R-1256: four restore edges (review round 2 HUNT-1 H4/H5/H6/H8) — each test seen failing first

H4: a failed definition write in the off-site restore writes the live definition back before the start;
    a failed write-back holds the app (restore_mixed).
H5: a put-back whose stop fails pours nothing, keeps the copy and holds the app (off-site, local, power-cut);
    a failed definition write-back keeps the copy (D20); a failed 'volume rm -f' fails that volume (no merge).
H6: TryBeginRestoreOp/RestoreBusy: check every operation and record the restore in one step under m.mu;
    every web handler and the kept loads begin through it; install-time kept load asks about the mirror too.
H8: SweepUnusedRestoreCopies every 6 h: removes a copy only with no hold, no marker naming it, no restore
    running, and older than 14 days.

Commit only; rides the next controller release.

controller/cmd/controller/main.go

@@ -1400,6 +1400,13 @@ func main() {
 			return nil
 		})
 
+		// R-1256 H8: a restore copy no hold, no pending put-back and no running restore needs goes after 14 days. Every 6
+		// hours — a copy outliving its age by hours costs disk, never data. TestR1256_H8_TheSweepIsWiredAtStartup.
+		sched.Every("restore-copy-sweep", 6*time.Hour, func(ctx context.Context) error {
+			backupMgr.SweepUnusedRestoreCopies(time.Now())
+			return nil
+		})
+
 		// Tier 2: off-drive copy of each HDD app's recovery unit + userdata (auto-enabled, auto-target).
 		// Runs after the DB dump so it copies a fresh unit.
 		backupMgr.SetTier2Notifier(func(stackName, destLabel string, dur time.Duration, err error) {

controller/cmd/controller/r1256_sweep_wiring_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+package main
+
+import "testing"
+
+// TestR1256_H8_TheSweepIsWiredAtStartup — R-1256 H8: an unused restore copy goes only through
+// SweepUnusedRestoreCopies, so main.go must CALL it (the seam-built-but-never-wired class).
+// RED-PROOF: delete the `restore-copy-sweep` job — this fails.
+func TestR1256_H8_TheSweepIsWiredAtStartup(t *testing.T) {
+	lines, _, _ := slice4CallLines(t)
+	if len(lines["SweepUnusedRestoreCopies"]) == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("SweepUnusedRestoreCopies is never called — an unused restore copy would stay on the drive for ever")
+	}
+}

controller/internal/api/kept_install.go

@@ -94,7 +94,9 @@ func (r *Router) keptDataAtInstall(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request, nam
 			writeJSON(w, http.StatusConflict, apiResponse{OK: false, Error: data.UseOff, Data: data})
 			return true
 		}
-		if st := r.backupMgr.RestoreStatus(); st.Running || r.backupMgr.IsRunning() {
+		// R-1256 H6: every operation — a restore, a backup run, a second-drive copy — not only the first two; and the
+		// load itself begins in the same step as this question (startKeptLoad → ErrRestoreBusy).
+		if busy, _ := r.backupMgr.RestoreBusy(); busy != "" {
 			writeJSON(w, http.StatusConflict, apiResponse{OK: false, Error: r.msgLang(lang, "api.kept.busy")})
 			return true
 		}
@@ -104,7 +106,11 @@ func (r *Router) keptDataAtInstall(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request, nam
 		}
 		r.logger.Printf("[INFO] [api] Deploy %s: USE MY KEPT DATA — loading from %s (tier %d, %s) under the kept files %v", name, src, cp.c.Tier, cp.c.Time.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), old)
 		r.dropLeftoverHold(name, "use-kept-data") // R-704: this is a new install of an app that is not installed
-		r.startKeptLoad(name, hdd, cp.c, lang, nil)
+		if err := r.startKeptLoad(name, hdd, cp.c, lang, nil); err != nil {
+			r.logger.Printf("[WARN] [api] Deploy %s: use my kept data REFUSED at its start: %v", name, err)
+			writeJSON(w, http.StatusConflict, apiResponse{OK: false, Error: r.msgLang(lang, "api.kept.busy")})
+			return true
+		}
 		writeJSON(w, http.StatusAccepted, apiResponse{OK: true, Message: r.msgLang(lang, "kept.load.started", display)})
 		return true
 	default:
@@ -120,7 +126,7 @@ func (r *Router) keptCopyName(lang string, c backup.KeptCopy) string {
 
 // startKeptLoad runs the load and, when it succeeded, the app's after_load. then(ok) runs last. The
 // off-site copy goes through LoadKeptOffsite (download the unit alone, judge it, then the same restore).
-func (r *Router) startKeptLoad(name, drive string, c backup.KeptCopy, lang string, then func(ok bool)) {
+func (r *Router) startKeptLoad(name, drive string, c backup.KeptCopy, lang string, then func(ok bool)) error {
 	display := name
 	if st, ok := r.stackMgr.GetStack(name); ok && st.Meta.DisplayName != "" {
 		display = st.Meta.DisplayName
@@ -128,10 +134,9 @@ func (r *Router) startKeptLoad(name, drive string, c backup.KeptCopy, lang strin
 	okMsg := func(error) string { return r.msgLang(lang, "kept.load.done", display) }
 	failMsg := func(err error) string { return r.msgLang(lang, "kept.load.failed", display, err) }
 	if c.Tier == backup.KeptTierOffsite {
-		r.backupMgr.LoadKeptOffsite(name, drive, c, nil, okMsg, failMsg, r.keptAfterLoad(name, then))
-		return
+		return r.backupMgr.LoadKeptOffsite(name, drive, c, nil, okMsg, failMsg, r.keptAfterLoad(name, then))
 	}
-	r.backupMgr.LoadKeptApp(name, c.UnitDir, okMsg, failMsg, r.keptAfterLoad(name, then))
+	return r.backupMgr.LoadKeptApp(name, c.UnitDir, nil, okMsg, failMsg, r.keptAfterLoad(name, then))
 }
 
 // keptAfterLoad runs the app's after_load when the load succeeded, then then(ok).

controller/internal/api/kept_install_test.go

@@ -162,7 +162,10 @@ func TestR691_InstallChoiceNamesTheOffsiteCopy(t *testing.T) {
 // copy, restic and the unit restore behind their seams — no Docker).
 // COMPANION RED-PROOF: remove the dropLeftoverHold call from keptDataAtInstall → the hold is still there
 // after the 202 and the first assertion fails; remove it from deployStack → the AST check fails.
-func TestR704_AFreshInstallDropsALeftoverHold(t *testing.T) {
+// keptInstallRig is an installable app with old data on its drive and an off-site copy of its unit; done receives
+// once per unit restore the load reaches.
+func keptInstallRig(t *testing.T) (*Router, *settings.Settings, string, chan struct{}) {
+	t.Helper()
 	dir := t.TempDir()
 	drive := filepath.Join(dir, "drive")
 	cfg := &config.Config{}
@@ -234,6 +237,11 @@ func TestR704_AFreshInstallDropsALeftoverHold(t *testing.T) {
 		return backup.UnitRestoreResult{}, nil
 	})
 	r := &Router{stackMgr: m, backupMgr: bm, sett: sett, logger: log.New(io.Discard, "", 0)}
+	return r, sett, drive, done
+}
+
+func TestR704_AFreshInstallDropsALeftoverHold(t *testing.T) {
+	r, sett, drive, done := keptInstallRig(t)
 
