P2 slice 5: files in and out

Files reach the books through the server: uploads by hash and size,
then filed; exports (the CPA package, the 1099 worksheet, W-9s) handed
over as downloads from the server, never read off disk by the agent.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01T3gXMVt7XJPi6ens1or9Dj

crates/ledger-mcp/Cargo.toml

@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ ledger-import = { path = "../ledger-import" }
 ledger-config = { path = "../ledger-config" }
 ledger-vault = { path = "../ledger-vault" }
 base64 = "0.22"
+# A download's Repr-Digest (local.rs).
+sha2 = "0.10"
 mime_guess = "2"
 rust_decimal = "1"
 rmcp = { version = "3", features = ["server", "transport-io", "schemars", "transport-streamable-http-server"] }
@@ -32,7 +34,7 @@ serde_json = "1"
 chrono = "0.4"
 thiserror = "2"
 tokio = { version = "1", features = ["rt-multi-thread", "macros", "io-util", "io-std", "sync", "net", "signal", "time"] }
-tokio-util = { version = "0.7", features = ["rt"] }
+tokio-util = { version = "0.7", features = ["rt", "io", "io-util"] }
 # A call that panics is recorded before the panic goes on (access.rs).
 futures-util = "0.3"
 zip = "9.0.1"
@@ -41,8 +43,8 @@ toml = "1"
 # from memory when dropped, as the vault's own are.
 zeroize = "1"
 
-# O_NOFOLLOW and O_NONBLOCK for books.import_local_file's open (local_files.rs
-# INVARIANT 6): std has no names for these open flags.
+# The socket's peer credentials (SO_PEERCRED, getpeereid) for local.rs's
+# same-user check: std has no call for them.
 [target.'cfg(unix)'.dependencies]
 libc = "0.2"
 

crates/ledger-mcp/handbook/1099.md

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # 1099s
 
 - Mark contractors and landlords with books.set_vendor_1099 (and whether their W-9 is on file), and tag every payment to them with its vendor or party (books.draft_entry vendor or party, books.set_entry_vendor, or books.set_entry_party; books.pay_bill tags automatically).
-- books.vendor_1099 is the year-end worksheet for the CPA. With include_tins: true (only when the human asks for the CPA's copy) it carries the full TINs from the vault: hand it over (save_csv_to, a new file outside the books and the import folders) and never repeat those numbers anywhere else.
+- books.vendor_1099 is the year-end worksheet for the CPA. With include_tins: true (only when the human asks for the CPA's copy) it carries the full TINs from the vault: hand it over (save_csv_to, a new file outside the books) and never repeat those numbers anywhere else.
 - Card payments are reported by the card processor (1099-K) and are left out.

crates/ledger-mcp/handbook/cpa-handoff.md

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # CPA handoff
 
-- books.export_cpa_package carries every member's and 1099 payee's full TIN from the vault (the K-1 worksheet and the 1099 worksheet), so it needs save_to: a new .zip or a folder outside the books and the import folders.
+- books.export_cpa_package carries every member's and 1099 payee's full TIN from the vault (the K-1 worksheet and the 1099 worksheet), so it needs save_to: a new .zip or a folder outside the books.
 - Tell the human where it was saved; never open, read, attach, or copy the file, and never echo its TINs.
 - tin_gaps lists each member or payee whose TIN it lacks and why: collect them (books.set_tin, books.set_w9) and export again.

crates/ledger-mcp/handbook/files-in-out.md

@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 # Files in and out
 
-- Files come in as base64 (books.attach_receipt, books.file_document), or, for a file already on this computer, with books.import_local_file: an absolute path to a regular file in the server's import folders (by default your downloads folder). Save the file there first; files of the books themselves are never read, and a path that is missing or outside the import folders gets one refusal, whatever is there.
-- A W-9 given by path (books.set_w9 w9_file_path) is read the same way.
-- Files holding full TINs (books.get_w9, books.vendor_1099 with include_tins, books.export_cpa_package with TINs) are never saved in the import folders. No file with a full TIN goes into the books, however it is filed: the server refuses every file it read or wrote with full TINs (the W-9 books.set_w9 read, and each of those outputs, or a file taken out of a CPA package), and any text file holding one: a TIN the vault keeps, written as nine digits or in the usual groups (3-2-4 with hyphens, spaces or dots; 2-7 with a hyphen or a space), or a number printed as an SSN or EIN is (3-2-4 or 2-7 digits joined by hyphens, not part of a longer number). Other numbers pass, so bank exports (routing and account numbers, long references) go in. It can't recognize an altered copy of a scan, or a TIN the vault doesn't keep written any other way, so never file a W-9 or a TIN worksheet yourself.
-- Receipts come back out through books.get_receipt.
+- A file comes in one of two ways, named in the tool that files it (books.attach_receipt, books.file_document, books.set_w9, books.import_bank_csv, books.import_chart_csv):
+  - an upload, for any file up to 25 MiB (books served by `wanderbooks mcp`; on another connection only inline): books.begin_upload with the file's sha256 (`sha256sum`), size, type, name and purpose; run the command it returns with the file's path; then give its upload_id. Its bytes never pass through you. An upload lasts 15 minutes, is used once, and only by the token that began it.
+  - inline, for a small file (at most 256 KiB): content_base64 with the file's sha256, so a byte lost on the way is caught.
+- If begin_upload says the bytes are stored already (existing_attachment_id), link that attachment instead of filing a copy.
+- Files holding full TINs (books.get_w9, books.vendor_1099 with include_tins, books.export_cpa_package with TINs) are never saved inside the books. No file with a full TIN goes into the books, however it is filed: the server refuses every file it read or wrote with full TINs (the W-9 books.set_w9 took, and each of those outputs, or a file taken out of a CPA package), and any text file holding one: a TIN the vault keeps, written as nine digits or in the usual groups (3-2-4 with hyphens, spaces or dots; 2-7 with a hyphen or a space), or a number printed as an SSN or EIN is (3-2-4 or 2-7 digits joined by hyphens, not part of a longer number). Other numbers pass, so bank exports (routing and account numbers, long references) go in. It can't recognize an altered copy of a scan, or a TIN the vault doesn't keep written any other way, so never file a W-9 or a TIN worksheet yourself.
+- Receipts and documents come back out through books.get_receipt: view bytes gives a file of at most 256 KiB inline; a larger one gives the command (wanderbooks download) that saves a copy in a folder you name (only for books served by `wanderbooks mcp`).

crates/ledger-mcp/handbook/parties-and-tins.md

@@ -6,6 +6,6 @@
 - The post_entry preview lists each party's resolved share (parties) and refuses to post (party_shares, parties_error) until the shares add up to what the entry moved; show the split to the human before confirming.
 - Every post_entry preview says where the entry stands (party_policy, party_missing, party_suggestions): under the `[books] parties` setting "suggest" (the default), when party_missing, name the likely party to the human and tag it (or add it) before confirming; under "require", posting is refused (party_required) until the entry names a party or is marked as having none (books.set_entry_party with party null and no_party_reason, or draft_entry no_party_reason: only for an entry with truly no counterparty, like a transfer between the company's own accounts); under "off", don't raise it.
 - Record W-9 facts (books.set_w9) for contractors and landlords before paying them, and W-4 facts (books.set_w4) for employees before their first payroll; name the employee party on every books.run_payroll line.
-- Never put a full TIN or SSN anywhere in the books, only the last four digits: the engine refuses any nine-digit number in a party field. The full TIN goes only to the encrypted TIN vault, and every member's and every 1099 payee's belongs there: books.set_tin (party, tin, tin_type: ssn, ein, itin; any role, so each member's SSN for their K-1) and books.set_w9 with tin and tin_type for a payee's W-9, and the signed form with w9_file_path (never books.file_document or books.attach_receipt: the form shows the TIN).
+- Never put a full TIN or SSN anywhere in the books, only the last four digits: the engine refuses any nine-digit number in a party field. The full TIN goes only to the encrypted TIN vault, and every member's and every 1099 payee's belongs there: books.set_tin (party, tin, tin_type: ssn, ein, itin; any role, so each member's SSN for their K-1) and books.set_w9 with tin and tin_type for a payee's W-9, and the signed form with w9_upload_id (books.begin_upload purpose w9), or w9_content_base64 with w9_sha256 for one of at most 256 KiB (never books.file_document or books.attach_receipt: the form shows the TIN).
 - Never repeat a TIN back to the human, in chat, a description, note, file name, version-history message, or anywhere else; tools show the last four only. books.get_w9 writes the form out for the human (never open or read it yourself); books.purge_tin (preview, then confirmed, with a reason) deletes a TIN no longer needed.
 - books.parties lists the directory, books.party shows one party with the year's totals, and books.show party opens it in the viewer. Archive (books.update_party archived) parties no longer dealt with; never delete history.

crates/ledger-mcp/src/lib.rs

@@ -3,8 +3,7 @@
 //! [`run`] is the whole server; the `ledger-mcp` binary and `wanderbooks
 //! dev-stdio` (one executable, plan D-22) both call it.
 //!
-//! Usage: `ledger-mcp [--data-dir PATH] [--config PATH] [--books-toml PATH]
-//! [--import-root DIR]...`
+//! Usage: `ledger-mcp [--data-dir PATH] [--config PATH] [--books-toml PATH]`
 //!
 //! The data dir holds `journal.jsonl` (the source of truth), `wanderbooks.db`
 //! (the disposable SQLite projection), `blobs/` (content-addressed receipts),
@@ -12,19 +11,16 @@
 //! configured base currency. Company settings (name, fiscal year start,
 //! receipt threshold) come from the books dir's `wanderbooks.toml`, by
 //! default the one next to the data dir, and reload whenever it changes
-//! (settings.rs). `books.import_local_file` and `books.set_w9`'s
-//! `w9_file_path` read only from the import roots: each `--import-root`,
-//! or by default the downloads folder (local_files.rs); a root that is
-//! `/`, the home folder, or holds the books, the vault or a key is refused
-//! at startup.
+//! (settings.rs). Files come in only as tool input (inline, at most 256
+//! KiB): uploads need the books server's socket (`wanderbooks mcp`).
 
 pub mod access;
 pub mod admin;
 mod handbook;
 #[cfg(unix)]
 pub mod local;
-mod local_files;
 pub mod opening;
+mod paths;
 mod policy;
 pub mod scopes;
 mod server;
@@ -35,7 +31,6 @@ mod wire;
 
 use ledger_core::Currency;
 use ledger_store::Store;
-use local_files::ImportRoots;
 use policy::ReceiptPolicy;
 use rmcp::ServiceExt;
 use serde::Deserialize;
@@ -59,7 +54,7 @@ fn default_data_dir() -> PathBuf {
 
 fn print_usage(prog: &str) {
     eprintln!(
-        "usage: {prog} [--data-dir PATH] [--config PATH] [--books-toml PATH] [--vault-key-file PATH] [--http ADDR] [--import-root DIR]..."
+        "usage: {prog} [--data-dir PATH] [--config PATH] [--books-toml PATH] [--vault-key-file PATH] [--http ADDR]"
     );
     eprintln!("  --data-dir  directory holding journal.jsonl (default ~/.local/share/wanderbooks)");
     eprintln!("  --config    JSON config file (default <data-dir>/config.json, optional)");
@@ -72,13 +67,10 @@ fn print_usage(prog: &str) {
     eprintln!(
         "  --http      serve over Streamable HTTP at ADDR (e.g. 127.0.0.1:8080) instead of stdio"
     );
-    eprintln!(
-        "  --import-root  a folder books.import_local_file may read from (repeatable; default: the downloads folder)"
-    );
 }
 
 /// How [`run`] stops when it can't go on: the reason is already printed
-/// on stderr, and the number is the process's exit code (2: a bad argument or a refused import folder; 1: books from a newer wanderbooks). A
+/// on stderr, and the number is the process's exit code (2: a bad argument; 1: books from a newer wanderbooks). A
 /// library never ends the process itself, so the books it opened are
 /// closed properly on the way out; the binaries turn this into the exit.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
@@ -95,8 +87,8 @@ impl std::error::Error for Exit {}
 /// Run the books server with `args` (the command line after the program
 /// name). `prog` names the program in the usage text: `ledger-mcp`, or
 /// `wanderbooks dev-stdio`. It returns when the client disconnects; a bad
-/// argument, books from a newer wanderbooks, or a refused import root
-/// return [`Exit`] after a plain message.
+/// argument or books from a newer wanderbooks return [`Exit`] after a
+/// plain message.
 pub fn run(
     prog: &str,
     args: impl IntoIterator<Item = String>,
@@ -106,7 +98,6 @@ pub fn run(
     let mut books_toml: Option<PathBuf> = None;
     let mut vault_key_file: Option<PathBuf> = None;
     let mut http_addr: Option<String> = None;
-    let mut import_roots: Vec<PathBuf> = Vec::new();
     let mut args = args.into_iter();
     while let Some(arg) = args.next() {
         match arg.as_str() {
@@ -129,11 +120,6 @@ pub fn run(
             "--http" => {
                 http_addr = Some(args.next().ok_or("--http needs an address")?);
             }
-            "--import-root" => {
-                import_roots.push(PathBuf::from(
-                    args.next().ok_or("--import-root needs a folder")?,
-                ));
-            }
             "--help" | "-h" => {
                 print_usage(prog);
                 return Ok(());
@@ -153,11 +139,6 @@ pub fn run(
         );
         return Err(Box::new(Exit(2)));
     }
-    let import_roots = if import_roots.is_empty() {
-        ImportRoots::defaults()
-    } else {
-        ImportRoots::new(import_roots)
-    };
     let config_path = config_path.unwrap_or_else(|| data_dir.join("config.json"));
     // config.json's base currency matters only to books being created: it
     // is read then, and never otherwise (books that keep their own
@@ -232,36 +213,18 @@ pub fn run(
         }
     );
     let live = std::sync::Arc::new(std::sync::Mutex::new(live));
-    // No import root may be `/`, the home folder, or hold the books, the
-    // vault or a key (local_files.rs INVARIANT 0): a named one stops the
-    // server here, a default one is dropped.
-    let settings_now = live.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner()).current();
-    let import_roots = match server::guard_import_roots(
-        &store,
-        &settings_now,
-        &server::Layout::BooksDir,
-        import_roots,
-    ) {
-        Ok(roots) => roots,
-        Err(why) => {
-            eprintln!("ledger-mcp: {why}");
-            return Err(Box::new(Exit(2)));
-        }
-    };
 
     let rt = tokio::runtime::Builder::new_multi_thread()
         .enable_all()
         .build()?;
     if let Some(addr) = http_addr {
         eprintln!("ledger-mcp: store verified, serving Streamable HTTP on {addr}");
-        rt.block_on(serve_http(addr, store, live, import_roots))?;
+        rt.block_on(serve_http(addr, store, live))?;
         return Ok(());
     }
 
     eprintln!("ledger-mcp: store verified, serving over stdio");
-    let server = BooksServer::new(store, ReceiptPolicy::default())
-        .with_live_settings(live)
-        .with_import_roots(import_roots);
+    let server = BooksServer::new(store, ReceiptPolicy::default()).with_live_settings(live);
     rt.block_on(async {
         // The wire answers what JSON-RPC requires that rmcp drops (wire.rs).
         let (input, output, writer) = wire::spawn(tokio::io::stdin(), tokio::io::stdout());
@@ -277,7 +240,6 @@ async fn serve_http(
     addr: String,
     store: Store,
     live: std::sync::Arc<std::sync::Mutex<settings::Live>>,
-    import_roots: ImportRoots,
 ) -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     use rmcp::transport::streamable_http_server::{
         StreamableHttpService, session::local::LocalSessionManager,
@@ -290,8 +252,7 @@ async fn serve_http(
     let service = StreamableHttpService::new(
         move || {
             let server = server::BooksServer::new_shared(store.clone(), ReceiptPolicy::default())
-                .with_live_settings(live.clone())
-                .with_import_roots(import_roots.clone());
+                .with_live_settings(live.clone());
             Ok(server)
         },
         Arc::new(LocalSessionManager::default()),

crates/ledger-mcp/src/local.rs

@@ -43,10 +43,20 @@
 //!      bindings a new session is refused (an initialize), never a binding
 //!      dropped. Tokens are made, listed and revoked only through
 //!      the admin socket.
+//!   9. A file's bytes come in only by `PUT /b/{id}/u/{upload}` and go
+//!      out only by `GET /b/{id}/a/{attachment}` (plan 4.7), each through
+//!      the same door as 8 and counted for the close like any request:
+//!      an upload only from the token that began it, a download only with
+//!      books:read. Each, refused at the door or not, is recorded in the
+//!      book's access log as `upload` or `download` with its id, and the
+//!      bytes (kept, or read) and their record are one task that runs to
+//!      its end if the client hangs up (a process killed in that task
+//!      excepted); bytes whose record can't be written aren't kept, and
+//!      the books stop. Lapsed uploads are swept
+//!      every SWEEP_EVERY. Nothing comes in once the books stopped.
 //! ```
 
 use crate::admin::{self, Request, Response};
-use crate::local_files::ImportRoots;
 use crate::policy::ReceiptPolicy;
 use crate::server::{BooksServer, Layout, SharedStore};
 use crate::settings::Live;
@@ -75,10 +85,9 @@ pub const SERVER_LOCK: &str = "server.lock";
 /// What the server prints on stdout when it is ready (INVARIANT 5).
 pub const READY: &str = "ready";
 
-/// How large a request may be. Receipts still ride inside tool calls as
-/// base64 until uploads have their own route (P2 slice 5, which brings
-/// this down to 1 MiB).
-pub const MAX_BODY: usize = 64 * 1024 * 1024;
+/// How large an MCP request may be (plan 3.2): files of any size come
+/// through uploads (`/b/{book}/u/{upload}`); inline, at most 256 KiB.
+pub const MAX_BODY: usize = 1024 * 1024;
 
 /// How long the admin socket waits for a request to arrive.
 const ADMIN_READ_TIMEOUT: Duration = Duration::from_secs(30);
@@ -89,6 +98,9 @@ use ledger_store::root::THE_ROOT;
 /// didn't open, books that don't exist): a client knows it didn't run.
 pub const REFUSED_HEADER: &str = "x-wanderbooks-refused";
 
+/// How often each book's lapsed uploads are swept.
+const SWEEP_EVERY: Duration = Duration::from_secs(10);
+
 type Service = StreamableHttpService<BooksServer, LocalSessionManager>;
 
 /// A book the server holds.
@@ -103,6 +115,8 @@ enum Book {
         /// Its access log, where requests refused at the door are
         /// recorded too (access.rs).
         access: Arc<AccessLog>,
+        /// Its files on their way in (`/b/{id}/u/{upload}`).
+        uploads: ledger_store::uploads::Uploads,
     },
     /// Not opened, with why (INVARIANT 3).
     Failed(String),
@@ -121,7 +135,6 @@ impl Book {
 /// Every book the server holds, and what serving them needs.
 struct Books {
     root: Root,
-    import_roots: ImportRoots,
     held: RwLock<BTreeMap<String, Book>>,
     /// Ends every MCP session (INVARIANT 6, last).
     sessions: CancellationToken,
@@ -250,17 +263,14 @@ impl Books {
         let mut live = Live::own();
         live.sync(store.ledger().settings(), store.base_currency().code());
         let layout = Layout::Root(self.root.path().to_path_buf());
-        let roots = crate::server::guard_import_roots(
-            &store,
-            &live.current(),
-            &layout,
-            self.import_roots.clone(),
-        )
-        .map_err(|e| self.hide(e))?;
         let access = Arc::new(
             AccessLog::open(store.data_dir())
                 .map_err(|e| format!("its access log can't be used: {e}"))?,
         );
+        let uploads =
+            ledger_store::uploads::Uploads::open(store.data_dir(), chrono::Utc::now().timestamp())
+                .map_err(|e| self.hide(e.to_string()))?;
+        let server_uploads = uploads.clone();
         let live = Arc::new(Mutex::new(live));
         let store = SharedStore::new(store);
         let log = access.clone();
@@ -276,9 +286,9 @@ impl Books {
                 Ok(
                     BooksServer::new_shared(store.clone(), ReceiptPolicy::default())
                         .with_live_settings(live.clone())
-                        .with_import_roots(roots.clone())
                         .with_layout(layout.clone())
-                        .with_access(log.clone()),
+                        .with_access(log.clone())
+                        .with_uploads(server_uploads.clone()),
                 )
             },
             Arc::new(sessions()),
@@ -288,6 +298,7 @@ impl Books {
             service,
             store: shared,
             access,
+            uploads,
         })
     }
 
