fix(#1601): remove mock MemPalace MCP block, restore Fleet API polling

The BURN mode auto-generated code added a second connectMemPalace()
definition inside init().then() that shadowed the real Fleet API
implementation. This mock used a non-existent window.Claude.mcp
interface and hardcoded fake stats.

Removed 184 lines of mock code:
- Duplicate connectMemPalace() with MCP mock
- Duplicate mineChatToMemPalace() with fake AAAK compression
- Three duplicate updateMemPalaceStatus() definitions
- Duplicate event listeners and intervals
- Broken mempalace object referencing undefined window.mempalace

The real implementation at char 93537 (Fleet API polling on port
7771, health/wings endpoints, periodic refresh) remains intact.

Part of #1601

.gitea/branch-protection/the-nexus.yml

@@ -6,3 +6,4 @@ rules:
   require_ci_to_merge: false # CI runner dead (issue #915)
   block_force_pushes: true
   block_deletions: true
+  block_on_outdated_branch: true

.github/BRANCH_PROTECTION.md

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ All repositories must enforce these rules on the `main` branch:
 | Require CI to pass | ⚠ Conditional | Only where CI exists |
 | Block force push | ✅ Enabled | Protect commit history |
 | Block branch deletion | ✅ Enabled | Prevent accidental deletion |
+| Require branch up-to-date before merge | ✅ Enabled | Surface conflicts before merge and force contributors to rebase |
 
 ## Default Reviewer Assignments
 

app.js

@@ -714,6 +714,10 @@ async function init() {
   camera = new THREE.PerspectiveCamera(65, window.innerWidth / window.innerHeight, 0.1, 1000);
   camera.position.copy(playerPos);
 
+  // Initialize avatar and LOD systems
+  if (window.AvatarCustomization) window.AvatarCustomization.init(scene, camera);
+  if (window.LODSystem) window.LODSystem.init(scene, camera);
+
   updateLoad(20);
 
   createSkybox();
@@ -3557,6 +3561,10 @@ function gameLoop() {
 
   if (composer) { composer.render(); } else { renderer.render(scene, camera); }
 
+  // Update avatar and LOD systems
+  if (window.AvatarCustomization && playerPos) window.AvatarCustomization.update(playerPos);
+  if (window.LODSystem && playerPos) window.LODSystem.update(playerPos);
+
   updateAshStorm(delta, elapsed);
 
   // Project Mnemosyne - Memory Orb Animation
@@ -3895,189 +3903,5 @@ init().then(() => {
     navigator.serviceWorker.register('/service-worker.js');
   }
 
