test(watcher): a marker link planted during the run is refused and not retried (#158)

Review round 2 on PR #195: the marker writes had no test, so reverting
them to by-path writes, or the refusal to log-only, stayed green. The
link is planted from inside the fake model call, between the walk's
Lstat and the marker write, for both markers and both an outside and
an in-brain relative target; red on all four flips. The marker-entry
skip is now checked for .failed too.

Also pins cleanRel's acceptance of a backslash as a filename byte in
brainfs itself, and stops the buildAndWrite control claiming writes it
does not count.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

ingestion/cmd/server/main.go

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/api"
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/audit"
+	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/brainfs"
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/capture"
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/capturehttp"
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/classification"
@@ -89,11 +90,15 @@ func (s *claudeSink) Ingest(ctx context.Context, b claudewatcher.Batch) error {
 		sb.WriteString("\n\n")
 	}
 	slug := "session-" + b.Host + "-" + b.SessionID
-	dest := filepath.Join(s.brainDir, "archive", "claude-sessions", b.Host, slug+".md")
-	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(dest), 0o755); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("create claude-sessions archive dir: %w", err)
+	dest := "archive/claude-sessions/" + b.Host + "/" + slug + ".md"
+	// Written through the brain root, never through a symlinked directory
+	// or file (hyperguild#158).
+	bfs, err := brainfs.Open(s.brainDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("open brain: %w", err)
 	}
-	if err := os.WriteFile(dest, []byte(sb.String()), 0o644); err != nil {
+	defer func() { _ = bfs.Close() }()
+	if err := bfs.PutRegular(dest, []byte(sb.String())); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("write claude session archive: %w", err)
 	}
 	s.logger.Debug("claude session archived (non-indexed)", "path", dest)

ingestion/cmd/server/main_test.go

@@ -76,3 +76,27 @@ func TestAlertingWarnings(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 	}
 }
+
+// hyperguild#158: the claude-session archive was written with os.MkdirAll +
+// os.WriteFile by path, so a symlinked archive directory redirected it.
+func TestClaudeSinkDoesNotWriteThroughASymlinkedArchiveDir(t *testing.T) {
+	for name, mk := range map[string]func(t *testing.T, dir string) (link, target string){
+		"outside": func(t *testing.T, _ string) (string, string) { o := t.TempDir(); return o, o },
+		"in-brain": func(t *testing.T, dir string) (string, string) {
+			require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "raw"), 0o755))
+			return filepath.Join("..", "raw"), filepath.Join(dir, "raw")
+		},
+	} {
+		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			dir := t.TempDir()
+			link, target := mk(t, dir)
+			require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(link, filepath.Join(dir, "archive")))
+			sink := &claudeSink{brainDir: dir, logger: slog.New(slog.NewTextHandler(os.Stderr, nil))}
+			err := sink.Ingest(context.Background(), claudewatcher.Batch{Host: "koala", SessionID: "abc",
+				Turns: []claudewatcher.Turn{{Type: "assistant", Content: "x"}}})
+			assert.Error(t, err)
+			ents, _ := os.ReadDir(target)
+			assert.Empty(t, ents, "the archive was written at the link's target")
+		})
+	}
+}

ingestion/internal/api/handler.go

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/brain"
+	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/brainfs"
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/claim"
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/pipeline"
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/search"
@@ -227,14 +228,22 @@ func writeHallNote(brainDir string, opts WriteNoteOptions) (string, error) {
 	// The directory is created only once the note is known to be writable:
 	// a refused write leaves nothing behind, not even an empty hall dir
 	// (brain#21; provenance refusal joins the envelope refusal here).
-	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(dest), 0o755); err != nil {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("create hall dir: %w", err)
+	// Created through the brain root, never through a symlinked wing or
+	// hall directory (hyperguild#188).
+	rel, err := filepath.Rel(brainDir, dest)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("note path: %w", err)
 	}
-	if err := os.WriteFile(dest, []byte(final), 0o644); err != nil {
+	rel = filepath.ToSlash(rel)
+	bfs, err := brainfs.Open(brainDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("open brain: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = bfs.Close() }()
+	if err := bfs.PutRegular(rel, []byte(final)); err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("write: %w", err)
 	}
-	rel, _ := filepath.Rel(brainDir, dest)
-	return filepath.ToSlash(rel), nil
+	return rel, nil
 }
 
 // scalarValues flattens frontmatter fields to key -> scalar value for

ingestion/internal/api/promote.go

@@ -127,18 +127,18 @@ func PromoteNote(brainDir string, opts PromoteOptions) (string, error) {
 	}
 	fm.set("promoted_at", now)
 
-	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(dest), 0o755); err != nil {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("create wing dir: %w", err)
-	}
-	// Write-then-delete: the source survives any write failure.
+	// Write-then-delete: the source survives any write failure. Both go
+	// through the brain root (hyperguild#188).
 	promoted, err := StampProvenance(fm.render()+body, opts.Origin, opts.WrittenBy)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
-	if err := os.WriteFile(dest, []byte(promoted), 0o644); err != nil {
+	// Created with O_EXCL: a note that appeared after the collision check
+	// above is never overwritten.
+	if err := createBrainFile(brainDir, dest, []byte(promoted)); err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("write promoted note: %w", err)
 	}
-	if err := os.Remove(src); err != nil {
+	if err := removeBrainFile(brainDir, src); err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("promoted note written but source removal failed: %w", err)
 	}
 
@@ -196,14 +196,12 @@ func RejectNote(brainDir string, opts RejectOptions) (string, error) {
 		fm.set("reject_reason", opts.Reason)
 	}
 
-	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(dest), 0o755); err != nil {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("create rejected dir: %w", err)
-	}
-	// Write-then-delete: the source survives any write failure.
-	if err := os.WriteFile(dest, []byte(fm.render()+body), 0o644); err != nil {
+	// Write-then-delete: the source survives any write failure. Both go
+	// through the brain root (hyperguild#188).
+	if err := createBrainFile(brainDir, dest, []byte(fm.render()+body)); err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("write rejected note: %w", err)
 	}
-	if err := os.Remove(src); err != nil {
+	if err := removeBrainFile(brainDir, src); err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("rejected note written but source removal failed: %w", err)
 	}
 

