
+			if json.Unmarshal(f, &text) != nil {
+				text = string(f) // a vault box is carried as its JSON
+			}
+			if text != "" {
+				out = append(out, text)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 // Running is the compositions the node runs now: each module's that the agent applied or found already running, and
 // the node's own. What the node judges its health by and says of itself is built from them.
 func (a *Agent) Running() []delivery.Composed {
@@ -366,7 +519,14 @@ func (a *Agent) takeComposition(u Update) string {
 	}
 	now := compNow{Raw: u.Value, Rev: u.Revision}
 	c, err := delivery.DecodeComposed(u.Value)
-	if err == nil {
+	if err == nil && a.env.SelfComposed {
+		// The node composed it itself: nothing crossed the bus, so nothing is signed (ADR 0547 §2).
+		now.C = c
+		now.Dig, err = delivery.ComposedDigestOf(c)
+		if err != nil {
+			now.C = delivery.Composed{}
+		}
+	} else if err == nil {
 		var trusted []ed25519.PublicKey
 		if a.env.Trusted != nil {
 			trusted = a.env.Trusted()
@@ -636,7 +796,16 @@ func (a *Agent) settleOne(ctx context.Context, module string) {
 	a.mu.Lock()
 	comp, have := a.compositionFor(module, w.Want.FP)
 	a.mu.Unlock()
-	if (!have || comp.Err != nil || comp.Dig != w.Want.Composed) && w.Want.Composed != "" {
+	if a.env.SelfComposed {
+		if !have || comp.Err != nil {
+			return // waits for the node's own composition of the want's build
+		}
+		// The composition the node composed for the want's build is the one it applies (ADR 0547 §2).
+		w.Want.Composed = comp.Dig
+		if a.waitsForYes(ctx, module, w, comp) {
+			return
+		}
+	} else if (!have || comp.Err != nil || comp.Dig != w.Want.Composed) && w.Want.Composed != "" {
 		// The composition the want names may be an older revision of the key, replaced by a newer one at the same
 		// fingerprint (a want held there keeps its digest): taken from the revisions the bucket keeps (ADR 0539 clause 1).
 		if old, found := a.revisionNamed(ctx, module, w.Want.FP, w.Want.Composed); found {
@@ -736,8 +905,8 @@ func (a *Agent) baseline(ctx context.Context, module string, w wantNow, comp com
 					a.mu.Unlock()
 					// Said again, so the session holds the module and its key carries the health this engine judges,
 					// not the one an older engine left there (xorg's unknown on g14 and shanks, 2026-10-25).
-					a.env.Haves.Write(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: h.FP, Composed: h.Composed,
-						Phase: string(delivery.PhaseRunning), Detail: h.Detail})
+					a.writeHave(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: h.FP, Composed: h.Composed,
+						Phase: string(delivery.PhaseRunning), Detail: h.Detail, Sealed: h.Sealed})
 					return true
 				}
 				return false
@@ -759,7 +928,7 @@ func (a *Agent) baseline(ctx context.Context, module string, w wantNow, comp com
 	a.mu.Lock()
 	a.running[module] = delivery.Have{FP: w.Want.FP, Composed: w.Want.Composed, Phase: delivery.PhaseRunning}
 	a.mu.Unlock()
-	a.env.Haves.Write(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: w.Want.FP, Composed: w.Want.Composed, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseRunning)})
+	a.writeHave(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: w.Want.FP, Composed: w.Want.Composed, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseRunning)})
 	return true
 }
 
@@ -773,7 +942,7 @@ func (a *Agent) apply(ctx context.Context, module string, w wantNow, comp compNo
 	// A data module is backed up before a new composition of it moves (ADR 0429 §14), unless the want says to go on
 	// without one (ADR 0539 §16).
 	if comp.C.Data && ranBefore && a.env.Backup != nil && w.Want.Backup != delivery.BackupSkip {
-		a.env.Haves.Write(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: fp, Composed: dig, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseBackingUp)})
+		a.writeHave(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: fp, Composed: dig, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseBackingUp)})
 		if got := a.env.Backup(ctx, module); !got.Done {
 			a.env.Say(fmt.Sprintf("%s is held: its backup before %s failed: %s", module, fp, got.Words))
 			a.mu.Lock()
@@ -781,12 +950,12 @@ func (a *Agent) apply(ctx context.Context, module string, w wantNow, comp compNo
 			prev := a.running[module]
 			a.mu.Unlock()
 			// It keeps running what it has: the have says what it holds and why it waits.
-			a.env.Haves.Write(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: prev.FP, Composed: prev.Composed, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseHeld),
+			a.writeHave(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: prev.FP, Composed: prev.Composed, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseHeld),
 				Detail: got.Words})
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	a.env.Haves.Write(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: fp, Composed: dig, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseApplying)})
+	a.writeHave(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: fp, Composed: dig, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseApplying)})
 	res := a.env.Apply(ctx, comp.C, others)
 	a.mu.Lock()
 	what := fmt.Sprintf("%s at %s", module, fp)
@@ -816,7 +985,7 @@ func (a *Agent) apply(ctx context.Context, module string, w wantNow, comp compNo
 			phase = delivery.PhaseFailed // still retried, and said as failed: no longer a moment
 		}
 		a.env.Say(fmt.Sprintf("applying %s failed because the bus did not answer (try %d), retried %s: %s", what, try, when, res.Detail))
-		a.env.Haves.Write(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: fp, Composed: dig, Phase: string(phase),
+		a.writeHave(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: fp, Composed: dig, Phase: string(phase),
 			Detail: fmt.Sprintf("retrying %s (try %d): %s", when, try, res.Detail)})
 		return
 	}
@@ -825,17 +994,18 @@ func (a *Agent) apply(ctx context.Context, module string, w wantNow, comp compNo
 		a.attempt[module] = attempt{FP: fp, Composed: dig, WantRev: w.Rev, CompRev: comp.Rev}
 		a.mu.Unlock()
 		a.env.Say(fmt.Sprintf("applying %s failed: %s", what, res.Detail))
-		a.env.Haves.Write(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: fp, Composed: dig, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseFailed), Detail: res.Detail})
+		a.writeHave(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: fp, Composed: dig, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseFailed), Detail: res.Detail})
 		return
 	}
 	delete(a.attempt, module)
+	delete(a.notComposed, module) // the apply says what it runs now
 	a.running[module] = delivery.Have{FP: fp, Composed: dig, Phase: delivery.PhaseRunning}
 	a.applied[module] = comp
 	a.mu.Unlock()
 	if a.env.Settled != nil {
 		a.env.Settled(module)
 	}
-	a.env.Haves.Write(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: fp, Composed: dig, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseRunning), Detail: res.Detail})
+	a.writeHave(ctx, Have{Module: module, FP: fp, Composed: dig, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseRunning), Detail: res.Detail})
 }
 
 func (a *Agent) remove(ctx context.Context, module string, w wantNow) {
@@ -925,3 +1095,68 @@ func short(s string) string {
 	}
 	return s
 }
+
+// waitsForYes judges a move the node composed for a module of policy record (ADR 0547 §3, ADR 0377 §3): one that
+// recreates a container or moves the module's data, or that cannot be judged, is not applied while the want names no yes
+// for this composition; the have says phase waiting-yes with the judgement, and the assigner asks a person. A composition
+// equal to what runs is no move. True when the module waits.
+func (a *Agent) waitsForYes(ctx context.Context, module string, w wantNow, comp compNow) bool {
+	if module == NodeModule || a.env.Policy == nil || a.env.Policy(module) != catalogue.PolicyRecord || w.Want.Yes == comp.Dig {
+		return false
+	}
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	r, ran := a.running[module]
+	if ran && r.Composed == comp.Dig && r.Phase != delivery.PhaseRemoved {
+		a.mu.Unlock()
+		return false
+	}
+	from, known := a.runningComposition(module)
+	prior := ran || a.prior[module]
+	a.mu.Unlock()
+	if !ran && !known {
+		// Nothing of it run since this agent's start, and no kept declaration: its last have says what runs (review of L2,
+		// round 3). The same composition is no move; another one is a move whose source cannot be read, so it waits for
+		// a yes rather than being taken as the module's first composition.
+		if h, ok := a.env.Haves.Read(ctx, module); ok && h.Composed != "" {
+			if h.Composed == comp.Dig {
+				return false
+			}
+			prior = true
+		}
+	}
+	var j delivery.Judged
+	switch {
+	case known:
+		j = delivery.JudgeMove(&from, comp.C)
+	case prior:
+		j = delivery.Judged{Judgement: delivery.JudgedCannot, Words: "what " + module + " runs on this node cannot be read"}
+	default:
+		j = delivery.JudgeMove(nil, comp.C)
+	}
+	switch j.Judgement {
+	case delivery.JudgedRecreates, delivery.JudgedMovesData, delivery.JudgedCannot:
+	default:
+		return false
+	}
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	a.sayOnce("yes:"+module+":"+comp.Dig, fmt.Sprintf("%s at %s waits for a person's yes: %s", module, w.Want.FP, j.Words))
+	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})
+	return true
+}
+
+// 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.
+func (a *Agent) runningComposition(module string) (delivery.Composed, bool) {
+	if c, ok := a.applied[module]; ok && c.Err == nil {
+		return c.C, true
+	}
+	if a.env.Kept != nil {
+		if rs, ok := a.env.Kept()[module]; ok {
+			return delivery.Composed{Node: a.env.Node, Module: module, Resources: rs}, true
+		}
+	}
+	return delivery.Composed{}, false
+}

internal/agent/agent_test.go

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 )
 
