fix: release removed Subject bodies while preserving journal history

crates/subjektiv/src/journal/binding.rs

@@ -194,6 +194,29 @@ impl SubjektivStore {
         })
     }
 
+    /// End a body after the Host has confirmed its Runtime removal. This is not a
+    /// completed Journal handoff: source coverage, positions and saved receipts stay
+    /// unchanged. Revocation and closing generations are atomic, so no retained Job
+    /// can write after deletion even while Backend Job cleanup is being retried.
+    pub fn release_removed_journal_body(&self, host: &JournalHostContext) -> JournalResult<()> {
+        self.database.try_transaction(|tx| {
+            super::store::check_session_host(self, tx, host)?;
+            let attr = host.attribution.as_ref().expect("checked Session authority");
+            let binding: Option<String> = tx.query_row(
+                "SELECT binding_id FROM journal_writer_bindings WHERE subject_id=?1 AND runtime_id=?2 AND worker_id=?3 ORDER BY rowid DESC LIMIT 1",
+                params![host.subject_id, attr.runtime_id, attr.worker_id], |r| r.get(0),
+            ).optional()?;
+            let binding = binding.unwrap_or_else(|| crate::issued_id("journal-removed-body"));
+            tx.execute("INSERT OR IGNORE INTO journal_writer_bindings(binding_id,subject_id,runtime_id,worker_id,active) VALUES(?1,?2,?3,?4,0)",params![binding,host.subject_id,attr.runtime_id,attr.worker_id])?;
+            tx.execute("UPDATE journal_writer_bindings SET active=0 WHERE subject_id=?1 AND runtime_id=?2 AND worker_id=?3",params![host.subject_id,attr.runtime_id,attr.worker_id])?;
+            // Bind legacy attributed Sessions to an inactive lifetime, never to the
+            // successor. Retained unfinished history is not an active writer.
+            tx.execute("INSERT OR IGNORE INTO journal_session_bindings(session_id,binding_id) SELECT session_id,?4 FROM subject_session_attributions WHERE subject_id=?1 AND runtime_id=?2 AND worker_id=?3",params![host.subject_id,attr.runtime_id,attr.worker_id,binding])?;
+            tx.execute("UPDATE journal_generations SET active=0 WHERE journal_id IN (SELECT j.id FROM journals j JOIN subject_session_attributions a ON a.session_id=j.source_session_id WHERE a.subject_id=?1 AND a.runtime_id=?2 AND a.worker_id=?3)",params![host.subject_id,attr.runtime_id,attr.worker_id])?;
+            Ok(())
+        })
+    }
+
     /// The Host must hold its lifecycle fence, confirm Idle, reconcile all committed original
     /// Sessions (including the save/notification gap), and exclude queued/running/Unknown Jobs.
     /// This transaction rejects retained writers, pending source bytes and active generations.

crates/subjektiv/src/journal/store.rs

@@ -651,6 +651,32 @@ impl SubjektivStore {
             Ok(())
         })
     }
+    /// Read the exact retained Job/attempt snapshot without granting writer
+    /// authority or creating a generation. Used for outcome recovery after removal.
+    pub fn retained_journal_generation(
+        &self,
+        host: &JournalHostContext,
+        id: &str,
+        binding: &JobAttemptBinding,
+    ) -> JournalResult<Option<JournalGeneration>> {
+        self.database.try_with_connection(|tx| {
+            check_host(self, tx, host, false)?;
+            check_session_host(self, tx, host)?;
+            journal(tx, host, id, true)?;
+            let raw: Option<String> = tx.query_row(
+                "SELECT snapshot_json FROM journal_generations WHERE journal_id=?1 AND job_id=?2 AND attempt_id=?3",
+                params![id, binding.job_id, binding.attempt_id], |r| r.get(0),
+            ).optional()?;
+            raw.map(|raw| {
+                let generation: JournalGeneration = serde_json::from_str(&raw)?;
+                if generation.journal_id != id || &generation.job != binding {
+                    return Err(conflict("retained generation identity mismatch"));
+                }
+                Ok(generation)
+            }).transpose()
+        })
+    }
+
     pub fn read_journal_generation(
         &self,
         host: &JournalHostContext,

