DO NOT MERGE: retrigger CI after base change

DO NOT MERGE: deliberate mutations of reference.rs
test(e2e): update smoke selection for reference-binary unit tests
2026-11-11 04:39:00 +00:00 · 2026-11-11 11:28:59 +08:00 · 2026-11-11 11:26:17 +08:00 · 2026-11-11 11:25:30 +08:00 · 2026-11-11 10:33:04 +08:00 · 2026-11-10 21:30:34 -05:00
934 changed files with 161976 additions and 39549 deletions
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ These implementation, style, and quality rules apply to all contributions, regar
 - Do not include agent, tool, contributor, account, or organization names in branch names.
 - Push to the user-requested remote or the repository's configured push remote. Do not hard-code or infer a remote from an account name.
 - Check free space before artifact-heavy builds, tests, coverage, or downloads. Re-check before a broad gate when space is tight.
+- Before handoff, remove the Cargo target directories and temporary worktrees the task created unless they stay intentionally or hold unmerged work. Identify build output by Cargo's markers (`.rustc_info.json`, `CACHEDIR.TAG`), not by directory name: `target` is also a source directory here.
 - Remove only task-owned temporary/build artifacts. Never delete another task's worktree or uncommitted data.
 - At handoff, mention disk or cleanup details only when they affected execution or artifacts/worktrees remain intentionally.
 - For Docker verification, ensure the tested image contains the intended binary. `buildx build` without `--load` leaves the image in the build cache; use the Makefile's loaded image and rebuild without cache only when stale artifacts are evidenced.
@@ -1,43 +1,38 @@
 ---
 name: rustfs-release-publish
-description: Publish a RustFS version through Console, release-branch CI, preview acceptance, human confirmation, and final publication. Use only for an explicit release request.
+description: Publish a RustFS version through frozen Linux candidate acceptance, desktop completion, manifest approval, byte-preserving publication and post-release follow-up. Use only for an explicit release request.
 ---
 # RustFS Release

-Require the exact final SemVer target before version edits or publication. If unspecified, inspect current releases/tags and ask with concrete candidates; do not guess the channel or bump. A named bump type resolves to an exact version that still needs confirmation. Report the confirmed target verbatim; resolve any later mismatch before proceeding. Independent read-only preflight may continue.
+Require the exact final SemVer target before version edits or publication. If unspecified, inspect releases/tags and ask with concrete candidates; do not guess the channel or bump. Reuse the user's confirmed target and authorized delivery scope. Independent read-only preflight may continue.

 ## Invariants

- Cargo stores `<target>`, never `-preview.N`. Before publication, installation defaults retain the previous available deliverable. Final and preview binaries embed their own tag names, so version/asset names differ despite identical source.
- Use annotated tags without `v`. Preview names are exactly `<target>-preview.<digits>`; choose the next unused iteration after fetching tags. Preview Releases are prereleases, never Latest; publish only versioned assets/exact Docker tags, never latest assets, R2, Helm, moving Docker channels, or installation/banner updates.
- `release/<target>` owns the candidate. Retain its history, backport only reviewed fixes, and never merge main wholesale or force-push it. Pin `PREVIEW_HASH` to its exact commit with complete passing CI. Preview and final tags both point there; never tag a later main/branch HEAD or insert another bump.
- Phase failures block dependents. Keep preview Releases until final publication and notes generation finish; CI removes Releases while retaining tags. Never move an existing preview or final tag.
+- Cargo and every candidate executable contain the final product version. `<target>-preview.<run_number>` is an immutable candidate identifier, not a public tag or displayed binary version.
+- Freeze the exact source, reviewed workflow recipe, toolchain, Console, CLI, dependency lock, previous stable version and validation plan. Newer unrelated main or Console releases do not change those inputs.
+- Retain `release/<target>` history when a release branch is used; backport only reviewed fixes. Pin `CANDIDATE_SHA` to its exact CI-validated commit. Never force-push a release branch or move a public tag.
+- Build Linux first. Complete field acceptance before macOS/Windows and packaging. Full certification and final acceptance are required before publication; a partial Linux PASS grants no release authority.
+- Promote the accepted bytes. Final publication never recompiles binaries or rebuilds packages/images. Infrastructure retries reuse successful artifacts; changed source or inputs require a new candidate and affected acceptance.
+- Phase failures block dependents. No latest/default-channel update before versioned delivery. Use the [pipeline runbook](../../../docs/operations/release-pipeline.md) for executable entry points, locks and recovery.

-## Read by Phase
-
-Read only the current phase's procedure; retain completed evidence across turns. Follow root verification, Git/PR, and authorization rules.
+## Read by phase

 | Phase | Procedure |
 |---|---|
-| 0 | Clean tree, fetch main/tags, verify GitHub access, then complete the mandatory [Console release gate](references/console-gate.md). A green Console build alone is insufficient. |
-| 1–2 | [Prepare/reuse the release candidate and run exact-SHA branch CI](references/release-candidate.md). Source version changes use `rustfs-release-version-bump` with authorized delivery scope. |
-| 3 | [Verify the preview build, assets, channels, and notes](references/preview-release.md). |
-| 4–5 | [Run the downloaded binary, Console CRUD, and latest-rc matrix](references/preview-acceptance.md). Every check must pass. |
-| Confirmation | Complete the gate below and end the turn. |
-| 6 | After fresh confirmation, [publish and verify the final tag](references/final-release.md) at `PREVIEW_HASH`. |
-| 7 | [Reconcile Security Advisories, milestones, installation references, and the website; reconcile main and remove the completed release branch](references/post-release-updates.md) only after complete publication. |
+| 0 | Clean tree, fetch main/tags, verify access, then complete the mandatory [Console gate](references/console-gate.md). |
+| 1–2 | [Prepare the exact source and run branch CI](references/release-candidate.md). Version edits use `rustfs-release-version-bump`. |
+| 3 | [Build and verify the Linux candidate](references/preview-release.md). |
+| 4–5 | [Run artifact, field, Console and rc acceptance](references/preview-acceptance.md), then complete desktop/package/image/chart validation. |
+| Confirmation | Report the complete manifest and obtain the confirmation below. |
+| 6 | [Publish the accepted manifest](references/final-release.md). |
+| 7 | [Reconcile advisories, milestones, installation references, website and release branch](references/post-release-updates.md). |

-## Human Confirmation
+## Human confirmation

-After Phases 3–5 pass, recheck that the release branch still equals `PREVIEW_HASH` and that the current Console asset tag/digest match the preview's recorded build inputs. Report the target, branch, preview tag/hash, branch CI run, preview Release URL, accepted Console asset identity/result, and rc matrix. Explicitly ask whether to publish the final tag and end the turn without creating/pushing it.
+After all acceptance passes, report the target, source SHA, source CI run, Linux and completion run URLs, final manifest SHA-256, accepted Console/CLI identities, compatibility/performance results and backlog report. Explicitly ask whether to publish this exact manifest and end the turn without dispatching publication.

-Only a new affirmative user reply to that exact report authorizes Phase 6. The original release request, earlier confirmation, silence, or automated follow-up does not count. Confirmation binds the target, preview tag, hash, and accepted build inputs; a changed value or repeated/failed acceptance cycle invalidates it. Revalidate and obtain fresh confirmation before continuing.
+Only a new affirmative reply to that exact report authorizes Phase 6. An earlier general release request, silence or automatic continuation does not count. Reuse confirmation for retries of that same manifest; do not ask again merely because a destination failed. A changed source, input, manifest or acceptance result invalidates it and requires renewed acceptance/confirmation.

-## Recovery
+## Recovery and reporting

- Before the final tag exists, land fixes on main, backport to the candidate, verify target versions, and restart branch CI/acceptance. Use a new preview iteration once a preview was tagged; main may advance independently.
- If only an external build input changed, record it, create a new preview iteration even when the source SHA is unchanged, and repeat the affected build and artifact acceptance before fresh confirmation. Reuse source checks whose inputs remain valid.
- Once the final tag exists, retry publication jobs for that exact tag. A source fix requires a newly confirmed target, not retagging or a newer preview. Phase 7 retries recheck artifact availability and superseding releases.
- If abandoned after the bump merged, report the unpublished version on main and record whether to revert or let the next release overwrite it. Deleting unpublished candidate branches or preview tags requires an explicit decision. Completed release branches follow Phase 7 cleanup; keep release tags.
-
-Report completed phase results and incomplete work with evidence: Console previous/latest tags, release need, hash and run/Release URLs; target, branch CI/SHA, previews and hash, confirmation state; preview/final assets, latest-channel state, Console/rc results and cleanup; advisory reconciliation results and pending disclosure decisions; both milestone states, installation PR checks/merge state, and website text/link/PR/deployment state. Keep artifact publication separate from follow-up delivery; do not call an open PR a live update. Report deviations and their authorization.
+Resume failed infrastructure jobs without rebuilding successful units. Fix product defects on main, backport when needed, and start a new candidate. After a final tag exists, retry the same bytes or use a new patch version; never move the tag. Do not conflate implemented, CI-passed, field-accepted, approved, published and post-release-complete states. Report incomplete work and deviations with evidence; a tag or green build alone is not a completed release.
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Read during Phase 0, before changing RustFS version files or tags. Follow the pa

 ### Console release gate

-Complete this gate before changing any RustFS version file or creating any RustFS tag. RustFS `build.yml` downloads the asset returned by `repos/rustfs/console/releases/latest`, so a successful Console build alone is insufficient.
+Complete this gate before changing any RustFS version file or creating any RustFS tag. Candidate creation resolves `repos/rustfs/console/releases/latest` once and freezes the exact asset for every build, so a successful Console build alone is insufficient. After freezing, later Console releases do not silently change or invalidate the accepted inputs.

 1. Read the latest published Console tag and compare it with Console `main`:

@@ -1,22 +1,13 @@
-# Final Release Publication
+# Final release publication

-Read only after fresh user confirmation of the preview acceptance report. The [parent confirmation gate](../SKILL.md#human-confirmation) applies.
+Read only after fresh confirmation of the complete candidate report. The [parent confirmation gate](../SKILL.md#human-confirmation) applies.

-## Phase 6 — Publish the final tag on the validated commit
+Dispatch `release-publish.yml` on main with the successful completion run ID and approved `release-manifest.json` SHA-256. Do not create the tag manually. The workflow revalidates source, bytes and trusted certification, then creates the annotated final tag at `CANDIDATE_SHA`. A recipe change fails closed and requires a new candidate; unrelated main changes do not require a rebuild.

-No second source version bump. Before creating the final tag, recheck the remote `release/<target>` HEAD equals `PREVIEW_HASH` and the current Console release tag/asset digest still match the accepted preview inputs. If either changed after confirmation, the approval no longer applies; validate the changed inputs with a new preview and obtain fresh confirmation. The final tag goes on the exact commit the preview validated:
+Require both versioned publication and channel publication jobs to succeed. Verify the final tag's commit and manifest identity; all six platform ZIPs and compatibility aliases; DEB/RPM, checksums, SBOM, provenance and evidence bundle; both multi-architecture image variants in Docker Hub, GHCR and Quay; and the accepted Helm chart in the chart repository. Download a host-compatible final artifact and confirm its digest is exactly the accepted candidate digest and its version/source output agrees.

-```bash
-git fetch origin --tags
-git rev-parse "<preview-tag>^{commit}"          # must equal PREVIEW_HASH — abort if not
-git tag -a "<target>" -m "Release <target>" "$PREVIEW_HASH"
-git push origin "<target>"
-```
+For stable releases verify GitHub Latest, R2 download aliases and `latest.json` unless a newer stable release already owns those channels. Prereleases must remain GitHub prereleases and leave stable pointers unchanged. Verify generated release notes compare against the frozen previous stable release, excluding internal previews.

- CI rebuilds from the same source with a different tag name, so the binary self-reports `<target>`. Other inputs can change: `build.yml` reads Console `releases/latest` during each build. Compare the actual Console tag, URL, and verified digest in every final build job with the accepted preview record, and inspect available build provenance for other relevant changes. A pre-tag check cannot prevent a later input change. On a mismatch or missing evidence, repeat affected acceptance against the final artifacts and report the limitation; failed acceptance leaves release validation incomplete even if publication already succeeded. Never move the final tag to conceal a failure.
- Verify the final tag's complete publication path: all matrix and release jobs green; `gh release view "<target>"` shows the full versioned and `-latest` asset set plus checksums, SBOM, and provenance; Docker and Helm workflows succeed; `latest.json` points to `<target>`. A stable target must have `isPrerelease=false` and `isLatest=true`. An alpha/beta/rc target must have `isPrerelease=true`; GitHub does not permit prereleases to be Latest, but the project `latest.json` still advances to the final non-preview target.
- Verify the final Release body contains `## What's Changed` and a Full Changelog link. When `PREVIOUS_DELIVERABLE` exists, the link MUST be `https://github.com/rustfs/rustfs/compare/<PREVIOUS_DELIVERABLE>...<target>` and the baseline MUST equal the preview Release baseline; for example, both `1.0.0-beta.12-preview.1` and `1.0.0-beta.12` compare from `1.0.0-beta.11`.
- Verify the preview cleanup: `cleanup-preview-releases` must succeed and `gh release view "<preview-tag>"` must then report `release not found` for every preview iteration of this target. Each surviving preview tag must still resolve to its own recorded commit; the accepted preview resolves to `PREVIEW_HASH`. If the job failed, delete the leftover Releases manually with `gh release delete "<preview-tag>" --yes` and report it.
- Verify a host-compatible final artifact's checksum and `./rustfs --version`; it must report `<target>` and the expected source SHA. This identity check does not replace affected acceptance when build inputs changed.
+On infrastructure failure retry the same workflow/seal; matching destinations are reused. Never clobber an asset, force a tag, rebuild the image or silently accept a changed digest. A source fix after the final tag requires a new patch version. Cross-registry writes are not atomic: report the unfinished destination rather than claiming publication complete.

-Never pass `--cleanup-tag` when removing preview Releases. Remove them manually only if `cleanup-preview-releases` failed, after final publication and notes generation. Record deleted Releases and surviving tags.
+New candidates create no preview Releases to clean up. For a legacy preview release, preserve its tag and remove its Release only after final delivery and notes are verified. Do not pass `--cleanup-tag`. Complete the [post-release follow-up](post-release-updates.md) separately.
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ Reconcile advisories after every completed final release, including Console-only

 1. Re-read the published deliverable state before edits or a retry. If a newer release has superseded this target, do not downgrade installation references or the website announcement. Report the superseding release and leave those defaults intact.
 2. Invoke `rustfs-release-version-bump` with stage `post-release`, the exact target, and the authorized delivery scope. Prepare the follow-up on current main; do not edit or move either validated release tag. Cargo versions may already be preparing the next target and must remain untouched.
-3. Verify the exact Docker image manifest, Release download links, RPM source archive, and Helm repository entry before publishing the installation PR. The chart workflow overrides chart/app versions from the final tag, pins the source checkout to that release, and waits for its default Docker image before packaging.
+3. Verify the exact Docker image manifest, Release download links, RPM source archive, and Helm repository entry before publishing the installation PR. The chart is packaged and tested before sealing; publication uploads those same bytes only after versioned Docker images are available.
 4. Report the installation PR and its merge state separately from the completed release. Reuse existing merge authorization and repository checks; do not infer new merge authority from this reference.

 ## rustfs.com top banner
@@ -54,4 +54,4 @@ Use the existing announcement configuration from [website PR #112](https://githu
 1. Compare the exact published tag with current main. Audit every release-side commit since their merge base, including inherited backports. An ahead count is a history difference, not proof of missing changes. Use ancestry and patch equivalence, then inspect current code and regression evidence for squashed, adapted, superseded, or reverted changes. Record each commit as present, superseded, release-only, or missing; a positive `git cherry` result alone does not prove a missing fix.
 2. Bring missing shared changes to main through a reviewed PR and the required checks before closing the follow-up. Preserve main's later changes; decide version bumps and pinned Console configuration separately. If a history merge is needed, use a merge commit and verify the release commit is an ancestor of main; squash does not establish that ancestry. Do not merge main into the published release branch or move its tags. Report unresolved changes instead of claiming reconciliation is complete.
 3. After publication and authorized follow-ups are complete, delete the remote `release/<target>` branch. Immediately before deletion, verify its HEAD still equals the published tag's commit and no open PR targets or originates from it. Preserve a branch with newer work or open PRs and report the blocker. Use a deletion with an expected-old-SHA check to avoid removing a concurrently advanced branch.
-4. Verify the remote branch is absent and the final and preview tags still resolve to their recorded commits. Remove a local release branch only if it is task-owned, unchecked out, and has no unpreserved work. Record cleanup separately from artifact publication; an explicitly authorized deletion before reconciliation does not make unresolved main changes complete.
+4. Verify the remote branch is absent and the final tag and any legacy preview tags still resolve to their recorded commits. Remove a local release branch only if it is task-owned, unchecked out, and has no unpreserved work. Record cleanup separately from artifact publication; an explicitly authorized deletion before reconciliation does not make unresolved main changes complete.
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
-# Preview Artifact Acceptance
+# Candidate Artifact Acceptance

-Read after Phase 3 succeeds. Complete every check below before the parent skill's manual confirmation gate. These checks cover the downloaded artifact, embedded Console, and latest rc client.
+Read after Phase 3 succeeds. Complete every check below before the parent skill's manual confirmation gate. These checks cover the downloaded artifact, embedded Console, and the rc release frozen in the candidate inputs.

 ## Phase 4 — Run the artifact locally, verify the console

-Use a unique task-owned scratch directory. Select the versioned archive matching the host OS, architecture, and runtime, download its checksum file, and verify the archive before extraction. Do not substitute a different build when a matching artifact is unavailable; report that acceptance gap. The shell example below assumes the verified executable is at `RUSTFS_BINARY` (`rustfs.exe` on Windows), `SCRATCH` is the task directory, and `S3_PORT` and `CONSOLE_PORT` are distinct available ports. Use equivalent native commands when the shell differs.
+Use a unique task-owned scratch directory. Select the versioned archive matching the acceptance host, and verify it against the sealed manifest before extraction. Before desktop completion, use the Linux acceptance environment rather than rebuilding for the local desktop. Do not substitute a different build when a matching artifact is unavailable; report that acceptance gap. The shell example below assumes the verified executable is at `RUSTFS_BINARY` (`rustfs.exe` on Windows), `SCRATCH` is the task directory, and `S3_PORT` and `CONSOLE_PORT` are distinct available ports. Use equivalent native commands when the shell differs.

 Bind both listeners to loopback. Choose task-only credentials, set loopback proxy exclusions for the server/client processes, and record the server PID. A port probe does not reserve a port; retry startup with fresh ports on a bind conflict rather than connecting to an existing service.

@@ -24,16 +24,16 @@ PREVIEW_SERVER_PID=$!

 Checks (all must pass):

- `"$RUSTFS_BINARY" --version` reports the preview tag name and the short SHA of `PREVIEW_HASH`. Reporting `<target>` without the `-preview.N` suffix means the build did not embed the tag — treat as FAIL and investigate before proceeding.
+- `"$RUSTFS_BINARY" --version` reports the exact final `<target>` and full `CANDIDATE_SHA`. A preview suffix, another version or another source is a failure.
 - Wait with a bounded readiness deadline while checking the recorded server process remains alive; `curl --noproxy '*' -fsS "$S3_ENDPOINT/health/ready"` must return ready from this process's listener.
 - Startup log shows the embedded console being served (this was the regression that `fix(release): require embedded console assets` guards).
 - Open `CONSOLE_ENDPOINT` in the browser and log in with the task credentials. The dashboard must render without JS console errors; create a bucket, upload a file, download it back (byte-identical), and delete the object and bucket. Keep the server running for Phase 5.

-## Phase 5 — Validate with the latest rc client
+## Phase 5 — Validate with the pinned rc client

 `rc` is the RustFS CLI client from <https://github.com/rustfs/cli>.

- Resolve the latest release with `gh api repos/rustfs/cli/releases/latest --jq .tag_name`; verify the local client's version or download and verify a host-compatible client into the task directory. Set `RC_BIN` to that executable and record its version/digest. Avoid changing the user's installed client for this check.
+- Read the CLI release and asset digests from `inputs.json`; verify the local client's version or download a host-compatible asset from that exact release into the task directory. If the host is a desktop, resolve its asset within the same pinned CLI release and record the digest; do not independently follow `latest`. Set `RC_BIN` to that executable and record its version/digest. Avoid changing the user's installed client for this check.
 - Inspect the client's current help for an isolated configuration option and use it when supported. Otherwise choose a unique `PREVIEW_ALIAS` and confirm it is absent before creating it; never overwrite an existing alias. Use task-owned bucket/user names and input/output files. The names below are safe only inside the newly started isolated server.
 - Point the client at `S3_ENDPOINT` with loopback proxy exclusions and run the command matrix, recording PASS/FAIL per command:

