diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index e8cf6a2..790bdfd 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -1,218 +1,216 @@
-     1|# Clawdie ISO Agent Guidelines
-     2|
-     3|## Agent Identity and Current Role Split
-     4|
-     5|The XFCE operator USB work now uses a git-coordinated split. Agents may review
-     6|or suggest across boundaries, but should not silently take over another role's
-     7|load-bearing responsibility.
-     8|
-     9|| Role name                          | Identity                               | Owns                                                                                  | Restrictions                                                                                         |
-    10|| ---------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-    11|| **Pi ISO Developer**               | Pi harness (this dev agent)            | Source changes, docs, static checks, commits, pushes                                  | Does not start ISO builds or flash media unless explicitly assigned                                  |
-    12|| **Codex ISO Builder**              | codex pkg on the FreeBSD 15 build host | `./build.sh`, mounted-image inspection, publishing, hardware validation               | Should avoid broad source refactors; reports exact logs/output back through git or handoff notes     |
-    13|| **Hermes USB/IMG Deployer**        | Hermes on Debian/Linux                 | Downloading verified published artifacts, USB target identification, flashing         | Does not need Codeberg (mirror only); pushes to Forgejo exclusively                        |
-    14|| **Claude Reviewer / XFCE Tweaker** | Claude (Linux)                         | Review/plans plus Track E XFCE GUI polish                                             | Cannot build ISO, cannot run FreeBSD-only validation, should mark speculative runtime claims as such |
-    15|| **Opencode / Z.ai Integrator**     | Opencode CLI on Linux                  | Linux-side Herdr/dashboard experiments plus Pi/DeepSeek v4 provider-lane smoke wiring | Cannot claim FreeBSD runtime proof; uses Sam-provided API keys only for provider validation          |
-    16|| **Operator (Sam)**                 | Human operator                         | Product, hardware, acceptance, release judgment                                       | Human approval required for release/tagging decisions                                                |
-    17|
-    18|### Git Coordination Rules
-    19|
-    20|- Coordinate through git: fetch before commenting on remote state, push small
-    21|  reviewable commits, and include test/build status in commit messages.
-    22|- Claude may push critique/suggestion commits, but Pi ISO Developer should
-    23|  re-check and adjust implementation details before the next build target is
-    24|  treated as final.
-    25|- Codex ISO Builder consumes pushed build targets, builds/publishes artifacts,
-    26|  and reports hardware findings with exact commands and output.
-    27|- Hermes USB/IMG Deployer consumes published artifact URLs/manifests, verifies
-    28|  checksums on Linux, identifies the USB target, and owns the final image-to-USB
-    29|  deployment handoff.
-    30|- Opencode / Z.ai Integrator owns Linux-side Herdr/dashboard experiments and
-    31|  the Pi/DeepSeek v4 smoke lane when Sam provides a `ZAI_API_KEY`; findings
-    32|  should come back as exact commands, output, provider/version notes, and small
-    33|  manifests/summaries that Colibri can ingest.
-    34|- If a change needs a long ISO build, USB flash, or real hardware proof, hand it
-    35|  to the owning role instead of running it opportunistically.
-    36|
-    37|### Markdown Formatting Gate
-    38|
-    39|Markdown formatting is tool-owned, not taste-owned. Before pushing any commit
-    40|that edits `*.md`, run:
-    41|
-    42|```sh
-    43|./scripts/check-format.sh
-    44|```
-    45|
-    46|If it fails, format only the touched markdown files, then rerun the check:
-    47|
-    48|```sh
-    49|npx --yes prettier@3 --write path/to/file.md
-    50|```
-    51|
-    52|Do not hand-align Markdown tables or reflow prose manually. `.prettierrc` uses
-    53|`proseWrap: preserve` so existing prose line breaks stay intentional, while
-    54|Prettier still catches table padding, list spacing, and emphasis drift.
-    55|
-    56|### Private Planning Workspace
-    57|
-    58|`private/` is gitignored and may contain operator-private strategy notes or PRDs.
-    59|Agents on this host may read files there only when directly relevant to the
-    60|assigned work. Do not commit, quote, summarize publicly, or copy private content
-    61|to Forgejo unless the operator explicitly approves it.
-    62|
-    63|If working on custom ISO / hardware-report monetization, check
-    64|`private/PRD-CUSTOM-ISO.md` when present. Codex ISO Builder should focus first
-    65|on the local-only `hw-report` feasibility path and, after analysis,
-    66|return concise action notes for Claude Reviewer / XFCE Tweaker on what GUI
-    67|surface should expose for report collection and review.
-    68|
-    69|### Linux Agent Constraints
-    70|
-    71|Linux agents MUST NOT attempt to build the ISO (`./build.sh`, `./build-vps.sh`).
-    72|ISO builds require FreeBSD 15 system tools (`mdconfig`, `mount_msdosfs`, `pkg`).
-    73|Instead, guide Codex ISO Builder with exact commands to run on the FreeBSD 15
-    74|system.
-    75|
-    76|Agents on any platform MUST NOT start a new ISO build unless explicitly assigned.
-    77|Builds are long-running, mutate repo-local caches, and can leave mounted md(4)
-    78|devices that require cleanup.
-    79|
-    80|### Colibri Dependency
-    81|
-    82|The ISO build stages FreeBSD-native Colibri control-plane artifacts from the
-    83|adjacent `../colibri` checkout (`FEATURE_COLIBRI=YES` is the default lane). The
-    84|staging is wired into `build.sh` and `scripts/stage-colibri-iso.sh`; the ISO
-    85|does **not** build Rust while the image is mounted.
-    86|
-    87|- Build Colibri release artifacts on the FreeBSD/OSA host, not on Debian/Linux.
-    88|- Build order, binary verification, and cleanup timing live in the `iso-build`
-    89|  skill (§Colibri artifact preflight).
-    90|- Staging layout (installed paths, rc.d, directory ownership) is owned by
-    91|  Colibri `docs/ISO-INTEGRATION-PLAN.md`.
-    92|- Required by ISO preflight: `colibri-daemon`, `colibri`, `colibri-smoke-agent`.
-    93|  `colibri-tui` is optional in staging code but desired for this USB target and
-    94|  should be verified alongside the other three.
-    95|
-    96|**Invariant:** do not `cargo clean` the Colibri checkout until the ISO
-    97|preflight/build has consumed `../colibri/target/release`.
-    98|
-    99|---
-   100|
-   101|## Current XFCE Operator USB Baseline
-   102|
-   103|The active branch target is the XFCE live operator USB. Authoritative state
-   104|lives in `packages/` (what ships) and `PLAN-OPERATOR-USB-NEXT.md` (round-scope
-   105|decisions and any "for now" retention notes). Final graphical validation
-   106|requires real hardware — do not treat bhyve, nested VMs, or static image
-   107|inspection as final proof that SDDM/XFCE works.
-   108|
-   109|---
-   110|
-   111|## System Configuration
-   112|
-   113|**Privilege model:** distinguish build-host administration from live-USB runtime.
-   114|
-   115|- On the FreeBSD 15 build host, operator-facing commands may use `sudo`.
-   116|- Inside the live USB, `sudo` is intentionally absent (deleted via `pkg delete -f sudo`).
-   117|- Live privileged actions use FreeBSD `mac_do` via `mdo -u root <command>`.
-   118|- `~/.bashrc` aliases `sudo` → `mdo -u root` for muscle-memory compatibility.
-   119|  The shell function wraps `mdo` with a fire-and-forget ZFS snapshot
-   120|  (`zroot@cli-<timestamp>`) before each privileged invocation, so rollback
-   121|  is always available without confirmation prompts or warning popups.
-   122|- Agent runtime code must not shell out to `sudo` for privileged host changes.
-   123|- Privileged Clawdie-AI host operations go through the hostd RPC layer.
-   124|
-   125|**Why `sudo` as alias, not as pkg:**
-   126|
-   127|| Approach            | Install sudo pkg         | Alias to mdo                 |
-   128|| ------------------- | ------------------------ | ---------------------------- |
-   129|| Extra package       | Yes (sudo + deps)        | No                           |
-   130|| Two privilege paths | `sudo` AND `mdo` coexist | Single path (`mdo`)          |
-   131|| Audit surface       | Two tools to audit       | One kernel-enforced MAC      |
-   132|| ZFS safety net      | Requires sudoers hooks   | Built into bash function     |
-   133|| Agent confusion     | Agents try both paths    | Agents use `sudo`, get `mdo` |
-   134|| ISO size            | Larger                   | Zero bytes                   |
-   135|
-   136|The alias approach keeps the ISO lean, eliminates dual-privilege-path
-   137|confusion, and bakes ZFS rollback safety directly into the operator shell.
-   138|`mac_do` is FreeBSD base system — no package dependency, kernel-enforced,
-   139|auditable via MAC framework.
-   140|
-   141|---
-   142|
-   143|## Installer Temp Files
-   144|
-   145|The GUI installer uses `/tmp/clawdie-install.conf` to pass wizard values to
-   146|`firstboot.sh`. This is an exemption from the project-local `tmp/` rule.
-   147|
-   148|**Rationale:**
-   149|
-   150|- Live ISO has no project root
-   151|- Single-user install phase (no other users on the system)
-   152|- File is consumed once by `firstboot.sh` then deleted on reboot
-   153|- PF firewall is not yet running during install
-   154|
-   155|**Applies to:**
-   156|
-   157|- `/tmp/clawdie-install.conf` — GUI wizard config output
-   158|- `/tmp/clawdie-firstboot.*` — firstboot progress and log (written by rc.d)
-   159|
-   160|## Repo-local ISO Build Workspace
-   161|
-   162|ISO builds use repo-local `tmp/` for large caches and output artifacts:
-   163|
-   164|- `tmp/cache` — build cache
-   165|- `tmp/cache/mnt` — temporary md(4) work-image mountpoint
-   166|- `tmp/output` — generated `.img.gz` artifacts and checksums
-   167|- `tmp/packages` — fetched package archives
-   168|
-   169|`tmp/cache/mnt` is an ISO-builder-specific mountpoint exception. Do not mount
-   170|unrelated datasets, recovery filesystems, or scratch filesystems elsewhere under
-   171|repo `tmp/`. If a build is interrupted, use the `iso-build-cleanup` skill before
-   172|retrying.
-   173|
-   174|---
-   175|
-   176|## Cross-Repo Coordination
-   177|
-   178|Clawdie spans three repos. Changes often require coordinated updates.
-   179|
-   | Repo          | Purpose                                  | Remote                                             |
-   | ------------- | ---------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
-   | `clawdie-ai`  | Agent runtime, control plane, channels   | `git@code.smilepowered.org:clawdie/clawdie-ai.git` |
-   | `clawdie-iso` | ISO builder, firstboot wizard, installer | `git@code.smilepowered.org:clawdie/clawdie-iso.git`|
-   | `Colibri`     | Cross-platform Rust control plane core   | `git@code.smilepowered.org:clawdie/colibri.git`    |
-   185|
-   186|When changes span repos, create a handoff doc in the secondary repo
-   187|listing what needs updating. See `Clawdie-AI/AGENTS.md` for full protocol.
-   188|
-   189|---
-   190|
-   191|## Agent Handoff Documents
-   192|
-   193|Use ephemeral handoff files to transfer context between agents.
-   194|
-   195|- **Name:** `doc/<FEATURE>-HANDOFF.md` or `<FEATURE>-HANDOFF.md` (repo root)
-   196|- **Lifecycle:** Create when handing off, delete when complete
-   197|- **Structure:** Must include task checklist, deletion criteria, results section
-   198|
-   199|See `Clawdie-AI/AGENTS.md` for the full handoff template and protocol.
-   200|
-   201|---
-   202|
-   203|## Attribution in Commit History
-   204|
-   205|Use attribution in commit messages, not in code comments.
-   206|
-   207|Labels:
-   208|
-   209|- `Sam & Codex` — changes made by Sam and Codex
-   210|- `Sam & Claude` — changes made by Sam and Claude
-   211|- `C&C` — joint change with equal credit for Claude and Codex
-   212|
-   213|Add the label to the commit subject or body. Example:
-   214|
-   215|```
-   216|Fix bhyve preflight checks (C&C)
-   217|```
-   218|
\ No newline at end of file
+# Clawdie ISO Agent Guidelines
+
+## Agent Identity and Current Role Split
+
+The XFCE operator USB work now uses a git-coordinated split. Agents may review
+or suggest across boundaries, but should not silently take over another role's
+load-bearing responsibility.
+
+| Role name                          | Identity                            | Owns                                                                                  | Restrictions                                                                                         |
+| ---------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| **Pi ISO Developer**               | Pi harness (this dev agent)         | Source changes, docs, static checks, commits, pushes                                  | Does not start ISO builds or flash media unless explicitly assigned                                  |
