diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d7ee23b..d8ddacc 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -653,3 +653,7 @@ under their own terms.
     <a href="mailto:aperod-network@proton.me">Email</a>
   </sub>
 </div>
+
+## Reviewed source updates
+
+After the history transition, use the complete deployment-tools package and an explicitly reviewed revision. Do not force-reset old node clones. See [installation and update requirements](deploy/NODE-SOURCE-UPDATE.md). Clean source provenance is not proof of live chain compatibility.
diff --git a/core/decoy_sampling.go b/core/decoy_sampling.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ef795ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/decoy_sampling.go
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+package core
+
+import (
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"errors"
+	"io"
+	"math/big"
+
+	"github.com/aperod/aperod/crypto"
+)
+
+// Builders distinguish an entropy failure from an ordinary candidate shortfall:
+// legacy shortfalls may use Phase 1, but a failure must stop both builder paths.
+func (b *TxBuilder) sampleChainDecoys(count int, exclude map[crypto.Point32]bool, clsag bool) ([]DecoyUTXO, error) {
+	entropy := b.decoyEntropy
+	if entropy == nil {
+		entropy = rand.Reader
+	}
+	if clsag {
+		return b.utxoSet.sampleCLSAGDecoys(count, exclude, entropy)
+	}
+	return b.utxoSet.sampleDecoys(count, exclude, entropy)
+}
+
+// sampleDecoyCandidates partially shuffles a call-owned candidate slice.
+// rand.Int rejection sampling makes every remaining index equally likely;
+// partial Fisher-Yates chooses distinct entries without changing UTXO records.
+// Entropy failure discards the entire selection, including already drawn items.
+func sampleDecoyCandidates(candidates []*UTXO, count int, entropy io.Reader) ([]DecoyUTXO, error) {
+	if count <= 0 || len(candidates) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	if entropy == nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("decoy sampling requires cryptographic entropy")
+	}
+	want := count
+	if want > len(candidates) {
+		want = len(candidates)
+	}
+	var bound big.Int
+	for i := 0; i < want; i++ {
+		bound.SetInt64(int64(len(candidates) - i))
+		offset, err := rand.Int(entropy, &bound)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		j := i + int(offset.Int64())
+		candidates[i], candidates[j] = candidates[j], candidates[i]
+	}
+	out := make([]DecoyUTXO, want)
+	for i := range out {
+		out[i] = DecoyUTXO{
+			OneTimePub:   candidates[i].OneTimePub,
+			AmountCommit: candidates[i].AmountCommit,
+		}
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
diff --git a/core/decoy_sampling_test.go b/core/decoy_sampling_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..97787fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/decoy_sampling_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,218 @@
+package core
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/aperod/aperod/crypto"
+)
+
+func samplingFixture(id byte) *UTXO {
+	return &UTXO{
+		TxHash: crypto.Hash32{id}, OneTimePub: crypto.Point32{id},
+		AmountCommit: crypto.Commitment{id, 0xa5},
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDecoySamplingUniformOrderedSelections(t *testing.T) {
+	// Enumerate all equiprobable draws for bounds 4, 3, 2, rather than a
+	// probabilistic frequency assertion. Each of the 24 ordered triples
+	// must occur exactly once and retain the key/commitment pairing.
+	outcomes := make(map[string]int)
+	for a := byte(0); a < 4; a++ {
+		for b := byte(0); b < 3; b++ {
+			for c := byte(0); c < 2; c++ {
+				pool := []*UTXO{samplingFixture(1), samplingFixture(2), samplingFixture(3), samplingFixture(4)}
+				got, err := sampleDecoyCandidates(pool, 3, bytes.NewReader([]byte{a, b, c}))
+				if err != nil || len(got) != 3 {
+					t.Fatalf("selection: %v %v", got, err)
+				}
+				seen := map[crypto.Point32]bool{}
+				for _, d := range got {
+					if seen[d.OneTimePub] || d.AmountCommit != samplingFixture(d.OneTimePub[0]).AmountCommit {
+						t.Fatal("repeated key or altered commitment")
+					}
+					seen[d.OneTimePub] = true
+				}
+				outcomes[fmt.Sprint(got[0].OneTimePub[0], got[1].OneTimePub[0], got[2].OneTimePub[0])]++
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if len(outcomes) != 24 {
+		t.Fatalf("only %d ordered outcomes", len(outcomes))
+	}
+	for _, count := range outcomes {
+		if count != 1 {
+			t.Fatal("unequal outcome multiplicity")
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDecoySamplingRejectsOutOfRangeEntropy(t *testing.T) {
+	reader := bytes.NewReader([]byte{0xff, 2})
+	got, err := sampleDecoyCandidates([]*UTXO{samplingFixture(1), samplingFixture(2), samplingFixture(3)}, 1, reader)
+	if err != nil || len(got) != 1 || got[0].OneTimePub[0] != 3 || reader.Len() != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("rejection sampling changed: %v %v", got, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDecoySamplingEntropyFailureDiscardsPartialSelection(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, reader := range []io.Reader{nil, bytes.NewReader(nil), bytes.NewReader([]byte{1})} {
+		pool := []*UTXO{samplingFixture(1), samplingFixture(2), samplingFixture(3)}
+		before := map[crypto.Point32]UTXO{}
+		for _, u := range pool {
+			before[u.OneTimePub] = *u
+		}
+		got, err := sampleDecoyCandidates(pool, 2, reader)
+		if err == nil || got != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("entropy failure returned partial output: %v %v", got, err)
+		}
+		for _, u := range pool {
+			if *u != before[u.OneTimePub] {
+				t.Fatal("sampling modified an underlying UTXO")
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDecoySelectorsFiltersCountsAndFailures(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, clsag := range []bool{false, true} {
+		t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("clsag=%t", clsag), func(t *testing.T) {
+			set := NewUTXOSet()
+			for id := byte(1); id <= 5; id++ {
+				set.spentPubKeys[crypto.Point32{id}] = samplingFixture(id)
+			}
+			set.spentPubKeys[crypto.Point32{2}].ProtocolLocked = true
+			set.byPubKey[crypto.Point32{6}] = samplingFixture(6)
+			set.byPubKey[crypto.Point32{7}] = samplingFixture(7)
+			set.byPubKey[crypto.Point32{7}].ProtocolLocked = true
+			// Same key with a stale spent commitment: active lookup must win.
+			set.byPubKey[crypto.Point32{3}] = samplingFixture(3)
+			set.byPubKey[crypto.Point32{3}].AmountCommit[1] = 0xb6
+			exclude := map[crypto.Point32]bool{{1}: true, {6}: true}
+			sample := set.sampleDecoys
+			if clsag {
+				sample = set.sampleCLSAGDecoys
+			}
+			for _, count := range []int{-1, 0, 1, 3, 99} {
+				got, err := sample(count, exclude, bytes.NewReader(make([]byte, 100)))
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+				want := count
+				if want < 0 {
+					want = 0
+				}
+				if want > 3 {
+					want = 3
+				}
+				if len(got) != want {
+					t.Fatalf("count=%d got=%d want=%d", count, len(got), want)
+				}
+				seen := map[crypto.Point32]bool{}
+				for _, d := range got {
+					if seen[d.OneTimePub] || exclude[d.OneTimePub] || d.OneTimePub[0] == 2 || d.OneTimePub[0] == 7 {
+						t.Fatal("repeated, excluded, active-only or locked candidate")
+					}
+					seen[d.OneTimePub] = true
+					expected := set.spentPubKeys[d.OneTimePub]
+					if clsag && set.byPubKey[d.OneTimePub] != nil {
+						expected = set.byPubKey[d.OneTimePub]
+					}
+					if d.AmountCommit != expected.AmountCommit {
+						t.Fatal("canonical pair changed")
+					}
+				}
+			}
+			got, err := sample(2, exclude, bytes.NewReader([]byte{0}))
+			if !errors.Is(err, io.EOF) || got != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("selector did not fail closed: %v %v", got, err)
+			}
+			empty, err := sample(5, map[crypto.Point32]bool{{1}: true, {3}: true, {4}: true, {5}: true, {6}: true}, nil)
+			if err != nil || empty != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("empty pool should not consume entropy: %v %v", empty, err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+type samplingStore struct {
+	result []DecoyUTXO
+	err    error
+	calls  int
+}
+
+func (*samplingStore) LookupRingMember(crypto.Point32) (*UTXO, error) { return nil, nil }
+func (s *samplingStore) SampleRingMembers(_ int, _ map[crypto.Point32]bool) ([]DecoyUTXO, error) {
+	s.calls++
+	return s.result, s.err
+}
+
+func TestDecoySamplingPersistentStoreNoMemoryFallback(t *testing.T) {
+	set := NewUTXOSet()
+	set.spentPubKeys[crypto.Point32{1}] = samplingFixture(1)
+	backend := &samplingStore{err: errors.New("synthetic store entropy failure")}
+	set.ringMembers = backend
+	if got := set.SampleCLSAGDecoys(2, nil); got != nil {
+		t.Fatal("store error used a memory fallback")
+	}
+	if got := set.SampleCLSAGDecoys(-1, nil); got != nil || backend.calls != 1 {
+		t.Fatal("nonpositive request reached persistent store")
+	}
+	backend.err = nil
+	backend.result = []DecoyUTXO{{OneTimePub: crypto.Point32{8}, AmountCommit: crypto.Commitment{9}}}
+	if got := set.SampleCLSAGDecoys(2, nil); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, backend.result) {
+		t.Fatal("persistent canonical pairs changed")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDecoySamplingBuildersAbortOnEntropyError(t *testing.T) {
+	keys, err := crypto.GenerateWalletKeys()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	addr := crypto.AddressFromKeys(crypto.TestnetByte, keys)
+	const amount = uint64(10_000_000_000)
+	mint, err := BuildMintTx(addr, amount, 1)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	blind, err := crypto.DeterministicMintBlindV2(keys.Spend.Public, amount, 1)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	owned := []OwnedUTXO{{
+		UTXO: UTXO{TxHash: mint.Hash(), OneTimePub: mint.Outputs[0].OneTimePub,
+			TxPubKey: mint.Outputs[0].TxPubKey, AmountCommit: mint.Outputs[0].AmountCommit},
+		HsScalar: crypto.ScalarFromUint64(1), Amount: amount, Blind: blind,
+	}}
+	for _, version := range []TxVersion{TxVersionBase, TxVersionCLSAG} {
+		for _, multi := range []bool{false, true} {
+			t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("version=%d/multi=%t", version, multi), func(t *testing.T) {
+				set := NewUTXOSet()
+				for id := byte(1); id <= 20; id++ {
+					set.spentPubKeys[crypto.Point32{id}] = samplingFixture(id)
+				}
+				builder := NewTxBuilder(keys.Spend.Private, keys.View.Private, keys.Spend.Public, owned, 1).
+					WithVersion(version).WithDecoySet(set)
+				builder.decoyEntropy = bytes.NewReader([]byte{0})
+				if multi {
+					result, err := builder.BuildMulti([]BatchRecipient{{Address: addr, AmountNAPR: 1_000_000}}, addr)
+					if result != nil || err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "sample chain decoys") {
+						t.Fatalf("multi builder did not abort: %v %v", result, err)
+					}
+				} else {
+					result, err := builder.Build(1_000_000, addr, addr)
+					if result != nil || err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "sample chain decoys") {
+						t.Fatalf("single builder did not abort: %v %v", result, err)
+					}
+				}
+			})
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/core/tx_builder.go b/core/tx_builder.go
index 418ad76..0474874 100644
--- a/core/tx_builder.go
+++ b/core/tx_builder.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ package core
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 	"sort"
 
