diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 92d4f7a..59b3f4b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,14 +1,90 @@
-# perf
+# ⚡ KNELPerf — dynamic performance optimization for the PFV fleet
+
+> **Baseline → Audit → Tweak → Re-baseline, on autopilot** —
+> a bash-only performance loop for a nine-node Proxmox fleet, wired to
+> solar surplus, ERCOT risk signals, and three classes of paid work.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+KNELPerf v2 (2026-09-06, two-week program
+[#826](https://projects.knownelement.com/issues/826)) breaks the
+organically-grown Ultix scheduling subsystem out into a fleet-grade module,
+adds the missing CPU benchmark leg, and drives a continuous
+baseline/audit/tweak/re-baseline loop across every host.
> **Docs live on Discourse — this repo is the executable source of truth.**
> **Topic:** https://community.turnsys.com/t/328
-> **Redmine:** https://projects.knownelement.com/issues/709 · **Split from** KNEL/PFVCluster@041d311 per [#769](https://projects.knownelement.com/issues/769)
+> **Redmine:** [#826](https://projects.knownelement.com/issues/826) (v2 program) ·
+> [#709](https://projects.knownelement.com/issues/709) (v1, closed) ·
+> **Split from** KNEL/PFVCluster@041d311 per [#769](https://projects.knownelement.com/issues/769)
-Performance baseline + tuning: fio/iperf3 harness v1.1 (PSI, load, device identity), tuned-profile deploys, audit scripts (probe-storage, probe-network, conman-console, snmp-switch-audit, probe-drift, audit-vm-disks, audit-guest-io). Switch .cmds files now live in KNEL/netinfra. [\#709] [\#732] [\#737]
+---
-## Layout
-- `scripts/` — rule engine + hooks (see `bash scripts/check-rules.sh --fast`)
-- (imported content at repo root, mirroring its PFVCluster path layout)
+## 🗺️ The loop
-## Provenance
-Code imported from KNEL/PFVCluster (041d311); full git history retained in PFVCluster. Enforcement layer copied per ADOPTING.md. IaC consumers: KNEL/KNELIAC references this repo.
+```mermaid
+flowchart LR
+ B[📋 BASELINE
cpu-bench + fio/iperf3
+ PSI snapshot] --> A[🔍 AUDIT
tolerance diff vs bundle
beszel + PSI context]
+ A -->|drift found| T[🔧 TWEAK
idempotent tweaks/<id>.sh
GLPI CR-gated on prod]
+ T --> R[📈 RE-BASELINE
capture + compare
evidence to Redmine]
+ R --> A
+ A -->|clean| B
+
+ subgraph SIGNALS[📡 External signals]
+ SOL[☀️ solar surplus
HA + SITER-Solar]
+ ERC[⚡ ERCOT risk
LZ_SOUTH RTM]
+ RES[📅 reservations
KillBill]
+ end
+ SIGNALS -.gates class-3 batch load.-> A
+```
+
+## 📦 Modules
+
+| Module | What it does | Entry point |
+|---|---|---|
+| `loop/` | the baseline→audit→tweak→re-baseline driver, CPU bench (openssl-based), tolerance diff | `loop/perf-loop.sh baseline ` |
+| `scheduler/` | Ultix breakout: day/night profile engine (conf-driven redesign), PSI/perfsnap collectors, proxmox-ctl, systemd timer templates | `scheduler/README.md` |
+| `bench/` | fleet storage+network harness v1.1 (fio JSON, iperf3) | `bench/bench-run.sh` |
+| `scripts/` | tuning deploys, probes (network/storage/drift/VM disks/guest IO), LACP diagnostics, switch audit | `Makefile` verbs |
+| `docs/` | architecture + decision reports | index below |
+
+## 🚀 Quick start
+
+```bash
+# capture a baseline bundle for a host (read-only)
+./loop/perf-loop.sh baseline pfv-tsys7
+
+# audit vs latest baseline (tolerance diff, catches governor flips)
+./loop/perf-loop.sh audit pfv-tsys7
+
+# apply a CR-gated tweak, then re-baseline and compare
+./loop/perf-loop.sh tweak pfv-tsys7
+./loop/perf-loop.sh rebaseline pfv-tsys7
+
+# CPU leg alone (fast, zero-install)
+KNELPERF_CPUBENCH_SECS=5 ./loop/cpu-bench.sh
+```
+
+## 📚 Docs index
+
+| Doc | Contents |
+|---|---|
+| [docs/ARCHITECTURE.md](docs/ARCHITECTURE.md) | the full program: loop design, fleet hardware table, resource groups & placement, k8s-vs-Slurm, telemetry spine, workload classes, solar + two-site power economics |
+| [docs/report-amt-power-telemetry.md](docs/report-amt-power-telemetry.md) | Intel AMT/vPro per-system feasibility — spoiler: no AMT version ever exposed watts; RAPL/iDRAC are the real paths |
+| [docs/report-moonlight-desktop.md](docs/report-moonlight-desktop.md) | KDE/xrdp VM → containerized desktop from k8s (webtop/KasmVNC now, Selkies on the future GPU node) |
+| [scheduler/README.md](scheduler/README.md) | Ultix breakout map, redesign deltas, 8 lessons-learned carried forward |
+
+Related repos: [KNEL/KNELSiterSolar](https://git.knownelement.com/KNEL/KNELSiterSolar)
+(solar economics + ONCOR arbitrage + ERCOT risk brief) ·
+[KNEL/KNELIAC](https://git.knownelement.com/KNEL/KNELIAC) (AWX deployment of these scripts)
+
+## 🧭 Provenance & enforcement
+
+Code imported from KNEL/PFVCluster (041d311; full git history retained
+there); v2 scheduler module broken out of `~/projects/ultix` 2026-09-06.