+| **Codex ISO Builder**              | codex pkg on the FreeBSD build host | `./build.sh`, mounted-image inspection, publishing, hardware validation               | Should avoid broad source refactors; reports exact logs/output back through git or handoff notes     |
+| **Hermes USB/IMG Deployer**        | Hermes on Debian/Linux              | Downloading verified published artifacts, USB target identification, flashing         | Does not need git-host access; never flashes unverified artifacts or partition paths                 |
+| **Claude Reviewer / XFCE Tweaker** | Claude (Linux)                      | Review/plans plus Track E XFCE GUI polish                                             | Cannot build ISO, cannot run FreeBSD-only validation, should mark speculative runtime claims as such |
+| **Opencode / Z.ai Integrator**     | Opencode CLI on Linux               | Linux-side Herdr/dashboard experiments plus Pi/DeepSeek v4 provider-lane smoke wiring | Cannot claim FreeBSD runtime proof; uses Sam-provided API keys only for provider validation          |
+| **Operator (Sam)**                 | Human operator                      | Product, hardware, acceptance, release judgment                                       | Human approval required for release/tagging decisions                                                |
+
+## Agent / Codebase Check-In Matrix
+
+Use this as the lightweight "who checks in where" matrix while work spans
+multiple repos. Pushed commits, mounted-image reports, manifests, or explicit
+handoff docs are the expected check-in surface.
+
+| Agent lane / identity          | Primary codebase(s)                  | Typical check-in artifact                                      |
+| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| **Pi ISO Developer**           | `clawdie-iso`                        | Small pushed commit on active branch plus static-check result  |
+| **Codex ISO Builder**          | `clawdie-iso`, adjacent `../colibri` | Build log, mounted-image sweep, publish manifest, smoke notes  |
+| **Hermes USB/IMG Deployer**    | published ISO artifacts              | Checksum/manifest verification plus flash-target confirmation  |
+| **Claude Reviewer / Tweaker**  | `clawdie-iso`                        | Review/GUI-polish commit or explicit handoff note              |
+| **Opencode / Z.ai Integrator** | `clawdie-ai`, `colibri`              | Provider smoke output, small manifest, or handoff doc          |
+| **Operator (Sam)**             | all three repos                      | Final acceptance note, branch choice, release/publish approval |
+
+### Git Coordination Rules
+
+- Coordinate through git: fetch before commenting on remote state, push small
+  reviewable commits, and include test/build status in commit messages.
+- Claude may push critique/suggestion commits, but Pi ISO Developer should
+  re-check and adjust implementation details before the next build target is
+  treated as final.
+- Codex ISO Builder consumes pushed build targets, builds/publishes artifacts,
+  and reports hardware findings with exact commands and output.
+- Hermes USB/IMG Deployer consumes published artifact URLs/manifests, verifies
+  checksums on Linux, identifies the USB target, and owns the final image-to-USB
+  deployment handoff.
+- Opencode / Z.ai Integrator owns Linux-side Herdr/dashboard experiments and
+  the Pi/DeepSeek v4 smoke lane when Sam provides a `ZAI_API_KEY`; findings
+  should come back as exact commands, output, provider/version notes, and small
+  manifests/summaries that Colibri can ingest.
+- If a change needs a long ISO build, USB flash, or real hardware proof, hand it
+  to the owning role instead of running it opportunistically.
+
+### Markdown Formatting Gate
+
+Markdown formatting is tool-owned, not taste-owned. Before pushing any commit
+that edits `*.md`, run:
+
+```sh
+./scripts/check-format.sh
+```
+
+If it fails, format only the touched markdown files, then rerun the check:
+
+```sh
+npx --yes prettier@3 --write path/to/file.md
+```
+
+Do not hand-align Markdown tables or reflow prose manually. `.prettierrc` uses
+`proseWrap: preserve` so existing prose line breaks stay intentional, while
+Prettier still catches table padding, list spacing, and emphasis drift.
+
+### Private Planning Workspace
+
+`private/` is gitignored and may contain operator-private strategy notes or PRDs.
+Agents on this host may read files there only when directly relevant to the
+assigned work. Do not commit, quote, summarize publicly, or copy private content
+to Forgejo unless the operator explicitly approves it.
+
+If working on custom ISO / hardware-report monetization, check
+`private/PRD-CUSTOM-ISO.md` when present. Codex ISO Builder should focus first
+on the local-only `hw-report` feasibility path and, after analysis,
+return concise action notes for Claude Reviewer / XFCE Tweaker on what GUI
+surface should expose for report collection and review.
+
+### Linux Agent Constraints
+
+Linux agents MUST NOT attempt to build the ISO (`./build.sh`, `./build-vps.sh`).
+ISO builds require FreeBSD system tools (`mdconfig`, `mount_msdosfs`, `pkg`).
+Instead, guide Codex ISO Builder with exact commands to run on the FreeBSD
+system.
+
+Agents on any platform MUST NOT start a new ISO build unless explicitly assigned.
+Builds are long-running, mutate repo-local caches, and can leave mounted md(4)
+devices that require cleanup.
+
+### Colibri Dependency
+
+The ISO build stages FreeBSD-native Colibri control-plane artifacts from the
+adjacent `../colibri` checkout (`FEATURE_COLIBRI=YES` is the default lane). The
+staging is wired into `build.sh` and `scripts/stage-colibri-iso.sh`; the ISO
+does **not** build Rust while the image is mounted.
+
+- Build Colibri release artifacts on the FreeBSD/OSA host, not on Debian/Linux.
+- Build order, binary verification, and cleanup timing live in the `iso-build`
+  skill (§Colibri artifact preflight).
+- Staging layout (installed paths, rc.d, directory ownership) is owned by
+  Colibri `docs/ISO-INTEGRATION-PLAN.md`.
+- Required by ISO preflight: `colibri-daemon`, `colibri`, `colibri-smoke-agent`.
+  `colibri-tui` is optional in staging code but desired for this USB target and
+  should be verified alongside the other three.
+
+**Invariant:** do not `cargo clean` the Colibri checkout until the ISO
+preflight/build has consumed `../colibri/target/release`.
+
+---
+
+## Current XFCE Operator USB Baseline
+
+The active branch target is the XFCE live operator USB. Authoritative state
+lives in `packages/` (what ships) and `PLAN-OPERATOR-USB-NEXT.md` (round-scope
+decisions and any "for now" retention notes). Final graphical validation
+requires real hardware — do not treat bhyve, nested VMs, or static image
+inspection as final proof that SDDM/XFCE works.
+
+---
+
+## System Configuration
+
+**Privilege model:** distinguish build-host administration from live-USB runtime.
+
+- On the FreeBSD build host, operator-facing commands may use `sudo`.
+- Inside the live USB, `sudo` is intentionally absent.
+- Live privileged actions use FreeBSD `mac_do` via `mdo -u root <command>`.
+- Agent runtime code must not shell out to `sudo` for privileged host changes.
+- Privileged Clawdie-AI host operations go through the hostd RPC layer.
+
+---
+
+## Installer Temp Files
+
+The GUI installer uses `/tmp/clawdie-install.conf` to pass wizard values to
+`firstboot.sh`. This is an exemption from the project-local `tmp/` rule.
+
+**Rationale:**
+
+- Live ISO has no project root
+- Single-user install phase (no other users on the system)
+- File is consumed once by `firstboot.sh` then deleted on reboot
+- PF firewall is not yet running during install
+
+**Applies to:**
+
+- `/tmp/clawdie-install.conf` — GUI wizard config output
+- `/tmp/clawdie-firstboot.*` — firstboot progress and log (written by rc.d)
+
+## Repo-local ISO Build Workspace
+
+ISO builds use repo-local `tmp/` for large caches and output artifacts:
+
+- `tmp/cache` — build cache
+- `tmp/cache/mnt` — temporary md(4) work-image mountpoint
+- `tmp/output` — generated `.img.gz` artifacts and checksums
+- `tmp/packages` — fetched package archives
+
+`tmp/cache/mnt` is an ISO-builder-specific mountpoint exception. Do not mount
+unrelated datasets, recovery filesystems, or scratch filesystems elsewhere under
+repo `tmp/`. If a build is interrupted, use the `iso-build-cleanup` skill before
+retrying.
+
+---
+
+## Cross-Repo Coordination
+
+Clawdie spans three repos. Changes often require coordinated updates.
+
+| Repo          | Purpose                                  | Remote                                              |
+| ------------- | ---------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
+| `Clawdie-AI`  | Agent runtime, control plane, channels   | `git@code.smilepowered.org:clawdie/clawdie-ai.git`  |
+| `clawdie-iso` | ISO builder, firstboot wizard, installer | `git@code.smilepowered.org:clawdie/clawdie-iso.git` |
+| `Colibri`     | Cross-platform Rust control plane core   | `git@code.smilepowered.org:clawdie/colibri.git`     |
+
+Primary remote: `code.smilepowered.org` (self-hosted Forgejo, SSH via local host
+config). Codeberg is the public mirror only; do not treat it as the source of
+truth for agent coordination or branch-state claims.
+
+When changes span both repos, create a handoff doc in the secondary repo
+listing what needs updating. See `Clawdie-AI/AGENTS.md` for full protocol.
+
+---
+
+## Agent Handoff Documents
+
+Use ephemeral handoff files to transfer context between agents.
+
+- **Name:** `doc/<FEATURE>-HANDOFF.md` or `<FEATURE>-HANDOFF.md` (repo root)
+- **Lifecycle:** Create when handing off, delete when complete
+- **Structure:** Must include task checklist, deletion criteria, results section
+
+See `Clawdie-AI/AGENTS.md` for the full handoff template and protocol.
+
+---
+
+## Attribution in Commit History
+
+Use attribution in commit messages, not in code comments.
+
+Labels:
+
+- `Sam & Codex` — changes made by Sam and Codex
+- `Sam & Claude` — changes made by Sam and Claude
+- `C&C` — joint change with equal credit for Claude and Codex
+
+Add the label to the commit subject or body. Example:
+
+```
+Fix bhyve preflight checks (C&C)
+```
diff --git a/BUILD.md b/BUILD.md
index 0b951f5..2ad8dc3 100644
--- a/BUILD.md
+++ b/BUILD.md
@@ -90,7 +90,10 @@ When enabled, the image includes:
 ```
 
 The build also creates the `colibri` service user/group and writes rc.conf
-values for `colibri_daemon_enable`, paths, and `colibri_cost_mode`.
+values for `colibri_daemon_enable`, paths, and `colibri_cost_mode`. Operator
+USB builds stage Colibri by default but keep `colibri_daemon_enable=NO` unless
+the build explicitly overrides `COLIBRI_DAEMON_ENABLE=YES`, so the daemon cannot
+block SDDM/XFCE boot while service supervision is still being validated.
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/PLAN-OPERATOR-USB-NEXT.md b/PLAN-OPERATOR-USB-NEXT.md
index 78cd67e..dd452d2 100644
--- a/PLAN-OPERATOR-USB-NEXT.md
+++ b/PLAN-OPERATOR-USB-NEXT.md
@@ -334,8 +334,8 @@ network setup hooks
 ```sh
 ls -l /etc/resolv.conf
 cat /etc/resolv.conf
-host codeberg.org
-ping -c 1 codeberg.org
+host code.smilepowered.org
+ping -c 1 code.smilepowered.org
 ```
 
 #### 2. Touchpad base/input enablement and diagnostics
@@ -614,6 +614,50 @@ Real-hardware acceptance should be recorded against `doc/AMD-ASUS-XFCE-LIVE-USB-
 
 ---
 
+## 2.2. Live Self-Debug Code Checkout Seed
+
+**Operator request — 2026-06-01 AMD live session:** the next rebuilt operator
+USB should prepopulate the live `clawdie` home with the relevant source trees so
+the operator can start a local `pi` session from XFCE, log in with a provider,
+and let that agent inspect the live system and the shipped source side by side.
+
+**Goal:** make the live USB self-debuggable without first cloning repositories
+over a possibly flaky network.
+
+**Candidate layout:** keep the source snapshots under one operator-facing
+folder so `$HOME` stays uncluttered:
+
+```text
+/home/clawdie/ai/clawdie-iso
+/home/clawdie/ai/clawdie-ai
+/home/clawdie/ai/colibri
+```
+
+**Implementation notes:**
+
+- Seed clean checkouts or source snapshots only; do not copy API keys,
+  `.env` files, SSH private keys, build caches, package caches, `tmp/`, or
+  other private host state.
+- Prefer the exact branch/commit used by the image build, recorded in
+  `/usr/local/share/clawdie-iso/build-manifest.json` and visible from
+  `hw-report`.
+- The snapshots should be owned by `clawdie:clawdie` and readable/writable from
+  XFCE terminals.
+- Keep provider authentication manual. The image may include code, but it must
+  not bake provider credentials.
+- If full `.git` history is too large, use shallow clones or archive snapshots
+  plus a small manifest that records remote URL, branch, commit, and dirty
+  state.
+- This is a live-debug aid, not a build-host replacement: Linux agents still do
+  not build the ISO, and real hardware proof remains operator/Codex-owned.
+
+**Why it matters:** when Colibri, XFCE, rc.d, input, or package-list bugs only
+show up on real hardware, a local Pi session can read `/var/log`, `hw-report`,
+XFCE config, and the source tree in the same environment where the bug occurs.
+That shortens the loop between operator observations and source fixes.
+
+---
+
 ## 3. Sequencing
 
 Recommended order (each can be a separate PR / commit cluster):
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 22fd64d..87af0e7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ later from the live session.
 ## Quick Start: Build Image
 