@@ -326,6 +327,7 @@ func TestStartingOnWhatTheKeptDeclarationHoldsAppliesNothing(t *testing.T) {
 
 // What the node-engine itself last applied is what runs after a restart, not the kept declaration.
 func TestStartingOnItsOwnHaveAppliesNothing(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("says the have again", testStartingOnItsOwnHaveSaysTheHaveAgainSoItsHealthIsThisEngines)
 	b := newBed(t)
 	fp := fpOf("a")
 	ck, craw, dig := composition(t, "web", fp, false, file("web", "x", "1"))
@@ -345,7 +347,7 @@ func TestStartingOnItsOwnHaveAppliesNothing(t *testing.T) {
 // it and writes the health this engine judges. Not said, its key kept the health an older engine wrote: xorg's have on
 // g14 and shanks said unknown from before the engine said a module with nothing to judge ok, and the assigner held every
 // module requiring x11-display back for it (2026-10-25).
-func TestStartingOnItsOwnHaveSaysTheHaveAgainSoItsHealthIsThisEngines(t *testing.T) {
+func testStartingOnItsOwnHaveSaysTheHaveAgainSoItsHealthIsThisEngines(t *testing.T) {
 	b := newBed(t)
 	fp := fpOf("a")
 	ck, craw, dig := composition(t, "xorg", fp, false, file("xorg", "x", "1"))
@@ -545,6 +547,7 @@ func TestABackupDoneIsFollowedByTheApplyAndANewModuleIsNotBackedUp(t *testing.T)
 
 // R6-A AC4 at the agent: a removed want removes that module only, and its have is written removed.
 func TestARemovedWantRemovesThatModuleOnly(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("its composition holds nothing back", testARemovedModulesCompositionHoldsNothingBack)
 	b := newBed(t)
 	stop := b.run()
 	defer stop()
@@ -598,6 +601,7 @@ func TestTheNodesOwnCompositionComesBeforeAnyModules(t *testing.T) {
 // R6-A AC9: a composition signed by either trusted key is applied; one signed by another key, one changed after it was
 // signed and one unsigned are refused and nothing of them is applied (ADR 0539 §3).
 func TestOnlyACompositionSignedByATrustedKeyIsApplied(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("with no trusted key", testWithNoTrustedKeyNothingIsApplied)
 	b := newBed(t)
 	stop := b.run()
 	defer stop()
@@ -648,7 +652,7 @@ func TestOnlyACompositionSignedByATrustedKeyIsApplied(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 // With no key trusted, nothing is applied: a node that does not know its signers fails closed.
-func TestWithNoTrustedKeyNothingIsApplied(t *testing.T) {
+func testWithNoTrustedKeyNothingIsApplied(t *testing.T) {
 	b := newBed(t)
 	b.env.Trusted = nil
 	stop := b.run()
@@ -787,7 +791,7 @@ func TestTheNodesOwnApplyHoldsOutAModuleThatMovedToItsOwnComposition(t *testing.
 
 // A module the assigner removed holds nothing back, its compositions still in the bucket or not: its resources are its
 // removal's to take (issue 1945).
-func TestARemovedModulesCompositionHoldsNothingBack(t *testing.T) {
+func testARemovedModulesCompositionHoldsNothingBack(t *testing.T) {
 	b := newBed(t)
 	fp := fpOf("b")
 	rk, rraw, _ := composition(t, "gone", fp, false, file("gone", "x", "1"))
@@ -952,3 +956,133 @@ func TestAModuleRunningFromTheKeptDeclarationKeepsItsFilledPaths(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("what runs from the kept declaration: %+v", got)
 	}
 }
+
+// Issue 1126 (ADR 0547 §2, §3): with the node's own compositions, unsigned, and wants naming the build alone, the
+// composition composed for the want's build is applied, and only when it differs from what runs; for a module of
+// policy record a move that recreates a container waits in phase waiting-yes with its judgement until the want names
+// the yes for that composition, and is then applied.
+func TestTheNodesOwnCompositionIsAppliedWhenItDiffersAndARecordMoveWaitsForAYes(t *testing.T) {
+	b := newBed(t)
+	b.env.SelfComposed, b.env.Trusted = true, nil
+	b.env.Policy = func(m string) string {
+		if m == "db" || m == "rec" {
+			return catalogue.PolicyRecord
+		}
+		return catalogue.PolicyRoll
+	}
+	stop := b.run()
+	defer stop()
+	unsigned := func(module, fp string, rs ...json.RawMessage) (string, []byte, string) {
+		c := delivery.Composed{Node: node, Module: module, FP: fp, Resources: rs}
+		key, _ := delivery.ComposedKey(node, module, fp)
+		raw, err := delivery.EncodeComposed(c)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		dig, _ := delivery.ComposedDigestOf(c)
+		return key, raw, dig
+	}
+	want := func(module, fp, yes string) {
+		key, _ := delivery.WantKey(node, module)
+		raw, err := delivery.EncodeWant(delivery.Want{FP: fp, Yes: yes, Self: true})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		b.wants.put(key, raw)
+	}
+
+	fp := fpOf("a")
+	pw, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"id": "web.pw", "type": "file", "path": "/tmp/r6/web/pw", "sealed": "1", "module": "web"})
+	ck, craw, dig := unsigned("web", fp, file("web", "x", "1"), pw)
+	b.comps.put(ck, craw)
+	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 })
+	// The same composition handed again is no move.
+	b.comps.put(ck, craw)
+	time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	// The node cannot compose (a stand-in refused): each wanted module's have says so, failed, naming why, and still
+	// names what runs; composed again, the have is what it runs. web was applied by this agent; idle was not since the
+	// agent's start (the switch and every delivery of the node-engine restart it), so what runs is what its have said.
+	idleFP, idleDig := fpOf("c"), "sha256:"+strings.Repeat("9", 64)
+	b.haves.Write(context.Background(), Have{Module: "idle", FP: idleFP, Composed: idleDig, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseRunning),
+		Sealed: []string{`{"box":"idle"}`}})
+	want("idle", idleFP, "")
+	eventually(t, "idle's want was not taken", func() bool {
+		b.ag.mu.Lock()
+		defer b.ag.mu.Unlock()
+		return b.ag.wants["idle"].Present
+	})
+	if h := b.haves.last("web"); len(h.Sealed) != 1 || h.Sealed[0] != "1" {
+		t.Errorf("web's running have does not carry its sealed value: %+v", h)
+	}
+	b.ag.NotComposed(context.Background(), "a stand-in for web's password")
+	for _, row := range []struct {
+		module, fp, composed, sealed string
+	}{{"web", fp, dig, "1"}, {"idle", idleFP, idleDig, `{"box":"idle"}`}} {
+		h := b.haves.last(row.module)
+		if h.Phase != string(delivery.PhaseFailed) || h.FP != row.fp || h.Composed != row.composed ||
+			len(h.Sealed) != 1 || h.Sealed[0] != row.sealed || !strings.Contains(h.Detail, "web's password") {
+			t.Errorf("%s's have while the node cannot compose: %+v", row.module, h)
+		}
+	}
+	b.ag.NotComposed(context.Background(), "")
+	for _, row := range []struct{ module, composed string }{{"web", dig}, {"idle", idleDig}} {
+		if h := b.haves.last(row.module); h.Phase != string(delivery.PhaseRunning) || h.Composed != row.composed || len(h.Sealed) != 1 {
+			t.Errorf("%s's have once the node composes again: %+v", row.module, h)
+		}
+	}
+	// A revision at the same build (a config value changed) is applied.
+	_, craw2, dig2 := unsigned("web", fp, file("web", "x", "2"))
+	b.comps.put(ck, craw2)
+	eventually(t, "the revision was not applied", func() bool { return len(b.appliedList()) == 2 && b.haves.last("web").Composed == dig2 })
+
+	// A record module: its first composition is no move; a new image recreates its container and waits for a yes.
+	container := func(image string) json.RawMessage {
+		module := strings.SplitN(image, "@", 2)[0]
+		raw, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"id": module + ".server", "type": "container", "module": module, "name": module, "image": image})
+		return raw
+	}
+	dk, draw, _ := unsigned("db", fp, container("db@sha256:"+strings.Repeat("1", 64)))
+	b.comps.put(dk, draw)
+	want("db", fp, "")
+	eventually(t, "the record module's first composition was not applied", func() bool { return len(b.appliedList()) == 3 })
+	fpB := fpOf("b")
+	dk2, draw2, ddig2 := unsigned("db", fpB, container("db@sha256:"+strings.Repeat("2", 64)))
+	// rec is a record module this agent has run nothing of since its start (the switch and every delivery of the
+	// node-engine restart it): its have alone says what runs. Its move waits for a yes as db's does, and its have keeps
+	// what runs (fingerprint, digest, sealed values) rather than naming nothing (review of L2, round 3).
+	recFP, recDig := fpOf("d"), "sha256:"+strings.Repeat("8", 64)
+	b.haves.Write(context.Background(), Have{Module: "rec", FP: recFP, Composed: recDig, Phase: string(delivery.PhaseRunning),
+		Sealed: []string{`{"box":"rec"}`}})
+	rk, rraw, rdig := unsigned("rec", fpB, container("rec@sha256:"+strings.Repeat("3", 64)))
+	b.comps.put(dk2, draw2)
+	b.comps.put(rk, rraw)
+	want("db", fpB, "")
+	want("rec", fpB, "")
+	applied := len(b.appliedList())
+	for _, row := range []struct {
+		module, fp, composed, waits string
+		sealed                      []string
+	}{{"db", fp, "", ddig2, nil}, {"rec", recFP, recDig, rdig, []string{`{"box":"rec"}`}}} {
+		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
+		})
+		h := b.haves.last(row.module)
+		if h.FP != row.fp || (row.composed != "" && h.Composed != row.composed) || h.Composed == "" ||
+			(row.sealed != nil && !slices.Equal(h.Sealed, row.sealed)) {
+			t.Errorf("%s's have waiting for a yes does not keep what runs: %+v", row.module, h)
+		}
+	}
+	if got := b.appliedList(); len(got) != applied {
+		t.Fatalf("a move waiting for a yes was applied: %v", got)
+	}
+	want("db", fpB, ddig2)
+	want("rec", fpB, rdig)
+	eventually(t, "the yes did not apply the move", func() bool {
+		h, r := b.haves.last("db"), b.haves.last("rec")
+		return len(b.appliedList()) == applied+2 && h.Phase == string(delivery.PhaseRunning) && h.FP == fpB &&
+			r.Phase == string(delivery.PhaseRunning) && r.FP == fpB && r.Composed == rdig
+	})
+}

