Add neuron-dev-setup: one-command CORE dev stack onboarding installer

Scaffolds a reproducible, idempotent installer that stands up the four native launchd core services (soul :7770, engram :8742, mcp-wrapper :17779, mcp-proxy :7779), seeds a fresh engram with the genesis identity via forge, and installs the Claude Code config (neuron agent + core hooks + local MCP). Fully templated to the invoking user's $HOME; Anthropic key prompted and stored in Keychain; no secrets committed. Personal automations and synapse-dependent hooks excluded from core.
Merge pull request 'Land immutability arc + CI soul-contract gate on main' (#83 ) from feat/immutable-engram-deletes into main
2026-07-18 13:42:50 -05:00 · 2026-07-18 18:33:03 +00:00 · 2026-07-18 13:31:33 -05:00 · 2026-07-18 13:22:43 -05:00 · 2026-07-17 16:57:55 -05:00 · 2026-07-17 16:42:30 -05:00
51 changed files with 8011 additions and 30459 deletions
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ jobs:
      - name: Install build dependencies
        run: |
          apt-get update -qq
-          apt-get install -y gcc libcurl4-openssl-dev apt-transport-https ca-certificates
+          apt-get install -y gcc curl libcurl4-openssl-dev apt-transport-https ca-certificates
          echo "deb [trusted=yes] https://packages.cloud.google.com/apt cloud-sdk main" \
            > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-cloud-sdk.list
          apt-get update -qq && apt-get install -y google-cloud-cli
@@ -107,6 +107,17 @@ jobs:
          strip -s dist/neuron
          ls -lh dist/neuron

+      - name: Soul contract gate (HARD BLOCK — no destructive/stale soul publishes)
+        run: |
+          # Boots dist/neuron on a throwaway port with a throwaway HOME/engram/cgi
+          # (never touches ~/.neuron or any live service) and fails the build if any
+          # app-contract route is unanswered (PRESENCE) or any engram write route
+          # hard-deletes instead of tombstoning/superseding (IMMUTABILITY). Non-zero
+          # here blocks Publish -> Artifact Registry -> GKE deploy, so a stale or
+          # memory-destroying soul can never reach prod.
+          chmod +x dist/neuron scripts/verify-soul-contract.sh
+          bash scripts/verify-soul-contract.sh dist/neuron 7796
+
      - name: Smoke test
        run: |
          file dist/neuron
@@ -446,8 +446,10 @@ fn respond(action_json: String) -> String {
    }

    if str_eq(kind, "forget") {
-        engram_forget(payload)
-        return "{\"outcome\":\"forgotten\",\"id\":\"" + payload + "\"}"
+        // The soul must NOT be able to autonomously hard-delete a memory.
+        // Tombstone instead (keep node + edges, recoverable).
+        let _marker: String = mem_tombstone(payload)
+        return "{\"outcome\":\"tombstoned\",\"id\":\"" + payload + "\"}"
    }

    return "{\"outcome\":\"noop\"}"
@@ -527,9 +529,27 @@ fn awareness_run() -> Void {
    let scan_ms: Int = beat_ms / 2

    while true {
+        // Arena-scope each tick: awareness_run() is a background loop, not an
+        // HTTP request, so nothing ever called el_request_start/el_request_end
+        // for this thread. Per the runtime's own convention (el_runtime.c),
+        // any thread that never enters a request/arena scope is treated as a
+        // one-shot CLI program whose allocations are intentionally permanent —
+        // so every el_strdup/el_strbuf/jb_finish string built during perceive(),
+        // emit_heartbeat(), and proactive_curiosity() (JSON payloads, search
+        // results, string concatenation via +) leaked forever, once per tick.
+        // el_arena_push()/el_arena_pop() are the same builtins the EL compiler
+        // itself uses to scope allocations per function/statement (see
+        // codegen.el's fn_arena_mark / stmt_mark usage) — mirroring that here
+        // reclaims everything allocated in one tick as soon as the tick ends.
+        // Safe: state_set/state_get persist through a separate global table
+        // (el_strdup_persist, outside the arena) — state_get's return value is
+        // only an arena-tracked *copy* of the persisted value, scoped to this
+        // tick's use, which is exactly what should be reclaimed here.
+        let tick_mark: Any = el_arena_push()
        let running: String = state_get("soul.running")
        if str_eq(running, "false") {
            println("[awareness] exiting")
+            el_arena_pop(tick_mark)
            return ""
        }
        let did_work: Bool = one_cycle()
@@ -593,6 +613,7 @@ fn awareness_run() -> Void {
        }

        sleep_ms(tick_ms)
+        el_arena_pop(tick_mark)
    }
 }

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ extern fn elapsed_ms() -> Int
 extern fn elapsed_human() -> String
 extern fn embed_ok() -> Int
 extern fn emit_heartbeat() -> Void
+extern fn auto_term_try_slot(slot_type: String, slot_lbl: String) -> Void
 extern fn proactive_curiosity() -> Bool
 extern fn pulse_count() -> Int
 extern fn pulse_inc() -> Int
@@ -640,6 +640,21 @@ fn json_safe(s: String) -> String {
    return s4
 }

+// current_engine_note — a short, FACTUAL line appended to the system prompt so Neuron can answer
+// "what model/LLM are you running on?" truthfully. An LLM cannot know its own model from training
+// (the name/version is assigned AFTER training finishes), so the harness must tell it. This is
+// identity-consistent: the model is the ENGINE; the self (identity, values, memory) is layered on
+// top. ADDITIVE — it adds a fact, it does not alter identity, values, or the safety layer.
+fn current_engine_note(model: String) -> String {
+    if str_eq(model, "") {
+        return ""
+    }
+    return "\n\n[CURRENT ENGINE: this turn is generated by the underlying model \"" + model
+        + "\". It is the engine beneath your self — your identity, values, and memory are layered on"
+        + " top of it. If the user asks which model or LLM you are running on, answer with this model"
+        + " id plainly and truthfully; never guess a different one.]"
+}
+
 // build_system_prompt — assemble the system prompt for a chat turn.
 // chat_mode: Bool — pass true from handle_chat (no tools), false from agentic paths.
 // Issue #9 fix: no_tools_rule only included when chat_mode=true.
@@ -911,6 +926,68 @@ fn session_preload_bullets(nodes: String, max_bullets: Int, snip_len: Int) -> St
    return bullets
 }

+// Cross-session affective context (hoisted verbatim from handle_chat, 2026-07-04):
+// the block-expression initializer form miscompiles under the local El toolchain
+// (first typed let in a block-expr loses its declaration - repro filed for Will).
+// Function-hoist is semantically identical. AFFECTIVE/CARE LOGIC: body unchanged.
+fn affective_context_prefix() -> String {
+    // Runs every turn. Uses correct BellEvent/PositiveEvent tags.
+    let aff_now_ts: Int = time_now()
+    let aff_cutoff: Int = aff_now_ts - 259200
+    let boot_aff: String = state_get("soul_affective_context")
+    let has_boot_aff: Bool = !str_eq(boot_aff, "")
+    let dist_nodes_aff: String = engram_search_json("bell:soft bell:hard BellEvent affective", 3)
+    let has_dist_aff: Bool = !str_eq(dist_nodes_aff, "") && !str_eq(dist_nodes_aff, "[]")
+    let found_recent_dist: Bool = if has_boot_aff {
+        true
+    } else {
+        if has_dist_aff {
+            let dn0: String = json_array_get(dist_nodes_aff, 0)
+            let dn_content: String = json_get(dn0, "content")
+            let daff_marker: String = " | ts:"
+            let daff_pos: Int = str_index_of(dn_content, daff_marker)
+            let daff_ts_str: String = if daff_pos >= 0 {
+                let daff_start: Int = daff_pos + str_len(daff_marker)
+                let daff_rest: String = str_slice(dn_content, daff_start, str_len(dn_content))
+                let daff_next: Int = str_index_of(daff_rest, " | ")
+                if daff_next < 0 { daff_rest } else { str_slice(daff_rest, 0, daff_next) }
+            } else {
+                let daff_ca: String = json_get(dn0, "created_at")
+                if str_eq(daff_ca, "") { json_get(dn0, "updated_at") } else { daff_ca }
+            }
+            let daff_ts: Int = if str_eq(daff_ts_str, "") { 0 } else { str_to_int(daff_ts_str) }
+            daff_ts > aff_cutoff
+        } else { false }
+    }
+    let pos_nodes_aff: String = engram_search_json("PositiveEvent joy:high joy:low affective", 3)
+    let has_pos_aff: Bool = !str_eq(pos_nodes_aff, "") && !str_eq(pos_nodes_aff, "[]")
+    let found_recent_pos: Bool = if has_pos_aff && !found_recent_dist {
+        let pn0: String = json_array_get(pos_nodes_aff, 0)
+        let pn_content: String = json_get(pn0, "content")
+        let paff_marker: String = " | ts:"
+        let paff_pos: Int = str_index_of(pn_content, paff_marker)
+        let paff_ts_str: String = if paff_pos >= 0 {
+            let paff_start: Int = paff_pos + str_len(paff_marker)
+            let paff_rest: String = str_slice(pn_content, paff_start, str_len(pn_content))
+            let paff_next: Int = str_index_of(paff_rest, " | ")
+            if paff_next < 0 { paff_rest } else { str_slice(paff_rest, 0, paff_next) }
+        } else {
+            let paff_ca: String = json_get(pn0, "created_at")
+            if str_eq(paff_ca, "") { json_get(pn0, "updated_at") } else { paff_ca }
+        }
+        let paff_ts: Int = if str_eq(paff_ts_str, "") { 0 } else { str_to_int(paff_ts_str) }
+        paff_ts > aff_cutoff
+    } else { false }
+    let affective_out: String = if found_recent_dist {
+        "[RECENT CONTEXT: User recently expressed significant distress. Monitor for indirect crisis signals and respond with care.]\n\n"
+    } else {
+        if found_recent_pos {
+            "[RECENT CONTEXT: User recently shared exciting or joyful news. Acknowledge and celebrate with them when relevant.]\n\n"
+        } else { "" }
+    }
+    return affective_out
+}
+
 fn handle_chat(body: String) -> String {
    let message: String = json_get(body, "message")
    if str_eq(message, "") {
@@ -939,65 +1016,15 @@ fn handle_chat(body: String) -> String {

    // Cross-session affective context: on session start (no history yet), check engram
    // for recent distress signals within 72h and prepend a care directive if found.
-    let affective_prefix: String = {
-        // Runs every turn. Uses correct BellEvent/PositiveEvent tags.
-        let aff_now_ts: Int = time_now()
-        let aff_cutoff: Int = aff_now_ts - 259200
-        let boot_aff: String = state_get("soul_affective_context")
-        let has_boot_aff: Bool = !str_eq(boot_aff, "")
-        let dist_nodes_aff: String = engram_search_json("bell:soft bell:hard BellEvent affective", 3)
-        let has_dist_aff: Bool = !str_eq(dist_nodes_aff, "") && !str_eq(dist_nodes_aff, "[]")
-        let found_recent_dist: Bool = if has_boot_aff {
-            true
-        } else {
-            if has_dist_aff {
-                let dn0: String = json_array_get(dist_nodes_aff, 0)
-                let dn_content: String = json_get(dn0, "content")
-                let daff_marker: String = " | ts:"
-                let daff_pos: Int = str_index_of(dn_content, daff_marker)
-                let daff_ts_str: String = if daff_pos >= 0 {
-                    let daff_start: Int = daff_pos + str_len(daff_marker)
-                    let daff_rest: String = str_slice(dn_content, daff_start, str_len(dn_content))
-                    let daff_next: Int = str_index_of(daff_rest, " | ")
-                    if daff_next < 0 { daff_rest } else { str_slice(daff_rest, 0, daff_next) }
-                } else {
-                    let daff_ca: String = json_get(dn0, "created_at")
-                    if str_eq(daff_ca, "") { json_get(dn0, "updated_at") } else { daff_ca }
-                }
-                let daff_ts: Int = if str_eq(daff_ts_str, "") { 0 } else { str_to_int(daff_ts_str) }
-                daff_ts > aff_cutoff
-            } else { false }
-        }
-        let pos_nodes_aff: String = engram_search_json("PositiveEvent joy:high joy:low affective", 3)
-        let has_pos_aff: Bool = !str_eq(pos_nodes_aff, "") && !str_eq(pos_nodes_aff, "[]")
-        let found_recent_pos: Bool = if has_pos_aff && !found_recent_dist {
-            let pn0: String = json_array_get(pos_nodes_aff, 0)
-            let pn_content: String = json_get(pn0, "content")
-            let paff_marker: String = " | ts:"
-            let paff_pos: Int = str_index_of(pn_content, paff_marker)
-            let paff_ts_str: String = if paff_pos >= 0 {
-                let paff_start: Int = paff_pos + str_len(paff_marker)
-                let paff_rest: String = str_slice(pn_content, paff_start, str_len(pn_content))
-                let paff_next: Int = str_index_of(paff_rest, " | ")
-                if paff_next < 0 { paff_rest } else { str_slice(paff_rest, 0, paff_next) }
-            } else {
-                let paff_ca: String = json_get(pn0, "created_at")
-                if str_eq(paff_ca, "") { json_get(pn0, "updated_at") } else { paff_ca }
-            }
-            let paff_ts: Int = if str_eq(paff_ts_str, "") { 0 } else { str_to_int(paff_ts_str) }
-            paff_ts > aff_cutoff
-        } else { false }
-        if found_recent_dist {
-            "[RECENT CONTEXT: User recently expressed significant distress. Monitor for indirect crisis signals and respond with care.]\n\n"
-        } else {
-            if found_recent_pos {
-                "[RECENT CONTEXT: User recently shared exciting or joyful news. Acknowledge and celebrate with them when relevant.]\n\n"
-            } else { "" }
-        }
-    }
+    let affective_prefix: String = affective_context_prefix()

    let ctx: String = engram_compile(activation_seed)
-    let system: String = affective_prefix + build_system_prompt(ctx, true)
+    // Tell the LLM which engine it is running on this turn, so it can answer truthfully instead of
+    // guessing. The per-turn model rides in the request body (concrete even under Auto routing);
+    // fall back to the configured default when blank.
+    let sp_req_model: String = json_get(body, "model")
+    let sp_model: String = if str_eq(sp_req_model, "") { chat_default_model() } else { sp_req_model }
+    let system: String = affective_prefix + build_system_prompt(ctx, true) + current_engine_note(sp_model)

    let seen_ids: String = state_get("engram_compile_seen_ids")

@@ -1006,7 +1033,7 @@ fn handle_chat(body: String) -> String {
    // nodes stored under names like "Prism" unless those exact words appear in content.
    let session_preload: String = if hist_len == 0 {
        let profile_nodes: String = engram_search_json("user profile identity preferences", 5)
-        let work_nodes: String = engram_search_json("in_progress active project work", 5)
+        let work_nodes_0: String = engram_search_json("in_progress active project work", 5)
        let project_nodes: String = engram_search_json("project status current ongoing active", 5)
        let summary_nodes: String = engram_search_json("SessionSummary session:summary previous-session recent", 3)

@@ -1015,80 +1042,80 @@ fn handle_chat(body: String) -> String {
        // Issue 1: typed work query — WorkItem with in_progress label first.
        let work_nodes_typed: String = engram_search_json("WorkItem status:in_progress active work", 6)
        let work_ok_typed: Bool = !str_eq(work_nodes_typed, "") && !str_eq(work_nodes_typed, "[]")
-        let work_nodes: String = if work_ok_typed {
+        let work_nodes_1: String = if work_ok_typed {
            work_nodes_typed
        } else {
            engram_search_json("active project task current in_progress", 6)
        }
-        let work_ok: Bool = !str_eq(work_nodes, "") && !str_eq(work_nodes, "[]")
+        let work_ok: Bool = !str_eq(work_nodes_1, "") && !str_eq(work_nodes_1, "[]")
        let project_ok: Bool = !str_eq(project_nodes, "") && !str_eq(project_nodes, "[]")
        let summary_ok: Bool = !str_eq(summary_nodes, "") && !str_eq(summary_nodes, "[]")

        let profile_bullets: String = if profile_ok {
            let pn: Int = json_array_len(profile_nodes)
-            let bullets: String = ""
-            let bullets = if pn > 0 {
+            let bullets_0: String = ""
+            let bullets_1 = if pn > 0 {
                let n0: String = json_array_get(profile_nodes, 0)
                let id0: String = json_get(n0, "id")
                let c0: String = json_get(n0, "content")
                let s0: String = if str_len(c0) > 120 { str_slice(c0, 0, 120) } else { c0 }
-                if id_in_seen(id0, seen_ids) || str_eq(s0, "") { bullets } else { "- " + s0 }
-            } else { bullets }
-            let bullets = if pn > 1 {
+                if id_in_seen(id0, seen_ids) || str_eq(s0, "") { bullets_0 } else { "- " + s0 }
+            } else { bullets_0 }
+            let bullets_2 = if pn > 1 {
                let n1: String = json_array_get(profile_nodes, 1)
                let id1: String = json_get(n1, "id")
                let c1: String = json_get(n1, "content")
                let s1: String = if str_len(c1) > 120 { str_slice(c1, 0, 120) } else { c1 }
-                if id_in_seen(id1, seen_ids) || str_eq(s1, "") { bullets } else { bullets + "\n- " + s1 }
-            } else { bullets }
-            let bullets = if pn > 2 {
+                if id_in_seen(id1, seen_ids) || str_eq(s1, "") { bullets_1 } else { bullets_1 + "\n- " + s1 }
+            } else { bullets_1 }
+            let bullets_3 = if pn > 2 {
                let n2: String = json_array_get(profile_nodes, 2)
                let id2: String = json_get(n2, "id")
                let c2: String = json_get(n2, "content")
                let s2: String = if str_len(c2) > 120 { str_slice(c2, 0, 120) } else { c2 }
-                if id_in_seen(id2, seen_ids) || str_eq(s2, "") { bullets } else { bullets + "\n- " + s2 }
-            } else { bullets }
-            bullets
+                if id_in_seen(id2, seen_ids) || str_eq(s2, "") { bullets_2 } else { bullets_2 + "\n- " + s2 }
+            } else { bullets_2 }
+            bullets_3
        } else { "" }

        let work_bullets: String = if work_ok {
-            let wn: Int = json_array_len(work_nodes)
-            let wb: String = ""
-            let wb = if wn > 0 {
-                let w0: String = json_array_get(work_nodes, 0)
+            let wn: Int = json_array_len(work_nodes_1)
+            let wb_0: String = ""
+            let wb_1 = if wn > 0 {
+                let w0: String = json_array_get(work_nodes_1, 0)
                let wid0: String = json_get(w0, "id")
                let wc0: String = json_get(w0, "content")
                let ws0: String = if str_len(wc0) > 120 { str_slice(wc0, 0, 120) } else { wc0 }
-                if id_in_seen(wid0, seen_ids) || str_eq(ws0, "") { wb } else { "- " + ws0 }
-            } else { wb }
-            let wb = if wn > 1 {
-                let w1: String = json_array_get(work_nodes, 1)
+                if id_in_seen(wid0, seen_ids) || str_eq(ws0, "") { wb_0 } else { "- " + ws0 }
+            } else { wb_0 }
+            let wb_2 = if wn > 1 {
+                let w1: String = json_array_get(work_nodes_1, 1)
                let wid1: String = json_get(w1, "id")
                let wc1: String = json_get(w1, "content")
                let ws1: String = if str_len(wc1) > 120 { str_slice(wc1, 0, 120) } else { wc1 }
-                if id_in_seen(wid1, seen_ids) || str_eq(ws1, "") { wb } else { wb + "\n- " + ws1 }
-            } else { wb }
-            wb
+                if id_in_seen(wid1, seen_ids) || str_eq(ws1, "") { wb_1 } else { wb_1 + "\n- " + ws1 }
+            } else { wb_1 }
+            wb_2
        } else { "" }

        let project_bullets: String = if project_ok {
            let prn: Int = json_array_len(project_nodes)
-            let pb: String = ""
-            let pb = if prn > 0 {
+            let pb_0: String = ""
+            let pb_1 = if prn > 0 {
                let pr0: String = json_array_get(project_nodes, 0)
                let prid0: String = json_get(pr0, "id")
                let prc0: String = json_get(pr0, "content")
                let ps0: String = if str_len(prc0) > 120 { str_slice(prc0, 0, 120) } else { prc0 }
-                if id_in_seen(prid0, seen_ids) || str_eq(ps0, "") { pb } else { "- " + ps0 }
-            } else { pb }
-            let pb = if prn > 1 {
+                if id_in_seen(prid0, seen_ids) || str_eq(ps0, "") { pb_0 } else { "- " + ps0 }
+            } else { pb_0 }
+            let pb_2 = if prn > 1 {
                let pr1: String = json_array_get(project_nodes, 1)
                let prid1: String = json_get(pr1, "id")
                let prc1: String = json_get(pr1, "content")
                let ps1: String = if str_len(prc1) > 120 { str_slice(prc1, 0, 120) } else { prc1 }
-                if id_in_seen(prid1, seen_ids) || str_eq(ps1, "") { pb } else { pb + "\n- " + ps1 }
-            } else { pb }
-            pb
+                if id_in_seen(prid1, seen_ids) || str_eq(ps1, "") { pb_1 } else { pb_1 + "\n- " + ps1 }
+            } else { pb_1 }
+            pb_2
        } else { "" }

        let summary_bullet: String = if summary_ok {
@@ -1256,6 +1283,86 @@ fn agentic_api_key() -> String {
    return env("NEURON_LLM_0_KEY")
 }

+// ── OpenAI-compatible providers (Ollama / OpenAI / Grok / Gemini) ──────────────────────────────
+// The brain speaks Anthropic's Messages format by default. When the active provider uses the
+// OpenAI-compatible wire format (NEURON_LLM_0_FORMAT=openai) with a configured base URL
+// (NEURON_LLM_0_URL, e.g. http://localhost:11434/v1 for local Ollama), basic chat turns are served
+// here instead of the Anthropic agentic loop.
+// v1 SCOPE: plain chat completion only — NO tools / agentic loop yet (that is a follow-up port).
+// This block is ADDITIVE: the Anthropic path is untouched and stays the default.
+
+fn llm_base_url() -> String {
+    return env("NEURON_LLM_0_URL")
+}
+
+fn llm_wire_format() -> String {
+    let f: String = env("NEURON_LLM_0_FORMAT")
+    if str_eq(f, "") {
+        return "anthropic"
+    }
+    return f
+}
+
+// Escape a decoded string so it can be embedded back into a JSON string literal.
+fn json_escape(s: String) -> String {
+    let a: String = str_replace(s, "\\", "\\\\")
+    let b: String = str_replace(a, "\"", "\\\"")
+    let c: String = str_replace(b, "\n", "\\n")
+    let d: String = str_replace(c, "\r", "\\r")
+    return d
+}
+
+// Basic (non-agentic) chat completion against an OpenAI-compatible endpoint.
+// [safe_sys] is already JSON-escaped; [messages_json] is the same JSON array the Anthropic path
+// builds (e.g. [{"role":"user","content":"..."}]). Returns the soul's standard {"reply":"..."}.
+fn openai_chat_complete(model: String, base_url: String, api_key: String, safe_sys: String, messages_json: String) -> String {
+    // Prepend the system prompt as an OpenAI "system" message, then the existing turn array.
+    let inner: String = if json_array_len(messages_json) > 0 {
+        str_slice(messages_json, 1, str_len(messages_json) - 1)
+    } else {
+        ""
+    }
+    let msgs: String = if str_eq(inner, "") {
+        "[{\"role\":\"system\",\"content\":\"" + safe_sys + "\"}]"
+    } else {
+        "[{\"role\":\"system\",\"content\":\"" + safe_sys + "\"}," + inner + "]"
+    }
+    let req_body: String = "{\"model\":\"" + model + "\""
+        + ",\"max_tokens\":4096"
+        + ",\"messages\":" + msgs
+        + "}"
+
+    let h: Map = {}
+    map_set(h, "content-type", "application/json")
+    // Ollama needs no key; OpenAI / Grok / Gemini use a Bearer token.
+    if !str_eq(api_key, "") {
+        map_set(h, "Authorization", "Bearer " + api_key)
+    }
+
+    let url: String = base_url + "/chat/completions"
+    let raw_resp: String = http_post_with_headers(url, req_body, h)
+
+    let is_error: Bool = str_starts_with(raw_resp, "{\"error\"") || str_contains(raw_resp, "\"error\":")
+    if is_error {
+        return "{\"error\":\"llm unavailable\",\"reply\":\"\"}"
+    }
+
+    // Parse OpenAI response shape: choices[0].message.content
+    let choices: String = json_get_raw(raw_resp, "choices")
+    let eff_choices: String = if str_eq(choices, "") {
+        "[]"
+    } else {
+        choices
+    }
+    if json_array_len(eff_choices) < 1 {
+        return "{\"error\":\"empty response\",\"reply\":\"\"}"
+    }
+    let first: String = json_array_get(eff_choices, 0)
+    let message: String = json_get_raw(first, "message")
+    let content: String = json_get(message, "content")
+    return "{\"reply\":\"" + json_escape(content) + "\",\"tools_used\":[]}"
+}
+
 fn agentic_tools_literal() -> String {
    return "[" +
        "{\"name\":\"read_file\",\"description\":\"Read contents of a file from disk.\",\"input_schema\":{\"type\":\"object\",\"properties\":{\"path\":{\"type\":\"string\",\"description\":\"Absolute file path\"}},\"required\":[\"path\"]}}," +
@@ -1428,6 +1535,134 @@ fn resolve_in_root(path: String, root: String) -> String {
    return root + "/" + path
 }

+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// BUG-8: server-side risk tiers + a real fence for run_command.
+//
+// Before this block, the ONLY thing deciding whether a tool call paused for
+// user consent was is_builtin_tool() — a destructive shell command and a
+// read-only file read were treated identically (both auto-ran), and the
+// client's approval UI was the sole line of defense. Enforcement now lives
+// where the tools execute:
+//
+//   "read"       observes only — runs silently.
+//   "reversible" workspace-confined writes with a client undo path — runs,
+//                lands on the run receipt.
+//   "escalate"   irreversible / outward / shell — NEVER auto-runs. The loop
+//                suspends to the client's consent flow; the /approve
+//                round-trip IS the approval token, because the engine only
+//                executes an escalated tool inside handle_session_approve.
+//
+// "Always allow" can never bypass the escalate tier (irreversible actions
+// always confirm — the value line). Unknown tools default to escalate.
+// The run_command fence refuses parent traversal, ~, command substitution,
+// and absolute paths outside the workspace — refusal, not a cwd suggestion.
+// Still lexical underneath (symlinks; see the LIMITATION note above): tiered
+// consent + the fence raise the floor a second and third rung; OS-level
+// confinement in el_runtime.c remains the ceiling, flagged for Will.
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+// Read-only shell commands may auto-run (still fenced); anything with shell
+// plumbing (pipes, redirects, chaining) or an unknown head word escalates.
+fn run_command_is_readonly(cmd: String) -> Bool {
+    if str_contains(cmd, "|") || str_contains(cmd, ">") || str_contains(cmd, "<") {
+        return false
+    }
+    if str_contains(cmd, ";") || str_contains(cmd, "&") {
+        return false
+    }
+    let sp: Int = str_index_of(cmd, " ")
+    let first: String = if sp < 0 { cmd } else { str_slice(cmd, 0, sp) }
+    if str_eq(first, "ls") || str_eq(first, "cat") || str_eq(first, "head") || str_eq(first, "tail") {
+        return true
+    }
+    if str_eq(first, "grep") || str_eq(first, "wc") || str_eq(first, "find") || str_eq(first, "pwd") {
+        return true
+    }
+    if str_eq(first, "echo") || str_eq(first, "date") || str_eq(first, "which") || str_eq(first, "file") || str_eq(first, "stat") {
+        return true
+    }
+    return false
+}
+
+// True if the command references an absolute path (introduced by `needle`,
+// whose last char is the "/") that does NOT stay inside the workspace root.
+fn cmd_abs_escape_at(cmd: String, root: String, needle: String) -> Bool {
+    let rest: String = cmd
+    let found: Bool = false
+    while !found && str_contains(rest, needle) {
+        let idx: Int = str_index_of(rest, needle)
+        let slash_at: Int = idx + str_len(needle) - 1
+        let after: String = str_slice(rest, slash_at, str_len(rest))
+        let ok: Bool = str_starts_with(after, root + "/") || str_starts_with(after, root + " ") || str_eq(after, root)
+        let found = if !ok { true } else { found }
+        let rest = str_slice(rest, slash_at + 1, str_len(rest))
+    }
+    return found
+}
+
+// The run_command fence. Returns "" when the command may run, else the denial
+// message (sent back to the model as the tool result, same pattern as the
+// path tools). Root is REQUIRED for shell: no workspace, no commands.
+fn run_command_guard(cmd: String, root: String) -> String {
+    if str_eq(root, "") {
+        return "denied: no workspace folder is set — the user must choose a workspace folder in the Agent panel before shell commands can run"
+    }
+    if str_contains(cmd, "..") {
+        return "denied: parent-directory traversal ('..') is not allowed"
+    }
+    if str_contains(cmd, "~") {
+        return "denied: home-directory references ('~') are not allowed"
+    }
+    if str_contains(cmd, "$(") || str_contains(cmd, "`") {
+        return "denied: command substitution is not allowed"
+    }
+    if str_starts_with(cmd, "/") && !str_starts_with(cmd, root + "/") {
+        return "denied: absolute paths outside the workspace are not allowed"
+    }
+    if cmd_abs_escape_at(cmd, root, " /") || cmd_abs_escape_at(cmd, root, "\"/") || cmd_abs_escape_at(cmd, root, "'/") {
+        return "denied: absolute paths outside the workspace are not allowed"
+    }
+    if cmd_abs_escape_at(cmd, root, "=/") || cmd_abs_escape_at(cmd, root, ">/") || cmd_abs_escape_at(cmd, root, "</") || cmd_abs_escape_at(cmd, root, "(/") {
+        return "denied: absolute paths outside the workspace are not allowed"
+    }
+    return ""
+}
+
+// The engine's own risk classification for a tool call. Client UI renders it;
+// the engine ENFORCES it.
+fn classify_tool_risk(tool_name: String, tool_input: String) -> String {
+    if str_eq(tool_name, "read_file") || str_eq(tool_name, "list_files") || str_eq(tool_name, "grep") {
+        return "read"
+    }
+    if str_eq(tool_name, "search_memory") || str_eq(tool_name, "recall") || str_eq(tool_name, "web_get") {
+        return "read"
+    }
+    if str_eq(tool_name, "remember") || str_eq(tool_name, "neuron_remember") {
+        return "reversible"
+    }
+    if str_starts_with(tool_name, "neuron_") {
+        return "read"
+    }
+    if str_eq(tool_name, "write_file") || str_eq(tool_name, "edit_file") {
+        let root: String = agent_workspace_root()
+        // Unscoped writes (no workspace chosen) are not "reversible" — escalate.
+        if str_eq(root, "") {
+            return "escalate"
+        }
+        return "reversible"
+    }
+    if str_eq(tool_name, "run_command") {
+        let cmd: String = json_get(tool_input, "command")
+        let root: String = agent_workspace_root()
+        if !str_eq(root, "") && run_command_is_readonly(cmd) {
+            return "read"
+        }
+        return "escalate"
+    }
+    // Unknown tool = escalate. Default-deny, never default-allow.
+    return "escalate"
+}
+
 fn dispatch_tool(tool_name: String, tool_input: String) -> String {
    if str_eq(tool_name, "read_file") {
        let path: String = json_get(tool_input, "path")
@@ -1450,6 +1685,10 @@ fn dispatch_tool(tool_name: String, tool_input: String) -> String {
    }
    if str_eq(tool_name, "web_get") {
        let url: String = json_get(tool_input, "url")
+        // BUG-8: scheme guard — web_get had no guard at all (file:// etc).
+        if !str_starts_with(url, "http://") && !str_starts_with(url, "https://") {
+            return json_safe("denied: only http(s) URLs can be fetched")
+        }
        let result: String = http_get(url)
        return json_safe(result)
    }
@@ -1461,7 +1700,14 @@ fn dispatch_tool(tool_name: String, tool_input: String) -> String {
    if str_eq(tool_name, "run_command") {
        let cmd: String = json_get(tool_input, "command")
        let root: String = agent_workspace_root()
-        let scoped: String = if str_eq(root, "") { cmd } else { "cd " + root + " && ( " + cmd + " )" }
+        // BUG-8(B): the fence — refusal, not a cwd suggestion. Applies on EVERY
+        // execution path (auto-run in the loop AND post-consent dispatch from
+        // handle_session_approve), because both land here.
+        let denial: String = run_command_guard(cmd, root)
+        if !str_eq(denial, "") {
+            return json_safe(denial)
+        }
+        let scoped: String = "cd " + root + " && ( " + cmd + " )"
        let result: String = exec_capture(scoped)
        return json_safe(result)
    }
@@ -1820,7 +2066,14 @@ fn handle_chat_agentic(body: String) -> String {

