fleetd #808: a late fleet_reply claims its turn's waiter so the completion scrape cannot double-publish

A send that times out leaves its captured Rendezvous waiter open for the CB-106
completion fallback (strandLateResolution). If the member then calls fleet_reply,
reply() found no live waiter and queued the answer to the inbox, but never touched
that captured waiter — so the eventual completion fallback still resolved it and
published a second, redundant scrape of the same turn.

reply() now looks up the exact waiter strandLateResolution is tracking for the
target (lateWaiters, a new per-target index onto a per-turn CompletableFuture) and
claims it with Rendezvous.resolveLateReply before falling back to the inbox. The
CompletableFuture's own single-winner complete() is the discriminator: whichever
side resolves it first decides what the other sees. A later completion scrape
against an already-claimed waiter is a no-op in CompletionResolver.resolve's
existing waiter.isDone() check, so nothing is scraped or published a second time.
A turn that never gets an explicit reply is unaffected — its own waiter is still
open when the completion fallback fires, exactly as #801 already fixed.

.claude/skills/handover/SKILL.md

@@ -189,8 +189,9 @@ If the first number has grown past 20, somebody has rolled under the restart pat
 should be replaced with what they measured.
 
 **Three separate timeouts bound a roll.** `leadRollover.relaunchReadySeconds` (default 45,
-`FleetConfig.java:1483`) bounds **each** of two waits that run after the relaunch, so the worst case
-there is about twice that number, not 45 seconds in total. A third bound gives your old pane 10
+`FleetConfig.java:1483`) bounds **each** of three waits that run after the relaunch, so the worst
+case there is about three times that number, not 45 seconds in total. The third wait retries
+`bootstrapText` while herdr answers `agent_not_ready`. A separate bound gives your old pane 10
 seconds to die (`LeadRollover.PANE_DEATH_TIMEOUT_SECONDS`).
 
 `fleet_handover{action: "status", token}` answers with one of these:
@@ -204,6 +205,7 @@ seconds to die (`LeadRollover.PANE_DEATH_TIMEOUT_SECONDS`).
 | `RELAUNCH_FAILED` | launching the fresh pane failed |
 | `RELAUNCH_NEVER_READY` | the fresh pane never became ready within `relaunchReadySeconds` |
 | `RELAUNCH_NOT_RECOGNISED` | the fresh terminal never resolved as a lead |
+| `BOOTSTRAP_NEVER_SENT` | the fresh pane was ready, but herdr refused `bootstrapText` with `agent_not_ready` for the whole bound, so the successor never learned where the handover file is |
 | `FAILED` | the roll threw; `runRollover`'s catch records this rather than leaving it stuck |
 
 Only `TURN_NEVER_SETTLED` guarantees your context is intact. The other failures can leave you

CLAUDE.md

@@ -33,9 +33,11 @@ gate uses. A worker also carries its `sessionId`, `profile`, `worktree` and `bra
 carries the slot name it was bound to; a collaborator carries its registry name and its own
 `sessionId`, and **no `leader` key** — a collaborator is a named peer, not a primary. An **observer**
 carries only its own `sessionId`: a pane the daemon could not place as any of the above, authorized
-to `READ`/`METRICS`, to `REPLY`/`ASK`/`INBOX` on its own pane, and to `SEND` only to a lead or to a target that
-resolves as an observer too — never to a collaborator, an architect, or a spawned member, and never a
-ticket. It finds such a target in `fleet_list`'s `panes` array, which for an observer is filtered to
+to `READ`/`METRICS`, to `REPLY`/`ASK`/`INBOX` on its own pane, to `SEND` only to a lead or to a target
+that resolves as an observer too — never to a collaborator, an architect, or a spawned member — and to
+`TASK_READ` only a ticket its own `fleet_send{wait:false}` created. Nothing wider: not another
+caller's ticket, and not a session's status, which stays refused. It finds such a target in
+`fleet_list`'s `panes` array, which for an observer is filtered to
 exactly what it may send to and reduced to `sessionId`, `label`, `status`, `role` and `deliverable`;
 a lead's row reads `role: "lead"`.
 Don't infer what you can ask.
@@ -71,20 +73,29 @@ and the sender silently receives nothing. Fail toward the recoverable error.
    never to a spawned member's terminal, while an observer may send only to a lead or another observer
    pane;
    reply/ask/inbox are only-as-itself — any peer may answer, or collect its mail, for its own
-   pane, and for no other. A call outside your role is refused, not queued.
+   pane, and for no other. **A ticket is owned by the caller that created it, not by a role**, so an
+   observer or a collaborator may poll a ticket its own `fleet_send{wait:false}` created and no
+   other — never another caller's, and never a session's status, which stays refused for both. A
+   call outside your role is refused, not queued.
 4. **Delivery is status-gated: one message per turn.** Don't busy-poll a peer's terminal and don't
    re-send because a call looks slow — the bridge delivers when the peer is `idle`, `blocked` or
    `done`. A spawned member must **also** have mounted the bridge MCP: until it has, it is not
    deliverable, and a send waits on that gate for ~60s and then fails without ever reaching its pane.
-   **A lead's own pane has a second gate: its input box must be empty.** The multiplexer pastes and
-   submits in one step, so a delivery that lands while the operator is typing submits their
-   half-written line. A heartbeat, a ticket nudge and lead-to-lead mail therefore wait until the box
-   is clear, and a pane the daemon cannot read as a box waits too. A direct `fleet_send` to a lead's
-   pane does **not** wait for the box yet (fleetd #793); a lead that runs the fleet mod collects
-   that mail instead of having it pasted, so it is not exposed. Nothing is lost — every one of
-   those paths retries — but a lead that leaves text sitting in its box receives nothing until it
-   clears, and the only sign is one warning in `fleetd.out` after 20 held checks in a row. Delivery
-   to a *member* is not gated this way, because nobody types in a member's pane.
+   **A lead's own pane has a second gate, and it is off by default.** The multiplexer pastes and
+   submits in one step, so a delivery that lands while the operator is typing would submit their
+   half-written line. A heartbeat, a ticket nudge and lead-to-lead mail can therefore wait until the
+   box is clear. That check is the config key `promptBoxGateEnabled`; both an absent key and `false`
+   leave it off, so **right now nothing waits on the box**. It is off because detection read the
+   pane's own autocomplete suggestion as the operator's typing, and so held deliveries that were
+   never at risk — 2231 holds in 11 hours across four panes, measured 2026-10-06. Turn it on only
+   once detection is fixed (#797 made it switchable, #802 is the detection bug). While it is on, a
+   lead that leaves text in its box receives nothing until it clears, and the only sign is one
+   warning in `fleetd.out` after 20 held checks in a row; nothing is lost, because every one of
+   those paths retries. A direct `fleet_send` to a lead's pane never waited for the box either way
+   (fleetd #793); a lead that runs the fleet mod collects that mail instead of having it pasted, so
+   it is not exposed. Delivery to a *member* is not gated this way, because nobody types in a
+   member's pane. Re-measure the switch with
+   `grep -n 'promptBoxGateEnabled' fleetd/fleetd.yaml` — no match means it is still off.
    **A pane that collects its own mail skips the paste.** A session running the fleet mod calls
    `fleet_inbox` on a timer. While its last call is under 15s old, the daemon queues that pane's
    next message for collection instead of pasting it, and the mod hands it to Claude with
@@ -184,7 +195,11 @@ below are the procedure — run them in order, every task, not only the big ones
 **Steps 3 and 4 are separate on purpose** — spawning and sending in one loop is how parallel work
 silently becomes serial, and it is the most common way this layer is wasted. For the same reason,
 prefer `wait:false` + `fleet_poll` for anything non-trivial: a blocking `fleet_send` is capped by
-*your own* MCP client call timeout (~60s), well below the task's real runtime.
+*your own* MCP client call timeout (~60s), well below the task's real runtime. **A blocking send
+also creates no ticket**, so when it times out there is no id to poll, and a resend can deliver the
+same brief twice. One route still recovers the answer: a late turn-completion lands in the target's
+inbox, and `fleet_poll{target}` drains it. That call is `DRAIN`, so only a lead may make it — the
+receipt names it to a lead and tells every other caller to ask one.
 
 **Delegating does not delegate responsibility.** Workers open PRs; you are the gate. Never delegate
 the merge — and merging on a reviewer's word is delegating it by proxy.
@@ -291,19 +306,21 @@ simply complies has thrown away the reason there are two of you.
 
 `fleet_whoami` answered `collaborator`, so your pane's tab matches a `fleet.collaborators.<name>.tab`
 entry. You are **not** a member: nothing delegates to you, you have no brief, no worktree and no
-ticket, and **you owe no `fleet_reply`** — the turn contract above is for a session a lead spawned,
-and it does not apply to you. Read it only to understand what the members around you are doing.
+ticket raised against you, and **you owe no `fleet_reply`** — the turn contract above is for a
+session a lead spawned, and it does not apply to you. Read it only to understand what the members around you are doing.
 
-What you may do: observe the fleet (`fleet_list`, `fleet_profiles`, `fleet_whoami`), and send to a
-lead or to another collaborator. What you may not: spawn, stop or drain anything, roll a lead's
-session, answer a member's `fleet_ask`, poll a ticket, or send to a spawned member's terminal. Each
-of those is refused at the gate, not queued.
+What you may do: observe the fleet (`fleet_list`, `fleet_profiles`, `fleet_whoami`), send to a lead
+or to another collaborator, and poll a ticket your own `fleet_send{wait:false}` created. What you may
+not: spawn, stop or drain anything, roll a lead's session, answer a member's `fleet_ask`, read
+another caller's ticket or any session's status, or send to a spawned member's terminal. Each of
+those is refused at the gate, not queued.
 
 Two limits worth knowing before you hit them. **You cannot reach a worker** — not even to help one —
 because a worker belongs to the lead that spawned it, and routing around that would make you a
-second orchestrator with no plan. Send to the lead instead. And **you cannot read a ticket**, so you
-cannot collect a delegation's reply: `fleet_poll` refuses you at the role gate, and a ticket also
-records the terminal that created it, so even a leaked id reads nothing.
+second orchestrator with no plan. Send to the lead instead. And **you cannot read another caller's
+ticket** — only one your own `fleet_send{wait:false}` created. A ticket records the terminal that
+created it, so a leaked id reads nothing, and a lead's delegation stays the lead's: you cannot
+collect its reply.
 
 Being named buys you a channel, not authority. Your `fleet_send` to a lead is coordination between
 peers: the lead owes you no obedience, and you owe it none.

fleetd/fleetd.example.yaml

@@ -174,6 +174,12 @@ bind:
 # idleSleepGuard:
 #   enabled: false
 
+# Whether PromptBox checks a lead's input box before a delivery pastes into it. Default off —
+# omitting this key (or setting it false) leaves every delivery proceeding without reading the
+# pane. Detection currently misreads the pane's own autocomplete suggestion at the caret as the
+# operator's unsubmitted typing, so the check holds deliveries that were never actually at risk.
+# promptBoxGateEnabled: false
+
 # herdr Unix socket. Omit to use the client default
 # (${HERDR_SOCKET_PATH:-~/.config/herdr/herdr.sock}).
 herdrSocket: ~/.config/herdr/herdr.sock

fleetd/src/main/java/dev/ltms/fleet/FleetdAssembly.java

@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ final class FleetdAssembly {
         // are counted at their single funnel rather than at each of the two caller-facing surfaces.
         Metrics metrics = FleetMetrics.create(sessions, replyInbox);
         var pushLoop = new ReplyPushLoop(primaryRegistry, router.leadAgents(), replyInbox,
-                pushScheduler, maxReminders, backoffMs, metrics);
+                pushScheduler, maxReminders, backoffMs, metrics, cfg.promptBoxGateEnabled());
         // fleetd #201 Unit 5: point the forwarding holder captured by the backendErrorSink lambda
         // above at the real push loop, now that it exists.
         pushLoopRef.set(pushLoop);
@@ -448,7 +448,8 @@ final class FleetdAssembly {
                     Fleetd.leadContextSource(leadContextGauge, router.leadAgents(), leads,
                             Fleetd.leadConfigDirLookup(() -> config.get().profiles(), leaders),
                             Fleetd.leadContextWindowLookup(() -> config.get().profiles(), leaders)),
-                    Boolean.TRUE.equals(hb.contextHighNudge()), requireOperatorConfirm);
+                    Boolean.TRUE.equals(hb.contextHighNudge()), requireOperatorConfirm,
+                    cfg.promptBoxGateEnabled());
             heartbeat.start();
         } else {
             heartbeat = null;
@@ -545,7 +546,7 @@ final class FleetdAssembly {
         if (leadMailbox != null) {
             var leadCoordScheduler = ports.newScheduler("bridge-leadcoord-");
             leadCoordLoop = new LeadCoordLoop(leadMailbox, router.leadAgents(), leads, leadCoordScheduler,
-                    LEAD_COORD_INTERVAL_MS);
+                    LEAD_COORD_INTERVAL_MS, cfg.promptBoxGateEnabled());
             leadCoordLoop.start(); // FIFTH of the recurring background loops to start (optional).
             leadCoordSchedulerRef = leadCoordScheduler;
         } else {

fleetd/src/main/java/dev/ltms/fleet/auth/Authz.java

@@ -86,29 +86,54 @@ public final class Authz {
      */
     public static final Predicate<String> NO_OBSERVER_SEND_TARGET = target -> false;
 
+    /**
+     * The fail-closed classifier for a ticket-scoped {@code TASK_READ} (an observer's or a
+     * collaborator's): answers no for every ticket, so the grant is refused unless a caller
+     * supplies a real one. {@code MessageService#ownsTicket(String, String)} is the real one, so
+     * a ticket this classifier accepts is one that caller's own {@code fleet_send(wait:false)}
+     * actually created.
+     */
+    public static final Predicate<String> NO_OWNED_TICKET = ticket -> false;
+
     /**
      * Convenience form for a caller with no classifier to supply. Fails closed: a collaborator's
-     * or an observer's {@code SEND} is refused, as if no terminal were a configured lead,
-     * collaborator, or observer-reachable target — the same decision
-     * {@link #NO_KNOWN_LEAD_OR_COLLABORATOR} and {@link #NO_OBSERVER_SEND_TARGET} give explicitly.
-     * Every other action's result is identical to the five-argument form's, since none of them
-     * consult either classifier.
+     * or an observer's {@code SEND}, and an observer's or a collaborator's {@code TASK_READ}, are
+     * refused, as if no terminal were a configured lead, collaborator, or observer-reachable
+     * target, and no ticket were the caller's own — the same decision
+     * {@link #NO_KNOWN_LEAD_OR_COLLABORATOR}, {@link #NO_OBSERVER_SEND_TARGET} and
+     * {@link #NO_OWNED_TICKET} give explicitly. Every other action's result is identical to the
+     * full form's, since none of them consult any of the three classifiers.
      *
      * <p>Its default classifiers deny every collaborator and every observer, so a caller
-     * enforcing authorization must use the five-argument form instead.
+     * enforcing authorization must use the full form instead.
      */
     public static boolean permits(Principal caller, Action action, String targetSession) {
-        return permits(caller, action, targetSession, NO_KNOWN_LEAD_OR_COLLABORATOR, NO_OBSERVER_SEND_TARGET);
+        return permits(caller, action, targetSession, NO_KNOWN_LEAD_OR_COLLABORATOR,
+                NO_OBSERVER_SEND_TARGET, NO_OWNED_TICKET);
     }
 
     /**
      * As {@link #permits(Principal, Action, String)}, with a real classifier for a collaborator's
-     * {@code SEND}. An observer's {@code SEND} still fails closed ({@link #NO_OBSERVER_SEND_TARGET}) —
-     * a caller enforcing both grants must use the five-argument form.
+     * {@code SEND}. An observer's {@code SEND}, and an observer's or a collaborator's
+     * {@code TASK_READ}, still fail closed — a caller enforcing all three grants must use the
+     * full form.
      */
     public static boolean permits(Principal caller, Action action, String targetSession,
                                    Predicate<String> knownLeadOrCollaborator) {
-        return permits(caller, action, targetSession, knownLeadOrCollaborator, NO_OBSERVER_SEND_TARGET);
+        return permits(caller, action, targetSession, knownLeadOrCollaborator,
+                NO_OBSERVER_SEND_TARGET, NO_OWNED_TICKET);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * As {@link #permits(Principal, Action, String, Predicate)}, with a real classifier for an
+     * observer's {@code SEND} too. An observer's or a collaborator's {@code TASK_READ} still
+     * fails closed — a caller enforcing all three grants must use the full form.
+     */
+    public static boolean permits(Principal caller, Action action, String targetSession,
+                                   Predicate<String> knownLeadOrCollaborator,
+                                   Predicate<String> observerSendTarget) {
+        return permits(caller, action, targetSession, knownLeadOrCollaborator, observerSendTarget,
+                NO_OWNED_TICKET);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -116,9 +141,10 @@ public final class Authz {
      *
      * @param targetSession           the session id in the request path; only consulted for the
      *                                worker-scoped actions ({@code REPLY}, {@code ASK},
-     *                                {@code INBOX}), for a collaborator's {@code SEND}, and for an
-     *                                observer's {@code SEND}, ignored otherwise, may be
-     *                                {@code null}
+     *                                {@code INBOX}), for a collaborator's {@code SEND}, for an
+     *                                observer's {@code SEND}, and — carrying a ticket id instead
+     *                                of a session id — for an observer's or a collaborator's
+     *                                {@code TASK_READ}, ignored otherwise, may be {@code null}
      * @param knownLeadOrCollaborator whether a terminal is a configured lead or collaborator —
      *                                consulted only for a collaborator's {@code SEND}, to confine
      *                                it to another named peer and never a spawned member's
@@ -128,10 +154,16 @@ public final class Authz {
      *                                consulted only for an observer's {@code SEND}, to confine it
      *                                to a lead or another observer pane and never a collaborator,
      *                                an architect, or a spawned member
+     * @param ticketOwnedByCaller     whether {@code targetSession} (here, a ticket id) was created
+     *                                by this same caller — consulted only for an observer's or a
+     *                                collaborator's {@code TASK_READ}, to confine it to a ticket
+     *                                its own {@code fleet_send(wait:false)} created, never another
+     *                                caller's
      */
     public static boolean permits(Principal caller, Action action, String targetSession,
                                    Predicate<String> knownLeadOrCollaborator,
-                                   Predicate<String> observerSendTarget) {
+                                   Predicate<String> observerSendTarget,
+                                   Predicate<String> ticketOwnedByCaller) {
         if (caller == null || caller.isAnonymous()) {
             return false; // authenticated as nothing ⇒ authorized for nothing
         }
@@ -180,11 +212,17 @@ public final class Authz {
                     || caller.isCollaborator() || caller.isObserver();
 
             // Ticket polling and session status, open to every role READ is open to except a
-            // collaborator or an observer. MessageService compares a ticket's creator to the
-            // caller on every read as well, so dropping this gate would not expose another
-            // session's reply — it would move the refusal later and widen what a caller that
-            // never orchestrates can probe.
-            case TASK_READ -> caller.isPrimary() || caller.isWorker() || caller.isArchitect();
+            // collaborator or an observer — with one exception: an observer or a collaborator may
+            // poll a ticket its own fleet_send(wait:false) created, confined by
+            // ticketOwnedByCaller. Session status is not ticket-scoped, so that call site
+            // supplies no real classifier here and an observer's or a collaborator's TASK_READ on
+            // it stays refused. MessageService compares a ticket's creator to the caller on every
+            // read as well, so dropping this gate would not expose another session's reply — it
+            // would move the refusal later and widen what a caller that never orchestrates can
+            // probe.
+            case TASK_READ -> caller.isPrimary() || caller.isWorker() || caller.isArchitect()
+                    || ((caller.isObserver() || caller.isCollaborator())
+                            && ticketOwnedByCaller.test(targetSession));
 
