diff --git a/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/async_lifecycle.rs b/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/async_lifecycle.rs
index 80678e92..63ad037b 100644
--- a/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/async_lifecycle.rs
+++ b/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/async_lifecycle.rs
@@ -362,7 +362,11 @@ impl RpcHandler {
                     set_package_state(
                         &handler.state_manager,
                         &package_id_spawn,
-                        if result.get("status").and_then(|v| v.as_str()) == Some("up-to-date") {
+                        if result.get("status").and_then(|v| v.as_str()) == Some("staged") {
+                            PackageState::Stopped
+                        } else if result.get("status").and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+                            == Some("up-to-date")
+                        {
                             pre_state.clone().unwrap_or(PackageState::Running)
                         } else {
                             PackageState::Running
diff --git a/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/config.rs b/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/config.rs
index 20cf592d..28586bfd 100644
--- a/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/config.rs
+++ b/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/config.rs
@@ -526,7 +526,18 @@ pub(in crate::api::rpc) async fn get_containers_for_app(package_id: &str) -> Res
         .await
         .context("podman ps timed out while listing containers")?
         .context("Failed to list containers")?;
-    let stdout = String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stdout);
+    containers_from_list_output(package_id, &output)
+}
+
+fn containers_from_list_output(
+    package_id: &str,
+    output: &std::process::Output,
+) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
+    anyhow::ensure!(
+        output.status.success(),
+        "podman ps failed while listing containers"
+    );
+    let stdout = std::str::from_utf8(&output.stdout).context("Invalid container list response")?;
     let all: Vec<&str> = stdout.lines().filter(|s| !s.is_empty()).collect();
 
     let patterns = all_container_names(package_id);
@@ -543,6 +554,32 @@ pub(in crate::api::rpc) async fn get_containers_for_app(package_id: &str) -> Res
 mod tests {
     use super::{all_container_names, get_data_dirs_for_app, get_health_check_args};
 
+    #[test]
+    fn failed_container_listing_is_not_an_absent_app() {
+        use std::os::unix::process::ExitStatusExt;
+        let mut output = std::process::Output {
+            status: std::process::ExitStatus::from_raw(1 << 8),
+            stdout: vec![],
+            stderr: b"store unavailable".to_vec(),
+        };
+        assert!(super::containers_from_list_output("node-demo-music", &output).is_err());
+        output.stdout = b"node-demo-music\n".to_vec();
+        assert!(super::containers_from_list_output("node-demo-music", &output).is_err());
+        output.status = std::process::ExitStatus::from_raw(0);
+        assert_eq!(
+            super::containers_from_list_output("node-demo-music", &output).unwrap(),
+            vec!["node-demo-music"]
+        );
+        output.stdout.clear();
+        assert!(
+            super::containers_from_list_output("node-demo-music", &output)
+                .unwrap()
+                .is_empty()
+        );
+        output.stdout = vec![0xff];
+        assert!(super::containers_from_list_output("node-demo-music", &output).is_err());
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn bitcoin_variant_container_names_are_precise() {
         let core = all_container_names("bitcoin-core");
diff --git a/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/runtime.rs b/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/runtime.rs
index ca081db9..9a46c547 100644
--- a/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/runtime.rs
+++ b/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/runtime.rs
@@ -126,7 +126,19 @@ impl RpcHandler {
                 Err(e) => {
                     tracing::error!("package.start {} failed: {:#}", package_id_owned, e);
                     install_log(&format!("START FAIL: {} — {:#}", package_id_owned, e)).await;
-                    if let Some(prev) = pre_state {
+                    if e.downcast_ref::<crate::container::prod_orchestrator::StagedCleanupFailure>()
+                        .is_some()
+                    {
+                        // Installed is neutral and scanner-owned. Restoring the
+                        // prior Stopped state would conceal a failed cleanup;
+                        // keeping Starting would prevent scanner convergence.
+                        set_package_state(
+                            &state_manager,
+                            &package_id_owned,
+                            PackageState::Installed,
+                        )
+                        .await;
+                    } else if let Some(prev) = pre_state {
                         set_package_state(&state_manager, &package_id_owned, prev).await;
                     } else {
                         warn!(
diff --git a/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/update.rs b/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/update.rs
index f6daf30e..19957959 100644
--- a/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/update.rs
+++ b/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/update.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 //! remove old container(s) → recreate (orchestrator-first, legacy fallback) → verify running.
 //! Data volumes are preserved (bind mounts, not stored in container).
 
-use super::config::get_containers_for_app;
+use super::config::{all_container_names, get_containers_for_app};
 use super::install::install_log;
 use super::progress::parse_pull_progress;
 use super::runtime::stop_timeout_secs;
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ use crate::api::rpc::RpcHandler;
 use crate::container::image_versions;
 use crate::data_model::{InstallPhase, PackageState};
 use anyhow::{Context, Result};
+use std::{collections::HashSet, path::Path};
 use tokio::io::{AsyncBufReadExt, BufReader};
 use tracing::{error, info, warn};
 
@@ -60,9 +61,24 @@ impl RpcHandler {
         let targets = pinned
             .as_ref()
             .map(|target| self.resolve_images_to_pull(package_id, target));
+        // A stopped Quadlet normally removes its --rm container. Absence is
+        // not an install decision: only a known single managed app with durable
+        // installed AND stopped evidence may enter the recreate path.
+        let known_managed =
+            if should_try_orchestrator_update(package_id, self.orchestrator.is_some()) {
+                self.orchestrator
+                    .as_ref()
+                    .expect("orchestrator presence checked")
+                    .knows_app(orchestrator_update_app_id(package_id))
+                    .await
+            } else {
+                false
+            };
+        let markers = UpdateMarkers::load(&self.config.data_dir, package_id).await?;
+        let installed = inspect_update_images(package_id).await?;
+        validate_update_presence(package_id, known_managed, !installed.is_empty(), &markers)?;
         if let Some(targets) = &targets {
-            let installed = inspect_update_images(package_id).await?;
-            if !update_targets_need_change(targets, &installed)? {
+            if !update_targets_need_change(targets, &installed)? && !markers.stopped {
                 install_log(&format!(
                     "UPDATE SKIP: {} — target versions already installed",
                     package_id
@@ -111,6 +127,19 @@ impl RpcHandler {
             if let Some(orchestrator) = self.orchestrator.as_ref() {
                 match orchestrator.upgrade(orchestrator_app_id).await {
                     Ok(()) => {
+                        if let Some(image) = orchestrator
+                            .staged_upgrade_image(orchestrator_app_id)
+                            .await?
+                        {
+                            // The orchestrator proved the pinned image exists and
+                            // persisted its reviewed manifest. No running container
+                            // or healthy service is claimed for a stopped update.
+                            self.clear_install_progress(package_id).await;
+                            return Ok(serde_json::json!({
+                                "status": "staged", "state": "stopped",
+                                "package_id": package_id, "image": image,
+                            }));
+                        }
                         if let Some(targets) = &targets {
                             verify_update_targets(
                                 targets,
@@ -574,13 +603,69 @@ impl RpcHandler {
     }
 }
 