 	// A leftover update hold from an earlier install (the demo-hp shape): the new install drops it.
 	_ = sett.SetRestoreHold(settings.RestoreHold{Stack: "cloudapp", At: "2026-09-13T19:56:32Z", Reason: settings.HoldReasonUpdateFailed})
@@ -287,3 +295,38 @@ func TestR704_AFreshInstallDropsALeftoverHold(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("deployStack must call dropLeftoverHold before DeployStack (drop=%v deploy=%v)", dropAt, deployAt)
 	}
 }
+
+// R-1256 H6: the install-time „use my kept data" asks about EVERY operation — a second-drive copy too, not only a
+// restore record and the backup run — and the load begins in the same step as the question.
+// RED-PROOF: restore the RestoreStatus/IsRunning-only check and LoadKept*'s plain BeginRestoreOp → 202 and the load
+// runs beside the copy → FAILS.
+func TestR1256_H6_AKeptLoadAtInstallIsRefusedWhileASecondDriveCopyRuns(t *testing.T) {
+	r, _, drive, done := keptInstallRig(t)
+	end := backup.MarkTier2CopyForTest("someapp")
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/stacks/cloudapp/deploy?lang=en", nil)
+	r.keptDataAtInstall(w, req, "cloudapp", drive, "use")
+	end()
+	if w.Code != http.StatusConflict {
+		t.Fatalf("a load during a second-drive copy: code %d, want 409 — body %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+	select {
+	case <-done:
+		t.Fatal("the load ran beside the second-drive copy")
+	case <-time.After(300 * time.Millisecond):
+	}
+	if st := r.backupMgr.RestoreStatus(); st.Running {
+		t.Fatal("a refused load left a restore op recorded")
+	}
+	// The copy ended: the same press loads.
+	w = httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.keptDataAtInstall(w, httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/stacks/cloudapp/deploy?lang=en", nil), "cloudapp", drive, "use")
+	if w.Code != http.StatusAccepted {
+		t.Fatalf("after the copy: code %d — body %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+	select {
+	case <-done:
+	case <-time.After(10 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("the load never reached the unit restore")
+	}
+}

controller/internal/backup/kept_load.go

@@ -301,8 +301,12 @@ func (m *Manager) downloadKeptOffsiteUnit(ctx context.Context, app, drive string
 // LoadKeptOffsite is LoadKeptApp from the off-site copy c: download the unit alone, judge it, then
 // prepare (nil = nothing; a dated folder's files move back here), then the one unit restore, then
 // after(ok). A download failure or a refusal never reaches prepare, so the kept files stay as they were.
-func (m *Manager) LoadKeptOffsite(app, drive string, c KeptCopy, prepare func() error, okMsg, failMsg func(err error) string, after func(ok bool)) {
-	m.BeginRestoreOp("restore", app)
+// ErrRestoreBusy (nothing started, after not called) when another operation runs (R-1256 H6).
+func (m *Manager) LoadKeptOffsite(app, drive string, c KeptCopy, prepare func() error, okMsg, failMsg func(err error) string, after func(ok bool)) error {
+	if busy, _ := m.TryBeginRestoreOp("restore", app); busy != "" {
+		m.logger.Printf("[WARN] [backup] kept load %s REFUSED: a %s operation runs (R-1256)", app, busy)
+		return ErrRestoreBusy
+	}
 	go func() {
 		start := time.Now()
 		fail := func(err error) {
@@ -345,6 +349,7 @@ func (m *Manager) LoadKeptOffsite(app, drive string, c KeptCopy, prepare func()
 			after(true)
 		}
 	}()
+	return nil
 }
 
 // RemovedUnitOnDrive is the start-fresh hook (stacks.SetKeptUnitFinder): the removed app's OWN unit when
@@ -370,11 +375,26 @@ func (m *Manager) PrimaryUnitHome(app, drive string) string {
 
 // LoadKeptApp runs the load as a restore operation the backup pages already follow (the poll banner):
 // Begin → RestoreFromRecoveryUnitAt(app, unitDir) → End, then after(ok) in the same goroutine (the
-// after_load command, the kept folder's tidy-up). The caller has checked RestoreStatus/IsRunning.
-func (m *Manager) LoadKeptApp(app, unitDir string, okMsg, failMsg func(err error) string, after func(ok bool)) {
-	m.BeginRestoreOp("restore", app)
+// after_load command, the kept folder's tidy-up). prepare (nil = nothing) runs first, inside the operation — a dated
+// folder's files move back there. R-1256 H6: the op is begun in the same step as the check for every other operation;
+// a refusal returns ErrRestoreBusy with nothing started and nothing moved.
+func (m *Manager) LoadKeptApp(app, unitDir string, prepare func() error, okMsg, failMsg func(err error) string, after func(ok bool)) error {
+	if busy, _ := m.TryBeginRestoreOp("restore", app); busy != "" {
+		m.logger.Printf("[WARN] [backup] kept load %s REFUSED: a %s operation runs (R-1256)", app, busy)
+		return ErrRestoreBusy
+	}
 	go func() {
 		start := time.Now()
+		if prepare != nil {
+			if perr := prepare(); perr != nil {
+				m.logger.Printf("[ERROR] [backup] kept load %s: preparing the kept files FAILED: %v — nothing was loaded", app, perr)
+				m.EndRestoreOp(false, failMsg(perr))
+				if after != nil {
+					after(false)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+		}
 		res, err := m.keptUnitRestore()(app, unitDir)
 		if errors.Is(err, ErrRestoreNotStarted) {
 			m.keptLoadNotStarted(app, err, after)
@@ -395,6 +415,7 @@ func (m *Manager) LoadKeptApp(app, unitDir string, okMsg, failMsg func(err error
 			after(true)
 		}
 	}()
+	return nil
 }
 
 // keptLoadNotStarted (R-1270): the kept data is loaded but the app did not start in time. Never „done": the record says

controller/internal/backup/offbox_reconstitute.go

@@ -548,6 +548,25 @@ func (m *Manager) holdAppAfterMixedRestore(stack string, replayErr error, live *
 	}
 }
 
+// restartAtLiveDefinition (R-1256 H4) is the failure branch of the definition write, taken while no data has moved.
+// The writer writes the compose before the app's settings, so a failure can leave the snapshot's compose in the
+// stack dir: the LIVE definition is written back first, and only then is the app started. When the write-back fails
+// too, the app is held stopped (restore_mixed) — a start would run the snapshot's definition over the live data.
+// Pinned by TestR1256_H4_*.
+func (m *Manager) restartAtLiveDefinition(stack string, live *liveDefinition, cause error, restartStack func() error) {
+	if live != nil {
+		if err := m.stackProvider.RecreateStackDefinitionFromUnit(stack, live.dir, live.env); err != nil {
+			m.logger.Printf("[ERROR] [offbox] %s: the definition write failed (%v) and writing the live definition back failed too: %v — holding the app stopped", stack, cause, err)
+			m.holdAppAfterMixedRestore(stack, cause, nil)
+			return
+		}
+		m.logger.Printf("[INFO] [offbox] %s: the definition write failed (%v); the live definition is written back before the start", stack, cause)
+	}
+	if sErr := restartStack(); sErr != nil {
+		m.logger.Printf("[WARN] [offbox] %s: restart after a failed definition write also failed: %v", stack, sErr)
+	}
+}
+
 // SetRestoreHoldNotify wires the operator notification for a held app (cmd/controller/main.go).
 func (m *Manager) SetRestoreHoldNotify(fn func(stack string, replayErr, rollbackErr error)) {
 	m.restoreHoldNotify = fn
@@ -1005,16 +1024,12 @@ func (m *Manager) ReconstituteFromOffsite(ctx context.Context, stack string, ack
 	// yet — a failure here restarts the app as it was.
 	if defineFromSnapshot {
 		if err := m.stackProvider.RecreateStackDefinitionFromUnit(stack, scratchCompose, snapEnv); err != nil {
-			if sErr := restartStack(); sErr != nil {
-				m.logger.Printf("[WARN] [offbox] %s: restart after a failed definition write also failed: %v", stack, sErr)
-			}
+			m.restartAtLiveDefinition(stack, liveDef, err, restartStack)
 			return res, fmt.Errorf("restoring %s: writing the snapshot's definition failed: %w", stack, err)
 		}
 	} else if len(credOverlay) > 0 {
 		if err := m.stackProvider.(secretValueSetter).SetStackSecretValues(stack, credOverlay); err != nil {
-			if sErr := restartStack(); sErr != nil {
-				m.logger.Printf("[WARN] [offbox] %s: restart after a failed password write also failed: %v", stack, sErr)
-			}
+			m.restartAtLiveDefinition(stack, liveDef, err, restartStack)
 			return res, fmt.Errorf("restoring %s: writing the backup's database password failed: %w", stack, err)
 		}
 		m.logger.Printf("[INFO] [offbox] %s: the backup's database password(s) %v written into the app's settings before the data (R-1106)", stack, credNames(credOverlay))

