diff --git a/docs/lint.md b/docs/lint.md
index faf47e7..39c860e 100644
--- a/docs/lint.md
+++ b/docs/lint.md
@@ -34,7 +34,21 @@ in `needs.yaml`, when it has one:
 - the handling group holds a desk over that bucket, and every
   finished state is reachable through the buttons it (and any
   `also_moved_by` group) offers; no record strands on the way;
-- every stage the business named is a state of the machine.
+- every stage the business named is a state of the machine, and each
+  working stage can follow the one before it;
+- across each bucket, whichever need brought a record in: every state
+  is somewhere a record can get to, no state a record gets to holds it
+  with no way on (before done or after), every declared move is a
+  button, a visitor's own link or a clock (a move nobody offers warns),
+  no desk is gated to one group on the page and another on its list,
+  and every mail goes out from a state records reach and names only
+  fields the forms collect.
+
+Every finding says what to change and where: the missing
+`{ from, to, label }` and the desk page it goes on, the group that
+already has the button, or the edge aggregates.yaml lacks. A schema
+error no longer hides the needs findings - both are printed, so one
+round can fix them together.
 
 A need marked `planned` warns instead of failing. Exit status is the
 verdict, so a content repo's CI is one line.
diff --git a/src/lint/check.rs b/src/lint/check.rs
index 31e90f2..0030ac6 100644
--- a/src/lint/check.rs
+++ b/src/lint/check.rs
@@ -126,11 +126,33 @@ pub async fn run(argv: Vec<String>) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         }
         Err(e) => {
             eprintln!("FAIL: {e}");
+            // One schema error is no reason to hide the rest: the needs
+            // pass reads the same content and says what else is wrong,
+            // so a fix round can take them all at once.
+            if let Some(file) = needs_raw.as_deref().and_then(|raw| needs::parse(raw).ok()) {
+                print_findings(&needs::check(&file, &questions, &aggregates_map));
+            }
             std::process::exit(1);
         }
     }
 }
 
+/// Each finding on its own line, FAIL or WARN first; the count of FAILs.
+fn print_findings(findings: &[needs::Finding]) -> usize {
+    let mut failed = 0;
+    for finding in findings {
+        let level = match finding.level {
+            needs::Level::Fail => {
+                failed += 1;
+                "FAIL"
+            }
+            needs::Level::Warn => "WARN",
+        };
+        eprintln!("{level}: {} {:?}: {}", finding.scope, finding.need, finding.message);
+    }
+    failed
+}
+
 /// The business-needs pass (see `crate::lint::needs`): structure always,
 /// then the wording tasks written out and/or an engine's answers
 /// scored, when asked. A repo without `needs.yaml` skips all of it.
@@ -158,18 +180,7 @@ fn check_needs(
             std::process::exit(1);
         }
     };
-    let findings = needs::check(&file, questions, aggregates_map);
-    let mut failed = 0;
-    for finding in &findings {
-        let level = match finding.level {
-            needs::Level::Fail => {
-                failed += 1;
-                "FAIL"
-            }
-            needs::Level::Warn => "WARN",
-        };
-        eprintln!("{level}: need {:?}: {}", finding.need, finding.message);
-    }
+    let failed = print_findings(&needs::check(&file, questions, aggregates_map));
     for need in &file.needs {
         if let Some(path) = needs::path_for(questions, need) {
             let steps: Vec<String> = path
diff --git a/src/lint/needs.rs b/src/lint/needs.rs
index d5aacbd..9d0f016 100644
--- a/src/lint/needs.rs
+++ b/src/lint/needs.rs
@@ -137,9 +137,13 @@ pub enum Level {
 
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct Finding {
+    /// The need's id, or the bucket's name when `scope` is "bucket".
     pub need: String,
     pub level: Level,
     pub message: String,
+    /// "need" for a need's own path; "bucket" for what holds for every
+    /// record in a bucket whichever need brought it in.