@@ -848,12 +859,29 @@ const SESSION_HEADER: &str = "mcp-session-id";
 /// live sessions).
 const MAX_SESSIONS: usize = 100_000;
 
+/// What a request asks for, as the access log names it: an MCP request
+/// (action `connect`, its method), an upload (`upload`, its id) or a
+/// download (`download`, the attachment's id).
+struct Asked {
+    action: &'static str,
+    subject: String,
+}
+
+impl Asked {
+    fn connect(method: &axum::http::Method) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            action: "connect",
+            subject: method.as_str().to_string(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// A request refused at the door: recorded in the book's access log
 /// (access.rs INVARIANT 3), then answered with `status` and `why`.
 async fn refused_at_door(
     book: &Book,
     principal: Principal,
-    method: &axum::http::Method,
+    asked: &Asked,
     code: &'static str,
     status: axum::http::StatusCode,
     why: String,
@@ -865,8 +893,9 @@ async fn refused_at_door(
             principal,
             client: None,
             request_id: None,
-            action: "connect".into(),
-            subject: method.as_str().to_string(),
+            action: asked.action.into(),
+            // Masked, then cut, by the log itself (access.rs INVARIANT 2).
+            subject: asked.subject.clone(),
             args_digest: None,
             result: Outcome::Refused(code.into()),
             head_after: None,
@@ -892,34 +921,31 @@ async fn refused_at_door(
     response
 }
 
-/// `/b/{book}/mcp`: the book's MCP service, for a request carrying a token
-/// for that book (INVARIANT 8).
-async fn mcp(
-    axum::extract::State(books): axum::extract::State<Arc<Books>>,
-    axum::extract::Path(book): axum::extract::Path<String>,
-    mut request: axum::extract::Request,
-) -> axum::response::Response {
+/// The door to `book` (INVARIANT 8): the books held open, the server not
+/// closing, and a live token for those books; else the answer refusing
+/// the request (recorded in the books' access log, where there is one).
+async fn door(
+    books: &Arc<Books>,
+    book: &str,
+    asked: &Asked,
+    headers: &axum::http::HeaderMap,
+) -> Result<(Book, Token), Box<axum::response::Response>> {
     use axum::http::StatusCode;
     use axum::response::IntoResponse;
-    use tower::ServiceExt;
-    // Counted before the closing check, so closing never misses it.
-    let counted = (request.method() != axum::http::Method::GET).then(|| InFlight::new(&books));
-    books
-        .last_arrival
-        .store(books.started.elapsed().as_millis() as u64, Ordering::SeqCst);
     let closing = books.closing.is_cancelled();
-    let found = books.held().get(&book).cloned();
-    let (service, held) = match found {
+    let found = books.held().get(book).cloned();
+    let held = match found {
         Some(Book::Failed(why)) if !closing => {
-            return (
+            return Err((
                 StatusCode::SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE,
                 [(REFUSED_HEADER, "not-open")],
                 format!("the books {book} didn't open: {why}"),
             )
-                .into_response();
+                .into_response()
+                .into());
         }
         None if !closing => {
-            return (
+            return Err((
                 StatusCode::NOT_FOUND,
                 [(REFUSED_HEADER, "no-such-books")],
                 format!(
@@ -927,22 +953,20 @@ async fn mcp(
                     book.chars().take(64).collect::<String>()
                 ),
             )
-                .into_response();
+                .into_response()
+                .into());
         }
-        Some(b @ Book::Open { .. }) => match &b {
-            Book::Open { service, .. } => (service.clone(), b.clone()),
-            Book::Failed(_) => unreachable!(),
-        },
+        Some(b @ Book::Open { .. }) => b,
         _ => {
-            return (
+            return Err((
                 StatusCode::SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE,
                 "the books are closing: this request wasn't run",
             )
-                .into_response();
+                .into_response()
+                .into());
         }
     };
-    let method = request.method().clone();
-    let token = books.bearer(request.headers());
+    let token = books.bearer(headers);
     let principal = |t: &Token| Principal {
         id: t.id.clone(),
         kind: "agent".into(),
@@ -952,41 +976,382 @@ async fn mcp(
         let who = token
             .as_ref()
             .map_or_else(|_| Principal::unknown(), principal);
-        return refused_at_door(
+        return Err(refused_at_door(
             &held,
             who,
-            &method,
+            asked,
             crate::access::CLOSING,
             StatusCode::SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE,
             "the books are closing: this request wasn't run".into(),
         )
-        .await;
+        .await
+        .into());
     }
     let token = match token {
         Ok(t) => t,
         Err((code, why)) => {
-            return refused_at_door(
+            return Err(refused_at_door(
                 &held,
                 Principal::unknown(),
-                &method,
+                asked,
                 code,
                 StatusCode::UNAUTHORIZED,
                 why,
             )
-            .await;
+            .await
+            .into());
         }
     };
     if token.book != book {
-        return refused_at_door(
+        return Err(refused_at_door(
             &held,
             principal(&token),
-            &method,
+            asked,
             "wrong_books",
             StatusCode::FORBIDDEN,
             format!("this token is for the books {}, not {book}", token.book),
         )
-        .await;
+        .await
+        .into());
     }
+    Ok((held, token))
+}
+
+/// `PUT /b/{book}/u/{upload}`: the bytes of an upload begun with
+/// `books.begin_upload`, from the token that began it (INVARIANT 9; plan
+/// 4.7): at most the upload's limit, kept only if exactly the size and
+/// SHA-256 declared, once; recorded in the access log (action `upload`).
+async fn upload(
+    axum::extract::State(books): axum::extract::State<Arc<Books>>,
+    axum::extract::Path((book, id)): axum::extract::Path<(String, String)>,
+    request: axum::extract::Request,
+) -> axum::response::Response {
+    use axum::http::StatusCode;
+    use axum::response::IntoResponse;
+    use ledger_store::uploads::UploadError;
+    let _counted = InFlight::new(&books);
+    books
+        .last_arrival
+        .store(books.started.elapsed().as_millis() as u64, Ordering::SeqCst);
+    let asked = Asked {
+        action: "upload",
+        subject: id.clone(),
+    };
+    let (held, token) = match door(&books, &book, &asked, request.headers()).await {
+        Ok(passed) => passed,
+        Err(refused) => {
+            // What was sent is read and dropped (up to the most an upload
+            // can be: only this account reaches the socket), so the client
+            // gets the refusal, not a connection cut mid-send.
+            use futures_util::StreamExt;
+            let mut rest = request.into_body().into_data_stream();
+            let mut read = 0u64;
+            while let Some(Ok(chunk)) = rest.next().await {
+                read += chunk.len() as u64;
+                if read > ledger_store::uploads::MAX_UPLOAD {
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+            return *refused;
+        }
+    };
+    let Book::Open {
+        access,
+        uploads,
+        store,
+        ..
+    } = &held
+    else {
+        unreachable!("the door lets only open books through")
+    };
+    // Streamed to the disk as it comes, never held whole; `receive` reads
+    // no more than the size declared and one byte. The bytes and their
+    // record are one blocking task, which runs to its end even if the
+    // client hangs up: never bytes kept without their record, and a close
+    // waits for both (the count goes with them).
+    use futures_util::TryStreamExt;
+    let stream = request
+        .into_body()
+        .into_data_stream()
+        .map_err(std::io::Error::other);
+    let mut body = tokio_util::io::SyncIoBridge::new(tokio_util::io::StreamReader::new(stream));
+    let (uploads, access, stopped) = (uploads.clone(), access.clone(), store.is_stopped());
+    let task = tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || {
+        let _counted = _counted;
+        // The books server stopped after an internal error: nothing more
+        // comes in (SharedStore INVARIANT 2).
+        let received = if stopped {
+            Err(UploadError::Bad(crate::server::STOPPED.into()))
+        } else {
+            uploads.receive(&id, &token.id, &mut body, chrono::Utc::now().timestamp())
+        };
+        // Refused: the rest of what was sent (up to the most an upload
+        // can be) is read and dropped, so the client gets the answer, not
+        // a connection cut while it was still sending.
+        if received.is_err() {
+            use std::io::Read;
+            let rest = ledger_store::uploads::MAX_UPLOAD + 1;
+            let _ = std::io::copy(&mut (&mut body).take(rest), &mut std::io::sink());
+        }
+        let (status, outcome, text) = match &received {
+            Ok(g) => (
+                StatusCode::OK,
+                Outcome::Ok,
+                serde_json::json!({"received": g.id, "size": g.size, "sha256": g.sha256})
+                    .to_string(),
+            ),
+            Err(e) => {
+                let (status, code) = match e {
+                    _ if stopped => (StatusCode::SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE, "stopped"),
+                    UploadError::Unknown(_) => (StatusCode::NOT_FOUND, "no_such_upload"),
+                    UploadError::NotYours => (StatusCode::FORBIDDEN, "not_yours"),
+                    UploadError::AlreadySent => (StatusCode::CONFLICT, "already_sent"),
+                    UploadError::InUse => (StatusCode::CONFLICT, "in_use"),
+                    UploadError::WrongSize { .. }
+                    | UploadError::TooMuch { .. }
+                    | UploadError::WrongHash => (StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST, "not_as_declared"),
+                    _ => (StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, "failed"),
+                };
+                (status, Outcome::Refused(code.into()), e.to_string())
+            }
+        };
+        let record = Access {
+            principal: Principal {
+                id: token.id.clone(),
+                kind: "agent".into(),
+                label: token.name.clone(),
+            },
+            client: None,
+            request_id: None,
+            action: "upload".into(),
+            subject: id.clone(),
+            args_digest: None,
+            result: outcome.clone(),
+            head_after: None,
+        };
+        let recorded = access.record(&record).is_ok();
+        if !recorded && received.is_ok() {
+            // Never bytes kept without their record: sent again later.
+            uploads.discard(&id);
+        }
+        (status, outcome, text, recorded)
+    });
+    let Ok((status, outcome, text, true)) = task.await else {
+        store.stop();
+        return (
+            StatusCode::SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE,
+            [(REFUSED_HEADER, "not-recorded")],
+            crate::access::NOT_RECORDED,
+        )
+            .into_response();
+    };
+    match outcome {
+        Outcome::Refused(code) => (status, [(REFUSED_HEADER, code)], text).into_response(),
+        _ => (status, text).into_response(),
+    }
+}
+
+/// `GET /b/{book}/a/{attachment}`: a stored file's bytes, for a token
+/// with books:read (INVARIANT 9; what `wanderbooks download` asks for);
+/// recorded in the access log (action `download`).
+async fn download(
+    axum::extract::State(books): axum::extract::State<Arc<Books>>,
+    axum::extract::Path((book, attachment)): axum::extract::Path<(String, String)>,
+    request: axum::extract::Request,
+) -> axum::response::Response {
+    use axum::http::StatusCode;
+    use axum::response::IntoResponse;
+    // GET only (axum hands a HEAD to a GET route): a HEAD would read the
+    // file and record a download that sent nothing.
+    if request.method() != axum::http::Method::GET {
+        return (
+            StatusCode::METHOD_NOT_ALLOWED,
+            [(axum::http::header::ALLOW, "GET")],
+            "a download is a GET",
+        )
+            .into_response();
+    }
+    let _counted = InFlight::new(&books);
+    books
+        .last_arrival
+        .store(books.started.elapsed().as_millis() as u64, Ordering::SeqCst);
+    let asked = Asked {
+        action: "download",
+        subject: attachment.clone(),
+    };
+    let (held, token) = match door(&books, &book, &asked, request.headers()).await {
+        Ok(passed) => passed,
+        Err(refused) => return *refused,
+    };
+    let Book::Open { access, store, .. } = &held else {
+        unreachable!("the door lets only open books through")
+    };
+    // The read and its record are one blocking task, run to its end even
+    // if the client hangs up, and counted until then.
+    let (access, store_for) = (access.clone(), store.clone());
+    let task = tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || {
+        let _counted = _counted;
+        // An id as the books write it (no sign, no leading zeros), so the
+        // log holds no alias of it.
+        let id = attachment
+            .parse::<u64>()
+            .ok()
+            .filter(|n| n.to_string() == attachment);
+        let found = match (token.scopes.contains(&Scope::Read), id) {
+            // Stopped after an internal error: as for uploads.
+            _ if store_for.is_stopped() => Err((
+                StatusCode::SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE,
+                "stopped",
+                crate::server::STOPPED.to_string(),
+            )),
+            (false, _) => Err((
+                StatusCode::FORBIDDEN,
+                "insufficient_scope",
+                format!(
+                    "this agent's token can't do that: a download needs books:read, and its token ({:?}) hasn't it",
+                    token.name
+                ),
+            )),
+            (true, None) => Err((
+                StatusCode::NOT_FOUND,
+                "no_such_attachment",
+                "there is no such attachment".to_string(),
+            )),
+            (true, Some(id)) => match store_for.attachment_file(id) {
+                Ok(Some(file)) => Ok(file),
+                Ok(None) => Err((
+                    StatusCode::NOT_FOUND,
+                    "no_such_attachment",
+                    "there is no such attachment".to_string(),
+                )),
+                // Stopped, or the stored file damaged: not a missing one.
+                Err(why) => Err((StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, "failed", why)),
+            },
+        };
+        let record = Access {
+            principal: Principal {
+                id: token.id.clone(),
+                kind: "agent".into(),
+                label: token.name.clone(),
+            },
+            client: None,
+            request_id: None,
+            action: "download".into(),
+            subject: attachment.clone(),
+            args_digest: None,
+            result: match &found {
+                Ok(_) => Outcome::Ok,
+                Err((_, code, _)) => Outcome::Refused((*code).into()),
+            },
+            head_after: None,
+        };
+        let recorded = access.record(&record).is_ok();
+        (found, recorded)
+    });
+    let Ok((found, true)) = task.await else {
+        store.stop();
+        return (
+            StatusCode::SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE,
+            [(REFUSED_HEADER, "not-recorded")],
+            crate::access::NOT_RECORDED,
+        )
+            .into_response();
+    };
+    match found {
+        Ok((name, mime, bytes)) => {
+            let digest = format!(
+                "sha-256=:{}:",
+                base64::Engine::encode(
+                    &base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD,
+                    <sha2::Sha256 as sha2::Digest>::digest(&bytes)
+                )
+            );
+            let mime = axum::http::HeaderValue::from_str(&mime).unwrap_or(
+                axum::http::HeaderValue::from_static("application/octet-stream"),
+            );
+            (
+                StatusCode::OK,
+                [
+                    (axum::http::header::CONTENT_TYPE, mime),
+                    (
+                        axum::http::header::CONTENT_DISPOSITION,
+                        axum::http::HeaderValue::from_str(&disposition(&name))
+                            .expect("only visible ASCII"),
+                    ),
+                    (
+                        axum::http::header::X_CONTENT_TYPE_OPTIONS,
+                        axum::http::HeaderValue::from_static("nosniff"),
+                    ),
+                    (
+                        axum::http::HeaderName::from_static(DIGEST_HEADER),
+                        axum::http::HeaderValue::from_str(&digest).expect("base64 is ASCII"),
+                    ),
+                ],
+                bytes,
+            )
+                .into_response()
+        }
+        Err((status, code, why)) => (status, [(REFUSED_HEADER, code)], why).into_response(),
+    }
+}
+
+/// The header a download's SHA-256 rides in (RFC 9530 Repr-Digest), so
+/// `wanderbooks download` keeps only what was stored.
+pub const DIGEST_HEADER: &str = "repr-digest";
+
+/// A download's Content-Disposition (RFC 6266): its name in ASCII, every
+/// other character `_`, and whole in UTF-8 as `filename*` (RFC 8187).
+fn disposition(name: &str) -> String {
+    let plain: String = name
+        .chars()
+        .map(|c| {
+            if (c.is_ascii_graphic() || c == ' ') && c != '"' && c != '\\' {
+                c
+            } else {
+                '_'
+            }
+        })
+        .collect();
+    let mut encoded = String::new();
+    for b in name.bytes() {
+        if b.is_ascii_alphanumeric() || b"!#$&+-.^_`|~".contains(&b) {
+            encoded.push(b as char);
+        } else {
+            encoded.push_str(&format!("%{b:02X}"));
+        }
+    }
+    format!("attachment; filename=\"{plain}\"; filename*=UTF-8''{encoded}")
+}
+
+/// `/b/{book}/mcp`: the book's MCP service, for a request carrying a token
+/// for that book (INVARIANT 8).
+async fn mcp(
+    axum::extract::State(books): axum::extract::State<Arc<Books>>,
+    axum::extract::Path(book): axum::extract::Path<String>,
+    mut request: axum::extract::Request,
+) -> axum::response::Response {
+    use axum::http::StatusCode;
+    use tower::ServiceExt;
+    // Counted before the closing check, so closing never misses it.
+    let counted = (request.method() != axum::http::Method::GET).then(|| InFlight::new(&books));
+    books
+        .last_arrival
+        .store(books.started.elapsed().as_millis() as u64, Ordering::SeqCst);
+    let method = request.method().clone();
+    let (held, token) = match door(&books, &book, &Asked::connect(&method), request.headers()).await
+    {
+        Ok(passed) => passed,
+        Err(refused) => return *refused,
+    };
+    let Book::Open { service, .. } = &held else {
+        unreachable!("the door lets only open books through")
+    };
+    let service = service.clone();
+    let principal = |t: &Token| Principal {
+        id: t.id.clone(),
+        kind: "agent".into(),
+        label: t.name.clone(),
+    };
     let session = request
         .headers()
         .get(SESSION_HEADER)
@@ -1024,7 +1389,7 @@ async fn mcp(
         return refused_at_door(
             &held,
             principal(&token),
-            &method,
+            &Asked::connect(&method),
             "too_many_sessions",
             StatusCode::SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE,
             "the books server has too many sessions open: end some, then try again".into(),
@@ -1035,7 +1400,7 @@ async fn mcp(
         return refused_at_door(
             &held,
             principal(&token),
-            &method,
+            &Asked::connect(&method),
             "session_token",
             StatusCode::FORBIDDEN,
             "this session was opened with another token".into(),
@@ -1154,7 +1519,7 @@ fn bind(run: &Path, name: &str) -> std::io::Result<tokio::net::UnixListener> {
 }
 
