diff --git a/packages/docs-master/README.md b/packages/docs-master/README.md
index 83b52cc..5cdce20 100644
--- a/packages/docs-master/README.md
+++ b/packages/docs-master/README.md
@@ -32,6 +32,10 @@ Summaries, NATS contracts, and message flows for every Verae Time × Zapier modu
 | verae-staff-iam | https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-staff-iam |
 | verae-keep | https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-keep |
 | verae-bootstrap | https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-bootstrap |
+| verae-uptime | https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-uptime |
+| verae-backup | https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-backup |
+| verae-deploy | https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-deploy |
+| verae-proxmox | https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-proxmox |
 
 Clone (SSH port 2223):
 
diff --git a/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-backup/NATS.md b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-backup/NATS.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fe8b997
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-backup/NATS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# NATS — verae-backup
+
+Copies JetStream store directory if present. No client connection.
diff --git a/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-backup/SUMMARY.md b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-backup/SUMMARY.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9d4acf9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-backup/SUMMARY.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# verae-backup
+
+Nightly tar of SQLite, IAM, keep, worm/tree runtime, optional JetStream dir. Restore is dry-run unless `--apply`.
diff --git a/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-deploy/NATS.md b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-deploy/NATS.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..880b4e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-deploy/NATS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# NATS — verae-deploy
+
+None during deploy. Archive hosts still need nats-server from host-deps.
diff --git a/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-deploy/SUMMARY.md b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-deploy/SUMMARY.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a6b816
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-deploy/SUMMARY.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# verae-deploy
+
+`host-deps` + git checkout tag/branch + npm ci/rebuild on the target OS. Restart keep/fleet after.
diff --git a/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-proxmox/NATS.md b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-proxmox/NATS.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ad9111
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-proxmox/NATS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# NATS — verae-proxmox
+
+Guest clients use `nats://10.10.10.1:4222` (socat to host loopback). Never bind NATS on vmbr0.
diff --git a/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-proxmox/SUMMARY.md b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-proxmox/SUMMARY.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f8a065a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-proxmox/SUMMARY.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# verae-proxmox
+
+LXC 510 `verae-px-worker` on NS1 `vmbr1` `10.10.10.20`. Extra worm/tree copies. Private NATS proxy `10.10.10.1:4222`.
diff --git a/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-uptime/NATS.md b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-uptime/NATS.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..282b692
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-uptime/NATS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# NATS — verae-uptime
+
+None. HTTPS only.
diff --git a/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-uptime/SUMMARY.md b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-uptime/SUMMARY.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6d7a14e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/docs-master/modules/verae-uptime/SUMMARY.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# verae-uptime
+
+Off-box HTTPS GET of public doors. `--once` for cron (exit 2 on failure); loop serves `/status` on `:3870`.
diff --git a/packages/overview/02-modules-and-repos.md b/packages/overview/02-modules-and-repos.md
index 2bd1013..7625ade 100644
--- a/packages/overview/02-modules-and-repos.md
+++ b/packages/overview/02-modules-and-repos.md
@@ -40,6 +40,10 @@ Each runtime piece is its **own git repo** on Forgejo (`git.georgelambert.org`,
 | **verae-bootstrap** | `packages/verae-bootstrap` | Clone every repo; `host-deps.sh` installs OS/Node/NATS per module |
 | **zapier-docs-master** | `packages/docs-master` | Per-module `SUMMARY.md` + `NATS.md` |
 | **verae-ops** | `packages/verae-ops` | Docker, Proxmox, VMs, dedicated hardware, linking services |
+| **verae-uptime** | `packages/verae-uptime` | Off-box HTTPS watch of public doors |
+| **verae-backup** | `packages/verae-backup` | SQLite / JetStream / worm+tree snapshots |
+| **verae-deploy** | `packages/verae-deploy` | Tagged checkout + npm ci on the target OS |
+| **verae-proxmox** | `packages/verae-proxmox` | LXC 510 worker on NS1 `vmbr1` |
 
 Libraries that are **not** separate Forgejo apps today: `verae-chain-client` (inside middleware), job-poller and webhook-deliver (middleware workers, fleet-spawned).
 
diff --git a/packages/overview/04-uptime.md b/packages/overview/04-uptime.md
index 1b3ea27..433d959 100644
--- a/packages/overview/04-uptime.md
+++ b/packages/overview/04-uptime.md
@@ -23,7 +23,11 @@ If a tree node is paused, crashes, or fails `/health`, fleet **starts another co
 
 ## Spread across machines
 
-`machines.json` lists hosts (`local`, `ns1` = `marchon@70.88.205.138` with `~/.ssh/id_ed25519`, optional `lan-134`). New replicas go to the **least-loaded** eligible host. Remote spawn/health/kill is SSH; workers bind loopback on the remote box.
+`machines.json` lists hosts (`local`, `ns1` = `marchon@70.88.205.138` with `~/.ssh/id_ed25519`, optional `lan-134`, **`px-worker`** = LXC 510 `10.10.10.20` on `vmbr1`). New replicas go to the **least-loaded** eligible host. Remote spawn/health/kill is SSH; workers bind loopback on the remote box.
+
+NS1 **is** the Proxmox host. Extra worm/tree copies on `px-worker` mean a host-process crash does not take every bloom/tree replica. A second **chassis** is still the next step for disk/PSU failure.
+
+Off-box probe: [verae-uptime](https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-uptime) (`node src/watch.js --once`). Backup: [verae-backup](https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-backup). Tagged upgrade: [verae-deploy](https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-deploy).
 
 ## JetStream
 
diff --git a/packages/overview/10-docs-sync.md b/packages/overview/10-docs-sync.md
index 5b3a195..caabefe 100644
--- a/packages/overview/10-docs-sync.md
+++ b/packages/overview/10-docs-sync.md
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ Validated against the module list in `packages/` and Forgejo repos.
 - `verae-staff-iam`, `verae-staff-session`, `verae-staff-ui`
 - `verae-keep`
 - `verae-bootstrap` (clone + npm per server type; `scripts/host-deps.sh` installs OS/Node/NATS)
+- `verae-uptime`, `verae-backup`, `verae-deploy`, `verae-proxmox` (LXC 510 on NS1 `vmbr1`)
 
 ## Move the catalog to another hostname
 
diff --git a/packages/overview/11-hostnames.md b/packages/overview/11-hostnames.md
index 1824254..479dd39 100644
--- a/packages/overview/11-hostnames.md
+++ b/packages/overview/11-hostnames.md
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ All of the running Verae Time × Zapier processes on **2026-09-11** live on one
 | `local` (NS1 all-in-one) | **NS1.GEORGELAMBERT.ORG** | `70.88.205.138` | Control plane + archive workers + keep |
 | `ns1` (SSH worker profile) | **NS1.GEORGELAMBERT.ORG** | `70.88.205.138` | Same box; SSH spawn unused while all-in-one is local |
 | `lan-134` | *(none yet)* | `70.88.205.134` | Disabled until SSH works |
+| `px-worker` | **verae-px-worker** (LXC **510**) | `10.10.10.20` on `vmbr1` | Extra worm/tree; enable after `verae-proxmox` create-worker |
 
 Loopback on that box is `127.0.0.1`. Do **not** publish NATS `:4222`.
 
