diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
index c46a4e0..c650acd 100644
--- a/.github/pull_request_template.md
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ Copyright (c) Jonathan D.A. Jewell <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>
 
 ### As Applicable
 
-- [ ] `.machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml` updated (if project state changed)
+- [ ] `docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc` updated (if the phase, blockers or next action changed)
 - [ ] `.machine_readable/6a2/ECOSYSTEM.a2ml` updated (if integrations changed)
 - [ ] `.machine_readable/6a2/META.a2ml` updated (if architectural decisions changed)
 - [ ] Documentation updated for user-facing changes
diff --git a/.github/workflows/openssf-compliance.yml b/.github/workflows/openssf-compliance.yml
index 8049a68..e2e31aa 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/openssf-compliance.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/openssf-compliance.yml
@@ -63,18 +63,18 @@ jobs:
             exit 1
           fi
           echo "README: OK"
-      - name: Check .machine_readable directory and STATE.a2ml
+      - name: Check .machine_readable directory and the thin journal
         run: |
           if [ ! -d ".machine_readable" ]; then
             echo "::error::.machine_readable/ directory is required"
             exit 1
           fi
 
-          if [ ! -f ".machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml" ]; then
-            echo "::error::.machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml is required"
+          if [ ! -f "docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc" ]; then
+            echo "::error::docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc is required (the STATE v2 thin journal)"
             exit 1
           fi
-          echo ".machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml: OK"
+          echo "docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc: OK"
       - name: Check CHANGELOG exists
         run: |
           if [ ! -f "CHANGELOG.md" ] && [ ! -f "CHANGELOG.adoc" ] && [ ! -f "CHANGES.md" ]; then
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ jobs:
           # Collect all required files that exist
           for f in SECURITY.md SECURITY.adoc .github/SECURITY.md LICENSE LICENSE.txt \
                    CONTRIBUTING.md CONTRIBUTING.adoc README.md README.adoc \
-                   .machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml .machine_readable/6a2/META.a2ml \
+                   docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc .machine_readable/6a2/META.a2ml \
                    .machine_readable/6a2/ECOSYSTEM.a2ml CHANGELOG.md CHANGELOG.adoc; do
             [ -f "$f" ] && REQUIRED_FILES="$REQUIRED_FILES $f"
           done
diff --git a/.machine_readable/0.1-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml b/.machine_readable/0.1-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml
index 7d8ce9e..ac241d9 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/0.1-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml
+++ b/.machine_readable/0.1-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ description: |
   automation scripts.
 
 canonical_locations:
-  state: "6a2/STATE.a2ml"
+  state: "../docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc"
   meta: "6a2/META.a2ml"
   ecosystem: "6a2/ECOSYSTEM.a2ml"
   agentic: "6a2/AGENTIC.a2ml"
diff --git a/.machine_readable/6a2/0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml b/.machine_readable/6a2/0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml
index a542ab6..666fac3 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/6a2/0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml
+++ b/.machine_readable/6a2/0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml
@@ -6,14 +6,13 @@ This manifest declares the AI-assistant context for the 6a2 machine-readable met
 
 ## Canonical Locations
 
-The 7 core A2ML files MUST exist in this directory:
+The 6 core A2ML files MUST exist in this directory (STATE.a2ml was archived on 2026-11-10 to ../archive/state-v1.a2ml; its live successor is docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc):
 1. AGENTIC.a2ml
 2. CLADE.a2ml
 3. ECOSYSTEM.a2ml
 4. META.a2ml
 5. NEUROSYM.a2ml
 6. PLAYBOOK.a2ml
-7. STATE.a2ml
 
 ## Invariants
 
diff --git a/.machine_readable/6a2/README.adoc b/.machine_readable/6a2/README.adoc
index 916a702..e3aa9f7 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/6a2/README.adoc
+++ b/.machine_readable/6a2/README.adoc
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ This directory contains the 6 core A2ML machine-readable metadata files for this
 - `META.a2ml` - Architecture decisions (ADRs), development practices, design rationale
 - `NEUROSYM.a2ml` - Symbolic semantics, composition algebra
 - `PLAYBOOK.a2ml` - Executable plans, operational runbooks
-- `STATE.a2ml` - Project state, phase, milestones, session history
+- `STATE.a2ml` - archived 2026-11-10 to ../archive/state-v1.a2ml; the live successor is docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc
 
 ## Standards Compliance
 
diff --git a/.machine_readable/ai/.clinerules b/.machine_readable/ai/.clinerules
index 4818351..cca25bf 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/ai/.clinerules
+++ b/.machine_readable/ai/.clinerules
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2026 Jonathan D.A. Jewell (hyperpolymath) <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>
 # Authoritative source: docs/AI-CONVENTIONS.md
 
-# STARTUP: Read 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml first, then .machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml.
+# STARTUP: Read 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml first, then docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc.
 
 # LICENSE
 # All original code: MPL-2.0.
diff --git a/.machine_readable/ai/.windsurfrules b/.machine_readable/ai/.windsurfrules
index 4818351..cca25bf 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/ai/.windsurfrules
+++ b/.machine_readable/ai/.windsurfrules
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2026 Jonathan D.A. Jewell (hyperpolymath) <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>
 # Authoritative source: docs/AI-CONVENTIONS.md
 
-# STARTUP: Read 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml first, then .machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml.
+# STARTUP: Read 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml first, then docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc.
 