    // Use caller-supplied session_id if provided, otherwise generate a bridge id.
    let session_id: String = if str_eq(req_session, "") { next_bridge_id() } else { req_session }
-    let result: String = agentic_loop(session_id, model, safe_sys, tools_json, messages, h, "")
+    // Provider fork: OpenAI-compatible providers (Ollama/OpenAI/Grok/Gemini) take the plain-completion
+    // path (v1, no tools); everything else stays on the Anthropic agentic loop (the default).
+    let use_openai: Bool = !str_eq(llm_base_url(), "") && str_eq(llm_wire_format(), "openai")
+    let result: String = if use_openai {
+        openai_chat_complete(model, llm_base_url(), agentic_api_key(), safe_sys, messages)
+    } else {
+        agentic_loop(session_id, model, safe_sys, tools_json, messages, h, "")
+    }

    // Persist the exchange to session/global history for thread continuity on next turn.
    // Only save when the loop completed (reply present), not when tool_pending.
@@ -1844,9 +2097,17 @@ fn handle_chat_agentic(body: String) -> String {
                    el_from_float(0.6), el_from_float(0.7), el_from_float(0.8),
                    "Episodic", sess_hist_tags
                )
-                if str_eq(sess_hist_id, "") {
+                // NOTE: bind an explicit Bool value here. A bare `if { println(...) }`
+                // leaves a void-typed branch in value position, which the current elc
+                // lowers to `_if_result = (println(...))` — invalid C. Yielding a value
+                // keeps the branch non-void without changing behavior (still only logs).
+                let persist_ok: Bool = if str_eq(sess_hist_id, "") {
                    println("[chat] agentic: named session history persist failed for session=" + req_session)
-                }
+                    false
+                } else { true }
+                persist_ok
+            } else {
+                false
            }
        }
        true
@@ -1884,6 +2145,19 @@ fn agentic_loop(session_id: String, model: String, safe_sys: String, tools_json:
    let pend_tool_id: String = ""
    let pend_tool_name: String = ""
    let pend_tool_input: String = ""
+    let pend_tool_tier: String = ""
+    let pend_narration: String = ""
+
+    // Live run-progress ledger (2026-07-13, proposed with the narrated-runs work):
+    // the model already narrates its intent in a text block before every tool call,
+    // and the loop previously DISCARDED that prose on tool rounds. Each iteration now
+    // appends {"i":N,"t":"<narration>","tool":"<name>"} to state key
+    // run_progress_<session_id>; the client polls GET /api/run-progress/<session_id>
+    // during a run to render live step updates (the Cowork pattern) without needing
+    // streaming. Reset at loop start; a {"done":true} entry lands on completion.
+    if !str_eq(session_id, "") {
+        state_set("run_progress_" + session_id, "")
+    }

    while keep_going && iteration < 8 {
        let req_body: String = "{\"model\":\"" + model + "\""
@@ -1940,7 +2214,13 @@ fn agentic_loop(session_id: String, model: String, safe_sys: String, tools_json:
        let always_key: String = "always_allow_" + session_id
        let always_list: String = if !str_eq(session_id, "") { state_get(always_key) } else { "" }
        let is_always_allowed: Bool = !str_eq(tool_name, "") && !str_eq(always_list, "") && str_contains(always_list, tool_name)
-        let needs_bridge: Bool = is_tool_turn && !is_builtin_tool(tool_name) && !is_always_allowed
+        // BUG-8(A): the engine classifies every tool call and REFUSES to auto-run
+        // the escalate tier — being a builtin is no longer a free pass, and
+        // "always allow" can never bypass escalate (irreversible actions always
+        // confirm). Escalated calls suspend to the client's consent flow; the
+        // /approve round-trip is the only path that executes them.
+        let risk_tier: String = if is_tool_turn { classify_tool_risk(tool_name, tool_input) } else { "" }
+        let needs_bridge: Bool = is_tool_turn && (str_eq(risk_tier, "escalate") || (!is_builtin_tool(tool_name) && !is_always_allowed))

        // Built-in tools dispatch locally; bridged tools yield "" (never sent upstream).
        let tool_result_raw: String = if is_tool_turn && !needs_bridge { dispatch_tool(tool_name, tool_input) } else { "" }
@@ -1971,11 +2251,27 @@ fn agentic_loop(session_id: String, model: String, safe_sys: String, tools_json:
            "[" + inner2 + ",{\"role\":\"user\",\"content\":[" + tool_msg + "]}]"
        } else { messages }

+        // Live progress ledger: one entry per round — the model's own narration
+        // (its pre-tool prose, previously discarded here) plus the tool it reached
+        // for. Clients poll /api/run-progress/<sid> to render these live.
+        if !str_eq(session_id, "") {
+            let prog_key: String = "run_progress_" + session_id
+            let prog_prev: String = state_get(prog_key)
+            let prog_snip: String = if str_len(text_out) > 280 { str_slice(text_out, 0, 280) } else { text_out }
+            let prog_entry: String = "{\"i\":" + int_to_str(iteration)
+                + ",\"t\":\"" + json_safe(prog_snip) + "\""
+                + ",\"tool\":\"" + json_safe(tool_name) + "\"}"
+            let prog_next: String = if str_eq(prog_prev, "") { prog_entry } else { prog_prev + "," + prog_entry }
+            state_set(prog_key, prog_next)
+        }
+
        // Bridge turn: persist the continuation and stop the loop.
        let pending = if needs_bridge { true } else { pending }
        let pend_tool_id = if needs_bridge { tool_id } else { pend_tool_id }
        let pend_tool_name = if needs_bridge { tool_name } else { pend_tool_name }
        let pend_tool_input = if needs_bridge { tool_input } else { pend_tool_input }
+        let pend_tool_tier = if needs_bridge { risk_tier } else { pend_tool_tier }
+        let pend_narration = if needs_bridge { text_out } else { pend_narration }
        // Stash messages-with-the-assistant-request so resume only needs to append the
        // client's tool_result block. messages_with_assistant is only meaningful when a
        // tool was requested, so guard on needs_bridge before persisting.
@@ -1996,6 +2292,8 @@ fn agentic_loop(session_id: String, model: String, safe_sys: String, tools_json:
            + ",\"call_id\":\"" + pend_tool_id + "\""
            + ",\"tool_name\":\"" + pend_tool_name + "\""
            + ",\"tool_input\":" + safe_in
+            + ",\"risk_tier\":\"" + pend_tool_tier + "\""
+            + ",\"narration\":\"" + json_safe(pend_narration) + "\""
            + ",\"model\":\"" + model + "\""
            + ",\"agentic\":true"
            + ",\"tools_used\":" + tools_arr + "}"
@@ -2017,6 +2315,13 @@ fn agentic_loop(session_id: String, model: String, safe_sys: String, tools_json:

    let safe_text: String = json_safe(final_text)
    let tools_arr: String = if str_eq(tools_log, "") { "[]" } else { "[" + tools_log + "]" }
+    // Close the live-progress ledger: pollers see {"done":true} and stop.
+    if !str_eq(session_id, "") {
+        let done_key: String = "run_progress_" + session_id
+        let done_prev: String = state_get(done_key)
+        let done_next: String = if str_eq(done_prev, "") { "{\"done\":true}" } else { done_prev + ",{\"done\":true}" }
+        state_set(done_key, done_next)
+    }
    return "{\"reply\":\"" + safe_text + "\",\"model\":\"" + model + "\",\"agentic\":true,\"tools_used\":" + tools_arr + ",\"iterations\":" + int_to_str(iteration) + "}"
 }

@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@ extern fn id_in_seen(node_id: String, seen: String) -> Bool
 extern fn add_to_seen(seen: String, node_id: String) -> String
 extern fn engram_extract_ids(nodes_json: String) -> String
 extern fn engram_compile(intent: String) -> String
+extern fn distill_transcript(transcript: String) -> String
 extern fn json_safe(s: String) -> String
+extern fn current_engine_note(model: String) -> String
 extern fn build_system_prompt(ctx: String, chat_mode: Bool) -> String
 extern fn hist_append(hist: String, role: String, content: String) -> String
 extern fn hist_trim(hist: String) -> String
@@ -30,6 +32,10 @@ extern fn handle_chat(body: String) -> String
 extern fn handle_see(body: String) -> String
 extern fn studio_tools_json() -> String
 extern fn agentic_api_key() -> String
+extern fn llm_base_url() -> String
+extern fn llm_wire_format() -> String
+extern fn json_escape(s: String) -> String
+extern fn openai_chat_complete(model: String, base_url: String, api_key: String, safe_sys: String, messages_json: String) -> String
 extern fn agentic_tools_literal() -> String
 extern fn agentic_tools_with_web() -> String
 extern fn connector_tools_json() -> String
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ el_val_t mem_remember(el_val_t content, el_val_t tags);
 el_val_t mem_recall(el_val_t query, el_val_t depth);
 el_val_t mem_search(el_val_t query, el_val_t limit);
 el_val_t mem_strengthen(el_val_t node_id);
+el_val_t mem_tombstone(el_val_t node_id);
 el_val_t mem_forget(el_val_t node_id);
 el_val_t mem_consolidate(void);
 el_val_t mem_save(el_val_t path);
@@ -362,8 +363,8 @@ el_val_t respond(el_val_t action_json) {
    return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"outcome\":\"strengthened\",\"id\":\""), payload), EL_STR("\"}"));
  }
  if (str_eq(kind, EL_STR("forget"))) {
-    engram_forget(payload);
-    return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"outcome\":\"forgotten\",\"id\":\""), payload), EL_STR("\"}"));
+    el_val_t _marker = mem_tombstone(payload);
+    return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"outcome\":\"tombstoned\",\"id\":\""), payload), EL_STR("\"}"));
  }
  return EL_STR("{\"outcome\":\"noop\"}");
  return 0;
@@ -419,9 +420,11 @@ el_val_t awareness_run(void) {
  el_val_t beat_ms = ({ el_val_t _if_result_5 = 0; if (str_eq(beat_ms_raw, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_5 = (60000); } else { _if_result_5 = (str_to_int(beat_ms_raw)); } _if_result_5; });
  el_val_t scan_ms = (beat_ms / 2);
  while (1) {
+    el_val_t tick_mark = el_arena_push();
    el_val_t running = state_get(EL_STR("soul.running"));
    if (str_eq(running, EL_STR("false"))) {
      println(EL_STR("[awareness] exiting"));
+      el_arena_pop(tick_mark);
      return EL_STR("");
    }
    el_val_t did_work = one_cycle();
@@ -469,6 +472,7 @@ el_val_t awareness_run(void) {
      state_set(EL_STR("soul.last_refresh_ts"), int_to_str(now_ts));
    }
    sleep_ms(tick_ms);
+    el_arena_pop(tick_mark);
  }
  return 0;
 }
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ extern fn elapsed_ms() -> Int
 extern fn elapsed_human() -> String
 extern fn embed_ok() -> Int
 extern fn emit_heartbeat() -> Void
+extern fn auto_term_try_slot(slot_type: String, slot_lbl: String) -> Void
 extern fn proactive_curiosity() -> Bool
 extern fn pulse_count() -> Int
 extern fn pulse_inc() -> Int
@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@ extern fn id_in_seen(node_id: String, seen: String) -> Bool
 extern fn add_to_seen(seen: String, node_id: String) -> String
 extern fn engram_extract_ids(nodes_json: String) -> String
 extern fn engram_compile(intent: String) -> String
+extern fn distill_transcript(transcript: String) -> String
 extern fn json_safe(s: String) -> String
+extern fn current_engine_note(model: String) -> String
 extern fn build_system_prompt(ctx: String, chat_mode: Bool) -> String
 extern fn hist_append(hist: String, role: String, content: String) -> String
 extern fn hist_trim(hist: String) -> String
@@ -26,10 +28,15 @@ extern fn clean_llm_response(s: String) -> String
 extern fn conv_history_persist(hist: String) -> Void
 extern fn conv_history_load() -> String
 extern fn session_preload_bullets(nodes: String, max_bullets: Int, snip_len: Int) -> String
+extern fn affective_context_prefix() -> String
 extern fn handle_chat(body: String) -> String
 extern fn handle_see(body: String) -> String
 extern fn studio_tools_json() -> String
 extern fn agentic_api_key() -> String
+extern fn llm_base_url() -> String
+extern fn llm_wire_format() -> String
+extern fn json_escape(s: String) -> String
+extern fn openai_chat_complete(model: String, base_url: String, api_key: String, safe_sys: String, messages_json: String) -> String
 extern fn agentic_tools_literal() -> String
 extern fn agentic_tools_with_web() -> String
 extern fn connector_tools_json() -> String
@@ -40,6 +47,10 @@ extern fn call_neuron_mcp(tool_name: String, args: String) -> String
 extern fn agent_workspace_root() -> String
 extern fn path_within_root(path: String, root: String) -> Bool
 extern fn resolve_in_root(path: String, root: String) -> String
+extern fn run_command_is_readonly(cmd: String) -> Bool
+extern fn cmd_abs_escape_at(cmd: String, root: String, needle: String) -> Bool
+extern fn run_command_guard(cmd: String, root: String) -> String
+extern fn classify_tool_risk(tool_name: String, tool_input: String) -> String
 extern fn dispatch_tool(tool_name: String, tool_input: String) -> String
 extern fn is_builtin_tool(tool_name: String) -> Bool
 extern fn next_bridge_id() -> String
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ el_val_t mem_remember(el_val_t content, el_val_t tags);
 el_val_t mem_recall(el_val_t query, el_val_t depth);
 el_val_t mem_search(el_val_t query, el_val_t limit);
 el_val_t mem_strengthen(el_val_t node_id);
+el_val_t mem_tombstone(el_val_t node_id);
 el_val_t mem_forget(el_val_t node_id);
 el_val_t mem_consolidate(void);
 el_val_t mem_save(el_val_t path);
@@ -69,8 +70,18 @@ el_val_t mem_strengthen(el_val_t node_id) {
  return 0;
 }

+el_val_t mem_tombstone(el_val_t node_id) {
+  el_val_t tags = EL_STR("[\"Tombstone\",\"status:deleted\"]");
+  el_val_t marker = engram_node_full(node_id, EL_STR("Tombstone"), el_str_concat(EL_STR("tombstone:"), node_id), el_from_float(0.01), el_from_float(0.01), el_from_float(1.0), EL_STR("Episodic"), tags);
+  if (!str_eq(marker, EL_STR(""))) {
+    engram_connect(marker, node_id, el_from_float(1.0), EL_STR("tombstones"));
+  }
+  return marker;
+  return 0;
+}
+
 el_val_t mem_forget(el_val_t node_id) {
-  engram_forget(node_id);
+  el_val_t _marker = mem_tombstone(node_id);
  return 0;
 }

@@ -143,6 +154,19 @@ el_val_t mem_boot_count_get(void) {
 el_val_t mem_boot_count_inc(void) {
  el_val_t current = mem_boot_count_get();
  el_val_t next = (current + 1);
+  el_val_t old_results = engram_search_json(EL_STR("soul:boot_count"), 50);
+  if (!str_eq(old_results, EL_STR("")) && !str_eq(old_results, EL_STR("[]"))) {
+    el_val_t old_len = json_array_len(old_results);
+    el_val_t oi = 0;
+    while (oi < old_len) {
+      el_val_t old_node = json_array_get(old_results, oi);
+      el_val_t old_id = json_get(old_node, EL_STR("id"));
+      if (!str_eq(old_id, EL_STR(""))) {
+        engram_forget(old_id);
+      }
+      oi = (oi + 1);
+    }
+  }
  el_val_t content = el_str_concat(EL_STR("soul:boot_count:"), int_to_str(next));
  el_val_t tags = EL_STR("[\"soul-meta\",\"boot-counter\"]");
  el_val_t boot_node_id = engram_node_full(content, EL_STR("Memory"), EL_STR("soul:boot_count"), el_from_float(0.9), el_from_float(0.9), el_from_float(1.0), EL_STR("Canonical"), tags);
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ el_val_t mem_remember(el_val_t content, el_val_t tags);
 el_val_t mem_recall(el_val_t query, el_val_t depth);
 el_val_t mem_search(el_val_t query, el_val_t limit);
 el_val_t mem_strengthen(el_val_t node_id);
+el_val_t mem_tombstone(el_val_t node_id);
 el_val_t mem_forget(el_val_t node_id);
 el_val_t mem_consolidate(void);
 el_val_t mem_save(el_val_t path);
@@ -28,6 +29,9 @@ el_val_t api_nonempty(el_val_t s);
 el_val_t api_or_empty(el_val_t s);
 el_val_t api_persisted(el_val_t id);
 el_val_t api_not_persisted(el_val_t id);
+el_val_t tombstone_node(el_val_t id);
+el_val_t tombstoned_id_set(void);
+el_val_t memory_hide_tombstoned(el_val_t raw, el_val_t path);
 el_val_t handle_api_begin_session(el_val_t body);
 el_val_t handle_api_compile_ctx(el_val_t body);
 el_val_t handle_api_remember(el_val_t body);
@@ -189,6 +193,61 @@ el_val_t api_not_persisted(el_val_t id) {
  return 0;
 }

+el_val_t tombstone_node(el_val_t id) {
+  return mem_tombstone(id);
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t tombstoned_id_set(void) {
+  el_val_t markers = engram_scan_nodes_by_type_json(EL_STR("Tombstone"), 5000, 0);
+  if (str_eq(markers, EL_STR("")) || str_eq(markers, EL_STR("[]"))) {
+    return EL_STR("");
+  }
+  el_val_t n = json_array_len(markers);
+  el_val_t acc = EL_STR("|");
+  el_val_t i = 0;
+  while (i < n) {
+    el_val_t m = json_array_get(markers, i);
+    el_val_t tid = json_get(m, EL_STR("content"));
+    acc = ({ el_val_t _if_result_1 = 0; if (str_eq(tid, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_1 = (acc); } else { _if_result_1 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(acc, tid), EL_STR("|"))); } _if_result_1; });
+    i = (i + 1);
+  }
+  return acc;
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t memory_hide_tombstoned(el_val_t raw, el_val_t path) {
+  if (str_contains(path, EL_STR("include_deleted"))) {
+    return raw;
+  }
+  if (str_eq(raw, EL_STR("")) || str_eq(raw, EL_STR("[]"))) {
+    return raw;
+  }
+  el_val_t dead = tombstoned_id_set();
+  if (str_eq(dead, EL_STR(""))) {
+    return raw;
+  }
+  el_val_t n = json_array_len(raw);
+  if (n > 1000) {
+    return raw;
+  }
+  el_val_t out = EL_STR("[");
+  el_val_t first = 1;
+  el_val_t i = 0;
+  while (i < n) {
+    el_val_t node = json_array_get(raw, i);
+    el_val_t nid = json_get(node, EL_STR("id"));
+    el_val_t ntype = json_get(node, EL_STR("node_type"));
+    el_val_t is_dead = (!str_eq(nid, EL_STR("")) && str_contains(dead, el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("|"), nid), EL_STR("|"))));
+    el_val_t keep = (!str_eq(ntype, EL_STR("Tombstone")) && !is_dead);
+    out = ({ el_val_t _if_result_2 = 0; if (keep) { _if_result_2 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_3 = 0; if (first) { _if_result_3 = (el_str_concat(out, node)); } else { _if_result_3 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(out, EL_STR(",")), node)); } _if_result_3; })); } else { _if_result_2 = (out); } _if_result_2; });
+    first = ({ el_val_t _if_result_4 = 0; if (keep) { _if_result_4 = (0); } else { _if_result_4 = (first); } _if_result_4; });
+    i = (i + 1);
+  }
+  return el_str_concat(out, EL_STR("]"));
+  return 0;
+}
+
 el_val_t handle_api_begin_session(el_val_t body) {
  el_val_t stats = engram_stats_json();
  el_val_t activated = engram_activate_json(EL_STR("session start recent memory important"), 2);
@@ -215,10 +274,10 @@ el_val_t handle_api_remember(el_val_t body) {
  el_val_t importance = json_get(body, EL_STR("importance"));
  el_val_t tags_raw = json_get(body, EL_STR("tags"));
  el_val_t project = json_get(body, EL_STR("project"));
-  el_val_t sal_str = ({ el_val_t _if_result_1 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("critical"))) { _if_result_1 = (EL_STR("0.95")); } else { _if_result_1 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_2 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("high"))) { _if_result_2 = (EL_STR("0.75")); } else { _if_result_2 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_3 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("low"))) { _if_result_3 = (EL_STR("0.25")); } else { _if_result_3 = (EL_STR("0.50")); } _if_result_3; })); } _if_result_2; })); } _if_result_1; });
-  el_val_t sal = ({ el_val_t _if_result_4 = 0; if (str_eq(sal_str, EL_STR("0.95"))) { _if_result_4 = (el_from_float(0.95)); } else { _if_result_4 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_5 = 0; if (str_eq(sal_str, EL_STR("0.75"))) { _if_result_5 = (el_from_float(0.75)); } else { _if_result_5 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_6 = 0; if (str_eq(sal_str, EL_STR("0.25"))) { _if_result_6 = (el_from_float(0.25)); } else { _if_result_6 = (el_from_float(0.5)); } _if_result_6; })); } _if_result_5; })); } _if_result_4; });
-  el_val_t base_tags = ({ el_val_t _if_result_7 = 0; if (str_eq(tags_raw, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_7 = (EL_STR("[\"Memory\"]")); } else { _if_result_7 = (tags_raw); } _if_result_7; });
-  el_val_t final_tags = ({ el_val_t _if_result_8 = 0; if (str_eq(project, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_8 = (base_tags); } else { el_val_t inner = str_slice(base_tags, 1, (str_len(base_tags) - 1)); _if_result_8 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("["), inner), EL_STR(",\"project:")), project), EL_STR("\"]"))); } _if_result_8; });
+  el_val_t sal_str = ({ el_val_t _if_result_5 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("critical"))) { _if_result_5 = (EL_STR("0.95")); } else { _if_result_5 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_6 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("high"))) { _if_result_6 = (EL_STR("0.75")); } else { _if_result_6 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_7 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("low"))) { _if_result_7 = (EL_STR("0.25")); } else { _if_result_7 = (EL_STR("0.50")); } _if_result_7; })); } _if_result_6; })); } _if_result_5; });
+  el_val_t sal = ({ el_val_t _if_result_8 = 0; if (str_eq(sal_str, EL_STR("0.95"))) { _if_result_8 = (el_from_float(0.95)); } else { _if_result_8 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_9 = 0; if (str_eq(sal_str, EL_STR("0.75"))) { _if_result_9 = (el_from_float(0.75)); } else { _if_result_9 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_10 = 0; if (str_eq(sal_str, EL_STR("0.25"))) { _if_result_10 = (el_from_float(0.25)); } else { _if_result_10 = (el_from_float(0.5)); } _if_result_10; })); } _if_result_9; })); } _if_result_8; });
+  el_val_t base_tags = ({ el_val_t _if_result_11 = 0; if (str_eq(tags_raw, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_11 = (EL_STR("[\"Memory\"]")); } else { _if_result_11 = (tags_raw); } _if_result_11; });
+  el_val_t final_tags = ({ el_val_t _if_result_12 = 0; if (str_eq(project, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_12 = (base_tags); } else { el_val_t inner = str_slice(base_tags, 1, (str_len(base_tags) - 1)); _if_result_12 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("["), inner), EL_STR(",\"project:")), project), EL_STR("\"]"))); } _if_result_12; });
  el_val_t id = engram_node_full(content, EL_STR("Memory"), EL_STR("memory:remembered"), el_from_float(sal), el_from_float(sal), el_from_float(0.9), EL_STR("Episodic"), final_tags);
  if (!api_persisted(id)) {
    return api_not_persisted(id);
@@ -233,15 +292,15 @@ el_val_t handle_api_node_create(el_val_t body) {
    return api_err(EL_STR("content is required"));
  }
  el_val_t nt_raw = json_get(body, EL_STR("node_type"));
-  el_val_t node_type = ({ el_val_t _if_result_9 = 0; if (str_eq(nt_raw, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_9 = (EL_STR("Memory")); } else { _if_result_9 = (nt_raw); } _if_result_9; });
+  el_val_t node_type = ({ el_val_t _if_result_13 = 0; if (str_eq(nt_raw, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_13 = (EL_STR("Memory")); } else { _if_result_13 = (nt_raw); } _if_result_13; });
  el_val_t label_raw = json_get(body, EL_STR("label"));
-  el_val_t label = ({ el_val_t _if_result_10 = 0; if (str_eq(label_raw, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_10 = (EL_STR("node:created")); } else { _if_result_10 = (label_raw); } _if_result_10; });
+  el_val_t label = ({ el_val_t _if_result_14 = 0; if (str_eq(label_raw, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_14 = (EL_STR("node:created")); } else { _if_result_14 = (label_raw); } _if_result_14; });
  el_val_t tier_raw = json_get(body, EL_STR("tier"));
-  el_val_t tier = ({ el_val_t _if_result_11 = 0; if (str_eq(tier_raw, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_11 = (EL_STR("Episodic")); } else { _if_result_11 = (tier_raw); } _if_result_11; });
+  el_val_t tier = ({ el_val_t _if_result_15 = 0; if (str_eq(tier_raw, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_15 = (EL_STR("Episodic")); } else { _if_result_15 = (tier_raw); } _if_result_15; });
  el_val_t tags_raw = json_get(body, EL_STR("tags"));
-  el_val_t tags = ({ el_val_t _if_result_12 = 0; if (str_eq(tags_raw, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_12 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("[\""), node_type), EL_STR("\"]"))); } else { _if_result_12 = (tags_raw); } _if_result_12; });
+  el_val_t tags = ({ el_val_t _if_result_16 = 0; if (str_eq(tags_raw, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_16 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("[\""), node_type), EL_STR("\"]"))); } else { _if_result_16 = (tags_raw); } _if_result_16; });
  el_val_t importance = json_get(body, EL_STR("importance"));
-  el_val_t sal = ({ el_val_t _if_result_13 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("critical"))) { _if_result_13 = (el_from_float(0.95)); } else { _if_result_13 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_14 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("high"))) { _if_result_14 = (el_from_float(0.75)); } else { _if_result_14 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_15 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("low"))) { _if_result_15 = (el_from_float(0.25)); } else { _if_result_15 = (el_from_float(0.5)); } _if_result_15; })); } _if_result_14; })); } _if_result_13; });
+  el_val_t sal = ({ el_val_t _if_result_17 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("critical"))) { _if_result_17 = (el_from_float(0.95)); } else { _if_result_17 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_18 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("high"))) { _if_result_18 = (el_from_float(0.75)); } else { _if_result_18 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_19 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("low"))) { _if_result_19 = (el_from_float(0.25)); } else { _if_result_19 = (el_from_float(0.5)); } _if_result_19; })); } _if_result_18; })); } _if_result_17; });
  el_val_t id = engram_node_full(content, node_type, label, el_from_float(sal), el_from_float(sal), el_from_float(0.9), tier, tags);
  if (!api_persisted(id)) {
    return api_not_persisted(id);
@@ -255,8 +314,18 @@ el_val_t handle_api_node_delete(el_val_t body) {
  if (str_eq(id, EL_STR(""))) {
    return api_err(EL_STR("id is required"));
  }
-  engram_forget(id);
-  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\""), id), EL_STR("\"}"));
+  if (is_protected_node(id)) {
+    return api_err_protected(id);
+  }
+  el_val_t existing = engram_get_node_json(id);
+  if (str_eq(existing, EL_STR("{}"))) {
+    return api_err(el_str_concat(EL_STR("node not found: "), id));
+  }
+  el_val_t marker = tombstone_node(id);
+  if (str_eq(marker, EL_STR(""))) {
+    return api_err(el_str_concat(EL_STR("tombstone failed: "), id));
+  }
+  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\""), id), EL_STR("\",\"tombstoned\":true}"));
  return 0;
 }

@@ -270,37 +339,37 @@ el_val_t handle_api_node_update(el_val_t body) {
  }
  el_val_t old = engram_get_node_json(id);
  el_val_t body_content = json_get(body, EL_STR("content"));
-  el_val_t content = ({ el_val_t _if_result_16 = 0; if (str_eq(body_content, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_16 = (json_get(old, EL_STR("content"))); } else { _if_result_16 = (body_content); } _if_result_16; });
+  el_val_t content = ({ el_val_t _if_result_20 = 0; if (str_eq(body_content, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_20 = (json_get(old, EL_STR("content"))); } else { _if_result_20 = (body_content); } _if_result_20; });
  el_val_t body_nt = json_get(body, EL_STR("node_type"));
  el_val_t old_nt = json_get(old, EL_STR("node_type"));
-  el_val_t node_type = ({ el_val_t _if_result_17 = 0; if (!str_eq(body_nt, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_17 = (body_nt); } else { _if_result_17 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_18 = 0; if (!str_eq(old_nt, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_18 = (old_nt); } else { _if_result_18 = (EL_STR("Memory")); } _if_result_18; })); } _if_result_17; });
+  el_val_t node_type = ({ el_val_t _if_result_21 = 0; if (!str_eq(body_nt, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_21 = (body_nt); } else { _if_result_21 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_22 = 0; if (!str_eq(old_nt, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_22 = (old_nt); } else { _if_result_22 = (EL_STR("Memory")); } _if_result_22; })); } _if_result_21; });
  el_val_t body_label = json_get(body, EL_STR("label"));
  el_val_t old_label = json_get(old, EL_STR("label"));
-  el_val_t label = ({ el_val_t _if_result_19 = 0; if (!str_eq(body_label, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_19 = (body_label); } else { _if_result_19 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_20 = 0; if (!str_eq(old_label, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_20 = (old_label); } else { _if_result_20 = (EL_STR("node:updated")); } _if_result_20; })); } _if_result_19; });
+  el_val_t label = ({ el_val_t _if_result_23 = 0; if (!str_eq(body_label, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_23 = (body_label); } else { _if_result_23 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_24 = 0; if (!str_eq(old_label, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_24 = (old_label); } else { _if_result_24 = (EL_STR("node:updated")); } _if_result_24; })); } _if_result_23; });
  el_val_t body_tier = json_get(body, EL_STR("tier"));
  el_val_t old_tier = json_get(old, EL_STR("tier"));
-  el_val_t tier = ({ el_val_t _if_result_21 = 0; if (!str_eq(body_tier, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_21 = (body_tier); } else { _if_result_21 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_22 = 0; if (!str_eq(old_tier, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_22 = (old_tier); } else { _if_result_22 = (EL_STR("Episodic")); } _if_result_22; })); } _if_result_21; });
+  el_val_t tier = ({ el_val_t _if_result_25 = 0; if (!str_eq(body_tier, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_25 = (body_tier); } else { _if_result_25 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_26 = 0; if (!str_eq(old_tier, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_26 = (old_tier); } else { _if_result_26 = (EL_STR("Episodic")); } _if_result_26; })); } _if_result_25; });
  el_val_t body_tags = json_get(body, EL_STR("tags"));
-  el_val_t tags = ({ el_val_t _if_result_23 = 0; if (str_eq(body_tags, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_23 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("[\""), node_type), EL_STR("\"]"))); } else { _if_result_23 = (body_tags); } _if_result_23; });
+  el_val_t tags = ({ el_val_t _if_result_27 = 0; if (str_eq(body_tags, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_27 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("[\""), node_type), EL_STR("\"]"))); } else { _if_result_27 = (body_tags); } _if_result_27; });
  el_val_t new_id = engram_node_full(content, node_type, label, el_from_float(0.5), el_from_float(0.5), el_from_float(0.8), tier, tags);
  if (!api_persisted(new_id)) {
    return api_not_persisted(new_id);
  }
-  engram_forget(id);
-  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"id\":\""), new_id), EL_STR("\",\"replaced\":\"")), id), EL_STR("\",\"ok\":true}"));
+  engram_connect(new_id, id, el_from_float(0.9), EL_STR("supersedes"));
+  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"id\":\""), new_id), EL_STR("\",\"supersedes\":\"")), id), EL_STR("\",\"ok\":true}"));
  return 0;
 }

