diff --git a/yes.js b/public/yes.js
similarity index 100%
rename from yes.js
rename to public/yes.js
diff --git a/src/app.rs b/src/app.rs
index 15da04f..1fc9633 100644
--- a/src/app.rs
+++ b/src/app.rs
@@ -81,7 +81,10 @@ fn QuestionPage() -> impl IntoView {
     let parent_hash = Memo::new(move |_| query.with(|q| q.get("chain")));
     let query_email = Memo::new(move |_| query.with(|q| q.get("email")));
 
-    let question = Resource::new(move || path.get(), get_question);
+    let question = Resource::new(
+        move || (path.get(), parent_hash.get()),
+        |(path, chain)| get_question(path, chain),
+    );
     let user = Resource::new(|| (), |_| current_user());
     let site = Resource::new(|| (), |_| get_site());
 
@@ -103,7 +106,7 @@ fn QuestionPage() -> impl IntoView {
                 let site_cfg = site.get().and_then(|r| r.ok()).unwrap_or_default();
                 question_res
                     .map(|res| match res {
-                        Ok(Some(q)) => {
+                        Ok(Some(page)) => {
                             let current = user_res.and_then(|r| r.ok()).flatten();
                             view! {
                                 // A second <Title> outranks App's
@@ -114,7 +117,8 @@ fn QuestionPage() -> impl IntoView {
                                     .clone()
                                     .map(|t| view! { <Title text=t/> })}
                                 <QuestionView
-                                    question=q
+                                    question=page.question
+                                    chain_gate=page.chain_gate
                                     parent_hash=parent_hash.get()
                                     query_email=query_email.get()
                                     user=current
@@ -133,6 +137,7 @@ fn QuestionPage() -> impl IntoView {
 #[component]
 fn QuestionView(
     question: Question,
+    chain_gate: Option<(String, String)>,
     parent_hash: Option<String>,
     query_email: Option<String>,
     user: Option<User>,
@@ -140,6 +145,35 @@ fn QuestionView(
 ) -> impl IntoView {
     let question_id = question.id.clone();
 
+    // The provenance counterpart to the qualifies gate below: a
+    // requires_chain page whose visitor holds no verifiable lineage to
+    // the required question renders a pointer there instead of its
+    // alternatives.
+    if let Some((target, target_name)) = chain_gate {
+        let label = if target_name.is_empty() {
+            target.clone()
+        } else {
+            target_name
+        };
+        return view! {
+            <Hero
+                title=question.name.clone()
+                description=question.description.clone()
+                landing=question_id == "/"
+                site=site.clone()
+            />
+            <div class="alternatives">
+                <section class="alt-card gate-card">
+                    <p>"This page follows from an answer you don't seem to carry yet."</p>
+                    <a class="alt-submit" href=target>
+                        {label}
+                    </a>
+                </section>
+            </div>
+        }
+        .into_any();
+    }
+
     // Generic: any question with `qualifies` set renders this same gate
     // instead of its alternatives - "/review" isn't a special case, it's
     // just a question that happens to have `qualifies` set.
@@ -322,7 +356,12 @@ fn ResponsibleNote(responsible: Responsible) -> impl IntoView {
 mod yes {
     use wasm_bindgen::prelude::*;
 
-    #[wasm_bindgen(module = "/yes.js")]
+    // raw_module (a runtime URL, not a bundled snippet) on purpose:
+    // the file lives in public/ so it's served at the stable /yes.js
+    // - the same URL the hero's inline early-mount script imports.
+    // A bundled snippet would sit under a per-build hashed
+    // /pkg/snippets/ path the inline script couldn't know.
+    #[wasm_bindgen(raw_module = "/yes.js")]
     extern "C" {
         #[wasm_bindgen(js_name = RasterizedYES)]
         pub type RasterizedYes;
@@ -434,7 +473,28 @@ fn Hero(title: String, description: String, landing: bool, site: SiteConfig) ->
             if raster_ref.get().is_none() {
                 return;
             }
-            instance.set_value(Some(yes::RasterizedYes::new()));
+            if instance.with_value(|i| i.is_some()) {
+                return;
+            }
+            // Adopt the hero's inline early-mount instance (started at
+            // HTML parse time, long before this wasm was even fetched)
+            // instead of starting a second animation. The flag covers
+            // the opposite ordering too: an inline script that runs
+            // after this sees it and stays inert.
+            use wasm_bindgen::JsCast;
+            let global = js_sys::global();
+            let _ = js_sys::Reflect::set(&global, &"__yesAdopted".into(), &true.into());
+            let early = js_sys::Reflect::get(&global, &"__yesEarly".into())
+                .ok()
+                .filter(|v| !v.is_undefined() && !v.is_null());
+            let inst = match early {
+                Some(v) => {
+                    let _ = js_sys::Reflect::delete_property(&global, &"__yesEarly".into());
+                    v.unchecked_into::<yes::RasterizedYes>()
+                }
+                None => yes::RasterizedYes::new(),
+            };
+            instance.set_value(Some(inst));
         });
         on_cleanup(move || {
             instance.update_value(|opt| {
@@ -481,6 +541,15 @@ fn Hero(title: String, description: String, landing: bool, site: SiteConfig) ->
                             <canvas id="lineCanvas"></canvas>
                             <canvas id="rasterCanvas" node_ref=raster_ref></canvas>
                         </div>
+                        // Starts the animation at HTML parse time
+                        // instead of waiting out the wasm bundle's
+                        // fetch + hydration; the hydrate Effect above
+                        // adopts (never duplicates) the instance, and
+                        // the guards make either execution order safe.
+                        <script
+                            type="module"
+                            inner_html="import('/yes.js').then((m) => { if (!window.__yesAdopted && !window.__yesEarly) window.__yesEarly = new m.RasterizedYES(); });"
+                        ></script>
                     }
                 })}
             {show_gesture
@@ -1640,11 +1709,56 @@ fn NotFound() -> impl IntoView {
     }
 }
 