 # LICENSE
 # All original code: MPL-2.0.
diff --git a/.machine_readable/ai/AI.a2ml b/.machine_readable/ai/AI.a2ml
index 3754aca..d1dce13 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/ai/AI.a2ml
+++ b/.machine_readable/ai/AI.a2ml
@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@
 - Prefer to keep generated files out of source control, and regenerate them with the documented commands before committing.
 
 ## Workflow
-1. Inspect `.machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml` for blockers and next actions.
+1. Inspect `docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc` for the phase, blockers and next action.
 2. Respect any constraints listed inside `.machine_readable/6a2/AGENTIC.a2ml` when tooling changes are requested.
-3. After finishing edits, update STATE with your outcomes and commit with a concise, imperative message.
+3. After finishing edits, update the thin journal (docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc) with your outcomes and commit with a concise, imperative message.
 
 ## Delivery Promises
 - Mention in summaries whether STATE, `.machine_readable/contractiles/`, or `.machine_readable/bot_directives/` changed.
diff --git a/.machine_readable/ai/README.adoc b/.machine_readable/ai/README.adoc
index 29d3c06..7d1f62e 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/ai/README.adoc
+++ b/.machine_readable/ai/README.adoc
@@ -20,5 +20,5 @@ Recommended machine read order:
 * `.machine_readable/policies/MAINTENANCE-AXES.a2ml`
 * `.machine_readable/policies/MAINTENANCE-CHECKLIST.a2ml`
 * `.machine_readable/policies/SOFTWARE-DEVELOPMENT-APPROACH.a2ml`
-* `.machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml`
+* `docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc`
 * `.machine_readable/6a2/META.a2ml`
diff --git a/.machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml b/.machine_readable/archive/state-v1.a2ml
similarity index 83%
rename from .machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml
rename to .machine_readable/archive/state-v1.a2ml
index 408e5cc..7d1a9e5 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml
+++ b/.machine_readable/archive/state-v1.a2ml
@@ -1,6 +1,16 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
 # Copyright (c) 2026 Jonathan D.A. Jewell (hyperpolymath) <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>
 #
+# TOMBSTONE — STATE v1, archived 2026-11-10 (renamed from
+# .machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml).
+# Retired by the owner's ruling on state-v1-decision.adoc, option B (2026-11-10).
+# Do not edit this file, and do not read it for current status. The live homes:
+#   lifecycle and maturity   anytype_chora.deed, the (status) and (maturity) clauses
+#   phase, blockers, next    docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc
+#   milestones               docs/status/ROADMAP.adoc
+# Dropped as derivable: completion-percentage and [maintenance-status].
+# Everything below is kept verbatim, so no milestone row or blocker is lost.
+#
 # STATE.a2ml — Project state checkpoint for anytype (the Equality Theory kernel).
 
 [metadata]
diff --git a/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/arrival-pack.ncl b/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/arrival-pack.ncl
index 4a85a8e..a1ad713 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/arrival-pack.ncl
+++ b/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/arrival-pack.ncl
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ let data = import "claude-md-data.json" in
 let manifesto_pin = "DRAFT-unratified" in
 
 let provenance =
-  "CLADE@%{data.h_clade} ECOSYSTEM@%{data.h_eco} AGENTIC@%{data.h_agentic} STATE@%{data.h_state} ANCHOR@%{data.h_anchor}"
+  "CLADE@%{data.h_clade} ECOSYSTEM@%{data.h_eco} AGENTIC@%{data.h_agentic} DEED@%{data.h_deed} ANCHOR@%{data.h_anchor}"
 in
 
 m%"
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ If you are unsure what something is, **read the canon; do not guess** (guessing
 13. **Equivalence as identity** — the estate's intellectual through-line.
 
 ## The machine-readable substrate (read in this order on arrival)
-**CLADE** → **ANCHOR** → **AGENTIC** → **ECOSYSTEM** → **STATE**
+**CLADE** → **ANCHOR** → **AGENTIC** → **ECOSYSTEM** → **JOURNAL**
 
 The descriptive family (working name *descriptiles*) describes what-is; the **contractiles** are the normative set-point.
 
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ The descriptive family (working name *descriptiles*) describes what-is; the **co
 | `ECOSYSTEM.a2ml` | *Where it sits* — estate + external relations, and `what-this-is-not`. |
 | `NEUROSYM.a2ml` | *Meaning* of operations — proof obligations. |
 | `PLAYBOOK.a2ml` | *How* permitted actions run. |
-| `STATE.a2ml` | *Where things are now* — progress, blockers, next-actions. |
+| `docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc` | *Where things are now* — phase, blockers, next action (the STATE v2 thin journal). |
 | contractiles | Normative doctrine: **Intend** (north-star) · **Must** (invariants) · **Trust** (security) · **Adjust** (accessibility / inclusive design) — the integral core that holds strong; plus **Dust** (exnovation drift) · **Bust** (failure / breakage, not drift). |
 | k9 | *Validation*. Kennel (data) / Yard (pure eval) / Hunt (guarded exec). |
 
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ Deny: **Nix, TypeScript, Python, Go, AGPL**. JS runtimes in preference order **B
 - **Where it sits** — pipeline position **%{data.pipeline_pos}**; chain `%{data.chain}`; coordination = `%{data.coordination}`.
 - **Constraints here** (AGENTIC) — fail-closed; evidence-per-step; no-silent-skip; rerun-after-fix; release-claim-requires-hard-pass. Never: banned langs (above), secrets, state files in repo root, AGPL. Details: `.machine_readable/bot_directives/{methodology,coverage,debt}.a2ml`.
 - **Golden path** (ANCHOR) — `%{data.golden_smoke}` → %{data.golden_crit}.
-- **State** — phase %{data.phase}; maturity %{data.maturity}; %{data.completion}% complete; status %{data.status}.
+- **State** — lifecycle %{data.lifecycle}; maturity %{data.maturity}. Phase, blockers and next action: `docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc`.
 
