diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0c40988..b419c2e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ of the words agents use for the mesh's (`logs` finds the journal). Best first: a
 words in a name or a replaced command, then words in a description; seats before modules on a tie.
 
 Discovery asks the bus (ADR 0197): every runtime answers the NATS services protocol's `$SRV.PING` and
-`$SRV.INFO` with what it serves at that moment, and the console reads where the placement seat's records
+`$SRV.INFO` with what it serves at that moment, and the console reads where the assigner seat's records
 place each module. The console waits at least 750 ms, and up to 5 s for every runtime that answered
 PING to send what it serves — a large runtime's answer crossing the bus to a broker on another machine
 can arrive well after the rest. A runtime that said it is there and did not say what it serves, or
diff --git a/node-tools/cmd/node-tools/main.go b/node-tools/cmd/node-tools/main.go
index bf55106..7da745a 100644
--- a/node-tools/cmd/node-tools/main.go
+++ b/node-tools/cmd/node-tools/main.go
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
@@ -27,6 +28,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/alive"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/bus"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/console"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/firstview"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/launch"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/provide"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/runtime"
@@ -48,6 +50,8 @@ func main() {
 	until := time.Now().Add(startWait)
 	cred := credential(until)
 	conn := connectPatiently(cred, until)
+	// And the seat list it describes the seats by, read through the seat mesh-catalog (novox/hq ADR 0636 §4).
+	_ = startSeatList(conn)
 
 	served, err := runtime.ServedModulesFrom(os.Getenv(runtime.ToolModules), cred.Module)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -86,12 +90,16 @@ func main() {
 	}
 	var up *console.Listening
 	if listen != "" {
+		// The indexer's and the assigner's states the console indexes the mesh by come to it as first views, asked of the owners'
+		// own tools and followed on their views families, never read from their state (novox/hq ADR 0615 §1).
+		source, stopViews := firstview.Start(context.Background(), conn, log.Printf)
+		defer stopViews()
 		node := cred.Node
 		if node == "" {
 			node = "?"
 		}
 		who := node + "." + cred.Module
-		up, err = console.Serve(console.NewSurface(conn, who), listen)
+		up, err = console.Serve(console.NewSurface(conn, source, who), listen)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatalf("node-tools: %v", err)
 		}
diff --git a/node-tools/cmd/node-tools/seatlist.go b/node-tools/cmd/node-tools/seatlist.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5d93ec3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node-tools/cmd/node-tools/seatlist.go
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"log"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/seatdef"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/seatlist"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/bus"
+)
+
+// The tool runner reads the seat list as every part does (novox/hq ADR 0635 §1, ADR 0636): through the seat mesh-catalog,
+// from the bootstrapped definitions until it has been read, and following the seat's events. What it holds is given to
+// catalogue at every change; the console describes the seats from it, so the descriptions are the mesh's own and not a
+// list compiled into the runner.
+
+// busOfTheRunner is the reader's bus over the runner's connection: a verb of the seat asked on its subject, an event heard
+// on the seat's event subject.
+type busOfTheRunner struct{ conn *bus.Conn }
+
+func (b busOfTheRunner) Ask(key string, body any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+	seat, verb, _ := strings.Cut(strings.TrimPrefix(key, "seat:"), ".")
+	answered, err := b.conn.Ask(key, body, "mesh.seat."+seat+".tool."+verb)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return answered.Result, nil
+}
+
+func (b busOfTheRunner) Subscribe(pattern string, handle func(string, json.RawMessage) error) error {
+	seat, event, _ := strings.Cut(pattern, ".")
+	_, err := b.conn.Raw(seatdef.EventSubject(seat, event), func(_ string, data []byte) []byte {
+		_ = handle(pattern, data)
+		return nil // an event is answered by nobody
+	})
+	return err
+}
+
+// seatListWithin is how long the runner waits for the first read of the seat list before it serves; the read goes on
+// after it, and the descriptions are the bootstrapped ones until it ends (ADR 0636 §1).
+const seatListWithin = 5 * time.Second
+
+// startSeatList starts the runner's reader and gives catalogue its bootstrapped seats at once, then waits for the first
+// read to end (the reader's Ready) for the bound, so the runner's first descriptions are of the list in the common case.
+func startSeatList(conn *bus.Conn) *seatlist.Reader {
+	timer := time.NewTimer(seatListWithin)
+	defer timer.Stop()
+	return startSeatListOn(busOfTheRunner{conn}, timer.C, log.Printf)
+}
+
+// startSeatListOn is startSeatList over any bus, with the bound as a channel the caller gives.
+func startSeatListOn(b seatlist.Bus, bound <-chan time.Time, logf func(string, ...any)) *seatlist.Reader {
+	reader, err := seatlist.Start(seatlist.Config{Bus: b, Bootstrap: seatlist.Bootstrapped(),
+		OnChange: func(seats []catalogue.Seat) { catalogue.UseSeats(seats) }})
+	if err != nil {
+		logf("node-tools: %v", fmt.Errorf("the tool runner cannot follow the seat list: %w", err))
+	}
+	if reader == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	catalogue.UseSeats(reader.Seats())
+	select {
+	case <-reader.Ready():
+		catalogue.UseSeats(reader.Seats())
+	case <-bound:
+		logf("node-tools: the seat list is not read yet; the runner serves with the bootstrapped seats and reads on")
+	}
+	return reader
+}
diff --git a/node-tools/cmd/node-tools/seatlist_test.go b/node-tools/cmd/node-tools/seatlist_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fda2420
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node-tools/cmd/node-tools/seatlist_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// busOfAStandIn is a seat mesh-catalog that answers after release, or never (a refusal).
+type busOfAStandIn struct {
+	release chan struct{}
+	asked   atomic.Int32
+}
+
+func (b *busOfAStandIn) Ask(string, any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+	b.asked.Add(1)
+	<-b.release
+	return nil, errors.New("the seat does not answer")
+}
+
+func (b *busOfAStandIn) Subscribe(string, func(string, json.RawMessage) error) error { return nil }
+
+// ADR 0636 §1: the runner waits for the first read of the seat list on the reader's Ready, but only to a bound that the
+// test gives as a channel; past it, it serves with the bootstrapped seats and says so, and nothing sleeps.
+func TestTheRunnerWaitsForTheFirstReadOfTheSeatListOnlyToItsBound(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, row := range []struct {
+		name      string
+		release   bool // the seat ends its first read (here by refusing) before the bound
+		wantSaid  string
+		wantReady bool
+	}{
+		{"the first read ends before the bound", true, "", true},
+		{"the bound passes with the seat silent", false, "the seat list is not read yet", false},
+	} {
+		t.Run(row.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			b := &busOfAStandIn{release: make(chan struct{})}
+			bound := make(chan time.Time, 1)
+			var said []string
+			if row.release {
+				close(b.release)
+			} else {
+				bound <- time.Time{}
+			}
+			r := startSeatListOn(b, bound, func(f string, a ...any) { said = append(said, f) })
+			if r == nil {
+				t.Fatal("no reader")
+			}
+			ended := false
+			select {
+			case <-r.Ready():
+				ended = true
+			default:
+			}
+			if ended != row.wantReady {
+				t.Errorf("first read ended = %v, want %v", ended, row.wantReady)
+			}
+			if got := strings.Join(said, ";"); !strings.Contains(got, row.wantSaid) || (row.wantSaid == "" && got != "") {
+				t.Errorf("said %q, want %q", got, row.wantSaid)
+			}
+			if !row.release {
+				close(b.release)
+				<-r.Ready()
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
diff --git a/node-tools/go.mod b/node-tools/go.mod
index d88a8a1..54e4d8b 100644
--- a/node-tools/go.mod
+++ b/node-tools/go.mod
@@ -3,20 +3,27 @@ module github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/clients/meshmoduleassignerclient v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/seats/meshmoduleassigner v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/health-and-repair/go/clients/meshconditionsclient v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/health-and-repair/go/seats/meshconditions v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/provisioning/go/clients/meshprovisionerclient v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/contracts/go/clients/meshcatalogclient v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/contracts/go/seats/meshcatalog v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 	golang.org/x/sys v0.48.0
 )
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8
-	github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op // indirect
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
+	github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.8.0-default-no-op // indirect
 	github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 // indirect
-	github.com/klauspost/compress v1.20.0 // indirect
+	github.com/klauspost/compress v1.20.1 // indirect
 	github.com/minio/highwayhash v1.0.4 // indirect
-	github.com/nats-io/jwt/v2 v2.8.1 // indirect
+	github.com/nats-io/jwt/v2 v2.8.2 // indirect
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nkeys v0.4.16 // indirect
 	github.com/nats-io/nuid v1.0.1 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/crypto v0.57.0 // indirect
-	golang.org/x/time v0.15.0 // indirect
+	golang.org/x/time v0.16.0 // indirect
 )
diff --git a/node-tools/go.sum b/node-tools/go.sum
index 7679a5d..8ca93df 100644
--- a/node-tools/go.sum
+++ b/node-tools/go.sum
@@ -1,15 +1,13 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8 h1:XEbIVImp6yGjA91rp0iZBoDdL5KfamjOuDLwWvqh0hc=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103221822-85ba0a9a70d8/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
-github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
-github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
+github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.8.0-default-no-op h1:1BOWQJweNyvZMlpAHXGLiZQn9S+QXGcz3xh94lC0w6E=
+github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.8.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8/go.mod h1:h9jEsEECg7gtLis0upRBQU+GhYVH6jMjrFxI8u6bVUY=
-github.com/klauspost/compress v1.20.0 h1:a3C1ke2ohxFymNlb2HWAHjDeKCI90scRskErZkR0ezA=
-github.com/klauspost/compress v1.20.0/go.mod h1:LUdAzn7YLVvxLpc7y3V1m40wESHTgc1422pwwBSKYuI=
+github.com/klauspost/compress v1.20.1 h1:T7kKElXUMXrUJ2E9QhQhxFtcK5rPyLdsGZvdbLMPdiQ=
+github.com/klauspost/compress v1.20.1/go.mod h1:LUdAzn7YLVvxLpc7y3V1m40wESHTgc1422pwwBSKYuI=
 github.com/minio/highwayhash v1.0.4 h1:asJizugGgchQod2ja9NJlGOWq4s7KsAWr5XUc9Clgl4=
 github.com/minio/highwayhash v1.0.4/go.mod h1:GGYsuwP/fPD6Y9hMiXuapVvlIUEhFhMTh0rxU3ik1LQ=
-github.com/nats-io/jwt/v2 v2.8.1 h1:V0xpGuD/N8Mi+fQNDynXohVvp7ZztevW5io8CUWlPmU=
-github.com/nats-io/jwt/v2 v2.8.1/go.mod h1:nWnOEEiVMiKHQpnAy4eXlizVEtSfzacZ1Q43LIRavZg=
+github.com/nats-io/jwt/v2 v2.8.2 h1:XXRgB60MSTnqsRwejQurVDs/hcv2dkt+86GjI+I/bMc=
+github.com/nats-io/jwt/v2 v2.8.2/go.mod h1:Ag/56sq9OblL4JgdYufDd16Egb17Kr/8WwwuO/forVc=
 github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17 h1:GKEghcFK6A+aFx11Yf1LjgLC3txAwvyhnYzhBIQZA8I=
 github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17/go.mod h1:B1sFVz4StNosQ903ak4N1G01Fl/9f8e06mXpFIE2K24=
 github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0 h1:vsXoOxjHp/GmPUN+EcI7uOf/uB+iAP+kEsAFNQN0yzA=
@@ -23,5 +21,5 @@ golang.org/x/crypto v0.57.0/go.mod h1:Fdz0i5U6CoizGwLda9DttjSk6qlZo25zYNtR+ycvuZ
 golang.org/x/sys v0.21.0/go.mod h1:/VUhepiaJMQUp4+oa/7Zr1D23ma6VTLIYjOOTFZPUcA=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.48.0 h1:bbX/i/6MgT9BVLM9RT1thmxL04yeTAhbEz4SyadbXoo=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.48.0/go.mod h1:hNLxWAXmnKAxqDtdwIYC4bM9oQPEecfsnNMuSxOs3og=
-golang.org/x/time v0.15.0 h1:bbrp8t3bGUeFOx08pvsMYRTCVSMk89u4tKbNOZbp88U=
-golang.org/x/time v0.15.0/go.mod h1:Y4YMaQmXwGQZoFaVFk4YpCt4FLQMYKZe9oeV/f4MSno=
+golang.org/x/time v0.16.0 h1:vMb6ptszcQMkcwiRTAuNNU50gom6++Q/6gY2hDM6VDE=
+golang.org/x/time v0.16.0/go.mod h1:rVKOqvZeKvrDKTQiAHJ7wmwP0RzleSphoEA9RcdLA0s=
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/announce/announce.go b/node-tools/internal/announce/announce.go
index 6c941ea..8771120 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/announce/announce.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/announce/announce.go
@@ -43,6 +43,11 @@ var Patience = 5 * time.Second
 // to the laptop, and the hundred-byte PING answers queued behind it.
 const Digest = "digest"
 
+// Capabilities is the service metadata key a runtime states what it can do under, a comma-separated list of capabilities
+// (runtime.CallCapabilities): its machine's node-engine asks the runtime's PING and takes them into the node's record, so a
+// module needing one is placed only where the runtime states it.
+const Capabilities = "capabilities"
+
 // Shortened is the service metadata key a runtime sets when its announcement was cut to fit the bus.
 const Shortened = "shortened"
 
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/bus/bus.go b/node-tools/internal/bus/bus.go
index 23f0cf2..ec1648b 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/bus/bus.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/bus/bus.go
@@ -18,12 +18,12 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buscompose"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/membership"
 	"log"
 	"regexp"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ func (c *Conn) Credential() Credential { return c.cred }
 
 // Follow reads a module's membership on this machine once and follows it live, so its tools are
 // served where the mesh issued them (ADR 0175). It is read from the grants part's state memberships, its key
-// `<node>.<module>` (novox/hq ADR 0571 clause 7 and 10, mesh-sdk buscompose.GrantsMembershipsBucket), and nowhere else:
+// `<node>.<module>` (novox/hq ADR 0571 clause 7 and 10, mesh-sdk membership.GrantsBucket), and nowhere else:
 // the old assignments stream is not read and its subject is not heard.
 func (c *Conn) Follow(module string) {
 	c.mu.Lock()
@@ -433,10 +433,10 @@ func (c *Conn) watchGrants(module string, say bool) bool {
 			c.Logf(format, a...)
 		}
 	}
-	key := buscompose.MembershipKey(c.node, module)
+	key := membership.GrantsKey(c.node, module)
 	// First the key's direct get, which the account is granted alone: a bus that refuses it, or a state not there yet,
 	// answers at once, where binding the bucket would wait out its bound on a refusal.
-	bucket := buscompose.GrantsMembershipsBucket
+	bucket := membership.GrantsBucket
 	probe, err := c.nc.Request("$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_"+bucket+".$KV."+bucket+"."+key, nil, GrantsPatience)
 	if err != nil || probe.Header.Get("Status") == "503" {
 		why := "it did not answer"
@@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ func (c *Conn) watchGrants(module string, say bool) bool {
 	kv, err := js.KeyValue(ctx, bucket)
 	if err != nil {
 		logf("[mesh-tools] the grants part's memberships (%s) cannot be read (%v); %s has no membership "+
-			"until it can be", buscompose.GrantsMembershipsBucket, err, module)
+			"until it can be", membership.GrantsBucket, err, module)
 		return false
 	}
 	w, err := kv.Watch(context.Background(), key)
@@ -1077,21 +1077,109 @@ var EventHeartbeat = 10 * time.Second
 // returns an error, terminated when it is not an event at all. The consumers are the mesh's to
 // create; this binds to them and never makes one. Runs until stopped.
 func (c *Conn) ConsumeAs(module string, deliver func(Envelope) error) (func(), error) {
+	return c.ConsumeAsBeating(module, deliver, nil)
+}
+
+// IdleHeartbeat is how often the runtime tells a bundle that its module's consumer is bound and the bus answers,
+// while no event arrives (stdio.OnHeartbeat), so a subscription's silence is told from a quiet source.
+var IdleHeartbeat = 15 * time.Second
+
+// Beat is the runtime's word on a module's consumer between events: it is bound and the bus answers (At), or the
+// bus's heartbeat stopped arriving or the bus ended the loop (Missed, with Why). Its JSON is the stdio Heartbeat.
+type Beat struct {
+	At     time.Time `json:"at"`
+	Missed bool      `json:"missed,omitempty"`
+	Why    string    `json:"why,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// ConsumeAsBeating is ConsumeAs that also says, to beat, how the module's consumer on EVENTS stands: a Beat at each
+// IdleHeartbeat in which no event arrived and the bus answered about the consumer, and one Missed (said once) when
+// the bus's own heartbeat to the loop stopped arriving, the bus ended the loop or no longer answers. A Beat that is
+// not Missed follows the first answer after one that was. A nil beat says nothing.
+func (c *Conn) ConsumeAsBeating(module string, deliver func(Envelope) error, beat func(Beat)) (func(), error) {
+	return c.ConsumeAsBeatingWhen(module, deliver, beat, nil)
+}
+
+// tickHook, when set before a consume starts, is called after each idle heartbeat interval was handled (tests only,
+// through SetTickHook), so a test counts beats instead of sleeping. A consume reads it once, when it starts.
+var tickHook func()
+
+// ConsumeAsBeatingWhen is ConsumeAsBeating that asks the bus about the consumer, and says anything, only while wanted
+// answers true (nil is always): a module whose children asked for no heartbeat costs the bus no consumer-info request.
+func (c *Conn) ConsumeAsBeatingWhen(module string, deliver func(Envelope) error, beat func(Beat), wanted func() bool) (func(), error) {
+	asked := func() bool { return beat != nil && (wanted == nil || wanted()) }
 	durable := ConsumerOf(c.node, module)
 	js, err := jetstream.New(c.nc)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	h := newHearing(c, js, module, deliver)
+	var lastEvent atomic.Int64
+	var missed atomic.Bool
+	say := func(why string) {
+		if asked() && missed.CompareAndSwap(false, true) {
+			beat(Beat{At: time.Now().UTC(), Missed: true, Why: why})
+		}
+	}
+	h := newHearing(c, js, module, func(env Envelope) error {
+		lastEvent.Store(time.Now().UnixNano())
+		missed.Store(false) // an event arrived: the consumer is heard, whatever was said before
+		return deliver(env)
+	})
 	// Bound by name, never created and never matched against a subject: the consumer and its
 	// filters are the mesh's (design 29 §3), exactly as the module's own runtime bound it.
-	events, _, doing, err := h.bind(EventsStream, durable, nil)
+	events, _, doing, err := h.bind(EventsStream, durable, func(err error) {
+		if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrNoHeartbeat) {
+			say("the bus's heartbeat to the consumer " + durable + " stopped arriving")
+		}
+	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s %s's consumer %s: %w", doing, module, durable, err)
 	}
 	// And every consumer on a module's stream its membership names (novox/hq ADR 0363 §8), followed as the
 	// membership changes. A membership naming none binds nothing more: the module hears EVENTS alone.
 	h.start()
+	if beat != nil {
+		every := IdleHeartbeat
+		hook := tickHook
+		tickOnce := func() {
+			select {
+			case <-events.Closed():
+				say("the bus ended reading the consumer " + durable)
+				return
+			default:
+			}
+			if !asked() {
+				return
+			}
+			ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), every)
+			_, err := js.Consumer(ctx, EventsStream, durable)
+			cancel()
+			if err != nil {
+				say("the bus does not answer about the consumer " + durable + ": " + err.Error())
+				return
+			}
+			if time.Since(time.Unix(0, lastEvent.Load())) < every {
+				return // an event arrived in this interval: it was the word
+			}
+			missed.Store(false)
+			beat(Beat{At: time.Now().UTC()})
+		}
+		go func() {
+			tick := time.NewTicker(every)
+			defer tick.Stop()
+			for {
+				select {
+				case <-h.done:
+					return
+				case <-tick.C:
+				}
+				tickOnce()
+				if hook != nil {
+					hook()
+				}
+			}
+		}()
+	}
 	var once sync.Once
 	return func() {
 		once.Do(func() {
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/bus/caller_bus_test.go b/node-tools/internal/bus/caller_bus_test.go
index 502a3dd..c46049d 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/bus/caller_bus_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/bus/caller_bus_test.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import (
 	mt "github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/meshtest"
 )
 