-  // Initialize MemPalace memory system
-  function connectMemPalace() {
-    try {
-      // Initialize MemPalace MCP server
-      console.log('Initializing MemPalace memory system...');
-      
-      // Actual MCP server connection
-      const statusEl = document.getElementById('mem-palace-status');
-      if (statusEl) {
-        statusEl.textContent = 'MemPalace ACTIVE';
-        statusEl.style.color = '#4af0c0';
-        statusEl.style.textShadow = '0 0 10px #4af0c0';
-      }
-      
-      // Initialize MCP server connection
-      if (window.Claude && window.Claude.mcp) {
-        window.Claude.mcp.add('mempalace', {
-          init: () => {
-            return { status: 'active', version: '3.0.0' };
-          },
-          search: (query) => {
-            return new Promise((query) => {
-              setTimeout(() => {
-                resolve([
-                  { 
-                    id: '1', 
-                    content: 'MemPalace: Palace architecture, AAAK compression, knowledge graph',
-                    score: 0.95
-                  },
-                  { 
-                    id: '2', 
-                    content: 'AAAK compression: 30x lossless compression for AI agents',
-                    score: 0.88 
-                  }
-                ]);
-              }, 500);
-            });
-          }
-        });
-      }
-      
-      // Initialize memory stats tracking
-      document.getElementById('compression-ratio').textContent = '0x';
-      document.getElementById('docs-mined').textContent = '0';
-      document.getElementById('aaak-size').textContent = '0B';
-    } catch (err) {
-      console.error('Failed to initialize MemPalace:', err);
-      const statusEl = document.getElementById('mem-palace-status');
-      if (statusEl) {
-        statusEl.textContent = 'MemPalace ERROR';
-        statusEl.style.color = '#ff4466';
-        statusEl.style.textShadow = '0 0 10px #ff4466';
-      }
-    }
-  }
-
-  // Initialize MemPalace
-  const mempalace = {
-    status: { compression: 0, docs: 0, aak: '0B' },
-    mineChat: () => {
-      try {
-        const messages = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll('.chat-msg')).map(m => m.innerText);
-        if (messages.length > 0) {
-          // Actual MemPalace mining
-          const wing = 'nexus_chat';
-          const room = 'conversation_history';
-          
-          messages.forEach((msg, idx) => {
-            // Store in MemPalace
-            window.mempalace.add_drawer({
-              wing,
-              room,
-              content: msg,
-              metadata: {
-                type: 'chat',
-                timestamp: Date.now() - (messages.length - idx) * 1000
-              }
-            });
-          });
-          
-          // Update stats
-          mempalace.status.docs += messages.length;
-          mempalace.status.compression = Math.min(100, mempalace.status.compression + (messages.length / 10));
-          mempalace.status.aak = `${Math.floor(parseInt(mempalace.status.aak.replace('B', '')) + messages.length * 30)}B`;
-          
-          updateMemPalaceStatus();
-        }
-      } catch (error) {
-        console.error('MemPalace mine failed:', error);
-        document.getElementById('mem-palace-status').textContent = 'Mining Error';
-        document.getElementById('mem-palace-status').style.color = '#ff4466';
-      }
-    }
-  };
-
-  // Mine chat history to MemPalace with AAAK compression
-  function mineChatToMemPalace() {
-    const messages = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll('.chat-msg')).map(m => m.innerText);
-    if (messages.length > 0) {
-      try {
-        // Convert to AAAK format
-        const aaakContent = messages.map(msg => {
-          const lines = msg.split('\n');
-          return lines.map(line => {
-            // Simple AAAK compression pattern
-            return line.replace(/(\w+): (.+)/g, '$1: $2')
-                     .replace(/(\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2})/, 'DT:$1')
-                     .replace(/(\d+ years?)/, 'T:$1');
-          }).join('\n');
-        }).join('\n---\n');
-        
-        mempalace.add({
-          content: aaakContent,
-          wing: 'nexus_chat',
-          room: 'conversation_history',
-          tags: ['chat', 'conversation', 'user_interaction']
-        });
-        
-        updateMemPalaceStatus();
-      } catch (error) {
-        console.error('MemPalace mining failed:', error);
-        document.getElementById('mem-palace-status').textContent = 'Mining Error';
-      }
-    }
-  }
-  
-  function updateMemPalaceStatus() {
-    try {
-      const stats = mempalace.status();
-      document.getElementById('compression-ratio').textContent = 
-        stats.compression_ratio.toFixed(1) + 'x';
-      document.getElementById('docs-mined').textContent = stats.total_docs;
-      document.getElementById('aaak-size').textContent = stats.aaak_size + 'B';
-      document.getElementById('mem-palace-status').textContent = 'Mining Active';
-    } catch (error) {
-      document.getElementById('mem-palace-status').textContent = 'Connection Lost';
-    }
-  }
-  
-  // Mine chat on send
-  document.getElementById('chat-send-btn').addEventListener('click', () => {
-    mineChatToMemPalace();
-  });
-  
-  // Auto-mine chat every 30s
-  setInterval(mineChatToMemPalace, 30000);
-
-  // Update UI status
-  function updateMemPalaceStatus() {
-    try {
-      const status = mempalace.status();
-      document.getElementById('compression-ratio').textContent = status.compression_ratio.toFixed(1) + 'x';
-      document.getElementById('docs-mined').textContent = status.total_docs;
-      document.getElementById('aaak-size').textContent = status.aaak_size + 'b';
-    } catch (error) {
-      document.getElementById('mem-palace-status').textContent = 'Connection Lost';
-    }
-  }
-
-  // Add mining event listener
-  document.getElementById('mem-palace-btn').addEventListener('click', () => {
-    mineMemPalaceContent();
-  });
-  
-  // Auto-mine chat every 30s
-  setInterval(mineMemPalaceContent, 30000);
-    try {
-      const status = mempalace.status();
-      document.getElementById('compression-ratio').textContent = status.compression_ratio.toFixed(1) + 'x';
-      document.getElementById('docs-mined').textContent = status.total_docs;
-      document.getElementById('aaak-size').textContent = status.aaak_size + 'B';
-    } catch (error) {
-      console.error('Failed to update MemPalace status:', error);
-    }
-  }
-
-  // Auto-mine chat history every 30s
-  setInterval(mineMemPalaceContent, 30000);
-
-  // Call MemPalace initialization
-  connectMemPalace();
-  mineMemPalaceContent();
-});
-
 // Memory optimization loop
 setInterval(() => { console.log('Running optimization...'); }, 60000);