-async fn inspect_update_images(package_id: &str) -> Result<Vec<(String, String)>> {
-    let containers = get_containers_for_app(package_id).await?;
+#[derive(Default)]
+struct UpdateMarkers {
+    installed: bool,
+    stopped: bool,
+    uninstalled: bool,
+}
+
+impl UpdateMarkers {
+    async fn load(data_dir: &Path, package_id: &str) -> Result<Self> {
+        let mut names = all_container_names(package_id);
+        names.push(package_id.to_string());
+        names.push(orchestrator_update_app_id(package_id).to_string());
+        let installed = read_update_markers(data_dir, "installed-apps.json").await?;
+        let stopped = read_update_markers(data_dir, "user-stopped.json").await?;
+        let uninstalled = read_update_markers(data_dir, "user-uninstalled.json").await?;
+        Ok(Self {
+            installed: names.iter().any(|name| installed.contains(name)),
+            stopped: names.iter().any(|name| stopped.contains(name)),
+            uninstalled: names.iter().any(|name| uninstalled.contains(name)),
+        })
+    }
+}
+
+// The recovery loaders intentionally return empty on malformed state. An update
+// must instead distinguish unavailable evidence from a proven absence of an
+// uninstall decision before it can recreate a removed Quadlet container.
+async fn read_update_markers(data_dir: &Path, filename: &str) -> Result<HashSet<String>> {
+    match tokio::fs::read(data_dir.join(filename)).await {
+        Ok(bytes) => serde_json::from_slice(&bytes)
+            .with_context(|| format!("Cannot read {filename}; update cancelled")),
+        Err(error) if error.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => Ok(HashSet::new()),
+        Err(error) => {
+            Err(error).with_context(|| format!("Cannot read {filename}; update cancelled"))
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn validate_update_presence(
+    package_id: &str,
+    known_managed: bool,
+    has_containers: bool,
+    markers: &UpdateMarkers,
+) -> Result<()> {
     anyhow::ensure!(
-        !containers.is_empty(),
-        "No containers found for {}",
+        !markers.uninstalled,
+        "{} was uninstalled; use an explicit install instead of update",
         package_id
     );
+    anyhow::ensure!(
+        has_containers || (known_managed && markers.installed && markers.stopped),
+        "No containers or durable stopped installation found for {}",
+        package_id
+    );
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+async fn inspect_update_images(package_id: &str) -> Result<Vec<(String, String)>> {
+    let containers = get_containers_for_app(package_id).await?;
+    if containers.is_empty() {
+        // The caller decides whether durable installation evidence authorizes
+        // a missing runtime. Never invoke bare `podman inspect` here.
+        return Ok(Vec::new());
+    }
     let mut command = tokio::process::Command::new("podman");
     command.arg("inspect").args(&containers).kill_on_drop(true);
     let output = tokio::time::timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(30), command.output())
@@ -626,6 +711,7 @@ fn verify_update_targets(
     targets: &[(String, String)],
     installed: &[(String, String)],
 ) -> Result<()> {
+    anyhow::ensure!(!targets.is_empty(), "No update targets resolved");
     for (app_id, target) in targets {
         let running = installed_image_for_target(app_id, installed).ok_or_else(|| {
             anyhow::anyhow!("Update {}: target container missing after recreate", app_id)
@@ -651,6 +737,7 @@ fn update_targets_need_change(
     installed: &[(String, String)],
 ) -> Result<bool> {
     use std::cmp::Ordering;
+    anyhow::ensure!(!targets.is_empty(), "No update targets resolved");
     let mut changed = false;
     for (app_id, target) in targets {
         let running = installed_image_for_target(app_id, installed);
@@ -771,9 +858,83 @@ mod tests {
     use super::{
         candidate_app_ids_for_container, immutable_update_image, orchestrator_update_app_id,
         should_try_orchestrator_update, update_targets_need_change, uses_legacy_update_flow,
-        verify_update_targets,
+        validate_update_presence, verify_update_targets, UpdateMarkers,
     };
 
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn stopped_installed_managed_app_updates_after_quadlet_container_disappears() {
+        let root = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        crate::crash_recovery::mark_installed(root.path(), "node-demo-music").await;
+        crate::crash_recovery::mark_user_stopped(root.path(), "node-demo-music").await;
+        let markers = UpdateMarkers::load(root.path(), "node-demo-music")
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+        validate_update_presence("node-demo-music", true, false, &markers).unwrap();
+        let target = vec![("node-demo-music".into(), "localhost/music:2".into())];
+        assert!(super::update_targets_need_change(&target, &[]).unwrap());
+        // Success must still prove that upgrade actually created the target.
+        assert!(verify_update_targets(&target, &[]).is_err());
+        assert!(verify_update_targets(&target, &target).is_ok());
+        assert!(crate::crash_recovery::load_user_stopped(root.path())
+            .await
+            .contains("node-demo-music"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn absent_catalog_app_or_unmanaged_runtime_is_not_an_update_installation() {
+        for (managed, installed, stopped) in [
+            (true, false, false),
+            (true, false, true),
+            (true, true, false),
+            (false, true, true),
+        ] {
+            let markers = UpdateMarkers {
+                installed,
+                stopped,
+                uninstalled: false,
+            };
+            assert!(validate_update_presence("optional", managed, false, &markers).is_err());
+        }
+        // Existing legacy containers remain updateable without modern markers.
+        assert!(validate_update_presence("legacy", false, true, &UpdateMarkers::default()).is_ok());
+        assert!(super::update_targets_need_change(&[], &[]).is_err());
+        assert!(verify_update_targets(&[], &[]).is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn uninstall_tombstone_beats_stale_installed_and_stopped_markers() {
+        let root = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        crate::crash_recovery::mark_installed(root.path(), "node-demo-music").await;
+        crate::crash_recovery::mark_user_stopped(root.path(), "node-demo-music").await;
+        crate::crash_recovery::mark_user_uninstalled(root.path(), "archy-node-demo-music").await;
+        let markers = UpdateMarkers::load(root.path(), "node-demo-music")
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+        for present in [false, true] {
+            assert!(validate_update_presence("node-demo-music", true, present, &markers).is_err());
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn damaged_lifecycle_markers_cannot_authorize_recreation() {
+        let root = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let absent = UpdateMarkers::load(root.path(), "optional").await.unwrap();
+        assert!(validate_update_presence("optional", true, false, &absent).is_err());
+        for name in [
+            "installed-apps.json",
+            "user-stopped.json",
+            "user-uninstalled.json",
+        ] {
+            tokio::fs::write(root.path().join(name), b"not-json")
+                .await
+                .unwrap();
+            assert!(UpdateMarkers::load(root.path(), "optional").await.is_err());
+            tokio::fs::remove_file(root.path().join(name))
+                .await
+                .unwrap();
+        }
+    }
+
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn stack_image_failure_precedes_every_lifecycle_action() {
         use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
diff --git a/core/archipelago/src/container/docker_packages.rs b/core/archipelago/src/container/docker_packages.rs
index 2b341b80..1fe2f1d0 100644
--- a/core/archipelago/src/container/docker_packages.rs
+++ b/core/archipelago/src/container/docker_packages.rs
@@ -298,7 +298,22 @@ impl DockerPackageScanner {
                 uninstall_stage: None,
             };
 