diff --git a/packages/verae-backup/NATS.md b/packages/verae-backup/NATS.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8a3ac7c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-backup/NATS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# NATS — verae-backup
+
+Backup copies the JetStream **store directory** if present. It does not publish or subscribe. Restore JetStream only with nats-server stopped.
diff --git a/packages/verae-backup/README.md b/packages/verae-backup/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e123cb9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-backup/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# verae-backup
+
+Snapshot and restore **zappier SQLite**, staff IAM data, keep state, fleet-runtime (worm/tree blobs), and JetStream store if present.
+
+**Forgejo:** https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-backup  
+**SSH:** `ssh://git@git.georgelambert.org:2223/marchon/verae-backup.git`
+
+```bash
+# on NS1
+export BACKUP_ROOT=/SSD2/backups/verae
+bash scripts/backup.sh
+bash scripts/restore.sh --dry-run
+# after stopping keep/fleet consumers:
+# bash scripts/restore.sh --apply --archive /SSD2/backups/verae/20260101T031700Z.tgz
+```
+
+Paths: `paths.env`. Missing sources are skipped. Default retain 14 tarballs.
+
+User timer: `systemd/verae-backup.timer` (03:17 UTC). Enable with linger.
+
+Does **not** back up private keys. Restore identityFile **paths** on the operator host by hand.
+
+Does **not** connect to NATS; it copies the JetStream directory if `NATS_STORE` exists.
diff --git a/packages/verae-backup/SUMMARY.md b/packages/verae-backup/SUMMARY.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9dd1352
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-backup/SUMMARY.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# verae-backup
+
+Tar snapshots of SQLite, IAM, keep, worm/tree runtime, optional JetStream dir. Dry-run restore by default.
diff --git a/packages/verae-backup/package.json b/packages/verae-backup/package.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..26efc6b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-backup/package.json
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+{
+  "name": "verae-backup",
+  "version": "0.1.0",
+  "private": true,
+  "description": "Backup and restore SQLite, JetStream, worm/tree, keep, and IAM data",
+  "scripts": {
+    "backup": "bash scripts/backup.sh",
+    "restore": "bash scripts/restore.sh",
+    "test": "bash scripts/test.sh"
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/verae-backup/paths.env b/packages/verae-backup/paths.env
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..00ca39a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-backup/paths.env
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# Sourced by backup.sh / restore.sh. Override in the environment.
+BACKUP_ROOT="${BACKUP_ROOT:-/SSD2/backups/verae}"
+KEEP=14
+
+# SQLite / IAM
+ZAPPIER_DB="${ZAPPIER_DB:-$HOME/verae-stack/packages/zappier/zappier.db}"
+IAM_DATA="${IAM_DATA:-$HOME/verae-stack/packages/verae-staff-iam/data}"
+
+# Keep + fleet runtime (worm/tree blobs live under fleet-runtime data/)
+KEEP_DATA="${KEEP_DATA:-$HOME/verae-keep/data}"
+FLEET_RUNTIME="${FLEET_RUNTIME:-$HOME/verae-fleet-runtime}"
+FLEET_PKG_DATA="${FLEET_PKG_DATA:-$HOME/verae-stack/packages/verae-fleet/data}"
+
+# JetStream (docker or nats-server). Missing paths are skipped.
+NATS_STORE="${NATS_STORE:-/var/lib/nats/jetstream}"
+NATS_DOCKER_VOL="${NATS_DOCKER_VOL:-}"
diff --git a/packages/verae-backup/scripts/backup.sh b/packages/verae-backup/scripts/backup.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..41128f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-backup/scripts/backup.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Snapshot Verae data dirs into $BACKUP_ROOT/<utc-stamp>.tgz
+set -euo pipefail
+ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")/.." && pwd)"
+# shellcheck disable=SC1091
+. "$ROOT/paths.env"
+STAMP="$(date -u +%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ)"
+DEST="$BACKUP_ROOT/$STAMP"
+mkdir -p "$DEST"
+copy_if() {
+  local src="$1" name="$2"
+  if [[ -e "$src" ]]; then
+    mkdir -p "$DEST/$name"
+    cp -a "$src" "$DEST/$name/" 2>/dev/null || sudo cp -a "$src" "$DEST/$name/"
+    echo "copied $src"
+  else
+    echo "skip missing $src"
+  fi
+}
+copy_if "$ZAPPIER_DB" sqlite
+copy_if "$IAM_DATA" iam
+copy_if "$KEEP_DATA" keep
+copy_if "$FLEET_RUNTIME" fleet-runtime
+copy_if "$FLEET_PKG_DATA" fleet-pkg
+copy_if "$NATS_STORE" nats
+if [[ -n "${NATS_DOCKER_VOL:-}" ]]; then copy_if "$NATS_DOCKER_VOL" nats-docker; fi
+tar -C "$BACKUP_ROOT" -czf "$BACKUP_ROOT/$STAMP.tgz" "$STAMP"
+rm -rf "$DEST"
+# retain
+ls -1dt "$BACKUP_ROOT"/*.tgz 2>/dev/null | tail -n +$((KEEP + 1)) | while read -r old; do
+  rm -f "$old"
+done
+echo "backup $BACKUP_ROOT/$STAMP.tgz"
+echo "$BACKUP_ROOT/$STAMP.tgz"
diff --git a/packages/verae-backup/scripts/restore.sh b/packages/verae-backup/scripts/restore.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..5855eee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-backup/scripts/restore.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Restore a .tgz from backup.sh. Default is --dry-run.
+set -euo pipefail
+ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")/.." && pwd)"
+# shellcheck disable=SC1091
+. "$ROOT/paths.env"
+DRY=1
+ARCHIVE=""
+while [[ $# -gt 0 ]]; do
+  case "$1" in
+    --apply) DRY=0 ;;
+    --dry-run) DRY=1 ;;
+    --archive) ARCHIVE="${2:-}"; shift ;;
+    *) echo "usage: restore.sh [--dry-run|--apply] [--archive file.tgz]" >&2; exit 1 ;;
+  esac
+  shift
+done
+if [[ -z "$ARCHIVE" ]]; then
+  ARCHIVE="$(ls -1t "$BACKUP_ROOT"/*.tgz 2>/dev/null | head -1 || true)"
+fi
+[[ -n "$ARCHIVE" && -f "$ARCHIVE" ]] || { echo "no archive" >&2; exit 1; }
+echo "archive $ARCHIVE dry=$DRY"
+TMP="$(mktemp -d)"
+tar -xzf "$ARCHIVE" -C "$TMP"
+INNER="$(find "$TMP" -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 -type d | head -1)"
+restore_one() {
+  local from="$1" to="$2"
+  [[ -e "$from" ]] || { echo "skip $from"; return; }
+  echo "would restore $from -> $to"
+  if [[ $DRY -eq 0 ]]; then
+    mkdir -p "$(dirname "$to")"
+    rm -rf "$to"
+    cp -a "$from" "$to"
+  fi
+}
+restore_one "$INNER/sqlite/$(basename "$ZAPPIER_DB")" "$ZAPPIER_DB"
+restore_one "$INNER/iam/$(basename "$IAM_DATA")" "$IAM_DATA"
+restore_one "$INNER/keep/$(basename "$KEEP_DATA")" "$KEEP_DATA"
+restore_one "$INNER/fleet-runtime/$(basename "$FLEET_RUNTIME")" "$FLEET_RUNTIME"
+restore_one "$INNER/nats/$(basename "$NATS_STORE")" "$NATS_STORE"
+rm -rf "$TMP"
+if [[ $DRY -eq 1 ]]; then
+  echo "dry-run only. re-run with --apply after stopping keep/fleet/nats consumers."
+fi
diff --git a/packages/verae-backup/scripts/test.sh b/packages/verae-backup/scripts/test.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..9987d93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-backup/scripts/test.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")/.." && pwd)"
+bash -n "$ROOT/scripts/backup.sh"
+bash -n "$ROOT/scripts/restore.sh"
+TMP="$(mktemp -d)"
+export BACKUP_ROOT="$TMP/out"
+export ZAPPIER_DB="$TMP/zappier.db"
+export IAM_DATA="$TMP/iam"
+export KEEP_DATA="$TMP/keep"
+export FLEET_RUNTIME="$TMP/runtime"
+export FLEET_PKG_DATA="$TMP/fleet-pkg"
+export NATS_STORE="$TMP/missing-nats"
+echo hello >"$ZAPPIER_DB"
+mkdir -p "$IAM_DATA" "$KEEP_DATA" "$FLEET_RUNTIME" "$FLEET_PKG_DATA"
+echo x >"$KEEP_DATA/a"
+# shellcheck disable=SC1091
+set +u
+BACKUP_ROOT="$BACKUP_ROOT" KEEP=3 ZAPPIER_DB="$ZAPPIER_DB" IAM_DATA="$IAM_DATA" KEEP_DATA="$KEEP_DATA" FLEET_RUNTIME="$FLEET_RUNTIME" FLEET_PKG_DATA="$FLEET_PKG_DATA" NATS_STORE="$NATS_STORE" \
+  bash "$ROOT/scripts/backup.sh" >/tmp/verae-backup-test.out
+test -s /tmp/verae-backup-test.out
+ls "$BACKUP_ROOT"/*.tgz >/dev/null
+BACKUP_ROOT="$BACKUP_ROOT" ZAPPIER_DB="$ZAPPIER_DB" IAM_DATA="$IAM_DATA" KEEP_DATA="$KEEP_DATA" FLEET_RUNTIME="$FLEET_RUNTIME" FLEET_PKG_DATA="$FLEET_PKG_DATA" NATS_STORE="$NATS_STORE" \
+  bash "$ROOT/scripts/restore.sh" --dry-run >/dev/null
+rm -rf "$TMP"
+echo OK
diff --git a/packages/verae-backup/systemd/verae-backup.service b/packages/verae-backup/systemd/verae-backup.service
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e83a1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-backup/systemd/verae-backup.service
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+[Unit]
+Description=Verae data backup (sqlite, keep, worm/tree, jetstream)
+
+[Service]
+Type=oneshot
+WorkingDirectory=%h/verae-src/verae-backup
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/bash %h/verae-src/verae-backup/scripts/backup.sh
diff --git a/packages/verae-backup/systemd/verae-backup.timer b/packages/verae-backup/systemd/verae-backup.timer
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6e225e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-backup/systemd/verae-backup.timer
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+[Unit]
+Description=Nightly Verae data backup
+
+[Timer]
+OnCalendar=*-*-* 03:17:00
+Persistent=true
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=timers.target
diff --git a/packages/verae-bootstrap/README.md b/packages/verae-bootstrap/README.md
index 335e791..557332a 100644
--- a/packages/verae-bootstrap/README.md
+++ b/packages/verae-bootstrap/README.md
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ bash scripts/fetch.sh ns1-all-in-one  # one server type
 | **control-plane** | `types/control-plane/` | Fleet, edges, IAM, billing HTTP (no worm/tree floor) |
 | **ns1-archive** | `types/ns1-archive/` | NATS + worm ×3 + tree-node ×3 + poller + webhook + aggregator + keep |
 | **lan-worker** | `types/lan-worker/` | Extra SSH worker (tree-node, archive-worm). Keep disabled until SSH works (`lan-134`). |
+| **proxmox-worker** | `types/proxmox-worker/` | LXC 510 on NS1 `vmbr1` (`10.10.10.20`) — extra worm/tree copies |
 
 Each type has `repos.txt` (subset of the master list) and `README.md`.
 