controller/internal/backup/offbox_restore_undo.go

@@ -226,8 +226,13 @@ func (m *Manager) putBackAfterFailedRestore(stack string, cause error, live *liv
 		m.holdAppAfterMixedRestore(stack, cause, live)
 		return util.MsgError(holdKey, stack)
 	}
+	// R-1256 H5: a put-back under an app that could not be stopped could mix the copy with what the app writes.
+	// Nothing is poured; the copy is kept and the app held (D20: a put-back that fails holds and keeps its copy).
 	if err := m.stackProvider.StopStack(stack); err != nil {
-		m.logger.Printf("[WARN] [offbox] %s: stopping the app before the put-back failed: %v", stack, err)
+		c.keepIfAny()
+		m.logger.Printf("[ERROR] [offbox] %s: stopping the app before the put-back FAILED: %v — nothing is put back; the copy stays at %s; holding the app", stack, err, c.dirOrNone())
+		m.holdAppAfterMixedRestore(stack, cause, live)
+		return util.MsgError(holdKey, stack)
 	}
 	if volumesMoved {
 		if err := m.putBack(stack, c); err != nil {
@@ -239,7 +244,8 @@ func (m *Manager) putBackAfterFailedRestore(stack string, cause error, live *liv
 	}
 	if live != nil {
 		if err := m.stackProvider.RecreateStackDefinitionFromUnit(stack, live.dir, live.env); err != nil {
-			m.logger.Printf("[ERROR] [offbox] %s: writing the live definition back FAILED: %v — holding the app", stack, err)
+			c.keepIfAny() // R-1256 H5 (D20): a put-back that fails keeps its copy for support
+			m.logger.Printf("[ERROR] [offbox] %s: writing the live definition back FAILED: %v — the copy stays at %s; holding the app", stack, err, c.dirOrNone())
 			m.holdAppAfterMixedRestore(stack, cause, live)
 			return util.MsgError(holdKey, stack)
 		}
@@ -249,12 +255,19 @@ func (m *Manager) putBackAfterFailedRestore(stack string, cause error, live *liv
 		m.restorePutBackNotify(stack, cause)
 	}
 	if err := restart(); err != nil {
-		m.logger.Printf("[ERROR] [offbox] %s: start after the put-back failed: %v (the copy stays at %s)", stack, err, c.dirOrNone())
+		m.logger.Printf("[ERROR] [offbox] %s: start after the put-back failed: %v (the live volumes and definition are back; the copy %s is removed)", stack, err, c.dirOrNone())
 		return util.MsgError("err.backup.restore_failed_put_back_not_started", stack)
 	}
 	return putBackMessage(stack, filesPlaced)
 }
 
+// keepIfAny marks the copy as kept for support (no copy: nothing to keep).
+func (c *liveVolumeCopy) keepIfAny() {
+	if c != nil {
+		c.keep = true
+	}
+}
+
 func (c *liveVolumeCopy) dirOrNone() string {
 	if c == nil {
 		return "(no volume copy)"

controller/internal/backup/opstatus.go

@@ -62,6 +62,53 @@ type RestoreOpStatus struct {
 func (m *Manager) BeginRestoreOp(op, stack string) {
 	m.mu.Lock()
 	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	m.beginRestoreOpLocked(op, stack)
+}
+
+// Why a new restore may not begin now (R-1256 H6). "" = it may.
+const (
+	RestoreBusyRestore = "restore" // a restore op is in flight (the record the pages follow)
+	RestoreBusyBackup  = "backup"  // the single-flight backup/restore run is held (the night run never records an op)
+	RestoreBusyMirror  = "mirror"  // a second-drive copy runs, or one a previous process lost may still run
+)
+
+// TryBeginRestoreOp is BeginRestoreOp that refuses — in the SAME step, under m.mu — while another restore op, a
+// backup run or a second-drive copy runs. R-1256 H6: the pages asked (RestoreStatus, IsRunning,
+// Tier2CopyBlocksRestore) and recorded the op later; a mirror that began in between ran beside the restore. The mirror
+// asks under the same m.mu (beginTier2Run), so one of the two always sees the other. Lock order m.mu → tier2Copies,
+// as in beginTier2Run. Returns the busy reason ("" = begun) and, for a mirror, its app ("" when unknown).
+// Pinned by TestR1256_H6_*.
+func (m *Manager) TryBeginRestoreOp(op, stack string) (busy, mirrorApp string) {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	if busy, app := m.restoreBusyLocked(); busy != "" {
+		return busy, app
+	}
+	m.beginRestoreOpLocked(op, stack)
+	return "", ""
+}
+
+// RestoreBusy is TryBeginRestoreOp's question alone — for a refusal asked early, before a request is read further.
+func (m *Manager) RestoreBusy() (busy, mirrorApp string) {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	return m.restoreBusyLocked()
+}
+
+func (m *Manager) restoreBusyLocked() (string, string) {
+	if m.opRunning {
+		return RestoreBusyRestore, m.opStack
+	}
+	if m.running {
+		return RestoreBusyBackup, ""
+	}
+	if app, blocked := m.Tier2CopyBlocksRestore(); blocked {
+		return RestoreBusyMirror, app
+	}
+	return "", ""
+}
+
+func (m *Manager) beginRestoreOpLocked(op, stack string) {
 	m.opRunning = true
 	m.opName = op
 	m.opStack = stack

