rules: "The system poster stays true" (section 6, all five copies identical)

The shared rule file carries the same wording in felhom.eu, felhom-controller,
felhom-agent, app-catalog-felhom.eu and the workspace root on DooPlex --
"change all five or none" -- so this is this repo's copy of a rule added in
felhom.eu a08bd3cbd5.

A session that changes a fact listed in
architecture/felhom-system-poster.facts.md (a machine, a role, a traffic path,
a backup tier, a time, a retention, a key, a known gap) updates that file in
the same commit; fixes the poster's text if the change is text only; or adds
"System poster needs a refresh: <what changed>" to STATUS. The report names
which of the three it did.

The poster is drawn in Claude Design and nothing in the repo renders it, so
scripts/poster_facts_gate.py only WARNS when the facts outrun the drawing --
it never fails a push, because a refresh needs the operator and another tool.

Verified identical to the other four copies by diff, before and after.

.claude/rules/health-checks.md

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ fast, and wrong.
 
 This rule used to be duplicated verbatim in felhom-agent/CLAUDE.md with a note explaining that
 felhom.eu/CLAUDE.md "does not load in an agent-only session". That reasoning was correct before
-path-scoped rules existed. The single source is now felhom.eu/CLAUDE.md "Code quality rules"; this
-file is the scoped copy that loads exactly where health checks are written. (2026-08-06)
+path-scoped rules existed. Deliberate scoped copies now live in felhom.eu/.claude/rules/hub.md and
+felhom-controller/.claude/rules/gates.md (hub.md's comment names them); none is the single source. This
+file is the copy that loads exactly where agent health checks are written. (2026-08-06; corrected 2026-10-06)
 -->

.claude/rules/unprompted-work.md

@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+---
+unconditional: true
+---
+# Unprompted work — rules for any session without a task file
+
+> Goal sessions, nightly sessions, "work the register" sessions. **A session that starts from
+> `/goal` or a standing brief inherits these rules exactly as it inherits the gates.** They are the
+> part of `PROMPT-TEMPLATE.md` that a task file used to carry and a goal does not. Same wording lives
+> in `felhom.eu`, `felhom-controller`, `felhom-agent` and `app-catalog-felhom.eu` `.claude/rules/`, and in the workspace
+> root's unversioned `.claude/rules/`; change all five or none.
+
+## 1. What you may pick up on your own
+
+- A register row **you or another CC session filed**, with owner CC, at P3 or a bounded P2, that
+  needs **no operator decision**, touches **no customer data by design**, and introduces **no
+  mechanism nobody has measured**. Smallest first.
+- A defect you find while exercising the product, filed as a row **before** you fix it — **unless it is small**:
+  a small finding is fixed in the session and never filed (the size rule, `OPEN-ITEMS.md` „How a row is filed").
+- Hygiene: register compression, stale citations, rows with no owner, documents that contradict
+  live source.
+
+**Not yours, ever, without a task file or an operator word:** money; anything that changes risk to
+customer data; anything that changes a promise the product makes to a customer; anything that
+reverses a documented design decision (`documentation/architecture/` — a design decision is not a
+defect, R-370); anything on DooPlex or ep0; baking or vouching a golden; promoting a
+catalog version; a new external dependency; **a hub image build or hub deploy in a session the operator does not
+attend** (operator ruling 2026-10-07, `09` §3 decision 162).
+
+## 2. When you may decide instead of ask (operator grant, 2026-09-14)
+
+You may take a decision yourself when **all** of these hold: the architecture folder and the register
+give a clear direction; your choice follows that direction; it is reversible without customer-data
+risk; and you can write it in the `09-update-architecture.md` §3 shape — one answerable sentence, the
+options, what each costs, why this one. **Then record it** as a dated decision in `CONTEXT.md` and
+the owning architecture document, tagged *decided by CC unattended — operator may reverse*, and put
+it **first** in the morning note. A decision you cannot write in that shape is one you do not take.
+
+## 3. The discipline a task file used to carry
+
+1. **Baselines first.** Read each repo's `main` hash and version from live source before touching it.
+2. **Read the architecture document for the area, and name it** in the report, before any claim.
+3. **Red-proof every correctness fix.** A test never seen failing has not been shown to test anything.
+4. **Live-validate on a Tier-0 box** through the endpoints the UI invokes. `demo-hp` is `ssh hp`.
+   Throwaway apps only; the standing apps and `bentopdf` stay.
+5. **Evidence off the machine at the end of each phase**, before any revert (R-320).
+6. **One release per repo per session**, with a CHANGELOG entry (controller: with its `MinAgent`
+   line), REPORT overwritten, floor raised to deliver it. **No golden unless a drill or fresh install
+   needs one** (the waiver, R-468). **No `--no-verify`.**
+7. **An enumerated gap becomes a row in the same session — or, if it is small, is fixed in it** (the size rule).
+   Prose is not a record.
+8. **Hungarian text is searched with ASCII fragments**, with a positive and a negative control.
+9. **Never leave a half-state.** If time runs out, revert to clean and say what was reverted.
+10. **Teardown, three layers, stated** — machine, host, hub — or "provisioned nothing".
+11. **Every helper prompt carries the brief's fences in full** (operator ruling 2026-10-07). A helper session (a
+    subagent, a fork, a workflow agent) gets the brief's fence list word for word — every protected machine, every
+    „no", every delivery and Docker limit — not a summary and not „the usual fences". Earned on 2026-10-06 night: two
+    helpers whose prompts carried only part of the fences ran `docker volume prune` on the bench and a Docker-using
+    gate on DooPlex.
+
+## 4. The morning note
+
+One screen, plain language, in this order: **decisions you took** (§2) first; what you exercised;
+what broke and whether you fixed it; rows opened and closed with the register size before and after;
+what needs the operator, each with what happens if they do nothing. No file paths, no function
+names, no row numbers as the subject of a sentence.
+
+## 5. Instruction files
+
+**Instruction files (`CLAUDE.md`, `.claude/rules/*`) are kept true by the session that finds them wrong**
+(operator ruling 2026-10-06, `09` §3 decision 150). A session MAY, without asking: correct a stale fact (a command, a
+count, a version, a path, a description of what a gate does), add a fact it proved, and remove a reference to something
+that no longer exists. Each edit is named in the report (file, line, before, after, why). A session MAY NOT, without the
+operator's word: loosen a safety rule, a fence, a „never", a protected machine, a secret rule, or a review step; or
+remove a rule. When in doubt, it is a rule change, and it goes to the operator. If Claude Code's own permission check
+asks before such an edit, wait for the operator's click; if it refuses, record that and file the exact line.
+
+## 6. The system poster stays true
+
+**A session that changes a fact listed in `architecture/felhom-system-poster.facts.md` (a machine, a
+role, a traffic path, a backup tier, a time, a retention, a key, a known gap) updates that file in
+the same commit.** If the change is text only, it also edits the matching text in
+`felhom-system-poster.html`. If it needs a new drawing, it adds the line
+**"System poster needs a refresh: <what changed>"** to `STATUS.md`'s "waiting on the operator" list.
+**The session report names which of the three it did.**
+
+Why the three-way split: the poster is a drawing made in Claude Design, and **nothing in this
+repository renders it** — unlike `where-felhom-stands.html`, which has `render_stands.py`. So the
+facts file is the source of truth and the drawing trails it. `scripts/poster_facts_gate.py` warns
+when the facts file has a newer commit than the poster; it **never fails a push**, because a refresh
+needs the operator and another tool, and a gate nobody can clear is a gate people learn to route
+around.

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,5 +1,213 @@
+## v0.154.0 — no OS leg after a household press; the after-boot kernel report carries the real ring (R-899); no „wrong code" when older packages were not checked (R-304); the last backup survives a restart in the host report; the Secure Boot meta-package leaves the Proxmox lane (2026-10-09)
+
+Released by `scripts/release-agent.sh`: binary sha256 `36a54ad20e896cd61d7b9944e2a521f4209c2b76940d8f1827af05b645463226`, bundle
+`93487989f50d4a3039a05cec0f91ec478d62489a414705e49403e9b1340d20e0` (tag `v0.154.0` = `db25b46`).
+
+**Delivery: the agent binary AND the config bundle** — the wrapper `felhom-os-apply` changed (2026-10-09).
+
+- **The hub's backup evidence survives a restart (2026-10-09, found in the kernel-night read-back).** The host report's
+  `backups` list came only from memory, which is empty after an agent restart. On demo-felhom the night backup landed
+  02:40 UTC and the kernel step restarted the host at 02:44 — no report fell in between, two nights running — so the hub
+  alarmed „host tier: newest backup is 48h old" at 03:00 after a good backup. The report now adds R-894's saved newest
+  success per tier and guest (`backup-success-state.json`, ONE instance shared with the local API) where memory holds no
+  success at or after it. Only successes are saved, so a failure is never hidden. `hub.KnownBackupReporter`,
+  `BackupSuccessState.KnownBackupSuccesses`; tests `TestCollectBackups_SavedSuccessSurvivesARestart` (red-proved: the
+  restart case reported nothing), `TestBackupSuccessState_KnownBackupSuccessesSurviveAReopen`, and
+  `TestR894_LastKnownBackupsIsWiredIntoTheDaemon` now also asserts the collector gets the same instance (red-proved).
+- **`proxmox-secure-boot-support` is a boot-chain package (2026-10-09).** On demo-hp (Secure Boot on) its upgrade pulled
+  `shim-signed-common`; in the ring-0 Proxmox plan that refused the whole step (R6) and skipped the night's kernel step,
+  after the household had been told „tonight". It joins `HOST_SLOW_RE` with shim and GRUB (they stay out of every lane,
+  as before). `test_ring0_pending_pve_leaves_the_secure_boot_meta_out` (red-proved).
+
+- **R-899 (operator ruling 2026-10-08, option A):** `POST /backup?trigger=manual` (a „Mentés most" press, sent by the
+  controller from its next release) runs no OS leg after it: the leg belongs to the night, after the night's own copy.
+  Before, a press ran the leg at once (in the day; on 2026-10-07 08:51 demo-hp skipped it only by the 20-hour rule). A
+  request without the parameter (an older controller, the scheduled path) behaves as before.
+  `internal/localapi/server.go`; `TestAfterPrimaryBackup` gained two sub-cases (red-proved: ignoring `trigger`, the leg
+  ran once after a press).
+- **R-304 — „wrong code" only when every earlier package was tried.** `POST /escrow/recover-offsite-password` answered
+  400 („the recovery code did not open the sealed bundle") whenever the current package and the TRIED earlier packages
+  refused the code — even when the hub withheld earlier packages (rows with no key material, rows over its serve cap), a
+  served package was malformed, the 6-attempt cap stopped the loop, or the retained list could not be read at all. Now
+  those cases answer **424** with `older_unchecked` (the count, -1 = unknown) and a sentence that does not call the code
+  wrong. `escrow.ErrRetainedUnchecked` / `RetainedUncheckedError`; the retained fetcher's second value is now every
+  withheld package (unopenable + truncated + malformed). Tests `TestR304_*` (real age crypto; red-proved: without the
+  check, four cases returned the wrong-code error) and a 424 row in `TestRecoverOffsitePassword_EachSituationGetsItsOwnStatus`.
+  An older controller maps the unknown 424 to its neutral „we do not know why" sentence.
+- **The „ring 1" label after a boot:** in the first second after a reboot the agent has not fetched the hub's block, and
+  the after-boot kernel reports (`judging`, `good`, `revert`, `fell_back`…) said ring 1 on a ring-0 box (demo-felhom,
+  2026-10-08 night). Now they read the fetched block, else the block the daemon saved on disk before the reboot (R-866),
+  else ring 1 as before. A label only — the hub's approval reads its own ring list. `kernelReportRing`,
+  `TestKernelReportRing_BeforeFirstFetch` (red-proved: ring 1, want 0).
+
+## v0.153.0 — ring 0 stages exactly the told kernel (R-898; `09` §3 decision 176) (2026-10-07)
+
+Released by `scripts/release-agent.sh`: binary sha256 `b204ebe6d65944f43b70dcfa4ae0dfb90da38c92e2ba6a38a1826e488eeb6630`, bundle
+`6db216275eb0dd39188d93481a2045998a69e8cb7838ad908a58d65d9a6a9b57` (tag `v0.153.0` = `2d1e5d0`). Delivered (binary only — the
+bundle files are unchanged from 0.152.0) to demo-hp, demo-felhom, Tester 1 on 2026-10-07 19:03.
+
+**Delivery: the agent binary only** — no root file changed (the wrapper is unchanged; its tests gained two cases).
+
+- `internal/osupdate/kernel.go`: ring 0's night kernel step stages EXACTLY the kernel the household was told about
+  (select `listed`, `KernelSet(kver)` = the series meta-package and the signed image at the kernel's own version) instead
+  of "whatever is pending tonight". Seen 2026-10-07: demo-felhom was told about 7.0.14-20 while its sources offered
+  7.0.14-22 by night — the old code staged `pending-kernel` and the wrapper refused it (R23), losing the night. A told
+  version that is no longer installable is refused by the wrapper before any change (R7) and the hub tells the household
+  again for the newer kernel (hub v0.143.1). Tests `TestKernel_Ring0ToldNightStagesThenReboots` (red-proved against the
+  old select), `TestKernelSet`; wrapper `test_ring0_listed_installs_the_told_kernel_not_the_newest`,
+  `test_ring0_told_kernel_gone_is_refused_before_any_change`.
+
+## v0.152.0 — the kernel lane (R-836; `09` §3 decisions 164, 172; `11` §5.11) (2026-10-07)
+
+Released by `scripts/release-agent.sh`: binary sha256 `95ff42208e36ba49b6e2b09a97e81a6fa11562ecc8042f1ed18d378b8b1f88b1`,
+config bundle sha256 `f0c2cec374b711b3c131c955012b33fd0ad495337d049b7a743c3eef9e85c20b` (tag `v0.152.0` = `d03ab7f`).
+Step bundle `0.152.0-step1` sha256 `0b71d32b054cf3b7ade0234ffcbb0df159901f542cde540adaee411db466f48e` (the 0.151.0 bundle
+with only `felhom-os-apply` replaced; `scripts/build-step-bundle.py`), published as package version `0.152.0-step1`.
+
+**Delivery: agent binary, then the STEP bundle `0.152.0-step1`, then the bundle `0.152.0`** — the bundle ADDS two paths
+(the GRUB generators), and an installed `felhom-os-apply` refuses a path its own table lacks (R16, R-880).
+
+A new kernel boots ONCE; if it crashes the box comes back on the old kernel by itself; it becomes the default only after
+a healthy boot; a booted-but-unhealthy kernel is reverted ONCE by the agent with no person. Built on the spike's
+candidate 2 (`audits/kernel-spike-2026-10-07/`), with option C on the one-shot entry.
+
+- `configs/felhom-grub-oneshot.sh` → `/etc/grub.d/01_felhom_oneshot` (bundle): reads `felhom_next` from a GRUB env block
+  on the ESP (`EFI/felhom/oneshot.env`), clears and saves it BEFORE the menu, and sets the default to that kernel's
+  one-shot entry only when the name is an installed kernel. No vfat ESP → prints nothing.
+- `configs/felhom-grub-oneshot-entries.sh` → `/etc/grub.d/42_felhom_oneshot` (bundle): one entry per installed kernel,
+  id `felhom-oneshot-<ver>`, the normal entry plus `softlockup_panic=1 hardlockup_panic=1 hung_task_panic=1 panic=10`
+  (option C). Sorted after `10_linux`: never entry 0, never the default.
+- `configs/felhom-os-apply`: layer `kernel` (lane slow; an appliance; authority = a signed `os_kernel_step` or the
+  root-owned ring-0 mark). Modes: `apply` STAGES (select `pending-kernel` or a signed `listed` set; `expect_kver` = the
+  kernel the household was told about): pins the GRUB default to the RUNNING kernel in
+  `/etc/default/grub.d/zz-felhom-kernel-default.cfg` and proves it from grub.cfg, installs, proves the default did not
+  move and the one-shot entry exists, writes the flag; never reboots. `kernel-reboot` (a staged step only),
+  `kernel-boot` (judging | fell_back | self_reverted | revert_failed), `kernel-good` (the new kernel becomes the
+  default, proved), `kernel-revert` (ONE per step; refused when the default is not the old kernel), `kernel-cancel`,
+  `kernel-status`. New refusals: R20 (the box cannot do a one-shot: not UEFI, no vfat ESP, a separate /boot, GRUB
+  without fat/loadenv, the generators missing, a hand pin), R21 (the crash guard tripped or an unclean boot in its
+  window), R22 (the phase does not allow the mode; never two steps within 20 h), R23 (not exactly one newer kernel, or
+  not the one signed / told). State `/var/lib/felhom-kernel/state.json`. Facts carry `kernel_lane`; the next-boot
+  kernel reads the flag and the grub.cfg default. Tests: `KernelLane` (27), red-proof
+  `felhom.eu/documentation/audits/kernel-lane-2026-10-07/A/redproof.txt`.
+- `configs/felhom-crash-guard` unchanged; `KernelStepCannotLeaveTheBoxOff` (3 tests) pins that a step's planned reboot,
+  one crash and one self-revert add ONE unclean boot (a panic before userspace adds none), so the box cannot stay off.
+- `internal/osupdate/kernel.go`: the night leg ends with the kernel step — after a healthy host step (and a healthy
+  Proxmox step when one ran), trigger `night` only, on a night the hub's `os_update.kernel` block marks `tonight` (the
+  household was mailed the day before — no mail, no step). Ring 0 stages + reboots; ring 1 reboots only a kernel a
+  signed `os_kernel_step` staged (`KernelStepExecutor`: stage only, under the heavy-op gate). The hub hears `staged`
+  BEFORE the reboot. At every start `KernelAfterBoot`: on the new kernel it JUDGES the boot — `KernelVerdict` = the
+  host health rule (`11` §8.2) AND the box reached the hub (the `judging` report itself) — for 20 minutes (measured:
+  everything healthy 68 s after the reboot on demo-felhom, 272 s on demo-hp; under the hub's 45-minute `host_stale` (`alerting.stale_threshold`)).
+  Healthy → `kernel-good`, outcome `applied`; not healthy → outcome `health_failed`, then ONE `kernel-revert`.
+  Tests: `TestKernel*` (13); red-proofs in the same file.
+- `internal/hub`: `WireOSUpdate.Kernel` {kver, tonight, notified_at}. `internal/reconcile`: `os_kernel_step` is
+  destructive-class. `cmd/felhom-opsign`: the op is listed.
+
+## v0.151.0 — the agent can no longer hand the guest any image; the Proxmox package lane; the other-key archives reported; the DR directive retired (R-861, R-812 A, R-366, R-105; `09` §3 163, 165, 168, 169) (2026-10-07)
+
+Released by `scripts/release-agent.sh`: binary sha256 `0464354f2cdf452a7c5d2a74d9191fe91415fcfa244154480d26d5b30e10b194`
+config bundle sha256 `bacd1d175a9392bc1755341d01a106abbd72aba48ab575e7a32dd819d8f5da4c` (tag `v0.151.0` = `dd7cdc0`).
+**Deliver the binary FIRST, then the bundle:** the bundle's sudoers removes the `tee` grant the 0.150.0 binary still uses.
+No path added (26 → 26), so no step bundle.
+
+### Part of v0.151.0 — the agent can no longer hand the guest any image; felhom-op's pct lines are exact (R-861 (a) A1, (b) B2; `09` §3 decision 165)
+
+**Delivery order: agent binary FIRST, then the config bundle.** The new sudoers drops the agent's in-guest `tee`
+grant; an older binary still calls `tee`, so a bundle that lands before the binary would stop managed controller
+updates (and the old binary's capability probe would read `controllerswap-write` degraded). No bundle path is added
+(`felhom-priv-apply` and `/etc/sudoers.d/felhom-op` are already bundle files), so no step bundle.
+
+- `configs/felhom-priv-apply`: new verb `controller-image <vmid>` — reads the ref on stdin (≤ 256 bytes, ASCII, one
+  optional trailing newline), requires `^gitea\.dooplex\.hu/admin/felhom-controller:[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$` (the agent's
+  own `controllerImageRe`), then runs `pct exec <vmid> -- tee /etc/felhom-controller-image` AS ROOT; refusal rule `I1`
+  (rc 3), a bad vmid `A1` (rc 2); listed in `--self-check`.
+- `configs/felhom-agent.sudoers` `FELHOM_CONTROLLERSWAP`: `pct ^exec [0-9]+ -- tee /etc/felhom-controller-image$`
+  REMOVED; `/usr/local/sbin/felhom-priv-apply ^controller-image [0-9]+$` added.
+- `internal/localapi`: `GuestExecutor.GuestExecStdin` replaced by `WriteControllerImage`; `GuestBinder.WriteControllerImage`
+  pipes `ref\n` to the verb through the fenced runner; the swap's `writeImage` calls it. Capability `controllerswap-write`
+  now probes the verb.
+- `configs/felhom-op.sudoers` (B2, hygiene): `pct start|stop|unlock [0-9]*` → `pct ^start [0-9]+$` etc. (the glob's `*`
+  matched spaces: `pct stop 9201 --skiplock 1` passed).
+- Tests: `ControllerImage` (5, `configs/test_felhom_priv_apply.py`), `TestSudoersRefusesTheR861Injections` (+3 lines),
+  `TestSudoersAllowsTheControllerImageVerb`, `TestFelhomOpSudoersPctIsExact`, `TestR861_WriteControllerImageUsesTheRootVerb`,
+  `TestControllerSwap_WriteViaRootVerb_NoShell`. Red-proofs: `felhom.eu/documentation/audits/day-2026-10-07/C/`.
+- `README.md`: the controller-swap paragraph described the removed `tee` path — corrected.
+### Part of v0.151.0 — the Proxmox package lane (R-812 option A, `09` §3 decision 163)
+
+**MinAgent impact: none** (a new layer; an older hub ignores the pve report). **The bundle carries the new
+`felhom-os-apply` — deliver it with the binary** (signed `agent_update`, then signed `agent_config_update`).
+
+- `configs/felhom-os-apply`: new layer `pve`, lane `slow` only — the host's Proxmox USERSPACE packages: origin `Proxmox Debian Repository` only (R2), never a kernel / boot / firmware / microcode name (R14, `HOST_SLOW_RE` — the kernel is R-836's lane), no removal (R4), no undo (R5), a new package only from `PVE_NEW_ALLOW` (`proxmox-firewall-data`, measured on demo-felhom; R6 otherwise), an appliance only (R12), authority = a signed `os_pve_step` or the root-owned ring-0 mark (R3). Select `pending-pve` (ring 0): installed Proxmox-origin packages with a pending upgrade. The report carries `pve_manager` (pveversion after the step).
+- `internal/pvegate` (new): the agent's own writes to /etc/pve wait while a pve step runs (pmxcfs restarts); the step waits for writes in flight (bounded, 2 min — then it fails and does not run). Wired at `proxmox.Client.doBody` (every non-GET) and `ExecRunner.RunStdin` (`WritesEtcPVE`: pct config verbs, pvesm, pveum, felhom-pbs-apply create/reconcile).
+- `internal/osupdate`: `LayerPVE`; the night leg runs the pve step in ring 0 after a healthy host step (an appliance; ring 1 never in the night leg); `PVEHealthVerdict` = the host rule + every running container keeps its id + pveversion reads the installed pve-manager; the pve report carries Proxmox userspace only (the hub's candidate set). `PVEStepExecutor` (signed `os_pve_step`, ring 1, under the heavy-op gate and the /etc/pve gate); `reconcile.ClassOSPVEStep` (destructive-class); `felhom-opsign -op os_pve_step` (params by `-params`).
+- Tests: wrapper `PVELane` (17; red first — the `pve-manager` plan was refused R12 on the old code), `pvegate` (5), `TestPVEGate_*` + `TestWritesEtcPVE`, `TestPVE_*`, `TestPVEHealthVerdict`, `TestPVEStepExecutor_*`. Red-proofs: `felhom.eu/documentation/audits/day-2026-10-07/B/`.
+### Part of v0.151.0
+
+- R-366 slice 2 (`09` §3 decision 168): the restore-test pick records, per tier, the archives it skipped as written with another key (count, oldest, newest — no key material) in a `ForeignKeyLedger`; the host report carries it as `foreign_key_archives.tiers` (the stanza absent until a tier was evaluated since start, `tiers: []` when none — no null on the wire, the report contract forbids it). The hub turns a change into one operator line. Tests `TestR366_PickRecordsArchivesWrittenWithAnotherKey`, `TestR366_EvaluatedWithNoneIsAnEmptyList` (red-proved, `felhom.eu/documentation/audits/day-2026-10-07/E/`).
+- R-105 option A (`09` §3 decision 169): the `--selftest=escrow-create -directive <file>` flag and the escrow upload's `directive` field are removed — nothing read the directive; the DR path reads the recipe, tenantsync and the escrow blob. The hub ignores a `directive` from an older agent.
+
+## v0.150.0 — the Docker step proves the engine reports a memory kill; after a restart the agent remembers the last backup per tier; three more SMART counters on the wire (R-528, R-894, R-330; `09` §3 decisions 157, 161) (2026-10-07)
+
+Released by `scripts/release-agent.sh`: binary sha256 `a23d1c9085bc7fd4fc48fe0327f6504aa83e6331510fb4a3d23e042dddb26f9c`
+config bundle sha256 `88456b386d9b1027bd22861cac8c23df004bf9fd9f67644d6595bfca8c94498e` (tag `v0.150.0` = `3a72a48`).
+**The bundle carries the new `felhom-os-apply` (the memory-kill check) — deliver it with the binary:** signed
+`agent_update`, then signed `agent_config_update`. No path added (26 → 26), so no step bundle.
+
+### Part of v0.150.0 (2026-10-06 night, later) — after a restart the agent remembers the last backup per tier (R-894); three more SMART counters on the wire (R-330)
+
+Ships with the memory-kill check below as v0.150.0, AFTER the 2026-10-07 night read-back. Nothing delivered tonight.
+
+- **The defect (measured 2026-10-05 on demo-hp):** the agent restarted at 04:57; at 06:25 the off-site storage answered *Can't connect*; the per-tier backup record is in memory only, so the due-check fell back to an EMPTY record and the 7-day tier (last copy 4 days old) read DUE; the controller asked and vzdump failed.
+- New `internal/backup/backup_state.go` `BackupSuccessState`: the newest SUCCESSFUL backup per tier and guest, on disk (`<oob state dir>/backup-success-state.json`, atomic tmp+rename, 0600). Only successes are written; a corrupt file reads as nothing known.
+- `internal/localapi` `handleBackupDue`: when the tier's storage CANNOT be read, the saved copy stands in for the in-memory record. A fresh copy → not due („… (storage unreadable — age from the last success saved on disk)"); a copy older than the cadence → DUE; no copy → the old answer (DUE, age unknown). A storage that answers stays the ground truth: an archive absent there is due even when the file remembers one.
+- Wired in `buildLocalAPIServer` (`LastKnownBackups`); the local API's backup job saves each success.
+- Tests: `TestBackupDue_R894_*` (restart = a new server and a new state from the same file; fresh / old / none / storage answers / failed backup not saved), `TestBackupSuccessState_*`, `TestR894_LastKnownBackupsIsWiredIntoTheDaemon` (AST). Four red-proofs observed (`felhom.eu/documentation/audits/night-burndown-2026-10-06/s4/`).
+- **R-330 (disk health Phase 2, the wire only):** the SMART summary carries three more SATA raw counters — `reported_uncorrect` (187), `command_timeout` (188, carried as the vendor reports it; some pack several counters), `udma_crc_errors` (199). Pointer + omitempty: an attribute the drive does not report is OMITTED (unknown), never 0. No verdict reads them yet. Tests `TestParseSMART_R330_*` (two red-proofs, `felhom.eu/documentation/audits/night-burndown-2026-10-06/r330/`).
+
+### Part of v0.150.0 (2026-10-06 night) — the Docker step proves the engine reports a memory kill (`09` §3 decision 157, R-528)
+
+To be released as v0.150.0 with its config bundle AFTER the 2026-10-07 night read-back (the night of 2026-10-06 runs v0.149.0 on purpose).
+
+- `configs/felhom-os-apply`: after a docker-layer APPLY (after `health_after`) the wrapper runs `oom_check()`: a throwaway container from the image the running controller uses (`--pull never`, `--network none`, no volume, label `felhom.oomcheck=1`, 64 MB cap) asks for one 200 MB block; „pass" only when `OOMKilled=true` AND the `oom` event; it waits 2 s and reads the events window to the guest's epoch + 1 (measured: a window closed in the same second missed the event); the container is always removed. Reported as `oom_check`; it never changes the step's outcome or health. A wrapper-only mode `oom-check` runs the check alone (no apt, no engine change), by hand as root.
+- `internal/osupdate`: `WrapperReport` and `Report` carry `oom_check` verbatim, on the normal pass and on the kept-copy path (R-868).
+- `configs/test_felhom_os_apply.py`: its `unittest.main()` sat in the middle of the file, so 11 tests (UnsentReport, SaveReportOnDisk, AgentDiesMidPass, CrashLeftTheJournal) never ran — moved to the end; all pass.
+- Tests: the OOMCheck class (pass, OOMKilled=false, no event, unreadable image, removal on an inspect error, not on other layers or in health mode, the events window after the settle wait, mode oom-check alone and its refusals); TestDocker_OOMCheckReachesTheHubUnchanged, TestR868_KeptCopyCarriesTheOOMCheck. 12 red-proofs in `felhom.eu/documentation/audits/readback-2026-10-07/F/`.
+
+### Part of v0.150.0 (2026-10-06 evening) — the shared rule file (`09` §3 decision 152); no code change
+
+- `.claude/rules/unprompted-work.md` added, byte-identical to the copies in felhom.eu, felhom-controller, app-catalog-felhom.eu and the workspace root (checked with `diff` against the controller's copy and one md5 across all five). Its copies line names five copies.
+
+### Part of v0.150.0 (2026-10-06 afternoon) — instruction files kept true (`09` §3 decision 150); no code change
+
+- `CLAUDE.md` „Gates — ONE entry point": the runner runs every gate in its `GATES` table (five: three shared, `published`, `release-complete`); `--fast` skips `published` (network). It said two gates and „all of them".
+- `CLAUDE.md`: the decoy gate and its audit are named with their `felhom.eu/` prefix (they do not exist in this repo).
+- `.claude/rules/health-checks.md` (comment): the health-check rule's copies live in felhom.eu `hub.md` and the controller's `gates.md`; it named felhom.eu `CLAUDE.md` „Code quality rules", which holds no such rule.
+
+## v0.149.0 — a weekly disk trim of each customer guest, the crash-boot fact for the controller, the phantom WARN names its runbook (R-444, R-856, R-99; operator rulings `09` §3 139, 143, 140) (2026-10-06)
+
+Released by `scripts/release-agent.sh`: binary sha256 `6bcae9c2eb5d97e8285316583870059835793893299e291891a53a4ce505585f`
+config bundle sha256 `e182c82dcf4a67faa3bcb74dbe4ffa7b06e0b27dc8451cb7574d6339ce91ad66` (tag `v0.149.0` = `f277e61`).
+**The bundle carries the new sudoers rule for the trim (`FELHOM_FSTRIM`) — deliver it with the binary:** signed
+`agent_update`, then signed `agent_config_update`.
+
+- R-856 (`09` §3 decision 143): new local-API route `GET /host/crash-guard` — passes the host crash guard's last-boot record (present, last_boot_at, last_boot_unclean, tripped) from /var/lib/felhom-crash-guard/state.json to the controller, which waits ~15 min with app mails after a crash boot. Read-only, no Proxmox call, guest-token authed; a missing/unreadable/garbled file answers 200 present:false (never an error page). An older agent answers 404, which the controller reads as unknown (normal 90 s grace) — no controller MinAgent raise needed.
+- R-444 (`09` §3 decision 139): weekly guest disk trim. New sudoers alias FELHOM_FSTRIM with ONE exact rule `/usr/sbin/pct ^fstrim [0-9]+$` (rides the signed config bundle; decoys pinned by TestSudoersFstrimRuleIsExact) and capability guest-fstrim (non-critical). New internal/fstrim job: each owned RUNNING guest gets `pct fstrim <vmid>` once a week - due Wednesday from 10:00 host-local, starts only 10:00-20:59 (never the 01:00-06:59 night), holds the one-heavy-op gate so it never runs beside a backup or restore-test (busy -> deferred to the next hourly tick; a box that was off catches up at its next daytime hour); a failed trim WARNs and is retried at most 3 times that week; bytes parsed from `pct fstrim`'s "(N bytes) trimmed" lines; positive log `fstrim: guest N trimmed X GiB in Ys`; last result per guest persisted in <state_dir>/guest-disk-trim.json and reported as the new omitempty host-report stanza `guest_disk_trim`. Opt-out: agent.json "disk_trim": {"disable": true}.
+- R-99 (`09` §3 decision 140): the agent's WARN for a PBS archive below the 1 MiB plausibility floor now ends with the pointer to the sanctioned cleanup (`documentation/runbooks/pbs-phantom-cleanup.md`); detection only — nothing is deleted automatically. Dir-storage archives keep the old text.
+
 ## unreleased
 
+- R-426: scripts/test_gate_decoys.py (new) — the published gate judged against a fake Gitea (127.0.0.1, via GITEA_BASE; never the real registry): 11 cases; COVERS published — `felhom-agent/published` leaves the decoy-coverage EXEMPT list.
+- R-426: release-complete gate — 10 decoy cases (scratch clone + scratch bare origin + fake Gitea); COVERS release-complete — `felhom-agent/release-complete` leaves the decoy-coverage EXEMPT list.
+- R-426: the shared reuse-refs/instructions/observations gates get agent-side decoys (9 cases on a scratch clone of this repo); COVERS reuse-refs, instructions, observations — three `felhom-agent/*` entries leave the decoy-coverage EXEMPT list.
+- **Fixed without a row:** `configs/test_felhom_config_bundle.py` read the two ISO first-boot files that installer 1.32.0 now NAMES under KEPT (R-275) as files the installer writes — `go test ./internal/osupdate` was red on DooPlex from 21:25 to 01:55 (felhom.eu `85de3f9b`); they are listed with why. Test only; agent v0.148.0's code is unaffected.
+
+## v0.148.0 — the host report names the running binary's sha; the format answer carries the new filesystem's UUID (burn-down night: R-349, R-25 agent halves) (2026-10-06)
+
+Released by `scripts/release-agent.sh`: binary sha256 `3e68a0870e0e2ce262cb4819294edddeb0a73e8c558a31611a20329a6d9ee283`
+config bundle sha256 `a6fa4f589d184b58c9911303bd087e300be1e75b3647e4302c9594df6989c4de` (tag `v0.148.0` = `861d32a`).
+Delivery order as for v0.147.0: signed `agent_update`, then signed `agent_config_update`.
+
 - **R-349:** the host report carries `agent_sha256`, the sha256 of the running agent binary (read once from
   `/proc/self/exe`; empty = unknown), so a hand-built binary under the vouched version name becomes visible. The hub
   comparison is a separate hub change. Test `TestCollect_AgentSHA256IsTheRunningBinary`; red-proved.

CLAUDE.md

@@ -52,11 +52,11 @@ This is in the core because breaching it is how this component stops being audit
 
 ## Gates — ONE entry point
 
-**Run `python3 scripts/agent_gates.py` from the repo root after ANY change here.** It runs this
-repo's gates — `reuse_refs_check` and `instructions_gate`, both the **shared** copies in
-`felhom.eu/scripts/`, never copied into this repo (a copy recreates the drift they detect; an absent
-sibling clone FAILS). `--fast` selects the gates touching no network and no container runtime; today
-that is all of them. **A missing gate is a FAILURE, never a skip.**
+**Run `python3 scripts/agent_gates.py` from the repo root after ANY change here.** It runs every
+gate in its `GATES` table (that table is the list); the shared ones — `reuse_refs_check`,
+`instructions_gate`, `observations_gate` — are the copies in `felhom.eu/scripts/`, never copied into
+this repo (a copy recreates the drift they detect; an absent sibling clone FAILS). `--fast` selects the
+gates touching no network and no container runtime, and skips `published` (network), naming it. **A missing gate is a FAILURE, never a skip.**
 
 **The pre-push hook** (`.githooks/pre-push`) runs it with `--fast` and refuses a failing push. It is
 **per-clone** — switch it on once with `git config core.hooksPath .githooks`, and a manual run WARNS
@@ -104,8 +104,8 @@ the mechanism are exempt.
 
 **A gate ships with a decoy test that has been seen to fail (R-421).** A decoy is the LABEL without
 the FACT — a directory with the right name and no bake log, a note whose prose mentions the marker it
-lacks. `scripts/decoy_coverage_gate.py` refuses a new gate that has neither a decoy nor a named
+lacks. `felhom.eu/scripts/decoy_coverage_gate.py` (run by felhom.eu's `repo_gates.py`, for all four repos) refuses a new gate that has neither a decoy nor a named
 exemption carrying its row. The four shapes, the 2026-09-01 sweep that fooled 16 of 29 gates, and the
-decoys withdrawn as illegitimate: `documentation/audits/AUDIT-gate-decoys-2026-09-01.md` and
+decoys withdrawn as illegitimate: `felhom.eu/documentation/audits/AUDIT-gate-decoys-2026-09-01.md` and
 `felhom-controller/.claude/rules/gates.md`. **Scope is a fact too** — prefer `os.walk` over
 `os.listdir`, and a glob over a hand-maintained list.

CONTEXT.md

@@ -1,5 +1,12 @@
 # CONTEXT — felhom-agent working state
 
+> **2026-10-08 (day) — UNRELEASED on main, ships with tomorrow's release (decision 178).** R-899: `POST /backup?trigger=manual`
+> runs no OS leg (`localapi/server.go`); after-boot kernel reports carry the saved block's ring (`kernelReportRing`). R-304:
+> `escrow.ErrRetainedUnchecked` → HTTP 424 `older_unchecked` when not every earlier package was tried (withheld, caps,
+> malformed, unreadable list). Binary-only delivery; no wrapper or root file changed.
+
+> **2026-10-07 (evening) — v0.152.0, the kernel lane (R-836, decision 172, `11` §5.11).** Wrapper layer `kernel` + two GRUB generators in the bundle (delivered with step bundle `0.152.0-step1` — the bundle adds paths, R-880); `osupdate/kernel.go`: night step on told nights only, after-boot judge (host rule + hub reached, 20 min), ONE self-revert, `os_kernel_step` stages only. Proven on Tester 1 (panic → fell_back, held guest → self_reverted, healthy → 7.0.14-22 default). Open: R-898, R-897; the ring-0 night run.
+
 > **2026-10-04 night — v0.143.0 RELEASED + vouched (R-840, decision 96): the config bundle.** `felhom-os-apply` mode
 > `bundle` (signed `agent_config_update`, verified by the wrapper itself; trust files never bundle paths) +
 > `--install-bundle` (installer 1.31.0); `BUNDLE_FILES` is the one table; `scripts/build-config-bundle.py`;

README.md

@@ -44,13 +44,14 @@ unnoticed until a user hit them. `internal/capability` makes that loud:
   (`HostCapabilityChecker`) alerts the operator on a Critical capability going degraded. Serve-degraded
   — the probe never blocks startup. (Next self-health slice: the controller↔agent channel check.)
 
-**Controller-swap under non-root (v0.45.0).** The agent-owned controller image swap
-(`internal/localapi/controllerswap.go`) no longer shells out: `writeImage` pipes the image ref on
-**stdin** into an in-guest `tee /etc/felhom-controller-image` (via `GuestExecStdin` →
-`Runner.RunStdin`, the same fenced `sudo -n` runner) — no `bash -c`, no interpolation. Its 5 narrow
-grants live in the `FELHOM_CONTROLLERSWAP` sudoers alias (all read-only or fixed-target; the `tee`
-target is the FIXED image path, content stdin-fed) and in the capability manifest (Critical), so a
-dropped grant is a build failure + a live degraded signal. No general `pct exec` is granted.
+**Controller-swap under non-root (v0.45.0; the write since R-861 (a) A1).** The agent-owned controller image swap
+(`internal/localapi/controllerswap.go`) no longer shells out. The write goes on **stdin** to the ROOT verb
+`felhom-priv-apply controller-image <vmid>` (`GuestBinder.WriteControllerImage` → `Runner.RunStdin`, the same fenced
+`sudo -n` runner), which re-checks the ref against our registry + repository + an x.y.z tag and writes
+`/etc/felhom-controller-image` inside the guest itself; the agent has no in-guest `tee` grant any more (before, a
+compromised agent could feed any image — sudo cannot see stdin). Its grants live in the `FELHOM_CONTROLLERSWAP` sudoers
+alias (read-only or fixed-target) and in the capability manifest (Critical), so a dropped grant is a build failure + a
+live degraded signal. No general `pct exec` is granted.
 
 ## The `storage` package — observe + watchdog (slice 5)
 

REPORT.md

@@ -1,10 +1,15 @@
-# REPORT — agent v0.147.0 (2026-10-05, burn-down round 2)
+# REPORT — v0.154.0 released and delivered (2026-10-09)
 
-Full session report: `felhom.eu/REPORT-burndown2-2026-10-05.md`. Baseline `d833163` (v0.146.1). Code commit `f1b9b41`
-(CI job 1365 success), tag `v0.147.0`, binary sha256 `642c4d19…`, bundle sha256 `326527d0…` (verified by download).
+Built from the 2026-10-09 kernel-night read-back: (1) the host report now adds the saved newest backup success per tier
+(R-894's file, one shared instance), so a restart right after a night backup no longer empties the hub's evidence — on
+demo-felhom it had caused a false „newest backup is 48h old" alarm; (2) `proxmox-secure-boot-support` joins the
+boot-chain lane, so it no longer pulls `shim-signed-common` into the ring-0 Proxmox plan (demo-hp's step was refused R6
+and its kernel step skipped). Red-proofs: `TestCollectBackups_SavedSuccessSurvivesARestart`,
+`TestR894_LastKnownBackupsIsWiredIntoTheDaemon`, `test_ring0_pending_pve_leaves_the_secure_boot_meta_out`.
 
-Rows: R-124 (recipe root namespace = ""), R-118 (no root size for an absent drive), R-269 (rotated-out token rejected at
-once), R-317 (dnsmasq install probed by its unit). Tests + red-proofs: `felhom.eu/documentation/audits/burndown2-2026-10-05/`.
-`go build/vet/test ./...` green; `agent_gates.py --fast` green after the release (release-complete needs the tag).
-
-Delivery: see the session report (vouch, signed jobs per box, the hub System page afterwards).
+`scripts/release-agent.sh 0.154.0`: sha `36a54ad2…`, bundle `93487989…`, tag `v0.154.0` = `db25b46`, verified by
+download. CI 1576 (code) success; 1579 (CHANGELOG) failed in its fetch step (Gitea answered 500), re-run → success.
+Signed `agent_update` → demo-hp, demo-felhom, Tester 1 (07:16–07:18 local); signed `agent_config_update` → `BUNDLE DONE
+written=1 same=26 self-check=ok`, capability probe 68/68 on all three. NOT vouched (the vouch needs a golden at or above
+the fleet's controller; no golden today). Live: demo-felhom's first report after the update carries the 02:40Z backup.
+Evidence: `felhom.eu/documentation/audits/release-2026-10-09/delivery/`.

REUSE.md

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 | `SudoHostOps.run` | internal/storage/hostops.go | `run(ctx, name, args...) error` | allowlisted exec with stderr-wrapped error | Every arg pre-validated via validate.go before this is called |
 | `Prober.Probe` | internal/capability/probe.go | `Probe(ctx) []Status` | live sudo-policy capability check (`sudo -n -l --`) | Needs a DIRECT runner (never the sudo-prefixing one — double-sudo); never executes probed cmds. v0.86.0: config-gated caps (`Capability.GatedBy` + `Prober.GateActive`) report `inactive`/"disabled by configuration" ONLY when healthy — broken plumbing stays degraded; the pbsdr-* gate answers from `pbsdr.Manager.DRConfigured` (marker-backed across restarts) |
 | ~~`stageTemp`~~ (REMOVED v0.146.0, R-861) | — | — | — | Nothing the agent writes is `install`ed where root reads it any more: use `felhom-priv-apply` (below) or ship a fixed file in the bundle |
-| `felhom-priv-apply` (v0.146.0, R-861) | configs/felhom-priv-apply | `felhom-priv-apply unit <name> \| dnsmasq <tmp> <name> \| wg \| sshd-config \| sshd-key` | ANY agent-rendered file a root program reads (systemd unit, dnsmasq drop-in, wg-quick conf, OOB sshd) — fixed source + destination, CONTENT checked against the agent's own renderers | A new renderer needs a verb + a contract test (`internal/privapplytest.Check`) feeding its REAL output; never a new `install` sudoers line |
+| `felhom-priv-apply` (v0.146.0, R-861) | configs/felhom-priv-apply | `felhom-priv-apply unit <name> \| dnsmasq <tmp> <name> \| wg \| sshd-config \| sshd-key \| controller-image <vmid>` (the last reads the ref on stdin, R-861 (a) A1) | ANY agent-rendered file a root program reads (systemd unit, dnsmasq drop-in, wg-quick conf, OOB sshd) — fixed source + destination, CONTENT checked against the agent's own renderers | A new renderer needs a verb + a contract test (`internal/privapplytest.Check`) feeding its REAL output; never a new `install` sudoers line |
 | `privapplytest.Check` | internal/privapplytest/check.go | `Check(t, verb, name, content) string` | the Go↔root-checker contract: a renderer's real output must read `OK` | Skips without python3; one call per rendered shape + one refused control |
 | `BUNDLE_FILES` + `Bundle` (mode `bundle`, `--install-bundle`; mode `agent_update` v0.146.0, R-861) | configs/felhom-os-apply | the ONE table of root-owned paths + the installer of them | ANY new root-owned file the installer writes (sudoers line, wrapper, unit) — add it to the table, never a new installer fetch (R-840) | The builder (`scripts/build-config-bundle.py`) and the installer read the same table; `test_every_root_file_the_installer_writes_is_in_the_bundle` fails on a path the bundle lacks. Trust files (`/etc/felhom/os-trust.json`, `operator-signers`) are NEVER bundle paths (R17) |
 | `osupdate.ConfigUpdateExecutor` | internal/osupdate/bundle.go | signed op `agent_config_update` {agent_version, bundle_sha256} | delivering the bundle to an installed box | a courier only: the root wrapper re-verifies signature, host, nonce and sha itself |
@@ -88,6 +88,8 @@
 
 | Symbol | File | Short signature | Use for | Gotchas |
 |---|---|---|---|---|
+| `pvegate.Write` / `pvegate.Step` | internal/pvegate/pvegate.go | `Write(ctx) (release, waited, err)` / `Step(ctx) (end, err)` | R-812 option A: keep the agent's own /etc/pve writes out of a Proxmox package step (pmxcfs restarts) | Already wired at the two chokepoints — `Client.doBody` (every non-GET) and `ExecRunner.RunStdin` (`WritesEtcPVE`: pct config verbs, pvesm, pveum, felhom-pbs-apply create/reconcile). A new root CLI that writes /etc/pve goes into `WritesEtcPVE`, never its own lock. Never take `Step` around anything but the wrapper call (`Leg.runPVE`) — a `Write` inside a `Step` deadlocks until its context ends. |
+| `osupdate.KernelVerdict` / `Leg.KernelAfterBoot` | internal/osupdate/kernel.go | `KernelVerdict(before, after, tunnel, hubReached) (ok, why)` | R-836: THE one-shot-boot rule — the host health rule (`HostHealthVerdict`) AND the box reached the hub since the boot | The only judge of a new kernel. Never reboot the host from Go: every reboot is the wrapper's (`kernel-reboot`, `kernel-revert`), and only for a staged step. A new kernel-lane state lives in the wrapper's `/var/lib/felhom-kernel/state.json`, never in the agent's own files (the agent can write those). |
 | `Client.WaitTask` | internal/proxmox/task.go | `WaitTask(ctx, upid, opts) (TaskStatus, error)` | asserting EVERY mutating op | POST 200 ≠ success; authz can fail at task exec; `AllowWarnings` opt-in |
 | `Client.Pool` | internal/proxmox/query.go | `Pool(ctx, name) (PoolInfo, error)` | felhom-pool membership (the ownership registry, A1) | Needs `Pool.Audit` at `/pool/<name>` (host-install v1.9.0+); `Pool.Allocate` does NOT satisfy the read; members can be storages (type `storage`, vmid 0) — filter them |
 | `Client` mutate wrappers (`RestoreLXC/Vzdump/DestroyLXC/Snapshot/Rollback/SetConfig/ResizeLXC/Start/Stop`) | internal/proxmox/mutate.go | return `(upid, error)` | all API mutations | Async → always pair with WaitTask; route via gate/queue, not ad-hoc |
@@ -121,7 +123,7 @@
 | Anti-retarget durable-id binding | internal/localapi/wipe_reresolve.go | resolve id → re-derive + exact match → re-inspect expected state → act on RE-RESOLVED device only |
 | Atomic single-file JSON store | internal/storage/intent.go | `Open*` loads (missing=empty, corrupt=fail-loud), mutex, tmp+rename 0600, idempotent set |
 | Durable append-only log + index | internal/authz/noncestore.go (`FileNonceStore`) | fsync before returning "new"; replay into index on open; expiry-only compaction |
-| Injectable seam funcs on Server | internal/localapi/server.go (`reresolveWipe`, `deviceDurableID`, `boundCheck`, `deviceCheck`, `livenessCheck`, net-verify: `netTrigger`/`netMounted`/`netJournal`/`netReachable`) | prod default wired in `NewServer`; tests override — no real /dev, /proc/mounts, journalctl or TCP in tests. **For mount-table predicates prefer the DATA seams `procSelfMountinfo` / `procGuestMountinfo` (internal/localapi/intermediary.go) over `boundCheck`/`livenessCheck`**: pointing them at a captured fixture runs the real parser, the real predicate and the real handler, so the test cannot go hollow the way R-116's did |
+| Injectable seam funcs on Server | internal/localapi/server.go (`reresolveWipe`, `deviceDurableID`, `boundCheck`, `deviceCheck`, `livenessCheck`, net-verify: `netTrigger`/`netMounted`/`netJournal`/`netReachable`; R-856 `crashGuardStatePath` — GET /host/crash-guard's state file, internal/localapi/crashguard.go) | prod default wired in `NewServer`; tests override — no real /dev, /proc/mounts, journalctl or TCP in tests. **For mount-table predicates prefer the DATA seams `procSelfMountinfo` / `procGuestMountinfo` (internal/localapi/intermediary.go) over `boundCheck`/`livenessCheck`**: pointing them at a captured fixture runs the real parser, the real predicate and the real handler, so the test cannot go hollow the way R-116's did |
 | `Server.devicePresent` (R-113, v0.114.0) | internal/localapi/disks.go | `devicePresent(rawMountPath) bool`; seam `deviceCheck`, default `isHostMountpoint` | the agent's DEVICE-presence signal — asks whether the drive's RAW mount is still mounted | **Use this, never the bind, to answer "is the drive there".** The raw mount is a device-bound systemd unit and dies with its device; the agent's own bind under the shared parent is NOT device-bound and outlives it as a stale shell. `BoundUnderParent` is now `boundUnderParent(...) && devicePresent(...)` at BOTH /disks construction sites — dropping either half is a regression with its own red-proof. Empty path ⇒ **true** (unknown is never absent: absent stops a customer's apps) |
 | `bindLiveness` + `BindLiveness` (R-117, v0.117.0) | internal/localapi/intermediary.go | `bindLiveness(stable, raw) BindLiveness`; seam `livenessCheck`; read verdicts ONLY via `.Usable()` | the agent's bind-LIVENESS signal — the third term of `BoundUnderParent` | **`devicePresent` and `boundUnderParent` are both PATH-PRESENCE tests and neither is liveness.** They compare only mountinfo field 5, so both stay true over a bind that names the drive that went away while the raw mount healed onto the returning one (measured: raw 8:32 /dev/sdc, bind 8:16 /dev/sdb `shutdown`, EIO both ways, payload healthy). Two dead states, and a fix needs BOTH checks: devno mismatch (the detach/return case) AND the ext4 abort tokens `shutdown`/`emergency_ro` (the steady-state case, where the devnos AGREE because the device never left). **THREE states, never a bool** — `BindUnknown` must exist and `Usable()` treats it as PRESENT (absent stops a customer's apps). **Order matters:** compare devices first and read the abort flag off the RAW mount in the stale case — abort-first classifies the real return state as aborted and refuses the re-bind that repairs it. **NO BLOCK I/O, ever** (CLAUDE.md rule; a probe on a wedged device survives SIGKILL). 6 red-proofs |
 | `AttachDrive` repair ruling (R-117, v0.117.0) | internal/localapi/intermediary.go | the `switch bindLiveness(...)` inside the `n == 1 && GuestSeesMount` arm | decides whether the existing self-heal runs | `BindStaleDevice` ⇒ **re-bind** (the raw mount is a healthy new superblock; repairs live, no guest restart). `BindAborted` ⇒ **quiet no-op** — a re-bind lands on the SAME dead superblock and this runs every 20 s, so re-binding is an infinite silent retry that also masks the state; it must surface via `BoundUnderParent=false`. `BindLive`/`BindUnknown` ⇒ no-op, unchanged. **Do not return an error for the aborted case** — the reconcile loop would log a failure every 20 s |
@@ -160,13 +162,15 @@
 | `lanresolver.hostRoot` + `dnsmasqUnitPaths` (data seam, R-317) | internal/lanresolver/lanresolver.go | prod `hostRoot = "/"`; probe = the `dnsmasq` package's systemd UNIT, never `/usr/sbin/dnsmasq` (owned by `dnsmasq-base`) | internal/lanresolver/ensure_dnsmasq_test.go — fixture root tree + recording `proxmox.Runner`; the REAL `os.Stat` probe and `EnsureDnsmasq` run. `TestEnsureDnsmasq_ProductionProbeIsTheUnit` pins the production wiring |
 | `localapi.GuestAPI` / `BackupService` / `BackupStore` / `TokenAuthority` | internal/localapi/server.go | `*proxmox.Client`, `*backup.BackupRunner`, `*backup.Store`, `*TokenStore` | `fakeGuests`/`fakeBackups`/`fakeStore` internal/localapi/server_test.go |
 | `backup.InFlight` | internal/backup/inflight.go | `TryAcquire(what) (release, busy, ok)` / `Busy()` | THE host-wide "one heavy guest operation at a time" gate — shared by the local-API backup path and the restore-test scheduler (R-85) | A **LINK** guard, not a lock one: the scratch VMID never touches the live guest's vzdump lock, but an offsite restore PULLS multi-GB over the tunnel a backup PUSHES one. Callers **DEFER, never cancel** — a deferred restore-test costs coverage, a cancelled backup costs the backup. A nil gate is ungated (pre-R-85 callers). |
+| `fstrim.Trimmer` (R-444) | internal/fstrim/fstrim.go | `New(runner, guests, gate, statePath, logger)` / `Pass(ctx)` / `GuestDiskTrimStatus(ctx)` / `ParseTrimmed(out)` | the weekly `pct fstrim <vmid>` of owned running guests (Wednesday from 10:00 local, starts 10:00-20:59 only), under `backup.InFlight`; last result per guest persisted and reported as `guest_disk_trim` | A busy gate DEFERS to the next hourly tick, never waits; a failed trim retries at most `MaxAttemptsPerWeek`; the report reads the persisted record, it never runs pct |
 | `capability` store-grant probe (`storeGrantStatuses` / `storeGrantVerdict` / `Client.Permissions`) | cmd/felhom-agent/main.go, internal/proxmox/query.go | *"may the agent READ this backup tier?"*, one `capability.Status` per configured tier | R-185. **Never infer permission from an empty content listing** — `{"data":[]}` is what a FORBIDDEN tier and a NEWBORN tier both return, and that ambiguity hid an unreadable host tier on both demo boxes. Ask `/access/permissions` **as the agent's own token** (root always says yes). **The ungranted answer is not empty and not a 403** — it carries the privileges inherited from the box-wide `/` grant, so test for **`Datastore.AllocateSpace`** specifically; path-presence or `Datastore.Audit` reports a blinded storage healthy. Probed set comes from `BackupTiers()`, never a fixed list. Critical except the `local` fallback. Composes AROUND the sudo prober (the `poolReadStatus` precedent); `Status`'s wire shape is untouched so the hub alert is free. Unreachable PVE ⇒ degraded, never ok. |
 | `backup.RestoreTestState` | internal/backup/restoretest_state.go | `RecordSuccess(target,archive,tier,verified,t)` / `ProvenArchive(target)` / `ProvenRestoreTests(ctx)` / `LastSuccess(target)` / `OldestFirst(targets)` | Per-tier restore-test PROOF state, persisted (atomic tmp+rename) — **which archive** was proven, and when (R-86) | **Credit ONLY on success** — a permanently failing tier must keep sorting first, or it looks freshly proven and stops being retried. Ties break on target id: without it, two tiers proven in the same second rotate by Go's randomised map order. **This one NEEDS persistence unlike R-84** — R-84 had ground truth to consult (the archive is still on the storage); a restore-test destroys its scratch and leaves no artifact. **R-86: the ARCHIVE is the state, the time is metadata** — a time alone cannot answer "have we proven THIS archive", which is the due-check's whole question. A pre-R-86 file (bare RFC3339 per target) keeps its time and yields NO proven archive, so each tier is due once after the upgrade; reading a legacy time as proof of the current archive would invent a guarantee. **R-189: it is also the REPORTABLE half of the restore-test signal.** The in-memory `backup.Store` holds only this process's latest run, and under per-archive due-ness the agent will not re-test a proven archive — so a proof lost to a restart is not repeated for a whole archive generation (observed live: a passing 14.5 GB offsite restore reached no host-report). `ProvenRestoreTests` renders the stored proofs as `hub.RestoreTest` entries and the collector merges them; a record missing the archive or the tier is NOT emitted, because an unproven tier reading as proven is worse than the defect. **Only successes are stored, deliberately:** a success suppresses future work, a failure causes it. |
+| `backup.BackupSuccessState` | internal/backup/backup_state.go | `RecordBackupSuccess(target, b)` / `LastKnownSuccess(target, vmid)` | Newest SUCCESSFUL backup per tier+guest, persisted (atomic tmp+rename) — the due-check's fallback when the tier's storage cannot be read after a restart (R-894) | **Read ONLY when the storage cannot be read** — a storage that answers is the ground truth (R-84), and an archive absent there must make the tier due even when this file remembers one. A saved copy older than the cadence still reads due. Only successes are written. |
 | `hub.ProvenRestoreTestReporter` + `Collector.SetProvenRestoreTests` | internal/hub/collect.go | the DURABLE restore-test source, merged with the in-memory one | R-189. Merge rule: **one entry per tier, newest by `TestedAt` wins** — a fresh failure beats a stored success (the failure is the news, and it lives nowhere else), a stored success beats a stale in-memory entry after a restart, and a tier never appears twice (the hub would read two tests). An unparseable timestamp counts as OLDER, so a malformed entry cannot displace a good one. **The wiring is pinned by an AST test** — the method this replaced (`RestoreTestState.Snapshot`) carried a doc comment naming a host-report gauge and had no caller for weeks. |
 | `backup.SpecBuilder` / `backup.TierPicker` / `(*BackupRunner).PickSettledRestoreCandidateOn` | internal/backup/schedule.go, runner.go | `func(ctx,archive) RestoreTestSpec`; `func(ctx,target,notAfter) (archive,landed,error)` | The per-run restore-test spec + per-tier **settled** candidate lookup (R-85, widened by R-86) | The spec is built **PER RUN**, never frozen at construction — the pre-R-85 immediately-invoked value made the offsite tier unschedulable AND went stale on any config change. `SourceTier` comes from **the archive**, never the configured target (the v0.100.0 rule). A tier with no archive returns `("", zero, nil)` — **`""` is NOT an error**, or every fresh box looks broken for its first week. **R-86: `notAfter` is the settle cutoff** (zero = no cutoff, which is what keeps `PickRestoreCandidateOn` a one-line call into it), and the picker now skips entries failing `archivePlausiblyComplete` — under per-archive due-ness an incomplete phantom would be picked forever, fail forever, never earn proof, and make the tier due at EVERY evaluation. |
 | `localapi.BackupTier` + `normalizeBackupTiers` / `config.BackupConfig.BackupTiers` | internal/localapi/backup_tiers.go, internal/config/config.go | `normalizeBackupTiers(tiers, legacy, cadence) []BackupTier`; `BackupTiers() ([]BackupTier, []string)` | THE R-82 multi-tier resolution — one runner per tier, primary first | **The untargeted local-API contract is FROZEN**: no `?target=` ⇒ primary tier ⇒ pre-R-82 response BYTES (Target is `omitempty` and stays empty). Never default a missing cadence — reject it and log the warning at ERROR. Never share one retention knob between tiers. Jobs are keyed by (vmid,target). |
 | `localapi.StaleLockController` | internal/localapi/stalelock.go | `*staleLockController` (Client + Runner + pool) | `fakeStaleLock` (Server-level) stalelock_test.go; `fakeStaleLockAPI` (controller-level, tests the A1 pool intersect) stalelock_pool_test.go |
-| `localapi.GuestExecutor` | internal/localapi/controllerswap.go | `*GuestBinder` (pct exec) | `fakeGuestExec` internal/localapi/controllerswap_test.go |
+| `localapi.GuestExecutor` | internal/localapi/controllerswap.go | `*GuestBinder` (pct exec; the image write via `felhom-priv-apply controller-image`) | `fakeGuestExec` internal/localapi/controllerswap_test.go |
 | `guestnet.Runner` / `guestnet.GuestSource` (R-54, v0.92.0) | internal/guestnet/{probe,watchdog}.go | `*proxmox.ExecRunner`; the POOL-VERIFIED `localapi.StaleLockController.Guests` (ListLXC ∩ felhom pool, audit A1) | `scriptedRunner` + `fakeGuests` internal/guestnet/watchdog_test.go. **Never wire a bare `ListLXC` here** — under a broad token that would run dhclient inside a co-tenant's container. Every assertion is an exec COUNT, and the load-bearing ones are the negatives: a static guest, an unprobeable guest, a boot-race guest and an unproven guest list must record **zero** heal calls |
 | `guestnet.Watchdog.SetDampers` / `now` (clock seam) | internal/guestnet/watchdog.go | config `guest_net.*`; `now` defaults to `time.Now` | tests advance a manual clock (the storage-watchdog pattern) and assert the heal ceilings EXACTLY — ≥10 min apart, ≤3/hour, and ≤30 over a scripted 10 hours of permanent failure. A damper with no test is a comment |
 | `hub.GuestNetReporter` (R-54) | internal/hub/collect.go | `*guestnet.Watchdog` (`GuestNetStatus`) | internal/hub/collect_guestnet_test.go asserts the stanza through the PRODUCTION `Collect` path AND that the `guest_net` key is ABSENT from the wire when no reporter is wired — an always-present empty stanza would make "not wired" and "found nothing" the same signal, which is the shape v0.91.0 hid behind |

