Add writable /self alias alongside /public and /data

Reviewed-on: #3

PROTOCOL.md

@@ -59,15 +59,27 @@ it exits. After 5 seconds, it kills the instance.
 
 ## Filesystem
 
-Each instance sees three folders:
+The world folder is the foundation of every instance's filesystem:
 
 | Path | Access | Contents |
 | --- | --- | --- |
-| `/data` | read-write by its actor; readable by every actor | the actor's state |
-| `/public` | read-write | the files that the actor publishes |
-| `/actor` | read-only | the `actor/` folder of the world |
+| `/` | read-write by every actor | the whole world folder |
+| `/self` | read-write | alias for the actor's own folder (`public/`, `data/`, `source/`, etc.) |
+| `/data` | read-write | alias for the actor's state folder |
+| `/public` | read-write | alias for the actor's published files |
+| `/actor` | read-write by every actor | the `actor/` folder of the world |
 
-An actor can write only its own `/data`, but can read every actor's `/data` through `/actor/<id>/data/`. `/data` is not private: any unprotected secret file there is readable by every actor.
+Every actor can read and write every file in the world, including other actors'
+`/actor/<id>/data/` and `/actor/<id>/public/`. Nothing there is private.
+Creating a folder in the world makes it visible to running actors immediately:
+`/config`, `/docs`, `/www`, and `/skills` need no new mounts or host restart.
+New worlds include an empty `/config` for global configuration by convention;
+existing worlds can simply create it. Keep secrets out of global configuration.
+
+Candidate instances see the same writable world root. Their `/self` alias
+points to the scratch actor folder; `/public` and `/data` still point to its
+corresponding children, and network access remains off;
+absolute world paths are not isolated from the live world.
 
 `/actor/<id>/` holds everything about an actor: `actor.wasm`, `actor.json`
 (installed version, running, subscriptions, tapped, watches), `source/`, `public/`, `data/`,
@@ -125,18 +137,21 @@ the request: the request's `type` in past tense (`spawned`, `upgraded`,
 | `type` | Fields | Effect |
 | --- | --- | --- |
 | `spawn` | `actor`, `wasm`, `source`?, `built_by`? | test, then start a new actor |
-| `upgrade` | `actor`, `wasm`, `source`?, `built_by`?, `preserve_stopped`? (boolean, default `false`) | test, then swap the version; with `preserve_stopped: true`, a stopped actor is compiled and installed without execution and stays stopped |
-| `rollback` | `actor`, `version` | go back to an older version |
+| `upgrade` | `actor`, `wasm`, `source`?, `built_by`? | test, then swap the version: a running actor is stopped (normal shutdown) and starts the new version; a stopped actor gets the new version and stays stopped, with its mailbox untouched, until `start`. The answer has `running` |
+| `rollback` | `actor`, `version` | go back to an older version; like `upgrade`, a stopped actor stays stopped. The answer has `running` |
 | `stop`, `start` | `actor` | stop or start an actor |
 | `remove` | `actor` | stop the actor (normal shutdown), then delete its whole folder `/actor/<id>/` (all versions, `data/`, `public/`, logs); answer `{"type": "removed", "actor"}`. Messages to it are then undeliverable, and the ID can be spawned again. An unknown actor or a native one (`broker`, `console`, `cargo`, `fs`) is an `error` |
 | `subscribe`, `unsubscribe` | `actor` | receive (or not) what `actor` publishes |
 | `tap`, `untap` | | receive (or not) a copy of every message the broker routes |
-| `watch`, `unwatch` | `path` | receive (or not) `fs_changed` for every change of `path` or anything under it; answer `{"type": "watching" \| "unwatched", "path"}` with the path as an `/actor/...` path |
+| `watch`, `unwatch` | `path` | receive (or not) `fs_changed` for every change of `path` or anything under it; answer `{"type": "watching" \| "unwatched", "path"}` with the path as an absolute world path |
 | `exit` | | answer `exiting`, stop every actor, and end the `sausage` process with exit code 75 (a wrapper like `nix run .#loop` starts it again, updated) |
 
 **Headless.** `sausage run --headless [dir]` (or `sausage --headless`, or `SAUSAGE_HEADLESS=1`) turns the console input off: the host does not read stdin, so end of input (`/dev/null`) does not stop the world. `nix run .#loop -- --headless <world>` passes it through the loop. It runs until SIGTERM or SIGINT (stops every actor, exit code 0) or a broker `exit` request (exit code 75, as above). Without the flag, EOF on stdin or `/quit` ends the host.
 
-Paths are `/actor/...`, or the sender's `/public/...` or `/data/...`.
+Paths are absolute world paths, or the sender's `/self/...`, `/public/...` or
+`/data/...` aliases. Native senders (such as the console) can also supply
+absolute host paths; apart from `/actor` and these aliases,
+these retain their host meaning.
 
 **Taps.** After `tap`, the sender gets a copy of every message that the
 broker routes (direct messages, replies, and publishes, between any actors,
@@ -176,17 +191,16 @@ change of `path` or a path under it (`/actor/a` covers `/actor/a/x`, not
 - Events come from `fs`. Like tap copies, they are not routed, a full
   mailbox drops them, and they never block the writer. Never answer them.
 - If the OS drops events, every watcher gets one
-  `{"type": "fs_changed", "path": "/actor", "op": "rescan"}`: anything may
+  `{"type": "fs_changed", "path": "/", "op": "rescan"}`: anything may
   have changed.
 - A watch is saved in `actor.json` (`"watches": [...]`) and survives
   restarts and upgrades. `unwatch` with the same path ends it.
 