 <!-- ARRIVAL-PACK:END · provenance: %{provenance} · Manifesto@%{manifesto_pin} · regenerate: `just claude-md` (k9 drift-detects; do not hand-edit above) -->
 "%
diff --git a/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/claude-md.k9.ncl b/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/claude-md.k9.ncl
index bd9a8da..8fa81f8 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/claude-md.k9.ncl
+++ b/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/claude-md.k9.ncl
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
       ".machine_readable/6a2/CLADE.a2ml",
       ".machine_readable/6a2/ECOSYSTEM.a2ml",
       ".machine_readable/6a2/AGENTIC.a2ml",
-      ".machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml",
+      "anytype_chora.deed",   # lifecycle + maturity (state-v1-decision option B)
       ".machine_readable/6a2/anchors/ANCHOR.a2ml",
     ],
     estate_common = "hyperpolymath/manifesto@<pinned-sha>",  # DRAFT-unratified today
diff --git a/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/extract.sh b/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/extract.sh
index b77a8d5..54db602 100755
--- a/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/extract.sh
+++ b/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/extract.sh
@@ -5,8 +5,10 @@
 # extract.sh — the thin a2ml *reader* for the arrival-pack compiler.
 #
 # Projects the scalar/array fields the CLAUDE.md arrival pack needs out of this
-# repo's descriptive a2ml (the "descriptiles" family: CLADE/ECOSYSTEM/AGENTIC/STATE +
-# anchors/ANCHOR) into a single deterministic JSON document on stdout.
+# repo's descriptive a2ml (the "descriptiles" family: CLADE/ECOSYSTEM/AGENTIC +
+# anchors/ANCHOR), and out of the repo deed (the lifecycle and maturity that STATE
+# v1 used to carry; state-v1-decision option B), into a single deterministic JSON
+# document on stdout.
 #
 # This is a READER only — it authors nothing. The a2ml files remain the single
 # source of truth; arrival-pack.ncl renders this JSON into the CLAUDE.md region.
@@ -17,10 +19,9 @@ DIR6A2="${1:-.machine_readable/6a2}"
 CLADE="$DIR6A2/CLADE.a2ml"
 ECO="$DIR6A2/ECOSYSTEM.a2ml"
 AGENTIC="$DIR6A2/AGENTIC.a2ml"
-STATE="$DIR6A2/STATE.a2ml"
 ANCHOR="$DIR6A2/anchors/ANCHOR.a2ml"
 
-for f in "$CLADE" "$ECO" "$AGENTIC" "$STATE" "$ANCHOR"; do
+for f in "$CLADE" "$ECO" "$AGENTIC" "$ANCHOR"; do
   [ -f "$f" ] || { echo "extract.sh: missing required a2ml: $f" >&2; exit 2; }
 done
 
@@ -34,6 +35,17 @@ scalar() {
   printf '%s' "$v"
 }
 
+# The repo deed, <canonical-name>_chora.deed at the repo root (two levels above the
+# descriptiles directory), carries the lifecycle (status) and maturity clauses.
+DEED="$DIR6A2/../../$(scalar 'canonical-name' "$CLADE")_chora.deed"
+[[ -f "$DEED" ]] || { echo "extract.sh: missing required deed: $DEED" >&2; exit 2; }
+
+# deed_sym CLAUSE KEYWORD -> the symbol after `(CLAUSE ... :KEYWORD ` on the clause's opening line
+deed_sym() {
+  local clause="$1" keyword="$2"
+  grep -oP "^\s*\($clause\s+:$keyword\s+\K[A-Za-z0-9_-]+" "$DEED" | head -1 || true
+}
+
 # arr KEY FILE SEP -> join all quoted strings in the `KEY = [ ... ]` block
 # (inline `k = ["a","b"]` or multiline). SEP is a literal multi-char string.
 arr() {
@@ -75,15 +87,13 @@ jq -n \
   --arg pipeline_pos   "$(scalar 'position' "$ECO")" \
   --arg chain          "$(scalar 'chain' "$ECO")" \
   --arg coordination   "$(scalar 'coordination' "$ECO")" \
-  --arg phase          "$(scalar 'phase' "$STATE")" \
-  --arg maturity       "$(scalar 'maturity' "$STATE")" \
-  --arg completion     "$(scalar 'completion-percentage' "$STATE")" \
-  --arg status         "$(scalar 'status' "$STATE")" \
+  --arg lifecycle      "$(deed_sym status phase)" \
+  --arg maturity       "$(deed_sym maturity level)" \
   --arg golden_smoke   "$golden_smoke" \
   --arg golden_crit    "$golden_crit" \
   --arg h_clade        "$(sh "$CLADE")" \
   --arg h_eco          "$(sh "$ECO")" \
   --arg h_agentic      "$(sh "$AGENTIC")" \
-  --arg h_state        "$(sh "$STATE")" \
+  --arg h_deed         "$(sh "$DEED")" \
   --arg h_anchor       "$(sh "$ANCHOR")" \
   '$ARGS.named'
diff --git a/.machine_readable/coaptation/coapt.k9.ncl b/.machine_readable/coaptation/coapt.k9.ncl
index 7006844..6c00e95 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/coaptation/coapt.k9.ncl
+++ b/.machine_readable/coaptation/coapt.k9.ncl
@@ -43,7 +43,8 @@
     ],
     descriptiles = [
       ".machine_readable/6a2/CLADE.a2ml",
-      ".machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml",
+      "anytype_chora.deed",   # lifecycle + maturity
+      "docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc",   # phase
       ".machine_readable/6a2/ECOSYSTEM.a2ml",
       ".machine_readable/6a2/AGENTIC.a2ml",
       ".machine_readable/6a2/anchors/ANCHOR.a2ml",
diff --git a/.machine_readable/coaptation/coapt.ncl b/.machine_readable/coaptation/coapt.ncl
index daf7468..5d4db7d 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/coaptation/coapt.ncl
+++ b/.machine_readable/coaptation/coapt.ncl
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ let clause_lines = std.string.join "\n" (std.array.map (fun e => e.id ++ " = " +
 let cp = clauses_doc.provenance in
 let fp = facts_doc.provenance in
 let contractile_prov = "intend@%{cp.intend} must@%{cp.must} trust@%{cp.trust} adjust@%{cp.adjust} dust@%{cp.dust} bust@%{cp.bust}" in
-let descriptile_prov = "clade@%{fp.clade} state@%{fp.state} ecosystem@%{fp.ecosystem} agentic@%{fp.agentic} anchor@%{fp.anchor}" in
+let descriptile_prov = "clade@%{fp.clade} deed@%{fp.deed} ecosystem@%{fp.ecosystem} agentic@%{fp.agentic} anchor@%{fp.anchor}" in
 