+    pub scope: &'static str,
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
@@ -255,6 +259,10 @@ pub fn path_for(questions: &Questions, need: &Need) -> Option<Vec<Step>> {
 struct Desk {
     page: String,
     group: Option<String>,
+    /// The page's own `qualifies`, kept apart from the resource's
+    /// `requires_group`: when both are set and differ, only members of
+    /// both ever see the buttons.
+    page_group: Option<String>,
     /// (from, to, button label)
     moves: Vec<(String, String, String)>,
 }
@@ -272,6 +280,7 @@ fn desks_over(questions: &Questions, bucket: &str) -> Vec<Desk> {
             desks.push(Desk {
                 page: q.id.clone(),
                 group: resource.requires_group.clone().or_else(|| q.qualifies.clone()),
+                page_group: q.qualifies.clone(),
                 moves: resource
                     .transitions
                     .iter()
@@ -284,15 +293,49 @@ fn desks_over(questions: &Questions, bucket: &str) -> Vec<Desk> {
     desks
 }
 
-/// Self-service moves into `bucket` - a visitor holding their own
-/// record's link, no group involved (unsubscribe).
-fn self_moves(questions: &Questions, bucket: &str) -> Vec<String> {
+/// Self-service moves in `bucket` - a visitor holding their own
+/// record's link, no group involved (unsubscribe, withdraw) - as
+/// (from, to), from the states each may be made from.
+fn self_moves(questions: &Questions, bucket: &str, initial: &str) -> Vec<(String, String)> {
     questions
         .values()
         .flat_map(|q| &q.alternatives)
         .filter_map(|a| a.self_transition.as_ref())
         .filter(|s| s.bucket == bucket)
-        .map(|s| s.to.clone())
+        .flat_map(|s| s.from_states(initial).into_iter().map(|from| (from, s.to.clone())))
+        .collect()
+}
+
+/// The moves a clock makes in `schema` (`after:` on a state), as
+/// (from, to). Nobody presses them, and they still move records.
+fn clock_moves(schema: &AggregateSchema) -> Vec<(String, String)> {
+    let mut moves: Vec<(String, String)> =
+        schema.after_for_state.iter().map(|(from, after)| (from.clone(), after.to.clone())).collect();
+    moves.sort();
+    moves
+}
+
+/// States reachable from `start` along `moves`.
+fn reachable(start: &str, moves: &[(String, String)]) -> HashSet<String> {
+    let mut reached = HashSet::from([start.to_string()]);
+    let mut queue = VecDeque::from([start.to_string()]);
+    while let Some(state) = queue.pop_front() {
+        for (_, to) in moves.iter().filter(|(from, _)| *from == state) {
+            if reached.insert(to.clone()) {
+                queue.push_back(to.clone());
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    reached
+}
+
+/// Who else offers `from -> to` in the bucket, as "page (group)", for
+/// a finding that has to say where the missing button already is.
+fn offered_elsewhere(desks: &[Desk], from: &str, to: &str) -> Vec<String> {
+    desks
+        .iter()
+        .filter(|d| d.moves.iter().any(|(f, t, _)| f == from && t == to))
+        .map(|d| format!("{} ({})", d.page, d.group.as_deref().unwrap_or("ungated")))
         .collect()
 }
 
@@ -305,10 +348,16 @@ pub fn check(
 ) -> Vec<Finding> {
     let mut findings = Vec::new();
     let mut seen = HashSet::new();
+    // (bucket, state) a need already reported - stranding on its way
+    // to done, or out of its reach - so the bucket pass does not say
+    // it twice.
+    let mut strands_reported: HashSet<(String, String)> = HashSet::new();
+    let mut unreached_reported: HashSet<(String, String)> = HashSet::new();
     for need in &file.needs {
         let mut report = |level: Level, message: String| {
             findings.push(Finding {
                 need: need.id.clone(),
+                scope: "need",
                 level: if need.planned || need.paused { Level::Warn } else { level },
                 message: match (need.paused, need.planned, level == Level::Fail) {
                     (true, _, true) => format!("paused, not open now: {message}"),
@@ -439,23 +488,44 @@ pub fn check(
             );
             continue;
         }
-        let selfs = self_moves(questions, &need.lands_in);
+        // Every move that carries this need's records: the buttons on
+        // the desks of handled_by/also_moved_by, the visitor's own
+        // links, and the clocks.
