diff --git a/core/services/addons/hostgrants/audit.go b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/audit.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6f4a80a05d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/audit.go
@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+package hostgrants
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"sync"
+	"syscall"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/mudler/xlog"
+)
+
+// Audit events. Callers must not put secrets or file paths of the policy in
+// an entry.
+const (
+	AuditGrant           = "grant"
+	AuditRevoke          = "revoke"
+	AuditEdit            = "edit"
+	AuditDenyAdd         = "deny-add"
+	AuditDenyRemove      = "deny-remove"
+	AuditBlanketOn       = "blanket-on"
+	AuditBlanketOff      = "blanket-off"
+	AuditBlanketGrant    = "blanket-grant"
+	AuditRefused         = "refused"
+	AuditReconcileRemove = "reconcile-removed"
+	AuditRestartForGrant = "restart-for-grant"
+)
+
+const maxAuditLine = 16 << 10
+
+// AuditEntry is one line of the audit file.
+type AuditEntry struct {
+	Time           string   `json:"time"`
+	Event          string   `json:"event"`
+	AddonID        string   `json:"addon,omitempty"`
+	Ops            []string `json:"ops,omitempty"`
+	Source         string   `json:"source,omitempty"`
+	Version        string   `json:"version,omitempty"`
+	Digest         string   `json:"digest,omitempty"`
+	OperationID    string   `json:"operationId,omitempty"`
+	RevisionBefore uint64   `json:"revisionBefore,omitempty"`
+	RevisionAfter  uint64   `json:"revisionAfter,omitempty"`
+	// By is the administrator ID, or "deployment" for a switch set by flag.
+	By string `json:"by,omitempty"`
+	// Credential is the kind of credential used, never the credential.
+	Credential string `json:"credential,omitempty"`
+	// Reason is the refusal or removal reason, such as not_human_surface,
+	// approval_stale, blocked_by_policy, revision_conflict or
+	// locked_by_deployment.
+	Reason string `json:"reason,omitempty"`
+	// Blanket names the switch that made a blanket grant, such as
+	// "official@rev3".
+	Blanket string `json:"blanket,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// Audit is the append-only JSONL file beside the document. Every entry is
+// fsynced and also logged as one info line.
+type Audit struct {
+	mu sync.Mutex
+	f  *os.File
+}
+
+// OpenAudit opens or creates the audit file for append. A symlink is refused.
+func OpenAudit(path string) (*Audit, error) {
+	f, err := os.OpenFile(path, os.O_CREATE|os.O_WRONLY|os.O_APPEND|syscall.O_NOFOLLOW, 0600) // #nosec G304 -- fixed file in the guarded owner root; NOFOLLOW rejects symlinks.
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err = f.Chmod(0600); err != nil {
+		_ = f.Close()
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return &Audit{f: f}, nil
+}
+
+// Append writes one entry and syncs it. A nil Audit does nothing, so tests and
+// a locked deployment need no special case. The time is set when empty.
+func (a *Audit) Append(e AuditEntry) error {
+	if a == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if e.Event == "" {
+		return invalid("audit event")
+	}
+	if e.Time == "" {
+		e.Time = time.Now().UTC().Format(time.RFC3339)
+	}
+	b, err := json.Marshal(e)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if len(b) >= maxAuditLine {
+		return invalid("audit entry too large")
+	}
+	b = append(b, '\n')
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	defer a.mu.Unlock()
+	if a.f == nil {
+		return ErrUnavailable
+	}
+	// O_APPEND makes the single write atomic with respect to other writers.
+	if _, err = a.f.Write(b); err == nil {
+		err = a.f.Sync()
+	}
+	xlog.Info("Addon host grant audit", "event", e.Event, "addon", e.AddonID, "ops", e.Ops, "source", e.Source,
+		"operationId", e.OperationID, "by", e.By, "reason", e.Reason, "revision", e.RevisionAfter)
+	return err
+}
+
+// Close closes the file.
+func (a *Audit) Close() error {
+	if a == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	defer a.mu.Unlock()
+	if a.f == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	err := a.f.Close()
+	a.f = nil
+	return errors.Join(err)
+}
diff --git a/core/services/addons/hostgrants/blanket.go b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/blanket.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e1aef1b79e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/blanket.go
@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+package hostgrants
+
+// BlanketInput describes one install or upgrade to the blanket evaluator.
+type BlanketInput struct {
+	AddonID string
+	// Official is true only when the package comes from the built-in
+	// official library AND its receipt shows the official signer. The
+	// source ID alone is not enough, since an administrator names sources
+	// freely. The caller computes it from the verified receipt.
+	Official           bool
+	Required, Optional []string
+}
+
+// BlanketResult says what the switch does for one install or upgrade.
+type BlanketResult struct {
+	// Applies is false when the switch is off or the package is outside its
+	// scope. Plan is then empty and no grant is written.
+	Applies bool
+	// Revision is the switch revision that produces the grants; it goes into
+	// each OpGrant.BlanketRevision and the audit entry.
+	Revision uint64
+	// Plan holds the grants (required operations, plus optional ones when
+	// IncludeOptional is set) and the refusals. BlockedRequired non-empty
+	// means the install is refused as blocked_by_policy: blanket never
+	// writes a grant for a denied operation.
+	Plan Plan
+}
+
+// InScope reports whether the switch covers a package.
+func (b Blanket) InScope(official bool) bool {
+	switch b.Mode {
+	case BlanketAny:
+		return true
+	case BlanketOfficial:
+		return official
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// EvaluateBlanket decides what the blanket switch grants. It grants only
+// declared, registered names, required ones unless IncludeOptional is set,
+// and never an operation a deny rule blocks. The effective switch is the one
+// in doc, unless the deployment fixes the mode, which the caller passes as
+// override ("" keeps the document's mode).
+func (f Floor) EvaluateBlanket(doc Snapshot, c Context, override string, in BlanketInput) BlanketResult {
+	b := doc.Blanket
+	if override != "" {
+		b.Mode = override
+	}
+	if !b.InScope(in.Official) {
+		return BlanketResult{Revision: b.Revision}
+	}
+	wanted := append([]string(nil), in.Required...)
+	if b.IncludeOptional {
+		wanted = append(wanted, in.Optional...)
+	}
+	return BlanketResult{
+		Applies:  true,
+		Revision: b.Revision,
+		Plan: f.Plan(doc, c, PlanInput{
+			AddonID: in.AddonID, Required: in.Required, Optional: in.Optional, Wanted: wanted,
+		}),
+	}
+}
+
+// MergeGrants returns entry with the named operations added, each stamped with
+// the given metadata. Existing operations keep their own source: an explicit
+// grant is never relabelled blanket. The identity, generation and operation ID
+// of the entry become those of the new write.
+func MergeGrants(entry AddonGrants, identity string, generation uint64, operationID string, add []OpGrant) AddonGrants {
+	out := AddonGrants{Identity: identity, Generation: generation, OperationID: operationID}
+	have := map[string]bool{}
+	// An entry for another identity is ineffective, so it is not carried over.
+	if entry.Identity == identity {
+		for _, op := range entry.Ops {
+			out.Ops = append(out.Ops, op)
+			have[op.Name] = true
+		}
+	}
+	for _, op := range add {
+		if !have[op.Name] {
+			out.Ops = append(out.Ops, op)
+			have[op.Name] = true
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// KeepAsOwn relabels the blanket grants of an entry as the administrator's
+// own, so a later "revoke blanket grants" no longer removes them.
+func KeepAsOwn(entry AddonGrants, at, by string) AddonGrants {
+	out := entry
+	out.Ops = make([]OpGrant, len(entry.Ops))
+	for i, op := range entry.Ops {
+		if op.Source == SourceBlanket {
+			op.Source, op.BlanketRevision, op.At, op.By = SourceEdit, 0, at, by
+		}
+		out.Ops[i] = op
+	}
+	return out
+}
diff --git a/core/services/addons/hostgrants/document.go b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/document.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..12fa369b2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/document.go
@@ -0,0 +1,391 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+
+// Package hostgrants owns the owner document of host operation grants that an
+// administrator makes in the UI, the deny rules and the blanket approval
+// switch. It also holds the pure policy logic that combines that document
+// with the startup policy file and flags into the operations an add-on may
+// call. The document lives in the owner policy folder beside, and separate
+// from, the host settings document, so it is never projected to a frontend.
+//
+// The package is not an authorization boundary by itself: only the
+// authenticated host owner may call Store.Update.
+package hostgrants
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"regexp"
+	"slices"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// SchemaVersion is the version of the stored document.
+const SchemaVersion = 1
+
+// Limits of the document. The add-on and deny limits match the policy file.
+const (
+	MaxAddons         = 128
+	MaxOpsPerAddon    = 32
+	MaxDenyKeys       = 128
+	MaxDenyEntries    = 32
+	MaxHintsPerAddon  = 32
+	MaxReceipts       = 256
+	maxDocumentBytes  = 4 << 20
+	maxTextLen        = 256
+	maxOperationIDLen = 128
+)
+
+var (
+	ErrInvalid           = errors.New("invalid addon host grants")
+	ErrConflict          = errors.New("addon host grants revision conflict")
+	ErrOperationMismatch = errors.New("addon host grants operation body mismatch")
+	ErrUnavailable       = errors.New("addon host grants unavailable")
+	ErrUncertain         = errors.New("addon host grants durability uncertain; reopen and reconcile operation")
+)
+
+var (
+	addonIDPattern  = regexp.MustCompile(`^[a-z0-9][a-z0-9-]*$`)
+	opNamePattern   = regexp.MustCompile(`^[a-z]+(\.[a-z]+)+$`)
+	prefixPattern   = regexp.MustCompile(`^[a-z]+\.([a-z]+\.)*$`)
+	hexDigestFormat = regexp.MustCompile(`^[0-9a-f]{64}$`)
+)
+
+// Source says why an operation is granted. The first three are an explicit
+// administrator choice; Blanket was made by the blanket switch.