 let s = std.to_string in
 m%"
diff --git a/.machine_readable/coaptation/extract-facts.sh b/.machine_readable/coaptation/extract-facts.sh
index b7d00c1..c43d9e2 100755
--- a/.machine_readable/coaptation/extract-facts.sh
+++ b/.machine_readable/coaptation/extract-facts.sh
@@ -18,12 +18,11 @@ set -euo pipefail
 
 DIR6A2="${1:-.machine_readable/6a2}"
 CLADE="$DIR6A2/CLADE.a2ml"
-STATE="$DIR6A2/STATE.a2ml"
 ECO="$DIR6A2/ECOSYSTEM.a2ml"
 AGENTIC="$DIR6A2/AGENTIC.a2ml"
 ANCHOR="$DIR6A2/anchors/ANCHOR.a2ml"
 
-for f in "$CLADE" "$STATE" "$ECO" "$AGENTIC" "$ANCHOR"; do
+for f in "$CLADE" "$ECO" "$AGENTIC" "$ANCHOR"; do
   [ -f "$f" ] || { echo "extract-facts.sh: missing required a2ml: $f" >&2; exit 2; }
 done
 
@@ -37,6 +36,25 @@ scalar() {
   printf '%s' "$v"
 }
 
+# STATE v1 is archived (state-v1-decision, option B). Its live successors: the repo deed
+# carries the lifecycle (status) and maturity clauses; the thin journal carries the phase.
+DEED="$DIR6A2/../../$(scalar 'canonical-name' "$CLADE")_chora.deed"
+JOURNAL="$DIR6A2/../../docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc"
+for f in "$DEED" "$JOURNAL"; do
+  [[ -f "$f" ]] || { echo "extract-facts.sh: missing required file: $f" >&2; exit 2; }
+done
+
+# deed_sym CLAUSE KEYWORD -> the symbol after `(CLAUSE ... :KEYWORD ` on the clause's opening line
+deed_sym() {
+  local clause="$1" keyword="$2"
+  grep -oP "^\s*\($clause\s+:$keyword\s+\K[A-Za-z0-9_-]+" "$DEED" | head -1 || true
+}
+
+# journal_phase -> the first word of the journal's `phase::` value (the phase label)
+journal_phase() {
+  awk '/^phase::$/{getline; split($0,a,/[ .:]/); print a[1]; exit}' "$JOURNAL"
+}
+
 # arr KEY FILE SEP -> join all quoted strings in the `KEY = [ ... ]` block
 arr() {
   local key="$1" file="$2" sep="${3:-, }" out="" i
@@ -68,14 +86,17 @@ rows="$(
   emit 'clade.primary'          "$(scalar 'primary' "$CLADE")"
   emit 'clade.born'             "$(scalar 'born' "$CLADE")"
   emit 'clade.forge-github'     "$(scalar 'github' "$CLADE")"
-  # --- STATE: where things are now ---
-  emit 'state.status'                 "$(scalar 'status' "$STATE")"
-  emit 'state.phase'                  "$(scalar 'phase' "$STATE")"
-  emit 'state.maturity'               "$(scalar 'maturity' "$STATE")"
-  emit 'state.completion-percentage'  "$(scalar 'completion-percentage' "$STATE")"
-  emit 'state.open-warnings'          "$(scalar 'open-warnings' "$STATE")"
-  emit 'state.open-failures'          "$(scalar 'open-failures' "$STATE")"
-  emit 'state.last-result'            "$(scalar 'last-result' "$STATE")"
+  # --- STATE: where things are now (deed + journal; STATE v1 is archived) ---
+  emit 'state.status'                 "$(deed_sym status phase)"
+  emit 'state.phase'                  "$(journal_phase)"
+  emit 'state.maturity'               "$(deed_sym maturity level)"
+  # No source exists for these since STATE v1 was archived: completion is derivable,
+  # and the other three mirrored a maintenance report that never ran. They are emitted
+  # EMPTY so they register as ABSENT (present:false), never as a recorded zero.
+  emit 'state.completion-percentage'  ""
+  emit 'state.open-warnings'          ""
+  emit 'state.open-failures'          ""
+  emit 'state.last-result'            ""
   # --- ECOSYSTEM: where it sits + IS-NOT boundary ---
   emit 'ecosystem.type'             "$(scalar 'type' "$ECO")"
   emit 'ecosystem.position'         "$(scalar 'position' "$ECO")"
@@ -99,7 +120,7 @@ rows="$(
 
