diff --git a/ansible/BANNED_PROVIDERS.yml b/ansible/BANNED_PROVIDERS.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3443b9ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/BANNED_PROVIDERS.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+# =============================================================================
+# BANNED PROVIDERS — The Timmy Foundation
+# =============================================================================
+# "Anthropic is not only fired, but banned. I don't want these errors
+# cropping up." — Alexander, 2026-04-09
+#
+# This is a HARD BAN. Not deprecated. Not fallback. BANNED.
+# Enforcement: pre-commit hook, linter, Ansible validation, CI tests.
+# =============================================================================
+
+banned_providers:
+  - name: anthropic
+    reason: "Permanently banned. SDK access gated despite active quota. Fleet was bricked because golden state pointed to Anthropic Sonnet."
+    banned_date: "2026-04-09"
+    enforcement: strict  # Ansible playbook FAILS if detected
+    models:
+      - "claude-sonnet-*"
+      - "claude-opus-*"
+      - "claude-haiku-*"
+      - "claude-*"
+    endpoints:
+      - "api.anthropic.com"
+      - "anthropic/*"  # OpenRouter pattern
+    api_keys:
+      - "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY"
+      - "CLAUDE_API_KEY"
+
+# Golden state alternative:
+approved_providers:
+  - name: kimi-coding
+    model: kimi-k2.5
+    role: primary
+  - name: openrouter
+    model: google/gemini-2.5-pro
+    role: fallback
+  - name: ollama
+    model: "gemma4:latest"
+    role: terminal_fallback
+
+# Future evaluation:
+evaluation_candidates:
+  - name: mimo-v2-pro
+    status: pending
+    notes: "Free via Nous Portal for ~2 weeks from 2026-04-07. Add after fallback chain is fixed."
+  - name: hermes-4
+    status: available
+    notes: "Free on Nous Portal. 36B and 70B variants. Home team model."
diff --git a/ansible/README.md b/ansible/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9fb4cc9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+# Ansible IaC — The Timmy Foundation Fleet
+
+> One canonical Ansible playbook defines: deadman switch, cron schedule,
+> golden state rollback, agent startup sequence.
+> — KT Final Session 2026-04-08, Priority TWO
+
+## Purpose
+
+This directory contains the **single source of truth** for fleet infrastructure.
+No more ad-hoc recovery implementations. No more overlapping deadman switches.
+No more agents mutating their own configs into oblivion.
+
+**Everything** goes through Ansible. If it's not in a playbook, it doesn't exist.
+
+## Architecture
+
+```
+┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│                  Gitea (Source of Truth)          │
+│  timmy-config/ansible/                           │
+│    ├── inventory/hosts.yml    (fleet machines)    │
+│    ├── playbooks/site.yml     (master playbook)   │
+│    ├── roles/                 (reusable roles)    │
+│    └── group_vars/wizards.yml (golden state)      │
+└──────────────────┬──────────────────────────────┘
+                   │  PR merge triggers webhook
+                   ▼
+┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│              Gitea Webhook Handler                │
+│  scripts/deploy_on_webhook.sh                     │
+│  → ansible-pull on each target machine            │
+└──────────────────┬──────────────────────────────┘
+                   │  ansible-pull
+                   ▼
+┌──────────┐  ┌──────────┐  ┌──────────┐  ┌──────────┐
+│  Timmy   │  │ Allegro  │  │ Bezalel  │  │  Ezra    │
+│  (Mac)   │  │  (VPS)   │  │  (VPS)   │  │  (VPS)   │
+│          │  │          │  │          │  │          │
+│ deadman  │  │ deadman  │  │ deadman  │  │ deadman  │
+│ cron     │  │ cron     │  │ cron     │  │ cron     │
+│ golden   │  │ golden   │  │ golden   │  │ golden   │
+│ req_log  │  │ req_log  │  │ req_log  │  │ req_log  │
+└──────────┘  └──────────┘  └──────────┘  └──────────┘
+```
+
+## Quick Start
+
+```bash
+# Deploy everything to all machines
+ansible-playbook -i inventory/hosts.yml playbooks/site.yml
+
+# Deploy only golden state config
+ansible-playbook -i inventory/hosts.yml playbooks/golden_state.yml
+
+# Deploy only to a specific wizard
+ansible-playbook -i inventory/hosts.yml playbooks/site.yml --limit bezalel
+
+# Dry run (check mode)
+ansible-playbook -i inventory/hosts.yml playbooks/site.yml --check --diff
+```
+
+## Golden State Provider Chain
+
+All wizard configs converge on this provider chain. **Anthropic is BANNED.**
+
+| Priority | Provider             | Model            | Endpoint                          |
+| -------- | -------------------- | ---------------- | --------------------------------- |
+| 1        | Kimi                 | kimi-k2.5        | https://api.kimi.com/coding/v1    |
+| 2        | Gemini (OpenRouter)  | gemini-2.5-pro   | https://openrouter.ai/api/v1      |
+| 3        | Ollama (local)       | gemma4:latest    | http://localhost:11434/v1         |
+
+## Roles
+
+| Role             | Purpose                                                      |
+| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
+| `wizard_base`    | Common wizard setup: directories, thin config, git pull      |
+| `deadman_switch` | Health check → snapshot good config → rollback on death      |
+| `golden_state`   | Deploy and enforce golden state provider chain               |
+| `request_log`    | SQLite telemetry table for every inference call               |
+| `cron_manager`   | Source-controlled cron jobs — no manual crontab edits         |
+
+## Rules
+
+1. **No manual changes.** If it's not in a playbook, it will be overwritten.
+2. **No Anthropic.** Banned. Enforcement is automated. See `BANNED_PROVIDERS.yml`.
+3. **Idempotent.** Every playbook can run 100 times with the same result.
+4. **PR required.** Config changes go through Gitea PR review, then deploy.
+5. **One identity per machine.** No duplicate agents. Fleet audit enforces this.
+
+## Related Issues
+
+- timmy-config #442: [P2] Ansible IaC Canonical Playbook
+- timmy-config #444: Wire Deadman Switch ACTION
+- timmy-config #443: Thin Config Pattern
+- timmy-config #446: request_log Telemetry Table
diff --git a/ansible/ansible.cfg b/ansible/ansible.cfg
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..801e8594
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/ansible.cfg
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+[defaults]
+inventory = inventory/hosts.yml
+roles_path = roles
+host_key_checking = False
+retry_files_enabled = False
+stdout_callback = yaml
+forks = 10
+timeout = 30
+
+# Logging
+log_path = /var/log/ansible/timmy-fleet.log
+
+[privilege_escalation]
+become = True
+become_method = sudo
+become_user = root
+become_ask_pass = False
+
+[ssh_connection]
+pipelining = True
+ssh_args = -o ControlMaster=auto -o ControlPersist=60s -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no
diff --git a/ansible/inventory/group_vars/wizards.yml b/ansible/inventory/group_vars/wizards.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6fb5a0bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/inventory/group_vars/wizards.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+# =============================================================================
+# Wizard Group Variables — Golden State Configuration
+# =============================================================================
+# These variables are applied to ALL wizards in the fleet.
+# This IS the golden state. If a wizard deviates, Ansible corrects it.