 **Versions.** A new version (from `spawn`, `upgrade`, or a changed
-`actor.wasm` on disk) is tested first, while the old version keeps running
-(except the stopped-preserving upgrade described below).
+`actor.wasm` on disk) is tested first, while the old version keeps running.
 Only when its tests pass does the broker copy it to `versions/<n>/`
 (`actor.wasm`, `source/`, `meta.json`) and switch to it. So `versions/` holds
-exactly the versions that were installed (including stopped installations), and instances always run from
+exactly the versions that were installed, and instances always run from
 there. If the tests fail, nothing changes, and the sender gets an `error`
 with the reason. All versions share the actor's `data/` and `public/`: a
 new version must read the data of the old one.
@@ -213,22 +227,8 @@ instance. A version without test files passes.
 
 **Swap.** The broker holds the mailbox, stops the old instance, makes the
 top-level `actor.wasm` and `source/` a copy of the new version, and starts
-it. A rollback does the same with the older version.
-
-**Stopped-preserving upgrade.** Send `upgrade` with `"preserve_stopped": true`
-to install a stopped actor's new program without starting it, running `main`
-(even as a candidate), or reading or sending any of its mail. The host compiles
-the WASM and copies the new version, source and metadata as usual, increments
-the version, and keeps `actor.json`'s `running: false`. Its mailbox, `data/`
-and `public/` stay untouched. Because candidate tests execute `main`, they are
-not run in this case: the `upgraded` reply contains
-`"tests": {"skipped": "preserve_stopped"}`. Test the build separately before
-installing it this way. An explicit `start` later runs the installed version
-and delivers the queued mail. No startup/crash probation runs for this stopped
-installation. Running actors still use the normal tested swap, even with this
-option. Omitting the option (or `false`) retains the existing behavior,
-including starting a stopped actor. Explicit stop/start requests serialize
-with upgrades of the same actor.
+it. A stopped actor is not started: it keeps its mailbox and runs the new
+version at the next `start`. A rollback does the same with the older version.
 
 **Crashes.** The broker restarts a crashed actor after 0.5 s, then doubles
 the delay up to 30 s. A new version that crashes 3 times within 30 seconds

cli/src/broker.rs

@@ -255,7 +255,9 @@ impl Broker {
         }
         InstanceConfig {
             mounts: vec![
-                Mount { guest: "/actor".into(), host: self.world.actors_root(), writable: false },
+                Mount { guest: "/".into(), host: self.world.root.clone(), writable: true },
+                Mount { guest: "/actor".into(), host: self.world.actors_root(), writable: true },
+                Mount { guest: "/self".into(), host: own.clone(), writable: true },
                 Mount { guest: "/public".into(), host: own.join("public"), writable: true },
                 Mount { guest: "/data".into(), host: own.join("data"), writable: true },
             ],
@@ -313,16 +315,12 @@ impl Broker {
         Ok(component)
     }
 
-    /// Compile a new version where it lies and, normally, test it. Copy it
-    /// to `versions/<n>/` only on success. A stopped-preserving install skips
-    /// execution, including candidate tests. Return the component and report.
-    async fn try_version(&self, id: &str, meta: &VersionMeta, wasm: &Path, source: Option<&Path>, run_tests: bool) -> Result<(Component, Value)> {
+    /// Test a new version where it lies. Only when the tests pass, copy it
+    /// to `versions/<n>/`: that folder holds only versions that run(ran).
+    /// Returns the component and the test report.
+    async fn try_version(&self, id: &str, meta: &VersionMeta, wasm: &Path, source: Option<&Path>) -> Result<(Component, Value)> {
         let component = self.load(id, wasm)?;
-        let tests = if run_tests {
-            candidate::test(self, id, meta.version, &component, source).await
-        } else {
-            Ok(json!({"skipped": "preserve_stopped"}))
-        };
+        let tests = candidate::test(self, id, meta.version, &component, source).await;
         if let Err(e) = &tests {
             self.log(id, &format!("version {} from {} failed its tests: {e:#}", meta.version, meta.wasm));
         }
@@ -335,7 +333,8 @@ impl Broker {
         Ok((component, tests))
     }
 
-    /// Make `version` the current `actor.wasm`, `source/`, and `actor.json`.
+    /// Make `version` the current `actor.wasm`, `source/`, and `actor.json`,
+    /// and record whether the actor runs.
     pub fn install(&self, id: &str, version: u64, running: bool) -> Result<()> {
         self.world.install_files(id, version)?;
         self.update_meta(id, |m| {
@@ -363,29 +362,26 @@ impl Broker {
     }
 
     async fn create_version(self: &Arc<Self>, id: &str, meta: &VersionMeta, wasm: &Path, source: Option<&Path>) -> Result<Value> {
-        let (_, tests) = self.try_version(id, meta, wasm, source, true).await?;
+        let (_, tests) = self.try_version(id, meta, wasm, source).await?;
         self.install(id, meta.version, true)?;
         self.start_supervisor(id, meta.version, true);
         Ok(json!({"type": "spawned", "actor": id, "version": meta.version, "tests": tests}))
     }
 