+CI: `.gitea/workflows/ci.yml` (shellcheck-zero + secret scan +
+check-rules). Framework: `scripts/check-rules.sh --fast`; ticket gate per
+AGENTS.md.
diff --git a/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md b/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md
index 106b4e2..f8dc193 100644
--- a/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md
+++ b/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md
@@ -1,17 +1,30 @@
-# KNELPerf v2 — architecture for dynamic, intelligent performance optimization
+# 🏗️ KNELPerf v2 — architecture for dynamic, intelligent performance optimization
-Status: DRAFT v1 (2026-09-06, #826). Founder directive: end-to-end
-baseline → audit/benchmark → tweak → re-baseline loop, two-week program.
+> Status: DRAFT v1 (2026-09-06,
+> [#826](https://projects.knownelement.com/issues/826)). Founder directive:
+> end-to-end baseline → audit/benchmark → tweak → re-baseline loop,
+> two-week program.
+
+## 📑 Contents
+
+1. [The loop](#1-the-loop) · 2. [Scheduling architecture](#2-scheduling-architecture-ultix-breakout-redesign) ·
+3. [Proxmox resource groups & VM balancing](#3-proxmox-resource-groups--vm-balancing) ·
+4. [k8s scheduling & Slurm](#4-where-k8s-scheduling-fits-slurm) ·
+5. [Telemetry spine](#5-telemetry-spine-beszel--power) ·
+6. [Workload priority classes](#6-workload-priority-classes-founder-set-order) ·
+7. [Solar + Home Assistant](#7-solar--home-assistant-integration) ·
+8. [Two-site power economics](#8-two-site-power-economics-site-2-printer-farm--laser--cnc) ·
+9. [Hardware plan hooks](#9-hardware-plan-hooks) · 10. [Organization](#10-organization)
## 1. The loop
-```
- ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
- │ │
- BASELINE ──► AUDIT/BENCHMARK ──► TWEAK ──► RE-BASELINE ─┘
- (capture) (diff + beszel/ (CR-gated, (compare vs
- PSI/rapl context) idempotent) baseline; keep
- or roll back)
+```mermaid
+flowchart LR
+ B[📋 BASELINE
cpu-bench.tsv + bench-run.tsv
+ PSI snapshot per host] --> A[🔍 AUDIT
tolerance diff vs bundle
beszel + PSI context]
+ A -->|drift found| T[🔧 TWEAK
tweaks/<id>.sh — idempotent,
GLPI CR-gated on prod]
+ T --> R[📈 RE-BASELINE
capture + compare
evidence to Redmine]
+ R --> A
+ A -->|clean| B
```
- **baseline**: `loop/perf-loop.sh baseline ` stores a bundle
@@ -31,7 +44,7 @@ Cadence: nightly audit during the 22:00–07:00 batch window (self-measuring:
the audit itself is low-cost); re-baseline only after a tweak or hardware
change. First full-fleet baseline wave is this week's deliverable.
-## 2. Scheduling architecture (Ultix breakout redesign)
+## 2. 🗓️ Scheduling architecture (Ultix breakout redesign)
See `scheduler/README.md` for the port map and the lessons-learned list. Core
redesign decisions:
@@ -45,7 +58,7 @@ redesign decisions:
4. **Deployed by AWX (KNELIAC), not ad-hoc ssh** — scripts here are the
payload; job templates own the rollout waves.
-## 3. Proxmox resource groups & VM balancing
+## 3. 🖥️ Proxmox resource groups & VM balancing
Current fleet (dmidecode-verified 2026-09-06):
@@ -78,7 +91,7 @@ Directions:
needs founder ruling — will be proposed on #826 with a capacity table once
tsys8/2 land.
-## 4. Where k8s scheduling fits; Slurm?
+## 4. ☸️ Where k8s scheduling fits; Slurm?