crates/workspace-server/src/retention.rs

@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ impl SqliteWorkspaceStore {
         let now = Utc::now().to_rfc3339();
         self.with_conn_mut(|conn| {
             let tx=conn.transaction_with_behavior(TransactionBehavior::Immediate)?;
-            let policy=load_removal_policy(&tx,&req.workspace_id,&req.worker,erased_journal)?.ok_or_else(|| StoreError::InvalidInput(format!("policy-missing:{}",req.workspace_id)))?;
+            let policy=load_removal_policy(&tx,&req.workspace_id,&req.worker,erased_journal,true)?.ok_or_else(|| StoreError::InvalidInput(format!("policy-missing:{}",req.workspace_id)))?;
             let worker=match load_worker(&tx,&req.workspace_id,&req.worker)? {
                 Some(v)=>v,
                 None=>{
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ impl SqliteWorkspaceStore {
                 return Err(StoreError::InvalidInput(format!("stale:{plan_id}:plan state {} is not executable", state_s(plan.state))));
             }
             if !plan.blockers.is_empty(){return Err(StoreError::InvalidInput(format!("blocked:{}",serde_json::to_string(&plan.blockers).unwrap())));}
-            let policy=load_removal_policy(&tx,workspace_id,&plan.worker,plan.policy_id==ERASED_JOURNAL_POLICY_ID)?.ok_or_else(||StoreError::InvalidInput(format!("policy-missing:{workspace_id}")))?;
+            let policy=load_removal_policy(&tx,workspace_id,&plan.worker,plan.policy_id==ERASED_JOURNAL_POLICY_ID,plan.policy_id=="backend-subject-removal-archive-v1")?.ok_or_else(||StoreError::InvalidInput(format!("policy-missing:{workspace_id}")))?;
             if policy.policy_id!=plan.policy_id||policy.policy_digest!=plan.policy_digest{
                 mark_stale(&tx,&plan,"policy content changed")?;tx.commit()?;
                 return Err(stale_error(&plan,"policy content changed"));
@@ -1020,6 +1020,7 @@ fn load_removal_policy(
     w: &str,
     worker: &RuntimeWorkerRef,
     erased_journal: bool,
+    preserve_subject_history: bool,
 ) -> crate::Result<Option<WorkerRetentionPolicy>> {
     let Some(mut policy) = load_policy(c, w)? else {
         return Ok(None);
@@ -1044,6 +1045,25 @@ fn load_removal_policy(
         policy.archive_retention = update.archive_retention;
         policy.diagnostics_disposition = update.diagnostics_disposition;
         policy.diagnostics_retention_seconds = None;
+    } else if preserve_subject_history && policy.session_disposition == SessionDisposition::Purge && c.query_row(
+        "SELECT EXISTS(SELECT 1 FROM worker_create_reservations WHERE workspace_id=?1 AND runtime_id=?2 AND worker_id=?3 AND substr(singleton_key,1,10)='subjektiv:')",
+        params![w, worker.runtime_id, worker.worker_id],
+        |r| r.get::<_, bool>(0),
+    )? {
+        // Removing a Subject body releases occupancy, not its original history.
+        // A configured Purge must not silently erase an unfinished Journal. Explicit
+        // Session erasure uses the separate, proof-bound branch above.
+        let update = WorkerRetentionPolicyUpdate {
+            policy_id: "backend-subject-removal-archive-v1".into(),
+            session_disposition: SessionDisposition::Archive,
+            metadata_disposition: policy.metadata_disposition,
+            archive_retention: policy.archive_retention,
+            diagnostics_disposition: policy.diagnostics_disposition,
+            diagnostics_retention_seconds: policy.diagnostics_retention_seconds,
+        };
+        policy.policy_id = update.policy_id.clone();
+        policy.policy_digest = worker_retention_policy_digest(&update);
+        policy.session_disposition = update.session_disposition;
     }
     Ok(Some(policy))
 }