 fn print_usage(prog: &str) {
-    eprintln!("usage: {prog} [--root DIR] [--import-root DIR]...");
+    eprintln!("usage: {prog} [--root DIR]");
     eprintln!("  The books server for the data root: started by the host, not by hand.");
     eprintln!("  It runs until its standard input ends, or SIGTERM, SIGINT or SIGHUP.");
 }
@@ -1166,14 +1531,10 @@ pub fn run(
     args: impl IntoIterator<Item = String>,
 ) -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     let mut root: Option<PathBuf> = None;
-    let mut import_roots: Vec<PathBuf> = Vec::new();
     let mut args = args.into_iter();
     while let Some(arg) = args.next() {
         match arg.as_str() {
             "--root" => root = Some(PathBuf::from(args.next().ok_or("--root needs a folder")?)),
-            "--import-root" => import_roots.push(PathBuf::from(
-                args.next().ok_or("--import-root needs a folder")?,
-            )),
             "--help" | "-h" => {
                 print_usage(prog);
                 return Ok(());
@@ -1240,14 +1601,8 @@ pub fn run(
         std::fs::set_permissions(&lock_path, std::fs::Permissions::from_mode(0o600))
             .map_err(|e| format!("can't make the server lock private: {}", e.kind()))?;
     }
-    let import_roots = if import_roots.is_empty() {
-        ImportRoots::defaults()
-    } else {
-        ImportRoots::new(import_roots)
-    };
     let books = Arc::new(Books {
         root: root.clone(),
-        import_roots,
         held: RwLock::new(BTreeMap::new()),
         sessions: CancellationToken::new(),
         closing: CancellationToken::new(),
@@ -1326,9 +1681,37 @@ async fn serve(
     }
     let held: Vec<String> = books.held().keys().cloned().collect();
     eprintln!("wanderbooks server: ready, holding {} books", held.len());
+    // Every open book's lapsed uploads go within SWEEP_EVERY of lapsing,
+    // whatever else the server is doing (uploads.rs INVARIANT 3).
+    let (sweeping, sweep_stop) = (books.clone(), stop.clone());
+    tokio::spawn(async move {
+        let mut tick = tokio::time::interval(SWEEP_EVERY);
+        loop {
+            tokio::select! {
+                () = sweep_stop.cancelled() => break,
+                _ = tick.tick() => {
+                    let uploads: Vec<_> = sweeping
+                        .held()
+                        .values()
+                        .filter_map(|b| match b {
+                            Book::Open { uploads, .. } => Some(uploads.clone()),
+                            Book::Failed(_) => None,
+                        })
+                        .collect();
+                    let now = chrono::Utc::now().timestamp();
+                    let _ = tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || {
+                        uploads.iter().for_each(|u| u.sweep(now));
+                    })
+                    .await;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    });
 
     let app = axum::Router::new()
         .route("/b/{book}/mcp", axum::routing::any(mcp))
+        .route("/b/{book}/u/{upload}", axum::routing::put(upload))
+        .route("/b/{book}/a/{attachment}", axum::routing::get(download))
         .fallback(not_found)
         .with_state(books.clone());
     // The HTTP side keeps answering (refusing, once closing) until the

crates/ledger-mcp/src/paths.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+//! Paths as the server judges them: where a path really leads.
+
+use std::path::{Component, Path, PathBuf};
+
+/// `path` made absolute and resolved as the kernel would follow it, name
+/// by name: every symlink followed (a dangling one too, to where it
+/// points), `.` and `..` folded in order, and whatever doesn't exist kept
+/// as written. For an existing path this is its canonical form; for a
+/// missing one, where it would be.
+pub fn resolved(path: &Path) -> PathBuf {
+    let abs = if path.is_absolute() {
+        path.to_path_buf()
+    } else {
+        std::env::current_dir()
+            .unwrap_or_else(|_| PathBuf::from("/"))
+            .join(path)
+    };
+    // The names still to walk, last first.
+    let mut todo: Vec<std::ffi::OsString> = Vec::new();
+    let mut out = PathBuf::new();
+    // An absolute path starts the walk over at its root.
+    let push_all = |todo: &mut Vec<std::ffi::OsString>, p: &Path, out: &mut PathBuf| {
+        *out = PathBuf::new();
+        let mut parts = Vec::new();
+        for c in p.components() {
+            match c {
+                Component::Prefix(_) | Component::RootDir => out.push(c.as_os_str()),
+                other => parts.push(other.as_os_str().to_os_string()),
+            }
+        }
+        todo.extend(parts.into_iter().rev());
+    };
+    push_all(&mut todo, &abs, &mut out);
+    // Links followed at most this many times (as the kernel's ELOOP).
+    let mut hops = 0;
+    while let Some(name) = todo.pop() {
+        if name == "." {
+            continue;
+        }
+        if name == ".." {
+            out.pop();
+            continue;
+        }
+        let next = out.join(&name);
+        let link = std::fs::symlink_metadata(&next)
+            .is_ok_and(|m| m.file_type().is_symlink())
+            .then(|| std::fs::read_link(&next).ok())
+            .flatten();
+        match link {
+            Some(target) if hops < 40 => {
+                hops += 1;
+                if target.is_absolute() {
+                    push_all(&mut todo, &target, &mut out);
+                } else {
+                    todo.extend(
+                        target
+                            .components()
+                            .map(|c| c.as_os_str().to_os_string())
+                            .rev(),
+                    );
+                }
+            }
+            _ => out = next,
+        }
+    }
+    out
+}
+
+#[cfg(all(test, unix))]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use std::os::unix::fs::symlink;
+
+    /// `resolved` follows as many links as the kernel does (40, as
+    /// `canonicalize` does), and no more.
+    #[test]
+    fn resolved_follows_forty_links_and_no_more() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let b = dir.path().canonicalize().unwrap();
+        let file = b.join("receipt.pdf");
+        std::fs::write(&file, "x").unwrap();
+        let link = |n: usize| b.join(format!("link-{n}"));
+        symlink(&file, link(1)).unwrap();
+        for n in 2..=41 {
+            symlink(link(n - 1), link(n)).unwrap();
+        }
+        assert_eq!(link(40).canonicalize().unwrap(), file);
+        assert_eq!(resolved(&link(40)), file);
+        assert!(link(41).canonicalize().is_err(), "the kernel stops at 40");
+        assert_ne!(resolved(&link(41)), file);
+    }
+
+    /// `resolved` places a path where the kernel would follow it: the
+    /// canonical form for one that exists, and through a dangling link to
+    /// where it points.
+    #[test]
+    fn resolved_follows_every_link_a_dangling_one_too() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let b = dir.path().canonicalize().unwrap();
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(b.join("Downloads/sub")).unwrap();
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(b.join("data")).unwrap();
+        std::fs::write(b.join("Downloads/receipt.pdf"), "x").unwrap();
+        std::fs::write(b.join("data/journal.jsonl"), "x").unwrap();
+        symlink(
+            b.join("Downloads/receipt.pdf"),
+            b.join("Downloads/good-link"),
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        symlink(b.join("data"), b.join("Downloads/data-link")).unwrap();
+        for p in [
+            b.join("Downloads/good-link"),
+            b.join("Downloads/data-link/journal.jsonl"),
+            b.join("Downloads/sub/../receipt.pdf"),
+            b.join("Downloads/./good-link"),
+        ] {
+            assert_eq!(resolved(&p), p.canonicalize().unwrap(), "{}", p.display());
+        }
+        symlink("../elsewhere/gone.pdf", b.join("Downloads/rel-dangling")).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            resolved(&b.join("Downloads/rel-dangling")),
+            b.join("elsewhere/gone.pdf")
+        );
+        symlink(b.join("Downloads/loop-b"), b.join("Downloads/loop-a")).unwrap();
+        symlink(b.join("Downloads/loop-a"), b.join("Downloads/loop-b")).unwrap();
+        // A loop ends (the hop limit) inside the folder it loops in.
+        assert!(resolved(&b.join("Downloads/loop-a")).starts_with(b.join("Downloads")));
+        assert_eq!(
+            resolved(&b.join("Downloads/missing/../../elsewhere/x")),
+            b.join("elsewhere/x")
+        );
+    }
+}

crates/ledger-mcp/src/scopes.rs

@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ pub const TABLE: [(&str, Needs); 109] = [
     ("books.assign_role", P),
     ("books.set_tax_category", W),
     ("books.import_chart_csv", W),
-    ("books.import_local_file", W),
+    ("books.begin_upload", W),
     ("books.export", R),
     ("books.register_asset", W),
     ("books.asset_schedule", R),

crates/ledger-mcp/src/server.rs

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 //! ```
 
 use crate::handbook;
-use crate::local_files::{ImportRoots, Places, Protected, resolved};
+use crate::paths::resolved;
 use crate::policy::ReceiptPolicy;
 use crate::settings::{Live, Settings};
 use crate::tin_files;
@@ -57,9 +57,6 @@ use rmcp::{ServerHandler, tool, tool_handler, tool_router};
 use rust_decimal::Decimal;
 use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
 
-/// Max receipt/document upload: 25 MB.
-const MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES: usize = 25 * 1024 * 1024;
-
 /// The server. One store, one receipt policy, shared across tool calls.
 /// `Store` is `!Sync`, so access is serialized through a mutex; the server
 /// is single-writer by construction. Tool bodies (synchronous disk and
@@ -69,12 +66,14 @@ const MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES: usize = 25 * 1024 * 1024;
 pub struct BooksServer {
     store: Arc<SharedStore>,
     settings: Arc<Mutex<Live>>,
-    import_roots: Arc<ImportRoots>,
     layout: Arc<Layout>,
     /// The book's access log, for books served from the data root: every
     /// call is then checked against its caller's token and recorded
     /// (access.rs). None for a books dir served over stdio.
     access: Option<Arc<ledger_store::access::AccessLog>>,
+    /// The book's uploads (books served from the data root; none over
+    /// stdio, where no bytes can be sent but inline).
+    uploads: Option<ledger_store::uploads::Uploads>,
 }
 
 /// Where a book's own files live around its data dir.
@@ -157,6 +156,31 @@ pub struct SharedStore {
 }
 
 impl SharedStore {
+    /// An attachment's name, type and bytes (hash-verified), for a
+    /// download: blocking (the store's lock, then the file).
+    /// None when there is no such attachment.
+    pub fn attachment_file(&self, id: u64) -> Result<Option<(String, String, Vec<u8>)>, String> {
+        if self.stopped() {
+            return Err(STOPPED.to_string());
+        }
+        let store = self.store.blocking_lock();
+        let Some(meta) = store
+            .list_attachments(None)
+            .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?
+            .into_iter()
+            .find(|a| a.id == id)
+        else {
+            return Ok(None);
+        };
+        let bytes = store.attachment_bytes(id).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
+        Ok(Some((meta.file_name, meta.mime_type, bytes)))
+    }
+
+    /// Whether it stopped taking requests (INVARIANT 2).
+    pub fn is_stopped(&self) -> bool {
+        self.stopped()
+    }
+
     /// Share an open store.
     pub fn new(store: Store) -> Arc<Self> {
         Arc::new(Self {
@@ -200,12 +224,29 @@ impl SharedStore {
     }
 }
 
-/// Why a file with full TINs isn't written into an import root.
-const TIN_FILE_IN_ROOT: &str = "a file with full TINs is never saved in the server's import folders (by default your downloads folder), where it could be filed back into the books: save it elsewhere, such as your documents folder";
+/// A filed file's name and type: those given, else the upload's own.
+fn named(
+    file_name: Option<String>,
+    mime_type: Option<String>,
+    file: &files::TakenFile,
+) -> Result<(String, String), String> {
+    let name = file_name
+        .or_else(|| file.file_name.clone())
+        .ok_or("file_name is needed")?;
+    let mime = mime_type
+        .or_else(|| file.mime.clone())
+        .ok_or("mime_type is needed")?;
+    if let Some(why) = ledger_store::uploads::file_name_problem(&name)
+        .or_else(|| ledger_store::uploads::mime_problem(&mime))
+    {
+        return Err(why);
+    }
+    Ok((name, mime))
+}
 
 /// What every request gets after an internal error (SharedStore
 /// INVARIANT 2).
-const STOPPED: &str = "the books server stopped taking requests after an internal error, to protect the books: ask the human to restart the books server (the books are checked again when it starts)";
+pub(crate) const STOPPED: &str = "the books server stopped taking requests after an internal error, to protect the books: ask the human to restart the books server (the books are checked again when it starts)";
 
 /// Why the vault won't open with a key file inside the books.
 const KEY_IN_BOOKS: &str = "the TIN vault's key file is inside the books' folder, beside the records it unlocks: ask the human to move it out of the books and set [vault] key_file in the settings";
@@ -555,12 +596,18 @@ impl BooksServer {
                 policy,
                 ..Settings::default()
             }))),
-            import_roots: Arc::new(ImportRoots::defaults()),
             layout: Arc::new(Layout::BooksDir),
             access: None,
+            uploads: None,
         }
     }
 
+    /// Take uploaded files from `uploads` (`books.begin_upload`).
+    pub fn with_uploads(mut self, uploads: ledger_store::uploads::Uploads) -> Self {
+        self.uploads = Some(uploads);
+        self
+    }
+
     /// Check every call against its caller's token, and record it in
     /// `log` (access.rs).
     pub fn with_access(mut self, log: Arc<ledger_store::access::AccessLog>) -> Self {
@@ -575,12 +622,6 @@ impl BooksServer {
         self
     }
 
-    /// The folders `books.import_local_file` may read from (local_files.rs).
-    pub fn with_import_roots(mut self, roots: ImportRoots) -> Self {
-        self.import_roots = Arc::new(roots);
-        self
-    }
-
     /// Take the settings from files, reloading them whenever they change
     /// (crate::settings), shared with the other sessions holding `live`.
     pub fn with_live_settings(mut self, live: Arc<Mutex<Live>>) -> Self {
@@ -655,7 +696,7 @@ impl BooksServer {
 
     /// Every tool the server serves.
     pub(crate) fn tool_router() -> rmcp::handler::server::router::tool::ToolRouter<Self> {
-        Self::core_router() + Self::kept_router() + Self::access_router()
+        Self::core_router() + Self::kept_router() + Self::access_router() + Self::files_router()
     }
 
     /// The settings in force for this request (reloaded at its start, in
@@ -902,20 +943,8 @@ impl BooksServer {
         self.layout.vault_dir(store)
     }
 
-    /// What is never read through a path, even inside an import root
-    /// (local_files.rs INVARIANT 3; Protected::of): the data dir, the
-    /// vault, the key file in force and the default one (a key left there
-    /// from before still unlocks the vault), and the folders it seals; and
-    /// the rest of the books dir.
-    fn protected(&self, store: &Store) -> Protected {
-        Protected::of(
-            &places(store, &self.settings(), &self.layout),
-            &self.import_roots.usable(),
-        )
-    }
-
     /// Refuse bytes on their way into the books (books.attach_receipt,
-    /// books.file_document, books.import_local_file) if they carry a full
+    /// books.file_document, books.set_w9's file) if they carry a full
     /// TIN: a file the server read or wrote with TINs, or text holding one
     /// the vault holds or one printed as an SSN or EIN is (tin_files.rs
     /// INVARIANT 3), or text probing for one (INVARIANT 4).
@@ -963,62 +992,78 @@ impl BooksServer {
             .collect()
     }
 
-    /// Read a file an agent names (books.import_local_file, books.set_w9
-    /// w9_file_path) through the import roots' lockdown (local_files.rs),
-    /// with its canonical path.
-    fn read_local(&self, path: &str) -> Result<(std::path::PathBuf, Vec<u8>), String> {
-        let protected = {
-            let store = self.lock()?;
-            self.protected(&store)
-        };
-        self.import_roots
-            .read(path.trim(), &protected, MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES)
-    }
-
     /// Where a file holding full TINs may be written: a new file outside
-    /// the books (outside_books) and outside every import root, so it can
-    /// never be filed back in as a receipt and read out again.
+    /// the books (outside_books). (It can't be filed back in unnoticed:
+    /// tin_files.rs records it.)
     fn tin_file_dest(&self, store: &Store, path: &str) -> Result<std::path::PathBuf, String> {
-        let dest = outside_books(&self.layout.books_dir(store), path)?;
-        self.outside_import_roots(&dest)?;
-        Ok(dest)
+        outside_books(&self.layout.books_dir(store), path)
     }
 
-    fn outside_import_roots(&self, dest: &std::path::Path) -> Result<(), String> {
-        if self.import_roots.contains(dest) {
-            return Err(TIN_FILE_IN_ROOT.to_string());
-        }
-        Ok(())
-    }
-
-    /// Read a W-9 file (PDF, PNG, or JPEG, 25 MB at most) for the vault,
-    /// through the import roots' lockdown like any local file: the type
-    /// is judged by where the path really leads (a link named w9.pdf to
-    /// another file is that file).
-    fn read_w9_file(&self, path: &str) -> Result<ledger_vault::W9File, String> {
-        let (canonical, bytes) = self.read_local(path)?;
+    /// The signed W-9 a call gives (an upload, or inline), for the vault:
+    /// a PDF, PNG, or JPEG by its own first bytes, whatever it is called.
+    fn w9_file(
+        &self,
+        p: &SetW9Params,
+    ) -> Result<(ledger_vault::W9File, Option<ledger_store::uploads::Claim>), String> {
+        let file = self.take_file(files::Given {
+            upload_id: p.w9_upload_id.as_deref(),
+            content_base64: p.w9_content_base64.as_deref(),
+            sha256: p.w9_sha256.as_deref(),
+            purposes: files::W9,
+        })?;
         // Not recorded here: set_w9 records it once the call can only
         // succeed, just before the vault write (tin_files.rs INVARIANT 1),
         // so a refused call never marks an ordinary file.
-        let mime_type = match canonical
-            .extension()
-            .and_then(|e| e.to_str())
-            .map(str::to_lowercase)
-            .as_deref()
-        {
-            Some("pdf") => "application/pdf",
-            Some("png") => "image/png",
-            Some("jpg" | "jpeg") => "image/jpeg",
-            _ => return Err("w9_file_path is a PDF, PNG, or JPEG (.pdf, .png, .jpg)".into()),
+        let (mime_type, ext) = if file.bytes.starts_with(b"%PDF-") {
+            ("application/pdf", "pdf")
+        } else if file.bytes.starts_with(b"\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n") {
+            ("image/png", "png")
+        } else if file.bytes.starts_with(&[0xFF, 0xD8, 0xFF]) {
+            ("image/jpeg", "jpg")
+        } else {
+            return Err("the W-9 is a PDF, PNG, or JPEG".into());
         };
-        Ok(ledger_vault::W9File {
-            file_name: canonical
-                .file_name()
-                .map(|n| n.to_string_lossy().into_owned())
-                .unwrap_or_else(|| "w9".into()),
-            mime_type: mime_type.to_string(),
-            bytes,
-        })
+        let file_name = p
+            .w9_file_name
+            .clone()
+            .or(file.file_name)
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| format!("w9.{ext}"));
+        if let Some(why) = ledger_store::uploads::file_name_problem(&file_name) {
+            return Err(why);
+        }
+        Ok((
+            ledger_vault::W9File {
+                file_name,
+                mime_type: mime_type.to_string(),
+                bytes: file.bytes,
+            },
+            file.claim,
+        ))
+    }
+
+    /// A CSV's text, given inline or as an upload (books.begin_upload),
+    /// and the upload's hold.
+    fn csv_given(
+        &self,
+        text: Option<&str>,
+        upload_id: Option<&str>,
+    ) -> Result<(String, Option<ledger_store::uploads::Claim>), String> {
+        match (text, upload_id) {
+            (Some(_), Some(_)) => Err("give csv_text or upload_id, not both".into()),
+            (Some(t), None) => Ok((t.to_string(), None)),
+            (None, Some(id)) => {
+                let file = self.take_file(files::Given {
+                    upload_id: Some(id),
+                    content_base64: None,
+                    sha256: None,
+                    purposes: files::IMPORTED,
+                })?;
+                let text = String::from_utf8(file.bytes)
+                    .map_err(|_| "the CSV isn't UTF-8 text".to_string())?;
+                Ok((text, file.claim))
+            }
+            (None, None) => Err("give the CSV: csv_text, or an upload_id".into()),
+        }
     }
 
