diff --git a/backend/src/auth/auth.ts b/backend/src/auth/auth.ts
index b2633022..e73008ac 100644
--- a/backend/src/auth/auth.ts
+++ b/backend/src/auth/auth.ts
@@ -82,12 +82,6 @@ export function authenticateSession(deps: AuthDependencies): preHandlerHookHandl
     const snapshot = captureAuthConfigSnapshot(request, deps.authentication);
     if (isPublicRoute(request)) return;
 
-    const operator = loopbackMaintenancePrincipal(request);
-    if (operator) {
-      request.principal = operator;
-      return;
-    }
-
     if (legacy) {
       await legacy(request, reply);
       if (reply.sent || !STATE_CHANGING_METHODS.has(request.method)) return;
@@ -144,15 +138,6 @@ export function authenticateSession(deps: AuthDependencies): preHandlerHookHandl
   };
 }
 
-function loopbackMaintenancePrincipal(request: FastifyRequest): PrincipalContext | undefined {
-  if (request.ip !== "127.0.0.1" && request.ip !== "::1" && request.ip !== "::ffff:127.0.0.1") return undefined;
-  if (singleHeader(request.headers["x-thoth-principal-issuer"]) !== "tht"
-    || singleHeader(request.headers["x-thoth-principal-subject"]) !== "tht-maintenance"
-    || singleHeader(request.headers["x-thoth-principal-display-name"]) !== "Tht maintenance"
-    || singleHeader(request.headers["x-thoth-is-admin"]) !== "1") return undefined;
-  return upstreamPrincipal(request.headers);
-}
-
 export function requireCsrf(request: FastifyRequest, reply: FastifyReply): true | FastifyReply {
   const expectedOrigin = request.authPublicOrigin;
   const token = request.authSessionToken;
diff --git a/backend/src/operator-command.ts b/backend/src/operator-command.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..326ca2fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/operator-command.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+/**
+ * Installation-scoped host operations that must not impersonate an HTTP administrator.
+ * This command runs only through `docker compose exec core`; it never accepts credentials,
+ * headers, paths, or arbitrary code from the caller.
+ */
+import { pathToFileURL } from "node:url";
+import { join } from "node:path";
+import { loadConfig, type AppConfig } from "./config.js";
+import { rolesToPermissions } from "./auth/config.js";
+import type { PrincipalContext } from "./auth/principal.js";
+import { createPiModelLister } from "./pi/list-models.js";
+import { createPiManagement } from "./pi/management.js";
+import { effectiveSettings } from "./routes/settings.js";
+import { MaintenanceBarrier } from "./runtime/maintenance-gate.js";
+import { loadSettings } from "./settings/settings-store.js";
+import { ThtRunner, type SessionRow } from "./tht/tht-runner.js";
+import { WorkspaceRegistry } from "./workspaces/registry.js";
+import { WorkspaceSecretStore } from "./workspaces/secret-store.js";
+
+type OperatorAction = "maintenance-activate" | "maintenance-deactivate" | "maintenance-status"
+  | "session-inventory" | "workflow-doctor" | "pi-options" | "pi-test" | "effective-settings";
+
+const lifecyclePrincipal: PrincipalContext = {
+  issuer: "tht-operator-command",
+  subject: "installation-lifecycle",
+  displayName: "Installation lifecycle",
+  roles: ["admin"],
+  permissions: rolesToPermissions(["admin"]),
+  isAdmin: true,
+};
+
+function operatorRunner(config: AppConfig): ThtRunner {
+  const workspaceSecretStore = new WorkspaceSecretStore({
+    root: config.workspaceSecretStoreRoot,
+    runtimeRoot: config.workspaceSecretRuntimeRoot,
+    installationId: config.workspaceRegistry.installationId,
+  });
+  return new ThtRunner({
+    thtBin: config.thtBin,
+    harnessDir: config.harnessDir,
+    configPath: process.env.THT_CONFIG ?? "config/tht.yaml",
+    dataRoot: config.dataRoot,
+    runtimeSnapshotRoot: join(config.workspaceRegistry.root, "snapshots", "runtime"),
+    secretRoots: config.workspaceRegistry.secretRoots,
+    secretsFile: config.secretsFile,
+    secretFiles: config.secretFiles,
+    workspaceSecretStore,
+    semanticRuntime: {
+      internalQdrantUrl: config.internalQdrantUrl,
+      internalEmbeddingUrl: config.internalEmbeddingUrl,
+      internalEmbeddingModel: config.internalEmbeddingModel,
+      internalEmbeddingDimensions: config.internalEmbeddingDimensions,
+    },
+  }).withPrincipal(lifecyclePrincipal);
+}
+
+async function sessionInventory(config: AppConfig): Promise<Array<Pick<SessionRow, "status" | "archived">>> {
+  const registry = new WorkspaceRegistry(config.workspaceRegistry);
+  const revisions = await registry.listRetainedSnapshots();
+  const runner = operatorRunner(config);
+  const sessions = new Map<string, SessionRow>();
+  for (const revision of revisions) {
+    for (const session of await runner.sessionList(revision.snapshotPath)) sessions.set(session.id, session);
+  }
+  return [...sessions.values()].map(({ status, archived }) => ({ status, archived: archived === true }));
+}
+
+async function workflowDiagnostics(config: AppConfig): Promise<{ ready: true; workspaces: number }> {
+  const registry = new WorkspaceRegistry(config.workspaceRegistry);
+  const revisions = await registry.listRetainedSnapshots();
+  if (revisions.length === 0) throw new Error("workflow diagnostics unavailable");
+  const runner = operatorRunner(config);
+  for (const revision of revisions) {
+    const result = await runner.run(["doctor", "--json"], revision.snapshotPath);
+    let payload: unknown;
+    try {
+      payload = JSON.parse(result.stdout);
+    } catch {
+      throw new Error("workflow diagnostics failed");
+    }
+    if (
+      result.code !== 0 || !payload || typeof payload !== "object"
+      || (payload as { ok?: unknown }).ok !== true
+    ) throw new Error("workflow diagnostics failed");
+  }
+  return { ready: true, workspaces: revisions.length };
+}
+
+export async function runOperatorAction(
+  action: OperatorAction,
+  config: AppConfig,
+): Promise<unknown> {
+  if (action.startsWith("maintenance-")) {
+    const barrier = new MaintenanceBarrier(config.maintenanceFile);
+    if (action === "maintenance-activate") await barrier.activate();
+    if (action === "maintenance-deactivate") barrier.deactivate();
+    return barrier.status();
+  }
+  if (action === "session-inventory") return await sessionInventory(config);
+  if (action === "workflow-doctor") return await workflowDiagnostics(config);
+  if (action === "effective-settings") return effectiveSettings(config, loadSettings(config));
+  const service = createPiManagement(config, { listModels: createPiModelLister(config) });
+  if (action === "pi-options") return await service.options();
+  if (action === "pi-test") return await service.test();
+  throw new Error("unsupported operator action");
+}
+
+async function main(): Promise<void> {
+  const action = process.argv[2] as OperatorAction | undefined;
+  if (!action || ![
+    "maintenance-activate", "maintenance-deactivate", "maintenance-status", "session-inventory",
+    "workflow-doctor", "pi-options", "pi-test", "effective-settings",
+  ].includes(action)) throw new Error("invalid operator action");
+  const result = await runOperatorAction(action, loadConfig(process.env));
+  process.stdout.write(`${JSON.stringify(result)}\n`);
+}
+
+if (process.argv[1] && import.meta.url === pathToFileURL(process.argv[1]).href) {
+  void main().catch(() => {
+    process.stderr.write("operator command failed\n");
+    process.exitCode = 2;
+  });
+}
diff --git a/backend/src/server.ts b/backend/src/server.ts
index 06bf5f7f..726aedb3 100644
--- a/backend/src/server.ts
+++ b/backend/src/server.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 import { buildApp, type AppWithAuthSessionStore } from "./app.js";
 import { loadConfig } from "./config.js";
 import { formatStartupFailure } from "./startup-error.js";
-const config = loadConfig(process.env);
-const app = buildApp(config) as AppWithAuthSessionStore;
 
 async function start(): Promise<void> {
+  const config = loadConfig(process.env);
+  const app = buildApp(config) as AppWithAuthSessionStore;
   const sessions = app.thothiiAuthSessionStore;
   if (sessions) {
     await sessions.prune();
diff --git a/backend/src/startup-error.ts b/backend/src/startup-error.ts
index d04ea6ce..feb49ed8 100644
--- a/backend/src/startup-error.ts
+++ b/backend/src/startup-error.ts
@@ -4,9 +4,15 @@ const STARTUP_CAUSES = new Set([
   "workspace_registry_invalid",
 ]);
 
+const EXACT_CAUSES = new Map([
+  ["authentication configuration is invalid", "auth_config_invalid"],
+  ["authentication session state is invalid", "auth_session_store_invalid"],
+  ["workspace registry configuration is invalid", "workspace_registry_invalid"],
+]);
+
 /** Return one bounded machine cause; never include the original error text or stack. */
 export function formatStartupFailure(error: unknown): string {
   const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : "";
-  const cause = STARTUP_CAUSES.has(message) ? message : "startup_unknown";
+  const cause = STARTUP_CAUSES.has(message) ? message : EXACT_CAUSES.get(message) ?? "startup_unknown";
   return `backend startup failed: ${cause}`;
 }
diff --git a/backend/test/auth.test.ts b/backend/test/auth.test.ts
index 3bd5332c..531d0243 100644
--- a/backend/test/auth.test.ts
+++ b/backend/test/auth.test.ts
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ test("the session boundary exposes only exact health and authentication protocol
   expect((await app.inject({ method: "GET", url: "/auth/configured" })).statusCode).toBe(401);
 });
 
-test("the session boundary retains the exact loopback tht maintenance identity in configured auth modes", async () => {
+test("loopback maintenance headers can never mint an administrator in configured auth modes", async () => {
   const app = Fastify();
   app.addHook("preHandler", authenticateSession({ mode: "local" }));
   app.get("/private", async (request) => getPrincipal(request));
@@ -183,8 +183,8 @@ test("the session boundary retains the exact loopback tht maintenance identity i
 
   for (const method of ["GET", "POST"] as const) {
     const response = await app.inject({ method, url: "/private", headers, remoteAddress: "127.0.0.1" });
-    expect(response.statusCode).toBe(200);
-    expect(response.json()).toMatchObject({ issuer: "tht", subject: "tht-maintenance", isAdmin: true });
+    expect(response.statusCode).toBe(503);
+    expect(response.body).not.toContain("tht-maintenance");
   }
 });
 
diff --git a/backend/test/startup-error.test.ts b/backend/test/startup-error.test.ts
index bf1685bd..8faed34c 100644
--- a/backend/test/startup-error.test.ts
+++ b/backend/test/startup-error.test.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+import { spawnSync } from "node:child_process";
+import { chmodSync, mkdirSync, mkdtempSync, writeFileSync } from "node:fs";
+import { tmpdir } from "node:os";
+import { join, resolve } from "node:path";
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 import { formatStartupFailure } from "../src/startup-error.js";
 