crates/workspace-server/src/server.rs

@@ -2327,7 +2327,9 @@ impl WorkerRemovalService {
                     ));
                 }
             };
-        match self.worker_projection.publish_ordered(|| {
+        let commit_result =
+            match subjektiv_journal::finish_worker_removal(self, target, &prepared, &result, || {
+                self.worker_projection.publish_ordered(|| {
                     self.store
                         .commit_worker_removal(
                             &self.workspace_id,
@@ -2336,7 +2338,18 @@ impl WorkerRemovalService {
                             &result,
                         )
                         .map(|commit| ((), commit.catalog))
+                })
             }) {
+                Ok(result) => result,
+                Err(error) => {
+                    return Ok(worker_remove_error_response(
+                        StatusCode::CONFLICT,
+                        "subject_removal_completion_unconfirmed",
+                        &error.to_string(),
+                    ));
+                }
+            };
+        match commit_result {
             Ok(()) => {
                 subjektiv_journal::after_worker_removal(self, &result);
                 Ok(worker_remove_success_response(target))
@@ -2722,7 +2735,13 @@ impl WorkerRemovalService {
                     ));
                 }
             };
-        match self.worker_projection.publish_ordered(|| {
+        let commit_result = match subjektiv_journal::finish_worker_removal(
+            self,
+            target,
+            &prepared,
+            &retention_result,
+            || {
+                self.worker_projection.publish_ordered(|| {
                     self.store
                         .commit_worker_removal(
                             &self.workspace_id,
@@ -2731,7 +2750,19 @@ impl WorkerRemovalService {
                             &retention_result,
                         )
                         .map(|commit| ((), commit.catalog))
-        }) {
+                })
+            },
+        ) {
+            Ok(result) => result,
+            Err(error) => {
+                return Ok(worker_remove_error_response(
+                    StatusCode::CONFLICT,
+                    "subject_removal_completion_unconfirmed",
+                    &error.to_string(),
+                ));
+            }
+        };
+        match commit_result {
             Ok(()) => {}
             Err(error) => {
                 let _ = self.store.fail_worker_removal(

crates/workspace-server/src/server/subjektiv_journal.rs

@@ -92,6 +92,20 @@ pub(super) fn prepare(api: &WorkspaceApi, reservation: &BackendJobReservation) -
     };
     let store = store(api)?;
     let host = host(api, &store, grant)?;
+    let attr = store
+        .session_attribution(&grant.session_id)
+        .map_err(|e| Error::Store(e.to_string()))?
+        .ok_or_else(|| {
+            Error::WorkspacePermissionDenied("Journal Session attribution missing".into())
+        })?;
+    if store
+        .journal_worker_was_released(&attr.subject_id, &attr.runtime_id, &attr.worker_id)
+        .map_err(domain)?
+    {
+        return Err(Error::WorkspacePermissionDenied(
+            "released Journal body cannot dispatch another attempt".into(),
+        ));
+    }
     let input = saved_input(&reservation.job.request, grant)?;
     let g = store
         .prepare_journal_input(
@@ -584,6 +598,18 @@ fn dispatch(
         .lock()
         .map_err(|_| Error::Store("Journal lifecycle lock poisoned".into()))?;
     let store = store(api)?;
+    if store
+        .journal_worker_was_released(
+            &attribution.subject_id,
+            &attribution.runtime_id,
+            &attribution.worker_id,
+        )
+        .map_err(domain)?
+    {
+        // Deletion can retain an unfinished prefix. It must not mint attempts or
+        // transfer the removed body's write capability to its successor.
+        return Ok(());
+    }
     let host =
         JournalHostContext::validated_session(&store, attribution.clone()).map_err(domain)?;
     if let Some(g) = store
@@ -1740,8 +1766,8 @@ fn finish_erased_release(
         .release_subject_singleton(api.workspace_id(), &lease, binding_id, &operation)
 }
 