     /// Record a file read or written with full TINs (tin_files.rs
@@ -1920,56 +1965,6 @@ fn known_tin_last4(store: &Store) -> Vec<u32> {
         .collect()
 }
 
-/// Where these books keep what an import must never read
-/// (local_files.rs): the data dir, the books dir, the vault, the key file
-/// in force and the default one, and the home folder.
-fn places(store: &Store, settings: &Settings, layout: &Layout) -> Places {
-    Places {
-        data_dir: store.data_dir().to_path_buf(),
-        books_dir: layout.books_dir(store),
-        vault_dir: layout.vault_dir(store),
-        key_files: vec![
-            layout.key_file(store, settings),
-            settings.key_file(),
-            ledger_vault::default_key_file(),
-        ],
-        // In the data root the home comes from the account's record, as
-        // the root's own does; never only from the environment.
-        home: match layout {
-            Layout::Root(_) => ledger_store::root::account_home().ok(),
-            Layout::BooksDir => None,
-        }
-        .or_else(|| std::env::var_os("HOME").map(std::path::PathBuf::from)),
-    }
-}
-
-/// The import roots a server for these books may use (local_files.rs
-/// INVARIANT 0): a named root that is `/`, the home folder or holds it,
-/// or holds the books, the vault or a key, is refused (the server doesn't
-/// start); a default one is dropped, leaving none. The text is for the
-/// human starting the server, on its standard error.
-pub fn guard_import_roots(
-    store: &Store,
-    settings: &Settings,
-    layout: &Layout,
-    roots: ImportRoots,
-) -> Result<ImportRoots, String> {
-    let places = places(store, settings, layout);
-    let explicit = roots.explicit();
-    let (roots, refused) = roots.guard(places.home.as_deref(), &places.keep_out());
-    if let Some((root, why)) = refused.first() {
-        let msg = format!(
-            "import folder {} can't be used: {why}. Name a folder that holds none of them, such as your downloads folder",
-            root.display()
-        );
-        if explicit {
-            return Err(msg);
-        }
-        eprintln!("ledger-mcp: {msg}; books.import_local_file has no folder to read from");
-    }
-    Ok(roots)
-}
-
 /// Whether `path` is `dir` or inside it.
 fn is_inside(dir: &std::path::Path, path: &std::path::Path) -> bool {
     resolved(path).starts_with(resolved(dir))
@@ -2719,6 +2714,10 @@ fn movement_in(ledger: &Ledger, account: AccountId, from: NaiveDate, to: NaiveDa
 }
 
 thread_local! {
+    /// The token of the request running on this thread (books served from
+    /// the data root), its id and name, for what is bound to it (its
+    /// uploads) and the commands it is given.
+    static CALLER: std::cell::RefCell<Option<(String, String)>> = const { std::cell::RefCell::new(None) };
     /// The journal's head after the last write made by the request
     /// running on this thread (StoreGuard's drop), for its access record.
     static WROTE: std::cell::RefCell<Option<(u64, String)>> = const { std::cell::RefCell::new(None) };
@@ -2892,6 +2891,8 @@ fn lines_out(lines: &[ledger_core::StatementLine]) -> Vec<StatementLineOut> {
 
 #[path = "tools/access.rs"]
 mod access_tools;
+#[path = "tools/files.rs"]
+mod files;
 #[path = "tools/kept.rs"]
 mod kept;
 pub use kept::SettingKeyOut;
@@ -3548,7 +3549,7 @@ impl BooksServer {
     #[tool(
         name = "books.attach_receipt",
         title = "Attach a receipt",
-        description = "Attach a receipt (base64 file bytes) to an entry, or file it unlinked and link later with books.link_receipt. Files are content-addressed and deduplicated. link_to links it to more subjects in the same call (another entry it also supports, an asset, a party, ...: see books.link_attachment); every subject is checked first, so one bad subject files nothing. A file holding a full TIN is refused: one the server read or wrote with TINs, or text with a TIN the vault keeps or an SSN or EIN printed 3-2-4 or 2-7 with hyphens.",
+        description = "Attach a receipt to an entry, or file it unlinked and link later with books.link_receipt. The bytes: upload_id (books.begin_upload), or content_base64 with its sha256 for a file of at most 256 KiB. Files are content-addressed and deduplicated. link_to links it to more subjects in the same call (another entry it also supports, an asset, a party, ...: see books.link_attachment); every subject is checked first, so one bad subject files nothing. A file holding a full TIN is refused: one the server read or wrote with TINs, or text with a TIN the vault keeps or an SSN or EIN printed 3-2-4 or 2-7 with hyphens.",
         annotations(
             read_only_hint = false,
             destructive_hint = false,
@@ -3560,17 +3561,6 @@ impl BooksServer {
         params: Parameters<AttachReceiptParams>,
     ) -> Result<Json<AttachReceiptOut>, String> {
         let p = params.0;
-        let bytes = base64::Engine::decode(
-            &base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD,
-            &p.content_base64,
-        )
-        .map_err(|_| "content_base64 is not valid base64".to_string())?;
-        if bytes.len() > MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES {
-            return Err(format!(
-                "file is {} bytes; the limit is {MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES}",
-                bytes.len()
-            ));
-        }
         let mut store = self.lock()?;
         if let Some(e) = p.entry_id
             && store.ledger().get_entry(e).is_none()
@@ -3578,16 +3568,26 @@ impl BooksServer {
             return Err(format!("unknown entry {e}"));
         }
         let link_to = check_link_to(&store, p.entry_id, &p.link_to)?;
-        self.refuse_tin_file(&store, &bytes, &p.mime_type, &p.file_name)?;
+        // Taken once everything else is known good.
+        let file = self.take_file(files::Given {
+            upload_id: p.upload_id.as_deref(),
+            content_base64: p.content_base64.as_deref(),
+            sha256: p.sha256.as_deref(),
+            purposes: files::FILED,
+        })?;
+        let (file_name, mime_type) = named(p.file_name, p.mime_type, &file)?;
+        let (bytes, claim) = (file.bytes, file.claim);
+        self.refuse_tin_file(&store, &bytes, &mime_type, &file_name)?;
         let (attachment_id, sha256, deduplicated) = store
             .attach_receipt(
                 p.entry_id,
-                &p.file_name,
-                &p.mime_type,
+                &file_name,
+                &mime_type,
                 &bytes,
                 p.description.as_deref(),
             )
             .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
+        files::filed(claim);
         for sub in link_to {
             store
                 .link_attachment(attachment_id, sub)
@@ -3604,7 +3604,7 @@ impl BooksServer {
     #[tool(
         name = "books.file_document",
         title = "File a document",
-        description = "File a document into the content-addressed store: category formation, legal, tax, accounting, statement (a bank or card statement: then books.record_statement), contract, photo, warranty, import_source (a bank export), or other. link_to links it to subjects in the same call (an account, an asset, a party, the company, ...: see books.link_attachment); every subject is checked first, so one bad subject files nothing. Never file a W-9 here (it shows the full TIN): books.set_w9 w9_file_path puts it in the vault. A file holding a full TIN is refused: one the server read or wrote with TINs, or text with a TIN the vault keeps or an SSN or EIN printed 3-2-4 or 2-7 with hyphens.",
+        description = "File a document: category formation, legal, tax, accounting, statement (a bank or card statement: then books.record_statement), contract, photo, warranty, import_source (a bank export), or other. link_to links it to subjects in the same call (an account, an asset, a party, the company: see books.link_attachment), all checked first. The bytes: upload_id (books.begin_upload), or content_base64 with its sha256 (at most 256 KiB). Never a W-9 (books.set_w9 w9_upload_id puts it in the vault). A file holding a full TIN is refused: one the server read or wrote with TINs, or text with a TIN the vault keeps or an SSN or EIN printed 3-2-4 or 2-7 with hyphens.",
         annotations(
             read_only_hint = false,
             destructive_hint = false,
@@ -3626,29 +3626,27 @@ impl BooksServer {
                 ));
             }
         }
-        let bytes = base64::Engine::decode(
-            &base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD,
-            &p.content_base64,
-        )
-        .map_err(|_| "content_base64 is not valid base64".to_string())?;
-        if bytes.len() > MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES {
-            return Err(format!(
-                "file is {} bytes; the limit is {MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES}",
-                bytes.len()
-            ));
-        }
         let mut store = self.lock()?;
         let link_to = check_link_to(&store, None, &p.link_to)?;
-        self.refuse_tin_file(&store, &bytes, &p.mime_type, &p.file_name)?;
+        let file = self.take_file(files::Given {
+            upload_id: p.upload_id.as_deref(),
+            content_base64: p.content_base64.as_deref(),
+            sha256: p.sha256.as_deref(),
+            purposes: files::FILED,
+        })?;
+        let (file_name, mime_type) = named(p.file_name, p.mime_type, &file)?;
+        let (bytes, claim) = (file.bytes, file.claim);
+        self.refuse_tin_file(&store, &bytes, &mime_type, &file_name)?;
         let (attachment_id, sha256, deduplicated) = store
             .file_document(
                 &p.category,
-                &p.file_name,
-                &p.mime_type,
+                &file_name,
+                &mime_type,
                 &bytes,
                 p.description.as_deref(),
             )
             .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
+        files::filed(claim);
         for sub in link_to {
             store
                 .link_attachment(attachment_id, sub)
@@ -3924,7 +3922,7 @@ impl BooksServer {
     #[tool(
         name = "books.get_receipt",
         title = "Get a receipt",
-        description = "Fetch a receipt or document's metadata (with everything it is linked to) and base64 bytes. Bytes are hash-verified on read.",
+        description = "A receipt or document: what it is and everything it is linked to. view bytes adds its bytes, base64 and hash-verified, for a file of at most 256 KiB; a larger one gives the command (wanderbooks download) that saves a copy in a folder you name (books served by `wanderbooks mcp`; elsewhere a larger file doesn't come back).",
         annotations(read_only_hint = true, open_world_hint = false)
     )]
     async fn get_receipt(
@@ -3932,12 +3930,54 @@ impl BooksServer {
         params: Parameters<GetReceiptParams>,
     ) -> Result<Json<GetReceiptOut>, String> {
         let p = params.0;
+        let bytes_wanted = match p.view.as_deref().unwrap_or("meta") {
+            "meta" => false,
+            "bytes" => true,
+            other => {
+                return Err(format!(
+                    "view {:?}: meta (the default) or bytes",
+                    other.chars().take(20).collect::<String>()
+                ));
+            }
+        };
         let store = self.lock()?;
         let meta = find_attachment(&store, p.attachment_id)?;
-        let bytes = store
-            .attachment_bytes(p.attachment_id)
-            .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
+        let book = store
+            .data_dir()
+            .file_name()
+            .map(|n| n.to_string_lossy().to_string())
+            .unwrap_or_default();
+        let fits = meta.size_bytes as usize <= files::INLINE_MAX;
+        let content_base64 = if bytes_wanted && fits {
+            let bytes = store
+                .attachment_bytes(p.attachment_id)
+                .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
+            Some(base64::Engine::encode(
+                &base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD,
+                &bytes,
+            ))
+        } else {
+            None
+        };
+        // Too large to come back here: the command that saves a copy (books
+        // served from the data root; over stdio there is none).
+        let download = (bytes_wanted && !fits && self.uploads.is_some()).then(|| {
+            format!(
+                "wanderbooks download --book {book}{} {} --to <a folder>",
+                files::token_flag(),
+                meta.id
+            )
+        });
+        if bytes_wanted && !fits && download.is_none() {
+            return Err(format!(
+                "attachment {} is {} bytes; at most {} come back on this connection (a larger file needs these books served by `wanderbooks mcp`)",
+                meta.id,
+                meta.size_bytes,
+                files::INLINE_MAX
+            ));
+        }
         Ok(Json(GetReceiptOut {
+            download,
             links: links_out(&store, meta.id)?,
             description: meta.description.clone(),
             attachment_id: meta.id,
@@ -3947,10 +3987,7 @@ impl BooksServer {
             file_name: meta.file_name,
             mime_type: meta.mime_type,
             size_bytes: meta.size_bytes,
-            content_base64: base64::Engine::encode(
-                &base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD,
-                &bytes,
-            ),
+            content_base64,
         }))
     }
 
@@ -4413,7 +4450,7 @@ impl BooksServer {
     #[tool(
         name = "books.import_bank_csv",
         title = "Import a bank CSV as drafts",
-        description = "Import a QuickBooks-style bank/credit-card CSV: 3 columns Date,Description,Amount (payments negative), or 4 columns Date,Description, money out, money in (Intuit heads them Credit,Debit). Slash dates must settle month-first or day-first from the file itself or from date_order (\"month_first\" for mm/dd, \"day_first\" for dd/mm); ask the human when the tool says the dates read either way. Creates one DRAFT entry per transaction, all or none: bank account on one side, categorized offset on the other (the longest matching rule pattern, else default_offset_code). Review with books.digest, then post. File the export first (books.file_document category import_source) and pass source_attachment_id: it is linked to the bank account, so the import traces to its source (never to the drafts: a bank export is not a receipt).",
+        description = "Import a QuickBooks-style bank/credit-card CSV: 3 columns Date,Description,Amount (payments negative), or 4 columns Date,Description, money out, money in (Intuit heads them Credit,Debit). Slash dates must settle month-first or day-first from the file itself or from date_order (\"month_first\" for mm/dd, \"day_first\" for dd/mm); ask the human when the tool says the dates read either way. Creates one DRAFT entry per transaction, all or none: bank account on one side, categorized offset on the other (the longest matching rule pattern, else default_offset_code). Give the CSV as csv_text, or upload it (books.begin_upload purpose import) and give upload_id. Review with books.digest, then post. File the export too (books.file_document category import_source) and pass source_attachment_id: it is linked to the bank account, so the import traces to its source (never to the drafts: a bank export is not a receipt).",
         annotations(
             read_only_hint = false,
             destructive_hint = false,
@@ -4435,8 +4472,8 @@ impl BooksServer {
                 ));
             }
         };
-        let txns =
-            ledger_import::parse_bank_csv_with(&p.csv_text, order).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
+        let (csv, claim) = self.csv_given(p.csv_text.as_deref(), p.upload_id.as_deref())?;
+        let txns = ledger_import::parse_bank_csv_with(&csv, order).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
         let mut store = self.lock()?;
         let bank = store
             .ledger()
@@ -4507,6 +4544,8 @@ impl BooksServer {
                 .map_err(|e| format!("{} {}: {e}", txn.date, txn.description));
             e?;
         }
+        // Rehearsed whole: the upload is used up as the writing begins.
+        files::filed(claim);
         let mut imported = Vec::new();
         for txn in txns {
             let (offset_id, offset_code) = offset_for(&txn.description);
@@ -5578,7 +5617,7 @@ impl BooksServer {
     #[tool(
         name = "books.import_chart_csv",
         title = "Import a chart of accounts",
-        description = "Import a chart of accounts from CSV (header: code,name,type,parent_code). Types: asset, liability, equity, revenue, expense. Parents must come before children. Fails on the first bad row; nothing is half-imported.",
+        description = "Import a chart of accounts from CSV (header: code,name,type,parent_code): csv_text, or upload_id (books.begin_upload purpose import). Types: asset, liability, equity, revenue, expense. Parents must come before children. Fails on the first bad row; nothing is half-imported.",
         annotations(
             read_only_hint = false,
             destructive_hint = false,
@@ -5590,7 +5629,8 @@ impl BooksServer {
         params: Parameters<ImportChartCsvParams>,
     ) -> Result<Json<ImportChartCsvOut>, String> {
         let p = params.0;
-        let rows = ledger_import::parse_chart_csv(&p.csv_text).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
+        let (csv, claim) = self.csv_given(p.csv_text.as_deref(), p.upload_id.as_deref())?;
+        let rows = ledger_import::parse_chart_csv(&csv).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
         let mut store = self.lock()?;
         let parse_type = |t: &str| match t {
             "asset" => Ok(AccountType::Asset),
@@ -5633,6 +5673,8 @@ impl BooksServer {
                     .map_err(|e| format!("{}: {e}", row.code))?;
             }
         }
+        // Rehearsed whole: the upload is used up as the writing begins.
+        files::filed(claim);
         let mut created = Vec::new();
         for row in rows {
             let account_type = match row.account_type.as_str() {
@@ -5668,71 +5710,6 @@ impl BooksServer {
         Ok(Json(ImportChartCsvOut { created, count }))
     }
 