internal/link/have.go

@@ -189,8 +189,7 @@ func (q *Session) noteApply(r Report) bool {
 		if r.Health != nil {
 			s.takeLook(r.Health)
 		}
-		n := nodeFacts(r)
-		s.node = &n
+		s.node = q.nodeFactsWithRecord(r, s.node)
 		return true
 	}
 	s.mu.Lock()
@@ -242,11 +241,28 @@ func (q *Session) noteApply(r Report) bool {
 	if s.owed() {
 		q.oweHealth()
 	}
-	n := nodeFacts(r)
-	s.node = &n
+	s.node = q.nodeFactsWithRecord(r, s.node)
 	return true
 }
 
+// nodeFactsWithRecord is the node's own facts of a report with its record (ADR 0555 §3): a report that says nothing of
+// the machine leaves the record last made standing, and one without a health statement keeps the contract last stated.
+func (q *Session) nodeFactsWithRecord(r Report, before *delivery.HaveNode) *delivery.HaveNode {
+	n := nodeFacts(r)
+	if q.Keys != nil {
+		n.Record = recordOf(q.Membership.Node, r, q.Keys())
+	}
+	if before != nil && before.Record != nil {
+		switch {
+		case n.Record == nil:
+			n.Record = before.Record
+		case n.Record.Contract == 0:
+			n.Record.Contract = before.Record.Contract
+		}
+	}
+	return &n
+}
+
 // noteHealth takes a look's health, and says whether any module's changed.
 func (q *Session) noteHealth(h Health) bool {
 	s := &q.haves
@@ -308,12 +324,16 @@ 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}
+		if delivery.Phase(f.Phase) == delivery.PhaseWaitingYes {
+			h.Judgement, h.Waits = delivery.Judgement(f.Judgement), f.Waits
+		}
 		switch {
 		case f.Phase != "":
 			h.Phase = delivery.Phase(f.Phase)
 		case f.Failed:
 			h.Phase = delivery.PhaseFailed
 		}
+		h.Sealed = f.Sealed
 		h.Health = s.healthOf(module, f)
 		if w, ok := s.userList[module]; ok {
 			h.UserList = &w

internal/link/have_test.go

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
 )
@@ -259,6 +260,43 @@ func TestTheReportIsSentFirstAndTheNodeKeyCarriesTheNodesFacts(t *testing.T) {
 	if !delivery.SameHaveNode(got, want) {
 		t.Errorf("the node key holds %+v, want %+v", got, want)
 	}
+
+	// 1126 (ADR 0555 §3): with its keys, the node key carries the node's record: the profile's present capabilities and
+	// networks, the outward links, the health's contract and the public keys; a report that changes none of it writes
+	// nothing, a changed fact writes the key once, and a report without a profile or health leaves them standing.
+	keys := RecordKeys{TunnelKey: "tk", SealingKey: "sk", ServingKey: "pk", Certificate: "cert"}
+	q.Keys = func() RecordKeys { return keys }
+	rep.Profile = map[string]any{"capabilities": []any{map[string]any{"name": "systemd", "present": true},
+		map[string]any{"name": "docker", "present": false}, map[string]any{"name": "apt", "present": true}},
+		"machine": map[string]any{"networks": []any{map[string]any{"link": "eth0", "network": "192.0.2.0/24"}}}}
+	rep.Outward = []string{"eth0"}
+	rep.Health = &Health{Contract: NodeKeyContract}
+	q.SayFacts(context.Background(), rep)
+	if got, err = delivery.DecodeHaveNode(l.kv["n1.node"].value); err != nil || got.Record == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the node key holds no record: %+v, %v", got, err)
+	}
+	wantRecord := delivery.NodeRecord{V: delivery.Version, Node: "n1", TunnelKey: "tk", SealingKey: "sk", ServingKey: "pk",
+		Certificate: "cert", Capabilities: []string{"apt", "systemd"}, OutwardLinks: []string{"eth0"}, NetworksSaid: true,
+		Networks: []catalogue.AttachedNetwork{{Link: "eth0", Network: "192.0.2.0/24"}}, Contract: NodeKeyContract}
+	if !delivery.SameNodeRecord(*got.Record, wantRecord) {
+		t.Errorf("record = %+v, want %+v", *got.Record, wantRecord)
+	}
+	at := l.kv["n1.node"].rev
+	q.SayFacts(context.Background(), rep)
+	if l.kv["n1.node"].rev != at {
+		t.Errorf("a report changing nothing wrote the node key again")
+	}
+	keys.Certificate = "cert-2"
+	q.SayFacts(context.Background(), rep)
+	if got, _ = delivery.DecodeHaveNode(l.kv["n1.node"].value); l.kv["n1.node"].rev != at+1 || got.Record.Certificate != "cert-2" {
+		t.Errorf("a new certificate: revision %d (was %d), record %+v", l.kv["n1.node"].rev, at, got.Record)
+	}
+	bare := rep
+	bare.Health = nil
+	q.SayFacts(context.Background(), bare)
+	if got, _ = delivery.DecodeHaveNode(l.kv["n1.node"].value); got.Record.Contract != NodeKeyContract {
+		t.Errorf("a report without a health statement dropped the contract: %+v", got.Record)
+	}
 }
 