 printf '%s\n' "$rows" | jq -R -s \
   --arg clade     "$(sh "$CLADE")" \
-  --arg state     "$(sh "$STATE")" \
+  --arg deed      "$(sh "$DEED")" \
   --arg ecosystem "$(sh "$ECO")" \
   --arg agentic   "$(sh "$AGENTIC")" \
   --arg anchor    "$(sh "$ANCHOR")" \
@@ -115,7 +136,7 @@ printf '%s\n' "$rows" | jq -R -s \
       })
     ),
     provenance: {
-      clade: $clade, state: $state, ecosystem: $ecosystem,
+      clade: $clade, deed: $deed, ecosystem: $ecosystem,
       agentic: $agentic, anchor: $anchor
     }
   }
diff --git a/.machine_readable/coaptation/witness-map.ncl b/.machine_readable/coaptation/witness-map.ncl
index 9e7e489..7f200d5 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/coaptation/witness-map.ncl
+++ b/.machine_readable/coaptation/witness-map.ncl
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
       { fact = "state.phase", op = 'present },
       { fact = "ecosystem.type", op = 'present },
     ],
-    note = "STATE.a2ml + ECOSYSTEM.a2ml were read from .machine_readable/6a2/",
+    note = "the thin journal (docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc) + ECOSYSTEM.a2ml were read",
   },
   "must.anchors-directory" = {
     kind = "descriptile",
@@ -73,12 +73,12 @@
   "bust.template-substitution-failure" = {
     kind = "descriptile",
     witnesses = [ { fact = "state.open-failures", op = 'nonzero } ],
-    note = "alarm iff STATE records open failures; else latent (declared, not active)",
+    note = "alarm iff a maintenance record shows open failures; none is recorded since STATE v1 was archived, so latent",
   },
   "bust.sync-drift-between-repos" = {
     kind = "descriptile",
     witnesses = [ { fact = "state.open-failures", op = 'nonzero } ],
-    note = "alarm iff STATE records open failures; else latent",
+    note = "alarm iff a maintenance record shows open failures; none is recorded since STATE v1 was archived, so latent",
   },
   "bust.contractile-parse-error" = {
     kind = "descriptile",
diff --git a/.machine_readable/contractiles/Justfile b/.machine_readable/contractiles/Justfile
index 5eef44b..0505a0f 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/contractiles/Justfile
+++ b/.machine_readable/contractiles/Justfile
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ info:
     @echo "Version: {{version}}"
     @echo "RSR Tier: {{tier}}"
     @echo "Recipes: $(just --summary | wc -w)"
-    @[ -f ".machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml" ] && grep -oP 'phase\s*=\s*"\K[^"]+' .machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml | head -1 | xargs -I{} echo "Phase: {}" || true
+    @[ -f "docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc" ] && awk '/^phase::$/{getline; split($0,a,/[ .:]/); print "Phase: " a[1]; exit}' docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc || true
 
 # Run Invariant Path overlay tools for this repository
 invariant-path *ARGS:
@@ -413,16 +413,17 @@ import? "build/just/validate.just"
 # STATE MANAGEMENT
 # ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
 
-# Update STATE.a2ml timestamp
+# Update the thin journal's date (the STATE v2 `updated` field)
 state-touch:
-    @if [ -f ".machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml" ]; then \
-        sed -i 's/last-updated = "[^"]*"/last-updated = "'"$(date +%Y-%m-%d)"'"/' .machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml && \
-        echo "STATE.a2ml timestamp updated"; \
+    @if [ -f "docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc" ]; then \
+        d="$(date +%Y-%m-%d)"; \
+        sed -i -e "s/^:updated: .*/:updated: $d/" -e '/^updated::$/{n;s/.*/'"$d"'/}' docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc && \
+        echo "JOURNAL.adoc date updated"; \
     fi
 
-# Show current phase from STATE.a2ml
+# Show the current phase label from the thin journal
 state-phase:
-    @grep -oP 'phase\s*=\s*"\K[^"]+' .machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml 2>/dev/null | head -1 || echo "unknown"
+    @awk '/^phase::$/{getline; split($0,a,/[ .:]/); print a[1]; exit}' docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown"
 
 # ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
 # GUIX & GUIX
diff --git a/.machine_readable/contractiles/must/Mustfile.a2ml b/.machine_readable/contractiles/must/Mustfile.a2ml
index 55f8ab4..60413e3 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/contractiles/must/Mustfile.a2ml
+++ b/.machine_readable/contractiles/must/Mustfile.a2ml
@@ -62,8 +62,8 @@ hooks fail if any check fails.
 - severity: critical
 
 ### six-directory-present
-- description: 6a2 directory exists with required files
-- run: test -d .machine_readable/6a2 && test -f .machine_readable/6a2/META.a2ml && test -f .machine_readable/6a2/ECOSYSTEM.a2ml && test -f .machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml && test -f .machine_readable/6a2/PLAYBOOK.a2ml && test -f .machine_readable/6a2/AGENTIC.a2ml && test -f .machine_readable/6a2/NEUROSYM.a2ml
+- description: 6a2 directory exists with required files, and the thin journal exists
+- run: test -d .machine_readable/6a2 && test -f .machine_readable/6a2/META.a2ml && test -f .machine_readable/6a2/ECOSYSTEM.a2ml && test -f docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc && test -f .machine_readable/6a2/PLAYBOOK.a2ml && test -f .machine_readable/6a2/AGENTIC.a2ml && test -f .machine_readable/6a2/NEUROSYM.a2ml
 - severity: critical
 