@@ -60,3 +60,9 @@ cmp <local-file> "$SCRATCH/out"
 ```

 - Any FAIL blocks acceptance. On success or failure, stop only the recorded task process and remove only task-created aliases/data after retaining the needed failure evidence. Do not erase an existing client configuration or unrelated server data.
+
+## Field acceptance and desktop completion
+
+Before accepting the Linux manifest, record Scanner/Heal, multi-pool, memory, major features, high-concurrency 503, performance and previous-version integrity/upgrade results in backlog. Preserve the release-specific agreed limits and baseline; a PASS label without artifact identities or test results does not satisfy acceptance.
+
+Dispatch `release-complete.yml` only after that report passes, using the exact Linux manifest digest and backlog URL. Require native macOS/Windows checks, package extraction, image startup/scans, chart tests and complete certification to pass. Complete any desktop Console/client checks applicable to the release against these same archives. Record the completion run and final manifest SHA-256 before entering the parent confirmation gate. Partial Linux acceptance does not authorize final publication.
@@ -1,25 +1,9 @@
-# Preview Release Verification
+# Linux candidate verification

-Read for Phase 3 after the candidate passed exact-SHA CI. The [parent release invariants](../SKILL.md) apply.
+Read for Phase 3 after the source passed exact-SHA CI. The [parent invariants](../SKILL.md) apply; commands and recovery live in the [pipeline runbook](../../../../docs/operations/release-pipeline.md).

-## Preview channels
+Dispatch `release-candidate.yml` on main with the confirmed final version and `CANDIDATE_SHA`. Record the run ID, frozen `inputs.json`, every Linux archive digest and `linux-manifest.json` SHA-256. Require the four Linux builds, native startup/S3 checks, previous-release upgrade matrix and Linux seal to succeed. Missing, skipped, cancelled or failed required work is incomplete acceptance.

- Use `<target>-preview.N` for every target, e.g. `1.0.0-beta.10-preview.3` or `1.1.0-preview.1`.
- The canonical suffix is exactly `-preview.<digits>`. `build.yml` recognizes it before alpha/beta/rc classification and routes it to the preview-only path; any other tag containing `-preview` fails closed instead of being treated as a release.
- A preview Release MUST be published with `isPrerelease=true` and `isLatest=false`. Any `*-latest` preview asset or preview-triggered `latest.json`, R2, Helm, or moving Docker channel tag is a pipeline failure. Docker images may use the exact preview version tag, including its existing variant suffixes.
- Preview Releases are cleaned up by the `cleanup-preview-releases` job after `publish-release` succeeds for the deliverable tag. It deletes every Release whose tag is exactly `<target>-preview.<digits>` and never passes `--cleanup-tag`, so the tags survive.
+Verify the frozen Console identity equals the one accepted in Phase 0. Every matrix job consumes that same digest and exact toolchain. The binary must report the final product version and source commit; its candidate ID is separate. No public tag, Release, registry tag, R2 release path, Helm repository or latest pointer should change during this stage.

-## Phase 3 — CI and preview Release verification
-
- Find and watch the tag build: `gh run list --workflow build.yml --branch "<preview-tag>" --limit 1` then `gh run watch <run-id>`. Every build matrix target must succeed (linux x86_64/aarch64 × musl/gnu, macos-aarch64, windows-x86_64).
- Confirm the preview tag resolves to the Phase 2 CI-validated `PREVIEW_HASH`. If the release branch advances during acceptance, repeat Phases 2–5 with a new preview tag.
- Confirm the Release publication jobs (`create-release`, `upload-release-assets`, and `publish-release`) succeed while `update-latest-version` is skipped.
- Record the inputs actually consumed by each build job: source SHA and the embedded Console release tag, asset URL, and verified SHA256 from the download logs. The workflow reads Console `releases/latest` separately for each build; confirm the matrix used the Console asset accepted in Phase 0. A missing identity or differing asset blocks acceptance until resolved. Retain available toolchain and build provenance with the artifact checksums; the same source SHA alone does not establish equivalent builds.
- Verify `gh release view "<preview-tag>" --json isPrerelease,assets,url`: `isPrerelease` must be `true`, and the Release must contain all 6 versioned platform zips, checksums, SBOM, and provenance with no `-latest` assets. Confirm `gh api repos/{owner}/{repo}/releases/latest --jq .tag_name` does not return `<preview-tag>`.
- Record `PREVIOUS_DELIVERABLE`, selected from published Releases by `publishedAt` after excluding the current tag and every `-preview.N` tag. Verify `gh release view "<preview-tag>" --json body --jq .body` contains `## What's Changed` and, when `PREVIOUS_DELIVERABLE` exists, `**Full Changelog**: https://github.com/rustfs/rustfs/compare/<PREVIOUS_DELIVERABLE>...<preview-tag>`. For a repository with no previous deliverable, verify a Full Changelog link exists and record the GitHub baseline fallback.
- Confirm Helm is skipped. If preview Docker images are published, confirm they use only exact preview tags (and variant suffixes), with no `latest`, `alpha`, `beta`, or `rc` channel updates. Preview validation covers the built RustFS binaries, embedded console, and rc compatibility; it does not authorize advancing any installation default.
-
-## Release notes
-
- When a previous deliverable exists, GitHub Release notes for the preview and final tags MUST use it as their shared comparison baseline: the most recently published non-preview Release before the target. Internal `-preview.N` Releases are explicitly excluded from that selection, even when they point at the same commit as the final tag — cleanup runs after the notes are generated, so the preview Release is still present and would otherwise be picked as the baseline. If no previous deliverable exists, omit `previous_tag_name` and record that GitHub's default baseline fallback was used.
- Generated Release notes carry a workflow-management marker so retries can repair them. Before manually curating a generated body, remove that marker; unmarked non-placeholder notes are preserved by later workflow runs.
+A green Linux run is ready for field acceptance, not publication. The partial certification must have `publish_allowed: false`. Retain the exact Linux manifest for the next stage; a new source/build-input candidate must not inherit the old approval. A newer unrelated main commit does not invalidate this evidence.
@@ -16,22 +16,13 @@ Read for Phases 1–2. The [parent release invariants](../SKILL.md) and Console
 - Only when neither the release branch, an unfinished preview tag, nor current main already has `<target>`: if main is at a later version, select and verify a historical commit containing `<target>` rather than downgrading main; block if none exists. Otherwise invoke the `rustfs-release-version-bump` skill with stage `prepare`, the final `<target>` (NOT a preview version), and full GitHub flow (commit/push/PR).
 - If a bump PR was needed, get it merged into main and record its merge commit. For a new release branch when main already has `<target>`, identify the main commit that introduced those versions. Phase 2 chooses a release candidate containing that commit; an existing release branch keeps its own history and a newer main HEAD is not required.

-Do not wait for the moving latest main HEAD to become green. The release-branch CI in Phase 2 validates the chosen commit before a preview tag is created.
+Do not wait for the moving latest main HEAD to become green. The release-branch CI in Phase 2 validates the chosen commit before a candidate build is dispatched.

-## Phase 2 — Pin and validate the release candidate, then publish the preview tag
+## Phase 2 — Pin and validate the release source

- Use `release/<target>`. On the first attempt, create it from a selected main commit containing the version bump and intended changes; it need not be the latest main HEAD. On a restart, retain the existing branch and backport only reviewed fixes from main. Verify the branch's Cargo versions still equal `<target>`. If adopting an existing preview, run this branch CI before continuing its acceptance; reuse the tag only when it points to the validated SHA.
- The current `ci.yml` runs automatically on main pushes, not release-branch pushes. Dispatch it explicitly with `gh workflow run ci.yml --ref "release/<target>"`. Locate that dispatch run, verify its `head_sha` equals the release branch's remote HEAD, and require the full expected CI job set to pass, including `Quick Checks`, `Test and Lint`, and `End-to-End Tests (full merge gate)`. Treat a missing or skipped required lane as incomplete. A successful PR check or CI run for a different SHA does not qualify. If the branch advances or a run is cancelled, validate the new SHA again. Do not tag a candidate with failing or incomplete CI.
+- Use `release/<target>`. On the first attempt, create it from a selected main commit containing the version bump and intended changes; it need not be the latest main HEAD. On a restart, retain the existing branch and backport only reviewed fixes from main. Verify the branch's Cargo versions still equal `<target>`. A legacy preview can anchor source selection, but its tag and old artifacts do not constitute a candidate in the new protocol; freeze and verify a new candidate after the release recipe is aligned.
+- The current `ci.yml` runs automatically on main pushes, not release-branch pushes. Dispatch it explicitly with `gh workflow run ci.yml --ref "release/<target>"`. Locate that dispatch run, verify its `head_sha` equals the release branch's remote HEAD, and require the full expected CI job set to pass, including `Quick Checks`, `Test and Lint`, and `End-to-End Tests (full merge gate)`. Treat a missing or skipped required lane as incomplete. A successful PR check or CI run for a different SHA does not qualify. If the branch advances or a run is cancelled, validate the new SHA again. Do not dispatch a candidate with failing or incomplete CI.
 - Prefer protecting `release/*` against force pushes and deletion and requiring reviewed backport PRs. Check live rulesets rather than assuming the main ruleset covers release branches; report a missing release-branch rule as a gap.
- Set `PREVIEW_HASH` to the CI-validated release-branch commit and recheck the remote branch HEAD immediately before tagging. Report the branch, commit, and CI run URL; do not derive `PREVIEW_HASH` from a later `origin/main` fetch. When adopting an existing preview tag at this SHA, skip tag creation and continue Phase 3.
-
-```bash
-git tag -a "<preview-tag>" -m "Release <preview-tag>" "$PREVIEW_HASH"
-git push origin "<preview-tag>"
-```
-
-Pushing the tag triggers `.github/workflows/build.yml` ("Build and Release"); `docker.yml` chains off it via `workflow_run`.
-
-The preview run builds versioned artifacts and publishes them in a GitHub prerelease. Docker may publish exact preview image tags. Latest-channel, R2, and Helm publication must be skipped; installation references and the website announcement stay unchanged.
-
-On a restart after a backport, re-run release-branch CI before setting the new `PREVIEW_HASH`. Use the next unused preview iteration when the validated commit differs from an existing preview tag; never move an existing tag.
+- Set `CANDIDATE_SHA` to the CI-validated release-branch commit. Record the branch, exact commit and CI run URL. The new candidate protocol starts from a commit whose release recipe matches the reviewed main dispatcher; backport the recipe before freezing an older release branch if needed.
+- Dispatch the Linux candidate as described in [candidate verification](preview-release.md). Do not create a preview or final tag here. The final executable already contains `<target>`; publication later promotes those same bytes.
+- After a source or build-input change, run the affected source checks and create a new candidate. Reuse the frozen candidate after an infrastructure failure. Do not restart acceptance for unrelated main advances.
@@ -4,18 +4,18 @@ description: Prepare an exact RustFS Cargo version or align installation referen
 ---
 # Release Version Files

-Require an exact target; ask if missing or ambiguous. Reject targets containing `-preview`: those are tag-only. Infer `post-release` only from an explicit request or parent workflow; otherwise use `prepare`. Delivery defaults to local edit/verify; commit, push, PR, and merge follow existing authorization and [Git rules](../../references/pull-requests.md).
+Require an exact target; ask if missing or ambiguous. Reject targets containing `-preview`: those identify candidates, not product versions or new public tags. Infer `post-release` only from an explicit request or parent workflow; otherwise use `prepare`. Delivery defaults to local edit/verify; commit, push, PR, and merge follow existing authorization and [Git rules](../../references/pull-requests.md).

 | Stage | Files and constraints |
 |---|---|
 | `prepare` | Only `Cargo.toml` and `Cargo.lock`: workspace package, internal dependency, and workspace member versions become `<target>`. External dependencies stay unchanged. |
 | `post-release` | Only `README.md`, `README_ZH.md`, `flake.nix`, `helm/rustfs/Chart.yaml`, and `rustfs.spec`. Cargo may already target the next release; leave it untouched. |

-Before installation edits, verify the exact non-preview Release, downloadable assets/source archive, pullable `rustfs/rustfs:<target>` image manifest, and published Helm chart. Block on missing artifacts. Do not downgrade defaults if a newer deliverable superseded the target. Preview preparation retains the previous published installation references; follow-up commits never replace either validated tag.
+Before installation edits, verify the exact non-preview Release, downloadable assets/source archive, pullable `rustfs/rustfs:<target>` image manifest, and published Helm chart. Block on missing artifacts. Do not downgrade defaults if a newer deliverable superseded the target. Candidate preparation retains the previous published installation references; follow-up commits never replace validated tags or sealed artifacts.

 Packaging policy:

- Docker image tags have no `v` prefix. Derive chart/app versions with `scripts/helm_chart_version.sh <target>` (`beta.N -> 0.N.0`; other versions unchanged). Helm CI derives versions from the final tag, so no early chart bump is required.
+- Docker image tags have no `v` prefix. Derive chart/app versions with `scripts/helm_chart_version.sh <target>`; both equal the final product SemVer, including prerelease suffixes. Helm CI uses the frozen candidate version before sealing, so no early installation chart bump is required. Previously published chart versions remain unchanged.
 - RPM `Version` is numeric; `Release` is the prerelease suffix or `1` for stable. Expanded `Source0` and the unpack directory must resolve to the exact target including its suffix. Add the changelog entry using current git identity, date, and target; never copy an example identity/date.
 - Changing these mappings requires explicit confirmation.

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+{
+  "schema_version": 1,
+  "rollout": "enforced",
+  "core_packages": ["rustfs", "rustfs-ecstore", "rustfs-filemeta", "rustfs-iam", "rustfs-policy"],
+  "connect_packages": [
+    "rustfs-credentials", "rustfs-config", "rustfs-common", "rustfs-crypto",
+    "rustfs-iam", "rustfs-policy", "rustfs-kms", "rustfs-license", "rustfs-security-governance",
+    "rustfs-utils", "rustfs-tls-runtime", "rustfs-trusted-proxies", "rustfs-filemeta",
+    "rustfs-lock", "rustfs-obs", "rustfs-signer", "rustfs-io-metrics", "rustfs-s3-ops"
+  ],
+  "full_paths": [
+    "Cargo.toml", "Cargo.lock", "*/Cargo.toml", "rust-toolchain*", "rustfmt.toml",
+    "clippy.toml", ".cargo/*", ".config/*", ".github/*", "Makefile",
+    "scripts/*", "build.rs", "*.proto"
+  ]
+}
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
-sha256-linux=eb33067d90ee66c0a97e8f3658e46c152e47f897d2fbfdc6cb5ad93cfa55414b
-sha256-darwin=eb33067d90ee66c0a97e8f3658e46c152e47f897d2fbfdc6cb5ad93cfa55414b
+sha256-linux=348fa5eed9ae58962c06b33283ff4f15122cff97bce9b4eb1e3ffcb227264b0b
+sha256-darwin=348fa5eed9ae58962c06b33283ff4f15122cff97bce9b4eb1e3ffcb227264b0b
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
-sha256-darwin=4fb92e88763982eabafd74d05eb3d269387624a447e427a8c6f84914e5b03bfe
-sha256-linux=bd0db7e846ce24f056a097655db8fe2265201913260d0e16feb38d99dcb954a7
+sha256-darwin=0374e6b9b061dd5d622686301386232a4aa1cb22eedc18af70d2a7411bc66f8d
+sha256-linux=f2cee240f7a744ae991971820f48a6c9c28d19f525e8b2345fcb76eeaaf1e382
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
-sha256-darwin=3814cdde8cacf4187e18188d342ed70931cc32e268e42e5bb438d565bb4d0f81
-sha256-linux=663025a80273579f95ae3f49af02c0afcbfce94df09701c360a13e607b7637db
+sha256-darwin=e84e04208f19dc0596b10d4d1b799ce43d6cc431415902f9c5458aa8232bc2d8
+sha256-linux=1f9c7add72c44d1c12ef4ac050bb7917431be657c0c90b29f70c3df56f8bbae3
@@ -1 +1 @@
-sha256=879f421f1115d44f930e229510a2e533cfd5ebd4effe38730b82ef61f4fd7a86
+sha256=21e9a1561ac20382503c38353bbb9b830658534a4f277c254a42d0afc6ebed8b
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ s3s-footprint-check: ## Check the s3s dependency footprint ratchet stays frozen
 	./scripts/check_s3s_footprint.sh

 .PHONY: test-count-ratchet-check
-test-count-ratchet-check: ## Check no workspace crate lost tests or gained #[ignore] against the committed baseline
+test-count-ratchet-check: ## Check no workspace crate fell below its test floor or rose above its #[ignore] ceiling in the committed baseline
 	@echo "🧪 Checking per-crate test-count ratchet..."
 	./scripts/check_test_count_ratchet.sh

@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@ test-wiring-check: ## Check tests stay registered and selected by their intended
 	@echo "🧪 Checking test wiring..."
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/check_test_wiring.py
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/ci_gate.py --check-workflow
+	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/validation_registry.py check

 .PHONY: log-analyzer-rules-check
 log-analyzer-rules-check: core-deps ## Check log-analyzer rule anchors still exist verbatim in source
@@ -22,12 +22,21 @@ TEST_THREADS ?= 1
 # differ from CI and .config/nextest.toml test-groups will NOT apply.

 .PHONY: script-tests
+.PHONY: release-package-tests
+release-package-tests: ## Run release package integration on Linux with fpm, dpkg and rpm installed
+	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_release_packages.py
+
+.PHONY: release-image-tests
+release-image-tests: ## Run OCI integration with Docker, Go and skopeo; set RELEASE_IMAGE_VARIANT and RELEASE_IMAGE_OUTPUT
+	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_release_images.py
+
 script-tests: ## Run shell script tests
 	@echo "Running script tests..."
 	trap 'status=$$?; printf "ERROR: script-tests failed (exit %s): %s\n" "$$status" "$$BASH_COMMAND" >&2; exit "$$status"' ERR
 	./scripts/test_build_rustfs_options.sh
 	./scripts/test_docker_runtime_timezone.sh
 	./scripts/test_entrypoint_credentials.sh
+	./scripts/test_entrypoint_directories.sh
 	./scripts/test_internode_grpc_ab_bench.sh
 	./scripts/test_object_batch_bench_enhanced.sh
 	./scripts/test_package_service_scripts.sh
@@ -52,24 +61,35 @@ script-tests: ## Run shell script tests
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_check_doc_paths.py
 	./scripts/check_embedded_secrets.sh --self-test
 	./scripts/check_s3s_footprint.sh --self-test
+	./scripts/test_check_test_count_ratchet.sh
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/check_test_wiring.py --self-test
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/codemods/s3_error_to_s3_types.py --self-test
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_e2e_binary.py
+	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_download_release_asset.py
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_inspect_btf_prototypes.py
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_release_build_workflow.py
+	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) -m unittest discover -s scripts/release -p "test_*.py"
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_release_glibc.py
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_upgrade_workflow.py
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_migration_gate_evidence.py
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/ci_gate.py --self-test
+	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/check_connect_release_boundary.py --self-test
+	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_ci_test_artifact.py
+	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_ci_test_shards.py
+	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_ci_merge_queue.py
+	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) -m unittest discover -s scripts/ci -p 'test_*.py'
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/check_security_coverage.py --self-test
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/check_scheduled_validation_freshness.py --self-test
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_security_workflow.py
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_nightly_candidate.py
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_functional_chain.py
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_functional_chain_health.py
+	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_repro_rejoin_readiness_docker.py
+	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_validation_registry.py
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_inspect_validation_runner.py
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_retain_validation_evidence.py
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_ci_timing_report.py
+	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/test_junit_diff.py
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/s3-tests/test_report_compat.py
 	$(RUSTFS_PYTHON_BIN) ./scripts/s3-tests/test_runner_tools.py
 	bash -n ./scripts/validate_object_data_cache_cold_stampede.sh
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ threads-required = "num-test-threads"
 # Reserve capacity so sibling disk-heavy tests cannot consume its 2s
 # registration budget; retain the queued backup and deadlock assertions.
 [[profile.default.overrides]]
-filter = 'package(rustfs) & test(=admin::handlers::table_catalog::tests::cold_strong_registration_completes_while_other_bucket_backup_waits)'
+filter = 'package(rustfs) & test(=admin::handlers::table_catalog::tests::cold_object_registration_completes_while_other_bucket_backup_waits)'
 threads-required = "num-test-threads"

 [[profile.default.overrides]]
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ test-group = 'embedded-test-ports'
 # processes cannot exhaust those budgets. Keep deadlines and assertions intact.
 # The short HTTP fixtures are tracked in rustfs/backlog#2714.
 [[profile.default.overrides]]
-filter = 'package(rustfs) & (binary(/^connect_registration$/) | binary(connect_inventory) | binary(connect_perf_drive) | (binary(connect_perf_client) & test(=configured_proxy_and_direct_endpoint_failures_are_distinct)) | (binary(connect_perf_object) & test(/^(real_rustfs_endpoint_and_production_cli_support_bounded_get_and_put|cleanup_uses_a_budget_independent_of_the_measurement_window|oversized_response_is_rejected_without_buffering_it)$/)))'
+filter = 'package(rustfs) & (binary(/^connect_registration$/) | binary(connect_inventory) | binary(connect_perf_drive) | (binary(connect_perf_client) & test(=configured_proxy_and_direct_endpoint_failures_are_distinct)) | (binary(connect_perf_object) & test(/^(real_rustfs_endpoint_and_production_cli_support_bounded_get_and_put|cleanup_uses_a_budget_independent_of_the_measurement_window|cleanup_accepts_missing_object_and_still_deletes_the_bucket|cleanup_diagnostics_identify_each_disconnected_transport_stage|cleanup_diagnostics_identify_each_failed_http_stage_without_private_context|cleanup_diagnostics_identify_timeouts_without_resetting_the_shared_deadline|oversized_response_is_rejected_without_buffering_it)$/)))'
 threads-required = "num-test-threads"

 # This cancellation probe hashes the serving executable before acquiring its
@@ -416,7 +416,7 @@ threads-required = "num-test-threads"
 # Reserve capacity so sibling disk-heavy tests cannot consume its 2s
 # registration budget; retain the queued backup and deadlock assertions.
 [[profile.ci.overrides]]
-filter = 'package(rustfs) & test(=admin::handlers::table_catalog::tests::cold_strong_registration_completes_while_other_bucket_backup_waits)'
+filter = 'package(rustfs) & test(=admin::handlers::table_catalog::tests::cold_object_registration_completes_while_other_bucket_backup_waits)'
 threads-required = "num-test-threads"

 [[profile.ci.overrides]]
@@ -560,7 +560,7 @@ filter = 'package(rustfs) & (binary(/^embedded.*_test$/) | binary(admin_diagnost
 test-group = 'embedded-test-ports'

 [[profile.ci.overrides]]
-filter = 'package(rustfs) & (binary(/^connect_registration$/) | binary(connect_inventory) | binary(connect_perf_drive) | (binary(connect_perf_client) & test(=configured_proxy_and_direct_endpoint_failures_are_distinct)) | (binary(connect_perf_object) & test(/^(real_rustfs_endpoint_and_production_cli_support_bounded_get_and_put|cleanup_uses_a_budget_independent_of_the_measurement_window|oversized_response_is_rejected_without_buffering_it)$/)))'
+filter = 'package(rustfs) & (binary(/^connect_registration$/) | binary(connect_inventory) | binary(connect_perf_drive) | (binary(connect_perf_client) & test(=configured_proxy_and_direct_endpoint_failures_are_distinct)) | (binary(connect_perf_object) & test(/^(real_rustfs_endpoint_and_production_cli_support_bounded_get_and_put|cleanup_uses_a_budget_independent_of_the_measurement_window|cleanup_accepts_missing_object_and_still_deletes_the_bucket|cleanup_diagnostics_identify_each_disconnected_transport_stage|cleanup_diagnostics_identify_each_failed_http_stage_without_private_context|cleanup_diagnostics_identify_timeouts_without_resetting_the_shared_deadline|oversized_response_is_rejected_without_buffering_it)$/)))'
 threads-required = "num-test-threads"

 # Preserve the cancellation probe's startup budget and assertions in CI too.
@@ -721,7 +721,7 @@ test-group = 'ecstore-serial-flaky'
 [profile.e2e-smoke]
 default-filter = """
    package(e2e_test) & (
-        test(/^(delete_marker_migration_semantics|version_id_regression|list_objects_v2_pagination|list_object_versions_regression|list_objects_duplicates|list_buckets_double_slash|list_buckets_auth|list_buckets_iam_filter|leading_slash_key|special_chars|create_bucket_region|delete_objects_versioning|head_object_consistency|head_object_range|copy_object_metadata|copy_object_tagging|copy_source_invalid_date|content_encoding|compression|multipart_storage_class|storage_class_capability|ssec_copy|anonymous_access|bucket_policy_check|presigned_negative|negative_sigv4|admin_auth|notification_webhook|tls_hot_reload|console_smoke|admin_iam_crud|admin_pools|sts_query_compat|data_usage)_test::|^fake_s3_target::/)
+        test(/^(delete_marker_migration_semantics|version_id_regression|list_objects_v2_pagination|list_object_versions_regression|list_objects_duplicates|list_buckets_double_slash|list_buckets_auth|list_buckets_iam_filter|leading_slash_key|special_chars|create_bucket_region|delete_objects_versioning|head_object_consistency|head_object_range|copy_object_metadata|copy_object_tagging|copy_source_invalid_date|content_encoding|compression|multipart_storage_class|multipart_upload_id|storage_class_capability|ssec_copy|anonymous_access|bucket_policy_check|presigned_negative|negative_sigv4|admin_auth|notification_webhook|tls_hot_reload|console_smoke|admin_iam_crud|admin_pools|sts_query_compat|data_usage)_test::|^fake_s3_target::/)
        | test(/^replication_extension_test::(test_replication_check_succeeds_with_remote_target|test_replication_check_rejects_target_without_object_lock|test_set_remote_target_rejects_unversioned_source_bucket|test_replication_check_rejects_unversioned_source_bucket|test_replication_check_rejects_missing_replication_config|test_replication_check_rejects_invalid_bucket|test_set_remote_target_rejects_same_bucket_on_same_deployment|test_set_remote_target_rejects_unversioned_target_bucket|test_set_remote_target_update_requires_arn|test_set_remote_target_update_rejects_missing_target|test_set_remote_target_rejects_invalid_target_url|test_set_remote_target_rejects_self_signed_https_target_without_skip_tls_verify|test_set_remote_target_rejects_private_ca_https_target_without_ca_cert_pem|test_list_remote_targets_rejects_empty_bucket|test_list_remote_targets_rejects_invalid_bucket|test_remove_remote_target_rejects_missing_target|test_remove_remote_target_rejects_missing_arn|test_remove_remote_target_rejects_invalid_bucket|test_remove_remote_target_rejects_target_used_by_replication|test_delete_bucket_replication_removes_remote_target)$/)
        | test(/^reliant::lifecycle::/)
        | test(/^conditional_delete_objects_test::/)
@@ -848,7 +848,7 @@ slow-timeout = { period = "120s", terminate-after = 12, grace-period = "10s" }
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # e2e-distributed profile — 4-node 4-disk Actions suite
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Storage-sensitive PR / nightly / dispatch lane owned by
+# Nightly and manual-dispatch lane owned by
 # .github/workflows/e2e-distributed.yml.
 # Each case starts four rustfs processes (and for site replication, two
 # clusters). Upgrade cases also require RUSTFS_UPGRADE_SOURCE_BINARY.
@@ -981,6 +981,12 @@ test-group = 'e2e-inline-boundaries'
 filter = 'package(e2e_test) & test(/^heal_erasure_disk_rebuild_test::/)'
 test-group = 'e2e-cluster-nightly'

+# The multi-pool crash fixture seeds three nodes and 36 drives. Reserve this
+# nextest run's workers so other multi-node tests do not starve its deadline.
+[[profile.e2e-full.overrides]]
+filter = 'package(e2e_test) & test(=heal_erasure_disk_rebuild_test::tests::test_cluster_root_heal_recovers_ec84_shards_across_multi_pool_after_background_target_crash)'
+threads-required = "num-test-threads"
+
 [[profile.e2e-full.overrides]]
 filter = 'package(e2e_test) & (test(/^kms::kms_vault_test::/) | test(/^kms::kms_rekey_sweep_test::/) | test(/^kms::configured_roundtrip_test::test_configured_vault_kms_admin_and_versioned_cleanup$/))'
 test-group = 'e2e-vault'
@@ -990,3 +996,23 @@ test-group = 'e2e-vault'
 [[profile.e2e-full.overrides]]
 filter = 'package(e2e_test) & (test(/^list_objects_v2_pagination_test::tests::(test_list_objects_v2_delimiter_small_page_traverses_all|test_list_objects_v2_max_keys_above_limit_returns_token|test_list_objects_v2_maxkeys_above_limit_with_delimiter)$/) | test(=reliant::tiering::test_hermetic_transition_restore_failure_expiry_and_retry))'
 threads-required = "num-test-threads"
+
+# The mc fixture uploads hundreds of objects concurrently before measuring listing.
+# Reserve the runner so other server fixtures do not starve its disk operations.
+[[profile.e2e-full.overrides]]
+filter = 'package(e2e_test) & test(=mc_mirror_small_bucket_test::test_mc_mirror_small_bucket_completes_without_list_timeout)'
+threads-required = "num-test-threads"
+
+# Fixed, small contract for every executable server change. These existing
+# scenarios exercise write/read, anonymous denial and retained bytes on restart.
+[profile.core-contract]
+default-filter = '''
+    package(e2e_test) & test(/^(anonymous_access_test::test_anonymous_access_denied_when_restrict_public_buckets_enabled|head_object_consistency_test::head_object_consistency_after_write_and_multipart_and_presigned_head|storage_class_capability_test::tests::historical_label_only_metadata_is_standard_without_hiding_a_real_transition_tier)$/)
+'''
+retries = 0
+fail-fast = false
+test-threads = 1
+slow-timeout = { period = "60s", terminate-after = 3 }
+
+[profile.core-contract.junit]
+path = "junit.xml"
@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+{
+  "schema_version": 1,
+  "plan_id": "rustfs-release-validation",
+  "description": "Certification for immutable candidates. All shipped platforms require native identity and startup; stable and prerelease require the pinned upgrade matrix. Linux-only acceptance never authorizes publication.",
+  "release_types": [
+    "preview",
+    "prerelease",
+    "stable"
+  ],
+  "targets": [
+    {
+      "os": "linux",
+      "arch": "x86_64",
+      "abi": "musl"
+    },
+    {
+      "os": "linux",
+      "arch": "aarch64",
+      "abi": "musl"
+    },
+    {
+      "os": "linux",
+      "arch": "x86_64",
+      "abi": "gnu"
+    },
+    {
+      "os": "linux",
+      "arch": "aarch64",
+      "abi": "gnu"
+    },
+    {
+      "os": "macos",
+      "arch": "aarch64",
+      "abi": "none"
+    },
+    {
+      "os": "windows",
+      "arch": "x86_64",
+      "abi": "msvc"
+    }
+  ],
+  "targets_basis": "Platform matrix of .github/workflows/build.yml (prepare-platform-matrix). gnu and macOS targets build with the pyroscope feature; musl and Windows targets build with no extra features.",
+  "features": [
+    "pyroscope"
+  ],
+  "trusted_workflows": [
+    {
+      "repository": "rustfs/rustfs",
+      "workflow_id": "release-candidate.yml"
+    },
+    {
+      "repository": "rustfs/rustfs",
+      "workflow_id": "release-complete.yml"
+    }
+  ],
+  "trusted_workflows_basis": "Receipts are produced by the reviewed main workflows and fetched by exact run ID with GitHub artifact digest verification. Candidate inputs freeze the harness commit separately from product source.",
+  "lanes": [
+    {
+      "lane": "identity",
+      "harness_repository": "rustfs/rustfs",
+      "harness_sha": "candidate.workflow_sha",
+      "harness_basis": "The exact workflow commit is frozen in candidate inputs; no mutable branch is accepted as a harness identity.",
+      "timeout_seconds": 1800,
+      "environment_capabilities": [
+        "process-exec"
+      ],
+      "cases": [
+        "artifact-identity",
+        "startup"
+      ],
+      "applies_to": {
+        "release_types": [
+          "preview",
+          "prerelease",
+          "stable"
+        ],
+        "platforms": "all"
+      },
+      "applies_basis": "Artifact identity and startup checks are mandatory for every release type, preview included, on every shipped target (rustfs/backlog#2662 frozen design item 5)."
+    },
+    {
+      "lane": "upgrade",
+      "harness_repository": "rustfs/rustfs",
+      "harness_sha": "candidate.workflow_sha",
+      "harness_basis": "The exact workflow commit is frozen in candidate inputs; no mutable branch is accepted as a harness identity.",
+      "timeout_seconds": 5400,
+      "environment_capabilities": [
+        "process-exec",
+        "previous-release-artifact"
+      ],
+      "cases": [
+        "direct-upgrade",
+        "mixed-version-upgrade",
+        "bucket-config-upgrade",
+        "bucket-config-rollback",
+        "multipart-layout-upgrade",
+        "multipart-layout-baseline"
+      ],
+      "cases_basis": "Case IDs of the pinned previous-release matrix in .github/workflows/e2e-upgrade.yml (source.version/asset/sha256 and the case list mapped there).",
+      "applies_to": {
+        "release_types": [
+          "prerelease",
+          "stable"
+        ],
+        "platforms": [
+          {
+            "os": "linux",
+            "arch": "x86_64",
+            "abi": "gnu"
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      "applies_basis": "preview releases use the pre-declared smaller set (identity lane only). The upgrade lane is only exercised on linux-x86_64-gnu, the platform of the pinned source assets."
+    }
+  ],
+  "upgrade_sources": {
+    "basis": "Exactly the two previous-release sources pinned in .github/workflows/e2e-upgrade.yml are exercised today (source.version / source.asset / source.sha256). No other N-1/N-2 compatibility is claimed, and these digests are not inferred from tags.",
+    "sources": [
+      {
+        "version": "1.0.1",
+        "role": "N-1",
+        "artifact_name": "rustfs-linux-x86_64-gnu-v1.0.1.zip",
+        "artifact_sha256": "9742e183cb0dfb0d48fa909797af572fe47b7f827569036baa4156e0d3958ee5"
+      },
+      {
+        "version": "1.0.0-rc.5",
+        "role": "N-2",
+        "artifact_name": "rustfs-linux-x86_64-gnu-v1.0.0-rc.5.zip",
+        "artifact_sha256": "3ee8df71e8edcfada533be452c4135868f697bc515460ae97b027313eade7a3d"
+      }
+    ],
+    "rollback_supported": false,
+    "rollback_basis": "Only the bucket-config-rollback case (rollback_to_previous_release_reads_current_bucket_metadata) is exercised. Full data-plane rollback is not certified and is never a default claim."
+  }
+}
@@ -13,5 +13,5 @@
 #                 header's rule clears (rustfs_s3_types's macro); fails closed
 # ecstore_files   Rust files referencing s3s paths under crates/ecstore/src
 files=65
-s3_error_lines=289
+s3_error_lines=219
 ecstore_files=0
@@ -4,61 +4,63 @@
 # One row per workspace member: <package>, tests, ignored, tab-separated.
 # tests counts #[test], #[tokio::test], #[tokio::test(...)] and #[test_case(...)]
 # attribute lines under the package directory; ignored counts #[ignore] and
-# #[ignore = "..."]. Both columns are exact: CI fails when a crate's tests fall
-# below or rise above its row, or when its ignored count changes. Raise a row in
-# the PR that adds tests; lowering one is a reviewed statement that tests were
-# intentionally removed. Regenerate with:
+# #[ignore = "..."]. The tests column is a floor and the ignored column is a
+# ceiling: CI fails when a crate's tests fall below its row or its ignored count
+# rises above it. Extra tests and fewer ignores pass; --update tightens the rows.
+# Lowering a tests row or raising an ignored row is a reviewed statement that
+# tests were intentionally removed or ignored; justify it in the PR description.
+# Regenerate with:
 #   scripts/check_test_count_ratchet.sh --update
-e2e_test	993	20
-rustfs	6078	64
+e2e_test	1026	20
+rustfs	6440	64
 rustfs-audit	70	0
-rustfs-checksums	26	0
+rustfs-checksums	28	1
 rustfs-common	36	0
-rustfs-concurrency	54	0
+rustfs-concurrency	87	0
 rustfs-config	43	0
 rustfs-connect-symbol-catalog	6	0
 rustfs-credentials	24	0
 rustfs-crypto	67	0
-rustfs-data-usage	56	0
-rustfs-ecstore	7415	2
+rustfs-data-usage	58	0
+rustfs-ecstore	7858	2
 rustfs-extension-schema	23	0
-rustfs-filemeta	353	0
-rustfs-heal	1033	3
+rustfs-filemeta	361	0
+rustfs-heal	1128	3
 rustfs-heal-contracts	8	0
-rustfs-iam	401	0
-rustfs-io-core	49	0
-rustfs-io-metrics	154	0
-rustfs-keystone	29	0
-rustfs-kms	715	25
+rustfs-iam	415	0
+rustfs-io-core	52	0
+rustfs-io-metrics	157	0
+rustfs-keystone	31	0
+rustfs-kms	716	25
 rustfs-license	2	0
-rustfs-lifecycle	155	0
-rustfs-lock	143	0
-rustfs-log-analyzer	90	0
+rustfs-lifecycle	156	0
+rustfs-lock	182	0
+rustfs-log-analyzer	91	0
 rustfs-madmin	210	0
-rustfs-notify	139	0
+rustfs-notify	140	0
 rustfs-object-capacity	92	0
-rustfs-object-data-cache	140	0
-rustfs-obs	385	0
-rustfs-policy	734	0
-rustfs-protocols	748	1
-rustfs-protos	73	0
+rustfs-object-data-cache	141	0
+rustfs-obs	387	0
+rustfs-policy	758	0
+rustfs-protocols	770	1
+rustfs-protos	75	0
 rustfs-replication	209	0
-rustfs-rio	206	0
+rustfs-rio	225	1
 rustfs-rio-v2	34	6
-rustfs-s3-client	69	0
+rustfs-s3-client	71	0
 rustfs-s3-ops	8	0
-rustfs-s3-types	103	0
-rustfs-s3select-api	207	0
-rustfs-s3select-query	189	2
-rustfs-scanner	1261	20
+rustfs-s3-types	105	0
+rustfs-s3select-api	232	0
+rustfs-s3select-query	235	2
+rustfs-scanner	1392	20
 rustfs-scanner-metrics	90	0
 rustfs-security-governance	20	0
-rustfs-signer	31	0
+rustfs-signer	34	0
 rustfs-storage-api	34	0
-rustfs-targets	603	26
+rustfs-targets	612	26
 rustfs-test-utils	1	0
-rustfs-tls-runtime	43	0
-rustfs-trusted-proxies	68	0
-rustfs-utils	247	0
+rustfs-tls-runtime	44	0
+rustfs-trusted-proxies	72	0
+rustfs-utils	253	1
 rustfs-zip	30	0
 zstd	11	0
@@ -22,9 +22,9 @@ The following files in the project root are essential for Docker operations:
 | File | Description | Usage |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **`docker-buildx.sh`** | **Multi-Arch Build Script**<br>Automates building and pushing Docker images for `amd64` and `arm64`. Supports release and dev channels. | `./docker-buildx.sh --push` |
-| **`Dockerfile`** | **Production Image (Alpine)**<br>Lightweight image using musl libc. Downloads pre-built binaries from GitHub Releases. | `docker build -t rustfs:latest .` |
-| **`Dockerfile.glibc`** | **Production Image (Ubuntu)**<br>Standard image using glibc. Useful if you need specific dynamic libraries. | `docker build -f Dockerfile.glibc .` |
-| **`Dockerfile.source`** | **Development Image**<br>Builds RustFS from source code. Includes build tools. Ideal for local development and CI. | `docker build -f Dockerfile.source .` |
+| **`Dockerfile`** | **Production Image (Alpine)**<br>Lightweight image using musl libc. Downloads verified RustFS and `rc` binaries from GitHub Releases and bundles `/etc/rustfs/bootstrap`. | `docker build -t rustfs:latest .` |
+| **`Dockerfile.glibc`** | **Production Image (Ubuntu)**<br>Standard image using glibc. Includes the bundled bootstrap configuration. | `docker build -f Dockerfile.glibc .` |
+| **`Dockerfile.source`** | **Development Image**<br>Builds RustFS from source code and bundles `rc` and the default bootstrap configuration. | `docker build -f Dockerfile.source .` |

 ### Docker Compose Configurations

@@ -110,6 +110,36 @@ docker compose up -d

 ---

+## Docker Compose environment values
+
+Use map syntax when quoting environment values in YAML:
+
+```yaml
+services:
+  rustfs:
+    image: rustfs/rustfs:latest
+    ports:
+      - "9000:9000"
+      - "9001:9001"
+    volumes:
+      - ./data:/data
+      - ./logs:/var/log/rustfs
+    environment:
+      RUSTFS_ADDRESS: ":9000"
+      RUSTFS_CONSOLE_ADDRESS: ":9001"
+      RUSTFS_CONSOLE_ENABLE: "true"
+      RUSTFS_OBS_LOGGER_LEVEL: error
+      RUSTFS_OBS_LOG_DIRECTORY: "/var/log/rustfs/"
+      RUSTFS_ACCESS_KEY: "${RUSTFS_ACCESS_KEY:?Set RUSTFS_ACCESS_KEY}"
+      RUSTFS_SECRET_KEY: "${RUSTFS_SECRET_KEY:?Set RUSTFS_SECRET_KEY}"
+```
+
+Create the host directories and grant the container user write access before starting this example; official images run as UID/GID `10001:10001`. Set both credential variables to your own values, then run `docker compose config` to inspect the resolved configuration locally before `docker compose up -d`. The resolved output includes credentials, so do not share it publicly.
+
+With list syntax, use `- RUSTFS_OBS_LOG_DIRECTORY=/var/log/rustfs/` or quote the whole item as `- "RUSTFS_OBS_LOG_DIRECTORY=/var/log/rustfs/"`. Writing `- RUSTFS_OBS_LOG_DIRECTORY="/var/log/rustfs/"` passes the inner quotes literally, making this a relative path beginning with `"`, which can fail with `mkdir: cannot create directory '"': Permission denied`. This also applies to addresses and credentials: fix every affected list item, rather than only the log directory. The entrypoint preserves configured values, including literal quotes in valid paths and secrets.
+
+---
+
 ## 🔧 Common Operations

 ### Cleaning Up
@@ -28,6 +28,15 @@ processors:
    check_interval: 1s
    limit_mib: 1024
    spike_limit_mib: 256
+  transform/metrics:
+    error_mode: ignore
+    metric_statements:
+      # RustFS process metrics already expose process_pid as a metric label.
+      # Remove only the duplicate datapoint label and keep the shared resource
+      # process.pid available to sibling metrics and lock histograms.
+      - context: datapoint
+        statements:
+          - delete_key(attributes, "process_pid") where IsMatch(metric.name, "^rustfs_system_process_")
  transform/logs:
    error_mode: ignore
    log_statements:
@@ -112,7 +121,7 @@ service:
      exporters: [ otlp/tempo, otlp/jaeger ]
    metrics:
      receivers: [ otlp ]
-      processors: [ batch ]
+      processors: [ transform/metrics, memory_limiter, batch ]
      exporters: [ prometheus ]
    logs:
      receivers: [ otlp ]
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+# syntax=docker/dockerfile:1.6
+# Copyright 2026 RustFS Team
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+
+# A compatible native runtime with Python 3.11+, getent and stat is required by
+# the isolated fixture's staging/provenance checks. This is a test image.
+ARG RUNTIME_BASE=python:3.13-slim-trixie
+FROM ${RUNTIME_BASE}
+
+ARG SOURCE_REVISION
+ARG BINARY_SHA256
+ARG BUILD_PROFILE=dev
+COPY rustfs /usr/bin/rustfs
+RUN python3 - "$SOURCE_REVISION" "$BINARY_SHA256" "$BUILD_PROFILE" <<'PY'
+import hashlib
+import os
+import re
+import shutil
+import sys
+
+source, digest, profile = sys.argv[1:]
+if not re.fullmatch(r"[0-9a-f]{40}", source):
+    raise SystemExit("invalid source revision")
+if not re.fullmatch(r"[0-9a-f]{64}", digest):
+    raise SystemExit("invalid binary digest")
+if profile not in ("dev", "release"):
+    raise SystemExit("invalid build profile")
+with open("/usr/bin/rustfs", "rb") as binary:
+    if hashlib.file_digest(binary, "sha256").hexdigest() != digest:
+        raise SystemExit("binary digest mismatch")
+for tool in ("getent", "stat"):
+    if shutil.which(tool) is None:
+        raise SystemExit(f"missing runtime tool: {tool}")
+os.chmod("/usr/bin/rustfs", 0o755)
+PY
+LABEL io.rustfs.repro.source_revision="${SOURCE_REVISION}" \
+      io.rustfs.repro.binary_sha256="${BINARY_SHA256}" \
+      io.rustfs.repro.build_profile="${BUILD_PROFILE}"
+USER 10001:10001
+ENTRYPOINT ["/usr/bin/rustfs"]
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 # limitations under the License.

 name: Quick Checks
-description: Run the shared compile-free RustFS quality checks.
+description: Run the shared RustFS quality checks.

 runs:
  using: composite
@@ -24,19 +24,30 @@ runs:
        tool: |
          ripgrep@15.2.0
          shellcheck@0.11.0
+          cargo-nextest@0.9.138

    - name: Install actionlint
      shell: bash
+      env:
+        GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+        ASSET_DOWNLOADER: ${{ github.action_path }}/../setup/download_release_asset.py
      run: |
        actionlint_dir="$(mktemp -d "${RUNNER_TEMP}/actionlint.XXXXXX")"
-        curl --fail --location --silent --show-error \
-          --output "$actionlint_dir/actionlint.tar.gz" \
-          https://github.com/rhysd/actionlint/releases/download/v1.7.12/actionlint_1.7.12_linux_amd64.tar.gz
+        python3 "$ASSET_DOWNLOADER" --repository rhysd/actionlint --tag v1.7.12 --asset actionlint_1.7.12_linux_amd64.tar.gz --output "$actionlint_dir/actionlint.tar.gz" --sha256 8aca8db96f1b94770f1b0d72b6dddcb1ebb8123cb3712530b08cc387b349a3d8
        echo "8aca8db96f1b94770f1b0d72b6dddcb1ebb8123cb3712530b08cc387b349a3d8  $actionlint_dir/actionlint.tar.gz" | sha256sum --check --status
        tar -xzf "$actionlint_dir/actionlint.tar.gz" -C "$actionlint_dir" actionlint
        rm "$actionlint_dir/actionlint.tar.gz"
        echo "$actionlint_dir" >> "$GITHUB_PATH"

+    - name: Install Python
+      uses: actions/setup-python@5fda3b95a4ea91299a34e894583c3862153e4b97 # v7.0.0
+      with:
+        python-version: "3.12"
+
+    - name: Install workflow parser
+      shell: bash
+      run: python3 -m pip install --disable-pip-version-check PyYAML==6.0.3
+
    - name: Install Rust toolchain
      uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@29eef336d9b2848a0b548edc03f92a220660cdb8 # stable
      with:
@@ -108,7 +119,10 @@ runs:

    - name: Check test wiring
      shell: bash
-      run: python3 ./scripts/check_test_wiring.py
+      run: |
+        python3 ./scripts/check_test_wiring.py
+        python3 ./scripts/ci_gate.py --check-workflow
+        python3 ./scripts/validation_registry.py check

    - name: Check no planning docs committed
      shell: bash
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+name: Runner capability and build pilot
+description: Inspect an existing runner and measure isolated fixed-source cold/warm builds
+inputs:
+  workload:
+    description: probe, server or workspace-tests
+    required: true
+  source-sha:
+    description: Exact merged main commit for builds
+    default: ""
+  toolchain:
+    description: Exact Rust version for builds
+    default: ""
+  scratch-root:
+    description: Existing absolute scratch root
+    default: ""
+  build-jobs:
+    description: Cargo concurrency
+    default: "2"
+  local-ssd:
+    description: Require operator storage attestation
+    default: "false"
+runs:
+  using: composite
+  steps:
+    - name: Validate pilot input and inspect existing capabilities
+      shell: bash
+      env:
+        PILOT_WORKLOAD: ${{ inputs.workload }}
+        PILOT_SHA: ${{ inputs.source-sha }}
+        PILOT_TOOLCHAIN: ${{ inputs.toolchain }}
+        PILOT_SCRATCH: ${{ inputs.scratch-root }}
+        PILOT_JOBS: ${{ inputs.build-jobs }}
+        PILOT_SSD: ${{ inputs.local-ssd }}
+      run: |
+        [[ "$PILOT_WORKLOAD" =~ ^(probe|server|workspace-tests)$ ]]
+        [[ "$PILOT_JOBS" =~ ^([1-9]|1[0-6])$ ]]
+        if [[ "$PILOT_WORKLOAD" != probe ]]; then
+          [[ "$PILOT_SHA" =~ ^[a-f0-9]{40}$ ]]
+          [[ "$PILOT_TOOLCHAIN" =~ ^[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$ ]]
+        fi
+        scratch="${PILOT_SCRATCH:-$RUNNER_TEMP}"
+        [[ "$scratch" == /* && -d "$scratch" ]]
+        minimum_disk=1
+        minimum_memory=0
+        if [[ "$PILOT_WORKLOAD" == server ]]; then minimum_disk=24; minimum_memory=8; fi
+        if [[ "$PILOT_WORKLOAD" == workspace-tests ]]; then minimum_disk=90; minimum_memory=16; fi
+        extra=()
+        if [[ "$PILOT_SSD" == true ]]; then extra+=(--local-ssd-attestation /etc/rustfs-runner/storage.json); fi
+        python3 scripts/ci/runner_pilot.py --root "$scratch" \
+          --output "$RUNNER_TEMP/runner-pilot-evidence" \
+          --min-free-gib "$minimum_disk" --min-memory-gib "$minimum_memory" --architecture x86_64 "${extra[@]}"
+    - name: Checkout the trusted baseline history
+      if: inputs.workload != 'probe'
+      uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+      with:
+        ref: main
+        path: .runner-pilot-source
+        fetch-depth: 0
+        persist-credentials: false
+    - name: Bind the build to a merged main commit
+      if: inputs.workload != 'probe'
+      shell: bash
+      env:
+        PILOT_SHA: ${{ inputs.source-sha }}
+      run: |
+        git -C .runner-pilot-source merge-base --is-ancestor "$PILOT_SHA" HEAD
+        git -C .runner-pilot-source checkout --detach "$PILOT_SHA"
+    - name: Install build dependencies
+      if: inputs.workload != 'probe'
+      shell: bash
+      run: |
+        sudo apt-get update
+        sudo apt-get install -y build-essential pkg-config libssl-dev cmake clang time
+    - name: Install the fixed protobuf compiler
+      if: inputs.workload != 'probe'
+      uses: rustfs/setup-protoc@a3705324d8f9bf5b6c3573fb6cf8ae421db55dd6 # v3.0.1
+      with:
+        version: "35.1"
+        repo-token: ${{ github.token }}
+    - name: Install the fixed flatbuffer compiler
+      if: inputs.workload != 'probe'
+      uses: Nugine/setup-flatc@698800de72a96bfb22cf60431dc21a2ff9a7e07b # v1
+      with:
+        version: "25.12.19"
+    - name: Install the requested exact Rust toolchain
+      if: inputs.workload != 'probe'
+      uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@29eef336d9b2848a0b548edc03f92a220660cdb8 # stable
+      with:
+        toolchain: ${{ inputs.toolchain }}
+    - name: Measure cold and warm builds without shared target caches
+      if: inputs.workload != 'probe'
+      shell: bash
+      env:
+        PILOT_WORKLOAD: ${{ inputs.workload }}
+        PILOT_SHA: ${{ inputs.source-sha }}
+        PILOT_TOOLCHAIN: ${{ inputs.toolchain }}
+        PILOT_SCRATCH: ${{ inputs.scratch-root }}
+        PILOT_JOBS: ${{ inputs.build-jobs }}
+        PILOT_SSD: ${{ inputs.local-ssd }}
+      run: |
+        extra=()
+        if [[ "$PILOT_SSD" == true ]]; then extra+=(--local-ssd-attestation /etc/rustfs-runner/storage.json); fi
+        python3 scripts/ci/runner_pilot.py --root "${PILOT_SCRATCH:-$RUNNER_TEMP}" \
+          --output "$RUNNER_TEMP/runner-pilot-evidence" \
+          --source .runner-pilot-source --source-sha "$PILOT_SHA" \
+          --toolchain "$PILOT_TOOLCHAIN" --benchmark "$PILOT_WORKLOAD" \
+          --jobs "$PILOT_JOBS" --timeout-seconds 3600 "${extra[@]}"
@@ -66,10 +66,7 @@ inputs:
 runs:
  using: "composite"
  steps:
-    # protobuf-compiler is deliberately absent: the setup-protoc step below
-    # installs 35.1 into the tool cache and prepends it to PATH, so the apt
-    # build (older, and never version-matched) was shadowed on every run and
-    # simply never used.
+    # Use the pinned code generators rather than Ubuntu's older packages.
    - name: Install system dependencies (Ubuntu)
      if: runner.os == 'Linux'
      shell: bash
@@ -79,7 +76,9 @@ runs:
          build-essential \
          pkg-config \
          libssl-dev \
-          ripgrep
+          ripgrep \
+          python3 \
+          gh

    # musl-gcc is needed by the native musl release leg, and zip/unzip by the
    # release packaging steps. No CI test lane touches any of them.
@@ -88,13 +87,32 @@ runs:
      shell: bash
      run: sudo apt-get install -y musl-tools zip unzip

+    - name: Install pinned code generators through GitHub API (Linux x64)
+      if: runner.os == 'Linux' && runner.arch == 'X64'
+      shell: bash
+      env:
+        GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+        ASSET_DOWNLOADER: ${{ github.action_path }}/download_release_asset.py
+      run: |
+        python3 "$ASSET_DOWNLOADER" --repository protocolbuffers/protobuf --tag v35.1 --asset protoc-35.1-linux-x86_64.zip --output "$RUNNER_TEMP/protoc.zip"
+        python3 "$ASSET_DOWNLOADER" --repository google/flatbuffers --tag v25.12.19 --asset 'Linux.flatc.binary.g++-13.zip' --output "$RUNNER_TEMP/flatc.zip"
+        python3 -m zipfile -e "$RUNNER_TEMP/protoc.zip" "$RUNNER_TEMP/protoc"
+        python3 -m zipfile -e "$RUNNER_TEMP/flatc.zip" "$RUNNER_TEMP/flatc"
+        chmod +x "$RUNNER_TEMP/protoc/bin/protoc" "$RUNNER_TEMP/flatc/flatc"
+        "$RUNNER_TEMP/protoc/bin/protoc" --version
+        "$RUNNER_TEMP/flatc/flatc" --version
+        echo "$RUNNER_TEMP/protoc/bin" >> "$GITHUB_PATH"
+        echo "$RUNNER_TEMP/flatc" >> "$GITHUB_PATH"
+
    - name: Install protoc
+      if: runner.os != 'Linux' || runner.arch != 'X64'
      uses: rustfs/setup-protoc@a3705324d8f9bf5b6c3573fb6cf8ae421db55dd6 # v3.0.1
      with:
        version: "35.1"
        repo-token: ${{ github.token }}

    - name: Install flatc
+      if: runner.os != 'Linux' || runner.arch != 'X64'
      uses: Nugine/setup-flatc@698800de72a96bfb22cf60431dc21a2ff9a7e07b # v1
      with:
        version: "25.12.19"
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Download a named GitHub release asset through its API and verify its digest."""
+
+import argparse
+import hashlib
+import json
+from pathlib import Path
+import re
+import subprocess
+import sys
+import tempfile
+from urllib.parse import quote
+
+
+def download(repository, tag, name, output, expected_sha256=None):
+    if not re.fullmatch(r"[A-Za-z0-9][A-Za-z0-9_.-]*/[A-Za-z0-9][A-Za-z0-9_.-]*", repository):
+        raise ValueError("invalid release repository")
+    if not tag or not name or "/" in name or "\\" in name:
+        raise ValueError("invalid release tag or asset name")
+    if expected_sha256 is not None and not re.fullmatch(r"[0-9a-f]{64}", expected_sha256):
+        raise ValueError("invalid pinned asset digest")
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        ["gh", "api", "--hostname", "github.com", f"repos/{repository}/releases/tags/{quote(tag, safe='')}"],
+        check=True, capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=60,
+    )
+    release = json.loads(result.stdout)
+    if not isinstance(release, dict) or release.get("tag_name") != tag:
+        raise ValueError("release metadata does not match the requested tag")
+    assets = release.get("assets")
+    if not isinstance(assets, list) or any(not isinstance(asset, dict) for asset in assets):
+        raise ValueError("invalid release asset inventory")
+    matches = [asset for asset in assets if asset.get("name") == name]
+    if len(matches) != 1:
+        raise ValueError("release must contain exactly one named asset")
+    asset = matches[0]
+    asset_id, size, digest = asset.get("id"), asset.get("size"), asset.get("digest")
+    if type(asset_id) is not int or asset_id <= 0 or type(size) is not int or not 0 < size <= 512 * 1024 * 1024:
+        raise ValueError("invalid release asset identity or size")
+    if not isinstance(digest, str) or not re.fullmatch(r"sha256:[0-9a-f]{64}", digest):
+        raise ValueError("release asset has no valid SHA-256 digest")
+    sha256 = digest.removeprefix("sha256:")
+    if expected_sha256 is not None and expected_sha256 != sha256:
+        raise ValueError("release digest differs from the pinned digest")
+    output = Path(output)
+    output.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    temporary = None
+    try:
+        with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(dir=output.parent, prefix=".release-asset-", delete=False) as stream:
+            temporary = Path(stream.name)
+            # gh authenticates to the API; its HTTP client strips credentials on
+            # cross-host redirects. No browser URL or token is supplied in argv.
+            subprocess.run(
+                ["gh", "api", "--hostname", "github.com", "--header", "Accept: application/octet-stream", f"repos/{repository}/releases/assets/{asset_id}"],
+                check=True, stdout=stream, timeout=300,
+            )
+        with temporary.open("rb") as stream:
+            actual = hashlib.file_digest(stream, "sha256").hexdigest()
+        if temporary.stat().st_size != size or actual != sha256:
+            raise ValueError("downloaded release asset failed size or SHA-256 verification")
+        temporary.replace(output)
+        print(f"Verified release asset: {repository} {tag} {name} sha256={actual}")
+    finally:
+        if temporary is not None:
+            temporary.unlink(missing_ok=True)
+
+
+def main():
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=__doc__)
+    parser.add_argument("--repository", required=True)
+    parser.add_argument("--tag", required=True)
+    parser.add_argument("--asset", required=True)
+    parser.add_argument("--output", required=True, type=Path)
+    parser.add_argument("--sha256")
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+    try:
+        download(args.repository, args.tag, args.asset, args.output, args.sha256)
+    except (ValueError, KeyError, TypeError, json.JSONDecodeError, subprocess.SubprocessError, OSError) as error:
+        print(f"Release asset download failed: {error}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+    return 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    raise SystemExit(main())
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+name: Verification runtime
+description: Install the runtime for prebuilt test archives without a target cache
+runs:
+  using: composite
+  steps:
+    - name: Install runtime tools
+      shell: bash
+      run: |
+        sudo apt-get update
+        sudo apt-get install -y libssl-dev ripgrep
+    - name: Install Rust toolchain
+      uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@29eef336d9b2848a0b548edc03f92a220660cdb8 # stable
+    - name: Install cargo-nextest
+      uses: taiki-e/install-action@96c7780c1d8a2b8723e12031def873a434d39d8d # nextest
+      with:
+        tool: cargo-nextest@0.9.138
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ updates:
      - "overtrue"
      - "majinghe"
    ignore:
+      - dependency-name: "pulsar"
+        versions: [ "6.9.x" ]
      - dependency-name: "object_store"
        versions: [ "0.13.x" ]
      - dependency-name: "libunftp"
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@

 ## Billing facts

-This repository is public. For a public repository, GitHub's standard hosted runners (`ubuntu-latest`, `windows-latest`, `macos-latest`) cost nothing and have no minute cap, whatever plan the organisation is on. GitHub bills only two things: larger hosted runners, which have custom labels and are not used here, and standard runners in private repositories.
+This repository is public. For a public repository, GitHub's standard hosted runners (`ubuntu-latest`, `windows-latest`, `macos-latest`) cost nothing and have no minute cap, whatever plan the organisation is on. GitHub bills only two things: larger hosted runners, including the `macos-latest-xlarge` release lane used here, and standard runners in private repositories.

 Every other label in this repository is capacity RustFS pays for. ARC pods and lab machines accrue cost while the machine exists. A Ubicloud label is metered for the minutes a job holds its VM:

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ Every other label in this repository is capacity RustFS pays for. ARC pods and l
 |---|---|---|---|
 | `ubuntu-latest` | nobody | GitHub-hosted, Ubuntu 24.04, 4 vCPU, 16 GB RAM, about 14 GB of free disk. Ships a C toolchain, `docker`, `gh`, `curl`, `wget`, `jq`, Python. Can `mount` tmpfs and loop devices; io_uring works | the default for every job |
 | `windows-latest`, `macos-latest` | nobody | GitHub-hosted standard runners | Windows and macOS targets |
+| `macos-latest-xlarge` | RustFS | GitHub-hosted larger Apple Silicon runner | macOS release builds, deferred until Linux acceptance for candidates |
 | `sm-standard-2` | RustFS | ARC pod, Ubuntu 24.04, minimal image: no `gh`, no C toolchain; Docker only on the `dind-` label | only a job that a hosted runner cannot run (see the placement rule) |
 | `sm-standard-4` | RustFS | ARC pod, Ubuntu 24.04, 14 CPUs and 28 GB (the label is not the core count), large disk | workspace-scale Cargo builds |
 | `ubicloud-standard-16-arm` | RustFS | Ubicloud VM, alias of `ubicloud-standard-16-arm-ubuntu-2404`: Ubuntu 24.04 arm64, 16 vCPU, 48 GB, 300 GB disk. Reached through the `build.yml` matrix, so `actionlint.yaml` does not list it | native aarch64 release builds (`linux-aarch64-musl`, `linux-aarch64-gnu`) |
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ A job runs on `ubuntu-latest` unless it has one of these reasons, and the reason

 Jobs that do only the following have no reason to be self-hosted: shell or Python scripts, `cargo fmt`, `cargo deny`, typos, actionlint, API calls (`gh`, dependency review, issue and stale bots, CLA checks), downloading an artifact and running a prebuilt binary, or a `cargo build -p rustfs` with its own cache key. `e2e-distributed.yml` and `e2e-upgrade.yml` build the server and the `e2e_test` harness on `ubuntu-latest` inside their budgets, so "it compiles something" alone is not a reason.

-The functional chain's `prepare` and `complete-chain` jobs, the performance runner availability check, and runner hygiene use `ubuntu-latest`: they inspect APIs or artifacts, not the lab hosts. The actual functional and performance suites remain on their lab runners. Functional-chain health collection stays on the operator-managed `smoke-testing` runner as part of the automation environment. Docker image packaging also uses `ubuntu-latest` for both musl and glibc variants; it downloads release binaries rather than compiling the workspace, and still sets up QEMU and Buildx explicitly.
+The functional chain's `prepare` and `complete-chain` jobs, the performance runner availability check, and runner hygiene use `ubuntu-latest`: they inspect APIs or artifacts, not the lab hosts. The actual functional and performance suites remain on their lab runners. Functional-chain health collection uses `ubuntu-latest` so a lab outage cannot also stop its independent monitor. Docker image packaging also uses `ubuntu-latest` for both musl and glibc variants; it wraps verified candidate binaries rather than compiling the workspace, and still sets up QEMU and Buildx explicitly.

 Moving these jobs off AKS reduces capacity demand, not necessarily the Azure bill immediately. VM costs fall only when nodes scale down or smaller capacity replaces them.

@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ A hosted runner is also the only choice for a few things the pods cannot do: `mo
 These are the patterns that have cost real money here without validating anything more:

 - An `if: always()` summary or alert job on a self-hosted label inside a `workflow_run`-triggered workflow. The upstream workflow completes many times a day, the real jobs skip, and the summary still starts a pod each time. Gate it on the upstream job having run, and keep it on `ubuntu-latest`.
- Per-push workflows on `main`. A merge triggers the full `ci.yml` matrix, `cache-warm.yml` and the `build.yml` development build; with tens of merges a day that is as much self-hosted time as all pull requests together. Anything that does not verify the merged tree itself belongs on a schedule or behind a `paths` filter.
+- Per-push workflows on `main`. A merge triggers the applicable `ci.yml` matrix and cache warming; `build.yml` development builds are scheduled or manual; with tens of merges a day that is as much self-hosted time as all pull requests together. Anything that does not verify the merged tree itself belongs on a schedule or behind a `paths` filter.
 - `apt-get install` of tools the hosted image already ships. It is only needed on the minimal pod images.
 - A throttled `CARGO_BUILD_JOBS` on a 14-CPU pod. The limit exists for link-storm reasons documented in `ci.yml`; measure before raising it, and measure before lowering it further.
 - Tiny jobs on ARC pods. Each one pays roughly a minute of pod start-up before its first step; a compile-free job that takes ten seconds costs more to schedule than to run.
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ gh api "repos/rustfs/rustfs/actions/runs/<run_id>/jobs?per_page=100" \
  --jq '.jobs[] | "\(.conclusion)\t\(.labels | join(","))\t\(.started_at)\t\(.completed_at)\t\(.name)"'
 ```

-Only rows whose label starts with `sm-`, `dind-`, `ubicloud-`, `smoke-` or `pf-` cost anything. At the October 2026 review, a full pull-request run of `ci.yml` spent about 150 self-hosted minutes, a third of it in jobs that never compiled; treat that as the scale of what a placement mistake costs, not as a current figure.
+Rows using `macos-latest-xlarge` or a label starting with `sm-`, `dind-`, `ubicloud-`, `smoke-` or `pf-` use paid capacity. At the October 2026 review, a full pull-request run of `ci.yml` spent about 150 self-hosted minutes, a third of it in jobs that never compiled; treat that as the scale of what a placement mistake costs, not as a current figure.

 ## Checklist for a new or moved job

@@ -76,3 +77,9 @@ Only rows whose label starts with `sm-`, `dind-`, `ubicloud-`, `smoke-` or `pf-`
 - A self-hosted `runs-on` carries a comment naming its reason from the placement rule.
 - Every `./.github/actions/setup` call states `cache-save-if`, and a key read from one pool is not written from the other.
 - Moving a job does not change its check name, so the `main` ruleset and `docs/testing/ci-gates.md` stay as they are; renaming it does, and then that document's change checklist applies.
+
+## Release stages
+
+The [candidate release pipeline](../../docs/operations/release-pipeline.md) builds Linux first and defers paid desktop capacity until acceptance. Daily development builds also select Linux; use manual platform selection for desktop development artifacts. All six platforms remain required before publication. The pipeline records and promotes the exact tested bytes. Builder workflows have no public-release credentials. Keep periodic development builds, PR verification and field-test chains separate when their contracts differ; do not re-enable disabled workflows as part of a source-file migration.
+
+Larger runners remain billed for public repositories; see [GitHub runner billing](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/concepts/runners/larger-runners#billing). Actual spending comes from organization billing, not runner labels or an estimated build duration.
@@ -23,9 +23,16 @@ on:
      - 'deny.toml'
      - '.github/actions/**'
      - '.github/workflows/**'
-      - 'scripts/release/create_or_update_release.sh'
-      - 'scripts/release/package_service_scripts.sh'
-      - 'scripts/release/package_versions.sh'
+      - 'scripts/release/**'
+      - 'scripts/security/generate_release_supply_chain_assets.py'
+      - '.config/release-validation-plan.json'
+      - '.github/scheduled-validations.json'
+      - 'scripts/test_helm_release_workflow.py'
+      - 'scripts/test_release_packages.py'
+      - 'scripts/test_release_images.py'
+      - 'Dockerfile*'
+      - 'entrypoint.sh'
+      - 'bootstrap/**'
      - 'scripts/test_package_service_scripts.sh'
      - 'scripts/test_package_versions.sh'
      - 'scripts/test_docker_workflow.py'
@@ -41,9 +48,16 @@ on:
      - 'deny.toml'
      - '.github/actions/**'
      - '.github/workflows/**'
-      - 'scripts/release/create_or_update_release.sh'
-      - 'scripts/release/package_service_scripts.sh'
-      - 'scripts/release/package_versions.sh'
+      - 'scripts/release/**'
+      - 'scripts/security/generate_release_supply_chain_assets.py'
+      - '.config/release-validation-plan.json'
+      - '.github/scheduled-validations.json'
+      - 'scripts/test_helm_release_workflow.py'
+      - 'scripts/test_release_packages.py'
+      - 'scripts/test_release_images.py'
+      - 'Dockerfile*'
+      - 'entrypoint.sh'
+      - 'bootstrap/**'
      - 'scripts/test_package_service_scripts.sh'
      - 'scripts/test_package_versions.sh'
      - 'scripts/test_docker_workflow.py'
@@ -132,12 +146,38 @@ jobs:
    if: github.repository == 'rustfs/rustfs' && (github.event_name != 'pull_request' || github.event.action != 'closed')
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    timeout-minutes: 5
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+      actions: read
+    outputs:
+      release_changed: ${{ steps.scope.outputs.release_changed }}
    steps:
      - name: Checkout repository
        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
          persist-credentials: false

+      - name: Scope native packaging checks to release changes
+        id: scope
+        env:
+          BASE_SHA: ${{ github.event.pull_request.base.sha || github.event.before }}
+        run: |
+          python3 - <<'PY'
+          import os, re, subprocess
+          event, base = os.environ['GITHUB_EVENT_NAME'], os.environ.get('BASE_SHA', '')
+          changed = event == 'workflow_dispatch'
+          if event in ('push', 'pull_request'):
+              if not re.fullmatch(r'[0-9a-f]{40}', base) or base == '0' * 40:
+                  changed = True
+              else:
+                  paths = subprocess.check_output(['git', 'diff', '--name-only', base, os.environ['GITHUB_SHA']], text=True).splitlines()
+                  pattern = r'^(scripts/release/|scripts/test_release_|Dockerfile|entrypoint.sh$|bootstrap/|\.dockerignore$|\.config/release-validation-plan.json$|\.github/workflows/(audit|build|docker|package|helm-package|release-[^.]+)\.yml$)'
+                  changed = any(re.match(pattern, path) for path in paths)
+          with open(os.environ['GITHUB_OUTPUT'], 'a') as output:
+              output.write(f'release_changed={str(changed).lower()}\n')
+          PY
+
      - name: Report unpinned GitHub Actions
        run: ./scripts/security/check_workflow_pins.sh --enforce

@@ -150,8 +190,35 @@ jobs:
      - name: Check checkouts clear their credentials
        run: ./scripts/security/check_persist_credentials.sh

-      - name: Check preview release workflow policy
-        run: ./scripts/security/check_preview_release_workflow.sh
+      - name: Check release candidate and promotion contracts
+        run: python3 -m unittest discover -s scripts/release -p 'test_*.py'
+
+      - name: Prepare artifact transport rehearsal
+        run: |
+          mkdir -p "$RUNNER_TEMP/release-transport"
+          printf '{"purpose":"transport contract, not release evidence"}\n' > "$RUNNER_TEMP/release-transport/transport.json"
+
+      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: release-transport-contract-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/release-transport/transport.json
+          if-no-files-found: error
+          retention-days: 1
+
+      - name: Verify actual GitHub artifact metadata and downloaded bytes
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+        run: |
+          python3 - <<'PY'
+          import os, sys
+          from pathlib import Path
+          sys.path.insert(0, 'scripts/release')
+          import candidate as c
+          run = c.github(f"repos/{c.REPOSITORY}/actions/runs/{os.environ['GITHUB_RUN_ID']}")
+          destination = Path(os.environ['RUNNER_TEMP']) / 'release-transport-downloaded'
+          c.download_artifact(run, f"release-transport-contract-{os.environ['GITHUB_RUN_ATTEMPT']}", destination)
+          c.require(c.read_json(destination / 'transport.json') == {'purpose': 'transport contract, not release evidence'}, 'artifact round trip changed')
+          PY

      - name: Check tier evidence workflow isolation
        run: ./scripts/security/check_tier_artifact_workflow.sh
@@ -162,6 +229,80 @@ jobs:
      - name: Check package service lifecycle contract
        run: ./scripts/test_package_service_scripts.sh

+  release-package-contract:
+    name: Release package contract
+    needs: workflow-pin-report
+    if: needs.workflow-pin-report.outputs.release_changed == 'true'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 15
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - name: Install real package managers
+        run: |
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y ruby ruby-dev build-essential rpm fakeroot cpio
+          sudo gem install fpm --version 1.17.0 --no-document
+      - name: Exercise accepted and substituted payloads through both recipes
+        run: python3 scripts/test_release_packages.py
+
+  release-image-contract:
+    name: Release image contract (${{ matrix.variant }})
+    needs: workflow-pin-report
+    if: needs.workflow-pin-report.outputs.release_changed == 'true'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 35
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        variant: [musl, gnu]
+    env:
+      RELEASE_IMAGE_VARIANT: ${{ matrix.variant }}
+      NO_PROXY: 127.0.0.1,localhost,::1
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - name: Install OCI tools
+        run: |
+          echo "RELEASE_IMAGE_OUTPUT=$RUNNER_TEMP/image-contract" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+          echo 'no_proxy=127.0.0.1,localhost,::1' >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y skopeo
+          go version
+      - uses: docker/setup-qemu-action@c7c53464625b32c7a7e944ae62b3e17d2b600130 # v3
+      - uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@8d2750c68a42422c14e847fe6c8ac0403b4cbd6f # v3
+      - name: Exercise real OCI packaging, startup, registry retry and conflicts
+        run: python3 scripts/test_release_images.py
+      - name: Exercise amd64 OCI archive scanning
+        uses: aquasecurity/trivy-action@ed142fd0673e97e23eac54620cfb913e5ce36c25
+        env:
+          TRIVY_PLATFORM: linux/amd64
+        with:
+          input: ${{ runner.temp }}/image-contract-scan/image-${{ matrix.variant }}-amd64.tar
+          format: sarif
+          output: ${{ runner.temp }}/image-contract/scan-${{ matrix.variant }}-amd64.sarif
+          exit-code: "0"
+      - name: Exercise arm64 OCI archive scanning
+        uses: aquasecurity/trivy-action@ed142fd0673e97e23eac54620cfb913e5ce36c25
+        env:
+          TRIVY_PLATFORM: linux/arm64
+        with:
+          input: ${{ runner.temp }}/image-contract-scan/image-${{ matrix.variant }}-arm64.tar
+          format: sarif
+          output: ${{ runner.temp }}/image-contract/scan-${{ matrix.variant }}-arm64.sarif
+          exit-code: "0"
+      - name: Verify scan receipts before recording the archive
+        run: |
+          python3 - <<'PY'
+          import os, sys
+          from pathlib import Path
+          sys.path.insert(0, 'scripts/release')
+          import deliver, test_candidate
+          deliver.image_record(test_candidate.inputs(), os.environ['RELEASE_IMAGE_VARIANT'], Path(os.environ['RELEASE_IMAGE_OUTPUT']))
+          PY
+
  dependency-review:
    name: Dependency Review
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
@@ -12,51 +12,32 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.

-# Build and Release Workflow
-#
-# This workflow builds RustFS binaries and automatically triggers Docker image builds.
-#
-# Flow:
-# 1. Build binaries for multiple platforms
-# 2. Upload binaries to OSS storage
-# 3. Trigger docker.yml to build and push images using the uploaded binaries
-#
-# Platform scope:
-# - Development builds come from the nightly schedule and manual dispatch and
-#   cover the full platform matrix; they feed the dev download channel
-#   (artifacts/rustfs/dev on R2, the *-main-latest packages). Tags build the
-#   release matrix. Main pushes do not build: at the usual merge rate most
-#   per-merge builds were cancelled by the next merge before publishing
-#   anything, and the dev channel does not need per-merge granularity.
-#
-# Manual Parameters:
-# - publish: Publish binaries/releases for manual runs (default: false)
-# - build_docker: Advisory only; manual runs do not trigger Docker publishing
-# - platforms: Comma-separated platform IDs or 'all' (default: all)
+# Nightly development artifacts and reusable immutable-candidate builds.
+# Public release writes live exclusively in release-publish.yml. Candidate callers
+# select Linux or desktop and pin release inputs before any matrix starts.

 name: Build and Release

 on:
-  push:
-    tags: [ "*.*.*" ]
+  workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      candidate_manifest:
+        description: Frozen candidate inputs; candidates never publish from this workflow
+        required: true
+        type: string
+      platforms:
+        description: linux, desktop, all, or an explicit platform list
+        required: true
+        type: string
  schedule:
    - cron: "13 1 * * *" # Nightly 01:13 UTC
  workflow_dispatch:
    inputs:
      publish:
-        description: "Publish to download channels and GitHub Releases (false keeps only workflow artifacts)"
+        description: "Publish the development download channel (never a release)"
        required: false
        default: false
        type: boolean
-      build_docker:
-        # Advisory only. docker.yml triggers on workflow_run and its job-level
-        # condition requires the triggering event to be a tag push, so a manual
-        # dispatch of this workflow never produces images regardless of this
-        # value. Publishing remains controlled by the explicit publish input.
-        description: "Build and push Docker images after binary build (ignored: dispatch runs never reach docker.yml)"
-        required: false
-        default: true
-        type: boolean
      platforms:
        description: "Comma-separated targets or 'all' (e.g. linux-x86_64-musl,macos-aarch64)"
        required: false
@@ -65,10 +46,11 @@ on:

 permissions:
  contents: read
+  actions: read

 concurrency:
  group: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref || github.run_id }}
-  cancel-in-progress: ${{ github.event_name == 'push' }}
+  cancel-in-progress: false

 env:
  CARGO_TERM_COLOR: always
@@ -84,19 +66,39 @@ jobs:
    timeout-minutes: 30
    outputs:
      should_build: ${{ steps.check.outputs.should_build }}
-      should_publish: ${{ github.event_name != 'workflow_dispatch' || inputs.publish == true }}
+      should_publish: ${{ inputs.candidate_manifest == '' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main' && (github.event_name == 'schedule' || inputs.publish == true) }}
      build_type: ${{ steps.check.outputs.build_type }}
      version: ${{ steps.check.outputs.version }}
      short_sha: ${{ steps.check.outputs.short_sha }}
      is_prerelease: ${{ steps.check.outputs.is_prerelease }}
+      candidate_id: ${{ steps.candidate.outputs.candidate_id }}
    steps:
      - name: Checkout repository
        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
        with:
          persist-credentials: false
+          ref: ${{ inputs.candidate_manifest != '' && fromJson(inputs.candidate_manifest).source_sha || github.sha }}
+
+      - name: Validate frozen candidate
+        if: inputs.candidate_manifest != ''
+        id: candidate
+        env:
+          CANDIDATE_MANIFEST: ${{ inputs.candidate_manifest }}
+        run: |
+          python3 - <<'PYINPUT'
+          import json, os, sys
+          sys.path.insert(0, 'scripts/release')
+          import candidate
+          value = candidate.validate_inputs(json.loads(os.environ['CANDIDATE_MANIFEST']))
+          candidate.write_json('candidate-inputs.json', value)
+          candidate.emit_output('candidate_id', value['candidate_id'])
+          PYINPUT
+          python3 scripts/release/candidate.py validate-inputs --inputs candidate-inputs.json --check-checkout

      - name: Determine build strategy
        id: check
+        env:
+          CANDIDATE_MANIFEST: ${{ inputs.candidate_manifest }}
        run: |
          should_build=false
          build_type="none"
@@ -107,8 +109,14 @@ jobs:
          # Get short SHA for all builds
          short_sha=$(git rev-parse --short HEAD)

+          # Candidates contain the final product version but have no release
+          # authority. Their only publication is immutable workflow artifacts.
+          if [[ -n "$CANDIDATE_MANIFEST" ]]; then
+            should_build=true
+            build_type="candidate"
+            version=$(python3 -c 'import json; print(json.load(open("candidate-inputs.json"))["version"])')
          # Determine build type based on trigger
-          if [[ "${{ startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/') }}" == "true" ]]; then
+          elif [[ "${{ startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/') }}" == "true" ]]; then
            # Tag push - preview, release, or prerelease
            should_build=true
            tag_name="${GITHUB_REF#refs/tags/}"
@@ -155,6 +163,46 @@ jobs:
          echo "  - Short SHA: $short_sha"
          echo "  - Is prerelease: $is_prerelease"

+  prepare-build-inputs:
+    needs: build-check
+    if: needs.build-check.outputs.should_build == 'true'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 15
+    outputs:
+      console: ${{ steps.inputs.outputs.console }}
+      toolchain: ${{ steps.inputs.outputs.toolchain }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+          ref: ${{ inputs.candidate_manifest != '' && fromJson(inputs.candidate_manifest).source_sha || github.sha }}
+      - name: Resolve one Console and toolchain identity
+        id: inputs
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+          CANDIDATE_MANIFEST: ${{ inputs.candidate_manifest }}
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          if [[ -z "$CANDIDATE_MANIFEST" ]]; then
+            gh api repos/rustfs/console/releases/latest > console-release.json
+            rustup update stable --no-self-update
+          fi
+          python3 - <<'PYINPUT'
+          import json, os, subprocess, sys
+          sys.path.insert(0, 'scripts/release')
+          import candidate
+          raw = os.environ['CANDIDATE_MANIFEST']
+          if raw:
+              frozen = candidate.validate_inputs(json.loads(raw))
+              console, toolchain = frozen['console'], frozen['toolchain']
+          else:
+              console = candidate.console_asset(candidate.read_json('console-release.json'))
+              toolchain = subprocess.check_output(['rustc', '+stable', '--version'], text=True).split()[1]
+          candidate.emit_output('console', json.dumps(console, separators=(',', ':')))
+          candidate.emit_output('toolchain', toolchain)
+          PYINPUT
+
  # Build RustFS binaries
  prepare-platform-matrix:
    name: Prepare Platform Matrix
@@ -171,7 +219,9 @@ jobs:
        env:
          # via env, not interpolation: a dispatch input is free-form text and
          # would otherwise be pasted into the script for bash to evaluate.
-          RAW_PLATFORMS: ${{ github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' && github.event.inputs.platforms || 'all' }}
+          # Daily development builds cover Linux. Desktop remains available on
+          # manual dispatch and is required after candidate field acceptance.
+          RAW_PLATFORMS: ${{ inputs.platforms || 'linux' }}
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail

@@ -193,10 +243,14 @@ jobs:
            {"target_id":"linux-aarch64-musl","os":"ubicloud-standard-16-arm","target":"aarch64-unknown-linux-musl","cross":false,"platform":"linux","rustflags":"","features":"","glibc":""},
            {"target_id":"linux-x86_64-gnu","os":"sm-standard-4","target":"x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu","cross":true,"platform":"linux","rustflags":"","features":"pyroscope","glibc":"2.31"},
            {"target_id":"linux-aarch64-gnu","os":"ubicloud-standard-16-arm","target":"aarch64-unknown-linux-gnu","cross":true,"platform":"linux","rustflags":"","features":"pyroscope","glibc":"2.31"},
-            {"target_id":"macos-aarch64","os":"macos-latest","target":"aarch64-apple-darwin","cross":false,"platform":"macos","rustflags":"","features":"pyroscope","glibc":""},
+            {"target_id":"macos-aarch64","os":"macos-latest-xlarge","target":"aarch64-apple-darwin","cross":false,"platform":"macos","rustflags":"","features":"pyroscope","glibc":""},
            {"target_id":"windows-x86_64","os":"windows-latest","target":"x86_64-pc-windows-msvc","cross":false,"platform":"windows","rustflags":"","features":"","glibc":""}
          ]}'

+          if [[ "$selected" == "linux" || "$selected" == "desktop" ]]; then
+            selected=$(jq -r --arg group "$selected" '.include[] | select(if $group == "linux" then .platform == "linux" else .platform != "linux" end) | .target_id' <<<"$all" | paste -sd ',' -)
+          fi
+
          if [[ "${selected}" == "all" ]]; then
            matrix="$(jq -c . <<<"${all}")"
          else
@@ -224,12 +278,13 @@ jobs:
  build-rustfs:
    # Acceptance workflows select artifacts by this stable platform name.
    name: Build RustFS (${{ matrix.target_id }})
-    needs: [ build-check, prepare-platform-matrix ]
+    needs: [ build-check, prepare-platform-matrix, prepare-build-inputs ]
    if: needs.build-check.outputs.should_build == 'true' && needs.prepare-platform-matrix.result == 'success'
    runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
    timeout-minutes: 180
    env:
      FORCE_JAVASCRIPT_ACTIONS_TO_NODE24: "true"
+      RUSTUP_TOOLCHAIN: ${{ needs.prepare-build-inputs.outputs.toolchain }}
      # Release binaries ship without dial9 telemetry and therefore do not need
      # --cfg tokio_unstable. Telemetry builds opt in explicitly (see
      # `make build-profiling`); crates/obs/build.rs fails the compile if the
@@ -244,11 +299,33 @@ jobs:
        with:
          persist-credentials: false
          fetch-depth: 0
+          ref: ${{ inputs.candidate_manifest != '' && fromJson(inputs.candidate_manifest).source_sha || github.sha }}
+
+      - name: Ensure Python for artifact verification
+        if: runner.os == 'Linux'
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          if ! command -v python3 >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            sudo apt-get update
+            sudo apt-get install -y python3
+          fi
+
+      - name: Reuse completed candidate platform
+        id: reuse
+        if: needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'candidate'
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+          CANDIDATE_MANIFEST: ${{ inputs.candidate_manifest }}
+          TARGET: ${{ matrix.target_id }}
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          python3 scripts/release/pipeline.py reuse-platform --target "$TARGET"