+/// What a URL resolves to: the question (dynamic pages arrive with
+/// their segment value already substituted, see
+/// `content::resolve_question`) plus whether a `requires_chain` gate
+/// blocked it - `(target id, target name)` so the gate can point the
+/// visitor at where the required answer comes from.
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct Page {
+    pub question: Question,
+    pub chain_gate: Option<(String, String)>,
+}
+
 #[server(endpoint = "get_question")]
-pub async fn get_question(path: String) -> Result<Option<Question>, ServerFnError> {
+pub async fn get_question(
+    path: String,
+    chain: Option<String>,
+) -> Result<Option<Page>, ServerFnError> {
+    use crate::content::{path_matches, resolve_question};
     use crate::server::AppState;
     let state = expect_context::<AppState>();
-    Ok(state.questions.load().get(&path).cloned())
+    let questions = state.questions.load();
+    let Some(question) = resolve_question(&questions, &path) else {
+        return Ok(None);
+    };
+    let mut chain_gate = None;
+    if let Some(target) = &question.requires_chain {
+        // The claimed lineage must verifiably end at the required
+        // question - an unindexed or absent hash reads as unverified,
+        // and the gate stays shut. Dynamic targets match any concrete
+        // answer of theirs.
+        let verified = match &chain {
+            Some(hash) => crate::chain::lookup_node(&state.jetstream, hash)
+                .await
+                .is_some_and(|node| {
+                    node.question_id == *target
+                        || path_matches(target, &node.question_id).is_some()
+                }),
+            None => false,
+        };
+        if !verified {
+            let name = questions
+                .get(target)
+                .map(|q| q.name.clone())
+                .unwrap_or_default();
+            chain_gate = Some((target.clone(), name));
+        }
+    }
+    Ok(Some(Page {
+        question,
+        chain_gate,
+    }))
 }
 
 /// The content repo's branding (`site.yaml`) - title, wordmark, hero
@@ -1681,7 +1795,9 @@ pub async fn list_qualifying_questions(
         .load()
         .values()
         .filter(|q| is_qualified(user.as_ref(), q))
-        .filter(|q| !q.followup || has_chain)
+        .filter(|q| !q.is_followup() || has_chain)
+        // A dynamic page has no URL of its own to link to.
+        .filter(|q| !q.is_dynamic())
         .map(|q| (q.id.clone(), q.name.clone()))
         .collect();
     out.sort();
@@ -1709,11 +1825,10 @@ pub async fn submit_answer(
     use crate::server::AppState;
 
     let state = expect_context::<AppState>();
-    let question = state
-        .questions
-        .load()
-        .get(&question_id)
-        .cloned()
+    // resolve_question, not a plain map get: a dynamic page's concrete
+    // path (what the client holds as its question id) resolves to the
+    // pattern page it came from.
+    let question = crate::content::resolve_question(&state.questions.load(), &question_id)
         .ok_or_else(|| ServerFnError::new("unknown question"))?;
 
     let session: tower_sessions::Session = leptos_axum::extract().await?;
@@ -1754,6 +1869,14 @@ pub async fn submit_answer(
     .await
     .map_err(|e| ServerFnError::new(format!("nats publish failed: {e}")))?;
 
+    // Index the node so requires_chain pages can verify lineage.
+    // Best-effort: the NATS event above is the durable record.
+    if let Err(e) =
+        crate::chain::record_node(&state.jetstream, &chain_hash, &question_id, timestamp_ms).await
+    {
+        tracing::error!("failed to index chain node: {e}");
+    }
+
     // Best-effort: a bucket-write hiccup shouldn't fail a submission the
     // NATS event has already recorded.
     if let Some(bucket) = &record_as {
diff --git a/src/bin/question_lint.rs b/src/bin/question_lint.rs
index db73f8b..7c0d43b 100644
--- a/src/bin/question_lint.rs
+++ b/src/bin/question_lint.rs
@@ -108,23 +108,38 @@ fn load_aggregates_from_dir(
 }
 