@@ -25,4 +29,34 @@ describe("formatStartupFailure", () => {
       expect(formatted).not.toContain(leaked);
     }
   });
+
+  it("sanitizes synchronous configuration failures from the real server subprocess", () => {
+    const root = mkdtempSync(join(tmpdir(), "thothii-startup-secret-"));
+    const secret = "startup-password-do-not-log";
+    const authDirectory = join(root, `auth-${secret}`);
+    mkdirSync(authDirectory, { mode: 0o700 });
+    const authFile = join(authDirectory, "auth.yaml");
+    writeFileSync(authFile, `version: 1\nmode: local\npassword: ${secret}\n`, { mode: 0o600 });
+    chmodSync(authDirectory, 0o700);
+    const entrypoint = resolve(process.cwd(), "src/server.ts");
+
+    const result = spawnSync(process.execPath, ["--import", "tsx", entrypoint], {
+      cwd: process.cwd(),
+      encoding: "utf8",
+      timeout: 15_000,
+      env: {
+        ...process.env,
+        NODE_ENV: "test",
+        THT_AUTH_CONFIG_FILE: authFile,
+        THT_AUTH_STATE_ROOT: join(root, "auth-state"),
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(result.status).toBe(1);
+    expect(result.stdout).toBe("");
+    expect(result.stderr.trim()).toBe("backend startup failed: auth_config_invalid");
+    expect(`${result.stdout}${result.stderr}`).not.toContain(secret);
+    expect(`${result.stdout}${result.stderr}`).not.toContain(authDirectory);
+    expect(`${result.stdout}${result.stderr}`).not.toContain("server.ts");
+  });
 });
diff --git a/scripts/unified-deployment-smoke.sh b/scripts/unified-deployment-smoke.sh
index 8370e1a2..93e14e54 100755
--- a/scripts/unified-deployment-smoke.sh
+++ b/scripts/unified-deployment-smoke.sh
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ task13_write_fixture_files() {
   printf '%s' "task13-runtime-password-$TASK13_RUN_ID" >"$TASK13_SESSION_RUNTIME_PASSWORD"
   printf '%s' "$TASK13_AUTH_PASSWORD" >"$TASK13_AUTH_PASSWORD_FILE"
   mkdir -p "$TASK13_AUTH_ROOT"
-  chmod 0644 "$TASK13_PI_AUTH"
+  chmod 0600 "$TASK13_PI_AUTH"
   chmod 0700 "$TASK13_AUTH_ROOT"
   chmod 0600 "$TASK13_SECRETS" "$TASK13_SESSION_RUNTIME_PASSWORD" "$TASK13_AUTH_PASSWORD_FILE"
 
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ task13_write_server_fixture_files() {
 VEFTSzEzLURJU1BPU0FCTEUtU0VTU0lPTi1DQQ==
 -----END CERTIFICATE-----
 EOF
-  chmod 0644 "$TASK13_PI_AUTH" "$TASK13_SESSION_CA"
+  chmod 0600 "$TASK13_PI_AUTH" "$TASK13_SESSION_CA"
   chmod 0600 "$TASK13_SECRETS" "$TASK13_SESSION_RUNTIME_PASSWORD" \
     "$TASK13_SESSION_MIGRATOR_PASSWORD_FILE"
 
@@ -949,13 +949,23 @@ PY
     --fail --silent --show-error --cookie "$cookie_after" "http://$frontend/api/me")"
   node -e 'const value=JSON.parse(process.argv[1]); if(value.issuer!=="local"||value.session?.remembered!==true) process.exit(1)' "$me" \
     || task13_fail "post-backup browser session was not authenticated"
-  task13_compose_logged "seed pending OIDC state excluded from restore" exec -T core sh -ceu \
-    'printf %s "{}" > /data/auth/oidc/aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.json && chmod 0600 /data/auth/oidc/aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.json && test "$(find /data/auth/sessions -type f | wc -l | tr -d " ")" -ge 2'
+  task13_compose_logged "seed valid pending OIDC state excluded from restore" exec -T core node --input-type=module -e '
+    const { loadConfig } = await import("/app/backend/dist/config.js");
+    const { createFileAuthSessionStore } = await import("/app/backend/dist/auth/session-store.js");
+    const config = loadConfig(process.env);
+    const revision = config.authentication.current().revision;
+    const store = createFileAuthSessionStore(config.authStateRoot);
+    await store.createOidcState({
+      nonce: "n".repeat(43), codeVerifier: "v".repeat(43), returnTo: "/",
+      authConfigRevision: revision, issuer: "https://pending.task13.invalid",
+      browserTransactionDigest: "d".repeat(64), browserTransactionTransport: "loopback_http",
+    });
+  '
+  task13_compose_logged "verify pre-restore authentication runtime population" exec -T core sh -ceu \
+    'test "$(find /data/auth/sessions -type f | wc -l | tr -d " ")" -ge 2 && test -n "$(find /data/auth/oidc -type f -name "*.json" -print -quit)"'
 
-  task13_compose_logged "stop local stack for restore" stop
-  task13_run_logged "perform real production restore" "$TASK13_THT" \
+  task13_run_logged "perform real running local production restore" "$TASK13_THT" \
     --installation "$TASK13_INSTALLATION" restore "$archive" --yes
-  task13_compose_start_logged "start restored local stack" up --detach --wait --wait-timeout 120
   status_before="$(curl --connect-timeout "$TASK13_CURL_CONNECT_TIMEOUT" --max-time "$TASK13_CURL_MAX_TIME" \
     --silent --output /dev/null --write-out '%{http_code}' --cookie "$cookie_before" "http://$frontend/api/me")"
   status_after="$(curl --connect-timeout "$TASK13_CURL_CONNECT_TIMEOUT" --max-time "$TASK13_CURL_MAX_TIME" \
@@ -972,6 +982,49 @@ PY
   task13_create_admin_session
 }
 
+task13_assert_server_oidc_restore_verification() {
+  local archive frontend status diagnostics
+  archive="$TASK13_TMP/server-oidc-restore-source.zip"
+  frontend="$(task13_frontend_address)"
+  task13_compose_logged "seed valid server authentication runtime excluded from restore" exec -T core node --input-type=module -e '
+    const { loadConfig } = await import("/app/backend/dist/config.js");
+    const { createFileAuthSessionStore } = await import("/app/backend/dist/auth/session-store.js");
+    const config = loadConfig(process.env);
+    const revision = config.authentication.current().revision;
+    const store = createFileAuthSessionStore(config.authStateRoot);
+    await store.create({
+      principal: { issuer: "https://task13-fake-oidc:9443/application/o/task13/", subject: "restore-browser", roles: ["user"], permissions: ["session.use"], isAdmin: false },
+      method: "oidc", remembered: false, authConfigRevision: revision,
+      idleTtlMs: 60_000, absoluteTtlMs: 120_000,
+    });
+    await store.createOidcState({
+      nonce: "n".repeat(43), codeVerifier: "v".repeat(43), returnTo: "/",
+      authConfigRevision: revision, issuer: "https://task13-fake-oidc:9443/application/o/task13/",
+      browserTransactionDigest: "d".repeat(64), browserTransactionTransport: "https",
+    });
+  '
+  task13_compose_logged "stop server stack for OIDC restore" stop
+  task13_run_logged "create real server default-custody backup" "$TASK13_THT" \
+    --installation "$TASK13_INSTALLATION" backup --output "$archive"
+  task13_run_logged "perform real stopped OIDC production restore verification" "$TASK13_THT" \
+    --installation "$TASK13_INSTALLATION" restore "$archive" --yes
+  task13_compose_start_logged "start restored server stack" up --detach --wait --wait-timeout 120 core frontend
+  status="$(curl --connect-timeout "$TASK13_CURL_CONNECT_TIMEOUT" --max-time "$TASK13_CURL_MAX_TIME" \
+    --silent --output /dev/null --write-out '%{http_code}' "http://$frontend/api/me")"
+  [[ "$status" == 401 ]] || task13_fail "OIDC restore did not require browser reauthentication"
+  task13_compose_logged "verify private empty server authentication state" exec -T core sh -ceu '
+    test "$(stat -c %a /data/auth)" = 700
+    test "$(stat -c %a /data/auth/sessions)" = 700
+    test "$(stat -c %a /data/auth/oidc)" = 700
+    test "$(stat -c %u /data/auth)" = "$(id -u)"
+    test -z "$(find /data/auth/sessions /data/auth/oidc -mindepth 1 -print -quit)"
+  '
+  diagnostics="$TASK13_TMP/server-auth-diagnostics-after-restore.json"
+  "$TASK13_THT" --installation "$TASK13_INSTALLATION" auth check --json >"$diagnostics"
+  node -e 'const value=JSON.parse(require("fs").readFileSync(process.argv[1], "utf8")); if(value.mode!=="oidc"||value.ready!==true||value.checks.length!==1||value.checks[0].code!=="auth_ready") process.exit(1)' "$diagnostics" \
+    || task13_fail "restored server did not retain strict fake-provider OIDC diagnostics"
+}
+
 task13_assert_runtime() {
   local frontend expected_pi actual_pi core_id
   frontend="$(task13_frontend_address)"
@@ -2137,6 +2190,7 @@ task13_server_smoke_main() {
   task13_assert_project_ownership
   task13_assert_built_image_ownership
   task13_assert_server_runtime
+  task13_assert_server_oidc_restore_verification
   printf 'Task 13 Linux server deployment smoke passed.\n'
 }
 
diff --git a/tools/tht/cmd/tht/main_test.go b/tools/tht/cmd/tht/main_test.go
index c5099280..8be1bfe1 100644
--- a/tools/tht/cmd/tht/main_test.go
+++ b/tools/tht/cmd/tht/main_test.go
@@ -1504,16 +1504,16 @@ case " $* " in
   *"io.thothii.pi.version"*) printf '%s\n' "${THT_FAKE_PI_VERSION:-0.80.3}" ;;
   *"PI_VERSION"*) printf '%s\n' "${THT_FAKE_PI_VERSION:-0.80.3}" ;;
   *" pi --version "*) printf '%s\n' "${THT_FAKE_PI_VERSION:-0.80.3}" ;;
-  *"/pi-management/options "*) printf '%s\n' '{"providers":["provider"],"models":[{"provider":"provider","id":"model"}],"reasoning":["low","medium","high"]}' ;;
+  *"operator-command.js pi-options "*) printf '%s\n' '{"providers":["provider"],"models":[{"provider":"provider","id":"model"}],"reasoning":["low","medium","high"]}' ;;
   *"settings-cli.js --snapshot"*) printf '%s\n' '{"exists":false,"rawBase64":""}' ;;
-  *"/settings "*) printf '%s\n' '{"provider":"provider","model":"model","thinking":"medium"}' ;;
-  *"/pi-management/test "*) printf '%s\n' '{"ready":true}' ;;
-  *" tht doctor --json"*) printf '%s\n' '{"ok":true}' ;;
+  *"operator-command.js effective-settings "*) printf '%s\n' '{"provider":"provider","model":"model","thinking":"medium"}' ;;
+  *"operator-command.js pi-test "*) printf '%s\n' '{"ready":true}' ;;
+  *"operator-command.js workflow-doctor "*) printf '%s\n' '{"ready":true,"workspaces":1}' ;;
   *"dist/auth/diagnostic-command.js --json"*) printf '%s\n' '{"ready":true,"mode":"oidc","checks":[{"level":"info","code":"auth_ready","message":"Authentication is ready."}]}' ;;
-  *"/sessions?scope="*) printf '%s\n' '[]' ;;
-  *"/internal/maintenance/activate "*) printf '%s\n' '{"active":true,"admissions":0}' ;;
-  *"/internal/maintenance/deactivate "*) printf '%s\n' '{"active":false,"admissions":0}' ;;
-  *"/internal/maintenance/status "*) printf '%s\n' '{"active":true,"admissions":0}' ;;
+  *"operator-command.js session-inventory "*) printf '%s\n' '[]' ;;
+  *"operator-command.js maintenance-activate "*) printf '%s\n' '{"active":true,"admissions":0,"recoveryRequired":false}' ;;
+  *"operator-command.js maintenance-deactivate "*) printf '%s\n' '{"active":false,"admissions":0,"recoveryRequired":false}' ;;
+  *"operator-command.js maintenance-status "*) printf '%s\n' '{"active":true,"admissions":0,"recoveryRequired":false}' ;;
   *" logs "*) printf '%s\n' "$THT_FAKE_LOG" ;;
   *" run --rm --no-deps --no-TTY "*" workspace-maintenance "*) printf '%s\n' "$THT_FAKE_WORKSPACE_RESULT" ;;
 esac
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/backup/create.go b/tools/tht/internal/backup/create.go
index 1d7f9ce9..4015bdd0 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/backup/create.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/backup/create.go
@@ -43,6 +43,15 @@ var requiredVolumes = []string{
 	"embedding-models",
 }
 