      - name: Setup Rust environment
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
        uses: ./.github/actions/setup
        with:
-          rust-version: stable
+          rust-version: ${{ needs.prepare-build-inputs.outputs.toolchain }}
          target: ${{ matrix.target }}
          # rust-cache keys include OS and architecture but not the runner image.
          # The Ubicloud aarch64 legs therefore use their own suffix so they
@@ -268,128 +345,35 @@ jobs:
          install-test-tools: 'false'

      - name: Download static console assets
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
        shell: bash
        env:
-          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+          CONSOLE_IDENTITY: ${{ needs.prepare-build-inputs.outputs.console }}
        run: |
-          mkdir -p ./rustfs/static
-
-          verify_sha256() {
-            local expected="$1"
-            local file="$2"
-            local actual=""
-            local actual_line=""
-
-            if command -v sha256sum >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-              actual_line=$(sha256sum -- "$file") || return 1
-            elif command -v shasum >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-              actual_line=$(shasum -a 256 -- "$file") || return 1
-            else
-              echo "No SHA-256 verification tool found" >&2
-              return 1
-            fi
-            actual="${actual_line%%[[:space:]]*}"
-
-            if [ "$actual" = "$expected" ]; then
-              echo "SHA256 verified OK: $actual"
-              return 0
-            else
-              echo "SHA256 mismatch: expected=$expected actual=$actual" >&2
-              return 1
-            fi
-          }
-
-          download_console_assets() {
-            local curl_bin="curl"
-            local python_bin="python3"
-            local console_api="https://api.github.com/repos/rustfs/console/releases/latest"
-            local console_json="console-release.json"
-            local console_url
-            local console_sha256
-            local curl_auth_args=()
-            console_tag=""
-
-            if [[ "${{ matrix.platform }}" == "windows" ]]; then
-              curl_bin="curl.exe"
-            else
-              chmod +w ./rustfs/static/LICENSE || true
-            fi
-
-            if ! command -v "$python_bin" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-              python_bin="python"
-            fi
-            if ! command -v "$python_bin" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-              echo "No Python interpreter found for release metadata parsing" >&2
-              return 1
-            fi
-
-            if [[ -n "${GITHUB_TOKEN:-}" ]]; then
-              curl_auth_args=(-H "Authorization: Bearer ${GITHUB_TOKEN}" -H "X-GitHub-Api-Version: 2022-11-28")
-            fi
-
-            "$curl_bin" "${curl_auth_args[@]}" --fail -L "$console_api" \
-              -o "$console_json" --retry 3 --retry-delay 5 --max-time 300 || return 1
-
-            read -r console_tag console_url console_sha256 < <("$python_bin" - "$console_json" <<'PY'
-          import json
-          import re
-          import sys
-
-          with open(sys.argv[1], encoding="utf-8") as handle:
-              release = json.load(handle)
-
-          tag = release.get("tag_name", "") or "unknown"
-
-          for asset in release.get("assets", []):
-              name = asset.get("name", "")
-              digest = asset.get("digest", "")
-              url = asset.get("browser_download_url", "")
-              if name.startswith("rustfs-console-") and name.endswith(".zip") and digest.startswith("sha256:") and url:
-                  sha256 = digest.split(":", 1)[1]
-                  if not re.fullmatch(r"[0-9a-fA-F]{64}", sha256):
-                      raise SystemExit(f"console zip asset has invalid sha256 digest: {sha256}")
-                  sys.stdout.buffer.write(f"{tag} {url} {sha256}\n".encode("utf-8"))
-                  break
-          else:
-              raise SystemExit("no console zip asset with sha256 digest found")
-          PY
-            ) || return 1
-
-            if [[ -z "$console_url" || -z "$console_sha256" ]]; then
-              echo "Console release metadata is missing URL or SHA-256 digest" >&2
-              return 1
-            fi
-
-            echo "Console release: ${console_tag}"
-            echo "Downloading console asset: ${console_url}"
-            "$curl_bin" --fail -L "$console_url" -o console.zip --retry 3 --retry-delay 5 --max-time 300 || return 1
-            verify_sha256 "$console_sha256" console.zip || return 2
-            unzip -o console.zip -d ./rustfs/static || return 2
-          }
-
-          if download_console_assets; then
-            rm -f console.zip console-release.json
-          else
-            status=$?
-            rm -f console.zip console-release.json
-            if [[ "$status" -eq 2 ]]; then
-              echo "Console asset integrity verification failed" >&2
-            fi
-            echo "Failed to download verified console assets" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
-
-          if [[ ! -s ./rustfs/static/index.html ]]; then
-            echo "Console asset archive is missing static/index.html" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
-
-          asset_count=$(find ./rustfs/static -type f | wc -l | tr -d '[:space:]')
-          echo "Console assets ready: version=${console_tag:-unknown}, ${asset_count} files extracted to ./rustfs/static"
+          python3 - <<'PYCONSOLE'
+          import json, os, pathlib, subprocess, zipfile
+          value = json.loads(os.environ['CONSOLE_IDENTITY'])
+          subprocess.run(['python3', '.github/actions/setup/download_release_asset.py',
+              '--repository', 'rustfs/console', '--tag', value['tag'], '--asset', value['name'],
+              '--sha256', value['sha256'], '--output', 'console.zip'], check=True)
+          destination = pathlib.Path('rustfs/static')
+          destination.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+          with zipfile.ZipFile('console.zip') as archive:
+              for member in archive.infolist():
+                  path = pathlib.PurePosixPath(member.filename)
+                  if path.is_absolute() or '..' in path.parts or '\\' in member.filename:
+                      raise SystemExit('unsafe Console archive member')
+              archive.extractall(destination)
+          if not (destination / 'index.html').is_file():
+              raise SystemExit('Console archive has no index.html')
+          PYCONSOLE

      - name: Build RustFS
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
        shell: bash
        env:
+          RUSTFS_BUILD_VERSION: ${{ needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'candidate' && needs.build-check.outputs.version || '' }}
          BUILD_TARGET: ${{ matrix.target }}
          BUILD_OS: ${{ matrix.platform }}-${{ startsWith(matrix.target, 'aarch64-') && 'aarch64' || 'x86_64' }}
        run: |
@@ -440,7 +424,7 @@ jobs:
          fi

      - name: Verify macOS binary has no dynamic liblzma dependency
-        if: matrix.platform == 'macos'
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true' && (matrix.platform == 'macos')
        shell: bash
        run: |
          binary="target/${{ matrix.target }}/release/rustfs"
@@ -451,7 +435,7 @@ jobs:
          "$binary" --version

      - name: Generate the CPU symbol catalog
-        if: endsWith(matrix.target, '-linux-gnu') && matrix.features == 'pyroscope'
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true' && (endsWith(matrix.target, '-linux-gnu') && matrix.features == 'pyroscope')
        shell: bash
        run: |
          cargo metadata --locked --format-version 1 --filter-platform '${{ matrix.target }}' \
@@ -468,6 +452,7 @@ jobs:
            "$release_dir/rustfs.cpu-symbol-catalog.json" > "$release_dir/rustfs.cpu-symbol-catalog.sha256"

      - name: Create release package
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
        id: package
        shell: bash
        run: |
@@ -668,7 +653,7 @@ jobs:
          echo "📊 Version: ${VERSION}"

      - name: Verify packaged Linux binary
-        if: matrix.platform == 'linux'
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true' && (matrix.platform == 'linux')
        shell: bash
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
@@ -697,7 +682,7 @@ jobs:
          "$binary_dir/rustfs" --version

      - name: Verify packaged console
-        if: matrix.target == 'x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu' || matrix.target == 'aarch64-unknown-linux-gnu'
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true' && (matrix.target == 'x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu' || matrix.target == 'aarch64-unknown-linux-gnu')
        shell: bash
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
@@ -750,15 +735,49 @@ jobs:
          cat "$log_file"
          exit 1

+      - name: Verify native candidate and retain receipts
+        if: needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'candidate' && steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
+        env:
+          CANDIDATE_MANIFEST: ${{ inputs.candidate_manifest }}
+          TARGET: ${{ matrix.target_id }}
+          ARCHIVE: ${{ steps.package.outputs.package_file }}
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          python3 -c 'import os; from pathlib import Path; Path("inputs.json").write_text(os.environ["CANDIDATE_MANIFEST"])'
+          python3 scripts/release/verify.py native --inputs inputs.json --archive "$ARCHIVE" --target "$TARGET" --output .
+
+      - name: Record candidate artifact identity
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true' && (needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'candidate')
+        env:
+          CANDIDATE_MANIFEST: ${{ inputs.candidate_manifest }}
+          TARGET_ID: ${{ matrix.target_id }}
+          PACKAGE_FILE: ${{ steps.package.outputs.package_file }}
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          python3 - <<'PYRECORD'
+          import json, os, sys
+          sys.path.insert(0, 'scripts/release')
+          import candidate
+          value = candidate.validate_inputs(json.loads(os.environ['CANDIDATE_MANIFEST']))
+          record = candidate.archive_record(os.environ['PACKAGE_FILE'], os.environ['TARGET_ID'], value)
+          candidate.write_json('record-' + os.environ['TARGET_ID'] + '.json', record)
+          PYRECORD
+
      - name: Upload to GitHub artifacts
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
        with:
-          name: ${{ steps.package.outputs.package_name }}
-          path: "rustfs-*.zip"
-          retention-days: ${{ startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/') && 30 || 7 }}
+          name: ${{ needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'candidate' && format('candidate-{0}-{1}', needs.build-check.outputs.candidate_id, matrix.target_id) || steps.package.outputs.package_name }}
+          path: |
+            rustfs-*.zip
+            record-${{ matrix.target_id }}.json
+            identity-${{ matrix.target_id }}*
+            startup-${{ matrix.target_id }}.log
+          if-no-files-found: error
+          retention-days: ${{ (startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/') || needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'candidate') && 30 || 7 }}

      - name: Upload to Cloudflare R2
-        if: needs.build-check.outputs.should_publish == 'true' && env.R2_ACCESS_KEY_ID != '' && (needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'release' || needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'prerelease' || needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'development')
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true' && (needs.build-check.outputs.should_publish == 'true' && env.R2_ACCESS_KEY_ID != '' && (needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'release' || needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'prerelease' || needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'development'))
        env:
          R2_ACCESS_KEY_ID: ${{ secrets.R2_ACCESS_KEY_ID }}
          R2_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY: ${{ secrets.R2_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY }}
@@ -814,13 +833,18 @@ jobs:
          export AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY="$R2_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY"
          export AWS_DEFAULT_REGION="auto"

-          # Determine upload path based on build type
+          # Determine upload path based on build type. Release and prerelease
+          # builds only stage their bytes here: the official
+          # artifacts/rustfs/release/ path is written solely by the
+          # certification-gated promote-release-artifacts job, from these same
+          # staged objects. Development builds keep the uncertified dev channel
+          # and never touch official or latest channels.
          if [[ "$BUILD_TYPE" == "development" ]]; then
            R2_PATH="s3://${R2_BUCKET}/artifacts/rustfs/dev/"
            echo "📤 Uploading development build to R2 dev directory"
          else
-            R2_PATH="s3://${R2_BUCKET}/artifacts/rustfs/release/"
-            echo "📤 Uploading release build to R2 release directory"
+            R2_PATH="s3://${R2_BUCKET}/artifacts/rustfs/staging/${GITHUB_RUN_ID}/${GITHUB_RUN_ATTEMPT}/"
+            echo "📤 Staging release build for certification-gated promotion"
          fi

          # Upload all rustfs zip files to R2 using S3-compatible API
@@ -835,6 +859,7 @@ jobs:

          echo "✅ Upload completed successfully"

+
  # Build summary
  build-summary:
    name: Build Summary
@@ -869,309 +894,9 @@ jobs:
            echo "This run does not trigger Docker publishing."
          fi

-  # Create GitHub Release for every valid release tag, including previews
-  create-release:
-    name: Create GitHub Release
-    needs: [ build-check, build-rustfs ]
-    if: needs.build-check.outputs.should_publish == 'true' && startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/') && (needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'preview' || needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'release' || needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'prerelease')
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest # gh CLI required; the sm-standard-2 fleet does not ship it
-    timeout-minutes: 30
-    permissions:
-      contents: write
-    outputs:
-      release_id: ${{ steps.create.outputs.release_id }}
-      release_url: ${{ steps.create.outputs.release_url }}
-    steps:
-      - name: Checkout repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
-        with:
-          persist-credentials: false
-          fetch-depth: 0
-
-      - name: Create GitHub Release
-        id: create
-        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
-        shell: bash
-        run: |
-          TAG="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.version }}"
-          VERSION="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.version }}"
-          IS_PRERELEASE="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.is_prerelease }}"
-          BUILD_TYPE="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.build_type }}"
-          TARGET_COMMITISH=$(git rev-parse --verify "refs/tags/${TAG}^{commit}")
-
-          # Determine release type for title
-          if [[ "$BUILD_TYPE" == "preview" ]]; then
-            RELEASE_TYPE="preview"
-          elif [[ "$BUILD_TYPE" == "prerelease" ]]; then
-            if [[ "$TAG" == *"alpha"* ]]; then
-              RELEASE_TYPE="alpha"
-            elif [[ "$TAG" == *"beta"* ]]; then
-              RELEASE_TYPE="beta"
-            elif [[ "$TAG" == *"rc"* ]]; then
-              RELEASE_TYPE="rc"
-            else
-              RELEASE_TYPE="prerelease"
-            fi
-          else
-            RELEASE_TYPE="release"
-          fi
-
-          # Create release title
-          if [[ "$IS_PRERELEASE" == "true" ]]; then
-            TITLE="RustFS $VERSION (${RELEASE_TYPE})"
-          else
-            TITLE="RustFS $VERSION"
-          fi
-
-          ./scripts/release/create_or_update_release.sh \
-            "$TAG" \
-            "$TARGET_COMMITISH" \
-            "$TITLE" \
-            "$IS_PRERELEASE"
-
-  # Prepare and upload release assets
-  upload-release-assets:
-    name: Upload Release Assets
-    needs: [ build-check, build-rustfs, create-release ]
-    if: needs.build-check.outputs.should_publish == 'true' && startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/') && (needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'preview' || needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'release' || needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'prerelease')
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest # gh CLI required; the sm-standard-2 fleet does not ship it
-    timeout-minutes: 30
-    permissions:
-      contents: write
-      actions: read
-    steps:
-      - name: Checkout repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
-        with:
-          persist-credentials: false
-
-      - name: Download all build artifacts
-        uses: actions/download-artifact@3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c # v8.0.1
-        with:
-          path: ./artifacts
-          pattern: rustfs-*
-          merge-multiple: true
-
-      - name: Prepare release assets
-        id: prepare
-        shell: bash
-        run: |
-          VERSION="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.version }}"
-          TAG="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.version }}"
-
-          mkdir -p ./release-assets
-
-          # Copy and verify artifacts (including latest files created during build)
-          ASSETS_COUNT=0
-          for file in ./artifacts/*.zip; do
-            if [[ -f "$file" ]]; then
-              cp "$file" ./release-assets/
-              ASSETS_COUNT=$((ASSETS_COUNT + 1))
-            fi
-          done
-
-          if [[ $ASSETS_COUNT -eq 0 ]]; then
-            echo "❌ No artifacts found!"
-            exit 1
-          fi
-
-          cd ./release-assets
-
-          # Generate checksums for all files (including latest versions)
-          if compgen -G "*.zip" >/dev/null; then
-            sha256sum -- *.zip > SHA256SUMS
-            sha512sum -- *.zip > SHA512SUMS
-          fi
-
-          cd ..
-          python3 scripts/security/generate_release_supply_chain_assets.py \
-            --asset-dir ./release-assets \
-            --version "$VERSION" \
-            --tag "$TAG" \
-            --build-type "${{ needs.build-check.outputs.build_type }}" \
-            --repository "${{ github.repository }}" \
-            --ref "${{ github.ref }}" \
-            --sha "${{ github.sha }}" \
-            --run-id "${{ github.run_id }}" \
-            --run-attempt "${{ github.run_attempt }}"
-          cd ./release-assets
-
-          echo "📦 Prepared assets:"
-          ls -la
-
-          echo "🔢 Total asset count: $ASSETS_COUNT"
-
-      - name: Upload to GitHub Release
-        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
-        shell: bash
-        run: |
-          TAG="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.version }}"
-
-          cd ./release-assets
-
-          # Upload all files
-          for file in *; do
-            if [[ -f "$file" ]]; then
-              echo "📤 Uploading $file..."
-              gh release upload "$TAG" "$file" --clobber
-            fi
-          done
-
-          echo "✅ All assets uploaded successfully"
-
-  # Update latest.json for every release tag (stable and prerelease): the
-  # project currently ships prerelease tags only, so gating this to stable
-  # left the version pointer permanently stale. release_type records whether
-  # the pointed-to version is a prerelease.
-  update-latest-version:
-    name: Update Latest Version
-    needs: [ build-check, publish-release ]
-    if: needs.build-check.outputs.should_publish == 'true' && startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/') && (needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'release' || needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'prerelease')
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    timeout-minutes: 30
-    steps:
-      - name: Update latest.json
-        env:
-          OSS_ACCESS_KEY_ID: ${{ secrets.ALICLOUDOSS_KEY_ID }}
-          OSS_ACCESS_KEY_SECRET: ${{ secrets.ALICLOUDOSS_KEY_SECRET }}
-          OSS_REGION: cn-beijing
-          OSS_ENDPOINT: https://oss-cn-beijing.aliyuncs.com
-        shell: bash
-        run: |
-          if [[ -z "$OSS_ACCESS_KEY_ID" ]]; then
-            echo "⚠️ OSS credentials not available, skipping latest.json update"
-            exit 0
-          fi
-
-          VERSION="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.version }}"
-          TAG="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.version }}"
-
-          if [[ "${{ needs.build-check.outputs.build_type }}" == "prerelease" ]]; then
-            RELEASE_TYPE="prerelease"
-          else
-            RELEASE_TYPE="stable"
-          fi
-
-          # Install ossutil
-          OSSUTIL_VERSION="2.1.1"
-          OSSUTIL_ZIP="ossutil-${OSSUTIL_VERSION}-linux-amd64.zip"
-          OSSUTIL_DIR="ossutil-${OSSUTIL_VERSION}-linux-amd64"
-          OSSUTIL_SHA256="60f3a808cbbdfd4b5269b8f967c6a66f564c9dacff52d93a5d21a588976ab5a2"
-
-          curl --fail -L -o "$OSSUTIL_ZIP" "https://gosspublic.alicdn.com/ossutil/v2/${OSSUTIL_VERSION}/${OSSUTIL_ZIP}"
-          printf '%s  %s\n' "$OSSUTIL_SHA256" "$OSSUTIL_ZIP" | sha256sum -c -
-          unzip "$OSSUTIL_ZIP"
-          OSSUTIL_BIN="${RUNNER_TEMP}/ossutil"
-          mv "${OSSUTIL_DIR}/ossutil" "$OSSUTIL_BIN"
-          rm -rf "$OSSUTIL_DIR" "$OSSUTIL_ZIP"
-          chmod +x "$OSSUTIL_BIN"
-
-          # Create latest.json
-          cat > latest.json << EOF
-          {
-            "version": "${VERSION}",
-            "tag": "${TAG}",
-            "release_date": "$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)",
-            "release_type": "${RELEASE_TYPE}",
-            "download_url": "https://github.com/${{ github.repository }}/releases/tag/${TAG}"
-          }
-          EOF
-
-          # Upload to OSS
-          "$OSSUTIL_BIN" cp latest.json oss://rustfs-version/latest.json --force
-
-          echo "✅ Updated latest.json for ${RELEASE_TYPE} release $VERSION"
-
-  # Publish release (remove draft status)
-  publish-release:
-    name: Publish Release
-    needs: [ build-check, create-release, upload-release-assets ]
-    if: needs.build-check.outputs.should_publish == 'true' && startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/') && (needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'preview' || needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'release' || needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'prerelease')
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest # gh CLI required; the sm-standard-2 fleet does not ship it
-    timeout-minutes: 30
-    permissions:
-      contents: write
-    steps:
-      - name: Publish release
-        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
-        shell: bash
-        run: |
-          TAG="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.version }}"
-          BUILD_TYPE="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.build_type }}"
-          RELEASE_ID="${{ needs.create-release.outputs.release_id }}"
-
-          # Publish the release and correct its channel state on retries.
-          # Only a stable final release may become GitHub Latest.
-          if [[ "$BUILD_TYPE" == "release" ]]; then
-            gh api --method PATCH "repos/${GITHUB_REPOSITORY}/releases/${RELEASE_ID}" \
-              -F draft=false \
-              -F prerelease=false \
-              -f make_latest=true >/dev/null
-          else
-            gh api --method PATCH "repos/${GITHUB_REPOSITORY}/releases/${RELEASE_ID}" \
-              -F draft=false \
-              -F prerelease=true \
-              -f make_latest=false >/dev/null
-          fi
-
-          echo "🎉 Released $TAG successfully!"
-          echo "📄 Release URL: ${{ needs.create-release.outputs.release_url }}"
-
-  # Remove the internal preview releases once the deliverable release is live.
-  # Only the Releases are deleted; the -preview.N tags stay so the validated
-  # commit remains traceable.
-  cleanup-preview-releases:
-    name: Cleanup Preview Releases
-    needs: [ build-check, publish-release ]
-    if: needs.build-check.outputs.should_publish == 'true' && startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/') && (needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'release' || needs.build-check.outputs.build_type == 'prerelease')
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest # gh CLI required; the sm-standard-2 fleet does not ship it
-    timeout-minutes: 30
-    permissions:
-      contents: write
-    steps:
-      - name: Delete preview releases for this target
-        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
-        shell: bash
-        run: |
-          set -euo pipefail
-
-          TAG="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.version }}"
-          RELEASES_JSON="${RUNNER_TEMP}/releases.json"
-
-          # Fetch before filtering: a failed listing must abort here instead of
-          # looking like "nothing to clean up".
-          gh api --paginate "repos/${GITHUB_REPOSITORY}/releases?per_page=100" > "$RELEASES_JSON"
-
-          # Match only <target>-preview.<digits>. String operations, not a
-          # regex over the tag, so dots in the version cannot widen the match.
-          DELETED=0
-          while IFS= read -r preview_tag; do
-            [[ -n "$preview_tag" ]] || continue
-            echo "🧹 Deleting preview release $preview_tag (tag kept)"
-            gh release delete "$preview_tag" --repo "${GITHUB_REPOSITORY}" --yes
-            DELETED=$((DELETED + 1))
-          done < <(
-            jq -r --arg tag "$TAG" '
-              .[]
-              | select(.tag_name | startswith($tag + "-preview."))
-              | select(.tag_name | ltrimstr($tag + "-preview.") | test("^[0-9]+$"))
-              | .tag_name
-            ' "$RELEASES_JSON"
-          )
-
-          if [[ "$DELETED" -eq 0 ]]; then
-            echo "ℹ️  No preview releases to clean up for $TAG"
-          else
-            echo "✅ Removed $DELETED preview release(s) for $TAG"
-          fi
-
  alert-on-failure:
    name: Alert on scheduled failure
-    needs: [build-check, prepare-platform-matrix, build-rustfs, build-summary]
+    needs: [build-check, prepare-build-inputs, prepare-platform-matrix, build-rustfs, build-summary]
    if: >-
      always() && github.event_name == 'schedule' &&
      (contains(needs.*.result, 'failure') || contains(needs.*.result, 'cancelled'))
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ env:
  RUST_BACKTRACE: 1

 jobs:
-  # Readers: test-and-lint (workspace and ILM), build-rustfs-debug-binary,
+  # Readers: workspace-lint-and-build, workspace-tests (workspace and ILM), build-rustfs-debug-binary,
  # e2e-tests, e2e-full.
  warm-ci-dev:
    name: Warm ci-dev
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ jobs:
          if-no-files-found: error

      # --all-targets covers the test binaries nextest builds, including
-      # e2e_test, which test-and-lint's own run excludes. The second build adds
+      # e2e_test, which the workspace run excludes. The second build adds
      # the e2e-test-hooks feature resolution that build-rustfs-debug-binary uses
      # and that no lint lane enables.
      - name: Build ci-dev superset
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+name: CI Resource Accounting
+
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      since:
+        description: "Inclusive run creation timestamp, for example 2026-10-01T00:00:00Z"
+        required: true
+        type: string
+      until:
+        description: "Inclusive end timestamp; keep the window below 1000 runs"
+        required: true
+        type: string
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+  actions: read
+  pull-requests: read
+
+concurrency:
+  group: ci-resource-accounting
+  cancel-in-progress: false
+
+jobs:
+  collect:
+    if: github.repository == 'rustfs/rustfs'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 30
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - name: Collect all workflow attempts in the window
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+          ACCOUNTING_SINCE: ${{ inputs.since }}
+          ACCOUNTING_UNTIL: ${{ inputs.until }}
+          ACCOUNTING_REPOSITORY: ${{ github.repository }}
+        run: |
+          python3 scripts/ci/actions_cost_report.py \
+            --repository "$ACCOUNTING_REPOSITORY" \
+            --since "$ACCOUNTING_SINCE" --until "$ACCOUNTING_UNTIL" \
+            --output "$RUNNER_TEMP/ci-accounting.json" \
+            --summary "$RUNNER_TEMP/ci-accounting.md"
+      - name: Show available accounting summary
+        if: always()
+        run: |
+          if [[ -f "$RUNNER_TEMP/ci-accounting.md" ]]; then
+            cat "$RUNNER_TEMP/ci-accounting.md" >> "$GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY"
+          fi
+      - name: Retain recomputable accounting evidence
+        if: always()
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@ea165f8d65b6e75b540449e92b4886f43607fa02 # v4
+        with:
+          name: ci-accounting-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: |
+            ${{ runner.temp }}/ci-accounting.json
+            ${{ runner.temp }}/ci-accounting.md
+          if-no-files-found: error
+          retention-days: 30
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+name: CI Runner Pilot
+
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      pool:
+        description: "Existing runner pool; no infrastructure is created"
+        required: true
+        type: choice
+        options: [hosted, arc]
+        default: hosted
+      workload:
+        description: "Probe only, or perform cold/warm fixed-source builds"
+        required: true
+        type: choice
+        options: [probe, server, workspace-tests]
+        default: probe
+      source_sha:
+        description: "Exact 40-character merged main SHA; required for builds"
+        type: string
+      toolchain:
+        description: "Exact Rust version such as 1.92.0; required for builds"
+        type: string
+      scratch_root:
+        description: "Existing absolute scratch directory; empty uses runner.temp"
+        type: string
+      build_jobs:
+        description: "Fixed Cargo concurrency for both comparisons (1-16)"
+        type: string
+        default: "2"
+      local_ssd:
+        description: "Require operator /etc/rustfs-runner/storage.json attestation"
+        type: boolean
+        default: false
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+concurrency:
+  group: ci-runner-pilot
+  cancel-in-progress: false
+
+jobs:
+  hosted:
+    if: github.repository == 'rustfs/rustfs' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main' && inputs.pool == 'hosted'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 150
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - uses: ./.github/actions/runner-pilot
+        with:
+          workload: ${{ inputs.workload }}
+          source-sha: ${{ inputs.source_sha }}
+          toolchain: ${{ inputs.toolchain }}
+          scratch-root: ${{ inputs.scratch_root }}
+          build-jobs: ${{ inputs.build_jobs }}
+          local-ssd: ${{ inputs.local_ssd }}
+      - name: Retain hosted pilot evidence
+        if: always()
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@ea165f8d65b6e75b540449e92b4886f43607fa02 # v4
+        with:
+          name: runner-pilot-hosted-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/runner-pilot-evidence
+          if-no-files-found: error
+          retention-days: 30
+  arc:
+    if: github.repository == 'rustfs/rustfs' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main' && inputs.pool == 'arc'
+    # Disk and hardware: measure the existing workspace build pool's storage.
+    runs-on: sm-standard-4
+    timeout-minutes: 150
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - uses: ./.github/actions/runner-pilot
+        with:
+          workload: ${{ inputs.workload }}
+          source-sha: ${{ inputs.source_sha }}
+          toolchain: ${{ inputs.toolchain }}
+          scratch-root: ${{ inputs.scratch_root }}
+          build-jobs: ${{ inputs.build_jobs }}
+          local-ssd: ${{ inputs.local_ssd }}
+      - name: Retain ARC pilot evidence
+        if: always()
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@ea165f8d65b6e75b540449e92b4886f43607fa02 # v4
+        with:
+          name: runner-pilot-arc-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/runner-pilot-evidence
+          if-no-files-found: error
+          retention-days: 30
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ jobs:

      - name: Run CLA Bot
        if: github.event_name != 'merge_group'
-        uses: overtrue/cla-bot@5e5929846a60cfb42b16d0d38e135ef67d94fc88 # v0.0.9
+        uses: overtrue/cla-bot@4bd1387c19691168c42fcf5edfa17b15819b2ab3 # v0.1.1
        with:
          github-token: ${{ github.token }}
          registry-token: ${{ steps.registry-token.outputs.token }}
@@ -1,599 +1,99 @@
-# Copyright 2024 RustFS Team
-#
-# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-# You may obtain a copy of the License at
-#
-#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-#
-# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-# limitations under the License.
-
-# Docker Images Workflow
-#
-# This workflow builds Docker images using pre-built binaries from the build workflow.
-#
-# Trigger Types:
-# 1. workflow_run: Automatically triggered when "Build and Release" workflow completes
-# 2. workflow_dispatch: Manual trigger for standalone Docker builds
-#
-# Key Features:
-# - Only triggers when Linux builds (x86_64 + aarch64) are successful
-# - Independent of macOS/Windows build status
-# - Uses workflow_run event for precise control
-# - Only builds Docker images for releases and prereleases (development builds are skipped)
-
-name: Docker Images
-
-# Permissions needed for workflow_run event and Docker registry access
+# Copyright 2026 RustFS Team
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+name: Build candidate images
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      candidate_manifest:
+        type: string
+        required: true
 permissions:
  contents: read
-  packages: write
-
-on:
-  # Automatically triggered when build workflow completes
-  workflow_run:
-    workflows: [ "Build and Release" ]
-    types: [ completed ]
-  # Manual trigger with same parameters for consistency
-  workflow_dispatch:
-    inputs:
-      push_images:
-        description: "Push images to registries"
-        required: false
-        default: true
-        type: boolean
-      version:
-        description: "Version to build (latest, v1.0.0, v1.0.0-alpha1, or v1.0.1-preview.1)"
-        required: false
-        default: "latest"
-        type: string
-      force_rebuild:
-        description: "Force rebuild even if binary exists (useful for testing)"
-        required: false
-        default: false
-        type: boolean
-
-env:
-  CONCLUSION: ${{ github.event.workflow_run.conclusion }}
-  HEAD_BRANCH: ${{ github.event.workflow_run.head_branch }}
-  HEAD_SHA: ${{ github.event.workflow_run.head_sha }}
-  TRIGGERING_EVENT: ${{ github.event.workflow_run.event }}
-  DOCKERHUB_USERNAME: rustfs
-  CARGO_TERM_COLOR: always
-  REGISTRY_DOCKERHUB: rustfs/rustfs
-  REGISTRY_GHCR: ghcr.io/${{ github.repository }}
-  REGISTRY_QUAY: quay.io/rustfs/rustfs
-  DOCKER_PLATFORMS: linux/amd64,linux/arm64
-
+  actions: read
 jobs:
-  # Check if we should build Docker images.
-  # Short-circuit at job level so per-merge development builds (workflow_run
-  # from a push to main) skip the whole run without spawning a checkout job:
-  # images are only published for tag builds — build.yml push triggers cover
-  # only main and tags, so a non-main head_branch is a tag name — and for
-  # manual dispatch.
-  build-check:
-    name: Docker Build Check
-    if: >-
-      github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' ||
-      (github.event.workflow_run.conclusion == 'success' &&
-       github.event.workflow_run.event == 'push' &&
-       github.event.workflow_run.head_branch != 'main')
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    timeout-minutes: 30
-    outputs:
-      should_build: ${{ steps.check.outputs.should_build }}
-      should_push: ${{ steps.check.outputs.should_push }}
-      build_type: ${{ steps.check.outputs.build_type }}
-      version: ${{ steps.check.outputs.version }}
-      short_sha: ${{ steps.check.outputs.short_sha }}
-      is_prerelease: ${{ steps.check.outputs.is_prerelease }}
-      create_latest: ${{ steps.check.outputs.create_latest }}
-      source_ref: ${{ steps.check.outputs.source_ref }}
-    steps:
-      - name: Checkout repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
-        with:
-          persist-credentials: false
-          # For workflow_run events, checkout the specific commit that triggered the workflow
-          ref: ${{ github.event.workflow_run.head_sha || github.sha }}
-
-      - name: Check build conditions
-        id: check
-        env:
-          # dispatch inputs via env, not `${{ }}` interpolation: they are
-          # free-form strings and would otherwise be evaluated by bash.
-          INPUT_VERSION: ${{ github.event.inputs.version }}
-          INPUT_PUSH_IMAGES: ${{ github.event.inputs.push_images }}
-          INPUT_FORCE_REBUILD: ${{ github.event.inputs.force_rebuild }}
-        run: |
-          should_build=false
-          should_push=false
-          build_type="none"
-          version=""
-          short_sha=""
-          is_prerelease=false
-          create_latest=false
-          source_ref="$GITHUB_SHA"
-
-          # Pre-GA policy: until the first stable (vX.Y.Z) tag exists, every
-          # prerelease (alpha/beta/rc) also moves `latest`, so users pulling
-          # `latest` get the newest test build. Once a stable tag is published
-          # this returns false and `latest` follows stable releases only.
-          prerelease_moves_latest() {
-            local stable_tags
-            stable_tags=$(git ls-remote --tags --refs origin 2>/dev/null \
-              | awk '{print $2}' \
-              | grep -E '^refs/tags/v?[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$' || true)
-            if [[ -z "$stable_tags" ]]; then
-              return 0
-            fi
-            echo "ℹ️  Stable release tag(s) already exist; prereleases no longer update latest"
-            return 1
-          }
-
-          if [[ "${{ github.event_name }}" == "workflow_run" ]]; then
-            # Triggered by build workflow completion
-            echo "🔗 Triggered by build workflow completion"
-
-            # Check if the triggering workflow was successful
-            # If the workflow succeeded, it means ALL builds (including Linux x86_64 and aarch64) succeeded
-            if [[ "$CONCLUSION" == "success" ]]; then
-              echo "✅ Build workflow succeeded, all builds including Linux are successful"
-              should_build=true
-              should_push=true
-            else
-              echo "❌ Build workflow failed (conclusion: $CONCLUSION), skipping Docker build"
-              should_build=false
-            fi
-
-            # Extract version info from commit message or use commit SHA
-            # Use Git to generate consistent short SHA (ensures uniqueness like build.yml)
-            short_sha=$(git rev-parse --short "$HEAD_SHA")
-            source_ref="$HEAD_SHA"
-
-            # Determine build type based on triggering workflow event and ref
-            triggering_event="$TRIGGERING_EVENT"
-            head_branch="$HEAD_BRANCH"
-
-            echo "🔍 Analyzing triggering workflow:"
-            echo "   📋 Event: $triggering_event"
-            echo "   🌿 Head branch: $head_branch"
-            echo "   📎 Head SHA: $HEAD_SHA"
-
-            # Check if this was triggered by a tag push
-            if [[ "$triggering_event" == "push" ]]; then
-              # For tag pushes, head_branch will be like "refs/tags/v1.0.0" or just "v1.0.0"
-              if [[ "$head_branch" == refs/tags/* ]]; then
-                # Extract tag name from refs/tags/TAG_NAME
-                tag_name="${head_branch#refs/tags/}"
-                version="$tag_name"
-              elif [[ "$head_branch" =~ ^v?[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+ ]]; then
-                # Direct tag name like "v1.0.0" or "1.0.0-alpha.1"
-                version="$head_branch"
-              elif [[ "$head_branch" == "main" ]]; then
-                # Regular branch push to main
-                build_type="development"
-                version="dev-${short_sha}"
-                should_build=false
-                echo "⏭️  Skipping Docker build for development version (main branch push)"
-              else
-                # Other branch push
-                build_type="development"
-                version="dev-${short_sha}"
-                should_build=false
-                echo "⏭️  Skipping Docker build for development version (branch: $head_branch)"
-              fi
-
-              # If we extracted a version (tag), determine release type
-              if [[ -n "$version" ]] && [[ "$version" != "dev-${short_sha}" ]]; then
-                # Remove 'v' prefix if present for consistent version format
-                if [[ "$version" == v* ]]; then
-                  version="${version#v}"
-                fi
-
-                if [[ "$version" =~ -preview\.[0-9]+$ ]]; then
-                  build_type="preview"
-                  is_prerelease=true
-                  echo "🔍 Building Docker image for preview: $version (version tags only)"
-                elif [[ "$version" == *"-preview"* ]]; then
-                  echo "❌ Invalid preview tag: $version (expected suffix: -preview.<number>)" >&2
-                  exit 1
-                elif [[ "$version" == *"alpha"* ]] || [[ "$version" == *"beta"* ]] || [[ "$version" == *"rc"* ]]; then
-                  build_type="prerelease"
-                  is_prerelease=true
-                  # Pre-GA policy: prereleases update latest until the first stable tag exists.
-                  if prerelease_moves_latest; then
-                    create_latest=true
-                    echo "🧪 Building Docker image for prerelease: $version (creating latest tag)"
-                  else
-                    echo "🧪 Building Docker image for prerelease: $version"
-                  fi
-                else
-                  build_type="release"
-                  create_latest=true
-                  echo "🚀 Building Docker image for release: $version"
-                fi
-              fi
-            else
-              # Non-push events
-              build_type="development"
-              version="dev-${short_sha}"
-              should_build=false
-              echo "⏭️  Skipping Docker build for development version (event: $triggering_event)"
-            fi
-
-            echo "🔄 Build triggered by workflow_run:"
-            echo "   📋 Conclusion: $CONCLUSION"
-            echo "   🌿 Branch: $HEAD_BRANCH"
-            echo "   📎 SHA: $HEAD_SHA"
-            echo "   🎯 Event: $TRIGGERING_EVENT"
-
-          elif [[ "${{ github.event_name }}" == "workflow_dispatch" ]]; then
-            # Manual trigger
-            input_version="$INPUT_VERSION"
-            version="${input_version}"
-            should_push="$INPUT_PUSH_IMAGES"
-            should_build=true
-
-            # Get short SHA
-            short_sha=$(git rev-parse --short HEAD)
-
-            echo "🎯 Manual Docker build triggered:"
-            echo "   📋 Requested version: $input_version"
-            echo "   🔧 Force rebuild: $INPUT_FORCE_REBUILD"
-            echo "   🚀 Push images: $should_push"
-
-            case "$input_version" in
-              "latest")
-                build_type="release"
-                create_latest=true
-                echo "🚀 Building with latest stable release version"
-                ;;
-              *-preview*)
-                if [[ ! "$input_version" =~ ^v?[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+(-[0-9A-Za-z.-]+)?-preview\.[0-9]+$ ]]; then
-                  echo "❌ Invalid preview version: $input_version" >&2
-                  exit 1
-                fi
-                build_type="preview"
-                is_prerelease=true
-                version="${input_version#v}"
-                echo "🔍 Building with preview version: $version (version tags only)"
-                ;;
-              # Prerelease versions (must match first, more specific)
-              v*alpha*|v*beta*|v*rc*|*alpha*|*beta*|*rc*)
-                build_type="prerelease"
-                is_prerelease=true
-                # Pre-GA policy: prereleases update latest until the first stable tag exists.
-                if prerelease_moves_latest; then
-                  create_latest=true
-                  echo "🧪 Building with prerelease version: $input_version (creating latest tag)"
-                else
-                  echo "🧪 Building with prerelease version: $input_version"
-                fi
-                ;;
-              # Release versions (match after prereleases, more general)
-              v[0-9]*|[0-9]*.*.*)
-                build_type="release"
-                create_latest=true
-                echo "📦 Building with specific release version: $input_version"
-                ;;
-              *)
-                # Invalid version for Docker build
-                should_build=false
-                echo "❌ Invalid version for Docker build: $input_version"
-                echo "⚠️  Only release versions (latest, v1.0.0, 1.0.0) and prereleases (v1.0.0-alpha1, 1.0.0-beta2) are supported"
-                ;;
-            esac
-
-            if [[ "$should_build" == true && "$input_version" != "latest" ]]; then
-              tag_ref="refs/tags/$input_version"
-              if ! git ls-remote --exit-code origin "$tag_ref" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-                if [[ "$input_version" == v* ]]; then
-                  tag_ref="refs/tags/${input_version#v}"
-                else
-                  tag_ref="refs/tags/v$input_version"
-                fi
-              fi
-
-              if ! git ls-remote --exit-code origin "$tag_ref" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-                echo "❌ Release tag not found for Docker build: $input_version"
-                exit 1
-              fi
-              source_ref="$tag_ref"
-            fi
-          fi
-
-          {
-            echo "should_build=$should_build"
-            echo "should_push=$should_push"
-            echo "build_type=$build_type"
-            echo "version=$version"
-            echo "short_sha=$short_sha"
-            echo "is_prerelease=$is_prerelease"
-            echo "create_latest=$create_latest"
-            echo "source_ref=$source_ref"
-          } >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-
-          echo "🐳 Docker Build Summary:"
-          echo "  - Should build: $should_build"
-          echo "  - Should push: $should_push"
-          echo "  - Build type: $build_type"
-          echo "  - Version: $version"
-          echo "  - Short SHA: $short_sha"
-          echo "  - Is prerelease: $is_prerelease"
-          echo "  - Create latest: $create_latest"
-          echo "  - Source ref: $source_ref"
-
-  # Build multi-arch Docker images
-  # Strategy: Build images using pre-built binaries from dl.rustfs.com
-  # Supports both release and dev channel binaries based on build context
-  # Only runs when should_build is true (which includes workflow success check)
  build-docker:
-    name: Build Docker Images
-    needs: build-check
-    if: needs.build-check.outputs.should_build == 'true'
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    timeout-minutes: 60
+    timeout-minutes: 90
    strategy:
      fail-fast: false
      matrix:
        include:
          - variant: musl
            file: Dockerfile
-            suffix: ""
-          - variant: glibc
+          - variant: gnu
            file: Dockerfile.glibc
-            suffix: "-glibc"
-
+    env:
+      CANDIDATE_MANIFEST: ${{ inputs.candidate_manifest }}
+      VARIANT: ${{ matrix.variant }}
    steps:
-      - name: Checkout repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
        with:
+          ref: ${{ fromJson(inputs.candidate_manifest).source_sha }}
          persist-credentials: false
-          ref: ${{ needs.build-check.outputs.source_ref }}
-
-      - name: Login to Docker Hub
-        uses: docker/login-action@c94ce9fb468520275223c153574b00df6fe4bcc9 # v3
-        with:
-          username: ${{ env.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
-          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_TOKEN }}
-
-      - name: Login to GitHub Container Registry
-        uses: docker/login-action@c94ce9fb468520275223c153574b00df6fe4bcc9 # v3
-        with:
-          registry: ghcr.io
-          username: ${{ secrets.GHCR_USERNAME }}
-          password: ${{ secrets.GHCR_PASSWORD }}
-
-      - name: Login to Quay.io
-        uses: docker/login-action@c94ce9fb468520275223c153574b00df6fe4bcc9 # v3
-        with:
-          registry: quay.io
-          username: ${{ secrets.QUAY_USERNAME }}
-          password: ${{ secrets.QUAY_PASSWORD }}
-
-      - name: Set up QEMU
-        uses: docker/setup-qemu-action@c7c53464625b32c7a7e944ae62b3e17d2b600130 # v3
-
-      - name: Set up Docker Buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@8d2750c68a42422c14e847fe6c8ac0403b4cbd6f # v3
-
-      - name: Extract metadata and generate tags
-        id: meta
+      - name: Reuse completed image
+        id: reuse
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+        run: python3 scripts/release/deliver.py reuse --kind image --target "$VARIANT"
+      - name: Install OCI tools
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
        run: |
-          BUILD_TYPE="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.build_type }}"
-          VERSION="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.version }}"
-          CREATE_LATEST="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.create_latest }}"
-          VARIANT_SUFFIX="${{ matrix.suffix }}"
-
-          # Convert version format for Dockerfile compatibility. The former
-          # DOCKER_CHANNEL was "release" down every branch and was passed as a
-          # build-arg no Dockerfile declares, so it is gone.
-          case "$VERSION" in
-            "latest")
-              DOCKER_RELEASE="latest"
-              ;;
-            v*)
-              # For versioned releases (v1.0.0), remove 'v' prefix for Dockerfile
-              DOCKER_RELEASE="${VERSION#v}"
-              ;;
-            *)
-              # For other versions, pass as-is
-              DOCKER_RELEASE="${VERSION}"
-              ;;
-          esac
-
-          echo "docker_release=$DOCKER_RELEASE" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-
-          echo "🐳 Docker build parameters:"
-          echo "  - Original version: $VERSION"
-          echo "  - Docker RELEASE: $DOCKER_RELEASE"
-
-          # Generate tags based on build type
-          # Only support release and prerelease builds (no development builds)
-          TAG_BASE="${VERSION}${VARIANT_SUFFIX}"
-          TAGS="${{ env.REGISTRY_DOCKERHUB }}:$TAG_BASE,${{ env.REGISTRY_GHCR }}:$TAG_BASE,${{ env.REGISTRY_QUAY }}:$TAG_BASE"
-
-          # Add latest when requested (stable releases, and prereleases before GA)
-          if [[ "$CREATE_LATEST" == "true" ]]; then
-            TAGS="$TAGS,${{ env.REGISTRY_DOCKERHUB }}:latest${VARIANT_SUFFIX},${{ env.REGISTRY_GHCR }}:latest${VARIANT_SUFFIX},${{ env.REGISTRY_QUAY }}:latest${VARIANT_SUFFIX}"
-          fi
-
-          # Always add the channel tag for prereleases, independent of latest
-          if [[ "$BUILD_TYPE" == "prerelease" ]]; then
-            # Prerelease channel tags (alpha, beta, rc)
-            if [[ "$VERSION" == *"alpha"* ]]; then
-              CHANNEL="alpha"
-            elif [[ "$VERSION" == *"beta"* ]]; then
-              CHANNEL="beta"
-            elif [[ "$VERSION" == *"rc"* ]]; then
-              CHANNEL="rc"
-            fi
-
-            if [[ -n "$CHANNEL" ]]; then
-              TAGS="$TAGS,${{ env.REGISTRY_DOCKERHUB }}:${CHANNEL}${VARIANT_SUFFIX},${{ env.REGISTRY_GHCR }}:${CHANNEL}${VARIANT_SUFFIX},${{ env.REGISTRY_QUAY }}:${CHANNEL}${VARIANT_SUFFIX}"
-            fi
-          fi
-
-          # Output tags
-          echo "tags=$TAGS" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-
-          # Generate labels
-          LABELS="org.opencontainers.image.title=RustFS"
-          LABELS="$LABELS,org.opencontainers.image.description=RustFS distributed object storage system"
-          LABELS="$LABELS,org.opencontainers.image.version=$VERSION"
-          SOURCE_REVISION="$(git rev-parse HEAD)"
-          LABELS="$LABELS,org.opencontainers.image.revision=$SOURCE_REVISION"
-          LABELS="$LABELS,org.opencontainers.image.source=${{ github.server_url }}/${{ github.repository }}"
-          LABELS="$LABELS,org.opencontainers.image.created=$(date -u +'%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ')"
-          LABELS="$LABELS,org.opencontainers.image.build-type=$BUILD_TYPE"
-
-          echo "labels=$LABELS" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-
-          echo "🐳 Generated Docker tags:"
-          echo "$TAGS" | tr ',' '\n' | sed 's/^/  - /'
-          echo "📋 Build type: $BUILD_TYPE"
-          echo "🔖 Version: $VERSION"
-
-      - name: Build and push Docker image
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y skopeo
+      - uses: docker/setup-qemu-action@c7c53464625b32c7a7e944ae62b3e17d2b600130 # v3
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
+      - uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@8d2750c68a42422c14e847fe6c8ac0403b4cbd6f # v3
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
+      - name: Supply accepted binaries and pinned CLI
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+        run: python3 scripts/release/deliver.py image-prepare --target "$VARIANT"
+      - name: Build OCI archive without registry writes
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
        uses: docker/build-push-action@10e90e3645eae34f1e60eeb005ba3a3d33f178e8 # v6
        with:
          context: .
          file: ${{ matrix.file }}
-          platforms: ${{ env.DOCKER_PLATFORMS }}
-          push: ${{ needs.build-check.outputs.should_push == 'true' }}
-          tags: ${{ steps.meta.outputs.tags }}
-          labels: ${{ steps.meta.outputs.labels }}
-          # No layer cache. This build compiles nothing — it downloads a
-          # release zip and runs apk/apt — so the cache could only save the
-          # minute or two those take, while creating a correctness problem: with
-          # RELEASE=latest the binary URL is resolved by curl *inside* a RUN
-          # layer, and the layer key does not include what that resolved to. A
-          # rebuild at the same RELEASE value (dispatch with version=latest, or
-          # a re-run of the same version) would hit the old layer and ship the
-          # previous release's binary. mode=max also consumed the same 10GB
-          # Actions cache quota the Rust lanes are fighting over.
-          #
-          # Only RELEASE is passed: it is the sole build-arg the Dockerfiles
-          # declare besides TARGETARCH. BUILDTIME, VERSION, BUILD_TYPE, REVISION
-          # and CHANNEL were never read by any stage (and BUILDTIME's $(date ...)
-          # was a literal here, not a shell substitution). BUILD_DATE and VCS_REF
-          # are declared by the Dockerfiles but deliberately left unset —
-          # supplying them would change the published image labels.
+          platforms: linux/amd64,linux/arm64
+          push: false
+          provenance: false
+          outputs: type=oci,dest=delivery/image-${{ matrix.variant }}.tar
          build-args: |
-            RELEASE=${{ steps.meta.outputs.docker_release }}
-          provenance: true
-          sbom: true
-          # Add retry mechanism by splitting the build process
-          no-cache: false
-          pull: true
-
-  # Note: Manifest creation is no longer needed as we only build one variant
-  # Multi-arch manifests are automatically created by docker/build-push-action
-
-  # Report-only container image vulnerability scan
-  scan-docker-image:
-    name: Scan Docker Images
-    needs: [ build-check, build-docker ]
-    if: needs.build-check.outputs.should_build == 'true' && needs.build-check.outputs.should_push == 'true'
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    timeout-minutes: 30
-    permissions:
-      contents: read
-      security-events: write
-    strategy:
-      fail-fast: false
-      matrix:
-        include:
-          - variant: musl
-            suffix: ""
-          - variant: glibc
-            suffix: "-glibc"
-    steps:
-      - name: Login to GitHub Container Registry
-        # docker/login-action v3
-        uses: docker/login-action@c94ce9fb468520275223c153574b00df6fe4bcc9
-        with:
-          registry: ghcr.io
-          username: ${{ secrets.GHCR_USERNAME }}
-          password: ${{ secrets.GHCR_PASSWORD }}
-
-      - name: Scan image with Trivy
-        # aquasecurity/trivy-action v0.36.0
+            BINARY_SOURCE=supplied
+            RELEASE=${{ fromJson(inputs.candidate_manifest).version }}
+            VCS_REF=${{ fromJson(inputs.candidate_manifest).source_sha }}
+      - name: Verify wrapped binaries and startup on both architectures
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
+        run: python3 scripts/release/deliver.py image-smoke --target "$VARIANT"
+      - name: Scan amd64 image before sealing
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
        uses: aquasecurity/trivy-action@ed142fd0673e97e23eac54620cfb913e5ce36c25
+        env:
+          TRIVY_PLATFORM: linux/amd64
        with:
-          image-ref: ${{ env.REGISTRY_GHCR }}:${{ needs.build-check.outputs.version }}${{ matrix.suffix }}
+          input: delivery-scan/image-${{ matrix.variant }}-amd64.tar
          format: sarif
-          output: trivy-${{ matrix.variant }}.sarif
-          ignore-unfixed: true
-          vuln-type: os,library
-          severity: CRITICAL,HIGH
+          output: delivery/scan-${{ matrix.variant }}-amd64.sarif
+          exit-code: "0" # Keep the repository's report-only vulnerability policy.
+      - name: Scan arm64 image before sealing
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
+        uses: aquasecurity/trivy-action@ed142fd0673e97e23eac54620cfb913e5ce36c25
+        env:
+          TRIVY_PLATFORM: linux/arm64
+        with:
+          input: delivery-scan/image-${{ matrix.variant }}-arm64.tar
+          format: sarif
+          output: delivery/scan-${{ matrix.variant }}-arm64.sarif
          exit-code: "0"
-
-      # Surface findings in the Security tab; an artifact alone is write-only
-      # reporting nobody reviews.
-      - name: Upload scan results to code scanning
-        uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@99df26d4f13ea111d4ec1a7dddef6063f76b97e9 # v4.37.0
+      - name: Record verified OCI identity
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
+        run: python3 scripts/release/deliver.py image-record --target "$VARIANT"
+      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
        with:
-          sarif_file: trivy-${{ matrix.variant }}.sarif
-          category: container-image-${{ matrix.variant }}
-
-      - name: Upload container scan report
-        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
-        with:
-          name: container-image-scan-${{ matrix.variant }}
-          path: trivy-${{ matrix.variant }}.sarif
+          name: image-${{ matrix.variant }}
+          path: delivery/*
          if-no-files-found: error
          retention-days: 30
-
-  # Docker build summary
-  docker-summary:
-    name: Docker Build Summary
-    needs: [ build-check, build-docker ]
-    if: always() && needs.build-check.outputs.should_build == 'true'
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    timeout-minutes: 10
-    steps:
-      - name: Docker build completion summary
-        run: |
-          BUILD_TYPE="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.build_type }}"
-          VERSION="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.version }}"
-          CREATE_LATEST="${{ needs.build-check.outputs.create_latest }}"
-
-          echo "🐳 Docker build completed successfully!"
-          echo "📦 Build type: $BUILD_TYPE"
-          echo "🔢 Version: $VERSION"
-          echo "🚀 Strategy: Images using pre-built binaries (release channel only)"
-          echo ""
-
-          case "$BUILD_TYPE" in
-            "preview")
-              echo "🔍 Preview Docker image has been built with ${VERSION} tags"
-              echo "⏭️  Preview images do not update latest or prerelease channels"
-              ;;
-            "release")
-              echo "🚀 Release Docker image has been built with ${VERSION} tags"
-              echo "✅ This image is ready for production use"
-              if [[ "$CREATE_LATEST" == "true" ]]; then
-                echo "🏷️  Latest tag has been created for stable release"
-              fi
-              ;;
-            "prerelease")
-              echo "🧪 Prerelease Docker image has been built with ${VERSION} tags"
-              echo "⚠️  This is a prerelease image - use with caution"
-              # Prereleases move latest until the first stable tag exists (pre-GA policy).
-              if [[ "$CREATE_LATEST" == "true" ]]; then
-                echo "🏷️  Latest tag has been created for prerelease: $VERSION"
-              else
-                echo "🚫 Latest tag NOT created for prerelease"
-              fi
-              ;;
-            *)
-              echo "❌ Unexpected build type: $BUILD_TYPE"
-              ;;
-          esac
+          compression-level: 0
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@
 # Each selected test starts a real localhost cluster via
 # `RustFSTestClusterEnvironment` (4 processes; 4 drives per node unless the
 # case is a two-site 4-node 1-drive pair or a 4-node upgrade). Membership is
-# `[profile.e2e-distributed]` in `.config/nextest.toml`. Storage-sensitive PRs,
-# nightly runs, and manual dispatches all execute the same fail-closed suite.
+# `[profile.e2e-distributed]` in `.config/nextest.toml`. The nightly schedule
+# and manual dispatches execute the same fail-closed suite.
 # Upgrade cases download the same pinned previous release as e2e-upgrade.yml.
 #
 # Isolated pool filesystems: expand/decommission/rebalance cases require
@@ -33,32 +33,6 @@
 name: e2e-distributed

 on:
-  pull_request:
-    paths:
-      - "Cargo.lock"
-      - "Cargo.toml"
-      - ".config/nextest.toml"
-      - ".config/e2e-distributed-selection.txt"
-      - ".github/workflows/e2e-distributed.yml"
-      - "crates/audit/**"
-      - "crates/common/**"
-      - "crates/config/**"
-      - "crates/e2e_test/**"
-      - "crates/ecstore/**"
-      - "crates/filemeta/**"
-      - "crates/heal/**"
-      - "crates/iam/**"
-      - "crates/lock/**"
-      - "crates/madmin/**"
-      - "crates/notify/**"
-      - "crates/replication/**"
-      - "crates/s3-client/**"
-      - "crates/s3-ops/**"
-      - "crates/s3-types/**"
-      - "crates/scanner/**"
-      - "crates/storage-api/**"
-      - "crates/utils/**"
-      - "rustfs/**"
  workflow_dispatch:
    inputs:
      filter:
@@ -12,30 +12,19 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.

