diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/projection_lock_linux.go b/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/projection_lock_linux.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b6df3988
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/projection_lock_linux.go
@@ -0,0 +1,177 @@
+//go:build linux
+
+package authconfig
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
+)
+
+type transactionLock struct {
+	directoryFD int
+	fileFD      int
+	closed      bool
+}
+
+type projectionLockHooks struct {
+	beforeCreate func()
+	afterOpen    func()
+}
+
+var projectionLockHookState struct {
+	sync.Mutex
+	hooks projectionLockHooks
+}
+
+func setProjectionLockHooksForTest(hooks projectionLockHooks) func() {
+	projectionLockHookState.Lock()
+	previous := projectionLockHookState.hooks
+	projectionLockHookState.hooks = hooks
+	projectionLockHookState.Unlock()
+	return func() {
+		projectionLockHookState.Lock()
+		projectionLockHookState.hooks = previous
+		projectionLockHookState.Unlock()
+	}
+}
+
+func projectionLockHooksForTest() projectionLockHooks {
+	projectionLockHookState.Lock()
+	defer projectionLockHookState.Unlock()
+	return projectionLockHookState.hooks
+}
+
+func acquireTransactionLock(ctx context.Context, directory string) (*transactionLock, error) {
+	if ctx == nil || ctx.Err() != nil || requirePrivateDirectory(directory) != nil {
+		return nil, errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	directoryFD, err := unix.Open(directory, unix.O_RDONLY|unix.O_CLOEXEC|unix.O_DIRECTORY|unix.O_NOFOLLOW, 0)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	lock := &transactionLock{directoryFD: directoryFD, fileFD: -1}
+	fail := func() (*transactionLock, error) {
+		_ = lock.Close()
+		return nil, errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	if !validTransactionDirectory(directoryFD) {
+		return fail()
+	}
+	fileFD, err := openTransactionLockFile(directoryFD)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fail()
+	}
+	lock.fileFD = fileFD
+	if hook := projectionLockHooksForTest().afterOpen; hook != nil {
+		hook()
+	}
+	var opened unix.Stat_t
+	if unix.Fstat(fileFD, &opened) != nil || !validTransactionLockFile(opened) || !sameTransactionLockName(directoryFD, opened) {
+		return fail()
+	}
+	if err := flockTransactionFile(ctx, fileFD); err != nil {
+		_ = lock.Close()
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if !sameTransactionLockName(directoryFD, opened) {
+		return fail()
+	}
+	return lock, nil
+}
+
+func openTransactionLockFile(directoryFD int) (int, error) {
+	for attempt := 0; attempt < 2; attempt++ {
+		fd, err := unix.Openat(directoryFD, transactionLockFileName, unix.O_RDWR|unix.O_CLOEXEC|unix.O_NOFOLLOW, 0)
+		if err == nil {
+			return fd, nil
+		}
+		if !errors.Is(err, unix.ENOENT) {
+			return -1, errProjectionIntegrity
+		}
+		if hook := projectionLockHooksForTest().beforeCreate; hook != nil {
+			hook()
+		}
+		fd, err = unix.Openat(directoryFD, transactionLockFileName, unix.O_RDWR|unix.O_CREAT|unix.O_EXCL|unix.O_CLOEXEC|unix.O_NOFOLLOW, 0o600)
+		if err == nil {
+			if unix.Fchmod(fd, 0o600) != nil || unix.Fsync(fd) != nil || unix.Fsync(directoryFD) != nil {
+				unix.Close(fd)
+				return -1, errProjectionIntegrity
+			}
+			return fd, nil
+		}
+		if !errors.Is(err, unix.EEXIST) {
+			return -1, errProjectionIntegrity
+		}
+	}
+	return -1, errProjectionIntegrity
+}
+
+func validTransactionDirectory(fd int) bool {
+	var stat unix.Stat_t
+	return unix.Fstat(fd, &stat) == nil && stat.Mode&unix.S_IFMT == unix.S_IFDIR && stat.Uid == uint32(os.Geteuid()) && stat.Mode&0o077 == 0
+}
+
+func validTransactionLockFile(stat unix.Stat_t) bool {
+	return stat.Mode&unix.S_IFMT == unix.S_IFREG && stat.Nlink == 1 && stat.Uid == uint32(os.Geteuid()) && stat.Mode&0o7777 == 0o600
+}
+
+func sameTransactionLockName(directoryFD int, opened unix.Stat_t) bool {
+	var named unix.Stat_t
+	return unix.Fstatat(directoryFD, transactionLockFileName, &named, unix.AT_SYMLINK_NOFOLLOW) == nil && validTransactionLockFile(named) && named.Dev == opened.Dev && named.Ino == opened.Ino
+}
+
+func flockTransactionFile(ctx context.Context, fd int) error {
+	for {
+		if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		err := unix.Flock(fd, unix.LOCK_EX|unix.LOCK_NB)
+		if err == nil {
+			return nil
+		}
+		if !errors.Is(err, unix.EWOULDBLOCK) {
+			return errProjectionIntegrity
+		}
+		if hook := coordinatorHooks().onOuterLockContention; hook != nil {
+			hook()
+		}
+		timer := time.NewTimer(10 * time.Millisecond)
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			if !timer.Stop() {
+				<-timer.C
+			}
+			return ctx.Err()
+		case <-timer.C:
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (lock *transactionLock) Close() error {
+	if lock == nil || lock.closed {
+		return nil
+	}
+	lock.closed = true
+	var err error
+	if lock.fileFD >= 0 {
+		if unlockErr := unix.Flock(lock.fileFD, unix.LOCK_UN); unlockErr != nil {
+			err = errors.Join(err, errProjectionCleanup)
+		}
+		if closeErr := unix.Close(lock.fileFD); closeErr != nil {
+			err = errors.Join(err, errProjectionCleanup)
+		}
+		lock.fileFD = -1
+	}
+	if lock.directoryFD >= 0 {
+		if closeErr := unix.Close(lock.directoryFD); closeErr != nil {
+			err = errors.Join(err, errProjectionCleanup)
+		}
+		lock.directoryFD = -1
+	}
+	return err
+}
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/projection_lock_unsupported.go b/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/projection_lock_unsupported.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bb7c12ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/projection_lock_unsupported.go
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+//go:build !linux
+
+package authconfig
+
+import "context"
+
+type transactionLock struct{}
+
+func acquireTransactionLock(context.Context, string) (*transactionLock, error) {
+	return nil, errProjectionIntegrity
+}
+
+func (*transactionLock) Close() error { return nil }
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/projection_transaction.go b/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/projection_transaction.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..631b4f58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/projection_transaction.go
@@ -0,0 +1,349 @@
+package authconfig
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"sync"
+
+	"github.com/aritmolab/thothii/tools/tht/internal/authprojection"
+)
+
+const transactionLockFileName = ".auth-transaction.lock"
+
+var (