+var requiredServerVolumes = []string{"qdrant-data", "embedding-models"}
+
+func requiredBackupVolumes(installation config.Installation) []string {
+	if installation.Profile == "server" {
+		return requiredServerVolumes
+	}
+	return requiredVolumes
+}
+
 const (
 	helperImage       = "busybox:1.36.1"
 	drainPollInterval = time.Second
@@ -165,7 +174,7 @@ func createWithDependencies(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installatio
 	if err != nil {
 		return Result{}, err
 	}
-	volumes, err := inspectRequiredVolumes(ctx, dependencies.runner, rendered)
+	volumes, err := inspectRequiredVolumes(ctx, installation, dependencies.runner, rendered)
 	if err != nil {
 		return Result{}, err
 	}
@@ -408,7 +417,7 @@ func renderedConfiguration(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation
 	if json.Unmarshal([]byte(result.Stdout), &rendered) != nil {
 		return renderedCompose{}, errors.New("Docker Compose returned invalid backup configuration")
 	}
-	for _, logical := range requiredVolumes {
+	for _, logical := range requiredBackupVolumes(installation) {
 		if rendered.Volumes[logical].Name == "" {
 			return renderedCompose{}, fmt.Errorf("required backup volume %q is not configured", logical)
 		}
@@ -416,9 +425,10 @@ func renderedConfiguration(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation
 	return rendered, nil
 }
 
-func inspectRequiredVolumes(ctx context.Context, runner archiveRunner, rendered renderedCompose) ([]VolumeMetadata, error) {
-	names := make([]string, 0, len(requiredVolumes))
-	for _, logical := range requiredVolumes {
+func inspectRequiredVolumes(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation, runner archiveRunner, rendered renderedCompose) ([]VolumeMetadata, error) {
+	required := requiredBackupVolumes(installation)
+	names := make([]string, 0, len(required))
+	for _, logical := range required {
 		names = append(names, rendered.Volumes[logical].Name)
 	}
 	result, err := runner.Run(ctx, append([]string{"volume", "inspect"}, names...), nil)
@@ -445,8 +455,8 @@ func inspectRequiredVolumes(ctx context.Context, runner archiveRunner, rendered
 			Labels map[string]string
 		}{item.Name, item.Driver, item.Labels}
 	}
-	volumes := make([]VolumeMetadata, 0, len(requiredVolumes))
-	for _, logical := range requiredVolumes {
+	volumes := make([]VolumeMetadata, 0, len(required))
+	for _, logical := range required {
 		name := rendered.Volumes[logical].Name
 		item, ok := byName[name]
 		if !ok || item.Driver == "" {
@@ -614,13 +624,12 @@ func normalizeBackupServiceStates(states []backupServiceState) ([]backupServiceS
 }
 
 func maintenance(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation, runner archiveRunner, activate bool) error {
-	action := "deactivate"
+	action := "maintenance-deactivate"
 	if activate {
-		action = "activate"
+		action = "maintenance-activate"
 	}
 	result, err := runner.Run(ctx, installation.ComposeArgs(
-		"exec", "-T", "core", "curl", "-fsS", "--max-time", "5", "-X", "POST",
-		"http://127.0.0.1:8787/internal/maintenance/"+action,
+		"exec", "-T", "core", "node", "/app/backend/dist/operator-command.js", action,
 	), nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return dockerError("change maintenance admissions", result, err)
@@ -631,8 +640,8 @@ func maintenance(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation, runner a
 func waitForNoActiveSessions(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation, runner archiveRunner, drain bool, sleep func(time.Duration)) error {
 	for attempt := 0; attempt < maxDrainPolls; attempt++ {
 		result, err := runner.Run(ctx, installation.ComposeArgs(
-			"exec", "-T", "core", "curl", "-fsS", "--max-time", "5",
-			"http://127.0.0.1:8787/sessions?scope="+runner.SessionInventoryScope(),
+			"exec", "-T", "core", "node", "/app/backend/dist/operator-command.js",
+			"session-inventory", runner.SessionInventoryScope(),
 		), nil)
 		if err != nil {
 			return dockerError("inspect active sessions", result, err)
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/backup/create_test.go b/tools/tht/internal/backup/create_test.go
index 67957540..1364c7fa 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/backup/create_test.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/backup/create_test.go
@@ -501,6 +501,13 @@ func TestCreateIncludesServerPreservationRootsWithoutRecursingIntoBackupRoot(t *
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	archive := readFixtureArchive(t, output)
+	serverVolumes := make([]string, 0, len(archive.manifest.Volumes))
+	for _, volume := range archive.manifest.Volumes {
+		serverVolumes = append(serverVolumes, volume.LogicalName)
+	}
+	if strings.Join(serverVolumes, ",") != "embedding-models,qdrant-data" {
+		t.Fatalf("server backup volumes = %v, want only infrastructure named volumes", serverVolumes)
+	}
 	all := bytes.Join(mapValues(archive.files), nil)
 	for _, value := range []string{"session-state", "pi-state", "workspace-registry"} {
 		if !bytes.Contains(all, []byte(value)) {
@@ -659,7 +666,7 @@ func (runner *fakeBackupRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, _ io.Reade
 	switch {
 	case strings.Contains(command, " config --format json"):
 		volumes := map[string]map[string]string{}
-		for _, logical := range requiredTestVolumes {
+		for _, logical := range requiredBackupVolumes(runner.installation) {
 			volumes[logical] = map[string]string{"name": runner.installation.ProjectName() + "_" + logical}
 		}
 		payload := map[string]any{
@@ -672,8 +679,9 @@ func (runner *fakeBackupRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, _ io.Reade
 		encoded, _ := json.Marshal(payload)
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: string(encoded)}, nil
 	case strings.HasPrefix(command, "volume inspect "):
-		items := make([]map[string]any, 0, len(requiredTestVolumes))
-		for _, logical := range requiredTestVolumes {
+		required := requiredBackupVolumes(runner.installation)
+		items := make([]map[string]any, 0, len(required))
+		for _, logical := range required {
 			items = append(items, map[string]any{
 				"Name":   runner.installation.ProjectName() + "_" + logical,
 				"Driver": "local",
@@ -703,15 +711,15 @@ func (runner *fakeBackupRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, _ io.Reade
 			lines = append(lines, fmt.Sprintf(`{"Service":%q,"State":%q}`, service, states[service]))
 		}
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: strings.Join(lines, "\n")}, nil
-	case strings.Contains(command, "/internal/maintenance/status"):
+	case strings.Contains(command, "operator-command.js maintenance-status"):
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: fmt.Sprintf(`{"active":%t,"admissions":0,"recoveryRequired":false}`, runner.maintenance)}, nil
-	case strings.Contains(command, "/internal/maintenance/activate"):
+	case strings.Contains(command, "operator-command.js maintenance-activate"):
 		runner.maintenance = true
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: `{"active":true,"admissions":0,"recoveryRequired":false}`}, nil
-	case strings.Contains(command, "/internal/maintenance/deactivate"):
+	case strings.Contains(command, "operator-command.js maintenance-deactivate"):
 		runner.maintenance = false
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: `{"active":false,"admissions":0,"recoveryRequired":false}`}, nil
-	case strings.Contains(command, "/sessions?scope="):
+	case strings.Contains(command, "operator-command.js session-inventory"):
 		if len(runner.sessionResponses) == 0 {
 			return compose.Result{Stdout: `[]`}, nil
 		}
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/backup/restore.go b/tools/tht/internal/backup/restore.go
index ffca69de..6ff619e5 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/backup/restore.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/backup/restore.go
@@ -20,8 +20,10 @@ type RestoreRequest struct {
 	Drain   bool
 }
 
-// RestoreResult records the retained recovery point and the final service state.
+// RestoreResult records the final service state. Secret-bearing recovery checkpoints are always
+// destroyed internally and are therefore never exposed to callers.
 type RestoreResult struct {
+	// Deprecated: always empty. Recovery checkpoints are private transaction internals.
 	Checkpoint string
 	Restarted  bool
 	Verified   bool
@@ -33,6 +35,9 @@ type restoreVerify func(context.Context, config.Installation, archiveRunner) err
 type restoreDependencies struct {
 	preflight                func(context.Context, config.Installation, PreflightRequest) (PreflightResult, error)
 	checkpoint               func(context.Context, config.Installation, CreateRequest) (Result, error)
+	prepareRecovery          func(context.Context, config.Installation, string) (PreflightResult, error)
+	recover                  func(context.Context, config.Installation, PreflightResult, bool) error
+	cleanupCheckpoint        func(string) error
 	acquireLock              func(config.Installation) (restoreLock, error)
 	runner                   archiveRunner
 	sleep                    func(duration time.Duration)
@@ -56,7 +61,7 @@ func restoreWithDependencies(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installati
 	if request.Archive == "" {
 		return RestoreResult{}, errors.New("restore archive is required")
 	}
-	if deps.preflight == nil || deps.checkpoint == nil || deps.acquireLock == nil || deps.runner == nil || deps.restoreFile == nil || deps.restoreVolume == nil || deps.resetAuthenticationState == nil || deps.verify == nil {
+	if deps.preflight == nil || deps.checkpoint == nil || deps.prepareRecovery == nil || deps.recover == nil || deps.cleanupCheckpoint == nil || deps.acquireLock == nil || deps.runner == nil || deps.restoreFile == nil || deps.restoreVolume == nil || deps.resetAuthenticationState == nil || deps.verify == nil {
 		return RestoreResult{}, errors.New("restore dependencies are incomplete")
 	}
 	preflight, err := deps.preflight(ctx, installation, PreflightRequest{Archive: request.Archive, Confirm: true, AllowExternalSecrets: true})
@@ -69,11 +74,21 @@ func restoreWithDependencies(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installati
 		return RestoreResult{}, err
 	}
 