+# Single-node upgrade and rollback lane.
+#
+# The weekly Monday schedule, version tags, and workflow_dispatch run this
+# suite. Distributed upgrade cases stay on the nightly e2e-distributed lane.
+
 name: Upgrade Compatibility

 on:
-  pull_request:
-    paths:
-      - ".github/workflows/e2e-upgrade.yml"
-      - "crates/e2e_test/src/common.rs"
-      - "crates/e2e_test/src/distributed/**"
-      - "crates/e2e_test/src/fake_s3_target/**"
-      - "crates/e2e_test/src/lib.rs"
-      - "crates/e2e_test/src/replication_extension_test.rs"
-      - "crates/e2e_test/src/rpc_fault_proxy.rs"
-      - "crates/e2e_test/src/upgrade_compatibility_test.rs"
-      - "crates/ecstore/**"
-      - "crates/filemeta/**"
-      - "crates/heal/**"
-      - "crates/kms/**"
-      - "crates/storage-api/**"
-      - "rustfs/**"
-      - "Cargo.lock"
  push:
    tags:
      - "[0-9]*.[0-9]*.[0-9]*"
  schedule:
+    # 03:17 UTC every Monday.
    - cron: "17 3 * * 1"
  workflow_dispatch:

@@ -44,7 +33,7 @@ permissions:

 concurrency:
  group: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.ref }}
-  cancel-in-progress: ${{ github.event_name == 'pull_request' }}
+  cancel-in-progress: false

 env:
  CARGO_TERM_COLOR: always
@@ -12,44 +12,13 @@ concurrency:
 jobs:
  collect:
    if: github.repository == 'rustfs/rustfs'
-    runs-on: smoke-testing
+    # Health remains available when either laboratory fleet is offline.
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    timeout-minutes: 15
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
        with:
          persist-credentials: false
-      - name: Ensure GitHub CLI
-        shell: bash
-        run: |
-          if command -v gh >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-            gh --version
-            exit 0
-          fi
-
-          gh_version="2.101.0"
-          case "$(uname -m)" in
-            x86_64) gh_arch="amd64" ;;
-            aarch64|arm64) gh_arch="arm64" ;;
-            *)
-              echo "Unsupported Linux architecture for GitHub CLI: $(uname -m)" >&2
-              exit 1
-              ;;
-          esac
-
-          gh_install_root="${RUNNER_TEMP:-$PWD}/gh-cli"
-          rm -rf "$gh_install_root"
-          mkdir -p "$gh_install_root/bin"
-          archive="$gh_install_root/gh.tar.gz"
-          curl --fail --location --retry 3 \
-            "https://github.com/cli/cli/releases/download/v${gh_version}/gh_${gh_version}_linux_${gh_arch}.tar.gz" \
-            --output "$archive"
-          tar -xzf "$archive" -C "$gh_install_root"
-          install -m 0755 \
-            "$gh_install_root/gh_${gh_version}_linux_${gh_arch}/bin/gh" \
-            "$gh_install_root/bin/gh"
-          echo "$gh_install_root/bin" >> "$GITHUB_PATH"
-          export PATH="$gh_install_root/bin:$PATH"
-          gh --version
      - name: Collect and publish verified chain health
        env:
          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
@@ -1,136 +1,26 @@
-# Copyright 2024 RustFS Team
-#
-# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-# You may obtain a copy of the License at
-#
-#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-#
-# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-# limitations under the License.
-
-name: Publish helm chart to artifacthub
-
+# Copyright 2026 RustFS Team
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+name: Build candidate Helm chart
 on:
-  workflow_run:
-    workflows: [ "Build and Release" ]
-    types: [ completed ]
-  workflow_dispatch:
+  workflow_call:
    inputs:
-      version:
-        description: "Release version to publish, e.g. 1.0.0-beta.1 or v1.0.0-beta.1"
-        required: true
-        default: "1.0.0-beta.1"
+      candidate_manifest:
        type: string
-
+        required: true
 permissions:
  contents: read
-
+  actions: read
 jobs:
-  build-helm-package:
+  package:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    timeout-minutes: 30
-    if: |
-      (github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' && !contains(github.event.inputs.version, '-preview')) ||
-      (
-        github.event.workflow_run.conclusion == 'success' &&
-        github.event.workflow_run.event == 'push' &&
-        contains(github.event.workflow_run.head_branch, '.') &&
-        !contains(github.event.workflow_run.head_branch, '-preview')
-      )
-
-    outputs:
-      raw_tag: ${{ steps.version.outputs.raw_tag }}
-      app_version: ${{ steps.version.outputs.app_version }}
-      chart_version: ${{ steps.version.outputs.chart_version }}
-
+    timeout-minutes: 15
    steps:
-      - name: Checkout release source
-        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
        with:
-          ref: ${{ github.event.workflow_run.head_sha || (startsWith(inputs.version, 'refs/tags/') && inputs.version || format('refs/tags/{0}', inputs.version)) }}
+          ref: ${{ fromJson(inputs.candidate_manifest).source_sha }}
          persist-credentials: false
-
-      # Both inputs reach the shell through env rather than `${{ }}`
-      # interpolation. A git ref name may contain `$(...)` — anything without a
-      # space is a legal tag — and interpolation pastes it into the script
-      # verbatim, where bash would run it. Reading "$RAW_INPUT" instead makes it
-      # data.
-      - name: Normalize release version
-        id: version
-        env:
-          RAW_INPUT: ${{ github.event.inputs.version }}
-          RAW_BRANCH: ${{ github.event.workflow_run.head_branch }}
-        run: |
-          set -eux
-
-          if [ "${{ github.event_name }}" = "workflow_dispatch" ]; then
-            RAW="$RAW_INPUT"
-          else
-            RAW="$RAW_BRANCH"
-          fi
-
-          case "$RAW" in
-            refs/tags/*)
-              RAW_TAG="${RAW#refs/tags/}"
-              ;;
-            *)
-              RAW_TAG="$RAW"
-              ;;
-          esac
-
-          ./scripts/helm_chart_version.sh "$RAW_TAG"
-
-      # Docker and Helm share the binary-build trigger. Do not publish a chart
-      # until the image selected by its default appVersion is pullable.
-      - name: Wait for release image
-        timeout-minutes: 20
-        env:
-          APP_VERSION: ${{ steps.version.outputs.app_version }}
-        run: |
-          set -euo pipefail
-          if [[ ! "$APP_VERSION" =~ ^[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+(-[0-9A-Za-z.-]+)?$ ]] ||
-             [[ "$APP_VERSION" == *-preview* ]]; then
-            echo "Invalid deliverable image version: $APP_VERSION" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
-
-          for attempt in {1..60}; do
-            if token=$(curl --fail --silent --show-error --connect-timeout 10 --max-time 20 \
-              'https://auth.docker.io/token?service=registry.docker.io&scope=repository:rustfs/rustfs:pull' \
-              | jq -er '.token // empty') &&
-              curl --fail --silent --show-error --head --connect-timeout 10 --max-time 20 \
-                --header "Authorization: Bearer $token" \
-                --header 'Accept: application/vnd.oci.image.index.v1+json, application/vnd.docker.distribution.manifest.list.v2+json' \
-                "https://registry-1.docker.io/v2/rustfs/rustfs/manifests/$APP_VERSION" > /dev/null; then
-              echo "Release image is available: rustfs/rustfs:$APP_VERSION"
-              exit 0
-            fi
-            echo "Waiting for rustfs/rustfs:$APP_VERSION ($attempt/60)"
-            if (( attempt < 60 )); then
-              sleep 15
-            fi
-          done
-
-          echo "Release image is unavailable; refusing to publish Helm chart" >&2
-          exit 1
-
-      - name: Replace chart version and app version
-        env:
-          CHART_VERSION: ${{ steps.version.outputs.chart_version }}
-          APP_VERSION: ${{ steps.version.outputs.app_version }}
-        run: |
-          set -eux
-          sed -i -E "s/^version:.*/version: \"${CHART_VERSION}\"/" helm/rustfs/Chart.yaml
-          sed -i -E "s/^appVersion:.*/appVersion: \"${APP_VERSION}\"/" helm/rustfs/Chart.yaml
-
-      - name: Set up Helm
-        uses: azure/setup-helm@b9e51907a09c216f16ebe8536097933489208112 # v4.3.0
-
-      - name: Install yq
+      - uses: azure/setup-helm@b9e51907a09c216f16ebe8536097933489208112 # v4.3.0
+      - name: Install pinned yq
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
          yq_version="4.54.1"
@@ -145,66 +35,43 @@ jobs:
          echo "$tools_dir" >> "$GITHUB_PATH"
          "$tools_dir/yq" --version

-      - name: Test Helm Chart Templates
-        run: ./scripts/test_helm_templates.sh
-
-      - name: Package Helm Chart
-        run: |
-          set -eux
-          cp helm/README.md helm/rustfs/
-          helm package ./helm/rustfs \
-            --destination helm/rustfs/ \
-            --version "${{ steps.version.outputs.chart_version }}"
-
-      - name: Upload helm package as artifact
-        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
-        with:
-          name: helm-package
-          path: |
-            helm/rustfs/*.tgz
-            helm/rustfs/README.md
-          retention-days: 1
-
-  publish-helm-package:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    timeout-minutes: 30
-    needs: [ build-helm-package ]
-    if: needs.build-helm-package.result == 'success'
-
-    steps:
-      - name: Checkout helm package repo
-        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
-        with:
-          # persist-credentials-exempt: this checkout's token IS the push credential —
-          # the job git-pushes to rustfs/helm below. Clearing it breaks chart publishing.
-          repository: rustfs/helm
-          token: ${{ secrets.RUSTFS_HELM_PACKAGE }}
-
-      - name: Download helm package
-        uses: actions/download-artifact@3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c # v8.0.1
-        with:
-          name: helm-package
-          path: ./
-
-      - name: Set up helm
-        uses: azure/setup-helm@b9e51907a09c216f16ebe8536097933489208112 # v4.3.0
-
-      - name: Generate index
-        run: helm repo index . --url https://charts.rustfs.com
-
-      # app_version is derived from the triggering tag name, and this job holds
-      # the cross-repository push token with rustfs/helm already checked out —
-      # the worst place in the repo to paste an attacker-influenced string into
-      # a shell line. Passed through env so bash treats it as data.
-      - name: Push helm package and index file
+      - name: Test and package the exact application version
+        id: chart
        env:
-          GIT_USERNAME: ${{ secrets.USERNAME }}
-          GIT_EMAIL: ${{ secrets.EMAIL_ADDRESS }}
-          APP_VERSION: ${{ needs.build-helm-package.outputs.app_version }}
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+          CANDIDATE_MANIFEST: ${{ inputs.candidate_manifest }}
        run: |
-          set -eux
-          git config --global user.name "${GIT_USERNAME}"
-          git config --global user.email "${GIT_EMAIL}"
-          git add .
-          git commit -m "Update rustfs helm package with ${APP_VERSION}." || echo "No changes to commit"
-          git push origin main
+          python3 - <<'PYCHART'
+          import sys, subprocess, shutil
+          from pathlib import Path
+          sys.path.insert(0, 'scripts/release')
+          import candidate as c, pipeline
+          inputs = pipeline.manifest_env()
+          current = pipeline.current_run('release-complete.yml')
+          if any(a['name'] == 'helm-package' for a in c.artifact_list(current['id'])):
+              c.download_artifact(current, 'helm-package', 'chart')
+              record = c.read_json('chart/chart.json')
+              c.require(record['inputs_sha256'] == c.digest(inputs), 'chart belongs to another candidate')
+              c.emit_output('reused', 'true')
+          else:
+              chart = Path('helm/rustfs/Chart.yaml')
+              import re
+              value = chart.read_text()
+              for key in ('version', 'appVersion'):
+                  value, count = re.subn(rf'(?m)^{key}:.*$', f'{key}: "{inputs["version"]}"', value)
+                  c.require(count == 1, 'ambiguous chart metadata')
+              chart.write_text(value)
+              subprocess.run(['bash', 'scripts/test_helm_templates.sh'], check=True)
+              shutil.copyfile('helm/README.md', 'helm/rustfs/README.md')
+              subprocess.run(['helm', 'package', 'helm/rustfs', '--destination', 'chart'], check=True)
+              path = Path('chart') / f"rustfs-{inputs['version']}.tgz"
+              c.write_json('chart/chart.json', {'version': inputs['version'], 'inputs_sha256': c.digest(inputs),
+                                               'name': path.name, 'sha256': c.file_digest(path), 'size': path.stat().st_size})
+          PYCHART
+      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        if: steps.chart.outputs.reused != 'true'
+        with:
+          name: helm-package
+          path: chart/*
+          if-no-files-found: error
+          retention-days: 30
@@ -87,18 +87,206 @@ jobs:
          install-build-packaging-tools: 'false'
          install-test-tools: 'false'

+      - name: Download static console assets
+        shell: bash
+        env:
+          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+        run: |
+          # Packaging tools are off on this lane, so setup does not install unzip.
+          if ! command -v unzip >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            sudo apt-get update -qq
+            sudo apt-get install -y -qq unzip
+          fi
+          if ! command -v unzip >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            echo "unzip is required to extract console assets" >&2
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
+          mkdir -p ./rustfs/static
+
+          verify_sha256() {
+            local expected="$1"
+            local file="$2"
+            local actual=""
+            local actual_line=""
+
+            if command -v sha256sum >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              actual_line=$(sha256sum -- "$file") || return 1
+            elif command -v shasum >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              actual_line=$(shasum -a 256 -- "$file") || return 1
+            else
+              echo "No SHA-256 verification tool found" >&2
+              return 1
+            fi
+            actual="${actual_line%%[[:space:]]*}"
+
+            if [ "$actual" = "$expected" ]; then
+              echo "SHA256 verified OK: $actual"
+              return 0
+            else
+              echo "SHA256 mismatch: expected=$expected actual=$actual" >&2
+              return 1
+            fi
+          }
+
+          download_console_assets() {
+            local curl_bin="curl"
+            local python_bin="python3"
+            local console_api="https://api.github.com/repos/rustfs/console/releases/latest"
+            local console_json="console-release.json"
+            local console_url
+            local console_sha256
+            local curl_auth_args=()
+            console_tag=""
+
+            chmod +w ./rustfs/static/LICENSE || true
+
+            if ! command -v "$python_bin" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              python_bin="python"
+            fi
+            if ! command -v "$python_bin" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              echo "No Python interpreter found for release metadata parsing" >&2
+              return 1
+            fi
+
+            if [[ -n "${GITHUB_TOKEN:-}" ]]; then
+              curl_auth_args=(-H "Authorization: Bearer ${GITHUB_TOKEN}" -H "X-GitHub-Api-Version: 2022-11-28")
+            fi
+
+            "$curl_bin" "${curl_auth_args[@]}" --fail -L "$console_api" \
+              -o "$console_json" --retry 3 --retry-delay 5 --max-time 300 || return 1
+
+            read -r console_tag console_url console_sha256 < <("$python_bin" - "$console_json" <<'PY'
+          import json
+          import re
+          import sys
+
+          with open(sys.argv[1], encoding="utf-8") as handle:
+              release = json.load(handle)
+
+          tag = release.get("tag_name", "") or "unknown"
+
+          for asset in release.get("assets", []):
+              name = asset.get("name", "")
+              digest = asset.get("digest", "")
+              url = asset.get("browser_download_url", "")
+              if name.startswith("rustfs-console-") and name.endswith(".zip") and digest.startswith("sha256:") and url:
+                  sha256 = digest.split(":", 1)[1]
+                  if not re.fullmatch(r"[0-9a-fA-F]{64}", sha256):
+                      raise SystemExit(f"console zip asset has invalid sha256 digest: {sha256}")
+                  sys.stdout.buffer.write(f"{tag} {url} {sha256}\n".encode("utf-8"))
+                  break
+          else:
+              raise SystemExit("no console zip asset with sha256 digest found")
+          PY
+            ) || return 1
+
+            if [[ -z "$console_url" || -z "$console_sha256" ]]; then
+              echo "Console release metadata is missing URL or SHA-256 digest" >&2
+              return 1
+            fi
+
+            echo "Console release: ${console_tag}"
+            echo "Downloading console asset: ${console_url}"
+            "$curl_bin" --fail -L "$console_url" -o console.zip --retry 3 --retry-delay 5 --max-time 300 || return 1
+            verify_sha256 "$console_sha256" console.zip || return 2
+            unzip -o console.zip -d ./rustfs/static || return 2
+          }
+
+          if download_console_assets; then
+            rm -f console.zip console-release.json
+          else
+            status=$?
+            rm -f console.zip console-release.json
+            if [[ "$status" -eq 2 ]]; then
+              echo "Console asset integrity verification failed" >&2
+            fi
+            echo "Failed to download verified console assets" >&2
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
+          if [[ ! -s ./rustfs/static/index.html ]]; then
+            echo "Console asset archive is missing static/index.html" >&2
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
+          asset_count=$(find ./rustfs/static -type f | wc -l | tr -d '[:space:]')
+          echo "Console assets ready: version=${console_tag:-unknown}, ${asset_count} files extracted to ./rustfs/static"
+
      - name: Build RustFS
        # Pin the glibc baseline (`<target>.<glibc>` for cargo-zigbuild) so
        # nightlies run on older distros such as RHEL/Rocky 9 (glibc 2.34); #8062.
-        run: cargo zigbuild --release --locked --target x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu.2.31 -p rustfs --bins
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          # Force rebuild by touching build.rs so a restored cache cannot
+          # reuse a rustfs artifact compiled before these console assets existed.
+          touch rustfs/build.rs
+          cargo zigbuild --release --locked --target x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu.2.31 -p rustfs --bin rustfs

      - name: Verify glibc symbol baseline
        run: |
          python3 scripts/release/check_glibc.py 2.31 \
-            target/x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu/release/rustfs \
-            target/x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu/release/rustfs-cli
+            target/x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu/release/rustfs
          target/x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu/release/rustfs --version | grep -Fx 'build target : x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu'

+      - name: Verify console
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+
+          find_free_port() {
+            python3 - <<'PY'
+          import socket
+
+          with socket.socket() as sock:
+              sock.bind(("127.0.0.1", 0))
+              print(sock.getsockname()[1])
+          PY
+          }
+
+          binary="target/x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu/release/rustfs"
+          data_dir="$(mktemp -d)"
+          log_file="${RUNNER_TEMP}/rustfs-console-smoke.log"
+          server_pid=""
+          trap '
+            if [[ -n "${server_pid:-}" ]]; then
+              kill "$server_pid" 2>/dev/null || true
+              wait "$server_pid" 2>/dev/null || true
+            fi
+            rm -rf "$data_dir"
+          ' EXIT
+
+          if [[ ! -x "$binary" ]]; then
+            echo "rustfs binary not found: ${binary}" >&2
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
+          api_port="$(find_free_port)"
+          console_port="$(find_free_port)"
+          console_url="http://127.0.0.1:${console_port}/rustfs/console/"
+
+          "$binary" server \
+            --address "127.0.0.1:${api_port}" \
+            --console-enable \
+            --console-address "127.0.0.1:${console_port}" \
+            --access-key console-smoke \
+            --secret-key console-smoke-secret \
+            "$data_dir" >"$log_file" 2>&1 &
+          server_pid=$!
+
+          response=""
+          for _ in {1..40}; do
+            response="$(curl --silent --output /dev/null --write-out '%{http_code} %{content_type}' "$console_url" || true)"
+            if [[ "$response" == 200\ text/html* ]]; then
+              exit 0
+            fi
+            sleep 0.25
+          done
+
+          echo "Console endpoint did not return 200 text/html: $response" >&2
+          cat "$log_file"
+          exit 1
+
      - name: Build DEB package
        id: deb
        shell: bash
@@ -346,12 +534,12 @@ jobs:
          path: ${{ steps.publish.outputs.candidate_file }}
          if-no-files-found: error

-      # Publish the deb/rpm pair to the auto-testing repo's `assets` branch so
-      # engineers can download and install the nightly directly. The branch is
-      # a single-commit orphan rewritten on every build, which keeps the repo
-      # small while the latest files stay reachable at stable raw URLs.
      # Publish the deb/rpm pair as assets of the rolling `nightly` release on
      # rustfs/auto-testing (see scripts/release/publish_nightly_assets.sh).
+      # The dispatch below runs only after this upload and the immutable R2
+      # candidate both succeed. It does not replace rustfs-functional-chain.yml,
+      # which still starts from this workflow's workflow_run completion.
+      # kms-vault-lane and kms-vault-ha-failover stay parallel with this job.
      - name: Publish packages to auto-testing release assets
        env:
          ASSETS_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
@@ -360,6 +548,90 @@ jobs:
          DEB_DATE: ${{ steps.deb.outputs.deb_date }}
          BUILD_REF: ${{ env.NIGHTLY_BUILD_REF }}
        run: bash scripts/release/publish_nightly_assets.sh
+
+      # Cross-repo repository_dispatch cannot use GITHUB_TOKEN. The secret is a
+      # PAT or GitHub App token for rustfs/auto-testing: classic `repo` scope,
+      # or fine-grained Contents write (the permission GitHub checks for
+      # POST /repos/{owner}/{repo}/dispatches). A dispatch failure fails this
+      # step, and therefore this job, so the scheduled failure alert fires.
+      # GitHub allows at most 10 top-level client_payload properties, so the
+      # schema 2 candidate object is nested under `candidate` and the release
+      # fields sit beside it.
+      - name: Dispatch nightly candidate to auto-testing
+        if: ${{ steps.publish.outputs.candidate_file != '' }}
+        env:
+          DISPATCH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.AUTO_TESTING_DISPATCH_TOKEN }}
+          CANDIDATE_FILE: ${{ steps.publish.outputs.candidate_file }}
+          DEB_DATE: ${{ steps.deb.outputs.deb_date }}
+          SOURCE_REPO: ${{ github.repository }}
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          : "${DISPATCH_TOKEN:?AUTO_TESTING_DISPATCH_TOKEN is required to dispatch rustfs/auto-testing}"
+          : "${CANDIDATE_FILE:?nightly candidate manifest is required}"
+          : "${DEB_DATE:?DEB_DATE is required}"
+          [[ "${DEB_DATE}" =~ ^[0-9]{4}-[0-9]{2}-[0-9]{2}$ ]]
+          [[ "${SOURCE_REPO}" == "rustfs/rustfs" ]]
+
+          payload="${RUNNER_TEMP}/nightly-candidate-dispatch-${GITHUB_RUN_ID}-${GITHUB_RUN_ATTEMPT}.json"
+          jq -n --slurpfile candidate "${CANDIDATE_FILE}" \
+            --arg event_type "nightly-candidate-ready" \
+            --arg source_repo "${SOURCE_REPO}" \
+            --arg latest_alias_url "https://dl.rustfs.com/artifacts/rustfs/packages/nightly/rustfs-nightly-latest.deb" \
+            --arg auto_testing_release "https://github.com/rustfs/auto-testing/releases/tag/nightly" \
+            --arg channel "nightly" \
+            --arg deb_date "${DEB_DATE}" \
+            --arg nightly_workflow ".github/workflows/nightly-gnu.yml" \
+            '{
+              event_type: $event_type,
+              source_repo: $source_repo,
+              latest_alias_url: $latest_alias_url,
+              auto_testing_release: $auto_testing_release,
+              channel: $channel,
+              deb_date: $deb_date,
+              nightly_workflow: $nightly_workflow,
+              candidate: $candidate[0]
+            }' > "${payload}"
+          if ! jq -e '
+            .event_type == "nightly-candidate-ready"
+            and .source_repo == "rustfs/rustfs"
+            and .channel == "nightly"
+            and .deb_date == env.DEB_DATE
+            and .nightly_workflow == ".github/workflows/nightly-gnu.yml"
+            and .latest_alias_url == "https://dl.rustfs.com/artifacts/rustfs/packages/nightly/rustfs-nightly-latest.deb"
+            and .auto_testing_release == "https://github.com/rustfs/auto-testing/releases/tag/nightly"
+            and .candidate.schema == 2
+            and ((.candidate | keys | sort) == ["build_run_attempt","build_run_id","package_sha256","package_url","schema","source_ref","source_sha","workflow_sha"])
+            and ((keys | sort) == ["auto_testing_release","candidate","channel","deb_date","event_type","latest_alias_url","nightly_workflow","source_repo"])
+          ' "${payload}" >/dev/null; then
+            echo "nightly dispatch payload does not match the nightly-candidate-ready contract" >&2
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
+          body="${RUNNER_TEMP}/nightly-candidate-dispatch-body-${GITHUB_RUN_ID}-${GITHUB_RUN_ATTEMPT}.json"
+          jq -n --slurpfile client_payload "${payload}" \
+            '{event_type: "nightly-candidate-ready", client_payload: $client_payload[0]}' > "${body}"
+          response="${RUNNER_TEMP}/nightly-candidate-dispatch-response-${GITHUB_RUN_ID}-${GITHUB_RUN_ATTEMPT}.txt"
+          status="$(curl -sS --retry 3 --connect-timeout 15 --max-time 60 \
+            -o "${response}" -w '%{http_code}' \
+            -X POST \
+            -H "Authorization: Bearer ${DISPATCH_TOKEN}" \
+            -H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
+            -H "X-GitHub-Api-Version: 2022-11-28" \
+            -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+            --data-binary @"${body}" \
+            https://api.github.com/repos/rustfs/auto-testing/dispatches)" || {
+            echo "repository_dispatch request to rustfs/auto-testing failed before an HTTP status" >&2
+            exit 1
+          }
+          if [[ "${status}" != "204" ]]; then
+            echo "repository_dispatch to rustfs/auto-testing failed: HTTP ${status}" >&2
+            if [[ -s "${response}" ]]; then
+              cat "${response}" >&2
+            fi
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          echo "dispatched nightly-candidate-ready to rustfs/auto-testing (deb_date=${DEB_DATE}, run=${GITHUB_RUN_ID}, attempt=${GITHUB_RUN_ATTEMPT})"
  # Live-Vault lane for the rustfs-kms suite (rustfs/backlog#1774).
  #
  # RUSTFS_KMS_VAULT_TOKEN is the single switch that adds the Vault KV2 and
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ permissions:
  contents: read

 concurrency:
-  group: oidc-keycloak-live-${{ github.ref }}
-  cancel-in-progress: true
+  group: oidc-keycloak-live-${{ github.event_name }}-${{ github.ref }}
+  cancel-in-progress: ${{ github.event_name != 'schedule' }}

