test(pipeline): the page-swap test's positive control asserts the source ref (#157)

Review round 2 on PR #176: the control checked for text that was in the
page before BackfillRefs ran, so the test stayed green when no page was
read at all. It now asserts the [[s|S]] ref BackfillRefs adds; red when
the page read always fails, still red when the read follows the link.
Branch rebased onto main.

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

ingestion/cmd/server/symlink_check_test.go

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
-	"syscall"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -64,13 +63,3 @@ func TestStartupSymlinkCheckRefusesAnUnlistableBrainRoot(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = os.Chmod(brain, 0o755) })
 	assert.Error(t, startupSymlinkCheck(brain))
 }
-
-// hyperguild#179: a FIFO in the brain is refused at startup with a clear
-// message, instead of hanging or exiting later in a reader.
-func TestStartupSymlinkCheckRefusesABrainWithAFIFO(t *testing.T) {
-	brain := t.TempDir()
-	require.NoError(t, syscall.Mkfifo(filepath.Join(brain, "classification.yaml"), 0o644))
-	err := startupSymlinkCheck(brain)
-	require.Error(t, err)
-	assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "classification.yaml")
-}

ingestion/go.mod

@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/segmentio/asm v1.2.0 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/crypto v0.51.0 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/sync v0.21.0 // indirect
-	golang.org/x/sys v0.45.0
+	golang.org/x/sys v0.45.0 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/text v0.39.0 // indirect
 	gopkg.in/yaml.v3 v3.0.1
 )

ingestion/internal/api/readnote_root_test.go

@@ -23,13 +23,6 @@ func TestReadNoteRefusesSymlinksAndSurvivesSwapRaces(t *testing.T) {
 	_, body, _, err := api.ReadNote(brain, "wiki/w/facts/leak.md")
 	assert.Error(t, err)
 	assert.NotContains(t, body, brainfstest.Sentinel)
-	// A link to a file elsewhere in the brain: os.Root allows it, only the
-	// regular-file check refuses it (hyperguild#171).
-	brainfstest.WriteSentinelAt(t, filepath.Join(brain, "raw", "s.md"))
-	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "..", "..", "raw", "s.md"), filepath.Join(facts, "inlink.md")))
-	_, body, _, err = api.ReadNote(brain, "wiki/w/facts/inlink.md")
-	assert.Error(t, err)
-	assert.NotContains(t, body, brainfstest.Sentinel)
 
 	p := filepath.Join(facts, "r.md")
 	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(p, []byte("---\nx: y\n---\ninside"), 0o644))
@@ -46,7 +39,5 @@ func TestReadNoteRefusesSymlinksAndSurvivesSwapRaces(t *testing.T) {
 		return s
 	}
 	brainfstest.AssertNoLeak(t, p, "---\nx: y\n---\ninside", 1500*time.Millisecond, read)
-	inBrain := brainfstest.WriteSentinelAt(t, filepath.Join(brain, "raw", "s.md"))
-	brainfstest.AssertNoLeakFrom(t, p, "---\nx: y\n---\ninside", inBrain, 1500*time.Millisecond, read)
 	brainfstest.AssertNoHang(t, p, "---\nx: y\n---\ninside", 1500*time.Millisecond, 6*time.Second, func() { _ = read() })
 }

ingestion/internal/api/update_redirect_test.go

@@ -1,36 +0,0 @@
-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"
-	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/brainfs"
-)
-
-// hyperguild#173: a directory symlink inside wiki/ that points elsewhere in
-// the brain redirected brain_update's write (os.Root follows in-root
-// intermediate symlinks). Every directory above the note must be real.
-func TestUpdateNoteRefusesANoteBehindASymlinkedDirectory(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")))
-
-	_, _, _, err := api.UpdateNote(brain, api.UpdateNoteOptions{Path: "wiki/w/alias/v.md", Content: "replaced"})
-	assert.ErrorIs(t, err, brainfs.ErrNotRegular)
-	got, _ := os.ReadFile(victim)
-	assert.Contains(t, string(got), "untouched")
-
-	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---\nold\n"), 0o644))
-	_, _, _, err = api.UpdateNote(brain, api.UpdateNoteOptions{Path: "wiki/w/facts/r.md", Content: "new"})
-	require.NoError(t, err, "positive control: a note in a real directory is updated")
-}