ingestion/internal/api/promote_redirect_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+package api_test
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/api"
+)
+
+// hyperguild#188: promote and reject wrote the destination with
+// os.MkdirAll + os.WriteFile by path, so a symlinked wing (promote) or a
+// symlinked raw/rejected (reject) redirected the note; the raw source was
+// then removed.
+func TestPromoteAndRejectRefuseASymlinkedDestinationDirectory(t *testing.T) {
+	brain := t.TempDir()
+	outside := t.TempDir()
+	raw := filepath.Join(brain, "raw")
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(raw, 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(raw, "2026-10-05-n.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: n\n---\nbody\n"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(brain, "wiki"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(outside, filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", "lw")))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(outside, filepath.Join(raw, "rejected")))
+
+	_, err := api.PromoteNote(brain, api.PromoteOptions{Filename: "2026-10-05-n.md", Wing: "lw", Hall: "facts"})
+	assert.Error(t, err)
+	_, err = api.RejectNote(brain, api.RejectOptions{Filename: "2026-10-05-n.md"})
+	assert.Error(t, err)
+	ents, _ := os.ReadDir(outside)
+	assert.Empty(t, ents, "a note was written outside the brain")
+	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(raw, "2026-10-05-n.md"))
+	assert.NoError(t, err, "the raw source is kept when the write is refused")
+
+	require.NoError(t, os.Remove(filepath.Join(raw, "rejected")))
+	_, err = api.PromoteNote(brain, api.PromoteOptions{Filename: "2026-10-05-n.md", Wing: "w", Hall: "facts"})
+	require.NoError(t, err, "positive control: promote into a real wing")
+}
+
+// StampProvenanceFile read and rewrote the note by path (provenance.ApplyFile).
+func TestStampProvenanceFileRefusesANoteBehindASymlinkedDirectory(t *testing.T) {
+	brain := t.TempDir()
+	victim := filepath.Join(brain, "raw", "facts", "v.md")
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(victim), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(victim, []byte("---\ntitle: v\n---\nuntouched\n"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", "w"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "..", "raw", "facts"), filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", "w", "alias")))
+	assert.Error(t, api.StampProvenanceFile(brain, "wiki/w/alias/v.md", "static", "x"))
+	got, _ := os.ReadFile(victim)
+	assert.Equal(t, "---\ntitle: v\n---\nuntouched\n", string(got))
+
+	real := filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", "w", "facts", "r.md")
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(real), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(real, []byte("---\ntitle: r\n---\nbody\n"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, api.StampProvenanceFile(brain, "wiki/w/facts/r.md", "static", "x"), "positive control")
+	got, _ = os.ReadFile(real)
+	assert.Contains(t, string(got), "written_by: x")
+}
+
+// The same through an in-brain symlinked wing and raw/rejected, which
+// os.Root alone would follow.
+func TestPromoteAndRejectRefuseAnInBrainSymlinkedDestinationDirectory(t *testing.T) {
+	brain := t.TempDir()
+	raw := filepath.Join(brain, "raw")
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(raw, 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(raw, "2026-10-05-n.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: n\n---\nbody\n"), 0o644))
+	target := filepath.Join(brain, "archive")
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(target, 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(brain, "wiki"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "archive"), filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", "lw")))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "archive"), filepath.Join(raw, "rejected")))
+
+	_, err := api.PromoteNote(brain, api.PromoteOptions{Filename: "2026-10-05-n.md", Wing: "lw", Hall: "facts"})
+	assert.Error(t, err)
+	_, err = api.RejectNote(brain, api.RejectOptions{Filename: "2026-10-05-n.md"})
+	assert.Error(t, err)
+	ents, _ := os.ReadDir(target)
+	assert.Empty(t, ents, "a note was written at the in-brain link's target")
+	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(raw, "2026-10-05-n.md"))
+	assert.NoError(t, err, "the raw source is kept")
+
+	require.NoError(t, os.Remove(filepath.Join(raw, "rejected")))
+	_, err = api.RejectNote(brain, api.RejectOptions{Filename: "2026-10-05-n.md"})
+	require.NoError(t, err, "positive control: reject into a real raw/rejected")
+}

ingestion/internal/api/provenance.go

@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 package api
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
+	"path/filepath"
+
+	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/brainfs"
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/provenance"
 )
 
@@ -11,11 +15,61 @@ func StampProvenance(content, origin, writtenBy string) (string, error) {
 	return provenance.Apply(content, provenance.Stamp{Origin: origin, WrittenBy: writtenBy})
 }
 
-// StampProvenanceFile applies StampProvenance to a brain-relative note path.
+// StampProvenanceFile applies StampProvenance to a brain-relative note path,
+// read and rewritten through the brain root (hyperguild#158).
 func StampProvenanceFile(brainDir, relPath, origin, writtenBy string) error {
-	_, abs, err := resolveWithin(brainDir, relPath)
+	rel, _, err := resolveWithin(brainDir, relPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	return provenance.ApplyFile(abs, provenance.Stamp{Origin: origin, WrittenBy: writtenBy})
+	bfs, err := brainfs.Open(brainDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("open brain: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = bfs.Close() }()
+	b, err := bfs.ReadRegular(rel)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("read for provenance: %w", err)
+	}
+	out, err := provenance.Apply(string(b), provenance.Stamp{Origin: origin, WrittenBy: writtenBy})
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if out == string(b) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err := bfs.WriteRegular(rel, []byte(out)); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("write provenance: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// createBrainFile creates the file at abs (inside brainDir) through the
+// brain root and fails if anything is already there.
+func createBrainFile(brainDir, abs string, data []byte) error {
+	rel, err := filepath.Rel(brainDir, abs)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	bfs, err := brainfs.Open(brainDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("open brain: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = bfs.Close() }()
+	return bfs.CreateRegular(filepath.ToSlash(rel), data)
+}
+
+// removeBrainFile removes the file at abs (inside brainDir) through the
+// brain root.
+func removeBrainFile(brainDir, abs string) error {
+	rel, err := filepath.Rel(brainDir, abs)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	bfs, err := brainfs.Open(brainDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("open brain: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = bfs.Close() }()
+	return bfs.Remove(filepath.ToSlash(rel))
 }

ingestion/internal/api/write_redirect_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+package api_test
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/api"
+)
+
+// hyperguild#188: brain_write created a new note with os.MkdirAll +
+// os.WriteFile by path, so a symlinked wing directory redirected the note
+// elsewhere in the brain or outside it.
+func TestWriteNoteRefusesASymlinkedWing(t *testing.T) {
+	for name, target := range map[string]func(t *testing.T, brain string) string{
+		"in-brain": func(t *testing.T, brain string) string {
+			require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(brain, "raw"), 0o755))
+			return filepath.Join("..", "raw")
+		},
+		"outside": func(t *testing.T, _ string) string { return t.TempDir() },
+	} {
+		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			brain := t.TempDir()
+			require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(brain, "wiki"), 0o755))
+			link := target(t, brain)
+			require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(link, filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", "lw")))
+			_, err := api.WriteNote(brain, api.WriteNoteOptions{Wing: "lw", Hall: "facts", Filename: "n", Content: "learning"})
+			assert.Error(t, err)
+			resolved := link
+			if !filepath.IsAbs(resolved) {
+				resolved = filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", link)
+			}
+			_, serr := os.Stat(filepath.Join(resolved, "facts"))
+			assert.True(t, os.IsNotExist(serr), "a hall was created at the link's target")
+
+			_, err = api.WriteNote(brain, api.WriteNoteOptions{Wing: "w", Hall: "facts", Filename: "n", Content: "learning"})
+			require.NoError(t, err, "positive control: a real wing is written")
+		})
+	}
+}

ingestion/internal/brain/index.go

@@ -7,8 +7,6 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"io/fs"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
@@ -32,7 +30,6 @@ func BuildWingIndex(brainDir, wing string) error {
 	if w == "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("invalid wing %q", wing)
 	}
-	wingDir := filepath.Join(brainDir, "wiki", w)
 	// Listed and read through the brain root (hyperguild#157): a wing or
 	// hall that is a symlink is not followed, and notes are regular files.
 	bfs, err := brainfs.Open(brainDir)
@@ -63,8 +60,9 @@ func BuildWingIndex(brainDir, wing string) error {
 		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "| %s | [%s](%s/%s.md) | %s |\n", e.Hall, e.Title, e.Hall, e.Slug, e.Created)
 	}
 
-	dest := filepath.Join(wingDir, "_index.md")
-	return os.WriteFile(dest, []byte(b.String()), 0o644)
+	// Written through the brain root, never through a symlinked _index.md
+	// (hyperguild#158).
+	return bfs.PutRegular("wiki/"+w+"/_index.md", []byte(b.String()))
 }
 
 // BuildAllWingIndexes regenerates _index.md for every wing under brain/wiki/.