 jobs:
  oidc-keycloak-live:
@@ -1,644 +1,53 @@
-# Copyright 2024 RustFS Team
-#
-# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-# You may obtain a copy of the License at
-#
-#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-#
-# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-# limitations under the License.
-
-# Package Workflow - Build DEB/RPM packages
-#
-# This workflow builds DEB and RPM packages from pre-built Linux binaries
-# and uploads them to Cloudflare R2 and the GitHub release.
-#
-# Trigger:
-# - workflow_run: automatically package after "Build and Release" completes
-#   for a release tag (the mac/windows/linux binaries are already uploaded
-#   to the GitHub release before packaging starts)
-# - workflow_dispatch: manual fallback with a release tag and/or exact build run ID
-#
-# Flow:
-# 1. Resolve and validate the selected Build workflow run and source identity
-# 2. Download Linux binaries (x86_64-gnu, aarch64-gnu, x86_64-musl,
-#    aarch64-musl) from build artifacts
-# 3. Build DEB packages for amd64 and arm64, gnu and musl variants
-# 4. Build RPM packages for x86_64 and aarch64, gnu and musl variants
-# 5. Upload all packages to Cloudflare R2 and the GitHub release
-
-name: Package DEB/RPM
-
-permissions:
-  # contents: write is required to upload packages to the GitHub release
-  contents: write
-  actions: read
-
+# Copyright 2026 RustFS Team
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+name: Build candidate packages
 on:
-  # Follows the same pattern as docker.yml: run after the release build
-  # workflow completes, so packaging is triggered only by release tags
-  # (e.g. 1.0.0-rc.2, 1.0.0-rc.3), never by development builds.
-  workflow_run:
-    workflows: [ "Build and Release" ]
-    types: [ completed ]
-  workflow_dispatch:
+  workflow_call:
    inputs:
-      tag:
-        description: "Release tag to package (e.g. 1.0.0-beta.12). Leave empty for latest main build."
-        required: false
+      candidate_manifest:
        type: string
-      build_run_id:
-        description: "Build workflow run ID (when combined with tag, both must identify the same release commit)"
-        required: false
-        type: string
-
-concurrency:
-  group: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.event.workflow_run.head_branch || github.event.inputs.tag || github.run_id }}
-  cancel-in-progress: true
-
-env:
-  HEAD_BRANCH: ${{ github.event.workflow_run.head_branch }}
-  WORKFLOW_RUN_ID: ${{ github.event.workflow_run.id }}
-
+        required: true
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+  actions: read
 jobs:
-  # Resolve which build run to use and extract version info
-  resolve:
-    name: Resolve Build
-    # Auto-trigger only from successful tag builds of "Build and Release".
-    # Tag pushes arrive as event == push with head_branch != main (a
-    # non-main push head_branch is the release tag name). Manual dispatch
-    # stays available as a fallback for backfills and re-runs.
-    if: >-
-      github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' ||
-      (github.event.workflow_run.conclusion == 'success' &&
-       github.event.workflow_run.event == 'push' &&
-       github.event.workflow_run.head_branch != 'main')
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest # gh CLI required; the sm-standard-2 fleet does not ship it
-    timeout-minutes: 10
-    outputs:
-      version: ${{ steps.resolve.outputs.version }}
-      build_type: ${{ steps.resolve.outputs.build_type }}
-      build_run_id: ${{ steps.resolve.outputs.build_run_id }}
-      build_run_number: ${{ steps.resolve.outputs.build_run_number }}
-      head_sha: ${{ steps.resolve.outputs.head_sha }}
-      dev_sequence: ${{ steps.resolve.outputs.dev_sequence }}
-      tag: ${{ steps.resolve.outputs.tag }}
-    steps:
-      - name: Resolve build run
-        id: resolve
-        shell: bash
-        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
-          EVENT_NAME: ${{ github.event_name }}
-          REPOSITORY: ${{ github.repository }}
-          INPUT_TAG: ${{ github.event.inputs.tag }}
-          INPUT_RUN_ID: ${{ github.event.inputs.build_run_id }}
-        run: |
-          set -euo pipefail
-
-          fail() {
-            echo "❌ $1" >&2
-            exit 1
-          }
-
-          TAG=""
-          BUILD_RUN_ID=""
-          case "$EVENT_NAME" in
-            workflow_run)
-              TAG="$HEAD_BRANCH"
-              BUILD_RUN_ID="$WORKFLOW_RUN_ID"
-              ;;
-            workflow_dispatch)
-              TAG="$INPUT_TAG"
-              BUILD_RUN_ID="$INPUT_RUN_ID"
-              ;;
-            *) fail "unsupported event: $EVENT_NAME" ;;
-          esac
-
-          # Validate and classify tags before using them in API paths or logs.
-          semver_core='(0|[1-9][0-9]*)\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*)\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*)'
-          prerelease_id='(alpha|beta|rc)\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*)'
-          if [[ -n "$TAG" ]]; then
-            if [[ "$TAG" =~ ^${semver_core}(-${prerelease_id})?-preview\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*)$ ]]; then
-              BUILD_TYPE=preview
-            elif [[ "$TAG" =~ ^${semver_core}-${prerelease_id}$ ]]; then
-              BUILD_TYPE=prerelease
-            elif [[ "$TAG" =~ ^${semver_core}$ ]]; then
-              BUILD_TYPE=release
-            else
-              fail "tag is not a supported strict package version"
-            fi
-          else
-            BUILD_TYPE=development
-          fi
-
-          if [[ -n "$BUILD_RUN_ID" ]]; then
-            [[ "$BUILD_RUN_ID" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]] || fail "build run ID must be a positive decimal integer"
-            echo "Using selected build run: $BUILD_RUN_ID"
-          elif [[ -n "$TAG" ]]; then
-            echo "Looking for build run for tag: $TAG"
-            BUILD_RUN_ID=$(gh api --method GET \
-              "repos/${REPOSITORY}/actions/workflows/build.yml/runs" \
-              -f branch="$TAG" -f status=success -F per_page=1 \
-              --jq '.workflow_runs[0].id // empty' 2>/dev/null || true)
-
-            if [[ -z "$BUILD_RUN_ID" ]]; then
-              BUILD_RUN_ID=$(gh api --method GET \
-                "repos/${REPOSITORY}/actions/workflows/build.yml/runs" \
-                -f event=push -f status=success -F per_page=100 2>/dev/null |
-                jq -r --arg tag "$TAG" \
-                  '[.workflow_runs[] | select(.head_branch == $tag)][0].id // empty' || true)
-            fi
-            [[ "$BUILD_RUN_ID" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]] || fail "no successful build run found for tag"
-            echo "Found build run: $BUILD_RUN_ID"
-          else
-            echo "No tag specified, looking for latest main build"
-            BUILD_RUN_ID=$(gh api --method GET \
-              "repos/${REPOSITORY}/actions/workflows/build.yml/runs" \
-              -f branch=main -f status=success -F per_page=1 \
-              --jq '.workflow_runs[0].id // empty' 2>/dev/null || true)
-            [[ "$BUILD_RUN_ID" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]] || fail "no successful main build found"
-            echo "Latest main build: $BUILD_RUN_ID"
-          fi
-
-          # Fetch once and use the same immutable run metadata for identity,
-          # ordering, workflow provenance, and release-channel validation.
-          RUN_JSON=$(gh api "repos/${REPOSITORY}/actions/runs/${BUILD_RUN_ID}") ||
-            fail "cannot read selected build run"
-          RUN_ID=$(jq -r '.id // empty' <<<"$RUN_JSON")
-          RUN_NUMBER=$(jq -r '.run_number // empty' <<<"$RUN_JSON")
-          RUN_STATUS=$(jq -r '.status // empty' <<<"$RUN_JSON")
-          RUN_CONCLUSION=$(jq -r '.conclusion // empty' <<<"$RUN_JSON")
-          RUN_PATH=$(jq -r '.path // empty' <<<"$RUN_JSON")
-          HEAD_SHA=$(jq -r '.head_sha // empty' <<<"$RUN_JSON")
-          RUN_HEAD_BRANCH=$(jq -r '.head_branch // empty' <<<"$RUN_JSON")
-
-          [[ "$RUN_ID" == "$BUILD_RUN_ID" ]] || fail "run metadata ID mismatch"
-          [[ "$RUN_NUMBER" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]] || fail "build run number must be a positive decimal integer"
-          [[ "$RUN_STATUS" == completed && "$RUN_CONCLUSION" == success ]] || fail "selected build run is not successful"
-          [[ "$RUN_PATH" == .github/workflows/build.yml ]] || fail "selected run is not Build and Release"
-          [[ "$HEAD_SHA" =~ ^[0-9a-f]{40}$ ]] || fail "selected build run has an invalid head SHA"
-          [[ "$RUN_HEAD_BRANCH" != *$'\n'* && -n "$RUN_HEAD_BRANCH" ]] || fail "selected build run has an invalid head branch"
-
-          if [[ -n "$TAG" ]]; then
-            [[ "$RUN_HEAD_BRANCH" == "$TAG" ]] || fail "tag and build run head branch do not match"
-
-            TAG_REF_JSON=$(gh api "repos/${REPOSITORY}/git/ref/tags/${TAG}") ||
-              fail "cannot resolve release tag ref"
-            TAG_OBJECT_TYPE=$(jq -r '.object.type // empty' <<<"$TAG_REF_JSON")
-            TAG_OBJECT_SHA=$(jq -r '.object.sha // empty' <<<"$TAG_REF_JSON")
-            depth=0
-            while [[ "$TAG_OBJECT_TYPE" == tag && $depth -lt 5 ]]; do
-              TAG_OBJECT_JSON=$(gh api "repos/${REPOSITORY}/git/tags/${TAG_OBJECT_SHA}") ||
-                fail "cannot peel annotated release tag"
-              TAG_OBJECT_TYPE=$(jq -r '.object.type // empty' <<<"$TAG_OBJECT_JSON")
-              TAG_OBJECT_SHA=$(jq -r '.object.sha // empty' <<<"$TAG_OBJECT_JSON")
-              depth=$((depth + 1))
-            done
-            [[ "$TAG_OBJECT_TYPE" == commit && "$TAG_OBJECT_SHA" =~ ^[0-9a-f]{40}$ ]] ||
-              fail "release tag does not resolve to a commit"
-            [[ "$TAG_OBJECT_SHA" == "$HEAD_SHA" ]] || fail "release tag commit and build run head SHA do not match"
-            VERSION="$TAG"
-            DEV_SEQUENCE=""
-          else
-            VERSION="dev-${HEAD_SHA}"
-            DEV_SEQUENCE="$RUN_NUMBER"
-          fi
-
-          {
-            echo "version=$VERSION"
-            echo "build_type=$BUILD_TYPE"
-            echo "build_run_id=$BUILD_RUN_ID"
-            echo "build_run_number=$RUN_NUMBER"
-            echo "head_sha=$HEAD_SHA"
-            echo "dev_sequence=$DEV_SEQUENCE"
-            echo "tag=${TAG}"
-          } >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-
-          echo "📊 Resolved:"
-          echo "  Version: $VERSION"
-          echo "  Build type: $BUILD_TYPE"
-          echo "  Build run ID: $BUILD_RUN_ID"
-          echo "  Build run number: $RUN_NUMBER"
-
-  # Build DEB and RPM packages for each architecture and libc variant
  package:
-    name: Package (${{ matrix.arch }}-${{ matrix.libc }})
-    needs: resolve
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest # gh CLI required; the sm-standard-2 fleet does not ship it
-    timeout-minutes: 30
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 45
    strategy:
      fail-fast: false
-      max-parallel: 1
      matrix:
-        include:
-          - arch: x86_64
-            libc: gnu
-            deb_arch: amd64
-            rpm_arch: x86_64
-            artifact_name: "rustfs-linux-x86_64-gnu"
-            # gnu binaries dynamically link glibc; musl binaries are static
-            # and run without a libc dependency.
-            deb_depends: "libc6 (>= 2.31)"
-            rpm_depends: "glibc >= 2.31"
-          - arch: aarch64
-            libc: gnu
-            deb_arch: arm64
-            rpm_arch: aarch64
-            artifact_name: "rustfs-linux-aarch64-gnu"
-            deb_depends: "libc6 (>= 2.31)"
-            rpm_depends: "glibc >= 2.31"
-          - arch: x86_64
-            libc: musl
-            deb_arch: amd64
-            rpm_arch: x86_64
-            artifact_name: "rustfs-linux-x86_64-musl"
-            deb_depends: ""
-            rpm_depends: ""
-          - arch: aarch64
-            libc: musl
-            deb_arch: arm64
-            rpm_arch: aarch64
-            artifact_name: "rustfs-linux-aarch64-musl"
-            deb_depends: ""
-            rpm_depends: ""
+        target: [linux-x86_64-musl, linux-aarch64-musl, linux-x86_64-gnu, linux-aarch64-gnu]
    steps:
-      - name: Checkout repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
        with:
+          ref: ${{ fromJson(inputs.candidate_manifest).source_sha }}
          persist-credentials: false
-
-      - name: Normalize package metadata
-        id: versions
-        shell: bash
-        env:
-          BUILD_TYPE: ${{ needs.resolve.outputs.build_type }}
-          SOURCE_VERSION: ${{ needs.resolve.outputs.version }}
-          DEV_SEQUENCE: ${{ needs.resolve.outputs.dev_sequence }}
-          ARCH: ${{ matrix.rpm_arch }}
-          LIBC: ${{ matrix.libc }}
-        run: |
-          set -euo pipefail
-
-          normalized=$(./scripts/release/package_versions.sh \
-            "$BUILD_TYPE" "$SOURCE_VERSION" "$DEV_SEQUENCE" "$ARCH" "$LIBC")
-          printf '%s\n' "$normalized" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-
-      - name: Download binary artifact from build run
-        uses: actions/download-artifact@3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c # v8.0.1
-        with:
-          pattern: ${{ matrix.artifact_name }}*
-          path: ./binary-artifact
-          run-id: ${{ needs.resolve.outputs.build_run_id }}
-          github-token: ${{ github.token }}
-          merge-multiple: true
-
-      - name: Extract binary
-        id: binary
-        shell: bash
-        run: |
-          set -euo pipefail
-
-          ZIP_FILE=$(find ./binary-artifact -name "*.zip" -type f | head -1)
-          if [[ -z "$ZIP_FILE" ]]; then
-            echo "❌ No binary artifact found"
-            find ./binary-artifact -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 -print 2>/dev/null || true
-            exit 1
-          fi
-
-          echo "Found artifact: $ZIP_FILE"
-
-          mkdir -p ./bin
-          unzip -o "$ZIP_FILE" -d ./bin
-
-          if [[ ! -f ./bin/rustfs ]]; then
-            echo "❌ rustfs binary not found in archive"
-            exit 1
-          fi
-
-          chmod +x ./bin/rustfs
-          stat --printf='%n %s bytes\n' ./bin/rustfs
-          echo "✅ Binary extracted"
-
-      - name: Build DEB package
-        id: deb
-        shell: bash
-        env:
-          DEB_VERSION: ${{ steps.versions.outputs.deb_version }}
-          DEB_ARCH: ${{ matrix.deb_arch }}
-          DEB_FILE: ${{ steps.versions.outputs.deb_file }}
-          DEB_DEPENDS: ${{ matrix.deb_depends }}
-          LIBC: ${{ matrix.libc }}
-        run: |
-          set -euo pipefail
-
-          PKG_DIR="${DEB_FILE%.deb}"
-
-          echo "Building DEB: ${DEB_FILE}"
-
-          mkdir -p "${PKG_DIR}/DEBIAN"
-          mkdir -p "${PKG_DIR}/usr/bin"
-          mkdir -p "${PKG_DIR}/etc/default"
-          mkdir -p "${PKG_DIR}/lib/systemd/system"
-          mkdir -p "${PKG_DIR}/usr/share/doc/rustfs"
-
-          cp ./bin/rustfs "${PKG_DIR}/usr/bin/"
-          chmod 755 "${PKG_DIR}/usr/bin/rustfs"
-
-          cp deploy/build/rustfs.service "${PKG_DIR}/lib/systemd/system/"
-
-          cat > "${PKG_DIR}/etc/default/rustfs" << 'ENVEOF'
-          # RustFS Environment Configuration
-          # See https://docs.rustfs.com for more information
-          # RUSTFS_ACCESS_KEY=<changeme>
-          # RUSTFS_SECRET_KEY=<changeme>
-          # RUSTFS_VOLUMES=""
-          # RUSTFS_ADDRESS=":9000"
-          # RUSTFS_CONSOLE_ADDRESS=":9001"
-          # RUSTFS_CONSOLE_ENABLE=true
-          # RUSTFS_OBS_LOGGER_LEVEL=error
-          # RUSTFS_OBS_LOG_DIRECTORY="/var/log/rustfs/"
-          ENVEOF
-
-          cat > "${PKG_DIR}/DEBIAN/control" << EOF
-          Package: rustfs
-          Version: ${DEB_VERSION}
-          Section: utils
-          Priority: optional
-          Architecture: ${DEB_ARCH}
-          EOF
-
-          # gnu binaries dynamically link glibc and must declare it; musl
-          # binaries are statically linked and need no libc dependency.
-          if [[ -n "$DEB_DEPENDS" ]]; then
-            echo "Depends: ${DEB_DEPENDS}" >> "${PKG_DIR}/DEBIAN/control"
-          fi
-
-          cat >> "${PKG_DIR}/DEBIAN/control" << EOF
-          Maintainer: RustFS Team <support@rustfs.com>
-          Description: High-performance distributed object storage (${LIBC} build)
-           RustFS is a high-performance distributed object storage software
-           built using Rust. It is compatible with MinIO and S3 API.
-          Homepage: https://rustfs.com
-          EOF
-
-          # Declare /etc/default/rustfs as a conffile so dpkg preserves user
-          # modifications on upgrade instead of silently overwriting them.
-          cat > "${PKG_DIR}/DEBIAN/conffiles" << 'CONFFILES'
-          /etc/default/rustfs
-          CONFFILES
-
-          ./scripts/release/package_service_scripts.sh after-install > "${PKG_DIR}/DEBIAN/postinst"
-          chmod 755 "${PKG_DIR}/DEBIAN/postinst"
-
-          ./scripts/release/package_service_scripts.sh before-remove > "${PKG_DIR}/DEBIAN/prerm"
-          chmod 755 "${PKG_DIR}/DEBIAN/prerm"
-
-          ./scripts/release/package_service_scripts.sh after-remove > "${PKG_DIR}/DEBIAN/postrm"
-          chmod 755 "${PKG_DIR}/DEBIAN/postrm"
-
-          cp LICENSE "${PKG_DIR}/usr/share/doc/rustfs/"
-          cp README.md "${PKG_DIR}/usr/share/doc/rustfs/"
-
-          fakeroot dpkg-deb --build "${PKG_DIR}" "$DEB_FILE"
-
-          [[ $(dpkg-deb -f "$DEB_FILE" Package) == rustfs ]]
-          [[ $(dpkg-deb -f "$DEB_FILE" Version) == "$DEB_VERSION" ]]
-          [[ $(dpkg-deb -f "$DEB_FILE" Architecture) == "$DEB_ARCH" ]]
-          dpkg-deb --fsys-tarfile "$DEB_FILE" | tar -tf - | grep -Fx './usr/bin/rustfs' >/dev/null
-          stat --printf='%n %s bytes\n' "$DEB_FILE"
-          echo "deb_file=$DEB_FILE" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-          echo "✅ DEB built: $DEB_FILE"
-
-      - name: Build RPM package
-        id: rpm
-        shell: bash
-        env:
-          RPM_VERSION: ${{ steps.versions.outputs.rpm_version }}
-          RPM_RELEASE: ${{ steps.versions.outputs.rpm_release }}
-          RPM_ARCH: ${{ matrix.rpm_arch }}
-          RPM_FILE: ${{ steps.versions.outputs.rpm_file }}
-          RPM_DEPENDS: ${{ matrix.rpm_depends }}
-          LIBC: ${{ matrix.libc }}
-        run: |
-          set -euo pipefail
-
-          echo "Building RPM for ${RPM_ARCH} (${LIBC})"
-
-          sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y ruby ruby-dev build-essential rpm
-          sudo gem install fpm
-          ./scripts/test_package_versions.sh --require-package-managers
-
-          # gnu binaries dynamically link glibc and must declare it; musl
-          # binaries are statically linked and need no libc dependency.
-          depends_args=()
-          if [[ -n "$RPM_DEPENDS" ]]; then
-            depends_args+=(--depends "$RPM_DEPENDS")
-          fi
-
-          # Create config file for fpm (DEB build creates it in its package dir structure,
-          # but fpm needs the file to exist before packaging)
-          mkdir -p ./tmp-pkg/etc/default
-          cat > ./tmp-pkg/etc/default/rustfs << 'ENVEOF'
-          # RustFS Environment Configuration
-          # See https://docs.rustfs.com for more information
-          # RUSTFS_ACCESS_KEY=<changeme>
-          # RUSTFS_SECRET_KEY=<changeme>
-          # RUSTFS_VOLUMES=""
-          # RUSTFS_ADDRESS=":9000"
-          # RUSTFS_CONSOLE_ADDRESS=":9001"
-          # RUSTFS_CONSOLE_ENABLE=true
-          # RUSTFS_OBS_LOGGER_LEVEL=error
-          # RUSTFS_OBS_LOG_DIRECTORY="/var/log/rustfs/"
-          ENVEOF
-
-          fpm -s dir -t rpm \
-            --name rustfs \
-            --version "$RPM_VERSION" \
-            --iteration "$RPM_RELEASE" \
-            --architecture "$RPM_ARCH" \
-            --package "$RPM_FILE" \
-            "${depends_args[@]}" \
-            --description "High-performance distributed object storage (${LIBC} build)" \
-            --maintainer "RustFS Team <support@rustfs.com>" \
-            --url "https://rustfs.com" \
-            --license "Apache-2.0" \
-            --before-install <(./scripts/release/package_service_scripts.sh rpm-before-install) \
-            --before-upgrade <(./scripts/release/package_service_scripts.sh rpm-before-upgrade) \
-            --after-install <(./scripts/release/package_service_scripts.sh after-install) \
-            --after-upgrade <(./scripts/release/package_service_scripts.sh after-install) \
-            --before-remove <(./scripts/release/package_service_scripts.sh before-remove) \
-            --after-remove <(./scripts/release/package_service_scripts.sh after-remove) \
-            --rpm-posttrans <(./scripts/release/package_service_scripts.sh rpm-posttrans) \
-            --config-files /etc/default/rustfs \
-            ./bin/rustfs=/usr/bin/rustfs \
-            ./tmp-pkg/etc/default/rustfs=/etc/default/rustfs \
-            deploy/build/rustfs.service=/lib/systemd/system/rustfs.service \
-            LICENSE=/usr/share/doc/rustfs/LICENSE \
-            README.md=/usr/share/doc/rustfs/README.md
-
-          if [[ ! -f "$RPM_FILE" ]]; then
-            echo "❌ RPM build failed"
-            exit 1
-          fi
-
-          RPM_METADATA=$(rpm -qp --qf '%{NAME}\n%{VERSION}\n%{RELEASE}\n%{ARCH}\n' "$RPM_FILE")
-          EXPECTED_METADATA=$(printf 'rustfs\n%s\n%s\n%s' "$RPM_VERSION" "$RPM_RELEASE" "$RPM_ARCH")
-          [[ "$RPM_METADATA" == "$EXPECTED_METADATA" ]]
-          rpm -qpl "$RPM_FILE" | grep -Fx '/usr/bin/rustfs' >/dev/null
-          stat --printf='%n %s bytes\n' "$RPM_FILE"
-          echo "rpm_file=$RPM_FILE" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-          echo "✅ RPM built: $RPM_FILE"
-
-      - name: Upload packages to artifacts
-        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
-        with:
-          name: packages-${{ matrix.arch }}-${{ matrix.libc }}
-          path: |
-            *.deb
-            *.rpm
-          retention-days: 30
-
-      - name: Upload packages to Cloudflare R2
-        if: needs.resolve.outputs.build_type != 'preview' && env.R2_ACCESS_KEY_ID != ''
-        env:
-          R2_ACCESS_KEY_ID: ${{ secrets.R2_ACCESS_KEY_ID }}
-          R2_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY: ${{ secrets.R2_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY }}
-          R2_ENDPOINT: ${{ secrets.R2_ENDPOINT }}
-          R2_BUCKET: ${{ secrets.R2_BUCKET }}
-          AWS_EC2_METADATA_DISABLED: true
-          BUILD_TYPE: ${{ needs.resolve.outputs.build_type }}
-          DEB_FILE: ${{ steps.deb.outputs.deb_file }}
-          RPM_FILE: ${{ steps.rpm.outputs.rpm_file }}
-        shell: bash
-        run: |
-          set -euo pipefail
-
-          if [[ -z "$R2_ACCESS_KEY_ID" || -z "$R2_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY" || -z "$R2_ENDPOINT" || -z "$R2_BUCKET" ]]; then
-            echo "⚠️ R2 credentials missing, skipping upload"
-            exit 0
-          fi
-
-          if ! command -v aws >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-            sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y awscli
-          fi
-
-          export AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID="$R2_ACCESS_KEY_ID"
-          export AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY="$R2_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY"
-          export AWS_DEFAULT_REGION="auto"
-
-          if [[ "$BUILD_TYPE" == "development" ]]; then
-            R2_PREFIX="artifacts/rustfs/packages/dev"
-          else
-            R2_PREFIX="artifacts/rustfs/packages/release"
-          fi
-          R2_PATH="s3://${R2_BUCKET}/${R2_PREFIX}/"
-
-          echo "📤 Uploading to $R2_PATH"
-
-          for f in "$DEB_FILE" "$RPM_FILE"; do
-            if [[ -n "$f" && -f "$f" ]]; then
-              echo "Uploading: $f"
-              aws s3 cp "$f" "$R2_PATH" --endpoint-url "$R2_ENDPOINT" --only-show-errors
-            fi
-          done
-
-          echo "✅ Upload complete"
-
-          # Also upload as latest for release/prerelease
-          if [[ "$BUILD_TYPE" == "release" || "$BUILD_TYPE" == "prerelease" ]]; then
-            LATEST_PATH="s3://${R2_BUCKET}/artifacts/rustfs/packages/latest/"
-            for f in "$DEB_FILE" "$RPM_FILE"; do
-              if [[ -n "$f" && -f "$f" ]]; then
-                echo "Uploading latest: $(basename "$f")"
-                aws s3 cp "$f" "$LATEST_PATH" --endpoint-url "$R2_ENDPOINT" --only-show-errors
-              fi
-            done
-            echo "✅ Latest packages updated"
-          fi
-
-      - name: Upload packages to GitHub Release
-        if: needs.resolve.outputs.tag != ''
+      - name: Reuse completed package set
+        id: reuse
        env:
          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
-          TAG: ${{ needs.resolve.outputs.tag }}
-          DEB_FILE: ${{ steps.deb.outputs.deb_file }}
-          RPM_FILE: ${{ steps.rpm.outputs.rpm_file }}
-        shell: bash
+          CANDIDATE_MANIFEST: ${{ inputs.candidate_manifest }}
+          TARGET: ${{ matrix.target }}
+        run: python3 scripts/release/deliver.py reuse --kind packages --target "$TARGET"
+      - name: Install packaging tools
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
        run: |
-          set -euo pipefail
-
-          # Upload the packages, then refresh the release checksums so the new
-          # assets are covered, matching the binary release flow.
-          for f in "$DEB_FILE" "$RPM_FILE"; do
-            if [[ -n "$f" && -f "$f" ]]; then
-              echo "📤 Uploading $(basename "$f") to GitHub release ${TAG}..."
-              gh release upload "$TAG" "$f" --clobber
-            fi
-          done
-
-          CHECKSUM_DIR="$(mktemp -d)"
-          gh release download "$TAG" -p 'SHA256SUMS' -p 'SHA512SUMS' \
-            -D "$CHECKSUM_DIR" --clobber
-
-          for spec in "SHA256SUMS:sha256sum" "SHA512SUMS:sha512sum"; do
-            asset="${spec%%:*}"
-            checksum_cmd="${spec##*:}"
-            checksum_file="${CHECKSUM_DIR}/${asset}"
-
-            for f in "$DEB_FILE" "$RPM_FILE"; do
-              if [[ -n "$f" && -f "$f" ]]; then
-                base="$(basename "$f")"
-                # GitHub stores release asset names with '~' normalized to '.'.
-                # Current package file names embed the raw tag and contain no
-                # '~', but older releases may still ship such assets, so the
-                # checksum entries must reference the name as stored on the
-                # release.
-                github_base="${base//\~/.}"
-                # Remove any stale entry (both naming variants), then append
-                grep -Fv -- "$base" "$checksum_file" > "${checksum_file}.tmp" || true
-                grep -Fv -- "$github_base" "${checksum_file}.tmp" > "${checksum_file}.tmp2" || true
-                mv "${checksum_file}.tmp2" "$checksum_file"
-                digest=$("$checksum_cmd" -- "$f" | awk '{print $1}')
-                printf '%s  %s\n' "$digest" "$github_base" >> "$checksum_file"
-              fi
-            done
-
-            echo "📤 Updating ${asset} for release ${TAG}..."
-            gh release upload "$TAG" "$checksum_file" --clobber
-          done
-
-          echo "✅ GitHub release assets updated"
-
-  # Summary
-  summary:
-    name: Summary
-    needs: [ resolve, package ]
-    # Every completed Build and Release run triggers this workflow; when
-    # resolve declined it (not a release tag), there is nothing to summarise.
-    if: always() && needs.resolve.result != 'skipped'
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    timeout-minutes: 5
-    steps:
-      - name: Print summary
-        shell: bash
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y ruby ruby-dev build-essential rpm fakeroot cpio
+          sudo gem install fpm --version 1.17.0 --no-document
+      - name: Package accepted executable and verify contents
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
        env:
-          SUMMARY_VERSION: ${{ needs.resolve.outputs.version }}
-          SUMMARY_BUILD_TYPE: ${{ needs.resolve.outputs.build_type }}
-          SUMMARY_BUILD_RUN_ID: ${{ needs.resolve.outputs.build_run_id }}
-          SUMMARY_PACKAGE_STATUS: ${{ needs.package.result }}
-        run: |
-          {
-            echo "## 📦 Package Summary"
-            echo ""
-            echo "| Item | Value |"
-            echo "|------|-------|"
-            echo "| Version | \`${SUMMARY_VERSION}\` |"
-            echo "| Build Type | ${SUMMARY_BUILD_TYPE} |"
-            echo "| Build Run | #${SUMMARY_BUILD_RUN_ID} |"
-            echo "| Package Status | ${SUMMARY_PACKAGE_STATUS} |"
-          } >> "$GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY"
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+          CANDIDATE_MANIFEST: ${{ inputs.candidate_manifest }}
+          TARGET: ${{ matrix.target }}
+        run: python3 scripts/release/deliver.py package --target "$TARGET" --output delivery
+      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        if: steps.reuse.outputs.reused != 'true'
+        with:
+          name: packages-${{ matrix.target }}
+          path: delivery/*
+          if-no-files-found: error
+          compression-level: 0
+          retention-days: 30
@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+# Copyright 2026 RustFS Team
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+name: Release candidate (Linux)
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      version:
+        description: Final product version (no preview suffix)
+        type: string
+        required: true
+      source_sha:
+        description: Full reviewed source commit
+        type: string
+        required: true
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+  actions: read
+concurrency:
+  group: release-candidate-${{ inputs.version }}
+  cancel-in-progress: false
+jobs:
+  freeze:
+    if: github.repository == 'rustfs/rustfs' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 15
+    outputs:
+      manifest: ${{ steps.freeze.outputs.manifest }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - name: Freeze or recover original inputs
+        id: freeze
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+          VERSION: ${{ inputs.version }}
+          SOURCE_SHA: ${{ inputs.source_sha }}
+        run: python3 scripts/release/pipeline.py prepare --version "$VERSION" --source "$SOURCE_SHA" --directory frozen
+      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        if: steps.freeze.outputs.reused != 'true'
+        with:
+          name: release-inputs
+          path: frozen/inputs.json
+          if-no-files-found: error
+          retention-days: 30
+  linux:
+    needs: freeze
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/build.yml
+    with:
+      candidate_manifest: ${{ needs.freeze.outputs.manifest }}
+      platforms: linux
+  upgrade:
+    needs: [freeze, linux]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 150
+    env:
+      RUSTUP_TOOLCHAIN: ${{ fromJson(needs.freeze.outputs.manifest).toolchain }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ fromJson(needs.freeze.outputs.manifest).workflow_sha }}
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - uses: ./.github/actions/setup
+        with:
+          rust-version: ${{ fromJson(needs.freeze.outputs.manifest).toolchain }}
+          cache-shared-key: release-upgrade-harness-hosted
+          cache-save-if: ${{ github.ref == 'refs/heads/main' }}
+          install-build-packaging-tools: "false"
+          install-test-tools: "false"
+      - name: Verify archived server against previous releases
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+          CANDIDATE_MANIFEST: ${{ needs.freeze.outputs.manifest }}
+        run: |
+          python3 - <<'PYVERIFY'
+          import sys
+          from pathlib import Path
+          sys.path.insert(0, 'scripts/release')
+          import candidate as c, pipeline, verify
+          inputs = pipeline.manifest_env()
+          run = pipeline.current_run('release-candidate.yml')
+          if any(a['name'] == 'release-upgrade' for a in c.artifact_list(run['id'])):
+              c.download_artifact(run, 'release-upgrade', 'receipts')
+              pipeline.verify_evidence(inputs, Path('receipts'), {run['id']: run})
+              c.emit_output('reused', 'true')
+          else:
+              target = 'linux-x86_64-gnu'
+              c.download_artifact(run, f"candidate-{inputs['candidate_id']}-{target}", 'binary')
+              verify.upgrade(inputs, Path('binary') / f"rustfs-{target}-v{inputs['version']}.zip", Path('receipts'))
+          PYVERIFY
+        id: verify
+      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        if: steps.verify.outputs.reused != 'true'
+        with:
+          name: release-upgrade
+          path: receipts/*
+          if-no-files-found: error
+          retention-days: 30
+      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        if: failure()
+        with:
+          name: release-upgrade-failure-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: receipts/*
+          retention-days: 7
+  seal-linux:
+    needs: [freeze, linux, upgrade]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 30
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - name: Collect trusted receipts and seal Linux bytes
+        id: seal
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+        run: |
+          python3 scripts/release/pipeline.py linux-seal --directory sealed
+          {
+            echo '## Linux acceptance'
+            echo 'Use this run ID and manifest SHA-256 when starting Release candidate (complete).'
+            sha256sum sealed/linux-manifest.json
+            echo 'Record cluster, performance, integrity and upgrade acceptance in backlog before continuing.'
+          } >> "$GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY"
+      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        if: steps.seal.outputs.reused != 'true'
+        with:
+          name: release-linux
+          path: sealed/*
+          if-no-files-found: error
+          compression-level: 0
+          retention-days: 30
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+# Copyright 2026 RustFS Team
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+name: Release candidate (complete)
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      candidate_run_id:
+        description: Successful Linux candidate run ID
+        type: string
+        required: true
+      linux_manifest_sha256:
+        description: Exact accepted Linux manifest SHA-256
+        type: string
+        required: true
+      acceptance_report:
+        description: Backlog report accepting cluster, performance, integrity and upgrade results
+        type: string
+        required: true
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+  actions: read
+concurrency:
+  group: release-complete-${{ inputs.candidate_run_id }}
+  cancel-in-progress: false
+jobs:
+  acceptance:
+    if: github.repository == 'rustfs/rustfs' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 30
+    environment: release-linux-acceptance
+    outputs:
+      manifest: ${{ steps.accept.outputs.manifest }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - name: Bind acceptance to the exact Linux manifest
+        id: accept
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+          CANDIDATE_RUN: ${{ inputs.candidate_run_id }}
+          MANIFEST_SHA: ${{ inputs.linux_manifest_sha256 }}
+          REPORT: ${{ inputs.acceptance_report }}
+        run: python3 scripts/release/pipeline.py complete-prepare --run-id "$CANDIDATE_RUN" --digest "$MANIFEST_SHA" --report "$REPORT" --directory linux
+  desktop:
+    needs: acceptance
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/build.yml
+    with:
+      candidate_manifest: ${{ needs.acceptance.outputs.manifest }}
+      platforms: desktop
+  packages:
+    needs: acceptance
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/package.yml
+    with:
+      candidate_manifest: ${{ needs.acceptance.outputs.manifest }}
+  images:
+    needs: acceptance
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/docker.yml
+    with:
+      candidate_manifest: ${{ needs.acceptance.outputs.manifest }}
+  chart:
+    needs: acceptance
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/helm-package.yml
+    with:
+      candidate_manifest: ${{ needs.acceptance.outputs.manifest }}
+  seal:
+    needs: [acceptance, desktop, packages, images, chart]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 45
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - name: Verify every deliverable and seal the candidate
+        id: seal
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+          CANDIDATE_RUN: ${{ inputs.candidate_run_id }}
+          MANIFEST_SHA: ${{ inputs.linux_manifest_sha256 }}
+          REPORT: ${{ inputs.acceptance_report }}
+        run: |
+          python3 scripts/release/pipeline.py complete-seal --run-id "$CANDIDATE_RUN" --digest "$MANIFEST_SHA" --report "$REPORT" --directory sealed
+          {
+            echo '## Final publication approval'
+            echo 'Review this manifest, then explicitly dispatch Publish accepted release with its SHA-256.'
+            sha256sum sealed/release-manifest.json
+          } >> "$GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY"
+      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        if: steps.seal.outputs.reused != 'true'
+        with:
+          name: release-seal
+          path: sealed/*
+          if-no-files-found: error
+          compression-level: 0
+          retention-days: 30
@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+# Copyright 2026 RustFS Team
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+name: Publish accepted release
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      complete_run_id:
+        description: Successful completed candidate run ID
+        type: string
+        required: true
+      manifest_sha256:
+        description: Exact approved final manifest SHA-256 (authorizes publication)
+        type: string
+        required: true
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+  actions: read
+concurrency:
+  group: release-publish-${{ inputs.complete_run_id }}
+  cancel-in-progress: false
+jobs:
+  verify:
+    if: github.repository == 'rustfs/rustfs' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 45
+    outputs:
+      version: ${{ steps.verify.outputs.version }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - name: Recheck approved bytes and trusted certification
+        id: verify
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+          COMPLETE_RUN: ${{ inputs.complete_run_id }}
+          MANIFEST_SHA: ${{ inputs.manifest_sha256 }}
+        run: python3 scripts/release/publish.py verify --run-id "$COMPLETE_RUN" --digest "$MANIFEST_SHA" --directory sealed
+  version:
+    needs: verify
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 90
+    concurrency:
+      group: release-version-${{ needs.verify.outputs.version }}
+      cancel-in-progress: false
+    environment: release-publication
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+      actions: read
+      packages: write
+      security-events: write
+    env:
+      GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+      COMPLETE_RUN: ${{ inputs.complete_run_id }}
+      MANIFEST_SHA: ${{ inputs.manifest_sha256 }}
+      AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID: ${{ secrets.R2_ACCESS_KEY_ID }}
+      AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY: ${{ secrets.R2_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY }}
+      AWS_DEFAULT_REGION: auto
+      AWS_REQUEST_CHECKSUM_CALCULATION: when_required
+      AWS_RESPONSE_CHECKSUM_VALIDATION: when_required
+      AWS_EC2_METADATA_DISABLED: "true"
+      R2_ENDPOINT: ${{ secrets.R2_ENDPOINT }}
+      R2_BUCKET: ${{ secrets.R2_BUCKET }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - name: Install promotion tools
+        run: |
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y skopeo
+          aws --version
+      - uses: docker/login-action@c94ce9fb468520275223c153574b00df6fe4bcc9 # v3
+        with:
+          username: rustfs
+          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_TOKEN }}
+      - uses: docker/login-action@c94ce9fb468520275223c153574b00df6fe4bcc9 # v3
+        with:
+          registry: ghcr.io
+          username: ${{ secrets.GHCR_USERNAME }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.GHCR_PASSWORD }}
+      - uses: docker/login-action@c94ce9fb468520275223c153574b00df6fe4bcc9 # v3
+        with:
+          registry: quay.io
+          username: ${{ secrets.QUAY_USERNAME }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.QUAY_PASSWORD }}
+      - name: Share registry credentials with the OCI copier
+        run: |
+          install -m 600 "$HOME/.docker/config.json" "$RUNNER_TEMP/registry-auth.json"
+          echo "REGISTRY_AUTH_FILE=$RUNNER_TEMP/registry-auth.json" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+      - name: Promote verified version
+        run: python3 scripts/release/publish.py version --run-id "$COMPLETE_RUN" --digest "$MANIFEST_SHA" --directory sealed
+      - name: Publish accepted musl amd64 scan
+        uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@99df26d4f13ea111d4ec1a7dddef6063f76b97e9 # v4
+        with:
+          sarif_file: sealed/scan-musl-amd64.sarif
+          category: container-image-musl-amd64
+      - name: Publish accepted musl arm64 scan
+        uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@99df26d4f13ea111d4ec1a7dddef6063f76b97e9 # v4
+        with:
+          sarif_file: sealed/scan-musl-arm64.sarif
+          category: container-image-musl-arm64
+      - name: Publish accepted GNU amd64 scan
+        uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@99df26d4f13ea111d4ec1a7dddef6063f76b97e9 # v4
+        with:
+          sarif_file: sealed/scan-gnu-amd64.sarif
+          category: container-image-gnu-amd64
+      - name: Publish accepted GNU arm64 scan
+        uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@99df26d4f13ea111d4ec1a7dddef6063f76b97e9 # v4
+        with:
+          sarif_file: sealed/scan-gnu-arm64.sarif
+          category: container-image-gnu-arm64
+      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: release-version-receipt-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: publication.json
+          if-no-files-found: error
+          retention-days: 90
+  channels:
+    needs: [verify, version]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 90
+    concurrency:
+      group: rustfs-release-channels
+      cancel-in-progress: false
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+      actions: read
+      packages: write
+    env:
+      GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+      COMPLETE_RUN: ${{ inputs.complete_run_id }}
+      MANIFEST_SHA: ${{ inputs.manifest_sha256 }}
+      AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID: ${{ secrets.R2_ACCESS_KEY_ID }}
+      AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY: ${{ secrets.R2_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY }}
+      AWS_DEFAULT_REGION: auto
+      AWS_REQUEST_CHECKSUM_CALCULATION: when_required
+      AWS_RESPONSE_CHECKSUM_VALIDATION: when_required
+      AWS_EC2_METADATA_DISABLED: "true"
+      R2_ENDPOINT: ${{ secrets.R2_ENDPOINT }}
+      R2_BUCKET: ${{ secrets.R2_BUCKET }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - name: Install promotion tools
+        run: |
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y skopeo
+          aws --version
+      - uses: docker/login-action@c94ce9fb468520275223c153574b00df6fe4bcc9 # v3
+        with:
+          username: rustfs
+          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_TOKEN }}
+      - uses: docker/login-action@c94ce9fb468520275223c153574b00df6fe4bcc9 # v3
+        with:
+          registry: ghcr.io
+          username: ${{ secrets.GHCR_USERNAME }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.GHCR_PASSWORD }}
+      - uses: docker/login-action@c94ce9fb468520275223c153574b00df6fe4bcc9 # v3
+        with:
+          registry: quay.io
+          username: ${{ secrets.QUAY_USERNAME }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.QUAY_PASSWORD }}
+      - name: Share registry credentials with the OCI copier
+        run: |
+          install -m 600 "$HOME/.docker/config.json" "$RUNNER_TEMP/registry-auth.json"
+          echo "REGISTRY_AUTH_FILE=$RUNNER_TEMP/registry-auth.json" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+      - uses: azure/setup-helm@b9e51907a09c216f16ebe8536097933489208112 # v4.3.0
+      - name: Install pinned OSS client
+        run: |
+          curl --fail --location --retry 3 --output "$RUNNER_TEMP/ossutil.zip" https://gosspublic.alicdn.com/ossutil/v2/2.1.1/ossutil-2.1.1-linux-amd64.zip
+          printf '%s  %s\n' 60f3a808cbbdfd4b5269b8f967c6a66f564c9dacff52d93a5d21a588976ab5a2 "$RUNNER_TEMP/ossutil.zip" | sha256sum --check -
+          unzip -q "$RUNNER_TEMP/ossutil.zip" -d "$RUNNER_TEMP/ossutil-extract"
+          install -m 755 "$RUNNER_TEMP/ossutil-extract/ossutil-2.1.1-linux-amd64/ossutil" "$RUNNER_TEMP/ossutil"
+          echo "OSSUTIL_BIN=$RUNNER_TEMP/ossutil" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+      - name: Promote verified channels
+        env:
+          HELM_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.RUSTFS_HELM_PACKAGE }}
+          OSS_ACCESS_KEY_ID: ${{ secrets.ALICLOUDOSS_KEY_ID }}
+          OSS_ACCESS_KEY_SECRET: ${{ secrets.ALICLOUDOSS_KEY_SECRET }}
+          OSS_REGION: cn-beijing
+          OSS_ENDPOINT: https://oss-cn-beijing.aliyuncs.com
+        run: python3 scripts/release/publish.py channels --run-id "$COMPLETE_RUN" --digest "$MANIFEST_SHA" --directory sealed
+      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: release-channels-receipt-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: publication.json
+          if-no-files-found: error
+          retention-days: 90
@@ -93,6 +93,12 @@ jobs:
            printf 'TMPDIR=%s-scratch\n' "${FUNCTIONAL_ARTIFACTS_DIR}"
          } >> "${GITHUB_ENV}"

+      - name: Checkout environment guard
+        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+          path: rustfs-tools
+
      - name: Checkout auto-testing scripts
        timeout-minutes: 5
        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
@@ -118,6 +124,13 @@ jobs:
          echo "auto-testing: ${AUTO_TESTING_SHA}"
          df -h /data | tail -1

+      - name: Admit clean shared environment
+        id: environment
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-matrix.json
+        run: python3 rustfs-tools/scripts/functional_environment.py enter --suite fault-tolerance
+
      - name: Cleanup environment (before)
        timeout-minutes: 5
        if: ${{ inputs.cleanup_before != 'false' }}
@@ -215,7 +228,24 @@ jobs:
          if-no-files-found: warn

      - name: Cleanup environment (after)
+        id: environment_cleanup
        timeout-minutes: 5
-        if: ${{ always() && inputs.cleanup_after != 'false' }}
+        if: ${{ always() && inputs.cleanup_after != 'false' && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
        run: |
-          ./auto-testing/rustfs-fault-tolerance-test.sh --cleanup -y --log-file "${LOG_FILE}" || true
+          ./auto-testing/rustfs-fault-tolerance-test.sh --cleanup -y --log-file "${LOG_FILE}"
+
+      - name: Release environment only after successful cleanup
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-matrix.json
+          CLEANUP_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.environment_cleanup.outcome }}
+        run: python3 rustfs-tools/scripts/functional_environment.py finish --suite fault-tolerance --cleanup-outcome "$CLEANUP_OUTCOME"
+
+      - name: Retain environment ownership and cleanup receipt
+        if: always()
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: functional-environment-matrix-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-matrix.json
+          if-no-files-found: error
@@ -50,10 +50,6 @@ on:
        description: 'Reset the nodes after the test (DESTROYS test data/config)'
        type: boolean
        default: true
-  repository_dispatch:
-    # Chain handoff: dispatched when the replication suite finishes, ahead of
-    # the performance suite.
-    types: [rustfs-chain-fault-tolerance]

 permissions:
  contents: read
@@ -80,7 +76,7 @@ jobs:
  fault-tolerance-test:
    runs-on: smoke-testing
    timeout-minutes: 60
-    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
+    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' }}
    steps:
      - name: Checkout repository (for report parser)
        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
@@ -136,6 +132,13 @@ jobs:
          echo "auto-testing: ${AUTO_TESTING_SHA}"
          df -h /data | tail -1

+      - name: Admit clean shared environment
+        id: environment
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-fault-tolerance.json
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py enter --suite fault-tolerance
+
      - name: Cleanup environment (before)
        timeout-minutes: 5
        if: ${{ inputs.cleanup_before != 'false' }}
@@ -194,21 +197,21 @@ jobs:
          jq -e --arg testing_sha "${AUTO_TESTING_SHA}" '
            .schema_version == 1 and
            .auto_testing_sha == $testing_sha and
-            .selected_scenarios == ["A", "B", "C", "C2", "D", "E"] and
+            .selected_scenarios == ["A", "B", "C", "C2", "D", "E", "F"] and
            .complete == true and
-            .counts.expected == 44 and
-            .counts.seen == 44 and
+            .counts.expected == 54 and
+            .counts.seen == 54 and
            .counts.harness_errors == 0 and
-            (.expected_cases | length) == 44 and
-            (.expected_cases | unique | length) == 44 and
-            (.seen_cases | length) == 44 and
-            (.seen_cases | unique | length) == 44 and
+            (.expected_cases | length) == 54 and
+            (.expected_cases | unique | length) == 54 and
+            (.seen_cases | length) == 54 and
+            (.seen_cases | unique | length) == 54 and
            (.seen_cases | sort) == (.expected_cases | sort) and
            (.missing_cases | length) == 0 and
            (.harness_errors | length) == 0 and
-            (.cases | length) == 44 and
+            (.cases | length) == 54 and
            ([.cases[].case_id] | sort) == (.expected_cases | sort) and
-            ([.cases[].case_id] | unique | length) == 44 and
+            ([.cases[].case_id] | unique | length) == 54 and
            all(.cases[]; .verdict == "pass" or .verdict == "known-divergence" or .verdict == "UNEXPECTED") and
            .counts.unexpected == ([.cases[] | select(.verdict == "UNEXPECTED")] | length) and
            .counts.known_divergence == ([.cases[] | select(.verdict == "known-divergence")] | length)
@@ -305,58 +308,27 @@ jobs:
          if-no-files-found: warn

      - name: Cleanup environment (after)
+        id: environment_cleanup
        timeout-minutes: 5
-        if: ${{ always() && inputs.cleanup_after != 'false' }}
+        if: ${{ always() && inputs.cleanup_after != 'false' && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
        run: |
-          ./auto-testing/rustfs-fault-tolerance-test.sh --cleanup -y --log-file "${LOG_FILE}" || true
+          ./auto-testing/rustfs-fault-tolerance-test.sh --cleanup -y --log-file "${LOG_FILE}"

-      - name: "Continue functional chain (next: Performance)"
-        # Only chain-triggered runs forward to the next suite; standalone
-        # workflow_dispatch runs stop after their own cleanup. A failed
-        # handoff retries, then files an alert issue in rustfs/backlog.
-        if: ${{ always() && github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
-        continue-on-error: true
+      - name: Release environment only after successful cleanup
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        timeout-minutes: 5
        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
-        run: |
-          set -uo pipefail
-          if [ -z "${GH_TOKEN:-}" ]; then
-            echo "PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN is not configured; cannot dispatch the next suite" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
-          DISPATCHED=0
-          for attempt in 1 2 3; do
-            if gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches \
-              -f event_type='rustfs-chain-performance' \
-              -F 'client_payload[from_suite]=fault-tolerance'; then
-              echo "dispatched next suite Performance (attempt ${attempt})"
-              DISPATCHED=1
-              break
-            fi
-            echo "dispatch attempt ${attempt} failed; retrying in ${attempt}0s" >&2
-            sleep "${attempt}0"
-          done
-          if [ "${DISPATCHED:-0}" -ne 1 ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: functional chain stalled: could not dispatch Performance after 3 attempts" >&2
-            TITLE="[functional][chain] stalled after fault-tolerance (run ${GITHUB_RUN_ID})"
-            BODY_FILE="$(mktemp)"
-            {
-              echo "The functional chain could not hand off from **fault-tolerance** to **Performance** after 3 attempts."
-              echo ""
-              echo "- Failed suite job: ${GITHUB_SERVER_URL}/${GITHUB_REPOSITORY}/actions/runs/${GITHUB_RUN_ID}"
-              echo "- Expected next event: 'rustfs-chain-performance'"
-              echo "- Likely cause: PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN lacks contents:write on rustfs/rustfs, or the GitHub API was unavailable."
-              echo "- Recovery: re-dispatch manually with"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-              echo "  gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches -f event_type='rustfs-chain-performance'"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-            } > "${BODY_FILE}"
-            gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" \
-              --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" --label functional-test \
-              || gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" \
-              || echo "could not file the stall alert issue either; check the token" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-fault-tolerance.json
+          CLEANUP_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.environment_cleanup.outcome }}
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py finish --suite fault-tolerance --cleanup-outcome "$CLEANUP_OUTCOME"
+
+      - name: Retain environment ownership and cleanup receipt
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: functional-environment-fault-tolerance-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-fault-tolerance.json
+          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Notify on failure
        if: failure()
@@ -391,3 +363,13 @@ jobs:
          name: functional-chain-fault-tolerance-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/chain-fault-tolerance-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}/fault-tolerance.json
          if-no-files-found: error
+
+      - name: Enforce suite and report result
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        env:
+          SUITE_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.test.outcome }}
+          REPORT_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.chain_report.outcome }}
+        run: |
+          test "$SUITE_OUTCOME" = success
+          test "$REPORT_OUTCOME" = success
+          python3 scripts/functional_chain_evidence.py verify-report --suite fault-tolerance --report "${FUNCTIONAL_ARTIFACTS_DIR}/suite.log"
@@ -13,12 +13,23 @@
 # limitations under the License.

 # Reusable workflows run from this driver's commit in one Actions run. Each
-# suite still runs after an earlier suite fails; the final job requires all twelve.
+# selected suite still runs after an earlier failure; the final job checks its plan.
 name: RustFS Functional Chain

 on:
  workflow_dispatch:
    inputs:
+      validation_plan:
+        description: Registered cadence plan (existing suite frequencies are preserved)
+        type: choice
+        options: [nightly, weekly, monthly]
+        required: false
+        default: nightly
+      suites:
+        description: Comma-separated suite IDs, or empty for the complete registered plan
+        type: string
+        required: false
+        default: ''
      build_run_id:
        description: Successful nightly or validation package run; empty for package-only build
        type: string
@@ -216,10 +227,25 @@ jobs:
    outputs:
      manifest: ${{ steps.candidate.outputs.manifest }}
      performance_ready: ${{ steps.perf_probe.outputs.performance_ready }}
+      plan: ${{ steps.selection.outputs.plan }}
+      suites: ${{ steps.selection.outputs.suites }}
+      optional_suites: ${{ steps.selection.outputs.optional_suites }}
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
        with:
          persist-credentials: false
+      - name: Select registered suites
+        id: selection
+        env:
+          VALIDATION_PLAN: ${{ inputs.validation_plan || 'nightly' }}
+          VALIDATION_SUITES: ${{ inputs.suites }}
+        run: python3 scripts/validation_registry.py select --output "${RUNNER_TEMP}/suite-plan.json"
+      - name: Retain selected responsibilities
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: functional-plan-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/suite-plan.json
+          if-no-files-found: error
      - name: Resolve published candidate
        id: candidate
        env:
@@ -239,6 +265,7 @@ jobs:
          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Check shared functional fleet runner before scheduling suites
+        if: ${{ contains(fromJSON(steps.selection.outputs.environments), 'functional-fleet') }}
        # The eleven functional suites run on the smoke-testing fleet; a hard
        # requirement. The performance lane runs on pf-testing, which is a
        # separate fleet - probe it without failing the whole chain so an
@@ -248,15 +275,26 @@ jobs:
        run: python3 scripts/check_functional_runners.py smoke-testing

      - name: Probe performance fleet runner
+        if: ${{ contains(fromJSON(steps.selection.outputs.suites), 'performance') }}
        id: perf_probe
        env:
          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
+          PERFORMANCE_OPTIONAL: ${{ contains(fromJSON(steps.selection.outputs.optional_suites), 'performance') }}
        run: |
-          if python3 scripts/check_functional_runners.py pf-testing; then
-            echo "performance_ready=online" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-          else
-            echo "performance_ready=offline" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-          fi
+          # TEMPORARY: the pf-testing environment is broken, so the
+          # performance lane is disabled until it is repaired. Forcing
+          # offline keeps the chain on its designed skip path: the lane job
+          # is skipped, aggregate receives --allow-skipped performance
+          # (required=false in scheduled-validations.json), and the report
+          # records the optional-lane skip with its reason.
+          # Restore the probe below once the environment is healthy again.
+          # if python3 scripts/check_functional_runners.py pf-testing; then
+          #   echo "performance_ready=online" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          # else
+          #   echo "performance_ready=offline" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          #   test "$PERFORMANCE_OPTIONAL" = true
+          # fi
+          echo "performance_ready=offline" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"

  validation:
    if: ${{ github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' && !inputs.validation_runner_inspect_only && inputs.validation_retain_evidence_run_id == '' && inputs.validation_package_sha == '' && (inputs.validation_case != '' || inputs.validation_tools_only || inputs.validation_native_tools || inputs.validation_shared_tools || inputs.validation_manager_tools || inputs.validation_cleanup_run_id != '' || inputs.validation_cleanup_retained_evidence) }}
@@ -580,6 +618,10 @@ jobs:
            > "${VALIDATION_ROOT}/shared-fixture-manifest.json"
          printf 'VALIDATION_HEAL_SHARED_DIRECTORY=%s\n' "${SHARED_DIRECTORY}" >> "${GITHUB_ENV}"

+      - name: Reject quarantined suite environment before canonical validation
+        if: ${{ !inputs.validation_tools_only && inputs.validation_cleanup_run_id == '' && inputs.validation_case != 'environment.inspect' }}
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py check --suite heal
+
      - name: Run selected canonical validation case
        if: ${{ !inputs.validation_tools_only && inputs.validation_cleanup_run_id == '' && inputs.validation_case != 'environment.inspect' }}
        env:
@@ -665,7 +707,7 @@ jobs:

  upgrade:
    needs: [prepare]
-    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' }}
+    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' && contains(fromJSON(needs.prepare.outputs.suites || '[]'), 'upgrade') }}
    uses: ./.github/workflows/rustfs-upgrade-test.yml
    with:
      chain_manifest: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.manifest }}
@@ -673,7 +715,7 @@ jobs:

  s3:
    needs: [prepare, upgrade]
-    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' }}
+    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' && contains(fromJSON(needs.prepare.outputs.suites || '[]'), 's3') }}
    uses: ./.github/workflows/rustfs-s3-compat-test.yml
    with:
      chain_manifest: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.manifest }}
@@ -681,7 +723,7 @@ jobs:

  kms:
    needs: [prepare, s3]
-    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' }}
+    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' && contains(fromJSON(needs.prepare.outputs.suites || '[]'), 'kms') }}
    uses: ./.github/workflows/rustfs-kms-test.yml
    with:
      chain_manifest: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.manifest }}
@@ -689,7 +731,7 @@ jobs:

  tier:
    needs: [prepare, kms]
-    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' }}
+    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' && contains(fromJSON(needs.prepare.outputs.suites || '[]'), 'tier') }}
    uses: ./.github/workflows/rustfs-tier-test.yml
    with:
      chain_manifest: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.manifest }}
@@ -697,7 +739,7 @@ jobs:

  storage:
    needs: [prepare, tier]
-    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' }}
+    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' && contains(fromJSON(needs.prepare.outputs.suites || '[]'), 'storage') }}
    uses: ./.github/workflows/rustfs-storage-test.yml
    with:
      chain_manifest: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.manifest }}
@@ -705,7 +747,7 @@ jobs:

  heal:
    needs: [prepare, storage]
-    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' }}
+    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' && contains(fromJSON(needs.prepare.outputs.suites || '[]'), 'heal') }}
    uses: ./.github/workflows/rustfs-heal-test.yml
    with:
      chain_manifest: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.manifest }}
@@ -713,7 +755,7 @@ jobs:

  pool:
    needs: [prepare, heal]
-    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' }}
+    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' && contains(fromJSON(needs.prepare.outputs.suites || '[]'), 'pool') }}
    uses: ./.github/workflows/rustfs-pool-expand-test.yml
    with:
      chain_manifest: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.manifest }}
@@ -721,7 +763,7 @@ jobs:

  security:
    needs: [prepare, pool]
-    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' }}
+    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' && contains(fromJSON(needs.prepare.outputs.suites || '[]'), 'security') }}
    uses: ./.github/workflows/rustfs-security-test.yml
    with:
      chain_manifest: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.manifest }}
@@ -729,7 +771,7 @@ jobs:

  replication:
    needs: [prepare, security]
-    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' }}
+    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' && contains(fromJSON(needs.prepare.outputs.suites || '[]'), 'replication') }}
    uses: ./.github/workflows/rustfs-replication-test.yml
    with:
      chain_manifest: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.manifest }}
@@ -737,7 +779,7 @@ jobs:

  fault-tolerance:
    needs: [prepare, replication]
-    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' }}
+    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' && contains(fromJSON(needs.prepare.outputs.suites || '[]'), 'fault-tolerance') }}
    uses: ./.github/workflows/rustfs-fault-tolerance-test.yml
    with:
      chain_manifest: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.manifest }}
@@ -745,15 +787,15 @@ jobs:

  table:
    needs: [prepare, fault-tolerance]
-    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' }}
+    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' && contains(fromJSON(needs.prepare.outputs.suites || '[]'), 'table') }}
    uses: ./.github/workflows/rustfs-table-test.yml
    with:
      chain_manifest: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.manifest }}
    secrets: inherit

  performance:
-    needs: [prepare, table]
-    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' && needs.prepare.outputs.performance_ready == 'online' }}
+    needs: [prepare]
+    if: ${{ always() && needs.prepare.result == 'success' && contains(fromJSON(needs.prepare.outputs.suites || '[]'), 'performance') && needs.prepare.outputs.performance_ready == 'online' }}
    uses: ./.github/workflows/rustfs-performance-test.yml
    with:
      chain_manifest: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.manifest }}
@@ -781,8 +823,10 @@ jobs:
        env:
          CHAIN_MANIFEST: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.manifest }}
          CHAIN_NEEDS: ${{ toJSON(needs) }}
+          CHAIN_PLAN: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.plan }}
        run: >-
          python3 scripts/functional_chain_evidence.py summarize
+          --allow-skipped "${{ contains(fromJSON(needs.prepare.outputs.optional_suites || '[]'), 'performance') && needs.prepare.outputs.performance_ready != 'online' && 'performance' || '' }}"
          --directory "${RUNNER_TEMP}/chain-evidence"
          --output "${RUNNER_TEMP}/chain-report.json"
      - name: Retain chain report regardless of test verdict
@@ -799,9 +843,10 @@ jobs:
        env:
          CHAIN_MANIFEST: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.manifest }}
          CHAIN_NEEDS: ${{ toJSON(needs) }}
+          CHAIN_PLAN: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.plan }}
        run: >-
          python3 scripts/functional_chain_evidence.py aggregate
-          --allow-skipped "${{ needs.prepare.outputs.performance_ready == 'online' && '' || 'performance' }}"
+          --allow-skipped "${{ contains(fromJSON(needs.prepare.outputs.optional_suites || '[]'), 'performance') && needs.prepare.outputs.performance_ready != 'online' && 'performance' || '' }}"
          --directory "${RUNNER_TEMP}/chain-evidence"
          --output "${RUNNER_TEMP}/chain-complete.json"
      - name: Upload complete-chain evidence
@@ -29,11 +29,6 @@ on:
        description: 'Reset the nodes after the test (DESTROYS test data/config)'
        type: boolean
        default: true
-  repository_dispatch:
-    # Chain handoff: dispatched when the storage suite finishes. Heal runs
-    # exactly once per chain; the pool expansion workflow no longer embeds
-    # its own heal pass.
-    types: [rustfs-chain-heal]

 permissions:
  contents: read
@@ -60,10 +55,11 @@ env:
 jobs:
  heal-test:
    runs-on: smoke-testing
-    timeout-minutes: 60
+    # 90-minute heal run (see the step below) plus setup, report and cleanup.
+    timeout-minutes: 120
    # Standalone manual run, or one link of the nightly functional chain
    # (storage -> heal -> pool). Pool expansion no longer re-runs heal.
-    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
+    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' }}
    steps:
      - name: Checkout chain tooling
        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
@@ -109,6 +105,13 @@ jobs:
          warp --version || true
          df -h /data | tail -1

+      - name: Admit clean shared environment
+        id: environment
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-heal.json
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py enter --suite heal
+
      - name: Cleanup environment (before)
        timeout-minutes: 5
        if: ${{ inputs.cleanup_before != 'false' }}
@@ -152,10 +155,9 @@ jobs:
          ./auto-testing/rustfs_heal_test.sh "${ARGS[@]}" --log-file "${LOG_FILE}"

      - name: Run heal test (write -> outage -> heal -> verify)
-        timeout-minutes: 45
+        timeout-minutes: 90
        id: test
-        # Case failures keep the run green: the report and the backlog
-        # issue manager carry the product signal.
+        # Collect reports and backlog evidence before the final suite verdict.
        continue-on-error: true
        run: |
          ./auto-testing/rustfs_heal_test.sh \
@@ -241,9 +243,8 @@ jobs:
            RESULT=success
          fi

-          # Product gate: failing steps keep the run green — they are reported
-          # below and tracked in rustfs/backlog. Only harness/environment
-          # breakdowns turn the workflow red.
+          # Preserve harness completion separately; the final verdict checks
+          # every case after retaining reports and cleanup evidence.
          STEPS_TOTAL="$(grep -cE '^\[HEAL-STEP\]' "${LOG_FILE}" 2>/dev/null || true)"
          STEPS_FAIL="$(grep -cE '^\[HEAL-STEP\].* FAIL$' "${LOG_FILE}" 2>/dev/null || true)"
          STEPS_TOTAL=$(( ${STEPS_TOTAL:-0} + 0 )); STEPS_FAIL=$(( ${STEPS_FAIL:-0} + 0 ))
@@ -281,7 +282,7 @@ jobs:
            fi
          } | tee "${REPORT_FILE}"
          cat "${REPORT_FILE}" >> "${GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY}"
-          # Red only for harness/environment breakdowns; step failures stay green.
+          # Preserve the harness verdict separately from the final case verdict.
          [ "${HARNESS_OK}" = "1" ]

      - name: Upload functional report to dashboard
@@ -377,8 +378,9 @@ jobs:
          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Cleanup environment (after)
+        id: environment_cleanup
        timeout-minutes: 5
-        if: ${{ always() && inputs.cleanup_after != 'false' }}
+        if: ${{ always() && inputs.cleanup_after != 'false' && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
          read -r -a NODES <<< "${RUSTFS_NODES:-vm000 vm001 vm002}"
@@ -396,54 +398,21 @@ jobs:
            '
          done

-      - name: "Continue functional chain (next: Pool expansion)"
-        # Only chain-triggered runs forward to the next suite; standalone
-        # workflow_dispatch runs stop after their own cleanup. A failed
-        # handoff must never pass silently: it retries, then files an alert
-        # issue in rustfs/backlog so a stalled chain is visible.
-        if: ${{ always() && github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
-        continue-on-error: true
+      - name: Release environment only after successful cleanup
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        timeout-minutes: 5
        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
-        run: |
-          set -uo pipefail
-          if [ -z "${GH_TOKEN:-}" ]; then
-            echo "PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN is not configured; cannot dispatch the next suite" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
-          DISPATCHED=0
-          for attempt in 1 2 3; do
-            if gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches \
-              -f event_type='rustfs-chain-pool' \
-              -F 'client_payload[from_suite]=heal'; then
-              echo "dispatched next suite Pool expansion (attempt ${attempt})"
-              DISPATCHED=1
-              break
-            fi
-            echo "dispatch attempt ${attempt} failed; retrying in ${attempt}0s" >&2
-            sleep "${attempt}0"
-          done
-          if [ "${DISPATCHED:-0}" -ne 1 ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: functional chain stalled: could not dispatch Pool expansion after 3 attempts" >&2
-            TITLE="[functional][chain] stalled after heal (run ${GITHUB_RUN_ID})"
-            BODY_FILE="$(mktemp)"
-            {
-              echo "The functional chain could not hand off from **heal** to **Pool expansion** after 3 attempts."
-              echo ""
-              echo "- Failed suite job: ${GITHUB_SERVER_URL}/${GITHUB_REPOSITORY}/actions/runs/${GITHUB_RUN_ID}"
-              echo "- Expected next event: 'rustfs-chain-pool'"
-              echo "- Likely cause: PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN lacks contents:write on rustfs/rustfs, or the GitHub API was unavailable."
-              echo "- Recovery: re-dispatch manually with"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-              echo "  gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches -f event_type='rustfs-chain-pool'"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-            } > "${BODY_FILE}"
-            gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" \
-              --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" --label functional-test \
-              || gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" \
-              || echo "could not file the stall alert issue either; check the token" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-heal.json
+          CLEANUP_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.environment_cleanup.outcome }}
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py finish --suite heal --cleanup-outcome "$CLEANUP_OUTCOME"
+
+      - name: Retain environment ownership and cleanup receipt
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: functional-environment-heal-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-heal.json
+          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Notify on failure
        if: failure()
@@ -472,3 +441,13 @@ jobs:
          name: functional-chain-heal-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/chain-heal-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}/heal.json
          if-no-files-found: error
+
+      - name: Enforce suite and report result
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        env:
+          SUITE_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.test.outcome }}
+          REPORT_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.chain_report.outcome }}
+        run: |
+          test "$SUITE_OUTCOME" = success
+          test "$REPORT_OUTCOME" = success
+          python3 scripts/functional_chain_evidence.py verify-report --suite heal --report "${FUNCTIONAL_ARTIFACTS_DIR}/steps.md"
@@ -29,9 +29,6 @@ on:
        description: 'Set RUSTFS_KMS_CONFIG_SECRET (runs KMS-107 config sealing)'
        required: false
        type: string
-  repository_dispatch:
-    # Chain handoff: dispatched when the S3 compatibility suite finishes.
-    types: [rustfs-chain-kms]

 permissions:
  contents: read
@@ -56,7 +53,7 @@ jobs:
  kms-test:
    runs-on: smoke-testing
    timeout-minutes: 60
-    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
+    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' }}
    steps:
      - name: Checkout repository (for report parser)
        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
@@ -100,6 +97,13 @@ jobs:
          openssl version
          docker --version || true

+      - name: Admit clean shared environment
+        id: environment
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-kms.json
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py enter --suite kms
+
      - name: Cleanup environment (before)
        timeout-minutes: 5
        run: |
@@ -131,8 +135,7 @@ jobs:
      - name: Run KMS suite
        id: test
        timeout-minutes: 45
-        # Case failures keep the run green: the report and the backlog
-        # issue manager carry the product signal.
+        # Collect reports and backlog evidence before the final suite verdict.
        continue-on-error: true
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
@@ -185,10 +188,8 @@ jobs:
            RESULT=success
          fi

-          # Product gate: failing cases keep the run green — they are reported
-          # below and tracked in rustfs/backlog. Only harness/environment
-          # breakdowns (the suite never reached case level, or a wholesale
-          # failure with zero passes) turn the workflow red.
+          # Report harness completion here; the final verdict checks every
+          # case result after diagnostics and cleanup have been retained.
          CASES_TOTAL="$(grep -cE '^\| [A-Z][A-Z0-9]*-[0-9]+ .*\| (PASS|FAIL|UNSUPPORTED|RUNNING) \|' "${CASE_TABLE}" 2>/dev/null || true)"
          CASES_FAIL="$(grep -cE '^\| [A-Z][A-Z0-9]*-[0-9]+ .*\| FAIL \|' "${CASE_TABLE}" 2>/dev/null || true)"
          CASES_TOTAL=$(( ${CASES_TOTAL:-0} + 0 )); CASES_FAIL=$(( ${CASES_FAIL:-0} + 0 ))
@@ -226,7 +227,7 @@ jobs:
            fi
          } | tee "${REPORT_FILE}"
          cat "${REPORT_FILE}" >> "${GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY}"
-          # Red only for harness/environment breakdowns; case failures stay green.
+          # Preserve the harness verdict separately from the final case verdict.
          [ "${HARNESS_OK}" = "1" ]

      - name: Upload functional report to dashboard
@@ -325,8 +326,9 @@ jobs:
          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Cleanup environment (after)
+        id: environment_cleanup
        timeout-minutes: 5
-        if: always()
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
          read -r -a NODES <<< "${RUSTFS_NODES:-vm000 vm001 vm002}"
@@ -344,54 +346,21 @@ jobs:
            '
          done

-      - name: "Continue functional chain (next: Tier)"
-        # Only chain-triggered runs forward to the next suite; standalone
-        # workflow_dispatch runs stop after their own cleanup. A failed
-        # handoff must never pass silently: it retries, then files an alert
-        # issue in rustfs/backlog so a stalled chain is visible.
-        if: ${{ always() && github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
-        continue-on-error: true
+      - name: Release environment only after successful cleanup
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        timeout-minutes: 5
        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
-        run: |
-          set -uo pipefail
-          if [ -z "${GH_TOKEN:-}" ]; then
-            echo "PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN is not configured; cannot dispatch the next suite" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
-          DISPATCHED=0
-          for attempt in 1 2 3; do
-            if gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches \
-              -f event_type='rustfs-chain-tier' \
-              -F 'client_payload[from_suite]=kms'; then
-              echo "dispatched next suite Tier (attempt ${attempt})"
-              DISPATCHED=1
-              break
-            fi
-            echo "dispatch attempt ${attempt} failed; retrying in ${attempt}0s" >&2
-            sleep "${attempt}0"
-          done
-          if [ "${DISPATCHED:-0}" -ne 1 ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: functional chain stalled: could not dispatch Tier after 3 attempts" >&2
-            TITLE="[functional][chain] stalled after kms (run ${GITHUB_RUN_ID})"
-            BODY_FILE="$(mktemp)"
-            {
-              echo "The functional chain could not hand off from **kms** to **Tier** after 3 attempts."
-              echo ""
-              echo "- Failed suite job: ${GITHUB_SERVER_URL}/${GITHUB_REPOSITORY}/actions/runs/${GITHUB_RUN_ID}"
-              echo "- Expected next event: 'rustfs-chain-tier'"
-              echo "- Likely cause: PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN lacks contents:write on rustfs/rustfs, or the GitHub API was unavailable."
-              echo "- Recovery: re-dispatch manually with"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-              echo "  gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches -f event_type='rustfs-chain-tier'"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-            } > "${BODY_FILE}"
-            gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" \
-              --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" --label functional-test \
-              || gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" \
-              || echo "could not file the stall alert issue either; check the token" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-kms.json
+          CLEANUP_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.environment_cleanup.outcome }}
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py finish --suite kms --cleanup-outcome "$CLEANUP_OUTCOME"
+
+      - name: Retain environment ownership and cleanup receipt
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: functional-environment-kms-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-kms.json
+          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Notify on failure
        if: failure()
@@ -419,3 +388,13 @@ jobs:
          name: functional-chain-kms-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/chain-kms-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}/kms.json
          if-no-files-found: error
+
+      - name: Enforce suite and report result
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        env:
+          SUITE_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.test.outcome }}
+          REPORT_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.chain_report.outcome }}
+        run: |
+          test "$SUITE_OUTCOME" = success
+          test "$REPORT_OUTCOME" = success
+          python3 scripts/functional_chain_evidence.py verify-report --suite kms --report "${FUNCTIONAL_ARTIFACTS_DIR}/cases.md"
@@ -54,9 +54,6 @@ on:
        description: 'Reset the nodes after the test (DESTROYS test data/config)'
        type: boolean
        default: true
-  repository_dispatch:
-    # Chain handoff: dispatched when the replication suite finishes.
-    types: [rustfs-chain-performance]

 permissions:
  contents: read
@@ -89,7 +86,7 @@ env:

 jobs:
  runner-check:
-    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
+    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' }}
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    timeout-minutes: 5
    steps:
@@ -113,7 +110,7 @@ jobs:
      RUSTFS_WARP_CONCURRENCY: ${{ inputs.warp_concurrency || '64' }}
    # Run on manual dispatch, or when the nightly build completed successfully.
    # Skipped when nightly failed.
-    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
+    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' }}
    steps:
      - name: Checkout chain tooling
        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
@@ -159,6 +156,13 @@ jobs:
          warp --version || true
          df -h /data | tail -1