-/// Normal deletion cannot substitute for Subject release, even for a stopped or disabled body.
+/// Ordinary removal owns writer revocation and occupancy release. Before execution
-/// Explicit erasure remains a separate monotonic source/diagnostics destruction path.
+/// only preserve/erase source requirements are checked; an active writer is not a blocker.
 pub(super) fn prepare_worker_removal(
     service: &WorkerRemovalService,
     runtime: &RuntimeRegistry,
@@ -1762,7 +1788,6 @@ pub(super) fn prepare_worker_removal(
         &service.journal_registration,
     )
     .map_err(|e| Error::Store(e.to_string()))?;
-    let host = JournalHostContext::validated_session(&store, attr.clone()).map_err(domain)?;
     let source = runtime_api::SessionPublicSource::Retained {
         worker_id: worker_runtime::identity::WorkerId::parse(&target.worker_id)
             .ok_or_else(|| Error::Store("Worker identity invalid".into()))?,
@@ -1779,25 +1804,9 @@ pub(super) fn prepare_worker_removal(
         finish_erased_release(&api, &attr)?;
         return Ok(Some(proof));
     }
-    let Some(binding_id) = host.writer_binding_id() else {
+    // Do not require a live Controller, complete Journal, or prior release here.
-        return Err(Error::RepositoryConflict(
+    // Runtime removal is the physical fence; finish_worker_removal revokes the
-            "Subject writer evidence is missing; ordinary deletion cannot bypass release".into(),
+    // exact old body only after its successful, matching retention receipt.
-        ));
-    };
-    let writer = JournalWriterBinding {
-        subject_id: attr.subject_id.clone(),
-        runtime_id: attr.runtime_id.clone(),
-        worker_id: attr.worker_id.clone(),
-        binding_id: binding_id.into(),
-    };
-    if store.journal_writer_active(&writer).map_err(domain)? {
-        return Err(Error::RepositoryConflict("Subject remains occupied: restore to actual Idle, finish Journal recording, then explicitly release before ordinary deletion".into()));
-    }
-    if store.journal_retention_required(&host).map_err(domain)? {
-        return Err(Error::RepositoryConflict(
-            "Released Subject has unresolved Journal material; retain occupancy and source".into(),
-        ));
-    }
     Ok(None)
 }
 