 	"github.com/aperod/aperod/crypto"
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ type TxBuilder struct {
 	feePerByte            uint64      // base-fee + optional tip per byte in nAPRO
 	utxoSet               *UTXOSet    // optional; if set, real chain UTXOs are used as ring decoys (Phase 2)
 	decoys                []DecoyUTXO // optional caller-supplied public chain decoys
+	decoyEntropy          io.Reader   // nil uses crypto/rand.Reader; per-builder test injection
 	txVersion             TxVersion
 	avmPayload            *AVMPayload // optional signed AVM payload; forces TxVersionAVM
 	paymentRecipientProof bool
@@ -447,10 +449,10 @@ func (b *TxBuilder) Build(amount uint64, recipient, changeAddr crypto.Address) (
 			excludePubs[u.OneTimePub] = true
 		}
 		need := len(selected) * (crypto.RingSize - 1)
-		if txVersionUsesCLSAG(b.txVersion) {
-			allDecoys = b.utxoSet.SampleCLSAGDecoys(need, excludePubs)
-		} else {
-			allDecoys = b.utxoSet.SampleDecoys(need, excludePubs)
+		var err error
+		allDecoys, err = b.sampleChainDecoys(need, excludePubs, txVersionUsesCLSAG(b.txVersion))
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("sample chain decoys: %w", err)
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/core/tx_builder_multi.go b/core/tx_builder_multi.go
index 3d3d117..924a331 100644
--- a/core/tx_builder_multi.go
+++ b/core/tx_builder_multi.go
@@ -228,11 +228,11 @@ func (b *TxBuilder) BuildMulti(recipients []BatchRecipient, changeAddr crypto.Ad
 			excludePubs[u.OneTimePub] = true
 		}
 		need := len(selected) * (crypto.RingSize - 1)
-		if b.txVersion == TxVersionCLSAG {
-			allDecoys = b.utxoSet.SampleCLSAGDecoys(need, excludePubs)
-		} else {
-		allDecoys = b.utxoSet.SampleDecoys(need, excludePubs)
-	}
+		var err error
+		allDecoys, err = b.sampleChainDecoys(need, excludePubs, b.txVersion == TxVersionCLSAG)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("sample chain decoys: %w", err)
+		}
 	}
 
 	// ── Build ring inputs ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
diff --git a/core/utxo.go b/core/utxo.go
index 3c52287..7c186b1 100644
--- a/core/utxo.go
+++ b/core/utxo.go
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 package core
 
 import (
+	cryptorand "crypto/rand"
 	"fmt"
-	"math/rand"
+	"io"
 	"sort"
 	"sync"
-	"time"
 
 	"github.com/aperod/aperod/crypto"
 )
@@ -698,13 +698,13 @@ func (s *UTXOSet) applyTxsLocked(block *Block) {
 		for i, out := range tx.Outputs {
 			key := UTXOKey{TxHash: txHash, OutputIndex: uint32(i)}
 			u := &UTXO{
-				TxHash:          txHash,
-				OutputIndex:     uint32(i),
-				OneTimePub:      out.OneTimePub,
-				TxPubKey:        out.TxPubKey,
-				AmountCommit:    out.AmountCommit,
-				EncAmount:       out.EncAmount,
-				BlockHeight:     block.Header.Height,
+				TxHash:         txHash,
+				OutputIndex:    uint32(i),
+				OneTimePub:     out.OneTimePub,
+				TxPubKey:       out.TxPubKey,
+				AmountCommit:   out.AmountCommit,
+				EncAmount:      out.EncAmount,
+				BlockHeight:    block.Header.Height,
 				ProtocolLocked: tx.IsGuardianFund(),
 			}
 			s.utxos[key] = u
@@ -908,11 +908,20 @@ func (s *UTXOSet) IsStaked(txHash crypto.Hash32, outIdx uint32) bool {
 // Any UTXO whose OneTimePub appears in exclude is omitted; callers use this to
 // prevent the real input from appearing as its own decoy.
 //
-// Selection is randomised with a time-seeded PRNG (decoys are public knowledge;
-// randomness serves privacy, not security).  If fewer than count candidates
+// Selection uses cryptographic entropy to protect the anonymity set.
+// If fewer than count candidates
 // remain after exclusions, all available candidates are returned — txBuildRing
 // fills the remaining ring slots with Phase 1 random keys.
 func (s *UTXOSet) SampleDecoys(count int, exclude map[crypto.Point32]bool) []DecoyUTXO {
+	out, _ := s.sampleDecoys(count, exclude, cryptorand.Reader)
+	return out
+}
+
+// The reader is scoped to one call so tests never replace process-wide entropy.
+func (s *UTXOSet) sampleDecoys(count int, exclude map[crypto.Point32]bool, entropy io.Reader) ([]DecoyUTXO, error) {
+	if count <= 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
 	s.mu.RLock()
 	defer s.mu.RUnlock()
 
@@ -923,30 +932,7 @@ func (s *UTXOSet) SampleDecoys(count int, exclude map[crypto.Point32]bool) []Dec
 		}
 	}
 
-	n := len(candidates)
-	want := count
-	if want > n {
-		want = n
-	}
-	if want == 0 {
-		return nil
-	}
-
-	// Fisher-Yates partial shuffle to pick `want` items in random order.
-	rng := rand.New(rand.NewSource(time.Now().UnixNano())) //nolint:gosec // privacy, not security
-	for i := 0; i < want; i++ {
-		j := i + rng.Intn(n-i)
-		candidates[i], candidates[j] = candidates[j], candidates[i]
-	}
-
-	out := make([]DecoyUTXO, want)
-	for i := 0; i < want; i++ {
-		out[i] = DecoyUTXO{
-			OneTimePub:   candidates[i].OneTimePub,
-			AmountCommit: candidates[i].AmountCommit,
-		}
-	}
-	return out
+	return sampleDecoyCandidates(candidates, count, entropy)
 }
 
 // SampleCLSAGDecoys returns real on-chain decoys for v5. Unlike historical
@@ -954,23 +940,34 @@ func (s *UTXOSet) SampleDecoys(count int, exclude map[crypto.Point32]bool) []Dec
 // CLSAG validates the commitment paired with every ring key and does not reveal
 // which member is being spent.
 func (s *UTXOSet) SampleCLSAGDecoys(count int, exclude map[crypto.Point32]bool) []DecoyUTXO {
+	out, err := s.sampleCLSAGDecoys(count, exclude, cryptorand.Reader)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func (s *UTXOSet) sampleCLSAGDecoys(count int, exclude map[crypto.Point32]bool, entropy io.Reader) ([]DecoyUTXO, error) {
+	if count <= 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
 	s.mu.RLock()
 	store := s.ringMembers
 	s.mu.RUnlock()
 	if store != nil {
-		decoys, err := store.SampleRingMembers(count, exclude)
-		if err == nil {
-			return decoys
-		}
-		// Fail closed for v5 builders: returning too few members makes Build
-		// reject the transaction rather than silently using fabricated decoys.
-		return nil
+		// The persistent index owns its entropy; do not fall back to RAM on error.
+		return store.SampleRingMembers(count, exclude)
 	}
 
 	s.mu.RLock()
 	defer s.mu.RUnlock()
 	candidates := make([]*UTXO, 0, len(s.spentPubKeys)+len(s.byPubKey))
 	for pub, u := range s.spentPubKeys {
+		// Match in-memory ring lookup precedence if historical pools overlap.
+		// Never return two entries for one public key or its stale commitment.
+		if _, active := s.byPubKey[pub]; active {
+			continue
+		}
 		if !exclude[pub] && !isProtocolLockedUTXO(u) {
 			candidates = append(candidates, u)
 		}
@@ -981,30 +978,7 @@ func (s *UTXOSet) SampleCLSAGDecoys(count int, exclude map[crypto.Point32]bool)
 		}
 	}
 