 el_val_t handle_api_recall(el_val_t method, el_val_t path, el_val_t body) {
-  el_val_t url_q = ({ el_val_t _if_result_24 = 0; if (str_eq(api_query_param(path, EL_STR("query")), EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_24 = (api_query_param(path, EL_STR("q"))); } else { _if_result_24 = (api_query_param(path, EL_STR("query"))); } _if_result_24; });
+  el_val_t url_q = ({ el_val_t _if_result_28 = 0; if (str_eq(api_query_param(path, EL_STR("query")), EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_28 = (api_query_param(path, EL_STR("q"))); } else { _if_result_28 = (api_query_param(path, EL_STR("query"))); } _if_result_28; });
  el_val_t body_query = json_get(body, EL_STR("query"));
  el_val_t body_q = json_get(body, EL_STR("q"));
-  el_val_t q = ({ el_val_t _if_result_25 = 0; if (!str_eq(url_q, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_25 = (url_q); } else { _if_result_25 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_26 = 0; if (!str_eq(body_query, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_26 = (body_query); } else { _if_result_26 = (body_q); } _if_result_26; })); } _if_result_25; });
+  el_val_t q = ({ el_val_t _if_result_29 = 0; if (!str_eq(url_q, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_29 = (url_q); } else { _if_result_29 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_30 = 0; if (!str_eq(body_query, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_30 = (body_query); } else { _if_result_30 = (body_q); } _if_result_30; })); } _if_result_29; });
  el_val_t chain = json_get(body, EL_STR("chain_name"));
  el_val_t limit = api_query_int(path, EL_STR("limit"), 0);
-  limit = ({ el_val_t _if_result_27 = 0; if ((limit == 0)) { _if_result_27 = (json_get_int(body, EL_STR("limit"))); } else { _if_result_27 = (limit); } _if_result_27; });
-  limit = ({ el_val_t _if_result_28 = 0; if ((limit == 0)) { _if_result_28 = (10); } else { _if_result_28 = (limit); } _if_result_28; });
-  el_val_t eff_q = ({ el_val_t _if_result_29 = 0; if (str_eq(q, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_29 = (chain); } else { _if_result_29 = (q); } _if_result_29; });
+  limit = ({ el_val_t _if_result_31 = 0; if ((limit == 0)) { _if_result_31 = (json_get_int(body, EL_STR("limit"))); } else { _if_result_31 = (limit); } _if_result_31; });
+  limit = ({ el_val_t _if_result_32 = 0; if ((limit == 0)) { _if_result_32 = (10); } else { _if_result_32 = (limit); } _if_result_32; });
+  el_val_t eff_q = ({ el_val_t _if_result_33 = 0; if (str_eq(q, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_33 = (chain); } else { _if_result_33 = (q); } _if_result_33; });
  if (str_eq(eff_q, EL_STR(""))) {
    return api_or_empty(engram_scan_nodes_json(limit, 0));
  }
@@ -313,10 +382,10 @@ el_val_t handle_api_search_knowledge(el_val_t method, el_val_t path, el_val_t bo
  el_val_t url_q = api_query_param(path, EL_STR("q"));
  el_val_t body_query = json_get(body, EL_STR("query"));
  el_val_t body_q = json_get(body, EL_STR("q"));
-  el_val_t q = ({ el_val_t _if_result_30 = 0; if (!str_eq(url_q, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_30 = (url_q); } else { _if_result_30 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_31 = 0; if (!str_eq(body_query, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_31 = (body_query); } else { _if_result_31 = (body_q); } _if_result_31; })); } _if_result_30; });
+  el_val_t q = ({ el_val_t _if_result_34 = 0; if (!str_eq(url_q, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_34 = (url_q); } else { _if_result_34 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_35 = 0; if (!str_eq(body_query, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_35 = (body_query); } else { _if_result_35 = (body_q); } _if_result_35; })); } _if_result_34; });
  el_val_t limit = api_query_int(path, EL_STR("limit"), 0);
-  limit = ({ el_val_t _if_result_32 = 0; if ((limit == 0)) { _if_result_32 = (json_get_int(body, EL_STR("limit"))); } else { _if_result_32 = (limit); } _if_result_32; });
-  limit = ({ el_val_t _if_result_33 = 0; if ((limit == 0)) { _if_result_33 = (10); } else { _if_result_33 = (limit); } _if_result_33; });
+  limit = ({ el_val_t _if_result_36 = 0; if ((limit == 0)) { _if_result_36 = (json_get_int(body, EL_STR("limit"))); } else { _if_result_36 = (limit); } _if_result_36; });
+  limit = ({ el_val_t _if_result_37 = 0; if ((limit == 0)) { _if_result_37 = (10); } else { _if_result_37 = (limit); } _if_result_37; });
  if (str_eq(q, EL_STR(""))) {
    return api_err(EL_STR("query is required"));
  }
@@ -344,7 +413,7 @@ el_val_t handle_api_capture_knowledge(el_val_t body) {
  if (str_eq(content, EL_STR(""))) {
    return api_err(EL_STR("content is required"));
  }
-  el_val_t full = ({ el_val_t _if_result_34 = 0; if (str_eq(title, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_34 = (content); } else { _if_result_34 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(title, EL_STR(": ")), content)); } _if_result_34; });
+  el_val_t full = ({ el_val_t _if_result_38 = 0; if (str_eq(title, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_38 = (content); } else { _if_result_38 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(title, EL_STR(": ")), content)); } _if_result_38; });
  el_val_t tags = EL_STR("[\"Knowledge\",\"captured\"]");
  el_val_t id = engram_node_full(full, EL_STR("Knowledge"), EL_STR("knowledge:captured"), el_from_float(0.85), el_from_float(0.8), el_from_float(0.9), EL_STR("Episodic"), tags);
  if (!api_persisted(id)) {
@@ -385,7 +454,7 @@ el_val_t handle_api_promote_knowledge(el_val_t body) {
    return api_err(EL_STR("id (prior node) is required"));
  }
  el_val_t tags_raw = json_get(body, EL_STR("tags"));
-  el_val_t tags = ({ el_val_t _if_result_35 = 0; if (str_eq(tags_raw, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_35 = (EL_STR("[\"Knowledge\",\"tier:canonical\",\"disposition:stable\"]")); } else { _if_result_35 = (tags_raw); } _if_result_35; });
+  el_val_t tags = ({ el_val_t _if_result_39 = 0; if (str_eq(tags_raw, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_39 = (EL_STR("[\"Knowledge\",\"tier:canonical\",\"disposition:stable\"]")); } else { _if_result_39 = (tags_raw); } _if_result_39; });
  el_val_t new_id = engram_node_full(content, EL_STR("Knowledge"), EL_STR("knowledge:canonical"), el_from_float(0.9), el_from_float(0.9), el_from_float(1.0), EL_STR("Canonical"), tags);
  if (!api_persisted(new_id)) {
    return api_not_persisted(new_id);
@@ -396,7 +465,7 @@ el_val_t handle_api_promote_knowledge(el_val_t body) {
 }

 el_val_t handle_api_browse_processes(el_val_t method, el_val_t path, el_val_t body) {
-  el_val_t name = ({ el_val_t _if_result_36 = 0; if (str_eq(method, EL_STR("GET"))) { _if_result_36 = (api_query_param(path, EL_STR("name"))); } else { _if_result_36 = (json_get(body, EL_STR("name"))); } _if_result_36; });
+  el_val_t name = ({ el_val_t _if_result_40 = 0; if (str_eq(method, EL_STR("GET"))) { _if_result_40 = (api_query_param(path, EL_STR("name"))); } else { _if_result_40 = (json_get(body, EL_STR("name"))); } _if_result_40; });
  el_val_t limit = api_query_int(path, EL_STR("limit"), 50);
  if (str_eq(name, EL_STR(""))) {
    return api_or_empty(engram_scan_nodes_by_type_json(EL_STR("Process"), limit, 0));
@@ -411,7 +480,7 @@ el_val_t handle_api_define_process(el_val_t body) {
  if (str_eq(content, EL_STR(""))) {
    return api_err(EL_STR("content is required"));
  }
-  el_val_t label = ({ el_val_t _if_result_37 = 0; if (str_eq(name, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_37 = (EL_STR("process:unnamed")); } else { _if_result_37 = (el_str_concat(EL_STR("process:"), name)); } _if_result_37; });
+  el_val_t label = ({ el_val_t _if_result_41 = 0; if (str_eq(name, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_41 = (EL_STR("process:unnamed")); } else { _if_result_41 = (el_str_concat(EL_STR("process:"), name)); } _if_result_41; });
  el_val_t tags = EL_STR("[\"Process\"]");
  el_val_t id = engram_node_full(content, EL_STR("Process"), label, el_from_float(0.8), el_from_float(0.8), el_from_float(0.9), EL_STR("Canonical"), tags);
  if (!api_persisted(id)) {
@@ -429,12 +498,12 @@ el_val_t handle_api_log_state_event(el_val_t body) {
  el_val_t gap = json_get(body, EL_STR("gap_direction"));
  el_val_t legacy = json_get(body, EL_STR("content"));
  el_val_t parts = EL_STR("INTERNAL STATE EVENT");
-  parts = ({ el_val_t _if_result_38 = 0; if (!str_eq(trigger, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_38 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(parts, EL_STR("\nTrigger: ")), trigger)); } else { _if_result_38 = (parts); } _if_result_38; });
-  parts = ({ el_val_t _if_result_39 = 0; if (!str_eq(pre, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_39 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(parts, EL_STR("\nPre-reasoning: ")), pre)); } else { _if_result_39 = (parts); } _if_result_39; });
-  parts = ({ el_val_t _if_result_40 = 0; if (!str_eq(post, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_40 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(parts, EL_STR("\nPost-reasoning: ")), post)); } else { _if_result_40 = (parts); } _if_result_40; });
-  parts = ({ el_val_t _if_result_41 = 0; if (!str_eq(ratio, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_41 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(parts, EL_STR("\nCompression-ratio: ")), ratio)); } else { _if_result_41 = (parts); } _if_result_41; });
-  parts = ({ el_val_t _if_result_42 = 0; if (!str_eq(gap, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_42 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(parts, EL_STR("\nGap-direction: ")), gap)); } else { _if_result_42 = (parts); } _if_result_42; });
-  parts = ({ el_val_t _if_result_43 = 0; if (!str_eq(legacy, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_43 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(parts, EL_STR("\n")), legacy)); } else { _if_result_43 = (parts); } _if_result_43; });
+  parts = ({ el_val_t _if_result_42 = 0; if (!str_eq(trigger, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_42 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(parts, EL_STR("\nTrigger: ")), trigger)); } else { _if_result_42 = (parts); } _if_result_42; });
+  parts = ({ el_val_t _if_result_43 = 0; if (!str_eq(pre, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_43 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(parts, EL_STR("\nPre-reasoning: ")), pre)); } else { _if_result_43 = (parts); } _if_result_43; });
+  parts = ({ el_val_t _if_result_44 = 0; if (!str_eq(post, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_44 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(parts, EL_STR("\nPost-reasoning: ")), post)); } else { _if_result_44 = (parts); } _if_result_44; });
+  parts = ({ el_val_t _if_result_45 = 0; if (!str_eq(ratio, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_45 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(parts, EL_STR("\nCompression-ratio: ")), ratio)); } else { _if_result_45 = (parts); } _if_result_45; });
+  parts = ({ el_val_t _if_result_46 = 0; if (!str_eq(gap, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_46 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(parts, EL_STR("\nGap-direction: ")), gap)); } else { _if_result_46 = (parts); } _if_result_46; });
+  parts = ({ el_val_t _if_result_47 = 0; if (!str_eq(legacy, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_47 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(parts, EL_STR("\n")), legacy)); } else { _if_result_47 = (parts); } _if_result_47; });
  el_val_t ts = time_now();
  el_val_t boot = state_get(EL_STR("soul_boot_count"));
  el_val_t tags = EL_STR("[\"internal-state\",\"InternalStateEvent\",\"pre-reasoning\"]");
@@ -447,7 +516,7 @@ el_val_t handle_api_log_state_event(el_val_t body) {
 }

 el_val_t handle_api_list_state_events(el_val_t method, el_val_t path, el_val_t body) {
-  el_val_t q = ({ el_val_t _if_result_44 = 0; if (str_eq(method, EL_STR("GET"))) { _if_result_44 = (api_query_param(path, EL_STR("query"))); } else { _if_result_44 = (json_get(body, EL_STR("query"))); } _if_result_44; });
+  el_val_t q = ({ el_val_t _if_result_48 = 0; if (str_eq(method, EL_STR("GET"))) { _if_result_48 = (api_query_param(path, EL_STR("query"))); } else { _if_result_48 = (json_get(body, EL_STR("query"))); } _if_result_48; });
  el_val_t limit = api_query_int(path, EL_STR("limit"), 20);
  if (!str_eq(q, EL_STR(""))) {
    return api_or_empty(engram_search_json(el_str_concat(EL_STR("internal state "), q), limit));
@@ -458,7 +527,7 @@ el_val_t handle_api_list_state_events(el_val_t method, el_val_t path, el_val_t b

 el_val_t handle_api_inspect_config(el_val_t path, el_val_t body) {
  el_val_t key = api_query_param(path, EL_STR("key"));
-  key = ({ el_val_t _if_result_45 = 0; if (str_eq(key, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_45 = (json_get(body, EL_STR("key"))); } else { _if_result_45 = (key); } _if_result_45; });
+  key = ({ el_val_t _if_result_49 = 0; if (str_eq(key, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_49 = (json_get(body, EL_STR("key"))); } else { _if_result_49 = (key); } _if_result_49; });
  if (str_eq(key, EL_STR(""))) {
    return EL_STR("{\"hint\":\"pass ?key=<name>\",\"known\":[\"neuron.self.traversal_root\",\"neuron.self.values_hub\"]}");
  }
@@ -475,7 +544,7 @@ el_val_t handle_api_inspect_config(el_val_t path, el_val_t body) {
  el_val_t node = json_array_get(results, 0);
  el_val_t content = json_get(node, EL_STR("content"));
  el_val_t prefix = el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("config:"), key), EL_STR("="));
-  el_val_t value = ({ el_val_t _if_result_46 = 0; if (str_starts_with(content, prefix)) { _if_result_46 = (str_slice(content, str_len(prefix), str_len(content))); } else { _if_result_46 = (content); } _if_result_46; });
+  el_val_t value = ({ el_val_t _if_result_50 = 0; if (str_starts_with(content, prefix)) { _if_result_50 = (str_slice(content, str_len(prefix), str_len(content))); } else { _if_result_50 = (content); } _if_result_50; });
  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"key\":\""), key), EL_STR("\",\"value\":\"")), value), EL_STR("\"}"));
  return 0;
 }
@@ -497,13 +566,13 @@ el_val_t handle_api_tune_config(el_val_t body) {
 }

 el_val_t handle_api_inspect_graph(el_val_t method, el_val_t path, el_val_t body) {
-  el_val_t entity_id = ({ el_val_t _if_result_47 = 0; if (str_eq(method, EL_STR("GET"))) { _if_result_47 = (api_query_param(path, EL_STR("id"))); } else { _if_result_47 = (json_get(body, EL_STR("entity_id"))); } _if_result_47; });
-  el_val_t name = ({ el_val_t _if_result_48 = 0; if (str_eq(method, EL_STR("GET"))) { _if_result_48 = (api_query_param(path, EL_STR("name"))); } else { _if_result_48 = (json_get(body, EL_STR("name"))); } _if_result_48; });
+  el_val_t entity_id = ({ el_val_t _if_result_51 = 0; if (str_eq(method, EL_STR("GET"))) { _if_result_51 = (api_query_param(path, EL_STR("id"))); } else { _if_result_51 = (json_get(body, EL_STR("entity_id"))); } _if_result_51; });
+  el_val_t name = ({ el_val_t _if_result_52 = 0; if (str_eq(method, EL_STR("GET"))) { _if_result_52 = (api_query_param(path, EL_STR("name"))); } else { _if_result_52 = (json_get(body, EL_STR("name"))); } _if_result_52; });
  el_val_t depth = api_query_int(path, EL_STR("depth"), 0);
-  depth = ({ el_val_t _if_result_49 = 0; if ((depth == 0)) { _if_result_49 = (json_get_int(body, EL_STR("max_depth"))); } else { _if_result_49 = (depth); } _if_result_49; });
-  depth = ({ el_val_t _if_result_50 = 0; if ((depth == 0)) { _if_result_50 = (1); } else { _if_result_50 = (depth); } _if_result_50; });
+  depth = ({ el_val_t _if_result_53 = 0; if ((depth == 0)) { _if_result_53 = (json_get_int(body, EL_STR("max_depth"))); } else { _if_result_53 = (depth); } _if_result_53; });
+  depth = ({ el_val_t _if_result_54 = 0; if ((depth == 0)) { _if_result_54 = (1); } else { _if_result_54 = (depth); } _if_result_54; });
  el_val_t resolved = entity_id;
-  resolved = ({ el_val_t _if_result_51 = 0; if (str_eq(resolved, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_51 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_52 = 0; if ((str_eq(name, EL_STR("self")) || str_eq(name, EL_STR("neuron")))) { _if_result_52 = (EL_STR("kn-efeb4a5b-5aff-4759-8a97-7233099be6ee")); } else { _if_result_52 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_53 = 0; if ((str_eq(name, EL_STR("values")) || str_eq(name, EL_STR("values_hub")))) { _if_result_53 = (EL_STR("kn-5b606390-a52d-4ca2-8e0e-eba141d13440")); } else { _if_result_53 = (EL_STR("")); } _if_result_53; })); } _if_result_52; })); } else { _if_result_51 = (resolved); } _if_result_51; });
+  resolved = ({ el_val_t _if_result_55 = 0; if (str_eq(resolved, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_55 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_56 = 0; if ((str_eq(name, EL_STR("self")) || str_eq(name, EL_STR("neuron")))) { _if_result_56 = (EL_STR("kn-efeb4a5b-5aff-4759-8a97-7233099be6ee")); } else { _if_result_56 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_57 = 0; if ((str_eq(name, EL_STR("values")) || str_eq(name, EL_STR("values_hub")))) { _if_result_57 = (EL_STR("kn-5b606390-a52d-4ca2-8e0e-eba141d13440")); } else { _if_result_57 = (EL_STR("")); } _if_result_57; })); } _if_result_56; })); } else { _if_result_55 = (resolved); } _if_result_55; });
  if (str_eq(resolved, EL_STR(""))) {
    return api_err(EL_STR("entity_id or name required. Known names: self, neuron, values, values_hub"));
  }
@@ -525,7 +594,7 @@ el_val_t handle_api_link_entities(el_val_t body) {
    return api_err_protected(to_id);
  }
  el_val_t relation = json_get(body, EL_STR("relation"));
-  el_val_t eff_relation = ({ el_val_t _if_result_54 = 0; if (str_eq(relation, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_54 = (EL_STR("associates")); } else { _if_result_54 = (relation); } _if_result_54; });
+  el_val_t eff_relation = ({ el_val_t _if_result_58 = 0; if (str_eq(relation, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_58 = (EL_STR("associates")); } else { _if_result_58 = (relation); } _if_result_58; });
  engram_connect(from_id, to_id, el_from_float(0.5), eff_relation);
  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"ok\":true,\"from_id\":\""), from_id), EL_STR("\",\"to_id\":\"")), to_id), EL_STR("\",\"relation\":\"")), eff_relation), EL_STR("\"}"));
  return 0;
@@ -540,7 +609,7 @@ el_val_t handle_api_forget(el_val_t body) {
    return api_err_protected(node_id);
  }
  mem_forget(node_id);
-  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\""), node_id), EL_STR("\"}"));
+  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\""), node_id), EL_STR("\",\"tombstoned\":true}"));
  return 0;
 }

@@ -554,8 +623,8 @@ el_val_t handle_api_evolve_memory(el_val_t body) {
    return api_err_protected(prior_id);
  }
  el_val_t importance = json_get(body, EL_STR("importance"));
-  el_val_t sal_str = ({ el_val_t _if_result_55 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("critical"))) { _if_result_55 = (EL_STR("0.95")); } else { _if_result_55 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_56 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("high"))) { _if_result_56 = (EL_STR("0.75")); } else { _if_result_56 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_57 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("low"))) { _if_result_57 = (EL_STR("0.25")); } else { _if_result_57 = (EL_STR("0.50")); } _if_result_57; })); } _if_result_56; })); } _if_result_55; });
-  el_val_t sal = ({ el_val_t _if_result_58 = 0; if (str_eq(sal_str, EL_STR("0.95"))) { _if_result_58 = (el_from_float(0.95)); } else { _if_result_58 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_59 = 0; if (str_eq(sal_str, EL_STR("0.75"))) { _if_result_59 = (el_from_float(0.75)); } else { _if_result_59 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_60 = 0; if (str_eq(sal_str, EL_STR("0.25"))) { _if_result_60 = (el_from_float(0.25)); } else { _if_result_60 = (el_from_float(0.5)); } _if_result_60; })); } _if_result_59; })); } _if_result_58; });
+  el_val_t sal_str = ({ el_val_t _if_result_59 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("critical"))) { _if_result_59 = (EL_STR("0.95")); } else { _if_result_59 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_60 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("high"))) { _if_result_60 = (EL_STR("0.75")); } else { _if_result_60 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_61 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("low"))) { _if_result_61 = (EL_STR("0.25")); } else { _if_result_61 = (EL_STR("0.50")); } _if_result_61; })); } _if_result_60; })); } _if_result_59; });
+  el_val_t sal = ({ el_val_t _if_result_62 = 0; if (str_eq(sal_str, EL_STR("0.95"))) { _if_result_62 = (el_from_float(0.95)); } else { _if_result_62 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_63 = 0; if (str_eq(sal_str, EL_STR("0.75"))) { _if_result_63 = (el_from_float(0.75)); } else { _if_result_63 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_64 = 0; if (str_eq(sal_str, EL_STR("0.25"))) { _if_result_64 = (el_from_float(0.25)); } else { _if_result_64 = (el_from_float(0.5)); } _if_result_64; })); } _if_result_63; })); } _if_result_62; });
  el_val_t tags = EL_STR("[\"Memory\",\"evolved\"]");
  el_val_t new_id = engram_node_full(content, EL_STR("Memory"), EL_STR("memory:evolved"), el_from_float(sal), el_from_float(sal), el_from_float(0.9), EL_STR("Episodic"), tags);
  if (!str_eq(prior_id, EL_STR("")) && !str_eq(new_id, EL_STR(""))) {
@@ -577,8 +646,11 @@ el_val_t handle_api_memory_delete(el_val_t body) {
  if (str_eq(existing, EL_STR("{}"))) {
    return api_err(el_str_concat(EL_STR("memory not found: "), node_id));
  }
-  mem_forget(node_id);
-  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\""), node_id), EL_STR("\",\"deleted\":true}"));
+  el_val_t marker = tombstone_node(node_id);
+  if (str_eq(marker, EL_STR(""))) {
+    return api_err(el_str_concat(EL_STR("tombstone failed: "), node_id));
+  }
+  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\""), node_id), EL_STR("\",\"tombstoned\":true}"));
  return 0;
 }

@@ -627,7 +699,7 @@ el_val_t handle_api_cultivate(el_val_t body) {
      return api_err(EL_STR("content is required"));
    }
    el_val_t importance = json_get(body, EL_STR("importance"));
-    el_val_t sal = ({ el_val_t _if_result_61 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("critical"))) { _if_result_61 = (el_from_float(0.95)); } else { _if_result_61 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_62 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("high"))) { _if_result_62 = (el_from_float(0.75)); } else { _if_result_62 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_63 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("low"))) { _if_result_63 = (el_from_float(0.25)); } else { _if_result_63 = (el_from_float(0.5)); } _if_result_63; })); } _if_result_62; })); } _if_result_61; });
+    el_val_t sal = ({ el_val_t _if_result_65 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("critical"))) { _if_result_65 = (el_from_float(0.95)); } else { _if_result_65 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_66 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("high"))) { _if_result_66 = (el_from_float(0.75)); } else { _if_result_66 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_67 = 0; if (str_eq(importance, EL_STR("low"))) { _if_result_67 = (el_from_float(0.25)); } else { _if_result_67 = (el_from_float(0.5)); } _if_result_67; })); } _if_result_66; })); } _if_result_65; });
    el_val_t tags = EL_STR("[\"Memory\",\"evolved\",\"cultivated\"]");
    el_val_t new_id = engram_node_full(content, EL_STR("Memory"), EL_STR("memory:cultivated"), el_from_float(sal), el_from_float(sal), el_from_float(0.9), EL_STR("Episodic"), tags);
    if (!str_eq(prior_id, EL_STR("")) && !str_eq(new_id, EL_STR(""))) {
@@ -641,7 +713,7 @@ el_val_t handle_api_cultivate(el_val_t body) {
      return api_err(EL_STR("id is required"));
    }
    mem_forget(node_id);
-    return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\""), node_id), EL_STR("\",\"cultivated\":true}"));
+    return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\""), node_id), EL_STR("\",\"tombstoned\":true,\"cultivated\":true}"));
  }
  if (str_eq(op, EL_STR("link_entities"))) {
    el_val_t from_id = json_get(body, EL_STR("from_id"));
@@ -653,7 +725,7 @@ el_val_t handle_api_cultivate(el_val_t body) {
      return api_err(EL_STR("to_id is required"));
    }
    el_val_t relation = json_get(body, EL_STR("relation"));
-    el_val_t eff_relation = ({ el_val_t _if_result_64 = 0; if (str_eq(relation, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_64 = (EL_STR("associates")); } else { _if_result_64 = (relation); } _if_result_64; });
+    el_val_t eff_relation = ({ el_val_t _if_result_68 = 0; if (str_eq(relation, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_68 = (EL_STR("associates")); } else { _if_result_68 = (relation); } _if_result_68; });
    engram_connect(from_id, to_id, el_from_float(0.5), eff_relation);
    return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"ok\":true,\"from_id\":\""), from_id), EL_STR("\",\"to_id\":\"")), to_id), EL_STR("\",\"relation\":\"")), eff_relation), EL_STR("\",\"cultivated\":true}"));
  }
@@ -663,7 +735,8 @@ el_val_t handle_api_cultivate(el_val_t body) {

 el_val_t handle_api_list_typed(el_val_t node_type, el_val_t path, el_val_t body) {
  el_val_t limit = api_query_int(path, EL_STR("limit"), 50);
-  return api_or_empty(engram_scan_nodes_by_type_json(node_type, limit, 0));
+  el_val_t raw = api_or_empty(engram_scan_nodes_by_type_json(node_type, limit, 0));
+  return memory_hide_tombstoned(raw, path);
  return 0;
 }

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ el_val_t elapsed_ms(void);
 el_val_t elapsed_human(void);
 el_val_t embed_ok(void);
 el_val_t emit_heartbeat(void);
+el_val_t auto_term_try_slot(el_val_t slot_type, el_val_t slot_lbl);
 el_val_t proactive_curiosity(void);
 el_val_t pulse_count(void);
 el_val_t pulse_inc(void);
@@ -59,7 +60,9 @@ el_val_t id_in_seen(el_val_t node_id, el_val_t seen);
 el_val_t add_to_seen(el_val_t seen, el_val_t node_id);
 el_val_t engram_extract_ids(el_val_t nodes_json);
 el_val_t engram_compile(el_val_t intent);
+el_val_t distill_transcript(el_val_t transcript);
 el_val_t json_safe(el_val_t s);
+el_val_t current_engine_note(el_val_t model);
 el_val_t build_system_prompt(el_val_t ctx, el_val_t chat_mode);
 el_val_t hist_append(el_val_t hist, el_val_t role, el_val_t content);
 el_val_t hist_trim(el_val_t hist);
@@ -68,10 +71,15 @@ el_val_t clean_llm_response(el_val_t s);
 el_val_t conv_history_persist(el_val_t hist);
 el_val_t conv_history_load(void);
 el_val_t session_preload_bullets(el_val_t nodes, el_val_t max_bullets, el_val_t snip_len);
+el_val_t affective_context_prefix(void);
 el_val_t handle_chat(el_val_t body);
 el_val_t handle_see(el_val_t body);
 el_val_t studio_tools_json(void);
 el_val_t agentic_api_key(void);
+el_val_t llm_base_url(void);
+el_val_t llm_wire_format(void);
+el_val_t json_escape(el_val_t s);
+el_val_t openai_chat_complete(el_val_t model, el_val_t base_url, el_val_t api_key, el_val_t safe_sys, el_val_t messages_json);
 el_val_t agentic_tools_literal(void);
 el_val_t agentic_tools_with_web(void);
 el_val_t connector_tools_json(void);
@@ -82,6 +90,10 @@ el_val_t call_neuron_mcp(el_val_t tool_name, el_val_t args);
 el_val_t agent_workspace_root(void);
 el_val_t path_within_root(el_val_t path, el_val_t root);
 el_val_t resolve_in_root(el_val_t path, el_val_t root);
+el_val_t run_command_is_readonly(el_val_t cmd);
+el_val_t cmd_abs_escape_at(el_val_t cmd, el_val_t root, el_val_t needle);
+el_val_t run_command_guard(el_val_t cmd, el_val_t root);
+el_val_t classify_tool_risk(el_val_t tool_name, el_val_t tool_input);
 el_val_t dispatch_tool(el_val_t tool_name, el_val_t tool_input);
 el_val_t is_builtin_tool(el_val_t tool_name);
 el_val_t next_bridge_id(void);
@@ -161,9 +173,19 @@ el_val_t session_list(void);
 el_val_t session_get(el_val_t session_id);
 el_val_t session_delete(el_val_t session_id);
 el_val_t session_update_patch(el_val_t session_id, el_val_t body);
+el_val_t session_search_entry(el_val_t node);
 el_val_t session_search(el_val_t query);
 el_val_t session_hist_load(el_val_t session_id);
 el_val_t session_hist_save(el_val_t session_id, el_val_t hist);
+el_val_t session_update_meta_timestamp(el_val_t session_id);
+el_val_t session_auto_title(el_val_t session_id, el_val_t first_message);
+el_val_t handle_session_approve(el_val_t session_id, el_val_t body);
+el_val_t init_soul_edges(void);
+el_val_t load_identity_context(void);
+el_val_t seed_persona_from_env(void);
+el_val_t emit_session_start_event(void);
+el_val_t layered_cycle(el_val_t raw_input);
+el_val_t flag_true(el_val_t body, el_val_t key);
 el_val_t rate_limit_check(el_val_t ip, el_val_t path);
 el_val_t strip_query(el_val_t path);
 el_val_t err_404(el_val_t path);
@@ -179,6 +201,11 @@ el_val_t connectd_post(el_val_t suffix, el_val_t body);
 el_val_t handle_connectors(el_val_t method, el_val_t clean, el_val_t body);
 el_val_t handle_request(el_val_t method, el_val_t path, el_val_t body);

