Merge pull request 'Project inception — decide what a new project inherits (milestone 297)' (#124) from dev into main

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

README.md

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ A self-hosted work system-of-record for software projects, built to be driven by
 
 ## Features
 
-Notes and tasks with a Markdown editor, sub-tasks, milestones, issues, and kanban project workspaces. Stored processes, an engineering rulebook system, and semantic search with proactive knowledge-injection into Claude's context. A knowledge graph, per-user/group sharing, and a built-in MCP server (`/mcp`) plus a bundled Claude Code plugin so Claude can record and recall your work directly.
+Notes and tasks with a Markdown editor, sub-tasks, milestones, issues, and kanban project workspaces. Stored processes, an engineering rulebook system (with an inception step that decides what each project inherits), and semantic search with proactive knowledge-injection into Claude's context. A knowledge graph, per-user/group sharing, and a built-in MCP server (`/mcp`) plus a bundled Claude Code plugin so Claude can record and recall your work directly.
 
 ## Quick Start
 

alembic/versions/0078_forge_connections.py

@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+"""Forge connections move to the user level (#2778)
+
+Revision ID: 0078
+Revises: 0077
+Create Date: 2026-08-19
+
+A forge token is a user's credential, not an instance's: the single
+admin-settings config meant every user's snippet-freshness and coverage reads
+ran under the operator's token. Each user now owns a keyring of connections —
+one per forge host — and projects resolve forge reads on their OWNER's
+keyring, with an optional per-project pin (projects.forge_connection_id).
+
+The data move carries the existing admin config into a connection row for the
+first admin user (host parsed from the base URL), then deletes the old
+setting keys outright — no legacy dual-read (rule #22). The env-var channel
+(FORGE_KIND/FORGE_BASE_URL/FORGE_TOKEN) is untouched by this migration; it
+survives as an implicit keyring entry for admin users only.
+"""
+from urllib.parse import urlsplit
+
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from alembic import op
+
+revision = "0078"
+down_revision = "0077"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+_SETTING_KEYS = ("forge_kind", "forge_base_url", "forge_token")
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.create_table(
+        "forge_connections",
+        sa.Column("id", sa.Integer(), primary_key=True),
+        sa.Column(
+            "user_id",
+            sa.Integer(),
+            sa.ForeignKey("users.id", ondelete="CASCADE"),
+            nullable=False,
+        ),
+        sa.Column("kind", sa.Text(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("base_url", sa.Text(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("host", sa.Text(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("token", sa.Text(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("created_at", sa.DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("updated_at", sa.DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=False),
+        sa.UniqueConstraint("user_id", "host", name="uq_forge_connections_user_host"),
+    )
+    op.add_column(
+        "projects",
+        sa.Column(
+            "forge_connection_id",
+            sa.BigInteger(),
+            sa.ForeignKey(
+                "forge_connections.id",
+                ondelete="SET NULL",
+                name="fk_projects_forge_connection_id",
+            ),
+            nullable=True,
+        ),
+    )
+
+    # Data move: the admin-settings config becomes the first admin's keyring
+    # row. All three values must be present — a partial config never produced
+    # an adapter, so carrying it over would invent a connection that never
+    # worked.
+    conn = op.get_bind()
+    row = conn.execute(
+        sa.text(
+            "SELECT s.key, s.value FROM settings s"
+            " JOIN users u ON u.id = s.user_id"
+            " WHERE u.role = 'admin' AND s.key IN :keys"
+            " AND s.user_id = ("
+            "   SELECT MIN(id) FROM users WHERE role = 'admin'"
+            " )"
+        ).bindparams(sa.bindparam("keys", expanding=True)),
+        {"keys": list(_SETTING_KEYS)},
+    ).fetchall()
+    values = {key: (value or "").strip() for key, value in row}
+    kind = values.get("forge_kind", "").lower()
+    base_url = values.get("forge_base_url", "").rstrip("/")
+    token = values.get("forge_token", "")
+    host = (urlsplit(base_url).hostname or "").lower()
+    if kind and base_url and token and host:
+        conn.execute(
+            sa.text(
+                "INSERT INTO forge_connections"
+                " (user_id, kind, base_url, host, token, created_at, updated_at)"
+                " SELECT MIN(id), :kind, :base_url, :host, :token, NOW(), NOW()"
+                " FROM users WHERE role = 'admin'"
+            ),
+            {"kind": kind, "base_url": base_url, "host": host, "token": token},
+        )
+    conn.execute(
+        sa.text(
+            "DELETE FROM settings WHERE key IN :keys"
+        ).bindparams(sa.bindparam("keys", expanding=True)),
+        {"keys": list(_SETTING_KEYS)},
+    )
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    # Reverse data move: the first admin's row (if any) becomes the admin
+    # settings again. Other users' rows have no pre-0078 representation and
+    # are dropped with the table.
+    conn = op.get_bind()
+    row = conn.execute(
+        sa.text(
+            "SELECT user_id, kind, base_url, token FROM forge_connections"
+            " WHERE user_id = (SELECT MIN(id) FROM users WHERE role = 'admin')"
+            " ORDER BY id LIMIT 1"
+        )
+    ).fetchone()
+    if row is not None:
+        for key, value in (
+            ("forge_kind", row.kind),
+            ("forge_base_url", row.base_url),
+            ("forge_token", row.token),
+        ):
+            conn.execute(
+                sa.text(
+                    "INSERT INTO settings (user_id, key, value)"
+                    " VALUES (:uid, :key, :value)"
+                    " ON CONFLICT (user_id, key) DO UPDATE SET value = :value"
+                ),
+                {"uid": row.user_id, "key": key, "value": value},
+            )
+    op.drop_column("projects", "forge_connection_id")
+    op.drop_table("forge_connections")

alembic/versions/0079_code_shapes_ledger.py

@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+"""The shape ledger: code_shapes (#2787, milestone 294)
+
+Revision ID: 0079
+Revises: 0078
+Create Date: 2026-08-19
+
+The accounting half of the pattern system (governing note 2786): the snippet
+library records canon (small); this table accounts for EVERY shape the
+coverage extractor finds in a bound repo (total). Rows arrive `unclassified`
+from the coverage sync (step 2) and gain judgments — canonical / instance /
+variant / exempt — from audits, hooks, and the mechanical proposer.
+Unclassified IS the todo list.
+"""
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from alembic import op
+
+revision = "0079"
+down_revision = "0078"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.create_table(
+        "code_shapes",
+        sa.Column("id", sa.Integer(), primary_key=True),
+        sa.Column(
+            "project_id",
+            sa.Integer(),
+            sa.ForeignKey("projects.id", ondelete="CASCADE"),
+            nullable=False,
+        ),
+        sa.Column("repo_key", sa.Text(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("path", sa.Text(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("symbol", sa.Text(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("kind", sa.Text(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("status", sa.Text(), nullable=False, server_default="unclassified"),
+        sa.Column(
+            "snippet_id",
+            sa.BigInteger(),
+            sa.ForeignKey("notes.id", ondelete="SET NULL"),
+            nullable=True,
+        ),
+        sa.Column("reason", sa.Text(), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("classified_by", sa.Text(), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("classified_at", sa.DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("first_seen_commit", sa.Text(), nullable=False, server_default=""),
+        sa.Column("last_seen_commit", sa.Text(), nullable=False, server_default=""),
+        sa.Column("vanished_at", sa.DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("created_at", sa.DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("updated_at", sa.DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=False),
+        sa.UniqueConstraint(
+            "project_id", "repo_key", "path", "symbol", "kind",
+            name="uq_code_shapes_identity",
+        ),
+    )
+    op.create_index(
+        "ix_code_shapes_project_status", "code_shapes", ["project_id", "status"]
+    )
+    op.create_index("ix_code_shapes_snippet", "code_shapes", ["snippet_id"])
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    op.drop_index("ix_code_shapes_snippet", table_name="code_shapes")
+    op.drop_index("ix_code_shapes_project_status", table_name="code_shapes")
+    op.drop_table("code_shapes")

alembic/versions/0080_code_shape_proposals.py

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+"""Shape fingerprints + the mechanical proposer's columns (#2792, milestone 294)
+
+Revision ID: 0080
+Revises: 0079
+Create Date: 2026-08-21
+
+Two additions to the ledger. `signature` / `body_sha` fingerprint each shape
+(definition line + a whitespace/comment-insensitive hash of its block) so the
+proposer can match on content and a later drift recheck can notice change,
+without the ledger ever storing code. The proposal columns carry the
+proposer's standing suggestion for an unclassified row — instance-of-#N with
+a basis and score, or a derive-first group key — and `proposed_sha`
+remembers the content it was judged at so a refresh re-examines only what
+changed. Mechanical and recomputable: a restore that lacks them loses
+nothing the next refresh does not rebuild.
+"""
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from alembic import op
+
+revision = "0080"
+down_revision = "0079"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.add_column("code_shapes", sa.Column("signature", sa.Text(), nullable=False, server_default=""))
+    op.add_column("code_shapes", sa.Column("body_sha", sa.Text(), nullable=False, server_default=""))
+    op.add_column(
+        "code_shapes",
+        sa.Column(
+            "proposed_snippet_id",
+            sa.BigInteger(),
+            sa.ForeignKey("notes.id", ondelete="SET NULL"),
+            nullable=True,
+        ),
+    )
+    op.add_column("code_shapes", sa.Column("proposal_basis", sa.Text(), nullable=True))
+    op.add_column("code_shapes", sa.Column("proposal_score", sa.Float(), nullable=True))
+    op.add_column("code_shapes", sa.Column("proposal_group", sa.Text(), nullable=True))
+    op.add_column("code_shapes", sa.Column("proposed_at", sa.DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=True))
+    op.add_column("code_shapes", sa.Column("proposed_sha", sa.Text(), nullable=False, server_default=""))
+    op.create_index(
+        "ix_code_shapes_proposed", "code_shapes", ["project_id", "proposed_snippet_id"]
+    )
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    op.drop_index("ix_code_shapes_proposed", table_name="code_shapes")
+    for col in (
+        "proposed_sha", "proposed_at", "proposal_group", "proposal_score",
+        "proposal_basis", "proposed_snippet_id", "body_sha", "signature",
+    ):
+        op.drop_column("code_shapes", col)

alembic/versions/0081_shape_history_and_divergence.py

@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+"""Shape history, recheck, and the divergence flag (#2793, milestone 294)
+
+Revision ID: 0081
+Revises: 0080
+Create Date: 2026-08-21
+
+The payoff surface of the ledger. `classified_sha` remembers the fingerprint
+a judgment was made at so a later body change under an instance/variant can
+flag `recheck_at`; `diverges_from` is the button-B flag (a shape new since
+the previous refresh, where one canon dominates its directory+kind, and not
+proposed as that canon). `code_shape_events` is the what-was-used-when
+record: every classification, vanish, reappearance, and drift as it
+happened — history the row alone cannot keep once it moves on.
+"""
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from alembic import op
+
+revision = "0081"
+down_revision = "0080"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.add_column("code_shapes", sa.Column("classified_sha", sa.Text(), nullable=False, server_default=""))
+    op.add_column("code_shapes", sa.Column("recheck_at", sa.DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=True))
+    op.add_column(
+        "code_shapes",
+        sa.Column(
+            "diverges_from",
+            sa.BigInteger(),
+            sa.ForeignKey("notes.id", ondelete="SET NULL"),
+            nullable=True,
+        ),
+    )
+    op.create_index("ix_code_shapes_diverges", "code_shapes", ["project_id", "diverges_from"])
+    op.create_table(
+        "code_shape_events",
+        sa.Column("id", sa.Integer(), primary_key=True),
+        sa.Column(
+            "shape_id",
+            sa.Integer(),
+            sa.ForeignKey("code_shapes.id", ondelete="CASCADE"),
+            nullable=False,
+        ),
+        sa.Column("project_id", sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("path", sa.Text(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("symbol", sa.Text(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("kind", sa.Text(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("event", sa.Text(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("status", sa.Text(), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("snippet_id", sa.BigInteger(), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("classified_by", sa.Text(), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("reason", sa.Text(), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("commit", sa.Text(), nullable=False, server_default=""),
+        sa.Column("at", sa.DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=False),
+    )
+    op.create_index("ix_code_shape_events_shape", "code_shape_events", ["shape_id", "at"])
+    op.create_index(
+        "ix_code_shape_events_project_path", "code_shape_events", ["project_id", "path"]
+    )
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    op.drop_index("ix_code_shape_events_project_path", table_name="code_shape_events")
+    op.drop_index("ix_code_shape_events_shape", table_name="code_shape_events")
+    op.drop_table("code_shape_events")
+    op.drop_index("ix_code_shapes_diverges", table_name="code_shapes")
+    for col in ("diverges_from", "recheck_at", "classified_sha"):
+        op.drop_column("code_shapes", col)

alembic/versions/0082_repo_binding_ref.py

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+"""Per-binding ref — the branch a project's ledger follows (#2873, milestone 294)
+
+Revision ID: 0082
+Revises: 0081
+Create Date: 2026-08-21
+
+A repo binding used to imply the repo's default branch; the shape ledger
+therefore only saw work after a merge to main, while the operator's work
+lands on dev (rule 1). `ref` names the branch the coverage refresh reads —
+NULL keeps today's behaviour (the forge's default branch).
+"""
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from alembic import op
+
+revision = "0082"
+down_revision = "0081"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.add_column("repo_bindings", sa.Column("ref", sa.Text(), nullable=True))
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    op.drop_column("repo_bindings", "ref")

alembic/versions/0083_code_shape_reason_code.py

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+"""Exempt/variant reason codes — a small fixed catalogue beside the prose (#2874, milestone 294)
+
+Revision ID: 0083
+Revises: 0082
+Create Date: 2026-08-21
+
+The 2026-08 audit wrote the same free-text reason thousands of times
+("scoped rule — styles one element of this view"); a judgment's WHY stays
+prose, but an optional code from a fixed catalogue makes the ledger
+filterable and aggregable ("how many pure helpers, how many test helpers").
+"""
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from alembic import op
+
+revision = "0083"
+down_revision = "0082"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.add_column("code_shapes", sa.Column("reason_code", sa.Text(), nullable=True))
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    op.drop_column("code_shapes", "reason_code")

alembic/versions/0084_code_shape_uses.py

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+"""code_shape_uses — consumption edges, separate from conformance (#2870, milestone 294)
+
+Revision ID: 0084
+Revises: 0083
+Create Date: 2026-08-21
+
+A ledger row carries ONE snippet_id: what shape this is (instance/variant of
+a canon). But a shape can also CALL several canonical helpers — e.g. a
+service function both conforming to the service-function convention and
+consuming hash_token. The 2026-08 audit had to pick one; hook evidence
+("pulled #N then wrote code referencing it") was stamped as instance when it
+is a uses fact. This table holds the many-valued relation: shape → snippet,
+with the basis and the evidence. Cascades with the shape and the snippet.
+"""
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from alembic import op
+
+revision = "0084"
+down_revision = "0083"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.create_table(
+        "code_shape_uses",
+        sa.Column("id", sa.Integer(), primary_key=True),
+        sa.Column("shape_id", sa.Integer(), sa.ForeignKey("code_shapes.id", ondelete="CASCADE"), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("snippet_id", sa.Integer(), sa.ForeignKey("notes.id", ondelete="CASCADE"), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("basis", sa.Text(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("evidence", sa.Text(), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("created_at", sa.DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=False, server_default=sa.text("now()")),
+        sa.UniqueConstraint("shape_id", "snippet_id", name="uq_code_shape_uses_shape_snippet"),
+    )
+    op.create_index("ix_code_shape_uses_snippet", "code_shape_uses", ["snippet_id"])
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    op.drop_index("ix_code_shape_uses_snippet", table_name="code_shape_uses")
+    op.drop_table("code_shape_uses")

alembic/versions/0085_project_inception.py

@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+"""Project inception: the decision record + always-on rulebook exclusions (milestone 297)
+
+Revision ID: 0085
+Revises: 0084
+Create Date: 2026-08-22
+
+`projects.inception` is the WHY a project inherits what it does — NULL until
+someone decides, at which point enter_project stops asking. The new
+association `project_rulebook_exclusions` is the opt-out of a whole always-on
+rulebook for one project (the sibling of the rule/topic suppressions).
+
+Backfill: every project that exists when this runs is stamped
+via="legacy" with its CURRENT standing (no exclusions, its subscriptions,
+its design_system_id, no seed) — so the ask fires only for projects created
+after the step shipped, and nothing a running install relies on changes.
+"""
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from alembic import op
+from sqlalchemy.dialects import postgresql
+
+revision = "0085"
+down_revision = "0084"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.add_column(
+        "projects",
+        sa.Column("inception", postgresql.JSONB(), nullable=True),
+    )
+    op.create_table(
+        "project_rulebook_exclusions",
+        sa.Column(
+            "project_id", sa.BigInteger(),
+            sa.ForeignKey("projects.id", ondelete="CASCADE"),
+            primary_key=True, nullable=False,
+        ),
+        sa.Column(
+            "rulebook_id", sa.BigInteger(),
+            sa.ForeignKey("rulebooks.id", ondelete="CASCADE"),
+            primary_key=True, nullable=False,
+        ),
+        sa.Column(
+            "created_at", sa.DateTime(timezone=True),
+            server_default=sa.text("now()"), nullable=False,
+        ),
+    )
+    # Legacy stamp: what each existing project inherits today, recorded as a
+    # decision so the inception ask does not fire on a project that has been
+    # running for months.
+    op.execute(sa.text("""
+        UPDATE projects p SET inception = jsonb_build_object(
+            'via', 'legacy',
+            'decided_at', to_jsonb(now()),
+            'decided_by', NULL,
+            'choices', jsonb_build_object(
+                'exclude_always_on_rulebooks', '[]'::jsonb,
+                'subscribe_rulebooks', COALESCE(
+                    (SELECT jsonb_agg(s.rulebook_id ORDER BY s.rulebook_id)
+                       FROM project_rulebook_subscriptions s
+                      WHERE s.project_id = p.id),
+                    '[]'::jsonb),
+                'design_system_id', to_jsonb(p.design_system_id),
+                'seed_systems', false
+            )
+        )
+        WHERE p.inception IS NULL
+    """))
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    op.drop_table("project_rulebook_exclusions")
+    op.drop_column("projects", "inception")

docs/api-reference.md

@@ -76,7 +76,9 @@ endpoint at `/mcp`, not these REST routes.
 | Method | Path | Description |
 |--------|------|-------------|
 | GET / POST | `/api/projects` | List (owned + shared) / create |
-| GET / PATCH / DELETE | `/api/projects/:id` | Read (with `milestone_summary`) / update / delete |
+| GET / PATCH / DELETE | `/api/projects/:id` | Read (with `milestone_summary`, `inception`) / update / delete |
+| POST | `/api/projects/:id/inception` | Record what the project inherits `{choices: {exclude_always_on_rulebooks, subscribe_rulebooks, design_system_id, seed_systems}}` (owner-only; `POST /api/projects` accepts the same under `inception`) |
+| GET | `/api/projects/:id/inception/defaults` | What binds if nobody decides — the inception card's payload |
 | GET | `/api/projects/:id/notes` | Notes + tasks in this project |
 | GET / POST | `/api/projects/:id/milestones` | List / create milestones |
 | GET / PATCH / DELETE | `/api/projects/:id/milestones/:mid` | Read / update / delete |
@@ -118,6 +120,7 @@ endpoint at `/mcp`, not these REST routes.
 | POST | `/api/projects/:id/rules` | Create a project-scoped rule |
 | POST / DELETE | `/api/projects/:id/suppressions/rules/:rid` | Suppress / unsuppress a rule |
 | POST / DELETE | `/api/projects/:id/suppressions/topics/:tid` | Suppress / unsuppress a topic |
+| POST / DELETE | `/api/projects/:id/exclusions/rulebooks/:rid` | Exclude / include an always-on rulebook for this project (inception) |
 
 ## Sharing
 

frontend/src/api/client.ts

@@ -38,6 +38,20 @@ async function handleResponse<T>(res: Response, path: string): Promise<T> {
   return res.json() as Promise<T>;
 }
 
+/**
+ * The server's `{"error": "..."}` message from a failed call, or `fallback`
+ * when the failure carried none (network error, non-JSON body). The one place
+ * the error envelope is unpacked on the client — views used to restate this
+ * as a six-line `"body" in e` branch at every catch site.
+ */
+export function apiErrorMessage(e: unknown, fallback: string): string {
+  if (e && typeof e === "object" && "body" in e) {
+    const body = (e as { body?: { error?: unknown } }).body;
+    if (body && typeof body.error === "string" && body.error) return body.error;
+  }
+  return fallback;
+}
+
 export async function apiGet<T>(path: string): Promise<T> {
   const res = await fetch(path);
   return handleResponse<T>(res, path);

frontend/src/api/inception.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+/** Project inception (milestone 297): what a project was decided to inherit. */
+import { apiGet, apiPost } from "@/api/client";
+
+export interface InceptionChoices {
+  exclude_always_on_rulebooks: number[];
+  subscribe_rulebooks: number[];
+  design_system_id: number | null;
+  seed_systems: boolean;
+}
+
+export interface InceptionRecord {
+  decided_at: string;
+  decided_by: number | null;
+  via: "mcp" | "ui" | "legacy";
+  choices: InceptionChoices;
+}
+
+export interface InceptionDefaults {
+  always_on_rulebooks: { id: number; title: string }[];
+  other_rulebooks: { id: number; title: string }[];
+  excluded_always_on: { id: number; title: string }[];
+  subscribed_rulebooks: { id: number; title: string }[];
+  design_system_id: number | null;
+  design_systems: { id: number; title: string }[];
+  systems: number;
+}
+
+export interface InceptionDecision {
+  project_id: number;
+  inception: InceptionRecord;
+  effects: { excluded: number[]; subscribed: number[]; design_system_id: number | null; systems_seeded: string[] };
+}
+
+export const emptyChoices = (): InceptionChoices => ({
+  exclude_always_on_rulebooks: [], subscribe_rulebooks: [], design_system_id: null, seed_systems: false,
+});
+
+export const fetchInceptionDefaults = (projectId: number) =>
+  apiGet<InceptionDefaults>(`/api/projects/${projectId}/inception/defaults`);
+
+export const decideInception = (projectId: number, choices: InceptionChoices) =>
+  apiPost<InceptionDecision>(`/api/projects/${projectId}/inception`, { choices });

frontend/src/api/rulebooks.ts

@@ -71,6 +71,8 @@ export interface ApplicableRules {
   }[];
   truncated: boolean;
   subscribed_rulebooks: { id: number; title: string }[];
+  /** Always-on rulebooks this project opted out of at inception (milestone 297). */
+  excluded_always_on: { id: number; title: string }[];
 }
 
 // ── Rulebooks ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -181,3 +183,14 @@ export async function suppressTopicForProject(projectId: number, topicId: number
 export async function unsuppressTopicForProject(projectId: number, topicId: number): Promise<void> {
   return apiDelete(`/api/projects/${projectId}/suppressions/topics/${topicId}`);
 }
+
+// ── Always-on exclusions (milestone 297) ────────────────────────────────────
+
+export async function excludeAlwaysOnRulebook(projectId: number, rulebookId: number): Promise<void> {
+  await apiPost(`/api/projects/${projectId}/exclusions/rulebooks/${rulebookId}`, {});
+}
+
+export async function includeAlwaysOnRulebook(projectId: number, rulebookId: number): Promise<void> {
+  await apiDelete(`/api/projects/${projectId}/exclusions/rulebooks/${rulebookId}`);
+}
+

frontend/src/assets/auth-shared.css

@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+/* ── Auth surface (Login / Register / RegisterInvite / ForgotPassword / ResetPassword) ──
+   The five auth views used to carry byte-identical copies of these rules in
+   their scoped blocks (2026-08 shape audit). Loaded per view with
+   <style src="@/assets/auth-shared.css" />, like editor-shared.css; the form
+   rules are scoped under .auth-card so nothing leaks into the app's other
+   .field/.input usages. Per-view one-offs (Login's .divider/.forgot-link)
+   stay in the view. */
+.auth-page {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  min-height: 100vh;
+  padding: 1rem;
+}
+.auth-card {
+  width: 100%;
+  max-width: 400px;
+  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
+  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
+  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-lg);
+  padding: 2rem;
+}
+.auth-brand {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  gap: 0.5rem;
+  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
+}
+.auth-card h1 {
+  margin: 0;
+  text-align: center;
+}
+.auth-hint {
+  text-align: center;
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
+  margin-bottom: 1rem;
+}
+.auth-hint a {
+  color: var(--fs-accent);
+}
+/* A centred status paragraph block: registration closed, invalid/expired
+   token, "check your inbox". One rule — the views used to name it
+   .closed-msg / .error-block / .success-msg with identical bodies. */
+.auth-note {
+  text-align: center;
+  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
+  font-size: 0.95rem;
+  padding: 0.5rem 0;
+}
+.auth-note p {
+  margin: 0.5rem 0;
+}
+.auth-loading {
+  text-align: center;
+  color: var(--fs-text-tertiary);
+  font-size: 0.95rem;
+  padding: 1rem 0;
+}
+.auth-card .field {
+  margin-bottom: 1rem;
+}
+.auth-card .field label {
+  display: block;
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  margin-bottom: 0.35rem;
+}
+.auth-card .input {
+  width: 100%;
+  padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem;
+  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
+  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-sm);
+  font-size: 0.95rem;
+  background: var(--fs-surface-page);
+  color: var(--fs-text-primary);
+  box-sizing: border-box;
+}
+.auth-card .input:focus {
+  outline: none;
+  border-color: var(--fs-accent);
+}
+.auth-card .input:disabled {
+  opacity: 0.6;
+  cursor: not-allowed;
+}
+.auth-card .input-error,
+.auth-card .input-error:focus {
+  border-color: var(--fs-error);
+}
+.auth-card .field-hint {
+  margin: 0.35rem 0 0;
+  font-size: 0.8rem;
+  color: var(--fs-text-tertiary);
+}
+.auth-card .error-hint {
+  margin: 0.35rem 0 0;
+  font-size: 0.8rem;
+  color: var(--fs-error);
+}
+.auth-card .error-msg {
+  color: var(--fs-error);
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+  margin: 0 0 0.75rem;
+}
+.auth-footer {
+  text-align: center;
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
+  margin: 1rem 0 0;
+}
+.auth-footer a {
+  color: var(--fs-accent);
+}

frontend/src/assets/components.css

@@ -221,3 +221,79 @@
                                                      is the page's main action */
   font-size: var(--fs-size-body-sm);
 }
+
+
+/* ── Modal ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+   The one overlay/card/button shape for every in-app dialog (ConfirmDialog,
+   the create-project / merge-snippet / systems dialogs, the editors' confirm
+   prompts). Global on purpose: ConfirmDialog teleports to <body> and has no
+   styles of its own, so these must be loaded with the app, not with whichever
+   view happens to be open. Views add only their own overrides (a wider card,
+   a form layout). Destructive = action-destructive per the Hybrid rule. */
+.modal-overlay {
+  position: fixed;
+  inset: 0;
+  background: var(--fs-overlay);
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  z-index: 200;
+}
+.modal-card {
+  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
+  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
+  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-lg);
+  padding: 1.5rem;
+  width: 100%;
+  max-width: 400px;
+  box-shadow: 0 8px 32px var(--color-shadow);
+}
+.modal-title {
+  margin: 0 0 0.75rem;
+  font-size: 1.05rem;
+}
+.modal-message {
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
+  margin: 0 0 1.25rem;
+  line-height: 1.5;
+}
+.modal-actions {
+  display: flex;
+  justify-content: flex-end;
+  gap: 0.5rem;
+}
+.modal-btn {
+  padding: 0.4rem 0.9rem;
+  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
+  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
+  color: var(--fs-text-primary);
+  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-sm);
+  cursor: pointer;
+  font-size: 0.875rem;
+  font-family: inherit;
+}
+.modal-btn:hover {
+  background: var(--fs-surface-page);
+}
+.modal-btn-primary {
+  background: var(--fs-action-primary);
+  border-color: var(--fs-action-primary);
+  color: var(--fs-text-on-action);
+}
+.modal-btn-primary:hover:not(:disabled) {
+  background: var(--fs-action-primary-hover);
+}
+.modal-btn-primary:disabled {
+  opacity: 0.5;
+  cursor: default;
+}
+.modal-btn-danger {
+  background: var(--fs-action-destructive);
+  border-color: var(--fs-action-destructive);
+  color: var(--fs-text-on-action);
+}
+.modal-btn-danger:hover {
+  background: var(--fs-action-destructive-hover);
+  border-color: var(--fs-action-destructive-hover);
+}

frontend/src/assets/editor-shared.css

@@ -316,53 +316,6 @@
   gap: 0.5rem;
 }
 
-/* ── Modal ── */
-.modal-overlay {
-  position: fixed;
-  inset: 0;
-  background: var(--fs-overlay);
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  z-index: 200;
-}
-.modal-card {
-  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-lg);
-  padding: 1.5rem;
-  max-width: 400px;
-  width: 90%;
-  box-shadow: 0 8px 32px var(--color-shadow);
-}
-.modal-title {
-  margin: 0 0 0.5rem;
-  font-size: 1.1rem;
-}
-.modal-message {
-  margin: 0 0 1.25rem;
-  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
-  font-size: 0.95rem;
-}
-.modal-actions {
-  display: flex;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
-  justify-content: flex-end;
-}
-.modal-btn {
-  padding: 0.45rem 1rem;
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-sm);
-  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
-  color: var(--fs-text-primary);
-  cursor: pointer;
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-}
-.modal-btn-danger {
-  background: var(--fs-error);
-  color: var(--fs-text-on-action);
-  border-color: var(--fs-error);
-}
-
 /* ── Floating inline assist button (teleported to body) ── */
 .inline-assist-btn {
   position: fixed;

frontend/src/components/HistoryPanel.vue

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { ref, computed, onMounted } from "vue";
 import { apiGet, pinNoteVersion, unpinNoteVersion } from "@/api/client";
 import DiffView from "@/components/DiffView.vue";
 import type { DiffLine } from "@/composables/useAssist";
+import { fmtStamp } from "@/utils/dateFormat";
 
 interface NoteVersion {
   id: number;
@@ -56,14 +57,6 @@ const diff = computed<DiffLine[]>(() => {
   return result;
 });
 
-function formatDate(iso: string): string {
-  const d = new Date(iso);
-  return d.toLocaleString(undefined, {
-    month: 'short', day: 'numeric', year: 'numeric',
-    hour: '2-digit', minute: '2-digit',
-  });
-}
-
 async function loadVersions() {
   loading.value = true;
   try {
@@ -212,7 +205,7 @@ onMounted(loadVersions);
                 v-if="v.pin_kind === 'manual' && v.pin_label"
                 class="history-item-label"
               >{{ v.pin_label }}</div>
-              <div class="history-item-date">{{ formatDate(v.created_at) }}</div>
+              <div class="history-item-date">{{ fmtStamp(v.created_at) }}</div>
             </div>
           </div>
 

frontend/src/components/InceptionCard.vue

@@ -0,0 +1,189 @@
+<script setup lang="ts">
+/**
+ * The inception form (milestone 297): "what does this project inherit?"
+ *
+ * Two homes, one component. mode="create" rides the New-project modal's
+ * second step and only emits the choices (the project does not exist yet);
+ * mode="decide" sits on ProjectView for an undecided project, loads that
+ * project's current defaults, and records the decision itself.
+ */
+import { computed, onMounted, ref, watch } from "vue";
+import { apiErrorMessage } from "@/api/client";
+import { fetchDesignSystems } from "@/api/designSystems";
+import {
+  decideInception, emptyChoices, fetchInceptionDefaults,
+  type InceptionChoices, type InceptionDecision, type InceptionDefaults,
+} from "@/api/inception";
+import { listRulebooks } from "@/api/rulebooks";
+
+const props = withDefaults(defineProps<{
+  mode: "create" | "decide";
+  projectId?: number;
+  choices?: InceptionChoices;
+}>(), { projectId: 0, choices: undefined });
+
+const emit = defineEmits<{
+  "update:choices": [value: InceptionChoices];
+  decided: [decision: InceptionDecision];
+}>();
+
+const local = ref<InceptionChoices>(props.choices ? { ...props.choices } : emptyChoices());
+const alwaysOn = ref<{ id: number; title: string }[]>([]);
+const others = ref<{ id: number; title: string }[]>([]);
+const designSystems = ref<{ id: number; title: string }[]>([]);
+const systemsCount = ref(0);
+const loading = ref(true);
+const saving = ref(false);
+const error = ref("");
+
+function emitChoices() {
+  emit("update:choices", { ...local.value });
+}
+watch(local, emitChoices, { deep: true });
+
+async function load() {
+  loading.value = true;
+  error.value = "";
+  try {
+    if (props.mode === "decide" && props.projectId) {
+      const d: InceptionDefaults = await fetchInceptionDefaults(props.projectId);
+      alwaysOn.value = d.always_on_rulebooks;
+      others.value = d.other_rulebooks;
+      designSystems.value = d.design_systems;
+      systemsCount.value = d.systems;
+      // Start from what stands today so "record" without changes is a true inherit-all.
+      local.value = {
+        exclude_always_on_rulebooks: d.excluded_always_on.map((r) => r.id),
+        subscribe_rulebooks: d.subscribed_rulebooks.map((r) => r.id),
+        design_system_id: d.design_system_id,
+        seed_systems: false,
+      };
+    } else {
+      const [rulebooks, ds] = await Promise.all([listRulebooks(), fetchDesignSystems()]);
+      alwaysOn.value = rulebooks.filter((r) => r.always_on).map((r) => ({ id: r.id, title: r.title }));
+      others.value = rulebooks.filter((r) => !r.always_on).map((r) => ({ id: r.id, title: r.title }));
+      designSystems.value = ds.design_systems.map((d) => ({ id: d.id, title: d.title }));
+    }
+  } catch (e: unknown) {
+    error.value = apiErrorMessage(e, "Could not load what this project could inherit");
+  } finally {
+    loading.value = false;
+  }
+}
+
+function inherits(id: number): boolean {
+  return !local.value.exclude_always_on_rulebooks.includes(id);
+}
+function toggleInherit(id: number) {
+  const list = local.value.exclude_always_on_rulebooks;
+  local.value.exclude_always_on_rulebooks = list.includes(id) ? list.filter((x) => x !== id) : [...list, id];
+}
+function subscribed(id: number): boolean {
+  return local.value.subscribe_rulebooks.includes(id);
+}
+function toggleSubscribe(id: number) {
+  const list = local.value.subscribe_rulebooks;
+  local.value.subscribe_rulebooks = list.includes(id) ? list.filter((x) => x !== id) : [...list, id];
+}
+
+const nothingToDecide = computed(
+  () => !alwaysOn.value.length && !others.value.length && !designSystems.value.length,
+);
+
+async function record() {
+  if (!props.projectId) return;
+  saving.value = true;
+  error.value = "";
+  try {
+    const decision = await decideInception(props.projectId, local.value);
+    emit("decided", decision);
+  } catch (e: unknown) {
+    error.value = apiErrorMessage(e, "Could not record the decision");
+  } finally {
+    saving.value = false;
+  }
+}
+
+onMounted(load);
+</script>
+
+<template>
+  <section class="inception" aria-labelledby="inception-title">
+    <h3 id="inception-title" class="inception-title">What does this project inherit?</h3>
+    <p class="inception-lede">
+      A project's inheritance is a decision, not a default. Until it is recorded,
+      every always-on rulebook binds, nothing is subscribed, and there is no design
+      system or Systems.
+    </p>
+    <p v-if="loading" class="inception-muted">Loading…</p>
+    <p v-else-if="error" class="error-msg">{{ error }}</p>
+    <template v-else>
+      <div v-if="alwaysOn.length" class="inception-group">
+        <h4>Always-on rulebooks</h4>
+        <p class="inception-muted">Checked = inherits. Uncheck to exclude a rulebook for this project only.</p>
+        <label v-for="rb in alwaysOn" :key="rb.id" class="inception-choice">
+          <input type="checkbox" :checked="inherits(rb.id)" @change="toggleInherit(rb.id)" />
+          <span>{{ rb.title }}</span>
+        </label>
+      </div>
+      <div v-if="others.length" class="inception-group">
+        <h4>Subscribe to rulebooks</h4>
+        <label v-for="rb in others" :key="rb.id" class="inception-choice">
+          <input type="checkbox" :checked="subscribed(rb.id)" @change="toggleSubscribe(rb.id)" />
+          <span>{{ rb.title }}</span>
+        </label>
+      </div>
+      <div class="inception-group">
+        <h4>Design system</h4>
+        <select v-model="local.design_system_id" class="inception-select" aria-label="Design system">
+          <option :value="null">None</option>
+          <option v-for="ds in designSystems" :key="ds.id" :value="ds.id">{{ ds.title }}</option>
+        </select>
+      </div>
+      <div class="inception-group">
+        <label class="inception-choice">
+          <input type="checkbox" v-model="local.seed_systems" :disabled="systemsCount > 0" />
+          <span>
+            Seed the standard starter Systems (CI &amp; Release, Auth &amp; Access, Data Model &amp; Storage, …)
+            <em v-if="systemsCount > 0" class="inception-muted"> — this project already has {{ systemsCount }}</em>
+          </span>
+        </label>
+      </div>
+      <p v-if="nothingToDecide" class="inception-muted">
+        Nothing to inherit yet on this install — recording still settles the question.
+      </p>
+      <div v-if="mode === 'decide'" class="inception-actions">
+        <button class="btn-primary" :disabled="saving" @click="record">
+          {{ saving ? "Recording…" : "Record decision" }}
+        </button>
+      </div>
+    </template>
+  </section>
+</template>
+
+<style scoped>
+.inception {
+  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
+  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
+  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-lg);
+  padding: 1.25rem 1.5rem;
+  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
+}
+.inception-title { margin: 0 0 0.35rem; font-size: 1.05rem; }
+.inception-lede { margin: 0 0 1rem; color: var(--fs-text-secondary); font-size: 0.9rem; }
+.inception-muted { color: var(--fs-text-tertiary); font-size: 0.85rem; margin: 0 0 0.35rem; }
+.inception-group { margin-bottom: 1rem; }
+.inception-group h4 { margin: 0 0 0.35rem; font-size: 0.9rem; font-weight: 500; }
+.inception-choice { display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: 0.5rem; font-size: 0.9rem; margin: 0.25rem 0; }
+.inception-choice input { margin-top: 0.2rem; accent-color: var(--fs-accent); }
+.inception-select {
+  padding: 0.45rem 0.7rem;
+  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
+  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-sm);
+  background: var(--fs-surface-page);
+  color: var(--fs-text-primary);
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+}
+.inception-actions { display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; margin-top: 0.5rem; }
+.error-msg { color: var(--fs-error); font-size: 0.9rem; }
+</style>

frontend/src/components/SystemsSection.vue

@@ -515,36 +515,4 @@ async function confirmDelete() {
 }
 .skel-row--short { width: 65%; }
 
-/* ── Modal ────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
-.modal-overlay {
-  position: fixed; inset: 0;
-  background: var(--fs-overlay);
-  display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
-  z-index: 200;
-}
-.modal-card {
-  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-lg);
-  padding: 1.5rem;
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 400px;
-  box-shadow: 0 8px 32px var(--color-shadow);
-}
-.modal-title { margin: 0 0 0.75rem; font-size: 1.05rem; }
-.modal-message { font-size: 0.9rem; color: var(--fs-text-secondary); margin: 0 0 1.25rem; line-height: 1.5; }
-.modal-actions { display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; gap: 0.5rem; }
-.modal-btn {
-  padding: 0.4rem 0.9rem;
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
-  color: var(--fs-text-primary);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-sm);
-  cursor: pointer;
-  font-size: 0.875rem;
-  font-family: inherit;
-}
-.modal-btn:hover { background: var(--fs-surface-page); }
-.modal-btn-danger { background: var(--fs-action-destructive); border-color: var(--fs-action-destructive); color: var(--fs-text-on-action); }
-.modal-btn-danger:hover { background: var(--fs-action-destructive-hover); border-color: var(--fs-action-destructive-hover); }
 </style>

frontend/src/components/TaskLogSection.vue

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { ref, onMounted } from "vue";
 import { apiGet, apiPost, apiPatch, apiDelete } from "@/api/client";
 import { renderMarkdown } from "@/utils/markdown";
 import type { TaskLog } from "@/types/task";
+import { fmtStamp } from "@/utils/dateFormat";
 
 const props = defineProps<{ taskId: number }>();
 
@@ -15,13 +16,6 @@ const editingId = ref<number | null>(null);
 const editContent = ref("");
 const editDuration = ref("");
 
-function formatDate(iso: string): string {
-  const d = new Date(iso);
-  const datePart = d.toLocaleDateString(undefined, { month: "short", day: "numeric", year: "numeric" });
-  const timePart = d.toLocaleTimeString(undefined, { hour: "2-digit", minute: "2-digit" });
-  return `${datePart}, ${timePart}`;
-}
-
 function formatDuration(minutes: number): string {
   if (minutes < 60) return `${minutes} min`;
   const h = Math.floor(minutes / 60);
@@ -128,7 +122,7 @@ onMounted(loadLogs);
       </template>
       <template v-else>
         <div class="log-entry-meta">
-          <span class="log-date">{{ formatDate(log.created_at) }}</span>
+          <span class="log-date">{{ fmtStamp(log.created_at) }}</span>
           <span v-if="log.duration_minutes" class="log-duration-badge">
             {{ formatDuration(log.duration_minutes) }}
           </span>

frontend/src/components/WorkspaceNoteEditor.vue

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import TagInput from "@/components/TagInput.vue";
 import MarkdownToolbar from "@/components/MarkdownToolbar.vue";
 import WordCount from "@/components/WordCount.vue";
 import { Trash2, X } from "lucide-vue-next";
+import { relativeTimeOrDate } from "@/composables/useRelativeTime";
 
 const props = defineProps<{
   projectId: number;
@@ -252,20 +253,6 @@ async function confirmDelete(id: number) {
   }
 }
 
-function formatDate(iso: string): string {
-  const d = new Date(iso);
-  const now = new Date();
-  const diffMs = now.getTime() - d.getTime();
-  const diffMin = Math.floor(diffMs / 60_000);
-  const diffHrs = Math.floor(diffMs / 3_600_000);
-  const diffDays = Math.floor(diffMs / 86_400_000);
-  if (diffMin < 1) return "just now";
-  if (diffMin < 60) return `${diffMin}m ago`;
-  if (diffHrs < 24) return `${diffHrs}h ago`;
-  if (diffDays < 7) return `${diffDays}d ago`;
-  return d.toLocaleDateString(undefined, { month: "short", day: "numeric" });
-}
-
 watch(noteTitle, () => { dirty.value = true; });
 watch(noteBody, () => { dirty.value = true; if (editingId.value) scheduleLinkCheck(); });
 watch(noteTags, () => { dirty.value = true; });
@@ -346,7 +333,7 @@ defineExpose({ reload: loadProjectNotes });
         >
           <div class="note-row-main">
             <span class="note-row-title">{{ note.title || 'Untitled' }}</span>
-            <span class="note-row-age">{{ formatDate(note.updated_at) }}</span>
+            <span class="note-row-age">{{ relativeTimeOrDate(note.updated_at) }}</span>
           </div>
           <div v-if="note.tags?.length" class="note-row-tags">
             <span

frontend/src/components/WorkspaceTaskPanel.vue

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { useToastStore } from "@/stores/toast";
 import TaskLogSection from "@/components/TaskLogSection.vue";
 import { renderMarkdown } from "@/utils/markdown";
 import { Trash2, X } from "lucide-vue-next";
+import { relativeTimeOrDate } from "@/composables/useRelativeTime";
 
 const props = defineProps<{ projectId: number }>();
 
@@ -198,20 +199,6 @@ function cancelDeleteTask() {
   deleteConfirmPending.value = false;
 }
 