diff --git a/packages/verae-bootstrap/host-deps.tsv b/packages/verae-bootstrap/host-deps.tsv
index 13d2512..66f7390 100644
--- a/packages/verae-bootstrap/host-deps.tsv
+++ b/packages/verae-bootstrap/host-deps.tsv
@@ -36,5 +36,9 @@ verae-staff-ui|20|npm
 verae-staff-iam|20|npm
 verae-keep|20|npm
 verae-bootstrap|0|
+verae-uptime|20|npm
+verae-backup|0|
+verae-deploy|20|npm
+verae-proxmox|0|ssh
 zapier-docs-master|0|docs
 master-zapier-plan-draft|22|npm,native,nats,docs
diff --git a/packages/verae-bootstrap/repos.txt b/packages/verae-bootstrap/repos.txt
index 3a6b836..c4ba5d5 100644
--- a/packages/verae-bootstrap/repos.txt
+++ b/packages/verae-bootstrap/repos.txt
@@ -33,3 +33,7 @@ verae-staff-ui
 verae-staff-iam
 verae-keep
 verae-bootstrap
+verae-uptime
+verae-backup
+verae-deploy
+verae-proxmox
diff --git a/packages/verae-bootstrap/types/ns1-all-in-one/start.sh b/packages/verae-bootstrap/types/ns1-all-in-one/start.sh
index 75d7e8b..8c2fe0d 100755
--- a/packages/verae-bootstrap/types/ns1-all-in-one/start.sh
+++ b/packages/verae-bootstrap/types/ns1-all-in-one/start.sh
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # Start HTTP control plane on NS1. Archive workers stay with verae-keep.
+# Does not rewrite fleet.json / machines.json — use overlays/ns1/.
 set -euo pipefail
 STACK="${VERAE_STACK:-$HOME/verae-stack}"
 FLEET="$STACK/packages/verae-fleet"
@@ -8,75 +9,29 @@ export STAFF_IAM_URL="${STAFF_IAM_URL:-https://iam.zapier.georgelambert.org}"
 export STAFF_COOKIE_DOMAIN="${STAFF_COOKIE_DOMAIN:-.zapier.georgelambert.org}"
 export NATS_URL="${NATS_URL:-nats://127.0.0.1:4222}"
 export FLEET_ENABLE_LAN134="${FLEET_ENABLE_LAN134:-}"
+export FLEET_FILE="${FLEET_FILE:-$FLEET/overlays/ns1/fleet.json}"
+export FLEET_MACHINES="${FLEET_MACHINES:-$FLEET/overlays/ns1/machines.json}"
 test -d "$FLEET" || { echo "missing $FLEET" >&2; exit 1; }
-
-python3 - "$FLEET" "$EDGE_PORT" <<'PY'
-import json, sys
-from pathlib import Path
-root = Path(sys.argv[1])
-edge_port = sys.argv[2]
-fleet_path = root / "fleet.json"
-fleet = json.loads(fleet_path.read_text())
-for sid in ("tree-node", "archive-worm", "archive-aggregator", "job-poller", "webhook-deliver", "nats"):
-    if sid in fleet.get("services", {}):
-        fleet["services"][sid]["enabled"] = False
-        fleet["services"][sid]["keepFloor"] = False
-fleet_path.write_text(json.dumps(fleet, indent=2) + "\n")
-machines_path = root / "machines.json"
-machines = json.loads(machines_path.read_text())
-for m in machines.get("machines", []):
-    if m.get("id") == "ns1":
-        m["enabled"] = False
-    if m.get("id") == "lan-134":
-        m["enabled"] = False
-    if m.get("id") == "local":
-        m["enabled"] = True
-        m["roles"] = ["*"]
-        m["capacity"] = 32
-machines_path.write_text(json.dumps(machines, indent=2) + "\n")
-edge = json.loads((root / "services" / "zappier-edge.json").read_text())
-edge.setdefault("env", {})["PORT"] = edge_port
-edge["env"]["BIND"] = "127.0.0.1"
-edge["ports"] = {"healthBase": int(edge_port)}
-(root / "services" / "zappier-edge.json").write_text(json.dumps(edge, indent=2) + "\n")
-admin = f"http://127.0.0.1:{edge_port}"
-for name in (
-    "customer-service",
-    "sales-pricing",
-    "accounting-export",
-    "access-staff",
-    "access-web",
-    "staff-iam",
-    "staff-session",
-    "zappier-edge",
-):
-    p = root / "services" / f"{name}.json"
-    if not p.exists():
-        continue
-    spec = json.loads(p.read_text())
-    env = spec.setdefault("env", {})
-    if "ZAPPIER_ADMIN_URL" in env:
-        env["ZAPPIER_ADMIN_URL"] = admin
-    if name == "access-web":
-        env["ZAPPIER_EDGE_URL"] = admin
-    env["STAFF_IAM_URL"] = "https://iam.zapier.georgelambert.org"
-    env["STAFF_COOKIE_DOMAIN"] = ".zapier.georgelambert.org"
-    env["STAFF_AUTH"] = "1"
-    p.write_text(json.dumps(spec, indent=2) + "\n")
-print("overlay applied edge", edge_port)
-PY
+test -f "$FLEET_FILE" || { echo "missing $FLEET_FILE" >&2; exit 1; }
 
 cd "$FLEET"
 if curl -sf http://127.0.0.1:3850/health >/dev/null; then
   echo "fleet already up"
   exit 0
 fi
-nohup env STAFF_IAM_URL="$STAFF_IAM_URL" STAFF_COOKIE_DOMAIN="$STAFF_COOKIE_DOMAIN" NATS_URL="$NATS_URL" node src/cli.js serve \
+nohup env \
+  STAFF_IAM_URL="$STAFF_IAM_URL" \
+  STAFF_COOKIE_DOMAIN="$STAFF_COOKIE_DOMAIN" \
+  NATS_URL="$NATS_URL" \
+  FLEET_FILE="$FLEET_FILE" \
+  FLEET_MACHINES="$FLEET_MACHINES" \
+  FLEET_ENABLE_LAN134="$FLEET_ENABLE_LAN134" \
+  node src/cli.js serve \
   >/tmp/verae-fleet-serve.out 2>&1 &
 echo "fleet pid $!"
 for i in $(seq 1 40); do
   if curl -sf http://127.0.0.1:3850/health >/dev/null; then
-    echo "fleet up"
+    echo "fleet up (overlay $FLEET_FILE)"
     exit 0
   fi
   sleep 0.5
diff --git a/packages/verae-bootstrap/types/proxmox-worker/README.md b/packages/verae-bootstrap/types/proxmox-worker/README.md
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..89fac00
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-bootstrap/types/proxmox-worker/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# Server type: proxmox-worker
+
+Ubuntu LXC on **NS1 Proxmox** (`vmbr1` `10.10.10.20`, VMID 510). Extra `archive-worm` + `tree-node` copies so replica floors are not all on the host PID namespace.
+
+Provision from the Proxmox host: [verae-proxmox](https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-proxmox) `scripts/create-worker.sh`.
+
+```bash
+export VERAE_SRC=$HOME/verae-src
+export NATS_URL=nats://10.10.10.1:4222
+bash scripts/host-deps.sh --type proxmox-worker
+bash scripts/fetch.sh proxmox-worker
+# keep extra copies:
+KEEP_UNITS=$HOME/verae-src/verae-keep/units.px-worker.json \
+  bash $HOME/verae-src/verae-keep/scripts/guard.sh
+```
+
+Fleet machine id `px-worker`. Enable after `ssh-check`.
diff --git a/packages/verae-bootstrap/types/proxmox-worker/repos.txt b/packages/verae-bootstrap/types/proxmox-worker/repos.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..12230e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-bootstrap/types/proxmox-worker/repos.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+verae-archive-worm
+verae-tree-node
+verae-fleet
+verae-keep
+verae-bootstrap
+verae-proxmox
diff --git a/packages/verae-deploy/NATS.md b/packages/verae-deploy/NATS.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..243c3eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-deploy/NATS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# NATS — verae-deploy
+
+Deploy does not start nats-server or open client connections. Archive types still need `nats-server` from `verae-bootstrap/scripts/host-deps.sh --nats`.
diff --git a/packages/verae-deploy/README.md b/packages/verae-deploy/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5667263
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-deploy/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+# verae-deploy
+
+Upgrade cloned Forgejo modules **on the machine that runs them**. Order: `host-deps.sh` → `git fetch` → checkout tag/branch → `npm ci` (or `npm install`) → `npm rebuild`.
+
+**Forgejo:** https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-deploy  
+**SSH:** `ssh://git@git.georgelambert.org:2223/marchon/verae-deploy.git`
+
+```bash
+export VERAE_SRC=$HOME/verae-src
+export VERAE_BOOTSTRAP=$HOME/verae-src/verae-bootstrap   # or sibling clone
+export DEPLOY_TYPE=ns1-all-in-one
+bash scripts/deploy.sh main
+# then: systemctl --user restart verae-keep-guard verae-fleet
+```
+
+Writes `$VERAE_SRC/<repo>/.deployed-ref` and `$VERAE_SRC/.deployed`. Does **not** force-push. Prefer tags (`v2026-09-12`) once you cut them.
+
+Do **not** copy `node_modules` from macOS. Rebuild `better-sqlite3` on Linux.
+
+Does not speak NATS.
diff --git a/packages/verae-deploy/SUMMARY.md b/packages/verae-deploy/SUMMARY.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ac69361
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-deploy/SUMMARY.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# verae-deploy
+
+Tagged/branch checkout of every cloned module plus npm ci/rebuild on the target OS.
diff --git a/packages/verae-deploy/package.json b/packages/verae-deploy/package.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2d7d8e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-deploy/package.json
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+{
+  "name": "verae-deploy",
+  "version": "0.1.0",
+  "private": true,
+  "description": "Tagged checkout + npm ci + rebuild on the target OS for Verae module repos",
+  "scripts": {
+    "deploy": "bash scripts/deploy.sh",
+    "test": "bash scripts/test.sh"
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/verae-deploy/scripts/deploy.sh b/packages/verae-deploy/scripts/deploy.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..44103ff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-deploy/scripts/deploy.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# host-deps → git fetch → checkout ref → npm ci → npm rebuild
+# Does not start processes; restart with fleet/keep after.
+set -euo pipefail
+ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")/.." && pwd)"
+BOOT="${VERAE_BOOTSTRAP:-$ROOT/../verae-bootstrap}"
+SRC="${VERAE_SRC:-$HOME/verae-src}"
+REF="${1:-}"
+TYPE="${DEPLOY_TYPE:-}"
+if [[ -z "$REF" ]]; then
+  echo "usage: deploy.sh <tag-or-branch>   # e.g. deploy.sh v2026-09-12 or main" >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+if [[ -x "$BOOT/scripts/host-deps.sh" ]]; then
+  if [[ -n "$TYPE" ]]; then
+    bash "$BOOT/scripts/host-deps.sh" --type "$TYPE"
+  else
+    bash "$BOOT/scripts/host-deps.sh"
+  fi
+fi
+LIST="$BOOT/repos.txt"
+[[ -n "$TYPE" && -f "$BOOT/types/$TYPE/repos.txt" ]] && LIST="$BOOT/types/$TYPE/repos.txt"
+[[ -f "$LIST" ]] || { echo "no repo list $LIST" >&2; exit 1; }
+export GIT_SSH_COMMAND="${GIT_SSH_COMMAND:-ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new -p 2223}"
+failed=0
+while read -r name; do
+  [[ -z "$name" || "$name" == \#* ]] && continue
+  dir="$SRC/$name"
+  if [[ ! -d "$dir/.git" ]]; then
+    echo "skip not cloned $name"
+    continue
+  fi
+  echo "deploy $name @ $REF"
+  git -C "$dir" fetch --prune origin
+  if ! git -C "$dir" checkout -q "$REF" 2>/dev/null; then
+    echo "  no ref $REF, staying on $(git -C "$dir" rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD)"
+  fi
+  if [[ -f "$dir/package.json" ]]; then
+    (
+      cd "$dir"
+      if [[ -f package-lock.json ]]; then
+        npm ci --no-audit --no-fund || npm install --no-audit --no-fund
+      else
+        npm install --no-audit --no-fund
+      fi
+      npm rebuild --no-audit --no-fund >/dev/null || true
+    ) || { echo "  npm failed $name"; failed=1; }
+  fi
+  git -C "$dir" rev-parse --short HEAD >"$dir/.deployed-ref"
+  echo "  $(cat "$dir/.deployed-ref")"
+done < "$LIST"
+echo "$REF $(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)" >"$SRC/.deployed"
+[[ $failed -eq 0 ]] || exit 1
+echo "deployed $REF under $SRC — restart keep/fleet yourself"
diff --git a/packages/verae-deploy/scripts/test.sh b/packages/verae-deploy/scripts/test.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..4b26376
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-deploy/scripts/test.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")/.." && pwd)"
+bash -n "$ROOT/scripts/deploy.sh"
+grep -q host-deps.sh "$ROOT/scripts/deploy.sh"
+echo OK
diff --git a/packages/verae-fleet/README.md b/packages/verae-fleet/README.md
index 2834e52..eeddc0e 100644
--- a/packages/verae-fleet/README.md
+++ b/packages/verae-fleet/README.md
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ Zapier cloud apps are listed but **not spawned**. NATS on NS1 is **monitored onl
 