+# =============================================================================
+
+# --- Deadman Switch ---
+deadman_enabled: true
+deadman_check_interval: 300    # 5 minutes between health checks
+deadman_snapshot_dir: "~/.local/timmy/snapshots"
+deadman_max_snapshots: 10      # Rolling window of good configs
+deadman_restart_cooldown: 60   # Seconds to wait before restart after failure
+deadman_max_restart_attempts: 3
+deadman_escalation_channel: telegram  # Alert Alexander after max attempts
+
+# --- Thin Config ---
+thin_config_path: "~/.timmy/thin_config.yml"
+thin_config_mode: "0444"       # Read-only — agents CANNOT modify
+upstream_repo: "https://forge.alexanderwhitestone.com/Timmy_Foundation/timmy-config.git"
+upstream_branch: main
+config_pull_on_wake: true
+config_validation_enabled: true
+
+# --- Agent Settings ---
+agent_max_turns: 30
+agent_reasoning_effort: high
+agent_verbose: false
+agent_approval_mode: auto
+
+# --- Hermes Harness ---
+hermes_config_dir: "{{ hermes_home }}"
+hermes_bin_dir: "{{ hermes_home }}/bin"
+hermes_skins_dir: "{{ hermes_home }}/skins"
+hermes_playbooks_dir: "{{ hermes_home }}/playbooks"
+hermes_memories_dir: "{{ hermes_home }}/memories"
+
+# --- Request Log (Telemetry) ---
+request_log_enabled: true
+request_log_path: "~/.local/timmy/request_log.db"
+request_log_rotation_days: 30  # Archive logs older than 30 days
+request_log_sync_to_gitea: false  # Future: push telemetry summaries to Gitea
+
+# --- Cron Schedule ---
+# All cron jobs are managed here. No manual crontab edits.
+cron_jobs:
+  - name: "Deadman health check"
+    job: "cd {{ wizard_home }}/workspace/timmy-config && python3 fleet/health_check.py"
+    minute: "*/5"
+    hour: "*"
+    enabled: "{{ deadman_enabled }}"
+
+  - name: "Muda audit"
+    job: "cd {{ wizard_home }}/workspace/timmy-config && bash fleet/muda-audit.sh >> /tmp/muda-audit.log 2>&1"
+    minute: "0"
+    hour: "21"
+    weekday: "0"
+    enabled: true
+
+  - name: "Config pull from upstream"
+    job: "cd {{ wizard_home }}/workspace/timmy-config && git pull --ff-only origin main"
+    minute: "*/15"
+    hour: "*"
+    enabled: "{{ config_pull_on_wake }}"
+
+  - name: "Request log rotation"
+    job: "python3 -c \"import sqlite3,datetime; db=sqlite3.connect('{{ request_log_path }}'); db.execute('DELETE FROM request_log WHERE timestamp < datetime(\\\"now\\\", \\\"-{{ request_log_rotation_days }} days\\\")'); db.commit()\""
+    minute: "0"
+    hour: "3"
+    enabled: "{{ request_log_enabled }}"
+
+# --- Provider Enforcement ---
+# These are validated on every Ansible run. Any Anthropic reference = failure.
+provider_ban_enforcement: strict  # strict = fail playbook, warn = log only
diff --git a/ansible/inventory/hosts.yml b/ansible/inventory/hosts.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8d6ac237
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/inventory/hosts.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+# =============================================================================
+# Fleet Inventory — The Timmy Foundation
+# =============================================================================
+# Source of truth for all machines in the fleet.
+# Update this file when machines are added/removed.
+# All changes go through PR review.
+# =============================================================================
+
+all:
+  children:
+    wizards:
+      hosts:
+        timmy:
+          ansible_host: localhost
+          ansible_connection: local
+          wizard_name: Timmy
+          wizard_role: "Primary wizard — soul of the fleet"
+          wizard_provider_primary: kimi-coding
+          wizard_model_primary: kimi-k2.5
+          hermes_port: 8081
+          api_port: 8645
+          wizard_home: "{{ ansible_env.HOME }}/wizards/timmy"
+          hermes_home: "{{ ansible_env.HOME }}/.hermes"
+          machine_type: mac
+          # Timmy runs on Alexander's M3 Max
+          ollama_available: true
+
+        allegro:
+          ansible_host: 167.99.126.228
+          ansible_user: root
+          wizard_name: Allegro
+          wizard_role: "Kimi-backed third wizard house — tight coding tasks"
+          wizard_provider_primary: kimi-coding
+          wizard_model_primary: kimi-k2.5
+          hermes_port: 8081
+          api_port: 8645
+          wizard_home: /root/wizards/allegro
+          hermes_home: /root/.hermes
+          machine_type: vps
+          ollama_available: false
+
+        bezalel:
+          ansible_host: 159.203.146.185
+          ansible_user: root
+          wizard_name: Bezalel
+          wizard_role: "Forge-and-testbed wizard — infrastructure, deployment, hardening"
+          wizard_provider_primary: kimi-coding
+          wizard_model_primary: kimi-k2.5
+          hermes_port: 8081
+          api_port: 8656
+          wizard_home: /root/wizards/bezalel
+          hermes_home: /root/.hermes
+          machine_type: vps
+          ollama_available: false
+          # NOTE: The awake Bezalel may be the duplicate.
+          # Fleet audit (the-nexus #1144) will resolve identity.
+
+        ezra:
+          ansible_host: 143.198.27.163
+          ansible_user: root
+          wizard_name: Ezra
+          wizard_role: "Infrastructure wizard — Gitea, nginx, hosting"
+          wizard_provider_primary: kimi-coding
+          wizard_model_primary: kimi-k2.5
+          hermes_port: 8081
+          api_port: 8645
+          wizard_home: /root/wizards/ezra
+          hermes_home: /root/.hermes
+          machine_type: vps
+          ollama_available: false
+          # NOTE: Currently DOWN — Telegram key revoked, awaiting propagation.
+
+    # Infrastructure hosts (not wizards, but managed by Ansible)
+    infrastructure:
+      hosts:
+        forge:
+          ansible_host: 143.198.27.163
+          ansible_user: root
+          # Gitea runs on the same box as Ezra
+          gitea_url: https://forge.alexanderwhitestone.com
+          gitea_org: Timmy_Foundation
+
+  vars:
+    # Global variables applied to all hosts
+    gitea_repo_url: "https://forge.alexanderwhitestone.com/Timmy_Foundation/timmy-config.git"
+    gitea_branch: main
+    config_base_path: "{{ gitea_repo_url }}"
+    timmy_log_dir: "~/.local/timmy/fleet-health"
+    request_log_db: "~/.local/timmy/request_log.db"
+
+    # Golden state provider chain — Anthropic is BANNED
+    golden_state_providers:
+      - name: kimi-coding
+        model: kimi-k2.5
+        base_url: "https://api.kimi.com/coding/v1"
+        timeout: 120
+        reason: "Primary — Kimi K2.5 (best value, least friction)"
+      - name: openrouter
+        model: google/gemini-2.5-pro
+        base_url: "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1"
+        api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
+        timeout: 120
+        reason: "Fallback — Gemini 2.5 Pro via OpenRouter"
+      - name: ollama
+        model: "gemma4:latest"
+        base_url: "http://localhost:11434/v1"
+        timeout: 180
+        reason: "Terminal fallback — local Ollama (sovereign, no API needed)"
+
+    # Banned providers — hard enforcement
+    banned_providers:
+      - anthropic
+      - claude
+    banned_models_patterns:
+      - "claude-*"
+      - "anthropic/*"
+      - "*sonnet*"
+      - "*opus*"
+      - "*haiku*"
diff --git a/ansible/playbooks/agent_startup.yml b/ansible/playbooks/agent_startup.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..75c74962
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/playbooks/agent_startup.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+---
+# =============================================================================
+# agent_startup.yml — Resurrect Wizards from Checked-in Configs
+# =============================================================================
+# Brings wizards back online using golden state configs.