+        let mut moves: Vec<(String, String)> = own
+            .iter()
+            .flat_map(|d| &d.moves)
+            .filter(|(from, to, _)| schema.allowed(from).contains(to))
+            .map(|(from, to, _)| (from.clone(), to.clone()))
+            .collect();
+        moves.extend(self_moves(questions, &need.lands_in, &schema.initial));
+        moves.extend(clock_moves(schema));
         let exits = |state: &str| -> Vec<String> {
-            let allowed = schema.allowed(state);
-            let mut to: Vec<String> = own
-                .iter()
-                .flat_map(|d| &d.moves)
-                .filter(|(from, to, _)| from == state && allowed.contains(to))
-                .map(|(_, to, _)| to.clone())
-                .collect();
-            to.extend(selfs.iter().filter(|to| allowed.contains(to)).cloned());
-            to
+            moves.iter().filter(|(from, _)| from == state).map(|(_, to)| to.clone()).collect()
+        };
+        let movers = std::iter::once(need.handled_by.as_str())
+            .chain(need.also_moved_by.iter().map(String::as_str))
+            .map(|g| format!("{g:?}"))
+            .collect::<Vec<_>>()
+            .join(" or ");
+        // The fix for a missing move: the button on handled_by's desk,
+        // or the group whose desk already has it added to also_moved_by.
+        let fix_for = |from: &str, to: &str| -> String {
+            let elsewhere = offered_elsewhere(&desks, from, to);
+            let desk = own.first().map(|d| d.page.as_str()).unwrap_or("their desk");
+            if elsewhere.is_empty() {
+                format!("add `{{ from: {from}, to: {to}, label: ... }}` to the transitions on {desk}")
+            } else {
+                format!(
+                    "{} already offers it - add that group to also_moved_by, or add `{{ from: {from}, to: {to}, label: ... }}` on {desk}",
+                    elsewhere.join(", ")
+                )
+            }
         };
         let done: HashSet<&str> = need.done_when.iter().map(String::as_str).collect();
         // Reachability walks the whole machine (a finished state may
         // lead on to another: subscribed, then unsubscribed). Stranding
-        // only counts on the way to the first finished state - what
-        // happens to a handled record afterwards is not this need.
+        // only counts on the way to the first finished state here; what
+        // strands a record afterwards is the bucket's finding (below).
         let mut reached: HashSet<String> = HashSet::from([schema.initial.clone()]);
         let mut queue = VecDeque::from([(schema.initial.clone(), false)]);
         let mut stranded = Vec::new();
@@ -471,6 +541,26 @@ pub fn check(
                 }
             }
         }
+        // The declared edges into `state` from somewhere a record does
+        // get to: the moves that would close the gap.
+        let ways_in = |state: &str| -> Vec<(String, String)> {
+            let mut ways: Vec<(String, String)> = reached
+                .iter()
+                .filter(|from| schema.allowed(from).iter().any(|to| to == state))
+                .map(|from| (from.clone(), state.to_string()))
+                .collect();
+            ways.sort();
+            ways
+        };
+        let missing = |state: &str| -> String {
+            match ways_in(state).first() {
+                Some((from, to)) => format!(" - fix: {}", fix_for(from, to)),
+                None => format!(
+                    " - and no state a record reaches has a declared edge into it: add one in aggregates.yaml under {:?}",
+                    need.lands_in
+                ),
+            }
+        };
         for state in &need.done_when {
             if !schema.has_state(state) {
                 report(
@@ -478,11 +568,13 @@ pub fn check(
                     format!("done_when names {state:?}, which {:?} has no such state", need.lands_in),
                 );
             } else if !reached.contains(state) {
+                unreached_reported.insert((need.lands_in.clone(), state.clone()));
                 report(
                     Level::Fail,
                     format!(
-                        "{:?} cannot move a record to {state:?} - no desk of theirs offers the moves",
-                        need.handled_by
+                        "{:?} cannot move a record to {state:?} - no desk of theirs offers the moves{}",
+                        need.handled_by,
+                        missing(state)
                     ),
                 );
             }
@@ -497,11 +589,36 @@ pub fn check(
                     ),
                 );
             } else if !reached.contains(stage) {
+                unreached_reported.insert((need.lands_in.clone(), stage.clone()));
                 report(
                     Level::Fail,
                     format!(
-                        "stage {stage:?} exists but {:?} is offered no moves that reach it",
-                        need.handled_by
+                        "stage {stage:?} exists but {:?} is offered no moves that reach it{}",
+                        need.handled_by,
+                        missing(stage)
+                    ),
+                );
+            }
+        }
+        // In the business's order: each working stage reachable from
+        // the one before it, so a machine where "quoted" cannot follow
+        // "surveyed" does not pass for one that goes surveyed -> quoted.