+      - name: Admit clean shared environment
+        id: environment
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-performance.json
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py enter --suite performance
+
      - name: Reset test environment (before)
        if: ${{ inputs.cleanup_before != 'false' }}
        run: |
@@ -323,10 +327,27 @@ jobs:
          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Reset test environment (after)
-        if: ${{ always() && inputs.cleanup_after != 'false' }}
+        id: environment_cleanup
+        if: ${{ always() && inputs.cleanup_after != 'false' && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
        run: |
          ./auto-testing/rustfs_performance_test.sh --step 7 -y --log-file "${LOG_FILE:-/dev/null}"

+      - name: Release environment only after successful cleanup
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-performance.json
+          CLEANUP_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.environment_cleanup.outcome }}
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py finish --suite performance --cleanup-outcome "$CLEANUP_OUTCOME"
+
+      - name: Retain environment ownership and cleanup receipt
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: functional-environment-performance-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-performance.json
+          if-no-files-found: error
+
      - name: Notify on failure
        if: failure()
        run: |
@@ -354,3 +375,13 @@ jobs:
          name: functional-chain-performance-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/chain-performance-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}/performance.json
          if-no-files-found: error
+
+      - name: Enforce suite and report result
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        env:
+          SUITE_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.benchmark.outcome }}
+          REPORT_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.chain_report.outcome }}
+        run: |
+          test "$SUITE_OUTCOME" = success
+          test "$REPORT_OUTCOME" = success
+          python3 scripts/functional_chain_evidence.py verify-report --suite performance --report "${RUSTFS_RESULT_DIR}/summary.tsv"
@@ -56,9 +56,6 @@ on:
        description: 'Reset the nodes after the test (DESTROYS test data/config)'
        type: boolean
        default: true
-  repository_dispatch:
-    # Chain handoff: dispatched when the heal suite finishes.
-    types: [rustfs-chain-pool]

 permissions:
  contents: read
@@ -86,14 +83,13 @@ env:
  RUSTFS_NIGHTLY_PACKAGE_URL: ${{ vars.RUSTFS_NIGHTLY_PACKAGE_URL || 'https://dl.rustfs.com/artifacts/rustfs/packages/nightly/rustfs-nightly-latest.deb' }}

 jobs:
-  # Pool expansion: dispatched by the heal suite's chain handoff. Heal
-  # itself lives in rustfs-heal-test.yml and runs exactly once per chain.
+  # Pool expansion owns an independent reusable suite.
  pool-expansion-test:
    name: Pool expansion / decommission test
    runs-on: smoke-testing
    # Leave setup and finalizer headroom beyond the default 240-minute test.
    timeout-minutes: 360
-    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
+    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' }}
    env:
      RUSTFS_POOL_ADMIN_ENDPOINT: ${{ secrets.RUSTFS_POOL_ADMIN_ENDPOINT || vars.RUSTFS_POOL_ADMIN_ENDPOINT || 'http://rustfs-node1:9000' }}
      RUSTFS_POOL_PROXY_ENDPOINT: http://127.0.0.1:19000
@@ -149,6 +145,13 @@ jobs:
            exit 1
          fi

+      - name: Admit clean shared environment
+        id: environment
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-pool.json
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py enter --suite pool
+
      - name: Cleanup environment (before)
        timeout-minutes: 5
        if: ${{ inputs.cleanup_before != 'false' }}
@@ -270,8 +273,7 @@ jobs:
        # timeout-minutes requires; the bare || form yielded the string '240'
        # and the runner rejected the template (Unexpected value '240').
        timeout-minutes: ${{ fromJSON(inputs.pool_timeout_minutes || '240') }}
-        # Case failures keep the run green: the report and the backlog
-        # issue manager carry the product signal.
+        # Collect reports and backlog evidence before the final suite verdict.
        continue-on-error: true
        run: |
          set -o pipefail
@@ -698,8 +700,9 @@ jobs:
            ./auto-testing/rustfs_pool_nginx_stage.sh cleanup

      - name: Cleanup environment (after)
+        id: environment_cleanup
        timeout-minutes: 5
-        if: ${{ always() && steps.topology.outcome == 'success' && inputs.cleanup_after != 'false' }}
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.topology.outcome == 'success' && inputs.cleanup_after != 'false' && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
          read -r -a NODES <<< "${RUSTFS_NODES:-vm000 vm001 vm002}"
@@ -717,54 +720,21 @@ jobs:
            '
          done

-      - name: "Continue functional chain (next: Security)"
-        # Only chain-triggered runs forward to the next suite; standalone
-        # workflow_dispatch runs stop after their own cleanup. A failed
-        # handoff must never pass silently: it retries, then files an alert
-        # issue in rustfs/backlog so a stalled chain is visible.
-        if: ${{ always() && github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
-        continue-on-error: true
+      - name: Release environment only after successful cleanup
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        timeout-minutes: 5
        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
-        run: |
-          set -uo pipefail
-          if [ -z "${GH_TOKEN:-}" ]; then
-            echo "PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN is not configured; cannot dispatch the next suite" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
-          DISPATCHED=0
-          for attempt in 1 2 3; do
-            if gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches \
-              -f event_type='rustfs-chain-security' \
-              -F 'client_payload[from_suite]=pool'; then
-              echo "dispatched next suite Security (attempt ${attempt})"
-              DISPATCHED=1
-              break
-            fi
-            echo "dispatch attempt ${attempt} failed; retrying in ${attempt}0s" >&2
-            sleep "${attempt}0"
-          done
-          if [ "${DISPATCHED:-0}" -ne 1 ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: functional chain stalled: could not dispatch Security after 3 attempts" >&2
-            TITLE="[functional][chain] stalled after pool (run ${GITHUB_RUN_ID})"
-            BODY_FILE="$(mktemp)"
-            {
-              echo "The functional chain could not hand off from **pool** to **Security** after 3 attempts."
-              echo ""
-              echo "- Failed suite job: ${GITHUB_SERVER_URL}/${GITHUB_REPOSITORY}/actions/runs/${GITHUB_RUN_ID}"
-              echo "- Expected next event: 'rustfs-chain-security'"
-              echo "- Likely cause: PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN lacks contents:write on rustfs/rustfs, or the GitHub API was unavailable."
-              echo "- Recovery: re-dispatch manually with"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-              echo "  gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches -f event_type='rustfs-chain-security'"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-            } > "${BODY_FILE}"
-            gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" \
-              --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" --label functional-test \
-              || gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" \
-              || echo "could not file the stall alert issue either; check the token" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-pool.json
+          CLEANUP_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.environment_cleanup.outcome }}
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py finish --suite pool --cleanup-outcome "$CLEANUP_OUTCOME"
+
+      - name: Retain environment ownership and cleanup receipt
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: functional-environment-pool-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-pool.json
+          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Notify on failure
        if: failure()
@@ -793,3 +763,13 @@ jobs:
          name: functional-chain-pool-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/chain-pool-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}/pool.json
          if-no-files-found: error
+
+      - name: Enforce suite and report result
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        env:
+          SUITE_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.pool_test.outcome }}
+          REPORT_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.chain_report.outcome }}
+        run: |
+          test "$SUITE_OUTCOME" = success
+          test "$REPORT_OUTCOME" = success
+          python3 scripts/functional_chain_evidence.py verify-report --suite pool --report "${POOL_ARTIFACT_DIR}/pool-steps.md"
@@ -39,9 +39,6 @@ on:
          - bucket
          - site
        default: all
-  repository_dispatch:
-    # Chain handoff: dispatched when the security suite finishes.
-    types: [rustfs-chain-replication]

 permissions:
  contents: read
@@ -68,7 +65,7 @@ jobs:
  replication-test:
    runs-on: smoke-testing
    timeout-minutes: 60
-    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
+    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' }}
    steps:
      - name: Checkout repository (for report parser)
        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
@@ -113,6 +110,13 @@ jobs:
          aws --version
          df -h /data | tail -1 || true

+      - name: Admit clean shared environment
+        id: environment
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-replication.json
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py enter --suite replication
+
      - name: Cleanup environment (before)
        timeout-minutes: 5
        run: |
@@ -135,8 +139,7 @@ jobs:
      - name: Run replication suite
        id: test
        timeout-minutes: 45
-        # Case failures keep the run green: the report and the backlog
-        # issue manager carry the product signal.
+        # Collect reports and backlog evidence before the final suite verdict.
        continue-on-error: true
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
@@ -192,10 +195,8 @@ jobs:
            RESULT=success
          fi

-          # Product gate: failing cases keep the run green — they are reported
-          # below and tracked in rustfs/backlog. Only harness/environment
-          # breakdowns (the suite never reached case level, or a wholesale
-          # failure with zero passes) turn the workflow red.
+          # Report harness completion here; the final verdict checks every
+          # case result after diagnostics and cleanup have been retained.
          CASES_TOTAL="$(grep -cE '^\| [A-Z][A-Z0-9]*-[0-9]+ .*\| (PASS|FAIL|UNSUPPORTED|RUNNING) \|' "${CASE_TABLE}" 2>/dev/null || true)"
          CASES_FAIL="$(grep -cE '^\| [A-Z][A-Z0-9]*-[0-9]+ .*\| FAIL \|' "${CASE_TABLE}" 2>/dev/null || true)"
          CASES_TOTAL=$(( ${CASES_TOTAL:-0} + 0 )); CASES_FAIL=$(( ${CASES_FAIL:-0} + 0 ))
@@ -234,7 +235,7 @@ jobs:
            fi
          } | tee "${REPORT_FILE}"
          cat "${REPORT_FILE}" >> "${GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY}"
-          # Red only for harness/environment breakdowns; case failures stay green.
+          # Preserve the harness verdict separately from the final case verdict.
          [ "${HARNESS_OK}" = "1" ]

      - name: Upload functional report to dashboard
@@ -333,8 +334,9 @@ jobs:
          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Cleanup environment (after)
+        id: environment_cleanup
        timeout-minutes: 5
-        if: always()
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
          read -r -a NODES <<< "${RUSTFS_NODES:-vm000 vm001 vm002}"
@@ -352,50 +354,21 @@ jobs:
            '
          done

-      - name: "Continue functional chain (next: Fault tolerance)"
-        if: ${{ always() && github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
+      - name: Release environment only after successful cleanup
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        timeout-minutes: 5
        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
-        run: |
-          set -uo pipefail
-          if [ -z "${GH_TOKEN:-}" ]; then
-            echo "PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN is not configured; cannot dispatch the next suite" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
-          DISPATCHED=0
-          for attempt in 1 2 3; do
-            if gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches \
-              -f event_type='rustfs-chain-fault-tolerance' \
-              -F 'client_payload[from_suite]=replication'; then
-              echo "dispatched next suite Fault tolerance (attempt ${attempt})"
-              DISPATCHED=1
-              break
-            fi
-            echo "dispatch attempt ${attempt} failed; retrying in ${attempt}0s" >&2
-            sleep "${attempt}0"
-          done
-          if [ "${DISPATCHED:-0}" -ne 1 ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: functional chain stalled: could not dispatch Fault tolerance after 3 attempts" >&2
-            TITLE="[functional][chain] stalled after replication (run ${GITHUB_RUN_ID})"
-            BODY_FILE="$(mktemp)"
-            trap 'rm -f "${BODY_FILE}"' EXIT
-            {
-              echo "The functional chain could not hand off from **replication** to **Fault tolerance** after 3 attempts."
-              echo ""
-              echo "- Failed suite job: ${GITHUB_SERVER_URL}/${GITHUB_REPOSITORY}/actions/runs/${GITHUB_RUN_ID}"
-              echo "- Expected next event: 'rustfs-chain-fault-tolerance'"
-              echo "- Likely cause: PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN lacks contents:write on rustfs/rustfs, or the GitHub API was unavailable."
-              echo "- Recovery: re-dispatch manually with"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-              echo "  gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches -f event_type='rustfs-chain-fault-tolerance'"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-            } > "${BODY_FILE}"
-            gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" \
-              --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" --label functional-test \
-              || gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" \
-              || echo "could not file the stall alert issue either; check the token" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-replication.json
+          CLEANUP_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.environment_cleanup.outcome }}
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py finish --suite replication --cleanup-outcome "$CLEANUP_OUTCOME"
+
+      - name: Retain environment ownership and cleanup receipt
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: functional-environment-replication-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-replication.json
+          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Notify on failure
        if: failure()
@@ -424,3 +397,13 @@ jobs:
          name: functional-chain-replication-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/chain-replication-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}/replication.json
          if-no-files-found: error
+
+      - name: Enforce suite and report result
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        env:
+          SUITE_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.test.outcome }}
+          REPORT_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.chain_report.outcome }}
+        run: |
+          test "$SUITE_OUTCOME" = success
+          test "$REPORT_OUTCOME" = success
+          python3 scripts/functional_chain_evidence.py verify-report --suite replication --report "${FUNCTIONAL_ARTIFACTS_DIR}/cases.md"
@@ -17,9 +17,6 @@ on:
        description: 'Direct .deb URL (nightly/R2/dev). Overrides rustfs_version.'
        required: false
        type: string
-  repository_dispatch:
-    # Chain handoff: dispatched when the upgrade suite finishes.
-    types: [rustfs-chain-s3]

 permissions:
  contents: read
@@ -44,7 +41,7 @@ jobs:
  s3-compat-test:
    runs-on: smoke-testing
    timeout-minutes: 60
-    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
+    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' }}
    steps:
      - name: Checkout repository (for report parser)
        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
@@ -88,6 +85,13 @@ jobs:
          openssl version
          df -h /data | tail -1

+      - name: Admit clean shared environment
+        id: environment
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-s3.json
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py enter --suite s3
+
      - name: Cleanup environment (before)
        timeout-minutes: 5
        run: |
@@ -110,8 +114,7 @@ jobs:
      - name: Run S3 compatibility suite
        id: test
        timeout-minutes: 45
-        # Case failures keep the run green: the report and the backlog
-        # issue manager carry the product signal.
+        # Collect reports and backlog evidence before the final suite verdict.
        continue-on-error: true
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
@@ -161,10 +164,8 @@ jobs:
            RESULT=success
          fi

-          # Product gate: failing cases keep the run green — they are reported
-          # below and tracked in rustfs/backlog. Only harness/environment
-          # breakdowns (the suite never reached case level, or a wholesale
-          # failure with zero passes) turn the workflow red.
+          # Report harness completion here; the final verdict checks every
+          # case result after diagnostics and cleanup have been retained.
          CASES_TOTAL="$(grep -cE '^\| [A-Z][A-Z0-9]*-[0-9]+ .*\| (PASS|FAIL|UNSUPPORTED|RUNNING) \|' "${CASE_TABLE}" 2>/dev/null || true)"
          CASES_FAIL="$(grep -cE '^\| [A-Z][A-Z0-9]*-[0-9]+ .*\| FAIL \|' "${CASE_TABLE}" 2>/dev/null || true)"
          CASES_TOTAL=$(( ${CASES_TOTAL:-0} + 0 )); CASES_FAIL=$(( ${CASES_FAIL:-0} + 0 ))
@@ -203,7 +204,7 @@ jobs:
            fi
          } | tee "${REPORT_FILE}"
          cat "${REPORT_FILE}" >> "${GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY}"
-          # Red only for harness/environment breakdowns; case failures stay green.
+          # Preserve the harness verdict separately from the final case verdict.
          [ "${HARNESS_OK}" = "1" ]

      - name: Upload functional report to dashboard
@@ -302,8 +303,9 @@ jobs:
          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Cleanup environment (after)
+        id: environment_cleanup
        timeout-minutes: 5
-        if: always()
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
          read -r -a NODES <<< "${RUSTFS_NODES:-vm000 vm001 vm002}"
@@ -321,54 +323,21 @@ jobs:
            '
          done

-      - name: "Continue functional chain (next: KMS)"
-        # Only chain-triggered runs forward to the next suite; standalone
-        # workflow_dispatch runs stop after their own cleanup. A failed
-        # handoff must never pass silently: it retries, then files an alert
-        # issue in rustfs/backlog so a stalled chain is visible.
-        if: ${{ always() && github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
-        continue-on-error: true
+      - name: Release environment only after successful cleanup
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        timeout-minutes: 5
        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
-        run: |
-          set -uo pipefail
-          if [ -z "${GH_TOKEN:-}" ]; then
-            echo "PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN is not configured; cannot dispatch the next suite" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
-          DISPATCHED=0
-          for attempt in 1 2 3; do
-            if gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches \
-              -f event_type='rustfs-chain-kms' \
-              -F 'client_payload[from_suite]=s3'; then
-              echo "dispatched next suite KMS (attempt ${attempt})"
-              DISPATCHED=1
-              break
-            fi
-            echo "dispatch attempt ${attempt} failed; retrying in ${attempt}0s" >&2
-            sleep "${attempt}0"
-          done
-          if [ "${DISPATCHED:-0}" -ne 1 ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: functional chain stalled: could not dispatch KMS after 3 attempts" >&2
-            TITLE="[functional][chain] stalled after s3 (run ${GITHUB_RUN_ID})"
-            BODY_FILE="$(mktemp)"
-            {
-              echo "The functional chain could not hand off from **s3** to **KMS** after 3 attempts."
-              echo ""
-              echo "- Failed suite job: ${GITHUB_SERVER_URL}/${GITHUB_REPOSITORY}/actions/runs/${GITHUB_RUN_ID}"
-              echo "- Expected next event: 'rustfs-chain-kms'"
-              echo "- Likely cause: PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN lacks contents:write on rustfs/rustfs, or the GitHub API was unavailable."
-              echo "- Recovery: re-dispatch manually with"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-              echo "  gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches -f event_type='rustfs-chain-kms'"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-            } > "${BODY_FILE}"
-            gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" \
-              --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" --label functional-test \
-              || gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" \
-              || echo "could not file the stall alert issue either; check the token" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-s3.json
+          CLEANUP_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.environment_cleanup.outcome }}
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py finish --suite s3 --cleanup-outcome "$CLEANUP_OUTCOME"
+
+      - name: Retain environment ownership and cleanup receipt
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: functional-environment-s3-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-s3.json
+          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Notify on failure
        if: failure()
@@ -396,3 +365,13 @@ jobs:
          name: functional-chain-s3-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/chain-s3-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}/s3.json
          if-no-files-found: error
+
+      - name: Enforce suite and report result
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        env:
+          SUITE_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.test.outcome }}
+          REPORT_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.chain_report.outcome }}
+        run: |
+          test "$SUITE_OUTCOME" = success
+          test "$REPORT_OUTCOME" = success
+          python3 scripts/functional_chain_evidence.py verify-report --suite s3 --report "${FUNCTIONAL_ARTIFACTS_DIR}/cases.md"
@@ -52,9 +52,6 @@ on:
        description: 'Reset the nodes after the test (DESTROYS test data/config)'
        type: boolean
        default: true
-  repository_dispatch:
-    # Chain handoff: dispatched when the pool expansion suite finishes.
-    types: [rustfs-chain-security]

 permissions:
  contents: read
@@ -81,7 +78,7 @@ jobs:
  security-test:
    runs-on: smoke-testing
    timeout-minutes: 60
-    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
+    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' }}
    steps:
      # Checkout the repository into its own subdirectory. Checking out at
      # the workspace root would wipe the auto-testing clone above (that is
@@ -126,6 +123,13 @@ jobs:
          docker --version || true
          df -h /data | tail -1

+      - name: Admit clean shared environment
+        id: environment
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-security.json
+        run: python3 rustfs-repo/scripts/functional_environment.py enter --suite security
+
      - name: Cleanup environment (before)
        timeout-minutes: 5
        if: ${{ inputs.cleanup_before != 'false' || github.event_name != 'workflow_dispatch' }}
@@ -149,8 +153,7 @@ jobs:
      - name: Run security suite
        id: test
        timeout-minutes: 45
-        # Case failures keep the run green: the report and the backlog
-        # issue manager carry the product signal.
+        # Collect reports and backlog evidence before the final suite verdict.
        continue-on-error: true
        env:
          REPORT_FILE: ${{ env.SECURITY_ARTIFACTS_DIR }}/suite-report.md
@@ -194,9 +197,8 @@ jobs:
            RESULT=success
          fi

-          # Product gate: failing cases keep the run green — they are reported
-          # below and tracked in rustfs/backlog. Only harness/environment
-          # breakdowns turn the workflow red. The suite log lines carry ANSI
+          # The final verdict checks cases after diagnostics and cleanup.
+          # The suite log lines carry ANSI
          # color escapes both before and after the verdict tag
          # (e.g. "\e[1;31m[FAIL]\e[0m STS-105 ..."), so the pattern allows
          # any number of escapes on each side of it.
@@ -236,7 +238,7 @@ jobs:
            fi
          } > "${SECURITY_ARTIFACTS_DIR}/report.md"
          cat "${SECURITY_ARTIFACTS_DIR}/report.md" >> "${GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY}"
-          # Red only for harness/environment breakdowns; case failures stay green.
+          # Preserve the harness verdict separately from the final case verdict.
          [ "${HARNESS_OK}" = "1" ]

      - name: Upload functional report to dashboard
@@ -336,8 +338,9 @@ jobs:
          retention-days: 3

      - name: Cleanup environment (after)
+        id: environment_cleanup
        timeout-minutes: 5
-        if: ${{ always() && (inputs.cleanup_after != 'false' || github.event_name != 'workflow_dispatch') }}
+        if: ${{ always() && (inputs.cleanup_after != 'false' || github.event_name != 'workflow_dispatch') && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
          read -r -a NODES <<< "${RUSTFS_NODES:-vm000 vm001 vm002}"
@@ -355,23 +358,21 @@ jobs:
            '
          done

-      - name: "Continue functional chain (next: Replication)"
-        # Only chain-triggered runs forward to the next suite; standalone
-        # workflow_dispatch runs stop after their own cleanup.
-        if: ${{ always() && github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
-        continue-on-error: true
+      - name: Release environment only after successful cleanup
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        timeout-minutes: 5
        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
-        run: |
-          set -euo pipefail
-          if [ -z "${GH_TOKEN:-}" ]; then
-            echo "PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN is not configured; cannot dispatch the next suite" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
-          echo "Dispatching next functional suite: Replication"
-          gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches \
-            -f event_type='rustfs-chain-replication' \
-            -F 'client_payload[from_suite]=security'
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-security.json
+          CLEANUP_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.environment_cleanup.outcome }}
+        run: python3 rustfs-repo/scripts/functional_environment.py finish --suite security --cleanup-outcome "$CLEANUP_OUTCOME"
+
+      - name: Retain environment ownership and cleanup receipt
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: functional-environment-security-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-security.json
+          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Notify on failure
        if: failure()
@@ -400,3 +401,13 @@ jobs:
          name: functional-chain-security-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/chain-security-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}/security.json
          if-no-files-found: error
+
+      - name: Enforce suite and report result
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        env:
+          SUITE_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.test.outcome }}
+          REPORT_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.report.outcome }}
+        run: |
+          test "$SUITE_OUTCOME" = success
+          test "$REPORT_OUTCOME" = success
+          python3 rustfs-repo/scripts/functional_chain_evidence.py verify-report --suite security --report "${SECURITY_ARTIFACTS_DIR}/suite-report.md"
@@ -26,9 +26,6 @@ on:
          - single-multi
          - multi-multi
        default: all
-  repository_dispatch:
-    # Chain handoff: dispatched when the tier suite finishes.
-    types: [rustfs-chain-storage]

 permissions:
  contents: read
@@ -53,7 +50,7 @@ jobs:
  storage-test:
    runs-on: smoke-testing
    timeout-minutes: 60
-    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
+    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' }}
    steps:
      - name: Checkout repository (for report parser)
        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
@@ -97,6 +94,13 @@ jobs:
          openssl version
          df -h /data | tail -1

+      - name: Admit clean shared environment
+        id: environment
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-storage.json
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py enter --suite storage
+
      - name: Cleanup environment (before)
        timeout-minutes: 5
        run: |
@@ -119,8 +123,7 @@ jobs:
      - name: Run storage engine suite
        id: test
        timeout-minutes: 45
-        # Case failures keep the run green: the report and the backlog
-        # issue manager carry the product signal.
+        # Collect reports and backlog evidence before the final suite verdict.
        continue-on-error: true
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
@@ -176,10 +179,8 @@ jobs:
            RESULT=success
          fi

-          # Product gate: failing cases keep the run green — they are reported
-          # below and tracked in rustfs/backlog. Only harness/environment
-          # breakdowns (the suite never reached case level, or a wholesale
-          # failure with zero passes) turn the workflow red.
+          # Report harness completion here; the final verdict checks every
+          # case result after diagnostics and cleanup have been retained.
          CASES_TOTAL="$(grep -cE '^\| [A-Z][A-Z0-9]*-[0-9]+ .*\| (PASS|FAIL|UNSUPPORTED|RUNNING) \|' "${CASE_TABLE}" 2>/dev/null || true)"
          CASES_FAIL="$(grep -cE '^\| [A-Z][A-Z0-9]*-[0-9]+ .*\| FAIL \|' "${CASE_TABLE}" 2>/dev/null || true)"
          CASES_TOTAL=$(( ${CASES_TOTAL:-0} + 0 )); CASES_FAIL=$(( ${CASES_FAIL:-0} + 0 ))
@@ -218,7 +219,7 @@ jobs:
            fi
          } | tee "${REPORT_FILE}"
          cat "${REPORT_FILE}" >> "${GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY}"
-          # Red only for harness/environment breakdowns; case failures stay green.
+          # Preserve the harness verdict separately from the final case verdict.
          [ "${HARNESS_OK}" = "1" ]

      - name: Upload functional report to dashboard
@@ -317,8 +318,9 @@ jobs:
          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Cleanup environment (after)
+        id: environment_cleanup
        timeout-minutes: 5
-        if: always()
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
          read -r -a NODES <<< "${RUSTFS_NODES:-vm000 vm001 vm002}"
@@ -336,54 +338,21 @@ jobs:
            '
          done

-      - name: "Continue functional chain (next: Heal)"
-        # Only chain-triggered runs forward to the next suite; standalone
-        # workflow_dispatch runs stop after their own cleanup. A failed
-        # handoff must never pass silently: it retries, then files an alert
-        # issue in rustfs/backlog so a stalled chain is visible.
-        if: ${{ always() && github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
-        continue-on-error: true
+      - name: Release environment only after successful cleanup
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        timeout-minutes: 5
        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
-        run: |
-          set -uo pipefail
-          if [ -z "${GH_TOKEN:-}" ]; then
-            echo "PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN is not configured; cannot dispatch the next suite" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
-          DISPATCHED=0
-          for attempt in 1 2 3; do
-            if gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches \
-              -f event_type='rustfs-chain-heal' \
-              -F 'client_payload[from_suite]=storage'; then
-              echo "dispatched next suite Heal (attempt ${attempt})"
-              DISPATCHED=1
-              break
-            fi
-            echo "dispatch attempt ${attempt} failed; retrying in ${attempt}0s" >&2
-            sleep "${attempt}0"
-          done
-          if [ "${DISPATCHED:-0}" -ne 1 ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: functional chain stalled: could not dispatch Heal after 3 attempts" >&2
-            TITLE="[functional][chain] stalled after storage (run ${GITHUB_RUN_ID})"
-            BODY_FILE="$(mktemp)"
-            {
-              echo "The functional chain could not hand off from **storage** to **Heal** after 3 attempts."
-              echo ""
-              echo "- Failed suite job: ${GITHUB_SERVER_URL}/${GITHUB_REPOSITORY}/actions/runs/${GITHUB_RUN_ID}"
-              echo "- Expected next event: 'rustfs-chain-heal'"
-              echo "- Likely cause: PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN lacks contents:write on rustfs/rustfs, or the GitHub API was unavailable."
-              echo "- Recovery: re-dispatch manually with"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-              echo "  gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches -f event_type='rustfs-chain-heal'"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-            } > "${BODY_FILE}"
-            gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" \
-              --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" --label functional-test \
-              || gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" \
-              || echo "could not file the stall alert issue either; check the token" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-storage.json
+          CLEANUP_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.environment_cleanup.outcome }}
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py finish --suite storage --cleanup-outcome "$CLEANUP_OUTCOME"
+
+      - name: Retain environment ownership and cleanup receipt
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: functional-environment-storage-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-storage.json
+          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Notify on failure
        if: failure()
@@ -411,3 +380,13 @@ jobs:
          name: functional-chain-storage-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/chain-storage-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}/storage.json
          if-no-files-found: error
+
+      - name: Enforce suite and report result
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        env:
+          SUITE_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.test.outcome }}
+          REPORT_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.chain_report.outcome }}
+        run: |
+          test "$SUITE_OUTCOME" = success
+          test "$REPORT_OUTCOME" = success
+          python3 scripts/functional_chain_evidence.py verify-report --suite storage --report "${FUNCTIONAL_ARTIFACTS_DIR}/cases.md"
@@ -89,6 +89,13 @@ jobs:
          aws --version
          python3 --version

+      - name: Admit clean shared environment
+        id: environment
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-table.json
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py enter --suite table
+
      - name: Cleanup environment (before)
        timeout-minutes: 5
        continue-on-error: true
@@ -162,10 +169,8 @@ jobs:
            RESULT=success
          fi

-          # Product gate: failing cases keep the run green — they are reported
-          # below and tracked in rustfs/backlog. Only harness/environment
-          # breakdowns (the suite never reached case level, or a wholesale
-          # failure with zero passes) turn the workflow red.
+          # Report harness completion here; the final verdict checks every
+          # case result after diagnostics and cleanup have been retained.
          CASES_TOTAL="$(grep -cE '^\| [A-Z][A-Z0-9]*-[0-9]+ .*\| (PASS|FAIL|UNSUPPORTED|RUNNING) \|' "${CASE_TABLE}" 2>/dev/null || true)"
          CASES_FAIL="$(grep -cE '^\| [A-Z][A-Z0-9]*-[0-9]+ .*\| FAIL \|' "${CASE_TABLE}" 2>/dev/null || true)"
          CASES_TOTAL=$(( ${CASES_TOTAL:-0} + 0 )); CASES_FAIL=$(( ${CASES_FAIL:-0} + 0 ))
@@ -203,7 +208,7 @@ jobs:
            fi
          } | tee "${REPORT_FILE}"
          cat "${REPORT_FILE}" >> "${GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY}"
-          # Red only for harness/environment breakdowns; case failures stay green.
+          # Preserve the harness verdict separately from the final case verdict.
          [ "${HARNESS_OK}" = "1" ]

      - name: Upload functional report to dashboard
@@ -292,11 +297,12 @@ jobs:
          retention-days: 30

      - name: Cleanup environment (after)
+        id: environment_cleanup
        timeout-minutes: 5
-        if: always()
-        continue-on-error: true
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
        run: |
-          set -uo pipefail
+          set -euo pipefail
+          cleanup_status=0
          for node in ${RUSTFS_NODES}; do
            ssh -o BatchMode=yes -o ConnectTimeout=10 "${RUSTFS_SSH_USER}@${node}" '
              set -euo pipefail
@@ -307,26 +313,25 @@ jobs:
              fi
              for i in 1 2 3 4; do ${SUDO} rm -rf /data/rustfs${i}/mnmd; done
              ${SUDO} rm -f /etc/default/rustfs
-            ' || echo "cleanup failed on ${node} (continuing)"
+            ' || cleanup_status=$?
          done
+          exit "${cleanup_status}"

-      - name: "Continue functional chain (next: Performance)"
-        # Only chain-triggered runs forward to the next suite; standalone
-        # workflow_dispatch runs stop after their own cleanup.
-        if: ${{ always() && github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
-        continue-on-error: true
+      - name: Release environment only after successful cleanup
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        timeout-minutes: 5
        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
-        run: |
-          set -euo pipefail
-          if [ -z "${GH_TOKEN:-}" ]; then
-            echo "PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN is not configured; cannot dispatch the next suite" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
-          echo "Dispatching next functional suite: Performance"
-          gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches \
-            -f event_type='rustfs-chain-performance' \
-            -F 'client_payload[from_suite]=table'
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-table.json
+          CLEANUP_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.environment_cleanup.outcome }}
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py finish --suite table --cleanup-outcome "$CLEANUP_OUTCOME"
+
+      - name: Retain environment ownership and cleanup receipt
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: functional-environment-table-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-table.json
+          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Notify on failure
        if: failure()
@@ -358,3 +363,13 @@ jobs:
          name: functional-chain-table-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/chain-table-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}/table.json
          if-no-files-found: error
+
+      - name: Enforce suite and report result
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        env:
+          SUITE_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.test.outcome }}
+          REPORT_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.chain_report.outcome }}
+        run: |
+          test "$SUITE_OUTCOME" = success
+          test "$REPORT_OUTCOME" = success
+          python3 scripts/functional_chain_evidence.py verify-report --suite table --report "${FUNCTIONAL_ARTIFACTS_DIR}/cases.md"
@@ -37,9 +37,6 @@ on:
        required: false
        default: false
        type: boolean
-  repository_dispatch:
-    # Chain handoff: dispatched when the KMS suite finishes.
-    types: [rustfs-chain-tier]

 permissions:
  contents: read
@@ -68,7 +65,7 @@ jobs:
  tier-test:
    runs-on: smoke-testing
    timeout-minutes: 60
-    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
+    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' }}
    steps:
      - name: Checkout chain tooling
        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
@@ -216,6 +213,13 @@ jobs:
          openssl version
          df -h /data | tail -1

+      - name: Admit clean shared environment
+        id: environment
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-tier.json
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py enter --suite tier
+
      - name: Cleanup environment (before)
        timeout-minutes: 5
        run: |
@@ -269,8 +273,7 @@ jobs:
      - name: Run tier suite
        id: test
        timeout-minutes: 45
-        # Case failures keep the run green: the report and the backlog
-        # issue manager carry the product signal.
+        # Collect reports and backlog evidence before the final suite verdict.
        continue-on-error: true
        env:
          PACKAGE_URL_INPUT: ${{ inputs.package_url }}
@@ -467,8 +470,9 @@ jobs:
          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Cleanup environment (after)
+        id: environment_cleanup
        timeout-minutes: 5
-        if: always()
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
          sudo docker rm -f rustfs-test-mqtt >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
@@ -488,6 +492,22 @@ jobs:
            '
          done

+      - name: Release environment only after successful cleanup
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-tier.json
+          CLEANUP_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.environment_cleanup.outcome }}
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py finish --suite tier --cleanup-outcome "$CLEANUP_OUTCOME"
+
+      - name: Retain environment ownership and cleanup receipt
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: functional-environment-tier-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-tier.json
+          if-no-files-found: error
+
      - name: Cleanup pinned RustFS CLI
        timeout-minutes: 2
        if: always()
@@ -664,55 +684,6 @@ jobs:
            --package-source "${PACKAGE_SOURCE}" \
            --date "$(date -u +%Y-%m-%d)"

-      - name: "Continue functional chain (next: Storage engine)"
-        # Only chain-triggered runs forward to the next suite; standalone
-        # workflow_dispatch runs stop after their own cleanup. A failed
-        # handoff must never pass silently: it retries, then files an alert
-        # issue in rustfs/backlog so a stalled chain is visible.
-        if: ${{ always() && github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
-        continue-on-error: true
-        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
-        run: |
-          set -uo pipefail
-          if [ -z "${GH_TOKEN:-}" ]; then
-            echo "PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN is not configured; cannot dispatch the next suite" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
-          DISPATCHED=0
-          for attempt in 1 2 3; do
-            if gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches \
-              -f event_type='rustfs-chain-storage' \
-              -F 'client_payload[from_suite]=tier'; then
-              echo "dispatched next suite Storage engine (attempt ${attempt})"
-              DISPATCHED=1
-              break
-            fi
-            echo "dispatch attempt ${attempt} failed; retrying in ${attempt}0s" >&2
-            sleep "${attempt}0"
-          done
-          if [ "${DISPATCHED:-0}" -ne 1 ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: functional chain stalled: could not dispatch Storage engine after 3 attempts" >&2
-            TITLE="[functional][chain] stalled after tier (run ${GITHUB_RUN_ID})"
-            BODY_FILE="$(mktemp)"
-            {
-              echo "The functional chain could not hand off from **tier** to **Storage engine** after 3 attempts."
-              echo ""
-              echo "- Failed suite job: ${GITHUB_SERVER_URL}/${GITHUB_REPOSITORY}/actions/runs/${GITHUB_RUN_ID}"
-              echo "- Expected next event: 'rustfs-chain-storage'"
-              echo "- Likely cause: PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN lacks contents:write on rustfs/rustfs, or the GitHub API was unavailable."
-              echo "- Recovery: re-dispatch manually with"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-              echo "  gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches -f event_type='rustfs-chain-storage'"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-            } > "${BODY_FILE}"
-            gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" \
-              --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" --label functional-test \
-              || gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" \
-              || echo "could not file the stall alert issue either; check the token" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
-
      - name: Notify on failure
        if: failure()
        run: |
@@ -739,3 +710,13 @@ jobs:
          name: functional-chain-tier-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/chain-tier-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}/tier.json
          if-no-files-found: error
+
+      - name: Enforce suite and report result
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        env:
+          SUITE_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.test.outcome }}
+          REPORT_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.chain_report.outcome }}
+        run: |
+          test "$SUITE_OUTCOME" = success
+          test "$REPORT_OUTCOME" = success
+          python3 scripts/functional_chain_evidence.py verify-report --suite tier --report "${TIER_ARTIFACTS_DIR}/rustfs-tier-cases.md"
@@ -59,9 +59,6 @@ on:
        description: 'Reset the nodes after the test (DESTROYS test data/config)'
        type: boolean
        default: true
-  repository_dispatch:
-    # Functional-chain entry: dispatched by rustfs-functional-chain.yml.
-    types: [rustfs-chain-upgrade]

 permissions:
  contents: read
@@ -86,7 +83,7 @@ jobs:
  upgrade-test:
    runs-on: smoke-testing
    timeout-minutes: 60
-    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
+    if: ${{ inputs.chain_manifest != '' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' }}
    steps:
      - name: Checkout repository (for report parser)
        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
@@ -132,6 +129,13 @@ jobs:
          docker --version || true
          df -h /data | tail -1

+      - name: Admit clean shared environment
+        id: environment
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-upgrade.json
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py enter --suite upgrade
+
      - name: Cleanup environment (before)
        timeout-minutes: 5
        if: ${{ inputs.cleanup_before != 'false' || github.event_name != 'workflow_dispatch' }}
@@ -165,8 +169,7 @@ jobs:
      - name: Run upgrade compatibility suite
        id: test
        timeout-minutes: 45
-        # Case failures keep the run green: the report and the backlog
-        # issue manager carry the product signal.
+        # Collect reports and backlog evidence before the final suite verdict.
        continue-on-error: true
        env:
          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
@@ -258,10 +261,8 @@ jobs:
            RESULT=success
          fi

-          # Product gate: failing cases keep the run green — they are reported
-          # below and tracked in rustfs/backlog. Only harness/environment
-          # breakdowns (the suite never reached case level, or a wholesale
-          # failure with zero passes) turn the workflow red.
+          # Report harness completion here; the final verdict checks every
+          # case result after diagnostics and cleanup have been retained.
          CASES_TOTAL="$(grep -cE '^\| [A-Z][A-Z0-9]*-[0-9]+ .*\| (PASS|FAIL|UNSUPPORTED|RUNNING) \|' "${CASE_TABLE}" 2>/dev/null || true)"
          CASES_FAIL="$(grep -cE '^\| [A-Z][A-Z0-9]*-[0-9]+ .*\| FAIL \|' "${CASE_TABLE}" 2>/dev/null || true)"
          CASES_TOTAL=$(( ${CASES_TOTAL:-0} + 0 )); CASES_FAIL=$(( ${CASES_FAIL:-0} + 0 ))
@@ -304,7 +305,7 @@ jobs:
            fi
          } | tee "${REPORT_FILE}"
          cat "${REPORT_FILE}" >> "${GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY}"
-          # Red only for harness/environment breakdowns; case failures stay green.
+          # Preserve the harness verdict separately from the final case verdict.
          [ "${HARNESS_OK}" = "1" ]

      - name: Upload functional report to dashboard
@@ -412,8 +413,9 @@ jobs:
          retention-days: 3

      - name: Cleanup environment (after)
+        id: environment_cleanup
        timeout-minutes: 5
-        if: ${{ always() && (inputs.cleanup_after != 'false' || github.event_name != 'workflow_dispatch') }}
+        if: ${{ always() && (inputs.cleanup_after != 'false' || github.event_name != 'workflow_dispatch') && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
        run: |
          set -euo pipefail
          read -r -a NODES <<< "${RUSTFS_NODES:-vm000 vm001 vm002}"
@@ -431,54 +433,21 @@ jobs:
            '
          done

-      - name: "Continue functional chain (next: S3 compatibility)"
-        # Only chain-triggered runs forward to the next suite; standalone
-        # workflow_dispatch runs stop after their own cleanup. A failed
-        # handoff must never pass silently: it retries, then files an alert
-        # issue in rustfs/backlog so a stalled chain is visible.
-        if: ${{ always() && github.event_name == 'repository_dispatch' }}
-        continue-on-error: true
+      - name: Release environment only after successful cleanup
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        timeout-minutes: 5
        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
-        run: |
-          set -uo pipefail
-          if [ -z "${GH_TOKEN:-}" ]; then
-            echo "PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN is not configured; cannot dispatch the next suite" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
-          DISPATCHED=0
-          for attempt in 1 2 3; do
-            if gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches \
-              -f event_type='rustfs-chain-s3' \
-              -F 'client_payload[from_suite]=upgrade'; then
-              echo "dispatched next suite S3 compatibility (attempt ${attempt})"
-              DISPATCHED=1
-              break
-            fi
-            echo "dispatch attempt ${attempt} failed; retrying in ${attempt}0s" >&2
-            sleep "${attempt}0"
-          done
-          if [ "${DISPATCHED:-0}" -ne 1 ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: functional chain stalled: could not dispatch S3 compatibility after 3 attempts" >&2
-            TITLE="[functional][chain] stalled after upgrade (run ${GITHUB_RUN_ID})"
-            BODY_FILE="$(mktemp)"
-            {
-              echo "The functional chain could not hand off from **upgrade** to **S3 compatibility** after 3 attempts."
-              echo ""
-              echo "- Failed suite job: ${GITHUB_SERVER_URL}/${GITHUB_REPOSITORY}/actions/runs/${GITHUB_RUN_ID}"
-              echo "- Expected next event: 'rustfs-chain-s3'"
-              echo "- Likely cause: PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN lacks contents:write on rustfs/rustfs, or the GitHub API was unavailable."
-              echo "- Recovery: re-dispatch manually with"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-              echo "  gh api --method POST repos/rustfs/rustfs/dispatches -f event_type='rustfs-chain-s3'"
-              FENCE="$(printf "\x60\x60\x60")"; echo "  ${FENCE}"
-            } > "${BODY_FILE}"
-            gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" \
-              --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" --label functional-test \
-              || gh issue create -R rustfs/backlog --title "${TITLE}" --body-file "${BODY_FILE}" \
-              || echo "could not file the stall alert issue either; check the token" >&2
-            exit 1
-          fi
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-upgrade.json
+          CLEANUP_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.environment_cleanup.outcome }}
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py finish --suite upgrade --cleanup-outcome "$CLEANUP_OUTCOME"
+
+      - name: Retain environment ownership and cleanup receipt
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: functional-environment-upgrade-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-upgrade.json
+          if-no-files-found: error