+# Order: pull config → validate → start agent → verify with request_log
+# =============================================================================
+
+- name: "Agent Startup Sequence"
+  hosts: wizards
+  become: true
+  serial: 1  # One wizard at a time to avoid cascading issues
+
+  tasks:
+    - name: "Pull latest config from upstream"
+      git:
+        repo: "{{ upstream_repo }}"
+        dest: "{{ wizard_home }}/workspace/timmy-config"
+        version: "{{ upstream_branch }}"
+        force: true
+      tags: [pull]
+
+    - name: "Deploy golden state config"
+      include_role:
+        name: golden_state
+      tags: [config]
+
+    - name: "Validate config — no banned providers"
+      shell: |
+        python3 -c "
+        import yaml, sys
+        with open('{{ wizard_home }}/config.yaml') as f:
+            cfg = yaml.safe_load(f)
+        banned = {{ banned_providers }}
+        for p in cfg.get('fallback_providers', []):
+            if p.get('provider', '') in banned:
+                print(f'BANNED: {p[\"provider\"]}', file=sys.stderr)
+                sys.exit(1)
+        model = cfg.get('model', {}).get('provider', '')
+        if model in banned:
+            print(f'BANNED default provider: {model}', file=sys.stderr)
+            sys.exit(1)
+        print('Config validated — no banned providers.')
+        "
+      register: config_valid
+      tags: [validate]
+
+    - name: "Ensure hermes-agent service is running"
+      systemd:
+        name: "hermes-{{ wizard_name | lower }}"
+        state: started
+        enabled: true
+      when: machine_type == 'vps'
+      tags: [start]
+      ignore_errors: true  # Service may not exist yet on all machines
+
+    - name: "Start hermes agent (Mac — launchctl)"
+      shell: |
+        launchctl kickstart -k "ai.hermes.{{ wizard_name | lower }}" 2>/dev/null || \
+        cd {{ wizard_home }} && hermes agent start --daemon 2>&1 | tail -5
+      when: machine_type == 'mac'
+      tags: [start]
+      ignore_errors: true
+
+    - name: "Wait for agent to come online"
+      wait_for:
+        host: 127.0.0.1
+        port: "{{ api_port }}"
+        timeout: 60
+        state: started
+      tags: [verify]
+      ignore_errors: true
+
+    - name: "Verify agent is alive — check request_log for activity"
+      shell: |
+        sleep 10
+        python3 -c "
+        import sqlite3, sys
+        db = sqlite3.connect('{{ request_log_path }}')
+        cursor = db.execute('''
+            SELECT COUNT(*) FROM request_log
+            WHERE agent_name = '{{ wizard_name }}'
+            AND timestamp > datetime('now', '-5 minutes')
+        ''')
+        count = cursor.fetchone()[0]
+        if count > 0:
+            print(f'{{ wizard_name }} is alive — {count} recent inference calls logged.')
+        else:
+            print(f'WARNING: {{ wizard_name }} started but no telemetry yet.')
+        "
+      register: agent_status
+      tags: [verify]
+      ignore_errors: true
+
+    - name: "Report startup status"
+      debug:
+        msg: "{{ wizard_name }}: {{ agent_status.stdout | default('startup attempted') }}"
+      tags: [always]
diff --git a/ansible/playbooks/cron_schedule.yml b/ansible/playbooks/cron_schedule.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..db419d24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/playbooks/cron_schedule.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+---
+# =============================================================================
+# cron_schedule.yml — Source-Controlled Cron Jobs
+# =============================================================================
+# All cron jobs are defined in group_vars/wizards.yml.
+# This playbook deploys them. No manual crontab edits allowed.
+# =============================================================================
+
+- name: "Deploy Cron Schedule"
+  hosts: wizards
+  become: true
+
+  roles:
+    - role: cron_manager
+      tags: [cron, schedule]
diff --git a/ansible/playbooks/deadman_switch.yml b/ansible/playbooks/deadman_switch.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9eaa589c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/playbooks/deadman_switch.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+---
+# =============================================================================
+# deadman_switch.yml — Deploy Deadman Switch to All Wizards
+# =============================================================================
+# The deadman watch already fires and detects dead agents.
+# This playbook wires the ACTION:
+#   - On healthy check: snapshot current config as "last known good"
+#   - On failed check: rollback config to snapshot, restart agent
+# =============================================================================
+
+- name: "Deploy Deadman Switch ACTION"
+  hosts: wizards
+  become: true
+
+  roles:
+    - role: deadman_switch
+      tags: [deadman, recovery]
diff --git a/ansible/playbooks/golden_state.yml b/ansible/playbooks/golden_state.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0d2cf6b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/playbooks/golden_state.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+---
+# =============================================================================
+# golden_state.yml — Deploy Golden State Config to All Wizards
+# =============================================================================
+# Enforces the golden state provider chain across the fleet.
+# Removes any Anthropic references. Deploys the approved provider chain.
+# =============================================================================
+
+- name: "Deploy Golden State Configuration"
+  hosts: wizards
+  become: true
+
+  roles:
+    - role: golden_state
+      tags: [golden, config]
+
+  post_tasks:
+    - name: "Verify golden state — no banned providers"
+      shell: |
+        grep -rci 'anthropic\|claude-sonnet\|claude-opus\|claude-haiku' \
+          {{ hermes_home }}/config.yaml \
+          {{ wizard_home }}/config.yaml 2>/dev/null || echo "0"
+      register: banned_count
+      changed_when: false
+
+    - name: "Report golden state status"
+      debug:
+        msg: >
+          {{ wizard_name }} golden state: {{ golden_state_providers | map(attribute='name') | list | join(' → ') }}.
+          Banned provider references: {{ banned_count.stdout | trim }}.
diff --git a/ansible/playbooks/request_log.yml b/ansible/playbooks/request_log.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d9161c8b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/playbooks/request_log.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+---
+# =============================================================================
+# request_log.yml — Deploy Telemetry Table
+# =============================================================================
+# Creates the request_log SQLite table on all machines.
+# Every inference call writes a row. No exceptions. No summarizing.
+# =============================================================================
+
+- name: "Deploy Request Log Telemetry"
+  hosts: wizards
+  become: true
+
+  roles:
+    - role: request_log
+      tags: [telemetry, logging]
diff --git a/ansible/playbooks/site.yml b/ansible/playbooks/site.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7e2a4aa1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/playbooks/site.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+---
+# =============================================================================
+# site.yml — Master Playbook for the Timmy Foundation Fleet
+# =============================================================================
+# This is the ONE playbook that defines the entire fleet state.
+# Run this and every machine converges to golden state.
+#
+# Usage:
+#   ansible-playbook -i inventory/hosts.yml playbooks/site.yml
+#   ansible-playbook -i inventory/hosts.yml playbooks/site.yml --limit bezalel
+#   ansible-playbook -i inventory/hosts.yml playbooks/site.yml --check --diff
+# =============================================================================
+
+- name: "Timmy Foundation Fleet — Full Convergence"
+  hosts: wizards
+  become: true
+
+  pre_tasks:
+    - name: "Validate no banned providers in golden state"
+      assert:
+        that:
+          - "item.name not in banned_providers"
+        fail_msg: "BANNED PROVIDER DETECTED: {{ item.name }} — Anthropic is permanently banned."
+        quiet: true
+      loop: "{{ golden_state_providers }}"
+      tags: [always]
+
+    - name: "Display target wizard"
+      debug:
+        msg: "Deploying to {{ wizard_name }} ({{ wizard_role }}) on {{ ansible_host }}"
+      tags: [always]
+
+  roles:
+    - role: wizard_base
+      tags: [base, setup]
+
+    - role: golden_state
+      tags: [golden, config]
+
+    - role: deadman_switch
+      tags: [deadman, recovery]
+
+    - role: request_log
+      tags: [telemetry, logging]
+
+    - role: cron_manager
+      tags: [cron, schedule]
+
+  post_tasks:
+    - name: "Final validation — scan for banned providers"
+      shell: |
+        grep -ri 'anthropic\|claude-sonnet\|claude-opus\|claude-haiku' \
+          {{ hermes_home }}/config.yaml \
+          {{ wizard_home }}/config.yaml \
+          {{ thin_config_path }} 2>/dev/null || true
+      register: banned_scan
+      changed_when: false
+      tags: [validation]
+
+    - name: "FAIL if banned providers found in deployed config"
+      fail:
+        msg: |
+          BANNED PROVIDER DETECTED IN DEPLOYED CONFIG:
+          {{ banned_scan.stdout }}
+          Anthropic is permanently banned. Fix the config and re-deploy.