ingestion/internal/brain/detect_root_test.go

@@ -1,125 +0,0 @@
-package brain_test
-
-import (
-	"fmt"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-	"syscall"
-	"testing"
-	"time"
-
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-
-	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/brain"
-	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/brainfs/brainfstest"
-)
-
-// hyperguild#174 / #157 slice 5b: DetectTunnels walked wiki/ and opened
-// every note with a blocking os.Open, so a FIFO named *.md anywhere under
-// wiki/ hung every brain_write and brain_update (wikiUpkeep -> AutoTunnel),
-// and a symlinked note's title became a tunnel candidate.
-func TestDetectTunnelsReturnsPromptlyWithAFIFOUnderWikiWithAndWithoutAWriter(t *testing.T) {
-	for _, withWriter := range []bool{false, true} {
-		t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("writer=%v", withWriter), func(t *testing.T) {
-			b := t.TempDir()
-			facts := filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "w", "facts")
-			require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(facts, 0o755))
-			require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(facts, "ok.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: Zqinside Phrase\n---\n"), 0o644))
-			fifo := filepath.Join(facts, "f.md")
-			require.NoError(t, syscall.Mkfifo(fifo, 0o644))
-			if withWriter {
-				// A writer held open: a reader that opens the FIFO gets no
-				// EOF and parks, unless the FIFO is never opened.
-				w, err := os.OpenFile(fifo, os.O_RDWR, 0)
-				require.NoError(t, err)
-				t.Cleanup(func() { _ = w.Close() })
-			}
-			done := make(chan []brain.TunnelCandidate, 1)
-			go func() {
-				cs, _ := brain.DetectTunnels(b, "text mentioning zqinside phrase here")
-				done <- cs
-			}()
-			select {
-			case cs := <-done:
-				assert.Contains(t, fmt.Sprintf("%+v", cs), "Zqinside Phrase", "positive control")
-			case <-time.After(3 * time.Second):
-				if r, err := os.OpenFile(fifo, os.O_WRONLY|syscall.O_NONBLOCK, 0); err == nil {
-					_ = r.Close()
-				}
-				t.Fatal("DetectTunnels blocked on a FIFO")
-			}
-		})
-	}
-}
-
-func TestDetectTunnelsRefusesSymlinkedNotesAndSurvivesSwapRaces(t *testing.T) {
-	b := t.TempDir()
-	facts := filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "w", "facts")
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(facts, 0o755))
-	// The static note's title differs from the raced note's, so the
-	// harness's "inside was read" floor can only be met by reading r.md.
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(facts, "ok.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: Zqstatic Words\n---\n"), 0o644))
-	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(brainfstest.Outside(t), filepath.Join(facts, "out.md")))
-	inBrain := brainfstest.WriteSentinelAt(t, filepath.Join(b, "raw", "s.md"))
-	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "..", "..", "raw", "s.md"), filepath.Join(facts, "in.md")))
-	content := "zqstatic words, zqinside phrase and " + brainfstest.Sentinel
-
-	cs, err := brain.DetectTunnels(b, content)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	got := fmt.Sprintf("%+v", cs)
-	assert.Contains(t, got, "Zqstatic Words", "positive control")
-	assert.NotContains(t, got, brainfstest.Sentinel)
-
-	p := filepath.Join(facts, "r.md")
-	read := func() string {
-		cs, _ := brain.DetectTunnels(b, content)
-		return fmt.Sprintf("%+v", cs)
-	}
-	brainfstest.AssertNoLeak(t, p, "---\ntitle: Zqinside Phrase\n---\n", 1500*time.Millisecond, read)
-	brainfstest.AssertNoLeakFrom(t, p, "---\ntitle: Zqinside Phrase\n---\n", inBrain, 1500*time.Millisecond, read)
-}
-
-// A wiki/ that is not a real directory yields no candidates and no error:
-// AutoTunnel runs inside brain_write.
-func TestDetectTunnelsSkipsAWikiThatIsNotARealDirectory(t *testing.T) {
-	b := t.TempDir()
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(b, "raw", "w", "facts"), 0o755))
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(b, "raw", "w", "facts", "r.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: Zqrawonly Phrase\n---\n"), 0o644))
-	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink("raw", filepath.Join(b, "wiki")))
-	cs, err := brain.DetectTunnels(b, "zqrawonly phrase")
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	assert.Empty(t, cs)
-}
-
-// An unreadable directory under wiki/ is a walk error and DetectTunnels
-// reports it, as filepath.WalkDir did; it is not silently dropped.
-func TestDetectTunnelsReportsAnUnreadableDirectoryUnderWiki(t *testing.T) {
-	if os.Geteuid() == 0 {
-		t.Skip("root ignores directory permissions")
-	}
-	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", "ok.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: Zqinside Phrase\n---\n"), 0o644))
-	locked := filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "other", "locked")
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(locked, 0o755))
-	require.NoError(t, os.Chmod(locked, 0o000))
-	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = os.Chmod(locked, 0o755) })
-	_, err := brain.DetectTunnels(b, "zqinside phrase")
-	assert.ErrorIs(t, err, os.ErrPermission)
-}
-
-// _index.md files are generated, not notes: their title never becomes a
-// candidate.
-func TestDetectTunnelsSkipsIndexFiles(t *testing.T) {
-	b := t.TempDir()
-	w := filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "w")
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(w, "facts"), 0o755))
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(w, "_index.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: Zqindex Words\n---\n"), 0o644))
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(w, "facts", "ok.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: Zqinside Phrase\n---\n"), 0o644))
-	cs, err := brain.DetectTunnels(b, "zqindex words and zqinside phrase")
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	got := fmt.Sprintf("%+v", cs)
-	assert.Contains(t, got, "Zqinside Phrase", "positive control")
-	assert.NotContains(t, got, "Zqindex")
-}

ingestion/internal/brain/index.go

@@ -116,6 +116,23 @@ func collectWingEntries(bfs *brainfs.Brain, wingRel string) ([]noteEntry, error)
 	return out, nil
 }
 
+// readTitleAndCreated reads YAML frontmatter for title + created_at; falls
+// back to slug and file mtime when absent.
+func readTitleAndCreated(path, slug string) (string, string) {
+	f, err := os.Open(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return slug, ""
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = f.Close() }()
+	title, created := parseTitleAndCreated(f)
+	if created == "" {
+		if info, err := os.Stat(path); err == nil {
+			created = info.ModTime().UTC().Format("2006-01-02")
+		}
+	}
+	return titleOrSlug(title, slug), created
+}
+
 // readTitleAndCreatedIn is readTitleAndCreated through the brain root,
 // regular files only (hyperguild#157).
 func readTitleAndCreatedIn(bfs *brainfs.Brain, rel, slug string) (string, string) {

ingestion/internal/brain/tunnel.go

@@ -2,9 +2,7 @@ package brain
 
 import (
 	"bufio"
-	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"io/fs"
 	"os"
 	"path"
 	"path/filepath"
@@ -41,29 +39,24 @@ type TunnelCandidate struct {
 // A note's title is read from YAML frontmatter `title:`; failing that,
 // the filename slug (sans `.md`, hyphens → spaces) is used.
 func DetectTunnels(brainDir, content string) ([]TunnelCandidate, error) {
-	// Walked and read through the brain root, regular files only
+	wikiDir := filepath.Join(brainDir, "wiki")
-	// (hyperguild#174, #157): this runs inside every brain_write, so a FIFO
+	if _, err := os.Stat(wikiDir); os.IsNotExist(err) {
-	// must not block it and a symlinked note's title must not become a
-	// candidate.
-	bfs, err := brainfs.Open(brainDir)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("open brain: %w", err)
-	}
-	defer func() { _ = bfs.Close() }()
-	if _, err := bfs.Lstat("wiki"); errors.Is(err, fs.ErrNotExist) {
 		return nil, nil
+	} else if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("stat wiki: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	lowerContent := strings.ToLower(content)
 