+type Source string
+
+const (
+	SourceInstall Source = "install"
+	SourceUpgrade Source = "upgrade"
+	SourceEdit    Source = "edit"
+	SourceBlanket Source = "blanket"
+)
+
+func (s Source) valid() bool {
+	switch s {
+	case SourceInstall, SourceUpgrade, SourceEdit, SourceBlanket:
+		return true
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// Blanket modes.
+const (
+	BlanketOff      = "off"
+	BlanketOfficial = "official"
+	BlanketAny      = "any"
+)
+
+// OpGrant is one exact operation granted to an add-on. Grants are never
+// prefixes: the UI can grant only what the manifest names.
+type OpGrant struct {
+	Name    string `json:"name"`
+	Source  Source `json:"source"`
+	At      string `json:"at,omitempty"`
+	By      string `json:"by,omitempty"`
+	Version string `json:"version,omitempty"`
+	// BlanketRevision names the blanket switch revision that produced a
+	// grant with Source blanket, so the group can be told apart and revoked.
+	BlanketRevision uint64 `json:"blanketRevision,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// AddonGrants is the UI-made grant entry of one add-on.
+type AddonGrants struct {
+	// Identity is the trusted identity of the installed package. An entry
+	// whose identity differs from the current receipt is ineffective.
+	Identity   string `json:"identity"`
+	Generation uint64 `json:"generation"`
+	// OperationID is the lifecycle operation that created the entry. The
+	// entry takes effect only once that operation completed.
+	OperationID string    `json:"operationId"`
+	Ops         []OpGrant `json:"ops"`
+}
+
+// Blanket is the blanket approval switch. Revision counts changes of Mode or
+// IncludeOptional and is assigned by the store.
+type Blanket struct {
+	Mode            string `json:"mode"`
+	IncludeOptional bool   `json:"includeOptional"`
+	Revision        uint64 `json:"revision"`
+	ChangedAt       string `json:"changedAt,omitempty"`
+	ChangedBy       string `json:"changedBy,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// Snapshot is the visible content of the document at one revision.
+type Snapshot struct {
+	SchemaVersion int                    `json:"schemaVersion"`
+	Revision      uint64                 `json:"revision"`
+	Blanket       Blanket                `json:"blanket"`
+	Grants        map[string]AddonGrants `json:"grants"`
+	// Deny holds the UI deny rules: add-on ID or "*" to prefixes, exact
+	// operation names, or the single token "*".
+	Deny map[string][]string `json:"deny"`
+	// Hints are non-authoritative: operations granted before an uninstall,
+	// used only to pre-tick the dialog on reinstall.
+	Hints map[string][]string `json:"hints"`
+}
+
+type receipt struct {
+	Body     string `json:"body"`
+	Revision uint64 `json:"revision"`
+}
+
+type document struct {
+	Snapshot
+	Receipts map[string]receipt `json:"receipts"`
+}
+
+func emptySnapshot() Snapshot {
+	return Snapshot{
+		SchemaVersion: SchemaVersion,
+		Blanket:       Blanket{Mode: BlanketOff},
+		Grants:        map[string]AddonGrants{},
+		Deny:          map[string][]string{},
+		Hints:         map[string][]string{},
+	}
+}
+
+// Clone returns a deep copy that the caller may modify.
+func (s Snapshot) Clone() Snapshot {
+	out := s
+	out.Grants = make(map[string]AddonGrants, len(s.Grants))
+	for id, g := range s.Grants {
+		g.Ops = slices.Clone(g.Ops)
+		out.Grants[id] = g
+	}
+	out.Deny = cloneLists(s.Deny)
+	out.Hints = cloneLists(s.Hints)
+	return out
+}
+
+func cloneLists(in map[string][]string) map[string][]string {
+	out := make(map[string][]string, len(in))
+	for k, v := range in {
+		out[k] = slices.Clone(v)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// Patch is one atomic change. Parts apply in this order: RevokeBlanket,
+// Addons, Blanket, Deny, Hints. A nil pointer or map leaves its part alone.
+type Patch struct {
+	// RevokeBlanket drops every op with source blanket from every add-on,
+	// removing entries left without ops.
+	RevokeBlanket bool `json:"revokeBlanket,omitempty"`
+	// Addons replaces the whole entry of an add-on; a nil value deletes it.
+	// Callers read the snapshot, edit one entry and send it back; the
+	// expected revision makes that safe.
+	Addons map[string]*AddonGrants `json:"addons,omitempty"`
+	// Blanket sets the switch. The store assigns Revision: it grows by one
+	// when Mode or IncludeOptional change.
+	Blanket *Blanket `json:"blanket,omitempty"`
+	// Deny replaces the whole UI deny rule set.
+	Deny *map[string][]string `json:"deny,omitempty"`
+	// Hints replaces the hint of an add-on; an empty list deletes it.
+	Hints map[string][]string `json:"hints,omitempty"`
+}
+
+func apply(base Snapshot, p Patch) (Snapshot, error) {
+	next := base.Clone()
+	if p.RevokeBlanket {
+		for id, g := range next.Grants {
+			kept := g.Ops[:0]
+			for _, op := range g.Ops {
+				if op.Source != SourceBlanket {
+					kept = append(kept, op)
+				}
+			}
+			if len(kept) == 0 {
+				delete(next.Grants, id)
+				continue
+			}
+			g.Ops = kept
+			next.Grants[id] = g
+		}
+	}
+	for id, g := range p.Addons {
+		if g == nil {
+			delete(next.Grants, id)
+			continue
+		}
+		entry := *g
+		entry.Ops = slices.Clone(g.Ops)
+		next.Grants[id] = entry
+	}
+	if p.Blanket != nil {
+		b := *p.Blanket
+		if b.Mode != next.Blanket.Mode || b.IncludeOptional != next.Blanket.IncludeOptional {
+			b.Revision = next.Blanket.Revision + 1
+		} else {
+			b.Revision = next.Blanket.Revision
+		}
+		next.Blanket = b
+	}
+	if p.Deny != nil {
+		next.Deny = cloneLists(*p.Deny)
+	}
+	for id, ops := range p.Hints {
+		if len(ops) == 0 {
+			delete(next.Hints, id)
+			continue
+		}
+		next.Hints[id] = slices.Clone(ops)
+	}
+	normalize(&next)
+	if err := validate(next); err != nil {
+		return Snapshot{}, err
+	}
+	return next, nil
+}
+
+// normalize sorts what has no meaningful order, so equal content has one form.
+func normalize(s *Snapshot) {
+	for id, g := range s.Grants {
+		sort.Slice(g.Ops, func(i, j int) bool { return g.Ops[i].Name < g.Ops[j].Name })
+		s.Grants[id] = g
+	}
+	for id, ops := range s.Hints {
+		sort.Strings(ops)
+		s.Hints[id] = ops
+	}
+}
+
+func invalid(format string, args ...any) error {
+	return fmt.Errorf("%w: %s", ErrInvalid, fmt.Sprintf(format, args...))
+}
+
+func validText(s string) bool {
+	if len(s) > maxTextLen {
+		return false
+	}
+	for _, r := range s {
+		if r < 0x20 || r == 0x7f {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
+func validTime(s string) bool {
+	if s == "" {
+		return true
+	}
+	_, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, s)
+	return err == nil && validText(s)
+}
+
+func validOperationID(id string) bool {
+	return len(id) > 0 && len(id) <= maxOperationIDLen && strings.TrimSpace(id) == id && validText(id)
+}
+
+// ValidDenyEntry reports whether s may appear in a deny list: a prefix such
+// as "egress.", an exact operation name such as "workspace.admin", or "*".
+func ValidDenyEntry(s string) bool {
+	return s == "*" || prefixPattern.MatchString(s) || opNamePattern.MatchString(s)
+}
+
+// ValidateDeny checks a deny rule set against the limits of the policy file.
+func ValidateDeny(deny map[string][]string) error {
+	if len(deny) > MaxDenyKeys {
+		return invalid("deny exceeds %d add-ons", MaxDenyKeys)
+	}
+	for id, entries := range deny {
+		if id != "*" && !addonIDPattern.MatchString(id) {
+			return invalid("deny key %q", id)
+		}
+		if len(entries) > MaxDenyEntries {
+			return invalid("deny for %q exceeds %d entries", id, MaxDenyEntries)
+		}
+		seen := map[string]bool{}
+		for _, e := range entries {
+			if !ValidDenyEntry(e) || seen[e] {
+				return invalid("deny entry %q for %q", e, id)
+			}
+			seen[e] = true
+		}
+		if seen["*"] && len(entries) != 1 {
+			return invalid(`deny "*" must be the only entry of %q`, id)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func validate(s Snapshot) error {
+	if s.SchemaVersion != SchemaVersion {
+		return invalid("schema version")
+	}
+	switch s.Blanket.Mode {
+	case BlanketOff, BlanketOfficial, BlanketAny:
+	default:
+		return invalid("blanket mode")
+	}
+	if !validText(s.Blanket.ChangedBy) || !validTime(s.Blanket.ChangedAt) {
+		return invalid("blanket metadata")
+	}
+	if len(s.Grants) > MaxAddons {
+		return invalid("more than %d add-ons", MaxAddons)
+	}
+	for id, g := range s.Grants {
+		if !addonIDPattern.MatchString(id) {
+			return invalid("add-on ID %q", id)
+		}
+		if g.Identity == "" || !validText(g.Identity) || !validOperationID(g.OperationID) {
+			return invalid("entry of %q", id)
+		}
+		if len(g.Ops) == 0 || len(g.Ops) > MaxOpsPerAddon {
+			return invalid("%q must hold between 1 and %d operations", id, MaxOpsPerAddon)
+		}
+		seen := map[string]bool{}
+		for _, op := range g.Ops {
+			if !opNamePattern.MatchString(op.Name) || seen[op.Name] || !op.Source.valid() {
+				return invalid("operation %q of %q", op.Name, id)
+			}
+			seen[op.Name] = true
+			if !validText(op.By) || !validText(op.Version) || !validTime(op.At) {
+				return invalid("metadata of %q for %q", op.Name, id)
+			}
+			if (op.Source == SourceBlanket) != (op.BlanketRevision != 0) || op.BlanketRevision > s.Blanket.Revision {
+				return invalid("blanket revision of %q for %q", op.Name, id)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if err := ValidateDeny(s.Deny); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if len(s.Hints) > MaxAddons {
+		return invalid("more than %d hints", MaxAddons)
+	}
+	for id, ops := range s.Hints {
+		if !addonIDPattern.MatchString(id) || len(ops) > MaxHintsPerAddon {
+			return invalid("hint of %q", id)
+		}
+		seen := map[string]bool{}
+		for _, op := range ops {
+			if !opNamePattern.MatchString(op) || seen[op] {
+				return invalid("hint operation %q of %q", op, id)
+			}
+			seen[op] = true
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func validateDocument(d document) error {
+	if d.Revision == 0 {
+		return invalid("revision")
+	}
+	if err := validate(d.Snapshot); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if len(d.Receipts) > MaxReceipts {
+		return invalid("too many receipts")
+	}
+	for id, r := range d.Receipts {
+		if !validOperationID(id) || !hexDigestFormat.MatchString(r.Body) || r.Revision < 1 || r.Revision > d.Revision {
+			return invalid("receipt %q", id)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/core/services/addons/hostgrants/policy.go b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/policy.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9f3df3bff8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/policy.go
@@ -0,0 +1,243 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+package hostgrants
+
+import (
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// Reason says why an operation is not allowed. The strings are the ones of
+// hostops.Reason in the design; the caller converts. An add-on must never see
+// them: only logs, audit lines and the administrator page do.