controller/internal/backup/r1256_restore_edges_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,358 @@
+package backup
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"io"
+	"log"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller/internal/settings"
+)
+
+// R-1256 (review round 2, HUNT-1): four restore edges — H4, H5, H6 and H8, each pinned below.
+//
+// H4: an off-site restore writes the snapshot's definition before any data moves. The writer
+// (stackAdapter.RecreateStackDefinitionFromUnit) writes the compose FIRST and the app's settings after, so a
+// failure can come back with the snapshot's compose already in the stack dir. The failure branch used to start
+// the app at once — on the snapshot's (older) compose, over the live data. Now the live definition is written
+// back first; only then is the app started. When the write-back fails too, the app is held, never started.
+
+// r1256DefFailProvider fails the FIRST definition write (the snapshot's), after recording it — as the real
+// writer does when its compose write succeeded and its settings write did not.
+type r1256DefFailProvider struct {
+	*r893Provider
+	failWrites int // how many writes fail, from the first
+	failFrom   int // when set, every write from this one (1-based) on fails
+}
+
+func (p *r1256DefFailProvider) RecreateStackDefinitionFromUnit(name, composeDir string, env map[string]string) error {
+	if err := p.r893Provider.RecreateStackDefinitionFromUnit(name, composeDir, env); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if len(p.defs) <= p.failWrites || (p.failFrom > 0 && len(p.defs) >= p.failFrom) {
+		return errors.New("app.yaml write failed")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func r1256DefFailFixture(t *testing.T, failWrites int) (*Manager, *r1256DefFailProvider, *int) {
+	t.Helper()
+	m, vp, _, notified, _ := r893FixtureA(t, true, 0)
+	p := &r1256DefFailProvider{r893Provider: vp, failWrites: failWrites}
+	m.SetStackProvider(p)
+	return m, p, notified
+}
+
+// RED-PROOF: remove the live write-back from the definition-write failure branch (restartStack alone) → one
+// definition write (the snapshot's), then the start → FAILS.
+func TestR1256_H4_AFailedDefinitionWriteStartsTheAppAtItsLiveDefinition(t *testing.T) {
+	m, p, notified := r1256DefFailFixture(t, 1)
+	_, err := m.ReconstituteFromOffsite(context.Background(), "immich", false)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a failed definition write must be surfaced")
+	}
+	if len(p.defs) != 2 || !strings.Contains(strings.Join(p.defs[1], " "), "postgres:18-alpine") {
+		t.Fatalf("definition writes %v — want the snapshot's, then the LIVE one written back", p.defs)
+	}
+	if !p.fullStarted {
+		t.Fatalf("the app must run again at its live definition — calls %v", p.calls)
+	}
+	// The write-back comes BEFORE the start.
+	lastRecreate, lastStart := -1, -1
+	for i, c := range p.calls {
+		switch c {
+		case "recreate":
+			lastRecreate = i
+		case "start":
+			lastStart = i
+		}
+	}
+	if lastRecreate > lastStart {
+		t.Fatalf("the app was started before the live definition was written back — calls %v", p.calls)
+	}
+	if held, _ := m.RestoreHoldFor("immich"); held {
+		t.Fatal("the live definition is back: the app must not be held")
+	}
+	if *notified != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("hold notices %d, want 0", *notified)
+	}
+}
+
+// The write-back fails too: the stack dir may still hold the snapshot's compose, so the app is NOT started; it is
+// held (restore_mixed: the definition moved and could not be put back) and the operator is told once.
+// RED-PROOF: start the app when the write-back fails → fullStarted → FAILS.
+func TestR1256_H4_AFailedWriteBackHoldsTheApp(t *testing.T) {
+	m, p, notified := r1256DefFailFixture(t, 2)
+	_, err := m.ReconstituteFromOffsite(context.Background(), "immich", false)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a failed definition write must be surfaced")
+	}
+	if p.fullStarted {
+		t.Fatalf("the app was STARTED although its live definition could not be written back — calls %v", p.calls)
+	}
+	held, _ := m.RestoreHoldFor("immich")
+	if !held {
+		t.Fatal("no hold: every start path would start the app on the snapshot's definition")
+	}
+	if k := m.HoldKind("immich"); k != settings.HoldReasonRestoreMixed {
+		t.Errorf("hold kind %q, want %q", k, settings.HoldReasonRestoreMixed)
+	}
+	if *notified != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("the operator must be told once, got %d", *notified)
+	}
+}
+
+// ---- H5: a put-back whose stop fails must not go on; `volume rm -f` errors count; a failed put-back keeps its copy.
+
+// r1256StopFailProvider fails the Nth StopStack (1-based).
+type r1256StopFailProvider struct {
+	*r893Provider
+	failAt, n int
+}
+
+func (p *r1256StopFailProvider) StopStack(name string) error {
+	p.n++
+	err := p.r893Provider.StopStack(name)
+	if p.n == p.failAt {
+		return errors.New("compose down: timeout")
+	}
+	return err
+}
+
+// The off-site put-back: the replay fails after the snapshot's volume replaced the live one; the stop before the
+// put-back fails. Pouring the copy back under a running app could mix it with what the app writes, so nothing is
+// poured, the copy is KEPT, and the app is held.
+// RED-PROOF: restore the „(continuing)" WARN in putBackAfterFailedRestore → the copy is poured and the app started
+// → FAILS.
+func TestR1256_H5_APutBackWhoseStopFailsDoesNotPourAndKeepsTheCopy(t *testing.T) {
+	m, vp, rig, _, notified, putBack := r893PutBackFixture(t)
+	p := &r1256StopFailProvider{r893Provider: vp, failAt: 2} // 1 = the restore's stop, 2 = the put-back's
+	m.SetStackProvider(p)
+	_, err := m.ReconstituteFromOffsite(context.Background(), "immich", false)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a failed restore must be surfaced")
+	}
+	if p.n < 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("the put-back's stop never ran (stops %d) — the fixture did not reach the put-back", p.n)
+	}
+	if len(rig.poured) != 0 || len(rig.removed) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the copy was poured (%v) / volumes removed (%v) after a FAILED stop", rig.poured, rig.removed)
+	}
+	if vp.fullStarted {
+		t.Fatalf("the app was started after a failed put-back — calls %v", vp.calls)
+	}
+	if held, _ := m.RestoreHoldFor("immich"); !held {
+		t.Fatal("a put-back that could not run must hold the app (D20)")
+	}
+	if left := undoCopies(t, rig.undoRoot); len(left) == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("the copy must be KEPT after a failed put-back (D20)")
+	}
+	if *notified != 1 || *putBack != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("hold notices %d (want 1), put-back notices %d (want 0)", *notified, *putBack)
+	}
+}
+
+// The live definition cannot be written back after the volumes were poured: the app is held and the copy is KEPT
+// (D20: a put-back that fails keeps its copy for support).
+// RED-PROOF: drop `c.keep = true` from the definition write-back failure branch → the copy is removed → FAILS.
+func TestR1256_H5_AFailedDefinitionWriteBackKeepsTheCopy(t *testing.T) {
+	m, vp, rig, _, _, _ := r893PutBackFixture(t)
+	// A version change, so a live definition exists to be written back; the second write (the write-back) fails.
+	if err := os.WriteFile(vp.composePath, []byte(vtCompose("18")), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	vp.livePins = ParseComposeImages(vp.composePath)
+	p := &r1256DefFailProvider{r893Provider: vp, failWrites: 0}
+	p.failFrom = 2
+	m.SetStackProvider(p)
+	_, err := m.ReconstituteFromOffsite(context.Background(), "immich", false)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a failed restore must be surfaced")
+	}
+	if len(p.defs) < 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("the write-back never ran: writes %v", p.defs)
+	}
+	if held, _ := m.RestoreHoldFor("immich"); !held {
+		t.Fatal("a failed write-back must hold the app")
+	}
+	if left := undoCopies(t, rig.undoRoot); len(left) == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("the copy must be KEPT after a failed put-back (D20)")
+	}
+}
+
+// The crash put-back (a restore cut by a power loss): the stop before pouring fails → an error (the guard then
+// holds the app and keeps the copy, R-1251 H2), nothing poured.