 /// The offline counterpart to `content::load_questions_from_gitea` -
-/// same "every `*.yaml` file becomes a `Question` keyed by its own
-/// `id`" shape, just reading a local checkout instead of Gitea's API,
+/// the same recursive tree walk and `content::build_questions`
+/// pipeline (derived ids, relative refs, sections, followup
+/// inference), just reading a local checkout instead of Gitea's API,
 /// for linting a branch that hasn't been pushed yet.
 fn load_from_dir(
     dir: &str,
 ) -> anyhow::Result<std::collections::HashMap<String, content::Question>> {
-    let mut out = std::collections::HashMap::new();
+    let base = std::path::Path::new(dir);
+    let mut files = Vec::new();
+    collect_yaml(base, base, &mut files)?;
+    content::build_questions(&files)
+}
+
+fn collect_yaml(
+    base: &std::path::Path,
+    dir: &std::path::Path,
+    out: &mut Vec<(String, String)>,
+) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     for entry in std::fs::read_dir(dir)? {
-        let entry = entry?;
-        let path = entry.path();
-        if path.extension().and_then(|e| e.to_str()) != Some("yaml") {
-            continue;
+        let path = entry?.path();
+        if path.is_dir() {
+            collect_yaml(base, &path, out)?;
+        } else if path.extension().and_then(|e| e.to_str()) == Some("yaml") {
+            let rel = path
+                .strip_prefix(base)
+                .expect("walked paths sit under their base")
+                .to_string_lossy()
+                .replace('\\', "/");
+            let raw = std::fs::read_to_string(&path)
+                .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("reading {}: {e}", path.display()))?;
+            out.push((rel, raw));
         }
-        let raw = std::fs::read_to_string(&path)?;
-        let question: content::Question = serde_yaml::from_str(&raw)
-            .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("parsing {}: {e}", path.display()))?;
-        out.insert(question.id.clone(), question);
     }
-    Ok(out)
+    Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/src/chain.rs b/src/chain.rs
index 93f6efa..6a36b60 100644
--- a/src/chain.rs
+++ b/src/chain.rs
@@ -9,6 +9,60 @@ use sha2::{Digest, Sha256};
 /// submitted responses, and a timestamp. Parents are sorted first so the
 /// hash doesn't depend on the order multiple parents happened to arrive
 /// in.
+/// Where submitted chain nodes are indexed - hash → which question was
+/// answered. Small on purpose (no responses), and shared by every
+/// portal instance on the JetStream (hashes are globally unique, so
+/// cross-site collisions can't happen). This is what lets
+/// `requires_chain` pages verify a visitor's `?chain=` actually ends
+/// at the question they claim to have answered.
+pub const CHAIN_BUCKET: &str = "portal_chains";
+
+#[derive(serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize)]
+pub struct ChainNode {
+    pub question_id: String,
+    pub timestamp_ms: i64,
+}
+
+/// Indexes one submitted node. Best-effort by design (the caller logs
+/// and continues): the NATS event is the durable record, this is a
+/// lookup convenience.
+pub async fn record_node(
+    js: &async_nats::jetstream::Context,
+    chain_hash: &str,
+    question_id: &str,
+    timestamp_ms: i64,
+) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+    let store = match js.get_key_value(CHAIN_BUCKET).await {
+        Ok(store) => store,
+        Err(_) => {
+            js.create_key_value(async_nats::jetstream::kv::Config {
+                bucket: CHAIN_BUCKET.to_string(),
+                ..Default::default()
+            })
+            .await?
+        }
+    };
+    let node = ChainNode {
+        question_id: question_id.to_string(),
+        timestamp_ms,
+    };
+    store.put(chain_hash, serde_json::to_vec(&node)?.into()).await?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// Looks a chain hash up - `None` covers both "no such node" and
+/// "bucket not created yet" (no submissions anywhere), which read the
+/// same to a `requires_chain` check: the claimed lineage can't be
+/// verified, so the gate stays shut.
+pub async fn lookup_node(
+    js: &async_nats::jetstream::Context,
+    chain_hash: &str,
+) -> Option<ChainNode> {
+    let store = js.get_key_value(CHAIN_BUCKET).await.ok()?;
+    let bytes = store.get(chain_hash).await.ok()??;
+    serde_json::from_slice(&bytes).ok()
+}
+
 pub fn hash_node(
     question_id: &str,
     parent_hashes: &[String],
diff --git a/src/content.rs b/src/content.rs
index 94bd88a..7cd7fb6 100644
--- a/src/content.rs
+++ b/src/content.rs
@@ -1,35 +1,85 @@
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
-/// One page: a prompt plus the paths on from it. `id` doubles as the URL
-/// path it's served at ("/" is the landing page). Loaded from a plain
-/// YAML file per question in a content directory kept in its own git
-/// repo (see ../portal-content) - editing content is a content-repo
-/// commit, not a Rust rebuild.
+/// One page: a prompt plus the paths on from it. The `questions/`
+/// directory tree IS the URL tree (`index.yaml` names its directory,
+/// `develop/proposal.yaml` serves `/develop/proposal`), so `id` is
+/// derived from the file's path - declaring it explicitly still works
+/// (and wins, with a logged warning when it disagrees) but is only
+/// needed by legacy content. Loaded from plain YAML files in a content
+/// directory kept in its own git repo - editing content is a
+/// content-repo commit, not a Rust rebuild.
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct Question {
-    pub id: String,
+    /// The URL path this page is served at. Derived from the file path
+    /// when absent. A `[name]` segment (from a `[name].yaml` file)
+    /// makes this a dynamic page: `/review/[record]` serves any
+    /// `/review/<value>`, with the value substituted into `{record}`
+    /// placeholders in the page's resource keys (see
+    /// `resolve_question`).
     #[serde(default)]
-    pub route: Option<String>,
+    pub id: String,
     pub name: String,
     #[serde(default)]
     pub description: String,
     /// Kanidm group required to view/submit this question - `None` means
-    /// open to anyone, matching every question today. Content-driven
-    /// on purpose: a gated page like "/review" is just a Question with
-    /// this set, not a bespoke Rust route.
+    /// open to anyone. Content-driven on purpose: a gated page like
+    /// "/review" is just a Question with this set, not a bespoke Rust
+    /// route. Inherited from the nearest ancestor `_section.yaml` when
+    /// not set on the question itself.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub qualifies: Option<String>,
+    /// Question id (relative refs resolve against this file's
+    /// directory) the visitor must have answered - their `?chain=`
+    /// lineage's tip - to see this page. The provenance counterpart to
+    /// `qualifies`' identity check. Inherited from `_section.yaml`
+    /// like `qualifies`.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub requires_chain: Option<String>,
     #[serde(default)]
     pub alternatives: Vec<Alternative>,
     /// Who to contact if a visitor gets stuck - rendered as a small line
-    /// on the page.
+    /// on the page. Inherited from `_section.yaml` when not set.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub responsible: Option<Responsible>,
     /// A page that only makes sense after answering something (the
     /// post-submission pages) - kept out of the question nav unless the
-    /// visitor's context carries an answer chain.
+    /// visitor's context carries an answer chain. Unset means inferred
+    /// from the file's place in the tree: files nested in a
+    /// subdirectory are followups unless they're the directory's
+    /// `index.yaml`; top-level files keep the historical default
+    /// (not a followup).
     #[serde(default)]
-    pub followup: bool,
+    pub followup: Option<bool>,
+}
+
+impl Question {
+    pub fn is_followup(&self) -> bool {
+        self.followup.unwrap_or(false)
+    }
+
+    /// A dynamic page - one whose id still contains a `[name]`
+    /// segment. Served per-value via `resolve_question`, never listed
+    /// in nav, never a valid `action` target.
+    pub fn is_dynamic(&self) -> bool {
+        self.id.contains('[')
+    }
+}
+
+/// Directory-scoped defaults: a `_section.yaml` file applies to every
+/// question at or below its directory (nearest ancestor wins per
+/// field, and a question's own declaration always overrides). This is
+/// what makes a URL prefix a trust boundary - "everything under
+/// /review is owner-only" is one line in `review/_section.yaml`
+/// instead of a flag per file. Underscore-prefixed files that aren't
+/// `_section.yaml` are skipped entirely (drafts).
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct SectionConfig {
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub qualifies: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub requires_chain: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub responsible: Option<Responsible>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