cmd/felhom-agent/fstrim_wiring_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"go/ast"
+	"go/parser"
+	"go/token"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// R-444: the weekly trim has the guestnet shape (component + reporter seam + goroutine), so its wiring is asserted
+// from the AST like TestMainWiresGuestNetWatchdog — a unit-green trim job that main.go never starts is the inert-seam
+// defect. It must also share the ONE heavy-op gate (heavyOps), or it could run beside a backup.
+func TestMainWiresGuestDiskTrim(t *testing.T) {
+	fset := token.NewFileSet()
+	f, err := parser.ParseFile(fset, "main.go", nil, 0)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("parse main.go: %v", err)
+	}
+	var constructedWithGate, reporterWired, started bool
+	ast.Inspect(f, func(n ast.Node) bool {
+		switch node := n.(type) {
+		case *ast.CallExpr:
+			if fn, ok := node.Fun.(*ast.SelectorExpr); ok {
+				switch fn.Sel.Name {
+				case "New":
+					if pkg, ok := fn.X.(*ast.Ident); ok && pkg.Name == "fstrim" && len(node.Args) >= 3 {
+						if id, ok := node.Args[2].(*ast.Ident); ok && id.Name == "heavyOps" {
+							constructedWithGate = true
+						}
+					}
+				case "SetGuestDiskTrimReporter":
+					reporterWired = true
+				}
+			}
+		case *ast.GoStmt:
+			if sel, ok := node.Call.Fun.(*ast.SelectorExpr); ok && sel.Sel.Name == "Run" {
+				if id, ok := sel.X.(*ast.Ident); ok && id.Name == "diskTrim" {
+					started = true
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		return true
+	})
+	if !constructedWithGate {
+		t.Error("main.go never calls fstrim.New(..., heavyOps, ...) — no trim job, or one outside the heavy-op gate")
+	}
+	if !reporterWired {
+		t.Error("main.go never calls collector.SetGuestDiskTrimReporter — the guest_disk_trim stanza never reaches the hub")
+	}
+	if !started {
+		t.Error("main.go never starts the trim job with `go diskTrim.Run(ctx)`")
+	}
+}

cmd/felhom-agent/main.go

@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ import (
 	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/escrow"
 	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/fasttick"
 	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/felhomsshd"
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/fstrim"
 	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/guesthook"
 	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/guestnet"
 	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/hub"
@@ -134,39 +135,38 @@ func main() {
 		return
 	}
 	var (
-		cfgPath       string
-		selftest      selftestFlag
-		vmid          int
-		watch         time.Duration
-		archive       string
-		mode          string
-		hostname      string
-		keep          bool
-		rootfsGrow    int
-		dataVolGrow   int
-		dataVolMount  string
-		sysDataGrow   int
-		sysDataMount  string
-		cores         int
-		memoryMB      int
-		pbsStorage    string
-		paperkey      bool
-		offline       bool
-		upload        bool
-		custID        string
-		custDomain    string
-		custName      string
-		custEmail     string
-		hubPassword   string
-		blobPath      string
-		expectedFP    string
-		keyDest       string
-		installWGKey  bool
-		idBundlePath  string
-		directivePath string
-		swapImage     string
-		outputMode    string
-		showVersion   bool
+		cfgPath      string
+		selftest     selftestFlag
+		vmid         int
+		watch        time.Duration
+		archive      string
+		mode         string
+		hostname     string
+		keep         bool
+		rootfsGrow   int
+		dataVolGrow  int
+		dataVolMount string
+		sysDataGrow  int
+		sysDataMount string
+		cores        int
+		memoryMB     int
+		pbsStorage   string
+		paperkey     bool
+		offline      bool
+		upload       bool
+		custID       string
+		custDomain   string
+		custName     string
+		custEmail    string
+		hubPassword  string
+		blobPath     string
+		expectedFP   string
+		keyDest      string
+		installWGKey bool
+		idBundlePath string
+		swapImage    string
+		outputMode   string
+		showVersion  bool
 	)
 	flag.StringVar(&cfgPath, "config", envOr("FELHOM_AGENT_CONFIG", "/etc/felhom-agent/agent.json"), "path to the agent config file (JSON)")
 	flag.Var(&selftest, "selftest", "run a self-test and exit: bare/`read` = read-only queries; `task` = reversible mutating exercise (needs -vmid); `hub` = one collect+report; `storage` = observe storage (+ -watch); `backup` = one-shot backup of -vmid; `restore-test` = restore→boot→verify→teardown of -archive (or newest backup); `restore-test-due` = READ-ONLY: print the per-tier due verdict the scheduler would act on, with its cost; `pbs-verify` = trigger a PBS verify + print snapshot records; `bring-up` = restore→reset identity→size→start link-up of -archive into -vmid (needs -mode/-archive/-vmid; optional -cores/-memory cap; tears down unless -keep); `provision` = full slice-8A chain: bring-up provision + mint token + populate bootstrap config mount (needs -archive/-vmid/-customer-id/-hub-password; optional -rootfs-grow/-datavol-grow/-cores/-memory (-sysdata-grow is deprecated: folded into -datavol-grow); keeps the guest)")
@@ -197,7 +197,6 @@ func main() {
 	flag.StringVar(&keyDest, "keydest", "", "for --selftest=escrow-consume: where to install the recovered key (0600)")
 	flag.BoolVar(&installWGKey, "install-wg-key", false, "for --selftest=identity-consume: ALSO install the recovered wg_private_key into wgtunnel's key file (S5 DR; create-only, refuses to overwrite)")
 	flag.StringVar(&idBundlePath, "identity-bundle", "", "for --selftest=escrow-create: a 0600 JSON file {tunnel_token,pbs_token} to ALSO escrow under R (10D)")
-	flag.StringVar(&directivePath, "directive", "", "for --selftest=escrow-create: a JSON file with the non-secret DR directive (pbs repo/ns, expected fingerprint, tunnel id)")
 	flag.StringVar(&custID, "customer-id", "", "for --selftest=provision: the customer id — the hub config-pull target, baked into the guest's bootstrap")
 	flag.StringVar(&hubPassword, "hub-password", "", "for --selftest=provision: the customer's hub RETRIEVAL PASSPHRASE (SECRET) — baked into bootstrap.json so the controller pulls its config (and the customer-scoped hub key) from the hub. The customer must already exist in the hub.")
 	flag.StringVar(&swapImage, "image", "", "for --selftest=controller-swap: the target controller image ref (gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller:<semver>) — must already be pulled in the guest")
@@ -268,7 +267,7 @@ func main() {
 				SysDataGrowGB: sysDataGrow, SysDataMount: sysDataMount, Cores: cores, MemoryMB: memoryMB},
 		}))
 	case "escrow-create":
-		os.Exit(runSelftestEscrowCreate(context.Background(), cfg, logger, pbsStorage, paperkey, offline, upload, idBundlePath, directivePath, outputMode))
+		os.Exit(runSelftestEscrowCreate(context.Background(), cfg, logger, pbsStorage, paperkey, offline, upload, idBundlePath, outputMode))
 	case "escrow-consume":
 		os.Exit(runSelftestEscrowConsume(context.Background(), logger, blobPath, expectedFP, keyDest))
 	case "identity-consume":
@@ -791,6 +790,9 @@ func runDaemon(cfg config.Config, logger *slog.Logger, logRing *applog.Ring) int
 	pbsTargets := pbsTargetsFromPVE(cfg, px, logger)
 	pbsReporter := pbs.NewLiveSnapshotReporter(pbsTargets, pbsStore, pbs.DefaultLiveSnapshotTimeout, logger)
 	collector := hub.NewCollector(px, newTunnelProber(cfg, px), observer, backupStore, backupStore, pbsReporter, cfg.Hub.HostID, version, logger)
+	// R-366 slice 2: the restore-test's ledger of archives written with another key → the host report.
+	foreignKeys := backup.NewForeignKeyLedger()
+	collector.SetForeignKeyArchiveReporter(foreignKeys)
 	collector.SetBackupTargetResolver(primaryBackupTargetOf(cfg)) // R-109: the recipe names the live target
 	// Privileged-capability self-check (v0.44.0): probe the sudoers grants the non-root agent
 	// depends on. The probe runs `sudo -n -l` LITERALLY (a policy LIST, never executing the
@@ -875,6 +877,13 @@ func runDaemon(cfg config.Config, logger *slog.Logger, logRing *applog.Ring) int
 	go osLeg.SendUnsentLoop(ctx, 5*time.Minute, func(n int) {
 		logger.Info("osupdate: sent kept report(s)", "count", n)
 	})
+	// R-836 (`09` §3 decision 172): what became of a kernel step across this boot; on a one-shot boot of a new kernel,
+	// judge it (the host health rule + the hub reached) for KernelJudgeWait, then make it the default or revert ONCE.
+	// The wait: measured 2026-10-07 (`audits/kernel-lane-2026-10-07/B/`) — every container healthy 68 s after the
+	// reboot on demo-felhom and 272 s on demo-hp (the hub reached at 63 s / 189 s); 20 minutes leaves room for a slow
+	// network and stays under the hub's 45-minute host_stale (its
+	// alerting.stale_threshold; host_down at 90). On a box without the kernel lane (an older wrapper, a BYO host) the check is refused and logged.
+	go osLeg.KernelAfterBoot(ctx, 0, osupdate.KernelJudge{Wait: osupdate.DefaultKernelJudgeWait})
 
 	// Reconcile (slice 4) runs alongside the hub loop, sharing the per-guest queue
 	// (doc 03 §10). At slice 4 the desired-state provider is empty (no hub serving
@@ -1016,7 +1025,7 @@ func runDaemon(cfg config.Config, logger *slog.Logger, logRing *applog.Ring) int
 	// with the local API so a backup and a restore-test can never run together.
 	rtState := backup.NewRestoreTestState(filepath.Join(cfg.OOB.WithDefaults().StateDir, "restore-test-state.json"))
 	heavyOps := &backup.InFlight{}
-	scheduler := buildRestoreTestScheduler(cfg, px, engine, backupStore, rtState, heavyOps, logger)
+	scheduler := buildRestoreTestScheduler(cfg, px, engine, backupStore, rtState, heavyOps, foreignKeys, logger)
 	// R-189: the host report's restore_tests[] must survive an agent restart. The in-memory store
 	// holds only this process's latest run, and under per-archive due-ness the agent will not
 	// re-test an archive it has already proven — so without this the hub can report a tier unproven
@@ -1108,6 +1117,25 @@ func runDaemon(cfg config.Config, logger *slog.Logger, logRing *applog.Ring) int
 			}
 			return release, nil
 		}}
+	// R-812 option A: a signed Proxmox package step (`11` §5.10) — ring 1; under the heavy-op gate and the /etc/pve gate.
+	pveExec := osupdate.PVEStepExecutor{Leg: osLeg, Guest: firstGuest(px),
+		Gate: func(ctx context.Context) (func(), error) {
+			release, busy, ok := heavyOps.TryAcquire("os-pve-step")
+			if !ok {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("busy: %s", busy)
+			}
+			return release, nil
+		}}
+	// R-836 (`09` §3 decision 172): a signed kernel step STAGES a kernel on a ring-1 box (install + the one-shot flag,
+	// never a reboot — the night leg reboots it on a night the household was told about); under the heavy-op gate.
+	kernelExec := osupdate.KernelStepExecutor{Leg: osLeg, Guest: firstGuest(px),
+		Gate: func(ctx context.Context) (func(), error) {
+			release, busy, ok := heavyOps.TryAcquire("os-kernel-step")
+			if !ok {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("busy: %s", busy)
+			}
+			return release, nil
+		}}
 	// Agent v0.143.0 (R-840): the config bundle — the box's root-owned files by a signed job; the wrapper verifies it.
 	bundleExec := osupdate.ConfigUpdateExecutor{Leg: osLeg, URLTemplate: suCfg.URLTemplate, Username: suCfg.Username, Token: suCfg.Token,
 		// The capability probe confirms from the agent's side: `sudo -l` lists every command the new sudoers grants.
@@ -1119,7 +1147,7 @@ func runDaemon(cfg config.Config, logger *slog.Logger, logRing *applog.Ring) int
 			}
 			logger.Warn("osupdate: capability probe after the config bundle", "ok", ok, "total", total, "degraded", strings.Join(names, ","))
 		}}
-	jobsRunner := signedjobs.NewRunner(client, gate, signedjobs.ExecutorChain{wipeExec, decommExec, updateExec, dockerExec, bundleExec}, cfg.Hub.HostID, logger)
+	jobsRunner := signedjobs.NewRunner(client, gate, signedjobs.ExecutorChain{wipeExec, decommExec, updateExec, dockerExec, pveExec, kernelExec, bundleExec}, cfg.Hub.HostID, logger)
 	loop.SetEnvelopeObserver(hub.MultiObserver(desiredSyncer, jobsRunner))
 
 	// Controller-driven escrow ceremony (v0.88.0): static config facts + the LATE-BOUND DR gate —
@@ -1479,6 +1507,25 @@ func runDaemon(cfg config.Config, logger *slog.Logger, logRing *applog.Ring) int
 		}
 		go runJanitor(ctx, jd)
 	}
+	// R-444 (`09` §3 decision 139): the weekly guest disk trim — `pct fstrim <vmid>` of every owned, running guest,
+	// Wednesday from 10:00 local, daytime only, under the one-heavy-op gate. Not part of the errc fan-out: a trim job
+	// must never be able to bring the agent down.
+	if cfg.DiskTrim.Enabled() {
+		dtMode := proxmox.RunnerMode(cfg.Privileged.Mode)
+		if dtMode == "" {
+			dtMode = proxmox.RunnerSudo
+		}
+		dtRunner := &proxmox.ExecRunner{Mode: dtMode, SudoPath: cfg.Privileged.SudoPath}
+		dtGuests := localapi.NewStaleLockController(px, dtRunner, reconcile.DefaultPool, logger)
+		if dtGuests != nil {
+			diskTrim := fstrim.New(dtRunner, dtGuests, heavyOps,
+				filepath.Join(cfg.OOB.WithDefaults().StateDir, "guest-disk-trim.json"), logger)
+			collector.SetGuestDiskTrimReporter(diskTrim)
+			go diskTrim.Run(ctx)
+		}
+	} else {
+		logger.Info("fstrim: weekly guest disk trim disabled by config (disk_trim.disable)")
+	}
 	if lanLoop != nil {
 		lanServers = 1
 		go func() { errc <- lanLoop.Run(ctx) }()
@@ -1680,7 +1727,7 @@ func primaryBackupTargetOf(cfg config.Config) func() hub.ConfiguredBackupTarget
 // disables the cadence (returns a scheduler that just waits) when the cadence is off or the
 // scratch band / restore storage is invalid — a misconfig must not crash the daemon, and the
 // machinery still works on-demand via --selftest=restore-test.
-func buildRestoreTestScheduler(cfg config.Config, px *proxmox.Client, engine *reconcile.Engine, store *backup.Store, rtState *backup.RestoreTestState, inFlight *backup.InFlight, logger *slog.Logger) *backup.Scheduler {
+func buildRestoreTestScheduler(cfg config.Config, px *proxmox.Client, engine *reconcile.Engine, store *backup.Store, rtState *backup.RestoreTestState, inFlight *backup.InFlight, foreign *backup.ForeignKeyLedger, logger *slog.Logger) *backup.Scheduler {
 	// R-86: this is the EVALUATION interval, not the trigger. What decides a test happens is the
 	// per-archive due-check in internal/backup/restoretest_due.go.
 	cadence := cfg.Backup.RestoreTestEvalInterval()
@@ -1699,6 +1746,9 @@ func buildRestoreTestScheduler(cfg config.Config, px *proxmox.Client, engine *re
 	min, max := cfg.Backup.ScratchBand()
 	target := cfg.Backup.BackupTarget()
 	runner := backup.NewBackupRunner(px, target, "", "felhom restore-test", "", logger)
+	if foreign != nil {
+		runner.SetForeignKeyLedger(foreign) // R-366 slice 2: the pick records archives written with another key
+	}
 	// Every configured tier is a rotation candidate, not just the primary.
 	cfgTiers, _ := cfg.Backup.BackupTiers() // warnings already logged where the tiers are armed
 	tierIDs := make([]string, 0, len(cfgTiers))
@@ -1854,11 +1904,15 @@ func buildLocalAPIServer(cfg config.Config, px *proxmox.Client, store *backup.St
 				return nil, 0, ferr
 			}
 			out := make([]escrow.RetainedBlob, 0, len(resp.Packages))
+			// R-304: every package the hub holds and the code will NOT be tried against — no key material,
+			// over the hub's cap, or malformed here. A refusal may call the code wrong only when this is 0.
+			withheld := resp.UnopenableCount + resp.TruncatedCount
 			for _, p := range resp.Packages {
 				blob, derr := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(p.IdentityEscrowB64)
 				if derr != nil || len(blob) == 0 {
 					// One malformed package must not sink the rest — the customer's code may open a
 					// later one, and a skipped entry is strictly better than a refusal we cannot justify.
+					withheld++
 					continue
 				}
 				out = append(out, escrow.RetainedBlob{
@@ -1868,9 +1922,13 @@ func buildLocalAPIServer(cfg config.Config, px *proxmox.Client, store *backup.St
 					Index:          p.Index,
 				})
 			}
-			return out, resp.UnopenableCount, nil
+			return out, withheld, nil
 		},
 	}
+	// R-894: ONE instance — the local API writes it, the host report reads it (2026-10-09: a restart right
+	// after the night backup erased the hub's evidence of it).
+	lastKnownBackups := backup.NewBackupSuccessState(filepath.Join(cfg.OOB.WithDefaults().StateDir, "backup-success-state.json"))
+	collector.SetKnownBackupReporter(lastKnownBackups)
 	srv, err := localapi.NewServer(localapi.Options{
 		EscrowRecovery: escrowRecoverer,
 		ListenAddr:     cfg.LocalAPI.ListenAddr,
@@ -1881,12 +1939,15 @@ func buildLocalAPIServer(cfg config.Config, px *proxmox.Client, store *backup.St
 		BackupTiers:    apiTiers, // R-82: primary first; untargeted endpoints act on the primary
 		InFlight:       inFlight, // R-85: shared with the restore-test scheduler (Scenario F)
 		Store:          store,
-		Storage:        observer,
-		DriveTargets:   driveTargets,                    // Impl-2a: registry+units drives for the /disks view (union w/ Observe storages)
-		Smart:          storage.NewSmartReader(hostOps), // v0.95.0 Fix B: SMART for the union-path drives
-		HostReader:     storage.NewProcHostReader(),     // Impl-2b: durableIDForMount raw-mount fallback + role gate
-		Tokens:         tokens,
-		BackupCadence:  cfg.Backup.BackupCadence(),
+		// R-894: the newest success per tier on disk — the due-check's fallback when the storage cannot be
+		// read right after a restart. Same state dir as restore-test-state.json.
+		LastKnownBackups: lastKnownBackups,
+		Storage:          observer,
+		DriveTargets:     driveTargets,                    // Impl-2a: registry+units drives for the /disks view (union w/ Observe storages)
+		Smart:            storage.NewSmartReader(hostOps), // v0.95.0 Fix B: SMART for the union-path drives
+		HostReader:       storage.NewProcHostReader(),     // Impl-2b: durableIDForMount raw-mount fallback + role gate
+		Tokens:           tokens,
+		BackupCadence:    cfg.Backup.BackupCadence(),
 		// Disk management (slice 8C): the privileged host surface + the data-bearing wipe gate.
 		Disks:       hostOps,
 		DiskGate:    storageGateAdapter{gate: gate, hostID: cfg.Hub.HostID},
@@ -2241,7 +2302,7 @@ func runSelftestRestoreTestDue(ctx context.Context, cfg config.Config, logger *s
 		return 1
 	}
 	rtState := backup.NewRestoreTestState(filepath.Join(cfg.OOB.WithDefaults().StateDir, "restore-test-state.json"))
-	sched := buildRestoreTestScheduler(cfg, px, nil, backup.NewStore(), rtState, &backup.InFlight{}, logger)
+	sched := buildRestoreTestScheduler(cfg, px, nil, backup.NewStore(), rtState, &backup.InFlight{}, nil, logger)
 
 	fmt.Printf("eval_interval=%s settle=%s\n", cfg.Backup.RestoreTestEvalInterval(), cfg.Backup.RestoreTestSettle())
 	start := time.Now()
@@ -2667,7 +2728,6 @@ type escrowCeremonyOpts struct {
 	offline            bool
 	upload             bool
 	identityBundlePath string
-	directivePath      string
 }
 
 // escrowCeremonyOutcome is the shared core's result. R is the ONLY secret; Sum mirrors the
@@ -2726,11 +2786,10 @@ func escrowCeremony(ctx context.Context, cfg config.Config, logger *slog.Logger,
 		return out, &escrowCeremonyErr{kind: "setup", err: fmt.Errorf("PBS key for %q not found (%s): %v", storage, keyPath, err)}
 	}
 
-	// Slice 10D.1: optionally ALSO wrap the identity bundle under the same R, and carry the non-secret
-	// directive for the hub. The bundle file is a 0600 secret (tunnel/pbs tokens); the directive is
-	// non-secret (pbs repo/ns, expected fingerprint, tunnel id).
+	// Slice 10D.1: optionally ALSO wrap the identity bundle under the same R. The bundle file is a 0600 secret
+	// (tunnel/pbs tokens). The non-secret "directive" that used to ride along is retired (R-105, `09` §3 decision 169:
+	// nothing read it; the DR path reads the recipe, tenantsync and the escrow blob).
 	var identity *escrow.IdentityBundle
-	var directive json.RawMessage
 	if opts.identityBundlePath != "" {
 		raw, err := os.ReadFile(opts.identityBundlePath)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -2741,11 +2800,6 @@ func escrowCeremony(ctx context.Context, cfg config.Config, logger *slog.Logger,
 			return out, &escrowCeremonyErr{kind: "setup", err: fmt.Errorf("identity bundle is not valid JSON {tunnel_token,pbs_token}: %v", err)}
 		}
 		identity = &b
-		if opts.directivePath != "" {
-			if d, err := os.ReadFile(opts.directivePath); err == nil && json.Valid(d) {
-				directive = d
-			}
-		}
 	}
 	// S3: auto-inject the offsite WG private key into the escrowed identity when the key file
 	// exists — a NEW escrow run should always capture the live tunnel identity. Field NAME only
@@ -2824,7 +2878,7 @@ func escrowCeremony(ctx context.Context, cfg config.Config, logger *slog.Logger,
 		ResticPwSealed:    resticStaged,
 	}
 	if opts.upload {
-		if err := uploadEscrowBlob(ctx, cfg, res, directive, resticPwSHA256); err != nil {
+		if err := uploadEscrowBlob(ctx, cfg, res, resticPwSHA256); err != nil {
 			// R is minted and the blob self-verified — only the hub leg failed. kind "upload" lets
 			// the text shell keep the pre-extraction order (R surfaced, THEN the failure).
 			return out, &escrowCeremonyErr{kind: "upload", err: err}
@@ -2881,7 +2935,7 @@ func printEscrowTextRBlock(out *escrowCeremonyOutcome) {
 //     NOTHING else there; every human/info line goes to stderr; failures exit non-zero with no
 //     partial JSON. This is the controller-driven ceremony's parse surface (spike §2.3: the text
 //     banner is positionally brittle).
-func runSelftestEscrowCreate(ctx context.Context, cfg config.Config, logger *slog.Logger, storage string, paperkey, offline, upload bool, identityBundlePath, directivePath, outputMode string) int {
+func runSelftestEscrowCreate(ctx context.Context, cfg config.Config, logger *slog.Logger, storage string, paperkey, offline, upload bool, identityBundlePath, outputMode string) int {
 	switch outputMode {
 	case "", "text", "json":
 	default:
@@ -2899,7 +2953,7 @@ func runSelftestEscrowCreate(ctx context.Context, cfg config.Config, logger *slo
 
 	out, cerr := escrowCeremony(ctx, cfg, logger, escrowCeremonyOpts{
 		storage: storage, paperkey: paperkey, offline: offline, upload: upload,
-		identityBundlePath: identityBundlePath, directivePath: directivePath,
+		identityBundlePath: identityBundlePath,
 	})
 	if cerr != nil {
 		switch cerr.kind {
@@ -3082,20 +3136,19 @@ type escrowUploadRequest struct {
 	BlobB64        string `json:"blob_b64"`        // base64 of the opaque R-wrapped blob (ciphertext)
 	KeyFingerprint string `json:"key_fingerprint"` // for operator display only
 	Posture        string `json:"posture"`         // e.g. "zero_knowledge"
-	// Slice 10D.1 — optional DR bundle (identity escrow + non-secret directive). Omitted in slice-7.
-	IdentityBlobB64 string          `json:"identity_blob_b64,omitempty"`
-	DirectiveJSON   json.RawMessage `json:"directive,omitempty"`
-	CreatedAt       string          `json:"created_at"` // RFC3339
+	// Slice 10D.1 — optional identity escrow. Omitted in slice-7. (The `directive` is retired — R-105.)
+	IdentityBlobB64 string `json:"identity_blob_b64,omitempty"`
+	CreatedAt       string `json:"created_at"` // RFC3339
 	// SLICE 3 — sha256 hex of the offsite restic repo password sealed in the identity blob (present only
 	// when a staged password was folded in). Non-reversible hash of a 256-bit random secret — safe to
 	// store/serve; lets the controller VERIFY "the escrow covers the CURRENT key" and auto-confirm.
 	ResticPwSHA256 string `json:"restic_pw_sha256,omitempty"`
 }
 
-// uploadEscrowBlob PUTs the opaque blob (and, for 10D, the identity blob + non-secret directive) to
+// uploadEscrowBlob PUTs the opaque blob (and, for 10D, the identity blob) to
 // the hub, authed with the per-host key. The hub stores ciphertext + non-secret fields; no usable
 // secret leaves the agent.
-func uploadEscrowBlob(ctx context.Context, cfg config.Config, res escrow.CreateResult, directive json.RawMessage, resticPwSHA256 string) error {
+func uploadEscrowBlob(ctx context.Context, cfg config.Config, res escrow.CreateResult, resticPwSHA256 string) error {
 	if cfg.Hub.URL == "" || cfg.Hub.HostID == "" || cfg.Hub.APIKey == "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("hub not configured (url/host_id/api_key)")
 	}
@@ -3108,7 +3161,6 @@ func uploadEscrowBlob(ctx context.Context, cfg config.Config, res escrow.CreateR
 	}
 	if len(res.IdentityBlob) > 0 {
 		upReq.IdentityBlobB64 = base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(res.IdentityBlob)
-		upReq.DirectiveJSON = directive
 	}
 	body, _ := json.Marshal(upReq)
 	url := strings.TrimRight(cfg.Hub.URL, "/") + "/api/v1/hosts/" + cfg.Hub.HostID + "/escrow"

cmd/felhom-agent/r894_wiring_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"go/ast"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// R-894 — the on-disk backup record is WIRED on the daemon path (the built-but-never-wired class).
+// main → runDaemon → buildLocalAPIServer, and inside it the localapi.Options literal carries
+// LastKnownBackups built by backup.NewBackupSuccessState. An AST walk, not a string match, for the
+// reasons in escrow_recover_wiring_test.go.
+//
+// COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): delete the `LastKnownBackups:` line from buildLocalAPIServer → this
+// fails with "localapi.Options in buildLocalAPIServer has no LastKnownBackups field". Restored.
+//
+// 2026-10-09: the SAME instance also feeds the host report (collector.SetKnownBackupReporter), so a
+// restart right after a backup no longer erases the hub's evidence of it. The field may name a local
+// variable; the variable must be built by backup.NewBackupSuccessState and be the one handed to the
+// collector. RED-PROOF (observed): drop the SetKnownBackupReporter call → "not handed to the collector".
+func TestR894_LastKnownBackupsIsWiredIntoTheDaemon(t *testing.T) {
+	_, f := parseMain(t)
+	if !callsWithin(f, "main")["runDaemon"] || !callsWithin(f, "runDaemon")["buildLocalAPIServer"] {
+		t.Fatal("main → runDaemon → buildLocalAPIServer is broken — the path this test asserts is not the live one")
+	}
+	var field, built bool
+	var fieldVar, handed string
+	for _, d := range f.Decls {
+		fd, ok := d.(*ast.FuncDecl)
+		if !ok || fd.Name == nil || fd.Name.Name != "buildLocalAPIServer" || fd.Body == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		ast.Inspect(fd.Body, func(n ast.Node) bool {
+			cl, ok := n.(*ast.CompositeLit)
+			if !ok {
+				return true
+			}
+			sel, ok := cl.Type.(*ast.SelectorExpr)
+			if !ok {
+				return true
+			}
+			if pkg, _ := sel.X.(*ast.Ident); pkg == nil || pkg.Name+"."+sel.Sel.Name != "localapi.Options" {
+				return true
+			}
+			for _, el := range cl.Elts {
+				kv, ok := el.(*ast.KeyValueExpr)
+				if !ok {
+					continue
+				}
+				if k, ok := kv.Key.(*ast.Ident); ok && k.Name == "LastKnownBackups" {
+					field = true
+					if callsIn(kv.Value)["backup.NewBackupSuccessState"] {
+						built = true
+					}
+					if id, ok := kv.Value.(*ast.Ident); ok {
+						fieldVar = id.Name
+					}
+				}
+			}
+			return true
+		})
+		// a local variable: built by NewBackupSuccessState, and handed to the collector
+		ast.Inspect(fd.Body, func(n ast.Node) bool {
+			switch x := n.(type) {
+			case *ast.AssignStmt:
+				for i, l := range x.Lhs {
+					if id, ok := l.(*ast.Ident); ok && fieldVar != "" && id.Name == fieldVar && i < len(x.Rhs) &&
+						callsIn(x.Rhs[i])["backup.NewBackupSuccessState"] {
+						built = true
+					}
+				}
+			case *ast.CallExpr:
+				if fn, ok := x.Fun.(*ast.SelectorExpr); ok && fn.Sel.Name == "SetKnownBackupReporter" && len(x.Args) == 1 {
+					if id, ok := x.Args[0].(*ast.Ident); ok {
+						handed = id.Name
+					}
+				}
+			}
+			return true
+		})
+	}
+	if !field {
+		t.Fatal("localapi.Options in buildLocalAPIServer has no LastKnownBackups field")
+	}
+	if !built {
+		t.Fatal("LastKnownBackups is not built by backup.NewBackupSuccessState")
+	}
+	if handed == "" || handed != fieldVar {
+		t.Fatalf("the saved backups (%q) are not handed to the collector (SetKnownBackupReporter got %q)", fieldVar, handed)
+	}
+}
+
+func callsIn(n ast.Node) map[string]bool {
+	out := map[string]bool{}
+	ast.Inspect(n, func(n ast.Node) bool {
+		if ce, ok := n.(*ast.CallExpr); ok {
+			if fn, ok := ce.Fun.(*ast.SelectorExpr); ok {
+				if x, ok := fn.X.(*ast.Ident); ok {
+					out[x.Name+"."+fn.Sel.Name] = true
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		return true
+	})
+	return out
+}

cmd/felhom-opsign/main.go

@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func main() {
 
 func run() error {
 	var (
-		op        = flag.String("op", "", "op class to sign, e.g. storage_wipe | guest_destroy | decommission | agent_update | os_docker_step | agent_config_update")
+		op        = flag.String("op", "", "op class to sign, e.g. storage_wipe | guest_destroy | decommission | agent_update | os_docker_step | os_pve_step | os_kernel_step | agent_config_update")
 		host      = flag.String("host", "", "target host_id (anti-retarget — the op runs ONLY on this host)")
 		guest     = flag.String("guest", "", "target guest_id (\"\" = host-scoped op)")
 		keyID     = flag.String("key-id", "", "key id of the signing key (must match a pinned agent signer)")

configs/felhom-agent.sudoers

@@ -111,15 +111,17 @@ Cmnd_Alias FELHOM_INTERMEDIARY = \
 #   docker inspect -f *         — container running/health/image (read-only; `*` spans the -f template
 #                                 + container across spaces, spike-confirmed)
 #   systemctl restart <fixed unit> — re-run the golden's bootstrap (the only state change)
-#   tee <FIXED image file>      — WRITE the ref; content is fed on STDIN (no shell, no interpolation),
-#                                 the agent strict-validates the ref (controllerImageRe) before the write.
+#   felhom-priv-apply controller-image <vmid> — WRITE the ref (R-861 (a) A1, `09` §3 decision 165): the ref goes on
+#                                 STDIN to the ROOT wrapper, which requires our registry + repository + an x.y.z tag
+#                                 and writes the guest file itself. The agent's own `tee` grant is GONE: before, a
+#                                 compromised agent could hand the guest's bootstrap ANY image (sudo cannot see stdin).
 # Validated GO: felhom.eu/documentation/audits/SPIKE-controllerswap-narrow-grants-2026-06-29.md.
 Cmnd_Alias FELHOM_CONTROLLERSWAP = \
   /usr/sbin/pct ^exec [0-9]+ -- cat /etc/felhom-controller-image$, \
   /usr/sbin/pct ^exec [0-9]+ -- docker image inspect gitea\.dooplex\.hu/admin/felhom-controller\:[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$, \
   /usr/sbin/pct ^exec [0-9]+ -- docker inspect -f .+ (felhom-controller|cloudflared)$, \
   /usr/sbin/pct ^exec [0-9]+ -- systemctl restart felhom-controller-bootstrap\.service$, \
-  /usr/sbin/pct ^exec [0-9]+ -- tee /etc/felhom-controller-image$
+  /usr/local/sbin/felhom-priv-apply ^controller-image [0-9]+$
 
 # Stale-lock recovery (F2-b, v0.49.0). A host reboot DURING a vzdump backup leaves the guest with a
 # `snapshot-delete`/`backup` lock + `onboot:1` then can't start it → the customer box stays DOWN. The
@@ -129,6 +131,14 @@ Cmnd_Alias FELHOM_CONTROLLERSWAP = \
 Cmnd_Alias FELHOM_STALELOCK = \
   /usr/sbin/pct ^unlock [0-9]+$
 
+# Weekly guest disk trim (R-444, operator ruling `09` §3 decision 139). A thin pool only ever grows from blocks the
+# guest has FREED: `fstrim` inside the unprivileged container is refused (FITRIM: Operation not permitted), so the host
+# trims the guest's mounts. Measured on demo-hp 2026-10-06: `pct fstrim 9201` rc 0 in 24.4 s, pool 65.53 % -> 33.40 %,
+# apps kept answering. ONE exact pattern: a vmid and nothing else — no `--ignore-mountpoints`, no second argument
+# (pinned: TestSudoersFstrimRuleIsExact). The agent runs it on a weekly daytime timer under the heavy-op gate.
+Cmnd_Alias FELHOM_FSTRIM = \
+  /usr/sbin/pct ^fstrim [0-9]+$
+
 # Restore-test scratch teardown (F-LEAK, Campaign 8, v0.110.0). A restore-test whose restore FAILS
 # leaves a scratch guest the API token CANNOT destroy: `FelhomAgentGuest` is granted at /pool/felhom and
 # a guest joins that pool only when its restore COMPLETES, so a failed restore leaves a pool-less guest
@@ -304,4 +314,4 @@ Cmnd_Alias FELHOM_GUESTNET = \
   /usr/sbin/pct ^exec [0-9]+ -- pgrep -x dhclient$, \
   /usr/sbin/pct ^exec [0-9]+ -- dhclient -pf /run/dhclient\.eth0\.pid -lf /var/lib/dhcp/dhclient\.eth0\.leases eth0$
 
-felhom-agent ALL=(root) NOPASSWD: FELHOM_MOUNT, FELHOM_DISK, FELHOM_PROVISION, FELHOM_FORMAT, FELHOM_DNSMASQ, FELHOM_GUESTHOOK, FELHOM_INTERMEDIARY, FELHOM_CONTROLLERSWAP, FELHOM_STALELOCK, FELHOM_NETMOUNT, FELHOM_WG, FELHOM_SELFUPDATE, FELHOM_SSHD, FELHOM_OOB, FELHOM_PBSDR, FELHOM_BACKUPTARGET, FELHOM_SELFHEAL, FELHOM_ESCROW, FELHOM_GUESTNET, FELHOM_SCRATCH_TEARDOWN, FELHOM_OSAPPLY
+felhom-agent ALL=(root) NOPASSWD: FELHOM_MOUNT, FELHOM_DISK, FELHOM_PROVISION, FELHOM_FORMAT, FELHOM_DNSMASQ, FELHOM_GUESTHOOK, FELHOM_INTERMEDIARY, FELHOM_CONTROLLERSWAP, FELHOM_STALELOCK, FELHOM_FSTRIM, FELHOM_NETMOUNT, FELHOM_WG, FELHOM_SELFUPDATE, FELHOM_SSHD, FELHOM_OOB, FELHOM_PBSDR, FELHOM_BACKUPTARGET, FELHOM_SELFHEAL, FELHOM_ESCROW, FELHOM_GUESTNET, FELHOM_SCRATCH_TEARDOWN, FELHOM_OSAPPLY

configs/felhom-grub-oneshot-entries.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+# /etc/grub.d/42_felhom_oneshot — the kernel lane's one-shot ENTRIES (R-836, `09` §3 decision 172, `11` §5.11).
+# Installed by the config bundle (felhom-os-apply BUNDLE_FILES), 0755 root. update-grub runs it.
+#
+# One menu entry per installed Proxmox kernel, id `felhom-oneshot-<version>`, booted ONLY when 01_felhom_oneshot found
+# the flag naming it. It is the normal entry plus option C (decision 172): softlockup_panic=1 hardlockup_panic=1
+# hung_task_panic=1 panic=10 — a lockup the kernel can detect becomes a panic, and a panic restarts the box in 10 s into
+# the default (the old kernel). A true dead freeze still needs a person (spike candidate 3 failed on all three boxes).
+# It sorts AFTER 10_linux, so it is never entry 0 and never the default.
+#
+# No vfat ESP at /boot/efi → prints nothing (no flag can name these entries).
+set -e
+prefix="/usr"
+exec_prefix="/usr"
+datarootdir="/usr/share"
+. "$datarootdir/grub/grub-mkconfig_lib"
+esp_uuid=$(findmnt -n -o UUID,FSTYPE /boot/efi 2>/dev/null | awk '$2 == "vfat" { print $1 }')
+[ -n "$esp_uuid" ] || exit 0
+kernels=$(ls /boot/vmlinuz-*-pve 2>/dev/null | sed 's#^/boot/vmlinuz-##' | grep -E '^[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+-[0-9]+-pve$' || true)
+[ -n "$kernels" ] || exit 0
+case "${GRUB_DEVICE}" in
+    /dev/mapper/*|/dev/dm-*|"") root_arg="root=${GRUB_DEVICE}" ;;
+    *) if [ -n "${GRUB_DEVICE_UUID}" ]; then root_arg="root=UUID=${GRUB_DEVICE_UUID}"; else root_arg="root=${GRUB_DEVICE}"; fi ;;
+esac
+[ -n "${GRUB_DEVICE}" ] || root_arg="root=$(findmnt -n -o SOURCE /)"
+rel=$(make_system_path_relative_to_its_root /boot)
+prep=$(prepare_grub_to_access_device "$(${grub_probe:-grub-probe} --target=device /boot)" | sed 's/^/  /')
+for k in $kernels; do
+    [ -f "/boot/initrd.img-$k" ] || continue
+    cat <<EOF
+menuentry 'Felhom one-shot: $k' --class proxmox --id felhom-oneshot-$k {
+  insmod gzio
+$prep
+  echo 'Loading Linux $k (felhom one-shot) ...'
+  linux $rel/vmlinuz-$k $root_arg ro ${GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX} ${GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT} softlockup_panic=1 hardlockup_panic=1 hung_task_panic=1 panic=10
+  initrd $rel/initrd.img-$k
+}
+EOF
+done

configs/felhom-grub-oneshot.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+# /etc/grub.d/01_felhom_oneshot — the kernel lane's ONE-SHOT boot (R-836, `09` §3 decisions 164 + 172, `11` §5.11).
+# Installed by the config bundle (felhom-os-apply BUNDLE_FILES), 0755 root. update-grub runs it; it prints GRUB script.
+#
+# At boot, GRUB reads `felhom_next` from an environment block on the ESP (vfat — GRUB can rewrite a file there; it
+# cannot on the LVM /boot, R-836), CLEARS it, and — only if it names an installed kernel — boots that kernel's one-shot
+# entry (42_felhom_oneshot) instead of the default. The next boot uses the default again whatever happens: a new kernel
+# that panics comes back on the old one by itself. felhom-os-apply writes the flag (mode apply) and never the default
+# for a new kernel. Measured on the Tester 1 VM, demo-felhom and demo-hp (Secure Boot on):
+# `audits/kernel-spike-2026-10-07/` (candidate 2).
+#
+# No vfat ESP at /boot/efi, or no Proxmox kernel → prints nothing (the box boots exactly as before).
+set -e
+esp_uuid=$(findmnt -n -o UUID,FSTYPE /boot/efi 2>/dev/null | awk '$2 == "vfat" { print $1 }')
+[ -n "$esp_uuid" ] || exit 0
+kernels=$(ls /boot/vmlinuz-*-pve 2>/dev/null | sed 's#^/boot/vmlinuz-##' | grep -E '^[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+-[0-9]+-pve$' || true)
+[ -n "$kernels" ] || exit 0
+cat <<EOF
+# felhom kernel lane: a one-shot kernel named on the ESP, read and cleared before the menu
+insmod part_gpt
+insmod fat
+search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=felhom_esp $esp_uuid
+if [ -f (\$felhom_esp)/EFI/felhom/oneshot.env ]; then
+  load_env -f (\$felhom_esp)/EFI/felhom/oneshot.env felhom_next
+  if [ "\${felhom_next}" ]; then
+    set felhom_boot="\${felhom_next}"
+    set felhom_next=
+    save_env -f (\$felhom_esp)/EFI/felhom/oneshot.env felhom_next
+EOF
+for k in $kernels; do
+    printf '    if [ "${felhom_boot}" = "%s" ]; then set default="felhom-oneshot-%s"; fi\n' "$k" "$k"
+done
+cat <<EOF
+  fi
+fi
+EOF

configs/felhom-op.sudoers

@@ -16,8 +16,10 @@ Cmnd_Alias FELHOM_OP_REPAIR = \
   /usr/bin/systemctl reset-failed felhom-sshd, \
   /usr/bin/systemctl restart felhom-sshd, \
   /usr/sbin/pct list, \
-  /usr/sbin/pct start [0-9]*, \
-  /usr/sbin/pct stop [0-9]*, \
-  /usr/sbin/pct unlock [0-9]*
+  /usr/sbin/pct ^start [0-9]+$, \
+  /usr/sbin/pct ^stop [0-9]+$, \
+  /usr/sbin/pct ^unlock [0-9]+$
 
+# R-861 (b) B2 (`09` §3 decision 165, hygiene): one numeric vmid per pct verb, anchored — the old glob `[0-9]*` also
+# matched spaces, so `pct stop 9201 --skiplock 1` passed. Pinned by TestFelhomOpSudoersPctIsExact.
 felhom-op ALL=(root) NOPASSWD: FELHOM_OP_REPAIR

configs/felhom-os-apply

@@ -21,6 +21,11 @@
 # or, for an unsigned ring-0 step, the root-owned TRUST_FILE saying `"ring0_slow_lane": true` (set by hand on the demo
 # boxes only). The agent's own config is NOT trusted for either: the agent can write it. A Docker step also needs
 # `live-restore` ON (R15) — without it every container restarts.
+# Agent v0.151.0 (R-812 option A, `09` §3 decision 163) adds the layer "pve": the HOST's Proxmox USERSPACE packages,
+# lane "slow" only, origin "Proxmox Debian Repository" only, never a kernel / boot / firmware / microcode name (R14 —
+# the kernel is R-836's lane), no removal, no undo, a NEW package only from PVE_NEW_ALLOW, an appliance only (R12), and
+# the same authority as the Docker step (R3: a signed `os_pve_step`, or the root-owned ring-0 mark). Select
+# "pending-pve" (ring 0): every installed Proxmox-origin package with a pending upgrade, minus HOST_SLOW_RE.
 #
 # Modes (plan field "mode"):
 #   inventory   `apt-get update`, then report what is installed (with origin), what is pending, and health.
@@ -32,6 +37,14 @@
 #               held packages, kernel taint, the crash guard; guest Debian, Docker engine, containerd, live-restore.
 #   live-restore-on  (v0.142.0, layer guest) the ONE-TIME step of `09` decision 87: merge `"live-restore": true`
 #               into the guest's /etc/docker/daemon.json and `systemctl reload docker`. NEVER a restart (R-835).
+#   oom-check   (R-528, `09` decision 157; layer docker, lane slow) ONLY the memory-kill check below: no apt, no engine
+#               change, no authority needed. Wrapper-only — the agent never writes this plan; run it by hand as root.
+# R-528 (`09` decision 157): a docker-layer APPLY also runs `oom_check()` after health_after and reports it as
+#   "oom_check": {"result": "pass"|"fail"|"error", "oom_killed": bool, "oom_event": bool, "exit_code": int|null,
+#                 "image": str|null, "detail": str}
+#   — one throwaway container (the controller's own image, no network / volume / port, 64 MB cap) is made to exceed its
+#   memory; "pass" only when the engine says OOMKilled=true AND emits the `oom` event. It never changes the step's
+#   outcome or health: the hub decides whether the engine set can be approved. Pinned by the OOMCheck tests.
 # Output: log lines on stderr and the journal (tag felhom-os-apply); the LAST stdout line is
 #   OSAPPLY-REPORT <one JSON object>
 # which is what the agent parses. Exit 0 = done; 2 = refused (nothing changed); 3 = failed during install.
@@ -68,10 +81,25 @@ JOURNAL_MARK = "@@FELHOM-DPKG-JOURNAL@@"
 DPKG_STATE_SCRIPT = "dpkg --audit; echo " + JOURNAL_MARK + "; ls -A /var/lib/dpkg/updates 2>/dev/null; true"
 # The installer's ROOT-OWNED record (felhom-host-install.sh `state_set mode`); the agent cannot write it.
 INSTALL_STATE = "/var/lib/felhom-install/state.json"
+# R-528: the memory-kill check (oom_check). One 200 MB block under a 64 MB cap: measured on Docker 29.8.2 to be
+# OOM-killed with OOMKilled=true and an `oom` event. Every call is bounded: timeouts (the clock read twice) + the
+# settle wait stay within 90 s.
+OOMCHECK_PREFIX = "felhom-oomcheck-"
+OOMCHECK_SCRIPT = "dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/null bs=200M count=1"
+OOMCHECK_TIMEOUTS = {"image": 10, "clock": 5, "run": 30, "inspect": 10, "events": 10, "rm": 15}
+# Measured on demo-hp 9201 (Docker 29.8.2, 2026-10-06, audits/readback-2026-10-07/F/F1, F2): an `--until` taken right
+# after the run MISSED the oom event although OOMKilled=true; after a 2 s wait and `--until` = guest epoch + 1 it is
+# seen. Pinned by test_events_window_ends_after_the_settle_wait.
+OOMCHECK_SETTLE = 2
 # Kernel, boot and firmware packages are the SLOW lane on the host whatever their origin (`11` C3, §5.2): a host
 # reboot is needed for them to take effect, and a bad one can stop the box from booting.
+# proxmox-secure-boot-support is the Secure Boot meta-package: its only job is to pull shim-signed and the signed GRUB,
+# so it belongs with them. Measured 2026-10-09 on demo-hp (Secure Boot on): left in the pve lane, its upgrade pulled
+# shim-signed-common, the whole pve step was refused R6, and the night's kernel step was skipped with it
+# (`audits/kernel-night-2026-10-08/`). Pinned by test_ring0_pending_pve_leaves_the_secure_boot_meta_out.
 HOST_SLOW_RE = re.compile(r"^(linux-(image|headers|kbuild|modules|base)|proxmox-kernel|proxmox-default-kernel|pve-kernel|"
-                          r"pve-firmware|firmware-|grub|shim|systemd-boot|intel-microcode|amd64-microcode|efibootmgr)")
+                          r"pve-firmware|firmware-|grub|shim|systemd-boot|intel-microcode|amd64-microcode|efibootmgr|"
+                          r"proxmox-secure-boot-support)")
 # restart_needed() leaves out processes whose cgroup line matches (grep basic regex). Host: the LXC guests' own
 # processes (`0::/lxc/<vmid>/...`) -- NOT lxc-start itself, whose cgroup is `0::/lxc.monitor/<vmid>` (measured
 # 2026-10-04 on demo-felhom: the old pattern "lxc" hid lxc-start with 20 deleted maps, so "reboot needed" stayed false
@@ -82,6 +110,12 @@ HOST_SERVICES = ["pveproxy", "pvedaemon", "pvestatd", "pve-cluster", "felhom-age
 DOCKER_NAMES = ("containerd.io", "docker-buildx-plugin", "docker-ce", "docker-ce-cli", "docker-ce-rootless-extras",
                 "docker-compose-plugin")
 DOCKER_ORIGIN = "Docker CE"
+# The Proxmox package lane (R-812 option A): the origin apt prints for download.proxmox.com, and the ONLY new packages
+# a pve step may add (measured on demo-felhom 2026-10-07: a full upgrade adds proxmox-firewall-data and the kernel;
+# the kernel is refused by R14 whatever this list says).
+PVE_ORIGIN = "Proxmox Debian Repository"
+PVE_NEW_ALLOW = ("proxmox-firewall-data",)
+PVE_SIGNED_OP = "os_pve_step"
 # ROOT-OWNED trust anchors (the installer writes them; the demo boxes got them by hand, R-840). Never the agent's config.
 TRUST_FILE = "/etc/felhom/os-trust.json"          # {"host_id": "...", "ring0_slow_lane": false}
 TRUST_SIGNERS = "/etc/felhom/operator-signers"    # ssh allowed_signers: <key_id> namespaces="felhom-op-v1" <key>
@@ -95,6 +129,32 @@ DAEMON_JSON = "/etc/docker/daemon.json"
 # wrapper restarts exactly the containers that mount one of these paths (never the apps, never the engine).
 DOCKER_SOCKETS = ("/var/run/docker.sock", "/run/docker.sock")
 CRASH_GUARD_STATE = "/var/lib/felhom-crash-guard/state.json"
+# ---------- the kernel lane (R-836, `09` §3 decisions 164 + 172, `11` §5.11) ----------
+# A new kernel boots ONCE through a flag in a GRUB environment block on the ESP (vfat — GRUB can rewrite it there; on
+# the LVM /boot it cannot, R-836). The bundle's two GRUB generators read and clear the flag (01_felhom_oneshot) and
+# give each installed kernel a one-shot entry with the lockup-to-panic options (42_felhom_oneshot, option C). The GRUB
+# default is the kernel the box RUNS, pinned in KERNEL_DEFAULT_CFG; only "kernel-good" (after a healthy one-shot boot)
+# moves it to the new kernel. Measured in the spike on the Tester 1 VM, demo-felhom and demo-hp (Secure Boot on):
+# `audits/kernel-spike-2026-10-07/`.
+KERNEL_OP = "os_kernel_step"
+KERNEL_STATE = "/var/lib/felhom-kernel/state.json"          # 0644 root: the step's phase (the agent reads it)
+KERNEL_DEFAULT_CFG = "/etc/default/grub.d/zz-felhom-kernel-default.cfg"  # sourced last: GRUB_DEFAULT = this kernel
+ONESHOT_SNIPPET = "/etc/grub.d/01_felhom_oneshot"           # bundle-owned: read + clear the flag, pick the entry
+ONESHOT_ENTRIES = "/etc/grub.d/42_felhom_oneshot"           # bundle-owned: the one-shot entries (option C options)
+GRUB_CFG = "/boot/grub/grub.cfg"
+ESP_MOUNT = "/boot/efi"
+ONESHOT_ENV = ESP_MOUNT + "/EFI/felhom/oneshot.env"
+ONESHOT_ARGS = "softlockup_panic=1 hardlockup_panic=1 hung_task_panic=1 panic=10"
+KERNEL_PIN_FILE = "/etc/kernel/proxmox-boot-pin"            # an operator's `proxmox-boot-tool kernel pin` — never fought
+KVER_RE = re.compile(r"^[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+-[0-9]+-pve$")
+KERNEL_IMAGE_RE = re.compile(r"^proxmox-kernel-([0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+-[0-9]+-pve)(-signed)?$")
+# the packages a kernel step may UPGRADE (never add): the kernel series meta-package, the default-kernel meta, the boot
+# helper and the firmware the kernel loads. Everything else in HOST_SLOW_RE (grub, shim, microcode, efibootmgr) stays out.
+KERNEL_UPGRADE_RE = re.compile(r"^(proxmox-default-kernel|proxmox-kernel-[0-9]+\.[0-9]+|proxmox-kernel-helper|pve-firmware)$")
+KERNEL_MIN_GAP = 20 * 3600     # never two kernel steps in one night
+KERNEL_MODES = ("kernel-status", "kernel-reboot", "kernel-boot", "kernel-good", "kernel-revert", "kernel-cancel")
+# phases: staged → oneshot → judging → good | reverting → self_reverted | revert_failed; oneshot → fell_back; staged → cancelled
+KERNEL_ACTIVE = ("staged", "oneshot", "judging", "reverting")
 