+        // The finished states that close the list are alternatives
+        // (won, lost), not a sequence, so they are left out.
+        for pair in need.stages.windows(2) {
+            let (before, after) = (&pair[0], &pair[1]);
+            if done.contains(before.as_str()) || done.contains(after.as_str()) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            if reached.contains(before) && reached.contains(after) && !reachable(before, &moves).contains(after) {
+                report(
+                    Level::Fail,
+                    format!(
+                        "stage {after:?} comes after {before:?} for the business, but no move leads on from {before:?} to it{}",
+                        match schema.allowed(before).iter().find(|to| reachable(to, &moves).contains(after) || *to == after) {
+                            Some(to) => format!(" - fix: {}", fix_for(before, to)),
+                            None => format!(" - add an edge from {before:?} toward {after:?} in aggregates.yaml under {:?}", need.lands_in),
+                        }
                     ),
                 );
             }
@@ -515,22 +632,32 @@ pub fn check(
             }
         }
         stranded.sort();
+        for state in &stranded {
+            strands_reported.insert((need.lands_in.clone(), state.clone()));
+        }
         for state in stranded {
+            let fix = match schema.allowed(&state).first() {
+                Some(to) => format!(" - fix: {}", fix_for(&state, to)),
+                None => format!(
+                    " - and {:?} declares no way out of it: add {state:?} to done_when if it is finished, or an edge out in aggregates.yaml",
+                    need.lands_in
+                ),
+            };
             report(
                 Level::Fail,
-                format!(
-                    "records strand in {state:?}: {:?} is offered no move out of it",
-                    need.handled_by
-                ),
+                format!("records strand in {state:?}: {movers} is offered no move out of it{fix}"),
             );
         }
     }
 
+    findings.extend(operations(file, questions, aggregates, &strands_reported, &unreached_reported));
+
     let need_ids: HashSet<&str> = file.needs.iter().map(|n| n.id.as_str()).collect();
     for persona in &file.personas {
         if !need_ids.contains(persona.need.as_str()) {
             findings.push(Finding {
                 need: persona.need.clone(),
+                scope: "need",
                 level: Level::Fail,
                 message: format!("persona {:?} points at a need that is not declared", persona.id),
             });
@@ -539,6 +666,188 @@ pub fn check(
     findings
 }
 
+/// What must hold for every record in a bucket some need lands in,
+/// whichever need brought it: every state is somewhere a record can
+/// get to, no state a record gets to holds it with no way on (before
+/// done or after), every declared move is a button someone has, every
+/// desk can be seen by whoever its buttons are for, and every mail
+/// goes out from a state records reach, saying only what the record
+/// holds.
+fn operations(
+    file: &NeedsFile,
+    questions: &Questions,
+    aggregates: &HashMap<String, AggregateSchema>,
+    strands_reported: &HashSet<(String, String)>,
+    unreached_reported: &HashSet<(String, String)>,
+) -> Vec<Finding> {
+    let mut findings = Vec::new();
+    let mut buckets: Vec<&str> = file.needs.iter().map(|n| n.lands_in.as_str()).collect();
+    buckets.sort();
+    buckets.dedup();
+    for bucket in buckets {
+        let Some(schema) = aggregates.get(bucket) else { continue };
+        let needs: Vec<&Need> = file.needs.iter().filter(|n| n.lands_in == bucket).collect();
+        // Only open needs make a gap fail; a bucket that only planned
+        // or paused needs use reports it as a warning.