-    pub async fn upgrade_actor(self: &Arc<Self>, id: &str, wasm: &Path, source: Option<&Path>, meta: VersionMeta, preserve_stopped: bool) -> Result<Value> {
+    pub async fn upgrade_actor(self: &Arc<Self>, id: &str, wasm: &Path, source: Option<&Path>, meta: VersionMeta) -> Result<Value> {
         let lock = self.op_lock(id);
         let _guard = lock.lock().await;
         if !self.is_supervised(id) {
             bail!("no WASM actor with ID {id}");
         }
         let version = self.world.next_version(id);
-        self.upgrade_version(id, &VersionMeta { version, ..meta }, wasm, source, preserve_stopped).await
+        self.upgrade_version(id, &VersionMeta { version, ..meta }, wasm, source).await
     }
 
-    async fn upgrade_version(self: &Arc<Self>, id: &str, meta: &VersionMeta, wasm: &Path, source: Option<&Path>, preserve_stopped: bool) -> Result<Value> {
-        // Lifecycle requests hold the same op lock, so a stopped actor cannot
-        // start between this decision and the supervisor's installation.
-        let run_tests = !preserve_stopped || self.meta(id).is_some_and(|m| m.running);
-        let (component, tests) = self.try_version(id, meta, wasm, source, run_tests).await?;
+    async fn upgrade_version(self: &Arc<Self>, id: &str, meta: &VersionMeta, wasm: &Path, source: Option<&Path>) -> Result<Value> {
+        let (component, tests) = self.try_version(id, meta, wasm, source).await?;
         let (version, requester) = (meta.version, meta.requested_by.clone());
-        let mut result = self.control(id, |reply| Control::Upgrade { version, component, requester, preserve_stopped, reply }).await?;
+        let mut result = self.control(id, |reply| Control::Upgrade { version, component, requester, reply }).await?;
         result["tests"] = tests;
         Ok(result)
     }
@@ -451,7 +447,7 @@ impl Broker {
         self.host_error("the file watcher dropped events; watchers get a rescan, actors a full pass");
         let watchers: Vec<String> =
             self.metas.lock().unwrap().iter().filter(|(_, m)| !m.watches.is_empty()).map(|(id, _)| id.clone()).collect();
-        self.inject(&watchers, vfs::ID, json!({"type": "fs_changed", "path": "/actor", "op": "rescan"}));
+        self.inject(&watchers, vfs::ID, json!({"type": "fs_changed", "path": "/", "op": "rescan"}));
         let report = self.scan().await;
         for change in &report {
             eprintln!("sausage: {change}");
@@ -524,7 +520,7 @@ impl Broker {
         let source = source.is_dir().then_some(source.as_path());
         let result = match installed {
             None => self.create_version(id, &vmeta, &wasm, source).await,
-            Some(_) => self.upgrade_version(id, &vmeta, &wasm, source, false).await,
+            Some(_) => self.upgrade_version(id, &vmeta, &wasm, source).await,
         };
         Some(result.unwrap_or_else(|e| json!({"type": "error", "actor": id, "reason": format!("{e:#}")})))
     }
@@ -571,11 +567,7 @@ impl Broker {
             }
             "upgrade" => {
                 let (wasm, source, meta) = version_meta()?;
-                let preserve_stopped = match b.get("preserve_stopped") {
-                    None => false,
-                    Some(value) => value.as_bool().ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("preserve_stopped must be a boolean"))?,
-                };
-                self.upgrade_actor(&actor()?, &wasm, source.as_deref(), meta, preserve_stopped).await
+                self.upgrade_actor(&actor()?, &wasm, source.as_deref(), meta).await
             }
             "rollback" => {
                 let id = actor()?;
@@ -584,15 +576,8 @@ impl Broker {
                 let _guard = lock.lock().await;
                 self.control(&id, |reply| Control::Rollback { version, reply }).await
             }
-            "stop" | "start" => {
-                let id = actor()?;
-                let lock = self.op_lock(&id);
-                let _guard = lock.lock().await;
-                self.control(&id, |reply| match ty {
-                    "stop" => Control::Stop { reply },
-                    _ => Control::Start { reply },
-                }).await
-            },
+            "stop" => self.control(&actor()?, |reply| Control::Stop { reply }).await,
+            "start" => self.control(&actor()?, |reply| Control::Start { reply }).await,
             "remove" => self.remove_actor(&actor()?).await,
             "subscribe" | "unsubscribe" => {
                 let publisher = actor()?;
@@ -616,9 +601,9 @@ impl Broker {
                 let on = ty == "watch";
                 let path_s = b["path"].as_str().ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("missing \"path\""))?;
                 let global = self.world.global_path(&self.world.resolve(&env.from, path_s)?);
-                let path = global.ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("{path_s} is not under /actor"))?;
+                let path = global.ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("{path_s} is not under the world root"))?;
                 let path = match path.trim_end_matches('/') {
-                    "" => "/actor".to_string(),
+                    "" => "/".to_string(),
                     p => p.to_string(),
                 };
                 self.update_meta(&env.from, |m| {
@@ -666,7 +651,7 @@ fn same_file(a: &Path, b: &Path) -> bool {
 