@@ -479,6 +529,228 @@ pub async fn load_aggregates_from_gitea(
 /// startup, and again on every `CONTENT_RELOAD_SUBJECT` message (see
 /// `watch_for_reload`), over Gitea's public contents API (no auth - the
 /// content repo is public).
+/// The URL a file at `rel` (path relative to the questions dir, forward
+/// slashes) serves: `index.yaml` names its directory, everything else
+/// appends its stem.
+pub fn route_from_path(rel: &str) -> String {
+    let stem = rel.strip_suffix(".yaml").unwrap_or(rel);
+    let mut segments: Vec<&str> = stem.split('/').collect();
+    if segments.last() == Some(&"index") {
+        segments.pop();
+    }
+    if segments.is_empty() {
+        "/".to_string()
+    } else {
+        format!("/{}", segments.join("/"))
+    }
+}
+
+/// The directory (as a URL prefix) of the file at `rel` - the base
+/// relative references resolve against.
+pub fn dir_from_path(rel: &str) -> String {
+    match rel.rsplit_once('/') {
+        Some((dir, _)) => format!("/{dir}"),
+        None => "/".to_string(),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Resolves a possibly-relative question reference (`action:`,
+/// `requires_chain:`) against the referencing file's directory:
+/// `/x` is absolute, `proposed` names a sibling, `../x` climbs.
+pub fn resolve_ref(base_dir: &str, reference: &str) -> String {
+    if reference.starts_with('/') {
+        return reference.to_string();
+    }
+    let mut segments: Vec<&str> = base_dir.split('/').filter(|s| !s.is_empty()).collect();
+    for part in reference.split('/') {
+        match part {
+            "" | "." => {}
+            ".." => {
+                segments.pop();
+            }
+            s => segments.push(s),
+        }
+    }
+    if segments.is_empty() {
+        "/".to_string()
+    } else {
+        format!("/{}", segments.join("/"))
+    }
+}
+
+/// Whether `path` matches `pattern`, capturing `[name]` segments.
+/// Returns the captured (name, value) pairs on a match - empty for an
+/// exact literal match.
+pub fn path_matches(pattern: &str, path: &str) -> Option<Vec<(String, String)>> {
+    let pat: Vec<&str> = pattern.split('/').filter(|s| !s.is_empty()).collect();
+    let got: Vec<&str> = path.split('/').filter(|s| !s.is_empty()).collect();
+    if pat.len() != got.len() {
+        return None;
+    }
+    let mut captures = Vec::new();
+    for (p, g) in pat.iter().zip(got.iter()) {
+        if let Some(name) = p.strip_prefix('[').and_then(|s| s.strip_suffix(']')) {
+            if g.is_empty() {
+                return None;
+            }
+            captures.push((name.to_string(), (*g).to_string()));
+        } else if p != g {
+            return None;
+        }
+    }
+    Some(captures)
+}
+
+/// Resolves a URL path to its question: an exact id first, else the
+/// one dynamic page whose pattern matches, with each captured segment
+/// substituted into `{name}` placeholders in the clone's resource keys
+/// and its id set to the concrete path (so every follow-up server call
+/// - resources, submissions - re-resolves the same way). The
+/// substituted key is still looked up in the content-declared bucket,
+/// so a visitor varies the key, never the bucket - the same trust
+/// shape as a `?chain=` link, where knowing a record's key is holding
+/// it.
+pub fn resolve_question(
+    questions: &std::collections::HashMap<String, Question>,
+    path: &str,
+) -> Option<Question> {
+    if let Some(q) = questions.get(path) {
+        return Some(q.clone());
+    }
+    for q in questions.values() {
+        if !q.is_dynamic() {
+            continue;
+        }
+        if let Some(captures) = path_matches(&q.id, path) {
+            let mut resolved = q.clone();
+            resolved.id = path.to_string();
+            let substitute = |key: &mut Option<String>| {
+                if let Some(k) = key {
+                    for (name, value) in &captures {
+                        *k = k.replace(&format!("{{{name}}}"), value);
+                    }
+                }
+            };
+            for alt in &mut resolved.alternatives {
+                for feature in &mut alt.features {
+                    if let Some(res) = &mut feature.resource {
+                        substitute(&mut res.key);
+                    }
+                    for req in &mut feature.requirements {
+                        if let Some(res) = &mut req.resource {
+                            substitute(&mut res.key);
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            return Some(resolved);
+        }
+    }
+    None
+}
+
+/// Builds the question map from raw (path, yaml) files - the shared
+/// back half of both loaders (Gitea tree and `question_lint --path`).
+/// Applies the whole filesystem-routing contract: derived ids,
+/// relative-reference resolution, followup inference, `_section.yaml`
+/// inheritance, and the tree-shape rules (no id collisions, at most
+/// one dynamic page per directory).
+#[cfg(feature = "ssr")]
+pub fn build_questions(
+    files: &[(String, String)],
+) -> anyhow::Result<std::collections::HashMap<String, Question>> {
+    // Sections first: (directory prefix, config), shallowest first so a
+    // later (deeper) section overrides an outer one field-by-field.
+    let mut sections: Vec<(String, SectionConfig)> = Vec::new();
+    for (rel, raw) in files {
+        let name = rel.rsplit('/').next().unwrap_or(rel);
+        if name != "_section.yaml" {
+            continue;
+        }
+        let mut section: SectionConfig = serde_yaml::from_str(raw)
+            .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("parsing {rel}: {e}"))?;
+        let dir = dir_from_path(rel);
+        if let Some(rc) = &section.requires_chain {
+            section.requires_chain = Some(resolve_ref(&dir, rc));
+        }
+        sections.push((dir, section));
+    }
+    sections.sort_by_key(|(dir, _)| dir.len());
+
+    let mut out = std::collections::HashMap::new();
+    let mut dynamic_dirs = std::collections::HashSet::new();
+    for (rel, raw) in files {
+        let name = rel.rsplit('/').next().unwrap_or(rel);
+        // Underscore files are sections or drafts, never pages.
+        if name.starts_with('_') {
+            continue;
+        }
+        let mut question: Question =
+            serde_yaml::from_str(raw).map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("parsing {rel}: {e}"))?;
+        let derived = route_from_path(rel);
+        let dir = dir_from_path(rel);
+
+        if question.id.is_empty() {
+            question.id = derived.clone();
+        } else if question.id != derived {
+            tracing::warn!(
+                "{rel}: declared id {:?} disagrees with its path ({derived}) - the declared id wins, but consider moving the file",
+                question.id
+            );
+        }
+
+        for alt in &mut question.alternatives {
+            if let Some(action) = &alt.action {
+                alt.action = Some(resolve_ref(&dir, action));
+            }
+        }
+        if let Some(rc) = &question.requires_chain {
+            question.requires_chain = Some(resolve_ref(&dir, rc));
+        }
+
+        if question.followup.is_none() {
+            // Nested non-index files are flow steps and outcomes -
+            // followups by construction. Top-level files keep the
+            // historical flat-repo default.
+            let nested = rel.contains('/');
+            let is_index = name == "index.yaml";
+            question.followup = Some(nested && !is_index);
+        }
+
+        // Nearest-ancestor section fills whatever the question left
+        // unset (walk deepest-last, so later matches override earlier
+        // section values but never the question's own).
+        for (sdir, section) in &sections {
+            let applies = *sdir == "/" || dir == *sdir || dir.starts_with(&format!("{sdir}/"));
+            if !applies {
+                continue;
+            }
+            if question.qualifies.is_none() {
+                question.qualifies = section.qualifies.clone();
+            }
+            if question.requires_chain.is_none() {
+                question.requires_chain = section.requires_chain.clone();
+            }
+            if question.responsible.is_none() {
+                question.responsible = section.responsible.clone();
+            }
+        }
+
+        if question.is_dynamic() && !dynamic_dirs.insert(dir.clone()) {
+            anyhow::bail!(
+                "{rel}: more than one dynamic ([name].yaml) page in {dir} - matching would be ambiguous"
+            );
+        }
+        if let Some(previous) = out.insert(question.id.clone(), question) {
+            anyhow::bail!(
+                "{rel}: id {:?} is already declared by another file",
+                previous.id
+            );
+        }
+    }
+    Ok(out)
+}
+
 #[cfg(feature = "ssr")]
 pub async fn load_questions_from_gitea(
     repo_url: &str,
@@ -489,45 +761,59 @@ pub async fn load_questions_from_gitea(
     let api_base = gitea_api_base(repo_url)?;
 