             // fleetd #421: reading held lead-to-lead mail is the primary's alone. An architect
             // holds READ today (CB-548), so "not primary" must mean not-architect here too — this

fleetd/src/main/java/dev/ltms/fleet/auth/Role.java

@@ -40,8 +40,9 @@ public enum Role {
      * fleet.collaborators.<name>.tab} registry). Never spawned — identity comes from the
      * connection, never a request argument, exactly like {@link #WORKER} and {@link #ARCHITECT}.
      * May {@code SEND} only to a configured lead or collaborator, {@code REPLY}/{@code ASK} only
-     * as its own pane, and {@code READ}/{@code METRICS}; may not {@code SPAWN}/{@code STOP}/
-     * {@code DRAIN}/{@code HANDOVER}, poll a ticket ({@code TASK_READ}), or reach the
+     * as its own pane, {@code READ}/{@code METRICS}, and {@code TASK_READ} only a ticket its own
+     * {@code fleet_send(wait:false)} created; may not {@code SPAWN}/{@code STOP}/{@code DRAIN}/
+     * {@code HANDOVER}, read a session's status or another caller's ticket, or reach the
      * coordination broker ({@code COORD_SEND}/{@code COORD_READ}).
      */
     COLLABORATOR,
@@ -51,10 +52,11 @@ public enum Role {
      * configured lead, not a bound architect slot, not a configured collaborator tab. Unforgeable
      * like a worker's — derived from the connection's pane, never from a request argument, and
      * honoured regardless of auth mode. May {@code READ} and {@code METRICS}, {@code REPLY}/
-     * {@code ASK} only as its own pane, and {@code SEND} only to a target that would itself
-     * resolve as a lead ({@link #PRIMARY}) or as {@code OBSERVER}; may not {@code SPAWN}/
-     * {@code STOP}/{@code DRAIN}/{@code HANDOVER}, poll a ticket ({@code TASK_READ}), or reach the
-     * coordination broker ({@code COORD_SEND}/{@code COORD_READ}).
+     * {@code ASK} only as its own pane, {@code SEND} only to a target that would itself resolve
+     * as a lead ({@link #PRIMARY}) or as {@code OBSERVER}, and {@code TASK_READ} only a ticket its
+     * own {@code fleet_send(wait:false)} created; may not {@code SPAWN}/{@code STOP}/
+     * {@code DRAIN}/{@code HANDOVER}, read a session's status or another caller's ticket, or reach
+     * the coordination broker ({@code COORD_SEND}/{@code COORD_READ}).
      */
     OBSERVER,
 

fleetd/src/main/java/dev/ltms/fleet/config/ConfigRef.java

@@ -183,8 +183,9 @@ import java.util.function.Supplier;
  * recounted again for fleetd #362, again after {@code idleSleepGuard:} was added, again after
  * {@code models:} was added as deferred, again for fleetd #422, which moved {@code models:}
  * from deferred to hot-excluded once its on/off half was read live everywhere, and again after
- * {@code leadRollover:} was added (fleetd #480).</strong>
- * {@code FleetConfig} has 26 top-level record components: 5 cold, 13 deferred, 3 split, 5
+ * {@code leadRollover:} was added (fleetd #480), and again after {@code promptBoxGateEnabled:}
+ * was added as deferred.</strong>
+ * {@code FleetConfig} has 27 top-level record components: 5 cold, 14 deferred, 3 split, 5
  * hot-excluded. Five of them are named nowhere in this file, and the reason is the same for all
  * five: {@code placement}, {@code memberCredentials}, {@code memberLoginShell}, {@code models} and
  * {@code leadRollover} are <strong>hot</strong> and correctly absent — all five are read live off
@@ -288,7 +289,7 @@ public final class ConfigRef implements Supplier<FleetConfig> {
     static final Set<String> DEFERRED_KEYS = Set.of(
             "guard", "worktreeRoot", "worktreeGroup", "memberSkills", "primary", "configReload",
             "leadHeartbeat", "lifecycle", "spawnReadyTimeoutMs", "spawnReadyPollMs",
-            "quarantineCooldownSeconds", "profiles", "idleSleepGuard");
+            "quarantineCooldownSeconds", "profiles", "idleSleepGuard", "promptBoxGateEnabled");
 
     private final Path path;
     private final AtomicReference<FleetConfig> current;
@@ -531,6 +532,12 @@ public final class ConfigRef implements Supplier<FleetConfig> {
         if (!Objects.equals(old.idleSleepGuard(), fresh.idleSleepGuard())) {
             changed.add("idleSleepGuard");
         }
+        // ReplyPushLoop, LeadCoordLoop and LeadHeartbeatLoop each build their own PromptBox once, at
+        // startup, off this value — a running loop keeps whichever gate setting it was built with
+        // regardless of a later edit here.
+        if (!Objects.equals(old.promptBoxGateEnabled(), fresh.promptBoxGateEnabled())) {
+            changed.add("promptBoxGateEnabled");
+        }
         if (!Objects.equals(old.spawnReadyTimeoutMs(), fresh.spawnReadyTimeoutMs())
                 || !Objects.equals(old.spawnReadyPollMs(), fresh.spawnReadyPollMs())) {
             changed.add("spawnReady*");

fleetd/src/main/java/dev/ltms/fleet/config/FleetConfig.java

@@ -143,6 +143,13 @@ import java.util.regex.PatternSyntaxException;
  * @param leadRollover  opt-in lead rollover (fleetd #480): {@code null} ⇒ off, and no
  *                      {@code dev.ltms.fleet.lead.LeadRollover} is constructed at all — an upgraded
  *                      daemon never clears a lead's pane on its own initiative. See {@link LeadRollover}.
+ * @param promptBoxGateEnabled whether {@link dev.ltms.fleet.herdr.PromptBox} checks a lead's input
+ *                      box before a delivery pastes into it. {@code null} (the default) and
+ *                      {@code false} both leave the check off: a delivery proceeds without reading
+ *                      the pane, and the box is never classified. Detection currently misreads the
+ *                      pane's own autocomplete suggestion at the caret as the operator's
+ *                      unsubmitted typing, so the check holds deliveries that were never actually
+ *                      at risk; set this to {@code true} only once that is fixed.
  */
 @JsonIgnoreProperties(ignoreUnknown = true)
 public record FleetConfig(
@@ -171,7 +178,23 @@ public record FleetConfig(
         String memberSkills,
         IdleSleepGuard idleSleepGuard,
         Models models,
-        LeadRollover leadRollover) {
+        LeadRollover leadRollover,
+        Boolean promptBoxGateEnabled) {
+
+    /** Back-compat form before the {@code promptBoxGateEnabled} key was added. */
+    public FleetConfig(Bind bind, String herdrSocket, String memberHerdrSocket, Map<String, Profile> profiles,
+                         Guard guard, String worktreeRoot, Lifecycle lifecycle, Integer spawnReadyTimeoutMs,
+                         Integer spawnReadyPollMs, Broker broker, Primary primary, Fleet fleet,
+                         LeadHeartbeat leadHeartbeat, Health health, String placement, Auth auth,
+                         ConfigReload configReload, Integer quarantineCooldownSeconds,
+                         MemberCredentials memberCredentials, Coordinator coordinator, String worktreeGroup,
+                         String memberLoginShell, String memberSkills, IdleSleepGuard idleSleepGuard,
+                         Models models, LeadRollover leadRollover) {
+        this(bind, herdrSocket, memberHerdrSocket, profiles, guard, worktreeRoot, lifecycle, spawnReadyTimeoutMs,
+                spawnReadyPollMs, broker, primary, fleet, leadHeartbeat, health, placement, auth,
+                configReload, quarantineCooldownSeconds, memberCredentials, coordinator, worktreeGroup,
+                memberLoginShell, memberSkills, idleSleepGuard, models, leadRollover, null);
+    }
 
     /** Back-compat form before the {@code leadRollover:} block was added. */
     public FleetConfig(Bind bind, String herdrSocket, String memberHerdrSocket, Map<String, Profile> profiles,
@@ -331,6 +354,7 @@ public record FleetConfig(
         } else {
             profiles = Map.of();
         }
+        promptBoxGateEnabled = promptBoxGateEnabled != null && promptBoxGateEnabled;
     }
 
     @JsonIgnoreProperties(ignoreUnknown = true)
@@ -1466,7 +1490,7 @@ public record FleetConfig(
      *                     CALLING lead's own turn to end (its pane to report {@code IDLE} or
      *                     {@code DONE}) before ending that pane's process at all. See the
      *                     paragraph above.
-     * @param relaunchReadySeconds default 45 — bound on EACH of two separate waits that run after
+     * @param relaunchReadySeconds default 45 — bound on EACH of three separate waits that run after
      *                     the old lead's pane has been torn down and a fresh one launched: first,
      *                     for the fresh pane itself to reach a real turn boundary ({@code IDLE} or
      *                     {@code DONE}, never merely {@code BLOCKED}) — the safety gate, since
@@ -1479,8 +1503,9 @@ public record FleetConfig(
      *                     10s live), so a budget has to clear more than one scan interval to leave
      *                     any real margin for the CLI's own boot time; 20 was rejected for exactly
      *                     that reason — at a 10s scan interval it only buys two scans. 45 buys
-     *                     roughly four. Only a timeout on the FIRST wait (the pane never becomes
-     *                     ready) withholds {@code bootstrapText}.
+     *                     roughly four; third, to retry sending {@code bootstrapText} while herdr
+     *                     reports {@code agent_not_ready}. A timeout on the first wait or the third
+     *                     one withholds {@code bootstrapText}.
      * @param bootstrapText default a sentence naming the RESOLVED handover path — sent to the
      *                     fresh lead's pane once it reaches a real turn boundary after relaunch,
      *                     telling the fresh session where to read the handover and carry on. Left
@@ -1936,7 +1961,7 @@ public record FleetConfig(
             "lifecycle", "spawnReadyTimeoutMs", "spawnReadyPollMs", "broker", "primary", "fleet",
             "leadHeartbeat", "health", "placement", "auth", "configReload", "quarantineCooldownSeconds",
             "memberCredentials", "coordinator", "worktreeGroup", "memberLoginShell", "memberSkills",
-            "idleSleepGuard", "models", "leadRollover");
+            "idleSleepGuard", "models", "leadRollover", "promptBoxGateEnabled");
 
     /** Load and validate config from {@code path}. */
     public static FleetConfig load(Path path) {
@@ -2733,10 +2758,13 @@ public record FleetConfig(
         // own compact constructor defaults the fields of a block that IS present. Defaulting it
         // here would construct a LeadRollover object (via Fleetd.java's presence gate) for every
         // config that never mentioned it.
+        // promptBoxGateEnabled is left as-is: the compact constructor already normalized it to a
+        // real true/false, and false (the gate off) is already the safe default — there is no
+        // further defaulting to do here.
         return new FleetConfig(b, herdrSocket, memberHerdrSocket, profiles, g, worktreeRoot, l, timeout, pollMs,
                 broker, primary, f, leadHeartbeat, health, placementOrDefault, a, configReload,
                 quarantineCooldown, mc, coordinator, worktreeGroup, memberLoginShell, memberSkills,
-                idleSleepGuard, models, leadRollover);
+                idleSleepGuard, models, leadRollover, promptBoxGateEnabled);
     }
 
     /**

fleetd/src/main/java/dev/ltms/fleet/herdr/PromptBox.java

@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ import java.util.regex.Pattern;
  * <p>A pane that holds for {@link #HOLD_WARN_STREAK} consecutive checks gets one warning, so a box
  * that never clears is visible instead of silent. The warning repeats only after the box has cleared
  * again.
+ *
+ * <p>The check itself can be switched off (see the two-arg constructor): a disabled gate clears
+ * every target without reading its pane, logging a hold, or counting a streak.
  */
 public final class PromptBox {
 
@@ -74,19 +77,35 @@ public final class PromptBox {
     }
 
     private final AgentControl agents;
+    private final boolean gateEnabled;
 
     /** Consecutive holds per target, so a box that never clears can be warned about once. */
     private final Map<String, Integer> holdStreaks = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
 
+    /** Equivalent to {@link #PromptBox(AgentControl, boolean)} with the gate on. */
     public PromptBox(AgentControl agents) {
+        this(agents, true);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * @param gateEnabled {@code false} makes {@link #clearToSubmit} return {@code true} for every
+     *                    target without reading its pane, logging a hold, or counting a streak —
+     *                    every delivery proceeds exactly as if the box were always empty.
+     */
+    public PromptBox(AgentControl agents, boolean gateEnabled) {
         this.agents = agents;
+        this.gateEnabled = gateEnabled;
     }
 
     /**
      * Whether {@code target}'s input box is empty, so a delivery would submit only its own text.
-     * {@code false} means hold and come back; it never means the delivery failed.
+     * {@code false} means hold and come back; it never means the delivery failed. Always
+     * {@code true} when the gate is disabled.
      */
     public boolean clearToSubmit(String target) {
+        if (!gateEnabled) {
+            return true;
+        }
         Reading reading = inspect(target);
         if (reading.state() == State.EMPTY) {
             holdStreaks.remove(target);

fleetd/src/main/java/dev/ltms/fleet/lead/LeadRollover.java

@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ public final class LeadRollover {
 
     /**
      * What is known about one token, right now — the answer {@link #status} gives. Distinguishes
-     * five terminal outcomes an approved roll can finish with, one in-flight outcome for a roll
+     * terminal outcomes an approved roll can finish with, one in-flight outcome for a roll
      * that has been approved but has not finished yet, and two answers for a token that names no
      * active work at all: still pending confirmation, or nothing known about this token at all.
      */
@@ -256,7 +256,8 @@ public final class LeadRollover {
          * that is, in fact, actively running. This is not sticky: the deferred continuation
          * overwrites this same entry with a terminal state ({@link #ROLLED}, {@link
          * #TURN_NEVER_SETTLED}, {@link #OLD_PANE_NEVER_DIED}, {@link #RELAUNCH_FAILED}, {@link
-         * #RELAUNCH_NEVER_READY}, {@link #RELAUNCH_NOT_RECOGNISED}, or {@link #FAILED}) once it
+         * #RELAUNCH_NEVER_READY}, {@link #RELAUNCH_NOT_RECOGNISED}, {@link #BOOTSTRAP_NEVER_SENT},
+         * or {@link #FAILED}) once it
          * finishes — including by throwing, which {@link #runRollover}'s catch turns into {@link
          * #FAILED} instead of leaving this entry stuck forever.
          */
@@ -305,6 +306,12 @@ public final class LeadRollover {
          * an operator should check why the tab was not recognised.
          */
         RELAUNCH_NOT_RECOGNISED,
+        /**
+         * A fresh lead was ready, but herdr kept reporting {@code agent_not_ready} while this class
+         * retried {@code bootstrapText} for {@code relaunchReadySeconds}. The fresh session did not
+         * receive its handover instruction.
+         */
+        BOOTSTRAP_NEVER_SENT,
         /**
          * The deferred continuation threw a {@link RuntimeException} and the continuation thread
          * died with it. Without this state, that throw would leave {@link #outcomes} holding {@link
@@ -731,7 +738,19 @@ public final class LeadRollover {
 
         IdentityResult identityResult = waitUntilRecognisedAsLead(newAgent.terminalId(),
                 cfg.relaunchReadySeconds());
-        agents.send(newAgent.terminalId(), cfg.bootstrapTextFor(p.handoverPath()));
+        BootstrapResult bootstrapResult = sendBootstrapWithRetry(newAgent.terminalId(),
+                cfg.bootstrapTextFor(p.handoverPath()), cfg.relaunchReadySeconds());
+        if (!bootstrapResult.sent()) {
+            log.warn("lead-rollover: bootstrapText was never sent to fresh terminal {} for lead '{}' "
+                            + "after agent_not_ready persisted for {}ms (token={}, configured={}s)",
+                    newAgent.terminalId(), leadName, bootstrapResult.elapsedMillis(), p.token(),
+                    cfg.relaunchReadySeconds());
+            outcomes.put(p.token(), new RollStatus(RollState.BOOTSTRAP_NEVER_SENT,
+                    "fresh terminal " + newAgent.terminalId() + " kept rejecting bootstrapText with "
+                            + "agent_not_ready for relaunchReadySeconds=" + cfg.relaunchReadySeconds()
+                            + "s (measured elapsed=" + bootstrapResult.elapsedMillis() + "ms)"));
+            return;
+        }
         if (!identityResult.ready()) {
             log.warn("lead-rollover: fresh terminal {} for lead '{}' is alive and bootstrapped, but "
                             + "was never recognised as a live lead — an operator should check why "
@@ -755,6 +774,30 @@ public final class LeadRollover {
                         + newAgent.terminalId()));
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Sends {@code bootstrapText}, retrying only the transient herdr {@code agent_not_ready} refusal
+     * until {@code readySeconds} elapses. All other failures propagate to {@link #runRollover}.
+     */
+    private BootstrapResult sendBootstrapWithRetry(String terminal, String bootstrapText, int readySeconds) {
+        long startMillis = nowMillis.getAsLong();
+        long deadline = startMillis + TimeUnit.SECONDS.toMillis(readySeconds);
+        while (nowMillis.getAsLong() < deadline) {
+            try {
+                agents.send(terminal, bootstrapText);
+                return new BootstrapResult(true, nowMillis.getAsLong() - startMillis);
+            } catch (HerdrException e) {
+                if (!"agent_not_ready".equals(e.code())) {
+                    throw e;
+                }
+                pollSleeper.run();
+            }
+        }
+        return new BootstrapResult(false, nowMillis.getAsLong() - startMillis);
+    }
+
+    /** The result of {@link #sendBootstrapWithRetry}. */
+    private record BootstrapResult(boolean sent, long elapsedMillis) {}
+
     /** Attempts {@link #captureAgentWithRetry} makes before letting the failure propagate. */
     static final int CAPTURE_RETRIES = 3;
 