+type Reason string
+
+const (
+	ReasonNone             Reason = ""
+	ReasonNotGranted       Reason = "not_granted"
+	ReasonDeniedByFile     Reason = "denied_by_policy_file"
+	ReasonDeniedByAdmin    Reason = "denied_by_admin"
+	ReasonIdentityMismatch Reason = "identity_mismatch"
+)
+
+// SourceDeployment labels a grant that comes from the policy file or flags.
+const SourceDeployment Source = "deployment"
+
+// Decision is the answer for one add-on and operation.
+type Decision struct {
+	Allowed bool
+	Reason  Reason
+	// Source is set when Allowed: deployment, install, upgrade, edit or
+	// blanket. When several sources grant the same operation the display
+	// precedence applies: deployment, then explicit UI, then blanket.
+	Source Source
+}
+
+// Context carries what the evaluator cannot know from the document.
+type Context struct {
+	// Identity is the trusted identity of the installed package of the add-on
+	// being evaluated. Empty means unknown: UI entries then do not count.
+	Identity string
+	// Completed reports whether a lifecycle operation completed in the
+	// journal. A UI entry counts only once its operation completed. Nil
+	// treats every entry as completed.
+	Completed func(operationID string) bool
+	// Registered reports whether the host registers an operation. Nil
+	// registers every name.
+	Registered func(op string) bool
+}
+
+// Floor is the startup policy of the file and flags. It is read-only after
+// construction.
+type Floor struct {
+	// Grants maps an add-on ID to operation prefixes (file and flat flag).
+	Grants map[string][]string
+	// Deny maps an add-on ID, or "*", to deny entries (file and flag).
+	Deny map[string][]string
+}
+
+// matchDeny reports whether any rule of rules names op for addonID.
+func matchDeny(rules map[string][]string, addonID, op string) bool {
+	for _, key := range [...]string{addonID, "*"} {
+		for _, e := range rules[key] {
+			switch {
+			case e == "*":
+				return true
+			case strings.HasSuffix(e, "."):
+				if strings.HasPrefix(op, e) {
+					return true
+				}
+			case e == op:
+				return true
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// Denied reports whether op is denied for the add-on and by which layer. File
+// and flag deny come before the deny set in the UI document.
+func (f Floor) Denied(doc Snapshot, addonID, op string) (bool, Reason) {
+	if matchDeny(f.Deny, addonID, op) {
+		return true, ReasonDeniedByFile
+	}
+	if matchDeny(doc.Deny, addonID, op) {
+		return true, ReasonDeniedByAdmin
+	}
+	return false, ReasonNone
+}
+
+func (f Floor) floorGrants(addonID, op string) bool {
+	for _, p := range f.Grants[addonID] {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(op, p) {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// Decide computes: denied by file or flag, denied in the UI, granted by the
+// floor (prefix), granted by a UI entry (equality, identity checked), else not
+// granted. Deny always wins, whatever else grants the operation.
+func (f Floor) Decide(doc Snapshot, c Context, addonID, op string) Decision {
+	if denied, why := f.Denied(doc, addonID, op); denied {
+		return Decision{Reason: why}
+	}
+	if c.Registered != nil && !c.Registered(op) {
+		return Decision{Reason: ReasonNotGranted}
+	}
+	if f.floorGrants(addonID, op) {
+		return Decision{Allowed: true, Source: SourceDeployment}
+	}
+	entry, ok := doc.Grants[addonID]
+	if !ok {
+		return Decision{Reason: ReasonNotGranted}
+	}
+	i := slices.IndexFunc(entry.Ops, func(g OpGrant) bool { return g.Name == op })
+	if i < 0 {
+		return Decision{Reason: ReasonNotGranted}
+	}
+	if c.Identity == "" || entry.Identity != c.Identity {
+		return Decision{Reason: ReasonIdentityMismatch}
+	}
+	if c.Completed != nil && !c.Completed(entry.OperationID) {
+		return Decision{Reason: ReasonNotGranted}
+	}
+	return Decision{Allowed: true, Source: entry.Ops[i].Source}
+}
+
+// OpStatus is a Decision for one named operation.
+type OpStatus struct {
+	Op string
+	Decision
+}
+
+// Effective evaluates each candidate (usually the operations the manifest
+// declares) for the add-on, in the order given.
+func (f Floor) Effective(doc Snapshot, c Context, addonID string, candidates []string) []OpStatus {
+	out := make([]OpStatus, 0, len(candidates))
+	for _, op := range candidates {
+		out = append(out, OpStatus{Op: op, Decision: f.Decide(doc, c, addonID, op)})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// Entitled reports whether the add-on may call anything at all: it has a file
+// or flag grant that no add-on-wide deny ("*") removes, or an effective UI
+// entry. A narrower deny cannot make this false for a prefix grant, because
+// part of the prefix may stay callable; the per-call check is Decide.
+func (f Floor) Entitled(doc Snapshot, c Context, addonID string) bool {
+	if len(f.Grants[addonID]) > 0 && !denyAll(f.Deny, addonID) && !denyAll(doc.Deny, addonID) {
+		return true
+	}
+	for _, op := range doc.Grants[addonID].Ops {
+		if f.Decide(doc, c, addonID, op.Name).Allowed {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func denyAll(rules map[string][]string, addonID string) bool {
+	return slices.Contains(rules[addonID], "*") || slices.Contains(rules["*"], "*")
+}
+
+// PlanInput asks which of the wanted operations may be granted now.
+type PlanInput struct {
+	AddonID string
+	// Required and Optional are the operations of the verified manifest.
+	Required, Optional []string
+	// Wanted is what the administrator approved, or what the blanket switch
+	// picked. Only declared, registered, not denied, not yet held names are
+	// granted; anything else in Wanted is ignored.
+	Wanted []string
+}
+
+// Plan is the outcome of PlanInput. Every list keeps the order of its input
+// and holds each name once.
+type Plan struct {
+	// Grant is the set to write: wanted, declared, registered, not denied
+	// and not yet held.
+	Grant []string
+	// Held are declared operations already allowed by any source.
+	Held []string
+	// Denied are declared operations that a deny rule blocks.
+	Denied []string
+	// Unsupported are declared operations the host does not register.
+	Unsupported []string
+	// BlockedRequired are required operations that are denied; the install
+	// is refused as blocked_by_policy.
+	BlockedRequired []string
+	// MissingRequired are required operations that are neither granted nor
+	// held nor denied, including unsupported ones; the install is refused
+	// as not approved.
+	MissingRequired []string
+}
+
+// Plan applies the grant rule of the design: approved ∩ declared ∩ registered,
+// minus deny, minus what is already held. It never reads Wanted outside the
+// declared names, so a lying approval cannot widen anything.
+func (f Floor) Plan(doc Snapshot, c Context, in PlanInput) Plan {
+	var p Plan
+	wanted := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, w := range in.Wanted {
+		wanted[w] = true
+	}
+	required := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, r := range in.Required {
+		required[r] = true
+	}
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	declared := append(slices.Clone(in.Required), in.Optional...)
+	for _, op := range declared {
+		if seen[op] {
+			continue
+		}
+		seen[op] = true
+		if denied, _ := f.Denied(doc, in.AddonID, op); denied {
+			p.Denied = append(p.Denied, op)
+			if required[op] {
+				p.BlockedRequired = append(p.BlockedRequired, op)
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+		if c.Registered != nil && !c.Registered(op) {
+			p.Unsupported = append(p.Unsupported, op)
+			if required[op] {
+				p.MissingRequired = append(p.MissingRequired, op)
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+		if f.Decide(doc, c, in.AddonID, op).Allowed {
+			p.Held = append(p.Held, op)
+			continue
+		}
+		if wanted[op] {
+			p.Grant = append(p.Grant, op)
+			continue
+		}
+		if required[op] {
+			p.MissingRequired = append(p.MissingRequired, op)
+		}
+	}
+	return p
+}
diff --git a/core/services/addons/hostgrants/policy_test.go b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/policy_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b17cb461ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/policy_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,321 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+package hostgrants
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/core/config"
+)
+
+const (
+	op     = "workspace.commit"
+	ident  = "id-1"
+	addon  = "sandbox"
+	other  = "web"
+	opFam  = "workspace."