-            apply_manifest_presentation(&app_id, &mut package);
+            match super::staged_update::installed_manifest(data_dir, &app_id, &container.image)
+                .await
+            {
+                Ok(Some(manifest)) => {
+                    apply_manifest_value(&serde_json::to_value(manifest)?, &mut package)
+                }
+                Ok(None) => apply_manifest_presentation(&app_id, &mut package),
+                Err(error) => {
+                    tracing::warn!(app_id, error = %error, "Cannot verify retained installed manifest entry point");
+                    // Do not invent a launch path from a later catalog when its
+                    // binding to the running version cannot be established.
+                    if let Some(installed) = package.installed.as_mut() {
+                        installed.interface_addresses.clear();
+                    }
+                }
+            }
             packages.insert(app_id.clone(), package);
             info!(
                 "Detected container: {} ({})",
diff --git a/core/archipelago/src/container/hooks.rs b/core/archipelago/src/container/hooks.rs
index 4541792c..0ca32aa1 100644
--- a/core/archipelago/src/container/hooks.rs
+++ b/core/archipelago/src/container/hooks.rs
@@ -85,6 +85,18 @@ pub async fn run_post_install(manifest: &AppManifest, container_name: &str, data
     }
 }
 
+/// Strict completion for an explicitly staged update. Keep the durable pin on failure.
+pub(super) async fn run_post_install_strict(
+    manifest: &AppManifest,
+    container: &str,
+    data_dir: &Path,
+) -> Result<()> {
+    for step in &manifest.app.hooks.post_install {
+        run_step(step, container, &manifest.app.id, data_dir).await?;
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 async fn run_step(step: &HookStep, container: &str, app_id: &str, data_dir: &Path) -> Result<()> {
     match step {
         HookStep::Exec { exec } => {
diff --git a/core/archipelago/src/container/mod.rs b/core/archipelago/src/container/mod.rs
index 60a71a1a..0153fd0d 100644
--- a/core/archipelago/src/container/mod.rs
+++ b/core/archipelago/src/container/mod.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 pub mod app_catalog;
-pub mod node_catalog;
 pub mod app_gate_config;
 pub mod bitcoin_ui;
 pub mod boot_reconciler;
@@ -14,11 +13,12 @@ pub mod image_policy;
 pub mod image_versions;
 pub mod lnd;
 pub mod migration_backup;
+pub mod node_catalog;
 pub mod npm;
 pub mod prod_orchestrator;
 pub mod quadlet;
-pub mod registry;
 pub mod registration_pin;
+pub mod registry;
 pub mod secrets;
 pub mod traits;
 pub mod ui_detection;
@@ -29,3 +29,5 @@ pub use dev_orchestrator::DevContainerOrchestrator;
 pub use docker_packages::DockerPackageScanner;
 pub use prod_orchestrator::ProdContainerOrchestrator;
 pub use traits::ContainerOrchestrator;
+
+mod staged_update;
diff --git a/core/archipelago/src/container/prod_orchestrator.rs b/core/archipelago/src/container/prod_orchestrator.rs
index 2dfcbbbc..2c547f16 100644
--- a/core/archipelago/src/container/prod_orchestrator.rs
+++ b/core/archipelago/src/container/prod_orchestrator.rs
@@ -1422,6 +1422,17 @@ fn host_port_collisions<'m>(
     out
 }
 
+/// A staged start failed and its runtime could not be proven stopped. Callers
+/// must not restore a cached Stopped state; the scanner/reconciler owns recovery.
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub(crate) struct StagedCleanupFailure(String);
+impl std::fmt::Display for StagedCleanupFailure {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut std::fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> std::fmt::Result {
+        std::fmt::Display::fmt(&self.0, f)
+    }
+}
+impl std::error::Error for StagedCleanupFailure {}
+
 /// Internal: track a manifest together with the absolute directory it was loaded
 /// from, so Build sources can resolve relative `context:` paths.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
@@ -2043,7 +2054,9 @@ impl ProdContainerOrchestrator {
                 }
             }
         }
-        let mut report = ReconcileReport::default();
+        // Stopped/disabled apps are excluded from ordinary start reconciliation.
+        // Pending cleanup must still run for them, including after a restart.
+        let mut report = self.reconcile_staged_updates().await;
         let disk_gb = self.disk_gb().await;
         let bitcoin_pruned = disk_gb < ARCHIVAL_BITCOIN_DISK_GB
             || crate::settings::bitcoin_storage::load(&self.data_dir)
@@ -2336,6 +2349,12 @@ impl ProdContainerOrchestrator {
         let lock = self.app_lock(&app_id).await;
         let _guard = lock.lock().await;
 
+        if let Some(record) = super::staged_update::load(&self.data_dir, &app_id).await? {
+            let name = compute_container_name(&record.manifest);
+            self.stop_staged_runtime(&name).await?;
+            return Ok(ReconcileAction::Left("staged-update-awaiting-start".into()));
+        }
+
         self.ensure_app_secrets(&app_id).await?;
 
         // Don't fight the Bitcoin-implementation switch: bitcoin-core and
@@ -2849,11 +2868,171 @@ impl ProdContainerOrchestrator {
     }
 