 # ---------- the config bundle (R-840, agent v0.143.0, `11` §5.4.2) ----------
 # A signed `agent_config_update` job carries {agent_version, bundle_sha256}; the bundle is ONE JSON file built from this
@@ -141,6 +201,10 @@ BUNDLE_FILES = [
     ("/etc/systemd/system/felhom-crash-guard-check.service", "felhom-crash-guard-check.service", 0o644, "unit", "replace"),
     ("/etc/systemd/system/felhom-crash-guard-check.timer", "felhom-crash-guard-check.timer", 0o644, "unit", "replace"),
     ("/etc/felhom/crash-guard.conf", "crash-guard.conf", 0o644, "plain", "if-absent"),
+    # the kernel lane's two GRUB generators (R-836, `11` §5.11): they take effect at the next update-grub, which the
+    # first kernel step runs itself; with no flag on the ESP they change nothing about how the box boots.
+    ("/etc/grub.d/01_felhom_oneshot", "felhom-grub-oneshot.sh", 0o755, "sh", "replace"),
+    ("/etc/grub.d/42_felhom_oneshot", "felhom-grub-oneshot-entries.sh", 0o755, "sh", "replace"),
     ("/etc/systemd/system/felhom-agent.service", "felhom-agent.service", 0o644, "agent-unit", "replace"),
     ("/etc/systemd/system/felhom-agent-rollback.service", "felhom-agent-rollback.service", 0o644, "unit", "replace"),
     ("/etc/systemd/system/felhom-agent.service.d/felhom-agent-limits.conf", "felhom-agent-limits.conf", 0o644, "dropin", "replace"),
@@ -405,7 +469,8 @@ class Apply:
 
     def check_plan(self, plan):
         mode = plan.get("mode", "apply")
-        if mode not in ("apply", "inventory", "health", "facts", "live-restore-on", "bundle", "agent_update"):
+        if mode not in ("apply", "inventory", "health", "facts", "live-restore-on", "bundle", "agent_update", "oom-check") \
+                + KERNEL_MODES:
             raise Refused("R11", f"unknown mode {mode!r}")
         if mode == "agent_update":
             if plan.get("layer") != "host":
@@ -416,21 +481,31 @@ class Apply:
                 raise Refused("R11", "bundle is a host-layer mode")
             return mode, "host", 0, "bundle"
         layer = plan.get("layer")
-        if layer not in ("guest", "host", "docker"):
-            raise Refused("R12", f"layer {layer!r} is not guest, host or docker")
+        if layer not in ("guest", "host", "docker", "pve", "kernel"):
+            raise Refused("R12", f"layer {layer!r} is not guest, host, docker, pve or kernel")
+        if (mode in KERNEL_MODES) != (layer == "kernel" and mode not in ("apply", "health")):
+            raise Refused("R11", f"mode {mode!r} does not fit layer {layer!r}")
         lane = plan.get("lane", "fast")
         if layer == "docker" and lane != "slow":
             raise Refused("R3", "the Docker engine is the slow lane (`11` §5.8); a fast-lane Docker plan is refused")
-        if layer != "docker" and lane != "fast":
+        if layer == "pve" and lane != "slow":
+            raise Refused("R3", "the Proxmox packages are the slow lane (`11` §5.10); a fast-lane pve plan is refused")
+        if layer == "kernel" and lane != "slow":
+            raise Refused("R3", "the kernel is the slow lane (`11` §5.11); a fast-lane kernel plan is refused")
+        if layer not in ("docker", "pve", "kernel") and lane != "fast":
             raise Refused("R3", f"the {layer} layer has no slow lane in this release (kernel, Proxmox: `11` §8 step 6)")
         if mode == "facts" and layer != "host":
             raise Refused("R11", "facts is a host-layer mode (it reads the host and the guest)")
         if mode == "live-restore-on" and layer != "guest":
             raise Refused("R11", "live-restore-on is a guest-layer mode")
-        if plan.get("undo") and layer != "docker":
+        if mode == "oom-check" and layer != "docker":
+            raise Refused("R11", "oom-check is a docker-layer mode (it checks the guest's Docker engine)")
+        if plan.get("undo") and layer != "docker":  # the pve layer has no undo in this release (R-812 option A)
             raise Refused("R5", "an undo (downgrade) exists only for the Docker layer, inside a signed job")
         vmid = plan.get("vmid")
-        if not isinstance(vmid, int) or isinstance(vmid, bool) or vmid <= 0:
+        if layer == "kernel" and mode in KERNEL_MODES and mode != "kernel-reboot" and vmid == 0:
+            pass  # after a boot the guest may not run (that is what is judged); these modes never touch it
+        elif not isinstance(vmid, int) or isinstance(vmid, bool) or vmid <= 0:
             raise Refused("R11", f"vmid must be a positive integer, got {vmid!r}")
         rid = plan.get("release_id", "")
         if not isinstance(rid, str) or not re.match(r"^[A-Za-z0-9._:-]{1,80}$", rid):
@@ -438,17 +513,24 @@ class Apply:
         if plan.get("allow_new"):
             raise Refused("R6", "allow_new is a slow-lane field; the fast lane never adds a package")
         select = plan.get("select", "listed")
-        if select not in ("listed", "pending-fast", "pending-docker"):
+        if select not in ("listed", "pending-fast", "pending-docker", "pending-pve", "pending-kernel"):
             raise Refused("R11", f"unknown select {select!r}")
         if (select == "pending-docker") != (layer == "docker" and select != "listed"):
             if select == "pending-docker" or layer == "docker":
                 raise Refused("R11", f"select {select!r} does not fit layer {layer!r}")
+        if (select == "pending-pve") != (layer == "pve" and select != "listed"):
+            raise Refused("R11", f"select {select!r} does not fit layer {layer!r}")
+        if (select == "pending-kernel") != (layer == "kernel" and select != "listed"):
+            raise Refused("R11", f"select {select!r} does not fit layer {layer!r}")
+        ek = plan.get("expect_kver")
+        if ek is not None and (layer != "kernel" or not isinstance(ek, str) or not KVER_RE.match(ek)):
+            raise Refused("R11", f"expect_kver {ek!r} is not a kernel version of the kernel layer")
         pk = plan.get("packages", [])
         if not isinstance(pk, list):
             raise Refused("R11", "packages must be a list")
         if mode == "apply" and select == "listed" and not pk:
             raise Refused("R11", "packages must be a non-empty list in apply mode (select listed)")
-        if select in ("pending-fast", "pending-docker") and pk:
+        if select in ("pending-fast", "pending-docker", "pending-pve", "pending-kernel") and pk:
             raise Refused("R11", f"select {select} takes no package list")
         seen = set()
         for e in pk:
@@ -468,6 +550,19 @@ class Apply:
                 continue
             if n in DOCKER_NAMES:
                 raise Refused("R2", f"{n} is a Docker package — the slow lane (`11` §5.8), never in a {layer} plan")
+            if layer == "kernel":
+                if o != PVE_ORIGIN:
+                    raise Refused("R2", f"{n}: origin {o!r} is not {PVE_ORIGIN!r} (the kernel layer)")
+                if not (KERNEL_UPGRADE_RE.match(n) or KERNEL_IMAGE_RE.match(n)):
+                    raise Refused("R23", f"{n} is not a kernel package (a kernel image, the kernel meta-packages, "
+                                         f"proxmox-kernel-helper or pve-firmware)")
+                continue
+            if layer == "pve":
+                if o != PVE_ORIGIN:
+                    raise Refused("R2", f"{n}: origin {o!r} is not {PVE_ORIGIN!r} (the pve layer)")
+                if HOST_SLOW_RE.match(n):
+                    raise Refused("R14", f"{n} is a kernel / boot / firmware package — never the pve lane (R-836)")
+                continue
             if o not in FAST_ORIGINS:
                 raise Refused("R2", f"{n}: origin {o!r} is not Debian / Debian-Security (the fast lane, `11` C3)")
             if layer == "host" and HOST_SLOW_RE.match(n):
@@ -610,12 +705,13 @@ class Apply:
         now = self.r.now()
         self.r.write_nonces({k: v for k, v in seen.items() if v > now})
 
-    def docker_authority(self, plan):
-        """R3 for the docker layer: returns (who, undo). A signed job binds the EXACT package list and the undo flag."""
+    def docker_authority(self, plan, op_name=SIGNED_OP):
+        """R3 for the docker (and, op_name os_pve_step, the pve) layer: returns (who, undo). A signed job binds the EXACT
+        package list and the undo flag."""
         trust = self.load_trust()
         signed = plan.get("signed")
         if signed:
-            params = self.verify_signed(signed, trust)
+            params = self.verify_signed(signed, trust, op_name=op_name)
             want = sorted(f"{e.get('name')}={e.get('version')}" for e in params.get("packages") or [])
             got = sorted(f"{e['name']}={e['version']}" for e in plan.get("packages", []))
             if not want or want != got:
@@ -629,7 +725,7 @@ class Apply:
             raise Refused("R3", "an undo (downgrade) needs a signed operator job")
         if trust.get("ring0_slow_lane") is True:
             return "ring0", False
-        raise Refused("R3", "a Docker step needs a signed operator job (ring 1) or this box's root-owned ring-0 mark")
+        raise Refused("R3", f"a {self.layer} slow-lane step needs a signed operator job (ring 1) or this box's root-owned ring-0 mark")
 
     def live_restore(self):
         rc, out, _ = self.g(["docker", "info", "--format", "{{.LiveRestoreEnabled}}"], timeout=60)
@@ -717,6 +813,17 @@ class Apply:
             return v or "unknown"
         h = {"debian": first(["cat", "/etc/debian_version"]), "kernel_running": first(["uname", "-r"])}
         h["kernel_next_boot"], h["kernel_next_boot_source"] = self.kernel_next_boot()
+        try:
+            # the kernel lane (R-836): the default and the one-shot flag, read from grub.cfg and the ESP themselves
+            kv = Kernel(self, {}).view()
+            kv["setup_problems"] = Kernel(self, {}).setup_problems()
+            h["kernel_lane"] = kv
+            if kv.get("flag"):
+                h["kernel_next_boot"], h["kernel_next_boot_source"] = kv["flag"], "felhom one-shot flag (once; then the default)"
+            elif kv.get("default") not in (None, "unknown"):
+                h["kernel_next_boot"], h["kernel_next_boot_source"] = kv["default"], "grub.cfg default"
+        except Exception as e:  # never cost the System page its other facts
+            h["kernel_lane"] = {"error": str(e)[:200]}
         rc, out, _ = self.r.host(["apt-mark", "showhold"], 60)
         h["held"] = sorted(out.split()) if rc == 0 else None
         try:
@@ -775,8 +882,8 @@ class Apply:
 
     # ---------- target helpers ----------
     def x(self, argv, timeout=1800):
-        """Run in the TARGET layer: the guest via pct exec, or the host directly."""
-        if self.layer == "host":
+        """Run in the TARGET layer: the guest via pct exec, or the host directly (host, pve and kernel)."""
+        if self.layer in ("host", "pve", "kernel"):
             return self.r.host(argv, timeout)
         return self.r.guest(self.vmid, argv, timeout)  # guest and docker both live in the customer guest
 
@@ -871,7 +978,7 @@ class Apply:
     def restart_needed(self):
         """Processes still mapping deleted files, OUTSIDE containers (C11). Guest: outside docker; host: outside the
         LXC guests (the host's /proc shows guest processes too)."""
-        skip = RESTART_SKIP_CGROUP["host" if self.layer == "host" else "guest"]
+        skip = RESTART_SKIP_CGROUP["host" if self.layer in ("host", "pve", "kernel") else "guest"]
         script = ('for p in /proc/[0-9]*; do grep -q "(deleted)" $p/maps 2>/dev/null || continue; '
                   'grep -q "%s" $p/cgroup 2>/dev/null && continue; echo "${p#/proc/} $(cat $p/comm 2>/dev/null)"; done' % skip)
         rc, out, _ = self.x(["sh", "-c", script], timeout=120)
@@ -945,13 +1052,24 @@ class Apply:
             return Bundle(self).from_plan(plan)
         if self.mode == "agent_update":
             return self.agent_update(plan)
-        if self.layer == "host":
+        if self.layer in ("host", "pve", "kernel"):
             self.check_appliance()
+        if self.layer == "kernel" and self.mode != "health":
+            # the kernel lane's own modes (R-836): most of them run while the guest is still starting after a boot, so
+            # the guest check is the stage's and the reboot's own (Kernel.run), not every mode's
+            return Kernel(self, plan).run()
         self.check_guest(self.vmid)
         log = self.r.log
         if self.mode == "live-restore-on":
             return self.live_restore_on()
+        if self.mode == "oom-check":
+            # R-528: the check alone — no apt, no engine change; check_guest above still applies.
+            self.report["oom_check"] = self.oom_check()
+            return 0
         self.who, self.allow_downgrade = ("fast", False)
+        if self.layer == "pve" and self.mode == "apply":
+            self.who, self.allow_downgrade = self.docker_authority(plan, op_name=PVE_SIGNED_OP)
+            self.report["authority"] = self.who
         if self.layer == "docker" and self.mode == "apply":
             self.who, self.allow_downgrade = self.docker_authority(plan)
             if self.live_restore() != "true":
@@ -964,7 +1082,7 @@ class Apply:
         log(f"os-apply: START release={plan.get('release_id')} layer={self.layer}" +
             (f":{self.vmid}" if self.layer != "host" else "") +
             f" lane={plan.get('lane', 'fast')} mode={self.mode} select={self.select} packages={len(plan.get('packages', []))}" +
-            (f" authority={self.who}{' UNDO' if self.allow_downgrade else ''}" if self.layer == "docker" else ""))
+            (f" authority={self.who}{' UNDO' if self.allow_downgrade else ''}" if self.layer in ("docker", "pve") else ""))
         if self.apt_lock_held():
             raise Refused("R9", f"another apt/dpkg holds the lock on the {self.layer}")
         self.report["health_before"] = self.health()
@@ -988,10 +1106,91 @@ class Apply:
         if self.layer == "docker":
             rc_v, out_v, _ = self.g(["docker", "version", "--format", "{{.Server.Version}}"], timeout=60)
             self.report["docker_engine"] = out_v.strip() if rc_v == 0 and out_v.strip() else "unknown"
+        if self.layer == "pve":
+            self.report["pve_manager"] = self.pve_manager()
         self.report["reboot_scanned"] = "reboot_needed" in self.report
         self.report["health_after"] = self.health()
+        if self.layer == "docker" and self.mode == "apply":
+            # R-528 (`09` decision 157): does the engine report a memory kill? Reported only — never the outcome.
+            self.report["oom_check"] = self.oom_check()
         return 0
 
+    # ---------- R-528: the memory-kill check ----------
+    def oom_check(self):
+        """Run one throwaway container over its memory cap in the guest and read what the engine says about it.
+        Never raises: any failure becomes result "error". The container is ALWAYS removed (finally), and a failed
+        removal is named in the detail."""
+        t = OOMCHECK_TIMEOUTS
+        res = {"result": "error", "oom_killed": False, "oom_event": False, "exit_code": None, "image": None, "detail": ""}
+        log = self.r.log
+        try:
+            rc, out, err = self.g(["docker", "inspect", "-f", "{{.Config.Image}}", "felhom-controller"], timeout=t["image"])
+        except Exception as e:
+            rc, out, err = -1, "", str(e)
+        img = out.strip() if rc == 0 else ""
+        if not img or any(c.isspace() for c in img):
+            res["detail"] = f"the controller's image could not be read (rc={rc}): {(err or out).strip()[:200]}"
+            log(f"os-apply: OOM-CHECK error — {res['detail']}")
+            return res
+        res["image"] = img
+        name = f"{OOMCHECK_PREFIX}{os.getpid()}-{os.urandom(4).hex()}"
+        notes = []
+        try:
+            t0 = self.guest_epoch()
+            if t0 is None:
+                raise RuntimeError("the guest clock could not be read")
+            rrc, rout, rerr = self.g(["docker", "run", "--name", name, "--pull", "never", "--network", "none",
+                                      "--memory", "64m", "--memory-swap", "64m", "--label", "felhom.oomcheck=1",
+                                      "--entrypoint", "sh", img, "-c", OOMCHECK_SCRIPT], timeout=t["run"])
+            self.r.sleep(OOMCHECK_SETTLE)  # the engine publishes the oom event a moment after the run returns (F1/F2)
+            t1 = self.guest_epoch()
+            if t1 is None:
+                t1 = t0 + t["run"] + OOMCHECK_SETTLE + 1
+            irc, iout, ierr = self.g(["docker", "inspect", "-f", "{{.State.OOMKilled}} {{.State.ExitCode}}", name], timeout=t["inspect"])
+            if irc != 0:
+                raise RuntimeError(f"the check container could not be inspected (run rc={rrc}: {(rerr or rout).strip()[:120]}; "
+                                   f"inspect rc={irc}: {(ierr or iout).strip()[:120]})")
+            f = iout.split()
+            res["oom_killed"] = bool(f) and f[0] == "true"
+            try:
+                res["exit_code"] = int(f[1]) if len(f) > 1 else None
+            except ValueError:
+                res["exit_code"] = None
+            erc, eout, eerr = self.g(["docker", "events", "--since", str(t0 - 1), "--until", str(t1 + 1),
+                                      "--filter", f"container={name}", "--filter", "event=oom",
+                                      "--format", "{{.Action}}"], timeout=t["events"])
+            if erc != 0:
+                notes.append(f"the event read failed (rc={erc}): {(eerr or eout).strip()[:120]}")
+            res["oom_event"] = erc == 0 and any(l.strip() == "oom" for l in eout.splitlines())
+            if res["oom_killed"] and res["oom_event"]:
+                res["result"] = "pass"
+                notes.insert(0, "the engine reported the memory kill: OOMKilled=true and the oom event")
+            else:
+                res["result"] = "fail"
+                miss = [w for w, ok in (("OOMKilled=true", res["oom_killed"]), ("the oom event", res["oom_event"])) if not ok]
+                notes.insert(0, f"the engine did not report the memory kill: missing {' and '.join(miss)} (exit code {res['exit_code']})")
+        except Exception as e:
+            res["result"] = "error"
+            notes.insert(0, f"the check could not finish: {type(e).__name__}: {str(e)[:200]}")
+        finally:
+            try:
+                mrc, mout, merr = self.g(["docker", "rm", "-f", name], timeout=t["rm"])
+                if mrc != 0 and "no such container" not in (merr + mout).lower():
+                    notes.append(f"the check container {name} could not be removed (rc={mrc}): {(merr or mout).strip()[:120]}")
+            except Exception as e:
+                notes.append(f"the check container {name} could not be removed: {type(e).__name__}: {str(e)[:120]}")
+        res["detail"] = "; ".join(notes)
+        log(f"os-apply: OOM-CHECK result={res['result']} oom_killed={res['oom_killed']} oom_event={res['oom_event']} "
+            f"exit={res['exit_code']} image={img} — {res['detail']}")
+        return res
+
+    def guest_epoch(self):
+        rc, out, _ = self.g(["date", "+%s"], timeout=OOMCHECK_TIMEOUTS["clock"])
+        try:
+            return int(out.strip()) if rc == 0 else None
+        except ValueError:
+            return None
+
     def dpkg_state(self):
         """`dpkg --audit` AND dpkg's update journal, in ONE call (R-876, agent v0.145.0). A crash in the middle of an
         install can leave `/var/lib/dpkg/updates/` non-empty while `--audit` reads clean — measured on demo-hp
@@ -1058,10 +1257,26 @@ class Apply:
         return [{"name": p["name"], "version": p["to"], "origin": DOCKER_ORIGIN} for p in pend
                 if p["from"] is not None and p["name"] in DOCKER_NAMES and self.origin_name(p["origin"]) == {DOCKER_ORIGIN}]
 
+    def pending_pve(self):
+        """Ring 0 (select pending-pve): the newest pending version of each INSTALLED Proxmox-origin package, never a
+        kernel / boot / firmware / microcode name (HOST_SLOW_RE, R-836's lane), never another origin."""
+        rc, pend, remv, _ = self.simulate(["dist-upgrade"])
+        return [{"name": p["name"], "version": p["to"], "origin": PVE_ORIGIN} for p in pend
+                if p["from"] is not None and not HOST_SLOW_RE.match(p["name"]) and p["name"] not in DOCKER_NAMES
+                and self.origin_name(p["origin"]) == {PVE_ORIGIN}]
+
+    def pve_manager(self):
+        """pveversion's pve-manager version ("unknown" when it cannot be read)."""
+        rc, out, _ = self.r.host(["pveversion"], 60)
+        m = re.match(r"^pve-manager/([^/\s]+)", out.strip()) if rc == 0 else None
+        return m.group(1) if m else "unknown"
+
     def origin_ok(self, origin):
         o = self.origin_name(origin)
         if self.layer == "docker":
             return o == {DOCKER_ORIGIN}
+        if self.layer == "pve":
+            return o == {PVE_ORIGIN}
         return bool(o & set(FAST_ORIGINS))
 
     def apply(self, plan):
@@ -1070,6 +1285,8 @@ class Apply:
             packages = plan["packages"]
         elif self.select == "pending-docker":
             packages = self.pending_docker()
+        elif self.select == "pending-pve":
+            packages = self.pending_pve()
         else:
             packages = self.pending_fast()
         cmp_op = "ne" if self.allow_downgrade else "gt"
@@ -1118,6 +1335,11 @@ class Apply:
                 raise Refused("R4", f"the plan would remove {', '.join(remv[:5])}")
             want = dict(upgrade)
             for p in sim:
+                if p["from"] is None and self.layer == "pve" and p["name"] in PVE_NEW_ALLOW and self.origin_ok(p["origin"]) \
+                        and not HOST_SLOW_RE.match(p["name"]):
+                    self.r.log(f"os-apply: NEW {p['name']}={p['to']} (on the pve lane's allow-list)")
+                    self.report.setdefault("added", []).append({"name": p["name"], "version": p["to"]})
+                    continue
                 if p["from"] is None:
                     raise Refused("R6", f"the plan would add a package that is not installed: {p['name']}")
                 if p["name"] not in want:
@@ -1128,7 +1350,7 @@ class Apply:
                     raise Refused("R5", f"{p['name']} would be downgraded {p['from']} -> {p['to']}")
                 if not self.origin_ok(p["origin"]):
                     raise Refused("R2", f"{p['name']} would come from {p['origin']}, not the {self.layer} layer's origin")
-                if self.layer == "host" and HOST_SLOW_RE.match(p["name"]):
+                if self.layer in ("host", "pve") and HOST_SLOW_RE.match(p["name"]):
                     raise Refused("R14", f"{p['name']} is a kernel / boot / firmware package — the host's slow lane")
             need = self.download_bytes(args)
             free = self.free_bytes()
@@ -1211,6 +1433,422 @@ class Apply:
         self.x(APT_ENV + ["apt-get", "-q", "update"], timeout=600)
 
 
+def _iso(t):
+    return time.strftime("%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ", time.gmtime(t))
+
+
+def _parse_iso(s):
+    try:
+        return calendar.timegm(time.strptime(s, "%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ"))
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        return None
+
+
+class Kernel:
+    """The kernel lane (R-836, `09` §3 decisions 164 + 172, `11` §5.11). Refusal codes: R3 (authority), R4 (removal),
+    R6 (a package outside the step), R8 (space), R9 (locks), R12 (appliance), R20 (the box's boot setup cannot do a
+    one-shot), R21 (the crash guard is tripped or saw an unclean boot within its window), R22 (the step's phase does not
+    allow this mode), R23 (the kernel set is not one exact new kernel).
+
+    Modes (plan "mode", layer "kernel", lane "slow"):
+      apply          STAGE: install the kernel set, keep the GRUB default on the kernel the box runs, write the flag.
+                     Never reboots. select "pending-kernel" (ring 0, the root-owned mark) or "listed" (a signed
+                     os_kernel_step). expect_kver: the kernel the hub told the household about — any other is R23.
+      kernel-reboot  a STAGED step's reboot (the night leg, after the household was told): phase oneshot, then reboot.
+      kernel-boot    after a boot: what became of the step (judging | fell_back | self_reverted | revert_failed).
+      kernel-good    the one-shot boot was healthy: the new kernel becomes the GRUB default.
+      kernel-revert  the one-shot boot was NOT healthy: reboot ONCE into the old kernel (still the default).
+      kernel-cancel  drop a staged step: clear the flag (the package stays installed, the default never moved).
+      kernel-status  read only."""
+
+    def __init__(self, apply, plan):
+        self.a, self.r, self.plan = apply, apply.r, plan
+        self.report = apply.report
+        self.log = apply.r.log
+
+    # ---------- reading the box ----------
+    def running(self):
+        rc, out, _ = self.r.host(["uname", "-r"], 30)
+        v = out.strip() if rc == 0 else ""
+        return v if KVER_RE.match(v) else ""
+
+    def state(self):
+        try:
+            s = json.loads(self.r.read_file(KERNEL_STATE))
+            return s if isinstance(s, dict) else {}
+        except (OSError, ValueError):
+            return {}
+
+    def save_state(self, s):
+        s["updated_at"] = _iso(self.r.now())
+        self.r.put_file(KERNEL_STATE, (json.dumps(s, indent=2, sort_keys=True) + "\n").encode(), 0o644)
+
+    def flag(self):
+        """The one-shot flag: the kernel named, "" when the env block holds none, None when there is no env block."""
+        rc, out, _ = self.r.host(["grub-editenv", ONESHOT_ENV, "list"], 30)
+        if rc != 0:
+            return None
+        for l in out.splitlines():
+            if l.startswith("felhom_next="):
+                return l.split("=", 1)[1].strip()
+        return ""
+
+    def grub_cfg(self):
+        try:
+            return self.r.read_file(GRUB_CFG)
+        except OSError:
+            return ""
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def default_kver(cfg):
+        """The kernel grub.cfg boots by default (00_header's `set default=`), or "unknown"."""
+        m = re.search(r'^\s*set default="(?:gnulinux-advanced-[^>"]*>)?gnulinux-([0-9][^"]*?-pve)-advanced-[^"]*"', cfg, re.M)
+        return m.group(1) if m else "unknown"
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def entry_id(cfg, kver):
+        """The GRUB_DEFAULT value that names kver's normal entry, read from grub.cfg itself (10_linux's ids)."""
+        sub = re.search(r"\$menuentry_id_option '(gnulinux-advanced-[^']+)'", cfg)
+        m = re.search(r"\$menuentry_id_option '(gnulinux-" + re.escape(kver) + r"-advanced-[^']+)'", cfg)
+        if not m:
+            return None
+        return f"{sub.group(1)}>{m.group(1)}" if sub else m.group(1)
+
+    def setup_problems(self):
+        """R20: why this box cannot do a one-shot boot (empty = it can). Measured shape: UEFI, a vfat ESP at /boot/efi,
+        /boot on the root filesystem, GRUB with fat + loadenv, the bundle's two generators, no hand pin."""
+        why = []
+        if not self.r.lexists("/sys/firmware/efi"):
+            why.append("the box does not boot UEFI")
+        rc, out, _ = self.r.host(["findmnt", "-n", "-o", "FSTYPE", ESP_MOUNT], 30)
+        if rc != 0 or out.strip() != "vfat":
+            why.append(f"{ESP_MOUNT} is not a mounted vfat ESP ({out.strip() or 'not mounted'})")
+        rc, out, _ = self.r.host(["findmnt", "-n", "-o", "TARGET", "/boot"], 30)
+        if rc == 0 and out.strip():
+            why.append("/boot is a separate filesystem (the one-shot entries assume /boot on the root filesystem)")
+        for m in ("fat", "loadenv"):
+            if not self.r.lexists(f"/usr/lib/grub/x86_64-efi/{m}.mod"):
+                why.append(f"GRUB has no {m} module")
+        for p in (ONESHOT_SNIPPET, ONESHOT_ENTRIES):
+            if not self.r.lexists(p):
+                why.append(f"{p} is missing (the config bundle installs it)")
+        if self.r.lexists(KERNEL_PIN_FILE):
+            why.append("a kernel is pinned by hand (proxmox-boot-tool kernel pin) — the lane never fights it")
+        return why
+
+    def guard(self):
+        try:
+            return json.loads(self.r.read_file(CRASH_GUARD_STATE))
+        except (OSError, ValueError):
+            return None
+
+    def check_guard(self):
+        """R21: a kernel step only on a box whose crash guard is armed and saw no unclean boot within its window — so
+        the step's own reboots (clean), one crash and one self-revert (clean) can never reach the 3rd unclean boot that
+        leaves the box off (`11` §5.9). Pinned by test_felhom_crash_guard KernelStepCannotLeaveTheBoxOff."""
+        g = self.guard()
+        if not isinstance(g, dict):
+            raise Refused("R21", f"no crash guard state ({CRASH_GUARD_STATE}) — a kernel step needs the guard")
+        if g.get("tripped") or not g.get("armed"):
+            raise Refused("R21", "the crash guard is tripped — no kernel step until it re-arms")
+        if (g.get("unclean_boots_in_window") or 0) > 0:
+            raise Refused("R21", f"{g.get('unclean_boots_in_window')} unclean boot(s) within the guard's window — wait")
+
+    def view(self, st=None, cfg=None):
+        st = self.state() if st is None else st
+        cfg = self.grub_cfg() if cfg is None else cfg
+        return {"running": self.running() or "unknown", "default": self.default_kver(cfg), "flag": self.flag(),
+                "phase": st.get("phase", "none"), "from": st.get("from"), "to": st.get("to"),
+                "step_id": st.get("step_id"), "self_revert_used": bool(st.get("self_revert_used")), "vmid": st.get("vmid"),
+                "staged_at": st.get("staged_at"), "rebooted_at": st.get("rebooted_at"),
+                "result_at": st.get("result_at"), "reason": st.get("reason")}
+
+    # ---------- writing the box ----------
+    def write_default(self, kver):
+        """Pin the GRUB default to kver's normal entry, regenerate grub.cfg, and PROVE it (the default read back)."""
+        cfg = self.grub_cfg()
+        eid = self.entry_id(cfg, kver)
+        if not eid:
+            raise Refused("R20", f"grub.cfg has no normal entry for {kver}")
+        body = ("# felhom kernel lane (R-836, `11` §5.11) — written by felhom-os-apply; the kernel that booted healthily\n"
+                f'GRUB_DEFAULT="{eid}"\n')
+        self.r.put_file(KERNEL_DEFAULT_CFG, body.encode(), 0o644)
+        rc, out, err = self.r.host(["update-grub"], 300)
+        got = self.default_kver(self.grub_cfg())
+        if rc != 0 or got != kver:
+            raise Refused("R20", f"update-grub rc={rc}: the default reads {got}, not {kver}: {(out + err).strip()[-200:]}")
+        self.log(f"os-apply: KERNEL default = {kver} (proved from grub.cfg)")
+
+    def set_flag(self, kver):
+        self.r.host(["mkdir", "-p", os.path.dirname(ONESHOT_ENV)], 30)
+        if self.flag() is None:
+            rc, out, err = self.r.host(["grub-editenv", ONESHOT_ENV, "create"], 30)
+            if rc != 0:
+                raise Refused("R20", f"cannot create the one-shot env block on the ESP: {(out + err).strip()[-200:]}")
+        rc, out, err = self.r.host(["grub-editenv", ONESHOT_ENV, "set", f"felhom_next={kver}"], 30)
+        if rc != 0 or self.flag() != kver:
+            raise Refused("R20", f"the one-shot flag did not read back as {kver}: {(out + err).strip()[-200:]}")
+
+    def clear_flag(self):
+        if self.flag():
+            self.r.host(["grub-editenv", ONESHOT_ENV, "unset", "felhom_next"], 30)
+
+    def reboot(self, why):
+        self.log(f"os-apply: KERNEL REBOOT — {why}")
+        rc, out, err = self.r.host(["systemctl", "reboot"], 60)
+        self.report["reboot_rc"] = rc
+        if rc != 0:
+            self.report["failed"] = {"rc": 3, "step": "reboot", "reason": (out + err).strip()[-200:]}
+            return 3
+        return 0
+
+    # ---------- the modes ----------
+    def run(self):
+        mode = self.a.mode
+        self.report["kernel_mode"] = mode
+        if mode == "kernel-status":
+            v = self.view()
+            v["setup_problems"] = self.setup_problems()
+            self.report["kernel"] = v
+            return 0
+        fn = {"apply": self.stage, "kernel-reboot": self.reboot_staged, "kernel-boot": self.after_boot,
+              "kernel-good": self.good, "kernel-revert": self.revert, "kernel-cancel": self.cancel}[mode]
+        rc = fn()
+        self.report["kernel"] = self.view()
+        return rc
+
+    def phase_is(self, st, *phases):
+        if st.get("phase") not in phases:
+            raise Refused("R22", f"the kernel step is {st.get('phase', 'none')!r}, not {' or '.join(phases)} — "
+                                 f"{self.a.mode} does not apply")
+
+    def stage(self):
+        a = self.a
+        st = self.state()
+        if st.get("phase") in KERNEL_ACTIVE:
+            raise Refused("R22", f"a kernel step is already {st['phase']} ({st.get('from')} -> {st.get('to')})")
+        last = _parse_iso(st.get("staged_at"))
+        if last is not None and self.r.now() - last < KERNEL_MIN_GAP:
+            raise Refused("R22", "a kernel step was staged within the last 20 hours — never two in one night")
+        why = self.setup_problems()
+        if why:
+            raise Refused("R20", "; ".join(why))
+        self.check_guard()
+        a.check_guest(a.vmid)
+        who, _ = a.docker_authority(self.plan, op_name=KERNEL_OP)
+        self.report["authority"] = who
+        old = self.running()
+        if not old:
+            raise Refused("R20", "the running kernel is not a Proxmox kernel version")
+        self.log(f"os-apply: START release={self.plan.get('release_id')} layer=kernel lane=slow mode=apply "
+                 f"select={a.select} authority={who} running={old}")
+        if a.apt_lock_held():
+            raise Refused("R9", "another apt/dpkg holds the lock on the host")
+        self.report["health_before"] = a.health()
+        a.repair()
+        rc, out, err = a.x(APT_ENV + ["apt-get", "-q", "update"], timeout=600)
+        if rc != 0:
+            raise Refused("R7", f"apt-get update failed on the host: {(out + err).strip().splitlines()[-1:]}")
+        inst = a.installed()
+        if a.select == "pending-kernel":
+            _, pend, _, _ = a.simulate(["dist-upgrade"])
+            want = [(p["name"], p["to"]) for p in pend if p["from"] is not None and KERNEL_UPGRADE_RE.match(p["name"])
+                    and a.origin_name(p["origin"]) == {PVE_ORIGIN}]
+        else:
+            want = [(e["name"], e["version"]) for e in self.plan["packages"]]
+        # upgrades of installed names (never a downgrade), and at most the listed new kernel image
+        args, upg = [], {}
+        for n, v in want:
+            if n in inst:
+                if a.dpkg_cmp(v, "gt", inst[n]):
+                    upg[n] = v
+                    args.append(f"{n}={v}")
+            elif KERNEL_IMAGE_RE.match(n):
+                args.append(f"{n}={v}")
+            else:
+                raise Refused("R6", f"{n} is not installed and is not a kernel image")
+        if not args:
+            self.report["upgraded"], self.report["outcome_hint"] = [], "nothing"
+            self.log("os-apply: DONE rc=0 upgraded=0 (no pending kernel)")
+            return 0
+        rc, sim, remv, text = a.simulate(["install", "--no-install-recommends"] + args)
+        if rc != 0:
+            raise Refused("R7", "the simulation failed: " + (text.strip().splitlines()[-1] if text.strip() else ""))
+        if remv:
+            raise Refused("R4", f"the kernel step would remove {', '.join(remv[:5])}")
+        images = []
+        listed = dict(want)
+        for p in sim:
+            if a.origin_name(p["origin"]) != {PVE_ORIGIN}:
+                raise Refused("R2", f"{p['name']} would come from {p['origin']}, not {PVE_ORIGIN!r}")
+            m = KERNEL_IMAGE_RE.match(p["name"])
+            if p["from"] is None:
+                if not m:
+                    raise Refused("R6", f"the kernel step would add {p['name']}, which is not a kernel image")
+                if a.select == "listed" and listed.get(p["name"]) != p["to"]:
+                    raise Refused("R23", f"the kernel step would add {p['name']}={p['to']}, not the signed set")
+                images.append((m.group(1), p["to"]))
+                continue
+            if p["name"] not in upg or p["to"] != upg[p["name"]]:
+                raise Refused("R6", f"the kernel step would touch {p['name']} ({p['to']}), which is not in the step")
+            if not a.dpkg_cmp(p["to"], "gt", p["from"]):
+                raise Refused("R5", f"{p['name']} would be downgraded {p['from']} -> {p['to']}")
+        if len(images) > 1:
+            raise Refused("R23", f"the kernel step would add {len(images)} kernels — one at a time")
+        # the target kernel: the new image, else the series meta-package's version (its image is already installed)
+        if images:
+            new = images[0][0]
+            if images[0][1] + "-pve" != new:
+                raise Refused("R23", f"the image version {images[0][1]} does not name the kernel {new}")
+        else:
+            metas = [(n, v) for n, v in upg.items() if re.match(r"^proxmox-kernel-[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$", n)]
+            if len(metas) != 1:
+                self.report["upgraded"], self.report["outcome_hint"] = [], "nothing"
+                self.log("os-apply: DONE rc=0 upgraded=0 (the pending set names no kernel to boot)")
+                return 0
+            new = metas[0][1] + "-pve"
+        if not KVER_RE.match(new) or not a.dpkg_cmp(new[:-4], "gt", old[:-4]):
+            raise Refused("R23", f"the kernel {new} is not newer than the running {old}")
+        ek = self.plan.get("expect_kver")
+        if ek and ek != new:
+            raise Refused("R23", f"the step would boot {new}, but the household was told about {ek}")
+        need = a.download_bytes(["install", "--no-install-recommends"] + args)
+        free = a.free_bytes()
+        if free >= 0 and free < max(MIN_FREE, 3 * need):
+            raise Refused("R8", f"free space {free} B is below max(500 MB, 3 x download {need} B)")
+        # 1. the default = the kernel the box RUNS (it booted healthily), proved from grub.cfg BEFORE the install
+        default_before = self.default_kver(self.grub_cfg())
+        self.write_default(old)
+        # 2. install (the kernel's own postinst runs update-grub; our default file keeps the default on `old`)
+        t0 = time.time()
+        rc, out, err = a.x(APT_ENV + ["apt-get", "-y", "-q"] + DPKG_OPTS + ["install", "--no-install-recommends"] + args)
+        a.x(["apt-get", "clean"])
+        if rc != 0:
+            _, aud, _ = a.x(["dpkg", "--audit"])
+            self.report["failed"] = {"rc": rc, "step": "install", "dpkg_audit": (aud.strip().splitlines() or ["clean"])[0],
+                                     "tail": (out + err).strip().splitlines()[-3:]}
+            self.log(f"os-apply: FAILED rc={rc} step=install (the default stays {old}; no flag written)")
+            return 3
+        self.report["upgraded"] = [{"name": x.split("=", 1)[0], "version": x.split("=", 1)[1]} for x in args]
+        self.report["seconds"] = round(time.time() - t0, 1)
+        # 3. prove: the image is there, the default is still `old`, the one-shot entry for `new` exists
+        cfg = self.grub_cfg()
+        if f"felhom-oneshot-{new}" not in cfg or self.default_kver(cfg) != old:
+            self.r.host(["update-grub"], 300)
+            cfg = self.grub_cfg()
+        for f in (f"/boot/vmlinuz-{new}", f"/boot/initrd.img-{new}"):
+            if not self.r.lexists(f):
+                self.report["failed"] = {"rc": 3, "step": "verify", "reason": f"{f} is missing after the install"}
+                return 3
+        if f"felhom-oneshot-{new}" not in cfg or "felhom_next" not in cfg:
+            self.report["failed"] = {"rc": 3, "step": "verify", "reason": f"grub.cfg has no one-shot entry for {new}"}
+            return 3
+        if self.default_kver(cfg) != old:
+            self.report["failed"] = {"rc": 3, "step": "verify",
+                                     "reason": f"the install moved the default to {self.default_kver(cfg)} — no flag written"}
+            return 3
+        # 4. the flag — the ONLY thing that makes the next boot use `new`, and only once
+        self.set_flag(new)
+        self.save_state({"phase": "staged", "step_id": self.plan.get("release_id"), "from": old, "to": new, "vmid": a.vmid,
+                         "staged_at": _iso(self.r.now()), "authority": who, "default_before": default_before,
+                         "packages": self.report["upgraded"], "self_revert_used": False})
+        self.report["reboot_needed"] = True
+        self.log(f"os-apply: KERNEL STAGED {old} -> {new} (default {old}, one-shot flag {new}); upgraded={len(args)} "
+                 f"seconds={self.report['seconds']}")
+        return 0
+
+    def reboot_staged(self):
+        st = self.state()
+        self.phase_is(st, "staged")
+        if self.flag() != st.get("to"):
+            raise Refused("R22", f"the one-shot flag reads {self.flag()!r}, not {st.get('to')!r}")
+        if self.running() != st.get("from"):
+            raise Refused("R22", f"the box runs {self.running()!r}, not the step's old kernel {st.get('from')!r}")
+        cfg = self.grub_cfg()
+        if self.default_kver(cfg) != st["from"] or f"felhom-oneshot-{st['to']}" not in cfg:
+            raise Refused("R20", "grub.cfg no longer keeps the old default with a one-shot entry for the new kernel")
+        if self.setup_problems():
+            raise Refused("R20", "; ".join(self.setup_problems()))
+        self.check_guard()
+        self.a.check_guest(self.a.vmid)
+        st["health_before"] = self.a.health()
+        st["phase"], st["rebooted_at"] = "oneshot", _iso(self.r.now())
+        self.save_state(st)
+        return self.reboot(f"one-shot boot of {st['to']} (the default stays {st['from']})")
+
+    def after_boot(self):
+        st = self.state()
+        ph, run = st.get("phase"), self.running()
+        old, new = st.get("from"), st.get("to")
+        event = "none"
+        if ph in ("oneshot", "staged", "judging") and run == new and new:
+            if ph != "judging":
+                st["phase"], st["judging_since"], event = "judging", _iso(self.r.now()), "judging"
+            else:
+                event = "judging"
+        elif ph in ("oneshot", "judging") and run == old:
+            # the new kernel did not come up, or crashed: GRUB already booted the default (the old kernel)
+            self.clear_flag()
+            st["phase"], st["result_at"], event = "fell_back", _iso(self.r.now()), "fell_back"
+            st["reason"] = "the box came back on the old kernel by itself (the new one did not boot, or crashed)"
+        elif ph == "reverting" and run == old:
+            st["phase"], st["result_at"], event = "self_reverted", _iso(self.r.now()), "self_reverted"
+        elif ph == "reverting" and run == new:
+            st["phase"], st["result_at"], event = "revert_failed", _iso(self.r.now()), "revert_failed"
+            st["reason"] = "the self-revert came back on the NEW kernel — never retried (one self-revert per step)"
+        if event not in ("none",) and st.get("phase") != ph:
+            self.save_state(st)
+            self.log(f"os-apply: KERNEL AFTER-BOOT {ph} -> {st['phase']} running={run} ({old} -> {new})")
+        self.report["kernel_event"] = event
+        if event == "judging":
+            self.report["health_before"] = st.get("health_before")  # the agent judges the boot against it
+        return 0
+
+    def good(self):
+        st = self.state()
+        self.phase_is(st, "judging")
+        if self.running() != st.get("to"):
+            raise Refused("R22", f"the box runs {self.running()!r}, not the new kernel {st.get('to')!r}")
+        try:
+            self.write_default(st["to"])
+        except Refused:
+            # put the old default back — the box must never be left without a proved default
+            self.write_default(st["from"])
+            raise
+        self.clear_flag()
+        st["phase"], st["result_at"] = "good", _iso(self.r.now())
+        self.save_state(st)
+        self.log(f"os-apply: KERNEL GOOD {st['to']} is the default now (was {st['from']})")
+        return 0
+
+    def revert(self):
+        st = self.state()
+        self.phase_is(st, "judging")
+        if st.get("self_revert_used"):
+            raise Refused("R22", "this kernel step already used its one self-revert")
+        if self.running() != st.get("to"):
+            raise Refused("R22", f"the box runs {self.running()!r}, not the new kernel {st.get('to')!r}")
+        self.clear_flag()
+        cfg = self.grub_cfg()
+        if self.default_kver(cfg) != st.get("from"):
+            raise Refused("R20", f"the GRUB default reads {self.default_kver(cfg)}, not the old {st.get('from')} — "
+                                 f"no self-revert into an unknown kernel")
+        reason = self.plan.get("reason")
+        st["reason"] = reason[:300] if isinstance(reason, str) else "the one-shot boot was not healthy"
+        st["self_revert_used"], st["phase"], st["reverted_at"] = True, "reverting", _iso(self.r.now())
+        self.save_state(st)
+        return self.reboot(f"self-revert to {st['from']}: {st['reason']}")
+
+    def cancel(self):
+        st = self.state()
+        self.phase_is(st, "staged")
+        self.clear_flag()
+        st["phase"], st["result_at"], st["reason"] = "cancelled", _iso(self.r.now()), "cancelled before the reboot"
+        self.save_state(st)
+        self.log(f"os-apply: KERNEL CANCELLED {st.get('to')} (installed, never the default; flag cleared)")
+        return 0
+
+
 class Bundle:
     """The config bundle (R-840, `11` §5.4.2): every root-owned file the installer's step 5 writes, installed as ONE
     signed unit. Every check runs before the first write; a failed write or a failed self-check puts every previous

configs/felhom-priv-apply

@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ Verbs (each one sudoers line, exact-match pattern):
   wg                       /var/lib/felhom-agent/wg/wg-felhom.conf -> /etc/wireguard/wg-felhom.conf (0600)
   sshd-config              /var/lib/felhom-agent/felhom-sshd/sshd_config -> /etc/felhom-sshd/sshd_config
   sshd-key                 /var/lib/felhom-agent/felhom-sshd/authorized_keys.felhom-op -> /etc/felhom-sshd/authorized_keys/felhom-op
+  controller-image <vmid>  the ref on STDIN -> /etc/felhom-controller-image INSIDE guest <vmid> (R-861 (a) A1): only
+                           our registry + our repository + an x.y.z tag; the agent no longer has a `tee` grant
   --self-check             prints "felhom-priv-apply ok verbs=..." (the bundle's self-check)
 
 Exit codes: 0 installed (or already identical), 2 usage, 3 refused (content or source), 4 install failed.
@@ -39,7 +41,14 @@ WG_SRC, WG_DEST = STATE + "/wg/wg-felhom.conf", "/etc/wireguard/wg-felhom.conf"
 SSHD_SRC, SSHD_DEST = STATE + "/felhom-sshd/sshd_config", "/etc/felhom-sshd/sshd_config"
 KEY_SRC, KEY_DEST = STATE + "/felhom-sshd/authorized_keys.felhom-op", "/etc/felhom-sshd/authorized_keys/felhom-op"
 MAX_BYTES = 64 * 1024
-VERBS = ("unit", "dnsmasq", "wg", "sshd-config", "sshd-key")
+VERBS = ("unit", "dnsmasq", "wg", "sshd-config", "sshd-key", "controller-image")
+# R-861 (a) A1 (`09` §3 decision 165): the SAME pattern as the agent's controllerImageRe (internal/localapi/
+# controllerswap.go) — a compromised agent cannot hand the guest's bootstrap any other image. Pinned by
+# configs/test_felhom_priv_apply.py ControllerImage.
+CONTROLLER_IMAGE_RE = re.compile(r"^gitea\.dooplex\.hu/admin/felhom-controller:[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$")
+CONTROLLER_IMAGE_FILE = "/etc/felhom-controller-image"
+CONTROLLER_IMAGE_MAX = 256
+VMID_RE = re.compile(r"^[0-9]{1,9}$")
 
 UNIT_NAME_RE = re.compile(r"^mnt-[A-Za-z0-9_.\\-]+\.(mount|automount)$")
 DNSMASQ_TMP_RE = re.compile(r"^/tmp/felhom-resolver-[0-9]+\.conf$")
@@ -123,6 +132,16 @@ class Host:
                 pass
             raise
 
+    def read_stdin(self, limit):
+        return sys.stdin.buffer.read(limit + 1)
+
+    def write_guest_image(self, vmid, data):
+        """As root: `pct exec <vmid> -- tee <the fixed file>` with the checked ref on stdin (no shell)."""
+        r = subprocess.run(["/usr/sbin/pct", "exec", str(vmid), "--", "tee", CONTROLLER_IMAGE_FILE],
+                           input=data, stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.PIPE, timeout=60)
+        if r.returncode != 0:
+            raise OSError(f"pct exec {vmid} tee exited {r.returncode}: {r.stderr.decode(errors='replace').strip()[:200]}")
+
     def log(self, line):
         print(line, file=sys.stderr)
         try:
@@ -377,6 +396,34 @@ def plan(argv):
     raise Refused("A1", f"wrong arguments for {v}")
 
 
+def controller_image(rest, host):
+    """R-861 (a) A1: read the ref on stdin, check it, write it INSIDE the guest as root."""
+    try:
+        if len(rest) != 1 or not VMID_RE.match(rest[0]):
+            raise Refused("A1", "usage: felhom-priv-apply controller-image <vmid>  (the ref on stdin)")
+        raw = host.read_stdin(CONTROLLER_IMAGE_MAX)
+        if len(raw) > CONTROLLER_IMAGE_MAX:
+            raise Refused("I1", f"the image ref is longer than {CONTROLLER_IMAGE_MAX} bytes")
+        try:
+            text = raw.decode("ascii")
+        except UnicodeDecodeError:
+            raise Refused("I1", "the image ref is not ASCII")
+        ref = text[:-1] if text.endswith("\n") else text
+        if not CONTROLLER_IMAGE_RE.match(ref) or "\n" in ref:
+            raise Refused("I1", "the image ref is not gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller:<x.y.z>")
+    except Refused as e:
+        host.log(f"felhom-priv-apply: REFUSED [{e.rule}] controller-image {' '.join(rest)[:40]}: {e.reason}")
+        return 2 if e.rule == "A1" else 3
+    vmid = int(rest[0])
+    try:
+        host.write_guest_image(vmid, (ref + "\n").encode())
+    except (OSError, subprocess.SubprocessError) as e:
+        host.log(f"felhom-priv-apply: FAILED controller-image {vmid}: {e}")
+        return 4
+    host.log(f"felhom-priv-apply: WROTE controller-image {vmid} {ref}")
+    return 0
+
+
 def main(argv, host=None):
     host = host or Host()
     if argv == ["--self-check"]:
@@ -396,6 +443,8 @@ def main(argv, host=None):
             return 3
         print("OK")
         return 0
+    if argv and argv[0] == "controller-image":
+        return controller_image(argv[1:], host)
     try:
         verb, src, dest, mode, checker = plan(argv)
         data = host.read_source(src)

configs/test_felhom_config_bundle.py

@@ -546,7 +546,10 @@ class Builder(unittest.TestCase):
                                r"/etc/felhom/[a-z.-]+)", text))
         agent_writes = {"/usr/local/sbin/felhom-shared-parent", "/etc/systemd/system/felhom-shared-parent.service"}
         trust = {osapply.TRUST_FILE, osapply.TRUST_SIGNERS, osapply.TRUST_SIGNERS + ".tmp", osapply.BUNDLE_RECORD}
-        missing = sorted(p for p in found if p not in osapply.BUNDLE_DESTS and p not in agent_writes | trust)
+        # Written by the appliance ISO's first boot (felhom.eu scripts/iso/felhom-bootstrap.sh), never by the installer:
+        # since installer 1.32.0 (R-275) the uninstall only NAMES them under KEPT.
+        iso_writes = {"/etc/felhom/.bootstrap-done", "/etc/felhom/appliance-pairing-code"}
+        missing = sorted(p for p in found if p not in osapply.BUNDLE_DESTS and p not in agent_writes | trust | iso_writes)
         self.assertEqual(missing, [], "the installer writes these root files, but the bundle does not carry them")
         # the limits drop-in is named through $AGENT_UNIT in the installer
         self.assertIn("/etc/systemd/system/felhom-agent.service.d/felhom-agent-limits.conf", osapply.BUNDLE_DESTS)

configs/test_felhom_crash_guard.py

@@ -139,5 +139,62 @@ class Guard(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(mode, 0o644)
 
 
+class KernelStepCannotLeaveTheBoxOff(unittest.TestCase):
+    """R-836 / `11` §5.11 Part B 4: a kernel step's planned reboot, one crash and one self-revert cannot add up to the
+    box staying off. The wrapper starts a step only when the guard is armed with NO unclean boot in its window
+    (felhom-os-apply Kernel.check_guard, R21); the planned reboot and the self-revert are orderly (`systemctl reboot` —
+    the clean-stop marker); so the step adds at most ONE unclean boot, and the box stays off only after the LIMIT-th
+    (3rd) within the hour. Red-proof: audits/kernel-lane-2026-10-07/A/redproof.txt."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.d = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.e = FakeEnv(self.d.name)
+        cg.main(["x", "boot"], self.e)
+        s = self.e.state()
+        self.assertTrue(s["armed"])
+        self.assertEqual(s["unclean_boots_in_window"], 0, "the wrapper's precondition (R21)")
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        self.d.cleanup()
+
+    def planned(self, minutes):
+        cg.main(["x", "clean-stop"], self.e)
+        self.e.t += minutes * 60
+        cg.main(["x", "boot"], self.e)
+
+    def crash(self, minutes):
+        self.e.t += minutes * 60
+        cg.main(["x", "boot"], self.e)
+
+    def test_planned_reboot_one_crash_one_self_revert(self):
+        self.planned(2)      # the step's one-shot reboot (orderly)
+        self.crash(3)        # the new kernel crashes after the guard ran; the box restarts (panic=10)
+        self.planned(2)      # the self-revert (orderly)
+        s = self.e.state()
+        self.assertFalse(s["tripped"], s)
+        self.assertTrue(s["armed"])
+        self.assertEqual(self.e.panic(), 10, "the box still restarts after a crash")
+        self.assertEqual(s["unclean_boots_in_window"], 1, "the step added exactly one unclean boot")
+
+    def test_a_panic_before_userspace_is_not_even_counted(self):
+        # the one-shot kernel panics before the guard's unit runs (measured: rdinit= and init= missing): the planned
+        # reboot's clean-stop marker is still there when the old kernel boots, so this boot counts as clean.
+        cg.main(["x", "clean-stop"], self.e)
+        self.e.t += 120      # the panicking boot: no userspace, the guard never ran
+        cg.main(["x", "boot"], self.e)
+        s = self.e.state()
+        self.assertEqual(s["unclean_boots_in_window"], 0, s)
+        self.assertEqual(self.e.panic(), 10)
+
+    def test_the_box_stays_off_only_after_two_more_crashes_than_the_step_makes(self):
+        self.planned(2)
+        self.crash(3)        # the step's one crash
+        self.planned(2)      # the self-revert
+        self.crash(5)        # an UNRELATED crash within the hour: the guard trips (the 3rd would leave it off)
+        s = self.e.state()
+        self.assertTrue(s["tripped"])
+        self.assertEqual(s["unclean_boots_in_window"], 2, "two unclean boots: one from the step, one not")
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     unittest.main()

configs/test_felhom_os_apply.py

@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ class Fake:
         return self.clock
 
     def sleep(self, s):
-        pass
+        self.sleeps = getattr(self, "sleeps", []) + [(len(self.calls), s)]  # (calls made before it, seconds)
 
     def verify_sig(self, signers, key_id, ns, blob, sig):
         self.verified = (signers, key_id, ns, blob, sig)
@@ -196,6 +196,27 @@ class Fake:
             return 0, self.engine + "\n", ""
         if cmd == "docker" and a[1:3] == ["ps", "-q"]:
             return 0, "".join(i + "\n" for i in self.ids), ""
+        # R-528: the memory-kill check's engine (oom_image None = unreadable; oom_state / oom_event the engine's answer)
+        if cmd == "date" and a[1:] == ["+%s"]:
+            # each read is 3 s later than the last, so the order of the reads is visible in the values
+            self.oom_epochs = getattr(self, "oom_epochs", []) + [int(self.clock) + 3 * len(getattr(self, "oom_epochs", []))]
+            return 0, f"{self.oom_epochs[-1]}\n", ""
+        if cmd == "docker" and a[1:4] == ["inspect", "-f", "{{.Config.Image}}"]:
+            img = getattr(self, "oom_image", "gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller:0.300.0")
+            return (0, img + "\n", "") if img is not None else (1, "", "Error: No such object: felhom-controller")
+        if cmd == "docker" and a[1] == "run":
+            self.oom_runs = getattr(self, "oom_runs", []) + [a]
+            return 137, "", ""
+        if cmd == "docker" and a[1:4] == ["inspect", "-f", "{{.State.OOMKilled}} {{.State.ExitCode}}"]:
+            if getattr(self, "oom_inspect_raises", False):
+                raise subprocess.TimeoutExpired(a, 10)
+            return 0, getattr(self, "oom_state", "true 137") + "\n", ""
+        if cmd == "docker" and a[1] == "events":
+            self.oom_events_argv = a
+            return 0, ("oom\n" if getattr(self, "oom_event", True) else ""), ""
+        if cmd == "docker" and a[1:3] == ["rm", "-f"]:
+            self.oom_removed = getattr(self, "oom_removed", []) + a[3:]
+            return 0, a[3] + "\n", ""
         if cmd == "docker" and a[1] == "inspect":
             mounts = {"aaa111": "/felhom-controller|/var/run/docker.sock;/app/data;", "bbb222": "/app|/data;"}
             return 0, mounts.get(a[-1], "/other|;") + "\n", ""
@@ -211,6 +232,8 @@ class Fake:
             return (0, self.daemon_json, "") if self.daemon_json is not None else (1, "", "No such file")
         if cmd == "cat" and a[1] == "/etc/debian_version":
             return 0, "13.7\n", ""
+        if cmd == "pveversion":
+            return 0, f"pve-manager/{self.installed.get('pve-manager', '9.2.2')}/abcdef (running kernel: 7.0.14-20-pve)\n", ""
         if cmd == "uname":
             return 0, "7.0.14-20-pve\n", ""
         if cmd == "apt-mark":
@@ -263,7 +286,7 @@ class Fake:
                 n, v = x.split("=", 1)
                 if v not in self.avail(n):
                     return 100, "", f"E: Version '{v}' for '{n}' was not found"
-                origin = "Docker CE:trixie" if n in osapply.DOCKER_NAMES else SEC if n == "openssl" else DEB
+                origin = getattr(self, "origins", {}).get(n) or ("Docker CE:trixie" if n in osapply.DOCKER_NAMES else SEC if n == "openssl" else DEB)
                 out += f"Inst {n} [{self.installed[n]}] ({v} {origin} [amd64])\n"
         out += "".join(l + "\n" for l in self.extra_sim)
         return 0, out, ""
@@ -997,8 +1020,6 @@ class RealSignatureCheck(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertNotEqual(r.verify_sig(self.signers, "someone-else", "felhom-op-v1", blob, sig), 0)
         self.assertNotEqual(r.verify_sig(self.signers, "felhom-op-1", "felhom-op-v1", blob, self.sign(blob, ns="other-ns")), 0)
 
