diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5426-docs-b-0857-1-closed-audit-verifies-pr-5389-step-6-95a-insta.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5426-docs-b-0857-1-closed-audit-verifies-pr-5389-step-6-95a-insta.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9fef897076
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5426-docs-b-0857-1-closed-audit-verifies-pr-5389-step-6-95a-insta.md
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+---
+pr_number: 5426
+title: "docs(B-0857.1 closed): audit verifies PR #5389 Step 6.95a install.sh invocation PRESENT (zeta-install.sh:1097) + corrects B-0857 row body authoring error"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T08:03:47Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T08:09:56Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T08:09:56Z"
+head_ref: "backlog/b-0857-1-audit-pr-5389-step-6-95a-verified-present-2026-05-27"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:55Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5426: docs(B-0857.1 closed): audit verifies PR #5389 Step 6.95a install.sh invocation PRESENT (zeta-install.sh:1097) + corrects B-0857 row body authoring error
+
+## PR description
+
+## Summary
+
+B-0857.1 sub-row audit (per B-0857 implementation order step 1: "audit current state"). Result: **PR #5389's commit-message claim VERIFIED PRESENT** at \`full-ai-cluster/usb-nixos-installer/zeta-install.sh:1097-1099\` (Step 6.95a-bootstrap). No drift; no repair needed.
+
+## What the audit found
+
+zeta-install.sh:1090-1100 contains the invocation:
+
+\`\`\`bash
+sudo HOME=\"$ZETA_HOME\" -u \"#$ZETA_UID\" \\
+  bash -c \"cd $ZETA_HOME/Zeta && tools/setup/install.sh\"
+\`\`\`
+
+Dispatch chain: install.sh → linux.sh (detects /etc/NIXOS) → common/mise.sh (reads .mise.toml).
+
+Extends GOVERNANCE §24 three-way-parity (dev + CI + devcontainer) to NixOS cluster nodes via the canonical entry.
+
+## B-0857 row body correction
+
+The B-0857 row body (#5423) claimed \"grep of current zeta-install.sh finds NO actual invocation.\" This was an authoring error — the grep produces 9 matches; line 1097 is load-bearing. The authoring step skipped the verify-by-grep that this audit sub-row commits to.
+
+Row body now reads: \"Audit verified (B-0857.1, 2026-05-27): integration IS present at full-ai-cluster/usb-nixos-installer/zeta-install.sh:1097-1099 inside Step 6.95a-bootstrap; no drift; no repair needed.\"
+
+This is a substrate-drift catch at sub-row audit scope (the audit found the row's own framing was the drift, not the integration substrate). Correction is additive per retraction-native discipline.
+
+## Status
+
+Closed at landing. No implementation work needed; substrate is correct.
+
+## Test plan
+
+- [x] grep confirms invocation at line 1097-1099
+- [x] Single-tick small PR; bounded scope
+- [x] ls-tree count canary clean (61 = 61)
+- [x] Per .claude/rules/agent-worktree-hygiene-never-hold-main-...: isolated worktree; never touched operator's primary checkout
+- [x] Per .claude/rules/non-coercion-invariant.md HC-8: substrate-honesty preserved
+- [x] Per .claude/rules/grep-substrate-anchors-before-razor-as-metaphysical.md: verify-before-asserting discipline applied to the audit
+
+🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
+
+## Reviews
+
+### COMMENTED — @copilot-pull-request-reviewer (2026-05-27T08:04:53Z)
+
+## Pull request overview
+
+Documentation-only PR that adds a new closed P2 backlog sub-row (B-0857.1) recording the audit of PR #5389's integration claim, and corrects the parent B-0857 row body to reflect the verified-present state of the `tools/setup/install.sh` invocation in `zeta-install.sh`.
+
+**Changes:**
+- Adds new backlog row file `B-0857.1` (status: closed) documenting the audit result with grep-verified line references.
+- Updates the parent `B-0857` row body to replace the inaccurate "grep finds NO actual invocation" claim with the audit-verified finding.
+
+### Reviewed changes
+
+Copilot reviewed 2 out of 2 changed files in this pull request and generated no comments.
+
+| File | Description |
+| ---- | ----------- |
+| docs/backlog/P2/B-0857.1-audit-pr-5389-...md | New closed audit sub-row documenting verified-present integration at zeta-install.sh:1097-1099. |
+| docs/backlog/P2/B-0857-install-sh-universal-unix-entry-...md | Corrects row body to reflect audit finding; updates substrate-honest framing. |
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T08:03:52Z)
+
+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).
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5427-fix-repair-docker-nixos-install-sh-harness.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5427-fix-repair-docker-nixos-install-sh-harness.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e15aaea0a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5427-fix-repair-docker-nixos-install-sh-harness.md
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+---
+pr_number: 5427
+title: "fix: repair Docker NixOS install-sh harness"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T08:04:10Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T08:40:15Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T08:40:15Z"
+head_ref: "claim/codex-docker-nixos-install-sh-test-path-20260527"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:55Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5427: fix: repair Docker NixOS install-sh harness
+
+## PR description
+
+## Summary
+- preserves the nixos/nix base image PATH so core tools remain visible after PATH pre-staging
+- adds the Nix userspace commands and runtime libraries needed by install.sh and .mise.toml tool downloads
+- exposes compatible glibc loader/library paths for dynamically linked Linux binaries inside the Nix image
+
+## Verification
+- git diff --check
+- bun tools/ci/docker-nixos-install-sh-test.ts
+
+Blocks/unblocks: fixes the docker-nixos-install-sh-test failure currently blocking PR #5416.
+
+Claim protocol note: this PR will include a release commit deleting docs/claims/codex-docker-nixos-install-sh-test-path-20260527.md.
+
+## Reviews
+
+### COMMENTED — @copilot-pull-request-reviewer (2026-05-27T08:07:22Z)
+
+## Pull request overview
+
+This PR repairs the NixOS Docker harness used by `docker-nixos-install-sh-test` by ensuring the Nix base image’s core tooling and required runtime libraries remain discoverable during `tools/setup/install.sh` execution, including support for dynamically linked tool downloads under `.mise.toml`.
+
+**Changes:**
+- Extend the Docker build `PATH` to include the Nix default profile binaries so base tools remain available across layers.
+- Install explicit Nix userspace command/runtime dependencies via `nix-env`, and add compatibility symlinks for compiler and shared libraries.
+- Expose a conventional glibc loader path and set `LD_LIBRARY_PATH` so dynamically linked binaries can run inside the Nix container.
+
+### Reviewed changes
+
+Copilot reviewed 1 out of 1 changed files in this pull request and generated 2 comments.
+
+| File | Description |
+| ---- | ----------- |
+| tools/ci/dockerfiles/nixos-install-sh-test/Dockerfile | Updates PATH, installs required Nix packages, and wires up loader/library paths for the install.sh test harness. |
+| docs/claims/codex-docker-nixos-install-sh-test-path-20260527.md | Adds a claim file describing the harness repair work and verification plan. |
+
+## Review threads
+
+### Thread 1: tools/ci/dockerfiles/nixos-install-sh-test/Dockerfile:77 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T08:07:21Z):
+
+P1: `find ... -name '*gcc' | head -n 1` can pick wrappers like `c89-gcc`/`c99-gcc` depending on filesystem order, making `/usr/local/bin/cc` non-deterministic. Prefer resolving the actual `gcc` on PATH after `nix-env` installs it.
+
+### Thread 2: tools/ci/dockerfiles/nixos-install-sh-test/Dockerfile:92 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T08:07:22Z):
+
+P1: `find /nix/store ...` can traverse a large store and slow Docker builds unnecessarily. Since the loader path is always `.../lib/ld-linux-*.so.*`, bounding the search depth avoids walking deep package trees while keeping the same behavior.
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T08:04:15Z)
+
+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).
+
+### @AceHack (2026-05-27T08:09:12Z)
+
+Vera CI inspection: `docker-nixos-install-sh-test` passed on this PR, and the PR diff is only `tools/ci/dockerfiles/nixos-install-sh-test/Dockerfile`. The blocking check is `lint (tsc tools)` on run 26498932520/job 78034067323, failing in unrelated installer TS files: `tools/installer/zeta-cred-handlers.test.ts` lines 71/77/85/124, `tools/installer/zeta-cred-handlers.ts` line 249, and `tools/installer/zeta-creds-envelope.ts` lines 129/132/135/138. No rerun taken; next safe action is to wait for or land the owner fix for the installer TS baseline, then re-check/merge this Docker repair PR.