 ### anchors-directory
diff --git a/.machine_readable/self-validating/methodology-guard.k9.ncl b/.machine_readable/self-validating/methodology-guard.k9.ncl
index 4c43325..c0b21c6 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/self-validating/methodology-guard.k9.ncl
+++ b/.machine_readable/self-validating/methodology-guard.k9.ncl
@@ -41,9 +41,9 @@ let methodology_guard = {
     },
 
     state_not_template = {
-      description = "STATE.a2ml must not contain template placeholders",
+      description = "The thin journal must not contain template placeholders",
       severity = "warning",
-      file = ".machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml",
+      file = "docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc",
       # NOTE: the PROJECT token below is written as a Nickel concat
       # ("{{" ++ "PROJECT}}") ON PURPOSE. `just init` runs a sed substitution for
       # the brace-PROJECT-brace token over EVERY text file, which would otherwise
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index e7fdd1f..0d695b0 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2026 Jonathan D.A. Jewell <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>
 <!-- The region between the ARRIVAL-PACK markers is generated from this
      repo's a2ml by `just claude-md` — do not hand-edit it. -->
 
-<!-- ARRIVAL-PACK:BEGIN — estate-common @Manifesto:DRAFT-unratified · repo @a2ml:CLADE@1774a0b6a688 ECOSYSTEM@f490b124bb19 AGENTIC@f1102d5cb5ba STATE@0a4bf59d45af ANCHOR@f0707388115d — generated by `just claude-md`, do not hand-edit -->
+<!-- ARRIVAL-PACK:BEGIN — estate-common @Manifesto:DRAFT-unratified · repo @a2ml:CLADE@1774a0b6a688 ECOSYSTEM@f490b124bb19 AGENTIC@f1102d5cb5ba DEED@f8d9d5bbaba0 ANCHOR@f0707388115d — generated by `just claude-md`, do not hand-edit -->
 
 # You are in the hyperpolymath estate — orient before acting
 
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ If you are unsure what something is, **read the canon; do not guess** (guessing
 13. **Equivalence as identity** — the estate's intellectual through-line.
 
 ## The machine-readable substrate (read in this order on arrival)
-**CLADE** → **ANCHOR** → **AGENTIC** → **ECOSYSTEM** → **STATE**
+**CLADE** → **ANCHOR** → **AGENTIC** → **ECOSYSTEM** → **JOURNAL**
 
 The descriptive family (working name *descriptiles*) describes what-is; the **contractiles** are the normative set-point.
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ The descriptive family (working name *descriptiles*) describes what-is; the **co
 | `ECOSYSTEM.a2ml` | *Where it sits* — estate + external relations, and `what-this-is-not`. |
 | `NEUROSYM.a2ml` | *Meaning* of operations — proof obligations. |
 | `PLAYBOOK.a2ml` | *How* permitted actions run. |
-| `STATE.a2ml` | *Where things are now* — progress, blockers, next-actions. |
+| `docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc` | *Where things are now* — phase, blockers, next action (the STATE v2 thin journal). |
 | contractiles | Normative doctrine: **Intend** (north-star) · **Must** (invariants) · **Trust** (security) · **Adjust** (accessibility / inclusive design) — the integral core that holds strong; plus **Dust** (exnovation drift) · **Bust** (failure / breakage, not drift). |
 | k9 | *Validation*. Kennel (data) / Yard (pure eval) / Hunt (guarded exec). |
 
@@ -62,6 +62,6 @@ Deny: **Nix, TypeScript, Python, Go, AGPL**. JS runtimes in preference order **B
 - **Where it sits** — pipeline position **kernel**; chain `systemet (theory) → anytype (kernel) → AffineScript (profile)`; coordination = `standards`.
 - **Constraints here** (AGENTIC) — fail-closed; evidence-per-step; no-silent-skip; rerun-after-fix; release-claim-requires-hard-pass. Never: banned langs (above), secrets, state files in repo root, AGPL. Details: `.machine_readable/bot_directives/{methodology,coverage,debt}.a2ml`.
 - **Golden path** (ANCHOR) — `just test && just quality` → Core tests pass; Quality gates pass; No unresolved critical security findings.
-- **State** — phase implementation; maturity experimental; 40% complete; status active.
+- **State** — lifecycle active; maturity experimental. Phase, blockers and next action: `docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc`.
 
-<!-- ARRIVAL-PACK:END · provenance: CLADE@1774a0b6a688 ECOSYSTEM@f490b124bb19 AGENTIC@f1102d5cb5ba STATE@0a4bf59d45af ANCHOR@f0707388115d · Manifesto@DRAFT-unratified · regenerate: `just claude-md` (k9 drift-detects; do not hand-edit above) -->
+<!-- ARRIVAL-PACK:END · provenance: CLADE@1774a0b6a688 ECOSYSTEM@f490b124bb19 AGENTIC@f1102d5cb5ba DEED@f8d9d5bbaba0 ANCHOR@f0707388115d · Manifesto@DRAFT-unratified · regenerate: `just claude-md` (k9 drift-detects; do not hand-edit above) -->
diff --git a/Justfile b/Justfile
index 74eb2c3..d30b139 100644
--- a/Justfile
+++ b/Justfile
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ info:
     @echo "Version: {{version}}"
     @echo "RSR Tier: {{tier}}"
     @echo "Recipes: $(just --summary | wc -w)"
-    @[ -f ".machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml" ] && grep -oP 'phase\s*=\s*"\K[^"]+' .machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml | head -1 | xargs -I{} echo "Phase: {}" || true
+    @[ -f "docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc" ] && awk '/^phase::$/{getline; split($0,a,/[ .:]/); print "Phase: " a[1]; exit}' docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc || true
 