+	errProjectionMutation  = errors.New("authentication projection mutation failed")
+	errProjectionPublish   = errors.New("authentication projection publication failed")
+	errProjectionCleanup   = errors.New("authentication projection cleanup failed")
+	errProjectionIntegrity = errors.New("authentication projection coordination failed")
+)
+
+var runtimeProjectionBegin = authprojection.BeginContext
+
+func setRuntimeProjectionBeginForTest(begin func(context.Context, authprojection.Spec, *authprojection.Snapshot, bool) (*authprojection.Transaction, error)) func() {
+	previous := runtimeProjectionBegin
+	runtimeProjectionBegin = begin
+	return func() { runtimeProjectionBegin = previous }
+}
+
+type ProjectionSpec struct {
+	RuntimeRoot string
+	UID         uint32
+	GID         uint32
+}
+
+type ProjectionStatus struct {
+	State             string
+	Generation        string
+	CanonicalRevision string
+	Equal             bool
+}
+
+type ExternalProjectionTransaction struct {
+	ctx           context.Context
+	canonicalRoot string
+	spec          authprojection.Spec
+	outerLock     *transactionLock
+	projection    *authprojection.Transaction
+	before        authprojection.Snapshot
+	hasBefore     bool
+	published     bool
+	closed        bool
+}
+
+type projectionCoordinatorHooks struct {
+	onOuterLockContention     func()
+	onCanonicalLockContention func()
+	beforeProjectionBegin     func()
+	verifyCommittedProjection func(authprojection.Status, authprojection.Snapshot) error
+}
+
+var projectionCoordinatorHookState struct {
+	sync.Mutex
+	hooks projectionCoordinatorHooks
+}
+
+func setProjectionCoordinatorHooksForTest(hooks projectionCoordinatorHooks) func() {
+	projectionCoordinatorHookState.Lock()
+	previous := projectionCoordinatorHookState.hooks
+	projectionCoordinatorHookState.hooks = hooks
+	projectionCoordinatorHookState.Unlock()
+	return func() {
+		projectionCoordinatorHookState.Lock()
+		projectionCoordinatorHookState.hooks = previous
+		projectionCoordinatorHookState.Unlock()
+	}
+}
+
+func coordinatorHooks() projectionCoordinatorHooks {
+	projectionCoordinatorHookState.Lock()
+	defer projectionCoordinatorHookState.Unlock()
+	return projectionCoordinatorHookState.hooks
+}
+
+func RunProjectedMutation(ctx context.Context, canonicalRoot string, spec ProjectionSpec, mutate func() error) (err error) {
+	if mutate == nil {
+		return errProjectionMutation
+	}
+	transaction, err := BeginExternalProjectionTransaction(ctx, canonicalRoot, spec)
+	if err != nil {
+		return errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if closeErr := transaction.Close(); closeErr != nil {
+			if err == nil {
+				err = errProjectionCleanup
+			} else {
+				err = errors.Join(err, errProjectionCleanup)
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+	if mutateErr := mutate(); mutateErr != nil {
+		if restoreErr := transaction.restorePriorIfCanonicalUnchanged(ctx); restoreErr != nil {
+			return errors.Join(errProjectionMutation, errProjectionCleanup)
+		}
+		return errProjectionMutation
+	}
+	if _, publishErr := transaction.publishCanonicalContext(ctx); publishErr != nil {
+		return errProjectionPublish
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func PublishProjectedCanonical(ctx context.Context, canonicalRoot string, spec ProjectionSpec) (status ProjectionStatus, err error) {
+	transaction, err := BeginExternalProjectionTransaction(ctx, canonicalRoot, spec)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ProjectionStatus{}, errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if closeErr := transaction.Close(); closeErr != nil {
+			if err == nil {
+				err = errProjectionCleanup
+			} else {
+				err = errors.Join(err, errProjectionCleanup)
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+	return transaction.publishCanonicalContext(ctx)
+}
+
+func BeginExternalProjectionTransaction(ctx context.Context, canonicalRoot string, spec ProjectionSpec) (transaction *ExternalProjectionTransaction, err error) {
+	if ctx == nil {
+		return nil, errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	if err := requirePrivateDirectory(canonicalRoot); err != nil {
+		return nil, errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	outerLock, err := acquireTransactionLock(ctx, canonicalRoot)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	transaction = &ExternalProjectionTransaction{
+		ctx:           ctx,
+		canonicalRoot: canonicalRoot,
+		spec:          authprojection.Spec{RuntimeRoot: spec.RuntimeRoot, UID: spec.UID, GID: spec.GID},
+		outerLock:     outerLock,
+	}
+	created := transaction
+	defer func() {
+		if err != nil {
+			if closeErr := created.closeProjectionAndOuterLock(); closeErr != nil {
+				err = errors.Join(errProjectionIntegrity, errProjectionCleanup)
+			} else {
+				err = errProjectionIntegrity
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+	if err = transaction.beginProjection(ctx); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return transaction, nil
+}
+
+func (transaction *ExternalProjectionTransaction) PublishCanonical() (ProjectionStatus, error) {
+	if transaction == nil {
+		return ProjectionStatus{}, errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	return transaction.publishCanonicalContext(transaction.ctx)
+}
+
+func (transaction *ExternalProjectionTransaction) publishCanonicalContext(ctx context.Context) (ProjectionStatus, error) {
+	if transaction == nil || transaction.closed {
+		return ProjectionStatus{}, errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	if transaction.projection == nil {
+		if err := transaction.beginProjection(ctx); err != nil {
+			return ProjectionStatus{}, errProjectionIntegrity
+		}
+	}
+	var published authprojection.Status
+	var expected authprojection.Snapshot
+	committed := false
+	err := transaction.withCanonicalLock(ctx, func() error {
+		snapshot, err := loadSnapshotBytes(transaction.canonicalRoot)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		expected = snapshot
+		published, err = transaction.projection.Commit(snapshot)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		committed = true
+		if !equalProjection(published, snapshot) {
+			return errProjectionIntegrity
+		}
+		if verify := coordinatorHooks().verifyCommittedProjection; verify != nil {
+			return verify(published, snapshot)
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		if committed {
+			if blockErr := transaction.ensureBlocked(); blockErr != nil {
+				return ProjectionStatus{}, errors.Join(errProjectionPublish, errProjectionCleanup)
+			}
+		}
+		return ProjectionStatus{}, errProjectionPublish