- **k8s (pfv-k8s, k3s)** owns long-running services + tenant classes
(ADR-0001 buckets). Resource requests/limits ARE the scheduling policy for
@@ -95,7 +108,7 @@ Directions:
- The knelperf daynight engine gives the batch window (22:00–07:00) its
expanded resource envelope on each participating node.
-## 5. Telemetry spine: beszel + power
+## 5. 📡 Telemetry spine: beszel + power
- **Beszel has 100% VM+physical coverage** → it is the always-on signal for
the audit phase (CPU/mem/disk/net per host). Plan: beszel agent metrics
@@ -114,7 +127,7 @@ Directions:
legs keep fleet draw separable from house load — needed exactly on EEA
days, so local (non-cloud) telemetry matters.
-## 6. Workload priority classes (founder-set order)
+## 6. 🏆 Workload priority classes (founder-set order)
| class | tenants | profile | scheduling |
|---|---|---|---|
@@ -122,7 +135,7 @@ Directions:
| 2 | Rogue Technologies (staff engagements), Suborbital Systems (R&D cost center) | bursty, business hours | Burstable QoS; preemptable by class 1 |
| 3 | HFNOC batch | GIS ETL, weather, time-series OLAP, ERP MRP/capacity-planning | night window (22:00–07:00) or solar-surplus hours; checkpointable, preemptable by 1–2 |
-## 7. Solar + Home Assistant integration
+## 7. ☀️ Solar + Home Assistant integration
- SITER-Solar (4 kW baseline design, PVWatts) → once the plant is live, Home
Assistant exposes real-time production. The loop consumes: surplus watts =
@@ -139,7 +152,7 @@ Directions:
(deprecated python script), header/ROI inconsistencies, and fixed-cost
scenario assumptions — fixes landing in that repo.
-## 8. Two-site power economics (site 2: printer farm / laser / CNC)
+## 8. 🏭 Two-site power economics (site 2: printer farm / laser / CNC)
The fleet has a second site with 3D-printer farm, laser cutter, and CNC — on
MUCH more expensive grid power than the main site. That asymmetry drives
@@ -165,7 +178,7 @@ scheduling policy as much as raw performance:
- KillBill reservation calendar × solar forecast × site-2 tariff = the
promotion/job-timing advisor output: "cheapest week to run X".
-## 9. Hardware plan hooks
+## 9. 🔩 Hardware plan hooks
- Purchases (RAM/CPU) deferred until after 2026-10-11; until then the wins
are placement + spindles (tsys4's 3 USB toasters join the spindle farm:
@@ -175,7 +188,7 @@ scheduling policy as much as raw performance:
- tsys2 (Precision 7510 clone + NVMe) → second fast singleton; NVMe pair
with tsys3 for latency-sensitive class-1 storage.
-## 10. Organization
+## 10. 👥 Organization
Performance management org reports to VPTechOps, dotted line VPFacilities —
identities per the TSGCOO pattern (Cloudron + Bitwarden + Redmine/Gitea/GLPI
diff --git a/docs/report-amt-power-telemetry.md b/docs/report-amt-power-telemetry.md
index 6a6e6c3..3ef0cd0 100644
--- a/docs/report-amt-power-telemetry.md
+++ b/docs/report-amt-power-telemetry.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Report: Intel AMT / vPro per-system power-telemetry feasibility (tsys1,3,4,5,9 + 6,7)
+# 🔌 Report: Intel AMT / vPro per-system power-telemetry feasibility (tsys1,3,4,5,9 + 6,7)
Status: PROPOSAL (v1, 2026-09-06). Ticket: #826. Hardware verified live via
dmidecode 2026-09-06 (tsys9 not yet reachable — identification step included).
diff --git a/docs/report-moonlight-desktop.md b/docs/report-moonlight-desktop.md
index efbfd0b..0d471da 100644
--- a/docs/report-moonlight-desktop.md
+++ b/docs/report-moonlight-desktop.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Report: replacing the KDE/xrdp VM with a containerized desktop served from k8s
+# 🖼️ Report: replacing the KDE/xrdp VM with a containerized desktop served from k8s
Status: PROPOSAL (v1, 2026-09-06) — awaits founder ruling. Ticket: #826.
Source research: web-surveyed 2026-09-06 (sources linked at the end).
diff --git a/scheduler/README.md b/scheduler/README.md
index 90a8e78..241d6c1 100644
--- a/scheduler/README.md
+++ b/scheduler/README.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# KNELPerf scheduler — breakout from Ultix (#826)
+# 🗓️ KNELPerf scheduler — breakout from Ultix (#826)
The scheduling subsystem of the Ultix workstation repo (`~/projects/ultix`)
was broken out here on 2026-09-06 and redesigned for fleet use. Ultix remains