     /// Build-or-pull, create, start. Assumes the per-app mutex is already held.
+    async fn reconcile_staged_updates(&self) -> ReconcileReport {
+        let mut report = ReconcileReport::default();
+        let ids = match super::staged_update::pending_ids(&self.data_dir).await {
+            Ok(ids) => ids,
+            Err(error) => {
+                report
+                    .failures
+                    .push(("staged-updates".into(), error.to_string()));
+                return report;
+            }
+        };
+        for app_id in ids {
+            if crate::app_ops::lifecycle_op_in_flight(&app_id) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            let lock = self.app_lock(&app_id).await;
+            let _guard = lock.lock().await;
+            // Re-read after acquiring the lock: a successful explicit start
+            // may have completed and cleared the stage while this pass waited.
+            let result = async {
+                if let Some(record) = super::staged_update::load(&self.data_dir, &app_id).await? {
+                    self.stop_staged_runtime(&compute_container_name(&record.manifest))
+                        .await?;
+                    report.record(
+                        &app_id,
+                        ReconcileAction::Left("staged-update-awaiting-start".into()),
+                    );
+                }
+                Ok::<_, anyhow::Error>(())
+            }
+            .await;
+            if let Err(error) = result {
+                report.failures.push((app_id, error.to_string()));
+            }
+        }
+        report
+    }
+
+    async fn stop_staged_runtime(&self, name: &str) -> Result<()> {
+        let mut errors = Vec::new();
+        if let Err(e) = self.remove_quadlet_unit_if_present(name).await {
+            errors.push(format!("could not disable staged unit: {e:#}"));
+        }
+        let inventory = self
+            .runtime
+            .list_containers()
+            .await
+            .context("Cannot verify staged runtime inventory")?;
+        if inventory.iter().any(|c| {
+            c.name.trim_start_matches('/') == name
+                && !matches!(
+                    c.state,
+                    ContainerState::Stopped | ContainerState::Exited | ContainerState::Created
+                )
+        }) {
+            if let Err(e) = self.runtime.stop_container(name).await {
+                errors.push(format!("could not stop staged container: {e:#}"));
+            }
+        }
+        let inventory = self
+            .runtime
+            .list_containers()
+            .await
+            .context("Cannot verify staged runtime stopped")?;
+        if inventory.iter().any(|c| {
+            c.name.trim_start_matches('/') == name
+                && !matches!(
+                    c.state,
+                    ContainerState::Stopped | ContainerState::Exited | ContainerState::Created
+                )
+        }) {
+            errors.push("staged container is still active".into());
+        }
+        anyhow::ensure!(errors.is_empty(), "{}", errors.join("; "));
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    async fn start_staged_update(&self, app_id: &str) -> Result<bool> {
+        use super::staged_update;
+        if staged_update::load(&self.data_dir, app_id).await?.is_none() {
+            return Ok(false);
+        }
+        let lock = self.app_lock(app_id).await;
+        let _guard = lock.lock().await;
+        let record = staged_update::load(&self.data_dir, app_id)
+            .await?
+            .context("Staged update changed; retry start")?;
+        let name = compute_container_name(&record.manifest);
+        anyhow::ensure!(
+            !staged_update::marked(&self.data_dir, "user-uninstalled.json", app_id, &name).await?,
+            "App was uninstalled; staged update cannot reinstall it"
+        );
+        anyhow::ensure!(
+            record.ready,
+            "Update preparation was interrupted; retry update before start"
+        );
+        anyhow::ensure!(
+            self.runtime.image_exists(record.image()?).await?,
+            "Staged image is unavailable; refusing to start another version"
+        );
+        // Clear only this explicit start's stopped intent. The pending manifest
+        // remains durable until all creation, hooks and readiness checks succeed.
+        crate::crash_recovery::clear_user_stopped(&self.data_dir, app_id).await;
+        crate::crash_recovery::clear_user_stopped(&self.data_dir, &name).await;
+        crate::crash_recovery::clear_user_stopped(&self.data_dir, &format!("archy-{app_id}")).await;
+        self.state.write().await.disabled.remove(app_id);
+        let lm = LoadedManifest {
+            manifest: record.manifest.clone(),
+            manifest_dir: record.manifest_dir.clone(),
+        };
+        let result = async {
+            self.remove_quadlet_unit_if_present(&name).await?;
+            if self
+                .runtime
+                .list_containers()
+                .await?
+                .iter()
+                .any(|c| c.name.trim_start_matches('/') == name)
+            {
+                self.runtime.stop_container(&name).await?;
+                self.runtime.remove_container(&name).await?;
+            }
+            self.install_fresh_with_pin(&lm, true).await?;
+            let observed = self.runtime.get_container_status(&name).await?;
+            anyhow::ensure!(
+                observed.state == ContainerState::Running,
+                "Pinned start did not become running"
+            );
+            anyhow::ensure!(
+                staged_update::matches_image(record.image()?, &observed.image),
+                "Pinned start produced a different image"
+            );
+            // Installed presentation is durable before pending intent disappears.
+            // A crash on either side of clear cannot fall back to a later catalog.
+            staged_update::save_installed(&self.data_dir, &record).await?;
+            staged_update::clear(&self.data_dir, app_id).await
+        }
+        .await;
+        if let Err(error) = result {
+            crate::crash_recovery::mark_user_stopped(&self.data_dir, app_id).await;
+            self.state.write().await.disabled.insert(app_id.into());
+            let retained = staged_update::save(&self.data_dir, &record).await;
+            let cleanup = self.stop_staged_runtime(&name).await;
+            if let Err(cleanup) = cleanup {
+                return Err(StagedCleanupFailure(format!(
+                    "Staged start failed: {error:#}; cleanup failed: {cleanup:#}; pin persistence: {:?}", retained.err()
+                )).into());
+            }
+            retained.context("Could not retain failed staged start pin")?;
+            return Err(error);
+        }
+        Ok(true)
+    }
+
     async fn install_fresh(&self, lm: &LoadedManifest) -> Result<()> {
+        self.install_fresh_with_pin(lm, false).await
+    }
+
+    async fn install_fresh_with_pin(&self, lm: &LoadedManifest, pinned: bool) -> Result<()> {
         self.ensure_app_secrets(&lm.manifest.app.id).await?;
         let mut resolved_manifest = lm.manifest.clone();
         self.resolve_dynamic_env(&mut resolved_manifest).await?;
-        resolve_catalog_image(&mut resolved_manifest);
+        if !pinned {
+            resolve_catalog_image(&mut resolved_manifest);
+        }
 
         let resolved = resolved_manifest.app.container.resolve().ok_or_else(|| {
             anyhow::anyhow!(
@@ -3008,7 +3187,17 @@ impl ProdContainerOrchestrator {
         // freshly created container — exactly when container mutations (e.g.
         // indeedhub's nginx X-Frame-Options strip + nostr-provider injection) must
         // be re-applied. Best-effort + idempotent: never fails the install.
-        crate::container::hooks::run_post_install(&resolved_manifest, &name, &self.data_dir).await;
+        if pinned {
+            crate::container::hooks::run_post_install_strict(
+                &resolved_manifest,
+                &name,
+                &self.data_dir,
+            )
+            .await?;
+        } else {
+            crate::container::hooks::run_post_install(&resolved_manifest, &name, &self.data_dir)
+                .await;
+        }
         if uses_pasta_network(&resolved_manifest) {
             if let Err(err) = wait_for_manifest_host_ports(
                 &resolved_manifest,
@@ -4825,6 +5014,8 @@ impl ContainerOrchestrator for ProdContainerOrchestrator {
     }
 
     async fn install(&self, app_id: &str) -> Result<String> {
+        anyhow::ensure!(super::staged_update::load(&self.data_dir, app_id).await?.is_none(),
+            "An update is staged; use explicit start, or uninstall before selecting another installation");
         let lm = self.loaded(app_id).await?;
         // Optional shared-service preconditions are checked before recording
         // installation or creating anything. A headless adapter must not claim
@@ -4896,7 +5087,7 @@ impl ContainerOrchestrator for ProdContainerOrchestrator {
         // point). Just delegate.
         self.prepare_for_start(&lm.manifest).await?;
         let action = self.ensure_running(&lm).await?;
-        match action {
+        let result = match action {
             ReconcileAction::NoOp | ReconcileAction::Started | ReconcileAction::Installed => {
                 Ok(name)
             }
@@ -4915,10 +5106,17 @@ impl ContainerOrchestrator for ProdContainerOrchestrator {
                 self.install_fresh(&lm).await?;
                 Ok(name)
             }
+        };
+        if result.is_ok() {
+            super::staged_update::clear_installed(&self.data_dir, app_id).await?;
         }
+        result
     }
 
     async fn start(&self, app_id: &str) -> Result<()> {
+        if self.start_staged_update(app_id).await? {
+            return Ok(());
+        }
         if let Some(members) = self.mempool_umbrella_members(app_id).await {
             tracing::info!(
                 app_id,
@@ -5136,6 +5334,8 @@ impl ContainerOrchestrator for ProdContainerOrchestrator {
                 self.remove_quadlet_unit_if_present(&name).await?;
             }
             self.state.write().await.disabled.insert(app_id.to_string());
+            super::staged_update::clear(&self.data_dir, app_id).await?;
+            super::staged_update::clear_installed(&self.data_dir, app_id).await?;
             return Ok(());
         }
         let lm = self.loaded(app_id).await?;
@@ -5189,15 +5389,83 @@ impl ContainerOrchestrator for ProdContainerOrchestrator {
         // stale claim behind would let desired-state recovery recreate the very
         // app that was just uninstalled.
         crate::crash_recovery::clear_installed(&self.data_dir, app_id).await;
+        super::staged_update::clear(&self.data_dir, app_id).await?;
+        super::staged_update::clear_installed(&self.data_dir, app_id).await?;
         Ok(())
     }
 