+	}
+	transaction.published = true
+	if err := transaction.releaseProjection(); err != nil {
+		if blockErr := transaction.ensureBlocked(); blockErr != nil {
+			return ProjectionStatus{}, errors.Join(errProjectionCleanup, errProjectionIntegrity)
+		}
+		return ProjectionStatus{}, errProjectionCleanup
+	}
+	return projectionStatus(published, expected), nil
+}
+
+func (transaction *ExternalProjectionTransaction) RestorePriorIfCanonicalUnchanged() error {
+	if transaction == nil {
+		return errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	return transaction.restorePriorIfCanonicalUnchanged(transaction.ctx)
+}
+
+func (transaction *ExternalProjectionTransaction) restorePriorIfCanonicalUnchanged(ctx context.Context) error {
+	if transaction == nil || transaction.closed || transaction.projection == nil || !transaction.hasBefore {
+		return errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	err := transaction.withCanonicalLock(ctx, func() error {
+		current, err := loadSnapshotBytes(transaction.canonicalRoot)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if current.Generation != transaction.before.Generation {
+			return errProjectionIntegrity
+		}
+		return transaction.projection.RestoreIfUnchanged(current)
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	return transaction.releaseProjection()
+}
+
+func (transaction *ExternalProjectionTransaction) Close() (err error) {
+	if transaction == nil || transaction.closed {
+		return nil
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		transaction.closed = true
+		err = errors.Join(err, transaction.closeProjectionAndOuterLock())
+	}()
+	if transaction.projection == nil && transaction.published {
+		if beginErr := transaction.beginProjection(context.Background()); beginErr != nil {
+			return errProjectionIntegrity
+		}
+		if restoreErr := transaction.restorePriorIfCanonicalUnchanged(context.Background()); restoreErr != nil {
+			return errProjectionIntegrity
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (transaction *ExternalProjectionTransaction) beginProjection(ctx context.Context) error {
+	status, err := authprojection.Inspect(transaction.spec)
+	var before *authprojection.Snapshot
+	requireReadyMatch := false
+	if err == nil {
+		captured := status.Snapshot
+		before = &captured
+		requireReadyMatch = true
+	}
+	if hook := coordinatorHooks().beforeProjectionBegin; hook != nil {
+		hook()
+	}
+	projection, err := runtimeProjectionBegin(ctx, transaction.spec, before, requireReadyMatch)
+	if err != nil {
+		return errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	transaction.projection = projection
+	transaction.hasBefore = before != nil
+	if before != nil {
+		transaction.before = *before
+	} else {
+		transaction.before = authprojection.Snapshot{}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (transaction *ExternalProjectionTransaction) ensureBlocked() error {
+	if transaction.projection != nil {
+		if err := transaction.releaseProjection(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return transaction.beginProjection(context.Background())
+}
+
+func (transaction *ExternalProjectionTransaction) releaseProjection() error {
+	if transaction.projection == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	projection := transaction.projection
+	transaction.projection = nil
+	if err := projection.Close(); err != nil {
+		return errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (transaction *ExternalProjectionTransaction) closeProjectionAndOuterLock() error {
+	var err error
+	if closeErr := transaction.releaseProjection(); closeErr != nil {
+		err = errors.Join(err, closeErr)
+	}
+	if transaction.outerLock != nil {
+		if unlockErr := transaction.outerLock.Close(); unlockErr != nil {
+			err = errors.Join(err, errProjectionCleanup)
+		}
+		transaction.outerLock = nil
+	}
+	return err
+}
+
+func (transaction *ExternalProjectionTransaction) withCanonicalLock(ctx context.Context, callback func() error) (err error) {
+	lock, err := acquireLockContext(ctx, transaction.canonicalRoot)
+	if err != nil {
+		return errProjectionIntegrity
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if unlockErr := lock.Unlock(); unlockErr != nil {
+			err = errors.Join(err, errProjectionCleanup)
+		}
+	}()
+	return callback()
+}
+
+func equalProjection(status authprojection.Status, snapshot authprojection.Snapshot) bool {
+	return status.Selector.State == "ready" && status.Snapshot.Generation == snapshot.Generation && status.Snapshot.CanonicalRevision == snapshot.CanonicalRevision
+}
+
+func projectionStatus(status authprojection.Status, expected authprojection.Snapshot) ProjectionStatus {
+	return ProjectionStatus{
+		State:             status.Selector.State,
+		Generation:        status.Snapshot.Generation,
+		CanonicalRevision: status.Snapshot.CanonicalRevision,
+		Equal:             equalProjection(status, expected),
+	}
+}
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/projection_transaction_linux_test.go b/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/projection_transaction_linux_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..13008679
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/projection_transaction_linux_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,300 @@
+//go:build linux
+
+package authconfig
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/aritmolab/thothii/tools/tht/internal/authprojection"
+	"github.com/aritmolab/thothii/tools/tht/internal/safeio"
+	"github.com/aritmolab/thothii/tools/tht/internal/testsupport"
+)
+
+func TestBeginExternalTransactionReleasesOuterLockAfterRuntimeCancellation(t *testing.T) {
+	canonicalRoot := writeAuthFiles(t, defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin")))
+	spec := testProjectionSpec(t)
+	raw, err := authprojection.Begin(toRuntimeSpec(spec), nil, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if raw != nil {
+			_ = raw.Close()
+		}
+	}()
+
+	admitted := make(chan struct{})
+	restore := setRuntimeProjectionBeginForTest(func(ctx context.Context, runtimeSpec authprojection.Spec, before *authprojection.Snapshot, requireReadyMatch bool) (*authprojection.Transaction, error) {
+		close(admitted)
+		return authprojection.BeginContext(ctx, runtimeSpec, before, requireReadyMatch)
+	})
+	t.Cleanup(restore)
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	result := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		transaction, err := BeginExternalProjectionTransaction(ctx, canonicalRoot, spec)
+		if err == nil {
+			err = transaction.Close()