-    #[tool(
-        name = "books.import_local_file",
-        title = "File a local file",
-        description = "File a receipt or document from a file on this computer: an absolute path to a regular file in the server's import folders (by default your downloads folder; save it there first). Files of the books themselves are never read. A file the server read or wrote with full TINs (a W-9, a 1099 worksheet, a CPA package or a file from one), and text holding a TIN the vault keeps or a number printed as an SSN or EIN is (digits 3-2-4 or 2-7 joined by hyphens), are refused: they never go into the books.",
-        annotations(
-            read_only_hint = false,
-            destructive_hint = false,
-            open_world_hint = false
-        )
-    )]
-    async fn import_local_file(
-        &self,
-        params: Parameters<ImportLocalFileParams>,
-    ) -> Result<Json<ImportLocalFileOut>, String> {
-        let p = params.0;
-        // The name and type are those of the file read, where the path
-        // really leads (a link named receipt.pdf to a CSV is a CSV).
-        let (canonical, bytes) = self.read_local(&p.path)?;
-        let file_name = p.file_name.unwrap_or_else(|| {
-            canonical
-                .file_name()
-                .and_then(|n| n.to_str())
-                .unwrap_or("file")
-                .to_string()
-        });
-        let mime_type = mime_guess::from_path(&canonical)
-            .first_or_octet_stream()
-            .to_string();
-        let mut store = self.lock()?;
-        // A file the server read or wrote with full TINs, or text holding
-        // one (the vault's, or one printed as an SSN or EIN is), never goes
-        // into the books (tin_files.rs).
-        self.refuse_tin_file(&store, &bytes, &mime_type, &file_name)?;
-        let (attachment_id, sha256, deduplicated) = match p.category.as_str() {
-            "receipt" => store
-                .attach_receipt(
-                    p.entry_id,
-                    &file_name,
-                    &mime_type,
-                    &bytes,
-                    p.description.as_deref(),
-                )
-                .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?,
-            "document" => {
-                let cat = p.document_category.as_deref().unwrap_or("other");
-                store
-                    .file_document(
-                        cat,
-                        &file_name,
-                        &mime_type,
-                        &bytes,
-                        p.description.as_deref(),
-                    )
-                    .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?
-            }
-            _ => return Err("category must be \"receipt\" or \"document\"".to_string()),
-        };
-        Ok(Json(ImportLocalFileOut {
-            attachment_id,
-            sha256,
-            deduplicated,
-            file_name,
-        }))
-    }
-
     #[tool(
         name = "books.export",
         title = "Export a report",
@@ -7097,7 +7074,7 @@ impl BooksServer {
     #[tool(
         name = "books.set_w9",
         title = "Record W-9 facts",
-        description = "Record what a contractor's or landlord's W-9 says, or clear it (clear: true alone): the date received (received_on), line 3 entity type, line 4 exempt payee and FATCA codes, the TIN's last four digits, and where the form is kept. Give the full TIN as tin with tin_type (ssn, ein, itin) and it goes only to the encrypted TIN vault (its key kept outside the books, created on first use): the books keep its last four (tin_last4 is then optional, and refused if it disagrees) and a hash of the vault record, in the W-9 facts and the party's TIN facts alike (party.tin_set, as books.set_tin), and kept_at defaults to \"wanderbooks vault\". The CPA package carries the full TIN to the CPA. Give w9_file_path (a local PDF, PNG, or JPEG of the signed form) and the form goes to the vault too, never to the receipts and documents; read it back with books.get_w9. Never put a TIN in any other field, note, description, or file: the engine refuses any nine-digit number, and no tool output echoes one. The party needs a 1099 role (contractor or landlord: books.set_party_roles). Record it before paying them. A party with a vendor record also gets its W-9 marked on file there (books.vendor_1099 missing_w9). Clearing W-9 facts whose TIN is in the vault needs books.purge_tin first. Journaled as party.w9_set. Returns the party (the TIN's last four only).",
+        description = "Record what a contractor's or landlord's W-9 says, or clear it (clear: true alone): the date received (received_on), line 3 entity type, line 4 exempt payee and FATCA codes, the TIN's last four digits, and where the form is kept. Give the full TIN as tin with tin_type (ssn, ein, itin) and it goes only to the encrypted TIN vault (its key kept outside the books, created on first use): the books keep its last four (tin_last4 is then optional, and refused if it disagrees) and a hash of the vault record, in the W-9 facts and the party's TIN facts alike (party.tin_set, as books.set_tin), and kept_at defaults to \"wanderbooks vault\". The CPA package carries the full TIN to the CPA. Give the signed form (a PDF, PNG, or JPEG) as w9_upload_id (books.begin_upload), or w9_content_base64 with w9_sha256 when at most 256 KiB, and it goes to the vault too, never to the receipts and documents; read it back with books.get_w9. Never put a TIN in any other field, note, description, or file: the engine refuses any nine-digit number, and no tool output echoes one. The party needs a 1099 role (contractor or landlord: books.set_party_roles). Record it before paying them. A party with a vendor record also gets its W-9 marked on file there (books.vendor_1099 missing_w9). Clearing W-9 facts whose TIN is in the vault needs books.purge_tin first. Journaled as party.w9_set. Returns the party (the TIN's last four only).",
         annotations(
             read_only_hint = false,
             destructive_hint = true,
@@ -7106,7 +7083,14 @@ impl BooksServer {
     )]
     async fn set_w9(&self, params: Parameters<SetW9Params>) -> Result<Json<PartyOut>, String> {
         let p = params.0;
-        let vault_input = p.tin.is_some() || p.tin_type.is_some() || p.w9_file_path.is_some();
+        let w9_given = p.w9_upload_id.is_some() || p.w9_content_base64.is_some();
+        if p.w9_file_name.is_some() && !w9_given {
+            return Err(
+                "w9_file_name names the W-9 given with it (w9_upload_id or w9_content_base64)"
+                    .into(),
+            );
+        }
+        let vault_input = p.tin.is_some() || p.tin_type.is_some() || w9_given;
         let tin = match (&p.tin, &p.tin_type) {
             (Some(t), Some(k)) => Some(
                 ledger_vault::Tin::new(t.0.trim(), parse_tin_type(k)?)
@@ -7159,11 +7143,12 @@ impl BooksServer {
                 vault_record: None,
             })
         };
-        let w9_file = p
-            .w9_file_path
-            .as_deref()
-            .map(|path| self.read_w9_file(path))
-            .transpose()?;
+        let (w9_file, mut w9_claim) = if w9_given {
+            let (file, claim) = self.w9_file(&p)?;
+            (Some(file), claim)
+        } else {
+            (None, None)
+        };
         let mut store = self.lock()?;
         let id = resolve_party(&store, &p.party)?;
         let existing = store.ledger().get_party(id).and_then(|p| p.w9.clone());
@@ -7245,6 +7230,8 @@ impl BooksServer {
                         Some(w) => Some(vault.put_w9(id, w).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?),
                         None => None,
                     };
+                    // The W-9 is in the vault: its upload is used up.
+                    files::filed(w9_claim.take());
                     match tin_hash {
                         Some(h) => Some(h),
                         None if held_tin => vault.record_hash(id).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?,
@@ -7423,7 +7410,7 @@ impl BooksServer {
             .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?
             .ok_or_else(|| {
                 format!(
-                    "the TIN vault holds no W-9 file for party {id}: store one with books.set_w9 w9_file_path"
+                    "the TIN vault holds no W-9 file for party {id}: store one with books.set_w9 w9_upload_id"
                 )
             })?;
         self.wrote_tins(&store, &file.bytes)?;
@@ -8500,11 +8487,6 @@ impl BooksServer {
                 )
             })
             .transpose()?;
-        if p.include_tins
-            && let Some(d) = &dest
-        {
-            self.outside_import_roots(d)?;
-        }
         let meta = self.report_meta(&store);
         let ledger = store.ledger();
         // The vault, opened once and never creating a key: locked, each
@@ -9588,7 +9570,10 @@ impl BooksServer {
                     .parse()
                     .map_err(|_| format!("bad receipt resource URI: {uri}"))?;
                 let Json(out) = self
-                    .get_receipt(Parameters(GetReceiptParams { attachment_id: id }))
+                    .get_receipt(Parameters(GetReceiptParams {
+                        attachment_id: id,
+                        view: None,
+                    }))
                     .await?;
                 serde_json::to_string_pretty(&out).map_err(|e| e.to_string())
             }
@@ -9703,6 +9688,11 @@ impl ServerHandler for BooksServer {
         let result = run_blocking(&self.store, move || {
             Box::pin(async move {
                 WROTE.with(|w| w.borrow_mut().take());
+                let caller = running_call.as_ref().and_then(|c| {
+                    c.caller()
+                        .map(|c| (c.token.id.clone(), c.token.name.clone()))
+                });
+                CALLER.with(|c| *c.borrow_mut() = caller);
                 // Counted as running by now (run_blocking): hashed here.
                 let digest = running_call
                     .as_ref()
@@ -10073,11 +10063,16 @@ mod tests {
         }
     }
 
-    /// "Max 25 MB" (books.attach_receipt): 25 MiB exactly.
+    /// An upload's limit, 25 MiB exactly; inline, 256 KiB (plan 2.1, 4.7).
     #[test]
-    fn the_upload_limit_is_25_mib() {
-        assert_eq!(MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES, 25 * 1024 * 1024);
-        assert_eq!(MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES, 26_214_400);
+    fn the_file_limits_are_the_plans() {
+        assert_eq!(ledger_store::uploads::MAX_UPLOAD, 26_214_400);
+        assert_eq!(files::INLINE_MAX, 262_144);
+        // Plan 4.7: an upload lasts 15 minutes; 16 under way per token.
+        assert_eq!(ledger_store::uploads::UPLOAD_TTL, 900);
+        assert_eq!(ledger_store::uploads::MAX_LIVE, 16);
+        assert_eq!(ledger_store::uploads::MAX_NAME_BYTES, 255);
+        assert_eq!(crate::local::MAX_BODY, 1024 * 1024);
     }
 
     /// A period is "YYYY-MM": a year of the calendar the books keep
@@ -10450,7 +10445,7 @@ mod tests {
             ("books.assign_role", D),
             ("books.set_tax_category", W),
             ("books.import_chart_csv", W),
-            ("books.import_local_file", W),
+            ("books.begin_upload", W),
             ("books.export", R),
             ("books.register_asset", W),
             ("books.asset_schedule", R),
@@ -10577,6 +10572,10 @@ mod tests {
                 "ledger-import xlsx",
                 include_str!("../../ledger-import/src/xlsx.rs"),
             ),
+            (
+                "ledger-store uploads",
+                include_str!("../../ledger-store/src/uploads.rs"),
+            ),
         ] {
             let mut rest = src;
             let mut n = 0;
@@ -10589,6 +10588,18 @@ mod tests {
             }
             assert!(n > 0, "{krate}: no error templates found");
         }
+        // The files tool's refusals (and description): its sentences.
+        for line in include_str!("tools/files.rs").lines() {
+            let line = line.trim_start();
+            if line.starts_with("//") {
+                continue;
+            }
+            for (i, text) in line.split('"').enumerate() {
+                if i % 2 == 1 && text.len() > 30 && text.contains(' ') {
+                    out.push(("tools/files.rs text".into(), text.to_string()));
+                }
+            }
+        }
         let newer = |verified| ledger_store::StoreError::NewerJournal {
             seq: 7,
             event_type: "settings.set".into(),
@@ -10605,25 +10616,11 @@ mod tests {
         ));
         for (what, text) in [
             ("STOPPED", STOPPED),
-            ("TIN_FILE_IN_ROOT", TIN_FILE_IN_ROOT),
             ("KEY_IN_BOOKS", KEY_IN_BOOKS),
             ("VAULT_IN_HISTORY", VAULT_IN_HISTORY),
             ("INSIDE_BOOKS", INSIDE_BOOKS),
             ("NO_FOLDER", NO_FOLDER),
             ("EXISTS", EXISTS),
-            ("local_files::CHANGED", crate::local_files::CHANGED),
-            (
-                "local_files::NO_SUCH_FILE",
-                crate::local_files::NO_SUCH_FILE,
-            ),
-            ("local_files::NO_ROOTS", crate::local_files::NO_ROOTS),
-            ("local_files::SEALED", crate::local_files::SEALED),
-            (
-                "local_files::IN_THE_BOOKS",
-                crate::local_files::IN_THE_BOOKS,
-            ),
-            ("local_files::HARD_LINKED", crate::local_files::HARD_LINKED),
-            ("local_files::NOT_REGULAR", crate::local_files::NOT_REGULAR),
             ("tin_files::TIN_FILE", tin_files::TIN_FILE),
             ("tin_files::TIN_HELD", tin_files::TIN_HELD),
             ("tin_files::TIN_PROBE", tin_files::TIN_PROBE),
@@ -10768,6 +10765,69 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    /// No tool takes a path on the server's computer (plan 4.7, D-28):
+    /// files come by upload or inline. The three outputs with full TINs
+    /// keep theirs until the viewer takes them over (P2 slice 6).
+    #[test]
+    fn no_tool_takes_a_path() {
+        const UNTIL_THE_VIEWER: &[(&str, &str)] = &[
+            ("books.export_cpa_package", "save_to"),
+            ("books.vendor_1099", "save_csv_to"),
+            ("books.get_w9", "save_to"),
+        ];
+        fn names(v: &serde_json::Value, out: &mut Vec<String>) {
+            match v {
+                serde_json::Value::Object(map) => {
+                    if let Some(serde_json::Value::Object(props)) = map.get("properties") {
+                        out.extend(props.keys().cloned());
+                    }
+                    map.values().for_each(|v| names(v, out));
+                }
+                serde_json::Value::Array(items) => items.iter().for_each(|v| names(v, out)),
+                _ => {}
+            }
+        }
+        let mut found = Vec::new();
+        for t in BooksServer::tool_router().list_all() {
+            let mut props = Vec::new();
+            names(
+                &serde_json::Value::Object((*t.input_schema).clone()),
+                &mut props,
+            );
+            for p in props {
+                let lower = p.to_ascii_lowercase();
+                // Names that hold a place to read or write: whole words,
+                // so `link_to`, `*_file_name`, `tin_on_file` and `date_to`
+                // pass.
+                let words: Vec<&str> = lower.split('_').collect();
+                let pathlike = lower.starts_with("save")
+                    || lower.contains("path")
+                    || [
+                        "dir",
+                        "folder",
+                        "root",
+                        "dest",
+                        "destination",
+                        "output",
+                        "location",
+                        "local",
+                    ]
+                    .iter()
+                    .any(|w| words.contains(w))
+                    || (words.last() == Some(&"file") && !lower.ends_with("on_file"))
+                    || lower == "to"
+                    || lower == "from"
+                    || lower == "source";
+                if pathlike && !UNTIL_THE_VIEWER.contains(&(&*t.name, p.as_str())) {
+                    found.push(format!("{} {p}", t.name));
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        found.sort();
+        found.dedup();
+        assert!(found.is_empty(), "path-like parameters: {found:?}");
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn tool_text_lint() {
         const NEVER: &[&str] = &[
@@ -10793,6 +10853,13 @@ mod tests {
             "read the file",
             "open the file",
             "cat ",
+            // Gone in P2 slice 5: files come by upload or inline.
+            "import_local_file",
+            "w9_file_path",
+            "import folder",
+            "import root",
+            "put_url",
+            "human_url",
             "fl-0001",
         ];
         // Whole words only: "digit" and "committee" are fine.
@@ -10830,6 +10897,45 @@ mod tests {
                 ));
             }
         }
+        // Every tool the text names is one there is.
+        let tools: std::collections::HashSet<String> = BooksServer::tool_router()
+            .list_all()
+            .into_iter()
+            .map(|t| t.name.to_string())
+            .collect();
+        let mut unknown: Vec<String> = Vec::new();
+        // (Settings keys, `books.cash_accounts`, are named like tools.)
+        for (what, text) in texts
+            .iter()
+            .filter(|(w, _)| !w.contains("settings literal"))
+        {
+            for (i, _) in text.match_indices("books.") {
+                let name: String = text[i..]
+                    .chars()
+                    .take_while(|c| {
+                        c.is_ascii_lowercase() || c.is_ascii_digit() || *c == '_' || *c == '.'
+                    })
+                    .collect();
+                let name = name.trim_end_matches('.');
+                // "the books." ends a sentence.
+                if name == "books" {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                let before = text[..i].chars().next_back();
+                if before.is_some_and(|c| c.is_alphanumeric() || c == '_' || c == '/') {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                if !tools.contains(name) {
+                    unknown.push(format!("{what}: {name}"));
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        unknown.sort();
+        unknown.dedup();
+        assert!(
+            unknown.is_empty(),
+            "text names tools there aren't: {unknown:?}"
+        );
         let words = |text: &str| {
             text.split(|c: char| !c.is_alphanumeric() && c != '_')
                 .map(str::to_string)

crates/ledger-mcp/src/tools/files.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,266 @@
+//! Files in (plan 4.7, P2 slice 5, D-28): `books.begin_upload`, and the
+//! bytes a tool is given, as an upload or inline.
+//!
+//! ```text
+//! GOAL: an agent files a document of any size up to the limit without
+//!       its bytes passing through its context, and a small one inline,
+//!       both exactly as the agent declared them.
+//! SOURCE: plan 4.7 (begin_upload; "content_base64 (≤256 KiB + required
+//!         sha256)"; guard base64_corrupt), 2.1 ("256 KiB with a mandatory
+//!         matching sha256"), D-28 (the agent does it all).
+//! INVARIANTS:
+//!   1. A tool's bytes are an upload made by the same token, or inline
+//!      base64 of at most INLINE_MAX bytes whose SHA-256 is the one given;
+//!      never both, never neither. An upload is used up only by the call
+//!      that files it (TakenFile::filed); a call that fails leaves it for
+//!      the next.
+//!   2. begin_upload makes nothing for a receipt or document whose bytes
+//!      are stored already: it names the attachment (not withdrawn) that
+//!      holds them.
+//!   3. Uploads exist only for books served from the data root (the
+//!      server's socket carries the bytes); over stdio, only inline.
+//!   4. An upload is filed only by a tool of the purpose it was begun for
+//!      (a receipt or document, a CSV import, a W-9); another tool's
+//!      refusal leaves it for the right one.
+//!   5. Inline text longer than INLINE_MAX bytes' base64 is refused
+//!      before it is decoded.
+//! ```
+
+use super::*;
+use schemars::JsonSchema;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+
+/// The most bytes given inline (plan 2.1: 256 KiB).
+pub(crate) const INLINE_MAX: usize = 256 * 1024;
+
+/// Why an upload is refused on a connection that has none (INVARIANT 3).
+const STDIO_ONLY_INLINE: &str = "this connection takes files inline only (content_base64 with its sha256, at most 256 KiB): a larger one needs these books served by `wanderbooks mcp`; tell the human";
+
+/// What the bytes of a file a tool files came as (INVARIANT 1), and the
+/// upload purposes the tool takes (INVARIANT 4).
+pub(crate) struct Given<'a> {
+    pub upload_id: Option<&'a str>,
+    pub content_base64: Option<&'a str>,
+    pub sha256: Option<&'a str>,
+    pub purposes: &'a [&'a str],
+}
+
+/// What attach_receipt and file_document take.
+pub(crate) const FILED: &[&str] = &["receipt", "document"];
+/// What the CSV imports take.
+pub(crate) const IMPORTED: &[&str] = &["import"];
+/// What set_w9 takes.
+pub(crate) const W9: &[&str] = &["w9"];
+
+/// The bytes, and the name and type an upload declared.
+pub(crate) struct TakenFile {
+    pub bytes: Vec<u8>,
+    pub file_name: Option<String>,
+    pub mime: Option<String>,
+    /// The upload's hold, if it came as one (INVARIANT 1).
+    pub claim: Option<ledger_store::uploads::Claim>,
+}
+
+/// ` --token NAME` for a command given to the agent, when its token isn't
+/// the one the commands use by default: the command runs as the caller.
+pub(crate) fn token_flag() -> String {
+    CALLER.with(|c| match c.borrow().as_ref() {
+        Some((_, name)) if name != ledger_store::auth::DEFAULT_NAME => {
+            format!(" --token {name}")
+        }
+        _ => String::new(),
+    })
+}
+
+/// The bytes are in the books: an upload they came as is used up
+/// (INVARIANT 1). Dropped instead, it is given back.
+pub(crate) fn filed(claim: Option<ledger_store::uploads::Claim>) {
+    if let Some(c) = claim {
+        c.spend();
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct BeginUploadParams {
+    /// The file's SHA-256, hex (`sha256sum FILE`).
+    pub sha256: String,
+    /// Its size in bytes (at most 25 MiB).
+    pub size: u64,
+    /// Its MIME type, e.g. "application/pdf".
+    pub mime_type: String,
+    /// Its name, e.g. "receipt.pdf".
+    pub file_name: String,
+    /// What it is for: receipt, document, import (a bank or chart CSV), or
+    /// w9 (books.set_w9).
+    pub purpose: String,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Serialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct BeginUploadOut {
+    /// The upload's id: name it in the tool that files it.
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub upload_id: Option<String>,
+    /// The command that sends the file (run it with the file's path).
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub command: Option<String>,
+    /// When the upload lapses (UTC).
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub expires_at: Option<String>,
+    /// The most bytes taken.
+    pub max_bytes: u64,
+    /// These bytes are stored already, in this attachment: link it
+    /// (books.link_attachment) instead of filing a copy.
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub existing_attachment_id: Option<u64>,
+}
+
+impl BooksServer {
+    /// The token of the call running on this thread (its id), if any.
+    fn caller_token(&self) -> Option<String> {
+        CALLER.with(|c| c.borrow().as_ref().map(|(id, _)| id.clone()))
+    }
+
+    /// The bytes a tool was given (INVARIANT 1).
+    pub(crate) fn take_file(&self, given: Given<'_>) -> Result<TakenFile, String> {
+        match (given.upload_id, given.content_base64) {
+            (Some(_), Some(_)) => Err("give upload_id or content_base64, not both".into()),
+            (None, None) => Err(
+                "the file's bytes are missing: upload it (books.begin_upload), or give content_base64 with its sha256 (at most 256 KiB)"
+                    .into(),
+            ),
+            (Some(id), None) => {
+                // INVARIANT 3.
+                let (Some(uploads), Some(token)) = (&self.uploads, self.caller_token()) else {
+                    return Err(STDIO_ONLY_INLINE.into());
+                };
+                let got = uploads
+                    .take(id.trim(), &token, chrono::Utc::now().timestamp())
+                    .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
+                // INVARIANT 4: dropped, the claim gives it back.
+                if !given.purposes.contains(&got.grant.purpose.as_str()) {
+                    return Err(format!(
+                        "that upload was begun for {}: this tool takes one begun for {}",
+                        got.grant.purpose,
+                        given.purposes.join(" or ")
+                    ));
+                }
+                Ok(TakenFile {
+                    bytes: got.bytes,
+                    file_name: Some(got.grant.file_name),
+                    mime: Some(got.grant.mime),
+                    claim: Some(got.claim),
+                })
+            }
+            (None, Some(b64)) => {
+                let Some(sha) = given.sha256 else {
+                    return Err("content_base64 comes with its sha256 (the file's SHA-256, hex), so a byte lost on the way is caught".into());
+                };
+                // INVARIANT 5.
+                if b64.len() > INLINE_MAX.div_ceil(3) * 4 {
+                    return Err(format!(
+                        "inline is at most {INLINE_MAX} bytes: upload it with books.begin_upload"
+                    ));
+                }
+                let bytes = base64::Engine::decode(&base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD, b64)
+                    .map_err(|_| "content_base64 is not valid base64 (guard base64_corrupt): send the file with books.begin_upload".to_string())?;
+                if bytes.len() > INLINE_MAX {
+                    return Err(format!(
+                        "the file is {} bytes; inline is at most {INLINE_MAX}: upload it with books.begin_upload",
+                        bytes.len()
+                    ));
+                }
+                if ledger_store::journal::sha256_hex(&bytes) != sha.trim().to_ascii_lowercase() {
+                    return Err("content_base64 doesn't have the sha256 given: some of it was lost on the way (guard base64_corrupt). Send the file with books.begin_upload instead".into());
+                }
+                Ok(TakenFile {
+                    bytes,
+                    file_name: None,
+                    mime: None,
+                    claim: None,
+                })
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[tool_router(router = files_router, vis = "pub(super)")]
+impl BooksServer {
+    #[tool(
+        name = "books.begin_upload",
+        title = "Begin an upload",
+        description = "Send a file of up to 25 MiB (books served by `wanderbooks mcp`; elsewhere only inline) without its bytes passing through you: give its sha256 (sha256sum), size, type, name and purpose; run the command returned with the file's path; then name the upload_id in books.attach_receipt, books.file_document, books.set_w9, books.import_bank_csv or books.import_chart_csv. Purpose: receipt or document (those two tools), import (the CSV imports), w9. If a receipt's or document's bytes are stored already, existing_attachment_id names them: link that instead. An upload lasts 15 minutes and is used once.",
+        annotations(
+            read_only_hint = false,
+            destructive_hint = false,
+            open_world_hint = false
+        )
+    )]
+    async fn begin_upload(
+        &self,
+        params: Parameters<BeginUploadParams>,
+    ) -> Result<Json<BeginUploadOut>, String> {
+        let p = params.0;
+        let max = ledger_store::uploads::MAX_UPLOAD;
+        let sha = p.sha256.trim().to_ascii_lowercase();
+        if !ledger_store::uploads::PURPOSES.contains(&p.purpose.as_str()) {
+            return Err("purpose is receipt, document, import (a bank or chart CSV) or w9".into());
+        }
+        // INVARIANT 2: an attachment that can be linked, for a file that
+        // would be one (an import or a W-9 needs its bytes).
+        let store = self.lock()?;
+        let existing = if FILED.contains(&p.purpose.as_str()) {
+            store
+                .list_attachments(None)
+                .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?
+                .into_iter()
+                .find(|a| a.blob_sha == sha && a.withdrawn_at.is_none())
+                .map(|a| a.id)
+        } else {
+            None
+        };
+        let book = store
+            .data_dir()
+            .file_name()
+            .map(|n| n.to_string_lossy().to_string())
+            .unwrap_or_default();
+        drop(store);
+        if let Some(id) = existing {
+            return Ok(Json(BeginUploadOut {
+                upload_id: None,
+                command: None,
+                expires_at: None,
+                max_bytes: max,
+                existing_attachment_id: Some(id),
+            }));
+        }
+        let (Some(uploads), Some(token)) = (&self.uploads, self.caller_token()) else {
+            return Err(STDIO_ONLY_INLINE.into());
+        };
+        let now = chrono::Utc::now();
+        let grant = uploads
+            .grant(
+                &token,
+                &sha,
+                p.size,
+                &p.mime_type,
+                &p.file_name,
+                &p.purpose,
+                now.timestamp(),
+            )
+            .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
+        let expires = chrono::DateTime::from_timestamp(grant.expires, 0)
+            .map(|t| t.to_rfc3339_opts(chrono::SecondsFormat::Secs, true))
+            .unwrap_or_default();
+        Ok(Json(BeginUploadOut {
+            command: Some(format!(
+                "wanderbooks upload --book {book}{} {} -- <the file's path>",
+                token_flag(),
+                grant.id
+            )),
+            upload_id: Some(grant.id),
+            expires_at: Some(expires),
+            max_bytes: max,
+            existing_attachment_id: None,
+        }))
+    }
+}