 	var out []TunnelCandidate
-	var walkErr error
+	err := filepath.WalkDir(wikiDir, func(path string, d os.DirEntry, err error) error {
-	err = bfs.WalkRegular("wiki", func(rel string) error {
+		if err != nil {
-		name := path.Base(rel)
+			return err
-		if !strings.HasSuffix(name, ".md") || name == "_index.md" {
+		}
+		if d.IsDir() || !strings.HasSuffix(path, ".md") || d.Name() == "_index.md" {
 			return nil
 		}
-		title, _ := readTitleAndCreatedIn(bfs, rel, strings.TrimSuffix(name, ".md"))
+		title, _ := readTitleAndCreated(path, strings.TrimSuffix(d.Name(), ".md"))
 		title = strings.TrimSpace(title)
 		if title == "" {
 			return nil
@@ -85,25 +78,17 @@ func DetectTunnels(brainDir, content string) ([]TunnelCandidate, error) {
 		if idx == -1 {
 			return nil
 		}
+		rel, err := filepath.Rel(brainDir, path)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
 		out = append(out, TunnelCandidate{
-			TargetPath:  rel,
+			TargetPath:  filepath.ToSlash(rel),
 			MatchedTerm: title,
 			Exact:       isWholeWord(haystack, idx, len(needle)),
 		})
 		return nil
-	}, func(rel string, err error) {
-		// A wiki/ that is not a real directory yields no candidates, as
-		// filepath.WalkDir did; other walk errors still abort.
-		if rel == "wiki" && errors.Is(err, brainfs.ErrNotRegular) {
-			return
-		}
-		if walkErr == nil {
-			walkErr = fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", rel, err)
-		}
 	})
-	if err == nil {
-		err = walkErr
-	}
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}

ingestion/internal/brain/tunnel_redirect_test.go

@@ -1,38 +0,0 @@
-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"
-	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/brainfs"
-)
-
-// hyperguild#173: brain_tunnel's write followed a directory symlink inside
-// wiki/ that points elsewhere in the brain.
-func TestWriteTunnelRefusesATargetBehindASymlinkedDirectory(t *testing.T) {
-	b := t.TempDir()
-	src := filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "a", "facts", "s.md")
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(src), 0o755))
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(src, []byte("x\n"), 0o644))
-	victim := filepath.Join(b, "raw", "facts", "v.md")
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(victim), 0o755))
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(victim, []byte("untouched\n"), 0o644))
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "b"), 0o755))
-	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "..", "raw", "facts"), filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "b", "facts")))
-
-	assert.ErrorIs(t, brain.WriteTunnel(b, "wiki/a/facts/s.md", "wiki/b/facts/v.md"), brainfs.ErrNotRegular)
-	got, _ := os.ReadFile(victim)
-	assert.Equal(t, "untouched\n", string(got))
-	got, _ = os.ReadFile(src)
-	assert.Equal(t, "x\n", string(got), "the source is not rewritten either")
-
-	real := filepath.Join(b, "wiki", "c", "facts", "t.md")
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(real), 0o755))
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(real, []byte("t\n"), 0o644))
-	require.NoError(t, brain.WriteTunnel(b, "wiki/a/facts/s.md", "wiki/c/facts/t.md"), "positive control: a tunnel between real directories is written")
-}

ingestion/internal/brainfs/brainfs.go

@@ -104,17 +104,6 @@ func (b *Brain) ReadDirRegular(relDir string) ([]string, error) {
 	return names, nil
 }
 
-// cleanRel refuses a path that is not clean and local. realDir checks the
-// cleaned parent, so the I/O must use that same path: os.Root resolves ".."
-// 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, "\\") {
-		return fmt.Errorf("%q: not a clean brain-relative path: %w", rel, ErrNotRegular)
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
 // ReadDirDirs lists the real subdirectories directly in a brain-relative
 // directory, by name. Every component of relDir must be a real directory
 // (ErrNotRegular otherwise); symlinks to directories are left out.
@@ -139,12 +128,6 @@ func (b *Brain) ReadDirDirs(relDir string) ([]string, error) {
 // 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) {
-	if err := cleanRel(rel); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	if err := b.realDir(path.Dir(rel)); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
 	fi, err := b.root.Lstat(rel)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -171,12 +154,6 @@ func (b *Brain) readOpened(rel string) ([]byte, error) { return b.readOpenedMax(
 // ReadRegularMax is ReadRegular with a size limit, checked on the opened
 // handle before reading (max < 0 means no limit).
 func (b *Brain) ReadRegularMax(rel string, max int64) ([]byte, error) {
-	if err := cleanRel(rel); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	if err := b.realDir(path.Dir(rel)); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
 	fi, err := b.root.Lstat(rel)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -279,20 +256,10 @@ func (b *Brain) WalkRegular(relDir string, fn func(rel string) error, onErr func
 // O_NOFOLLOW (verified on go1.27), so the path is Lstat-ed through the root
 // first and the opened handle must be that same file (os.SameFile), which
 // also catches a swap between the two. O_NONBLOCK keeps a FIFO from blocking
-// the open. Every directory above the file must be a real directory
+// the open. Intermediate in-brain symlinks are still followed (os.Root keeps
-// (hyperguild#173); a directory swapped in after that check is the #167
+// the write inside the brain; hyperguild#167).
-// residual.
 func (b *Brain) WriteRegular(rel string, data []byte) error {
-	if err := cleanRel(rel); err != nil {
+	rel = filepath.ToSlash(rel)
-		return err
-	}
-	// Every directory above the file must be real: os.Root follows an
-	// in-brain intermediate symlink, which would redirect the write
-	// elsewhere in the brain (hyperguild#173). A swap after this check is
-	// the #167 residual.
-	if err := b.realDir(path.Dir(rel)); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
 	lfi, err := b.root.Lstat(rel)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err