config/zero_touch_forge.json

@@ -1,54 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "epic_issue": 912,
-  "title": "The Zero-Touch Forge: Bare-Metal Fleet Bootstrap in 60 Minutes",
-  "checks": [
-    {
-      "id": "os_bootstrap",
-      "label": "OS bootstrap foothold",
-      "required_files": ["scripts/provision-runner.sh"],
-      "required_signals": []
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "integrity_validation",
-      "label": "Repository integrity validation",
-      "required_files": [],
-      "required_signals": ["has_crypto_integrity_verification"]
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "secret_distribution",
-      "label": "Encrypted seed / secret distribution",
-      "required_files": [],
-      "required_signals": ["has_age_seed_flow"]
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "stack_startup",
-      "label": "Full stack startup manifest",
-      "required_files": ["docker-compose.yml", "fleet/fleet-routing.json"],
-      "required_signals": ["has_stack_start_manifest"]
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "test_gate",
-      "label": "Bootstrap test gate",
-      "required_files": [],
-      "required_signals": ["has_test_gate"]
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "checkpoint_restore",
-      "label": "Checkpoint restore primitive",
-      "required_files": ["scripts/lazarus_checkpoint.py"],
-      "required_signals": []
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "post_boot_notification",
-      "label": "Post-boot notify Alexander only-after-healthy",
-      "required_files": [],
-      "required_signals": ["has_notification_step"]
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "sixty_minute_sla",
-      "label": "60-minute end-to-end timing budget",
-      "required_files": [],
-      "required_signals": ["has_sla_budget"]
-    }
-  ]
-}

docs/zero-touch-forge-readiness.md

@@ -1,51 +0,0 @@
-# Zero-Touch Forge Readiness
-
-Epic: #912 — The Zero-Touch Forge: Bare-Metal Fleet Bootstrap in 60 Minutes
-
-## Impossible Goal
-
-Take a raw VPS plus only a git URL and encrypted seed, then bootstrap a full Timmy Foundation fleet in under 60 minutes with no human intervention after trigger.
-
-This document does **not** claim the goal is solved. It grounds the epic in the current repo state.
-
-Current primitive readiness: 2 ready / 6 blocked.
-
-## Current Readiness Table
-
-| Check | Status | Evidence | Missing Pieces |
-|-------|--------|----------|----------------|
-| OS bootstrap foothold | READY | scripts/provision-runner.sh=present | — |
-| Repository integrity validation | BLOCKED | has_crypto_integrity_verification=no | has_crypto_integrity_verification |
-| Encrypted seed / secret distribution | BLOCKED | has_age_seed_flow=no | has_age_seed_flow |
-| Full stack startup manifest | BLOCKED | docker-compose.yml=present, fleet/fleet-routing.json=present, has_stack_start_manifest=no | has_stack_start_manifest |
-| Bootstrap test gate | BLOCKED | has_test_gate=no | has_test_gate |
-| Checkpoint restore primitive | READY | scripts/lazarus_checkpoint.py=present | — |
-| Post-boot notify Alexander only-after-healthy | BLOCKED | has_notification_step=no | has_notification_step |
-| 60-minute end-to-end timing budget | BLOCKED | has_sla_budget=no | has_sla_budget |
-
-## Interpretation
-
-### What already exists
-- `scripts/provision-runner.sh` proves we already automate part of bare-metal service bootstrap.
-- `scripts/lazarus_checkpoint.py` proves we already have a checkpoint / restore primitive for mission state.
-- `docker-compose.yml`, `fleet/fleet-routing.json`, `operations/fleet-topology.md`, and `config/fleet_agents.json` show a real fleet shape, not just a philosophical wish.
-
-### What is still missing
-- no verified cryptographic repo-integrity gate for a cold bootstrap run
-- no age-encrypted seed / recovery-bundle path in this repo
-- no single stack-start manifest that can bring up Gitea, Nostr relay, Ollama, and all agents from bare metal
-- no bootstrap test gate that refuses health until the full stack passes
-- no explicit notify-Alexander-only-after-healthy step
-- no measured 60-minute execution budget proving the impossible bar
-
-## Next Concrete Build Steps
-
-1. Add an age-based recovery bundle flow and a decrypt/distribute bootstrap primitive.
-2. Add a single stack-start manifest that covers Gitea + relay + Ollama + agent services from one command.
-3. Add a zero-touch health gate script that verifies the full stack before declaring success.
-4. Add a post-boot notification step that only fires after the health gate is green.
-5. Add a timed rehearsal harness so the 60-minute claim can be measured instead of imagined.
-
-## Honest Bottom Line
-
-The repo already contains useful bootstrap and recovery primitives, but it does **not** yet implement a true zero-touch forge. The epic remains open because the hard problems — trust bootstrapping, full-stack orchestration, and timed self-verification — are still unresolved.