      - name: Notify on failure
        if: failure()
@@ -508,3 +477,13 @@ jobs:
          name: functional-chain-upgrade-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
          path: ${{ runner.temp }}/chain-upgrade-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}/upgrade.json
          if-no-files-found: error
+
+      - name: Enforce suite and report result
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        env:
+          SUITE_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.test.outcome }}
+          REPORT_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.chain_report.outcome }}
+        run: |
+          test "$SUITE_OUTCOME" = success
+          test "$REPORT_OUTCOME" = success
+          python3 scripts/functional_chain_evidence.py verify-report --suite upgrade --report "${FUNCTIONAL_ARTIFACTS_DIR}/cases.md"
@@ -0,0 +1,457 @@
+# Copyright 2024 RustFS Team
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+name: RustFS Validation Sweep
+
+# Executes the migrated canonical validation cases (rustfs/auto-testing#113)
+# on the shared functional fleet. Everything with a lane executor is swept in
+# rotating nightly batches so the whole set is covered roughly weekly; a
+# single case or one module can be dispatched manually. That is the
+# implemented catalog (66 today) plus the eight planned cases whose dedicated
+# executors already exist and have live PASS evidence - fresh nightly
+# evidence feeds their acceptance review. heal.* cases stay on the
+# interactive validation flow: they require reviewed native/tool collectors
+# built by separate validation-tools runs before fleet execution.
+
+on:
+  schedule:
+    # After the nightly functional chain settles (chain starts ~16:48 UTC and
+    # runs for about two hours).
+    - cron: "30 19 * * *"
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      case:
+        description: 'Single canonical validation case id (overrides module and rotation), e.g. pool.decommission'
+        type: string
+        required: false
+        default: ''
+      module:
+        description: 'Restrict the sweep to one catalog module, e.g. bucket-replication'
+        type: string
+        required: false
+        default: ''
+      limit:
+        description: 'Maximum cases per sweep (0 = run everything selected)'
+        type: number
+        required: false
+        default: 12
+      build_run_id:
+        description: 'Successful nightly package run; empty resolves the latest'
+        type: string
+        required: false
+        default: ''
+      build_run_attempt:
+        description: 'Attempt of that package run'
+        type: string
+        required: false
+        default: '1'
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+concurrency:
+  group: rustfs-validation-sweep
+  cancel-in-progress: false
+
+env:
+  RUSTFS_NODES: ${{ secrets.RUSTFS_NODES || vars.RUSTFS_NODES || 'vm000 vm001 vm002 vm003' }}
+  RUSTFS_SSH_USER: ${{ secrets.RUSTFS_SSH_USER || vars.RUSTFS_SSH_USER || 'azureuser' }}
+  RUSTFS_ACCESS_KEY: ${{ secrets.RUSTFS_ACCESS_KEY }}
+  RUSTFS_SECRET_KEY: ${{ secrets.RUSTFS_SECRET_KEY }}
+  RUSTFS_NIGHTLY_PACKAGE_URL: ${{ vars.RUSTFS_NIGHTLY_PACKAGE_URL || 'https://dl.rustfs.com/artifacts/rustfs/packages/nightly/rustfs-nightly-latest.deb' }}
+  PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
+
+jobs:
+  sweep:
+    if: github.repository == 'rustfs/rustfs'
+    runs-on: smoke-testing
+    timeout-minutes: 150
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout chain tooling
+        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+
+      - name: Resolve nightly candidate
+        id: candidate
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
+          BUILD_RUN_ID: ${{ inputs.build_run_id }}
+          BUILD_RUN_ATTEMPT: ${{ inputs.build_run_attempt }}
+          CHAIN_OUTPUT: ${{ runner.temp }}/validation-sweep-candidate.json
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          # Scheduled runs carry no inputs and the resolver only derives a
+          # build from a workflow_run payload (which a schedule cannot
+          # provide), so resolve the newest successful nightly build
+          # explicitly before invoking it.
+          if [ -z "${BUILD_RUN_ID:-}" ]; then
+            LATEST="$(gh api "repos/rustfs/rustfs/actions/workflows/nightly-gnu.yml/runs?branch=main&status=success&per_page=1" --jq '.workflow_runs[0]')"
+            BUILD_RUN_ID="$(printf '%s' "${LATEST}" | jq -r '.id')"
+            BUILD_RUN_ATTEMPT="$(printf '%s' "${LATEST}" | jq -r '.run_attempt')"
+            export BUILD_RUN_ID BUILD_RUN_ATTEMPT
+            echo "scheduled sweep pinned to nightly ${BUILD_RUN_ID} attempt ${BUILD_RUN_ATTEMPT}"
+          fi
+          python3 scripts/resolve_functional_candidate.py
+          python3 - <<'PY'
+          import json
+          import os
+          from pathlib import Path
+          root = Path(os.environ["RUNNER_TEMP"]) / "validation-sweep"
+          root.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+          chain = json.loads((Path(os.environ["RUNNER_TEMP"]) / "validation-sweep-candidate.json").read_text())
+          manifest = chain["candidate"]["manifest"]
+          (root / "candidate.json").write_text(json.dumps({
+              "package_url": manifest["package_url"],
+              "package_sha256": manifest["package_sha256"],
+              "source_sha": manifest["source_sha"],
+          }, sort_keys=True) + "\n")
+          with open(os.environ["GITHUB_OUTPUT"], "a") as output:
+              output.write("testing_sha=" + chain["testing_sha"] + "\n")
+              output.write("package_url=" + manifest["package_url"] + "\n")
+              output.write("source_sha=" + manifest["source_sha"] + "\n")
+          PY
+
+      - name: Checkout auto-testing scripts
+        uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
+        with:
+          repository: rustfs/auto-testing
+          ref: ${{ steps.candidate.outputs.testing_sha }}
+          token: ${{ secrets.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
+          path: auto-testing
+          persist-credentials: false
+
+      - name: Prepare validation Python runtime
+        # The pool / ilm / replication validation runners require a managed
+        # Python, exactly like the chain's validation job provides.
+        uses: actions/setup-python@5fda3b95a4ea91299a34e894583c3862153e4b97 # v7.0.0
+        with:
+          python-version: "3.12"
+
+      - name: Install validation Python requirements
+        # Case scripts call python3 and import boto3 at startup. Install the
+        # functional chain's client into a per-run env so that interpreter
+        # sees it without changing the runner's shared Python.
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          validation_python="${RUNNER_TEMP}/rustfs-validation-python-${GITHUB_RUN_ID}-${GITHUB_RUN_ATTEMPT}"
+          test ! -e "${validation_python}"
+          python3 -m venv "${validation_python}"
+          "${validation_python}/bin/python" -m pip install \
+            -r auto-testing/scripts/validation_ilm/requirements.txt
+          printf '%s\n' "${validation_python}/bin" >> "${GITHUB_PATH}"
+
+      - name: Select sweep cases
+        id: select
+        env:
+          SELECTED_CASE: ${{ inputs.case }}
+          SELECTED_MODULE: ${{ inputs.module }}
+          CASE_LIMIT: ${{ inputs.limit }}
+          SWEEP_EVENT: ${{ github.event_name }}
+          SWEEP_ROOT: ${{ runner.temp }}/validation-sweep
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          python3 - <<'PY'
+          import datetime
+          import json
+          import os
+          from pathlib import Path
+          sweep_root = Path(os.environ["SWEEP_ROOT"])
+
+          catalog = json.loads(Path("auto-testing/validation-cases.json").read_text())
+          def sweepable(case):
+              status = case.get("source_status")
+              if status == "implemented":
+                  return True
+              # The remaining planned non-heal cases route to the lane
+              # executors and already have live PASS evidence; sweeping them
+              # nightly produces fresh evidence for their acceptance review.
+              return status == "planned" and not case["id"].startswith("heal.")
+
+          selected = [(case["id"], module["id"]) for module in catalog["modules"]
+                      for case in module["cases"]
+                      if sweepable(case)]
+          if not selected:
+              raise SystemExit("catalog has no sweepable cases")
+
+          one_case = os.environ.get("SELECTED_CASE", "").strip()
+          module_filter = os.environ.get("SELECTED_MODULE", "").strip()
+          known = {case_id for case_id, _ in selected}
+          modules = {module_id for _, module_id in selected}
+          if one_case:
+              if one_case not in known:
+                  raise SystemExit(f"unknown case or no lane executor for it: {one_case}")
+              selected = [(one_case, dict(selected)[one_case])]
+          elif module_filter:
+              if module_filter not in modules:
+                  raise SystemExit(f"unknown module or no implemented cases: {module_filter}")
+              selected = [pair for pair in selected if pair[1] == module_filter]
+          elif os.environ.get("SWEEP_EVENT") == "schedule":
+              # Stateless rotation: every night take one window of the catalog
+              # so a full sweep needs len(selected)/limit nights and no state
+              # has to be carried between runs.
+              limit = max(1, int(os.environ.get("CASE_LIMIT") or 12))
+              day = datetime.datetime.now(datetime.timezone.utc).timetuple().tm_yday
+              start = (day * limit) % len(selected)
+              selected = (selected[start:] + selected[:start])[:limit]
+          limit = int(os.environ.get("CASE_LIMIT") or 0)
+          if one_case or module_filter or (not os.environ.get("SWEEP_EVENT") == "schedule"):
+              if limit > 0:
+                  selected = selected[:limit]
+
+          (sweep_root / "sweep-cases.txt").write_text("".join(f"{case_id}\n" for case_id, _ in selected))
+          with open(os.environ["GITHUB_OUTPUT"], "a") as output:
+              output.write(f"count={len(selected)}\n")
+          print(f"selected {len(selected)} case(s):", ", ".join(c for c, _ in selected))
+          PY
+
+      - name: Admit clean shared environment
+        id: environment
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-validation-sweep.json
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py enter --suite heal
+
+      - name: Run validation cases
+        id: run_cases
+        timeout-minutes: 120
+        env:
+          AUTO_TESTING_SHA: ${{ steps.candidate.outputs.testing_sha }}
+          SWEEP_ROOT: ${{ runner.temp }}/validation-sweep
+        run: |
+          set -uo pipefail
+          mkdir -p "${SWEEP_ROOT}/results"
+          : > "${SWEEP_ROOT}/results.txt"
+          while read -r CASE_ID; do
+            [ -n "${CASE_ID}" ] || continue
+            echo "::group::case ${CASE_ID}"
+            rm -rf "${SWEEP_ROOT}/run"
+            if ./auto-testing/scripts/run_validation_case.sh \
+                 "${CASE_ID}" "${SWEEP_ROOT}/candidate.json" \
+                 "${AUTO_TESTING_SHA}" "${SWEEP_ROOT}/run" \
+                 > "${SWEEP_ROOT}/results/${CASE_ID//\//_}.log" 2>&1; then
+              printf '%s\tPASS\n' "${CASE_ID}" >> "${SWEEP_ROOT}/results.txt"
+              echo "case ${CASE_ID}: PASS"
+            else
+              printf '%s\tFAIL\n' "${CASE_ID}" >> "${SWEEP_ROOT}/results.txt"
+              echo "case ${CASE_ID}: FAIL (log retained in the sweep artifact)"
+            fi
+            if [ -f "${SWEEP_ROOT}/run/report.md" ]; then
+              cp "${SWEEP_ROOT}/run/report.md" "${SWEEP_ROOT}/results/${CASE_ID//\//_}.report.md" 2>/dev/null || true
+            fi
+            echo "::endgroup::"
+            # Fleet hygiene between cases: the case runners set up their own
+            # topology, this purge guarantees the next case starts clean even
+            # when the previous one died mid-run.
+            for node in ${RUSTFS_NODES}; do
+              # -n keeps ssh from consuming the case list this loop reads from stdin
+              ssh -n -o BatchMode=yes -o ConnectTimeout=10 "${RUSTFS_SSH_USER}@${node}" '
+                SUDO=""; [ "$(id -u)" -ne 0 ] && SUDO="sudo -n"
+                ${SUDO} systemctl stop rustfs 2>/dev/null || true
+                if ${SUDO} dpkg -l rustfs 2>/dev/null | grep -q "^ii"; then
+                  ${SUDO} dpkg -P rustfs
+                fi
+                for i in 1 2 3 4; do ${SUDO} rm -rf /data/rustfs${i}/mnmd; done
+                ${SUDO} rm -f /etc/default/rustfs
+              ' || echo "inter-case cleanup failed on ${node} (continuing)"
+            done
+          done < "${SWEEP_ROOT}/sweep-cases.txt"
+          echo "sweep finished: $(wc -l < "${SWEEP_ROOT}/results.txt") case(s) executed"
+
+      - name: Generate sweep report
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        env:
+          SWEEP_ROOT: ${{ runner.temp }}/validation-sweep
+          PACKAGE_URL: ${{ steps.candidate.outputs.package_url }}
+          SOURCE_SHA: ${{ steps.candidate.outputs.source_sha }}
+          AUTO_TESTING_SHA: ${{ steps.candidate.outputs.testing_sha }}
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          python3 - <<'PY'
+          import json
+          import os
+          from pathlib import Path
+
+          root = Path(os.environ["SWEEP_ROOT"])
+          catalog = json.loads(Path("auto-testing/validation-cases.json").read_text())
+          module_of = {case["id"]: module["id"] for module in catalog["modules"] for case in module["cases"]}
+          rows = []
+          for line in (root / "results.txt").read_text().splitlines():
+            if not line:
+                continue
+            case_id, status = line.split("\t")
+            rows.append((case_id, module_of.get(case_id, "?"), status))
+          passed = sum(1 for _, _, s in rows if s == "PASS")
+          failed = len(rows) - passed
+          run_url = (f"{os.environ.get('GITHUB_SERVER_URL', 'https://github.com')}/"
+                     f"{os.environ.get('GITHUB_REPOSITORY', 'rustfs/rustfs')}/actions/runs/"
+                     f"{os.environ.get('GITHUB_RUN_ID', '')}")
+
+          report = [
+              "# RustFS validation sweep report", "",
+              f"- Run: {run_url}",
+              f"- Attempt: {os.environ.get('GITHUB_RUN_ATTEMPT', '')}",
+              f"- Trigger: {os.environ.get('GITHUB_EVENT_NAME', '')}",
+              f"- Package: {os.environ.get('PACKAGE_URL', 'nightly (R2 latest)')}",
+              f"- Source SHA: {os.environ.get('SOURCE_SHA', '')}",
+              f"- auto-testing: {os.environ.get('AUTO_TESTING_SHA', '')}", "",
+              "Canonical validation cases (rustfs/auto-testing#113) executed by the sweep, grouped by catalog module.", "",
+          ]
+          # Group the executed cases by catalog module (the major category:
+          # pool lifecycle, heal, ILM expiration, bucket/site replication, kms,
+          # data services, identity, s3 compatibility). Per-module subtotals
+          # deliberately use "- Subtotal:" so the dashboard overview regexes
+          # (which anchor on "- Total:") keep reading the grand totals below.
+          by_module = {}
+          module_order = []
+          for case_id, module, status in rows:
+              if module not in by_module:
+                  by_module[module] = []
+                  module_order.append(module)
+              by_module[module].append((case_id, status))
+          report += ["## Case Summary", ""]
+          for module in module_order:
+              cases = by_module[module]
+              mod_pass = sum(1 for _, st in cases if st == "PASS")
+              mod_fail = len(cases) - mod_pass
+              report += [f"### {module} ({len(cases)})", "",
+                         "| Case | Status |", "| --- | --- |"]
+              report += [f"| {case_id} | {status} |" for case_id, status in cases]
+              report += ["", f"- Subtotal: {mod_pass} passed, {mod_fail} failed", ""]
+          report += [
+              "## Totals", "",
+              f"- Total: {len(rows)}",
+              f"- PASS: {passed}",
+              f"- FAIL: {failed}",
+              "- UNSUPPORTED: 0", "",
+              "Failing cases keep this workflow red only as a report; the sweep artifact",
+              "retains every case log and per-case report for diagnosis.", "",
+          ]
+          (root / "report.md").write_text("\n".join(report))
+          (root / "cases.md").write_text("\n".join(f"| {c} | {m} | {s} |" for c, m, s in rows) + "\n")
+          PY
+          cat "${SWEEP_ROOT}/report.md" >> "${GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY}"
+
+      - name: Upload functional report to dashboard
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        timeout-minutes: 2
+        continue-on-error: true
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ env.PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN }}
+          REPORT_FILE: ${{ runner.temp }}/validation-sweep/report.md
+          SUITE: validation
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          if [ -z "${GH_TOKEN:-}" ]; then
+            echo "PF_TESTING_GH_TOKEN is not configured; skipping dashboard upload"
+            exit 0
+          fi
+          DATE="$(date -u +%Y-%m-%d)"
+          REPORT_PATH="functional-reports/${SUITE}/${DATE}.md"
+          B64_FILE="$(mktemp)"
+          python3 -c 'import base64,sys;print(base64.b64encode(open(sys.argv[1],"rb").read()).decode())' "${REPORT_FILE}" > "${B64_FILE}"
+          SHA="$(gh api "repos/rustfs/dashboard/contents/${REPORT_PATH}" -q '.sha' 2>/dev/null || true)"
+          if [ -n "${SHA}" ]; then
+            jq -n --arg msg "report(${SUITE}): ${DATE}" --rawfile content "${B64_FILE}" --arg sha "${SHA}" \
+              '{message:$msg, content:($content|rtrimstr("\n")), sha:$sha}' \
+              | gh api --method PUT "repos/rustfs/dashboard/contents/${REPORT_PATH}" --input - >/dev/null
+          else
+            jq -n --arg msg "report(${SUITE}): ${DATE}" --rawfile content "${B64_FILE}" \
+              '{message:$msg, content:($content|rtrimstr("\n"))}' \
+              | gh api --method PUT "repos/rustfs/dashboard/contents/${REPORT_PATH}" --input - >/dev/null
+          fi
+          echo "dashboard updated: ${REPORT_PATH}"
+
+      - name: Retain sweep evidence
+        if: ${{ always() }}
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          name: rustfs-validation-sweep-${{ github.run_id }}-${{ github.run_attempt }}
+          path: |
+            ${{ runner.temp }}/validation-sweep/report.md
+            ${{ runner.temp }}/validation-sweep/results.txt
+            ${{ runner.temp }}/validation-sweep/sweep-cases.txt
+            ${{ runner.temp }}/validation-sweep/candidate.json
+            ${{ runner.temp }}/validation-sweep/results/
+            ${{ runner.temp }}/validation-sweep/run/
+          # warn (not error): an early infra failure legitimately leaves no
+          # per-case evidence, and the failing step is already red.
+          if-no-files-found: warn
+          retention-days: 30
+
+      - name: Cleanup environment (after)
+        id: environment_cleanup
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        run: |
+          set -uo pipefail
+          cleanup_status=0
+          for node in ${RUSTFS_NODES}; do
+            ssh -o BatchMode=yes -o ConnectTimeout=10 "${RUSTFS_SSH_USER}@${node}" '
+              set -euo pipefail
+              SUDO=""; [ "$(id -u)" -ne 0 ] && SUDO="sudo -n"
+              ${SUDO} systemctl stop rustfs 2>/dev/null || true
+              if ${SUDO} dpkg -l rustfs 2>/dev/null | grep -q "^ii"; then
+                ${SUDO} dpkg -P rustfs
+              fi
+              for i in 1 2 3 4; do ${SUDO} rm -rf /data/rustfs${i}/mnmd; done
+              ${SUDO} rm -f /etc/default/rustfs
+            ' || cleanup_status=$?
+          done
+          exit "${cleanup_status}"
+
+      - name: Release environment only after successful cleanup
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        timeout-minutes: 5
+        env:
+          FUNCTIONAL_ENVIRONMENT_RECEIPT: ${{ runner.temp }}/environment-validation-sweep.json
+          CLEANUP_OUTCOME: ${{ steps.environment_cleanup.outcome }}
+        run: python3 scripts/functional_environment.py finish --suite heal --cleanup-outcome "$CLEANUP_OUTCOME"
+
+      - name: Notify on failure
+        if: failure()
+        run: echo "RustFS validation sweep failed (harness/environment breakdown); see the sweep artifact for case logs."
+
+      - name: Enforce sweep result
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.environment.outcome == 'success' }}
+        env:
+          SWEEP_ROOT: ${{ runner.temp }}/validation-sweep
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          if grep -q $'\tFAIL$' "${SWEEP_ROOT}/results.txt"; then
+            echo "validation sweep has failing cases:"
+            grep $'\tFAIL$' "${SWEEP_ROOT}/results.txt"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
+  alert-on-failure:
+    name: Alert on scheduled failure
+    # A scheduled sweep failure usually means a canonical validation case
+    # regressed or the fleet environment broke; surface it as a tracking
+    # issue instead of leaving it in the Actions tab.
+    needs: [sweep]
+    if: github.repository == 'rustfs/rustfs' && (always() && github.event_name == 'schedule' && contains(needs.*.result, 'failure'))
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 10
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+      issues: write
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v5.0.0
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - name: Open or update failure-tracking issue
+        uses: ./.github/actions/schedule-failure-issue
+        with:
+          github-token: ${{ secrets.BACKLOG_ISSUE_TOKEN }}
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ jobs:
    # self-hosted sm-standard-* pool is down, which is exactly when the
    # scheduled validations it watches stall.
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    timeout-minutes: 10
+    timeout-minutes: 20
    permissions:
      actions: read
      contents: read
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ jobs:
        env:
          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
          RUSTFS_DEFAULT_BRANCH: ${{ github.event.repository.default_branch }}
+          NIGHTLY_SOURCE_REF: ${{ vars.NIGHTLY_BRANCH || 'main' }}
        run: |
          set +e
          python3 scripts/check_scheduled_validation_freshness.py \
@@ -16,19 +16,8 @@ name: Scheduled Validation Watchdog

 on:
  workflow_run:
-    workflows:
-      - "Security Audit"
-      - "Build and Release"
-      - "Continuous Integration"
-      - "coverage"
-      - "e2e-nightly"
-      - "e2e-distributed"
-      - "e2e-s3tests"
-      - "Fuzz"
-      - "mint"
-      - "minio-interop"
-      - "Nightly GNU Build"
-      - "Runner Hygiene"
+    # The registry filters this broad subscription; names are not duplicated here.
+    workflows: ["*"]
    types: [completed]

 permissions:
@@ -37,11 +26,13 @@ permissions:
 jobs:
  alert-on-incomplete-run:
    name: Alert on incomplete scheduled run
+    # The registry still owns responsibility and cadence selection. Successful
+    # and PR runs can never produce an incomplete scheduled-run alert.
    if: >-
      github.repository == 'rustfs/rustfs' &&
-      github.event.workflow_run.event == 'schedule' &&
      github.event.workflow_run.conclusion != 'success' &&
-      github.event.workflow_run.conclusion != 'failure'
+      (github.event.workflow_run.event == 'schedule' ||
+       github.event.workflow_run.event == 'workflow_run')
    # Stay on GitHub-hosted runners: this monitor must keep running when the
    # self-hosted sm-standard-* pool is down, which is exactly when the
    # scheduled validations it watches stall.
@@ -55,7 +46,11 @@ jobs:
      - uses: actions/checkout@f548e57e544e1ff5a4c46bf1e1b8685f8e4a348a # v7
        with:
          persist-credentials: false
+      - name: Select expected completion from registry
+        id: registry
+        run: python3 scripts/validation_registry.py watchdog
      - name: Open or update incomplete-run issue
+        if: steps.registry.outputs.selected == 'true'
        uses: ./.github/actions/schedule-failure-issue
        with:
          github-token: ${{ secrets.BACKLOG_ISSUE_TOKEN }}
@@ -107,6 +107,32 @@ jobs:
        shell: pwsh
        run: cargo test -p rustfs-ecstore --lib multipart_owned_record_parent_barriers_ -- --nocapture

+      # Native multipart completion publishes its payload from a different
+      # parent than its metadata, and abort renames under a precondition; both
+      # need their own Windows handle discipline.
+      - name: Test native multipart complete and abort publication
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: >-
+          cargo test -p rustfs-ecstore --lib --
+          native_abort_missing_state_with_actual_owned_records_never_becomes_legacy_or_missing
+          native_abort_pending_intent_is_not_a_delete_certificate_and_raw_cleanup_preserves_exact_evidence
+          --nocapture
+
+      # Owned-undo reclaim removes a directory it pinned, copy heal persists
+      # fault bytes through a handle, and metadata reads meet a directory.
+      - name: Test native multipart reclaim, copy heal, and directory reads
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: >-
+          cargo test -p rustfs-ecstore --lib --
+          native_multipart_owned_undo
+          native_multipart_copy_heal
+          orphan_multipart_cleanup_rejects_metadata_directory_on_one_disk
+          --nocapture
+
+      - name: Test directory removal fallback
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: "cargo test -p rustfs-ecstore --lib disk::fs::tests::test_remove -- --nocapture"
+
      - name: Test Windows path conversion
        shell: pwsh
        run: "cargo test -p rustfs-utils --no-default-features --features path --lib dunce:: -- --nocapture"
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 - IAM snapshot/deletion replay, target-assigned delete-marker purges, timestamp ordering, and best-effort peer broadcast now close the control-plane gaps found by the R6 review ([#7195](https://github.com/rustfs/rustfs/pull/7195)).
 - A `set-remote-target?update=true&creds=true` request on a site-replication peer's bucket target is now rejected with `400 InvalidRequest`, naming the target and why it counts as peer-owned. It used to return success while keeping the stored endpoint, credentials, and TLS settings, so an endpoint edit from the Console's bucket replication form appeared to apply but did not. Change a peer's address with a site-replication edit instead; see "Changing a site's address" in `docs/operations/site-replication-operations.md`. The `sync`, `bandwidth`, `proxy`, and `path` update groups are unchanged.
 - Site-replication edits that omit the site name, such as `mc admin replicate update --deployment-id <ID> --endpoint <URL>`, now keep the stored name on the editing site and on every receiver instead of renaming the site after the new endpoint host. No persisted format changes.
+- The persisted replication MRF journal is now replayed every 5 minutes while the server runs, not only at startup. Delete-marker purges whose targets were unreachable, and replications that overflowed the worker queues, now converge within one replay interval after the target returns instead of waiting for a restart. A target that stays down is re-attempted once per retained entry per interval across the cluster: the start time of the last pass is shared through a small `config/replication/mrf.bin.replay` object, so nodes do not each replay once per interval. Older versions ignore that object; existing persisted formats are unchanged.
 - Upgrade and rollback: upgrade every node in one site consecutively and verify reconciliation before moving to the next site; do not intentionally run a site mixed-version. Target-version ledger keys are harmless on rollback, although old code cannot use their routing. Before rolling back past [#7307](https://github.com/rustfs/rustfs/pull/7307), drain or repair every pending version purge: older code can free a retained version's data directory before its remote purge is acknowledged. See `docs/operations/site-replication-operations.md`.

 ### Security
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ edition = "2024"
 license = "Apache-2.0"
 repository = "https://github.com/rustfs/rustfs"
 rust-version = "1.99.0"
-version = "1.0.2"
+version = "1.0.5"
 homepage = "https://rustfs.com"
 description = "RustFS is a high-performance distributed object storage software built using Rust, one of the most popular languages worldwide. "
 keywords = ["RustFS", "Minio", "object-storage", "filesystem", "s3"]
@@ -92,56 +92,56 @@ redundant_clone = "warn"

 [workspace.dependencies]
 # RustFS Internal Crates
-rustfs = { path = "./rustfs", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-heal = { path = "crates/heal", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-heal-contracts = { path = "crates/heal-contracts", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-scanner-metrics = { path = "crates/scanner-metrics", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-audit = { path = "crates/audit", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-checksums = { path = "crates/checksums", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-common = { path = "crates/common", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-data-usage = { path = "crates/data-usage", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-config = { path = "./crates/config", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-concurrency = { path = "./crates/concurrency", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-credentials = { path = "crates/credentials", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-crypto = { path = "crates/crypto", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-ecstore = { path = "crates/ecstore", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-filemeta = { path = "crates/filemeta", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-iam = { path = "crates/iam", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-keystone = { path = "crates/keystone", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-license = { path = "crates/license", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-lifecycle = { path = "crates/lifecycle", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-kms = { path = "crates/kms", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-lock = { path = "crates/lock", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-madmin = { path = "crates/madmin", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-notify = { path = "crates/notify", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-io-metrics = { path = "crates/io-metrics", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-io-core = { path = "crates/io-core", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-object-capacity = { path = "crates/object-capacity", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-object-data-cache = { path = "crates/object-data-cache", version = "1.0.2", default-features = false }
-rustfs-log-analyzer = { path = "crates/log-analyzer", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-obs = { path = "crates/obs", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-policy = { path = "crates/policy", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-protos = { path = "crates/protos", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-protocols = { path = "crates/protocols", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-replication = { path = "crates/replication", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-rio = { path = "crates/rio", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-rio-v2 = { path = "crates/rio-v2", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-s3-client = { path = "crates/s3-client", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-s3-types = { path = "crates/s3-types", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-s3-ops = { path = "crates/s3-ops", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-s3select-api = { path = "crates/s3select-api", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-s3select-query = { path = "crates/s3select-query", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-scanner = { path = "crates/scanner", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-security-governance = { path = "crates/security-governance", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-extension-schema = { path = "crates/extension-schema", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-signer = { path = "crates/signer", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-storage-api = { path = "crates/storage-api", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-trusted-proxies = { path = "crates/trusted-proxies", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-targets = { path = "crates/targets", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-test-utils = { path = "crates/test-utils", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-tls-runtime = { path = "crates/tls-runtime", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-utils = { path = "crates/utils", version = "1.0.2" }
-rustfs-zip = { path = "./crates/zip", version = "1.0.2" }
+rustfs = { path = "./rustfs", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-heal = { path = "crates/heal", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-heal-contracts = { path = "crates/heal-contracts", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-scanner-metrics = { path = "crates/scanner-metrics", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-audit = { path = "crates/audit", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-checksums = { path = "crates/checksums", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-common = { path = "crates/common", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-data-usage = { path = "crates/data-usage", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-config = { path = "./crates/config", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-concurrency = { path = "./crates/concurrency", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-credentials = { path = "crates/credentials", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-crypto = { path = "crates/crypto", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-ecstore = { path = "crates/ecstore", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-filemeta = { path = "crates/filemeta", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-iam = { path = "crates/iam", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-keystone = { path = "crates/keystone", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-license = { path = "crates/license", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-lifecycle = { path = "crates/lifecycle", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-kms = { path = "crates/kms", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-lock = { path = "crates/lock", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-madmin = { path = "crates/madmin", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-notify = { path = "crates/notify", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-io-metrics = { path = "crates/io-metrics", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-io-core = { path = "crates/io-core", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-object-capacity = { path = "crates/object-capacity", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-object-data-cache = { path = "crates/object-data-cache", version = "1.0.5", default-features = false }
+rustfs-log-analyzer = { path = "crates/log-analyzer", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-obs = { path = "crates/obs", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-policy = { path = "crates/policy", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-protos = { path = "crates/protos", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-protocols = { path = "crates/protocols", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-replication = { path = "crates/replication", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-rio = { path = "crates/rio", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-rio-v2 = { path = "crates/rio-v2", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-s3-client = { path = "crates/s3-client", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-s3-types = { path = "crates/s3-types", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-s3-ops = { path = "crates/s3-ops", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-s3select-api = { path = "crates/s3select-api", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-s3select-query = { path = "crates/s3select-query", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-scanner = { path = "crates/scanner", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-security-governance = { path = "crates/security-governance", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-extension-schema = { path = "crates/extension-schema", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-signer = { path = "crates/signer", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-storage-api = { path = "crates/storage-api", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-trusted-proxies = { path = "crates/trusted-proxies", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-targets = { path = "crates/targets", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-test-utils = { path = "crates/test-utils", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-tls-runtime = { path = "crates/tls-runtime", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-utils = { path = "crates/utils", version = "1.0.5" }
+rustfs-zip = { path = "./crates/zip", version = "1.0.5" }

 # The gateway's S3 types: the DTOs and persisted bucket-configuration codecs the
 # engine crates move onto from s3s (rustfs/backlog#2745). The one pin of the
@@ -154,9 +154,9 @@ rustfs-gateway-stream = { git = "https://github.com/rustfs/gateway.git", rev = "
 async-channel = "2.5.0"
 async_zip = { default-features = false, version = "0.0.19" }
 mysql_async = { default-features = false, version = "0.37.1" }
-async-compression = { version = "0.4.51" }
+async-compression = { version = "0.4.52" }
 async-trait = "0.1.92"
-async-nats = { version = "0.51.0", default-features = false }
+async-nats = { version = "0.52.0", default-features = false }
 axum = "0.8.9"
 futures = "0.3.34"
 futures-core = "0.3.34"
@@ -175,16 +175,16 @@ http-body-util = "0.1.5"
 memchr = "2.8.3"
 minlz = "1.2.3"
 reqwest = "0.13.5"
-rustfs-kafka-async = { version = "1.4.0" }
+rustfs-kafka-async = { version = "1.4.1" }
 socket2 = { version = "0.6.5" }
 tokio = { version = "1.54.1" }
 tokio-rustls = { default-features = false, version = "0.26.6" }
 tokio-stream = { version = "0.1.19" }
 tokio-test = "0.4.6"
 tokio-util = { version = "0.7.20" }
-tonic = { version = "0.14.8" }
-tonic-prost = { version = "0.14.8" }
-tonic-prost-build = { version = "0.14.8" }
+tonic = { version = "0.14.9" }
+tonic-prost = { version = "0.14.9" }
+tonic-prost-build = { version = "0.14.9" }
 tower = { version = "0.5.3" }
 tower-http = { version = "0.7.1" }
 h3 = "0.0.8"
@@ -198,6 +198,7 @@ quinn = { version = "0.11.12", default-features = false, features = [
 # Serialization and Data Formats
 apache-avro = { version = "0.22.0", features = ["snappy", "zstandard"] }
 bytes = { version = "1.12.1" }
+csv-core = "0.1.13"
 bytesize = "2.7.0"
 byteorder = "1.5.0"
 flatbuffers = "25.12.19"
@@ -219,12 +220,13 @@ serde_urlencoded = "0.7.1"
 # releases.
 aes-gcm = { version = "0.11.1" }
 argon2 = { version = "0.6.0" }
+aws-lc-rs = { version = "1.19.0", default-features = false }
 blake2 = "0.11.0"
 chacha20poly1305 = { version = "0.11.0" }
 crc-fast = "1.10.0"
 hmac = { version = "0.13.0" }
 jsonwebtoken = { version = "11.1.0" }
-openidconnect = { default-features = false, version = "4.0" }
+openidconnect = { default-features = false, version = "4.1.0" }
 pbkdf2 = "0.13.0"
 p256 = { version = "0.14.0", features = ["ecdsa", "pkcs8"] }
 rsa = { version = "=0.10.0-rc.18" }
@@ -241,7 +243,7 @@ proptest = "1"
 # Time and Date
 chrono = { version = "0.4.45" }
 humantime = "2.4.0"
-jiff = { version = "0.2.38" }
+jiff = { version = "0.2.39" }
 time = { version = "0.3.55" }

 # Database
@@ -254,15 +256,15 @@ anyhow = "1.0.104"
 arc-swap = "1.9.3"
 rustfs-tokio-tar = { version = "0.7.1" }
 # Candidate Snowball parser versions exercised by rustfs-zip compatibility fixtures.
-tar-codec = "0.0.15"
-tar-framing = "0.0.15"
+tar-codec = "0.0.16"
+tar-framing = "0.0.16"
 atoi = "3.1.1"
 atomic_enum = "0.3.0"
 aws-config = { version = "1.13.0" }
 aws-credential-types = { version = "1.3.1" }
-aws-sdk-kms = { default-features = false, version = "1.128.0" }
-aws-sdk-s3 = { default-features = false, version = "1.156.0" }
-aws-sdk-sts = { default-features = false, version = "1.123.0" }
+aws-sdk-kms = { default-features = false, version = "1.129.0" }
+aws-sdk-s3 = { default-features = false, version = "1.157.0" }
+aws-sdk-sts = { default-features = false, version = "1.124.0" }
 aws-smithy-async = { version = "1.3.1" }
 aws-smithy-http-client = { default-features = false, version = "1.5.2" }
 aws-smithy-runtime-api = { version = "1.19.2" }
@@ -301,6 +303,7 @@ local-ip-address = "0.6.13"
 log = "0.4"
 memmap2 = "0.9.12"
 lz4 = "1.28.1"
+lz4_flex = { version = "=0.14.0", default-features = false, features = ["std", "frame"] }
 matchit = "0.9.2"
 md-5 = "0.11.0"
 mime_guess = "2.0.5"
@@ -326,7 +329,7 @@ rustfs-erasure-codec = { version = "9.0.0" }
 reed-solomon-simd = "3.1.0"
 regex = { version = "1.13.1" }
 rumqttc = { package = "rumqttc-next", version = "0.34.0" }
-redis = { version = "1.8.0" }
+redis = { version = "1.8.1" }
 rustify = { version = "0.7", default-features = false }
 rustix = { version = "1.1.6" }
 rust-embed = { version = "8.13.0" }
@@ -346,10 +349,10 @@ snap = "1.1.2"
 starshard = { version = "2.4.0" }
 strum = { version = "0.28.0" }
 sync_wrapper = "1.0.2"
-sysinfo = "0.40.0"
+sysinfo = "0.40.1"
 temp-env = "0.3.6"
 tempfile = "3.27.0"
-test-case = "3.4.0"
+test-case = "3.4.1"
 thiserror = "2.0.21"
 tracing = { version = "0.1.44" }
 tracing-appender = "0.2.5"
@@ -368,13 +371,13 @@ winapi-util = "0.1.11"
 windows = { version = "0.62.2" }
 windows-sys = "0.61.2"
 xxhash-rust = { version = "0.8.19" }
-zip = "9.1.3"
+zip = "9.3.0"
 zstd = "0.14.3"

 # Observability and Metrics
 metrics = "0.24.6"
 metrics-util = "0.20"
-dial9 = { version = "0.5.6", default-features = false }
+dial9 = { version = "0.5.7", default-features = false }
 opentelemetry = { version = "0.33.1" }
 opentelemetry-appender-tracing = { version = "0.33.1" }
 opentelemetry-otlp = { version = "0.33.1" }
@@ -389,16 +392,16 @@ libunftp = { version = "0.24.0" }
 unftp-core = "0.1.0"
 suppaftp = { version = "12.2.1" }
 rcgen = { version = "0.14.10", default-features = false, features = ["aws_lc_rs", "crypto", "pem"] }
-russh = { version = "0.65.0" }
+russh = { version = "0.65.1" }
 russh-sftp = "3.0.1"

 # WebDAV
 dav-server = "0.11.0"

 # Performance Analysis and Memory Profiling
-rustfs-mimalloc = { version = "0.7.2" }
+rustfs-mimalloc = { version = "0.7.3" }
 # Preserve Unicode focus filters until rustfs/backlog#2302 is resolved.
-hotpath = { version = "0.30.1", default-features = false }
+hotpath = { version = "0.31.1", default-features = false }
 # Snapshot testing for output format regression detection
 insta = { version = "1.49" }

@@ -439,7 +442,3 @@ strip = "none"
 # Pin upstream fixes until compatible crates.io releases are available.
 [patch.crates-io]
 zstd = { path = "crates/zstd-compat" }
-# Preserve RustFS OIDC flows while migrating the old elliptic-curve dependency chain.
-# Upstream: openidconnect-rs#244 and oauth2-rs#352.
-openidconnect = { git = "https://github.com/ramosbugs/openidconnect-rs", rev = "2f77ee73bc4554e1cb6279adb386005429fb4e41" }
-oauth2 = { git = "https://github.com/ramosbugs/oauth2-rs", rev = "89585f4a280afd7b285eaf1c9be0068874e03d22" }
@@ -12,10 +12,13 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.

-FROM alpine:3.24.2 AS build
+ARG BINARY_SOURCE=download
+
+FROM alpine:3.24.2 AS download

 ARG TARGETARCH
 ARG RELEASE=latest
+ARG RC_RELEASE=latest

 RUN apk add --no-cache ca-certificates curl jq unzip
 WORKDIR /build
@@ -69,6 +72,17 @@ RUN set -eux; \
    chmod +x /build/rustfs; \
    rm -rf rustfs.zip /build/.tmp || true

+COPY scripts/download_rc.sh /usr/local/bin/download_rc.sh
+RUN sh /usr/local/bin/download_rc.sh "$TARGETARCH" musl "$RC_RELEASE" /build/rc
+
+
+# Candidate packaging supplies the accepted executables from verified archives.
+# The default download stage remains available for local image builds.
+FROM scratch AS supplied
+ARG TARGETARCH
+COPY .release-inputs/${TARGETARCH}/ /build/
+
+FROM ${BINARY_SOURCE} AS build

 FROM alpine:3.24.2

@@ -95,14 +109,17 @@ RUN apk upgrade --no-cache && \
    ca-certificates \
    coreutils \
    curl \
+    jq \
    tzdata \
    && test "$(TZ=Asia/Kolkata date +%z)" = "+0530"

-COPY --from=build /etc/ssl/certs/ca-certificates.crt /etc/ssl/certs/
 COPY --from=build /build/rustfs /usr/bin/rustfs
-COPY entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh
+COPY --from=build /build/rc /usr/bin/rc
+COPY entrypoint.sh /etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh
+COPY bootstrap/ /etc/rustfs/bootstrap/

-RUN chmod +x /usr/bin/rustfs /entrypoint.sh
+RUN chmod +x /usr/bin/rustfs /usr/bin/rc /etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh && \
+    ln -s /etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh

 RUN addgroup -g 10001 -S rustfs && \
    adduser -u 10001 -G rustfs -S rustfs -D && \
@@ -124,6 +141,6 @@ VOLUME ["/data"]

 USER rustfs

-ENTRYPOINT ["/entrypoint.sh"]
+ENTRYPOINT ["/etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh"]

 CMD ["rustfs"]
@@ -12,7 +12,10 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.

-FROM rust:1.97.1-trixie
+FROM rust:1.99.1-trixie
+
+ARG TARGETARCH
+ARG RC_RELEASE=latest

 RUN set -eux; \
    export DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive; \
@@ -21,6 +24,7 @@ RUN set -eux; \
    build-essential \
    ca-certificates \
    curl \
+    jq \
    git \
    pkg-config \
    libssl-dev \
@@ -36,6 +40,7 @@ COPY . .
 RUN ./scripts/static.sh
 RUN cargo run --bin gproto
 RUN cargo build --release --locked --bin rustfs
+RUN sh /usr/src/rustfs/scripts/download_rc.sh "$TARGETARCH" musl "$RC_RELEASE" /usr/local/bin/rc

 RUN set -eux; \
    groupadd -g 10001 rustfs; \
@@ -50,8 +55,12 @@ RUN set -eux; \
    chown -R rustfs:rustfs /data /logs /app; \
    chmod 0750 /data /logs

-COPY entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh
-RUN install -m 0755 /usr/src/rustfs/target/release/rustfs /usr/bin/rustfs && chmod +x /entrypoint.sh
+COPY entrypoint.sh /etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh
+COPY bootstrap/ /etc/rustfs/bootstrap/
+RUN install -m 0755 /usr/src/rustfs/target/release/rustfs /usr/bin/rustfs && \
+    install -m 0755 /usr/local/bin/rc /usr/bin/rc && \
+    chmod +x /etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh && \
+    ln -s /etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh

 ENV RUSTFS_VOLUMES="/data" \
    RUST_LOG="warn" \
@@ -63,5 +72,5 @@ ENV RUSTFS_VOLUMES="/data" \

 EXPOSE 9000 9001

-ENTRYPOINT ["/entrypoint.sh"]
+ENTRYPOINT ["/etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh"]
 CMD ["/usr/bin/rustfs"]
@@ -12,10 +12,13 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.

-FROM ubuntu:26.04 AS build
+ARG BINARY_SOURCE=download
+
+FROM ubuntu:26.04 AS download

 ARG TARGETARCH
 ARG RELEASE=latest
+ARG RC_RELEASE=latest

 RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
    ca-certificates \
@@ -76,6 +79,17 @@ RUN set -eux; \
    chmod +x /build/rustfs; \
    rm -rf rustfs.zip /build/.tmp || true

+COPY scripts/download_rc.sh /usr/local/bin/download_rc.sh
+RUN sh /usr/local/bin/download_rc.sh "$TARGETARCH" gnu "$RC_RELEASE" /build/rc
+
+# Candidate packaging supplies the accepted executables from verified archives.
+# The default download stage remains available for local image builds.
+FROM scratch AS supplied
+ARG TARGETARCH
+COPY .release-inputs/${TARGETARCH}/ /build/
+
+FROM ${BINARY_SOURCE} AS build
+
 FROM ubuntu:26.04

 ARG RELEASE=latest
@@ -99,14 +113,18 @@ RUN apt-get update && apt-get upgrade -y \
    && DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
    ca-certificates \
    curl \
+    jq \
    tzdata \
    && test "$(TZ=Asia/Kolkata date +%z)" = "+0530" \
    && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*

 COPY --from=build /build/rustfs /usr/bin/rustfs
-COPY entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh
+COPY --from=build /build/rc /usr/bin/rc
+COPY entrypoint.sh /etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh
+COPY bootstrap/ /etc/rustfs/bootstrap/

-RUN chmod +x /usr/bin/rustfs /entrypoint.sh
+RUN chmod +x /usr/bin/rustfs /usr/bin/rc /etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh && \
+    ln -s /etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh

 RUN groupadd -g 10001 rustfs && \
    useradd -u 10001 -g rustfs -m -s /sbin/nologin rustfs && \
@@ -131,6 +149,6 @@ VOLUME ["/data"]

 USER rustfs

-ENTRYPOINT ["/entrypoint.sh"]
+ENTRYPOINT ["/etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh"]

 CMD ["rustfs"]
@@ -28,17 +28,19 @@ ARG TARGETPLATFORM
 ARG BUILDPLATFORM
 ARG TARGETARCH
 ARG RUSTFS_BUILD_FEATURES=""
+ARG RC_RELEASE=latest

 # -----------------------------
 # Build stage
 # -----------------------------
-FROM rust:1.97.1-trixie AS builder
+FROM rust:1.99.1-trixie AS builder

 # Re-declare args after FROM
 ARG TARGETPLATFORM
 ARG BUILDPLATFORM
 ARG TARGETARCH
 ARG RUSTFS_BUILD_FEATURES
+ARG RC_RELEASE

 # Debug: print platforms
 RUN echo "Build info -> BUILDPLATFORM=${BUILDPLATFORM}, TARGETPLATFORM=${TARGETPLATFORM}"
@@ -52,6 +54,7 @@ RUN set -eux; \
    build-essential \
    ca-certificates \
    curl \
+    jq \
    git \
    pkg-config \
    libssl-dev \
@@ -166,6 +169,8 @@ RUN --mount=type=cache,target=/usr/local/cargo/registry \
    ;; \
    esac

+RUN sh /usr/src/rustfs/scripts/download_rc.sh "$TARGETARCH" musl "$RC_RELEASE" /usr/local/bin/rc
+
 # -----------------------------
 # Development stage (keeps toolchain)
 # -----------------------------
@@ -199,10 +204,13 @@ ENV RUSTFS_VOLUMES="/data" \
 # We rely on cargo run to build and run
 EXPOSE 9000 9001

-COPY entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh
-RUN chmod +x /entrypoint.sh
+COPY entrypoint.sh /etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh
+COPY bootstrap/ /etc/rustfs/bootstrap/
+RUN install -m 0755 /usr/local/bin/rc /usr/bin/rc && \
+    chmod +x /etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh && \
+    ln -s /etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh

-ENTRYPOINT ["/entrypoint.sh"]
+ENTRYPOINT ["/etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh"]
 CMD ["cargo", "run", "--bin", "rustfs", "--"]

 # -----------------------------
@@ -227,6 +235,7 @@ RUN set -eux; \
    apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
    ca-certificates \
    curl \
+    jq \
    tzdata \
    coreutils; \
    rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
@@ -248,8 +257,11 @@ RUN set -eux; \

 # Copy the freshly built binary and the entrypoint
 COPY --from=builder /usr/local/bin/rustfs /usr/bin/rustfs
-COPY entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh
-RUN chmod +x /usr/bin/rustfs /entrypoint.sh
+COPY --from=builder /usr/local/bin/rc /usr/bin/rc
+COPY entrypoint.sh /etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh
+COPY bootstrap/ /etc/rustfs/bootstrap/
+RUN chmod +x /usr/bin/rustfs /usr/bin/rc /etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh && \
+    ln -s /etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh

 # Default environment (override in docker run/compose as needed)
 ENV RUSTFS_VOLUMES="/data" \
@@ -263,5 +275,5 @@ EXPOSE 9000
 VOLUME ["/data"]

 # Keep root here; entrypoint will drop privileges using chroot --userspec
-ENTRYPOINT ["/entrypoint.sh"]
+ENTRYPOINT ["/etc/rustfs/entrypoint.sh"]
 CMD ["/usr/bin/rustfs"]
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ chown -R 10001:10001 data logs
 docker run -d -p 9000:9000 -p 9001:9001 -v $(pwd)/data:/data -v $(pwd)/logs:/logs rustfs/rustfs:latest

 # Using specific version
-docker run -d -p 9000:9000 -p 9001:9001 -v $(pwd)/data:/data -v $(pwd)/logs:/logs rustfs/rustfs:1.0.4
+docker run -d -p 9000:9000 -p 9001:9001 -v $(pwd)/data:/data -v $(pwd)/logs:/logs rustfs/rustfs:1.0.5
 ```

 If you use [podman](https://github.com/containers/podman) instead of docker, you can install the RustFS with the below command
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ For developers who want to build RustFS Docker images from source with multi-arc
 ./docker-buildx.sh --push

 # Build specific version
-./docker-buildx.sh --release 1.0.4 --push
+./docker-buildx.sh --release 1.0.5 --push

 # Build for custom registry
 ./docker-buildx.sh --registry your-registry.com --namespace yourname --push
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ You can also use Make targets for convenience:
 ```bash
 make docker-buildx                    # Build locally
 make docker-buildx-push               # Build and push
-make docker-buildx-version VERSION=1.0.4  # Build specific version
+make docker-buildx-version VERSION=1.0.5  # Build specific version
 make help-docker                      # Show all Docker-related commands
 ```

@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ chown -R 10001:10001 data logs
 docker run -d -p 9000:9000 -p 9001:9001 -v $(pwd)/data:/data -v $(pwd)/logs:/logs rustfs/rustfs:latest

 # 使用指定版本运行
-docker run -d -p 9000:9000 -p 9001:9001 -v $(pwd)/data:/data -v $(pwd)/logs:/logs rustfs/rustfs:1.0.4
+docker run -d -p 9000:9000 -p 9001:9001 -v $(pwd)/data:/data -v $(pwd)/logs:/logs rustfs/rustfs:1.0.5
 ```

 如果您通过绑定挂载启用 TLS 证书目录，也请用同样方式准备该目录：
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ docker compose -f docker-compose-simple.yml up -d
 ./docker-buildx.sh --push

 # 构建指定版本
-./docker-buildx.sh --release 1.0.4 --push
+./docker-buildx.sh --release 1.0.5 --push

 # 构建并推送到自定义仓库
 ./docker-buildx.sh --registry your-registry.com --namespace yourname --push
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ docker compose -f docker-compose-simple.yml up -d
 ```bash
 make docker-buildx                    # 本地构建
 make docker-buildx-push               # 构建并推送
-make docker-buildx-version VERSION=1.0.4  # 构建指定版本
+make docker-buildx-version VERSION=1.0.5  # 构建指定版本
 make help-docker                      # 显示所有 Docker 相关命令
 ```

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# RustFS image bootstrap
+
+The official image bundles this directory at `/etc/rustfs/bootstrap`. The default `buckets.json` is an empty JSON array, so the image starts RustFS directly and does not require a bootstrap endpoint or bootstrap credentials.
+
+To create buckets, replace `buckets.json` in a derived image with a JSON array of bucket names. The entrypoint creates each bucket if it does not exist and applies `public-access-block.json`, whose default blocks all four public access paths. Edit that file in the derived image only when public access is an explicit requirement.
+
+Optional per-bucket files use the bucket name as the filename without an extension:
+
+| Directory | File format | Applied operation |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `policies/` | S3 bucket policy JSON | `rc bucket anonymous set-json` |
+| `versioning/` | JSON boolean (`true` or `false`) | Enable or suspend bucket versioning |
+| `lifecycle/` | `rc bucket lifecycle rule import` JSON | Replace lifecycle rules |
+| `cors/` | JSON or XML accepted by `rc bucket cors set` | Replace CORS rules |
+| `notifications/` | JSON array of `{ "arn": "...", "events": ["..."] }` | Add or replace event rules by ARN (prefix/suffix filters are not currently accepted) |
+
+Every per-bucket file must correspond to a bucket listed in `buckets.json`. Applying these files is repeatable: bucket creation ignores existing buckets, while each configuration operation replaces or reconciles that bucket's requested state.
+
+When `buckets.json` is non-empty, set `RUSTFS_BOOTSTRAP_ENDPOINT` to the RustFS S3 endpoint reachable from the container, for example `http://rustfs:9000` for a Compose service or the internal service DNS name in Kubernetes. The entrypoint waits on that endpoint's `/health/ready`; it never assumes `localhost`. `RUSTFS_BOOTSTRAP_TIMEOUT` controls the readiness wait in seconds (default `120`, maximum `3600`). `RUSTFS_BOOTSTRAP_DIR` can point to a different in-image configuration directory; it defaults to `/etc/rustfs/bootstrap`. Set `RUSTFS_ACCESS_KEY` and `RUSTFS_SECRET_KEY`, or their `_FILE` variants, for bootstrap authentication. The endpoint and credentials are read at runtime and are not baked into the image.
+
+RustFS built-in IAM policies remain unchanged; the default bootstrap installs no custom bucket policies, lifecycle rules, versioning, CORS rules, or notification rules. The bundled RustFS CLI is resolved from a published release and its release checksum is verified. Set the Docker build argument `RC_RELEASE` to a version to pin it. Build the RustFS image after a CLI release containing the `bucket public-access-block` commands is available. For Kubernetes, the configured service must route traffic to the starting pod before its readiness probe succeeds (for example, with `publishNotReadyAddresses: true`); otherwise the service endpoint cannot reach the pod while the entrypoint waits for readiness.
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+[]
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+  "block_public_acls": true,
+  "ignore_public_acls": true,
+  "block_public_policy": true,
+  "restrict_public_buckets": true
+}
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+
@@ -902,4 +902,104 @@ mod tests {
        assert_eq!(raw.len(), 8);
        assert_eq!(&raw[..], reference.digest().to_be_bytes().as_slice());
    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn checksums_streaming_chunks_and_header_encoding_match_oneshot_across_unaligned_boundaries() {
+        use crate::http::HttpChecksum;
+
+        let all = [
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Crc32,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Crc32c,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Crc64Nvme,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Sha1,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Sha256,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Sha512,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Xxhash3,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Xxhash64,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Xxhash128,
+        ];
+
+        for &payload_len in &[0usize, 1, 31, 33, 1024, 4096 + 37, 64 * 1024 + 19] {
+            let payload: Vec<u8> = (0..payload_len).map(|i| ((i * 19 + 5) % 253) as u8).collect();
+            for algorithm in all {
+                let mut one_shot = algorithm.into_impl();
+                one_shot.update(&payload);
+                let expected_raw = one_shot.finalize();
+                assert_eq!(expected_raw.len(), algorithm.raw_len());
+
+                let mut one_shot_hdr = algorithm.into_impl();
+                one_shot_hdr.update(&payload);
+                let expected_headers = one_shot_hdr.headers();
+
+                for &chunk_size in &[1usize, 31, 1021, 4096] {
+                    if payload_len > 4096 && chunk_size == 1 {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    let mut streaming: Box<dyn HttpChecksum> = algorithm.into_impl();
+                    for chunk in payload.chunks(chunk_size) {
+                        streaming.update(chunk);
+                    }
+                    let actual_headers = streaming.headers();
+                    assert_eq!(
+                        actual_headers.get(algorithm.http_header_name()),
+                        expected_headers.get(algorithm.http_header_name()),
+                        "{algorithm:?} streaming mismatch at payload_len={payload_len}, chunk_size={chunk_size}"
+                    );
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    #[ignore = "utility throughput microbenchmark; run via cargo test -p rustfs-checksums --lib --release -- --ignored --nocapture"]
+    fn microbench_checksums_streaming_chunks_and_header_encoding() {
+        use crate::http::HttpChecksum;
+        use std::hint::black_box;
+        use std::time::Instant;
+
+        let all = [
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Crc32,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Crc32c,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Crc64Nvme,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Sha1,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Sha256,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Sha512,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Xxhash3,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Xxhash64,
+            ChecksumAlgorithm::Xxhash128,
+        ];
+
+        let payload: Vec<u8> = (0..(256 * 1024)).map(|i| ((i * 19 + 5) % 253) as u8).collect();
+        for &chunk_size in &[4 * 1024usize, 64 * 1024, 256 * 1024] {
+            for algorithm in all {
+                let mut one_shot = algorithm.into_impl();
+                one_shot.update(&payload);
+                let expected_headers = one_shot.headers();
+
+                let iters = 8usize;
+                let t0 = Instant::now();
+                let mut last_headers = http::HeaderMap::new();
+                for _ in 0..iters {
+                    let mut streaming: Box<dyn HttpChecksum> = algorithm.into_impl();
+                    for chunk in payload.chunks(chunk_size) {
+                        streaming.update(black_box(chunk));
+                    }
+                    last_headers = streaming.headers();
+                    black_box(&last_headers);
+                }
+                let elapsed = t0.elapsed();
+                assert_eq!(
+                    last_headers.get(algorithm.http_header_name()),
+                    expected_headers.get(algorithm.http_header_name()),
+                    "{algorithm:?} streaming chunk_size={chunk_size} header mismatch"
+                );
+                let total_mib = (payload.len() * iters) as f64 / (1024.0 * 1024.0);
+                let mibs = total_mib / elapsed.as_secs_f64().max(1e-9);
+                println!(
+                    "[microbench][checksums] algo={algorithm:?} chunk_size={chunk_size}B throughput={mibs:.1} MiB/s (size={}B)",
+                    algorithm.raw_len()
+                );
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@ use std::time::Duration;
 use tokio::sync::{Notify, Semaphore};
 use tokio::time::Instant;

+pub mod permit_set;
+
+const MAX_PERMIT_REFERENCES: usize = usize::MAX / 2;
+
 /// A resource owner publishes a capacity; running units retain their permits
 /// after a reduction. Lease slots are reserved once, with no per-unit Arc
 /// allocation. Tokio wait queues may lazily initialize platform mutex storage
@@ -36,6 +40,7 @@ pub struct AdaptiveAdmission {
    maximum: u32,
    slots: Box<[PermitSlots]>,
    next_chunk: AtomicUsize,
+    completed: AtomicU64,
 }

 struct PermitSlots {
@@ -61,10 +66,12 @@ pub struct AdaptivePermit {

 impl Clone for AdaptivePermit {
    fn clone(&self) -> Self {
-        // Every slot reference owns a strong owner reference. Clone the Arc
-        // first, so its overflow protection also bounds the slot refcount.
+        // Subset carriers can retain slot references through a shared owner,
+        // so the slot count needs its own bound in addition to Arc's guard.
        let owner = Arc::clone(&self.owner);
-        owner.slots[self.slot / 64].references[self.slot % 64].fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        if owner.slots[self.slot / 64].references[self.slot % 64].fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed) >= MAX_PERMIT_REFERENCES {
+            std::process::abort();
+        }
        Self { owner, slot: self.slot }
    }
 }
@@ -114,11 +121,22 @@ impl NodeAdmission {

    /// Publish feedback with this owner's actual completed-work counter.
    pub fn update(&self, controller: &mut FeedbackController, observation: Option<FeedbackObservation>) -> FeedbackDecision {
+        self.update_with_probe(controller, observation, true)
+    }
+
+    /// Coordinate growth with other resource controllers in the same window.
+    /// Protective reductions never depend on permission to probe.
+    pub fn update_with_probe(
+        &self,
+        controller: &mut FeedbackController,
+        observation: Option<FeedbackObservation>,
+        allow_probe: bool,
+    ) -> FeedbackDecision {
        let observation = observation.map(|mut observation| {
            observation.completed_units = self.completed();
            observation
        });
-        controller.update(&self.capacity, observation)
+        controller.update_with_probe(&self.capacity, observation, allow_probe)
    }

    /// Current leased scheduling cap and held async units.
@@ -249,16 +267,31 @@ impl FeedbackController {
    /// Consume one sample and publish a three-second lease to the same gate.
    /// If this function stops being called, admission expires independently.
    pub fn update(&mut self, gate: &AdaptiveAdmission, observation: Option<FeedbackObservation>) -> FeedbackDecision {
+        self.update_with_probe(gate, observation, true)
+    }
+
+    /// Allow at most the sampling owner's selected controller to probe upward.
+    pub fn update_with_probe(
+        &mut self,
+        gate: &AdaptiveAdmission,
+        observation: Option<FeedbackObservation>,
+        allow_probe: bool,
+    ) -> FeedbackDecision {
        let observation = observation.map(|mut observation| {
            observation.max_concurrency = observation.max_concurrency.min(gate.maximum);
            observation
        });
-        let decision = self.decide(Instant::now(), observation);
+        let decision = self.decide_with_probe(Instant::now(), observation, allow_probe);
        gate.set_sampled_limit(decision.limit, Duration::from_secs(3));
        decision
    }

