diff --git a/docs/superpowers/plans/2026-07-28-ansible-reconciliation.md b/docs/superpowers/plans/2026-07-28-ansible-reconciliation.md
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+# Ansible-arch ↔ Machine Reconciliation Implementation Plan
+
+> **For agentic workers:** REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use superpowers:subagent-driven-development (recommended) or superpowers:executing-plans to implement this plan task-by-task. Steps use checkbox (`- [ ]`) syntax for tracking.
+
+**Goal:** Bring the `ansible-arch` repo and the machine it manages back into alignment: commit the in-flight working-tree changes, fix the `become=True` global-default bug that caused root-owned dotfiles symlinks, and codify already-installed-but-undeclared packages into the right roles.
+
+**Architecture:** No new files or abstractions. This is a reconciliation pass over existing `roles/*/tasks/*.yml` files and `ansible.cfg`. Every privileged task in the repo already carries an explicit `become: true` — the audit confirmed the *only* structural bug is the global default in `ansible.cfg`, so that fix is a one-line change, not a per-task sweep. Verification is `ansible-playbook --syntax-check` / `--check --diff` where the modules support check mode, and one real `ansible-playbook site.yml` run at the end (safe: pacman tasks are no-ops for already-installed packages, dotfiles-role symlink recreation is idempotent by design).
+
+**Tech Stack:** Ansible, Arch Linux (pacman, AUR via `kewlfft.aur` + `paru`), GNU Stow.
+
+---
+
+### Task 1: Commit the in-flight working-tree diff
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify (already modified in working tree, no further edits needed): `dotfiles/hypr/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf`, `roles/ai/tasks/main.yaml`, `roles/common/defaults/main.yml`, `roles/common/tasks/main.yml`, `roles/devops/tasks/main.yml`, `roles/dotfiles/defaults/main.yml`, `roles/dotfiles/tasks/main.yml`, `roles/hyprland/tasks/main.yml`, `roles/multimedia/tasks/main.yml`
+- Add (untracked): `dotfiles/hypr/.config/hypr/hyprlock.conf`, `dotfiles/hypr/.config/hypr/monitors.sh`, `dotfiles/kanshi/`, `dotfiles/starship/`
+
+This working-tree diff already reflects the intended current state (verified during brainstorming — it's the hyprland.conf tweaks, new dotfiles stow packages, and new role packages that led to this reconciliation). Nothing to write here, just commit it.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Review the diff one more time**
+
+```bash
+git status
+git diff --stat
+```
+
+Expected: the same 9 modified files and 4 untracked paths listed in the design spec's "Context" section.
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Stage and commit**
+
+```bash
+git add dotfiles/hypr/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf \
+        dotfiles/hypr/.config/hypr/hyprlock.conf \
+        dotfiles/hypr/.config/hypr/monitors.sh \
+        dotfiles/kanshi/ dotfiles/starship/ \
+        roles/ai/tasks/main.yaml \
+        roles/common/defaults/main.yml \
+        roles/common/tasks/main.yml \
+        roles/devops/tasks/main.yml \
+        roles/dotfiles/defaults/main.yml \
+        roles/dotfiles/tasks/main.yml \
+        roles/hyprland/tasks/main.yml \
+        roles/multimedia/tasks/main.yml
+git commit -m "feat: formalize in-flight hyprland/dotfiles/role changes"
+git status
+```
+
+Expected: `git status` shows "nothing to commit, working tree clean" (modulo files touched by later tasks).
+
+---
+
+### Task 2: Fix the `become=True` global default
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `ansible.cfg:11-15`
+
+**Context:** `ansible.cfg` currently has:
+
+```ini
+[privilege_escalation]
+become = True
+become_method = sudo
+become_user = root
+become_ask_pass = False
+```
+
+Every task across every role that actually needs root (`pacman:`, `systemd:`, `user:`, `getent:`, `chsh`) already has an explicit `become: true` set on it — confirmed by reading every `roles/*/tasks/*.yml` file. Every task that must run unprivileged (AUR installs via `kewlfft.aur.aur`, the `paru` makepkg bootstrap, `oh-my-zsh` install, dotfiles `stow`/`file` tasks, `blockinfile` edits to `.zshrc`/`.profile`) already correctly omits `become`. The global `become = True` default was silently overriding all of those correctly-unprivileged tasks to root — that's why `~/.config/hypr`, `~/.config/zellij`, and `~/.config/starship.toml` symlinks are owned by `root`.
+
+So the fix is exactly one line.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Remove the global become default**
+
+Edit `ansible.cfg`, changing:
+
+```ini
+[privilege_escalation]
+become = True
+become_method = sudo
+become_user = root
+become_ask_pass = False
+```
+
+to:
+
+```ini
+[privilege_escalation]
+become_method = sudo
+become_user = root
+become_ask_pass = False
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Syntax-check the playbook**
+
+```bash
+ansible-playbook site.yml --syntax-check
+```
+
+Expected: `playbook: site.yml` with no errors.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Dry-run the parts that support check mode**
+
+```bash
+ansible-playbook site.yml --check --diff
+```
+
+Expected: pacman/systemd/user tasks report no changes (packages already installed, services already enabled). The `stow`/`command` tasks in the dotfiles role will show as `skipped` (partial check-mode support) rather than simulate the symlink recreation — that's expected and covered by the real run in Task 6.