+        let open = needs.iter().any(|n| !n.planned && !n.paused);
+        let mut report = |level: Level, message: String| {
+            findings.push(Finding {
+                need: bucket.to_string(),
+                scope: "bucket",
+                level: if open { level } else { Level::Warn },
+                message,
+            })
+        };
+        let desks = desks_over(questions, bucket);
+        let mut moves: Vec<(String, String)> = desks
+            .iter()
+            .flat_map(|d| &d.moves)
+            .filter(|(from, to, _)| schema.allowed(from).contains(to))
+            .map(|(from, to, _)| (from.clone(), to.clone()))
+            .collect();
+        moves.extend(self_moves(questions, bucket, &schema.initial));
+        moves.extend(clock_moves(schema));
+        let reached = reachable(&schema.initial, &moves);
+        let offered = |from: &str, to: &str| moves.iter().any(|(f, t)| f == from && t == to);
+        // Where a missing button goes: the desk of the group answerable
+        // for the bucket's first need.
+        let home = needs
+            .iter()
+            .find_map(|n| desks.iter().find(|d| d.group.as_deref() == Some(n.handled_by.as_str())))
+            .map(|d| d.page.clone())
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| "the handling group's desk".to_string());
+        let button = |from: &str, to: &str| format!("add `{{ from: {from}, to: {to}, label: ... }}` to the transitions on {home}");
+
+        let mut states: Vec<&String> = schema.event_for_state.keys().collect();
+        states.sort();
+        for state in &states {
+            if reached.contains(*state) || unreached_reported.contains(&(bucket.to_string(), (*state).clone())) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            let mut ways: Vec<&String> = reached.iter().filter(|from| schema.allowed(from).contains(state)).collect();
+            ways.sort();
+            report(
+                Level::Fail,
+                format!(
+                    "state {state:?} is never reached: no desk, link or clock moves a record there - fix: {}",
+                    match ways.first() {
+                        Some(from) => button(from, state),
+                        None => "declare an edge into it from a state records reach in aggregates.yaml, or remove it".to_string(),
+                    }
+                ),
+            );
+        }
+        for state in states.iter().filter(|s| reached.contains(**s)) {
+            let out = schema.allowed(state);
+            if out.is_empty() {
+                continue; // a final state: nothing should move it
+            }
+            let offered_out: Vec<&String> = out.iter().filter(|to| offered(state, to)).collect();
+            if offered_out.is_empty() {
+                if !strands_reported.contains(&(bucket.to_string(), (*state).clone())) {
+                    report(
+                        Level::Fail,
+                        format!(
+                            "records strand in {state:?}: {bucket:?} declares moves on to {} but no desk, link or clock offers one - fix: {}",
+                            out.join(", "),
+                            button(state, &out[0])
+                        ),
+                    );
+                }
+                continue;
+            }
+            for to in out.iter().filter(|to| !offered(state, to)) {
+                report(
+                    Level::Warn,
+                    format!(
+                        "the move {state:?} -> {to:?} is declared but no desk, link or clock offers it - {}, or drop the edge from aggregates.yaml",
+                        button(state, to)
+                    ),
+                );
+            }
+        }
+        for desk in &desks {
+            if let (Some(page_group), Some(group)) = (&desk.page_group, &desk.group) {
+                if page_group != group {
+                    report(
+                        Level::Warn,
+                        format!(
+                            "the desk on {} is gated twice: the page qualifies {page_group:?}, its list requires {group:?} - only members of both see the buttons; make them the same group",
+                            desk.page
+                        ),
+                    );
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        // The fields a record of this bucket holds: everything asked on
+        // a form that records into it.