+		}
+		result <- err
+	}()
+	<-admitted
+	cancel()
+	select {
+	case err := <-result:
+		if err == nil {
+			t.Fatal("BeginExternalProjectionTransaction() unexpectedly succeeded after cancellation")
+		}
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("BeginExternalProjectionTransaction() did not return after runtime cancellation")
+	}
+	restore()
+
+	if err := raw.Close(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	raw = nil
+	next, err := BeginExternalProjectionTransaction(context.Background(), canonicalRoot, spec)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("outer lock remained held after runtime cancellation: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := next.Close(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestExternalPublishContextReturnsWhenCanonicalLockIsHeld(t *testing.T) {
+	canonicalRoot := writeAuthFiles(t, defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin")))
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	transaction, err := BeginExternalProjectionTransaction(ctx, canonicalRoot, testProjectionSpec(t))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = transaction.Close() })
+	canonicalLock, err := acquireLock(canonicalRoot)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = canonicalLock.Unlock() })
+	contended := make(chan struct{}, 1)
+	reblocked := make(chan struct{}, 1)
+	restore := setProjectionCoordinatorHooksForTest(projectionCoordinatorHooks{
+		onCanonicalLockContention: func() { contended <- struct{}{} },
+		beforeProjectionBegin:     func() { reblocked <- struct{}{} },
+	})
+	t.Cleanup(restore)
+	result := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		_, err := transaction.PublishCanonical()
+		result <- err
+	}()
+	<-contended
+	if _, err := authprojection.Inspect(toRuntimeSpec(testProjectionSpecFromTransaction(transaction))); !errors.Is(err, authprojection.ErrBlocked) {
+		t.Fatalf("Inspect() error = %v, want blocked while waiting for canonical lock", err)
+	}
+	cancel()
+	select {
+	case <-reblocked:
+		t.Fatal("publishCanonicalContext() re-blocked even though Commit was never reached")
+	case err := <-result:
+		if !errors.Is(err, errProjectionPublish) {
+			t.Fatalf("publishCanonicalContext() error = %v, want sanitized publish failure", err)
+		}
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("publishCanonicalContext() did not return after cancellation")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestExternalRestoreContextReturnsWhenCanonicalLockIsHeld(t *testing.T) {
+	canonicalRoot := writeAuthFiles(t, defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin")))
+	spec := testProjectionSpec(t)
+	publishCanonical(t, canonicalRoot, spec)
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	transaction, err := BeginExternalProjectionTransaction(ctx, canonicalRoot, spec)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = transaction.Close() })
+	canonicalLock, err := acquireLock(canonicalRoot)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = canonicalLock.Unlock() })
+	contended := make(chan struct{}, 1)
+	restoreHooks := setProjectionCoordinatorHooksForTest(projectionCoordinatorHooks{
+		onCanonicalLockContention: func() { contended <- struct{}{} },
+	})
+	t.Cleanup(restoreHooks)
+	result := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() { result <- transaction.RestorePriorIfCanonicalUnchanged() }()
+	<-contended
+	if _, err := authprojection.Inspect(toRuntimeSpec(spec)); !errors.Is(err, authprojection.ErrBlocked) {
+		t.Fatalf("Inspect() error = %v, want blocked while waiting for canonical lock", err)
+	}
+	cancel()
+	select {
+	case err := <-result:
+		if !errors.Is(err, errProjectionIntegrity) {
+			t.Fatalf("RestorePriorIfCanonicalUnchanged() error = %v, want sanitized integrity failure", err)
+		}
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("RestorePriorIfCanonicalUnchanged() did not return after cancellation")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAcquireTransactionLockRejectsSwapBetweenOpenAndRevalidation(t *testing.T) {
+	canonicalRoot := writeAuthFiles(t, defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin")))
+	opened := make(chan struct{})
+	release := make(chan struct{})
+	var firstOpen atomic.Bool
+	restore := setProjectionLockHooksForTest(projectionLockHooks{afterOpen: func() {
+		if firstOpen.CompareAndSwap(false, true) {
+			close(opened)
+			<-release
+		}
+	}})
+	t.Cleanup(restore)
+	first := make(chan struct {
+		lock *transactionLock
+		err  error
+	}, 1)
+	go func() {
+		lock, err := acquireTransactionLock(context.Background(), canonicalRoot)
+		first <- struct {
+			lock *transactionLock
+			err  error
+		}{lock, err}
+	}()
+	<-opened
+	replacement := filepath.Join(canonicalRoot, ".replacement-lock")
+	if err := safeio.WriteCanonicalNewFile(replacement, nil, 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.Rename(replacement, filepath.Join(canonicalRoot, transactionLockFileName)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	second, err := acquireTransactionLock(context.Background(), canonicalRoot)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("replacement-domain acquisition error = %v", err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = second.Close() })
+	close(release)
+	firstResult := <-first
+	if firstResult.lock != nil || !errors.Is(firstResult.err, errProjectionIntegrity) {
+		t.Fatalf("swapped original acquisition = %#v, %v; want no old-domain lock", firstResult.lock, firstResult.err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAcquireTransactionLockRejectsUnsafeMetadata(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, fixture := range []struct {
+		name    string
+		arrange func(*testing.T, string)
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "symlink",
+			arrange: func(t *testing.T, path string) {
+				target := path + ".target"
+				if err := safeio.WriteCanonicalNewFile(target, nil, 0o600); err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+				testsupport.SymlinkOrSkip(t, target, path)
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "hardlink",
+			arrange: func(t *testing.T, path string) {
+				if err := safeio.WriteCanonicalNewFile(path, nil, 0o600); err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+				if err := os.Link(path, path+".linked"); err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "non-0600 mode",
+			arrange: func(t *testing.T, path string) {