ingestion/internal/brain/tunnel.go

@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io/fs"
-	"os"
 	"path"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
@@ -176,35 +175,23 @@ func logFuzzyCandidates(brainDir, sourcePath string, cs []TunnelCandidate) error
 	if len(cs) == 0 {
 		return nil
 	}
-	rawDir := filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw")
-	if err := os.MkdirAll(rawDir, 0o755); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	stamp := time.Now().UTC().Format("2006-01-02")
-	path := filepath.Join(rawDir, "tunnel-candidates-"+stamp+".md")
-	existed := fileExists(path)
-	f, err := os.OpenFile(path, os.O_APPEND|os.O_CREATE|os.O_WRONLY, 0o644)
+	// Appended through the brain root, never through a symlinked raw/ or
+	// log file (hyperguild#158).
+	bfs, err := brainfs.Open(brainDir)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("open brain: %w", err)
 	}
-	defer func() { _ = f.Close() }()
-	if !existed {
-		if _, err := f.WriteString("# Tunnel candidates " + stamp + "\n\nFuzzy cross-wing matches surfaced by AutoTunnel. Review and promote to a tunnel via `brain_tunnel` if relevant.\n\n"); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
+	defer func() { _ = bfs.Close() }()
+	stamp := time.Now().UTC().Format("2006-01-02")
+	rel := "raw/tunnel-candidates-" + stamp + ".md"
+	var buf strings.Builder
+	if _, err := bfs.Lstat(rel); errors.Is(err, fs.ErrNotExist) {
+		buf.WriteString("# Tunnel candidates " + stamp + "\n\nFuzzy cross-wing matches surfaced by AutoTunnel. Review and promote to a tunnel via `brain_tunnel` if relevant.\n\n")
 	}
 	for _, c := range cs {
-		line := fmt.Sprintf("- `%s` ↔ `%s` (term: %q)\n", sourcePath, c.TargetPath, c.MatchedTerm)
-		if _, err := f.WriteString(line); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
+		fmt.Fprintf(&buf, "- `%s` ↔ `%s` (term: %q)\n", sourcePath, c.TargetPath, c.MatchedTerm)
 	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func fileExists(p string) bool {
-	_, err := os.Stat(p)
-	return err == nil
+	return bfs.AppendRegular(rel, []byte(buf.String()))
 }
 
 // WriteTunnel appends a bidirectional wikilink between sourcePath and

ingestion/internal/brain/writers_redirect_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+package brain_test
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/brain"
+)
+
+// hyperguild#158: BuildWingIndex wrote wiki/<wing>/_index.md with
+// os.WriteFile, so a symlinked _index.md was written through.
+func TestBuildWingIndexDoesNotWriteThroughASymlinkedIndex(t *testing.T) {
+	b := t.TempDir()
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "w", "facts"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "w", "facts", "n.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: zqn\n---\n"), 0o644))
+	victim := filepath.Join(b, "raw", "v.md")
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(victim), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(victim, []byte("untouched"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "..", "raw", "v.md"), filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "w", "_index.md")))
+	assert.Error(t, brain.BuildWingIndex(b, "w"))
+	got, _ := os.ReadFile(victim)
+	assert.Equal(t, "untouched", string(got))
+
+	require.NoError(t, os.Remove(filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "w", "_index.md")))
+	require.NoError(t, brain.BuildWingIndex(b, "w"), "positive control")
+	idx, _ := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "w", "_index.md"))
+	assert.Contains(t, string(idx), "zqn")
+}
+
+// AutoTunnel's fuzzy-candidate log appended to raw/tunnel-candidates-*.md
+// with os.OpenFile, so a symlinked raw/ (or log file) was written through.
+func TestAutoTunnelDoesNotAppendTheCandidateLogThroughASymlinkedRaw(t *testing.T) {
+	b := t.TempDir()
+	outside := t.TempDir()
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "a", "facts"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "b", "facts"), 0o755))
+	// "zq widget" matches as a substring of "zq widgets", a fuzzy candidate.
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "b", "facts", "t.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: Zq Widget\n---\n"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(outside, filepath.Join(b, "raw")))
+	_ = brain.AutoTunnel(b, "wiki/a/facts/s.md", "about zq widgets")
+	ents, _ := os.ReadDir(outside)
+	assert.Empty(t, ents, "the candidate log was written outside the brain")
+
+	require.NoError(t, os.Remove(filepath.Join(b, "raw")))
+	require.NoError(t, brain.AutoTunnel(b, "wiki/a/facts/s.md", "about zq widgets"))
+	logs, _ := filepath.Glob(filepath.Join(b, "raw", "tunnel-candidates-*.md"))
+	assert.Len(t, logs, 1, "positive control: the fuzzy candidate is logged in the real raw/")
+}

ingestion/internal/brainfs/brainfs.go

@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ func (b *Brain) ReadDirRegular(relDir string) ([]string, error) {
 // after following a symlink, and a ".." after a symlinked directory would
 // otherwise pass the check and redirect the read or write.
 func cleanRel(rel string) error {
-	if rel == "" || path.Clean(rel) != rel || !filepath.IsLocal(rel) || strings.Contains(rel, "\\") {
+	if rel == "" || path.Clean(rel) != rel || !filepath.IsLocal(rel) {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%q: not a clean brain-relative path: %w", rel, ErrNotRegular)
 	}
 	return nil
@@ -136,6 +136,161 @@ func (b *Brain) ReadDirDirs(relDir string) ([]string, error) {
 	return names, nil
 }
 