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    unittest.main()
 
 
 class UnsentReport(unittest.TestCase):
@@ -1179,3 +1200,810 @@ class CrashLeftTheJournal(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
         self.assertTrue(any("INTERRUPTED" in l for l in f.logs), f.logs)
         self.assertTrue(any(l.startswith("os-apply: REPAIR ") and l.endswith("forced") for l in f.logs), f.logs)
+
+
+class OOMCheck(unittest.TestCase):
+    """R-528 (`09` decision 157): after a Docker engine step the wrapper proves the engine reports a memory kill
+    (OOMKilled=true AND the `oom` event). Reported only; the hub decides. Red-proofs: audits/readback-2026-10-07/F/."""
+
+    def apply(self, **kw):
+        f = docker_fake(signed=signed_job())
+        for k, v in kw.items():
+            setattr(f, k, v)
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        return f, rep
+
+    def test_pass_when_oomkilled_and_the_event(self):
+        f, rep = self.apply()
+        oc = rep["oom_check"]
+        self.assertEqual(oc["result"], "pass", oc)
+        self.assertEqual((oc["oom_killed"], oc["oom_event"], oc["exit_code"]), (True, True, 137))
+        self.assertEqual(oc["image"], "gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller:0.300.0")
+        self.assertEqual(sorted(oc), ["detail", "exit_code", "image", "oom_event", "oom_killed", "result"])
+        run_argv = f.oom_runs[0]
+        name = run_argv[run_argv.index("--name") + 1]
+        self.assertTrue(re.match(r"^felhom-oomcheck-[0-9]+-[0-9a-f]{8}$", name), name)
+        for flag, val in (("--pull", "never"), ("--network", "none"), ("--memory", "64m"), ("--memory-swap", "64m"),
+                          ("--label", "felhom.oomcheck=1"), ("--entrypoint", "sh")):
+            self.assertEqual(run_argv[run_argv.index(flag) + 1], val, flag)
+        self.assertNotIn("-v", run_argv)
+        self.assertNotIn("-p", run_argv)
+        self.assertEqual(run_argv[-3:], ["gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller:0.300.0", "-c", osapply.OOMCHECK_SCRIPT])
+        self.assertIn(f"container={name}", f.oom_events_argv)
+        self.assertIn("event=oom", f.oom_events_argv)
+        self.assertEqual(f.oom_removed, [name], "the check container must be removed")
+        self.assertTrue(rep["health_after"], "health is read before the check")
+        # bounded: every call has a timeout and the clock is read twice — the worst case stays within 90 s
+        self.assertLessEqual(sum(osapply.OOMCHECK_TIMEOUTS.values()) + osapply.OOMCHECK_TIMEOUTS["clock"]
+                             + osapply.OOMCHECK_SETTLE, 90)
+
+    def test_events_window_ends_after_the_settle_wait(self):
+        # Measured (F1/F2): an --until taken right after the run missed the oom event. The window must end after a
+        # wait of >= 2 s that comes AFTER the run, at the guest epoch read after that wait, + 1.
+        f, rep = self.apply()
+        run_i = next(i for i, c in enumerate(f.calls) if c[-1][:2] == ["docker", "run"])
+        date_i = [i for i, c in enumerate(f.calls) if c[-1] == ["date", "+%s"]]
+        waits = [(i, s) for i, s in getattr(f, "sleeps", []) if i > run_i]
+        self.assertTrue(waits and waits[0][1] >= 2, f"no settle wait after the run: {getattr(f, 'sleeps', None)}")
+        self.assertTrue(date_i[-1] >= waits[0][0], "the end epoch must be read after the wait")
+        ev = f.oom_events_argv
+        since, until = int(ev[ev.index("--since") + 1]), int(ev[ev.index("--until") + 1])
+        self.assertEqual(until, f.oom_epochs[-1] + 1, "until = the guest epoch read after the wait, + 1")
+        self.assertGreater(until, f.oom_epochs[0] + 1)
+        self.assertLess(since, f.oom_epochs[0] + 1)
+
+    def test_oomkilled_false_is_fail(self):
+        f, rep = self.apply(oom_state="false 0")
+        oc = rep["oom_check"]
+        self.assertEqual(oc["result"], "fail", oc)
+        self.assertIn("OOMKilled=true", oc["detail"])
+        self.assertTrue(oc["oom_event"])
+        self.assertEqual(len(f.oom_removed), 1)
+
+    def test_no_event_is_fail(self):
+        f, rep = self.apply(oom_event=False)
+        oc = rep["oom_check"]
+        self.assertEqual(oc["result"], "fail", oc)
+        self.assertIn("the oom event", oc["detail"])
+        self.assertTrue(oc["oom_killed"])
+
+    def test_image_unreadable_is_error(self):
+        f, rep = self.apply(oom_image=None)
+        oc = rep["oom_check"]
+        self.assertEqual(oc["result"], "error", oc)
+        self.assertIsNone(oc["image"])
+        self.assertIn("image could not be read", oc["detail"])
+        self.assertFalse(hasattr(f, "oom_runs"), "no container is started without an image")
+
+    def test_container_removed_even_when_inspect_raises(self):
+        f, rep = self.apply(oom_inspect_raises=True)
+        oc = rep["oom_check"]
+        self.assertEqual(oc["result"], "error", oc)
+        self.assertEqual(len(f.oom_removed), 1, "the container must be removed even when inspect raised")
+        self.assertTrue(f.oom_removed[0].startswith(osapply.OOMCHECK_PREFIX))
+        self.assertNotIn("failed", rep, "the check never turns the step into a failure")
+
+    def test_never_on_guest_or_host_or_in_health_mode(self):
+        g = Fake()
+        rc, rep = run(g)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        h = Fake()
+        h.plan["layer"] = "host"
+        h.plan["packages"] = [{"name": "bash", "version": "5.2.37-2+b10", "origin": "Debian"}]
+        h.installed["bash"] = "5.2.37-2+b9"
+        h.live["bash"] = {"5.2.37-2+b10"}
+        rc_h, rep_h = run(h)
+        self.assertEqual(rc_h, 0, rep_h)
+        d = docker_fake(signed=signed_job())
+        d.plan["mode"] = "health"
+        rc_d, rep_d = run(d)
+        self.assertEqual(rc_d, 0, rep_d)
+        for f, r in ((g, rep), (h, rep_h), (d, rep_d)):
+            self.assertNotIn("oom_check", r)
+            self.assertFalse(hasattr(f, "oom_runs"), r.get("layer"))
+            self.assertFalse(any(c[-1][:2] == ["docker", "run"] for c in f.calls))
+
+    def test_mode_oom_check_runs_only_the_check(self):
+        f = docker_fake()  # no authority: the check changes nothing, so it needs none
+        f.plan["mode"], f.plan["packages"] = "oom-check", []
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertEqual(rep["oom_check"]["result"], "pass", rep)
+        self.assertFalse(any("apt-get" in c[-1] or "dpkg-query" in c[-1] for c in f.calls), f.calls)
+        self.assertEqual(len(f.oom_removed), 1)
+
+    def test_mode_oom_check_keeps_the_refusals(self):
+        f = docker_fake()
+        f.plan["mode"], f.plan["packages"] = "oom-check", []
+        f.files["/etc/pve/lxc/9201.conf"] = "arch: amd64\n"
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual((rc, rep["refused"]["code"]), (2, "R10"), rep)
+        self.assertFalse(hasattr(f, "oom_runs"))
+        g = Fake()
+        g.plan["mode"] = "oom-check"
+        rc, rep = run(g)
+        self.assertEqual((rc, rep["refused"]["code"]), (2, "R11"), rep)
+
+
+PVE = "Proxmox Debian Repository:stable"
+PVE_SET = [{"name": "pve-manager", "version": "9.2.21", "origin": "Proxmox Debian Repository"},
+           {"name": "libpve-common-perl", "version": "9.1.9", "origin": "Proxmox Debian Repository"}]
+
+
+def pve_fake(signed=None, ring0=False):
+    f = Fake()
+    f.installed.update({"pve-manager": "9.2.2", "libpve-common-perl": "9.1.1", "proxmox-kernel-helper": "9.0.4"})
+    f.live["pve-manager"] = {"9.2.21", "9.2.2"}
+    f.live["libpve-common-perl"] = {"9.1.9", "9.1.1"}
+    f.origins = {"pve-manager": PVE, "libpve-common-perl": PVE, "proxmox-kernel-helper": PVE, "shim-signed": PVE,
+                 "proxmox-firewall-data": PVE}
+    f.plan = {"release_id": "os-pve-t1", "layer": "pve", "lane": "slow", "vmid": 9201, "mode": "apply",
+              "packages": [dict(p) for p in PVE_SET]}
+    if ring0:
+        f.files[osapply.TRUST_FILE] = json.dumps({"host_id": "demo-hp-bb76ea", "ring0_slow_lane": True})
+    if signed is not None:
+        f.plan["signed"] = signed
+    return f
+
+
+class PVELane(unittest.TestCase):
+    """R-812 option A (`09` §3 decision 163): the host's Proxmox USERSPACE packages, slow lane, no kernel / boot /
+    firmware / microcode (R14), no removal, a new package only from PVE_NEW_ALLOW. Red-proof: audits/day-2026-10-07/B/."""
+
+    def refused(self, f, code):
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 2, rep)
+        self.assertEqual(rep["refused"]["code"], code, rep)
+        self.assertEqual(f.installed["pve-manager"], "9.2.2", "nothing may be installed on a refusal")
+        return rep
+
+    # THE RED TEST (design-R-812 §5): before the pve layer existed this plan was refused R12.
+    def test_pve_manager_plan_is_installed_on_the_host(self):
+        f = pve_fake(signed=signed_job(packages=PVE_SET, op="os_pve_step"))
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertEqual(f.installed["pve-manager"], "9.2.21")
+        self.assertEqual(rep["authority"], "signed")
+        self.assertEqual(rep["pve_manager"], "9.2.21", "pveversion after the step is reported")
+        inst = [c for c in f.calls if c[0] == "host" and "install" in c[1] and "-s" not in c[1] and "-f" not in c[1]
+                and "--print-uris" not in c[1]]
+        self.assertTrue(inst, "the pve layer installs on the HOST")
+        self.assertFalse([c for c in f.calls if c[0] == "guest" and "install" in c[2]], "nothing installed in the guest")
+        self.assertEqual(sorted(rep["health_after"]["host_services"]), sorted(osapply.HOST_SERVICES))
+
+    def test_kernel_in_a_pve_plan_is_refused(self):
+        f = pve_fake(ring0=True)
+        f.plan["packages"].append({"name": "proxmox-kernel-7.0", "version": "7.0.14-20", "origin": "Proxmox Debian Repository"})
+        self.refused(f, "R14")
+
+    def test_shim_in_a_pve_plan_is_refused(self):
+        f = pve_fake(ring0=True)
+        f.plan["packages"].append({"name": "shim-signed", "version": "1.47+pmx1", "origin": "Proxmox Debian Repository"})
+        self.refused(f, "R14")
+
+    def test_kernel_pulled_in_by_the_simulation_is_refused(self):
+        f = pve_fake(ring0=True)
+        f.installed["proxmox-kernel-helper"] = "9.0.4"
+        f.extra_sim = ["Inst proxmox-kernel-helper [9.0.4] (9.0.6 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [all])"]
+        self.refused(f, "R6")  # not in the plan — refused before the name check; R14 below when it IS in the plan
+        g = pve_fake(ring0=True)
+        g.live["proxmox-kernel-helper"] = {"9.0.6"}
+        g.plan["packages"] = [dict(PVE_SET[0])]
+        g.extra_sim = ["Inst proxmox-kernel-helper [9.0.4] (9.0.6 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [all])"]
+        # a kernel-helper the plan did not name is R6; the R14 name check covers a listed one (test above)
+        self.refused(g, "R6")
+
+    def test_debian_package_in_a_pve_plan_is_refused(self):
+        f = pve_fake(ring0=True)
+        f.plan["packages"].append({"name": "libc6", "version": "2.41-12+deb13u4", "origin": "Debian"})
+        self.refused(f, "R2")
+
+    def test_debian_origin_in_the_pve_simulation_is_refused(self):
+        f = pve_fake(ring0=True)
+        f.origins["libpve-common-perl"] = DEB
+        self.refused(f, "R2")
+
+    def test_docker_package_in_a_pve_plan_is_refused(self):
+        f = pve_fake(ring0=True)
+        f.plan["packages"].append({"name": "docker-ce", "version": "5:29.8.2-1~debian.13~trixie", "origin": "Proxmox Debian Repository"})
+        self.refused(f, "R2")
+
+    def test_pve_in_the_fast_lane_is_refused(self):
+        f = pve_fake(ring0=True)
+        f.plan["lane"] = "fast"
+        self.refused(f, "R3")
+
+    def test_no_authority_is_refused(self):
+        self.refused(pve_fake(), "R3")
+
+    def test_docker_signed_op_does_not_authorize_a_pve_step(self):
+        self.refused(pve_fake(signed=signed_job(packages=PVE_SET, op="os_docker_step")), "R3")
+
+    def test_pve_on_a_byo_box_is_refused(self):
+        f = pve_fake(ring0=True)
+        f.files[osapply.INSTALL_STATE] = json.dumps({"mode": "byo"})
+        self.refused(f, "R12")
+
+    def test_unlisted_new_package_is_refused(self):
+        f = pve_fake(ring0=True)
+        f.extra_sim = ["Inst proxmox-new-thing (1.0 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [all])"]
+        self.refused(f, "R6")
+
+    def test_allow_listed_new_package_is_accepted(self):
+        f = pve_fake(ring0=True)
+        f.extra_sim = ["Inst proxmox-firewall-data (0.1 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [all])"]
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertEqual(f.installed["pve-manager"], "9.2.21")
+
+    def test_allow_new_is_never_an_open_door_in_the_fast_lane(self):
+        f = Fake()
+        f.plan["layer"] = "host"
+        f.extra_sim = ["Inst proxmox-firewall-data (0.1 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [all])"]
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual((rc, rep["refused"]["code"]), (2, "R6"), rep)
+
+    def test_undo_is_refused(self):
+        f = pve_fake(signed=signed_job(packages=PVE_SET, op="os_pve_step"))
+        f.plan["undo"] = True
+        self.refused(f, "R5")
+
+    def test_ring0_pending_pve_takes_only_installed_proxmox_userspace(self):
+        f = pve_fake(ring0=True)
+        f.plan["select"], f.plan["packages"] = "pending-pve", []
+        f.installed.update({"linux-image-amd64": "6.12.1", "tailscale": "1.102.2"})
+        f.pending_sim = [
+            "Inst pve-manager [9.2.2] (9.2.21 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [amd64])",
+            "Inst libpve-common-perl [9.1.1] (9.1.9 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [all])",
+            "Inst proxmox-kernel-helper [9.0.4] (9.0.6 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [all])",
+            "Inst proxmox-kernel-7.0.14-20-pve-signed (7.0.14-20 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [amd64])",
+            "Inst proxmox-firewall-data (0.1 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [all])",
+            "Inst libc6 [2.41-12+deb13u3] (2.41-12+deb13u4 Debian:13.7/stable [amd64])",
+            "Inst tailscale [1.102.2] (1.102.5 Tailscale:pkgs.tailscale.com [amd64])",
+        ]
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertEqual(rep["authority"], "ring0")
+        self.assertEqual(sorted(u["name"] for u in rep["upgraded"]), ["libpve-common-perl", "pve-manager"],
+                         "pending-pve: installed, Proxmox-origin, never kernel/boot/firmware, never Debian or other origins")
+        self.assertEqual(f.installed["libc6"], "2.41-12+deb13u3")
+
+    # 2026-10-09, demo-hp (Secure Boot on): proxmox-secure-boot-support's upgrade pulls shim-signed-common; in the pve
+    # plan that refused the whole step (R6) and skipped the night's kernel step. It is a boot-chain package: left out.
+    # RED-PROOF: drop proxmox-secure-boot-support from HOST_SLOW_RE -> it is in the plan -> this test fails.
+    def test_ring0_pending_pve_leaves_the_secure_boot_meta_out(self):
+        f = pve_fake(ring0=True)
+        f.plan["select"], f.plan["packages"] = "pending-pve", []
+        f.installed.update({"proxmox-secure-boot-support": "9.0.1"})
+        f.pending_sim = [
+            "Inst pve-manager [9.2.2] (9.2.21 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [amd64])",
+            "Inst proxmox-secure-boot-support [9.0.1] (9.0.2 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [all])",
+            "Inst shim-signed-common [1.48+pmx1+16.1-1+pmx1] (1.51+pmx1+16.1-2+pmx1 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [all])",
+        ]
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertEqual(sorted(u["name"] for u in rep["upgraded"]), ["pve-manager"])
+        self.assertEqual(f.installed["proxmox-secure-boot-support"], "9.0.1")
+
+    def test_select_pending_pve_needs_the_pve_layer(self):
+        f = Fake()
+        f.plan["layer"], f.plan["select"], f.plan["packages"] = "host", "pending-pve", []
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual((rc, rep["refused"]["code"]), (2, "R11"), rep)
+
+
+# ---------- the kernel lane (R-836, `09` §3 decision 172, `11` §5.11) ----------
+U = "1af1fcc6-639c-416b-a7e5-c4470d41a502"
+OLD, NEW = "7.0.2-6-pve", "7.0.14-22-pve"
+KERNEL_SET = [{"name": "proxmox-kernel-7.0", "version": "7.0.14-22", "origin": "Proxmox Debian Repository"},
+              {"name": "proxmox-kernel-7.0.14-22-pve-signed", "version": "7.0.14-22", "origin": "Proxmox Debian Repository"}]
+
+
+class KFake(Fake):
+    """A Proxmox host with GRUB on UEFI: /boot on the root LV, a vfat ESP, the bundle's two generators. update-grub is
+    emulated like the real 10_linux: WITHOUT the felhom default file the NEWEST kernel becomes the default (measured,
+    R-836 — that is the defect the lane exists for); with it, the kernel it names."""
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.running = OLD
+        self.boot = {OLD}
+        self.efi, self.esp_fs, self.boot_mount, self.mods, self.snippets, self.pin = True, "vfat", "", True, True, False
+        self.env = None          # None = no env block on the ESP; else {"felhom_next": ...}
+        self.tree = {}           # files put_file wrote
+        self.reboots = []
+        self.update_grubs = 0
+        self.grub_runs_in_postinst = True
+        self.installed.update({"proxmox-kernel-7.0": "7.0.2-6", "proxmox-default-kernel": "2.1.0",
+                               "pve-firmware": "3.18-3", "proxmox-kernel-7.0.2-6-pve-signed": "7.0.2-6",
+                               "pve-manager": "9.2.21"})
+        self.live.update({"proxmox-kernel-7.0": {"7.0.14-22", "7.0.2-6"},
+                          "proxmox-kernel-7.0.14-22-pve-signed": {"7.0.14-22"},
+                          "proxmox-kernel-7.0.14-23-pve-signed": {"7.0.14-23"},
+                          "pve-firmware": {"3.18-7", "3.18-3"}})
+        self.origins = {}
+        self.kernel_pending = ["Inst pve-firmware [3.18-3] (3.18-7 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [all])",
+                               "Inst proxmox-kernel-7.0.14-22-pve-signed (7.0.14-22 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [amd64])",
+                               "Inst proxmox-kernel-7.0 [7.0.2-6] (7.0.14-22 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [amd64])",
+                               "Inst pve-manager [9.2.21] (9.2.22 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [amd64])",
+                               "Inst libc6 [2.41-12+deb13u3] (2.41-12+deb13u4 Debian:13.7/stable [amd64])"]
+        self.plan = {"release_id": "kernel-t1", "layer": "kernel", "lane": "slow", "vmid": 9201, "mode": "apply",
+                     "select": "pending-kernel", "packages": []}
+        self.files[osapply.TRUST_FILE] = json.dumps({"host_id": "demo-hp-bb76ea", "ring0_slow_lane": True})
+        self.files[osapply.CRASH_GUARD_STATE] = json.dumps({"armed": True, "tripped": False, "unclean_boots_in_window": 0})
+        self.cfg = self.render()
+
+    # -- GRUB --
+    def newest(self):
+        best = None
+        for k in self.boot:
+            if best is None or dpkg_cmp(k[:-4], "gt", best[:-4]):
+                best = k
+        return best
+
+    def render(self):
+        d = self.tree.get(osapply.KERNEL_DEFAULT_CFG)
+        if d:
+            dflt = re.search(r'GRUB_DEFAULT="([^"]+)"', d).group(1)
+        else:
+            dflt = f"gnulinux-advanced-{U}>gnulinux-{self.newest()}-advanced-{U}"
+        cfg = ('if [ "${next_entry}" ] ; then\n   set default="${next_entry}"\nelse\n'
+               f'   set default="{dflt}"\nfi\n'
+               f"submenu 'Advanced options' $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-advanced-{U}' {{\n")
+        for k in sorted(self.boot):
+            cfg += f"  menuentry 'Proxmox VE, with Linux {k}' $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-{k}-advanced-{U}' {{ }}\n"
+        cfg += "}\n"
+        if self.snippets:
+            cfg += "### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/01_felhom_oneshot ###\nload_env felhom_next\n"
+            cfg += "".join(f"menuentry 'Felhom one-shot: {k}' --id felhom-oneshot-{k} {{ }}\n" for k in sorted(self.boot))
+        return cfg
+
+    def lexists(self, p):
+        if p == "/sys/firmware/efi":
+            return self.efi
+        if p.startswith("/usr/lib/grub/x86_64-efi/"):
+            return self.mods
+        if p in (osapply.ONESHOT_SNIPPET, osapply.ONESHOT_ENTRIES):
+            return self.snippets
+        if p == osapply.KERNEL_PIN_FILE:
+            return self.pin
+        m = re.match(r"^/boot/(vmlinuz|initrd\.img)-(.+)$", p)
+        if m:
+            return m.group(2) in self.boot
+        return p in self.tree
+
+    def put_file(self, path, data, mode):
+        self.tree[path] = data.decode()
+
+    def read_file(self, p):
+        if p == osapply.GRUB_CFG:
+            return self.cfg
+        if p in self.tree:
+            return self.tree[p]
+        return super().read_file(p)
+
+    def host(self, argv, timeout=600, stdin=None):
+        if argv[0] == "uname":
+            self.calls.append(("host", argv))
+            return 0, self.running + "\n", ""
+        if argv[0] == "findmnt":
+            self.calls.append(("host", argv))
+            if argv[-1] == osapply.ESP_MOUNT:
+                return (0, self.esp_fs + "\n", "") if self.esp_fs else (1, "", "")
+            return (0, self.boot_mount + "\n", "") if self.boot_mount else (1, "", "")
+        if argv[0] == "grub-editenv":
+            self.calls.append(("host", argv))
+            if argv[2] == "list":
+                return (1, "", "no such file") if self.env is None else \
+                    (0, "".join(f"{k}={v}\n" for k, v in self.env.items()), "")
+            if argv[2] == "create":
+                self.env = {}
+                return 0, "", ""
+            if argv[2] == "set":
+                k, v = argv[3].split("=", 1)
+                self.env[k] = v
+                return 0, "", ""
+            if argv[2] == "unset":
+                self.env.pop(argv[3], None)
+                return 0, "", ""
+        if argv[0] == "update-grub":
+            self.calls.append(("host", argv))
+            self.update_grubs += 1
+            self.cfg = self.render()
+            return 0, "", ""
+        if argv[0] == "mkdir":
+            self.calls.append(("host", argv))
+            return 0, "", ""
+        if argv[:2] == ["systemctl", "reboot"]:
+            self.calls.append(("host", argv))
+            self.reboots.append(self.running)
+            return 0, "", ""
+        return super().host(argv, timeout, stdin)
+
+    def emulate(self, argv):
+        a = [x for x in argv if not re.match(r"^[A-Z_]+=", x) and x != "env"]
+        if a[0] == "apt-get" and "install" in a and "-s" not in a and "--print-uris" not in a and "-f" not in a:
+            if self.install_rc:
+                return self.install_rc, "", "E: boom"
+            for x in a:
+                if "=" in x and not x.startswith("-") and "::" not in x:
+                    n, v = x.split("=", 1)
+                    self.installed[n] = v
+                    m = re.match(r"^proxmox-kernel-[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$", n)
+                    if m:
+                        self.installed[f"proxmox-kernel-{v}-pve-signed"] = v
+                    if m or osapply.KERNEL_IMAGE_RE.match(n):
+                        self.boot.add(v + "-pve")
+            if self.grub_runs_in_postinst:
+                self.cfg = self.render()   # the kernel's postinst runs update-grub (zz-update-grub)
+            return 0, "Setting up proxmox-kernel ...\n", ""
+        return super().emulate(argv)
+
+    def sim(self, a):
+        if "--print-uris" in a:
+            return 0, "", ""
+        if "dist-upgrade" in a:
+            return 0, "\n".join(self.kernel_pending) + "\n", ""
+        out, named = "", set()
+        for x in a:
+            if "=" in x and not x.startswith("-") and "::" not in x:
+                named.add(x.split("=", 1)[0])
+        for x in a:
+            if "=" in x and not x.startswith("-") and "::" not in x:
+                n, v = x.split("=", 1)
+                if v not in self.avail(n):
+                    return 100, "", f"E: Version '{v}' for '{n}' was not found"
+                o = self.origins.get(n, PVE)
+                out += f"Inst {n} [{self.installed[n]}] ({v} {o} [amd64])\n" if n in self.installed else f"Inst {n} ({v} {o} [amd64])\n"
+                if re.match(r"^proxmox-kernel-[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$", n):
+                    img = f"proxmox-kernel-{v}-pve-signed"
+                    if img not in self.installed and img not in named:
+                        out += f"Inst {img} ({v} {PVE} [amd64])\n"
+        out += "".join(l + "\n" for l in self.extra_sim)
+        return 0, out, ""
+
+
+def kfake(**kw):
+    f = KFake()
+    for k, v in kw.items():
+        setattr(f, k, v)
+    return f
+
+
+def kmode(f, mode, **extra):
+    f.plan = {"release_id": "kernel-t1", "layer": "kernel", "lane": "slow", "vmid": 9201, "mode": mode, "packages": []}
+    f.plan.update(extra)
+    return run(f)
+
+
+def staged(f=None):
+    f = f or kfake()
+    rc, rep = run(f)
+    assert rc == 0, rep
+    return f
+
+
+class KernelLane(unittest.TestCase):
+    """R-836 / `09` §3 decision 172: stage a kernel once through the ESP flag; the default moves only after a healthy
+    one-shot boot. Red-proof: audits/kernel-lane-2026-10-07/A/redproof.txt."""
+
+    def refused(self, f, code, mode=None, **extra):
+        rc, rep = kmode(f, mode, **extra) if mode else run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 2, rep)
+        self.assertEqual(rep["refused"]["code"], code, rep)
+        return rep
+
+    # --- the four red tests the brief names (Part A 3) ---
+    def test_installing_a_kernel_does_not_change_the_grub_default(self):
+        f = kfake()
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertIn(NEW, f.boot, "the new kernel was installed")
+        self.assertEqual(osapply.Kernel.default_kver(f.cfg), OLD,
+                         "the default must stay the kernel the box runs (R-836: an install made the new one default)")
+        self.assertIn(f"gnulinux-{OLD}-advanced-{U}", f.tree[osapply.KERNEL_DEFAULT_CFG])
+        self.assertEqual(f.env, {"felhom_next": NEW}, "the ONLY way to the new kernel is the one-shot flag")
+        self.assertEqual(f.reboots, [], "staging never reboots")
+        st = json.loads(f.tree[osapply.KERNEL_STATE])
+        self.assertEqual((st["phase"], st["from"], st["to"]), ("staged", OLD, NEW))
+        self.assertEqual(rep["kernel"]["default"], OLD)
+
+    def test_a_box_without_the_esp_flag_is_refused(self):
+        for attr, val, frag in (("esp_fs", "ext4", "vfat"), ("efi", False, "UEFI"), ("snippets", False, "bundle"),
+                                ("mods", False, "module"), ("boot_mount", "/boot", "separate"), ("pin", True, "pinned")):
+            f = kfake(**{attr: val})
+            rep = self.refused(f, "R20")
+            self.assertIn(frag, rep["refused"]["reason"], attr)
+            self.assertNotIn(NEW, f.boot, f"{attr}: nothing may be installed on a refusal")
+            self.assertIsNone(f.env, f"{attr}: no flag on a refusal")
+
+    def test_a_reboot_without_the_flag_is_refused(self):
+        f = staged()
+        f.env = {"felhom_next": ""}
+        self.refused(f, "R22", mode="kernel-reboot")
+        self.assertEqual(f.reboots, [])
+
+    def test_a_kernel_outside_the_approved_set_is_refused(self):
+        # a signed set that names only the meta-package: the image the sources pull in was never signed for
+        f = kfake()
+        f.files[osapply.TRUST_FILE] = json.dumps({"host_id": "demo-hp-bb76ea", "ring0_slow_lane": False})
+        f.plan.update(select="listed", packages=[dict(KERNEL_SET[0])],
+                      signed=signed_job(packages=[KERNEL_SET[0]], op="os_kernel_step"))
+        self.refused(f, "R23")
+        self.assertNotIn(NEW, f.boot)
+        # a signed set names 7.0.14-22; the sources would ALSO bring 7.0.14-23
+        f2 = kfake()
+        f2.files[osapply.TRUST_FILE] = json.dumps({"host_id": "demo-hp-bb76ea", "ring0_slow_lane": False})
+        f2.plan.update(select="listed", packages=[dict(p) for p in KERNEL_SET],
+                       signed=signed_job(packages=KERNEL_SET, op="os_kernel_step"))
+        f2.extra_sim = ["Inst proxmox-kernel-7.0.14-23-pve-signed (7.0.14-23 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [amd64])"]
+        self.refused(f2, "R23")
+        # a name that is not a kernel package at all
+        g = kfake()
+        g.plan.update(select="listed", packages=[{"name": "pve-manager", "version": "9.2.22", "origin": "Proxmox Debian Repository"}])
+        self.refused(g, "R23")
+        # the household was told about another kernel
+        h = kfake()
+        h.plan["expect_kver"] = "7.0.14-23-pve"
+        self.refused(h, "R23")
+        self.assertNotIn(NEW, h.boot)
+
+    def test_the_snippet_clears_the_flag_on_use(self):
+        """01_felhom_oneshot: the flag is copied, CLEARED and SAVED before any `set default`, all inside the one branch
+        that runs only when the flag is set; a default is set only for an installed kernel's own entry."""
+        text = (HERE / "felhom-grub-oneshot.sh").read_text()
+        body = text[text.index("cat <<EOF"):]
+        i_copy = body.index('set felhom_boot="\\${felhom_next}"')
+        i_clear = body.index("set felhom_next=\n")
+        i_save = body.index("save_env -f (\\$felhom_esp)/EFI/felhom/oneshot.env felhom_next")
+        i_default = body.index('set default="felhom-oneshot-%s"')
+        self.assertLess(i_copy, i_clear)
+        self.assertLess(i_clear, i_save)
+        self.assertLess(i_save, i_default, "the flag must be cleared on disk BEFORE GRUB boots anything")
+        self.assertIn('if [ "${felhom_boot}" = "%s" ]', body, "a default only for a kernel that is installed")
+        self.assertIn(osapply.ONESHOT_ENV[len(osapply.ESP_MOUNT):], text, "the wrapper and GRUB name the same env file")
+
+    # --- the rest of the stage ---
+    def test_option_c_options_are_on_the_one_shot_entry_only(self):
+        text = (HERE / "felhom-grub-oneshot-entries.sh").read_text()
+        self.assertIn(osapply.ONESHOT_ARGS, text)
+        self.assertIn("--id felhom-oneshot-$k", text)
+        self.assertNotIn("set default", text, "the entries file never sets the default")
+
+    def test_both_generators_ride_the_bundle(self):
+        self.assertEqual(osapply.BUNDLE_DESTS[osapply.ONESHOT_SNIPPET][1:4], ("felhom-grub-oneshot.sh", 0o755, "sh"))
+        self.assertEqual(osapply.BUNDLE_DESTS[osapply.ONESHOT_ENTRIES][1:4], ("felhom-grub-oneshot-entries.sh", 0o755, "sh"))
+
+    def test_ring0_pending_kernel_takes_only_the_kernel_set(self):
+        f = kfake()
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertEqual(rep["authority"], "ring0")
+        self.assertEqual(sorted(u["name"] for u in rep["upgraded"]), ["proxmox-kernel-7.0", "pve-firmware"])
+        self.assertEqual(f.installed["pve-manager"], "9.2.21", "a Proxmox userspace package is the pve lane's")
+        self.assertEqual(f.installed["libc6"], "2.41-12+deb13u3", "a Debian package is the fast lane's")
+
+    def test_signed_listed_set_is_installed(self):
+        f = kfake()
+        f.files[osapply.TRUST_FILE] = json.dumps({"host_id": "demo-hp-bb76ea", "ring0_slow_lane": False})
+        f.plan.update(select="listed", packages=[dict(p) for p in KERNEL_SET],
+                      signed=signed_job(packages=KERNEL_SET, op="os_kernel_step"))
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertEqual(rep["authority"], "signed")
+        self.assertEqual(f.env, {"felhom_next": NEW})
+
+    def test_no_authority_and_the_wrong_op_are_refused(self):
+        f = kfake()
+        f.files[osapply.TRUST_FILE] = json.dumps({"host_id": "demo-hp-bb76ea", "ring0_slow_lane": False})
+        self.refused(f, "R3")
+        g = kfake()
+        g.files[osapply.TRUST_FILE] = json.dumps({"host_id": "demo-hp-bb76ea", "ring0_slow_lane": False})
+        g.plan.update(select="listed", packages=[dict(p) for p in KERNEL_SET],
+                      signed=signed_job(packages=KERNEL_SET, op="os_pve_step"))
+        self.refused(g, "R3")
+
+    def test_fast_lane_byo_and_wrong_select_are_refused(self):
+        f = kfake()
+        f.plan["lane"] = "fast"
+        self.refused(f, "R3")
+        g = kfake()
+        g.files[osapply.INSTALL_STATE] = json.dumps({"mode": "byo"})
+        self.refused(g, "R12")
+        h = kfake()
+        h.plan["select"] = "pending-pve"
+        self.refused(h, "R11")
+        k = kfake()
+        k.plan.update(layer="host", lane="fast", mode="kernel-status")
+        self.refused(k, "R11")
+
+    def test_the_crash_guard_must_be_armed_and_quiet(self):
+        f = kfake()
+        f.files[osapply.CRASH_GUARD_STATE] = json.dumps({"armed": False, "tripped": True, "unclean_boots_in_window": 2})
+        self.refused(f, "R21")
+        g = kfake()
+        g.files[osapply.CRASH_GUARD_STATE] = json.dumps({"armed": True, "tripped": False, "unclean_boots_in_window": 1})
+        self.refused(g, "R21")
+        h = kfake()
+        del h.files[osapply.CRASH_GUARD_STATE]
+        self.refused(h, "R21")
+        self.assertNotIn(NEW, h.boot)
+
+    def test_never_two_steps_in_one_night(self):
+        f = staged()
+        self.refused(f, "R22")  # still staged
+        g = staged()
+        st = json.loads(g.tree[osapply.KERNEL_STATE])
+        st["phase"] = "good"
+        g.tree[osapply.KERNEL_STATE] = json.dumps(st)
+        g.clock += 3600
+        self.refused(g, "R22")  # done, but within 20 h
+
+    def test_removal_new_non_kernel_two_kernels_and_older_are_refused(self):
+        f = kfake(extra_sim=["Remv pve-firmware [3.18-3]"])
+        self.refused(f, "R4")
+        g = kfake(extra_sim=["Inst proxmox-new-thing (1.0 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [all])"])
+        self.refused(g, "R6")
+        h = kfake(extra_sim=["Inst proxmox-kernel-7.0.14-23-pve-signed (7.0.14-23 Proxmox Debian Repository:stable [amd64])"])
+        self.refused(h, "R23")
+        k = kfake(running="7.0.14-23-pve")
+        k.boot = {"7.0.14-23-pve"}
+        k.cfg = k.render()
+        self.refused(k, "R23")
+        m = kfake()
+        m.origins = {"proxmox-kernel-7.0": DEB}
+        self.refused(m, "R2")
+
+    # R-898: ring 0 stages EXACTLY the told kernel (select listed, the set derived from it) — even when the sources
+    # offer a newer one by night; a told version that can no longer be installed is refused BEFORE any change (R7).
+    def test_ring0_listed_installs_the_told_kernel_not_the_newest(self):
+        f = kfake()
+        f.live["proxmox-kernel-7.0"] = {"7.0.14-20", "7.0.14-22", "7.0.2-6"}
+        f.live["proxmox-kernel-7.0.14-20-pve-signed"] = {"7.0.14-20"}
+        told = [{"name": "proxmox-kernel-7.0", "version": "7.0.14-20", "origin": "Proxmox Debian Repository"},
+                {"name": "proxmox-kernel-7.0.14-20-pve-signed", "version": "7.0.14-20", "origin": "Proxmox Debian Repository"}]
+        f.plan.update(select="listed", packages=told, expect_kver="7.0.14-20-pve")
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertEqual(rep["authority"], "ring0")
+        self.assertEqual(f.env, {"felhom_next": "7.0.14-20-pve"})
+        self.assertEqual(f.installed["proxmox-kernel-7.0"], "7.0.14-20")
+        self.assertNotIn("7.0.14-22-pve", f.boot)
+
+    def test_ring0_told_kernel_gone_is_refused_before_any_change(self):
+        f = kfake()
+        f.live["proxmox-kernel-7.0"] = {"7.0.14-22"}   # 7.0.14-20 is no longer in the archive
+        told = [{"name": "proxmox-kernel-7.0", "version": "7.0.14-20", "origin": "Proxmox Debian Repository"},
+                {"name": "proxmox-kernel-7.0.14-20-pve-signed", "version": "7.0.14-20", "origin": "Proxmox Debian Repository"}]
+        f.plan.update(select="listed", packages=told, expect_kver="7.0.14-20-pve")
+        rep = self.refused(f, "R7")
+        self.assertIsNone(f.env)
+        self.assertNotIn(osapply.KERNEL_DEFAULT_CFG, f.tree, "refused before the default was even pinned")
+        self.assertEqual(f.installed["proxmox-kernel-7.0"], "7.0.2-6")
+
+    def test_nothing_pending_changes_nothing(self):
+        f = kfake(kernel_pending=[])
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertEqual(rep["upgraded"], [])
+        self.assertIsNone(f.env)
+        self.assertNotIn(osapply.KERNEL_STATE, f.tree)
+
+    def test_a_failed_install_writes_no_flag(self):
+        f = kfake(install_rc=100)
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 3, rep)
+        self.assertIsNone(f.env)
+        self.assertNotIn(osapply.KERNEL_STATE, f.tree)
+        self.assertEqual(osapply.Kernel.default_kver(f.cfg), OLD)
+
+    def test_a_postinst_without_update_grub_is_regenerated_and_proved(self):
+        f = kfake(grub_runs_in_postinst=False)
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertIn(f"felhom-oneshot-{NEW}", f.cfg)
+        self.assertEqual(osapply.Kernel.default_kver(f.cfg), OLD)
+
+    # --- the reboot, the boot, good / revert ---
+    def test_reboot_of_a_staged_step(self):
+        f = staged()
+        rc, rep = kmode(f, "kernel-reboot")
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertEqual(f.reboots, [OLD])
+        st = json.loads(f.tree[osapply.KERNEL_STATE])
+        self.assertEqual(st["phase"], "oneshot")
+        self.assertIn("host_services", st["health_before"])
+
+    def test_reboot_needs_a_staged_step(self):
+        self.refused(kfake(), "R22", mode="kernel-reboot")
+
+    def boot_into(self, f, kver):
+        f.running = kver
+        if f.env and f.env.get("felhom_next"):
+            f.env["felhom_next"] = ""   # GRUB cleared it (01_felhom_oneshot)
+        return kmode(f, "kernel-boot")
+
+    def test_healthy_one_shot_becomes_the_default(self):
+        f = staged()
+        kmode(f, "kernel-reboot")
+        rc, rep = self.boot_into(f, NEW)
+        self.assertEqual((rc, rep["kernel_event"], rep["kernel"]["phase"]), (0, "judging", "judging"), rep)
+        self.assertEqual(osapply.Kernel.default_kver(f.cfg), OLD, "judging does not move the default")
+        rc, rep = kmode(f, "kernel-good")
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertEqual(osapply.Kernel.default_kver(f.cfg), NEW)
+        self.assertEqual(rep["kernel"]["phase"], "good")
+
+    def test_a_panic_falls_back_and_is_recorded(self):
+        f = staged()
+        kmode(f, "kernel-reboot")
+        rc, rep = self.boot_into(f, OLD)
+        self.assertEqual((rc, rep["kernel_event"]), (0, "fell_back"), rep)
+        self.assertEqual(osapply.Kernel.default_kver(f.cfg), OLD)
+        self.refused(f, "R22", mode="kernel-good")
+
+    def test_one_self_revert_then_never_again(self):
+        f = staged()
+        kmode(f, "kernel-reboot")
+        self.boot_into(f, NEW)
+        rc, rep = kmode(f, "kernel-revert", reason="the customer guest is not running")
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertEqual(f.reboots, [OLD, NEW])
+        self.assertEqual(osapply.Kernel.default_kver(f.cfg), OLD, "the self-revert boots the default, the old kernel")
+        rc, rep = self.boot_into(f, OLD)
+        self.assertEqual(rep["kernel_event"], "self_reverted")
+        # the same step can never revert again
+        st = json.loads(f.tree[osapply.KERNEL_STATE])
+        st["phase"] = "judging"
+        f.tree[osapply.KERNEL_STATE] = json.dumps(st)
+        f.running = NEW
+        self.refused(f, "R22", mode="kernel-revert")
+        self.assertEqual(len(f.reboots), 2)
+
+    def test_a_revert_that_comes_back_new_is_never_retried(self):
+        f = staged()
+        kmode(f, "kernel-reboot")
+        self.boot_into(f, NEW)
+        kmode(f, "kernel-revert")
+        rc, rep = self.boot_into(f, NEW)
+        self.assertEqual(rep["kernel_event"], "revert_failed")
+        self.refused(f, "R22", mode="kernel-revert")
+
+    def test_revert_refuses_an_unknown_default(self):
+        f = staged()
+        kmode(f, "kernel-reboot")
+        self.boot_into(f, NEW)
+        f.tree[osapply.KERNEL_DEFAULT_CFG] = f'GRUB_DEFAULT="gnulinux-advanced-{U}>gnulinux-9.9.9-1-pve-advanced-{U}"\n'
+        f.cfg = f.render()
+        self.refused(f, "R20", mode="kernel-revert")
+        self.assertEqual(len(f.reboots), 1)
+
+    def test_cancel_clears_the_flag(self):
+        f = staged()
+        rc, rep = kmode(f, "kernel-cancel")
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertFalse(f.env.get("felhom_next"), "the flag is gone")
+        self.assertEqual(rep["kernel"]["phase"], "cancelled")
+
+    def test_status_is_read_only_and_names_setup_problems(self):
+        f = kfake(esp_fs="ext4")
+        rc, rep = kmode(f, "kernel-status")
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        self.assertTrue(rep["kernel"]["setup_problems"])
+        self.assertEqual(f.tree, {})
+        self.assertFalse([c for c in f.calls if c[1][0] in ("update-grub", "systemctl", "apt-get")])
+
+    def test_facts_carry_the_kernel_lane(self):
+        f = staged()
+        f.plan = {"release_id": "facts", "layer": "host", "lane": "fast", "vmid": 9201, "mode": "facts", "packages": []}
+        rc, rep = run(f)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, rep)
+        h = rep["facts"]["host"]
+        self.assertEqual(h["kernel_lane"]["phase"], "staged")
+        self.assertEqual(h["kernel_next_boot"], NEW)
+        self.assertIn("one-shot", h["kernel_next_boot_source"])
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

configs/test_felhom_priv_apply.py

@@ -56,6 +56,18 @@ class FakeHost:
     def log(self, line):
         self.logs.append(line)
 
+    # controller-image (R-861 (a) A1): the ref arrives on stdin and is written INSIDE the guest by root.
+    stdin = b""
+    guest_writes = None
+
+    def read_stdin(self, limit):
+        return self.stdin[:limit + 1]
+
+    def write_guest_image(self, vmid, data):
+        if self.guest_writes is None:
+            self.guest_writes = []
+        self.guest_writes.append((vmid, data))
+
 
 LOCAL_UNIT = """# Managed by felhom-agent — do not edit by hand.
 [Unit]
@@ -316,5 +328,53 @@ class Refuses(unittest.TestCase):
         self.refused(h, ["wg", "/etc/shadow"], "A1")
 
 
+class ControllerImage(unittest.TestCase):
+    """R-861 (a) A1 (`09` §3 decision 165): the agent can no longer `tee` any image ref into the guest. The root verb
+    reads the ref on stdin, requires our registry + our repository + an x.y.z tag, and writes the guest file itself.
+    RED-PROOF: on the pre-A1 wrapper `controller-image` is not a verb (A1 usage, rc 2) — the accepted case fails."""
+
+    def go(self, ref, *argv):
+        h = FakeHost()
+        h.stdin = ref.encode() if isinstance(ref, str) else ref
+        return h, run(h, *(argv or ("controller-image", "9201")))
+
+    def test_our_controller_ref_is_written_in_the_guest(self):
+        h, rc = self.go("gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller:0.301.0\n")
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0, h.logs)
+        self.assertEqual(h.guest_writes, [(9201, b"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller:0.301.0\n")])
+
+    def test_a_foreign_image_is_refused(self):
+        for ref in ("docker.io/library/alpine:latest\n", "alpine\n",
+                    "gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller:latest\n",
+                    "gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/other:0.1.0\n",
+                    "evil.example/admin/felhom-controller:0.301.0\n",
+                    "gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller:0.301.0\nalpine\n",
+                    "gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller:0.301.0 x\n",
+                    "", "\n"):
+            h, rc = self.go(ref)
+            self.assertEqual(rc, 3, f"{ref!r} was accepted")
+            self.assertFalse(h.guest_writes, f"{ref!r} wrote the guest file")
+            self.assertTrue(any("[I1]" in l for l in h.logs), h.logs)
+
+    def test_oversize_stdin_is_refused(self):
+        h, rc = self.go("gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller:0.301.0" + " " * 300)
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 3)
+        self.assertFalse(h.guest_writes)
+
+    def test_vmid_must_be_numeric(self):
+        for argv in (("controller-image", "9201;id"), ("controller-image", "-1"), ("controller-image",),
+                     ("controller-image", "9201", "9202")):
+            h, rc = self.go("gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller:0.301.0\n", *argv)
+            self.assertIn(rc, (2, 3), argv)
+            self.assertFalse(h.guest_writes, argv)
+
+    def test_self_check_names_the_verb(self):
+        import io, contextlib
+        buf = io.StringIO()
+        with contextlib.redirect_stdout(buf):
+            pa.main(["--self-check"])
+        self.assertIn("controller-image", buf.getvalue())
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     unittest.main(verbosity=2)

internal/backup/archive_completeness_test.go

@@ -241,3 +241,23 @@ func TestNewestArchiveTime_DistinctPhantomsEachAnnounced(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("got %d rejection lines for 2 distinct phantoms across 3 polls, want 2:\n%s", n, buf.String())
 	}
 }
+
+// R-99 (`09` §3 decision 140): the WARN for a PBS phantom ends with the cleanup runbook, so whoever sees it knows the
+// one sanctioned way to remove it; a tiny archive on a dir storage is not a PBS phantom and gets no pointer.
+// RED-PROOF: drop the `msg += phantomCleanupPointer` line → "the PBS phantom WARN does not end with the runbook pointer".
+func TestRejectedArchiveWarnNamesTheCleanupRunbook(t *testing.T) {
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	r := runnerWithContent(t, &buf, []proxmox.StorageContent{phantomEntry(), goodPBSEntry()})
+	if _, _, err := r.NewestArchiveTime(context.Background(), 9201); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	const want = "INCOMPLETE archive when computing tier freshness — it is not a successful backup — a phantom leftover; delete it by felhom.eu documentation/runbooks/pbs-phantom-cleanup.md (09 §3 decision 140)"
+	if !strings.Contains(buf.String(), want) {
+		t.Errorf("the PBS phantom WARN does not end with the runbook pointer:\n%s", buf.String())
+	}
+	local := phantomEntry()
+	local.Format, local.VolID = "tar.zst", "local:backup/vzdump-lxc-9201-2026_07_28-05_31_14.tar.zst"
+	if got := rejectedArchiveMessage(local); strings.Contains(got, "pbs-phantom-cleanup") {
+		t.Errorf("a dir-storage archive got the PBS runbook pointer: %s", got)
+	}
+}

internal/backup/backup_state.go

@@ -0,0 +1,154 @@
+package backup
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sort"
+	"strconv"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/hub"
+)
+
+// BackupSuccessState persists the newest SUCCESSFUL whole-guest backup per tier and guest (R-894).
+//
+// Why it exists. The due-check (`localapi` handleBackupDue) asks the tier's storage when a backup last
+// landed (R-84) and falls back to the in-memory record when the storage cannot be read. The in-memory
+// record is empty after an agent restart (Store, R-348), so "storage unreadable" right after a restart
+// read as "no record — DUE". Measured 2026-10-05 on demo-hp: the agent restarted at 04:57, the off-site
+// storage answered "Can't connect" at 06:25, the 7-day tier — last copy 2026-10-01 — read DUE, the
+// controller asked, and vzdump failed. This file is the last known copy the fallback reads instead.
+//
+// It is read ONLY when the storage cannot be read. A storage that answers is the ground truth and wins,
+// in both directions: an archive found there counts, and an archive absent there is absent even when
+// this file remembers a success (a pruned or deleted archive must make the tier due — the same reason
+// R-84 chose the storage over a persisted record). Pinned by
+// TestBackupDue_R894_SavedCopyIgnoredWhenStorageAnswers.
+//
+// Only SUCCESSES are written (the RestoreTestState rule): a failure must stay due and be retried, so a
+// record of a failure has no reader.
+type BackupSuccessState struct {
+	path string
+	mu   sync.Mutex
+	last map[string]savedSuccess // key(target, vmid) → the newest success
+}
+
+type savedSuccess struct {
+	target string
+	vmid   int
+	at     time.Time
+}
+
+// backupSuccessJSON is one entry on disk.
+type backupSuccessJSON struct {
+	Target    string `json:"target"`
+	VMID      int    `json:"vmid"`
+	StartedAt string `json:"started_at"`
+}
+
+func backupStateKey(target string, vmid int) string { return target + "/" + strconv.Itoa(vmid) }
+
+// NewBackupSuccessState opens (or creates) the state at path. A missing or unreadable file degrades to
+// "nothing known" — the pre-R-894 behaviour, which is DUE — and never wedges the daemon.
+func NewBackupSuccessState(path string) *BackupSuccessState {
+	s := &BackupSuccessState{path: path, last: map[string]savedSuccess{}}
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return s
+	}
+	var entries []backupSuccessJSON
+	if json.Unmarshal(data, &entries) != nil {
+		return s
+	}
+	for _, e := range entries {
+		t, perr := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, e.StartedAt)
+		if perr != nil {
+			continue // one unreadable entry must not lose the others
+		}
+		s.last[backupStateKey(e.Target, e.VMID)] = savedSuccess{target: e.Target, vmid: e.VMID, at: t.UTC()}
+	}
+	return s
+}
+
+// RecordBackupSuccess saves b when it is a success newer than the one on file. target is the tier the
+// job ran on (the due-check's key); a failure or an unparseable time is ignored.
+func (s *BackupSuccessState) RecordBackupSuccess(target string, b hub.Backup) error {
+	if s == nil || !b.Success {
+		return nil
+	}
+	t, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, b.StartedAt)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	k := backupStateKey(target, b.VMID)
+	if old, ok := s.last[k]; ok && !t.After(old.at) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	s.last[k] = savedSuccess{target: target, vmid: b.VMID, at: t.UTC()}
+	return s.saveLocked()
+}
+
+// LastKnownSuccess returns the newest saved success for this tier and guest (ok=false = none on file).
+func (s *BackupSuccessState) LastKnownSuccess(target string, vmid int) (time.Time, bool) {
+	if s == nil {
+		return time.Time{}, false
+	}
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	e, ok := s.last[backupStateKey(target, vmid)]
+	return e.at, ok
+}
+
+// KnownBackupSuccesses returns every saved success as a host-report record (the collector's
+// KnownBackupReporter, so the hub keeps its evidence across a restart). Only the tier, guest and start
+// time are known; the archive name is not saved and stays empty. Sorted for a stable report.
+func (s *BackupSuccessState) KnownBackupSuccesses() []hub.Backup {
+	if s == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	out := make([]hub.Backup, 0, len(s.last))
+	for _, e := range s.last {
+		out = append(out, hub.Backup{TargetID: e.target, VMID: e.vmid, Success: true, CrashConsistent: true,
+			StartedAt: e.at.Format(time.RFC3339), UncoveredVolumes: []string{}})
+	}
+	sort.Slice(out, func(i, j int) bool {
+		if out[i].TargetID != out[j].TargetID {
+			return out[i].TargetID < out[j].TargetID
+		}
+		return out[i].VMID < out[j].VMID
+	})
+	return out
+}
+
+func (s *BackupSuccessState) saveLocked() error {
+	entries := make([]backupSuccessJSON, 0, len(s.last))
+	for _, e := range s.last {
+		entries = append(entries, backupSuccessJSON{Target: e.target, VMID: e.vmid, StartedAt: e.at.Format(time.RFC3339)})
+	}
+	// Deterministic file content (Go's map order is random).
+	sort.Slice(entries, func(i, j int) bool {
+		if entries[i].Target != entries[j].Target {
+			return entries[i].Target < entries[j].Target
+		}
+		return entries[i].VMID < entries[j].VMID
+	})
+	data, err := json.MarshalIndent(entries, "", "  ")
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(s.path), 0o755); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	tmp := s.path + ".tmp"
+	if err := os.WriteFile(tmp, data, 0o600); err != nil {
+		os.Remove(tmp)
+		return err
+	}
+	return os.Rename(tmp, s.path)
+}

internal/backup/backup_state_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+package backup
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/hub"
+)
+
+// R-894: the on-disk newest success per tier survives a restart (a new state from the same file).
+func TestBackupSuccessState_SurvivesRestart(t *testing.T) {
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "backup-success-state.json")
+	s := NewBackupSuccessState(path)
+	at := time.Date(2026, 10, 1, 20, 15, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	if err := s.RecordBackupSuccess("felhom-pbs", hub.Backup{VMID: 9201, Success: true, StartedAt: at.Format(time.RFC3339)}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	got, ok := NewBackupSuccessState(path).LastKnownSuccess("felhom-pbs", 9201)
+	if !ok || !got.Equal(at) {
+		t.Fatalf("after a restart the saved copy must read back; got %v ok=%v", got, ok)
+	}
+	if _, ok := NewBackupSuccessState(path).LastKnownSuccess("local", 9201); ok {
+		t.Fatal("another tier must not borrow this tier's copy")
+	}
+}
+
+// Only a NEWER success replaces the saved one; failures and unparseable times are ignored.
+func TestBackupSuccessState_KeepsNewestSuccessOnly(t *testing.T) {
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "s.json")
+	s := NewBackupSuccessState(path)
+	newer := time.Date(2026, 10, 5, 0, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	older := newer.Add(-48 * time.Hour)
+	for _, b := range []hub.Backup{
+		{VMID: 1, Success: true, StartedAt: newer.Format(time.RFC3339)},
+		{VMID: 1, Success: true, StartedAt: older.Format(time.RFC3339)},                 // older: ignored
+		{VMID: 1, Success: false, StartedAt: newer.Add(time.Hour).Format(time.RFC3339)}, // failure: ignored
+		{VMID: 1, Success: true, StartedAt: "not-a-time"},                               // unparseable: ignored
+	} {
+		if err := s.RecordBackupSuccess("t", b); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	if got, _ := NewBackupSuccessState(path).LastKnownSuccess("t", 1); !got.Equal(newer) {
+		t.Fatalf("want the newest success %v, got %v", newer, got)
+	}
+}
+
+// A corrupt file degrades to "nothing known" (the pre-R-894 DUE answer), never a crash.
+func TestBackupSuccessState_CorruptFileIsEmpty(t *testing.T) {
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "s.json")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte("{not json"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, ok := NewBackupSuccessState(path).LastKnownSuccess("t", 1); ok {
+		t.Fatal("a corrupt file must read as nothing known")
+	}
+}
+
+// The saved successes come back as host-report records: success, tier, guest, start time (R-894 → the
+// host report, 2026-10-09). A new state read from the same file gives the same records (the restart case).
+func TestBackupSuccessState_KnownBackupSuccessesSurviveAReopen(t *testing.T) {
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "backup-success-state.json")
+	s := NewBackupSuccessState(path)
+	if err := s.RecordBackupSuccess("felhom-backup", hub.Backup{VMID: 9201, Success: true, StartedAt: "2026-10-09T02:40:16Z"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	got := NewBackupSuccessState(path).KnownBackupSuccesses()
+	if len(got) != 1 || !got[0].Success || got[0].TargetID != "felhom-backup" || got[0].VMID != 9201 || got[0].StartedAt != "2026-10-09T02:40:16Z" {
+		t.Fatalf("got %+v", got)
+	}
+	if got[0].UncoveredVolumes == nil {
+		t.Fatal("uncovered_volumes must marshal as [], not null")
+	}
+}

internal/backup/foreign_key_ledger.go

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+package backup
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"sort"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/hub"
+)
+
+// ForeignKeyLedger (R-366 slice 2, `09` §3 decision 168) holds, per backup tier, the whole-guest archives the
+// restore-test pick skipped because another key wrote them (R-727 — an earlier install of this box). Since R-727 the
+// skip was one INFO log line per archive and nothing else, so after a reinstall the operator was never told that the
+// box's older whole-guest copies are unreadable to it. The host report carries this ledger; the hub raises ONE
+// operator event when it changes.
+//
+// It reports nil until a tier has been evaluated since the agent started, so a restart does not read as "the set
+// changed to empty" (the hub keeps its last state for an absent field).
+type ForeignKeyLedger struct {
+	mu       sync.Mutex
+	byTarget map[string]hub.ForeignKeyArchives
+}
+
+// NewForeignKeyLedger builds an empty ledger.
+func NewForeignKeyLedger() *ForeignKeyLedger {
+	return &ForeignKeyLedger{}
+}
+
+func (l *ForeignKeyLedger) set(target string, n int, oldest, newest int64) {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	defer l.mu.Unlock()
+	if l.byTarget == nil {
+		l.byTarget = map[string]hub.ForeignKeyArchives{}
+	}
+	e := hub.ForeignKeyArchives{Target: target, Count: n}
+	if n > 0 {
+		e.Oldest = time.Unix(oldest, 0).UTC().Format(time.RFC3339)
+		e.Newest = time.Unix(newest, 0).UTC().Format(time.RFC3339)
+	}
+	l.byTarget[target] = e
+}
+
+// ForeignKeyArchives implements hub.ForeignKeyArchiveReporter: nil before any evaluation; otherwise the tiers that
+// hold such archives (`Tiers` empty, never nil, when none do), sorted by tier.
+func (l *ForeignKeyLedger) ForeignKeyArchives(context.Context) *hub.ForeignKeyArchivesStanza {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	defer l.mu.Unlock()
+	if l.byTarget == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := []hub.ForeignKeyArchives{}
+	for _, e := range l.byTarget {
+		if e.Count > 0 {
+			out = append(out, e)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Slice(out, func(i, j int) bool { return out[i].Target < out[j].Target })
+	return &hub.ForeignKeyArchivesStanza{Tiers: out}
+}

internal/backup/r366_foreign_key_ledger_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+package backup
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/hub"
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/proxmox"
+)
+
+// R-366 slice 2 (`09` §3 decision 168) — the restore-test's skip of an archive written with another key stops being
+// silent: the pick records, per tier, how many it skipped and their time range, and the host report carries it.
+//
+// COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): remove the `r.foreign.set(...)` call from PickSettledRestoreCandidateOn → this fails
+// with "after one evaluation the ledger must report felhom-pbs: 2 archives …; got []". Restored.
+func TestR366_PickRecordsArchivesWrittenWithAnotherKey(t *testing.T) {
+	api := &fakeBackupAPI{
+		storages: []proxmox.Storage{{Storage: "felhom-pbs", Type: "pbs", EncryptionKey: thisBoxKey}},
+		content: []proxmox.StorageContent{
+			{VolID: "felhom-pbs:backup/ct/9201/2026-09-16T17:27:32Z", Content: "backup", VMID: 9201, Size: 4774114206, CTime: 1789579652, Encrypted: earlierBox2},
+			{VolID: "felhom-pbs:backup/ct/9201/2026-09-16T21:59:54Z", Content: "backup", VMID: 9201, Size: 20811501236, CTime: 1789595994, Encrypted: earlierBox1},
+			{VolID: "felhom-pbs:backup/ct/9201/2026-09-29T19:37:07Z", Content: "backup", VMID: 9201, Size: 3490689830, CTime: 1790710627, Encrypted: thisBoxKey},
+		},
+	}
+	r := NewBackupRunner(api, "local", proxmox.ModeSnapshot, "", "keep-last=1", quiet())
+	l := NewForeignKeyLedger()
+	r.SetForeignKeyLedger(l)
+
+	if got := l.ForeignKeyArchives(context.Background()); got != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("before any evaluation the ledger must be nil (the hub keeps its state); got %v", got)
+	}
+	if _, _, err := r.PickSettledRestoreCandidateOn(context.Background(), "felhom-pbs", time.Time{}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	st := l.ForeignKeyArchives(context.Background())
+	want := hub.ForeignKeyArchives{Target: "felhom-pbs", Count: 2, Oldest: "2026-09-16T17:27:32Z", Newest: "2026-09-16T21:59:54Z"}
+	var got []hub.ForeignKeyArchives
+	if st != nil {
+		got = st.Tiers
+	}
+	if len(got) != 1 || got[0] != want {
+		t.Fatalf("after one evaluation the ledger must report felhom-pbs: 2 archives 2026-09-16T17:27:32Z…21:59:54Z; got %v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// Evaluated and none found → the stanza with `tiers: []`; not evaluated → no stanza at all. Never a null on the wire.
+func TestR366_EvaluatedWithNoneIsAnEmptyList(t *testing.T) {
+	api := &fakeBackupAPI{
+		storages: []proxmox.Storage{{Storage: "felhom-pbs", Type: "pbs", EncryptionKey: thisBoxKey}},
+		content:  []proxmox.StorageContent{{VolID: "felhom-pbs:backup/ct/9201/2026-09-29T19:37:07Z", Content: "backup", VMID: 9201, Size: 3490689830, CTime: 1790710627, Encrypted: thisBoxKey}},
+	}
+	r := NewBackupRunner(api, "local", proxmox.ModeSnapshot, "", "keep-last=1", quiet())
+	l := NewForeignKeyLedger()
+	r.SetForeignKeyLedger(l)
+	b, _ := json.Marshal(hub.HostReport{ForeignKeyArchives: l.ForeignKeyArchives(context.Background())})
+	if strings.Contains(string(b), "foreign_key_archives") {
+		t.Fatalf("not evaluated must omit the stanza; got %s", b)
+	}
+	if _, _, err := r.PickSettledRestoreCandidateOn(context.Background(), "felhom-pbs", time.Time{}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	b, _ = json.Marshal(hub.HostReport{ForeignKeyArchives: l.ForeignKeyArchives(context.Background())})
+	if !strings.Contains(string(b), `"foreign_key_archives":{"tiers":[]}`) {
+		t.Fatalf("evaluated with none must report tiers: []; got %s", b)
+	}
+}

internal/backup/runner.go

@@ -66,8 +66,13 @@ type BackupRunner struct {
 	// due-check is served from the local-API handler goroutines.
 	rejectedMu sync.Mutex
 	rejected   map[string]struct{}
+	// foreign (R-366 slice 2) records, per tier, the archives the pick skipped as another key's. nil = not wired.
+	foreign *ForeignKeyLedger
 }
 