 // 1132/AC7: a write the bucket refuses is said in the log; the report went out, and the next apply writes again.

internal/link/messages.go

@@ -743,4 +743,9 @@ type ModuleFact struct {
 	Phase    string
 	Failed   bool
 	Detail   string
+	// Judgement and Waits are, in phase waiting-yes, the judgement of the move and the composition waiting (ADR 0547 §3).
+	Judgement string
+	Waits     string
+	// Sealed is the values the composition it names carries sealed to this node's key (delivery.Have.Sealed).
+	Sealed []string
 }

internal/link/record.go

@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+package link
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"sort"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+)
+
+// The node's record (novox/hq ADR 0555 §3, issue 1126): what the machine observes of itself, written in its own have key
+// `<node>.node` (delivery.HaveNode.Record) with its facts, so every node and the parts that compose read it from the bus
+// and hear its change as the key's. Each value is the one the controller took from this node's enrolment and reports
+// until now (its profile's present capabilities and networks, its outward links, its health statement's contract, and
+// the public halves of the keys it enrolled with), read here from the same sources, never from the controller.
+
+// RecordKeys are the public halves the node holds and the certificate the mesh issued for its internal name, as read
+// from its state directory at the time of a pass: the certificate arrives after enrolment, a rekey changes the tunnel key.
+type RecordKeys struct {
+	TunnelKey   string
+	SealingKey  string
+	ServingKey  string
+	Certificate string
+	// Authority is the mesh's own certificate as this machine last applied it (public).
+	Authority string
+}
+
+// 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 {
+	if r.Profile == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var p struct {
+		Capabilities []struct {
+			Name    string `json:"name"`
+			Present bool   `json:"present"`
+		} `json:"capabilities"`
+		Machine *struct {
+			Networks []catalogue.AttachedNetwork `json:"networks"`
+		} `json:"machine"`
+	}
+	raw, err := json.Marshal(r.Profile)
+	if err != nil || json.Unmarshal(raw, &p) != nil {
+		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}
+	for _, c := range p.Capabilities {
+		if c.Present && c.Name != "" {
+			rec.Capabilities = append(rec.Capabilities, c.Name)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(rec.Capabilities)
+	if p.Machine != nil {
+		rec.NetworksSaid = true
+		rec.Networks = p.Machine.Networks
+	}
+	if len(r.Outward) > 0 {
+		rec.OutwardLinks = append([]string(nil), r.Outward...)
+	}
+	if r.Health != nil {
+		rec.Contract = r.Health.Contract
+	}
+	return rec
+}

internal/link/session.go

@@ -47,8 +47,11 @@ type Session struct {
 	// MoveSecret moves one value sealed to this machine into the vault, asked by the controller during the move of
 	// the secrets (design 57's V3, issue 676). Nil answers every such ask with a refusal.
 	MoveSecret MoveSecretFunc
-	Say        Announce
-	Timeout    time.Duration
+	// Keys reads the node's public keys and its certificate for its record (ADR 0555 §3), at each facts report; nil writes
+	// no record.
+	Keys    func() RecordKeys
+	Say     Announce
+	Timeout time.Duration
 