+// PutRegular creates or replaces a regular file at a brain-relative path,
+// for creating writes (hyperguild#188, #158). Missing parent directories are
+// created one component at a time through the root, and every existing
+// component must be a real directory, so a symlinked directory cannot
+// redirect the write elsewhere in the brain or outside it. An existing file
+// is replaced only if it is regular (WriteRegular's checks); a new file is
+// created with O_EXCL and confirmed to be the file that was opened. A
+// directory swapped in after the checks is the #167 residual.
+func (b *Brain) PutRegular(rel string, data []byte) error {
+	if err := cleanRel(rel); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := b.mkdirReal(path.Dir(rel)); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if _, err := b.root.Lstat(rel); err == nil {
+		return b.WriteRegular(rel, data)
+	} else if !errors.Is(err, fs.ErrNotExist) {
+		return err
+	}
+	return b.createNew(rel, data)
+}
+
+// CreateRegular creates a new regular file at a brain-relative path, with
+// PutRegular's parent rules, and fails with fs.ErrExist if anything is
+// already there: for writers that must never overwrite (promote, reject).
+func (b *Brain) CreateRegular(rel string, data []byte) error {
+	if err := cleanRel(rel); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := b.mkdirReal(path.Dir(rel)); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return b.createNew(rel, data)
+}
+
+// createNew creates rel with O_EXCL and writes data only after confirming
+// the path is the regular file it created.
+func (b *Brain) createNew(rel string, data []byte) error {
+	f, err := b.root.OpenFile(rel, os.O_WRONLY|os.O_CREATE|os.O_EXCL|syscall.O_NOFOLLOW|syscall.O_NONBLOCK, 0o644)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = f.Close() }()
+	hfi, herr := f.Stat()
+	lfi, lerr := b.root.Lstat(rel)
+	if herr != nil || lerr != nil || !lfi.Mode().IsRegular() || !os.SameFile(lfi, hfi) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s: changed while creating: %w", rel, ErrNotRegular)
+	}
+	if _, err := f.Write(data); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return f.Close()
+}
+
+// AppendRegular appends data to a regular file at a brain-relative path,
+// creating it (and missing parent directories, as PutRegular does) if it is
+// absent. It writes only after confirming the path is the regular file it
+// opened, so a final symlink or special file, or one swapped in, is refused.
+func (b *Brain) AppendRegular(rel string, data []byte) error {
+	if err := cleanRel(rel); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := b.mkdirReal(path.Dir(rel)); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if fi, err := b.root.Lstat(rel); err == nil && !fi.Mode().IsRegular() {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", rel, ErrNotRegular)
+	} else if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, fs.ErrNotExist) {
+		return err
+	}
+	f, err := b.root.OpenFile(rel, os.O_WRONLY|os.O_APPEND|os.O_CREATE|syscall.O_NOFOLLOW|syscall.O_NONBLOCK, 0o644)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = f.Close() }()
+	hfi, herr := f.Stat()
+	lfi, lerr := b.root.Lstat(rel)
+	if herr != nil || lerr != nil || !lfi.Mode().IsRegular() || !os.SameFile(lfi, hfi) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s: changed while opening: %w", rel, ErrNotRegular)
+	}
+	if _, err := f.Write(data); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return f.Close()
+}
+
+// Remove removes the file at a clean brain-relative path through the root,
+// refusing a path behind a symlinked directory. A final symlink is removed
+// itself, never its target.
+func (b *Brain) Remove(rel string) error {
+	if err := b.RealParent(rel); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return b.root.Remove(rel)
+}
+
+// RealParent returns ErrNotRegular unless rel is clean and every directory
+// above it is a real directory, for writers that do their own I/O (an atomic
+// rename) but must not be redirected by a symlinked directory.
+func (b *Brain) RealParent(rel string) error {
+	if err := cleanRel(rel); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return b.realDir(path.Dir(rel))
+}
+
+// PutFile opens the brain dir as a root and calls PutRegular, for one-off
+// writers that hold no Brain.
+func PutFile(brainDir, rel string, data []byte) error {
+	b, err := Open(brainDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = b.Close() }()
+	return b.PutRegular(rel, data)
+}
+
+// AppendFile opens the brain dir as a root and calls AppendRegular.
+func AppendFile(brainDir, rel string, data []byte) error {
+	b, err := Open(brainDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = b.Close() }()
+	return b.AppendRegular(rel, data)
+}
+
+// mkdirReal makes sure every component of rel exists as a real directory,
+// creating missing ones through the root; an existing component that is
+// not a real directory is ErrNotRegular.
+func (b *Brain) mkdirReal(rel string) error {
+	if rel == "." {
+		return nil
+	}
+	prefix := ""
+	for _, part := range strings.Split(rel, "/") {
+		prefix = path.Join(prefix, part)
+		fi, err := b.root.Lstat(prefix)
+		if errors.Is(err, fs.ErrNotExist) {
+			if err := b.root.Mkdir(prefix, 0o755); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, fs.ErrExist) {
+				return err
+			}
+			fi, err = b.root.Lstat(prefix)
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if !fi.IsDir() {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s: component %s is not a directory: %w", rel, prefix, ErrNotRegular)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 // ReadRegular reads a brain-relative path, refusing anything that is not a
 // regular file, both before the open and on the opened handle.
 func (b *Brain) ReadRegular(rel string) ([]byte, error) {

ingestion/internal/brainfs/brainfs_test.go

@@ -376,3 +376,173 @@ func TestReadAndWriteRegularRefuseAPathThatIsNotClean(t *testing.T) {
 	got, _ := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "v.md"))
 	assert.Equal(t, "untouched", string(got))
 }
+
+// hyperguild#188: PutRegular creates or replaces a regular file through the
+// root. Missing parent directories are created; an existing component that
+// is not a real directory, a final symlink or special file, and an unclean
+// path are refused, and nothing is created at a link's target.
+func TestPutRegularCreatesOrReplacesOnlyThroughRealDirectories(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	outside := t.TempDir()
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "raw"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "wiki"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "raw"), filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "inwing")))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(outside, filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "outwing")))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "v.md"), []byte("untouched"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "w"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "..", "raw", "v.md"), filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "w", "link.md")))
+	require.NoError(t, syscall.Mkfifo(filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "w", "f.md"), 0o644))
+	b, err := Open(dir)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer func() { _ = b.Close() }()
+
+	for _, rel := range []string{"wiki/inwing/facts/n.md", "wiki/outwing/facts/n.md", "wiki/w/link.md", "wiki/w/f.md", "wiki/w/../../raw/v.md", "/abs.md"} {
+		assert.ErrorIs(t, b.PutRegular(rel, []byte("x")), ErrNotRegular, rel)
+	}
+	ents, _ := os.ReadDir(outside)
+	assert.Empty(t, ents, "nothing created outside the brain")
+	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "facts"))
+	assert.True(t, os.IsNotExist(err), "nothing created through the in-brain link")
+	got, _ := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "v.md"))
+	assert.Equal(t, "untouched", string(got))
+
+	require.NoError(t, b.PutRegular("wiki/new/facts/n.md", []byte("one")), "positive control: create with missing parents")
+	got, _ = os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "new", "facts", "n.md"))
+	assert.Equal(t, "one", string(got))
+	require.NoError(t, b.PutRegular("wiki/new/facts/n.md", []byte("two")), "positive control: replace")
+	got, _ = os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "new", "facts", "n.md"))
+	assert.Equal(t, "two", string(got))
+}
+
+func TestAppendRegularCreatesOrAppendsOnlyThroughRealDirectories(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	outside := t.TempDir()
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "raw"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "v.md"), []byte("untouched"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(outside, filepath.Join(dir, "outdir")))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink("raw", filepath.Join(dir, "indir")))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("raw", "v.md"), filepath.Join(dir, "log.md")))
+	require.NoError(t, syscall.Mkfifo(filepath.Join(dir, "f.md"), 0o644))
+	b, err := Open(dir)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer func() { _ = b.Close() }()
+
+	for _, rel := range []string{"outdir/l.md", "indir/v.md", "log.md", "f.md", "raw/../log.md"} {
+		assert.ErrorIs(t, b.AppendRegular(rel, []byte("x")), ErrNotRegular, rel)
+	}
+	ents, _ := os.ReadDir(outside)
+	assert.Empty(t, ents)
+	got, _ := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "v.md"))
+	assert.Equal(t, "untouched", string(got))
+
+	require.NoError(t, b.AppendRegular("logs/a.md", []byte("one\n")), "positive control: create")
+	require.NoError(t, b.AppendRegular("logs/a.md", []byte("two\n")), "positive control: append")
+	got, _ = os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "logs", "a.md"))
+	assert.Equal(t, "one\ntwo\n", string(got))
+}
+
+func TestRealParentRefusesASymlinkedDirectoryOrUncleanPath(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "raw"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "wiki"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "raw"), filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "alias")))
+	b, err := Open(dir)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer func() { _ = b.Close() }()
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, b.RealParent("wiki/alias/x.md"), ErrNotRegular)
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, b.RealParent("wiki/../raw/x.md"), ErrNotRegular)
+	assert.NoError(t, b.RealParent("wiki/x.md"), "positive control")
+}
+
+// cleanRel must refuse an unclean path on its own: here the ".." resolves,
+// after a symlinked directory, to a real regular file, so only the clean
+// check stands between the call and that file.
+func TestAppendRegularRefusesAnUncleanPathThatResolvesToARealFile(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "keep"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "v.md"), []byte("untouched"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("raw", "keep"), filepath.Join(dir, "indir")))
+	b, err := Open(dir)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer func() { _ = b.Close() }()
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, b.AppendRegular("indir/../v.md", []byte("x")), ErrNotRegular)
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, b.PutRegular("indir/../v.md", []byte("x")), ErrNotRegular)
+	got, _ := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "v.md"))
+	assert.Equal(t, "untouched", string(got))
+}
+
+func TestRemoveRefusesAPathBehindASymlinkedDirectoryAndRemovesOnlyTheLink(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "raw"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "v.md"), []byte("keep"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "wiki"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "raw"), filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "alias")))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "raw", "v.md"), filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "link.md")))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "n.md"), []byte("n"), 0o644))
+	b, err := Open(dir)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer func() { _ = b.Close() }()
+
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, b.Remove("wiki/alias/v.md"), ErrNotRegular)
+	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "v.md"))
+	assert.NoError(t, err, "the file behind the symlinked directory is kept")
+	require.NoError(t, b.Remove("wiki/link.md"))
+	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "v.md"))
+	assert.NoError(t, err, "removing a final symlink never removes its target")
+	require.NoError(t, b.Remove("wiki/n.md"), "positive control")
+	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "n.md"))
+	assert.True(t, os.IsNotExist(err))
+}
+
+// CreateRegular is the only write path for promote and reject: it creates
+// missing parents through the root, refuses an in-brain symlinked parent and
+// an unclean path, and never replaces anything already there (fs.ErrExist,
+// content unchanged), including a dangling link.
+func TestCreateRegularCreatesOnlyNewFilesThroughRealDirectories(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "keep"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "wiki"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "raw"), filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "inwing")))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "v.md"), []byte("untouched"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("raw", "keep"), filepath.Join(dir, "indir")))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "exists.md"), []byte("original"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink("nowhere.md", filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "dangling.md")))
+	b, err := Open(dir)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer func() { _ = b.Close() }()
+
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, b.CreateRegular("wiki/inwing/facts/n.md", []byte("x")), ErrNotRegular)
+	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "facts"))
+	assert.True(t, os.IsNotExist(err), "nothing created through the in-brain link")
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, b.CreateRegular("indir/../v.md", []byte("x")), ErrNotRegular)
+	got, _ := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "v.md"))
+	assert.Equal(t, "untouched", string(got))
+
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, b.CreateRegular("wiki/exists.md", []byte("x")), fs.ErrExist)
+	got, _ = os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "exists.md"))
+	assert.Equal(t, "original", string(got))
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, b.CreateRegular("wiki/dangling.md", []byte("x")), fs.ErrExist)
+	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "nowhere.md"))
+	assert.True(t, os.IsNotExist(err), "nothing created at the dangling link's target")
+
+	require.NoError(t, b.CreateRegular("wiki/new/facts/n.md", []byte("one")), "positive control: create with missing parents")
+	got, _ = os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "new", "facts", "n.md"))
+	assert.Equal(t, "one", string(got))
+}
+
+// On Linux a backslash is an ordinary filename byte, not a separator, so a
+// name containing one stays a single in-root component (hyperguild#158: the
+// watcher retried such a note forever while cleanRel refused it).
+func TestReadAndPutRegularTreatABackslashAsAFilenameByte(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	b, err := Open(dir)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer func() { _ = b.Close() }()
+	require.NoError(t, b.PutRegular(`a\..\b.md`, []byte("x")))
+	got, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, `a\..\b.md`))
+	require.NoError(t, err, "the name was not kept as one component")
+	assert.Equal(t, "x", string(got))
+	got, err = b.ReadRegular(`a\..\b.md`)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, "x", string(got))
+}