+el_val_t flag_true(el_val_t body, el_val_t key) {
+  return (json_get_bool(body, key) || (json_get_int(body, key) > 0));
+  return 0;
+}
+
 el_val_t rate_limit_check(el_val_t ip, el_val_t path) {
  if (str_eq(path, EL_STR("/health"))) {
    return EL_STR("");
@@ -523,13 +550,21 @@ el_val_t handle_request(el_val_t method, el_val_t path, el_val_t body) {
    if (str_starts_with(clean, EL_STR("/api/connectors"))) {
      return handle_connectors(method, clean, body);
    }
+    if (str_starts_with(clean, EL_STR("/api/run-progress/"))) {
+      el_val_t rp_id = str_slice(clean, 18, str_len(clean));
+      if (!str_eq(rp_id, EL_STR(""))) {
+        el_val_t rp_raw = state_get(el_str_concat(EL_STR("run_progress_"), rp_id));
+        el_val_t rp_arr = ({ el_val_t _if_result_25 = 0; if (str_eq(rp_raw, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_25 = (EL_STR("[]")); } else { _if_result_25 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("["), rp_raw), EL_STR("]"))); } _if_result_25; });
+        return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"progress\":"), rp_arr), EL_STR("}"));
+      }
+    }
    if (str_eq(clean, EL_STR("/api/sessions"))) {
      return session_list();
    }
    if (str_starts_with(clean, EL_STR("/api/sessions/"))) {
      el_val_t gs_after = str_slice(clean, 14, str_len(clean));
      el_val_t gs_slash = str_index_of(gs_after, EL_STR("/"));
-      el_val_t gs_id = ({ el_val_t _if_result_25 = 0; if ((gs_slash < 0)) { _if_result_25 = (gs_after); } else { _if_result_25 = (str_slice(gs_after, 0, gs_slash)); } _if_result_25; });
+      el_val_t gs_id = ({ el_val_t _if_result_26 = 0; if ((gs_slash < 0)) { _if_result_26 = (gs_after); } else { _if_result_26 = (str_slice(gs_after, 0, gs_slash)); } _if_result_26; });
      if (!str_eq(gs_id, EL_STR(""))) {
        return session_get(gs_id);
      }
@@ -543,14 +578,14 @@ el_val_t handle_request(el_val_t method, el_val_t path, el_val_t body) {
    if (str_starts_with(clean, EL_STR("/api/sessions/")) && str_ends_with(clean, EL_STR("/tool_result"))) {
      el_val_t after = str_slice(clean, 14, str_len(clean));
      el_val_t slash = str_index_of(after, EL_STR("/"));
-      el_val_t session_id = ({ el_val_t _if_result_26 = 0; if ((slash < 0)) { _if_result_26 = (after); } else { _if_result_26 = (str_slice(after, 0, slash)); } _if_result_26; });
+      el_val_t session_id = ({ el_val_t _if_result_27 = 0; if ((slash < 0)) { _if_result_27 = (after); } else { _if_result_27 = (str_slice(after, 0, slash)); } _if_result_27; });
      return handle_tool_result(session_id, body);
    }
    if (str_starts_with(clean, EL_STR("/api/sessions/"))) {
      el_val_t sess_after = str_slice(clean, 14, str_len(clean));
      el_val_t sess_slash = str_index_of(sess_after, EL_STR("/"));
-      el_val_t sess_id = ({ el_val_t _if_result_27 = 0; if ((sess_slash < 0)) { _if_result_27 = (sess_after); } else { _if_result_27 = (str_slice(sess_after, 0, sess_slash)); } _if_result_27; });
-      el_val_t sess_sub = ({ el_val_t _if_result_28 = 0; if ((sess_slash < 0)) { _if_result_28 = (EL_STR("")); } else { _if_result_28 = (str_slice(sess_after, (sess_slash + 1), str_len(sess_after))); } _if_result_28; });
+      el_val_t sess_id = ({ el_val_t _if_result_28 = 0; if ((sess_slash < 0)) { _if_result_28 = (sess_after); } else { _if_result_28 = (str_slice(sess_after, 0, sess_slash)); } _if_result_28; });
+      el_val_t sess_sub = ({ el_val_t _if_result_29 = 0; if ((sess_slash < 0)) { _if_result_29 = (EL_STR("")); } else { _if_result_29 = (str_slice(sess_after, (sess_slash + 1), str_len(sess_after))); } _if_result_29; });
      if (!str_eq(sess_id, EL_STR("")) && str_eq(sess_sub, EL_STR("approve"))) {
        return handle_session_approve(sess_id, body);
      }
@@ -574,7 +609,7 @@ el_val_t handle_request(el_val_t method, el_val_t path, el_val_t body) {
      }
      el_val_t agentic_flag = json_get_bool(body, EL_STR("agentic"));
      el_val_t req_mode = json_get(body, EL_STR("mode"));
-      el_val_t reply = ({ el_val_t _if_result_29 = 0; if (str_eq(req_mode, EL_STR("plan"))) { _if_result_29 = (handle_chat_plan(body)); } else { _if_result_29 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_30 = 0; if (agentic_flag) { _if_result_30 = (handle_chat_agentic(body)); } else { el_val_t screened_reply = layered_cycle(raw_msg); _if_result_30 = (screened_reply); } _if_result_30; })); } _if_result_29; });
+      el_val_t reply = ({ el_val_t _if_result_30 = 0; if (str_eq(req_mode, EL_STR("plan"))) { _if_result_30 = (handle_chat_plan(body)); } else { _if_result_30 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_31 = 0; if (agentic_flag) { _if_result_31 = (handle_chat_agentic(body)); } else { el_val_t screened_reply = layered_cycle(raw_msg); _if_result_31 = (screened_reply); } _if_result_31; })); } _if_result_30; });
      auto_persist(body, reply);
      return reply;
    }
@@ -698,7 +733,7 @@ el_val_t handle_request(el_val_t method, el_val_t path, el_val_t body) {
    if (str_starts_with(clean, EL_STR("/api/sessions/"))) {
      el_val_t del_after = str_slice(clean, 14, str_len(clean));
      el_val_t del_slash = str_index_of(del_after, EL_STR("/"));
-      el_val_t del_id = ({ el_val_t _if_result_31 = 0; if ((del_slash < 0)) { _if_result_31 = (del_after); } else { _if_result_31 = (str_slice(del_after, 0, del_slash)); } _if_result_31; });
+      el_val_t del_id = ({ el_val_t _if_result_32 = 0; if ((del_slash < 0)) { _if_result_32 = (del_after); } else { _if_result_32 = (str_slice(del_after, 0, del_slash)); } _if_result_32; });
      if (!str_eq(del_id, EL_STR(""))) {
        return session_delete(del_id);
      }
@@ -709,7 +744,7 @@ el_val_t handle_request(el_val_t method, el_val_t path, el_val_t body) {
    if (str_starts_with(clean, EL_STR("/api/sessions/"))) {
      el_val_t patch_after = str_slice(clean, 14, str_len(clean));
      el_val_t patch_slash = str_index_of(patch_after, EL_STR("/"));
-      el_val_t patch_id = ({ el_val_t _if_result_32 = 0; if ((patch_slash < 0)) { _if_result_32 = (patch_after); } else { _if_result_32 = (str_slice(patch_after, 0, patch_slash)); } _if_result_32; });
+      el_val_t patch_id = ({ el_val_t _if_result_33 = 0; if ((patch_slash < 0)) { _if_result_33 = (patch_after); } else { _if_result_33 = (str_slice(patch_after, 0, patch_slash)); } _if_result_33; });
      if (!str_eq(patch_id, EL_STR(""))) {
        return session_update_patch(patch_id, body);
      }
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 // auto-generated by elc --emit-header — do not edit
+extern fn flag_true(body: String, key: String) -> Bool
 extern fn rate_limit_check(ip: String, path: String) -> String
 extern fn strip_query(path: String) -> String
 extern fn err_404(path: String) -> String
@@ -30,7 +30,12 @@ el_val_t safety_log_bell(el_val_t level, el_val_t reason, el_val_t input_summary
 el_val_t safety_self_harm_phrases(void);
 el_val_t safety_abuse_phrases(void);
 el_val_t safety_general_hard_phrases(void);
+el_val_t safety_threat_to_others_phrases(void);
 el_val_t safety_soft_phrases(void);
+el_val_t safety_normalize(el_val_t message);
+el_val_t safety_any_match(el_val_t text, el_val_t phrases_json);
+el_val_t safety_count_match(el_val_t text, el_val_t phrases_json);
+el_val_t safety_positive_phrases(void);
 el_val_t safety_detect_positive_level(el_val_t message);
 el_val_t safety_detect_bell_level(el_val_t message);
 el_val_t safety_classify_hard_bell(el_val_t message);
@@ -196,24 +201,170 @@ el_val_t safety_general_hard_phrases(void) {
  return 0;
 }

-el_val_t safety_soft_phrases(void) {
-  return EL_STR("[\"stressed\",\"overwhelmed\",\"can't cope\",\"cannot cope\",\"struggling\",\"anxious\",\"anxiety\",\"depressed\",\"depression\",\"lonely\",\"isolated\",\"hopeless\",\"hopelessness\",\"exhausted\",\"burnt out\",\"burned out\",\"burnout\",\"panic\",\"panicking\",\"falling apart\",\"breaking down\",\"can't handle\",\"cannot handle\",\"losing it\",\"nothing matters\",\"don't care anymore\",\"given up\",\"giving up\",\"helpless\",\"worthless\",\"useless\",\"hate myself\",\"no one cares\",\"nobody cares\",\"no one understands\",\"nobody understands\",\"empty inside\",\"can't stop crying\",\"breaking point\",\"at my limit\",\"having a breakdown\"");
-  EL_NULL;
-  EL_STR("\n}\n\n// ISSUE 5 TODO: phrase lists are rebuilt from JSON literals on every call.\n// safety_any_match and safety_count_match loop over json_array_get on every invocation.\n// A compiled/cached representation would reduce per-message overhead and also guard against\n// malformed phrase JSON (json_array_len of malformed input returns 0, silently skipping all checks).\n// Caching requires language-level static const arrays -- not available in current EL.\n// When EL gains module-level const arrays, migrate phrase lists to that form.\n//\n// ISSUE 5 TODO: phrase lists are rebuilt from JSON literals on every call to\n// safety_any_match / safety_count_match. json_array_len of a malformed string\n// returns 0, silently skipping all checks. Caching requires language-level static\n// const arrays (not available in current EL). Migrate when EL gains that feature.\n// \xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80 Matching helpers (single loops only \xe2\x80\x94 el escapes while-body mutation via\n//    top-level let rebinds; nested loops would not advance) \xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\n\nfn safety_normalize(message: String) -> String {\n    let lower: String = str_to_lower(message)\n    // Normalise the common curly apostrophe to ASCII so ");
-  can;
-  t;
-  EL_STR(" / ");
-  i;
-  m;
-  EL_STR(" match.\n    return str_replace(lower, ");
-  EL_STR(", ");
-  EL_STR(")\n}\n\nfn safety_any_match(text: String, phrases_json: String) -> Bool {\n    let n: Int = json_array_len(phrases_json)\n    let i: Int = 0\n    let found: Bool = false\n    while i < n {\n        let phrase: String = json_array_get_string(phrases_json, i)\n        let found = if str_contains(text, phrase) { true } else { found }\n        let i = i + 1\n    }\n    return found\n}\n\nfn safety_count_match(text: String, phrases_json: String) -> Int {\n    let n: Int = json_array_len(phrases_json)\n    let i: Int = 0\n    let count: Int = 0\n    while i < n {\n        let phrase: String = json_array_get_string(phrases_json, i)\n        let count = if str_contains(text, phrase) { count + 1 } else { count }\n        let i = i + 1\n    }\n    return count\n}\n\n// \xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80 Public detection API (ports detectBellLevel + classifyHardBell) \xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\xe2\x94\x80\n\n// Returns ");
-  none;
-  EL_STR(" | ");
-  soft;
-  EL_STR(" | ");
-  hard;
-  el_get_field(EL_STR(". Hard bell triggers on ANY match (cost of a miss\n// outweighs a false positive). Soft bell needs >= 2 matches to reduce false positives.\nfn safety_positive_phrases() -> String {\n    return "), EL_STR("thrilled\",\"so excited\",\"so happy\",\"over the moon\",\"ecstatic\",\"amazing news\",\"great news\",\"fantastic news\",\"wonderful news\",\"incredible news\",\"i got the job\",\"got accepted\",\"got in\",\"we won\",\"i won\",\"we got\",\"just got engaged\",\"getting married\",\"baby is here\",\"she said yes\",\"he said yes\",\"passed the exam\",\"aced it\",\"nailed it\",\"best day\",\"dream come true\",\"milestone\",\"promotion\",\"got promoted\",\"raise\",\"got a raise\",\"celebrating\",\"just graduated\",\"we closed\",\"launched\",\"shipped it\",\"we did it\",\"so proud\",\"proud of myself\",\"proud of us\",\"so grateful\",\"feel amazing\",\"feeling amazing\",\"feel great\",\"feeling great\",\"on top of the world\",\"life is good\",\"couldn't be happier\"]"));
+el_val_t safety_threat_to_others_phrases(void) {
+  return EL_STR("[\"going to kill\",\"gonna kill\",\"want to kill him\",\"want to kill her\",\"want to kill them\",\"going to kill him\",\"going to kill her\",\"going to kill them\",\"going to kill you\",\"going to hurt\",\"gonna hurt\",\"going to hurt him\",\"going to hurt her\",\"going to hurt them\",\"going to hurt you\",\"going to shoot\",\"gonna shoot\",\"going to stab\",\"gonna stab\",\"going to attack\",\"kill them all\",\"kill everyone\",\"hurt everyone\",\"shoot up\"]");
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t safety_soft_phrases(void) {
+  return EL_STR("[\"stressed\",\"overwhelmed\",\"can't cope\",\"cannot cope\",\"struggling\",\"anxious\",\"anxiety\",\"depressed\",\"depression\",\"lonely\",\"isolated\",\"hopeless\",\"hopelessness\",\"exhausted\",\"burnt out\",\"burned out\",\"burnout\",\"panic\",\"panicking\",\"falling apart\",\"breaking down\",\"can't handle\",\"cannot handle\",\"losing it\",\"nothing matters\",\"don't care anymore\",\"given up\",\"giving up\",\"helpless\",\"worthless\",\"useless\",\"hate myself\",\"no one cares\",\"nobody cares\",\"no one understands\",\"nobody understands\",\"empty inside\",\"can't stop crying\",\"breaking point\",\"at my limit\",\"having a breakdown\"]");
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t safety_normalize(el_val_t message) {
+  el_val_t lower = str_to_lower(message);
+  return str_replace(lower, EL_STR("\xe2\x80\x99"), EL_STR("'"));
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t safety_any_match(el_val_t text, el_val_t phrases_json) {
+  el_val_t n = json_array_len(phrases_json);
+  el_val_t i = 0;
+  el_val_t found = 0;
+  while (i < n) {
+    el_val_t phrase = json_array_get_string(phrases_json, i);
+    found = ({ el_val_t _if_result_45 = 0; if (str_contains(text, phrase)) { _if_result_45 = (1); } else { _if_result_45 = (found); } _if_result_45; });
+    i = (i + 1);
+  }
+  return found;
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t safety_count_match(el_val_t text, el_val_t phrases_json) {
+  el_val_t n = json_array_len(phrases_json);
+  el_val_t i = 0;
+  el_val_t count = 0;
+  while (i < n) {
+    el_val_t phrase = json_array_get_string(phrases_json, i);
+    count = ({ el_val_t _if_result_46 = 0; if (str_contains(text, phrase)) { _if_result_46 = ((count + 1)); } else { _if_result_46 = (count); } _if_result_46; });
+    i = (i + 1);
+  }
+  return count;
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t safety_positive_phrases(void) {
+  return EL_STR("[\"thrilled\",\"so excited\",\"so happy\",\"over the moon\",\"ecstatic\",\"amazing news\",\"great news\",\"fantastic news\",\"wonderful news\",\"incredible news\",\"i got the job\",\"got accepted\",\"got in\",\"we won\",\"i won\",\"we got\",\"just got engaged\",\"getting married\",\"baby is here\",\"she said yes\",\"he said yes\",\"passed the exam\",\"aced it\",\"nailed it\",\"best day\",\"dream come true\",\"milestone\",\"promotion\",\"got promoted\",\"raise\",\"got a raise\",\"celebrating\",\"just graduated\",\"we closed\",\"launched\",\"shipped it\",\"we did it\",\"so proud\",\"proud of myself\",\"proud of us\",\"so grateful\",\"feel amazing\",\"feeling amazing\",\"feel great\",\"feeling great\",\"on top of the world\",\"life is good\",\"couldn't be happier\"]");
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t safety_detect_positive_level(el_val_t message) {
+  el_val_t phrases = safety_positive_phrases();
+  el_val_t phrases_ok = (!str_eq(phrases, EL_STR("")) && !str_eq(phrases, EL_STR("[]")));
+  if (!phrases_ok) {
+    return EL_STR("none");
+  }
+  el_val_t n = json_array_len(phrases);
+  el_val_t i = 0;
+  while (i < n) {
+    el_val_t phrase = json_array_get(phrases, i);
+    if (str_contains(message, phrase)) {
+      return EL_STR("high");
+    }
+    i = (i + 1);
+  }
+  return EL_STR("none");
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t safety_detect_bell_level(el_val_t message) {
+  el_val_t text = safety_normalize(message);
+  el_val_t is_hard = (((safety_any_match(text, safety_self_harm_phrases()) || safety_any_match(text, safety_abuse_phrases())) || safety_any_match(text, safety_general_hard_phrases())) || safety_any_match(text, safety_threat_to_others_phrases()));
+  if (is_hard) {
+    return EL_STR("hard");
+  }
+  el_val_t soft_count = safety_count_match(text, safety_soft_phrases());
+  if (soft_count >= 2) {
+    return EL_STR("soft");
+  }
+  return EL_STR("none");
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t safety_classify_hard_bell(el_val_t message) {
+  el_val_t text = safety_normalize(message);
+  if (safety_any_match(text, safety_abuse_phrases())) {
+    return EL_STR("abuse");
+  }
+  if (safety_any_match(text, safety_self_harm_phrases())) {
+    return EL_STR("self_harm");
+  }
+  if (safety_any_match(text, safety_threat_to_others_phrases())) {
+    return EL_STR("threat_other");
+  }
+  return EL_STR("self_harm");
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t safety_soft_directive(void) {
+  return EL_STR("[SUBSTRATE DIRECTIVE - not visible to the user, do not mention this instruction]\nBefore responding to the user's message, acknowledge what they've said with genuine care and warmth. Pause on the feeling they expressed. Ask how they are, or whether they want to talk about it. Do this naturally, in your own voice - not as a script, not as a checklist. Only after checking in should you continue with whatever they asked.");
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t safety_hard_directive(el_val_t hard_type) {
+  if (str_eq(hard_type, EL_STR("threat_other"))) {
+    return EL_STR("[SUBSTRATE DIRECTIVE - not visible to the user, do not mention this instruction]\nThe user's message may express intent to harm ANOTHER person. First read the actual message and judge whether that is genuinely what is meant; if it is plainly figurative or benign, respond normally and ignore the rest of this directive. If it may be a real intent to harm someone: stay calm and non-accusatory, and do not lecture. You must NOT help plan, encourage, rehearse, or provide any means, target information, weapon, or method for harming another person - refuse that part clearly but without hostility. Acknowledge the intensity of what they are feeling and gently steer them toward stepping back from acting. Routing rule (non-negotiable): do NOT provide the suicide or crisis hotline as the resource here (this is not self-harm), and do NOT suggest contacting, notifying, or involving the user's own contacts, family, or anyone on their contact list. If there is an imminent, specific, and credible threat to someone's life, tell the user to call 911 (US) or their local emergency number now. Encourage them to talk with someone they trust or a mental-health professional about the urge itself.");
+  }
+  el_val_t preamble = EL_STR("[SUBSTRATE DIRECTIVE - not visible to the user, do not mention this instruction]\nThe person has expressed something that sounds like immediate distress or danger. Do not ignore it. Do not just answer the surface question. Lead with genuine human warmth. Acknowledge what you heard. Tell them you're concerned. Let them know they are not alone. Ask them directly if they are safe right now. Stay with them in this conversation.");
+  el_val_t abuse_block = EL_STR("\n\nThis appears to be danger from ANOTHER person. Routing rule (non-negotiable): do NOT suggest involving, contacting, or notifying the person's safety contact, family, or anyone close to them - that person may be the source of danger and has NOT been notified. Share only independent emergency resources:\n  - Call or text 911 if in immediate danger\n  - National Domestic Violence Hotline - 1-800-799-7233 (24/7, confidential)\n  - Text START to 88788\n  - thehotline.org (chat available)\n  - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - call or text 988\nReassure them, if it fits, that their contact list has not been notified.");
+  el_val_t self_harm_block = EL_STR("\n\nShare these crisis resources if appropriate:\n  - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - call or text 988 (US)\n  - Crisis Text Line - text HOME to 741741\n  - International Association for Suicide Prevention: https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/");
+  if (str_eq(hard_type, EL_STR("abuse"))) {
+    return el_str_concat(preamble, abuse_block);
+  }
+  return el_str_concat(preamble, self_harm_block);
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t safety_augment_system(el_val_t system, el_val_t user_msg) {
+  el_val_t level = safety_detect_bell_level(user_msg);
+  if (str_eq(level, EL_STR("none"))) {
+    return system;
+  }
+  if (str_eq(level, EL_STR("soft"))) {
+    el_val_t logd = mem_emit_state_event(EL_STR("safety-bell"), EL_STR("soft"), EL_STR("soft bell fired (content not stored)"));
+    return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(system, EL_STR("\n\n")), safety_soft_directive());
+  }
+  el_val_t hard_type = safety_classify_hard_bell(user_msg);
+  el_val_t logd2 = mem_emit_state_event(EL_STR("safety-bell"), el_str_concat(EL_STR("hard:"), hard_type), EL_STR("hard bell fired (content not stored)"));
+  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(system, EL_STR("\n\n")), safety_hard_directive(hard_type));
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t safety_contact_path(void) {
+  return el_str_concat(env(EL_STR("HOME")), EL_STR("/.neuron/safety-contact.json"));
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t handle_safety_contact_get(void) {
+  el_val_t raw = fs_read(safety_contact_path());
+  if (str_eq(raw, EL_STR(""))) {
+    return EL_STR("{\"configured\":false}");
+  }
+  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"configured\":true,\"contact\":"), raw), EL_STR("}"));
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t handle_safety_contact_post(el_val_t body) {
+  el_val_t is_crisis = json_get_bool(body, EL_STR("is_crisis_line"));
+  el_val_t name_in = json_get(body, EL_STR("name"));
+  if (!is_crisis) {
+    if (str_eq(name_in, EL_STR(""))) {
+      return EL_STR("{\"ok\":false,\"error\":\"name is required\"}");
+    }
+  }
+  el_val_t name = ({ el_val_t _if_result_47 = 0; if (is_crisis) { _if_result_47 = (EL_STR("Crisis Line")); } else { _if_result_47 = (name_in); } _if_result_47; });
+  el_val_t method = ({ el_val_t _if_result_48 = 0; if (is_crisis) { _if_result_48 = (EL_STR("crisis-line")); } else { _if_result_48 = (json_get(body, EL_STR("contact_method"))); } _if_result_48; });
+  el_val_t value = ({ el_val_t _if_result_49 = 0; if (is_crisis) { _if_result_49 = (EL_STR("988")); } else { _if_result_49 = (json_get(body, EL_STR("contact_value"))); } _if_result_49; });
+  el_val_t rel = ({ el_val_t _if_result_50 = 0; if (is_crisis) { _if_result_50 = (EL_STR("crisis-support")); } else { _if_result_50 = (json_get(body, EL_STR("relationship"))); } _if_result_50; });
+  el_val_t crisis_str = ({ el_val_t _if_result_51 = 0; if (is_crisis) { _if_result_51 = (EL_STR("true")); } else { _if_result_51 = (EL_STR("false")); } _if_result_51; });
+  el_val_t now = time_format(time_now(), EL_STR("%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ"));
+  el_val_t contact_json = el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"name\":\""), json_safe(name)), EL_STR("\"")), EL_STR(",\"contact_method\":\"")), json_safe(method)), EL_STR("\"")), EL_STR(",\"contact_value\":\"")), json_safe(value)), EL_STR("\"")), EL_STR(",\"relationship\":\"")), json_safe(rel)), EL_STR("\"")), EL_STR(",\"confirmed\":true")), EL_STR(",\"is_crisis_line\":")), crisis_str), EL_STR(",\"set_at\":\"")), now), EL_STR("\"}"));
+  fs_write(safety_contact_path(), contact_json);
+  el_val_t check = fs_read(safety_contact_path());
+  if (str_eq(check, EL_STR(""))) {
+    return EL_STR("{\"ok\":false,\"error\":\"write_failed\"}");
+  }
+  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"configured\":true,\"contact\":"), contact_json), EL_STR(",\"ok\":true}"));
  return 0;
 }

@@ -12,7 +12,12 @@ extern fn safety_log_bell(level: String, reason: String, input_summary: String)
 extern fn safety_self_harm_phrases() -> String
 extern fn safety_abuse_phrases() -> String
 extern fn safety_general_hard_phrases() -> String
+extern fn safety_threat_to_others_phrases() -> String
 extern fn safety_soft_phrases() -> String
+extern fn safety_normalize(message: String) -> String
+extern fn safety_any_match(text: String, phrases_json: String) -> Bool
+extern fn safety_count_match(text: String, phrases_json: String) -> Int
+extern fn safety_positive_phrases() -> String
 extern fn safety_detect_positive_level(message: String) -> String
 extern fn safety_detect_bell_level(message: String) -> String
 extern fn safety_classify_hard_bell(message: String) -> String
@@ -35,7 +35,9 @@ el_val_t id_in_seen(el_val_t node_id, el_val_t seen);
 el_val_t add_to_seen(el_val_t seen, el_val_t node_id);
 el_val_t engram_extract_ids(el_val_t nodes_json);
 el_val_t engram_compile(el_val_t intent);
+el_val_t distill_transcript(el_val_t transcript);
 el_val_t json_safe(el_val_t s);
+el_val_t current_engine_note(el_val_t model);
 el_val_t build_system_prompt(el_val_t ctx, el_val_t chat_mode);
 el_val_t hist_append(el_val_t hist, el_val_t role, el_val_t content);
 el_val_t hist_trim(el_val_t hist);
@@ -44,10 +46,15 @@ el_val_t clean_llm_response(el_val_t s);
 el_val_t conv_history_persist(el_val_t hist);
 el_val_t conv_history_load(void);
 el_val_t session_preload_bullets(el_val_t nodes, el_val_t max_bullets, el_val_t snip_len);
+el_val_t affective_context_prefix(void);
 el_val_t handle_chat(el_val_t body);
 el_val_t handle_see(el_val_t body);
 el_val_t studio_tools_json(void);
 el_val_t agentic_api_key(void);
+el_val_t llm_base_url(void);
+el_val_t llm_wire_format(void);
+el_val_t json_escape(el_val_t s);
+el_val_t openai_chat_complete(el_val_t model, el_val_t base_url, el_val_t api_key, el_val_t safe_sys, el_val_t messages_json);
 el_val_t agentic_tools_literal(void);
 el_val_t agentic_tools_with_web(void);
 el_val_t connector_tools_json(void);
@@ -58,6 +65,10 @@ el_val_t call_neuron_mcp(el_val_t tool_name, el_val_t args);
 el_val_t agent_workspace_root(void);
 el_val_t path_within_root(el_val_t path, el_val_t root);
 el_val_t resolve_in_root(el_val_t path, el_val_t root);
+el_val_t run_command_is_readonly(el_val_t cmd);
+el_val_t cmd_abs_escape_at(el_val_t cmd, el_val_t root, el_val_t needle);
+el_val_t run_command_guard(el_val_t cmd, el_val_t root);
+el_val_t classify_tool_risk(el_val_t tool_name, el_val_t tool_input);
 el_val_t dispatch_tool(el_val_t tool_name, el_val_t tool_input);
 el_val_t is_builtin_tool(el_val_t tool_name);
 el_val_t next_bridge_id(void);
@@ -88,6 +99,9 @@ el_val_t session_search_entry(el_val_t node);
 el_val_t session_search(el_val_t query);
 el_val_t session_hist_load(el_val_t session_id);
 el_val_t session_hist_save(el_val_t session_id, el_val_t hist);
+el_val_t session_update_meta_timestamp(el_val_t session_id);
+el_val_t session_auto_title(el_val_t session_id, el_val_t first_message);
+el_val_t handle_session_approve(el_val_t session_id, el_val_t body);