 # Run Invariant Path overlay tools for this repository
 invariant-path *ARGS:
@@ -432,16 +432,17 @@ import? "build/just/validate.just"
 # STATE MANAGEMENT
 # ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
 
-# Update STATE.a2ml timestamp
+# Update the thin journal's date (the STATE v2 `updated` field)
 state-touch:
-    @if [ -f ".machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml" ]; then \
-        sed -i 's/last-updated = "[^"]*"/last-updated = "'"$(date +%Y-%m-%d)"'"/' .machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml && \
-        echo "STATE.a2ml timestamp updated"; \
+    @if [ -f "docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc" ]; then \
+        d="$(date +%Y-%m-%d)"; \
+        sed -i -e "s/^:updated: .*/:updated: $d/" -e '/^updated::$/{n;s/.*/'"$d"'/}' docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc && \
+        echo "JOURNAL.adoc date updated"; \
     fi
 
-# Show current phase from STATE.a2ml
+# Show the current phase label from the thin journal
 state-phase:
-    @grep -oP 'phase\s*=\s*"\K[^"]+' .machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml 2>/dev/null | head -1 || echo "unknown"
+    @awk '/^phase::$/{getline; split($0,a,/[ .:]/); print a[1]; exit}' docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown"
 
 # ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
 # GUIX
diff --git a/anytype_chora.deed b/anytype_chora.deed
index 45e1b62..4956c18 100644
--- a/anytype_chora.deed
+++ b/anytype_chora.deed
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 ;; SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
 ;; SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2026 Jonathan D.A. Jewell (hyperpolymath) <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>
 ;;
-;; DRAFT (Slice-2 prep) — not yet wired; the .machine_readable/6a2/ a2ml files
-;; stay live and authoritative until the estate wave + kyX (D313) land. Clauses
+;; DRAFT — read only for (status) and (maturity), by the arrival-pack generator and the
+;; coaptation extractor; every other clause is inert. The .machine_readable/6a2/ a2ml
+;; files stay live and authoritative until the estate wave + kyX (D313) land. Clauses
 ;; are translated field-for-field from those descriptiles under the RULED mapping
 ;; specs in standards 1-formats/deed/mappings/ (the only authority a family
 ;; translation may cite):
@@ -19,6 +20,8 @@
 ;;                 the free-text [position] phase "implementation" go to the thin
 ;;                 journal, docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc; [maintenance-status] and
 ;;                 completion-percentage are derivable and dropped.
+;;                 STATE.a2ml is ARCHIVED (2026-11-10, tombstoned, content verbatim):
+;;                 .machine_readable/archive/state-v1.a2ml.
 ;;   0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml (root) -> (manifest)(agent)(policy)(work)
 ;;                 per ai-manifest-decision.adoc, OPTION A  [RULED 2026-11-10, owner]
 ;;                 Agent seen-set: open, flag-any-unknown (the spec's default; the
@@ -27,10 +30,10 @@
 ;; NOT translated here, pending a ruling (kept live in 6a2/):
 ;;   META.a2ml + ECOSYSTEM.a2ml  — family 2, meta-ecosystem-to-repo-deed.adoc
 ;;                                 (PROPOSAL, not yet owner-ruled)
-;; The STATE.a2ml and 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml SOURCES stay live: gates still require
-;; them (openssf-compliance, the Must invariant, validate-template.sh, the
-;; arrival-pack generator). They are archived with a tombstone only once those
-;; consumers are rewired, so this deed adds no double-tracked state of its own.
+;; The gates (openssf-compliance, the Must invariant, validate-template.sh, the e2e
+;; test), the arrival-pack generator and the coaptation extractor now read this deed
+;; (status, maturity) and docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc (phase). The 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml
+;; SOURCE stays live: its consumers are not rewired (family 7 is generator-first).
 (repo-deed
   :schema-version  "1.0.0"
   :canonical-name  "anytype"
diff --git a/docs/practice/AI-CONVENTIONS.adoc b/docs/practice/AI-CONVENTIONS.adoc
index 404b2bc..2a7c0fb 100644
--- a/docs/practice/AI-CONVENTIONS.adoc
+++ b/docs/practice/AI-CONVENTIONS.adoc
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ Per-tool config files (.cursorrules, .clinerules, etc.) reference this document.
 ## Session Startup
 
 1. Read `0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml` FIRST (mandatory gatekeeper).
-2. Read `docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc` for the current phase, blockers and next action. It governs over the journal sections of `.machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml`, which stays only until its consumers are rewired.
+2. Read `docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc` for the current phase, blockers and next action. STATE v1 is archived at `.machine_readable/archive/state-v1.a2ml`; do not read it for current status.
 3. Read `.machine_readable/6a2/anchors/ANCHOR.a2ml` for canonical authority boundaries.
 4. Read `.machine_readable/policies/MAINTENANCE-AXES.a2ml` for maintenance/audit sequencing.
 5. Read `.machine_readable/policies/MAINTENANCE-CHECKLIST.a2ml` for baseline controls.
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ Use `just` (Justfile) for all build, test, lint, and format tasks.
 - `0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml` -- universal AI entry point
 - `.machine_readable/6a2/AGENTIC.a2ml` -- agent permissions and constraints
 - `docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc` -- thin session journal: phase, blockers, last and next action
-- `.machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml` -- legacy project state (kept until its consumers are rewired)
+- `.machine_readable/archive/state-v1.a2ml` -- archived STATE v1 (tombstoned; not current)
 - `.machine_readable/6a2/anchors/ANCHOR.a2ml` -- canonical authority and policy boundary
 - `.machine_readable/policies/MAINTENANCE-AXES.a2ml` -- canonical axis sequencing and audit requirements
 - `.machine_readable/policies/MAINTENANCE-CHECKLIST.a2ml` -- baseline maintenance checklist policy
diff --git a/docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc b/docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc
index f305771..5932fa7 100644
--- a/docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc
+++ b/docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc
@@ -8,10 +8,10 @@ derived. This is the STATE v2 thin journal
 (`1-formats/templates/STATE.a2ml.v2.spec.adoc` in `standards`: phase, blockers,
 last action, next action), written as AsciiDoc because A2ML is retired.
 