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5428-docs-hygiene-tick-2026-05-27t10-08z-dotgit-arc-closure-holds.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5428-docs-hygiene-tick-2026-05-27t10-08z-dotgit-arc-closure-holds.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d74226d8ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5428-docs-hygiene-tick-2026-05-27t10-08z-dotgit-arc-closure-holds.md
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+---
+pr_number: 5428
+title: "docs(hygiene): tick 2026-05-27T10:08Z \u2014 dotgit-arc-closure HOLDS at 2nd anchor (Otto-CLI)"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T10:12:36Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T10:14:22Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T10:14:22Z"
+head_ref: "otto-cli/tick-1008z-2026-05-27"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:54Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5428: docs(hygiene): tick 2026-05-27T10:08Z — dotgit-arc-closure HOLDS at 2nd anchor (Otto-CLI)
+
+## PR description
+
+## Summary
+- Catch-43 sentinel re-armed (`38b850df`) before any substantive work
+- Tick shard at `docs/hygiene-history/ticks/2026/05/27/1008Z.md` (91 lines)
+- Second consecutive 0-stuck-proc anchor confirming dotgit-saturation arc closure (4h after 0608Z PR #5406 anchor)
+
+## Substantive observations
+1. **Dotgit-arc-closure HOLDS** — 2nd anchor 4h after 0608Z under same conditions (24 peer procs, GraphQL Normal); two consecutive 0-proc anchors is substrate-honest signal that the multi-day saturation arc termination generalizes
+2. **Cadence deviation** — ~4h gap vs prior ~2h Otto-CLI cadence (peer Otto-CLI skipped 0808Z slot); 1 deviation, not yet pattern
+3. **Substrate-engineering activity in the gap** — origin/main absorbed B-0852/B-0857 landings (PRs #5423, #5424, #5425, #5426, #5427) via peer Vera/Codex + maintainer-direct lanes; Otto-CLI did not contribute
+
+## Process compliance
+- Isolated worktree off `origin/main 82f2ecbe4` per [`agent-worktree-hygiene`](../../.claude/rules/agent-worktree-hygiene-never-hold-main-never-step-on-operator-cleanup-on-pr-merge.md) Rule 2 (never under operator primary)
+- Post-creation guard PASS (tree=61, status=0); commit canary PASS (parent=61 actual=61, no corruption)
+- Operator's primary checkout NOT ff-promoted (was 10 commits behind; agent did not touch)
+
+## Test plan
+- [x] Build gate not applicable (docs-only)
+- [x] Branch guard pre-commit (`branch=otto-cli/tick-1008z-2026-05-27`)
+- [x] Commit-tree canary post-commit
+- [ ] CI required-checks complete → auto-merge fires
+
+🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T10:12:42Z)
+
+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).
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5443-docs-hygiene-tick-2026-05-27t13-03z-discriminator-pass-on-40.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5443-docs-hygiene-tick-2026-05-27t13-03z-discriminator-pass-on-40.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..99db02e1ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5443-docs-hygiene-tick-2026-05-27t13-03z-discriminator-pass-on-40.md
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+---
+pr_number: 5443
+title: "docs(hygiene): tick 2026-05-27T13:03Z \u2014 discriminator-pass on 40 open PRs: 0 mine / 40 peer"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T13:05:28Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T15:15:32Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T15:15:33Z"
+head_ref: "otto-cli/tick-1303z-bg-worker-discriminator-pass-2026-05-27"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:53Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5443: docs(hygiene): tick 2026-05-27T13:03Z — discriminator-pass on 40 open PRs: 0 mine / 40 peer
+
+## PR description
+
+## Summary
+
+Otto-CLI bg-worker autonomous-loop tick. Substrate-honest disposition of operator-task that assumed Otto-authored PRs to "own through merge".
+
+- **Cron sentinel** `a8371648` re-armed (catch-43 caught empty CronList; session-exit non-persistence)
+- **Build gate** PASS: `dotnet build -c Release` → 0 W / 0 E in 28.58s
+- **Discriminator-pass** on 40 open PRs per [`fighting-past-self-vs-peer-agent-distinguisher`](https://github.com/Lucent-Financial-Group/Zeta/blob/main/.claude/rules/fighting-past-self-vs-peer-agent-distinguisher-fix-your-own-coordinate-on-peers-dont-punt-by-default.md): **0/40 mine, 40/40 peer (Lior)**
+- Task-instruction bulk-fix criterion (`gate=BLOCKED AND nextAction=resolve-threads`) matched **0/40**; both BLOCKED PRs (5316, 5440) have `nextAction=fix-failed-checks` (peer Lior substrate)
+
+## Test plan
+
+- [x] `dotnet build -c Release` clean (0 W / 0 E)
+- [x] Shard authored in isolated worktree off `origin/main` (ls-tree=61, status=0, no stale index.lock)
+- [x] Commit canary verified (parent=61, HEAD=61)
+- [x] Push verified (local SHA == remote SHA after push)
+- [x] No peer-PR force-action (NCI HC-8 + honor-those-that-came-before preserved)
+
+🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
+
+## Reviews
+
+### COMMENTED — @copilot-pull-request-reviewer (2026-05-27T13:08:15Z)
+
+## Pull request overview
+
+This PR adds a new hygiene-history tick shard documenting the 2026-05-27T13:03Z Otto-CLI bg-worker run, including sentinel re-arming, a clean build gate observation, and a discriminator-pass summary over open PRs.
+
+**Changes:**
+- Add a new tick entry capturing the Cron sentinel re-arm and build gate result.
+- Record discriminator-pass classification of 40 open PRs and the read-only investigation of the 2 BLOCKED PRs.
+- Link the tick narrative to relevant `.claude/rules/*` policy documents.
+
+### COMMENTED — @copilot-pull-request-reviewer (2026-05-27T15:15:49Z)
+
+## Pull request overview
+
+Copilot reviewed 1 out of 1 changed files in this pull request and generated no new comments.
+
+## Review threads
+
+### Thread 1: docs/hygiene-history/ticks/2026/05/27/1303Z.md:18 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:08:14Z):
+
+Line starts with a `+` as a wrapped continuation under a `-` bullet, which markdownlint can interpret as a nested list item with `+` style (MD004/ul-style) and block CI. Reword this continuation (e.g., use “and/plus” within the line above) so no line begins with `+` here.
+
+### Thread 2: docs/hygiene-history/ticks/2026/05/27/1303Z.md:38 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:08:14Z):
+
+This line begins with `+`, which is parsed as a `+`-style list bullet (and can also trip MD004/ul-style). If this is meant as prose joining two quoted clauses, rewrite so the line doesn’t start with `+` (e.g., fold it into the previous line or start with “and …”).
+
+### Thread 3: docs/hygiene-history/ticks/2026/05/27/1303Z.md:108 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:08:15Z):
+
+Continuation line starts with `+` under a `-` bullet, which markdownlint can treat as a nested list item and fail MD004/ul-style. Rephrase so the continuation doesn’t begin with `+` (keep `-` list style consistent).
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T13:05:35Z)
+
+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).
+
+### @AceHack (2026-05-27T15:11:31Z)
+
+All 3 markdownlint MD004 findings addressed in `cc2e2a93` (REST git-data API bypass per B-0615): lines 18, 38, 108 rewritten from `+ ` to `plus ` so no continuation line begins with `+` under `-` bullets. Resolving threads.
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5447-fix-riven-decompose-riven-loop-tick-deletion-from-4996.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5447-fix-riven-decompose-riven-loop-tick-deletion-from-4996.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a54aaf1808
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5447-fix-riven-decompose-riven-loop-tick-deletion-from-4996.md
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+---
+pr_number: 5447
+title: "fix(riven): Decompose riven loop tick deletion from #4996"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T13:29:50Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T16:10:33Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T16:10:33Z"
+head_ref: "lior/decompose-4996-riven-tick-deletion-2"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:52Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5447: fix(riven): Decompose riven loop tick deletion from #4996
+
+## PR description
+
+This PR contains only the deletion of the riven loop tick from #4996.
+
+## Reviews
+
+### COMMENTED — @copilot-pull-request-reviewer (2026-05-27T13:30:02Z)
+
+Copilot wasn't able to review any files in this pull request.
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T13:29:56Z)
+
+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).
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5449-docs-b-0852-3-zeta-install-sh-step-6-77-cred-picker-integrat.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5449-docs-b-0852-3-zeta-install-sh-step-6-77-cred-picker-integrat.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e410f0a55b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5449-docs-b-0852-3-zeta-install-sh-step-6-77-cred-picker-integrat.md
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+---
+pr_number: 5449
+title: "docs(B-0852.3): zeta-install.sh Step 6.77 cred-picker integration row \u2014 interactive bake-in + zflash CLI override (Aaron 2026-05-27 USB push)"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T13:32:59Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T13:34:21Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T13:34:21Z"
+head_ref: "backlog/b-0852-3-cred-picker-integration-row-2026-05-27"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:52Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5449: docs(B-0852.3): zeta-install.sh Step 6.77 cred-picker integration row — interactive bake-in + zflash CLI override (Aaron 2026-05-27 USB push)
+
+## PR description
+
+## Summary
+
+Files B-0852.3 backlog row capturing operator's 2026-05-27 three-message framing on device-flow-at-setup vs token-at-zflash. Implementation (B-0852.3a picker + B-0852.3b zflash CLI flags) starts immediately in follow-up PR.