 ```sh
-git clone https://codeberg.org/Clawdie/Clawdie-ISO.git
+git clone https://code.smilepowered.org/clawdie/clawdie-iso.git
 cd Clawdie-ISO
 
 # Full build: fetch FreeBSD, packages, Clawdie-AI, then assemble image.
diff --git a/build-vps.sh b/build-vps.sh
index c8753a2..601af43 100755
--- a/build-vps.sh
+++ b/build-vps.sh
@@ -65,8 +65,28 @@ fi
 # --- step 2: fetch Clawdie-AI tarball ---
 if [ "$CLAWDIE_VERSION" = "latest" ] || [ -z "$CLAWDIE_VERSION" ]; then
     echo "==> [2/6] Resolving latest Clawdie-AI version..."
-    CLAWDIE_VERSION=$(curl -s "https://codeberg.org/api/v1/repos/Clawdie/Clawdie-AI/releases?limit=1" \
-        | grep -o '"tag_name":"[^"]*"' | head -1 | cut -d'"' -f4 | sed 's/^v//')
+    CLAWDIE_VERSION=$(
+        curl -fsS "https://code.smilepowered.org/api/v1/repos/clawdie/clawdie-ai/releases?limit=20" 2>/dev/null \
+            | grep -o '"tag_name":"[^"]*"' \
+            | head -1 \
+            | cut -d'"' -f4 \
+            | sed 's/^v//'
+    )
+    if [ -z "$CLAWDIE_VERSION" ]; then
+        CLAWDIE_VERSION=$(
+            git ls-remote --tags "https://code.smilepowered.org/clawdie/clawdie-ai.git" 2>/dev/null \
+                | awk -F/ '$2 == "tags" && $3 ~ /^v[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$/ { print $3 }' \
+                | sed 's/^v//' \
+                | sort -t. -k1,1n -k2,2n -k3,3n \
+                | tail -n 1 \
+                | sed 's/^v//'
+        )
+    fi
+    if [ -z "$CLAWDIE_VERSION" ]; then
+        echo "ERROR: could not resolve latest Clawdie-AI release/tag from Forgejo."
+        echo "       Pin --clawdie-version X.Y.Z explicitly."
+        exit 1
+    fi
     echo "    Resolved: v${CLAWDIE_VERSION}"
 fi
 
@@ -74,7 +94,7 @@ CLAWDIE_TARBALL="${CACHE_DIR}/clawdie-ai-v${CLAWDIE_VERSION}.tar.gz"
 if [ "$SKIP_FETCH" -eq 0 ] || [ ! -f "$CLAWDIE_TARBALL" ]; then
     echo "==> [2/6] Downloading Clawdie-AI v${CLAWDIE_VERSION}..."
     curl -L --progress-bar -o "$CLAWDIE_TARBALL" \
-        "https://codeberg.org/Clawdie/Clawdie-AI/archive/v${CLAWDIE_VERSION}.tar.gz"
+        "https://code.smilepowered.org/clawdie/clawdie-ai/archive/v${CLAWDIE_VERSION}.tar.gz"
 else
     echo "==> [2/6] Clawdie-AI cached."
 fi
diff --git a/build.cfg b/build.cfg
index 998d439..399a78b 100644
--- a/build.cfg
+++ b/build.cfg
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ IMAGE_SIZE="28G"
 # build.sh derives IMAGE_NAME from desktop, the FreeBSD major-version codename,
 # and the build date.
 
-# Clawdie-AI ref to bundle from Codeberg.
+# Clawdie-AI ref to bundle from Forgejo.
 # Use main for install validation so ISO firstboot exercises the current
 # post-install setup/token flow. Use --clawdie-version X.Y.Z for release builds.
 CLAWDIE_VERSION="main"
@@ -75,7 +75,10 @@ EMBED_DIMENSIONS="${EMBED_DIMENSIONS:-1024}"
 FEATURE_COLIBRI="${FEATURE_COLIBRI:-YES}"
 COLIBRI_REPO="${COLIBRI_REPO:-../colibri}"
 COLIBRI_ARTIFACT_DIR="${COLIBRI_ARTIFACT_DIR:-}"
-COLIBRI_DAEMON_ENABLE="${COLIBRI_DAEMON_ENABLE:-YES}"
+# Stage Colibri binaries by default, but do not block live boot on the daemon.
+# Hardware validation can start it manually after rc.d supervision is proven on
+# the target image.
+COLIBRI_DAEMON_ENABLE="${COLIBRI_DAEMON_ENABLE:-NO}"
 COLIBRI_COST_MODE="${COLIBRI_COST_MODE:-smart}"
 
 # Local LLM runtime (optional)
diff --git a/build.sh b/build.sh
index 9d12725..cb2f1e3 100755
--- a/build.sh
+++ b/build.sh
@@ -283,11 +283,23 @@ preflight_colibri_artifacts() {
 
     resolve_colibri_paths
     _colibri_rc="${_resolved_colibri_repo}/packaging/freebsd/colibri_daemon.in"
+    _colibri_newsyslog="${_resolved_colibri_repo}/packaging/freebsd/newsyslog-colibri.conf"
     if [ ! -f "${_colibri_rc}" ]; then
         echo "ERROR: Colibri rc.d source missing: ${_colibri_rc}"
         echo "       Set COLIBRI_REPO=/path/to/colibri or FEATURE_COLIBRI=NO."
         exit 1
     fi
+    if ! grep -q '^command="/usr/sbin/daemon"' "${_colibri_rc}" || \
+       ! grep -q '^procname="/usr/sbin/daemon"' "${_colibri_rc}"; then
+        echo "ERROR: Colibri rc.d source does not supervise with daemon(8): ${_colibri_rc}"
+        echo "       Update the Colibri checkout before building; a foreground daemon blocks live boot."
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    if [ ! -f "${_colibri_newsyslog}" ]; then
+        echo "ERROR: Colibri newsyslog source missing: ${_colibri_newsyslog}"
+        echo "       Set COLIBRI_REPO=/path/to/colibri or FEATURE_COLIBRI=NO."
+        exit 1
+    fi
     for _colibri_bin in colibri-daemon colibri colibri-smoke-agent; do
         if [ ! -x "${_resolved_colibri_artifact_dir}/${_colibri_bin}" ]; then
             echo "ERROR: Colibri release binary missing: ${_resolved_colibri_artifact_dir}/${_colibri_bin}"
@@ -332,7 +344,7 @@ json_escape() {
 
 resolve_clawdie_commit() {
     _ref="$1"
-    _repo="https://codeberg.org/Clawdie/Clawdie-AI.git"
+    _repo="https://code.smilepowered.org/clawdie/clawdie-ai.git"
     if printf '%s' "$_ref" | grep -Eq '^[0-9a-fA-F]{40}$'; then
         printf '%s\n' "$_ref"
         return 0
@@ -350,6 +362,29 @@ resolve_clawdie_commit() {
     fi
 }
 
+resolve_latest_clawdie_tag() {
+    _repo_api="https://code.smilepowered.org/api/v1/repos/clawdie/clawdie-ai"
+    _repo_git="https://code.smilepowered.org/clawdie/clawdie-ai.git"
+
+    _tag=$(
+        curl -fsS "${_repo_api}/releases?limit=20" 2>/dev/null \
+            | grep -o '"tag_name":"[^"]*"' \
+            | head -1 \
+            | cut -d'"' -f4
+    )
+    if [ -n "$_tag" ]; then
+        printf '%s\n' "$_tag"
+        return 0
+    fi
+
+    git ls-remote --tags "$_repo_git" 2>/dev/null \
+        | awk -F/ '$2 == "tags" && $3 ~ /^v[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$/ { print $3 }' \
+        | sed 's/^v//' \
+        | sort -t. -k1,1n -k2,2n -k3,3n \
+        | tail -n 1 \
+        | sed 's/^/v/'
+}
+
 is_pinned_clawdie_ref() {
     _ref="$1"
     printf '%s' "$_ref" | grep -Eq '^[0-9a-fA-F]{40}$|^v[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$'
@@ -542,10 +577,13 @@ refresh_live_desktop_caches() {
         run_live_chroot /usr/local/bin/update-desktop-database /usr/local/share/applications
     fi
     if [ -x "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/bin/gtk-update-icon-cache" ]; then
-        for _icon_theme in hicolor Adwaita AdwaitaLegacy Papirus; do
-            if [ -d "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/share/icons/${_icon_theme}" ]; then
-                run_live_chroot /usr/local/bin/gtk-update-icon-cache -f -t "/usr/local/share/icons/${_icon_theme}" || true
-            fi
+        # Regenerate every installed icon theme cache. FreeBSD packages and
+        # Clawdie branding install icons into hicolor and other theme
+        # directories; missed caches show up as blank/dot panel icons.
+        for _icon_theme_dir in "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/share/icons"/*/; do
+            [ -d "$_icon_theme_dir" ] || continue
+            _theme_name=$(basename "$_icon_theme_dir")
+            run_live_chroot /usr/local/bin/gtk-update-icon-cache -f -t "/usr/local/share/icons/${_theme_name}" || true
         done
     fi
 