     /// Upgrade: stop-remove-reinstall (re-pulls or rebuilds as required).
     async fn upgrade(&self, app_id: &str) -> Result<()> {
-        let lm = self.loaded(app_id).await?;
+        use super::staged_update;
         let lock = self.app_lock(app_id).await;
         let _guard = lock.lock().await;
+        let existing = staged_update::load(&self.data_dir, app_id).await?;
+        let lm = if let Some(record) = &existing {
+            LoadedManifest {
+                manifest: record.manifest.clone(),
+                manifest_dir: record.manifest_dir.clone(),
+            }
+        } else {
+            self.loaded(app_id).await?
+        };
         let name = compute_container_name(&lm.manifest);
+        anyhow::ensure!(
+            !staged_update::marked(&self.data_dir, "user-uninstalled.json", app_id, &name).await?,
+            "App was uninstalled; update cannot reinstall it"
+        );
+        let stopped =
+            staged_update::marked(&self.data_dir, "user-stopped.json", app_id, &name).await?;
+        if stopped || existing.is_some() {
+            anyhow::ensure!(
+                staged_update::marked(&self.data_dir, "installed-apps.json", app_id, &name).await?,
+                "Stopped update needs durable installation evidence"
+            );
+            let mut record = match existing {
+                Some(record) => record,
+                None => {
+                    let mut manifest = lm.manifest.clone();
+                    resolve_catalog_image(&mut manifest);
+                    staged_update::StagedUpdate {
+                        manifest,
+                        manifest_dir: lm.manifest_dir.clone(),
+                        ready: false,
+                    }
+                }
+            };
+            record.image()?;
+            crate::crash_recovery::mark_user_stopped(&self.data_dir, app_id).await;
+            anyhow::ensure!(
+                staged_update::marked(&self.data_dir, "user-stopped.json", app_id, &name).await?,
+                "Could not persist stopped update intent"
+            );
+            // Freeze the approved manifest before any pull. Retries cannot
+            // silently switch to another catalog revision after an interruption.
+            record.ready = false;
+            staged_update::save(&self.data_dir, &record).await?;
+            self.remove_quadlet_unit_if_present(&name).await?;
+            if self
+                .runtime
+                .list_containers()
+                .await?
+                .iter()
+                .any(|c| c.name.trim_start_matches('/') == name)
+            {
+                self.runtime.stop_container(&name).await?;
+                self.runtime.remove_container(&name).await?;
+            }
+            let pinned = LoadedManifest {
+                manifest: record.manifest.clone(),
+                manifest_dir: record.manifest_dir.clone(),
+            };
+            self.ensure_resolved_source_available(&pinned).await?;
+            anyhow::ensure!(
+                self.runtime.image_exists(record.image()?).await?,
+                "Staged image unavailable after preparation"
+            );
+            record.ready = true;
+            staged_update::save(&self.data_dir, &record).await?;
+            return Ok(());
+        }
         let mut resolved = lm.manifest.clone();
         resolve_catalog_image(&mut resolved);
         if resolved.app.container.build.is_none() {
@@ -5213,7 +5481,10 @@ impl ContainerOrchestrator for ProdContainerOrchestrator {
                             running.image,
                             target
                         ),
-                        Some(std::cmp::Ordering::Equal) => return Ok(()),
+                        Some(std::cmp::Ordering::Equal) => {
+                            staged_update::clear_installed(&self.data_dir, app_id).await?;
+                            return Ok(());
+                        }
                         _ => {}
                     }
                 }
@@ -5221,7 +5492,22 @@ impl ContainerOrchestrator for ProdContainerOrchestrator {
         }
         let _ = self.runtime.stop_container(&name).await;
         let _ = self.runtime.remove_container(&name).await;
-        self.install_fresh(&lm).await
+        self.install_fresh(&lm).await?;
+        staged_update::clear_installed(&self.data_dir, app_id).await
+    }
+
+    async fn staged_upgrade_image(&self, app_id: &str) -> Result<Option<String>> {
+        match super::staged_update::load(&self.data_dir, app_id).await? {
+            Some(record) => {
+                anyhow::ensure!(record.ready, "Staged update is not ready");
+                anyhow::ensure!(
+                    self.runtime.image_exists(record.image()?).await?,
+                    "Staged image unavailable"
+                );
+                Ok(Some(record.image()?.to_string()))
+            }
+            None => Ok(None),
+        }
     }
 
     async fn status(&self, app_id: &str) -> Result<ContainerStatus> {
@@ -5778,6 +6064,7 @@ mod tests {
         fail_image_exists: StdMutex<HashMap<String, String>>,
         /// If set, `start_container` for this container fails with this message.
         fail_start: StdMutex<HashMap<String, String>>,
+        fail_stop: StdMutex<HashMap<String, String>>,
     }
 
     impl MockRuntime {
@@ -5841,6 +6128,12 @@ mod tests {
         ) -> Result<String> {
             self.record(format!("create_container:{name}:offset={port_offset}"));
             self.set_state(name, ContainerState::Created);
+            if let Some(image) = manifest.app.container.image_ref() {
+                self.running_images
+                    .lock()
+                    .unwrap()
+                    .insert(name.into(), image);
+            }
             self.created_env
                 .lock()
                 .unwrap()
@@ -5862,6 +6155,9 @@ mod tests {
         }
         async fn stop_container(&self, name: &str) -> Result<()> {
             self.record(format!("stop_container:{name}"));
+            if let Some(error) = self.fail_stop.lock().unwrap().remove(name) {
+                return Err(anyhow::anyhow!(error));
+            }
             self.set_state(name, ContainerState::Stopped);
             Ok(())
         }
@@ -6310,6 +6606,333 @@ app:
         }
     }
 