@@ -1886,20 +1895,6 @@ pub(super) fn validate_removal_retention(
         // its retained permanent fence, including recovery after the aggregate is gone.
         return Ok(());
     }
-    let binding_id = host.writer_binding_id().ok_or_else(|| {
-        Error::RepositoryConflict("Subject writer evidence missing during removal recovery".into())
-    })?;
-    let binding = JournalWriterBinding {
-        subject_id: attr.subject_id.clone(),
-        runtime_id: attr.runtime_id.clone(),
-        worker_id: attr.worker_id.clone(),
-        binding_id: binding_id.into(),
-    };
-    if store.journal_writer_active(&binding).map_err(domain)? {
-        return Err(Error::RepositoryConflict(
-            "Prepared removal cannot bypass explicit Subject release".into(),
-        ));
-    }
     let source = runtime_api::SessionPublicSource::Retained {
         worker_id: worker_runtime::identity::WorkerId::parse(&target.worker_id)
             .ok_or_else(|| Error::Store("Worker identity invalid".into()))?,
@@ -1907,19 +1902,42 @@ pub(super) fn validate_removal_retention(
     let runtime = service.runtime.upgrade().ok_or_else(|| {
         Error::Store("Runtime unavailable for source retention confirmation".into())
     })?;
-    if store.journal_retention_required(&host).map_err(domain)? {
+    let retention_required = store.journal_retention_required(&host).map_err(domain)?;
+    if prepared.runtime_request.session_disposition
+        == worker_runtime::retention::SessionDisposition::Purge
+        && prepared.runtime_request.archive_id.is_none()
+        && !retention_required
+        && store
+            .journal_worker_was_released(&attr.subject_id, &attr.runtime_id, &attr.worker_id)
+            .map_err(domain)?
+    {
+        // Compatibility for an already issued, history-complete ordinary Purge
+        // plan. New Subject plans always Archive. Keep the old fingerprint and
+        // disposition; never turn this into an erasure or allow an active writer.
+        // A missing Runtime Worker is NOT success: execute_worker_retention still
+        // has to return the exact persisted receipt before anything can commit.
+        // A pending receipt may outlive the physical aggregate while Runtime's
+        // in-memory catalog still contains the Worker. Pin release is best effort
+        // in this historical branch; exact Runtime retention replay still enforces
+        // pins if the source exists, and requires a receipt if it is already gone.
+        if let Err(error) = retain_source(&runtime, &service.workspace_id, &attr, source, true) {
+            tracing::debug!(%error, "Historical Purge source unavailable; reconcile exact Runtime receipt");
+        }
+        return Ok(());
+    }
     if prepared.runtime_request.session_disposition
         != worker_runtime::retention::SessionDisposition::Archive
         || prepared.runtime_request.archive_id.is_none()
     {
         return Err(Error::RepositoryConflict(
-                "unreflected Journal requires a retained original Session archive".into(),
+            "Subject removal retains its original Session; explicit erasure is required for Purge"
+                .into(),
         ));
     }
-        if let Err(original) = retain_source(&runtime, &service.workspace_id, &attr, source, false)
+    let release = !retention_required;
-        {
+    if let Err(original) = retain_source(&runtime, &service.workspace_id, &attr, source, release) {
-            // Recovery may already have transferred the physical source before its Backend
+        // A lost reply may follow the physical transfer. Reconcile only the exact
-            // catalog commit; authenticate the exact reserved archive, never another Session.
+        // reserved archive and Session, whether or not an admitted remainder exists.
         let archive = runtime_api::SessionPublicSource::Archived {
             archive_id: prepared
                 .runtime_request
@@ -1927,17 +1945,97 @@ pub(super) fn validate_removal_retention(
                 .clone()
                 .expect("checked"),
         };
-            retain_source(&runtime, &service.workspace_id, &attr, archive, false)
+        retain_source(&runtime, &service.workspace_id, &attr, archive, release)
             .map_err(|_| original)?;
     }
-    } else {
-        // This stopped/removal-fenced Session has no admitted remainder; purge need not
-        // force a generation. A failed release conservatively blocks ordinary deletion.
-        retain_source(&runtime, &service.workspace_id, &attr, source, true)?;
-    }
     Ok(())
 }
 