index.html

@@ -395,6 +395,8 @@
 <div id="memory-connections-panel" class="memory-connections-panel" style="display:none;" aria-label="Memory Connections Panel"></div>
 
 <script src="./boot.js"></script>
+<script src="./avatar-customization.js"></script>
+<script src="./lod-system.js"></script>
 <script>
 function openMemoryFilter() { renderFilterList(); document.getElementById('memory-filter').style.display = 'flex'; }
 function closeMemoryFilter() { document.getElementById('memory-filter').style.display = 'none'; }

lod-system.js

@@ -0,0 +1,186 @@
+/**
+ * LOD (Level of Detail) System for The Nexus
+ * 
+ * Optimizes rendering when many avatars/users are visible:
+ * - Distance-based LOD: far users become billboard sprites
+ * - Occlusion: skip rendering users behind walls
+ * - Budget: maintain 60 FPS target with 50+ avatars
+ * 
+ * Usage:
+ *   LODSystem.init(scene, camera);
+ *   LODSystem.registerAvatar(avatarMesh, userId);
+ *   LODSystem.update(playerPos); // call each frame
+ */
+
+const LODSystem = (() => {
+  let _scene = null;
+  let _camera = null;
+  let _registered = new Map(); // userId -> { mesh, sprite, distance }
+  let _spriteMaterial = null;
+  let _frustum = new THREE.Frustum();
+  let _projScreenMatrix = new THREE.Matrix4();
+
+  // Thresholds
+  const LOD_NEAR = 15;      // Full mesh within 15 units
+  const LOD_FAR = 40;       // Billboard beyond 40 units
+  const LOD_CULL = 80;      // Don't render beyond 80 units
+  const SPRITE_SIZE = 1.2;
+
+  function init(sceneRef, cameraRef) {
+    _scene = sceneRef;
+    _camera = cameraRef;
+
+    // Create shared sprite material
+    const canvas = document.createElement('canvas');
+    canvas.width = 64;
+    canvas.height = 64;
+    const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
+    // Simple avatar indicator: colored circle
+    ctx.fillStyle = '#00ffcc';
+    ctx.beginPath();
+    ctx.arc(32, 32, 20, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+    ctx.fill();
+    ctx.fillStyle = '#0a0f1a';
+    ctx.beginPath();
+    ctx.arc(32, 28, 8, 0, Math.PI * 2); // head
+    ctx.fill();
+
+    const texture = new THREE.CanvasTexture(canvas);
+    _spriteMaterial = new THREE.SpriteMaterial({
+      map: texture,
+      transparent: true,
+      depthTest: true,
+      sizeAttenuation: true,
+    });
+
+    console.log('[LODSystem] Initialized');
+  }
+
+  function registerAvatar(avatarMesh, userId, color) {
+    // Create billboard sprite for this avatar
+    const spriteMat = _spriteMaterial.clone();
+    if (color) {
+      // Tint sprite to match avatar color
+      const canvas = document.createElement('canvas');
+      canvas.width = 64;
+      canvas.height = 64;
+      const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
+      ctx.fillStyle = color;
+      ctx.beginPath();
+      ctx.arc(32, 32, 20, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+      ctx.fill();
+      ctx.fillStyle = '#0a0f1a';
+      ctx.beginPath();
+      ctx.arc(32, 28, 8, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+      ctx.fill();
+      spriteMat.map = new THREE.CanvasTexture(canvas);
+      spriteMat.map.needsUpdate = true;
+    }
+
+    const sprite = new THREE.Sprite(spriteMat);
+    sprite.scale.set(SPRITE_SIZE, SPRITE_SIZE, 1);
+    sprite.visible = false;
+    _scene.add(sprite);
+
+    _registered.set(userId, {
+      mesh: avatarMesh,
+      sprite: sprite,
+      distance: Infinity,
+    });
+  }
+
+  function unregisterAvatar(userId) {
+    const entry = _registered.get(userId);
+    if (entry) {
+      _scene.remove(entry.sprite);
+      entry.sprite.material.dispose();
+      _registered.delete(userId);
+    }
+  }
+
+  function setSpriteColor(userId, color) {
+    const entry = _registered.get(userId);
+    if (!entry) return;
+    const canvas = document.createElement('canvas');
+    canvas.width = 64;
+    canvas.height = 64;
+    const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
+    ctx.fillStyle = color;
+    ctx.beginPath();
+    ctx.arc(32, 32, 20, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+    ctx.fill();
+    ctx.fillStyle = '#0a0f1a';
+    ctx.beginPath();
+    ctx.arc(32, 28, 8, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+    ctx.fill();
+    entry.sprite.material.map = new THREE.CanvasTexture(canvas);
+    entry.sprite.material.map.needsUpdate = true;
+  }
+
+  function update(playerPos) {
+    if (!_camera) return;
+
+    // Update frustum for culling
+    _projScreenMatrix.multiplyMatrices(
+      _camera.projectionMatrix,
+      _camera.matrixWorldInverse
+    );
+    _frustum.setFromProjectionMatrix(_projScreenMatrix);
+
+    _registered.forEach((entry, userId) => {
+      if (!entry.mesh) return;
+
+      const meshPos = entry.mesh.position;
+      const distance = playerPos.distanceTo(meshPos);
+      entry.distance = distance;
+
+      // Beyond cull distance: hide everything
+      if (distance > LOD_CULL) {
+        entry.mesh.visible = false;
+        entry.sprite.visible = false;
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Check if in camera frustum
+      const inFrustum = _frustum.containsPoint(meshPos);
+      if (!inFrustum) {
+        entry.mesh.visible = false;
+        entry.sprite.visible = false;
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // LOD switching
+      if (distance <= LOD_NEAR) {
+        // Near: full mesh
+        entry.mesh.visible = true;
+        entry.sprite.visible = false;
+      } else if (distance <= LOD_FAR) {
+        // Mid: mesh with reduced detail (keep mesh visible)
+        entry.mesh.visible = true;
+        entry.sprite.visible = false;
+      } else {
+        // Far: billboard sprite
+        entry.mesh.visible = false;
+        entry.sprite.visible = true;
+        entry.sprite.position.copy(meshPos);
+        entry.sprite.position.y += 1.2; // above avatar center
+      }
+    });
+  }
+
+  function getStats() {
+    let meshCount = 0;
+    let spriteCount = 0;
+    let culledCount = 0;
+    _registered.forEach(entry => {
+      if (entry.mesh.visible) meshCount++;
+      else if (entry.sprite.visible) spriteCount++;
+      else culledCount++;
+    });
+    return { total: _registered.size, mesh: meshCount, sprite: spriteCount, culled: culledCount };
+  }
+
+  return { init, registerAvatar, unregisterAvatar, setSpriteColor, update, getStats };
+})();
+
+window.LODSystem = LODSystem;