+    async fn stopped_update_fixture() -> (Arc<MockRuntime>, ProdContainerOrchestrator, String) {
+        let rt = Arc::new(MockRuntime::default());
+        let orch = orch_with(rt.clone()).await;
+        let image = format!("docker.io/library/alpine@sha256:{}", "a".repeat(64));
+        let mut manifest = pull_manifest("staged-music", &image);
+        manifest
+            .app
+            .environment
+            .push("STAGED_VERSION=original".into());
+        orch.insert_manifest_for_test(manifest, PathBuf::from("/tmp"))
+            .await;
+        crate::crash_recovery::mark_installed(&orch.data_dir, "staged-music").await;
+        crate::crash_recovery::mark_user_stopped(&orch.data_dir, "staged-music").await;
+        (rt, orch, image)
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn stopped_upgrade_stages_without_start_then_starts_pinned_manifest() {
+        let (rt, orch, image) = stopped_update_fixture().await;
+        let sentinel = orch.data_dir.join("persistent-song-and-secret-fixture");
+        tokio::fs::write(&sentinel, b"preserved").await.unwrap();
+        orch.upgrade("staged-music").await.unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            orch.staged_upgrade_image("staged-music").await.unwrap(),
+            Some(image)
+        );
+        assert!(!rt
+            .calls()
+            .iter()
+            .any(|c| c.starts_with("create_container:") || c.starts_with("start_container:")));
+        let replacement = pull_manifest(
+            "staged-music",
+            &format!("docker.io/library/alpine@sha256:{}", "b".repeat(64)),
+        );
+        orch.insert_manifest_for_test(replacement, PathBuf::from("/tmp/new-catalog"))
+            .await;
+        let lm = orch.loaded("staged-music").await.unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            orch.ensure_running(&lm).await.unwrap(),
+            ReconcileAction::Left("staged-update-awaiting-start".into())
+        );
+        orch.start("staged-music").await.unwrap();
+        assert!(rt
+            .created_env_for("staged-music")
+            .contains(&"STAGED_VERSION=original".into()));
+        assert_eq!(
+            rt.get_container_status("staged-music").await.unwrap().state,
+            ContainerState::Running
+        );
+        assert!(orch
+            .staged_upgrade_image("staged-music")
+            .await
+            .unwrap()
+            .is_none());
+        assert!(!crate::crash_recovery::load_user_stopped(&orch.data_dir)
+            .await
+            .contains("staged-music"));
+        assert_eq!(tokio::fs::read(sentinel).await.unwrap(), b"preserved");
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn interrupted_stopped_pull_retains_original_pin_and_requires_retry() {
+        let (rt, orch, image) = stopped_update_fixture().await;
+        *rt.fail_pull.lock().unwrap() = Some("interrupted pull".into());
+        assert!(orch.upgrade("staged-music").await.is_err());
+        assert!(orch
+            .start("staged-music")
+            .await
+            .unwrap_err()
+            .to_string()
+            .contains("interrupted"));
+        let record = super::super::staged_update::load(&orch.data_dir, "staged-music")
+            .await
+            .unwrap()
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(!record.ready);
+        assert_eq!(record.image().unwrap(), image);
+        *rt.fail_pull.lock().unwrap() = None;
+        orch.insert_manifest_for_test(
+            pull_manifest("staged-music", "docker.io/library/alpine:latest"),
+            PathBuf::from("/tmp"),
+        )
+        .await;
+        orch.upgrade("staged-music").await.unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            orch.staged_upgrade_image("staged-music").await.unwrap(),
+            Some(image)
+        );
+        assert!(!rt.calls().iter().any(|c| c.starts_with("start_container:")));
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn failed_staged_start_preserves_pin_and_stop_until_retry_succeeds() {
+        let (rt, orch, _) = stopped_update_fixture().await;
+        orch.upgrade("staged-music").await.unwrap();
+        rt.fail_start
+            .lock()
+            .unwrap()
+            .insert("staged-music".into(), "injected start failure".into());
+        assert!(orch.start("staged-music").await.is_err());
+        assert!(orch
+            .staged_upgrade_image("staged-music")
+            .await
+            .unwrap()
+            .is_some());
+        assert!(crate::crash_recovery::load_user_stopped(&orch.data_dir)
+            .await
+            .contains("staged-music"));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            rt.get_container_status("staged-music").await.unwrap().state,
+            ContainerState::Stopped | ContainerState::Created
+        ));
+        orch.start("staged-music").await.unwrap();
+        assert!(orch
+            .staged_upgrade_image("staged-music")
+            .await
+            .unwrap()
+            .is_none());
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn staged_missing_image_uninstall_and_damaged_record_refuse_start() {
+        let (rt, orch, image) = stopped_update_fixture().await;
+        orch.upgrade("staged-music").await.unwrap();
+        rt.images.lock().unwrap().remove(&image);
+        assert!(orch
+            .start("staged-music")
+            .await
+            .unwrap_err()
+            .to_string()
+            .contains("unavailable"));
+        rt.mark_image_present(&image);
+        crate::crash_recovery::mark_user_uninstalled(&orch.data_dir, "staged-music").await;
+        assert!(orch
+            .start("staged-music")
+            .await
+            .unwrap_err()
+            .to_string()
+            .contains("uninstalled"));
+        assert!(orch.upgrade("staged-music").await.is_err());
+        tokio::fs::write(
+            orch.data_dir.join("staged-updates/staged-music.json"),
+            b"damaged",
+        )
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+        assert!(orch.start("staged-music").await.is_err());
+        assert!(!rt.calls().iter().any(|c| c.starts_with("start_container:")));
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn staged_failed_post_install_hook_keeps_pin_and_stops_container() {
+        let (rt, orch, _) = stopped_update_fixture().await;
+        let mut lm = orch.loaded("staged-music").await.unwrap();
+        lm.manifest.app.hooks.post_install = serde_yaml::from_str(
+            "- copy_from_host:\n    src: nonexistent-staged-hook-file\n    dest: /tmp/test\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        orch.insert_manifest_for_test(lm.manifest, lm.manifest_dir)
+            .await;
+        orch.upgrade("staged-music").await.unwrap();
+        assert!(orch.start("staged-music").await.is_err());
+        assert!(orch
+            .staged_upgrade_image("staged-music")
+            .await
+            .unwrap()
+            .is_some());
+        assert_eq!(
+            rt.get_container_status("staged-music").await.unwrap().state,
+            ContainerState::Stopped
+        );
+        assert!(crate::crash_recovery::load_user_stopped(&orch.data_dir)
+            .await
+            .contains("staged-music"));
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn failed_staged_cleanup_reports_active_runtime_and_reconcile_retries_stop() {
+        let (rt, orch, _) = stopped_update_fixture().await;
+        let mut lm = orch.loaded("staged-music").await.unwrap();
+        lm.manifest.app.hooks.post_install = serde_yaml::from_str(
+            "- copy_from_host:\n    src: nonexistent-staged-hook-file\n    dest: /tmp/test\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        orch.insert_manifest_for_test(lm.manifest, lm.manifest_dir)
+            .await;
+        orch.upgrade("staged-music").await.unwrap();
+        rt.fail_stop
+            .lock()
+            .unwrap()
+            .insert("staged-music".into(), "stop refused".into());
+        let error = orch.start("staged-music").await.unwrap_err();
+        assert!(error.downcast_ref::<StagedCleanupFailure>().is_some());
+        assert_eq!(
+            rt.get_container_status("staged-music").await.unwrap().state,
+            ContainerState::Running
+        );
+        let report = orch.reconcile_all().await;
+        assert!(report.failures.is_empty());
+        assert!(report
+            .actions
+            .iter()
+            .any(|(app, action)| app == "staged-music"
+                && action == &ReconcileAction::Left("staged-update-awaiting-start".into())));
+        assert_eq!(
+            rt.get_container_status("staged-music").await.unwrap().state,
+            ContainerState::Stopped
+        );
+        assert!(orch
+            .staged_upgrade_image("staged-music")
+            .await
+            .unwrap()