-function formatDate(iso: string): string {
-  const d = new Date(iso);
-  const now = new Date();
-  const diffMs = now.getTime() - d.getTime();
-  const diffMin = Math.floor(diffMs / 60_000);
-  const diffHrs = Math.floor(diffMs / 3_600_000);
-  const diffDays = Math.floor(diffMs / 86_400_000);
-  if (diffMin < 1) return "just now";
-  if (diffMin < 60) return `${diffMin}m ago`;
-  if (diffHrs < 24) return `${diffHrs}h ago`;
-  if (diffDays < 7) return `${diffDays}d ago`;
-  return d.toLocaleDateString(undefined, { month: "short", day: "numeric" });
-}
-
 onMounted(loadAll);
 defineExpose({ reload: loadAll });
 </script>
@@ -256,7 +243,7 @@ defineExpose({ reload: loadAll });
               <span v-if="task.priority && task.priority !== 'none'" :class="['priority-dot', PRIORITY_CLASS[task.priority] ?? '']"></span>
               <span class="task-title" :class="{ done: task.status === 'done' }">{{ task.title }}</span>
               <span v-if="task.due_date" :class="['task-due', { overdue: isRowOverdue(task) }]">{{ task.due_date }}</span>
-              <span class="task-age">{{ formatDate(task.updated_at) }}</span>
+              <span class="task-age">{{ relativeTimeOrDate(task.updated_at) }}</span>
             </li>
             <li v-if="groupedTasks.noMilestone.length === 0" class="empty-group">No tasks</li>
           </ul>
@@ -281,7 +268,7 @@ defineExpose({ reload: loadAll });
               <span v-if="task.priority && task.priority !== 'none'" :class="['priority-dot', PRIORITY_CLASS[task.priority] ?? '']"></span>
               <span class="task-title" :class="{ done: task.status === 'done' }">{{ task.title }}</span>
               <span v-if="task.due_date" :class="['task-due', { overdue: isRowOverdue(task) }]">{{ task.due_date }}</span>
-              <span class="task-age">{{ formatDate(task.updated_at) }}</span>
+              <span class="task-age">{{ relativeTimeOrDate(task.updated_at) }}</span>
             </li>
             <li v-if="msTasks.length === 0" class="empty-group">No tasks</li>
           </ul>

frontend/src/components/rules/ProjectRulesTab.vue

@@ -2,10 +2,18 @@
 import { ref, onMounted, watch } from "vue";
 import { useRouter } from "vue-router";
 import {
-  getProjectApplicableRules, subscribeProject, unsubscribeProject,
+  getProjectApplicableRules,
-  listRulebooks, getRule, createProjectRule, deleteRule,
+  subscribeProject,
-  suppressRuleForProject, unsuppressRuleForProject,
+  unsubscribeProject,
-  suppressTopicForProject, unsuppressTopicForProject,
+  listRulebooks,
+  getRule,
+  createProjectRule,
+  deleteRule,
+  suppressRuleForProject,
+  unsuppressRuleForProject,
+  suppressTopicForProject,
+  unsuppressTopicForProject,
+  includeAlwaysOnRulebook,
 } from "@/api/rulebooks";
 import type { ApplicableRules, Rulebook } from "@/api/rulebooks";
 
@@ -35,6 +43,11 @@ async function subscribe(rulebookId: number) {
   await load();
 }
 
+async function includeBack(rulebookId: number) {
+  await includeAlwaysOnRulebook(props.projectId, rulebookId);
+  await load();
+}
+
 async function unsubscribe(rulebookId: number) {
   if (!confirm("Unsubscribe from this rulebook for this project?")) return;
   await unsubscribeProject(props.projectId, rulebookId);
@@ -172,6 +185,17 @@ watch(() => props.projectId, load);
       </div>
     </section>
 
+    <section v-if="applicable.excluded_always_on?.length" class="excluded">
+      <h3>Excluded always-on rulebooks</h3>
+      <p class="excluded-note">Opted out at inception — these do not bind this project.</p>
+      <div class="chips">
+        <span v-for="rb in applicable.excluded_always_on" :key="rb.id" class="chip chip-excluded">
+          <a @click="openInRulesView(rb.id)">{{ rb.title }}</a>
+          <button class="chip-remove" @click="includeBack(rb.id)" aria-label="Include again" title="Include again">↩</button>
+        </span>
+      </div>
+    </section>
+
     <section class="project-rules">
       <div class="section-head">
         <h3>Project rules</h3>
@@ -321,6 +345,9 @@ watch(() => props.projectId, load);
 </template>
 
 <style scoped>
+.excluded-note { margin: 0 0 0.5rem; color: var(--fs-text-tertiary); font-size: 0.85rem; }
+.chip-excluded { opacity: 0.8; text-decoration: line-through; }
+.chip-excluded .chip-remove { text-decoration: none; }
 .rules-tab { padding: 1rem; }
 h3 {
   font-size: 0.9em; opacity: 0.7; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.05em;

frontend/src/composables/useRelativeTime.ts

@@ -9,3 +9,15 @@ export function relativeTime(iso: string): string {
   const days = Math.floor(hours / 24);
   return `${days}d ago`;
 }
+
+/**
+ * relativeTime() for the recent past, a short date once it's a week old —
+ * the workspace panels' list-row timestamp ("3h ago" / "Jan 15"). Two
+ * panels used to carry identical copies of this.
+ */
+export function relativeTimeOrDate(iso: string): string {
+  const d = new Date(iso);
+  const days = Math.floor((Date.now() - d.getTime()) / 86_400_000);
+  if (days < 7) return relativeTime(iso);
+  return d.toLocaleDateString(undefined, { month: "short", day: "numeric" });
+}

frontend/src/utils/dateFormat.ts

@@ -1,65 +1,32 @@
-/** Shared date/time formatting helpers used across Calendar, Home, Knowledge, etc. */
-
-function _isSameDay(a: Date, b: Date): boolean {
-  return a.getFullYear() === b.getFullYear() &&
-    a.getMonth() === b.getMonth() &&
-    a.getDate() === b.getDate()
-}
-
-/** "9:30 AM" */
-export function fmtTime(dt: string): string {
-  return new Date(dt).toLocaleTimeString(undefined, { hour: "numeric", minute: "2-digit" })
-}
-
-/** "Mon, Jan 15" or "Mon, Jan 15, 9:30 AM" */
-export function fmtDateTime(dt: string, allDay: boolean): string {
-  const d = new Date(dt)
-  const datePart = d.toLocaleDateString(undefined, { weekday: "short", month: "short", day: "numeric" })
-  if (allDay) return datePart
-  return `${datePart}, ${d.toLocaleTimeString(undefined, { hour: "numeric", minute: "2-digit" })}`
-}
-
 /**
- * "Today 9:30 AM" / "Tomorrow 9:30 AM" / "Mon, Jan 15 9:30 AM"
+ * Shared date/time formatting — one rule per display shape. Views import
- * For all-day events returns "Today" / "Tomorrow" / "Mon, Jan 15"
+ * these instead of carrying a local formatDate(): the 2026-08 shape audit
+ * found eight copies across views/components, three of them byte-identical.
+ * (The previous Calendar/Home helpers in this file had no callers left and
+ * were removed in the same pass.)
+ *
+ * Relative forms ("5m ago") live next door in composables/useRelativeTime.
  */
-export function fmtRelativeDateTime(dt: string, allDay: boolean): string {
-  try {
-    const d = new Date(dt)
-    const now = new Date()
-    const tomorrow = new Date(now)
-    tomorrow.setDate(now.getDate() + 1)
 
-    const timeStr = allDay ? "" : ` ${d.toLocaleTimeString(undefined, { hour: "numeric", minute: "2-digit" })}`
+/** "Jan 15, 2026" — a date with no time of day (user created_at, key expiry). */
-
+export function fmtDate(iso: string): string {
-    if (_isSameDay(d, now)) return `Today${timeStr}`
+  return new Date(iso).toLocaleDateString(undefined, {
-    if (_isSameDay(d, tomorrow)) return `Tomorrow${timeStr}`
+    year: "numeric", month: "short", day: "numeric",
-    return d.toLocaleDateString(undefined, { weekday: "short", month: "short", day: "numeric" }) + timeStr
+  });
-  } catch {
-    return dt
-  }
 }
 
-/**
+/** "Jan 15, 2026, 09:30 AM" — a full timestamp (task logs, version history). */
- * Label-only: "Today" / "Tomorrow" / "Mon, Jan 15"
+export function fmtStamp(iso: string): string {
- */
+  return new Date(iso).toLocaleString(undefined, {
-export function fmtDayLabel(dt: string): string {
+    month: "short", day: "numeric", year: "numeric",
-  try {
+    hour: "2-digit", minute: "2-digit",
-    const d = new Date(dt)
+  });
-    const now = new Date()
-    const tomorrow = new Date(now)
-    tomorrow.setDate(now.getDate() + 1)
-    if (_isSameDay(d, now)) return "Today"
-    if (_isSameDay(d, tomorrow)) return "Tomorrow"
-    return d.toLocaleDateString(undefined, { weekday: "short", month: "short", day: "numeric" })
-  } catch {
-    return dt
-  }
 }
 
-/** "Jan 15" or "Jan 15, 9:30 AM" — compact, no weekday */
+/** "Jan 15, 09:30:05 AM" — log-table timestamp: seconds matter, the year doesn't. */
-export function fmtCompact(dt: string, allDay: boolean): string {
+export function fmtLogStamp(iso: string): string {
-  const d = new Date(dt)
+  return new Date(iso).toLocaleString(undefined, {
-  if (allDay) return d.toLocaleDateString(undefined, { month: "short", day: "numeric" })
+    month: "short", day: "numeric",
-  return d.toLocaleString(undefined, { month: "short", day: "numeric", hour: "numeric", minute: "2-digit" })
+    hour: "2-digit", minute: "2-digit", second: "2-digit",
+  });
 }

frontend/src/views/ForgotPasswordView.vue

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { ref } from "vue";
-import { apiPost } from "@/api/client";
+import { apiPost, apiErrorMessage } from "@/api/client";
 import AppLogo from "@/components/AppLogo.vue";
 
 const email = ref("");
@@ -15,12 +15,7 @@ async function handleSubmit() {
     await apiPost("/api/auth/forgot-password", { email: email.value });
     submitted.value = true;
   } catch (e: unknown) {
-    if (e && typeof e === "object" && "body" in e) {
+    error.value = apiErrorMessage(e, "Something went wrong");
-      const body = (e as { body?: { error?: string } }).body;
-      error.value = body?.error || "Something went wrong";
-    } else {
-      error.value = "Something went wrong";
-    }
   } finally {
     submitting.value = false;
   }
@@ -55,7 +50,7 @@ async function handleSubmit() {
         </form>
       </template>
 
-      <div v-else class="success-msg">
+      <div v-else class="auth-note">
         <p>If an account exists with that email address, you will receive a password reset link shortly.</p>
         <p>Check your email and follow the instructions to reset your password.</p>
       </div>
@@ -67,83 +62,4 @@ async function handleSubmit() {
   </main>
 </template>
 
-<style scoped>
+<style src="@/assets/auth-shared.css" />
-.auth-page {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  min-height: 100vh;
-  padding: 1rem;
-}
-.auth-card {
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 400px;
-  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-lg);
-  padding: 2rem;
-}
-.auth-brand {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
-  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
-}
-.auth-card h1 {
-  margin: 0;
-  text-align: center;
-}
-.auth-hint {
-  text-align: center;
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
-  margin-bottom: 1rem;
-}
-.field {
-  margin-bottom: 1rem;
-}
-.field label {
-  display: block;
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  font-weight: 600;
-  margin-bottom: 0.35rem;
-}
-.input {
-  width: 100%;
-  padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem;
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-sm);
-  font-size: 0.95rem;
-  background: var(--fs-surface-page);
-  color: var(--fs-text-primary);
-  box-sizing: border-box;
-}
-.input:focus {
-  outline: none;
-  border-color: var(--fs-accent);
-}
-.error-msg {
-  color: var(--fs-error);
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  margin: 0 0 0.75rem;
-}
-.success-msg {
-  text-align: center;
-  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
-  font-size: 0.95rem;
-  padding: 0.5rem 0;
-}
-.success-msg p {
-  margin: 0.5rem 0;
-}
-.auth-footer {
-  text-align: center;
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
-  margin: 1rem 0 0;
-}
-.auth-footer a {
-  color: var(--fs-accent);
-}
-</style>

frontend/src/views/LoginView.vue

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { ref, computed, onMounted } from "vue";
 import { useRouter, useRoute } from "vue-router";
 import { useAuthStore } from "@/stores/auth";
 import AppLogo from "@/components/AppLogo.vue";
+import { apiErrorMessage } from "@/api/client";
 
 const router = useRouter();
 const route = useRoute();
@@ -30,12 +31,7 @@ async function handleSubmit() {
     const redirect = (route.query.redirect as string) || "/";
     router.push(redirect);
   } catch (e: unknown) {
-    if (e && typeof e === "object" && "body" in e) {
+    error.value = apiErrorMessage(e, "Login failed");
-      const body = (e as { body?: { error?: string } }).body;
-      error.value = body?.error || "Login failed";
-    } else {
-      error.value = "Login failed";
-    }
   } finally {
     submitting.value = false;
   }
@@ -112,70 +108,8 @@ function loginWithOAuth() {
   </main>
 </template>
 
+<style src="@/assets/auth-shared.css" />
 <style scoped>
-.auth-page {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  min-height: 100vh;
-  padding: 1rem;
-}
-.auth-card {
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 400px;
-  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-lg);
-  padding: 2rem;
-}
-.auth-brand {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
-  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
-}
-.auth-card h1 {
-  margin: 0;
-  text-align: center;
-}
-.auth-hint {
-  text-align: center;
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
-  margin-bottom: 1rem;
-}
-.auth-hint a {
-  color: var(--fs-accent);
-}
-.field {
-  margin-bottom: 1rem;
-}
-.field label {
-  display: block;
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  font-weight: 600;
-  margin-bottom: 0.35rem;
-}
-.input {
-  width: 100%;
-  padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem;
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-sm);
-  font-size: 0.95rem;
-  background: var(--fs-surface-page);
-  color: var(--fs-text-primary);
-  box-sizing: border-box;
-}
-.input:focus {
-  outline: none;
-  border-color: var(--fs-accent);
-}
-.error-msg {
-  color: var(--fs-error);
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  margin: 0 0 0.75rem;
-}
 .divider {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
@@ -190,15 +124,6 @@ function loginWithOAuth() {
   flex: 1;
   border-top: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
 }
-.auth-footer {
-  text-align: center;
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
-  margin: 1rem 0 0;
-}
-.auth-footer a {
-  color: var(--fs-accent);
-}
 .forgot-link {
   text-align: right;
   margin: -0.5rem 0 0.75rem;

frontend/src/views/LogsView.vue

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { ref, onMounted, watch } from "vue";
 import { apiGet } from "@/api/client";
 import { useToastStore } from "@/stores/toast";
 import PaginationBar from "@/components/PaginationBar.vue";
+import { fmtLogStamp } from "@/utils/dateFormat";
 
 const toastStore = useToastStore();
 
@@ -98,17 +99,6 @@ function toggleExpand(id: number) {
   expandedId.value = expandedId.value === id ? null : id;
 }
 
-function formatTime(iso: string): string {
-  const d = new Date(iso);
-  return d.toLocaleString(undefined, {
-    month: "short",
-    day: "numeric",
-    hour: "2-digit",
-    minute: "2-digit",
-    second: "2-digit",
-  });
-}
-
 function formatDetails(details: string | null): string {
   if (!details) return "";
   try {
@@ -210,7 +200,7 @@ function clearFilters() {
                 :class="{ 'row-expanded': expandedId === entry.id }"
                 @click="toggleExpand(entry.id)"
               >
-                <td class="cell-time">{{ formatTime(entry.created_at) }}</td>
+                <td class="cell-time">{{ fmtLogStamp(entry.created_at) }}</td>
                 <td>
                   <span class="category-badge" :class="'cat-' + entry.category">
                     {{ entry.category }}

frontend/src/views/ProjectListView.vue

@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { ref, computed, onMounted } from "vue";
 import { useRouter } from "vue-router";
-import { apiGet, apiPost } from "@/api/client";
+import { apiGet, apiPost, apiErrorMessage } from "@/api/client";
+import { emptyChoices, type InceptionChoices } from "@/api/inception";
+import InceptionCard from "@/components/InceptionCard.vue";
 import { useToastStore } from "@/stores/toast";
 import { milestoneColor } from "@/utils/palette";
 
@@ -47,6 +49,9 @@ const newTitle = ref("");
 const newDescription = ref("");
 const newGoal = ref("");
 const creating = ref(false);
+// Step 2 of the modal (milestone 297): what the new project inherits.
+const modalStep = ref<1 | 2>(1);
+const newInception = ref<InceptionChoices>(emptyChoices());
 
 const filteredProjects = computed(() => {
   if (activeTab.value === "all") return projects.value;
@@ -73,6 +78,8 @@ function openNewProjectModal() {
   newTitle.value = "";
   newDescription.value = "";
   newGoal.value = "";
+  modalStep.value = 1;
+  newInception.value = emptyChoices();
   showNewProjectModal.value = true;
 }
 
@@ -88,13 +95,15 @@ async function createProject() {
       title: newTitle.value.trim(),
       description: newDescription.value.trim() || undefined,
       goal: newGoal.value.trim() || undefined,
+      // The decision rides the create: a project made here is never undecided.
+      inception: newInception.value,
     });
     projects.value.unshift(project);
     showNewProjectModal.value = false;
     toast.show("Project created");
     router.push(`/projects/${project.id}`);
-  } catch {
+  } catch (e: unknown) {
-    toast.show("Failed to create project", "error");
+    toast.show(apiErrorMessage(e, "Failed to create project"), "error");
   } finally {
     creating.value = false;
   }
@@ -266,8 +275,9 @@ function overallPct(project: Project): { total: number; pct: number } {
     <teleport to="body">
       <div v-if="showNewProjectModal" class="modal-overlay" @click.self="closeModal">
         <div class="modal-card">
-          <h3 class="modal-title">New Project</h3>
+          <h3 class="modal-title">{{ modalStep === 1 ? "New Project" : "New Project — what it inherits" }}</h3>
-          <div class="modal-field">
+          <InceptionCard v-if="modalStep === 2" mode="create" v-model:choices="newInception" />
+          <div v-if="modalStep === 1" class="modal-field">
             <label>Title <span class="required">*</span></label>
             <input
               v-model="newTitle"
@@ -275,11 +285,11 @@ function overallPct(project: Project): { total: number; pct: number } {
               class="modal-input"
               placeholder="Project title"
               autofocus
-              @keydown.enter="createProject"
+              @keydown.enter="modalStep = 2"
               @keydown.escape="closeModal"
             />
           </div>
-          <div class="modal-field">
+          <div v-if="modalStep === 1" class="modal-field">
             <label>Goal</label>
             <input
               v-model="newGoal"
@@ -289,7 +299,7 @@ function overallPct(project: Project): { total: number; pct: number } {
               @keydown.escape="closeModal"
             />
           </div>
-          <div class="modal-field">
+          <div v-if="modalStep === 1" class="modal-field">
             <label>Description</label>
             <textarea
               v-model="newDescription"
@@ -301,7 +311,17 @@ function overallPct(project: Project): { total: number; pct: number } {
           </div>
           <div class="modal-actions">
             <button class="modal-btn" @click="closeModal">Cancel</button>
+            <button v-if="modalStep === 2" class="modal-btn" @click="modalStep = 1">Back</button>
             <button
+              v-if="modalStep === 1"
+              class="modal-btn modal-btn-primary"
+              @click="modalStep = 2"
+              :disabled="!newTitle.trim()"
+            >
+              Next
+            </button>
+            <button
+              v-else
               class="modal-btn modal-btn-primary"
               @click="createProject"
               :disabled="!newTitle.trim() || creating"
@@ -559,24 +579,8 @@ function overallPct(project: Project): { total: number; pct: number } {
   color: var(--fs-text-tertiary);
 }
 
-/* Modal */
-.modal-overlay {
-  position: fixed;
-  inset: 0;
-  background: var(--fs-overlay);
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  z-index: 200;
-}
 .modal-card {
-  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-lg);
-  padding: 1.5rem;
-  width: 100%;
   max-width: 480px;
-  box-shadow: 0 8px 32px var(--color-shadow);
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   gap: 1rem;
@@ -618,36 +622,6 @@ function overallPct(project: Project): { total: number; pct: number } {
 .modal-textarea {
   resize: vertical;
 }
-.modal-actions {
-  display: flex;
-  justify-content: flex-end;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
-}
-.modal-btn {
-  padding: 0.4rem 0.9rem;
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
-  color: var(--fs-text-primary);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-sm);
-  cursor: pointer;
-  font-size: 0.875rem;
-  font-family: inherit;
-}
-.modal-btn:hover {
-  background: var(--fs-surface-page);
-}
-.modal-btn-primary {
-  background: var(--fs-action-primary);
-  border-color: var(--fs-action-primary);
-  color: var(--fs-text-on-action);
-}
-.modal-btn-primary:hover:not(:disabled) {
-  opacity: 0.9;
-}
-.modal-btn-primary:disabled {
-  opacity: 0.5;
-  cursor: default;
-}
 
 @media (max-width: 600px) {
   .projects-grid {

frontend/src/views/ProjectView.vue

@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { ref, computed, onMounted, watch } from "vue";
 import { useRoute, useRouter } from "vue-router";
-import { apiGet, apiPatch, apiDelete, apiPost } from "@/api/client";
+import { apiGet, apiPatch, apiDelete, apiPost, apiPut } from "@/api/client";
+import { useAuthStore } from "@/stores/auth";
 import { useToastStore } from "@/stores/toast";
 import { useTasksStore } from "@/stores/tasks";
 import { relativeTime } from "@/composables/useRelativeTime";
@@ -10,6 +11,9 @@ import ShareDialog from "@/components/ShareDialog.vue";
 import ProjectDesignTab from "@/components/ProjectDesignTab.vue";
 import ProjectRulesTab from "@/components/rules/ProjectRulesTab.vue";
 import SystemsSection from "@/components/SystemsSection.vue";
+import InceptionCard from "@/components/InceptionCard.vue";
+import { fmtDate } from "@/utils/dateFormat";
+import type { InceptionDecision, InceptionRecord } from "@/api/inception";
 import {
   fetchDesignSystems,
   setProjectDesignSystem,
@@ -48,6 +52,8 @@ interface Project {
   status: "active" | "paused" | "completed" | "archived";
   color: string | null;
   design_system_id: number | null;
+  forge_connection_id: number | null;
+  inception?: InceptionRecord | null;
   permission?: string;
   created_at: string;
   updated_at: string;
@@ -73,6 +79,12 @@ interface NoteItem {
 const route = useRoute();
 const router = useRouter();
 const toast = useToastStore();
+
+function onInceptionDecided(decision: InceptionDecision) {
+  if (project.value) project.value.inception = decision.inception;
+  toast.show("Inheritance recorded");
+  void loadProject();
+}
 const tasksStore = useTasksStore();
 
 const project = ref<Project | null>(null);
@@ -422,16 +434,40 @@ async function loadNotes() {
 
 interface CoverageGap {
   dir: string;
-  uncovered: number;
+  unclassified: number;
   total: number;
 }
+interface DeriveGroup {
+  group: string;
+  kind: string;
+  label: string;
+  size: number;
+  paths: string[];
+}
 interface Coverage {
   total: number;
-  recorded: number;
+  accounted: number;
+  unclassified: number;
+  counts: Record<string, number>;
   estimate: boolean;
   computed_at: string;
-  repos: { repo: string; ref: string; total: number; recorded: number }[];
+  repos: { repo: string; ref: string; total: number; accounted: number }[];
   largest_gaps: CoverageGap[];
+  // The mechanical proposer's standing (#2792): canon proposals awaiting an
+  // agent's confirm, and the biggest repeats-with-no-canon families.
+  proposed?: number;
+  derive_groups?: DeriveGroup[];
+  // The divergence readout (#2793): button B where button A is canon, and
+  // judged shapes whose bodies moved since they were judged.
+  divergent?: number;
+  divergence?: Divergence[];
+  recheck?: number;
+}
+interface Divergence {
+  path: string;
+  symbol: string;
+  kind: string;
+  canon_snippet_id: number;
 }
 
 const coverage = ref<Coverage | null>(null);
@@ -472,12 +508,56 @@ async function refreshCoverage() {
   }
 }
 
+/* ── Forge pin (#2778) — which of the OWNER's connections serves this
+   project. Owner-only UI: the select lists the viewer's own keyring, which
+   is only the eligible set when the viewer IS the owner. ── */
+
+const authStore = useAuthStore();
+const isProjectOwner = computed(
+  () => !!project.value && project.value.user_id === authStore.user?.id
+);
+interface ForgeConnectionOption { id: number; host: string; kind: string }
+const forgeOptions = ref<ForgeConnectionOption[]>([]);
+const forgePin = ref<number | null>(null);
+const savingForgePin = ref(false);
+
+async function loadForgeOptions() {
+  if (!isProjectOwner.value) return;
+  try {
+    const res = await apiGet<{ connections: ForgeConnectionOption[] }>(
+      "/api/settings/forge-connections"
+    );
+    forgeOptions.value = res.connections;
+    forgePin.value = project.value?.forge_connection_id ?? null;
+  } catch {
+    forgeOptions.value = [];
+  }
+}
+
+async function saveForgePin() {
+  savingForgePin.value = true;
+  try {
+    await apiPut(`/api/projects/${projectId.value}/forge`, {
+      connection_id: forgePin.value,
+    });
+    if (project.value) project.value.forge_connection_id = forgePin.value;
+    await loadCoverage();
+  } catch (e) {
+    const body = (e as { body?: { error?: string } }).body;
+    toast.show(body?.error || "Failed to change the project's forge", "error");
+    forgePin.value = project.value?.forge_connection_id ?? null;
+  } finally {
+    savingForgePin.value = false;
+  }
+}
+
 onMounted(async () => {
   await loadProject();
   loadTasks();
   loadNotes();
   loadDesignSystems();
   loadCoverage();
+  loadForgeOptions();
 });
 
 /** Populate the design-system picker. Swallows failure on purpose: with no
@@ -496,6 +576,7 @@ watch(projectId, async () => {
   loadTasks();
   loadNotes();
   loadCoverage();
+  loadForgeOptions();
 });
 
 watch(
@@ -624,6 +705,26 @@ async function confirmDelete() {
         </p>
       </div>
 
+      <!-- Inception (milestone 297): the owner of an undecided project is asked
+           what it inherits; once recorded, one line says what was decided. -->
+      <InceptionCard
+        v-if="project.inception == null && isProjectOwner"
+        mode="decide"
+        :project-id="projectId"
+        @decided="onInceptionDecided"
+      />
+      <p v-else-if="project.inception" class="inception-line">
+        Inheritance decided {{ fmtDate(project.inception.decided_at) }} via {{ project.inception.via }}
+        <template v-if="project.inception.choices.exclude_always_on_rulebooks.length">
+          · excludes {{ project.inception.choices.exclude_always_on_rulebooks.length }} always-on rulebook(s)
+        </template>
+        <template v-if="project.inception.choices.subscribe_rulebooks.length">
+          · subscribes {{ project.inception.choices.subscribe_rulebooks.length }}
+        </template>
+        · design system {{ project.inception.choices.design_system_id ? "#" + project.inception.choices.design_system_id : "none" }}
+        <template v-if="project.inception.choices.seed_systems"> · Systems seeded</template>
+      </p>
+
       <!-- Summary stat chips -->
       <div v-if="project.summary" class="summary-stats">
         <div class="stat-chip stat-todo">
@@ -665,34 +766,101 @@ async function confirmDelete() {
         </div>
         <template v-if="coverage">
           <div class="coverage-numbers">
-            <span class="coverage-count">{{ coverage.recorded }}/{{ coverage.total }}</span>
+            <span class="coverage-count">{{ coverage.accounted }}/{{ coverage.total }}</span>
-            <span class="coverage-label">shapes recorded</span>
+            <span class="coverage-label">shapes accounted for</span>
           </div>
           <div
             class="coverage-bar"
             role="progressbar"
-            :aria-valuenow="coverage.recorded"
+            :aria-valuenow="coverage.accounted"
             :aria-valuemin="0"
             :aria-valuemax="coverage.total"
-            aria-label="Shapes with a recorded snippet"
+            aria-label="Shapes classified against canon"
           >
             <div
               class="coverage-bar-fill"
-              :style="{ width: (coverage.total ? (coverage.recorded / coverage.total) * 100 : 0) + '%' }"
+              :style="{ width: (coverage.total ? (coverage.accounted / coverage.total) * 100 : 0) + '%' }"
             ></div>
           </div>
+          <div v-if="coverage.counts" class="coverage-gaps">
+            <span
+              v-for="k in ['canonical', 'instance', 'variant', 'exempt', 'scoped']"
+              :key="k"
+            >
+              <span v-if="coverage.counts[k]" class="coverage-gap-chip">
+                {{ coverage.counts[k] }} {{ k }}
+              </span>
+            </span>
+          </div>
           <div v-if="coverage.largest_gaps?.length" class="coverage-gaps">
-            <span class="coverage-gaps-label">Largest gaps:</span>
+            <span class="coverage-gaps-label">Most unclassified:</span>
             <span v-for="gap in coverage.largest_gaps" :key="gap.dir" class="coverage-gap-chip">
-              {{ gap.dir }} <span class="coverage-gap-count">{{ gap.uncovered }}</span>
+              {{ gap.dir }} <span class="coverage-gap-count">{{ gap.unclassified }}</span>
+            </span>
+          </div>
+          <div
+            v-if="coverage.proposed || coverage.derive_groups?.length"
+            class="coverage-gaps"
+            title="The proposer matched these against canon; an agent confirms them in batches (confirm_shape_proposals)."
+          >
+            <span class="coverage-gaps-label">Proposed:</span>
+            <span v-if="coverage.proposed" class="coverage-gap-chip">
+              {{ coverage.proposed }} awaiting confirm
+            </span>
+            <span
+              v-for="g in coverage.derive_groups || []"
+              :key="g.group"
+              class="coverage-gap-chip"
+              :title="'Repeats with no canon — derive one first. ' + g.paths.join(', ')"
+            >
+              {{ g.label }} <span class="coverage-gap-count">×{{ g.size }}</span>
+            </span>
+          </div>
+          <div
+            v-if="coverage.divergent || coverage.recheck"
+            class="coverage-gaps"
+            title="Divergent: a new shape where one canon dominates its directory and that isn't proposed as that canon — button B where button A is canon. Recheck: a judged shape whose body changed since it was judged."
+          >
+            <span class="coverage-gaps-label">Divergence:</span>
+            <span
+              v-for="d in coverage.divergence || []"
+              :key="d.path + '::' + d.symbol"
+              class="coverage-gap-chip coverage-divergent"
+              :title="d.path + ' — canon here is snippet #' + d.canon_snippet_id"
+            >
+              {{ d.kind === 'css' ? '.' : '' }}{{ d.symbol }}
+              <span class="coverage-gap-count">→ #{{ d.canon_snippet_id }}</span>
+            </span>
+            <span v-if="(coverage.divergent || 0) > (coverage.divergence?.length || 0)" class="coverage-gap-chip">
+              +{{ (coverage.divergent || 0) - (coverage.divergence?.length || 0) }} more
+            </span>
+            <span v-if="coverage.recheck" class="coverage-gap-chip">
+              {{ coverage.recheck }} to recheck
             </span>
           </div>
         </template>
         <p v-else class="coverage-empty">
-          Not measured yet — Refresh compares the bound repo's definitions
+          Not measured yet — Refresh reads the bound repo's definitions into
-          against recorded snippets.
+          the shape ledger and reports how many are classified against canon.
         </p>
         <p v-if="coverageError" class="coverage-error">{{ coverageError }}</p>
+        <!-- Forge pin (#2778): owner-only, because the eligible set is the
+             owner's own keyring. Automatic = resolve by repo host. -->
+        <div v-if="isProjectOwner && forgeOptions.length" class="coverage-forge-row">
+          <label for="forge-pin" class="coverage-gaps-label">Forge</label>
+          <select
+            id="forge-pin"
+            v-model="forgePin"
+            class="input"
+            :disabled="savingForgePin"
+            @change="saveForgePin"
+          >
+            <option :value="null">Automatic (by repo host)</option>
+            <option v-for="c in forgeOptions" :key="c.id" :value="c.id">
+              {{ c.host }} ({{ c.kind }})
+            </option>
+          </select>
+        </div>
       </div>
 
       <div class="project-body">
@@ -1059,6 +1227,7 @@ async function confirmDelete() {
   min-width: 200px;
 }
 
+.inception-line { margin: 0 0 1rem; color: var(--fs-text-secondary); font-size: 0.85rem; }
 .project-title-input {
   flex: 1;
   font-size: 1.75rem;
@@ -1202,6 +1371,18 @@ async function confirmDelete() {
   flex-wrap: wrap;
   font-size: 0.78rem;
 }
+
+.coverage-forge-row {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.5rem;
+  margin-top: 0.6rem;
+  font-size: 0.78rem;
+}
+
+.coverage-forge-row select {
+  max-width: 20rem;
+}
 .coverage-gaps-label { color: var(--fs-text-tertiary); }
 .coverage-gap-chip {
   padding: 0.1rem 0.5rem;
@@ -1212,6 +1393,7 @@ async function confirmDelete() {
   font-size: 0.74rem;
 }
 .coverage-gap-count { opacity: 0.65; }
+.coverage-divergent { border-color: var(--fs-warning); }
 .coverage-empty {
   margin: 0;
   font-size: 0.8rem;
@@ -1664,31 +1846,6 @@ async function confirmDelete() {
   display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
   z-index: 200;
 }
-.modal-card {
-  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-lg);
-  padding: 1.5rem;
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 400px;
-  box-shadow: 0 8px 32px var(--color-shadow);
-}
-.modal-title { margin: 0 0 0.75rem; font-size: 1.05rem; }
-.modal-message { font-size: 0.9rem; color: var(--fs-text-secondary); margin: 0 0 1.25rem; line-height: 1.5; }
-.modal-actions { display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; gap: 0.5rem; }
-.modal-btn {
-  padding: 0.4rem 0.9rem;
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
-  color: var(--fs-text-primary);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-sm);
-  cursor: pointer;
-  font-size: 0.875rem;
-  font-family: inherit;
-}
-.modal-btn:hover { background: var(--fs-surface-page); }
-.modal-btn-danger { background: var(--fs-action-destructive); border-color: var(--fs-action-destructive); color: var(--fs-text-on-action); }
-.modal-btn-danger:hover { background: var(--fs-action-destructive-hover); border-color: var(--fs-action-destructive-hover); }
 
 /* ── Skeleton ────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
 @keyframes skel-shine { to { background-position: 200% center; } }

frontend/src/views/RegisterInviteView.vue

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { ref, computed, onMounted } from "vue";
 import { useRoute, useRouter } from "vue-router";
-import { apiGet, apiPost } from "@/api/client";
+import { apiGet, apiPost, apiErrorMessage } from "@/api/client";
 import { useAuthStore } from "@/stores/auth";
 import AppLogo from "@/components/AppLogo.vue";
 
@@ -68,12 +68,7 @@ async function handleSubmit() {
     await authStore.checkAuth();
     router.push("/");
   } catch (e: unknown) {
-    if (e && typeof e === "object" && "body" in e) {
+    error.value = apiErrorMessage(e, "Registration failed");
-      const body = (e as { body?: { error?: string } }).body;
-      error.value = body?.error || "Registration failed";
-    } else {
-      error.value = "Registration failed";
-    }
   } finally {
     submitting.value = false;
   }
@@ -85,9 +80,9 @@ async function handleSubmit() {
     <div class="auth-card">
       <div class="auth-brand"><AppLogo :size="32" /><h1>Accept Invitation</h1></div>
 
-      <div v-if="validating" class="loading-msg">Validating invitation...</div>
+      <div v-if="validating" class="auth-loading">Validating invitation...</div>
 
-      <div v-else-if="!token || !valid" class="error-block">
+      <div v-else-if="!token || !valid" class="auth-note">
         <p>This invitation link is invalid or has expired.</p>
         <p class="auth-footer">
           <router-link to="/login">Back to Sign In</router-link>
@@ -157,103 +152,4 @@ async function handleSubmit() {
   </main>
 </template>
 
-<style scoped>
+<style src="@/assets/auth-shared.css" />
-.auth-page {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  min-height: 100vh;
-  padding: 1rem;
-}
-.auth-card {
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 400px;
-  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-lg);
-  padding: 2rem;
-}
-.auth-brand {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
-  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
-}
-.auth-card h1 {
-  margin: 0;
-  text-align: center;
-}
-.loading-msg {
-  text-align: center;
-  color: var(--fs-text-tertiary);
-  font-size: 0.95rem;
-  padding: 1rem 0;
-}
-.error-block {
-  text-align: center;
-  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
-  font-size: 0.95rem;
-  padding: 0.5rem 0;
-}
-.error-block p {
-  margin: 0.5rem 0;
-}
-.field {
-  margin-bottom: 1rem;
-}
-.field label {
-  display: block;
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  font-weight: 600;
-  margin-bottom: 0.35rem;
-}
-.input {
-  width: 100%;
-  padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem;
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-sm);
-  font-size: 0.95rem;
-  background: var(--fs-surface-page);
-  color: var(--fs-text-primary);
-  box-sizing: border-box;
-}
-.input:disabled {
-  opacity: 0.6;
-  cursor: not-allowed;
-}
-.input:focus {
-  outline: none;
-  border-color: var(--fs-accent);
-}
-.input-error {
-  border-color: var(--fs-error);
-}
-.input-error:focus {
-  border-color: var(--fs-error);
-}
-.field-hint {
-  margin: 0.35rem 0 0;
-  font-size: 0.8rem;
-  color: var(--fs-text-tertiary);
-}
-.error-hint {
-  margin: 0.35rem 0 0;
-  font-size: 0.8rem;
-  color: var(--fs-error);
-}
-.error-msg {
-  color: var(--fs-error);
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  margin: 0 0 0.75rem;
-}
-.auth-footer {
-  text-align: center;
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
-  margin: 1rem 0 0;
-}
-.auth-footer a {
-  color: var(--fs-accent);
-}
-</style>

frontend/src/views/RegisterView.vue

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { ref, computed, onMounted } from "vue";
 import { useRouter } from "vue-router";
 import { useAuthStore } from "@/stores/auth";
 import AppLogo from "@/components/AppLogo.vue";
+import { apiErrorMessage } from "@/api/client";
 
 const router = useRouter();
 const authStore = useAuthStore();
@@ -39,12 +40,7 @@ async function handleSubmit() {
     await authStore.register(username.value, password.value, email.value || undefined);
     router.push("/");
   } catch (e: unknown) {
-    if (e && typeof e === "object" && "body" in e) {
+    error.value = apiErrorMessage(e, "Registration failed");
-      const body = (e as { body?: { error?: string } }).body;
-      error.value = body?.error || "Registration failed";
-    } else {
-      error.value = "Registration failed";
-    }
   } finally {
     submitting.value = false;
   }
@@ -56,9 +52,9 @@ async function handleSubmit() {
     <div class="auth-card">
       <div class="auth-brand"><AppLogo :size="32" /><h1>Create Account</h1></div>
 
-      <div v-if="checking" class="loading-msg">Checking registration status...</div>
+      <div v-if="checking" class="auth-loading">Checking registration status...</div>
 
-      <div v-else-if="!authStore.registrationOpen" class="closed-msg">
+      <div v-else-if="!authStore.registrationOpen" class="auth-note">
         <p>Registration is currently closed.</p>
         <p>Contact an administrator to get an account.</p>
         <p class="auth-footer">
@@ -130,99 +126,4 @@ async function handleSubmit() {
   </main>
 </template>
 
-<style scoped>
+<style src="@/assets/auth-shared.css" />
-.auth-page {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  min-height: 100vh;
-  padding: 1rem;
-}
-.auth-card {
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 400px;
-  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-lg);
-  padding: 2rem;
-}
-.auth-brand {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
-  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
-}
-.auth-card h1 {
-  margin: 0;
-  text-align: center;
-}
-.loading-msg {
-  text-align: center;
-  color: var(--fs-text-tertiary);
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  padding: 1rem 0;
-}
-.closed-msg {
-  text-align: center;
-  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
-  font-size: 0.95rem;
-  padding: 0.5rem 0;
-}
-.closed-msg p {
-  margin: 0.5rem 0;
-}
-.field {
-  margin-bottom: 1rem;
-}
-.field label {
-  display: block;
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  font-weight: 600;
-  margin-bottom: 0.35rem;
-}
-.input {
-  width: 100%;
-  padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem;
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-sm);
-  font-size: 0.95rem;
-  background: var(--fs-surface-page);
-  color: var(--fs-text-primary);
-  box-sizing: border-box;
-}
-.input:focus {
-  outline: none;
-  border-color: var(--fs-accent);
-}
-.input-error {
-  border-color: var(--fs-error);
-}
-.input-error:focus {
-  border-color: var(--fs-error);
-}
-.field-hint {
-  margin: 0.35rem 0 0;
-  font-size: 0.8rem;
-  color: var(--fs-text-tertiary);
-}
-.error-hint {
-  margin: 0.35rem 0 0;
-  font-size: 0.8rem;
-  color: var(--fs-error);
-}
-.error-msg {
-  color: var(--fs-error);
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  margin: 0 0 0.75rem;
-}
-.auth-footer {
-  text-align: center;
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
-  margin: 1rem 0 0;
-}
-.auth-footer a {
-  color: var(--fs-accent);
-}
-</style>

frontend/src/views/ResetPasswordView.vue

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { ref, computed } from "vue";
 import { useRoute } from "vue-router";
-import { apiPost } from "@/api/client";
+import { apiPost, apiErrorMessage } from "@/api/client";
 import AppLogo from "@/components/AppLogo.vue";
 
 const route = useRoute();
@@ -35,12 +35,7 @@ async function handleSubmit() {
     });
     success.value = true;
   } catch (e: unknown) {
-    if (e && typeof e === "object" && "body" in e) {
+    error.value = apiErrorMessage(e, "Failed to reset password");
-      const body = (e as { body?: { error?: string } }).body;
-      error.value = body?.error || "Failed to reset password";
-    } else {
-      error.value = "Failed to reset password";
-    }
   } finally {
     submitting.value = false;
   }
@@ -52,7 +47,7 @@ async function handleSubmit() {
     <div class="auth-card">
       <div class="auth-brand"><AppLogo :size="32" /><h1>Set New Password</h1></div>
 
-      <div v-if="!token" class="error-block">
+      <div v-if="!token" class="auth-note">
         <p>Invalid reset link. Please request a new password reset.</p>
         <p class="auth-footer">
           <router-link to="/forgot-password">Request new link</router-link>
@@ -94,7 +89,7 @@ async function handleSubmit() {
         </form>
       </template>
 
-      <div v-else class="success-msg">
+      <div v-else class="auth-note">
         <p>Your password has been reset successfully.</p>
         <p>You can now sign in with your new password.</p>
       </div>
@@ -106,102 +101,4 @@ async function handleSubmit() {
   </main>
 </template>
 
-<style scoped>
+<style src="@/assets/auth-shared.css" />
-.auth-page {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  min-height: 100vh;
-  padding: 1rem;
-}
-.auth-card {
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 400px;
-  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-lg);
-  padding: 2rem;
-}
-.auth-brand {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
-  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
-}
-.auth-card h1 {
-  margin: 0;
-  text-align: center;
-}
-.error-block {
-  text-align: center;
-  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
-  font-size: 0.95rem;
-  padding: 0.5rem 0;
-}
-.error-block p {
-  margin: 0.5rem 0;
-}
-.success-msg {
-  text-align: center;
-  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
-  font-size: 0.95rem;
-  padding: 0.5rem 0;
-}
-.success-msg p {
-  margin: 0.5rem 0;
-}
-.field {
-  margin-bottom: 1rem;
-}
-.field label {
-  display: block;
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  font-weight: 600;
-  margin-bottom: 0.35rem;
-}
-.input {
-  width: 100%;
-  padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem;
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-sm);
-  font-size: 0.95rem;
-  background: var(--fs-surface-page);
-  color: var(--fs-text-primary);
-  box-sizing: border-box;
-}
-.input:focus {
-  outline: none;
-  border-color: var(--fs-accent);
-}
-.input-error {
-  border-color: var(--fs-error);
-}
-.input-error:focus {
-  border-color: var(--fs-error);
-}
-.field-hint {
-  margin: 0.35rem 0 0;
-  font-size: 0.8rem;
-  color: var(--fs-text-tertiary);
-}
-.error-hint {
-  margin: 0.35rem 0 0;
-  font-size: 0.8rem;
-  color: var(--fs-error);
-}
-.error-msg {
-  color: var(--fs-error);
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  margin: 0 0 0.75rem;
-}
-.auth-footer {
-  text-align: center;
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  color: var(--fs-text-secondary);
-  margin: 1rem 0 0;
-}
-.auth-footer a {
-  color: var(--fs-accent);
-}
-</style>

frontend/src/views/SettingsView.vue

@@ -3,10 +3,11 @@ import { ref, computed, watch, onMounted } from "vue";
 import { useSettingsStore } from "@/stores/settings";
 import { useAuthStore } from "@/stores/auth";
 import { useToastStore } from "@/stores/toast";
-import { apiGet, apiPost, apiPut, apiDelete, listGroups, createGroup, deleteGroup, listGroupMembers, addGroupMember, removeGroupMember, searchUsers, listApiKeys, createApiKey as apiCreateApiKey, revokeApiKey as apiRevokeApiKey, getProfile, updateProfile, type ApiKeyEntry, type GroupEntry, type GroupMember, type UserSearchResult, type UserProfile } from "@/api/client";
+import { apiGet, apiPost, apiPut, apiDelete, listGroups, createGroup, deleteGroup, listGroupMembers, addGroupMember, removeGroupMember, searchUsers, listApiKeys, createApiKey as apiCreateApiKey, revokeApiKey as apiRevokeApiKey, getProfile, updateProfile, type ApiKeyEntry, type GroupEntry, type GroupMember, type UserSearchResult, type UserProfile, apiErrorMessage } from "@/api/client";
 import type { User } from "@/types/auth";
 import PaginationBar from "@/components/PaginationBar.vue";
 import TagInput from "@/components/TagInput.vue";
+import { fmtDate, fmtLogStamp } from "@/utils/dateFormat";
 
 const store = useSettingsStore();
 const authStore = useAuthStore();
@@ -420,15 +421,25 @@ const baseUrl = ref("");
 const savingBaseUrl = ref(false);
 const baseUrlSaved = ref(false);
 