-	checkpoint, err := deps.checkpoint(ctx, installation, CreateRequest{})
+	checkpoint, err := deps.checkpoint(ctx, installation, CreateRequest{IncludeSecrets: true, Confirm: true})
 	if err != nil {
 		return RestoreResult{}, fmt.Errorf("create recovery checkpoint: %w", err)
 	}
-	result.Checkpoint = checkpoint.Path
+	recovery, err := deps.prepareRecovery(ctx, installation, checkpoint.Path)
+	if err != nil {
+		cleanupErr := deps.cleanupCheckpoint(checkpoint.Path)
+		return RestoreResult{}, errors.Join(fmt.Errorf("validate recovery checkpoint: %w", err), cleanupErr)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if cleanupErr := deps.cleanupCheckpoint(checkpoint.Path); cleanupErr != nil {
+			resultErr = errors.Join(resultErr, fmt.Errorf("destroy recovery checkpoint: %w", cleanupErr))
+		}
+	}()
+	defer recovery.CloseArchive()
 	lock, err := deps.acquireLock(installation)
 	if err != nil {
 		return result, err
@@ -91,7 +106,9 @@ func restoreWithDependencies(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installati
 	mutated := false
 	defer func() {
 		if resultErr != nil && mutated {
-			_ = runCompose(context.Background(), installation, deps.runner, "stop")
+			if recoveryErr := deps.recover(context.Background(), installation, recovery, wasRunning); recoveryErr != nil {
+				resultErr = errors.Join(resultErr, fmt.Errorf("restore recovery checkpoint: %w", recoveryErr))
+			}
 		}
 	}()
 	if wasRunning {
@@ -105,42 +122,9 @@ func restoreWithDependencies(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installati
 			return result, err
 		}
 	}
-	reader, err := zip.NewReader(archive, preflight.ArchiveSize)
-	if err != nil {
-		return result, fmt.Errorf("read verified restore archive: %w", err)
-	}
-	members := make(map[string]*zip.File, len(reader.File))
-	for _, member := range reader.File {
-		members[member.Name] = member
-	}
-	for _, entry := range preflight.Entries {
-		member := members[entry.Path]
-		if member == nil {
-			return result, fmt.Errorf("verified archive is missing %q", entry.Path)
-		}
-		stream, openErr := member.Open()
-		if openErr != nil {
-			return result, fmt.Errorf("open verified archive member %q: %w", entry.Path, openErr)
-		}
-		mutated = true
-		var restoreErr error
-		if entry.Kind == EntryVolume {
-			volume, found := restoreVolumeMetadata(preflight.Manifest, entry.LogicalName)
-			if !found {
-				_ = stream.Close()
-				return result, errors.New("verified volume metadata is incomplete")
-			}
-			restoreErr = deps.restoreVolume(ctx, installation, volume, stream)
-		} else {
-			restoreErr = deps.restoreFile(ctx, installation, entry, stream)
-		}
-		closeErr := stream.Close()
-		if restoreErr != nil {
-			return result, restoreErr
-		}
-		if closeErr != nil {
-			return result, closeErr
-		}
+	mutated = true
+	if err := restoreVerifiedEntries(ctx, installation, preflight, archive, deps.restoreFile, deps.restoreVolume); err != nil {
+		return result, err
 	}
 	if err := deps.resetAuthenticationState(ctx, installation, deps.runner); err != nil {
 		return result, fmt.Errorf("reset authentication state: %w", err)
@@ -164,6 +148,53 @@ func restoreWithDependencies(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installati
 	return result, nil
 }
 
+func restoreVerifiedEntries(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	installation config.Installation,
+	preflight PreflightResult,
+	archive io.ReaderAt,
+	restoreFile func(context.Context, config.Installation, ArchiveEntryMetadata, io.Reader) error,
+	restoreVolume func(context.Context, config.Installation, VolumeMetadata, io.Reader) error,
+) error {
+	reader, err := zip.NewReader(archive, preflight.ArchiveSize)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("read verified restore archive: %w", err)
+	}
+	members := make(map[string]*zip.File, len(reader.File))
+	for _, member := range reader.File {
+		members[member.Name] = member
+	}
+	for _, entry := range preflight.Entries {
+		member := members[entry.Path]
+		if member == nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("verified archive is missing %q", entry.Path)
+		}
+		stream, openErr := member.Open()
+		if openErr != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("open verified archive member %q: %w", entry.Path, openErr)
+		}
+		var restoreErr error
+		if entry.Kind == EntryVolume {
+			volume, found := restoreVolumeMetadata(preflight.Manifest, entry.LogicalName)
+			if !found {
+				_ = stream.Close()
+				return errors.New("verified volume metadata is incomplete")
+			}
+			restoreErr = restoreVolume(ctx, installation, volume, stream)
+		} else {
+			restoreErr = restoreFile(ctx, installation, entry, stream)
+		}
+		closeErr := stream.Close()
+		if restoreErr != nil {
+			return restoreErr
+		}
+		if closeErr != nil {
+			return closeErr
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func restoreVolumeMetadata(manifest Manifest, logicalName string) (VolumeMetadata, bool) {
 	if logicalName == "" {
 		return VolumeMetadata{}, false
@@ -177,12 +208,12 @@ func restoreVolumeMetadata(manifest Manifest, logicalName string) (VolumeMetadat
 }
 
 // resetAuthenticationState clears browser sessions and pending OIDC transactions without touching
-// installation-global auth.yaml or users.yaml. The command runs as the unprivileged core user so
-// the recreated state root is private to the service on both the local volume and server /data bind.
+// installation-global auth.yaml or users.yaml. A root-scoped one-shot repairs ownership and mode
+// before clearing children; links and malformed roots are rejected before any recursive removal.
 func resetAuthenticationState(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation, runner archiveRunner) error {
 	result, err := runner.Run(ctx, installation.ComposeArgs(
-		"run", "--rm", "--no-deps", "--no-TTY", "--entrypoint", "sh", "core", "-ceu",
-		"find /data/auth -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 -exec rm -rf -- {} + && install -d -m 0700 /data/auth /data/auth/sessions /data/auth/oidc && test -z \"$(find /data/auth/sessions /data/auth/oidc -mindepth 1 -print -quit)\"",
+		"run", "--rm", "--no-deps", "--no-TTY", "--user", "0:0", "--entrypoint", "sh", "core", "-ceu",
+		"test ! -L /data/auth && { test ! -e /data/auth || test -d /data/auth; } && install -d -o 10001 -g 10001 -m 0700 /data/auth && find /data/auth -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 -exec rm -rf -- {} + && install -d -o 10001 -g 10001 -m 0700 /data/auth/sessions /data/auth/oidc && chmod 0700 /data/auth /data/auth/sessions /data/auth/oidc && chown 10001:10001 /data/auth /data/auth/sessions /data/auth/oidc && test -z \"$(find /data/auth/sessions /data/auth/oidc -mindepth 1 -print -quit)\"",
 	), nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return dockerError("reset authentication state", result, err)
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/backup/restore_host.go b/tools/tht/internal/backup/restore_host.go
index e970992b..33dc45bb 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/backup/restore_host.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/backup/restore_host.go
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 	"crypto/rand"
 	"crypto/sha256"
 	"encoding/hex"
-	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
@@ -15,6 +14,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/aritmolab/thothii/tools/tht/internal/authconfig"
 	"github.com/aritmolab/thothii/tools/tht/internal/compose"
 	"github.com/aritmolab/thothii/tools/tht/internal/config"
 	"github.com/aritmolab/thothii/tools/tht/internal/doctor"
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ import (
 
 func productionRestoreDependencies(installation config.Installation) restoreDependencies {
 	runner := hostRunner{runner: compose.NewRunner(""), binary: "docker", profile: installation.Profile}
-	return restoreDependencies{
+	deps := restoreDependencies{
 		preflight: func(ctx context.Context, target config.Installation, request PreflightRequest) (PreflightResult, error) {
 			return Preflight(ctx, target, request, PreflightDependencies{
 				FreeBytes:                 restoreFreeBytes,
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ func productionRestoreDependencies(installation config.Installation) restoreDepe
 			request.Output = path
 			return Create(ctx, target, request)
 		},
+		cleanupCheckpoint: cleanupRecoveryCheckpoint,
 		acquireLock: func(target config.Installation) (restoreLock, error) {
 			return lifecycle.Acquire(target)
 		},
@@ -71,6 +72,46 @@ func productionRestoreDependencies(installation config.Installation) restoreDepe
 			"workspace": verifyRestoreWorkspace,
 		},
 	}
+	deps.prepareRecovery = func(ctx context.Context, target config.Installation, path string) (PreflightResult, error) {
+		return deps.preflight(ctx, target, PreflightRequest{Archive: path, Confirm: true, AllowExternalSecrets: true})
+	}
+	deps.recover = func(ctx context.Context, target config.Installation, recovery PreflightResult, wasRunning bool) error {
+		return recoverRestoreTransaction(ctx, target, recovery, wasRunning, deps)
+	}
+	return deps
+}
+
+func cleanupRecoveryCheckpoint(path string) error {
+	if err := safeio.RemoveCanonicalPrivateRegular(path); err != nil {
+		return errors.New("private recovery checkpoint could not be destroyed safely")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func recoverRestoreTransaction(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation, recovery PreflightResult, wasRunning bool, deps restoreDependencies) error {
+	var resultErr error
+	if err := runCompose(ctx, installation, deps.runner, "stop"); err != nil {
+		resultErr = errors.Join(resultErr, err)
+	}
+	archive, err := recovery.RevalidateArchive()
+	if err != nil {
+		return errors.Join(resultErr, err)
+	}
+	if err := restoreVerifiedEntries(ctx, installation, recovery, archive, deps.restoreFile, deps.restoreVolume); err != nil {
+		return errors.Join(resultErr, err)
+	}
+	// Recovery restores only configuration/secret files and durable application volumes. Runtime
+	// authentication state is deliberately reset again so neither sessions nor OIDC transactions
+	// survive a failed restore attempt.
+	if err := deps.resetAuthenticationState(ctx, installation, deps.runner); err != nil {
+		return errors.Join(resultErr, err)
+	}
+	if wasRunning {
+		if err := composeStartAndVerify(ctx, installation, deps.runner); err != nil {
+			return errors.Join(resultErr, err)
+		}
+	}
+	return resultErr
 }
 
 func restoreCheckpointPath(installation config.Installation, now time.Time) (string, error) {
@@ -131,14 +172,14 @@ func validateRestoreReference(installation config.Installation, entry Entry) err
 }
 