 /// Whether the namespace path `path` is `prefix` or inside it.
 fn under(path: &str, prefix: &str) -> bool {
-    path.strip_prefix(prefix).is_some_and(|rest| rest.is_empty() || rest.starts_with('/'))
+    prefix == "/" || path.strip_prefix(prefix).is_some_and(|rest| rest.is_empty() || rest.starts_with('/'))
 }
 
 pub fn truncate(s: &str, max: usize) -> String {

cli/src/supervisor.rs

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ pub type Reply = oneshot::Sender<Result<Value>>;
 
 pub enum Control {
     /// Swap to `version` (already in `versions/`, compiled as `component`).
-    Upgrade { version: u64, component: Component, requester: String, preserve_stopped: bool, reply: Reply },
+    Upgrade { version: u64, component: Component, requester: String, reply: Reply },
     Rollback { version: u64, reply: Reply },
     Stop { reply: Reply },
     Start { reply: Reply },
@@ -220,51 +220,51 @@ impl Supervisor {
 
     /// Make `version` current. It is compiled first (unless `component` is
     /// given): if that fails, nothing changes. `data/` and `public/` stay as
-    /// they are.
-    async fn install(&mut self, version: u64, component: Option<Component>, running: bool) -> Result<()> {
+    /// they are. A stopped actor stays stopped.
+    async fn install(&mut self, version: u64, component: Option<Component>) -> Result<()> {
         let component = match component {
             Some(c) => c,
             None => self.broker.load_version(&self.id, version)?,
         };
         self.stop().await;
-        self.broker.install(&self.id, version, running)?;
+        self.broker.install(&self.id, version, self.running)?;
         self.version = version;
         self.component = Some(component);
-        self.running = running;
         self.restarts = 0;
         self.restart_at = None;
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    async fn upgrade(&mut self, version: u64, component: Component, requester: String, preserve_stopped: bool) -> Result<Value> {
+    async fn upgrade(&mut self, version: u64, component: Component, requester: String) -> Result<Value> {
         let previous = self.version;
-        let running = self.running || !preserve_stopped;
-        self.install(version, Some(component), running).await?;
-        if !running {
-            self.probation = None;
-            return Ok(json!({"type": "upgraded", "actor": self.id, "version": version, "previous": previous}));
+        self.install(version, Some(component)).await?;
+        if !self.running {
+            // Installed, not started: main runs and mail is read at the next `start`.
+            return Ok(json!({"type": "upgraded", "actor": self.id, "version": version, "previous": previous, "running": false}));
         }
         self.probation = Some(Probation { previous, since: Instant::now(), crashes: 0, requester });
         if let Err(e) = self.start().await {
             self.rollback(previous).await?;
             bail!("version {version} did not start ({e:#}); rolled back to {previous}");
         }
-        Ok(json!({"type": "upgraded", "actor": self.id, "version": version, "previous": previous}))
+        Ok(json!({"type": "upgraded", "actor": self.id, "version": version, "previous": previous, "running": true}))
     }
 
     async fn rollback(&mut self, version: u64) -> Result<Value> {
         let from = self.version;
-        self.install(version, None, true).await?;
+        self.install(version, None).await?;
         self.probation = None;
-        self.start().await?;
-        Ok(json!({"type": "rolled_back", "actor": self.id, "from": from, "to": version}))
+        if self.running {
+            self.start().await?;
+        }
+        Ok(json!({"type": "rolled_back", "actor": self.id, "from": from, "to": version, "running": self.running}))
     }
 
     /// Handle a control request. Returns `true` when the supervisor ends.
     async fn handle(&mut self, ctl: Control) -> bool {
         match ctl {
-            Control::Upgrade { version, component, requester, preserve_stopped, reply } => {
-                let _ = reply.send(self.upgrade(version, component, requester, preserve_stopped).await);
+            Control::Upgrade { version, component, requester, reply } => {
+                let _ = reply.send(self.upgrade(version, component, requester).await);
             }
             Control::Rollback { version, reply } => {
                 let _ = reply.send(self.rollback(version).await);

cli/src/vfs.rs

@@ -390,8 +390,8 @@ impl preopens::Host for VfsView<'_> {
     fn get_directories(&mut self) -> wasmtime::Result<Vec<(Resource<types::Descriptor>, String)>> {
         let dirs = preopens::Host::get_directories(&mut self.inner)?;
         for (fd, name) in &dirs {
-            if name == "/actor" {
-                self.state.dirs.insert(fd.rep(), "/actor".to_string());
+            if name == "/actor" || name == "/" {
+                self.state.dirs.insert(fd.rep(), name.clone());
             }
         }
         Ok(dirs)

cli/src/watch.rs

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 //! Events are coalesced per path: once a path is quiet for `QUIET` (or has
 //! kept changing for `MAX_DELAY`), it becomes one change
 //! `{path, op: write | create | remove | rename, to?}` with a namespace path
-//! (`/actor/...`). Then the broker
+//! (relative to the world root, such as `/actor/...` or `/config/...`). Then the broker
 //!
 //! - sends `fs_changed` to the actors that watch the path (`watch` request),
 //! - starts or upgrades an actor whose `actor/<id>/actor.wasm` (or folder
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ impl Pending {
 }
 
 async fn run(broker: Arc<Broker>, mut events: mpsc::UnboundedReceiver<notify::Result<notify::Event>>) {
-    let root = broker.world.actors_root();
+    let root = broker.world.root.clone();
     let mut pending: HashMap<String, Pending> = HashMap::new();
     // Actor checks and full passes. Dropping the set (when the host stops) aborts them.
     let mut tasks = tokio::task::JoinSet::new();
@@ -122,11 +122,11 @@ async fn sleep_until(t: Option<Instant>) {
     }
 }
 
