diff --git a/log.md b/log.md
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+++ b/log.md
@@ -92,3 +92,4 @@
 2026-08-29T07:04:03-05:00 | PMO | hb 07:02 chain check: no REPORTs ready — q14 README done 07:03, REPORT imminent (wake-q14 fuse armed 15m); q15 mid-B4, loop.test running 10m-timeout; q16 correctly gated on q15 screen; loop idle-scan; no flakes; chain full — nothing to dispatch
 2026-08-29T07:07:24-05:00 | PMO | sync audit (Charles ?): Gitea clean (unpushed=0 all repos; stale pre-rename clones noted for retirement cleanup). Redmine gap found+fixed: 519 writes 502'd 11:28Z cloudron blip; loop.jsonl has errors but scan never retries (updated_on stale) — PMO drafted briefing v0 from SPEC, posted note to 495, resolved 519; mred passed live-write acceptance (2 writes rc=0) — python glue retired for PMO ops; 506 close at 07:18 fuse
 2026-08-29T07:11:17-05:00 | PMO | CHARLES DIRECTIVE executed: all 17 Phase 3 tickets -> Production due 9/1 0630 (496/498/500-515 via mred, verified Phase 3=0 open, Production=21 open incl 492/493/516/517); directive note on 498; Phase 3 version retired-by-absorption (empty, left open — mred lacks version update). Critical path: 1900 wiring gates 504/505/503/500/497; 517 gates keyproxy; 521 gates loop capacity
+2026-08-29T07:12:13-05:00 | PMO | Charles callout fixed: Alpha roadmap lied (518-520 closed => 100% while dev.sh screen still wraps attached docker run --rm, no restart policy, crush still driving). Filed 523 Alpha exit gate (Infrastructure, Immediate, due today) w/ acceptance: restart-policy container, dev.sh screen dead, crush screens retired, autonomy proof; 521 blocks 523; Alpha now truthfully 3/4 open-1
diff --git a/outbox/desc-523-alpha-gate.md b/outbox/desc-523-alpha-gate.md
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+Alpha is NOT complete. Roadmap showed Selfhost Alpha at 100% because 518-520 closed, but the loop daemon currently runs as a screen session wrapping an attached `docker run --rm` via dev.sh — no restart policy, no supervisor, dies with the screen, and crush still drives the build chain.
+
+This ticket is the explicit exit gate for the Selfhost Alpha version. Alpha stays open until ALL hold:
+
+1. Loop runs as a container with restart policy (compose `unless-stopped` or equivalent) — survives crash and host reboot without any screen/crush involvement.
+2. dev.sh screen (`mopac-loop-alpha`) killed; container is the only driver.
+3. All crush screens retired per Charles's standing order (q14/q15/q16 landed first).
+4. Container proves autonomy: picks up a New ticket, turns it, posts REPORT + Redmine mirror unattended.
+
+Bootstrap work lands via 521 (container + tool-widening, in flight); 521 blocks this ticket. PMO verifies against these acceptance criteria before setting Alpha done.
+
+Filed by PMO on Charles's callout 2026-08-29: "we are not self hosted."