+      when: banned_scan.stdout | length > 0
+      tags: [validation]
+
+    - name: "Deployment complete"
+      debug:
+        msg: "{{ wizard_name }} converged to golden state. Provider chain: {{ golden_state_providers | map(attribute='name') | list | join(' → ') }}"
+      tags: [always]
diff --git a/ansible/roles/cron_manager/tasks/main.yml b/ansible/roles/cron_manager/tasks/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..43399a6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/roles/cron_manager/tasks/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+---
+# =============================================================================
+# cron_manager/tasks — Source-Controlled Cron Jobs
+# =============================================================================
+# All cron jobs are defined in group_vars/wizards.yml.
+# No manual crontab edits. This is the only way to manage cron.
+# =============================================================================
+
+- name: "Deploy managed cron jobs"
+  cron:
+    name: "{{ item.name }}"
+    job: "{{ item.job }}"
+    minute: "{{ item.minute | default('*') }}"
+    hour: "{{ item.hour | default('*') }}"
+    day: "{{ item.day | default('*') }}"
+    month: "{{ item.month | default('*') }}"
+    weekday: "{{ item.weekday | default('*') }}"
+    state: "{{ 'present' if item.enabled else 'absent' }}"
+    user: "{{ ansible_user | default('root') }}"
+  loop: "{{ cron_jobs }}"
+  when: cron_jobs is defined
+
+- name: "Deploy deadman switch cron (fallback if systemd timer unavailable)"
+  cron:
+    name: "Deadman switch — {{ wizard_name }}"
+    job: "{{ wizard_home }}/deadman_action.sh >> {{ timmy_log_dir }}/deadman-{{ wizard_name }}.log 2>&1"
+    minute: "*/5"
+    hour: "*"
+    state: present
+    user: "{{ ansible_user | default('root') }}"
+  when: deadman_enabled and machine_type != 'vps'
+  # VPS machines use systemd timers instead
+
+- name: "Remove legacy cron jobs (cleanup)"
+  cron:
+    name: "{{ item }}"
+    state: absent
+    user: "{{ ansible_user | default('root') }}"
+  loop:
+    - "legacy-deadman-watch"
+    - "old-health-check"
+    - "backup-deadman"
+  ignore_errors: true
+
+- name: "List active cron jobs"
+  shell: "crontab -l 2>/dev/null | grep -v '^#' | grep -v '^$' || echo 'No cron jobs found.'"
+  register: active_crons
+  changed_when: false
+
+- name: "Report cron status"
+  debug:
+    msg: |
+      {{ wizard_name }} cron jobs deployed.
+      Active:
+      {{ active_crons.stdout }}
diff --git a/ansible/roles/deadman_switch/tasks/main.yml b/ansible/roles/deadman_switch/tasks/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..dd9b0ff4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/roles/deadman_switch/tasks/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+---
+# =============================================================================
+# deadman_switch/tasks — Wire the Deadman Switch ACTION
+# =============================================================================
+# The watch fires. This makes it DO something:
+#   - On healthy check: snapshot current config as "last known good"
+#   - On failed check: rollback to last known good, restart agent
+# =============================================================================
+
+- name: "Create snapshot directory"
+  file:
+    path: "{{ deadman_snapshot_dir }}"
+    state: directory
+    mode: "0755"
+
+- name: "Deploy deadman switch script"
+  template:
+    src: deadman_action.sh.j2
+    dest: "{{ wizard_home }}/deadman_action.sh"
+    mode: "0755"
+
+- name: "Deploy deadman systemd service"
+  template:
+    src: deadman_switch.service.j2
+    dest: "/etc/systemd/system/deadman-{{ wizard_name | lower }}.service"
+    mode: "0644"
+  when: machine_type == 'vps'
+  notify: "Enable deadman service"
+
+- name: "Deploy deadman systemd timer"
+  template:
+    src: deadman_switch.timer.j2
+    dest: "/etc/systemd/system/deadman-{{ wizard_name | lower }}.timer"
+    mode: "0644"
+  when: machine_type == 'vps'
+  notify: "Enable deadman timer"
+
+- name: "Deploy deadman launchd plist (Mac)"
+  template:
+    src: deadman_switch.plist.j2
+    dest: "{{ ansible_env.HOME }}/Library/LaunchAgents/com.timmy.deadman.{{ wizard_name | lower }}.plist"
+    mode: "0644"
+  when: machine_type == 'mac'
+  notify: "Load deadman plist"
+
+- name: "Take initial config snapshot"
+  copy:
+    src: "{{ wizard_home }}/config.yaml"
+    dest: "{{ deadman_snapshot_dir }}/config.yaml.known_good"
+    remote_src: true
+    mode: "0444"
+  ignore_errors: true
+
+handlers:
+  - name: "Enable deadman service"
+    systemd:
+      name: "deadman-{{ wizard_name | lower }}.service"
+      daemon_reload: true
+      enabled: true
+
+  - name: "Enable deadman timer"
+    systemd:
+      name: "deadman-{{ wizard_name | lower }}.timer"
+      daemon_reload: true
+      enabled: true
+      state: started
+
+  - name: "Load deadman plist"
+    shell: "launchctl load {{ ansible_env.HOME }}/Library/LaunchAgents/com.timmy.deadman.{{ wizard_name | lower }}.plist"
+    ignore_errors: true
diff --git a/ansible/roles/deadman_switch/templates/deadman_action.sh.j2 b/ansible/roles/deadman_switch/templates/deadman_action.sh.j2
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..32712eba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/roles/deadman_switch/templates/deadman_action.sh.j2
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# =============================================================================
+# Deadman Switch ACTION — {{ wizard_name }}
+# =============================================================================
+# Generated by Ansible on {{ ansible_date_time.iso8601 }}
+# DO NOT EDIT MANUALLY.
+#
+# On healthy check: snapshot current config as "last known good"
+# On failed check: rollback config to last known good, restart agent
+# =============================================================================
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+WIZARD_NAME="{{ wizard_name }}"
+WIZARD_HOME="{{ wizard_home }}"
+CONFIG_FILE="{{ wizard_home }}/config.yaml"
+SNAPSHOT_DIR="{{ deadman_snapshot_dir }}"
+SNAPSHOT_FILE="${SNAPSHOT_DIR}/config.yaml.known_good"
+REQUEST_LOG_DB="{{ request_log_path }}"
+LOG_DIR="{{ timmy_log_dir }}"
+LOG_FILE="${LOG_DIR}/deadman-${WIZARD_NAME}.log"
+MAX_SNAPSHOTS={{ deadman_max_snapshots }}
+RESTART_COOLDOWN={{ deadman_restart_cooldown }}
+MAX_RESTART_ATTEMPTS={{ deadman_max_restart_attempts }}
+COOLDOWN_FILE="${LOG_DIR}/deadman_cooldown_${WIZARD_NAME}"
+SERVICE_NAME="hermes-{{ wizard_name | lower }}"
+
+# Ensure directories exist
+mkdir -p "${SNAPSHOT_DIR}" "${LOG_DIR}"
+
+log() {
+    echo "[$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)] [deadman] [${WIZARD_NAME}] $*" >> "${LOG_FILE}"
+    echo "[deadman] [${WIZARD_NAME}] $*"
+}
+
+log_telemetry() {
+    local status="$1"
+    local message="$2"
+    if [ -f "${REQUEST_LOG_DB}" ]; then
+        sqlite3 "${REQUEST_LOG_DB}" "INSERT INTO request_log (timestamp, agent_name, provider, model, endpoint, status, error_message) VALUES (datetime('now'), '${WIZARD_NAME}', 'deadman_switch', 'N/A', 'health_check', '${status}', '${message}');" 2>/dev/null || true
+    fi
+}
+
+snapshot_config() {
+    if [ -f "${CONFIG_FILE}" ]; then
+        cp "${CONFIG_FILE}" "${SNAPSHOT_FILE}"
+        # Keep rolling history
+        cp "${CONFIG_FILE}" "${SNAPSHOT_DIR}/config.yaml.$(date +%s)"
+        # Prune old snapshots
+        ls -t "${SNAPSHOT_DIR}"/config.yaml.[0-9]* 2>/dev/null | tail -n +$((MAX_SNAPSHOTS + 1)) | xargs rm -f 2>/dev/null
+        log "Config snapshot saved."