-	n := len(candidates)
-	want := count
-	if want > n {
-		want = n
-	}
-	if want == 0 {
-		return nil
-	}
-
-	// Fisher-Yates partial shuffle to pick `want` items in random order.
-	rng := rand.New(rand.NewSource(time.Now().UnixNano())) //nolint:gosec // privacy, not security
-	for i := 0; i < want; i++ {
-		j := i + rng.Intn(n-i)
-		candidates[i], candidates[j] = candidates[j], candidates[i]
-	}
-
-	out := make([]DecoyUTXO, want)
-	for i := 0; i < want; i++ {
-		out[i] = DecoyUTXO{
-			OneTimePub:   candidates[i].OneTimePub,
-			AmountCommit: candidates[i].AmountCommit,
-		}
-	}
-	return out
+	return sampleDecoyCandidates(candidates, count, entropy)
 }
 
 // ApplyBlockForSpentDecoys rebuilds the spentPubKeys pool during a node restart.
@@ -1047,8 +1021,10 @@ func (s *UTXOSet) ApplyBlockForSpentDecoys(block *Block) {
 }
 
 func stateTransitionRingMembers(tx Transaction, inp RingInput) []crypto.RingMember {
-	if tx.IsLPoDPosition(){
-		if len(inp.Ring)==0{return nil}
+	if tx.IsLPoDPosition() {
+		if len(inp.Ring) == 0 {
+			return nil
+		}
 		return inp.Ring[:1] // native proof authenticates exactly source index zero
 	}
 	if tx.Version != TxVersionCommitmentBinding {
diff --git a/deploy/NODE-SOURCE-UPDATE.md b/deploy/NODE-SOURCE-UPDATE.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e3aa63d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deploy/NODE-SOURCE-UPDATE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+# Installing and updating after the source-history transition
+
+The public repository uses standalone Go paths at its root. Old clones have an
+unrelated history; do not force-reset, clean, or remove their node state.
+
+Download the **complete deployment-tools package** for the reviewed source
+revision and verify its published SHA-256 before extraction. Keep its `deploy/`
+directory and all sibling helpers together, outside live source/data directories.
+Do not run a single downloaded installer without its helpers.
+
+Select the exact reviewed public commit explicitly:
+
+```sh
+export APEROD_NODE_SOURCE_COMMIT=<full-reviewed-public-commit>
+```
+
+For a fresh installation, run `deploy/install-node.sh` or
+`deploy/install-validator.sh` from that package. Installers reject an existing
+binary, configuration, or nonempty state directory; an existing node is not a
+fresh install. Validator setup also needs the operator's reward address.
+
+Updating an existing node additionally requires:
+
+```sh
+export APEROD_BASELINE_APPROVED_SOURCE=<same-reviewed-public-commit>
+export APEROD_BASELINE_APPROVED_BINARY_SHA256=<sha256-of-current-node-binary>
+```
+
+These values are operator approvals, not automatic proof of chain compatibility.
+Before setting them, independently rehearse activation, replay, snapshots,
+configuration and network behavior against that node's actual baseline. Use
+`deploy/update-node.sh` only after that review. A source commit being clean or
+passing build/tests does not establish compatibility with a running chain.
+
+Source is acquired into an owned isolated temporary directory. Existing clones,
+keys, configuration, databases and snapshots are not source-cleanup targets.
+Candidate builds must have clean revision metadata, CGO disabled and a static
+ELF before replacement; missing verification tools or mismatched approvals abort.
+
+The existing `v0.1.1-p2p` binary release is unchanged. Deployment-tools packages
+are separate from node binaries and must not be mistaken for an automatic
+production upgrade or a comprehensive security audit.
diff --git a/deploy/install-node.sh b/deploy/install-node.sh
index 8533201..87522ad 100755
--- a/deploy/install-node.sh
+++ b/deploy/install-node.sh
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ INSTALL_DIR="/opt/aperod"
 DATA_DIR="/var/lib/aperod"
 CONFIG_DIR="/etc/aperod"
 WALLET_DIR="/etc/aperod/wallet"
-GO_VERSION="1.23.4"
+GO_VERSION="1.26.9"
 REPO_URL="https://github.com/aperod-network/aperod-node.git"
 P2P_PORT=30303
 RPC_PORT=8545
@@ -27,9 +27,12 @@ RPC_PORT=8545
 # Resolve script directory early — referenced in step 8b (bootnode) and later
 # steps (watchdog, backup, etc.).  Must be set before any ${SCRIPT_DIR} use.
 SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
-source "${SCRIPT_DIR}/source-safe-guard.sh"
-source_checkout_guard "$INSTALL_DIR" "$DATA_DIR" "${APEROD_CONFIG_FILE:-${CONFIG_DIR}/node.yaml}" ||
-  die "Установка остановлена защитой исходников; существующие данные и файлы не изменены"
+source "${SCRIPT_DIR}/node-source-release.sh"
+node_source_pin_guard || die "Нужен явно выбранный публичный коммит"
+[[ ! -e /usr/local/bin/aperod-node && ! -e "${CONFIG_DIR}/node.yaml" ]] ||
+  die "Узел уже установлен: используйте update-node.sh с проверенным baseline"
+node_source_fresh_state_guard "$DATA_DIR" "$CONFIG_DIR" ||
+  die "Существующие данные/конфигурацию нельзя переустанавливать как новый узел"
 
 # ── Аргументы командной строки ────────────────────────────
 # --primary-ip <IP>   Публичный IP основного (primary) узла.
@@ -142,73 +145,21 @@ else
 fi
 
 # ── 3. Клонирование репозитория ───────────────────────────
-# We use `git clone` (not a tarball) so the install directory is a proper
-# git checkout.  This is required for two reasons:
-#
-#   a) `update-node.sh` later runs `git pull` to receive updates.
-#   b) The post-merge hook (step 12b) is installed into `.git/hooks/`.
-#      Without a git repo the hook directory does not exist and the hook
-#      cannot fire after bare `git pull` calls — which is the exact failure
-#      mode this task exists to prevent.
-#
-# Three cases handled explicitly:
-#   1. .git exists → pull (idempotent re-run or update).
-#   2. Directory is non-empty but has no .git → prior tarball install detected;
-#      print clear migration instructions and abort so the operator decides.
-#   3. Directory is absent or empty → fresh clone.
-info "Получаем исходный код Aperod (git clone)…"
-REPO_URL_GIT="https://github.com/aperod-network/aperod-node.git"
+# Old clones and runtime files in INSTALL_DIR are never checkout targets.
+info "Получаем проверенный публичный коммит в отдельном каталоге…"
 mkdir -p "${INSTALL_DIR}"
-
-if [[ -d "${INSTALL_DIR}/.git" ]]; then
-  # ── Case 1: existing git repo — pull latest ──────────────────────────────
-  info "  Репозиторий уже существует — обновляем через git pull…"
-  chown -R aperod:aperod "${INSTALL_DIR}"
-  sudo -u aperod git -C "${INSTALL_DIR}" pull --ff-only \
-    || die "git pull не удался. Проверьте подключение к GitHub."
-  ok "Репозиторий обновлён в ${INSTALL_DIR}"
-
-elif [[ -n "$(ls -A "${INSTALL_DIR}" 2>/dev/null)" ]]; then
-  # ── Case 2: non-empty directory without .git → prior tarball install ─────
-  # git clone would fail on a non-empty target.  Require the operator to
-  # convert explicitly so we never silently overwrite production data.
-  echo ""
-  echo -e "${RED}═══════════════════════════════════════════════════${NC}"
-  echo -e "${RED}  Обнаружена существующая установка (не git-репо)  ${NC}"
-  echo -e "${RED}═══════════════════════════════════════════════════${NC}"
-  echo ""
-  echo "  ${INSTALL_DIR} содержит файлы, но не является git-репозиторием."
-  echo "  Вероятно, это старая установка через тарбол."
-  echo ""
-  echo "  ── Как конвертировать в git-репозиторий ──────────────"
-  echo "  cd ${INSTALL_DIR}"
-  echo "  git init"
-  echo "  git remote add origin ${REPO_URL_GIT}"
-  echo "  git fetch --depth=1 origin main"
-  echo "  git reset --hard origin/main"
-  echo "  sudo bash deploy/install-node.sh   # повторный запуск"
-  echo "  ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────"
-  echo ""
-  die "Прервано. Выполните конвертацию выше, затем повторите запуск."
-
-else
-  # ── Case 3: fresh install — clone as aperod ──────────────────────────────
-  # Clone as the aperod user so the working tree and .git directory are owned
-  # by the pull user from the start.  The aperod account was created at step
-  # 2b; `sudo -u aperod` is now safe to use.
-  chown aperod:aperod "${INSTALL_DIR}"
-  sudo -u aperod git clone --depth=1 "${REPO_URL_GIT}" "${INSTALL_DIR}" \
-    || die "git clone не удался. Проверьте подключение к GitHub."
-  ok "Репозиторий клонирован в ${INSTALL_DIR}"
-fi
+node_source_prepare || die "Не удалось получить и проверить выбранный публичный коммит"
+chown -R aperod:aperod "$NODE_SOURCE_JOB"
 
 # ── 4. Сборка бинарников ──────────────────────────────────
 info "Компилируем aperod-node и aperod CLI (1–3 минуты)…"
-cd "${INSTALL_DIR}"
+cd "${NODE_SOURCE_DIR}"
 export GOPATH="/root/go"
 