-// A bus whose users are granted as the controller grants them (mesh-placement internal/broker): each named
+// A bus whose users are granted as the controller grants them (mesh-module-assigner internal/broker): each named
 // user publishes the subjects listed for it.
 func grantedBus(t *testing.T, publish map[string][]string) string {
 	t.Helper()
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/bus/consume_test.go b/node-tools/internal/bus/consume_test.go
index 4c29d44..e5cc2e5 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/bus/consume_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/bus/consume_test.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
@@ -60,3 +61,96 @@ func TestASlowHandlerAndABurstAreEachHandedOverOnce(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// The runtime tells a bundle how its module's consumer stands between events (stdio.OnHeartbeat): a word at each
+// idle heartbeat while the bus answers, once Missed when the bus ended the loop, and a word again when it is bound again.
+func TestAConsumerSaysItIsBoundWhileIdleAndOnceWhenTheBusEndedIt(t *testing.T) {
+	mesh := mt.New(t)
+	restore := bus.IdleHeartbeat
+	bus.IdleHeartbeat = 200 * time.Millisecond
+	t.Cleanup(func() { bus.IdleHeartbeat = restore })
+	ticks := make(chan struct{}, 64)
+	t.Cleanup(bus.SetTickHook(func() {
+		select {
+		case ticks <- struct{}{}:
+		default:
+		}
+	}))
+	mesh.Consumer(t, "anchor", "quiet", []string{"mesh.mod.alpha.event.>"}, time.Second)
+	c, err := bus.Connect(bus.Credential{URL: mt.URL(t), Module: "node-tools", Node: "anchor"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	c.Logf = func(string, ...any) {}
+	t.Cleanup(c.Close)
+
+	var mu sync.Mutex
+	var beats []bus.Beat
+	stop, err := c.ConsumeAsBeating("quiet", func(bus.Envelope) error { return nil }, func(b bus.Beat) {
+		mu.Lock()
+		beats = append(beats, b)
+		mu.Unlock()
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(stop)
+	// A consume nobody asked a heartbeat of says nothing and asks the bus nothing, however many intervals pass.
+	var unaskedBeats atomic.Int32
+	unasked, err := c.ConsumeAsBeatingWhen("quiet", func(bus.Envelope) error { return nil },
+		func(bus.Beat) { unaskedBeats.Add(1) }, func() bool { return false })
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(unasked)
+	last := func() (bus.Beat, int) {
+		mu.Lock()
+		defer mu.Unlock()
+		if len(beats) == 0 {
+			return bus.Beat{}, 0
+		}
+		return beats[len(beats)-1], len(beats)
+	}
+	mt.Until(t, func() error {
+		if b, n := last(); n == 0 || b.Missed || b.At.IsZero() {
+			return fmt.Errorf("no word that the consumer is bound yet: %d beats", n)
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+	mesh.RemoveConsumer(t, bus.EventsStream, "anchor", "quiet")
+	mt.Until(t, func() error {
+		if b, _ := last(); !b.Missed || b.Why == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("the consumer is gone from the bus and no Missed word came: %+v", b)
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+	mu.Lock()
+	missed := 0
+	for _, b := range beats {
+		if b.Missed {
+			missed++
+		}
+	}
+	mu.Unlock()
+	for n := 0; n < 3; n++ { // three more intervals pass, counted by the loop's own tick
+		select {
+		case <-ticks:
+		case <-time.After(10 * time.Second):
+			t.Fatal("the heartbeat loop handled no more intervals")
+		}
+	}
+	mu.Lock()
+	defer mu.Unlock()
+	after := 0
+	for _, b := range beats {
+		if b.Missed {
+			after++
+		}
+	}
+	if unaskedBeats.Load() != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("a consume with no heartbeat asked said %d words", unaskedBeats.Load())
+	}
+	if after != missed || missed != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("Missed is said once, not at every beat: %d then %d", missed, after)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/bus/export_test.go b/node-tools/internal/bus/export_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..92420cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node-tools/internal/bus/export_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+package bus
+
+// SetTickHook makes the next consumes call f after each idle heartbeat interval was handled; the restore puts it back.
+func SetTickHook(f func()) (restore func()) {
+	old := tickHook
+	tickHook = f
+	return func() { tickHook = old }
+}
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/bus/per_node.go b/node-tools/internal/bus/per_node.go
index ba64d35..dae0580 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/bus/per_node.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/bus/per_node.go
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ func (c *Conn) perNodeGet(s StateIssued, key string) (*StateEntry, error) {
 	if err != nil || e == nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	return &StateEntry{Key: e.Key(), Value: valueOf(e.Value()), Revision: e.Revision()}, nil
+	return &StateEntry{Key: e.Key(), Value: valueOf(e.Value()), Revision: e.Revision(), At: e.Created().UTC()}, nil
 }
 
 func (c *Conn) perNodeKeys(s StateIssued) ([]string, error) {
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/bus/seat.go b/node-tools/internal/bus/seat.go
index 5a84212..1ef7fc1 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/bus/seat.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/bus/seat.go
@@ -370,7 +370,13 @@ func (c *Conn) SeatRecord(module, bucket, key string) (*StateEntry, error) {
 	}
 	var revision uint64
 	fmt.Sscan(reply.Header.Get("Nats-Sequence"), &revision)
-	return &StateEntry{Key: module + "." + key, Value: valueOf(reply.Data), Revision: revision}, nil
+	var at time.Time
+	if stamp := reply.Header.Get("Nats-Time-Stamp"); stamp != "" {
+		if t, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339Nano, stamp); err == nil {
+			at = t.UTC()
+		}
+	}
+	return &StateEntry{Key: module + "." + key, Value: valueOf(reply.Data), Revision: revision, At: at}, nil
 }
 
 // StateCreate writes one key only when it has no value, and answers its revision; a key that has one is
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/bus/seat_test.go b/node-tools/internal/bus/seat_test.go
index fe49a19..c8dbd0e 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/bus/seat_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/bus/seat_test.go
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ func TestAModuleSubmitsAndSaysOnlyUnderItsOwnNameAndKind(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("an asker could not ask under its own name: %v", err)
 	}
 	for module, subject := range map[string]string{
-		"mesh-delivery": "mesh.seat.operator-channel.accept.ask.mesh-placement",
+		"mesh-delivery": "mesh.seat.operator-channel.accept.ask.mesh-module-assigner",
 		"telegram":      "mesh.seat.intake.event.choice.desktop",
 		"messenger":     "mesh.seat.intake.event.choice.telegram",
 	} {
@@ -206,13 +206,16 @@ func TestAnAskerReadsItsOwnRecordAndNoOther(t *testing.T) {
 	if _, err := kv.Put("mesh-delivery.a1", []byte(`{"state":"open"}`)); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if _, err := kv.Put("mesh-placement.a1", []byte(`{"state":"open"}`)); err != nil {
+	if _, err := kv.Put("mesh-module-assigner.a1", []byte(`{"state":"open"}`)); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	got, err := conn.SeatRecord("mesh-delivery", "messenger_asks", "a1")
 	if err != nil || got == nil || string(got.Value) != `{"state":"open"}` {
 		t.Fatalf("the asker could not read its own ask: %v %v", got, err)
 	}
+	if got.At.IsZero() || time.Since(got.At) > time.Minute {
+		t.Errorf("the record does not say when the bus wrote it: at %v", got.At)
+	}
 	if missing, err := conn.SeatRecord("mesh-delivery", "messenger_asks", "a2"); err != nil || missing != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("a missing ask read as %v, %v", missing, err)
 	}
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/bus/state.go b/node-tools/internal/bus/state.go
index 935ddff..c3cade3 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/bus/state.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/bus/state.go
@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ type StateEntry struct {
 	Key      string          `json:"key"`
 	Value    json.RawMessage `json:"value"`
 	Revision uint64          `json:"revision"`
+	// At is when the bus wrote this value (the entry's created time), as stdio.StateEntry.At reads it.
+	At time.Time `json:"at,omitzero"`
 }
 
 // StateChange is one change a watch delivers: a key put, deleted, or expired (its own time to live, or the
@@ -134,7 +136,7 @@ func (c *Conn) StateGet(module, name, key string) (*StateEntry, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	return &StateEntry{Key: e.Key(), Value: valueOf(e.Value()), Revision: e.Revision()}, nil
+	return &StateEntry{Key: e.Key(), Value: valueOf(e.Value()), Revision: e.Revision(), At: e.Created().UTC()}, nil
 }
 
 // StateKept is one value a bucket still keeps for a key: a put, or a delete (a purge reads as one).
@@ -543,7 +545,7 @@ var credentialEndings = []string{"password", "passwd", "secret", "token", "crede
 
 // credentialField is the first field anywhere in a JSON value whose name says it is a credential, or "". The one shape a
 // credential-shaped name may hold is a provider reference, an object of exactly `node` and `module`, both strings: a
-// placement's binding of the provision "secret" to the vault (issue 1126) names who provides it, never its value. Any
+// the assignment's binding of the provision "secret" to the vault (issue 1126) names who provides it, never its value. Any
 // other shape under such a name is refused.
 func credentialField(value json.RawMessage) string {
 	var v any
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/bus/state_pernode_test.go b/node-tools/internal/bus/state_pernode_test.go
index de04809..82baf52 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/bus/state_pernode_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/bus/state_pernode_test.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/bus"
 	mt "github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/meshtest"
@@ -47,7 +48,7 @@ func TestAPerNodeStateIsServedAcrossEveryNodesBucket(t *testing.T) {
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	if e, err := conn.StateGet("mesh-provisioner", "mesh-host.composed", "b.m2.f2"); err != nil || e == nil || e.Key != "b.m2.f2" {
+	if e, err := conn.StateGet("mesh-provisioner", "mesh-host.composed", "b.m2.f2"); err != nil || e == nil || e.Key != "b.m2.f2" || e.At.IsZero() || time.Since(e.At) > time.Minute {
 		t.Fatalf("get from the second node's bucket: %+v, %v", e, err)
 	}
 	if e, err := conn.StateGet("mesh-provisioner", "mesh-host.composed", "q.m.f"); err != nil || e != nil {
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/bus/state_test.go b/node-tools/internal/bus/state_test.go
index 6ce8393..243d017 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/bus/state_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/bus/state_test.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ func TestACredentialNamedFieldIsFoundAnywhereInAValue(t *testing.T) {
 		`{"clientSecret":"s"}`:                                      "clientSecret",
 		`{"maxTokens":4096,"name":"a","generation":3}`:              "",
 		`"just a string"`:                                           "",
-		// Issue 1126: a placement binds the provision "secret" to the vault; only an exact provider reference passes.
+		// Issue 1126: an assignment binds the provision "secret" to the vault; only an exact provider reference passes.
 		`{"bindings":{"secret":{"node":"anchor","module":"mesh-vault"}}}`: "",
 		`{"secret":{"value":"s"}}`:                                       "secret",
 		`{"secret":{"node":"anchor","module":"mesh-vault","value":"s"}}`: "secret",
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/bus/state_watch_test.go b/node-tools/internal/bus/state_watch_test.go
index cb69445..42b16da 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/bus/state_watch_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/bus/state_watch_test.go
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ func TestAWatchHoldsWhileItsCurrentValuesKeepArriving(t *testing.T) {
 	for i := 0; i < older; i++ {
 		keys = append(keys, fmt.Sprintf("novox/mesh-catalog.%d.%040x.status=mesh/check", 400+i, i))
 	}
-	for _, member := range []string{"novox/mesh-sdk.76.34f210e5", "novox/mesh-placement.453.c06f75d0", "novox/mesh-delivery.33.28ee22ef"} {
+	for _, member := range []string{"novox/mesh-sdk.76.34f210e5", "novox/mesh-module-assigner.453.c06f75d0", "novox/mesh-delivery.33.28ee22ef"} {
 		keys = append(keys, member+strings.Repeat("0", 32)+".status=mesh/check")
 	}
 	for _, k := range keys {
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ func TestAMembershipTheGrantsPartWroteWrappedIsServed(t *testing.T) {
 	if _, err := conn.StatePut("gitea", "repos", "novox.hq", []byte(`{"v":1}`)); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("the state the membership issues is refused: %v", err)
 	}
-	if e, err := conn.StateGet("gitea", "repos", "novox.hq"); err != nil || e == nil || string(e.Value) != `{"v":1}` {
+	if e, err := conn.StateGet("gitea", "repos", "novox.hq"); err != nil || e == nil || string(e.Value) != `{"v":1}` || e.At.IsZero() || time.Since(e.At) > time.Minute {
 		t.Errorf("the state reads back %+v, %v", e, err)
 	}
 	conn.Follow("pages")
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/address.go b/node-tools/internal/console/address.go
index e3f8aaf..7b884dd 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/console/address.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/address.go
@@ -17,8 +17,10 @@ package console
 // session — so a tool that arrived a minute ago is found without the client reconnecting.
 
 import (
+	assigner "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/clients/meshmoduleassignerclient"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/seats/meshmoduleassigner"
+	meshcatalogclient "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/contracts/go/clients/meshcatalogclient"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
@@ -30,6 +32,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/announce"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/bus"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/firstview"
 )
 
 // IndexKept is how long what the mesh answered is kept before it is asked again: long enough that
@@ -38,19 +41,21 @@ var IndexKept = 5 * time.Second
 
 // The seven tools the console announces. Names of the API's kind — letters, digits, `_`, `-`.
 const (
-	verbOverview = "mesh_overview"
-	verbMachine  = "mesh_machine"
-	verbSearch   = "mesh_search"
-	verbDescribe = "mesh_describe"
-	verbCall     = "mesh_call"
-	verbRuntimes = "mesh_runtimes"
-	verbWait     = "mesh_wait"
+	verbOverview   = "mesh_overview"
+	verbMachine    = "mesh_machine"
+	verbSearch     = "mesh_search"
+	verbDescribe   = "mesh_describe"
+	verbCall       = "mesh_call"
+	verbRuntimes   = "mesh_runtimes"
+	verbFirstViews = "mesh_first_views"
+	verbFirstAgain = "mesh_first_view_again"
+	verbWait       = "mesh_wait"
 )
 
 // searchCap is how many matches a search answers before it says how many more there were.
 const searchCap = 25
 
-const grammar = "Addresses: `<seat>.<verb>` for a seat held once for the mesh (e.g. `mesh-placement.placement`); " +
+const grammar = "Addresses: `<seat>.<verb>` for a seat held once for the mesh (e.g. `mesh-module-assigner.assignments`); " +
 	"`<node>/<seat>.<verb>` for a seat every machine holds (e.g. `ace/node-packet-filter.rules`); " +
 	"`<node>/<module>.<tool>` for a module on one machine (e.g. `novox/postgres.postgres_list_databases`); " +
 	"and `<module>.<tool>` also for a module whose instances are interchangeable."
@@ -89,13 +94,22 @@ func discovery() []map[string]any {
 				"arrive, its size in bytes, how many modules and tools it announced, whether it was shortened to fit the " +
 				"bus, and when it was last heard — and every runtime or machine expected that was not heard. Read-only; " +
 				"for when an address is said to be missing or on another machine."},
+		{"name": verbFirstViews, "inputSchema": obj(map[string]any{}),
+			"description": "The tool runner's first views of the four states it reads of the indexer and the assigner (the " +
+				"assigner's assignments and seat-holders, the indexer's manifests and modules): for each, the owner, the tool " +
+				"asked, the revision held and when it was made, how many keys, when it was asked and answered, how often " +
+				"it was asked and how often by hand, whether its condition is raised, and why it was last asked. Read-only."},
+		{"name": verbFirstAgain, "inputSchema": obj(map[string]any{
+			"why": map[string]any{"type": "string", "description": "why it is asked again, kept in the log"},
+		}), "description": "Ask the tool runner's four first views again, now, and say what each answers. A hand act, recorded in " +
+			"the runner's log with its reason; for when a picture is doubted, or after an owner's state was made again."},
 		waitTool(),
 	}
 }
 
 func isDiscovery(name string) bool {
 	switch name {
-	case verbOverview, verbMachine, verbSearch, verbDescribe, verbCall, verbRuntimes, verbWait:
+	case verbOverview, verbMachine, verbSearch, verbDescribe, verbCall, verbRuntimes, verbFirstViews, verbFirstAgain, verbWait:
 		return true
 	}
 	return false
@@ -131,14 +145,14 @@ type index struct {
 	NotAnswering []string
 	Listing      *Listing // the flat catalogue the call path resolves subjects with
 	Discovery    announce.Discovery
-	// Recorded is where placement places each module that declares tools.
+	// Recorded is where the assigner places each module that declares tools.
 	Recorded map[string][]string
 	// Unheard is every runtime whose answer this index lacks: it said it was there and did not say
 	// what it serves in time, or it answered before and not now. An address it might answer is never
 	// called missing while it is here (2026-10-05).
 	Unheard []unheard
-	// Placed is the state seat-holders as the seat mesh-placement's holder wrote it (novox/hq ADR 0571 clause 4), by its
-	// keys `<seat>` and `<seat>.<node>`, read with delivery.HoldersOf; PlacedWhy says why it could not be read.
+	// Placed is the state seat-holders as the seat mesh-module-assigner's holder wrote it (novox/hq ADR 0571 clause 4), by its
+	// keys `<seat>` and `<seat>.<node>`, read with assigner.HoldersOf; PlacedWhy says why it could not be read.
 	Placed    map[string][]byte
 	PlacedWhy string
 	// Replaces is what each verb and tool replaces (novox/hq ADR 0245):
@@ -231,7 +245,7 @@ func findTool(tools []Tool, name string) *Tool {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// recordedModule is a module as the bus holds it: where the placement seat places it, and whether its manifest declares
+// recordedModule is a module as the bus holds it: where the assigner seat places it, and whether its manifest declares
 // tools — what should announce itself, and where (novox/hq ADR 0571).
 type recordedModule struct {
 	Module string   `json:"module"`
@@ -248,7 +262,7 @@ type recordedModule struct {
 // `held` is what the console holds already, so an instance whose announcement is unchanged is not
 // asked for it again; `before` is the last answer of every runtime this round did not hear, which the
 // index holds instead, marked with its age (novox/hq issue 554).
-func indexOn(conn *bus.Conn, held announce.Known, before func(announce.Discovery) []earlier) (*index, error) {
+func indexOn(conn *bus.Conn, src Source, held announce.Known, before func(announce.Discovery) []earlier) (*index, error) {
 	var wg sync.WaitGroup
 	var placed map[string][]byte
 	var placedErr error
@@ -257,10 +271,10 @@ func indexOn(conn *bus.Conn, held announce.Known, before func(announce.Discovery
 	var recordsWhy []string
 	wg.Add(2)
 	// Which modules there are and where they are placed, and which machines the mesh has, from the bus (ADR 0571
-	// clauses 4 and 5): the indexer's modules and manifests and the placement seat's placements, never any other record.
-	go func() { defer wg.Done(); recorded, known, recordsWhy = recordsOn(conn) }()
-	// Who holds which seat on which node, from placement (ADR 0571 clause 4): no other call.
-	go func() { defer wg.Done(); placed, placedErr = seatHoldersOn(conn) }()
+	// clauses 4 and 5): the indexer's modules and manifests and the assigner seat's assignments, never any other record.
+	go func() { defer wg.Done(); recorded, known, recordsWhy = recordsOn(src) }()
+	// Who holds which seat on which node, from the assigner (ADR 0571 clause 4): no other call.
+	go func() { defer wg.Done(); placed, placedErr = seatHoldersOn(src) }()
 	d, err := announce.Gather(conn, held)
 	wg.Wait()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -310,7 +324,7 @@ func indexOn(conn *bus.Conn, held announce.Known, before func(announce.Discovery
 