@@ -764,6 +802,67 @@ install_live_npm_globals() {
     fi
 }
 
+seed_live_ai_source_repo() {
+    _repo_src="$1"
+    _repo_name="$2"
+    _repo_dest="${MOUNT_POINT}/home/clawdie/ai/${_repo_name}"
+
+    if [ ! -d "${_repo_src}" ]; then
+        echo "    Skipping AI source seed ${_repo_name}: ${_repo_src} not found"
+        return 0
+    fi
+    if ! command -v git >/dev/null 2>&1 || ! git -C "${_repo_src}" rev-parse --git-dir >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        echo "    Skipping AI source seed ${_repo_name}: not a git worktree"
+        return 0
+    fi
+
+    echo "    Seeding AI source snapshot: ${_repo_name}"
+    rm -rf "${_repo_dest}"
+    mkdir -p "${_repo_dest}"
+    git -C "${_repo_src}" archive --format=tar HEAD | tar -C "${_repo_dest}" -xf -
+
+    _repo_branch=$(git -C "${_repo_src}" symbolic-ref --short -q HEAD 2>/dev/null || echo detached)
+    _repo_commit=$(git -C "${_repo_src}" rev-parse HEAD 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)
+    _repo_origin=$(git -C "${_repo_src}" remote get-url origin 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)
+    _repo_dirty=false
+    if ! git -C "${_repo_src}" diff --quiet 2>/dev/null || ! git -C "${_repo_src}" diff --cached --quiet 2>/dev/null; then
+        _repo_dirty=true
+    fi
+
+    cat > "${_repo_dest}/.clawdie-source.json" <<EOF
+{
+  "name": "$(json_escape "${_repo_name}")",
+  "source_path": "$(json_escape "${_repo_src}")",
+  "origin": "$(json_escape "${_repo_origin}")",
+  "branch": "$(json_escape "${_repo_branch}")",
+  "commit": "$(json_escape "${_repo_commit}")",
+  "dirty_at_build": ${_repo_dirty},
+  "snapshot_note": "git archive of HEAD; uncommitted changes and ignored/private files are not included"
+}
+EOF
+}
+
+install_live_ai_source_snapshots() {
+    echo "    Installing live AI source snapshots..."
+    mkdir -p "${MOUNT_POINT}/home/clawdie/ai"
+    cat > "${MOUNT_POINT}/home/clawdie/ai/README.txt" <<'EOF'
+Clawdie live AI source snapshots
+
+These directories are included so the operator can start a local provider-backed
+Pi session from the live XFCE desktop and inspect the shipped source beside the
+running system.
+
+No API keys, .env files, SSH private keys, build caches, package caches, tmp/
+directories, or uncommitted worktree changes are included. Each snapshot has a
+.clawdie-source.json file recording the source remote, branch, commit, and dirty
+state at image build time.
+EOF
+    seed_live_ai_source_repo "${SCRIPT_DIR}" "clawdie-iso"
+    seed_live_ai_source_repo "${SCRIPT_DIR}/../clawdie-ai" "clawdie-ai"
+    seed_live_ai_source_repo "${SCRIPT_DIR}/../colibri" "colibri"
+    chroot "${MOUNT_POINT}" chown -R clawdie:clawdie /home/clawdie/ai
+}
+
 configure_live_operator_session() {
     echo "    Configuring live operator session..."
 
@@ -772,6 +871,8 @@ configure_live_operator_session() {
         "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/bin/clawdie-bootstrap-launch.sh"
     install -m 0755 "${LIVE_SESSION_DIR}/clawdie-noblank-guard.sh" \
         "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/bin/clawdie-noblank-guard.sh"
+    install -m 0755 "${LIVE_SESSION_DIR}/clawdie-xfce-visuals-guard.sh" \
+        "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/bin/clawdie-xfce-visuals-guard.sh"
     install -m 0755 "${LIVE_SESSION_DIR}/hw-report" \
         "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/bin/hw-report"
 
@@ -830,6 +931,8 @@ EOF
         "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/etc/xdg/autostart/clawdie-bootstrap.desktop"
     install -m 0644 "${LIVE_SESSION_DIR}/autostart/clawdie-noblank-guard.desktop" \
         "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/etc/xdg/autostart/clawdie-noblank-guard.desktop"
+    install -m 0644 "${LIVE_SESSION_DIR}/autostart/clawdie-xfce-visuals-guard.desktop" \
+        "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/etc/xdg/autostart/clawdie-xfce-visuals-guard.desktop"
     mkdir -p "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d"
     install -m 0644 "${LIVE_SESSION_DIR}/xorg.conf.d/30-keyboard.conf" \
         "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/30-keyboard.conf"
@@ -1110,6 +1213,8 @@ EOF
         "${MOUNT_POINT}/home/clawdie/Desktop/Clawdie Bootstrap.desktop" \
         "${MOUNT_POINT}/home/clawdie/Desktop/Clawdie Hardware Report.desktop"
 
+    install_live_ai_source_snapshots
+
     # The stock FreeBSD install memstick is intentionally read-only. This live
     # operator USB needs a writable root so SDDM, Xorg, NetworkMgr, logs, and
     # operator diagnostics can create runtime state on the flashed stick.
@@ -1378,14 +1483,31 @@ EOF
         cp "${_wallpapers_dir}"/* "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/share/clawdie-iso/wallpapers/" 2>/dev/null || true
     fi
 
-    # Brand icons (e.g. the Whisker Start-button triangle). Referenced by
-    # absolute path from xfce4-panel.xml so the button never depends on an
-    # icon-theme cache being current at first login.
+    # Brand icons (e.g. the Whisker Start-button triangle). Install both the
+    # raw files for direct diagnostics and hicolor theme names for XFCE plugins
+    # that do not reliably load absolute icon paths.
     _icons_dir="${LIVE_SESSION_DIR}/icons"
     if [ -d "$_icons_dir" ]; then
         echo "    Installing brand icons..."
-        mkdir -p "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/share/clawdie-iso/icons"
+        mkdir -p \
+            "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/share/clawdie-iso/icons" \
+            "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/share/icons/hicolor/48x48/apps" \
+            "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/share/icons/hicolor/64x64/apps" \
+            "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/share/icons/hicolor/scalable/apps"
         cp "${_icons_dir}"/* "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/share/clawdie-iso/icons/" 2>/dev/null || true
+        if [ -f "${_icons_dir}/clawdie-start.png" ]; then
+            install -m 0644 "${_icons_dir}/clawdie-start.png" \
+                "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/share/icons/hicolor/48x48/apps/clawdie-start.png"
+            install -m 0644 "${_icons_dir}/clawdie-start.png" \
+                "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/share/icons/hicolor/64x64/apps/clawdie-start.png"
+        fi
+        if [ -f "${_icons_dir}/clawdie-start.svg" ]; then
+            install -m 0644 "${_icons_dir}/clawdie-start.svg" \
+                "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/share/icons/hicolor/scalable/apps/clawdie-start.svg"
+        fi
+        if [ -x "${MOUNT_POINT}/usr/local/bin/gtk-update-icon-cache" ]; then
+            run_live_chroot /usr/local/bin/gtk-update-icon-cache -f -t /usr/local/share/icons/hicolor || true
+        fi
     fi
 
     rm -rf "${MOUNT_POINT}/home/clawdie/.cache" "${MOUNT_POINT}/etc/skel/.cache"
@@ -1517,11 +1639,15 @@ else
 fi
 
 # --- step 4: fetch + prepare Clawdie-AI tarball (offline-ready) ---
-# Resolve "latest" to the most recent Codeberg tag.
+# Resolve "latest" from Forgejo releases first, then tags.
 if [ "${CLAWDIE_REF:-${CLAWDIE_VERSION:-}}" = "latest" ] || [ -z "${CLAWDIE_REF:-}" ]; then
     echo "==> [4/7] Resolving latest Clawdie-AI version..."
-    CLAWDIE_VERSION=$(curl -s "https://codeberg.org/api/v1/repos/Clawdie/Clawdie-AI/releases?limit=1" \
-        | grep -o '"tag_name":"[^"]*"' | head -1 | cut -d'"' -f4 | sed 's/^v//')
+    CLAWDIE_VERSION=$(resolve_latest_clawdie_tag | sed 's/^v//')
+    if [ -z "$CLAWDIE_VERSION" ]; then
+        echo "ERROR: could not resolve latest Clawdie-AI release/tag from Forgejo."
+        echo "       Pin --clawdie-ref main or --clawdie-version X.Y.Z explicitly."
+        exit 1
+    fi
     CLAWDIE_REF="v${CLAWDIE_VERSION}"
     echo "    Resolved: ${CLAWDIE_REF}"
 fi
@@ -1545,7 +1671,7 @@ else
 fi
 