fleetd/src/main/java/dev/ltms/fleet/mcp/FleetMcp.java

@@ -516,7 +516,10 @@ public final class FleetMcp {
                         // Answering a worker's fleet_ask (CB-205): resolve its blocked question and
                         // block for the worker's reply as it resumes the same turn. This is the same
                         // delegation, so ownership is left untouched (CB-548) — never re-recorded.
-                        return answer(messages, turnId, content, timeoutMs(a), callerOwner);
+                        // ANSWER is primary-or-architect, and an architect is refused DRAIN too, so a
+                        // timeout receipt must not name fleet_poll{target} to an architect caller.
+                        boolean mayDrainPoll = Authz.permits(caller, Authz.Action.DRAIN, target);
+                        return answer(messages, turnId, content, timeoutMs(a), callerOwner, mayDrainPoll);
                     }
                     // CB-548: delegator ownership (which lead's reply nudge this worker routes to,
                     // CB-532) is recorded only once the send is ACCEPTED — MessageService has won the
@@ -528,12 +531,18 @@ public final class FleetMcp {
                     // name would never match there anyway, but passing null for them keeps the intent
                     // explicit rather than relying on that lookup to filter it out.
                     String delegatorName = caller.isPrimary() ? caller.name() : null;
-                    Runnable onAccepted = () ->
-                            primaryRegistry.recordDelegation(target, callerTerminal, delegatorName);
+                    // A nudge about this target must never tell its recipient to run a call Authz
+                    // would refuse it — asked once, here, while the real Principal is still in
+                    // scope, rather than re-derived from a bare terminal string later.
+                    boolean mayDrainNudge = Authz.permits(caller, Authz.Action.DRAIN, target);
+                    boolean mayAnswerNudge = Authz.permits(caller, Authz.Action.ANSWER, target);
+                    Runnable onAccepted = () -> primaryRegistry.recordDelegation(target, callerTerminal,
+                            delegatorName, mayDrainNudge, mayAnswerNudge);
                     // wait defaults to true (block for the reply); wait:false is fire-and-poll.
                     return Boolean.FALSE.equals(a.get("wait"))
                             ? sendAsync(messages, target, content, onAccepted, workers.profiles(), caller)
-                            : send(messages, target, content, timeoutMs(a), onAccepted, workers.profiles(), callerOwner);
+                            : send(messages, target, content, timeoutMs(a), onAccepted, workers.profiles(), callerOwner,
+                                    mayDrainNudge);
                 };
         // fleet_reply's identity is the CONNECTION, never an argument. The authz check is
         // terminal ownership, not a role test: the caller may reply only for its own pane,
@@ -574,10 +583,19 @@ public final class FleetMcp {
                     Map<String, Object> a = req.arguments();
                     String target = str(a, "target");
                     String coordId = str(a, "coordId");
+                    String ticket = str(a, "ticket");
                     // The action depends on the ARGUMENTS, not on the tool name -- see pollAction.
-                    McpSchema.CallToolResult denied = deny(exchange, toolAction("fleet_poll", a), target);
+                    Authz.Action action = toolAction("fleet_poll", a);
+                    // TASK_READ reads a ticket, not a DRAIN target -- the gate must see the
+                    // ticket id, and an observer's or a collaborator's grant is confined to a
+                    // ticket it created.
+                    String authzTarget = action == Authz.Action.TASK_READ ? ticket : target;
+                    Predicate<String> ticketOwnedByCaller = action == Authz.Action.TASK_READ
+                            ? t -> messages.ownsTicket(t, principal(exchange).ownerKey())
+                            : Authz.NO_OWNED_TICKET;
+                    McpSchema.CallToolResult denied = deny(exchange, action, authzTarget, ticketOwnedByCaller);
                     if (denied != null) return denied;
-                    return poll(messages, leadChannel, str(a, "ticket"), target, coordId,
+                    return poll(messages, leadChannel, ticket, target, coordId,
                             principal(exchange).ownerKey());
                 };
         // CB-307 Increment 3: per-msgId ack (not needed in v1 but supported by the inbox).
@@ -745,6 +763,16 @@ public final class FleetMcp {
         return denyFor(principal(exchange), action, target);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * As {@link #deny(McpSyncServerExchange, Authz.Action, String)}, with a real classifier for
+     * an observer's or a collaborator's {@code TASK_READ} — the only call site that can supply
+     * one is a ticket poll, which knows the ticket id and the caller's owner key.
+     */
+    private McpSchema.CallToolResult deny(McpSyncServerExchange exchange, Authz.Action action,
+                                          String target, Predicate<String> ticketOwnedByCaller) {
+        return denyFor(principal(exchange), action, target, ticketOwnedByCaller);
+    }
+
     /**
      * The policy half of {@link #deny}: everything except pulling the caller out of the MCP
      * exchange. Kept separate so the authorization decision — the actual control — is unit-testable
@@ -758,13 +786,22 @@ public final class FleetMcp {
      * @return {@code null} when the call may proceed, or the error result to return when it may not
      */
     McpSchema.CallToolResult denyFor(Principal caller, Authz.Action action, String target) {
+        return denyFor(caller, action, target, Authz.NO_OWNED_TICKET);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * As {@link #denyFor(Principal, Authz.Action, String)}, with a real classifier for an
+     * observer's or a collaborator's {@code TASK_READ}.
+     */
+    McpSchema.CallToolResult denyFor(Principal caller, Authz.Action action, String target,
+                                      Predicate<String> ticketOwnedByCaller) {
         // The enforcement switch lives HERE rather than in the exchange-facing wrapper: any future
         // tool that calls this directly must not be able to skip the gate by accident.
         if (!authorizationEnforced) {
             return null; // AuthorizationMode.UNENFORCED: authorization not enforced (fleetd #518)
         }
         if (Authz.permits(caller, action, target, callers.knownLeadOrCollaborator(),
-                callers.observerSendTarget())) {
+                callers.observerSendTarget(), ticketOwnedByCaller)) {
             if (action != Authz.Action.READ && action != Authz.Action.TASK_READ) {
                 AuditLog.allowed(caller, action, target); // reads would drown the trail
             }
@@ -999,12 +1036,17 @@ public final class FleetMcp {
      * {@code fleet_send}: delegate {@code content} to a worker session and block for its reply.
      * The configured profiles are required so a profile name can never bypass target validation.
      *
-     * (CB-548): {@code onAccepted} records delegator ownership the instant the send is accepted, so
-     * a BUSY interloper never claims a turn it did not win. {@code null} disables recording.
+     * <p>(CB-548): {@code onAccepted} records delegator ownership the instant the send is
+     * accepted, so a BUSY interloper never claims a turn it did not win. {@code null} disables
+     * recording.
+     *
+     * @param mayDrainPoll whether this caller's {@code Authz.Action.DRAIN} is granted — a
+     *                     TIMED_OUT or BUSY receipt must name {@code fleet_poll} only when this
+     *                     is {@code true}, since that route is refused otherwise
      */
     static McpSchema.CallToolResult send(MessageService messages, String sessionId, String content,
                                          Long timeoutMs, Runnable onAccepted, Set<String> profiles,
-                                         String callerOwner) {
+                                         String callerOwner, boolean mayDrainPoll) {
         if (isBlank(sessionId) || isBlank(content)) {
             return error("sessionId and content are required");
         }
@@ -1014,7 +1056,8 @@ public final class FleetMcp {
         }
         long timeout = clamp(timeoutMs == null ? DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS : timeoutMs);
         try {
-            return formatReply(messages.send(sessionId, content, timeout, onAccepted, callerOwner), timeout);
+            return formatReply(messages.send(sessionId, content, timeout, onAccepted, callerOwner), timeout,
+                    sessionId, mayDrainPoll);
         } catch (HerdrException e) {
             return error("herdr error contacting session " + sessionId + ": " + e.getMessage());
         }
@@ -1025,14 +1068,20 @@ public final class FleetMcp {
      * {@code fleet_ask} (CB-205). Resolves the worker's blocked question and blocks for its reply as
      * it resumes the same turn — surfaced to the primary identically to a normal send.
      * {@code callerOwner} must match the turn's recorded owner or this is refused.
+     *
+     * @param mayDrainPoll whether this caller's {@code Authz.Action.DRAIN} is granted — see
+     *                     {@link #send(MessageService, String, String, Long, Runnable, Set, String,
+     *                     boolean)}'s same parameter. {@code ANSWER} is primary-or-architect, and
+     *                     an architect is refused {@code DRAIN}, so this cannot default to true.
      */
     static McpSchema.CallToolResult answer(MessageService messages, String turnId, String content, Long timeoutMs,
-                                             String callerOwner) {
+                                             String callerOwner, boolean mayDrainPoll) {
         if (isBlank(turnId) || isBlank(content)) {
             return error("turnId and content are required to answer a worker's question");
         }
         long timeout = clamp(timeoutMs == null ? DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS : timeoutMs);
-        return formatReply(messages.answer(turnId, content, timeout, callerOwner), timeout);
+        String target = messages.sessionForTurn(turnId);
+        return formatReply(messages.answer(turnId, content, timeout, callerOwner), timeout, target, mayDrainPoll);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -1059,8 +1108,15 @@ public final class FleetMcp {
         };
     }
 
-    /** Render a {@link MessageService.Reply} as a tool result — shared by {@link #send} and {@link #answer}. */
-    private static McpSchema.CallToolResult formatReply(MessageService.Reply r, long timeout) {
+    /**
+     * Render a {@link MessageService.Reply} as a tool result — shared by {@link #send} and
+     * {@link #answer}. {@code target} is the worker session the send went to (may be {@code null}
+     * if it could not be resolved), named in a TIMED_OUT_* receipt so the caller knows which
+     * inbox to poll — but only when {@code mayDrainPoll} is {@code true}: naming a route the
+     * caller's own {@code Authz.Action.DRAIN} grant would refuse is worse than naming none.
+     */
+    private static McpSchema.CallToolResult formatReply(MessageService.Reply r, long timeout, String target,
+                                                         boolean mayDrainPoll) {
         return switch (r.outcome()) {
             case REPLIED -> text(r.text());
             // The worker's turn finished but it never called fleet_reply — hand back the scraped
@@ -1083,8 +1139,16 @@ public final class FleetMcp {
                     + "answered (turnId stale)");
             case NOT_TURN_OWNER -> error("this turn belongs to a different delegation — only the caller "
                     + "that opened it may answer it");
-            case TIMED_OUT_WORKING, TIMED_OUT_QUEUED, BUSY -> text("[no reply within " + timeout + "ms — worker "
-                    + r.outcome().name().toLowerCase().replace("timed_out_", "") + "; retry or poll status]");
+            case TIMED_OUT_WORKING, TIMED_OUT_QUEUED, BUSY -> {
+                String base = "[no reply within " + timeout + "ms — worker "
+                        + r.outcome().name().toLowerCase().replace("timed_out_", "") + ". "
+                        + MessageService.NO_TICKET_NO_RESEND + ". ";
+                yield text(mayDrainPoll
+                        ? base + "Poll fleet_poll{target=\""
+                                + (target != null ? target : "<the worker session you sent to>")
+                                + "\"} to drain its inbox for a late reply.]"
+                        : base + "A late reply cannot be recovered on this channel — ask the lead.]");
+            }
             // fleetd #571: delivery is unknown here — agent.prompt pastes and submits in one call,
             // so the message may already be sitting in the pane. Do not invite a blind retry the way
             // the case above does; a resend on this route can double-deliver the same brief.

fleetd/src/main/java/dev/ltms/fleet/mcp/PrimaryRegistry.java

@@ -48,8 +48,13 @@ public final class PrimaryRegistry {
      */
     private final ConcurrentHashMap<String, Delegation> leadByTarget = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
 
-    /** A recorded delegator: the terminal learned from call traffic, and its name, if it has one. */
-    private record Delegation(String terminal, String name) {
+    /**
+     * A recorded delegator: the terminal learned from call traffic, its name if it has one, and
+     * whether a nudge may tell it to {@code fleet_poll(target=…)} or {@code fleet_send(turnId=…)}
+     * — the real authorization decision for this delegator's role, captured once by the caller at
+     * delegation time rather than re-derived from a bare terminal string later.
+     */
+    private record Delegation(String terminal, String name, boolean mayDrainNudge, boolean mayAnswerNudge) {
     }
 
     /**
@@ -128,14 +133,28 @@ public final class PrimaryRegistry {
 
     /**
      * As {@link #recordDelegation(String, String)}, additionally recording the delegating lead's
-     * name when the caller carries one. See {@link #record(String, String)} for why the name
-     * matters.
+     * name when the caller carries one, and granting a nudge about this target everything a
+     * primary may be told to run. See {@link #record(String, String)} for why the name matters,
+     * and {@link #recordDelegation(String, String, String, boolean, boolean)} for why every other
+     * caller must supply its own, real grant instead of this default.
      */
     public void recordDelegation(String target, String leadTerminal, String leadName) {
+        recordDelegation(target, leadTerminal, leadName, true, true);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * As {@link #recordDelegation(String, String, String)}, with the delegating caller's own
+     * {@code DRAIN} and {@code ANSWER} grants — the real {@code Authz.permits} decision for its
+     * role, asked once by the caller at delegation time, since a terminal string alone cannot be
+     * resolved back to a role here. A nudge about this target must offer only what
+     * {@link #nudgeMayDrainFor(String)}/{@link #nudgeMayAnswerFor(String)} report back as true.
+     */
+    public void recordDelegation(String target, String leadTerminal, String leadName,
+                                  boolean mayDrainNudge, boolean mayAnswerNudge) {
         if (target == null || target.isBlank() || leadTerminal == null || leadTerminal.isBlank()) {
             return;
         }
-        leadByTarget.put(target, new Delegation(leadTerminal, blankToNull(leadName)));
+        leadByTarget.put(target, new Delegation(leadTerminal, blankToNull(leadName), mayDrainNudge, mayAnswerNudge));
     }
 
     /** Forget a worker's delegating lead — call on release, so a torn-down session leaks nothing. */
@@ -167,6 +186,32 @@ public final class PrimaryRegistry {
         return currentPrimaryTerminal();
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Whether a nudge about {@code target} may tell its recipient to {@code fleet_poll(target=…)}
+     * — present on exactly the same condition as {@link #nudgeTargetFor(String)}, carrying the
+     * grant recorded for a delegation, or {@code true} for the singleton primary fallback, which
+     * is always genuinely the primary.
+     */
+    public Optional<Boolean> nudgeMayDrainFor(String target) {
+        Delegation delegation = target == null ? null : leadByTarget.get(target);
+        if (delegation != null) {
+            return Optional.of(delegation.mayDrainNudge());
+        }
+        return currentPrimaryTerminal().isPresent() ? Optional.of(true) : Optional.empty();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * As {@link #nudgeMayDrainFor(String)}, for whether a nudge may tell its recipient to
+     * {@code fleet_send(turnId=…)}.
+     */
+    public Optional<Boolean> nudgeMayAnswerFor(String target) {
+        Delegation delegation = target == null ? null : leadByTarget.get(target);
+        if (delegation != null) {
+            return Optional.of(delegation.mayAnswerNudge());
+        }
+        return currentPrimaryTerminal().isPresent() ? Optional.of(true) : Optional.empty();
+    }
+
     /**
      * The known primary terminal, or empty if not yet learned (and not pinned) — the raw value as
      * it was recorded, with no attempt to resolve a named lead's current pane. Callers that need a

fleetd/src/main/java/dev/ltms/fleet/msg/LeadCoordLoop.java

@@ -63,6 +63,12 @@ public final class LeadCoordLoop {
 
     private volatile boolean running;
 
+    /** Equivalent to {@link #LeadCoordLoop(LeadChannel, AgentControl, Supplier, ScheduledExecutorService, long, boolean)} with the prompt-box gate on. */
+    public LeadCoordLoop(LeadChannel channel, AgentControl agents, Supplier<Map<String, String>> leads,
+                         ScheduledExecutorService scheduler, long intervalMs) {
+        this(channel, agents, leads, scheduler, intervalMs, true);
+    }
+
     /**
      * @param channel  this daemon's own lead mailbox
      * @param agents   herdr control, for the status gate and the pane injection
@@ -71,12 +77,13 @@ public final class LeadCoordLoop {
      *                 the tab scan after startup becomes reachable without a restart
      * @param scheduler the loop's own scheduler; the caller owns its shutdown
      * @param intervalMs how long between ticks
+     * @param promptBoxGateEnabled passed straight to {@link PromptBox#PromptBox(AgentControl, boolean)}
      */
     public LeadCoordLoop(LeadChannel channel, AgentControl agents, Supplier<Map<String, String>> leads,
-                         ScheduledExecutorService scheduler, long intervalMs) {
+                         ScheduledExecutorService scheduler, long intervalMs, boolean promptBoxGateEnabled) {
         this.channel = channel;
         this.agents = agents;
-        this.promptBox = new PromptBox(agents);
+        this.promptBox = new PromptBox(agents, promptBoxGateEnabled);
         this.leads = leads;
         this.scheduler = scheduler;
         this.intervalMs = intervalMs;

fleetd/src/main/java/dev/ltms/fleet/msg/LeadHeartbeatLoop.java

@@ -137,9 +137,21 @@ public final class LeadHeartbeatLoop {
                              long idleAfterNanos, long backoffMs, int quietNudgeCap, Metrics metrics,
                              LeadContextSource contextSource, boolean contextHighNudge,
                              boolean requireOperatorConfirm) {
+        this(primaryRegistry, agents, inbox, roster, pushLoop, scheduler, clock,
+                idleAfterNanos, backoffMs, quietNudgeCap, metrics, contextSource, contextHighNudge,
+                requireOperatorConfirm, true);
+    }
+
+    /** As above, plus the prompt-box gate's on/off switch — see {@link PromptBox#PromptBox(AgentControl, boolean)}. */
+    public LeadHeartbeatLoop(PrimaryRegistry primaryRegistry, AgentControl agents, ReplyInbox inbox,
+                             Supplier<List<MemberSession>> roster, ReplyPushLoop pushLoop,
+                             ScheduledExecutorService scheduler, LongSupplier clock,
+                             long idleAfterNanos, long backoffMs, int quietNudgeCap, Metrics metrics,
+                             LeadContextSource contextSource, boolean contextHighNudge,
+                             boolean requireOperatorConfirm, boolean promptBoxGateEnabled) {
         this.primaryRegistry = primaryRegistry;
         this.agents = agents;
-        this.promptBox = new PromptBox(agents);
+        this.promptBox = new PromptBox(agents, promptBoxGateEnabled);
         this.inbox = inbox;
         this.roster = roster;
         this.pushLoop = pushLoop;

fleetd/src/main/java/dev/ltms/fleet/msg/MessageService.java

@@ -134,6 +134,14 @@ public final class MessageService {
         NOT_TURN_OWNER
     }
 