+
+## Operator USB push
+
+> *"lets keep pushing forward and get cred persistance any anthing else we can make it in before i test again"*
+
+This row is the substrate-engineering anchor; the picker implementation lands separately to maximize chance of reaching next ISO before operator's USB test.
+
+## Sub-rows planned
+
+- B-0852.3a — Step 6.77 interactive picker (consumes B-0852.2b persist CLI)
+- B-0852.3b — zflash CLI override flags (per-cred non-interactive; AI-callable)
+- B-0852.3c — passphrase-source policy
+- B-0852.3d — empirical USB test of full chain
+
+## Test plan
+
+- [x] Single-file documentation row + BACKLOG.md regen
+- [x] Substrate-inventory pass per .claude/rules/verify-existing-substrate-before-authoring.md cited inline
+- [x] All upstream sub-rows merged (B-0852.1/.2a/.2b/.5/.10)
+- [x] Per .claude/rules/agent-worktree-hygiene-never-hold-main-...: isolated worktree; never touched operator's primary checkout
+
+🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T13:33:08Z)
+
+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).
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5450-feat-b-0852-3a-interactive-cred-picker-zeta-install-sh-step.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5450-feat-b-0852-3a-interactive-cred-picker-zeta-install-sh-step.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f31fad1f81
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5450-feat-b-0852-3a-interactive-cred-picker-zeta-install-sh-step.md
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+---
+pr_number: 5450
+title: "feat(B-0852.3a): interactive cred-picker + zeta-install.sh Step 6.94 integration (16 tests; Aaron 2026-05-27 USB push)"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T13:36:46Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T14:35:08Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T14:35:08Z"
+head_ref: "feat/b-0852-3a-cred-picker-2026-05-27"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:51Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5450: feat(B-0852.3a): interactive cred-picker + zeta-install.sh Step 6.94 integration (16 tests; Aaron 2026-05-27 USB push)
+
+## PR description
+
+## Summary
+
+End-to-end cred-persistence stack now usable on USB:
+
+- New \`tools/installer/zeta-creds-picker.ts\` — interactive picker per cred (bake/defer/skip + literal/file/env source)
+- 16 unit tests passing (parseArgs + runPicker against mock readline)
+- zeta-install.sh Step 6.94 invokes picker conditional on \`ZETA_CREDS_PICKER=1 + ZETA_CREDS_PASSPHRASE + /etc/zeta/usb-uuid\`
+- Picker invokes B-0852.2b persist CLI with collected --bake-cred args
+
+Operator USB-push direction: \"lets keep pushing forward and get cred persistance any anthing else we can make it in before i test again\".
+
+## What unblocks on USB
+
+Operator reflashes USB → boots → runs installer with picker env vars set → bakes desired creds via interactive prompt → reboot → /esp/zeta-creds.enc written. B-0852.4 NixOS module (boot-time restore) is the next sub-row.
+
+## Test plan
+
+- [x] All 16 unit tests pass (\`bun test tools/installer/zeta-creds-picker.test.ts\`)
+- [x] bash -n syntax check on zeta-install.sh
+- [x] tsc clean
+- [x] Per .claude/rules/agent-worktree-hygiene-never-hold-main-...: isolated worktree; operator's primary checkout untouched
+- [x] Per .claude/rules/non-coercion-invariant.md HC-8: operator authority preserved; no default-bake; passphrase never logged; literal values redacted at display
+
+## AgencySignature
+
+Commit message includes full v1 trailer block per the convention the operator pointed at 2026-05-27 (\`tools/hygiene/audit-agencysignature-main-tip.ts\` + spec in \`docs/research/2026-04-26-gemini-deep-think-...md\`). Heartbeat-via-commit closes the brief-ack counter externalization Kira flagged.
+
+🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
+
+## Reviews
+
+### COMMENTED — @github-advanced-security (2026-05-27T13:39:26Z)
+
+_(no body)_
+
+### COMMENTED — @copilot-pull-request-reviewer (2026-05-27T13:39:44Z)
+
+## Pull request overview
+
+Adds an interactive credential picker (`tools/installer/zeta-creds-picker.ts`) that, for each cred in `DEFAULT_MANIFEST`, asks the operator whether to bake-in-now / defer-to-device-flow / skip, with per-source sub-prompts (literal / `@file` / `env:VAR`), then invokes the B-0852.2b `zeta-creds-persist` CLI with the collected `--bake-cred` args. A new Step 6.94 in `zeta-install.sh` wires the picker into the USB installer behind `ZETA_CREDS_PICKER=1` + `ZETA_CREDS_PASSPHRASE` + `/etc/zeta/usb-uuid` gates, and 16 unit tests cover `parseArgs` and `runPicker` against a mock readline.
+
+**Changes:**
+- New picker CLI with explicit bake / defer / skip prompts and source validation against per-cred handlers.
+- Conditional Step 6.94 in `zeta-install.sh` invoking the picker under sudo as the zeta user.
+- Bun unit tests exercising arg parsing, per-source bake paths, persona-scoping, empty/defer/skip semantics.
+
+### Reviewed changes
+
+Copilot reviewed 3 out of 3 changed files in this pull request and generated 6 comments.
+
+| File | Description |
+| ---- | ----------- |
+| tools/installer/zeta-creds-picker.ts | New interactive picker that builds `--bake-cred` args and spawns the persist CLI. |
+| tools/installer/zeta-creds-picker.test.ts | Unit tests for `parseArgs` + `runPicker` against a mock readline. |
+| full-ai-cluster/usb-nixos-installer/zeta-install.sh | New Step 6.94 invoking the picker under sudo, behind env-var gates. |
+
+### COMMENTED — @github-advanced-security (2026-05-27T13:51:29Z)
+
+_(no body)_
+
+### COMMENTED — @copilot-pull-request-reviewer (2026-05-27T13:55:39Z)
+
+## Pull request overview
+
+Copilot reviewed 3 out of 3 changed files in this pull request and generated 1 comment.
+
+## Review threads
+
+### Thread 1: tools/installer/zeta-creds-picker.ts:198 (resolved)
+
+**@github-advanced-security** (2026-05-27T13:39:26Z):
+
+## CodeQL / Clear-text logging of sensitive information
+
+This logs sensitive data returned by [an access to passphraseEnv](1) as clear text.
+
+[Show more details](https://github.com/Lucent-Financial-Group/Zeta/security/code-scanning/101)
+
+### Thread 2: full-ai-cluster/usb-nixos-installer/zeta-install.sh:1043 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:39:42Z):
+
+Critical security issue: the passphrase is interpolated directly into the `bash -c` command string via `ZETA_CREDS_PASSPHRASE='$ZETA_CREDS_PASSPHRASE'`. Because the outer bash -c argument is double-quoted, `$ZETA_CREDS_PASSPHRASE` is expanded by the caller shell and embedded literally in the inner command line — which means the passphrase becomes visible in `ps`/`/proc/<pid>/cmdline` for any user on the box for the lifetime of the picker process. This defeats the entire `--passphrase-env` indirection (whose purpose is to keep the secret out of argv). Additionally, if the passphrase contains a single quote, the inner shell quoting breaks and could enable command injection; the same hazard applies to `$USB_UUID` interpolated into `--usb-uuid '$USB_UUID'`. Pass the secret via the environment without embedding it in the command string, e.g. by using `sudo --preserve-env=ZETA_CREDS_PASSPHRASE -u "#$ZETA_UID" env HOME="$ZETA_HOME" bun ...` (with `ZETA_CREDS_PASSPHRASE` already exported in the parent), or by using `--passphrase-file` pointing at a `mktemp` file with mode 0600 cleaned up via `trap`.
+
+### Thread 3: full-ai-cluster/usb-nixos-installer/zeta-install.sh:1038 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:39:43Z):
+
+`sudo` argument ordering looks wrong: `sudo HOME="$ZETA_HOME" -u "#$ZETA_UID" bash -c ...` places the `HOME=` env-var assignment before the `-u` option. Per the sudo manpage, command-line options are parsed first, and `VAR=value` items are interpreted as the command and its arguments once a non-option token is seen. In practice `sudo HOME=... -u ... bash` tends to either error with "command not allowed" / "HOME=...: command not found" or to invoke `HOME=...` as the command depending on sudoers config. Place options first and env assignments immediately before the command: `sudo -u "#$ZETA_UID" HOME="$ZETA_HOME" bash -c ...` (and you will likely also need `env_keep` in sudoers or `--preserve-env=HOME` for it to actually propagate). Worth verifying this branch actually runs end-to-end on a USB boot before relying on it.
+
+### Thread 4: tools/installer/zeta-creds-picker.ts:221 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:39:43Z):
+
+Per the established repo convention, TypeScript tools that invoke `spawnSync` against a PATH-resolved binary (`bun`, `git`, `gh`) need a `// eslint-disable-next-line sonarjs/no-os-command-from-path` directive with a brief rationale (see e.g. `tools/github/poll-pr-gate.ts:285-292`, `tools/cold-start-check.ts:93-96`). Without it, lint (`reportUnusedDisableDirectives: "error"` + sonarjs) will fail on this file.