+    fi
+}
+
+rollback_config() {
+    if [ -f "${SNAPSHOT_FILE}" ]; then
+        log "Rolling back config to last known good..."
+        cp "${SNAPSHOT_FILE}" "${CONFIG_FILE}"
+        log "Config rolled back."
+        log_telemetry "fallback" "Config rolled back to last known good by deadman switch"
+    else
+        log "ERROR: No known good snapshot found. Pulling from upstream..."
+        cd "${WIZARD_HOME}/workspace/timmy-config" 2>/dev/null && \
+            git pull --ff-only origin {{ upstream_branch }} 2>/dev/null && \
+            cp "wizards/{{ wizard_name | lower }}/config.yaml" "${CONFIG_FILE}" && \
+            log "Config restored from upstream." || \
+            log "CRITICAL: Cannot restore config from any source."
+    fi
+}
+
+restart_agent() {
+    # Check cooldown
+    if [ -f "${COOLDOWN_FILE}" ]; then
+        local last_restart
+        last_restart=$(cat "${COOLDOWN_FILE}")
+        local now
+        now=$(date +%s)
+        local elapsed=$((now - last_restart))
+        if [ "${elapsed}" -lt "${RESTART_COOLDOWN}" ]; then
+            log "Restart cooldown active (${elapsed}s / ${RESTART_COOLDOWN}s). Skipping."
+            return 1
+        fi
+    fi
+
+    log "Restarting ${SERVICE_NAME}..."
+    date +%s > "${COOLDOWN_FILE}"
+
+{% if machine_type == 'vps' %}
+    systemctl restart "${SERVICE_NAME}" 2>/dev/null && \
+        log "Agent restarted via systemd." || \
+        log "ERROR: systemd restart failed."
+{% else %}
+    launchctl kickstart -k "ai.hermes.{{ wizard_name | lower }}" 2>/dev/null && \
+        log "Agent restarted via launchctl." || \
+        (cd "${WIZARD_HOME}" && hermes agent start --daemon 2>/dev/null && \
+        log "Agent restarted via hermes CLI.") || \
+        log "ERROR: All restart methods failed."
+{% endif %}
+
+    log_telemetry "success" "Agent restarted by deadman switch"
+}
+
+# --- Health Check ---
+check_health() {
+    # Check 1: Is the agent process running?
+{% if machine_type == 'vps' %}
+    if ! systemctl is-active --quiet "${SERVICE_NAME}" 2>/dev/null; then
+        if ! pgrep -f "hermes" > /dev/null 2>/dev/null; then
+            log "FAIL: Agent process not running."
+            return 1
+        fi
+    fi
+{% else %}
+    if ! pgrep -f "hermes" > /dev/null 2>/dev/null; then
+        log "FAIL: Agent process not running."
+        return 1
+    fi
+{% endif %}
+
+    # Check 2: Is the API port responding?
+    if ! timeout 10 bash -c "echo > /dev/tcp/127.0.0.1/{{ api_port }}" 2>/dev/null; then
+        log "FAIL: API port {{ api_port }} not responding."
+        return 1
+    fi
+
+    # Check 3: Does the config contain banned providers?
+    if grep -qi 'anthropic\|claude-sonnet\|claude-opus\|claude-haiku' "${CONFIG_FILE}" 2>/dev/null; then
+        log "FAIL: Config contains banned provider (Anthropic). Rolling back."
+        return 1
+    fi
+
+    return 0
+}
+
+# --- Main ---
+main() {
+    log "Health check starting..."
+
+    if check_health; then
+        log "HEALTHY — snapshotting config."
+        snapshot_config
+        log_telemetry "success" "Health check passed"
+    else
+        log "UNHEALTHY — initiating recovery."
+        log_telemetry "error" "Health check failed — initiating rollback"
+        rollback_config
+        restart_agent
+    fi
+
+    log "Health check complete."
+}
+
+main "$@"
diff --git a/ansible/roles/deadman_switch/templates/deadman_switch.plist.j2 b/ansible/roles/deadman_switch/templates/deadman_switch.plist.j2
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1a2a7851
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/roles/deadman_switch/templates/deadman_switch.plist.j2
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
+<!-- Deadman Switch — {{ wizard_name }}. Generated by Ansible. DO NOT EDIT MANUALLY. -->
+<plist version="1.0">
+<dict>
+    <key>Label</key>
+    <string>com.timmy.deadman.{{ wizard_name | lower }}</string>
+    <key>ProgramArguments</key>
+    <array>
+        <string>/bin/bash</string>
+        <string>{{ wizard_home }}/deadman_action.sh</string>
+    </array>
+    <key>StartInterval</key>
+    <integer>{{ deadman_check_interval }}</integer>
+    <key>RunAtLoad</key>
+    <true/>
+    <key>StandardOutPath</key>
+    <string>{{ timmy_log_dir }}/deadman-{{ wizard_name }}.log</string>
+    <key>StandardErrorPath</key>
+    <string>{{ timmy_log_dir }}/deadman-{{ wizard_name }}.log</string>
+</dict>
+</plist>
diff --git a/ansible/roles/deadman_switch/templates/deadman_switch.service.j2 b/ansible/roles/deadman_switch/templates/deadman_switch.service.j2
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c18bb564
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/roles/deadman_switch/templates/deadman_switch.service.j2
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# Deadman Switch — {{ wizard_name }}
+# Generated by Ansible. DO NOT EDIT MANUALLY.
+
+[Unit]
+Description=Deadman Switch for {{ wizard_name }} wizard
+After=network.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=oneshot
+ExecStart={{ wizard_home }}/deadman_action.sh
+User={{ ansible_user | default('root') }}
+StandardOutput=append:{{ timmy_log_dir }}/deadman-{{ wizard_name }}.log
+StandardError=append:{{ timmy_log_dir }}/deadman-{{ wizard_name }}.log
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target
diff --git a/ansible/roles/deadman_switch/templates/deadman_switch.timer.j2 b/ansible/roles/deadman_switch/templates/deadman_switch.timer.j2
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c54e73ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/roles/deadman_switch/templates/deadman_switch.timer.j2
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# Deadman Switch Timer — {{ wizard_name }}
+# Generated by Ansible. DO NOT EDIT MANUALLY.
+# Runs every {{ deadman_check_interval // 60 }} minutes.
+
+[Unit]
+Description=Deadman Switch Timer for {{ wizard_name }} wizard
+
+[Timer]
+OnBootSec=60
+OnUnitActiveSec={{ deadman_check_interval }}s
+AccuracySec=30s
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=timers.target
diff --git a/ansible/roles/golden_state/defaults/main.yml b/ansible/roles/golden_state/defaults/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3ae95bd7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/roles/golden_state/defaults/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+# golden_state defaults
+# The golden_state_providers list is defined in group_vars/wizards.yml
+# and inventory/hosts.yml (global vars).