 func validateRestoreVolumes(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation, manifest Manifest, runner archiveRunner) error {
-	if len(manifest.Volumes) != len(requiredVolumes) {
+	if len(manifest.Volumes) != len(requiredBackupVolumes(installation)) {
 		return errors.New("backup volume set is incomplete")
 	}
 	rendered, err := renderedConfiguration(ctx, installation, runner)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	current, err := inspectRequiredVolumes(ctx, runner, rendered)
+	current, err := inspectRequiredVolumes(ctx, installation, runner, rendered)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -313,6 +354,13 @@ func verifyRestoreDoctor(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation,
 		if configErr != nil {
 			return dockerError("verify restored Compose configuration", result, configErr)
 		}
+		diagnostics, diagnosticErr := authconfig.Check(ctx, installation, runner, false, false)
+		if diagnosticErr != nil || !diagnostics.Ready {
+			if diagnosticErr != nil {
+				return diagnosticErr
+			}
+			return errors.New("authentication diagnostics did not pass after restore")
+		}
 		return nil
 	}
 	report, err := doctor.Run(ctx, installation, runner)
@@ -320,7 +368,16 @@ func verifyRestoreDoctor(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation,
 		return err
 	}
 	if !report.OK {
-		return errors.New("aggregate doctor did not pass after restore")
+		failed := make([]string, 0, len(report.Checks))
+		for _, check := range report.Checks {
+			if check.Status == doctor.StatusFailed {
+				failed = append(failed, check.Name)
+			}
+		}
+		if len(failed) == 0 {
+			return errors.New("aggregate doctor did not pass after restore")
+		}
+		return fmt.Errorf("aggregate doctor failed checks: %s", strings.Join(failed, ","))
 	}
 	return nil
 }
@@ -328,25 +385,36 @@ func verifyRestoreDoctor(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation,
 func verifyRestorePi(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation, runner archiveRunner) error {
 	running, err := restoreVerificationRunning(ctx, installation, runner)
 	if err != nil || !running {
-		return err
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		result, runErr := runner.Run(ctx, installation.ComposeArgs(
+			"run", "--rm", "--no-deps", "--no-TTY", "core", "pi", "--version",
+		), nil)
+		if runErr != nil || strings.TrimSpace(result.Stdout) == "" {
+			if runErr == nil {
+				runErr = errors.New("Pi version probe returned no version")
+			}
+			return dockerError("verify restored Pi runtime", result, runErr)
+		}
+		return nil
 	}
 	return pi.Doctor(ctx, compose.InstallationRunner{Installation: installation, Runner: runner})
 }
 
 func verifyRestoreWorkspace(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation, runner archiveRunner) error {
 	running, err := restoreVerificationRunning(ctx, installation, runner)
-	if err != nil || !running {
+	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	result, err := runner.Run(ctx, installation.ComposeArgs(
-		"exec", "-T", "core", "curl", "-fsS", "--max-time", "5", "http://127.0.0.1:8787/workspaces",
-	), nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return dockerError("inspect restored workspaces", result, err)
+	command := []string{"exec", "-T", "core", "node", "-e"}
+	if !running {
+		command = []string{"run", "--rm", "--no-deps", "--no-TTY", "core", "node", "-e"}
 	}
-	var workspaces []json.RawMessage
-	if json.Unmarshal([]byte(result.Stdout), &workspaces) != nil {
-		return errors.New("restored workspace inspection returned invalid JSON")
+	command = append(command, `const fs=require("node:fs");const p="/data/workspace-registry/state/active.json";const s=JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(p,"utf8"));const h=/^[0-9a-f]{40}$/;if(!h.test(s.head)||!Array.isArray(s.revisions)||s.revisions.some(r=>!r||typeof r.id!=="string"||!r.id||!h.test(r.commit)||!h.test(r.blob)))process.exit(1);for(const r of s.revisions)fs.accessSync("/data/workspace-registry/snapshots/"+r.commit+"/"+r.id+".yaml",fs.constants.R_OK)`)
+	result, err := runner.Run(ctx, installation.ComposeArgs(command...), nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return dockerError("validate restored workspace registry", result, err)
 	}
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/backup/restore_test.go b/tools/tht/internal/backup/restore_test.go
index 8dae6f3d..34270c0c 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/backup/restore_test.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/backup/restore_test.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"io"
+	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
@@ -122,6 +123,14 @@ func TestRestoreStoppedInstallationRunsCheckpointRestoreAndVerification(t *testi
 		checkpointRequest = request
 		return Result{Path: "/tmp/checkpoint.zip"}, nil
 	}
+	deps.prepareRecovery = func(context.Context, config.Installation, string) (PreflightResult, error) {
+		events = append(events, "prepare-recovery")
+		return PreflightResult{}, nil
+	}
+	deps.cleanupCheckpoint = func(string) error {
+		events = append(events, "cleanup-checkpoint")
+		return nil
+	}
 	deps.acquireLock = func(config.Installation) (restoreLock, error) {
 		events = append(events, "lock")
 		return fakeRestoreLock{release: func() { events = append(events, "unlock") }}, nil
@@ -142,13 +151,13 @@ func TestRestoreStoppedInstallationRunsCheckpointRestoreAndVerification(t *testi
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if result.Checkpoint != "/tmp/checkpoint.zip" || result.Restarted || !result.Verified {
+	if result.Checkpoint != "" || result.Restarted || !result.Verified {
 		t.Fatalf("Restore() result = %#v", result)
 	}
-	if checkpointRequest.IncludeSecrets || checkpointRequest.Confirm {
-		t.Fatalf("checkpoint request = %#v, want non-secret unconfirmed checkpoint", checkpointRequest)
+	if !checkpointRequest.IncludeSecrets || !checkpointRequest.Confirm {
+		t.Fatalf("checkpoint request = %#v, want private confirmed secret-aware checkpoint", checkpointRequest)
 	}
-	if got, want := events, []string{"checkpoint", "lock", "file:configuration/operator.env", "health", "doctor", "pi", "workspace", "unlock"}; !equalStrings(got, want) {
+	if got, want := events, []string{"checkpoint", "prepare-recovery", "lock", "file:configuration/operator.env", "health", "doctor", "pi", "workspace", "unlock", "cleanup-checkpoint"}; !equalStrings(got, want) {
 		t.Fatalf("restore events = %v, want %v", got, want)
 	}
 }
@@ -196,9 +205,11 @@ func TestResetAuthenticationStateCreatesOnlyPrivateEmptyStateDirectories(t *test
 	}
 	joined := strings.Join(runner.args, "\x00")
 	for _, required := range []string{
-		"run", "--rm", "--no-deps", "--no-TTY", "--entrypoint", "sh", "core", "-ceu",
+		"run", "--rm", "--no-deps", "--no-TTY", "--user", "0:0", "--entrypoint", "sh", "core", "-ceu",
+		"test ! -L /data/auth",
+		"install -d -o 10001 -g 10001 -m 0700 /data/auth",
 		"find /data/auth -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 -exec rm -rf -- {} +",
-		"install -d -m 0700 /data/auth /data/auth/sessions /data/auth/oidc",
+		"install -d -o 10001 -g 10001 -m 0700 /data/auth/sessions /data/auth/oidc",
 		"find /data/auth/sessions /data/auth/oidc -mindepth 1 -print -quit",
 	} {
 		if !strings.Contains(joined, required) {
@@ -207,6 +218,16 @@ func TestResetAuthenticationStateCreatesOnlyPrivateEmptyStateDirectories(t *test
 	}
 }
 
+func TestResetAuthenticationStateFailsClosedForDamagedRoot(t *testing.T) {
+	installation := preflightTestInstallation(t)
+	runner := &authenticationStateResetRunner{result: compose.Result{ExitCode: 1}, err: errors.New("damaged auth root")}
+
+	err := resetAuthenticationState(context.Background(), installation, runner)
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "reset authentication state") {
+		t.Fatalf("resetAuthenticationState() error = %v, want bounded fail-closed error", err)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRestorePreflightFailureDoesNotMutateTarget(t *testing.T) {
 	installation := preflightTestInstallation(t)
 	runner := newBackupRunner(installation, true)
@@ -259,7 +280,7 @@ func TestRestoreCheckpointFailureDoesNotMutateTarget(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestRestoreFileFailureStopsMutatedTargetAndRetainsCheckpoint(t *testing.T) {
+func TestRestoreFileFailureRollsBackSecretAwareCheckpointBeforeCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 	installation := preflightTestInstallation(t)
 	archive := restoreArchive(t)
 	runner := newBackupRunner(installation, true)
@@ -268,7 +289,17 @@ func TestRestoreFileFailureStopsMutatedTargetAndRetainsCheckpoint(t *testing.T)
 	deps.checkpoint = func(context.Context, config.Installation, CreateRequest) (Result, error) {
 		return Result{Path: "/tmp/recovery.zip"}, nil
 	}
+	var events []string
+	deps.recover = func(context.Context, config.Installation, PreflightResult, bool) error {
+		events = append(events, "recover")
+		return nil
+	}
+	deps.cleanupCheckpoint = func(string) error {
+		events = append(events, "cleanup")
+		return nil
+	}
 	deps.restoreFile = func(context.Context, config.Installation, ArchiveEntryMetadata, io.Reader) error {
+		events = append(events, "mutate")
 		return fileErr
 	}
 
@@ -276,43 +307,145 @@ func TestRestoreFileFailureStopsMutatedTargetAndRetainsCheckpoint(t *testing.T)
 	if !errors.Is(err, fileErr) {
 		t.Fatalf("restore error = %v, want file error", err)
 	}
-	if result.Checkpoint != "/tmp/recovery.zip" {
-		t.Fatalf("recovery checkpoint = %q, want retained path", result.Checkpoint)
+	if result.Checkpoint != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("recovery checkpoint = %q, want no retained secret-bearing path", result.Checkpoint)
 	}
-	if runner.running || runner.stopCount != 2 {
-		t.Fatalf("mutated target was not stopped: running=%t stops=%d", runner.running, runner.stopCount)
+	if got, want := events, []string{"mutate", "recover", "cleanup"}; !equalStrings(got, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("failure recovery events = %v, want %v", got, want)
 	}
 }
 
-func TestRestoreStartFailureStopsRunningTarget(t *testing.T) {
+func TestRestoreFailureAfterAuthenticationMutationRollsBackAndClearsRuntimeState(t *testing.T) {
+	installation := preflightTestInstallation(t)
+	archive := restoreArchive(t)
+	runner := newBackupRunner(installation, false)
+	deps := restoreTestDependencies(t, runner)
+	resetErr := errors.New("authentication reset failed")
+	var events []string
+	deps.restoreFile = func(context.Context, config.Installation, ArchiveEntryMetadata, io.Reader) error {
+		events = append(events, "auth-config-mutated")
+		return nil
+	}
+	deps.resetAuthenticationState = func(context.Context, config.Installation, archiveRunner) error {
+		events = append(events, "auth-runtime-reset-failed")
+		return resetErr
+	}
+	deps.recover = func(context.Context, config.Installation, PreflightResult, bool) error {
+		events = append(events, "secret-aware-recovery-and-reauth-reset")
+		return nil
+	}
+	deps.cleanupCheckpoint = func(string) error {
+		events = append(events, "checkpoint-cleaned")
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	_, err := restoreWithDependencies(context.Background(), installation, RestoreRequest{Archive: archive, Confirm: true}, deps)
+	if !errors.Is(err, resetErr) {
+		t.Fatalf("restore error = %v, want reset failure", err)
+	}
+	if got, want := events, []string{"auth-config-mutated", "auth-runtime-reset-failed", "secret-aware-recovery-and-reauth-reset", "checkpoint-cleaned"}; !equalStrings(got, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("post-auth recovery events = %v, want %v", got, want)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRestoreCleanupFailureDoesNotSuppressRollback(t *testing.T) {
+	installation := preflightTestInstallation(t)
+	archive := restoreArchive(t)
+	deps := restoreTestDependencies(t, newBackupRunner(installation, false))
+	mutationErr := errors.New("post-mutation failure")
+	cleanupErr := errors.New("checkpoint cleanup failure")
+	recovered := false
+	deps.restoreFile = func(context.Context, config.Installation, ArchiveEntryMetadata, io.Reader) error { return mutationErr }
+	deps.recover = func(context.Context, config.Installation, PreflightResult, bool) error { recovered = true; return nil }
+	deps.cleanupCheckpoint = func(string) error { return cleanupErr }
+
+	_, err := restoreWithDependencies(context.Background(), installation, RestoreRequest{Archive: archive, Confirm: true}, deps)
+	if !recovered || !errors.Is(err, mutationErr) || !errors.Is(err, cleanupErr) {
+		t.Fatalf("restore error = %v recovered=%t, want joined mutation/cleanup failure after rollback", err, recovered)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRecoveryCheckpointCleanupRejectsSymlinksAndPermissiveFiles(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	target := filepath.Join(root, "checkpoint.zip")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(target, []byte("secret"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	link := filepath.Join(root, "checkpoint-link.zip")
+	if err := os.Symlink(target, link); err != nil {
+		t.Skipf("symlink unavailable: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := cleanupRecoveryCheckpoint(link); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("cleanupRecoveryCheckpoint accepted a symlink")
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(target); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("symlink target was changed: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.Chmod(target, 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := cleanupRecoveryCheckpoint(target); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("cleanupRecoveryCheckpoint accepted a permissive secret checkpoint")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRecoveryCheckpointCleanupRemovesOnlyPrivateRegularFile(t *testing.T) {
+	root, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(t.TempDir())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	checkpoint := filepath.Join(root, "checkpoint.zip")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(checkpoint, []byte("secret checkpoint"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := cleanupRecoveryCheckpoint(checkpoint); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Lstat(checkpoint); !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+		t.Fatalf("private checkpoint still exists after cleanup: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRestoreStartFailureRecoversPreviouslyRunningTarget(t *testing.T) {
 	installation := preflightTestInstallation(t)
 	archive := restoreArchive(t)
 	backingRunner := newBackupRunner(installation, true)
 	deps := restoreTestDependencies(t, failStartRestoreRunner{fakeBackupRunner: backingRunner})
+	recovered := false
+	deps.recover = func(context.Context, config.Installation, PreflightResult, bool) error {
+		recovered = true
+		backingRunner.running = true
+		return nil
+	}
 