ingestion/internal/extract/callsites_test.go

@@ -88,7 +88,6 @@ func TestNoPackageReferencesExtractTextOutsideExtract(t *testing.T) {
 // osOpenAllowed names the functions in guarded files that may call os.Open*
 // on a path that is not a raw/ read.
 var osOpenAllowed = map[string]bool{
-	"internal/watcher/watcher.go:appendWatcherLog": true, // ingest log append, not a raw/ read
 	// Text reads by path; outside this package only TextIn's temp copy reaches
 	// it (TestNoPackageReferencesExtractTextOutsideExtract enforces that).
 	"internal/extract/extract.go:Text": true,

ingestion/internal/notes/edit_redirect_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+package notes
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+// hyperguild#188/#173: brain_edit's atomic rename must not be redirected by
+// a symlinked directory inside the brain.
+func TestEditRefusesANoteBehindASymlinkedDirectory(t *testing.T) {
+	b := t.TempDir()
+	// Edit refuses a tree that is not the sync source before any path
+	// check, so the test needs a .git to reach the symlink refusal.
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(b, ".git"), 0o755))
+	victim := filepath.Join(b, "raw", "facts", "v.md")
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(victim), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(victim, []byte("old text\n"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "w"), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "..", "raw", "facts"), filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "w", "alias")))
+	_, err := Edit(b, "wiki/w/alias/v.md", "old text", "new text", ScopeNotes)
+	assert.Error(t, err)
+	got, _ := os.ReadFile(victim)
+	assert.Equal(t, "old text\n", string(got))
+
+	real := filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "w", "facts", "r.md")
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(real), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(real, []byte("old text\n"), 0o644))
+	_, err = Edit(b, "wiki/w/facts/r.md", "old text", "new text", ScopeNotes)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "positive control: a note in a real directory is edited")
+	got, _ = os.ReadFile(real)
+	assert.Equal(t, "new text\n", string(got))
+}

ingestion/internal/pipeline/backfill.go

@@ -7,8 +7,6 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/brainfs"
 	"io/fs"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/wiki"
@@ -90,8 +88,7 @@ func BackfillRefs(ctx context.Context, brainDir string) (int, error) {
 	}
 
 	for relPath, page := range pending {
-		dest := filepath.Join(brainDir, filepath.FromSlash(relPath))
-		if err := os.WriteFile(dest, []byte(page.Content), 0o644); err != nil {
+		if err := bfs.PutRegular(relPath, []byte(page.Content)); err != nil {
 			return 0, fmt.Errorf("write %s: %w", relPath, err)
 		}
 	}

ingestion/internal/pipeline/pipeline.go

@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/brainfs"
 	"io/fs"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
@@ -128,10 +126,6 @@ func buildAndWrite(ctx context.Context, rawPages []RawPage, sourceSlug, date, br
 	var written []string
 	for _, page := range merged {
 		if !dryRun {
-			dest := filepath.Join(brainDir, filepath.FromSlash(page.Path))
-			if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(dest), 0o755); err != nil {
-				return Result{}, fmt.Errorf("mkdir for %s: %w", page.Path, err)
-			}
 			content, conflicts, err := reviseOrCreate(brainDir, page)
 			if err != nil {
 				return Result{}, err
@@ -150,7 +144,9 @@ func buildAndWrite(ctx context.Context, rawPages []RawPage, sourceSlug, date, br
 			if err != nil {
 				return Result{}, fmt.Errorf("stamp %s: %w", page.Path, err)
 			}
-			if err := os.WriteFile(dest, []byte(stamped), 0o644); err != nil {
+			// Written through the brain root, never through a symlinked
+			// directory or page (hyperguild#158).
+			if err := writeBrainFile(brainDir, page.Path, []byte(stamped)); err != nil {
 				return Result{}, fmt.Errorf("write %s: %w", page.Path, err)
 			}
 		}
@@ -201,6 +197,17 @@ func readSourcePage(brainDir, sourceSlug string) string {
 	return string(raw)
 }
 