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add ansible.cfg
+git commit -m "fix: stop forcing become=True globally, rely on per-task become"
+```
+
+---
+
+### Task 3: Add missing packages to the `ctf` role
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `roles/ctf/tasks/main.yml`
+
+Current content:
+
+```yaml
+# tasks file for ctf
+- name: Install CTF tools (official repos)
+  become: true
+  pacman:
+    name:
+      - wireshark-qt
+      - nmap
+      - openbsd-netcat
+      - binwalk
+      - gobuster
+    state: present
+```
+
+`gitleaks`, `picocom`, and `python-pyserial` are official-repo packages. `nuclei-bin` is AUR-only.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Add the official-repo packages**
+
+Edit `roles/ctf/tasks/main.yml` to:
+
+```yaml
+# tasks file for ctf
+- name: Install CTF tools (official repos)
+  become: true
+  pacman:
+    name:
+      - wireshark-qt
+      - nmap
+      - openbsd-netcat
+      - binwalk
+      - gobuster
+      - gitleaks
+      - picocom
+      - python-pyserial
+    state: present
+
+- name: Install CTF AUR packages
+  kewlfft.aur.aur:
+    name: "{{ item }}"
+    use: "{{ aur_helper | default('paru') }}"
+    state: present
+  loop:
+    - nuclei-bin
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Syntax-check**
+
+```bash
+ansible-playbook site.yml --syntax-check
+```
+
+Expected: no errors.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Dry-run just this role**
+
+```bash
+ansible-playbook site.yml --check --diff --tags ctf
+```
+
+Expected: `pacman` task reports `ok` (all packages already installed, since the audit confirmed they're present via `pacman -Qeq`). The AUR task will show as `skipped` in check mode (module doesn't support check mode) — that's fine, it's covered by the Task 6 real run.
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add roles/ctf/tasks/main.yml
+git commit -m "feat(ctf): add gitleaks, nuclei-bin, picocom, python-pyserial"
+```
+
+---
+
+### Task 4: Add missing packages to the `common` role
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `roles/common/tasks/main.yml:19-53`
+
+Current "Install base development tools" task (lines 19-53):
+
+```yaml
+- name: Install base development tools
+  become: true
+  pacman:
+    name:
+      - base-devel
+      - git
+      - curl
+      - wget
+      - rsync
+      - unzip
+      - zip
+      - less
+      - man-db
+      - texinfo
+      - which
+      - zsh
+      - stow
+      - ansible
+      - zoxide
+      - atuin
+      - broot
+      - bottom
+      - hyperfine
+      - tokei
+      - git-delta
+      - yazi
+      - ueberzugpp
+      - tealdeer
+      - ledger
+      - btop
+      - htop
+      - bind
+      - socat
+      - iperf3
+    state: present
+```
+
+Add `nano`, `vim`, `sshpass`, `smartmontools` here. `cargo-audit` isn't a pacman package (it's installed via `cargo install`), so it goes in the separate "Install Rust toolchain and Python uv" task as a follow-up `cargo` step.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Add nano, vim, sshpass, smartmontools**
+
+Edit the `name:` list in "Install base development tools" (`roles/common/tasks/main.yml:22-51`), adding after `iperf3`:
+
+```yaml
+      - iperf3
+      - nano
+      - vim
+      - sshpass
+      - smartmontools
+    state: present
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Add cargo-audit via cargo install**
+
+Current "Install Rust toolchain and Python uv" task (`roles/common/tasks/main.yml:55-68`):
+
+```yaml
+- name: Install Rust toolchain and Python uv
+  become: true
+  pacman:
+    name:
+      - rust
+      - eza
+      - bat
+      - ripgrep
+      - fd
+      - starship
+      - cargo
+      - cargo-binstall
+      - uv
+    state: present
+```
+
+Add a new task immediately after it:
+
+```yaml
+- name: Install cargo-audit
+  command: cargo install cargo-audit --locked
+  args:
+    creates: "{{ archsetup_user_home }}/.cargo/bin/cargo-audit"
+```
+
+No `become` — `cargo install` must run as the invoking user, installing into `~/.cargo/bin`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Syntax-check**
+
+```bash
+ansible-playbook site.yml --syntax-check
+```
+
+Expected: no errors.
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Dry-run**
+
+```bash
+ansible-playbook site.yml --check --diff --tags common
+```
+
+Expected: pacman task `ok`, no changes (all four packages already installed per the audit). The `cargo-audit` command task will show as `skipped` in check mode — verified for real in Task 6 (`cargo-audit` is already on the machine, per the audit, so it'll be a no-op there too via the `creates` guard).