-// Git forge integration (admin only, #2689). The token round-trips masked;
+// Git forge connections (#2778) — the user's keyring: one read-only
-// the server treats the mask as "unchanged".
+// credential per forge host, used server-side for every forge read on
-const forge = ref({ kind: "", base_url: "", token: "", webhook_secret: "" });
+// projects this user owns. The token round-trips masked; the server treats
-const forgeKinds = ref<string[]>(["gitea"]);
+// the mask as "unchanged".
-const forgeConfigured = ref(false);
+interface ForgeConnectionEntry {
-const savingForge = ref(false);
+  id: number; kind: string; base_url: string; host: string;
-const forgeSaved = ref(false);
+}
-const testingForge = ref(false);
+const forgeConnections = ref<ForgeConnectionEntry[]>([]);
-const forgeTestResult = ref<{ ok: boolean; message: string } | null>(null);
+const forgeKinds = ref<string[]>(["gitea", "github"]);
+const connForm = ref({ id: 0, kind: "gitea", base_url: "", token: "" });
+const connFormOpen = ref(false);
+const savingConn = ref(false);
+const testingConnId = ref(0);
+const connTestResult = ref<{ id: number; ok: boolean; message: string } | null>(null);
+// The webhook secret stays admin: the push endpoint is one URL per instance
+// and authenticates deliveries, not users.
+const forgeWebhookSecret = ref("");
+const savingForgeWebhook = ref(false);
+const forgeWebhookSaved = ref(false);
 
 
 // Search test (SearXNG)
@@ -576,25 +587,30 @@ onMounted(async () => {
       // base URL not configured yet
     }
     try {
-      await loadForgeSettings();
+      await loadForgeWebhook();
     } catch {
-      // forge not configured yet
+      // webhook secret not configured yet
     }
   }
+  try {
+    await loadForgeConnections();
+  } catch {
+    // no keyring yet — the ordinary state
+  }
   _loadTabContent(activeTab.value);
 });
 
-async function loadForgeSettings() {
+async function loadForgeConnections() {
-  const cfg = await apiGet<{
+  const res = await apiGet<{
-    kind: string; base_url: string; token: string; webhook_secret: string;
+    connections: ForgeConnectionEntry[]; kinds: string[];
-    configured: boolean; kinds: string[];
+  }>("/api/settings/forge-connections");
-  }>("/api/admin/forge");
+  forgeConnections.value = res.connections;
-  forge.value = {
+  if (res.kinds?.length) forgeKinds.value = res.kinds;
-    kind: cfg.kind, base_url: cfg.base_url, token: cfg.token,
+}
-    webhook_secret: cfg.webhook_secret,
+
-  };
+async function loadForgeWebhook() {
-  forgeConfigured.value = cfg.configured;
+  const cfg = await apiGet<{ webhook_secret: string }>("/api/admin/forge-webhook");
-  if (cfg.kinds?.length) forgeKinds.value = cfg.kinds;
+  forgeWebhookSecret.value = cfg.webhook_secret;
 }
 
 async function changeEmail() {
@@ -609,12 +625,7 @@ async function changeEmail() {
     emailPassword.value = "";
     toastStore.show("Email updated successfully");
   } catch (e: unknown) {
-    if (e && typeof e === "object" && "body" in e) {
+    toastStore.show(apiErrorMessage(e, "Failed to update email"), "error");
-      const b = (e as { body?: { error?: string } }).body;
-      toastStore.show(b?.error || "Failed to update email", "error");
-    } else {
-      toastStore.show("Failed to update email", "error");
-    }
   } finally {
     changingEmail.value = false;
   }
@@ -648,12 +659,7 @@ async function changePassword() {
     newPassword.value = "";
     confirmNewPassword.value = "";
   } catch (e: unknown) {
-    if (e && typeof e === "object" && "body" in e) {
+    toastStore.show(apiErrorMessage(e, "Failed to change password"), "error");
-      const body = (e as { body?: { error?: string } }).body;
-      toastStore.show(body?.error || "Failed to change password", "error");
-    } else {
-      toastStore.show("Failed to change password", "error");
-    }
   } finally {
     changingPassword.value = false;
   }
@@ -751,53 +757,83 @@ async function sendTestEmail() {
     await apiPost("/api/admin/smtp/test", { recipient: testRecipient.value.trim() });
     toastStore.show("Test email sent successfully");
   } catch (e: unknown) {
-    if (e && typeof e === "object" && "body" in e) {
+    toastStore.show(apiErrorMessage(e, "Failed to send test email"), "error");
-      const body = (e as { body?: { error?: string } }).body;
-      toastStore.show(body?.error || "Failed to send test email", "error");
-    } else {
-      toastStore.show("Failed to send test email", "error");
-    }
   } finally {
     sendingTest.value = false;
   }
 }
 
-async function saveForge() {
+function editConnection(c: ForgeConnectionEntry | null) {
-  savingForge.value = true;
+  connTestResult.value = null;
-  forgeSaved.value = false;
+  connFormOpen.value = true;
-  forgeTestResult.value = null;
+  connForm.value = c
+    ? { id: c.id, kind: c.kind, base_url: c.base_url, token: "********" }
+    : { id: 0, kind: forgeKinds.value[0] || "gitea", base_url: "", token: "" };
+}
+
+async function saveConnection() {
+  savingConn.value = true;
   try {
-    await apiPut("/api/admin/forge", forge.value);
+    const { id, ...values } = connForm.value;
-    await loadForgeSettings();
+    if (id) await apiPut(`/api/settings/forge-connections/${id}`, values);
-    forgeSaved.value = true;
+    else await apiPost("/api/settings/forge-connections", values);
-    setTimeout(() => (forgeSaved.value = false), 2000);
+    connFormOpen.value = false;
+    await loadForgeConnections();
   } catch (e) {
     const body = (e as { body?: { error?: string } }).body;
-    toastStore.show(body?.error || "Failed to save forge settings", "error");
+    toastStore.show(body?.error || "Failed to save forge connection", "error");
   } finally {
-    savingForge.value = false;
+    savingConn.value = false;
   }
 }
 
-async function testForge() {
+async function removeConnection(id: number) {
-  testingForge.value = true;
+  try {
-  forgeTestResult.value = null;
+    await apiDelete(`/api/settings/forge-connections/${id}`);
+    connTestResult.value = null;
+    await loadForgeConnections();
+  } catch (e) {
+    const body = (e as { body?: { error?: string } }).body;
+    toastStore.show(body?.error || "Failed to delete forge connection", "error");
+  }
+}
+
+async function testConnection(id: number) {
+  testingConnId.value = id;
+  connTestResult.value = null;
   try {
     const res = await apiPost<{ version: string; username: string }>(
-      "/api/admin/forge/test", {},
+      `/api/settings/forge-connections/${id}/test`, {},
     );
-    forgeTestResult.value = {
+    connTestResult.value = {
-      ok: true,
+      id, ok: true,
-      message: `Connected — Gitea ${res.version}, authenticated as ${res.username}`,
+      message: `Connected — ${res.version}, authenticated as ${res.username}`,
     };
   } catch (e) {
     const body = (e as { body?: { error?: string } }).body;
-    forgeTestResult.value = {
+    connTestResult.value = {
-      ok: false,
+      id, ok: false,
       message: body?.error || "Connection test failed",
     };
   } finally {
-    testingForge.value = false;
+    testingConnId.value = 0;
+  }
+}
+
+async function saveForgeWebhook() {
+  savingForgeWebhook.value = true;
+  try {
+    await apiPut("/api/admin/forge-webhook", {
+      webhook_secret: forgeWebhookSecret.value,
+    });
+    await loadForgeWebhook();
+    forgeWebhookSaved.value = true;
+    setTimeout(() => (forgeWebhookSaved.value = false), 2000);
+  } catch (e) {
+    const body = (e as { body?: { error?: string } }).body;
+    toastStore.show(body?.error || "Failed to save webhook secret", "error");
+  } finally {
+    savingForgeWebhook.value = false;
   }
 }
 
@@ -1079,14 +1115,6 @@ function toggleLogExpand(id: number) {
   expandedLogId.value = expandedLogId.value === id ? null : id;
 }
 
-function formatLogTime(iso: string): string {
-  const d = new Date(iso);
-  return d.toLocaleString(undefined, {
-    month: "short", day: "numeric",
-    hour: "2-digit", minute: "2-digit", second: "2-digit",
-  });
-}
-
 function formatLogDetails(details: string | null): string {
   if (!details) return "";
   try { return JSON.stringify(JSON.parse(details), null, 2); } catch { return details; }
@@ -1174,12 +1202,6 @@ async function deleteUser(userId: number) {
     deleting.value = null;
   }
 }
-
-function formatUserDate(iso: string): string {
-  return new Date(iso).toLocaleDateString(undefined, {
-    year: "numeric", month: "short", day: "numeric",
-  });
-}
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -1710,6 +1732,70 @@ function formatUserDate(iso: string): string {
         </template>
       </section>
 
+      <section class="settings-section full-width">
+        <h2>Git Forges</h2>
+        <p class="section-desc">
+          Read-only connections to your git forges, one per host. Projects you
+          own use them server-side — resolved by repo host — to fetch and
+          drift-check recorded snippets and measure pattern coverage. A
+          read-scope token is enough. Gitea: an access token with read scope
+          on repositories. GitHub: a fine-grained PAT with Contents:
+          Read-only, base URL <code>https://github.com</code> (or your GitHub
+          Enterprise URL).
+        </p>
+        <table v-if="forgeConnections.length" class="api-keys-table">
+          <thead>
+            <tr><th>Host</th><th>Kind</th><th>Base URL</th><th></th></tr>
+          </thead>
+          <tbody>
+            <tr v-for="c in forgeConnections" :key="c.id">
+              <td>{{ c.host }}</td>
+              <td>{{ c.kind }}</td>
+              <td><code>{{ c.base_url }}</code></td>
+              <td>
+                <button class="btn btn-secondary btn-sm" :disabled="testingConnId === c.id" @click="testConnection(c.id)">
+                  {{ testingConnId === c.id ? "Testing…" : "Test" }}
+                </button>
+                <button class="btn btn-secondary btn-sm" @click="editConnection(c)">Edit</button>
+                <button class="btn btn-danger btn-sm" @click="removeConnection(c.id)">Delete</button>
+              </td>
+            </tr>
+          </tbody>
+        </table>
+        <p v-else class="section-desc not-configured">No forge connections yet.</p>
+        <p
+          v-if="connTestResult"
+          :class="connTestResult.ok ? 'text-success' : 'text-error'"
+        >
+          {{ connTestResult.message }}
+        </p>
+        <div v-if="connFormOpen" class="smtp-grid">
+          <div class="field">
+            <label for="conn-kind">Forge</label>
+            <select id="conn-kind" v-model="connForm.kind" class="input">
+              <option v-for="k in forgeKinds" :key="k" :value="k">{{ k }}</option>
+            </select>
+          </div>
+          <div class="field">
+            <label for="conn-base-url">Base URL</label>
+            <input id="conn-base-url" v-model="connForm.base_url" type="text" placeholder="https://git.example.com" class="input" />
+          </div>
+          <div class="field">
+            <label for="conn-token">API Token (read scope)</label>
+            <input id="conn-token" v-model="connForm.token" type="password" class="input" />
+          </div>
+        </div>
+        <div class="actions">
+          <template v-if="connFormOpen">
+            <button class="btn-primary" @click="saveConnection" :disabled="savingConn">
+              {{ savingConn ? "Saving..." : connForm.id ? "Save Connection" : "Add Connection" }}
+            </button>
+            <button class="btn-ghost" @click="connFormOpen = false">Cancel</button>
+          </template>
+          <button v-else class="btn-primary" @click="editConnection(null)">Add Connection</button>
+        </div>
+      </section>
+
     </div>
 
     <!-- ── Data ── -->
@@ -2161,61 +2247,26 @@ function formatUserDate(iso: string): string {
       </section>
 
       <section class="settings-section full-width">
-        <h2>Git Forge</h2>
+        <h2>Forge Webhook</h2>
         <p class="section-desc">
-          Optional read-only connection to your git forge (Gitea or GitHub) so
+          Forge connections are per-user (Settings → Integrations → Git
-          snippet code can be fetched, drift-checked, and coverage-measured
+          Forges). What stays instance-wide is the push webhook: create one on
-          server-side. A read-scope token is enough. Leave the kind unset to
+          the forge pointing at <code>/api/webhooks/forge</code> with this
-          keep the integration off.
+          secret, and snippets whose recorded files change get flagged for
+          re-verification.
         </p>
         <div class="smtp-grid">
-          <div class="field">
-            <label for="forge-kind">Forge</label>
-            <select id="forge-kind" v-model="forge.kind" class="input">
-              <option value="">Off</option>
-              <option v-for="k in forgeKinds" :key="k" :value="k">{{ k }}</option>
-            </select>
-          </div>
-          <div class="field">
-            <label for="forge-base-url">Base URL</label>
-            <input id="forge-base-url" v-model="forge.base_url" type="text" placeholder="https://git.example.com" class="input" />
-          </div>
-          <div class="field">
-            <label for="forge-token">API Token (read scope)</label>
-            <input id="forge-token" v-model="forge.token" type="password" class="input" />
-            <p class="field-hint">
-              Gitea: an access token with read scope on repositories. GitHub:
-              a fine-grained PAT with Contents: Read-only (or a classic token
-              with repo read). For GitHub, use
-              <code>https://github.com</code> as the base URL — or your
-              GitHub Enterprise instance's URL.
-            </p>
-          </div>
           <div class="field">
             <label for="forge-webhook-secret">Webhook Secret</label>
-            <input id="forge-webhook-secret" v-model="forge.webhook_secret" type="password" class="input" />
+            <input id="forge-webhook-secret" v-model="forgeWebhookSecret" type="password" class="input" />
-            <p class="field-hint">
-              Optional: create a push webhook on the forge pointing at
-              <code>/api/webhooks/forge</code> with this secret, and snippets
-              whose recorded files change get flagged for re-verification.
-            </p>
           </div>
         </div>
-        <div class="actions" style="margin-bottom: 1.25rem;">
+        <div class="actions">
-          <button class="btn-primary" @click="saveForge" :disabled="savingForge">
+          <button class="btn-primary" @click="saveForgeWebhook" :disabled="savingForgeWebhook">
-            {{ savingForge ? "Saving..." : "Save Forge Settings" }}
+            {{ savingForgeWebhook ? "Saving..." : "Save Webhook Secret" }}
           </button>
-          <button class="btn-ghost" @click="testForge" :disabled="testingForge || !forgeConfigured">
+          <span v-if="forgeWebhookSaved" class="saved-msg">Saved!</span>
-            {{ testingForge ? "Testing..." : "Test Connection" }}
-          </button>
-          <span v-if="forgeSaved" class="saved-msg">Saved!</span>
         </div>
-        <p
-          v-if="forgeTestResult"
-          :class="forgeTestResult.ok ? 'text-success' : 'text-error'"
-        >
-          {{ forgeTestResult.message }}
-        </p>
       </section>
 
     </div>
@@ -2276,8 +2327,8 @@ function formatUserDate(iso: string): string {
             <tbody>
               <tr v-for="inv in invitations" :key="inv.id">
                 <td class="cell-email">{{ inv.email }}</td>
-                <td class="hide-mobile cell-date">{{ formatUserDate(inv.created_at) }}</td>
+                <td class="hide-mobile cell-date">{{ fmtDate(inv.created_at) }}</td>
-                <td class="hide-mobile cell-date">{{ formatUserDate(inv.expires_at) }}</td>
+                <td class="hide-mobile cell-date">{{ fmtDate(inv.expires_at) }}</td>
                 <td class="cell-actions">
                   <button class="btn-ghost btn-compact" @click="revokeInvitation(inv.id)" :disabled="revokingId !== null">
                     {{ revokingId === inv.id ? "Revoking..." : "Revoke" }}
@@ -2312,7 +2363,7 @@ function formatUserDate(iso: string): string {
                   {{ u.role }}
                 </span>
               </td>
-              <td class="hide-mobile cell-date">{{ formatUserDate(u.created_at) }}</td>
+              <td class="hide-mobile cell-date">{{ fmtDate(u.created_at) }}</td>
               <td class="cell-actions">
                 <template v-if="u.id === authStore.user?.id">
                   <span class="you-label">You</span>
@@ -2395,7 +2446,7 @@ function formatUserDate(iso: string): string {
             <tbody>
               <template v-for="entry in logs" :key="entry.id">
                 <tr class="log-row" :class="{ 'row-expanded': expandedLogId === entry.id }" @click="toggleLogExpand(entry.id)">
-                  <td class="cell-time">{{ formatLogTime(entry.created_at) }}</td>
+                  <td class="cell-time">{{ fmtLogStamp(entry.created_at) }}</td>
                   <td>
                     <span class="category-badge" :class="'cat-' + entry.category">{{ entry.category }}</span>
                   </td>

frontend/src/views/SnippetListView.vue

@@ -903,23 +903,8 @@ function usageTitle(s: SnippetListItem): string {
 }
 
 /* Merge modal */
-.modal-overlay {
-  position: fixed;
-  inset: 0;
-  background: var(--fs-overlay);
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  z-index: 200;
-}
 .modal-card {
-  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-lg);
-  padding: 1.5rem;
-  width: 100%;
   max-width: 460px;
-  box-shadow: 0 8px 32px var(--color-shadow);
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   gap: 1rem;
@@ -966,36 +951,6 @@ function usageTitle(s: SnippetListItem): string {
   color: var(--fs-text-tertiary);
   flex-shrink: 0;
 }
-.modal-actions {
-  display: flex;
-  justify-content: flex-end;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
-}
-.modal-btn {
-  padding: 0.4rem 0.9rem;
-  border: 1px solid var(--fs-border-color);
-  background: var(--fs-surface-raised);
-  color: var(--fs-text-primary);
-  border-radius: var(--fs-radius-sm);
-  cursor: pointer;
-  font-size: 0.875rem;
-  font-family: inherit;
-}
-.modal-btn:hover {
-  background: var(--fs-surface-page);
-}
-.modal-btn-primary {
-  background: var(--fs-action-primary);
-  border-color: var(--fs-action-primary);
-  color: var(--fs-text-on-action);
-}
-.modal-btn-primary:hover:not(:disabled) {
-  background: var(--fs-action-primary-hover);
-}
-.modal-btn-primary:disabled {
-  opacity: 0.5;
-  cursor: default;
-}
 
 @media (max-width: 600px) {
   .snippets-grid {

frontend/src/views/UserManagementView.vue

@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { ref, onMounted } from "vue";
-import { apiGet, apiPost, apiPut, apiDelete } from "@/api/client";
+import { apiGet, apiPost, apiPut, apiDelete, apiErrorMessage } from "@/api/client";
 import { useAuthStore } from "@/stores/auth";
 import { useToastStore } from "@/stores/toast";
 import type { User } from "@/types/auth";
+import { fmtDate } from "@/utils/dateFormat";
 
 interface Invitation {
   id: number;
@@ -69,12 +70,7 @@ async function sendInvite() {
     inviteEmail.value = "";
     await fetchInvitations();
   } catch (e: unknown) {
-    if (e && typeof e === "object" && "body" in e) {
+    toastStore.show(apiErrorMessage(e, "Failed to send invitation"), "error");
-      const body = (e as { body?: { error?: string } }).body;
-      toastStore.show(body?.error || "Failed to send invitation", "error");
-    } else {
-      toastStore.show("Failed to send invitation", "error");
-    }
   } finally {
     sendingInvite.value = false;
   }
@@ -128,24 +124,11 @@ async function deleteUser(userId: number) {
     users.value = users.value.filter((u) => u.id !== userId);
     toastStore.show("User deleted");
   } catch (e: unknown) {
-    if (e && typeof e === "object" && "body" in e) {
+    toastStore.show(apiErrorMessage(e, "Failed to delete user"), "error");
-      const body = (e as { body?: { error?: string } }).body;
-      toastStore.show(body?.error || "Failed to delete user", "error");
-    } else {
-      toastStore.show("Failed to delete user", "error");
-    }
   } finally {
     deleting.value = null;
   }
 }
-
-function formatDate(iso: string): string {
-  return new Date(iso).toLocaleDateString(undefined, {
-    year: "numeric",
-    month: "short",
-    day: "numeric",
-  });
-}
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -212,8 +195,8 @@ function formatDate(iso: string): string {
           <tbody>
             <tr v-for="inv in invitations" :key="inv.id">
               <td class="cell-email">{{ inv.email }}</td>
-              <td class="hide-mobile cell-date">{{ formatDate(inv.created_at) }}</td>
+              <td class="hide-mobile cell-date">{{ fmtDate(inv.created_at) }}</td>
-              <td class="hide-mobile cell-date">{{ formatDate(inv.expires_at) }}</td>
+              <td class="hide-mobile cell-date">{{ fmtDate(inv.expires_at) }}</td>
               <td class="cell-actions">
                 <button
                   class="btn-ghost btn-compact"
@@ -255,7 +238,7 @@ function formatDate(iso: string): string {
                 {{ u.role }}
               </span>
             </td>
-            <td class="hide-mobile cell-date">{{ formatDate(u.created_at) }}</td>
+            <td class="hide-mobile cell-date">{{ fmtDate(u.created_at) }}</td>
             <td class="cell-actions">
               <template v-if="u.id === authStore.user?.id">
                 <span class="you-label">You</span>

plugin/.claude-plugin/plugin.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "scribe",
   "description": "Scribe system-of-record for Claude Code: MCP tools over your notes/tasks/projects/rules, a session-start push channel that surfaces your always-on rules + active-project context, process-skills (writing-plans, systematic-debugging, verification, brainstorming, reusing-code), and your saved Scribe Processes auto-surfaced as skills (/scribe:sync). Replaces superpowers + file-memory with one app-backed plugin.",
-  "version": "0.1.31",
+  "version": "0.1.38",
   "author": { "name": "Bryan Van Deusen" },
   "mcpServers": {
     "scribe": {

plugin/hooks/scribe_prior_art.sh

@@ -14,6 +14,12 @@
 # on an instance with no forge connection (decision #2707). Everything else is
 # the REUSE menu. The two dedup separately (see the state files below).
 #
+# It is also the shape ledger's write-path feed (#2791): it names the
+# definitions being written (`shapes=`), and the server — only when the
+# session has PULLED a snippet this code references or resembles — records
+# them as instance rows, classified_by=hook. Evidence, not judgment; the
+# context line says what landed so a wrong stamp is corrected in the moment.
+#
 # NEVER BLOCKS. It returns `additionalContext` with no `permissionDecision`, so
 # the write proceeds untouched and Claude sees the note beside the tool result.
 # Any failure — unconfigured, unreachable, malformed — exits 0 in silence. A
@@ -96,10 +102,14 @@ fi
 # `ReturnType name(...)`) needs a real parser, and `impl` blocks are excluded
 # because several per type is normal Rust, not duplication.
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-local_lines=""
+# kind<TAB>name for each thing a piece of code DEFINES, in source order. One
-if [ -n "$repo_root" ] && [ -n "$code" ]; then
+# program, two consumers: the local duplicate arm (every definition in the
-  # kind<TAB>name for each thing this payload DEFINES.
+# payload) and the ledger feed (#2791, below: the definitions being written,
-  names=$(printf '%s' "$code" | awk '
+# or the one enclosing an Edit). Rule-for-rule mirrored by the server's
+# services/coverage.py extract_shapes — ledger rows are keyed by what THAT
+# sees, so the two must agree on what counts as a definition.
+scribe_defs() {
+  awk '
     {
       # CSS class definition: .name { or .name,
       if (match($0, /^[[:space:]]*\.[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_-]*[[:space:]]*[,{]/)) {
@@ -132,8 +142,16 @@ if [ -n "$repo_root" ] && [ -n "$code" ]; then
         if (t != "") print "sym\t" t; next
       }
     }
-  ' 2>/dev/null | sort -u | head -12) || names=""
+  ' 2>/dev/null
+}
 
+names=""
+if [ -n "$code" ]; then
+  names=$(printf '%s' "$code" | scribe_defs | sort -u | head -12) || names=""
+fi
+
+local_lines=""
+if [ -n "$repo_root" ] && [ -n "$names" ]; then
   while IFS=$'\t' read -r kind name; do
     [ -n "${name:-}" ] || continue
     case "$kind" in
@@ -156,6 +174,38 @@ if [ -n "$local_lines" ]; then
   local_context="> Already defined elsewhere in this repo — check before adding another copy (\`git grep\` shown; this is a nudge, not a gate):"$'\n'"${local_lines}"
 fi
 
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# THE LEDGER FEED (#2791). The server keeps a shape ledger — every definition
+# in the bound repo, classified against recorded canon — and this hook is the
+# one place that sees a shape AT THE MOMENT IT IS WRITTEN. So it names the
+# shapes in play: every definition in the payload, or — for an Edit that
+# changes the inside of a function rather than its signature — the definition
+# enclosing the edit, found by walking the target file upward from the edited
+# lines. The server decides whether evidence exists (the session pulled a
+# snippet this code references or resembles) and stamps instance rows; with
+# no pulled canon in play, nothing is recorded. Titles only still — this sends
+# names, not bodies.
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+shapes="$names"
+if [ -z "$shapes" ] && [ -f "$file_path" ] && command -v tac >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  old_first=$(printf '%s' "$event" \
+    | jq -r '.tool_input.old_string // .tool_input.old_str // empty' 2>/dev/null \
+    | grep -m1 -v '^[[:space:]]*$') || old_first=""
+  if [ -n "$old_first" ]; then
+    ln=$(grep -nF -m1 -- "$old_first" "$file_path" 2>/dev/null | cut -d: -f1) || ln=""
+    if [ -n "$ln" ]; then
+      shapes=$(head -n "$ln" "$file_path" | tac | scribe_defs | head -1) || shapes=""
+    fi
+  fi
+fi
+shapes_q=""
+if [ -n "$shapes" ]; then
+  enc=$(printf '%s\n' "$shapes" \
+    | awk -F'\t' 'NF>=2 {printf "%s%s:%s", (n++?",":""), $1, $2}' \
+    | jq -sRr '@uri' 2>/dev/null) || enc=""
+  [ -n "$enc" ] && shapes_q="&shapes=${enc}"
+fi
+
 url=${SCRIBE_URL:-${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_OPTION_API_ENDPOINT:-}}
 token=${SCRIBE_TOKEN:-${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_OPTION_API_TOKEN:-}}
 # Guard against an unexpanded ${...} placeholder arriving as a literal.
@@ -230,7 +280,7 @@ fi
 # finding that needed no instance to produce.
 body=$(curl -fsS --max-time 5 \
   -H "Authorization: Bearer ${token}" \
-  "${url%/}/api/plugin/prior-art?path=${path_enc}&code=${code_enc}${repo_q}${exclude_q}${sync_exclude_q}" 2>/dev/null) || body=""
+  "${url%/}/api/plugin/prior-art?path=${path_enc}&code=${code_enc}${repo_q}${exclude_q}${sync_exclude_q}${shapes_q}" 2>/dev/null) || body=""
 
 context=""
 if [ -n "$body" ]; then

plugin/skills/reusing-code/SKILL.md

@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ through recall/auto-inject; this skill is the active reflex around that.
   to ask both at once.
 - If a snippet fits, pull it in full with `get_snippet(id)` and reuse it — its
   `location` points at the reference implementation. Adapt, don't re-derive.
+  The pull also does the accounting: the code you then write that references
+  or resembles it is stamped an `instance` of that canon in the shape ledger
+  (classified_by=hook) — reuse from memory leaves no row.
 - If auto-inject already surfaced a snippet title that looks relevant, that's
   your cue to `get_snippet` it rather than start from scratch.
 - **Prior art offered beside a write is not noise — read it.** When Scribe notes
@@ -107,6 +110,21 @@ The result is a single entry that shows every place the thing is used — which
 exactly the signal that it was worth consolidating. This is the cure the create
 gate only hints at when it blocks a near-duplicate.
 
+## Consumer maps are rows, never prose
+
+Every enumerated relationship between code and canon belongs in the shape
+ledger, not in a sentence. When you establish that call sites route through a
+canonical helper — during an audit, a verify pass, or a consolidation —
+record each consuming definition with
+`classify_shapes(project_id, [{path, symbol, status: "instance", snippet_id}])`.
+A deliberate departure is a `"variant"` (reason required — the why IS the
+record); a judged one-off is `"exempt"` (reason required). Prose in a
+verification detail cannot be sorted, queried, or diffed; rows are what make
+"what uses this?" answerable forever. `list_shapes(project_id,
+status="unclassified")` is the standing todo — and N same-shaped occurrences
+matching no canon means derive one first (consolidate, `create_snippet`,
+then classify the rest against it), never N loose classifications.
+
 ## Why this pays off
 
 A one-off written a second time is the cost this avoids — and at project

plugin/skills/shape-accounting/SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+---
+name: shape-accounting
+description: Use when a project's shape accounting needs attention — the pattern_coverage line from enter_project shows unclassified shapes or is missing on a forge-served project, the operator asks about coverage/accounting/canon, or you just proved a code-to-canon relationship (an audit enumerated call sites, a consolidation repointed consumers, a verify pass confirmed a helper's users). Triggers on "coverage", "accounted", "unclassified", "classify shapes", "what uses this", or finishing any consolidation.
+---
+
+# Shape accounting — every shape classified against canon
+
+The snippet library records **canon** (small); the shape ledger accounts for
+**every extracted definition** in a project's bound repos (total). Each ledger
+row carries a status:
+
+- `canonical` — IS a snippet's reference (the coverage sync stamps these
+  mechanically; you rarely set it).
+- `instance` of snippet N — conforms to recorded canon. Canon in another
+  project counts (a family-level button shape fully accounts for a local use).
+- `variant` of snippet N — a deliberate, named departure. **Reason required**
+  — the why IS the record.
+- `exempt` — judged genuinely one-off. **Reason required.** A recorded
+  judgment, not silence — it stops the next pass re-litigating it.
+- `scoped` — one-off **by construction**, stamped by the coverage sync
+  (a Vue component's scoped `<style>` rules and its `<script setup>`
+  functions — unreachable from any other file). Accounted for without a
+  judgment; still proposed against, grouped and flagged; any judgment you
+  make overrides it. Not the todo.
+- `unclassified` — nobody has judged it yet. **This is the todo list.**
+
+## The loop
+
+1. **Seed / refresh** — the ledger fills from coverage computation. Entering a
+   project triggers a background seed automatically; when you need it current
+   *now* (before a classification batch, or when the line is missing on a
+   forge-served project), call `refresh_pattern_coverage(project_id)` — it
+   returns the fresh accounting line. Takes seconds; it moves repo archives.
+2. **Read the todo** — `list_shapes(project_id, status="unclassified")`,
+   optionally scoped by `path` to the directories the coverage line names as
+   largest. `snippet_id=N` reads a consumer map.
+3. **Judge in batches** — `classify_shapes(project_id, [{path, symbol,
+   status, snippet_id?, reason?}])`. All-or-nothing: a bad item applies
+   nothing. Rows, never prose — a consumer list in a note or verification
+   detail cannot be sorted, queried, or diffed.
+
+## Rows that arrive on their own
+
+Two feeds keep the ledger current between your batches, so most shapes never
+need a hand judgment:
+
+- **The sync** stamps a snippet's own reference location `canonical`
+  (`classified_by: mechanical`).
+- **The write path** stamps instances as you work: when you `get_snippet` a
+  canon and then Write/Edit code that references or resembles it, the
+  definitions being written land as `instance` rows (`classified_by: hook`,
+  the evidence in `reason`), and the prior-art hook tells you what landed
+  ("Shape accounting: recorded at … → instance of #N"). Offered-but-unopened
+  snippets stamp nothing — so *pull the canon you are instantiating*; that
+  pull is what turns your reuse into accounting. A hook row is evidence, not
+  judgment: it never overrides a classification you made, and a
+  `classify_shapes` call overrides it.
+
+## The machine proposes, judgment classifies
+
+Every coverage refresh runs the **mechanical proposer** over the unclassified
+rows: same symbol as a canon elsewhere → textual containment → body
+references a canon → signature resemblance → semantic (capped per refresh). A hit
+is a *proposal* on the row, never a classification. Work the queue in bulk:
+
+1. `list_shapes(project_id, proposal="canon", snippet_id=N)` or
+   `path="dir"` — read the page; `proposal` carries snippet_id, basis, score.
+2. `confirm_shape_proposals(project_id, snippet_id=N)` (or `path=`,
+   `basis=`) for the ones that hold — hundreds at a time; `symbol` and
+   `reference` proposals are near-certain, `semantic` deserves a look.
+3. `classify_shapes` the rest — variant, exempt, or instance of a different
+   snippet. Any judgment retires the proposal.
+
+`list_shapes(project_id, proposal="derive")` lists the **derive-first
+candidates** — the same body in ≥2 places or the same name defined in ≥3
+files, with no canon at all (`proposal.group` names the family; the coverage
+payload's `derive_groups` ranks the biggest). That is the consolidation
+queue, not a classification queue: see below.
+
+## The derive-first rule
+
+N same-shaped occurrences matching **no** recorded canon is never N loose
+classifications — it is a consolidation candidate: derive one reference from
+the dominant form, `create_snippet` it, migrate the outliers, then classify
+the rest as instances. Canon is determined from the code; consistency comes
+from the derivation, not from asking permission.
+
+## The divergence readout — button B where button A is canon
+
+Three questions the ledger answers mechanically (#2793):
+
+- **Divergence** — `list_shapes(project_id, flag="divergence")` (and the
+  coverage line's "N DIVERGENT"): a shape new since the previous refresh, in
+  a directory where one canon dominates the judged siblings, that the
+  proposer did not match to that canon. `diverges_from` names the canon.
+  Judge it: `instance` if it should be built from the canon (and rebuild
+  it), `variant` with the why if the departure is deliberate. The write-path
+  hook asks the same question in-band the moment such a shape is written.
+- **History** — `shape_history(project_id, path, symbol?)`: the current rows
+  plus every `classified` / `vanished` / `reappeared` / `drifted` event with
+  its commit — "instance of #N from <date>, re-judged variant of #M because
+  R, vanished at C". Rows, not recollection.
+- **Recheck** — `list_shapes(project_id, flag="recheck")`: judged
+  instances/variants whose body changed since judged. The judgment stands;
+  re-confirm it (classify again with the same status) or re-judge.
+
+## What this buys
+
+Divergence becomes mechanical: when button B appears where button A is canon,
+the ledger says *unintended divergence* or *justified variant with its
+reason* — nobody re-derives the history. `get_snippet` shows each snippet's
+`instances` and `variants`, so "what uses this?" is answered from rows before
+any contract change lands on its consumers.

plugin/skills/using-scribe/SKILL.md

@@ -120,6 +120,28 @@ bound — confine the session to it:
 - If something clearly belongs to a *different* project, say so and **ask before
   switching** — never silently operate cross-project.
 
+## Starting a project: decide what it inherits
+
+A project's inheritance is a **decision, not a default**. Before
+`create_project`, ask the operator the four inception questions and pass the
+answers — never create a project bare by default:
+
+- which **always-on rulebooks** it should NOT inherit (`list_rulebooks` shows
+  which are always_on; default: inherit them all) →
+  `exclude_always_on_rulebooks=[...]`
+- which other rulebooks to **subscribe** → `subscribe_rulebooks=[...]`
+- which **design system** its UI is built from (`list_design_systems`; or
+  none) → `design_system_id=<id | -1>`
+- whether to **seed the standard starter Systems** so records can be tagged
+  from day one → `seed_systems=true|false`
+
+If `enter_project` returns an `inception` key, the project was never decided
+(it inherits its defaults silently): raise that ask once, with the defaults it
+carries, then `decide_project_inception(project_id, …)`. Existing projects
+were stamped "legacy" (inherit-all) and do not ask; any project can be
+re-decided. The rules/design-system/Systems tools still work one at a time —
+inception is the moment they are decided together, and the record of why.
+
 ## Where a new rule goes
 
 When codifying a rule, pick its home by **who it should bind** — and keep

src/scribe/config.py

@@ -60,11 +60,12 @@ class Config:
     # the MCP layer doesn't proxy web search (Claude has its own).
     SEARXNG_URL: str = os.environ.get("SEARXNG_URL", "")
 
-    # Git forge integration (#2689) — optional read access to the operator's
+    # Git forge integration (#2689) — optional read access to a git forge so
-    # forge so snippet bodies can be fetched/verified server-side. Normally
+    # snippet bodies can be fetched/verified server-side. Connections are
-    # configured in Settings → Config (stored as admin settings); these env
+    # per-user keyring rows (#2778, Settings → Git forges); these env values
-    # fallbacks exist so a deployment can keep the token in a Docker secret
+    # survive as an implicit keyring entry for ADMIN users' projects only, so
-    # instead of the database. DB value wins when both are set.
+    # a deployment can keep the operator's token in a Docker secret instead
+    # of the database. A stored row for the same host wins over the env entry.
     FORGE_KIND: str = os.environ.get("FORGE_KIND", "")
     FORGE_BASE_URL: str = os.environ.get("FORGE_BASE_URL", "").rstrip("/")
     FORGE_TOKEN: str = _read_secret("FORGE_TOKEN", "FORGE_TOKEN_FILE", "")

src/scribe/mcp/auth.py

@@ -4,20 +4,6 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from scribe.services.api_keys import lookup_key
 
 
-async def resolve_bearer_to_user_id(auth_header: str | None) -> int | None:
-    """Parse an `Authorization: Bearer <token>` header and return the user_id.
-
-    Returns None if the header is missing, malformed, or the token is invalid
-    or revoked. The underlying lookup_key already updates last_used_at on hit.
-    """
-    if not auth_header or not auth_header.startswith("Bearer "):
-        return None
-    raw_token = auth_header[len("Bearer "):].strip()
-    if not raw_token:
-        return None
-    api_key = await lookup_key(raw_token)
-    return api_key.user_id if api_key else None
-
 
 async def resolve_bearer(auth_header: str | None) -> tuple[int, str] | None:
     """Resolve a Bearer token to (user_id, scope).

src/scribe/mcp/server.py

@@ -37,27 +37,26 @@ in local files (CLAUDE.md, auto-memory); Scribe holds the single copy.
 
 Hierarchy: Project -> Milestone -> Task/Note. The map, by purpose:
 - ORIENT: enter_project(id) at session start — rules, open tasks, recent
-  notes, Systems and design system in one call.
+  notes, Systems, design system. `inception` key: ask what the project
+  inherits, decide_project_inception (create_project takes the same).
 - DO: create_task. Fixed a problem? kind="issue" (symptom -> root cause ->
   fix), never a work-log line on an unrelated task. Log with add_task_log;
   keep status honest — in_progress on start, done on finish.
 - PLAN work with an arc: start_planning. The plan IS a milestone; each step is
   a child task, not a checkbox. No local plan .md files.
-- CAPTURE: create_note. RECALL: search first, before answering about the
+- CAPTURE: create_note. RECALL: search first — prior art exists; pass the
-  operator's work or opening a task — assume prior art exists, and pass the
   active project_id to stay in scope.
 - WHERE work happens: Systems. Tag records with system_ids as you write;
   create_system when the area is unmodelled.
-- HOW to work: rules are pull-only and binding — call list_always_on_rules()
+- HOW: rules are binding — list_always_on_rules() at session start.
-  yourself at session start; a push that also delivered them was an
-  optimisation, not the bridge.
 - UI: the project's design system is binding — resolve_design_system /
   get_design_system_stylesheet before hand-writing a value.
 - REUSE: search snippets before writing a helper; record what you build with
-  create_snippet. Saved procedures are Processes (follow verbatim). Deletes
+  create_snippet; classify shapes against canon (classify_shapes) — a
-  are trash-recoverable.
+  consumer map is rows, never prose. Processes are saved procedures (follow
+  verbatim). Deletes are trash-recoverable.
 
-A task is a note with status; *_note tools for notes, *_task for tasks.
+A task is a note with status (*_note vs *_task tools).
 Creates are duplicate-gated: a near-match BLOCKS and returns the existing
 id — update it, don't force. shared:true records are another user's — a
 suggestion, not the operator's settled practice.
@@ -110,6 +109,9 @@ _READ_ONLY_TOOLS = frozenset({
     # Which repos map to which project. Read-only by nature; bind_repo /
     # unbind_repo are the writes.
     "list_repo_bindings",
+    # The shape ledger's todo query (#2789). Reads only — classify_shapes is
+    # the write, and it is deliberately NOT here.
+    "list_shapes", "shape_history",
 })
 
 # Read-SHAPED tools that must NOT be reachable with a read key — a getter that

src/scribe/mcp/tools/__init__.py

@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ to a FastMCP instance. `register_all(mcp)` is the single entry point called
 from `mcp.server.build_mcp_server`.
 """
 from scribe.mcp.tools import (
-    design_systems, milestones, notes, processes, projects, recent, repos, rulebooks, search, snippets,
+    design_systems, milestones, notes, processes, projects, recent, repos, rulebooks, search, shapes,
-    systems, tags, tasks, trash,
+    snippets, systems, tags, tasks, trash,
 )
 
 
@@ -24,5 +24,6 @@ def register_all(mcp) -> None:
     repos.register(mcp)
     processes.register(mcp)
     snippets.register(mcp)
+    shapes.register(mcp)
     rulebooks.register(mcp)
     trash.register(mcp)

src/scribe/mcp/tools/milestones.py

@@ -57,9 +57,7 @@ async def get_milestone(milestone_id: int) -> dict:
     return {
         "milestone": out,
         "steps": [t.to_dict() for t in steps],
-        "applicable_rules": applicable["rules"],
+        **rulebooks_svc.rules_payload(applicable),
-        "subscribed_rulebooks": applicable["subscribed_rulebooks"],
-        "applicable_rules_truncated": applicable["truncated"],
     }
 
 

src/scribe/mcp/tools/notes.py

@@ -62,30 +62,6 @@ async def list_notes(
     return {"notes": [n.to_dict() for n in rows], "total": total}
 
 
-async def _attach_supersession(uid: int, note_id: int, data: dict) -> None:
-    """Add both directions of the supersession relation to a note payload.
-
-    Both, because they answer different questions and only one of them is
-    obvious. `supersedes` is what the author claimed. `superseded_by` is what a
-    READER needs and what the note itself cannot know — a stale record handed
-    over without that marker gets acted on confidently, which is worse than
-    never surfacing it.
-
-    Omitted entirely when empty, so an ordinary note's payload doesn't grow two
-    permanently-empty lists. A field that always says nothing trains readers to
-    skip fields, which is the lesson `consolidated_at` cost us (#2483).
-    """
-    rel = await supersession_svc.get_relations(uid, note_id)
-    if rel["supersedes"]:
-        data["supersedes"] = rel["supersedes"]
-    if rel["superseded_by"]:
-        data["superseded_by"] = rel["superseded_by"]
-        data["superseded_note"] = (
-            "A later note claims to bring this up to date — see superseded_by. "
-            "Read this as what was true when written, and check the newer one "
-            "before acting on it."
-        )
-
 
 async def get_note(note_id: int) -> dict:
     """Fetch the full content of a single Scribe note by its ID.
@@ -113,7 +89,7 @@ async def get_note(note_id: int) -> dict:
     # snippets would leave those permanently at zero pulls and make them look
     # like dead weight next to snippets that merely had a counter (#2085).
     record_pulled(user_id=uid, note_id=int(note.id), source="mcp_get_note")
-    await _attach_supersession(uid, note_id, out)
+    await supersession_svc.attach_relations(uid, note_id, out, hint=True)
     await systems_tools.attach_systems(
         uid, getattr(note, "user_id", uid) or uid, out, note.id, note.project_id
     )
@@ -186,7 +162,7 @@ async def create_note(
             raise ValueError(str(exc)) from exc
     data = note.to_dict()
     await systems_tools.attach_systems(uid, uid, data, note.id, project_id or None)
-    await _attach_supersession(uid, note.id, data)
+    await supersession_svc.attach_relations(uid, note.id, data, hint=True)
     return data
 
 
@@ -237,7 +213,7 @@ async def update_note(
     await systems_tools.attach_systems(
         uid, getattr(note, "user_id", uid) or uid, data, note_id, note.project_id
     )
-    await _attach_supersession(uid, note_id, data)
+    await supersession_svc.attach_relations(uid, note_id, data, hint=True)
     return data
 
 

src/scribe/mcp/tools/projects.py

@@ -20,12 +20,14 @@ from scribe.mcp._context import current_user_id
 from scribe.mcp.tools import systems as systems_tools
 from scribe.services import coverage as coverage_svc
 from scribe.services import design_systems as design_systems_svc
+from scribe.services import inception as inception_svc
 from scribe.services import milestones as milestones_svc
 from scribe.services import notes as notes_svc
 from scribe.services import projects as projects_svc
 from scribe.services import rulebooks as rulebooks_svc
 from scribe.services import systems as systems_svc
 from scribe.services import trash as trash_svc
+from scribe.services.background import spawn
 from scribe.services.note_usage import record_surfaced
 
 
@@ -61,11 +63,16 @@ async def enter_project(project_id: int) -> dict:
     open_tasks, recent_notes, design_system, systems, pattern_coverage —
     plus systems_bootstrap, present only when it applies (see below).
 