+// writeBrainFile creates or replaces one brain-relative file through the
+// brain root (hyperguild#158).
+func writeBrainFile(brainDir, rel string, data []byte) error {
+	bfs, err := brainfs.Open(brainDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = bfs.Close() }()
+	return bfs.PutRegular(rel, data)
+}
+
 // readBrainFile reads one brain-relative file through the brain root,
 // regular files only (hyperguild#157).
 func readBrainFile(brainDir, rel string) ([]byte, error) {

ingestion/internal/pipeline/root_test.go

@@ -165,3 +165,53 @@ func TestBackfillRefsDoesNotCopyAPageSwappedInBehindASymlink(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Contains(t, read(), "[[s|S]]", "positive control: the regular page gets the source ref")
 	brainfstest.AssertNoLeakFrom(t, page, inside, target, 3*time.Second, read)
 }
+
+// hyperguild#158: BackfillRefs read a regular concept page, a symlink could
+// be swapped in, and os.WriteFile then followed it and overwrote the link's
+// target. The target is not restored between rounds here, so any
+// write-through shows.
+func TestBackfillRefsNeverWritesThroughAPageSwappedForASymlink(t *testing.T) {
+	brain := t.TempDir()
+	mkdirs(t, brain, "wiki/sources", "wiki/concepts", "raw")
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", "sources", "s.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: S\n---\n[[c|C]]\n"), 0o644))
+	page := filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", "concepts", "c.md")
+	target := filepath.Join(brain, "raw", "secret.md")
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(target, []byte("untouched"), 0o644))
+	inside := "---\ntitle: C\n---\nbody\n"
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(page, []byte(inside), 0o644))
+	brainfstest.StartSwap(t, page, inside, target, false)
+	ok := 0
+	for deadline := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second); time.Now().Before(deadline); {
+		if _, err := BackfillRefs(context.Background(), brain); err == nil {
+			ok++
+		}
+	}
+	got, _ := os.ReadFile(target)
+	assert.Equal(t, "untouched", string(got), "BackfillRefs wrote through a swapped-in symlink")
+	assert.Positive(t, ok, "positive control: some backfills ran")
+}
+
+// hyperguild#158: buildAndWrite wrote each page with os.WriteFile by path, so
+// a page read as regular and swapped for a symlink before the write was
+// written through. The target is not restored between rounds, so any
+// write-through shows.
+func TestBuildAndWriteNeverWritesThroughAPageSwappedForASymlink(t *testing.T) {
+	brain := t.TempDir()
+	mkdirs(t, brain, "wiki/sources", "wiki/concepts", "wiki/entities", "raw")
+	page := filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", "concepts", "zq-concept.md")
+	target := filepath.Join(brain, "raw", "secret.md")
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(target, []byte("untouched"), 0o644))
+	inside := "---\ntitle: Zq Concept\n---\nbody\n"
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(page, []byte(inside), 0o644))
+	pages := []RawPage{{Title: "Zq Concept", Type: "concept", Content: "## About\n\nmore\n"}}
+	brainfstest.StartSwap(t, page, inside, target, false)
+	ok := 0
+	for deadline := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second); time.Now().Before(deadline); {
+		if _, err := RunRaw(context.Background(), brain, "zq source", pages, false); err == nil {
+			ok++
+		}
+	}
+	got, _ := os.ReadFile(target)
+	assert.Equal(t, "untouched", string(got), "buildAndWrite wrote through a swapped-in symlink")
+	assert.Positive(t, ok, "positive control: some runs returned without error")
+}

ingestion/internal/provenance/provenance.go

@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"os"
 	"regexp"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -102,25 +101,6 @@ func Apply(content string, s Stamp) (string, error) {
 	return out, nil
 }
 
-// ApplyFile applies the stamp to the note at absPath in place.
-func ApplyFile(absPath string, s Stamp) error {
-	b, err := os.ReadFile(absPath)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("read for provenance: %w", err)
-	}
-	out, err := Apply(string(b), s)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	if out == string(b) {
-		return nil
-	}
-	if err := os.WriteFile(absPath, []byte(out), 0o644); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("write provenance: %w", err)
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
 // plainGroups keeps the provably plain key groups of a frontmatter block.
 func plainGroups(block string) string {
 	lines := strings.Split(strings.TrimSuffix(block, "\n"), "\n")

ingestion/internal/watcher/watcher.go

@@ -3,15 +3,18 @@ package watcher
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"log/slog"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
 	"time"
 	"unicode"
 
+	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/brainfs"
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/extract"
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/pipeline"
 )
@@ -109,14 +112,28 @@ func processDir(ctx context.Context, cfg Config, date string) []error {
 		}
 
 		// Skip files that have already been processed or permanently failed.
-		if _, err := os.Stat(path + ".processed"); err == nil {
+		// Any entry at the marker path counts (Lstat, not Stat): a dangling
+		// marker symlink made os.Stat report nothing and the note was
+		// reprocessed every interval (hyperguild#158).
+		if _, err := os.Lstat(path + ".processed"); err == nil {
 			return nil
 		}
-		if _, err := os.Stat(path + ".failed"); err == nil {
+		if _, err := os.Lstat(path + ".failed"); err == nil {
+			return nil
+		}
+		// A note whose archive copy or marker was refused is not retried
+		// until it changes: a refusal has no marker to stop the next round,
+		// and each round can cost an LLM call (hyperguild#158).
+		info, ierr := d.Info()
+		if ierr == nil && refusedUnchanged(path, info) {
 			return nil
 		}
 
 		if err := processFile(ctx, cfg, root, rawDir, path, date); err != nil {
+			if ierr == nil && errors.Is(err, brainfs.ErrNotRegular) {
+				rememberRefused(path, info)
+				slog.Error("watcher: note refused; not retried until it changes", "file", filepath.Base(path), "error", err)
+			}
 			errs = append(errs, fmt.Errorf("process %s: %w", filepath.Base(path), err))
 		}
 		return nil
@@ -145,16 +162,15 @@ func processFile(ctx context.Context, cfg Config, root *os.Root, rawDir, path, d
 
 	_, runErr := pipeline.Run(ctx, cfg.Pipeline, cfg.BrainDir, content, source, false)
 	if runErr != nil {
-		// Copy to failed/ and leave a .failed marker so we don't retry.
-		failedDir := filepath.Join(cfg.BrainDir, "raw", "failed")
-		if mkErr := os.MkdirAll(failedDir, 0o755); mkErr != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("mkdir failed dir: %w", mkErr)
-		}
-		dest := filepath.Join(failedDir, filename)
-		if cpErr := copyFromRoot(root, rel, dest); cpErr != nil {
+		// Copy to failed/ and leave a .failed marker so we don't retry. Both
+		// written through the brain root (hyperguild#158).
+		if cpErr := copyFromRoot(root, rel, cfg.BrainDir, "raw/failed/"+filename); cpErr != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("copy to failed: %w", cpErr)
 		}
-		if mkErr := os.WriteFile(path+".failed", []byte(runErr.Error()), 0o644); mkErr != nil {
+		if mkErr := putBrainFile(cfg.BrainDir, "raw/"+filepath.ToSlash(rel)+".failed", []byte(runErr.Error())); mkErr != nil {
+			if errors.Is(mkErr, brainfs.ErrNotRegular) {
+				return fmt.Errorf("write .failed marker: %w", mkErr)
+			}
 			slog.Error("watcher: failed to write .failed marker", "error", mkErr)
 		}
 
@@ -168,21 +184,21 @@ func processFile(ctx context.Context, cfg Config, root *os.Root, rawDir, path, d
 	}
 