 On a dedicated host, run **[verae-keep](https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-keep)** next to fleet: keep restarts crashed replicas unless this console paused or stopped them (`intent.json` per instance). Pause/stop/start write that file locally and over SSH.
 
+NS1 overlay (no rewrite of git JSON): `FLEET_FILE=overlays/ns1/fleet.json` `FLEET_MACHINES=overlays/ns1/machines.json`. User systemd: `bash scripts/install-systemd.sh`. Proxmox worker: machine id `px-worker` after [verae-proxmox](https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-proxmox).
+
 Install on Docker / Proxmox / metal: https://zapier.georgelambert.org/packages/verae-ops/README.pdf
 
 Clone: `ssh://git@git.georgelambert.org:2223/marchon/verae-fleet.git`
diff --git a/packages/verae-fleet/machines.json b/packages/verae-fleet/machines.json
index dd47bcc..af52c1e 100644
--- a/packages/verae-fleet/machines.json
+++ b/packages/verae-fleet/machines.json
@@ -42,6 +42,20 @@
       "capacity": 12,
       "roles": ["tree-node", "archive-worm"],
       "notes": "Same user/key as NS1. Enable after confirming node is on PATH."
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "px-worker",
+      "title": "Proxmox LXC 510 verae-px-worker",
+      "kind": "ssh",
+      "host": "10.10.10.20",
+      "user": "marchon",
+      "sshPort": 22,
+      "identityFile": "~/.ssh/id_ed25519",
+      "remoteDir": "~/verae-fleet-runtime",
+      "enabled": true,
+      "capacity": 12,
+      "roles": ["tree-node", "archive-worm"],
+      "notes": "Unprivileged Ubuntu CT 510 on NS1 vmbr1. ssh marchon@10.10.10.20."
     }
   ]
 }
diff --git a/packages/verae-fleet/overlays/ns1/README.md b/packages/verae-fleet/overlays/ns1/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bae72ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-fleet/overlays/ns1/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# NS1 overlay
+
+Checked-in fleet + machines for **NS1.GEORGELAMBERT.ORG** (Proxmox). Do not rewrite these from `start.sh`.
+
+```bash
+export FLEET_FILE=$PWD/overlays/ns1/fleet.json
+export FLEET_MACHINES=$PWD/overlays/ns1/machines.json
+node src/cli.js serve
+```
+
+Archive worm/tree/poller stay **disabled** here so **verae-keep** owns those processes. HTTP doors stay with fleet.
+
+`px-worker` (LXC 510, `10.10.10.20`) is listed disabled until `verae-proxmox/scripts/create-worker.sh` and `verae-fleet ssh-check px-worker` succeed; then set `"enabled": true`.
diff --git a/packages/verae-fleet/overlays/ns1/fleet.json b/packages/verae-fleet/overlays/ns1/fleet.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9e3fc16
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-fleet/overlays/ns1/fleet.json
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+{
+  "apiVersion": "verae.fleet/v1",
+  "control": {
+    "bind": "0.0.0.0",
+    "port": 3850,
+    "probeIntervalMs": 750,
+    "unhealthyAfterMs": 2500,
+    "restartBackoffMs": [200, 800, 2000],
+    "maxRestartsPerHour": 40
+  },
+  "nats": {
+    "url": "nats://127.0.0.1:4222",
+    "publicBind": false
+  },
+  "services": {
+    "nats": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": false, "enabled": true, "managed": false },
+    "zappier-edge": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true },
+    "access-authz": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true },
+    "access-web": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true },
+    "access-api": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true },
+    "access-leaf": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true },
+    "access-zapier": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true },
+    "access-staff": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true },
+    "identity": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true },
+    "jobs-events": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true },
+    "account-balance": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true },
+    "customer-service": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true },
+    "sales-pricing": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true },
+    "accounting-export": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true },
+    "middleware-http": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true },
+    "job-poller": { "min": 1, "max": 2, "keepFloor": false, "enabled": false },
+    "webhook-deliver": { "min": 1, "max": 2, "keepFloor": false, "enabled": false },
+    "archive-aggregator": { "min": 1, "max": 2, "keepFloor": false, "enabled": false },
+    "archive-worm": { "min": 3, "max": 6, "keepFloor": false, "enabled": false },
+    "tree-node": { "min": 3, "max": 9, "keepFloor": false, "enabled": false },
+    "zapier-simulator": { "min": 0, "max": 1, "keepFloor": false, "enabled": true },
+    "staff-iam": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true },
+    "staff-session": { "min": 1, "max": 1, "keepFloor": true, "enabled": true }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/verae-fleet/overlays/ns1/machines.json b/packages/verae-fleet/overlays/ns1/machines.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d8714b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-fleet/overlays/ns1/machines.json
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+{
+  "machines": [
+    {
+      "id": "local",
+      "title": "NS1 control plane (Proxmox host)",
+      "kind": "local",
+      "host": "127.0.0.1",
+      "enabled": true,
+      "capacity": 32,
+      "roles": ["*"]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "ns1",
+      "title": "NS1.GEORGELAMBERT.ORG SSH profile",
+      "kind": "ssh",
+      "host": "70.88.205.138",
+      "user": "marchon",
+      "sshPort": 22,
+      "identityFile": "~/.ssh/id_ed25519",
+      "remoteDir": "~/verae-fleet-runtime",
+      "enabled": false,
+      "capacity": 24,
+      "roles": ["tree-node", "archive-worm", "archive-aggregator", "job-poller", "webhook-deliver"],
+      "notes": "Same box as local; SSH spawn unused on all-in-one."
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "lan-134",
+      "title": "70.88.205.134",
+      "kind": "ssh",
+      "host": "70.88.205.134",
+      "user": "marchon",
+      "sshPort": 22,
+      "identityFile": "~/.ssh/id_ed25519",
+      "remoteDir": "~/verae-fleet-runtime",
+      "enabled": false,
+      "capacity": 12,
+      "roles": ["tree-node", "archive-worm"]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "px-worker",
+      "title": "Proxmox LXC 510 verae-px-worker",
+      "kind": "ssh",
+      "host": "10.10.10.20",
+      "user": "marchon",
+      "sshPort": 22,
+      "identityFile": "~/.ssh/id_ed25519",
+      "remoteDir": "~/verae-fleet-runtime",
+      "enabled": true,
+      "capacity": 12,
+      "roles": ["tree-node", "archive-worm"],
+      "notes": "vmbr1 LXC 510. SSH as marchon@10.10.10.20 with ~/.ssh/id_ed25519."
+    }
+  ]
+}
diff --git a/packages/verae-fleet/scripts/install-systemd.sh b/packages/verae-fleet/scripts/install-systemd.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..900be9f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-fleet/scripts/install-systemd.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")/.." && pwd)"
+UNIT_DIR="${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/systemd/user"
+mkdir -p "$UNIT_DIR"
+install -m 644 "$ROOT/systemd/verae-fleet.service" "$UNIT_DIR/verae-fleet.service"
+systemctl --user daemon-reload
+systemctl --user enable verae-fleet.service
+loginctl enable-linger "$USER" || true
+echo "enabled verae-fleet (linger). start: systemctl --user start verae-fleet"
+echo "do not also nohup node src/cli.js serve"
diff --git a/packages/verae-fleet/src/load.js b/packages/verae-fleet/src/load.js
index 96d9662..4e62984 100644
--- a/packages/verae-fleet/src/load.js
+++ b/packages/verae-fleet/src/load.js
@@ -19,7 +19,9 @@ export function readJson(file) {
  * @param {string} [root]
  */
 export function loadFleet(root = FLEET_ROOT, opts = {}) {
-  const fleetPath = path.join(root, 'fleet.json');
+  const fleetPath = process.env.FLEET_FILE
+    ? path.resolve(process.env.FLEET_FILE)
+    : path.join(root, 'fleet.json');
   const fleet = readJson(fleetPath);
   const dir = path.join(root, 'services');
   const services = {};
diff --git a/packages/verae-fleet/src/machines.js b/packages/verae-fleet/src/machines.js
index 0b899f7..9b2583b 100644
--- a/packages/verae-fleet/src/machines.js
+++ b/packages/verae-fleet/src/machines.js
@@ -21,7 +21,9 @@ export function defaultMachines() {
 }
 