+        let fields: Vec<(&str, &str)> = questions
+            .values()
+            .flat_map(|q| &q.alternatives)
+            .filter(|a| a.record_as.as_deref() == Some(bucket))
+            .flat_map(|a| &a.features)
+            .flat_map(|f| &f.requirements)
+            .map(|r| (r.name.as_str(), r.kind.as_str()))
+            .collect();
+        let mut mail_states: Vec<(&String, &crate::aggregates::MailSpec)> = schema.mail_for_state.iter().collect();
+        mail_states.sort_by(|a, b| a.0.cmp(b.0));
+        for (state, mail) in mail_states {
+            if !reached.contains(state) {
+                report(Level::Warn, format!("the mail on entering {state:?} never goes out: no record reaches {state:?}"));
+            }
+            let mut unknown: Vec<String> = Vec::new();
+            for key in placeholders(&mail.subject).into_iter().chain(placeholders(&mail.body)) {
+                let known = match key.split_once('.') {
+                    Some((parent, _)) => fields.iter().any(|(name, kind)| *name == parent && *kind == "record"),
+                    None => MAIL_BUILTINS.contains(&key.as_str()) || fields.iter().any(|(name, _)| *name == key),
+                };
+                if !known && !unknown.contains(&key) {
+                    unknown.push(key);
+                }
+            }
+            if !unknown.is_empty() {
+                let mut names: Vec<&str> = fields.iter().map(|(n, _)| *n).collect();
+                names.sort();
+                names.dedup();
+                report(
+                    Level::Fail,
+                    format!(
+                        "the mail on entering {state:?} uses {}, which no form recording into {bucket:?} collects - it would go out blank there; the forms collect: {}",
+                        unknown.iter().map(|k| format!("{{{k}}}")).collect::<Vec<_>>().join(", "),
+                        if names.is_empty() { "nothing".to_string() } else { names.join(", ") }
+                    ),
+                );
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    findings
+}
+
+/// What the mailer fills in on every state mail, whatever the record
+/// holds (`mail::vars_for`, `mail::site_vars`, `mail::record_links`).
+const MAIL_BUILTINS: &[&str] = &["site", "site_name", "chain", "email", "bucket", "state", "link", "self_link", "desk_link"];
+
+/// The `{key}`s in a mail template, read the way `mail::render` reads
+/// them: letters, digits, `_`, `-` and `.`, closed by `}`.
+fn placeholders(template: &str) -> Vec<String> {
+    let mut keys = Vec::new();
+    let mut rest = template;
+    while let Some(start) = rest.find('{') {
+        let after = &rest[start + 1..];
+        let len = after
+            .char_indices()
+            .take_while(|(_, c)| c.is_ascii_alphanumeric() || *c == '_' || *c == '-' || *c == '.')
+            .last()
+            .map(|(i, c)| i + c.len_utf8())
+            .unwrap_or(0);
+        if len > 0 && after[len..].starts_with('}') {
+            keys.push(after[..len].to_string());
+        }
+        rest = after;
+    }
+    keys
+}
+
 /// Everything a simulation of the business needs, resolved: each
 /// need's path with the choice on every page and the form that gets
 /// filled, each bucket's state machine with the buttons every desk
@@ -611,6 +920,11 @@ pub fn sim_model(
             "steps": steps,
         }));
         if let Some(schema) = aggregates.get(&need.lands_in) {
+            // The simulator's shape: the states a visitor's own link
+            // moves to (it does not model where from).
+            let mut self_move_targets: Vec<String> =
+                self_moves(questions, &need.lands_in, &schema.initial).into_iter().map(|(_, to)| to).collect();
+            self_move_targets.dedup();
             buckets.entry(need.lands_in.clone()).or_insert_with(|| {
                 json!({
                     "initial": schema.initial,
@@ -623,7 +937,7 @@ pub fn sim_model(
                             "from": from, "to": to, "label": label,
                         })).collect::<Vec<_>>(),
                     })).collect::<Vec<_>>(),
-                    "self_moves": self_moves(questions, &need.lands_in),
+                    "self_moves": self_move_targets,
                 })
             });
         }
@@ -895,8 +1209,8 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(
             fails(&findings),
             vec![
-                "\"owners\" cannot move a record to \"won\" - no desk of theirs offers the moves",
-                "records strand in \"quoted\": \"owners\" is offered no move out of it",
+                "\"owners\" cannot move a record to \"won\" - no desk of theirs offers the moves - fix: add `{ from: quoted, to: won, label: ... }` to the transitions on /desk",
+                "records strand in \"quoted\": \"owners\" is offered no move out of it - fix: add `{ from: quoted, to: won, label: ... }` to the transitions on /desk",
             ]
         );
     }
@@ -1037,4 +1351,102 @@ mod tests {
 
         assert_eq!(score(&tasks, &[], 0.6).unanswered, vec!["founder@/"]);
     }
+
+    /// The fixture site with its aggregates replaced, for the checks
+    /// that are about the state machine rather than the pages.