-make deps 2>&1 | tail -3
-make build 2>&1 | tail -8
+env CGO_ENABLED=0 GOWORK=off GOFLAGS= GOENV=off make deps 2>&1 | tail -3
+env CGO_ENABLED=0 GOWORK=off GOFLAGS= GOENV=off GOAMD64=v1 make CGO_ENABLED=0 build 2>&1 | tail -8
+node_source_candidate_guard "$NODE_SOURCE_DIR" "$NODE_SOURCE_DIR/build/aperod-node" ||
+  die "Бинарник не соответствует чистому выбранному коммиту или не является portable"
 
 if [[ ! -f "build/aperod-node" || ! -f "build/aperod" ]]; then
   die "Сборка не удалась — проверьте вывод выше"
@@ -739,16 +690,7 @@ fi
 # The actual privileged copy remains an explicit operator action (update-node.sh).
 #
 # Tarball installs have no .git directory — the step is a silent no-op.
-info "Устанавливаем git post-merge hook (оповещение о расхождении aperod_backup.sh)…"
-HOOK_SRC="${SCRIPT_DIR}/post-merge"
-GIT_HOOKS_DIR="${INSTALL_DIR}/.git/hooks"
-if [[ -d "${GIT_HOOKS_DIR}" && -f "${HOOK_SRC}" ]]; then
-  cp "${HOOK_SRC}" "${GIT_HOOKS_DIR}/post-merge"
-  chmod +x "${GIT_HOOKS_DIR}/post-merge"
-  ok "post-merge hook установлен: ${GIT_HOOKS_DIR}/post-merge"
-else
-  info "  .git/hooks не найден — пропускаем (установка через тарбол, без git)."
-fi
+info "Старый Git-клон и его hooks не изменяются. Обновления выполняются через проверенный update-node.sh."
 
 # Проверяем что стартовал (только если --primary-ip был передан)
 if [[ -n "${PRIMARY_NODE_IP}" ]]; then
diff --git a/deploy/install-validator.sh b/deploy/install-validator.sh
index 43641f3..4a525b7 100755
--- a/deploy/install-validator.sh
+++ b/deploy/install-validator.sh
@@ -19,13 +19,23 @@ APEROD_USER="aperod"
 INSTALL_DIR="/opt/aperod"
 DATA_DIR="/var/lib/aperod"
 CONFIG_DIR="/etc/aperod"
-GO_VERSION="1.23.4"
+GO_VERSION="1.26.9"
 P2P_PORT=30303
 RPC_PORT=8545
 SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
-source "${SCRIPT_DIR}/source-safe-guard.sh"
-source_checkout_guard "$INSTALL_DIR" "$DATA_DIR" "${APEROD_CONFIG_FILE:-${CONFIG_DIR}/node.yaml}" ||
-  die "Установка остановлена защитой исходников; существующие данные и файлы не изменены"
+source "${SCRIPT_DIR}/node-source-release.sh"
+node_source_pin_guard || die "Нужен явно выбранный публичный коммит"
+[[ ! -e /usr/local/bin/aperod-node && ! -e "${CONFIG_DIR}/node.yaml" ]] ||
+  die "Узел уже установлен: используйте update-node.sh с проверенным baseline"
+node_source_fresh_state_guard "$DATA_DIR" "$CONFIG_DIR" ||
+  die "Существующие данные/конфигурацию нельзя переустанавливать как новый узел"
+# A bootstrap package is independent of INSTALL_DIR and must be complete before
+# installing binaries or creating a validator identity/configuration.
+for bootstrap_file in ensure-dropin.sh gomemlimit-policy.sh aperod-node-watchdog.sh \
+  aperod-node-watchdog.service aperod-node-watchdog.timer; do
+  [[ -f "${SCRIPT_DIR}/${bootstrap_file}" && ! -L "${SCRIPT_DIR}/${bootstrap_file}" ]] ||
+    die "Неполный bootstrap package: отсутствует ${bootstrap_file}"
+done
 
 echo -e "
 ${BOLD}╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
@@ -135,24 +145,23 @@ fi
 
 # ── 4. Клонирование репозитория ───────────────────────────
 info "Получаем исходный код Aperod…"
-TARBALL_URL="https://github.com/aperod-network/aperod-node/archive/refs/heads/main.tar.gz"
-rm -rf "${INSTALL_DIR}"
 mkdir -p "${INSTALL_DIR}"
-info "Скачиваем архив исходного кода…"
-wget -q "${TARBALL_URL}" -O /tmp/aperod-src.tar.gz \
-  || die "Не удалось скачать ${TARBALL_URL}"
-tar -xzf /tmp/aperod-src.tar.gz -C "${INSTALL_DIR}" --strip-components=1
-rm -f /tmp/aperod-src.tar.gz
-ok "Исходный код получен в ${INSTALL_DIR}"
+node_source_prepare || die "Не удалось получить и проверить выбранный публичный коммит"
+chown -R "${APEROD_USER}:${APEROD_USER}" "$NODE_SOURCE_JOB"
+GENESIS_SOURCE="${NODE_SOURCE_DIR}/config/genesis-testnet.yaml"
+[[ -f "$GENESIS_SOURCE" && ! -L "$GENESIS_SOURCE" ]] ||
+  die "В выбранном публичном коммите отсутствует genesis конфиг; установка остановлена до записи ключей и бинарников"
 
 # ── 5. Сборка бинарников ──────────────────────────────────
 info "Компилируем aperod-node (может занять 1–3 минуты)…"
-cd "${INSTALL_DIR}"
+cd "${NODE_SOURCE_DIR}"
 export GOPATH="/root/go"
 export PATH="$PATH:/usr/local/go/bin"
 
-make deps 2>&1 | tail -5
-make build 2>&1 | tail -10
+env CGO_ENABLED=0 GOWORK=off GOFLAGS= GOENV=off make deps 2>&1 | tail -5
+env CGO_ENABLED=0 GOWORK=off GOFLAGS= GOENV=off GOAMD64=v1 make CGO_ENABLED=0 build 2>&1 | tail -10
+node_source_candidate_guard "$NODE_SOURCE_DIR" "$NODE_SOURCE_DIR/build/aperod-node" ||
+  die "Бинарник не соответствует чистому выбранному коммиту или не является portable"
 
 if [[ ! -f "build/aperod-node" ]]; then
   die "Сборка не удалась — файл build/aperod-node не найден. Проверьте вывод выше."
@@ -265,12 +274,8 @@ info "Внешний IP: ${MY_IP}"
 
 # ── 9. Копируем genesis конфиг ────────────────────────────
 mkdir -p "${CONFIG_DIR}"
-if [[ -f "${INSTALL_DIR}/config/genesis-testnet.yaml" ]]; then
-  cp "${INSTALL_DIR}/config/genesis-testnet.yaml" "${CONFIG_DIR}/genesis-testnet.yaml"
-  ok "Genesis конфиг скопирован: ${CONFIG_DIR}/genesis-testnet.yaml"
-else
-  warn "Файл genesis не найден. Нода не запустится без него."
-fi
+cp "$GENESIS_SOURCE" "${CONFIG_DIR}/genesis-testnet.yaml"
+ok "Genesis конфиг скопирован из проверенного коммита: ${CONFIG_DIR}/genesis-testnet.yaml"
 
 # ── 10. Конфигурация ноды ─────────────────────────────────
 command -v openssl >/dev/null 2>&1 || die "openssl необходим для генерации API-ключа"
@@ -363,7 +368,7 @@ chown -R "${APEROD_USER}:${APEROD_USER}" "${DATA_DIR}"
 