 export function loadMachines(root, overlayPath) {
-  const file = path.join(root, 'machines.json');
+  const file = process.env.FLEET_MACHINES
+    ? path.resolve(process.env.FLEET_MACHINES)
+    : path.join(root, 'machines.json');
   let list = defaultMachines();
   if (fs.existsSync(file)) {
     const raw = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(file, 'utf8'));
diff --git a/packages/verae-fleet/systemd/verae-fleet.service b/packages/verae-fleet/systemd/verae-fleet.service
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c4d1c9f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-fleet/systemd/verae-fleet.service
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+[Unit]
+Description=Verae fleet operator console
+After=network.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+WorkingDirectory=%h/verae-stack/packages/verae-fleet
+Environment=FLEET_FILE=%h/verae-stack/packages/verae-fleet/overlays/ns1/fleet.json
+Environment=FLEET_MACHINES=%h/verae-stack/packages/verae-fleet/overlays/ns1/machines.json
+Environment=STAFF_IAM_URL=https://iam.zapier.georgelambert.org
+Environment=STAFF_COOKIE_DOMAIN=.zapier.georgelambert.org
+Environment=NATS_URL=nats://127.0.0.1:4222
+Environment=FLEET_ENABLE_LAN134=
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/node src/cli.js serve
+Restart=always
+RestartSec=2
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=default.target
diff --git a/packages/verae-keep/README.md b/packages/verae-keep/README.md
index 4deb268..81a8c06 100644
--- a/packages/verae-keep/README.md
+++ b/packages/verae-keep/README.md
@@ -28,7 +28,14 @@ KEEP_UNITS=$HOME/verae-keep/units.ns1.json KEEP_STATE=$HOME/verae-keep/data \
   nohup bash scripts/guard.sh >/tmp/verae-keep-guard.out 2>&1 &
 ```
 
-Or systemd user unit `systemd/verae-keep-guard.service` (`loginctl enable-linger`).
+Or user systemd (survives reboot; do not also `nohup guard.sh`):
+
+```bash
+bash scripts/install-systemd.sh
+systemctl --user start verae-keep-guard
+```
+
+Proxmox guest extra copies: `KEEP_UNITS=units.px-worker.json`.
 
 Units: NATS (observe only), job-poller, webhook-deliver, archive-aggregator, archive-worm ×3, tree-node ×3.
 
diff --git a/packages/verae-keep/scripts/install-systemd.sh b/packages/verae-keep/scripts/install-systemd.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..5af98c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-keep/scripts/install-systemd.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# User systemd for keep guard + linger so it survives reboot.
+set -euo pipefail
+ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")/.." && pwd)"
+UNIT_DIR="${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/systemd/user"
+mkdir -p "$UNIT_DIR"
+install -m 644 "$ROOT/systemd/verae-keep-guard.service" "$UNIT_DIR/verae-keep-guard.service"
+systemctl --user daemon-reload
+systemctl --user enable verae-keep-guard.service
+loginctl enable-linger "$USER" || true
+echo "enabled verae-keep-guard (linger). start: systemctl --user start verae-keep-guard"
+echo "do not also run nohup guard.sh"
diff --git a/packages/verae-keep/units.px-worker.json b/packages/verae-keep/units.px-worker.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fbcd8a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-keep/units.px-worker.json
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+{
+  "bind": "127.0.0.1",
+  "port": 3860,
+  "intervalMs": 2000,
+  "runtimeDir": "~/verae-fleet-runtime",
+  "units": [
+    {
+      "id": "archive-worm-px-0",
+      "health": "http://127.0.0.1:13500/health",
+      "cwd": "~/verae-src/verae-fleet",
+      "command": ["node", "src/worker.js"],
+      "env": {
+        "FLEET_ROLE": "archive-worm",
+        "FLEET_SERVICE": "archive-worm",
+        "FLEET_INSTANCE": "archive-worm-px-0",
+        "FLEET_MACHINE": "px-worker",
+        "FLEET_HEALTH_PORT": "13500",
+        "FLEET_HEALTH_BIND": "127.0.0.1",
+        "FLEET_STATE_DIR": "data/archive-worm-px-0",
+        "NATS_URL": "nats://10.10.10.1:4222"
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "tree-node-px-0",
+      "health": "http://127.0.0.1:13600/health",
+      "cwd": "~/verae-src/verae-fleet",
+      "command": ["node", "src/worker.js"],
+      "env": {
+        "FLEET_ROLE": "tree-node",
+        "FLEET_SERVICE": "tree-node",
+        "FLEET_INSTANCE": "tree-node-px-0",
+        "FLEET_MACHINE": "px-worker",
+        "FLEET_HEALTH_PORT": "13600",
+        "FLEET_HEALTH_BIND": "127.0.0.1",
+        "FLEET_STATE_DIR": "data/tree-node-px-0",
+        "NATS_URL": "nats://10.10.10.1:4222"
+      }
+    }
+  ]
+}
diff --git a/packages/verae-ops/03-proxmox.md b/packages/verae-ops/03-proxmox.md
index 736a147..4817306 100644
--- a/packages/verae-ops/03-proxmox.md
+++ b/packages/verae-ops/03-proxmox.md
@@ -1,60 +1,50 @@
-# 3. Proxmox (LXC and QEMU)
+# 3. Proxmox (NS1 is the hypervisor)
 
-Target: one **NATS cluster VM/CT** (or three), one **HTTPS edge** VM, one or more **worker** VMs. Fleet SSH-spreads worm/tree-node onto worker hosts.
+**NS1.GEORGELAMBERT.ORG** (`70.88.205.138`) **is** the Proxmox host. Control plane, Caddy, keep, and fleet run on the host. Extra worm/tree copies run in an **unprivileged Ubuntu LXC** on the private bridge.
 
-## Suggested guests
+| Bridge | Address | Use |
+|--------|---------|-----|
+| `vmbr0` | `70.88.205.138/28` | Public HTTPS / SSH. **Never NATS.** |
+| `vmbr1` | `10.10.10.1/24` | Private. PKI `.11`, peergos-a `.12`, peergos-b `.13`, **verae-px-worker `.20`** |
 
-| Guest | OS | vCPU / RAM / disk | Role |
-|-------|----|-------------------|------|
-| `nats-a` `nats-b` `nats-c` | Debian 12 LXC unprivileged | 1 / 1G / 8G | JetStream, bind `127.0.0.1` **or** a vmbr **private** bridge only |
-| `edge` | Debian 12 QEMU | 2 / 2G / 20G | Caddy + zappier-edge + middleware |
-| `worker-1` … | Debian 12 LXC | 2 / 2G / 20G | fleet SSH target; worm + tree-node |
+## Guest we actually deploy
 
-Use a **private bridge** (`vmbr1`, RFC1918) for NATS `4222`/`6222`. Public `vmbr0` only on `edge` (80/443).
+| | |
+|--|--|
+| VMID | **510** |
+| Name | `verae-px-worker` |
+| Template | `ubuntu-24.04-standard_24.04-2_amd64.tar.zst` (`local`) |
+| Disk | `SSD2` 16G |
+| RAM / CPU | 2G / 2 |
+| Roles | `tree-node`, `archive-worm` |
+| Fleet id | `px-worker` |
+| NATS | `nats://10.10.10.1:4222` (host `socat` → `127.0.0.1:4222`) |
 
-## NATS on an LXC
+Repo: [verae-proxmox](https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-proxmox)
 