 CLAWDIE_TARBALL="${CACHE_DIR}/clawdie-ai-${CLAWDIE_CACHE_KEY}.tar.gz"
-CLAWDIE_TARBALL_URL="https://codeberg.org/Clawdie/Clawdie-AI/archive/${CLAWDIE_ARCHIVE_REF}.tar.gz"
+CLAWDIE_TARBALL_URL="https://code.smilepowered.org/clawdie/clawdie-ai/archive/${CLAWDIE_ARCHIVE_REF}.tar.gz"
 if [ "$SKIP_FETCH" -eq 0 ] || [ ! -f "$CLAWDIE_TARBALL" ]; then
     echo "==> [4/7] Fetching Clawdie-AI ${CLAWDIE_REF} (${CLAWDIE_ARCHIVE_REF})..."
     mkdir -p "$CACHE_DIR"
diff --git a/doc/AMD-ASUS-XFCE-LIVE-USB-FINDINGS.md b/doc/AMD-ASUS-XFCE-LIVE-USB-FINDINGS.md
index cf2efe0..ff5d626 100644
--- a/doc/AMD-ASUS-XFCE-LIVE-USB-FINDINGS.md
+++ b/doc/AMD-ASUS-XFCE-LIVE-USB-FINDINGS.md
@@ -926,6 +926,34 @@ xrandr --query
 xfconf-query -c xfce4-panel -p /panels/panel-1 -lv
 ```
 
+## Follow-up live XFCE command evidence — 2026-06-01
+
+After the report archive was collected, the operator ran direct `xfconf-query`
+checks in the live XFCE session before rebooting.
+
+Confirmed good state:
+
+- `xsettings` had `Greybird`, `Papirus`, `DMZ-White`, `Noto Sans 11`, and
+  `Hack 11`; global GTK/icon/cursor/font configuration is loading.
+- `xfce4-desktop` had `image-show=true`, `image-style=5`, and
+  `last-image=/usr/local/share/clawdie-iso/wallpapers/clawdie-operator-bg.png`;
+  the wallpaper config and image file exist.
+- `xfce4-panel` had the intended panel size, opacity, plugin order, and launcher
+  entries; the panel seed is loading.
+
+Confirmed problem state:
+
+- The shipped live image only had `clawdie-start` under
+  `/usr/local/share/clawdie-iso/icons/`; `find /usr/local/share/icons -name
+'clawdie-start*'` returned nothing until the operator manually copied the icon
+  into `hicolor` and rebuilt the cache.
+- The Whisker button still did not visibly change during that live-session test,
+  so the next build should stage the icon in the theme at build time and verify
+  real first-login behavior rather than relying on hot panel reloads.
+- `xfce4-mixer` auto-selected `ATIR6xxHDMI`/`Vol` even though FreeBSD selected
+  the internal Realtek speaker as the default device. The default panel should
+  not ship a mixer plugin that controls HDMI on AMD laptops.
+
 ## Fix-planning backlog derived from this report
 
 This is a backlog only; solutions should be discussed separately.
diff --git a/doc/XFCE-PANEL-BUGS-HANDOFF.md b/doc/XFCE-PANEL-BUGS-HANDOFF.md
index c194c00..970efe5 100644
--- a/doc/XFCE-PANEL-BUGS-HANDOFF.md
+++ b/doc/XFCE-PANEL-BUGS-HANDOFF.md
@@ -66,14 +66,29 @@ FreeBSD/operator side. Pass 2 only improves _proportion and uniformity_.
 - [ ] `square-icons` took effect on the systray (network/mixer icons square and
       uniform) — confirm the installed `systray` plugin honors the property.
 
+## Pre-build changes applied (2026-06-01) — Pass 3
+
+Follow-up from the AMD live report and direct `xfconf-query` checks:
+
+- **Start icon:** the live image had only `/usr/local/share/clawdie-iso/icons/*`;
+  no `clawdie-start` entries existed under `/usr/local/share/icons`. The build
+  now stages `clawdie-start.png` into `hicolor/48x48/apps` and
+  `hicolor/64x64/apps`, stages the SVG into `hicolor/scalable/apps`, updates the
+  `hicolor` cache at build time, and uses the themed icon name
+  `button-icon="clawdie-start"`.
+- **Mixer:** `xfce4-mixer` auto-selected `ATIR6xxHDMI`/`Vol` on AMD hardware even
+  when FreeBSD's default sound unit was the internal Realtek speaker. The default
+  panel now omits the mixer plugin instead of shipping a visible control pinned
+  to HDMI. Re-add only after a reliable backend/default-device strategy exists.
+
 ## Deletion Criteria
 
 - [ ] Whiskermenu Start button icon is visible (not missing/broken).
 - [ ] Clock plugin renders date+time in the panel.
 - [ ] Clipman re-added and loads without "could not be loaded" dialog (dropped
       from this build pending D-Bus root-cause).
-- [ ] Systray icons (NetworkMgr, mixer) and xkb flag icon are visually
-      uniform in size — no oversized or undersized outliers.
+- [ ] Systray icons (NetworkMgr) and xkb flag/text display are visually uniform
+      in size — no oversized or undersized outliers.
 - [ ] All fixes confirmed on real hardware boot (not just image inspection).
 
 ## Operator-Reported Issues
diff --git a/docs/ISO-MANIFESTS.md b/docs/ISO-MANIFESTS.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e556beb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/ISO-MANIFESTS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+# ISO Workflow Manifest Conventions
+
+This repo is the producer of operator-USB workflow artifacts. Colibri and
+operator dashboards consume the JSON manifests, summaries, and referenced logs;
+they do not scrape terminal scrollback as the contract.
+
+## Common rules
+
+All ISO workflow manifests SHOULD include these top-level fields:
+
+| Field                         | Meaning                                                                         |
+| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `schema`                      | Stable schema id, for example `clawdie.iso.publish.v1`                          |
+| `project`                     | `clawdie-iso`                                                                   |
+| `workflow`                    | Skill or script name that produced the manifest                                 |
+| `run_id`                      | Unique run id; include UTC time and commit or artifact stem when possible       |
+| `status`                      | `pass`, `fail`, `warn`, or `skipped`                                            |
+| `actor`                       | Responsible role or operator-visible identity                                   |
+| `host`                        | Host that performed the workflow                                                |
+| `branch` / `commit`           | ISO repo branch and commit when a checkout is available                         |
+| `started_at` / `completed_at` | UTC ISO-8601 timestamps; use `null` when unknown                                |
+| `inputs`                      | Artifact URLs, image paths, package lists, device ids, or report paths consumed |
+| `checks`                      | Array or object of named checks with pass/fail status and concise details       |
+| `outputs`                     | Manifest path, public URLs, copied reports, or produced artifact paths          |
+| `logs`                        | Paths to raw logs. Do not inline large logs.                                    |
+| `summary`                     | Short human-readable result suitable for Colibri activity text                  |
+
+Secrets, API keys, auth keys, private SSH keys, and full unredacted environment
+dumps MUST NOT be written into manifests. If a workflow uses a secret, record a
+boolean such as `tailscale_auth_key_baked: true` or a public fingerprint only.
+
+## Canonical schema ids and paths
+
+| Workflow               | Schema                         | Canonical output path                                                                         |
+| ---------------------- | ------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| ISO build              | `clawdie.iso.build.v1`         | `tmp/colibri/iso-build/<run_id>.json` and `tmp/colibri/iso-build/latest.json`                 |
+| ISO publish            | `clawdie.iso.publish.v1`       | `tmp/output/<image>.manifest.json`                                                            |
+| Flash verification     | `clawdie.iso.flash.v1`         | `tmp/colibri/iso-flash/<run_id>.json` and `tmp/colibri/iso-flash/latest.json`                 |
+| Mounted validation     | `clawdie.iso.validation.v1`    | `tmp/colibri/iso-validation/<run_id>.json` and `tmp/colibri/iso-validation/latest.json`       |
+| Hardware report ingest | `clawdie.iso.hardware.v1`      | `tmp/colibri/iso-hardware/<run_id>.json` and `tmp/colibri/iso-hardware/latest.json`           |
+| Package audit          | `clawdie.iso.package-audit.v1` | `tmp/colibri/iso-package-audit/<run_id>.json` and `tmp/colibri/iso-package-audit/latest.json` |
+
+`tmp/colibri/` is repo-local scratch/output state. It is intentionally not
+committed. When a result must survive across hosts, commit a concise handoff
+summary under `doc/` or publish the manifest with the image artifact.
+
+## Workflow-specific fields
+
+### `clawdie.iso.build.v1`
+
+Use for the build result, not for the embedded image manifest alone. Include:
+
+- build command and flags
+- FreeBSD version/architecture
+- source branch/commit/dirty state
+- Colibri staging mode and artifact directory when `FEATURE_COLIBRI=YES`
+- output image path, compressed image path when present, checksum path when present
+- static checks run before build (`sh -n`, markdown format, Colibri preflight)
+- build log path under `tmp/`
+
+The image itself also carries
+`/usr/local/share/clawdie-iso/build-manifest.json`; that file is for runtime
+inspection from the live USB and does not replace the workflow result manifest.
+
+### `clawdie.iso.publish.v1`
+
+Produced by `scripts/write-artifact-manifest.sh`. Include:
+
+- compressed image, checksum file, and manifest names
+- SHA256 of the compressed image
+- raw and compressed sizes when known
+- public URLs when published
+- checksum verification status
+- publish host, actor, branch, and commit
+
+### `clawdie.iso.flash.v1`
+
+Use for Hermes USB/IMG Deployer verification and flashing. Include:
+
+- consumed publish manifest URL/path
+- downloaded image/checksum paths
+- checksum and `gzip -t` results
+- selected whole-disk device, model, serial when available, and size
+- explicit confirmation that the target is a whole disk, not a partition
+- flash command summary and post-flash sync/eject result
+
+### `clawdie.iso.validation.v1`
+
+Use for static or mounted-image validation on the FreeBSD build host. Include:
+
+- image path and mount device/slices inspected
+- SDDM, `clawdie-live-gpu`, `mdo`, CLI, seed-slice, no-blank, power, and panel
+  asset checks
+- validation limitations, especially that mounted inspection is not graphical
+  hardware proof
+
+### `clawdie.iso.hardware.v1`
+
+Use for real-machine live USB reports. Include:
+
+- hardware model, BIOS/UEFI version when collected, CPU, GPU, network, audio,
+  input summary
+- `/var/log/clawdie-live-gpu.log` outcome
+- GL renderer, SDDM/XFCE status, power/no-blank status
+- `hw-report` output path and public `hw-probe` URL if the operator uploaded it
+- operator-observed pass/fail notes for touchpad, Wi-Fi, audio, and display
+
+### `clawdie.iso.package-audit.v1`
+
+Use for package-list hygiene. Include:
+
+- package list file audited
+- package category (`boot-critical`, `operator-workflow`, `diagnostic`, or
+  `candidate-to-defer`)
+- package size and flat size from the FreeBSD package database or archive
+  metadata
+- reason kept and deferral risk
+
+## Handoff expectations
+
+- Skills should print the manifest path and a concise summary when they finish.
+- If a workflow is manual-only, write the manifest from the collected facts before
+  handing off to another role.
+- Raw logs stay in `tmp/` or with the published artifact; markdown handoffs should
+  quote only the exact failure lines needed for follow-up.
+- Build, publish, and mounted validation remain FreeBSD-owner workflows. Flashing
+  remains Hermes-owned. Live hardware proof remains operator/Codex hardware
+  validation, not static inspection.
diff --git a/firstboot/shell-deploy.sh b/firstboot/shell-deploy.sh
index d4bab8e..30feb8c 100755
--- a/firstboot/shell-deploy.sh
+++ b/firstboot/shell-deploy.sh
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ clawdie_shell_deploy_upgrade() {
   mkdir -p "$STAGING_DIR"
 
   if ! tar -xzf "$CLAWDIE_TARBALL" -C "$STAGING_DIR" --strip-components=1 2>/dev/null; then
-    # Try without --strip-components (Codeberg archives have a top-level dir)
+    # Try without --strip-components (Forgejo archives have a top-level dir)
     tar -xzf "$CLAWDIE_TARBALL" -C "$(dirname "$STAGING_DIR")" 2>/dev/null || {
       log_msg "[deploy] ERROR: Failed to extract upgrade tarball"
       return 1
diff --git a/live/operator-session/autostart/clawdie-xfce-visuals-guard.desktop b/live/operator-session/autostart/clawdie-xfce-visuals-guard.desktop
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1a10853
--- /dev/null
+++ b/live/operator-session/autostart/clawdie-xfce-visuals-guard.desktop
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+[Desktop Entry]
+Type=Application
+Name=Clawdie XFCE Visual Guard
+Comment=Re-apply Clawdie live USB theme, icon, and wallpaper settings
+Exec=/usr/local/bin/clawdie-xfce-visuals-guard.sh
+OnlyShowIn=XFCE;
+X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true
+Terminal=false
diff --git a/live/operator-session/clawdie-xfce-session-inner b/live/operator-session/clawdie-xfce-session-inner
index addc8de..e35619c 100644
--- a/live/operator-session/clawdie-xfce-session-inner