 	// Copy to processed/YYYY-MM-DD/ and leave a .processed marker so we don't re-ingest.
-	processedDir := filepath.Join(cfg.BrainDir, "raw", "processed", date)
-	if err := os.MkdirAll(processedDir, 0o755); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("mkdir processed dir: %w", err)
-	}
-	dest := filepath.Join(processedDir, filename)
-	if _, err := os.Stat(dest); err == nil {
+	// Written through the brain root (hyperguild#158).
+	dest := "raw/processed/" + date + "/" + filename
+	if _, err := os.Lstat(filepath.Join(cfg.BrainDir, filepath.FromSlash(dest))); err == nil {
 		// Archive copy already exists; append timestamp to avoid overwriting.
 		ext := filepath.Ext(filename)
 		base := strings.TrimSuffix(filename, ext)
-		dest = filepath.Join(processedDir, base+"-"+time.Now().UTC().Format("150405")+ext)
+		dest = "raw/processed/" + date + "/" + base + "-" + time.Now().UTC().Format("150405") + ext
 	}
-	if err := copyFromRoot(root, rel, dest); err != nil {
+	if err := copyFromRoot(root, rel, cfg.BrainDir, dest); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("copy to processed: %w", err)
 	}
-	if err := os.WriteFile(path+".processed", []byte(date), 0o644); err != nil {
+	if err := putBrainFile(cfg.BrainDir, "raw/"+filepath.ToSlash(rel)+".processed", []byte(date)); err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, brainfs.ErrNotRegular) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("write .processed marker: %w", err)
+		}
 		slog.Error("watcher: failed to write .processed marker", "error", err)
 	}
 
@@ -190,6 +206,32 @@ func processFile(ctx context.Context, cfg Config, root *os.Root, rawDir, path, d
 	return nil
 }
 
+// refused remembers notes whose archive copy or marker write was refused,
+// by path, with the size and mtime they had, for the life of the process.
+var refused sync.Map
+
+type refusedStamp struct {
+	size  int64
+	mtime time.Time
+}
+
+func rememberRefused(path string, info os.FileInfo) {
+	refused.Store(path, refusedStamp{size: info.Size(), mtime: info.ModTime()})
+}
+
+func refusedUnchanged(path string, info os.FileInfo) bool {
+	v, ok := refused.Load(path)
+	if !ok {
+		return false
+	}
+	st := v.(refusedStamp)
+	if st.size == info.Size() && st.mtime.Equal(info.ModTime()) {
+		return true
+	}
+	refused.Delete(path)
+	return false
+}
+
 // deriveSource turns a filename into a human-readable source name.
 // "shape-up-book.md" → "Shape Up Book"
 func deriveSource(filename string) string {
@@ -214,23 +256,22 @@ func appendWatcherLog(brainDir, filename string, runErr error, date string) erro
 	entry := fmt.Sprintf("## %s — watcher error\n\n- **File:** %s\n- **Error:** %s\n\n",
 		date, filename, runErr.Error())
 
-	logPath := filepath.Join(brainDir, "log.md")
-	f, err := os.OpenFile(logPath, os.O_APPEND|os.O_CREATE|os.O_WRONLY, 0o644)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("open log: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	if _, err = f.WriteString(entry); err != nil {
-		f.Close() //nolint:errcheck
+	if err := brainfs.AppendFile(brainDir, "log.md", []byte(entry)); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("write log: %w", err)
 	}
-	return f.Close()
+	return nil
+}
+
+// putBrainFile creates or replaces a brain-relative file through the brain
+// root, never through a symlinked directory or file (hyperguild#158).
+func putBrainFile(brainDir, rel string, data []byte) error {
+	return brainfs.PutFile(brainDir, rel, data)
 }
 
 // copyFromRoot archives a raw/ file read through the root, refusing anything
 // that is not a regular file, so a swapped-in symlink cannot copy an outside
 // file into raw/processed/ or raw/failed/ (hyperguild#153).
-func copyFromRoot(root *os.Root, rel, dst string) error {
+func copyFromRoot(root *os.Root, rel, brainDir, dstRel string) error {
 	fi, err := root.Lstat(rel)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -243,13 +284,9 @@ func copyFromRoot(root *os.Root, rel, dst string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 	defer func() { _ = in.Close() }()
-	out, err := os.Create(dst)
+	data, err := io.ReadAll(in)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if _, err := io.Copy(out, in); err != nil {
-		_ = out.Close()
-		return err
-	}
-	return out.Close()
+	return putBrainFile(brainDir, dstRel, data)
 }

