R-366 slice 2 (decision 168): the host report carries the archives the restore-test skipped as another key's

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_0159rPz1ZhFKsS53msqPYxtS

.claude/rules/unprompted-work.md

@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ unconditional: true
 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.
+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)
 

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,4 +1,47 @@
-## Unreleased (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)
+## Unreleased (2026-10-07) — 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.
+## Unreleased (2026-10-07) — 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/`.
+## Unreleased (2026-10-07)
+
+- 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.
 
@@ -9,7 +52,7 @@ Ships with the memory-kill check below as v0.150.0, AFTER the 2026-10-07 night r
 - 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/`).
 
-## Unreleased (2026-10-06 night) — the Docker step proves the engine reports a memory kill (`09` §3 decision 157, R-528)
+### 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).
 
@@ -18,11 +61,11 @@ To be released as v0.150.0 with its config bundle AFTER the 2026-10-07 night rea
 - `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/`.
 
-## Unreleased (2026-10-06 evening) — the shared rule file (`09` §3 decision 152); no code change
+### 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.
 
-## Unreleased (2026-10-06 afternoon) — instruction files kept true (`09` §3 decision 150); no code change
+### 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).

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
+**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: `writeImage` pipes the image ref on
+(`internal/localapi/controllerswap.go`) no longer shells out. The write goes on **stdin** to the ROOT verb
-**stdin** into an in-guest `tee /etc/felhom-controller-image` (via `GuestExecStdin` →
+`felhom-priv-apply controller-image <vmid>` (`GuestBinder.WriteControllerImage` → `Runner.RunStdin`, the same fenced
-`Runner.RunStdin`, the same fenced `sudo -n` runner) — no `bash -c`, no interpolation. Its 5 narrow
+`sudo -n` runner), which re-checks the ref against our registry + repository + an x.y.z tag and writes
-grants live in the `FELHOM_CONTROLLERSWAP` sudoers alias (all read-only or fixed-target; the `tee`
+`/etc/felhom-controller-image` inside the guest itself; the agent has no in-guest `tee` grant any more (before, a
-target is the FIXED image path, content stdin-fed) and in the capability manifest (Critical), so a
+compromised agent could feed any image — sudo cannot see stdin). Its grants live in the `FELHOM_CONTROLLERSWAP` sudoers
-dropped grant is a build failure + a live degraded signal. No general `pct exec` is granted.
+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

@@ -1,14 +1,8 @@
-# REPORT — the second burn-down night (2026-10-06 → 07): R-894 and the R-330 wire half, on main, unreleased
+# REPORT — v0.150.0 released and delivered (2026-10-07)
 
-Nothing was released or delivered (brief fence). Both changes ship with the memory-kill check as **v0.150.0**, after the
+On the operator's word (`09` §3 decision 161). `scripts/release-agent.sh 0.150.0`: sha `a23d1c90…`, bundle `88456b38…`,
-2026-10-07 night read-back. Session report: `felhom.eu/REPORT-night-burndown-2026-10-06.md`; night log
+tag `v0.150.0` = `3a72a48`, verified by download. Vouched with golden 0.301.0 and MinAgent 0.131.0 (unchanged). No bundle
-`felhom.eu/documentation/audits/night-burndown-2026-10-06/NIGHT-LOG.md`.
+path added (26 → 26), so no step bundle. Signed `agent_update` → demo-hp, demo-felhom, Tester 1 on 0.150.0 (07:06–07:07Z);
-
+signed `agent_config_update` → `BUNDLE DONE written=1 same=24 self-check=ok`, capability probe 68/68 on all three
-- **R-894** (`74b5eae`): the newest successful backup per tier is kept on disk (`backup-success-state.json` in the OOB
+(07:21Z). Tester 2 not touched. Carries R-528 (the memory-kill check), R-894 (the last backup per tier on disk), R-330
-  state dir) and read by `/backup/due` **only when the tier's storage cannot be read**: fresh → not due, older than the
+(SMART counters on the wire). Evidence: `felhom.eu/documentation/audits/readback-2026-10-07/delivery/`.
-  cadence → due, none → due with age unknown (as before). A storage that answers stays the ground truth. Tests
-  `TestBackupDue_R894_*`, `TestBackupSuccessState_*`, `TestR894_LastKnownBackupsIsWiredIntoTheDaemon`; four red-proofs
-  `felhom.eu/documentation/audits/night-burndown-2026-10-06/s4/`. Architecture: `07` §6.1 updated.
-- **R-330, wire only** (`adaf86a`): the host report's SMART summary carries 187 `reported_uncorrect`, 188
-  `command_timeout`, 199 `udma_crc_errors` (pointers, omitted when unknown). No verdict reads them.
-- Suite `go test ./...` rc 0; `scripts/agent_gates.py` (full) all OK; CI green on each push (runs 1451, 1467).