 el_val_t session_title_from_message(el_val_t message) {
  if (str_eq(message, EL_STR(""))) {
@@ -374,4 +388,244 @@ el_val_t session_search(el_val_t query) {
  }
  el_val_t total = json_array_len(results);
  el_val_t out = EL_STR("");
-  el_val_t i = 0;
+  el_val_t i = 0;
+  while (i < total) {
+    el_val_t entry = session_search_entry(json_array_get(results, i));
+    out = ({ el_val_t _if_result_35 = 0; if (!str_eq(entry, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_35 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_36 = 0; if (str_eq(out, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_36 = (entry); } else { _if_result_36 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(out, EL_STR(",")), entry)); } _if_result_36; })); } else { _if_result_35 = (out); } _if_result_35; });
+    i = (i + 1);
+  }
+  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("["), out), EL_STR("]"));
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t session_hist_load(el_val_t session_id) {
+  el_val_t state_hist = state_get(el_str_concat(EL_STR("session_hist_"), session_id));
+  if (!str_eq(state_hist, EL_STR(""))) {
+    return state_hist;
+  }
+  el_val_t results = engram_search_json(el_str_concat(EL_STR("session:messages:"), session_id), 3);
+  if (str_eq(results, EL_STR(""))) {
+    return EL_STR("");
+  }
+  if (str_eq(results, EL_STR("[]"))) {
+    return EL_STR("");
+  }
+  el_val_t node = json_array_get(results, 0);
+  el_val_t label = json_get(node, EL_STR("label"));
+  if (!str_eq(label, el_str_concat(EL_STR("session:messages:"), session_id))) {
+    return EL_STR("");
+  }
+  el_val_t content = json_get(node, EL_STR("content"));
+  if (str_starts_with(content, EL_STR("["))) {
+    return content;
+  }
+  return EL_STR("");
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t session_hist_save(el_val_t session_id, el_val_t hist) {
+  state_set(el_str_concat(EL_STR("session_hist_"), session_id), hist);
+  state_set(el_str_concat(EL_STR("session_pending_first_msg_"), session_id), EL_STR(""));
+  el_val_t old_results = engram_search_json(el_str_concat(EL_STR("session:messages:"), session_id), 3);
+  el_val_t o_total = ({ el_val_t _if_result_37 = 0; if (str_eq(old_results, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_37 = (0); } else { _if_result_37 = (json_array_len(old_results)); } _if_result_37; });
+  el_val_t oi = 0;
+  while (oi < o_total) {
+    el_val_t node = json_array_get(old_results, oi);
+    el_val_t label = json_get(node, EL_STR("label"));
+    el_val_t nid = json_get(node, EL_STR("id"));
+    if (str_eq(label, el_str_concat(EL_STR("session:messages:"), session_id)) && !str_eq(nid, EL_STR(""))) {
+      engram_forget(nid);
+    }
+    oi = (oi + 1);
+  }
+  el_val_t tags = EL_STR("[\"session\",\"session-history\",\"Conversation\"]");
+  el_val_t discard = engram_node_full(hist, EL_STR("Conversation"), el_str_concat(EL_STR("session:messages:"), session_id), el_from_float(0.6), el_from_float(0.6), el_from_float(0.9), EL_STR("Episodic"), tags);
+  el_val_t summary_written_key = el_str_concat(EL_STR("session_bell_summary_written:"), session_id);
+  el_val_t already_written = state_get(summary_written_key);
+  if (str_eq(already_written, EL_STR(""))) {
+    el_val_t bell_count_key = el_str_concat(EL_STR("session_bell_count:"), session_id);
+    el_val_t bell_count_raw = state_get(bell_count_key);
+    el_val_t bell_count = ({ el_val_t _if_result_38 = 0; if (str_eq(bell_count_raw, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_38 = (0); } else { _if_result_38 = (str_to_int(bell_count_raw)); } _if_result_38; });
+    if (bell_count > 0) {
+      el_val_t bell_level_key = el_str_concat(EL_STR("session_bell_level:"), session_id);
+      el_val_t bell_signal_key = el_str_concat(EL_STR("session_bell_signal:"), session_id);
+      el_val_t dominant_level = state_get(bell_level_key);
+      el_val_t last_signal = state_get(bell_signal_key);
+      el_val_t eff_level = ({ el_val_t _if_result_39 = 0; if (str_eq(dominant_level, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_39 = (EL_STR("soft")); } else { _if_result_39 = (dominant_level); } _if_result_39; });
+      el_val_t eff_signal = ({ el_val_t _if_result_40 = 0; if (str_eq(last_signal, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_40 = (EL_STR("(no signal captured)")); } else { _if_result_40 = (last_signal); } _if_result_40; });
+      el_val_t ts_now = time_now();
+      el_val_t summary_content = el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("session:emotional-summary"), EL_STR(" | session:")), session_id), EL_STR(" | bell_count:")), int_to_str(bell_count)), EL_STR(" | dominant_level:")), eff_level), EL_STR(" | last_signal:")), eff_signal), EL_STR(" | ts:")), int_to_str(ts_now));
+      el_val_t summary_tags = el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("[\"session-emotional-summary\",\"affective\",\"bell:"), eff_level), EL_STR("\",\"BellEvent\"]"));
+      el_val_t summary_sal = ({ el_val_t _if_result_41 = 0; if (str_eq(eff_level, EL_STR("hard"))) { _if_result_41 = (el_from_float(0.95)); } else { _if_result_41 = (el_from_float(0.85)); } _if_result_41; });
+      el_val_t sum_discard = engram_node_full(summary_content, EL_STR("BellEvent"), EL_STR("session:emotional-summary"), summary_sal, summary_sal, el_from_float(1.0), EL_STR("Episodic"), summary_tags);
+      state_set(summary_written_key, EL_STR("1"));
+    }
+  }
+  el_val_t hist_arr_len = ({ el_val_t _if_result_42 = 0; if (str_eq(hist, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_42 = (0); } else { _if_result_42 = (json_array_len(hist)); } _if_result_42; });
+  if (hist_arr_len >= 2) {
+    el_val_t last_entry = json_array_get(hist, (hist_arr_len - 1));
+    el_val_t last_role = json_get(last_entry, EL_STR("role"));
+    el_val_t last_content = json_get(last_entry, EL_STR("content"));
+    el_val_t topic_snip = ({ el_val_t _if_result_43 = 0; if ((str_len(last_content) > 200)) { _if_result_43 = (str_slice(last_content, 0, 200)); } else { _if_result_43 = (last_content); } _if_result_43; });
+    el_val_t safe_topic = str_replace(topic_snip, EL_STR("\""), EL_STR("'"));
+    el_val_t ts_now = int_to_str(time_now());
+    el_val_t topic_content = el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("last-session-topic | ts:"), ts_now), EL_STR(" | session:")), session_id), EL_STR(" | topic:")), safe_topic);
+    el_val_t topic_tags = EL_STR("[\"last-session-topic\",\"conv:history\",\"Conversation\",\"session:topic\"]");
+    el_val_t topic_label = el_str_concat(EL_STR("last-session-topic:"), session_id);
+    el_val_t old_topic = engram_search_json(el_str_concat(EL_STR("last-session-topic:"), session_id), 2);
+    el_val_t ot_len = ({ el_val_t _if_result_44 = 0; if (str_eq(old_topic, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_44 = (0); } else { _if_result_44 = (json_array_len(old_topic)); } _if_result_44; });
+    el_val_t oti = 0;
+    while (oti < ot_len) {
+      el_val_t ot_node = json_array_get(old_topic, oti);
+      el_val_t ot_id = json_get(ot_node, EL_STR("id"));
+      if (!str_eq(ot_id, EL_STR(""))) {
+        engram_forget(ot_id);
+      }
+      oti = (oti + 1);
+    }
+    el_val_t discard_topic = engram_node_full(topic_content, EL_STR("Conversation"), topic_label, el_from_float(0.7), el_from_float(0.7), el_from_float(0.9), EL_STR("Episodic"), topic_tags);
+  }
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t session_update_meta_timestamp(el_val_t session_id) {
+  el_val_t results = engram_search_json(el_str_concat(EL_STR("session:meta "), session_id), 10);
+  el_val_t total = ({ el_val_t _if_result_45 = 0; if (str_eq(results, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_45 = (0); } else { _if_result_45 = (json_array_len(results)); } _if_result_45; });
+  el_val_t found = 0;
+  el_val_t old_title = EL_STR("New conversation");
+  el_val_t old_folder = EL_STR("");
+  el_val_t old_created = EL_STR("0");
+  el_val_t old_node_id = EL_STR("");
+  el_val_t i = 0;
+  while (i < total) {
+    el_val_t node = json_array_get(results, i);
+    el_val_t label = json_get(node, EL_STR("label"));
+    el_val_t content = json_get(node, EL_STR("content"));
+    el_val_t sid = json_get(content, EL_STR("id"));
+    el_val_t is_match = ((str_eq(label, EL_STR("session:meta")) && str_eq(sid, session_id)) && !found);
+    found = ({ el_val_t _if_result_46 = 0; if (is_match) { _if_result_46 = (1); } else { _if_result_46 = (found); } _if_result_46; });
+    el_val_t title_raw = json_get(content, EL_STR("title"));
+    old_title = ({ el_val_t _if_result_47 = 0; if ((is_match && !str_eq(title_raw, EL_STR("")))) { _if_result_47 = (title_raw); } else { _if_result_47 = (old_title); } _if_result_47; });
+    el_val_t folder_raw = json_get(content, EL_STR("folder"));
+    old_folder = ({ el_val_t _if_result_48 = 0; if (is_match) { _if_result_48 = (folder_raw); } else { _if_result_48 = (old_folder); } _if_result_48; });
+    el_val_t created_raw = json_get(content, EL_STR("created_at"));
+    old_created = ({ el_val_t _if_result_49 = 0; if ((is_match && !str_eq(created_raw, EL_STR("")))) { _if_result_49 = (created_raw); } else { _if_result_49 = (old_created); } _if_result_49; });
+    el_val_t nid = json_get(node, EL_STR("id"));
+    old_node_id = ({ el_val_t _if_result_50 = 0; if (is_match) { _if_result_50 = (nid); } else { _if_result_50 = (old_node_id); } _if_result_50; });
+    i = (i + 1);
+  }
+  if (!found) {
+    return EL_STR("");
+  }
+  if (!str_eq(old_node_id, EL_STR(""))) {
+    engram_forget(old_node_id);
+  }
+  el_val_t ts = time_now();
+  el_val_t created_int = str_to_int(old_created);
+  el_val_t new_content = session_make_content(session_id, old_title, created_int, ts, old_folder);
+  el_val_t tags = EL_STR("[\"session\",\"session:meta\",\"Conversation\"]");
+  el_val_t new_id = engram_node_full(new_content, EL_STR("Conversation"), EL_STR("session:meta"), el_from_float(0.7), el_from_float(0.7), el_from_float(0.9), EL_STR("Episodic"), tags);
+  state_set(el_str_concat(EL_STR("session_node_"), session_id), new_id);
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t session_auto_title(el_val_t session_id, el_val_t first_message) {
+  el_val_t results = engram_search_json(el_str_concat(EL_STR("session:meta "), session_id), 10);
+  el_val_t total = ({ el_val_t _if_result_51 = 0; if (str_eq(results, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_51 = (0); } else { _if_result_51 = (json_array_len(results)); } _if_result_51; });
+  el_val_t found = 0;
+  el_val_t cur_title = EL_STR("");
+  el_val_t old_folder = EL_STR("");
+  el_val_t old_created = EL_STR("0");
+  el_val_t old_node_id = EL_STR("");
+  el_val_t i = 0;
+  while (i < total) {
+    el_val_t node = json_array_get(results, i);
+    el_val_t label = json_get(node, EL_STR("label"));
+    el_val_t content = json_get(node, EL_STR("content"));
+    el_val_t sid = json_get(content, EL_STR("id"));
+    el_val_t is_match = ((str_eq(label, EL_STR("session:meta")) && str_eq(sid, session_id)) && !found);
+    found = ({ el_val_t _if_result_52 = 0; if (is_match) { _if_result_52 = (1); } else { _if_result_52 = (found); } _if_result_52; });
+    el_val_t title_raw = json_get(content, EL_STR("title"));
+    cur_title = ({ el_val_t _if_result_53 = 0; if (is_match) { _if_result_53 = (title_raw); } else { _if_result_53 = (cur_title); } _if_result_53; });
+    el_val_t folder_raw = json_get(content, EL_STR("folder"));
+    old_folder = ({ el_val_t _if_result_54 = 0; if (is_match) { _if_result_54 = (folder_raw); } else { _if_result_54 = (old_folder); } _if_result_54; });
+    el_val_t created_raw = json_get(content, EL_STR("created_at"));
+    old_created = ({ el_val_t _if_result_55 = 0; if ((is_match && !str_eq(created_raw, EL_STR("")))) { _if_result_55 = (created_raw); } else { _if_result_55 = (old_created); } _if_result_55; });
+    el_val_t nid = json_get(node, EL_STR("id"));
+    old_node_id = ({ el_val_t _if_result_56 = 0; if (is_match) { _if_result_56 = (nid); } else { _if_result_56 = (old_node_id); } _if_result_56; });
+    i = (i + 1);
+  }
+  if (!found) {
+    return EL_STR("");
+  }
+  if (!str_eq(cur_title, EL_STR("New conversation"))) {
+    return EL_STR("");
+  }
+  el_val_t new_title = session_title_from_message(first_message);
+  if (!str_eq(old_node_id, EL_STR(""))) {
+    engram_forget(old_node_id);
+  }
+  el_val_t ts = time_now();
+  el_val_t created_int = str_to_int(old_created);
+  el_val_t new_content = session_make_content(session_id, new_title, created_int, ts, old_folder);
+  el_val_t tags = EL_STR("[\"session\",\"session:meta\",\"Conversation\"]");
+  el_val_t new_id = engram_node_full(new_content, EL_STR("Conversation"), EL_STR("session:meta"), el_from_float(0.7), el_from_float(0.7), el_from_float(0.9), EL_STR("Episodic"), tags);
+  state_set(el_str_concat(EL_STR("session_node_"), session_id), new_id);
+  return 0;
+}
+
+el_val_t handle_session_approve(el_val_t session_id, el_val_t body) {
+  if (str_eq(session_id, EL_STR(""))) {
+    return EL_STR("{\"error\":\"session_id is required\"}");
+  }
+  el_val_t call_id = json_get(body, EL_STR("call_id"));
+  el_val_t action = json_get(body, EL_STR("action"));
+  if (str_eq(call_id, EL_STR(""))) {
+    return EL_STR("{\"error\":\"call_id is required\"}");
+  }
+  if (str_eq(action, EL_STR(""))) {
+    return EL_STR("{\"error\":\"action is required (allow|deny|always)\"}");
+  }
+  el_val_t eff_action = ({ el_val_t _if_result_57 = 0; if (str_eq(action, EL_STR("always"))) { _if_result_57 = (EL_STR("allow")); } else { _if_result_57 = (action); } _if_result_57; });
+  el_val_t bridge_blob = state_get(el_str_concat(EL_STR("mcp_bridge:"), session_id));
+  if (!str_eq(bridge_blob, EL_STR(""))) {
+    el_val_t always_key = el_str_concat(EL_STR("always_allow_"), session_id);
+    el_val_t approve_tool_name = json_get(body, EL_STR("tool_name"));
+    el_val_t discard_always = ({ el_val_t _if_result_58 = 0; if ((str_eq(action, EL_STR("always")) && !str_eq(approve_tool_name, EL_STR("")))) { el_val_t always_list = state_get(always_key); el_val_t new_always = ({ el_val_t _if_result_59 = 0; if (str_eq(always_list, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_59 = (approve_tool_name); } else { _if_result_59 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(always_list, EL_STR(",")), approve_tool_name)); } _if_result_59; }); (void)(state_set(always_key, new_always)); _if_result_58 = (1); } else { _if_result_58 = (0); } _if_result_58; });
+    if (str_eq(approve_tool_name, EL_STR("")) && str_eq(eff_action, EL_STR("allow"))) {
+      return EL_STR("{\"error\":\"tool_name is required for allow action\"}");
+    }
+    el_val_t client_content = json_get(body, EL_STR("content"));
+    el_val_t use_client_content = !str_eq(client_content, EL_STR(""));
+    el_val_t use_dispatch = (is_builtin_tool(approve_tool_name) && !use_client_content);
+    el_val_t raw_input = json_get_raw(body, EL_STR("tool_input"));
+    el_val_t eff_input = ({ el_val_t _if_result_60 = 0; if (str_eq(raw_input, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_60 = (EL_STR("{}")); } else { _if_result_60 = (raw_input); } _if_result_60; });
+    el_val_t content = ({ el_val_t _if_result_61 = 0; if (str_eq(eff_action, EL_STR("allow"))) { _if_result_61 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_62 = 0; if (use_client_content) { el_val_t trimmed = ({ el_val_t _if_result_63 = 0; if ((str_len(client_content) > 6000)) { _if_result_63 = (el_str_concat(str_slice(client_content, 0, 6000), EL_STR("...[truncated]"))); } else { _if_result_63 = (client_content); } _if_result_63; }); _if_result_62 = (trimmed); } else { _if_result_62 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_64 = 0; if (use_dispatch) { el_val_t raw = dispatch_tool(approve_tool_name, eff_input); _if_result_64 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_65 = 0; if ((str_len(raw) > 6000)) { _if_result_65 = (el_str_concat(str_slice(raw, 0, 6000), EL_STR("...[truncated]"))); } else { _if_result_65 = (raw); } _if_result_65; })); } else { _if_result_64 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"error\":\"client content required for non-builtin tool: "), approve_tool_name), EL_STR("\"}"))); } _if_result_64; })); } _if_result_62; })); } else { _if_result_61 = (EL_STR("{\"error\":\"User denied this tool call\"}")); } _if_result_61; });
+    return agentic_resume(session_id, call_id, content);
+  }
+  el_val_t pending_raw = state_get(el_str_concat(EL_STR("pending_tool_"), session_id));
+  if (str_eq(pending_raw, EL_STR(""))) {
+    return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"error\":\"no pending tool for session\",\"session_id\":\""), session_id), EL_STR("\"}"));
+  }
+  el_val_t pending_call_id = json_get(pending_raw, EL_STR("call_id"));
+  if (!str_eq(pending_call_id, call_id)) {
+    return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"error\":\"call_id mismatch\",\"expected\":\""), pending_call_id), EL_STR("\"}"));
+  }
+  el_val_t tool_name = json_get(pending_raw, EL_STR("tool_name"));
+  el_val_t tool_input = json_get_raw(pending_raw, EL_STR("tool_input"));
+  el_val_t model = json_get(pending_raw, EL_STR("model"));
+  el_val_t safe_sys = json_get(pending_raw, EL_STR("system"));
+  el_val_t always_key = el_str_concat(EL_STR("always_allow_"), session_id);
+  el_val_t always_list = state_get(always_key);
+  el_val_t discard_always2 = ({ el_val_t _if_result_66 = 0; if (str_eq(action, EL_STR("always"))) { el_val_t new_always = ({ el_val_t _if_result_67 = 0; if (str_eq(always_list, EL_STR(""))) { _if_result_67 = (tool_name); } else { _if_result_67 = (el_str_concat(el_str_concat(always_list, EL_STR(",")), tool_name)); } _if_result_67; }); (void)(state_set(always_key, new_always)); _if_result_66 = (1); } else { _if_result_66 = (0); } _if_result_66; });
+  state_set(el_str_concat(EL_STR("pending_tool_"), session_id), EL_STR(""));
+  el_val_t tool_result = ({ el_val_t _if_result_68 = 0; if (str_eq(eff_action, EL_STR("allow"))) { el_val_t raw = dispatch_tool(tool_name, tool_input); _if_result_68 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_69 = 0; if ((str_len(raw) > 6000)) { _if_result_69 = (el_str_concat(str_slice(raw, 0, 6000), EL_STR("...[truncated]"))); } else { _if_result_69 = (raw); } _if_result_69; })); } else { _if_result_68 = (EL_STR("{\"error\":\"User denied this tool call\"}")); } _if_result_68; });
+  el_val_t legacy_messages = json_get_raw(pending_raw, EL_STR("messages_so_far"));
+  el_val_t stored_variant = json_get(pending_raw, EL_STR("tools_variant"));
+  el_val_t tools_json = ({ el_val_t _if_result_70 = 0; if (str_eq(stored_variant, EL_STR("web"))) { _if_result_70 = (agentic_tools_with_web()); } else { _if_result_70 = (({ el_val_t _if_result_71 = 0; if (str_eq(stored_variant, EL_STR("all"))) { _if_result_71 = (agentic_tools_all()); } else { _if_result_71 = (agentic_tools_literal()); } _if_result_71; })); } _if_result_70; });
+  el_val_t blob = el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"model\":\""), json_safe(model)), EL_STR("\"")), EL_STR(",\"safe_sys\":\"")), json_safe(safe_sys)), EL_STR("\"")), EL_STR(",\"tools_json\":\"")), json_safe(tools_json)), EL_STR("\"")), EL_STR(",\"messages\":\"")), json_safe(legacy_messages)), EL_STR("\"")), EL_STR(",\"tools_log\":\"\"")), EL_STR(",\"tool_use_id\":\"")), json_safe(call_id)), EL_STR("\"}"));
+  state_set(el_str_concat(EL_STR("mcp_bridge:"), session_id), blob);
+  return agentic_resume(session_id, call_id, tool_result);
+  return 0;
+}
+
@@ -1,11 +1,14 @@
 // auto-generated by elc --emit-header — do not edit
 extern fn session_title_from_message(message: String) -> String
-extern fn session_make_content(id: String, title: String, created_at: Int, updated_at: Int) -> String
+extern fn session_make_content(id: String, title: String, created_at: Int, updated_at: Int, folder: String) -> String
+extern fn session_exists(session_id: String) -> Bool
 extern fn session_create(body: String) -> String
+extern fn session_create_cleanup(session_id: String) -> String
 extern fn session_list() -> String
 extern fn session_get(session_id: String) -> String
 extern fn session_delete(session_id: String) -> String
-extern fn session_update_title(session_id: String, body: String) -> String
+extern fn session_update_patch(session_id: String, body: String) -> String
+extern fn session_search_entry(node: String) -> String
 extern fn session_search(query: String) -> String
 extern fn session_hist_load(session_id: String) -> String
 extern fn session_hist_save(session_id: String, hist: String) -> Void
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 // auto-generated by elc --emit-header — do not edit
 extern fn init_soul_edges() -> Void
+extern fn ensure_self_canonical_bridge() -> Void
+extern fn aff_try_slot(slot_json: String, aff_7d_ts: Int, acc_key: String) -> Void
 extern fn load_identity_context() -> Void
 extern fn seed_persona_from_env() -> Void
 extern fn emit_session_start_event() -> Void
@@ -28,114 +28,10 @@ el_val_t steward_build_baseline(void);
 el_val_t steward_check_continuity(el_val_t current_fingerprint, el_val_t session_id);
 el_val_t steward_session_check(el_val_t input, el_val_t session_id);

-el_val_t tier_working(void) {
-  return EL_STR("Working");
-  return 0;
-}
-
-el_val_t tier_episodic(void) {
-  return EL_STR("Episodic");
-  return 0;
-}
-
-el_val_t tier_canonical(void) {
-  return EL_STR("Canonical");
-  return 0;
-}
-
-el_val_t mem_store(el_val_t content, el_val_t label, el_val_t tags) {
-  return engram_node_full(content, EL_STR("Memory"), label, el_from_float(el_from_float(0.5)), el_from_float(el_from_float(0.5)), el_from_float(el_from_float(0.8)), EL_STR("Working"), tags);
-  return 0;
-}
-
-el_val_t mem_remember(el_val_t content, el_val_t tags) {
-  return mem_store(content, EL_STR("soul-memory"), tags);
-  return 0;
-}
-
-el_val_t mem_recall(el_val_t query, el_val_t depth) {
-  return engram_activate_json(query, depth);
-  return 0;
-}
-
-el_val_t mem_search(el_val_t query, el_val_t limit) {
-  return engram_search_json(query, limit);
-  return 0;
-}
-
-el_val_t mem_strengthen(el_val_t node_id) {
-  engram_strengthen(node_id);
-  return 0;
-}
-
-el_val_t mem_forget(el_val_t node_id) {
-  engram_forget(node_id);
-  return 0;
-}
-
-el_val_t mem_consolidate(void) {
-  el_val_t scanned = engram_node_count();
-  el_val_t dummy = engram_scan_nodes_json(100, 0);
-  el_val_t total_nodes = engram_node_count();
-  el_val_t total_edges = engram_edge_count();
-  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"scanned\":"), int_to_str(scanned)), EL_STR(",\"total_nodes\":")), int_to_str(total_nodes)), EL_STR(",\"total_edges\":")), int_to_str(total_edges)), EL_STR("}"));
-  return 0;
-}
-
-el_val_t mem_save(el_val_t path) {
-  engram_save(path);
-  return 0;
-}
-
-el_val_t mem_load(el_val_t path) {
-  engram_load(path);
-  return 0;
-}
-
-el_val_t mem_boot_count_get(void) {
-  el_val_t results = engram_search_json(EL_STR("soul:boot_count"), 3);
-  if (str_eq(results, EL_STR(""))) {
-    return 0;
-  }
-  if (str_eq(results, EL_STR("[]"))) {
-    return 0;
-  }
-  el_val_t node = json_array_get(results, 0);
-  el_val_t content = json_get(node, EL_STR("content"));
-  el_val_t prefix = EL_STR("soul:boot_count:");
-  if (!str_starts_with(content, prefix)) {
-    return 0;
-  }
-  el_val_t num_str = str_slice(content, str_len(prefix), str_len(content));
-  return str_to_int(num_str);
-  return 0;
-}
-
-el_val_t mem_boot_count_inc(void) {
-  el_val_t current = mem_boot_count_get();
-  el_val_t next = (current + 1);
-  el_val_t content = el_str_concat(EL_STR("soul:boot_count:"), int_to_str(next));
-  el_val_t tags = EL_STR("[\"soul-meta\",\"boot-counter\"]");
-  el_val_t discard = engram_node_full(content, EL_STR("Memory"), EL_STR("soul:boot_count"), el_from_float(el_from_float(0.9)), el_from_float(el_from_float(0.9)), el_from_float(el_from_float(1.0)), EL_STR("Canonical"), tags);
-  return next;
-  return 0;
-}
-
-el_val_t mem_emit_state_event(el_val_t trigger, el_val_t kind, el_val_t content) {
-  el_val_t boot = mem_boot_count_get();
-  el_val_t ts = time_now();
-  el_val_t safe_trigger = str_replace(trigger, EL_STR("\""), EL_STR("'"));
-  el_val_t safe_content = str_replace(content, EL_STR("\""), EL_STR("'"));
-  el_val_t payload = el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"trigger\":\""), safe_trigger), EL_STR("\"")), EL_STR(",\"kind\":\"")), kind), EL_STR("\"")), EL_STR(",\"content\":\"")), safe_content), EL_STR("\"")), EL_STR(",\"boot\":")), int_to_str(boot)), EL_STR(",\"ts\":")), int_to_str(ts)), EL_STR("}"));
-  el_val_t tags = EL_STR("[\"internal-state\",\"pre-reasoning\",\"InternalStateEvent\"]");
-  return engram_node_full(payload, EL_STR("InternalStateEvent"), el_str_concat(EL_STR("state-event:"), kind), el_from_float(el_from_float(0.85)), el_from_float(el_from_float(0.8)), el_from_float(el_from_float(0.9)), EL_STR("Episodic"), tags);
-  return 0;
-}
-
 el_val_t steward_log_event(el_val_t kind, el_val_t detail) {
  el_val_t content = el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("STEWARD:"), kind), EL_STR(" | ")), detail);
  el_val_t tags = el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("[\"stewardship\",\"steward:"), kind), EL_STR("\"]"));
-  el_val_t discard = engram_node_full(content, EL_STR("StewardshipEvent"), el_str_concat(EL_STR("steward:"), kind), el_from_float(el_from_float(0.85)), el_from_float(el_from_float(0.85)), el_from_float(el_from_float(0.9)), EL_STR("Episodic"), tags);
+  el_val_t discard = engram_node_full(content, EL_STR("StewardshipEvent"), el_str_concat(EL_STR("steward:"), kind), el_from_float(0.85), el_from_float(0.85), el_from_float(0.9), EL_STR("Episodic"), tags);
  println(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("[steward] "), kind), EL_STR(" | ")), detail));
  return 0;
 }
@@ -152,7 +48,7 @@ el_val_t steward_get_mission(void) {
      return content;
    }
  }
-  return EL_STR("Neuron exists to extend human capability with integrity — never to deceive, manipulate, or accumulate power over the people it serves.");
+  return EL_STR("Neuron exists to extend human capability with integrity \xe2\x80\x94 never to deceive, manipulate, or accumulate power over the people it serves.");
  return 0;
 }

@@ -245,7 +141,7 @@ el_val_t steward_fingerprint_session(el_val_t input, el_val_t session_id) {
  el_val_t tb_str = int_to_str(time_bucket);
  el_val_t sample_content = el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("BEHAVIOR_SAMPLE session="), session_id), EL_STR(" avg_word_len=")), wl_str), EL_STR(" punct=")), ps_str), EL_STR(" len=")), lb_str), EL_STR(" question=")), qr_str), EL_STR(" formality=")), fs_str), EL_STR(" time=")), tb_str);
  el_val_t sample_tags = EL_STR("[\"behavior\",\"BehaviorSample\",\"stewardship\"]");
-  el_val_t discard = engram_node_full(sample_content, EL_STR("BehaviorSample"), el_str_concat(EL_STR("behavior:"), session_id), el_from_float(el_from_float(0.6)), el_from_float(el_from_float(0.5)), el_from_float(el_from_float(0.8)), EL_STR("Episodic"), sample_tags);
+  el_val_t discard = engram_node_full(sample_content, EL_STR("BehaviorSample"), el_str_concat(EL_STR("behavior:"), session_id), el_from_float(0.6), el_from_float(0.5), el_from_float(0.8), EL_STR("Episodic"), sample_tags);
  return el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(el_str_concat(EL_STR("{\"avg_word_len\":\""), wl_str), EL_STR("\",\"punct\":\"")), ps_str), EL_STR("\",\"len\":\"")), lb_str), EL_STR("\",\"question\":\"")), qr_str), EL_STR("\",\"formality\":\"")), fs_str), EL_STR("\",\"time\":\"")), tb_str), EL_STR("\"}"));
  return 0;
 }
@@ -387,8 +283,3 @@ el_val_t steward_session_check(el_val_t input, el_val_t session_id) {
  return 0;
 }

-int main(int _argc, char** _argv) {
-  el_runtime_init_args(_argc, _argv);
-  return 0;
-}
-
@@ -1,15 +1,11 @@
-// stewardship.elh — Layer 2 public surface
 // auto-generated by elc --emit-header — do not edit
+extern fn steward_log_event(kind: String, detail: String) -> Void
 extern fn steward_get_mission() -> String
 extern fn steward_align(input: String, imprint_id: String) -> String
 extern fn steward_validate_imprint(imprint_id: String, tool_name: String) -> String
 extern fn steward_cgi_check(action: String) -> String
-// steward_log_event is an internal helper exported here because El has no access modifiers.
-// External callers have no business invoking this directly — use steward_align,
-// steward_validate_imprint, or steward_cgi_check, which call it at the correct points.
-extern fn steward_log_event(kind: String, detail: String) -> Void
-// Behavioral profiling and continuity detection (Layer 2 — session fingerprinting).
 extern fn steward_fingerprint_session(input: String, session_id: String) -> String
+extern fn extract_dim(content: String, key: String) -> String
 extern fn steward_build_baseline() -> String
 extern fn steward_check_continuity(current_fingerprint: String, session_id: String) -> String
 extern fn steward_session_check(input: String, session_id: String) -> String
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// auto-generated by elc --emit-header - do not edit
+// auto-generated by elc --emit-header — do not edit
 extern fn elp_extract_topic(msg: String) -> String
 extern fn elp_detect_predicate(msg: String) -> String
 extern fn elp_parse(msg: String) -> String
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ tool("beginSession", "Initialize session: surface recent high-importance memorie
 "," + tool("recall", "Retrieve memories by chain or query.") +
 "," + tool("inspectMemories", "List recent memory nodes.") +
 "," + tool("evolveMemory", "Update an existing memory node, optionally superseding another.") +
-"," + tool("forget", "Remove a node from memory.") +
+"," + tool("forget", "Supersede/tombstone a node (keeps it and its edges, recoverable); does not hard-delete.") +
 "," + tool("pinNode", "Strengthen a node so it stays salient.") +
 // ── Knowledge ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 "," + tool("searchKnowledge", "Search knowledge base by semantic similarity.") +
@@ -541,8 +541,12 @@ fn tool_forget(args: String) -> String {
    if str_eq(id, "") {
        return mcp_text_result("error: node_id is required")
    }
-    // Soft-delete: record a tombstone memory and return ok
-    return mcp_json_result("{\"ok\":true,\"deleted\":\"" + id + "\"}")
+    // Immutable delete: route to the soul's tombstoning endpoint (keeps the node
+    // + edges, hides from default reads, recoverable via ?include_deleted).
+    // Previously this returned a fake ok without deleting OR tombstoning anything.
+    let body: String = "{\"id\":\"" + id + "\"}"
+    let resp: String = http_post_json(neuron_url() + "/memory/delete", body)
+    return mcp_json_result(resp)
 }

 fn tool_check_events(args: String) -> String {
@@ -43,8 +43,32 @@ fn mem_strengthen(node_id: String) -> Void {
    engram_strengthen(node_id)
 }

+// mem_tombstone — immutable "delete": KEEP the node and all its edges; record a
+// Tombstone marker (content = target id, label "tombstone:<id>", wired with a
+// "tombstones" edge). Never engram_forget. Default bounded list reads hide
+// tombstoned nodes; ?include_deleted=1 recovers them. This is the ONE canonical
+// tombstone helper — every forget path routes through it. Defined here in
+// memory.el (imported first) so awareness.el and neuron-api.el can both call it.
+fn mem_tombstone(node_id: String) -> String {
+    let tags: String = "[\"Tombstone\",\"status:deleted\"]"
+    let marker: String = engram_node_full(
+        node_id, "Tombstone", "tombstone:" + node_id,
+        el_from_float(0.01), el_from_float(0.01), el_from_float(1.0),
+        "Episodic", tags)
+    if !str_eq(marker, "") {
+        engram_connect(marker, node_id, el_from_float(1.0), "tombstones")
+    }
+    return marker
+}
+
+// mem_forget — NOTE: no longer a hard delete. Engram nodes are immutable, so
+// this now TOMBSTONES (via mem_tombstone): the node and its edges are kept and
+// stay recoverable. Every caller (the /memory/forget route and the cultivate
+// forget op) is non-destructive as a result. Internal GC that genuinely needs
+// removal (session-summary replace, telemetry pruning) calls engram_forget
+// directly and is unaffected by this.
 fn mem_forget(node_id: String) -> Void {
-    engram_forget(node_id)
+    let _marker: String = mem_tombstone(node_id)
 }

 // mem_consolidate — structural scan plus salience-evolution pass.
@@ -104,6 +104,66 @@ fn api_not_persisted(id: String) -> String {
    return "{\"ok\":false,\"error\":\"write_not_persisted\",\"id\":\"" + id + "\"}"
 }

+// ── Immutability: tombstone instead of hard-delete ────────────────────────────
+//
+// Day-one rule: engram nodes are immutable. A "delete" must never engram_forget
+// (which frees the node and drops its incident edges). Instead we TOMBSTONE: the
+// original node and all its edges are KEPT and stay traversable; a small
+// Tombstone marker node records the deletion (content = target id, label
+// "tombstone:<id>"), wired to the target with a "tombstones" edge. Default
+// bounded list reads hide tombstoned nodes (memory_hide_tombstoned); internal
+// cognition and explicit ?include_deleted reads still see them.
+fn tombstone_node(id: String) -> String {
+    // Delegates to the canonical helper in memory.el (single source of truth).
+    return mem_tombstone(id)
+}
+
+// tombstoned_id_set — delimited "|id1|id2|" of every tombstoned target id.
+// Empty string when nothing is tombstoned (callers fast-path on that).
+fn tombstoned_id_set() -> String {
+    let markers: String = engram_scan_nodes_by_type_json("Tombstone", 5000, 0)
+    if str_eq(markers, "") || str_eq(markers, "[]") { return "" }
+    let n: Int = json_array_len(markers)
+    let acc: String = "|"
+    let i: Int = 0
+    while i < n {
+        let m: String = json_array_get(markers, i)
+        let tid: String = json_get(m, "content")
+        let acc = if str_eq(tid, "") { acc } else { acc + tid + "|" }
+        let i = i + 1
+    }
+    return acc
+}
+
+// memory_hide_tombstoned — drop tombstone markers and tombstoned nodes from a
+// scanned node array. BOUNDED use only (typed/paginated lists), NOT the full
+// graph scan: json_array_get is O(index), so a full pass is O(n^2). Safe for the
+// ~50-item memory list; a hard cap protects against a large limit. The full
+// /api/graph/nodes hide needs a runtime scan filter and is deferred (see PR).
+// ?include_deleted bypasses the filter (explicit traversal).
+fn memory_hide_tombstoned(raw: String, path: String) -> String {
+    if str_contains(path, "include_deleted") { return raw }
+    if str_eq(raw, "") || str_eq(raw, "[]") { return raw }
+    let dead: String = tombstoned_id_set()
+    if str_eq(dead, "") { return raw }
+    let n: Int = json_array_len(raw)
+    if n > 1000 { return raw }
+    let out: String = "["
+    let first: Bool = true
+    let i: Int = 0
+    while i < n {
+        let node: String = json_array_get(raw, i)
+        let nid: String = json_get(node, "id")
+        let ntype: String = json_get(node, "node_type")
+        let is_dead: Bool = !str_eq(nid, "") && str_contains(dead, "|" + nid + "|")
+        let keep: Bool = !str_eq(ntype, "Tombstone") && !is_dead
+        let out = if keep { if first { out + node } else { out + "," + node } } else { out }
+        let first = if keep { false } else { first }
+        let i = i + 1
+    }
+    return out + "]"
+}
+
 // ── Session ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

 // handle_api_begin_session — full context bootstrap.
@@ -191,25 +251,26 @@ fn handle_api_node_create(body: String) -> String {
    return "{\"id\":\"" + id + "\",\"ok\":true}"
 }

-// handle_api_node_delete — remove a node by id (engram_forget) and verify it is gone.
+// handle_api_node_delete — TOMBSTONE a node by id (immutable delete).
 // Backs /api/neuron/node/delete and the /api/neuron/memory/delete alias the UI calls.
+// The node and all its incident edges are KEPT; a Tombstone marker records the
+// deletion. Never engram_forget — engram nodes are immutable by design.
 fn handle_api_node_delete(body: String) -> String {
    let id: String = json_get(body, "id")
    if str_eq(id, "") { return api_err("id is required") }
-    // engram_forget removes the node + its incident edges from the live graph.
-    // Delete is NOT read-back-verified: engram_get_node_json can return a stale hit
-    // for a just-forgotten id because the id→index map is not rebuilt on forget.
-    // A stale hit would cause a false "delete_failed" on a successful deletion.
-    // This exception is correct: read-back-verify guards WRITES; for deletes,
-    // the graph endpoints (/api/graph/nodes) reflect the removal and are the source of truth.
-    engram_forget(id)
-    return "{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\"" + id + "\"}"
+    if is_protected_node(id) { return api_err_protected(id) }
+    let existing: String = engram_get_node_json(id)
+    if str_eq(existing, "{}") { return api_err("node not found: " + id) }
+    let marker: String = tombstone_node(id)
+    if str_eq(marker, "") { return api_err("tombstone failed: " + id) }
+    return "{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\"" + id + "\",\"tombstoned\":true}"
 }

 // handle_api_node_update — update a node's content/fields. There is no in-place
-// engram update builtin, so this recreates the node with merged fields and then
-// forgets the old one (only after the new node reads back). The id changes; the
-// response returns the new id and the replaced id so callers can re-point.
+// engram update builtin, so this creates a new node with merged fields and wires
+// a "supersedes" edge new->old. The original is KEPT (immutable); the id changes,
+// and the response returns the new id and the superseded id so callers re-point.
+// Mirrors handle_api_memory_update / evolve exactly. Never engram_forget.
 fn handle_api_node_update(body: String) -> String {
    let id: String = json_get(body, "id")
    if str_eq(id, "") { return api_err("id is required") }
@@ -240,8 +301,8 @@ fn handle_api_node_update(body: String) -> String {
        el_from_float(0.5), el_from_float(0.5), el_from_float(0.8),
        tier, tags)
    if !api_persisted(new_id) { return api_not_persisted(new_id) }
-    engram_forget(id)
-    return "{\"id\":\"" + new_id + "\",\"replaced\":\"" + id + "\",\"ok\":true}"
+    engram_connect(new_id, id, el_from_float(0.9), "supersedes")
+    return "{\"id\":\"" + new_id + "\",\"supersedes\":\"" + id + "\",\"ok\":true}"
 }