+    fn site_with(desk_moves: &str, projects: &str) -> (Questions, HashMap<String, AggregateSchema>) {
+        let (questions, _) = site(desk_moves);
+        let aggregates = parse_aggregates_yaml(&format!(
+            "aggregates:\n  - bucket: projects\n{projects}  - bucket: subscribers\n    attended_by: a mailer\n    initial: open\n    states:\n      open: {{ event: subscribed }}\n    transitions: {{}}\n"
+        ))
+        .unwrap();
+        (questions, aggregates)
+    }
+
+    fn warns(findings: &[Finding]) -> Vec<&str> {
+        findings.iter().filter(|f| f.level == Level::Warn).map(|f| f.message.as_str()).collect()
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn a_clock_is_a_move() {
+        // Nobody closes a stale quote; six weeks do. That is not a strand.
+        let (questions, aggregates) = site_with(
+            "            - { to: quoted, label: Quote }\n            - { from: quoted, to: won, label: Win }\n",
+            "    initial: open\n    states:\n      open: { event: submitted }\n      quoted: { event: quoted, after: { days: 42, to: lost } }\n      won: { event: won }\n      lost: { event: lost }\n    transitions:\n      open: [quoted]\n      quoted: [won, lost]\n",
+        );
+        let findings = check(&needs(""), &questions, &aggregates);
+        assert!(fails(&findings).is_empty(), "{findings:?}");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn a_state_nobody_reaches_and_a_strand_after_done_are_the_buckets() {
+        // "archived" follows "won" but no desk offers it; "parked" has
+        // no way in at all.
+        let (questions, aggregates) = site_with(
+            FULL_DESK,
+            "    initial: open\n    states:\n      open: { event: submitted }\n      quoted: { event: quoted }\n      won: { event: won }\n      lost: { event: lost }\n      archived: { event: archived }\n      done: { event: done }\n      parked: { event: parked }\n    transitions:\n      open: [quoted, lost]\n      quoted: [won, lost]\n      won: [archived]\n      archived: [done]\n      parked: [open]\n",
+        );
+        let findings = check(&needs(""), &questions, &aggregates);
+        let bucket: Vec<&Finding> = findings.iter().filter(|f| f.scope == "bucket").collect();
+        assert!(bucket.iter().all(|f| f.need == "projects"), "{bucket:?}");
+        assert_eq!(
+            fails(&findings),
+            vec![
+                "state \"archived\" is never reached: no desk, link or clock moves a record there - fix: add `{ from: won, to: archived, label: ... }` to the transitions on /desk",
+                "state \"done\" is never reached: no desk, link or clock moves a record there - fix: declare an edge into it from a state records reach in aggregates.yaml, or remove it",
+                "state \"parked\" is never reached: no desk, link or clock moves a record there - fix: declare an edge into it from a state records reach in aggregates.yaml, or remove it",
+                "records strand in \"won\": \"projects\" declares moves on to archived but no desk, link or clock offers one - fix: add `{ from: won, to: archived, label: ... }` to the transitions on /desk",
+            ]
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn an_edge_nobody_offers_is_a_warning_when_there_is_another_way_on() {
+        let (questions, aggregates) = site("            - { to: quoted, label: Quote }\n            - { from: quoted, to: won, label: Win }\n            - { from: quoted, to: lost, label: Lose }\n");
+        let findings = check(&needs(""), &questions, &aggregates);
+        assert!(fails(&findings).is_empty(), "{findings:?}");
+        assert_eq!(
+            warns(&findings),
+            vec!["the move \"open\" -> \"lost\" is declared but no desk, link or clock offers it - add `{ from: open, to: lost, label: ... }` to the transitions on /desk, or drop the edge from aggregates.yaml"]
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn working_stages_must_follow_each_other() {
+        // The business surveys, then quotes; this machine can only
+        // quote straight from open, and surveying leads nowhere.