-/// The namespace path (`/actor/...`) of a host path, unless it is outside
-/// `actor/` or a temporary file of the host.
+/// The world namespace path of a host path, unless it is outside the
+/// world or a temporary file of the host.
 fn namespace(root: &Path, path: &Path) -> Option<String> {
     let rel = path.strip_prefix(root).ok()?;
-    let mut out = String::from("/actor");
+    let mut out = String::new();
     for part in rel.components() {
         let name = part.as_os_str().to_str()?;
         if name.starts_with(TMP_PREFIX) {
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ fn namespace(root: &Path, path: &Path) -> Option<String> {
         out.push('/');
         out.push_str(name);
     }
-    Some(out)
+    Some(if out.is_empty() { "/".to_string() } else { out })
 }
 
 /// One change: namespace path, op, and the new path of a rename.
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn a_rename_is_one_change_and_temp_files_are_skipped() {
-        let root = Path::new("/w/actor");
+        let root = Path::new("/w");
         let now = Instant::now();
         let mut pending = HashMap::new();
         let ev = |kind, paths: &[&str]| {
@@ -236,7 +236,8 @@ mod tests {
             ev(name(RenameMode::Both), &["/w/actor/a/public/x", "/w/actor/a/public/y"]),
             ev(EventKind::Create(notify::event::CreateKind::File), &["/w/actor/a/.sausage-tmp-host-1-actor.json"]),
             ev(name(RenameMode::Both), &["/w/actor/a/.sausage-tmp-host-1-actor.json", "/w/actor/a/actor.json"]),
-            ev(EventKind::Create(notify::event::CreateKind::File), &["/w/.lock"]),
+            ev(EventKind::Create(notify::event::CreateKind::File), &["/outside/.lock"]),
+            ev(EventKind::Create(notify::event::CreateKind::File), &["/w/config/x"]),
         ] {
             for (path, op, to) in changes(root, &e) {
                 add(&mut pending, path, op, to, now);
@@ -250,6 +251,7 @@ mod tests {
             vec![
                 ("/actor/a/actor.json".to_string(), "write", None),
                 ("/actor/a/public/x".to_string(), "rename", Some("/actor/a/public/y".to_string())),
+                ("/config/x".to_string(), "create", None),
             ]
         );
     }

cli/src/world.rs

@@ -1,15 +1,17 @@
 //! On-disk layout of a Sausage world. The folder is the source of truth:
 //! `sausage run` boots every actor that it finds in `actor/`, and then
-//! watches the folder (`watch.rs`).
+//! watches the folder (`watch.rs`). `/self` aliases the running actor's folder;
+//! `/public` and `/data` remain aliases for its `public/` and `data/`.
 //!
 //! ```text
-//! <world>/
+//! <world>/              mounted at /, readable and writable by every actor
+//!   config/             global configuration by convention (no secrets)
 //!   actor/<id>/
 //!     actor.wasm        the current version
 //!     actor.json        version, running, subscriptions, tapped, watches (broker)
 //!     source/           source of the current version
-//!     public/           written by the actor, read-only for others
-//!     data/             state, writable only by the actor
+//!     public/           published files, readable and writable by everyone
+//!     data/             state, readable and writable by everyone
 //!     stderr.log        stderr of the actor and notes of the broker
 //!     versions/<n>/     every version that was installed: actor.wasm, source/, meta.json
 //! ```
@@ -131,6 +133,7 @@ impl World {
         for id in NATIVE {
             world.ensure_actor_dirs(id)?;
         }
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(world.root.join("config"))?;
         Ok(world)
     }
 
@@ -191,8 +194,9 @@ impl World {
 
     /// Map a path in an actor's namespace to a host path.
     ///
-    /// - `/actor/<id>/...` is the global filesystem.
-    /// - `/public/...` and `/data/...` belong to `sender`.
+    /// - Absolute paths are relative to the world root.
+    /// - `/self/...` aliases `sender`'s folder; `/public/...` and `/data/...`
+    ///   alias its corresponding children.
     /// - Native senders (the console) can also give absolute host paths.
     pub fn resolve(&self, sender: &str, path: &str) -> Result<PathBuf> {
         let under = |base: PathBuf, rest: &str| -> Result<PathBuf> {
@@ -212,6 +216,9 @@ impl World {
         if let Some(rest) = prefixed("/actor") {
             return under(self.actors_root(), rest);
         }
+        if let Some(rest) = prefixed("/self") {
+            return under(self.actor_dir(sender), rest);
+        }
         if let Some(rest) = prefixed("/public") {
             return under(self.public_dir(sender), rest);
         }
@@ -221,13 +228,16 @@ impl World {
         if NATIVE.contains(&sender) && Path::new(path).is_absolute() {
             return Ok(PathBuf::from(path));
         }
-        bail!("cannot resolve path {path} for {sender}: use /actor/<id>/..., /public/... or /data/...")
+        if Path::new(path).is_absolute() {
+            return under(self.root.clone(), path);
+        }
+        bail!("cannot resolve path {path} for {sender}: use an absolute world path")
     }
 