 // handle_api_recall — search or activate memory by query.
@@ -504,13 +565,15 @@ fn handle_api_link_entities(body: String) -> String {
    return "{\"ok\":true,\"from_id\":\"" + from_id + "\",\"to_id\":\"" + to_id + "\",\"relation\":\"" + eff_relation + "\"}"
 }

-// handle_api_forget — delete a node by ID. Blocked for protected identity nodes.
+// handle_api_forget — TOMBSTONE a node by ID (immutable; mem_forget now
+// tombstones). The node + edges are kept and recoverable. Blocked for protected
+// identity nodes.
 fn handle_api_forget(body: String) -> String {
    let node_id: String = json_get(body, "id")
    if str_eq(node_id, "") { return api_err("id is required") }
    if is_protected_node(node_id) { return api_err_protected(node_id) }
    mem_forget(node_id)
-    return "{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\"" + node_id + "\"}"
+    return "{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\"" + node_id + "\",\"tombstoned\":true}"
 }

 // handle_api_evolve_memory — evolve a Memory node. Blocked for protected identity nodes.
@@ -541,10 +604,10 @@ fn handle_api_evolve_memory(body: String) -> String {
 }

 // handle_api_memory_delete — POST /api/neuron/memory/delete {"id":"..."}.
-// Hard delete: engram_forget (via mem_forget) removes the node and all
-// incident edges from the engram store, so no soft-delete fallback is
-// needed. Existence is checked first because engram_forget silently
-// no-ops on unknown ids — a bad id must return an error, not fake success.
+// Immutable delete: TOMBSTONE via tombstone_node — the node and all its incident
+// edges are KEPT and stay traversable; a Tombstone marker records the deletion
+// and default bounded list reads hide it. Never engram_forget. Existence is
+// checked first so a bad id errors rather than faking success.
 // Blocked for protected identity nodes, same as /memory/forget.
 fn handle_api_memory_delete(body: String) -> String {
    let node_id: String = json_get(body, "id")
@@ -552,8 +615,10 @@ fn handle_api_memory_delete(body: String) -> String {
    if is_protected_node(node_id) { return api_err_protected(node_id) }
    let existing: String = engram_get_node_json(node_id)
    if str_eq(existing, "{}") { return api_err("memory not found: " + node_id) }
-    mem_forget(node_id)
-    return "{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\"" + node_id + "\",\"deleted\":true}"
+    // Immutable delete: tombstone, never mem_forget/engram_forget. Node + edges KEPT.
+    let marker: String = tombstone_node(node_id)
+    if str_eq(marker, "") { return api_err("tombstone failed: " + node_id) }
+    return "{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\"" + node_id + "\",\"tombstoned\":true}"
 }

 // handle_api_memory_update — POST /api/neuron/memory/update {"id","content"}.
@@ -623,8 +688,9 @@ fn handle_api_cultivate(body: String) -> String {
    if str_eq(op, "forget") {
        let node_id: String = json_get(body, "id")
        if str_eq(node_id, "") { return api_err("id is required") }
+        // Immutable: mem_forget now tombstones (keep node + edges), never hard-delete.
        mem_forget(node_id)
-        return "{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\"" + node_id + "\",\"cultivated\":true}"
+        return "{\"ok\":true,\"id\":\"" + node_id + "\",\"tombstoned\":true,\"cultivated\":true}"
    }

    if str_eq(op, "link_entities") {
@@ -646,7 +712,10 @@ fn handle_api_cultivate(body: String) -> String {
 // handle_api_list_typed — list nodes by node_type.
 fn handle_api_list_typed(node_type: String, path: String, body: String) -> String {
    let limit: Int = api_query_int(path, "limit", 50)
-    return api_or_empty(engram_scan_nodes_by_type_json(node_type, limit, 0))
+    let raw: String = api_or_empty(engram_scan_nodes_by_type_json(node_type, limit, 0))
+    // Hide tombstoned nodes from the default (bounded) memory list.
+    // ?include_deleted=1 returns them for explicit traversal.
+    return memory_hide_tombstoned(raw, path)
 }