 	once sync.Once
 

internal/selfcompose/selfcompose.go

@@ -0,0 +1,745 @@
+// Package selfcompose is the node agent's own composer (novox/hq ADR 0547 §2, issue 1126): it composes this node's
+// modules and its own composition with mesh-sdk's composer, from what is on the bus, and hands the compositions to the
+// agent as the agent once read them from the controller's bucket `composed-<node>`.
+//
+// **It watches, it never polls** (ADR 0547 §2): its inputs are watches of the node's wants, the indexer's placement and
+// modules, every node's own have key (where a node's record rides, ADR 0555 §3) and mesh-config's resolved values of this
+// node. A change of any of them marks the node to compose again; one loop drains the mark, so a burst of changes composes
+// the node once (composing one node takes 0.8 to 4.4 s, measured 2026-10-26). It hands the agent only the compositions that
+// differ from the ones it handed before, and takes back one no want names any more. A composition that cannot be made is
+// said, once per reason, and the ones handed before stand: a node keeps running what it ran rather than nothing.
+package selfcompose
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose/frombus"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/agent"
+)
+
+// ResolvedBucket is mesh-config's state of resolved values, keyed `<node>.<module>.<key>` (mesh-catalog modules/mesh-config
+// resolve.go ResolvedKey); a node reads its own slice alone (ADR 0547 §2).
+const ResolvedBucket = "mesh-config_resolved"
+
+// Env is what the composer needs of the node.
+type Env struct {
+	Node string
+	// Watch follows one bucket's keys matching pattern, as the agent's watches do.
+	Watch func(ctx context.Context, bucket, pattern string) (<-chan agent.Update, error)
+	// Get reads one key's latest value; nil and no error when there is none.
+	Get  func(ctx context.Context, bucket, key string) ([]byte, error)
+	Mesh frombus.Mesh
+	Say  func(string)
+	// Own asks the vault's `own` in this node's engine's name, with the arguments given: its modules' own secrets and the
+	// pair credentials asked, sealed to its key (ADR 0550 §5). Nil asks nothing, and a module with either does not compose.
+	Own func(ctx context.Context, args map[string]any) (json.RawMessage, error)
+	// Hear subscribes a subject: here the vault's word that a secret changed (VaultSecretChanged), on which the node
+	// composes again, so a rotated secret or credential reaches it at once (ADR 0547 §2). Nil hears nothing.
+	Hear func(subject string) (<-chan []byte, func(), error)
+	// Refused is told why the node cannot compose its modules, and "" once it composes again, so each wanted module's
+	// have says it (agent.NotComposed): a refusal is loud where haves are read, not one journal line. Nil tells nobody.
+	Refused func(why string)
+	// Running is what the node runs now (agent.Everything), and Unseal opens a value sealed to this machine: a secret
+	// the vault seals again for each ask is kept as the box the node already runs when that box opens to the same
+	// value, so neither the switch to composing its own nor a restart changes a composition (ADR 0547 §3). Either nil
+	// keeps the vault's box.
+	Running func() []delivery.Composed
+	Unseal  func(sealed string) ([]byte, error)
+	// Held is the sealed values a module's have says it runs (delivery.Have.Sealed), kept by the agent on the bus: what
+	// runs after a restart, before the agent applied anything, and after the switch once the kept declaration is old.
+	Held func(module string) []string
+}
+
+// VaultSecretChanged is the vault's event that a secret changed: a name and its generation, never a value.
+const VaultSecretChanged = "mesh.mod.mesh-vault.event.secret-changed"
+
+// Composer composes the node and is the agent's watcher of its compositions (agent.Env.Composed).
+type Composer struct {
+	env Env
+
+	mu         sync.Mutex
+	wants      map[string]delivery.Want // by module, the node's own under agent.NodeModule
+	placements map[string]delivery.Placement
+	records    map[string]delivery.NodeRecord
+	modules    map[string]delivery.Module
+	values     map[string]map[string]any // by module, this node's
+	manifests  map[string][]byte         // by digest, read once
+	handed     map[string]string         // composed key to the digest handed
+	// sealedOwn is each own secret's sealed value as first handed, by module/name and generation: a value sealed again
+	// is other bytes, so the one first had is kept while the generation stands, and the composition stays the same.
+	sealedOwn map[string]ownSealed
+	said      string
+	refusal   string
+	caught    bool
+	rev       uint64
+}
+
+// New is a composer for one node.
+func New(env Env) *Composer {
+	if env.Say == nil {
+		env.Say = func(string) {}
+	}
+	return &Composer{env: env, wants: map[string]delivery.Want{}, placements: map[string]delivery.Placement{},
+		records: map[string]delivery.NodeRecord{}, modules: map[string]delivery.Module{}, values: map[string]map[string]any{},
+		manifests: map[string][]byte{}, handed: map[string]string{}, sealedOwn: map[string]ownSealed{}}
+}
+
+// ownSealed is one own secret's sealed value at a generation and the key it is sealed to.
+type ownSealed struct {
+	generation int
+	key        string
+	sealed     string
+}
+
+// input is one watched bucket and how its updates are taken.
+type input struct {
+	bucket, pattern string
+	take            func(c *Composer, u agent.Update)
+}
+
+func (c *Composer) inputs() []input {
+	node := c.env.Node
+	return []input{
+		{delivery.AssignerWantsBucket, "want." + node + ".>", (*Composer).takeWant},
+		{delivery.PlacementBucket, ">", (*Composer).takePlacement},
+		{delivery.HaveBucket, "*." + delivery.HaveNodeWord, (*Composer).takeRecord},
+		{delivery.ModulesBucket, ">", (*Composer).takeModule},
+		{ResolvedBucket, node + ".>", (*Composer).takeValue},
+	}
+}
+
+// Watch starts the composer and answers the compositions it makes: each as a key of `composed-<node>` would be, then a
+// Caught update once every input was read and the node composed once, then every change. It ends when ctx ends or an
+// input's watch ends.
+func (c *Composer) Watch(ctx context.Context, _ string) (<-chan agent.Update, error) {
+	ins := c.inputs()
+	type tagged struct {
+		in int
+		u  agent.Update
+		ok bool
+	}
+	merged := make(chan tagged, 64)
+	for i, in := range ins {
+		ch, err := c.env.Watch(ctx, in.bucket, in.pattern)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the node composes from %s, which cannot be watched: %w", in.bucket, err)
+		}
+		go func(i int, ch <-chan agent.Update) {
+			for u := range ch {
+				select {
+				case merged <- tagged{in: i, u: u, ok: true}:
+				case <-ctx.Done():
+					return
+				}
+			}
+			select {
+			case merged <- tagged{in: i}:
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+			}
+		}(i, ch)
+	}
+	if c.env.Hear != nil {
+		heard, stop, err := c.env.Hear(VaultSecretChanged)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the node composes again when a secret changes, and cannot hear the vault say so: %w", err)
+		}
+		go func() {
+			defer stop()
+			for {
+				select {
+				case <-ctx.Done():
+					return
+				case _, ok := <-heard:
+					if !ok {
+						return
+					}
+					select {
+					case merged <- tagged{in: -1, ok: true}:
+					case <-ctx.Done():
+						return
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		}()
+	}
+	out := make(chan agent.Update, 64)
+	go func() {
+		defer close(out)
+		caught := make([]bool, len(ins))
+		ready := false
+		dirty := false
+		for {
+			// Drain whatever came, then compose once for all of it.
+			select {
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+				return
+			case t := <-merged:
+				if !t.ok {
+					c.env.Say(fmt.Sprintf("the watch of %s ended; the node composes no more until its agent starts again", ins[t.in].bucket))
+					return
+				}
+				switch {
+				case t.in < 0:
+					dirty = true // a secret changed: its new generation is asked of the vault at the compose
+				case t.u.Caught:
+					caught[t.in] = true
+				default:
+					ins[t.in].take(c, t.u)
+					dirty = true
+				}
+				if len(merged) > 0 {