 # Write / verify memory-protection drop-ins (timeout.conf + gomemlimit.conf)
 # and call daemon-reload so the drop-ins are active before the service starts.
-bash "${INSTALL_DIR}/deploy/ensure-dropin.sh"
+bash "${SCRIPT_DIR}/ensure-dropin.sh"
 systemctl enable aperod-node
 systemctl start  aperod-node
 ok "Сервис aperod-node запущен"
@@ -373,10 +378,10 @@ ok "Сервис aperod-node запущен"
 # GET /api/v1/status every 60 s and calls `systemctl restart aperod-node`
 # if the probe does not return HTTP 200 within 5 s.
 info "Устанавливаем watchdog для aperod-node…"
-cp "${INSTALL_DIR}/deploy/aperod-node-watchdog.sh" /usr/local/bin/aperod-node-watchdog.sh
+cp "${SCRIPT_DIR}/aperod-node-watchdog.sh" /usr/local/bin/aperod-node-watchdog.sh
 chmod +x /usr/local/bin/aperod-node-watchdog.sh
-cp "${INSTALL_DIR}/deploy/aperod-node-watchdog.service" /etc/systemd/system/
-cp "${INSTALL_DIR}/deploy/aperod-node-watchdog.timer"   /etc/systemd/system/
+cp "${SCRIPT_DIR}/aperod-node-watchdog.service" /etc/systemd/system/
+cp "${SCRIPT_DIR}/aperod-node-watchdog.timer"   /etc/systemd/system/
 # Create optional env file for Telegram alerts (operator fills in credentials)
 mkdir -p /etc/aperod
 if [[ ! -f /etc/aperod/watchdog.env ]]; then
diff --git a/deploy/node-source-release.sh b/deploy/node-source-release.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1607ef9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deploy/node-source-release.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Node-only source acquisition. Never refresh, reset or clean a live checkout.
+APEROD_PUBLIC_NODE_ORIGIN="https://github.com/aperod-network/aperod-node.git"
+APEROD_PUBLIC_NODE_ROOT="4bfab534469dc61296910d968ab13cab27554a97"
+_NODE_SOURCE_HELPERS="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+source "${_NODE_SOURCE_HELPERS}/source-safe-guard.sh"
+
+_node_source_git_env() {
+  local name
+  while IFS= read -r name; do unset "$name" || return 1; done < <(compgen -A variable GIT_)
+  export GIT_CONFIG_GLOBAL=/dev/null GIT_CONFIG_SYSTEM=/dev/null GIT_CONFIG_NOSYSTEM=1
+  export GIT_TERMINAL_PROMPT=0
+}
+
+node_source_pin_guard() {
+  [[ "${APEROD_NODE_SOURCE_COMMIT:-}" =~ ^[0-9a-f]{40}$ ]] || {
+    echo "[node-source] REFUSED: set APEROD_NODE_SOURCE_COMMIT to an explicitly reviewed full public commit." >&2
+    return 1
+  }
+}
+
+node_source_fresh_state_guard() {
+  local path entries
+  for path in "$@"; do
+    _source_guard_has_symlink_component "$path" && {
+      echo "[node-source] REFUSED: fresh-install state path has a symlink component." >&2; return 1;
+    }
+    if [[ -e "$path" ]]; then
+      [[ -d "$path" ]] || return 1
+      entries="$(find "$path" -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 -print -quit)" || return 1
+      [[ -z "$entries" ]] || {
+        echo "[node-source] REFUSED: state/configuration already exists; use a baseline-approved update or isolated recovery." >&2
+        return 1
+      }
+    fi
+  done
+}
+
+# This is a scoped operator approval, not an automatic consensus rehearsal.
+# A blanket 'compatible=true' is deliberately insufficient.
+node_source_baseline_guard() {
+  local binary="$1" actual
+  node_source_pin_guard || return 1
+  [[ -f "$binary" && ! -L "$binary" ]] || return 1
+  actual="$(sha256sum -- "$binary")" || return 1
+  actual="${actual%% *}"
+  [[ "${APEROD_BASELINE_APPROVED_SOURCE:-}" == "$APEROD_NODE_SOURCE_COMMIT" &&
+     "${APEROD_BASELINE_APPROVED_BINARY_SHA256:-}" =~ ^[0-9a-f]{64}$ &&
+     "${APEROD_BASELINE_APPROVED_BINARY_SHA256}" == "$actual" ]] || {
+    echo "[node-source] REFUSED: baseline approval must bind this running binary SHA256 to the requested public source commit; rehearse compatibility first." >&2
+    return 1
+  }
+}
+
+# expected_origin/root are explicit trusted inputs. Entry points below hardcode
+# the public identity; local tests supply independent real Git fixture identities.
+node_source_fetch_verified() (
+  set -euo pipefail
+  local origin="$1" expected_origin="$2" commit="$3" root="$4" destination="$5"
+  [[ "$origin" == "$expected_origin" && "$commit" =~ ^[0-9a-f]{40}$ &&
+     "$root" =~ ^[0-9a-f]{40}$ && "$destination" == /* &&
+     ! -e "$destination" && ! -L "$destination" ]] || {
+    echo "[node-source] REFUSED: wrong origin/commit or destination already exists." >&2
+    exit 1
+  }
+  _source_guard_has_symlink_component "$destination" && {
+    echo "[node-source] REFUSED: symlink destination component." >&2; exit 1;
+  }
+  _node_source_git_env || exit 1
+  mkdir -m 700 -- "$destination" || exit 1
+  git -c core.hooksPath=/dev/null -c init.templateDir= init -q "$destination" || exit 1
+  [[ -d "$destination/.git" && ! -L "$destination/.git" ]] || exit 1
+  git -C "$destination" remote add origin "$origin" || exit 1
+  git -c core.hooksPath=/dev/null -C "$destination" fetch --no-tags origin \
+    '+refs/heads/main:refs/remotes/origin/main' || exit 1
+  [[ "$(git -C "$destination" config --get remote.origin.url)" == "$expected_origin" ]] || exit 1
+  [[ "$(git -C "$destination" rev-parse --verify "$commit^{commit}")" == "$commit" ]] || exit 1
+  git -C "$destination" merge-base --is-ancestor "$commit" refs/remotes/origin/main || exit 1
+  [[ "$(git -C "$destination" rev-list --max-parents=0 "$commit")" == "$root" ]] || {
+    echo "[node-source] REFUSED: commit is not descended from the reviewed public root." >&2
+    exit 1
+  }
+  git -c core.hooksPath=/dev/null -C "$destination" checkout --detach -q "$commit" || exit 1
+  [[ -f "$destination/go.mod" && ! -L "$destination/go.mod" &&
+     -f "$destination/Makefile" && ! -L "$destination/Makefile" &&
+     -d "$destination/cmd/node" && ! -d "$destination/blockchain" ]] || exit 1
+  source_checkout_guard "$destination" "" "/dev/null" || exit 1
+  local status
+  status="$(git -C "$destination" status --porcelain --untracked-files=all)" || exit 1
+  [[ -z "$status" ]] || exit 1
+  printf '[node-source] verified public commit %s\n' "$commit"
+)
+
+node_source_prepare() {
+  node_source_pin_guard || return 1
+  NODE_SOURCE_JOB="$(mktemp -d /var/tmp/aperod-node-source.XXXXXXXX)" || return 1
+  NODE_SOURCE_DIR="$NODE_SOURCE_JOB/repo"
+  trap 'node_source_cleanup' EXIT
+  node_source_fetch_verified "$APEROD_PUBLIC_NODE_ORIGIN" "$APEROD_PUBLIC_NODE_ORIGIN" \
+    "$APEROD_NODE_SOURCE_COMMIT" "$APEROD_PUBLIC_NODE_ROOT" "$NODE_SOURCE_DIR" || return 1
+}
+
+node_source_candidate_guard() (
+  local checkout="$1" binary="$2" revision status info segments
+  _node_source_git_env || return 1
+  node_source_pin_guard || return 1
+  [[ -d "$checkout/.git" && ! -L "$checkout/.git" &&
+     -f "$binary" && ! -L "$binary" ]] || return 1
+  revision="$(git -c safe.directory="$checkout" -C "$checkout" rev-parse --verify HEAD)" || return 1
+  status="$(git -c safe.directory="$checkout" -C "$checkout" status --porcelain --untracked-files=no)" || return 1
+  [[ "$revision" == "$APEROD_NODE_SOURCE_COMMIT" && -z "$status" ]] || {
+    echo "[node-source] REFUSED: selected source changed during the build." >&2; return 1;
+  }
+  command -v go >/dev/null && command -v readelf >/dev/null || {
+    echo "[node-source] REFUSED: go and readelf are required to verify the candidate." >&2; return 1;
+  }
+  info="$(go version -m "$binary")" || return 1
+  grep -Eq '^[[:space:]]*build[[:space:]]+CGO_ENABLED=0$' <<< "$info" &&
+    grep -Eq "^[[:space:]]*build[[:space:]]+vcs.revision=${APEROD_NODE_SOURCE_COMMIT}$" <<< "$info" &&
+    grep -Eq '^[[:space:]]*build[[:space:]]+vcs.modified=false$' <<< "$info" || {
+      echo "[node-source] REFUSED: candidate lacks clean, portable build provenance for the selected commit." >&2
+      return 1
+    }
+  segments="$(readelf -l "$binary")" || return 1
+  [[ "$segments" != *INTERP* ]] || {
+    echo "[node-source] REFUSED: candidate has a dynamic ELF interpreter." >&2; return 1;
+  }
+)
+
+node_source_cleanup() {
+  # Only a mktemp-owned job is disposable. Never a configurable live path.
+  [[ "${NODE_SOURCE_JOB:-}" == /var/tmp/aperod-node-source.* &&
+     "${NODE_SOURCE_JOB##*/}" =~ ^aperod-node-source\.[A-Za-z0-9]{8}$ ]] || return 0
+  cd / || return 1
+  rm -rf -- "$NODE_SOURCE_JOB"
+}
diff --git a/deploy/test-node-source-release.py b/deploy/test-node-source-release.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ff90970
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deploy/test-node-source-release.py
@@ -0,0 +1,289 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Real independent Git histories; no network, credentials or system services."""
+import hashlib
+import os
+from pathlib import Path
+import shutil
+import subprocess
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+
+HELPER = Path(__file__).with_name("node-source-release.sh").resolve()
+
+
+class NodeSourceTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.temp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory(prefix="aperod-git-history-")
+        self.root = Path(self.temp.name)
+        self.env = {"PATH": os.environ["PATH"], "HOME": str(self.root),
+                    "GIT_CONFIG_NOSYSTEM": "1", "GIT_CONFIG_GLOBAL": "/dev/null"}
+        self.old = self.repo("old", "old independent root")
+        (self.old / "data" / "chain.db").mkdir(parents=True)
+        for name in ["data/chain.db/CURRENT", "data/chain.db/MANIFEST-000001",
+                     "data/chain.db/000001.ldb", "validator.key",
+                     "snapshot.snapshot", "node.yaml", "p2p_bans.json"]:
+            path = self.old / name
+            path.write_text("synthetic runtime fixture: " + name)
+            path.chmod(0o600)
+        (self.old / "README").write_text("operator tracked local edit")
+        self.before = self.manifest(self.old)
+        self.new = self.repo("new", "new independent public root")
+        self.new_root = self.git(self.new, "rev-parse", "HEAD").strip()
+        (self.new / "README").write_text("new reviewed public revision")
+        self.git(self.new, "add", ".")
+        self.git(self.new, "commit", "-qm", "second new-public commit")
+        self.pin = self.git(self.new, "rev-parse", "HEAD").strip()
+        self.destination = self.root / "isolated"
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.before, self.manifest(self.old), "old checkout/state changed")
+        self.temp.cleanup()
+
+    def git(self, repo, *args):
+        return subprocess.check_output(
+            ["git", "-c", "user.name=Fixture", "-c", "user.email=fixture@example.invalid",
+             "-C", str(repo), *args], text=True, env=self.env, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL)
+
+    def repo(self, name, readme):
+        path = self.root / name
+        path.mkdir()
+        subprocess.run(["git", "init", "-qb", "main", str(path)], env=self.env, check=True)
+        (path / "README").write_text(readme)
+        (path / "go.mod").write_text("module fixture.invalid/node\n\ngo 1.21\n")
+        (path / "Makefile").write_text("build:\n\tCGO_ENABLED=0 go build -o build/aperod-node ./cmd/node\n")
+        (path / ".gitignore").write_text("/build/\n")
+        (path / "cmd/node").mkdir(parents=True)
+        (path / "cmd/node/main.go").write_text(
+            'package main\nimport "fmt"\nfunc main(){fmt.Println("independent-public-node")}\n')
+        self.git(path, "add", ".")
+        self.git(path, "commit", "-qm", readme)
+        return path
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def manifest(path):
+        return {str(p.relative_to(path)): (hashlib.sha256(p.read_bytes()).hexdigest(),
+                                         p.stat().st_mode, p.stat().st_uid, p.stat().st_gid)
+                for p in path.rglob("*") if p.is_file()}
+
+    def shell(self, body, *args, env=None):
+        return subprocess.run(["bash", "-c", 'source "$1"; shift; ' + body,
+                               "fixture", str(HELPER), *map(str, args)],
+                              env=env or self.env, capture_output=True, text=True)
+
+    def fetch(self, origin=None, expected=None, pin=None, root=None, destination=None):
+        return self.shell('if node_source_fetch_verified "$@"; then exit 0; else exit 41; fi',
+                          origin or self.new, expected or self.new, pin or self.pin,
+                          root or self.new_root, destination or self.destination)
+
+    def test_new_history_fetch_preserves_old_clone_and_every_runtime_byte(self):
+        self.assertNotEqual(self.git(self.old, "rev-list", "--max-parents=0", "HEAD").strip(),
+                            self.new_root)
+        result = self.fetch()
+        self.assertEqual(result.returncode, 0, result.stderr)
+        self.assertEqual(self.git(self.destination, "rev-parse", "HEAD").strip(), self.pin)
+        self.assertEqual((self.destination / "README").read_text(), "new reviewed public revision")
+        self.assertEqual(self.git(self.destination, "status", "--porcelain"), "")
+        # Full SHA pin, not merely the latest HEAD: reviewed ancestor remains valid.
+        result = self.fetch(pin=self.new_root, destination=self.root / "pinned-ancestor")
+        self.assertEqual(result.returncode, 0, result.stderr)
+        self.assertEqual(self.git(self.root / "pinned-ancestor", "rev-parse", "HEAD").strip(),
+                         self.new_root)
+
+    def test_wrong_origin_rejected_before_destination_creation(self):
+        self.assertNotEqual(self.fetch(origin=self.old).returncode, 0)
+        self.assertFalse(self.destination.exists())
+
+    def test_missing_commit_rejected_in_conditional_shell_context(self):
+        self.assertNotEqual(self.fetch(pin="f" * 40).returncode, 0)
+
+    def test_wrong_history_root_rejected(self):
+        old_root = self.git(self.old, "rev-parse", "HEAD").strip()
+        self.assertNotEqual(self.fetch(root=old_root).returncode, 0)
+
+    def test_ambient_git_config_cannot_mutate_the_old_checkout(self):
+        env = {**self.env, "GIT_CONFIG": str(self.old / ".git/config"),
+               "GIT_COMMON_DIR": str(self.old / ".git"), "GIT_DIR": str(self.old / ".git"),
+               "GIT_WORK_TREE": str(self.old), "GIT_SHALLOW_FILE": str(self.old / ".git/shallow")}
+        result = self.shell('if node_source_fetch_verified "$@"; then exit 0; else exit 41; fi',
+                            self.new, self.new, self.pin, self.new_root, self.destination, env=env)
+        self.assertEqual(result.returncode, 0, result.stderr)
+
+    def test_git_init_failure_does_not_fall_back_to_parent_repository(self):
+        shim = self.root / "shim"
+        shim.mkdir()
+        real_git = shutil.which("git")
+        wrapper = shim / "git"
+        wrapper.write_text(f'#!/bin/bash\nfor a in "$@"; do [[ "$a" != init ]] || exit 71; done\nexec "{real_git}" "$@"\n')
+        wrapper.chmod(0o755)
+        env = {**self.env, "PATH": str(shim) + ":" + self.env["PATH"]}
+        parent_config = (self.new / ".git/config").read_bytes()
+        result = self.shell('if node_source_fetch_verified "$@"; then exit 0; else exit 41; fi',
+                            self.new, self.new, self.pin, self.new_root, self.new / "child", env=env)
+        self.assertNotEqual(result.returncode, 0)
+        self.assertEqual(parent_config, (self.new / ".git/config").read_bytes())
+
+    def test_side_branch_commit_is_not_an_approved_main_ancestor(self):
+        self.git(self.new, "checkout", "-qb", "unreviewed")
+        (self.new / "README").write_text("unreviewed")
+        self.git(self.new, "commit", "-qam", "side branch")
+        pin = self.git(self.new, "rev-parse", "HEAD").strip()
+        self.git(self.new, "checkout", "-q", "main")
+        self.assertNotEqual(self.fetch(pin=pin).returncode, 0)
+
+    def test_existing_checkout_and_symlink_ancestor_are_never_reused(self):
+        self.assertNotEqual(self.fetch(destination=self.old).returncode, 0)
+        linked = self.root / "linked"
+        linked.symlink_to(self.old, target_is_directory=True)
+        self.assertNotEqual(self.fetch(destination=linked / "new").returncode, 0)
+        self.assertFalse((self.old / "new").exists())
+
+    def test_partial_existing_state_is_not_treated_as_fresh_install(self):
+        self.assertNotEqual(self.shell('node_source_fresh_state_guard "$1"',
+                                     self.old / "data").returncode, 0)
+        self.assertEqual(self.shell('node_source_fresh_state_guard "$1"',
+                                   self.root / "absent-data").returncode, 0)
+        empty = self.root / "empty-data"
+        empty.mkdir()
+        self.assertEqual(self.shell('node_source_fresh_state_guard "$1"', empty).returncode, 0)
+
+    def test_baseline_approval_is_bound_to_both_artifact_identities(self):
+        binary = self.root / "running-node"
+        binary.write_text("synthetic baseline binary")
+        env = {**self.env, "APEROD_NODE_SOURCE_COMMIT": self.pin,
+               "APEROD_BASELINE_APPROVED_SOURCE": self.pin,
+               "APEROD_BASELINE_APPROVED_BINARY_SHA256": hashlib.sha256(binary.read_bytes()).hexdigest()}
+        self.assertEqual(self.shell('node_source_baseline_guard "$1"', binary, env=env).returncode, 0)
+        env["APEROD_BASELINE_APPROVED_SOURCE"] = self.new_root
+        self.assertNotEqual(self.shell('node_source_baseline_guard "$1"', binary, env=env).returncode, 0)
+        env["APEROD_BASELINE_APPROVED_SOURCE"] = self.pin
+        binary.write_text("changed live baseline")
+        self.assertNotEqual(self.shell('node_source_baseline_guard "$1"', binary, env=env).returncode, 0)
+
+    def test_real_static_fixture_build_after_verified_fetch(self):
+        self.assertIsNotNone(shutil.which("go"), "Go fixture build is required, not silently skipped")
+        self.assertEqual(self.fetch().returncode, 0)
+        env = {**self.env, "CGO_ENABLED": "0", "GOTOOLCHAIN": "local", "GOTELEMETRY": "off"}
+        subprocess.run(["make", "CGO_ENABLED=0", "build"], cwd=self.destination, env=env,
+                       check=True, capture_output=True)
+        binary = self.destination / "build/aperod-node"
+        info = subprocess.check_output(["go", "version", "-m", str(binary)], env=env, text=True)
+        self.assertIn("CGO_ENABLED=0", info)
+        self.assertIn("vcs.revision=" + self.pin, info)
+        self.assertIn("vcs.modified=false", info)
+        self.assertEqual(subprocess.check_output([str(binary)], text=True).strip(),
+                         "independent-public-node")
+        self.assertIsNotNone(shutil.which("readelf"))
+        self.assertNotIn("INTERP", subprocess.check_output(["readelf", "-l", str(binary)], text=True))
+        env["APEROD_NODE_SOURCE_COMMIT"] = self.pin
+        checked = self.shell('node_source_candidate_guard "$1" "$2"', self.destination, binary, env=env)
+        self.assertEqual(checked.returncode, 0, checked.stderr)
+        (self.destination / "README").write_text("unapproved build overlay")
+        self.assertNotEqual(self.shell('node_source_candidate_guard "$1" "$2"',
+                                     self.destination, binary, env=env).returncode, 0)
+
+    def test_fresh_validator_install_resolves_genesis_and_bootstrap_without_old_checkout(self):
+        # Real pinned local source and real builds; privileged host commands are
+        # explicit stubs. Every filesystem target is redirected under this job.
+        (self.new / "config").mkdir()
+        genesis = "network: synthetic-install-fixture\n"
+        (self.new / "config/genesis-testnet.yaml").write_text(genesis)
+        (self.new / "cmd/aperod").mkdir()
+        (self.new / "cmd/aperod/main.go").write_text(
+            'package main\nimport("fmt";"strings")\n'
+            'func main(){fmt.Println("Private: "+strings.Repeat("1",64));'
+            'fmt.Println("Public: "+strings.Repeat("2",64))}\n')
+        (self.new / "Makefile").write_text(
+            "deps:\n\ttrue\nbuild:\n\tgo build -o build/aperod-node ./cmd/node\n"
+            "\tgo build -o build/aperod ./cmd/aperod\n")
+        self.git(self.new, "add", ".")
+        self.git(self.new, "commit", "-qm", "synthetic fresh-validator source")
+        pin = self.git(self.new, "rev-parse", "HEAD").strip()
+        deploy = HELPER.parent
+
+        def sandbox(name, missing=None):
+            base = self.root / name
+            host = base / "host"
+            bootstrap = base / "bootstrap"
+            mocks = base / "mocks"
+            for path in [bootstrap, mocks, host / "etc/systemd/system",
+                         host / "usr/local/bin", host / "var/tmp", host / "opt/aperod"]:
+                path.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+            (host / "etc/os-release").write_text('NAME="Ubuntu"\n')
+            files = ["install-validator.sh", "node-source-release.sh", "source-safe-guard.sh",
+                     "ensure-dropin.sh", "gomemlimit-policy.sh", "aperod-node-watchdog.sh",
+                     "aperod-node-watchdog.service", "aperod-node-watchdog.timer"]
+            for name in files:
+                if name == missing:
+                    continue
+                text = (deploy / name).read_text()
+                for absolute in ["/usr/local", "/var/lib/aperod", "/opt/aperod", "/var/tmp", "/etc"]:
+                    text = text.replace(absolute, str(host) + absolute)
+                if name == "node-source-release.sh":
+                    text = text.replace("https://github.com/aperod-network/aperod-node.git",
+                                        str(self.new))
+                    text = text.replace("4bfab534469dc61296910d968ab13cab27554a97", self.new_root)
+                (bootstrap / name).write_text(text)
+            stubs = {
+                "id": 'printf "0\\n"\n',
+                "apt-get": 'echo apt >> "$HOST/commands"\n',
+                "useradd": "exit 0\n",
+                "chown": "exit 0\n",
+                "ufw": "exit 0\n",
+                "curl": 'printf "203.0.113.10"\n',
+                "sleep": "exit 0\n",
+                "xxd": '''[[ "$*" == "-r -p" ]] || exit 81
+python3 -c 'import sys; sys.stdout.buffer.write(bytes.fromhex(sys.stdin.read()))'
+''',
+                "systemctl": '''echo "$*" >> "$HOST/systemctl.calls"
+if [[ "$*" == "start aperod-node" ]]; then
+  test -s "$HOST/etc/aperod/genesis-testnet.yaml" || exit 31
+  test -s "$HOST/etc/aperod/node.yaml" || exit 32
+  test -x "$HOST/usr/local/bin/aperod-node" || exit 33
+  test -s "$HOST/etc/systemd/system/aperod-node.service" || exit 34
+  test -s "$HOST/etc/systemd/system/aperod-node.service.d/timeout.conf" || exit 35
+  test -s "$HOST/etc/systemd/system/aperod-node.service.d/gomemlimit.conf" || exit 36
+fi
+exit 0
+'''
+            }
+            for name, body in stubs.items():
+                file = mocks / name
+                file.write_text("#!/bin/bash\nset -e\n" + body)
+                file.chmod(0o755)
+            env = {**self.env, "PATH": str(mocks) + ":" + str(host / "usr/local/bin") + ":" + self.env["PATH"],
+                   "HOST": str(host), "APEROD_NODE_SOURCE_COMMIT": pin,
+                   "APEROD_REWARD_ADDRESS": "synthetic-fixture-address-" * 5,
+                   "GOTOOLCHAIN": "local", "GOTELEMETRY": "off"}
+            result = subprocess.run(["bash", str(bootstrap / "install-validator.sh")], env=env,
+                                    text=True, capture_output=True, stdin=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+                                    start_new_session=True, timeout=120)
+            return host, result
+
+        host, result = sandbox("fresh-success")
+        self.assertEqual(result.returncode, 0, result.stdout[-2500:] + result.stderr[-2500:])
+        self.assertEqual((host / "etc/aperod/genesis-testnet.yaml").read_text(), genesis)
+        self.assertEqual(list((host / "opt/aperod").iterdir()), [])
+        for name in ["aperod-node-watchdog.service", "aperod-node-watchdog.timer"]:
+            self.assertTrue((host / "etc/systemd/system" / name).is_file())
+        self.assertTrue((host / "usr/local/bin/aperod-node-watchdog.sh").is_file())
+        calls = (host / "systemctl.calls").read_text()
+        self.assertIn("start aperod-node", calls)
+        self.assertIn("enable --now aperod-node-watchdog.timer", calls)
+        self.assertEqual(list((host / "var/tmp").iterdir()), [], "owned source job leaked")
+        broken, failed = sandbox("fresh-missing-bootstrap", missing="ensure-dropin.sh")
+        self.assertNotEqual(failed.returncode, 0)
+        self.assertFalse((broken / "commands").exists(), "missing bootstrap reached apt")
+        self.assertFalse((broken / "etc/aperod/validator.key").exists())
+        self.assertFalse((broken / "usr/local/bin/aperod-node").exists())
+        (self.new / "config/genesis-testnet.yaml").unlink()
+        self.git(self.new, "commit", "-qam", "synthetic candidate without genesis")
+        pin = self.git(self.new, "rev-parse", "HEAD").strip()
+        no_genesis, refused = sandbox("fresh-missing-genesis")
+        self.assertNotEqual(refused.returncode, 0)
+        self.assertFalse((no_genesis / "etc/aperod/validator.key").exists())
+        self.assertFalse((no_genesis / "usr/local/bin/aperod-node").exists())
+        self.assertEqual(list((no_genesis / "var/tmp").iterdir()), [])
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main(verbosity=2)
diff --git a/deploy/test-source-safe-guard.sh b/deploy/test-source-safe-guard.sh
index dfd374e..34e94c8 100644
--- a/deploy/test-source-safe-guard.sh
+++ b/deploy/test-source-safe-guard.sh
@@ -32,23 +32,23 @@ section_guard() { printf '\n== %s ==\n' "$*"; }
 