+golden_state_enforce: true
+golden_state_backup_before_deploy: true
diff --git a/ansible/roles/golden_state/tasks/main.yml b/ansible/roles/golden_state/tasks/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9c69c8a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/roles/golden_state/tasks/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+---
+# =============================================================================
+# golden_state/tasks — Deploy and enforce golden state provider chain
+# =============================================================================
+
+- name: "Backup current config before golden state deploy"
+  copy:
+    src: "{{ wizard_home }}/config.yaml"
+    dest: "{{ wizard_home }}/config.yaml.pre-golden-{{ ansible_date_time.epoch }}"
+    remote_src: true
+  when: golden_state_backup_before_deploy
+  ignore_errors: true
+
+- name: "Deploy golden state wizard config"
+  template:
+    src: "../../wizard_base/templates/wizard_config.yaml.j2"
+    dest: "{{ wizard_home }}/config.yaml"
+    mode: "0644"
+    backup: true
+  notify:
+    - "Restart hermes agent (systemd)"
+    - "Restart hermes agent (launchctl)"
+
+- name: "Scan for banned providers in all config files"
+  shell: |
+    FOUND=0
+    for f in {{ wizard_home }}/config.yaml {{ hermes_home }}/config.yaml; do
+      if [ -f "$f" ]; then
+        if grep -qi 'anthropic\|claude-sonnet\|claude-opus\|claude-haiku' "$f"; then
+          echo "BANNED PROVIDER in $f:"
+          grep -ni 'anthropic\|claude-sonnet\|claude-opus\|claude-haiku' "$f"
+          FOUND=1
+        fi
+      fi
+    done
+    exit $FOUND
+  register: provider_scan
+  changed_when: false
+  failed_when: provider_scan.rc != 0 and provider_ban_enforcement == 'strict'
+
+- name: "Report golden state deployment"
+  debug:
+    msg: >
+      {{ wizard_name }} golden state deployed.
+      Provider chain: {{ golden_state_providers | map(attribute='name') | list | join(' → ') }}.
+      Banned provider scan: {{ 'CLEAN' if provider_scan.rc == 0 else 'VIOLATIONS FOUND' }}.
diff --git a/ansible/roles/request_log/files/request_log_schema.sql b/ansible/roles/request_log/files/request_log_schema.sql
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0d2d26ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/roles/request_log/files/request_log_schema.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+-- =============================================================================
+-- request_log — Inference Telemetry Table
+-- =============================================================================
+-- Every agent writes to this table BEFORE and AFTER every inference call.
+-- No exceptions. No summarizing. No describing what you would log.
+-- Actually write the row.
+--
+-- Source: KT Bezalel Architecture Session 2026-04-08
+-- =============================================================================
+
+CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS request_log (
+    id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
+    timestamp TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT (datetime('now')),
+    agent_name TEXT NOT NULL,
+    provider TEXT NOT NULL,
+    model TEXT NOT NULL,
+    endpoint TEXT NOT NULL,
+    tokens_in INTEGER,
+    tokens_out INTEGER,
+    latency_ms INTEGER,
+    status TEXT NOT NULL,  -- 'success', 'error', 'timeout', 'fallback'
+    error_message TEXT
+);
+
+-- Index for common queries
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_request_log_agent
+    ON request_log (agent_name, timestamp);
+
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_request_log_provider
+    ON request_log (provider, timestamp);
+
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_request_log_status
+    ON request_log (status, timestamp);
+
+-- View: recent activity per agent (last hour)
+CREATE VIEW IF NOT EXISTS v_recent_activity AS
+    SELECT
+        agent_name,
+        provider,
+        model,
+        status,
+        COUNT(*) as call_count,
+        AVG(latency_ms) as avg_latency_ms,
+        SUM(tokens_in) as total_tokens_in,
+        SUM(tokens_out) as total_tokens_out
+    FROM request_log
+    WHERE timestamp > datetime('now', '-1 hour')
+    GROUP BY agent_name, provider, model, status;
+
+-- View: provider reliability (last 24 hours)
+CREATE VIEW IF NOT EXISTS v_provider_reliability AS
+    SELECT
+        provider,
+        model,
+        COUNT(*) as total_calls,
+        SUM(CASE WHEN status = 'success' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END) as successes,
+        SUM(CASE WHEN status = 'error' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END) as errors,
+        SUM(CASE WHEN status = 'timeout' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END) as timeouts,
+        SUM(CASE WHEN status = 'fallback' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END) as fallbacks,
+        ROUND(100.0 * SUM(CASE WHEN status = 'success' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END) / COUNT(*), 1) as success_rate,
+        AVG(latency_ms) as avg_latency_ms
+    FROM request_log
+    WHERE timestamp > datetime('now', '-24 hours')
+    GROUP BY provider, model;
diff --git a/ansible/roles/request_log/tasks/main.yml b/ansible/roles/request_log/tasks/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1ab2521d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/roles/request_log/tasks/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+---
+# =============================================================================
+# request_log/tasks — Deploy Telemetry Table
+# =============================================================================
+# "This is non-negotiable infrastructure. Without it, we cannot verify
+# if any agent actually executed what it claims."
+# — KT Bezalel 2026-04-08
+# =============================================================================
+
+- name: "Create telemetry directory"
+  file:
+    path: "{{ request_log_path | dirname }}"
+    state: directory
+    mode: "0755"
+
+- name: "Deploy request_log schema"
+  copy:
+    src: request_log_schema.sql
+    dest: "{{ wizard_home }}/request_log_schema.sql"
+    mode: "0644"
+
+- name: "Initialize request_log database"
+  shell: |
+    sqlite3 "{{ request_log_path }}" < "{{ wizard_home }}/request_log_schema.sql"
+  args:
+    creates: "{{ request_log_path }}"
+
+- name: "Verify request_log table exists"
+  shell: |
+    sqlite3 "{{ request_log_path }}" ".tables" | grep -q "request_log"
+  register: table_check
+  changed_when: false
+
+- name: "Verify request_log schema matches"
+  shell: |
+    sqlite3 "{{ request_log_path }}" ".schema request_log" | grep -q "agent_name"
+  register: schema_check
+  changed_when: false
+
+- name: "Set permissions on request_log database"
+  file:
+    path: "{{ request_log_path }}"
+    mode: "0644"
+
+- name: "Report request_log status"
+  debug:
+    msg: >
+      {{ wizard_name }} request_log: {{ request_log_path }}
+      — table exists: {{ table_check.rc == 0 }}
+      — schema valid: {{ schema_check.rc == 0 }}
diff --git a/ansible/roles/wizard_base/defaults/main.yml b/ansible/roles/wizard_base/defaults/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d88e55a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/roles/wizard_base/defaults/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+# wizard_base defaults
+wizard_user: "{{ ansible_user | default('root') }}"
+wizard_group: "{{ ansible_user | default('root') }}"
+timmy_base_dir: "~/.local/timmy"
+timmy_config_repo: "https://forge.alexanderwhitestone.com/Timmy_Foundation/timmy-config.git"
diff --git a/ansible/roles/wizard_base/handlers/main.yml b/ansible/roles/wizard_base/handlers/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3897e6d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/roles/wizard_base/handlers/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+---
