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+---
+pr_number: 5454
+title: "docs(B-0852.4): NixOS module boot-time cred-restore from ESP \u2014 gates end-to-end USB test (Aaron 2026-05-27 USB push)"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T13:42:04Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T13:43:58Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T13:43:58Z"
+head_ref: "backlog/b-0852-4-nixos-module-boot-restore-row-2026-05-27"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T13:45:21Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5454: docs(B-0852.4): NixOS module boot-time cred-restore from ESP — gates end-to-end USB test (Aaron 2026-05-27 USB push)
+
+## PR description
+
+## Summary
+
+Files B-0852.4 row capturing the boot-time companion to B-0852.3a picker (PR #5450).
+
+**Why this gates the USB test**: picker writes blob → reboot → without B-0852.4 the blob is ignored. With B-0852.4: full persist → restore → use chain on real USB hardware.
+
+## Sub-rows
+
+- 4a NixOS module + systemd unit
+- 4b interactive systemd-ask-password mode
+- 4c file-based env-injected passphrase (simpler; first to ship)
+- 4d wire into common.nix
+- 4e empirical USB end-to-end test
+
+Order: 4a → 4c → 4d → 4e → 4b.
+
+## Test plan
+
+- [x] Single-file row + BACKLOG.md regen
+- [x] Substrate-inventory pass cited inline
+- [x] AgencySignature v1 trailer block on commit (heartbeat-via-commit per CLAUDE.md PR #5451)
+- [x] Per .claude/rules/agent-worktree-hygiene-never-hold-main-...: isolated worktree
+
+🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T13:42:08Z)
+
+You have reached your Codex usage limits for code reviews. You can see your limits in the [Codex usage dashboard](https://chatgpt.com/codex/cloud/settings/usage).