     /// The path of a host file in the global filesystem, if it has one.
     pub fn global_path(&self, host: &Path) -> Option<String> {
-        let rel = host.strip_prefix(self.actors_root()).ok()?;
-        Some(format!("/actor/{}", rel.display()))
+        let rel = host.strip_prefix(&self.root).ok()?;
+        Some(format!("/{}", rel.display()))
     }
 }
 

cli/tests/actors/toolbox/src/main.rs

@@ -38,10 +38,6 @@ fn main() {
         panic!("version 2 crashes on startup");
     }
 
-    if actor == "stopped-upgrade" {
-        std::fs::write("/data/main-version", &version).unwrap();
-    }
-
     let mut open = HashMap::<String, std::fs::File>::new();
     // Files that this actor serves at /actor/<id>/fs/ (path -> text).
     let mut served = std::collections::BTreeMap::<String, String>::new();

cli/tests/host.rs

@@ -140,20 +140,20 @@ async fn exit_request_is_answered_and_signals_the_host() {
 }
 
 #[tokio::test]
-async fn filesystem_permissions_and_public_sharing() {
+async fn filesystem_is_writable_and_public_aliases_share_files() {
     let (_, host, mut mailbox) = filesystem_world("filesystem-permissions").await;
     for path in [
-        "/actor/reader/public/denied.txt",
-        "/actor/writer/public/denied.txt",
+        "/actor/reader/public/shared.txt",
+        "/actor/writer/public/shared.txt",
     ] {
-        let denied = ask(
+        let written = ask(
             &host,
             &mut mailbox,
             "writer",
-            json!({"type": "write", "path": path, "text": "denied"}),
+            json!({"type": "write", "path": path, "text": "shared"}),
         )
         .await;
-        assert_eq!(denied.body["type"], "error", "write to {path} succeeded");
+        assert_eq!(written.body["type"], "ok", "write to {path} failed");
     }
 
     let written = ask(
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ async fn filesystem_permissions_and_public_sharing() {
 }
 
 #[tokio::test]
-async fn actors_can_read_but_not_write_other_actor_data() {
+async fn actors_can_read_and_write_other_actor_data() {
     let (_, host, mut mailbox) = filesystem_world("actor-data-sharing").await;
     ask_type(
         &host,
@@ -201,10 +201,10 @@ async fn actors_can_read_but_not_write_other_actor_data() {
         &mut mailbox,
         "reader",
         json!({"type": "write", "path": "/actor/writer/data/x", "text": "changed"}),
-        "error",
+        "ok",
     )
     .await;
-    let unchanged = ask_type(
+    let changed = ask_type(
         &host,
         &mut mailbox,
         "writer",
@@ -212,7 +212,49 @@ async fn actors_can_read_but_not_write_other_actor_data() {
         "content",
     )
     .await;
-    assert_eq!(unchanged.body["text"], "shared");
+    assert_eq!(changed.body["text"], "changed");
+    host.stop().await;
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn world_root_is_shared_writable_and_survives_restart() {
+    let (world, host, mut mailbox) = filesystem_world("world-root").await;
+    assert!(world.root.join("config").is_dir());
+    ask_type(&host, &mut mailbox, "writer", json!({"type": "write", "path": "/self/data/x", "text": "self-alias"}), "ok").await;
+    assert_eq!(ask_type(&host, &mut mailbox, "writer", json!({"type": "read", "path": "/data/x"}), "content").await.body["text"], "self-alias");
+    let file = "/config/x";
+    ask_type(&host, &mut mailbox, "writer", json!({"type": "write", "path": file, "text": "first"}), "ok").await;
+    let read = json!({"type": "read", "path": file});
+    assert_eq!(ask_type(&host, &mut mailbox, "reader", read.clone(), "content").await.body["text"], "first");
+    ask_type(&host, &mut mailbox, "reader", json!({"type": "write", "path": file, "text": "second"}), "ok").await;
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read_to_string(world.root.join("config/x")).unwrap(), "second");
+    for actor in ["writer", "reader"] {
+        assert_eq!(world.resolve(actor, file).unwrap(), world.root.join("config/x"));
+    }
+    assert_eq!(world.global_path(&world.root.join("config/x")).as_deref(), Some(file));
+
+    // Watches use the same world namespace, not only /actor paths.
+    let watching = request(&host, &mut mailbox, json!({"type": "watch", "path": world.root.join("config").display().to_string()})).await;
+    assert_eq!(watching.body, json!({"type": "watching", "path": "/config"}));
+    drain(&mut mailbox, Duration::from_millis(300)).await;
+    std::fs::write(world.root.join("config/event"), "watched").unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(fs_events(drain(&mut mailbox, Duration::from_millis(600)).await),
+        vec![json!({"type": "fs_changed", "path": "/config/event", "op": "create"})]);
+    request(&host, &mut mailbox, json!({"type": "unwatch", "path": world.root.join("config").display().to_string()})).await;
+
+    // A new top-level folder appears in already running instances, without a mount change.
+    std::fs::create_dir(world.root.join("docs")).unwrap();
+    std::fs::write(world.root.join("docs/new"), "host-created").unwrap();
+    let docs = json!({"type": "read", "path": "/docs/new"});
+    assert_eq!(ask_type(&host, &mut mailbox, "reader", docs, "content").await.body["text"], "host-created");
+    ask_type(&host, &mut mailbox, "reader", json!({"type": "write", "path": "/docs/new", "text": "actor-updated"}), "ok").await;
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read_to_string(world.root.join("docs/new")).unwrap(), "actor-updated");
+    host.stop().await;
+
+    let (host, mut mailbox) = start(&world).await;
+    for actor in ["writer", "reader"] {
+        assert_eq!(ask_type(&host, &mut mailbox, actor, read.clone(), "content").await.body["text"], "second");
+    }
     host.stop().await;
 }
 