+	opName = "workspace.commit"
+)
+
+func uiEntry(source Source, identity string, ops ...string) AddonGrants {
+	g := AddonGrants{Identity: identity, Generation: 1, OperationID: "op-1"}
+	for _, o := range ops {
+		og := OpGrant{Name: o, Source: source}
+		if source == SourceBlanket {
+			og.BlanketRevision = 1
+		}
+		g.Ops = append(g.Ops, og)
+	}
+	return g
+}
+
+// The precedence table is generated from independent boolean dimensions, and
+// the expectation is written as a plain ordered list of rules so that it does
+// not share logic with the code under test.
+func TestPrecedenceMatrix(t *testing.T) {
+	type dim struct{ fileDeny, uiDeny, floor, ui, blanket, identityOK bool }
+	for bits := 0; bits < 1<<6; bits++ {
+		d := dim{bits&1 != 0, bits&2 != 0, bits&4 != 0, bits&8 != 0, bits&16 != 0, bits&32 != 0}
+		name := fmt.Sprintf("%+v", d)
+		floor := Floor{Grants: map[string][]string{}, Deny: map[string][]string{}}
+		doc := emptySnapshot()
+		if d.fileDeny {
+			floor.Deny[addon] = []string{opName}
+		}
+		if d.uiDeny {
+			doc.Deny["*"] = []string{opFam}
+		}
+		if d.floor {
+			floor.Grants[addon] = []string{opFam}
+		}
+		entryIdentity := ident
+		if !d.identityOK {
+			entryIdentity = "other-package"
+		}
+		switch {
+		case d.ui:
+			doc.Grants[addon] = uiEntry(SourceInstall, entryIdentity, opName)
+		case d.blanket:
+			doc.Grants[addon] = uiEntry(SourceBlanket, entryIdentity, opName)
+		}
+		got := floor.Decide(doc, Context{Identity: ident}, addon, opName)
+
+		var want Decision
+		switch {
+		case d.fileDeny:
+			want = Decision{Reason: ReasonDeniedByFile}
+		case d.uiDeny:
+			want = Decision{Reason: ReasonDeniedByAdmin}
+		case d.floor:
+			want = Decision{Allowed: true, Source: SourceDeployment}
+		case (d.ui || d.blanket) && !d.identityOK:
+			want = Decision{Reason: ReasonIdentityMismatch}
+		case d.ui:
+			want = Decision{Allowed: true, Source: SourceInstall}
+		case d.blanket:
+			want = Decision{Allowed: true, Source: SourceBlanket}
+		default:
+			want = Decision{Reason: ReasonNotGranted}
+		}
+		if got != want {
+			t.Errorf("%s: got %+v, want %+v", name, got, want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDenyMatching(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		rules map[string][]string
+		addon string
+		op    string
+		want  bool
+	}{
+		{map[string][]string{"*": {"egress."}}, "a", "egress.check", true},
+		{map[string][]string{"*": {"egress."}}, "a", "egressx.check", false},
+		{map[string][]string{"a": {"egress."}}, "b", "egress.check", false},
+		{map[string][]string{"a": {"workspace.admin"}}, "a", "workspace.admin", true},
+		{map[string][]string{"a": {"workspace.admin"}}, "a", "workspace.admin2", false},
+		{map[string][]string{"a": {"workspace.admin"}}, "a", "workspace.adminx", false},
+		{map[string][]string{"a": {"workspace.admin"}}, "a", "workspace.commit", false},
+		{map[string][]string{"a": {"*"}}, "a", "anything.at.all", true},
+		{map[string][]string{"a": {"*"}}, "b", "anything.at.all", false},
+		{map[string][]string{"*": {"*"}}, "b", "anything.at.all", true},
+		{map[string][]string{"a": {"connector.file."}}, "a", "connector.file.put", true},
+		{map[string][]string{"a": {"connector.file."}}, "a", "connector.inbound", false},
+		{nil, "a", "x.y", false},
+	}
+	for i, c := range cases {
+		if got := matchDeny(c.rules, c.addon, c.op); got != c.want {
+			t.Errorf("case %d (%v %s %s): got %v", i, c.rules, c.addon, c.op, got)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestGrantsAreEqualityUIAndPrefixFloor(t *testing.T) {
+	floor := Floor{Grants: map[string][]string{addon: {"egress."}}}
+	doc := emptySnapshot()
+	doc.Grants[addon] = uiEntry(SourceInstall, ident, "workspace.commit")
+	c := Context{Identity: ident}
+	if !floor.Decide(doc, c, addon, "egress.audit").Allowed {
+		t.Error("a floor prefix grants every operation of the family")
+	}
+	if floor.Decide(doc, c, addon, "workspace.materialize").Allowed {
+		t.Error("a UI grant is one exact operation, not its family")
+	}
+	if floor.Decide(doc, c, addon, "workspace.commit.x").Allowed {
+		t.Error("a UI grant never matches by prefix")
+	}
+	if floor.Decide(doc, c, other, "workspace.commit").Allowed || floor.Decide(doc, c, other, "egress.audit").Allowed {
+		t.Error("add-ons must not see each other's grants")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestIdentityAndPendingEntries(t *testing.T) {
+	floor := Floor{}
+	doc := emptySnapshot()
+	doc.Grants[addon] = uiEntry(SourceInstall, ident, opName)
+	if d := floor.Decide(doc, Context{}, addon, opName); d.Allowed || d.Reason != ReasonIdentityMismatch {
+		t.Errorf("unknown identity fails closed: %+v", d)
+	}
+	done := map[string]bool{}
+	c := Context{Identity: ident, Completed: func(id string) bool { return done[id] }}
+	if d := floor.Decide(doc, c, addon, opName); d.Allowed || d.Reason != ReasonNotGranted {
+		t.Errorf("a pending entry is not effective: %+v", d)
+	}
+	done["op-1"] = true
+	if !floor.Decide(doc, c, addon, opName).Allowed {
+		t.Error("a completed entry is effective")
+	}
+	// A deny added after the grant wins at once, with no write to the entry.
+	floor.Deny = map[string][]string{"*": {"workspace."}}
+	if d := floor.Decide(doc, c, addon, opName); d.Allowed || d.Reason != ReasonDeniedByFile {
+		t.Errorf("a later deny wins: %+v", d)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRegistryBoundsEveryGrant(t *testing.T) {
+	floor := Floor{Grants: map[string][]string{addon: {"workspace."}}}
+	doc := emptySnapshot()
+	c := Context{Identity: ident, Registered: func(op string) bool { return op == "workspace.commit" }}
+	if floor.Decide(doc, c, addon, "workspace.future").Allowed {
+		t.Error("an operation the host does not register is never allowed")
+	}
+	if !floor.Decide(doc, c, addon, "workspace.commit").Allowed {
+		t.Error("a registered operation under the prefix is allowed")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEntitled(t *testing.T) {
+	doc := emptySnapshot()
+	c := Context{Identity: ident}
+	if (Floor{}).Entitled(doc, c, addon) {
+		t.Error("nothing granted means not entitled")
+	}
+	if !(Floor{Grants: map[string][]string{addon: {"egress."}}}).Entitled(doc, c, addon) {
+		t.Error("a floor grant entitles")
+	}
+	if (Floor{Grants: map[string][]string{addon: {"egress."}}, Deny: map[string][]string{addon: {"*"}}}).Entitled(doc, c, addon) {
+		t.Error("an add-on-wide deny removes the entitlement")
+	}
+	if !(Floor{Grants: map[string][]string{addon: {"egress."}}, Deny: map[string][]string{addon: {"egress.audit"}}}).Entitled(doc, c, addon) {
+		t.Error("a narrow deny leaves the rest of the prefix")
+	}
+	doc.Grants[addon] = uiEntry(SourceInstall, ident, "egress.check")
+	if !(Floor{}).Entitled(doc, c, addon) {
+		t.Error("a UI entry entitles")
+	}
+	if (Floor{Deny: map[string][]string{"*": {"egress."}}}).Entitled(doc, c, addon) {
+		t.Error("a UI entry that is denied does not entitle")
+	}
+	if (Floor{}).Entitled(doc, Context{Identity: "other"}, addon) {
+		t.Error("an identity mismatch does not entitle")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEffectiveKeepsOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	floor := Floor{Grants: map[string][]string{addon: {"egress."}}}
+	doc := emptySnapshot()
+	got := floor.Effective(doc, Context{Identity: ident}, addon, []string{"workspace.commit", "egress.check"})
+	if len(got) != 2 || got[0].Op != "workspace.commit" || got[0].Allowed || !got[1].Allowed || got[1].Source != SourceDeployment {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPlan(t *testing.T) {
+	registered := map[string]bool{"workspace.materialize": true, "workspace.commit": true, "egress.check": true, "workspace.admin": true}
+	c := Context{Identity: ident, Registered: func(op string) bool { return registered[op] }}
+	floor := Floor{
+		Grants: map[string][]string{addon: {"egress."}},
+		Deny:   map[string][]string{addon: {"workspace.admin"}},
+	}
+	doc := emptySnapshot()
+	doc.Deny["*"] = []string{"connector."}
+	p := floor.Plan(doc, c, PlanInput{
+		AddonID:  addon,
+		Required: []string{"workspace.materialize", "egress.check"},
+		Optional: []string{"workspace.commit", "workspace.admin", "connector.inbound", "nope.nothing"},
+		// A lying approval: an undeclared name and a denied one.
+		Wanted: []string{"workspace.materialize", "workspace.admin", "undeclared.op", "connector.inbound", "nope.nothing"},
+	})
+	want := Plan{
+		Grant:           []string{"workspace.materialize"},
+		Held:            []string{"egress.check"},
+		Denied:          []string{"workspace.admin", "connector.inbound"},
+		Unsupported:     []string{"nope.nothing"},
+		BlockedRequired: nil,
+		MissingRequired: nil,
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(p, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("got  %+v\nwant %+v", p, want)
+	}
+
+	p = floor.Plan(doc, c, PlanInput{AddonID: addon, Required: []string{"workspace.materialize", "workspace.admin", "nope.nothing"}})
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(p.BlockedRequired, []string{"workspace.admin"}) ||
+		!reflect.DeepEqual(p.MissingRequired, []string{"workspace.materialize", "nope.nothing"}) || len(p.Grant) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("required handling: %+v", p)
+	}
+	// Duplicate declarations count once.