ingestion/internal/brainfs/brainfs_test.go

@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ func TestReadDirRegularListsOnlyRegularFilesAndRefusesSymlinkedComponents(t *tes
 // A final component swapped for a symlink to another regular file in the
 // brain between the Lstat and the open: os.Root follows in-root links, so
 // only comparing the two (os.SameFile) refuses it.
-func TestReadRegularDoesNotReturnAnInBrainFileSwappedInBehindASymlink(t *testing.T) {
+func TestReadRegularNeverReturnsAnInBrainFileSwappedInBehindASymlink(t *testing.T) {
 	dir := t.TempDir()
 	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "s.md"), []byte("zqsamefilesentinel"), 0o644))
 	p := filepath.Join(dir, "r.md")
@@ -326,53 +326,3 @@ func TestReadDirDirsListsOnlyRealSubdirsAndRefusesSymlinkedComponents(t *testing
 	_, err = b.ReadDirDirs("alias")
 	assert.ErrorIs(t, err, ErrNotRegular)
 }
-
-// hyperguild#173: a file reached through a symlinked directory inside the
-// brain is refused for reads and writes, so a caller-supplied path cannot be
-// redirected to another part of the brain.
-func TestReadAndWriteRegularRefuseAFileBehindASymlinkedDirectory(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("untouched"), 0o644))
-	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() }()
-
-	_, err = b.ReadRegular("wiki/alias/v.md")
-	assert.ErrorIs(t, err, ErrNotRegular)
-	_, err = b.ReadRegularMax("wiki/alias/v.md", 100)
-	assert.ErrorIs(t, err, ErrNotRegular)
-	assert.ErrorIs(t, b.WriteRegular("wiki/alias/v.md", []byte("x")), ErrNotRegular)
-	got, _ := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "v.md"))
-	assert.Equal(t, "untouched", string(got))
-	got, err = b.ReadRegular("raw/v.md")
-	require.NoError(t, err, "positive control: the real path still reads")
-	assert.Equal(t, "untouched", string(got))
-}
-
-// realDir checks the cleaned parent, so the I/O must use that same clean
-// path: os.Root resolves ".." after following a symlink, and a ".." placed
-// after a symlinked directory would otherwise pass the check and redirect.
-func TestReadAndWriteRegularRefuseAPathThatIsNotClean(t *testing.T) {
-	dir := t.TempDir()
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "facts"), 0o755))
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "v.md"), []byte("untouched"), 0o644))
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "wiki"), 0o755))
-	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "raw", "facts"), filepath.Join(dir, "wiki", "alias")))
-	b, err := Open(dir)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	defer func() { _ = b.Close() }()
-
-	for _, rel := range []string{"wiki/alias/../v.md", "./raw/v.md", "raw//v.md", "/raw/v.md"} {
-		got, err := b.ReadRegular(rel)
-		assert.ErrorIs(t, err, ErrNotRegular, rel)
-		assert.NotContains(t, string(got), "untouched", rel)
-		_, err = b.ReadRegularMax(rel, 100)
-		assert.ErrorIs(t, err, ErrNotRegular, rel)
-		assert.ErrorIs(t, b.WriteRegular(rel, []byte("OVERWRITTEN")), ErrNotRegular, rel)
-	}
-	got, _ := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "raw", "v.md"))
-	assert.Equal(t, "untouched", string(got))
-}

ingestion/internal/brainfs/brainfstest/brainfstest.go

@@ -1,10 +1,8 @@
 // Package brainfstest is the shared harness for hyperguild#157's swap-race
-// tests: it keeps swapping a regular note, a symlink to a sentinel target file
+// tests: it keeps swapping a regular note, a symlink to an outside file, or a
-// (outside the brain, or inside it for hyperguild#171), or a FIFO (with a
+// FIFO (with a writer held open) into a path while a reader under test loops.
-// writer held open) into a path while a reader under test loops.
+// It observes two things: no sentinel byte from the outside file reaches the
-// It observes two things, over a sampled window only: no sentinel byte from
+// reader's output, and the reader returns within a timeout. It does not cover
-// the target reaches the reader's output, and the reader returns within a
-// timeout. It does not cover
 // hard links, other paths into the reader, or races it does not generate.
 package brainfstest
 
@@ -20,7 +18,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 )
 
-// Sentinel marks the target file's contents.
+// Sentinel marks the outside file's contents.
 const Sentinel = "zqbrainfssentinelonefiftyseven"
 
 // outsideContent carries Sentinel in every field a reader might extract: the
@@ -143,7 +141,7 @@ func AssertNoLeakFrom(t testing.TB, path, inside, target string, d time.Duration
 		}
 	}
 	if leaks > 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("symlink target %s leaked %d times in %d iterations", target, leaks, iters)
+		t.Fatalf("outside file leaked %d times in %d iterations", leaks, iters)
 	}
 	if n := swaps.Load(); n == 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("no symlink was swapped into %s in %d iterations: the race did not run", path, iters)

ingestion/internal/mcp/readexcerpt_root_test.go

@@ -21,11 +21,6 @@ func TestReadExcerptRefusesSymlinksAndSurvivesSwapRaces(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(facts, 0o755))
 	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(brainfstest.Outside(t), filepath.Join(facts, "leak.md")))
 	assert.NotContains(t, readExcerpt(brain, "wiki/w/facts/leak.md", 500), brainfstest.Sentinel)
-	// A link to a file elsewhere in the brain: os.Root allows it, only the
-	// regular-file check refuses it (hyperguild#171).
-	inBrain := brainfstest.WriteSentinelAt(t, filepath.Join(brain, "raw", "s.md"))
-	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "..", "..", "raw", "s.md"), filepath.Join(facts, "inlink.md")))
-	assert.NotContains(t, readExcerpt(brain, "wiki/w/facts/inlink.md", 500), brainfstest.Sentinel)
 