+// RED-PROOF: restore the „(continuing)" WARN in PutBackInterruptedRestore → nil error, the copy poured → FAILS.
+func TestR1256_H5_ACrashPutBackWhoseStopFailsRefuses(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	undo := filepath.Join(dir, "backups", "restore-undo", "app", "20261028T000000Z")
+	mustWrite(t, filepath.Join(undo, "undo.json"), `{"stack":"app","copied":["app_data"],"definition":false}`)
+	mustWrite(t, filepath.Join(undo, "app_data.tar"), "LIVE")
+	poured := 0
+	cp := NewCrashPutBack(func(string) error { return errors.New("compose down: timeout") }, nil, log.New(io.Discard, "", 0))
+	cp.volReplay = func(string, string) (int, error) { poured++; return 1, nil }
+	if err := cp.PutBackInterruptedRestore("app", undo); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a put-back whose stop failed must return an error")
+	}
+	if poured != 0 {
+		t.Fatal("the copy was poured back under an app that could not be stopped")
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(undo, "app_data.tar")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal("the copy must stay on disk")
+	}
+}
+
+// restoreDockerVolumesFrom: a `docker volume rm -f` that fails (the volume is still in use) used to be ignored; the
+// `volume create` that follows is a no-op on an existing volume, so the tar was unpacked ON TOP of the old content —
+// a merge. Now that volume counts as failed and is not touched.
+// RED-PROOF: ignore the rm error again → the create and the tar run for the volume → FAILS.
+func TestR1256_H5_AVolumeThatCannotBeRemovedIsNotMergedInto(t *testing.T) {
+	bin := t.TempDir()
+	calls := filepath.Join(bin, "calls.log")
+	stub := "#!/bin/sh\necho \"$@\" >> " + calls + "\n" +
+		"case \"$*\" in 'compose version --short') echo v2.29.7;; 'volume rm -f app_busy') echo 'volume is in use' >&2; exit 1;; esac\nexit 0\n"
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(bin, "docker"), []byte(stub), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Setenv("PATH", bin+string(os.PathListSeparator)+os.Getenv("PATH"))
+	dump := t.TempDir()
+	for _, n := range []string{"app_busy.tar", "app_free.tar"} {
+		mustWrite(t, filepath.Join(dump, n), "tar")
+	}
+	m := &Manager{logger: log.New(io.Discard, "", 0)}
+	n, err := m.restoreDockerVolumesFrom("app", dump)
+	if err == nil || n != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("restored %d, err %v — want 1 and an error naming app_busy", n, err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "app_busy") {
+		t.Errorf("the error must name the volume: %v", err)
+	}
+	b, _ := os.ReadFile(calls)
+	for _, l := range strings.Split(string(b), "\n") {
+		if (strings.HasPrefix(l, "volume create") || strings.HasPrefix(l, "run ")) && strings.Contains(l, "app_busy") {
+			t.Fatalf("the volume that could not be removed was written into: %q", l)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// ---- H6: a second-drive mirror must not start between the page's refusal and the restore's own record.
+
+// The page asked (nothing ran), then a mirror began, then the restore began: the begin itself refuses, records
+// nothing, and the mirror — asked under the same lock — refuses once a restore is recorded.
+// RED-PROOF: make TryBeginRestoreOp record the op without asking (the old BeginRestoreOp) → the restore begins beside
+// the mirror → FAILS.
+func TestR1256_H6_ARestoreCannotBeginBesideAMirrorThatStartedAfterTheCheck(t *testing.T) {
+	tier2ResetForTest()
+	defer tier2ResetForTest()
+	m, _ := newOffboxManager(t)
+	if busy, _ := m.RestoreBusy(); busy != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("fixture: nothing runs, got %q", busy)
+	}
+	// the window: the page's check passed; now a mirror begins
+	if !m.beginTier2Run("immich") {
+		t.Fatal("fixture: the mirror must begin while no restore is recorded")
+	}
+	if busy, app := m.TryBeginRestoreOp("restore", "immich"); busy != RestoreBusyMirror || app != "immich" {
+		t.Fatalf("the restore began beside a running mirror: busy=%q app=%q", busy, app)
+	}
+	if m.RestoreStatus().Running {
+		t.Fatal("a refused begin left a restore op recorded")
+	}
+	tier2CopyEnd("immich")
+	if busy, _ := m.TryBeginRestoreOp("restore", "immich"); busy != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("with the mirror done the restore must begin, got %q", busy)
+	}
+	if m.beginTier2Run("immich") {
+		t.Fatal("a mirror began while the restore of the same app is recorded")
+	}
+	// a second restore is refused while the first runs; the backup run refuses too
+	if busy, _ := m.TryBeginRestoreOp("restore", "other"); busy != RestoreBusyRestore {
+		t.Fatalf("a second restore began beside the first: %q", busy)
+	}
+	m.EndRestoreOp(true, "ok")
+	if err := m.AcquireRunningForTest(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if busy, _ := m.TryBeginRestoreOp("restore", "immich"); busy != RestoreBusyBackup {
+		t.Fatalf("a restore began beside a backup run: %q", busy)
+	}
+	m.ReleaseRunningForTest()
+}
+
+// ---- H8: an unused restore copy is cleaned up; a copy a hold or a pending put-back needs is never touched.
+
+func r1256Copy(t *testing.T, m *Manager, app string, age time.Duration, now time.Time) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	dir := filepath.Join(restoreUndoDir(m.namespaceRoot(m.systemDataPath), app), now.Add(-age).UTC().Format(restoreCopyStampLayout))
+	mustWrite(t, filepath.Join(dir, app+"_data.tar"), "LIVE")
+	return dir
+}
+
+func r1256Exists(p string) bool { _, err := os.Stat(p); return err == nil }
+
+// RED-PROOF: drop the hold check (or the marker check) from SweepUnusedRestoreCopies → the held / named copy is removed
+// → FAILS; drop the age check → the young copy is removed → FAILS.
+func TestR1256_H8_OnlyAnUnusedOldCopyIsRemoved(t *testing.T) {
+	m, sett := newOffboxManager(t)
+	now := time.Now()
+	old := 20 * 24 * time.Hour
+	unused := r1256Copy(t, m, "unused", old, now)
+	young := r1256Copy(t, m, "young", 24*time.Hour, now)
+	held := r1256Copy(t, m, "held", old, now)
+	waiting := r1256Copy(t, m, "waiting", old, now)
+	named := r1256Copy(t, m, "named", old, now)
+	if err := sett.SetRestoreHold(settings.RestoreHold{Stack: "held", At: now.Format(time.RFC3339), Reason: settings.HoldReasonRestoreMixed}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := sett.SetRestoreHold(settings.RestoreHold{Stack: "waiting", At: now.Format(time.RFC3339), Reason: settings.HoldReasonPutBackPending}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// a restore cut by a power loss: the marker (no longer active after a failed recovery's End) still names the copy
+	if err := m.appStop.Begin("unit-restore:named", ReasonUnitRestore, []string{"named"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := m.appStop.SetUndo("named", named); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	got := m.SweepUnusedRestoreCopies(now)
+	if len(got) != 1 || got[0] != unused || r1256Exists(unused) {
+		t.Fatalf("removed %v — want exactly the unused old copy %s", got, unused)
+	}
+	for _, keep := range []string{young, held, waiting, named} {
+		if !r1256Exists(keep) {
+			t.Errorf("a needed copy was removed: %s", keep)
+		}
+	}
+	if r1256Exists(filepath.Dir(unused)) {
+		t.Error("the emptied per-app folder must go too")
+	}
+}
+
+// While a restore runs nothing is removed; a marker that cannot be read stops the sweep.
+// RED-PROOF: drop the RestoreBusy check → the old copy goes during a restore → FAILS.
+func TestR1256_H8_NothingIsRemovedDuringARestoreOrWithAnUnreadableMarker(t *testing.T) {
+	m, _ := newOffboxManager(t)
+	now := time.Now()
+	c := r1256Copy(t, m, "app", 20*24*time.Hour, now)
+	m.BeginRestoreOp("restore", "other")
+	if got := m.SweepUnusedRestoreCopies(now); len(got) != 0 || !r1256Exists(c) {
+		t.Fatalf("removed %v during a restore", got)
+	}
+	m.EndRestoreOp(true, "ok")
+	mustWrite(t, m.appStop.path, "{not json")
+	if got := m.SweepUnusedRestoreCopies(now); len(got) != 0 || !r1256Exists(c) {
+		t.Fatalf("removed %v with an unreadable marker", got)
+	}
+	if err := os.Remove(m.appStop.path); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got := m.SweepUnusedRestoreCopies(now); len(got) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("control: with nothing in the way the old copy goes, removed %v", got)
+	}
+}