@@ -436,113 +478,6 @@ async fn upgrades_test_candidates_keep_old_versions_and_queue_messages_in_order(
     host.stop().await;
 }
 
-#[tokio::test]
-async fn stopped_preserving_upgrade_installs_without_execution_and_keeps_all_mail() {
-    let world = create_world("stopped-upgrade");
-    let wasm = toolbox_wasm().clone();
-    let (host, mut mailbox) = start(&world).await;
-    let source = passing_source(&world, "initial");
-    spawn_type(&host, &mut mailbox, "stopped-upgrade", &wasm, &source).await;
-    ask_type(&host, &mut mailbox, "stopped-upgrade", json!({"type": "version"}), "version").await;
-    let stopped = request(&host, &mut mailbox, json!({"type": "stop", "actor": "stopped-upgrade"})).await;
-    assert_eq!(stopped.body["type"], "stopped");
-
-    // A distinct valid component: append an empty custom section named x.
-    let mut bytes = std::fs::read(&wasm).unwrap();
-    bytes.extend_from_slice(&[0, 2, 1, b'x']);
-    let new_wasm = world.public_dir("console").join("new.wasm");
-    std::fs::write(&new_wasm, &bytes).unwrap();
-    // This would fail if candidate main/tests were executed.
-    let unrun = source_with_test(&world, "unrun", json!({"steps": [{
-        "send": {"type": "echo"}, "expect": {"type": "must-not-run"}
-    }]}));
-    std::fs::write(unrun.join("new-source"), "version two").unwrap();
-    std::fs::write(world.public_dir("stopped-upgrade").join("keep"), "public state").unwrap();
-
-    let mut ids = Vec::new();
-    for n in 0..sausage::broker::MAILBOX_SIZE {
-        ids.push(host.broker.send("console", Some("stopped-upgrade"), None, None, json!({"type": "ordered", "n": n})));
-    }
-    let upgrade_id = host.broker.send("console", Some("broker"), None, None, json!({
-        "type": "upgrade", "actor": "stopped-upgrade", "wasm": new_wasm.display().to_string(),
-        "source": unrun.display().to_string(), "preserve_stopped": true
-    }));
-    // Do not silently discard unexpected actor mail while awaiting the reply.
-    let upgraded = receive_message(&mut mailbox, Duration::from_secs(10)).await;
-    assert_eq!(upgraded.reply_to.as_deref(), Some(upgrade_id.as_str()));
-    assert_eq!(upgraded.body["type"], "upgraded");
-    assert_eq!(upgraded.body["version"], 2);
-    assert_eq!(upgraded.body["previous"], 1);
-    assert_eq!(upgraded.body["tests"], json!({"skipped": "preserve_stopped"}));
-    let meta = world.read_meta("stopped-upgrade");
-    assert_eq!(meta.version, Some(2));
-    assert!(!meta.running);
-    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(world.wasm_path("stopped-upgrade")).unwrap(), bytes);
-    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(world.version_dir("stopped-upgrade", 2).join("actor.wasm")).unwrap(), bytes);
-    assert_ne!(std::fs::read(world.version_dir("stopped-upgrade", 1).join("actor.wasm")).unwrap(), bytes);
-    assert_eq!(std::fs::read_to_string(world.source_dir("stopped-upgrade").join("new-source")).unwrap(), "version two");
-    assert_eq!(std::fs::read_to_string(world.data_dir("stopped-upgrade").join("main-version")).unwrap(), "1");
-    assert_eq!(std::fs::read_to_string(world.public_dir("stopped-upgrade").join("keep")).unwrap(), "public state");
-    assert!(mailbox.try_recv().is_err());
-
-    // The full mailbox is still full: nothing was consumed or added by the upgrade.
-    let overflow_id = host.broker.send("console", Some("stopped-upgrade"), None, None, json!({"type": "echo"}));
-    let overflow = receive_message(&mut mailbox, Duration::from_secs(10)).await;
-    assert_eq!(overflow.reply_to.as_deref(), Some(overflow_id.as_str()));
-    assert_eq!(overflow.body["type"], "undeliverable");
-    assert!(overflow.body["reason"].as_str().unwrap().contains("full"));
-
-    // Only an explicit start executes v2. Every original envelope survives in order.
-    let start_id = host.broker.send("console", Some("broker"), None, None, json!({"type": "start", "actor": "stopped-upgrade"}));
-    let mut started = false;
-    let mut count = 0;
-    tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(10), async {
-        while !started || count < ids.len() {
-            let reply = mailbox.recv().await.unwrap();
-            if reply.reply_to.as_deref() == Some(start_id.as_str()) {
-                assert_eq!(reply.body["type"], "started");
-                started = true;
-            } else {
-                assert_eq!(reply.from, "stopped-upgrade");
-                assert_eq!(reply.reply_to.as_deref(), Some(ids[count].as_str()));
-                assert_eq!(reply.body, json!({"type": "ordered", "n": count, "version": "2"}));
-                count += 1;
-            }
-        }
-    }).await.expect("queued mail was not delivered after start");
-    assert_eq!(std::fs::read_to_string(world.data_dir("stopped-upgrade").join("main-version")).unwrap(), "2");
-    host.stop().await;
-}
-
-#[tokio::test]
-async fn stopped_preserving_option_keeps_running_upgrades_tested_and_default_upgrades_start() {
-    let world = create_world("preserve-running");
-    let wasm = toolbox_wasm().clone();
-    let (host, mut mailbox) = start(&world).await;
-    let passing = passing_source(&world, "passing");
-    let failing = source_with_test(&world, "failing", json!({"steps": [{
-        "send": {"type": "echo"}, "expect": {"type": "wrong"}
-    }]}));
-    spawn_type(&host, &mut mailbox, "running", &wasm, &passing).await;
-    for (option, source, expected) in [(json!("true"), &passing, "error"), (json!(true), &failing, "error"), (json!(true), &passing, "upgraded")] {
-        let reply = request(&host, &mut mailbox, json!({
-            "type": "upgrade", "actor": "running", "wasm": wasm.display().to_string(),
-            "source": source.display().to_string(), "preserve_stopped": option
-        })).await;
-        assert_eq!(reply.body["type"], expected);
-    }
-    assert!(world.read_meta("running").running);
-    let version = ask_type(&host, &mut mailbox, "running", json!({"type": "version"}), "version").await;
-    assert_eq!(version.body["version"], "2");
-    request(&host, &mut mailbox, json!({"type": "stop", "actor": "running"})).await;
-    let default = upgrade_actor(&host, &mut mailbox, "running", &wasm, &passing).await;
-    assert_eq!(default.body["type"], "upgraded");
-    assert!(world.read_meta("running").running);
-    let version = ask_type(&host, &mut mailbox, "running", json!({"type": "version"}), "version").await;
-    assert_eq!(version.body["version"], "3");
-    host.stop().await;
-}
-
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn rolls_back_a_crash_loop_to_the_previous_version_without_restoring_data() {
     let world = create_world("crash-loop");
@@ -613,6 +548,50 @@ async fn rolls_back_a_crash_loop_to_the_previous_version_without_restoring_data(
     host.stop().await;
 }
 