     let client = openidconnect::reqwest::Client::new();
-    let list_url = format!("{api_base}/api/v1/repos/{owner}/{repo}/contents/{subdir}?ref={branch}");
+    // One recursive git-trees call for the whole repo instead of a
+    // contents listing per directory - the tree IS the router now, so
+    // nested files matter.
+    let tree_url =
+        format!("{api_base}/api/v1/repos/{owner}/{repo}/git/trees/{branch}?recursive=true");
     let listing = client
-        .get(&list_url)
+        .get(&tree_url)
         .send()
         .await
-        .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("listing {list_url}: {e}"))?
+        .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("listing {tree_url}: {e}"))?
         .error_for_status()
-        .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("listing {list_url}: {e}"))?
+        .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("listing {tree_url}: {e}"))?
         .text()
         .await
-        .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("reading directory listing from {list_url}: {e}"))?;
-    let entries: Vec<serde_json::Value> = serde_json::from_str(&listing)
-        .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("parsing directory listing from {list_url}: {e}"))?;
+        .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("reading tree from {tree_url}: {e}"))?;
+    let tree: serde_json::Value = serde_json::from_str(&listing)
+        .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("parsing tree from {tree_url}: {e}"))?;
+    if tree.get("truncated").and_then(|v| v.as_bool()) == Some(true) {
+        anyhow::bail!("git tree listing for {owner}/{repo} was truncated - repo too large");
+    }
+    let prefix = format!("{subdir}/");
 