+	p = floor.Plan(doc, c, PlanInput{AddonID: addon, Required: []string{"workspace.commit", "workspace.commit"}, Wanted: []string{"workspace.commit"}})
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(p.Grant, []string{"workspace.commit"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", p)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBlanket(t *testing.T) {
+	registered := map[string]bool{"workspace.materialize": true, "workspace.commit": true, "workspace.admin": true}
+	c := Context{Identity: ident, Registered: func(op string) bool { return registered[op] }}
+	in := BlanketInput{AddonID: addon, Official: false,
+		Required: []string{"workspace.materialize"}, Optional: []string{"workspace.commit"}}
+	doc := emptySnapshot()
+	floor := Floor{}
+
+	if r := floor.EvaluateBlanket(doc, c, "", in); r.Applies || len(r.Plan.Grant) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("off by default: %+v", r)
+	}
+	doc.Blanket = Blanket{Mode: BlanketOfficial, Revision: 3}
+	if r := floor.EvaluateBlanket(doc, c, "", in); r.Applies {
+		t.Fatalf("official mode needs an official package: %+v", r)
+	}
+	in.Official = true
+	r := floor.EvaluateBlanket(doc, c, "", in)
+	if !r.Applies || r.Revision != 3 || !reflect.DeepEqual(r.Plan.Grant, []string{"workspace.materialize"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("required only: %+v", r)
+	}
+	doc.Blanket.IncludeOptional = true
+	r = floor.EvaluateBlanket(doc, c, "", in)
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(r.Plan.Grant, []string{"workspace.materialize", "workspace.commit"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("includeOptional: %+v", r)
+	}
+	// any covers a package that is not official.
+	doc.Blanket = Blanket{Mode: BlanketAny, Revision: 4}
+	in.Official = false
+	if r = floor.EvaluateBlanket(doc, c, "", in); !r.Applies || len(r.Plan.Grant) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("any: %+v", r)
+	}
+	// A deployment override replaces the stored mode.
+	if r = floor.EvaluateBlanket(doc, c, BlanketOff, in); r.Applies {
+		t.Fatalf("override off: %+v", r)
+	}
+	// A denied required operation blocks and is never granted.
+	in.Required = []string{"workspace.materialize", "workspace.admin"}
+	doc.Deny["*"] = []string{"workspace.admin"}
+	r = floor.EvaluateBlanket(doc, c, "", in)
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(r.Plan.BlockedRequired, []string{"workspace.admin"}) || reflect.DeepEqual(r.Plan.Grant, []string{"workspace.admin"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("deny beats blanket: %+v", r)
+	}
+	for _, g := range r.Plan.Grant {
+		if g == "workspace.admin" {
+			t.Fatal("blanket wrote a denied operation")
+		}
+	}
+	// Add-ons with no declared request get nothing.
+	if r = floor.EvaluateBlanket(doc, c, "", BlanketInput{AddonID: "slack"}); len(r.Plan.Grant) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", r)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMergeGrants(t *testing.T) {
+	explicit := uiEntry(SourceInstall, ident, "workspace.commit")
+	merged := MergeGrants(explicit, ident, 2, "op-2", []OpGrant{
+		{Name: "workspace.commit", Source: SourceBlanket, BlanketRevision: 1},
+		{Name: "egress.check", Source: SourceBlanket, BlanketRevision: 1},
+	})
+	if merged.OperationID != "op-2" || merged.Generation != 2 || len(merged.Ops) != 2 || merged.Ops[0].Source != SourceInstall {
+		t.Fatalf("an explicit grant is never relabelled blanket: %+v", merged)
+	}
+	fresh := MergeGrants(explicit, "new-package", 1, "op-3", []OpGrant{{Name: "egress.check", Source: SourceInstall}})
+	if len(fresh.Ops) != 1 || fresh.Identity != "new-package" {
+		t.Fatalf("an entry of another identity is not carried over: %+v", fresh)
+	}
+}
+
+// The deny grammar of the document must be the grammar of the policy file.
+func TestDenyGrammarMatchesThePolicyFile(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, entry := range []string{"*", "egress.", "workspace.admin", "connector.file.", "connector.file.put", "X.", "workspace", "a..", ".a", "a.b.", "a.B", "", "a.b.c.", "a-b.c"} {
+		_, err := config.ParseAddonHostDeny("a=" + entry)
+		if (err == nil) != ValidDenyEntry(entry) {
+			t.Errorf("entry %q: config accepts=%v, hostgrants accepts=%v", entry, err == nil, ValidDenyEntry(entry))
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/core/services/addons/hostgrants/reconcile.go b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/reconcile.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ad65511160
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/reconcile.go
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+package hostgrants
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"slices"
+	"sort"
+)
+
+// Reasons for a reconcile removal.
+const (
+	RemovedNotInstalled        = "not_installed"
+	RemovedIdentityMismatch    = "identity_mismatch"
+	RemovedOperationIncomplete = "operation_incomplete"
+)
+
+// ReconcileInput is what startup knows about the lifecycle state.
+type ReconcileInput struct {
+	// Installed returns the trusted identity of an installed add-on.
+	Installed func(addonID string) (identity string, ok bool)
+	// OperationCompleted reports whether a lifecycle operation completed in
+	// the journal. Nil treats every operation as completed.
+	OperationCompleted func(operationID string) bool
+}
+
+// Removal describes one entry that reconciliation deletes.
+type Removal struct {
+	AddonID string
+	Reason  string
+	Ops     []string
+}
+
+// PlanReconcile lists the entries to delete: add-ons that are not installed,
+// entries whose identity differs from the installed package, and pending
+// entries whose lifecycle operation never completed (a crash between the
+// grant write and the journal commit). Deny rules, blanket state and hints are
+// untouched. The result is sorted by add-on ID.
+func PlanReconcile(snap Snapshot, in ReconcileInput) (Patch, []Removal) {
+	var removals []Removal
+	patch := Patch{Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{}}
+	for id, entry := range snap.Grants {
+		reason := ""
+		identity, installed := "", false
+		if in.Installed != nil {
+			identity, installed = in.Installed(id)
+		}
+		switch {
+		case !installed:
+			reason = RemovedNotInstalled
+		case identity != entry.Identity:
+			reason = RemovedIdentityMismatch
+		case in.OperationCompleted != nil && !in.OperationCompleted(entry.OperationID):
+			reason = RemovedOperationIncomplete
+		}
+		if reason == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		ops := make([]string, 0, len(entry.Ops))
+		for _, op := range entry.Ops {
+			ops = append(ops, op.Name)
+		}
+		removals = append(removals, Removal{AddonID: id, Reason: reason, Ops: ops})
+		patch.Addons[id] = nil
+	}
+	sort.Slice(removals, func(i, j int) bool { return removals[i].AddonID < removals[j].AddonID })
+	return patch, removals
+}
+
+// Reconcile deletes stale entries in one Update and returns what it removed
+// so the caller can write a reconcile-removed audit entry for each. It retries
+// a revision conflict a few times and does nothing when there is nothing to
+// remove. The operation ID is derived from the revision, so a repeated call
+// after a lost response is a replay.
+func (s *Store) Reconcile(ctx context.Context, in ReconcileInput) ([]Removal, error) {
+	for range 3 {
+		snap, err := s.Snapshot(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		patch, removals := PlanReconcile(snap, in)
+		if len(removals) == 0 {
+			return nil, nil
+		}
+		_, err = s.Update(ctx, patch, snap.Revision, fmt.Sprintf("reconcile-r%d", snap.Revision))
+		if errors.Is(err, ErrConflict) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return slices.Clone(removals), nil
+	}
+	return nil, ErrConflict
+}
diff --git a/core/services/addons/hostgrants/reconcile_test.go b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/reconcile_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d68634ee67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/reconcile_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+package hostgrants
+
+import (
+	"bufio"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestPlanReconcile(t *testing.T) {
+	snap := emptySnapshot()
+	snap.Grants["kept"] = *grant("done", "egress.check")
+	snap.Grants["gone"] = *grant("done", "egress.check", "egress.audit")
+	snap.Grants["swapped"] = *grant("done", "egress.check")
+	snap.Grants["pending"] = *grant("never-completed", "egress.check")
+	snap.Deny["*"] = []string{"connector."}
+	snap.Hints["gone"] = []string{"egress.check"}
+	patch, removals := PlanReconcile(snap, ReconcileInput{
+		Installed: func(id string) (string, bool) {
+			switch id {
+			case "kept", "pending":
+				return "id-1", true
+			case "swapped":
+				return "another-package", true
+			}
+			return "", false
+		},
+		OperationCompleted: func(id string) bool { return id == "done" },
+	})
+	want := []Removal{
+		{AddonID: "gone", Reason: RemovedNotInstalled, Ops: []string{"egress.check", "egress.audit"}},
+		{AddonID: "pending", Reason: RemovedOperationIncomplete, Ops: []string{"egress.check"}},
+		{AddonID: "swapped", Reason: RemovedIdentityMismatch, Ops: []string{"egress.check"}},
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(removals, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("got %+v", removals)
+	}
+	if len(patch.Addons) != 3 || patch.Addons["kept"] != nil || patch.Deny != nil || patch.Hints != nil || patch.Blanket != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the patch must touch only the stale entries: %+v", patch)
+	}
+}
+
+// A crash after the grant write and before the journal commit leaves a pending
+// entry. After a restart, reconciliation removes it, whichever way it died.
+func TestReconcileAfterACrash(t *testing.T) {
+	s, path := openStore(t)
+	mustUpdate(t, s, Patch{Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{
+		"half-installed": grant("op-crashed", "workspace.materialize"),
+		"installed":      grant("op-done", "egress.check"),
+		"uninstalled":    grant("op-old", "egress.check"),
+	}}, 0, "grants-1")
+	// The process dies here: no Close, no cleanup. The lock dies with it.