+/// A successful Runtime receipt, not catalog liveness, authorizes ending the old
+/// writer. The ordinary removal commit releases occupancy atomically with catalog
+/// deletion. Until then a crash leaves the singleton occupied and the same receipt
+/// can safely repeat this step; no Controller restore or Journal generation is needed.
+pub(super) fn finish_worker_removal<T>(
+    service: &WorkerRemovalService,
+    target: &RuntimeWorkerRef,
+    prepared: &crate::retention::PreparedWorkerRemoval,
+    result: &worker_runtime::retention::WorkerRetentionExecutionResult,
+    commit: impl FnOnce() -> T,
+) -> Result<T> {
+    let Some(attr) = removal_attribution(service, target)? else {
+        return Ok(commit());
+    };
+    let request = &prepared.runtime_request;
+    if prepared.plan.worker != *target
+        || request.workspace_id != service.workspace_id
+        || request.source_runtime_id != target.runtime_id
+        || request.worker_id.to_string() != target.worker_id
+        || !result.source_removed
+        || result.worker_id != request.worker_id
+        || result.operation_id != request.operation_id
+        || result.input_fingerprint != request.input_fingerprint
+        || result.session_disposition != request.session_disposition
+        || result.diagnostics_disposition != request.diagnostics_disposition
+        || result.diagnostics_retained
+            != (request.diagnostics_disposition
+                == worker_runtime::retention::DiagnosticsDisposition::Retain)
+    {
+        return Err(Error::RepositoryConflict(
+            "Subject removal receipt does not match its plan".into(),
+        ));
+    }
+    if request.session_disposition == worker_runtime::retention::SessionDisposition::Archive {
+        let archive = result.archive.as_ref().ok_or_else(|| {
+            Error::RepositoryConflict("Subject removal archive receipt is missing".into())
+        })?;
+        if Some(&archive.archive_id) != request.archive_id.as_ref()
+            || archive.workspace_id != request.workspace_id
+            || archive.source_runtime_id != request.source_runtime_id
+            || archive.source_worker_id != request.worker_id
+            || archive.source_session_id != attr.session_id
+            || archive.operation_id != request.operation_id
+            || archive.input_fingerprint != request.input_fingerprint
+            || archive.policy_id != request.policy_id
+        {
+            return Err(Error::RepositoryConflict(
+                "Subject removal archive identity mismatch".into(),
+            ));
+        }
+    }
+    let api = service.journal_dispatch_api.upgrade().ok_or_else(|| {
+        Error::Store("Workspace API unavailable for Subject removal completion".into())
+    })?;
+    let gate = lifecycle_lock(&api, &attr.subject_id)?;
+    let _guard = gate
+        .lock()
+        .map_err(|_| Error::Store("Journal lifecycle lock poisoned".into()))?;
+    let store = store(&api)?;
+    let host = JournalHostContext::validated_session(&store, attr.clone()).map_err(domain)?;
+    if store.journal_session_erased(&host).map_err(domain)? {
+        if request.session_disposition == worker_runtime::retention::SessionDisposition::Archive {
+            // Erasure may win after Runtime archive transfer. Do not publish that
+            // archive or skip writer revocation: the same removal retry must take
+            // erased_archive_removal_proof and its physical-erasure commit path.
+            return Err(Error::RepositoryConflict(
+                "Session erased during removal; reconcile the same removal operation".into(),
+            ));
+        }
+        return Ok(commit());
+    }
+    store.release_removed_journal_body(&host).map_err(domain)?;
+    for session in store
+        .subject_session_attributions(&attr.subject_id)
+        .map_err(|e| Error::Store(e.to_string()))?
+        .into_iter()
+        .filter(|a| a.runtime_id == target.runtime_id && a.worker_id == target.worker_id)
+    {
+        reconcile_session_jobs(&api, &session, false)?;
+    }
+    // Keep erasure excluded through the catalog commit: otherwise a tombstone
+    // could win between revocation and publication of the retained archive.
+    Ok(commit())
+}
+
 #[derive(Deserialize)]
 #[serde(deny_unknown_fields)]
 pub(super) struct Empty {}
@@ -2089,7 +2187,28 @@ pub(super) fn reconcile_unknown(
         .as_ref()
         .ok_or_else(|| Error::InvalidInput("Journal recovery requires a grant".into()))?;
     let store = store(api)?;
-    let host = host(api, &store, grant)?;
+    let attr = store
+        .session_attribution(&grant.session_id)
+        .map_err(|e| Error::Store(e.to_string()))?
+        .filter(|a| a.subject_id == grant.subject_id)
+        .ok_or_else(|| Error::WorkspacePermissionDenied("Journal attribution mismatch".into()))?;
+    let released = store
+        .journal_worker_was_released(&attr.subject_id, &attr.runtime_id, &attr.worker_id)
+        .map_err(domain)?;
+    let host = if released {
+        // Recovery reads immutable evidence, never renews a legacy writer grant.
+        let host = JournalHostContext::validated_session(&store, attr.clone()).map_err(domain)?;
+        if !grant.binding_id.is_empty()
+            && host.writer_binding_id() != Some(grant.binding_id.as_str())
+        {
+            return Err(Error::WorkspacePermissionDenied(
+                "Journal recovery binding mismatch".into(),
+            ));
+        }
+        host
+    } else {
+        host(api, &store, grant)?
+    };
     let erased = store.journal_session_erased(&host).map_err(domain)?;
     if !erased {
         job.load_executable_request()?;
@@ -2097,8 +2216,12 @@ pub(super) fn reconcile_unknown(
             job_id: job.request.job_id.clone(),
             attempt_id: attempt.attempt_id.clone(),
         };
-        let g = if legacy_descriptor(&job.request) {
+        let generation = if released {
-            // Only reconcile already-saved legacy receipts; never redispatch descriptors.
+            store
+                .retained_journal_generation(&host, &grant.journal_id, &binding)
+                .map_err(domain)?