-    let mut out = std::collections::HashMap::new();
-    for entry in entries {
-        let name = entry.get("name").and_then(|v| v.as_str()).unwrap_or("");
-        if !name.ends_with(".yaml") {
+    let mut files = Vec::new();
+    for entry in tree
+        .get("tree")
+        .and_then(|v| v.as_array())
+        .map(|v| v.as_slice())
+        .unwrap_or_default()
+    {
+        let path = entry.get("path").and_then(|v| v.as_str()).unwrap_or("");
+        if entry.get("type").and_then(|v| v.as_str()) != Some("blob")
+            || !path.starts_with(&prefix)
+            || !path.ends_with(".yaml")
+        {
             continue;
         }
-        let download_url = entry
-            .get("download_url")
-            .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
-            .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("no download_url for {name}"))?;
+        // Brackets (dynamic pages like `[record].yaml`) must be
+        // percent-encoded in the raw URL's path.
+        let encoded = path.replace('[', "%5B").replace(']', "%5D");
+        let raw_url = format!("{api_base}/api/v1/repos/{owner}/{repo}/raw/{encoded}?ref={branch}");
         let raw = client
-            .get(download_url)
+            .get(&raw_url)
             .send()
             .await
-            .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("fetching {name}: {e}"))?
+            .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("fetching {path}: {e}"))?
             .error_for_status()
-            .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("fetching {name}: {e}"))?
+            .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("fetching {path}: {e}"))?
             .text()
             .await
-            .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("reading {name}: {e}"))?;
-        let question: Question =
-            serde_yaml::from_str(&raw).map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("parsing {name}: {e}"))?;
-        out.insert(question.id.clone(), question);
+            .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("reading {path}: {e}"))?;
+        files.push((path[prefix.len()..].to_string(), raw));
     }
-    Ok(out)
+    build_questions(&files)
 }
 