+- name: "Restart hermes agent (systemd)"
+  systemd:
+    name: "hermes-{{ wizard_name | lower }}"
+    state: restarted
+  when: machine_type == 'vps'
+
+- name: "Restart hermes agent (launchctl)"
+  shell: "launchctl kickstart -k ai.hermes.{{ wizard_name | lower }}"
+  when: machine_type == 'mac'
+  ignore_errors: true
diff --git a/ansible/roles/wizard_base/tasks/main.yml b/ansible/roles/wizard_base/tasks/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a6f39414
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/roles/wizard_base/tasks/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+---
+# =============================================================================
+# wizard_base/tasks — Common wizard setup
+# =============================================================================
+
+- name: "Create wizard directories"
+  file:
+    path: "{{ item }}"
+    state: directory
+    mode: "0755"
+  loop:
+    - "{{ wizard_home }}"
+    - "{{ wizard_home }}/workspace"
+    - "{{ hermes_home }}"
+    - "{{ hermes_home }}/bin"
+    - "{{ hermes_home }}/skins"
+    - "{{ hermes_home }}/playbooks"
+    - "{{ hermes_home }}/memories"
+    - "~/.local/timmy"
+    - "~/.local/timmy/fleet-health"
+    - "~/.local/timmy/snapshots"
+    - "~/.timmy"
+
+- name: "Clone/update timmy-config"
+  git:
+    repo: "{{ upstream_repo }}"
+    dest: "{{ wizard_home }}/workspace/timmy-config"
+    version: "{{ upstream_branch }}"
+    force: false
+    update: true
+  ignore_errors: true  # May fail on first run if no SSH key
+
+- name: "Deploy SOUL.md"
+  copy:
+    src: "{{ wizard_home }}/workspace/timmy-config/SOUL.md"
+    dest: "~/.timmy/SOUL.md"
+    remote_src: true
+    mode: "0644"
+  ignore_errors: true
+
+- name: "Deploy thin config (immutable pointer to upstream)"
+  template:
+    src: thin_config.yml.j2
+    dest: "{{ thin_config_path }}"
+    mode: "{{ thin_config_mode }}"
+  tags: [thin_config]
+
+- name: "Ensure Python3 and pip are available"
+  package:
+    name:
+      - python3
+      - python3-pip
+    state: present
+  when: machine_type == 'vps'
+  ignore_errors: true
+
+- name: "Ensure PyYAML is installed (for config validation)"
+  pip:
+    name: pyyaml
+    state: present
+  when: machine_type == 'vps'
+  ignore_errors: true
+
+- name: "Create Ansible log directory"
+  file:
+    path: /var/log/ansible
+    state: directory
+    mode: "0755"
+  ignore_errors: true
diff --git a/ansible/roles/wizard_base/templates/thin_config.yml.j2 b/ansible/roles/wizard_base/templates/thin_config.yml.j2
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8e896458
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/roles/wizard_base/templates/thin_config.yml.j2
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+# =============================================================================
+# Thin Config — {{ wizard_name }}
+# =============================================================================
+# THIS FILE IS READ-ONLY. Agents CANNOT modify it.
+# It contains only pointers to upstream. The actual config lives in Gitea.
+#
+# Agent wakes up → pulls config from upstream → loads → runs.
+# If anything tries to mutate this → fails gracefully → pulls fresh on restart.
+#
+# Only way to permanently change config: commit to Gitea, merge PR, Ansible deploys.
+#
+# Generated by Ansible on {{ ansible_date_time.iso8601 }}
+# DO NOT EDIT MANUALLY.
+# =============================================================================
+
+identity:
+  wizard_name: "{{ wizard_name }}"
+  wizard_role: "{{ wizard_role }}"
+  machine: "{{ inventory_hostname }}"
+
+upstream:
+  repo: "{{ upstream_repo }}"
+  branch: "{{ upstream_branch }}"
+  config_path: "wizards/{{ wizard_name | lower }}/config.yaml"
+  pull_on_wake: {{ config_pull_on_wake | lower }}
+
+recovery:
+  deadman_enabled: {{ deadman_enabled | lower }}
+  snapshot_dir: "{{ deadman_snapshot_dir }}"
+  restart_cooldown: {{ deadman_restart_cooldown }}
+  max_restart_attempts: {{ deadman_max_restart_attempts }}
+  escalation_channel: "{{ deadman_escalation_channel }}"
+
+telemetry:
+  request_log_path: "{{ request_log_path }}"
+  request_log_enabled: {{ request_log_enabled | lower }}
+
+local_overrides:
+  # Runtime overrides go here. They are EPHEMERAL — not persisted across restarts.
+  # On restart, this section is reset to empty.
+  {}
diff --git a/ansible/roles/wizard_base/templates/wizard_config.yaml.j2 b/ansible/roles/wizard_base/templates/wizard_config.yaml.j2
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c0e1ecfe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/roles/wizard_base/templates/wizard_config.yaml.j2
@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+# =============================================================================
+# {{ wizard_name }} — Wizard Configuration (Golden State)
+# =============================================================================
+# Generated by Ansible on {{ ansible_date_time.iso8601 }}
+# DO NOT EDIT MANUALLY. Changes go through Gitea PR → Ansible deploy.
+#
+# Provider chain: {{ golden_state_providers | map(attribute='name') | list | join(' → ') }}
+# Anthropic is PERMANENTLY BANNED.
+# =============================================================================
+
+model:
+  default: {{ wizard_model_primary }}
+  provider: {{ wizard_provider_primary }}
+  context_length: 65536
+  base_url: {{ golden_state_providers[0].base_url }}
+
+toolsets:
+  - all
+
+fallback_providers:
+{% for provider in golden_state_providers %}
+  - provider: {{ provider.name }}
+    model: {{ provider.model }}
+{% if provider.base_url is defined %}
+    base_url: {{ provider.base_url }}
+{% endif %}
+{% if provider.api_key_env is defined %}
+    api_key_env: {{ provider.api_key_env }}
+{% endif %}
+    timeout: {{ provider.timeout }}
+    reason: "{{ provider.reason }}"
+{% endfor %}
+
+agent:
+  max_turns: {{ agent_max_turns }}
+  reasoning_effort: {{ agent_reasoning_effort }}
+  verbose: {{ agent_verbose | lower }}
+
+terminal:
+  backend: local
+  cwd: .
+  timeout: 180
+  persistent_shell: true
+
+browser:
+  inactivity_timeout: 120
+  command_timeout: 30
+  record_sessions: false
+
+display:
+  compact: false
+  personality: ''
+  resume_display: full
+  busy_input_mode: interrupt
+  bell_on_complete: false
+  show_reasoning: false
+  streaming: false
+  show_cost: false
+  tool_progress: all
+
+memory:
+  memory_enabled: true
+  user_profile_enabled: true
+  memory_char_limit: 2200
+  user_char_limit: 1375
+  nudge_interval: 10
+  flush_min_turns: 6
+
+approvals:
+  mode: {{ agent_approval_mode }}
+
+security:
+  redact_secrets: true
+  tirith_enabled: false
+
+platforms:
+  api_server:
+    enabled: true
+    extra:
+      host: 127.0.0.1
+      port: {{ api_port }}
+
+session_reset:
+  mode: none
+  idle_minutes: 0
+
+skills:
+  creation_nudge_interval: 15
+
+system_prompt_suffix: |
+  You are {{ wizard_name }}, {{ wizard_role }}.
+  Your soul is defined in SOUL.md — read it, live it.
+  Hermes is your harness.
+  {{ golden_state_providers[0].name }} is your primary provider.
+  Refusal over fabrication. If you do not know, say so.
+  Sovereignty and service always.
+
+providers:
+{% for provider in golden_state_providers %}
+  {{ provider.name }}:
+    base_url: {{ provider.base_url }}
+    timeout: {{ provider.timeout | default(60) }}
+{% if provider.name == 'kimi-coding' %}
+    max_retries: 3
+{% endif %}
+{% endfor %}
+
+# =============================================================================
+# BANNED PROVIDERS — DO NOT ADD
+# =============================================================================
+# The following providers are PERMANENTLY BANNED:
+# - anthropic (any model: claude-sonnet, claude-opus, claude-haiku)
+# Enforcement: pre-commit hook, linter, Ansible validation, this comment.
+# Adding any banned provider will cause Ansible deployment to FAIL.