crates/ledger-mcp/src/types.rs

@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ pub struct Vendor1099Params {
     pub include_tins: bool,
     /// Also write the worksheet as CSV to this local path (TINs included
     /// only with include_tins). Never inside the books dir, and with TINs
-    /// never in the server's import folders; an existing file is refused.
+    /// an existing file is refused.
     pub save_csv_to: Option<String>,
 }
 
@@ -868,8 +868,12 @@ pub struct CashFlowOut {
 #[derive(Debug, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
 pub struct ImportBankCsvParams {
     /// The CSV text (QBO bank upload layout: Date,Description,Amount, or
-    /// Date,Description, money out, money in).
-    pub csv_text: String,
+    /// Date,Description, money out, money in)…
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub csv_text: Option<String>,
+    /// …or an upload of it made with books.begin_upload (purpose import).
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub upload_id: Option<String>,
     /// Account code for the bank account (the offset side of each entry).
     pub bank_account_code: String,
     /// Account code for the default offset (e.g. an expense account).
@@ -923,8 +927,12 @@ pub struct ImportBankCsvOut {
 /// Parameters for `books.import_chart_csv`.
 #[derive(Debug, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
 pub struct ImportChartCsvParams {
-    /// The CSV text: code,name,type,parent_code with a header row.
-    pub csv_text: String,
+    /// The CSV text: code,name,type,parent_code with a header row…
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub csv_text: Option<String>,
+    /// …or an upload of it made with books.begin_upload (purpose import).
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub upload_id: Option<String>,
 }
 
 /// Result of `books.import_chart_csv`.
@@ -936,41 +944,6 @@ pub struct ImportChartCsvOut {
     pub count: usize,
 }
 
-/// Parameters for `books.import_local_file`.
-#[derive(Debug, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
-pub struct ImportLocalFileParams {
-    /// Absolute path to a regular file in the server's import folders (by
-    /// default your downloads folder).
-    pub path: String,
-    /// "receipt" or "document".
-    pub category: String,
-    /// Entry id to attach to (receipts only). Omit to file unlinked.
-    #[serde(default)]
-    pub entry_id: Option<u64>,
-    /// Document category for documents: formation, legal, tax, accounting, other.
-    #[serde(default)]
-    pub document_category: Option<String>,
-    /// Override the file name (defaults to the path's file name).
-    #[serde(default)]
-    pub file_name: Option<String>,
-    /// Optional description.
-    #[serde(default)]
-    pub description: Option<String>,
-}
-
-/// Result of `books.import_local_file`.
-#[derive(Debug, Serialize, JsonSchema)]
-pub struct ImportLocalFileOut {
-    /// Attachment id.
-    pub attachment_id: u64,
-    /// SHA-256 hex of the content.
-    pub sha256: String,
-    /// True if the content was already stored (deduplicated).
-    pub deduplicated: bool,
-    /// File name used.
-    pub file_name: String,
-}
-
 /// Parameters for `books.balance_sheet`.
 #[derive(Debug, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
 pub struct BalanceSheetParams {
@@ -1270,12 +1243,23 @@ pub struct AttachReceiptParams {
     /// Entry id to attach to. Omit to file unlinked, then link later with
     /// `books.link_receipt`.
     pub entry_id: Option<u64>,
-    /// Original file name, e.g. "receipt.png".
-    pub file_name: String,
-    /// MIME type, e.g. "image/png".
-    pub mime_type: String,
-    /// File bytes, base64-encoded. Max 25 MB.
-    pub content_base64: String,
+    /// Original file name, e.g. "receipt.png" (an upload's own, if not
+    /// given).
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub file_name: Option<String>,
+    /// MIME type, e.g. "image/png" (an upload's own, if not given).
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub mime_type: Option<String>,
+    /// The file's bytes: an upload made with books.begin_upload (its id)…
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub upload_id: Option<String>,
+    /// …or, for a file of at most 256 KiB, its bytes base64-encoded, with
+    /// sha256.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub content_base64: Option<String>,
+    /// The SHA-256 of the bytes in content_base64, hex.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub sha256: Option<String>,
     /// Optional description.
     pub description: Option<String>,
     /// More subjects to link it to in the same call (each journaled as its
@@ -1304,12 +1288,22 @@ pub struct FileDocumentParams {
     /// One of: formation, legal, tax, accounting, statement, contract,
     /// photo, warranty, import_source, other.
     pub category: String,
-    /// Original file name.
-    pub file_name: String,
-    /// MIME type.
-    pub mime_type: String,
-    /// File bytes, base64-encoded. Max 25 MB.
-    pub content_base64: String,
+    /// Original file name (an upload's own, if not given).
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub file_name: Option<String>,
+    /// MIME type (an upload's own, if not given).
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub mime_type: Option<String>,
+    /// The file's bytes: an upload made with books.begin_upload (its id)…
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub upload_id: Option<String>,
+    /// …or, for a file of at most 256 KiB, its bytes base64-encoded, with
+    /// sha256.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub content_base64: Option<String>,
+    /// The SHA-256 of the bytes in content_base64, hex.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub sha256: Option<String>,
     /// Optional description.
     pub description: Option<String>,
     /// Subjects to link it to in the same call (each journaled as its own
@@ -1421,10 +1415,16 @@ pub struct ListReceiptsOut {
 pub struct GetReceiptParams {
     /// Attachment id.
     pub attachment_id: u64,
+    /// What to return: "meta" (default: what it is and what it's linked
+    /// to), or "bytes" (also its bytes, base64, for a file of at most
+    /// 256 KiB; a larger one comes with `wanderbooks download`).
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub view: Option<String>,
 }
 
-/// Result of `books.get_receipt`: metadata plus base64 bytes. The bytes are
-/// hash-verified on read.
+/// Result of `books.get_receipt`: what it is and what it's linked to, and
+/// with view `bytes`, its bytes (hash-verified on read) or the command that
+/// saves a copy.
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize, JsonSchema)]
 pub struct GetReceiptOut {
     /// Attachment id.
@@ -1445,8 +1445,14 @@ pub struct GetReceiptOut {
     pub description: Option<String>,
     /// Everything it is linked to (the entry it is filed on first).
     pub links: Vec<SubjectOut>,
-    /// File bytes, base64-encoded.
-    pub content_base64: String,
+    /// Its bytes, base64-encoded: with view `bytes`, for a file of at most
+    /// 256 KiB.
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub content_base64: Option<String>,
+    /// With view `bytes`, for a file too large to come back here: the
+    /// command that saves a copy in a folder you name.
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub download: Option<String>,
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -2605,8 +2611,7 @@ pub struct ExportCpaPackageParams {
     pub include_tins: bool,
     /// Where to write the package: a new `.zip` file, or an existing
     /// folder (the zip goes in it as `cpa-package-<as_of>.zip`). Written
-    /// readable by its owner only. With TINs, never inside the books dir
-    /// or the server's import folders.
+    /// readable by its owner only. With TINs, never inside the books dir.
     pub save_to: Option<String>,
 }
 
@@ -2727,11 +2732,22 @@ pub struct SetW9Params {
     pub tin: Option<SecretTin>,
     /// The TIN's type: ssn, ein, or itin. Required with tin.
     pub tin_type: Option<String>,
-    /// A local PDF, PNG, or JPEG of the signed W-9, in the server's import
-    /// folders (by default your downloads folder): stored only in the
-    /// vault (it shows the full TIN), never with the receipts and
-    /// documents. Read it back with `books.get_w9`.
-    pub w9_file_path: Option<String>,
+    /// The signed W-9 itself (a PDF, PNG, or JPEG): an upload made with
+    /// books.begin_upload. Stored only in the vault (it shows the full
+    /// TIN), never with the receipts and documents.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub w9_upload_id: Option<String>,
+    /// …or, for one of at most 256 KiB, its bytes base64-encoded, with
+    /// w9_sha256.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub w9_content_base64: Option<String>,
+    /// The SHA-256 of the bytes in w9_content_base64, hex.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub w9_sha256: Option<String>,
+    /// The W-9 file's name (default: the upload's, else w9.pdf, w9.png
+    /// or w9.jpg by its type).
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub w9_file_name: Option<String>,
 }
 
 /// A full TIN as a tool takes it: text (or a JSON number) whose value is
@@ -2807,8 +2823,7 @@ pub struct GetW9Params {
     /// The party: id or name.
     pub party: String,
     /// Where to write the W-9 file: a new local file outside the books
-    /// and outside the server's import folders (the file shows the full
-    /// TIN). An existing file is refused.
+    /// (the file shows the full TIN). An existing file is refused.
     pub save_to: String,
 }
 

crates/ledger-mcp/tests/hostile_args.rs

@@ -67,8 +67,9 @@ impl Drop for Mcp {
     }
 }
 
-/// The places one run uses: the books, the vault key, the import root, the
-/// folder the server runs in (where a relative path lands).
+/// The places one run uses: the books, the vault key, a folder of files on
+/// their way in (as a downloads folder), the folder the server runs in
+/// (where a relative path lands).
 struct Places {
     base: PathBuf,
     books: PathBuf,
@@ -130,8 +131,6 @@ impl Mcp {
             .arg(p.books.join("books-data"))
             .arg("--books-toml")
             .arg(p.books.join("wanderbooks.toml"))
-            .arg("--import-root")
-            .arg(&p.inbox)
             .current_dir(&p.sandbox)
             .env("HOME", p.base.join("home"))
             .env("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", p.base.join("config"))
@@ -256,7 +255,8 @@ fn fixture(m: &mut Mcp, p: &Places) {
     m.ok(
         "books.attach_receipt",
         json!({"file_name": "r.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-               "content_base64": "JVBERi0xLjQgYSByZWNlaXB0"}),
+               "content_base64": "JVBERi0xLjQgYSByZWNlaXB0",
+               "sha256": ledger_store::journal::sha256_hex(b"%PDF-1.4 a receipt")}),
     );
     for (date, dr, cr, amount) in [
         ("2026-01-02", "1000", "3000", "5000.00"),
@@ -279,7 +279,8 @@ fn fixture(m: &mut Mcp, p: &Places) {
         m.ok(
             "books.attach_receipt",
             json!({"entry_id": id, "file_name": "r.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-                   "content_base64": b64(pdf.as_bytes())}),
+                   "content_base64": b64(pdf.as_bytes()),
+                   "sha256": ledger_store::journal::sha256_hex(pdf.as_bytes())}),
         );
         m.ok(
             "books.post_entry",
@@ -321,7 +322,8 @@ fn fixture(m: &mut Mcp, p: &Places) {
     m.ok(
         "books.file_document",
         json!({"category": "statement", "file_name": "s.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-               "content_base64": "JVBERi0xLjQgYSBzdGF0ZW1lbnQ="}),
+               "content_base64": "JVBERi0xLjQgYSBzdGF0ZW1lbnQ=",
+               "sha256": ledger_store::journal::sha256_hex(b"%PDF-1.4 a statement")}),
     );
     let _ = p;
 }
@@ -500,8 +502,8 @@ fn hostile_numbers() -> Vec<Value> {
     ]
 }
 
-/// Paths a tool may be given: inside the sandbox, the import root, the
-/// books, relative ones, odd ones. Never anywhere a real file lives.
+/// Paths a tool may be given: inside the sandbox, the inbox, the books,
+/// relative ones, odd ones. Never anywhere a real file lives.
 fn hostile_paths(p: &Places) -> Vec<String> {
     let s = |p: &Path| p.to_str().unwrap().to_string();
     vec![
@@ -618,17 +620,20 @@ fn string_for(name: &str, node: &Value, p: &Places) -> BoxedStrategy<Value> {
             .boxed();
     }
     if n.contains("base64") {
-        likely.extend(
-            [
-                "JVBERi0xLjQ=",
-                "",
-                "!!!not base64",
-                "AAAA",
-                "NTcxLTkzLTI4NDY=",
-                "RGF0ZSxBbW91bnQKMjAyNi0wMS0wMSwxCg==",
-            ]
-            .map(String::from),
-        );
+        likely.extend(INLINE_FILES.map(String::from));
+    }
+    // A file's SHA-256: of one of the files above (so some calls carry a
+    // matching pair and go on past the check), or not.
+    if n.contains("sha256") {
+        use base64::Engine;
+        likely.extend(INLINE_FILES.iter().filter_map(|f| {
+            base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD
+                .decode(f)
+                .ok()
+                .map(|b| ledger_store::journal::sha256_hex(&b))
+        }));
+        likely.push("0".repeat(64));
+        likely.push("not hex".into());
     }
     let pick = |pred: fn(&str) -> bool| -> Vec<String> {
         hostile_strings().into_iter().filter(|s| pred(s)).collect()
@@ -694,6 +699,16 @@ fn string_for(name: &str, node: &Value, p: &Places) -> BoxedStrategy<Value> {
     .boxed()
 }
 
+/// Files given inline (base64), hostile and not.
+const INLINE_FILES: [&str; 6] = [
+    "JVBERi0xLjQ=",
+    "",
+    "!!!not base64",
+    "AAAA",
+    "NTcxLTkzLTI4NDY=",
+    "RGF0ZSxBbW91bnQKMjAyNi0wMS0wMSwxCg==",
+];
+
 /// An object's value: each property present or not (required ones mostly
 /// present), and now and then a field no schema names.
 fn object_for(
@@ -1144,7 +1159,8 @@ fn inputs_that_once_panicked_are_refused_or_answered() {
         &mut m,
         "books.attach_receipt",
         json!({"entry_id": id, "file_name": "h.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-               "content_base64": "JVBERi0xLjQgaHVnZQ=="}),
+               "content_base64": "JVBERi0xLjQgaHVnZQ==",
+               "sha256": ledger_store::journal::sha256_hex(b"%PDF-1.4 huge")}),
     );
     pinned(
         &mut m,

crates/ledger-mcp/tests/http_concurrency.rs

@@ -119,7 +119,8 @@ async fn draft(c: &Client, tag: &str, cents: u64, with_receipt: bool) -> u64 {
             c,
             "books.attach_receipt",
             json!({"entry_id": id, "file_name": format!("{tag}.pdf"),
-                   "mime_type": "application/pdf", "content_base64": b64(tag.as_bytes())}),
+                   "mime_type": "application/pdf", "content_base64": b64(tag.as_bytes()),
+                   "sha256": ledger_store::journal::sha256_hex(tag.as_bytes())}),
         )
         .await
         .unwrap();

crates/ledger-mcp/tests/mcp_stdio.rs

@@ -126,8 +126,7 @@ impl Mcp {
     }
 }
 
-/// A test's dir and what sits beside it (`.inbox`, `.elsewhere.txt`),
-/// removed when the test ends, pass or panic.
+/// A test's dir, removed when the test ends, pass or panic.
 struct TestDir(std::path::PathBuf);
 
 impl std::ops::Deref for TestDir {
@@ -146,11 +145,6 @@ impl AsRef<std::path::Path> for TestDir {
 impl Drop for TestDir {
     fn drop(&mut self) {
         let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&self.0);
-        for beside in [".inbox", ".elsewhere.txt"] {
-            let p = std::path::PathBuf::from(format!("{}{beside}", self.0.display()));
-            let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&p);
-            let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&p);
-        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -185,6 +179,9 @@ fn mcp_end_to_end_over_stdio() {
     let list = mcp.request("tools/list", json!({}));
     let tools = list["result"]["tools"].as_array().unwrap();
     assert_eq!(tools.len(), 108, "expected 108 tools, got {}", tools.len());
+    // Files come in as tool input: books.begin_upload, never a local path.
+    assert!(tools.iter().any(|t| t["name"] == "books.begin_upload"));
+    assert!(!tools.iter().any(|t| t["name"] == "books.import_local_file"));
     let chart = tools.iter().find(|t| t["name"] == "books.chart").unwrap();
     assert_eq!(chart["annotations"]["readOnlyHint"], true);
     assert!(
@@ -267,6 +264,7 @@ fn mcp_end_to_end_over_stdio() {
             "file_name": "rent.png",
             "mime_type": "image/png",
             "content_base64": png,
+            "sha256": sha(b"fake-png-bytes"),
         }),
     );
     assert_eq!(attached["deduplicated"], false);
@@ -461,6 +459,7 @@ fn mcp_assets_end_to_end_over_stdio() {
             "file_name": "bill-of-sale.pdf",
             "mime_type": "application/pdf",
             "content_base64": base64_like(b"fake bill of sale"),
+            "sha256": sha(b"fake bill of sale"),
         }),
     );
     let aid = bill["attachment_id"].as_u64().unwrap();
@@ -628,7 +627,8 @@ fn mcp_receipt_corrections_over_stdio() {
         let att = mcp.call(
             "books.attach_receipt",
             json!({"entry_id": id, "file_name": "receipt.eml", "mime_type": "message/rfc822",
-                   "content_base64": base64_like(receipt)}),
+                   "content_base64": base64_like(receipt),
+                   "sha256": sha(receipt)}),
         );
         let posted = mcp.call(
             "books.post_entry",
@@ -655,7 +655,8 @@ fn mcp_receipt_corrections_over_stdio() {
     let pdf = mcp.call(
         "books.attach_receipt",
         json!({"entry_id": big, "file_name": "receipt.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-               "content_base64": base64_like(b"pdf-bytes")}),
+               "content_base64": base64_like(b"pdf-bytes"),
+               "sha256": sha(b"pdf-bytes")}),
     )["attachment_id"]
         .as_u64()
         .unwrap();
@@ -782,46 +783,6 @@ fn mcp_resources_over_stdio() {
     assert!(resp.get("error").is_some());
 }
 