controller/internal/backup/restore.go

@@ -224,8 +224,14 @@ func (m *Manager) restoreDockerVolumesFrom(stackName, dumpDir string) (int, erro
 
 		m.logger.Printf("[INFO] [backup] Restoring Docker volume %s for %s", volName, stackName)
 
-		// Remove existing volume (ignore errors — may not exist)
-		dockerexec.Command("docker", "volume", "rm", "-f", volName).Run()
+		// Remove the existing volume. `rm -f` of a missing volume succeeds, so an error means the volume EXISTS and
+		// could not be removed (still in use). R-1256 H5: it used to be ignored — the `volume create` below is a no-op
+		// on an existing volume, and the tar was unpacked ON TOP of the old content (a merge). That volume fails now.
+		if out, err := dockerexec.Command("docker", "volume", "rm", "-f", volName).CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+			m.logger.Printf("[ERROR] [backup] Failed to remove volume %s before the restore: %s — %v (not written into)", volName, strings.TrimSpace(string(out)), err)
+			failed = append(failed, volName)
+			continue
+		}
 
 		// Create fresh volume — WITH the labels compose gives its own volumes (R-658, v0.268.0). A bare
 		// `volume create` made a volume the update's undo (until v0.267.0) could not find, and one

controller/internal/backup/restore_copy_sweep.go

@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+package backup
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sort"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// R-1256 H8 (review round 2, HUNT-1): a restore copy (<namespace>/backups/restore-undo/<app>/<stamp>) that nothing
+// will ever use again used to stay on the drive for good. A copy is KEPT on purpose in three states — a put-back that
+// failed (the app is held, D20), a put-back waiting for its drive (the putback_pending hold, R-1251) and a restore cut
+// by a power loss (the app-stop marker names it, D22) — and for 30 minutes after a restore while the box watches for a
+// stable start (R-1270). Every one of those is still needed. A copy outside all of them — the app runs again, or was
+// removed, and nothing names the copy — is disk the household cannot see or use.
+//
+// The rule (safest reading, decided in the 2026-10-28 night run; operator may change the age): a copy is removed only
+// when ALL of these hold, and the sweep removes NOTHING when it cannot answer one of them:
+//   - it is older than restoreCopyUnusedAge (its folder's stamp; the folder's time when the stamp does not parse);
+//   - the app has no restore hold of any kind (held apps keep every copy — support decides);
+//   - the app-stop marker does not name the app (a pending put-back), and the marker is readable;
+//   - no restore op is in flight on the box (a new restore's copy and the stable-start watcher are left alone).
+//
+// Run every 6 hours from main.go (TestR1256_H8_TheSweepIsWiredAtStartup). Pinned by TestR1256_H8_*.
+
+// restoreCopyUnusedAge is how long an unused copy stays for support after its restore.
+const restoreCopyUnusedAge = 14 * 24 * time.Hour
+
+// restoreCopyStampLayout is copyLiveVolumes' folder name.
+const restoreCopyStampLayout = "20060102T150405Z"
+
+// SweepUnusedRestoreCopies removes the restore copies no hold, no pending put-back and no running restore needs, and
+// older than restoreCopyUnusedAge. Returns the folders removed.
+func (m *Manager) SweepUnusedRestoreCopies(now time.Time) []string {
+	if busy, _ := m.RestoreBusy(); busy == RestoreBusyRestore {
+		m.logger.Printf("[INFO] [backup] restore-copy sweep skipped: a restore runs")
+		return nil
+	}
+	named, ok := m.appStopNamedApps()
+	if !ok {
+		m.logger.Printf("[WARN] [backup] restore-copy sweep skipped: the app-stop marker cannot be read — a copy it names must not go")
+		return nil
+	}
+	var removed []string
+	for _, nsRoot := range m.primaryUnitRoots() {
+		base := filepath.Join(nsRoot, "backups", "restore-undo")
+		apps, err := os.ReadDir(base)
+		if err != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, a := range apps {
+			if !a.IsDir() {
+				continue
+			}
+			app := a.Name()
+			if named[app] {
+				continue
+			}
+			if m.settings == nil {
+				return removed // no hold store: a held app cannot be told apart
+			}
+			if _, held := m.settings.GetRestoreHold(app); held {
+				continue
+			}
+			appDir := filepath.Join(base, app)
+			copies, err := os.ReadDir(appDir)
+			if err != nil {
+				continue
+			}
+			sort.Slice(copies, func(i, j int) bool { return copies[i].Name() < copies[j].Name() })
+			for _, c := range copies {
+				if !c.IsDir() {
+					continue
+				}
+				dir := filepath.Join(appDir, c.Name())
+				at, err := time.Parse(restoreCopyStampLayout, c.Name())
+				if err != nil {
+					fi, sErr := os.Stat(dir)
+					if sErr != nil {
+						continue
+					}
+					at = fi.ModTime()
+				}
+				if now.Sub(at) < restoreCopyUnusedAge {
+					continue
+				}
+				if err := os.RemoveAll(dir); err != nil {
+					m.logger.Printf("[WARN] [backup] %s: the unused restore copy %s could not be removed: %v", app, dir, err)
+					continue
+				}
+				m.logger.Printf("[INFO] [backup] %s: the unused restore copy %s (from %s) is removed — no hold, no pending put-back, older than %s (R-1256)",
+					app, dir, at.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), restoreCopyUnusedAge)
+				removed = append(removed, dir)
+			}
+			_ = os.Remove(appDir) // the per-app folder, when it is now empty
+		}
+	}
+	return removed
+}
+
+// appStopNamedApps reads the app-stop marker without side effects: the apps of an ACTIVE marker and every app its Undo
+// names. ok=false when the marker exists and cannot be read — the caller then touches nothing.
+func (m *Manager) appStopNamedApps() (map[string]bool, bool) {
+	named := map[string]bool{}
+	if m.appStop == nil || m.appStop.path == "" {
+		return named, true
+	}
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(m.appStop.path)
+	if os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return named, true
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, false
+	}
+	var mk AppStopMarker
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &mk); err != nil {
+		return nil, false
+	}
+	for app := range mk.Undo {
+		named[app] = true
+	}
+	if mk.Active {
+		for _, app := range mk.Stacks {
+			named[app] = true
+		}
+	}
+	return named, true
+}