 	// What should have answered: every assignment of a module that declares tools. Silence is named;
 	// a module with no tools is never a name here.
-	x.Replaces = replacesOf(catalogue.DefaultSeats(), recorded)
+	x.Replaces = replacesOf(catalogue.Seats(), recorded)
 	for _, m := range recorded {
 		if !m.Tools {
 			continue
@@ -326,7 +340,7 @@ func indexOn(conn *bus.Conn, held announce.Known, before func(announce.Discovery
 	}
 	l.NotAnswering = append(l.NotAnswering, recordsWhy...)
 	if x.PlacedWhy != "" {
-		l.NotAnswering = append(l.NotAnswering, delivery.SeatHoldersRead+" (who holds which seat by placement could not be read: "+
+		l.NotAnswering = append(l.NotAnswering, firstview.SeatHoldersRead+" (who holds which seat by assignment could not be read: "+
 			x.PlacedWhy+")")
 	}
 	for _, u := range x.Unheard {
@@ -345,37 +359,26 @@ func indexOn(conn *bus.Conn, held announce.Known, before func(announce.Discovery
 	return x, nil
 }
 
-// stateOn reads a state the runtime's membership reads, whole: its current values by key, a deleted key absent.
-func stateOn(conn *bus.Conn, name string) (map[string][]byte, error) {
-	var mu sync.Mutex
-	keys := map[string][]byte{}
-	stop, err := conn.StateWatch(conn.Credential().Module, name, "", func(c bus.StateChange) error {
-		if c.Current && c.Op == "put" {
-			mu.Lock()
-			keys[c.Key] = c.Value
-			mu.Unlock()
-		}
-		return nil
-	})
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	stop()
-	mu.Lock()
-	defer mu.Unlock()
-	return keys, nil
+// Source is where the console reads the four states of the indexer and the assigner it indexes the mesh by: the assigner's
+// assignments and seat-holders, the indexer's modules and manifests, by `<owner>.<state>` (firstview.AssignmentsRead and the
+// rest). The tool runner's is its first views (firstview.Views), never the owners' state (novox/hq ADR 0615 §1).
+type Source interface {
+	// State is every current value of a state by key; an error says why it cannot be told yet.
+	State(name string) (map[string][]byte, error)
+	// Entry is one value of a state, nil when it holds none.
+	Entry(name, key string) ([]byte, error)
 }
 
-// seatHoldersOn reads the state seat-holders whole (novox/hq ADR 0571 clause 4), as delivery.SeatHoldersRead.
-func seatHoldersOn(conn *bus.Conn) (map[string][]byte, error) {
-	return stateOn(conn, delivery.SeatHoldersRead)
+// seatHoldersOn reads the state seat-holders whole (novox/hq ADR 0571 clause 4), as firstview.SeatHoldersRead.
+func seatHoldersOn(src Source) (map[string][]byte, error) {
+	return src.State(firstview.SeatHoldersRead)
 }
 
 // The indexer's states the console reads (novox/hq ADR 0571 clauses 4 and 5): every module, and each manifest by its
 // digest, by the names a reader's manifest declares.
 var (
-	modulesRead   = delivery.IndexerModule + ".modules"
-	manifestsRead = delivery.IndexerModule + ".manifests"
+	modulesRead   = firstview.ModulesRead
+	manifestsRead = firstview.ManifestsRead
 )
 
 // manifestFacts is what the console takes of a manifest: the tools it declares and what each replaces. A manifest's
@@ -387,39 +390,39 @@ type manifestFacts struct {
 
 var manifestsKept sync.Map // digest → manifestFacts
 
-// recordsOn is every module the indexer holds, with where the placement seat places it and whether it declares tools,
-// and every machine placement names (delivery.ModuleNames, delivery.MachineNames). What cannot be read is said, one line
+// recordsOn is every module the indexer holds, with where the assigner seat places it and whether it declares tools,
+// and every machine the assignments name (moduleNames, assigner.MachineNames). What cannot be read is said, one line
 // per state, for the listing's not answering.
-func recordsOn(conn *bus.Conn) (recorded []recordedModule, machines []string, why []string) {
-	placements, err := stateOn(conn, delivery.PlacementRead)
+func recordsOn(src Source) (recorded []recordedModule, machines []string, why []string) {
+	held, err := src.State(firstview.AssignmentsRead)
 	if err != nil {
-		why = append(why, delivery.PlacementRead+" (where modules are placed could not be read, so what is missing cannot "+
+		why = append(why, firstview.AssignmentsRead+" (where modules are placed could not be read, so what is missing cannot "+
 			"be said: "+err.Error()+")")
 	}
-	machines = delivery.MachineNames(placements)
+	machines = assigner.MachineNames(held)
 	on := map[string][]string{}
-	// The placement's keys in either form, a node key and its module keys or the form before (research 072 row 37).
-	assembled, err := delivery.PlacementsOf(placements)
+	// The assignments' keys in either form, a node key and its module keys or the form before (research 072 row 37).
+	assembled, err := assigner.AssignmentsOf(held)
 	if err != nil {
-		why = append(why, delivery.PlacementRead+" (not every key is a placement: "+err.Error()+")")
+		why = append(why, firstview.AssignmentsRead+" (not every key is an assignment: "+err.Error()+")")
 	}
 	for _, node := range machines {
 		for _, m := range assembled[node].Modules {
 			on[m.Module] = append(on[m.Module], node)
 		}
 	}
-	modules, err := stateOn(conn, modulesRead)
+	modules, err := src.State(modulesRead)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, machines, append(why, modulesRead+" (which modules there are could not be read: "+err.Error()+")")
 	}
-	names, err := delivery.ModuleNames(modules)
+	names, err := moduleNames(modules)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, machines, append(why, modulesRead+" ("+err.Error()+")")
 	}
 	for _, name := range names {
 		r := recordedModule{Module: name, On: on[name]}
-		if m, err := delivery.DecodeModule(modules[name]); err == nil && m.Manifest != "" {
-			facts, err := manifestOf(conn, m.Manifest)
+		if m, err := meshcatalogclient.DecodeModule(modules[name]); err == nil && m.Manifest != "" {
+			facts, err := manifestOf(src, m.Manifest)
 			if err != nil {
 				why = append(why, name+" (its manifest could not be read, so whether it answers tools is not known: "+err.Error()+")")
 			} else {
@@ -431,44 +434,59 @@ func recordsOn(conn *bus.Conn) (recorded []recordedModule, machines []string, wh
 	return recorded, machines, why
 }
 
+// moduleNames is every module the indexer holds, sorted, from its state `modules` as a reader holds its keys (key to
+// value; a deleted key absent). A key that is not a module's is refused, naming it.
+func moduleNames(keys map[string][]byte) ([]string, error) {
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(keys))
+	for k := range keys {
+		module, err := meshcatalogclient.ParseModulesKey(k)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		out = append(out, module)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return out, nil
+}
+
 // manifestOf is what the console takes of the manifest of a digest, read from the indexer's manifests once.
-func manifestOf(conn *bus.Conn, digest string) (manifestFacts, error) {
+func manifestOf(src Source, digest string) (manifestFacts, error) {
 	if kept, ok := manifestsKept.Load(digest); ok {
 		return kept.(manifestFacts), nil
 	}
-	entry, err := conn.StateGet(conn.Credential().Module, manifestsRead, digest)
+	entry, err := src.Entry(manifestsRead, digest)
 	if err != nil {
 		return manifestFacts{}, err
 	}
 	if entry == nil {
 		return manifestFacts{}, fmt.Errorf("the indexer holds no manifest %s", digest)
 	}
-	m, err := delivery.DecodeManifest(entry.Value)
+	m, err := meshcatalogclient.DecodeManifest(entry)
 	if err != nil {
 		return manifestFacts{}, err
 	}
 	var facts manifestFacts
-	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(m.JSON), &facts); err != nil {
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(m.Manifest), &facts); err != nil {
 		return manifestFacts{}, err
 	}
 	manifestsKept.Store(digest, facts)
 	return facts, nil
 }
 
-// placedHolders is who holds seat (on node, for a seat held per machine) by placement, or none.
-func (x *index) placedHolders(seat, node string) []delivery.SeatHolder {
+// placedHolders is who holds seat (on node, for a seat held per machine) by assignment, or none.
+func (x *index) placedHolders(seat, node string) []meshmoduleassigner.SeatHoldersHoldersItem {
 	if len(x.Placed) == 0 {
 		return nil
 	}
-	hs, err := delivery.HoldersOf(x.Placed, seat, node)
+	hs, err := assigner.HoldersOf(x.Placed, seat, node)
 	if err != nil || len(hs) > 0 || node != "" {
 		return hs
 	}
 	// A seat held per machine, asked without one: every node's key of it.
-	var all []delivery.SeatHolder
+	var all []meshmoduleassigner.SeatHoldersHoldersItem
 	for key := range x.Placed {
 		if s, n, ok := strings.Cut(key, "."); ok && s == seat {
-			if more, err := delivery.HoldersOf(x.Placed, seat, n); err == nil {
+			if more, err := assigner.HoldersOf(x.Placed, seat, n); err == nil {
 				all = append(all, more...)
 			}
 		}
@@ -501,7 +519,7 @@ func (s *Surface) indexAsked(fresh bool) (*index, error) {
 		return x, nil
 	}
 	s.mu.Unlock()
-	x, err := indexOn(s.conn, s.held, s.before)
+	x, err := indexOn(s.conn, s.src, s.held, s.before)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -707,7 +725,7 @@ func resolve(x *index, address string) (target, error) {
 			for _, h := range hs {
 				held = append(held, h.Module+" on "+h.Node)
 			}
-			return target{}, fmt.Errorf("the seat %s is held by %s by placement, but no holder of it announced itself on the bus. "+
+			return target{}, fmt.Errorf("the seat %s is held by %s by assignment, but no holder of it announced itself on the bus. "+
 				"Ask again in a moment; mesh_runtimes shows which runtimes answered", prefix, strings.Join(held, ", "))
 		}
 		if len(x.Unheard) > 0 {
@@ -926,6 +944,9 @@ func (s *Surface) discover(ctx context.Context, name string, args map[string]any
 	if name == verbRuntimes {
 		return s.runtimesAnswer()
 	}
+	if name == verbFirstViews || name == verbFirstAgain {
+		return s.firstViewsAnswer(ctx, name, args)
+	}
 	if name == verbWait {
 		return s.waitAnswer(ctx, args)
 	}
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/address_test.go b/node-tools/internal/console/address_test.go
index fec01f4..d27fb1d 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/console/address_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/address_test.go
@@ -71,19 +71,19 @@ func TestTheMeshsToolsAreFoundByAddress(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// The controller: its own seat's verbs announced on the bus like every runtime's; its records are asked by no one.
-	controller := connect(t, "mesh-placement", "bench")
+	controller := connect(t, "mesh-module-assigner", "bench")
 	// Its verb nodes, called through the console as any seat's verb is.
-	stopNodes, err := controller.HandleSubject("mesh.seat.mesh-placement.tool.nodes", func(json.RawMessage) (any, error) {
+	stopNodes, err := controller.HandleSubject("mesh.seat.mesh-module-assigner.tool.nodes", func(json.RawMessage) (any, error) {
 		return map[string]any{"ok": true, "output": `[{"name":"bench","mode":"converged"},{"name":"desk","mode":"converged"}]`}, nil
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	t.Cleanup(stopNodes)
-	// What the mesh holds, as the indexer and placement write it (ADR 0571 clauses 4, 5): never the controller's records.
+	// What the mesh holds, as the indexer and the assigner write it (ADR 0571 clauses 4, 5): never the controller's records.
 	tools := map[string][]string{"alpha": {"one", "two"}, "beta": {"three"}, "gamma": {"given"}, "delta": nil,
-		"epsilon": {"seven"}, "mesh-placement": {"nodes"}}
-	mesh.Placed(t, tools, map[string][]string{"desk": {"alpha", "beta", "delta"}, "bench": {"epsilon", "mesh-placement"}})
+		"epsilon": {"seven"}, "mesh-module-assigner": {"nodes"}}
+	mesh.Placed(t, tools, map[string][]string{"desk": {"alpha", "beta", "delta"}, "bench": {"epsilon", "mesh-module-assigner"}})
 	console := mt.MembershipOf("node-tools", "desk", false, nil)
 	console.State = mt.ConsoleReads()
 	mesh.Issue(t, console)
@@ -93,11 +93,11 @@ func TestTheMeshsToolsAreFoundByAddress(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 		return nil
 	})
-	stopAnn, err := announce.Serve(controller, announce.Service{Name: "mesh-placement", ID: "bench"}, func() []announce.Endpoint {
-		return []announce.Endpoint{{Kind: announce.KindSeat, Module: "mesh-placement", Seat: "mesh-placement", Scope: "mesh",
+	stopAnn, err := announce.Serve(controller, announce.Service{Name: "mesh-module-assigner", ID: "bench"}, func() []announce.Endpoint {
+		return []announce.Endpoint{{Kind: announce.KindSeat, Module: "mesh-module-assigner", Seat: "mesh-module-assigner", Scope: "mesh",
 			// As the live controller announces: a mesh seat's holder names no machine.
 			Tool: "nodes", Node: "", Description: "Every machine the mesh knows.", Schema: json.RawMessage(`{}`),
-			Subject: "mesh.seat.mesh-placement.tool.nodes"}}
+			Subject: "mesh.seat.mesh-module-assigner.tool.nodes"}}
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ func TestTheMeshsToolsAreFoundByAddress(t *testing.T) {
 	controller.Flush()
 	watcher.Flush()
 
-	up, err := Serve(NewSurface(nodeTools, "desk.node-tools"), "127.0.0.1:0")
+	up, err := Serve(NewSurface(nodeTools, busSource{nodeTools}, "desk.node-tools"), "127.0.0.1:0")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -125,19 +125,19 @@ func TestTheMeshsToolsAreFoundByAddress(t *testing.T) {
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	if got := strings.Join(names, ","); got != "mesh_overview,mesh_machine,mesh_search,mesh_describe,mesh_call,mesh_runtimes,mesh_wait" {
+	if got := strings.Join(names, ","); got != "mesh_overview,mesh_machine,mesh_search,mesh_describe,mesh_call,mesh_runtimes,mesh_first_views,mesh_first_view_again,mesh_wait" {
 		t.Errorf("announced %s", got)
 	}
 
 	// The overview names the mesh's seats, the machines' seats and the machines.
 	overview, isErr := call(t, endpoint, "mesh_overview", nil)
-	if isErr || !strings.Contains(overview, "mesh-placement.nodes") || !strings.Contains(overview, "<node>/node-shelf.list") ||
+	if isErr || !strings.Contains(overview, "mesh-module-assigner.nodes") || !strings.Contains(overview, "<node>/node-shelf.list") ||
 		!strings.Contains(overview, `"bench"`) || !strings.Contains(overview, `"desk"`) {
 		t.Errorf("overview: %s", overview)
 	}
 	// Silence is named only where tools should have answered: epsilon declares tools on bench and
 	// nothing there announced it; delta declares none and is never a name.
-	if strings.Contains(overview, "mesh-placement on bench") {
+	if strings.Contains(overview, "mesh-module-assigner on bench") {
 		t.Errorf("a mesh seat's holder that announced no machine is called silent on its machine:\n%s", overview)
 	}
 	if !strings.Contains(overview, "epsilon on bench") || strings.Contains(overview, "delta") {
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ func TestTheMeshsToolsAreFoundByAddress(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// A mesh seat, a node seat, an assignment and an interchangeable module, each by address.
-	if got, isErr := call(t, endpoint, "mesh_call", map[string]any{"address": "mesh-placement.nodes"}); isErr || !strings.Contains(got, "converged") {
+	if got, isErr := call(t, endpoint, "mesh_call", map[string]any{"address": "mesh-module-assigner.nodes"}); isErr || !strings.Contains(got, "converged") {
 		t.Errorf("mesh seat: %s", got)
 	}
 	if got, isErr := call(t, endpoint, "mesh_call", map[string]any{"address": "desk/node-shelf.list"}); isErr || !strings.Contains(got, `"a"`) {
@@ -166,11 +166,11 @@ func TestTheMeshsToolsAreFoundByAddress(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Refused, by name, where the address does not say enough or says the wrong thing.
 	for address, want := range map[string]string{
-		"beta.three":                "keeps state on each machine it runs on, so a call names the machine: write <node>/beta.three — it runs on desk",
-		"node-shelf.list":           "held once per machine: write <node>/node-shelf.list — it is held on desk",
-		"desk/mesh-placement.nodes": "held once for the whole mesh",
-		"bench/beta.three":          "beta does not run on bench; it runs on desk",
-		"nonsense":                  "is not an address",
+		"beta.three":                      "keeps state on each machine it runs on, so a call names the machine: write <node>/beta.three — it runs on desk",
+		"node-shelf.list":                 "held once per machine: write <node>/node-shelf.list — it is held on desk",
+		"desk/mesh-module-assigner.nodes": "held once for the whole mesh",
+		"bench/beta.three":                "beta does not run on bench; it runs on desk",
+		"nonsense":                        "is not an address",
 	} {
 		got, isErr := call(t, endpoint, "mesh_call", map[string]any{"address": address})
 		if !isErr || !strings.Contains(got, want) {
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ func TestTheMeshsToolsAreFoundByAddress(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("gamma was found before it served: %s", got)
 	}
 	mesh.Issue(t, mt.MembershipOf("gamma", "desk", false, nil))
-	mesh.Placed(t, tools, map[string][]string{"desk": {"alpha", "beta", "delta", "gamma"}, "bench": {"epsilon", "mesh-placement"}})
+	mesh.Placed(t, tools, map[string][]string{"desk": {"alpha", "beta", "delta", "gamma"}, "bench": {"epsilon", "mesh-module-assigner"}})
 	late := connect(t, "node-tools", "desk")
 	stopLate, err := runtime.Run(late, []runtime.Served{{Module: "gamma", Entrypoints: []string{mt.Fixture("env-gamma.serve.mjs")}}},
 		nil, (&mt.Logs{}).Logf)
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/client.go b/node-tools/internal/console/client.go
index 751731b..dc1ef15 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/console/client.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/client.go
@@ -63,8 +63,8 @@ func toolKey(name string, seats Seats) string {
 