 /// Validates every declared transition target (`SelfTransition.to`,
@@ -546,15 +832,31 @@ pub fn validate_questions(
     aggregates: &std::collections::HashMap<String, crate::aggregates::AggregateSchema>,
 ) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     for question in questions.values() {
+        if let Some(target) = &question.requires_chain {
+            if !questions.contains_key(target) {
+                anyhow::bail!(
+                    "question {:?}: requires_chain {:?} does not match any declared question id",
+                    question.id,
+                    target
+                );
+            }
+        }
         for alternative in &question.alternatives {
             // A dangling action is a literal dead end: the submit
             // button navigates to "Nothing here".
             if let Some(action) = &alternative.action {
-                if !questions.contains_key(action) {
-                    anyhow::bail!(
+                match questions.get(action) {
+                    None => anyhow::bail!(
                         "question {:?} alternative {:?}: action {:?} does not match any declared question id",
                         question.id, alternative.name, action
-                    );
+                    ),
+                    // A dynamic page needs a concrete segment value to
+                    // be a URL - a submit button can't supply one.
+                    Some(target) if target.is_dynamic() => anyhow::bail!(
+                        "question {:?} alternative {:?}: action {:?} targets a dynamic page - actions must name a concrete question",
+                        question.id, alternative.name, action
+                    ),
+                    Some(_) => {}
                 }
             }
             if let Some(st) = &alternative.self_transition {
@@ -1069,4 +1371,146 @@ alternatives:
         assert_eq!(site.title.as_deref(), Some("redoal"));
         assert_eq!(site.hero.kind, "gesture");
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn routes_derive_from_paths() {
+        assert_eq!(route_from_path("index.yaml"), "/");
+        assert_eq!(route_from_path("applied.yaml"), "/applied");
+        assert_eq!(route_from_path("develop/index.yaml"), "/develop");
+        assert_eq!(route_from_path("develop/proposal.yaml"), "/develop/proposal");
+        assert_eq!(route_from_path("review/[record].yaml"), "/review/[record]");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn relative_refs_resolve_against_the_file_dir() {
+        assert_eq!(resolve_ref("/develop", "proposed"), "/develop/proposed");
+        assert_eq!(resolve_ref("/develop", "/subscribed"), "/subscribed");
+        assert_eq!(resolve_ref("/develop", "../applied"), "/applied");
+        assert_eq!(resolve_ref("/", "applied"), "/applied");
+        assert_eq!(resolve_ref("/", ".."), "/");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn dynamic_patterns_capture_segments() {
+        assert_eq!(path_matches("/review/[record]", "/review/abc"),
+            Some(vec![("record".into(), "abc".into())]));
+        assert_eq!(path_matches("/review/[record]", "/review"), None);
+        assert_eq!(path_matches("/review/[record]", "/other/abc"), None);
+        assert_eq!(path_matches("/review", "/review"), Some(vec![]));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn tree_becomes_router_with_inference_and_sections() {
+        let files = vec![
+            ("index.yaml".to_string(), "name: Home\nalternatives:\n  - name: go\n    action: applied\n".to_string()),
+            ("applied.yaml".to_string(), "name: Applied\nfollowup: true\n".to_string()),
+            ("develop/index.yaml".to_string(), "name: Develop\nalternatives:\n  - name: propose\n    action: proposal\n".to_string()),
+            ("develop/proposal.yaml".to_string(), "name: Proposal\nalternatives:\n  - name: send\n    action: proposed\n".to_string()),
+            ("develop/proposed.yaml".to_string(), "name: Proposed\n".to_string()),
+            ("review/_section.yaml".to_string(), "qualifies: portal_owners\n".to_string()),
+            ("review/index.yaml".to_string(), "name: Review\n".to_string()),
+            ("review/_draft.yaml".to_string(), "not even valid yaml: [\n".to_string()),
+        ];
+        let questions = build_questions(&files).unwrap();
+
+        // Derived ids and resolved relative actions.
+        assert_eq!(questions["/"].alternatives[0].action.as_deref(), Some("/applied"));
+        assert_eq!(
+            questions["/develop"].alternatives[0].action.as_deref(),
+            Some("/develop/proposal")
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            questions["/develop/proposal"].alternatives[0].action.as_deref(),
+            Some("/develop/proposed")
+        );
+
+        // Followup inference: nested non-index files are followups,
+        // index files and top-level files are not (explicit wins).
+        assert!(!questions["/"].is_followup());
+        assert!(questions["/applied"].is_followup());
+        assert!(!questions["/develop"].is_followup());
+        assert!(questions["/develop/proposal"].is_followup());
+
+        // Section inheritance gates the directory; drafts are skipped.
+        assert_eq!(questions["/review"].qualifies.as_deref(), Some("portal_owners"));
+        assert_eq!(questions["/"].qualifies, None);
+        assert!(!questions.contains_key("/review/_draft"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn declared_id_wins_over_path() {
+        let files = vec![(
+            "legacy.yaml".to_string(),
+            "id: /somewhere-else\nname: Legacy\n".to_string(),
+        )];
+        let questions = build_questions(&files).unwrap();
+        assert!(questions.contains_key("/somewhere-else"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn colliding_ids_and_ambiguous_dynamics_are_rejected() {
+        let collision = vec![
+            ("a.yaml".to_string(), "name: A\n".to_string()),
+            ("b.yaml".to_string(), "id: /a\nname: B\n".to_string()),
+        ];
+        assert!(build_questions(&collision).is_err());
+
+        let ambiguous = vec![
+            ("review/[a].yaml".to_string(), "name: A\n".to_string()),
+            ("review/[b].yaml".to_string(), "name: B\n".to_string()),
+        ];
+        assert!(build_questions(&ambiguous).is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn dynamic_pages_resolve_with_key_substitution() {
+        let files = vec![(
+            "review/[record].yaml".to_string(),
+            "name: Record\nalternatives:\n  - name: view\n    features:\n      - name: detail\n        resource:\n          public: true\n          key: \"{record}\"\n          source:\n            kind: kv\n            bucket: applicants\n".to_string(),
+        )];
+        let questions = build_questions(&files).unwrap();
+        let page = resolve_question(&questions, "/review/abc123").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(page.id, "/review/abc123");
+        assert_eq!(
+            page.alternatives[0].features[0].resource.as_ref().unwrap().key.as_deref(),
+            Some("abc123")
+        );
+        assert!(resolve_question(&questions, "/review").is_none());
+        // The pattern itself still resolves exactly (it IS an id).
+        assert!(resolve_question(&questions, "/review/[record]").is_some());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn requires_chain_resolves_and_validates() {
+        let files = vec![
+            ("shape.yaml".to_string(), "name: Shape\n".to_string()),
+            (
+                "shaped.yaml".to_string(),
+                "name: Shaped\nrequires_chain: shape\n".to_string(),
+            ),
+        ];
+        let questions = build_questions(&files).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(questions["/shaped"].requires_chain.as_deref(), Some("/shape"));
+        assert!(validate_questions(&questions, &Default::default()).is_ok());
+
+        let dangling = vec![(
+            "shaped.yaml".to_string(),
+            "name: Shaped\nrequires_chain: /nowhere\n".to_string(),
+        )];
+        let questions = build_questions(&dangling).unwrap();
+        assert!(validate_questions(&questions, &Default::default()).is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn actions_may_not_target_dynamic_pages() {
+        let files = vec![
+            (
+                "index.yaml".to_string(),
+                "name: Home\nalternatives:\n  - name: go\n    action: /review/[record]\n".to_string(),
+            ),
+            ("review/[record].yaml".to_string(), "name: Record\n".to_string()),
+        ];
+        let questions = build_questions(&files).unwrap();
+        assert!(validate_questions(&questions, &Default::default()).is_err());
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index f452364..166ce82 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -129,6 +129,10 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     let favicon_dark_path = format!("{}/favicon-dark.svg", leptos_options.site_root);
     let wordmark_path = format!("{}/wordmark.svg", leptos_options.site_root);
     let swiper_path = format!("{}/swiper-element-bundle.min.js", leptos_options.site_root);
+    // yes.js sits in public/ (not a wasm-bindgen snippet) so the
+    // hero's inline early-mount script and the wasm binding can share
+    // one stable URL - see `mod yes` in app.rs.
+    let yes_path = format!("{}/yes.js", leptos_options.site_root);
     let fonts_dir = format!("{}/fonts", leptos_options.site_root);
 