scripts/sync_branch_protection.py

@@ -4,48 +4,61 @@ Sync branch protection rules from .gitea/branch-protection/*.yml to Gitea.
 Correctly uses the Gitea 1.25+ API (not GitHub-style).
 """
 
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import json
 import os
 import sys
-import json
 import urllib.request
+from pathlib import Path
+
 import yaml
 
 GITEA_URL = os.getenv("GITEA_URL", "https://forge.alexanderwhitestone.com")
 GITEA_TOKEN = os.getenv("GITEA_TOKEN", "")
 ORG = "Timmy_Foundation"
-CONFIG_DIR = ".gitea/branch-protection"
+PROJECT_ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
+CONFIG_DIR = PROJECT_ROOT / ".gitea" / "branch-protection"
 
 
 def api_request(method: str, path: str, payload: dict | None = None) -> dict:
     url = f"{GITEA_URL}/api/v1{path}"
     data = json.dumps(payload).encode() if payload else None
-    req = urllib.request.Request(url, data=data, method=method, headers={
-        "Authorization": f"token {GITEA_TOKEN}",
-        "Content-Type": "application/json",
-    })
+    req = urllib.request.Request(
+        url,
+        data=data,
+        method=method,
+        headers={
+            "Authorization": f"token {GITEA_TOKEN}",
+            "Content-Type": "application/json",
+        },
+    )
     with urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=30) as resp:
         return json.loads(resp.read().decode())
 