+// SetForeignKeyLedger wires the R-366 slice-2 ledger the host report reads.
+func (r *BackupRunner) SetForeignKeyLedger(l *ForeignKeyLedger) { r.foreign = l }
+
 // NewBackupRunner builds a runner. mode defaults to snapshot (works for a stopped guest and
 // for lvm-thin); the caller may pass ModeStop for storages without snapshot support. retention is the
 // per-run prune spec ("keep-last=N", or "" to never prune) — only the periodic local backup sets it.
@@ -370,6 +375,8 @@ func (r *BackupRunner) PickSettledRestoreCandidateOn(ctx context.Context, target
 	var best string
 	var bestCTime int64 = -1
 	known := map[int]bool{} // vmid → the guest exists on this node (asked once per vmid per pick)
+	var foreignN int        // R-366 slice 2: archives skipped as another key's, and their time range
+	var foreignMin, foreignMax int64
 	for _, e := range contents {
 		if e.Content != "backup" {
 			continue
@@ -384,6 +391,13 @@ func (r *BackupRunner) PickSettledRestoreCandidateOn(ctx context.Context, target
 		}
 		if ownKey != "" && !strings.EqualFold(e.Encrypted, ownKey) {
 			r.noteNotAGuestBackupOnce(e, fmt.Sprintf("written by another box (key %s, this box's key %s) — not this box's proof", shortFP(e.Encrypted), shortFP(ownKey)))
+			foreignN++
+			if foreignMin == 0 || e.CTime < foreignMin {
+				foreignMin = e.CTime
+			}
+			if e.CTime > foreignMax {
+				foreignMax = e.CTime
+			}
 			continue
 		}
 		// R-689 (v0.136.0): … OF A GUEST THAT STILL EXISTS here. Measured on demo-hp 2026-09-27 right after
@@ -420,6 +434,9 @@ func (r *BackupRunner) PickSettledRestoreCandidateOn(ctx context.Context, target
 			bestCTime, best = e.CTime, e.VolID
 		}
 	}
+	if r.foreign != nil {
+		r.foreign.set(target, foreignN, foreignMin, foreignMax)
+	}
 	if best == "" {
 		return "", time.Time{}, nil
 	}
@@ -518,10 +535,25 @@ func (r *BackupRunner) warnRejectedArchiveOnce(e proxmox.StorageContent, why str
 	if seen {
 		return
 	}
-	r.logger.Warn("backup: ignoring an INCOMPLETE archive when computing tier freshness — it is not a successful backup",
+	r.logger.Warn(rejectedArchiveMessage(e),
 		"target", r.target, "vmid", e.VMID, "volid", e.VolID, "size_bytes", e.Size, "reason", why)
 }
 
+// phantomCleanupPointer names the runbook that removes a PBS phantom (R-99, `09` §3 decision 140: a leftover of an
+// aborted upload is deleted on the backup server, by a runbook, when one is seen — never automatically).
+const phantomCleanupPointer = " — a phantom leftover; delete it by felhom.eu documentation/runbooks/pbs-phantom-cleanup.md (09 §3 decision 140)"
+
+// rejectedArchiveMessage is the WARN text for a rejected archive. Only a PBS entry (format pbs-ct / pbs-vm) gets the
+// cleanup pointer: the runbook deletes on a PBS datastore, and a tiny archive on a dir storage is not a PBS phantom.
+// Pinned by TestRejectedArchiveWarnNamesTheCleanupRunbook.
+func rejectedArchiveMessage(e proxmox.StorageContent) string {
+	msg := "backup: ignoring an INCOMPLETE archive when computing tier freshness — it is not a successful backup"
+	if strings.HasPrefix(e.Format, "pbs-") {
+		msg += phantomCleanupPointer
+	}
+	return msg
+}
+
 // demo-felhom in a single afternoon of deploys (2026-07-26).
 //
 // Asking the STORAGE rather than persisting the store is deliberate:

internal/backup/store.go

@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ import (
 // 2026-08-20, two consecutive host-reports with `0 backups` while `pvesm list` showed archives on both tiers. What
 // is unaffected is the hub's VERDICT: it looks back 7 days over stored reports (felhom.eu hub/internal/monitor/
 // deadline.go backupEvidenceLookback) and the storage stays the ground truth (R-84).
+// The due-check's fallback for an UNREADABLE storage no longer reads this store alone (R-894): the newest
+// success per tier is also on disk (BackupSuccessState), so a restart followed by an unreachable storage
+// reads the last known copy, not "never".
 type Store struct {
 	mu       sync.Mutex
 	byTarget map[string]hub.Backup // latest backup per target id

internal/capability/manifest.go

@@ -145,12 +145,17 @@ var manifest = []Capability{
 	{"controllerswap-image-inspect", "controller-swap / managed auto-update", "/usr/sbin/pct", []string{"exec", "9201", "--", "docker", "image", "inspect", "gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller:0.0.0"}, true, ""},
 	{"controllerswap-inspect", "controller-swap / managed auto-update", "/usr/sbin/pct", []string{"exec", "9201", "--", "docker", "inspect", "-f", "{{.State.Running}}", "felhom-controller"}, true, ""},
 	{"controllerswap-restart", "controller-swap / managed auto-update", "/usr/sbin/pct", []string{"exec", "9201", "--", "systemctl", "restart", "felhom-controller-bootstrap.service"}, true, ""},
-	{"controllerswap-write", "controller-swap / managed auto-update", "/usr/sbin/pct", []string{"exec", "9201", "--", "tee", "/etc/felhom-controller-image"}, true, ""},
+	// R-861 (a) A1 (decision 165): the write goes through the ROOT verb that checks the ref; the agent has no `tee` grant.
+	{"controllerswap-write", "controller-swap / managed auto-update", "/usr/local/sbin/felhom-priv-apply", []string{"controller-image", "9201"}, true, ""},
 
 	// ---- Stale-lock recovery (FELHOM_STALELOCK, v0.49.0; Critical: a guest stuck behind a stale
 	// reboot-during-backup lock can't start → the customer box stays DOWN until this clears it) ----
 	{"stalelock-unlock", "reboot-during-backup stale-lock recovery", "/usr/sbin/pct", []string{"unlock", "9201"}, true, ""},
 
+	// ---- Weekly guest disk trim (FELHOM_FSTRIM, R-444). NON-critical: a missing grant means the thin pool is not
+	// reclaimed this week (the trim job WARNs per guest and the report shows the failure), not a serving outage. ----
+	{"guest-fstrim", "weekly guest disk trim (thin-pool reclaim, R-444)", "/usr/sbin/pct", []string{"fstrim", "9201"}, false, ""},
+
 	// ---- Offsite WG tunnel (FELHOM_WG, S3/v0.64.0; Critical FLIPPED in S4/v0.66.0 — offsite
 	// backups now RIDE the tunnel, so a degraded tunnel capability is operator-alert-worthy: the
 	// conf install, unit enable/restart and the handshake read gate the backup path. apt-install

internal/capability/manifest_test.go

@@ -200,7 +200,8 @@ func TestRedProof_DroppedGrantFailsCheck(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 // TestRedProof_DroppedControllerSwapTeeFailsCheck is the companion red-proof for the v0.45.0
-// FELHOM_CONTROLLERSWAP grants: with the `tee /etc/felhom-controller-image` line removed, the
+// FELHOM_CONTROLLERSWAP grants: with the write grant removed (since R-861 (a) A1 the `felhom-priv-apply controller-image`
+// line; before it, an agent `tee /etc/felhom-controller-image`), the
 // controllerswap-write capability MUST be reported uncovered. Proves the build gate watches the new
 // swap write grant (so dropping it can't ship a non-root agent that silently can't auto-update).
 func TestRedProof_DroppedControllerSwapTeeFailsCheck(t *testing.T) {
@@ -210,7 +211,7 @@ func TestRedProof_DroppedControllerSwapTeeFailsCheck(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	var kept []string
 	for _, ln := range strings.Split(string(data), "\n") {
-		if strings.Contains(ln, "tee /etc/felhom-controller-image") {
+		if strings.Contains(ln, "felhom-priv-apply ^controller-image") { // R-861 (a) A1: the write's grant
 			continue
 		}
 		kept = append(kept, ln)
@@ -229,7 +230,7 @@ func TestRedProof_DroppedControllerSwapTeeFailsCheck(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	cmdline := write.Binary + " " + strings.Join(write.ReprArgs, " ")
 	if matchesAny(cmdline, entries) {
-		t.Errorf("red-proof FAILED: controllerswap-write still matches after dropping the tee grant")
+		t.Errorf("red-proof FAILED: controllerswap-write still matches after dropping its grant")
 	}
 	if full := parseSudoersEntries(t, string(data)); !matchesAny(cmdline, full) {
 		t.Errorf("controllerswap-write should be covered by the real sudoers")

internal/capability/r861_injection_test.go

@@ -49,6 +49,10 @@ var r861Injections = []string{
 	"/usr/local/sbin/felhom-priv-apply unit ../../etc/x.mount",
 	"/usr/local/sbin/felhom-priv-apply dnsmasq /etc/shadow felhom-x.conf",
 	"/usr/local/sbin/felhom-priv-apply wg /etc/shadow",
+	// R-861 (a) A1 (decision 165): the agent wrote ANY image ref into the guest by `tee` — now only the root verb may
+	"/usr/sbin/pct exec 9201 -- tee /etc/felhom-controller-image",
+	"/usr/local/sbin/felhom-priv-apply controller-image 9201 9202",
+	"/usr/local/sbin/felhom-priv-apply controller-image 9201;id",
 }
 
 func TestSudoersRefusesTheR861Injections(t *testing.T) {
@@ -63,3 +67,72 @@ func TestSudoersRefusesTheR861Injections(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// R-444: the weekly trim's grant is ONE exact shape — `pct fstrim <vmid>` — and nothing smuggled after it.
+// The manifest entry (guest-fstrim) proves the real call is still allowed (TestManifestCoveredBySudoers); this
+// pins the other direction. RED-PROOF: write the rule as the glob `/usr/sbin/pct fstrim [0-9]*` → every decoy
+// below with a trailing argument matches (the glob's `*` eats spaces).
+func TestSudoersFstrimRuleIsExact(t *testing.T) {
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(sudoersPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	entries := parseSudoersEntries(t, string(data))
+	if !matchesAny("/usr/sbin/pct fstrim 9201", entries) {
+		t.Fatal("the sudoers does not allow `pct fstrim 9201` — the weekly trim cannot run")
+	}
+	for _, c := range []string{
+		"/usr/sbin/pct fstrim 9201 --ignore-mountpoints",
+		"/usr/sbin/pct fstrim 9201 --ignore-mountpoints 1",
+		"/usr/sbin/pct fstrim 9201; x",
+		"/usr/sbin/pct fstrim 9201 9202",
+		"/usr/sbin/pct fstrim 92a1",
+		"/usr/sbin/pct fstrim ",
+		"/usr/sbin/pct fstrim -- 9201",
+		"/usr/sbin/pct destroy 9201",
+		"/usr/sbin/pct destroy 9201 --purge",
+	} {
+		if matchesAny(c, entries) {
+			t.Errorf("the sudoers allows a command the trim rule must not: %q", c)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// R-861 (a) A1: the managed controller update still has its route — the root verb, one numeric vmid.
+func TestSudoersAllowsTheControllerImageVerb(t *testing.T) {
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(sudoersPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !matchesAny("/usr/local/sbin/felhom-priv-apply controller-image 9201", parseSudoersEntries(t, string(data))) {
+		t.Fatal("the sudoers does not allow `felhom-priv-apply controller-image 9201` — a managed controller update cannot write its image")
+	}
+}
+
+// R-861 (b) B2 (decision 165, hygiene): felhom-op's `pct start|stop|unlock` grants are ONE numeric vmid each. The old
+// glob `[0-9]*` eats spaces, so `pct stop 9201 --skiplock 1` and two vmids matched.
+// RED-PROOF: on the pre-B2 felhom-op.sudoers (`/usr/sbin/pct stop [0-9]*`) the decoys match.
+func TestFelhomOpSudoersPctIsExact(t *testing.T) {
+	data, err := os.ReadFile("../../configs/felhom-op.sudoers")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	entries := parseSudoersEntries(t, string(data))
+	for _, ok := range []string{"/usr/sbin/pct start 9201", "/usr/sbin/pct stop 9201", "/usr/sbin/pct unlock 9201", "/usr/sbin/pct list"} {
+		if !matchesAny(ok, entries) {
+			t.Errorf("felhom-op lost a repair verb: %s", ok)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, bad := range []string{
+		"/usr/sbin/pct stop 9201 --skiplock 1",
+		"/usr/sbin/pct start 9201 9202",
+		"/usr/sbin/pct unlock 9201 --whatever",
+		"/usr/sbin/pct start 92a1",
+		"/usr/sbin/pct stop ",
+		"/usr/sbin/pct destroy 9201",
+	} {
+		if matchesAny(bad, entries) {
+			t.Errorf("felhom-op's sudoers allows %q", bad)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/config/config.go

@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ type Config struct {
 	LANResolver LANResolverConfig `json:"lan_resolver"`
 	WGTunnel    WGTunnelConfig    `json:"wg_tunnel"`
 	GuestNet    GuestNetConfig    `json:"guest_net"`
+	DiskTrim    DiskTrimConfig    `json:"disk_trim"`
 	OOB         OOBConfig         `json:"oob"`
 	SelfUpdate  SelfUpdateConfig  `json:"selfupdate"`
 	LogLevel    string            `json:"log_level"` // debug|info|warn|error (default info)
@@ -139,6 +140,16 @@ func (w WGTunnelConfig) WithDefaults() WGTunnelConfig {
 	return w
 }
 
+// DiskTrimConfig configures the R-444 weekly guest disk trim (internal/fstrim). DEFAULT-ON, like GuestNetConfig and for
+// the same reason: it only acts on guests the agent already owns, and the operator ruled every box trims (`09` §3
+// decision 139). Opting out is the explicit act: `"disk_trim": {"disable": true}`.
+type DiskTrimConfig struct {
+	Disable bool `json:"disable"`
+}
+
+// Enabled reports whether the weekly trim should run.
+func (d DiskTrimConfig) Enabled() bool { return !d.Disable }
+
 // GuestNetConfig configures the R-54 guest-network watchdog (internal/guestnet).
 //
 // **This is the repo's first DEFAULT-ON feature gate, and the inversion is deliberate.** Every other

internal/escrow/recover.go

@@ -59,8 +59,26 @@ var (
 	// It carries no material and no code: only WHICH earlier package opened, by its supersession date,
 	// which is the one fact the customer needs to recognise it.
 	ErrCodeOpensRetained = errors.New("escrow: the recovery code did not open the CURRENT sealed package, but it DID open a retained earlier one")
+	// ErrRetainedUnchecked — the code did NOT open the current package, and NOT every earlier package the hub
+	// holds for this host was tried (R-304, 2026-10-08): the retained list could not be fetched, the hub
+	// withheld rows (over its serve cap, or rows with no key material), a package was malformed, or the
+	// attempt cap stopped the loop. So „the code is wrong" is NOT known — it may be right for a package
+	// nobody tried. Distinct from a mistype for exactly the R-224 reason: never accuse the customer of
+	// something we did not check.
+	ErrRetainedUnchecked = errors.New("escrow: the recovery code did not open the current sealed package, and some earlier packages were NOT checked")
 )
 
+// RetainedUncheckedError wraps ErrRetainedUnchecked with how many earlier packages went unchecked
+// (-1 = unknown: the retained list itself could not be read). No secret.
+type RetainedUncheckedError struct {
+	Unchecked int
+}
+
+func (e *RetainedUncheckedError) Error() string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s (unchecked=%d)", ErrRetainedUnchecked.Error(), e.Unchecked)
+}
+func (e *RetainedUncheckedError) Unwrap() error { return ErrRetainedUnchecked }
+
 // RetainedMatch says which retained package a code opened. Returned inside RetainedOpenedError; it
 // carries no secret — not the code, not the bundle, not the repository password.
 type RetainedMatch struct {
@@ -102,8 +120,10 @@ type RetainedBlob struct {
 }
 
 // RetainedFetcher yields this host's RETAINED sealed packages, newest-superseded first. An empty
-// slice is a clean "none". R-311.
-type RetainedFetcher func(ctx context.Context) (blobs []RetainedBlob, unopenable int, err error)
+// slice is a clean "none". R-311. `withheld` counts the earlier packages the hub holds that are NOT in
+// blobs — rows with no key material, rows over the hub's serve cap, and packages dropped as malformed
+// (R-304): each is a package the code was never tried against.
+type RetainedFetcher func(ctx context.Context) (blobs []RetainedBlob, withheld int, err error)
 
 // OffsiteKeyRecoverer is the assembled links 6→8. Construct it with a fetcher; call it with R.
 type OffsiteKeyRecoverer struct {
@@ -154,9 +174,14 @@ func (r OffsiteKeyRecoverer) RecoverOffsiteRepoPassword(ctx context.Context, rec
 		// from the unwrap alone; the only way to tell is to try. Until this existed nobody tried, and
 		// the screen said so out loud ("innen nem tudjuk megkülönböztetni őket") — a true sentence
 		// about our own incuriosity, read by the customer as a statement about their code.
-		if m, ok := r.tryRetained(ctx, recoveryCode); ok {
+		m, ok, unchecked := r.tryRetained(ctx, recoveryCode)
+		if ok {
 			return "", &RetainedOpenedError{Match: m}
 		}
+		// R-304: only when EVERY earlier package the hub holds was tried may this stay a wrong code.
+		if unchecked != 0 {
+			return "", &RetainedUncheckedError{Unchecked: unchecked}
+		}
 		return "", err // the fail-closed "the recovery code did not unwrap…" message; no secret in it
 	}
 	if bundle.ResticRepoPassword == "" {
@@ -173,23 +198,38 @@ func (r OffsiteKeyRecoverer) RecoverOffsiteRepoPassword(ctx context.Context, rec
 // function breaking is the behaviour we had before it existed.
 //
 // NOTHING IS LOGGED HERE and no return value carries the code, a bundle or a password.
-func (r OffsiteKeyRecoverer) tryRetained(ctx context.Context, recoveryCode string) (RetainedMatch, bool) {
+//
+// R-304 (2026-10-08): it also returns how many earlier packages were NOT tried — `withheld` from the hub, plus
+// the ones past the attempt cap — or -1 when the retained list could not be read at all. A nil FetchRetained
+// (an agent wired without the lookup) reports 0: the pre-R-311 refusal, unchanged.
+func (r OffsiteKeyRecoverer) tryRetained(ctx context.Context, recoveryCode string) (RetainedMatch, bool, int) {
 	if r.FetchRetained == nil {
-		return RetainedMatch{}, false
+		return RetainedMatch{}, false, 0
 	}
-	blobs, _, err := r.FetchRetained(ctx)
-	if err != nil || len(blobs) == 0 {
-		return RetainedMatch{}, false
+	blobs, withheld, err := r.FetchRetained(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return RetainedMatch{}, false, -1
+	}
+	if withheld < 0 {
+		withheld = 0
+	}
+	if len(blobs) == 0 {
+		return RetainedMatch{}, false, withheld
 	}
 	limit := r.MaxRetainedTried
 	if limit <= 0 {
 		limit = defaultMaxRetainedTried
 	}
+	unchecked := withheld
+	if len(blobs) > limit {
+		unchecked += len(blobs) - limit
+	}
 	for i, rb := range blobs {
 		if i >= limit {
 			break
 		}
 		if len(rb.Blob) == 0 {
+			unchecked++
 			continue
 		}
 		bundle, uerr := UnwrapIdentityBundle(ctx, rb.Blob, recoveryCode)
@@ -204,7 +244,7 @@ func (r OffsiteKeyRecoverer) tryRetained(ctx context.Context, recoveryCode strin
 			// correct and must be told so — but the history behind it still cannot be reopened, and
 			// saying otherwise would be a promise this path cannot keep.
 			HasResticPassword: bundle.ResticRepoPassword != "",
-		}, true
+		}, true, 0
 	}
-	return RetainedMatch{}, false
+	return RetainedMatch{}, false, unchecked
 }

internal/escrow/recover_retained_test.go

@@ -115,8 +115,9 @@ func TestRecover_WrongCode_StaysAPlainRefusal(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-// FAIL-SAFE — if the retained lookup itself fails, the original refusal must stand UNCHANGED. The
-// worst outcome of this feature breaking is the behaviour we had before it.
+// FAIL-SAFE — if the retained lookup itself fails, the lookup's error never reaches the customer and no
+// retained package is claimed. R-304 (2026-10-08) changed what stands instead: not the wrong-code refusal (the
+// earlier packages were never tried, so „wrong" is not known) but ErrRetainedUnchecked with Unchecked = -1.
 //
 // RED-PROOF: make tryRetained propagate the fetch error instead of returning false → the customer
 // gets a new, unexplained failure mode → this FAILS.
@@ -140,6 +141,10 @@ func TestRecover_RetainedFetchFails_OriginalRefusalStands(t *testing.T) {
 	if containsStr(err.Error(), "hub exploded") {
 		t.Error("the retained-lookup failure leaked into the customer-facing refusal — it must be silent")
 	}
+	var ue *RetainedUncheckedError
+	if !errors.As(err, &ue) || ue.Unchecked != -1 {
+		t.Errorf("err = %v, want RetainedUncheckedError{-1} — the earlier packages were never tried (R-304)", err)
+	}
 }
 
 // A nil FetchRetained keeps the pre-R-311 behaviour EXACTLY. An agent wired without it must be
@@ -228,3 +233,72 @@ func containsStr(hay, needle string) bool {
 		return false
 	})()
 }
+
+// ── R-304 (2026-10-08) — „wrong code" only when every earlier package was tried ──────────────────────
+//
+// The consequence asserted: is the refusal a WRONG CODE (the only error the screen may answer with „check your
+// typing")? It may be only when the hub withheld nothing and every served package was tried.
+//
+// RED-PROOF: make tryRetained return 0 for `unchecked` → the three „unchecked" cases return the plain refusal
+// → they FAIL; the all-tried case keeps passing.
+func TestR304_WrongCodeOnlyWhenEveryEarlierPackageWasTried(t *testing.T) {
+	ensureAge(t)
+	current := sealBundle(t, IdentityBundle{ResticRepoPassword: "4444567890abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef"}, testR)
+	other := sealBundle(t, IdentityBundle{ResticRepoPassword: "5555567890abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef"}, testR)
+	const code = "a code that opens nothing whatsoever in this test"
+	cases := []struct {
+		name      string
+		blobs     int
+		withheld  int
+		limit     int
+		unchecked int // 0 = must be a plain wrong code
+	}{
+		{"all tried, nothing withheld", 2, 0, 6, 0},
+		{"the hub withheld rows (no key material / over its cap)", 1, 3, 6, 3},
+		{"only withheld rows, nothing served", 0, 2, 6, 2},
+		{"the attempt cap stopped the loop", 5, 0, 2, 3},
+	}
+	for _, c := range cases {
+		t.Run(c.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			blobs := make([]RetainedBlob, 0, c.blobs)
+			for i := 0; i < c.blobs; i++ {
+				blobs = append(blobs, RetainedBlob{Blob: other, SupersededAt: "2026-08-01 00:00:00", Index: i})
+			}
+			_, err := OffsiteKeyRecoverer{
+				Fetch: fetcherFor(current),
+				FetchRetained: func(context.Context) ([]RetainedBlob, int, error) {
+					return blobs, c.withheld, nil
+				},
+				MaxRetainedTried: c.limit,
+			}.RecoverOffsiteRepoPassword(context.Background(), code)
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("a code that opens nothing succeeded")
+			}
+			var ue *RetainedUncheckedError
+			isUnchecked := errors.As(err, &ue)
+			if c.unchecked == 0 {
+				if isUnchecked {
+					t.Fatalf("every earlier package was tried — this IS a wrong code, got %v", err)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if !isUnchecked || ue.Unchecked != c.unchecked || !errors.Is(err, ErrRetainedUnchecked) {
+				t.Fatalf("err = %v, want RetainedUncheckedError{%d} — never call the code wrong when packages were not tried", err, c.unchecked)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// A malformed (empty) served package counts as not tried.
+func TestR304_EmptyServedPackageCountsAsUnchecked(t *testing.T) {
+	ensureAge(t)
+	current := sealBundle(t, IdentityBundle{ResticRepoPassword: "6666567890abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef"}, testR)
+	_, err := OffsiteKeyRecoverer{
+		Fetch:         fetcherFor(current),
+		FetchRetained: retainedFetcherFor(RetainedBlob{Blob: nil, SupersededAt: "2026-08-01 00:00:00"}),
+	}.RecoverOffsiteRepoPassword(context.Background(), testR2)
+	var ue *RetainedUncheckedError
+	if !errors.As(err, &ue) || ue.Unchecked != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("err = %v, want RetainedUncheckedError{1}", err)
+	}
+}

internal/fstrim/fstrim.go

@@ -0,0 +1,346 @@
+// Package fstrim is the weekly guest disk trim (R-444, operator ruling `09` §3 decision 139).
+//
+// Why: a thin pool only ever grows from blocks a guest has already FREED — `fstrim` inside the unprivileged container
+// is refused (FITRIM: Operation not permitted), and nothing else on the box gives the blocks back. A full thin pool
+// takes every guest on the host read-only, so the pool can reach 100 % from deleted data alone. Measured on demo-hp
+// 2026-10-06 09:14Z: `pct fstrim 9201` rc 0 in 24.4 s, pool 65.53 % -> 33.40 %, 18/18 app probes 200, max 1.1 s
+// (audits/ten-answers-2026-10-06/r444-measure.txt).
+//
+// The rule, each part pinned by a test in fstrim_test.go:
+//   - Weekly: a guest is DUE from Wednesday 10:00 local until it has been trimmed once since then (a box that was off
+//     on Wednesday catches up at its next eligible hour).
+//   - Daytime only: a trim starts only between 10:00 and 20:59 local — never in the night window (01:00–06:59) where
+//     the backups and the restore-tests run (TestEligibleHourNeverInTheNight).
+//   - Never beside a backup, a restore-test or another heavy operation: the pass holds the host-wide one-heavy-op gate
+//     (backup.InFlight) for its whole run; a busy gate DEFERS the pass to the next hourly tick.
+//   - A failed trim is retried at the next eligible hour, at most MaxAttemptsPerWeek times in one week.
+//   - The last result per guest (time, bytes, ok/fail) is persisted, so a restart neither loses it nor re-trims.
+//
+// The command is the ONE exact sudoers shape `pct fstrim <vmid>` (FELHOM_FSTRIM). Only guests from the pool-verified
+// source (ListLXC ∩ the felhom pool, audit A1) and only RUNNING ones are trimmed.
+package fstrim
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"regexp"
+	"sort"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/hub"
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/proxmox"
+)
+
+// Schedule. The weekday/hours are fixed on purpose (one sentence the operator can read on the System page).
+const (
+	Weekday            = time.Wednesday
+	StartHour          = 10 // first eligible local hour (inclusive)
+	EndHour            = 21 // first NOT-eligible local hour (exclusive): last start is 20:59
+	MaxAttemptsPerWeek = 3
+	// TickInterval is how often the job looks; a deferred or failed pass is therefore retried the next hour.
+	TickInterval = time.Hour
+	// FirstTickDelay lets the agent settle after a start before the first look.
+	FirstTickDelay = 5 * time.Minute
+	// PerGuestTimeout bounds one `pct fstrim` (measured 24.4 s for 84 GiB).
+	PerGuestTimeout = 30 * time.Minute
+)
+
+// ScheduleText is the human description carried on the host report.
+const ScheduleText = "weekly, due Wednesday from 10:00 host-local time; starts only 10:00-20:59; never beside a backup or restore-test"
+
+// Runner runs a host command (proxmox.ExecRunner in production, through `sudo -n`).
+type Runner interface {
+	Run(ctx context.Context, name string, args ...string) (stdout, stderr []byte, err error)
+}
+
+// GuestSource yields the guests this agent OWNS (the pool-verified source, never a bare ListLXC).
+type GuestSource interface {
+	Guests(ctx context.Context) ([]proxmox.Guest, error)
+}
+
+// Gate is the host-wide one-heavy-operation gate (*backup.InFlight).
+type Gate interface {
+	TryAcquire(what string) (release func(), busy string, ok bool)
+}
+
+// GateName is what the gate reports as busy while a trim runs.
+const GateName = "guest-fstrim"
+
+// Record is one guest's last trim attempt, as persisted.
+type Record struct {
+	LastAttemptAt   time.Time `json:"last_attempt_at"`
+	OK              bool      `json:"ok"`
+	BytesTrimmed    int64     `json:"bytes_trimmed"`
+	Mounts          int       `json:"mounts"`
+	DurationSeconds float64   `json:"duration_seconds"`
+	LastOKAt        time.Time `json:"last_ok_at,omitempty"`
+	Error           string    `json:"error,omitempty"`
+	// Attempts counts the attempts since the current week's due time (reset by the first attempt of a new week).
+	Attempts int `json:"attempts"`
+}
+
+// Trimmer is the weekly job.
+type Trimmer struct {
+	runner    Runner
+	guests    GuestSource
+	gate      Gate
+	statePath string
+	logger    *slog.Logger
+	loc       *time.Location
+	now       func() time.Time
+
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	records map[int]Record
+}
+
+// New builds the job and loads the persisted state. A missing state file is an empty state; a corrupt one is logged
+// and treated as empty (the cost is one extra trim, never a missed one).
+func New(runner Runner, guests GuestSource, gate Gate, statePath string, logger *slog.Logger) *Trimmer {
+	if logger == nil {
+		logger = slog.Default()
+	}
+	t := &Trimmer{runner: runner, guests: guests, gate: gate, statePath: statePath, logger: logger,
+		loc: time.Local, now: time.Now, records: map[int]Record{}}
+	t.load()
+	return t
+}
+
+func (t *Trimmer) load() {
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(t.statePath)
+	if err != nil {
+		if !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			t.logger.Warn("fstrim: state read failed — starting empty", "path", t.statePath, "err", err)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	var raw map[string]Record
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &raw); err != nil {
+		t.logger.Warn("fstrim: state file corrupt — starting empty", "path", t.statePath, "err", err)
+		return
+	}
+	for k, r := range raw {
+		if id, err := strconv.Atoi(k); err == nil && id > 0 {
+			t.records[id] = r
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (t *Trimmer) saveLocked() error {
+	raw := make(map[string]Record, len(t.records))
+	for id, r := range t.records {
+		raw[strconv.Itoa(id)] = r
+	}
+	data, err := json.MarshalIndent(raw, "", "  ")
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(t.statePath), 0o755); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	tmp := t.statePath + ".tmp"
+	if err := os.WriteFile(tmp, data, 0o600); err != nil {
+		os.Remove(tmp)
+		return err
+	}
+	return os.Rename(tmp, t.statePath)
+}
+
+// EligibleHour reports whether a trim may START at local time lt.
+func EligibleHour(lt time.Time) bool {
+	h := lt.Hour()
+	return h >= StartHour && h < EndHour
+}
+
+// weekAnchor is the most recent Wednesday StartHour:00 at or before lt (same location as lt).
+func weekAnchor(lt time.Time) time.Time {
+	daysBack := (int(lt.Weekday()) - int(Weekday) + 7) % 7
+	d := lt.AddDate(0, 0, -daysBack)
+	a := time.Date(d.Year(), d.Month(), d.Day(), StartHour, 0, 0, 0, lt.Location())
+	if a.After(lt) {
+		d = d.AddDate(0, 0, -7)
+		a = time.Date(d.Year(), d.Month(), d.Day(), StartHour, 0, 0, 0, lt.Location())
+	}
+	return a
+}
+
+// due reports whether a guest with record r (ok=false: none) is due at local time lt.
+func due(r Record, has bool, lt time.Time) bool {
+	if !has {
+		return true
+	}
+	anchor := weekAnchor(lt)
+	if r.LastAttemptAt.Before(anchor) {
+		return true // not tried this week
+	}
+	return !r.OK && r.Attempts < MaxAttemptsPerWeek
+}
+
+// Run looks every TickInterval until ctx ends. It never returns an error: a failed trim is a reported fact.
+func (t *Trimmer) Run(ctx context.Context) {
+	t.logger.Info("fstrim: weekly guest disk trim starting", "schedule", ScheduleText)
+	timer := time.NewTimer(FirstTickDelay)
+	defer timer.Stop()
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-timer.C:
+			t.Pass(ctx)
+			timer.Reset(TickInterval)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Pass is one look: outside the daytime window it does nothing; otherwise it trims every due, running, owned guest
+// while holding the heavy-op gate.
+func (t *Trimmer) Pass(ctx context.Context) {
+	lt := t.now().In(t.loc)
+	if !EligibleHour(lt) {
+		t.logger.Debug("fstrim: outside the daytime window — not looking", "local", lt.Format("Mon 15:04"))
+		return
+	}
+	guests, err := t.guests.Guests(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.logger.Warn("fstrim: owned-guest list unavailable — skipping this pass", "err", err)
+		return
+	}
+	owned := make(map[int]bool, len(guests))
+	var todo []int
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	for _, g := range guests {
+		owned[g.VMID] = true
+		r, has := t.records[g.VMID]
+		if !due(r, has, lt) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if g.Status != "running" {
+			t.logger.Info("fstrim: guest not running — trimmed when it runs", "vmid", g.VMID, "status", g.Status)
+			continue
+		}
+		todo = append(todo, g.VMID)
+	}
+	// A guest the agent no longer owns has no result to report.
+	pruned := false
+	for id := range t.records {
+		if !owned[id] {
+			delete(t.records, id)
+			pruned = true
+		}
+	}
+	if pruned {
+		if err := t.saveLocked(); err != nil {
+			t.logger.Warn("fstrim: state save failed", "err", err)
+		}
+	}
+	t.mu.Unlock()
+	if len(todo) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	sort.Ints(todo)
+	release, busy, ok := t.gate.TryAcquire(GateName)
+	if !ok {
+		t.logger.Info("fstrim: deferred — a heavy operation is in flight; retrying next hour", "busy", busy, "due_guests", len(todo))
+		return
+	}
+	defer release()
+	for _, vmid := range todo {
+		if ctx.Err() != nil {
+			return
+		}
+		t.trimOne(ctx, vmid, lt)
+	}
+}
+
+var trimmedLine = regexp.MustCompile(`\((\d+) bytes\) trimmed`)
+
+// ParseTrimmed sums the "(N bytes) trimmed" lines of `pct fstrim` output and counts them (one per mount point), e.g.
+// `/var/lib/lxc/9201/rootfs/: 30.1 GiB (32277680128 bytes) trimmed`.
+func ParseTrimmed(out string) (bytes int64, mounts int) {
+	for _, m := range trimmedLine.FindAllStringSubmatch(out, -1) {
+		n, err := strconv.ParseInt(m[1], 10, 64)
+		if err != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		bytes += n
+		mounts++
+	}
+	return bytes, mounts
+}
+
+// GiB renders bytes as "30.1 GiB".
+func GiB(b int64) string { return fmt.Sprintf("%.1f GiB", float64(b)/(1<<30)) }
+
+func (t *Trimmer) trimOne(ctx context.Context, vmid int, lt time.Time) {
+	start := t.now()
+	cctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, PerGuestTimeout)
+	stdout, stderr, err := t.runner.Run(cctx, "pct", "fstrim", strconv.Itoa(vmid))
+	cancel()
+	dur := t.now().Sub(start)
+	bytes, mounts := ParseTrimmed(string(stdout) + "\n" + string(stderr))
+
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	prev, has := t.records[vmid]
+	r := Record{LastAttemptAt: start.UTC(), OK: err == nil, BytesTrimmed: bytes, Mounts: mounts,
+		DurationSeconds: float64(dur.Round(100*time.Millisecond)) / float64(time.Second), LastOKAt: prev.LastOKAt}
+	if has && !prev.LastAttemptAt.Before(weekAnchor(lt)) {
+		r.Attempts = prev.Attempts + 1
+	} else {
+		r.Attempts = 1
+	}
+	if err == nil {
+		r.LastOKAt = start.UTC()
+	} else {
+		msg := strings.TrimSpace(err.Error() + ": " + strings.TrimSpace(string(stderr)))
+		if len(msg) > 300 {
+			msg = msg[:300]
+		}
+		r.Error = msg
+	}
+	t.records[vmid] = r
+	saveErr := t.saveLocked()
+	t.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if err == nil {
+		t.logger.Info(fmt.Sprintf("fstrim: guest %d trimmed %s in %.1fs", vmid, GiB(bytes), r.DurationSeconds),
+			"vmid", vmid, "bytes_trimmed", bytes, "mounts", mounts, "duration_s", r.DurationSeconds)
+		if mounts == 0 {
+			t.logger.Warn("fstrim: pct fstrim succeeded but reported no trimmed mount — output not understood",
+				"vmid", vmid, "stdout", strings.TrimSpace(string(stdout)))
+		}
+	} else {
+		t.logger.Warn(fmt.Sprintf("fstrim: guest %d trim FAILED after %.1fs", vmid, r.DurationSeconds),
+			"vmid", vmid, "attempt", r.Attempts, "max_attempts_per_week", MaxAttemptsPerWeek, "err", r.Error)
+	}
+	if saveErr != nil {
+		t.logger.Warn("fstrim: state save failed — the result will not survive a restart", "path", t.statePath, "err", saveErr)
+	}
+}
+
+// GuestDiskTrimStatus implements hub.GuestDiskTrimReporter: a pure read of the persisted results (never runs pct).
+func (t *Trimmer) GuestDiskTrimStatus(context.Context) *hub.GuestDiskTrimStatus {
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	defer t.mu.Unlock()
+	out := &hub.GuestDiskTrimStatus{Schedule: ScheduleText}
+	ids := make([]int, 0, len(t.records))
+	for id := range t.records {
+		ids = append(ids, id)
+	}
+	sort.Ints(ids)
+	for _, id := range ids {
+		r := t.records[id]
+		g := hub.GuestDiskTrim{VMID: id, LastAttemptAt: r.LastAttemptAt.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), OK: r.OK,
+			BytesTrimmed: r.BytesTrimmed, Mounts: r.Mounts, DurationSeconds: r.DurationSeconds, Error: r.Error}
+		if !r.LastOKAt.IsZero() {
+			g.LastOKAt = r.LastOKAt.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339)
+		}
+		out.Guests = append(out.Guests, g)
+	}
+	return out
+}

internal/fstrim/fstrim_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,267 @@
+package fstrim
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"log/slog"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/backup"
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/proxmox"
+)
+
+// The real `pct fstrim 9201` output measured on demo-hp 2026-10-06 (audits/ten-answers-2026-10-06/r444-measure.txt).
+const measuredOut = "/var/lib/lxc/9201/rootfs/: 30.1 GiB (32277680128 bytes) trimmed\n" +
+	"/var/lib/lxc/9201/rootfs/var/lib/felhom: 53.9 GiB (57865633792 bytes) trimmed\n"
+
+const measuredBytes = int64(32277680128 + 57865633792)
+
+type fakeRunner struct {
+	mu    sync.Mutex
+	calls [][]string
+	out   string
+	err   error
+	onRun func()
+}
+
+func (f *fakeRunner) Run(_ context.Context, name string, args ...string) ([]byte, []byte, error) {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	f.calls = append(f.calls, append([]string{name}, args...))
+	f.mu.Unlock()
+	if f.onRun != nil {
+		f.onRun()
+	}
+	if f.err != nil {
+		return nil, []byte("mount busy"), f.err
+	}
+	return []byte(f.out), nil, nil
+}
+
+type fakeGuests struct {
+	g   []proxmox.Guest
+	err error
+}
+
+func (f fakeGuests) Guests(context.Context) ([]proxmox.Guest, error) { return f.g, f.err }
+
+// A Wednesday 10:30 in a fixed zone (CEST-like), so the tests do not depend on the machine's zone.
+var zone = time.FixedZone("CEST", 2*3600)
+
+func at(day, hour, min int) time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 10, day, hour, min, 0, 0, zone) } // 2026-10-07 = Wednesday
+
+func newT(t *testing.T, r Runner, g GuestSource, gate Gate, now *time.Time) (*Trimmer, *bytes.Buffer, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	var logs bytes.Buffer
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "guest-disk-trim.json")
+	tr := New(r, g, gate, path, slog.New(slog.NewTextHandler(&logs, &slog.HandlerOptions{Level: slog.LevelDebug})))
+	tr.loc = zone
+	tr.now = func() time.Time { return *now }
+	return tr, &logs, path
+}
+
+func running(ids ...int) fakeGuests {
+	var g []proxmox.Guest
+	for _, id := range ids {
+		g = append(g, proxmox.Guest{VMID: id, Status: "running", Type: "lxc"})
+	}
+	return fakeGuests{g: g}
+}
+
+func TestParseTrimmedTheMeasuredOutput(t *testing.T) {
+	b, m := ParseTrimmed(measuredOut)
+	if b != measuredBytes || m != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("ParseTrimmed = %d bytes over %d mounts, want %d over 2", b, m, measuredBytes)
+	}
+	if b, m := ParseTrimmed("something else\n"); b != 0 || m != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("unrelated output parsed as %d/%d", b, m)
+	}
+	if got := GiB(measuredBytes); got != "84.0 GiB" {
+		t.Fatalf("GiB = %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// The night window (01:00–06:59) must never be eligible, and the daytime window is exactly 10:00–20:59.
+func TestEligibleHourNeverInTheNight(t *testing.T) {
+	for h := 0; h < 24; h++ {
+		lt := time.Date(2026, 10, 7, h, 30, 0, 0, zone)
+		got := EligibleHour(lt)
+		if h >= 1 && h <= 6 && got {
+			t.Errorf("hour %02d is in the night window and must not be eligible", h)
+		}
+		if want := h >= 10 && h <= 20; got != want {
+			t.Errorf("EligibleHour(%02d:30) = %v, want %v", h, got, want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWeekAnchorIsTheLastWednesdayTen(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := map[time.Time]time.Time{
+		at(7, 10, 0):  at(7, 10, 0),                              // Wednesday 10:00 itself
+		at(7, 9, 59):  time.Date(2026, 9, 30, 10, 0, 0, 0, zone), // before 10:00 Wednesday → the previous week
+		at(8, 15, 0):  at(7, 10, 0),                              // Thursday
+		at(13, 20, 0): at(7, 10, 0),                              // next Tuesday
+		at(14, 11, 0): at(14, 10, 0),                             // next Wednesday
+	}
+	for in, want := range cases {
+		if got := weekAnchor(in); !got.Equal(want) {
+			t.Errorf("weekAnchor(%s) = %s, want %s", in.Format("Mon 01-02 15:04"), got.Format("Mon 01-02 15:04"), want.Format("Mon 01-02 15:04"))
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// The consequence: on Wednesday 10:30 a running owned guest is trimmed with the ONE exact argv, the bytes are parsed,
+// the positive log line is written, the result is persisted, and the host report carries it.
+func TestPassTrimsADueGuestAndReportsIt(t *testing.T) {
+	now := at(7, 10, 30)
+	r := &fakeRunner{out: measuredOut}
+	tr, logs, path := newT(t, r, running(9201), &backup.InFlight{}, &now)
+	tr.Pass(context.Background())
+
+	if want := [][]string{{"pct", "fstrim", "9201"}}; !reflect.DeepEqual(r.calls, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("runner calls = %q, want %q", r.calls, want)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(logs.String(), "fstrim: guest 9201 trimmed 84.0 GiB in ") {
+		t.Fatalf("no positive per-guest log line:\n%s", logs.String())
+	}
+	st := tr.GuestDiskTrimStatus(context.Background())
+	if st == nil || st.Schedule != ScheduleText || len(st.Guests) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("report stanza = %+v", st)
+	}
+	g := st.Guests[0]
+	if g.VMID != 9201 || !g.OK || g.BytesTrimmed != measuredBytes || g.Mounts != 2 || g.LastOKAt == "" || g.LastAttemptAt == "" {
+		t.Fatalf("report guest = %+v", g)
+	}
+	// Persisted: a NEW Trimmer over the same file (an agent restart) still has it and does not trim again this week.
+	now = at(8, 11, 0)
+	r2 := &fakeRunner{out: measuredOut}
+	tr2 := New(r2, running(9201), &backup.InFlight{}, path, slog.New(slog.NewTextHandler(&bytes.Buffer{}, nil)))
+	tr2.loc, tr2.now = zone, func() time.Time { return now }
+	if st2 := tr2.GuestDiskTrimStatus(context.Background()); len(st2.Guests) != 1 || st2.Guests[0].BytesTrimmed != measuredBytes {
+		t.Fatalf("result lost over a restart: %+v", st2)
+	}
+	tr2.Pass(context.Background())
+	if len(r2.calls) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("trimmed again in the same week after a restart: %q", r2.calls)
+	}
+	// Next week it is due again.
+	now = at(14, 10, 5)
+	tr2.Pass(context.Background())
+	if len(r2.calls) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("not trimmed in the next week: %q", r2.calls)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPassNeverRunsInTheNight(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, h := range []int{1, 3, 6, 9, 21, 23} {
+		now := at(7, h, 15)
+		r := &fakeRunner{out: measuredOut}
+		tr, _, _ := newT(t, r, running(9201), &backup.InFlight{}, &now)
+		tr.Pass(context.Background())
+		if len(r.calls) != 0 {
+			t.Errorf("trimmed at %02d:15: %q", h, r.calls)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// A backup (or restore-test) holding the heavy-op gate DEFERS the trim; the next hour, gate free, it runs. And while
+// a trim runs, the gate is held, so a backup cannot start beside it.
+func TestPassDefersToAHeavyOperationAndRetriesNextHour(t *testing.T) {
+	now := at(7, 10, 30)
+	gate := &backup.InFlight{}
+	release, _, _ := gate.TryAcquire("backup:9201")
+	var busyDuringTrim string
+	r := &fakeRunner{out: measuredOut}
+	r.onRun = func() { busyDuringTrim = gate.Busy() }
+	tr, logs, _ := newT(t, r, running(9201), gate, &now)
+
+	tr.Pass(context.Background())
+	if len(r.calls) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("trimmed beside a running backup: %q", r.calls)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(logs.String(), "fstrim: deferred") || !strings.Contains(logs.String(), "backup:9201") {
+		t.Fatalf("the deferral is not logged with what holds the gate:\n%s", logs.String())
+	}
+	release()
+	now = now.Add(time.Hour)
+	tr.Pass(context.Background())
+	if len(r.calls) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("not retried the next hour: %q", r.calls)
+	}
+	if busyDuringTrim != GateName {
+		t.Fatalf("the heavy-op gate was %q during the trim, want %q", busyDuringTrim, GateName)
+	}
+	if gate.Busy() != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("the gate was not released after the pass: %q", gate.Busy())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestFailedTrimWarnsIsRecordedAndRetriedAtMostThreeTimes(t *testing.T) {
+	now := at(7, 10, 30)
+	r := &fakeRunner{err: errors.New("exit status 255")}
+	tr, logs, _ := newT(t, r, running(9201), &backup.InFlight{}, &now)
+	for i := 0; i < 6; i++ {
+		tr.Pass(context.Background())
+		now = now.Add(time.Hour)
+	}
+	if len(r.calls) != MaxAttemptsPerWeek {
+		t.Fatalf("attempts in one week = %d, want %d", len(r.calls), MaxAttemptsPerWeek)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(logs.String(), "level=WARN") || !strings.Contains(logs.String(), "fstrim: guest 9201 trim FAILED") {
+		t.Fatalf("no WARN for the failure:\n%s", logs.String())
+	}
+	g := tr.GuestDiskTrimStatus(context.Background()).Guests[0]
+	if g.OK || g.LastOKAt != "" || !strings.Contains(g.Error, "exit status 255") || !strings.Contains(g.Error, "mount busy") {
+		t.Fatalf("failed result not recorded as a failure: %+v", g)
+	}
+	// A success later keeps a clean record.
+	r.err = nil
+	r.out = measuredOut
+	now = at(14, 10, 10)
+	tr.Pass(context.Background())
+	if g := tr.GuestDiskTrimStatus(context.Background()).Guests[0]; !g.OK || g.Error != "" || g.BytesTrimmed != measuredBytes {
+		t.Fatalf("success after failure: %+v", g)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestOnlyRunningOwnedGuestsAndAFailedListActsOnNothing(t *testing.T) {
+	now := at(7, 10, 30)
+	r := &fakeRunner{out: measuredOut}
+	g := fakeGuests{g: []proxmox.Guest{{VMID: 9201, Status: "stopped"}, {VMID: 9202, Status: "running"}}}
+	tr, _, _ := newT(t, r, g, &backup.InFlight{}, &now)
+	tr.Pass(context.Background())
+	if want := [][]string{{"pct", "fstrim", "9202"}}; !reflect.DeepEqual(r.calls, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("calls = %q, want only the running guest", r.calls)
+	}
+	r2 := &fakeRunner{out: measuredOut}
+	tr2, logs, _ := newT(t, r2, fakeGuests{err: errors.New("pool read 403")}, &backup.InFlight{}, &now)
+	tr2.Pass(context.Background())
+	if len(r2.calls) != 0 || !strings.Contains(logs.String(), "owned-guest list unavailable") {
+		t.Fatalf("a failed ownership read must act on nothing: calls %q", r2.calls)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestReportJSONShape(t *testing.T) {
+	now := at(7, 10, 30)
+	tr, _, _ := newT(t, &fakeRunner{out: measuredOut}, running(9201), &backup.InFlight{}, &now)
+	tr.Pass(context.Background())
+	b, err := json.Marshal(tr.GuestDiskTrimStatus(context.Background()))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, k := range []string{`"schedule":`, `"guests":[{"vmid":9201`, `"last_attempt_at":"2026-10-07T08:30:00Z"`, `"ok":true`,
+		`"bytes_trimmed":90143313920`, `"mounts":2`, `"duration_seconds":`, `"last_ok_at":"2026-10-07T08:30:00Z"`} {
+		if !strings.Contains(string(b), k) {
+			t.Errorf("report JSON lacks %s: %s", k, b)
+		}
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(string(b), `"error"`) {
+		t.Errorf("an ok result must omit error: %s", b)
+	}
+}

internal/hub/collect.go

@@ -66,6 +66,13 @@ type ProvenRestoreTestReporter interface {
 	ProvenRestoreTests(ctx context.Context) []RestoreTest
 }
 
+// KnownBackupReporter is the newest SUCCESSFUL backup per tier and guest kept on disk (R-894's
+// backup-success-state.json). collectBackups folds it into the report so a restart does not erase the
+// hub's evidence of a backup that ran minutes before it (the kernel-night shape, 2026-10-09).
+type KnownBackupReporter interface {
+	KnownBackupSuccesses() []Backup
+}
+
 // PBSReporter is the slice-6-Phase-B seam the pbs verify loop plugs into (same pattern).
 // Returns the agent's latest-known PBS snapshot inventory + verify-state. nil → empty.
 type PBSReporter interface {
@@ -90,6 +97,12 @@ type GuestNetReporter interface {
 	GuestNetStatus(ctx context.Context) *GuestNetStatus
 }
 
+// GuestDiskTrimReporter is the R-444 seam the weekly trim job plugs into (same consumer-side pattern — hub does not
+// import fstrim). nil (feature not wired) → no guest_disk_trim stanza.
+type GuestDiskTrimReporter interface {
+	GuestDiskTrimStatus(ctx context.Context) *GuestDiskTrimStatus
+}
+
 // Collector builds a HostReport from read-only sources. All deps are behind narrow
 // interfaces for unit testing.
 type Collector struct {
@@ -99,6 +112,7 @@ type Collector struct {
 	backups          BackupReporter
 	restoreTests     RestoreTestReporter
 	provenTests      ProvenRestoreTestReporter
+	knownBackups     KnownBackupReporter // R-894 file → host report after a restart (nil → in-memory only)
 	pbs              PBSReporter
 	temp             TempReader                                    // slice 9: host CPU/chassis temp (nil-safe → nil temp)
 	capProbe         func(ctx context.Context) []capability.Status // v0.44.0: privileged-capability self-check (nil → empty)
@@ -108,6 +122,8 @@ type Collector struct {
 	pbsdr            PBSDRReporter                                 // slice 2: PBS DR tier bridge state (nil → stanza omitted)
 	ctrlSup          ControllerSupervisorReporter                  // R-523: in-guest controller supervisor (nil → stanza omitted)
 	guestNet         GuestNetReporter                              // R-54: per-guest network watchdog (nil → stanza omitted)
+	diskTrim         GuestDiskTrimReporter                         // R-444: weekly guest disk trim (nil → stanza omitted)
+	foreignKey       ForeignKeyArchiveReporter                     // R-366 slice 2 (nil → omitted)
 	selfUpdate       SelfUpdateReporter                            // D1: agent self-update pending status (nil → false)
 	mgmtPlane        MgmtPlaneReporter                             // G1: management-plane health (nil → stanza omitted)
 	oob              OOBReporter                                   // H1: operator-access health (nil → stanza omitted)
@@ -221,6 +237,24 @@ func (c *Collector) SetGuestNetReporter(g GuestNetReporter) *Collector {
 	return c
 }
 
+// ForeignKeyArchiveReporter is the R-366 slice-2 seam: the restore-test's ledger of archives written with another
+// key. nil = not evaluated yet (the stanza is omitted and the hub keeps its state).
+type ForeignKeyArchiveReporter interface {
+	ForeignKeyArchives(ctx context.Context) *ForeignKeyArchivesStanza
+}
+
+// SetForeignKeyArchiveReporter wires the restore-test's foreign-key ledger (R-366 slice 2; nil-safe → omitted).
+func (c *Collector) SetForeignKeyArchiveReporter(r ForeignKeyArchiveReporter) *Collector {
+	c.foreignKey = r
+	return c
+}
+
+// SetGuestDiskTrimReporter wires the R-444 weekly trim job as a report source (nil-safe → stanza omitted).
+func (c *Collector) SetGuestDiskTrimReporter(r GuestDiskTrimReporter) *Collector {
+	c.diskTrim = r
+	return c
+}
+
 // SelfUpdateReporter is the D1 seam the selfupdate commit-manager plugs into (same consumer-side
 // pattern — hub does not import selfupdate). nil (feature not wired) → pending=false on the report.
 type SelfUpdateReporter interface {
@@ -377,6 +411,14 @@ func (c *Collector) Collect(ctx context.Context) (*HostReport, error) {
 	if c.guestNet != nil {
 		report.GuestNet = c.guestNet.GuestNetStatus(ctx)
 	}
+	// R-444: the last weekly trim result per guest (nil reporter = not wired → stanza omitted).
+	if c.diskTrim != nil {
+		report.GuestDiskTrim = c.diskTrim.GuestDiskTrimStatus(ctx)
+	}
+	// R-366 slice 2: archives the restore-test skipped as another key's (nil → not evaluated yet → omitted).
+	if c.foreignKey != nil {
+		report.ForeignKeyArchives = c.foreignKey.ForeignKeyArchives(ctx)
+	}
 	// D1: agent self-update pending status (nil reporter → pending=false, the steady state).
 	if c.selfUpdate != nil {
 		report.SelfUpdatePending, report.SelfUpdatePendingVersion = c.selfUpdate.SelfUpdatePending()
@@ -542,14 +584,50 @@ func (c *Collector) collectStorage(ctx context.Context) []StorageTarget {
 // collectBackups / collectRestoreTests read the agent's latest backup + restore-test state
 // via the seams. Best-effort: a nil reporter or nil slice degrades to an empty (non-nil)
 // list so the collection always marshals as [].
+//
+// The saved successes (SetKnownBackupReporter) are added for each tier and guest the in-memory list has
+// no success for at or after the saved time. Why: the in-memory list is empty after an agent restart,
+// and the hub's backup-freshness check reads only what the reports carried. Measured 2026-10-09 on
+// demo-felhom: the night backup landed 02:40 UTC, the kernel step restarted the host at 02:44, no report
+// fell in between, so two kernel nights in a row left no trace and the hub alarmed „newest backup is 48h
+// old" at 03:00. Only SUCCESSES are saved, so a failure is never hidden and never invented.
+// Pinned by TestCollectBackups_SavedSuccessSurvivesARestart.
 func (c *Collector) collectBackups(ctx context.Context) []Backup {
-	if c.backups == nil {
-		return []Backup{}
+	out := []Backup{}
+	if c.backups != nil {
+		if b := c.backups.Backups(ctx); b != nil {
+			out = append(out, b...)
+		}
 	}
-	if b := c.backups.Backups(ctx); b != nil {
-		return b
+	if c.knownBackups == nil {
+		return out
 	}
-	return []Backup{}
+	for _, k := range c.knownBackups.KnownBackupSuccesses() {
+		kt, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, k.StartedAt)
+		if err != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		covered := false
+		for _, b := range out {
+			if !b.Success || b.TargetID != k.TargetID || b.VMID != k.VMID {
+				continue
+			}
+			if bt, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, b.StartedAt); err == nil && !bt.Before(kt) {
+				covered = true
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if !covered {
+			out = append(out, k)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// SetKnownBackupReporter wires the R-894 saved successes into the host report (nil-safe → in-memory only).
+func (c *Collector) SetKnownBackupReporter(r KnownBackupReporter) *Collector {
+	c.knownBackups = r
+	return c
 }
 
 // collectRestoreTests merges the in-memory result with the PERSISTED per-tier proofs (R-189).