-    fn decide(&mut self, now: Instant, observation: Option<FeedbackObservation>) -> FeedbackDecision {
+    fn decide_with_probe(
+        &mut self,
+        now: Instant,
+        observation: Option<FeedbackObservation>,
+        allow_probe: bool,
+    ) -> FeedbackDecision {
        let Some(observation) = observation else {
            self.previous = None;
            self.stable_since = None;
@@ -303,7 +336,8 @@ impl FeedbackController {
            FeedbackReason::NewBaseline
        } else {
            let since = *self.stable_since.get_or_insert(now);
-            if advanced
+            if allow_probe
+                && advanced
                && now.saturating_duration_since(since) >= Duration::from_secs(8)
                && now.saturating_duration_since(self.last_change) >= Duration::from_secs(8)
                && self.limit < observation.max_concurrency
@@ -325,6 +359,13 @@ impl FeedbackController {
 }

 impl AdaptiveAdmission {
+    /// Successful async operations using this physical owner. Native clones
+    /// retain capacity but never count another completion.
+    pub fn completed(&self) -> Option<u64> {
+        let value = self.completed.load(Ordering::Acquire);
+        (value != u64::MAX).then_some(value)
+    }
+
    /// Construct a bounded owner, with zero initial capacity allowed for unknown
    /// input. The immutable maximum reserves at most 65,535 lease slots once;
    /// acquiring or cloning a permit does not allocate a per-unit Arc.
@@ -351,6 +392,7 @@ impl AdaptiveAdmission {
            maximum: maximum_u32,
            slots,
            next_chunk: AtomicUsize::new(0),
+            completed: AtomicU64::new(0),
        })
    }

@@ -466,6 +508,21 @@ impl AdaptiveAdmission {
        self.slots[slot / 64].free.fetch_or(1_u64 << (slot % 64), Ordering::Release);
    }

+    fn release_reference(&self, slot: usize) {
+        self.release_reference_with(slot, || {});
+    }
+
+    fn release_reference_with(&self, slot: usize, before_release: impl FnOnce()) {
+        if self.slots[slot / 64].references[slot % 64].fetch_sub(1, Ordering::AcqRel) != 1 {
+            return;
+        }
+        before_release();
+        // Publish the free slot before exposing another admission capacity.
+        self.release_slot(slot);
+        self.state.fetch_sub(1, Ordering::AcqRel);
+        self.changed.notify_one();
+    }
+
    /// Wait for capacity. The future owns no permit until it returns; dropping
    /// a pending future leaves capacity untouched. Wrap in the caller's existing
    /// cancellation/deadline select before acquiring any storage commit locks.
@@ -493,13 +550,7 @@ impl AdaptiveAdmission {

 impl Drop for AdaptivePermit {
    fn drop(&mut self) {
-        if self.owner.slots[self.slot / 64].references[self.slot % 64].fetch_sub(1, Ordering::AcqRel) != 1 {
-            return;
-        }
-        // Publish the free slot before exposing another admission capacity.
-        self.owner.release_slot(self.slot);
-        self.owner.state.fetch_sub(1, Ordering::AcqRel);
-        self.owner.changed.notify_one();
+        self.owner.release_reference(self.slot);
    }
 }

@@ -861,6 +912,24 @@ mod tests {
        }
    }

+    #[tokio::test(start_paused = true)]
+    async fn shared_probe_permission_blocks_growth_but_never_protective_cuts() {
+        let gate = AdaptiveAdmission::new(NonZeroU16::new(8).expect("bound"), 0);
+        let mut controller = FeedbackController::new();
+        controller.update_with_probe(&gate, Some(healthy(0)), false);
+        for completed in 1..=20 {
+            tokio::time::advance(Duration::from_secs(1)).await;
+            assert_eq!(controller.update_with_probe(&gate, Some(healthy(completed)), false).limit, 1);
+        }
+        tokio::time::advance(Duration::from_secs(1)).await;
+        assert_eq!(controller.update_with_probe(&gate, Some(healthy(21)), true).reason, FeedbackReason::Probe);
+        assert_eq!(gate.snapshot().limit, 2);
+        let mut busy = healthy(22);
+        busy.pressure = ResourcePressure::Busy;
+        assert_eq!(controller.update_with_probe(&gate, Some(busy), false).limit, 1);
+        assert_eq!(controller.update_with_probe(&gate, None, false).limit, 0);
+    }
+
    #[tokio::test(start_paused = true)]
    async fn controller_grows_one_unit_per_cooldown_and_cuts_pressure_immediately() {
        let gate = AdaptiveAdmission::new(NonZeroU16::new(8).expect("bounded test owner"), 0);
@@ -30,6 +30,16 @@ pub const COMMENT_KEY: &str = "comment";
 pub const ENV_AUDIT_ENABLE: &str = "RUSTFS_AUDIT_ENABLE";
 /// Global switch for enabling the notify module.
 pub const ENV_NOTIFY_ENABLE: &str = "RUSTFS_NOTIFY_ENABLE";
+/// Maximum audit entries per second for authorization denials of authenticated callers.
+/// `0` disables denial auditing for that class of caller.
+pub const ENV_AUDIT_DENIAL_RATE: &str = "RUSTFS_AUDIT_DENIAL_RATE";
+/// Maximum audit entries per second for authorization denials of anonymous callers.
+/// `0` disables denial auditing for that class of caller.
+pub const ENV_AUDIT_DENIAL_ANONYMOUS_RATE: &str = "RUSTFS_AUDIT_DENIAL_ANONYMOUS_RATE";
+/// Default denial audit rate for authenticated callers (entries per second).
+pub const DEFAULT_AUDIT_DENIAL_RATE: u64 = 50;
+/// Default denial audit rate for anonymous callers (entries per second).
+pub const DEFAULT_AUDIT_DENIAL_ANONYMOUS_RATE: u64 = 5;
 /// Default global audit switch (disabled by default).
 pub const DEFAULT_AUDIT_ENABLE: bool = false;
 /// Default global notify switch (disabled by default).
@@ -328,5 +338,7 @@ mod tests {
    fn test_global_audit_notify_switch_constants() {
        assert_eq!(ENV_AUDIT_ENABLE, "RUSTFS_AUDIT_ENABLE");
        assert_eq!(ENV_NOTIFY_ENABLE, "RUSTFS_NOTIFY_ENABLE");
+        assert_eq!(ENV_AUDIT_DENIAL_RATE, "RUSTFS_AUDIT_DENIAL_RATE");
+        assert_eq!(ENV_AUDIT_DENIAL_ANONYMOUS_RATE, "RUSTFS_AUDIT_DENIAL_ANONYMOUS_RATE");
    }
 }
@@ -184,15 +184,27 @@ const _: () = assert!(!DEFAULT_INTERNODE_RPC_REPLAY_SCOPE_STRICT);
 /// Capacity (distinct nonces) of the process-local internode RPC replay cache that enforces
 /// one-time consumption of authenticated RPC signatures.
 ///
-/// The cache retains each nonce for the ~10-minute signature freshness envelope. Once peers use
-/// replay-scoped v3 authentication, every authenticated RPC consumes one entry, so the steady
-/// state holds roughly `authenticated RPC RPS x 601s` entries. This default is the minimum floor:
-/// explicit operator values and resource-aware auto sizing both clamp upward to at least this
-/// value. Overflow fails closed — legitimate signed traffic is the only thing that can fill the
-/// cache (replays are rejected before insertion, and an attacker cannot mint valid nonces without
-/// the shared secret) — and increments
-/// `rustfs_system_network_internode_replay_cache_overflow_total`, so a sustained non-zero overflow
-/// counter means this capacity is undersized for the node's peak authenticated RPC rate.
+/// Nonces remain protected until their signed timestamp is outside the observed wall-clock
+/// validity window, including after clock rollback. Current-time signatures live about five
+/// minutes; the maximum accepted forward clock skew can extend that to ten minutes. A body-bound
+/// v3 request consumes both its v3 and compatibility-v2 nonces, so size for receiver nonce intake,
+/// not S3 request rate or CPU count.
+///
+/// Automatic admission budgets 13% of effective process memory for signed-time
+/// hash tables, allocator overhead and simultaneous old/new tables during growth.
+/// The reported count is an absolute UUID payload ceiling, not guaranteed throughput:
+/// actual byte admission can reject earlier depending on timestamp distribution.
+/// Tables grow with demand and are released together when their signed time expires.
+/// CPU count, a historical minimum, and a fixed 32M ceiling do not constrain this budget.
+/// If memory detection fails, the historical default remains a bounded count fallback.
+///
+/// Explicit values remain count ceilings with the historical minimum of 1,048,576
+/// for configuration compatibility, and bypass automatic byte admission. That
+/// compatibility floor does not apply to the automatically detected memory budget.
+/// Zero never disables replay protection.
+/// Overflow rejects the request without evicting a still-valid identity, increments
+/// `rustfs_system_network_internode_replay_cache_overflow_total`, and returns resource
+/// exhaustion rather than invalid credentials. Measure headroom before overriding.
 pub const ENV_INTERNODE_RPC_REPLAY_CACHE_CAPACITY: &str = "RUSTFS_INTERNODE_RPC_REPLAY_CACHE_CAPACITY";
 pub const DEFAULT_INTERNODE_RPC_REPLAY_CACHE_CAPACITY: usize = 1_048_576;

@@ -32,8 +32,9 @@ pub const ENV_OBJECT_MEDIUM_CONCURRENCY_THRESHOLD: &str = "RUSTFS_OBJECT_MEDIUM_

 /// Environment variable name for maximum concurrent disk reads for object operations.
 /// - Purpose: Limit the number of concurrent disk read operations for object reads to prevent I/O saturation.
-/// - Unit: request count (usize).
-/// - Semantics: Throttling disk reads helps maintain overall system responsiveness under load.
+/// - Unit: request count (usize) for GET; estimated drive fanout for native LIST.
+/// - Semantics: GET bodies and native LIST walks use separate per-instance budgets of this size.
+///   A LIST consumes up to one budget, including its disk-producer cleanup. `0` disables both caps.
 /// - Example: `export RUSTFS_OBJECT_MAX_CONCURRENT_DISK_READS=16`
 /// - Note: This setting may interact with OS-level I/O scheduling and should be tuned based on hardware capabilities.
 pub const ENV_OBJECT_MAX_CONCURRENT_DISK_READS: &str = "RUSTFS_OBJECT_MAX_CONCURRENT_DISK_READS";
@@ -30,10 +30,10 @@ pub const ENV_TRUSTED_PROXY_VALIDATION_MODE: &str = "RUSTFS_TRUSTED_PROXY_VALIDA
 /// Default validation mode is "hop_by_hop".
 pub const DEFAULT_TRUSTED_PROXY_VALIDATION_MODE: &str = "hop_by_hop";

-/// Environment variable to enable RFC 7239 "Forwarded" header support.
+/// Select RFC 7239 "Forwarded" instead of "X-Forwarded-For" in legacy mode.
 pub const ENV_TRUSTED_PROXY_ENABLE_RFC7239: &str = "RUSTFS_TRUSTED_PROXY_ENABLE_RFC7239";
-/// RFC 7239 support is enabled by default.
-pub const DEFAULT_TRUSTED_PROXY_ENABLE_RFC7239: bool = true;
+/// Legacy mode uses X-Forwarded-For unless RFC 7239 is explicitly selected.
+pub const DEFAULT_TRUSTED_PROXY_ENABLE_RFC7239: bool = false;

 /// Environment variable for the maximum allowed proxy hops.
 pub const ENV_TRUSTED_PROXY_MAX_HOPS: &str = "RUSTFS_TRUSTED_PROXY_MAX_HOPS";
@@ -146,3 +146,9 @@ pub const ENV_TARGET_STORE_COMPRESS: &str = "RUSTFS_TARGET_STORE_COMPRESS";

 /// Queue-store compression is enabled by default to reduce disk footprint.
 pub const DEFAULT_TARGET_STORE_COMPRESS: bool = true;
+
+/// Maximum on-disk bytes in each target queue, including failed entries and pending writes.
+pub const ENV_TARGET_STORE_MAX_BYTES: &str = "RUSTFS_TARGET_STORE_MAX_BYTES";
+
+/// Queue writes fail at one GiB unless the operator sets another positive byte budget.
+pub const DEFAULT_TARGET_STORE_MAX_BYTES: u64 = 1024 * 1024 * 1024;
@@ -175,12 +175,17 @@ pub const ENV_HTTP_SOCKET_RECV_BUFFER_BYTES: &str = "RUSTFS_HTTP_SOCKET_RECV_BUF
 pub const DEFAULT_HTTP_SOCKET_RECV_BUFFER_BYTES: usize = 0;

 /// Environment variable for the S3 request-body inter-chunk read timeout
-/// (seconds). Default: 300. Set to 0 to disable.
+/// (seconds). Default: 300. Set to 0 to disable the inactivity timeout.
 ///
 /// This bounds how long a `PutObject`/upload may wait for the *next* body chunk
 /// while more bytes are still expected. It resets on every chunk, so it does not
 /// penalize slow-but-progressing uploads — it only fires when a peer sends a
 /// partial body and then goes silent *without* closing the connection (no EOF).
+/// Independently of this knob, `PutObject` and `UploadPart` require at least
+/// 64 KiB of body progress per 60 seconds of server wait (the minimum-progress
+/// floor, logged as `upload_body_progress_stalled`); it bounds trickle uploads
+/// that would otherwise pin upload admission indefinitely, and it stays in
+/// force when this timeout is set to 0.
 /// A reverse proxy or CDN that forwards a truncated body this way would
 /// otherwise make RustFS wait forever for bytes that never arrive; with this
 /// timeout the stalled read is aborted and logged with the received/expected
@@ -24,6 +24,14 @@ use std::{
    time::{Duration, SystemTime},
 };

+/// Copy an existing cache-model value without including surrounding work.
+#[inline]
+pub fn clone_cache_value<T: ToOwned + ?Sized>(source: &T) -> T::Owned {
+    #[cfg(feature = "hotpath-alloc")]
+    let _copy_scope = hotpath::MeasurementGuardSync::new("cache_model.owned_copy", false, false);
+    source.to_owned()
+}
+
 /// Maximum amount a persisted `last_update` may lead the local wall clock before the
 /// persisted timestamp is treated as untrustworthy.
 ///
@@ -342,7 +350,7 @@ impl UnknownTierStats {
                    self.diagnostics_dropped = checked_saturating_add(1, self.diagnostics_dropped, &mut self.counter_overflowed);
                    continue;
                }
-                self.diagnostics.push(diagnostic.clone());
+                self.diagnostics.push(clone_cache_value(diagnostic));
            }
        }
        if !self.diagnostics.is_empty() {
@@ -367,7 +375,7 @@ impl UnknownTierStats {
        if !self.fits_add(other) {
            return None;
        }
-        let mut merged = self.clone();
+        let mut merged = clone_cache_value(self);
        merged.merge(other);
        Some(merged)
    }
@@ -407,7 +415,7 @@ impl AllTierStats {
            if st.is_empty() {
                continue;
            }
-            let entry = self.tiers.entry(tier.clone()).or_default();
+            let entry = self.tiers.entry(clone_cache_value(tier)).or_default();
            *entry = entry.add(st);
        }
    }
@@ -437,7 +445,7 @@ impl AllTierStats {
            .tiers
            .keys()
            .filter(|tier| tier.as_str() != "STANDARD" && tier.as_str() != "REDUCED_REDUNDANCY" && !known.contains(tier.as_str()))
-            .cloned()
+            .map(clone_cache_value)
            .collect();
        for tier in retired_tiers {
            if let Some(stats) = self.tiers.remove(&tier) {
@@ -667,6 +675,10 @@ impl DataUsageInfo {
 /// cycle. The timestamp fallback preserves ordering for legacy snapshots that
 /// predate those fields.
 pub fn data_usage_snapshot_is_newer(candidate: &DataUsageInfo, baseline: &DataUsageInfo) -> bool {
+    data_usage_identity_is_newer(candidate.snapshot_identity(), baseline.snapshot_identity())
+}
+
+fn data_usage_identity_is_newer(candidate: DataUsageSnapshotIdentity, baseline: DataUsageSnapshotIdentity) -> bool {
    match (
        candidate.scanner_epoch.zip(candidate.scanner_cycle),
        baseline.scanner_epoch.zip(baseline.scanner_cycle),
@@ -689,10 +701,18 @@ pub fn data_usage_snapshot_is_newer(candidate: &DataUsageInfo, baseline: &DataUs
 /// already advance the authoritative timestamp when deleting a bucket, so a
 /// rollback delete/recreate fences the previous bucket incarnation too.
 pub fn observed_data_usage_is_newer(observed: &DataUsageInfo, authoritative: &DataUsageInfo) -> bool {
+    observed_data_usage_is_newer_than_identity(observed, authoritative.snapshot_identity())
+}
+
+/// Return whether a nonconverged observation may supersede `authoritative`.
+///
+/// This applies the structural, exact-baseline, and generation checks of
+/// [`observed_data_usage_is_newer`] without retaining the baseline's bucket maps.
+pub fn observed_data_usage_is_newer_than_identity(observed: &DataUsageInfo, authoritative: DataUsageSnapshotIdentity) -> bool {
    observed.usage_snapshot_converged == Some(false)
        && (observed.is_complete_bucket_usage_snapshot() || observed.is_valid_partial_snapshot())
-        && observed.usage_snapshot_authoritative_baseline.as_ref() == Some(&authoritative.snapshot_identity())
-        && data_usage_snapshot_is_newer(observed, authoritative)
+        && observed.usage_snapshot_authoritative_baseline == Some(authoritative)
+        && data_usage_identity_is_newer(observed.snapshot_identity(), authoritative)
 }

 /// Metadata describing the status of a disk-level data usage snapshot.
@@ -1237,10 +1257,10 @@ impl DataUsageEntry {
    }

    pub fn add_child(&mut self, hash: &DataUsageHash) {
-        if self.children.contains(&hash.key()) {
+        if self.children.contains(&clone_cache_value(&hash.0)) {
            return;
        }
-        self.children.insert(hash.key());
+        self.children.insert(clone_cache_value(&hash.0));
    }

    pub fn merge(&mut self, other: &DataUsageEntry) {
@@ -1257,7 +1277,7 @@ impl DataUsageEntry {
            s_rep.replica_size += o_rep.replica_size;
            s_rep.replica_count += o_rep.replica_count;
            for (arn, stat) in o_rep.targets.iter() {
-                let st = s_rep.targets.entry(arn.clone()).or_default();
+                let st = s_rep.targets.entry(clone_cache_value(arn)).or_default();
                st.pending_size += stat.pending_size;
                st.replicated_size += stat.replicated_size;
                st.failed_size += stat.failed_size;
@@ -1451,7 +1471,7 @@ pub fn prefix_usage_in_cache(
    } else {
        format!("{bucket}/{prefix}")
    };
-    let entry = cache.get(&hash_path(&root).key())?.clone();
+    let entry = clone_cache_value(cache.get(&clone_cache_value(&hash_path(&root).0))?);

    let usage = PrefixUsageSummary::from_entry(&flatten_entry(cache, &entry, 0)?);

@@ -1594,38 +1614,38 @@ pub struct DataUsageCache {
 impl DataUsageCache {
    pub fn replace(&mut self, path: &str, parent: &str, e: DataUsageEntry) {
        let hash = hash_path(path);
-        self.cache.insert(hash.key(), e);
+        self.cache.insert(clone_cache_value(&hash.0), e);
        if !parent.is_empty() {
            let phash = hash_path(parent);
            let p = {
-                let p = self.cache.entry(phash.key()).or_default();
+                let p = self.cache.entry(clone_cache_value(&phash.0)).or_default();
                p.add_child(&hash);
-                p.clone()
+                clone_cache_value(p)
            };
-            self.cache.insert(phash.key(), p);
+            self.cache.insert(clone_cache_value(&phash.0), p);
        }
    }

    pub fn replace_hashed(&mut self, hash: &DataUsageHash, parent: &Option<DataUsageHash>, e: &DataUsageEntry) {
-        self.cache.insert(hash.key(), e.clone());
+        self.cache.insert(clone_cache_value(&hash.0), clone_cache_value(e));
        if let Some(parent) = parent {
-            self.cache.entry(parent.key()).or_default().add_child(hash);
+            self.cache.entry(clone_cache_value(&parent.0)).or_default().add_child(hash);
        }
    }

    pub fn find(&self, path: &str) -> Option<DataUsageEntry> {
-        self.cache.get(&hash_path(path).key()).cloned()
+        self.cache.get(&clone_cache_value(&hash_path(path).0)).map(clone_cache_value)
    }

    pub fn find_children_copy(&mut self, h: DataUsageHash) -> DataUsageHashMap {
-        self.cache.entry(h.string()).or_default().children.clone()
+        clone_cache_value(&self.cache.entry(clone_cache_value(&h.0)).or_default().children)
    }

    pub fn flatten(&self, root: &DataUsageEntry) -> DataUsageEntry {
-        let mut root = root.clone();
-        for id in root.children.clone().iter() {
+        let mut root = clone_cache_value(root);
+        for id in clone_cache_value(&root.children).iter() {
            if let Some(e) = self.cache.get(id) {
-                let mut e = e.clone();
+                let mut e = clone_cache_value(e);
                if !e.children.is_empty() {
                    e = self.flatten(&e);
                }
@@ -1637,16 +1657,16 @@ impl DataUsageCache {
    }

    pub fn copy_with_children(&mut self, src: &DataUsageCache, hash: &DataUsageHash, parent: &Option<DataUsageHash>) {
-        if let Some(e) = src.cache.get(&hash.string()) {
-            self.cache.insert(hash.key(), e.clone());
+        if let Some(e) = src.cache.get(&clone_cache_value(&hash.0)) {
+            self.cache.insert(clone_cache_value(&hash.0), clone_cache_value(e));
            for ch in e.children.iter() {
-                if *ch == hash.key() {
+                if *ch == clone_cache_value(&hash.0) {
                    return;
                }
-                self.copy_with_children(src, &DataUsageHash(ch.to_string()), &Some(hash.clone()));
+                self.copy_with_children(src, &DataUsageHash(clone_cache_value(ch)), &Some(clone_cache_value(hash)));
            }
            if let Some(parent) = parent {
-                let p = self.cache.entry(parent.key()).or_default();
+                let p = self.cache.entry(clone_cache_value(&parent.0)).or_default();
                p.add_child(hash);
            }
        }
@@ -1654,14 +1674,14 @@ impl DataUsageCache {

    pub fn delete_recursive(&mut self, hash: &DataUsageHash) {
        let mut need_remove = Vec::new();
-        if let Some(v) = self.cache.get(&hash.string()) {
+        if let Some(v) = self.cache.get(&clone_cache_value(&hash.0)) {
            for child in v.children.iter() {
-                need_remove.push(child.clone());
+                need_remove.push(clone_cache_value(child));
            }
        }
-        self.cache.remove(&hash.string());
+        self.cache.remove(&clone_cache_value(&hash.0));
        need_remove.iter().for_each(|child| {
-            self.delete_recursive(&DataUsageHash(child.to_string()));
+            self.delete_recursive(&DataUsageHash(clone_cache_value(child)));
        });
    }

@@ -1682,7 +1702,7 @@ impl DataUsageCache {
    }

    pub fn search_parent(&self, hash: &DataUsageHash) -> Option<DataUsageHash> {
-        let want = hash.key();
+        let want = clone_cache_value(&hash.0);
        if let Some(last_index) = want.rfind('/')
            && let Some(v) = self.find(&want[0..last_index])
            && v.children.contains(&want)
@@ -1693,7 +1713,7 @@ impl DataUsageCache {

        for (k, v) in self.cache.iter() {
            if v.children.contains(&want) {
-                let found = DataUsageHash(k.clone());
+                let found = DataUsageHash(clone_cache_value(k));
                return Some(found);
            }
        }
@@ -1701,7 +1721,7 @@ impl DataUsageCache {
    }

    pub fn is_compacted(&self, hash: &DataUsageHash) -> bool {
-        match self.cache.get(&hash.key()) {
+        match self.cache.get(&clone_cache_value(&hash.0)) {
            Some(due) => due.compacted,
            None => false,
        }
@@ -1726,7 +1746,7 @@ impl DataUsageCache {
        if self.cache.len() < limit {
            return;
        }
-        let top = hash_path(&self.info.name).key();
+        let top = clone_cache_value(&hash_path(&self.info.name).0);
        let top_e = match self.find(&top) {
            Some(e) => e,
            None => return,
@@ -1753,7 +1773,7 @@ impl DataUsageCache {
    }

    pub fn reduce_children_of(&mut self, path: &DataUsageHash, limit: usize, compact_self: bool) {
-        let e = match self.cache.get(&path.key()) {
+        let e = match self.cache.get(&clone_cache_value(&path.0)) {
            Some(e) => e,
            None => return,
        };
@@ -1763,13 +1783,13 @@ impl DataUsageCache {
        }

        if e.children.len() > limit && compact_self {
-            let mut flat = self.size_recursive(&path.key()).unwrap_or_default();
+            let mut flat = self.size_recursive(&clone_cache_value(&path.0)).unwrap_or_default();
            flat.compacted = true;
            self.delete_recursive(path);
            self.replace_hashed(path, &None, &flat);
            return;
        }
-        let total = self.total_children_rec(&path.key());
+        let total = self.total_children_rec(&clone_cache_value(&path.0));
        if total < limit {
            return;
        }
@@ -1782,12 +1802,12 @@ impl DataUsageCache {
        let mut candidate_index = 0;
        while remove > 0 && candidate_index < candidates.len() {
            let e = &candidates[candidate_index];
-            let candidate = e.path.clone();
+            let candidate = clone_cache_value(&e.path);
            if candidate == *path && !compact_self {
                break;
            }
-            let removing = self.total_children_rec(&candidate.key());
-            let mut flat = match self.size_recursive(&candidate.key()) {
+            let removing = self.total_children_rec(&clone_cache_value(&candidate.0));
+            let mut flat = match self.size_recursive(&clone_cache_value(&candidate.0)) {
                Some(flat) => flat,
                None => {
                    candidate_index += 1;
@@ -1824,7 +1844,7 @@ impl DataUsageCache {
            if o.root().is_none() {
                return;
            }
-            *self = o.clone();
+            *self = clone_cache_value(o);
            return;
        };

@@ -1837,7 +1857,8 @@ impl DataUsageCache {
        }

        existing_root.merge(&other_root);
-        self.cache.insert(hash_path(&self.info.name).key(), existing_root);
+        self.cache
+            .insert(clone_cache_value(&hash_path(&self.info.name).0), existing_root);

        let root_hash = self.root_hash();
        for key in other_root.children.iter() {
@@ -1848,7 +1869,7 @@ impl DataUsageCache {
            if let Some(existing) = self.cache.get_mut(key) {
                existing.merge(&flat);
            } else {
-                self.replace_hashed(&DataUsageHash(key.clone()), &Some(root_hash.clone()), &flat);
+                self.replace_hashed(&DataUsageHash(clone_cache_value(key)), &Some(clone_cache_value(&root_hash)), &flat);
            }
        }
    }
@@ -1892,7 +1913,7 @@ impl DataUsageCache {

                for (arn, stat) in rs.targets.iter() {
                    bui.replication_info.insert(
-                        arn.clone(),
+                        clone_cache_value(arn),
                        BucketTargetUsageInfo {
                            replication_pending_size: stat.pending_size,
                            replicated_size: stat.replicated_size,
@@ -1905,7 +1926,7 @@ impl DataUsageCache {
                    );
                }
            }
-            buckets_usage.insert(bucket_name.clone(), bui);
+            buckets_usage.insert(clone_cache_value(bucket_name), bui);
        }

        DataUsageInfo {
@@ -1937,20 +1958,20 @@ struct Inner {
 }

 fn add(data_usage_cache: &DataUsageCache, path: &DataUsageHash, candidates: &mut Vec<Inner>) -> usize {
-    let e = match data_usage_cache.cache.get(&path.key()) {
+    let e = match data_usage_cache.cache.get(&clone_cache_value(&path.0)) {
        Some(e) => e,
        None => return 0,
    };
    let mut objects = e.objects;
    for ch in e.children.iter() {
-        objects += add(data_usage_cache, &DataUsageHash(ch.clone()), candidates);
+        objects += add(data_usage_cache, &DataUsageHash(clone_cache_value(ch)), candidates);
    }
    // Collect internal nodes (with children) as compaction candidates.
    // Leaf nodes have no children to remove, so compacting them is a no-op.
    if !e.children.is_empty() {
        candidates.push(Inner {
            objects,
-            path: path.clone(),
+            path: clone_cache_value(path),
        });
    }
    objects
@@ -1958,7 +1979,7 @@ fn add(data_usage_cache: &DataUsageCache, path: &DataUsageHash, candidates: &mut

 fn mark(duc: &DataUsageCache, entry: &DataUsageEntry, found: &mut HashSet<String>) {
    for k in entry.children.iter() {
-        found.insert(k.to_string());
+        found.insert(clone_cache_value(k));
        if let Some(ch) = duc.cache.get(k) {
            mark(duc, ch, found);
        }
@@ -2408,11 +2429,11 @@ impl SizeSummary {
        }

        for entry in &other.size_reconciliation {
-            self.record_size_reconciliation(entry.clone());
+            self.record_size_reconciliation(clone_cache_value(entry));
        }
        self.size_reconciliation_truncated |= other.size_reconciliation_truncated;
        for scope in &other.reconciliation_scopes {
-            self.record_reconciliation_scope(&scope.bucket, &scope.object);
+            self.record_reconciliation_scope_with(&scope.bucket, &scope.object, || clone_cache_value(scope));
        }
    }

@@ -2437,6 +2458,13 @@ impl SizeSummary {
    /// Mark one object scope as refreshed. Duplicate scopes are suppressed so
    /// merging summaries remains bounded and deterministic.
    pub fn record_reconciliation_scope(&mut self, bucket: &str, object: &str) {
+        self.record_reconciliation_scope_with(bucket, object, || SizeReconciliationScope {
+            bucket: bucket.to_string(),
+            object: object.to_string(),
+        });
+    }
+
+    fn record_reconciliation_scope_with(&mut self, bucket: &str, object: &str, build: impl FnOnce() -> SizeReconciliationScope) {
        if !self
            .reconciliation_scopes
            .iter()
@@ -2446,10 +2474,7 @@ impl SizeSummary {
                self.size_reconciliation_truncated = true;
                return;
            }
-            self.reconciliation_scopes.push(SizeReconciliationScope {
-                bucket: bucket.to_string(),
-                object: object.to_string(),
-            });
+            self.reconciliation_scopes.push(build());
        }
    }
 }
@@ -3127,12 +3152,17 @@ mod tests {
        };

        assert!(observed_data_usage_is_newer(&observed, &authoritative));
+        assert!(observed_data_usage_is_newer_than_identity(&observed, authoritative.snapshot_identity()));

        authoritative.last_update = Some(SystemTime::UNIX_EPOCH + Duration::from_secs(601));
        assert!(
            !observed_data_usage_is_newer(&observed, &authoritative),
            "an old-binary namespace mutation must fence the prior bucket incarnation regardless of clock skew"
        );
+        assert!(
+            !observed_data_usage_is_newer_than_identity(&observed, authoritative.snapshot_identity()),
+            "a captured identity must preserve the exact namespace fence"
+        );
    }

    #[test]
@@ -3159,6 +3189,18 @@ mod tests {
        assert!(!observed_data_usage_is_newer(&candidate(2, 9, Some(false), true), &authoritative));
        assert!(!observed_data_usage_is_newer(&candidate(2, 11, Some(true), true), &authoritative));
        assert!(!observed_data_usage_is_newer(&candidate(2, 11, Some(false), false), &authoritative));
+        for (observed, expected) in [
+            (candidate(2, 11, Some(false), true), true),
+            (candidate(2, 9, Some(false), true), false),
+            (candidate(2, 11, Some(true), true), false),
+            (candidate(2, 11, Some(false), false), false),
+        ] {
+            assert_eq!(
+                observed_data_usage_is_newer_than_identity(&observed, authoritative.snapshot_identity()),
+                expected,
+                "observation identity selection must preserve convergence, completeness, and generation gates"
+            );
+        }

        let mut partial = candidate(2, 11, Some(false), false);
        partial.usage_snapshot_partial = true;
@@ -3173,6 +3215,30 @@ mod tests {
            segment_invalidation_proof: None,
        }];
        assert!(observed_data_usage_is_newer(&partial, &authoritative));
+        assert!(observed_data_usage_is_newer_than_identity(&partial, authoritative.snapshot_identity()));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn observation_identity_selection_keeps_legacy_timestamp_ordering() {
+        let baseline = DataUsageSnapshotIdentity {
+            last_update: Some(SystemTime::UNIX_EPOCH + Duration::from_secs(10)),
+            // An epoch without a cycle is not a coordinated position.
+            scanner_epoch: Some(2),
+            scanner_cycle: None,
+        };
+        let mut observed = DataUsageInfo {
+            last_update: Some(SystemTime::UNIX_EPOCH + Duration::from_secs(11)),
+            scanner_epoch: Some(1),
+            usage_snapshot_complete: true,
+            usage_snapshot_converged: Some(false),
+            usage_snapshot_authoritative_baseline: Some(baseline),
+            ..Default::default()
+        };
+        assert!(observed_data_usage_is_newer_than_identity(&observed, baseline));
+        observed.last_update = baseline.last_update;
+        assert!(!observed_data_usage_is_newer_than_identity(&observed, baseline));
+        observed.last_update = None;
+        assert!(!observed_data_usage_is_newer_than_identity(&observed, baseline));
    }

    #[test]
@@ -3404,6 +3470,42 @@ mod tests {
        assert_eq!(summary1.versions, 15);
    }

+    #[test]
+    fn test_reconciliation_scope_builds_only_after_admission() {
+        let mut summary = SizeSummary::new();
+        let builds = std::cell::Cell::new(0);
+        let build = || {
+            builds.set(builds.get() + 1);
+            SizeReconciliationScope {
+                bucket: "bucket".to_string(),
+                object: "object".to_string(),
+            }
+        };
+
+        summary.record_reconciliation_scope_with("bucket", "object", build);
+        assert_eq!(builds.get(), 1, "an admitted scope is copied once");
+        assert_eq!(summary.reconciliation_scopes.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(summary.reconciliation_scopes[0].bucket, "bucket");
+        assert_eq!(summary.reconciliation_scopes[0].object, "object");
+
+        summary.record_reconciliation_scope_with("bucket", "object", build);
+        assert_eq!(builds.get(), 1, "duplicate scopes must not be copied");
+        assert_eq!(summary.reconciliation_scopes.len(), 1);
+        assert!(!summary.size_reconciliation_truncated);
+
+        for index in 1..1024 {
+            summary.record_reconciliation_scope("bucket", &index.to_string());
+        }
+        summary.record_reconciliation_scope_with("bucket", "object", build);
+        assert_eq!(builds.get(), 1, "a duplicate at capacity must not be copied");
+        assert!(!summary.size_reconciliation_truncated);
+
+        summary.record_reconciliation_scope_with("bucket", "overflow", build);
+        assert_eq!(builds.get(), 1, "a rejected scope must not be copied");
+        assert_eq!(summary.reconciliation_scopes.len(), 1024);
+        assert!(summary.size_reconciliation_truncated);
+    }
+
    #[test]
    fn test_size_histogram_compat_rollup_sums_all_sub_buckets() {
        let mut hist = SizeHistogram::default();
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ workspace = true

 [features]
 default = []
+scanner-peer-mixed-version = []
 hotpath = [
    "hotpath/hotpath",
    "hotpath/tokio",
@@ -26,9 +26,10 @@ Registered in [`src/lib.rs`](src/lib.rs). Grouped by concern:
 | **protocols** | [`src/protocols/`](src/protocols) | FTPS, WebDAV, SFTP compliance. Fixed ports, own guide: [`src/protocols/README.md`](src/protocols/README.md) |
 | **reliant** | [`src/reliant/`](src/reliant) | Tests that reuse an **externally started** server (SQL/select, conditional writes, lifecycle, deleted-object reads, node-interact). Run via [`scripts/run_e2e_tests.sh`](../../scripts/run_e2e_tests.sh); see [`src/reliant/README.md`](src/reliant/README.md) |
 | **cluster** | `cluster_concurrency_test`, `stale_multipart_cleanup_cluster_test`, `namespace_lock_quorum_test`, `admin_timeout_regression_test`, `object_lambda_test`, `replication_extension_test`, `tier_stats_cluster_test` | Multi-node scenarios via `RustFSTestClusterEnvironment` |
-| **distributed 4×4** | [`src/distributed/`](src/distributed) | Storage-sensitive PR and nightly `e2e-distributed` lane: S3, object lock/WORM, versioning, bucket/site replication, quota, expand/decommission/rebalance, concurrency, chaos, 4-node upgrade of historical data and IAM AK/SK. Map: [`docs/testing/distributed-e2e.md`](../../docs/testing/distributed-e2e.md) |
+| **distributed 4×4** | [`src/distributed/`](src/distributed) | Nightly `e2e-distributed` lane: S3, object lock/WORM, versioning, bucket/site replication, quota, expand/decommission/rebalance, concurrency, chaos, 4-node upgrade of historical data and IAM AK/SK. Map: [`docs/testing/distributed-e2e.md`](../../docs/testing/distributed-e2e.md) |
 | **chaos / reliability** | [`src/chaos.rs`](src/chaos.rs), `reliability_disk_fault_test`, `heal_erasure_disk_rebuild_test`, `server_startup_failfast_test` | Disk offline/replace/corrupt, EC rebuild, heal, fail-fast startup |
 | **upgrade compatibility** | `upgrade_compatibility_test` | Pinned previous-release writes followed by current-build reads on the same data directory |
+| **dual-stack differential** | `dual_stack_differential` | Two single-node servers answer one SDK script for all 73 S3 operations and every differing `(op, field, a, b)` is reported. Side A is the binary under test on `RUSTFS_S3_STACK=legacy`; side B runs `RUSTFS_E2E_STACK_B`. Set `RUSTFS_E2E_REFERENCE_BINARY` to a released `rustfs` binary to make side A that binary instead (started without `RUSTFS_S3_STACK`, which older releases do not know). A missing, non-file or non-executable path fails the run; it never skips or falls back to the same-binary mode. The report in `<target>/dual-stack/<run>.json` records `reference_side` and each side's `--version` output |

 The external-tool `storage_metric_ownership_test` validates the OTLP/Collector/Prometheus path, including a rolling upgrade and node failures. See the [storage metrics guide](../../docs/operations/storage-metrics.md) for its required binaries and focused command.

@@ -64,6 +65,25 @@ Each build/run holds an exclusive `rustfs.e2e.lock` marker beside the binary; co

 The protocols suite has its own fixed-port and single-worker contract in [`src/protocols/README.md`](src/protocols/README.md). Use its command under [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting).

+### Scanner mixed-version gate
+
+The Linux N/O scanner gate needs a separately qualified `33482bb` server, which supports scoped ACKs. Set `RUSTFS_SCANNER_COMPAT_OLD_BINARY` to that executable and `RUSTFS_SCANNER_COMPAT_OLD_SHA256` to its independently verified digest. The release binary used by ordinary upgrade CI is a different baseline. Missing or mismatched inputs fail the test.
+
+Enable the harness-only `scanner-peer-mixed-version` feature explicitly; keep the server wrapper features identical between build and run:
+
+```bash
+python3 scripts/e2e_binary.py build --features e2e-test-hooks
+python3 scripts/e2e_binary.py run --features e2e-test-hooks -- \
+  cargo nextest run --profile e2e-distributed -p e2e_test \
+  --features scanner-peer-mixed-version --ignore-default-filter \
+  -E 'test(=distributed::scanner_peer_bucket_test::scanner_peer_bucket_new_coordinator_certifies_old_peers_and_scopes_next_cycle)' \
+  --test-threads 1 --retries 0 --no-tests=fail
+```
+
+The separate `scanner_peer_bucket_new_coordinator_certifies_old_worker_peers_and_scopes_next_cycle` case uses the same feature and qualified old binary inputs. Select its exact name in the command above. It keeps the original N process enabled and starts the three official O replacements with `RUSTFS_SCANNER_ENABLED=false`: their autonomous scanner loops are disabled, while real S3 dirty tracking, authenticated snapshots, publication leases, scoped ACKs, and N-dispatched RemoteScanner workers remain active. It records each node's actual scanner status and retains the same identity, durability, root, ACK, data-conservation, and physical-walk requirements. This fixed-role case does not validate autonomous O scanning or all-enabled election behavior. The original all-enabled N/O test remains separate and has not passed acceptance; a fixed-role result cannot satisfy that gate.
+
+For this fixed-role case, the `e2e-test-hooks` server also records the N client's complete bounded worker inventory. Requests are observed before opening the normal stream and paired only after authenticated source/plan validation and terminal EOF. Closed manifests and final health receipts must bind both cycles to their actual candidate/root; the next cycle needs exactly four sets of hot-only execution and at least one positive-progress worker mapped to a measured official O process. A zero-progress Current response, missing/extra request, unhealthy recorder, or missing physical coverage fails the gate. The recorder does not add O hooks or change any protocol or timeout. Final health reads check immutable closed-cycle evidence, not current N liveness.
+
 ### `#[ignore]` semantics

 Ignored tests are excluded from the default `cargo nextest run` pass because
@@ -175,9 +195,9 @@ the same profile for membership and execution with one nightly worker.
 | `s3s-e2e` black-box | `e2e-tests` + `e2e-tests-rio-v2` jobs | **Active** (external conformance tool) |
 | ILM / lifecycle (ignored) | `test-ilm-integration-serial` lane, `-j1` | **Active** (backlog#1148 ilm-1) |
 | KMS suite | `e2e-full` job, merge queue + main | **Active** |
-| Direct and mixed-version rolling upgrades from pinned previous release | `e2e-upgrade.yml`, storage-sensitive PRs + release tags + weekly | **Active** |
+| Direct and mixed-version rolling upgrades from pinned previous release | `e2e-upgrade.yml`, release tags + weekly schedule + manual dispatch | **Active** |
 | Cluster faults (`e2e-nightly` profile) | consolidated nightly workflow | **Active** (backlog#1149 ci-7) |
-| Distributed 4-node 4-disk (`e2e-distributed` profile) | `.github/workflows/e2e-distributed.yml` | **Active** (storage-sensitive PR / nightly / dispatch) |
+| Distributed 4-node 4-disk (`e2e-distributed` profile) | `.github/workflows/e2e-distributed.yml` | **Active** (nightly / dispatch) |
 | Protocols (FTPS/WebDAV/SFTP) | consolidated nightly workflow, serial | **Active** (backlog#1149 ci-7) |
 | Replication (fast subset) | `e2e-smoke` profile, `e2e-tests` job, every PR | **Active** (backlog#1147 repl-1) |
 | Replication (slow + multi-node) | `e2e-repl-nightly` profile, consolidated nightly workflow | **Active** (backlog#1147 repl-1) |
@@ -143,9 +143,9 @@ async fn test_root_requests_keep_policy_owner_flag() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::
        .send()
        .await?;

-    // Duplicate stored tags are ambiguous. An owner request must not enter the
-    // OPA tag-loading path, which rejects this metadata before evaluation.
-    client
+    // Duplicate tag keys are ambiguous, so PutBucketTagging rejects them
+    // before they can reach stored metadata or the OPA tag-loading path.
+    let duplicate = client
        .put_bucket_tagging()
        .bucket(bucket)
        .tagging(
@@ -155,6 +155,18 @@ async fn test_root_requests_keep_policy_owner_flag() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::
                .build()?,
        )
        .send()
+        .await
+        .expect_err("duplicate bucket tag keys must be rejected");
+    assert_eq!(duplicate.into_service_error().meta().code(), Some("InvalidTag"));
+    client
+        .put_bucket_tagging()
+        .bucket(bucket)
+        .tagging(
+            Tagging::builder()
+                .tag_set(Tag::builder().key("department").value("finance").build()?)
+                .build()?,
+        )
+        .send()
        .await?;
    let object = client.get_object().bucket(bucket).key(key).send().await?;

@@ -774,6 +774,18 @@ impl RustFSTestEnvironment {
            .await
    }

+    /// Like [`Self::start_rustfs_server_from_binary`], but leaves other running RustFS processes
+    /// alone, so that two servers of different binaries can be alive at once.
+    pub async fn start_rustfs_server_from_binary_without_cleanup(
+        &mut self,
+        binary_path: &Path,
+        extra_args: Vec<&str>,
+        extra_env: &[(&str, &str)],
+    ) -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error + Send + Sync>> {
+        self.start_rustfs_server_inner_with_binary(binary_path, extra_args, extra_env, false)
+            .await
+    }
+
    /// Start RustFS server with basic configuration
    pub async fn start_rustfs_server(&mut self, extra_args: Vec<&str>) -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error + Send + Sync>> {
        self.start_rustfs_server_inner(extra_args, &[], true).await
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ async fn iam_policy_requires_if_match(env: &RustFSTestEnvironment, admin: &Clien
    let key = "guarded.txt";

    admin_create_user(env, &user, user_secret).await?;
-    let policy = serde_json::json!({
+    let mut policy = serde_json::json!({
        "Version": "2012-10-17",
        "Statement": [{
            "Effect": "Allow",
@@ -268,9 +268,8 @@ async fn iam_policy_requires_if_match(env: &RustFSTestEnvironment, admin: &Clien
            "Resource": [format!("arn:aws:s3:::{bucket}/*")],
            "Condition": { "Null": { "s3:if-match": "false" } }
        }]
-    })
-    .to_string();
-    admin_add_and_attach_policy(env, &policy_name, &policy, &user).await?;
+    });
+    admin_add_and_attach_policy(env, &policy_name, &policy.to_string(), &user).await?;

    admin.create_bucket().bucket(&bucket).send().await?;
    let original = admin
@@ -293,6 +292,46 @@ async fn iam_policy_requires_if_match(env: &RustFSTestEnvironment, admin: &Clien
        .expect_err("PutObject without If-Match must be denied");
    assert_error(&denied, "AccessDenied", 403, "unconditional PutObject");

+    let denied = client
+        .put_object()
+        .bucket(&bucket)
+        .key(key)
+        .if_match(&etag)
+        .body(ByteStream::from_static(b"missing-read-permission"))
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .expect_err("If-Match without GetObject must be denied");
+    assert_error(&denied, "AccessDenied", 403, "conditional PutObject without GetObject");
+
+    // S3 requires GetObject as well as PutObject for an ETag-based write.
+    policy["Statement"]
+        .as_array_mut()
+        .expect("policy statements")
+        .push(serde_json::json!({
+            "Effect": "Allow",
+            "Action": ["s3:GetObject"],
+            "Resource": [format!("arn:aws:s3:::{bucket}/{key}")]
+        }));
+    admin_add_canned_policy_via(
+        AdminTransport::Signed,
+        &env.url,
+        &env.access_key,
+        &env.secret_key,
+        &policy_name,
+        &policy.to_string(),
+    )
+    .await?;
+
+    let denied = client
+        .put_object()
+        .bucket(&bucket)
+        .key(key)
+        .body(ByteStream::from_static(b"blind-overwrite"))
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .expect_err("GetObject permission must not allow an unconditional PutObject");
+    assert_error(&denied, "AccessDenied", 403, "unconditional PutObject with GetObject");
+
    client
        .put_object()
        .bucket(&bucket)
@@ -301,6 +340,8 @@ async fn iam_policy_requires_if_match(env: &RustFSTestEnvironment, admin: &Clien
        .body(ByteStream::from_static(b"v2"))
        .send()
        .await?;
+    let written = client.get_object().bucket(&bucket).key(key).send().await?;
+    assert_eq!(written.body.collect().await?.into_bytes().as_ref(), b"v2");

    let _ = admin.delete_object().bucket(&bucket).key(key).send().await;
    let _ = admin.delete_bucket().bucket(&bucket).send().await;
@@ -502,10 +502,163 @@ mod tests {
                assert!(response.contains(if expected == reqwest::StatusCode::FORBIDDEN {
                    "<Code>AccessDenied</Code>"
                } else {
-                    "<Code>BucketAlreadyExists</Code>"
+                    "<Code>BucketAlreadyOwnedByYou</Code>"
                }));
            }
        }
        Ok(())
    }
+
+    /// A deployment owns a single bucket namespace, so an IAM user that recreates
+    /// an existing bucket is the owner, not another account. In the default region
+    /// every such request returns the legacy idempotent `200 OK` (AWS CreateBucket
+    /// semantics), including buckets created by root and by another IAM user.
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn test_create_bucket_duplicate_in_default_region_is_idempotent_for_iam_user()
+    -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error + Send + Sync>> {
+        init_logging();
+        let mut env = RustFSTestEnvironment::new().await?;
+        env.start_rustfs_server(vec!["--region", "us-east-1"]).await?;
+        let root = env.create_s3_client();
+
+        admin_create_user(&env, "duplicate-iam", "duplicate-iam-secret").await?;
+        admin_attach_user_policy_via(
+            AdminTransport::Signed,
+            &env.url,
+            &env.access_key,
+            &env.secret_key,
+            "readwrite",
+            "duplicate-iam",
+        )
+        .await?;
+        let iam = Client::from_conf(build_test_s3_config(
+            &env.url,
+            "duplicate-iam",
+            "duplicate-iam-secret",
+            None,
+            "duplicate-create",
+        ));
+
+        root.create_bucket()
+            .bucket("duplicate-root-owned")
+            .send()
+            .await
+            .expect("root creates the first bucket");
+        iam.create_bucket()
+            .bucket("duplicate-root-owned")
+            .send()
+            .await
+            .expect("an IAM user recreating a root-owned bucket in us-east-1 gets 200 OK");
+
+        iam.create_bucket()
+            .bucket("duplicate-iam-owned")
+            .send()
+            .await
+            .expect("the IAM user creates its own bucket");
+        iam.create_bucket()
+            .bucket("duplicate-iam-owned")
+            .send()
+            .await
+            .expect("the same IAM user recreating its bucket gets 200 OK");
+        root.create_bucket()
+            .bucket("duplicate-iam-owned")
+            .send()
+            .await
+            .expect("root recreating an IAM-created bucket gets 200 OK");
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Outside the default region the same ownership answer becomes
+    /// `409 BucketAlreadyOwnedByYou` for every authorized requester. Requests that
+    /// lack `s3:CreateBucket` still fail authorization before the duplicate check.
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn test_create_bucket_duplicate_outside_default_region_reports_owned_by_you() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error + Send + Sync>>
+    {
+        init_logging();
+        let mut env = RustFSTestEnvironment::new().await?;
+        env.start_rustfs_server(vec!["--region", "eu-west-1"]).await?;
+        let region = "eu-west-1";
+        let root = Client::from_conf(
+            env.create_s3_client()
+                .config()
+                .to_builder()
+                .region(Region::new(region))
+                .build(),
+        );
+
+        admin_create_user(&env, "duplicate-eu-iam", "duplicate-eu-iam-secret").await?;
+        admin_attach_user_policy_via(
+            AdminTransport::Signed,
+            &env.url,
+            &env.access_key,
+            &env.secret_key,
+            "readwrite",
+            "duplicate-eu-iam",
+        )
+        .await?;
+        let iam = Client::from_conf(
+            build_test_s3_config(&env.url, "duplicate-eu-iam", "duplicate-eu-iam-secret", None, "duplicate-create")
+                .to_builder()
+                .region(Region::new(region))
+                .build(),
+        );
+
+        admin_create_user(&env, "duplicate-eu-readonly", "duplicate-eu-readonly-secret").await?;
+        admin_attach_user_policy_via(
+            AdminTransport::Signed,
+            &env.url,
+            &env.access_key,
+            &env.secret_key,
+            "readonly",
+            "duplicate-eu-readonly",
+        )
+        .await?;
+        let readonly = Client::from_conf(
+            build_test_s3_config(
+                &env.url,
+                "duplicate-eu-readonly",
+                "duplicate-eu-readonly-secret",
+                None,
+                "duplicate-create",
+            )
+            .to_builder()
+            .region(Region::new(region))
+            .build(),
+        );
+
+        for (client, bucket) in [(&root, "duplicate-eu-root"), (&iam, "duplicate-eu-iam")] {
+            client
+                .create_bucket()
+                .bucket(bucket)
+                .send()
+                .await
+                .unwrap_or_else(|error| panic!("{bucket} must be created: {error:?}"));
+            // Both the creator and the other authenticated identity own the namespace.
+            for creator in [&root, &iam] {
+                let error = creator
+                    .create_bucket()
+                    .bucket(bucket)
+                    .send()
+                    .await
+                    .expect_err("a duplicate create outside us-east-1 must report ownership");
+                assert_eq!(
+                    error.as_service_error().and_then(ProvideErrorMetadata::code),
+                    Some("BucketAlreadyOwnedByYou"),
+                    "{bucket}"
+                );
+                assert_eq!(error.raw_response().map(|response| response.status().as_u16()), Some(409), "{bucket}");
+            }
+        }
+
+        let denied = readonly
+            .create_bucket()
+            .bucket("duplicate-eu-root")
+            .send()
+            .await
+            .expect_err("a requester without s3:CreateBucket must be denied before the duplicate check");
+        assert_eq!(denied.as_service_error().and_then(ProvideErrorMetadata::code), Some("AccessDenied"));
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
 }
--- a/Show More
+++ b/Show More