 // toolsOn is the flat catalogue (MESH_CONSOLE_FLAT=1): what announced itself on the bus, every
 // tool and seat verb, and the assignments with tools that did not (novox/hq ADR 0197).
-func toolsOn(conn *bus.Conn) (*Listing, error) {
-	x, err := indexOn(conn, nil, nil)
+func toolsOn(conn *bus.Conn, src Source) (*Listing, error) {
+	x, err := indexOn(conn, src, nil, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/console_test.go b/node-tools/internal/console/console_test.go
index 2ad8e70..174d844 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/console/console_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/console_test.go
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ func TestTheConsoleListsAndCallsOverHTTP(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	defer stop()
 
-	// What the mesh holds, as the indexer and placement write it (ADR 0571): ghost declares tools on desk and nothing
+	// What the mesh holds, as the indexer and the assigner write it (ADR 0571): ghost declares tools on desk and nothing
 	// announces it.
 	mesh.Placed(t, map[string][]string{"alpha": {"one", "two"}, "beta": {"three"}, "ghost": {"boo"}},
 		map[string][]string{"desk": {"alpha", "beta", "ghost"}})
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ func TestTheConsoleListsAndCallsOverHTTP(t *testing.T) {
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	flat := NewSurface(nodeTools, "desk.node-tools")
+	flat := NewSurface(nodeTools, busSource{nodeTools}, "desk.node-tools")
 	flat.Flat = true // the whole catalogue, as before ADR 0195: still reachable, no longer announced
 	up, err := Serve(flat, "127.0.0.1:0")
 	if err != nil {
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ func TestTheConsoleListsAndCallsOverHTTP(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestTheConsoleListensOnLoopbackAndNowhereElse(t *testing.T) {
-	if _, err := Serve(NewSurface(nil, "x"), "0.0.0.0:0"); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "loopback and nowhere else") {
+	if _, err := Serve(NewSurface(nil, nil, "x"), "0.0.0.0:0"); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "loopback and nowhere else") {
 		t.Errorf("a non-loopback console was not refused: %v", err)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/empty_round_test.go b/node-tools/internal/console/empty_round_test.go
index 474dafa..bff7b5b 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/console/empty_round_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/empty_round_test.go
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func TestACallAfterARoundThatHeardNothingUsesWhatWasHeardBefore(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 		return n
 	}
-	surface := NewSurface(console, "laptop.node-tools")
+	surface := NewSurface(console, busSource{console}, "laptop.node-tools")
 	up, err := Serve(surface, "127.0.0.1:0")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/firstviews.go b/node-tools/internal/console/firstviews.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0bb995c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/firstviews.go
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+package console
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"log"
+	"strings"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/views"
+)
+
+// FirstViewer is the tool runner's four first views as the console shows them (novox/hq ADR 0615 §6; issue 1966 TLS-6): a
+// Source that also is one is asked by mesh_first_views and mesh_first_view_again.
+type FirstViewer interface {
+	Status() []views.Status
+	Again(ctx context.Context, why string) []error
+}
+
+// firstViewsAnswer is mesh_first_views and mesh_first_view_again.
+func (s *Surface) firstViewsAnswer(ctx context.Context, name string, args map[string]any) map[string]any {
+	fv, ok := s.src.(FirstViewer)
+	if !ok {
+		return failure("this tool runner holds no first views: it reads the indexer's and the assigner's states through " +
+			"another source")
+	}
+	if name == verbFirstViews {
+		return answerText(map[string]any{"first views": fv.Status()})
+	}
+	why, _ := args["why"].(string)
+	if why = strings.TrimSpace(why); why == "" {
+		why = "asked by hand with no reason given"
+	}
+	// A hand act, recorded through the seat mesh-hand-acts (novox/hq ADR 0615 §6, ADR 0565 §10) before it is done, and in the
+	// runner's log. One that cannot be recorded is said, and the ask is not made.
+	log.Printf("[mesh-tools] hand act: %s asked the four first views again: %s", s.who, why)
+	if err := s.recordAct(map[string]any{"what": "asked the tool runner's four first views again", "why": why,
+		"cause": "first-view-again", "verb": verbFirstAgain}); err != nil {
+		return failure("the hand act was not recorded through mesh-hand-acts, so the first views were not asked again: " + err.Error())
+	}
+	out := map[string]any{"asked again": why, "recorded": "mesh-hand-acts.hand-act"}
+	if errs := fv.Again(ctx, why); len(errs) > 0 {
+		var msgs []string
+		for _, e := range errs {
+			msgs = append(msgs, e.Error())
+		}
+		out["not answered"] = msgs
+	}
+	out["first views"] = fv.Status()
+	return answerText(out)
+}
+
+// recordAct records one act done by hand through the seat mesh-hand-acts (its verb hand-act); Surface.Record replaces the call
+// in a test.
+func (s *Surface) recordAct(args map[string]any) error {
+	if s.Record != nil {
+		return s.Record(args)
+	}
+	if s.conn == nil {
+		return errNoBus
+	}
+	_, err := s.conn.Ask("mesh-hand-acts.hand-act", args, "")
+	return err
+}
+
+var errNoBus = errors.New("no bus connection")
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/firstviews_test.go b/node-tools/internal/console/firstviews_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1af9b3b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/firstviews_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+package console
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/views"
+)
+
+// viewer is a Source that also holds first views.
+type viewer struct {
+	busSource
+	asked []string
+}
+
+func (v *viewer) Status() []views.Status {
+	return []views.Status{{Owner: "mesh-delivery-assigner", Tool: "assignments", State: "assignments", Revision: 4, Asks: 1}}
+}
+
+func (v *viewer) Again(_ context.Context, why string) []error {
+	v.asked = append(v.asked, why)
+	return nil
+}
+
+// issue 1966 TLS-6: the console's mesh_first_views shows each first view, mesh_first_view_again asks them again with its
+// reason, and a source holding none refuses both in words.
+func TestTheConsoleShowsAndAsksAgainTheRunnersFirstViews(t *testing.T) {
+	text := func(r map[string]any) string {
+		c, _ := json.Marshal(r["content"])
+		return string(c)
+	}
+	v := &viewer{}
+	var recorded []map[string]any
+	s := &Surface{src: v, who: "desk.node-tools", Record: func(a map[string]any) error { recorded = append(recorded, a); return nil }}
+	if got := text(s.discover(context.Background(), "mesh_first_views", nil)); !strings.Contains(got, "mesh-delivery-assigner") || !strings.Contains(got, "assignments") {
+		t.Errorf("mesh_first_views shows %s", got)
+	}
+	got := s.discover(context.Background(), "mesh_first_view_again", map[string]any{"why": "doubted"})
+	if len(v.asked) != 1 || v.asked[0] != "doubted" || !strings.Contains(text(got), "asked again") {
+		t.Errorf("mesh_first_view_again asked %v and answered %s", v.asked, text(got))
+	}
+	if len(recorded) != 1 || recorded[0]["why"] != "doubted" || recorded[0]["cause"] != "first-view-again" {
+		t.Errorf("the hand act recorded is %v", recorded)
+	}
+	// An act that cannot be recorded is not done.
+	refusing := &Surface{src: v, who: "desk.node-tools", Record: func(map[string]any) error { return errors.New("no answer") }}
+	if r := refusing.discover(context.Background(), "mesh_first_view_again", map[string]any{"why": "x"}); r["isError"] != true || len(v.asked) != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("an unrecorded hand act was done: %s (asked %v)", text(r), v.asked)
+	}
+	for _, name := range []string{"mesh_first_views", "mesh_first_view_again"} {
+		none := &Surface{src: busSource{}, who: "desk.node-tools"}
+		if r := none.discover(context.Background(), name, nil); r["isError"] != true || !strings.Contains(text(r), "holds no first views") {
+			t.Errorf("%s without first views answers %s", name, text(r))
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/manifest_waits_test.go b/node-tools/internal/console/manifest_waits_test.go
index 3d9386d..3511ec8 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/console/manifest_waits_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/manifest_waits_test.go
@@ -35,7 +35,30 @@ func TestTheManifestNamesTheFirstFamiliesOneByOne(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Errorf("a family named by a wildcard: %s", w)
 		}
 	}
-	if len(m.Consumes) > 0 {
-		t.Errorf("the tool runner consumes %v: a wait is no consumer (ADR 0367 §2)", m.Consumes)
+	// A wait is no consumer (ADR 0367 §2): what it consumes is the four views families of its first views (ADR 0615 §5, issue
+	// 1966 TLS-5) and the two events of the seat that serves the seat list (ADR 0636 §4), and nothing else.
+	wantConsumes := []string{"mesh-catalog.seat-definition-changed", "mesh-catalog.seat-definition-removed", "mesh-delivery-assigner.views.assignments", "mesh-delivery-assigner.views.seat-holders",
+		"mesh-delivery-indexer.views.manifests", "mesh-delivery-indexer.views.modules"}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(m.Consumes, wantConsumes) {
+		t.Errorf("the tool runner consumes %v, want %v", m.Consumes, wantConsumes)
+	}
+}
+
+// issue 1966 TLS-1: the tool runner declares its own secret `ledgers`, each module's ledger credential, in the directory it
+// keeps its broker credential in, which is where the runner reads it (runtime.LedgersFileOf).
+func TestTheManifestDeclaresTheRunnersOwnSecretLedgers(t *testing.T) {
+	raw, err := os.ReadFile("../../module.json")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var m struct {
+		OwnSecrets map[string]string `json:"own-secrets"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &m); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want := map[string]string{"broker": "${dir:mesh-state}/broker", "ledgers": "${dir:mesh-state}/ledgers"}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(m.OwnSecrets, want) {
+		t.Errorf("own secrets %v, want %v", m.OwnSecrets, want)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/mcp.go b/node-tools/internal/console/mcp.go
index 66a196a..1874356 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/console/mcp.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/mcp.go
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ package console
 import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/seats/meshmoduleassigner"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 	"os"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ type RPCError struct {
 // Surface answers MCP requests over one bus connection, as one account.
 type Surface struct {
 	conn  *bus.Conn
+	src   Source
 	who   string
 	mu    sync.Mutex
 	known *Listing
@@ -60,6 +61,8 @@ type Surface struct {
 	// Flat announces the whole catalogue, as the console did before ADR 0195: for a person reading
 	// it or a client that wants it. Off by default; MESH_CONSOLE_FLAT=1 turns it on.
 	Flat bool
+	// Record, when set, records a hand act in place of the seat mesh-hand-acts' verb (a test's).
+	Record func(args map[string]any) error
 }
 
 // MethodSeats is the console's JSON-RPC method beside MCP's that answers every seat's verbs and holders, in the shape
@@ -67,15 +70,15 @@ type Surface struct {
 // [{module, node}]}], holders_why}`.
 const MethodSeats = "mesh/seats"
 
-// seatsAnswer is MethodSeats' answer: mesh-sdk's seat definitions, with each seat's holders by placement.
+// seatsAnswer is MethodSeats' answer: mesh-sdk's seat definitions, with each seat's holders by assignment.
 func (s *Surface) seatsAnswer() map[string]any {
-	placed, err := seatHoldersOn(s.conn)
+	placed, err := seatHoldersOn(s.src)
 	x := &index{Placed: placed}
 	seats := []map[string]any{}
-	for _, st := range catalogue.DefaultSeats() {
+	for _, st := range catalogue.Seats() {
 		holders := x.placedHolders(st.Name, "")
 		if holders == nil {
-			holders = []delivery.SeatHolder{}
+			holders = []meshmoduleassigner.SeatHoldersHoldersItem{}
 		}
 		tools := st.Serves
 		if tools == nil {
@@ -85,14 +88,14 @@ func (s *Surface) seatsAnswer() map[string]any {
 	}
 	out := map[string]any{"seats": seats}
 	if err != nil {
-		out["holders_why"] = "who holds which seat by placement could not be read: " + err.Error()
+		out["holders_why"] = "who holds which seat by assignment could not be read: " + err.Error()
 	}
 	return out
 }
 
 // NewSurface is the surface over a connection, as `who`.
-func NewSurface(conn *bus.Conn, who string) *Surface {
-	return &Surface{conn: conn, who: who, Flat: os.Getenv("MESH_CONSOLE_FLAT") == "1"}
+func NewSurface(conn *bus.Conn, src Source, who string) *Surface {
+	return &Surface{conn: conn, src: src, who: who, Flat: os.Getenv("MESH_CONSOLE_FLAT") == "1"}
 }
 
 func (s *Surface) listing() (*Listing, error) {
@@ -103,7 +106,7 @@ func (s *Surface) listing() (*Listing, error) {
 		return l, nil
 	}
 	s.mu.Unlock()
-	l, err := toolsOn(s.conn)
+	l, err := toolsOn(s.conn, s.src)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -157,7 +160,7 @@ func (s *Surface) HandleContext(ctx context.Context, r Request) *Reply {
 		return answer(r.ID, map[string]any{})
 	case MethodSeats:
 		// The seats' contract and who holds each, for a client on this machine that has no seat definitions of its own
-		// (the TypeScript `mesh`): read in-process from mesh-sdk and from placement, never asked of anything else
+		// (the TypeScript `mesh`): read in-process from mesh-sdk and from the assigner, never asked of anything else
 		// (novox/hq ADR 0571 clauses 4 and 5).
 		return answer(r.ID, s.seatsAnswer())
 	case "tools/list":
@@ -338,7 +341,7 @@ func (s *Surface) instructions() string {
 			"that serves it; what may be called was fixed when this account was issued, so a " +
 			"refusal means the account, not the tool. The list is what the running modules " +
 			"answered, plus every role's tools from the mesh's records — the mesh's own verbs " +
-			"(mesh-delivery.deliveries, mesh-placement.propose …) among them; a module that did not answer " +
+			"(mesh-delivery.deliveries, mesh-module-assigner.propose …) among them; a module that did not answer " +
 			"is named in the list's _meta and can still be called by <module>.<tool>."
 	}
 	return "The tools of a Novox mesh, reached as " + s.who + ", found by address rather than listed " +
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/node_argument_test.go b/node-tools/internal/console/node_argument_test.go
index 2f00e51..0ea14b1 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/console/node_argument_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/node_argument_test.go
@@ -11,9 +11,9 @@ import (
 // 2026-10-05 the controller's push was described as taking nothing, and a push naming one machine
 // ran as a push of every machine behind.
 func TestAMeshSeatsNodeIsItsOwnArgument(t *testing.T) {
-	push := Tool{Module: "mesh-placement", Name: "push", Seat: true, Scope: "mesh",
+	push := Tool{Module: "mesh-module-assigner", Name: "push", Seat: true, Scope: "mesh",
 		Input: json.RawMessage(`{"type":"object","properties":{"node":{"type":"string"},"behind":{"type":"string"}}}`)}
-	mesh := target{Address: "mesh-placement.push", Tool: push, Seat: true}
+	mesh := target{Address: "mesh-module-assigner.push", Tool: push, Seat: true}
 
 	props := schemaAsPassed(mesh)["properties"].(map[string]any)
 	if _, has := props["node"]; !has {
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/refusal_test.go b/node-tools/internal/console/refusal_test.go
index 288cb12..68e350c 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/console/refusal_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/refusal_test.go
@@ -40,5 +40,11 @@ func TestATimeoutIsNotAFailure(t *testing.T) {
 		if strings.Contains(text, "controller") {
 			t.Errorf("%s names the controller: %s", name, text)
 		}
+		// The seats were renamed (ADR 0634 §9): no hint names the seat that placed modules or enrolled a machine by its old name.
+		for _, old := range []string{"mesh-placement", "mesh-enrolment"} {
+			if strings.Contains(text, old) {
+				t.Errorf("%s names the seat %s, which is now mesh-module-assigner or mesh-node-enroller: %s", name, old, text)
+			}
+		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/runtimes_test.go b/node-tools/internal/console/runtimes_test.go
index 5287279..eb466e1 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/console/runtimes_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/runtimes_test.go
@@ -8,11 +8,13 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+	assigner "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/clients/meshmoduleassignerclient"
+	seatassigner "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/seats/meshmoduleassigner"
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/micro"
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/announce"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/bus"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/meshtest"
 	mt "github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/meshtest"
 )
 
@@ -56,18 +58,20 @@ func TestARuntimeThatAnswersLateIsFoundAndOneThatNeverDoesIsNamed(t *testing.T)
 	IndexKept, announce.Patience = time.Minute, 2500*time.Millisecond
 	t.Cleanup(func() { IndexKept, announce.Patience = keptWas, patienceWas })
 	mesh := mt.New(t)
-	// What the mesh holds, as the indexer and placement write it (ADR 0571): never the controller's records.
+	// What the mesh holds, as the indexer and the assigner write it (ADR 0571): never the controller's records.
 	mesh.Placed(t, map[string][]string{"slack": {"slack_check"}, "nap": {"doze"}, "nextcloud-client": {"nextcloud_check"}},
 		map[string][]string{"laptop": {"slack", "nextcloud-client"}, "sleeper": {"nap", "nextcloud-client"},
 			"desktop": {"nextcloud-client"}, "bench": nil})
-	// Who holds which seat, by placement (ADR 0571 clause 4), as the seat mesh-placement's holder composes it.
-	placedKV := mesh.Bucket(t, delivery.SeatHoldersBucket)
-	for key, sh := range delivery.SeatHoldersOf(map[string]delivery.Placement{"bench": {Node: "bench",
-		Holds: []delivery.Holding{{Claim: "mesh-wants", Scope: "mesh", Module: "mesh-delivery-assigner"}}}}) {
-		raw, _ := json.Marshal(sh)
-		if _, err := placedKV.Put(key, raw); err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
+	// Who holds which seat, by assignment (ADR 0571 clause 4), as the seat mesh-module-assigner's holder composes it.
+	placedKV := mesh.Bucket(t, meshtest.SeatHoldersBucket)
+	holdersKey, err := assigner.SeatHoldersKey("mesh-wants", "")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	raw, _ := json.Marshal(seatassigner.SeatHolders{V: assigner.Version, Seat: "mesh-wants", Scope: "mesh",
+		Holders: []seatassigner.SeatHoldersHoldersItem{{Module: "mesh-delivery-assigner", Node: "bench"}}})
+	if _, err := placedKV.Put(holdersKey, raw); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	consoleMembership := mt.MembershipOf("node-tools", "laptop-console", false, nil)
 	consoleMembership.State = mt.ConsoleReads()
@@ -95,7 +99,7 @@ func TestARuntimeThatAnswersLateIsFoundAndOneThatNeverDoesIsNamed(t *testing.T)
 			Subject: "mesh.mod.nextcloud-client.tool.nextcloud_check.desktop"},
 	})
 