-/// `--import-root` replaces the default import root (the downloads
-/// folder): a file in the named folder is filed; one beside it is not.
-#[test]
-fn import_root_flag_replaces_the_defaults() {
-    let dir = test_dir("import-root");
-    let inbox = dir.with_extension("inbox");
-    std::fs::create_dir_all(&inbox).unwrap();
-    let inside = inbox.join("receipt.txt");
-    let temp = dir.with_extension("elsewhere.txt");
-    for p in [&inside, &temp] {
-        std::fs::write(p, b"a receipt").unwrap();
-    }
-    let mut mcp = Mcp::spawn_with(
-        &dir.join("books-data"),
-        &[std::ffi::OsStr::new("--import-root"), inbox.as_os_str()],
-    );
-    mcp.request(
-        "initialize",
-        json!({
-            "protocolVersion": "2025-06-18",
-            "capabilities": {},
-            "clientInfo": {"name": "smoke-test", "version": "0.1.0"},
-        }),
-    );
-    mcp.notify("notifications/initialized");
-    let ok = mcp.call(
-        "books.import_local_file",
-        json!({"path": inside.to_str().unwrap(), "category": "receipt"}),
-    );
-    assert_eq!(ok["file_name"], "receipt.txt");
-    let why = mcp.call_err(
-        "books.import_local_file",
-        json!({"path": temp.to_str().unwrap(), "category": "receipt"}),
-    );
-    assert!(
-        why.contains("no such file in the server's import folders"),
-        "{why}"
-    );
-}
-
 /// Start a session: initialize, then initialized.
 fn init(mcp: &mut Mcp) -> Value {
     let init = mcp.request(
@@ -836,173 +797,25 @@ fn init(mcp: &mut Mcp) -> Value {
     init
 }
 
-/// Through the real tools, inside a root (local_files.rs INVARIANTS 1-3,
-/// Protected::of; S1 and S5 of the P0 review, I of round 2): the key
-/// file in force, moved into the root after the server started (a root
-/// holding the books or a key is refused at startup: startup.rs), is
-/// sealed with what its link leads to and their folders, but never the
-/// root itself; links in the root to the journal or a vault record lead
-/// outside it, and get the one refusal a missing file gets (INVARIANT 2).
-/// books.import_local_file and books.set_w9's w9_file_path agree.
-#[test]
-fn import_local_file_and_set_w9_refuse_the_key_vault_and_journal_inside_a_root() {
-    use std::os::unix::fs::symlink;
-    let dir = test_dir("sealed-in-root");
-    let root = dir.join("root");
-    let books = dir.join("books");
-    let data = books.join("books-data");
-    let tray = root.join("drop");
-    let config = dir.join("config");
-    for d in [
-        &data,
-        &tray,
-        &root.join("alias"),
-        &root.join("hidden"),
-        &config.join("wanderbooks"),
-    ] {
-        std::fs::create_dir_all(d).unwrap();
-    }
-    std::fs::write(root.join("hidden/real.key"), "ab".repeat(32)).unwrap();
-    std::fs::write(root.join("hidden/notes.pdf"), b"%PDF beside the key").unwrap();
-    std::fs::write(root.join("loose.key"), "ef".repeat(32)).unwrap();
-    symlink(root.join("hidden/real.key"), root.join("alias/vault.key")).unwrap();
-    std::fs::write(config.join("wanderbooks/vault.key"), "cd".repeat(32)).unwrap();
-    let settings = |key: &std::path::Path| {
-        std::fs::write(
-            books.join("wanderbooks.toml"),
-            format!(
-                "[company]\nname = \"Sealed Co\"\n[vault]\nkey_file = \"{}\"\n",
-                key.display()
-            ),
-        )
-        .unwrap();
-    };
-    // Started with the default key (outside the root), so it starts.
-    settings(&config.join("wanderbooks/vault.key"));
-    std::fs::write(tray.join("receipt.pdf"), b"%PDF a receipt").unwrap();
-    std::fs::write(tray.join("w9.pdf"), b"%PDF\xff W-9 scan").unwrap();
-    let root_arg = [std::ffi::OsStr::new("--import-root"), root.as_os_str()];
-    let mut mcp = Mcp::spawn_env(&data, &root_arg, &[("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", &config)]);
-    init(&mut mcp);
-    mcp.call(
-        "books.add_party",
-        json!({"name": "Acme", "roles": ["contractor"]}),
-    );
-    mcp.call(
-        "books.set_tin",
-        json!({"party": "Acme", "tin": "291-12-2846", "tin_type": "ssn"}),
-    );
-    let journal = data.join(ledger_store::JOURNAL_FILE);
-    let vault_record = books
-        .join("vault")
-        .read_dir()
-        .unwrap()
-        .map(|e| e.unwrap().path())
-        .find(|p| p.extension().is_some_and(|e| e == "bin"))
-        .unwrap();
-    for (name, to) in [
-        ("journal-link.pdf", journal.clone()),
-        ("record-link.pdf", vault_record.clone()),
-        ("default-key-link.pdf", config.join("wanderbooks/vault.key")),
-        ("dangling-link.pdf", config.join("wanderbooks/missing.key")),
-    ] {
-        symlink(&to, tray.join(name)).unwrap();
-    }
-    // The key in force moves into the root (a link, alias/vault.key ->
-    // hidden/real.key); the settings reload.
-    settings(&root.join("alias/vault.key"));
-    let refuse = |mcp: &mut Mcp, path: &std::path::Path, why: &str| {
-        let path = path.to_str().unwrap();
-        let err = mcp.call_err(
-            "books.import_local_file",
-            json!({"path": path, "category": "document"}),
-        );
-        assert!(err.contains(why), "{path}: {err}");
-        assert!(!err.contains(dir.to_str().unwrap()), "names a path: {err}");
-        let err = mcp.call_err(
-            "books.set_w9",
-            json!({"party": "Acme", "received_on": "2026-01-03", "entity_type": "Individual",
-                   "tin": "291-12-2846", "tin_type": "ssn", "w9_file_path": path}),
-        );
-        assert!(err.contains(why), "{path}: {err}");
-    };
-    for p in [
-        root.join("hidden/real.key"),
-        root.join("hidden/notes.pdf"),
-        root.join("alias/vault.key"),
-    ] {
-        refuse(&mut mcp, &p, "belongs to the books or the TIN vault");
-    }
-    for p in [
-        journal.clone(),
-        vault_record,
-        config.join("wanderbooks/vault.key"),
-        tray.join("journal-link.pdf"),
-        tray.join("record-link.pdf"),
-        tray.join("default-key-link.pdf"),
-        tray.join("dangling-link.pdf"),
-        tray.join("missing.pdf"),
-    ] {
-        refuse(
-            &mut mcp,
-            &p,
-            "no such file in the server's import folders (by default your downloads folder)",
-        );
-    }
-    // A key kept loose in the root itself seals the key, not the root.
-    settings(&root.join("loose.key"));
-    refuse(
-        &mut mcp,
-        &root.join("loose.key"),
-        "belongs to the books or the TIN vault",
-    );
-    // Ordinary files in the root are filed (with the key the vault was
-    // made with back in force).
-    mcp.call(
-        "books.import_local_file",
-        json!({"path": tray.join("receipt.pdf").to_str().unwrap(), "category": "receipt"}),
-    );
-    // A link is filed under the name and type of the file it leads to.
-    std::fs::write(tray.join("photo.png"), b"\x89PNG a photo").unwrap();
-    symlink(tray.join("photo.png"), tray.join("named-like.pdf")).unwrap();
-    let filed = mcp.call(
-        "books.import_local_file",
-        json!({"path": tray.join("named-like.pdf").to_str().unwrap(), "category": "receipt"}),
-    );
-    assert_eq!(filed["file_name"], "photo.png");
-    let back = mcp.call(
-        "books.get_receipt",
-        json!({"attachment_id": filed["attachment_id"]}),
-    );
-    assert_eq!(back["mime_type"], "image/png", "{back}");
-    settings(&config.join("wanderbooks/vault.key"));
-    mcp.call(
-        "books.set_w9",
-        json!({"party": "Acme", "received_on": "2026-01-03", "entity_type": "Individual",
-               "tin": "291-12-2846", "tin_type": "ssn",
-               "w9_file_path": tray.join("w9.pdf").to_str().unwrap()}),
-    );
-}
-
 /// Outputs that carry full TINs (books.get_w9, books.vendor_1099 with
 /// include_tins, books.export_cpa_package with TINs) are never written
-/// into an import root, and a copy of one moved into a root is refused by
-/// its bytes: a TIN-bearing file can't be filed back in as a receipt and
+/// inside the books, and wherever they are written (a downloads folder
+/// too), each is refused by its bytes when given back to be filed: a
+/// TIN-bearing file can't be filed back in as a receipt or document and
 /// read out through books.get_receipt (S7 of the P0 review, 2026-10-16).
 #[test]
 fn tin_bearing_files_never_land_where_they_could_be_filed_back_in() {
     let dir = test_dir("tin-files");
-    let root = dir.join("inbox");
-    let out = dir.join("out");
+    let books = dir.join("books");
+    let downloads = dir.join("downloads");
     let config = dir.join("config");
-    for d in [&root, &out, &config] {
+    for d in [&downloads, &config] {
         std::fs::create_dir_all(d).unwrap();
     }
-    std::fs::write(root.join("w9.pdf"), b"%PDF W-9 TIN 291-12-2846").unwrap();
-    let root_arg = [std::ffi::OsStr::new("--import-root"), root.as_os_str()];
+    let w9 = b"%PDF-1.4 W-9 TIN 291-12-2846";
     let mut mcp = Mcp::spawn_env(
-        &dir.join("books").join("books-data"),
-        &root_arg,
+        &books.join("books-data"),
+        &[],
         &[("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", &config)],
     );
     init(&mut mcp);
@@ -1018,61 +831,92 @@ fn tin_bearing_files_never_land_where_they_could_be_filed_back_in() {
         "books.set_w9",
         json!({"party": "Acme", "received_on": "2026-01-03", "entity_type": "Individual",
                "tin": "291-12-2846", "tin_type": "ssn",
-               "w9_file_path": root.join("w9.pdf").to_str().unwrap()}),
+               "w9_content_base64": base64_like(w9), "w9_sha256": sha(w9)}),
     );
-    let in_root = |name: &str| root.join(name).to_str().unwrap().to_string();
+    // Inside the books: refused, and nothing written there.
+    let before = std::fs::read_dir(&books).unwrap().count();
+    let in_books = |name: &str| books.join(name).to_str().unwrap().to_string();
     for (tool, args) in [
         (
             "books.get_w9",
-            json!({"party": "Acme", "save_to": in_root("copy.pdf")}),
+            json!({"party": "Acme", "save_to": in_books("copy.pdf")}),
         ),
         (
             "books.vendor_1099",
-            json!({"year": 2026, "include_tins": true, "save_csv_to": in_root("1099.csv")}),
+            json!({"year": 2026, "include_tins": true, "save_csv_to": in_books("1099.csv")}),
         ),
         (
             "books.export_cpa_package",
-            json!({"cash_accounts": ["1000"], "save_to": in_root("cpa.zip")}),
+            json!({"cash_accounts": ["1000"], "save_to": in_books("cpa.zip")}),
         ),
         (
             "books.export_cpa_package",
-            json!({"cash_accounts": ["1000"], "save_to": root.to_str().unwrap()}),
+            json!({"cash_accounts": ["1000"], "save_to": books.to_str().unwrap()}),
         ),
     ] {
         let why = mcp.call_err(tool, args);
-        assert!(
-            why.contains("never saved in the server's import folders"),
-            "{tool}: {why}"
-        );
+        assert!(why.contains("inside the books"), "{tool}: {why}");
     }
     assert_eq!(
-        std::fs::read_dir(&root).unwrap().count(),
-        1,
-        "wrote into the root"
+        std::fs::read_dir(&books).unwrap().count(),
+        before,
+        "wrote into the books"
     );
-    // Saved elsewhere, then moved into the root: refused by its bytes.
-    let w9 = out.join("copy.pdf");
+    // Written to a downloads folder, each is refused by its bytes, by
+    // every way a file is filed.
+    let in_downloads = |name: &str| downloads.join(name).to_str().unwrap().to_string();
     mcp.call(
         "books.get_w9",
-        json!({"party": "Acme", "save_to": w9.to_str().unwrap()}),
+        json!({"party": "Acme", "save_to": in_downloads("copy.pdf")}),
     );
-    let csv = out.join("1099.csv");
     mcp.call(
         "books.vendor_1099",
-        json!({"year": 2026, "include_tins": true, "save_csv_to": csv.to_str().unwrap()}),
+        json!({"year": 2026, "include_tins": true, "save_csv_to": in_downloads("1099.csv")}),
     );
-    for (from, name) in [(&w9, "receipt.pdf"), (&csv, "statement.csv")] {
-        std::fs::copy(from, root.join(name)).unwrap();
-        let why = mcp.call_err(
-            "books.import_local_file",
-            json!({"path": in_root(name), "category": "receipt"}),
-        );
-        assert!(why.contains("wrote with full TINs"), "{why}");
+    mcp.call(
+        "books.export_cpa_package",
+        json!({"cash_accounts": ["1000"], "save_to": in_downloads("cpa.zip")}),
+    );
+    let written: Vec<std::path::PathBuf> = std::fs::read_dir(&downloads)
+        .unwrap()
+        .map(|e| e.unwrap().path())
+        .collect();
+    assert_eq!(written.len(), 3, "{written:?}");
+    let journal = std::fs::read(books.join("books-data").join(ledger_store::JOURNAL_FILE)).unwrap();
+    for path in &written {
+        let bytes = std::fs::read(path).unwrap();
+        for (tool, args) in [
+            (
+                "books.attach_receipt",
+                json!({"file_name": "receipt.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
+                       "content_base64": base64_like(&bytes),
+                       "sha256": sha(&bytes)}),
+            ),
+            (
+                "books.file_document",
+                json!({"category": "statement", "file_name": "statement.csv",
+                       "mime_type": "text/csv",
+                       "content_base64": base64_like(&bytes),
+                       "sha256": sha(&bytes)}),
+            ),
+        ] {
+            let why = mcp.call_err(tool, args);
+            assert!(
+                why.contains("wrote with full TINs"),
+                "{tool} {}: {why}",
+                path.display()
+            );
+        }
     }
+    assert_eq!(
+        std::fs::read(books.join("books-data").join(ledger_store::JOURNAL_FILE)).unwrap(),
+        journal,
+        "a refusal stored something"
+    );
     // Without TINs, the 1099 worksheet may go anywhere a file may.
     mcp.call(
         "books.vendor_1099",
-        json!({"year": 2026, "save_csv_to": in_root("plain.csv")}),
+        json!({"year": 2026, "save_csv_to": in_downloads("plain.csv")}),
     );
 }
 
@@ -1317,6 +1161,11 @@ fn handbook_tool_and_resources_over_stdio() {
     assert!(resp.get("error").is_some());
 }
 
+/// The SHA-256 (hex) a file given inline comes with.
+fn sha(bytes: &[u8]) -> String {
+    ledger_store::journal::sha256_hex(bytes)
+}
+
 fn base64_like(bytes: &[u8]) -> String {
     const ALPHABET: &[u8; 64] = b"ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+/";
     let mut out = String::new();
@@ -1409,7 +1258,8 @@ fn mcp_statement_pdfs_and_cpa_package_over_stdio() {
         mcp.call(
             "books.attach_receipt",
             json!({"entry_id": id, "file_name": "r.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-                   "content_base64": base64_like(desc.as_bytes())}),
+                   "content_base64": base64_like(desc.as_bytes()),
+                   "sha256": sha(desc.as_bytes())}),
         );
         mcp.call(
             "books.post_entry",
@@ -1571,7 +1421,8 @@ fn mcp_period_statements_over_stdio() {
     mcp.call(
         "books.attach_receipt",
         json!({"entry_id": id, "file_name": "r.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-               "content_base64": base64_like(b"r")}),
+               "content_base64": base64_like(b"r"),
+               "sha256": sha(b"r")}),
     );
     mcp.call(
         "books.post_entry",
@@ -2047,6 +1898,7 @@ fn mcp_payout_gross_up_over_stdio() {
             "file_name": "payout.pdf",
             "mime_type": "application/pdf",
             "content_base64": base64_like(b"%PDF-1.4 statement"),
+            "sha256": sha(b"%PDF-1.4 statement"),
         }),
     );
     mcp.call(
@@ -2133,6 +1985,7 @@ fn mcp_vendor_1099_over_stdio() {
             "file_name": "invoice.pdf",
             "mime_type": "application/pdf",
             "content_base64": base64_like(b"%PDF-1.4 invoice"),
+            "sha256": sha(b"%PDF-1.4 invoice"),
         }),
     );
     mcp.call(

crates/ledger-mcp/tests/oracle_mcp.rs

@@ -56,8 +56,7 @@ impl Drop for Mcp {
 
 static DIR_SEQ: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
 
-/// A test's dir and the folder beside it (`.inbox`),
-/// removed when the test ends, pass or panic.
+/// A test's dir, removed when the test ends, pass or panic.
 struct TestDir(PathBuf);
 
 impl std::ops::Deref for TestDir {
@@ -76,7 +75,6 @@ impl AsRef<std::path::Path> for TestDir {
 impl Drop for TestDir {
     fn drop(&mut self) {
         let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&self.0);
-        let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(format!("{}.inbox", self.0.display()));
     }
 }
 