 ```bash
-apt-get update && apt-get install -y curl
-# official nats-server binary
-curl -sSL https://github.com/nats-io/nats-server/releases/latest/download/nats-server-v2.10.26-linux-amd64.tar.gz | tar -xz
-install nats-server /usr/local/bin/
+# on NS1
+git clone ssh://git@git.georgelambert.org:2223/marchon/verae-proxmox.git
+cd verae-proxmox
+bash scripts/create-worker.sh
+ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 marchon@10.10.10.20 true
 ```
 
-`/etc/nats/nats.conf`:
+On the guest, bootstrap type `proxmox-worker` ([verae-bootstrap](https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-bootstrap)). Then `verae-fleet ssh-check px-worker` and set `"enabled": true` in `overlays/ns1/machines.json`.
 
-```
-jetstream {}
-listen: 10.10.10.11:4222          # private bridge, not 0.0.0.0 on public
-cluster {
-  name: verae
-  listen: 10.10.10.11:6222
-  routes: [ nats-route://10.10.10.12:6222, nats-route://10.10.10.13:6222 ]
-}
-http: 127.0.0.1:8222
-```
+## NATS for guests
 
-systemd: `ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/nats-server -c /etc/nats/nats.conf`.
+Loopback NATS on the host stays `127.0.0.1:4222`. `verae-nats-private-proxy.service` binds **only** `10.10.10.1:4222`. Do not listen on `vmbr0`.
 
-## Edge VM
+## Suggested future guests (not created by create-worker.sh)
 
-Install Node 22, clone `zappier-edge` and `verae-middleware`, Caddy reverse-proxy:
+| Guest | Role |
+|-------|------|
+| `nats-b` `nats-c` | Extra JetStream nodes on `vmbr1` when leaving all-in-one |
+| more `worker-*` | Same recipe as 510 with the next free `10.10.10.2x` |
 
-```
-zappier.example.com {
-  reverse_proxy 127.0.0.1:3000
-}
-middleware.example.com {
-  reverse_proxy 127.0.0.1:3100
-}
-```
+## Edge / Caddy
 
-Middleware env: `NATS_URL=nats://10.10.10.11:4222,nats://10.10.10.12:4222,nats://10.10.10.13:4222`.
+Stay on the **host** (already live). Do not put zappier-edge in the worker CT.
 
-## Fleet on Proxmox
-
-On the operator workstation or a jump CT (loopback `:3850`):
-
-`machines.json` entries: `kind=ssh`, `user=root` or `marchon`, `host=10.10.10.2x`, `identityFile=~/.ssh/id_ed25519` (**path only**). Roles: `tree-node,archive-worm`. Capacity ≥ 3 per worker if you want floors on one host.
-
-`ssh-check` from the operator console before enabling `keepFloor`.
+Operator console: `https://fleet.zapier.georgelambert.org/` · overlay `packages/verae-fleet/overlays/ns1/`.
diff --git a/packages/verae-ops/07-maintenance.md b/packages/verae-ops/07-maintenance.md
index 240f151..8590bb9 100644
--- a/packages/verae-ops/07-maintenance.md
+++ b/packages/verae-ops/07-maintenance.md
@@ -13,28 +13,62 @@ Green / yellow / red on the operator console: https://zapier.georgelambert.org/p
 
 ## Restart
 
-- systemd: `systemctl restart verae-middleware zappier-edge`
+- User systemd (survives reboot with linger):
+  - `bash packages/verae-keep/scripts/install-systemd.sh`
+  - `bash packages/verae-fleet/scripts/install-systemd.sh`
+  - `loginctl enable-linger $USER`
+  - `systemctl --user restart verae-keep-guard verae-fleet`
 - Compose: `docker compose up -d --no-deps middleware`
 - One replica: fleet `restart tree-node-1` (floor spawns a replacement if needed)
 - Pause is **not** off — paused copies do not count toward `keepFloor`
+- Do not run **both** `nohup guard.sh` and the systemd unit
 
 ## Backup
 
-| Data | Where |
-|------|--------|
-| zappier SQLite | `ZAPPIER_DB` path / volume |
-| worm / tree blobs | instance `data/` dirs |
-| NATS JetStream | nats store dir |
-| fleet overlay | `packages/verae-fleet/data/` (gitignored) |
+Repo: [verae-backup](https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-backup)
 
-Do not back up private keys into git. Restore `identityFile` paths on the operator host.
+```bash
+export BACKUP_ROOT=/SSD2/backups/verae
+bash scripts/backup.sh
+bash scripts/restore.sh --dry-run
+```
+
+| Data | Default path |
+|------|----------------|
+| zappier SQLite | `~/verae-stack/packages/zappier/zappier.db` |
+| worm / tree blobs | `~/verae-fleet-runtime/data/` |
+| keep state | `~/verae-keep/data` |
+| NATS JetStream | `/var/lib/nats/jetstream` if present |
+| IAM | `~/verae-stack/packages/verae-staff-iam/data` |
+
+User timer: `verae-backup.timer` (03:17 UTC). Do not back up private keys into git. Restore `identityFile` paths on the operator host. After `--apply`, `curl` `/health` on edge and keep.
 
 ## Upgrade
 
-1. `git pull` each independent repo (or refresh the monorepo snapshot).
-2. `npm test` in that package.
-3. Restart that unit only; NATS cluster stays up.
-4. Zapier Platform app: `zapier-platform push` from `verae-zapier-app` when HTTPS contracts change.
+Repo: [verae-deploy](https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-deploy)
+
+```bash
+export VERAE_SRC=$HOME/verae-src
+export DEPLOY_TYPE=ns1-all-in-one
+bash scripts/deploy.sh main          # or a tag vYYYY-MM-DD
+systemctl --user restart verae-keep-guard verae-fleet
+```
+
+1. `host-deps.sh` on **this** OS.
+2. `git fetch` + checkout ref (not force-push).
+3. `npm ci` / `npm rebuild` (never copy macOS `node_modules`).
+4. Restart that unit only; NATS stays up.
+5. Zapier Platform app: `zapier-platform push` from `verae-zapier-app` when HTTPS contracts change.
+
+## Off-box watch
+
+Repo: [verae-uptime](https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-uptime)
+
+```bash
+node src/watch.js --once     # exit 2 if a public door failed
+```
+
+Run this on a **different** machine than NS1 (laptop cron is enough). `/status` on `:3870` in loop mode.
 
 ## Logs
 
diff --git a/packages/verae-ops/GETTING-STARTED.md b/packages/verae-ops/GETTING-STARTED.md
index c77025d..0457140 100644
--- a/packages/verae-ops/GETTING-STARTED.md
+++ b/packages/verae-ops/GETTING-STARTED.md
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ The billing and user platform is the standalone **zappier** project (`/Users/mar
 
 ## 15-minute lab (one machine)
 
+NS1 is Proxmox. Extra worm/tree LXC: [verae-proxmox](https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-proxmox) `create-worker.sh` (VMID 510, `10.10.10.20`). Off-box watch: [verae-uptime](https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-uptime). Backup: [verae-backup](https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-backup). Tagged upgrade: [verae-deploy](https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-deploy).
+
 Bare metal / VM (Debian or Alpine): install OS + Node first, then clone.
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/packages/verae-proxmox/NATS.md b/packages/verae-proxmox/NATS.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8cc0d78
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-proxmox/NATS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# NATS — verae-proxmox
+
+Guests on `vmbr1` must not use the public NIC. The host runs `socat` `10.10.10.1:4222` → `127.0.0.1:4222`. Zapier cloud still never talks to NATS.
diff --git a/packages/verae-proxmox/README.md b/packages/verae-proxmox/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a6e8270
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-proxmox/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+# verae-proxmox
+
+Provision an **archive worker LXC** on **NS1.GEORGELAMBERT.ORG** (this box **is** the Proxmox host).
+
+| | |
+|--|--|
+| VMID | **510** |
+| Hostname | `verae-px-worker` |
+| Network | `vmbr1` **10.10.10.20/24** gw `10.10.10.1` |
+| Storage | SSD2 16G, unprivileged Ubuntu 24.04 |
+| Roles | `tree-node`, `archive-worm` |
+| NATS | `nats://10.10.10.1:4222` via host socat proxy (loopback NATS stays `127.0.0.1:4222`; **not** on `vmbr0`) |
+
+**Forgejo:** https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-proxmox  
+**SSH:** `ssh://git@git.georgelambert.org:2223/marchon/verae-proxmox.git`
+
+```bash
+# on NS1
+git clone ssh://git@git.georgelambert.org:2223/marchon/verae-proxmox.git
+cd verae-proxmox
+bash scripts/create-worker.sh
+ssh marchon@10.10.10.20
+```
+
+On the guest:
+
+```bash
+git clone ssh://git@git.georgelambert.org:2223/marchon/verae-bootstrap.git
+cd verae-bootstrap
+bash scripts/host-deps.sh --type proxmox-worker
+export VERAE_SRC=$HOME/verae-src
+export NATS_URL=nats://10.10.10.1:4222
+bash scripts/fetch.sh proxmox-worker
+```
+
+Then enable `px-worker` in `verae-fleet/overlays/ns1/machines.json` and `node src/cli.js ssh-check px-worker`.
+
+Keep on the guest uses `units.px-worker.json` (worm ×1 + tree-node ×1 extra copies). Host keep still runs the NS1 floor of 3.
diff --git a/packages/verae-proxmox/SUMMARY.md b/packages/verae-proxmox/SUMMARY.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf23d34
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-proxmox/SUMMARY.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# verae-proxmox
+
+Create Ubuntu LXC 510 on NS1 vmbr1 for extra worm/tree copies. Private NATS proxy on 10.10.10.1:4222.
diff --git a/packages/verae-proxmox/guest.env b/packages/verae-proxmox/guest.env
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9e2fbb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-proxmox/guest.env
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# Defaults for NS1.GEORGELAMBERT.ORG (Proxmox).
+VMID="${VMID:-510}"
+GUEST_HOSTNAME="${GUEST_HOSTNAME:-verae-px-worker}"
+BRIDGE="${BRIDGE:-vmbr1}"
+IP="${IP:-10.10.10.20/24}"
+GW="${GW:-10.10.10.1}"
+MEMORY="${MEMORY:-2048}"
+CORES="${CORES:-2}"
+DISK="${DISK:-16}"
+STORAGE="${STORAGE:-SSD2}"
+TEMPLATE="${TEMPLATE:-/var/lib/vz/template/cache/ubuntu-24.04-standard_24.04-2_amd64.tar.zst}"
+DNS="${DNS:-8.8.8.8}"
+NATS_PRIVATE="${NATS_PRIVATE:-10.10.10.1}"
+NATS_PORT="${NATS_PORT:-4222}"
+USER_NAME="${USER_NAME:-marchon}"
diff --git a/packages/verae-proxmox/package.json b/packages/verae-proxmox/package.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dc335c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-proxmox/package.json
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+{
+  "name": "verae-proxmox",
+  "version": "0.1.0",
+  "private": true,
+  "description": "Provision Verae archive worker LXC guests on NS1 Proxmox (vmbr1)",