-    `pattern_coverage` (usually null) is a one-line estimate of how much of
+    `pattern_coverage` (usually null) is the shape-accounting line — how many
-    the bound repo's code has recorded snippets — e.g. "pattern-library
+    of the bound repo's extracted shapes carry a classification against canon
-    coverage: 34/210 shapes recorded (estimate); largest gaps: internal/api".
+    (note 2786) — e.g. "shape accounting: 3100/4573 shapes accounted for —
-    When present, treat the gaps as a standing invitation: as you touch code
+    12 canonical · 2900 instance (estimate, computed 2026-08-19); 1473
-    in those areas, record the shapes you find with create_snippet.
+    unclassified, largest: internal/api". Unclassified IS the todo: as you
+    touch code in those areas, classify the shapes you can (instances of
+    recorded canon, deliberate variants, one-off exemptions) and record the
+    canon that's missing with create_snippet. A null line on a forge-served
+    project usually means the ledger is seeding in the background (entering
+    triggers it); refresh_pattern_coverage computes it on the spot.
 
     `systems` is the project's vocabulary of named subsystems/areas. It is
     returned here so you can TAG as you write: when creating or meaningfully
@@ -74,11 +81,17 @@ async def enter_project(project_id: int) -> dict:
     create it with create_system rather than leaving the area unmodelled. Read
     a subsystem's accumulated records with list_system_records.
 
+    `inception` (milestone 297) appears ONLY when the project is yours and
+    nobody has decided what it inherits: it carries the current defaults
+    (which always-on rulebooks bind, design system, Systems), what to ask the
+    operator — once — and the decide_project_inception call that answers it;
+    it repeats on every enter until a decision is recorded.
+
     `systems_bootstrap` appears ONLY when the project has many records and no
-    Systems at all — act on it before starting other work: propose a starter
+    Systems at all — act on it before starting other work: create_system a
-    vocabulary from the areas the project's records name, confirm it with the
+    starter vocabulary from the areas the project's records name, directly
-    operator, and create_system the confirmed set. It stops appearing the
+    and without asking permission, preferring the standard names the ask
-    moment the first System exists.
+    lists. It stops appearing the moment the first System exists.
 
     `design_system` is null unless the project points at one. When present it
     carries the chain-merged guidance (the house style AND this project's
@@ -126,7 +139,7 @@ async def enter_project(project_id: int) -> dict:
 
     # The arrival-moment half of the bootstrap ask (#2683): session start is
     # when the agent has just read the project map and is not yet deep in a
-    # task — the one moment "propose a starter vocabulary" is cheap. The
+    # task — the one moment minting a starter vocabulary is cheap. The
     # write-moment half rides untagged-record responses (attach_systems);
     # both retire the instant the first System exists.
     systems_bootstrap = None
@@ -135,6 +148,14 @@ async def enter_project(project_id: int) -> dict:
             uid, project_id
         )
 
+    # The inception ask (milestone 297): a project nobody has decided on
+    # inherits its defaults silently — always-on rulebooks, no design system,
+    # no Systems. Owner-only (deciding is the owner's), and only until a
+    # decision is recorded; the key is ABSENT otherwise (#2483).
+    inception_ask = None
+    if project.user_id == uid and not inception_svc.is_decided(project):
+        inception_ask = await inception_svc.inception_ask(uid, project_id)
+
     # Probably the largest surfacing by volume, and it emitted nothing — so
     # the pulls it caused floated unattributed and the surfaced:pulled ratio
     # ran against a denominator missing its biggest contributor (#2477). An
@@ -161,6 +182,16 @@ async def enter_project(project_id: int) -> dict:
     coverage = await coverage_svc.cached_coverage(
         project.user_id or uid, project_id
     )
+    # Arrival self-seed (#2802): a ledger that is absent or stale refreshes in
+    # the BACKGROUND — entering is the moment the number is wanted, and the
+    # UI button must not be the only path. This enter stays fast; the next
+    # one carries the line. Forge-less projects exit the seed quietly.
+    spawn(
+        coverage_svc.refresh_if_stale(
+            project.user_id or uid, project_id, cached=coverage
+        ),
+        site="enter_project.coverage_seed",
+    )
 
     out = {
         "project": project.to_dict(),
@@ -176,12 +207,7 @@ async def enter_project(project_id: int) -> dict:
         ],
         "design_system": design_system,
         "milestone_summary": milestone_summary,
-        "applicable_rules": applicable["rules"],
+        **rulebooks_svc.rules_payload(applicable),
-        "project_rules": applicable.get("project_rules", []),
-        "suppressed_rules": applicable.get("suppressed_rules", []),
-        "suppressed_topics": applicable.get("suppressed_topics", []),
-        "subscribed_rulebooks": applicable["subscribed_rulebooks"],
-        "applicable_rules_truncated": applicable["truncated"],
         "open_tasks": [
             {
                 "id": t.id, "title": t.title, "status": t.status,
@@ -202,6 +228,8 @@ async def enter_project(project_id: int) -> dict:
     # readers to skip it (#2483), and this one exists to be acted on.
     if systems_bootstrap:
         out["systems_bootstrap"] = systems_bootstrap
+    if inception_ask:
+        out["inception"] = inception_ask
     return out
 
 
@@ -223,23 +251,47 @@ async def get_project(project_id: int) -> dict:
     applicable = await rulebooks_svc.get_applicable_rules(
         project_id=project_id, user_id=uid,
     )
-    data["applicable_rules"] = applicable["rules"]
+    data.update(rulebooks_svc.rules_payload(applicable))
-    data["applicable_rules_truncated"] = applicable["truncated"]
-    data["subscribed_rulebooks"] = applicable["subscribed_rulebooks"]
-    data["project_rules"] = applicable.get("project_rules", [])
-    data["suppressed_rules"] = applicable.get("suppressed_rules", [])
-    data["suppressed_topics"] = applicable.get("suppressed_topics", [])
     return data
 
 
+def _inception_choices(
+    exclude_always_on_rulebooks, subscribe_rulebooks, design_system_id, seed_systems,
+) -> dict | None:
+    """The tool args → an inception choices object, or None when no inception
+    arg was given at all (a bare create stays undecided and enter_project
+    asks). design_system_id: 0 = not stated, -1 = explicitly none, n = that
+    system."""
+    if (exclude_always_on_rulebooks is None and subscribe_rulebooks is None
+            and not design_system_id and seed_systems is None):
+        return None
+    return {
+        "exclude_always_on_rulebooks": list(exclude_always_on_rulebooks or []),
+        "subscribe_rulebooks": list(subscribe_rulebooks or []),
+        "design_system_id": None if design_system_id in (0, -1) else design_system_id,
+        "seed_systems": bool(seed_systems),
+    }
+
+
 async def create_project(
     title: str,
     description: str = "",
     goal: str = "",
     status: str = "active",
     color: str = "",
+    exclude_always_on_rulebooks: list[int] | None = None,
+    subscribe_rulebooks: list[int] | None = None,
+    design_system_id: int = 0,
+    seed_systems: bool | None = None,
 ) -> dict:
-    """Create a new project in Scribe.
+    """Create a new project in Scribe — and decide what it inherits.
+
+    A project's inheritance is a decision, not a default (milestone 297):
+    before calling, ask the operator the four inception questions and pass
+    the answers; a project created without any of them is UNDECIDED and
+    enter_project will ask until decide_project_inception records it.
+    Defaults if nobody decides: every always-on rulebook binds, nothing is
+    subscribed, no design system, no Systems.
 
     Args:
         title: Project name (required).
@@ -247,6 +299,14 @@ async def create_project(
         goal: The desired outcome or definition of done for the project.
         status: one of active (default), paused, completed, archived.
         color: Optional hex colour for the project card (e.g. "#6366f1").
+        exclude_always_on_rulebooks: always-on rulebook ids this project does
+            NOT inherit ([] = inherit them all). list_rulebooks shows which are
+            always_on.
+        subscribe_rulebooks: rulebook ids to subscribe (the non-always-on ones).
+        design_system_id: the design system this project's UI is built from
+            (list_design_systems); -1 = explicitly none; 0 = not stated.
+        seed_systems: true mints the standard starter Systems (CI & Release,
+            Auth & Access, …) so records can be tagged from day one.
     """
     uid = current_user_id()
     project = await projects_svc.create_project(
@@ -257,7 +317,52 @@ async def create_project(
         status=status,
         color=color or None,
     )
-    return project.to_dict()
+    data = project.to_dict()
+    choices = _inception_choices(
+        exclude_always_on_rulebooks, subscribe_rulebooks, design_system_id, seed_systems,
+    )
+    if choices is not None:
+        decided = await inception_svc.decide(uid, project.id, choices=choices, via="mcp")
+        data["inception"] = decided["inception"]
+        data["inception_effects"] = decided["effects"]
+    else:
+        data["inception_hint"] = (
+            "Undecided: this project inherits its defaults until "
+            "decide_project_inception records what it should inherit "
+            "(enter_project will ask)."
+        )
+    return data
+
+
+async def decide_project_inception(
+    project_id: int,
+    exclude_always_on_rulebooks: list[int] | None = None,
+    subscribe_rulebooks: list[int] | None = None,
+    design_system_id: int = 0,
+    seed_systems: bool | None = None,
+) -> dict:
+    """Record what a project inherits — answer enter_project's `inception` ask,
+    or re-decide later (milestone 297).
+
+    Owner-only. Applies the effects through the ordinary tools' paths —
+    exclude_always_on_rulebook, subscribe_project_to_rulebook,
+    set_project_design_system, the standard Systems seed — and writes the
+    decision on the project last, so get_project/enter_project can say why
+    the project has the rules, design and Systems it has. Re-deciding is
+    additive for exclusions/subscriptions (use include_always_on_rulebook /
+    unsubscribe_project_from_rulebook to undo one), replaces the design
+    system, and never re-seeds Systems a project already has.
+
+    Args: as create_project's inception args. Passing nothing records an
+    inherit-all decision (every always-on rulebook binds, no subscriptions,
+    no design system, no seed) — a valid answer, stated.
+    """
+    uid = current_user_id()
+    choices = _inception_choices(
+        exclude_always_on_rulebooks, subscribe_rulebooks, design_system_id, seed_systems,
+    ) or {}
+    decided = await inception_svc.decide(uid, project_id, choices=choices, via="mcp")
+    return {"project_id": project_id, **decided}
 
 
 async def update_project(
@@ -314,6 +419,6 @@ def register(mcp) -> None:
         get_project,
         create_project,
         update_project,
-        delete_project,
+        delete_project, decide_project_inception,
     ):
         mcp.tool(name=fn.__name__)(fn)

src/scribe/mcp/tools/repos.py

@@ -13,28 +13,43 @@ from scribe.services import projects as projects_svc
 from scribe.services import repo_bindings as repo_bindings_svc
 
 
-async def bind_repo(repo_url: str, project_id: int) -> dict:
+async def bind_repo(repo_url: str, project_id: int, ref: str = "") -> dict:
     """Bind a git repository to a Scribe project for session-start context.
 
     After this, any session started in that repo auto-loads the project's
     context (the SessionStart hook sends the repo's remote; the server resolves
     it here). Idempotent — re-binding the same repo updates the target project.
 
+    The binding is also what the shape ledger reads (refresh_pattern_coverage):
+    `ref` names the branch it follows. Default (""): the repo's default branch
+    — which means the ledger only sees work after a merge. A dev-first project
+    (rule 1: dev is home) should bind with ref="dev" so classification follows
+    the push, not the merge. Re-binding with ref="" keeps the standing ref;
+    pass ref="-" to clear it back to the default branch.
+
     Args:
         repo_url: the repo's git remote (e.g. the output of
             `git remote get-url origin` — ssh or https form, both work).
         project_id: the Scribe project this repo represents.
+        ref: branch the ledger follows ("" = leave as is / default branch on
+            a new binding; "-" = clear to the default branch).
     """
     uid = current_user_id()
     project = await projects_svc.get_project(uid, project_id)
     if project is None:
         raise ValueError(f"project {project_id} not found")
-    binding = await repo_bindings_svc.set_binding(uid, repo_url, project_id)
+    ref_arg = None if not ref else ("" if ref.strip() == "-" else ref)
+    binding = await repo_bindings_svc.set_binding(uid, repo_url, project_id, ref_arg)
+    follows = binding.ref or "the default branch"
     return {
         "repo_key": binding.repo_key,
         "project_id": binding.project_id,
         "project_title": project.title,
-        "message": f"Bound `{binding.repo_key}` -> {project.title} (id {project.id}).",
+        "ref": binding.ref,
+        "message": (
+            f"Bound `{binding.repo_key}` -> {project.title} (id {project.id}); "
+            f"the ledger follows {follows}."
+        ),
     }
 
 

src/scribe/mcp/tools/rulebooks.py

@@ -193,6 +193,12 @@ async def delete_topic(topic_id: int, confirmed: bool = False) -> dict:
 
 # ── Rule CRUD ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
+def _rule_summary(r) -> dict:
+    """The list-row shape for a rule: what an agent needs to APPLY it. The
+    full record (why, how_to_apply, timestamps) is get_rule's job."""
+    return {"id": r.id, "title": r.title, "statement": r.statement, "topic_id": r.topic_id}
+
+
 async def list_rules(
     rulebook_id: int = 0, topic_id: int = 0, project_id: int = 0,
 ) -> dict:
@@ -213,38 +219,26 @@ async def list_rules(
         topic_id=topic_id or None,
         project_id=project_id or None,
     )
-    return {
+    return {"rules": [_rule_summary(r) for r in rows], "total": len(rows)}
-        "rules": [
-            {
-                "id": r.id, "title": r.title, "statement": r.statement,
-                "topic_id": r.topic_id,
-            }
-            for r in rows
-        ],
-        "total": len(rows),
-    }
 
 
-async def list_always_on_rules() -> dict:
+async def list_always_on_rules(project_id: int = 0) -> dict:
     """Return all rules from rulebooks flagged always_on for the current user.
 
     Call this at session start. Treat the returned rules as binding for the
     session — they apply regardless of which project (if any) is in scope.
     Pair with get_project(id).applicable_rules when working on a specific
     project to also load that project's subscription-derived rules.
+
+    Args:
+        project_id: 0 (default) = the user-wide set. Inside a project, pass
+            its id: an always-on rulebook the project EXCLUDED at inception
+            (see enter_project's `excluded_always_on`) is left out — the
+            project decided not to inherit it.
     """
     uid = current_user_id()
-    rules = await rulebooks_svc.list_always_on_rules(uid)
+    rules = await rulebooks_svc.list_always_on_rules(uid, project_id=project_id)
-    return {
+    return {"rules": [_rule_summary(r) for r in rules], "total": len(rules)}
-        "rules": [
-            {
-                "id": r.id, "title": r.title, "statement": r.statement,
-                "topic_id": r.topic_id,
-            }
-            for r in rules
-        ],
-        "total": len(rules),
-    }
 
 
 async def get_rule(rule_id: int) -> dict:
@@ -419,6 +413,35 @@ async def unsubscribe_project_from_rulebook(
 
 # ── Suppressions — project-level mute of rulebook rules / topics ────────
 
+async def exclude_always_on_rulebook(project_id: int, rulebook_id: int) -> dict:
+    """Opt a project OUT of a whole always-on rulebook (milestone 297).
+
+    Always-on rulebooks bind every project implicitly; an inception decision
+    can say "not this one, not here". The exclusion is total for that project
+    — list_always_on_rules(project_id), enter_project/get_project rules and
+    the session-start context all leave it out and name it under
+    `excluded_always_on`. Owner-only; the rulebook must be always_on (a
+    subscribed rulebook is left with unsubscribe_project_from_rulebook).
+    Idempotent; include_always_on_rulebook reverses it. Normally reached via
+    decide_project_inception, not by hand.
+    """
+    uid = current_user_id()
+    await rulebooks_svc.exclude_always_on_rulebook_for_project(
+        project_id=project_id, rulebook_id=rulebook_id, user_id=uid,
+    )
+    return {"project_id": project_id, "rulebook_id": rulebook_id, "excluded": True}
+
+
+async def include_always_on_rulebook(project_id: int, rulebook_id: int) -> dict:
+    """Reverse exclude_always_on_rulebook: the always-on rulebook binds this
+    project again. Idempotent."""
+    uid = current_user_id()
+    await rulebooks_svc.include_always_on_rulebook_for_project(
+        project_id=project_id, rulebook_id=rulebook_id, user_id=uid,
+    )
+    return {"project_id": project_id, "rulebook_id": rulebook_id, "excluded": False}
+
+
 async def suppress_rule_for_project(
     project_id: int, rule_id: int,
 ) -> dict:
@@ -482,5 +505,6 @@ def register(mcp) -> None:
         subscribe_project_to_rulebook, unsubscribe_project_from_rulebook,
         suppress_rule_for_project, unsuppress_rule_for_project,
         suppress_topic_for_project, unsuppress_topic_for_project,
+        exclude_always_on_rulebook, include_always_on_rulebook,
     ):
         mcp.tool(name=fn.__name__)(fn)

src/scribe/mcp/tools/shapes.py

@@ -0,0 +1,314 @@
+"""Shape-ledger MCP tools — the classification write/read surface (#2789).
+
+The accounting model (note 2786): the snippet library records CANON (small);
+the ledger accounts for EVERY extracted shape (total). These tools are how
+agents move shapes out of `unclassified` — the todo state — and how they read
+what still needs judgment. The ledger rows themselves are fed by the coverage
+refresh; these tools only ever judge what the sync has seen.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from scribe.mcp._context import current_user_id
+from scribe.services import coverage as coverage_svc
+from scribe.services import shape_ledger as shape_ledger_svc
+
+
+async def classify_shapes(
+    project_id: int, classifications: list[dict], via: str = "agent"
+) -> dict:
+    """Record judgments for a project's code shapes — in batch, as rows.
+
+    EVERY shape in a bound repo should end up classified (note 2786):
+      - `instance` of snippet N — it conforms to recorded canon (family-level
+        canon in another project counts; that fully accounts for the shape).
+      - `variant` of snippet N — a deliberate, named departure. `reason`
+        (the why) is REQUIRED; it is the record.
+      - `exempt` — judged genuinely one-off. `reason` REQUIRED.
+      - `canonical` of snippet N — this row IS the snippet's reference
+        (rarely set by hand; the coverage sync stamps these mechanically).
+      - `unclassified` — withdraw a judgment; the shape rejoins the todo.
+
+    Consumer maps belong HERE, not in prose: when an audit enumerates call
+    sites of a canonical helper, each call site's defining shape is an
+    `instance` row — a sentence in a verification detail cannot be sorted,
+    queried, or diffed.
+
+    Args:
+        project_id: The project whose ledger is being judged.
+        classifications: Objects of {path, symbol, status, kind?, snippet_id?,
+            reason?, reason_code?}. path+symbol name the shape exactly as
+            list_shapes shows it; kind ("sym"/"css") narrows when one file
+            defines both. snippet_id is required for canonical/instance/
+            variant; reason is required for variant/exempt. reason_code is
+            an OPTIONAL index beside the prose (one of: scoped-css,
+            one-off-handler, test-helper, convention-plumbing, pure-helper,
+            generated, script, typed-record) so the ledger can be filtered
+            and aggregated by kind of one-off — the prose stays the record.
+            uses is an OPTIONAL list of snippet ids this shape CALLS (#2870):
+            conformance (status + snippet_id) says what shape it is, uses
+            says which canonical helpers it consumes — a service function
+            can be an instance of the service-function convention AND use
+            hash_token. Consumer maps are uses edges; list_shapes(uses=N)
+            and get_snippet's `uses` read them.
+        via: Who is judging — "agent" (default), "audit" (a sweep), or
+            "import" (carrying maps recorded elsewhere).
+
+    All-or-nothing: a structural error, a missing snippet target, or no write
+    access applies NOTHING. Returns {"classified": N, "unmatched": [...]} —
+    unmatched names shapes no live ledger row matches (the tree may have
+    moved since you listed; re-run the project's coverage refresh to re-sync).
+    """
+    uid = current_user_id()
+    return await shape_ledger_svc.classify_shapes(
+        uid, project_id, classifications, via=via
+    )
+
+
+async def list_shapes(
+    project_id: int,
+    status: str = "",
+    path: str = "",
+    snippet_id: int = 0,
+    include_vanished: bool = False,
+    limit: int = 100,
+    offset: int = 0,
+    proposal: str = "",
+    flag: str = "",
+    compact: bool = False,
+    uses: int = 0,
+) -> dict:
+    """Read a project's shape ledger — `status="unclassified"` IS the todo.
+
+    Every extracted definition in the project's bound repos has a row here
+    (fed by the coverage refresh). Filters compose:
+
+    Args:
+        status: canonical | instance | variant | exempt | scoped | unclassified.
+            `scoped` (#2869) is the sync's mechanical stamp on one-offs by
+            construction (a Vue component's scoped <style> rules and its
+            <script setup> functions): accounted for, not judged, still
+            proposed against / grouped / flagged, and overridable by any
+            classify_shapes judgment. The human todo is `unclassified`.
+        path: exact file, or a directory — matches everything beneath it
+            (the coverage line's "largest" dirs go straight in here).
+        snippet_id: rows classified against this snippet (instance/variant
+            of it — conformance).
+        uses: rows that CALL this snippet (#2870) — the consumer map proper,
+            whatever shape each row is itself; edges come from judgments
+            (classify_shapes uses=), the write-path hook, and the proposer's
+            by-name reference hits.
+        include_vanished: include shapes no longer in the tree (history).
+        limit/offset: page through big ledgers (limit caps at 500).
+        compact: rows as `path · symbol · kind · status · signature` plus
+            snippet_id / by / proposal / diverges_from / recheck only when
+            set — no commits, shas or timestamps. THE form for an audit:
+            a full 500-row page fits the tool budget. The default rows carry
+            everything (shape_history-grade bookkeeping).
+        proposal: the proposer's queue (#2792) — "any", "canon" (rows the
+            machine thinks are an instance of a snippet: `proposal` carries
+            snippet_id, basis, score), "derive" (rows that repeat with NO
+            canon: `proposal.group` names the family), or one basis
+            (symbol/text/reference/signature/semantic).
+        flag: the divergence readout (#2793) — "divergence": shapes new
+            since the previous refresh in a directory where one canon
+            dominates the judged siblings and NOT proposed as that canon
+            (`diverges_from` names it: button B where button A is canon —
+            classify it: instance if it should use the canon, variant with
+            the why if deliberate); "recheck": judged instances/variants
+            whose body changed since judged (the judgment stands; confirm
+            it again with classify_shapes, or re-judge).
+
+    Returns {"shapes": [...], "total": N} — total counts every match, not
+    just this page. Each row's `classified_by` says who judged: agent /
+    audit / import are judgments; `mechanical` is the canonical stamp the
+    sync applies; `hook` is write-path EVIDENCE (#2791) — the session pulled
+    a snippet and then wrote code referencing/resembling it, so the shape
+    was stamped an instance with the evidence in `reason`. A hook row is
+    overridable by any classify_shapes call; it never overrides yours.
+
+    THE FAST PATH through a big todo is the proposer's queue: every coverage
+    refresh matches unclassified shapes against canon (strongest basis
+    first: same symbol elsewhere → textual containment → body references
+    the canon → signature resemblance → semantic) and attaches a
+    `proposal` to each row it can speak for. Review `proposal="canon"` by
+    snippet or directory, then confirm_shape_proposals the ones that hold —
+    hundreds at a time — and classify_shapes the rest (variant/exempt, or
+    instance of a different snippet). `proposal="derive"` lists the
+    derive-first candidates: a repeating shape with NO recorded canon is
+    never N loose classifications — consolidate onto a reference,
+    create_snippet it, then classify the group against it.
+    """
+    uid = current_user_id()
+    rows, total = await shape_ledger_svc.list_project_shapes(
+        uid, project_id,
+        status=status, path=path, snippet_id=snippet_id,
+        include_vanished=include_vanished, limit=limit, offset=offset,
+        proposal=proposal, flag=flag, uses=uses,
+    )
+    return {
+        "shapes": [r.to_compact() if compact else r.to_dict() for r in rows],
+        "total": total,
+    }
+
+
+async def classify_shapes_by_rule(
+    project_id: int,
+    path: str,
+    status: str,
+    pattern: str = "",
+    kind: str = "",
+    snippet_id: int = 0,
+    reason: str = "",
+    via: str = "agent",
+    include_judged: bool = False,
+    reason_code: str = "",
+    uses: list[int] | None = None,
+) -> dict:
+    """The sweep form of classify_shapes: ONE judgment applied to every
+    unclassified shape under a directory whose symbol matches a glob.
+
+    For the long tail an audit judges by family, not by row — "every scoped
+    rule under frontend/src/views is exempt: styles one element of its view",
+    "every `*_scheduler.py` symbol is an instance of ScheduledJob" — where
+    listing 900 rows and sending them back is the whole cost. The row form
+    stays the precise tool; reach for it when each row gets its own reason.
+
+    Args:
+        project_id: The project whose ledger is being judged.
+        path: A file, or a directory and everything beneath it. Required —
+            a sweep names what it judges.
+        status: instance | variant | exempt | unclassified (canonical is the
+            sync's stamp, not a sweep's).
+        pattern: Shell glob on the symbol (`*_rows`, `_*`, `modal-*`, `*`);
+            "" = every symbol under path.
+        kind: "sym" or "css" to narrow; "" = both.
+        snippet_id: Required for instance/variant — the canon judged against.
+        reason: Required for variant/exempt — the why, recorded on every row.
+        via: "agent" (default) | "audit" | "import".
+        reason_code: Optional catalogue code beside the reason (see
+            classify_shapes) — a sweep is exactly where one applies.
+        uses: Optional snippet ids every matched shape CALLS (#2870) — e.g.
+            "every *_scheduler.py symbol uses ScheduledJob".
+        include_judged: By default only unjudged rows are touched —
+            `unclassified` and the sync's mechanical `scoped` stamp — a
+            sweep never silently overwrites a judgment. True re-judges every
+            matching live row (use to re-confirm after a recheck, or to
+            revise a family you judged earlier).
+
+    One transaction: applies whole or not at all. Returns
+    {"classified": N, "sample": ["path::symbol", ...]} (first 12, sorted)
+    so you can see what the rule reached; N = 0 means the rule matched
+    nothing live and unclassified — widen the pattern or refresh coverage.
+    """
+    uid = current_user_id()
+    try:
+        return await shape_ledger_svc.classify_shapes_where(
+            uid, project_id, path=path, status=status, pattern=pattern,
+            kind=kind, snippet_id=snippet_id or None, reason=reason or None,
+            via=via, include_judged=include_judged,
+            reason_code=reason_code or None, uses=uses or None,
+        )
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        return {"error": str(exc)}
+
+
+async def shape_history(
+    project_id: int, path: str, symbol: str = "", limit: int = 200
+) -> dict:
+    """What was used here, when, and why — a shape's (or a directory's)
+    history from the ledger (#2793).
+
+    `shapes` are the current rows at `path` (a file, or a directory and
+    everything beneath it; `symbol` narrows to one definition) with
+    first/last-seen commits, vanished_at, and the standing judgment;
+    `events` are the state changes, oldest first: `classified` (status,
+    snippet_id, who, why — one per judgment, so a shape that was an instance
+    of #N and later a variant of #M shows both), `vanished`, `reappeared`,
+    `drifted` (the body moved under a judgment; see list_shapes flag=
+    "recheck"). Each event carries the commit the tree was read at.
+
+    Read it as a timeline: "instance of #N from <first classified at>,
+    re-judged variant of #M at <at> because <reason>, vanished at <commit>".
+    Read-only; requires read access to the project.
+    """
+    uid = current_user_id()
+    return await shape_ledger_svc.shape_history(
+        uid, project_id, path, symbol=symbol, limit=limit
+    )
+
+
+async def confirm_shape_proposals(
+    project_id: int,
+    snippet_id: int = 0,
+    path: str = "",
+    basis: str = "",
+    min_score: float = 0.0,
+) -> dict:
+    """Confirm the proposer's canon proposals you have reviewed, in batch.
+
+    The machine proposes, judgment classifies (#2792): each matching row —
+    live, unclassified, carrying a `proposal` with a snippet_id — becomes
+    `instance` of that snippet, classified_by="agent", reason naming the
+    basis and score. Narrow to what you actually looked at: at least one of
+    snippet_id (confirm one canon's whole queue after reading its
+    `list_shapes(proposal="canon", ...)` page), path (a directory you
+    audited), or basis (e.g. "symbol" and "reference" are near-certain;
+    "semantic" deserves a look first) is required — a bare confirm-all is
+    not a judgment. min_score trims a basis's tail.
+
+    Proposals you do NOT confirm are judged with classify_shapes (variant,
+    exempt, or instance of a different snippet) — any judgment retires the
+    proposal. Requires write access. Returns {"confirmed": N}.
+    """
+    uid = current_user_id()
+    try:
+        return await shape_ledger_svc.confirm_proposals(
+            uid, project_id, snippet_id=snippet_id, path=path, basis=basis,
+            min_score=min_score,
+        )
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        return {"error": str(exc)}
+
+
+async def refresh_pattern_coverage(project_id: int) -> dict:
+    """Seed or refresh the project's shape ledger NOW, and return the readout.
+
+    The synchronous form of the arrival-moment background seed (#2802):
+    downloads the bound repos through the OWNER's forge connections, upserts
+    every extracted shape into the ledger (new shapes arrive `unclassified`),
+    re-stamps snippet reference locations as canonical, and recomputes the
+    accounting. Reach for it when the ledger must be current before you act —
+    a classification batch about to run, a coverage question asked directly —
+    rather than waiting on the background seed an enter_project triggers.
+
+    Takes seconds, not milliseconds (it moves repo archives). Requires write
+    access to the project. Errors name the fix: no forge connection → the
+    owner adds one (Settings → Integrations → Git Forges); no served repo →
+    bind_repo on a host a connection serves.
+
+    The refresh is also when the mechanical proposer runs (#2792): with the
+    repo bodies in hand it matches every changed unclassified shape against
+    canon and records proposals (see list_shapes proposal=), then regroups
+    the derive-first candidates. Semantic matching is capped per refresh, so
+    a large ledger's queue grows across refreshes rather than in one.
+
+    Returns the accounting payload — total, accounted, counts by status,
+    unclassified, repos, largest_gaps, `proposed` (canon proposals awaiting
+    confirmation), `derive_groups` (the biggest repeats-with-no-canon
+    families), `proposer` (what this refresh examined) — plus
+    `pattern_coverage`, the same one-line summary enter_project carries.
+    """
+    uid = current_user_id()
+    coverage = await coverage_svc.refresh_for_caller(uid, project_id)
+    return {
+        "pattern_coverage": coverage_svc.coverage_line(coverage),
+        **coverage,
+    }
+
+
+def register(mcp) -> None:
+    for fn in (
+        classify_shapes, classify_shapes_by_rule, list_shapes,
+        refresh_pattern_coverage, confirm_shape_proposals, shape_history,
+    ):
+        mcp.tool(name=fn.__name__)(fn)

src/scribe/mcp/tools/snippets.py

@@ -207,6 +207,12 @@ async def get_snippet(snippet_id: int) -> dict:
     the source moved on — trust the location over the cached body and
     consider verify_snippet after you look.
 
+    When the shape ledger has judgments against this snippet, the response
+    carries `instances` (shapes classified as conforming to it — the
+    structured consumer map) and/or `variants` (named departures, each with
+    its why). Consult them before changing the snippet's contract: they are
+    the call sites your change lands on (classify_shapes maintains them).
+
     If the record belongs to someone else it carries `shared: true` with the
     `owner` and your `permission`. Read that as ONE PERSON'S SUGGESTION, not as
     established practice here: judge it on its merits, say whose it is when you
@@ -229,6 +235,20 @@ async def get_snippet(snippet_id: int) -> dict:
     await systems_tools.attach_systems(
         uid, note.user_id, data, note.id, note.project_id
     )
+    # The structured consumer map (#2789): ledger rows judged against this
+    # snippet. Attached only when non-empty (#2483) — and never for projects
+    # the caller can't read.
+    from scribe.services import shape_ledger as shape_ledger_svc
+
+    consumers = await shape_ledger_svc.snippet_consumers(uid, int(note.id))
+    if consumers["instances"]:
+        data["instances"] = consumers["instances"]
+    if consumers["variants"]:
+        data["variants"] = consumers["variants"]
+    if consumers.get("uses"):
+        # The call sites (#2870): shapes that use this snippet, whatever
+        # shape they are themselves.
+        data["uses"] = consumers["uses"]
     return data
 
 
@@ -336,6 +356,13 @@ async def verify_snippet(
     "moved to services/knowledge.py"). It's what makes the record fixable later
     by someone who wasn't here, so write it for them, not as a status echo.
 
+    CONSUMERS you enumerate while checking ("all N call sites still route
+    through it") are ledger rows, not detail prose: classify each consuming
+    definition as an `instance` of this snippet with classify_shapes — prose
+    cannot be sorted, queried, or diffed (note 2786's lesson), and the rows
+    are what make "what uses this?" answerable forever. `detail` keeps the
+    WHY and what changed, nothing that belongs in a row.
+
     A verdict expires automatically if the snippet is edited afterwards: it is
     stamped with a hash of the code it was checked against, so it can never go
     on vouching for code nobody checked. Re-verify after fixing a record.

src/scribe/mcp/tools/systems.py

@@ -23,6 +23,18 @@ from scribe.services import systems as systems_svc
 _BOOTSTRAP_MIN_RECORDS = 20
 _BOOTSTRAP_TITLES = 6
 
+# The standard vocabulary (#2798): area names that recur across software
+# projects, offered so "CI & Release" means the same thing in every project
+# on the instance. Consistency comes from the shared names — NOT from asking
+# the operator to approve each System; agents mint directly. Generic by
+# design (rule #115): archetypes any codebase could have, never one
+# install's subsystems. Mint freely beyond the list; the duplicate gate
+# guards sprawl.
+# The standard vocabulary lives with the service (services/systems.
+# STANDARD_SYSTEMS) since milestone 297 — the inception seed mints it and this
+# ask names it, one list for both.
+_STANDARD_SYSTEMS = tuple(name for name, _charter in systems_svc.STANDARD_SYSTEMS)
+
 
 async def bootstrap_systems_ask(user_id: int, project_id: int) -> str | None:
     """The escalated vocabulary-bootstrap ask for a mature zero-Systems project.
@@ -33,8 +45,10 @@ async def bootstrap_systems_ask(user_id: int, project_id: int) -> str | None:
     (#2683). What separates the nudges that convert from the prose that
     doesn't (the duplicate gate, the prior-art "already defined in 2 files")
     is the project's OWN evidence in the ask — so this one carries the record
-    count and the recent titles, and asks for a concrete deliverable: propose
+    count and the recent titles, and asks for a concrete deliverable: create
-    a starter set, confirm, create.
+    a starter set directly, preferring the standard cross-project names.
+    Deliberately NOT an approval flow (#2798): the operator is not a
+    permission gate for vocabulary; the standard names carry consistency.
 
     Self-retiring by construction: callers only reach for it while the
     project has zero Systems, so the first create_system ends it everywhere.
@@ -56,12 +70,15 @@ async def bootstrap_systems_ask(user_id: int, project_id: int) -> str | None:
     return (
         f"This project has {total} records and NO Systems modelled — none of "
         "them can be tagged to an area, so recurring problem-spots stay "
-        "invisible. Bootstrap the vocabulary now, in this session: from the "
+        "invisible. Bootstrap the vocabulary now, in this session, without "
-        f"areas the records themselves name (recent: {titles}), propose 3-6 "
+        "asking permission — creating Systems is your call, not an approval "
-        "Systems to the operator, create_system each confirmed one with a "
+        f"flow. From the areas the records themselves name (recent: {titles}), "
-        "one-paragraph charter, then tag this record (system_ids=[...]). "
+        "create_system 3-6 Systems, each with a one-paragraph charter, then "
-        "This ask repeats until the first System exists; answering it once "
+        "tag this record (system_ids=[...]). Where an area fits a standard "
-        "retires it for every future record."
+        f"name, use it verbatim so it means the same thing in every project: "
+        f"{', '.join(_STANDARD_SYSTEMS)}. Mint freely beyond that list — the "
+        "duplicate gate guards sprawl. This ask repeats until the first "
+        "System exists; answering it once retires it for every future record."
     )
 
 
@@ -117,7 +134,7 @@ async def attach_systems(
     tagged record shows its areas (the touching-a-System reflex needs the
     affiliation visible on read, not just settable on write), an untagged
     project record carries the question instead. Neither field is ever
-    attached empty (same reasoning as notes._attach_supersession / #2483 — a
+    attached empty (same reasoning as supersession_svc.attach_relations / #2483 — a
     field that always says nothing trains readers to skip fields). The hint
     goes only to the record's owner: tagging someone else's record in someone
     else's project is not the caller's call to make. Fail-open — decoration
@@ -148,11 +165,16 @@ async def create_system(
 
     Create one the moment two records would share an area that has no System
     yet — the same two-or-more test snippets use. Don't wait to be asked to
-    name an area that plainly exists in the code; an unmodelled area means
+    name an area that plainly exists in the code, and don't route the
-    every record about it stays untaggable. An audit or sweep that walks the
+    creation through operator approval — minting vocabulary is the agent's
-    codebase is a DISCOVERY moment: mint the Systems it names as it names
+    call (#2798); an unmodelled area means every record about it stays
-    them — the duplicate gate below, plus reviewing the existing list, is what
+    untaggable. An audit or sweep that walks the codebase is a DISCOVERY
-    guards against sprawl, not holding back. Give each one a one-paragraph
+    moment: mint the Systems it names as it names them — the duplicate gate
+    below, plus reviewing the existing list, is what guards against sprawl,
+    not holding back. Prefer the standard cross-project names where the area
+    fits one (CI & Release, Auth & Access, Data Model & Storage, API Surface,
+    UI & Design, Import & Export, Background Jobs, Observability) so the same
+    word means the same thing in every project. Give each one a one-paragraph
     charter, not just a label: the description is what tells a later session
     whether a record belongs here.
 

src/scribe/mcp/tools/tasks.py

@@ -97,12 +97,7 @@ async def get_task(task_id: int) -> dict:
         applicable = await rulebooks_svc.get_applicable_rules(
             project_id=note.project_id, user_id=uid,
         )
-        data["applicable_rules"] = applicable["rules"]
+        data.update(rulebooks_svc.rules_payload(applicable))
-        data["subscribed_rulebooks"] = applicable["subscribed_rulebooks"]
-        data["applicable_rules_truncated"] = applicable["truncated"]
-        data["project_rules"] = applicable.get("project_rules", [])
-        data["suppressed_rules"] = applicable.get("suppressed_rules", [])
-        data["suppressed_topics"] = applicable.get("suppressed_topics", [])
     data.update(await access_svc.describe_provenance(uid, note))
     # Same reasoning as get_note's record_pulled, and this is the tool where it
     # matters MOST: auto-inject ranks kind-blind over a corpus that is

src/scribe/models/__init__.py

@@ -43,5 +43,7 @@ from scribe.models.rulebook import (  # noqa: E402, F401
     Rulebook, RulebookTopic, Rule, project_rulebook_subscriptions,
 )
 from scribe.models.repo_binding import RepoBinding  # noqa: E402, F401
+from scribe.models.forge_connection import ForgeConnection  # noqa: E402, F401
+from scribe.models.code_shape import CodeShape, CodeShapeEvent, CodeShapeUse  # noqa: E402, F401
 from scribe.models.system import System, RecordSystem  # noqa: E402, F401
 from scribe.models.design_system import DesignSystem, DesignToken  # noqa: E402, F401

src/scribe/models/api_key.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import DateTime, ForeignKey, Index, Integer, Text
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin
+from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin, iso
 
 
 class ApiKey(Base, CreatedAtMixin):
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ class ApiKey(Base, CreatedAtMixin):
             "name": self.name,
             "key_prefix": self.key_prefix,
             "scope": self.scope,
-            "last_used_at": self.last_used_at.isoformat() if self.last_used_at else None,
+            "last_used_at": iso(self.last_used_at),
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
-            "revoked_at": self.revoked_at.isoformat() if self.revoked_at else None,
+            "revoked_at": iso(self.revoked_at),
         }

src/scribe/models/app_log.py

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import DateTime, Float, Index, Integer, Text
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
+from scribe.models.base import iso
 
 
 class AppLog(Base):
@@ -20,6 +21,9 @@ class AppLog(Base):
     duration_ms: Mapped[float | None] = mapped_column(Float, nullable=True)
     ip_address: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
     details: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
+    # Declared here rather than via CreatedAtMixin on purpose: the composite
+    # index below orders on `created_at.desc()`, which needs the column object
+    # in this class body — a mixin's column is not in scope there.
     created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
         DateTime(timezone=True), default=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc)
     )
@@ -44,5 +48,5 @@ class AppLog(Base):
             "duration_ms": self.duration_ms,
             "ip_address": self.ip_address,
             "details": self.details,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat() if self.created_at else None,
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
         }

src/scribe/models/base.py

@@ -1,9 +1,19 @@
-from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from datetime import date, datetime, timezone
 
 from sqlalchemy import DateTime, Text
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 
+def iso(value: datetime | date | None) -> str | None:
+    """ISO-8601 for a payload, None for an unset column.
+
+    Every model's to_dict serialises timestamps through this one helper so a
+    row read before flush (created_at still None) and a nullable column both
+    come out as null instead of raising on `.isoformat()`.
+    """
+    return value.isoformat() if value else None
+
+
 class SoftDeleteMixin:
     """Recoverable-delete columns. NULL deleted_at = live row. deleted_batch_id
     groups rows soft-deleted in one operation so a cascade restores as a unit."""