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 +88,7 @@
 
 | 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. |
 | `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 |
@@ -168,7 +169,7 @@
 | `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/main.go

@@ -164,7 +164,6 @@ func main() {
 		keyDest      string
 		installWGKey bool
 		idBundlePath string
-		directivePath string
 		swapImage    string
 		outputMode   string
 		showVersion  bool
@@ -198,7 +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")
@@ -269,7 +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":
@@ -792,6 +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
@@ -1017,7 +1018,7 @@ 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
@@ -1109,6 +1110,15 @@ 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
+		}}
 	// 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.
@@ -1120,7 +1130,7 @@ 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, 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 —
@@ -1700,7 +1710,7 @@ 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()
@@ -1719,6 +1729,9 @@ 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))
@@ -2264,7 +2277,7 @@ 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()
@@ -2690,7 +2703,6 @@ 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
@@ -2749,11 +2761,10 @@ 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
+	// Slice 10D.1: optionally ALSO wrap the identity bundle under the same R. The bundle file is a 0600 secret
-	// directive for the hub. The bundle file is a 0600 secret (tunnel/pbs tokens); the directive is
+	// (tunnel/pbs tokens). The non-secret "directive" that used to ride along is retired (R-105, `09` §3 decision 169:
-	// non-secret (pbs repo/ns, expected fingerprint, tunnel id).
+	// 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 {
@@ -2764,11 +2775,6 @@ 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
@@ -2847,7 +2853,7 @@ 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}
@@ -2904,7 +2910,7 @@ 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:
@@ -2922,7 +2928,7 @@ 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 {
@@ -3105,9 +3111,8 @@ 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.
+	// Slice 10D.1 — optional identity escrow. Omitted in slice-7. (The `directive` is retired — R-105.)
 	IdentityBlobB64 string `json:"identity_blob_b64,omitempty"`
-	DirectiveJSON   json.RawMessage `json:"directive,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
@@ -3115,10 +3120,10 @@ type escrowUploadRequest struct {
 	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)")
 	}
@@ -3131,7 +3136,6 @@ 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-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 | 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),
+#   felhom-priv-apply controller-image <vmid> — WRITE the ref (R-861 (a) A1, `09` §3 decision 165): the ref goes on
-#                                 the agent strict-validates the ref (controllerImageRe) before the write.
+#                                 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

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 ^start [0-9]+$, \
-  /usr/sbin/pct stop [0-9]*, \
+  /usr/sbin/pct ^stop [0-9]+$, \
-  /usr/sbin/pct unlock [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.
@@ -100,6 +105,12 @@ 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>
@@ -434,12 +445,14 @@ 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"):
+        if layer not in ("guest", "host", "docker", "pve"):
-            raise Refused("R12", f"layer {layer!r} is not guest, host or docker")
+            raise Refused("R12", f"layer {layer!r} is not guest, host, docker or pve")
         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 not in ("docker", "pve") 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)")
@@ -447,7 +460,7 @@ class Apply:
             raise Refused("R11", "live-restore-on is a guest-layer mode")
         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":
+        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:
@@ -458,17 +471,19 @@ 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"):
             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}")
         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") and pk:
             raise Refused("R11", f"select {select} takes no package list")
         seen = set()
         for e in pk:
@@ -488,6 +503,12 @@ 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 == "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):
@@ -630,12 +651,13 @@ 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):
+    def docker_authority(self, plan, op_name=SIGNED_OP):
-        """R3 for the docker layer: returns (who, undo). A signed job binds the EXACT package list and the undo flag."""
+        """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:
@@ -649,7 +671,7 @@ 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)
@@ -795,8 +817,8 @@ class Apply:
 