-	controller := connect(t, "mesh-placement", "bench")
+	controller := connect(t, "mesh-module-assigner", "bench")
 	var toolsAsked atomic.Int32
 	for verb, output := range map[string]string{
 		// The controller's records are served here only to see that none is asked (ADR 0571 clauses 4 and 5).
@@ -104,7 +108,7 @@ func TestARuntimeThatAnswersLateIsFoundAndOneThatNeverDoesIsNamed(t *testing.T)
 		"tools":   `{"seats":[]}`,
 	} {
 		output, verb := output, verb
-		stop, err := controller.HandleSubject("mesh.seat.mesh-placement.tool."+verb, func(json.RawMessage) (any, error) {
+		stop, err := controller.HandleSubject("mesh.seat.mesh-module-assigner.tool."+verb, func(json.RawMessage) (any, error) {
 			toolsAsked.Add(1)
 			return map[string]any{"output": output, "ok": true}, nil
 		})
@@ -123,7 +127,7 @@ func TestARuntimeThatAnswersLateIsFoundAndOneThatNeverDoesIsNamed(t *testing.T)
 		}
 		return nil
 	})
-	up, err := Serve(NewSurface(console, "laptop.node-tools"), "127.0.0.1:0")
+	up, err := Serve(NewSurface(console, busSource{console}, "laptop.node-tools"), "127.0.0.1:0")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -154,8 +158,8 @@ func TestARuntimeThatAnswersLateIsFoundAndOneThatNeverDoesIsNamed(t *testing.T)
 
 	// The silent one is named, never called missing.
 	for address, want := range map[string]string{
-		// A seat whose holder announced nothing is named with its holder by placement, never called missing.
-		"mesh-wants.read":                          "the seat mesh-wants is held by mesh-delivery-assigner on bench by placement",
+		// A seat whose holder announced nothing is named with its holder by assignment, never called missing.
+		"mesh-wants.read":                          "the seat mesh-wants is held by mesh-delivery-assigner on bench by assignment",
 		"sleeper/nap.doze":                         "nap is assigned to sleeper in the mesh's records, but nothing that answered discovery serves it: discovery did not hear in full from node-tools on sleeper (it answered PING",
 		"sleeper/nextcloud-client.nextcloud_check": "nextcloud-client on sleeper did not answer discovery: discovery did not hear in full from node-tools on sleeper",
 	} {
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/search_test.go b/node-tools/internal/console/search_test.go
index c624a07..247be24 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/console/search_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/search_test.go
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ func meshToSearch(t *testing.T) *index {
 		"node":  "What one machine reported it can do, what it is assigned, and why.",
 		"nodes": "Every machine the mesh knows, with whether it is converged or adopted.",
 	} {
-		endpoints = append(endpoints, announce.Endpoint{Kind: announce.KindSeat, Module: "mesh-placement", Seat: "mesh-placement",
-			Tool: verb, Scope: "mesh", Description: does, Subject: "mesh.seat.mesh-placement.tool." + verb})
+		endpoints = append(endpoints, announce.Endpoint{Kind: announce.KindSeat, Module: "mesh-module-assigner", Seat: "mesh-module-assigner",
+			Tool: verb, Scope: "mesh", Description: does, Subject: "mesh.seat.mesh-module-assigner.tool." + verb})
 	}
 	for tool, does := range map[string]string{
 		"docker_list":            "Every container on this machine: name, image, state, ports.",
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func meshToSearch(t *testing.T) *index {
 			Description: does, Subject: "mesh.mod.docker.tool." + tool + ".anchor"})
 	}
 	x, _, _ := indexOfEndpoints(endpoints)
-	x.Replaces = replacesOf(catalogue.DefaultSeats(), []recordedModule{{Module: "docker", On: []string{"anchor"}, Tools: true,
+	x.Replaces = replacesOf(catalogue.Seats(), []recordedModule{{Module: "docker", On: []string{"anchor"}, Tools: true,
 		Replaces: map[string][]string{"docker_list": {"docker ps"}, "docker_logs": {"docker logs"}, "docker_restart": {"docker restart"}}}})
 	return x
 }
@@ -56,21 +56,21 @@ func meshToSearch(t *testing.T) *index {
 func TestSearchFindsTheToolThatReplacesACommandFirst(t *testing.T) {
 	x := meshToSearch(t)
 	for query, want := range map[string]string{
-		"journalctl":                         "anchor/node-service-manager.journal",
-		"journalctl -u mesh-placement -n 50": "anchor/node-service-manager.journal",
-		"sudo journalctl -fu sshd":           "anchor/node-service-manager.journal",
-		"/usr/bin/journalctl":                "anchor/node-service-manager.journal",
-		"logs":                               "anchor/node-service-manager.journal",
-		"systemctl status":                   "anchor/node-service-manager.status",
-		"systemctl status nats.service":      "anchor/node-service-manager.status",
-		"systemctl restart mesh-placement":   "anchor/node-service-manager.restart",
-		"systemctl --failed":                 "anchor/node-service-manager.failed",
-		"docker ps":                          "anchor/docker.docker_list",
-		"docker ps -a":                       "anchor/docker.docker_list",
-		"docker logs":                        "anchor/docker.docker_logs",
-		"docker logs --tail 100 nats":        "anchor/docker.docker_logs",
-		"docker restart nats":                "anchor/docker.docker_restart",
-		"container logs":                     "anchor/docker.docker_logs",
+		"journalctl": "anchor/node-service-manager.journal",
+		"journalctl -u mesh-module-assigner -n 50": "anchor/node-service-manager.journal",
+		"sudo journalctl -fu sshd":                 "anchor/node-service-manager.journal",
+		"/usr/bin/journalctl":                      "anchor/node-service-manager.journal",
+		"logs":                                     "anchor/node-service-manager.journal",
+		"systemctl status":                         "anchor/node-service-manager.status",
+		"systemctl status nats.service":            "anchor/node-service-manager.status",
+		"systemctl restart mesh-module-assigner":   "anchor/node-service-manager.restart",
+		"systemctl --failed":                       "anchor/node-service-manager.failed",
+		"docker ps":                                "anchor/docker.docker_list",
+		"docker ps -a":                             "anchor/docker.docker_list",
+		"docker logs":                              "anchor/docker.docker_logs",
+		"docker logs --tail 100 nats":              "anchor/docker.docker_logs",
+		"docker restart nats":                      "anchor/docker.docker_restart",
+		"container logs":                           "anchor/docker.docker_logs",
 	} {
 		hits := x.search(query)
 		if len(hits) == 0 {
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ func TestASearchByCommandSaysWhatItReplaces(t *testing.T) {
 // A synonym is a word, never part of one: `logs` matches through `log`, and finds no `login`.
 func TestSearchStillMatchesEveryWord(t *testing.T) {
 	x := meshToSearch(t)
-	if hits := x.search("machine converged"); len(hits) != 1 || hits[0].Address != "mesh-placement.nodes" {
+	if hits := x.search("machine converged"); len(hits) != 1 || hits[0].Address != "mesh-module-assigner.nodes" {
 		t.Errorf("words in a description: %+v", hits)
 	}
 	if hits := x.search("journalctl kubernetes"); len(hits) != 1 || hits[0].Address != "anchor/node-service-manager.journal" {
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/seats_for_tests_test.go b/node-tools/internal/console/seats_for_tests_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..834bc56
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/seats_for_tests_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+package console
+
+import (
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/seatlist/seatlisttest"
+)
+
+// The seats the tests describe are given to catalogue as the tool runner gives the ones it read from the bus
+// (novox/hq ADR 0635 §1); catalogue compiles none.
+func init() { catalogue.UseSeats(catalogue.SeatsFromDefinitions(seatlisttest.Definitions())) }
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/source_test.go b/node-tools/internal/console/source_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a3fed70
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/source_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+package console
+
+import (
+	"sync"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/bus"
+)
+
+// busSource is a Source over a bus connection's own states, which a test's fixture mesh fills: the console's tests stand a
+// membership that reads the four states beside it, where the tool runner itself holds first views (firstview.Views).
+type busSource struct{ conn *bus.Conn }
+
+func (b busSource) State(name string) (map[string][]byte, error) {
+	var mu sync.Mutex
+	keys := map[string][]byte{}
+	stop, err := b.conn.StateWatch(b.conn.Credential().Module, name, "", func(c bus.StateChange) error {
+		if c.Current && c.Op == "put" {
+			mu.Lock()
+			keys[c.Key] = c.Value
+			mu.Unlock()
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	stop()
+	mu.Lock()
+	defer mu.Unlock()
+	return keys, nil
+}
+
+func (b busSource) Entry(name, key string) ([]byte, error) {
+	entry, err := b.conn.StateGet(b.conn.Credential().Module, name, key)
+	if err != nil || entry == nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return entry.Value, nil
+}
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/console/wait_test.go b/node-tools/internal/console/wait_test.go
index 40c5a0c..862517f 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/console/wait_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/console/wait_test.go
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ func waitingRuntime(t *testing.T) (*Surface, *mt.Mesh) {
 		}
 		return nil
 	})
-	return NewSurface(conn, "desk.node-tools"), mesh
+	return NewSurface(conn, busSource{conn}, "desk.node-tools"), mesh
 }
 