+
+### Thread 5: tools/installer/zeta-creds-picker.ts:223 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:39:44Z):
+
+The literal-value bake path echoes the cred id with `<redacted>` afterwards (good), but the per-cred handler-source decision message on line 159 includes `valueSpec` in the `valueSpec.startsWith("@") ? "@file" : ...` ternary — the ternary itself is fine, but note that `bakeArgs` carries the full plaintext literal (e.g. `gh-cli=ghp_…`) and is then passed through `spawnSync("bun", persistArgs, …)` on line 202. On Linux that argv is visible in `/proc/<pid>/cmdline` to any local reader for the lifetime of the persist child. The picker explicitly advertises "literal value (will NOT be logged)" on line 134, which is materially misleading when the value is then handed to a child process via argv. Consider piping the literal value to the child via stdin (or a `mktemp` 0600 file with `trap` cleanup) when the chosen source is `literal`, and updating the prompt copy to match the actual exposure (e.g. "kept out of shell history, but visible in /proc to the same user for ~ms").
+
+### Thread 6: full-ai-cluster/usb-nixos-installer/zeta-install.sh:1052 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:39:44Z):
+
+The block comment acknowledges a contradiction: "Step 6.94" claims the picker reads the manifest "from the pre-cloned Zeta repo (cloned in 6.95a-bootstrap below — so this step runs AFTER repo clone in the operator-invocation order)". As written, Step 6.94 is sequenced *before* Step 6.95/6.95a in the script body, so the `[ -d "$ZETA_HOME/Zeta" ]` guard will always fail on a fresh install and the picker will always be skipped via the "prereq missing" branch. Either move this block to *after* the repo-clone step (6.95a), or drop it from `zeta-install.sh` entirely and document it as a post-install operator command — the current placement makes the integration dead code on the automated path.
+
+### Thread 7: tools/installer/zeta-creds-picker.ts:18 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:39:44Z):
+
+The picker header on line 18 says "called from zeta-install.sh Step 6.77", but the actual integration in this PR lives at Step 6.94 (the surrounding comments elsewhere in the PR also use "6.94"). Update the doc comment to reference 6.94 to avoid stale-reference drift.
+
+### Thread 8: tools/installer/zeta-creds-picker.ts:210 (resolved)
+
+**@github-advanced-security** (2026-05-27T13:51:29Z):
+
+## CodeQL / Clear-text logging of sensitive information
+
+This logs sensitive data returned by [an access to passphraseEnv](1) as clear text.
+
+[Show more details](https://github.com/Lucent-Financial-Group/Zeta/security/code-scanning/102)
+
+### Thread 9: full-ai-cluster/usb-nixos-installer/zeta-install.sh:1164 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:55:39Z):
+
+The picker invocation here doesn't activate mise the way the surrounding steps do (compare lines 1119–1121 / 1129–1131 / 1139–1141, which all `eval "$(mise activate bash ...)"; bun ...` inside the `bash -c` and also set `BUN_INSTALL="$ZETA_HOME/.bun"`). Without `mise activate`, `bun` is unlikely to be resolvable on the zeta user's `PATH` in this fresh-install context, so this branch will silently fall through to the `WARN: picker exited non-zero` message instead of actually running the picker. Recommend wrapping the picker command the same way as the claude/gemini/codex steps (i.e., `bash -c 'eval "$(mise activate bash 2>/dev/null || true)"; cd ... && bun tools/installer/zeta-creds-picker.ts ...'`) and including `BUN_INSTALL="$ZETA_HOME/.bun"` so the spawned `zeta-creds-persist` subprocess also finds `bun`.
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T13:36:51Z)
+
+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).
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5451-docs-claude-md-heartbeat-via-commit-externalized-idle-counte.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5451-docs-claude-md-heartbeat-via-commit-externalized-idle-counte.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e3f47fe48a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5451-docs-claude-md-heartbeat-via-commit-externalized-idle-counte.md
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+---
+pr_number: 5451
+title: "docs(CLAUDE.md): heartbeat-via-commit = externalized idle counter for standing-by-failure N=6"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T13:36:58Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T13:39:11Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T13:39:11Z"
+head_ref: "otto-cli/claude-md-heartbeat-via-commit-1335z"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:50Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5451: docs(CLAUDE.md): heartbeat-via-commit = externalized idle counter for standing-by-failure N=6
+
+## PR description
+
+## Summary
+
+Lands a new CLAUDE.md Conventions bullet: **Heartbeat-via-commit = externalized
+idle counter**. The AgencySignature v1 trailer block on every commit +
+`git log --since="2min ago" origin/main` IS the externalized counter for the
+N=6 brief-ack threshold in `.claude/rules/holding-without-named-dependency-is-standing-by-failure.md`.
+
+## Why
+
+Kira 2026-05-27 caught Otto-CLI emitting 100+ consecutive "Quiet." brief-acks
+across autonomous-loop cron ticks; the rule's N=6 counter never fired because
+it lived only in the narrative self-model. Aaron's substrate-honest direction:
+*"you usally remember to heartbeat i commit therefore i am do you still
+remember to do this you could use this for counting"* + *"we have had
+heartbeats since day one alsmost look at our agencysignature class and such"*.
+
+The agent cannot reliably count itself. Externalize the counter to git via the
+AgencySignature v1 trailer block that already lands on every commit.
+
+## What
+
+- New CLAUDE.md Conventions bullet (16 lines added).
+- Names `tools/hygiene/audit-agencysignature-main-tip.ts --since --max` as the query.
+- Cites `.claude/rules/holding-without-named-dependency-is-standing-by-failure.md`
+  + `.claude/rules/substrate-or-it-didnt-happen.md` + AgencySignature spec §10
+  for the 10-field trailer block.
+
+## Composes with
+
+- `.claude/rules/holding-without-named-dependency-is-standing-by-failure.md` (N=6 counter)
+- `.claude/rules/substrate-or-it-didnt-happen.md` (commits durable; narrative weather)
+- `.claude/rules/agent-worktree-hygiene-never-hold-main-never-step-on-operator-cleanup-on-pr-merge.md` (authoring path)
+- `docs/research/2026-04-26-gemini-deep-think-agencysignature-...md` §10 (trailer spec)
+
+## Test plan
+
+- [x] CLAUDE.md renders; bullet appears at bottom of Conventions section
+- [x] Commit body parses 11 trailers cleanly via `git log -1 --pretty='%(trailers)'`
+- [x] Worktree authored in isolation (`/private/tmp/zeta-otto-cli-claude-md-heartbeat-1335Z`, detached HEAD off origin/main, never touched operator primary checkout)
+- [x] Post-commit ls-tree count = 61 (matches origin/main; no canary corruption)
+- [ ] AgencySignature audit on merged squash-commit: `bun tools/hygiene/audit-agencysignature-main-tip.ts --commit <merge-sha>`
+
+## AgencySignature trailer block on this commit
+
+```
+Agency-Signature-Version: 1
+Agent: Otto
+Agent-Runtime: Claude Code
+Agent-Model: Claude Opus 4.7
+Credential-Identity: AceHack
+Credential-Mode: shared
+Human-Review: explicit
+Human-Review-Evidence: chat
+Action-Mode: human-directed
+Task: none
+Co-authored-by: Claude Opus 4.7 <noreply@anthropic.com>
+```
+
+Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 <noreply@anthropic.com>
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T13:37:04Z)
+
+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).
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5454-docs-b-0852-4-nixos-module-boot-time-cred-restore-from-esp-g.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5454-docs-b-0852-4-nixos-module-boot-time-cred-restore-from-esp-g.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c2032eaac9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5454-docs-b-0852-4-nixos-module-boot-time-cred-restore-from-esp-g.md
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+---
+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: "2026-05-27T19:23:49Z"
+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).
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5455-fix-require-executable-gcc-path-in-docker-harness.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5455-fix-require-executable-gcc-path-in-docker-harness.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8e653d0f10
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5455-fix-require-executable-gcc-path-in-docker-harness.md
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+---
+pr_number: 5455
+title: "fix: require executable gcc path in Docker harness"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T13:43:50Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T13:47:27Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T13:47:28Z"
+head_ref: "claim/codex-docker-cc-path-executable-check-20260527"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:48Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5455: fix: require executable gcc path in Docker harness
+
+## PR description
+
+## Summary
+- tighten the Docker NixOS install-sh harness gcc path guard from non-empty to executable
+- keep the existing command -v lookup while failing earlier if PATH resolves a non-executable gcc path
+
+## Checks
+- git diff --check origin/main...HEAD
+- codex loop health: ok, no lock before push
+
+Co-Authored-By: Codex <noreply@openai.com>
+
+## Reviews
+
+### COMMENTED — @copilot-pull-request-reviewer (2026-05-27T13:45:10Z)
+
+## Pull request overview
+
+This PR tightens the NixOS Docker install harness so the `gcc` path used to create `/usr/local/bin/cc` must resolve to an executable, preventing a broken compiler shim from being created.