+	_ = s.Close()
+
+	s2, err := Open(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = s2.Close() }()
+	in := ReconcileInput{
+		Installed:          func(id string) (string, bool) { return "id-1", id != "uninstalled" },
+		OperationCompleted: func(id string) bool { return id != "op-crashed" },
+	}
+	removed, err := s2.Reconcile(bg, in)
+	if err != nil || len(removed) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("removed %+v, %v", removed, err)
+	}
+	snap, _ := s2.Snapshot(bg)
+	if len(snap.Grants) != 1 || snap.Grants["installed"].OperationID != "op-done" {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", snap.Grants)
+	}
+	// Nothing left: a second pass writes nothing.
+	rev := snap.Revision
+	removed, err = s2.Reconcile(bg, in)
+	if err != nil || removed != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v, %v", removed, err)
+	}
+	if again, _ := s2.Snapshot(bg); again.Revision != rev {
+		t.Fatal("an empty reconcile must not write")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestReconcileReplaysAfterALostResponse(t *testing.T) {
+	s, _ := openStore(t)
+	mustUpdate(t, s, Patch{Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": grant("op", "egress.check")}}, 0, "g")
+	in := ReconcileInput{Installed: func(string) (string, bool) { return "", false }}
+	snap, _ := s.Snapshot(bg)
+	patch, _ := PlanReconcile(snap, in)
+	if _, err := s.Update(bg, patch, snap.Revision, "reconcile-r1"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// The same operation arriving again is a replay, not a second write.
+	r, err := s.Update(bg, patch, snap.Revision, "reconcile-r1")
+	if err != nil || !r.Replayed {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v %v", r, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAuditAppendsFsyncedLines(t *testing.T) {
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "host-grants-audit.jsonl")
+	a, err := OpenAudit(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := a.Append(AuditEntry{Event: AuditGrant, AddonID: "sandbox", Ops: []string{"egress.check"}, Source: "install", OperationID: "op-1", RevisionBefore: 1, RevisionAfter: 2, By: "admin"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := a.Append(AuditEntry{Event: AuditBlanketGrant, Blanket: "official@rev3", Time: "2026-11-03T10:00:00Z"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := a.Append(AuditEntry{}); err == nil {
+		t.Error("an entry needs an event")
+	}
+	if err := a.Append(AuditEntry{Event: AuditRefused, Reason: string(make([]byte, maxAuditLine))}); err == nil {
+		t.Error("an oversized entry is refused")
+	}
+	_ = a.Close()
+	if err := a.Append(AuditEntry{Event: AuditGrant}); err == nil {
+		t.Error("a closed audit refuses")
+	}
+	// Reopening appends; it never truncates.
+	a2, err := OpenAudit(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	_ = a2.Append(AuditEntry{Event: AuditRevoke, AddonID: "sandbox"})
+	_ = a2.Close()
+
+	f, err := os.Open(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = f.Close() }()
+	var events []string
+	sc := bufio.NewScanner(f)
+	for sc.Scan() {
+		var e AuditEntry
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(sc.Bytes(), &e); err != nil || e.Time == "" {
+			t.Fatalf("line %q: %v", sc.Text(), err)
+		}
+		events = append(events, e.Event)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(events, []string{AuditGrant, AuditBlanketGrant, AuditRevoke}) {
+		t.Fatalf("%v", events)
+	}
+	if info, _ := os.Stat(path); info.Mode().Perm() != 0600 {
+		t.Fatalf("mode %v", info.Mode())
+	}
+	var none *Audit
+	if none.Append(AuditEntry{Event: AuditGrant}) != nil || none.Close() != nil {
+		t.Error("a nil audit is a no-op")
+	}
+	link := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "link")
+	if err := os.Symlink(path, link); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := OpenAudit(link); err == nil {
+		t.Error("a symlink must be refused")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/core/services/addons/hostgrants/store.go b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/store.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..99fda9d956
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/store.go
@@ -0,0 +1,257 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+package hostgrants
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sync"
+	"syscall"
+)
+
+// Store serializes the owner's grant transactions. The parent directory is
+// trusted owner storage; callers must not remove the lock file or share the
+// file over a filesystem without flock and atomic rename and fsync semantics.
+// The persistence follows the pattern of the host settings store: atomic
+// rename, directory fsync, compare-and-set on the revision and operation
+// receipts for idempotent replay.
+type Store struct {
+	mu        sync.Mutex
+	doc       document
+	lock      *os.File
+	closed    bool
+	uncertain bool
+	persist   func(document) (renamed bool, err error)
+}
+
+// Result is the outcome of Update.
+type Result struct {
+	Snapshot Snapshot
+	// Replayed is true when the operation ID had already been applied with
+	// the same patch. Snapshot is then the current state, which may be newer
+	// than the state the original call produced.
+	Replayed bool
+}
+
+// Open loads the document at path. A missing file is an empty document at
+// revision 0 and is not created until the first Update. A corrupt or
+// unreadable file is an error: it is never replaced by a default.
+func Open(path string) (*Store, error) {
+	path, err := filepath.Abs(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err = os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(path), 0700); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	lock, err := os.OpenFile(path+".lock", os.O_CREATE|os.O_RDWR|syscall.O_NOFOLLOW, 0600) // #nosec G304 -- caller supplies a fixed file in the guarded owner root, never a request path; reject symlinks.
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	s := &Store{lock: lock, persist: func(d document) (bool, error) { return persistFile(path, d) }}
+	fail := func(e error) (*Store, error) { _ = s.Close(); return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrUnavailable, e) }
+	if err = lock.Chmod(0600); err != nil {
+		return fail(err)
+	}
+	if err = syscall.Flock(int(lock.Fd()), syscall.LOCK_EX|syscall.LOCK_NB); err != nil {
+		return fail(err)
+	}
+	f, err := os.OpenFile(path, os.O_RDONLY|syscall.O_NOFOLLOW, 0) // #nosec G304 -- same trusted owner-root file; NOFOLLOW plus mode/type checks below prevent file substitution.
+	if os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		s.doc = document{Snapshot: emptySnapshot(), Receipts: map[string]receipt{}}
+		return s, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return fail(err)
+	}
+	info, statErr := f.Stat()
+	if statErr != nil {
+		_ = f.Close()
+		return fail(statErr)
+	}
+	if !info.Mode().IsRegular() || info.Mode().Perm()&0077 != 0 || info.Size() > maxDocumentBytes {
+		_ = f.Close()
+		return fail(ErrInvalid)
+	}
+	b, readErr := io.ReadAll(io.LimitReader(f, maxDocumentBytes+1))
+	closeErr := f.Close()
+	if err = errors.Join(readErr, closeErr); err != nil {
+		return fail(err)
+	}
+	var d document
+	if len(b) > maxDocumentBytes || strictJSON(b, &d) != nil {
+		return fail(ErrInvalid)
+	}
+	if d.Receipts == nil {
+		d.Receipts = map[string]receipt{}
+	}
+	if d.Grants == nil {
+		d.Grants = map[string]AddonGrants{}
+	}
+	if d.Deny == nil {
+		d.Deny = map[string][]string{}
+	}
+	if d.Hints == nil {
+		d.Hints = map[string][]string{}
+	}
+	if err = validateDocument(d); err != nil {
+		return fail(err)
+	}
+	s.doc = d
+	return s, nil
+}
+
+func strictJSON(b []byte, v any) error {
+	d := json.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(b))
+	d.DisallowUnknownFields()
+	if err := d.Decode(v); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if _, err := d.Token(); err != io.EOF {
+		return ErrInvalid
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *Store) usable() error {
+	switch {
+	case s.closed:
+		return ErrUnavailable
+	case s.uncertain:
+		return ErrUncertain
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Snapshot returns a copy of the current document.
+func (s *Store) Snapshot(ctx context.Context) (Snapshot, error) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return Snapshot{}, err
+	}
+	if err := s.usable(); err != nil {
+		return Snapshot{}, err
+	}
+	return s.doc.Snapshot.Clone(), nil
+}
+
+// Update applies patch if the document is at expectedRevision. A repeated
+// operationID with the same patch returns Replayed without a write, checked
+// before the revision; the same ID with another patch is ErrOperationMismatch.
+// Once persistence begins it completes even if ctx is cancelled. After
+// ErrUncertain the store refuses all calls until it is reopened; the caller
+// then replays the same operation ID and patch.
+func (s *Store) Update(ctx context.Context, patch Patch, expectedRevision uint64, operationID string) (Result, error) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return Result{}, err
+	}
+	if err := s.usable(); err != nil {
+		return Result{}, err
+	}
+	if !validOperationID(operationID) {
+		return Result{}, invalid("operation ID")
+	}
+	body, err := json.Marshal(patch)
+	if err != nil {
+		return Result{}, invalid("patch")
+	}
+	sum := sha256.Sum256(body)
+	hash := hex.EncodeToString(sum[:])
+	if r, ok := s.doc.Receipts[operationID]; ok {
+		if r.Body != hash {
+			return Result{}, ErrOperationMismatch
+		}
+		return Result{Snapshot: s.doc.Snapshot.Clone(), Replayed: true}, nil
+	}
+	if expectedRevision != s.doc.Revision {
+		return Result{}, ErrConflict
+	}
+	next, err := apply(s.doc.Snapshot, patch)
+	if err != nil {
+		return Result{}, err
+	}
+	next.Revision = s.doc.Revision + 1
+	nd := document{Snapshot: next, Receipts: make(map[string]receipt, len(s.doc.Receipts)+1)}
+	for id, r := range s.doc.Receipts {
+		nd.Receipts[id] = r
+	}
+	nd.Receipts[operationID] = receipt{Body: hash, Revision: next.Revision}
+	for len(nd.Receipts) > MaxReceipts {
+		var oldestID string
+		var oldest uint64
+		for id, r := range nd.Receipts {
+			if oldestID == "" || r.Revision < oldest {
+				oldestID, oldest = id, r.Revision
+			}
+		}
+		delete(nd.Receipts, oldestID)
+	}
+	renamed, err := s.persist(nd)
+	if err != nil {
+		if renamed {
+			s.uncertain = true
+			return Result{}, errors.Join(ErrUncertain, err)
+		}
+		return Result{}, err
+	}
+	s.doc = nd
+	return Result{Snapshot: next.Clone()}, nil
+}
+
+// Close releases the lock. The store refuses all calls afterwards.