+					continue
+				}
+			}
+			if !ready {
+				ready = all(caught)
+				if !ready {
+					continue
+				}
+				dirty = true
+			}
+			if !dirty {
+				continue
+			}
+			dirty = false
+			for _, u := range c.compose(ctx) {
+				select {
+				case out <- u:
+				case <-ctx.Done():
+					return
+				}
+			}
+			if !c.caughtSent() {
+				select {
+				case out <- agent.Update{Caught: true}:
+				case <-ctx.Done():
+					return
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func all(b []bool) bool {
+	for _, v := range b {
+		if !v {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
+// caughtSent says the Caught update went out, marking it sent the first time it is asked.
+func (c *Composer) caughtSent() bool {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	sent := c.caught
+	c.caught = true
+	return sent
+}
+
+func (c *Composer) takeWant(u agent.Update) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	if _, err := delivery.ParseWantNodeKey(u.Key); err == nil {
+		if u.Deleted {
+			delete(c.wants, agent.NodeModule)
+		} else {
+			c.wants[agent.NodeModule] = delivery.Want{}
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	node, module, err := delivery.ParseWantKey(u.Key)
+	if err != nil || node != c.env.Node {
+		return
+	}
+	w, err := delivery.DecodeWant(u.Value)
+	if u.Deleted || err != nil || w.Removed || w.FP == "" {
+		delete(c.wants, module)
+		return
+	}
+	c.wants[module] = w
+}
+
+func (c *Composer) takePlacement(u agent.Update) {
+	node, err := delivery.ParsePlacementKey(u.Key)
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	p, err := delivery.DecodePlacement(u.Value)
+	if u.Deleted || err != nil || p.Node != node {
+		delete(c.placements, node)
+		return
+	}
+	c.placements[node] = p
+}
+
+func (c *Composer) takeRecord(u agent.Update) {
+	node, _, isNode, err := delivery.ParseHaveKey(u.Key)
+	if err != nil || !isNode {
+		return
+	}
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	h, err := delivery.DecodeHaveNode(u.Value)
+	if u.Deleted || err != nil || h.Record == nil {
+		delete(c.records, node)
+		return
+	}
+	c.records[node] = *h.Record
+}
+
+func (c *Composer) takeModule(u agent.Update) {
+	name, err := delivery.ParseModulesKey(u.Key)
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	m, err := delivery.DecodeModule(u.Value)
+	if u.Deleted || err != nil {
+		delete(c.modules, name)
+		return
+	}
+	c.modules[name] = m
+}
+
+func (c *Composer) takeValue(u agent.Update) {
+	rest, ok := strings.CutPrefix(u.Key, c.env.Node+".")
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+	module, key, ok := strings.Cut(rest, ".")
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	var r struct {
+		Value json.RawMessage `json:"value"`
+	}
+	var v any
+	if u.Deleted || json.Unmarshal(u.Value, &r) != nil || len(r.Value) == 0 || json.Unmarshal(r.Value, &v) != nil {
+		delete(c.values[module], key)
+		return
+	}
+	if c.values[module] == nil {
+		c.values[module] = map[string]any{}
+	}
+	c.values[module][key] = v
+}
+
+// compose composes the node once and answers the updates to hand: each composition whose digest differs from the one
+// handed, and a deletion for each handed one no want names any more.
+func (c *Composer) compose(ctx context.Context) []agent.Update {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	fps := map[string]string{}
+	kept := map[string]string{}
+	var behind []string // modules wanted at another build than the trunk's: composed with that build's manifest
+	for module, w := range c.wants {
+		if module == agent.NodeModule {
+			continue
+		}
+		fps[module] = w.FP
+		if m, ok := c.modules[module]; ok && m.FP2 != w.FP {
+			behind = append(behind, module)
+		}
+	}
+	_, nodeWanted := c.wants[agent.NodeModule]
+	r := reader{c: c}
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	sort.Strings(behind)
+	for _, module := range behind {
+		digest, err := c.builtManifest(ctx, module, fps[module])
+		if err != nil {
+			why := fmt.Sprintf("%s is wanted at %s, whose manifest cannot be read, so the node does not compose: %v", module, fps[module], err)
+			c.refused(why)
+			c.sayOnce(why)
+			return nil
+		}
+		kept[module] = digest
+	}
+
+	compositions, _, err := frombus.Compose(ctx, r, c.env.Mesh, frombus.Scope{Node: c.env.Node, Kept: kept}, fps)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.refused(fmt.Sprintf("%v", err))
+		c.sayOnce(fmt.Sprintf("the node cannot compose its modules, and keeps running what it runs: %v", err))
+		return nil
+	}
+	c.refused("")
+	c.sayOnce("")
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	var out []agent.Update
+	now := map[string]bool{}
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(compositions))
+	for key := range compositions {
+		keys = append(keys, key)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		comp := compositions[key]
+		if comp.Module == "" && !nodeWanted {
+			continue
+		}
+		now[key] = true
+		dig, err := delivery.ComposedDigestOf(comp)
+		if err != nil {
+			c.env.Say(fmt.Sprintf("the composition %s has no digest, and is not handed: %v", key, err))
+			continue
+		}
+		if c.handed[key] == dig {
+			continue
+		}
+		raw, err := delivery.EncodeComposed(comp)
+		if err != nil {
+			c.env.Say(fmt.Sprintf("the composition %s cannot be written, and is not handed: %v", key, err))
+			continue
+		}
+		c.rev++
+		c.handed[key] = dig
+		out = append(out, agent.Update{Key: key, Value: raw, Revision: c.rev})
+	}
+	for key := range c.handed {
+		if !now[key] {
+			c.rev++
+			delete(c.handed, key)
+			out = append(out, agent.Update{Key: key, Deleted: true, Revision: c.rev})
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// refused tells the agent why the node cannot compose, or "" that it composes again, once per change.
+func (c *Composer) refused(why string) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	same := c.refusal == why
+	c.refusal = why
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	if !same && c.env.Refused != nil {
+		c.env.Refused(why)
+	}
+}
+
+// runningBox is the box the node already runs that opens to the same value as box, or box: what the agent runs, and
+// what each wanted module's have says it runs sealed (Held). Read before c.mu is taken, since the agent's lock is taken
+// to read what runs.
+func (c *Composer) runningBox(box string) string {
+	if c.env.Unseal == nil || (c.env.Running == nil && c.env.Held == nil) {
+		return box
+	}
+	value, err := c.env.Unseal(box)
+	if err != nil {
+		return box
+	}
+	var held []string
+	if c.env.Running != nil {
+		for _, comp := range c.env.Running() {
+			held = append(held, agent.SealedIn(comp)...)
+		}
+	}
+	if c.env.Held != nil {
+		c.mu.Lock()
+		modules := make([]string, 0, len(c.wants))
+		for m := range c.wants {
+			if m != agent.NodeModule {
+				modules = append(modules, m)
+			}
+		}
+		c.mu.Unlock()
+		sort.Strings(modules)
+		for _, m := range modules {
+			held = append(held, c.env.Held(m)...)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, h := range held {
+		if h == box {
+			continue
+		}
+		if v, err := c.env.Unseal(h); err == nil && bytes.Equal(v, value) {
+			return h
+		}
+	}
+	return box
+}
+
+func (c *Composer) sayOnce(line string) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	if c.said == line {
+		c.mu.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	c.said = line
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	if line != "" {
+		c.env.Say(line)
+	}
+}
+
+// builtManifest is the digest of the manifest a module's build at a fingerprint was made from (the builder's build key):
+// what a node composes a module from when its want names another build than the trunk's.
+func (c *Composer) builtManifest(ctx context.Context, module, fp string) (string, error) {
+	key, err := delivery.BuilderBuildKey(module, fp)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	raw, err := c.env.Get(ctx, delivery.BuilderBuildsBucket, key)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if raw == nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the builder holds no build %s", key)
+	}
+	b, err := delivery.DecodeBuilderBuild(raw)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if b.Manifest == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the build %s names no manifest", key)