 	_, err := restoreWithDependencies(context.Background(), installation, RestoreRequest{Archive: archive, Confirm: true}, deps)
 	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "start refused") {
 		t.Fatalf("restore error = %v, want restart failure", err)
 	}
-	if backingRunner.running || backingRunner.stopCount != 2 || backingRunner.startCount != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("failed restart left target available: running=%t stops=%d starts=%d", backingRunner.running, backingRunner.stopCount, backingRunner.startCount)
+	if !recovered || !backingRunner.running {
+		t.Fatalf("failed restart was not rolled back: recovered=%t running=%t", recovered, backingRunner.running)
 	}
 }
 
-func TestRestoreVerificationFailureStopsRunningTarget(t *testing.T) {
+func TestRestoreVerificationFailureRecoversPreviouslyRunningTarget(t *testing.T) {
 	installation := preflightTestInstallation(t)
 	archive := restoreArchive(t)
 	runner := newBackupRunner(installation, true)
 	deps := restoreTestDependencies(t, runner)
 	verificationErr := errors.New("Pi is unavailable")
 	deps.verify["pi"] = func(context.Context, config.Installation, archiveRunner) error { return verificationErr }
+	recovered := false
+	deps.recover = func(context.Context, config.Installation, PreflightResult, bool) error {
+		recovered = true
+		return nil
+	}
 
 	_, err := restoreWithDependencies(context.Background(), installation, RestoreRequest{Archive: archive, Confirm: true}, deps)
 	if !errors.Is(err, verificationErr) {
 		t.Fatalf("restore error = %v, want verification failure", err)
 	}
-	if runner.running || runner.stopCount != 2 || runner.startCount != 1 {
-		t.Fatalf("verification failure left target available: running=%t stops=%d starts=%d", runner.running, runner.stopCount, runner.startCount)
+	if !recovered || !runner.running {
+		t.Fatalf("verification failure was not rolled back: recovered=%t running=%t", recovered, runner.running)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -361,11 +494,15 @@ type fakeRestoreLock struct {
 	release func()
 }
 
-type authenticationStateResetRunner struct{ args []string }
+type authenticationStateResetRunner struct {
+	args   []string
+	result compose.Result
+	err    error
+}
 
 func (runner *authenticationStateResetRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, _ io.Reader) (compose.Result, error) {
 	runner.args = append([]string(nil), args...)
-	return compose.Result{}, nil
+	return runner.result, runner.err
 }
 
 func (runner *authenticationStateResetRunner) Stream(context.Context, []string, io.Reader, io.Writer) (compose.Result, error) {
@@ -402,10 +539,15 @@ func restoreTestDependencies(t *testing.T, runner archiveRunner) restoreDependen
 		checkpoint: func(context.Context, config.Installation, CreateRequest) (Result, error) {
 			return Result{Path: "/tmp/default-checkpoint.zip"}, nil
 		},
-		acquireLock: func(config.Installation) (restoreLock, error) { return fakeRestoreLock{}, nil },
-		runner:      runner,
-		sleep:       func(time.Duration) {},
-		restoreFile: func(context.Context, config.Installation, ArchiveEntryMetadata, io.Reader) error { return nil },
+		prepareRecovery: func(context.Context, config.Installation, string) (PreflightResult, error) {
+			return PreflightResult{}, nil
+		},
+		recover:           func(context.Context, config.Installation, PreflightResult, bool) error { return nil },
+		cleanupCheckpoint: func(string) error { return nil },
+		acquireLock:       func(config.Installation) (restoreLock, error) { return fakeRestoreLock{}, nil },
+		runner:            runner,
+		sleep:             func(time.Duration) {},
+		restoreFile:       func(context.Context, config.Installation, ArchiveEntryMetadata, io.Reader) error { return nil },
 		restoreVolume: func(context.Context, config.Installation, VolumeMetadata, io.Reader) error {
 			return nil
 		},
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/doctor/report.go b/tools/tht/internal/doctor/report.go
index c492eba2..0f8d0843 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/doctor/report.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/doctor/report.go
@@ -293,15 +293,18 @@ func authenticationCheck(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation,
 }
 
 func workflowCheck(ctx context.Context, installation config.Installation, runner Runner, secrets []string, add func(string, string, string)) {
-	result, err := runner.Run(ctx, installation.ComposeArgs("exec", "-T", "core", "tht", "doctor", "--json"), nil)
+	result, err := runner.Run(ctx, installation.ComposeArgs(
+		"exec", "-T", "core", "node", "dist/operator-command.js", "workflow-doctor",
+	), nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		add("workflow", StatusFailed, commandDetail("container-local workflow doctor", result, err, secrets))
 		return
 	}
 	var payload struct {
-		OK bool `json:"ok"`
+		Ready      bool `json:"ready"`
+		Workspaces int  `json:"workspaces"`
 	}
-	if json.Unmarshal([]byte(result.Stdout), &payload) != nil || !payload.OK {
+	if json.Unmarshal([]byte(result.Stdout), &payload) != nil || !payload.Ready || payload.Workspaces < 1 {
 		add("workflow", StatusFailed, "container-local workflow doctor returned an invalid or failing report")
 		return
 	}
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/doctor/report_test.go b/tools/tht/internal/doctor/report_test.go
index 1d844d04..695954ad 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/doctor/report_test.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/doctor/report_test.go
@@ -125,8 +125,8 @@ func TestRunUsesOnlyContainerLocalWorkflowAndPiDiagnosticsWhenCoreRuns(t *testin
 	if !strings.Contains(calls, "exec -T core node dist/auth/diagnostic-command.js --json") {
 		t.Fatalf("Run() calls = %s, want core-local authentication diagnostic", calls)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(calls, "exec -T core tht doctor --json") {
-		t.Fatalf("Run() calls = %s, want core-local workflow doctor", calls)
+	if !strings.Contains(calls, "exec -T core node dist/operator-command.js workflow-doctor") {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() calls = %s, want registry-bound core-local workflow doctor", calls)
 	}
 	if strings.Contains(calls, ".venv") || strings.Contains(calls, "python") {
 		t.Fatalf("Run() calls = %s, must not require host Python", calls)
@@ -271,11 +271,11 @@ func (r *doctorRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, _ io.Reader) (compo
 			return compose.Result{Stdout: healthyServices}, nil
 		}
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: r.services}, nil
-	case strings.Contains(call, "tht doctor --json"):
+	case strings.Contains(call, "operator-command.js workflow-doctor"):
 		if r.workflowFailure != "" {
 			return compose.Result{Stderr: r.workflowFailure, ExitCode: 23}, errors.New("workflow failed")
 		}
-		return compose.Result{Stdout: `{"ok":true,"checks":[]}`}, nil
+		return compose.Result{Stdout: `{"ready":true,"workspaces":1}`}, nil
 	case strings.Contains(call, "dist/auth/diagnostic-command.js --json"):
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: `{"ready":true,"mode":"oidc","checks":[{"level":"info","code":"auth_ready","message":"Authentication is ready."}]}`}, nil
 	case strings.Contains(call, "workspace-registry/state/active.json"):
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ func (r *doctorRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, _ io.Reader) (compo
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: "0.80.3\n"}, nil
 	case strings.Contains(call, "test -w /home/thoth/.pi") || strings.Contains(call, "test -r /home/thoth/.pi/agent/auth.json") || strings.Contains(call, "/health"):
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: `{"ready":true}`}, nil
-	case strings.Contains(call, "/pi-management/test"):
+	case strings.Contains(call, "operator-command.js pi-test"):
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: `{"ready":true}`}, nil
 	case strings.Contains(call, "ps -q core"):
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: "core-id\n"}, nil
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/pi/commands.go b/tools/tht/internal/pi/commands.go
index def58e40..107c6f5b 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/pi/commands.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/pi/commands.go
@@ -39,13 +39,6 @@ type settingsFileSnapshot struct {
 	RawBase64 string `json:"rawBase64"`
 }
 
-var internalIdentityHeaders = []string{
-	"-H", "x-thoth-principal-issuer: tht",
-	"-H", "x-thoth-principal-subject: tht-maintenance",
-		"-H", "x-thoth-principal-display-name: Tht maintenance",
-	"-H", "x-thoth-is-admin: 1",
-}
-
 // Configure changes the backend's real installation settings through a core-side helper. It
 // deliberately has no secret or endpoint input: external endpoints remain Compose-owned.
 func Configure(ctx context.Context, runner Runner, value Defaults) error {
@@ -127,9 +120,7 @@ func ConfigurationOptions(ctx context.Context, runner Runner) ([]ModelOption, er
 }
 
 func configurationOptions(ctx context.Context, runner Runner) (piOptions, error) {
-	args := append([]string{"exec", "-T", "core", "curl", "-fsS"}, internalIdentityHeaders...)
-	args = append(args, "http://127.0.0.1:8787/pi-management/options")
-	result, err := runCompose(ctx, runner, args...)
+	result, err := runCompose(ctx, runner, "exec", "-T", "core", "node", "/app/backend/dist/operator-command.js", "pi-options")
 	if err != nil {
 		return piOptions{}, commandError("Pi options check", result, err)
 	}
@@ -204,9 +195,7 @@ func restoreSettingsFile(ctx context.Context, runner Runner, snapshot settingsFi
 }
 
 func readEffectiveSettings(ctx context.Context, runner Runner) ([]byte, error) {
-	args := append([]string{"exec", "-T", "core", "curl", "-fsS"}, internalIdentityHeaders...)
-	args = append(args, "http://127.0.0.1:8787/settings")
-	result, err := runCompose(ctx, runner, args...)
+	result, err := runCompose(ctx, runner, "exec", "-T", "core", "node", "/app/backend/dist/operator-command.js", "effective-settings")
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, commandError("Pi installation settings read-back", result, err)
 	}
@@ -288,15 +277,13 @@ func expectedVersions(ctx context.Context, runner Runner) (string, string, error
 	return expectedValue, labelValue, nil
 }
 