ingestion/internal/watcher/writes_redirect_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,186 @@
+package watcher
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/pipeline"
+)
+
+func okPipeline() pipeline.Config {
+	return pipeline.Config{Complete: func(context.Context, string, string) (string, error) {
+		b, _ := json.Marshal([]pipeline.RawPage{{Title: "X", Type: "source", Subtype: "article", Content: "## S\n\nx\n"}})
+		return string(b), nil
+	}, Schema: "# Schema"}
+}
+
+func failingPipeline() pipeline.Config {
+	return pipeline.Config{Complete: func(context.Context, string, string) (string, error) {
+		return "", errors.New("model down")
+	}, Schema: "# Schema"}
+}
+
+// hyperguild#158: the watcher wrote the archive copy under raw/processed or
+// raw/failed, and its log.md entry, by path, so a symlinked archive
+// directory or log redirected the write elsewhere in the brain or outside
+// it. (A pre-planted marker symlink makes the watcher skip the note, so the
+// marker write itself is reachable only by a race.)
+func TestProcessDirDoesNotWriteThroughASymlinkedArchiveDir(t *testing.T) {
+	for name, pcfg := range map[string]pipeline.Config{"processed": okPipeline(), "failed": failingPipeline()} {
+		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			brainDir := setupBrainDir(t)
+			outside := t.TempDir()
+			victim := filepath.Join(brainDir, "wiki", "concepts", "v.md")
+			require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(victim, []byte("untouched"), 0o644))
+			require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw", "n.md"), []byte("note"), 0o644))
+			require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(outside, filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw", name)))
+			_ = processDir(context.Background(), Config{BrainDir: brainDir, Interval: time.Hour, Pipeline: pcfg}, "2026-10-05")
+			got, _ := os.ReadFile(victim)
+			assert.Equal(t, "untouched", string(got))
+			ents, _ := os.ReadDir(outside)
+			assert.Empty(t, ents, "the archive copy was written outside the brain")
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestProcessDirWritesMarkersAndArchiveInRealDirectories(t *testing.T) {
+	brainDir := setupBrainDir(t)
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw", "n.md"), []byte("note"), 0o644))
+	errs := processDir(context.Background(), Config{BrainDir: brainDir, Interval: time.Hour, Pipeline: okPipeline()}, "2026-10-05")
+	assert.Empty(t, errs)
+	_, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw", "n.md.processed"))
+	assert.NoError(t, err, "positive control: marker written")
+	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw", "processed", "2026-10-05", "n.md"))
+	assert.NoError(t, err, "positive control: archive copy written")
+}
+
+// The log.md entry for a failed note is appended through the brain root: with
+// a real raw/failed (so the archive copy succeeds and the log is reached), a
+// symlinked log.md is not written through.
+func TestProcessDirDoesNotAppendTheLogThroughASymlink(t *testing.T) {
+	brainDir := setupBrainDir(t)
+	victim := filepath.Join(brainDir, "wiki", "concepts", "v.md")
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(victim, []byte("untouched"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw", "n.md"), []byte("note"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("wiki", "concepts", "v.md"), filepath.Join(brainDir, "log.md")))
+	_ = processDir(context.Background(), Config{BrainDir: brainDir, Interval: time.Hour, Pipeline: failingPipeline()}, "2026-10-05")
+	_, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw", "failed", "n.md"))
+	require.NoError(t, err, "positive control: the archive copy was written, so the log append was reached")
+	got, _ := os.ReadFile(victim)
+	assert.Equal(t, "untouched", string(got), "the log was appended through a symlink")
+}
+
+// A marker path holding anything (here a dangling symlink) counts as a
+// marker: the note is skipped and nothing is created at the link's target.
+// (os.Stat followed the link, saw nothing, and processed the note again.)
+func TestProcessDirTreatsAnyEntryAtTheMarkerPathAsAMarker(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, kind := range []string{"processed", "failed"} {
+		t.Run(kind, func(t *testing.T) {
+			brainDir := setupBrainDir(t)
+			outside := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "created")
+			require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw", "n.md"), []byte("note"), 0o644))
+			require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(outside, filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw", "n.md."+kind)))
+			calls := 0
+			cfg := Config{BrainDir: brainDir, Interval: time.Hour, Pipeline: pipeline.Config{
+				Complete: func(context.Context, string, string) (string, error) { calls++; return "[]", nil }, Schema: "# Schema"}}
+			_ = processDir(context.Background(), cfg, "2026-10-05")
+			assert.Zero(t, calls, "the note was processed despite an entry at its marker path")
+			_, err := os.Lstat(outside)
+			assert.True(t, os.IsNotExist(err), "a file was created at the marker link's target")
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// The marker write itself is reachable while pipeline.Run is in flight
+// (in production, an LLM call): a link planted at the marker path then is
+// refused, and the note is remembered, so removing the link (as
+// symlinkguard does) does not make the watcher call the model again.
+func TestProcessDirRefusesAMarkerLinkPlantedDuringTheRunAndDoesNotRetry(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, kind := range []string{"processed", "failed"} {
+		for _, target := range []string{"outside", "in-brain"} {
+			t.Run(kind+"/"+target, func(t *testing.T) {
+				brainDir := setupBrainDir(t)
+				raw := filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw")
+				marker := filepath.Join(raw, "n.md."+kind)
+				require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(raw, "n.md"), []byte("note"), 0o644))
+				// The in-brain target is relative, so os.Root itself would
+				// follow it; only the regular-file check refuses it.
+				victim := filepath.Join(raw, "victim")
+				link := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "created")
+				if target == "in-brain" {
+					require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(victim, []byte("untouched"), 0o644))
+					link = "victim"
+				}
+				ok := okPipeline().Complete
+				calls := 0
+				cfg := Config{BrainDir: brainDir, Interval: time.Hour, Pipeline: pipeline.Config{Schema: "# Schema",
+					Complete: func(ctx context.Context, sys, user string) (string, error) {
+						calls++
+						require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(link, marker))
+						if kind == "failed" {
+							return "", errors.New("model down")
+						}
+						return ok(ctx, sys, user)
+					}}}
+				for i := 0; i < 3; i++ {
+					errs := processDir(context.Background(), cfg, "2026-10-05")
+					if i == 0 {
+						require.NotEmpty(t, errs, "the planted link was not refused")
+					}
+					_ = os.Remove(marker)
+				}
+				assert.Equal(t, 1, calls, "the note was retried after its marker write was refused")
+				if target == "in-brain" {
+					got, err := os.ReadFile(victim)
+					require.NoError(t, err)
+					assert.Equal(t, "untouched", string(got), "the marker was written through the link")
+				} else {
+					_, err := os.Lstat(link)
+					assert.True(t, os.IsNotExist(err), "the marker was written through the link")
+				}
+			})
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// A refused archive copy must not retry every interval: the note is
+// remembered and skipped until it changes (a symlinked raw/failed cost one
+// LLM call per round before).
+func TestProcessDirDoesNotRetryANoteWhoseArchiveCopyIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	brainDir := setupBrainDir(t)
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw", "n.md"), []byte("note"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(t.TempDir(), filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw", "failed")))
+	calls := 0
+	cfg := Config{BrainDir: brainDir, Interval: time.Hour, Pipeline: pipeline.Config{
+		Complete: func(context.Context, string, string) (string, error) { calls++; return "", errors.New("model down") }, Schema: "# Schema"}}
+	for i := 0; i < 3; i++ {
+		_ = processDir(context.Background(), cfg, "2026-10-05")
+	}
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, calls, "the refused note was retried every round")
+
+	// Once the note changes it is tried again.
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw", "n.md"), []byte("note, edited"), 0o644))
+	future := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second)
+	require.NoError(t, os.Chtimes(filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw", "n.md"), future, future))
+	_ = processDir(context.Background(), cfg, "2026-10-05")
+	assert.Equal(t, 2, calls, "positive control: a changed note is tried again")
+}
+
+// A note whose name has a backslash is legal on Linux and must be processed
+// (cleanRel refused it, so it was never archived or marked).
+func TestProcessDirProcessesANoteWithABackslashInItsName(t *testing.T) {
+	brainDir := setupBrainDir(t)
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw", "a\\b.md"), []byte("note"), 0o644))
+	errs := processDir(context.Background(), Config{BrainDir: brainDir, Interval: time.Hour, Pipeline: okPipeline()}, "2026-10-05")
+	assert.Empty(t, errs)
+	_, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(brainDir, "raw", "a\\b.md.processed"))
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+}

ingestion/internal/wiki/index.go

@@ -3,8 +3,6 @@ package wiki
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/brainfs"
@@ -50,8 +48,8 @@ func RebuildIndex(brainDir, date string) error {
 		sb.WriteString("\n")
 	}
 
-	dest := filepath.Join(brainDir, "wiki", "index.md")
-	return os.WriteFile(dest, []byte(sb.String()), 0o644)
+	// Written through the brain root, never through a symlink (#158).
+	return bfs.PutRegular("wiki/index.md", []byte(sb.String()))
 }
 
 // pageFirstSentence reads the page through the brain root, regular files

ingestion/internal/wiki/log.go

@@ -3,8 +3,7 @@ package wiki
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
+	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/brainfs"
 	"strings"
 )
 
@@ -27,14 +26,14 @@ func AppendLog(brainDir, source string, pages, warnings []string, date string) e
 	}
 	sb.WriteString("\n")
 
-	logPath := filepath.Join(brainDir, "log.md")
-	f, err := os.OpenFile(logPath, os.O_APPEND|os.O_CREATE|os.O_WRONLY, 0o644)
+	// Appended through the brain root, never through a symlink (#158).
+	bfs, err := brainfs.Open(brainDir)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("open log: %w", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("open brain: %w", err)
 	}
-	if _, err = f.WriteString(sb.String()); err != nil {
-		f.Close() //nolint:errcheck
+	defer func() { _ = bfs.Close() }()
+	if err := bfs.AppendRegular("log.md", []byte(sb.String())); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("write log: %w", err)
 	}
-	return f.Close()
+	return nil
 }

ingestion/internal/wiki/writers_redirect_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+package wiki
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+// hyperguild#158: RebuildIndex wrote wiki/index.md and AppendLog appended
+// log.md with os.WriteFile / os.OpenFile, so a symlinked file was written
+// through.
+func TestRebuildIndexAndAppendLogDoNotWriteThroughSymlinks(t *testing.T) {
+	b := t.TempDir()
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "concepts"), 0o755))
+	victim := filepath.Join(b, "raw", "v.md")
+	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(victim), 0o755))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(victim, []byte("untouched"), 0o644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "raw", "v.md"), filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "index.md")))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("raw", "v.md"), filepath.Join(b, "log.md")))
+
+	assert.Error(t, RebuildIndex(b, "2026-10-05"))
+	assert.Error(t, AppendLog(b, "src", []string{"p"}, nil, "2026-10-05"))
+	got, _ := os.ReadFile(victim)
+	assert.Equal(t, "untouched", string(got))
+
+	require.NoError(t, os.Remove(filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "index.md")))
+	require.NoError(t, os.Remove(filepath.Join(b, "log.md")))
+	require.NoError(t, RebuildIndex(b, "2026-10-05"), "positive control")
+	require.NoError(t, AppendLog(b, "src", []string{"p"}, nil, "2026-10-05"), "positive control")
+	l, _ := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(b, "log.md"))
+	assert.Contains(t, string(l), "src")
+}