src/scribe/models/code_shape.py

@@ -0,0 +1,322 @@
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+
+from sqlalchemy import (
+    BigInteger,
+    DateTime,
+    Float,
+    ForeignKey,
+    Index,
+    Integer,
+    Text,
+    UniqueConstraint,
+)
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
+
+from scribe.models import Base
+from scribe.models.base import TimestampMixin, iso
+
+# The classification vocabulary (note 2786). `unclassified` is the default and
+# THE todo state; every other status is a judgment, stamped with who made it —
+# except `scoped` (#2869): the coverage sync's mechanical stamp on shapes that
+# are one-offs BY CONSTRUCTION (a Vue component's scoped <style> rules and its
+# <script setup> functions — unreachable from any other file). Scoped rows are
+# accounted for without a human judging them, so `exempt` keeps meaning "a
+# person looked"; the proposer, derive grouping and divergence still see them,
+# and any judgment (instance/variant/exempt) overrides the stamp.
+SHAPE_STATUSES = ("canonical", "instance", "variant", "exempt", "scoped", "unclassified")
+SHAPE_CLASSIFIERS = ("agent", "audit", "hook", "mechanical", "import")
+
+# The reason catalogue (#2874): an OPTIONAL code beside the prose reason on
+# variant/exempt rows, so the ledger can be filtered and aggregated by kind
+# of one-off. The prose remains the record; the code is the index.
+REASON_CODES = (
+    "scoped-css",            # a scoped rule styling one element (pre-#2869 rows)
+    "one-off-handler",       # a view/component handler or loader, one per surface
+    "test-helper",           # a test module's stub, driver or fixture data
+    "convention-plumbing",   # registration, wiring, app factory — one of each
+    "pure-helper",           # a sync module-private helper with no session
+    "generated",             # generated source (theme.css, protos, bundles)
+    "script",                # a standalone dev/CI script
+    "typed-record",          # a NamedTuple / dataclass / error class — one each
+)
+
+# How the mechanical proposer (#2792) arrived at a proposal, strongest first.
+# `derive` is the odd one out: not "this is an instance of #N" but "this
+# shape repeats with NO canon — derive one first" (note 2786's derive-first
+# rule), so it carries a group key instead of a snippet.
+PROPOSAL_BASES = ("symbol", "text", "reference", "signature", "semantic", "derive")
+
+
+class CodeShape(Base, TimestampMixin):
+    """One extracted code shape and its classification against canon (#2787).
+
+    The accounting half of the pattern system (governing note 2786): the
+    snippet library records CANON (small); this ledger accounts for EVERY
+    shape the coverage extractor finds in a bound repo (total). A row's
+    status says how the shape relates to canon — it IS a snippet's reference
+    (`canonical`), conforms to one (`instance` — snippet_id may point at
+    another project's snippet, so family canon counts), departs deliberately
+    (`variant`, with the why in `reason`), was judged one-off (`exempt`,
+    a recorded judgment rather than silence), or awaits judgment
+    (`unclassified` — the todo).
+
+    Identity is (project, repo_key, path, symbol, kind) — kind is part of it
+    because one file can define `.foo` (css) and `foo` (sym) as distinct
+    shapes. A rename therefore reads as vanish + new row: accepted for v1,
+    because chasing renames needs content identity the extractor doesn't
+    have. `vanished_at` keeps the history instead of deleting it.
+
+    snippet_id is SET NULL on snippet deletion: the classification's target
+    is gone but the judgment happened; the sync pass (step 2) re-files such
+    rows as unclassified so they rejoin the todo instead of dangling.
+
+    `signature` / `body_sha` (#2792) are the shape's content fingerprint —
+    its definition line and a whitespace/comment-insensitive hash of its
+    block — refreshed by every sync. They are what the mechanical proposer
+    matches on and what a later drift recheck compares against; the ledger
+    still never stores code bodies.
+
+    `classified_sha` remembers the fingerprint a judgment was made at;
+    when a later sync sees the body change under an instance/variant, the
+    row is flagged `recheck_at` (the judgment stands, it just asks to be
+    confirmed again) and a `drifted` event is written. `diverges_from`
+    (#2793) is the button-B flag: a shape new since the previous refresh, in
+    a directory+kind where one canon dominates the judged siblings, that the
+    proposer did not match to that canon — "button B appeared where button
+    A is canon: divergence or variant? classify it." Both clear on judgment.
+
+    The proposal columns hold the proposer's standing suggestion for an
+    UNCLASSIFIED row: `proposed_snippet_id` + `proposal_basis` + score for
+    "looks like an instance of #N", or `proposal_basis="derive"` +
+    `proposal_group` for "repeats with no canon". `proposed_sha` is the
+    body_sha the row was last examined at, so a refresh re-examines only
+    what changed. A judgment clears the proposal — the machine proposes,
+    judgment classifies.
+    """
+
+    __tablename__ = "code_shapes"
+    __table_args__ = (
+        UniqueConstraint(
+            "project_id", "repo_key", "path", "symbol", "kind",
+            name="uq_code_shapes_identity",
+        ),
+        Index("ix_code_shapes_project_status", "project_id", "status"),
+        Index("ix_code_shapes_snippet", "snippet_id"),
+        Index("ix_code_shapes_proposed", "project_id", "proposed_snippet_id"),
+        Index("ix_code_shapes_diverges", "project_id", "diverges_from"),
+    )
+
+    id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(primary_key=True)
+    project_id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(
+        Integer, ForeignKey("projects.id", ondelete="CASCADE"), nullable=False
+    )
+    repo_key: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False)
+    path: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False)
+    symbol: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False)
+    kind: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False)  # "css" | "sym"
+    status: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False, default="unclassified")
+    snippet_id: Mapped[int | None] = mapped_column(
+        BigInteger, ForeignKey("notes.id", ondelete="SET NULL"), nullable=True
+    )
+    reason: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
+    reason_code: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)   # REASON_CODES (#2874)
+    classified_by: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
+    classified_at: Mapped[datetime | None] = mapped_column(
+        DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=True
+    )
+    first_seen_commit: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, default="")
+    last_seen_commit: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, default="")
+    vanished_at: Mapped[datetime | None] = mapped_column(
+        DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=True
+    )
+    signature: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, default="")
+    body_sha: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, default="")
+    proposed_snippet_id: Mapped[int | None] = mapped_column(
+        BigInteger, ForeignKey("notes.id", ondelete="SET NULL"), nullable=True
+    )
+    proposal_basis: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
+    proposal_score: Mapped[float | None] = mapped_column(Float, nullable=True)
+    proposal_group: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
+    proposed_at: Mapped[datetime | None] = mapped_column(
+        DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=True
+    )
+    proposed_sha: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, default="")
+    classified_sha: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, default="")
+    recheck_at: Mapped[datetime | None] = mapped_column(
+        DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=True
+    )
+    diverges_from: Mapped[int | None] = mapped_column(
+        BigInteger, ForeignKey("notes.id", ondelete="SET NULL"), nullable=True
+    )
+
+    @property
+    def proposal(self) -> dict | None:
+        """The standing proposal as one object, or None when the proposer
+        has nothing to say about this row."""
+        if self.proposed_snippet_id is None and not self.proposal_group:
+            return None
+        out: dict = {"basis": self.proposal_basis, "score": self.proposal_score}
+        if self.proposed_snippet_id is not None:
+            out["snippet_id"] = self.proposed_snippet_id
+        if self.proposal_group:
+            out["group"] = self.proposal_group
+        return out
+
+    def to_dict(self) -> dict:
+        return {
+            "id": self.id,
+            "project_id": self.project_id,
+            "repo_key": self.repo_key,
+            "path": self.path,
+            "symbol": self.symbol,
+            "kind": self.kind,
+            "status": self.status,
+            "snippet_id": self.snippet_id,
+            "reason": self.reason,
+            "reason_code": self.reason_code,
+            "classified_by": self.classified_by,
+            "classified_at": iso(self.classified_at),
+            "first_seen_commit": self.first_seen_commit,
+            "last_seen_commit": self.last_seen_commit,
+            "vanished_at": iso(self.vanished_at),
+            "signature": self.signature,
+            "body_sha": self.body_sha,
+            "proposal": self.proposal,
+            "classified_sha": self.classified_sha,
+            "recheck_at": iso(self.recheck_at),
+            "diverges_from": self.diverges_from,
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
+        }
+
+    def to_compact(self) -> dict:
+        """The row as an audit reads it (#2868): identity, standing, the
+        definition line and the proposer's word — none of the bookkeeping
+        (commits, shas, timestamps). A 500-row page of these fits the tool
+        budget; a page of to_dict() does not."""
+        out = {
+            "path": self.path,
+            "symbol": self.symbol,
+            "kind": self.kind,
+            "status": self.status,
+            "signature": self.signature,
+        }
+        if self.snippet_id is not None:
+            out["snippet_id"] = self.snippet_id
+        if self.classified_by:
+            out["by"] = self.classified_by
+        if self.reason_code:
+            out["reason_code"] = self.reason_code
+        proposal = self.proposal
+        if proposal:
+            out["proposal"] = proposal
+        if self.diverges_from is not None:
+            out["diverges_from"] = self.diverges_from
+        if self.recheck_at is not None:
+            out["recheck"] = True
+        return out
+
+
+# How a uses edge was established (#2870): who/what said "this shape calls
+# that canon". `reference` is the proposer's mechanical by-name hit on the
+# body (language-gated, #2871); `hook` is write-path evidence (pulled the
+# snippet, then wrote code naming its symbol); agent/audit/import are
+# judgments carried on classify_shapes(..., uses=[...]).
+USE_BASES = ("reference", "hook", "agent", "audit", "import")
+
+
+class CodeShapeUse(Base):
+    """One consumption edge: shape → canonical snippet it calls/uses (#2870).
+
+    Conformance (CodeShape.status/snippet_id) answers "what shape is this";
+    this table answers "what does it use" — many per shape. A service function
+    that is an instance of the service-function convention AND a consumer of
+    hash_token has one snippet_id and one uses edge. Cascades with both ends:
+    a use of a deleted snippet is no longer a fact worth keeping.
+    """
+
+    __tablename__ = "code_shape_uses"
+    __table_args__ = (
+        UniqueConstraint("shape_id", "snippet_id", name="uq_code_shape_uses_shape_snippet"),
+        Index("ix_code_shape_uses_snippet", "snippet_id"),
+    )
+
+    id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(primary_key=True)
+    shape_id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(
+        Integer, ForeignKey("code_shapes.id", ondelete="CASCADE"), nullable=False
+    )
+    snippet_id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(
+        Integer, ForeignKey("notes.id", ondelete="CASCADE"), nullable=False
+    )
+    basis: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False)
+    evidence: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
+    created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
+        DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=False, default=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    )
+
+    def to_dict(self) -> dict:
+        return {
+            "id": self.id,
+            "shape_id": self.shape_id,
+            "snippet_id": self.snippet_id,
+            "basis": self.basis,
+            "evidence": self.evidence,
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
+        }
+
+
+# What a shape's history records (#2793). Not "appeared" — first_seen and
+# created_at already say that on the row; history is for what CHANGED:
+SHAPE_EVENTS = ("classified", "vanished", "reappeared", "drifted")
+
+
+class CodeShapeEvent(Base):
+    """One state change in a shape's life — the what-was-used-when record.
+
+    "We used #N here from <date>, #M replaced it at commit C, reason R" is a
+    question the ledger row alone cannot answer once it has moved on; this
+    table keeps each judgment (status, snippet, who, why, at which commit)
+    and each presence change (vanished / reappeared / drifted) as it
+    happened. Denormalised path/symbol/kind so a directory's history reads
+    without joining; `snippet_id` is deliberately FK-free — history outlives
+    the snippet it names, which is the point.
+    """
+
+    __tablename__ = "code_shape_events"
+    __table_args__ = (
+        Index("ix_code_shape_events_shape", "shape_id", "at"),
+        Index("ix_code_shape_events_project_path", "project_id", "path"),
+    )
+
+    id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(primary_key=True)
+    shape_id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(
+        Integer, ForeignKey("code_shapes.id", ondelete="CASCADE"), nullable=False
+    )
+    project_id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(Integer, nullable=False)
+    path: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False)
+    symbol: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False)
+    kind: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False)
+    event: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False)
+    status: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
+    snippet_id: Mapped[int | None] = mapped_column(BigInteger, nullable=True)
+    classified_by: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
+    reason: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
+    commit: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, default="")
+    at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=False)
+
+    def to_dict(self) -> dict:
+        return {
+            "id": self.id,
+            "shape_id": self.shape_id,
+            "project_id": self.project_id,
+            "path": self.path,
+            "symbol": self.symbol,
+            "kind": self.kind,
+            "event": self.event,
+            "status": self.status,
+            "snippet_id": self.snippet_id,
+            "classified_by": self.classified_by,
+            "reason": self.reason,
+            "commit": self.commit,
+            "at": iso(self.at),
+        }

src/scribe/models/design_system.py

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ from sqlalchemy.dialects.postgresql import JSONB
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import SoftDeleteMixin, TimestampMixin
+from scribe.models.base import SoftDeleteMixin, TimestampMixin, iso
 
 
 class DesignSystem(Base, TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin):
@@ -56,8 +56,8 @@ class DesignSystem(Base, TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin):
             "description": self.description or "",
             "guidance": self.guidance or "",
             "parent_id": self.parent_id,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat() if self.created_at else None,
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
-            "updated_at": self.updated_at.isoformat() if self.updated_at else None,
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
         }
 
 
@@ -153,6 +153,6 @@ class DesignToken(Base, TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin):
             "rationale": self.rationale,
             "supersedes": self.supersedes or [],
             "order_index": self.order_index,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat() if self.created_at else None,
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
-            "updated_at": self.updated_at.isoformat() if self.updated_at else None,
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
         }

src/scribe/models/forge_connection.py

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+from sqlalchemy import ForeignKey, Integer, Text, UniqueConstraint
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
+
+from scribe.models import Base
+from scribe.models.base import TimestampMixin, iso
+
+
+class ForgeConnection(Base, TimestampMixin):
+    """One user's read-only credential for one git forge host (#2778).
+
+    The keyring model: a user owns a set of connections and every server-side
+    forge read for a project runs on the PROJECT OWNER's set, resolved by the
+    repo's host. One row per (user, host) — the repo's host picks the
+    connection deterministically, so there is no "default forge" pointer to
+    maintain or tie-break.
+
+    `host` is derived from `base_url` at write time and stored because it is
+    the lookup key; the service layer keeps the two in step. The token is a
+    secret: to_dict never includes it, and no route may return it.
+    """
+
+    __tablename__ = "forge_connections"
+    __table_args__ = (
+        UniqueConstraint("user_id", "host", name="uq_forge_connections_user_host"),
+    )
+
+    id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(primary_key=True)
+    user_id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(
+        Integer, ForeignKey("users.id", ondelete="CASCADE"), nullable=False
+    )
+    kind: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False)
+    base_url: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False)
+    host: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False)
+    token: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False)
+
+    def to_dict(self) -> dict:
+        return {
+            "id": self.id,
+            "user_id": self.user_id,
+            "kind": self.kind,
+            "base_url": self.base_url,
+            "host": self.host,
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
+        }

src/scribe/models/group.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import ForeignKey, Integer, Text, UniqueConstraint
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column, relationship
 
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin, TimestampMixin
+from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin, TimestampMixin, iso
 
 
 class Group(Base, TimestampMixin):
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ class Group(Base, TimestampMixin):
             "name": self.name,
             "description": self.description,
             "created_by": self.created_by,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
-            "updated_at": self.updated_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
         }
 
 
@@ -53,5 +53,5 @@ class GroupMembership(Base, CreatedAtMixin):
             "group_id": self.group_id,
             "user_id": self.user_id,
             "role": self.role,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
         }

src/scribe/models/invitation.py

@@ -4,9 +4,10 @@ from sqlalchemy import Boolean, DateTime, ForeignKey, Index, Text
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
+from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin
 
 
-class InvitationToken(Base):
+class InvitationToken(Base, CreatedAtMixin):
     __tablename__ = "invitation_tokens"
 
     id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(primary_key=True)
@@ -15,9 +16,6 @@ class InvitationToken(Base):
     invited_by: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(ForeignKey("users.id", ondelete="CASCADE"), nullable=False)
     expires_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=False)
     used: Mapped[bool] = mapped_column(Boolean, default=False, nullable=False)
-    created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
-        DateTime(timezone=True), default=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc)
-    )
 
     __table_args__ = (
         Index("ix_invitation_tokens_token_hash", "token_hash"),

src/scribe/models/milestone.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import ForeignKey, Integer, Text
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin
+from scribe.models.base import SoftDeleteMixin, TimestampMixin, iso
 
 
 class Milestone(Base, TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin):
@@ -30,6 +30,6 @@ class Milestone(Base, TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin):
             "body": self.body,
             "status": self.status,
             "order_index": self.order_index,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
-            "updated_at": self.updated_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
         }

src/scribe/models/note.py

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from sqlalchemy.dialects.postgresql import ARRAY, JSONB
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin
+from scribe.models.base import SoftDeleteMixin, TimestampMixin, iso
 
 
 class TaskStatus(str, enum.Enum):
@@ -105,18 +105,14 @@ class Note(Base, TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin):
             "milestone_id": self.milestone_id,
             "status": self.status,
             "priority": self.priority,
-            "due_date": self.due_date.isoformat() if self.due_date else None,
+            "due_date": iso(self.due_date),
-            "started_at": self.started_at.isoformat() if self.started_at else None,
+            "started_at": iso(self.started_at),
-            "completed_at": self.completed_at.isoformat() if self.completed_at else None,
+            "completed_at": iso(self.completed_at),
             "recurrence_rule": self.recurrence_rule,
-            "recurrence_next_spawn_at": (
+            "recurrence_next_spawn_at": iso(self.recurrence_next_spawn_at),
-                self.recurrence_next_spawn_at.isoformat()
-                if self.recurrence_next_spawn_at
-                else None
-            ),
             "is_task": self.is_task,
             "note_type": self.note_type or "note",
             "task_kind": self.task_kind,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
-            "updated_at": self.updated_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
         }

src/scribe/models/note_draft.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import ForeignKey, Integer, Text
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import TimestampMixin
+from scribe.models.base import TimestampMixin, iso
 
 
 class NoteDraft(Base, TimestampMixin):
@@ -25,6 +25,6 @@ class NoteDraft(Base, TimestampMixin):
             "original_body": self.original_body,
             "instruction": self.instruction,
             "scope": self.scope,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
-            "updated_at": self.updated_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
         }

src/scribe/models/note_supersession.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import ForeignKey, Index, Integer, UniqueConstraint
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin
+from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin, iso
 
 
 class NoteSupersession(Base, CreatedAtMixin):
@@ -66,5 +66,5 @@ class NoteSupersession(Base, CreatedAtMixin):
             "id": self.id,
             "superseder_id": self.superseder_id,
             "superseded_id": self.superseded_id,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat() if self.created_at else None,
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
         }

src/scribe/models/note_usage.py

@@ -1,15 +1,14 @@
-from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from sqlalchemy import Index, Integer, Text
-
-from sqlalchemy import DateTime, Index, Integer, Text
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
+from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin, iso
 
 SURFACED = "surfaced"
 PULLED = "pulled"
 
 
-class NoteUsageEvent(Base):
+class NoteUsageEvent(Base, CreatedAtMixin):
     """One row per time a note was SURFACED to the agent, or PULLED in full.
 
     Answers the question RetrievalLog cannot: not "what did the ranker return
@@ -44,9 +43,6 @@ class NoteUsageEvent(Base):
     __tablename__ = "note_usage_events"
 
     id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(primary_key=True)
-    created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
-        DateTime(timezone=True), default=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc)
-    )
     user_id: Mapped[int | None] = mapped_column(Integer, nullable=True)
     note_id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(Integer, nullable=False)
     # 'surfaced' | 'pulled'
@@ -81,7 +77,7 @@ class NoteUsageEvent(Base):
     def to_dict(self) -> dict:
         return {
             "id": self.id,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat() if self.created_at else None,
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
             "user_id": self.user_id,
             "note_id": self.note_id,
             "event": self.event,

src/scribe/models/note_version.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import ARRAY, ForeignKey, Integer, Text
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin
+from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin, iso
 
 
 class NoteVersion(Base, CreatedAtMixin):
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ class NoteVersion(Base, CreatedAtMixin):
             "tags": self.tags or [],
             "pin_kind": self.pin_kind,
             "pin_label": self.pin_label,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
         }
         if include_body:
             d["body"] = self.body

src/scribe/models/notification.py

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from sqlalchemy.dialects.postgresql import JSONB
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin
+from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin, iso
 
 
 class Notification(Base, CreatedAtMixin):
@@ -26,6 +26,6 @@ class Notification(Base, CreatedAtMixin):
             "user_id": self.user_id,
             "type": self.type,
             "payload": self.payload,
-            "read_at": self.read_at.isoformat() if self.read_at else None,
+            "read_at": iso(self.read_at),
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
         }

src/scribe/models/password_reset.py

@@ -4,9 +4,10 @@ from sqlalchemy import Boolean, DateTime, ForeignKey, Index, Text
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
+from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin
 
 
-class PasswordResetToken(Base):
+class PasswordResetToken(Base, CreatedAtMixin):
     __tablename__ = "password_reset_tokens"
 
     id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(primary_key=True)
@@ -14,9 +15,6 @@ class PasswordResetToken(Base):
     token_hash: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False, unique=True)
     expires_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=False)
     used: Mapped[bool] = mapped_column(Boolean, default=False, nullable=False)
-    created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
-        DateTime(timezone=True), default=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc)
-    )
 
     __table_args__ = (
         Index("ix_password_reset_tokens_token_hash", "token_hash"),

src/scribe/models/project.py

@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 import enum
 from sqlalchemy import BigInteger, ForeignKey, Integer, Text
+from sqlalchemy.dialects.postgresql import JSONB
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin
+from scribe.models.base import SoftDeleteMixin, TimestampMixin, iso
 
 
 class ProjectStatus(str, enum.Enum):
@@ -27,6 +28,23 @@ class Project(Base, TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin):
     design_system_id: Mapped[int | None] = mapped_column(
         BigInteger, ForeignKey("design_systems.id", ondelete="SET NULL"), nullable=True
     )
+    # The per-project forge pin (#2778). NULL is the ordinary state: forge
+    # reads resolve against the owner's keyring by repo host. When set, the
+    # project's forge reads use ONLY this connection — an explicit, auditable
+    # choice, constrained by the service layer to a connection the project
+    # OWNER holds (never a collaborator's token).
+    forge_connection_id: Mapped[int | None] = mapped_column(
+        BigInteger, ForeignKey("forge_connections.id", ondelete="SET NULL"),
+        nullable=True,
+    )
+    # The inception record (milestone 297): what this project was decided to
+    # inherit, when, and through which door — {decided_at, decided_by, via,
+    # choices: {exclude_always_on_rulebooks, subscribe_rulebooks,
+    # design_system_id, seed_systems}}. NULL means nobody has decided yet,
+    # and enter_project asks; the effects themselves live in the subscription
+    # / exclusion tables, design_system_id and the project's Systems — this is
+    # the WHY, kept so later surfaces can say it. See services/inception.py.
+    inception: Mapped[dict | None] = mapped_column(JSONB, nullable=True)
 
     def to_dict(self) -> dict:
         return {
@@ -38,6 +56,8 @@ class Project(Base, TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin):
             "status": self.status,
             "color": self.color,
             "design_system_id": self.design_system_id,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "forge_connection_id": self.forge_connection_id,
-            "updated_at": self.updated_at.isoformat(),
+            "inception": self.inception,
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
         }

src/scribe/models/repo_binding.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import ForeignKey, Integer, Text, UniqueConstraint
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import TimestampMixin
+from scribe.models.base import TimestampMixin, iso
 
 
 class RepoBinding(Base, TimestampMixin):
@@ -28,6 +28,10 @@ class RepoBinding(Base, TimestampMixin):
         Integer, ForeignKey("projects.id", ondelete="CASCADE"), nullable=False
     )
     repo_key: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=False)
+    # The branch the coverage refresh reads for this binding (#2873); NULL =
+    # the forge's default branch. Chosen at bind time so a dev-first project
+    # can have its ledger follow dev instead of waiting for the merge.
+    ref: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
 
     def to_dict(self) -> dict:
         return {
@@ -35,6 +39,7 @@ class RepoBinding(Base, TimestampMixin):
             "user_id": self.user_id,
             "project_id": self.project_id,
             "repo_key": self.repo_key,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "ref": self.ref,
-            "updated_at": self.updated_at.isoformat(),
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
         }

src/scribe/models/retrieval_log.py

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from sqlalchemy.dialects.postgresql import JSONB
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
+from scribe.models.base import iso
 
 
 class RetrievalLog(Base):
@@ -23,6 +24,9 @@ class RetrievalLog(Base):
     __tablename__ = "retrieval_logs"
 
     id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(primary_key=True)
+    # Declared here rather than via CreatedAtMixin on purpose: the composite
+    # index below orders on `created_at.desc()`, which needs the column object
+    # in this class body — a mixin's column is not in scope there.
     created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
         DateTime(timezone=True), default=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc)
     )
@@ -54,7 +58,7 @@ class RetrievalLog(Base):
     def to_dict(self) -> dict:
         return {
             "id": self.id,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat() if self.created_at else None,
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
             "user_id": self.user_id,
             "source": self.source,
             "query": self.query,

src/scribe/models/rulebook.py

@@ -4,10 +4,10 @@ from sqlalchemy import BigInteger, Boolean, Column, DateTime, ForeignKey, Index,
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import SoftDeleteMixin
+from scribe.models.base import SoftDeleteMixin, TimestampMixin, iso
 
 
-class Rulebook(Base, SoftDeleteMixin):
+class Rulebook(Base, TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin):
     __tablename__ = "rulebooks"
 
     id: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(BigInteger, primary_key=True)
@@ -19,14 +19,6 @@ class Rulebook(Base, SoftDeleteMixin):
     always_on: Mapped[bool] = mapped_column(
         Boolean, default=False, nullable=False, server_default="false"
     )
-    created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
-        DateTime(timezone=True), default=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc)
-    )
-    updated_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
-        DateTime(timezone=True),
-        default=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc),
-        onupdate=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc),
-    )
 
     def to_dict(self) -> dict:
         return {
@@ -35,12 +27,12 @@ class Rulebook(Base, SoftDeleteMixin):
             "title": self.title,
             "description": self.description or "",
             "always_on": self.always_on,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat() if self.created_at else None,
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
-            "updated_at": self.updated_at.isoformat() if self.updated_at else None,
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
         }
 
 
-class RulebookTopic(Base, SoftDeleteMixin):
+class RulebookTopic(Base, TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin):
     __tablename__ = "rulebook_topics"
     # Partial unique: a title is unique among LIVE topics in a rulebook, so a
     # trashed topic doesn't block recreating/restoring the same title.
@@ -58,14 +50,6 @@ class RulebookTopic(Base, SoftDeleteMixin):
     title: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text)
     description: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
     order_index: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(Integer, default=0)
-    created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
-        DateTime(timezone=True), default=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc)
-    )
-    updated_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
-        DateTime(timezone=True),
-        default=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc),
-        onupdate=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc),
-    )
 
     def to_dict(self) -> dict:
         return {
@@ -74,12 +58,12 @@ class RulebookTopic(Base, SoftDeleteMixin):
             "title": self.title,
             "description": self.description or "",
             "order_index": self.order_index,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat() if self.created_at else None,
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
-            "updated_at": self.updated_at.isoformat() if self.updated_at else None,
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
         }
 
 
-class Rule(Base, SoftDeleteMixin):
+class Rule(Base, TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin):
     __tablename__ = "rules"
     # Partial unique: title unique among LIVE rules in a topic (soft-deleted
     # rules don't block recreating/restoring the same title).
@@ -109,14 +93,6 @@ class Rule(Base, SoftDeleteMixin):
     why: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
     how_to_apply: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
     order_index: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(Integer, default=0)
-    created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
-        DateTime(timezone=True), default=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc)
-    )
-    updated_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
-        DateTime(timezone=True),
-        default=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc),
-        onupdate=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc),
-    )
 
     def to_dict(self) -> dict:
         return {
@@ -128,8 +104,8 @@ class Rule(Base, SoftDeleteMixin):
             "why": self.why or "",
             "how_to_apply": self.how_to_apply or "",
             "order_index": self.order_index,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat() if self.created_at else None,
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
-            "updated_at": self.updated_at.isoformat() if self.updated_at else None,
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
         }
 
 
@@ -153,6 +129,19 @@ project_rule_suppressions = Table(
     Column("created_at", DateTime(timezone=True), default=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc)),
 )
 
+# A project's opt-out of a whole ALWAYS-ON rulebook (milestone 297): the
+# sibling of the two suppression tables below, one level up. Always-on
+# rulebooks bind every project implicitly; an inception decision can exclude
+# specific ones for this project, and get_applicable_rules /
+# list_always_on_rules(project_id) skip them. FKs CASCADE like the others.
+project_rulebook_exclusions = Table(
+    "project_rulebook_exclusions",
+    Base.metadata,
+    Column("project_id", BigInteger, ForeignKey("projects.id", ondelete="CASCADE"), primary_key=True),
+    Column("rulebook_id", BigInteger, ForeignKey("rulebooks.id", ondelete="CASCADE"), primary_key=True),
+    Column("created_at", DateTime(timezone=True), default=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc)),
+)
+
 project_topic_suppressions = Table(
     "project_topic_suppressions",
     Base.metadata,

src/scribe/models/share.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import CheckConstraint, ForeignKey, Integer, Text
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import TimestampMixin
+from scribe.models.base import TimestampMixin, iso
 
 
 class ProjectShare(Base, TimestampMixin):
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ class ProjectShare(Base, TimestampMixin):
             "shared_with_group_id": self.shared_with_group_id,
             "permission": self.permission,
             "invited_by": self.invited_by,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
-            "updated_at": self.updated_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
         }
 
 
@@ -74,6 +74,6 @@ class NoteShare(Base, TimestampMixin):
             "shared_with_group_id": self.shared_with_group_id,
             "permission": self.permission,
             "invited_by": self.invited_by,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
-            "updated_at": self.updated_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
         }

src/scribe/models/system.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import ForeignKey, Index, Integer, Text, UniqueConstraint
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin, TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin
+from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin, SoftDeleteMixin, TimestampMixin, iso
 
 
 class System(Base, TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin):
@@ -44,8 +44,8 @@ class System(Base, TimestampMixin, SoftDeleteMixin):
             "color": self.color,
             "status": self.status,
             "order_index": self.order_index,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
-            "updated_at": self.updated_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
         }
 
 

src/scribe/models/task_log.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import ForeignKey, Integer, Text
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import TimestampMixin
+from scribe.models.base import TimestampMixin, iso
 
 
 class TaskLog(Base, TimestampMixin):
@@ -21,6 +21,6 @@ class TaskLog(Base, TimestampMixin):
             "user_id": self.user_id,
             "content": self.content,
             "duration_minutes": self.duration_minutes,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
-            "updated_at": self.updated_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": iso(self.updated_at),
         }

src/scribe/models/user.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import Index, Integer, Text
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from scribe.models import Base
-from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin
+from scribe.models.base import CreatedAtMixin, iso
 
 
 class User(Base, CreatedAtMixin):
@@ -26,6 +26,6 @@ class User(Base, CreatedAtMixin):
             "username": self.username,
             "email": self.email,
             "role": self.role,
-            "created_at": self.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "created_at": iso(self.created_at),
             "has_password": self.password_hash is not None,
         }

src/scribe/routes/admin.py

@@ -19,18 +19,10 @@ from scribe.services.backup import (
     restore_full_backup,
 )
 from scribe.services.email import SMTP_SETTING_KEYS, get_base_url, get_smtp_config, is_smtp_configured, send_test_email
-from scribe.services.forge import (
-    FORGE_BASE_URL_KEY,
-    FORGE_KIND_KEY,
-    FORGE_KINDS,
-    FORGE_TOKEN_KEY,
-    ForgeError,
-    forge_config,
-    get_forge,
-)
 from scribe.services.logging import get_logs, get_log_stats, log_audit
 from scribe.services.notifications import send_invitation_email
 from scribe.services.settings import (
+    SECRET_MASK,
     get_admin_setting,
     set_admin_setting,
     set_setting,
@@ -125,7 +117,7 @@ async def get_smtp():
     config = await get_smtp_config()
     # Mask password
     if config.get("smtp_password"):
-        config["smtp_password"] = "********"
+        config["smtp_password"] = SECRET_MASK
     return jsonify(config)
 
 
@@ -139,7 +131,7 @@ async def update_smtp():
     for key in SMTP_SETTING_KEYS:
         if key in data:
             # Skip password if it's the mask placeholder
-            if key == "smtp_password" and data[key] == "********":
+            if key == "smtp_password" and data[key] == SECRET_MASK:
                 continue
             settings_to_save[key] = str(data[key])
 
@@ -166,88 +158,48 @@ async def test_smtp():
         return jsonify({"error": str(e)}), 500
 
 
-_TOKEN_MASK = "********"
+# The forge CONFIG moved to per-user keyring rows (#2778, Settings → Git
+# forges); what stays admin is the webhook secret, because the push endpoint
+# is one URL per instance and authenticates deliveries, not users.
 
 
-@admin_bp.route("/forge", methods=["GET"])
+@admin_bp.route("/forge-webhook", methods=["GET"])
 @admin_required
-async def get_forge_settings():
+async def get_forge_webhook_settings():
     from scribe.config import Config
     from scribe.routes.webhooks import FORGE_WEBHOOK_SECRET_KEY
 
-    cfg = await forge_config()
     webhook_secret = (
         await get_admin_setting(FORGE_WEBHOOK_SECRET_KEY, "")
         or Config.FORGE_WEBHOOK_SECRET
     )
     return jsonify({
-        "kind": cfg["kind"],
-        "base_url": cfg["base_url"],
         # Secrets never leave the server — the smtp_password convention:
         # masked when set, empty when not.
-        "token": _TOKEN_MASK if cfg["token"] else "",
+        "webhook_secret": SECRET_MASK if webhook_secret else "",
-        "webhook_secret": _TOKEN_MASK if webhook_secret else "",
-        "configured": bool(await get_forge()),
-        "kinds": list(FORGE_KINDS),
     })
 
 
-@admin_bp.route("/forge", methods=["PUT"])
+@admin_bp.route("/forge-webhook", methods=["PUT"])
 @admin_required
-async def update_forge_settings():
+async def update_forge_webhook_settings():
-    data = await request.get_json() or {}
-    uid = get_current_user_id()
-
-    kind = str(data.get("kind", "")).strip().lower()
-    if kind and kind not in FORGE_KINDS:
-        return jsonify({"error": f"Unknown forge kind {kind!r}"}), 400
-    base_url = str(data.get("base_url", "")).strip().rstrip("/")
-    if base_url and not base_url.startswith(("http://", "https://")):
-        return jsonify({"error": "Forge base URL must use http or https"}), 400
-
-    await set_admin_setting(FORGE_KIND_KEY, kind)
-    await set_admin_setting(FORGE_BASE_URL_KEY, base_url)
-    token = data.get("token")
-    # The mask coming back means "unchanged" — the form round-trips what GET
-    # showed it, and storing the mask would silently break the integration.
-    if token is not None and token != _TOKEN_MASK:
-        await set_admin_setting(FORGE_TOKEN_KEY, str(token))
     from scribe.routes.webhooks import FORGE_WEBHOOK_SECRET_KEY
 
+    data = await request.get_json() or {}
+    uid = get_current_user_id()
     webhook_secret = data.get("webhook_secret")
-    if webhook_secret is not None and webhook_secret != _TOKEN_MASK:
+    # The mask coming back means "unchanged" — the form round-trips what GET
+    # showed it, and storing the mask would silently break the integration.
+    if webhook_secret is not None and webhook_secret != SECRET_MASK:
         await set_admin_setting(FORGE_WEBHOOK_SECRET_KEY, str(webhook_secret))
-    # The token is deliberately absent from the audit detail.
+    # The secret is deliberately absent from the audit detail.
     await log_audit(
-        "forge_config", user_id=uid, username=g.user.username,
+        "forge_webhook_config", user_id=uid, username=g.user.username,
-        ip_address=request.remote_addr,
+        ip_address=request.remote_addr, details={},
-        details={"kind": kind, "base_url": base_url},
     )
     return jsonify({"status": "ok"})
 
 
-@admin_bp.route("/forge/test", methods=["POST"])
-@admin_required
-async def test_forge():
-    """Probe the SAVED forge config: reachability and token acceptance in one
-    press, so a misconfiguration is visible now rather than as silent
-    fallbacks later (#2663's lesson, applied to integrations)."""
-    uid = get_current_user_id()
-    forge = await get_forge()
-    if forge is None:
-        return jsonify({"error": "Forge is not configured — save kind, base URL and token first"}), 400
-    try:
-        result = await forge.check()
-    except ForgeError as e:
-        return jsonify({"error": str(e)}), 502
-    await log_audit(
-        "forge_test", user_id=uid, username=g.user.username,
-        ip_address=request.remote_addr,
-        details={"ok": True, "username": result.get("username", "")},
-    )
-    return jsonify(result)
-
-
 @admin_bp.route("/logs", methods=["GET"])
 @admin_required
 async def list_logs():

src/scribe/routes/design_systems.py

@@ -15,9 +15,10 @@ one and returns None for the other:
     those two IS the intent: distinguishing them would confirm the existence of
     records the caller may not see.
 """
-from quart import Blueprint, g, jsonify, request
+from quart import Blueprint, jsonify, request
 
-from scribe.auth import login_required
+from scribe.auth import get_current_user_id, login_required
+from scribe.routes.utils import not_found
 from scribe.services import design_systems as ds_svc
 from scribe.services.design_starter_roles import (
     DEFAULT_TOKEN_PREFIX,
@@ -28,12 +29,6 @@ from scribe.services.design_systems import DesignSystemCycle
 design_systems_bp = Blueprint("design_systems", __name__, url_prefix="/api")
 
 
-def _uid() -> int:
-    return g.user.id
-
-
-def _not_found(what: str = "design system"):
-    return jsonify({"error": f"{what} not found"}), 404
 
 
 # ── Design systems ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -43,7 +38,7 @@ def _not_found(what: str = "design system"):
 async def list_design_systems():
     """The caller's design systems. An empty list is the ordinary state for an
     install that has never made one, not an error."""
-    rows = await ds_svc.list_design_systems(_uid())
+    rows = await ds_svc.list_design_systems(get_current_user_id())
     return jsonify({"design_systems": [s.to_dict() for s in rows]})
 
 
@@ -55,7 +50,7 @@ async def create_design_system():
     if not title:
         return jsonify({"error": "title is required"}), 400
     system = await ds_svc.create_design_system(
-        user_id=_uid(),
+        user_id=get_current_user_id(),
         title=title,
         description=data.get("description") or None,
         guidance=data.get("guidance") or None,
@@ -84,9 +79,9 @@ async def list_starter_role_groups():
 @design_systems_bp.get("/design-systems/<int:design_system_id>")
 @login_required
 async def get_design_system(design_system_id: int):
-    system = await ds_svc.get_design_system(_uid(), design_system_id)
+    system = await ds_svc.get_design_system(get_current_user_id(), design_system_id)
     if system is None:
-        return _not_found()
+        return not_found("Design system")
     return jsonify(system.to_dict())
 
 
@@ -102,19 +97,19 @@ async def update_design_system(design_system_id: int):
     if "parent_id" in data:
         fields["parent_id"] = data["parent_id"]
     try:
-        system = await ds_svc.update_design_system(_uid(), design_system_id, **fields)
+        system = await ds_svc.update_design_system(get_current_user_id(), design_system_id, **fields)
     except DesignSystemCycle as exc:
         return jsonify({"error": str(exc)}), 400
     if system is None:
-        return _not_found()
+        return not_found("Design system")
     return jsonify(system.to_dict())
 
 
 @design_systems_bp.delete("/design-systems/<int:design_system_id>")
 @login_required
 async def delete_design_system(design_system_id: int):
-    if not await ds_svc.delete_design_system(_uid(), design_system_id):
+    if not await ds_svc.delete_design_system(get_current_user_id(), design_system_id):
-        return _not_found()
+        return not_found("Design system")
     return "", 204
 
 
@@ -127,9 +122,9 @@ async def resolve_design_system(design_system_id: int):
     this returns what it ends up being. Both are real questions and answering
     only one would make the other a client-side computation.
     """
-    resolved = await ds_svc.resolve_design_system(_uid(), design_system_id)
+    resolved = await ds_svc.resolve_design_system(get_current_user_id(), design_system_id)
     if resolved is None:
-        return _not_found()
+        return not_found("Design system")
     return jsonify({
         "design_system_id": design_system_id,
         "tokens": [t.to_dict() for t in resolved],
@@ -149,9 +144,9 @@ async def get_design_system_stylesheet(design_system_id: int):
     `:root`, so the generator takes it as a parameter.
     """
     root = (request.args.get("root") or ":root").strip() or ":root"
-    result = await ds_svc.stylesheet_for_system(_uid(), design_system_id, root)
+    result = await ds_svc.stylesheet_for_system(get_current_user_id(), design_system_id, root)
     if result is None:
-        return _not_found()
+        return not_found("Design system")
     if request.args.get("format") == "css":
         return result["css"], 200, {"Content-Type": "text/css; charset=utf-8"}
     return jsonify(result)
@@ -168,10 +163,10 @@ async def check_snippets_against_system(design_system_id: int):
     """
     project_id = request.args.get("project_id", type=int) or 0
     result = await ds_svc.check_snippets_against_system(
-        _uid(), design_system_id, project_id
+        get_current_user_id(), design_system_id, project_id
     )
     if result is None:
-        return _not_found()
+        return not_found("Design system")
     return jsonify(result)
 
 
@@ -181,9 +176,9 @@ async def check_snippets_against_system(design_system_id: int):
 @login_required
 async def list_design_tokens(design_system_id: int):
     """This system's OWN tokens — its override set, not its effective set."""
-    if await ds_svc.get_design_system(_uid(), design_system_id) is None:
+    if await ds_svc.get_design_system(get_current_user_id(), design_system_id) is None:
-        return _not_found()
+        return not_found("Design system")
-    rows = await ds_svc.list_tokens(_uid(), design_system_id)
+    rows = await ds_svc.list_tokens(get_current_user_id(), design_system_id)
     return jsonify({"tokens": [t.to_dict() for t in rows]})
 
 
@@ -195,7 +190,7 @@ async def create_design_token(design_system_id: int):
     if not name:
         return jsonify({"error": "name is required"}), 400
     token = await ds_svc.create_token(
-        user_id=_uid(),
+        user_id=get_current_user_id(),
         design_system_id=design_system_id,
         name=name,
         value_by_mode=data.get("value_by_mode"),
@@ -206,7 +201,7 @@ async def create_design_token(design_system_id: int):
         order_index=data.get("order_index") or 0,
     )
     if token is None:
-        return _not_found()
+        return not_found("Design system")
     return jsonify(token.to_dict()), 201
 
 
@@ -221,17 +216,17 @@ async def update_design_token(token_id: int):
             "supersedes", "order_index",
         )
     }
-    token = await ds_svc.update_token(_uid(), token_id, **fields)
+    token = await ds_svc.update_token(get_current_user_id(), token_id, **fields)
     if token is None:
-        return _not_found("design token")
+        return not_found("Design token")
     return jsonify(token.to_dict())
 
 
 @design_systems_bp.delete("/design-tokens/<int:token_id>")
 @login_required
 async def delete_design_token(token_id: int):
-    if not await ds_svc.delete_token(_uid(), token_id):
+    if not await ds_svc.delete_token(get_current_user_id(), token_id):
-        return _not_found("design token")
+        return not_found("Design token")
     return "", 204
 
 
@@ -247,9 +242,9 @@ async def set_project_design_system(project_id: int):
     """
     data = await request.get_json() or {}
     ok = await ds_svc.set_project_design_system(
-        _uid(), project_id, data.get("design_system_id")
+        get_current_user_id(), project_id, data.get("design_system_id")
     )
     if not ok:
-        return _not_found("project or design system")
+        return not_found("Project or design system")
     return jsonify({"project_id": project_id,
                     "design_system_id": data.get("design_system_id")})

src/scribe/routes/notes.py

@@ -26,22 +26,6 @@ from scribe.services import dedup as dedup_svc
 from scribe.services import supersession as supersession_svc
 from scribe.services.note_usage import record_pulled
 
-
-async def _attach_supersession(uid: int, note_id: int, data: dict) -> None:
-    """Both directions of the supersession relation on a note payload.
-
-    Mirrors the MCP helper of the same name — the two surfaces must agree about
-    what a note's payload says, or the web UI and the agent would disagree about
-    whether a record is current.
-
-    Omitted when empty: a field that always says nothing trains readers to skip
-    fields, which is what `consolidated_at` cost (#2483).
-    """
-    rel = await supersession_svc.get_relations(uid, note_id)
-    if rel["supersedes"]:
-        data["supersedes"] = rel["supersedes"]
-    if rel["superseded_by"]:
-        data["superseded_by"] = rel["superseded_by"]
 from scribe.services.note_versions import list_versions, get_version
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -142,7 +126,7 @@ async def create_note_route():
             # may not write the target. The note itself was created.
             return jsonify({"error": str(exc), "note": note.to_dict()}), 403
     out = note.to_dict()
-    await _attach_supersession(uid, note.id, out)
+    await supersession_svc.attach_relations(uid, note.id, out)
     return jsonify(out), 201
 