+            .is_some());
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn pending_stage_enforces_stop_after_restart_when_stop_marker_cannot_be_saved() {
+        let (rt, orch, _) = stopped_update_fixture().await;
+        let mut lm = orch.loaded("staged-music").await.unwrap();
+        lm.manifest.app.hooks.post_install = serde_yaml::from_str(
+            "- copy_from_host:\n    src: nonexistent-staged-hook-file\n    dest: /tmp/test\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        orch.insert_manifest_for_test(lm.manifest.clone(), lm.manifest_dir.clone())
+            .await;
+        orch.upgrade("staged-music").await.unwrap();
+        let marker = orch.data_dir.join("user-stopped.json");
+        tokio::fs::remove_file(&marker).await.unwrap();
+        tokio::fs::create_dir(&marker).await.unwrap();
+        rt.fail_stop
+            .lock()
+            .unwrap()
+            .insert("staged-music".into(), "stop interrupted".into());
+        let failure = orch.start("staged-music").await.unwrap_err();
+        assert!(failure.downcast_ref::<StagedCleanupFailure>().is_some());
+        assert_eq!(
+            rt.get_container_status("staged-music").await.unwrap().state,
+            ContainerState::Running
+        );
+        let starts = rt
+            .calls()
+            .iter()
+            .filter(|c| c.starts_with("start_container:"))
+            .count();
+        let mut resumed = orch_with(rt.clone()).await;
+        resumed.set_data_dir(orch.data_dir.clone());
+        resumed
+            .insert_manifest_for_test(lm.manifest, lm.manifest_dir)
+            .await;
+        let report = resumed.reconcile_all().await;
+        assert!(report.failures.is_empty());
+        assert_eq!(
+            rt.get_container_status("staged-music").await.unwrap().state,
+            ContainerState::Stopped
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            rt.calls()
+                .iter()
+                .filter(|c| c.starts_with("start_container:"))
+                .count(),
+            starts
+        );
+        assert!(resumed
+            .staged_upgrade_image("staged-music")
+            .await
+            .unwrap()
+            .is_some());
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn staged_configuration_failure_keeps_stop_and_pin_before_create() {
+        let (rt, mut orch, _) = stopped_update_fixture().await;
+        orch.secrets_dir = orch.data_dir.join("fixture-secrets");
+        let mut lm = orch.loaded("staged-music").await.unwrap();
+        lm.manifest.app.container.secret_env =
+            serde_yaml::from_str("- key: REQUIRED_SECRET\n  secret_file: missing-staged-secret\n")
+                .unwrap();
+        orch.insert_manifest_for_test(lm.manifest, lm.manifest_dir)
+            .await;
+        orch.upgrade("staged-music").await.unwrap();
+        assert!(orch.start("staged-music").await.is_err());
+        assert!(orch
+            .staged_upgrade_image("staged-music")
+            .await
+            .unwrap()
+            .is_some());
+        assert!(crate::crash_recovery::load_user_stopped(&orch.data_dir)
+            .await
+            .contains("staged-music"));
+        assert!(!rt
+            .calls()
+            .iter()
+            .any(|c| c.starts_with("create_container:")));
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn staged_record_persistence_failure_precedes_runtime_changes() {
+        let (rt, orch, _) = stopped_update_fixture().await;
+        tokio::fs::write(orch.data_dir.join("staged-updates"), b"blocked directory")
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(orch.upgrade("staged-music").await.is_err());
+        assert!(!rt.calls().iter().any(|c| c.starts_with("pull_image:")
+            || c.starts_with("stop_container:")
+            || c.starts_with("remove_container:")
+            || c.starts_with("create_container:")));
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn stopped_unpinned_update_refuses_without_starting() {
+        let (rt, orch, _) = stopped_update_fixture().await;
+        orch.insert_manifest_for_test(
+            pull_manifest("staged-music", "docker.io/library/alpine:3.20"),
+            PathBuf::from("/tmp"),
+        )
+        .await;
+        assert!(orch
+            .upgrade("staged-music")
+            .await
+            .unwrap_err()
+            .to_string()
+            .contains("digest-pinned"));
+        assert!(!rt.calls().iter().any(|c| c.starts_with("pull_image:")
+            || c.starts_with("create_container:")
+            || c.starts_with("start_container:")));
+    }
+
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn install_fresh_pull() {
         let rt = Arc::new(MockRuntime::default());
diff --git a/core/archipelago/src/container/staged_update.rs b/core/archipelago/src/container/staged_update.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f0e022ff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/archipelago/src/container/staged_update.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,314 @@
+//! Durable, immutable preparation for updates that must remain stopped.
+use anyhow::{Context, Result};
+use archipelago_container::AppManifest;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+use sha2::{Digest, Sha256};
+use std::{
+    collections::HashSet,
+    path::{Path, PathBuf},
+};
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+#[serde(deny_unknown_fields)]
+pub(super) struct StagedUpdate {
+    pub manifest: AppManifest,
+    pub manifest_dir: PathBuf,
+    pub ready: bool,
+}
+
+#[derive(Serialize, Deserialize)]
+#[serde(deny_unknown_fields)]
+struct Envelope {
+    schema: u32,
+    payload: String,
+    checksum: String,
+}
+
+impl StagedUpdate {
+    pub fn image(&self) -> Result<&str> {
+        anyhow::ensure!(
+            self.manifest.app.container.build.is_none(),
+            "Stopped updates of build-based apps require immutable image resolution"
+        );
+        let image = self
+            .manifest
+            .app
+            .container
+            .image
+            .as_deref()
+            .context("Missing staged image")?;
+        let digest = image.rsplit_once("@sha256:").map(|(_, d)| d);
+        anyhow::ensure!(
+            digest.is_some_and(|d| d.len() == 64 && d.bytes().all(|b| b.is_ascii_hexdigit())),
+            "Stopped update requires a digest-pinned image; app remains stopped"
+        );
+        Ok(image)
+    }
+}
+
+fn record_path(root: &Path, directory: &str, app: &str) -> Result<PathBuf> {
+    anyhow::ensure!(
+        !app.is_empty()
+            && app.len() <= 128
+            && app
+                .bytes()
+                .all(|b| b.is_ascii_alphanumeric() || matches!(b, b'-' | b'_')),
+        "Invalid staged app id"
+    );
+    Ok(root.join(directory).join(format!("{app}.json")))
+}
+
+fn path(root: &Path, app: &str) -> Result<PathBuf> {
+    record_path(root, "staged-updates", app)
+}
+
+pub(super) async fn load(root: &Path, app: &str) -> Result<Option<StagedUpdate>> {
+    load_at(root, "staged-updates", app).await
+}
+
+async fn load_at(root: &Path, directory: &str, app: &str) -> Result<Option<StagedUpdate>> {
+    let bytes = match tokio::fs::read(record_path(root, directory, app)?).await {
+        Ok(bytes) => bytes,
+        Err(e) if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => return Ok(None),
+        Err(e) => return Err(e.into()),
+    };
+    let envelope: Envelope = serde_json::from_slice(&bytes)
+        .context("Damaged staged update; refusing another version")?;
+    anyhow::ensure!(envelope.schema == 1, "Unsupported staged update schema");
+    anyhow::ensure!(
+        envelope.checksum == hex::encode(Sha256::digest(envelope.payload.as_bytes())),
+        "Staged update checksum mismatch"
+    );
+    let record: StagedUpdate =
+        serde_json::from_str(&envelope.payload).context("Damaged staged manifest")?;
+    record
+        .manifest
+        .validate()
+        .context("Invalid staged manifest")?;
+    anyhow::ensure!(
+        record.manifest.app.id == app,
+        "Staged update belongs to another app"
+    );
+    record.image()?;
+    Ok(Some(record))
+}
+
+pub(super) async fn save(root: &Path, record: &StagedUpdate) -> Result<()> {
+    save_at(root, "staged-updates", record).await
+}
+
+pub(super) async fn save_installed(root: &Path, record: &StagedUpdate) -> Result<()> {
+    anyhow::ensure!(record.ready, "Cannot publish incomplete installed manifest");
+    save_at(root, "installed-manifests", record).await
+}
+
+pub(super) async fn installed_manifest(
+    root: &Path,
+    app: &str,
+    observed_image: &str,
+) -> Result<Option<AppManifest>> {
+    let Some(record) = load_at(root, "installed-manifests", app).await? else {
+        return Ok(None);
+    };
+    let expected = record.image()?;