 // callWait is one tools/call of mesh_wait, answered as an agent host reads it.
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ func TestMeshWaitRefusesAnEventOutsideTheGrantedFamilies(t *testing.T) {
 // A tool runner issued no families waits on nothing, and says so.
 func TestMeshWaitWithNoFamiliesIssuedWaitsOnNothing(t *testing.T) {
 	mt.New(t)
-	s := NewSurface(connect(t, "node-tools", "desk"), "desk.node-tools")
+	s := NewSurface(connect(t, "node-tools", "desk"), nil, "desk.node-tools")
 	text, isErr := callWait(s, map[string]any{"subjects": []any{"mesh-knowledge.reviewed"}, "timeout": 1})
 	if !isErr || !strings.Contains(text, "no event families") {
 		t.Errorf("a runtime issued no families: %s", text)
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ func TestMeshWaitIsAnnouncedAmongSeven(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 	sort.Strings(names)
-	want := []string{"mesh_call", "mesh_describe", "mesh_machine", "mesh_overview", "mesh_runtimes", "mesh_search", "mesh_wait"}
+	want := []string{"mesh_call", "mesh_describe", "mesh_first_view_again", "mesh_first_views", "mesh_machine", "mesh_overview", "mesh_runtimes", "mesh_search", "mesh_wait"}
 	if !reflect.DeepEqual(names, want) {
 		t.Errorf("announced %v, want %v", names, want)
 	}
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/firstview/firstview.go b/node-tools/internal/firstview/firstview.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4b93e15
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node-tools/internal/firstview/firstview.go
@@ -0,0 +1,230 @@
+// Package firstview is the tool runner's picture of the four states it reads of the indexer and the assigner: the assigner's
+// assignments and seat-holders, the indexer's manifests and modules (novox/hq ADR 0615 §1, §3; ADR 0621 §2; issue 1966 TLS-5).
+//
+// **It never reads the owners' state.** At start it asks each owner's first-view tool until answered (the owner answers in a
+// runtime of its own, never through this one: ADR 0621 §1), then follows the owner's views family, one event per changed key;
+// a gap in the revisions, or an owner whose state was made again, asks the first view once more, said in the log. Past two
+// minutes without an answer it writes a finding in its own state `findings`, which the condition keeper raises and clears.
+package firstview
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	conditions "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/health-and-repair/go/clients/meshconditionsclient"
+	condseat "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/health-and-repair/go/seats/meshconditions"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/views"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/bus"
+)
+
+// The owners and their first-view tools (the tools' addresses are `<owner>.<tool>`).
+const (
+	Indexer  = "mesh-delivery-indexer"
+	Assigner = "mesh-delivery-assigner"
+)
+
+// The names the console reads the four states by (`<owner>.<state>`), as the manifest's `consumes` names their views
+// families (no seat's client names a holder, novox/hq ADR 0625 §4; TestTheFirstViewsAreTheManifestsViews).
+const (
+	AssignmentsRead = Assigner + ".assignments"
+	SeatHoldersRead = Assigner + ".seat-holders"
+	ModulesRead     = Indexer + ".modules"
+	ManifestsRead   = Indexer + ".manifests"
+)
+
+// Spec is one first view the runner holds.
+type Spec struct{ Owner, Tool, State string }
+
+// Specs are the four.
+var Specs = []Spec{
+	{Assigner, "assignments", "assignments"},
+	{Assigner, "seat-holders", "seat-holders"},
+	{Indexer, "manifests", "manifests"},
+	{Indexer, "modules", "modules"},
+}
+
+// Name is the name a state is read by, `<owner>.<state>`: AssignmentsRead, SeatHoldersRead and the indexer's.
+func (s Spec) Name() string { return s.Owner + "." + s.State }
+
+// Views is the four followers.
+type Views struct {
+	logf      func(string, ...any)
+	followers map[string]*views.Follower // by Spec.Name()
+	byState   map[string]*views.Follower // by the state an event names
+	ctx       context.Context
+	cancel    context.CancelFunc
+	wg        sync.WaitGroup
+	deps      Deps
+}
+
+// FindingsState is the runner's own state the findings are written in.
+const FindingsState = "findings"
+
+// Deps is what the views reach the bus through: Start makes them from the runner's connection, a test from fakes.
+type Deps struct {
+	// Module is the runner's own name, the observer of its findings.
+	Module string
+	// Ask calls an owner's tool, `<owner>.<tool>`.
+	Ask func(address string, body any) (json.RawMessage, error)
+	// Consume hands each event of the owners' views families to deliver, until the stop is called.
+	Consume func(deliver func(bus.Envelope) error) (stop func(), err error)
+	// PutFinding and DeleteFinding keep and remove a finding in the runner's own state.
+	PutFinding    func(key string, value json.RawMessage) error
+	DeleteFinding func(key string) error
+	// Bound and Wait are the follower's (zero: two minutes, five seconds).
+	Bound, Wait time.Duration
+}
+
+// Start asks the four first views, each until answered, and follows the owners' views families on the runner's own
+// consumers. It returns at once: the picture fills as the owners answer.
+func Start(parent context.Context, conn *bus.Conn, logf func(string, ...any)) (*Views, func()) {
+	return StartWith(parent, DepsOf(conn), logf)
+}
+
+// DepsOf is the views' reach through the runner's own connection: its tool calls, its consumer and its findings state.
+func DepsOf(conn *bus.Conn) Deps {
+	me := conn.Module()
+	return Deps{Module: me,
+		Ask: func(address string, body any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+			got, err := conn.Ask(address, body, "")
+			return got.Result, err
+		},
+		Consume: func(deliver func(bus.Envelope) error) (func(), error) { return conn.ConsumeAs(me, deliver) },
+		PutFinding: func(key string, value json.RawMessage) error {
+			_, err := conn.StatePut(me, FindingsState, key, value)
+			return err
+		},
+		DeleteFinding: func(key string) error { return conn.StateDelete(me, FindingsState, key) },
+	}
+}
+
+// StartWith is Start over deps.
+func StartWith(parent context.Context, d Deps, logf func(string, ...any)) (*Views, func()) {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(parent)
+	v := &Views{logf: logf, ctx: ctx, cancel: cancel, followers: map[string]*views.Follower{}, byState: map[string]*views.Follower{}, deps: d}
+	for _, s := range Specs {
+		s := s
+		call := func(tool string, body any) (json.RawMessage, error) { return d.Ask(s.Owner+"."+tool, body) }
+		f := &views.Follower{Owner: s.Owner, Tool: s.Tool, State: s.State, Ask: views.AskVia(call, s.Tool), Logf: logf,
+			Bound: d.Bound, Wait: d.Wait,
+			Raise: func(st views.Status) { v.finding(st, true) },
+			Clear: func(st views.Status) { v.finding(st, false) }}
+		v.followers[s.Name()] = f
+		v.byState[s.State] = f
+		v.wg.Add(1)
+		go func() { defer v.wg.Done(); _ = f.Start(ctx) }()
+	}
+	stop, err := d.Consume(v.hear)
+	if err != nil {
+		logf("[mesh-tools] the owners' views are not followed (%v): the pictures are the first views alone until the runner starts again", err)
+		stop = func() {}
+	}
+	return v, func() { stop(); cancel(); v.wg.Wait() }
+}
+
+// hear applies one views event; a gap asks the first view once more.
+func (v *Views) hear(env bus.Envelope) error {
+	ev, err := views.DecodeEvent(env.Body)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil // not a views event: nothing to hold, nothing to retry
+	}
+	f := v.byState[ev.State]
+	if f == nil || f.Owner != ev.Owner {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if gap, why := f.Apply(ev); gap {
+		v.logf("[mesh-tools] a gap in %s's %s (%s): its first view %s is asked once more", f.Owner, f.State, why, f.Tool)
+		go func() { _ = f.Again(v.ctx, "a gap: "+why) }()
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// finding writes or removes the runner's finding of a first view unanswered past its bound, in its own state.
+func (v *Views) finding(st views.Status, raised bool) {
+	key, value, err := conditionOf(views.UnansweredFinding(v.deps.Module, st, time.Now()))
+	if err != nil {
+		v.logf("[mesh-tools] the finding of the first view %s is not made: %v", st.Tool, err)
+		return
+	}
+	if raised {
+		err = v.deps.PutFinding(key, value)
+	} else {
+		err = v.deps.DeleteFinding(key)
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		v.logf("[mesh-tools] the finding of the first view %s is not kept: %v", st.Tool, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// State is the picture of the state spec names (`<owner>.<state>`), every current value by key; an error says the owner has
+// not answered yet, so nothing is claimed of it.
+func (v *Views) State(name string) (map[string][]byte, error) {
+	f := v.followers[name]
+	if f == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the tool runner holds no first view of %s", name)
+	}
+	select {
+	case <-f.Ready():
+	default:
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s's first view %s has not been answered yet", f.Owner, f.Tool)
+	}
+	out := map[string][]byte{}
+	for k, raw := range f.Values() {
+		out[k] = raw
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// Entry is one value of the picture, nil when the owner holds none.
+func (v *Views) Entry(name, key string) ([]byte, error) {
+	all, err := v.State(name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return all[key], nil
+}
+
+// Status is each first view as it stands, by `<owner>.<state>`, sorted.
+func (v *Views) Status() []views.Status {
+	var out []views.Status
+	for _, f := range v.followers {
+		out = append(out, f.Status())
+	}
+	sort.Slice(out, func(i, j int) bool { return out[i].Owner+out[i].State < out[j].Owner+out[j].State })
+	return out
+}
+
+// Again asks every first view once more, by hand, for why.
+func (v *Views) Again(ctx context.Context, why string) []error {
+	var errs []error
+	for _, f := range v.followers {
+		if err := f.Again(ctx, why); err != nil {
+			errs = append(errs, err)
+		}
+	}
+	return errs
+}
+
+// conditionOf is a finding in the layout of the seat mesh-conditions' state findings (its contract, ADR 0634 §1), about a
+// module, a warning.
+func conditionOf(f views.Finding) (string, []byte, error) {
+	key := conditions.Key(scopeModule, f.ID, f.Kind)
+	v := condseat.FindingsByKeyValue{V: 1, Key: key, Kind: f.Kind, Observer: f.Observer, Severity: conditions.Warning,
+		Subject: condseat.Subject{Scope: scopeModule, ID: f.ID}, Summary: f.Summary, Headline: f.Headline,
+		Explanation: f.Explanation, Source: f.Observer + "." + f.Kind, At: f.At.UTC(),
+		Evidence: []condseat.Evidence{{At: f.At.UTC(), Said: f.Summary}}}
+	if err := conditions.CheckFinding(v); err != nil {
+		return "", nil, err
+	}
+	raw, err := json.Marshal(v)
+	return key, raw, err
+}
+
+// scopeModule is the scope of a finding about a module.
+const scopeModule = "module"
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/firstview/firstview_integration_test.go b/node-tools/internal/firstview/firstview_integration_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..baa369d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node-tools/internal/firstview/firstview_integration_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,158 @@
+//go:build integration
+
+package firstview
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/process"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/views"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/bus"
+	mt "github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/meshtest"
+)
+
+// issue 1966 TLS-5 [i] (ADR 0615 §2, §4, §6): against the real bus, with the owners down and then up, the runner's own
+// consumers on the owners' own views streams carry the manifest's four `consumes`: the first views are asked until answered,
+// the unanswered ones are findings that the answer clears, and each owner's next event reaches its picture.
+func TestTheRunnersConsumerCarriesTheOwnersViewsFamiliesWhenTheOwnersAreDownThenUp(t *testing.T) {
+	mesh := mt.New(t)
+	url := mt.URL(t)
+
+	// The owners publish their views on their own streams (views.Emit: `mesh.stream.<owner>.event.views.<state>`, on
+	// assigner-views and indexer-views), never on EVENTS. The consumers on them are the mesh's, one filter per family the
+	// manifest's `consumes` names, and the runner's membership names them as the mesh issues it (ADR 0363 §8).
+	raw, err := os.ReadFile("../../module.json")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var manifest struct {
+		Consumes []string `json:"consumes"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &manifest); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	streamOf := map[string]string{Assigner: catalogue.StreamBusName("assigner-views"), Indexer: catalogue.StreamBusName("indexer-views")}
+	filters := map[string][]string{}
+	families := 0
+	for _, c := range manifest.Consumes {
+		emitter, event, isView := strings.Cut(c, ".views.")
+		if !isView { // the seat mesh-catalog's events: the seat list's, on EVENTS (cmd/node-tools/seatlist.go)
+			continue
+		}
+		stream := streamOf[emitter]
+		if stream == "" {
+			t.Fatalf("the manifest consumes %s, whose views stream the test does not know", c)
+		}
+		filters[stream] = append(filters[stream], process.ModuleStreamSubject(emitter, views.EventPrefix+event))
+		families++
+	}
+	if families != len(Specs) {
+		t.Fatalf("the manifest consumes %d families, the runner holds %d first views", families, len(Specs))
+	}
+	runner := mt.MembershipOf("node-tools", "anchor", false, nil)
+	for _, owner := range []string{Assigner, Indexer} {
+		stream := streamOf[owner]
+		mesh.ModuleStream(t, owner, stream)
+		mesh.ConsumerOn(t, stream, "anchor", "node-tools", filters[stream], 2*time.Second)
+		runner.Hears = append(runner.Hears, bus.HeardIssued{Stream: stream, Consumer: "anchor_node-tools"})
+	}
+	mesh.Consumer(t, "anchor", "node-tools", []string{"mesh.mod.mesh-knowledge.event.reviewed"}, 2*time.Second) // its `waits`, on EVENTS
+	mesh.Issue(t, runner)
+
+	conn, err := bus.Connect(bus.Credential{URL: url, Module: "node-tools", Node: "anchor"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	conn.Logf = func(string, ...any) {}
+	t.Cleanup(conn.Close)
+	conn.Follow("node-tools")
+	mt.Until(t, func() error {
+		if conn.Membership("node-tools") == nil {
+			return errFindings(-1)
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
+	var mu sync.Mutex
+	findings := map[string]bool{}
+	deps := DepsOf(conn)
+	deps.Bound, deps.Wait = 100*time.Millisecond, 20*time.Millisecond
+	deps.PutFinding = func(key string, _ json.RawMessage) error { mu.Lock(); findings[key] = true; mu.Unlock(); return nil }
+	deps.DeleteFinding = func(key string) error { mu.Lock(); delete(findings, key); mu.Unlock(); return nil }
+	v, stop := StartWith(context.Background(), deps, func(string, ...any) {})
+	t.Cleanup(stop)
+
+	// The owners are down: no tool answers, nothing is claimed, and past the bound each view is a finding.
+	if _, err := v.State(Assigner + ".assignments"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a state its owner has not answered is claimed")
+	}
+	mt.Until(t, func() error {
+		mu.Lock()
+		defer mu.Unlock()
+		if len(findings) != len(Specs) {
+			return errFindings(len(findings))
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
+	// The owners come up and answer their first views.
+	nc, err := nats.Connect(url)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(nc.Close)
+	for _, s := range Specs {
+		s := s
+		if _, err := nc.Subscribe("mesh.mod."+s.Owner+".tool."+s.Tool, func(m *nats.Msg) {
+			answer, _ := json.Marshal(views.Answer{V: 1, Owner: s.Owner, State: s.State, Revision: 4, Created: time.Unix(1000, 0).UTC(),
+				Values: map[string]json.RawMessage{"first": json.RawMessage(`{"n":1}`)}})
+			body, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]json.RawMessage{"result": answer})
+			_ = m.Respond(body)
+		}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	_ = nc.Flush()
+	for _, s := range Specs {
+		name := s.Name()
+		mt.Until(t, func() error { _, err := v.Entry(name, "first"); return err })
+	}
+	mt.Until(t, func() error {
+		mu.Lock()
+		defer mu.Unlock()
+		if len(findings) != 0 {
+			return errFindings(len(findings))
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
+	// Each owner's next event arrives on the runner's consumer: all four families are bound.
+	for _, s := range Specs {
+		ev, _ := json.Marshal(views.Event{V: 1, Owner: s.Owner, State: s.State, Key: "next", Revision: 5, Created: time.Unix(1000, 0).UTC(),
+			Value: json.RawMessage(`{"n":2}`)})
+		mesh.Emit(t, process.ModuleStreamSubject(s.Owner, views.EventPrefix+s.State), json.RawMessage(ev))
+	}
+	for _, s := range Specs {
+		name := s.Name()
+		mt.Until(t, func() error {
+			got, err := v.Entry(name, "next")
+			if err != nil || string(got) != `{"n":2}` {
+				return errFindings(-1)
+			}
+			return nil
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+type errFindings int
+
+func (e errFindings) Error() string { return "not yet" }
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/firstview/firstview_test.go b/node-tools/internal/firstview/firstview_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11c299d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node-tools/internal/firstview/firstview_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
+package firstview
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/views"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/bus"
+)
+
+// owners is the four owners' first-view tools as a test answers them: a state's values at a revision, or nothing while down.
+type owners struct {
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	down    bool
+	state   map[string]map[string]string // tool → key → value
+	rev     map[string]uint64
+	asked   map[string]int
+	deliver func(bus.Envelope) error
+	finds   map[string]bool
+}
+
+func newOwners() *owners {
+	return &owners{state: map[string]map[string]string{"assignments": {"anchor": `{"p":1}`}, "seat-holders": {"seat": `{"h":1}`},
+		"manifests": {"d1": `{"m":1}`}, "modules": {"web": `{"w":1}`}},
+		rev: map[string]uint64{"assignments": 4, "seat-holders": 2, "manifests": 7, "modules": 3}, asked: map[string]int{}, finds: map[string]bool{}}
+}
+
+func (o *owners) ask(address string, _ any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+	o.mu.Lock()
+	defer o.mu.Unlock()
+	tool := address[strings.LastIndex(address, ".")+1:]
+	o.asked[tool]++
+	if o.down {
+		return nil, errors.New("503 no responders")
+	}
+	vals := map[string]json.RawMessage{}
+	for k, v := range o.state[tool] {
+		vals[k] = json.RawMessage(v)
+	}
+	return json.Marshal(views.Answer{V: 1, Owner: "o", State: tool, Revision: o.rev[tool], Created: time.Unix(1000, 0).UTC(), Values: vals})
+}
+
+func (o *owners) say(t *testing.T, state, key, value string, revision uint64, gap bool) {
+	t.Helper()
+	ev := views.Event{V: 1, Owner: owner(state), State: state, Key: key, Revision: revision, Created: time.Unix(1000, 0).UTC(), Gap: gap}
+	if value != "" {
+		ev.Value = json.RawMessage(value)
+	}
+	raw, _ := json.Marshal(ev)
+	if err := o.deliver(bus.Envelope{Key: ev.Owner + ".views." + state, Body: raw}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
+
+func owner(state string) string {
+	for _, s := range Specs {
+		if s.State == state {
+			return s.Owner
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func eventually(t *testing.T, what string, ok func() bool) {
+	t.Helper()
+	for end := time.Now().Add(3 * time.Second); !ok(); time.Sleep(5 * time.Millisecond) {
+		if time.Now().After(end) {
+			t.Fatal(what)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// issue 1966 TLS-5 (ADR 0615 §2, §4, §5, §6): the runner holds the four states from the owners' first views and their
+// events alone; nothing is claimed of a state not yet answered; a gap asks the first view once more; an owner that stays down
+// past the bound is a finding, cleared by the answer; the status and the hand ask show them.
+func TestTheRunnerHoldsTheFourStatesFromTheOwnersFirstViewsAndTheirEvents(t *testing.T) {
+	o := newOwners()
+	o.down = true
+	var logs []string
+	var lmu sync.Mutex
+	deps := Deps{Module: "node-tools", Ask: o.ask, Bound: 30 * time.Millisecond, Wait: 10 * time.Millisecond,
+		Consume: func(deliver func(bus.Envelope) error) (func(), error) { o.deliver = deliver; return func() {}, nil },
+		PutFinding: func(key string, _ json.RawMessage) error {
+			o.mu.Lock()
+			o.finds[key] = true
+			o.mu.Unlock()
+			return nil
+		},
+		DeleteFinding: func(key string) error {
+			o.mu.Lock()
+			delete(o.finds, key)
+			o.mu.Unlock()
+			return nil
+		}}
+	v, stop := StartWith(context.Background(), deps, func(f string, a ...any) { lmu.Lock(); logs = append(logs, f); lmu.Unlock() })
+	defer stop()
+
+	// Down: nothing is claimed, and past the bound each unanswered view is a finding.
+	if _, err := v.State("mesh-delivery-assigner.assignments"); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "not been answered") {
+		t.Fatalf("a state its owner has not answered is claimed: %v", err)
+	}
+	eventually(t, "no finding past the bound", func() bool { o.mu.Lock(); defer o.mu.Unlock(); return len(o.finds) == 4 })
+
+	// Up: answered, the findings are cleared, and the pictures hold the owners' values.
+	o.mu.Lock()
+	o.down = false
+	o.mu.Unlock()
+	eventually(t, "not answered", func() bool { _, err := v.State("mesh-delivery-indexer.manifests"); return err == nil })
+	eventually(t, "findings not cleared", func() bool { o.mu.Lock(); defer o.mu.Unlock(); return len(o.finds) == 0 })
+	if got, _ := v.Entry("mesh-delivery-indexer.modules", "web"); string(got) != `{"w":1}` {
+		t.Errorf("the modules picture holds %q", got)
+	}
+	if got, _ := v.Entry("mesh-delivery-indexer.modules", "none"); got != nil {
+		t.Errorf("an absent key is %q", got)
+	}
+
+	// Events: the next revision is applied; an old one passed over; a deletion removes; none of it asks again.
+	asked := func(tool string) int { o.mu.Lock(); defer o.mu.Unlock(); return o.asked[tool] }
+	before := asked("assignments")
+	o.say(t, "assignments", "laptop", `{"p":2}`, 5, false)
+	o.say(t, "assignments", "laptop", `{"p":0}`, 5, false)
+	o.say(t, "assignments", "anchor", "", 6, false)
+	// (a deleted mark carries no value: Deleted is the encoding's, set below)
+	if got, _ := v.Entry("mesh-delivery-assigner.assignments", "laptop"); string(got) != `{"p":2}` {
+		t.Errorf("the next revision is not applied: %q", got)
+	}
+	if n := asked("assignments"); n != before {
+		t.Errorf("an event in order asked the first view again (%d asks, was %d)", n, before)
+	}
+
+	// A gap (revision 9 where 7 was next) asks the first view once more, said in the log.
+	o.say(t, "assignments", "x", `{"p":9}`, 9, false)
+	eventually(t, "a gap did not ask the first view again", func() bool { return asked("assignments") > before })
+
+	// The status says owner, tool, revision and the asks; the hand ask asks every view again.
+	var assignments views.Status
+	for _, s := range v.Status() {
+		if s.State == "assignments" {
+			assignments = s
+		}
+	}
+	if assignments.Owner != "mesh-delivery-assigner" || assignments.Tool != "assignments" || assignments.Asks < 2 || assignments.Answered.IsZero() {
+		t.Errorf("the status of assignments is %+v", assignments)
+	}
+	manifests := asked("manifests")
+	if errs := v.Again(context.Background(), "doubted"); len(errs) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the hand ask failed: %v", errs)
+	}
+	if asked("manifests") != manifests+1 {
+		t.Errorf("the hand ask did not ask the manifests again")
+	}
+	for _, st := range v.Status() {
+		if st.State == "manifests" && st.ByHand != 1 {
+			t.Errorf("the hand ask is not counted: %+v", st)
+		}
+	}
+	lmu.Lock()
+	defer lmu.Unlock()
+	if !strings.Contains(strings.Join(logs, "\n"), "a gap in") {
+		t.Errorf("the gap was not said in the log: %v", logs)
+	}
+}
+
+// The four first views are the manifest's `consumes` families, and the console reads each by the name here.
+func TestTheFirstViewsAreTheManifestsViews(t *testing.T) {
+	raw, err := os.ReadFile("../../module.json")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var m struct {
+		Consumes []string `json:"consumes"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &m); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want := map[string]bool{AssignmentsRead: true, SeatHoldersRead: true, ModulesRead: true, ManifestsRead: true}
+	for _, s := range Specs {
+		if !want[s.Name()] {
+			t.Errorf("the first view %s is read by no name here", s.Name())
+		}
+		delete(want, s.Name())
+		if view := s.Owner + ".views." + s.Tool; !slices.Contains(m.Consumes, view) {
+			t.Errorf("the first view %s has no family in the manifest's consumes %v", view, m.Consumes)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(want) > 0 {
+		t.Errorf("no first view reads %v", want)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/launch/event_answer_test.go b/node-tools/internal/launch/event_answer_test.go
index 0824263..01fde7c 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/launch/event_answer_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/launch/event_answer_test.go
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ while IFS= read -r line; do
     *'"method":"tools/list"'*)
       printf '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":%s,"result":{"tools":[]}}\n' "$id"
       printf '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":"s1","method":"mesh/subscribe","params":{"pattern":"#"}}\n' ;;
+    *'"method":"mesh/heartbeat"'*)
+      params=$(printf '%s' "$line" | sed -n 's/.*"params":\(.*\)}$/\1/p')
+      printf '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":"h1","method":"mesh/publish","params":%s}\n' "$params" ;;
     *'"method":"mesh/event"'*)
       case "$ANSWER" in
         error) printf '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":%s,"error":{"code":-32000,"message":"Unexpected end of JSON input"}}\n' "$id" ;;
@@ -30,11 +33,18 @@ done
 `
 
 type subscribing struct {
-	mu      sync.Mutex
-	deliver func(json.RawMessage) error
+	mu        sync.Mutex
+	deliver   func(json.RawMessage) error
+	beat      func(json.RawMessage)
+	published []json.RawMessage
 }
 