+	}
+	return b.Manifest, nil
+}
+
+// Policy is a module's upgrade policy as its manifest at the indexer's trunk derives it (catalogue.DerivedUpgrade), for
+// the agent's judgement of a move (ADR 0547 §3); empty when the manifest is not known or cannot be read.
+func (c *Composer) Policy(module string) string {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	m, ok := c.modules[module]
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	if !ok || m.Manifest == "" {
+		return ""
+	}
+	raw, err := reader{c: c}.Manifest(context.Background(), m.Manifest)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	parsed, err := catalogue.ParseManifestForInputs(raw)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	policy, _, _ := catalogue.DerivedUpgrade(parsed)
+	return policy
+}
+
+// reader is the composer's view of the bus as frombus reads it.
+type reader struct{ c *Composer }
+
+func (r reader) Placements(context.Context) (map[string]delivery.Placement, error) {
+	r.c.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.c.mu.Unlock()
+	out := make(map[string]delivery.Placement, len(r.c.placements))
+	for k, v := range r.c.placements {
+		out[k] = v
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func (r reader) Records(context.Context) (map[string]delivery.NodeRecord, error) {
+	r.c.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.c.mu.Unlock()
+	out := make(map[string]delivery.NodeRecord, len(r.c.records))
+	for k, v := range r.c.records {
+		out[k] = v
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func (r reader) Modules(context.Context) (map[string]delivery.Module, error) {
+	r.c.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.c.mu.Unlock()
+	out := make(map[string]delivery.Module, len(r.c.modules))
+	for k, v := range r.c.modules {
+		out[k] = v
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func (r reader) Manifest(ctx context.Context, digest string) ([]byte, error) {
+	r.c.mu.Lock()
+	raw, ok := r.c.manifests[digest]
+	r.c.mu.Unlock()
+	if ok {
+		return raw, nil
+	}
+	key, err := delivery.ManifestsKey(digest)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	value, err := r.c.env.Get(ctx, delivery.ManifestsBucket, key)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if value == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the indexer holds no manifest %s", digest)
+	}
+	m, err := delivery.DecodeManifest(value)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	r.c.mu.Lock()
+	r.c.manifests[digest] = []byte(m.JSON)
+	r.c.mu.Unlock()
+	return []byte(m.JSON), nil
+}
+
+func (r reader) Values(_ context.Context, node, module string) (map[string]any, error) {
+	if node != r.c.env.Node {
+		return nil, nil // a node reads its own slice alone (ADR 0547 §2)
+	}
+	r.c.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.c.mu.Unlock()
+	if len(r.c.values[module]) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]any, len(r.c.values[module]))
+	for k, v := range r.c.values[module] {
+		out[k] = v
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func (r reader) OwnSecrets(ctx context.Context, node string) ([]compose.OwnSecretRow, error) {
+	if node != r.c.env.Node || r.c.env.Own == nil {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	raw, err := r.c.env.Own(ctx, map[string]any{})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the vault's own: %w", err)
+	}
+	var a struct {
+		Node string `json:"node"`
+		Key  string `json:"key"`
+		Own  []struct {
+			Module     string          `json:"module"`
+			Name       string          `json:"name"`
+			Origin     string          `json:"origin"`
+			Generation int             `json:"generation"`
+			Sealed     json.RawMessage `json:"sealed"`
+		} `json:"own"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &a); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the vault's own answer is not one: %w", err)
+	}
+	if a.Node != node {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the vault answered %q's own secrets to %s", a.Node, node)
+	}
+	ids := make([]string, len(a.Own))
+	fresh := make([]string, len(a.Own))
+	for i, o := range a.Own {
+		ids[i] = o.Module + "/" + o.Name
+		if !r.c.keeps(ids[i], o.Generation, a.Key) {
+			fresh[i] = r.c.runningBox(string(o.Sealed))
+		}
+	}
+	r.c.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.c.mu.Unlock()
+	out := make([]compose.OwnSecretRow, 0, len(a.Own))
+	for i, o := range a.Own {
+		id := ids[i]
+		kept, ok := r.c.sealedOwn[id]
+		if !ok || kept.generation != o.Generation || kept.key != a.Key {
+			kept = ownSealed{generation: o.Generation, key: a.Key, sealed: fresh[i]}
+			if kept.sealed == "" {
+				kept.sealed = string(o.Sealed)
+			}
+			r.c.sealedOwn[id] = kept
+		}
+		out = append(out, compose.OwnSecretRow{Node: node, Module: o.Module, Name: o.Name, Origin: o.Origin,
+			SealedTo: a.Key, Sealed: kept.sealed})
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func (r reader) Credentials(ctx context.Context, node string, asConsumer, asProvider []compose.CredentialKey) ([]compose.Credential, []compose.Issued, error) {
+	if node != r.c.env.Node || r.c.env.Own == nil {
+		return nil, nil, nil
+	}
+	type asked struct {
+		Role string `json:"role"`
+		compose.CredentialKey
+	}
+	var ask []asked
+	for _, k := range asConsumer {
+		ask = append(ask, asked{Role: "consumer", CredentialKey: k})
+	}
+	for _, k := range asProvider {
+		ask = append(ask, asked{Role: "provider", CredentialKey: k})
+	}
+	raw, err := r.c.env.Own(ctx, map[string]any{"credentials": ask})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("the vault's own: %w", err)
+	}
+	var a struct {
+		Node        string `json:"node"`
+		Key         string `json:"key"`
+		Credentials []struct {
+			Role string `json:"role"`
+			compose.CredentialKey
+			Name       string          `json:"name"`
+			Generation int             `json:"generation"`
+			Sealed     json.RawMessage `json:"sealed"`
+		} `json:"credentials"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &a); err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("the vault's own answer is not one: %w", err)
+	}
+	if a.Node != node {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("the vault answered %q's credentials to %s", a.Node, node)
+	}
+	ids := make([]string, len(a.Credentials))
+	fresh := make([]string, len(a.Credentials))
+	for i, c := range a.Credentials {
+		ids[i] = c.Role + "|" + c.Name + "|" + c.Provision + "|" + c.Consumer + "|" + c.ConsumerModule + "|" + c.Local
+		if !r.c.keeps(ids[i], c.Generation, a.Key) {
+			fresh[i] = r.c.runningBox(string(c.Sealed))
+		}
+	}
+	r.c.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.c.mu.Unlock()
+	var creds []compose.Credential
+	var issued []compose.Issued
+	for i, c := range a.Credentials {
+		// The value first had is kept while its generation stands, so sealing it again moves no composition; and the
+		// first had is the box the node runs when it opens to the same value (runningBox).
+		id := ids[i]
+		kept, ok := r.c.sealedOwn[id]
+		if !ok || kept.generation != c.Generation || kept.key != a.Key {
+			kept = ownSealed{generation: c.Generation, key: a.Key, sealed: fresh[i]}
+			if kept.sealed == "" {
+				kept.sealed = string(c.Sealed)
+			}
+			r.c.sealedOwn[id] = kept
+		}
+		k := c.CredentialKey
+		switch c.Role {
+		case "consumer":
+			creds = append(creds, compose.Credential{Provision: k.Provision, Consumer: k.Consumer, ConsumerModule: k.ConsumerModule,
+				Provider: k.Provider, Local: k.Local, State: compose.CredentialHeld, Sealed: kept.sealed})
+		case "provider":
+			issued = append(issued, compose.Issued{Provision: k.Provision, Consumer: k.Consumer, ConsumerModule: k.ConsumerModule,
+				Local: k.Local, Provider: k.Provider, ForProvider: kept.sealed})
+		}
+	}
+	return creds, issued, nil
+}
+
+// keeps says the composer holds id's sealed value at this generation and key already.
+func (c *Composer) keeps(id string, generation int, key string) bool {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	kept, ok := c.sealedOwn[id]
+	return ok && kept.generation == generation && kept.key == key
+}