 section_guard "destructive entrypoints call the shared guard before mutation"
 for pair in \
-  "blockchain/deploy/install-node.sh:source_checkout_guard \"\$INSTALL_DIR\"" \
-  "blockchain/deploy/uninstall-validator.sh:source_checkout_guard \"\$INSTALL_DIR\""; do
+  "install-node.sh:node_source_pin_guard" \
+  "uninstall-validator.sh:source_checkout_guard \"\$INSTALL_DIR\""; do
   script="${pair%%:*}"
   expected="${pair#*:}"
-  if grep -Fq "$expected" "$SCRIPT_DIR/../../$script"; then
+  if grep -Fq "$expected" "$SCRIPT_DIR/$script"; then
     pass "$script invokes the shared source guard"
   else
     fail "$script invokes the shared source guard"
   fi
 done
-INSTALL_GUARD_LINE=$(grep -nF 'source_checkout_guard "$INSTALL_DIR"' "$SCRIPT_DIR/install-node.sh" | head -1 | cut -d: -f1)
-INSTALL_PULL_LINE=$(grep -nF 'git -C "${INSTALL_DIR}" pull --ff-only' "$SCRIPT_DIR/install-node.sh" | head -1 | cut -d: -f1)
+INSTALL_GUARD_LINE=$(grep -nF 'node_source_pin_guard' "$SCRIPT_DIR/install-node.sh" | head -1 | cut -d: -f1)
+INSTALL_PULL_LINE=$(grep -nF 'node_source_prepare' "$SCRIPT_DIR/install-node.sh" | head -1 | cut -d: -f1)
 if [[ -n "$INSTALL_GUARD_LINE" && -n "$INSTALL_PULL_LINE" ]] &&
    (( INSTALL_GUARD_LINE < INSTALL_PULL_LINE )); then
-  pass "install-node guard runs before its git pull"
+  pass "install-node pin guard runs before isolated source acquisition"
 else
-  fail "install-node guard runs before its git pull"
+  fail "install-node pin guard runs before isolated source acquisition"
 fi
 UNINSTALL_GUARD_LINE=$(grep -nF 'source_checkout_guard "$INSTALL_DIR"' "$SCRIPT_DIR/uninstall-validator.sh" | head -1 | cut -d: -f1)
 UNINSTALL_DATA_GUARD_LINE=$(grep -nF 'uninstall_runtime_data_guard || exit 1' "$SCRIPT_DIR/uninstall-validator.sh" | head -1 | cut -d: -f1)
@@ -144,6 +144,7 @@ printf 'data_dir: %s\n  data_dir: %s\n' "$EXTERNAL" "$EXTERNAL" > "$CONFIG"
 assert_rejected "ambiguous duplicate data_dir entries are rejected" \
   source_checkout_guard "$CLEAN" "" "$CONFIG"
 