     # ---------- target helpers ----------
     def x(self, argv, timeout=1800):
-        """Run in the TARGET layer: the guest via pct exec, or the host directly."""
+        """Run in the TARGET layer: the guest via pct exec, or the host directly (host and pve)."""
-        if self.layer == "host":
+        if self.layer in ("host", "pve"):
             return self.r.host(argv, timeout)
         return self.r.guest(self.vmid, argv, timeout)  # guest and docker both live in the customer guest
 
@@ -891,7 +913,7 @@ 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") 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)
@@ -965,7 +987,7 @@ 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"):
             self.check_appliance()
         self.check_guest(self.vmid)
         log = self.r.log
@@ -976,6 +998,9 @@ class Apply:
             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":
@@ -988,7 +1013,7 @@ 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()
@@ -1012,6 +1037,8 @@ 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":
@@ -1161,10 +1188,26 @@ 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):
@@ -1173,6 +1216,8 @@ 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"
@@ -1221,6 +1266,11 @@ 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:
@@ -1231,7 +1281,7 @@ 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()

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_os_apply.py

@@ -232,6 +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":
@@ -284,7 +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, ""
@@ -1324,5 +1326,155 @@ class OOMCheck(unittest.TestCase):
         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")
+
+    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)
+
+
 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/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
 	}

internal/capability/manifest.go

@@ -145,7 +145,8 @@ 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) ----

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) {
@@ -93,3 +97,42 @@ func TestSudoersFstrimRuleIsExact(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// 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/hub/collect.go

@@ -115,6 +115,7 @@ type Collector struct {
 	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)
@@ -228,6 +229,18 @@ 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
@@ -394,6 +407,10 @@ func (c *Collector) Collect(ctx context.Context) (*HostReport, error) {
 	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()

internal/hub/report.go

@@ -129,6 +129,12 @@ type HostReport struct {
 	// 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
@@ -726,3 +732,18 @@ 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/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) {
+func (f *supExec) WriteControllerImage(context.Context, int, string) error {
-	return "", errors.New("supExec: no stdin exec expected")
+	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
+	// WriteControllerImage writes the image ref into the guest's /etc/felhom-controller-image through the ROOT
-	// image ref into an in-guest `tee` (no shell vector).
+	// verb `felhom-priv-apply controller-image <vmid>` (R-861 (a) A1, `09` §3 decision 165), which re-checks the
-	GuestExecStdin(ctx context.Context, vmid int, stdin io.Reader, args ...string) (string, error)
+	// 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
+	// R-861 (a) A1: the ROOT verb writes the file (it re-checks the ref — a compromised agent cannot hand the guest's
-	// interpolation, no `bash -c` (the only swap vector that would have needed an arbitrary-exec
+	// bootstrap another image). The bytes are `image\n`, byte-identical to the golden's `printf '%s\n'`; the bootstrap
-	// grant). The trailing "\n" makes the on-disk bytes byte-identical to the golden's
+	// reads `IMAGE=$(cat …)` so the newline is stripped on read. image is also strict-validated (controllerImageRe)
-	// `printf '%s\n'`; the bootstrap reads `IMAGE=$(cat …)` so the newline is stripped on read
+	// upstream in Swap.
-	// (spike SPIKE-controllerswap-narrow-grants-2026-06-29). image is strict-validated
+	return c.exec.WriteControllerImage(ctx, vmid, image)
-	// (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
 }
 
 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
+// WriteControllerImage models the swap's write: the root verb `felhom-priv-apply controller-image <vmid>` (R-861
-// piped on stdin. It records the raw stdin bytes and sets the modeled file content (newline-stripped,
+// (a) A1). It records the ref and sets the modeled file content, as the bootstrap's `IMAGE=$(cat …)` would read it.
-// as the bootstrap's `IMAGE=$(cat …)` read would see it).
+func (f *fakeGuestExec) WriteControllerImage(_ context.Context, _ int, image string) error {
-func (f *fakeGuestExec) GuestExecStdin(_ context.Context, _ int, stdin io.Reader, args ...string) (string, error) {
 	f.mu.Lock()
 	defer f.mu.Unlock()
-	f.calls = append(f.calls, args)
+	f.calls = append(f.calls, []string{"felhom-priv-apply", "controller-image", image})
-	b, _ := io.ReadAll(stdin)
+	f.teeStdin = append(f.teeStdin, image+"\n")
-	if len(args) >= 2 && args[0] == "tee" && args[1] == controllerImageFile {
+	f.imageFile = image
-		f.teeStdin = append(f.teeStdin, string(b))
+	return nil
-		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))
 }
 