+				if err := safeio.WriteCanonicalNewFile(path, nil, 0o600); err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+				if err := os.Chmod(path, 0o640); err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "wrong owner",
+			arrange: func(t *testing.T, path string) {
+				if os.Geteuid() != 0 {
+					t.Skip("requires root to create a wrong numeric owner")
+				}
+				if err := safeio.WriteCanonicalNewFile(path, nil, 0o600); err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+				if err := os.Chown(path, 10001, 10001); err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+			},
+		},
+	} {
+		t.Run(fixture.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			canonicalRoot := writeAuthFiles(t, defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin")))
+			fixture.arrange(t, filepath.Join(canonicalRoot, transactionLockFileName))
+			lock, err := acquireTransactionLock(context.Background(), canonicalRoot)
+			if lock != nil || !errors.Is(err, errProjectionIntegrity) {
+				t.Fatalf("acquireTransactionLock() = %#v, %v; want unsafe metadata rejection", lock, err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAcquireTransactionLockAcceptsSafeCreatorRace(t *testing.T) {
+	canonicalRoot := writeAuthFiles(t, defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin")))
+	paused := make(chan struct{})
+	release := make(chan struct{})
+	var firstCreate atomic.Bool
+	restore := setProjectionLockHooksForTest(projectionLockHooks{beforeCreate: func() {
+		if firstCreate.CompareAndSwap(false, true) {
+			close(paused)
+			<-release
+		}
+	}})
+	t.Cleanup(restore)
+	first := make(chan struct {
+		lock *transactionLock
+		err  error
+	}, 1)
+	go func() {
+		lock, err := acquireTransactionLock(context.Background(), canonicalRoot)
+		first <- struct {
+			lock *transactionLock
+			err  error
+		}{lock, err}
+	}()
+	<-paused
+	second, err := acquireTransactionLock(context.Background(), canonicalRoot)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("creator-race winner error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := second.Close(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	close(release)
+	result := <-first
+	if result.err != nil || result.lock == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("creator-race loser = %#v, %v; want same validated lock domain", result.lock, result.err)
+	}
+	if err := result.lock.Close(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
+
+func testProjectionSpecFromTransaction(transaction *ExternalProjectionTransaction) ProjectionSpec {
+	return ProjectionSpec{RuntimeRoot: transaction.spec.RuntimeRoot, UID: transaction.spec.UID, GID: transaction.spec.GID}
+}
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/projection_transaction_test.go b/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/projection_transaction_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fd082847
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/projection_transaction_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,265 @@
+package authconfig
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/aritmolab/thothii/tools/tht/internal/authprojection"
+	"github.com/aritmolab/thothii/tools/tht/internal/safeio"
+)
+
+func TestRunProjectedMutationHoldsOuterLockAcrossCanonicalAndProjection(t *testing.T) {
+	canonicalRoot := writeAuthFiles(t, defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin")))
+	spec := testProjectionSpec(t)
+	entered := make(chan struct{})
+	release := make(chan struct{})
+	contended := make(chan struct{}, 8)
+	restoreHooks := setProjectionCoordinatorHooksForTest(projectionCoordinatorHooks{
+		onOuterLockContention: func() {
+			select {
+			case contended <- struct{}{}:
+			default:
+			}
+		},
+	})
+	t.Cleanup(restoreHooks)
+	first := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		first <- RunProjectedMutation(context.Background(), canonicalRoot, spec, func() error {
+			close(entered)
+			<-release
+			return nil
+		})
+	}()
+	<-entered
+	if _, err := authprojection.Inspect(toRuntimeSpec(spec)); !errors.Is(err, authprojection.ErrBlocked) {
+		t.Fatalf("Inspect() error = %v, want blocked while mutation is inside the coordinator", err)
+	}
+	second := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		second <- RunProjectedMutation(context.Background(), canonicalRoot, spec, func() error { return nil })
+	}()
+	external := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		transaction, err := BeginExternalProjectionTransaction(context.Background(), canonicalRoot, spec)
+		if err == nil {
+			err = transaction.Close()
+		}
+		external <- err
+	}()
+	<-contended
+	<-contended
+	close(release)
+	if err := <-first; err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("first RunProjectedMutation() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := <-second; err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("second RunProjectedMutation() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := <-external; err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("BeginExternalProjectionTransaction() error = %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunProjectedMutationPublishesExactLocalAndOIDCSnapshots(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, fixture := range []struct{ name, auth, users string }{
+		{"local", defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin"))},
+		{"oidc", "version: 1\nmode: oidc\npublicUrl: https://example.invalid\n", ""},
+	} {
+		t.Run(fixture.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			canonicalRoot := writeAuthFiles(t, fixture.auth, fixture.users)
+			spec := testProjectionSpec(t)
+			if err := RunProjectedMutation(context.Background(), canonicalRoot, spec, func() error { return nil }); err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("RunProjectedMutation() error = %v", err)
+			}
+			status, err := authprojection.Inspect(toRuntimeSpec(spec))
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("Inspect() error = %v", err)
+			}
+			if status.Snapshot.Mode != fixture.name || !bytes.Equal(status.Snapshot.Auth, []byte(fixture.auth)) {
+				t.Fatal("published snapshot does not match canonical auth.yaml")
+			}
+			if fixture.name == "local" && !bytes.Equal(status.Snapshot.Users, []byte(fixture.users)) {
+				t.Fatal("published local snapshot does not match canonical users.yaml")
+			}
+			if fixture.name == "oidc" && status.Snapshot.Users != nil {
+				t.Fatal("published OIDC snapshot unexpectedly includes users.yaml")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunProjectedMutationRestoresPriorReadyWhenMutationFailsWithoutChangingCanonical(t *testing.T) {