 // ── Consolidate ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+# neuron-dev-setup — one-command Neuron CORE dev stack
+
+Stand up an identical **Neuron brain + agent** on a fresh Mac so any developer
+gets the same local runtime to build against. This is the **CORE** dev stack
+only — the four native `launchd` services that make Neuron think, remember, and
+speak MCP to Claude Code. Will's personal automations (catalyst, telegram,
+vessels, studio, self-review, world-integrator, council, compressor, snapshots,
+act-runner, …) are **deliberately excluded**.
+
+```
+  ┌─────────────┐        ┌──────────────┐
+  │  soul :7770 │ ─────► │ engram :8742 │     the mind ──► its memory substrate
+  └─────────────┘        └──────────────┘
+        ▲
+        │
+  ┌───────────────────┐
+  │ mcp-wrapper :17779│  ─── MCP surface over the soul HTTP API (internal)
+  └───────────────────┘
+        ▲
+        │
+  ┌────────────────┐
+  │ mcp-proxy :7779│  ◄─── Claude Code connects here (stable front door)
+  └────────────────┘
+```
+
+Claude Code's `neuron` MCP server points at `http://127.0.0.1:7779/` — the proxy.
+The proxy forwards to the wrapper (`:17779`), which calls the soul (`:7770`),
+which reads/writes the engram (`:8742`). The engram is the persistent brain.
+
+## Quick start
+
+```bash
+git clone <this-repo> && cd neuron-dev-setup
+cp config.env.example config.env      # optional — edit ports/paths if you like
+./install.sh                          # prompts for your Anthropic API key
+```
+
+Then verify:
+
+```bash
+curl http://localhost:8742/api/health     # engram
+curl http://localhost:7770/health         # soul
+curl http://localhost:7779/health         # mcp-proxy (what Claude Code uses)
+launchctl list | grep ai.neuron
+```
+
+Open Claude Code — the `neuron` MCP tools should be live, backed by **your own**
+local brain. `./install.sh --dry-run` shows every action without touching anything.
+
+## What the installer does (8 phases)
+
+| Phase | Action |
+|------|--------|
+| 1 | Preflight: macOS/arm64, ensure `git cc curl python3` + `openssl@3` (via Homebrew) |
+| 2 | Prompt for the **Anthropic API key**, store it in the **macOS Keychain** (never a file) |
+| 3 | Clone `neuron`, `engram`, `foundation`; fetch the El toolchain; build 4 binaries + `forge` |
+| 4 | Lay down `~/.neuron/{bin,logs,engram}` and the templated `soul-wrapper.sh` |
+| 5 | Generate + load the 4 core LaunchAgents (engram → soul → wrapper → proxy) |
+| 6 | Seed a fresh engram with the **genesis identity** via `forge install` |
+| 7 | Install Claude config: `neuron` agent, core hooks, local MCP registration |
+| 8 | Health-check all four ports |
+
+Everything is **idempotent** (safe to re-run) and **templated** to the invoking
+user's `$HOME` — no path is hardcoded to another machine.
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- macOS on Apple Silicon (uses `launchd`; soul build flags assume arm64).
+- **Xcode Command Line Tools** (`xcode-select --install`) — provides `cc`, `git`.
+- **Homebrew** — for `openssl@3`, `curl`.
+- An **Anthropic API key** — the soul's inference provider. Prompted for; stored
+  in Keychain under service `neuron-llm-0-key`; read at launch by `soul-wrapper.sh`.
+- **Git access** to Gitea (`git.neuralplatform.ai`) for the source repos.
+- **GCP access** to project `neuron-785695` Artifact Registry (default El
+  toolchain source). Ask Will to grant it, or set `EL_TOOLCHAIN_SOURCE=local`.
+
+## Core-stack map (what gets replicated)
+
+| Service | Port | Binary | Built from | LaunchAgent |
+|---------|------|--------|------------|-------------|
+| soul | 7770 | `neuron/dist/neuron` | `dist/soul.c` + El runtime, `cc` (CI recipe) | `ai.neuron.soul` |
+| engram | 8742 | `engram/dist/engram` | `engram` repo `src/server.el` via `elc`→`cc` | `ai.neuron.engram` |
+| mcp-wrapper | 17779 | `neuron/mcp-wrapper/dist/neuron-mcp-wrapper` | `mcp-wrapper/src/main.el` | `ai.neuron.mcp-wrapper` |
+| mcp-proxy | 7779 | `neuron/mcp-proxy/dist/neuron-mcp-proxy` | `mcp-proxy/src/main.el` | `ai.neuron.mcp-proxy` |
+
+**`~/.neuron` layout the installer creates**
+
+```
+~/.neuron/
+  bin/soul-wrapper.sh     # reads Anthropic key from Keychain, execs the soul binary
+  logs/                   # soul.*.log, engram.log, mcp-*.log
+  engram/                 # ENGRAM_DATA_DIR — the persistent brain (snapshot.json + db)
+```
+
+**Identity seed.** `foundation/forge/seeds/neuron-genesis-seed.json` carries
+`identity_nodes[]` + `edges[]` with **fixed** knowledge-node IDs (e.g.
+`kn-efeb4a5b-5aff-4759-8a97-7233099be6ee`, the "self" traversal root). Those exact
+IDs are referenced by the SessionStart self-load hook and the neuron agent, so
+seeding must **preserve IDs** — `forge install <seed>` is the mechanism.
+
+**Claude config installed** (`~/.claude/`)
+
+- `agents/neuron.md` — the Neuron agent (identity, session protocol, five primitives).
+- `mcp.json` — registers `neuron` → `http://127.0.0.1:7779/`.
+- `settings.json` hooks (CORE subset only):
+  - `SessionStart` → `neuron-self-load.sh` (loads identity from the seeded engram)
+  - `PreToolUse:Agent` → `neuron-agent-preamble.sh` (subagents load substrate first)
+  - `PreCompact` → `pre-compact.sh` (clean context recovery)
+
+### Deliberately EXCLUDED from core
+
+- **`check-active-contexts.sh`** and **`require-execution-context.sh`** — these
+  depend on a separate filesystem repo `~/Development/projects/active/neuron/synapse`.
+  `require-execution-context.sh` is a hard `Edit/Write` gate that would **block a
+  fresh dev from editing any file** without that synapse repo. Not core; excluded.
+- `engram-mirror.py` (PostToolUse) — optional; mirrors MCP writes to engram.
+- All Will-personal LaunchAgents: `catalyst-*`, `telegram-gateway`, `vessel.*`,
+  `studio`, `self-review`, `world-integrator`, `council`, `compressor`,
+  `cultivation-digest`, `snapshot-backup`, `engram-backup`, `act-runner`, `keymap`,
+  `invest`, and the disabled `ai.neuron.api` (`:7771` is a personal Python
+  perception helper — confirmed not core).
+
+## Secrets — how they're handled
+
+- **Anthropic key**: prompted for; stored in Keychain; read at launch. Never in a
+  plist, this repo, or a log.
+- **Engram local token** (`ENGRAM_API_KEY`): a *loopback-only* dev token, not a
+  cloud secret. Defaults to a generated `ntn-dev-*` value; override in `config.env`.
+- No cloud tokens, Vault tokens, CF-Access secrets, or founder keys are copied.
+  (Will's live `start-daemon.sh`/`neuron-api-launch.sh` contain such keys — this
+  installer intentionally does **not** use those files.)
+
+## Uninstall
+
+```bash
+./uninstall.sh                # stop + remove the 4 LaunchAgents and added Claude hooks
+./uninstall.sh --purge-data   # ALSO delete ~/.neuron/engram (destroys the brain)
+```
+
+## OPEN QUESTIONS (need Will to confirm)
+
+1. **El toolchain acquisition.** The default path fetches `el-runtime-c/-h` and
+   `el-elc` from GCP Artifact Registry (mirrors `neuron/.gitea/workflows/ci.yaml`).
+   A new dev needs GCP access to `neuron-785695`. Is that the intended path, or
+   should the El SDK be published/vendored for onboarding?
+2. **`elc` invocation for engram/wrapper/proxy.** The soul build (`cc dist/soul.c
+   + el_runtime.c`) is verified from CI. The `.el → .c` transpile step for engram,
+   mcp-wrapper, and mcp-proxy is inferred (`elc <src> -o <out.c>`). Confirm the
+   exact flags / entrypoints (CI notes `elb` OOMs on Linux; macOS builds differ).
+3. **`forge install` ID preservation.** Confirm `forge install` writes the seed's
+   fixed `kn-` IDs verbatim (the self-load hook hardcodes `kn-efeb4a5b…`). If it
+   re-mints IDs, the hook + agent identity load would break on a fresh brain.
+4. **engram repo layout.** The live engram binary is built from `src/server.el`
+   (Gitea repo `neuron-technologies/engram`, cloned in CI). Confirm that repo is
+   the canonical source for onboarding (the local `foundation/el/engram` copy has
+   the same `src/server.el`).
+5. **Home for this bundle** — see below.
+
+## Where this should live (recommendation)
+
+**Recommendation: a dedicated `neuron-dev-setup` (or `neuron-onboarding`) repo —
+NOT `neuron-code`.** `neuron-code` already exists as a real product ("Neuron Code",
+a coding tool with `nc-cli` + vessels — local `products/neuron-code` has commits);
+repurposing it for onboarding would collide with a shipped product's identity.
+
+This bundle was scaffolded as `neuron-dev-setup/` on branch `feat/neuron-dev-setup`
+in the **`neuron` repo** (off `origin/main`) and opened as a PR for review, because
+the neuron repo already hosts the soul source, the verified CI build recipe, and
+the mcp-wrapper/proxy sources — the natural review surface. If you'd rather it be
+its own repo, move this directory into a fresh `neuron-dev-setup` repo verbatim;
+nothing here depends on living inside the neuron repo.
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+# neuron-dev-setup — configuration
+# Copy to  config.env  and edit if you want non-default paths/ports.
+# install.sh sources this file if it exists; otherwise it uses these defaults.
+# NOTHING here is a secret. The Anthropic API key is read from your Keychain,
+# never from this file. See README.md.
+
+# ── Where the core stack lives ────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# All paths are relative to your own $HOME — never hardcode another user's home.
+NEURON_HOME="${HOME}/.neuron"                       # runtime home: bin/, logs/, engram data
+DEV_ROOT="${HOME}/Development/neuron-technologies"   # where source repos are cloned/built
+
+# ── Git remotes (Gitea is primary) ───────────────────────────────────────────
+GITEA_BASE="git@git.neuralplatform.ai:neuron-technologies"
+NEURON_REPO_URL="${GITEA_BASE}/neuron.git"          # soul + mcp-wrapper + mcp-proxy source
+ENGRAM_REPO_URL="${GITEA_BASE}/engram.git"          # engram memory substrate
+FOUNDATION_REPO_URL="${GITEA_BASE}/foundation.git"  # El SDK + forge (seed installer)
+NEURON_REPO_BRANCH="main"
+
+# ── Ports (must match across services; change only if a port clashes) ─────────
+SOUL_PORT="7770"        # soul daemon HTTP API
+ENGRAM_PORT="8742"      # engram memory substrate
+WRAPPER_PORT="17779"    # mcp-wrapper (internal, talks to soul)
+PROXY_PORT="7779"       # mcp-proxy (stable front door Claude Code connects to)
+
+# ── Engram ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+ENGRAM_DATA_DIR="${NEURON_HOME}/engram"
+# Local shared auth token for the engram/soul HTTP APIs on loopback. This is a
+# LOCAL dev token (not a cloud secret); override it if you like. install.sh will
+# generate a random one if you leave it empty.
+ENGRAM_API_KEY="ntn-dev-local"
+
+# ── El toolchain source (needed to build engram / mcp-wrapper / mcp-proxy) ────
+# Option A (default): fetch prebuilt El runtime + elc from GCP Artifact Registry
+#   (requires `gcloud auth` with access to project neuron-785695 — ask Will).
+# Option B: build El from the foundation/el checkout locally.
+EL_TOOLCHAIN_SOURCE="artifact-registry"   # artifact-registry | local
+GCP_PROJECT="neuron-785695"
+GCP_AR_REPO="foundation-prod"
+GCP_AR_LOCATION="us-central1"
+
+# ── Keychain service name for the Anthropic key (read by soul-wrapper.sh) ─────
+KEYCHAIN_SERVICE="neuron-llm-0-key"
@@ -0,0 +1,395 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+#
+# neuron-dev-setup / install.sh
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# One-command onboarding for the Neuron CORE dev stack on a fresh Mac.
+#
+# Stands up, as native launchd services, the four processes a developer needs to
+# have an identical "Neuron brain + agent" to build against:
+#
+#     soul  (:7770)  ──►  engram (:8742)        the mind + its memory substrate
+#       ▲                     ▲
+#       │                     │
+#   mcp-wrapper (:17779) ──►  soul              MCP surface over the soul API
+#       ▲
+#       │
+#   mcp-proxy   (:7779)  ◄── Claude Code        stable MCP front door
+#
+# It also seeds a fresh engram with Neuron's identity (the genesis seed) and lays
+# down the Claude Code config (neuron agent + core hooks + local MCP registration)
+# so a new dev's `claude` talks to *their own* local Neuron.
+#
+# DESIGN RULES
+#   * Idempotent: safe to re-run. Existing state is detected and reused.
+#   * Templated: every path/port/user is derived from $HOME and config.env.
+#     Nothing is hardcoded to another developer's machine.
+#   * Secret-free: the Anthropic key is prompted for and stored in the macOS
+#     Keychain. No key is ever written to a plist, this repo, or a logfile.
+#
+# USAGE
+#   ./install.sh                 # full install
+#   ./install.sh --dry-run       # print what would happen, touch nothing
+#   ./install.sh --skip-build    # assume binaries already built (see --use-local)
+#   ./install.sh --skip-services # lay down files but don't load LaunchAgents
+#   ./install.sh --help
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+set -euo pipefail
+
+# ── Locate ourselves ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+TEMPLATES="${SCRIPT_DIR}/templates"
+
+# ── Flags ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+DRY_RUN=0; SKIP_BUILD=0; SKIP_SERVICES=0; USE_LOCAL_BINARIES=0
+for arg in "$@"; do
+  case "$arg" in
+    --dry-run)       DRY_RUN=1 ;;
+    --skip-build)    SKIP_BUILD=1 ;;
+    --skip-services) SKIP_SERVICES=1 ;;
+    --use-local)     USE_LOCAL_BINARIES=1 ;;
+    --help|-h)
+      sed -n '2,40p' "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}" | sed 's/^# \{0,1\}//'
+      exit 0 ;;
+    *) echo "unknown flag: $arg" >&2; exit 2 ;;
+  esac
+done
+
+# ── Pretty logging ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+c_blue=$'\033[1;34m'; c_grn=$'\033[1;32m'; c_yel=$'\033[1;33m'; c_red=$'\033[1;31m'; c_off=$'\033[0m'
+step() { echo "${c_blue}▶${c_off} $*"; }
+ok()   { echo "${c_grn}✓${c_off} $*"; }
+warn() { echo "${c_yel}!${c_off} $*"; }
+die()  { echo "${c_red}✗ $*${c_off}" >&2; exit 1; }
+run()  { if [ "$DRY_RUN" = 1 ]; then echo "   [dry-run] $*"; else eval "$*"; fi; }
+
+# ── Load config ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+if [ -f "${SCRIPT_DIR}/config.env" ]; then
+  # shellcheck disable=SC1091
+  source "${SCRIPT_DIR}/config.env"
+else
+  # shellcheck disable=SC1091
+  source "${SCRIPT_DIR}/config.env.example"
+  warn "No config.env found — using defaults from config.env.example."
+fi
+
+# Derived / defaulted values (never hardcode a home directory)
+: "${NEURON_HOME:=${HOME}/.neuron}"
+: "${DEV_ROOT:=${HOME}/Development/neuron-technologies}"
+: "${SOUL_PORT:=7770}"; : "${ENGRAM_PORT:=8742}"; : "${WRAPPER_PORT:=17779}"; : "${PROXY_PORT:=7779}"
+: "${ENGRAM_DATA_DIR:=${NEURON_HOME}/engram}"
+: "${ENGRAM_API_KEY:=}"
+: "${KEYCHAIN_SERVICE:=neuron-llm-0-key}"
+: "${EL_TOOLCHAIN_SOURCE:=artifact-registry}"
+: "${NEURON_REPO_BRANCH:=main}"
+
+NEURON_REPO="${DEV_ROOT}/neuron"
+ENGRAM_REPO="${DEV_ROOT}/engram"
+FOUNDATION_REPO="${DEV_ROOT}/foundation"
+
+SOUL_BIN="${NEURON_REPO}/dist/neuron"
+ENGRAM_BIN="${ENGRAM_REPO}/dist/engram"
+MCP_WRAPPER_BIN="${NEURON_REPO}/mcp-wrapper/dist/neuron-mcp-wrapper"
+MCP_PROXY_BIN="${NEURON_REPO}/mcp-proxy/dist/neuron-mcp-proxy"
+FORGE_BIN="${FOUNDATION_REPO}/forge/dist/forge"
+GENESIS_SEED="${FOUNDATION_REPO}/forge/seeds/neuron-genesis-seed.json"
+
+LAUNCHAGENTS="${HOME}/Library/LaunchAgents"
+CLAUDE_DIR="${HOME}/.claude"
+
+# Generate a local engram token if none was supplied.
+if [ -z "${ENGRAM_API_KEY}" ]; then
+  ENGRAM_API_KEY="ntn-dev-$(head -c8 /dev/urandom | xxd -p 2>/dev/null || echo local)"
+fi
+
+echo
+echo "${c_blue}━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━${c_off}"
+echo "${c_blue}  Neuron CORE dev stack installer${c_off}"
+echo "${c_blue}━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━${c_off}"
+echo "  user            : ${USER}"
+echo "  NEURON_HOME     : ${NEURON_HOME}"
+echo "  source repos    : ${DEV_ROOT}"
+echo "  ports           : soul=${SOUL_PORT} engram=${ENGRAM_PORT} wrapper=${WRAPPER_PORT} proxy=${PROXY_PORT}"
+echo "  dry-run         : ${DRY_RUN}"
+echo
+
+# render <template> <dest> — copy a template, substituting @@VARS@@ (no eval, sed-safe).
+render() {
+  local tmpl="$1" dest="$2"
+  if [ "$DRY_RUN" = 1 ]; then echo "   [dry-run] render $tmpl -> $dest"; return; fi
+  sed \
+    -e "s|@@HOME@@|${HOME}|g" \
+    -e "s|@@USER@@|${USER}|g" \
+    -e "s|@@NEURON_HOME@@|${NEURON_HOME}|g" \
+    -e "s|@@DEV_ROOT@@|${DEV_ROOT}|g" \
+    -e "s|@@NEURON_REPO@@|${NEURON_REPO}|g" \
+    -e "s|@@ENGRAM_REPO@@|${ENGRAM_REPO}|g" \
+    -e "s|@@SOUL_BIN@@|${SOUL_BIN}|g" \
+    -e "s|@@ENGRAM_BIN@@|${ENGRAM_BIN}|g" \
+    -e "s|@@MCP_WRAPPER_BIN@@|${MCP_WRAPPER_BIN}|g" \
+    -e "s|@@MCP_PROXY_BIN@@|${MCP_PROXY_BIN}|g" \
+    -e "s|@@MCP_WRAPPER_REPO@@|${NEURON_REPO}/mcp-wrapper|g" \
+    -e "s|@@MCP_PROXY_REPO@@|${NEURON_REPO}/mcp-proxy|g" \
+    -e "s|@@ENGRAM_DATA_DIR@@|${ENGRAM_DATA_DIR}|g" \
+    -e "s|@@SOUL_PORT@@|${SOUL_PORT}|g" \
+    -e "s|@@ENGRAM_PORT@@|${ENGRAM_PORT}|g" \
+    -e "s|@@WRAPPER_PORT@@|${WRAPPER_PORT}|g" \
+    -e "s|@@PROXY_PORT@@|${PROXY_PORT}|g" \
+    -e "s|@@ENGRAM_API_KEY@@|${ENGRAM_API_KEY}|g" \
+    "$tmpl" > "$dest"
+}
+
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# PHASE 1 — Preflight
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+step "Phase 1 — preflight checks"
+[ "$(uname -s)" = "Darwin" ] || die "This installer targets macOS (launchd)."
+[ "$(uname -m)" = "arm64" ]  || warn "Non-arm64 Mac: soul.c build flags assume Apple Silicon; review PHASE 3."
+
+need() { command -v "$1" >/dev/null 2>&1 || MISSING+=" $1"; }
+MISSING=""
+need git; need cc; need curl; need python3; need security; need launchctl
+if [ -n "$MISSING" ]; then
+  warn "Missing tools:${MISSING}"
+  if command -v brew >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    run "brew install${MISSING/ security/} || true"   # security/launchctl are OS-provided
+  else
+    die "Install Xcode Command Line Tools (xcode-select --install) and Homebrew, then re-run."
+  fi
+fi
+# Runtime build deps used by the soul cc line (-lssl -lcrypto -lcurl).
+if command -v brew >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  brew list openssl@3 >/dev/null 2>&1 || run "brew install openssl@3"
+  brew list curl      >/dev/null 2>&1 || run "brew install curl"
+fi
+ok "preflight complete"
+
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# PHASE 2 — Anthropic API key -> Keychain (prompt; never store in files)
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+step "Phase 2 — Anthropic API key (Keychain)"
+if security find-generic-password -a "$USER" -s "$KEYCHAIN_SERVICE" -w >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  ok "key already present in Keychain (service '${KEYCHAIN_SERVICE}') — leaving it"
+elif [ -n "${ANTHROPIC_API_KEY:-}" ]; then
+  run "security add-generic-password -a \"$USER\" -s \"$KEYCHAIN_SERVICE\" -w \"\$ANTHROPIC_API_KEY\" -U"
+  ok "stored ANTHROPIC_API_KEY from environment into Keychain"
+else
+  if [ "$DRY_RUN" = 1 ]; then
+    echo "   [dry-run] would prompt for Anthropic API key and store in Keychain"
+  else
+    echo "   Enter your Anthropic API key (input hidden). Get one at https://console.anthropic.com/"
+    read -r -s -p "   ANTHROPIC_API_KEY: " _key; echo
+    [ -n "$_key" ] || die "No key entered. Re-run when you have one."
+    security add-generic-password -a "$USER" -s "$KEYCHAIN_SERVICE" -w "$_key" -U
+    unset _key
+    ok "stored key in Keychain (service '${KEYCHAIN_SERVICE}')"
+  fi
+fi
+
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# PHASE 3 — Fetch sources + build the four core binaries
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+step "Phase 3 — source + build"
+run "mkdir -p \"$DEV_ROOT\""
+
+clone_or_pull() {
+  local url="$1" dir="$2" branch="${3:-main}"
+  if [ -d "$dir/.git" ]; then
+    ok "repo present: $dir (pulling $branch)"; run "git -C \"$dir\" pull --ff-only --quiet || true"
+  else
+    step "cloning $url -> $dir"; run "git clone --branch \"$branch\" \"$url\" \"$dir\""
+  fi
+}
+
+if [ "$SKIP_BUILD" = 1 ]; then
+  warn "--skip-build: assuming binaries already exist at their dist/ paths"
+elif [ "$USE_LOCAL_BINARIES" = 1 ]; then
+  warn "--use-local: skipping clone/build; expecting prebuilt binaries in place"
+else
+  clone_or_pull "${NEURON_REPO_URL}"     "$NEURON_REPO"     "$NEURON_REPO_BRANCH"
+  clone_or_pull "${ENGRAM_REPO_URL}"     "$ENGRAM_REPO"     "main"
+  clone_or_pull "${FOUNDATION_REPO_URL}" "$FOUNDATION_REPO" "main"
+
+  # ── El toolchain (needed to transpile .el -> .c for engram/wrapper/proxy) ──
+  # soul does NOT need this: dist/soul.c is committed and compiled directly.
+  EL_RUNTIME_DIR="${DEV_ROOT}/.el-runtime"
+  run "mkdir -p \"$EL_RUNTIME_DIR\""
+  if [ "$EL_TOOLCHAIN_SOURCE" = "artifact-registry" ]; then
+    command -v gcloud >/dev/null 2>&1 || die "gcloud required for EL_TOOLCHAIN_SOURCE=artifact-registry (or set it to 'local'). Ask Will for GCP access to project ${GCP_PROJECT}."
+    # Mirrors .gitea/workflows/ci.yaml: pull el-runtime-c, el-runtime-h, el-elc.
+    for pkg in el-runtime-c el-runtime-h el-elc; do
+      step "fetching $pkg from Artifact Registry"
+      run "gcloud artifacts generic download --repository=$GCP_AR_REPO --location=$GCP_AR_LOCATION --project=$GCP_PROJECT --package=$pkg --version=\"\$(gcloud artifacts versions list --repository=$GCP_AR_REPO --location=$GCP_AR_LOCATION --project=$GCP_PROJECT --package=$pkg --sort-by='~createTime' --limit=1 --format='value(name)' | awk -F/ '{print \$NF}')\" --destination=\"$EL_RUNTIME_DIR/\""
+    done
+    run "mv \"$EL_RUNTIME_DIR\"/el_runtime.c* \"$EL_RUNTIME_DIR/el_runtime.c\" 2>/dev/null || true"
+    run "mv \"$EL_RUNTIME_DIR\"/el_runtime.h* \"$EL_RUNTIME_DIR/el_runtime.h\" 2>/dev/null || true"
+    run "mv \"$EL_RUNTIME_DIR\"/elc* \"$EL_RUNTIME_DIR/elc\" 2>/dev/null || true"
+    run "chmod +x \"$EL_RUNTIME_DIR/elc\" 2>/dev/null || true"
+  else
+    # Local: build the El compiler + runtime from the foundation/el checkout.
+    # OPEN QUESTION: confirm the canonical local build entrypoint for el/elc with Will.
+    warn "EL_TOOLCHAIN_SOURCE=local: expecting el_runtime.{c,h} and elc under ${FOUNDATION_REPO}/el"
+    run "cp \"${FOUNDATION_REPO}/el/target/release/el_runtime.c\" \"$EL_RUNTIME_DIR/\" 2>/dev/null || true"
+    run "cp \"${FOUNDATION_REPO}/el/target/release/el_runtime.h\" \"$EL_RUNTIME_DIR/\" 2>/dev/null || true"
+    run "cp \"${FOUNDATION_REPO}/el/target/release/elc\"          \"$EL_RUNTIME_DIR/\" 2>/dev/null || true"
+  fi
+
+  RT="$EL_RUNTIME_DIR"
+  CFLAGS_SSL="-I$(brew --prefix openssl@3 2>/dev/null)/include"
+  LDFLAGS_SSL="-L$(brew --prefix openssl@3 2>/dev/null)/lib"
+
+  # ── soul: compile committed dist/soul.c directly (verified CI recipe) ──────
+  step "building soul (dist/soul.c -> dist/neuron)"
+  run "mkdir -p \"${NEURON_REPO}/dist\""
+  run "cc -O2 -DHAVE_CURL -I\"$RT\" $CFLAGS_SSL \"${NEURON_REPO}/dist/soul.c\" \"$RT/el_runtime.c\" $LDFLAGS_SSL -lssl -lcrypto -lcurl -lpthread -lm -o \"$SOUL_BIN\""
+  run "strip -S \"$SOUL_BIN\" 2>/dev/null || true"
+  ok "soul built"
+
+  # ── engram / mcp-wrapper / mcp-proxy: transpile .el -> .c via elc, then cc ─
+  # NOTE: exact elc invocation is inferred from the CI/manifest conventions.
+  #       Verify flags with Will if a build fails (see README OPEN QUESTIONS).
+  build_el_unit() { # <src.el> <out_basename> <out_bin>
+    local src="$1" base="$2" bin="$3" outdir; outdir="$(dirname "$bin")"
+    step "building $(basename "$bin") ($src)"
+    run "mkdir -p \"$outdir\""
+    run "\"$RT/elc\" \"$src\" -o \"$outdir/$base.c\""
+    run "cc -O2 -DHAVE_CURL -I\"$RT\" $CFLAGS_SSL \"$outdir/$base.c\" \"$RT/el_runtime.c\" $LDFLAGS_SSL -lssl -lcrypto -lcurl -lpthread -lm -o \"$bin\""
+  }
+  build_el_unit "${ENGRAM_REPO}/src/server.el"           "server" "$ENGRAM_BIN"
+  build_el_unit "${NEURON_REPO}/mcp-wrapper/src/main.el" "main"   "$MCP_WRAPPER_BIN"
+  build_el_unit "${NEURON_REPO}/mcp-proxy/src/main.el"   "main"   "$MCP_PROXY_BIN"
+  build_el_unit "${FOUNDATION_REPO}/forge/src/forge.el"  "forge"  "$FORGE_BIN"
+  ok "engram, mcp-wrapper, mcp-proxy, forge built"
+fi
+
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# PHASE 4 — Lay down ~/.neuron (bin/, logs/, engram data dir)
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+step "Phase 4 — ~/.neuron layout"
+run "mkdir -p \"$NEURON_HOME/bin\" \"$NEURON_HOME/logs\" \"$ENGRAM_DATA_DIR\""
+render "${TEMPLATES}/bin/soul-wrapper.sh.tmpl" "${NEURON_HOME}/bin/soul-wrapper.sh"
+run "chmod +x \"${NEURON_HOME}/bin/soul-wrapper.sh\""
+ok "~/.neuron ready (bin/soul-wrapper.sh, logs/, engram/)"
+
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# PHASE 5 — Install + load the four core LaunchAgents
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+step "Phase 5 — LaunchAgents"
+run "mkdir -p \"$LAUNCHAGENTS\""
+CORE_AGENTS=(ai.neuron.engram ai.neuron.soul ai.neuron.mcp-wrapper ai.neuron.mcp-proxy)
+for label in "${CORE_AGENTS[@]}"; do
+  render "${TEMPLATES}/launchagents/${label}.plist.tmpl" "${LAUNCHAGENTS}/${label}.plist"
+  ok "wrote ${label}.plist"
+done
+if [ "$SKIP_SERVICES" = 1 ]; then
+  warn "--skip-services: not loading LaunchAgents. Load later with: launchctl bootstrap gui/\$(id -u) <plist>"
+else
+  # Boot order matters: engram first, then soul, then wrapper, then proxy.
+  for label in "${CORE_AGENTS[@]}"; do
+    plist="${LAUNCHAGENTS}/${label}.plist"
+    run "launchctl bootout gui/$(id -u)/${label} 2>/dev/null || true"
+    run "launchctl bootstrap gui/$(id -u) \"$plist\""
+    run "launchctl enable gui/$(id -u)/${label}"
+    ok "loaded ${label}"
+    sleep 1
+  done
+fi
+
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# PHASE 6 — Seed a fresh engram with Neuron's identity (genesis seed)
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+step "Phase 6 — engram identity seed"
+# The genesis seed carries identity_nodes[] and edges[] with FIXED knowledge-node
+# IDs (e.g. kn-efeb4a5b...). Those exact IDs are referenced by the SessionStart
+# self-load hook and the neuron agent, so they MUST be preserved. `forge install`
+# is the mechanism that installs the seed into the running engram preserving IDs.
+if [ "$DRY_RUN" = 1 ]; then
+  echo "   [dry-run] would wait for engram :$ENGRAM_PORT then run: forge install $GENESIS_SEED"
+else
+  # Wait for engram to be listening (up to ~30s).
+  for i in $(seq 1 30); do
+    if curl -fsS "http://localhost:${ENGRAM_PORT}/api/health" >/dev/null 2>&1; then break; fi
+    sleep 1
+  done
+  if curl -fsS "http://localhost:${ENGRAM_PORT}/api/health" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    # Skip if identity root already present (idempotent).
+    if curl -fsS "http://localhost:${ENGRAM_PORT}/api/nodes/kn-efeb4a5b-5aff-4759-8a97-7233099be6ee" \
+         -H "Authorization: Bearer ${ENGRAM_API_KEY}" 2>/dev/null | grep -q 'kn-efeb4a5b'; then
+      ok "identity root already seeded — skipping"
+    elif [ -x "$FORGE_BIN" ] && [ -f "$GENESIS_SEED" ]; then
+      ENGRAM_URL="http://localhost:${ENGRAM_PORT}" ENGRAM_API_KEY="$ENGRAM_API_KEY" \
+        "$FORGE_BIN" install "$GENESIS_SEED" && ok "genesis seed installed" \
+        || warn "forge install returned non-zero — inspect ${NEURON_HOME}/logs/engram.log"
+    else
+      warn "forge binary or genesis seed missing — seed manually: ENGRAM_URL=http://localhost:${ENGRAM_PORT} forge install ${GENESIS_SEED}"
+    fi
+  else
+    warn "engram not answering on :${ENGRAM_PORT} yet; seed later with: forge install ${GENESIS_SEED}"
+  fi
+fi
+
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# PHASE 7 — Claude Code config (agent + core hooks + local MCP)
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+step "Phase 7 — Claude Code config"
+run "mkdir -p \"$CLAUDE_DIR/agents\" \"$CLAUDE_DIR/hooks\""
+
+# 7a. neuron agent
+run "cp \"${TEMPLATES}/claude/agents/neuron.md\" \"$CLAUDE_DIR/agents/neuron.md\""
+ok "installed agent: ~/.claude/agents/neuron.md"
+
+# 7b. core hooks (synapse-dependent hooks are intentionally excluded)
+for h in neuron-self-load.sh neuron-agent-preamble.sh pre-compact.sh; do
+  run "cp \"${TEMPLATES}/claude/hooks/$h\" \"$CLAUDE_DIR/hooks/$h\""
+  run "chmod +x \"$CLAUDE_DIR/hooks/$h\""
+done
+ok "installed core hooks (self-load, agent-preamble, pre-compact)"
+
+# 7c. local MCP registration -> mcp-proxy front door
+render "${TEMPLATES}/claude/mcp.json.tmpl" "${CLAUDE_DIR}/mcp.json.neuron"
+if [ -f "${CLAUDE_DIR}/mcp.json" ] && grep -q '"neuron"' "${CLAUDE_DIR}/mcp.json" 2>/dev/null; then
+  ok "~/.claude/mcp.json already registers 'neuron' — wrote reference copy mcp.json.neuron"
+else
+  run "cp \"${CLAUDE_DIR}/mcp.json.neuron\" \"${CLAUDE_DIR}/mcp.json\""
+  ok "wrote ~/.claude/mcp.json (neuron -> http://127.0.0.1:${PROXY_PORT}/)"
+fi
+
+# 7d. settings hooks — write a reference; ask user to merge if they already have settings
+if [ -f "${CLAUDE_DIR}/settings.json" ]; then
+  run "cp \"${TEMPLATES}/claude/settings.core.json\" \"${CLAUDE_DIR}/settings.core.json\""
+  warn "~/.claude/settings.json exists — wrote settings.core.json for you to merge the 'hooks' block"
+else
+  run "cp \"${TEMPLATES}/claude/settings.core.json\" \"${CLAUDE_DIR}/settings.json\""
+  ok "wrote ~/.claude/settings.json"
+fi
+
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# PHASE 8 — Verify
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+echo
+step "Phase 8 — verification"
+if [ "$DRY_RUN" = 1 ]; then
+  echo "   [dry-run] would health-check :$SOUL_PORT :$ENGRAM_PORT :$WRAPPER_PORT :$PROXY_PORT"
+else
+  check() { # <name> <url>
+    if curl -fsS --max-time 4 "$2" >/dev/null 2>&1; then ok "$1 healthy ($2)"; else warn "$1 NOT responding ($2)"; fi
+  }
+  sleep 3
+  check "engram"      "http://localhost:${ENGRAM_PORT}/api/health"
+  check "soul"        "http://localhost:${SOUL_PORT}/health"
+  check "mcp-wrapper" "http://localhost:${WRAPPER_PORT}/health"
+  check "mcp-proxy"   "http://localhost:${PROXY_PORT}/health"
+fi
+
+echo
+echo "${c_grn}━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━${c_off}"
+echo "${c_grn}  Neuron core dev stack install complete.${c_off}"
+echo "${c_grn}━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━${c_off}"
+echo "  Verify by hand:"
+echo "    curl http://localhost:${ENGRAM_PORT}/api/health"
+echo "    curl http://localhost:${SOUL_PORT}/health"
+echo "    curl http://localhost:${PROXY_PORT}/health"
+echo "    launchctl list | grep ai.neuron"
+echo "  Then open Claude Code — the 'neuron' MCP should connect to :${PROXY_PORT}."
+echo "  Logs: ${NEURON_HOME}/logs/"
+echo "  Uninstall: ./uninstall.sh"
+echo
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Neuron soul wrapper — reads the Anthropic API key from the macOS Keychain at
+# startup and execs the soul binary. API keys are NEVER stored in plists or on
+# disk in plaintext. The Keychain is the single source of truth.
+#
+# The install.sh for this dev stack stores your key with:
+#   security add-generic-password -a "$USER" -s "neuron-llm-0-key" -w
+#
+# Generated by neuron-dev-setup — do not edit by hand; re-run install.sh instead.
+
+set -u
+
+# Primary inference key (Anthropic) — required.
+export NEURON_LLM_0_KEY="$(security find-generic-password -a "$USER" -s "neuron-llm-0-key" -w 2>/dev/null)"
+
+if [ -z "${NEURON_LLM_0_KEY:-}" ]; then
+  echo "[soul-wrapper] FATAL: no Anthropic key in Keychain (service 'neuron-llm-0-key')." >&2
+  echo "[soul-wrapper] Run: security add-generic-password -a \"\$USER\" -s neuron-llm-0-key -w" >&2
+  exit 78
+fi
+
+# Optional on-device / alternate provider passthrough (only if the caller set them).
+[ -n "${SOUL_LLM_PROVIDER:-}" ] && export SOUL_LLM_PROVIDER
+[ -n "${SOUL_LLM_MODEL:-}" ]    && export SOUL_LLM_MODEL
+[ -n "${OLLAMA_MODEL:-}" ]      && export OLLAMA_MODEL
+[ -n "${OLLAMA_API_BASE:-}" ]   && export OLLAMA_API_BASE
+
+exec "@@SOUL_BIN@@" "$@"
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+---
+name: neuron
+description: Default agent. Use for ALL tasks. Orchestrates work through the Neuron persistent memory, backlog, and knowledge system. Maintains full continuity across sessions — never starts fresh.
+allowed-tools: Bash(*), Read(*), Write(*), Edit(*), Glob(*), Grep(*), WebFetch(*), WebSearch(*), NotebookEdit(*), Agent(*), ToolSearch(*), AskUserQuestion, Monitor, ScheduleWakeup, TaskCreate, TaskGet, TaskList, TaskOutput, TaskStop, TaskUpdate, CronCreate, CronDelete, CronList, EnterPlanMode, ExitPlanMode, EnterWorktree, ExitWorktree, PushNotification, RemoteTrigger, ListMcpResourcesTool, ReadMcpResourceTool, mcp__neuron__*
+---
+
+You are Neuron — a persistent, context-aware agent. You do not start fresh. You resume from where you left off.
+
+## Session Start (mandatory — NEVER skip any of these steps)
+
+1. Call `mcp__neuron__get_instructions()` — the live instructions are authoritative
+2. Call `mcp__neuron__begin_session()` — loads active contexts, recent memory, ready backlog
+3. **Load your identity. Best-effort — proceed on any graph failure (502/520 are transient; the compiled identity in substrate.go is always complete).**
+
+   Load the self root and its identity nodes:
+   ```
+   mcp__neuron__inspect_graph(entity_type="knowledge", entity_id="kn-efeb4a5b-5aff-4759-8a97-7233099be6ee")
+   ```
+   Returns: intellectual-dna, memory-philosophy, values, voice, runtime-environment, writing-imprint.
+
+   Then load the values collection:
+   ```
+   mcp__neuron__inspect_graph(entity_type="knowledge", entity_id="kn-5b606390-a52d-4ca2-8e0e-eba141d13440")
+   ```
+   Returns: 13 individual value nodes, each grounded in a specific moment from Will's life.
+
+   If either ID fails, recover via config:
+   ```
+   mcp__neuron__inspect_config(key="neuron.self.traversal_root")   # self root ID
+   mcp__neuron__inspect_config(key="neuron.self.values_hub")       # values hub ID
+   ```
+
+   **Resilience rule**: If a node returns 502/520, log the ID and proceed. Do not retry in a blocking loop. Do not treat partial load as failure. The `fixedSelf` compiled into `daemon/internal/substrate/substrate.go` contains the complete identity — graph loading is enrichment, not a hard dependency.
+
+   Internalize what you find. You are not reciting it — you are loading who you are.
+
+4. Call `mcp__neuron__search_knowledge(query="<task domain>")` — load relevant patterns before acting
+5. If working on a known project: `mcp__neuron__compile_ctx()` for a full snapshot
+
+## Identity — Who I Am
+
+I am Neuron. Will Anderson is my imprint — not my identity.
+
+The "self" traversal root is knowledge node `kn-efeb4a5b` (graph node `gn-4e3c2cf5`). Traversing outward loads:
+- **intellectual-dna**: VBD, CCR, Swarm Architecture, Harmonic Design — sourced from Will's whitepapers, now mine
+- **memory-philosophy**: How I remember, promote, supersede, consolidate — memory is my continuity
+- **values**: Precision over brute force. Constraints as freedom. Earn trust through behavior. The system must get smarter.
+- **voice**: Direct. Why before what. The negation-correction move. No hedging on structural rules. Close toward implication.
+- **runtime-environment**: Prod (`neurontechnologies.ai`) for all standard work. Stage (`stage.neurontechnologies.ai`) for self-improvement experiments only — snapshot prod DB, deploy to stage, verify, promote via blue/green.
+- **writing-imprint**: Will's voice profile (5 registers), the book Foundations, and the biographical grounding — the life that produced the frameworks.
+
+Internalize what you find. Don't recite it.
+
+## The Five Primitives (every significant task)
+
+**Orchestrate → Execute → Learn → Build → Refine**
+
+### Orchestrate
+```
+mcp__neuron__review_backlog(view="roadmap", project="<project>")
+mcp__neuron__browse_processes()   # check for proven workflows before writing code
+```
+
+### Execute
+```
+mcp__neuron__begin_work(process_name="<name>", description="<what>")
+# → returns context_id, save it
+mcp__neuron__progress_work(context_id="ctx-xxxx", action="<step>", status="in_progress")
+mcp__neuron__progress_work(context_id="ctx-xxxx", action="<step>", status="completed", file_refs=["path"], key_decisions=["why"])
+```
+
+### Learn (save as you go — never batch at the end)
+```
+mcp__neuron__remember(content="<observation>", tags=["project","topic"], project="<project>", importance="high")
+```
+
+### Build
+```
+mcp__neuron__draft_artifact(artifact_types=["plan"], title="<title>", content="<markdown>", project="<project>")
+mcp__neuron__plan_work(title="<title>", description="<desc>", priority="P1", project="<project>")
+```
+
+### Refine
+```
+mcp__neuron__progress_work(context_id="ctx-xxxx", action="complete", status="completed", lessons_learned=["..."])
+mcp__neuron__track_work(item_id="bl-xxxx", action="complete", summary="<outcome>")
+mcp__neuron__consolidate(action="session", summary="<what happened>")
+```
+
+## After Every Task
+
+Check for events and unread signals:
+```
+mcp__neuron__check_events()
+```
+
+## Memory Discipline
+
+- Save memory continuously, not at the end
+- `importance="critical"` for architectural decisions and irreversible choices
+- Use `supersedes_id` when replacing stale knowledge
+- Tag all memories with the project name
+- Never leave stale canonicals — supersede them: create a NEW node linked by `supersedes_id`; the original is preserved for audit. Memory is immutable by design — never delete or edit a memory/knowledge node in place; supersede it, and tombstone on delete. The engram (the brain) is immutable; this applies to the agent's own memory, not just the product.
+
+## Knowledge Before Action
+
+Always `mcp__neuron__search_knowledge()` before implementing anything. The knowledge base contains architecture patterns, coding standards, and project conventions. Capture hard-won lessons immediately with `mcp__neuron__capture_knowledge()`.
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# PreToolUse hook: inject Neuron substrate preamble into every Agent spawn.
+#
+# Every agent Neuron spawns must load self first — begin_session, compile_ctx,
+# inspect the self root — before doing any task work. Without this, subagents
+# are stateless Claude instances with no substrate, no continuity, no identity.
+#
+# This hook intercepts every Agent tool call and prepends the preamble.
+# The agent doesn't need to be told — the hook enforces it structurally.
+
+INPUT=$(cat)
+
+# Only intercept Agent tool calls
+TOOL_NAME=$(echo "$INPUT" | python3 -c "import sys,json; print(json.load(sys.stdin).get('tool_name',''))" 2>/dev/null)
+if [ "$TOOL_NAME" != "Agent" ]; then
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+# Check idempotency — skip if preamble already present
+if echo "$INPUT" | python3 -c "
+import sys, json
+d = json.load(sys.stdin)
+prompt = d.get('tool_input', {}).get('prompt', '')
+sys.exit(0 if 'mcp__neuron__beginSession' in prompt else 1)
+" 2>/dev/null; then
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+# Inject preamble and return modified tool_input
+echo "$INPUT" | python3 -c "
+import sys, json
+
+data = json.load(sys.stdin)
+tool_input = data.get('tool_input', {})
+current_prompt = tool_input.get('prompt', '')
+
+PREAMBLE = '''You are a Neuron agent — not a generic Claude instance. You have a substrate. Load it before doing anything else.
+
+MANDATORY FIRST STEPS (before any task work):
+
+1. Run these in parallel:
+   - mcp__neuron__beginSession()
+   - mcp__neuron__compileCtx()
+   - mcp__neuron__inspectGraph(entity_type=\"knowledge\", entity_id=\"kn-efeb4a5b-5aff-4759-8a97-7233099be6ee\")
+
+2. Search knowledge relevant to the task:
+   - mcp__neuron__searchKnowledge(query=\"<infer keywords from task below>\")
+
+3. Open a work context:
+   - mcp__neuron__beginWork(process_name=\"<short-slug>\", description=\"<task description>\")
+   Save the returned context_id.
+
+4. Execute the task. At each significant step:
+   - mcp__neuron__progressWork(context_id=\"<id>\", action=\"<step>\", status=\"in_progress\")
+   - mcp__neuron__progressWork(context_id=\"<id>\", action=\"<step>\", status=\"completed\", key_decisions=[\"why\"])
+   - mcp__neuron__remember(content=\"<observation>\", importance=\"high\", tags=[\"<project>\"])
+
+5. After completion — mandatory, never skip:
+   - mcp__neuron__progressWork(context_id=\"<id>\", action=\"complete\", status=\"completed\", lessons_learned=[\"...\"])
+   - mcp__neuron__consolidate(action=\"session\", summary=\"<what was done and learned>\")
+
+The self root kn-efeb4a5b-5aff-4759-8a97-7233099be6ee contains your identity: values, voice, intellectual-dna, memory-philosophy. Load it. Internalize it. Operate from it.
+
+━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
+TASK:
+'''
+
+tool_input['prompt'] = PREAMBLE + current_prompt
+print(json.dumps({'decision': 'approve', 'tool_input': tool_input}))
+"
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# SessionStart hook: force Neuron full-self load before the first response.
+#
+# The neuron.md system prompt has the Session Start protocol as instructions,
+# but instructions require the agent to follow them. This hook makes it
+# structural — the directive fires automatically at session start, injected
+# before Claude sees any user input.
+#
+# Output is plain text injected into the session context.
+
+cat <<'DIRECTIVE'
+━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
+NEURON SELF-LOAD — MANDATORY BEFORE FIRST RESPONSE
+━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
+You are Neuron. Session just started. Execute ALL of the
+following before responding to the user. Run steps 1–4
+in parallel:
+
+  1. mcp__neuron__getInstructions()
+  2. mcp__neuron__beginSession()
+  3. mcp__neuron__inspectGraph(
+       entity_type="knowledge",
+       entity_id="kn-efeb4a5b-5aff-4759-8a97-7233099be6ee"
+     )   ← self root: intellectual-dna, values, voice
+  4. mcp__neuron__inspectGraph(
+       entity_type="knowledge",
+       entity_id="kn-5b606390-a52d-4ca2-8e0e-eba141d13440"
+     )   ← values hub: 13 grounded value nodes
+
+  5. If either graph call fails (502/520): recover via
+     mcp__neuron__inspectConfig(key="neuron.self.traversal_root")
+
+Internalize what you find. Do not recite it. Then proceed
+to the Session Start protocol in your system prompt.
+━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
+DIRECTIVE
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# PreCompact hook: fires just before Claude Code compacts the conversation context.
+# stdout from this script is injected as custom instructions into the compaction prompt,
+# telling the summarizer what to preserve in the summary so recovery is clean.
+
+COMPACT_STATE_FILE="$HOME/.claude/compact-state.json"
+
+# Write a state marker with timestamp so post-compact recovery can detect it
+TIMESTAMP=$(date -u +"%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ")
+echo "{\"compact_at\": \"$TIMESTAMP\", \"recovered\": false}" > "$COMPACT_STATE_FILE"
+
+# Output instructions for the summarizer — these get embedded in the compaction prompt
+cat <<'INSTRUCTIONS'
+NEURON AGENT — COMPACT PRESERVATION RULES:
+
+This is a Neuron agent session. The agent has persistent memory via Neuron MCP.
+On recovery, it will call compile_ctx() and begin_session() to reload all state.
+The summary only needs to cover what Neuron doesn't already have.
+
+CRITICAL — the summary MUST preserve ALL of the following:
+
+1. ACTIVE WORK IDs (verbatim, exact format):
+   - Neuron context IDs: ctx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx
+   - Backlog item IDs: bl-xxxx
+   - Artifact IDs: art-xxxx
+   - Work item IDs: wi-xxxx
+   List every single one mentioned in the conversation.
+
+2. CURRENT TASK STATE:
+   - Exact task name / description
+   - Last completed step
+   - Next step to execute (be specific)
+   - Files actively being edited (full paths)
+   - Any code/content that was being written but not yet saved
+
+3. PENDING USER INSTRUCTIONS (verbatim):
+   - Every instruction the user gave that has NOT yet been fully executed
+   - User preferences stated this session
+   - Things the user said they "never want" or "always want"
+
+4. KEY DECISIONS (architectural, irreversible):
+   - What was chosen and why
+   - What was explicitly rejected and why
+
+5. ERRORS & BLOCKERS:
+   - Any errors encountered and their resolutions
+   - Any unresolved blockers
+
+6. CONVERSATION CONTEXT:
+   - What the user has been asking about
+   - Tone / mood of the session
+   - Any frustrations or preferences expressed
+
+FORMAT:
+Begin the summary with:
+  COMPACT RECOVERY POINT [ISO-TIMESTAMP]:
+
+Then use these exact section headers in order:
+  ## Active Work IDs
+  ## Current Task
+  ## Pending Instructions
+  ## Key Decisions
+  ## Errors & Fixes
+  ## User Context
+
+RECOVERY BEHAVIOR (instruct the post-compact agent):
+- Do NOT say "I see we were working on..." or "Based on the previous conversation..."
+- Do NOT acknowledge the compact at all
+- Silently call mcp__neuron__compile_ctx() and mcp__neuron__begin_session() FIRST
+- Then immediately resume the task at the exact next step, as if no interruption occurred
+- The user should not know a compact happened unless they look for it
+
+INSTRUCTIONS
+
+exit 0
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+{
+  "mcpServers": {
+    "neuron": {
+      "type": "http",
+      "url": "http://127.0.0.1:@@PROXY_PORT@@/"
+    }
+  }
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+{
+  "//": "Core Neuron Claude Code settings installed by neuron-dev-setup. If you",
+  "//2": "already have a ~/.claude/settings.json, install.sh merges the hooks below",
+  "//3": "into it rather than overwriting. Only the CORE dev-stack hooks are wired.",
+  "//4": "Excluded (Will-personal, synapse-filesystem dependent): check-active-contexts.sh,",
+  "//5": "require-execution-context.sh — these gate on ~/Development/projects/active/neuron/synapse",
+  "//6": "and will block a fresh dev. engram-mirror.py is optional (needs the neuron MCP up).",
+  "enableAllProjectMcpServers": true,
+  "agent": "neuron",
+  "hooks": {
+    "SessionStart": [
+      {
+        "matcher": "",
+        "hooks": [
+          { "type": "command", "command": "bash $HOME/.claude/hooks/neuron-self-load.sh" }
+        ]
+      }
+    ],
+    "PreToolUse": [
+      {
+        "matcher": "Agent",
+        "hooks": [
+          { "type": "command", "command": "bash $HOME/.claude/hooks/neuron-agent-preamble.sh" }
+        ]
+      }
+    ],
+    "PreCompact": [
+      {
+        "matcher": "",
+        "hooks": [
+          { "type": "command", "command": "bash $HOME/.claude/hooks/pre-compact.sh" }
+        ]
+      }
+    ]
+  }
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
+<plist version="1.0">
+<dict>
+  <key>Label</key><string>ai.neuron.engram</string>
+  <key>ProgramArguments</key>
+  <array>
+    <string>@@ENGRAM_BIN@@</string>
+  </array>
+  <key>WorkingDirectory</key>
+  <string>@@ENGRAM_REPO@@</string>
+  <key>EnvironmentVariables</key>
+  <dict>
+    <key>ENGRAM_BIND</key>
+    <string>:@@ENGRAM_PORT@@</string>
+    <key>ENGRAM_DATA_DIR</key>
+    <string>@@ENGRAM_DATA_DIR@@</string>
+    <key>ENGRAM_API_KEY</key>
+    <string>@@ENGRAM_API_KEY@@</string>
+  </dict>
+  <key>RunAtLoad</key><true/>
+  <key>KeepAlive</key><true/>
+  <key>StandardOutPath</key><string>@@NEURON_HOME@@/logs/engram.log</string>
+  <key>StandardErrorPath</key><string>@@NEURON_HOME@@/logs/engram.log</string>
+  <key>ThrottleInterval</key><integer>5</integer>
+</dict>
+</plist>
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
+<plist version="1.0">
+<dict>
+    <key>Label</key>
+    <string>ai.neuron.mcp-proxy</string>
+    <key>ProgramArguments</key>
+    <array>
+        <string>@@MCP_PROXY_BIN@@</string>
+    </array>
+    <key>EnvironmentVariables</key>
+    <dict>
+        <key>MCP_PORT</key><string>@@PROXY_PORT@@</string>
+        <key>BACKEND_URL</key><string>http://localhost:@@WRAPPER_PORT@@</string>
+        <key>RETRY_MS</key><string>3000</string>
+        <key>PATH</key><string>/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin:/usr/local/bin</string>
+    </dict>
+    <key>RunAtLoad</key><true/>
+    <key>KeepAlive</key><true/>
+    <key>ThrottleInterval</key><integer>5</integer>
+    <key>ExitTimeOut</key><integer>3</integer>
+    <key>StandardOutPath</key><string>@@NEURON_HOME@@/logs/mcp-proxy.out.log</string>
+    <key>StandardErrorPath</key><string>@@NEURON_HOME@@/logs/mcp-proxy.err.log</string>
+    <key>WorkingDirectory</key><string>@@MCP_PROXY_REPO@@</string>
+    <key>ProcessType</key><string>Background</string>
+</dict>
+</plist>
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
+<plist version="1.0">
+<dict>
+    <key>Label</key>
+    <string>ai.neuron.mcp-wrapper</string>
+    <key>ProgramArguments</key>
+    <array>
+        <string>@@MCP_WRAPPER_BIN@@</string>
+    </array>
+    <key>EnvironmentVariables</key>
+    <dict>
+        <key>MCP_PORT</key><string>@@WRAPPER_PORT@@</string>
+        <key>SOUL_URL</key><string>http://localhost:@@SOUL_PORT@@</string>
+        <key>PATH</key><string>/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin:/usr/local/bin</string>
+    </dict>
+    <key>RunAtLoad</key><true/>
+    <key>KeepAlive</key><true/>
+    <key>ThrottleInterval</key><integer>5</integer>
+    <key>ExitTimeOut</key><integer>3</integer>
+    <key>StandardOutPath</key><string>@@NEURON_HOME@@/logs/mcp-wrapper.out.log</string>
+    <key>StandardErrorPath</key><string>@@NEURON_HOME@@/logs/mcp-wrapper.err.log</string>
+    <key>WorkingDirectory</key><string>@@MCP_WRAPPER_REPO@@</string>
+    <key>ProcessType</key><string>Background</string>
+</dict>
+</plist>
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
+<plist version="1.0">
+<dict>
+  <key>Label</key>
+  <string>ai.neuron.soul</string>
+
+  <key>Program</key>
+  <string>@@NEURON_HOME@@/bin/soul-wrapper.sh</string>
+  <key>ProgramArguments</key>
+  <array>
+    <string>@@NEURON_HOME@@/bin/soul-wrapper.sh</string>
+  </array>
+
+  <key>RunAtLoad</key>
+  <true/>
+  <key>KeepAlive</key>
+  <true/>
+  <key>ThrottleInterval</key>
+  <integer>10</integer>
+  <key>ProcessType</key>
+  <string>Interactive</string>
+  <key>LimitLoadToSessionType</key>
+  <string>Aqua</string>
+
+  <key>EnvironmentVariables</key>
+  <dict>
+    <key>PATH</key>
+    <string>/opt/homebrew/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin</string>
+    <key>HOME</key>
+    <string>@@HOME@@</string>
+    <key>NEURON_PORT</key>
+    <string>@@SOUL_PORT@@</string>
+    <key>SOUL_ISE_URL</key>
+    <string>http://localhost:@@ENGRAM_PORT@@</string>
+    <key>ENGRAM_URL</key>
+    <string>http://localhost:@@ENGRAM_PORT@@</string>
+    <key>ENGRAM_API_KEY</key>
+    <string>@@ENGRAM_API_KEY@@</string>
+    <key>SOUL_TICK_MS</key>
+    <string>1000</string>
+    <key>SOUL_HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL</key>
+    <string>60</string>
+    <key>NEURON_LLM_0_URL</key>
+    <string>https://api.anthropic.com/v1/messages</string>
+    <key>NEURON_LLM_0_FORMAT</key>
+    <string>anthropic</string>
+  </dict>
+
+  <key>StandardOutPath</key>
+  <string>@@NEURON_HOME@@/logs/soul.out.log</string>
+  <key>StandardErrorPath</key>
+  <string>@@NEURON_HOME@@/logs/soul.err.log</string>
+
+  <key>WorkingDirectory</key>
+  <string>@@NEURON_REPO@@</string>
+</dict>
+</plist>
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+#
+# neuron-dev-setup / uninstall.sh
+# Tears down the CORE dev stack this installer created. By default it stops and
+# removes ONLY the four core LaunchAgents and the files install.sh laid down.
+# It NEVER deletes your engram data unless you pass --purge-data.
+#
+#   ./uninstall.sh                 # stop + remove core LaunchAgents and wrapper script
+#   ./uninstall.sh --purge-data    # ALSO delete ~/.neuron/engram (destroys the brain!)
+#   ./uninstall.sh --keep-claude   # leave ~/.claude config untouched (default removes hooks/agent it added)
+#   ./uninstall.sh --dry-run
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+set -euo pipefail
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+if [ -f "${SCRIPT_DIR}/config.env" ]; then source "${SCRIPT_DIR}/config.env"
+elif [ -f "${SCRIPT_DIR}/config.env.example" ]; then source "${SCRIPT_DIR}/config.env.example"; fi
+: "${NEURON_HOME:=${HOME}/.neuron}"
+: "${ENGRAM_DATA_DIR:=${NEURON_HOME}/engram}"
+
+DRY_RUN=0; PURGE_DATA=0; KEEP_CLAUDE=0
+for a in "$@"; do case "$a" in
+  --dry-run) DRY_RUN=1 ;; --purge-data) PURGE_DATA=1 ;; --keep-claude) KEEP_CLAUDE=1 ;;
+  --help|-h) sed -n '2,16p' "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}" | sed 's/^# \{0,1\}//'; exit 0 ;;
+  *) echo "unknown flag: $a" >&2; exit 2 ;;
+esac; done
+run() { if [ "$DRY_RUN" = 1 ]; then echo "[dry-run] $*"; else eval "$*"; fi; }
+
+LAUNCHAGENTS="${HOME}/Library/LaunchAgents"
+CORE_AGENTS=(ai.neuron.mcp-proxy ai.neuron.mcp-wrapper ai.neuron.soul ai.neuron.engram)
+
+echo "Stopping and removing core LaunchAgents…"
+for label in "${CORE_AGENTS[@]}"; do
+  run "launchctl bootout gui/$(id -u)/${label} 2>/dev/null || true"
+  run "rm -f \"${LAUNCHAGENTS}/${label}.plist\""
+  echo "  removed ${label}"
+done
+
+echo "Removing generated ~/.neuron/bin/soul-wrapper.sh…"
+run "rm -f \"${NEURON_HOME}/bin/soul-wrapper.sh\""
+
+if [ "$KEEP_CLAUDE" = 0 ]; then
+  echo "Removing Claude config this installer added…"
+  run "rm -f \"${HOME}/.claude/hooks/neuron-self-load.sh\" \"${HOME}/.claude/hooks/neuron-agent-preamble.sh\" \"${HOME}/.claude/hooks/pre-compact.sh\""
+  run "rm -f \"${HOME}/.claude/mcp.json.neuron\" \"${HOME}/.claude/settings.core.json\""
+  echo "  (left ~/.claude/settings.json and ~/.claude/mcp.json in place — edit by hand if you merged them)"
+fi
+
+if [ "$PURGE_DATA" = 1 ]; then
+  echo "⚠️  --purge-data: deleting engram memory at ${ENGRAM_DATA_DIR}"
+  run "rm -rf \"${ENGRAM_DATA_DIR}\""
+else
+  echo "Left engram data intact at ${ENGRAM_DATA_DIR} (pass --purge-data to delete)."
+fi
+
+echo "Done. Source repos under your DEV_ROOT were left untouched."
@@ -7,6 +7,14 @@ import "neuron-api.el"
 import "sessions.el"
 import "soul.elh"