+    /**
+     * The fact shared by the MCP and REST receipts for {@link Outcome#TIMED_OUT_WORKING},
+     * {@link Outcome#TIMED_OUT_QUEUED} and {@link Outcome#BUSY}: a blocking send is never tracked
+     * by a ticket, so there is no id to poll by, and resending it risks a duplicate delivery.
+     */
+    public static final String NO_TICKET_NO_RESEND =
+            "this send created no ticket, and a resend can duplicate the delivery";
+
     /**
      * @param outcome how the send ended (or paused)
      * @param text    the worker's answer when {@link #completed()} (a structured {@code fleet_reply}
@@ -353,6 +361,16 @@ public final class MessageService {
      * target ({@link #send} opening a fresh waiter) or a teardown ({@link #abandon}).
      */
     private final ConcurrentHashMap<String, Boolean> queuedDeliveries = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+    /**
+     * The captured waiter a timed-out send left open for a late turn-completion scrape
+     * ({@link #strandLateResolution}), keyed by target so a late {@code fleet_reply} can find and
+     * claim the exact one its own turn belongs to ({@link #reply}). The waiter's own {@code
+     * complete()} call is the discriminator: whichever caller resolves it first — this reply, or
+     * the eventual completion scrape — decides what the other one sees, and only the winner's kind
+     * ever reaches the inbox. An entry removes itself once its waiter resolves.
+     */
+    private final ConcurrentHashMap<String, CompletableFuture<Rendezvous.Resolution>> lateWaiters =
+            new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
     private final AtomicLong ticketSeq = new AtomicLong();
     /**
      * Minted once per {@code MessageService} instance and folded into every ticket id (see
@@ -612,6 +630,14 @@ public final class MessageService {
                     + "answers, queuing to the inbox instead of guessing", session, candidates.size(),
                     tickets);
         }
+        // Claim the matching timed-out send's captured waiter, if one is still open, before
+        // publishing this reply. The waiter is this exact turn's own CompletableFuture, so
+        // completing it here means a completion-fallback scrape that resolves the same waiter
+        // afterward finds it already answered and does not publish a second entry for this turn.
+        CompletableFuture<Rendezvous.Resolution> lateWaiter = lateWaiters.get(session);
+        if (lateWaiter != null) {
+            rendezvous.resolveLateReply(lateWaiter, content);
+        }
         inbox.publish(session, UUID.randomUUID().toString(), content);
         // CB-640: record the stranding itself (not just the reply text) so fleet health can see a
         // worker whose replies keep missing their waiter, not only the queue depth this leaves behind.
@@ -808,6 +834,7 @@ public final class MessageService {
         // CB-640: the session is gone — nothing will ever accept or deliver into it now.
         strandedReplies.remove(target);
         queuedDeliveries.remove(target);
+        lateWaiters.remove(target);
         CompletableFuture<Rendezvous.Resolution> waiter = rendezvous.currentWaiter(target);
         boolean failed = waiter != null && !waiter.isDone() && rendezvous.resolveFailure(waiter, reason);
         boolean asyncFailed = false;
@@ -1050,6 +1077,7 @@ public final class MessageService {
                         queuedDeliveries.put(target, Boolean.TRUE);
                         outcome = Outcome.TIMED_OUT_QUEUED;
                     }
+                    strandLateResolution(target, reply);
                     return recorded(new Reply(outcome, null));
                 } catch (ExecutionException e) {
                     Throwable cause = e.getCause();
@@ -1067,6 +1095,42 @@ public final class MessageService {
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Once a blocking send has given up on {@code waiter} and already reported a TIMED_OUT_*
+     * outcome, the CB-106 completion fallback can still resolve it later — it completes the exact
+     * captured future ({@link Rendezvous#resolveCompletion}), not a session lookup, so
+     * {@link Rendezvous#close} does not stop it. With nobody left awaiting {@code waiter}, route
+     * that resolution to {@code target}'s inbox instead, exactly where a late explicit
+     * {@code fleet_reply} already lands (see {@link #reply}), so {@code fleet_poll{target}} can
+     * recover it. A no-op if {@code waiter} never resolves, or already has by the time this runs.
+     *
+     * <p>Only {@link Rendezvous.Kind#COMPLETION} is routed here. An explicit {@code fleet_reply}
+     * ({@link Rendezvous.Kind#REPLY}) still reaches {@code waiter} through {@link #reply}'s own
+     * session lookup, not through this captured reference, so leaving it out here avoids a second,
+     * racing publish of the same reply.
+     */
+    private void strandLateResolution(String target, CompletableFuture<Rendezvous.Resolution> waiter) {
+        lateWaiters.put(target, waiter);
+        waiter.whenComplete((resolution, error) -> {
+            lateWaiters.remove(target, waiter);
+            if (resolution != null && resolution.kind() == Rendezvous.Kind.COMPLETION) {
+                try {
+                    // inbox.publish reaches a broker and can throw. An exception thrown inside a
+                    // whenComplete callback is swallowed into the discarded dependent stage, not
+                    // rethrown to any caller — log it here, or a broker failure is invisible and the
+                    // late reply is simply lost.
+                    inbox.publish(target, UUID.randomUUID().toString(), resolution.text());
+                    strandedReplies.put(target, Boolean.TRUE);
+                    if (pushLoop != null) {
+                        pushLoop.onReplyQueued(target);
+                    }
+                } catch (RuntimeException e) {
+                    log.warn("strandLateResolution: publishing a late turn-completion for {} failed", target, e);
+                }
+            }
+        });
+    }
+
     /**
      * A worker's mid-turn question (CB-205 reverse rendezvous): surface {@code question} to the
      * primary by resolving its open blocking {@code fleet_send}, then block this (worker) call until
@@ -1167,6 +1231,14 @@ public final class MessageService {
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * The worker session an open {@code fleet_ask} turn belongs to, or {@code null} if
+     * {@code turnId} is unknown or has already lapsed.
+     */
+    public String sessionForTurn(String turnId) {
+        return rendezvous.askSession(turnId);
+    }
+
     /**
      * The primary's answer to a worker's {@code fleet_ask} (CB-205): resolve the worker's blocked
      * question identified by {@code turnId}, then — like a fresh {@link #send} — block for the worker's
@@ -1492,6 +1564,16 @@ public final class MessageService {
                 || Objects.equals(callerOwner, task.creatorOwner);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Whether {@code callerOwner} owns {@code ticket}, with no side effect — unlike
+     * {@link #poll(String, String)}, this never fires the ticket's collection hook. A ticket this
+     * daemon has never heard of is owned by nobody.
+     */
+    public boolean ownsTicket(String ticket, String callerOwner) {
+        Task task = ticket == null ? null : tasks.get(ticket);
+        return task != null && ownsTicket(task, callerOwner);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Test seam only — carries no production behaviour, and nothing in this class calls it;
      * {@link #pruneTerminalTickets} still reads {@link Task#completedNanos} directly.

fleetd/src/main/java/dev/ltms/fleet/msg/Rendezvous.java

@@ -304,6 +304,20 @@ public final class Rendezvous {
         return waiter != null && waiter.complete(new Resolution(Kind.BACKEND_EXHAUSTED, reason));
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Resolve a specific captured {@code waiter} as a reply — for a {@code fleet_reply} that
+     * arrives after the send which opened {@code waiter} already gave up on it, so the ordinary
+     * session-keyed {@link #resolve} finds no live waiter to match. Like
+     * {@link #resolveCompletion(CompletableFuture, String)} it targets the exact captured waiter
+     * (CB-116): a no-op if that waiter was already resolved — first resolution wins, and whichever
+     * one wins is what any later resolution attempt on the same waiter will see.
+     *
+     * @return true if this call resolved the waiter, false if it was null or already resolved
+     */
+    public boolean resolveLateReply(CompletableFuture<Resolution> waiter, String content) {
+        return waiter != null && waiter.complete(new Resolution(Kind.REPLY, content));
+    }
+
     private boolean complete(String session, Resolution resolution) {
         ForwardWaiter waiter = waiters.get(session);
         return waiter != null && waiter.future().complete(resolution);

fleetd/src/main/java/dev/ltms/fleet/msg/ReplyPushLoop.java

@@ -130,9 +130,16 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
     public ReplyPushLoop(PrimaryRegistry primaryRegistry, AgentControl agents, ReplyInbox inbox,
                          ScheduledExecutorService scheduler,
                          int maxReminders, long backoffMs, Metrics metrics) {
+        this(primaryRegistry, agents, inbox, scheduler, maxReminders, backoffMs, metrics, true);
+    }
+
+    /** As above, with the prompt-box gate's on/off switch — see {@link PromptBox#PromptBox(AgentControl, boolean)}. */
+    public ReplyPushLoop(PrimaryRegistry primaryRegistry, AgentControl agents, ReplyInbox inbox,
+                         ScheduledExecutorService scheduler,
+                         int maxReminders, long backoffMs, Metrics metrics, boolean promptBoxGateEnabled) {
         this.primaryRegistry = primaryRegistry;
         this.agents = agents;
-        this.promptBox = new PromptBox(agents);
+        this.promptBox = new PromptBox(agents, promptBoxGateEnabled);
         this.inbox = inbox;
         this.scheduler = scheduler;
         this.maxReminders = maxReminders;
@@ -178,13 +185,20 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
                 pendingReplies.remove(target, owning);
                 continue;
             }
+            // Never nudge a caller to run a DRAIN its own role could never perform -- the durable
+            // inbox stays the backstop for it, same as when no nudge target is known at all.
+            if (!owning.mayDrainNudge()) continue;
             result.add(target);
         }
         return result;
     }
 
-    /** A pending reply target: which lead to nudge, and how many nudges have named it so far. */
-    private record ReplyEntry(String lead, int nudgeCount) {
+    /**
+     * A pending reply target: which nudge target to notify, how many nudges have named it so
+     * far, and whether that nudge target's own role may actually run the
+     * {@code fleet_poll(target=…)} a reply nudge would tell it to run.
+     */
+    private record ReplyEntry(String lead, int nudgeCount, boolean mayDrainNudge) {
     }
 
     /**
@@ -207,11 +221,12 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
 
     /**
      * An open question awaiting the lead's answer: which ticket it belongs to, which worker asked,
-     * which lead to nudge, the question text, and how many nudges have named it so far (CB-598 —
-     * tracked per question, not per lead per source).
+     * which lead to nudge, the question text, how many nudges have named it so far (CB-598 —
+     * tracked per question, not per lead per source), and whether that nudge target's own role may
+     * actually run the {@code fleet_send(turnId=…)} a question nudge would tell it to run.
      */
     private record PendingQuestion(String turnId, String ticket, String target, String lead,
-                                    String question, int nudgeCount) {
+                                    String question, int nudgeCount, boolean mayAnswerNudge) {
     }
 
     private record IncidentLead(String incidentId, String lead) {
@@ -229,7 +244,11 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
 
     /** Questions still open for {@code lead}, snapshotted fresh for one tick. */
     private List<PendingQuestion> pendingQuestionsFor(String lead) {
-        return pendingQuestions.values().stream().filter(q -> lead.equals(q.lead())).toList();
+        // Never nudge a caller to run an ANSWER its own role could never perform -- the 55-second
+        // ask window lapses on its own, same as when no nudge target is known at all.
+        return pendingQuestions.values().stream()
+                .filter(q -> lead.equals(q.lead()) && q.mayAnswerNudge())
+                .toList();
     }
 
     /** Question turnIds still open for {@code lead} — a plain snapshot for race comparison. */
@@ -385,7 +404,7 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
         boolean hasIncidentWork = !pendingIncidentKeysFor(lead).isEmpty();
         boolean hasUnmappedTargetWork = !pendingUnmappedTargetKeysFor(lead).isEmpty();
         if (!hasReplyWork && !hasTicketWork && !hasQuestionWork && !hasIncidentWork && !hasUnmappedTargetWork) {
-            log.debug("push: nothing pending for lead {}, stopping reminder", lead);
+            log.debug("push: nothing pending for nudge target {}, stopping reminder", lead);
             return Action.STOP;
         }
         boolean replyEligible = hasReplyWork && replyReminderCount < maxReminders;
@@ -394,7 +413,7 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
         boolean incidentEligible = hasIncidentWork && incidentReminderCount < maxReminders;
         boolean unmappedTargetEligible = hasUnmappedTargetWork && unmappedTargetReminderCount < maxReminders;
         if (!replyEligible && !ticketEligible && !questionEligible && !incidentEligible && !unmappedTargetEligible) {
-            log.debug("push: reminder cap ({}) reached for lead {} on every source with pending work, stopping",
+            log.debug("push: reminder cap ({}) reached for nudge target {} on every source with pending work, stopping",
                     maxReminders, lead);
             countNudge("exhausted");
             return Action.STOP;
@@ -403,15 +422,15 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
         try {
             status = agents.status(lead);
         } catch (RuntimeException e) {
-            log.debug("push: status check failed for lead {}, will retry", lead, e);
+            log.debug("push: status check failed for nudge target {}, will retry", lead, e);
             return Action.WAIT_BUSY;
         }
         if (!status.injectable()) {
-            log.debug("push: lead {} is {} (not injectable), waiting", lead, status);
+            log.debug("push: nudge target {} is {} (not injectable), waiting", lead, status);
             return Action.WAIT_BUSY;
         }
         if (!promptBox.clearToSubmit(lead)) {
-            log.debug("push: lead {} has unsubmitted text in its prompt box, waiting", lead);
+            log.debug("push: nudge target {} has unsubmitted text in its prompt box, waiting", lead);
             return Action.WAIT_BUSY;
         }
         return Action.INJECT;
@@ -466,14 +485,14 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
         if (lead.isEmpty() || isLive(lead.get())) {
             return lead;
         }
-        log.debug("push: lead {} delegated to for {} is no longer live, forgetting the stale binding "
+        log.debug("push: nudge target {} delegated to for {} is no longer live, forgetting the stale binding "
                 + "and falling back", lead.get(), target);
         primaryRegistry.forgetDelegation(target);
         Optional<String> fallback = primaryRegistry.nudgeTargetFor(target);
         if (fallback.isEmpty() || isLive(fallback.get())) {
             return fallback;
         }
-        log.debug("push: fallback lead {} for {} is also not live, skipping this tick", fallback.get(), target);
+        log.debug("push: fallback nudge target {} for {} is also not live, skipping this tick", fallback.get(), target);
         return Optional.empty();
     }
 
@@ -496,9 +515,9 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
         } catch (RuntimeException e) {
             boolean gone = e instanceof HerdrException he && "agent_not_found".equals(he.code());
             if (gone) {
-                log.debug("push: lead {} no longer exists ({})", lead, e.toString());
+                log.debug("push: nudge target {} no longer exists ({})", lead, e.toString());
             } else {
-                log.debug("push: liveness check for lead {} was inconclusive ({}); treating as live "
+                log.debug("push: liveness check for nudge target {} was inconclusive ({}); treating as live "
                         + "rather than risk destroying a live binding", lead, e.toString());
             }
             return !gone;
@@ -517,11 +536,12 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
     public void onReplyQueued(String target) {
         var lead = resolveLiveLead(target);
         if (lead.isEmpty()) {
-            log.debug("push: no lead is known to be waiting on {}, skipping reminder", target);
+            log.debug("push: no nudge target is known to be waiting on {}, skipping reminder", target);
             return;
         }
+        boolean mayDrainNudge = primaryRegistry.nudgeMayDrainFor(target).orElse(false);
         pendingReplies.compute(target, (t, existing) ->
-                new ReplyEntry(lead.get(), existing == null ? 0 : existing.nudgeCount()));
+                new ReplyEntry(lead.get(), existing == null ? 0 : existing.nudgeCount(), mayDrainNudge));
         startOrCoalesce(lead.get());
     }
 
@@ -545,7 +565,7 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
     public void onTicketTerminal(String ticket, String target, boolean failed) {
         var lead = resolveLiveLead(target);
         if (lead.isEmpty()) {
-            log.debug("push: no lead is known to be waiting on ticket {} (target {}), skipping nudge",
+            log.debug("push: no nudge target is known to be waiting on ticket {} (target {}), skipping nudge",
                     ticket, target);
             return;
         }
@@ -580,11 +600,13 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
     public void onQuestionOpened(String ticket, String target, String turnId, String question) {
         var lead = resolveLiveLead(target);
         if (lead.isEmpty()) {
-            log.debug("push: no lead is known to be waiting on {}'s question (turnId {}), skipping nudge",
+            log.debug("push: no nudge target is known to be waiting on {}'s question (turnId {}), skipping nudge",
                     target, turnId);
             return;
         }
-        pendingQuestions.put(turnId, new PendingQuestion(turnId, ticket, target, lead.get(), question, 0));
+        boolean mayAnswerNudge = primaryRegistry.nudgeMayAnswerFor(target).orElse(false);
+        pendingQuestions.put(turnId,
+                new PendingQuestion(turnId, ticket, target, lead.get(), question, 0, mayAnswerNudge));
         startOrCoalesce(lead.get());
     }
 
@@ -608,7 +630,7 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
         for (String target : targets) {
             var lead = resolveLiveLead(target);
             if (lead.isEmpty()) {
-                log.warn("push: backend incident {} has no known lead for target {}", incidentId, target);
+                log.warn("push: backend incident {} has no known nudge target for worker {}", incidentId, target);
                 continue;
             }
             targetsByLead.computeIfAbsent(lead.get(), _ -> new ArrayList<>()).add(target);
@@ -644,10 +666,10 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
     /** Start a reminder schedule for {@code lead}, or join the one already running. */
     private void startOrCoalesce(String lead) {
         if (activeLeads.putIfAbsent(lead, Boolean.TRUE) != null) {
-            log.debug("push: reminder loop already active for lead {}, work coalesced in", lead);
+            log.debug("push: reminder loop already active for nudge target {}, work coalesced in", lead);
             return;
         }
-        log.debug("push: starting reminder loop for lead {}", lead);
+        log.debug("push: starting reminder loop for nudge target {}", lead);
         scheduleNext(lead);
     }
 
@@ -752,11 +774,11 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
                 || pendingIncidentKeysFor(lead).stream().anyMatch(i -> !incidentsBefore.contains(i))
                 || pendingUnmappedTargetKeysFor(lead).stream().anyMatch(i -> !unmappedTargetsBefore.contains(i));
         if (racedIn && activeLeads.putIfAbsent(lead, Boolean.TRUE) == null) {
-            log.debug("push: new work for lead {} raced the reminder loop's stop — restarting", lead);
+            log.debug("push: new work for nudge target {} raced the reminder loop's stop — restarting", lead);
             scheduleNext(lead);
             return;
         }
-        log.debug("push: reminder loop ended for lead {}", lead);
+        log.debug("push: reminder loop ended for nudge target {}", lead);
     }
 