+  "scripts": {
+    "create-worker": "bash scripts/create-worker.sh",
+    "test": "bash scripts/test.sh"
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/verae-proxmox/scripts/create-worker.sh b/packages/verae-proxmox/scripts/create-worker.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..2c1aa48
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-proxmox/scripts/create-worker.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Create (or reuse) LXC 510 on this Proxmox host, bootstrap marchon + sshd + host-deps.
+# Run on NS1 as marchon (sudo). Does not publish NATS on vmbr0.
+set -euo pipefail
+ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")/.." && pwd)"
+# shellcheck disable=SC1091
+. "$ROOT/guest.env"
+if [[ ! -f /etc/pve/local/.members ]] && [[ ! -d /etc/pve/nodes ]]; then
+  echo "not a Proxmox host" >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+export PATH="/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/bin:$PATH"
+if ! command -v pct >/dev/null; then
+  echo "pct missing (need /usr/sbin/pct on the Proxmox host)" >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+if [[ ! -f "$TEMPLATE" ]]; then
+  echo "missing template $TEMPLATE" >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+if ! sudo pct status "$VMID" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  echo "pct create $VMID $GUEST_HOSTNAME $IP"
+  sudo pct create "$VMID" "$TEMPLATE" \
+    --hostname "$GUEST_HOSTNAME" \
+    --memory "$MEMORY" --cores "$CORES" --swap 512 \
+    --net0 "name=eth0,bridge=${BRIDGE},ip=${IP},gw=${GW},type=veth" \
+    --rootfs "${STORAGE}:${DISK}" \
+    --unprivileged 1 --onboot 1 --nameserver "$DNS" \
+    --features nesting=1 \
+    --ostype ubuntu
+else
+  echo "CT $VMID already exists"
+fi
+sudo pct start "$VMID" 2>/dev/null || true
+for i in $(seq 1 30); do
+  sudo pct exec "$VMID" -- true 2>/dev/null && break
+  sleep 2
+done
+PUB=""
+[[ -f "$HOME/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub" ]] && PUB="$(cat "$HOME/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub")"
+[[ -z "$PUB" && -f "$HOME/.ssh/authorized_keys" ]] && PUB="$(head -1 "$HOME/.ssh/authorized_keys")"
+[[ -n "$PUB" ]] || { echo "no ssh public key for $USER_NAME" >&2; exit 1; }
+if [[ ! -f "$HOME/.ssh/id_ed25519" ]]; then
+  ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -N "" -f "$HOME/.ssh/id_ed25519" -C "ns1-to-px-worker"
+  PUB="$(cat "$HOME/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub")"
+fi
+sudo pct exec "$VMID" -- bash -lc "
+set -e
+export DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive
+apt-get update -qq
+apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends openssh-server sudo curl git ca-certificates python3 make g++ xz-utils
+id $USER_NAME >/dev/null 2>&1 || useradd -m -s /bin/bash $USER_NAME
+echo '$USER_NAME ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD:ALL' >/etc/sudoers.d/90-$USER_NAME
+chmod 440 /etc/sudoers.d/90-$USER_NAME
+install -d -m 700 -o $USER_NAME -g $USER_NAME /home/$USER_NAME/.ssh
+grep -qxF '$PUB' /home/$USER_NAME/.ssh/authorized_keys 2>/dev/null || echo '$PUB' >>/home/$USER_NAME/.ssh/authorized_keys
+chown $USER_NAME:$USER_NAME /home/$USER_NAME/.ssh/authorized_keys
+chmod 600 /home/$USER_NAME/.ssh/authorized_keys
+systemctl enable --now ssh
+"
+HOST_IP="${IP%%/*}"
+echo "guest $GUEST_HOSTNAME $HOST_IP"
+# NATS private proxy on the Proxmox host
+if ! ss -lnt | grep -q "10.10.10.1:4222"; then
+  if command -v socat >/dev/null; then
+    sudo cp "$ROOT/scripts/nats-private-proxy.service" /etc/systemd/system/verae-nats-private-proxy.service
+    sudo systemctl daemon-reload
+    sudo systemctl enable --now verae-nats-private-proxy.service || true
+  else
+    sudo apt-get install -y socat || sudo apt-get install -y socat
+    sudo cp "$ROOT/scripts/nats-private-proxy.service" /etc/systemd/system/verae-nats-private-proxy.service
+    sudo systemctl daemon-reload
+    sudo systemctl enable --now verae-nats-private-proxy.service
+  fi
+fi
+ssh -o BatchMode=yes -o StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new -o ConnectTimeout=8 \
+  -i "$HOME/.ssh/id_ed25519" "$USER_NAME@$HOST_IP" 'echo ssh_ok' \
+  || echo "ssh not ready yet — retry: ssh $USER_NAME@$HOST_IP"
+echo "NATS for guests: nats://${NATS_PRIVATE}:${NATS_PORT} (never on vmbr0)"
+echo "next: on the guest, clone verae-bootstrap type proxmox-worker"
diff --git a/packages/verae-proxmox/scripts/nats-private-proxy.service b/packages/verae-proxmox/scripts/nats-private-proxy.service
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1dda667
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-proxmox/scripts/nats-private-proxy.service
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+[Unit]
+Description=Proxy loopback NATS onto vmbr1 (10.10.10.1:4222) for Proxmox guests
+After=network.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+# Public NIC must stay unbound. Loopback NATS remains 127.0.0.1:4222.
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/socat TCP-LISTEN:4222,bind=10.10.10.1,reuseaddr,fork TCP:127.0.0.1:4222
+Restart=always
+RestartSec=2
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target
diff --git a/packages/verae-proxmox/scripts/test.sh b/packages/verae-proxmox/scripts/test.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..2f6d0a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-proxmox/scripts/test.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")/.." && pwd)"
+bash -n "$ROOT/scripts/create-worker.sh"
+test -f "$ROOT/guest.env"
+test -f "$ROOT/scripts/nats-private-proxy.service"
+grep -q 'bind=10.10.10.1' "$ROOT/scripts/nats-private-proxy.service"
+grep -q vmbr1 "$ROOT/guest.env"
+echo OK
diff --git a/packages/verae-uptime/NATS.md b/packages/verae-uptime/NATS.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dd2a519
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-uptime/NATS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# NATS — verae-uptime
+
+Uptime watch is HTTPS GET only. It never connects to NATS.
diff --git a/packages/verae-uptime/README.md b/packages/verae-uptime/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f5fc83b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-uptime/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# verae-uptime
+
+GET-watch the public Verae Time × Zapier doors from a host that is **not** the thing being watched. If NS1 is the only watcher, NS1 dying is silent.
+
+**Forgejo:** https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/verae-uptime  
+**SSH:** `ssh://git@git.georgelambert.org:2223/marchon/verae-uptime.git`
+
+Run on a laptop, a second WAN box, or (weaker) a Proxmox CT on the same chassis.
+
+```bash
+git clone ssh://git@git.georgelambert.org:2223/marchon/verae-uptime.git
+cd verae-uptime
+node src/watch.js --once          # exit 2 if any required target failed
+node src/watch.js                 # loop + http://127.0.0.1:3870/status
+```
+
+`probes.json` lists catalog, portal, api, zap, iam, mw, fleet, git. Optional `webhook` POSTs the snapshot when `failed > 0`.
+
+State: `~/.verae-uptime/status.json` and `watch.log`.
+
+This process does **not** speak NATS.
diff --git a/packages/verae-uptime/SUMMARY.md b/packages/verae-uptime/SUMMARY.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..493ed16
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-uptime/SUMMARY.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# verae-uptime
+
+Off-box HTTPS `/health` (and homepage) probes for public doors. Loop + `/status`, or `--once` for cron.
diff --git a/packages/verae-uptime/package.json b/packages/verae-uptime/package.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8181b42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-uptime/package.json
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+{
+  "name": "verae-uptime",
+  "version": "0.1.0",
+  "private": true,
+  "type": "module",
+  "description": "Off-box HTTPS health watch for Verae Time × Zapier public doors",
+  "scripts": {
+    "start": "node src/watch.js",
+    "once": "node src/watch.js --once",
+    "test": "node --test test/*.test.js"
+  },
+  "engines": { "node": ">=20" }
+}
diff --git a/packages/verae-uptime/probes.json b/packages/verae-uptime/probes.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c2a824
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-uptime/probes.json
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+{
+  "intervalSec": 60,
+  "failAfter": 2,
+  "timeoutMs": 15000,
+  "stateDir": "~/.verae-uptime",
+  "webhook": "",
+  "targets": [
+    { "id": "catalog", "url": "https://zapier.georgelambert.org/" },
+    { "id": "portal", "url": "https://portal.zapier.georgelambert.org/portal/" },
+    { "id": "api", "url": "https://api.zapier.georgelambert.org/health" },
+    { "id": "zap", "url": "https://zap.zapier.georgelambert.org/health" },
+    { "id": "iam", "url": "https://iam.zapier.georgelambert.org/" },
+    { "id": "mw", "url": "https://mw.zapier.georgelambert.org/health" },
+    { "id": "fleet", "url": "https://fleet.zapier.georgelambert.org/" },
+    { "id": "git", "url": "https://git.georgelambert.org/" }
+  ]
+}
diff --git a/packages/verae-uptime/src/watch.js b/packages/verae-uptime/src/watch.js
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..d2a014b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-uptime/src/watch.js
@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env node
+/**
+ * GET each catalog/public door. Exit 2 on --once if any required target fails.
+ * Loop mode writes state JSON and optional webhook on rising failure.
+ */
+import fs from 'node:fs';
+import http from 'node:http';
+import https from 'node:https';
+import os from 'node:os';
+import path from 'node:path';
+import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
+
+const HERE = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
+const ROOT = path.join(HERE, '..');
+const ONCE = process.argv.includes('--once');
+const CFG = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(process.env.UPTIME_PROBES || path.join(ROOT, 'probes.json'), 'utf8'));