 // 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" {
+		if len(c) >= 1 && c[0] == "tee" {
-			sawTee = true
+			t.Errorf("the swap still uses an in-guest tee (R-861 (a) A1 removed that grant): %v", c)
-			if c[1] != controllerImageFile {
-				t.Errorf("tee target = %q, want fixed %q", c[1], controllerImageFile)
 		}
 	}
-	}
-	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) {
+func (s *inspectScript) WriteControllerImage(context.Context, int, string) error { return nil }
-	return "", nil
-}
 
 func fastSwapper(exec GuestExecutor) *ControllerSwapper {
 	s := NewControllerSwapper(exec, "", discardLogger())

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
+// privApplyBin is the root content checker (R-861); its `controller-image` verb writes the guest's image file.
-// write uses it to pipe the image ref into an in-guest `tee` (no shell vector, no interpolation),
+const privApplyBin = "/usr/local/sbin/felhom-priv-apply"
-// 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) {
+// WriteControllerImage pipes `image\n` to `felhom-priv-apply controller-image <vmid>` through the same fenced runner
-	pctArgs := append([]string{"exec", strconv.Itoa(vmid), "--"}, args...)
+// (the `sudo -n` prefix stays in one place). The verb checks the ref as root and writes the guest file itself
-	out, stderr, err := b.runner.RunStdin(ctx, stdin, "pct", pctArgs...)
+// (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/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 +42,21 @@ 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"
 )
 
+// 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}
@@ -109,6 +124,8 @@ type WrapperReport struct {
 	// 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"`
 	// 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"`
@@ -149,6 +166,8 @@ type Report struct {
 	// 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"`
 
 	unsent string // R-868: the wrapper's kept copy of this pass's report — deleted once the hub has it
 }
@@ -386,6 +405,36 @@ 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
@@ -451,7 +500,7 @@ 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 Report
 }
 
 // Run is one pass: the guest layer, then (on an appliance, after a good guest step) the host layer, then (ring 0
@@ -479,13 +528,44 @@ 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{})
 		}
+	}
+	// 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{})
+	}
 	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
@@ -571,7 +651,7 @@ 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}
@@ -604,6 +684,13 @@ 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")
@@ -637,6 +724,7 @@ 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:
@@ -654,21 +742,27 @@ 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)
@@ -708,6 +802,10 @@ 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)
 	}
@@ -732,6 +830,33 @@ 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

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ 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.
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ type fakeWrapper struct {
 	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
 }
 
 func yes() *bool { b := true; return &b }
@@ -50,9 +52,12 @@ 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 {
 		ok = hostOK()
 	}
+	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":
@@ -160,8 +165,8 @@ 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" {
+	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 and the ring-0 docker step", calls(w))
+		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 {
@@ -171,7 +176,7 @@ 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)
 	}
 }
@@ -389,7 +394,7 @@ 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)
 	}
 }
@@ -436,7 +441,12 @@ 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)
 	}

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/unsent.go

@@ -145,21 +145,28 @@ func (l *Leg) reportFromKept(ctx context.Context, wr WrapperReport, path string)
 	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)
-	wantEngine := ""
+	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)
@@ -167,7 +174,7 @@ 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,
@@ -187,6 +194,8 @@ 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/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 +52,10 @@ 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"
+
 	// 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 +127,7 @@ func Classify(class OpClass, prov Provenance) Disposition {
 		return Destructive
 	case ClassKeyRotation:
 		return Destructive
-	case ClassAgentUpdate, ClassOSDockerStep, ClassAgentConfigUpdate:
+	case ClassAgentUpdate, ClassOSDockerStep, ClassOSPVEStep, 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