     /** Send one combined nudge covering everything currently pending for {@code lead}. */
@@ -773,13 +795,13 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
         List<PendingUnmappedTarget> unmappedTargets = pendingUnmappedTargetsFor(lead);
         if (replyTargets.isEmpty() && tickets.isEmpty() && questions.isEmpty() && incidents.isEmpty()
                 && unmappedTargets.isEmpty()) {
-            log.debug("push: pending work for lead {} drained before the nudge could be sent", lead);
+            log.debug("push: pending work for nudge target {} drained before the nudge could be sent", lead);
             return;
         }
         String nudge = formatNudge(replyTargets, tickets, questions, incidents, unmappedTargets);
         try {
             agents.send(lead, nudge);
-            log.debug("push: nudge sent to lead {} (reply {}/{}, ticket {}/{}, question {}/{}; "
+            log.debug("push: nudge sent to nudge target {} (reply {}/{}, ticket {}/{}, question {}/{}; "
                             + "{} reply target(s), {} ticket(s), {} question(s))",
                     lead, replyReminderCount + 1, maxReminders, ticketReminderCount + 1, maxReminders,
                     questionReminderCount + 1, maxReminders,
@@ -796,7 +818,7 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
                 }
             }
         } catch (RuntimeException e) {
-            log.warn("push: failed to nudge lead {} (reply {}/{}, ticket {}/{}, question {}/{}): {}",
+            log.warn("push: failed to nudge target {} (reply {}/{}, ticket {}/{}, question {}/{}): {}",
                     lead, replyReminderCount + 1, maxReminders, ticketReminderCount + 1, maxReminders,
                     questionReminderCount + 1, maxReminders, e.toString());
         }
@@ -814,7 +836,8 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
                                   List<PendingQuestion> questions, List<PendingIncident> incidents,
                                   List<PendingUnmappedTarget> unmappedTargets) {
         for (String target : replyTargets) {
-            pendingReplies.computeIfPresent(target, (t, e) -> new ReplyEntry(e.lead(), e.nudgeCount() + 1));
+            pendingReplies.computeIfPresent(target,
+                    (t, e) -> new ReplyEntry(e.lead(), e.nudgeCount() + 1, e.mayDrainNudge()));
         }
         for (PendingTicket ticket : tickets) {
             pendingTickets.computeIfPresent(ticket.ticket(),
@@ -823,7 +846,7 @@ public final class ReplyPushLoop {
         for (PendingQuestion question : questions) {
             pendingQuestions.computeIfPresent(question.turnId(), (id, e) ->
                     new PendingQuestion(e.turnId(), e.ticket(), e.target(), e.lead(), e.question(),
-                            e.nudgeCount() + 1));
+                            e.nudgeCount() + 1, e.mayAnswerNudge()));
         }
         for (PendingIncident incident : incidents) {
             pendingIncidents.computeIfPresent(incident.key(), (id, e) -> new PendingIncident(e.key(),

fleetd/src/main/java/dev/ltms/fleet/rest/FleetApp.java

@@ -293,6 +293,20 @@ public final class FleetApp {
         return Authz.permits(caller, action, target, knownLeadOrCollaborator, observerSendTarget);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * As {@link #permitsFor(Principal, Authz.Action, String, Predicate, Predicate)}, also
+     * threading the classifier an observer's or a collaborator's {@code TASK_READ} is checked
+     * against; pass a real {@code MessageService#ownsTicket(String, String)}-backed predicate to
+     * exercise the real production gate for a ticket poll, as {@link #allow} does.
+     */
+    static boolean permitsFor(Principal caller, Authz.Action action, String target,
+                              Predicate<String> knownLeadOrCollaborator,
+                              Predicate<String> observerSendTarget,
+                              Predicate<String> ticketOwnedByCaller) {
+        return Authz.permits(caller, action, target, knownLeadOrCollaborator, observerSendTarget,
+                ticketOwnedByCaller);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Gate a handler on the CB-505 authorization table. Returns {@code true} when the request may
      * proceed; otherwise writes the error response and returns {@code false}.
@@ -302,11 +316,22 @@ public final class FleetApp {
      * yours" (a worker reaching for another worker's session, or for orchestration).
      */
     private boolean allow(Context ctx, Authz.Action action, String target) {
+        return allow(ctx, action, target, Authz.NO_OWNED_TICKET);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * As {@link #allow(Context, Authz.Action, String)}, with a real classifier for an observer's
+     * or a collaborator's {@code TASK_READ} — the only call site that can supply one is a ticket
+     * poll, which knows the ticket id and the caller's owner key.
+     */
+    private boolean allow(Context ctx, Authz.Action action, String target,
+                          Predicate<String> ticketOwnedByCaller) {
         if (auth == null) {
             return true; // legacy: authorization not enforced
         }
         Principal caller = ctx.attribute(CALLER);
-        if (permitsFor(caller, action, target, auth.knownLeadOrCollaborator(), auth.observerSendTarget())) {
+        if (permitsFor(caller, action, target, auth.knownLeadOrCollaborator(), auth.observerSendTarget(),
+                ticketOwnedByCaller)) {
             if (action != Authz.Action.READ && action != Authz.Action.METRICS
                     && action != Authz.Action.TASK_READ) {
                 AuditLog.allowed(caller, action, target); // reads would drown the trail
@@ -717,9 +742,15 @@ public final class FleetApp {
         content = FleetMcp.attributeIfObserver(caller, content);
         timeout = Math.clamp(timeout, 1, MAX_MESSAGE_TIMEOUT_MS);
 
+        // Whether THIS caller's own Authz.Action.DRAIN is granted — a TIMED_OUT_*/BUSY receipt
+        // must not name GET /sessions/{id}/replies when that same caller would be refused it.
+        // Mirrors allow()'s own legacy bypass: with no CallerResolver configured, that route is
+        // not gated at all, so every caller may reach it.
+        boolean mayDrainPoll = auth == null || Authz.permits(caller, Authz.Action.DRAIN, id);
+
         // Answering a worker's fleet_ask (CB-205): always blocks, and derives the worker from turnId.
         if (turnId != null && !turnId.isBlank()) {
-            writeReply(ctx, id, messages.answer(turnId, content, timeout, callerOwner), timeout);
+            writeReply(ctx, id, messages.answer(turnId, content, timeout, callerOwner), timeout, mayDrainPoll);
             return;
         }
 
@@ -731,7 +762,7 @@ public final class FleetApp {
         }
 
         try {
-            writeReply(ctx, id, messages.send(id, content, timeout, callerOwner), timeout);
+            writeReply(ctx, id, messages.send(id, content, timeout, callerOwner), timeout, mayDrainPoll);
         } catch (HerdrException e) {
             herdrError(ctx, e);
         }
@@ -741,8 +772,13 @@ public final class FleetApp {
      * Render a {@link MessageService.Reply} onto the response — shared by a normal send and a
      * fleet_ask answer. A structured/scraped completion is 200; a worker's mid-turn question a 202
      * (with its {@code turnId}); a stale answer a 409; every other non-terminal outcome a typed 202.
+     *
+     * @param mayDrainPoll whether this caller's {@code Authz.Action.DRAIN} is granted — a
+     *                     TIMED_OUT or BUSY {@code detail} names {@code GET /sessions/{id}/replies}
+     *                     only when this is {@code true}, since that route shares the same grant.
      */
-    private void writeReply(Context ctx, String id, MessageService.Reply reply, long timeout) {
+    private void writeReply(Context ctx, String id, MessageService.Reply reply, long timeout,
+                            boolean mayDrainPoll) {
         switch (reply.outcome()) {
             case QUESTION -> ctx.status(202).json(Map.of(
                     "sessionId", id, "status", "question",
@@ -791,7 +827,10 @@ public final class FleetApp {
                                     || reply.outcome() == MessageService.Outcome.BACKEND_EXHAUSTED)
                                     && reply.text() != null
                             ? reply.text()
-                            : "no reply within " + timeout + "ms; poll status or retry"));
+                            : "no reply within " + timeout + "ms; " + MessageService.NO_TICKET_NO_RESEND + "; "
+                                    + (mayDrainPoll
+                                            ? "GET /sessions/" + id + "/replies drains its inbox for a late reply"
+                                            : "a late reply cannot be recovered on this channel — ask the lead")));
         }
     }
 
@@ -928,11 +967,15 @@ public final class FleetApp {
 
     /** Poll an async (wait:false) delegation by ticket. 404 for an unknown/expired ticket. */
     private void taskStatus(Context ctx) {
-        if (!allow(ctx, routeAction("GET /tasks/{ticket}"), null)) {
+        String ticket = ctx.pathParam("ticket");
+        Principal caller = ctx.attribute(CALLER);
+        String callerOwner = caller == null ? null : caller.ownerKey();
+        // The gate must see the ticket id, not a literal null -- an observer's or a
+        // collaborator's grant is confined to a ticket its own caller created.
+        if (!allow(ctx, routeAction("GET /tasks/{ticket}"), ticket, t -> messages.ownsTicket(t, callerOwner))) {
             return;
         }
-        Principal caller = ctx.attribute(CALLER);
-        MessageService.TaskView v = messages.poll(ctx.pathParam("ticket"), caller == null ? null : caller.ownerKey());
+        MessageService.TaskView v = messages.poll(ticket, callerOwner);
         if (v == null) {
             ctx.status(404).json(Map.of("error", "unknown_ticket", "detail", "no such task (or it has expired)"));
             return;

fleetd/src/test/java/dev/ltms/fleet/auth/AuthzTest.java

@@ -259,18 +259,39 @@ class AuthzTest {
     }
 
     /**
-     * Every action denied to a collaborator, asserted denied even when the classifier would
-     * accept any target — proving none of these is actually gated on the classifier at all.
+     * Every action denied to a collaborator, asserted denied even when the
+     * {@code knownLeadOrCollaborator} classifier would accept any target — proving none of these
+     * is actually gated on that classifier at all. {@code TASK_READ} is excluded here and given
+     * its own matrix below, since — unlike every action in this loop — its grant is conditional
+     * on the separate ticket-ownership classifier, not on this one.
      */
     @Test
-    void aCollaboratorIsDeniedLifecycleCoordinationAndTicketPolling() {
+    void aCollaboratorIsDeniedLifecycleAndCoordination() {
         for (Authz.Action a : new Authz.Action[]{SPAWN, STOP, DRAIN, HANDOVER, ANSWER, COORD_SEND,
-                COORD_READ, TASK_READ}) {
+                COORD_READ}) {
             assertFalse(Authz.permits(COLLABORATOR, a, "term_lead", target -> true),
                     "a collaborator must not " + a + " even when the classifier accepts every target");
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * {@code TASK_READ} is conditional for a collaborator too (fleetd #804), on the same
+     * ticket-ownership classifier an observer's grant uses: it may poll a ticket its own
+     * {@code fleet_send(wait:false)} created, and nothing else.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void aCollaboratorMayTaskReadOnlyATicketTheClassifierSaysItOwns() {
+        assertTrue(Authz.permits(COLLABORATOR, TASK_READ, "own-ticket", Authz.NO_KNOWN_LEAD_OR_COLLABORATOR,
+                        Authz.NO_OBSERVER_SEND_TARGET, target -> true),
+                "the classifier accepting the ticket as the caller's own must grant TASK_READ");
+        assertFalse(Authz.permits(COLLABORATOR, TASK_READ, "someone_elses_ticket",
+                        Authz.NO_KNOWN_LEAD_OR_COLLABORATOR, Authz.NO_OBSERVER_SEND_TARGET, target -> false),
+                "the classifier refusing the ticket must deny TASK_READ");
+        assertFalse(Authz.permits(COLLABORATOR, TASK_READ, "own-ticket"),
+                "the three-argument convenience form fails closed, so TASK_READ is refused without "
+                        + "a real classifier");
+    }
+
     @Test
     void aCollaboratorIsNotCountedAsPrimaryWorkerOrArchitect() {
         assertFalse(COLLABORATOR.isPrimary());
@@ -310,17 +331,17 @@ class AuthzTest {
     }
 
     /**
-     * Every action beyond READ/METRICS/REPLY/ASK/INBOX/SEND, asserted denied for an observer —
-     * including {@code TASK_READ}, which is the entire point of this role: an unconfigured pane
-     * must not be able to poll a ticket or read another session's status. The exempt set is the
-     * three only-as-itself actions plus the two open reads. {@code SEND} is excluded here and
-     * given its own matrix below, since — unlike every action in this loop — its grant is
-     * conditional on the target, not fixed.
+     * Every action beyond READ/METRICS/REPLY/ASK/INBOX/SEND, asserted denied for an observer.
+     * The exempt set is the three only-as-itself actions plus the two open reads. {@code SEND}
+     * and {@code TASK_READ} are excluded here and given their own matrices below, since — unlike
+     * every action in this loop — each one's grant is conditional on more than the caller's role
+     * alone.
      */
     @Test
-    void anObserverIsDeniedEverythingBeyondReadMetricsReplyAskInboxAndSend() {
+    void anObserverIsDeniedEverythingBeyondReadMetricsReplyAskInboxSendAndTaskRead() {
         for (Authz.Action a : Authz.Action.values()) {
-            if (a == READ || a == METRICS || a == REPLY || a == ASK || a == INBOX || a == SEND) {
+            if (a == READ || a == METRICS || a == REPLY || a == ASK || a == INBOX || a == SEND
+                    || a == TASK_READ) {
                 continue;
             }
             assertFalse(Authz.permits(OBSERVER, a, "term_observer", target -> true),
@@ -328,6 +349,49 @@ class AuthzTest {
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * {@code TASK_READ} is conditional for an observer, not fixed: it may poll a ticket its own
+     * {@code fleet_send(wait:false)} created, confined by {@code ticketOwnedByCaller}, and nothing
+     * else — a session's status is not ticket-scoped, so no call site can ever supply a predicate
+     * that grants it, and the 3-/4-/5-argument convenience forms stay fail-closed for it too.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void anObserverMayTaskReadOnlyATicketTheClassifierSaysItOwns() {
+        assertTrue(Authz.permits(OBSERVER, TASK_READ, "own-ticket", Authz.NO_KNOWN_LEAD_OR_COLLABORATOR,
+                        Authz.NO_OBSERVER_SEND_TARGET, target -> true),
+                "the classifier accepting the ticket as the caller's own must grant TASK_READ");
+        assertFalse(Authz.permits(OBSERVER, TASK_READ, "someone_elses_ticket",
+                        Authz.NO_KNOWN_LEAD_OR_COLLABORATOR, Authz.NO_OBSERVER_SEND_TARGET, target -> false),
+                "the classifier refusing the ticket must deny TASK_READ");
+        assertFalse(Authz.permits(OBSERVER, TASK_READ, "own-ticket"),
+                "the three-argument convenience form fails closed, so TASK_READ is refused without "
+                        + "a real classifier");
+        assertFalse(Authz.permits(OBSERVER, TASK_READ, "own-ticket", Authz.NO_KNOWN_LEAD_OR_COLLABORATOR),
+                "the four-argument form still fails closed for TASK_READ");
+        assertFalse(Authz.permits(OBSERVER, TASK_READ, "own-ticket", Authz.NO_KNOWN_LEAD_OR_COLLABORATOR,
+                        Authz.NO_OBSERVER_SEND_TARGET),
+                "the five-argument form still fails closed for TASK_READ, since it supplies no "
+                        + "ticketOwnedByCaller classifier either");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Control for the test above: every other action's result for an observer does not move when
+     * the ticket-ownership classifier does. Only {@code TASK_READ} is wired to it.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void theTicketOwnershipClassifierMovesOnlyTaskReadForAnObserver() {
+        for (Authz.Action a : Authz.Action.values()) {
+            if (a == TASK_READ) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            assertEquals(
+                    Authz.permits(OBSERVER, a, "term_observer"),
+                    Authz.permits(OBSERVER, a, "term_observer", Authz.NO_KNOWN_LEAD_OR_COLLABORATOR,
+                            Authz.NO_OBSERVER_SEND_TARGET, target -> true),
+                    a + " must not depend on the ticket-ownership classifier at all");
+        }
+    }
+
     @Test
     void anObserverIsNotCountedAsAnyOtherRole() {
         assertFalse(OBSERVER.isPrimary());

fleetd/src/test/java/dev/ltms/fleet/config/ConfigRefTopLevelReportingCoverageTest.java

@@ -114,6 +114,7 @@ class ConfigRefTopLevelReportingCoverageTest {
         // fleetd #480: leadRollover joins placement/memberCredentials/memberLoginShell as
         // hot-excluded — never compared by any changed*Keys method, so it stays null like them.
         v.put("leadRollover", null);
+        v.put("promptBoxGateEnabled", true);
         assertNamesMatchComponents(v);
         return v;
     }
@@ -159,6 +160,7 @@ class ConfigRefTopLevelReportingCoverageTest {
         v.put("models", new FleetConfig.Models(
                 List.of(new FleetConfig.Models.ModelEntry("model-b"))));
         v.put("leadRollover", null);
+        v.put("promptBoxGateEnabled", false);
         assertNamesMatchComponents(v);
         return v;
     }

fleetd/src/test/java/dev/ltms/fleet/config/FleetConfigWithDefaultsPreservesEveryComponentTest.java

@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ class FleetConfigWithDefaultsPreservesEveryComponentTest {
         // here proves it, rather than leaving it null and proving nothing.
         v.put("leadRollover", new FleetConfig.LeadRollover(
                 "/handover/guard.md", true, 3600, 20, 45, "read the handover file"));
+        v.put("promptBoxGateEnabled", true);
         assertNamesMatchComponents(v);
         return v;
     }

fleetd/src/test/java/dev/ltms/fleet/herdr/PromptBoxTest.java

@@ -177,4 +177,24 @@ class PromptBoxTest {
         herdr.detectionText(EMPTY);
         assertTrue(box.clearToSubmit("term_a"));
     }
+
+    // --- the gate's on/off switch ---------------------------------------------
+
+    @Test
+    void aDisabledGateClearsADraftedBoxWithoutReadingThePane() {
+        FakeHerdr herdr = new FakeHerdr().detectionText(DRAFTED);
+
+        assertTrue(new PromptBox(new AgentControl(herdr), false).clearToSubmit("term_a"),
+                "a disabled gate must clear every target, draft or not");
+        assertFalse(herdr.called("agent.read"), "a disabled gate must never read the pane");
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void anEnabledGateBehavesExactlyLikeTheSingleArgConstructor() {
+        FakeHerdr herdr = new FakeHerdr().detectionText(DRAFTED);
+
+        assertFalse(new PromptBox(new AgentControl(herdr), true).clearToSubmit("term_a"),
+                "gateEnabled=true must hold a draft exactly like the default constructor");
+        assertTrue(herdr.called("agent.read"), "an enabled gate still reads the pane");
+    }
 }

fleetd/src/test/java/dev/ltms/fleet/lead/LeadRolloverTest.java

@@ -2,10 +2,12 @@ package dev.ltms.fleet.lead;
 
 import ch.qos.logback.classic.Level;
 import ch.qos.logback.classic.spi.ILoggingEvent;
+import com.fasterxml.jackson.databind.JsonNode;
 import dev.ltms.fleet.config.FleetConfig;
 import dev.ltms.fleet.herdr.AgentControl;
 import dev.ltms.fleet.herdr.FakeHerdr;
 import dev.ltms.fleet.herdr.HerdrClient;
+import dev.ltms.fleet.herdr.HerdrException;
 import dev.ltms.fleet.herdr.WorkspaceControl;
 import dev.ltms.fleet.testing.CapturedLog;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.DisplayName;
@@ -20,6 +22,7 @@ import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicLong;
 import java.util.function.Function;
 import java.util.function.LongSupplier;
@@ -1323,6 +1326,66 @@ class LeadRolloverTest {
                 + "so an operator reading status() has something to act on: " + status.detail());
     }
 
+    @Test
+    @DisplayName("[BOOTSTRAP 1] one agent_not_ready bootstrap refusal is retried and sends the "
+            + "handover instruction exactly once")
+    void transientAgentNotReadyRetriesBootstrapAndRolls() throws IOException {
+        FakeHerdr fake = herdrReadyForAFullRoll();
+        AtomicInteger refusedSends = new AtomicInteger();
+        HerdrClient transientRefusal = new HerdrClient() {
+            @Override
+            public JsonNode call(String method, Object params) {
+                if ("agent.prompt".equals(method) && refusedSends.getAndIncrement() == 0) {
+                    throw new HerdrException("herdr error [agent_not_ready]: agent.prompt failed",
+                            "agent_not_ready", null);
+                }
+                return fake.call(method, params);
+            }
+            @Override
+            public void close() {
+            }
+        };
+        Path handover = writeHandover("handover contents");
+        AtomicLong clock = new AtomicLong(1_000);
+        AgentControl agents = new AgentControl(transientRefusal);
+        WorkspaceControl spaces = new WorkspaceControl(transientRefusal);
+        LeadRollover rollover = new LeadRollover(agents, spaces,
+                new LeadLauncher(agents, spaces, fleetConfigWithRelaunchableLead()),
+                () -> cfg(handover.toString()), _ -> null, _ -> LEAD_NAME,
+                () -> Map.of(NEW_TERMINAL, LEAD_NAME), fixedClock(clock), () -> { }, Runnable::run);
+
+        LeadRollover.PendingRollover pending = rollover.open(LEAD, "context is full");
+        assertTrue(rollover.confirm(LEAD, pending.token(), true).accepted());
+
+        assertEquals(2, refusedSends.get(), "one agent_not_ready refusal must be followed by one retry");
+        assertEquals(1, promptCallCount(fake), "only the successful retry reaches herdr delivery");
+        assertEquals(LeadRollover.RollState.ROLLED, rollover.status(pending.token()).state());
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    @DisplayName("[BOOTSTRAP 2] persistent agent_not_ready records BOOTSTRAP_NEVER_SENT and "
+            + "releases the single-flight claim")
+    void persistentAgentNotReadyRecordsBootstrapNeverSentAndReleasesClaim() throws IOException {
+        FakeHerdr fake = herdrReadyForAFullRoll();
+        fake.agentSendFailsWith("agent_not_ready");
+        Path handover = writeHandover("handover contents");
+        AtomicLong clock = new AtomicLong(1_000);
+        LeadRollover rollover = newRolloverForAFullRoll(fake, cfg(handover.toString()),
+                () -> clock.addAndGet(1_000), Map.of(NEW_TERMINAL, LEAD_NAME));
+
+        LeadRollover.PendingRollover pending = rollover.open(LEAD, "context is full");
+        assertTrue(rollover.confirm(LEAD, pending.token(), true).accepted());
+
+        LeadRollover.RollStatus status = rollover.status(pending.token());
+        assertEquals(LeadRollover.RollState.BOOTSTRAP_NEVER_SENT, status.state());
+        assertNotEquals(LeadRollover.RollState.ROLLED, status.state());
+        assertNotEquals(LeadRollover.RollState.FAILED, status.state());
+
+        LeadRollover.PendingRollover retry = rollover.open(LEAD, "retry after bootstrap timeout");
+        assertTrue(rollover.confirm(LEAD, retry.token(), true).accepted(),
+                "the terminal outcome must release the single-flight claim");
+    }
+
     // ---- fleetd #726 unit 3: confirm() single-flights one roll at a time per lead ---------------
 