internal/hub/collect_disktrim_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+package hub
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// R-444: the guest_disk_trim stanza must reach a report built through the PRODUCTION collect path, be absent from
+// the wire when the job is not wired, and carry the keys the hub's System page reads.
+
+type fakeDiskTrim struct{ st *GuestDiskTrimStatus }
+
+func (f fakeDiskTrim) GuestDiskTrimStatus(context.Context) *GuestDiskTrimStatus { return f.st }
+
+func TestCollect_GuestDiskTrim(t *testing.T) {
+	px := &fakePx{node: "n", ns: newTestNodeStatus()}
+	c := NewCollector(px, fakeProber{status: "running", detail: "connected"}, fakeObserver{}, nil, nil, nil, "h", "0.150.0", quietLogger())
+	r, err := c.Collect(context.Background())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Collect: %v", err)
+	}
+	b, _ := json.Marshal(r)
+	var m map[string]any
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(b, &m)
+	if _, ok := m["guest_disk_trim"]; ok {
+		t.Fatalf("guest_disk_trim on the wire with no reporter wired: %s", b)
+	}
+
+	c.SetGuestDiskTrimReporter(fakeDiskTrim{st: &GuestDiskTrimStatus{Schedule: "weekly", Guests: []GuestDiskTrim{{
+		VMID: 9201, LastAttemptAt: "2026-10-07T08:30:00Z", OK: true, BytesTrimmed: 90143313920, Mounts: 2,
+		DurationSeconds: 24.4, LastOKAt: "2026-10-07T08:30:00Z",
+	}}}})
+	r, err = c.Collect(context.Background())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Collect: %v", err)
+	}
+	b, _ = json.Marshal(r)
+	m = nil
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(b, &m)
+	dt, ok := m["guest_disk_trim"].(map[string]any)
+	if !ok || dt["schedule"] != "weekly" {
+		t.Fatalf("guest_disk_trim missing or wrong on the wire: %s", b)
+	}
+	g := dt["guests"].([]any)[0].(map[string]any)
+	for _, k := range []string{"vmid", "last_attempt_at", "ok", "bytes_trimmed", "mounts", "duration_seconds", "last_ok_at"} {
+		if _, ok := g[k]; !ok {
+			t.Fatalf("guest_disk_trim.guests[0] lacks %q: %v", k, g)
+		}
+	}
+	if g["bytes_trimmed"] != float64(90143313920) || g["ok"] != true {
+		t.Fatalf("values did not survive the round trip: %v", g)
+	}
+}

internal/hub/collect_knownbackups_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+package hub
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+type fakeMemBackups []Backup
+
+func (f fakeMemBackups) Backups(context.Context) []Backup { return f }
+
+type fakeKnownBackups []Backup
+
+func (f fakeKnownBackups) KnownBackupSuccesses() []Backup { return f }
+
+// The consequence, not the mechanism: after a restart (empty in-memory list) the host report still carries
+// the night's backup, so the hub's freshness check sees it. Measured 2026-10-09 on demo-felhom: without this
+// the report carried backups: [] and the hub alarmed „newest backup is 48h old" an hour after a good backup.
+// RED-PROOF: return before the saved-success loop in collectBackups → the first case reports nothing → fails.
+func TestCollectBackups_SavedSuccessSurvivesARestart(t *testing.T) {
+	saved := Backup{TargetID: "felhom-backup", VMID: 9201, Success: true, StartedAt: "2026-10-09T02:40:16Z"}
+
+	t.Run("restart: memory empty, the saved success is reported", func(t *testing.T) {
+		c := &Collector{backups: fakeMemBackups(nil), knownBackups: fakeKnownBackups{saved}}
+		got := c.collectBackups(context.Background())
+		if len(got) != 1 || got[0].StartedAt != saved.StartedAt || !got[0].Success || got[0].TargetID != "felhom-backup" {
+			t.Fatalf("want the saved success, got %+v", got)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("memory holds the same or a newer success: no second entry", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mem := Backup{TargetID: "felhom-backup", VMID: 9201, Success: true, StartedAt: "2026-10-09T02:40:16Z", Archive: "a"}
+		c := &Collector{backups: fakeMemBackups{mem}, knownBackups: fakeKnownBackups{saved}}
+		if got := c.collectBackups(context.Background()); len(got) != 1 || got[0].Archive != "a" {
+			t.Fatalf("want only the in-memory record, got %+v", got)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("a newer FAILURE in memory never hides the saved success, and is kept", func(t *testing.T) {
+		fail := Backup{TargetID: "felhom-backup", VMID: 9201, Success: false, StartedAt: "2026-10-10T02:40:00Z", Error: "x"}
+		c := &Collector{backups: fakeMemBackups{fail}, knownBackups: fakeKnownBackups{saved}}
+		got := c.collectBackups(context.Background())
+		if len(got) != 2 || got[0].Success || !got[1].Success {
+			t.Fatalf("want the failure and the saved success, got %+v", got)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("another tier's success does not cover this tier", func(t *testing.T) {
+		other := Backup{TargetID: "felhom-pbs", VMID: 9201, Success: true, StartedAt: "2026-10-10T00:00:00Z"}
+		c := &Collector{backups: fakeMemBackups{other}, knownBackups: fakeKnownBackups{saved}}
+		if got := c.collectBackups(context.Background()); len(got) != 2 {
+			t.Fatalf("want both tiers, got %+v", got)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("no saved state wired: the in-memory list as before, never nil", func(t *testing.T) {
+		c := &Collector{}
+		if got := c.collectBackups(context.Background()); got == nil || len(got) != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("want an empty non-nil list, got %#v", got)
+		}
+	})
+}

internal/hub/report.go

@@ -124,6 +124,17 @@ type HostReport struct {
 	// on HostReport would have been the only report block named against that convention.
 	GuestNet *GuestNetStatus `json:"guest_net,omitempty"`
 
+	// GuestDiskTrim is the weekly guest disk trim stanza (R-444, `09` §3 decision 139): the schedule and, per owned
+	// guest, the LAST trim result as persisted by the agent (it survives a restart). Present only when the trim job is
+	// wired; an empty `guests` list means the job runs and no guest has been trimmed yet. No secret.
+	GuestDiskTrim *GuestDiskTrimStatus `json:"guest_disk_trim,omitempty"`
+
+	// ForeignKeyArchives (R-366 slice 2, `09` §3 decision 168): per backup tier, the whole-guest archives the
+	// restore-test SKIPPED because they were written with another key (an earlier install of this box). This box
+	// cannot open them; the hub turns a CHANGE of this list into one operator event. Absent = not evaluated yet since
+	// the agent started (the hub keeps its last state); `tiers: []` = evaluated, none found.
+	ForeignKeyArchives *ForeignKeyArchivesStanza `json:"foreign_key_archives,omitempty"`
+
 	// LogTail is the agent's on-demand debug-ring tail (v0.83.0 observability) — the agent
 	// mirror of the controller's report log_tails channel. Present ONLY on the heartbeat
 	// right after the control envelope requested it (log_tail_requested); consume-once on
@@ -208,6 +219,27 @@ type GuestNetGuest struct {
 	Message       string `json:"message,omitempty"`
 }
 
+// GuestDiskTrimStatus is the R-444 weekly trim stanza. `schedule` is a plain description of when the job runs (local
+// time of the host); `guests` holds one entry per owned guest that has had at least one trim attempt.
+type GuestDiskTrimStatus struct {
+	Schedule string          `json:"schedule"`
+	Guests   []GuestDiskTrim `json:"guests,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// GuestDiskTrim is one guest's LAST trim attempt. `ok` with `last_attempt_at` is the verdict of that attempt — never
+// read the time alone as success; `last_ok_at` is the last attempt that succeeded ("" = never). `bytes_trimmed` is
+// the sum of the "(N bytes) trimmed" lines `pct fstrim` printed, over `mounts` mount points.
+type GuestDiskTrim struct {
+	VMID            int     `json:"vmid"`
+	LastAttemptAt   string  `json:"last_attempt_at"`
+	OK              bool    `json:"ok"`
+	BytesTrimmed    int64   `json:"bytes_trimmed"`
+	Mounts          int     `json:"mounts"`
+	DurationSeconds float64 `json:"duration_seconds"`
+	LastOKAt        string  `json:"last_ok_at,omitempty"`
+	Error           string  `json:"error,omitempty"`
+}
+
 type PBSDRStatus struct {
 	State          string `json:"state"`
 	StorageID      string `json:"storage_id,omitempty"`
@@ -428,6 +460,17 @@ type SmartSummary struct {
 	ReallocatedSectors   *int `json:"reallocated_sectors"`
 	PendingSectors       *int `json:"pending_sectors"`
 	OfflineUncorrectable *int `json:"offline_uncorrectable"`
+	// R-330 (disk health Phase 2): three more SATA raw counters. omitempty + pointer: absent (an
+	// older agent, an NVMe/USB device, or a drive that does not report the attribute) is OMITTED —
+	// unknown, never a zero (S-39). Wire only: no verdict reads them yet.
+	//   187 Reported_Uncorrect — the failing drive's most telling counter (normalized 1 vs thresh 0,
+	//       raw 1001) while SMART still said PASSED.
+	//   188 Command_Timeout — some vendors PACK several counters into the 48-bit raw value, so the
+	//       number is carried as reported and must not be compared across vendors.
+	//   199 UDMA_CRC_Error_Count — cabling / link errors, not the medium.
+	ReportedUncorrect *int64 `json:"reported_uncorrect,omitempty"`
+	CommandTimeout    *int64 `json:"command_timeout,omitempty"`
+	UDMACRCErrors     *int64 `json:"udma_crc_errors,omitempty"`
 
 	// NVMe attributes.
 	CriticalWarning *int `json:"critical_warning"`
@@ -593,6 +636,17 @@ type WireOSUpdate struct {
 	// HostRelease is the newest approved HOST release (hub v0.131.0, `11` §8 step 3) — a separate set: a version
 	// approved for the guest is not approved for the host by that fact alone.
 	HostRelease *WireOSRelease `json:"host_release,omitempty"`
+	// Kernel is the kernel lane's instruction for THIS box (R-836, `09` §3 decision 172, `11` §5.11): the kernel the
+	// household was told about, and whether tonight is a told night. Nil (an older hub, or no kernel due) = no kernel
+	// step. The hub sets Tonight only after the household's mail the day before went out — no mail, no step.
+	Kernel *WireKernelStep `json:"kernel,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// WireKernelStep is the hub's kernel-lane instruction (hub osupdates.KernelBlock — field-exact, cross-repo).
+type WireKernelStep struct {
+	Kver       string `json:"kver"`                  // e.g. "7.0.14-22-pve" — the wrapper refuses any other (R23)
+	Tonight    bool   `json:"tonight"`               // the household was mailed the day before: tonight's leg may reboot
+	NotifiedAt string `json:"notified_at,omitempty"` // when that mail went out (RFC 3339), for the log
 }
 
 // WireOSRelease is an approved version set; Snapshot is the approval time (YYYYMMDDTHHMMSSZ) the wrapper uses
@@ -689,3 +743,18 @@ type WireRestoreDirective struct {
 	Archive string `json:"archive,omitempty"` // source archive/snapshot to restore from
 	VMID    int    `json:"vmid,omitempty"`
 }
+
+// ForeignKeyArchivesStanza wraps the per-tier list so "evaluated, none" (`tiers: []`) differs from "not evaluated"
+// (the stanza absent) without a null on the wire.
+type ForeignKeyArchivesStanza struct {
+	Tiers []ForeignKeyArchives `json:"tiers"`
+}
+
+// ForeignKeyArchives is one tier's count of archives written with another key (R-366 slice 2): the count and the
+// newest/oldest archive time (RFC3339, UTC). No key material — the fingerprints stay on the box.
+type ForeignKeyArchives struct {
+	Target string `json:"target"`
+	Count  int    `json:"count"`
+	Oldest string `json:"oldest"`
+	Newest string `json:"newest"`
+}

internal/localapi/afterbackup_test.go

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import (
 // Red-proof: drop the `b.Success &&` guard and the failed-backup sub-case fails; move the call after release()
 // and the gate sub-case fails.
 func TestAfterPrimaryBackup(t *testing.T) {
-	run := func(t *testing.T, failErr string) (calls []int, gateHeld bool) {
+	run := func(t *testing.T, failErr, path string) (calls []int, gateHeld bool) {
 		gate := &backup.InFlight{}
 		b := &fakeBackups{failErr: failErr}
 		srv := newTestServerS(t, &fakeGuests{}, b, &fakeStore{}, nil)
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ func TestAfterPrimaryBackup(t *testing.T) {
 			done <- struct{}{}
 		})
 		h := srv.Handler()
-		if do(t, h, "POST", "/backup", "A", "").Code != http.StatusAccepted {
+		if do(t, h, "POST", path, "A", "").Code != http.StatusAccepted {
 			t.Fatal("POST /backup not accepted")
 		}
 		select {
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ func TestAfterPrimaryBackup(t *testing.T) {
 		return calls, gateHeld
 	}
 	t.Run("success runs the leg under the gate", func(t *testing.T) {
-		calls, held := run(t, "")
+		calls, held := run(t, "", "/backup")
 		if len(calls) != 1 {
 			t.Fatalf("the leg ran %d time(s), want 1", len(calls))
 		}
@@ -56,8 +56,21 @@ func TestAfterPrimaryBackup(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	})
 	t.Run("a failed backup runs nothing", func(t *testing.T) {
-		if calls, _ := run(t, "vzdump exploded"); len(calls) != 0 {
+		if calls, _ := run(t, "vzdump exploded", "/backup"); len(calls) != 0 {
 			t.Fatalf("the leg ran after a FAILED backup: %v", calls)
 		}
 	})
+	// R-899: a household press is not the night's backup — no OS leg after it. Same fake, same successful backup as
+	// the first sub-case; only the query differs. Red-proof: make handleBackup ignore `trigger` and this sub-case
+	// fails with the leg run once.
+	t.Run("a manual press runs nothing", func(t *testing.T) {
+		if calls, _ := run(t, "", "/backup?trigger=manual"); len(calls) != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("the OS leg ran after a manual press: %v", calls)
+		}
+	})
+	t.Run("the scheduled path with the new query still runs the leg", func(t *testing.T) {
+		if calls, _ := run(t, "", "/backup?trigger=night"); len(calls) != 1 {
+			t.Fatalf("the leg ran %d time(s) after a non-manual backup, want 1", len(calls))
+		}
+	})
 }

internal/localapi/controllersupervisor_test.go

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
-	"io"
 	"log/slog"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
@@ -54,8 +53,8 @@ func (f *supExec) GuestExec(_ context.Context, vmid int, args ...string) (string
 	}
 	return "", errors.New("supExec: unexpected args")
 }
-func (f *supExec) GuestExecStdin(context.Context, int, io.Reader, ...string) (string, error) {
-	return "", errors.New("supExec: no stdin exec expected")
+func (f *supExec) WriteControllerImage(context.Context, int, string) error {
+	return errors.New("supExec: no image write expected")
 }
 func (f *supExec) count(vmid int) int {
 	f.mu.Lock()

internal/localapi/controllerswap.go

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
-	"io"
 	"log/slog"
 	"net/http"
 	"os"
@@ -41,9 +40,10 @@ func ValidControllerImage(ref string) bool { return controllerImageRe.MatchStrin
 // faked in tests. The single seam the swap composes over (no hand-rolled pct).
 type GuestExecutor interface {
 	GuestExec(ctx context.Context, vmid int, args ...string) (string, error)
-	// GuestExecStdin is GuestExec with the command's stdin fed from stdin — the swap write pipes the
-	// image ref into an in-guest `tee` (no shell vector).
-	GuestExecStdin(ctx context.Context, vmid int, stdin io.Reader, args ...string) (string, error)
+	// WriteControllerImage writes the image ref into the guest's /etc/felhom-controller-image through the ROOT
+	// verb `felhom-priv-apply controller-image <vmid>` (R-861 (a) A1, `09` §3 decision 165), which re-checks the
+	// ref against our registry + repository + x.y.z. The agent no longer holds a `tee` grant into the guest.
+	WriteControllerImage(ctx context.Context, vmid int, image string) error
 }
 
 // ControllerSwapState is the durable record of a swap (crash-safety + status). Written before the swap
@@ -141,14 +141,11 @@ func (c *ControllerSwapper) imagePresent(ctx context.Context, vmid int, image st
 }
 
 func (c *ControllerSwapper) writeImage(ctx context.Context, vmid int, image string) error {
-	// Non-root path: pipe the image ref into an in-guest `tee` over stdin — no shell, no
-	// interpolation, no `bash -c` (the only swap vector that would have needed an arbitrary-exec
-	// grant). The trailing "\n" makes the on-disk bytes byte-identical to the golden's
-	// `printf '%s\n'`; the bootstrap reads `IMAGE=$(cat …)` so the newline is stripped on read
-	// (spike SPIKE-controllerswap-narrow-grants-2026-06-29). image is strict-validated
-	// (controllerImageRe) upstream in Swap; defence-in-depth, the stdin path can't smuggle anyway.
-	_, err := c.exec.GuestExecStdin(ctx, vmid, strings.NewReader(image+"\n"), "tee", controllerImageFile)
-	return err
+	// R-861 (a) A1: the ROOT verb writes the file (it re-checks the ref — a compromised agent cannot hand the guest's
+	// bootstrap another image). The bytes are `image\n`, byte-identical to the golden's `printf '%s\n'`; the bootstrap
+	// reads `IMAGE=$(cat …)` so the newline is stripped on read. image is also strict-validated (controllerImageRe)
+	// upstream in Swap.
+	return c.exec.WriteControllerImage(ctx, vmid, image)
 }
 
 func (c *ControllerSwapper) restartBootstrap(ctx context.Context, vmid int) error {

internal/localapi/controllerswap_test.go

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ type fakeGuestExec struct {
 	present       map[string]bool // images pulled into the guest
 	good          map[string]bool // images that report healthy when running
 	containerImg  string          // image the running container currently has
-	teeStdin      []string        // raw bytes piped into each `tee` write (the swap's write vector)
+	teeStdin      []string        // image refs handed to WriteControllerImage (the root verb, R-861 (a) A1)
 	failRestart   bool
 	noHealthBlock bool // if set, .State.Health is absent ("none")
 	restartCount  int  // F1: .RestartCount reported by docker inspect (a crash-looper has >0)
@@ -75,20 +75,15 @@ func (f *fakeGuestExec) GuestExec(_ context.Context, _ int, args ...string) (str
 	return "", fmt.Errorf("fake: unexpected exec %v", args)
 }
 
-// GuestExecStdin models the swap's write vector: `tee /etc/felhom-controller-image` with the image
-// piped on stdin. It records the raw stdin bytes and sets the modeled file content (newline-stripped,
-// as the bootstrap's `IMAGE=$(cat …)` read would see it).
-func (f *fakeGuestExec) GuestExecStdin(_ context.Context, _ int, stdin io.Reader, args ...string) (string, error) {
+// WriteControllerImage models the swap's write: the root verb `felhom-priv-apply controller-image <vmid>` (R-861
+// (a) A1). It records the ref and sets the modeled file content, as the bootstrap's `IMAGE=$(cat …)` would read it.
+func (f *fakeGuestExec) WriteControllerImage(_ context.Context, _ int, image string) error {
 	f.mu.Lock()
 	defer f.mu.Unlock()
-	f.calls = append(f.calls, args)
-	b, _ := io.ReadAll(stdin)
-	if len(args) >= 2 && args[0] == "tee" && args[1] == controllerImageFile {
-		f.teeStdin = append(f.teeStdin, string(b))
-		f.imageFile = strings.TrimSpace(string(b))
-		return string(b), nil // tee echoes stdin to stdout
-	}
-	return "", fmt.Errorf("fake: unexpected exec-stdin args=%v stdin=%q", args, string(b))
+	f.calls = append(f.calls, []string{"felhom-priv-apply", "controller-image", image})
+	f.teeStdin = append(f.teeStdin, image+"\n")
+	f.imageFile = image
+	return nil
 }
 
 // wrote reports whether the image was written via the stdin `tee` vector with the exact `image\n`
@@ -162,7 +157,7 @@ func TestControllerSwap_Happy(t *testing.T) {
 
 // The write vector must be the stdin `tee` with byte-identical `image\n` and NO shell — the
 // controllerswap.go writeImage rewrite. This would FAIL on the pre-change `bash -c "printf … >"` impl.
-func TestControllerSwap_WriteViaStdinTee_NoShell(t *testing.T) {
+func TestControllerSwap_WriteViaRootVerb_NoShell(t *testing.T) {
 	fe := &fakeGuestExec{
 		imageFile: prevImg,
 		present:   map[string]bool{newImg: true},
@@ -173,22 +168,15 @@ func TestControllerSwap_WriteViaStdinTee_NoShell(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("state = %q, want done", st.State)
 	}
 	if !fe.wrote(newImg) {
-		t.Errorf("expected a tee write of %q+\\n; teeStdin=%q", newImg, fe.teeStdin)
+		t.Errorf("expected the root verb to write %q; writes=%q", newImg, fe.teeStdin)
 	}
-	sawTee := false
 	for _, c := range fe.calls {
-		if len(c) >= 2 && c[0] == "tee" {
-			sawTee = true
-			if c[1] != controllerImageFile {
-				t.Errorf("tee target = %q, want fixed %q", c[1], controllerImageFile)
-			}
+		if len(c) >= 1 && c[0] == "tee" {
+			t.Errorf("the swap still uses an in-guest tee (R-861 (a) A1 removed that grant): %v", c)
 		}
 	}
-	if !sawTee {
-		t.Error("no tee call recorded — writeImage did not use the stdin tee vector")
-	}
 	if fe.usedShell() {
-		t.Errorf("swap used a shell vector (bash/-c/printf) — must be stdin tee only; calls=%v", fe.calls)
+		t.Errorf("swap used a shell vector (bash/-c/printf); calls=%v", fe.calls)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -300,9 +288,7 @@ func (s *inspectScript) GuestExec(_ context.Context, _ int, args ...string) (str
 	}
 	return "", nil
 }
-func (s *inspectScript) GuestExecStdin(_ context.Context, _ int, _ io.Reader, _ ...string) (string, error) {
-	return "", nil
-}
+func (s *inspectScript) WriteControllerImage(context.Context, int, string) error { return nil }
 
 func fastSwapper(exec GuestExecutor) *ControllerSwapper {
 	s := NewControllerSwapper(exec, "", discardLogger())

internal/localapi/crashguard.go

@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+package localapi
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"io"
+	"io/fs"
+	"net/http"
+	"os"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// GET /host/crash-guard (R-856, `09` §3 decision 143): what the host's crash guard
+// (configs/felhom-crash-guard, `11` §5.9) recorded about the most recent HOST boot. The controller
+// reads it once after it starts: when the host's last boot followed an UNCLEAN stop, its app mails
+// wait ~15 minutes instead of the normal 90 s boot grace.
+//
+// Read-only and Proxmox-free: the agent reads the guard's state file (root-owned, 0644 — the
+// non-root agent can read it) and passes four fields through. Host-wide, token-authed (any valid
+// per-guest token sees the host's view, as GET /host/metrics does).
+//
+// NEVER an error page. A missing file (no guard installed, or no boot recorded yet), an unreadable
+// one, or one that does not parse answers 200 with present:false — the controller reads that as
+// UNKNOWN and keeps its normal boot grace. Pinned by TestR856_CrashGuard*.
+
+// defaultCrashGuardStatePath is where configs/felhom-crash-guard writes its state (STATE_DIR there).
+const defaultCrashGuardStatePath = "/var/lib/felhom-crash-guard/state.json"
+
+// crashGuardStateMax bounds the read; the real file is well under 4 KiB.
+const crashGuardStateMax = 1 << 20
+
+// CrashGuardResponse is the data block of GET /host/crash-guard. Field names are the controller's
+// agentapi.CrashGuardState (felhom-controller internal/agentapi/crashguard.go) — a wire contract,
+// pinned by TestR856_CrashGuardWireMatchesControllerClient.
+type CrashGuardResponse struct {
+	Present         bool   `json:"present"`
+	LastBootAt      string `json:"last_boot_at,omitempty"` // RFC3339 UTC ("2006-01-02T15:04:05Z")
+	LastBootUnclean bool   `json:"last_boot_unclean"`
+	Tripped         bool   `json:"tripped"`
+}
+
+// crashGuardFile is the subset of the guard's state.json the route passes through. Every other key
+// (armed, boot_id, config, unclean_boots, last_trip, ...) is ignored.
+type crashGuardFile struct {
+	LastBootAt      string `json:"last_boot_at"`
+	LastBootUnclean bool   `json:"last_boot_unclean"`
+	Tripped         bool   `json:"tripped"`
+}
+
+// readCrashGuardState reads and parses the guard's state file. ok=false on ANY failure (missing,
+// unreadable, oversized, not a JSON object, a field of the wrong type); reason says which, for the log.
+func readCrashGuardState(path string) (resp CrashGuardResponse, ok bool, reason string) {
+	f, err := os.Open(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, fs.ErrNotExist) {
+			return resp, false, "no state file"
+		}
+		return resp, false, "unreadable: " + err.Error()
+	}
+	defer f.Close()
+	raw, err := io.ReadAll(io.LimitReader(f, crashGuardStateMax+1))
+	if err != nil {
+		return resp, false, "read: " + err.Error()
+	}
+	if len(raw) > crashGuardStateMax {
+		return resp, false, "state file too large"
+	}
+	var st crashGuardFile
+	// Unmarshal into a struct fails on a non-object top level (null decodes, so reject it below).
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &st); err != nil {
+		return resp, false, "unparseable: " + err.Error()
+	}
+	var probe map[string]json.RawMessage
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &probe); err != nil || probe == nil {
+		return resp, false, "unparseable: not a JSON object"
+	}
+	resp = CrashGuardResponse{Present: true, LastBootUnclean: st.LastBootUnclean, Tripped: st.Tripped}
+	// Normalise to RFC3339 UTC; an unparseable time passes through as-is (the controller reads an
+	// unparseable boot time as "not this start's boot" → its normal grace).
+	if t, perr := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, st.LastBootAt); perr == nil {
+		resp.LastBootAt = t.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339)
+	} else {
+		resp.LastBootAt = st.LastBootAt
+	}
+	return resp, true, ""
+}
+
+func (s *Server) handleCrashGuard(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, vmid int) {
+	path := s.crashGuardStatePath
+	if path == "" {
+		path = defaultCrashGuardStatePath
+	}
+	resp, ok, reason := readCrashGuardState(path)
+	if !ok {
+		s.logger.Debug("local-api: /host/crash-guard not present", "vmid", vmid, "reason", reason)
+		writeOK(w, CrashGuardResponse{Present: false})
+		return
+	}
+	s.logger.Debug("local-api: /host/crash-guard served", "vmid", vmid,
+		"last_boot_at", resp.LastBootAt, "last_boot_unclean", resp.LastBootUnclean, "tripped", resp.Tripped)
+	writeOK(w, resp)
+}

internal/localapi/crashguard_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,205 @@
+package localapi
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"io"
+	"log/slog"
+	"net/http"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// The shape of /var/lib/felhom-crash-guard/state.json as read on demo-hp on 2026-10-06 (values from
+// that read where they matter; lists/objects kept to the same key set).
+const crashGuardFixture = `{
+  "armed": true,
+  "boot_id": "3f1c0f1e-6a0b-4d7e-9b7a-0c2d4e6f8a1b",
+  "config": {"LIMIT": 3, "WINDOW_MINUTES": 60, "PANIC_SECONDS": 10},
+  "kernel_panic": 10,
+  "last_boot_at": "2026-10-05T07:56:41Z",
+  "last_boot_unclean": true,
+  "last_trip": {},
+  "rearmed_at": "2026-10-04T14:02:11Z",
+  "rearmed_by": "operator",
+  "tripped": false,
+  "unclean_boots": ["2026-10-05T07:56:41Z"],
+  "unclean_boots_24h": 1,
+  "unclean_boots_in_window": 1,
+  "updated_at": "2026-10-05T07:57:02Z",
+  "version": 1
+}`
+
+// controllerCrashGuardState is a COPY of the controller's wire type, felhom-controller
+// controller/internal/agentapi/crashguard.go `CrashGuardState` (commit 8b13a5e) — same field names,
+// same tags. If either side renames a key, the contract test below fails.
+type controllerCrashGuardState struct {
+	Present         bool   `json:"present"`
+	LastBootAt      string `json:"last_boot_at,omitempty"`
+	LastBootUnclean bool   `json:"last_boot_unclean"`
+	Tripped         bool   `json:"tripped"`
+}
+
+func newCrashGuardServer(t *testing.T, statePath string) http.Handler {
+	t.Helper()
+	srv, err := NewServer(Options{
+		ListenAddr: "127.0.0.1:0",
+		Guests:     &fakeGuests{},
+		Backups:    &fakeBackups{},
+		Store:      &fakeStore{},
+		Storage:    fakeStorage{},
+		Tokens:     staticTokens{"A": 8200, "B": 9300},
+		Logger:     slog.New(slog.NewTextHandler(io.Discard, nil)),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("new server: %v", err)
+	}
+	srv.crashGuardStatePath = statePath
+	return srv.Handler()
+}
+
+func writeCrashGuardFixture(t *testing.T, body string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	p := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "state.json")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(p, []byte(body), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return p
+}
+
+// getCrashGuard calls the route and decodes the envelope with the CONTROLLER's type.
+func getCrashGuard(t *testing.T, h http.Handler, token string) (int, controllerCrashGuardState, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	w := do(t, h, "GET", "/host/crash-guard", token, "")
+	var env struct {
+		OK   bool                      `json:"ok"`
+		Data controllerCrashGuardState `json:"data"`
+	}
+	if w.Code == http.StatusOK {
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &env); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("decode %q: %v", w.Body.String(), err)
+		}
+		if !env.OK {
+			t.Fatalf("ok=false: %s", w.Body.String())
+		}
+	}
+	return w.Code, env.Data, w.Body.String()
+}
+
+// A present state file (demo-hp's shape) passes the three facts through.
+func TestR856_CrashGuardPresentFile(t *testing.T) {
+	h := newCrashGuardServer(t, writeCrashGuardFixture(t, crashGuardFixture))
+	code, st, body := getCrashGuard(t, h, "A")
+	if code != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("got %d, want 200 (%s)", code, body)
+	}
+	want := controllerCrashGuardState{Present: true, LastBootAt: "2026-10-05T07:56:41Z", LastBootUnclean: true, Tripped: false}
+	if st != want {
+		t.Fatalf("state = %+v, want %+v", st, want)
+	}
+
+	// A tripped, clean boot reads back as such (both bools are carried, not defaulted).
+	h = newCrashGuardServer(t, writeCrashGuardFixture(t,
+		`{"last_boot_at":"2026-10-05T09:56:41+02:00","last_boot_unclean":false,"tripped":true,"version":1}`))
+	_, st, _ = getCrashGuard(t, h, "B")
+	want = controllerCrashGuardState{Present: true, LastBootAt: "2026-10-05T07:56:41Z", LastBootUnclean: false, Tripped: true}
+	if st != want {
+		t.Fatalf("offset time / tripped: state = %+v, want %+v (time normalised to UTC Z)", st, want)
+	}
+}
+
+// No state file (no guard on this host, or no boot recorded yet) → 200 present:false.
+func TestR856_CrashGuardMissingFile(t *testing.T) {
+	h := newCrashGuardServer(t, filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "absent", "state.json"))
+	code, st, body := getCrashGuard(t, h, "A")
+	if code != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("missing file: got %d, want 200 (%s)", code, body)
+	}
+	if st.Present || st.LastBootUnclean || st.Tripped || st.LastBootAt != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("missing file: state = %+v, want present:false and nothing else", st)
+	}
+}
+
+// A garbled file → 200 present:false, never a 5xx — every shape of garbage.
+func TestR856_CrashGuardGarbageFile(t *testing.T) {
+	for name, body := range map[string]string{
+		"truncated":  crashGuardFixture[:40],
+		"not json":   "this is not json\n",
+		"empty":      "",
+		"null":       "null",
+		"array":      `[{"last_boot_unclean":true}]`,
+		"wrong type": `{"last_boot_at":"2026-10-05T07:56:41Z","last_boot_unclean":"yes","tripped":false}`,
+		"lone brace": "{",
+	} {
+		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			h := newCrashGuardServer(t, writeCrashGuardFixture(t, body))
+			code, st, raw := getCrashGuard(t, h, "A")
+			if code != http.StatusOK {
+				t.Fatalf("got %d, want 200 (%s)", code, raw)
+			}
+			if st.Present || st.LastBootUnclean {
+				t.Fatalf("garbage %q read as %+v, want present:false", name, st)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+	// The path is a directory, not a file: unreadable → present:false, 200.
+	h := newCrashGuardServer(t, t.TempDir())
+	if code, st, raw := getCrashGuard(t, h, "A"); code != http.StatusOK || st.Present {
+		t.Fatalf("directory path: got %d %+v (%s), want 200 present:false", code, st, raw)
+	}
+}
+
+// No / unknown token → 401, like every sibling route; a cross-guest ?vmid= → 403.
+func TestR856_CrashGuardRequiresGuestToken(t *testing.T) {
+	h := newCrashGuardServer(t, writeCrashGuardFixture(t, crashGuardFixture))
+	for _, tok := range []string{"", "bogus"} {
+		w := do(t, h, "GET", "/host/crash-guard", tok, "")
+		if w.Code != http.StatusUnauthorized {
+			t.Fatalf("token %q: got %d, want 401", tok, w.Code)
+		}
+		if json.Valid(w.Body.Bytes()) {
+			var env struct {
+				Data controllerCrashGuardState `json:"data"`
+			}
+			_ = json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &env)
+			if env.Data.Present || env.Data.LastBootUnclean {
+				t.Fatalf("token %q: the refusal leaked the state: %s", tok, w.Body.String())
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if w := do(t, h, "GET", "/host/crash-guard?vmid=9300", "A", ""); w.Code != http.StatusForbidden {
+		t.Fatalf("cross-guest query: got %d, want 403", w.Code)
+	}
+}
+
+// Wire contract: every key the controller's CrashGuardState decodes is emitted under exactly that
+// name, and the agent emits no key the controller does not know.
+func TestR856_CrashGuardWireMatchesControllerClient(t *testing.T) {
+	h := newCrashGuardServer(t, writeCrashGuardFixture(t, crashGuardFixture))
+	w := do(t, h, "GET", "/host/crash-guard", "A", "")
+	var env struct {
+		OK   bool                       `json:"ok"`
+		Data map[string]json.RawMessage `json:"data"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &env); err != nil || !env.OK {
+		t.Fatalf("envelope: %v %s", err, w.Body.String())
+	}
+	want := []string{"present", "last_boot_at", "last_boot_unclean", "tripped"}
+	for _, k := range want {
+		if _, ok := env.Data[k]; !ok {
+			t.Errorf("agent does not emit %q, which the controller decodes (%s)", k, w.Body.String())
+		}
+	}
+	if len(env.Data) != len(want) {
+		t.Errorf("agent emits %d keys, controller knows %d: %s", len(env.Data), len(want), w.Body.String())
+	}
+	// And the agent's own type agrees with the controller's copy, field for field.
+	var mine CrashGuardResponse
+	var theirs controllerCrashGuardState
+	raw, _ := json.Marshal(env.Data)
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(raw, &mine)
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(raw, &theirs)
+	if (controllerCrashGuardState{mine.Present, mine.LastBootAt, mine.LastBootUnclean, mine.Tripped}) != theirs {
+		t.Errorf("agent %+v vs controller %+v", mine, theirs)
+	}
+}

internal/localapi/escrow_recover.go

@@ -127,6 +127,22 @@ func (s *Server) handleRecoverOffsitePassword(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Req
 					"retained_has_restic_pw": match.HasResticPassword,
 				},
 				"the recovery code is correct, but it belongs to an EARLIER sealed package (superseded "+match.SupersededAt+"), not the one currently held")
+		// ── R-304 (2026-10-08) — NOT EVERY EARLIER PACKAGE WAS CHECKED. ─────────────────────────
+		//
+		// The current package refused the code, no retained package opened it — and at least one earlier
+		// package the hub holds was never tried (or the list could not be read). Saying „the code is
+		// wrong" here would claim a check that did not happen. 424 (Failed Dependency): the verdict
+		// depends on packages we could not try. The controller classifies on the status, never on this
+		// sentence; an older controller maps an unknown status to its neutral „we do not know why".
+		case errors.Is(err, escrow.ErrRetainedUnchecked):
+			n := -1
+			var ue *escrow.RetainedUncheckedError
+			if errors.As(err, &ue) {
+				n = ue.Unchecked
+			}
+			s.logger.Warn("local-api: offsite key recovery: the code did not open the current package and earlier packages were NOT all checked — not reported as a wrong code (R-304)", "vmid", vmid, "unchecked", n)
+			writeStatus(w, http.StatusFailedDependency, false, map[string]any{"older_unchecked": n},
+				"the recovery code did not open the current sealed package, and earlier packages the hub holds were not all checked — the code may belong to one of them; nothing was written")
 		case errors.Is(err, escrow.ErrNoResticPassword):
 			s.logger.Warn("local-api: offsite key recovery: the bundle opened but predates the repository-password field", "vmid", vmid)
 			writeErr(w, http.StatusConflict, "the recovery code opened the bundle, but it carries NO offsite repository password (sealed before that field existed; it cannot be retro-fitted)")

internal/localapi/escrow_recover_class_test.go

@@ -54,6 +54,13 @@ func TestRecoverOffsitePassword_EachSituationGetsItsOwnStatus(t *testing.T) {
 			wantStatus: 404,
 			mustNotSay: []string{"did not open"},
 		},
+		{
+			// R-304: earlier packages were not all tried — never „did not open the sealed bundle" (the wrong-code words).
+			name:       "earlier packages not all checked — not a wrong code",
+			err:        &escrow.RetainedUncheckedError{Unchecked: 2},
+			wantStatus: 424,
+			mustNotSay: []string{"did not open the sealed bundle", "could not be fetched"},
+		},
 		{
 			name:       "the bundle predates the repository-password field",
 			err:        escrow.ErrNoResticPassword,

internal/localapi/guestbind.go

@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ package localapi
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
-	"io"
 	"log/slog"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
@@ -126,14 +125,16 @@ func (b *GuestBinder) GuestExec(ctx context.Context, vmid int, args ...string) (
 	return string(out), nil
 }
 
-// GuestExecStdin is GuestExec with the in-guest command's stdin fed from stdin. The controller-swap
-// write uses it to pipe the image ref into an in-guest `tee` (no shell vector, no interpolation),
-// through the same fenced runner so the `sudo -n` prefix stays in one place.
-func (b *GuestBinder) GuestExecStdin(ctx context.Context, vmid int, stdin io.Reader, args ...string) (string, error) {
-	pctArgs := append([]string{"exec", strconv.Itoa(vmid), "--"}, args...)
-	out, stderr, err := b.runner.RunStdin(ctx, stdin, "pct", pctArgs...)
+// privApplyBin is the root content checker (R-861); its `controller-image` verb writes the guest's image file.
+const privApplyBin = "/usr/local/sbin/felhom-priv-apply"
+
+// WriteControllerImage pipes `image\n` to `felhom-priv-apply controller-image <vmid>` through the same fenced runner
+// (the `sudo -n` prefix stays in one place). The verb checks the ref as root and writes the guest file itself
+// (R-861 (a) A1, `09` §3 decision 165). Pinned by TestR861_WriteControllerImageUsesTheRootVerb.
+func (b *GuestBinder) WriteControllerImage(ctx context.Context, vmid int, image string) error {
+	_, stderr, err := b.runner.RunStdin(ctx, strings.NewReader(image+"\n"), privApplyBin, "controller-image", strconv.Itoa(vmid))
 	if err != nil {
-		return string(out), fmt.Errorf("pct exec %d %v: %w: %s", vmid, args, err, strings.TrimSpace(string(stderr)))
+		return fmt.Errorf("felhom-priv-apply controller-image %d: %w: %s", vmid, err, strings.TrimSpace(string(stderr)))
 	}
-	return string(out), nil
+	return nil
 }

internal/localapi/r861_controller_image_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+package localapi
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"io"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// stdinRecorder is a proxmox.Runner that records each call and the stdin it was handed.
+type stdinRecorder struct {
+	name  string
+	args  []string
+	stdin string
+}
+
+func (r *stdinRecorder) Run(_ context.Context, name string, args ...string) ([]byte, []byte, error) {
+	r.name, r.args = name, args
+	return nil, nil, nil
+}
+
+func (r *stdinRecorder) RunStdin(_ context.Context, stdin io.Reader, name string, args ...string) ([]byte, []byte, error) {
+	b, _ := io.ReadAll(stdin)
+	r.name, r.args, r.stdin = name, args, string(b)
+	return nil, nil, nil
+}
+
+// R-861 (a) A1 (`09` §3 decision 165): the managed controller update writes the guest's image file through the ROOT
+// verb, never through an in-guest `tee` the agent could feed any image.
+//
+// COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): restore the pre-A1 body (`b.runner.RunStdin(ctx, …, "pct", "exec", vmid, "--",
+// "tee", controllerImageFile)`) → this fails with "the image write ran pct …, want felhom-priv-apply". Restored.
+func TestR861_WriteControllerImageUsesTheRootVerb(t *testing.T) {
+	rec := &stdinRecorder{}
+	b := NewGuestBinder(rec, discardLogger())
+	const img = "gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller:0.302.0"
+	if err := b.WriteControllerImage(context.Background(), 9201, img); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if rec.name != privApplyBin {
+		t.Fatalf("the image write ran %s %v, want felhom-priv-apply", rec.name, rec.args)
+	}
+	if len(rec.args) != 2 || rec.args[0] != "controller-image" || rec.args[1] != "9201" {
+		t.Fatalf("argv = %v, want [controller-image 9201] (the sudoers line `^controller-image [0-9]+$`)", rec.args)
+	}
+	if rec.stdin != img+"\n" {
+		t.Fatalf("stdin = %q, want the ref plus one newline", rec.stdin)
+	}
+}

internal/localapi/r894_saved_backup_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+package localapi
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"io"
+	"log/slog"
+	"net/http"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/backup"
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/hub"
+)
+
+// R-894 — after an agent restart, an UNREADABLE storage must fall back to the last success saved on
+// disk, not to "never". Measured 2026-10-05 on demo-hp: a restart at 04:57, the off-site storage
+// unreachable at 06:25, the 7-day tier (last copy 4 days old) read DUE, vzdump failed.
+//
+// Every test here builds a NEW server and a NEW BackupSuccessState from the same file — that is the
+// restart. The in-memory store (fakeStore) is always fresh, as after a real restart.
+
+// r894Server builds a two-tier server whose off-site tier answers the storage listing with lister.
+func r894Server(t *testing.T, path string, pbsSvc BackupService) *Server {
+	t.Helper()
+	srv, err := NewServer(Options{
+		ListenAddr: "127.0.0.1:0", Guests: &fakeGuests{}, Backups: &fakeBackups{}, Store: &fakeStore{},
+		Storage: fakeStorage{targets: []hub.StorageTarget{{Name: "local"}, {Name: "felhom-pbs"}}},
+		Tokens:  staticTokens{"A": 8200},
+		BackupTiers: []BackupTier{
+			{TargetID: "local", Cadence: 24 * time.Hour, Primary: true, Service: &fakeBackups{}},
+			{TargetID: "felhom-pbs", Cadence: 7 * 24 * time.Hour, Service: pbsSvc},
+		},
+		LastKnownBackups: backup.NewBackupSuccessState(path),
+		Logger:           slog.New(slog.NewTextHandler(io.Discard, nil)),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	srv.baseCtx = context.Background()
+	srv.now = func() time.Time { return testNow }
+	return srv
+}
+
+// unreadable is the off-site storage as demo-hp saw it: "Can't connect to 10.77.0.1:8007".
+func unreadable() archiveLister {
+	return archiveLister{fakeBackups: &fakeBackups{}, err: errStorageRead}
+}
+
+// THE R-894 CASE, end to end. Agent 1 takes an off-site backup through POST /backup (the fake
+// runner's success is 12 h before testNow). The agent restarts. The storage cannot be read. The tier
+// must read NOT due, from the copy saved on disk.
+//
+// COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): delete the `lookup == archiveUnknown && s.lastKnown != nil` block in
+// handleBackupDue → this fails with "after a restart an unreadable storage must fall back to the saved
+// copy (12 h old, 7-day tier) — NOT due; got {… Due:true … AgeState:unknown …}". Restored.
+func TestBackupDue_R894_RestartThenUnreadableStorage_FreshSavedCopyIsNotDue(t *testing.T) {
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "backup-success-state.json")
+
+	// Agent 1: a real backup job through the endpoint the controller calls.
+	first := r894Server(t, path, &fakeBackups{})
+	if rr := do(t, first.Handler(), "POST", "/backup?target=felhom-pbs", "A", ""); rr.Code != http.StatusAccepted {
+		t.Fatalf("POST /backup: %d %s", rr.Code, rr.Body.String())
+	}
+	waitFor(t, func() bool {
+		_, ok := backup.NewBackupSuccessState(path).LastKnownSuccess("felhom-pbs", 8200)
+		return ok
+	})
+
+	// Agent 2: a restart (new server, new state from the same file), and the storage is unreachable.
+	got := dueFor(t, r894Server(t, path, unreadable()).Handler(), "felhom-pbs")
+	if got.Due {
+		t.Fatalf("after a restart an unreadable storage must fall back to the saved copy (12 h old, 7-day tier) — NOT due; got %+v", got)
+	}
+	if got.AgeState != AgeStateKnown || got.AgeSecs == nil || *got.AgeSecs != int64((12*time.Hour).Seconds()) {
+		t.Fatalf("the age must come from the saved copy (12 h, known); got %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// The deliberate rule stays: an unreadable storage must not suppress a backup that IS due. A saved
+// copy older than the cadence reads DUE.
+//
+// COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): make the fallback answer not-due whenever a saved copy exists
+// (`if fromDisk { …Due:false… }` before the cadence check) → this fails with "a saved copy 9 days old
+// under a 7-day cadence MUST read due". Restored.
+func TestBackupDue_R894_RestartThenUnreadableStorage_OldSavedCopyIsDue(t *testing.T) {
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "backup-success-state.json")
+	st := backup.NewBackupSuccessState(path)
+	if err := st.RecordBackupSuccess("felhom-pbs", backupAt("felhom-pbs", 8200, 9*24*time.Hour, true)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	got := dueFor(t, r894Server(t, path, unreadable()).Handler(), "felhom-pbs")
+	if !got.Due {
+		t.Fatalf("a saved copy 9 days old under a 7-day cadence MUST read due; got %+v", got)
+	}
+	if got.AgeState != AgeStateKnown {
+		t.Fatalf("the age is known (from disk); got %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// No saved copy → the pre-R-894 answer, byte for byte: DUE, age UNKNOWN (never ABSENT — the controller
+// fires its window-gate valve only on absent, R-88).
+func TestBackupDue_R894_RestartThenUnreadableStorage_NoSavedCopyIsDueUnknown(t *testing.T) {
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "backup-success-state.json")
+	got := dueFor(t, r894Server(t, path, unreadable()).Handler(), "felhom-pbs")
+	if !got.Due || got.AgeState != AgeStateUnknown || got.AgeSecs != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("no saved copy + unreadable storage must stay DUE with age unknown; got %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// A storage that ANSWERS is the ground truth: an archive absent there makes the tier due even when the
+// file remembers a fresh success (a pruned or deleted copy must be made again).
+//
+// COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): drop `lookup == archiveUnknown &&` from the fallback condition → this
+// fails with "the storage answered 'no archive' — the saved copy must NOT stand in for it". Restored.
+func TestBackupDue_R894_SavedCopyIgnoredWhenStorageAnswers(t *testing.T) {
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "backup-success-state.json")
+	st := backup.NewBackupSuccessState(path)
+	if err := st.RecordBackupSuccess("felhom-pbs", backupAt("felhom-pbs", 8200, time.Hour, true)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	absent := archiveLister{fakeBackups: &fakeBackups{}, found: false}
+	got := dueFor(t, r894Server(t, path, absent).Handler(), "felhom-pbs")
+	if !got.Due {
+		t.Fatalf("the storage answered 'no archive' — the saved copy must NOT stand in for it; got %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// A FAILED backup is never saved: it must not make a tier look fresh after a restart.
+func TestBackupDue_R894_FailedBackupIsNotSaved(t *testing.T) {
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "backup-success-state.json")
+	first := r894Server(t, path, &fakeBackups{failErr: "could not activate storage 'felhom-pbs'"})
+	if rr := do(t, first.Handler(), "POST", "/backup?target=felhom-pbs", "A", ""); rr.Code != http.StatusAccepted {
+		t.Fatalf("POST /backup: %d %s", rr.Code, rr.Body.String())
+	}
+	waitFor(t, func() bool { return len(first.store.Backups(context.Background())) == 1 })
+	if _, ok := backup.NewBackupSuccessState(path).LastKnownSuccess("felhom-pbs", 8200); ok {
+		t.Fatal("a failed backup must never be saved as a success")
+	}
+	got := dueFor(t, r894Server(t, path, unreadable()).Handler(), "felhom-pbs")
+	if !got.Due {
+		t.Fatalf("after a failed backup and a restart the tier must still be due; got %+v", got)
+	}
+}

internal/localapi/server.go

@@ -85,6 +85,13 @@ type BackupStore interface {
 	RestoreTests(ctx context.Context) []hub.RestoreTest
 }
 
+// LastKnownBackupStore (R-894) is the on-disk newest-success-per-tier record. Satisfied by
+// *backup.BackupSuccessState.
+type LastKnownBackupStore interface {
+	RecordBackupSuccess(target string, b hub.Backup) error
+	LastKnownSuccess(target string, vmid int) (time.Time, bool)
+}
+
 // StorageView yields the host's observed storage targets (for mapping a mount's storage id →
 // fast/slow class). Satisfied by *storage.Observer.
 type StorageView interface {
@@ -164,6 +171,10 @@ type Options struct {
 	// PRIMARY tier, inside the backup goroutine and BEFORE the host-wide heavy-op gate is released — so the OS leg
 	// that it starts can never overlap another backup or a restore-test (`11` C10). OPTIONAL — nil → nothing runs.
 	AfterPrimaryBackup func(ctx context.Context, vmid int)
+	// LastKnownBackups (R-894) keeps the newest successful backup per tier ON DISK, so the due-check's
+	// fallback for an UNREADABLE storage after an agent restart is the last known copy, not "never".
+	// nil = the pre-R-894 behaviour (in-memory record only).
+	LastKnownBackups LastKnownBackupStore
 	// Privileged runs the fenced root wrappers (E-2a: felhom-backup-target-apply). OPTIONAL — when
 	// nil, POST /backup/target reports "not configured". Satisfied by *proxmox.ExecRunner.
 	Privileged PrivilegedRunner
@@ -229,7 +240,6 @@ type Options struct {
 	// POST /escrow/recover-offsite-password. OPTIONAL — nil → that route reports "not configured"
 	// (503) instead of failing obscurely. Satisfied by escrow.OffsiteKeyRecoverer.
 	EscrowRecovery EscrowRecoverer
-
 }
 
 // defaultBackupCadence is the fallback /backup/due window when none is configured.
@@ -279,30 +289,34 @@ type Server struct {
 	// is the pre-R-82 shape.
 	tiers []BackupTier
 	// inFlight (R-85) is shared with the restore-test scheduler so the two never run together.
-	inFlight *backup.InFlight
+	inFlight           *backup.InFlight
 	afterPrimaryBackup func(ctx context.Context, vmid int) // the OS leg (agent v0.140.0); nil = none
-	logger   *slog.Logger
-	now      func() time.Time
+	lastKnown          LastKnownBackupStore                // R-894: on-disk newest success per tier; nil = none
+	logger             *slog.Logger
+	now                func() time.Time
 
-	disks           DiskOps             // slice 8C (optional)
-	diskGate        StorageGate         // slice 8C (optional)
-	guestList       GuestLister         // slice 8C (optional)
-	guestAttach     GuestAttacher       // slice 10 P2 (optional)
-	mem             MemoryOps           // v0.90.0 R-24 guest RAM resize (optional)
-	memMu           sync.Mutex          // single-flight around a resize apply (one customer per host)
-	netStorage      NetworkStorageOps   // Part A1: NAS network mounts (optional)
-	netMountRoot    string              // the user-data namespace root for the network-mount role gate
-	smbCredsDir     string              // where SMB creds files are written (out-of-band, 0600)
-	escrowStagePath string              // fork-4: 0600 staging file for the pushed restic repo password
+	disks           DiskOps           // slice 8C (optional)
+	diskGate        StorageGate       // slice 8C (optional)
+	guestList       GuestLister       // slice 8C (optional)
+	guestAttach     GuestAttacher     // slice 10 P2 (optional)
+	mem             MemoryOps         // v0.90.0 R-24 guest RAM resize (optional)
+	memMu           sync.Mutex        // single-flight around a resize apply (one customer per host)
+	netStorage      NetworkStorageOps // Part A1: NAS network mounts (optional)
+	netMountRoot    string            // the user-data namespace root for the network-mount role gate
+	smbCredsDir     string            // where SMB creds files are written (out-of-band, 0600)
+	escrowStagePath string            // fork-4: 0600 staging file for the pushed restic repo password
+	// crashGuardStatePath (R-856) is the host crash guard's state file read by GET /host/crash-guard;
+	// empty = defaultCrashGuardStatePath. A seam: tests point it at a fixture.
+	crashGuardStatePath string
 	// escrowRecovery (R-199, v0.125.0) assembles chain links 6-8: fetch this host's own sealed
 	// identity blob from the hub, unseal it with the customer's recovery code, return ONLY the
 	// offsite repository password. OPTIONAL — nil (no hub client configured) makes
 	// POST /escrow/recover-offsite-password answer 503 rather than pretending.
-	escrowRecovery  EscrowRecoverer
-	intent          IntentRecorder      // slice 10 P3 (optional)
-	guestBinds      *GuestBindStore     // F9 startup bind re-assert record (optional)
-	formatJobs      *FormatJobStore     // F20-BUG3 detached-format job record (optional)
-	staleLock       StaleLockController // F2-b startup stale-lock recovery (optional)
+	escrowRecovery EscrowRecoverer
+	intent         IntentRecorder      // slice 10 P3 (optional)
+	guestBinds     *GuestBindStore     // F9 startup bind re-assert record (optional)
+	formatJobs     *FormatJobStore     // F20-BUG3 detached-format job record (optional)
+	staleLock      StaleLockController // F2-b startup stale-lock recovery (optional)
 	// guestPower (F-REBOOT) is per-guest start-attempt state for the guest-power watchdog.
 	// Guarded by guestPowerMu in guestpower.go; in-memory on purpose (see guestPowerState).
 	guestPower map[int]guestPowerState
@@ -475,6 +489,7 @@ func NewServer(o Options) (*Server, error) {
 	s.tiers = normalizeBackupTiers(o.BackupTiers, o.Backups, cadence)
 	s.inFlight = o.InFlight
 	s.afterPrimaryBackup = o.AfterPrimaryBackup
+	s.lastKnown = o.LastKnownBackups
 	if s.backups == nil && len(s.tiers) > 0 {
 		s.backups = s.tiers[0].Service
 	}
@@ -520,6 +535,9 @@ func (s *Server) Handler() http.Handler {
 	// Host metrics (slice 9): host-wide health + per-storage capacity for the customer's monitoring
 	// view. Host-wide, token-authed, fresh (a live collect, not the 15-min hub snapshot).
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /host/metrics", s.withGuest(s.handleHostMetrics))
+	// R-856 (`09` §3 decision 143): the host crash guard's record of the last HOST boot — the controller
+	// waits ~15 min with app mails after an unclean one. Read-only; a missing/garbled file = present:false.
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /host/crash-guard", s.withGuest(s.handleCrashGuard))
 	// Disk management (slice 8C) — self-scoped; format routes through the data-bearing classifier+gate.
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /disks", s.withGuest(s.handleDisks))
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /disks/candidates", s.withGuest(s.handleDiskCandidates))
@@ -807,6 +825,10 @@ func (s *Server) handleBackup(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, vmid int)
 		return
 	}
 	key := backupJobKey{vmid: vmid, target: tier.TargetID}
+	// R-899 (operator ruling 2026-10-08): a household press („Mentés most") is not the night's backup. A controller
+	// that knows sends `trigger=manual`; then the OS leg does not follow (it belongs to the night, after the night's
+	// own copy). An older controller sends nothing and keeps the old behaviour.
+	manual := r.URL.Query().Get("trigger") == "manual"
 
 	// ONE BACKUP AT A TIME PER GUEST, ACROSS ALL TIERS (operator ruling 2026-07-26: "other backup
 	// shouldn't start until finished"). vzdump takes a guest lock, so a concurrent second backup
@@ -899,9 +921,18 @@ func (s *Server) handleBackup(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, vmid int)
 			s.logger.Info("local-api: backup job complete", "vmid", vmid, "target", tier.TargetID, "job", jobID, "archive", b.Archive)
 		}
 		s.store.RecordBackup(b)
+		if b.Success && s.lastKnown != nil {
+			if err := s.lastKnown.RecordBackupSuccess(tier.TargetID, b); err != nil {
+				// Not fatal: the backup exists. Only the fallback after a restart loses this copy.
+				s.logger.Warn("local-api: could not save the backup on disk for the due-check fallback (R-894)",
+					"vmid", vmid, "target", tier.TargetID, "err", err)
+			}
+		}
 		s.finishJob(key, jobID, b)
 		// OS leg (agent v0.140.0): after the night's whole-guest copy exists, still holding the heavy-op gate.
-		if b.Success && tier.Primary && s.afterPrimaryBackup != nil {
+		if b.Success && tier.Primary && s.afterPrimaryBackup != nil && manual {
+			s.logger.Info("local-api: no OS leg after a manual backup — it follows the night's own backup (R-899)", "vmid", vmid, "job", jobID)
+		} else if b.Success && tier.Primary && s.afterPrimaryBackup != nil {
 			s.afterPrimaryBackup(base, vmid)
 		}
 	}()
@@ -1061,6 +1092,20 @@ func (s *Server) handleBackupDue(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, vmid in
 		newest, haveNewest = t, true
 		unparseable = false // ground truth supersedes an unreadable in-memory timestamp
 	}
+	// R-894: the storage could not be read → the last success saved ON DISK stands in for the in-memory
+	// record a restart emptied. ONLY on archiveUnknown: a storage that answers is the ground truth, and an
+	// archive absent there must make the tier due even when the file remembers one (a pruned copy).
+	// A saved copy older than the cadence still reads DUE below — an unreadable storage never suppresses
+	// a backup that is due.
+	fromDisk := false
+	if lookup == archiveUnknown && s.lastKnown != nil {
+		if saved, ok := s.lastKnown.LastKnownSuccess(tier.TargetID, vmid); ok && (!haveNewest || saved.After(newest)) {
+			newest, haveNewest, fromDisk = saved, true, true
+			unparseable = false
+			s.logger.Info("local-api: backup storage unreadable — due-check uses the last success saved on disk (R-894)",
+				"vmid", vmid, "target", tier.TargetID, "saved", saved.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339))
+		}
+	}
 	if !haveNewest {
 		// R-88 Part 2: THREE distinct reasons for a nil age, each with its own state. Only ABSENT is a
 		// positive claim of "never backed up"; only that one may license the controller to bypass its
@@ -1083,13 +1128,17 @@ func (s *Server) handleBackupDue(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, vmid in
 	}
 	age := s.now().Sub(newest)
 	ageSecs := int64(age.Seconds())
+	suffix := ""
+	if fromDisk {
+		suffix = " (storage unreadable — age from the last success saved on disk)"
+	}
 	if age >= tier.Cadence {
 		writeOK(w, BackupDueResponse{VMID: vmid, Due: true, AgeSecs: &ageSecs, AgeState: AgeStateKnown,
-			Reason: "older than cadence", Target: echo})
+			Reason: "older than cadence" + suffix, Target: echo})
 		return
 	}
 	writeOK(w, BackupDueResponse{VMID: vmid, Due: false, AgeSecs: &ageSecs, AgeState: AgeStateKnown,
-		Reason: "within cadence window", Target: echo})
+		Reason: "within cadence window" + suffix, Target: echo})
 }
 
 // BackupTiersResponse is GET /backup/tiers (R-82): the tiers this agent serves, primary first.
@@ -1477,4 +1526,6 @@ func writeStatus(w http.ResponseWriter, code int, ok bool, data any, errMsg stri
 }
 