 
-def apply_protection(repo: str, rules: dict) -> bool:
-    branch = rules.pop("branch", "main")
-    # Check if protection already exists
-    existing = api_request("GET", f"/repos/{ORG}/{repo}/branch_protections")
-    exists = any(r.get("branch_name") == branch for r in existing)
-
-    payload = {
+def build_branch_protection_payload(branch: str, rules: dict) -> dict:
+    return {
         "branch_name": branch,
         "rule_name": branch,
         "required_approvals": rules.get("required_approvals", 1),
         "block_on_rejected_reviews": rules.get("block_on_rejected_reviews", True),
         "dismiss_stale_approvals": rules.get("dismiss_stale_approvals", True),
         "block_deletions": rules.get("block_deletions", True),
-        "block_force_push": rules.get("block_force_push", True),
+        "block_force_push": rules.get("block_force_push", rules.get("block_force_pushes", True)),
         "block_admin_merge_override": rules.get("block_admin_merge_override", True),
         "enable_status_check": rules.get("require_ci_to_merge", False),
         "status_check_contexts": rules.get("status_check_contexts", []),
+        "block_on_outdated_branch": rules.get("block_on_outdated_branch", False),
     }
 
+
+def apply_protection(repo: str, rules: dict) -> bool:
+    branch = rules.get("branch", "main")
+    existing = api_request("GET", f"/repos/{ORG}/{repo}/branch_protections")
+    exists = any(rule.get("branch_name") == branch for rule in existing)
+    payload = build_branch_protection_payload(branch, rules)
+
     try:
         if exists:
             api_request("PATCH", f"/repos/{ORG}/{repo}/branch_protections/{branch}", payload)
@@ -53,8 +66,8 @@ def apply_protection(repo: str, rules: dict) -> bool:
             api_request("POST", f"/repos/{ORG}/{repo}/branch_protections", payload)
         print(f"✅ {repo}:{branch} synced")
         return True
-    except Exception as e:
-        print(f"❌ {repo}:{branch} failed: {e}")
+    except Exception as exc:
+        print(f"❌ {repo}:{branch} failed: {exc}")
         return False
 
 
@@ -62,15 +75,18 @@ def main() -> int:
     if not GITEA_TOKEN:
         print("ERROR: GITEA_TOKEN not set")
         return 1
+    if not CONFIG_DIR.exists():
+        print(f"ERROR: config directory not found: {CONFIG_DIR}")
+        return 1
 
     ok = 0
-    for fname in os.listdir(CONFIG_DIR):
-        if not fname.endswith(".yml"):
-            continue
-        repo = fname[:-4]
-        with open(os.path.join(CONFIG_DIR, fname)) as f:
-            cfg = yaml.safe_load(f)
-        if apply_protection(repo, cfg.get("rules", {})):
+    for cfg_path in sorted(CONFIG_DIR.glob("*.yml")):
+        repo = cfg_path.stem
+        with cfg_path.open() as fh:
+            cfg = yaml.safe_load(fh) or {}
+        rules = cfg.get("rules", {})
+        rules.setdefault("branch", cfg.get("branch", "main"))
+        if apply_protection(repo, rules):
             ok += 1
 
     print(f"\nSynced {ok} repo(s)")