     @Test

fleetd/src/test/java/dev/ltms/fleet/mcp/FleetMcpAuthzTest.java

@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ class FleetMcpAuthzTest {
     private final AgentControl agents = new AgentControl(herdr);
     private Metrics metrics;
     private FleetMcp mcp;
+    private MessageService messages;
 
     @AfterEach
     void close() {
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@ class FleetMcpAuthzTest {
                 new SubscriptionGuard(Set.of("gx00.gw")), Map.of(cfg.profile(), cfg), cfg.profile(),
                 _ -> "tok");
         SessionManager sessions = new SessionManager(workers, new FakeWorktrees());
-        MessageService messages = new MessageService(agents, new Injector(agents), new Rendezvous(),
+        messages = new MessageService(agents, new Injector(agents), new Rendezvous(),
                 new InMemoryReplyInbox());
         ConnectionIdentity identity = new ConnectionIdentity(new PaneLocator(herdr), _ -> 999_999);
         metrics = FleetMetrics.create(sessions, new InMemoryReplyInbox());
@@ -346,6 +347,73 @@ class FleetMcpAuthzTest {
         assertNotNull(m.denyFor(OBSERVER, Authz.Action.COORD_SEND, null));
     }
 
+    /**
+     * An observer may read a ticket its own {@code fleet_send(wait:false)} created, never one
+     * another caller created — exercised against the real {@link MessageService#ownsTicket}, not
+     * a stand-in classifier.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void anObserverMayTaskReadATicketItCreatedButNotOneAnotherCallerCreated() {
+        FleetMcp m = mcp(true);
+        String ownTicket = messages.sendAsync("term_a", "do it", null, OBSERVER);
+        String othersTicket = messages.sendAsync("term_a", "do it too", null, WORKER_A);
+
+        assertNull(m.denyFor(OBSERVER, Authz.Action.TASK_READ, ownTicket,
+                        t -> messages.ownsTicket(t, OBSERVER.ownerKey())),
+                "an observer must read a ticket its own send created");
+        assertNotNull(m.denyFor(OBSERVER, Authz.Action.TASK_READ, othersTicket,
+                        t -> messages.ownsTicket(t, OBSERVER.ownerKey())),
+                "an observer must not read a ticket a different caller created");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * As {@link #anObserverMayTaskReadATicketItCreatedButNotOneAnotherCallerCreated} (fleetd
+     * #804): a collaborator's {@code fleet_send(wait:false)} creates a ticket too, and the only
+     * caller that can ever read it back is the collaborator that created it.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void aCollaboratorMayTaskReadATicketItCreatedButNotOneAnotherCallerCreated() {
+        FleetMcp m = mcp(true);
+        String ownTicket = messages.sendAsync("term_a", "do it", null, COLLABORATOR);
+        String othersTicket = messages.sendAsync("term_a", "do it too", null, WORKER_A);
+
+        assertNull(m.denyFor(COLLABORATOR, Authz.Action.TASK_READ, ownTicket,
+                        t -> messages.ownsTicket(t, COLLABORATOR.ownerKey())),
+                "a collaborator must read a ticket its own send created");
+        assertNotNull(m.denyFor(COLLABORATOR, Authz.Action.TASK_READ, othersTicket,
+                        t -> messages.ownsTicket(t, COLLABORATOR.ownerKey())),
+                "a collaborator must not read a ticket a different caller created");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * fleetd #803: {@code fleet_poll{}} with no {@code ticket} argument resolves to
+     * {@code TASK_READ} with a {@code null} ticket. Before the fix, the real {@code
+     * ownsTicket(String, String)} classifier reached {@code tasks.get(null)} on a
+     * {@code ConcurrentHashMap} and threw a {@code NullPointerException} instead of refusing —
+     * the gate never got to write its {@code AuditLog} refusal, the caller saw an internal error.
+     * Asserts the refusal itself, not merely that nothing throws: a test that only catches the
+     * absence of a throw would also pass if this path quietly started granting the call.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void anObserverPollingWithNoTicketIsRefusedRatherThanThrowing() {
+        FleetMcp m = mcp(true);
+        McpSchema.CallToolResult denied = m.denyFor(OBSERVER, Authz.Action.TASK_READ, null,
+                t -> messages.ownsTicket(t, OBSERVER.ownerKey()));
+        assertNotNull(denied, "a missing ticket must be refused, not treated as owned");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * {@code fleet_status} stays refused for an observer even once {@code TASK_READ} opens: it is
+     * not ticket-scoped, so no call site supplies a real {@code ticketOwnedByCaller} classifier,
+     * and the default 3-argument {@code denyFor} fails closed.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void anObserverMayNotReadSessionStatusEvenAfterTaskReadOpensForTickets() {
+        FleetMcp m = mcp(true);
+        assertNotNull(m.denyFor(OBSERVER, Authz.Action.TASK_READ, "term_a"),
+                "a session id is not a ticket the caller could ever own");
+    }
+
     @Test
     void theLegacyConstructorLeavesTheGateOpen() {
         // The 22 pre-existing FleetMcpTest cases rely on no authorization being enforced.

fleetd/src/test/java/dev/ltms/fleet/mcp/FleetMcpTest.java

@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class FleetMcpTest {
 
     private void assertSendRoundTrips(String target, Set<String> profiles) throws Exception {
         CompletableFuture<McpSchema.CallToolResult> send = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(
-                () -> FleetMcp.send(messages, target, "hi", 4000L, null, profiles, null));
+                () -> FleetMcp.send(messages, target, "hi", 4000L, null, profiles, null, true));
         long deadline = System.currentTimeMillis() + 3000;
         while (!rendezvous.isWaiting(target) && System.currentTimeMillis() < deadline) {
             Thread.sleep(5);
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ class FleetMcpTest {
     void sendThenReplyRoundTrips() throws Exception {
         // fleet_send blocks; fleet_reply resolves it with the worker's structured answer.
         CompletableFuture<McpSchema.CallToolResult> send = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(
-                () -> FleetMcp.send(messages, "term_a", "review this", 4000L, null, Set.of(), null));
+                () -> FleetMcp.send(messages, "term_a", "review this", 4000L, null, Set.of(), null, true));
 
         // Wait until the send has opened its waiter so the reply resolves it (CB-307: reply now
         // queues in the inbox if no waiter is open, which would break the round-trip).
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ class FleetMcpTest {
         String turnId = afterTurnId.substring(0, afterTurnId.indexOf('"'));
 
         CompletableFuture<McpSchema.CallToolResult> answer = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(
-                () -> FleetMcp.answer(messages, turnId, "config.yaml", 5000L, null));
+                () -> FleetMcp.answer(messages, turnId, "config.yaml", 5000L, null, true));
         assertEquals("config.yaml", textOf(ask.get(6, TimeUnit.SECONDS)));
 
         deadline = System.currentTimeMillis() + 3000;
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ class FleetMcpTest {
         assertEquals("late reply", messages.drainReplies("term_a").getFirst().content());
 
         CompletableFuture<McpSchema.CallToolResult> answer = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(
-                () -> FleetMcp.answer(messages, firstTurnId, "config.yaml", 5000L, null));
+                () -> FleetMcp.answer(messages, firstTurnId, "config.yaml", 5000L, null, true));
         assertEquals("config.yaml", textOf(ask.get(6, TimeUnit.SECONDS)));
         while (!rendezvous.isWaiting("term_a") && System.currentTimeMillis() < deadline) {
             Thread.sleep(5);
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ class FleetMcpTest {
     @Test
     void aDifferentCallersMcpAnswerIsRefusedForABlockingSendButTheRealOwnerSucceeds() throws Exception {
         CompletableFuture<McpSchema.CallToolResult> send = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(
-                () -> FleetMcp.send(messages, T, "do X", 5000L, null, Set.of(), "term_owner"));
+                () -> FleetMcp.send(messages, T, "do X", 5000L, null, Set.of(), "term_owner", true));
         long deadline = System.currentTimeMillis() + 3000;
         while (!rendezvous.isWaiting(T) && System.currentTimeMillis() < deadline) {
             Thread.sleep(5);
@@ -313,12 +313,12 @@ class FleetMcpTest {
         String afterTurnId = questionText.substring(questionText.indexOf("turnId=\"") + "turnId=\"".length());
         String turnId = afterTurnId.substring(0, afterTurnId.indexOf('"'));
 
-        McpSchema.CallToolResult hijacked = FleetMcp.answer(messages, turnId, "evil.yaml", 500L, "term_attacker");
+        McpSchema.CallToolResult hijacked = FleetMcp.answer(messages, turnId, "evil.yaml", 500L, "term_attacker", true);
         assertTrue(hijacked.isError(), "a caller that did not open this turn must get an error, not an answer");
         assertFalse(ask.isDone(), "a refused answer must not resolve the worker's blocked fleet_ask");
 
         CompletableFuture<McpSchema.CallToolResult> answer = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(
-                () -> FleetMcp.answer(messages, turnId, "config.yaml", 5000L, "term_owner"));
+                () -> FleetMcp.answer(messages, turnId, "config.yaml", 5000L, "term_owner", true));
         assertEquals("config.yaml", textOf(ask.get(5, TimeUnit.SECONDS)));
         deadline = System.currentTimeMillis() + 3000;
         while (!rendezvous.isWaiting(T) && System.currentTimeMillis() < deadline) {
@@ -357,14 +357,14 @@ class FleetMcpTest {
         String turnId = asking.turnId();
 
         McpSchema.CallToolResult hijacked = FleetMcp.answer(messages, turnId, "evil.yaml", 500L,
-                "worker:term_attacker");
+                "worker:term_attacker", true);
         assertTrue(hijacked.isError(), "a caller that did not create this delegation must get an error");
         assertFalse(ask.isDone(), "a refused answer must not resolve the worker's blocked fleet_ask");
         assertEquals(MessageService.Phase.ASKING, messages.poll(ticket).phase(),
                 "a refused answer must not advance the async ticket's phase");
 
         CompletableFuture<McpSchema.CallToolResult> answer = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(
-                () -> FleetMcp.answer(messages, turnId, "config.yaml", 5000L, owner.ownerKey()));
+                () -> FleetMcp.answer(messages, turnId, "config.yaml", 5000L, owner.ownerKey(), true));
         assertEquals("config.yaml", textOf(ask.get(5, TimeUnit.SECONDS)));
         deadline = System.currentTimeMillis() + 3000;
         while (!rendezvous.isWaiting(T) && System.currentTimeMillis() < deadline) {
@@ -383,11 +383,71 @@ class FleetMcpTest {
 
     @Test
     void sendTimesOutWithAWorkingNote() {
-        McpSchema.CallToolResult res = FleetMcp.send(messages, "term_a", "hi", 120L, null, Set.of(), null);
+        McpSchema.CallToolResult res = FleetMcp.send(messages, "term_a", "hi", 120L, null, Set.of(), null, true);
         assertNotEquals(Boolean.TRUE, res.isError(), "a timeout is informational, not a tool error");
         assertTrue(textOf(res).contains("no reply"), "got: " + textOf(res));
     }
 
+    /**
+     * fleetd #801: a blocking send creates no ticket, ever, so the TIMED_OUT_QUEUED receipt must
+     * name the one route that recovers a late answer — draining the target's inbox — and must not
+     * invite a resend, which can duplicate the delivery.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void sendTimesOutQueuedNamesFleetPollTargetAndNotTheBareWordRetry() {
+        McpSchema.CallToolResult res = FleetMcp.send(messages, "term_a", "hi", 120L, null, Set.of(), null, true);
+        String text = textOf(res);
+        assertNotEquals(Boolean.TRUE, res.isError(), "a timeout is informational, not a tool error");
+        assertTrue(text.contains("fleet_poll{target=\"term_a\"}"), "got: " + text);
+        assertFalse(text.contains("retry"), "got: " + text);
+    }
+
+    /** As above, for the TIMED_OUT_WORKING arm (delivered, but the worker never replies). */
+    @Test
+    void sendTimesOutWorkingNamesFleetPollTargetAndNotTheBareWordRetry() throws Exception {
+        CompletableFuture<McpSchema.CallToolResult> send = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(
+                () -> FleetMcp.send(messages, T, "hi", 150L, null, Set.of(), null, true));
+        long deadline = System.currentTimeMillis() + 3000;
+        while (!rendezvous.isWaiting(T) && System.currentTimeMillis() < deadline) {
+            //noinspection BusyWait
+            Thread.sleep(5);
+        }
+        assertTrue(rendezvous.isWaiting(T), "send should have opened its rendezvous waiter");
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.IDLE);    // deliver
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.WORKING); // worker starts, never replies
+
+        McpSchema.CallToolResult res = send.get(5, TimeUnit.SECONDS);
+        String text = textOf(res);
+        assertNotEquals(Boolean.TRUE, res.isError(), "a timeout is informational, not a tool error");
+        assertTrue(text.contains("fleet_poll{target=\"" + T + "\"}"), "got: " + text);
+        assertFalse(text.contains("retry"), "got: " + text);
+    }
+
+    /** As above, for the BUSY arm (another send already held the session for the whole window). */
+    @Test
+    void sendTimesOutBusyNamesFleetPollTargetAndNotTheBareWordRetry() throws Exception {
+        CompletableFuture<McpSchema.CallToolResult> first = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(
+                () -> FleetMcp.send(messages, T, "first", 5000L, null, Set.of(), null, true));
+        long deadline = System.currentTimeMillis() + 3000;
+        while (!rendezvous.isWaiting(T) && System.currentTimeMillis() < deadline) {
+            //noinspection BusyWait
+            Thread.sleep(5);
+        }
+        assertTrue(rendezvous.isWaiting(T), "the first send should hold the session lock");
+
+        McpSchema.CallToolResult busy = FleetMcp.send(messages, T, "second", 100L, null, Set.of(), null, true);
+        String text = textOf(busy);
+        assertNotEquals(Boolean.TRUE, busy.isError(), "a timeout is informational, not a tool error");
+        assertTrue(text.contains("fleet_poll{target=\"" + T + "\"}"), "got: " + text);
+        assertFalse(text.contains("retry"), "got: " + text);
+
+        // Release the first send so the test thread is not left pinned.
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.IDLE);
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.WORKING);
+        FleetMcp.reply(messages, T, Role.WORKER, "first done");
+        first.get(5, TimeUnit.SECONDS);
+    }
+
     /**
      * fleetd #571 (ticket CORRECTION 5): {@code formatReply}'s {@code TIMED_OUT_UNCONFIRMED} arm is
      * the one message whose whole job is to stop a caller retrying a delivery that may already have
@@ -399,7 +459,7 @@ class FleetMcpTest {
     void sendTimesOutWithAnUnconfirmedNoteNotARetryInvitation() throws Exception {
         herdr.agentSendFailsWith("send_failed");
         CompletableFuture<McpSchema.CallToolResult> send = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(
-                () -> FleetMcp.send(messages, T, "hi", 150L, null, Set.of(), null));
+                () -> FleetMcp.send(messages, T, "hi", 150L, null, Set.of(), null, true));
         long deadline = System.currentTimeMillis() + 2000;
         while (!rendezvous.isWaiting(T) && System.currentTimeMillis() < deadline) {
             //noinspection BusyWait
@@ -417,15 +477,59 @@ class FleetMcpTest {
                         + "a resend here can double-deliver the same brief: got " + text);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * fleetd #801 defect 1: {@code SEND} is granted to callers {@code DRAIN} refuses (an architect,
+     * a collaborator, an observer), so a TIMED_OUT/BUSY receipt must not name {@code fleet_poll}
+     * when the caller's own grant would be refused there — it must say the reply is unrecoverable
+     * instead.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void sendTimesOutWithoutDrainGrantNamesNoRouteAndAdmitsItCannotBeRecovered() {
+        McpSchema.CallToolResult res = FleetMcp.send(messages, "term_a", "hi", 120L, null, Set.of(), null, false);
+        String text = textOf(res);
+        assertNotEquals(Boolean.TRUE, res.isError(), "a timeout is informational, not a tool error");
+        assertFalse(text.contains("fleet_poll{target"), "got: " + text);
+        assertTrue(text.contains("cannot be recovered"), "got: " + text);
+    }
+
+    /** As above, for {@code answer()} — {@code ANSWER} is primary-or-architect, and an architect is refused DRAIN too. */
+    @Test
+    void answerTimesOutWithoutDrainGrantNamesNoRoute() throws Exception {
+        CompletableFuture<McpSchema.CallToolResult> send = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(
+                () -> FleetMcp.send(messages, "term_a", "do X", 5000L, null, Set.of(), null, true));
+        long deadline = System.currentTimeMillis() + 3000;
+        while (!rendezvous.isWaiting("term_a") && System.currentTimeMillis() < deadline) {
+            //noinspection BusyWait
+            Thread.sleep(5);
+        }
+        assertTrue(rendezvous.isWaiting("term_a"), "the send must be waiting for the ask to surface to");
+
+        CompletableFuture<McpSchema.CallToolResult> ask = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(
+                () -> FleetMcp.ask(messages, "term_a", "which config?", 5000L));
+        McpSchema.CallToolResult q = send.get(6, TimeUnit.SECONDS);
+        String qt = textOf(q);
+        String afterMarker = qt.substring(qt.indexOf("turnId=\"") + "turnId=\"".length());
+        String turnId = afterMarker.substring(0, afterMarker.indexOf('"'));
+
+        // The resumed worker never replies, so the answer's own wait times out.
+        McpSchema.CallToolResult answer = FleetMcp.answer(messages, turnId, "config.yaml", 150L, null, false);
+        String text = textOf(answer);
+        assertNotEquals(Boolean.TRUE, answer.isError(), "a timeout is informational, not a tool error");
+        assertFalse(text.contains("fleet_poll{target"), "got: " + text);
+        assertTrue(text.contains("cannot be recovered"), "got: " + text);
+
+        assertEquals("config.yaml", textOf(ask.get(6, TimeUnit.SECONDS)));
+    }
+
     @Test
     void sendRejectsMissingArgs() {
-        assertTrue(FleetMcp.send(messages, null, "hi", null, null, Set.of(), null).isError());
-        assertTrue(FleetMcp.send(messages, "term_a", "  ", null, null, Set.of(), null).isError());
+        assertTrue(FleetMcp.send(messages, null, "hi", null, null, Set.of(), null, true).isError());
+        assertTrue(FleetMcp.send(messages, "term_a", "  ", null, null, Set.of(), null, true).isError());
     }
 