+func (s *Store) Close() error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	s.closed = true
+	if s.lock == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	err := errors.Join(syscall.Flock(int(s.lock.Fd()), syscall.LOCK_UN), s.lock.Close())
+	s.lock = nil
+	return err
+}
+
+// The boolean separates a safely rejected write from an ambiguous commit.
+func persistFile(path string, d document) (bool, error) {
+	b, err := json.Marshal(d)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	if len(b) > maxDocumentBytes {
+		return false, invalid("document too large")
+	}
+	dir, err := os.Open(filepath.Dir(path))
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = dir.Close() }() // The explicit Sync below determines commit durability.
+	f, err := os.CreateTemp(filepath.Dir(path), ".host-grants-*")
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = os.Remove(f.Name()) }() // Best-effort removal; a successful rename already removed this name.
+	if _, err = f.Write(b); err == nil {
+		err = f.Sync()
+	}
+	err = errors.Join(err, f.Close())
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	if err = os.Rename(f.Name(), path); err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	if err = dir.Sync(); err != nil {
+		return true, err
+	}
+	return true, nil
+}
diff --git a/core/services/addons/hostgrants/store_test.go b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/store_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..46ef0a2610
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/services/addons/hostgrants/store_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,467 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+package hostgrants
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+var bg = context.Background()
+
+func grant(opID string, ops ...string) *AddonGrants {
+	g := &AddonGrants{Identity: "id-1", Generation: 1, OperationID: opID}
+	for _, o := range ops {
+		g.Ops = append(g.Ops, OpGrant{Name: o, Source: SourceInstall, At: "2026-11-03T10:00:00Z", By: "admin", Version: "1.0.0"})
+	}
+	return g
+}
+
+func openStore(t *testing.T) (*Store, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "policy", "host-grants.json")
+	s, err := Open(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = s.Close() })
+	return s, path
+}
+
+func mustUpdate(t *testing.T, s *Store, p Patch, rev uint64, id string) Snapshot {
+	t.Helper()
+	r, err := s.Update(bg, p, rev, id)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("update %s: %v", id, err)
+	}
+	return r.Snapshot
+}
+
+func TestEmptyStoreDoesNotCreateTheDocument(t *testing.T) {
+	s, path := openStore(t)
+	snap, err := s.Snapshot(bg)
+	if err != nil || snap.Revision != 0 || snap.Blanket.Mode != BlanketOff || len(snap.Grants) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected empty snapshot %+v, %v", snap, err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(path); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatalf("document must not exist before the first write: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdatePersistsAndReopens(t *testing.T) {
+	s, path := openStore(t)
+	snap := mustUpdate(t, s, Patch{Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"sandbox": grant("op-1", "workspace.commit", "workspace.materialize")}}, 0, "w1")
+	if snap.Revision != 1 || snap.Grants["sandbox"].Ops[0].Name != "workspace.commit" {
+		t.Fatalf("ops must be sorted and revision 1: %+v", snap)
+	}
+	info, err := os.Stat(path)
+	if err != nil || info.Mode().Perm() != 0600 {
+		t.Fatalf("document mode: %v %v", info, err)
+	}
+	if err := s.Close(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	s2, err := Open(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = s2.Close() }()
+	got, _ := s2.Snapshot(bg)
+	if got.Revision != 1 || len(got.Grants["sandbox"].Ops) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("reopened %+v", got)
+	}
+	// The replay survives a reopen.
+	r, err := s2.Update(bg, Patch{Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"sandbox": grant("op-1", "workspace.commit", "workspace.materialize")}}, 0, "w1")
+	if err != nil || !r.Replayed || r.Snapshot.Revision != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("replay after reopen: %+v %v", r, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRevisionConflictReplayAndBodyMismatch(t *testing.T) {
+	s, _ := openStore(t)
+	p := Patch{Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": grant("op", "egress.check")}}
+	mustUpdate(t, s, p, 0, "w1")
+	if _, err := s.Update(bg, p, 0, "w2"); !errors.Is(err, ErrConflict) {
+		t.Fatalf("stale revision must conflict: %v", err)
+	}
+	r, err := s.Update(bg, p, 0, "w1") // replay is checked before the revision
+	if err != nil || !r.Replayed {
+		t.Fatalf("replay: %+v %v", r, err)
+	}
+	other := Patch{Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": grant("op", "egress.audit")}}
+	if _, err := s.Update(bg, other, 1, "w1"); !errors.Is(err, ErrOperationMismatch) {
+		t.Fatalf("changed body must mismatch: %v", err)
+	}
+	snap, _ := s.Snapshot(bg)
+	if snap.Revision != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("rejected writes must not bump the revision: %d", snap.Revision)
+	}
+	for _, id := range []string{"", " x", strings.Repeat("a", 129), "bad\nid"} {
+		if _, err := s.Update(bg, Patch{}, 1, id); !errors.Is(err, ErrInvalid) {
+			t.Fatalf("operation ID %q: %v", id, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLimitsAndStrictValues(t *testing.T) {
+	s, _ := openStore(t)
+	many := map[string]*AddonGrants{}
+	for i := 0; i <= MaxAddons; i++ {
+		many[fmt.Sprintf("a-%d", i)] = grant("op", "egress.check")
+	}
+	ops := []string{}
+	for i := 0; i <= MaxOpsPerAddon; i++ {
+		ops = append(ops, fmt.Sprintf("x.%c%c", 'a'+i/26, 'a'+i%26))
+	}
+	deny := func(m map[string][]string) Patch { return Patch{Deny: &m} }
+	dupOp := grant("op", "egress.check")
+	dupOp.Ops = append(dupOp.Ops, dupOp.Ops[0])
+	noIdentity := grant("op", "egress.check")
+	noIdentity.Identity = ""
+	noOps := grant("op")
+	prefixOp := grant("op", "egress.")
+	badSource := grant("op", "egress.check")
+	badSource.Ops[0].Source = "api"
+	blanketNoRev := grant("op", "egress.check")
+	blanketNoRev.Ops[0].Source = SourceBlanket
+	installWithRev := grant("op", "egress.check")
+	installWithRev.Ops[0].BlanketRevision = 1
+	badTime := grant("op", "egress.check")
+	badTime.Ops[0].At = "yesterday"
+	manyDeny := map[string][]string{}
+	for i := 0; i <= MaxDenyKeys; i++ {
+		manyDeny[fmt.Sprintf("a-%d", i)] = []string{"x."}
+	}
+	cases := map[string]Patch{
+		"129 add-ons":          {Addons: many},
+		"33 operations":        {Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": grant("op", ops...)}},
+		"bad add-on ID":        {Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"A": grant("op", "egress.check")}},
+		"star as add-on ID":    {Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"*": grant("op", "egress.check")}},
+		"duplicate operation":  {Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": dupOp}},
+		"empty identity":       {Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": noIdentity}},
+		"entry without ops":    {Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": noOps}},
+		"prefix as a grant":    {Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": prefixOp}},
+		"unknown source":       {Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": badSource}},
+		"blanket without rev":  {Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": blanketNoRev}},
+		"revision without src": {Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": installWithRev}},
+		"bad time":             {Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": badTime}},
+		"blanket mode":         {Blanket: &Blanket{Mode: "sometimes"}},
+		"129 deny keys":        deny(manyDeny),
+		"duplicate deny entry": deny(map[string][]string{"a": {"x.", "x."}}),
+		"star beside entry":    deny(map[string][]string{"a": {"*", "x."}}),
+		"bad deny entry":       deny(map[string][]string{"a": {"X."}}),
+		"bad deny key":         deny(map[string][]string{"A": {"x."}}),
+		"bad hint":             {Hints: map[string][]string{"a": {"x."}}},
+	}
+	for name, p := range cases {
+		if _, err := s.Update(bg, p, 0, "w-"+strings.ReplaceAll(name, " ", "-")); !errors.Is(err, ErrInvalid) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: want ErrInvalid, got %v", name, err)
+		}
+	}
+	snap, _ := s.Snapshot(bg)
+	if snap.Revision != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("invalid patches must not change the document: %+v", snap)
+	}
+	// Boundaries that are valid.
+	max := map[string]*AddonGrants{}
+	for i := 0; i < MaxAddons; i++ {
+		max[fmt.Sprintf("a-%d", i)] = grant("op", "egress.check")
+	}
+	mustUpdate(t, s, Patch{Addons: max}, 0, "max")
+	mustUpdate(t, s, Patch{Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a-0": grant("op", ops[:MaxOpsPerAddon]...)}}, 1, "max-ops")
+}
+
+func TestBlanketRevisionAndRevoke(t *testing.T) {
+	s, _ := openStore(t)
+	snap := mustUpdate(t, s, Patch{Blanket: &Blanket{Mode: BlanketOfficial, ChangedAt: "2026-11-03T10:00:00Z", ChangedBy: "admin", Revision: 99}}, 0, "b1")
+	if snap.Blanket.Revision != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("store assigns the blanket revision: %+v", snap.Blanket)
+	}
+	g := grant("op", "egress.check", "egress.audit")
+	g.Ops[1].Source, g.Ops[1].BlanketRevision = SourceBlanket, 1
+	only := grant("op2", "workspace.admin")
+	only.Ops[0].Source, only.Ops[0].BlanketRevision = SourceBlanket, 1
+	snap = mustUpdate(t, s, Patch{Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": g, "b": only}}, 1, "g1")
+	// Same mode and option keep the revision; a change bumps it.