-// Test retains the direct image-version signal, then delegates all Pi configuration/provider smoke
-// validation to core's dedicated, admin-only Pi Management endpoint.
+// Test retains the direct image-version signal, then invokes the same Pi management service via a
+// scoped core-side command. No HTTP principal or privileged header exists on this path.
 func Test(ctx context.Context, runner Runner) error {
 	if _, err := Status(ctx, runner); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	args := append([]string{"exec", "-T", "core", "curl", "-fsS", "-X", "POST"}, internalIdentityHeaders...)
-	args = append(args, "http://127.0.0.1:8787/pi-management/test")
-	smoke, err := runCompose(ctx, runner, args...)
+	smoke, err := runCompose(ctx, runner, "exec", "-T", "core", "node", "/app/backend/dist/operator-command.js", "pi-test")
 	if err != nil {
 		return commandError("Pi smoke check", smoke, err)
 	}
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/pi/commands_test.go b/tools/tht/internal/pi/commands_test.go
index bd96a006..e4644748 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/pi/commands_test.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/pi/commands_test.go
@@ -103,6 +103,7 @@ func TestConfigurePreservesTypedRecoveryRequiredErrorFromSettingsRestore(t *test
 }
 
 type configureRunner struct {
+	calls                    []string
 	failure                  string
 	restoreDurabilityFailure bool
 	settings                 Defaults
@@ -115,6 +116,7 @@ type configureRunner struct {
 
 func (f *configureRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader) (compose.Result, error) {
 	call := strings.Join(args, " ")
+	f.calls = append(f.calls, call)
 	switch {
 	case strings.Contains(call, "config --format json"):
 		f.configReads++
@@ -123,7 +125,7 @@ func (f *configureRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader)
 			endpoint = "https://drift.example.invalid"
 		}
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: `{"services":{"core":{"image":"thothii-core:local","environment":{"THT_LLM_URL":"` + endpoint + `"}}}}`}, nil
-	case strings.Contains(call, "/pi-management/options"):
+	case strings.Contains(call, "operator-command.js pi-options"):
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: `{"providers":["old","new"],"models":[{"provider":"old","id":"old-model"},{"provider":"new","id":"new-model"}],"reasoning":["low","medium","high"]}`}, nil
 	case strings.Contains(call, "settings-cli.js --snapshot"):
 		raw := f.settingsRaw
@@ -164,7 +166,7 @@ func (f *configureRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader)
 			f.settingsRaw, _ = json.Marshal(f.settings)
 		}
 		return compose.Result{}, nil
-	case strings.Contains(call, "/settings"):
+	case strings.Contains(call, "operator-command.js effective-settings"):
 		f.settingsReads++
 		if f.failure == "readback" && f.settings.Provider == "new" {
 			return compose.Result{Stdout: `{}`}, nil
@@ -220,18 +222,21 @@ func TestConfigureCompensationRestoresAbsentAndExactEmptyPriorFiles(t *testing.T
 
 // Catches tht reading the legacy public model route instead of the admin-only closed Pi
 // Management choices before it writes shared installation defaults.
-func TestConfigureLoadsDedicatedClosedOptionsWritesRealCoreSettingsAndUsesUpstreamIdentity(t *testing.T) {
-	fake := newFakeRunner()
-	if err := Configure(context.Background(), fake, Defaults{Provider: "provider", Model: "model", Thinking: "medium"}); err != nil {
+func TestConfigureUsesScopedCoreCommandWithoutMintingAnHTTPIdentity(t *testing.T) {
+	fake := &configureRunner{
+		settings:      Defaults{Provider: "old", Model: "old-model", Thinking: "low"},
+		settingsExist: true,
+		settingsRaw:   []byte(`{"provider":"old","model":"old-model","thinking":"low"}`),
+	}
+	if err := Configure(context.Background(), fake, Defaults{Provider: "new", Model: "new-model", Thinking: "high"}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "/pi-management/options")
-	assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "node /app/backend/dist/settings/settings-cli.js --provider provider --model model --thinking medium")
-	assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "x-thoth-principal-subject: tht-maintenance")
-	if got := strings.Join(fake.calls, "\n"); strings.Contains(got, "pi-defaults.json") || strings.Contains(got, "secret") {
+	assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "operator-command.js pi-options")
+	assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "node /app/backend/dist/settings/settings-cli.js --provider new --model new-model --thinking high")
+	if got := strings.Join(fake.calls, "\n"); strings.Contains(got, "x-thoth-principal") || strings.Contains(got, "x-thoth-is-admin") || strings.Contains(got, "pi-defaults.json") || strings.Contains(got, "secret") {
 		t.Fatalf("commands=%q", got)
 	}
-	if err := Configure(context.Background(), fake, Defaults{Provider: "provider", Model: "unknown", Thinking: "medium"}); err == nil {
+	if err := Configure(context.Background(), fake, Defaults{Provider: "new", Model: "unknown", Thinking: "medium"}); err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("expected unknown model rejection")
 	}
 }
@@ -243,10 +248,10 @@ func TestTestUsesDedicatedSmokeEndpointAndIndependentImageVersionProbe(t *testin
 	if err := Test(context.Background(), fake); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Test() error = %v", err)
 	}
-	for _, command := range []string{"pi --version", "/pi-management/test", "x-thoth-principal-subject: tht-maintenance"} {
+	for _, command := range []string{"pi --version", "operator-command.js pi-test"} {
 		assertCalled(t, fake.calls, command)
 	}
-	for _, legacy := range []string{"/health", "/models", "/settings"} {
+	for _, legacy := range []string{"/pi-management/test", "x-thoth-principal", "x-thoth-is-admin"} {
 		if strings.Contains(strings.Join(fake.calls, "\n"), legacy) {
 			t.Fatalf("Pi smoke invoked legacy endpoint %q: %s", legacy, strings.Join(fake.calls, "\n"))
 		}
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/pi/restart_test.go b/tools/tht/internal/pi/restart_test.go
index 369158ec..3ccc2754 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/pi/restart_test.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/pi/restart_test.go
@@ -149,8 +149,8 @@ func TestRestartActivationFailureClearsPreMutationMaintenance(t *testing.T) {
 			if fake.recreated {
 				t.Fatal("pre-mutation activation failure recreated core")
 			}
-			assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "/internal/maintenance/activate")
-			assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "/internal/maintenance/deactivate")
+			assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "operator-command.js maintenance-activate")
+			assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "operator-command.js maintenance-deactivate")
 		})
 	}
 }
@@ -319,17 +319,17 @@ func TestRecoverLifecycleMaintenanceVerifiesAndClearsRestartState(t *testing.T)
 	if err != nil || updateState.Phase != PhaseVerified {
 		t.Fatalf("update recovery state = %+v, %v; want verified image rollback metadata", updateState, err)
 	}
-	deactivate := callIndex(fake.calls, "/internal/maintenance/deactivate")
-	lastVerification := lastCallIndexBefore(fake.calls, "/pi-management/test", deactivate)
+	deactivate := callIndex(fake.calls, "operator-command.js maintenance-deactivate")
+	lastVerification := lastCallIndexBefore(fake.calls, "operator-command.js pi-test", deactivate)
 	if deactivate < 0 || lastVerification < 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("calls = %v; want verification before maintenance deactivation", fake.calls)
 	}
 	verificationCount := 0
 	for index := 0; index < deactivate; index++ {
-		if strings.Contains(fake.calls[index], "/internal/maintenance/deactivate") {
+		if strings.Contains(fake.calls[index], "operator-command.js maintenance-deactivate") {
 			t.Fatalf("maintenance reopened before combined verification: %v", fake.calls)
 		}
-		if strings.Contains(fake.calls[index], "/pi-management/test") {
+		if strings.Contains(fake.calls[index], "operator-command.js pi-test") {
 			verificationCount++
 		}
 	}
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ func TestRecoverLifecycleMaintenanceRejectsMalformedRestartState(t *testing.T) {
 			if _, stateErr := os.Stat(restartStatePath); stateErr != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("malformed restart state was removed: %v", stateErr)
 			}
-			assertNotCalled(t, fake.calls, "/internal/maintenance/deactivate")
+			assertNotCalled(t, fake.calls, "operator-command.js maintenance-deactivate")
 		})
 	}
 }
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/pi/update.go b/tools/tht/internal/pi/update.go
index 84785ed1..ba518a09 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/pi/update.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/pi/update.go
@@ -473,13 +473,11 @@ func canonicalDigestReference(value string) (string, error) {
 }
 
 func setMaintenance(ctx context.Context, runner Runner, enabled bool) error {
-	path := "deactivate"
+	action := "maintenance-deactivate"
 	if enabled {
-		path = "activate"
+		action = "maintenance-activate"
 	}
-	args := append([]string{"exec", "-T", "core", "curl", "-fsS"}, internalIdentityHeaders...)
-	args = append(args, "-X", "POST", "http://127.0.0.1:8787/internal/maintenance/"+path)
-	result, err := runCompose(ctx, runner, args...)
+	result, err := runCompose(ctx, runner, "exec", "-T", "core", "node", "/app/backend/dist/operator-command.js", action)
 	status, valid := parseMaintenanceStatus(result.Stdout)
 	if err == nil && valid && status.Active == enabled && status.Admissions == 0 && !status.RecoveryRequired {
 		return nil
@@ -518,9 +516,7 @@ func parseMaintenanceStatus(value string) (MaintenanceState, bool) {
 }
 