-Where this file and the journal sections of `.machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml`
-disagree, **this file governs** (`state-v1-decision`, option B, ruled
-2026-11-10). `STATE.a2ml` stays only until the checks and scripts that still
-require it are rewired.
+STATE v1 is archived at `.machine_readable/archive/state-v1.a2ml` (2026-11-10,
+`state-v1-decision`, option B), and nothing in it is current. This file replaces
+its journal sections. The lifecycle and maturity it carried are in the repo deed,
+`anytype_chora.deed`.
 
 Kept elsewhere, on purpose: milestones in `ROADMAP.adoc`, history in the git
 log, evidence in `PROOF-STATUS.adoc`, task lists in the GitHub issues.
@@ -49,13 +49,6 @@ updated::
   TEA-erasure result (ET-14). Not a code blocker yet.
 | systemet ET-14, OPEN
 | 2026-07-21 (first recorded in STATE v1)
-
-| `state-archive-rewire`
-| `STATE.a2ml` cannot be archived yet. `openssf-compliance.yml`, the Must
-  invariant, `scripts/validate-template.sh`, the e2e template test and the
-  arrival-pack generator still require it.
-| rewiring those consumers (several are derived from the estate canon)
-| 2026-11-10
 |===
 
 == Provenance
diff --git a/docs/status/PROOF-STATUS.adoc b/docs/status/PROOF-STATUS.adoc
index f66866d..9069855 100644
--- a/docs/status/PROOF-STATUS.adoc
+++ b/docs/status/PROOF-STATUS.adoc
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ one erased-field projection). They are quarantined in the MANIFEST with
 per-module reasons: the gate requires them to KEEP failing, and flags them
 for promotion if one starts passing. `ABI/Foreign.idr` is the one template
 module that compiles and is gated. Their fate (fix or delete) is tracked in
-`STATE.a2ml` critical-next-actions.
+`docs/status/ROADMAP.adoc` (Next: quarantined template proofs).
 
 == Not proven (open obligations)
 
diff --git a/docs/status/ROADMAP.adoc b/docs/status/ROADMAP.adoc
index fe37b46..cb9094a 100644
--- a/docs/status/ROADMAP.adoc
+++ b/docs/status/ROADMAP.adoc
@@ -2,8 +2,10 @@
 // Copyright (c) Jonathan D.A. Jewell <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>
 = anytype Roadmap
 
-Mirrors `[route-to-mvp]` in `.machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml` (which is the
-machine-readable source of truth).
+This file is the home of the milestones (`state-v1-decision`, option B). The
+`[route-to-mvp]` rows of the archived STATE v1 are kept verbatim, with their
+percentages, in `.machine_readable/archive/state-v1.a2ml`. The current phase,
+blockers and next action are in `JOURNAL.adoc`.
 
 == Done
 
diff --git a/scripts/validate-template.sh b/scripts/validate-template.sh
index a9df19a..7d43d0a 100755
--- a/scripts/validate-template.sh
+++ b/scripts/validate-template.sh
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ echo ""
 log_info "Phase 2: Machine-readable metadata (.machine_readable/)"
 echo ""
 
-check_file_exists ".machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml" "Project state"
+check_file_exists "docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc" "Project journal"
 check_file_exists ".machine_readable/6a2/META.a2ml" "Architecture decisions"
 check_file_exists ".machine_readable/6a2/ECOSYSTEM.a2ml" "Ecosystem position"
 check_file_exists ".machine_readable/6a2/anchors/ANCHOR.a2ml" "Semantic boundary anchor"
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ if [ "$(basename "$REPO_ROOT")" = "rsr-template-repo" ]; then
     log_pass "Skipping placeholder check for template repo"
 else
     # Check that key files don't have unresolved placeholders
-    for file in "$REPO_ROOT/README.adoc" "$REPO_ROOT/Justfile" "$REPO_ROOT/.machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml"; do
+    for file in "$REPO_ROOT/README.adoc" "$REPO_ROOT/Justfile" "$REPO_ROOT/docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc"; do
         if [ -f "$file" ]; then
             if has_placeholder "$file"; then
                 log_warning "File contains unresolved placeholders: $(basename "$file")"
diff --git a/tests/e2e/template_instantiation_test.sh b/tests/e2e/template_instantiation_test.sh
index d866441..3db39c1 100755
--- a/tests/e2e/template_instantiation_test.sh
+++ b/tests/e2e/template_instantiation_test.sh
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ done
 log_step "Verifying machine-readable metadata"
 
 METADATA_FILES=(
-    ".machine_readable/6a2/STATE.a2ml"
+    "docs/status/JOURNAL.adoc"
     ".machine_readable/6a2/META.a2ml"
 )