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add roles/common/tasks/main.yml
+git commit -m "feat(common): add nano, vim, sshpass, smartmontools, cargo-audit"
+```
+
+---
+
+### Task 5: Remove duplicate `docker` package from `cs_student` role
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `roles/cs_student/tasks/main.yml:1-17`
+
+`devops` role (`roles/devops/tasks/main.yml:6`) already declares `docker`. Current `cs_student` task:
+
+```yaml
+# tasks file for cs_student
+- name: Install CS student tools
+  become: true
+  pacman:
+    name:
+      - neovim
+      - emacs
+      - python
+      - nodejs
+      - npm
+      - texlive-bin
+      - texlive-basic
+      - jupyter-nbconvert
+      - docker
+      - code
+      - github-cli
+    state: present
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Remove the `docker` line**
+
+Edit to:
+
+```yaml
+# tasks file for cs_student
+- name: Install CS student tools
+  become: true
+  pacman:
+    name:
+      - neovim
+      - emacs
+      - python
+      - nodejs
+      - npm
+      - texlive-bin
+      - texlive-basic
+      - jupyter-nbconvert
+      - code
+      - github-cli
+    state: present
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Syntax-check**
+
+```bash
+ansible-playbook site.yml --syntax-check
+```
+
+Expected: no errors.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add roles/cs_student/tasks/main.yml
+git commit -m "refactor(cs_student): drop duplicate docker package, already in devops role"
+```
+
+---
+
+### Task 6: Remove the dead duplicate handler file
+
+**Files:**
+- Delete: `roles/common/handlers/main.yaml`
+
+**Context:** `roles/common/handlers/` contains both `main.yml` and `main.yaml`. Ansible's role loader (`ansible/playbook/role/__init__.py:_load_role_yaml`, confirmed by reading the installed Ansible source) searches extensions in the fixed order `['.yml', '.yaml', '.json']` and stops at the first match for handlers (`allow_dir=False`). That means `main.yml` — which already has `become: true` and is the one referenced correctly — is the only file Ansible ever loads. `main.yaml` is silently dead: it's never parsed, and its font-cache handler task (which lacks `become: true` and would break under the Task 2 fix if it were ever loaded) is orphaned.
+
+Since `main.yml` is confirmed live and already correct, `main.yaml` is pure dead weight causing confusion about which handler is authoritative — remove it.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Confirm main.yml is the active file**
+
+```bash
+cat roles/common/handlers/main.yml
+```
+
+Expected output:
+
+```yaml
+- name: Update font cache
+  become: true
+  command: fc-cache -fv
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Delete the dead duplicate**
+
+```bash
+git rm roles/common/handlers/main.yaml
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Syntax-check**
+
+```bash
+ansible-playbook site.yml --syntax-check
+```
+
+Expected: no errors (confirms `main.yml` alone still satisfies the `notify: Update font cache` handler reference in `roles/common/tasks/main.yml`).
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git commit -m "chore(common): remove dead duplicate handlers/main.yaml (main.yml is the one Ansible loads)"
+```
+
+---
+
+### Task 7: Real playbook run and final verification
+
+This is the only step in the plan that touches live machine state beyond `--check` dry-runs. It's expected to be safe and mostly a no-op: every package involved is already installed (confirmed via `pacman -Qeq` during the audit), and the dotfiles role's "Remove existing config files before stowing" task unconditionally removes and recreates its symlink targets on every run by design — that's what fixes the root-ownership bug, with no manual `rm`/`chown` needed.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Run the full playbook**
+
+```bash
+ansible-playbook site.yml
+```
+
+Expected: playbook completes with `failed=0`. Some tasks report `changed` (dotfiles symlinks recreated, any packages that were pulled in by Tasks 3-4 but not yet actually reconciled by pacman state).
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Verify symlink ownership**
+
+```bash
+ls -la ~/.config/hypr ~/.config/zellij ~/.config/starship.toml ~/.config/kanshi
+```
+
+Expected: all four owned by `tudattr`, not `root`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Verify no drift remains**
+
+```bash
+ansible-playbook site.yml --check --diff
+git status
+```
+
+Expected: second `--check` run reports no further changes (idempotent), `git status` shows a clean working tree.
diff --git a/docs/superpowers/specs/2026-07-28-ansible-reconciliation-design.md b/docs/superpowers/specs/2026-07-28-ansible-reconciliation-design.md
index 5042c46..d8e3721 100644
--- a/docs/superpowers/specs/2026-07-28-ansible-reconciliation-design.md
+++ b/docs/superpowers/specs/2026-07-28-ansible-reconciliation-design.md
@@ -105,6 +105,12 @@ single-value `name:` key the audit grep didn't match).
 **Minor cleanup:** remove the duplicate `docker` package entry from the
 `cs_student` role — `devops` already declares it.
 
+**Dead file found during planning:** `roles/common/handlers/` contains both
+`main.yml` and `main.yaml`. Ansible's role loader searches handler file
+extensions in a fixed order and stops at the first match, so `main.yml`
+(which already has `become: true`) is the only one ever loaded — `main.yaml`
+is dead and orphaned. Delete it.
+
 ## Verification
 
 - `ansible-playbook site.yml --check --diff` runs clean (no unexpected