+
+function expandHome(p) {
+  if (!p) return p;
+  if (p.startsWith('~/')) return path.join(os.homedir(), p.slice(2));
+  return p;
+}
+
+const STATE_DIR = expandHome(process.env.UPTIME_STATE || CFG.stateDir || path.join(ROOT, 'data'));
+const failAfter = Number(CFG.failAfter || 2);
+const timeoutMs = Number(CFG.timeoutMs || 15000);
+const streak = {};
+
+function probe(url) {
+  return new Promise((resolve) => {
+    let settled = false;
+    const done = (r) => {
+      if (settled) return;
+      settled = true;
+      resolve(r);
+    };
+    const lib = url.startsWith('https:') ? https : http;
+    const req = lib.get(url, { timeout: timeoutMs }, (res) => {
+      res.resume();
+      const code = res.statusCode || 0;
+      done({ ok: code >= 200 && code < 400, code, error: '' });
+    });
+    req.on('timeout', () => {
+      req.destroy();
+      done({ ok: false, code: 0, error: 'timeout' });
+    });
+    req.on('error', (err) => done({ ok: false, code: 0, error: err.message }));
+  });
+}
+
+async function tick() {
+  const results = [];
+  let failed = 0;
+  for (const t of CFG.targets || []) {
+    const r = await probe(t.url);
+    const prev = streak[t.id] || 0;
+    streak[t.id] = r.ok ? 0 : prev + 1;
+    const down = !r.ok && streak[t.id] >= failAfter && !t.optional;
+    if (down) failed += 1;
+    results.push({
+      id: t.id,
+      url: t.url,
+      ok: r.ok,
+      code: r.code,
+      error: r.error,
+      streak: streak[t.id],
+      down,
+    });
+  }
+  const snap = { t: new Date().toISOString(), failed, results };
+  fs.mkdirSync(STATE_DIR, { recursive: true });
+  fs.writeFileSync(path.join(STATE_DIR, 'status.json'), `${JSON.stringify(snap, null, 2)}\n`);
+  fs.appendFileSync(path.join(STATE_DIR, 'watch.log'), `${JSON.stringify(snap)}\n`);
+  process.stdout.write(`${JSON.stringify({ t: snap.t, failed, ids: results.map((x) => `${x.id}:${x.ok ? 'ok' : x.code || x.error}`) })}\n`);
+  if (failed && CFG.webhook) {
+    try {
+      const u = new URL(CFG.webhook);
+      const body = JSON.stringify(snap);
+      const lib = u.protocol === 'https:' ? https : http;
+      const req = lib.request(u, { method: 'POST', headers: { 'content-type': 'application/json', 'content-length': Buffer.byteLength(body) } });
+      req.on('error', () => {});
+      req.end(body);
+    } catch {
+      /* ignore notify */
+    }
+  }
+  return failed;
+}
+
+if (ONCE) {
+  tick().then((n) => process.exit(n ? 2 : 0));
+} else {
+  const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
+    const file = path.join(STATE_DIR, 'status.json');
+    if (req.url === '/health' || req.url === '/status') {
+      if (!fs.existsSync(file)) {
+        res.writeHead(200, { 'content-type': 'application/json' });
+        return res.end('{"ok":true,"note":"no tick yet"}');
+      }
+      const snap = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(file, 'utf8'));
+      res.writeHead(snap.failed ? 503 : 200, { 'content-type': 'application/json' });
+      return res.end(JSON.stringify(snap));
+    }
+    res.writeHead(404);
+    res.end();
+  });
+  const bind = process.env.UPTIME_BIND || '127.0.0.1';
+  const port = Number(process.env.UPTIME_PORT || 3870);
+  server.listen(port, bind, () => {
+    process.stdout.write(`uptime listen ${bind}:${port}\n`);
+  });
+  tick();
+  setInterval(tick, Number(CFG.intervalSec || 60) * 1000);
+}
diff --git a/packages/verae-uptime/systemd/verae-uptime.service b/packages/verae-uptime/systemd/verae-uptime.service
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..378c461
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-uptime/systemd/verae-uptime.service
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+[Unit]
+Description=Verae off-box HTTPS door watch
+After=network-online.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+WorkingDirectory=%h/verae-src/verae-uptime
+Environment=UPTIME_BIND=127.0.0.1
+Environment=UPTIME_PORT=3870
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/node src/watch.js
+Restart=always
+RestartSec=5
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=default.target
diff --git a/packages/verae-uptime/test/watch.test.js b/packages/verae-uptime/test/watch.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..99e592b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/verae-uptime/test/watch.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+import { test } from 'node:test';
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import http from 'node:http';
+import fs from 'node:fs';
+import os from 'node:os';
+import path from 'node:path';
+import { spawn } from 'node:child_process';
+import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
+
+const root = path.join(path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url)), '..');
+
+test('once mode fails when a required target is down', async () => {
+  const tmp = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'uptime-'));
+  const srv = await new Promise((resolve) => {
+    const s = http.createServer((req, res) => {
+      res.writeHead(req.url === '/ok' ? 200 : 500);
+      res.end('x');
+    });
+    s.listen(0, '127.0.0.1', () => resolve(s));
+  });
+  const port = srv.address().port;
+  const cfg = path.join(tmp, 'probes.json');
+  fs.writeFileSync(
+    cfg,
+    JSON.stringify({
+      failAfter: 1,
+      timeoutMs: 2000,
+      stateDir: tmp,
+      targets: [
+        { id: 'ok', url: `http://127.0.0.1:${port}/ok` },
+        { id: 'bad', url: `http://127.0.0.1:${port}/bad` },
+      ],
+    }),
+  );
+  const code = await new Promise((resolve) => {
+    const p = spawn(process.execPath, [path.join(root, 'src/watch.js'), '--once'], {
+      env: { ...process.env, UPTIME_PROBES: cfg, UPTIME_STATE: tmp },
+    });
+    p.on('close', resolve);
+  });
+  srv.close();
+  assert.equal(code, 2);
+  const snap = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(path.join(tmp, 'status.json'), 'utf8'));
+  assert.equal(snap.failed, 1);
+});
diff --git a/packages/zapier-decisions/LOG.md b/packages/zapier-decisions/LOG.md
index 68beee6..5f36d68 100644
--- a/packages/zapier-decisions/LOG.md
+++ b/packages/zapier-decisions/LOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,13 @@
 # Action log
 
+## 2026-09-11 — proxmox worker + deploy/monitor/backup
+
+- NS1 **is** Proxmox (`vmbr0` public, `vmbr1` `10.10.10.0/24`). New repo **verae-proxmox** creates LXC **510** `verae-px-worker` at `10.10.10.20`.
+- NATS for guests: socat `10.10.10.1:4222` → `127.0.0.1:4222` (never vmbr0).
+- **verae-uptime** off-box HTTPS GET; **verae-backup** tar snapshots; **verae-deploy** tagged npm ci.
+- Fleet `overlays/ns1/` checked in; `start.sh` no longer rewrites fleet/machines JSON.
+- User systemd + linger for keep and fleet.
+
 ## 2026-09-11 — bootstrap
 
 - Created this repo to record decisions while executing cleanup items 1–5 (and a second pass on 2–5).
diff --git a/scripts/build-docs-site.py b/scripts/build-docs-site.py
index aaf0a37..6af2b91 100755
--- a/scripts/build-docs-site.py
+++ b/scripts/build-docs-site.py
@@ -74,6 +74,10 @@ SECTIONS = [
             ("packages/verae-staff-ui/README.md", "verae-staff-ui"),
             ("packages/verae-keep/README.md", "verae-keep"),
             ("packages/verae-bootstrap/README.md", "verae-bootstrap (clone + deps per server type)"),
+            ("packages/verae-uptime/README.md", "Off-box HTTPS door watch"),
+            ("packages/verae-backup/README.md", "Backup SQLite / JetStream / worm+tree"),
+            ("packages/verae-deploy/README.md", "Tagged deploy on the target OS"),
+            ("packages/verae-proxmox/README.md", "Proxmox LXC worker on NS1 vmbr1"),
         ],
     ),
     (
@@ -590,6 +594,10 @@ def main() -> None:
         "verae-staff-iam",
         "verae-keep",
         "verae-bootstrap",
+        "verae-uptime",
+        "verae-backup",
+        "verae-deploy",
+        "verae-proxmox",
     ):
         pkg_root = ROOT / "packages" / pkg
         if pkg in {"zapier-user-docs", "overview", "docs-master", "verae-ops"}:
@@ -817,6 +825,10 @@ def main() -> None:
         ("verae-staff-iam", "Staff users, roles, permissions"),
         ("verae-keep", "Host keep-alive"),
         ("verae-bootstrap", "Clone + deps per server type"),
+        ("verae-uptime", "Off-box HTTPS door watch"),
+        ("verae-backup", "Backup SQLite / JetStream / worm+tree"),
+        ("verae-deploy", "Tagged deploy on the target OS"),
+        ("verae-proxmox", "Proxmox LXC worker (NS1 vmbr1)"),
     ]
     git_lis = "".join(
         f'<li><a href="https://git.georgelambert.org/marchon/{name}">{name}</a> '
diff --git a/scripts/push-module-repos.sh b/scripts/push-module-repos.sh
index e2868de..3c2a01c 100755
--- a/scripts/push-module-repos.sh
+++ b/scripts/push-module-repos.sh
@@ -70,6 +70,10 @@ create verae-staff-ui "Shared staff review HTML template"
 create verae-staff-iam "Internal staff users, roles, and permissions"
 create verae-keep "Host keep-alive: restart units unless admin paused or stopped them"
 create verae-bootstrap "Clone all module repos and install deps for each server type"
+create verae-uptime "Off-box HTTPS health watch for public doors"
+create verae-backup "Backup/restore SQLite, JetStream, worm/tree, keep, IAM"
+create verae-deploy "Tagged checkout + npm ci on the target OS"
+create verae-proxmox "Provision archive-worker LXC on NS1 Proxmox"
 
 push_dir "$ROOT/packages/zappier" zappier-edge
 push_dir "$ROOT/packages/verae-zapier-middleware" verae-middleware
@@ -106,5 +110,9 @@ push_dir "$ROOT/packages/verae-staff-ui" verae-staff-ui
 push_dir "$ROOT/packages/verae-staff-iam" verae-staff-iam
 push_dir "$ROOT/packages/verae-keep" verae-keep
 push_dir "$ROOT/packages/verae-bootstrap" verae-bootstrap
+push_dir "$ROOT/packages/verae-uptime" verae-uptime
+push_dir "$ROOT/packages/verae-backup" verae-backup
+push_dir "$ROOT/packages/verae-deploy" verae-deploy
+push_dir "$ROOT/packages/verae-proxmox" verae-proxmox
 
 echo ALL_MODULE_REPOS_PUSHED