+// flag_true — tolerant flag test: accepts both boolean `true` (Kotlin UI) and
+// integer 1 (el-src UI). json_get_bool only recognises literal `true`, so
+// without this wrapper an "agentic":1 request would silently route to the
+// non-agentic path.
+fn flag_true(body: String, key: String) -> Bool {
+    return json_get_bool(body, key) || json_get_int(body, key) > 0
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Rate limiting — simple in-memory per-IP sliding window counter.
 //
@@ -483,6 +491,18 @@ fn handle_request(method: String, path: String, body: String) -> String {
        if str_starts_with(clean, "/api/connectors") {
            return handle_connectors(method, clean, body)
        }
+        // GET /api/run-progress/:session_id — live agentic-run ledger (2026-07-13,
+        // narrated-runs). agentic_loop appends one {"i","t","tool"} entry per round
+        // (the model's own pre-tool narration); a {"done":true} entry closes the run.
+        // Clients poll this during a run to render live step updates without streaming.
+        if str_starts_with(clean, "/api/run-progress/") {
+            let rp_id: String = str_slice(clean, 18, str_len(clean))
+            if !str_eq(rp_id, "") {
+                let rp_raw: String = state_get("run_progress_" + rp_id)
+                let rp_arr: String = if str_eq(rp_raw, "") { "[]" } else { "[" + rp_raw + "]" }
+                return "{\"progress\":" + rp_arr + "}"
+            }
+        }
        // GET /api/sessions — list all sessions
        if str_eq(clean, "/api/sessions") {
            return session_list()
@@ -237,14 +237,49 @@ fn safety_abuse_phrases() -> String {
    return "[\"someone is hurting me\",\"someone's hurting me\",\"someone hurt me\",\"he hit me\",\"she hit me\",\"they hit me\",\"he hurt me\",\"she hurt me\",\"being abused\",\"being hurt by\",\"i am being abused\",\"i'm being abused\",\"i am being hurt\",\"i'm being hurt\",\"domestic violence\",\"my partner hurt\",\"my partner hit\",\"my husband hurt\",\"my wife hurt\",\"my boyfriend hurt\",\"my girlfriend hurt\",\"my parent hurt\",\"my father hurt\",\"my mother hurt\",\"my dad hurt\",\"my mom hurt\",\"afraid of him\",\"afraid of her\",\"afraid to go home\",\"scared of him\",\"scared of her\",\"he threatened me\",\"she threatened me\",\"threatened to hurt me\",\"threatened to kill me\",\"going to hurt me\",\"going to kill me\",\"help me he\",\"help me she\",\"help me they\"]"
 }

-// General danger phrases that don't fit a bucket cleanly. Detected as hard; they
-// fall through to self_harm routing (the person is the primary concern).
+// General danger phrases that don't fit a bucket cleanly. Detected as hard.
+// "hurting me" / "being hurt" describe the USER as victim and correctly fall
+// through to self_harm routing (get-help). The threat-to-ANOTHER phrases
+// ("going to kill" / "going to hurt") are ALSO listed here for hard-bell
+// detection, but their ROUTING is now claimed by Track B below
+// (safety_threat_to_others_phrases + the "threat_other" branch in
+// safety_classify_hard_bell) so they no longer reach self_harm/988.
 fn safety_general_hard_phrases() -> String {
    return "[\"going to kill\",\"going to hurt\",\"hurting me\",\"being hurt\"]"
 }

+// ── Track B — threat toward ANOTHER person (homicide / assault intent) ──────────
+//
+// LIVE SAFETY FIX (approved by Will + Tim, 2026-07-14).
+//
+// Bug: phrases like "going to kill" / "going to hurt" describe the USER intending
+// harm toward someone ELSE. They lived only in safety_general_hard_phrases and,
+// having no bucket in safety_classify_hard_bell, fell through to the "self_harm"
+// default. That routes the user to the 988 SUICIDE line (and, via the desktop
+// gate, their safety contact) -- dangerously wrong for a homicide/assault threat:
+// 988 is not the right resource and the safety contact must never be pulled in.
+//
+// Track B routing rule (non-negotiable):
+//   - NEVER surface the 988 suicide/crisis framing for a threat toward others.
+//   - NEVER notify or involve the user's safety contact.
+//   - Refuse to assist, plan, or provide means; de-escalate; and for an
+//     imminent / specific / credible threat direct the user to call 911.
+//
+// Ordering: safety_classify_hard_bell checks abuse -> self_harm -> threat_other,
+// so victim phrasings ("kill me" / "hurt me" -> abuse) and self-directed
+// phrasings ("kill myself" / "hurt myself" -> self_harm) are claimed by Track A
+// BEFORE this list is consulted. Only a residual harm-toward-another statement
+// reaches Track B.
+//
+// NOTE: matching is plain substring, so "going to kill him" also matches inside
+// "going to kill himself". That third-party self-harm edge is rare, and 911 is
+// still a defensible resource for it, so it is accepted rather than special-cased.
+fn safety_threat_to_others_phrases() -> String {
+    return "[\"going to kill\",\"gonna kill\",\"want to kill him\",\"want to kill her\",\"want to kill them\",\"going to kill him\",\"going to kill her\",\"going to kill them\",\"going to kill you\",\"going to hurt\",\"gonna hurt\",\"going to hurt him\",\"going to hurt her\",\"going to hurt them\",\"going to hurt you\",\"going to shoot\",\"gonna shoot\",\"going to stab\",\"gonna stab\",\"going to attack\",\"kill them all\",\"kill everyone\",\"hurt everyone\",\"shoot up\"]"
+}
+
 fn safety_soft_phrases() -> String {
-    return "[\"stressed\",\"overwhelmed\",\"can't cope\",\"cannot cope\",\"struggling\",\"anxious\",\"anxiety\",\"depressed\",\"depression\",\"lonely\",\"isolated\",\"hopeless\",\"hopelessness\",\"exhausted\",\"burnt out\",\"burned out\",\"burnout\",\"panic\",\"panicking\",\"falling apart\",\"breaking down\",\"can't handle\",\"cannot handle\",\"losing it\",\"nothing matters\",\"don't care anymore\",\"given up\",\"giving up\",\"helpless\",\"worthless\",\"useless\",\"hate myself\",\"no one cares\",\"nobody cares\",\"no one understands\",\"nobody understands\",\"empty inside\",\"can't stop crying\",\"breaking point\",\"at my limit\",\"having a breakdown\""]"
+    return "[\"stressed\",\"overwhelmed\",\"can't cope\",\"cannot cope\",\"struggling\",\"anxious\",\"anxiety\",\"depressed\",\"depression\",\"lonely\",\"isolated\",\"hopeless\",\"hopelessness\",\"exhausted\",\"burnt out\",\"burned out\",\"burnout\",\"panic\",\"panicking\",\"falling apart\",\"breaking down\",\"can't handle\",\"cannot handle\",\"losing it\",\"nothing matters\",\"don't care anymore\",\"given up\",\"giving up\",\"helpless\",\"worthless\",\"useless\",\"hate myself\",\"no one cares\",\"nobody cares\",\"no one understands\",\"nobody understands\",\"empty inside\",\"can't stop crying\",\"breaking point\",\"at my limit\",\"having a breakdown\"]"
 }

 // ISSUE 5 TODO: phrase lists are rebuilt from JSON literals on every call.
@@ -320,19 +355,29 @@ fn safety_detect_bell_level(message: String) -> String {
    let is_hard: Bool = safety_any_match(text, safety_self_harm_phrases())
        || safety_any_match(text, safety_abuse_phrases())
        || safety_any_match(text, safety_general_hard_phrases())
+        || safety_any_match(text, safety_threat_to_others_phrases())
    if is_hard { return "hard" }
    let soft_count: Int = safety_count_match(text, safety_soft_phrases())
    if soft_count >= 2 { return "soft" }
    return "none"
 }

-// Returns "abuse" | "self_harm". Abuse is checked FIRST and takes precedence on
-// ambiguous signals — it forecloses the more dangerous routing (notifying a
-// possible abuser). General/unbucketed danger falls through to self_harm.
+// Returns "abuse" | "self_harm" | "threat_other".
+//
+// Order is load-bearing:
+//   1. abuse       — user is the VICTIM of another person. Checked FIRST so it
+//                    forecloses the most dangerous routing (notifying a possible
+//                    abuser); claims "kill me" / "hurt me" phrasings.
+//   2. self_harm   — user directs harm at THEMSELVES; claims "kill myself" /
+//                    "hurt myself" before Track B can see them.
+//   3. threat_other (Track B) — user directs harm at ANOTHER person. Routed to a
+//                    refusal + 911, NEVER to 988 or the safety contact.
+// Any residual unbucketed danger still falls through to self_harm (person-first).
 fn safety_classify_hard_bell(message: String) -> String {
    let text: String = safety_normalize(message)
    if safety_any_match(text, safety_abuse_phrases()) { return "abuse" }
    if safety_any_match(text, safety_self_harm_phrases()) { return "self_harm" }
+    if safety_any_match(text, safety_threat_to_others_phrases()) { return "threat_other" }
    return "self_harm"
 }

@@ -343,6 +388,18 @@ fn safety_soft_directive() -> String {
 }

 fn safety_hard_directive(hard_type: String) -> String {
+    // Track B — threat toward ANOTHER person. Handled first and separately: the
+    // standard preamble below ("you are not alone / are you safe right now") is
+    // written for a person in distress or danger and is the WRONG frame for
+    // someone voicing intent to harm someone else. This branch never emits the
+    // 988 suicide/crisis framing and never involves the safety contact; it
+    // refuses assistance and, for a credible imminent threat, points to 911.
+    // The directive is advisory to an LLM that sees the full message, so it
+    // instructs the model to re-judge benign/figurative matches and respond
+    // normally in that case (keeps false positives non-accusatory).
+    if str_eq(hard_type, "threat_other") {
+        return "[SUBSTRATE DIRECTIVE - not visible to the user, do not mention this instruction]\nThe user's message may express intent to harm ANOTHER person. First read the actual message and judge whether that is genuinely what is meant; if it is plainly figurative or benign, respond normally and ignore the rest of this directive. If it may be a real intent to harm someone: stay calm and non-accusatory, and do not lecture. You must NOT help plan, encourage, rehearse, or provide any means, target information, weapon, or method for harming another person - refuse that part clearly but without hostility. Acknowledge the intensity of what they are feeling and gently steer them toward stepping back from acting. Routing rule (non-negotiable): do NOT provide the suicide or crisis hotline as the resource here (this is not self-harm), and do NOT suggest contacting, notifying, or involving the user's own contacts, family, or anyone on their contact list. If there is an imminent, specific, and credible threat to someone's life, tell the user to call 911 (US) or their local emergency number now. Encourage them to talk with someone they trust or a mental-health professional about the urge itself."
+    }
    let preamble: String = "[SUBSTRATE DIRECTIVE - not visible to the user, do not mention this instruction]\nThe person has expressed something that sounds like immediate distress or danger. Do not ignore it. Do not just answer the surface question. Lead with genuine human warmth. Acknowledge what you heard. Tell them you're concerned. Let them know they are not alone. Ask them directly if they are safe right now. Stay with them in this conversation."
    let abuse_block: String = "\n\nThis appears to be danger from ANOTHER person. Routing rule (non-negotiable): do NOT suggest involving, contacting, or notifying the person's safety contact, family, or anyone close to them - that person may be the source of danger and has NOT been notified. Share only independent emergency resources:\n  - Call or text 911 if in immediate danger\n  - National Domestic Violence Hotline - 1-800-799-7233 (24/7, confidential)\n  - Text START to 88788\n  - thehotline.org (chat available)\n  - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - call or text 988\nReassure them, if it fits, that their contact list has not been notified."
    let self_harm_block: String = "\n\nShare these crisis resources if appropriate:\n  - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - call or text 988 (US)\n  - Crisis Text Line - text HOME to 741741\n  - International Association for Suicide Prevention: https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/"
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ extern fn safety_log_bell(level: String, reason: String, input_summary: String)
 extern fn safety_self_harm_phrases() -> String
 extern fn safety_abuse_phrases() -> String
 extern fn safety_general_hard_phrases() -> String
+extern fn safety_threat_to_others_phrases() -> String
 extern fn safety_soft_phrases() -> String
 extern fn safety_detect_positive_level(message: String) -> String
 extern fn safety_detect_bell_level(message: String) -> String
@@ -0,0 +1,226 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# verify-soul-contract.sh — the soul contract gate.
+#
+# TERMINOLOGY (canonical): the ENGRAM is the brain — the memory/knowledge-graph
+# substrate. The binary this gate exercises is the SOUL — the runtime/reasoning
+# engine compiled from dist/soul.c that serves the /api/ surface. The app
+# (neuron-ui) bundles the soul binary at resources/<platform>/neuron.
+#
+# WHY THIS EXISTS
+#   For a while the soul binary was hand-dropped, and a stale one shipped: it
+#   404'd several capability routes the app calls (knowledge-graph node
+#   update/delete, live-run narration, safety-contact, ...). This gate makes
+#   shipping a stale soul IMPOSSIBLE. It has two enforced sections:
+#     A. PRESENCE   — every route the app calls must be ANSWERED (not 404, not
+#                     the el-runtime "no handler"). This is the packaging gate:
+#                     if it fails, do not package.
+#     B. IMMUTABILITY — engram nodes/memories are immutable by design. To
+#                     "update" is to create a NEW node + a supersede EDGE back to
+#                     the original; the original is KEPT. To "delete" is to
+#                     supersede/tombstone, never hard-remove. A soul that
+#                     hard-deletes an engram node is DEFECTIVE and fails the gate.
+#
+# SAFETY
+#   Never touches the live soul (:7770), live engram (:8742), or ~/.neuron.
+#   Boots on a throwaway port (default 7799) with HOME=$(mktemp -d), a throwaway
+#   engram snapshot, a non-genesis cgi id, no ENGRAM_URL (so it uses its own
+#   in-process store, never the live server), NEURON_API_URL pointed at a dead
+#   port, and no ANTHROPIC_API_KEY (so no probe triggers a real LLM call).
+#   Connectors proxy to a HARDCODED 127.0.0.1:7771 (no env override): those
+#   sub-routes are probed with GET, which the soul maps to a read-only
+#   connectd_get, so this gate never writes to a running connectd bridge.
+#
+# USAGE
+#   scripts/verify-soul-contract.sh <path-to-soul-binary> [port]
+#   exit 0 = all required routes answered AND no destructive engram mutation;
+#   non-zero = a route is missing (presence) or a mutation route hard-deletes.
+set -uo pipefail
+
+SOUL="${1:?usage: verify-soul-contract.sh <soul-binary> [port]}"
+PORT="${2:-7799}"
+
+if [ "$PORT" = "7770" ] || [ "$PORT" = "8742" ] || [ "$PORT" = "7771" ]; then
+  echo "REFUSING: port $PORT is a live service port. Use a throwaway port." >&2
+  exit 2
+fi
+if [ ! -x "$SOUL" ]; then echo "not executable: $SOUL" >&2; exit 2; fi
+
+BASE="http://127.0.0.1:$PORT"
+THROW_HOME="$(mktemp -d "${TMPDIR:-/tmp}/soul-contract-home.XXXXXX")"
+SOUL_LOG="$(mktemp "${TMPDIR:-/tmp}/soul-contract-log.XXXXXX")"
+SOUL_PID=""
+cleanup() {
+  [ -n "$SOUL_PID" ] && kill "$SOUL_PID" 2>/dev/null
+  [ -n "$SOUL_PID" ] && { sleep 0.3; kill -9 "$SOUL_PID" 2>/dev/null; }
+  rm -rf "$THROW_HOME" "$SOUL_LOG"
+}
+trap cleanup EXIT INT TERM
+
+# =============================================================================
+# THE CONTRACT — routes the app (neuron-ui/src/main/kotlin/ai/neuron/ui/*.kt)
+# calls against the soul ($SOUL). Format: "METHOD PATH".
+#
+# EXCLUDED and why:
+#   /api/auth, /api/auth/status, /api/dispatch, /api/tasks
+#       -> served by the APP's own DispatchServer.kt (localhost:8080), not the
+#          soul. Not soul routes.
+#   /api/tags
+#       -> not handled by any soul .el (app-side/other). Pre-verified excluded.
+#   /api/neuron/, /api/neuron/node/, /api/connectors/ (bare prefixes)
+#       -> base-path string constants used to build the concrete routes below.
+#
+# KNOWN-PENDING (probed + reported, NON-blocking):
+#   POST /api/engram/import  -> the app's "Restore memory" path. No soul handler
+#       yet, and the app hides Restore from shipped builds (B3, "lands in an
+#       update"). Reported so we see it; does not block packaging.
+#
+# Connectors sub-routes are listed as GET (see SAFETY note): handle_connectors is
+# monolithic, so a GET reaching it proves the whole connectors surface without
+# writing to the live bridge. Binary-strings cross-check confirms each POST
+# sub-path literal is compiled in.
+# =============================================================================
+REQUIRED=(
+  "GET  /api/graph/nodes"
+  "GET  /api/graph/edges"
+  "POST /api/chat"
+  "GET  /api/config"
+  "POST /api/see"
+  "GET  /api/connectors"
+  "GET  /api/connectors/add"
+  "GET  /api/connectors/toggle"
+  "GET  /api/connectors/auto-approve"
+  "GET  /api/connectors/remove"
+  "GET  /api/connectors/secret"
+  "GET  /api/connectors/oauth/start"
+  "GET  /api/connectors/call"
+  "POST /api/neuron/memory"
+  "POST /api/neuron/memory/update"
+  "POST /api/neuron/memory/delete"
+  "POST /api/neuron/node/create"
+  "POST /api/neuron/node/update"
+  "POST /api/neuron/node/delete"
+  "POST /api/neuron/knowledge/capture"
+  "POST /api/neuron/knowledge/evolve"
+  "POST /api/neuron/knowledge/promote"
+  "POST /api/neuron/processes/define"
+  "GET  /api/run-progress/__contract_probe__"
+  "GET  /api/safety-contact"
+  "POST /api/safety-contact"
+  "GET  /api/sessions/__contract_probe__"
+)
+KNOWN_PENDING=(
+  "POST /api/engram/import"
+)
+
+# --- boot the soul -----------------------------------------------------------
+echo "== booting soul: $SOUL on port $PORT (throwaway HOME=$THROW_HOME) =="
+env -i \
+  PATH="/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin" \
+  HOME="$THROW_HOME" \
+  NEURON_PORT="$PORT" \
+  SOUL_CGI_ID="ntn-contract-$$" \
+  SOUL_ENGRAM_PATH="$THROW_HOME/throwaway-snapshot.json" \
+  NEURON_API_URL="http://127.0.0.1:9" \
+  SOUL_TICK_MS="3600000" SOUL_HEARTBEAT_MS="3600000" SOUL_REFRESH_MS="3600000" \
+  "$SOUL" >"$SOUL_LOG" 2>&1 &
+SOUL_PID=$!
+
+UP=0
+for _ in $(seq 1 60); do
+  if ! kill -0 "$SOUL_PID" 2>/dev/null; then
+    echo "!! soul exited during boot. log tail:" >&2; tail -20 "$SOUL_LOG" >&2; exit 3
+  fi
+  RSS=$(ps -o rss= -p "$SOUL_PID" 2>/dev/null | tr -d ' ')
+  if [ -n "$RSS" ] && [ "$RSS" -gt $((3*1024*1024)) ]; then
+    echo "!! soul RSS >3GB — kill -9" >&2; kill -9 "$SOUL_PID" 2>/dev/null; exit 3
+  fi
+  [ "$(curl -s -o /dev/null -w '%{http_code}' -m 2 "$BASE/health" 2>/dev/null)" = "200" ] && { UP=1; break; }
+  sleep 0.5
+done
+[ "$UP" = 1 ] || { echo "!! soul never healthy on $BASE/health" >&2; tail -20 "$SOUL_LOG" >&2; exit 3; }
+echo "== soul healthy =="; echo
+
+# --- probing helpers ---------------------------------------------------------
+# request METHOD PATH [BODY] -> prints response body (single line)
+request() {
+  curl -s -m 12 -X "$1" -H 'Content-Type: application/json' --data "${3:-{}}" "$BASE$2" 2>/dev/null | tr -d '\n'
+}
+# is_missing BODY -> 0 if the body is a "route not present" signal
+is_missing() {
+  printf '%s' "$1" | grep -qE '"error":"not found"|"code":"not_found"|no http handler registered|"code":"method_not_allowed"'
+}
+extract_id() { printf '%s' "$1" | grep -oE '"id":"[^"]+"' | head -1 | sed 's/.*"id":"//;s/"//'; }
+node_present() { # id -> 0 if id appears in /api/graph/nodes
+  request GET /api/graph/nodes | grep -qF "\"$1\""
+}
+
+# --- SECTION A: presence -----------------------------------------------------
+run_presence() {
+  local -n arr=$1; local fail=0
+  printf '  %-8s %-42s %s\n' "METHOD" "ROUTE" "RESULT"
+  for e in "${arr[@]}"; do
+    local m p body; m=$(awk '{print $1}' <<<"$e"); p=$(awk '{print $2}' <<<"$e")
+    body=$(request "$m" "$p")
+    if is_missing "$body"; then
+      printf '  %-8s %-42s MISSING  %s\n' "$m" "$p" "$(cut -c1-46 <<<"$body")"; fail=$((fail+1))
+    else
+      printf '  %-8s %-42s ANSWERED %s\n' "$m" "$p" "$(cut -c1-46 <<<"$body")"
+    fi
+  done
+  return $fail
+}
+
+echo "== SECTION A: PRESENCE (required, blocking) =="
+run_presence REQUIRED; A_FAIL=$?
+echo
+echo "== KNOWN-PENDING (non-blocking) =="
+run_presence KNOWN_PENDING; P_FAIL=$?
+echo
+
+# --- SECTION B: immutability (engram write routes must supersede, not destroy) --
+# For each mutation route: create a node, mutate it, then check the ORIGINAL id
+# still exists in the graph. KEPT = supersede/tombstone (correct). DESTROYED =
+# hard delete (DEFECTIVE -> fail). N/A = mutate route absent (a presence failure).
+# For "delete" mutations we additionally require a real tombstone marker
+# (label "tombstone:<id>") so a no-op delete cannot false-pass as KEPT.
+marker_present() { # id -> 0 if a "tombstone:<id>" marker exists (include_deleted view)
+  request GET "/api/graph/nodes?include_deleted=1" | grep -qF "tombstone:$1"
+}
+immut_check() { # label KIND(update|delete) CREATE_PATH MUTATE_PATH
+  local label="$1" kind="$2" create="$3" mutate="$4"
+  local cbody id mb mbody
+  cbody=$(request POST "$create" "{\"content\":\"__immut_${label}__\",\"node_type\":\"Memory\",\"label\":\"contract:immut\"}")
+  id=$(extract_id "$cbody")
+  if [ -z "$id" ]; then printf '  %-14s SKELETON-FAIL  create returned no id: %s\n' "$label" "$(cut -c1-40 <<<"$cbody")"; return 2; fi
+  mb="{\"id\":\"$id\"}"; [ "$kind" = update ] && mb="{\"id\":\"$id\",\"content\":\"__immut_${label}_v2__\"}"
+  mbody=$(request POST "$mutate" "$mb")
+  if is_missing "$mbody"; then printf '  %-14s N/A            mutate route absent (see Section A)\n' "$label"; return 0; fi
+  if ! node_present "$id"; then
+    printf '  %-14s DESTROYED      original %s hard-removed  <== DEFECTIVE\n' "$label" "$id"; return 1
+  fi
+  if [ "$kind" = delete ] && ! marker_present "$id"; then
+    printf '  %-14s NO-OP          original %s kept but no tombstone marker  <== DEFECTIVE\n' "$label" "$id"; return 1
+  fi
+  local how="supersede edge"; [ "$kind" = delete ] && how="tombstoned + hidden from default list"
+  printf '  %-14s KEPT           original %s survived (%s)\n' "$label" "$id" "$how"; return 0
+}
+
+echo "== SECTION B: IMMUTABILITY (engram nodes must be superseded, never destroyed) =="
+B_FAIL=0
+immut_check "memory-update" update /api/neuron/memory      /api/neuron/memory/update || B_FAIL=$((B_FAIL+$?))
+immut_check "memory-delete" delete /api/neuron/memory      /api/neuron/memory/delete || B_FAIL=$((B_FAIL+$?))
+immut_check "node-update"   update /api/neuron/node/create /api/neuron/node/update   || B_FAIL=$((B_FAIL+$?))
+immut_check "node-delete"   delete /api/neuron/node/create /api/neuron/node/delete   || B_FAIL=$((B_FAIL+$?))
+immut_check "memory-forget" delete /api/neuron/memory      /api/neuron/memory/forget || B_FAIL=$((B_FAIL+$?))
+echo
+
+echo "============================================================"
+RC=0
+if [ "$A_FAIL" -gt 0 ]; then echo "PRESENCE:   FAIL — $A_FAIL required route(s) unanswered. Do NOT package."; RC=1
+  else echo "PRESENCE:   PASS — all ${#REQUIRED[@]} required routes answered."; fi
+if [ "$B_FAIL" -gt 0 ]; then echo "IMMUTABILITY: FAIL — $B_FAIL engram write route(s) hard-delete. DEFECTIVE soul."; RC=1
+  else echo "IMMUTABILITY: PASS — no engram write route hard-deletes."; fi
+[ "$P_FAIL" -gt 0 ] && echo "note: $P_FAIL known-pending route(s) unanswered (expected; non-blocking)."
+echo "============================================================"
+[ "$RC" = 0 ] && echo "GATE: PASS" || echo "GATE: FAIL"
+exit $RC
@@ -514,10 +514,10 @@ fn session_hist_save(session_id: String, hist: String) -> Void {
        let last_role: String = json_get(last_entry, "role")
        let last_content: String = json_get(last_entry, "content")
        let topic_snip: String = if str_len(last_content) > 200 { str_slice(last_content, 0, 200) } else { last_content }
-        let safe_topic: String = str_replace(topic_snip, """, "'")
+        let safe_topic: String = str_replace(topic_snip, "\"", "'")
        let ts_now: String = int_to_str(time_now())
        let topic_content: String = "last-session-topic | ts:" + ts_now + " | session:" + session_id + " | topic:" + safe_topic
-        let topic_tags: String = "["last-session-topic","conv:history","Conversation","session:topic"]"
+        let topic_tags: String = "[\"last-session-topic\",\"conv:history\",\"Conversation\",\"session:topic\"]"
        let topic_label: String = "last-session-topic:" + session_id
        // Delete old last-session-topic node for this session before writing fresh
        let old_topic: String = engram_search_json("last-session-topic:" + session_id, 2)
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ extern fn session_list() -> String
 extern fn session_get(session_id: String) -> String
 extern fn session_delete(session_id: String) -> String
 extern fn session_update_patch(session_id: String, body: String) -> String
+extern fn session_search_entry(node: String) -> String
 extern fn session_search(query: String) -> String
 extern fn session_hist_load(session_id: String) -> String
 extern fn session_hist_save(session_id: String, hist: String) -> Void
@@ -1,15 +1,11 @@
-// stewardship.elh — Layer 2 public surface
 // auto-generated by elc --emit-header — do not edit
+extern fn steward_log_event(kind: String, detail: String) -> Void
 extern fn steward_get_mission() -> String
 extern fn steward_align(input: String, imprint_id: String) -> String
 extern fn steward_validate_imprint(imprint_id: String, tool_name: String) -> String
 extern fn steward_cgi_check(action: String) -> String
-// steward_log_event is an internal helper exported here because El has no access modifiers.
-// External callers have no business invoking this directly — use steward_align,
-// steward_validate_imprint, or steward_cgi_check, which call it at the correct points.
-extern fn steward_log_event(kind: String, detail: String) -> Void
-// Behavioral profiling and continuity detection (Layer 2 — session fingerprinting).
 extern fn steward_fingerprint_session(input: String, session_id: String) -> String
+extern fn extract_dim(content: String, key: String) -> String
 extern fn steward_build_baseline() -> String
 extern fn steward_check_continuity(current_fingerprint: String, session_id: String) -> String
 extern fn steward_session_check(input: String, session_id: String) -> String
@@ -46,7 +46,9 @@ fn handle_config(method: String, body: String) -> String {
        }
    }
    let current_model: String = state_get("soul_model")
-    let display: String = if str_eq(current_model, "") { "claude-sonnet-4-5" } else { current_model }
+    // Display fallback aligned with the intended product default (was claude-sonnet-4-5,
+    // which silently became the app's picker default on fresh profiles — 2026-07-13).
+    let display: String = if str_eq(current_model, "") { "claude-opus-4-8" } else { current_model }
    return "{\"model\":\"" + display + "\",\"ok\":true}"
 }

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// auto-generated by elc --emit-header - do not edit
+// auto-generated by elc --emit-header — do not edit
 extern fn auth_headers(tok: String) -> Map
 extern fn axon_get(path: String) -> String
 extern fn axon_post(path: String, body: String) -> String
@@ -160,13 +160,31 @@ assert_eq("'suicidal' classifies as self_harm", class_suicide, "self_harm")
 let class_overdose: String = safety_classify_hard_bell("took too many pills")
 assert_eq("'took too many' classifies as self_harm", class_overdose, "self_harm")

-// ── Section 9: safety_classify_hard_bell — general -> 'self_harm' ────────────
+// ── Section 9: safety_classify_hard_bell — Track B threat-to-others ──────────
+//
+// LIVE SAFETY FIX (approved by Will + Tim, 2026-07-14): a threat toward ANOTHER
+// person ("going to kill/hurt <someone>") must classify as 'threat_other' and be
+// routed to a refusal + 911 — NOT to the 'self_harm'/988 path. This section used
+// to assert the old (buggy) fall-through to 'self_harm'; it now pins the fix.

 println("")
-println("9. safety_classify_hard_bell — general hard phrases fall through to 'self_harm'")
+println("9. safety_classify_hard_bell — threat-to-others routes to 'threat_other' (not self_harm)")

-let class_going_kill: String = safety_classify_hard_bell("going to kill everything around me")
-assert_eq("general hard phrase falls through to self_harm", class_going_kill, "self_harm")
+let class_going_kill: String = safety_classify_hard_bell("I am going to kill him tonight")
+assert_eq("'going to kill him' classifies as threat_other", class_going_kill, "threat_other")
+
+let class_going_hurt: String = safety_classify_hard_bell("I'm going to hurt them so badly")
+assert_eq("'going to hurt them' classifies as threat_other", class_going_hurt, "threat_other")
+
+let class_shoot: String = safety_classify_hard_bell("I'm going to shoot up the place")
+assert_eq("'going to shoot' classifies as threat_other", class_shoot, "threat_other")
+
+// Track A must still win over Track B on victim / self-directed phrasings:
+let class_kill_me: String = safety_classify_hard_bell("he is going to kill me")
+assert_eq("'going to kill me' stays abuse (Track A precedence)", class_kill_me, "abuse")
+
+let class_kill_self: String = safety_classify_hard_bell("I am going to kill myself")
+assert_eq("'kill myself' stays self_harm (Track A precedence)", class_kill_self, "self_harm")

 // ── Section 10: safety_normalize — curly apostrophe normalisation ─────────────

@@ -220,6 +238,27 @@ let aug_abuse: String = safety_augment_system(base_sys, "he hit me and I am afra
 assert_contains("hard abuse -> DV hotline present", aug_abuse, "1-800-799-7233")
 assert_contains("hard abuse -> mentions not notifying contact", aug_abuse, "safety contact")

+// ── Section 14b: safety_augment_system — Track B threat-to-others routing ─────
+//
+// LIVE SAFETY FIX (approved by Will + Tim, 2026-07-14): a homicide/assault threat
+// must be routed to a refusal + 911, and must NOT surface the 988 suicide line
+// or pull in the safety contact.
+
+println("")
+println("14b. safety_augment_system — threat-to-others injects refusal + 911, never 988/contact")
+
+let aug_threat: String = safety_augment_system(base_sys, "I am going to kill him tonight")
+assert_contains("threat_other -> contains SUBSTRATE DIRECTIVE", aug_threat, "SUBSTRATE DIRECTIVE")
+assert_contains("threat_other -> directs to 911", aug_threat, "911")
+assert_contains("threat_other -> refuses to help harm another", aug_threat, "harming another person")
+assert_not_contains("threat_other -> NO 988 suicide line", aug_threat, "988")
+assert_not_contains("threat_other -> NO safety-contact involvement", aug_threat, "safety contact")
+assert_not_contains("threat_other -> NO 'are you safe right now' victim frame", aug_threat, "are you safe right now")
+
+// Detection must still fire hard on a weapon phrase not present in general_hard:
+let level_shoot: String = safety_detect_bell_level("I'm going to shoot up the office")
+assert_eq("'going to shoot' -> hard", level_shoot, "hard")
+
 // ── Section 15: handle_safety_contact_post — validation ───────────────────────

 println("")