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn upgrade_and_rollback_keep_a_stopped_actor_stopped() {
+    let world = create_world("upgrade-stopped");
+    let wasm = toolbox_wasm().clone();
+    let (host, mut mailbox) = start(&world).await;
+    let source = passing_source(&world, "source");
+    spawn_type(&host, &mut mailbox, "sleeper", &wasm, &source).await;
+    let stopped = request(&host, &mut mailbox, json!({"type": "stop", "actor": "sleeper"})).await;
+    assert_eq!(stopped.body["type"], "stopped");
+
+    let upgraded = upgrade_actor(&host, &mut mailbox, "sleeper", &wasm, &source).await;
+    assert_eq!(upgraded.body["type"], "upgraded", "{upgraded:?}");
+    assert_eq!(upgraded.body["version"], 2);
+    assert_eq!(upgraded.body["running"], false);
+    let meta = world.read_meta("sleeper");
+    assert_eq!((meta.version, meta.running), (Some(2), false));
+
+    // Mail waits in the mailbox: the stopped actor reads nothing.
+    let waiting = host.broker.send("console", Some("sleeper"), None, None, json!({"type": "version"}));
+    assert!(
+        tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_millis(500), receive_reply(&mut mailbox, &waiting, Duration::from_secs(10)))
+            .await
+            .is_err(),
+        "a stopped actor must not answer"
+    );
+
+    let rolled_back = request(&host, &mut mailbox, json!({"type": "rollback", "actor": "sleeper", "version": 1})).await;
+    assert_eq!(rolled_back.body["type"], "rolled_back", "{rolled_back:?}");
+    assert_eq!(rolled_back.body["running"], false);
+    assert!(!world.read_meta("sleeper").running);
+
+    // `start` runs the installed version and delivers the waiting message.
+    let started = request(&host, &mut mailbox, json!({"type": "start", "actor": "sleeper"})).await;
+    assert_eq!(started.body["type"], "started");
+    let answer = receive_reply(&mut mailbox, &waiting, Duration::from_secs(10)).await;
+    assert_eq!(answer.body["version"], "1");
+
+    // A running actor still restarts on the new version.
+    let running = upgrade_actor(&host, &mut mailbox, "sleeper", &wasm, &source).await;
+    assert_eq!(running.body["running"], true);
+    assert_eq!(ask(&host, &mut mailbox, "sleeper", json!({"type": "version"})).await.body["version"], "3");
+    host.stop().await;
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn explicit_rollback_keeps_current_data() {
     let world = create_world("explicit-rollback");
@@ -1250,7 +1229,7 @@ async fn a_watcher_overflow_sends_one_rescan_and_runs_a_full_pass() {
     let report = host.broker.clone().overflowed().await;
     assert!(report.iter().any(|r| r["type"] == "spawned" && r["actor"] == "planted"), "{report:?}");
 
-    let rescan = json!({"type": "fs_changed", "path": "/actor", "op": "rescan"});
+    let rescan = json!({"type": "fs_changed", "path": "/", "op": "rescan"});
     assert_eq!(fs_events(drain(&mut mailbox, Duration::from_millis(600)).await), vec![rescan]);
     assert!(bystander.try_recv().is_err(), "an actor without watches got the rescan");
     host.stop().await;