 // SetAfterPrimaryBackup wires the hook that runs after a successful primary-tier backup (the OS leg, agent v0.140.0).
-func (s *Server) SetAfterPrimaryBackup(fn func(ctx context.Context, vmid int)) { s.afterPrimaryBackup = fn }
+func (s *Server) SetAfterPrimaryBackup(fn func(ctx context.Context, vmid int)) {
+	s.afterPrimaryBackup = fn
+}

internal/osupdate/kernel.go

@@ -0,0 +1,446 @@
+package osupdate
+
+// The kernel lane (R-836, `09` §3 decisions 164 + 172, `11` §5.11). The root half is felhom-os-apply's layer "kernel"
+// (configs/, its own tests); this file decides WHEN and judges the boot:
+//
+//   - the night leg (Run → runKernel): after a healthy host step, on a night the hub marks as told (the household was
+//     mailed the day before — no mail, no step): ring 0 STAGES the pending kernel (select pending-kernel, the root-owned
+//     ring-0 mark) and reboots; ring 1 reboots only a step a signed os_kernel_step staged earlier (KernelStepExecutor).
+//   - after a boot (KernelAfterBoot, at daemon start): the wrapper says what became of the step. On the new kernel the
+//     agent JUDGES the boot — the host health rule (`11` §8.2: the Proxmox daemons, the guest running and healthy, the
+//     tunnel) AND the box reaching the hub — for KernelJudgeWait. Healthy → kernel-good (the new kernel becomes the
+//     default). Not healthy by the deadline → ONE self-revert (kernel-revert: a reboot into the old kernel, still the
+//     default). A crash on the new kernel needs nothing from the agent: GRUB already boots the old default.
+//
+// The host is rebooted by this file only through the wrapper (kernel-reboot, kernel-revert), and only for a staged step.
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
+	"regexp"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/hub"
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/signedjobs"
+)
+
+// OpKernelStep is the signed op class that STAGES a kernel set on a ring-1 box (it never reboots: the night leg does,
+// once the household was told). CC may sign it until the first paying customer (R-530 ruling).
+const OpKernelStep = "os_kernel_step"
+
+// DefaultKernelJudgeWait is how long a one-shot boot may take to come back healthy before the agent reverts it ONCE.
+// Measured 2026-10-07 (`audits/kernel-lane-2026-10-07/B/`): every container healthy 68 s after a reboot on demo-felhom,
+// 272 s on demo-hp; 20 minutes stays under the hub's 45-minute host_stale (a box that never comes back alarms after it).
+const DefaultKernelJudgeWait = 20 * time.Minute
+
+var kverRE = regexp.MustCompile(`^[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+-[0-9]+-pve$`)
+
+// KernelView is the wrapper's kernel object (felhom-os-apply Kernel.view).
+type KernelView struct {
+	Running        string  `json:"running"`
+	Default        string  `json:"default"`
+	Flag           *string `json:"flag"`
+	Phase          string  `json:"phase"`
+	From           string  `json:"from"`
+	To             string  `json:"to"`
+	SelfRevertUsed bool    `json:"self_revert_used"`
+	Reason         string  `json:"reason"`
+	VMID           int     `json:"vmid"` // the customer guest the step was staged for (the health rule's guest)
+}
+
+// kernelReportRing is the ring an after-boot report carries. In the first second after a boot the agent has not
+// fetched the hub's block yet, and Block() then answers ring 1 — so a ring-0 box's „judging" report said ring 1
+// (seen on demo-felhom, 2026-10-08 night, `audits/kernel-night-2026-10-07/readback/`). Order: the fetched block; the
+// block the daemon saved on disk before the reboot (R-866); ring 1 as before. A label only: the hub's approval reads its
+// own ring list. Pinned by TestKernelReportRing_BeforeFirstFetch.
+func (l *Leg) kernelReportRing() int {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	fetched := l.block
+	l.mu.Unlock()
+	if fetched != nil {
+		return fetched.Ring
+	}
+	if b, _, ok := LoadSavedBlock(l.planDir()); ok && b != nil {
+		return b.Ring
+	}
+	return 1
+}
+
+func parseKernel(raw json.RawMessage) KernelView {
+	var v KernelView
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(raw, &v)
+	return v
+}
+
+// kernelPlan is one kernel-layer wrapper call.
+func kernelPlan(mode string, vmid int, extra map[string]any) map[string]any {
+	p := map[string]any{"release_id": "kernel", "layer": LayerKernel, "lane": "slow", "vmid": vmid, "mode": mode,
+		"packages": []Package{}}
+	for k, v := range extra {
+		p[k] = v
+	}
+	return p
+}
+
+// KernelStatus reads the kernel lane's state (read only).
+func (l *Leg) KernelStatus(ctx context.Context, vmid int) (KernelView, error) {
+	wr, err := l.call(ctx, "kstatus"+l.now().UTC().Format("150405"), kernelPlan("kernel-status", vmid, nil))
+	if err != nil {
+		return KernelView{}, err
+	}
+	if wr.refused() {
+		return KernelView{}, fmt.Errorf("kernel-status refused: %s", wr.Refused)
+	}
+	return parseKernel(wr.Kernel), nil
+}
+
+// kernelDue reports whether tonight's leg may take a kernel step, and why not.
+func kernelDue(blk hub.WireOSUpdate, trigger string) (bool, string) {
+	switch {
+	case trigger != "night":
+		return false, "a kernel step runs only in the night leg (never a debug pass)"
+	case blk.Kernel == nil:
+		return false, "the hub names no kernel step for this box"
+	case !blk.Enabled:
+		return false, "OS updates are switched off for this box"
+	case !kverRE.MatchString(blk.Kernel.Kver):
+		return false, "the hub's kernel " + blk.Kernel.Kver + " is not a kernel version"
+	case !blk.Kernel.Tonight:
+		return false, "the household has not been told about tonight (no mail, no step — `09` §3 decision 172)"
+	}
+	return true, ""
+}
+
+// runKernel is the night leg's last step. It returns the stage report (Layer "" when nothing ran). On success the box
+// is rebooting when it returns.
+func (l *Leg) runKernel(ctx context.Context, runID string, vmid int, trigger string, blk hub.WireOSUpdate) Report {
+	lg := l.log().With("run", runID, "layer", LayerKernel, "vmid", vmid, "trigger", trigger, "ring", blk.Ring)
+	if ok, why := kernelDue(blk, trigger); !ok {
+		lg.Info("osupdate: kernel step skipped — " + why)
+		return Report{}
+	}
+	want := blk.Kernel.Kver
+	st, err := l.KernelStatus(ctx, vmid)
+	if err != nil {
+		return l.finish(ctx, lg, Report{RunID: runID, Layer: LayerKernel, Trigger: trigger, Ring: blk.Ring, VMID: vmid,
+			Mode: "apply", Outcome: "failed", HealthReason: "kernel status unreadable: " + err.Error()})
+	}
+	rep := Report{RunID: runID, Layer: LayerKernel, Trigger: trigger, Ring: blk.Ring, VMID: vmid, Mode: "apply", ReleaseID: want}
+	switch {
+	case st.Phase == "staged" && st.To == want:
+		lg.Info("osupdate: kernel step — a staged kernel waits for tonight", "from", st.From, "to", st.To)
+		rep.Outcome, rep.Healthy = "staged", true
+	case blk.Ring != 0:
+		lg.Info("osupdate: kernel step skipped — ring 1 boots only a kernel a signed os_kernel_step staged", "phase", st.Phase, "staged", st.To, "want", want)
+		return Report{}
+	default:
+		// R-898: EXACTLY the kernel the household was told about — never "whatever is pending tonight" (the sources can
+		// offer a newer one by night; the step then refused, R23, and the night was lost). A version no longer
+		// installable is refused by the wrapper before any change (R7) and the hub tells the household again.
+		wr, cerr := l.call(ctx, runID, kernelPlan("apply", vmid, map[string]any{"release_id": "ring0-" + runID,
+			"select": "listed", "packages": KernelSet(want), "expect_kver": want, "run_id": runID, "trigger": trigger,
+			"ring": blk.Ring}))
+		rep.unsent = reportFile(l.planDir(), runID, LayerKernel, "apply")
+		rep.Kernel = rawOrNil(wr.Kernel)
+		switch {
+		case cerr != nil:
+			rep.Outcome, rep.HealthReason = "failed", cerr.Error()
+			return l.finish(ctx, lg, rep)
+		case wr.refused():
+			rep.Outcome, rep.Refused = "refused", wr.Refused
+			return l.finish(ctx, lg, rep)
+		case wr.failed():
+			rep.Outcome, rep.Refused = "failed", wr.Failed
+			return l.finish(ctx, lg, rep)
+		case wr.OutcomeHint == "nothing" || len(wr.Upgraded) == 0:
+			rep.Outcome, rep.Healthy = "nothing", true
+			return l.finish(ctx, lg, rep)
+		}
+		rep.Outcome, rep.Healthy, rep.Upgraded, rep.Authority, rep.PassSeconds = "staged", true, wr.Upgraded, wr.Authority, wr.PassSeconds
+		rep.RebootNeeded = true
+	}
+	rep = l.finish(ctx, lg, rep) // the hub hears "staged" BEFORE the box goes down
+	wr, err := l.call(ctx, runID, kernelPlan("kernel-reboot", vmid, nil))
+	switch {
+	case err != nil:
+		return l.finish(ctx, lg, Report{RunID: runID, Layer: LayerKernel, Trigger: trigger, Ring: blk.Ring, VMID: vmid,
+			Mode: "kernel-reboot", ReleaseID: want, Outcome: "failed", HealthReason: "kernel-reboot: " + err.Error()})
+	case wr.refused() || wr.failed():
+		return l.finish(ctx, lg, Report{RunID: runID, Layer: LayerKernel, Trigger: trigger, Ring: blk.Ring, VMID: vmid,
+			Mode: "kernel-reboot", ReleaseID: want, Outcome: "refused", Refused: firstRaw(wr.Refused, wr.Failed),
+			Kernel: rawOrNil(wr.Kernel)})
+	}
+	lg.Warn("osupdate: kernel step — the box restarts now for its one-shot boot", "to", want)
+	return rep
+}
+
+func firstRaw(a, b json.RawMessage) json.RawMessage {
+	if r := rawOrNil(a); r != nil {
+		return r
+	}
+	return rawOrNil(b)
+}
+
+// KernelJudge is what KernelAfterBoot needs besides the leg: the hub reachability probe is the "judging" report itself.
+type KernelJudge struct {
+	Wait time.Duration // default DefaultKernelJudgeWait
+	Poll time.Duration // default 30 s
+}
+
+// KernelAfterBoot runs once at daemon start: what became of a kernel step across the boot. On the new kernel it judges
+// the boot (blocking up to the wait — run it in a goroutine). vmid 0 = the guest the step recorded (it may not run yet).
+func (l *Leg) KernelAfterBoot(ctx context.Context, vmid int, j KernelJudge) Report {
+	runID := "boot-" + l.now().UTC().Format("20060102T150405Z")
+	lg := l.log().With("run", runID, "layer", LayerKernel, "vmid", vmid)
+	wr, err := l.call(ctx, runID, kernelPlan("kernel-boot", vmid, nil))
+	if err != nil {
+		lg.Warn("osupdate: kernel after-boot check failed", "err", err)
+		return Report{}
+	}
+	if wr.refused() {
+		lg.Info("osupdate: kernel after-boot check refused (an older wrapper, or a BYO host)", "refused", string(wr.Refused))
+		return Report{}
+	}
+	v := parseKernel(wr.Kernel)
+	if vmid <= 0 {
+		vmid = v.VMID // after a boot the guest may not run yet — the step's own record names it
+	}
+	rep := Report{RunID: runID, Layer: LayerKernel, Trigger: "boot", Ring: l.kernelReportRing(), VMID: vmid, Mode: "kernel-boot",
+		ReleaseID: v.To, Kernel: rawOrNil(wr.Kernel)}
+	switch wr.KernelEvent {
+	case "fell_back":
+		rep.Outcome, rep.HealthReason = "fell_back", v.Reason
+		lg.Warn("osupdate: kernel step FELL BACK — the new kernel did not come up; the box runs the old one", "from", v.From, "to", v.To)
+		return l.finish(ctx, lg, rep)
+	case "self_reverted":
+		rep.Outcome, rep.HealthReason = "self_reverted", v.Reason
+		lg.Warn("osupdate: kernel step SELF-REVERTED — back on the old kernel", "from", v.From, "to", v.To, "reason", v.Reason)
+		return l.finish(ctx, lg, rep)
+	case "revert_failed":
+		rep.Outcome, rep.HealthReason = "revert_failed", v.Reason
+		lg.Error("osupdate: kernel self-revert came back on the NEW kernel — no second revert; the operator decides", "to", v.To)
+		return l.finish(ctx, lg, rep)
+	case "judging":
+		return l.judgeKernel(ctx, runID, vmid, v, wr.HealthBefore, j, lg)
+	}
+	return Report{}
+}
+
+// KernelVerdict is THE one-shot boot rule (R-836; pinned by TestKernelVerdict): the host health rule (`11` §8.2 —
+// the Proxmox daemons and the agent active, the customer guest running and its own rule passing, the tunnel running)
+// AND the box reached the hub since this boot.
+func KernelVerdict(before, after *Health, tunnel string, hubReached bool) (bool, string) {
+	if ok, why := HostHealthVerdict(before, after, tunnel); !ok {
+		return false, why
+	}
+	if !hubReached {
+		return false, "the box has not reached the hub since the boot"
+	}
+	return true, ""
+}
+
+func (l *Leg) judgeKernel(ctx context.Context, runID string, vmid int, v KernelView, before *Health, j KernelJudge, lg *slog.Logger) Report {
+	wait, poll := j.Wait, j.Poll
+	if wait <= 0 {
+		wait = DefaultKernelJudgeWait
+	}
+	if poll <= 0 {
+		poll = 30 * time.Second
+	}
+	lg.Info("osupdate: kernel step — judging the one-shot boot", "from", v.From, "to", v.To, "wait", wait.String())
+	start := l.now()
+	deadline := start.Add(wait)
+	hubReached := false
+	var why string
+	for {
+		if !hubReached && l.Hub != nil {
+			// the hub's reachability IS this report reaching it (and the operator sees the box is back on the new kernel)
+			body, _ := json.Marshal(Report{RunID: runID, Layer: LayerKernel, Trigger: "boot", Ring: l.kernelReportRing(), VMID: vmid,
+				Mode: "kernel-boot", ReleaseID: v.To, Outcome: "judging", Kernel: mustRaw(v)})
+			rctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 30*time.Second)
+			if err := l.Hub.PostOSReport(rctx, body); err == nil {
+				hubReached = true
+				lg.Info("osupdate: kernel step — the box reached the hub on the new kernel", "after", l.now().Sub(start).Round(time.Second).String())
+			}
+			cancel()
+		}
+		var h *Health
+		hr, err := l.call(ctx, runID, kernelPlan("health", vmid, nil))
+		switch {
+		case err != nil:
+			why = "no health reading: " + err.Error()
+		case hr.refused():
+			why = "no health reading: " + string(hr.Refused)
+		default:
+			h = hr.Health
+		}
+		if h != nil {
+			t := hub.TunnelUnknown
+			if l.Tunnel != nil {
+				t, _ = l.Tunnel.Status(ctx)
+			}
+			var ok bool
+			ok, why = KernelVerdict(before, h, t, hubReached)
+			if ok {
+				return l.kernelGood(ctx, runID, vmid, v, start, lg)
+			}
+		}
+		if !l.now().Before(deadline) || ctx.Err() != nil {
+			break
+		}
+		l.sleep(ctx, poll)
+	}
+	if ctx.Err() != nil {
+		lg.Warn("osupdate: kernel judging stopped (the agent is stopping) — the next start judges again", "reason", why)
+		return Report{}
+	}
+	// not healthy by the deadline: tell the hub (best effort), then ONE self-revert into the old kernel
+	rep := l.finish(ctx, lg, Report{RunID: runID, Layer: LayerKernel, Trigger: "boot", Ring: l.kernelReportRing(), VMID: vmid,
+		Mode: "kernel-revert", ReleaseID: v.To, Outcome: "health_failed", HealthReason: why + " — reverting to " + v.From,
+		Kernel: mustRaw(v)})
+	lg.Error("osupdate: kernel step — the one-shot boot is NOT healthy; restarting ONCE into the old kernel", "reason", why,
+		"waited", wait.String(), "from", v.From, "to", v.To)
+	wr, err := l.call(ctx, runID, kernelPlan("kernel-revert", vmid, map[string]any{"reason": truncate(why, 280)}))
+	if err != nil || wr.refused() || wr.failed() {
+		lg.Error("osupdate: kernel self-revert did not start — the box stays on the new kernel; the operator decides",
+			"err", err, "refused", string(firstRaw(wr.Refused, wr.Failed)))
+		return l.finish(ctx, lg, Report{RunID: runID, Layer: LayerKernel, Trigger: "boot", Ring: l.kernelReportRing(), VMID: vmid,
+			Mode: "kernel-revert", ReleaseID: v.To, Outcome: "revert_failed", Refused: firstRaw(wr.Refused, wr.Failed),
+			HealthReason: "the self-revert did not start"})
+	}
+	return rep
+}
+
+func (l *Leg) kernelGood(ctx context.Context, runID string, vmid int, v KernelView, start time.Time, lg *slog.Logger) Report {
+	wr, err := l.call(ctx, runID, kernelPlan("kernel-good", vmid, nil))
+	rep := Report{RunID: runID, Layer: LayerKernel, Trigger: "boot", Ring: l.kernelReportRing(), VMID: vmid, Mode: "kernel-good",
+		ReleaseID: v.To}
+	switch {
+	case err != nil:
+		rep.Outcome, rep.HealthReason = "failed", "kernel-good: "+err.Error()
+	case wr.refused() || wr.failed():
+		rep.Outcome, rep.Refused, rep.HealthReason = "failed", firstRaw(wr.Refused, wr.Failed), "kernel-good did not move the default"
+	default:
+		rep.Outcome, rep.Healthy = "applied", true
+		rep.HealthReason = fmt.Sprintf("healthy %s after the agent started; the new kernel is the default", l.now().Sub(start).Round(time.Second))
+	}
+	rep.Kernel = rawOrNil(wr.Kernel)
+	lg.Info("osupdate: kernel step — "+rep.Outcome, "to", v.To, "reason", rep.HealthReason)
+	return l.finish(ctx, lg, rep)
+}
+
+func mustRaw(v any) json.RawMessage {
+	b, _ := json.Marshal(v)
+	return b
+}
+
+func truncate(s string, n int) string {
+	if len(s) <= n {
+		return s
+	}
+	return s[:n]
+}
+
+// KernelSet is the package set that installs exactly kver (R-898; the hub's kernelSet, field-exact): the series
+// meta-package and the signed image, both at the kernel's own version. Proxmox keeps old kernel versions in its archive.
+// nil for a string that is not a kernel version.
+func KernelSet(kver string) []Package {
+	m := kverSeriesRE.FindStringSubmatch(kver)
+	if m == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	v := kver[:len(kver)-len("-pve")]
+	return []Package{{Name: "proxmox-kernel-" + m[1], Version: v, Origin: PVEOrigin},
+		{Name: "proxmox-kernel-" + kver + "-signed", Version: v, Origin: PVEOrigin}}
+}
+
+var kverSeriesRE = regexp.MustCompile(`^([0-9]+\.[0-9]+)\.[0-9]+-[0-9]+-pve$`)
+
+// KernelStepParams are a signed os_kernel_step's params: the exact kernel set (the wrapper compares it with the plan).
+type KernelStepParams struct {
+	ReleaseID string    `json:"release_id"`
+	Packages  []Package `json:"packages"`
+	Kver      string    `json:"kver"`
+	VMID      int       `json:"vmid,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// KernelStepExecutor STAGES a verified os_kernel_step (signedjobs.Executor) under the heavy-op gate. It never reboots:
+// the night leg reboots a staged kernel on a night the household was told about.
+type KernelStepExecutor struct {
+	Leg   *Leg
+	Guest func(ctx context.Context) (int, error)
+	Gate  func(ctx context.Context) (release func(), err error)
+}
+
+// Execute implements signedjobs.Executor.
+func (e KernelStepExecutor) Execute(ctx context.Context, op string, params json.RawMessage) error {
+	if op != OpKernelStep {
+		return signedjobs.ErrNoExecutor
+	}
+	so, ok := signedjobs.SignedOpFrom(ctx)
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("os_kernel_step: no signed envelope in the context — the wrapper could not verify it")
+	}
+	var p KernelStepParams
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(params, &p); err != nil || len(p.Packages) == 0 || !kverRE.MatchString(p.Kver) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("os_kernel_step: params must name the kernel set and its kver: %v", err)
+	}
+	vmid := p.VMID
+	if vmid == 0 {
+		if e.Guest == nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("os_kernel_step: no vmid and no guest finder")
+		}
+		v, err := e.Guest(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("os_kernel_step: find the customer guest: %w", err)
+		}
+		vmid = v
+	}
+	if e.Gate != nil {
+		release, err := e.Gate(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("os_kernel_step: heavy-op gate busy (a backup or restore-test runs): %w", err)
+		}
+		defer release()
+	}
+	rep := e.Leg.StageKernelSigned(ctx, vmid, p, so.Blob, string(so.Sig))
+	if rep.Outcome == "staged" || rep.Outcome == "nothing" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return fmt.Errorf("os_kernel_step: %s (%s) %s", rep.Outcome, rep.HealthReason, string(rep.Refused))
+}
+
+// StageKernelSigned stages a signed kernel set (ring 1): install + flag, no reboot.
+func (l *Leg) StageKernelSigned(ctx context.Context, vmid int, p KernelStepParams, blob []byte, sig string) Report {
+	unlock := l.lockPass(true)
+	defer unlock()
+	l.sendUnsentLocked(ctx) // R-868
+	runID := l.now().UTC().Format("20060102T150405Z")
+	rid := p.ReleaseID
+	if rid == "" {
+		rid = "signed-" + runID
+	}
+	lg := l.log().With("run", runID, "layer", LayerKernel, "vmid", vmid, "trigger", "signed", "release", rid)
+	wr, err := l.call(ctx, runID, kernelPlan("apply", vmid, map[string]any{"release_id": rid, "select": "listed",
+		"packages": p.Packages, "expect_kver": p.Kver, "run_id": runID, "trigger": "signed", "ring": l.Block().Ring,
+		"signed": map[string]string{"blob_b64": base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(blob), "sig": sig}}))
+	rep := Report{RunID: runID, Layer: LayerKernel, Trigger: "signed", Ring: l.Block().Ring, VMID: vmid, Mode: "apply",
+		ReleaseID: rid, Kernel: rawOrNil(wr.Kernel), unsent: reportFile(l.planDir(), runID, LayerKernel, "apply")}
+	switch {
+	case err != nil:
+		rep.Outcome, rep.HealthReason = "failed", err.Error()
+	case wr.refused():
+		rep.Outcome, rep.Refused = "refused", wr.Refused
+	case wr.failed():
+		rep.Outcome, rep.Refused = "failed", wr.Failed
+	case wr.OutcomeHint == "nothing" || len(wr.Upgraded) == 0:
+		rep.Outcome, rep.Healthy = "nothing", true
+	default:
+		rep.Outcome, rep.Healthy, rep.Upgraded, rep.Authority, rep.PassSeconds = "staged", true, wr.Upgraded, wr.Authority, wr.PassSeconds
+		rep.RebootNeeded = true
+	}
+	return l.finish(ctx, lg, rep)
+}

internal/osupdate/kernel_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,328 @@
+package osupdate
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/hub"
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/reconcile"
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/signedjobs"
+)
+
+// ---- the kernel lane (R-836, `09` §3 decision 172, `11` §5.11) ----
+
+const kOld, kNew = "7.0.2-6-pve", "7.0.14-22-pve"
+
+func kview(phase string) json.RawMessage {
+	return mustRaw(KernelView{Running: kOld, Default: kOld, Phase: phase, From: kOld, To: kNew, VMID: 9201})
+}
+
+func tonight(ring int) *hub.WireOSUpdate {
+	return &hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: ring, Enabled: true, Kernel: &hub.WireKernelStep{Kver: kNew, Tonight: true}}
+}
+
+func kernelCalls(w *fakeWrapper) []string {
+	var m []string
+	for _, p := range w.plans {
+		if p["layer"] == LayerKernel {
+			m = append(m, p["mode"].(string))
+		}
+	}
+	return m
+}
+
+// Ring 0, a told night: after the healthy host step the leg stages the pending kernel (select pending-kernel, the
+// kernel the household was told about), tells the hub "staged", THEN reboots — the kernel step ends the night.
+func TestKernel_Ring0ToldNightStagesThenReboots(t *testing.T) {
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t, kernelRep: map[string][]WrapperReport{
+		"kernel-status": {{Kernel: kview("none")}},
+		"apply":         {{Upgraded: []Package{{Name: "proxmox-kernel-7.0", Version: "7.0.14-22"}}, Authority: "ring0", Kernel: kview("staged")}},
+		"kernel-reboot": {{Kernel: kview("oneshot")}},
+	}}
+	l, h := newLeg(t, w, tonight(0))
+	p := l.Run(context.Background(), 9201, "night")
+	if got := strings.Join(kernelCalls(w), ","); got != "kernel-status,apply,kernel-reboot" {
+		t.Fatalf("kernel calls = %s", got)
+	}
+	var ap map[string]any
+	for _, x := range w.plans {
+		if x["layer"] == LayerKernel && x["mode"] == "apply" {
+			ap = x
+		}
+	}
+	// R-898: EXACTLY the told kernel — the listed set derived from it, never "pending" (red before the fix: select was
+	// pending-kernel, so a newer kernel in the sources by night was refused R23 and the night was lost)
+	pk, _ := json.Marshal(ap["packages"])
+	if ap["select"] != "listed" || ap["expect_kver"] != kNew || ap["lane"] != "slow" ||
+		string(pk) != `[{"name":"proxmox-kernel-7.0","origin":"Proxmox Debian Repository","version":"7.0.14-22"},{"name":"proxmox-kernel-7.0.14-22-pve-signed","origin":"Proxmox Debian Repository","version":"7.0.14-22"}]` {
+		t.Fatalf("stage plan = %v (packages %s)", ap, pk)
+	}
+	if p.Kernel.Outcome != "staged" || !p.Kernel.Healthy {
+		t.Fatalf("kernel report = %+v", p.Kernel)
+	}
+	last := h.reports[len(h.reports)-1]
+	if last.Layer != LayerKernel || last.Outcome != "staged" {
+		t.Fatalf("the hub must hear 'staged' before the reboot: %+v", h.reports)
+	}
+	// the kernel step is the LAST wrapper call of the night
+	if lp := w.plans[len(w.plans)-1]; lp["layer"] != LayerKernel || lp["mode"] != "kernel-reboot" {
+		t.Fatalf("the reboot must end the night, last call = %v", lp)
+	}
+}
+
+// No mail, no step: a kernel the household was NOT told about never runs; nor in a debug pass; nor without a block.
+// COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): drop the `!blk.Kernel.Tonight` case in kernelDue → the first sub-case fails.
+func TestKernel_NoMailNoStep(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := map[string]struct {
+		blk     *hub.WireOSUpdate
+		trigger string
+	}{
+		"not told":   {&hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 0, Enabled: true, Kernel: &hub.WireKernelStep{Kver: kNew, Tonight: false}}, "night"},
+		"debug pass": {tonight(0), "debug"},
+		"no block":   {&hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 0, Enabled: true}, "night"},
+		"switch off": {&hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 0, Enabled: false, Kernel: &hub.WireKernelStep{Kver: kNew, Tonight: true}}, "night"},
+		"bad kver":   {&hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 0, Enabled: true, Kernel: &hub.WireKernelStep{Kver: "7.0; reboot", Tonight: true}}, "night"},
+	}
+	for name, c := range cases {
+		w := &fakeWrapper{t: t}
+		l, _ := newLeg(t, w, c.blk)
+		p := l.Run(context.Background(), 9201, c.trigger)
+		if len(kernelCalls(w)) != 0 || p.Kernel.Layer != "" {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: a kernel step ran: %v", name, kernelCalls(w))
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// The kernel step needs a healthy host step on an appliance, and a healthy Proxmox step when one ran.
+func TestKernel_SkippedWithoutHealthyEarlierSteps(t *testing.T) {
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t}
+	l, _ := newLeg(t, w, tonight(0))
+	l.Appliance = false
+	l.Run(context.Background(), 9201, "night")
+	if len(kernelCalls(w)) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a BYO box took a kernel step: %v", kernelCalls(w))
+	}
+	w2 := &fakeWrapper{t: t, applyRep: map[string]WrapperReport{LayerPVE: {Upgraded: []Package{{Name: "pve-manager", Version: "9.2.21"}},
+		PVEManager: "9.2.2"}}} // pveversion still old → the pve step is unhealthy
+	l2, _ := newLeg(t, w2, tonight(0))
+	l2.Run(context.Background(), 9201, "night")
+	if len(kernelCalls(w2)) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a kernel step ran after an unhealthy Proxmox step: %v", kernelCalls(w2))
+	}
+}
+
+// Ring 1 reboots only a kernel a signed job staged — never stages one itself in the night leg.
+func TestKernel_Ring1RebootsOnlyASignedStage(t *testing.T) {
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t, kernelRep: map[string][]WrapperReport{"kernel-status": {{Kernel: kview("none")}}}}
+	l, _ := newLeg(t, w, tonight(1))
+	l.Run(context.Background(), 9201, "night")
+	if got := strings.Join(kernelCalls(w), ","); got != "kernel-status" {
+		t.Fatalf("ring 1 without a staged kernel: calls = %s", got)
+	}
+	w2 := &fakeWrapper{t: t, kernelRep: map[string][]WrapperReport{"kernel-status": {{Kernel: kview("staged")}},
+		"kernel-reboot": {{Kernel: kview("oneshot")}}}}
+	l2, _ := newLeg(t, w2, tonight(1))
+	p := l2.Run(context.Background(), 9201, "night")
+	if got := strings.Join(kernelCalls(w2), ","); got != "kernel-status,kernel-reboot" || p.Kernel.Outcome != "staged" {
+		t.Fatalf("ring 1 with a staged kernel: calls = %s report = %+v", got, p.Kernel)
+	}
+}
+
+// A refused stage never reboots.
+func TestKernel_RefusedStageNeverReboots(t *testing.T) {
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t, kernelRep: map[string][]WrapperReport{"kernel-status": {{Kernel: kview("none")}},
+		"apply": {{Refused: json.RawMessage(`{"code":"R20","reason":"/boot/efi is not a mounted vfat ESP"}`)}}}}
+	l, h := newLeg(t, w, tonight(0))
+	p := l.Run(context.Background(), 9201, "night")
+	if got := strings.Join(kernelCalls(w), ","); got != "kernel-status,apply" || p.Kernel.Outcome != "refused" {
+		t.Fatalf("calls = %s report = %+v", got, p.Kernel)
+	}
+	if last := h.reports[len(h.reports)-1]; last.Layer != LayerKernel || last.Outcome != "refused" {
+		t.Fatalf("the hub must hear the refusal: %+v", last)
+	}
+}
+
+// THE one-shot boot rule: the host rule AND the hub reached. COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): drop the hubReached
+// check in KernelVerdict → the second case fails.
+func TestKernelVerdict(t *testing.T) {
+	if ok, why := KernelVerdict(hostOK(), hostOK(), hub.TunnelRunning, true); !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("a healthy boot read unhealthy: %s", why)
+	}
+	if ok, why := KernelVerdict(hostOK(), hostOK(), hub.TunnelRunning, false); ok || !strings.Contains(why, "hub") {
+		t.Fatalf("a box that has not reached the hub must not pass: ok=%v %q", ok, why)
+	}
+	down := hostOK()
+	down.GuestRunning = new(bool)
+	if ok, _ := KernelVerdict(hostOK(), down, hub.TunnelRunning, true); ok {
+		t.Fatal("a guest that does not run must fail")
+	}
+	if ok, _ := KernelVerdict(hostOK(), hostOK(), hub.TunnelUnknown, true); ok {
+		t.Fatal("an unknown tunnel must fail (the host rule)")
+	}
+}
+
+func judgingLeg(t *testing.T, w *fakeWrapper) (*Leg, *fakeHub) {
+	if w.kernelRep == nil {
+		w.kernelRep = map[string][]WrapperReport{}
+	}
+	if _, ok := w.kernelRep["kernel-boot"]; !ok {
+		w.kernelRep["kernel-boot"] = []WrapperReport{{KernelEvent: "judging", Kernel: mustRaw(KernelView{Running: kNew,
+			Default: kOld, Phase: "judging", From: kOld, To: kNew, VMID: 9201}), HealthBefore: hostOK()}}
+	}
+	return newLeg(t, w, &hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 0, Enabled: true})
+}
+
+// A healthy one-shot boot: the hub hears "judging", then kernel-good, then "applied".
+func TestKernelAfterBoot_HealthyBecomesTheDefault(t *testing.T) {
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t, kernelRep: map[string][]WrapperReport{"kernel-good": {{Kernel: kview("good")}}}}
+	l, h := judgingLeg(t, w)
+	r := l.KernelAfterBoot(context.Background(), 0, KernelJudge{Wait: 10 * time.Minute, Poll: 30 * time.Second})
+	if got := strings.Join(kernelCalls(w), ","); got != "kernel-boot,health,kernel-good" {
+		t.Fatalf("calls = %s", got)
+	}
+	if r.Outcome != "applied" || !r.Healthy {
+		t.Fatalf("report = %+v", r)
+	}
+	if len(h.reports) != 2 || h.reports[0].Outcome != "judging" || h.reports[1].Outcome != "applied" {
+		t.Fatalf("hub reports = %+v", h.reports)
+	}
+	if w.plans[1]["vmid"] != float64(9201) {
+		t.Fatalf("the health reading must use the step's own guest, got %v", w.plans[1]["vmid"])
+	}
+}
+
+// An unhealthy one-shot boot: wait the full judge time, tell the hub, then ONE kernel-revert.
+// COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): return before the kernel-revert call in judgeKernel → "calls" fails.
+func TestKernelAfterBoot_UnhealthyRevertsOnceAfterTheWait(t *testing.T) {
+	down := hostOK()
+	down.GuestRunning = new(bool)
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t, kernelRep: map[string][]WrapperReport{"health": {{Health: down}},
+		"kernel-revert": {{Kernel: kview("reverting")}}}}
+	l, h := judgingLeg(t, w)
+	start := l.now()
+	r := l.KernelAfterBoot(context.Background(), 0, KernelJudge{Wait: 10 * time.Minute, Poll: time.Minute})
+	calls := kernelCalls(w)
+	if calls[len(calls)-1] != "kernel-revert" || strings.Count(strings.Join(calls, ","), "kernel-revert") != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("calls = %v", calls)
+	}
+	if waited := l.now().Sub(start); waited < 10*time.Minute {
+		t.Fatalf("reverted after %s — before the judge wait", waited)
+	}
+	if r.Outcome != "health_failed" || !strings.Contains(r.HealthReason, "not running") {
+		t.Fatalf("report = %+v", r)
+	}
+	if last := h.reports[len(h.reports)-1]; last.Outcome != "health_failed" {
+		t.Fatalf("the hub must hear health_failed before the revert reboot: %+v", h.reports)
+	}
+	for _, p := range w.plans {
+		if p["mode"] == "kernel-revert" && !strings.Contains(p["reason"].(string), "not running") {
+			t.Fatalf("the revert must carry the reason: %v", p)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// A box that never reaches the hub is not "healthy" — it reverts too.
+func TestKernelAfterBoot_NoHubMeansRevert(t *testing.T) {
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t, kernelRep: map[string][]WrapperReport{"kernel-revert": {{Kernel: kview("reverting")}}}}
+	l, _ := judgingLeg(t, w)
+	l.Hub = unreachableHub{}
+	l.KernelAfterBoot(context.Background(), 0, KernelJudge{Wait: 5 * time.Minute, Poll: time.Minute})
+	if c := kernelCalls(w); c[len(c)-1] != "kernel-revert" {
+		t.Fatalf("calls = %v", c)
+	}
+}
+
+type unreachableHub struct{}
+
+func (unreachableHub) PostOSReport(context.Context, []byte) error { return context.DeadlineExceeded }
+
+// What kernel-boot found becomes the hub's outcome, with no judging and no reboot.
+func TestKernelAfterBoot_FallBackAndRevertResultsAreReported(t *testing.T) {
+	for ev, want := range map[string]string{"fell_back": "fell_back", "self_reverted": "self_reverted", "revert_failed": "revert_failed"} {
+		w := &fakeWrapper{t: t, kernelRep: map[string][]WrapperReport{"kernel-boot": {{KernelEvent: ev,
+			Kernel: mustRaw(KernelView{Running: kOld, Default: kOld, Phase: ev, From: kOld, To: kNew, Reason: "r", VMID: 9201})}}}}
+		l, h := judgingLeg(t, w)
+		r := l.KernelAfterBoot(context.Background(), 0, KernelJudge{})
+		if r.Outcome != want || len(h.reports) != 1 || h.reports[0].Outcome != want {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: report %+v hub %+v", ev, r, h.reports)
+		}
+		if got := strings.Join(kernelCalls(w), ","); got != "kernel-boot" {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: calls = %s", ev, got)
+		}
+	}
+	// nothing to do → nothing reported
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t, kernelRep: map[string][]WrapperReport{"kernel-boot": {{KernelEvent: "none", Kernel: kview("good")}}}}
+	l, h := judgingLeg(t, w)
+	if r := l.KernelAfterBoot(context.Background(), 0, KernelJudge{}); r.Layer != "" || len(h.reports) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("an ordinary boot must report nothing: %+v %+v", r, h.reports)
+	}
+}
+
+// The signed executor STAGES (listed + the raw envelope + the kver) and never reboots.
+func TestKernelStepExecutor_StagesNeverReboots(t *testing.T) {
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t, kernelRep: map[string][]WrapperReport{"apply": {{Upgraded: []Package{{Name: "proxmox-kernel-7.0",
+		Version: "7.0.14-22"}}, Authority: "signed", Kernel: kview("staged")}}}}
+	l, h := newLeg(t, w, &hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 1, Enabled: true})
+	e := KernelStepExecutor{Leg: l, Guest: func(context.Context) (int, error) { return 9201, nil }}
+	params, _ := json.Marshal(KernelStepParams{ReleaseID: "os-kernel-1", Kver: kNew,
+		Packages: []Package{{Name: "proxmox-kernel-7.0", Version: "7.0.14-22", Origin: PVEOrigin}}})
+	ctx := signedjobs.WithSignedOp(context.Background(), &reconcile.SignedOp{Blob: []byte(`{"op":"os_kernel_step"}`), Sig: []byte("SIG")})
+	if err := e.Execute(ctx, OpKernelStep, params); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	pp := w.plans[len(w.plans)-1]
+	sg, _ := pp["signed"].(map[string]any)
+	if pp["mode"] != "apply" || pp["select"] != "listed" || pp["expect_kver"] != kNew || sg == nil ||
+		sg["blob_b64"] != base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString([]byte(`{"op":"os_kernel_step"}`)) {
+		t.Fatalf("plan = %v", pp)
+	}
+	if got := strings.Join(kernelCalls(w), ","); got != "apply" {
+		t.Fatalf("a signed stage must never reboot: %s", got)
+	}
+	if len(h.reports) != 1 || h.reports[0].Outcome != "staged" {
+		t.Fatalf("hub = %+v", h.reports)
+	}
+	if err := e.Execute(context.Background(), OpKernelStep, params); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("no envelope must refuse")
+	}
+	bad, _ := json.Marshal(KernelStepParams{Kver: "x", Packages: []Package{{Name: "a"}}})
+	if err := e.Execute(ctx, OpKernelStep, bad); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a bad kver must refuse")
+	}
+	if err := e.Execute(ctx, OpPVEStep, params); err != signedjobs.ErrNoExecutor {
+		t.Fatalf("another op must pass through the chain: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// os_kernel_step is never benign.
+func TestKernelStep_IsDestructiveClass(t *testing.T) {
+	if reconcile.Classify(reconcile.ClassOSKernelStep, reconcile.Provenance{}) != reconcile.Destructive {
+		t.Fatal("os_kernel_step must be destructive-class (signed, operational key)")
+	}
+}
+
+// A kept stage report (the agent was killed mid-stage) reaches the hub as "staged" with its kernel view.
+func TestKernel_KeptStageReportIsStaged(t *testing.T) {
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t}
+	l, _ := newLeg(t, w, tonight(0))
+	ring := 0
+	rep := l.reportFromKept(context.Background(), WrapperReport{Layer: LayerKernel, Mode: "apply", Ring: &ring,
+		Upgraded: []Package{{Name: "proxmox-kernel-7.0", Version: "7.0.14-22"}}, Kernel: kview("staged")}, "/x/report-r-kernel-apply.json")
+	if rep.Outcome != "staged" || !rep.Healthy || len(rep.Kernel) == 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("kept = %+v", rep)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestKernelSet(t *testing.T) {
+	if got := KernelSet("7.0.14-20-pve"); len(got) != 2 || got[0].Name != "proxmox-kernel-7.0" || got[0].Version != "7.0.14-20" ||
+		got[1].Name != "proxmox-kernel-7.0.14-20-pve-signed" {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", got)
+	}
+	if KernelSet("7.0; reboot") != nil || KernelSet("") != nil {
+		t.Fatal("a non-kernel string must give no set")
+	}
+}

internal/osupdate/leg.go

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"log/slog"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"regexp"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
@@ -27,6 +28,7 @@ import (
 
 	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/hub"
 	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/proxmox"
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/pvegate"
 )
 
 // WrapperPath is the pinned sudoers vector (configs/felhom-agent.sudoers FELHOM_OSAPPLY).
@@ -40,8 +42,24 @@ const (
 	LayerGuest  = "guest"
 	LayerHost   = "host"
 	LayerDocker = "docker" // the guest's Docker engine set — slow lane (`11` §5.8)
+	// LayerPVE is the HOST's Proxmox userspace packages — slow lane (R-812 option A, `09` §3 decision 163, `11` §5.10):
+	// ring 0 in the night leg after a healthy host step, ring 1 only inside a signed os_pve_step. Never a kernel.
+	LayerPVE = "pve"
+	// LayerKernel is the HOST's kernel — the kernel lane (R-836, `09` §3 decision 172, `11` §5.11): a one-shot boot of
+	// the new kernel through the ESP flag, the default moved only after a healthy boot (kernel.go).
+	LayerKernel = "kernel"
 )
 
+// PVEOrigin is the origin apt prints for download.proxmox.com (the wrapper's PVE_ORIGIN); InstalledPVEOrigin is how
+// the wrapper's inventory names the same source.
+const (
+	PVEOrigin          = "Proxmox Debian Repository"
+	InstalledPVEOrigin = "Proxmox"
+)
+
+// hostSlowRE mirrors the wrapper's HOST_SLOW_RE: kernel, boot, firmware and microcode names never ride the pve lane.
+var hostSlowRE = regexp.MustCompile(`^(linux-(image|headers|kbuild|modules|base)|proxmox-kernel|proxmox-default-kernel|pve-kernel|pve-firmware|firmware-|grub|shim|systemd-boot|intel-microcode|amd64-microcode|efibootmgr)`)
+
 // DockerNames are the six packages of the Docker engine set (the wrapper's DOCKER_NAMES).
 var DockerNames = map[string]bool{"containerd.io": true, "docker-buildx-plugin": true, "docker-ce": true,
 	"docker-ce-cli": true, "docker-ce-rootless-extras": true, "docker-compose-plugin": true}
@@ -106,6 +124,16 @@ type WrapperReport struct {
 	LiveRestore         json.RawMessage `json:"live_restore"`
 	Facts               json.RawMessage `json:"facts"`
 	Bundle              json.RawMessage `json:"bundle"` // the config bundle's result (R-840, mode "bundle")
+	// OOMCheck (R-528, `09` decision 157): the docker layer's memory-kill check, {result, oom_killed, oom_event,
+	// exit_code, image, detail}. Carried to the hub UNCHANGED; the agent never reads it.
+	OOMCheck json.RawMessage `json:"oom_check"`
+	// PVEManager: the pve layer — pveversion's pve-manager version after the step ("unknown" = unreadable).
+	PVEManager string `json:"pve_manager"`
+	// Kernel (R-836): the kernel layer's view {running, default, flag, phase, from, to, …}; KernelEvent what kernel-boot
+	// found after a boot; OutcomeHint "nothing" when no kernel was pending.
+	Kernel      json.RawMessage `json:"kernel"`
+	KernelEvent string          `json:"kernel_event"`
+	OutcomeHint string          `json:"outcome_hint"`
 	// R-868 (v0.144.0): the agent's ids, echoed from the plan, so a report kept on disk can be sent without the
 	// agent process that started the pass. ReleaseID / VMID were always in the report.
 	RunID     string `json:"run_id"`
@@ -143,6 +171,15 @@ type Report struct {
 	DockerEngine        string          `json:"docker_engine,omitempty"` // docker layer: the engine after the step
 	Authority           string          `json:"authority,omitempty"`     // docker layer: ring0 | signed
 	Undo                bool            `json:"undo,omitempty"`          // docker layer: a signed undo (downgrade)
+	// OOMCheck: docker layer — the wrapper's oom_check object, byte-for-byte (R-528; the hub decides approval on it).
+	// Pinned by TestDocker_OOMCheckReachesTheHubUnchanged and TestR868_KeptCopyCarriesTheOOMCheck.
+	OOMCheck json.RawMessage `json:"oom_check,omitempty"`
+	// PVEManager: pve layer — pve-manager's version after the step (the hub's System page; R-812 option A).
+	PVEManager string `json:"pve_manager,omitempty"`
+	// Kernel: kernel layer — the wrapper's kernel view, byte for byte (running, default, flag, phase, from, to). The
+	// outcomes of this layer: staged | applied (the new kernel is the default) | fell_back | health_failed (self-revert
+	// started) | self_reverted | revert_failed | judging | nothing | refused | failed.
+	Kernel json.RawMessage `json:"kernel,omitempty"`
 
 	unsent string // R-868: the wrapper's kept copy of this pass's report — deleted once the hub has it
 }
@@ -380,6 +417,36 @@ func EngineOf(pkgVersion string) string {
 	return v
 }
 
+// PVEHealthVerdict is THE Proxmox-package-step health rule (R-812 option A; pinned by TestPVEHealthVerdict): the host
+// rule (every host service active, the guest running and healthy, the tunnel running), plus every container running at
+// the start still runs as the SAME container (a Proxmox step must not restart the household's apps), plus pveversion
+// now reports the pve-manager the step installed (wantPVE "" = pve-manager was not in the step).
+func PVEHealthVerdict(before, after *Health, tunnel, wantPVE, gotPVE string) (bool, string) {
+	if ok, why := HostHealthVerdict(before, after, tunnel); !ok {
+		return false, why
+	}
+	if before != nil && before.Guest != nil && after.Guest != nil {
+		names := make([]string, 0, len(before.Guest.Containers))
+		for n := range before.Guest.Containers {
+			names = append(names, n)
+		}
+		sort.Strings(names)
+		for _, n := range names {
+			b := before.Guest.Containers[n]
+			if b.State != "running" || b.ID == "" {
+				continue
+			}
+			if a := after.Guest.Containers[n]; a.ID != b.ID {
+				return false, n + " is a new container (id changed) — the Proxmox step restarted the household's app"
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if wantPVE != "" && gotPVE != wantPVE {
+		return false, "pveversion reads pve-manager " + gotPVE + ", not " + wantPVE
+	}
+	return true, ""
+}
+
 // DockerHealthVerdict is THE Docker-step health rule (`11` §5.8; pinned by TestDockerHealthVerdict): the guest rule,
 // plus every container running at the start still runs as the SAME container (same id — a changed id means the
 // household's apps restarted, which `live-restore` exists to prevent), plus the engine now reports the version the step
@@ -445,7 +512,7 @@ func (l *Leg) call(ctx context.Context, runID string, plan map[string]any) (Wrap
 
 // Pass is one leg's reports; an empty Layer means the step did not run.
 type Pass struct {
-	Guest, Host, Docker Report
+	Guest, Host, Docker, PVE, Kernel Report
 }
 
 // Run is one pass: the guest layer, then (on an appliance, after a good guest step) the host layer, then (ring 0
@@ -473,13 +540,54 @@ func (l *Leg) Run(ctx context.Context, vmid int, trigger string) Pass {
 		if err := l.EnsureLiveRestore(ctx, g.RunID, vmid); err != nil {
 			p.Docker = l.finish(ctx, lg, Report{RunID: g.RunID, Layer: LayerDocker, Trigger: trigger, Ring: 0, VMID: vmid,
 				Mode: "apply", Outcome: "failed", HealthReason: "live-restore could not be turned on: " + err.Error()})
-			return p
+		} else {
+			p.Docker = l.runLayer(ctx, g.RunID, LayerDocker, vmid, trigger, blk, dockerOpts{})
 		}
-		p.Docker = l.runLayer(ctx, g.RunID, LayerDocker, vmid, trigger, blk, dockerOpts{})
+	}
+	// R-812 option A: the Proxmox package step — ring 0, an appliance, after a HEALTHY host step (it is a host change).
+	// A Docker step's outcome does not gate it (the Docker set lives in the guest). Pinned by TestPVE_*.
+	switch {
+	case blk.Ring != 0 || !blk.Enabled:
+		lg.Info("osupdate: pve step skipped — ring 1 takes a Proxmox set only inside a signed operator job (`11` §5.10)", "ring", blk.Ring, "enabled", blk.Enabled)
+	case !l.Appliance || h.Layer == "" || !okStep(h):
+		lg.Info("osupdate: pve step skipped — no healthy host step this pass (an appliance only)", "appliance", l.Appliance, "host_outcome", h.Outcome)
+	default:
+		p.PVE = l.runPVE(ctx, g.RunID, vmid, trigger, blk, dockerOpts{})
+	}
+	// R-836 (`09` §3 decision 172): the kernel step ENDS the night — an appliance, after a healthy host step (and a
+	// healthy Proxmox step when one ran), only on a night the hub marks as told. It reboots the box. Pinned by TestKernel_*.
+	switch {
+	case !l.Appliance || h.Layer == "" || !okStep(h):
+		lg.Info("osupdate: kernel step skipped — no healthy host step this pass (an appliance only)", "appliance", l.Appliance, "host_outcome", h.Outcome)
+	case p.PVE.Layer != "" && !okStep(p.PVE):
+		lg.Warn("osupdate: kernel step skipped — the Proxmox step did not end healthy", "pve_outcome", p.PVE.Outcome)
+	default:
+		p.Kernel = l.runKernel(ctx, g.RunID, vmid, trigger, blk)
 	}
 	return p
 }
 
+// pveDrainWait bounds how long a pve step waits for the agent's own /etc/pve writes in flight (pvegate).
+var pveDrainWait = 2 * time.Minute
+
+// runPVE runs the pve layer while holding pvegate: the agent's own /etc/pve writes wait until it ends.
+func (l *Leg) runPVE(ctx context.Context, runID string, vmid int, trigger string, blk hub.WireOSUpdate, do dockerOpts) Report {
+	lg := l.log().With("run", runID, "layer", LayerPVE, "vmid", vmid, "trigger", trigger)
+	dctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, pveDrainWait)
+	end, err := pvegate.Step(dctx)
+	cancel()
+	if err != nil {
+		return l.finish(ctx, lg, Report{RunID: runID, Layer: LayerPVE, Trigger: trigger, Ring: blk.Ring, VMID: vmid, Mode: "apply",
+			ReleaseID: do.releaseID, Outcome: "failed", HealthReason: "an agent write to /etc/pve did not finish in time (pvegate): " + err.Error()})
+	}
+	lg.Info("osupdate: pve step holds the /etc/pve write gate — the agent's own writes wait until it ends")
+	defer func() {
+		end()
+		lg.Info("osupdate: pve step released the /etc/pve write gate")
+	}()
+	return l.runLayer(ctx, runID, LayerPVE, vmid, trigger, blk, do)
+}
+
 // dockerOpts is a signed Docker step (DockerStepExecutor); the zero value is ring 0's unsigned "pending-docker".
 type dockerOpts struct {
 	releaseID string
@@ -565,7 +673,7 @@ func (l *Leg) runLayer(ctx context.Context, runID, layer string, vmid int, trigg
 		wire = blk.HostRelease
 	}
 	lane := "fast"
-	if layer == LayerDocker {
+	if layer == LayerDocker || layer == LayerPVE {
 		lane = "slow"
 		if do.signed != nil {
 			rel = hub.WireOSRelease{ID: do.releaseID}
@@ -598,6 +706,13 @@ func (l *Leg) runLayer(ctx context.Context, runID, layer string, vmid int, trigg
 		}
 	case layer == LayerDocker:
 		plan["select"] = "pending-docker" // ring 0: the wrapper checks the box's ROOT-OWNED ring-0 mark itself
+	case layer == LayerPVE && do.signed != nil:
+		plan["packages"], plan["signed"] = do.packages, do.signed
+		for _, p := range do.packages {
+			planned[p.Name] = true
+		}
+	case layer == LayerPVE:
+		plan["select"] = "pending-pve" // ring 0: the same root-owned mark; the wrapper picks installed Proxmox userspace
 	case !blk.Enabled:
 		plan["mode"] = "inventory"
 		lg.Info("osupdate: switched OFF for this box — reporting only")
@@ -630,6 +745,8 @@ func (l *Leg) runLayer(ctx context.Context, runID, layer string, vmid int, trigg
 	}
 	rep.Upgraded, rep.PassSeconds = wr.Upgraded, wr.PassSeconds
 	rep.DockerEngine, rep.Authority, rep.Undo = wr.DockerEngine, wr.Authority, wr.Undo
+	rep.OOMCheck = rawOrNil(wr.OOMCheck)
+	rep.PVEManager = wr.PVEManager
 	if rep.Outcome == "" {
 		switch {
 		case rep.Mode == "inventory" && !blk.Enabled:
@@ -647,21 +764,27 @@ func (l *Leg) runLayer(ctx context.Context, runID, layer string, vmid int, trigg
 	}
 	// Health: compare with the start of the pass; give restarted services time (only after an install).
 	cur := wr.HealthAfter
-	wantEngine := ""
+	wantEngine, wantPVE := "", ""
 	for _, u := range wr.Upgraded {
 		if u.Name == "docker-ce" {
 			wantEngine = EngineOf(u.Version)
 		}
+		if u.Name == "pve-manager" {
+			wantPVE = u.Version
+		}
 	}
 	verdict := func(h *Health) (bool, string) {
 		if layer == LayerDocker {
 			return DockerHealthVerdict(wr.HealthBefore, h, wantEngine, wr.DockerEngine)
 		}
-		if layer == LayerHost {
+		if layer == LayerHost || layer == LayerPVE {
 			t := hub.TunnelUnknown
 			if l.Tunnel != nil {
 				t, _ = l.Tunnel.Status(ctx)
 			}
+			if layer == LayerPVE {
+				return PVEHealthVerdict(wr.HealthBefore, h, t, wantPVE, wr.PVEManager)
+			}
 			return HostHealthVerdict(wr.HealthBefore, h, t)
 		}
 		return HealthVerdict(wr.HealthBefore, h)
@@ -701,12 +824,24 @@ func (l *Leg) runLayer(ctx context.Context, runID, layer string, vmid int, trigg
 		// the docker report carries the engine set only (the guest report already carries the Debian packages)
 		rep.Installed, rep.Pending = onlyDocker(wr.Installed), onlyDockerPending(wr.Pending)
 		rep.NotCovered = nil
+	} else if layer == LayerPVE {
+		// the pve report carries the Proxmox userspace set only — the hub's candidate is built from it
+		rep.Installed, rep.Pending = onlyPVE(wr.Installed), onlyPVEPending(wr.Pending)
+		rep.NotCovered = nil
 	} else {
 		rep.NotCovered = notCovered(wr.Pending, blk.Ring, planned)
 	}
 	return l.finish(ctx, lg, rep)
 }
 
+// rawOrNil: a wrapper field that is absent or JSON null stays out of the hub report (omitempty).
+func rawOrNil(m json.RawMessage) json.RawMessage {
+	if len(m) == 0 || string(m) == "null" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return m
+}
+
 func onlyDocker(in []Package) []Package {
 	var out []Package
 	for _, p := range in {
@@ -717,6 +852,33 @@ func onlyDocker(in []Package) []Package {
 	return out
 }
 
+// onlyPVE keeps the installed Proxmox-origin packages the pve lane may touch (never a kernel / boot / firmware name).
+func onlyPVE(in []Package) []Package {
+	var out []Package
+	for _, p := range in {
+		if (p.Origin == InstalledPVEOrigin || p.Origin == PVEOrigin) && !hostSlowRE.MatchString(p.Name) && !DockerNames[p.Name] {
+			out = append(out, p)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func onlyPVEPending(in []Pending) []Pending {
+	var out []Pending
+	for _, p := range in {
+		if p.From == "" || hostSlowRE.MatchString(p.Name) || DockerNames[p.Name] {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, o := range p.Origin {
+			if o == PVEOrigin {
+				out = append(out, p)
+				break
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 func onlyDockerPending(in []Pending) []Pending {
 	var out []Pending
 	for _, p := range in {

internal/osupdate/leg_test.go

@@ -13,16 +13,19 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/hub"
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/pvegate"
 )
 
 // fakeWrapper plays /usr/local/sbin/felhom-os-apply: it reads the plan the leg wrote and answers per layer and mode.
 type fakeWrapper struct {
-	t         *testing.T
-	pending   []Pending
-	applyRep  map[string]WrapperReport // per layer
-	healthSeq map[string][]*Health     // per layer: answers to successive "health" calls
-	plans     []map[string]any
-	keep      bool // R-868: like the real wrapper, keep an apply report beside the plan
+	t           *testing.T
+	pending     []Pending
+	applyRep    map[string]WrapperReport // per layer
+	healthSeq   map[string][]*Health     // per layer: answers to successive "health" calls
+	plans       []map[string]any
+	keep        bool // R-868: like the real wrapper, keep an apply report beside the plan
+	pveGateHeld bool
+	kernelRep   map[string][]WrapperReport // R-836: per kernel-layer mode, successive answers (the last one repeats)
 }
 
 func yes() *bool { b := true; return &b }
@@ -50,9 +53,22 @@ func (f *fakeWrapper) Run(_ context.Context, name string, args ...string) ([]byt
 	f.plans = append(f.plans, plan)
 	layer := plan["layer"].(string)
 	ok := guestOK()
-	if layer == LayerHost {
+	if layer == LayerHost || layer == LayerPVE || layer == LayerKernel {
 		ok = hostOK()
 	}
+	if layer == LayerKernel {
+		if seq := f.kernelRep[plan["mode"].(string)]; len(seq) > 0 {
+			rep := seq[0]
+			if len(seq) > 1 {
+				f.kernelRep[plan["mode"].(string)] = seq[1:]
+			}
+			out, _ := json.Marshal(rep)
+			return []byte("OSAPPLY-REPORT " + string(out) + "\n"), []byte("os-apply: DONE rc=0\n"), nil
+		}
+	}
+	if layer == LayerPVE && plan["mode"] == "apply" {
+		f.pveGateHeld = pvegate.Stepping() // R-812: the /etc/pve write gate must be held while the pve step runs
+	}
 	var rep WrapperReport
 	switch plan["mode"] {
 	case "inventory":
@@ -98,9 +114,13 @@ func (f *fakeWrapper) RunStdin(ctx context.Context, _ io.Reader, name string, ar
 	return f.Run(ctx, name, args...)
 }
 