+	snap = mustUpdate(t, s, Patch{Blanket: &Blanket{Mode: BlanketOfficial}}, snap.Revision, "b2")
+	if snap.Blanket.Revision != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("unchanged switch keeps its revision: %d", snap.Blanket.Revision)
+	}
+	snap = mustUpdate(t, s, Patch{Blanket: &Blanket{Mode: BlanketOff}}, snap.Revision, "b3")
+	if snap.Blanket.Revision != 2 || len(snap.Grants["a"].Ops) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("turning off keeps the grants: %+v", snap)
+	}
+	snap = mustUpdate(t, s, Patch{RevokeBlanket: true}, snap.Revision, "r1")
+	if _, ok := snap.Grants["b"]; ok || len(snap.Grants["a"].Ops) != 1 || snap.Grants["a"].Ops[0].Name != "egress.check" {
+		t.Fatalf("revoke removes only blanket ops and empty entries: %+v", snap.Grants)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestKeepAsOwnSurvivesBlanketRevoke(t *testing.T) {
+	g := *grant("op", "egress.check")
+	g.Ops[0].Source, g.Ops[0].BlanketRevision = SourceBlanket, 3
+	kept := KeepAsOwn(g, "2026-11-04T10:00:00Z", "admin")
+	if kept.Ops[0].Source != SourceEdit || kept.Ops[0].BlanketRevision != 0 || g.Ops[0].Source != SourceBlanket {
+		t.Fatalf("KeepAsOwn must relabel a copy: %+v / %+v", kept, g)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHintsAndDenyReplace(t *testing.T) {
+	s, _ := openStore(t)
+	deny := map[string][]string{"*": {"egress."}, "web": {"workspace.admin"}}
+	snap := mustUpdate(t, s, Patch{Deny: &deny, Hints: map[string][]string{"a": {"workspace.commit", "workspace.admin"}}}, 0, "d1")
+	if len(snap.Deny) != 2 || snap.Hints["a"][0] != "workspace.admin" {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", snap)
+	}
+	empty := map[string][]string{}
+	snap = mustUpdate(t, s, Patch{Deny: &empty, Hints: map[string][]string{"a": nil}}, 1, "d2")
+	if len(snap.Deny) != 0 || len(snap.Hints) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a pointer to an empty map clears; an empty hint deletes: %+v", snap)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPersistFailureLeavesTheOldDocument(t *testing.T) {
+	s, path := openStore(t)
+	mustUpdate(t, s, Patch{Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": grant("op", "egress.check")}}, 0, "w1")
+	real := s.persist
+	s.persist = func(document) (bool, error) { return false, errors.New("disk full") }
+	if _, err := s.Update(bg, Patch{Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": nil}}, 1, "w2"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected the write to fail")
+	}
+	snap, err := s.Snapshot(bg)
+	if err != nil || snap.Revision != 1 || len(snap.Grants["a"].Ops) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("a failed write must leave memory unchanged: %+v %v", snap, err)
+	}
+	s.persist = real
+	// The failed operation ID was never recorded, so it can be used again.
+	mustUpdate(t, s, Patch{Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": nil}}, 1, "w2")
+	_ = s.Close()
+	s2, err := Open(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = s2.Close() }()
+	if got, _ := s2.Snapshot(bg); got.Revision != 2 || len(got.Grants) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", got)
+	}
+	matches, _ := filepath.Glob(filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(path), ".host-grants-*"))
+	if len(matches) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("temporary files left behind: %v", matches)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAmbiguousCommitMakesTheStoreRefuseUntilReopened(t *testing.T) {
+	s, path := openStore(t)
+	real := s.persist
+	s.persist = func(d document) (bool, error) {
+		renamed, _ := real(d)
+		return renamed, errors.New("directory sync failed")
+	}
+	p := Patch{Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": grant("op", "egress.check")}}
+	if _, err := s.Update(bg, p, 0, "w1"); !errors.Is(err, ErrUncertain) {
+		t.Fatalf("want ErrUncertain, got %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := s.Snapshot(bg); !errors.Is(err, ErrUncertain) {
+		t.Fatalf("snapshot must refuse: %v", err)
+	}
+	_ = s.Close()
+	s2, err := Open(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = s2.Close() }()
+	r, err := s2.Update(bg, p, 0, "w1")
+	if err != nil || !r.Replayed || r.Snapshot.Revision != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the same operation reconciles as a replay: %+v %v", r, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestOpenRejectsBadFiles(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	write := func(name, body string, mode os.FileMode) string {
+		p := filepath.Join(dir, name)
+		if err := os.WriteFile(p, []byte(body), mode); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		return p
+	}
+	good := `{"schemaVersion":1,"revision":1,"blanket":{"mode":"off","includeOptional":false,"revision":0},"grants":{},"deny":{},"hints":{},"receipts":{}}`
+	if s, err := Open(write("good.json", good, 0600)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("control: %v", err)
+	} else {
+		_ = s.Close()
+	}
+	bad := map[string]struct {
+		body string
+		mode os.FileMode
+	}{
+		"corrupt":        {`{`, 0600},
+		"group-readable": {good, 0640},
+		"unknown field":  {strings.Replace(good, `"hints"`, `"extra":1,"hints"`, 1), 0600},
+		"revision 0":     {strings.Replace(good, `"revision":1,"blanket"`, `"revision":0,"blanket"`, 1), 0600},
+		"version 2":      {strings.Replace(good, `"schemaVersion":1`, `"schemaVersion":2`, 1), 0600},
+		"trailing":       {good + `{}`, 0600},
+		"bad receipt":    {strings.Replace(good, `"receipts":{}`, `"receipts":{"x":{"body":"zz","revision":1}}`, 1), 0600},
+	}
+	for name, c := range bad {
+		if s, err := Open(write(strings.ReplaceAll(name, " ", "-")+".json", c.body, c.mode)); err == nil {
+			_ = s.Close()
+			t.Errorf("%s: expected an error", name)
+		} else if !errors.Is(err, ErrUnavailable) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: want ErrUnavailable, got %v", name, err)
+		}
+	}
+	// A symlink to the document is refused.
+	link := filepath.Join(dir, "link.json")
+	if err := os.Symlink(filepath.Join(dir, "good.json"), link); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if s, err := Open(link); err == nil {
+		_ = s.Close()
+		t.Error("symlink must be refused")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSecondOpenIsRefusedWhileLocked(t *testing.T) {
+	_, path := openStore(t)
+	if s2, err := Open(path); err == nil {
+		_ = s2.Close()
+		t.Fatal("a second owner must not open the same document")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestReceiptsAreBounded(t *testing.T) {
+	s, _ := openStore(t)
+	var rev uint64
+	for i := 0; i < MaxReceipts+5; i++ {
+		rev = mustUpdate(t, s, Patch{Hints: map[string][]string{"a": {"egress.check"}}}, rev, fmt.Sprintf("w%d", i)).Revision
+	}
+	if len(s.doc.Receipts) != MaxReceipts {
+		t.Fatalf("receipts = %d", len(s.doc.Receipts))
+	}
+	if _, ok := s.doc.Receipts["w0"]; ok {
+		t.Fatal("the oldest receipt must be evicted first")
+	}
+	if _, ok := s.doc.Receipts[fmt.Sprintf("w%d", MaxReceipts+4)]; !ok {
+		t.Fatal("the newest receipt must stay")
+	}
+}
+
+// Many writers race on one document. Each retries on a revision conflict with
+// the same operation ID, as a real caller does. Run with -race.
+func TestConcurrentWritersAreSerialised(t *testing.T) {
+	s, path := openStore(t)
+	const writers = 24
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	for i := 0; i < writers; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			id := fmt.Sprintf("a-%d", i)
+			opID := fmt.Sprintf("op-%d", i)
+			for {
+				snap, err := s.Snapshot(bg)
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Error(err)
+					return
+				}
+				_, err = s.Update(bg, Patch{Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{id: grant(opID, "egress.check")}}, snap.Revision, opID)
+				if errors.Is(err, ErrConflict) {
+					continue
+				}
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Error(err)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+		}()
+	}
+	// Concurrent readers must always see a consistent, validated document.
+	stop := make(chan struct{})
+	var readers sync.WaitGroup
+	for i := 0; i < 4; i++ {
+		readers.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer readers.Done()
+			for {
+				select {
+				case <-stop:
+					return
+				default:
+				}
+				snap, err := s.Snapshot(bg)
+				if err != nil || validate(snap) != nil {
+					t.Errorf("inconsistent snapshot: %v", err)
+					return
+				}
+			}
+		}()
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+	close(stop)
+	readers.Wait()
+	snap, _ := s.Snapshot(bg)
+	if snap.Revision != writers || len(snap.Grants) != writers {
+		t.Fatalf("revision %d with %d entries, want %d", snap.Revision, len(snap.Grants), writers)
+	}
+	_ = s.Close()
+	s2, err := Open(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = s2.Close() }()
+	if got, _ := s2.Snapshot(bg); got.Revision != writers {
+		t.Fatalf("persisted revision %d", got.Revision)
+	}
+}
+
+// The same operation sent from many goroutines (a retrying client) writes once.
+func TestConcurrentReplayWritesOnce(t *testing.T) {
+	s, _ := openStore(t)
+	p := Patch{Addons: map[string]*AddonGrants{"a": grant("op", "egress.check")}}
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	var mu sync.Mutex
+	replays := 0
+	for i := 0; i < 16; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			r, err := s.Update(bg, p, 0, "same")
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Error(err)
+				return
+			}
+			if r.Replayed {
+				mu.Lock()
+				replays++
+				mu.Unlock()
+			}
+		}()
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+	snap, _ := s.Snapshot(bg)
+	if snap.Revision != 1 || replays != 15 {
+		t.Fatalf("revision %d, replays %d", snap.Revision, replays)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCancelledContextDoesNotWrite(t *testing.T) {
+	s, _ := openStore(t)
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(bg)
+	cancel()
+	if _, err := s.Update(ctx, Patch{}, 0, "w"); !errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) {
+		t.Fatalf("%v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := s.Snapshot(ctx); !errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) {
+		t.Fatalf("%v", err)
+	}
+	_ = s.Close()
+	if _, err := s.Snapshot(bg); !errors.Is(err, ErrUnavailable) {
+		t.Fatalf("closed store: %v", err)
+	}
+}