+if [[ -f "$SCRIPT_DIR/update-source-staging.sh" ]]; then
 section_guard "source-only sparse staging excludes both chain-data trees and fast-forwards"
 ORIGIN="$TMP/origin"
 git init -q --bare "$ORIGIN"
@@ -277,6 +278,12 @@ APEROD_SOURCE_STAGING_TEST_MODE=1 \
    -z "$(git -C "$STAGING" status --porcelain)" ]] &&
   pass "updated staging remains clean and excludes both chain-data trees" ||
   fail "updated staging remains clean and excludes both chain-data trees"
+elif [[ -f "$SCRIPT_DIR/../../blockchain/go.mod" ]]; then
+  fail "workspace source-staging helper is required"
+else
+  section_guard "private source staging is not part of the standalone node distribution"
+  printf 'NOT_APPLICABLE source-staging-only fixtures; all shared source/data guards ran\n'
+fi
 
 printf '\nResult: %d passed, %d failed\n' "$PASS" "$FAIL"
 (( FAIL == 0 ))
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/deploy/test-update-node-key-preflight.sh b/deploy/test-update-node-key-preflight.sh
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index bf4ed2f..d3e4f5a
--- a/deploy/test-update-node-key-preflight.sh
+++ b/deploy/test-update-node-key-preflight.sh
@@ -174,8 +174,8 @@ SCEN
 