-type fakeHub struct{ reports []Report }
+type fakeHub struct {
+	reports []Report
+	bodies  [][]byte // the exact bytes posted (R-528: the oom_check object must arrive unchanged)
+}
 
 func (h *fakeHub) PostOSReport(_ context.Context, body []byte) error {
+	h.bodies = append(h.bodies, append([]byte(nil), body...))
 	var r Report
 	json.Unmarshal(body, &r)
 	h.reports = append(h.reports, r)
@@ -156,8 +176,8 @@ func TestRing0_OneCallPerLayer(t *testing.T) {
 	if g.Outcome != "applied" || !g.Healthy || ho.Outcome != "applied" || !ho.Healthy {
 		t.Fatalf("guest %+v\nhost %+v", g, ho)
 	}
-	if calls(w) != "guest:apply,host:apply,guest:live-restore-on,docker:apply" {
-		t.Fatalf("calls = %s, want one apply per layer, guest first, then live-restore and the ring-0 docker step", calls(w))
+	if calls(w) != "guest:apply,host:apply,guest:live-restore-on,docker:apply,pve:apply" {
+		t.Fatalf("calls = %s, want one apply per layer, guest first, then live-restore, the ring-0 docker step and the pve step", calls(w))
 	}
 	for _, p := range w.plans[:2] {
 		if p["select"] != "pending-fast" || p["snapshot"] != "" || len(p["packages"].([]any)) != 0 {
@@ -167,7 +187,7 @@ func TestRing0_OneCallPerLayer(t *testing.T) {
 	if len(g.NotCovered) != 1 || g.NotCovered[0] != "docker-ce" {
 		t.Fatalf("not covered = %v", g.NotCovered)
 	}
-	if len(h.reports) != 3 || h.reports[0].Layer != LayerGuest || h.reports[1].Layer != LayerHost || h.reports[2].Layer != LayerDocker {
+	if len(h.reports) != 4 || h.reports[0].Layer != LayerGuest || h.reports[1].Layer != LayerHost || h.reports[2].Layer != LayerDocker || h.reports[3].Layer != LayerPVE {
 		t.Fatalf("hub got %+v", h.reports)
 	}
 }
@@ -385,7 +405,7 @@ func TestHostReport_CarriesRebootScanned(t *testing.T) {
 	}}
 	l, h := newLeg(t, w, &hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 0, Enabled: true})
 	run2(l, "night")
-	if len(h.reports) != 3 || !h.reports[1].RebootScanned || !h.reports[1].RebootNeeded || h.reports[0].RebootScanned {
+	if len(h.reports) != 4 || !h.reports[1].RebootScanned || !h.reports[1].RebootNeeded || h.reports[0].RebootScanned {
 		t.Fatalf("hub got %+v", h.reports)
 	}
 }
@@ -432,7 +452,12 @@ func TestDocker_Ring0PlanAndReport(t *testing.T) {
 		DockerEngine: "29.8.2", Authority: "ring0"}}}
 	l, _ := newLeg(t, w, &hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 0, Enabled: true})
 	p := l.Run(context.Background(), 9201, "night")
-	dp := w.plans[len(w.plans)-1]
+	var dp map[string]any
+	for _, x := range w.plans {
+		if x["layer"] == "docker" {
+			dp = x
+		}
+	}
 	if dp["layer"] != "docker" || dp["lane"] != "slow" || dp["select"] != "pending-docker" {
 		t.Fatalf("docker plan = %v", dp)
 	}
@@ -504,3 +529,42 @@ func TestHealthVerdict_ControllerBlindToDockerFails(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("an older wrapper (no field) must not fail")
 	}
 }
+
+// R-528 (`09` decision 157): the wrapper's oom_check object reaches the hub's docker report byte-for-byte; the guest
+// and host reports carry none. COMPANION RED-PROOF: drop `rep.OOMCheck = rawOrNil(wr.OOMCheck)` in runLayer → "no
+// oom_check in the docker report".
+const oomCheckWire = `{"detail":"the engine reported the memory kill: OOMKilled=true and the oom event","exit_code":137,"image":"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller:0.300.0","oom_event":true,"oom_killed":true,"result":"pass"}`
+
+func TestDocker_OOMCheckReachesTheHubUnchanged(t *testing.T) {
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t, applyRep: map[string]WrapperReport{LayerDocker: {
+		Upgraded:     []Package{{Name: "docker-ce", Version: "5:29.8.2-1~debian.13~trixie"}},
+		DockerEngine: "29.8.2", Authority: "ring0", OOMCheck: json.RawMessage(oomCheckWire)}}}
+	l, h := newLeg(t, w, &hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 0, Enabled: true})
+	l.Run(context.Background(), 9201, "night")
+	found := false
+	for _, b := range h.bodies {
+		var m map[string]json.RawMessage
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(b, &m); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		var layer string
+		json.Unmarshal(m["layer"], &layer)
+		oc, has := m["oom_check"]
+		if layer != LayerDocker {
+			if has {
+				t.Fatalf("the %s report carries an oom_check: %s", layer, oc)
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+		found = true
+		if !has {
+			t.Fatalf("no oom_check in the docker report: %s", b)
+		}
+		if string(oc) != oomCheckWire {
+			t.Fatalf("oom_check changed on the way:\n got %s\nwant %s", oc, oomCheckWire)
+		}
+	}
+	if !found {
+		t.Fatalf("no docker report posted: %s", calls(w))
+	}
+}

internal/osupdate/pve_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+package osupdate
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/hub"
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/pvegate"
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/reconcile"
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/signedjobs"
+)
+
+// ---- the Proxmox package step (R-812 option A, `09` §3 decision 163, `11` §5.10) ----
+
+// Ring 0: after a healthy host step the leg runs the pve layer — slow lane, select pending-pve — while holding the
+// /etc/pve write gate; the report carries only Proxmox userspace packages and pve-manager's version.
+//
+// COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): call runLayer instead of runPVE in Run → "the /etc/pve write gate was not held".
+func TestPVE_Ring0PlanGateAndReport(t *testing.T) {
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t, applyRep: map[string]WrapperReport{LayerPVE: {
+		Upgraded: []Package{{Name: "pve-manager", Version: "9.2.21"}},
+		Installed: []Package{{Name: "pve-manager", Version: "9.2.21", Origin: "Proxmox"},
+			{Name: "proxmox-kernel-helper", Version: "9.0.4", Origin: "Proxmox"}, {Name: "libc6", Version: "u4", Origin: "Debian"}},
+		Pending: []Pending{{Name: "qemu-server", From: "9.0.1", To: "9.0.9", Origin: []string{PVEOrigin}},
+			{Name: "proxmox-kernel-7.0", From: "7.0.2", To: "7.0.14", Origin: []string{PVEOrigin}},
+			{Name: "libc6", From: "u3", To: "u4", Origin: []string{"Debian"}}},
+		PVEManager: "9.2.21", Authority: "ring0"}}}
+	l, h := newLeg(t, w, &hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 0, Enabled: true})
+	p := l.Run(context.Background(), 9201, "night")
+	var pp map[string]any
+	for _, x := range w.plans {
+		if x["layer"] == LayerPVE {
+			pp = x
+		}
+	}
+	if pp == nil || pp["lane"] != "slow" || pp["select"] != "pending-pve" {
+		t.Fatalf("pve plan = %v (calls %s)", pp, calls(w))
+	}
+	if !w.pveGateHeld {
+		t.Fatal("the /etc/pve write gate was not held while the pve step ran")
+	}
+	if pvegate.Stepping() {
+		t.Fatal("the gate must be released after the step")
+	}
+	r := p.PVE
+	if r.Outcome != "applied" || !r.Healthy || r.PVEManager != "9.2.21" {
+		t.Fatalf("pve report = %+v", r)
+	}
+	if len(r.Installed) != 1 || r.Installed[0].Name != "pve-manager" || len(r.Pending) != 1 || r.Pending[0].Name != "qemu-server" {
+		t.Fatalf("the pve report must carry Proxmox userspace only: installed=%v pending=%v", r.Installed, r.Pending)
+	}
+	if h.reports[len(h.reports)-1].Layer != LayerPVE {
+		t.Fatalf("the hub must get the pve report: %+v", h.reports)
+	}
+}
+
+// Ring 1 never takes a Proxmox step in the night leg.
+func TestPVE_Ring1NightLegNeverSteps(t *testing.T) {
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t}
+	l, _ := newLeg(t, w, &hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 1, Enabled: true})
+	if p := l.Run(context.Background(), 9201, "night"); p.PVE.Layer != "" || strings.Contains(calls(w), "pve") {
+		t.Fatalf("ring 1 took a pve step: %s", calls(w))
+	}
+}
+
+// No healthy host step (a BYO box, or an unhealthy host step) → no pve step.
+func TestPVE_SkippedWithoutAHealthyHostStep(t *testing.T) {
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t}
+	l, _ := newLeg(t, w, &hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 0, Enabled: true})
+	l.Appliance = false
+	if p := l.Run(context.Background(), 9201, "night"); p.PVE.Layer != "" || strings.Contains(calls(w), "pve") {
+		t.Fatalf("a BYO box took a pve step: %s", calls(w))
+	}
+	w2 := &fakeWrapper{t: t}
+	l2, _ := newLeg(t, w2, &hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 0, Enabled: true})
+	l2.Tunnel = fakeTunnel{"stopped"} // the host step reads unhealthy
+	w2.applyRep = map[string]WrapperReport{LayerHost: {Upgraded: []Package{{Name: "libc6", Version: "u4"}}}}
+	if p := l2.Run(context.Background(), 9201, "night"); p.PVE.Layer != "" || strings.Contains(calls(w2), "pve") {
+		t.Fatalf("a pve step ran after an unhealthy host step: %s", calls(w2))
+	}
+}
+
+// A write in flight that never finishes makes the pve step give up (failed), never run without the gate.
+func TestPVE_GivesUpWhenAWriteDoesNotFinish(t *testing.T) {
+	old := pveDrainWait
+	pveDrainWait = 50_000_000 // 50 ms
+	defer func() { pveDrainWait = old }()
+	rel, _, _ := pvegate.Write(context.Background())
+	defer rel()
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t}
+	l, _ := newLeg(t, w, &hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 0, Enabled: true})
+	p := l.Run(context.Background(), 9201, "night")
+	if p.PVE.Outcome != "failed" || strings.Contains(calls(w), "pve") {
+		t.Fatalf("the pve step must fail without a wrapper call: %+v calls=%s", p.PVE, calls(w))
+	}
+}
+
+// THE pve health rule. COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): drop the container-id loop or the pve-manager check in
+// PVEHealthVerdict → the matching case below fails.
+func TestPVEHealthVerdict(t *testing.T) {
+	before, after := hostOK(), hostOK()
+	before.Guest.Containers["app"] = Container{State: "running", Health: "healthy", ID: "a1"}
+	after.Guest.Containers["app"] = Container{State: "running", Health: "healthy", ID: "a1"}
+	if ok, why := PVEHealthVerdict(before, after, hub.TunnelRunning, "9.2.21", "9.2.21"); !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("healthy step read unhealthy: %s", why)
+	}
+	if ok, _ := PVEHealthVerdict(before, after, hub.TunnelRunning, "9.2.21", "9.2.2"); ok {
+		t.Fatal("pveversion still on the old pve-manager must fail")
+	}
+	after.Guest.Containers["app"] = Container{State: "running", Health: "healthy", ID: "b2"}
+	if ok, why := PVEHealthVerdict(before, after, hub.TunnelRunning, "", "9.2.2"); ok || !strings.Contains(why, "id changed") {
+		t.Fatalf("an app restarted by the Proxmox step must fail, got ok=%v %q", ok, why)
+	}
+}
+
+// The signed executor hands the RAW envelope and the exact list to the wrapper's pve layer.
+func TestPVEStepExecutor_PassesTheSignedEnvelope(t *testing.T) {
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t, applyRep: map[string]WrapperReport{LayerPVE: {
+		Upgraded: []Package{{Name: "pve-manager", Version: "9.2.21"}}, PVEManager: "9.2.21", Authority: "signed"}}}
+	l, h := newLeg(t, w, &hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 1, Enabled: true})
+	e := PVEStepExecutor{Leg: l, Guest: func(context.Context) (int, error) { return 9201, nil }}
+	params, _ := json.Marshal(PVEStepParams{ReleaseID: "os-pve-1", Packages: []Package{{Name: "pve-manager", Version: "9.2.21", Origin: PVEOrigin}}})
+	ctx := signedjobs.WithSignedOp(context.Background(), &reconcile.SignedOp{Blob: []byte(`{"op":"os_pve_step"}`), Sig: []byte("SIG")})
+	if err := e.Execute(ctx, OpPVEStep, params); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	pp := w.plans[len(w.plans)-1]
+	sg, _ := pp["signed"].(map[string]any)
+	if pp["layer"] != LayerPVE || pp["lane"] != "slow" || pp["release_id"] != "os-pve-1" || sg == nil ||
+		sg["blob_b64"] != base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString([]byte(`{"op":"os_pve_step"}`)) || sg["sig"] != "SIG" {
+		t.Fatalf("pve plan = %v", pp)
+	}
+	if !w.pveGateHeld || calls(w) != "pve:apply" || len(h.reports) != 1 || h.reports[0].Trigger != "signed" {
+		t.Fatalf("gate=%v calls=%s reports=%+v", w.pveGateHeld, calls(w), h.reports)
+	}
+	if err := e.Execute(context.Background(), OpPVEStep, params); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("no envelope must refuse")
+	}
+	if err := e.Execute(context.Background(), OpDockerStep, params); err != signedjobs.ErrNoExecutor {
+		t.Fatalf("another op must pass through the chain: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// os_pve_step is never benign.
+func TestPVEStep_IsDestructiveClass(t *testing.T) {
+	if reconcile.Classify(reconcile.ClassOSPVEStep, reconcile.Provenance{}) != reconcile.Destructive {
+		t.Fatal("os_pve_step must be destructive-class (signed, operational key)")
+	}
+}

internal/osupdate/pvejob.go

@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+package osupdate
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/signedjobs"
+)
+
+// OpPVEStep is the signed op class of a Proxmox package step (R-812 option A, `11` §5.10): a ring-1 box takes an
+// approved Proxmox set only through it. No undo in this release. CC may sign it until the first paying customer.
+const OpPVEStep = "os_pve_step"
+
+// PVEStepParams are the signed params. The wrapper compares Packages with the plan byte-for-byte.
+type PVEStepParams struct {
+	ReleaseID string    `json:"release_id"`
+	Packages  []Package `json:"packages"`
+	VMID      int       `json:"vmid,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// PVEStepExecutor runs a verified os_pve_step (signedjobs.Executor) under the host-wide heavy-op gate (Gate) and the
+// /etc/pve write gate (inside runPVE).
+type PVEStepExecutor struct {
+	Leg   *Leg
+	Guest func(ctx context.Context) (int, error)
+	Gate  func(ctx context.Context) (release func(), err error)
+}
+
+// Execute implements signedjobs.Executor.
+func (e PVEStepExecutor) Execute(ctx context.Context, op string, params json.RawMessage) error {
+	if op != OpPVEStep {
+		return signedjobs.ErrNoExecutor
+	}
+	so, ok := signedjobs.SignedOpFrom(ctx)
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("os_pve_step: no signed envelope in the context — the wrapper could not verify it")
+	}
+	var p PVEStepParams
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(params, &p); err != nil || len(p.Packages) == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("os_pve_step: params must name the Proxmox set: %v", err)
+	}
+	vmid := p.VMID
+	if vmid == 0 {
+		if e.Guest == nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("os_pve_step: no vmid and no guest finder")
+		}
+		v, err := e.Guest(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("os_pve_step: find the customer guest: %w", err)
+		}
+		vmid = v
+	}
+	if e.Gate != nil {
+		release, err := e.Gate(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("os_pve_step: heavy-op gate busy (a backup or restore-test runs): %w", err)
+		}
+		defer release()
+	}
+	rep := e.Leg.RunPVESigned(ctx, vmid, p, so.Blob, string(so.Sig))
+	switch rep.Outcome {
+	case "applied", "nothing":
+		if rep.Healthy {
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+	return fmt.Errorf("os_pve_step: %s (%s) %s", rep.Outcome, rep.HealthReason, string(rep.Refused))
+}
+
+// RunPVESigned is one signed Proxmox step (ring 1): the pve layer with the signed envelope, which the wrapper verifies
+// itself, holding the /etc/pve write gate.
+func (l *Leg) RunPVESigned(ctx context.Context, vmid int, p PVEStepParams, blob []byte, sig string) Report {
+	unlock := l.lockPass(true)
+	defer unlock()
+	l.sendUnsentLocked(ctx) // R-868
+	runID := l.now().UTC().Format("20060102T150405Z")
+	rid := p.ReleaseID
+	if rid == "" {
+		rid = "signed-" + runID
+	}
+	return l.runPVE(ctx, runID, vmid, "signed", l.Block(), dockerOpts{releaseID: rid, packages: p.Packages,
+		signed: map[string]string{"blob_b64": base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(blob), "sig": sig}})
+}

internal/osupdate/r899_ring_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+package osupdate
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/hub"
+)
+
+// After a boot the agent has not fetched the hub's block yet; the after-boot kernel report must still carry the
+// box's real ring (seen 2026-10-08: a ring-0 box's „judging" report said ring 1). Red-proof: return Block().Ring
+// from kernelReportRing and the saved-block case fails with 1.
+func TestKernelReportRing_BeforeFirstFetch(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	l := &Leg{PlanDir: dir}
+	if got := l.kernelReportRing(); got != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("nothing fetched, nothing saved: ring %d, want 1 (the old default)", got)
+	}
+	l.saveBlock(&hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 0, Enabled: true})
+	l2 := &Leg{PlanDir: dir} // a fresh daemon after the reboot: no block fetched yet
+	if got := l2.kernelReportRing(); got != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("ring-0 block saved before the reboot: ring %d, want 0", got)
+	}
+	l2.SetBlock(&hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 1, Enabled: true})
+	if got := l2.kernelReportRing(); got != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("a fetched block wins over the saved one: ring %d, want 1", got)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, SavedBlockFile)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("saved block missing: %v", err)
+	}
+}

internal/osupdate/unsent.go

@@ -142,23 +142,42 @@ func (l *Leg) reportFromKept(ctx context.Context, wr WrapperReport, path string)
 	default:
 		rep.Outcome = "applied"
 	}
+	if wr.Layer == LayerKernel {
+		// a kernel STAGE changes nothing the box runs (the new kernel only boots once, at the night's reboot), so its
+		// kept copy needs no fresh health reading (R-836)
+		rep.Kernel = rawOrNil(wr.Kernel)
+		rep.Upgraded, rep.PassSeconds, rep.Authority = wr.Upgraded, wr.PassSeconds, wr.Authority
+		if rep.Outcome == "applied" {
+			rep.Outcome = "staged"
+		}
+		rep.Healthy, rep.HealthReason = rep.Outcome == "staged" || rep.Outcome == "nothing", prefix
+		return rep
+	}
 	rep.Upgraded, rep.PassSeconds = wr.Upgraded, wr.PassSeconds
 	rep.DockerEngine, rep.Authority, rep.Undo = wr.DockerEngine, wr.Authority, wr.Undo
-	wantEngine := ""
+	rep.OOMCheck = rawOrNil(wr.OOMCheck)
+	rep.PVEManager = wr.PVEManager
+	wantEngine, wantPVE := "", ""
 	for _, u := range wr.Upgraded {
 		if u.Name == "docker-ce" {
 			wantEngine = EngineOf(u.Version)
 		}
+		if u.Name == "pve-manager" {
+			wantPVE = u.Version
+		}
 	}
 	verdict := func(h *Health) (bool, string) {
 		switch wr.Layer {
 		case LayerDocker:
 			return DockerHealthVerdict(wr.HealthBefore, h, wantEngine, wr.DockerEngine)
-		case LayerHost:
+		case LayerHost, LayerPVE:
 			t := hub.TunnelUnknown
 			if l.Tunnel != nil {
 				t, _ = l.Tunnel.Status(ctx)
 			}
+			if wr.Layer == LayerPVE {
+				return PVEHealthVerdict(wr.HealthBefore, h, t, wantPVE, wr.PVEManager)
+			}
 			return HostHealthVerdict(wr.HealthBefore, h, t)
 		}
 		return HealthVerdict(wr.HealthBefore, h)
@@ -166,7 +185,7 @@ func (l *Leg) reportFromKept(ctx context.Context, wr WrapperReport, path string)
 	ok, why := verdict(wr.HealthAfter)
 	if !ok && len(wr.Upgraded) > 0 && wr.VMID > 0 {
 		lane := "fast"
-		if wr.Layer == LayerDocker {
+		if wr.Layer == LayerDocker || wr.Layer == LayerPVE {
 			lane = "slow"
 		}
 		if hr, err := l.call(ctx, "kept-"+runID, map[string]any{"release_id": "kept", "layer": wr.Layer, "lane": lane,
@@ -186,6 +205,8 @@ func (l *Leg) reportFromKept(ctx context.Context, wr WrapperReport, path string)
 	rep.RebootScanned = wr.RebootScanned
 	if wr.Layer == LayerDocker {
 		rep.Installed, rep.Pending = onlyDocker(wr.Installed), onlyDockerPending(wr.Pending)
+	} else if wr.Layer == LayerPVE {
+		rep.Installed, rep.Pending = onlyPVE(wr.Installed), onlyPVEPending(wr.Pending)
 	} else {
 		planned := map[string]bool{}
 		for _, u := range wr.Upgraded {

internal/osupdate/unsent_test.go

@@ -150,3 +150,24 @@ func must(t *testing.T, err error) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 }
+
+// R-528: a kept docker report (the agent was killed) still carries the oom_check object to the hub unchanged.
+// COMPANION RED-PROOF: drop `rep.OOMCheck = rawOrNil(wr.OOMCheck)` in reportFromKept → "oom_check lost".
+func TestR868_KeptCopyCarriesTheOOMCheck(t *testing.T) {
+	w := &fakeWrapper{t: t}
+	l, h := newLeg(t, w, &hub.WireOSUpdate{Ring: 0, Enabled: true})
+	ring := 0
+	kept := WrapperReport{Mode: "apply", Layer: LayerDocker, RunID: "20261007T020000Z", Trigger: "night", Ring: &ring, VMID: 9201,
+		ReleaseID: "ring0-20261007T020000Z", HealthBefore: guestOK(), HealthAfter: guestOK(), DockerEngine: "29.8.2",
+		Upgraded: []Package{{Name: "docker-ce", Version: "5:29.8.2-1~debian.13~trixie"}}, OOMCheck: json.RawMessage(oomCheckWire)}
+	b, _ := json.Marshal(kept)
+	must(t, os.WriteFile(reportFile(l.PlanDir, kept.RunID, LayerDocker, "apply"), b, 0o600))
+	if n := l.SendUnsent(context.Background()); n != 1 || len(h.bodies) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("sent %d, bodies %d", n, len(h.bodies))
+	}
+	var m map[string]json.RawMessage
+	must(t, json.Unmarshal(h.bodies[0], &m))
+	if string(m["oom_check"]) != oomCheckWire {
+		t.Fatalf("oom_check lost or changed: %q", m["oom_check"])
+	}
+}

internal/proxmox/client.go

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/pvegate"
 	"io"
 	"net/http"
 	"net/url"
@@ -105,6 +106,15 @@ func (c *Client) do(ctx context.Context, method, path string, body io.Reader, ou
 // doBody is the single HTTP chokepoint: builds the request, sets auth, executes,
 // maps non-2xx to APIError, and decodes the data envelope.
 func (c *Client) doBody(ctx context.Context, method, path string, body io.Reader, contentType string, out any) error {
+	// R-812 option A: every non-GET call may write /etc/pve — it waits while a Proxmox package step restarts pmxcfs
+	// (pvegate). Pinned by TestPVEGate_ClientWriteWaitsGetDoesNot.
+	if method != http.MethodGet {
+		release, _, gerr := pvegate.Write(ctx)
+		if gerr != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("proxmox: %s %s held back by a Proxmox package step: %w", method, path, gerr)
+		}
+		defer release()
+	}
 	req, err := http.NewRequestWithContext(ctx, method, c.base+path, body)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("proxmox: building request: %w", err)

internal/proxmox/privileged.go

@@ -4,8 +4,10 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/pvegate"
 	"io"
 	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strconv"
 )
 
@@ -59,6 +61,15 @@ func (r *ExecRunner) Run(ctx context.Context, name string, args ...string) ([]by
 // RunStdin is Run with the process stdin fed from stdin (nil = no stdin). The sudo-prefix/mode
 // handling is identical to Run — kept here so both paths share one place.
 func (r *ExecRunner) RunStdin(ctx context.Context, stdin io.Reader, name string, args ...string) ([]byte, []byte, error) {
+	// R-812 option A: a root CLI that writes /etc/pve waits while a Proxmox package step runs (pvegate).
+	// Pinned by TestPVEGate_ExecRunnerPctSetWaits / TestWritesEtcPVE.
+	if WritesEtcPVE(name, args) {
+		release, _, gerr := pvegate.Write(ctx)
+		if gerr != nil {
+			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("proxmox: %s held back by a Proxmox package step: %w", name, gerr)
+		}
+		defer release()
+	}
 	var cmd *exec.Cmd
 	if r.Mode == RunnerSudo {
 		sudo := r.SudoPath
@@ -77,6 +88,28 @@ func (r *ExecRunner) RunStdin(ctx context.Context, stdin io.Reader, name string,
 	return stdout.b, stderr.b, err
 }
 
+// WritesEtcPVE reports whether a root command writes /etc/pve: `pct` with a config-changing verb, `pvesm`, `pveum`,
+// and the PBS storage wrapper's create / reconcile verbs. `pct exec|status|list|config` and every other command do not
+// (the os-update wrapper itself must never wait on the gate its own step holds). Pinned by TestWritesEtcPVE.
+func WritesEtcPVE(name string, args []string) bool {
+	base := filepath.Base(name)
+	switch base {
+	case "pvesm", "pveum":
+		return true
+	case "pct":
+		if len(args) == 0 {
+			return false
+		}
+		switch args[0] {
+		case "set", "create", "destroy", "restore", "unlock", "resize", "snapshot", "delsnapshot", "rollback", "move-volume", "start", "stop", "reboot", "shutdown":
+			return true
+		}
+	case "felhom-pbs-apply":
+		return len(args) > 0 && (args[0] == "create" || args[0] == "reconcile")
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
 // Privileged is the root-CLI backend.
 type Privileged struct {
 	runner Runner

internal/proxmox/pvegate_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+package proxmox
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"net/http"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-agent/internal/pvegate"
+)
+
+// R-812 option A: while a Proxmox package step holds the gate, a non-GET API call waits and a GET does not.
+//
+// COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): delete the pvegate.Write block in doBody → this fails with "a PUT reached the API
+// while the Proxmox step held the gate". Restored. (audits/day-2026-10-07/B/red-pvegate-chokepoints.txt)
+func TestPVEGate_ClientWriteWaitsGetDoesNot(t *testing.T) {
+	d := &mockDoer{fn: func(*http.Request) (*http.Response, error) { return jsonResp(200, `{"data":null}`), nil }}
+	c := newTestClient(d)
+	end, err := pvegate.Step(context.Background())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := c.get(context.Background(), "/nodes", nil); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a GET must not wait on the gate: %v", err)
+	}
+	if d.calls != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the GET must reach the API, calls=%d", d.calls)
+	}
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 100*time.Millisecond)
+	defer cancel()
+	err = c.postForm(ctx, http.MethodPut, "/nodes/x/lxc/9201/config", nil, nil)
+	if d.calls != 1 {
+		end()
+		t.Fatal("a PUT reached the API while the Proxmox step held the gate")
+	}
+	if err == nil {
+		end()
+		t.Fatal("a PUT held back past its deadline must fail")
+	}
+	end()
+	if err := c.postForm(context.Background(), http.MethodPut, "/nodes/x/lxc/9201/config", nil, nil); err != nil || d.calls != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("after the step the PUT must go through (err=%v calls=%d)", err, d.calls)
+	}
+}
+
+// A root `pct set` waits on the gate; `pct exec` does not.
+//
+// COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): delete the WritesEtcPVE block in RunStdin → this fails with "pct set ran while the
+// Proxmox step held the gate". Restored.
+func TestPVEGate_ExecRunnerPctSetWaits(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &ExecRunner{Mode: RunnerDirect}
+	end, err := pvegate.Step(context.Background())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer end()
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 100*time.Millisecond)
+	defer cancel()
+	start := time.Now()
+	_, _, err = r.Run(ctx, "/nonexistent/pct", "set", "9201", "-mp8", "/x")
+	if err == nil || time.Since(start) < 90*time.Millisecond {
+		t.Fatalf("pct set ran while the Proxmox step held the gate (err=%v after %s)", err, time.Since(start))
+	}
+	start = time.Now()
+	_, _, _ = r.Run(context.Background(), "/nonexistent/pct", "exec", "9201", "--", "true")
+	if time.Since(start) > 80*time.Millisecond {
+		t.Fatal("pct exec must not wait on the gate")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWritesEtcPVE(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		name string
+		args []string
+		want bool
+	}{
+		{"pct", []string{"set", "9201", "-mp8", "x"}, true},
+		{"/usr/sbin/pct", []string{"create", "9201"}, true},
+		{"pct", []string{"exec", "9201", "--", "true"}, false},
+		{"pct", []string{"status", "9201"}, false},
+		{"pvesm", []string{"add", "dir", "x"}, true},
+		{"pveum", []string{"acl", "modify"}, true},
+		{"/usr/local/sbin/felhom-pbs-apply", []string{"reconcile"}, true},
+		{"/usr/local/sbin/felhom-pbs-apply", []string{"read"}, false},
+		{"/usr/local/sbin/felhom-os-apply", []string{"--plan", "x"}, false},
+		{"pct", nil, false},
+	} {
+		if got := WritesEtcPVE(c.name, c.args); got != c.want {
+			t.Errorf("WritesEtcPVE(%s %v) = %v, want %v", c.name, c.args, got, c.want)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/pvegate/pvegate.go

@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+// Package pvegate keeps the agent's own writes to /etc/pve out of the way of a Proxmox package step (R-812 option A,
+// `09` §3 decision 163, `11` §5.10).
+//
+// WHY. A `pve` step upgrades pve-cluster / pve-manager / qemu-server / pve-container; their postinst scripts restart
+// pmxcfs (the FUSE filesystem behind /etc/pve) and the API daemons. A write that lands while pmxcfs restarts fails or,
+// worse, half-lands (design-R-812 §3 A, "can go wrong"). Backups and restore-tests are already kept out by the
+// host-wide heavy-op gate; this gate covers everything else the agent writes: every non-GET Proxmox API call
+// (proxmox.Client.doBody) and every root CLI that writes /etc/pve (proxmox.ExecRunner — `pct set|create|…`, `pvesm`,
+// `pveum`, `felhom-pbs-apply create|reconcile`).
+//
+// THE RULE. Write waits while a step runs (bounded by its own context). Step marks the step and then waits until every
+// write already in flight has finished; it never waits forever (its context bounds it, and the caller gives up and
+// does not run the step). One step at a time. Pinned by pvegate_test.go and, at the two chokepoints, by
+// proxmox TestPVEGate_*.
+package pvegate
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+)
+
+var (
+	mu       sync.Mutex
+	inFlight int
+	stepping bool
+	stepDone chan struct{}
+)
+
+// ErrStepRunning is returned by Step when another step already holds the gate.
+var ErrStepRunning = errors.New("pvegate: a Proxmox package step is already running")
+
+// Write marks one /etc/pve write in flight, first waiting while a Proxmox package step runs. The returned release must
+// be called when the write has finished. waited reports how long the write was held back.
+func Write(ctx context.Context) (release func(), waited time.Duration, err error) {
+	start := time.Now()
+	for {
+		mu.Lock()
+		if !stepping {
+			inFlight++
+			mu.Unlock()
+			var once sync.Once
+			return func() {
+				once.Do(func() {
+					mu.Lock()
+					inFlight--
+					mu.Unlock()
+				})
+			}, time.Since(start), nil
+		}
+		ch := stepDone
+		mu.Unlock()
+		select {
+		case <-ch:
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return nil, time.Since(start), ctx.Err()
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Step marks a Proxmox package step and waits until every /etc/pve write already in flight has finished. On error the
+// gate is released again and the step must not run. end releases the gate and lets the held-back writes go.
+func Step(ctx context.Context) (end func(), err error) {
+	mu.Lock()
+	if stepping {
+		mu.Unlock()
+		return nil, ErrStepRunning
+	}
+	stepping = true
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+	stepDone = done
+	mu.Unlock()
+	var once sync.Once
+	end = func() {
+		once.Do(func() {
+			mu.Lock()
+			stepping = false
+			close(done)
+			mu.Unlock()
+		})
+	}
+	for {
+		mu.Lock()
+		n := inFlight
+		mu.Unlock()
+		if n == 0 {
+			return end, nil
+		}
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			end()
+			return nil, ctx.Err()
+		case <-time.After(50 * time.Millisecond):
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Stepping reports whether a Proxmox package step holds the gate (for logs).
+func Stepping() bool {
+	mu.Lock()
+	defer mu.Unlock()
+	return stepping
+}

internal/pvegate/pvegate_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+package pvegate
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// A write that starts while a step runs waits until the step ends.
+//
+// COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): make Write ignore `stepping` → this fails with "the write went through while the
+// Proxmox step held the gate". Restored. (audits/day-2026-10-07/B/red-pvegate.txt)
+func TestWrite_WaitsWhileAStepRuns(t *testing.T) {
+	end, err := Step(context.Background())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	got := make(chan time.Time, 1)
+	go func() {
+		rel, _, err := Write(context.Background())
+		if err == nil {
+			rel()
+		}
+		got <- time.Now()
+	}()
+	select {
+	case <-got:
+		end()
+		t.Fatal("the write went through while the Proxmox step held the gate")
+	case <-time.After(150 * time.Millisecond):
+	}
+	ended := time.Now()
+	end()
+	select {
+	case at := <-got:
+		if at.Before(ended) {
+			t.Fatal("the write finished before the step ended")
+		}
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("the write never went through after the step ended")
+	}
+}
+
+// A step waits for a write already in flight before it starts.
+func TestStep_WaitsForAWriteInFlight(t *testing.T) {
+	rel, _, err := Write(context.Background())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	started := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		end, err := Step(context.Background())
+		if err == nil {
+			close(started)
+			end()
+		}
+	}()
+	select {
+	case <-started:
+		rel()
+		t.Fatal("the step started while a write was in flight")
+	case <-time.After(150 * time.Millisecond):
+	}
+	rel()
+	select {
+	case <-started:
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("the step never started after the write finished")
+	}
+}
+
+// A step that cannot drain the writes in time gives up and releases the gate (it never waits forever).
+func TestStep_GivesUpAndReleases(t *testing.T) {
+	rel, _, _ := Write(context.Background())
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 100*time.Millisecond)
+	defer cancel()
+	if _, err := Step(ctx); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("the step must give up while a write is in flight past its deadline")
+	}
+	if Stepping() {
+		t.Fatal("a step that gave up must release the gate")
+	}
+	rel()
+}
+
+// A write held back past its own deadline returns the context's error.
+func TestWrite_HonoursItsContext(t *testing.T) {
+	end, _ := Step(context.Background())
+	defer end()
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 50*time.Millisecond)
+	defer cancel()
+	if _, _, err := Write(ctx); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a write held back past its deadline must fail")
+	}
+}
+
+// One step at a time.
+func TestStep_OneAtATime(t *testing.T) {
+	end, _ := Step(context.Background())
+	defer end()
+	if _, err := Step(context.Background()); err != ErrStepRunning {
+		t.Fatalf("a second step must be refused, got %v", err)
+	}
+}

internal/reconcile/classify.go

@@ -52,6 +52,15 @@ const (
 	// (signed, operational key) like agent_update; the root wrapper re-verifies the same signature itself.
 	ClassOSDockerStep OpClass = "os_docker_step"
 
+	// A Proxmox package step on the host (R-812 option A, `11` §5.10) — ring 1. Destructive-class (signed, operational
+	// key) like os_docker_step; the root wrapper re-verifies the same signature itself.
+	ClassOSPVEStep OpClass = "os_pve_step"
+
+	// A kernel step on the host (R-836, `09` §3 decision 172, `11` §5.11) — ring 1: it STAGES a kernel (install + the
+	// one-shot flag; the night leg reboots it). Destructive-class (signed, operational key) like os_pve_step; the root
+	// wrapper re-verifies the same signature itself.
+	ClassOSKernelStep OpClass = "os_kernel_step"
+
 	// The config bundle (agent v0.143.0, R-840, `11` §5.4.2): the box's ROOT-OWNED files (sudoers, wrappers, units).
 	// Destructive-class (signed, operational key) like agent_update; the root wrapper re-verifies the signature itself.
 	ClassAgentConfigUpdate OpClass = "agent_config_update"
@@ -123,7 +132,7 @@ func Classify(class OpClass, prov Provenance) Disposition {
 		return Destructive
 	case ClassKeyRotation:
 		return Destructive
-	case ClassAgentUpdate, ClassOSDockerStep, ClassAgentConfigUpdate:
+	case ClassAgentUpdate, ClassOSDockerStep, ClassOSPVEStep, ClassOSKernelStep, ClassAgentConfigUpdate:
 		// Never benign — no agent-internal provenance can make replacing the agent binary
 		// unsigned-safe (a compromised process must not be able to self-bless an update).
 		return Destructive

internal/storage/r330_smart_attrs_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+package storage
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// R-330 (disk health Phase 2) — attributes 187, 188 and 199 ride the wire.
+//
+// The failing drive of 2026-08-14 carried 187 Reported_Uncorrect at raw 1001 while SMART said PASSED;
+// none of the three reached the controller. The values are carried as RAW counters; an absent
+// attribute is OMITTED from the JSON (unknown), never sent as 0 (S-39).
+
+// The 2026-08-14 shape: PASSED, 187 raw 1001, plus 188/199 and the existing three.
+const r330SATA = `{"smart_status":{"passed":true},"ata_smart_attributes":{"table":[
+ {"id":5,"raw":{"value":0}},
+ {"id":187,"raw":{"value":1001}},
+ {"id":188,"raw":{"value":4295032833}},
+ {"id":197,"raw":{"value":8}},
+ {"id":198,"raw":{"value":8}},
+ {"id":199,"raw":{"value":3}}]}}`
+
+// COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): delete the three R-330 cases in parseSMART → this fails with
+// "187 Reported_Uncorrect must be carried (raw 1001); got <nil>". Restored.
+func TestParseSMART_R330_CarriesTheThreeCounters(t *testing.T) {
+	s := parseSMART([]byte(r330SATA))
+	if s.ReportedUncorrect == nil || *s.ReportedUncorrect != 1001 {
+		t.Fatalf("187 Reported_Uncorrect must be carried (raw 1001); got %v", s.ReportedUncorrect)
+	}
+	// 188's raw value is vendor-packed on some drives (this one is 0x100010001): carried as reported, not truncated.
+	if s.CommandTimeout == nil || *s.CommandTimeout != 4295032833 {
+		t.Fatalf("188 Command_Timeout must be carried as the full raw value; got %v", s.CommandTimeout)
+	}
+	if s.UDMACRCErrors == nil || *s.UDMACRCErrors != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("199 UDMA_CRC_Error_Count must be carried (raw 3); got %v", s.UDMACRCErrors)
+	}
+	if s.PendingSectors == nil || *s.PendingSectors != 8 {
+		t.Fatalf("the existing counters must be unchanged; pending=%v", s.PendingSectors)
+	}
+}
+
+// A drive (or an NVMe device) that does not report the attributes leaves them nil, and the JSON
+// OMITS the keys — the receiver reads "unknown", never a measured zero.
+//
+// COMPANION RED-PROOF (observed): drop `,omitempty` from the three tags in hub.SmartSummary → this
+// fails with "an unreported attribute must be omitted, not sent: … reported_uncorrect …". Restored.
+func TestParseSMART_R330_AbsentIsOmittedNotZero(t *testing.T) {
+	for name, raw := range map[string]string{
+		"sata without the three": `{"smart_status":{"passed":true},"ata_smart_attributes":{"table":[{"id":5,"raw":{"value":0}}]}}`,
+		"nvme":                   `{"smart_status":{"passed":true},"nvme_smart_health_information_log":{"critical_warning":0,"media_errors":0,"percentage_used":3}}`,
+	} {
+		s := parseSMART([]byte(raw))
+		if s.ReportedUncorrect != nil || s.CommandTimeout != nil || s.UDMACRCErrors != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: unreported attributes must stay nil; got %v %v %v", name, s.ReportedUncorrect, s.CommandTimeout, s.UDMACRCErrors)
+		}
+		b, _ := json.Marshal(s)
+		for _, k := range []string{"reported_uncorrect", "command_timeout", "udma_crc_errors"} {
+			if strings.Contains(string(b), `"`+k+`"`) {
+				t.Fatalf("%s: an unreported attribute must be omitted, not sent: %s", name, b)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/storage/smart.go

@@ -44,6 +44,9 @@ const (
 	ataReallocatedSectorCt = 5
 	ataCurrentPending      = 197
 	ataOfflineUncorrect    = 198
+	ataReportedUncorrect   = 187 // R-330
+	ataCommandTimeout      = 188 // R-330
+	ataUDMACRCErrorCount   = 199 // R-330
 )
 
 // parseSMART maps smartctl JSON to a hub.SmartSummary, handling SATA + NVMe and degrading
@@ -85,6 +88,12 @@ func parseSMART(raw []byte) hub.SmartSummary {
 				s.PendingSectors = intPtr(int(a.Raw.Value))
 			case ataOfflineUncorrect:
 				s.OfflineUncorrectable = intPtr(int(a.Raw.Value))
+			case ataReportedUncorrect:
+				s.ReportedUncorrect = int64Ptr(a.Raw.Value)
+			case ataCommandTimeout:
+				s.CommandTimeout = int64Ptr(a.Raw.Value)
+			case ataUDMACRCErrorCount:
+				s.UDMACRCErrors = int64Ptr(a.Raw.Value)
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -142,3 +151,5 @@ func parseThinPoolMetadata(raw []byte) (float64, bool) {
 }
 
 func intPtr(v int) *int { return &v }
+
+func int64Ptr(v int64) *int64 { return &v }

scripts/test_gate_decoys.py

@@ -0,0 +1,367 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+"""test_gate_decoys.py — can this repo's gates be fooled by a LABEL? (R-421, R-426)
+
+The same instrument as `felhom.eu/scripts/test_gate_decoys.py`: a decoy is the LABEL without the
+FACT, and a gate that passes on the label alone — or refuses the genuine article — is a live hole.
+Every gate is asserted in BOTH directions: the decoy must be convicted, the genuine article passed.
+
+Covered here (the `COVERS` literal is AST-read by `felhom.eu/scripts/decoy_coverage_gate.py`, which
+never imports this file):
+
+  published         check-published-versions.py, against a FAKE Gitea (see below).
+  release-complete  check-release-complete.py, in a scratch clone whose `origin` is a scratch bare
+                    repository, against the same fake Gitea.
+  reuse-refs, instructions, observations
+                    the three SHARED felhom.eu scripts, run against a scratch clone of THIS repo —
+                    so the decoy is planted in the agent's own REUSE.md / CLAUDE.md / REPORT.md and
+                    coverage is per input, not per script.
+
+NEVER THE REAL GITEA. Both network gates read `GITEA_BASE` from the environment (CI already sets it
+to the in-cluster URL); here it points at an `http.server` bound to 127.0.0.1 inside this process,
+and every proxy variable is removed from the child's environment so urllib cannot route around it.
+A test that asked the real registry would pass or fail on whatever was published that day — the
+constant-for-measurement shape — and would reach the network from a hook.
+
+NEVER THE REAL TREE. Every planted file lives in a scratch directory: a workspace that holds a
+clone of this repo beside symlinks to the sibling clones the shared scripts reach across to.
+
+Run from the repo root:  python3 scripts/test_gate_decoys.py
+Exit 0 every decoy judged correctly · 1 a decoy passed or a genuine article was refused.
+"""
+import http.server
+import io
+import json
+import os
+import shutil
+import socketserver
+import subprocess
+import sys
+import tempfile
+import threading
+
+ROOT = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
+PARENT = os.path.dirname(ROOT)
+# DECOY_SHARED_DIR exists for ONE purpose: the red-proof. It lets a mutated COPY of the shared scripts
+# be judged without editing the felhom.eu clone. Unset, the suite judges the real shared scripts.
+SHARED = os.environ.get("DECOY_SHARED_DIR") or os.path.join(PARENT, "felhom.eu", "scripts")
+
+# ── WHAT THIS FILE COVERS ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# Read by felhom.eu/scripts/decoy_coverage_gate.py, which AST-parses this literal. A gate named here
+# MUST have a decoy below that has been seen to fail.
+COVERS = {
+    "published": "against a FAKE Gitea: a tag whose package 404s, a tag whose tree lacks the configs, a package one "
+                 "version past the newest tag (published, never tagged), a patch-gap orphan, a missing package that "
+                 "lexical sorting would drop out of the retention window (0.9.x vs 0.10.x); a tags api answering 500 "
+                 "or a non-JSON 200 is INCONCLUSIVE, never a pass - vs a clean registry, a non-semver tag and a version "
+                 "older than the retention window (not asserted, BY DESIGN) (R-426)",
+    "release-complete": "the newest `## vX.Y.Z` with no tag anywhere, a tag parked on an unrelated commit, a tag "
+                        "with no package; a registry 500 is INCONCLUSIVE - vs the genuine release, an `## Unreleased` "
+                        "heading above it, a newer version named only in prose or under `###`, a tag that only "
+                        "origin has (the shallow-CI shape); a LOCAL-only tag passes BY DESIGN (CI's fresh clone "
+                        "and the published gate's converse probe are what see it) (R-426)",
+    "reuse-refs": "a cited .go and a cited .md path that do not exist, planted in THIS repo's REUSE.md - vs the "
+                  "real file (R-426)",
+    "instructions": "a component version literal in THIS repo's CLAUDE.md effective text - vs the same sentence "
+                    "inside an HTML comment (R-426)",
+    "observations": "R-419 in THIS repo's REPORT.md: an Observations note SAYING it carries no marker - vs the "
+                    "two genuine markers (R-426)",
+}
+
+fails = []
+ran = 0
+
+
+def report(name, rc, out, expect_rc, must=()):
+    global ran
+    ran += 1
+    missing = [m for m in must if m not in out]
+    if rc == expect_rc and not missing:
+        print("  ok  %-62s rc=%d (expected %d)" % (name, rc, expect_rc))
+    else:
+        hole = expect_rc != 0 and rc == 0
+        fails.append("%s: rc=%d expected %d%s; missing %s\n%s" % (
+            name, rc, expect_rc, " - LIVE HOLE" if hole else "", missing, out[-900:]))
+
+
+# ── the fake Gitea ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+class Fake(object):
+    """What the fake registry serves. Reset per case."""
+
+    def reset(self):
+        self.tags = []            # tag names, as the tags api lists them
+        self.packages = set()     # versions whose generic package downloads
+        self.raw = set()          # versions whose tag tree serves the probe config
+        self.tags_status = 200
+        self.tags_body = None     # override bytes for the tags api
+        self.pkg_status = None    # override status for EVERY package request
+        self.hits = []
+
+
+FAKE = Fake()
+FAKE.reset()
+PKG_PREFIX = "/api/packages/admin/generic/felhom-agent/"
+RAW_PREFIX = "/admin/felhom-agent/raw/tag/v"
+
+
+class Handler(http.server.BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
+    def log_message(self, *a):
+        pass
+
+    def _answer(self, status, body=b""):
+        self.send_response(status)
+        self.send_header("Content-Length", str(len(body)))
+        self.end_headers()
+        if self.command != "HEAD":
+            self.wfile.write(body)
+
+    def do_GET(self):
+        p = self.path
+        FAKE.hits.append(p)
+        if p.startswith("/api/v1/repos/admin/felhom-agent/tags"):
+            body = FAKE.tags_body if FAKE.tags_body is not None else \
+                json.dumps([{"name": t} for t in FAKE.tags]).encode()
+            return self._answer(FAKE.tags_status, body)
+        if p.startswith(PKG_PREFIX):
+            if FAKE.pkg_status is not None:
+                return self._answer(FAKE.pkg_status)
+            v = p[len(PKG_PREFIX):].split("/", 1)[0]
+            return self._answer(200, b"ELF") if v in FAKE.packages else self._answer(404)
+        if p.startswith(RAW_PREFIX):
+            v = p[len(RAW_PREFIX):].split("/", 1)[0]
+            ok = v in FAKE.raw and p.endswith("/configs/felhom-agent.service")
+            return self._answer(200, b"[Unit]\n") if ok else self._answer(404)
+        return self._answer(404)
+
+    do_HEAD = do_GET
+
+
+class Server(socketserver.ThreadingMixIn, http.server.HTTPServer):
+    daemon_threads = True
+
+
+def child_env(base):
+    env = {k: v for k, v in os.environ.items() if "proxy" not in k.lower()}
+    env["GITEA_BASE"] = base
+    env["NO_PROXY"] = env["no_proxy"] = "127.0.0.1,localhost"
+    return env
+
+
+def run(argv, cwd, env=None):
+    # input="" — a child must never inherit (and block on) this process's stdin
+    p = subprocess.run(argv, cwd=cwd, env=env, capture_output=True, text=True, input="")
+    return p.returncode, p.stdout + p.stderr
+
+
+def sh(argv, cwd):
+    rc, out = run(argv, cwd)
+    if rc != 0:
+        raise SystemExit("setup command failed (%s): %s" % (" ".join(argv), out))
+    return out.strip()
+
+
+# ── published ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+def published_cases(base):
+    gate = os.path.join(ROOT, "scripts", "check-published-versions.py")
+    keep = json.load(io.open(os.path.join(ROOT, "scripts", "retention-policy.json"),
+                             encoding="utf-8"))["generic_versions_kept"]
+    TAGS = ["v0.150.%d" % i for i in range(3)]          # inside any retention window >= 3
+    VERS = [t[1:] for t in TAGS]
+
+    def case(name, setup, expect_rc, must=()):
+        FAKE.reset()
+        FAKE.tags = list(TAGS)
+        FAKE.packages = set(VERS)
+        FAKE.raw = set(VERS)
+        setup()
+        rc, out = run([sys.executable, gate], ROOT, child_env(base))
+        if not FAKE.hits:
+            fails.append("published/%s: the gate never asked the fake Gitea - the seam is not wired" % name)
+        report("published: " + name, rc, out, expect_rc, must)
+
+    case("GENUINE: every tag downloadable and serving its configs", lambda: None, 0,
+         ("ALL RELEASED VERSIONS INSTALLABLE",))
+    case("GENUINE: a non-semver tag is not a release", lambda: FAKE.tags.append("v0.150.2-rc1"), 0,
+         ("ALL RELEASED VERSIONS INSTALLABLE",))
+    case("FACT: a tag whose package 404s", lambda: FAKE.packages.discard("0.150.1"), 1,
+         ("FAIL v0.150.1", "binary NOT downloadable"))
+    case("FACT: a tag whose tree does not serve the configs", lambda: FAKE.raw.discard("0.150.2"), 1,
+         ("FAIL v0.150.2", "does not serve"))
+    case("FACT: published one patch past the newest tag, never tagged",
+         lambda: FAKE.packages.add("0.150.3"), 1, ("PUBLISHED VERSION(S) WITH NO TAG", "v0.150.3"))
+    case("FACT: published in a patch GAP between two tags",
+         lambda: (FAKE.tags.remove("v0.150.1"),), 1, ("v0.150.1 is downloadable", "has no git tag"))
+
+    def lexical():
+        # keep+1 tags: 0.9.0 and 0.10.0..0.10.<keep-1>. By SEMVER the oldest is 0.9.0 (dropped); by
+        # STRING sort "0.10.0" is the smallest and would be the one dropped - so its missing package
+        # is convicted only if the window is cut by semver.
+        FAKE.tags = ["v0.9.0"] + ["v0.10.%d" % i for i in range(keep)]
+        FAKE.packages = set(t[1:] for t in FAKE.tags) - {"0.10.0"}
+        FAKE.raw = set(t[1:] for t in FAKE.tags)
+    case("FACT: a missing package lexical sorting would drop (0.10.0 vs 0.9.0)", lexical, 1,
+         ("FAIL v0.10.0",))
+
+    def retired():
+        FAKE.tags = ["v0.9.0"] + ["v0.10.%d" % i for i in range(keep)]
+        FAKE.packages = set(t[1:] for t in FAKE.tags) - {"0.9.0"}
+        FAKE.raw = set(t[1:] for t in FAKE.tags)
+    case("BY DESIGN: a version older than the retention window is not asserted", retired, 0,
+         ("NOT ASSERTED", "0.9.0"))
+
+    def five_hundred():
+        FAKE.tags_status = 500
+    case("INCONCLUSIVE: the tags api answers 500", five_hundred, 2, ("INCONCLUSIVE",))
+
+    def html():
+        FAKE.tags_body = b"<html>sign in</html>"
+    case("INCONCLUSIVE: the tags api answers a 200 that is not JSON", html, 2, ("INCONCLUSIVE",))
+
+    # an unreachable Gitea: a port nothing listens on
+    s = Server(("127.0.0.1", 0), Handler)
+    dead = "http://127.0.0.1:%d" % s.server_address[1]
+    s.server_close()
+    rc, out = run([sys.executable, gate], ROOT, child_env(dead))
+    report("published: INCONCLUSIVE: Gitea unreachable", rc, out, 2, ("INCONCLUSIVE", "URLs tried"))
+
+
+# ── release-complete ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+def release_cases(base, ws):
+    bare = os.path.join(ws, "origin.git")
+    work = os.path.join(ws, "rc-work")
+    sh(["git", "clone", "-q", "--bare", "--no-tags", "file://" + ROOT, bare], ws)
+    sh(["git", "clone", "-q", "--no-tags", "file://" + bare, work], ws)
+    sh(["git", "config", "user.email", "decoy@gate.invalid"], work)
+    sh(["git", "config", "user.name", "decoy"], work)
+    # the WORKING-TREE gate, so the file under test is the one being edited, not HEAD's
+    shutil.copy(os.path.join(ROOT, "scripts", "check-release-complete.py"),
+                os.path.join(work, "scripts", "check-release-complete.py"))
+    sh(["git", "add", "scripts/check-release-complete.py"], work)
+    sh(["git", "commit", "-q", "--allow-empty", "-m", "the gate under test"], work)
+    base_sha = sh(["git", "rev-parse", "HEAD"], work)
+    ch = os.path.join(work, "CHANGELOG.md")
+    original = io.open(ch, encoding="utf-8").read()
+    V = "9.9.9"
+
+    def case(name, top, expect_rc, must=(), tag=None, origin_tag=False, packaged=True, pkg_status=None):
+        FAKE.reset()
+        if packaged:
+            FAKE.packages = {V}
+        FAKE.pkg_status = pkg_status
+        try:
+            io.open(ch, "w", encoding="utf-8").write(top + original)
+            sh(["git", "commit", "-q", "-am", name], work)
+            if tag == "head":
+                sh(["git", "tag", "-a", "v" + V, "-m", "decoy", "HEAD"], work)
+            elif tag == "unrelated":
+                empty = sh(["git", "mktree"], work)   # stdin is "" — the empty tree, written to this repo
+                orphan = sh(["git", "commit-tree", "-m", "unrelated", empty], work)
+                sh(["git", "tag", "-a", "v" + V, "-m", "decoy", orphan], work)
+            if origin_tag:
+                sh(["git", "push", "-q", "origin", "HEAD:refs/tags/v" + V], work)
+            rc, out = run([sys.executable, os.path.join(work, "scripts", "check-release-complete.py")],
+                          work, child_env(base))
+            report("release-complete: " + name, rc, out, expect_rc, must)
+        finally:
+            run(["git", "tag", "-d", "v" + V], work)
+            run(["git", "push", "-q", "origin", ":refs/tags/v" + V], work)
+            sh(["git", "reset", "-q", "--hard", base_sha], work)
+
+    HEAD = "## v%s — 2026-10-06\n\n- decoy release\n\n" % V
+    case("GENUINE: tagged at HEAD and published", HEAD, 0,
+         ("newest CHANGELOG version: v9.9.9", "is tagged, placed and published"), tag="head")
+    case("GENUINE: an `## Unreleased` heading above the release", "## Unreleased\n\n- wip\n\n" + HEAD, 0,
+         ("newest CHANGELOG version: v9.9.9",), tag="head")
+    case("GENUINE: a newer version named only in prose and under ###",
+         "The `## v10.0.0` heading is not written yet.\n### v10.0.0 notes\n\n" + HEAD, 0,
+         ("newest CHANGELOG version: v9.9.9",), tag="head")
+    case("GENUINE: the tag only on origin (the shallow-CI shape)", HEAD, 0,
+         ("exists on origin",), origin_tag=True)
+    case("BY DESIGN: a LOCAL-only tag passes (CI's fresh clone sees only origin)", HEAD, 0,
+         ("an ancestor of HEAD",), tag="head")
+    case("FACT: the newest heading has no tag anywhere", HEAD, 1, ("DOES NOT EXIST",))
+    case("FACT: a tag parked on an unrelated commit", HEAD, 1, ("NOT an ancestor",), tag="unrelated")
+    case("FACT: tagged, never published", HEAD, 1, ("IS NOT PUBLISHED",), tag="head", packaged=False)
+    case("INCONCLUSIVE: the registry answers 500", HEAD, 2, ("INCONCLUSIVE",), tag="head", pkg_status=500)
+    case("FACT beats INCONCLUSIVE: no tag AND the registry answers 500", HEAD, 1, ("DOES NOT EXIST",),
+         pkg_status=500)
+
+
+# ── the shared felhom.eu scripts, against THIS repo's inputs ─────────────────────────────────────
+def shared_cases(ws):
+    """A scratch WORKSPACE: a clone of this repo beside symlinks to the siblings, because the shared
+    scripts reach across (REUSE.md cites hub paths; instructions_gate reads the workspace CLAUDE.md)."""
+    for g in ("reuse_refs_check.py", "instructions_gate.py", "observations_gate.py"):
+        if not os.path.isfile(os.path.join(SHARED, g)):
+            fails.append("shared gate %s is MISSING beside this clone (tried %s) - a failure, never a skip"
+                         % (g, SHARED))
+            return
+    space = os.path.join(ws, "workspace")
+    os.makedirs(space)
+    for entry in sorted(os.listdir(PARENT)):
+        if entry in ("felhom.eu", "felhom-controller", "app-catalog-felhom.eu", "homelab-manifests",
+                     "CLAUDE.md", ".claude-memory"):
+            os.symlink(os.path.join(PARENT, entry), os.path.join(space, entry))
+    repo = os.path.join(space, "felhom-agent")
+    sh(["git", "clone", "-q", "--no-tags", "file://" + ROOT, repo], ws)
+    # the WORKING-TREE inputs the plants go into, so a case judges today's file
+    for f in ("REUSE.md", "CLAUDE.md", "REPORT.md"):
+        shutil.copy(os.path.join(ROOT, f), os.path.join(repo, f))
+
+    def case(name, gate, relpath, extra, expect_rc, must=()):
+        p = os.path.join(repo, relpath)
+        backup = io.open(p, encoding="utf-8").read()
+        try:
+            if extra:
+                io.open(p, "w", encoding="utf-8").write(backup + extra)
+            rc, out = run([sys.executable, os.path.join(SHARED, gate), repo], repo)
+            report(name, rc, out, expect_rc, must)
+        finally:
+            io.open(p, "w", encoding="utf-8").write(backup)
+
+    case("reuse-refs: GENUINE: this repo's REUSE.md", "reuse_refs_check.py", "REUSE.md", "", 0, ("FAILED 0",))
+    case("reuse-refs: FACT: a cited .go path that does not exist", "reuse_refs_check.py", "REUSE.md",
+         u"\n- see `internal/localapi/does_not_exist.go`\n", 1, ("does_not_exist.go",))
+    case("reuse-refs: FACT: a cited .md path that does not exist", "reuse_refs_check.py", "REUSE.md",
+         u"\n- see `docs/99-does-not-exist.md`\n", 1, ("99-does-not-exist.md",))
+    case("instructions: GENUINE: this repo's CLAUDE.md", "instructions_gate.py", "CLAUDE.md", "", 0,
+         ("instructions_gate: OK",))
+    case("instructions: FACT: a version literal in effective text", "instructions_gate.py", "CLAUDE.md",
+         u"\nThe agent runs v0.148.0 today.\n", 1, ("v0.148.0",))
+    case("instructions: GENUINE: the same sentence in an HTML comment", "instructions_gate.py", "CLAUDE.md",
+         u"\n<!--\nThe agent ran v0.148.0 on 2026-10-06.\n-->\n", 0, ("instructions_gate: OK",))
+    case("observations: FACT: R-419, prose SAYING it has no marker", "observations_gate.py", "REPORT.md",
+         u"\n## Observations\n\n1. **A real finding.** It carries no `FILED:` marker and no "
+         u"`NOT-A-FINDING:` marker, deliberately.\n", 1)
+    case("observations: GENUINE: a FILED marker", "observations_gate.py", "REPORT.md",
+         u"\n## Observations\n\n1. **A real finding.** Something broke. **FILED: R-419**\n", 0)
+    case("observations: GENUINE: a NOT-A-FINDING marker", "observations_gate.py", "REPORT.md",
+         u"\n## Observations\n\n1. **A real finding.** Odd. **NOT-A-FINDING: my own typo, corrected in "
+         u"the same minute.**\n", 0)
+
+
+def main():
+    srv = Server(("127.0.0.1", 0), Handler)
+    threading.Thread(target=srv.serve_forever, daemon=True).start()
+    base = "http://127.0.0.1:%d" % srv.server_address[1]
+    ws = tempfile.mkdtemp(prefix="agent-decoys-")
+    print("agent gate decoys — fake Gitea at %s, scratch %s" % (base, ws))
+    try:
+        published_cases(base)
+        release_cases(base, ws)
+        shared_cases(ws)
+    finally:
+        srv.shutdown()
+        srv.server_close()
+        shutil.rmtree(ws, ignore_errors=True)
+    if fails:
+        print()
+        for f in fails:
+            print("FAIL: %s" % f)
+        return 1
+    print("\nagent gate decoys OK — %d case(s), every label judged on its fact (R-421)" % ran)
+    return 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    sys.exit(main())