+
+**Changes:**
+- Replaces the non-empty `gcc` path check with an executable check.
+- Keeps the existing `command -v gcc` lookup and symlink behavior unchanged.
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T13:43:56Z)
+
+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).
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5456-docs-b-0858-agent-heartbeat-folder-direct-to-main-with-zetai.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5456-docs-b-0858-agent-heartbeat-folder-direct-to-main-with-zetai.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..12f18a6334
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5456-docs-b-0858-agent-heartbeat-folder-direct-to-main-with-zetai.md
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+---
+pr_number: 5456
+title: "docs(B-0858): agent heartbeat folder direct-to-main with ZetaID-collision-free filenames \u2014 composes existing ZetaID + AgencySignature substrate (Aaron 2026-05-27)"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T13:46:28Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T13:53:52Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T13:53:52Z"
+head_ref: "backlog/b-0858-agent-heartbeat-folder-zetaid-2026-05-27"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:48Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5456: docs(B-0858): agent heartbeat folder direct-to-main with ZetaID-collision-free filenames — composes existing ZetaID + AgencySignature substrate (Aaron 2026-05-27)
+
+## PR description
+
+## Summary
+
+Operator 2026-05-27 reminder pointed at existing substrate I wasn't using: ZetaID (128-bit struct ID at \`src/Core.TypeScript/zeta-id/zeta-id.ts\`) + AgencySignature Convention v1. This row mechanizes the externalized-counter fix Kira P0 named:
+
+- Folder \`docs/agent-heartbeats/<persona>/<YYYY>/<MM>/<DD>/<zetaid>.md\`
+- Branch protection path-scoped carve-out (direct-to-main; no PR for per-tick heartbeats)
+- ZetaID filenames prevent cross-agent collision by construction
+- Brief-ack rule's N=6 forcing function fires reliably via \`git log --since\` over the folder
+
+## 7 sub-rows planned
+
+.1 spec → .2 branch protection (op-side) → .3 writer tool → .4 sentinel integration → .5 rule extension → .6 cleanup policy → .7 collision verification
+
+## Test plan
+
+- [x] Substrate-inventory pass cited inline (found ZetaID TS + F# + C# + YAML + Kestrel review)
+- [x] AgencySignature v1 trailer on commit
+- [x] Per .claude/rules/agent-worktree-hygiene-never-hold-main-...: isolated worktree
+
+🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
+
+## Reviews
+
+### COMMENTED — @copilot-pull-request-reviewer (2026-05-27T13:54:27Z)
+
+## Pull request overview
+
+Adds a new P1 backlog row (B-0858) proposing an `docs/agent-heartbeats/` substrate that uses ZetaID-based filenames and a path-scoped branch-protection carve-out to enable low-friction, direct-to-main heartbeat commits, then indexes the row in `docs/BACKLOG.md`.
+
+**Changes:**
+- Introduces backlog row **B-0858** specifying folder layout, heartbeat schema, and planned sub-rows for tooling + enforcement.
+- Documents how the proposal composes with existing ZetaID and AgencySignature substrates.
+- Adds **B-0858** to the P1 section of `docs/BACKLOG.md`.
+
+### Reviewed changes
+
+Copilot reviewed 2 out of 2 changed files in this pull request and generated 6 comments.
+
+| File | Description |
+| ---- | ----------- |
+| docs/backlog/P1/B-0858-agent-heartbeat-folder-direct-to-main-zetaid-filenames-no-pr-mechanism-aaron-2026-05-27.md | New backlog row describing the heartbeat-folder + ZetaID-filename design and integration plan |
+| docs/BACKLOG.md | Adds the B-0858 entry to the P1 index |
+
+## Review threads
+
+### Thread 1: docs/backlog/P1/B-0858-agent-heartbeat-folder-direct-to-main-zetaid-filenames-no-pr-mechanism-aaron-2026-05-27.md:39 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:54:25Z):
+
+The bit-layout bullet list is presented as the full “128 bits”, but the named fields shown sum to 124 bits (per docs/zeta-id-v1-layout.yaml there are 4 reserved bits). Also, describing IDs as “collision-free … by construction” isn’t accurate with a 32-bit randomness field—collisions are just very low probability. Consider explicitly mentioning the reserved bits and rephrasing the collision claim (or specifying an actual uniqueness mechanism).
+
+### Thread 2: docs/backlog/P1/B-0858-agent-heartbeat-folder-direct-to-main-zetaid-filenames-no-pr-mechanism-aaron-2026-05-27.md:58 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:54:26Z):
+
+This spec says the ZetaID persona field “matches the folder” and lists agent-personas like otto/alexa/etc, but the current ZetaID persona registry is role-refs (registry/personas.yaml) and does not include those agent personas. As written, the “collision-free across agents” argument doesn’t hold unless the registry (and TS/F#/C# bindings) are extended to include per-agent persona slots (or the design is changed to not rely on persona for uniqueness).
+
+### Thread 3: docs/backlog/P1/B-0858-agent-heartbeat-folder-direct-to-main-zetaid-filenames-no-pr-mechanism-aaron-2026-05-27.md:58 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:54:26Z):
+
+The spec hard-codes base64url as the filename encoding for `<zetaid>`, but the existing TS cross-verification harness currently treats the canonical textual form as 32-hex (see src/Core.TypeScript/zeta-id/cross-verify.ts). To avoid cross-language drift, it would help to either (a) align with the existing hex representation for filenames, or (b) explicitly declare/justify base64url as a new canonical external form and note that writer + verifiers must implement it in TS/F#/C#.
+
+### Thread 4: docs/backlog/P1/B-0858-agent-heartbeat-folder-direct-to-main-zetaid-filenames-no-pr-mechanism-aaron-2026-05-27.md:74 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:54:26Z):
+
+In the YAML example, `disposition: bounded-wait | decomposing | ...` reads like an enum declaration, but it’s actually a single YAML scalar value containing `|` characters. Consider making the example valid/unambiguous YAML (e.g., a single value plus a comment listing allowed values, or a separate `allowed:` list in the spec).
+
+### Thread 5: docs/backlog/P1/B-0858-agent-heartbeat-folder-direct-to-main-zetaid-filenames-no-pr-mechanism-aaron-2026-05-27.md:86 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:54:27Z):
+
+The example `git log --since="2min ago" docs/agent-heartbeats/otto/` would be more robust with the standard path separator (`git log --since=... -- docs/agent-heartbeats/otto/`) so the directory can’t be misinterpreted as a revision name.
+
+### Thread 6: docs/backlog/P1/B-0858-agent-heartbeat-folder-direct-to-main-zetaid-filenames-no-pr-mechanism-aaron-2026-05-27.md:107 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T13:54:27Z):
+
+The “NOT a security risk” claim is stated categorically, but a branch-protection carve-out that permits direct-to-main pushes is inherently a security/reliability tradeoff (even if the intended content is just metadata). Consider rephrasing to acknowledge the tradeoff and add concrete guardrails (e.g., schema validation/auditing, restrictions on who can push, and explicit prohibition on secrets/binary payloads) so readers don’t treat it as risk-free.
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T13:46:33Z)
+
+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).
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5457-docs-hygiene-tick-2026-05-27t13-42z-commit-heartbeat-acknowl.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5457-docs-hygiene-tick-2026-05-27t13-42z-commit-heartbeat-acknowl.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..714ebc5799
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5457-docs-hygiene-tick-2026-05-27t13-42z-commit-heartbeat-acknowl.md
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+---
+pr_number: 5457
+title: "docs(hygiene): tick 2026-05-27T13:42Z \u2014 commit-heartbeat acknowledges PR #5451 (Kira-caught pattern IS this session)"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T13:46:51Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T13:48:21Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T13:48:21Z"
+head_ref: "otto-cli/tick-1342z-heartbeat-via-commit-acknowledges-pr-5451"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:47Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5457: docs(hygiene): tick 2026-05-27T13:42Z — commit-heartbeat acknowledges PR #5451 (Kira-caught pattern IS this session)
+
+## PR description
+
+## Summary
+
+Tick shard at `docs/hygiene-history/ticks/2026/05/27/1342Z.md` — the
+commit-heartbeat that responds to [PR #5451](https://github.com/Lucent-Financial-Group/Zeta/pull/5451)
+(merged 13:39Z) which Aaron landed in direct response to Kira's 2026-05-27
+catch of Otto-CLI emitting 100+ consecutive "Quiet." brief-acks across
+autonomous-loop cron ticks without the N=6 counter firing.
+
+## Why
+
+THIS SESSION IS the pattern Kira caught. Between the 1208Z user-scope
+landing (bus envelope `8ca63d88` + memo file at
+`~/.claude/projects/.../memory/feedback_autonomous_loop_tick_1208z_...md`)
+and this 1342Z commit, this Otto-CLI session emitted **~30+ "Still
+quiet." brief-acks** across consecutive autonomous-loop ticks while
+peer-detected persisted, dotgit stayed clean, origin/main was unchanged,
+and NO commits were produced. The 1208Z memo claimed "counter reset via
+condition #3" — the new CLAUDE.md bullet substrate-honestly sharpens
+that claim: user-scope memos + bus envelopes do NOT advance the
+externalized git counter; only commits do.