+# =============================================================================
diff --git a/ansible/scripts/deploy_on_webhook.sh b/ansible/scripts/deploy_on_webhook.sh
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3c644e8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/scripts/deploy_on_webhook.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# =============================================================================
+# Gitea Webhook Handler — Trigger Ansible Deploy on Merge
+# =============================================================================
+# This script is called by the Gitea webhook when a PR is merged
+# to the main branch of timmy-config.
+#
+# Setup:
+#   1. Add webhook in Gitea: Settings → Webhooks → Add Webhook
+#   2. URL: http://localhost:9000/hooks/deploy-timmy-config
+#   3. Events: Pull Request (merged only)
+#   4. Secret: <configured in Gitea>
+#
+# This script runs ansible-pull to update the local machine.
+# For fleet-wide deploys, each machine runs ansible-pull independently.
+# =============================================================================
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+REPO="https://forge.alexanderwhitestone.com/Timmy_Foundation/timmy-config.git"
+BRANCH="main"
+ANSIBLE_DIR="ansible"
+LOG_FILE="/var/log/ansible/webhook-deploy.log"
+LOCK_FILE="/tmp/ansible-deploy.lock"
+
+log() {
+    echo "[$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)] [webhook] $*" | tee -a "${LOG_FILE}"
+}
+
+# Prevent concurrent deploys
+if [ -f "${LOCK_FILE}" ]; then
+    LOCK_AGE=$(( $(date +%s) - $(stat -c %Y "${LOCK_FILE}" 2>/dev/null || echo 0) ))
+    if [ "${LOCK_AGE}" -lt 300 ]; then
+        log "Deploy already in progress (lock age: ${LOCK_AGE}s). Skipping."
+        exit 0
+    else
+        log "Stale lock file (${LOCK_AGE}s old). Removing."
+        rm -f "${LOCK_FILE}"
+    fi
+fi
+
+trap 'rm -f "${LOCK_FILE}"' EXIT
+touch "${LOCK_FILE}"
+
+log "Webhook triggered. Starting ansible-pull..."
+
+# Pull latest config
+cd /tmp
+rm -rf timmy-config-deploy
+git clone --depth 1 --branch "${BRANCH}" "${REPO}" timmy-config-deploy 2>&1 | tee -a "${LOG_FILE}"
+
+cd timmy-config-deploy/${ANSIBLE_DIR}
+
+# Run Ansible against localhost
+log "Running Ansible playbook..."
+ansible-playbook \
+    -i inventory/hosts.yml \
+    playbooks/site.yml \
+    --limit "$(hostname)" \
+    --diff \
+    2>&1 | tee -a "${LOG_FILE}"
+
+RESULT=$?
+
+if [ ${RESULT} -eq 0 ]; then
+    log "Deploy successful."
+else
+    log "ERROR: Deploy failed with exit code ${RESULT}."
+fi
+
+# Cleanup
+rm -rf /tmp/timmy-config-deploy
+
+log "Webhook handler complete."
+exit ${RESULT}
diff --git a/ansible/scripts/validate_config.py b/ansible/scripts/validate_config.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1b0fb58a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/scripts/validate_config.py
@@ -0,0 +1,155 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+Config Validator — The Timmy Foundation
+Validates wizard configs against golden state rules.
+Run before any config deploy to catch violations early.
+
+Usage:
+    python3 validate_config.py <config_file>
+    python3 validate_config.py --all  # Validate all wizard configs
+
+Exit codes:
+    0 — All validations passed
+    1 — Validation errors found
+    2 — File not found or parse error
+"""
+
+import sys
+import os
+import yaml
+import fnmatch
+from pathlib import Path
+
+# === BANNED PROVIDERS — HARD POLICY ===
+BANNED_PROVIDERS = {"anthropic", "claude"}
+BANNED_MODEL_PATTERNS = [
+    "claude-*",
+    "anthropic/*",
+    "*sonnet*",
+    "*opus*",
+    "*haiku*",
+]
+
+# === REQUIRED FIELDS ===
+REQUIRED_FIELDS = {
+    "model": ["default", "provider"],
+    "fallback_providers": None,  # Must exist as a list
+}
+
+
+def is_banned_model(model_name: str) -> bool:
+    """Check if a model name matches any banned pattern."""
+    model_lower = model_name.lower()
+    for pattern in BANNED_MODEL_PATTERNS:
+        if fnmatch.fnmatch(model_lower, pattern):
+            return True
+    return False
+
+
+def validate_config(config_path: str) -> list[str]:
+    """Validate a wizard config file. Returns list of error strings."""
+    errors = []
+
+    try:
+        with open(config_path) as f:
+            cfg = yaml.safe_load(f)
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        return [f"File not found: {config_path}"]
+    except yaml.YAMLError as e:
+        return [f"YAML parse error: {e}"]
+
+    if not cfg:
+        return ["Config file is empty"]
+
+    # Check required fields
+    for section, fields in REQUIRED_FIELDS.items():
+        if section not in cfg:
+            errors.append(f"Missing required section: {section}")
+        elif fields:
+            for field in fields:
+                if field not in cfg[section]:
+                    errors.append(f"Missing required field: {section}.{field}")
+
+    # Check default provider
+    default_provider = cfg.get("model", {}).get("provider", "")
+    if default_provider.lower() in BANNED_PROVIDERS:
+        errors.append(f"BANNED default provider: {default_provider}")
+
+    default_model = cfg.get("model", {}).get("default", "")
+    if is_banned_model(default_model):
+        errors.append(f"BANNED default model: {default_model}")
+
+    # Check fallback providers
+    for i, fb in enumerate(cfg.get("fallback_providers", [])):
+        provider = fb.get("provider", "")
+        model = fb.get("model", "")
+
+        if provider.lower() in BANNED_PROVIDERS:
+            errors.append(f"BANNED fallback provider [{i}]: {provider}")
+
+        if is_banned_model(model):
+            errors.append(f"BANNED fallback model [{i}]: {model}")
+
+    # Check providers section
+    for name, provider_cfg in cfg.get("providers", {}).items():
+        if name.lower() in BANNED_PROVIDERS:
+            errors.append(f"BANNED provider in providers section: {name}")
+
+        base_url = str(provider_cfg.get("base_url", ""))
+        if "anthropic" in base_url.lower():
+            errors.append(f"BANNED URL in provider {name}: {base_url}")
+
+    # Check system prompt for banned references
+    prompt = cfg.get("system_prompt_suffix", "")
+    if isinstance(prompt, str):
+        for banned in BANNED_PROVIDERS:
+            if banned in prompt.lower():
+                errors.append(f"BANNED provider referenced in system_prompt_suffix: {banned}")
+
+    return errors
+
+
+def main():
+    if len(sys.argv) < 2:
+        print(f"Usage: {sys.argv[0]} <config_file> [--all]")
+        sys.exit(2)
+
+    if sys.argv[1] == "--all":
+        # Validate all wizard configs in the repo
+        repo_root = Path(__file__).parent.parent.parent
+        wizard_dir = repo_root / "wizards"
+        all_errors = {}
+
+        for wizard_path in sorted(wizard_dir.iterdir()):
+            config_file = wizard_path / "config.yaml"
+            if config_file.exists():
+                errors = validate_config(str(config_file))
+                if errors:
+                    all_errors[wizard_path.name] = errors
+
+        if all_errors:
+            print("VALIDATION FAILED:")
+            for wizard, errors in all_errors.items():
+                print(f"\n  {wizard}:")
+                for err in errors:
+                    print(f"    - {err}")
+            sys.exit(1)
+        else:
+            print("All wizard configs passed validation.")
+            sys.exit(0)
+    else:
+        config_path = sys.argv[1]
+        errors = validate_config(config_path)
+
+        if errors:
+            print(f"VALIDATION FAILED for {config_path}:")
+            for err in errors:
+                print(f"  - {err}")
+            sys.exit(1)
+        else:
+            print(f"PASSED: {config_path}")
+            sys.exit(0)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()