controller/internal/backup/restore_crash_putback.go

@@ -195,9 +195,11 @@ func (p *CrashPutBack) PutBackInterruptedRestore(stack, undoDir string) error {
 	if j.Stack != stack {
 		return fmt.Errorf("the restore copy at %s belongs to %q, not %q", undoDir, j.Stack, stack)
 	}
+	// R-1256 H5: never pour the copy back under an app that could not be stopped — a refusal here is a failed
+	// put-back: the guard holds the app and keeps the copy (R-1251 H2).
 	if p.stop != nil {
 		if err := p.stop(stack); err != nil {
-			p.logger.Printf("[WARN] [appstop] %s: stopping before the put-back failed: %v (continuing)", stack, err)
+			return fmt.Errorf("stopping %s before the put-back: %w", stack, err)
 		}
 	}
 	mgr := &Manager{logger: p.logger, volumeReplayFrom: p.volReplay, undoVolumeRemoveFn: p.volRemove}

controller/internal/web/handlers.go

@@ -1894,7 +1894,10 @@ func (s *Server) backupRestoreHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	}
 
 	s.logger.Printf("[WARN] [web] Restore requested (async): stack=%s, snapshot=%s from %s", stackName, snapshotID, r.RemoteAddr)
-	s.backupMgr.BeginRestoreOp("restore", stackName)
+	if msg, ok := s.beginRestoreOp("restore", stackName); !ok {
+		http.Redirect(w, r, "/backups/restore?flash_error="+url.QueryEscape(msg), http.StatusFound)
+		return
+	}
 	go func() {
 		start := time.Now()
 		// Phase 2b: restore from the app's recovery unit (recovers secrets from the guest, fail-closed
@@ -2236,7 +2239,10 @@ func (s *Server) backupTier2RestoreHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Reques
 	}
 
 	s.logger.Printf("[WARN] [web] Tier-2 file restore requested (async): stack=%s from %s", stackName, r.RemoteAddr)
-	s.backupMgr.BeginRestoreOp("tier2-restore", stackName)
+	if msg, ok := s.beginRestoreOp("tier2-restore", stackName); !ok {
+		http.Redirect(w, r, "/backups/apps?flash_error="+url.QueryEscape(msg), http.StatusFound)
+		return
+	}
 	go func() {
 		n, err := s.backupMgr.RestoreTier2Files(stackName)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -2311,7 +2317,10 @@ func (s *Server) backupTier2UnitRestoreHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Re
 	// (R-538), which is what left such an app with no way back from the second drive.
 	if s.backupMgr.HasDriveFileLegs(stackName) {
 		s.logger.Printf("[WARN] [web] Tier-2 WHOLE restore requested (async, files + database): stack=%s from %s", stackName, r.RemoteAddr)
-		s.backupMgr.BeginRestoreOp("tier2-whole-restore", stackName)
+		if msg, ok := s.beginRestoreOp("tier2-whole-restore", stackName); !ok {
+			http.Redirect(w, r, "/backups/apps?flash_error="+url.QueryEscape(msg), http.StatusFound)
+			return
+		}
 		go func() {
 			start := time.Now()
 			res, err := s.backupMgr.RestoreTier2Whole(stackName)
@@ -2346,7 +2355,10 @@ func (s *Server) backupTier2UnitRestoreHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Re
 	}
 
 	s.logger.Printf("[WARN] [web] Tier-2 UNIT restore requested (async, OVERWRITES live data): stack=%s from %s", stackName, r.RemoteAddr)
-	s.backupMgr.BeginRestoreOp("tier2-unit-restore", stackName)
+	if msg, ok := s.beginRestoreOp("tier2-unit-restore", stackName); !ok {
+		http.Redirect(w, r, "/backups/apps?flash_error="+url.QueryEscape(msg), http.StatusFound)
+		return
+	}
 	go func() {
 		start := time.Now()
 		res, err := s.backupMgr.RestoreTier2Unit(stackName)

controller/internal/web/kept_copies.go

@@ -106,7 +106,10 @@ func (s *Server) keptUnitRestoreHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request)
 		return
 	}
 	s.logger.Printf("[WARN] [web] Restore of %s from a set-aside unit requested (async): %s from %s", k.Source, k.Path, r.RemoteAddr)
-	s.backupMgr.BeginRestoreOp("restore", k.Source)
+	if msg, ok := s.beginRestoreOp("restore", k.Source); !ok {
+		http.Redirect(w, r, "/backups/restore?flash_error="+url.QueryEscape(msg), http.StatusFound)
+		return
+	}
 	go func() {
 		app, res, err := s.backupMgr.RestoreSetAsideUnit(id)
 		if err != nil {

controller/internal/web/kept_handlers.go

@@ -217,16 +217,23 @@ func (s *Server) keptLoadHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		_, err := s.stackMgr.RestoreKeptFiles(it)
 		return err
 	}
+	// R-1256 H6: the load begins in the same step as the check for every other operation; a refusal moves nothing
+	// (the dated folder's files move back inside the operation, as prepare).
+	var lErr error
 	if c.Tier == backup.KeptTierOffsite {
 		s.logger.Printf("[INFO] [web] kept LOAD %s: %s from the off-site snapshot %s (from %s)", it.App, it.Path, c.SnapshotID, r.RemoteAddr)
-		s.backupMgr.LoadKeptOffsite(app, it.Drive, c, moveBack, okMsg, failMsg, after)
+		lErr = s.backupMgr.LoadKeptOffsite(app, it.Drive, c, moveBack, okMsg, failMsg, after)
 	} else {
-		if err := moveBack(); err != nil {
-			s.keptRedirect(w, r, "flash_error", s.errText(r, err))
-			return
-		}
 		s.logger.Printf("[INFO] [web] kept LOAD %s: %s from %s (from %s)", it.App, it.Path, c.UnitDir, r.RemoteAddr)
-		s.backupMgr.LoadKeptApp(app, c.UnitDir, okMsg, failMsg, after)
+		lErr = s.backupMgr.LoadKeptApp(app, c.UnitDir, moveBack, okMsg, failMsg, after)
+	}
+	if lErr != nil {
+		msg, _ := s.restoreOpBlocked()
+		if msg == "" { // the other operation ended in the meantime
+			msg, _ = s.restoreBusyMessage(backup.RestoreBusyRestore, "")
+		}
+		s.keptRedirect(w, r, "flash_error", msg)
+		return
 	}
 	http.Redirect(w, r, "/backups/restore?"+flashQuery("flash", "flash.restore.started"), http.StatusFound)
 }