     @Test
     void sendRejectsAConfiguredProfileNameBeforeAcceptingIt() {
-        McpSchema.CallToolResult blocking = FleetMcp.send(messages, "sol", "hi", 100L, null, Set.of("sol"), null);
+        McpSchema.CallToolResult blocking = FleetMcp.send(messages, "sol", "hi", 100L, null, Set.of("sol"), null, true);
         McpSchema.CallToolResult async = FleetMcp.sendAsync(messages, "sol", "hi", null, Set.of("sol"));
 
         assertTrue(blocking.isError());
@@ -444,7 +548,7 @@ class FleetMcpTest {
         assertSendRoundTrips("term_live_member", profiles);
 
         // A herdr-owned pane outside the bridge roster cannot be classified at accept time.
-        McpSchema.CallToolResult result = FleetMcp.send(messages, "external-pane", "hi", 10L, null, profiles, null);
+        McpSchema.CallToolResult result = FleetMcp.send(messages, "external-pane", "hi", 10L, null, profiles, null, true);
         assertFalse(result.isError(), "an unclassified target must not be rejected at acceptance time");
     }
 
@@ -536,7 +640,7 @@ class FleetMcpTest {
     void askThenAnswerRoundTrips() throws Exception {
         // The primary delegates and blocks; wait until its waiter is open before the worker asks.
         CompletableFuture<McpSchema.CallToolResult> send = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(
-                () -> FleetMcp.send(messages, "term_a", "do X", 5000L, null, Set.of(), null));
+                () -> FleetMcp.send(messages, "term_a", "do X", 5000L, null, Set.of(), null, true));
         long deadline = System.currentTimeMillis() + 3000;
         while (!rendezvous.isWaiting("term_a") && System.currentTimeMillis() < deadline) {
             //noinspection BusyWait
@@ -558,7 +662,7 @@ class FleetMcpTest {
 
         // The primary answers via fleet_send(turnId); this blocks again for the worker's reply.
         CompletableFuture<McpSchema.CallToolResult> answer = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(
-                () -> FleetMcp.answer(messages, turnId, "config.yaml", 5000L, null));
+                () -> FleetMcp.answer(messages, turnId, "config.yaml", 5000L, null, true));
 
         // The worker's ask returns the answer — it resumes the same turn.
         assertEquals("config.yaml", textOf(ask.get(6, TimeUnit.SECONDS)));
@@ -584,7 +688,7 @@ class FleetMcpTest {
 
     @Test
     void answerToAStaleTurnIsAnError() {
-        McpSchema.CallToolResult res = FleetMcp.answer(messages, "term_a#999", "too late", 500L, null);
+        McpSchema.CallToolResult res = FleetMcp.answer(messages, "term_a#999", "too late", 500L, null, true);
         assertTrue(res.isError());
         assertTrue(textOf(res).contains("no longer open"), textOf(res));
     }

fleetd/src/test/java/dev/ltms/fleet/mcp/PrimaryRegistryTest.java

@@ -266,4 +266,61 @@ class PrimaryRegistryTest {
 
         assertEquals("term_opus_after_roll", reg.nudgeTargetFor("term_never_seen").orElseThrow());
     }
+
+    // ── fleetd #778: a nudge must offer only what the delegator's own role may run ──────────────
+
+    @Test
+    void theShortDelegationOverloadsGrantEverythingAPrimaryMayRun() {
+        var reg = new PrimaryRegistry(null);
+        reg.recordDelegation("term_worker", "term_lead");
+
+        assertEquals(Boolean.TRUE, reg.nudgeMayDrainFor("term_worker").orElseThrow());
+        assertEquals(Boolean.TRUE, reg.nudgeMayAnswerFor("term_worker").orElseThrow());
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void theFullOverloadCarriesTheCallersOwnGrants() {
+        var reg = new PrimaryRegistry(null);
+        reg.recordDelegation("term_worker", "term_observer", "observer-name", false, false);
+
+        assertEquals(Boolean.FALSE, reg.nudgeMayDrainFor("term_worker").orElseThrow());
+        assertEquals(Boolean.FALSE, reg.nudgeMayAnswerFor("term_worker").orElseThrow());
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void theTwoGrantsAreIndependent() {
+        var reg = new PrimaryRegistry(null);
+        reg.recordDelegation("term_worker", "term_architect", "architect-name", false, true);
+
+        assertEquals(Boolean.FALSE, reg.nudgeMayDrainFor("term_worker").orElseThrow(),
+                "an architect may not DRAIN");
+        assertEquals(Boolean.TRUE, reg.nudgeMayAnswerFor("term_worker").orElseThrow(),
+                "an architect may ANSWER");
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void theSingletonPrimaryFallbackIsAlwaysGrantedEverything() {
+        var reg = new PrimaryRegistry("term_pinned");
+
+        assertEquals(Boolean.TRUE, reg.nudgeMayDrainFor("term_never_seen").orElseThrow());
+        assertEquals(Boolean.TRUE, reg.nudgeMayAnswerFor("term_never_seen").orElseThrow());
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void withNoDelegationAndNoPrimaryTheGrantsAreUnknown() {
+        var reg = new PrimaryRegistry(null);
+
+        assertTrue(reg.nudgeMayDrainFor("term_never_seen").isEmpty());
+        assertTrue(reg.nudgeMayAnswerFor("term_never_seen").isEmpty());
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void forgettingADelegationForgetsItsGrantsToo() {
+        var reg = new PrimaryRegistry(null);
+        reg.recordDelegation("term_worker", "term_observer", "observer-name", false, false);
+        reg.forgetDelegation("term_worker");
+
+        assertTrue(reg.nudgeMayDrainFor("term_worker").isEmpty());
+        assertTrue(reg.nudgeMayAnswerFor("term_worker").isEmpty());
+    }
 }

fleetd/src/test/java/dev/ltms/fleet/msg/LeadCoordLoopTest.java

@@ -223,4 +223,19 @@ class LeadCoordLoopTest {
         assertEquals(List.of(), channel.acked());
     }
 
+    @Test
+    void aDisabledGateDeliversAHeldMessageDespiteUnsubmittedTextInThePromptBox() {
+        var channel = new FakeLeadChannel(SELF).hold(new LeadMessage("m1", PEER, SELF, "the merge is blocked"));
+        var herdr = new FakeHerdr().detectionText(FakeHerdr.DRAFTED_PROMPT_CARET).agentStatus("idle");
+        var loop = new LeadCoordLoop(channel, new AgentControl(herdr), () -> Map.of(LEAD_TERM, SELF),
+                NO_SCHEDULER, 3_000L, false);
+
+        loop.tick();
+
+        assertEquals(1, prompts(herdr).size(), "a disabled gate delivers even though the box holds a draft");
+        assertEquals(List.of("m1"), channel.acked());
+        assertTrue(herdr.calls.stream().noneMatch(c -> c.method().equals("agent.read")),
+                "a disabled gate never reads the pane");
+    }
+
 }

fleetd/src/test/java/dev/ltms/fleet/msg/LeadHeartbeatLoopTest.java

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.concurrent.Executors;
 import java.util.concurrent.ScheduledExecutorService;
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
+import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicLong;
 
 import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.*;
@@ -521,12 +522,20 @@ class LeadHeartbeatLoopTest {
     private static LeadHeartbeatLoop tickableLoop(FailableHerdrClient herdr, AtomicLong now,
                                                    List<MemberSession>[] rosterBox, InMemoryReplyInbox inbox,
                                                    int quietNudgeCap, ScheduledExecutorService scheduler) {
+        return tickableLoop(herdr, now, rosterBox, inbox, quietNudgeCap, scheduler, true);
+    }
+
+    /** As above, with the prompt-box gate's on/off switch. */
+    private static LeadHeartbeatLoop tickableLoop(FailableHerdrClient herdr, AtomicLong now,
+                                                   List<MemberSession>[] rosterBox, InMemoryReplyInbox inbox,
+                                                   int quietNudgeCap, ScheduledExecutorService scheduler,
+                                                   boolean promptBoxGateEnabled) {
         AgentControl agents = new AgentControl(herdr);
         PrimaryRegistry registry = new PrimaryRegistry(LEAD);
         ReplyPushLoop pushLoop = new ReplyPushLoop(registry, agents, inbox, scheduler, 5, 100_000);
         return new LeadHeartbeatLoop(registry, agents, inbox, () -> rosterBox[0], pushLoop, scheduler,
                 now::get, IDLE_AFTER_NANOS, 100_000L, quietNudgeCap, null,
-                new LeadHeartbeatLoop.LeadContextSource(t -> highReading()), true);
+                new LeadHeartbeatLoop.LeadContextSource(t -> highReading()), true, true, promptBoxGateEnabled);
     }
 
     @Test
@@ -695,6 +704,7 @@ class LeadHeartbeatLoopTest {
         private final String lead;
         private final List<String> sentTexts = new ArrayList<>();
         private final List<String> promptTargets = new ArrayList<>();
+        private final AtomicInteger reads = new AtomicInteger();
         private boolean throwOnNextSend = false;
         /** What {@code agent.read} reports — the loop reads the lead's input box before it nudges. */
         private String paneTail = FakeHerdr.IDLE_PROMPT_CARET;
@@ -720,6 +730,10 @@ class LeadHeartbeatLoopTest {
             return List.copyOf(promptTargets);
         }
 
+        int readCount() {
+            return reads.get();
+        }
+
         @Override
         @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
         public JsonNode call(String method, Object params) {
@@ -730,6 +744,7 @@ class LeadHeartbeatLoopTest {
                                 .put("agent_status", "idle"));
             }
             if ("agent.read".equals(method)) {
+                reads.incrementAndGet();
                 return MAPPER.createObjectNode()
                         .set("read", MAPPER.createObjectNode().put("text", paneTail));
             }
@@ -794,4 +809,23 @@ class LeadHeartbeatLoopTest {
                 "a pane whose box cannot be found may be holding a draft");
     }
 
+    @Test
+    void aDisabledGateSendsTheNudgeDespiteUnsubmittedTextInThePromptBox() {
+        var herdr = new FailableHerdrClient(LEAD);
+        herdr.paneTail(FakeHerdr.DRAFTED_PROMPT_CARET);
+        var now = new AtomicLong(NOW);
+        @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+        List<MemberSession>[] rosterBox = new List[]{List.of()};
+        InMemoryReplyInbox inbox = new InMemoryReplyInbox();
+        LeadHeartbeatLoop loop = tickableLoop(herdr, now, rosterBox, inbox, 0, scheduler, false);
+
+        loop.tick(); // opens the idle window
+        now.addAndGet(TimeUnit.SECONDS.toNanos(400));
+
+        loop.tick(); // a disabled gate must not hold on the operator's draft
+        assertEquals(1, herdr.sentTexts().size(),
+                "a disabled gate must send the nudge even though the box holds a draft");
+        assertEquals(0, herdr.readCount(), "a disabled gate must never read the lead's pane");
+    }
+
 }

fleetd/src/test/java/dev/ltms/fleet/msg/MessageServiceTest.java

@@ -107,6 +107,219 @@ class MessageServiceTest {
                 "an unreplied but finished turn resolves via the completion fallback");
         assertEquals("BUILD GREEN: 391 files", reply.text(), "the scraped transcript tail is returned");
         assertTrue(reply.completed(), "a scraped completion still counts as completed");
+        assertTrue(messages.drainReplies(T).isEmpty(),
+                "a completion resolved by a live caller must not also land in the inbox");
+    }
+
+    /** Poll {@code messages.drainReplies(target)} until it is non-empty or the deadline passes. */
+    private java.util.List<ReplyInbox.InboxMessage> awaitDrained(String target) throws InterruptedException {
+        var drained = messages.drainReplies(target);
+        long deadline = System.currentTimeMillis() + 2000;
+        while (drained.isEmpty() && System.currentTimeMillis() < deadline) {
+            //noinspection BusyWait
+            Thread.sleep(5);
+            drained = messages.drainReplies(target);
+        }
+        return drained;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Polls {@code target}'s inbox for {@code millis} and returns {@code true} only if nothing new
+     * ever arrived. Used to assert an absence against an asynchronous completion race: the window
+     * has to be long enough for a virtual thread already scheduled to actually run.
+     */
+    private boolean noNewReplyWithin(String target, long millis) throws InterruptedException {
+        long deadline = System.currentTimeMillis() + millis;
+        while (System.currentTimeMillis() < deadline) {
+            if (!messages.drainReplies(target).isEmpty()) {
+                return false;
+            }
+            //noinspection BusyWait
+            Thread.sleep(5);
+        }
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * fleetd #801: {@code send}'s TimeoutException branch never completes {@code reply} itself, and
+     * {@link Rendezvous#close} only deregisters it from future session lookups — it does not cancel
+     * the future. The CB-106 completion fallback resolves the exact captured future (CB-116), so it
+     * can still succeed after the caller gave up and returned TIMED_OUT_WORKING. With nobody left
+     * awaiting that future, the late scrape must land in the target's inbox instead of being
+     * silently discarded.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void aCompletionThatArrivesAfterTheCallerGaveUpLandsInTheInbox() throws Exception {
+        CompletableFuture<MessageService.Reply> send = sendAsync("do the task", 150);
+        awaitWaiting();
+
+        herdr.readText("$ prompt");                // pre-turn baseline
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.IDLE);    // deliver
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.WORKING); // worker starts — no reply yet
+
+        MessageService.Reply timedOut = send.get(5, TimeUnit.SECONDS);
+        assertEquals(MessageService.Outcome.TIMED_OUT_WORKING, timedOut.outcome(),
+                "the caller gives up while the worker is still delivered and working");
+
+        // The worker's turn finishes AFTER the caller already gave up and nobody is listening.
+        herdr.readText("late answer, nobody was listening");
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.IDLE); // working -> idle: the completion fallback fires
+
+        var drained = awaitDrained(T);
+        assertEquals(1, drained.size(), "the late completion must land in the inbox, not vanish");
+        assertEquals("late answer, nobody was listening", drained.get(0).content());
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * fleetd #808: once a send has timed out, an explicit {@code fleet_reply} for that same turn
+     * must land in the inbox exactly once — not twice, with the second copy a completion scrape of
+     * the same answer the reply already delivered.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void anExplicitReplyAfterATimeoutLandsExactlyOnceNotTwice() throws Exception {
+        CompletableFuture<MessageService.Reply> send = sendAsync("do the task", 150);
+        awaitWaiting();
+
+        herdr.readText("$ prompt");
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.IDLE);    // deliver
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.WORKING); // worker starts — no reply yet
+
+        MessageService.Reply timedOut = send.get(5, TimeUnit.SECONDS);
+        assertEquals(MessageService.Outcome.TIMED_OUT_WORKING, timedOut.outcome(),
+                "the caller gives up while the worker is still delivered and working");
+
+        assertEquals(MessageService.ReplyOutcome.QUEUED, messages.reply(T, "structured answer"),
+                "no live waiter is open by now, so the explicit reply is held for a later drain");
+        var afterReply = awaitDrained(T);
+        assertEquals(1, afterReply.size(), "the explicit reply must land in the inbox exactly once");
+        assertEquals("structured answer", afterReply.get(0).content());
+
+        // The worker's turn then finishes for real; the completion fallback races the same waiter
+        // the reply already claimed, and must not publish a second entry for it.
+        herdr.readText("late scrape that must not also publish");
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.IDLE);
+
+        assertTrue(noNewReplyWithin(T, 500),
+                "a completion scrape for a turn that already got an explicit fleet_reply must not "
+                        + "publish a second entry");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * fleetd #808: the suppression above is per-turn, not per-target. A second, independent turn on
+     * the same member that never calls {@code fleet_reply} must still have its completion scrape
+     * land, even though an earlier turn on that same target already got an explicit reply.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void theSuppressionIsPerTurnNotPerTarget() throws Exception {
+        // First turn: times out, then gets an explicit fleet_reply.
+        CompletableFuture<MessageService.Reply> first = sendAsync("first task", 150);
+        awaitWaiting();
+
+        herdr.readText("$ prompt 1");
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.IDLE);
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.WORKING);
+
+        assertEquals(MessageService.Outcome.TIMED_OUT_WORKING, first.get(5, TimeUnit.SECONDS).outcome());
+        assertEquals(MessageService.ReplyOutcome.QUEUED, messages.reply(T, "first answer"));
+        var firstDrain = awaitDrained(T);
+        assertEquals(1, firstDrain.size());
+        assertEquals("first answer", firstDrain.get(0).content());
+
+        // Finishing turn 1 for real also frees the worker for turn 2, and exercises that turn 1's
+        // own late scrape stays suppressed right up to that point.
+        herdr.readText("first turn's late scrape — must stay suppressed");
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.IDLE);
+        assertTrue(noNewReplyWithin(T, 300), "turn 1's own scrape must still be suppressed");
+
+        // Second, independent turn on the same target: times out, and no fleet_reply is ever called.
+        CompletableFuture<MessageService.Reply> second = sendAsync("second task", 150);
+        awaitWaiting();
+
+        herdr.readText("$ prompt 2");
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.IDLE);
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.WORKING);
+
+        assertEquals(MessageService.Outcome.TIMED_OUT_WORKING, second.get(5, TimeUnit.SECONDS).outcome());
+
+        herdr.readText("second turn's late scrape — must still land");
+        injector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.IDLE);
+
+        var secondDrain = awaitDrained(T);
+        assertEquals(1, secondDrain.size(),
+                "a later, independent turn's completion must still land even though an earlier "
+                        + "turn on the same target already got an explicit reply");
+        assertEquals("second turn's late scrape — must still land", secondDrain.get(0).content());
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * fleetd #801 defect 2: the publish inside {@code strandLateResolution}'s {@code whenComplete}
+     * callback runs with no caller left to surface a throw to — {@code AmqpReplyInbox.publish} can
+     * throw {@code IllegalStateException}, and an exception thrown inside a {@code whenComplete}
+     * action is captured into the discarded dependent stage, never rethrown. It must be caught and
+     * logged there, or a broker failure on this path is invisible and the late reply is just lost.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void aLateCompletionThatFailsToPublishIsLoggedNotLost() throws Exception {
+        FakeHerdr localHerdr = new FakeHerdr();
+        Rendezvous localRendezvous = new Rendezvous();
+        java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicLong localClock = new java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicLong();
+        CompletionResolver localCompletion = new CompletionResolver(new AgentControl(localHerdr), localRendezvous,
+                ExhaustedPatternLookup.none(), ExhaustionSink.none(),
+                () -> localClock.addAndGet(CompletionResolver.MIN_TURN_NANOS + 1));
+        Injector localInjector = new Injector(new AgentControl(localHerdr), localCompletion);
+        ReplyInbox throwingInbox = new ReplyInbox() {
+            private final InMemoryReplyInbox delegate = new InMemoryReplyInbox();
+
+            @Override public void own(String target) { delegate.own(target); }
+            @Override public void release(String target) { delegate.release(target); }
+
+            @Override public void publish(String target, String msgId, String content) {
+                throw new IllegalStateException("PROBE-801-strandLateResolution");
+            }
+
+            @Override public java.util.List<InboxMessage> peek(String target) { return delegate.peek(target); }
+            @Override public boolean ack(String target, String msgId) { return delegate.ack(target, msgId); }
+        };
+        MessageService localMessages = new MessageService(new AgentControl(localHerdr), localInjector,
+                localRendezvous, throwingInbox);
+
+        CompletableFuture<MessageService.Reply> send = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(
+                () -> localMessages.send(T, "do the task", 150, (String) null));
+        long deadline = System.currentTimeMillis() + 2000;
+        while (!localRendezvous.isWaiting(T) && System.currentTimeMillis() < deadline) {
+            //noinspection BusyWait
+            Thread.sleep(5);
+        }
+        assertTrue(localRendezvous.isWaiting(T), "send should have opened its rendezvous waiter");
+
+        localHerdr.readText("$ prompt");
+        localInjector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.IDLE);    // deliver
+        localInjector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.WORKING); // worker starts — no reply yet
+
+        MessageService.Reply timedOut = send.get(5, TimeUnit.SECONDS);
+        assertEquals(MessageService.Outcome.TIMED_OUT_WORKING, timedOut.outcome(),
+                "the caller gives up while the worker is still delivered and working");
+
+        ListAppender<ILoggingEvent> appender = attachMessageServiceLog();
+        try {
+            // The worker's turn finishes AFTER the caller gave up — the completion fallback fires,
+            // and its publish into throwingInbox fails.
+            localHerdr.readText("late answer, publish fails");
+            localInjector.onStatus(T, AgentStatus.IDLE);
+
+            long logDeadline = System.currentTimeMillis() + 2000;
+            while (appender.list.isEmpty() && System.currentTimeMillis() < logDeadline) {
+                //noinspection BusyWait
+                Thread.sleep(5);
+            }
+            assertFalse(appender.list.isEmpty(), "a failed late-completion publish must be logged");
+            assertEquals(Level.WARN, appender.list.get(0).getLevel());
+        } finally {
+            detachMessageServiceLog(appender);
+        }
+
+        assertFalse(localMessages.hasStrandedReply(T),
+                "strandedReplies must not be set when the publish it depends on failed");
     }
 