     let app = Router::new()
@@ -148,6 +152,7 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
             "/swiper-element-bundle.min.js",
             ServeFile::new(swiper_path),
         )
+        .route_service("/yes.js", ServeFile::new(yes_path))
         .leptos_routes_with_context(
             &state,
             routes,
diff --git a/src/resource.rs b/src/resource.rs
index 2261cfc..11410b3 100644
--- a/src/resource.rs
+++ b/src/resource.rs
@@ -122,11 +122,12 @@ fn find_feature(
     alternative: &str,
     feature_name: &str,
 ) -> Result<crate::content::Feature, ServerFnError> {
-    let question = state
-        .questions
-        .load()
-        .get(question_id)
-        .cloned()
+    // resolve_question, not a plain map get: a dynamic page's client
+    // holds its concrete path as the question id, and resolution is
+    // also what substitutes the URL segment into the page's resource
+    // keys - so this lookup is where a `/review/<record>` page's
+    // feature acquires its record-specific key.
+    let question = crate::content::resolve_question(&state.questions.load(), question_id)
         .ok_or_else(|| ServerFnError::new("unknown question"))?;
     question
         .alternatives
diff --git a/style/main.css b/style/main.css
index 9c75f68..2eba14e 100644
--- a/style/main.css
+++ b/style/main.css
@@ -270,6 +270,11 @@ main.not-found {
   position: relative;
   width: 100%;
   max-width: 46rem;
+  /* Same jump-avoidance as .gesture-wrap: the canvas (55svh tall)
+     only exists after hydration, so hold its height open from the
+     first paint. Plain-vh fallback first, like the canvas itself. */
+  min-height: 55vh;
+  min-height: 55svh;
 }
 
 .hero-gesture .gesture-canvas {
@@ -559,6 +564,11 @@ textarea:focus {
    custom properties - so palette changes go there AND here. */
 .gesture-wrap {
   position: relative;
+  /* The canvas is created by JS only after wasm hydration - reserve
+     its 3/2 box now so content below doesn't jump when it appears.
+     aspect-ratio is a preferred size, so the box still grows when the
+     echo thumbnail strip shows up under the canvas. */
+  aspect-ratio: 3 / 2;
 }
 
 .gesture-canvas {