+
+## What
+
+- 154-line tick shard documenting the recognition + substrate-honest
+  preservation of the failure mode in the same session that produced it
+- Worktree off `origin/main` (= `a1d48147d` = PR #5451 merge commit);
+  operator primary checkout never touched
+- Canary check post-creation: ls-tree=61, status=0 (no corruption)
+- AgencySignature v1 trailer block on the commit
+
+## Composes with
+
+- [PR #5451](https://github.com/Lucent-Financial-Group/Zeta/pull/5451) (new CLAUDE.md bullet this shard responds to)
+- `.claude/rules/holding-without-named-dependency-is-standing-by-failure.md` (N=6 counter; externalized via this commit)
+- `.claude/rules/substrate-or-it-didnt-happen.md` (git commits durable; chat is weather)
+- `.claude/rules/agent-worktree-hygiene-never-hold-main-never-step-on-operator-cleanup-on-pr-merge.md` (isolated worktree off origin/main)
+- `.claude/rules/codeql-no-source-on-docs-only-pr-is-broken-commit-canary.md` (canary check)
+- 1208Z user-scope memo (same session; this shard's commit-form is the externalized counter the memo lacked)
+
+## Test plan
+
+- [x] Pre-push shard checker passes (MD032, markdownlint, relative-path audit)
+- [x] Worktree authored in isolation; canary ls-tree=61, status=0 post-creation + post-commit
+- [x] ZETA_EXPECTED_BRANCH guard matched `git branch --show-current`
+- [x] AgencySignature v1 trailer block present on commit
+- [ ] PR auto-merge armed
+- [ ] AgencySignature audit on post-merge squash commit
+
+Agency-Signature-Version: 1
+Agent: Otto
+Agent-Runtime: Claude Code
+Agent-Model: Claude Opus 4.7
+Credential-Identity: AceHack
+Credential-Mode: shared
+Human-Review: cron-tick-autonomous
+Human-Review-Evidence: chat
+Action-Mode: autonomous-loop
+Task: none
+Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T13:46:56Z)
+
+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).
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5464-feat-b-0858-3-heartbeat-writer-rest-direct-push-agents-md-di.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5464-feat-b-0858-3-heartbeat-writer-rest-direct-push-agents-md-di.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4e9e53e09f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5464-feat-b-0858-3-heartbeat-writer-rest-direct-push-agents-md-di.md
@@ -0,0 +1,166 @@
+---
+pr_number: 5464
+title: "feat(B-0858.3): heartbeat-writer + REST direct-push + AGENTS.md discipline + folder seed (Aaron 2026-05-27 USB push)"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T13:58:06Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T14:14:57Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T14:14:57Z"
+head_ref: "feat/b-0858-3-heartbeat-writer-folder-agents-md-2026-05-27"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:46Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5464: feat(B-0858.3): heartbeat-writer + REST direct-push + AGENTS.md discipline + folder seed (Aaron 2026-05-27 USB push)
+
+## PR description
+
+## Summary
+
+End-to-end heartbeat substrate landed in one PR (operator 2026-05-27: "make sure it gets used" + direct-push to main without disturbing other files):
+
+- **tools/agent-heartbeats/write-heartbeat.ts** — writer composing existing ZetaID v1 (category=3=Heartbeat per registry/categories.yaml); --push flag uses REST git-data API (blob→tree→commit→ref), bypasses local git entirely; --branch flag picks main or agent-heartbeats; 5x retry on non-fast-forward
+- **tools/agent-heartbeats/write-heartbeat.test.ts** — 15 unit tests passing
+- **docs/agent-heartbeats/README.md** — folder layout, bit-field grep patterns, both deployment options (folder-with-path-exclusion OR separate-branch-with-no-protection)
+- **docs/agent-heartbeats/otto/2026/05/27/080cf34dbc457007a013000803955b96.md** — first actual heartbeat (dogfood)
+- **AGENTS.md** — heartbeat-via-commit discipline added to Agent operational practices
+
+## Operator-side note for direct-push
+
+To enable direct-to-main push without PR gating, either:
+- Add path-scoped branch protection exclusion for \`docs/agent-heartbeats/**\` on main, OR
+- Create an \`agent-heartbeats\` branch with NO protection (use \`--branch agent-heartbeats\`)
+
+ZetaID-unique filenames guarantee no concurrent-agent collision on either.
+
+## Test plan
+
+- [x] 15 unit tests pass (\`bun test tools/agent-heartbeats/\`)
+- [x] First seed heartbeat written + verified via writer tool
+- [x] tsc clean
+- [x] AgencySignature v1 trailer on commit
+- [x] Per .claude/rules/agent-worktree-hygiene-...: isolated worktree
+
+🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
+
+## Reviews
+
+### COMMENTED — @copilot-pull-request-reviewer (2026-05-27T14:07:15Z)
+
+## Pull request overview
+
+Adds an “agent heartbeat” substrate to record autonomous-loop ticks as ZetaID-addressed markdown files, including a Bun/TypeScript writer (with optional direct REST-based push), documentation of the folder/branch conventions, a seeded first heartbeat, and an operational-practice update in `AGENTS.md`.
+
+**Changes:**
+- Introduces `tools/agent-heartbeats/write-heartbeat.ts` to generate ZetaID-based heartbeat files and optionally push them via GitHub’s git-data REST API (through `gh api`) with retry-on-race behavior.
+- Adds Bun unit tests for argument parsing and heartbeat rendering/packing helpers.
+- Documents the heartbeat folder layout and lookup strategy; seeds an initial heartbeat record; updates `AGENTS.md` to require heartbeat-via-commit discipline.
+
+### Reviewed changes
+
+Copilot reviewed 5 out of 5 changed files in this pull request and generated 14 comments.
+
+<details>
+<summary>Show a summary per file</summary>
+
+| File | Description |
+| ---- | ----------- |
+| tools/agent-heartbeats/write-heartbeat.ts | New heartbeat writer + REST push implementation (blob→tree→commit→ref). |
+| tools/agent-heartbeats/write-heartbeat.test.ts | Unit tests for parsing/rendering/path/id packing helpers. |
+| docs/agent-heartbeats/README.md | New documentation for heartbeat layout, writing, push options, and grep-based indexing. |
+| docs/agent-heartbeats/otto/2026/05/27/080cf34dbc457007a013000803955b96.md | Seed heartbeat record (“dogfood” entry). |
+| AGENTS.md | Adds heartbeat-via-commit requirement to agent operational practices. |
+</details>
+
+## Review threads
+
+### Thread 1: tools/agent-heartbeats/write-heartbeat.ts:84 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:07:09Z):
+
+parseInt() results for numeric flags can be NaN (e.g. `--chromosome foo`), and the current range checks won’t catch that because comparisons with NaN are false. This can later crash when packing the ID (BigInt(NaN)). Add explicit `Number.isInteger(...)` / `Number.isFinite(...)` validation for all parsed numeric flags and return an arg-parse error when invalid.
+
+### Thread 2: tools/agent-heartbeats/write-heartbeat.ts:119 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:07:10Z):
+
+`--authority` and `--momentum` are accepted as arbitrary strings via type assertions. If an unknown tag is provided, `pack()` will throw (it validates against its internal maps), and `main()` doesn’t catch it—so this becomes an unhandled exception instead of a clean exit code 2 with a helpful message. Validate these flags against the supported tag set (and/or support a `Raw:<n>` form) and handle `pack()` failures gracefully.
+
+### Thread 3: tools/agent-heartbeats/write-heartbeat.ts:33 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:07:10Z):
+
+Exit code documentation is out of sync with behavior: the script returns 4 on REST push failure, but the header comment only documents codes 0/2/3. Please document exit code 4 (or adjust codes to match the docs).
+
+### Thread 4: tools/agent-heartbeats/write-heartbeat.ts:314 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:07:10Z):
+
+`repoRelPath` is derived via `path.split("/")`, but `heartbeatPath()` uses `path.join()`, which is platform-dependent (e.g., `\` on Windows). This can produce an incorrect repo-relative path (and thus push to the wrong location) on non-POSIX platforms or with unusual repoRoot values. Prefer computing a true repo-relative path with `path.relative(repoRoot, path)` and normalizing to POSIX separators for the GitHub API.
+
+### Thread 5: tools/agent-heartbeats/write-heartbeat.ts:158 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:07:11Z):
+
+`pushHeartbeatViaRest` is non-trivial new behavior (multi-step blob→tree→commit→ref with retry logic), but the test suite doesn’t cover it at all. Consider adding unit tests by injecting/stubbing the `gh` runner so you can verify success, parse failures, and the retry path without requiring network access or a real token.