+	canonicalRoot := writeAuthFiles(t, defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin")))
+	spec := testProjectionSpec(t)
+	before := publishCanonical(t, canonicalRoot, spec)
+	if err := RunProjectedMutation(context.Background(), canonicalRoot, spec, func() error { return errors.New("mutation failed") }); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("RunProjectedMutation() succeeded after a failed mutation")
+	}
+	after := inspectCanonicalProjection(t, spec)
+	if after.Generation != before.Generation {
+		t.Fatalf("generation = %s, want restored %s", after.Generation, before.Generation)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunProjectedMutationLeavesBlockedWhenMutationChangesCanonicalThenFails(t *testing.T) {
+	canonicalRoot := writeAuthFiles(t, defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin")))
+	spec := testProjectionSpec(t)
+	publishCanonical(t, canonicalRoot, spec)
+	if err := RunProjectedMutation(context.Background(), canonicalRoot, spec, func() error {
+		return writeCanonicalAuth(canonicalRoot, strings.Replace(defaultAuthYAML, "8080", "8181", 1), errors.New("mutation failed"))
+	}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("RunProjectedMutation() succeeded after changing canonical authentication then failing")
+	}
+	if _, err := authprojection.Inspect(toRuntimeSpec(spec)); !errors.Is(err, authprojection.ErrBlocked) {
+		t.Fatalf("Inspect() error = %v, want blocked after divergent mutation failure", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunProjectedMutationLeavesBlockedWhenPublicationOrVerificationFails(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, fixture := range []struct {
+		name   string
+		mutate func(string) error
+		hooks  projectionCoordinatorHooks
+	}{
+		{"invalid canonical after mutation", func(directory string) error {
+			return safeio.ReplaceCanonicalRegular(filepath.Join(directory, authFileName), []byte("not: [valid\n"), 0o600)
+		}, projectionCoordinatorHooks{}},
+		{"post-commit equality verification", func(string) error { return nil }, projectionCoordinatorHooks{
+			verifyCommittedProjection: func(authprojection.Status, authprojection.Snapshot) error {
+				return errors.New("synthetic verification failure")
+			},
+		}},
+	} {
+		t.Run(fixture.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			canonicalRoot := writeAuthFiles(t, defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin")))
+			spec := testProjectionSpec(t)
+			publishCanonical(t, canonicalRoot, spec)
+			restoreHooks := setProjectionCoordinatorHooksForTest(fixture.hooks)
+			t.Cleanup(restoreHooks)
+			if err := RunProjectedMutation(context.Background(), canonicalRoot, spec, func() error { return fixture.mutate(canonicalRoot) }); err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("RunProjectedMutation() unexpectedly succeeded")
+			}
+			if _, err := authprojection.Inspect(toRuntimeSpec(spec)); !errors.Is(err, authprojection.ErrBlocked) {
+				t.Fatalf("Inspect() error = %v, want blocked after failed publication", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPublishProjectedCanonicalRepairsBlockedStateFromCanonicalOnly(t *testing.T) {
+	canonicalRoot := writeAuthFiles(t, defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin")))
+	spec := testProjectionSpec(t)
+	publishCanonical(t, canonicalRoot, spec)
+	if err := RunProjectedMutation(context.Background(), canonicalRoot, spec, func() error {
+		return writeCanonicalAuth(canonicalRoot, strings.Replace(defaultAuthYAML, "8080", "8181", 1), errors.New("fail after changing canonical bytes"))
+	}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("RunProjectedMutation() succeeded after a divergent failed mutation")
+	}
+	if _, err := authprojection.Inspect(toRuntimeSpec(spec)); !errors.Is(err, authprojection.ErrBlocked) {
+		t.Fatalf("Inspect() error = %v, want blocked before canonical repair", err)
+	}
+	status, err := PublishProjectedCanonical(context.Background(), canonicalRoot, spec)
+	if err != nil || !status.Equal || status.State != "ready" {
+		t.Fatalf("PublishProjectedCanonical() = %#v, %v; want an equal ready projection", status, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestExternalProjectionTransactionRepublishesRecoveredCanonicalUnderOneOuterLock(t *testing.T) {
+	canonicalRoot := writeAuthFiles(t, defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin")))
+	spec := testProjectionSpec(t)
+	initial := publishCanonical(t, canonicalRoot, spec)
+	transaction, err := BeginExternalProjectionTransaction(context.Background(), canonicalRoot, spec)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = transaction.Close() })
+	if err := writeCanonicalAuth(canonicalRoot, strings.Replace(defaultAuthYAML, "8080", "8181", 1), nil); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	candidate, err := transaction.PublishCanonical()
+	if err != nil || !candidate.Equal || candidate.Generation == initial.Generation {
+		t.Fatalf("candidate PublishCanonical() = %#v, %v", candidate, err)
+	}
+	if err := writeCanonicalAuth(canonicalRoot, defaultAuthYAML, nil); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	recovered, err := transaction.PublishCanonical()
+	if err != nil || !recovered.Equal || recovered.Generation != initial.Generation {
+		t.Fatalf("recovery PublishCanonical() = %#v, %v; want original generation", recovered, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestExternalProjectionTransactionCloseNeverMakesChangedCanonicalReady(t *testing.T) {
+	canonicalRoot := writeAuthFiles(t, defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin")))
+	spec := testProjectionSpec(t)
+	publishCanonical(t, canonicalRoot, spec)
+	transaction, err := BeginExternalProjectionTransaction(context.Background(), canonicalRoot, spec)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := writeCanonicalAuth(canonicalRoot, strings.Replace(defaultAuthYAML, "8080", "8181", 1), nil); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := transaction.Close(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := authprojection.Inspect(toRuntimeSpec(spec)); !errors.Is(err, authprojection.ErrBlocked) {
+		t.Fatalf("Inspect() error = %v, want blocked after closing with changed canonical bytes", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestProjectionCoordinatorErrorsAndLogsNeverContainSyntheticPasswordsOrHashes(t *testing.T) {
+	const secret = "synthetic-password-or-hash-must-not-leak"
+	canonicalRoot := writeAuthFiles(t, defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin")))