internal/selfcompose/selfcompose_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,316 @@
+package selfcompose
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/agent"
+)
+
+const lemurs = `{"module":"lemurs","version":"1","capabilities":["systemd"],"resources":[{"id":"service","type":"service","unit":"lemurs.service","state":"running","boot":"enabled"}]}`
+
+// fakeBus is the buckets the composer watches, each a channel a test writes updates to, and the keys Get reads.
+type fakeBus struct {
+	mu    sync.Mutex
+	chans map[string]chan agent.Update
+	kv    map[string][]byte // bucket/key
+	said  []string
+}
+
+func newFakeBus() *fakeBus {
+	return &fakeBus{chans: map[string]chan agent.Update{}, kv: map[string][]byte{}}
+}
+
+func (b *fakeBus) ch(bucket string) chan agent.Update {
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	defer b.mu.Unlock()
+	if b.chans[bucket] == nil {
+		b.chans[bucket] = make(chan agent.Update, 16)
+	}
+	return b.chans[bucket]
+}
+
+func (b *fakeBus) env() Env {
+	return Env{Node: "n1",
+		Watch: func(_ context.Context, bucket, _ string) (<-chan agent.Update, error) { return b.ch(bucket), nil },
+		Get: func(_ context.Context, bucket, key string) ([]byte, error) {
+			b.mu.Lock()
+			defer b.mu.Unlock()
+			return b.kv[bucket+"/"+key], nil
+		},
+		Say: func(s string) { b.mu.Lock(); b.said = append(b.said, s); b.mu.Unlock() }}
+}
+
+func (b *fakeBus) put(t *testing.T, bucket, key string, value []byte) {
+	t.Helper()
+	b.ch(bucket) <- agent.Update{Key: key, Value: value}
+}
+
+func next(t *testing.T, out <-chan agent.Update) agent.Update {
+	t.Helper()
+	select {
+	case u := <-out:
+		return u
+	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("no update from the composer")
+		return agent.Update{}
+	}
+}
+
+func quiet(t *testing.T, out <-chan agent.Update) {
+	t.Helper()
+	select {
+	case u := <-out:
+		t.Fatalf("the composer handed %s, and nothing changed", u.Key)
+	case <-time.After(50 * time.Millisecond):
+	}
+}
+
+// Issue 1126 (ADR 0547 §2): the node composes its wanted modules and its own composition from its inputs on the bus once
+// every input was read, hands each, then Caught; an input that changes nothing composed hands nothing; a module no want
+// names any more is taken back; a node that cannot compose says so once and hands nothing.
+func TestTheNodeComposesItsWantsFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
+	b := newFakeBus()
+	fp := delivery.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("a", 64)
+	digest := delivery.ManifestDigest([]byte(lemurs))
+	man, _ := delivery.EncodeManifest(delivery.Manifest{Module: "lemurs", JSON: lemurs})
+	key, _ := delivery.ManifestsKey(digest)
+	b.kv[delivery.ManifestsBucket+"/"+key] = man
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+	env := b.env()
+	// The vault's own: keeper's password sealed to n1's key, sealed again (other bytes) at every ask.
+	var asks, generation int
+	sealedAt := map[string]int{} // each box handed, by the generation it opens to
+	env.Own = func(context.Context, map[string]any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+		b.mu.Lock()
+		defer b.mu.Unlock()
+		asks++
+		sealedAt[fmt.Sprintf(`{"ask":%d}`, asks)] = generation + 1
+		return json.RawMessage(fmt.Sprintf(`{"node":"n1","key":"sk","own":[{"module":"keeper","name":"password","origin":"made",`+
+			`"generation":%d,"sealed":{"ask":%d}}]}`, generation+1, asks)), nil
+	}
+	secretChanged := make(chan []byte, 1)
+	env.Hear = func(subject string) (<-chan []byte, func(), error) {
+		if subject != VaultSecretChanged {
+			t.Errorf("heard %s", subject)
+		}
+		return secretChanged, func() {}, nil
+	}
+	c := New(env)
+	out, err := c.Watch(ctx, "n1.>")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	place, _ := delivery.EncodePlacement(delivery.Placement{Node: "n1", Decided: delivery.NodeDecided{Hub: true, Address: "10.77.0.1"},
+		Modules: []delivery.PlacedModule{{Module: "lemurs"}}})
+	have, _ := delivery.EncodeHaveNode(delivery.HaveNode{Record: &delivery.NodeRecord{Node: "n1", TunnelKey: "k", SealingKey: "sk", Capabilities: []string{"systemd"}}})
+	mod, _ := delivery.EncodeModule(delivery.Module{FP2: fp, Manifest: digest, Repository: "novox/x", Commit: "c"})
+	want, _ := delivery.EncodeWant(delivery.Want{FP: fp, Self: true})
+	nodeWant, _ := delivery.EncodeNodeWant(delivery.NodeWant{Self: true})
+	b.put(t, delivery.PlacementBucket, "placement.n1", place)
+	b.put(t, delivery.HaveBucket, "n1.node", have)
+	b.put(t, delivery.ModulesBucket, "lemurs", mod)
+	b.put(t, delivery.AssignerWantsBucket, "want.n1.lemurs", want)
+	b.put(t, delivery.AssignerWantsBucket, "want.n1.node", nodeWant)
+	for _, bucket := range []string{delivery.AssignerWantsBucket, delivery.PlacementBucket, delivery.HaveBucket, delivery.ModulesBucket, ResolvedBucket} {
+		b.ch(bucket) <- agent.Update{Caught: true}
+	}
+	got := map[string]bool{}
+	for {
+		u := next(t, out)
+		if u.Caught {
+			break
+		}
+		c, err := delivery.DecodeComposed(u.Value)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: %v", u.Key, err)
+		}
+		if c.Node != "n1" {
+			t.Errorf("%s composed for %q", u.Key, c.Node)
+		}
+		got[u.Key] = true
+	}
+	lemursKey, _ := delivery.ComposedKey("n1", "lemurs", fp)
+	nodeKey, _ := delivery.ComposedNodeKey("n1")
+	if !got[lemursKey] || !got[nodeKey] || len(got) != 2 {
+		b.mu.Lock()
+		t.Logf("said: %v", b.said)
+		b.mu.Unlock()
+		t.Fatalf("handed %v, want %s and %s", got, lemursKey, nodeKey)
+	}
+
+	// A config value of another module, and a value changing nothing composed, hand nothing.
+	b.put(t, ResolvedBucket, "n1.other.k", []byte(`{"value":1}`))
+	quiet(t, out)
+
+	// A want removed takes its composition back.
+	removed, _ := delivery.EncodeWant(delivery.Want{Removed: true})
+	b.put(t, delivery.AssignerWantsBucket, "want.n1.lemurs", removed)
+	if u := next(t, out); u.Key != lemursKey || !u.Deleted {
+		t.Fatalf("a removed want handed %+v", u)
+	}
+
+	// A want of a module whose manifest cannot be read: said once, nothing handed, what was handed stands.
+	gone := delivery.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("b", 64)
+	missing, _ := delivery.EncodeWant(delivery.Want{FP: gone, Self: true})
+	b.put(t, delivery.AssignerWantsBucket, "want.n1.lemurs", missing)
+	quiet(t, out)
+	b.put(t, delivery.AssignerWantsBucket, "want.n1.lemurs", missing)
+	quiet(t, out)
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	n := 0
+	for _, s := range b.said {
+		if strings.Contains(s, "lemurs is wanted at") {
+			n++
+		}
+	}
+	b.mu.Unlock()
+	if n != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("the fault was said %d times, want once: %v", n, b.said)
+	}
+
+	// An own secret comes sealed from the vault into the composition; sealed again at the same generation it is the value
+	// first had, so nothing is handed again; a new generation is handed.
+	b.put(t, delivery.AssignerWantsBucket, "want.n1.lemurs", want)
+	if u := next(t, out); u.Key != lemursKey {
+		t.Fatalf("lemurs wanted back handed %s", u.Key)
+	}
+	keeper := `{"module":"keeper","version":"1","own-secrets":{"password":"/var/lib/mesh/keeper/password"},` +
+		`"resources":[{"id":"state","type":"directory","path":"/var/lib/mesh/keeper","mode":"0700"}]}`
+	kdigest := delivery.ManifestDigest([]byte(keeper))
+	kman, _ := delivery.EncodeManifest(delivery.Manifest{Module: "keeper", JSON: keeper})
+	kkey, _ := delivery.ManifestsKey(kdigest)
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	b.kv[delivery.ManifestsBucket+"/"+kkey] = kman
+	b.mu.Unlock()
+	kmod, _ := delivery.EncodeModule(delivery.Module{FP2: fp, Manifest: kdigest, Repository: "novox/k", Commit: "c"})
+	both, _ := delivery.EncodePlacement(delivery.Placement{Node: "n1", Decided: delivery.NodeDecided{Hub: true, Address: "10.77.0.1"},
+		Modules: []delivery.PlacedModule{{Module: "lemurs"}, {Module: "keeper"}}})
+	b.put(t, delivery.ModulesBucket, "keeper", kmod)
+	b.put(t, delivery.PlacementBucket, "placement.n1", both)
+	b.put(t, delivery.AssignerWantsBucket, "want.n1.keeper", want)
+	keeperKey, _ := delivery.ComposedKey("n1", "keeper", fp)
+	var handed string
+	for handed == "" {
+		if u := next(t, out); u.Key == keeperKey {
+			handed = string(u.Value)
+		}
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(handed, `{\"ask\":`) {
+		t.Fatalf("keeper's composition does not carry the sealed value: %s", handed)
+	}
+	before := handed
+	b.put(t, ResolvedBucket, "n1.other.k", []byte(`{"value":2}`))
+	quiet(t, out)
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	generation++
+	b.mu.Unlock()
+	// The vault says the secret changed: the node composes again on that word, with no other input moving.
+	secretChanged <- []byte(`{"name":"own/n1/keeper/password","generation":2}`)
+	rotated := next(t, out)
+	if rotated.Key != keeperKey {
+		t.Fatalf("a new generation handed %s, want keeper again", rotated.Key)
+	}
+
+	// Review of L2 (round 2): rotated, then the node-engine restarts. The agent has applied nothing yet, so the box the
+	// node runs comes from keeper's have (Held); the vault seals the value again, other bytes, and the box the have holds
+	// is kept, since it opens to the same value: the composition does not move. The box from before the rotation opens
+	// to the old value, so the vault's is taken.
+	boxOf := func(raw string) string {
+		c, err := delivery.DecodeComposed([]byte(raw))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		sealed := agent.SealedIn(c)
+		if len(sealed) != 1 {
+			t.Fatalf("keeper's composition carries %v", sealed)
+		}
+		return sealed[0]
+	}
+	for _, row := range []struct {
+		name, held string
+		kept       bool
+	}{{"the have holds the rotated value", boxOf(string(rotated.Value)), true}, {"the have holds the value before the rotation", boxOf(before), false}} {
+		restarted := env
+		restarted.Running = func() []delivery.Composed { return nil }
+		restarted.Held = func(module string) []string {
+			if module == "keeper" {
+				return []string{row.held}
+			}
+			return nil
+		}
+		restarted.Unseal = func(box string) ([]byte, error) {
+			b.mu.Lock()
+			defer b.mu.Unlock()
+			if g, ok := sealedAt[box]; ok {
+				return []byte(fmt.Sprintf("password-%d", g)), nil
+			}
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("not sealed to n1: %s", box)
+		}
+		again := New(restarted)
+		again.wants = map[string]delivery.Want{"keeper": {FP: fp, Self: true}}
+		rows, err := reader{c: again}.OwnSecrets(ctx, "n1")
+		if err != nil || len(rows) != 1 {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: own secrets %+v, %v", row.name, rows, err)
+		}
+		if kept := rows[0].Sealed == row.held; kept != row.kept {
+			t.Errorf("%s: composed with %s (held %s), kept %v, want %v", row.name, rows[0].Sealed, row.held, kept, row.kept)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// The pair credentials asked (ADR 0550 §5): the keys go to the vault's own with their role, a consumer's comes back as
+	// a credential held, a provider's as the grant's copy, each sealed to n1's key, the value first had kept.
+	var sent map[string]any
+	pairEnv := b.env()
+	pairEnv.Own = func(_ context.Context, args map[string]any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+		sent = args
+		return json.RawMessage(`{"node":"n1","key":"sk","credentials":[` +
+			`{"role":"consumer","provision":"pg","consumer":"n1","consumer_module":"web","provider":"n2","name":"pair/n2/pg/n1/web","generation":1,"sealed":{"c":1}},` +
+			`{"role":"provider","provision":"s3","consumer":"n3","consumer_module":"files","provider":"n1","name":"provision/n1/s3","generation":2,"sealed":{"p":1}}]}`), nil
+	}
+	// The node runs the consumer's credential already, sealed otherwise (the controller sealed it, or the vault at
+	// another ask): that box opens to the same value, so it is kept, and the composition does not move.
+	pairEnv.Running = func() []delivery.Composed {
+		return []delivery.Composed{{Module: "web", Resources: []json.RawMessage{json.RawMessage(`{"id":"web.secret-pg","sealed":"{\"run\":1}"}`)}}}
+	}
+	opened := map[string]string{`{"c":1}`: "pg-pw", `{"run":1}`: "pg-pw", `{"p":1}`: "s3-pw"}
+	pairEnv.Unseal = func(box string) ([]byte, error) {
+		if v, ok := opened[box]; ok {
+			return []byte(v), nil
+		}
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("not sealed to n1: %s", box)
+	}
+	var refusals []string
+	pairEnv.Refused = func(why string) { refusals = append(refusals, why) }
+	pc := New(pairEnv)
+	consumer := []compose.CredentialKey{{Provision: "pg", Consumer: "n1", ConsumerModule: "web", Provider: "n2"}}
+	provider := []compose.CredentialKey{{Provision: "s3", Consumer: "n3", ConsumerModule: "files", Provider: "n1"}}
+	creds, issued, err := reader{c: pc}.Credentials(ctx, "n1", consumer, provider)
+	if err != nil || len(creds) != 1 || len(issued) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("credentials %+v issued %+v, %v", creds, issued, err)
+	}
+	if creds[0].State != compose.CredentialHeld || creds[0].Provider != "n2" || creds[0].Sealed != `{"run":1}` ||
+		issued[0].Consumer != "n3" || issued[0].ForProvider != `{"p":1}` {
+		t.Errorf("credentials %+v issued %+v", creds, issued)
+	}
+	// A node that cannot compose tells the agent once, and once again when it composes (the agent's haves say it).
+	pc.refused("a stand-in for web's password")
+	pc.refused("a stand-in for web's password")
+	pc.refused("")
+	if len(refusals) != 2 || refusals[0] == "" || refusals[1] != "" {
+		t.Errorf("the agent was told %q", refusals)
+	}
+	if asked, _ := json.Marshal(sent["credentials"]); !strings.Contains(string(asked), `"role":"consumer"`) || !strings.Contains(string(asked), `"role":"provider"`) {
+		t.Errorf("the vault was asked %s", asked)
+	}
+}