controller/internal/web/offbox_handlers.go

@@ -450,7 +450,10 @@ func (s *Server) offboxRestoreHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		return
 	}
 	full := mode == "full"
-	s.backupMgr.BeginRestoreOp("offbox-restore", app)
+	if msg, ok := s.beginRestoreOp("offbox-restore", app); !ok {
+		offboxRedirectTo(w, r, restoreWizardPath(app), msg, true)
+		return
+	}
 	go func() {
 		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 30*time.Minute)
 		defer cancel()
@@ -538,7 +541,10 @@ func (s *Server) offboxReconstituteHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Reques
 	// data"; this one answers "yes, into a different place than the backup recorded". One checkbox
 	// carrying both would be the two-decisions-one-button shape R-48 removed from this surface.
 	ackPlacement := r.FormValue("ack_placement") == "1"
-	s.backupMgr.BeginRestoreOp("offbox-reconstitute", app)
+	if msg, ok := s.beginRestoreOp("offbox-reconstitute", app); !ok {
+		offboxRedirectTo(w, r, restoreWizardPath(app), msg, true)
+		return
+	}
 	go func() {
 		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 60*time.Minute)
 		defer cancel()
@@ -678,7 +684,10 @@ func (s *Server) offboxPlaceHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		offboxRedirectTo(w, r, restoreWizardPath(app), offsiteScratchIncompleteKey, true)
 		return
 	}
-	s.backupMgr.BeginRestoreOp("offbox-place", app)
+	if msg, ok := s.beginRestoreOp("offbox-place", app); !ok {
+		offboxRedirectTo(w, r, restoreWizardPath(app), msg, true)
+		return
+	}
 	go func() {
 		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 30*time.Minute)
 		defer cancel()
@@ -711,7 +720,10 @@ func (s *Server) sharesRestoreHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		offboxRedirectTo(w, r, "/backups/restore", msg, true)
 		return
 	}
-	s.backupMgr.BeginRestoreOp("shares-restore", backup.SharesDisplayName)
+	if msg, ok := s.beginRestoreOp("shares-restore", backup.SharesDisplayName); !ok {
+		offboxRedirectTo(w, r, "/backups/restore", msg, true)
+		return
+	}
 	go func() {
 		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 30*time.Minute)
 		defer cancel()
@@ -737,7 +749,10 @@ func (s *Server) sharesPlaceHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		offboxRedirectTo(w, r, "/backups/restore", msg, true)
 		return
 	}
-	s.backupMgr.BeginRestoreOp("shares-place", backup.SharesDisplayName)
+	if msg, ok := s.beginRestoreOp("shares-place", backup.SharesDisplayName); !ok {
+		offboxRedirectTo(w, r, "/backups/restore", msg, true)
+		return
+	}
 	go func() {
 		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 30*time.Minute)
 		defer cancel()

controller/internal/web/r1256_begin_restore_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+package web
+
+import (
+	"go/ast"
+	"go/parser"
+	"go/token"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.dooplex.hu/admin/felhom-controller/internal/backup"
+)
+
+// R-1256 H6: every restore handler records its op through beginRestoreOp, which asks about every other operation in
+// the same step (backup.TryBeginRestoreOp). A handler that calls BeginRestoreOp directly re-opens the window between
+// the early refusal and the record. RED-PROOF: put one `s.backupMgr.BeginRestoreOp(...)` back → FAILS, naming the file.
+func TestR1256_H6_NoHandlerBeginsARestoreUnchecked(t *testing.T) {
+	files, _ := filepath.Glob("*.go")
+	for _, f := range files {
+		if strings.HasSuffix(f, "_test.go") {
+			continue
+		}
+		src, err := os.ReadFile(f)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		fs := token.NewFileSet()
+		af, err := parser.ParseFile(fs, f, src, 0)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		ast.Inspect(af, func(n ast.Node) bool {
+			if sel, ok := n.(*ast.SelectorExpr); ok && sel.Sel.Name == "BeginRestoreOp" {
+				t.Errorf("%s: a direct BeginRestoreOp — begin through s.beginRestoreOp (R-1256 H6)", fs.Position(sel.Pos()))
+			}
+			return true
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// The handler's begin refuses with the household's sentence when a second-drive copy began after the early check.
+func TestR1256_H6_TheBeginRefusesWithTheCopySentence(t *testing.T) {
+	s, _, _ := newOffboxWebServer(t)
+	if _, blocked := s.restoreOpBlocked(); blocked {
+		t.Fatal("fixture: nothing runs")
+	}
+	done := backup.MarkTier2CopyForTest("immich")
+	msg, ok := s.beginRestoreOp("offbox-reconstitute", "immich")
+	done()
+	if ok || !strings.Contains(msg, "második meghajtóra") {
+		t.Fatalf("the begin must refuse with the copy named; ok=%v %q", ok, msg)
+	}
+	if s.backupMgr.RestoreStatus().Running {
+		t.Fatal("a refused begin recorded a restore")
+	}
+	if _, ok := s.beginRestoreOp("offbox-reconstitute", "immich"); !ok {
+		t.Fatal("after the copy the begin must work")
+	}
+}

controller/internal/web/restore_wizard.go

@@ -209,28 +209,50 @@ func (s *Server) restoreOpBlocked() (string, bool) {
 	if s.backupMgr == nil {
 		return "", false
 	}
-	if st := s.backupMgr.RestoreStatus(); restoreOpInFlight(st) {
+	busy, app := s.backupMgr.RestoreBusy()
+	return s.restoreBusyMessage(busy, app)
+}
+
+// beginRestoreOp records a restore op in the SAME step as the check for every other operation (R-1256 H6): the early
+// restoreOpBlocked answer can be stale by the time a handler has read its form, and a second-drive copy that began in
+// between ran beside the restore. A refusal returns the same sentence as restoreOpBlocked; the caller redirects with it
+// and starts nothing. Every restore handler begins through here — TestR1256_H6_NoHandlerBeginsARestoreUnchecked.
+func (s *Server) beginRestoreOp(op, stack string) (string, bool) {
+	busy, app := s.backupMgr.TryBeginRestoreOp(op, stack)
+	if busy == "" {
+		return "", true
+	}
+	if s.logger != nil {
+		s.logger.Printf("[WARN] [restore] %s of %s refused at its start — a %s operation runs (R-1256)", op, stack, busy)
+	}
+	msg, _ := s.restoreBusyMessage(busy, app)
+	return msg, false
+}
+
+// restoreBusyMessage is the household's sentence for a RestoreBusy reason ("" = not busy).
+func (s *Server) restoreBusyMessage(busy, app string) (string, bool) {
+	switch busy {
+	case "":
+		return "", false
+	case backup.RestoreBusyRestore:
 		subject := "Egy visszaállítási művelet"
-		if st.Stack != "" {
-			subject = "Egy visszaállítási művelet (" + st.Stack + ")"
+		if app != "" {
+			subject = "Egy visszaállítási művelet (" + app + ")"
 		}
 		return subject + " már fut, ezért most nem indítható újabb. Az állapotát ezen az oldalon " +
 			"követheted; amint befejeződik, újra indíthatsz visszaállítást.", true
-	}
-	if s.backupMgr.IsRunning() {
+	case backup.RestoreBusyBackup:
 		return "Egy mentési művelet már fut, ezért most nem indítható visszaállítás. Az állapotát " +
 			"ezen az oldalon követheted; amint befejeződik, újra indíthatsz visszaállítást.", true
-	}
-	// The stray-copy fix: a second-drive copy (rsync --delete) runs now, or one a previous controller process lost may
-	// still run — a restore beside it could lose the files it brings back (R-1180's other direction).
-	if app, blocked := s.backupMgr.Tier2CopyBlocksRestore(); blocked {
+	default:
+		// The stray-copy fix: a second-drive copy (rsync --delete) runs now, or one a previous controller process lost
+		// may still run — a restore beside it could lose the files it brings back (R-1180's other direction).
 		if s.logger != nil {
 			s.logger.Printf("[WARN] [restore] restore refused — a second-drive copy is running or may still run (app=%q)", app)
 		}
 		return "Éppen fut a második meghajtóra készülő mentési másolat, ezért most nem indítható visszaállítás. " +
 			"Néhány perc múlva próbáld újra.", true
 	}
-	return "", false
 }
 
 // backupsRestoreWizardHandler renders GET /backups/restore/app?name=<app> — the single entry the