+++ b/live/operator-session/clawdie-xfce-session-inner
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ echo "=== $(date -u '+%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ') clawdie-xfce-session-inner start ==="
 
 PANEL_TEMPLATE_ROOT="/usr/local/share/clawdie-iso/panel-skel"
 PANEL_TEMPLATE_CONFIG="${PANEL_TEMPLATE_ROOT}/.config"
-PANEL_STAMP="${HOME}/.config/clawdie/xfce-panel-seeded-v2"
+PANEL_STAMP="${HOME}/.config/clawdie/xfce-panel-seeded-v3"
 
 ensure_seeded_panel_profile() {
     mkdir -p "${HOME}/.config/clawdie"
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ ensure_seeded_panel_profile() {
     if [ -f "$PANEL_STAMP" ] && \
        [ -f "$_panel_xml" ] && \
        grep -q 'whiskermenu' "$_panel_xml" 2>/dev/null && \
+       grep -q 'clawdie-start' "$_panel_xml" 2>/dev/null && \
        [ -d "$_panel_launcher_dir2" ] && \
        [ -d "$_panel_launcher_dir3" ] && \
        [ -d "$_panel_launcher_dir4" ]; then
diff --git a/live/operator-session/clawdie-xfce-visuals-guard.sh b/live/operator-session/clawdie-xfce-visuals-guard.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..97a38e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/live/operator-session/clawdie-xfce-visuals-guard.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+# Best-effort live-session visual guard for XFCE.
+#
+# XFCE may create monitor-specific desktop keys only after xfdesktop starts, and
+# some panel plugins are stricter about themed icon names than absolute paths.
+# Re-assert the operator USB visual contract after login without failing the
+# session if a component is missing.
+
+LOG="${HOME}/.clawdie-xfce-visuals-guard.log"
+WALLPAPER="/usr/local/share/clawdie-iso/wallpapers/clawdie-operator-bg.png"
+START_ICON="clawdie-start"
+
+log() {
+    printf '%s %s\n' "$(date -u '+%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ')" "$*" >>"$LOG" 2>/dev/null || true
+}
+
+set_xfconf() {
+    _channel="$1"
+    _property="$2"
+    _type="$3"
+    _value="$4"
+
+    command -v xfconf-query >/dev/null 2>&1 || return 0
+    xfconf-query -c "$_channel" -p "$_property" -s "$_value" >/dev/null 2>&1 || \
+        xfconf-query -c "$_channel" -p "$_property" -n -t "$_type" -s "$_value" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+}
+
+apply_theme() {
+    set_xfconf xsettings /Net/ThemeName string Greybird
+    set_xfconf xsettings /Net/IconThemeName string Papirus
+    set_xfconf xsettings /Net/CursorTheme string DMZ-White
+    set_xfconf xsettings /Net/CursorSize int 24
+    set_xfconf xsettings /Gtk/FontName string "Noto Sans 11"
+    set_xfconf xsettings /Gtk/MonospaceFontName string "Hack 11"
+}
+
+apply_panel() {
+    set_xfconf xfce4-panel /plugins/plugin-1/button-icon string "$START_ICON"
+    set_xfconf xfce4-panel /plugins/plugin-1/show-button-icon bool true
+    set_xfconf xfce4-panel /plugins/plugin-1/show-button-title bool true
+    set_xfconf xfce4-panel /panels/panel-1/size uint 40
+    set_xfconf xfce4-panel /panels/panel-1/icon-size uint 2
+    set_xfconf xfce4-panel /plugins/plugin-8/square-icons bool true
+}
+
+apply_wallpaper() {
+    [ -f "$WALLPAPER" ] || {
+        log "wallpaper missing: $WALLPAPER"
+        return 0
+    }
+    command -v xfconf-query >/dev/null 2>&1 || return 0
+
+    _bases="$(xfconf-query -c xfce4-desktop -l 2>/dev/null | awk '/\/last-image$/ { sub(/\/last-image$/, ""); print }')"
+    if [ -z "$_bases" ]; then
+        _bases='/backdrop/screen0/monitor0/workspace0
+/backdrop/screen0/monitorDefault/workspace0'
+    fi
+
+    printf '%s\n' "$_bases" | while IFS= read -r _base; do
+        [ -n "$_base" ] || continue
+        set_xfconf xfce4-desktop "${_base}/last-image" string "$WALLPAPER"
+        set_xfconf xfce4-desktop "${_base}/image-path" string "$WALLPAPER"
+        set_xfconf xfce4-desktop "${_base}/image-style" int 5
+        set_xfconf xfce4-desktop "${_base}/image-show" bool true
+        set_xfconf xfce4-desktop "${_base}/color-style" int 0
+    done
+
+    if command -v xfdesktop >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        xfdesktop --reload >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    fi
+}
+
+run_once() {
+    log "applying XFCE visual guard"
+    apply_theme
+    apply_panel
+    apply_wallpaper
+}
+
+# Run more than once because xfdesktop/panel may create monitor/plugin state
+# after XDG autostart begins.
+sleep 3
+run_once
+sleep 7
+run_once
+sleep 15
+run_once
diff --git a/live/operator-session/hw-report b/live/operator-session/hw-report
index 335cd02..33f0836 100755
--- a/live/operator-session/hw-report
+++ b/live/operator-session/hw-report
@@ -180,6 +180,7 @@ run_shell_capture dmesg-hardware-filter "dmesg | egrep -i 'drm|kms|amdgpu|i915|r
 run_shell_capture dmesg-boot "for f in /var/run/dmesg.boot; do [ -e \"\$f\" ] || continue; echo \"===== \$f =====\"; cat \"\$f\"; echo; done"
 run_shell_capture xorg-var-logs "for f in /var/log/Xorg.*.log*; do [ -e \"\$f\" ] || continue; echo \"===== \$f =====\"; cat \"\$f\"; echo; done"
 run_shell_capture xorg-user-logs "for f in /home/clawdie/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.*.log*; do [ -e \"\$f\" ] || continue; echo \"===== \$f =====\"; cat \"\$f\"; echo; done"
+run_shell_capture xsession-errors "for f in /home/clawdie/.xsession-errors /home/clawdie/.xsession-errors.old; do [ -e \"\$f\" ] || continue; echo \"===== \$f =====\"; cat \"\$f\"; echo; done"
 run_shell_capture var-log-messages "for f in /var/log/messages*; do [ -e \"\$f\" ] || continue; echo \"===== \$f =====\"; case \"\$f\" in *.gz) zcat \"\$f\";; *.bz2) bzcat \"\$f\";; *.xz) xzcat \"\$f\";; *.zst) zstdcat \"\$f\";; *) cat \"\$f\";; esac; echo; done"
 run_shell_capture sddm-log-files "for f in /var/log/sddm.log; do [ -e \"\$f\" ] || continue; echo \"===== \$f =====\"; cat \"\$f\"; echo; done"
 run_shell_capture sddm-config "for f in /usr/local/etc/sddm.conf /usr/local/etc/sddm.conf.d/*; do [ -e \"\$f\" ] || continue; echo \"===== \$f =====\"; cat \"\$f\"; echo; done"
@@ -191,7 +192,7 @@ run_if_present ifconfig ifconfig-a -a
 run_if_present netstat netstat-rn -rn
 run_shell_capture resolver-state "ls -l /etc/resolv.conf 2>/dev/null || true; readlink /etc/resolv.conf 2>/dev/null || true; cat /etc/resolv.conf 2>/dev/null || true"
 run_shell_capture wlan-devices "sysctl net.wlan.devices"
-run_shell_capture rc-conf-live "grep -E '^(hostname|kld_list|sshd_enable|tailscaled_enable|avahi_daemon_enable|pf_enable|sddm_enable|webcamd_enable|powerdxx_enable|clawdie_live_|performance_cx_lowest|economy_cx_lowest|dumpdev_enable)' /etc/rc.conf || true"
+run_shell_capture rc-conf-live "grep -E '^(hostname|kld_list|sshd_enable|tailscaled_enable|avahi_daemon_enable|pf_enable|sddm_enable|webcamd_enable|powerdxx_enable|colibri_daemon_enable|clawdie_live_|performance_cx_lowest|economy_cx_lowest|dumpdev_enable)' /etc/rc.conf || true"
 run_if_present service service-enabled -e
 
 run_if_present sysctl sysctl-hw hw
@@ -244,6 +245,7 @@ run_shell_if_present usbhid-dump usbhid-dump-version "usbhid-dump --help 2>&1 |
 
 run_if_present cat clawdie-live-gpu-log /var/log/clawdie-live-gpu.log
 run_if_present cat clawdie-noblank-guard-log /home/clawdie/.clawdie-noblank-guard.log
+run_if_present cat clawdie-xfce-visuals-guard-log /home/clawdie/.clawdie-xfce-visuals-guard.log
 run_if_present cat clawdie-touchpad-guard-log /home/clawdie/.clawdie-touchpad-guard.log
 run_if_present cat sndstat /dev/sndstat
 run_if_present mixer mixer-s -s
@@ -254,9 +256,15 @@ run_shell_capture input-device-nodes "ls -l /dev/input /dev/input/* /dev/uhid* /
 
 run_if_present xset xset-q q
 run_shell_if_present xfconf-query xfce4-power-manager "xfconf-query -c xfce4-power-manager -l -v 2>/dev/null || true"
-run_shell_if_present xfconf-query xfce4-panel-plugins "xfconf-query -c xfce4-panel -p /plugins/plugin-11 2>/dev/null; xfconf-query -c xfce4-panel -p /plugins/plugin-13 2>/dev/null"
+run_shell_if_present xfconf-query xfce4-panel "xfconf-query -c xfce4-panel -l -v 2>/dev/null || true"
+run_shell_if_present xfconf-query xfce4-desktop "xfconf-query -c xfce4-desktop -l -v 2>/dev/null || true"
+run_shell_if_present xfconf-query xsettings "xfconf-query -c xsettings -l -v 2>/dev/null || true"
 run_shell_if_present xfconf-query xfce4-pointers "DISPLAY=:0 XAUTHORITY=/home/clawdie/.Xauthority xfconf-query -c pointers -l -v 2>/dev/null || xfconf-query -c pointers -l -v 2>/dev/null || true"
 run_shell_capture xfce-perchannel-xml "for f in /home/clawdie/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/*; do [ -e \"\$f\" ] || continue; echo \"===== \$f =====\"; cat \"\$f\"; echo; done"
+run_shell_capture xfce-panel-launchers "find /home/clawdie/.config/xfce4/panel -maxdepth 4 -type f -print -exec sed -n '1,80p' {} \\; 2>/dev/null || true"
+run_shell_capture icon-theme-dirs "find /usr/local/share/icons -maxdepth 4 -type f \( -name 'icon-theme.cache' -o -name 'clawdie-start.*' \) -print 2>/dev/null || true"
+run_shell_capture clawdie-iso-assets "find /usr/local/share/clawdie-iso -maxdepth 4 -type f -ls 2>/dev/null || true; for f in /usr/local/share/clawdie-iso/build-manifest.json; do [ -e \"\$f\" ] || continue; echo \"===== \$f =====\"; cat \"\$f\"; echo; done"
+run_shell_capture colibri-service-state "service colibri_daemon status 2>&1 || true; egrep -n '^(command|command_args|procname)=' /usr/local/etc/rc.d/colibri_daemon 2>/dev/null || true; sysrc -n colibri_daemon_enable 2>/dev/null || true"
 if [ -f /home/clawdie/.Xauthority ]; then
     run_shell_if_present xinput xinput-list "DISPLAY=:0 XAUTHORITY=/home/clawdie/.Xauthority xinput list 2>/dev/null || true"
     run_shell_if_present xinput xinput-list-props "DISPLAY=:0 XAUTHORITY=/home/clawdie/.Xauthority sh -c 'for id in \$(xinput list --id-only 2>/dev/null); do echo \"===== device \$id =====\"; xinput list-props \"\$id\"; echo; done' || true"
diff --git a/live/operator-session/panel-skel/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-panel.xml b/live/operator-session/panel-skel/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-panel.xml
index 1c021c5..f72b289 100644
--- a/live/operator-session/panel-skel/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-panel.xml
+++ b/live/operator-session/panel-skel/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-panel.xml
@@ -23,8 +23,10 @@
         <value type="double" value="0.180000"/>
         <value type="double" value="0.850000"/>
       </property>
-      <!-- order intentional: mixer before xkb. clipman (plugin-13) dropped
-           pending D-Bus root-cause; see doc/XFCE-PANEL-BUGS-HANDOFF.md -->
+      <!-- clipman (plugin-13) dropped pending D-Bus root-cause. The mixer
+           plugin is also omitted by default because xfce4-mixer auto-pins the
+           first HDMI device on AMD laptops instead of FreeBSD's selected
+           internal speaker; see doc/XFCE-PANEL-BUGS-HANDOFF.md. -->
       <property name="plugin-ids" type="array">
         <value type="int" value="1"/>
         <value type="int" value="2"/>
@@ -35,7 +37,6 @@
         <value type="int" value="7"/>
         <value type="int" value="8"/>
         <value type="int" value="9"/>
-        <value type="int" value="11"/>
         <value type="int" value="10"/>
         <value type="int" value="12"/>
       </property>
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@
   <property name="plugins" type="empty">
     <property name="plugin-1" type="string" value="whiskermenu">
       <property name="button-title" type="string" value="Start"/>
-      <property name="button-icon" type="string" value="/usr/local/share/clawdie-iso/icons/clawdie-start.png"/>
+      <property name="button-icon" type="string" value="clawdie-start"/>
       <property name="show-button-title" type="bool" value="true"/>
       <property name="show-button-icon" type="bool" value="true"/>
       <property name="launcher-show-name" type="bool" value="true"/>
@@ -91,10 +92,6 @@
       <property name="size" type="int" value="36"/>
       <property name="update-interval" type="int" value="4"/>
     </property>
-    <property name="plugin-11" type="string" value="mixer">
-      <property name="sound-card" type="string" value=""/>
-      <property name="track" type="string" value=""/>
-    </property>
     <property name="plugin-10" type="string" value="xkb">
       <property name="display-type" type="uint" value="1"/>
       <property name="display-name" type="uint" value="0"/>
diff --git a/runner/README.md b/runner/README.md
index 50340bd..e72b60a 100644
--- a/runner/README.md
+++ b/runner/README.md
@@ -42,24 +42,24 @@ cd /home/clawdie/clawdie-iso && sudo ./build.sh && sudo ./scripts/publish.sh
 ## Future: Forgejo Actions (push-triggered CI/CD)
 
 When the ISO build is stable and you want push-triggered rebuilds, add a
-self-hosted Forgejo runner on the controlplane. Codeberg runs Forgejo — no
-new account needed.
+self-hosted Forgejo runner on the controlplane. `code.smilepowered.org` is the
+source of truth; Codeberg is only the public mirror.
 
 ### Install runner
 
