diff --git a/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/appeal.yaml b/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/appeal.yaml
index 9b0f503..e042d0b 100644
--- a/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/appeal.yaml
+++ b/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/appeal.yaml
@@ -6,4 +6,8 @@ alternatives:
   self_transition:
     bucket: appeals
     to: withdrawn
+    from:
+    - before_the_board
+    - open
+    - reconsidered
     label: Withdrawn
diff --git a/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/exemption-request.yaml b/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/exemption-request.yaml
index 647cfbc..0f2ef89 100644
--- a/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/exemption-request.yaml
+++ b/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/exemption-request.yaml
@@ -6,4 +6,9 @@ alternatives:
   self_transition:
     bucket: exemptions
     to: withdrawn
+    from:
+    - county_answered
+    - county_asked
+    - open
+    - recommended
     label: Withdrawn
diff --git a/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/firm-approval.yaml b/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/firm-approval.yaml
index c858427..3946a5c 100644
--- a/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/firm-approval.yaml
+++ b/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/firm-approval.yaml
@@ -6,4 +6,7 @@ alternatives:
   self_transition:
     bucket: firms
     to: checked
+    from:
+    - open
+    - papers_missing
     label: Checked
diff --git a/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/objection.yaml b/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/objection.yaml
index 7ddb909..211161b 100644
--- a/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/objection.yaml
+++ b/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/objection.yaml
@@ -6,4 +6,8 @@ alternatives:
   self_transition:
     bucket: objections
     to: withdrawn
+    from:
+    - answered_by_applicant
+    - open
+    - registered
     label: Withdrawn
diff --git a/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/permit-application.yaml b/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/permit-application.yaml
index b90eacf..4343447 100644
--- a/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/permit-application.yaml
+++ b/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/permit-application.yaml
@@ -6,10 +6,19 @@ alternatives:
   self_transition:
     bucket: applications
     to: complete
+    from:
+    - incomplete
+    - open
     label: Complete
 - name: Withdrawn
   description: ''
   self_transition:
     bucket: applications
     to: withdrawn
+    from:
+    - complete
+    - incomplete
+    - on_hearing
+    - open
+    - recommended
     label: Withdrawn
diff --git a/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/pre-application-meeting.yaml b/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/pre-application-meeting.yaml
index 315bde5..3f67819 100644
--- a/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/pre-application-meeting.yaml
+++ b/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/pre-application-meeting.yaml
@@ -6,4 +6,8 @@ alternatives:
   self_transition:
     bucket: meetings
     to: cancelled
+    from:
+    - met
+    - open
+    - scheduled
     label: Cancelled
diff --git a/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/small-works-application.yaml b/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/small-works-application.yaml
index b90eacf..4343447 100644
--- a/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/small-works-application.yaml
+++ b/runs/permits-2026-09-25/questions/decide/small-works-application.yaml
@@ -6,10 +6,19 @@ alternatives:
   self_transition:
     bucket: applications
     to: complete
+    from:
+    - incomplete
+    - open
     label: Complete
 - name: Withdrawn
   description: ''
   self_transition:
     bucket: applications
     to: withdrawn
+    from:
+    - complete
+    - incomplete
+    - on_hearing
+    - open
+    - recommended
     label: Withdrawn
diff --git a/src/build.rs b/src/build.rs
index 5dfc9b5..1197a70 100644
--- a/src/build.rs
+++ b/src/build.rs
@@ -1595,6 +1595,15 @@ pub fn render(plan: &Plan, words: &BTreeMap<String, Value>) -> anyhow::Result<BT
         let path = decide_path(need);
         let w = &words[&path];
         let targets: BTreeSet<&String> = theirs.iter().map(|(_, to)| to).collect();
+        // Where each of their moves may be made from. A person is in
+        // dialogue with their case for as long as it runs: the
+        // applicant answers a request for papers from `incomplete`,
+        // and withdraws from wherever the case has got to by then.
+        // Portal compiles one policy rule per state named here, and
+        // without them it assumes the day the case arrived.
+        let from_for = |to: &String| -> Vec<&String> {
+            theirs.iter().filter(|(_, t)| t == to).map(|(from, _)| from).collect()
+        };
         files.insert(
             path,
             json!({
@@ -1603,7 +1612,7 @@ pub fn render(plan: &Plan, words: &BTreeMap<String, Value>) -> anyhow::Result<BT
                 "alternatives": targets.iter().map(|to| json!({
                     "name": s(&w["moves"][to.as_str()]["heading"]),
                     "description": s(&w["moves"][to.as_str()]["description"]),
-                    "self_transition": { "bucket": need.lands_in, "to": to, "label": s(&w["moves"][to.as_str()]["button"]) },
+                    "self_transition": { "bucket": need.lands_in, "to": to, "from": from_for(to), "label": s(&w["moves"][to.as_str()]["button"]) },
                 })).collect::<Vec<_>>(),
             }),
         );