+	err := RunProjectedMutation(context.Background(), canonicalRoot, testProjectionSpec(t), func() error {
+		return fmt.Errorf("mutation failed: %s", secret)
+	})
+	if err == nil || strings.Contains(err.Error(), secret) {
+		t.Fatalf("RunProjectedMutation() error = %q, must be sanitized", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func testProjectionSpec(t *testing.T) ProjectionSpec {
+	t.Helper()
+	runtimeRoot := t.TempDir()
+	if err := os.Chmod(runtimeRoot, 0o700); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return ProjectionSpec{RuntimeRoot: runtimeRoot, UID: uint32(os.Getuid()), GID: uint32(os.Getgid())}
+}
+
+func toRuntimeSpec(spec ProjectionSpec) authprojection.Spec {
+	return authprojection.Spec{RuntimeRoot: spec.RuntimeRoot, UID: spec.UID, GID: spec.GID}
+}
+
+func publishCanonical(t *testing.T, canonicalRoot string, spec ProjectionSpec) ProjectionStatus {
+	t.Helper()
+	status, err := PublishProjectedCanonical(context.Background(), canonicalRoot, spec)
+	if err != nil || !status.Equal || status.State != "ready" {
+		t.Fatalf("PublishProjectedCanonical() = %#v, %v", status, err)
+	}
+	return status
+}
+
+func inspectCanonicalProjection(t *testing.T, spec ProjectionSpec) ProjectionStatus {
+	t.Helper()
+	status, err := authprojection.Inspect(toRuntimeSpec(spec))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return ProjectionStatus{State: status.Selector.State, Generation: status.Snapshot.Generation, CanonicalRevision: status.Snapshot.CanonicalRevision, Equal: true}
+}
+
+func writeCanonicalAuth(directory, contents string, after error) error {
+	if err := safeio.ReplaceCanonicalRegular(filepath.Join(directory, authFileName), []byte(contents), 0o600); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return after
+}
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/store.go b/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/store.go
index c770ecef..7a8dc4f0 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/store.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/store.go
@@ -2,11 +2,14 @@ package authconfig
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"io"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"time"
 
+	"github.com/aritmolab/thothii/tools/tht/internal/authprojection"
 	"github.com/aritmolab/thothii/tools/tht/internal/safeio"
 	"github.com/gofrs/flock"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
@@ -53,6 +56,34 @@ func load(directory string) (Config, Registry, error) {
 	return config, registry, nil
 }
 
+// loadSnapshotBytes reads only canonical, validated authentication files and returns a detached,
+// bounded projection snapshot. Callers that coordinate a mutation hold .auth.lock around it.
+func loadSnapshotBytes(directory string) (authprojection.Snapshot, error) {
+	if err := requirePrivateDirectory(directory); err != nil {
+		return authprojection.Snapshot{}, err
+	}
+	authContents, err := readPrivateFile(filepath.Join(directory, authFileName))
+	if err != nil {
+		return authprojection.Snapshot{}, err
+	}
+	var config Config
+	if err := decodeStrictYAML(authContents, &config); err != nil || !validConfig(config) {
+		return authprojection.Snapshot{}, errInvalidAuthenticationConfig
+	}
+	var usersContents []byte
+	if config.Mode == "local" {
+		usersContents, err = readPrivateFile(filepath.Join(directory, config.Local.UsersFile))
+		if err != nil {
+			return authprojection.Snapshot{}, err
+		}
+		var registry Registry
+		if err := decodeStrictYAML(usersContents, &registry); err != nil || validateRegistry(registry) != nil {
+			return authprojection.Snapshot{}, errInvalidAuthenticationConfig
+		}
+	}
+	return authprojection.NewSnapshot(config.Mode, append([]byte(nil), authContents...), append([]byte(nil), usersContents...))
+}
+
 // MutateUsers serializes the entire read-check-write transaction under the configuration lock.
 // The resulting registry is revalidated and atomically replaced only after all invariants hold.
 func MutateUsers(directory string, mutate func(*Registry) error) error {
@@ -137,6 +168,13 @@ func readPrivateFile(path string) ([]byte, error) {
 }
 
 func acquireLock(directory string) (*flock.Flock, error) {
+	return acquireLockContext(context.Background(), directory)
+}
+
+func acquireLockContext(ctx context.Context, directory string) (*flock.Flock, error) {
+	if ctx == nil || ctx.Err() != nil {
+		return nil, errInvalidAuthenticationConfig
+	}
 	path := filepath.Join(directory, lockFileName)
 	if _, err := os.Lstat(path); errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
 		if err := safeio.WriteCanonicalNewFile(path, nil, 0o600); err != nil {
@@ -153,9 +191,19 @@ func acquireLock(directory string) (*flock.Flock, error) {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	lock := flock.New(path, flock.SetPermissions(0o600))
-	if err := lock.Lock(); err != nil {
+	locked, err := lock.TryLock()
+	if err != nil {
 		return nil, errInvalidAuthenticationConfig
 	}
+	if !locked {
+		if hook := coordinatorHooks().onCanonicalLockContention; hook != nil {
+			hook()
+		}
+		locked, err = lock.TryLockContext(ctx, 10*time.Millisecond)
+		if err != nil || !locked {
+			return nil, errInvalidAuthenticationConfig
+		}
+	}
 	if _, err := readPrivateFile(path); err != nil {
 		_ = lock.Unlock()
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/store_test.go b/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/store_test.go
index 5b32c929..54edb688 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/store_test.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/authconfig/store_test.go
@@ -1,16 +1,44 @@
 package authconfig
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"errors"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
+	"github.com/aritmolab/thothii/tools/tht/internal/authprojection"
 	"github.com/aritmolab/thothii/tools/tht/internal/safeio"
 	"github.com/aritmolab/thothii/tools/tht/internal/testsupport"
 )
 
+func TestLoadSnapshotBytesReturnsValidatedCopiedCanonicalBytes(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, fixture := range []struct{ name, auth, users string }{
+		{"local", defaultAuthYAML, registryYAML(adminUserYAML("admin", "Admin", true, "admin"))},
+		{"oidc", "version: 1\nmode: oidc\npublicUrl: https://example.invalid\n", ""},
+	} {
+		t.Run(fixture.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			directory := writeAuthFiles(t, fixture.auth, fixture.users)
+			snapshot, err := loadSnapshotBytes(directory)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if snapshot.Mode != fixture.name || !bytes.Equal(snapshot.Auth, []byte(fixture.auth)) || !bytes.Equal(snapshot.Users, []byte(fixture.users)) {