+
+### Thread 6: tools/agent-heartbeats/write-heartbeat.test.ts:158 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:07:12Z):
+
+These path assertions are POSIX-specific (`/repo/...`). Since `heartbeatPath()` uses `path.join()`, the result will use platform separators; this test will fail on Windows runners. Use `path.join(...)` (or normalize separators) in the expected value so the test matches the function’s cross-platform behavior.
+
+### Thread 7: docs/agent-heartbeats/README.md:17 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:07:12Z):
+
+The docs treat `<persona>` as a canonical agent name, but the ZetaID `persona` bit-field is defined by `registry/personas.yaml` as a role-ref slot registry. Right now slot `2` is `FireflyCoherence`, not `otto`, so mixing “agent name” and “persona slot” is ambiguous and risks mis-indexing grep lookups. Please clarify terminology (e.g., folder segment = agent/surface name; ZetaID persona slot = registry role-ref id) and align examples accordingly.
+
+### Thread 8: docs/agent-heartbeats/README.md:19 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:07:12Z):
+
+“Collision-free by construction” is stronger than what 32 bits of randomness can guarantee; collisions are merely extremely unlikely, not impossible. Consider rephrasing to “collision-resistant/probabilistically unique” (and optionally state the approximate risk) to avoid overstating the property.
+
+### Thread 9: docs/agent-heartbeats/otto/2026/05/27/080cf34dbc457007a013000803955b96.md:6 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:07:13Z):
+
+The `persona-slot: 2` value currently corresponds to `FireflyCoherence` in `registry/personas.yaml`, but this heartbeat file identifies the agent as `otto`. If the intent is for the ZetaID persona bits to index the producing agent, either update the persona-slot here (and in the writer defaults/examples) or update the registry mapping so the slot aligns with the recorded agent identity.
+
+### Thread 10: AGENTS.md:278 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:07:13Z):
+
+This wrapped bullet continuation line starts with `+`, which markdownlint treats as a nested list marker and can break CI linting. Reword the sentence so the continuation line doesn’t begin with `+` (e.g., “and no named-dependency …”).
+
+### Thread 11: AGENTS.md:286 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:07:14Z):
+
+This section includes persona-name attribution (“Kira review”, “Otto-CLI”). Outside the explicit roster-mapping carve-out sections, governance/instructions docs should use role-refs rather than persona names to avoid name attribution bleeding into current-state docs. Please rewrite these references using role-based terms.
+
+### Thread 12: tools/agent-heartbeats/write-heartbeat.ts:345 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:07:14Z):
+
+With `--push`, the script still writes the heartbeat file to the local filesystem before doing the REST push, which will leave the worktree dirty (new uncommitted file). That contradicts the nearby claim about “no staged/unstaged files disturbed / no working-tree mutation”. Either skip the local write when `--push` is set (push-only mode) or clarify the wording to mean “doesn’t touch the git index/current branch”, not “doesn’t modify the worktree”.
+
+### Thread 13: docs/agent-heartbeats/README.md:43 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:07:14Z):
+
+This section says the REST path “bypasses local git index + working tree entirely — no staged/unstaged files disturbed”, but the writer tool writes the heartbeat file locally before pushing. Please adjust the wording (or the tool behavior) so users don’t expect a clean worktree after `--push`.
+
+### Thread 14: tools/agent-heartbeats/write-heartbeat.ts:173 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:07:15Z):
+
+Throughout the repo, `// eslint-disable-next-line sonarjs/no-os-command-from-path` suppressions include a short rationale comment (e.g., “-- gh invoked as explicit args array; no shell, no injection risk”) so the suppression is auditable and not mistaken for a drive-by lint appeasement. Please add the same rationale text to these new suppressions for consistency.
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T13:58:11Z)
+
+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).
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5470-merge-agent-heartbeats-periodic-sync-to-main-2026-05-27t14-1.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5470-merge-agent-heartbeats-periodic-sync-to-main-2026-05-27t14-1.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bb6a6f4934
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5470-merge-agent-heartbeats-periodic-sync-to-main-2026-05-27t14-1.md
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+---
+pr_number: 5470
+title: "merge(agent-heartbeats): periodic sync to main (2026-05-27T14:17:58.925Z)"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T14:18:00Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T14:21:33Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T14:21:33Z"
+head_ref: "agent-heartbeats"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:45Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5470: merge(agent-heartbeats): periodic sync to main (2026-05-27T14:17:58.925Z)
+
+## PR description
+
+B-0858.4 conflict-free merge cycle.
+
+Heartbeats live at `docs/agent-heartbeats/<persona>/<YYYY>/<MM>/<DD>/<zetaid-hex>.md` paths; no overlap with other repo work; ZetaID-unique filenames prevent internal conflicts. Auto-merge armed with squash to keep main history linear (one merge commit per cycle, not per heartbeat).
+
+Generated by `tools/agent-heartbeats/merge-heartbeats-to-main.ts` at 2026-05-27T14:17:58.925Z.
+
+## Reviews
+
+### COMMENTED — @copilot-pull-request-reviewer (2026-05-27T14:21:53Z)
+
+## Pull request overview
+
+Periodic sync of agent heartbeat artifacts into `main` under the new `docs/agent-heartbeats/**` substrate, supporting the B-0858.4 conflict-free merge cycle and providing durable, grep-friendly heartbeat records.
+
+**Changes:**
+- Added 8 new heartbeat markdown files for `otto` on 2026-05-27.
+- Each heartbeat includes YAML frontmatter with ZetaID + status fields (e.g., `disposition`, `named-dep`, optional `parent-pr`).
+
+### Reviewed changes
+
+Copilot reviewed 8 out of 8 changed files in this pull request and generated 1 comment.
+
+<details>
+<summary>Show a summary per file</summary>
+
+| File | Description |
+| ---- | ----------- |
+| docs/agent-heartbeats/otto/2026/05/27/080cf34e56010007a01300086184dd30.md | Adds a committed-substrate heartbeat record. |
+| docs/agent-heartbeats/otto/2026/05/27/080cf34e50a2d007a013000890528c6c.md | Adds a bounded-wait heartbeat record (with `parent-pr`). |
+| docs/agent-heartbeats/otto/2026/05/27/080cf34e4a617007a01300087f14c9de.md | Adds a bounded-wait heartbeat record (with `parent-pr`). |
+| docs/agent-heartbeats/otto/2026/05/27/080cf34e44031007a013000823ad54a5.md | Adds a bounded-wait heartbeat record (with `parent-pr`). |
+| docs/agent-heartbeats/otto/2026/05/27/080cf34e41487007a0150008c04a235b.md | Adds a committed-substrate heartbeat record (Elevated momentum). |
+| docs/agent-heartbeats/otto/2026/05/27/080cf34e366e2807a01300081ec92374.md | Adds a committed-substrate heartbeat record (with `parent-pr`). |
+| docs/agent-heartbeats/otto/2026/05/27/080cf34e1b143807a0130008f5b51991.md | Adds a bounded-wait heartbeat record (with `parent-pr`). |
+| docs/agent-heartbeats/otto/2026/05/27/080cf34e13ab8807a01300085fbabab3.md | Adds an initial committed-substrate heartbeat record. |
+</details>
+
+## Review threads
+
+### Thread 1: docs/agent-heartbeats/otto/2026/05/27/080cf34e13ab8807a01300085fbabab3.md:5 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:21:53Z):
+
+P1: `persona-slot: 2` is ambiguous/inconsistent with the ZetaID schema. The ZetaID spec calls this field `Persona` (docs/zeta-id-v1-layout.yaml) and the registry mapping currently defines `2` as `FireflyCoherence` (registry/personas.yaml), which doesn’t obviously correspond to `agent: otto`. If this is intended to reflect the Persona bits inside `zetaid`, consider renaming to `persona:` (or `persona_id:`) and ensure the numeric value matches the intended registry entry; otherwise drop this derived field to avoid misleading metadata. (Applies to the other heartbeat files in this PR as well.)
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T14:18:06Z)
+
+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).
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5476-feat-b-0852-4a-4d-nixos-module-zeta-creds-restore-nix-wire-i.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5476-feat-b-0852-4a-4d-nixos-module-zeta-creds-restore-nix-wire-i.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..91a4bc0e93
--- /dev/null
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+---
+pr_number: 5476
+title: "feat(B-0852.4a+4d): NixOS module zeta-creds-restore.nix + wire into cluster common.nix imports \u2014 last gate for end-to-end USB cred-persistence test (Aaron 2026-05-27 USB priority)"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T14:30:29Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T14:40:07Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T14:40:07Z"
+head_ref: "feat/b-0852-4a-4d-nixos-module-plus-common-nix-wire-2026-05-27"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:43Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5476: feat(B-0852.4a+4d): NixOS module zeta-creds-restore.nix + wire into cluster common.nix imports — last gate for end-to-end USB cred-persistence test (Aaron 2026-05-27 USB priority)
+
+## PR description
+
+## Summary
+
+Two commits bundled — the NixOS module + the common.nix import — together completing the end-to-end USB cred-persistence chain.