 ```sh
 pkg install forgejo-runner
-# or fetch binary from codeberg.org/forgejo/runner/releases
+# or fetch binary from the upstream Forgejo runner releases
 ```
 
 ### Register
 
-1. Codeberg → `Clawdie/Clawdie-ISO` → Settings → Actions → Runners → Create Runner → copy token
+1. Forgejo → `clawdie/clawdie-iso` → Settings → Actions → Runners → Create Runner → copy token
 2. Run:
 
 ```sh
 forgejo-runner register \
-    --url https://codeberg.org \
+    --url https://code.smilepowered.org \
     --token <TOKEN> \
     --name clawdie-build \
     --labels freebsd \
diff --git a/scripts/build-and-log.sh b/scripts/build-and-log.sh
index dc529e6..7bf7347 100755
--- a/scripts/build-and-log.sh
+++ b/scripts/build-and-log.sh
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ cat > "${HTML_LATEST}" << HTMLEOF
       <a class="brand" href="/">Clawdie<span>.</span></a>
       <div class="nav-links">
         <a href="/docs/">Docs</a>
-        <a href="https://codeberg.org/Clawdie/Clawdie-ISO" target="_blank">ISO</a>
+        <a href="https://code.smilepowered.org/clawdie/clawdie-iso" target="_blank">ISO</a>
       </div>
     </div>
   </nav>
diff --git a/scripts/stage-colibri-iso.sh b/scripts/stage-colibri-iso.sh
index 3839259..e0f5d86 100755
--- a/scripts/stage-colibri-iso.sh
+++ b/scripts/stage-colibri-iso.sh
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ SCRIPT_DIR=$(CDPATH= cd -- "$(dirname -- "$0")" && pwd)
 REPO_ROOT=$(CDPATH= cd -- "${SCRIPT_DIR}/.." && pwd)
 COLIBRI_REPO=${COLIBRI_REPO:-"${REPO_ROOT}/../colibri"}
 COLIBRI_ARTIFACT_DIR=${COLIBRI_ARTIFACT_DIR:-"${COLIBRI_REPO}/target/release"}
-COLIBRI_STAGE_ENABLE=${COLIBRI_STAGE_ENABLE:-YES}
+COLIBRI_STAGE_ENABLE=${COLIBRI_STAGE_ENABLE:-NO}
 COLIBRI_STAGE_INCLUDE_TUI=${COLIBRI_STAGE_INCLUDE_TUI:-1}
 COLIBRI_COST_MODE=${COLIBRI_COST_MODE:-smart}
 
@@ -30,7 +30,9 @@ ETC_DIR="${DESTDIR}/usr/local/etc/colibri"
 DB_DIR="${DESTDIR}/var/db/colibri"
 RUN_DIR="${DESTDIR}/var/run/colibri"
 LOG_DIR="${DESTDIR}/var/log/colibri"
+NEWSYSLOG_DIR="${DESTDIR}/usr/local/etc/newsyslog.conf.d"
 RC_SOURCE="${COLIBRI_REPO}/packaging/freebsd/colibri_daemon.in"
+NEWSYSLOG_SOURCE="${COLIBRI_REPO}/packaging/freebsd/newsyslog-colibri.conf"
 
 require_file() {
     if [ ! -f "$1" ]; then
@@ -53,7 +55,8 @@ copy_bin() {
 }
 
 require_file "${RC_SOURCE}"
-mkdir -p "${BIN_DIR}" "${RC_DIR}" "${ETC_DIR}" "${DB_DIR}" "${RUN_DIR}" "${LOG_DIR}"
+require_file "${NEWSYSLOG_SOURCE}"
+mkdir -p "${BIN_DIR}" "${RC_DIR}" "${ETC_DIR}" "${NEWSYSLOG_DIR}" "${DB_DIR}" "${RUN_DIR}" "${LOG_DIR}"
 
 copy_bin colibri-daemon
 copy_bin colibri
@@ -64,6 +67,15 @@ if [ "${COLIBRI_STAGE_INCLUDE_TUI}" != "0" ] && [ -x "${COLIBRI_ARTIFACT_DIR}/co
 fi
 
 install -m 0555 "${RC_SOURCE}" "${RC_DIR}/colibri_daemon"
+install -m 0644 "${NEWSYSLOG_SOURCE}" "${NEWSYSLOG_DIR}/colibri.conf"
+
+if ! grep -q '^command="/usr/sbin/daemon"' "${RC_DIR}/colibri_daemon" || \
+   ! grep -q '^procname="/usr/sbin/daemon"' "${RC_DIR}/colibri_daemon" || \
+   ! grep -q -- '-o .*colibri_daemon_program' "${RC_DIR}/colibri_daemon"; then
+    echo "ERROR: staged colibri_daemon rc.d script does not supervise colibri-daemon with daemon(8)" >&2
+    echo "       Update COLIBRI_REPO (${COLIBRI_REPO}) before building; the live USB must not block boot in rc.d." >&2
+    exit 66
+fi
 
 cat > "${ETC_DIR}/rc.conf.sample" <<EOF
 # Colibri control plane service defaults for the Clawdie ISO.
@@ -84,8 +96,10 @@ cat > "${ETC_DIR}/README.iso" <<'EOF'
 Colibri ISO staging notes
 =========================
 
-The ISO build creates the colibri user/group and enables the rc.d service
-according to build.cfg. Runtime validation:
+The ISO build creates the colibri user/group and stages the rc.d service.
+Current operator USB builds keep the daemon disabled at boot unless explicitly
+overridden in build.cfg, so Colibri cannot block SDDM/XFCE startup. Runtime
+validation:
 
   service colibri_daemon start
   colibri status
diff --git a/scripts/write-artifact-manifest.sh b/scripts/write-artifact-manifest.sh
index e2a6948..b439a26 100755
--- a/scripts/write-artifact-manifest.sh
+++ b/scripts/write-artifact-manifest.sh
@@ -140,8 +140,16 @@ _gz_size="$(file_size "${_gz}")"
 
 _branch="$(git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
 _commit="$(git rev-parse --short HEAD 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
+_repo_dirty="null"
+if git diff --quiet 2>/dev/null && git diff --cached --quiet 2>/dev/null; then
+    _repo_dirty="false"
+elif git rev-parse --git-dir >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    _repo_dirty="true"
+fi
 _host="$(hostname 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
 _written_at="$(date -u '+%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ')"
+_run_stamp="$(date -u '+%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ')"
+_run_id="${_run_stamp}-${_stem##*/}"
 _freebsd="$(freebsd-version -kru 2>/dev/null | tr '\n' ' ' | sed 's/[[:space:]]*$//')"
 _builder="${BUILT_BY:-Codex ISO Builder}"
 _build_command="${BUILD_COMMAND:-unknown}"
@@ -159,11 +167,20 @@ fi
 _tmp="${_manifest}.tmp.$$"
 cat > "${_tmp}" <<EOF
 {
-  "schema": "clawdie.iso-artifact.v1",
+  "schema": "clawdie.iso.publish.v1",
+  "legacy_schema": "clawdie.iso-artifact.v1",
   "project": "clawdie-iso",
-  "artifact_type": "operator-usb-image",
+  "workflow": "iso-publish",
+  "run_id": "$(json_escape "${_run_id}")",
+  "status": "pass",
+  "actor": "$(json_escape "${_builder}")",
+  "host": "$(json_escape "${_host}")",
   "branch": "$(json_escape "${_branch}")",
   "commit": "$(json_escape "${_commit}")",
+  "repo_dirty": ${_repo_dirty},
+  "started_at": null,
+  "completed_at": "$(json_escape "${_written_at}")",
+  "artifact_type": "operator-usb-image",
   "build_host": "$(json_escape "${_host}")",
   "built_by": "$(json_escape "${_builder}")",
   "image": "$(json_escape "${_raw_base}")",
@@ -179,6 +196,25 @@ cat > "${_tmp}" <<EOF
   "image_url": $(json_string_or_null "${_image_url}"),
   "sha256_url": $(json_string_or_null "${_sha_url}"),
   "manifest_url": $(json_string_or_null "${_manifest_url}"),
+  "inputs": {
+    "compressed_image_path": "$(json_escape "${_gz}")",
+    "sha256_path": "$(json_escape "${_sha}")"
+  },
+  "checks": [
+    {
+      "name": "checksum_file_matches_compressed_image",
+      "status": "pass",
+      "sha256": "$(json_escape "${_gz_hash}")"
+    }
+  ],
+  "outputs": {
+    "manifest_path": "$(json_escape "${_manifest}")",
+    "image_url": $(json_string_or_null "${_image_url}"),
+    "sha256_url": $(json_string_or_null "${_sha_url}"),
+    "manifest_url": $(json_string_or_null "${_manifest_url}")
+  },
+  "logs": [],
+  "summary": "Published artifact manifest is ready for Hermes checksum/gzip verification and flashing.",
   "notes": "Built on FreeBSD; ready for Hermes USB/IMG Deployer after checksum and gzip verification."
 }
 EOF
diff --git a/skills/iso-build/SKILL.md b/skills/iso-build/SKILL.md
index 82d8dd0..d6459b5 100644
--- a/skills/iso-build/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/iso-build/SKILL.md
@@ -39,6 +39,14 @@ Keep the real paths as-is, but speak about them clearly:
 - `tmp/cache/FreeBSD-*.img` = cached memstick base image
 - `tmp/packages` = fetched package archives
 
+## Manifest contract
+
+The build workflow should emit or hand off `clawdie.iso.build.v1` results under
+`tmp/colibri/iso-build/` when Colibri ingestion is part of the task. The image
+itself also embeds `/usr/local/share/clawdie-iso/build-manifest.json` for live
+runtime inspection. See `docs/ISO-MANIFESTS.md` for the schema fields and path
+conventions.
+
 ## Preconditions
 
 - Run on the FreeBSD build host, from the repo root
@@ -124,7 +132,10 @@ switch to `iso-build-cleanup`.
 
 `FEATURE_COLIBRI=YES` is the default for the next ISO lane. The ISO build
 stages FreeBSD-native Colibri artifacts from the adjacent `../colibri` checkout;
-it does **not** build Rust while the image is mounted.
+it does **not** build Rust while the image is mounted. The daemon is staged but
+kept disabled at boot by default (`COLIBRI_DAEMON_ENABLE=NO`) until rc.d
+supervision has passed live-USB validation, so Colibri cannot block SDDM/XFCE
+startup.
 