+				t.Fatal("loadSnapshotBytes() did not preserve the validated canonical bytes")
+			}
+			if _, err := authprojection.NewSnapshot(snapshot.Mode, snapshot.Auth, snapshot.Users); err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("loadSnapshotBytes() returned invalid projection data: %v", err)
+			}
+			snapshot.Auth[0] ^= 1
+			onDisk, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(directory, authFileName))
+			if err != nil || !bytes.Equal(onDisk, []byte(fixture.auth)) {
+				t.Fatal("loadSnapshotBytes() returned aliasing canonical storage")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 const publicFixedHash = "$argon2id$v=19$m=65536,t=3,p=1$AAECAwQFBgcICQoLDA0ODw$DRo8ZSPI8G5OCvnFFapbVEjP69aDjy1Sw9i2743cPC4"
 
 func TestLoadReadsTheStrictLocalConfigurationAndRegistry(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/authprojection/projection_linux.go b/tools/tht/internal/authprojection/projection_linux.go
index 05cad487..0751143c 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/authprojection/projection_linux.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/authprojection/projection_linux.go
@@ -3,12 +3,14 @@
 package authprojection
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"crypto/rand"
 	"encoding/hex"
 	"errors"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"sync"
 	"syscall"
+	"time"
 
 	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
 )
@@ -71,14 +73,24 @@ func Inspect(spec Spec) (Status, error) {
 }
 
 func Begin(spec Spec, before *Snapshot, requireReadyMatch bool) (*Transaction, error) {
+	return BeginContext(context.Background(), spec, before, requireReadyMatch)
+}
+
+func BeginContext(ctx context.Context, spec Spec, before *Snapshot, requireReadyMatch bool) (*Transaction, error) {
+	if ctx == nil {
+		return nil, ErrIntegrity
+	}
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	root, err := openRoot(spec)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	rendezvousBeforeFlock(root)
-	if unix.Flock(root, unix.LOCK_EX) != nil {
+	if err := flockContext(ctx, root); err != nil {
 		unix.Close(root)
-		return nil, ErrIntegrity
+		return nil, err
 	}
 	transaction := &Transaction{spec: spec, before: before, rootFD: root, lockFD: root}
 	selector, selectorErr := readSelector(root, spec)
@@ -132,6 +144,30 @@ func Begin(spec Spec, before *Snapshot, requireReadyMatch bool) (*Transaction, e
 	return transaction, nil
 }
 
+func flockContext(ctx context.Context, descriptor int) error {
+	for {
+		if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		err := unix.Flock(descriptor, unix.LOCK_EX|unix.LOCK_NB)
+		if err == nil {
+			return nil
+		}
+		if !errors.Is(err, unix.EWOULDBLOCK) {
+			return ErrIntegrity
+		}
+		timer := time.NewTimer(10 * time.Millisecond)
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			if !timer.Stop() {
+				<-timer.C
+			}
+			return ctx.Err()
+		case <-timer.C:
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func (transaction *Transaction) Commit(after Snapshot) (Status, error) {
 	if transaction == nil || transaction.closed || !transaction.blocked || validateSnapshot(after) != nil {
 		return Status{}, ErrIntegrity
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/authprojection/projection_linux_test.go b/tools/tht/internal/authprojection/projection_linux_test.go
index 86983927..c9591635 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/authprojection/projection_linux_test.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/authprojection/projection_linux_test.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 package authprojection
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
@@ -11,10 +12,50 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 	"syscall"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
 )
 
+func TestBeginContextReturnsWhenRuntimeFlockIsHeld(t *testing.T) {
+	spec := testSpec(t)
+	first, err := Begin(spec, nil, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = first.Close() })
+	contended := make(chan error, 1)
+	restore := setTestHooksForTest(testHooks{beforeFlock: func(fd int) {
+		if err := unix.Flock(fd, unix.LOCK_EX|unix.LOCK_NB); !errors.Is(err, unix.EWOULDBLOCK) {
+			contended <- fmt.Errorf("runtime lock contention = %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+		contended <- nil
+	}})
+	t.Cleanup(restore)
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	result := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		transaction, err := BeginContext(ctx, spec, nil, false)
+		if err == nil {
+			err = transaction.Close()
+		}
+		result <- err
+	}()
+	if err := <-contended; err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	cancel()
+	select {
+	case err := <-result:
+		if !errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) {
+			t.Fatalf("BeginContext() error = %v, want context cancellation", err)
+		}
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("BeginContext() did not return after cancellation")
+	}
+}
+
 func testSpec(t *testing.T) Spec {
 	t.Helper()
 	root := t.TempDir()
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/authprojection/projection_unsupported.go b/tools/tht/internal/authprojection/projection_unsupported.go
index e576c6d8..85b6bc58 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/authprojection/projection_unsupported.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/authprojection/projection_unsupported.go
@@ -2,8 +2,15 @@
 
 package authprojection
 
-func Inspect(Spec) (Status, error)                      { return Status{}, ErrUnsupported }
-func Begin(Spec, *Snapshot, bool) (*Transaction, error) { return nil, ErrUnsupported }
-func (*Transaction) Commit(Snapshot) (Status, error)    { return Status{}, ErrUnsupported }
-func (*Transaction) RestoreIfUnchanged(Snapshot) error  { return ErrUnsupported }
-func (*Transaction) Close() error                       { return ErrUnsupported }
+import "context"
+
+func Inspect(Spec) (Status, error) { return Status{}, ErrUnsupported }
+func Begin(Spec, *Snapshot, bool) (*Transaction, error) {
+	return nil, ErrUnsupported
+}
+func BeginContext(context.Context, Spec, *Snapshot, bool) (*Transaction, error) {
+	return nil, ErrUnsupported
+}
+func (*Transaction) Commit(Snapshot) (Status, error)   { return Status{}, ErrUnsupported }
+func (*Transaction) RestoreIfUnchanged(Snapshot) error { return ErrUnsupported }
+func (*Transaction) Close() error                      { return ErrUnsupported }