-func (b *subscribing) Publish(json.RawMessage) error                          { return nil }
+func (b *subscribing) Publish(p json.RawMessage) error {
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	b.published = append(b.published, p)
+	b.mu.Unlock()
+	return nil
+}
 func (b *subscribing) Ask(json.RawMessage) (json.RawMessage, error)           { return nil, nil }
 func (b *subscribing) State(string, json.RawMessage) (json.RawMessage, error) { return nil, nil }
 func (b *subscribing) Log(string, json.RawMessage) (json.RawMessage, error)   { return nil, nil }
@@ -53,10 +63,11 @@ func (b *subscribing) BusStateWatch(string, json.RawMessage, func(json.RawMessag
 	return func() {}, nil
 }
 func (b *subscribing) Begin(string) (string, func()) { return "", func() {} }
-func (b *subscribing) Subscribe(d func(json.RawMessage) error) error {
+func (b *subscribing) Subscribe(d func(json.RawMessage) error, beat func(json.RawMessage)) error {
 	b.mu.Lock()
 	defer b.mu.Unlock()
 	b.deliver = d
+	b.beat = beat
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -104,3 +115,45 @@ func TestAnEventIsTakenByAnyAnswerThatIsNotAnError(t *testing.T) {
 func (b *subscribing) LogWatch(json.RawMessage, func(json.RawMessage) error) (func(), error) {
 	return func() {}, nil
 }
+
+// The runtime's word on the module's consumer between events reaches the child that subscribed as `mesh/heartbeat`,
+// unchanged (stdio.OnHeartbeat reads it in the bundle).
+func TestTheWordOnTheConsumerBetweenEventsReachesTheBundleThatSubscribed(t *testing.T) {
+	entry := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "bundle")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(entry, []byte(answeringBundle), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	b := &subscribing{}
+	l, err := Start("plex", entry, append(os.Environ(), "ANSWER=result"), b, t.Logf)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(l.Stop)
+	var beat func(json.RawMessage)
+	for i := 0; beat == nil; i++ {
+		b.mu.Lock()
+		beat = b.beat
+		b.mu.Unlock()
+		if i > 100 {
+			t.Fatal("the bundle never subscribed")
+		}
+		time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	word := json.RawMessage(`{"at":"2026-11-04T13:00:00Z","missed":true,"why":"the bus ended it"}`)
+	beat(word)
+	for i := 0; ; i++ {
+		b.mu.Lock()
+		got := b.published
+		b.mu.Unlock()
+		if len(got) == 1 {
+			if string(got[0]) != string(word) {
+				t.Fatalf("the bundle was told %s, not %s", got[0], word)
+			}
+			return
+		}
+		if i > 100 {
+			t.Fatal("the bundle was told nothing")
+		}
+		time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/launch/launch.go b/node-tools/internal/launch/launch.go
index f663c82..0044ea5 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/launch/launch.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/launch/launch.go
@@ -80,7 +80,9 @@ type Registration struct {
 // Bus is what a launched bundle reaches the mesh through (novox/hq ADR 0193, ADR 0198): the runtime
 // publishes, asks and subscribes on the module's behalf. Subscribe is asked each time the module's
 // code subscribes; the runtime binds the module's consumer once and calls deliver for every event,
-// acknowledging it on the bus when deliver returns nil.
+// acknowledging it on the bus when deliver returns nil. beat is the runtime's word on that consumer between
+// events (a bus.Beat as JSON), which the launch hands the child that subscribed as `mesh/heartbeat`, so a bundle
+// can tell a silent source from a quiet one (stdio.OnHeartbeat).
 //
 // State and Watch reach the module's state (novox/hq ADR 0201): State answers `get`, `put`, `delete`
 // and `keys`; Watch hands deliver the current values and then every change, and returns once the
@@ -88,7 +90,7 @@ type Registration struct {
 type Bus interface {
 	Publish(params json.RawMessage) error
 	Ask(params json.RawMessage) (json.RawMessage, error)
-	Subscribe(deliver func(envelope json.RawMessage) error) error
+	Subscribe(deliver func(envelope json.RawMessage) error, beat func(heartbeat json.RawMessage)) error
 	State(verb string, params json.RawMessage) (json.RawMessage, error)
 	Watch(params json.RawMessage, deliver func(change json.RawMessage) error) (stop func(), err error)
 	// Log answers a bundle's `append`, `read`, `last` and `info` on its module's log (novox/hq ADR 0297).
@@ -261,6 +263,17 @@ func Start(module, entry string, env []string, mesh Bus, logf func(string, ...an
 		_, err := c.ask(module, "mesh/event", map[string]any{"envelope": envelope}, EventTimeout)
 		return err
 	}
+	// The heartbeat of the module's consumer goes to the child that last subscribed, as a notification: the
+	// bundle answers nothing, and a child not running misses it, as it misses the events it did not take.
+	beat := func(heartbeat json.RawMessage) {
+		mu.Lock()
+		c := subscriber
+		mu.Unlock()
+		if c == nil {
+			return
+		}
+		_ = c.write(map[string]any{"jsonrpc": "2.0", "method": "mesh/heartbeat", "params": heartbeat})
+	}
 	var restart func(after time.Duration)
 	var startedAt time.Time
 	// The restart pauses are read once, here: the exit handling runs on its own goroutine and must not
@@ -344,7 +357,7 @@ func Start(module, entry string, env []string, mesh Bus, logf func(string, ...an
 							mu.Lock()
 							subscriber = c
 							mu.Unlock()
-							err = mesh.Subscribe(deliver)
+							err = mesh.Subscribe(deliver, beat)
 						case "mesh/seat.publish", "mesh/seat.prove", "mesh/seat.record", "mesh/seat.kinds", "mesh/seat.pull", "mesh/seat.settle":
 							var answered json.RawMessage
 							if answered, err = mesh.Seat(strings.TrimPrefix(m.Method, "mesh/seat."), m.Params, nil); err == nil {
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/meshtest/meshtest.go b/node-tools/internal/meshtest/meshtest.go
index 9ca7cbf..2f021e1 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/meshtest/meshtest.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/meshtest/meshtest.go
@@ -13,9 +13,6 @@ package meshtest
 import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buscompose"
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/membership"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"runtime"
@@ -24,6 +21,12 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	assigner "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/clients/meshmoduleassignerclient"
+	seatassigner "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/seats/meshmoduleassigner"
+	meshcatalogclient "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/contracts/go/clients/meshcatalogclient"
+	meshcatalog "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/contracts/go/seats/meshcatalog"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/membership"
+
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2/server"
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
@@ -88,8 +91,8 @@ func New(t *testing.T) *Mesh {
 	js, _ := nc.JetStream()
 	_ = js.DeleteStream("EVENTS")
 	// The grants part's state memberships, where a runtime reads what is issued it (ADR 0571 clause 10).
-	_ = js.DeleteKeyValue(buscompose.GrantsMembershipsBucket)
-	if _, err := js.CreateKeyValue(&nats.KeyValueConfig{Bucket: buscompose.GrantsMembershipsBucket, History: 1}); err != nil {
+	_ = js.DeleteKeyValue(membership.GrantsBucket)
+	if _, err := js.CreateKeyValue(&nats.KeyValueConfig{Bucket: membership.GrantsBucket, History: 1}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if _, err := js.AddStream(&nats.StreamConfig{Name: "EVENTS", Subjects: []string{"mesh.mod.*.event.>"}}); err != nil {
@@ -100,7 +103,7 @@ func New(t *testing.T) *Mesh {
 }
 
 // Issue writes a membership where the grants part keeps it, its state memberships, key `<node>.<module>` (novox/hq ADR
-// 0571 clause 7 and 10; mesh-sdk buscompose.GrantsMembershipsBucket), the one place a runtime reads it. It writes with
+// 0571 clause 7 and 10; mesh-sdk membership.GrantsBucket), the one place a runtime reads it. It writes with
 // mesh-sdk's encoder, the grants part's own, never json of this package's type: a value built here by hand agreed with
 // the reader's mistake and hid that the part wrote another shape (issue 774).
 func (m *Mesh) Issue(t *testing.T, mem bus.Membership) {
@@ -120,13 +123,13 @@ func (m *Mesh) IssueInGrantsWrapped(t *testing.T, mem bus.Membership, published
 
 func (m *Mesh) putGrants(t *testing.T, mem bus.Membership, body []byte) {
 	t.Helper()
-	kv, err := m.js.KeyValue(buscompose.GrantsMembershipsBucket)
+	kv, err := m.js.KeyValue(membership.GrantsBucket)
 	if err != nil {
-		if kv, err = m.js.CreateKeyValue(&nats.KeyValueConfig{Bucket: buscompose.GrantsMembershipsBucket, History: 1}); err != nil {
+		if kv, err = m.js.CreateKeyValue(&nats.KeyValueConfig{Bucket: membership.GrantsBucket, History: 1}); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 	}
-	if _, err := kv.Put(buscompose.MembershipKey(mem.Node, mem.Module), body); err != nil {
+	if _, err := kv.Put(membership.GrantsKey(mem.Node, mem.Module), body); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 }
@@ -134,7 +137,7 @@ func (m *Mesh) putGrants(t *testing.T, mem bus.Membership, body []byte) {
 // DropGrants deletes the grants part's state memberships, as a bus that has not made it yet holds none; Issue makes it again.
 func (m *Mesh) DropGrants(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Helper()
-	if err := m.js.DeleteKeyValue(buscompose.GrantsMembershipsBucket); err != nil {
+	if err := m.js.DeleteKeyValue(membership.GrantsBucket); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 }
@@ -150,19 +153,31 @@ func sdkMembership(t *testing.T, mem bus.Membership) membership.Membership {
 	return out
 }
 
+// The indexer's two states the console reads, and their buckets (the test bed's own names: the indexer's client names
+// no holder).
+const (
+	indexer        = "mesh-delivery-indexer"
+	assignerHolder = "mesh-delivery-assigner"
+	// AssignmentsBucket and SeatHoldersBucket are the assigner's states assignments and seat-holders.
+	AssignmentsBucket = assignerHolder + "_assignments"
+	SeatHoldersBucket = assignerHolder + "_seat-holders"
+	ModulesBucket     = indexer + "_modules"
+	ManifestsBucket   = indexer + "_manifests"
+)
+
 // ConsoleReads are the states a console's runtime reads to say what the mesh holds (novox/hq ADR 0571 clauses 4, 5):
-// placement, the indexer's modules and manifests, and the seat holders.
+// assignments, the indexer's modules and manifests, and the seat holders.
 func ConsoleReads() []bus.StateIssued {
 	return []bus.StateIssued{
-		{Name: delivery.PlacementRead, Bucket: delivery.PlacementBucket},
-		{Name: delivery.IndexerModule + ".modules", Bucket: delivery.ModulesBucket},
-		{Name: delivery.IndexerModule + ".manifests", Bucket: delivery.ManifestsBucket},
-		{Name: delivery.SeatHoldersRead, Bucket: delivery.SeatHoldersBucket},
+		{Name: assignerHolder + ".assignments", Bucket: AssignmentsBucket},
+		{Name: indexer + ".modules", Bucket: ModulesBucket},
+		{Name: indexer + ".manifests", Bucket: ManifestsBucket},
+		{Name: assignerHolder + ".seat-holders", Bucket: SeatHoldersBucket},
 	}
 }
 
 // Placed writes what the mesh holds as its parts write it, with mesh-sdk's encoders: each module the indexer holds with
-// its manifest (tools, the tools it declares; none for a module without), and each node's placement of modules.
+// its manifest (tools, the tools it declares; none for a module without), and each node's assignment of modules.
 func (m *Mesh) Placed(t *testing.T, tools map[string][]string, on map[string][]string) {
 	t.Helper()
 	kv := func(bucket string) nats.KeyValue {
@@ -173,20 +188,20 @@ func (m *Mesh) Placed(t *testing.T, tools map[string][]string, on map[string][]s
 		}
 		return b
 	}
-	modules, manifests, placement := kv(delivery.ModulesBucket), kv(delivery.ManifestsBucket), kv(delivery.PlacementBucket)
-	kv(delivery.SeatHoldersBucket)
+	modules, manifests, assigned := kv(ModulesBucket), kv(ManifestsBucket), kv(AssignmentsBucket)
+	kv(SeatHoldersBucket)
 	for module, declared := range tools {
 		manifest, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"module": module, "tools": declared})
-		digest := delivery.ManifestDigest(manifest)
-		raw, err := delivery.EncodeManifest(delivery.Manifest{Module: module, JSON: string(manifest)})
+		digest := meshcatalogclient.ManifestDigest(manifest)
+		raw, err := meshcatalogclient.EncodeManifest(meshcatalog.ManifestsByDigestValue{Module: module, Manifest: string(manifest), V: 1})
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 		if _, err := manifests.Put(digest, raw); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
-		raw, err = delivery.EncodeModule(delivery.Module{None: "not built here", Manifest: digest, Repository: "novox/" + module,
-			Commit: strings.Repeat("a", 40)})
+		raw, err = meshcatalogclient.EncodeModule(meshcatalog.ModulesByModuleValue{None: "not built here", Manifest: digest, Repository: "novox/" + module,
+			Commit: strings.Repeat("a", 40), V: 1})
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -195,17 +210,17 @@ func (m *Mesh) Placed(t *testing.T, tools map[string][]string, on map[string][]s
 		}
 	}
 	for node, placed := range on {
-		p := delivery.Placement{V: delivery.Version, Node: node}
+		p := seatassigner.Assignments{V: assigner.Version, Node: node}
 		for _, module := range placed {
-			p.Modules = append(p.Modules, delivery.PlacedModule{Module: module})
+			p.Modules = append(p.Modules, seatassigner.PlacedModule{Module: module})
 		}
 		// As the seat writes it: its node key and a key per module (research 072 row 37).
-		values, err := delivery.PlacementValues(p)
+		values, err := assigner.AssignmentsValues(p)
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 		for key, raw := range values {
-			if _, err := placement.Put(key, raw); err != nil {
+			if _, err := assigned.Put(key, raw); err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/provide/provide.go b/node-tools/internal/provide/provide.go
index c7a400c..7e331a8 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/provide/provide.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/provide/provide.go
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"time"
 
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/provider"
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/provisions"
+	provisions "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/provisioning/go/clients/meshprovisionerclient"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/provisioning/go/clients/meshprovisionerclient/provider"
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/bus"
 )
@@ -38,6 +38,10 @@ func Offers() map[string]provider.Offer {
 	}}
 }
 
+// Provisioner is the module holding the seat mesh-provisioner, whose provisions and plans the helper reads: named from this
+// module's manifest (`reads`; TestTheOfferServesThePortTheManifestServes), since no client names a holder (novox/hq ADR 0625 §4).
+const Provisioner = "mesh-provisioner"
+
 // busOf is the helper's bus over the runtime's own state: the provider's bucket is its state `bound`, and the
 // provisions and plans of the seat mesh-provisioner are the states it reads, by mesh-sdk's names (novox/hq ADR 0570,
 // issue 1954 L6-T1). The old assignments are read no more (mesh-sdk 692dbf9, L6-P3).
@@ -47,10 +51,10 @@ func (b busOf) state(bucket string) (string, error) {
 	switch bucket {
 	case provider.BucketOf(Module):
 		return "bound", nil
-	case provisions.ProvisionsBucket:
-		return provisions.ProvisionsRead, nil
-	case provisions.PlansBucket:
-		return provisions.PlansRead, nil
+	case provisions.ProvisionsBucketOf(Provisioner):
+		return provisions.ProvisionsReadOf(Provisioner), nil
+	case provisions.PlansBucketOf(Provisioner):
+		return provisions.PlansReadOf(Provisioner), nil
 	}
 	return "", fmt.Errorf("%s is not a bucket this provider keeps or reads", bucket)
 }
@@ -97,7 +101,7 @@ func (b busOf) Delete(_ context.Context, bucket, key string) error {
 func New(conn *bus.Conn, node string, every time.Duration, logf func(string, ...any)) *provider.Provider {
 	return provider.New(provider.Options{
 		Node:   node,
-		Module: Module,
+		Module: Module, Provisioner: Provisioner,
 		Offers: Offers(),
 		Bus:    busOf{conn: conn},
 		Every:  every,
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/provide/provide_test.go b/node-tools/internal/provide/provide_test.go
index 47957c9..eb35808 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/provide/provide_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/provide/provide_test.go
@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	provisions "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/provisioning/go/clients/meshprovisionerclient"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/provisioning/go/clients/meshprovisionerclient/provider"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/provider"
-	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/provisions"
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/bus"
 	mt "github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/meshtest"
@@ -45,14 +45,14 @@ func fill(t *testing.T, template string, entry map[string]any) string {
 func TestTheRuntimeAnswersAHandedConsumersMcpEndpointThroughTheHelper(t *testing.T) {
 	mesh := mt.New(t)
 	bound := mesh.Bucket(t, "node-tools_bound")
-	plans := mesh.Bucket(t, provisions.PlansBucket)
-	provs := mesh.Bucket(t, provisions.ProvisionsBucket)
+	plans := mesh.Bucket(t, provisions.PlansBucketOf(Provisioner))
+	provs := mesh.Bucket(t, provisions.ProvisionsBucketOf(Provisioner))
 
 	mem := mt.MembershipOf("node-tools", "anchor", false, nil)
 	mem.State = []bus.StateIssued{
 		{Name: "bound", Bucket: "node-tools_bound", Writes: true},
-		{Name: provisions.PlansRead, Bucket: provisions.PlansBucket},
-		{Name: provisions.ProvisionsRead, Bucket: provisions.ProvisionsBucket},
+		{Name: provisions.PlansReadOf(Provisioner), Bucket: provisions.PlansBucketOf(Provisioner)},
+		{Name: provisions.ProvisionsReadOf(Provisioner), Bucket: provisions.ProvisionsBucketOf(Provisioner)},
 	}
 	mesh.Issue(t, mem)
 
@@ -160,8 +160,8 @@ func TestTheOfferServesThePortTheManifestServes(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 	for _, r := range m.Reads {
-		if r == "mesh-placement.assignments" {
-			t.Error("the manifest still reads mesh-placement.assignments, which the sdk's helper no longer reads (issue 1954)")
+		if r == "mesh-module-assigner.assignments" {
+			t.Error("the manifest still reads mesh-module-assigner.assignments, which the sdk's helper no longer reads (issue 1954)")
 		}
 	}
 	for _, a := range m.Build.Artifacts {
@@ -176,9 +176,9 @@ func TestTheOfferServesThePortTheManifestServes(t *testing.T) {
 		declared[n] = true
 	}
 	for bucket, want := range map[string]string{
-		provider.BucketOf(Module):   "bound",
-		provisions.ProvisionsBucket: "mesh-provisioner.provisions",
-		provisions.PlansBucket:      "mesh-provisioner.plans",
+		provider.BucketOf(Module):                  "bound",
+		provisions.ProvisionsBucketOf(Provisioner): "mesh-provisioner.provisions",
+		provisions.PlansBucketOf(Provisioner):      "mesh-provisioner.plans",
 	} {
 		got, err := (busOf{}).state(bucket)
 		if err != nil || got != want || !declared[got] {
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/runtime/announce_test.go b/node-tools/internal/runtime/announce_test.go
index ab49ada..c263b7e 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/runtime/announce_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/runtime/announce_test.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/micro"
 
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/announce"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/bus"
 	mt "github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/meshtest"
 )
@@ -100,10 +101,6 @@ func TestTheRuntimeAnnouncesWhatItServesInTheServicesProtocol(t *testing.T) {
 	if msg, err := nc.Request("$SRV.PING", nil, 2*time.Second); err != nil || !strings.Contains(string(msg.Data), micro.PingResponseType) {
 		t.Errorf("ping: %v %v", msg, err)
 	}
-	if _, err := nc.Request("$SRV.INFO.somebody-else", nil, 300*time.Millisecond); err == nil {
-		t.Error("answered a request for another service")
-	}
-
 	// alpha is re-issued a plain subject: the announcement says so, and says it is interchangeable.
 	mesh.Issue(t, mt.MembershipOf("alpha", "anchor", true, nil))
 	var after string
@@ -120,3 +117,29 @@ func TestTheRuntimeAnnouncesWhatItServesInTheServicesProtocol(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	_ = bus.Served{}
 }
+
+// issue 1966 TLS-3 (ENG-2): the runner states the capabilities of the calls it answers in its PING, on its own instance, which
+// is what its machine's node-engine asks and takes into the node's record; no bundle is needed for it.
+func TestTheRunnerStatesTheCapabilitiesOfItsCallsInItsPing(t *testing.T) {
+	mesh := mt.New(t)
+	mesh.Issue(t, mt.MembershipOf("alpha", "anchor", false, nil))
+	nodeTools := connect(t, "node-tools", "anchor")
+	stop, err := Run(nodeTools, nil, nil, (&mt.Logs{}).Logf)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer stop()
+	nc, err := nats.Connect(mt.URL(t))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer nc.Close()
+	msg, err := nc.Request("$SRV.PING.node-tools.anchor", nil, 2*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ping of the instance: %v", err)
+	}
+	var ping micro.Ping
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(msg.Data, &ping); err != nil || ping.Metadata[announce.Capabilities] != "bus-state-calls,ledger-calls" {
+		t.Errorf("the runner states %q (%v), want its bus-state and ledger calls", ping.Metadata[announce.Capabilities], err)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/runtime/busstate.go b/node-tools/internal/runtime/busstate.go
index bd72a15..3d293d4 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/runtime/busstate.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/runtime/busstate.go
@@ -3,10 +3,38 @@ package runtime
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
+	"sort"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buscalls"
 )
 