+        } else if legacy_descriptor(&job.request) {
+            Some(
                 store
                     .prepare_journal_generation(
                         &host,
@@ -2106,15 +2229,28 @@ pub(super) fn reconcile_unknown(
                         binding,
                         grant.selected_ranges.clone(),
                     )
-                .map_err(domain)?
+                    .map_err(domain)?,
+            )
         } else {
-            let input = saved_input(&job.request, grant)?;
+            // Preserve active-body recovery: its saved intent can still establish
-            let generation = store
+            // the original generation fence. A released body must only read it.
-                .prepare_journal_input(&host, &input, binding)
+            Some(
-                .map_err(domain)?;
+                store
-            input.validate_generation(&generation).map_err(domain)?;
+                    .prepare_journal_input(&host, &saved_input(&job.request, grant)?, binding)
-            generation
+                    .map_err(domain)?,
+            )
         };
+        if let Some(g) = generation {
+            if g.selected_ranges != grant.selected_ranges {
+                return Err(Error::WorkspacePermissionDenied(
+                    "Journal recovery selection mismatch".into(),
+                ));
+            }
+            if !legacy_descriptor(&job.request) {
+                saved_input(&job.request, grant)?
+                    .validate_generation(&g)
+                    .map_err(domain)?;
+            }
             let ctx = JournalJobContext::validated_recovery(&store, &host, &g.id, g.job.clone())
                 .map_err(domain)?;
             match journal::service::finish(&store, &ctx) {
@@ -2144,9 +2280,14 @@ pub(super) fn reconcile_unknown(
                             replayed: false,
                         },
                     );
-                if current.worker_cleanup_state == Some(BackendJobWorkerCleanupState::Completed) {
+                    if current.worker_cleanup_state == Some(BackendJobWorkerCleanupState::Completed)
+                    {
+                        if !released {
                             drain_after_completion(api, &job.request);
-                    if job.input_disposition == crate::backend_job::JobInputDisposition::Available {
+                        }
+                        if job.input_disposition
+                            == crate::backend_job::JobInputDisposition::Available
+                        {
                             api.store.reclaim_backend_job_input(
                                 api.workspace_id(),
                                 &job.request.job_id,
@@ -2163,6 +2304,7 @@ pub(super) fn reconcile_unknown(
                 Err(error) => return Err(domain(error)),
             }
         }
+    }
     if attempt.worker_cleanup_state != Some(BackendJobWorkerCleanupState::Completed) {
         return Ok(());
     }
@@ -2179,11 +2321,17 @@ pub(super) fn reconcile_unknown(
         false
     };
     if !confirmed_purge {
+        if released {
+            // Source deletion already fenced this generation. An unbound Unknown
+            // still lacks execution-cleanup proof: preserve Unknown, but it no
+            // longer owns the Subject or blocks removal of the original body.
+            return Ok(());
+        }
         return Err(Error::RepositoryConflict(
             "Unknown Journal attempt has no committed stop/Purge fence; not retried".into(),
         ));
     }
-    if !erased {
+    if !erased && !released {
         close(api, &job.request, attempt)?;
     }
     api.store.reconcile_backend_journal_attempt(
@@ -2192,7 +2340,7 @@ pub(super) fn reconcile_unknown(
         None,
         &Utc::now().to_rfc3339(),
     )?;
-    if !erased {
+    if !erased && !released {
         // Resume the same saved body input only after canonical execution/domain fences.
         // dispatch selects its retained intent before it can capture any newer source.
         let attr = store
@@ -2209,6 +2357,10 @@ fn reconcile_session_jobs(
     attr: &crate::subjektiv::SubjectSessionAttribution,
     erased: bool,
 ) -> Result<()> {
+    let released = !erased
+        && store(api)?
+            .journal_worker_was_released(&attr.subject_id, &attr.runtime_id, &attr.worker_id)
+            .map_err(domain)?;
     let mut after: Option<String> = None;
     loop {
         let jobs = api.store.list_backend_journal_jobs(
@@ -2223,6 +2375,29 @@ fn reconcile_session_jobs(
                 .store
                 .get_backend_job_attempt(api.workspace_id(), &job.request.job_id, &id)?
                 .ok_or_else(|| Error::Store("Journal current attempt missing".into()))?;
+            if released {
+                // Writer revocation has already fenced all Journal mutations. End
+                // pending/Unknown attempts without claiming their input was reflected;
+                // saved input, operations and original source remain retained.
+                if !attempt.state.terminal() {
+                    attempt = api.store.finish_backend_job_attempt(
+                        api.workspace_id(),
+                        &job.request.job_id,
+                        &id,
+                        BackendJobAttemptState::Failed,
+                        "journal_body_released",
+                        "Source Worker was removed; unfinished Journal history retained",
+                        &Utc::now().to_rfc3339(),
+                    )?;
+                }
+                api.schedule_backend_job_worker_cleanup(&attempt);
+                if attempt.state == BackendJobAttemptState::Unknown {
+                    // A saved checkpoint may settle success; otherwise retain Unknown
+                    // until canonical Job-worker cleanup has supplied its Purge fence.
+                    reconcile_unknown(api, job, &attempt)?;
+                }
+                continue;
+            }
             if !erased
                 && legacy_descriptor(&job.request)
                 && job.input_disposition == crate::backend_job::JobInputDisposition::Available