 Build Colibri on the FreeBSD/OSA host, not on Debian/Linux. Do not cross-ship
 from debby unless the native OSA build fails.
diff --git a/skills/iso-flash-verify/SKILL.md b/skills/iso-flash-verify/SKILL.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..527e98d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/skills/iso-flash-verify/SKILL.md
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+---
+name: iso-flash-verify
+description: Verify a published Clawdie operator USB artifact manifest, download and checksum the image, confirm the whole-disk USB target, flash it, and emit a Colibri flash manifest.
+---
+
+# iso-flash-verify
+
+Use this skill for the Hermes USB/IMG Deployer lane. It consumes a published
+`clawdie.iso.publish.v1` manifest and produces a `clawdie.iso.flash.v1`
+manifest. Do not run it from this ISO developer host unless the operator
+explicitly reassigns flashing.
+
+## Safety rules
+
+- Never flash from terminal scrollback alone; start from a manifest URL or path.
+- Verify the SHA256 and run `gzip -t` before writing bytes.
+- Flash only a whole disk such as `/dev/sdX` or `/dev/daX`, never a partition
+  such as `/dev/sdX1`.
+- Record the selected device model, serial, and size before flashing.
+- Abort if the target is smaller than the raw image size in the manifest.
+
+## Manifest output
+
+Write the result to:
+
+```sh
+tmp/colibri/iso-flash/<run_id>.json
+tmp/colibri/iso-flash/latest.json
+```
+
+Schema: `clawdie.iso.flash.v1`. See `docs/ISO-MANIFESTS.md`.
+
+## 1. Select the publish manifest
+
+Set one of these:
+
+```sh
+MANIFEST_URL="https://osa.smilepowered.org/downloads/iso/<image>.manifest.json"
+```
+
+or:
+
+```sh
+MANIFEST_PATH="tmp/output/<image>.manifest.json"
+```
+
+## 2. Download artifacts
+
+For a URL-based handoff:
+
+```sh
+mkdir -p tmp/flash-downloads
+curl -fL -o tmp/flash-downloads/publish.manifest.json "$MANIFEST_URL"
+```
+
+Read the manifest and download the `image_url` and `sha256_url` it names. If
+`jq` is available:
+
+```sh
+IMAGE_URL="$(jq -r .image_url tmp/flash-downloads/publish.manifest.json)"
+SHA_URL="$(jq -r .sha256_url tmp/flash-downloads/publish.manifest.json)"
+curl -fL -O --output-dir tmp/flash-downloads "$IMAGE_URL"
+curl -fL -O --output-dir tmp/flash-downloads "$SHA_URL"
+```
+
+## 3. Verify checksum and gzip integrity
+
+```sh
+cd tmp/flash-downloads
+sha256sum -c "$(basename "$SHA_URL")"
+gzip -t "$(basename "$IMAGE_URL")"
+cd -
+```
+
+If the checksum file is in FreeBSD `sha256(1)` format, compare manually:
+
+```sh
+sha256sum tmp/flash-downloads/*.img.gz
+cat tmp/flash-downloads/*.img.gz.sha256
+```
+
+## 4. Identify the whole-disk target
+
+On Linux:
+
+```sh
+lsblk -o NAME,TYPE,SIZE,MODEL,SERIAL,TRAN,RM,MOUNTPOINTS
+```
+
+Unmount any mounted partitions from the selected removable disk. Confirm the
+whole-disk path with the operator before writing.
+
+## 5. Flash
+
+Example for Linux, replacing `/dev/sdX` with the confirmed whole disk:
+
+```sh
+gzip -dc tmp/flash-downloads/<image>.img.gz | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress conv=fsync
+sync
+```
+
+## 6. Emit flash manifest
+
+Record pass/fail checks, the artifact URLs, selected target disk facts, flash
+command summary, and completion time in `clawdie.iso.flash.v1`. Print the
+manifest path and a one-line summary for Colibri ingestion.
diff --git a/skills/iso-hardware-report-ingest/SKILL.md b/skills/iso-hardware-report-ingest/SKILL.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e6d78f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/skills/iso-hardware-report-ingest/SKILL.md
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+---
+name: iso-hardware-report-ingest
+description: Ingest real-machine live USB hw-report evidence into a structured Colibri hardware manifest without treating static inspection as hardware proof.
+---
+
+# iso-hardware-report-ingest
+
+Use this skill after the operator or Codex ISO Builder collects live USB evidence
+from real hardware. It produces a `clawdie.iso.hardware.v1` manifest for Colibri
+and dashboard consumers.
+
+## Manifest output
+
+Write the result to:
+
+```sh
+tmp/colibri/iso-hardware/<run_id>.json
+tmp/colibri/iso-hardware/latest.json
+```
+
+Schema: `clawdie.iso.hardware.v1`. See `docs/ISO-MANIFESTS.md`.
+
+## Inputs to collect from the live USB
+
+Prefer files copied from the live session over paraphrased observations:
+
+```sh
+hw-report > /tmp/clawdie-hw-report.txt
+pciconf -lv > /tmp/clawdie-pciconf-lv.txt
+ifconfig -a > /tmp/clawdie-ifconfig-a.txt
+cat /var/log/clawdie-live-gpu.log > /tmp/clawdie-live-gpu.log
+```
+
+When debugging GUI/input/audio issues, also collect the relevant exact command
+output named in `PLAN-OPERATOR-USB-NEXT.md`, for example:
+
+```sh
+xinput list
+xfconf-query -c pointers -lv
+cat /dev/sndstat
+sysctl hw.snd.default_unit
+mixer
+```
+
+If `hw-probe` upload is intentionally run, record only the public probe URL in
+the manifest. Do not upload private operator data without approval.
+
+## Ingest checklist
+
+Record these as manifest checks or evidence fields:
+
+- machine vendor/model and firmware version when available
+- CPU model
+- GPU PCI IDs, selected KMS module, and reason from `clawdie-live-gpu.log`
+- GL renderer if collected
+- SDDM login result and XFCE session result
+- internal display and external display behavior if tested
+- touchpad, keyboard, webcam, audio, Wi-Fi, and USB Ethernet observations
+- Tailscale status if it was part of the test
+- no-blank/power behavior observed during the session
+- image filename or commit shown by the live build manifest
+
+## Finish
+
+Write a concise summary such as:
+
+```text
+AMD ASUS UX325UA: pass for SDDM/XFCE/AMD KMS/USB Ethernet/webcam; touchpad needs follow-up.
+```
+
+Attach paths to raw captured files under `logs` or `outputs`. Keep the manifest
+small enough for Colibri to ingest directly.
diff --git a/skills/iso-package-audit/SKILL.md b/skills/iso-package-audit/SKILL.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f069852
--- /dev/null
+++ b/skills/iso-package-audit/SKILL.md
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+---
+name: iso-package-audit
+description: Categorize operator USB package-list entries, capture package size/flat-size evidence on FreeBSD, and emit a Colibri package-audit manifest.
+---
+
+# iso-package-audit
+
+Use this skill for Track B package-list hygiene. It classifies package-list
+entries and records size evidence before any removal is proposed. Do not remove
+packages during the audit commit.
+
+## Manifest output
+
+Write the result to:
+
+```sh
+tmp/colibri/iso-package-audit/<run_id>.json
+tmp/colibri/iso-package-audit/latest.json
+```
+
+Schema: `clawdie.iso.package-audit.v1`. See `docs/ISO-MANIFESTS.md`.
+
+## Categories
+
+Use exactly one primary category per package:
+
+- `boot-critical` — kernel/firmware/X/SDDM/network/power pieces needed for the
+  live USB to boot and present a usable session.
+- `operator-workflow` — tools the operator intentionally uses from the live USB,
+  such as browser, CLIs, terminal/editor, or remote access.
+- `diagnostic` — hardware/debug/reporting tools such as `btop`, `hw-probe`,
+  `dmidecode`, or graphics/audio diagnostics.
+- `candidate-to-defer` — rarely used or replaceable packages that may be removed
+  later after build/hardware evidence supports it.
+
+## FreeBSD evidence commands
+
+Run on the FreeBSD build host with the target package branch configured. Fetch
+before reporting repo state:
+
+```sh
+git fetch origin
+git status --short --branch
+git rev-parse --short HEAD
+```
+
+For installed packages on a mounted image or host package DB:
+
+```sh
+pkg info -s <pkgname>
+pkg info -f <pkgname> | egrep '^(Name|Version|Installed size|Flat size)'
+```
+
+For packages present only in the offline repo, inspect package metadata from the
+archive under `tmp/packages` and record the exact command used.
+
+## Audit output expectations
+
+For each package-list entry, record:
+
+- package name
+- package-list file path and line number when practical
+- category
+- package archive size and flat/installed size
+- reason kept
+- deferral risk if categorized as `candidate-to-defer`
+- evidence command or metadata source
+
+If editing a package list, add comments only. Do not remove packages in the same
+change as the first audit pass.
+
+## Finish
+
+Write the `clawdie.iso.package-audit.v1` manifest and a concise human summary
+with totals per category and total size by category. If markdown package-list
+comments were edited, run:
+
+```sh
+./scripts/check-format.sh
+```
diff --git a/skills/iso-publish/SKILL.md b/skills/iso-publish/SKILL.md
index de8d205..7803370 100644
--- a/skills/iso-publish/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/iso-publish/SKILL.md
@@ -18,6 +18,14 @@ public download target.
 - Public webroot: `/usr/local/www/osa/downloads/iso`
 - Public base URL: `https://osa.smilepowered.org/downloads/iso`
 
+## Manifest contract
+
+`scripts/write-artifact-manifest.sh` writes the canonical
+`clawdie.iso.publish.v1` manifest beside the image as
+`tmp/output/<image>.manifest.json`. Hermes consumes that file for
+`iso-flash-verify`; Colibri can ingest it directly. See
+`docs/ISO-MANIFESTS.md` for shared fields and handoff rules.
+
 ## Preconditions
 
 Run from the repo root on the FreeBSD host. Use one command at a time.
diff --git a/skills/iso-validate-image/SKILL.md b/skills/iso-validate-image/SKILL.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ec88251
--- /dev/null
+++ b/skills/iso-validate-image/SKILL.md
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+---
+name: iso-validate-image
+description: Inspect a freshly built Clawdie operator USB image or mounted root to validate static runtime contracts and emit a Colibri validation manifest.
+---
+
+# iso-validate-image
+
+Use this skill on the FreeBSD build host after an image exists and the operator
+has assigned mounted-image validation. This is static validation only; it does
+not replace real hardware proof that SDDM/XFCE/input/audio work.
+
+## Manifest output
+
+Write the result to:
+
+```sh
+tmp/colibri/iso-validation/<run_id>.json
+tmp/colibri/iso-validation/latest.json
+```
+
+Schema: `clawdie.iso.validation.v1`. See `docs/ISO-MANIFESTS.md`.
+
+## Preconditions
+
+Run from the repo root on FreeBSD. Fetch before reporting repo state:
+
+```sh
+git fetch origin
+git status --short --branch
+git rev-parse --short HEAD
+ls -lh tmp/output
+```
+
+If an image is already mounted under `tmp/cache/mnt`, inspect it cautiously. If
+mount state is stale or unclear, use `iso-build-cleanup` before retrying.
+
+## Validation checklist
+
+Record each item as a named check in the manifest:
+
+- `/etc/rc.conf` enables `sddm`.
+- `/etc/rc.conf` enables `clawdie_live_gpu`.
+- `/etc/rc.conf` enables `powerdxx` and the expected no-blank power/session
+  policy files are present.
+- `/usr/local/bin/mdo` exists and is executable; `sudo` is not required by live
+  operator-facing paths.
+- Operator CLIs expected by the current plan are present (`pi`, `codex`, and any
+  intentionally retained package-list CLIs).
+- `/usr/local/share/clawdie-iso/build-manifest.json` exists inside the image.
+- `CLAWDIESEED` slice 3 exists when inspecting the full disk image.
+- `clawdie-live-gpu` and hardware report scripts are present and executable.
+- Intel and AMD KMS modules/firmware expected by the package lists are present;
+  NVIDIA packages are staged/offline but not forced to load by default.
+- XFCE panel/session assets referenced by the live session are present.
+- Colibri binaries and `colibri_daemon` rc.d script are present when
+  `FEATURE_COLIBRI=YES` was used.
+
+## Suggested inspection commands
+
+Use exact device names from `mdconfig`/`gpart` on the build host; do not paste
+these blindly if another build is active.
+
+```sh
+IMG="tmp/output/<image>.img"
+md=$(mdconfig -a -t vnode -f "$IMG")
+gpart show -p "/dev/$md"
+```
+
+Mount the root partition read-only when possible, then inspect files under the
+mountpoint. Clean up the md device before finishing.
+
+## Finish
+
+Write a `clawdie.iso.validation.v1` manifest with:
+
+- image path and checksum/manifest inputs when available
+- mount devices and mountpoint used
+- pass/fail status for each checklist item
+- cleanup status for unmounts and `mdconfig -d`
+- an explicit limitation note: mounted validation is not graphical hardware proof