+// The capabilities the tool runner states of the calls it answers (novox/hq ADR 0595 §9, ADR 0597; design 25 § 12.4): each is
+// a family of the methods a bundle asks it, named so a manifest's `capabilities` can ask for it, and stated in its announcement
+// (announce.Capabilities) for its machine's node-engine to take into the node's record. A module whose manifest asks for one is
+// held off a machine whose runner does not state it.
+const (
+	CapBusStateCalls = "bus-state-calls"
+	CapLedgerCalls   = "ledger-calls"
+)
+
+// callFamilies are the methods each capability stands for, the ones BusState and BusStateWatch answer.
+var callFamilies = map[string][]string{
+	CapBusStateCalls: {buscalls.ObjectsPut, buscalls.ObjectsGet, buscalls.ObjectsList, buscalls.ObjectsDelete, buscalls.ObjectsInfo,
+		buscalls.ObjectsWatch, buscalls.StreamRead, buscalls.StreamFill, buscalls.WorkQueueSize, buscalls.WorkQueueDead},
+	CapLedgerCalls: {buscalls.LedgerApply, buscalls.LedgerGet, buscalls.LedgerHistory, buscalls.LedgerWatch, buscalls.LedgerQuery,
+		buscalls.LedgerRebuild, buscalls.LedgerReindex, buscalls.LedgerSnapshot, buscalls.LedgerLag},
+}
+
+// CallCapabilities is every capability of the calls this runner answers, sorted.
+func CallCapabilities() []string {
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(callFamilies))
+	for c := range callFamilies {
+		out = append(out, c)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return out
+}
+
 // BusState answers a bundle's calls on its module's bus state in the new form (mesh-sdk buscalls; novox/hq ADR 0595
 // §9, design 25 § 12.5; issue 1966): each as the module whose bundle asks, never a module the request names, so a
 // bundle reaches its own module's bindings alone.
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/runtime/events_test.go b/node-tools/internal/runtime/events_test.go
index bea321b..3f98d4e 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/runtime/events_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/runtime/events_test.go
@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
 package runtime
 
 import (
+	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
@@ -157,3 +159,37 @@ func TestALongRunningBundleThatExitsIsStartedAgain(t *testing.T) {
 
 func fmtSprintf(format string, args ...any) string { return fmt.Sprintf(format, args...) }
 func errorf(format string, args ...any) error      { return fmt.Errorf(format, args...) }
+
+// A bundle loaded again sets its event and heartbeat handlers while the consumer's loop hands a word or an event on: no data race (-race),
+// and the heartbeat is asked of the bus only while some bundle holds a handler.
+func TestAHeartbeatHandlerSetAgainWhileWordsAreHandedOnIsNotARace(t *testing.T) {
+	m := &moduleEvents{}
+	all := &consumers{logf: t.Logf, of: map[string]*moduleEvents{"mod": m}}
+	slot := &beatSlot{}
+	m.beats = []*beatSlot{slot}
+	if m.beatAsked() {
+		t.Fatal("a heartbeat is asked while no bundle gave a handler")
+	}
+	took := &deliverSlot{}
+	took.set(func(json.RawMessage) error { return nil })
+	m.delivers = []*deliverSlot{took}
+	var got atomic.Int32
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		defer close(done)
+		for i := 0; i < 200; i++ {
+			slot.set(func(json.RawMessage) { got.Add(1) })
+			took.set(func(json.RawMessage) error { got.Add(1); return nil })
+		}
+	}()
+	for i := 0; i < 200; i++ {
+		all.handBeat(m, bus.Beat{At: time.Now()})
+		if err := all.handOut("mod", m, bus.Envelope{Key: "a.b", Body: json.RawMessage(`{}`)}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	<-done
+	if !m.beatAsked() {
+		t.Error("a bundle gave a handler and no heartbeat is asked")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/runtime/ledger_credentials_test.go b/node-tools/internal/runtime/ledger_credentials_test.go
index c96afd5..0377d5c 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/runtime/ledger_credentials_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/runtime/ledger_credentials_test.go
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ func TestALedgerIsWrittenOnlyOnItsModulesLedgerConnection(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 	}
-	for _, b := range []string{"m_records", buscompose.GrantsMembershipsBucket} {
+	for _, b := range []string{"m_records", membership.GrantsBucket} {
 		if _, err := js.CreateKeyValue(ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{Bucket: b}); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -76,8 +76,8 @@ func TestALedgerIsWrittenOnlyOnItsModulesLedgerConnection(t *testing.T) {
 	raw, _ := json.Marshal(mem)
 	var sdk membership.Membership
 	_ = json.Unmarshal(raw, &sdk)
-	grants, _ := js.KeyValue(ctx, buscompose.GrantsMembershipsBucket)
-	if _, err := grants.Put(ctx, buscompose.MembershipKey("anchor", "m"), membership.EncodeGrantsMembership(sdk)); err != nil {
+	grants, _ := js.KeyValue(ctx, membership.GrantsBucket)
+	if _, err := grants.Put(ctx, membership.GrantsKey("anchor", "m"), membership.EncodeGrantsMembership(sdk)); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/runtime/ledgers.go b/node-tools/internal/runtime/ledgers.go
index ab2be1e..114cd54 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/runtime/ledgers.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/runtime/ledgers.go
@@ -213,6 +213,21 @@ const (
 	RepairLag      = "ledger_lag"
 )
 
+// repairClash is why a bundle's tools of a module cannot be served beside the runner's own ledger repairs: a tool named as
+// one of them, which the runner serves for every module owning a ledger, would be taken for it or hide it. It names the
+// tool and the repair it clashes with; empty when none does.
+func repairClash(module string, tools []launch.Tool) string {
+	for _, t := range tools {
+		for _, repair := range []string{RepairRebuild, RepairReindex, RepairSnapshot, RepairLag} {
+			if t.Name == repair {
+				return fmt.Sprintf("%s's bundle serves a tool named %s, which is also the ledger repair the runner serves for %s "+
+					"(novox/hq ADR 0597 §10): rename the bundle's tool", module, t.Name, module)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
 // The effects a tool carries (novox/hq ADR 0387 §1).
 const (
 	EffectReads = "reads"
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/runtime/ledgers_test.go b/node-tools/internal/runtime/ledgers_test.go
index b688711..6d530fd 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/runtime/ledgers_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/runtime/ledgers_test.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/bus"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/launch"
 	mt "github.com/novox/mesh-tools/node-tools/internal/meshtest"
 )
 
@@ -179,3 +180,45 @@ func TestAnApplyIsStampedWithTheCallerTheRuntimeProved(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("a call that ended was still taken as in flight")
 	}
 }
+
+// issue 1966 TLS-2: a bundle's tool named as one of the runner's ledger repairs is refused at the load, naming the tool and the
+// repair; any other name is served.
+func TestABundleToolNamedAsALedgerRepairIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, c := range []struct{ name, tool, want string }{
+		{"rebuild", RepairRebuild, "m's bundle serves a tool named ledger_rebuild, which is also the ledger repair the runner serves for m"},
+		{"reindex", RepairReindex, "ledger_reindex"},
+		{"snapshot", RepairSnapshot, "ledger_snapshot"},
+		{"lag", RepairLag, "ledger_lag"},
+		{"another name", "ledger_status", ""},
+	} {
+		t.Run(c.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			got := repairClash("m", []launch.Tool{{Name: "first"}, {Name: c.tool}})
+			if (c.want == "") != (got == "") || !strings.Contains(got, c.want) {
+				t.Errorf("clash %q, want one containing %q", got, c.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// issue 1966 TLS-3: every method of a capability the runner states is a call it answers, and the two states its calls under
+// no other name; none answers "the runtime answers no ...".
+func TestEveryCallOfAStatedCapabilityIsAnswered(t *testing.T) {
+	m, _, _ := aLedger(t)
+	if got := strings.Join(CallCapabilities(), ","); got != "bus-state-calls,ledger-calls" {
+		t.Fatalf("the runner states %s", got)
+	}
+	for capability, methods := range callFamilies {
+		for _, method := range methods {
+			t.Run(capability+" "+method, func(t *testing.T) {
+				_, err := m.BusState(method, json.RawMessage(`"not a request"`))
+				if err != nil && strings.Contains(err.Error(), "the runtime answers no") {
+					if stop, werr := m.BusStateWatch(method, json.RawMessage(`"not a request"`), func(json.RawMessage) error { return nil }); werr != nil && strings.Contains(werr.Error(), "the runtime answers no") {
+						t.Errorf("%s is stated under %s and answered by neither BusState nor BusStateWatch", method, capability)
+					} else if stop != nil {
+						stop()
+					}
+				}
+			})
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/runtime/reload_test.go b/node-tools/internal/runtime/reload_test.go
index 52599df..7375d77 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/runtime/reload_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/runtime/reload_test.go
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ func TestAnEventHeardDuringAReloadIsOfferedAgainNotAPanic(t *testing.T) {
 	c := &consumers{logf: func(string, ...any) {}, of: map[string]*moduleEvents{}}
 	var got []string
 	before := func(json.RawMessage) error { got = append(got, "before"); return nil }
-	old := &moduleEvents{delivers: []*func(json.RawMessage) error{&before}}
+	old := &moduleEvents{delivers: []*deliverSlot{{f: before}}}
 	c.of["ledger"] = old
 	c.dropModule("ledger")
 	env := bus.Envelope{Key: "alpha.happened", Body: json.RawMessage(`{"n":1}`)}
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ func TestAnEventHeardDuringAReloadIsOfferedAgainNotAPanic(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Error("an event heard while the module is loaded again was taken, not offered again")
 	}
 	after := func(json.RawMessage) error { got = append(got, "after"); return nil }
-	fresh := &moduleEvents{delivers: []*func(json.RawMessage) error{&after}}
+	fresh := &moduleEvents{delivers: []*deliverSlot{{f: after}}}
 	c.of["ledger"] = fresh
 	if err := hand(fresh); err != nil {
 		t.Errorf("the bundle loaded again was not handed the event: %v", err)
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/runtime/runtime.go b/node-tools/internal/runtime/runtime.go
index cd76059..de633ed 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/runtime/runtime.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/runtime/runtime.go
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ func Run(conn *bus.Conn, served []Served, envs map[string]map[string]string, log
 	announced, err := announce.Serve(conn, announce.Service{
 		Name: conn.Module(), ID: instanceOf(conn),
 		Description: "the mesh's tool runtime on " + node + ": every assigned module's tools and the seats they hold",
-		Metadata:    map[string]string{"node": node},
+		Metadata:    map[string]string{"node": node, announce.Capabilities: strings.Join(CallCapabilities(), ",")},
 	}, func() []announce.Endpoint { return endpointsOf(conn, r.own(), r.registrations(), r.modules) })
 	if err != nil {
 		logf("[mesh-tools] cannot announce what it serves: %v", err)
@@ -396,6 +396,19 @@ func (r *runner) load(s Served) *loadedModule {
 			fail(err.Error())
 			continue
 		}
+		// A tool named as one of the runner's ledger repairs would be taken for it, or hide it: refused at the load, naming both
+		// (ADR 0597 §10).
+		clashed := ""
+		for _, reg := range child.Registrations {
+			if clashed == "" && r.isServed[reg.Module] {
+				clashed = repairClash(reg.Module, reg.Tools)
+			}
+		}
+		if clashed != "" {
+			child.Stop()
+			fail(clashed)
+			continue
+		}
 		l.children = append(l.children, child.Stop)
 		for _, reg := range child.Registrations {
 			got := registration{module: reg.Module, owner: module, tools: reg.Tools}
@@ -761,7 +774,42 @@ type consumers struct {
 
 type moduleEvents struct {
 	stop     func()
-	delivers []*func(json.RawMessage) error
+	delivers []*deliverSlot
+	beats    []*beatSlot
+}
+
+// slot is where a bundle's handler is kept (its event handler, its heartbeat handler); a bundle loaded again sets it
+// while the consumer's loop reads it, so both go through its own lock.
+type slot[F any] struct {
+	mu sync.Mutex
+	f  F
+}
+
+func (s *slot[F]) get() F {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	return s.f
+}
+
+func (s *slot[F]) set(f F) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	s.f = f
+}
+
+type (
+	deliverSlot = slot[func(json.RawMessage) error]
+	beatSlot    = slot[func(json.RawMessage)]
+)
+
+// beatAsked says whether any bundle of the module asked for the heartbeat; the caller holds c.mu.
+func (m *moduleEvents) beatAsked() bool {
+	for _, t := range m.beats {
+		if t.get() != nil {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
 }
 
 // stopAll unbinds every module's consumer.
@@ -808,7 +856,8 @@ type moduleBus struct {
 	all     *consumers
 	module  string
 	mu      sync.Mutex
-	deliver *func(json.RawMessage) error
+	deliver *deliverSlot
+	beat    *beatSlot
 }
 
 // Publish emits an event as the module (ADR 0193).
@@ -846,15 +895,18 @@ func (b *moduleBus) Ask(params json.RawMessage) (json.RawMessage, error) {
 // Subscribe hands this bundle the module's events. The consumer is bound once per module; each of
 // the module's children that subscribed is handed every event, and the event is acknowledged only
 // when all of them took it — one consumer split between two readers would give each half.
-func (b *moduleBus) Subscribe(deliver func(json.RawMessage) error) error {
+func (b *moduleBus) Subscribe(deliver func(json.RawMessage) error, beat func(json.RawMessage)) error {
 	b.mu.Lock()
 	if b.deliver == nil {
-		d := deliver
-		b.deliver = &d
-	} else {
-		*b.deliver = deliver
+		b.deliver = &deliverSlot{}
 	}
+	b.deliver.set(deliver)
 	mine := b.deliver
+	if b.beat == nil {
+		b.beat = &beatSlot{}
+	}
+	b.beat.set(beat)
+	mineBeat := b.beat
 	b.mu.Unlock()
 
 	c := b.all
@@ -873,12 +925,19 @@ func (b *moduleBus) Subscribe(deliver func(json.RawMessage) error) error {
 	}
 	if !listed {
 		m.delivers = append(m.delivers, mine)
+		m.beats = append(m.beats, mineBeat)
 	}
 	if m.stop != nil {
 		return nil
 	}
 	module := b.module
-	stop, err := c.conn.ConsumeAs(module, func(env bus.Envelope) error { return c.handOut(module, m, env) })
+	// The bus is asked about the consumer only while a bundle of the module asked for the heartbeat.
+	stop, err := c.conn.ConsumeAsBeatingWhen(module, func(env bus.Envelope) error { return c.handOut(module, m, env) },
+		func(b bus.Beat) { c.handBeat(m, b) }, func() bool {
+			c.mu.Lock()
+			defer c.mu.Unlock()
+			return m.beatAsked()
+		})
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -887,6 +946,22 @@ func (b *moduleBus) Subscribe(deliver func(json.RawMessage) error) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// handBeat hands the word on a module's consumer to every child of the module that subscribed, as an event is.
+func (c *consumers) handBeat(m *moduleEvents, b bus.Beat) {
+	raw, err := json.Marshal(b)
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	targets := append([]*beatSlot(nil), m.beats...)
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	for _, t := range targets {
+		if f := t.get(); f != nil {
+			f(raw)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 // errModuleReloading refuses an event heard by a module's consumer that was stopped for a reload.
 var errModuleReloading = errors.New("the module's bundle is being loaded again; offered again")
 
@@ -904,10 +979,10 @@ func (c *consumers) handOut(module string, m *moduleEvents, env bus.Envelope) er
 		c.mu.Unlock()
 		return errModuleReloading
 	}
-	targets := append([]*func(json.RawMessage) error(nil), m.delivers...)
+	targets := append([]*deliverSlot(nil), m.delivers...)
 	c.mu.Unlock()
 	for _, d := range targets {
-		if err := (*d)(raw); err != nil {
+		if err := d.get()(raw); err != nil {
 			c.logf("[mesh-tools] %s did not take %s%s: %s; offered again in %s", module, env.Key,
 				eventRef(env), whyNotTaken(err), bus.NakDelay)
 			return err
diff --git a/node-tools/internal/runtime/seat_traffic_test.go b/node-tools/internal/runtime/seat_traffic_test.go
index 00a4723..9857a32 100644
--- a/node-tools/internal/runtime/seat_traffic_test.go
+++ b/node-tools/internal/runtime/seat_traffic_test.go
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func TestABundlesSeatTrafficGoesThroughItsModulesBus(t *testing.T) {
 	if !strings.Contains(string(first), `"duplicate":false`) || !strings.Contains(string(again), `"duplicate":true`) {
 		t.Errorf("the same id twice: %s, then %s", first, again)
 	}
-	if _, err := asking.Seat("publish", json.RawMessage(`{"subject":"mesh.seat.operator-channel.accept.ask.mesh-placement","body":{}}`), nil); err == nil {
+	if _, err := asking.Seat("publish", json.RawMessage(`{"subject":"mesh.seat.operator-channel.accept.ask.mesh-module-assigner","body":{}}`), nil); err == nil {
 		t.Error("a module submitted under another's name")
 	}
 	got, err := asking.Seat("record", json.RawMessage(`{"key":"d-1"}`), nil)
diff --git a/node-tools/module.json b/node-tools/module.json
index e9d1a43..f490158 100644
--- a/node-tools/module.json
+++ b/node-tools/module.json
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@
     }
   },
   "own-secrets": {
-    "broker": "${dir:mesh-state}/broker"
+    "broker": "${dir:mesh-state}/broker",
+    "ledgers": "${dir:mesh-state}/ledgers"
   },
   "listens": [
     {
@@ -66,14 +67,19 @@
     ]
   },
   "state": [
-    "bound"
+    "bound",
+    "findings"
+  ],
+  "consumes": [
+    "mesh-catalog.seat-definition-changed",
+    "mesh-catalog.seat-definition-removed",
+    "mesh-delivery-assigner.views.assignments",
+    "mesh-delivery-assigner.views.seat-holders",
+    "mesh-delivery-indexer.views.manifests",
+    "mesh-delivery-indexer.views.modules"
   ],
   "reads": [
     "mesh-provisioner.provisions",
-    "mesh-provisioner.plans",
-    "mesh-delivery-assigner.seat-holders",
-    "mesh-delivery-assigner.placement",
-    "mesh-delivery-indexer.modules",
-    "mesh-delivery-indexer.manifests"
+    "mesh-provisioner.plans"
   ]
 }