     /**
@@ -1034,6 +1247,39 @@ class MessageServiceTest {
         assertEquals("forbidden: this ticket was created by a different session", refused.detail());
     }
 
+    /**
+     * {@link MessageService#ownsTicket(String, String)} is the side-effect-free ownership check
+     * the authorization gate consults ahead of {@link MessageService#poll(String, String)}, which
+     * also fires the ticket's collection hook. Read-only: polling the same ticket afterwards still
+     * sees it, which {@link #theOneArgPollOverloadBypassesOwnershipEntirely} nearby does not
+     * guarantee for every overload.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void publicOwnsTicketIsASideEffectFreeOwnershipCheck() {
+        Principal lead = Principal.leader("opus", "term_lead", 1);
+        String ticket = messages.sendAsync(T, "long task", null, lead);
+
+        assertTrue(messages.ownsTicket(ticket, lead.ownerKey()));
+        assertFalse(messages.ownsTicket(ticket, Principal.anonymous().ownerKey()));
+        assertFalse(messages.ownsTicket("no-such-ticket", lead.ownerKey()),
+                "a ticket this daemon never heard of is owned by nobody");
+
+        assertEquals(MessageService.Phase.PENDING, messages.poll(ticket, lead.ownerKey()).phase(),
+                "the ownership check must not have consumed or altered the ticket");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * fleetd #803: the gap between "unknown ticket" (above) and "no ticket at all". A null ticket
+     * used to reach {@code ConcurrentHashMap.get(null)} and throw a {@code NullPointerException}
+     * instead of returning false.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void publicOwnsTicketWithANullTicketReturnsFalseRatherThanThrowing() {
+        Principal lead = Principal.leader("opus", "term_lead", 1);
+        assertFalse(messages.ownsTicket(null, lead.ownerKey()),
+                "no ticket at all is owned by nobody, the same as an unknown one");
+    }
+
     @Test
     void architectOwnershipUsesTerminalRatherThanSlot() {
         Principal oldArchitect = Principal.architect("opus", "term_OLD", 1);

fleetd/src/test/java/dev/ltms/fleet/msg/ReplyPushLoopTest.java

@@ -339,6 +339,85 @@ class ReplyPushLoopTest {
         assertEquals(0, rec.promptTargets().size(), "nobody live was found, so nothing was ever sent");
     }
 
+    // --- fleetd #778: never nudge a delegator to run a call its own role is refused -------------
+
+    @Test
+    void onReplyQueuedNeverNudgesADelegatorThatMayNotRunDrain() throws Exception {
+        var rec = recordingClient();
+        agents = new AgentControl(rec);
+        inbox.publish(WORKER, "m1", "hello");
+        registry.recordDelegation(WORKER, OTHER_PRIMARY, "observer", false, false);
+
+        loop(1, 50).onReplyQueued(WORKER);
+
+        Thread.sleep(200);
+        assertEquals(0, rec.sendCount(),
+                "a delegator whose role cannot run fleet_poll(target=...) must never be nudged to run it");
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void onReplyQueuedStillNudgesADelegatorThatMayRunDrain() throws Exception {
+        var rec = recordingClient();
+        agents = new AgentControl(rec);
+        inbox.publish(WORKER, "m1", "hello");
+        registry.recordDelegation(WORKER, OTHER_PRIMARY, "lead", true, true);
+
+        loop(1, 50).onReplyQueued(WORKER);
+
+        assertTrue(rec.sendLatch.await(3, TimeUnit.SECONDS));
+        String nudge = rec.sentParams().getFirst().getValue().toString();
+        assertTrue(nudge.contains("fleet_poll(target=" + WORKER + ")"),
+                "a delegator that may run DRAIN must still be nudged about it: " + nudge);
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void onQuestionOpenedNeverNudgesADelegatorThatMayNotRunAnswer() throws Exception {
+        var rec = recordingClient();
+        agents = new AgentControl(rec);
+        registry.recordDelegation(WORKER, OTHER_PRIMARY, "observer", false, false);
+
+        loop(1, 50).onQuestionOpened("task-1", WORKER, "term_worker#1", "which config?");
+
+        Thread.sleep(200);
+        assertEquals(0, rec.sendCount(),
+                "a delegator whose role cannot run fleet_send(turnId=...) must never be nudged to run it");
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void onQuestionOpenedStillNudgesADelegatorThatMayRunAnswer() throws Exception {
+        var rec = recordingClient();
+        agents = new AgentControl(rec);
+        registry.recordDelegation(WORKER, OTHER_PRIMARY, "architect", false, true);
+
+        loop(1, 50).onQuestionOpened("task-1", WORKER, "term_worker#1", "which config?");
+
+        assertTrue(rec.sendLatch.await(3, TimeUnit.SECONDS));
+        String nudge = rec.sentParams().getFirst().getValue().toString();
+        assertTrue(nudge.contains("fleet_send(turnId="),
+                "an architect may run ANSWER, so the nudge must still name it: " + nudge);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * A delegator barred from DRAIN can still have a ticket genuinely pending for it — tickets are
+     * out of this unit's scope (fleetd #778 Part 1 already makes a ticket nudge correct for an
+     * observer). The reply half must still be suppressed even though the ticket half fires.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void aForbiddenReplyNudgeIsSuppressedWhileAnEligibleTicketStillFires() throws Exception {
+        var rec = recordingClient();
+        agents = new AgentControl(rec);
+        inbox.publish(WORKER, "m1", "hello");
+        registry.recordDelegation(WORKER, OTHER_PRIMARY, "observer", false, false);
+        var loop = loop(1, 300); // wide backoff so both calls land before the first tick fires
+        loop.onReplyQueued(WORKER);
+        loop.onTicketTerminal("task-1", WORKER, false);
+
+        assertTrue(rec.sendLatch.await(3, TimeUnit.SECONDS));
+        String nudge = rec.sentParams().getFirst().getValue().toString();
+        assertFalse(nudge.contains("fleet_poll(target=" + WORKER + ")"),
+                "the reply half is forbidden for this delegator and must never be named: " + nudge);
+    }
+
     // --- nudge format --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     @Test
@@ -1150,6 +1229,21 @@ class ReplyPushLoopTest {
                 "the nudge lands on the first tick after the box empties");
     }
 
+    // --- the gate's on/off switch ----------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    @Test
+    void aDisabledGateNudgesALeadWithUnsubmittedTextInItsPromptBox() {
+        var herdr = new PaneTextHerdrClient(FakeHerdr.DRAFTED_PROMPT_CARET);
+        agents = new AgentControl(herdr);
+        inbox.publish(WORKER, "m1", "hello");
+        var loop = loop(5, 100_000, false);
+        loop.onReplyQueued(WORKER);
+
+        assertEquals(ReplyPushLoop.Action.INJECT, loop.decide(PRIMARY, 0, 0),
+                "a disabled gate delivers even though the box holds a draft");
+        assertEquals(0, herdr.readCount(), "a disabled gate never reads the pane");
+    }
+
     // --- helpers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     private ReplyPushLoop loop() {
@@ -1164,6 +1258,11 @@ class ReplyPushLoopTest {
         return new ReplyPushLoop(registry, agents, inbox, scheduler, maxReminders, backoffMs, metrics);
     }
 
+    private ReplyPushLoop loop(int maxReminders, long backoffMs, boolean promptBoxGateEnabled) {
+        return new ReplyPushLoop(registry, agents, inbox, scheduler, maxReminders, backoffMs, null,
+                promptBoxGateEnabled);
+    }
+
     private static AgentControl agentWithStatus(String status) {
         return new AgentControl(new FakeHerdrClient(status));
     }
@@ -1483,6 +1582,7 @@ class ReplyPushLoopTest {
     private static final class PaneTextHerdrClient implements HerdrClient {
         private final List<Map.Entry<String, Object>> prompts =
                 Collections.synchronizedList(new ArrayList<>());
+        private final AtomicInteger reads = new AtomicInteger();
         private volatile String paneText;
         private volatile boolean failReads = false;
         volatile CountDownLatch sendLatch = new CountDownLatch(1);
@@ -1504,6 +1604,10 @@ class ReplyPushLoopTest {
             return prompts.size();
         }
 
+        int readCount() {
+            return reads.get();
+        }
+
         @Override
         public JsonNode call(String method, Object params) {
             if ("agent.get".equals(method)) {
@@ -1513,6 +1617,7 @@ class ReplyPushLoopTest {
                                 .put("agent_status", "idle"));
             }
             if ("agent.read".equals(method)) {
+                reads.incrementAndGet();
                 if (failReads) {
                     throw new HerdrException("herdr socket read timed out");
                 }

fleetd/src/test/java/dev/ltms/fleet/rest/FleetAppAuthTest.java

@@ -285,6 +285,67 @@ class FleetAppAuthTest {
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * An observer may read a ticket its own {@code fleet_send(wait:false)} created, over the REST
+     * route and not only the unit-level classifier — and still not a ticket a different caller
+     * created, even another observer pane's.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void restPollLetsAnObserverReadItsOwnTicketButNotAnothersOverRest() throws Exception {
+        FakeHerdr herdr = new FakeHerdr();
+        AgentControl agents = new AgentControl(herdr);
+        Injector injector = new Injector(agents);
+        MessageService messages = new MessageService(agents, injector, new Rendezvous());
+
+        Javalin observerApp = startOnSharedServiceAsObserver(messages, herdr, 9001L);   // -> term_shell
+        Javalin otherObserverApp = startOnSharedServiceAsObserver(messages, herdr, FakeHerdr.WORKER_PID); // -> term_a
+        try {
+            Principal observer = Principal.observer("term_shell", 9001);
+            String ticket = messages.sendAsync("term_a", "long task", null, observer);
+
+            HttpResponse<String> own = send(observerApp.port(), "GET", "/tasks/" + ticket, null, null);
+            assertEquals(200, own.statusCode());
+            assertFalse(own.body().contains("forbidden"),
+                    "the observer that created the ticket must read it: " + own.body());
+
+            // Unlike a worker's or the primary's mismatched ticket (refused by MessageService's own
+            // ownership check, inside a 200 response), a different observer is refused at the
+            // authorization gate itself, since its grant is conditional on the classifier -- so
+            // this is a 403, never reaching poll().
+            HttpResponse<String> other = send(otherObserverApp.port(), "GET", "/tasks/" + ticket, null, null);
+            assertEquals(403, other.statusCode(), other.body());
+            assertFalse(other.body().contains("\"reply\""),
+                    "a refusal must never carry reply text: " + other.body());
+        } finally {
+            observerApp.stop();
+            otherObserverApp.stop();
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * As {@link #startOnSharedService(MessageService, FakeHerdr, long)}, but resolves every
+     * connecting pane to the unconfigured-pane {@link Role#OBSERVER} floor instead of a spawned
+     * worker — no lead, collaborator, or member map claims it.
+     */
+    private Javalin startOnSharedServiceAsObserver(MessageService messages, FakeHerdr herdr, long pid) {
+        FleetConfig.Profile wcfg = new FleetConfig.Profile(
+                "ltms-local", "http://gx00.gw:8000", "coder", null, "FLEETD_WORKER_TOKEN", null,
+                "tab", "fleetd-workers", "worker: {profile} #{n}", null, null, null);
+        AgentControl agents = new AgentControl(herdr);
+        ClaudeCodeLauncher workers = new ClaudeCodeLauncher(
+                agents, new WorkspaceControl(herdr), new SubscriptionGuard(Set.of("gx00.gw")),
+                Map.of(wcfg.profile(), wcfg), wcfg.profile(),
+                k -> "FLEETD_WORKER_TOKEN".equals(k) ? "tok-abc" : null);
+        SessionManager sessions = new SessionManager(workers, new FakeWorktrees());
+        ConnectionIdentity identity = new ConnectionIdentity(new PaneLocator(herdr), _ -> pid);
+        CallerResolver callers = CallerResolver.withLeadsAndMembers(identity, false, null,
+                Map::of, new MemberRegistry(null), t -> null, Map::of);
+        Metrics appMetrics = FleetMetrics.create(sessions, new dev.ltms.fleet.msg.InMemoryReplyInbox());
+
+        return new FleetApp(herdr, workers, sessions, messages, sessions.asPresence(), null,
+                callers, appMetrics).build().start("127.0.0.1", 0);
+    }
+
     /**
      * {@code POST /sessions/{id}/message} with {@code wait:false} must record the creating
      * caller's own terminal on the ticket it returns, so that caller can still poll its own
@@ -745,6 +806,59 @@ class FleetAppAuthTest {
         return app.port();
     }
 
+    /**
+     * As {@link #startWithRealClassifier}, but with a {@link MemberRegistry} bound to an architect
+     * slot at {@code terminal} (the defense-in-depth path, no live roster) — lets a test drive a
+     * real architect {@link Principal} over HTTP.
+     */
+    private int startWithArchitect(long pid, String terminal) {
+        FakeHerdr herdr = new FakeHerdr();
+        FleetConfig.Profile wcfg = new FleetConfig.Profile(
+                "ltms-local", "http://gx00.gw:8000", "coder", null, "FLEETD_WORKER_TOKEN", null,
+                "tab", "fleetd-workers", "worker: {profile} #{n}", null, null, null);
+        AgentControl agents = new AgentControl(herdr);
+        ClaudeCodeLauncher workers = new ClaudeCodeLauncher(
+                agents, new WorkspaceControl(herdr), new SubscriptionGuard(Set.of("gx00.gw")),
+                Map.of(wcfg.profile(), wcfg), wcfg.profile(),
+                k -> "FLEETD_WORKER_TOKEN".equals(k) ? "tok-abc" : null);
+        SessionManager sessions = new SessionManager(workers, new FakeWorktrees());
+        Injector injector = new Injector(agents);
+        MessageService messages = new MessageService(agents, injector, new Rendezvous());
+
+        MemberRegistry members = new MemberRegistry(new FleetConfig.Fleet(
+                Map.of(), Map.of("lead-designer", new FleetConfig.Slot("sonnet")), Map.of(), Map.of(), null));
+        assertTrue(members.bind("architect:lead-designer", terminal));
+
+        ConnectionIdentity identity = new ConnectionIdentity(new PaneLocator(herdr), _ -> pid);
+        CallerResolver callers = CallerResolver.withLeadsAndMembers(identity, false, null, Map::of, members);
+        metrics = FleetMetrics.create(sessions, new dev.ltms.fleet.msg.InMemoryReplyInbox());
+
+        app = new FleetApp(herdr, workers, sessions, messages, sessions.asPresence(), null,
+                callers, metrics).build().start("127.0.0.1", 0);
+        return app.port();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * fleetd #801 defect 1: {@code SEND} is granted to an architect but {@code DRAIN} is not, so a
+     * TIMED_OUT/BUSY receipt to an architect must not name {@code GET /sessions/{id}/replies} —
+     * that route refuses the same caller — and must say the reply is unrecoverable instead.
+     */
+    @Test
+    void anArchitectsTimedOutSendDoesNotNameTheRepliesRouteItCannotDrain() throws Exception {
+        int port = startWithArchitect(FakeHerdr.WORKER_PID, "term_a"); // FakeHerdr resolves this pid to term_a
+
+        HttpResponse<String> res = send(port, "POST", "/sessions/term_b/message",
+                "{\"content\":\"hi\",\"timeoutMs\":150}", null);
+        assertEquals(202, res.statusCode(), "an architect is granted SEND: " + res.body());
+        JsonNode body = new ObjectMapper().readTree(res.body());
+        String detail = body.get("detail").asText();
+        assertFalse(detail.contains("/replies"), "got: " + detail);
+        assertTrue(detail.contains("cannot be recovered"), "got: " + detail);
+
+        assertEquals(403, send(port, "GET", "/sessions/term_b/replies", null, null).statusCode(),
+                "the architect this receipt was sent to is indeed refused DRAIN");
+    }
+
     // --- loopback-trust: the caller is the primary -------------------------------------------
 
     @Test

fleetd/src/test/java/dev/ltms/fleet/rest/FleetAppTest.java

@@ -663,8 +663,10 @@ class FleetAppTest {
 
         HttpResponse<String> res = postMessage(port, "{\"content\":\"hi\",\"timeoutMs\":150}");
         assertEquals(202, res.statusCode());
-        assertEquals("queued", mapper.readTree(res.body()).get("status").asText());
+        JsonNode body = mapper.readTree(res.body());
+        assertEquals("queued", body.get("status").asText());
         assertFalse(herdr.called("agent.prompt"), "no injection while the worker is mid-turn");
+        assertDetailNamesTheInboxRouteNotARetry(body);
     }
 
     @Test
@@ -674,8 +676,21 @@ class FleetAppTest {
 
         HttpResponse<String> res = postMessage(port, "{\"content\":\"hi\",\"timeoutMs\":250}");
         assertEquals(202, res.statusCode());
-        assertEquals("working", mapper.readTree(res.body()).get("status").asText());
+        JsonNode body = mapper.readTree(res.body());
+        assertEquals("working", body.get("status").asText());
         assertTrue(herdr.called("agent.prompt"), "message was injected");
+        assertDetailNamesTheInboxRouteNotARetry(body);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * fleetd #801: the TIMED_OUT_WORKING / TIMED_OUT_QUEUED / BUSY receipt is never tracked by a
+     * ticket, so it must name the one route that recovers a late reply — draining the session's
+     * inbox — and must not invite a bare resend, which can duplicate the delivery.
+     */
+    private void assertDetailNamesTheInboxRouteNotARetry(JsonNode body) {
+        String detail = body.get("detail").asText();
+        assertTrue(detail.contains("/sessions/term_a/replies"), "got: " + detail);
+        assertFalse(detail.contains("retry"), "got: " + detail);
     }
 
     /**