 # ── K1 / K7: path resolution from node.yaml and prod-layout fallback ──────────
 run_resolve() {
-    local node_yaml="$1" blockchain_dir="$2"
-    RESOLVE_SRC="$RESOLVE_SRC" BLOCKCHAIN_DIR="$blockchain_dir" \
+    local node_yaml="$1" live_dir="$2" build_dir="${3:-$2}"
+    RESOLVE_SRC="$RESOLVE_SRC" LIVE_BLOCKCHAIN_DIR="$live_dir" BLOCKCHAIN_DIR="$build_dir" \
         bash -s "$node_yaml" <<'SCEN'
 set -uo pipefail
 eval "$RESOLVE_SRC"
@@ -217,18 +217,39 @@ YAML
     fi
 }
 
-# K7: no node.yaml → falls back to the standard prod layout under BLOCKCHAIN_DIR
+# K7: no node.yaml → falls back to the standard live runtime layout
 {
     rt="$WORKDIR/k7"; mkdir -p "$rt/data/testnet"
     : > "$rt/data/testnet/validator.key"
     got="$(run_resolve "$rt/does-not-exist.yaml" "$rt")"
     if [[ "$got" == "$rt/data/testnet/validator.key" ]]; then
-        pass_test "K7: falls back to prod layout (BLOCKCHAIN_DIR/data/testnet/validator.key)"
+        pass_test "K7: falls back to prod layout (LIVE_BLOCKCHAIN_DIR/data/testnet/validator.key)"
     else
         fail_test "K7: expected prod-layout fallback, got '$got'"
     fi
 }
 
+# K7b/c: an isolated source checkout must never become a runtime-key authority.
+{
+    live="$WORKDIR/k7b/live"; build="$WORKDIR/k7b/build"
+    mkdir -p "$live/data/testnet" "$build/data/testnet"
+    printf 'synthetic-live-key\n' > "$live/data/testnet/validator.key"
+    printf 'synthetic-build-key\n' > "$build/data/testnet/validator.key"
+    got="$(run_resolve "$live/missing.yaml" "$live" "$build")"
+    if [[ "$got" == "$live/data/testnet/validator.key" ]]; then
+        pass_test "K7b: runtime fallback ignores a key in isolated build source"
+    else
+        fail_test "K7b: isolated build source replaced runtime key authority"
+    fi
+    rm "$live/data/testnet/validator.key"
+    got="$(run_resolve "$live/missing.yaml" "$live" "$build")"
+    if [[ -z "$got" && "$(cat "$build/data/testnet/validator.key")" == "synthetic-build-key" ]]; then
+        pass_test "K7c: source-only key is neither selected nor changed"
+    else
+        fail_test "K7c: source-only key must not be selected"
+    fi
+}
+
 # ── K4b: read-only 400/aperod key → no-op, owner bits never loosened ─────────
 {
     out="$(run_preflight k4b 400 aperod ok)"; log="$(ops_log k4b)"
diff --git a/deploy/update-node.sh b/deploy/update-node.sh
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 609a6c9..0190d34
--- a/deploy/update-node.sh
+++ b/deploy/update-node.sh
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
-# update-node.sh — Pull latest source, rebuild the Go node binary, and restart
+# update-node.sh — Build an approved isolated public commit and restart
 #                  the aperod-node systemd service.
 #
 # Run this script instead of manually building and copying the binary after
@@ -62,9 +62,14 @@ BINARY_SRC="${BLOCKCHAIN_DIR}/build/aperod-node"
 HEALTH_URL="http://localhost:8545/api/v1/status"
 STATS_URL="http://localhost:8545/api/v1/network/stats"
 DEPLOY_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
-source "${DEPLOY_DIR}/source-safe-guard.sh"
-source_checkout_guard "$APEROD_DIR" "" "${APEROD_CONFIG_FILE:-/etc/aperod/node.yaml}" ||
-  { echo "✗ Source safety guard refused the live checkout; no deploy changes were made." >&2; exit 1; }
+source "${DEPLOY_DIR}/node-source-release.sh"
+node_source_baseline_guard "$BINARY_DST" ||
+  { echo "✗ Public source/baseline approval refused; no deploy changes were made." >&2; exit 1; }
+node_source_prepare || exit 1
+chown -R aperod:aperod "$NODE_SOURCE_JOB"
+LIVE_BLOCKCHAIN_DIR="$BLOCKCHAIN_DIR"
+BLOCKCHAIN_DIR="$NODE_SOURCE_DIR"
+BINARY_SRC="${BLOCKCHAIN_DIR}/build/aperod-node"
 
 # Health-check tunables (override via environment)
 HEALTH_MAX_ATTEMPTS="${HEALTH_MAX_ATTEMPTS:-15}"
@@ -378,8 +383,8 @@ fi
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Step 1: Pull latest source
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-echo "==> [1/5] Pulling latest source as aperod..."
-sudo -u aperod git -C "$APEROD_DIR" pull
+echo "==> [1/5] Fetching the approved public commit in a clean independent directory..."
+echo "  Verified detached public source: ${APEROD_NODE_SOURCE_COMMIT}"
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Step 1a: Warn if node.yaml still carries dangerous ban-threshold defaults.
@@ -472,23 +477,14 @@ _sync_backup_script /usr/local/bin/aperod-deploy "${APEROD_DIR}/deploy/aperod-ap
 #
 # If .git/hooks does not exist (tarball install) the step is a no-op.
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-echo "==> [1c] Installing/refreshing git post-merge hook..."
-HOOK_SRC="${DEPLOY_DIR}/post-merge"
-GIT_HOOKS_DIR="${APEROD_DIR}/.git/hooks"
-if [[ -d "${GIT_HOOKS_DIR}" && -f "${HOOK_SRC}" ]]; then
-  cp "${HOOK_SRC}" "${GIT_HOOKS_DIR}/post-merge"
-  chmod +x "${GIT_HOOKS_DIR}/post-merge"
-  echo "  [hook] post-merge hook installed: ${GIT_HOOKS_DIR}/post-merge"
-else
-  echo "  [hook] ${GIT_HOOKS_DIR} not found — skipping post-merge hook install (tarball install)."
-fi
+echo "==> [1c] Old checkout/hooks retained unchanged; isolated releases do not use post-merge."
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Step 2: Rebuild Go binary — if this fails, abort before touching the service.
 # The old binary keeps running untouched.
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 echo "==> [2/5] Building aperod-node (Go)..."
-if ! sudo -u aperod bash -c "export PATH=\$PATH:/usr/local/go/bin; cd '${BLOCKCHAIN_DIR}' && make build"; then
+if ! sudo -u aperod env CGO_ENABLED=0 GOWORK=off GOFLAGS= GOENV=off GOAMD64=v1 bash -c "export PATH=\$PATH:/usr/local/go/bin; cd '${BLOCKCHAIN_DIR}' && make CGO_ENABLED=0 build"; then
   echo ""
   echo "✗ Build failed — service NOT stopped. The old binary is still running." >&2
 
@@ -504,6 +500,9 @@ if [[ ! -f "${BINARY_SRC}" ]]; then
   echo "✗ Build succeeded but binary not found at ${BINARY_SRC}" >&2
   exit 1
 fi
+node_source_candidate_guard "$NODE_SOURCE_DIR" "$BINARY_SRC" || {
+  echo "✗ Candidate provenance verification failed; running binary not replaced." >&2; exit 1;
+}
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Step 2b: Guard — abort if the fresh binary is dynamically linked.
@@ -630,7 +629,7 @@ _resolve_validator_key_path() {
   fi
 
   # Fallback 1: the standard production on-disk layout.
-  local prod_key="${BLOCKCHAIN_DIR}/data/testnet/validator.key"
+  local prod_key="${LIVE_BLOCKCHAIN_DIR}/data/testnet/validator.key"
   if [[ -f "${prod_key}" ]]; then
     printf '%s\n' "${prod_key}"
     return 0
@@ -638,7 +637,7 @@ _resolve_validator_key_path() {
 
   # Fallback 2: glob under the blockchain data tree (first match wins).
   local globbed
-  globbed=$(find "${BLOCKCHAIN_DIR}" -maxdepth 4 -name validator.key -type f 2>/dev/null | head -1 || true)
+  globbed=$(find "${LIVE_BLOCKCHAIN_DIR}" -maxdepth 4 -name validator.key -type f 2>/dev/null | head -1 || true)
   if [[ -n "${globbed}" ]]; then
     printf '%s\n' "${globbed}"
     return 0
diff --git a/deploy/upgrade-node.sh b/deploy/upgrade-node.sh
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 3faa97e..889df34
--- a/deploy/upgrade-node.sh
+++ b/deploy/upgrade-node.sh
@@ -74,6 +74,9 @@ fi
   || die "ensure-dropin.sh not found at ${ENSURE_DROPIN_SH}"
 [[ -f "${UPDATE_NODE_SH}" ]] \
   || die "update-node.sh not found at ${UPDATE_NODE_SH}"
+source "${UPGRADE_DIR}/node-source-release.sh"
+node_source_baseline_guard /usr/local/bin/aperod-node ||
+  die "Explicit public source and running-binary baseline approval are required before changing drop-ins."
 
 # ── Guard: abort on fresh servers (update-node.sh checks too,
 #    but an early message here is more helpful for operators) ──