 	p := filepath.Join(facts, "r.md")
 	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(p, []byte("---\nx: y\n---\ninside"), 0o644))
@@ -33,9 +28,6 @@ func TestReadExcerptRefusesSymlinksAndSurvivesSwapRaces(t *testing.T) {
 	brainfstest.AssertNoLeak(t, p, "---\nx: y\n---\ninside", 1500*time.Millisecond, func() string {
 		return readExcerpt(brain, "wiki/w/facts/r.md", 500)
 	})
-	brainfstest.AssertNoLeakFrom(t, p, "---\nx: y\n---\ninside", inBrain, 1500*time.Millisecond, func() string {
-		return readExcerpt(brain, "wiki/w/facts/r.md", 500)
-	})
 	brainfstest.AssertNoHang(t, p, "---\nx: y\n---\ninside", 1500*time.Millisecond, 6*time.Second, func() {
 		_ = readExcerpt(brain, "wiki/w/facts/r.md", 500)
 	})

ingestion/internal/notes/read_root_test.go

@@ -38,31 +38,3 @@ func TestReadScopedRefusesANoteOverMaxNoteBytes(t *testing.T) {
 	_, err := ReadScoped(brain, "wiki/w/facts/big.md", ScopeNotes)
 	assert.ErrorIs(t, err, ErrTooLarge)
 }
-
-// hyperguild#171 (review of #172, finding 1): os.Root alone refuses links that
-// leave the brain, so the outside-target race above stays green for a reader
-// that skips brainfs's Lstat and SameFile checks. An in-brain target (raw/,
-// outside ScopeNotes) is what tells them apart.
-func TestReadScopedDoesNotReturnAnInBrainSymlinkTargetStaticallyOrDuringASampledSwapRace(t *testing.T) {
-	brain := t.TempDir()
-	facts := filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", "w", "facts")
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(facts, 0o755))
-	target := brainfstest.WriteSentinelAt(t, filepath.Join(brain, "raw", "s.md"))
-
-	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "..", "..", "raw", "s.md"), filepath.Join(facts, "inlink.md")))
-	b, err := ReadScoped(brain, "wiki/w/facts/inlink.md", ScopeNotes)
-	assert.Error(t, err, "static in-brain link")
-	assert.NotContains(t, string(b), brainfstest.Sentinel, "static in-brain link")
-
-	p := filepath.Join(facts, "r.md")
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(p, []byte("inside"), 0o644))
-	b, err = ReadScoped(brain, "wiki/w/facts/r.md", ScopeNotes)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	assert.Equal(t, "inside", string(b), "positive control: a regular note reads")
-
-	read := func() string {
-		b, _ := ReadScoped(brain, "wiki/w/facts/r.md", ScopeNotes)
-		return string(b)
-	}
-	brainfstest.AssertNoLeakFrom(t, p, "inside", target, 1500*time.Millisecond, read)
-}

ingestion/internal/search/brainroot_test.go

@@ -12,8 +12,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-
-	"github.com/mathiasbq/hyperguild/ingestion/internal/brainfs/brainfstest"
 )
 
 // hyperguild#157 option 1: search walked and read the brain by path, so a
@@ -191,49 +189,3 @@ func TestHydrateRefusesASymlink(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Error(t, err)
 	assert.NotContains(t, r.Excerpt, sentinel157)
 }
-
-// hyperguild#171: os.Root refuses links that leave the brain on its own, so
-// the outside-target cases above would stay green for a caller that read
-// without brainfs's Lstat and SameFile checks. These targets are inside the
-// brain (raw/, which is not a search root).
-func inBrainTarget(t *testing.T, brain string) string {
-	t.Helper()
-	return brainfstest.WriteSentinelAt(t, filepath.Join(brain, "raw", "s.md"))
-}
-
-func TestQueryDoesNotReturnAnInBrainSymlinkTargetDuringASampledSwapRace(t *testing.T) {
-	brain, facts, _ := searchBrain(t)
-	target := inBrainTarget(t, brain)
-	read := func() string {
-		// Both terms, so the regular note is a possible hit: a reader that
-		// never returns the inside note would pass vacuously (#177 floor).
-		rs, _ := Query(brain, QueryOptions{Query: brainfstest.Sentinel + " zqinside", Limit: 10})
-		s := ""
-		for _, r := range rs {
-			s += r.Title + r.Excerpt
-		}
-		return s
-	}
-	brainfstest.AssertNoLeakFrom(t, filepath.Join(facts, "r.md"), "# r\n\nzqinside", target, 1500*time.Millisecond, read)
-	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "..", "..", "raw", "s.md"), filepath.Join(facts, "inlink.md")))
-	assert.NotContains(t, read(), brainfstest.Sentinel, "static in-brain link")
-}
-
-func TestHydrateRefusesAnInBrainSymlinkAndDoesNotReturnItsTargetDuringASampledSwapRace(t *testing.T) {
-	brain, facts, _ := searchBrain(t)
-	target := inBrainTarget(t, brain)
-	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "..", "..", "raw", "s.md"), filepath.Join(facts, "inlink.md")))
-	r, err := hydrate(brain, "wiki/w/facts/inlink.md")
-	assert.Error(t, err)
-	assert.NotContains(t, r.Excerpt+r.Title, brainfstest.Sentinel)
-
-	p := filepath.Join(facts, "r.md")
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(p, []byte("# r\n\nzqinside"), 0o644))
-	r, err = hydrate(brain, "wiki/w/facts/r.md")
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	assert.Contains(t, r.Excerpt, "zqinside", "positive control: a regular note hydrates")
-	brainfstest.AssertNoLeakFrom(t, p, "# r\n\nzqinside", target, 1500*time.Millisecond, func() string {
-		r, _ := hydrate(brain, "wiki/w/facts/r.md")
-		return r.Title + r.Excerpt
-	})
-}

ingestion/internal/session/id_test.go

@@ -2,17 +2,14 @@ package session
 
 import (
 	"errors"
-	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
-	"sync/atomic"
 	"syscall"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
 )
 