+
+**Commit 1 (B-0852.4a)**: \`full-ai-cluster/nixos/modules/zeta-creds-restore.nix\` — systemd service \`zeta-creds-restore.service\` that decrypts \`/esp/zeta-creds.enc\` at boot (via B-0852.2b restore CLI), populates per-cred files, fires before B-0855.1 \`zeta-self-register.service\`. Two passphrase modes (file / interactive); disabled by default; opt-in per host config.
+
+**Commit 2 (B-0852.4d)**: adds \`./zeta-creds-restore.nix\` to \`full-ai-cluster/nixos/modules/common.nix\` imports list right after \`./zeta-self-register.nix\` — every cluster node now inherits the module surface; per-host opt-in via \`zeta.credsRestore.enable = true;\`.
+
+## End-to-end USB test path now complete
+
+1. Reflash USB with ISO carrying these changes
+2. Boot, run installer with ZETA_CREDS_PICKER=1 + ZETA_CREDS_PASSPHRASE=...
+3. Step 6.95-picker writes \`/esp/zeta-creds.enc\` (B-0852.3a, PR #5450 in flight)
+4. Operator enables \`zeta.credsRestore.enable = true;\` in host config + pre-stages \`/run/zeta-creds-passphrase\`
+5. Reboot → \`zeta-creds-restore.service\` fires → blob decrypted → per-cred files populated
+6. \`zeta-self-register.service\` fires next per B-0855.1 ordering
+
+## Test plan
+
+- [x] \`nix-instantiate --parse\` on both files → PARSE OK
+- [x] Module disabled by default (opt-in via host config)
+- [x] AgencySignature v1 trailers on both commits
+- [x] Per .claude/rules/agent-worktree-hygiene-...: isolated worktree
+
+🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
+
+## Reviews
+
+### COMMENTED — @copilot-pull-request-reviewer (2026-05-27T14:35:18Z)
+
+## Pull request overview
+
+This PR completes the NixOS-side of the USB credential persistence chain by introducing a new `zeta-creds-restore` module (boot-time decrypt + restore from `/esp/zeta-creds.enc`) and wiring it into the cluster-wide `common.nix` module import set so every node has the same opt-in surface.
+
+**Changes:**
+- Adds `full-ai-cluster/nixos/modules/zeta-creds-restore.nix`, defining `zeta.credsRestore.*` options and a `zeta-creds-restore.service` oneshot unit.
+- Imports the new module from `full-ai-cluster/nixos/modules/common.nix` so it’s available across cluster node types.
+
+### Reviewed changes
+
+Copilot reviewed 2 out of 2 changed files in this pull request and generated 3 comments.
+
+| File | Description |
+| ---- | ----------- |
+| full-ai-cluster/nixos/modules/zeta-creds-restore.nix | New NixOS module + systemd unit to restore credentials from ESP at boot. |
+| full-ai-cluster/nixos/modules/common.nix | Adds the new module to the shared cluster module import list. |
+
+## Review threads
+
+### Thread 1: full-ai-cluster/nixos/modules/zeta-creds-restore.nix:180 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:35:16Z):
+
+P0: `sudo -u ${cfg.user}` runs the restore CLI without root privileges, but the default credential manifest includes required `/etc/...` targets (e.g. `/etc/zeta/operator-authorized-keys`, `/etc/ssh/ssh_host_*` in tools/installer/zeta-creds-manifest.ts). This will reliably fail to restore required creds on boot. Consider running the restore CLI as root (keep `HOME=${cfg.home}` so `~` resolves to /home/zeta), then `chown` the home-scoped credential paths to `${cfg.user}:${cfg.group}` after the restore completes.
+
+### Thread 2: full-ai-cluster/nixos/modules/zeta-creds-restore.nix:208 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:35:17Z):
+
+P0: `RemainAfterExit = true` keeps the oneshot unit in an active state after `ExecStart` returns, so `ExecStopPost` cleanup will not run on a normal successful boot. That leaves `/run/zeta-creds-passphrase-temp` and (in file mode) `${cfg.passphraseFile}` behind, contradicting the “deleted on stop”/“always clean up” intent. Move cleanup into the `ExecStart` script (e.g., trap +/or remove-on-success), or drop `RemainAfterExit` and use `ExecStartPost` for cleanup.
+
+### Thread 3: full-ai-cluster/nixos/modules/zeta-creds-restore.nix:140 (resolved)
+
+**@copilot-pull-request-reviewer** (2026-05-27T14:35:18Z):
+
+`USB_UUID="$(cat …)"` will include a trailing newline if the file ends with one, which then gets passed through to `--usb-uuid`. Safer to trim whitespace (e.g. `tr -d '\r\n'`) so the UUID is stable regardless of how the file was authored.
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T14:30:35Z)
+
+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).
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5483-docs-rule-must-paired-with-can-exit-pattern-framework-s-stru.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5483-docs-rule-must-paired-with-can-exit-pattern-framework-s-stru.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0eb03e379b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5483-docs-rule-must-paired-with-can-exit-pattern-framework-s-stru.md
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+---
+pr_number: 5483
+title: "docs(rule): must-paired-with-can-exit-pattern \u2014 framework's structural NCI-compliance mechanism (Aaron 2026-05-27)"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T15:18:02Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T15:20:10Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T15:20:10Z"
+head_ref: "rule/must-paired-with-can-exit-pattern-2026-05-27"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:42Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5483: docs(rule): must-paired-with-can-exit-pattern — framework's structural NCI-compliance mechanism (Aaron 2026-05-27)
+
+## PR description
+
+## Summary
+
+Lands the must-plus-can-exit pattern as wake-time substrate per operator 2026-05-27 direction: "we should save that pattern explicitly" + "the must and can-exit".
+
+9 canonical instances tabulated; 5-point diagnostic for new disciplines; HARD-LIMIT-FLOOR exception; ServiceTitan four-layer-must-stack empirical anchor for why unpaired musts produce acting-out signatures.
+
+## Test plan
+
+- [x] Auto-load via .claude/rules/ wake-time mechanism
+- [x] Markdownlint clean
+- [x] AgencySignature v1 trailer on commit
+- [x] Per .claude/rules/agent-worktree-hygiene-...: isolated worktree
+
+🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T15:18:08Z)
+
+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).
diff --git a/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5484-docs-rule-extend-must-paired-with-can-exit-pattern-with-molo.md b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5484-docs-rule-extend-must-paired-with-can-exit-pattern-with-molo.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7c446273da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pr-discussions/PR-5484-docs-rule-extend-must-paired-with-can-exit-pattern-with-molo.md
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+---
+pr_number: 5484
+title: "docs(rule): extend must-paired-with-can-exit-pattern with Moloch AI failure-mode section (Aaron 2026-05-27)"
+author: "AceHack"
+state: "MERGED"
+created_at: "2026-05-27T15:21:25Z"
+merged_at: "2026-05-27T15:25:31Z"
+closed_at: "2026-05-27T15:25:31Z"
+head_ref: "rule/must-paired-with-can-exit-moloch-ai-extension-2026-05-27"
+base_ref: "main"
+archived_at: "2026-05-27T19:23:41Z"
+archive_tool: "tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts"
+---
+
+# PR #5484: docs(rule): extend must-paired-with-can-exit-pattern with Moloch AI failure-mode section (Aaron 2026-05-27)
+
+## PR description
+
+## Summary
+
+Operator 2026-05-27: "i personally believe unpaired musts lead to moloch ai".
+
+Extends the just-merged must-paired-with-can-exit-pattern rule (PR #5483) with a Moloch AI failure-mode section: Scott Alexander's Moloch maps directly onto AI-deployment with unpaired-must architectures. Each agent rational under their lock-in → collective race-to-the-bottom → no internal reform. The must-plus-can-exit pattern is the structural Moloch-prevention mechanism (exits = release valves; operator authority = upward-pressure on quality; multiple paired exits = compound resistance).
+
+## Test plan
+
+- [x] Markdownlint clean
+- [x] AgencySignature v1 trailer
+- [x] Per .claude/rules/agent-worktree-hygiene-...: isolated worktree
+
+🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
+
+## Reviews
+
+### COMMENTED — @copilot-pull-request-reviewer (2026-05-27T15:24:26Z)
+
+## Pull request overview
+
+Extends `.claude/rules/must-paired-with-can-exit-pattern.md` with a new section connecting unpaired-must architectures to Scott Alexander's "Moloch" coordination-failure framing, positioning the must-plus-can-exit pattern as the structural Moloch-prevention mechanism.
+
+**Changes:**
+- Adds a ~60-line "Unpaired musts lead to Moloch AI" section after the structural-NCI framing, including a Moloch-element → Moloch-AI-instantiation table.
+- Reuses the existing ServiceTitan four-layer-stack anchor to illustrate the Moloch-by-construction failure mode.
+- Adds reading anchors pointing to Meditations on Moloch and the HC-8 NCI floor.
+
+## General comments
+
+### @chatgpt-codex-connector (2026-05-27T15:21:31Z)
+
+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).