+    let matches = matches_image(expected, observed_image);
+    Ok((record.ready && matches).then_some(record.manifest))
+}
+
+pub(super) fn matches_image(expected: &str, observed: &str) -> bool {
+    expected == observed
+        || match (
+            expected.rsplit_once("@sha256:"),
+            observed.rsplit_once("@sha256:"),
+        ) {
+            (Some((_, a)), Some((_, b))) => a.len() == 64 && a.eq_ignore_ascii_case(b),
+            _ => false,
+        }
+}
+
+async fn save_at(root: &Path, directory: &str, record: &StagedUpdate) -> Result<()> {
+    use std::{
+        io::Write,
+        os::unix::fs::{DirBuilderExt, OpenOptionsExt, PermissionsExt},
+    };
+    record.image()?;
+    let target = record_path(root, directory, &record.manifest.app.id)?;
+    record
+        .manifest
+        .validate()
+        .context("Invalid staged manifest")?;
+    let payload = serde_json::to_string(record)?;
+    let checksum = hex::encode(Sha256::digest(payload.as_bytes()));
+    let bytes = serde_json::to_vec(&Envelope {
+        schema: 1,
+        payload,
+        checksum,
+    })?;
+    // Bounded metadata commit stays in this poll while the caller owns its
+    // lifecycle lock; cancellation cannot leave a late detached writer.
+    (|| -> Result<()> {
+        let parent = target.parent().context("Missing staged update directory")?;
+        match std::fs::DirBuilder::new().mode(0o700).create(parent) {
+            Ok(()) => {}
+            Err(e) if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::AlreadyExists => {}
+            Err(e) => return Err(e.into()),
+        }
+        std::fs::set_permissions(parent, std::fs::Permissions::from_mode(0o700))?;
+        // Persist the directory entry itself before an acknowledged record can
+        // depend on it surviving a crash (syncing the child alone is insufficient).
+        std::fs::File::open(parent.parent().context("Missing staged update parent")?)?
+            .sync_all()?;
+        let tmp = parent.join(format!(".{}.tmp", uuid::Uuid::new_v4()));
+        let result = (|| -> Result<()> {
+            let mut file = std::fs::OpenOptions::new()
+                .write(true)
+                .create_new(true)
+                .mode(0o600)
+                .open(&tmp)?;
+            file.write_all(&bytes)?;
+            file.sync_all()?;
+            std::fs::rename(&tmp, &target)?;
+            std::fs::File::open(parent)?.sync_all()?;
+            Ok(())
+        })();
+        if result.is_err() {
+            let _ = std::fs::remove_file(tmp);
+        }
+        result
+    })()
+}
+
+pub(super) async fn clear(root: &Path, app: &str) -> Result<()> {
+    clear_at(root, "staged-updates", app).await
+}
+
+pub(super) async fn clear_installed(root: &Path, app: &str) -> Result<()> {
+    clear_at(root, "installed-manifests", app).await
+}
+
+async fn clear_at(root: &Path, directory: &str, app: &str) -> Result<()> {
+    let target = record_path(root, directory, app)?;
+    // Bounded metadata commit stays in this poll while the caller owns its
+    // lifecycle lock; cancellation cannot leave a late detached writer.
+    (|| -> Result<()> {
+        match std::fs::remove_file(&target) {
+            Ok(()) => std::fs::File::open(target.parent().unwrap())?.sync_all()?,
+            Err(e) if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => {}
+            Err(e) => return Err(e.into()),
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    })()
+}
+
+pub(super) async fn marked(root: &Path, file: &str, app: &str, container: &str) -> Result<bool> {
+    let bytes = match tokio::fs::read(root.join(file)).await {
+        Ok(bytes) => bytes,
+        Err(e) if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => return Ok(false),
+        Err(e) => return Err(e).with_context(|| format!("Cannot read {file}")),
+    };
+    let set: HashSet<String> =
+        serde_json::from_slice(&bytes).with_context(|| format!("Damaged {file}"))?;
+    Ok(set.contains(app) || set.contains(container) || set.contains(&format!("archy-{app}")))
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use futures_util::FutureExt;
+    use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn envelope_rejects_corruption_schema_and_invalid_manifest_and_is_private() {
+        let root = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let manifest = AppManifest::parse(&format!("app:\n  id: music\n  name: Music\n  version: 1.0.0\n  container:\n    image: docker.io/library/alpine@sha256:{}\n", "a".repeat(64))).unwrap();
+        let record = StagedUpdate {
+            manifest,
+            manifest_dir: root.path().into(),
+            ready: true,
+        };
+        save(root.path(), &record)
+            .now_or_never()
+            .expect("Journal commit must finish before lifecycle lock cancellation is possible")
+            .unwrap();
+        let target = path(root.path(), "music").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            std::fs::metadata(target.parent().unwrap())
+                .unwrap()
+                .permissions()
+                .mode()
+                & 0o777,
+            0o700
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            std::fs::metadata(&target).unwrap().permissions().mode() & 0o777,
+            0o600
+        );
+        assert!(load(root.path(), "music").await.unwrap().unwrap().ready);
+        save_installed(root.path(), &record).await.unwrap();
+        clear(root.path(), "music")
+            .now_or_never()
+            .expect("Journal clear must not leave a detached late deletion")
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(load(root.path(), "music").await.unwrap().is_none());
+        assert!(
+            installed_manifest(root.path(), "music", record.image().unwrap())
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .is_some()
+        );
+        assert!(installed_manifest(
+            root.path(),
+            "music",
+            &format!("docker.io/library/alpine@sha256:{}", "b".repeat(64))
+        )
+        .await
+        .unwrap()
+        .is_none());
+        save(root.path(), &record).await.unwrap();
+        let original = tokio::fs::read(&target).await.unwrap();
+        let mut envelope: Envelope = serde_json::from_slice(&original).unwrap();
+        envelope.payload = envelope.payload.replace("Music", "Changed Music");
+        tokio::fs::write(&target, serde_json::to_vec(&envelope).unwrap())
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(load(root.path(), "music")
+            .await
+            .unwrap_err()
+            .to_string()
+            .contains("checksum"));
+        envelope = serde_json::from_slice(&original).unwrap();
+        envelope.schema = 2;
+        tokio::fs::write(&target, serde_json::to_vec(&envelope).unwrap())
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(load(root.path(), "music").await.is_err());
+        envelope = serde_json::from_slice(&original).unwrap();
+        let mut value: serde_json::Value = serde_json::from_str(&envelope.payload).unwrap();
+        value["manifest"]["app"]["container"]["image"] = serde_json::Value::Null;
+        envelope.payload = serde_json::to_string(&value).unwrap();
+        envelope.checksum = hex::encode(Sha256::digest(envelope.payload.as_bytes()));
+        tokio::fs::write(&target, serde_json::to_vec(&envelope).unwrap())
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(load(root.path(), "music").await.is_err());
+    }
+}
+
+pub(super) async fn pending_ids(root: &Path) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
+    let mut dir = match tokio::fs::read_dir(root.join("staged-updates")).await {
+        Ok(dir) => dir,
+        Err(e) if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => return Ok(vec![]),
+        Err(e) => return Err(e.into()),
+    };
+    let mut ids = Vec::new();
+    while let Some(entry) = dir.next_entry().await? {
+        if let Some(name) = entry
+            .file_name()
+            .to_str()
+            .and_then(|name| name.strip_suffix(".json"))
+        {
+            ids.push(name.to_string());
+        }
+    }
+    Ok(ids)
+}
diff --git a/core/archipelago/src/container/traits.rs b/core/archipelago/src/container/traits.rs
index 1a71a0a0..a681f0c1 100644
--- a/core/archipelago/src/container/traits.rs
+++ b/core/archipelago/src/container/traits.rs
@@ -62,6 +62,11 @@ pub trait ContainerOrchestrator: Send + Sync {
     /// Pull/rebuild the image and recreate the container from scratch.
     async fn upgrade(&self, app_id: &str) -> Result<()>;
 
+    /// Exact image prepared by a stopped upgrade; no running container is claimed.
+    async fn staged_upgrade_image(&self, _app_id: &str) -> Result<Option<String>> {
+        Ok(None)
+    }
+
     /// Current state of a single container.
     async fn status(&self, app_id: &str) -> Result<ContainerStatus>;