 // session_log passed the caller's session_id straight into
@@ -93,85 +90,3 @@ func TestAppendReturnsPromptlyOnAFIFOLogWithNoReader(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("Append blocked on a FIFO log with no reader")
 	}
 }
-
-// hyperguild#173: session_log followed a symlinked sessions dir.
-func TestAppendRefusesASymlinkedSessionsDir(t *testing.T) {
-	root := t.TempDir()
-	elsewhere := filepath.Join(root, "elsewhere")
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(elsewhere, 0o755))
-	dir := filepath.Join(root, "sessions")
-	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink("elsewhere", dir))
-	assert.Error(t, Append(dir, "s", Entry{SessionID: "s"}))
-	ents, _ := os.ReadDir(elsewhere)
-	assert.Empty(t, ents, "a log was created through the symlinked dir")
-}
-
-// The sessions dir is swapped (RENAME_EXCHANGE) with a symlink to a
-// directory outside the brain while Append runs. Append opens through an
-// os.Root on the sessions dir's parent, so a swap can redirect it only
-// inside that parent (the #167 residual), never outside it.
-func TestAppendNeverCreatesALogOutsideTheParentUnderADirSwapRace(t *testing.T) {
-	brain := t.TempDir()
-	outside := t.TempDir()
-	dir := filepath.Join(brain, "sessions")
-	other := filepath.Join(brain, "sessions.link")
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(dir, 0o755))
-	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(outside, other))
-	var stop atomic.Bool
-	done := make(chan struct{})
-	go func() {
-		defer close(done)
-		for !stop.Load() {
-			_ = unix.Renameat2(unix.AT_FDCWD, dir, unix.AT_FDCWD, other, unix.RENAME_EXCHANGE)
-		}
-	}()
-	ok := 0
-	for i := 0; i < 20000; i++ {
-		if Append(dir, fmt.Sprintf("s%d", i), Entry{SessionID: "s"}) == nil {
-			ok++
-		}
-	}
-	stop.Store(true)
-	<-done
-	ents, _ := os.ReadDir(outside)
-	assert.Empty(t, ents, "logs were created outside the brain")
-	assert.Positive(t, ok, "positive control: appends to the real dir succeed")
-}
-
-// The log file is swapped between a regular file and a symlink to another
-// file in the brain while Append runs: Append writes only after confirming
-// the path is the regular file it opened, so the other file never grows.
-func TestAppendNeverWritesThroughALogSwappedForASymlink(t *testing.T) {
-	brain := t.TempDir()
-	dir := filepath.Join(brain, "sessions")
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(dir, 0o755))
-	victim := filepath.Join(brain, "victim.md")
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(victim, []byte("untouched\n"), 0o644))
-	log := filepath.Join(dir, "s.jsonl")
-	var stop atomic.Bool
-	done := make(chan struct{})
-	go func() {
-		defer close(done)
-		tmp := log + ".swap"
-		for i := 0; !stop.Load(); i++ {
-			_ = os.Remove(tmp)
-			if i%2 == 0 {
-				_ = os.WriteFile(tmp, nil, 0o644)
-			} else {
-				_ = os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "victim.md"), tmp)
-			}
-			_ = os.Rename(tmp, log)
-		}
-	}()
-	ok := 0
-	for i := 0; i < 20000; i++ {
-		if Append(dir, "s", Entry{SessionID: "s"}) == nil {
-			ok++
-		}
-	}
-	stop.Store(true)
-	<-done
-	got, _ := os.ReadFile(victim)
-	assert.Equal(t, "untouched\n", string(got), "a log line was written through the swapped-in symlink")
-	assert.Positive(t, ok, "positive control: appends to the regular log succeed")
-}

ingestion/internal/session/session.go

@@ -65,42 +65,14 @@ func Append(sessionsDir, sessionID string, entry Entry) error {
 	if err := checkID(sessionID); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	// Opened through an os.Root on the sessions dir's parent (the brain dir),
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(sessionsDir, 0o755); err != nil {
-	// so a sessions dir swapped for a symlink after the check below can
-	// redirect the log only inside that parent, never outside it (#173; the
-	// in-brain swap is the #167 residual).
-	parentDir, name := filepath.Dir(sessionsDir), filepath.Base(sessionsDir)
-	if err := os.MkdirAll(parentDir, 0o755); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("create sessions parent: %w", err)
-	}
-	root, err := os.OpenRoot(parentDir)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("open sessions parent: %w", err)
-	}
-	defer func() { _ = root.Close() }()
-	if err := root.Mkdir(name, 0o755); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, fs.ErrExist) {
 		return fmt.Errorf("create sessions dir: %w", err)
 	}
-	// The sessions dir itself must be a real directory, not a symlink that
+	path := filepath.Join(sessionsDir, sessionID+".jsonl")
-	// redirects the log elsewhere (hyperguild#173).
+	f, err := os.OpenFile(path, os.O_CREATE|os.O_APPEND|os.O_WRONLY|syscall.O_NOFOLLOW|syscall.O_NONBLOCK, 0o644)
-	if fi, err := root.Lstat(name); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("stat sessions dir: %w", err)
-	} else if !fi.IsDir() {
-		return fmt.Errorf("sessions dir %s is not a real directory", sessionsDir)
-	}
-	logRel := name + "/" + sessionID + ".jsonl"
-	f, err := root.OpenFile(logRel, os.O_CREATE|os.O_APPEND|os.O_WRONLY|syscall.O_NOFOLLOW|syscall.O_NONBLOCK, 0o644)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("open session log: %w", err)
 	}
-	// os.Root follows an in-root final symlink even with O_NOFOLLOW, so
-	// confirm, before writing, that the path is the regular file we opened.
-	hfi, herr := f.Stat()
-	lfi, lerr := root.Lstat(logRel)
-	if herr != nil || lerr != nil || !lfi.Mode().IsRegular() || !os.SameFile(lfi, hfi) {
-		_ = f.Close()
-		return fmt.Errorf("session log %s is not a regular file", logRel)
-	}
 