 
@@ -241,13 +225,17 @@ async def get_note_route(note_id: int):
     # injected line useful?" is answered by agent pulls alone, and a human
     # clicking a link would inflate exactly the number #1038 and #2085 gate on.
     record_pulled(user_id=uid, note_id=note_id, source="rest_note")
-    await _attach_supersession(uid, note_id, data)
+    await supersession_svc.attach_relations(uid, note_id, data)
     return jsonify(data)
 
 
-@notes_bp.route("/<int:note_id>", methods=["PUT"])
+@notes_bp.route("/<int:note_id>", methods=["PUT", "PATCH"])
 @login_required
 async def update_note_route(note_id: int):
+    """Partial update — only the keys present in the payload change. PUT and
+    PATCH are the same handler on purpose: the form sends the field set it
+    edited, and the two verbs used to be two near-identical copies of this
+    function that drifted (one carried the supersedes contract, one did not)."""
     uid = get_current_user_id()
     # Share-aware: resolve through the ACL and write as the OWNER, so a shared
     # editor's save isn't rejected by the owner-scoped update service.
@@ -290,44 +278,10 @@ async def update_note_route(note_id: int):
         except PermissionError as exc:
             return jsonify({"error": str(exc)}), 403
     out = note.to_dict()
-    await _attach_supersession(uid, note_id, out)
+    await supersession_svc.attach_relations(uid, note_id, out)
     return jsonify(out)
 
 
-@notes_bp.route("/<int:note_id>", methods=["PATCH"])
-@login_required
-async def patch_note_route(note_id: int):
-    uid = get_current_user_id()
-    result = await get_note_for_user(uid, note_id)
-    if result is None:
-        return not_found("Note")
-    note_obj, _ = result
-    if not await can_write_note(uid, note_id):
-        return jsonify({"error": "Permission denied"}), 403
-    owner_uid = note_obj.user_id
-    data = await request.get_json()
-    fields = {}
-    for key in ("title", "body", "description", "parent_id", "project_id", "milestone_id", "status", "priority", "note_type"):
-        if key in data:
-            fields[key] = data[key]
-    if "due_date" in data:
-        if data["due_date"]:
-            result = parse_iso_date(data["due_date"], "due_date")
-            if isinstance(result, tuple):
-                return result
-            fields["due_date"] = result
-        else:
-            fields["due_date"] = None
-    if "tags" in data:
-        fields["tags"] = data["tags"]
-    try:
-        note = await update_note(owner_uid, note_id, **fields)
-    except ValueError as e:
-        return jsonify({"error": str(e)}), 400
-    if note is None:
-        return not_found("Note")
-    return jsonify(note.to_dict())
-
 
 @notes_bp.route("/<int:note_id>", methods=["DELETE"])
 @login_required

src/scribe/routes/plugin.py

@@ -24,6 +24,35 @@ plugin_bp = Blueprint("plugin", __name__, url_prefix="/api/plugin")
 _MARKETPLACE_KEY = "plugin_marketplace_url"
 
 
+def _int_list(raw: str | None) -> list[int]:
+    """A comma-separated id list from the query string; non-ints dropped."""
+    return [int(p) for p in (raw or "").split(",") if p.strip().isdigit()]
+
+
+async def _project_scope() -> tuple[int, str, str]:
+    """(project_id, repo, unbound_repo) from the request's `project_id` /
+    `repo` query args — the one resolution every plugin endpoint shares.
+
+    An explicit project_id wins; otherwise the repo remote is resolved
+    through the caller's bindings, and a remote nobody bound comes back as
+    `unbound_repo` (normalised) so /context can say "bind this repo".
+    """
+    try:
+        project_id = int(request.args.get("project_id", 0) or 0)
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        project_id = 0
+    repo = (request.args.get("repo") or "").strip()
+    unbound_repo = ""
+    if repo and not project_id:
+        resolved = await repo_bindings_svc.resolve_project(g.user.id, repo)
+        if resolved:
+            project_id = resolved
+        else:
+            unbound_repo = repo_bindings_svc.normalize_repo_key(repo)
+    return project_id, repo, unbound_repo
+
+
+
 @plugin_bp.get("/context")
 @login_required
 async def session_context():
@@ -37,20 +66,7 @@ async def session_context():
         project_id (optional int) — explicit override, mainly for manual/ad-hoc
             curl testing; takes precedence over `repo` when set.
     """
-    try:
+    project_id, _repo, unbound_repo = await _project_scope()
-        project_id = int(request.args.get("project_id", 0) or 0)
-    except (TypeError, ValueError):
-        project_id = 0
-
-    unbound_repo = ""
-    repo = (request.args.get("repo") or "").strip()
-    if repo and not project_id:
-        resolved = await repo_bindings_svc.resolve_project(g.user.id, repo)
-        if resolved:
-            project_id = resolved
-        else:
-            unbound_repo = repo_bindings_svc.normalize_repo_key(repo)
-
     result = await plugin_ctx_svc.build_session_context(
         g.user.id, project_id, unbound_repo=unbound_repo
     )
@@ -77,22 +93,8 @@ async def autoinject_retrieve():
                              session; skipped so each note injects at most once.
     """
     q = (request.args.get("q") or "").strip()
-    try:
+    project_id, _repo, _unbound = await _project_scope()
-        project_id = int(request.args.get("project_id", 0) or 0)
+    exclude_ids = _int_list(request.args.get("exclude_ids"))
-    except (TypeError, ValueError):
-        project_id = 0
-
-    repo = (request.args.get("repo") or "").strip()
-    if repo and not project_id:
-        resolved = await repo_bindings_svc.resolve_project(g.user.id, repo)
-        if resolved:
-            project_id = resolved
-
-    exclude_ids = [
-        int(p) for p in (request.args.get("exclude_ids") or "").split(",")
-        if p.strip().isdigit()
-    ]
-
     result = await plugin_ctx_svc.build_autoinject_hint(
         g.user.id, q, project_id=project_id, exclude_ids=exclude_ids
     )
@@ -127,36 +129,55 @@ async def write_path_prior_art():
                              surfaced. A separate channel on purpose: a reuse
                              hint shown early must not suppress the record-sync
                              nudge when the recorded file is edited later.
+        shapes (opt)       — comma-separated `kind:name` definitions the hook
+                             found in (or enclosing) the payload, kind being
+                             css|sym. The shape ledger's write-path feed
+                             (#2791): when the session recently PULLED a
+                             snippet this payload references or resembles,
+                             these land as instance rows (classified_by=hook).
+                             Honoured only for a caller allowed to write — a
+                             read-scoped key still gets the hint, and never
+                             changes accounting on a GET.
     """
     path = (request.args.get("path") or "").strip()
     code = request.args.get("code") or ""
-    try:
+    project_id, repo, _unbound = await _project_scope()
-        project_id = int(request.args.get("project_id", 0) or 0)
+    exclude_ids = _int_list(request.args.get("exclude_ids"))
-    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+    exclude_sync_ids = _int_list(request.args.get("exclude_sync_ids"))
-        project_id = 0
+    shapes = _parse_shapes(request.args.get("shapes") or "")
-
+    api_key = getattr(g, "api_key", None)
-    repo = (request.args.get("repo") or "").strip()
+    may_stamp = api_key is None or getattr(api_key, "scope", "") == "write"
-    if repo and not project_id:
-        resolved = await repo_bindings_svc.resolve_project(g.user.id, repo)
-        if resolved:
-            project_id = resolved
-
-    exclude_ids = [
-        int(p) for p in (request.args.get("exclude_ids") or "").split(",")
-        if p.strip().isdigit()
-    ]
-    exclude_sync_ids = [
-        int(p) for p in (request.args.get("exclude_sync_ids") or "").split(",")
-        if p.strip().isdigit()
-    ]
 
     result = await plugin_ctx_svc.build_write_path_hint(
         g.user.id, path, code=code, project_id=project_id,
         exclude_ids=exclude_ids, exclude_sync_ids=exclude_sync_ids,
+        stamp_shapes=shapes if may_stamp else None,
+        repo_key=repo_bindings_svc.normalize_repo_key(repo) if repo else "",
     )
     return jsonify(result)
 
 
+# The hook names at most a dozen definitions per write; anything past that is
+# a generated file, not a shape being instantiated.
+_SHAPES_CAP = 12
+
+
+def _parse_shapes(raw: str) -> list[tuple[str, str]]:
+    """`css:btn-primary,sym:onTrash` → [("css", "btn-primary"), ("sym", "onTrash")].
+    Unknown kinds and empty names are dropped, duplicates collapse, and the
+    list is capped — the hook's own cap, re-applied so the contract holds
+    for any caller."""
+    out: list[tuple[str, str]] = []
+    for part in raw.split(","):
+        kind, _sep, name = part.strip().partition(":")
+        kind, name = kind.strip(), name.strip()
+        if kind in ("css", "sym") and name and (kind, name) not in out:
+            out.append((kind, name))
+        if len(out) >= _SHAPES_CAP:
+            break
+    return out
+
+
 @plugin_bp.get("/processes")
 @login_required
 async def process_manifest():

src/scribe/routes/projects.py

@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 """Project management routes."""
 import logging
 
-from quart import Blueprint, jsonify, request
+from quart import Blueprint, g, jsonify, request
 
 from scribe.auth import login_required, get_current_user_id
 from scribe.routes.utils import not_found, parse_pagination
+from scribe.services import inception as inception_svc
 from scribe.services.milestones import list_milestones
 from scribe.services.notes import list_notes
 from scribe.services.projects import (
@@ -66,6 +67,15 @@ async def create_project_route():
     status = data.get("status", "active")
     if status not in ("active", "paused", "completed", "archived"):
         return jsonify({"error": "status must be 'active', 'paused', 'completed', or 'archived'"}), 400
+    # The inception decision rides the create (milestone 297): the UI's
+    # second step sends `inception: {choices}`; absent = undecided, and the
+    # project page shows the card until it is. Validated before the create
+    # so a bad decision never leaves a half-made project behind.
+    inception = data.get("inception")
+    if inception is not None:
+        error = inception_svc.validate_inception(inception)
+        if error:
+            return jsonify({"error": error}), 400
     project = await create_project(
         uid,
         title=data["title"],
@@ -74,7 +84,44 @@ async def create_project_route():
         color=data.get("color"),
         status=status,
     )
-    return jsonify(project.to_dict()), 201
+    out = project.to_dict()
+    if inception is not None:
+        try:
+            decided = await inception_svc.decide(uid, project.id, choices=inception, via="ui")
+        except ValueError as exc:
+            return jsonify({"error": str(exc), "project": out}), 400
+        out["inception"] = decided["inception"]
+        out["inception_effects"] = decided["effects"]
+    return jsonify(out), 201
+
+
+@projects_bp.route("/<int:project_id>/inception", methods=["POST"])
+@login_required
+async def decide_inception_route(project_id: int):
+    """Record (or re-record) what a project inherits — milestone 297.
+    Body: the choices object {exclude_always_on_rulebooks, subscribe_rulebooks,
+    design_system_id, seed_systems}; owner-only."""
+    uid = get_current_user_id()
+    data = await request.get_json() or {}
+    choices = data.get("choices", data)
+    try:
+        decided = await inception_svc.decide(uid, project_id, choices=choices, via="ui")
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        msg = str(exc)
+        status = 404 if "not found" in msg else 400
+        return jsonify({"error": msg}), status
+    return jsonify({"project_id": project_id, **decided})
+
+
+@projects_bp.route("/<int:project_id>/inception/defaults", methods=["GET"])
+@login_required
+async def inception_defaults_route(project_id: int):
+    """What the project inherits if nobody decides — the card's payload."""
+    uid = get_current_user_id()
+    try:
+        return jsonify(await inception_svc.current_defaults(uid, project_id))
+    except ValueError:
+        return not_found("Project")
 
 
 @projects_bp.route("/<int:project_id>", methods=["GET"])
@@ -123,14 +170,14 @@ async def delete_project_route(project_id: int):
 @projects_bp.route("/<int:project_id>/coverage", methods=["GET"])
 @login_required
 async def get_coverage_route(project_id: int):
-    """The cached pattern-library coverage summary — never computes.
+    """The cached shape-accounting summary — never computes.
 
     `configured` tells the card whether offering a Refresh button makes
     sense; `coverage` is null until something has computed it (a webhook
     push or an explicit refresh).
     """
     from scribe.services.coverage import cached_coverage
-    from scribe.services.forge import get_forge
+    from scribe.services.forge import get_forges
 
     uid = get_current_user_id()
     result = await get_project_for_user(uid, project_id)
@@ -139,7 +186,9 @@ async def get_coverage_route(project_id: int):
     project, _ = result
     owner_uid = project.user_id or uid
     return jsonify({
-        "configured": await get_forge() is not None,
+        # The OWNER's keyring (#2778) — whether refresh could do anything,
+        # regardless of who is looking.
+        "configured": (await get_forges(owner_uid, project_id)).configured,
         "coverage": await cached_coverage(owner_uid, project_id),
     })
 
@@ -153,7 +202,7 @@ async def refresh_coverage_route(project_id: int):
     and wants the new number, and the forge timeout bounds the wait.
     """
     from scribe.services.coverage import refresh_coverage
-    from scribe.services.forge import ForgeError, get_forge
+    from scribe.services.forge import ForgeError, get_forges
 
     uid = get_current_user_id()
     result = await get_project_for_user(uid, project_id)
@@ -161,20 +210,56 @@ async def refresh_coverage_route(project_id: int):
         return not_found("Project")
     project, _ = result
     owner_uid = project.user_id or uid
-    if await get_forge() is None:
+    selector = await get_forges(owner_uid, project_id)
-        return jsonify({"error": "No git forge is configured (Settings → Config → Git Forge)"}), 400
+    if not selector.configured:
+        return jsonify({
+            "error": "The project owner has no forge connection "
+            "(Settings → Git forges)"
+        }), 400
     try:
-        coverage = await refresh_coverage(owner_uid, project_id)
+        coverage = await refresh_coverage(owner_uid, project_id, selector=selector)
     except ForgeError as exc:
         return jsonify({"error": str(exc)}), 502
     if coverage is None:
         return jsonify({
-            "error": "No bound repo is served by the configured forge — "
+            "error": "No bound repo is served by the owner's forge connections — "
-            "bind the project's repo (bind_repo) on a remote the forge hosts"
+            "bind the project's repo (bind_repo) on a remote a connection hosts"
         }), 400
     return jsonify({"coverage": coverage})
 
 
+@projects_bp.route("/<int:project_id>/forge", methods=["PUT"])
+@login_required
+async def set_project_forge_route(project_id: int):
+    """Pin the project to one forge connection, or clear the pin (#2778).
+
+    Body: {"connection_id": <id> | null}. Owner-or-admin may ask; either way
+    the pin can only reference a connection the project OWNER holds — the
+    service enforces that, so a collaborator's token can never end up serving
+    someone else's project.
+    """
+    from scribe.services.forge_connections import set_project_pin
+
+    uid = get_current_user_id()
+    result = await get_project_for_user(uid, project_id)
+    if result is None:
+        return not_found("Project")
+    project, permission = result
+    if permission != "owner" and g.user.role != "admin":
+        return jsonify({"error": "Only the project owner can change its forge"}), 403
+
+    data = await request.get_json() or {}
+    raw = data.get("connection_id")
+    if raw is not None and not isinstance(raw, int):
+        return jsonify({"error": "connection_id must be an integer or null"}), 400
+    owner_uid = project.user_id or uid
+    if not await set_project_pin(owner_uid, project_id, raw):
+        return jsonify({
+            "error": "That connection does not belong to the project owner"
+        }), 400
+    return jsonify({"forge_connection_id": raw})
+
+
 @projects_bp.route("/<int:project_id>/notes", methods=["GET"])
 @login_required
 async def get_project_notes_route(project_id: int):

src/scribe/routes/rulebooks.py

@@ -1,29 +1,26 @@
 """Rulebook / topic REST endpoints.
 
-Wraps services/rulebooks.py. Standard Scribe auth: g.user.id is the
+Wraps services/rulebooks.py. Standard Scribe auth: get_current_user_id() is the
 authenticated owner; the service enforces ownership scoping.
 """
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from quart import Blueprint, g, jsonify, request
+from quart import Blueprint, jsonify, request
 
-from scribe.auth import login_required
+from scribe.auth import get_current_user_id, login_required
 import scribe.services.rulebooks as rulebooks_svc
 from scribe.services.trash import delete as trash_delete
 
 rulebooks_bp = Blueprint("rulebooks", __name__, url_prefix="/api")
 
 
-def _uid() -> int:
-    return g.user.id
-
 
 # ── Rulebooks ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 @rulebooks_bp.get("/rulebooks")
 @login_required
 async def list_rulebooks():
-    rows = await rulebooks_svc.list_rulebooks(_uid())
+    rows = await rulebooks_svc.list_rulebooks(get_current_user_id())
     return jsonify({"rulebooks": [rb.to_dict() for rb in rows]})
 
 
@@ -35,7 +32,7 @@ async def create_rulebook():
     if not title:
         return jsonify({"error": "title is required"}), 400
     rb = await rulebooks_svc.create_rulebook(
-        user_id=_uid(),
+        user_id=get_current_user_id(),
         title=title,
         description=data.get("description", ""),
     )
@@ -45,7 +42,7 @@ async def create_rulebook():
 @rulebooks_bp.get("/rulebooks/<int:rulebook_id>")
 @login_required
 async def get_rulebook(rulebook_id: int):
-    rb = await rulebooks_svc.get_rulebook(rulebook_id, _uid())
+    rb = await rulebooks_svc.get_rulebook(rulebook_id, get_current_user_id())
     if rb is None:
         return jsonify({"error": "rulebook not found"}), 404
     return jsonify(rb.to_dict())
@@ -56,7 +53,7 @@ async def get_rulebook(rulebook_id: int):
 async def update_rulebook(rulebook_id: int):
     data = await request.get_json() or {}
     fields = {k: v for k, v in data.items() if k in ("title", "description", "always_on")}
-    rb = await rulebooks_svc.update_rulebook(rulebook_id, _uid(), **fields)
+    rb = await rulebooks_svc.update_rulebook(rulebook_id, get_current_user_id(), **fields)
     if rb is None:
         return jsonify({"error": "rulebook not found"}), 404
     return jsonify(rb.to_dict())
@@ -65,7 +62,7 @@ async def update_rulebook(rulebook_id: int):
 @rulebooks_bp.delete("/rulebooks/<int:rulebook_id>")
 @login_required
 async def delete_rulebook(rulebook_id: int):
-    await trash_delete(_uid(), "rulebook", rulebook_id)
+    await trash_delete(get_current_user_id(), "rulebook", rulebook_id)
     return "", 204
 
 
@@ -75,7 +72,7 @@ async def delete_rulebook(rulebook_id: int):
 @login_required
 async def list_topics(rulebook_id: int):
     try:
-        rows = await rulebooks_svc.list_topics(rulebook_id, _uid())
+        rows = await rulebooks_svc.list_topics(rulebook_id, get_current_user_id())
     except ValueError as exc:
         return jsonify({"error": str(exc)}), 404
     return jsonify({"topics": [t.to_dict() for t in rows]})
@@ -91,7 +88,7 @@ async def create_topic(rulebook_id: int):
     try:
         topic = await rulebooks_svc.create_topic(
             rulebook_id=rulebook_id,
-            user_id=_uid(),
+            user_id=get_current_user_id(),
             title=title,
             description=data.get("description", ""),
             order_index=data.get("order_index", 0),
@@ -109,7 +106,7 @@ async def update_topic(topic_id: int):
         k: v for k, v in data.items()
         if k in ("title", "description", "order_index")
     }
-    topic = await rulebooks_svc.update_topic(topic_id, _uid(), **fields)
+    topic = await rulebooks_svc.update_topic(topic_id, get_current_user_id(), **fields)
     if topic is None:
         return jsonify({"error": "topic not found"}), 404
     return jsonify(topic.to_dict())
@@ -118,7 +115,7 @@ async def update_topic(topic_id: int):
 @rulebooks_bp.delete("/rulebook-topics/<int:topic_id>")
 @login_required
 async def delete_topic(topic_id: int):
-    if await trash_delete(_uid(), "topic", topic_id) is None:
+    if await trash_delete(get_current_user_id(), "topic", topic_id) is None:
         return jsonify({"error": "topic not found"}), 404
     return "", 204
 
@@ -140,7 +137,7 @@ async def list_rules():
         return jsonify({"error": "rulebook_id, topic_id, project_id must be integers"}), 400
 
     rows = await rulebooks_svc.list_rules(
-        user_id=_uid(),
+        user_id=get_current_user_id(),
         rulebook_id=rulebook_id,
         topic_id=topic_id,
         project_id=project_id,
@@ -159,7 +156,7 @@ async def create_rule(topic_id: int):
     try:
         rule = await rulebooks_svc.create_rule(
             topic_id=topic_id,
-            user_id=_uid(),
+            user_id=get_current_user_id(),
             title=title,
             statement=statement,
             why=data.get("why", ""),
@@ -174,7 +171,7 @@ async def create_rule(topic_id: int):
 @rulebooks_bp.get("/rules/<int:rule_id>")
 @login_required
 async def get_rule(rule_id: int):
-    rule = await rulebooks_svc.get_rule(rule_id, _uid())
+    rule = await rulebooks_svc.get_rule(rule_id, get_current_user_id())
     if rule is None:
         return jsonify({"error": "rule not found"}), 404
     return jsonify(rule.to_dict())
@@ -188,7 +185,7 @@ async def update_rule(rule_id: int):
         k: v for k, v in data.items()
         if k in ("title", "statement", "why", "how_to_apply", "order_index")
     }
-    rule = await rulebooks_svc.update_rule(rule_id, _uid(), **fields)
+    rule = await rulebooks_svc.update_rule(rule_id, get_current_user_id(), **fields)
     if rule is None:
         return jsonify({"error": "rule not found"}), 404
     return jsonify(rule.to_dict())
@@ -197,7 +194,7 @@ async def update_rule(rule_id: int):
 @rulebooks_bp.delete("/rules/<int:rule_id>")
 @login_required
 async def delete_rule(rule_id: int):
-    if await trash_delete(_uid(), "rule", rule_id) is None:
+    if await trash_delete(get_current_user_id(), "rule", rule_id) is None:
         return jsonify({"error": "rule not found"}), 404
     return "", 204
 
@@ -213,7 +210,7 @@ async def subscribe_project(project_id: int):
         return jsonify({"error": "rulebook_id is required"}), 400
     try:
         await rulebooks_svc.subscribe_project(
-            project_id=project_id, rulebook_id=int(rulebook_id), user_id=_uid(),
+            project_id=project_id, rulebook_id=int(rulebook_id), user_id=get_current_user_id(),
         )
     except ValueError as exc:
         return jsonify({"error": str(exc)}), 404
@@ -227,7 +224,7 @@ async def subscribe_project(project_id: int):
 async def unsubscribe_project(project_id: int, rulebook_id: int):
     try:
         await rulebooks_svc.unsubscribe_project(
-            project_id=project_id, rulebook_id=rulebook_id, user_id=_uid(),
+            project_id=project_id, rulebook_id=rulebook_id, user_id=get_current_user_id(),
         )
     except ValueError as exc:
         return jsonify({"error": str(exc)}), 404
@@ -238,7 +235,7 @@ async def unsubscribe_project(project_id: int, rulebook_id: int):
 @login_required
 async def get_project_rules(project_id: int):
     result = await rulebooks_svc.get_applicable_rules(
-        project_id=project_id, user_id=_uid(),
+        project_id=project_id, user_id=get_current_user_id(),
     )
     return jsonify(result)
 
@@ -248,7 +245,7 @@ async def get_project_rules(project_id: int):
 async def suppress_project_rule(project_id: int, rule_id: int):
     try:
         await rulebooks_svc.suppress_rule_for_project(
-            project_id=project_id, rule_id=rule_id, user_id=_uid(),
+            project_id=project_id, rule_id=rule_id, user_id=get_current_user_id(),
         )
     except ValueError as exc:
         return jsonify({"error": str(exc)}), 404
@@ -260,7 +257,7 @@ async def suppress_project_rule(project_id: int, rule_id: int):
 async def unsuppress_project_rule(project_id: int, rule_id: int):
     try:
         await rulebooks_svc.unsuppress_rule_for_project(
-            project_id=project_id, rule_id=rule_id, user_id=_uid(),
+            project_id=project_id, rule_id=rule_id, user_id=get_current_user_id(),
         )
     except ValueError as exc:
         return jsonify({"error": str(exc)}), 404
@@ -272,7 +269,7 @@ async def unsuppress_project_rule(project_id: int, rule_id: int):
 async def suppress_project_topic(project_id: int, topic_id: int):
     try:
         await rulebooks_svc.suppress_topic_for_project(
-            project_id=project_id, topic_id=topic_id, user_id=_uid(),
+            project_id=project_id, topic_id=topic_id, user_id=get_current_user_id(),
         )
     except ValueError as exc:
         return jsonify({"error": str(exc)}), 404
@@ -284,7 +281,33 @@ async def suppress_project_topic(project_id: int, topic_id: int):
 async def unsuppress_project_topic(project_id: int, topic_id: int):
     try:
         await rulebooks_svc.unsuppress_topic_for_project(
-            project_id=project_id, topic_id=topic_id, user_id=_uid(),
+            project_id=project_id, topic_id=topic_id, user_id=get_current_user_id(),
+        )
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        return jsonify({"error": str(exc)}), 404
+    return "", 204
+
+
+@rulebooks_bp.post("/projects/<int:project_id>/exclusions/rulebooks/<int:rulebook_id>")
+@login_required
+async def exclude_project_rulebook(project_id: int, rulebook_id: int):
+    """Opt the project out of a whole always-on rulebook (milestone 297)."""
+    try:
+        await rulebooks_svc.exclude_always_on_rulebook_for_project(
+            project_id=project_id, rulebook_id=rulebook_id, user_id=get_current_user_id(),
+        )
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        msg = str(exc)
+        return jsonify({"error": msg}), (400 if "not always-on" in msg else 404)
+    return "", 204
+
+
+@rulebooks_bp.delete("/projects/<int:project_id>/exclusions/rulebooks/<int:rulebook_id>")
+@login_required
+async def include_project_rulebook(project_id: int, rulebook_id: int):
+    try:
+        await rulebooks_svc.include_always_on_rulebook_for_project(
+            project_id=project_id, rulebook_id=rulebook_id, user_id=get_current_user_id(),
         )
     except ValueError as exc:
         return jsonify({"error": str(exc)}), 404
@@ -303,7 +326,7 @@ async def create_project_rule(project_id: int):
     try:
         rule = await rulebooks_svc.create_project_rule(
             project_id=project_id,
-            user_id=_uid(),
+            user_id=get_current_user_id(),
             title=title,
             statement=statement,
             why=data.get("why", ""),

src/scribe/routes/settings.py

@@ -9,7 +9,9 @@ from quart import Blueprint, jsonify, request
 
 from scribe.auth import login_required, get_current_user_id
 from scribe.config import Config
-from scribe.services.settings import delete_setting, get_all_settings, get_setting, set_settings_batch
+from scribe.services.settings import (
+    SECRET_MASK, delete_setting, get_all_settings, get_setting, set_settings_batch,
+)
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -20,13 +22,13 @@ settings_bp = Blueprint("settings", __name__, url_prefix="/api/settings")
 # read and skip the mask on write; this generic KV surface has to apply the
 # same treatment, or it silently un-masks what those endpoints masked — the
 # rows live on the admin's own user_id, so the plain GET returned them raw.
-_SECRET_KEYS = frozenset({"smtp_password", "forge_token", "forge_webhook_secret"})
+# (forge_token left with 0078: forge credentials are keyring rows now, #2778.)
-_SECRET_MASK = "********"
+_SECRET_KEYS = frozenset({"smtp_password", "forge_webhook_secret"})
 
 
 def _masked(settings: dict) -> dict:
     return {
-        k: (_SECRET_MASK if k in _SECRET_KEYS and v else v)
+        k: (SECRET_MASK if k in _SECRET_KEYS and v else v)
         for k, v in settings.items()
     }
 
@@ -52,7 +54,7 @@ async def update_settings_route():
         str_v = str(v)
         # A masked secret round-tripping through a client is "unchanged", not
         # a request to store the mask over the real credential.
-        if k in _SECRET_KEYS and str_v == _SECRET_MASK:
+        if k in _SECRET_KEYS and str_v == SECRET_MASK:
             continue
         if not str_v:
             await delete_setting(uid, k)
@@ -73,3 +75,103 @@ async def test_search():
     if not Config.searxng_enabled():
         return jsonify({"configured": False, "results": [], "searxng_url": ""})
     return jsonify({"configured": True, "results": [], "searxng_url": Config.SEARXNG_URL})
+
+
+# --- forge connections (#2778) ------------------------------------------------
+# The user's keyring: read-only forge credentials, one per host, resolved by
+# repo host for every server-side forge read on the user's projects. Strictly
+# own-rows — a connection is a credential, and there is no admin view of
+# another user's keyring. Tokens never leave the server: the model's to_dict
+# omits them, and the routes never echo the submitted value back.
+
+
+@settings_bp.route("/forge-connections", methods=["GET"])
+@login_required
+async def list_forge_connections_route():
+    from scribe.services.forge import FORGE_KINDS
+    from scribe.services.forge_connections import list_connections
+
+    uid = get_current_user_id()
+    rows = await list_connections(uid)
+    return jsonify({
+        "connections": [r.to_dict() for r in rows],
+        "kinds": list(FORGE_KINDS),
+    })
+
+
+@settings_bp.route("/forge-connections", methods=["POST"])
+@login_required
+async def create_forge_connection_route():
+    from scribe.services.forge_connections import create_connection
+
+    uid = get_current_user_id()
+    data = await request.get_json() or {}
+    try:
+        row = await create_connection(
+            uid,
+            kind=str(data.get("kind", "")),
+            base_url=str(data.get("base_url", "")),
+            token=str(data.get("token", "")),
+        )
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        return jsonify({"error": str(exc)}), 400
+    return jsonify(row.to_dict()), 201
+
+
+@settings_bp.route("/forge-connections/<int:connection_id>", methods=["PUT"])
+@login_required
+async def update_forge_connection_route(connection_id: int):
+    from scribe.services.forge_connections import update_connection
+
+    uid = get_current_user_id()
+    data = await request.get_json() or {}
+    token = str(data.get("token", ""))
+    # The mask coming back means "unchanged" — the form round-trips what the
+    # list showed, and storing the mask would silently break the connection.
+    if token == SECRET_MASK:
+        token = ""
+    try:
+        row = await update_connection(
+            uid, connection_id,
+            kind=str(data.get("kind", "")),
+            base_url=str(data.get("base_url", "")),
+            token=token,
+        )
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        return jsonify({"error": str(exc)}), 400
+    if row is None:
+        return jsonify({"error": "Connection not found"}), 404
+    return jsonify(row.to_dict())
+
+
+@settings_bp.route("/forge-connections/<int:connection_id>", methods=["DELETE"])
+@login_required
+async def delete_forge_connection_route(connection_id: int):
+    from scribe.services.forge_connections import delete_connection
+
+    uid = get_current_user_id()
+    if not await delete_connection(uid, connection_id):
+        return jsonify({"error": "Connection not found"}), 404
+    return "", 204
+
+
+@settings_bp.route("/forge-connections/<int:connection_id>/test", methods=["POST"])
+@login_required
+async def test_forge_connection_route(connection_id: int):
+    """Probe the SAVED connection: reachability and token acceptance in one
+    press, so a misconfiguration is visible now rather than as silent
+    fallbacks later (#2663's lesson, applied per keyring row)."""
+    from scribe.services.forge import ForgeError, build_adapter
+    from scribe.services.forge_connections import get_connection
+
+    uid = get_current_user_id()
+    row = await get_connection(uid, connection_id)
+    if row is None:
+        return jsonify({"error": "Connection not found"}), 404
+    adapter = build_adapter(row.kind, row.base_url, row.token)
+    if adapter is None:
+        return jsonify({"error": "Connection is not usable — check kind and base URL"}), 400
+    try:
+        return jsonify(await adapter.check())
+    except ForgeError as exc:
+        return jsonify({"error": str(exc)}), 502

src/scribe/routes/trash.py

@@ -1,33 +1,30 @@
 """Trash REST API — list / restore / purge soft-deleted content by batch."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from quart import Blueprint, g, jsonify
+from quart import Blueprint, jsonify
 
-from scribe.auth import login_required
+from scribe.auth import get_current_user_id, login_required
 import scribe.services.trash as trash_svc
 
 trash_bp = Blueprint("trash", __name__, url_prefix="/api/trash")
 
 
-def _uid() -> int:
-    return g.user.id
-
 
 @trash_bp.get("")
 @login_required
 async def list_trash():
-    return jsonify({"batches": await trash_svc.list_trash(_uid())})
+    return jsonify({"batches": await trash_svc.list_trash(get_current_user_id())})
 
 
 @trash_bp.post("/<batch_id>/restore")
 @login_required
 async def restore_batch(batch_id: str):
-    n = await trash_svc.restore(_uid(), batch_id)
+    n = await trash_svc.restore(get_current_user_id(), batch_id)
     return jsonify({"restored": n})
 
 
 @trash_bp.delete("/<batch_id>")
 @login_required
 async def purge_batch(batch_id: str):
-    n = await trash_svc.purge(_uid(), batch_id)
+    n = await trash_svc.purge(get_current_user_id(), batch_id)
     return jsonify({"purged": n})

src/scribe/services/api_keys.py

@@ -13,8 +13,11 @@ def generate_key() -> str:
     return "fmcp_" + secrets.token_urlsafe(32)
 
 
-def _hash_key(key: str) -> str:
+def hash_token(raw: str) -> str:
-    return hashlib.sha256(key.encode()).hexdigest()
+    """The ONE fingerprint for every bearer secret stored by hash — API keys,
+    password-reset tokens, invitation tokens. Stored rows hold this, never
+    the raw value; a lookup hashes the presented token and compares."""
+    return hashlib.sha256(raw.encode()).hexdigest()
 
 
 def _key_prefix(key: str) -> str:
@@ -32,7 +35,7 @@ async def create_api_key(
     key = ApiKey(
         user_id=user_id,
         name=name,
-        key_hash=_hash_key(full_key),
+        key_hash=hash_token(full_key),
         key_prefix=_key_prefix(full_key),
         scope=scope,
     )
@@ -70,7 +73,7 @@ async def revoke_api_key(user_id: int, key_id: int) -> bool:
 
 async def lookup_key(raw_key: str) -> ApiKey | None:
     """Look up a non-revoked ApiKey by raw token value. Updates last_used_at."""
-    key_hash = _hash_key(raw_key)
+    key_hash = hash_token(raw_key)
     async with async_session() as session:
         result = await session.execute(
             select(ApiKey).where(

src/scribe/services/auth.py

@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-import hashlib
 import logging
 import secrets
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
@@ -12,6 +11,8 @@ from scribe.models.invitation import InvitationToken
 from scribe.models.password_reset import PasswordResetToken
 from scribe.models.setting import Setting
 from scribe.models.user import User
+from scribe.services.api_keys import hash_token
+from scribe.services.settings import get_admin_setting
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -142,16 +143,7 @@ async def is_registration_open() -> bool:
     user_count = await get_user_count()
     if user_count == 0:
         return True
-
+    return await get_admin_setting("registration_open", "false") == "true"
-    async with async_session() as session:
-        # Find the admin user's registration_open setting
-        result = await session.execute(
-            select(Setting)
-            .join(User, Setting.user_id == User.id)
-            .where(User.role == "admin", Setting.key == "registration_open")
-        )
-        setting = result.scalar_one_or_none()
-        return setting.value == "true" if setting else False
 
 
 async def list_users() -> list[User]:
@@ -211,7 +203,7 @@ async def get_user_by_email(email: str) -> User | None:
 async def create_password_reset_token(user_id: int) -> str:
     """Generate a password reset token. Returns the raw token (for the email link)."""
     raw_token = secrets.token_urlsafe(32)
-    token_hash = hashlib.sha256(raw_token.encode()).hexdigest()
+    token_hash = hash_token(raw_token)
     expires_at = datetime.now(timezone.utc) + timedelta(hours=1)
 
     async with async_session() as session:
@@ -239,7 +231,7 @@ async def create_password_reset_token(user_id: int) -> str:
 
 async def reset_password_with_token(raw_token: str, new_password: str) -> int | None:
     """Validate a reset token and update the user's password. Returns user_id on success."""
-    token_hash = hashlib.sha256(raw_token.encode()).hexdigest()
+    token_hash = hash_token(raw_token)
 
     async with async_session() as session:
         result = await session.execute(
@@ -270,7 +262,7 @@ async def reset_password_with_token(raw_token: str, new_password: str) -> int |
 async def create_invitation(email: str, invited_by: int) -> str:
     """Generate an invitation token. Returns the raw token (for the email link)."""
     raw_token = secrets.token_urlsafe(32)
-    token_hash = hashlib.sha256(raw_token.encode()).hexdigest()
+    token_hash = hash_token(raw_token)
     expires_at = datetime.now(timezone.utc) + timedelta(days=7)
 
     async with async_session() as session:
@@ -299,7 +291,7 @@ async def create_invitation(email: str, invited_by: int) -> str:
 
 async def validate_invitation_token(raw_token: str) -> InvitationToken | None:
     """Look up by hash, check not used/expired. Returns the token record with email."""
-    token_hash = hashlib.sha256(raw_token.encode()).hexdigest()
+    token_hash = hash_token(raw_token)
 
     async with async_session() as session:
         result = await session.execute(
@@ -319,7 +311,7 @@ async def validate_invitation_token(raw_token: str) -> InvitationToken | None:
 
 async def register_with_invitation(raw_token: str, username: str, password: str) -> User | None:
     """Validate token, create user with the invitation's email, mark token used."""
-    token_hash = hashlib.sha256(raw_token.encode()).hexdigest()
+    token_hash = hash_token(raw_token)
 
     async with async_session() as session:
         result = await session.execute(
@@ -398,20 +390,16 @@ async def purge_expired_auth_tokens(grace_days: int = 7) -> int:
     return removed
 
 
-async def _auth_token_retention_loop() -> None:
+async def _auth_token_retention_tick() -> None:
-    import asyncio
+    removed = await purge_expired_auth_tokens()
-    while True:
+    if removed:
-        await asyncio.sleep(86400)  # daily
+        logger.info("Auth token retention: deleted %d expired token(s)", removed)
-        try:
-            removed = await purge_expired_auth_tokens()
-            if removed:
-                logger.info("Auth token retention: deleted %d expired token(s)", removed)
-        except Exception:
-            logger.exception("Error in auth token retention cleanup")
 
 
 def start_auth_token_retention_loop() -> None:
     global _auth_retention_task
-    import asyncio
     if _auth_retention_task is None or _auth_retention_task.done():
-        _auth_retention_task = asyncio.create_task(_auth_token_retention_loop())
+        from scribe.services.background import start_periodic
+        _auth_retention_task = start_periodic(
+            86400, _auth_token_retention_tick, label="auth_token_retention",  # daily
+        )

src/scribe/services/background.py

@@ -45,6 +45,26 @@ def spawn(coro: Coroutine, *, site: str) -> None:
     task.add_done_callback(_done)
 
 
+def start_periodic(interval_s: float, work, *, label: str) -> asyncio.Task:
+    """A forever loop that sleeps ``interval_s`` then awaits ``work()``, logging
+    (never raising) when a tick fails — the one shape the hourly/daily
+    retention sweeps share (log retention, notification sweep, auth-token
+    purge). Sleeps FIRST so startup isn't a sweep; holds a strong reference
+    like spawn() so the loop cannot be garbage-collected mid-flight."""
+    async def _loop() -> None:
+        while True:
+            await asyncio.sleep(interval_s)
+            try:
+                await work()
+            except Exception:
+                logger.exception("periodic task %s failed", label)
+
+    task = asyncio.get_running_loop().create_task(_loop(), name=f"periodic-{label}")
+    _pending.add(task)
+    task.add_done_callback(_pending.discard)
+    return task
+
+
 async def drain() -> None:
     """Await everything in flight — for tests that need the writes landed."""
     while _pending:

src/scribe/services/backup.py

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from scribe.models.note_supersession import NoteSupersession
 from scribe.models.note_version import NoteVersion
 from scribe.models.design_system import DesignSystem, DesignToken
 from scribe.models.note_usage import NoteUsageEvent
+from scribe.models.code_shape import CodeShape, CodeShapeEvent, CodeShapeUse
 from scribe.models.project import Project
 from scribe.models.repo_binding import RepoBinding
 from scribe.models.rulebook import (
@@ -18,6 +19,7 @@ from scribe.models.rulebook import (
     Rulebook,
     RulebookTopic,
     project_rule_suppressions,
+    project_rulebook_exclusions,
     project_rulebook_subscriptions,
     project_topic_suppressions,
 )
@@ -36,8 +38,18 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 # v6 (2026-08) added note_supersessions — and the guard did stop the seventh:
 # the table shipped without a backup section and the coverage test failed the
 # build, which is the whole reason that list was written.
+# v7 (2026-08) added code_shapes — the shape ledger (#2787). Classifications
+# are judgment data worth carrying; a restore keeps a judgment only when its
+# snippet target survives the id re-mapping, else the row rejoins the todo.
+# v8 (2026-08) added code_shape_events — the ledger's history (#2793): what
+# was used where, when, and why is not recomputable, so it travels.
+# v9 (2026-08) added code_shape_uses — the ledger's consumption edges (#2870):
+# judgment-grade edges (agent/audit/import) are operator records; mechanical
+# ones (reference/hook) travel too, cheaply, and the next refresh refreshes them.
+# v10 (2026-08) added projects.inception + project_rulebook_exclusions
+# (milestone 297): the WHY a project inherits what it does, and its opt-outs.
 # Bump when the serialized schema changes.
-BACKUP_VERSION = 6
+BACKUP_VERSION = 10
 
 # Every table this backup carries, by its REAL name. Paired with _NOT_INCLUDED
 # below, these two lists must together account for the entire schema — which is
@@ -51,10 +63,12 @@ _BACKED_UP = [
     "users", "projects", "milestones", "notes", "task_logs", "note_drafts",
     "note_versions", "settings", "rulebooks", "rulebook_topics", "rules",
     "project_rulebook_subscriptions", "project_rule_suppressions",
-    "project_topic_suppressions",
+    "project_topic_suppressions", "project_rulebook_exclusions",
     # v5 (2026-08): the five-year gap this list was written to stop.
     "systems", "record_systems", "design_systems", "design_tokens",
     "note_usage_events", "repo_bindings", "note_supersessions",
+    # v7 (2026-08): the shape ledger (#2787); v8: its history (#2793).
+    "code_shapes", "code_shape_events", "code_shape_uses",
 ]
 
 # Tables intentionally NOT in the backup, surfaced in the payload so the gap is
@@ -72,6 +86,12 @@ _NOT_INCLUDED = [
     "api_keys", "note_embeddings", "app_logs", "notifications",
     "invitation_tokens", "password_reset_tokens", "user_profiles",
     "retrieval_logs",
+    # Sensitive credentials, same reasoning as api_keys: a backup that carries
+    # forge tokens is a token-exfiltration file. Users re-add connections
+    # after a restore; the per-project pin (projects.forge_connection_id) is
+    # deliberately not exported either, so restored projects fall back to
+    # keyring-by-host resolution — the documented unpinned behavior (#2778).
+    "forge_connections",
 ]
 
 
@@ -95,6 +115,10 @@ def _topic_suppression_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
     return [{"project_id": r.project_id, "topic_id": r.topic_id} for r in rows]
 
 
+def _rulebook_exclusion_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
+    return [{"project_id": r.project_id, "rulebook_id": r.rulebook_id} for r in rows]
+
+
 # The v5 sections. Pure row-builders like the join-table helpers above, for the
 # same reason: CI has no database, so a serialiser that is a plain function is
 # one that can actually be tested.
@@ -160,6 +184,18 @@ def _usage_event_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
     ]
 
 
+def _code_shape_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
+    return [r.to_dict() for r in rows]
+
+
+def _code_shape_event_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
+    return [r.to_dict() for r in rows]
+
+
+def _code_shape_use_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
+    return [r.to_dict() for r in rows]
+
+
 def _repo_binding_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
     return [
         {"user_id": r.user_id, "project_id": r.project_id, "repo_key": r.repo_key}
@@ -167,6 +203,144 @@ def _repo_binding_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
     ]
 