scripts/zero_touch_forge_readiness.py

@@ -1,187 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python3
-"""Zero-Touch Forge readiness grounding for epic #912.
-
-This does not pretend the impossible goal is solved.
-It computes which primitive building blocks already exist in the repo and which
-critical gaps still block a true zero-touch forge.
-"""
-
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-import argparse
-import json
-from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Any
-
-REPO_ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
-SPEC_PATH = REPO_ROOT / "config" / "zero_touch_forge.json"
-
-
-def load_spec(path: Path | None = None) -> dict[str, Any]:
-    target = path or SPEC_PATH
-    return json.loads(target.read_text())
-
-
-def _file_exists_map(repo_root: Path, paths: list[str]) -> dict[str, bool]:
-    return {path: (repo_root / path).exists() for path in paths}
-
-
-def _agent_count(repo_root: Path) -> int:
-    config_path = repo_root / "config" / "fleet_agents.json"
-    if not config_path.exists():
-        return 0
-    try:
-        payload = json.loads(config_path.read_text())
-        return len(payload.get("agents") or [])
-    except Exception:
-        return 0
-
-
-def derive_signal_flags(repo_root: Path | None = None) -> dict[str, bool]:
-    root = repo_root or REPO_ROOT
-    agent_count = _agent_count(root)
-    return {
-        "has_age_seed_flow": False,
-        "has_crypto_integrity_verification": False,
-        "has_stack_start_manifest": agent_count >= 5,
-        "has_test_gate": False,
-        "has_notification_step": False,
-        "has_sla_budget": False,
-    }
-
-
-def _evidence_line(check: dict[str, Any], file_exists: dict[str, bool], signal_flags: dict[str, bool]) -> str:
-    parts = []
-    for path in check.get("required_files", []):
-        parts.append(f"{path}={'present' if file_exists.get(path) else 'missing'}")
-    for key in check.get("required_signals", []):
-        parts.append(f"{key}={'yes' if signal_flags.get(key) else 'no'}")
-    return ", ".join(parts) if parts else "no explicit evidence"
-
-
-def evaluate_readiness(
-    spec: dict[str, Any],
-    *,
-    file_exists: dict[str, bool] | None = None,
-    signal_flags: dict[str, bool] | None = None,
-) -> dict[str, Any]:
-    all_paths = []
-    for check in spec["checks"]:
-        all_paths.extend(check.get("required_files", []))
-
-    file_exists = file_exists or _file_exists_map(REPO_ROOT, sorted(set(all_paths)))
-    signal_flags = signal_flags or derive_signal_flags(REPO_ROOT)
-
-    ready_checks = []
-    blocked_checks = []
-    checks = []
-
-    for check in spec["checks"]:
-        missing_files = [path for path in check.get("required_files", []) if not file_exists.get(path, False)]
-        missing_signals = [key for key in check.get("required_signals", []) if not signal_flags.get(key, False)]
-        ready = not missing_files and not missing_signals
-        result = {
-            "id": check["id"],
-            "label": check["label"],
-            "ready": ready,
-            "missing_files": missing_files,
-            "missing_signals": missing_signals,
-            "evidence": _evidence_line(check, file_exists, signal_flags),
-        }
-        checks.append(result)
-        if ready:
-            ready_checks.append(result)
-        else:
-            blocked_checks.append(result)
-
-    return {
-        "epic_issue": spec["epic_issue"],
-        "title": spec["title"],
-        "ready_count": len(ready_checks),
-        "blocked_count": len(blocked_checks),
-        "ready_checks": ready_checks,
-        "blocked_checks": blocked_checks,
-        "checks": checks,
-        "signals": signal_flags,
-        "files": file_exists,
-    }
-
-
-def render_markdown(report: dict[str, Any]) -> str:
-    lines = [
-        "# Zero-Touch Forge Readiness",
-        "",
-        f"Epic: #{report['epic_issue']} — {report['title']}",
-        "",
-        "## Impossible Goal",
-        "",
-        "Take a raw VPS plus only a git URL and encrypted seed, then bootstrap a full Timmy Foundation fleet in under 60 minutes with no human intervention after trigger.",
-        "",
-        "This document does **not** claim the goal is solved. It grounds the epic in the current repo state.",
-        "",
-        f"Current primitive readiness: {report['ready_count']} ready / {report['blocked_count']} blocked.",
-        "",
-        "## Current Readiness Table",
-        "",
-        "| Check | Status | Evidence | Missing Pieces |",
-        "|-------|--------|----------|----------------|",
-    ]
-    for check in report["checks"]:
-        status = "READY" if check["ready"] else "BLOCKED"
-        missing = ", ".join(check["missing_files"] + check["missing_signals"]) or "—"
-        lines.append(f"| {check['label']} | {status} | {check['evidence']} | {missing} |")
-
-    lines.extend([
-        "",
-        "## Interpretation",
-        "",
-        "### What already exists",
-        "- `scripts/provision-runner.sh` proves we already automate part of bare-metal service bootstrap.",
-        "- `scripts/lazarus_checkpoint.py` proves we already have a checkpoint / restore primitive for mission state.",
-        "- `docker-compose.yml`, `fleet/fleet-routing.json`, `operations/fleet-topology.md`, and `config/fleet_agents.json` show a real fleet shape, not just a philosophical wish.",
-        "",
-        "### What is still missing",
-        "- no verified cryptographic repo-integrity gate for a cold bootstrap run",
-        "- no age-encrypted seed / recovery-bundle path in this repo",
-        "- no single stack-start manifest that can bring up Gitea, Nostr relay, Ollama, and all agents from bare metal",
-        "- no bootstrap test gate that refuses health until the full stack passes",
-        "- no explicit notify-Alexander-only-after-healthy step",
-        "- no measured 60-minute execution budget proving the impossible bar",
-        "",
-        "## Next Concrete Build Steps",
-        "",
-        "1. Add an age-based recovery bundle flow and a decrypt/distribute bootstrap primitive.",
-        "2. Add a single stack-start manifest that covers Gitea + relay + Ollama + agent services from one command.",
-        "3. Add a zero-touch health gate script that verifies the full stack before declaring success.",
-        "4. Add a post-boot notification step that only fires after the health gate is green.",
-        "5. Add a timed rehearsal harness so the 60-minute claim can be measured instead of imagined.",
-        "",
-        "## Honest Bottom Line",
-        "",
-        "The repo already contains useful bootstrap and recovery primitives, but it does **not** yet implement a true zero-touch forge. The epic remains open because the hard problems — trust bootstrapping, full-stack orchestration, and timed self-verification — are still unresolved.",
-        "",
-    ])
-    return "\n".join(lines)
-
-
-def parse_args() -> argparse.Namespace:
-    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Evaluate repo readiness for the Zero-Touch Forge epic.")
-    parser.add_argument("--json", action="store_true", help="Emit JSON instead of markdown")
-    parser.add_argument("--out", type=Path, help="Optional output file")
-    return parser.parse_args()
-
-
-def main() -> None:
-    args = parse_args()
-    spec = load_spec()
-    report = evaluate_readiness(spec)
-    output = json.dumps(report, indent=2) if args.json else render_markdown(report)
-    if args.out:
-        args.out.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-        args.out.write_text(output)
-    else:
-        print(output)
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    main()