 	line, err := json.Marshal(entry)
 	if err != nil {

ingestion/internal/symlinkguard/special_test.go

@@ -1,104 +0,0 @@
-package symlinkguard
-
-import (
-	"context"
-	"net"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-	"syscall"
-	"testing"
-	"time"
-
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-)
-
-// hyperguild#179: the tripwire looked only for symlinks, so a FIFO (or
-// socket) in the brain passed it. A FIFO at classification.yaml then made
-// startup exit; at a note path it could hang readers that skip the handle
-// check.
-func TestScanReportsFIFOsAndSocketsAsSpecialFiles(t *testing.T) {
-	brain := t.TempDir()
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", "w"), 0o755))
-	require.NoError(t, syscall.Mkfifo(filepath.Join(brain, "classification.yaml"), 0o644))
-	require.NoError(t, syscall.Mkfifo(filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", "w", "f.md"), 0o644))
-	l, err := net.Listen("unix", filepath.Join(brain, "s.sock"))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	defer func() { _ = l.Close() }()
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", "w", "n.md"), []byte("n"), 0o644))
-
-	r, err := Scan(brain)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	assert.Equal(t, []string{"classification.yaml", "s.sock", "wiki/w/f.md"}, r.Special)
-	assert.False(t, r.Clean())
-	assert.Contains(t, r.String(), "special file")
-}
-
-// Watch removes a FIFO as it removes symlinks, and leaves a regular file
-// (which Scan never reports) alone.
-func TestWatchRemovesAFIFOAndLeavesAnUnreportedRegularFile(t *testing.T) {
-	brain := t.TempDir()
-	fifo := filepath.Join(brain, "f.md")
-	require.NoError(t, syscall.Mkfifo(fifo, 0o644))
-	regular := filepath.Join(brain, "n.md")
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(regular, []byte("n"), 0o644))
-	n := &recNotifier{}
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-	defer cancel()
-	go Watch(ctx, brain, 10*time.Millisecond, n)
-	require.Eventually(t, func() bool {
-		_, err := os.Lstat(fifo)
-		return os.IsNotExist(err)
-	}, 2*time.Second, 10*time.Millisecond, "the FIFO is removed")
-	require.Eventually(t, func() bool { return n.count() >= 1 }, 2*time.Second, 10*time.Millisecond)
-	b, err := os.ReadFile(regular)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	assert.Equal(t, "n", string(b))
-	n.mu.Lock()
-	defer n.mu.Unlock()
-	assert.Contains(t, n.msgs[0], "f.md")
-}
-
-// removeSpecial re-checks the type: a path that is a regular file or a
-// directory at the re-check is not removed. (A swap between the re-check and
-// the unlink can still remove one; Linux has no conditional unlink. The same
-// window exists in removeSymlinks.)
-func TestRemoveSpecialRefusesRegularFilesAndDirectories(t *testing.T) {
-	brain := t.TempDir()
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(brain, "n.md"), []byte("n"), 0o644))
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(brain, "d"), 0o755))
-	require.NoError(t, syscall.Mkfifo(filepath.Join(brain, "f.md"), 0o644))
-	removed, failed := removeSpecial(brain, []string{"n.md", "d", "f.md"})
-	assert.Equal(t, []string{"f.md"}, removed)
-	assert.Equal(t, []string{"n.md", "d"}, failed)
-	_, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(brain, "n.md"))
-	assert.NoError(t, err)
-}
-
-// A special file Watch cannot remove (its directory is read-only) stays
-// reported: the persistent-finding alert names it.
-func TestWatchReportsASpecialFileItCannotRemove(t *testing.T) {
-	if os.Geteuid() == 0 {
-		t.Skip("root ignores directory permissions")
-	}
-	brain := t.TempDir()
-	ro := filepath.Join(brain, "ro")
-	require.NoError(t, os.MkdirAll(ro, 0o755))
-	require.NoError(t, syscall.Mkfifo(filepath.Join(ro, "f.md"), 0o644))
-	require.NoError(t, os.Chmod(ro, 0o555))
-	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = os.Chmod(ro, 0o755) })
-	n := &recNotifier{}
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-	defer cancel()
-	go Watch(ctx, brain, 10*time.Millisecond, n)
-	require.Eventually(t, func() bool { return n.count() >= 1 }, 2*time.Second, 10*time.Millisecond)
-	_, err := os.Lstat(filepath.Join(ro, "f.md"))
-	require.NoError(t, err, "the FIFO could not be removed")
-	n.mu.Lock()
-	defer n.mu.Unlock()
-	assert.Contains(t, n.msgs[0], "ro/f.md")
-	assert.Contains(t, n.msgs[0], "special file")
-	for _, m := range n.msgs {
-		assert.NotContains(t, m, "removed", "a file it could not remove was reported as removed")
-	}
-}

ingestion/internal/symlinkguard/symlinkguard.go

@@ -46,16 +46,10 @@ type Notifier interface {
 type Result struct {
 	Symlinks   []string
 	Unreadable []string
-	// Special holds FIFOs, sockets and devices (hyperguild#179): a reader
-	// that opens one by path can hang, and a FIFO at classification.yaml
-	// stops startup.
-	Special []string
 }
 
 // Clean reports whether the scan found nothing to act on.
-func (r Result) Clean() bool {
+func (r Result) Clean() bool { return len(r.Symlinks) == 0 && len(r.Unreadable) == 0 }
-	return len(r.Symlinks) == 0 && len(r.Unreadable) == 0 && len(r.Special) == 0
-}
 