 
+# Row builders for the sections both exporters carry. Pure, like the join-table
+# helpers above; the full and per-user exports used to restate every one of
+# these comprehensions side by side, and a column added to one and not the
+# other is a backup that silently drops it (#2293's shape, one layer down).
+
+def _user_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
+    return [
+        {
+            "id": u.id, "username": u.username, "email": u.email,
+            "password_hash": u.password_hash, "oauth_sub": u.oauth_sub,
+            "role": u.role, "session_version": u.session_version,
+            "created_at": u.created_at.isoformat(),
+        }
+        for u in rows
+    ]
+
+
+def _project_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
+    return [
+        {
+            "id": p.id, "user_id": p.user_id, "title": p.title,
+            "description": p.description, "goal": p.goal, "status": p.status,
+            "color": p.color,
+            "design_system_id": p.design_system_id,
+            "inception": p.inception,
+            "created_at": p.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": p.updated_at.isoformat(),
+        }
+        for p in rows
+    ]
+
+
+def _milestone_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
+    return [
+        {
+            "id": m.id, "user_id": m.user_id, "project_id": m.project_id,
+            "title": m.title, "description": m.description, "status": m.status,
+            "order_index": m.order_index,
+            "created_at": m.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": m.updated_at.isoformat(),
+        }
+        for m in rows
+    ]
+
+
+def _note_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
+    return [
+        {
+            "id": n.id, "user_id": n.user_id, "title": n.title, "body": n.body,
+            "tags": n.tags or [], "parent_id": n.parent_id,
+            "project_id": n.project_id, "milestone_id": n.milestone_id,
+            "status": n.status, "priority": n.priority,
+            "due_date": n.due_date.isoformat() if n.due_date else None,
+            "created_at": n.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": n.updated_at.isoformat(),
+        }
+        for n in rows
+    ]
+
+
+def _task_log_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
+    return [
+        {
+            "id": tl.id, "user_id": tl.user_id, "task_id": tl.task_id,
+            "content": tl.content, "duration_minutes": tl.duration_minutes,
+            "created_at": tl.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": tl.updated_at.isoformat(),
+        }
+        for tl in rows
+    ]
+
+
+def _note_draft_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
+    return [
+        {
+            "id": nd.id, "user_id": nd.user_id, "note_id": nd.note_id,
+            "proposed_body": nd.proposed_body, "original_body": nd.original_body,
+            "instruction": nd.instruction, "scope": nd.scope,
+            "created_at": nd.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": nd.updated_at.isoformat(),
+        }
+        for nd in rows
+    ]
+
+
+def _note_version_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
+    return [
+        {
+            "id": nv.id, "user_id": nv.user_id, "note_id": nv.note_id,
+            "title": nv.title, "body": nv.body, "tags": nv.tags or [],
+            "pin_kind": nv.pin_kind, "pin_label": nv.pin_label,
+            "created_at": nv.created_at.isoformat(),
+        }
+        for nv in rows
+    ]
+
+
+def _setting_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
+    return [{"user_id": s.user_id, "key": s.key, "value": s.value} for s in rows]
+
+
+def _rulebook_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
+    return [
+        {
+            "id": rb.id, "owner_user_id": rb.owner_user_id, "title": rb.title,
+            "description": rb.description, "always_on": rb.always_on,
+            "created_at": rb.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": rb.updated_at.isoformat(),
+        }
+        for rb in rows
+    ]
+
+
+def _topic_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
+    return [
+        {
+            "id": t.id, "rulebook_id": t.rulebook_id, "title": t.title,
+            "description": t.description, "order_index": t.order_index,
+            "created_at": t.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": t.updated_at.isoformat(),
+        }
+        for t in rows
+    ]
+
+
+def _rule_rows(rows) -> list[dict]:
+    return [
+        {
+            "id": r.id, "topic_id": r.topic_id, "project_id": r.project_id,
+            "title": r.title, "statement": r.statement, "why": r.why,
+            "how_to_apply": r.how_to_apply, "order_index": r.order_index,
+            "created_at": r.created_at.isoformat(),
+            "updated_at": r.updated_at.isoformat(),
+        }
+        for r in rows
+    ]
+
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Export
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -199,6 +373,13 @@ async def export_full_backup() -> dict:
         design_tokens = (await session.execute(select(DesignToken))).scalars().all()
         usage_events = (await session.execute(select(NoteUsageEvent))).scalars().all()
         repo_bindings = (await session.execute(select(RepoBinding))).scalars().all()
+        code_shapes = (await session.execute(select(CodeShape))).scalars().all()
+        code_shape_events = (await session.execute(
+            select(CodeShapeEvent).order_by(CodeShapeEvent.at, CodeShapeEvent.id)
+        )).scalars().all()
+        code_shape_uses = (await session.execute(
+            select(CodeShapeUse).order_by(CodeShapeUse.shape_id, CodeShapeUse.snippet_id)
+        )).scalars().all()
         rulebooks = (await session.execute(select(Rulebook))).scalars().all()
         topics = (await session.execute(select(RulebookTopic))).scalars().all()
         rules = (await session.execute(select(Rule))).scalars().all()
@@ -211,6 +392,9 @@ async def export_full_backup() -> dict:
         topic_suppressions = (await session.execute(
             select(project_topic_suppressions)
         )).all()
+        rulebook_exclusions = (await session.execute(
+            select(project_rulebook_exclusions)
+        )).all()
 
     return {
         "version": BACKUP_VERSION,
@@ -221,151 +405,21 @@ async def export_full_backup() -> dict:
             "Store it securely and restrict access."
         ),
         "_not_included": _NOT_INCLUDED,
-        "users": [
+        "users": _user_rows(users),
-            {
+        "projects": _project_rows(projects),
-                "id": u.id,
+        "milestones": _milestone_rows(milestones),
-                "username": u.username,
+        "notes": _note_rows(notes),
-                "email": u.email,
+        "task_logs": _task_log_rows(task_logs),
-                "password_hash": u.password_hash,
+        "note_drafts": _note_draft_rows(note_drafts),
-                "oauth_sub": u.oauth_sub,
+        "note_versions": _note_version_rows(note_versions),
-                "role": u.role,
+        "settings": _setting_rows(settings),
-                "session_version": u.session_version,
+        "rulebooks": _rulebook_rows(rulebooks),
-                "created_at": u.created_at.isoformat(),
+        "rulebook_topics": _topic_rows(topics),
-            }
+        "rules": _rule_rows(rules),
-            for u in users
-        ],
-        "projects": [
-            {
-                "id": p.id,
-                "user_id": p.user_id,
-                "title": p.title,
-                "description": p.description,
-                "goal": p.goal,
-                "status": p.status,
-                "color": p.color,
-                "created_at": p.created_at.isoformat(),
-                "updated_at": p.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for p in projects
-        ],
-        "milestones": [
-            {
-                "id": m.id,
-                "user_id": m.user_id,
-                "project_id": m.project_id,
-                "title": m.title,
-                "description": m.description,
-                "status": m.status,
-                "order_index": m.order_index,
-                "created_at": m.created_at.isoformat(),
-                "updated_at": m.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for m in milestones
-        ],
-        "notes": [
-            {
-                "id": n.id,
-                "user_id": n.user_id,
-                "title": n.title,
-                "body": n.body,
-                "tags": n.tags or [],
-                "parent_id": n.parent_id,
-                "project_id": n.project_id,
-                "milestone_id": n.milestone_id,
-                "status": n.status,
-                "priority": n.priority,
-                "due_date": n.due_date.isoformat() if n.due_date else None,
-                "created_at": n.created_at.isoformat(),
-                "updated_at": n.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for n in notes
-        ],
-        "task_logs": [
-            {
-                "id": tl.id,
-                "user_id": tl.user_id,
-                "task_id": tl.task_id,
-                "content": tl.content,
-                "duration_minutes": tl.duration_minutes,
-                "created_at": tl.created_at.isoformat(),
-                "updated_at": tl.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for tl in task_logs
-        ],
-        "note_drafts": [
-            {
-                "id": nd.id,
-                "user_id": nd.user_id,
-                "note_id": nd.note_id,
-                "proposed_body": nd.proposed_body,
-                "original_body": nd.original_body,
-                "instruction": nd.instruction,
-                "scope": nd.scope,
-                "created_at": nd.created_at.isoformat(),
-                "updated_at": nd.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for nd in note_drafts
-        ],
-        "note_versions": [
-            {
-                "id": nv.id,
-                "user_id": nv.user_id,
-                "note_id": nv.note_id,
-                "title": nv.title,
-                "body": nv.body,
-                "tags": nv.tags or [],
-                "pin_kind": nv.pin_kind,
-                "pin_label": nv.pin_label,
-                "created_at": nv.created_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for nv in note_versions
-        ],
-        "settings": [
-            {"user_id": s.user_id, "key": s.key, "value": s.value}
-            for s in settings
-        ],
-        "rulebooks": [
-            {
-                "id": rb.id,
-                "owner_user_id": rb.owner_user_id,
-                "title": rb.title,
-                "description": rb.description,
-                "always_on": rb.always_on,
-                "created_at": rb.created_at.isoformat(),
-                "updated_at": rb.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for rb in rulebooks
-        ],
-        "rulebook_topics": [
-            {
-                "id": t.id,
-                "rulebook_id": t.rulebook_id,
-                "title": t.title,
-                "description": t.description,
-                "order_index": t.order_index,
-                "created_at": t.created_at.isoformat(),
-                "updated_at": t.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for t in topics
-        ],
-        "rules": [
-            {
-                "id": r.id,
-                "topic_id": r.topic_id,
-                "project_id": r.project_id,
-                "title": r.title,
-                "statement": r.statement,
-                "why": r.why,
-                "how_to_apply": r.how_to_apply,
-                "order_index": r.order_index,
-                "created_at": r.created_at.isoformat(),
-                "updated_at": r.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for r in rules
-        ],
         "rulebook_subscriptions": _subscription_rows(subscriptions),
         "rule_suppressions": _rule_suppression_rows(rule_suppressions),
         "topic_suppressions": _topic_suppression_rows(topic_suppressions),
+        "rulebook_exclusions": _rulebook_exclusion_rows(rulebook_exclusions),
         "systems": _system_rows(systems),
         "record_systems": _record_system_rows(record_systems),
         "design_systems": _design_system_rows(design_systems),
@@ -373,6 +427,9 @@ async def export_full_backup() -> dict:
         "note_usage_events": _usage_event_rows(usage_events),
         "repo_bindings": _repo_binding_rows(repo_bindings),
         "note_supersessions": _note_supersession_rows(supersessions),
+        "code_shapes": _code_shape_rows(code_shapes),
+        "code_shape_events": _code_shape_event_rows(code_shape_events),
+        "code_shape_uses": _code_shape_use_rows(code_shape_uses),
     }
 
 
@@ -440,6 +497,20 @@ async def export_user_backup(user_id: int) -> dict:
         repo_bindings = (await session.execute(
             select(RepoBinding).where(RepoBinding.user_id == user_id)
         )).scalars().all()
+        # The ledger has no user_id of its own — rows belong to the project
+        # they account for, so a user's export carries their projects' rows.
+        code_shapes = (await session.execute(
+            select(CodeShape).where(CodeShape.project_id.in_(project_ids))
+        )).scalars().all() if project_ids else []
+        code_shape_events = (await session.execute(
+            select(CodeShapeEvent).where(CodeShapeEvent.project_id.in_(project_ids))
+            .order_by(CodeShapeEvent.at, CodeShapeEvent.id)
+        )).scalars().all() if project_ids else []
+        code_shape_uses = (await session.execute(
+            select(CodeShapeUse).join(CodeShape, CodeShape.id == CodeShapeUse.shape_id)
+            .where(CodeShape.project_id.in_(project_ids))
+            .order_by(CodeShapeUse.shape_id, CodeShapeUse.snippet_id)
+        )).scalars().all() if project_ids else []
         rulebooks = (await session.execute(
             select(Rulebook).where(Rulebook.owner_user_id == user_id)
         )).scalars().all()
@@ -474,8 +545,13 @@ async def export_user_backup(user_id: int) -> dict:
                     project_topic_suppressions.c.project_id.in_(project_ids)
                 )
             )).all()
+            rulebook_exclusions = (await session.execute(
+                select(project_rulebook_exclusions).where(
+                    project_rulebook_exclusions.c.project_id.in_(project_ids)
+                )
+            )).all()
         else:
-            subscriptions = rule_suppressions = topic_suppressions = []
+            subscriptions = rule_suppressions = topic_suppressions = rulebook_exclusions = []
 
     return {
         "version": BACKUP_VERSION,
@@ -489,138 +565,20 @@ async def export_user_backup(user_id: int) -> dict:
             "role": user.role,
             "created_at": user.created_at.isoformat(),
         } if user else None,
-        "projects": [
+        "projects": _project_rows(projects),
-            {
+        "milestones": _milestone_rows(milestones),
-                "id": p.id,
+        "notes": _note_rows(notes),
-                "user_id": p.user_id,
+        "task_logs": _task_log_rows(task_logs),
-                "title": p.title,
+        "note_drafts": _note_draft_rows(note_drafts),
-                "description": p.description,
+        "note_versions": _note_version_rows(note_versions),
-                "goal": p.goal,
+        "settings": _setting_rows(settings),
-                "status": p.status,
+        "rulebooks": _rulebook_rows(rulebooks),
-                "color": p.color,
+        "rulebook_topics": _topic_rows(topics),
-                "created_at": p.created_at.isoformat(),
+        "rules": _rule_rows(rules),
-                "updated_at": p.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for p in projects
-        ],
-        "milestones": [
-            {
-                "id": m.id,
-                "user_id": m.user_id,
-                "project_id": m.project_id,
-                "title": m.title,
-                "description": m.description,
-                "status": m.status,
-                "order_index": m.order_index,
-                "created_at": m.created_at.isoformat(),
-                "updated_at": m.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for m in milestones
-        ],
-        "notes": [
-            {
-                "id": n.id,
-                "user_id": n.user_id,
-                "title": n.title,
-                "body": n.body,
-                "tags": n.tags or [],
-                "parent_id": n.parent_id,
-                "project_id": n.project_id,
-                "milestone_id": n.milestone_id,
-                "status": n.status,
-                "priority": n.priority,
-                "due_date": n.due_date.isoformat() if n.due_date else None,
-                "created_at": n.created_at.isoformat(),
-                "updated_at": n.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for n in notes
-        ],
-        "task_logs": [
-            {
-                "id": tl.id,
-                "user_id": tl.user_id,
-                "task_id": tl.task_id,
-                "content": tl.content,
-                "duration_minutes": tl.duration_minutes,
-                "created_at": tl.created_at.isoformat(),
-                "updated_at": tl.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for tl in task_logs
-        ],
-        "note_drafts": [
-            {
-                "id": nd.id,
-                "user_id": nd.user_id,
-                "note_id": nd.note_id,
-                "proposed_body": nd.proposed_body,
-                "original_body": nd.original_body,
-                "instruction": nd.instruction,
-                "scope": nd.scope,
-                "created_at": nd.created_at.isoformat(),
-                "updated_at": nd.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for nd in note_drafts
-        ],
-        "note_versions": [
-            {
-                "id": nv.id,
-                "user_id": nv.user_id,
-                "note_id": nv.note_id,
-                "title": nv.title,
-                "body": nv.body,
-                "tags": nv.tags or [],
-                "pin_kind": nv.pin_kind,
-                "pin_label": nv.pin_label,
-                "created_at": nv.created_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for nv in note_versions
-        ],
-        "settings": [
-            {"user_id": s.user_id, "key": s.key, "value": s.value}
-            for s in settings
-        ],
-        "rulebooks": [
-            {
-                "id": rb.id,
-                "owner_user_id": rb.owner_user_id,
-                "title": rb.title,
-                "description": rb.description,
-                "always_on": rb.always_on,
-                "created_at": rb.created_at.isoformat(),
-                "updated_at": rb.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for rb in rulebooks
-        ],
-        "rulebook_topics": [
-            {
-                "id": t.id,
-                "rulebook_id": t.rulebook_id,
-                "title": t.title,
-                "description": t.description,
-                "order_index": t.order_index,
-                "created_at": t.created_at.isoformat(),
-                "updated_at": t.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for t in topics
-        ],
-        "rules": [
-            {
-                "id": r.id,
-                "topic_id": r.topic_id,
-                "project_id": r.project_id,
-                "title": r.title,
-                "statement": r.statement,
-                "why": r.why,
-                "how_to_apply": r.how_to_apply,
-                "order_index": r.order_index,
-                "created_at": r.created_at.isoformat(),
-                "updated_at": r.updated_at.isoformat(),
-            }
-            for r in rules
-        ],
         "rulebook_subscriptions": _subscription_rows(subscriptions),
         "rule_suppressions": _rule_suppression_rows(rule_suppressions),
         "topic_suppressions": _topic_suppression_rows(topic_suppressions),
+        "rulebook_exclusions": _rulebook_exclusion_rows(rulebook_exclusions),
         "systems": _system_rows(systems),
         "record_systems": _record_system_rows(record_systems),
         "design_systems": _design_system_rows(design_systems),
@@ -628,6 +586,9 @@ async def export_user_backup(user_id: int) -> dict:
         "note_usage_events": _usage_event_rows(usage_events),
         "repo_bindings": _repo_binding_rows(repo_bindings),
         "note_supersessions": _note_supersession_rows(supersessions),
+        "code_shapes": _code_shape_rows(code_shapes),
+        "code_shape_events": _code_shape_event_rows(code_shape_events),
+        "code_shape_uses": _code_shape_use_rows(code_shape_uses),
     }
 
 
@@ -728,10 +689,11 @@ async def _restore_v2(data: dict) -> dict:
         "task_logs": 0, "note_drafts": 0, "note_versions": 0,
         "settings": 0, "rulebooks": 0, "rulebook_topics": 0, "rules": 0,
         "rulebook_subscriptions": 0, "rule_suppressions": 0,
-        "topic_suppressions": 0,
+        "topic_suppressions": 0, "rulebook_exclusions": 0,
         "systems": 0, "record_systems": 0, "design_systems": 0,
         "design_tokens": 0, "note_usage_events": 0, "repo_bindings": 0,
-        "note_supersessions": 0,
+        "note_supersessions": 0, "code_shapes": 0, "code_shape_events": 0,
+        "code_shape_uses": 0,
     }
 
     async with async_session() as session:
@@ -990,6 +952,17 @@ async def _restore_v2(data: dict) -> dict:
             ))
             stats["topic_suppressions"] += 1
 
+        # 14b. Always-on rulebook exclusions (v10, milestone 297)
+        for exc in data.get("rulebook_exclusions", []):
+            mapped_pid = project_id_map.get(exc.get("project_id", 0))
+            mapped_rbid = rulebook_id_map.get(exc.get("rulebook_id", 0))
+            if mapped_pid is None or mapped_rbid is None:
+                continue
+            await session.execute(project_rulebook_exclusions.insert().values(
+                project_id=mapped_pid, rulebook_id=mapped_rbid,
+            ))
+            stats["rulebook_exclusions"] += 1
+
         # --- v5 sections. Every one is data.get()-guarded, so a v2/v3/v4
         # payload restores without them rather than failing on an absent key.
 
@@ -1108,6 +1081,121 @@ async def _restore_v2(data: dict) -> dict:
             ))
             stats["repo_bindings"] += 1
 
+        # 21. Code shapes (v7, #2787) — the ledger's classifications are
+        # judgments worth carrying. A judgment whose snippet target didn't
+        # survive the re-mapping (canonical/instance/variant with a gone
+        # snippet) is downgraded to unclassified so it rejoins the todo
+        # honestly instead of dangling; exempt needs no target and keeps.
+        shape_id_map: dict[int, int] = {}
+        for cs_data in data.get("code_shapes", []):
+            mapped_pid = project_id_map.get(cs_data.get("project_id", 0))
+            if mapped_pid is None:
+                continue
+            status = cs_data.get("status", "unclassified")
+            mapped_sid = note_id_map.get(cs_data.get("snippet_id") or 0)
+            classified_by = cs_data.get("classified_by")
+            classified_at = cs_data.get("classified_at")
+            if status in ("canonical", "instance", "variant") and mapped_sid is None:
+                status = "unclassified"
+                classified_by = None
+                classified_at = None
+            shape = CodeShape(
+                project_id=mapped_pid,
+                repo_key=cs_data.get("repo_key", ""),
+                path=cs_data.get("path", ""),
+                symbol=cs_data.get("symbol", ""),
+                kind=cs_data.get("kind", "sym"),
+                status=status,
+                snippet_id=mapped_sid,
+                reason=cs_data.get("reason"),
+                classified_by=classified_by,
+                classified_at=_dt(classified_at) if classified_at else None,
+                first_seen_commit=cs_data.get("first_seen_commit", ""),
+                last_seen_commit=cs_data.get("last_seen_commit", ""),
+                vanished_at=_dt(cs_data["vanished_at"]) if cs_data.get("vanished_at") else None,
+                # Fingerprints restore; proposals (#2792) deliberately do not —
+                # they are mechanical, and the next refresh recomputes them
+                # against the restored snippet ids.
+                signature=cs_data.get("signature", ""),
+                body_sha=cs_data.get("body_sha", ""),
+                classified_sha=cs_data.get("classified_sha", ""),
+                created_at=_dt(cs_data.get("created_at")),
+                updated_at=_dt(cs_data.get("updated_at")),
+            )
+            session.add(shape)
+            await session.flush()
+            if cs_data.get("id"):
+                shape_id_map[int(cs_data["id"])] = shape.id
+            stats["code_shapes"] += 1
+
+        # v8: the ledger's history rides its shapes. snippet_id is kept as
+        # the history's own claim (FK-free by design) but re-mapped when the
+        # snippet survived, so a restored timeline points at restored records.
+        for ev in data.get("code_shape_events", []):
+            new_shape_id = shape_id_map.get(ev.get("shape_id") or 0)
+            mapped_pid = project_id_map.get(ev.get("project_id", 0))
+            if new_shape_id is None or mapped_pid is None:
+                continue
+            old_sid = ev.get("snippet_id")
+            session.add(CodeShapeEvent(
+                shape_id=new_shape_id,
+                project_id=mapped_pid,
+                path=ev.get("path", ""),
+                symbol=ev.get("symbol", ""),
+                kind=ev.get("kind", "sym"),
+                event=ev.get("event", "classified"),
+                status=ev.get("status"),
+                snippet_id=note_id_map.get(old_sid, old_sid) if old_sid else None,
+                classified_by=ev.get("classified_by"),
+                reason=ev.get("reason"),
+                commit=ev.get("commit", ""),
+                at=_dt(ev.get("at")),
+            ))
+            stats["code_shape_events"] += 1
+
+        # v9: consumption edges (#2870) ride their shape AND their snippet —
+        # both ends must have survived, or the edge is no longer a fact.
+        for use in data.get("code_shape_uses", []):
+            new_shape_id = shape_id_map.get(use.get("shape_id") or 0)
+            new_sid = note_id_map.get(use.get("snippet_id") or 0)
+            if new_shape_id is None or new_sid is None:
+                continue
+            session.add(CodeShapeUse(
+                shape_id=new_shape_id, snippet_id=new_sid,
+                basis=use.get("basis", "import"), evidence=use.get("evidence"),
+                created_at=_dt(use.get("created_at")),
+            ))
+            stats["code_shape_uses"] += 1
+
+        # v10: a project's design-system pointer and its inception record ride
+        # the project but point at design systems and rulebooks restored AFTER
+        # it — so they are written last, with ids re-mapped. An id that did
+        # not survive drops out of the record rather than dangling.
+        for p_data in data.get("projects", []):
+            new_pid = project_id_map.get(p_data.get("id") or 0)
+            if new_pid is None:
+                continue
+            proj = await session.get(Project, new_pid)
+            if proj is None:
+                continue
+            old_ds = p_data.get("design_system_id")
+            if old_ds:
+                proj.design_system_id = design_system_id_map.get(old_ds)
+            inception = p_data.get("inception")
+            if isinstance(inception, dict):
+                choices = dict(inception.get("choices") or {})
+                choices["exclude_always_on_rulebooks"] = [
+                    rulebook_id_map[i] for i in choices.get("exclude_always_on_rulebooks") or []
+                    if i in rulebook_id_map
+                ]
+                choices["subscribe_rulebooks"] = [
+                    rulebook_id_map[i] for i in choices.get("subscribe_rulebooks") or []
+                    if i in rulebook_id_map
+                ]
+                ds = choices.get("design_system_id")
+                choices["design_system_id"] = design_system_id_map.get(ds) if ds else None
+                proj.inception = {**inception, "choices": choices}
+
         await session.commit()
 
     logger.info("Restored v2/v3 backup: %s", stats)

src/scribe/services/coverage.py

@@ -25,23 +25,28 @@ only ever reads the cache.
 """
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import hashlib
 import io
 import json
 import logging
 import posixpath
 import re
 import tarfile
-from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from typing import NamedTuple
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
 
-from scribe.services.forge import ForgeAdapter, get_forge
+from scribe.services.forge import ForgeSelector, get_forges
-from scribe.services.repo_bindings import keys_for_project
+from scribe.services.repo_bindings import bindings_for_project
 from scribe.services.settings import get_setting, set_setting
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 # Cache key in the settings KV, on the project OWNER's user_id — the same
 # channel the scheduler's last-run summary uses for machine-written state.
-_CACHE_KEY_PREFIX = "pattern_coverage_"
+# v2 suffix with #2788: the payload shape inverted (accounted/unclassified);
+# pre-ledger blobs under the old key simply stop being found, so the card
+# honestly reads "not measured yet" until the first ledger-era refresh.
+_CACHE_KEY_PREFIX = "pattern_coverage_v2_"
 
 # Files whose content can't hold definitions — the hook's skip list, verbatim,
 # plus sourcemaps (which are JSON in a trenchcoat).
@@ -88,6 +93,160 @@ _ARROW_RE = re.compile(
 )
 
 
+class Definition(NamedTuple):
+    """One extracted definition with its content fingerprint (#2792).
+
+    `signature` is the definition line itself; `body_sha` hashes the block
+    whitespace- and comment-insensitively; `body` is the block's text, held
+    only for the duration of a refresh (the proposer matches on it) and
+    never stored.
+    """
+
+    kind: str
+    name: str
+    signature: str
+    body_sha: str
+    body: str
+    line: int = -1   # 0-based line the definition starts on (#2869)
+
+
+def _definition_on(raw: str) -> tuple[str, str] | None:
+    """The (kind, name) this one line defines, or None. First match wins —
+    the same order the hook's awk program tries."""
+    m = _CSS_RE.match(raw)
+    if m:
+        return ("css", m.group(1))
+    line = _MODIFIERS_RE.sub("", raw.lstrip())
+    if m := _GO_METHOD_RE.match(line):
+        return ("sym", m.group(1))
+    if m := _KEYWORD_RE.match(line):
+        name = m.group(1)
+        if name.startswith("__") and name.endswith("__"):
+            return None
+        return ("sym", name)
+    if m := _ARROW_RE.match(line):
+        return ("sym", m.group(1))
+    return None
+
+
+# A definition's block runs from its line until the next non-blank line at
+# its own indentation or shallower that is not a closer — so a Python def ends
+# at the next top-level statement, a braces block keeps its `}`, a CSS rule
+# keeps its `}`. Capped so a generated monolith can't make one shape's
+# fingerprint cover the file.
+_BLOCK_CAP = 120
+_CLOSERS = ("}", ")", "]", "end", "};", "});", ");", "})", "]);")
+# Lines that don't change what a shape IS: comments and decorators. Dropped
+# from the fingerprint so touching a comment above the next function doesn't
+# read as this one's body changing.
+_NOISE_PREFIXES = ("#", "//", "/*", "*", "*/", "@", "<!--", "-->")
+_SIGNATURE_CAP = 300
+
+
+def _indent(line: str) -> int:
+    return len(line) - len(line.lstrip())
+
+
+def _block_sha(lines: list[str]) -> str:
+    kept = [
+        " ".join(ln.split())
+        for ln in lines
+        if ln.strip() and not ln.lstrip().startswith(_NOISE_PREFIXES)
+    ]
+    return hashlib.sha1("\n".join(kept).encode("utf-8")).hexdigest()[:16]
+
+
+def extract_definitions(text: str) -> list[Definition]:
+    """Every definition this text makes, with signature + fingerprint.
+
+    Duplicate (kind, name) within one text collapse to the first — the
+    ledger's identity is per file, so a second definition of the same name
+    (an overload, a re-declaration) is the same shape to it.
+    """
+    lines = text.splitlines()
+    starts: list[tuple[int, str, str]] = []
+    for i, raw in enumerate(lines):
+        hit = _definition_on(raw)
+        if hit:
+            starts.append((i, hit[0], hit[1]))
+    seen: set[tuple[str, str]] = set()
+    out: list[Definition] = []
+    for i, kind, name in starts:
+        if (kind, name) in seen:
+            continue
+        seen.add((kind, name))
+        base = _indent(lines[i])
+        end = min(len(lines), i + _BLOCK_CAP)
+        for j in range(i + 1, min(len(lines), i + _BLOCK_CAP)):
+            ln = lines[j]
+            if not ln.strip():
+                continue
+            if _indent(ln) <= base and ln.strip() not in _CLOSERS:
+                end = j
+                break
+        block = lines[i:end]
+        # A CSS rule's fingerprint is its DECLARATIONS, not its selector
+        # (#2872): the row's identity already carries the selector, and the
+        # question the fingerprint answers for derive grouping is "is this the
+        # same rule under another name?" — .closed-msg / .error-block /
+        # .success-msg with identical bodies are one dup group, not three
+        # lonely rows. Sym blocks keep their signature line in the hash.
+        if kind == "css":
+            # One-line rules (`.x { color: red; }`) carry their declarations on
+            # the selector line itself; a block that is only the selector plus
+            # trailing blanks must not hash to the empty string (which grouped
+            # 68 unrelated one-liners as one "copy" on first deploy, #2872).
+            first = lines[i]
+            brace = first.find("{")
+            head = [first[brace + 1:]] if brace >= 0 and first[brace + 1:].strip() else []
+            hashed = head + block[1:]
+            if not any(x.strip() for x in hashed):
+                hashed = block
+        else:
+            hashed = block
+        out.append(Definition(
+            kind, name, lines[i].strip()[:_SIGNATURE_CAP], _block_sha(hashed),
+            "\n".join(block), i,
+        ))
+    return out
+
+
+# --- by-construction scope (#2869) -------------------------------------------
+#
+# A Vue single-file component's `<style scoped>` rules and its `<script setup>`
+# functions cannot be reached from any other file: they are one-offs by
+# construction, not by judgment. The sync stamps them `scoped` (mechanical) so
+# the human todo holds only shapes a person should look at, while the bodies
+# stay in play for the proposer, derive grouping and divergence — the five
+# auth views' identical rules were found exactly there. Unscoped `<style>` in
+# a .vue and every non-.vue file stay ordinary.
+_STYLE_OPEN_RE = re.compile(r"^\s*<style\b[^>]*\bscoped\b", re.IGNORECASE)
+_STYLE_CLOSE_RE = re.compile(r"^\s*</style\s*>", re.IGNORECASE)
+
+
+def scoped_definitions(path: str, text: str, defs: list[Definition]) -> set[tuple[str, str]]:
+    """The (kind, name) pairs among ``defs`` that are one-offs by
+    construction in this file: every sym in a .vue, and every css rule
+    that starts inside a `<style scoped>` block. Empty for other files."""
+    if not (path or "").lower().endswith(".vue"):
+        return set()
+    ranges: list[tuple[int, int]] = []
+    open_at: int | None = None
+    for i, ln in enumerate(text.splitlines()):
+        if open_at is None and _STYLE_OPEN_RE.match(ln):
+            open_at = i
+        elif open_at is not None and _STYLE_CLOSE_RE.match(ln):
+            ranges.append((open_at, i))
+            open_at = None
+    out: set[tuple[str, str]] = set()
+    for d in defs:
+        if d.kind == "sym":
+            out.add((d.kind, d.name))
+        elif any(a <= d.line <= b for a, b in ranges):
+            out.add((d.kind, d.name))
+    return out
+
+
 def extract_shapes(text: str) -> list[tuple[str, str]]:
     """Every (kind, name) this text DEFINES — kind is "css" or "sym".
 
@@ -95,29 +254,7 @@ def extract_shapes(text: str) -> list[tuple[str, str]]:
     line, dunders are skipped (every class defines __init__ — guaranteed
     noise), duplicates within one text count once.
     """
-    seen: set[tuple[str, str]] = set()
+    return [(d.kind, d.name) for d in extract_definitions(text)]
-    out: list[tuple[str, str]] = []
-    for raw in text.splitlines():
-        m = _CSS_RE.match(raw)
-        if m:
-            shape = ("css", m.group(1))
-        else:
-            line = _MODIFIERS_RE.sub("", raw.lstrip())
-            if m := _GO_METHOD_RE.match(line):
-                shape = ("sym", m.group(1))
-            elif m := _KEYWORD_RE.match(line):
-                name = m.group(1)
-                if name.startswith("__") and name.endswith("__"):
-                    continue
-                shape = ("sym", name)
-            elif m := _ARROW_RE.match(line):
-                shape = ("sym", m.group(1))
-            else:
-                continue
-        if shape not in seen:
-            seen.add(shape)
-            out.append(shape)
-    return out
 
 
 def scannable(path: str) -> bool:
@@ -128,14 +265,34 @@ def scannable(path: str) -> bool:
     return not path.lower().endswith(_SKIP_SUFFIXES)
 
 
+class ArchiveShape(NamedTuple):
+    """A definition located in a repo archive — what the sync upserts and
+    the proposer matches. The leading (path, kind, name) triple is the
+    ledger identity; the rest is the fingerprint and the transient body."""
+
+    path: str
+    kind: str
+    name: str
+    signature: str
+    body_sha: str
+    body: str
+    scoped: bool = False   # one-off by construction (#2869)
+
+
 def shapes_from_archive(blob: bytes) -> list[tuple[str, str, str]]:
-    """(path, kind, name) for every definition in a repo tarball.
+    """(path, kind, name) for every definition in a repo tarball — the
+    identity view of definitions_from_archive."""
+    return [(d.path, d.kind, d.name) for d in definitions_from_archive(blob)]
+
+
+def definitions_from_archive(blob: bytes) -> list[ArchiveShape]:
+    """Every definition in a repo tarball, with its fingerprint and body.
 
     Forge archives wrap content in a single top-level directory (repo-ref/);
     that component is stripped so paths match recorded snippet locations,
     which are repo-relative. Non-UTF-8 files are binaries and skipped.
     """
-    shapes: list[tuple[str, str, str]] = []
+    shapes: list[ArchiveShape] = []
     with tarfile.open(fileobj=io.BytesIO(blob), mode="r:gz") as tar:
         for member in tar:
             if not member.isfile() or "/" not in member.name:
@@ -150,84 +307,57 @@ def shapes_from_archive(blob: bytes) -> list[tuple[str, str, str]]:
                 text = handle.read().decode("utf-8")
             except UnicodeDecodeError:
                 continue
-            shapes.extend((path, kind, name) for kind, name in extract_shapes(text))
+            defs = extract_definitions(text)
+            scoped = scoped_definitions(path, text, defs)
+            shapes.extend(
+                ArchiveShape(
+                    path, d.kind, d.name, d.signature, d.body_sha, d.body,
+                    (d.kind, d.name) in scoped,
+                )
+                for d in defs
+            )
     return shapes
 
 
 # --- matching shapes against recorded locations ------------------------------
 
 
-def _norm_symbol(kind_or_symbol: str) -> str:
+# The covering predicate (location_covers) lives in services/shape_ledger.py
-    # CSS shapes and recorded CSS symbols may or may not carry the leading
+# since #2788 — the ledger's canonical marking and this module's readout are
-    # dot; compare without it so ".btn-primary" and "btn-primary" agree.
+# two consumers of ONE doctrine, and the ledger is its home.
-    return kind_or_symbol.lstrip(".").strip()
-
-
-def _location_covers(loc_path: str, loc_symbol: str, path: str, name: str) -> bool:
-    if _norm_symbol(loc_symbol) != _norm_symbol(name):
-        return False
-    if not loc_path:
-        # Symbol-only record: the symbol match is all the claim there is.
-        return True
-    # The drift check's location semantics, not a second copy of them: exact
-    # file, or the recorded path is a directory the file lives under.
-    from scribe.services.snippets import _path_touches
-
-    return _path_touches(loc_path, path)
-
-
-def match_shapes(
-    shapes: list[tuple[str, str, str]],
-    recorded: list[tuple[str, str]],
-) -> list[tuple[str, str, str, bool]]:
-    """Each shape with whether some recorded (path, symbol) location covers it.
-
-    Symbol-less recorded locations never cover a shape — a whole-file record
-    makes no claim about any particular definition inside it. The recorded
-    repo NAME is deliberately not consulted: it is free-form ("Scribe") and
-    the project binding already did the scoping; on a project binding several
-    repos this can over-credit a same-named symbol, which the estimate label
-    owns.
-    """
-    usable = [(p, s) for p, s in recorded if (s or "").strip()]
-    return [
-        (
-            path,
-            kind,
-            name,
-            any(_location_covers(lp, ls, path, name) for lp, ls in usable),
-        )
-        for path, kind, name in shapes
-    ]
 
 
 def largest_gaps(
-    matched: list[tuple[str, str, str, bool]], *, top: int = 3
+    accounted: list[tuple[str, str, str, bool]], *, top: int = 3
 ) -> list[dict]:
-    """The directories with the most uncovered shapes — where a backlog
+    """The directories with the most unclassified shapes — where a
-    session should start, named the way the repo names them."""
+    classification session should start, named the way the repo names them."""
     by_dir: dict[str, dict[str, int]] = {}
-    for path, _kind, _name, covered in matched:
+    for path, _kind, _name, is_accounted in accounted:
         d = posixpath.dirname(path) or "(root)"
-        row = by_dir.setdefault(d, {"total": 0, "uncovered": 0})
+        row = by_dir.setdefault(d, {"total": 0, "unclassified": 0})
         row["total"] += 1
-        if not covered:
+        if not is_accounted:
-            row["uncovered"] += 1
+            row["unclassified"] += 1
     ranked = sorted(
-        by_dir.items(), key=lambda kv: (-kv[1]["uncovered"], kv[0])
+        by_dir.items(), key=lambda kv: (-kv[1]["unclassified"], kv[0])
     )
     return [
-        {"dir": d, "uncovered": row["uncovered"], "total": row["total"]}
+        {"dir": d, "unclassified": row["unclassified"], "total": row["total"]}
         for d, row in ranked[:top]
-        if row["uncovered"]
+        if row["unclassified"]
     ]
 
 
 # --- compute, cache, surface -------------------------------------------------
 
 
-async def _recorded_locations(user_id: int, project_id: int) -> list[tuple[str, str]]:
+async def _recorded_locations(
-    """(path, symbol) for every location of every live snippet in a project."""
+    user_id: int, project_id: int
+) -> list[tuple[int, str, str]]:
+    """(snippet_note_id, path, symbol) for every location of every live
+    snippet in a project — the canonical-marking input (#2788): the id is what
+    lets a ledger row point back at the snippet it references."""
     from sqlalchemy import select
 
     from scribe.models import async_session
@@ -244,65 +374,160 @@ async def _recorded_locations(user_id: int, project_id: int) -> list[tuple[str,
             )
         )
         notes = list(rows.scalars().all())
-    out: list[tuple[str, str]] = []
+    out: list[tuple[int, str, str]] = []
     for note in notes:
         for loc in snippet_fields(note).get("locations") or []:
-            out.append((loc.get("path") or "", loc.get("symbol") or ""))
+            out.append(
+                (int(note.id), loc.get("path") or "", loc.get("symbol") or "")
+            )
     return out
 
 
 async def compute_coverage(
-    user_id: int, project_id: int, *, forge: ForgeAdapter | None = None
+    user_id: int, project_id: int, *, selector: ForgeSelector | None = None
 ) -> dict | None:
-    """Measure a project's pattern-library coverage against its bound repos.
+    """Sync the shape ledger from the bound repos and read the accounting.
 