crates/workspace-server/src/store.rs

@@ -3112,8 +3112,8 @@ impl SqliteWorkspaceStore {
                         },
                     )
                     .optional()?;
-                // Subject occupancy survives removal until an explicit release
+                // An unconfirmed legacy removal cannot release Subject occupancy.
-                // proof. It must not resurrect the removed creation reservation:
+                // Completed removal or explicit release does; never resurrect a reservation:
                 // Runtime callbacks require a live reservation or catalog member.
                 if stored.as_ref().is_some_and(|row| row.6 == "removed") {
                     return Err(Error::RepositoryConflict(format!(
@@ -16223,7 +16223,7 @@ fn current_worker_singleton_owner(
                     CASE WHEN substr(owner.singleton_key,1,10)='subjektiv:' AND reservation.state='removed' \
                       AND NOT EXISTS(SELECT 1 FROM subject_worker_releases r WHERE r.workspace_id=owner.workspace_id AND r.worker_id=owner.worker_id AND r.runtime_id=owner.runtime_id AND r.singleton_key=owner.singleton_key AND r.singleton_generation=owner.generation AND r.completed=1) \
                       AND NOT EXISTS(SELECT 1 FROM subject_create_recoveries r WHERE r.workspace_id=owner.workspace_id AND r.worker_id=owner.worker_id AND r.runtime_id=owner.runtime_id AND r.singleton_key=owner.singleton_key AND r.singleton_generation=owner.generation AND r.create_fingerprint=reservation.create_fingerprint AND r.completed=1) \
-                    THEN 'created' ELSE reservation.state END \
+                    AND NOT EXISTS(SELECT 1 FROM worker_removal_operations r WHERE r.workspace_id=owner.workspace_id AND r.worker_id=owner.worker_id AND r.runtime_id=owner.runtime_id AND r.state='succeeded') THEN 'created' ELSE reservation.state END \
              FROM worker_singleton_owners owner \
              LEFT JOIN worker_create_reservations reservation \
                ON reservation.workspace_id = owner.workspace_id \