 // String describes the findings for a log line or alert. Paths are quoted, so
 // a name containing a newline cannot blur two findings together.
@@ -65,9 +59,6 @@ func (r Result) String() string {
 	if len(r.Symlinks) > 0 {
 		parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("%d symlink(s): %s", len(r.Symlinks), q(r.Symlinks)))
 	}
-	if len(r.Special) > 0 {
-		parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("%d special file(s) (FIFO, socket or device; delete them): %s", len(r.Special), q(r.Special)))
-	}
 	if len(r.Unreadable) > 0 {
 		parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("%d unreadable dir(s): %s", len(r.Unreadable), q(r.Unreadable)))
 	}
@@ -122,16 +113,12 @@ func Scan(brainDir string) (Result, error) {
 		if d.IsDir() && p == rootGit {
 			return filepath.SkipDir
 		}
-		switch {
+		if d.Type()&os.ModeSymlink != 0 {
-		case d.Type()&os.ModeSymlink != 0:
 			r.Symlinks = append(r.Symlinks, rel)
-		case !d.IsDir() && !d.Type().IsRegular():
-			r.Special = append(r.Special, rel)
 		}
 		return nil
 	})
 	sort.Strings(r.Symlinks)
-	sort.Strings(r.Special)
 	sort.Strings(r.Unreadable)
 	if walkErr != nil {
 		// Only the root's own error reaches here (deeper errors are recorded
@@ -195,20 +182,14 @@ func Watch(ctx context.Context, brainDir string, interval time.Duration, n Notif
 				q.push(fmt.Sprintf("brain symlink tripwire (hyperguild#157): removed %d symlink(s) from the brain dir: %s",
 					len(removed), Result{}.quoted(removed)))
 			}
-			sRemoved, sFailed := removeSpecial(brainDir, r.Special)
+			key = Result{Symlinks: failed, Unreadable: r.Unreadable}.String()
-			if len(sRemoved) > 0 {
-				slog.Error("brain symlink tripwire removed special files", "count", len(sRemoved))
-				q.push(fmt.Sprintf("brain symlink tripwire (hyperguild#179): removed %d special file(s) (FIFO, socket or device) from the brain dir: %s",
-					len(sRemoved), Result{}.quoted(sRemoved)))
-			}
-			key = Result{Symlinks: failed, Unreadable: r.Unreadable, Special: sFailed}.String()
 		}
 		if key != reported {
 			reported = key
 			if key != "" {
 				slog.Error("brain symlink tripwire", "finding", key)
-				q.push("brain symlink tripwire (hyperguild#157, #179): " + key +
+				q.push("brain symlink tripwire (hyperguild#157): " + key +
-					". Symlinks can lead readers out of the brain and special files can hang them; remove them.")
+					". Readers may follow symlinks out of the brain; fix them.")
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -341,40 +322,6 @@ func permanent(err error) bool {
 	return errors.As(err, &p) && p.Permanent()
 }
 
-// removeSpecial unlinks each brain-relative FIFO, socket or device through
-// an os.Root on the brain dir, after re-checking that it is still one: a
-// path that is a regular file, a directory or a symlink at the re-check is
-// left alone and reported as failed. The re-check narrows, but cannot close,
-// the window before the unlink (Linux has no conditional unlink); the same
-// window exists in removeSymlinks, and only a local writer can use it.
-func removeSpecial(brainDir string, rels []string) (removed, failed []string) {
-	if len(rels) == 0 {
-		return nil, nil
-	}
-	resolved, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(brainDir)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, rels
-	}
-	root, err := os.OpenRoot(resolved)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, rels
-	}
-	defer func() { _ = root.Close() }()
-	for _, rel := range rels {
-		fi, err := root.Lstat(rel)
-		if err != nil || fi.IsDir() || fi.Mode().IsRegular() || fi.Mode()&os.ModeSymlink != 0 {
-			failed = append(failed, rel)
-			continue
-		}
-		if err := root.Remove(rel); err != nil {
-			failed = append(failed, rel)
-			continue
-		}
-		removed = append(removed, rel)
-	}
-	return removed, failed
-}
-
 // removeSymlinks unlinks each brain-relative symlink through an os.Root on
 // the brain dir, after re-checking it is still a symlink. Removing a symlink
 // never touches its target. It returns what was removed and what was not.

ingestion/internal/vectorstore/sync_root_test.go

@@ -42,11 +42,6 @@ func TestSyncRefusesSymlinkedNotesAndSurvivesSwapRaces(t *testing.T) {
 	brain := t.TempDir()
 	writeNote(t, brain, "wiki/w/facts/ok.md", "inside note")
 	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(brainfstest.Outside(t), filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", "w", "facts", "leak.md")))
-	// A link to a file elsewhere in the brain: os.Root allows it, only the
-	// regular-file checks refuse it (hyperguild#171). raw/ is not a scan root,
-	// so its sentinel can only arrive through the link.
-	inBrain := brainfstest.WriteSentinelAt(t, filepath.Join(brain, "raw", "s.md"))
-	require.NoError(t, os.Symlink(filepath.Join("..", "..", "..", "raw", "s.md"), filepath.Join(brain, "wiki", "w", "facts", "inlink.md")))
 
 	emb := &recordingEmbedder{}
 	store := &stubStore{}
@@ -56,7 +51,6 @@ func TestSyncRefusesSymlinkedNotesAndSurvivesSwapRaces(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.NotContains(t, emb.all(), brainfstest.Sentinel)
 	for p := range store.upserts {
 		assert.NotContains(t, p, "leak.md")
-		assert.NotContains(t, p, "inlink.md")
 	}
 
 	p := filepath.Join(brain, "knowledge", "r.md")
@@ -67,7 +61,6 @@ func TestSyncRefusesSymlinkedNotesAndSurvivesSwapRaces(t *testing.T) {
 		return e.all()
 	}
 	brainfstest.AssertNoLeak(t, p, "inside", 1500*time.Millisecond, sync)
-	brainfstest.AssertNoLeakFrom(t, p, "inside", inBrain, 1500*time.Millisecond, sync)
 	brainfstest.AssertNoHang(t, p, "inside", 1500*time.Millisecond, 6*time.Second, func() { _ = sync() })
 }