-    None means "nothing to measure" — no forge configured, or none of the
+    Since #2788 this is the ledger's sync point, not just a measurement:
-    project's bound repos is served by it. That is the ordinary state for a
+    every walk upserts the extracted shapes (new → unclassified, vanished →
-    forge-less install and every caller treats it as silence, not failure.
+    stamped), re-stamps snippet reference locations as canonical, and then
-    Forge errors (unreachable, bad token) RAISE — the two callers are a
+    reports the ACCOUNTING — how many shapes carry a classification at all —
-    refresh button and a background task, and both want to know.
+    rather than the old "has a snippet" fraction. Unclassified is the todo
+    (note 2786).
+
+    None means "nothing to measure" — the owner's keyring serves none of the
+    project's bound repos (#2778). That is the ordinary state for a
+    forge-less user and every caller treats it as silence, not failure; the
+    ledger is untouched in that case. Forge errors (unreachable, bad token)
+    RAISE — the two callers are a refresh button and a background task, and
+    both want to know.
+
+    ``user_id`` is the project OWNER's id: the cache lives there, and the
+    keyring resolved here must be the same one every other read uses.
     """
-    forge = forge if forge is not None else await get_forge()
+    from scribe.services import shape_ledger
-    if forge is None:
+    from scribe.services.forge import ForgeError
+
+    if selector is None:
+        selector = await get_forges(user_id, project_id)
+    if not selector.configured:
         return None
 
-    repos: list[dict] = []
+    served: list[tuple[str, str]] = []
-    matched_all: list[tuple[str, str, str, bool]] = []
     recorded = await _recorded_locations(user_id, project_id)
-    for key in await keys_for_project(user_id, project_id):
+    # The proposer's canon catalog, read once per refresh and shared across
-        api_repo = forge.resolve_repo(key)
+    # the project's repos (#2792).
-        if api_repo is None:
+    canons = None
-            continue  # bound to a host this forge doesn't serve
+    proposer_stats = {"examined": 0, "proposed": 0, "semantic_checked": 0}
-        ref = await forge.default_branch(api_repo)
+    for binding in await bindings_for_project(user_id, project_id):
-        shapes = shapes_from_archive(await forge.archive(api_repo, ref))
+        key = binding.repo_key
-        matched = match_shapes(shapes, recorded)
+        hit = selector.resolve(key)
-        matched_all.extend(matched)
+        if hit is None:
-        repos.append({
+            continue  # bound to a host no connection serves
-            "repo": key,
+        forge, api_repo = hit
-            "ref": ref,
+        # The binding's own ref when it names one (#2873: a dev-first project
-            "total": len(matched),
+        # has its ledger follow dev), else the forge's default branch.
-            "recorded": sum(1 for *_x, covered in matched if covered),
+        ref = binding.ref or await forge.default_branch(api_repo)
-        })
+        definitions = definitions_from_archive(await forge.archive(api_repo, ref))
-    if not repos:
+        # The head commit is provenance sugar on the ledger rows; failing to
+        # learn it must not fail the sync — the ref names the point well
+        # enough and the row timestamps carry the when.
+        try:
+            marker = await forge.latest_commit(api_repo, "", ref) or ref
+        except ForgeError:
+            marker = ref
+        await shape_ledger.sync_repo_shapes(
+            project_id, key, definitions, seen_marker=marker
+        )
+        served.append((key, ref))
+        # Propose while the bodies are in hand — the one moment they exist.
+        # Canonical marking below only touches rows the proposer leaves
+        # alone (a canon's own location never gets a proposal), so the order
+        # is immaterial; the proposer must not be able to fail the refresh.
+        try:
+            if canons is None:
+                canons = await shape_ledger.canon_catalog(user_id)
+            stats = await shape_ledger.propose_for_repo(
+                user_id, project_id, key, definitions, canons=canons
+            )
+            for k in proposer_stats:
+                proposer_stats[k] += stats.get(k, 0)
+        except Exception:
+            logger.warning("shape proposer failed for %s", key, exc_info=True)
+    if not served:
         return None
 
+    await shape_ledger.mark_canonicals(project_id, recorded)
+    try:
+        await shape_ledger.apply_derive_groups(project_id)
+    except Exception:
+        logger.warning("derive-first grouping failed", exc_info=True)
+    # The button-B pass (#2793): shapes new since the PREVIOUS computation,
+    # where a canon dominates. The previous computation's stamp is the cache;
+    # a first seed has none, so it flags nothing (everything is new then).
+    try:
+        previous = await get_setting(user_id, f"{_CACHE_KEY_PREFIX}{project_id}")
+        since = None
+        if previous:
+            stamp = (json.loads(previous) or {}).get("computed_at")
+            since = datetime.fromisoformat(stamp) if stamp else None
+        await shape_ledger.flag_divergence(project_id, since=since)
+    except Exception:
+        logger.warning("divergence pass failed", exc_info=True)
+
+    # Project-wide readout, deliberately wider than this walk: a second bound
+    # repo that was unreachable today still has live rows, and they count.
+    rows = await shape_ledger.live_rows(project_id)
+    counts = {"canonical": 0, "instance": 0, "variant": 0, "exempt": 0,
+              "scoped": 0, "unclassified": 0}
+    for row in rows:
+        counts[row.status] = counts.get(row.status, 0) + 1
+    by_repo: dict[str, dict[str, int]] = {}
+    for row in rows:
+        agg = by_repo.setdefault(row.repo_key, {"total": 0, "accounted": 0})
+        agg["total"] += 1
+        agg["accounted"] += row.status != "unclassified"
+
+    unclassified = counts.pop("unclassified")
+    proposals = shape_ledger.proposal_summary(rows)
+    divergence = shape_ledger.divergence_summary(rows)
     return {
-        "total": len(matched_all),
+        "total": len(rows),
-        "recorded": sum(1 for *_x, covered in matched_all if covered),
+        "accounted": len(rows) - unclassified,
+        "unclassified": unclassified,
+        "counts": counts,
+        # The proposer's standing (#2792): canon proposals awaiting a
+        # confirm, the largest derive-first groups, and what this refresh did.
+        "proposed": proposals["proposed"],
+        "derive_groups": proposals["derive_groups"],
+        "top_canon": proposals.get("top_canon"),
+        "proposer": proposer_stats,
+        # The divergence readout (#2793): button B where button A is canon,
+        # and judged shapes whose bodies moved since they were judged.
+        "divergent": divergence["divergent"],
+        "divergence": divergence["divergence"],
+        "recheck": divergence["recheck"],
         # Honesty flag, not decoration: every surface that shows the number
         # is expected to carry it through.
         "estimate": True,
         "computed_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),
-        "repos": repos,
+        "repos": [
-        "largest_gaps": largest_gaps(matched_all),
+            {"repo": key, "ref": ref,
+             **by_repo.get(key, {"total": 0, "accounted": 0})}
+            for key, ref in served
+        ],
+        "largest_gaps": largest_gaps([
+            (r.path, r.kind, r.symbol, r.status != "unclassified")
+            for r in rows
+        ]),
     }
 
 
 async def refresh_coverage(
-    user_id: int, project_id: int, *, forge: ForgeAdapter | None = None
+    user_id: int, project_id: int, *, selector: ForgeSelector | None = None
 ) -> dict | None:
     """Compute and cache. The only writer of the cache key."""
-    coverage = await compute_coverage(user_id, project_id, forge=forge)
+    coverage = await compute_coverage(user_id, project_id, selector=selector)
     if coverage is not None:
         await set_setting(
             user_id, f"{_CACHE_KEY_PREFIX}{project_id}", json.dumps(coverage)
@@ -310,6 +535,90 @@ async def refresh_coverage(
     return coverage
 
 
+# The arrival-moment self-seed (#2802). A ledger that has never been computed
+# used to wait for someone to find the UI Refresh button; entering the project
+# is the moment the number is wanted, so entering is the moment it seeds.
+_SEED_MAX_AGE = timedelta(hours=24)
+
+# Projects with a refresh already running — concurrent enters must not fetch
+# the same tarball N times. In-process on purpose: the cost being bounded is
+# per-process forge traffic, and a rare double-fetch across workers is
+# harmless (the upsert is idempotent).
+_inflight_seed: set[int] = set()
+
+
+async def refresh_if_stale(
+    user_id: int, project_id: int, cached: dict | None = None
+) -> None:
+    """Background-refresh a project's ledger when its readout is absent or
+    older than a day. Fire-and-forget material (background.spawn): every exit
+    is quiet, every failure a WARNING — a seed must never surface as an
+    enter_project error. ``user_id`` is the project OWNER (whose keyring and
+    cache this is); pass ``cached`` when the caller already read it.
+    """
+    try:
+        if cached is None:
+            cached = await cached_coverage(user_id, project_id)
+        if cached:
+            try:
+                computed = datetime.fromisoformat(cached.get("computed_at") or "")
+                if datetime.now(timezone.utc) - computed < _SEED_MAX_AGE:
+                    return
+            except ValueError:
+                pass  # an unreadable stamp reads as stale
+        if project_id in _inflight_seed:
+            return
+        selector = await get_forges(user_id, project_id)
+        if not selector.configured:
+            return  # rule #115: forge-less stays exactly as it was
+        _inflight_seed.add(project_id)
+        try:
+            await refresh_coverage(user_id, project_id, selector=selector)
+        finally:
+            _inflight_seed.discard(project_id)
+    except Exception:
+        logger.warning(
+            "background coverage seed failed for project %s", project_id,
+            exc_info=True,
+        )
+
+
+async def refresh_for_caller(caller_id: int, project_id: int) -> dict:
+    """The explicit agent-facing refresh (#2802) — synchronous, named errors.
+
+    Write-gated: recomputing spends the owner's forge API budget and rewrites
+    ledger rows' seen-markers, so a read share doesn't grant it. Resolution
+    runs on the OWNER's keyring like every other forge read. Raises
+    ValueError with a fixable message instead of silently measuring nothing —
+    the caller is an agent mid-task, and "None" would strand it exactly the
+    way the button-only path did.
+    """
+    from scribe.models import async_session
+    from scribe.models.project import Project
+    from scribe.services import access
+
+    if not await access.can_write_project(caller_id, project_id):
+        raise ValueError(f"project {project_id} not found or no write access")
+    async with async_session() as session:
+        project = await session.get(Project, project_id)
+    if project is None:
+        raise ValueError(f"project {project_id} not found")
+    owner_id = project.user_id or caller_id
+    selector = await get_forges(owner_id, project_id)
+    if not selector.configured:
+        raise ValueError(
+            "No forge connection serves this project — the owner adds one "
+            "under Settings → Integrations → Git Forges"
+        )
+    coverage = await refresh_coverage(owner_id, project_id, selector=selector)
+    if coverage is None:
+        raise ValueError(
+            "No bound repo is served by the owner's forge connections — "
+            "bind_repo the project's repo on a host a connection serves"
+        )
+    return coverage
+
+
 async def cached_coverage(user_id: int, project_id: int) -> dict | None:
     """The last computed summary, or None — never computes."""
     raw = await get_setting(user_id, f"{_CACHE_KEY_PREFIX}{project_id}", "")
@@ -325,12 +634,43 @@ async def cached_coverage(user_id: int, project_id: int) -> dict | None:
 def coverage_line(coverage: dict) -> str:
     """The one-line evidence-carrying summary enter_project surfaces."""
     day = (coverage.get("computed_at") or "")[:10]
-    line = (
+    counts = coverage.get("counts") or {}
-        f"pattern-library coverage: {coverage.get('recorded', 0)}"
+    breakdown = " · ".join(
-        f"/{coverage.get('total', 0)} shapes recorded"
+        f"{counts[k]} {k}"
-        f" (estimate{', computed ' + day if day else ''})"
+        for k in ("canonical", "instance", "variant", "exempt", "scoped")
+        if counts.get(k)
     )
-    gaps = [g["dir"] for g in coverage.get("largest_gaps") or []]
+    line = (
-    if gaps:
+        f"shape accounting: {coverage.get('accounted', 0)}"
-        line += "; largest gaps: " + ", ".join(gaps)
+        f"/{coverage.get('total', 0)} shapes accounted for"
+    )
+    if breakdown:
+        line += f" — {breakdown}"
+    line += f" (estimate{', computed ' + day if day else ''})"
+    unclassified = coverage.get("unclassified", 0)
+    if unclassified:
+        line += f"; {unclassified} unclassified"
+        standing = []
+        if coverage.get("proposed"):
+            standing.append(f"{coverage['proposed']} proposed")
+        n_groups = len(coverage.get("derive_groups") or [])
+        if n_groups:
+            standing.append(f"{n_groups} derive group{'s' if n_groups != 1 else ''}")
+        if coverage.get("divergent"):
+            standing.append(f"{coverage['divergent']} DIVERGENT")
+        # The next action, on the line (#2874): the canon with the biggest
+        # queue to confirm, and the widest body-identical copy to consolidate.
+        top = coverage.get("top_canon") or {}
+        if top.get("snippet_id"):
+            standing.append(f"top canon #{top['snippet_id']} ×{top.get('count', 0)}")
+        first = (coverage.get("derive_groups") or [{}])[0]
+        if first.get("label") and first.get("files"):
+            standing.append(f"top copy {first['label']} ×{first['files']} files")
+        if standing:
+            line += f" ({', '.join(standing)})"
+        gaps = [g["dir"] for g in coverage.get("largest_gaps") or []]
+        if gaps:
+            line += ", largest: " + ", ".join(gaps)
+    if coverage.get("recheck"):
+        line += f"; {coverage['recheck']} judged shape{'s' if coverage['recheck'] != 1 else ''} changed since judged — recheck"
     return line

src/scribe/services/dashboard.py

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from scribe.models import async_session
 from scribe.models.note import Note
 from scribe.models.project import Project
 from scribe.models.milestone import Milestone
+from scribe.models.base import iso
 from scribe.services import milestones as milestones_svc
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -173,7 +174,7 @@ async def _recently_completed(user_id: int) -> list[dict]:
             .order_by(Note.completed_at.desc()).limit(RECENT_DONE_LIMIT)
         )).all()
         return [{"id": n.id, "title": n.title, "project_title": ptitle,
-                 "completed_at": n.completed_at.isoformat()} for n, ptitle in rows]
+                 "completed_at": iso(n.completed_at)} for n, ptitle in rows]
 
 
 async def _week_stats(user_id: int) -> dict:

src/scribe/services/db_maintenance.py

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ from datetime import datetime, timezone
 from sqlalchemy import text
 
 from scribe.models import async_session, engine
+from scribe.models.base import iso
 from scribe.services.settings import get_admin_setting, set_admin_setting
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -128,10 +129,6 @@ _HEALTH_SQL = text("""
 """)
 
 
-def _iso(value) -> str | None:
-    return value.isoformat() if value is not None else None
-
-
 async def get_table_health() -> dict:
     """Per-table health from Postgres statistics + the total database size.
 
@@ -156,8 +153,8 @@ async def get_table_health() -> dict:
             "dead_pct": float(r["dead_pct"] or 0),
             "total_bytes": int(r["total_bytes"] or 0),
             "mod_since_analyze": int(r["mod_since_analyze"] or 0),
-            "last_vacuum": _iso(r["last_vacuum"]),
+            "last_vacuum": iso(r["last_vacuum"]),
-            "last_analyze": _iso(r["last_analyze"]),
+            "last_analyze": iso(r["last_analyze"]),
         }
         for r in rows
     ]

src/scribe/services/db_maintenance_scheduler.py

@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 """Daily APScheduler cron for basic DB maintenance (targeted VACUUM ANALYZE).
 
-Mirrors trash_scheduler.py: a single global BackgroundScheduler job bridges
+One ScheduledJob (services/scheduler.py). Scheduled for 04:00 UTC by default
-into the asyncio loop to run the async maintenance. Scheduled for 04:00 UTC by
+— after the 03:30 trash purge — so it collects the dead tuples that night's
-default — after the 03:30 trash purge — so it collects the dead tuples that
+delete sweeps leave behind.
-night's delete sweeps leave behind.
 
 Two things are operator-tunable from the admin Settings card:
   - db_maintenance_enabled ("true"/"false") — checked at fire time, so toggling
@@ -16,9 +15,9 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import asyncio
 import logging
 
-from apscheduler.schedulers.background import BackgroundScheduler
 from apscheduler.triggers.cron import CronTrigger
 
+from scribe.services.scheduler import ScheduledJob
 from scribe.services.settings import get_admin_setting
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -26,9 +25,6 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 _JOB_ID = "db_maintenance_vacuum"
 _DEFAULT_HOUR = 4
 
-_scheduler: BackgroundScheduler | None = None
-_loop: asyncio.AbstractEventLoop | None = None
-
 
 async def get_maintenance_hour() -> int:
     """The configured run-hour (UTC, 0–23), clamped; default 04:00."""
@@ -45,23 +41,20 @@ async def is_maintenance_enabled() -> bool:
     return (await get_admin_setting("db_maintenance_enabled", "true")) != "false"
 
 
-def _run_maintenance_threadsafe() -> None:
+async def _run_maintenance() -> None:
-    """APScheduler invokes this from a worker thread; bridge into the loop."""
+    if not await is_maintenance_enabled():
-    if _loop is None:
+        logger.debug("db maintenance: disabled, skipping scheduled run")
-        logger.warning("db maintenance scheduler: no loop registered")
         return
+    from scribe.services.db_maintenance import run_maintenance
+    await run_maintenance()
 
-    async def _runner():
-        try:
-            if not await is_maintenance_enabled():
-                logger.debug("db maintenance: disabled, skipping scheduled run")
-                return
-            from scribe.services.db_maintenance import run_maintenance
-            await run_maintenance()
-        except Exception:
-            logger.exception("db maintenance run failed")
 
-    asyncio.run_coroutine_threadsafe(_runner(), _loop)
+_JOB = ScheduledJob(_JOB_ID, _run_maintenance, label="DB maintenance")
+
+
+def _trigger(hour: int) -> CronTrigger:
+    hour = hour if 0 <= hour <= 23 else _DEFAULT_HOUR
+    return CronTrigger(hour=hour, minute=0, timezone="UTC")
 
 
 def start_db_maintenance_scheduler(
@@ -72,36 +65,15 @@ def start_db_maintenance_scheduler(
     in rather than read here so we never block the event loop at startup. The
     job's enabled-gate is re-checked at every fire, so only the hour is needed
     up front."""
-    global _scheduler, _loop
-    if _scheduler is not None:
-        return
-    _loop = loop
     hour = hour if 0 <= hour <= 23 else _DEFAULT_HOUR
-    _scheduler = BackgroundScheduler()
+    _JOB.start(loop, _trigger(hour), describe=f"daily {hour:02d}:00 UTC")
-    _scheduler.add_job(
-        _run_maintenance_threadsafe,
-        trigger=CronTrigger(hour=hour, minute=0, timezone="UTC"),
-        id=_JOB_ID,
-        replace_existing=True,
-    )
-    _scheduler.start()
-    logger.info("DB maintenance scheduler started (daily %02d:00 UTC)", hour)
 
 
 def reschedule_db_maintenance(hour: int) -> None:
     """Move the live job to a new UTC hour (called when the admin changes it)."""
-    if _scheduler is None:
-        return
     hour = hour if 0 <= hour <= 23 else _DEFAULT_HOUR
-    _scheduler.reschedule_job(
+    _JOB.reschedule(_trigger(hour), describe=f"{hour:02d}:00 UTC")
-        _JOB_ID, trigger=CronTrigger(hour=hour, minute=0, timezone="UTC")
-    )
-    logger.info("DB maintenance scheduler rescheduled to %02d:00 UTC", hour)
 
 
 def stop_db_maintenance_scheduler() -> None:
-    global _scheduler
+    _JOB.stop()
-    if _scheduler is not None:
-        _scheduler.shutdown(wait=False)
-        _scheduler = None
-        logger.info("DB maintenance scheduler stopped")

src/scribe/services/dedup.py

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ from scribe.models import async_session
 from scribe.models.embedding import NoteEmbedding
 from scribe.models.note import Note
 from scribe.models.rulebook import Rule
+from scribe.models.base import iso
 from scribe.services import embeddings as embeddings_svc
 # Imported rather than redeclared: no service imports this module (the create
 # gate is called from the routes/tools layer), so there is no cycle to dodge,
@@ -592,8 +593,8 @@ async def find_duplicate_records(
                 titles[int(i)] = t
                 records[int(i)] = d or {}
                 meta[int(i)] = {
-                    "created_at": created.isoformat() if created else None,
+                    "created_at": iso(created),
-                    "updated_at": updated.isoformat() if updated else None,
+                    "updated_at": iso(updated),
                     "task_kind": task_kind,
                 }
     except Exception:

src/scribe/services/forge.py

@@ -8,10 +8,12 @@ webhooks (step 6), and coverage can be measured (step 7).
 
 Design constraints, in force everywhere below:
 
-  - OPTIONAL per instance (rule #115). `get_forge()` returns None when nothing
+  - OPTIONAL per user (rule #115, sharpened by #2778). Connections are
-    is configured, and every consumer must treat None as "keep today's
+    per-user keyring rows resolved by repo host on the PROJECT OWNER's
-    behavior". An install that never configures a forge is not degraded — it
+    keyring; `get_forges()` returns an empty selector when the owner has
-    is the baseline.
+    nothing configured, and every consumer must treat that as "keep today's
+    behavior". A user who never configures a forge is not degraded — that is
+    the baseline.
   - READ-ONLY by construction. The adapter exposes reads; there is no write
     method to misuse. The token an operator mints for it only ever needs read
     scope, and the docs say so.
@@ -40,18 +42,14 @@ from dataclasses import dataclass
 from urllib.parse import quote, urlsplit
 
 import httpx
+from sqlalchemy import select
 
 from scribe.config import Config
 from scribe.services.repo_bindings import normalize_repo_key
-from scribe.services.settings import get_admin_setting
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-FORGE_KIND_KEY = "forge_kind"
+# Kinds a connection can use. Matches _FORGE_CLASSES below.
-FORGE_BASE_URL_KEY = "forge_base_url"
-FORGE_TOKEN_KEY = "forge_token"
-
-# Kinds an instance can configure. Matches _FORGE_CLASSES below.
 FORGE_KINDS = ("gitea", "github")
 
 # Total budget per forge call. Consumers either have a cache to fall back to
@@ -86,7 +84,8 @@ class ForgeFile:
     path: str
 
 
-def _host_of(url: str) -> str:
+def host_of(url: str) -> str:
+    """The lowercase hostname of a URL — the keyring's lookup key (#2778)."""
     return (urlsplit(url).hostname or "").lower()
 
 
@@ -111,7 +110,7 @@ class ForgeAdapter:
 
     @property
     def host(self) -> str:
-        return _host_of(self.base_url)
+        return host_of(self.base_url)
 
     def resolve_repo(self, repo_or_url: str) -> str | None:
         """The forge-API repo path for a recorded repo — or None if this forge
@@ -359,39 +358,124 @@ _FORGE_CLASSES: dict[str, type[ForgeAdapter]] = {
 }
 
 
-async def forge_config() -> dict:
+def build_adapter(
-    """The instance's forge configuration, DB-first with env fallback.
+    kind: str, base_url: str, token: str, *, transport=None
+) -> ForgeAdapter | None:
+    """One validated adapter from raw connection values, or None.
 
-    The env channel exists so a deployment can keep the token out of the
+    None means "this connection cannot serve reads" — the same contract the
-    database entirely (Docker secret via FORGE_TOKEN_FILE) — the DB value wins
+    old instance-wide lookup had, applied per keyring row. Misconfigurations
-    when both are present because the admin UI writes there, and a UI edit
+    are logged, never raised: a bad row must not break the reads the good
-    that silently loses to an env var would look exactly like a broken form.
+    rows can still serve.
     """
-    return {
+    kind = (kind or "").strip().lower()
-        "kind": (await get_admin_setting(FORGE_KIND_KEY, "") or Config.FORGE_KIND)
+    base_url = (base_url or "").rstrip("/")
-        .strip()
+    cls = _FORGE_CLASSES.get(kind)
-        .lower(),
-        "base_url": (
-            await get_admin_setting(FORGE_BASE_URL_KEY, "") or Config.FORGE_BASE_URL
-        ).rstrip("/"),
-        "token": await get_admin_setting(FORGE_TOKEN_KEY, "") or Config.FORGE_TOKEN,
-    }
-
-
-async def get_forge(*, transport=None) -> ForgeAdapter | None:
-    """The configured forge adapter, or None — and None means "behave exactly
-    as if this module did not exist", which every consumer must honor."""
-    cfg = await forge_config()
-    cls = _FORGE_CLASSES.get(cfg["kind"])
     if cls is None:
-        if cfg["kind"]:
+        if kind:
             # A kind we don't implement is a misconfiguration, not "off" —
             # say so once per lookup rather than silently reading as absent.
-            logger.warning("unknown forge kind %r configured — forge disabled", cfg["kind"])
+            logger.warning("unknown forge kind %r configured — connection disabled", kind)
         return None
-    if not cfg["base_url"] or not cfg["token"]:
+    if not base_url or not token:
         return None
-    if not cfg["base_url"].startswith(("http://", "https://")):
+    if not base_url.startswith(("http://", "https://")):
-        logger.warning("forge base URL %r has no http(s) scheme — forge disabled", cfg["base_url"])
+        logger.warning("forge base URL %r has no http(s) scheme — connection disabled", base_url)
         return None
-    return cls(cfg["base_url"], cfg["token"], transport=transport)
+    return cls(base_url, token, transport=transport)
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class ForgeSelector:
+    """The forge reads available to one project owner (#2778).
+
+    Consumers ask it to serve a REPO, not to hand over "the forge": resolve()
+    walks the owner's adapters and returns the (adapter, api_repo) pair for
+    the first one whose host serves the repo — or None, which every consumer
+    treats exactly as the old "no forge configured" state. An empty selector
+    IS rule #115's baseline.
+    """
+
+    adapters: tuple[ForgeAdapter, ...] = ()
+
+    @property
+    def configured(self) -> bool:
+        return bool(self.adapters)
+
+    def resolve(self, repo_or_url: str) -> tuple[ForgeAdapter, str] | None:
+        for adapter in self.adapters:
+            repo = adapter.resolve_repo(repo_or_url)
+            if repo is not None:
+                return adapter, repo
+        return None
+
+
+async def get_forges(
+    owner_id: int, project_id: int | None = None, *, transport=None
+) -> ForgeSelector:
+    """The forge selector for reads on behalf of ``owner_id``'s records.
+
+    The keyring model (#2778): every server-side forge read for a record runs
+    on the PROJECT OWNER's connections, resolved by repo host — a forge token
+    is a user's credential, and one user's reads must never ride another
+    user's token. Pass the record's ``project_id`` so the per-project pin
+    applies: a pinned project uses ONLY its pinned connection (explicit and
+    auditable); a pin that no longer belongs to the owner (ownership moved) is
+    ignored with a warning rather than honored across users.
+
+    The env config (FORGE_KIND/FORGE_BASE_URL/FORGE_TOKEN) survives as an
+    implicit keyring entry for ADMIN owners only — it is the operator's
+    token, so it must not serve other users' reads — and a stored row for the
+    same host beats it, because the UI writes rows.
+    """
+    from scribe.models import async_session
+    from scribe.models.forge_connection import ForgeConnection
+    from scribe.models.project import Project
+    from scribe.models.user import User
+
+    async with async_session() as session:
+        pinned_id = None
+        if project_id:
+            pinned_id = (
+                await session.execute(
+                    select(Project.forge_connection_id).where(Project.id == project_id)
+                )
+            ).scalar_one_or_none()
+        rows = list(
+            (
+                await session.execute(
+                    select(ForgeConnection)
+                    .where(ForgeConnection.user_id == owner_id)
+                    .order_by(ForgeConnection.id)
+                )
+            ).scalars().all()
+        )
+        role = ""
+        if Config.FORGE_KIND and Config.FORGE_BASE_URL and Config.FORGE_TOKEN:
+            role = (
+                await session.execute(select(User.role).where(User.id == owner_id))
+            ).scalar_one_or_none() or ""
+
+    if pinned_id:
+        pin = next((r for r in rows if r.id == pinned_id), None)
+        if pin is not None:
+            adapter = build_adapter(pin.kind, pin.base_url, pin.token, transport=transport)
+            return ForgeSelector((adapter,) if adapter is not None else ())
+        logger.warning(
+            "project %s pins forge connection %s the owner (%s) does not hold — pin ignored",
+            project_id, pinned_id, owner_id,
+        )
+
+    adapters: list[ForgeAdapter] = []
+    for row in rows:
+        adapter = build_adapter(row.kind, row.base_url, row.token, transport=transport)
+        if adapter is not None:
+            adapters.append(adapter)
+    if role == "admin":
+        env = build_adapter(
+            Config.FORGE_KIND, Config.FORGE_BASE_URL, Config.FORGE_TOKEN,
+            transport=transport,
+        )
+        if env is not None and all(a.host != env.host for a in adapters):
+            adapters.append(env)
+    return ForgeSelector(tuple(adapters))

src/scribe/services/forge_connections.py

@@ -0,0 +1,194 @@
+"""User-level forge connection CRUD — the keyring rows get_forges reads (#2778).
+
+A connection is a user's read-only credential for one forge host; one row per
+(user, host) keeps host-keyed resolution deterministic with no default-pointer
+machinery. Everything here is own-rows-only: a connection is a credential, and
+no caller — admin included — reads or edits another user's. The token never
+leaves the server (model.to_dict omits it; routes mask "set/unset").
+
+Validation matches what build_adapter will accept, checked here so a bad
+value is a 400 at the form instead of a silently dead keyring row.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from sqlalchemy import select
+
+from scribe.models import async_session
+from scribe.models.forge_connection import ForgeConnection
+from scribe.models.project import Project
+from scribe.services.forge import FORGE_KINDS, host_of
+
+
+def validate_connection(kind: str, base_url: str) -> str | None:
+    """The error a connection's non-secret values would earn, or None."""
+    if kind not in FORGE_KINDS:
+        return f"Unknown forge kind {kind!r} (one of: {', '.join(FORGE_KINDS)})"
+    if not base_url.startswith(("http://", "https://")):
+        return "Forge base URL must use http or https"
+    if not host_of(base_url):
+        return "Forge base URL carries no hostname"
+    return None
+
+
+async def list_connections(user_id: int) -> list[ForgeConnection]:
+    async with async_session() as session:
+        rows = await session.execute(
+            select(ForgeConnection)
+            .where(ForgeConnection.user_id == user_id)
+            .order_by(ForgeConnection.host)
+        )
+        return list(rows.scalars().all())
+
+
+async def get_connection(user_id: int, connection_id: int) -> ForgeConnection | None:
+    async with async_session() as session:
+        return (
+            await session.execute(
+                select(ForgeConnection).where(
+                    ForgeConnection.id == connection_id,
+                    ForgeConnection.user_id == user_id,
+                )
+            )
+        ).scalar_one_or_none()
+
+
+async def create_connection(
+    user_id: int, *, kind: str, base_url: str, token: str
+) -> ForgeConnection:
+    """Create a keyring row. Raises ValueError on bad values or a host the
+    user already holds — one row per (user, host) IS the resolution model,
+    so a second token for the same host is an update, not a create."""
+    kind = (kind or "").strip().lower()
+    base_url = (base_url or "").strip().rstrip("/")
+    token = token or ""
+    error = validate_connection(kind, base_url)
+    if error is None and not token:
+        error = "A token is required (read scope is enough)"
+    if error:
+        raise ValueError(error)
+    host = host_of(base_url)
+    async with async_session() as session:
+        existing = (
+            await session.execute(
+                select(ForgeConnection).where(
+                    ForgeConnection.user_id == user_id,
+                    ForgeConnection.host == host,
+                )
+            )
+        ).scalar_one_or_none()
+        if existing is not None:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"You already have a connection for {host} — edit that one; "
+                "resolution is by host, so a second row could never be reached"
+            )
+        row = ForgeConnection(
+            user_id=user_id, kind=kind, base_url=base_url, host=host, token=token
+        )
+        session.add(row)
+        await session.commit()
+        await session.refresh(row)
+        return row
+
+
+async def update_connection(
+    user_id: int,
+    connection_id: int,
+    *,
+    kind: str = "",
+    base_url: str = "",
+    token: str = "",
+) -> ForgeConnection | None:
+    """Update own row; empty string = leave unchanged (the settings-form
+    sentinel convention). None when the row isn't the caller's."""
+    async with async_session() as session:
+        row = (
+            await session.execute(
+                select(ForgeConnection).where(
+                    ForgeConnection.id == connection_id,
+                    ForgeConnection.user_id == user_id,
+                )
+            )
+        ).scalar_one_or_none()
+        if row is None:
+            return None
+        new_kind = (kind or "").strip().lower() or row.kind
+        new_base = (base_url or "").strip().rstrip("/") or row.base_url
+        error = validate_connection(new_kind, new_base)
+        if error:
+            raise ValueError(error)
+        new_host = host_of(new_base)
+        if new_host != row.host:
+            clash = (
+                await session.execute(
+                    select(ForgeConnection.id).where(
+                        ForgeConnection.user_id == user_id,
+                        ForgeConnection.host == new_host,
+                        ForgeConnection.id != row.id,
+                    )
+                )
+            ).scalar_one_or_none()
+            if clash is not None:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"You already have a connection for {new_host} — edit that one"
+                )
+        row.kind = new_kind
+        row.base_url = new_base
+        row.host = new_host
+        if token:
+            row.token = token
+        await session.commit()
+        await session.refresh(row)
+        return row
+
+
+async def delete_connection(user_id: int, connection_id: int) -> bool:
+    """Delete own row. Project pins pointing at it go NULL (FK SET NULL) —
+    those projects fall back to keyring resolution, which is the documented
+    unpinned behavior, not a surprise."""
+    async with async_session() as session:
+        row = (
+            await session.execute(
+                select(ForgeConnection).where(
+                    ForgeConnection.id == connection_id,
+                    ForgeConnection.user_id == user_id,
+                )
+            )
+        ).scalar_one_or_none()
+        if row is None:
+            return False
+        await session.delete(row)
+        await session.commit()
+        return True
+
+
+async def set_project_pin(
+    owner_id: int, project_id: int, connection_id: int | None
+) -> bool:
+    """Point a project at one of its OWNER's connections, or clear the pin.
+
+    The caller settles WHO may ask (routes check owner-or-admin); this
+    settles WHOSE connection is eligible: only the project owner's — pinning
+    a collaborator's token to someone else's project is the confused-deputy
+    channel this feature exists to close. False = project or connection not
+    eligible.
+    """
+    async with async_session() as session:
+        project = (
+            await session.execute(select(Project).where(Project.id == project_id))
+        ).scalar_one_or_none()
+        if project is None or (project.user_id or 0) != owner_id:
+            return False
+        if connection_id:
+            held = (
+                await session.execute(
+                    select(ForgeConnection.id).where(
+                        ForgeConnection.id == connection_id,
+                        ForgeConnection.user_id == owner_id,
+                    )
+                )
+            ).scalar_one_or_none()
+            if held is None:
+                return False
+        project.forge_connection_id = connection_id or None
+        await session.commit()
+        return True

src/scribe/services/inception.py

@@ -0,0 +1,272 @@
+"""Project inception — what a project was decided to inherit (milestone 297).
+
+A project's inheritance is a decision, not a default. The record lives on
+``projects.inception``::
+
+    {
+      "decided_at": "<iso>", "decided_by": <user id> | null,
+      "via": "mcp" | "ui" | "legacy",
+      "choices": {
+        "exclude_always_on_rulebooks": [rulebook ids],
+        "subscribe_rulebooks": [rulebook ids],
+        "design_system_id": <id> | null,
+        "seed_systems": bool
+      }
+    }
+
+NULL = undecided → enter_project asks. ``legacy`` is the migration's stamp on
+projects that existed before the step did (inherit-all / no design system /
+no seed), so the ask fires only for projects created after this shipped.
+
+The shape and its validator are pure; ``decide`` composes the existing
+services — always-on exclusions, subscriptions, set_project_design_system,
+the standard Systems seed — checks every target BEFORE touching anything,
+applies the effects (each idempotent), and writes the record LAST, so a
+half-applied decision is re-runnable rather than recorded as done.
+``current_defaults`` is what the enter_project ask shows: what binds today
+if nobody decides.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+
+from sqlalchemy import select
+
+from scribe.models import async_session
+from scribe.models.project import Project
+from scribe.models.rulebook import Rulebook
+
+INCEPTION_VIAS = ("mcp", "ui", "legacy")
+CHOICE_KEYS = ("exclude_always_on_rulebooks", "subscribe_rulebooks", "design_system_id", "seed_systems")
+
+
+def _is_id_list(value) -> bool:
+    return isinstance(value, list) and all(
+        isinstance(v, int) and not isinstance(v, bool) and v > 0 for v in value
+    )
+
+
+def validate_inception(choices) -> str | None:
+    """The structural error an inception ``choices`` object would earn, or
+    None. Pure and checked BEFORE any effect is applied: a decision either
+    applies whole or errors whole (the StrictArgs lesson, #2709).
+
+    Accepts the four keys, each optional: two id lists (positive ints, no
+    duplicates between exclude and subscribe), ``design_system_id`` an int
+    or None, ``seed_systems`` a bool. Unknown keys are an error — a typo
+    must not become a silently ignored choice."""
+    if not isinstance(choices, dict):
+        return "choices must be an object"
+    unknown = sorted(set(choices) - set(CHOICE_KEYS))
+    if unknown:
+        return f"unknown inception choice(s): {', '.join(unknown)} (one of: {', '.join(CHOICE_KEYS)})"
+    excl = choices.get("exclude_always_on_rulebooks") or []
+    subs = choices.get("subscribe_rulebooks") or []
+    if not _is_id_list(excl):
+        return "exclude_always_on_rulebooks must be a list of rulebook ids"
+    if not _is_id_list(subs):
+        return "subscribe_rulebooks must be a list of rulebook ids"
+    both = sorted(set(excl) & set(subs))
+    if both:
+        return f"rulebook(s) {both} cannot be both excluded and subscribed"
+    ds = choices.get("design_system_id")
+    if ds is not None and (isinstance(ds, bool) or not isinstance(ds, int) or ds <= 0):
+        return "design_system_id must be a positive id or null"
+    seed = choices.get("seed_systems", False)
+    if not isinstance(seed, bool):
+        return "seed_systems must be true or false"
+    return None
+
+
+def normalize_choices(choices: dict | None) -> dict:
+    """The four keys, always present, in canonical form — what gets stored
+    and what the UI/agent reads back. Call after validate_inception."""
+    choices = choices or {}
+    return {
+        "exclude_always_on_rulebooks": sorted(set(choices.get("exclude_always_on_rulebooks") or [])),
+        "subscribe_rulebooks": sorted(set(choices.get("subscribe_rulebooks") or [])),
+        "design_system_id": choices.get("design_system_id"),
+        "seed_systems": bool(choices.get("seed_systems", False)),
+    }
+
+
+def is_decided(project) -> bool:
+    """A project is decided once its inception record exists (any via)."""
+    return bool(getattr(project, "inception", None))
+
+
+async def current_defaults(user_id: int, project_id: int) -> dict:
+    """What the project inherits if nobody decides — the ask's payload.
+
+    {always_on_rulebooks: [{id,title}], other_rulebooks: [{id,title}],
+     excluded_always_on: [...], subscribed_rulebooks: [...],
+     design_system_id, design_systems: [{id,title}], systems: <count>}.
+    Instance-agnostic: an install with no rulebooks / design systems shows
+    empty lists, and the ask says so rather than inventing a default.
+    """
+    from scribe.services import design_systems as design_systems_svc
+    from scribe.services import projects as projects_svc
+    from scribe.services import rulebooks as rulebooks_svc
+    from scribe.services import systems as systems_svc
+
+    project = await projects_svc.get_project(user_id, project_id)
+    if project is None:
+        raise ValueError(f"project {project_id} not found")
+    async with async_session() as session:
+        rows = (
+            await session.execute(
+                select(Rulebook.id, Rulebook.title, Rulebook.always_on)
+                .where(Rulebook.owner_user_id == user_id, Rulebook.deleted_at.is_(None))
+                .order_by(Rulebook.title)
+            )
+        ).all()
+    applicable = await rulebooks_svc.get_applicable_rules(project_id, user_id, limit=1)
+    designs = await design_systems_svc.list_design_systems(user_id)
+    systems = await systems_svc.list_systems(user_id, project_id, include_archived=True)
+    return {
+        "always_on_rulebooks": [{"id": i, "title": t} for i, t, on in rows if on],
+        "other_rulebooks": [{"id": i, "title": t} for i, t, on in rows if not on],
+        "excluded_always_on": applicable.get("excluded_always_on", []),
+        "subscribed_rulebooks": applicable.get("subscribed_rulebooks", []),
+        "design_system_id": project.design_system_id,
+        "design_systems": [{"id": d.id, "title": d.title} for d in designs],
+        "systems": len(systems),
+    }
+
+
+async def _check_targets(user_id: int, choices: dict) -> None:
+    """Every id a decision names must be the caller's (or readable) BEFORE any
+    effect lands — a decision applies whole or errors whole."""
+    from scribe.services import access
+
+    wanted = set(choices["exclude_always_on_rulebooks"]) | set(choices["subscribe_rulebooks"])
+    if wanted:
+        async with async_session() as session:
+            rows = (
+                await session.execute(
+                    select(Rulebook.id, Rulebook.always_on).where(
+                        Rulebook.id.in_(wanted),
+                        Rulebook.owner_user_id == user_id,
+                        Rulebook.deleted_at.is_(None),
+                    )
+                )
+            ).all()
+        found = {rid: on for rid, on in rows}
+        missing = sorted(wanted - set(found))
+        if missing:
+            raise ValueError(f"rulebook(s) {missing} not found (or not yours)")
+        not_always = sorted(r for r in choices["exclude_always_on_rulebooks"] if not found[r])
+        if not_always:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"rulebook(s) {not_always} are not always-on — only always-on rulebooks "
+                "can be excluded; a subscribed rulebook is simply not subscribed"
+            )
+    ds = choices["design_system_id"]
+    if ds is not None and not await access.can_read_design_system(user_id, ds):
+        raise ValueError(f"design system {ds} not found (or not readable)")
+
+
+async def decide(
+    user_id: int,
+    project_id: int,
+    *,
+    choices: dict | None,
+    via: str,
+) -> dict:
+    """Record a project's inception decision and apply it (milestone 297).
+
+    Owner-only. Validates the choices (pure) and every target (owned /
+    readable) first; then, each idempotent: exclude the named always-on
+    rulebooks, subscribe the named rulebooks, point the project at the design
+    system (None = explicitly none), seed the standard Systems if asked and
+    the project has none; then write ``projects.inception`` LAST. Re-deciding
+    is additive for exclusions/subscriptions (nothing is silently dropped —
+    include/unsubscribe are explicit calls), replaces the design system, and
+    re-seeds nothing a project already has.
+
+    Returns {"inception": <record>, "effects": {excluded, subscribed,
+    design_system_id, systems_seeded}}.
+    """
+    from scribe.services import design_systems as design_systems_svc
+    from scribe.services import projects as projects_svc
+    from scribe.services import rulebooks as rulebooks_svc
+    from scribe.services import systems as systems_svc
+
+    if via not in INCEPTION_VIAS or via == "legacy":
+        raise ValueError("via must be 'mcp' or 'ui' ('legacy' is the migration's stamp)")
+    error = validate_inception(choices or {})
+    if error:
+        raise ValueError(error)
+    choices = normalize_choices(choices)
+    project = await projects_svc.get_project(user_id, project_id)   # owner-scoped
+    if project is None:
+        raise ValueError(f"project {project_id} not found (or not yours)")
+    await _check_targets(user_id, choices)
+
+    for rb in choices["exclude_always_on_rulebooks"]:
+        await rulebooks_svc.exclude_always_on_rulebook_for_project(project_id, rb, user_id)
+    for rb in choices["subscribe_rulebooks"]:
+        await rulebooks_svc.subscribe_project(project_id, rb, user_id)
+    if not await design_systems_svc.set_project_design_system(
+        user_id, project_id, choices["design_system_id"]
+    ):
+        raise ValueError("could not set the design system (no write on the project?)")
+    seeded = (
+        await systems_svc.seed_standard_systems(user_id, project_id)
+        if choices["seed_systems"] else []
+    )
+
+    record = {
+        "decided_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),
+        "decided_by": user_id,
+        "via": via,
+        "choices": choices,
+    }
+    async with async_session() as session:
+        row = await session.get(Project, project_id)
+        row.inception = record
+        row.updated_at = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+        await session.commit()
+    return {
+        "inception": record,
+        "effects": {
+            "excluded": choices["exclude_always_on_rulebooks"],
+            "subscribed": choices["subscribe_rulebooks"],
+            "design_system_id": choices["design_system_id"],
+            "systems_seeded": [sy.name for sy in seeded],
+        },
+    }
+
+
+async def inception_ask(user_id: int, project_id: int) -> dict:
+    """The enter_project ask for an undecided project (milestone 297) — the
+    sibling of the systems-bootstrap ask (#2683): the project's OWN current
+    defaults, what to ask the operator, and the exact call that answers it.
+    Fail-open: a hint must never break the call it rides on."""
+    try:
+        defaults = await current_defaults(user_id, project_id)
+    except Exception:
+        return {}
+    always = ", ".join(f"{r['title']} (#{r['id']})" for r in defaults["always_on_rulebooks"]) or "none"
+    others = ", ".join(f"{r['title']} (#{r['id']})" for r in defaults["other_rulebooks"]) or "none"
+    designs = ", ".join(f"{d['title']} (#{d['id']})" for d in defaults["design_systems"]) or "none"
+    return {
+        "defaults": defaults,
+        "ask": (
+            "This project has no inception decision: nobody has said what it "
+            f"inherits. Today, by default: always-on rulebooks binding it — {always}; "
+            f"rulebooks it could subscribe to — {others}; design system — "
+            f"{'#' + str(defaults['design_system_id']) if defaults['design_system_id'] else 'none'} "
+            f"(available: {designs}); Systems — {defaults['systems']}. Ask the operator, "
+            "once: which always-on rulebooks to EXCLUDE here (default: none), which "
+            "rulebooks to subscribe, which design system (or none), and whether to seed "
+            "the standard starter Systems — then record the answers. This ask repeats on "
+            "every enter_project until a decision is recorded."
+        ),
+        "call": (
+            f"decide_project_inception(project_id={project_id}, "
+            "exclude_always_on_rulebooks=[...], subscribe_rulebooks=[...], "
+            "design_system_id=<id | -1 for none>, seed_systems=<true|false>)"
+        ),
+    }
+

src/scribe/services/knowledge.py

@@ -16,12 +16,14 @@ endorsed, so a one-off direct share has to be searched for rather than arriving
 in your ambient lists.
 """
 import json
+import re
 import logging
 
 from sqlalchemy import and_, func, or_, select
 
 from scribe.models import async_session
 from scribe.models.note import Note
+from scribe.models.base import iso
 from scribe.services.access import browsable_notes_clause, readable_notes_clause
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -75,6 +77,10 @@ def location_matches(data: dict | None, parts: dict[str, str]) -> bool:
         if all(
             _path_matches((loc.get(key) or "").strip(), want)
             if key == "path"
+            # Repo names are recorded free-form ("Scribe" / "FabledScribe" /
+            # "fabledscribe") — case is never the distinguishing thing (#2874).
+            else (loc.get(key) or "").strip().lower() == want.lower()
+            if key == "repo"
             else (loc.get(key) or "").strip() == want
             for key, want in parts.items()
         ):
@@ -98,6 +104,11 @@ def location_jsonpath(parts: dict[str, str]) -> str:
         if key == "path":
             prefix = json.dumps(want.rstrip("/") + "/")
             filters.append(f"(@.path == {literal} || @.path starts with {prefix})")
+        elif key == "repo":
+            # Case-insensitive, anchored, regex-escaped (#2874) — mirrors the
+            # Python dialect's .lower() compare.
+            pattern = json.dumps("^" + re.escape(want) + "$")
+            filters.append(f'(@.repo like_regex {pattern} flag "i")')
         else:
             filters.append(f"@.{key} == {literal}")
     return f"$.locations[*] ? ({' && '.join(filters)})"
@@ -211,8 +222,8 @@ def _note_to_item(note: Note) -> dict:
         # These lists now include records shared with the caller, so the client
         # needs the owner to tell "mine" from "someone else's" in a mixed list.
         "user_id": note.user_id,
-        "created_at": note.created_at.isoformat(),
+        "created_at": iso(note.created_at),
-        "updated_at": note.updated_at.isoformat(),
+        "updated_at": iso(note.updated_at),
     }
     # Drift verdict (#2086), when one has been recorded. Included here rather
     # than decorated on by the snippet layer because `current` is derivable from
@@ -249,7 +260,7 @@ def _note_to_item(note: Note) -> dict:
         item["task_kind"] = note.task_kind
         item["status"] = note.status
         item["priority"] = note.priority
-        item["due_date"] = note.due_date.isoformat() if note.due_date else None
+        item["due_date"] = iso(note.due_date)
 
     return item