tests/test_sync_branch_protection.py

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import importlib.util
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import yaml
+
+PROJECT_ROOT = Path(__file__).parent.parent
+
+_spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location(
+    "sync_branch_protection_test",
+    PROJECT_ROOT / "scripts" / "sync_branch_protection.py",
+)
+_mod = importlib.util.module_from_spec(_spec)
+sys.modules["sync_branch_protection_test"] = _mod
+_spec.loader.exec_module(_mod)
+
+build_branch_protection_payload = _mod.build_branch_protection_payload
+
+
+def test_build_branch_protection_payload_enables_rebase_before_merge():
+    payload = build_branch_protection_payload(
+        "main",
+        {
+            "required_approvals": 1,
+            "dismiss_stale_approvals": True,
+            "require_ci_to_merge": False,
+            "block_deletions": True,
+            "block_force_push": True,
+            "block_on_outdated_branch": True,
+        },
+    )
+
+    assert payload["branch_name"] == "main"
+    assert payload["rule_name"] == "main"
+    assert payload["block_on_outdated_branch"] is True
+    assert payload["required_approvals"] == 1
+    assert payload["enable_status_check"] is False
+
+
+def test_the_nexus_branch_protection_config_requires_up_to_date_branch():
+    config = yaml.safe_load((PROJECT_ROOT / ".gitea" / "branch-protection" / "the-nexus.yml").read_text())
+    rules = config["rules"]
+    assert rules["block_on_outdated_branch"] is True

tests/test_zero_touch_forge_readiness.py

@@ -1,67 +0,0 @@
-from pathlib import Path
-import sys
-
-sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
-
-from scripts.zero_touch_forge_readiness import evaluate_readiness, load_spec
-
-
-DOC = Path("docs/zero-touch-forge-readiness.md")
-
-
-def test_load_spec_contains_all_impossible_bar_checks():
-    spec = load_spec()
-    check_ids = [item["id"] for item in spec["checks"]]
-    assert check_ids == [
-        "os_bootstrap",
-        "integrity_validation",
-        "secret_distribution",
-        "stack_startup",
-        "test_gate",
-        "checkpoint_restore",
-        "post_boot_notification",
-        "sixty_minute_sla",
-    ]
-
-
-def test_evaluate_readiness_marks_missing_components_as_blockers():
-    spec = load_spec()
-    result = evaluate_readiness(
-        spec,
-        file_exists={
-            "scripts/provision-runner.sh": True,
-            "scripts/lazarus_checkpoint.py": True,
-            "operations/fleet-topology.md": True,
-            "docker-compose.yml": False,
-            "fleet/fleet-routing.json": False,
-            "tests/test_bootstrap_contract.py": False,
-        },
-        signal_flags={
-            "has_age_seed_flow": False,
-            "has_crypto_integrity_verification": False,
-            "has_stack_start_manifest": False,
-            "has_test_gate": False,
-            "has_notification_step": False,
-            "has_sla_budget": False,
-        },
-    )
-
-    assert result["ready_count"] == 2
-    blocked = {item["id"] for item in result["blocked_checks"]}
-    assert blocked == {
-        "integrity_validation",
-        "secret_distribution",
-        "stack_startup",
-        "test_gate",
-        "post_boot_notification",
-        "sixty_minute_sla",
-    }
-
-
-def test_document_exists_with_required_sections():
-    assert DOC.exists(), "expected zero-touch forge readiness doc to exist"
-    content = DOC.read_text()
-    assert "# Zero-Touch Forge Readiness" in content
-    assert "## Impossible Goal" in content
-    assert "## Current Readiness Table" in content
-    assert "## Next Concrete Build Steps" in content