+        let (questions, aggregates) = site_with(
+            "            - { to: quoted, label: Quote }\n            - { to: surveyed, label: Survey }\n            - { from: surveyed, to: lost, label: Lose }\n            - { from: quoted, to: won, label: Win }\n            - { from: quoted, to: lost, label: Lose }\n",
+            "    initial: open\n    states:\n      open: { event: submitted }\n      surveyed: { event: surveyed }\n      quoted: { event: quoted }\n      won: { event: won }\n      lost: { event: lost }\n    transitions:\n      open: [surveyed, quoted]\n      surveyed: [lost]\n      quoted: [won, lost]\n",
+        );
+        let findings = check(&needs("    stages: [open, surveyed, quoted, won, lost]\n"), &questions, &aggregates);
+        assert_eq!(
+            fails(&findings),
+            vec!["stage \"quoted\" comes after \"surveyed\" for the business, but no move leads on from \"surveyed\" to it - add an edge from \"surveyed\" toward \"quoted\" in aggregates.yaml under \"projects\""]
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn a_mail_may_only_say_what_the_record_holds() {
+        let (questions, aggregates) = site_with(
+            FULL_DESK,
+            "    initial: open\n    states:\n      open: { event: submitted, mail: { to: submitter, subject: 'Got it, {email}', body: 'We read {brief} and will reply at {site}. {refnr} {link}' } }\n      quoted: { event: quoted }\n      won: { event: won }\n      lost: { event: lost }\n    transitions:\n      open: [quoted, lost]\n      quoted: [won, lost]\n",
+        );
+        let findings = check(&needs(""), &questions, &aggregates);
+        assert_eq!(
+            fails(&findings),
+            vec!["the mail on entering \"open\" uses {refnr}, which no form recording into \"projects\" collects - it would go out blank there; the forms collect: brief, budget, email"]
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn a_desk_gated_twice_is_seen_only_by_members_of_both() {
+        let (mut questions, aggregates) = site(FULL_DESK);
+        questions.get_mut("/desk").unwrap().qualifies = Some("staff".into());
+        let findings = check(&needs(""), &questions, &aggregates);
+        assert!(
+            warns(&findings).contains(&"the desk on /desk is gated twice: the page qualifies \"staff\", its list requires \"owners\" - only members of both see the buttons; make them the same group"),
+            "{findings:?}"
+        );
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/trainer/reference.md b/src/trainer/reference.md
index 50f5f8d..a30a192 100644
--- a/src/trainer/reference.md
+++ b/src/trainer/reference.md
@@ -190,7 +190,16 @@ not done. Its messages are exact:
 - `no desk gated on "g" reads "b"`: add the desk.
 - `"g" cannot move a record to "s"` / `records strand in "s"`: the desk
   is missing a transition the state machine allows, or the state
-  machine is missing the edge.
+  machine is missing the edge. The message ends in `fix:` with the
+  exact `{ from, to, label }` and the desk page to put it on - do that.
+- `state "s" is never reached`: nothing moves a record into it. Offer
+  the move it names, or remove the state.
+- `stage "b" comes after "a" ... but no move leads on`: the machine
+  cannot go the way the business works; add the edge it names.
+- `the mail on entering "s" uses {x}`: the mail names a field no form
+  collects. Use one of the fields it lists, or collect `x`.
+- WARN `the move "a" -> "b" is declared but no desk ... offers it`:
+  offer it, or drop the edge - every edge should be a button.
 - `action ... does not match any declared question id`: the page does
   not exist.
 - `entry page ... names no one responsible`: add `responsible`.