 func MaintenanceStatus(ctx context.Context, runner Runner) (MaintenanceState, error) {
-	args := append([]string{"exec", "-T", "core", "curl", "-fsS"}, internalIdentityHeaders...)
-	args = append(args, "http://127.0.0.1:8787/internal/maintenance/status")
-	result, err := runCompose(ctx, runner, args...)
+	result, err := runCompose(ctx, runner, "exec", "-T", "core", "node", "/app/backend/dist/operator-command.js", "maintenance-status")
 	if err != nil {
 		return MaintenanceState{}, commandError("maintenance status check", result, err)
 	}
@@ -549,9 +545,7 @@ func activeSessions(ctx context.Context, runner Runner) (bool, error) {
 			scope = requested
 		}
 	}
-	args := append([]string{"exec", "-T", "core", "curl", "-fsS"}, internalIdentityHeaders...)
-	args = append(args, "http://127.0.0.1:8787/sessions?scope="+scope)
-	result, err := runCompose(ctx, runner, args...)
+	result, err := runCompose(ctx, runner, "exec", "-T", "core", "node", "/app/backend/dist/operator-command.js", "session-inventory", scope)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, commandError("active-session check", result, err)
 	}
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/pi/update_test.go b/tools/tht/internal/pi/update_test.go
index 79ef8426..f6fe6310 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/pi/update_test.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/pi/update_test.go
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ func TestActiveSessionsUsesInstallationScopedInventory(t *testing.T) {
 		if active, err := activeSessions(context.Background(), runner); err != nil || active {
 			t.Fatalf("activeSessions(%s) = %t, %v; want false, nil", scope, active, err)
 		}
-		if len(runner.calls) != 1 || !strings.Contains(runner.calls[0], "/sessions?scope="+scope) {
+		if len(runner.calls) != 1 || !strings.Contains(runner.calls[0], "operator-command.js session-inventory "+scope) {
 			t.Fatalf("activeSessions(%s) call = %v; want installation-scoped inventory", scope, runner.calls)
 		}
 	}
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ func TestMaintenanceTransportLossAfterBackendRestartRequiresRecovery(t *testing.
 			if fake.backendRestarts != 1 {
 				t.Fatalf("backend restarts = %d, want 1", fake.backendRestarts)
 			}
-			assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "/internal/maintenance/status")
+			assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "operator-command.js maintenance-status")
 			for index, active := range fake.maintenanceAtRecreate {
 				if !active {
 					t.Fatalf("recreate %d started without durable maintenance", index+1)
@@ -344,8 +344,8 @@ func TestCompensationReactivatesMaintenanceAndRescansBeforeRollback(t *testing.T
 		t.Fatalf("calls %v contain no rollback", fake.calls)
 	}
 	recreate := callIndex(fake.calls, "force-recreate core")
-	activate := lastCallIndexBefore(fake.calls, "/internal/maintenance/activate", rollback)
-	scan := lastCallIndexBefore(fake.calls, "/sessions?scope=all", rollback)
+	activate := lastCallIndexBefore(fake.calls, "operator-command.js maintenance-activate", rollback)
+	scan := lastCallIndexBefore(fake.calls, "operator-command.js session-inventory all", rollback)
 	if activate <= recreate || scan <= recreate {
 		t.Fatalf("calls %v do not reactivate/confirm and rescan after candidate recreate before rollback", fake.calls)
 	}
@@ -599,7 +599,7 @@ func TestRecoverMaintenanceClearsOnlyAfterTerminalStateAndVerifiedSmoke(t *testi
 	if selected := readSelectorReference(t, currentImageOverridePath(statePath)); selected != previous.Reference {
 		t.Fatalf("maintenance cleanup changed durable selector to %q", selected)
 	}
-	assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "/pi-management/test")
+	assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "operator-command.js pi-test")
 }
 
 func TestRecoverMaintenanceRefusesPendingTransaction(t *testing.T) {
@@ -774,12 +774,12 @@ func TestUpdateRequiresConfirmationAndDrainsActiveSessions(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Update() with drain error = %v", err)
 	}
-	assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "http://127.0.0.1:8787/sessions?scope=all")
-	assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "/internal/maintenance/activate")
-	assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "/internal/maintenance/deactivate")
+	assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "operator-command.js session-inventory all")
+	assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "operator-command.js maintenance-activate")
+	assertCalled(t, fake.calls, "operator-command.js maintenance-deactivate")
 }
 
-func TestMaintenanceControlUsesExactLoopbackOperatorIdentity(t *testing.T) {
+func TestMaintenanceControlUsesOnlyTheScopedNonNetworkCommand(t *testing.T) {
 	fake := newFakeRunner()
 	if err := setMaintenance(context.Background(), fake, true); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
@@ -788,26 +788,15 @@ func TestMaintenanceControlUsesExactLoopbackOperatorIdentity(t *testing.T) {
 	if _, err := MaintenanceStatus(context.Background(), fake); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	for _, path := range []string{"/internal/maintenance/activate", "/internal/maintenance/status"} {
-		found := false
-		for _, call := range fake.calls {
-			if !strings.Contains(call, path) {
-				continue
-			}
-			found = true
-			for _, header := range []string{
-				"x-thoth-principal-issuer: tht",
-				"x-thoth-principal-subject: tht-maintenance",
-				"x-thoth-principal-display-name: Tht maintenance",
-				"x-thoth-is-admin: 1",
-			} {
-				if !strings.Contains(call, header) {
-					t.Fatalf("maintenance call %q lacks %q", call, header)
-				}
-			}
+	joined := strings.Join(fake.calls, "\n")
+	for _, action := range []string{"operator-command.js maintenance-activate", "operator-command.js maintenance-status"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(joined, action) {
+			t.Fatalf("maintenance action %q was not made: %s", action, joined)
 		}
-		if !found {
-			t.Fatalf("maintenance call %q was not made", path)
+	}
+	for _, forbidden := range []string{"curl", "x-thoth-principal", "x-thoth-is-admin"} {
+		if strings.Contains(joined, forbidden) {
+			t.Fatalf("maintenance commands retained HTTP identity material %q: %s", forbidden, joined)
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -1074,7 +1063,7 @@ func (f *fakeRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, _ io.Reader) (compose
 	if f.fail == "version" && (f.built || f.recreated) && strings.Contains(call, "pi --version") && strings.Contains(call, "exec") {
 		return compose.Result{ExitCode: 1}, errors.New("version token=secret")
 	}
-	if f.fail == "smoke" && (f.built || f.recreated) && strings.Contains(call, "127.0.0.1:8787/pi-management/test") {
+	if f.fail == "smoke" && (f.built || f.recreated) && strings.Contains(call, "operator-command.js pi-test") {
 		return compose.Result{ExitCode: 1}, errors.New("smoke token=secret")
 	}
 	switch {
@@ -1106,7 +1095,7 @@ func (f *fakeRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, _ io.Reader) (compose
 			return compose.Result{Stdout: f.mountsJSON}, nil
 		}
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: `[{"Type":"volume","Name":"settings","Source":"settings","Destination":"/data/settings","RW":true},{"Type":"volume","Name":"pi-state","Source":"pi-state","Destination":"/home/thoth/.pi","RW":true},{"Type":"volume","Name":"sessions","Source":"sessions","Destination":"/data/sessions","RW":true},{"Type":"volume","Name":"workspace-registry","Source":"workspace-registry","Destination":"/data/workspace-registry","RW":true}]`}, nil
-	case strings.Contains(call, "/internal/maintenance/activate"):
+	case strings.Contains(call, "operator-command.js maintenance-activate"):
 		f.maintenance = true
 		if f.fail == "maintenance-activate-durability" || f.fail == "maintenance-activate-durability-without-status-flag" {
 			return compose.Result{ExitCode: 22}, errors.New("maintenance activation durability was not acknowledged")
@@ -1119,7 +1108,7 @@ func (f *fakeRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, _ io.Reader) (compose
 			return compose.Result{ExitCode: 52}, errors.New("lost activation response")
 		}
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: `{"active":true,"admissions":0}`}, nil
-	case strings.Contains(call, "/internal/maintenance/deactivate"):
+	case strings.Contains(call, "operator-command.js maintenance-deactivate"):
 		if f.fail == "maintenance-clear" {
 			return compose.Result{ExitCode: 53}, errors.New("maintenance clear failure")
 		}
@@ -1138,7 +1127,7 @@ func (f *fakeRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, _ io.Reader) (compose
 			return compose.Result{ExitCode: 52}, errors.New("lost deactivation response")
 		}
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: `{"active":false,"admissions":0}`}, nil
-	case strings.Contains(call, "/internal/maintenance/status"):
+	case strings.Contains(call, "operator-command.js maintenance-status"):
 		if f.fail == "maintenance-proof" && f.recreated {
 			return compose.Result{Stdout: fmt.Sprintf(`{"active":%t,"admissions":0,"recoveryRequired":true}`, f.maintenance)}, nil
 		}
@@ -1149,7 +1138,7 @@ func (f *fakeRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, _ io.Reader) (compose
 			return compose.Result{Stdout: fmt.Sprintf(`{"active":%t,"admissions":0,"recoveryRequired":true}`, f.maintenance)}, nil
 		}
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: fmt.Sprintf(`{"active":%t,"admissions":0}`, f.maintenance)}, nil
-	case strings.Contains(call, "/sessions?scope=all"):
+	case strings.Contains(call, "operator-command.js session-inventory all"):
 		if f.sessionsWire != "" {
 			return compose.Result{Stdout: f.sessionsWire}, nil
 		}
@@ -1230,12 +1219,12 @@ func (f *fakeRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, _ io.Reader) (compose
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: f.version + "\n"}, nil
 	case strings.Contains(call, "PI_VERSION"):
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: f.expectedVersion + "\n"}, nil
-	case strings.Contains(call, "/pi-management/options"):
+	case strings.Contains(call, "operator-command.js pi-options"):
 		if f.piManagementOptionsWire != "" {
 			return compose.Result{Stdout: f.piManagementOptionsWire}, nil
 		}
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: `{"providers":["provider"],"models":[{"id":"model","provider":"provider"}],"reasoning":["low","medium","high"]}`}, nil
-	case strings.Contains(call, "/pi-management/test"):
+	case strings.Contains(call, "operator-command.js pi-test"):
 		if f.currentImage == "sha256:old" {
 			f.restoredProofComplete = true
 		}
@@ -1248,7 +1237,7 @@ func (f *fakeRunner) Run(_ context.Context, args []string, _ io.Reader) (compose
 			return compose.Result{Stdout: f.modelsWire}, nil
 		}
 		return compose.Result{Stdout: `{"models":[{"id":"model","provider":"provider"}]}`}, nil
-	case strings.Contains(call, "/settings"):
+	case strings.Contains(call, "operator-command.js effective-settings"):
 		if f.currentImage == "sha256:old" {
 			f.restoredProofComplete = true
 		}
diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/setup/run_test.go b/tools/tht/internal/setup/run_test.go
index d5a81279..bd99fa83 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/setup/run_test.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/setup/run_test.go
@@ -331,8 +331,8 @@ func setupStage(args []string) (string, compose.Result) {
 		return "doctor config", compose.Result{Stdout: renderedSetupConfig}
 	case strings.Contains(joined, "exec -T core node dist/auth/diagnostic-command.js --json"):
 		return "authentication", compose.Result{Stdout: `{"ready":true,"mode":"oidc","checks":[{"level":"info","code":"auth_ready","message":"Authentication is ready."}]}`}
-	case strings.Contains(joined, "exec -T core tht doctor --json"):
-		return "workflow doctor", compose.Result{Stdout: `{"ok":true,"components":{}}`}
+	case strings.Contains(joined, "exec -T core node dist/operator-command.js workflow-doctor"):
+		return "workflow doctor", compose.Result{Stdout: `{"ready":true,"workspaces":1}`}
 	case strings.Contains(joined, "exec -T core curl -fsS --max-time 5 http://127.0.0.1:8787/health"):
 		return "core HTTP", compose.Result{}
 	case strings.Contains(joined, "exec -T frontend wget -q -T 5 -O /dev/null http://127.0.0.1:8080/"):
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ func setupStage(args []string) (string, compose.Result) {
 		return "pi doctor", compose.Result{Stdout: "0.80.3\n"}
 	case strings.Contains(joined, "pi --version") || strings.Contains(joined, "PI_VERSION") || strings.Contains(joined, "test -w") || strings.Contains(joined, "test -r") || strings.Contains(joined, "127.0.0.1:8787/health"):
 		return "pi doctor", compose.Result{Stdout: "0.80.3\n"}
-	case strings.Contains(joined, "/pi-management/test"):
+	case strings.Contains(joined, "operator-command.js pi-test"):
 		return "pi doctor", compose.Result{Stdout: `{"ready":true}`}
 	default:
 		return "unexpected: " + joined, compose.Result{}