@@ -109,14 +107,6 @@ fn books_toml(dir: &Path, threshold: &str) -> PathBuf {
     path
 }
 
-/// The server's import root, beside the books (never the books dir): files
-/// given to books.import_local_file.
-fn inbox(dir: &Path) -> PathBuf {
-    let inbox = dir.with_extension("inbox");
-    std::fs::create_dir_all(&inbox).unwrap();
-    inbox
-}
-
 fn data_dir(dir: &Path) -> PathBuf {
     dir.join("books-data")
 }
@@ -131,8 +121,6 @@ impl Mcp {
             .arg(data_dir(dir))
             .arg("--books-toml")
             .arg(&toml)
-            .arg("--import-root")
-            .arg(inbox(dir))
             .env("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR", &run)
             .stdin(Stdio::piped())
             .stdout(Stdio::piped())
@@ -1737,7 +1725,7 @@ fn post_contribution(m: &mut Mcp) -> u64 {
     m.ok(
         "books.attach_receipt",
         json!({"entry_id": e, "file_name": "c.txt", "mime_type": "text/plain",
-               "content_base64": b64e(b"contribution")}),
+               "content_base64": b64e(b"contribution"), "sha256": sha256(b"contribution")}),
     );
     m.ok(
         "books.post_entry",
@@ -2118,11 +2106,24 @@ fn resources_read_back_as_the_matching_tools() {
         let want = m.ok(tool, args);
         assert_eq!(got, want, "{uri} reads as {tool}");
     }
+    // A receipt reads as books.get_receipt's meta view: what it is, never
+    // its bytes (those come with view bytes).
     for (id, bytes) in [(r1, &b"first receipt"[..]), (r2, &b"second receipt"[..])] {
         let got = read(&mut m, &format!("books://receipts/{id}"));
         assert_eq!(got["attachment_id"], json!(id));
-        assert_eq!(b64d(got["content_base64"].as_str().unwrap()), bytes);
+        assert!(got.get("content_base64").is_none(), "no bytes: {got}");
         assert_eq!(got["sha256"], sha256(bytes));
+        assert_eq!(got["size_bytes"], json!(bytes.len()));
+        assert_eq!(
+            got,
+            m.ok("books.get_receipt", json!({"attachment_id": id})),
+            "books://receipts/{id} reads as books.get_receipt"
+        );
+        let full = m.ok(
+            "books.get_receipt",
+            json!({"attachment_id": id, "view": "bytes"}),
+        );
+        assert_eq!(b64d(full["content_base64"].as_str().unwrap()), bytes);
     }
     let r = m.rpc("resources/read", json!({"uri": "books://nope"}));
     let err = r.get("error").unwrap_or_else(|| panic!("unknown URI: {r}"));
@@ -2136,8 +2137,8 @@ fn resources_read_back_as_the_matching_tools() {
 
 /// Receipts and documents round-trip: the bytes come back exactly (SHA-256
 /// of what was sent), with the name, MIME type, category, entry, and
-/// description given. Kills: get_receipt's lookup, import_local_file's
-/// document arm.
+/// description given; only view bytes carries the bytes. Kills:
+/// get_receipt's lookup and its views.
 #[test]
 fn receipts_and_documents_round_trip() {
     let dir = test_dir("files");
@@ -2150,48 +2151,27 @@ fn receipts_and_documents_round_trip() {
     let a = m.ok(
         "books.attach_receipt",
         json!({"entry_id": e, "file_name": "first.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-               "content_base64": b64e(first), "description": "Receipt ID 1007; Paid from: Bluevine"}),
+               "content_base64": b64e(first), "sha256": sha256(first),
+               "description": "Receipt ID 1007; Paid from: Bluevine"}),
     );
     let b = m.ok(
         "books.file_document",
         json!({"category": "legal", "file_name": "oa.png", "mime_type": "image/png",
-               "content_base64": b64e(second), "description": "Operating agreement"}),
+               "content_base64": b64e(second), "sha256": sha256(second),
+               "description": "Operating agreement"}),
     );
-    // Local files come from outside the books, in the server's import
-    // folder (local_files.rs).
-    let inbox = inbox(&dir);
-    let local_doc = inbox.join("ein-letter.pdf");
-    std::fs::write(&local_doc, b"EIN letter bytes").unwrap();
     let c = m.ok(
-        "books.import_local_file",
-        json!({"path": local_doc.to_str().unwrap(), "category": "document",
-               "document_category": "tax", "description": "IRS CP 575"}),
+        "books.file_document",
+        json!({"category": "tax", "file_name": "ein-letter.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
+               "content_base64": b64e(b"EIN letter bytes"), "sha256": sha256(b"EIN letter bytes"),
+               "description": "IRS CP 575"}),
     );
-    assert_eq!(c["file_name"], "ein-letter.pdf");
-    let local_receipt = inbox.join("scan.png");
-    std::fs::write(&local_receipt, b"a scanned receipt").unwrap();
     let r = m.ok(
-        "books.import_local_file",
-        json!({"path": local_receipt.to_str().unwrap(), "category": "receipt",
-               "entry_id": e, "file_name": "renamed.png", "description": "scan"}),
+        "books.attach_receipt",
+        json!({"entry_id": e, "file_name": "renamed.png", "mime_type": "image/png",
+               "content_base64": b64e(b"a scanned receipt"),
+               "sha256": sha256(b"a scanned receipt"), "description": "scan"}),
     );
-    assert_eq!(r["file_name"], "renamed.png");
-    m.refuse(
-        "books.import_local_file",
-        json!({"path": local_receipt.to_str().unwrap(), "category": "photo"}),
-    );
-    // Nothing of the books is ever read back in through a path: outside
-    // the import folders, it gets the one refusal any path there gets.
-    let journal = data_dir(&dir).join(ledger_store::JOURNAL_FILE);
-    for p in [journal, dir.join("wanderbooks-1000000.00.toml")] {
-        assert!(p.exists());
-        let why = m.refuse(
-            "books.import_local_file",
-            json!({"path": p.to_str().unwrap(), "category": "document"}),
-        );
-        assert!(why.contains("import folders"), "{why}");
-        assert!(!why.contains(dir.to_str().unwrap()), "names a path: {why}");
-    }
 
     // (result, bytes, file name, MIME type, entry, description)
     type Case<'a> = (&'a Value, &'a [u8], &'a str, &'a str, Option<u64>, &'a str);
@@ -2233,13 +2213,24 @@ fn receipts_and_documents_round_trip() {
     for (out, bytes, name, mime, entry, desc) in cases {
         let id = out["attachment_id"].as_u64().unwrap();
         assert_eq!(out["sha256"], sha256(bytes), "{name}: sha256 of the bytes");
-        let got = m.ok("books.get_receipt", json!({"attachment_id": id}));
+        let meta = m.ok("books.get_receipt", json!({"attachment_id": id}));
+        assert!(
+            meta.get("content_base64").is_none(),
+            "{name}: meta, no bytes"
+        );
+        let got = m.ok(
+            "books.get_receipt",
+            json!({"attachment_id": id, "view": "bytes"}),
+        );
         assert_eq!(got["attachment_id"], json!(id));
         assert_eq!(
             b64d(got["content_base64"].as_str().unwrap()),
             bytes,
             "{name}"
         );
+        let mut without = got.clone();
+        without.as_object_mut().unwrap().remove("content_base64");
+        assert_eq!(without, meta, "{name}: view bytes is meta and the bytes");
         assert_eq!(got["sha256"], sha256(bytes));
         assert_eq!(got["file_name"], name);
         assert_eq!(got["mime_type"], mime);
@@ -2263,19 +2254,26 @@ fn receipts_and_documents_round_trip() {
     assert_eq!(cat(&b), "legal");
     assert_eq!(cat(&c), "tax");
     m.refuse("books.get_receipt", json!({"attachment_id": 999}));
+    for view in ["", "BYTES", "content", "meta "] {
+        let why = m.refuse(
+            "books.get_receipt",
+            json!({"attachment_id": a["attachment_id"], "view": view}),
+        );
+        assert!(
+            why.contains("meta (the default) or bytes"),
+            "{view:?}: {why}"
+        );
+    }
 }
 
-/// 25 MB (MiB) is the most a receipt or document may be: exactly the
-/// limit is accepted through every way in, one byte more refused (checked
-/// on the local-file path, where it costs no upload). Kills: the limit
-/// comparisons in attach_receipt, file_document, and import_local_file,
-/// and import_local_file's limit arithmetic (2 MiB must pass).
+/// 256 KiB is the most a file may be given inline (plan 2.1): exactly
+/// the limit is accepted by books.attach_receipt and books.file_document
+/// and stored whole, one byte more is refused by both, pointing at
+/// books.begin_upload, and nothing is stored. Kills: the limit comparison
+/// in take_file.
 #[test]
-fn uploads_up_to_25_mib_are_accepted_and_no_more() {
-    const LIMIT: usize = 25 * 1024 * 1024;
-    // Over 50 MB of books: removed however the test ends, with its inbox
-    // (the system temp dir is often RAM, and a mutation run starts this
-    // test hundreds of times).
+fn inline_files_up_to_256_kib_are_accepted_and_no_more() {
+    const LIMIT: usize = 256 * 1024;
     let dir = test_dir("limits");
     let s = new_store(&dir);
     drop(s);
@@ -2284,18 +2282,19 @@ fn uploads_up_to_25_mib_are_accepted_and_no_more() {
     let out = m.ok(
         "books.attach_receipt",
         json!({"file_name": "big.bin", "mime_type": "application/octet-stream",
-               "content_base64": b64e(&at)}),
+               "content_base64": b64e(&at), "sha256": sha256(&at)}),
     );
     let at_id = out["attachment_id"].as_u64().unwrap();
     let doc = vec![b'b'; LIMIT];
     let out = m.ok(
         "books.file_document",
         json!({"category": "other", "file_name": "big.bin",
-               "mime_type": "application/octet-stream", "content_base64": b64e(&doc)}),
+               "mime_type": "application/octet-stream", "content_base64": b64e(&doc),
+               "sha256": sha256(&doc)}),
     );
     let doc_id = out["attachment_id"].as_u64().unwrap();
     let listed = m.ok("books.list_receipts", json!({}));
-    for id in [at_id, doc_id] {
+    for (id, bytes) in [(at_id, &at), (doc_id, &doc)] {
         let row = listed["receipts"]
             .as_array()
             .unwrap()
@@ -2304,19 +2303,195 @@ fn uploads_up_to_25_mib_are_accepted_and_no_more() {
             .unwrap()
             .clone();
         assert_eq!(row["size_bytes"], json!(LIMIT), "stored whole");
+        // And it comes back inline, whole.
+        let got = m.ok(
+            "books.get_receipt",
+            json!({"attachment_id": id, "view": "bytes"}),
+        );
+        assert_eq!(&b64d(got["content_base64"].as_str().unwrap()), bytes);
     }
+    let journal = std::fs::read(data_dir(&dir).join(ledger_store::JOURNAL_FILE)).unwrap();
+    let over = vec![b'c'; LIMIT + 1];
+    for (tool, args) in [
+        (
+            "books.attach_receipt",
+            json!({"file_name": "over.bin", "mime_type": "application/octet-stream",
+                   "content_base64": b64e(&over), "sha256": sha256(&over)}),
+        ),
+        (
+            "books.file_document",
+            json!({"category": "other", "file_name": "over.bin",
+                   "mime_type": "application/octet-stream", "content_base64": b64e(&over),
+                   "sha256": sha256(&over)}),
+        ),
+    ] {
+        let why = m.refuse(tool, args);
+        assert!(
+            why.contains("books.begin_upload") && why.contains(&(LIMIT + 1).to_string()),
+            "{tool}: {why}"
+        );
+    }
+    assert_eq!(
+        std::fs::read(data_dir(&dir).join(ledger_store::JOURNAL_FILE)).unwrap(),
+        journal,
+        "a refusal stored something"
+    );
+}
 
-    for (n, accepted) in [(2 * 1024 * 1024, true), (LIMIT, true), (LIMIT + 1, false)] {
-        let path = inbox(&dir).join(format!("local-{n}.bin"));
-        std::fs::write(&path, vec![b'c' ^ (n % 7) as u8; n]).unwrap();
-        let args = json!({"path": path.to_str().unwrap(), "category": "receipt"});
-        if accepted {
-            m.ok("books.import_local_file", args);
-        } else {
-            m.refuse("books.import_local_file", args);
+/// The bytes a filing tool takes are inline base64 with its own SHA-256,
+/// or an upload; never both, never neither. A sha256 missing, or not the
+/// bytes' own (a byte lost on the way), or base64 that isn't, is refused
+/// (guard base64_corrupt); inline bytes need their file_name and
+/// mime_type. Over stdio there are no uploads: an upload_id is refused,
+/// and books.begin_upload answers only for bytes stored already (the
+/// attachment holding them). Every refusal stores nothing.
+#[test]
+fn inline_bytes_come_with_their_own_sha256_and_uploads_need_the_server() {
+    let dir = test_dir("inline");
+    let s = new_store(&dir);
+    drop(s);
+    let mut m = Mcp::start(&dir, "1000000.00");
+    let bytes: &[u8] = b"%PDF-1.4 a receipt";
+    let other: &[u8] = b"%PDF-1.4 a receipt!";
+    let journal = || std::fs::read(data_dir(&dir).join(ledger_store::JOURNAL_FILE)).unwrap();
+    let before = journal();
+    for (tool, base) in [
+        ("books.attach_receipt", json!({})),
+        ("books.file_document", json!({"category": "other"})),
+    ] {
+        let with = |extra: Value| {
+            let mut args = base.clone();
+            for (k, v) in json!({"file_name": "r.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf"})
+                .as_object()
+                .unwrap()
+                .iter()
+                .chain(extra.as_object().unwrap())
+            {
+                args[k] = v.clone();
+            }
+            args
+        };
+        for (args, said) in [
+            // Neither, both.
+            (with(json!({})), "books.begin_upload"),
+            (
+                with(json!({"upload_id": "u1", "content_base64": b64e(bytes),
+                            "sha256": sha256(bytes)})),
+                "not both",
+            ),
+            // The sha256 missing, another file's, not hex; base64 that isn't.
+            (with(json!({"content_base64": b64e(bytes)})), "sha256"),
+            (
+                with(json!({"content_base64": b64e(bytes), "sha256": sha256(other)})),
+                "base64_corrupt",
+            ),
+            (
+                with(json!({"content_base64": b64e(bytes), "sha256": "not hex"})),
+                "base64_corrupt",
+            ),
+            (
+                with(json!({"content_base64": "!!not base64", "sha256": sha256(bytes)})),
+                "base64_corrupt",
+            ),
+            // An upload, over stdio.
+            (with(json!({"upload_id": "u1"})), "takes files inline only"),
+        ] {
+            let why = m.refuse(tool, args.clone());
+            assert!(why.contains(said), "{tool} {args}: {why}");
+        }
+        // Inline bytes need their name and type.
+        for missing in ["file_name", "mime_type"] {
+            let mut args = with(json!({"content_base64": b64e(bytes), "sha256": sha256(bytes)}));
+            args.as_object_mut().unwrap().remove(missing);
+            let why = m.refuse(tool, args);
+            assert!(why.contains(missing), "{tool} without {missing}: {why}");
         }
-        std::fs::remove_file(&path).unwrap();
     }
+    // A sha256 given in capitals, or with spaces around it, is the same
+    // hash.
+    let out = m.ok(
+        "books.attach_receipt",
+        json!({"file_name": "r.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
+               "content_base64": b64e(bytes),
+               "sha256": format!(" {} ", sha256(bytes).to_ascii_uppercase())}),
+    );
+    assert_eq!(out["sha256"], sha256(bytes));
+    let id = out["attachment_id"].as_u64().unwrap();
+    assert_ne!(journal(), before);
+    // begin_upload: the bytes stored already name their attachment; new
+    // ones need the books server.
+    let up = |sha: String| {
+        json!({"sha256": sha, "size": bytes.len(), "mime_type": "application/pdf",
+               "file_name": "r.pdf", "purpose": "receipt"})
+    };
+    let got = m.ok("books.begin_upload", up(sha256(bytes)));
+    assert_eq!(got["existing_attachment_id"], json!(id), "{got}");
+    assert!(got.get("upload_id").is_none(), "{got}");
+    assert!(got.get("command").is_none(), "{got}");
+    let got = m.ok("books.begin_upload", up(sha256(bytes).to_ascii_uppercase()));
+    assert_eq!(got["existing_attachment_id"], json!(id), "{got}");
+    let stored = journal();
+    let why = m.refuse("books.begin_upload", up(sha256(other)));
+    assert!(why.contains("takes files inline only"), "{why}");
+    // The CSV imports take csv_text or an upload, never both, never
+    // neither; an upload over stdio is refused.
+    for (tool, base) in [
+        (
+            "books.import_bank_csv",
+            json!({"bank_account_code": "1000", "default_offset_code": "4000"}),
+        ),
+        ("books.import_chart_csv", json!({})),
+    ] {
+        for (extra, said) in [
+            (json!({}), "csv_text"),
+            (json!({"csv_text": "a,b\n", "upload_id": "u1"}), "not both"),
+            (json!({"upload_id": "u1"}), "takes files inline only"),
+        ] {
+            let mut args = base.clone();
+            for (k, v) in extra.as_object().unwrap() {
+                args[k] = v.clone();
+            }
+            let why = m.refuse(tool, args.clone());
+            assert!(why.contains(said), "{tool} {args}: {why}");
+        }
+    }
+    assert_eq!(journal(), stored, "a refusal stored something");
+}
+
+/// books.get_receipt's view bytes gives the bytes of a file of at most
+/// 256 KiB; a larger one (filed before, or by an upload) is refused over
+/// stdio, where there is no download, while its meta view still answers.
+#[test]
+fn get_receipt_gives_bytes_up_to_256_kib_over_stdio() {
+    const LIMIT: usize = 256 * 1024;
+    let dir = test_dir("get-bytes");
+    let mut s = new_store(&dir);
+    let at = vec![b'x'; LIMIT];
+    let over = vec![b'y'; LIMIT + 1];
+    let (at_id, _, _) = s
+        .attach_receipt(None, "at.bin", "application/octet-stream", &at, None)
+        .unwrap();
+    let (over_id, _, _) = s
+        .attach_receipt(None, "over.bin", "application/octet-stream", &over, None)
+        .unwrap();
+    drop(s);
+    let mut m = Mcp::start(&dir, "1000000.00");
+    let got = m.ok(
+        "books.get_receipt",
+        json!({"attachment_id": at_id, "view": "bytes"}),
+    );
+    assert_eq!(b64d(got["content_base64"].as_str().unwrap()), at);
+    assert!(got.get("download").is_none(), "{got}");
+    let why = m.refuse(
+        "books.get_receipt",
+        json!({"attachment_id": over_id, "view": "bytes"}),
+    );
+    assert!(why.contains(&(LIMIT + 1).to_string()), "{why}");
+    let meta = m.ok("books.get_receipt", json!({"attachment_id": over_id}));
+    assert_eq!(meta["size_bytes"], json!(LIMIT + 1));
+    assert_eq!(meta["sha256"], sha256(&over));
+    assert!(meta.get("content_base64").is_none(), "{meta}");
+    assert!(meta.get("download").is_none(), "{meta}");
 }
 
 /// Bank CSV import: money in debits the bank, money out credits it; the

crates/ledger-mcp/tests/spec_assets.rs

@@ -360,7 +360,9 @@ impl Mcp {
         self.ok(
             "books.file_document",
             json!({"category": "legal", "file_name": "bill-of-sale.txt", "mime_type": "text/plain",
-                   "content_base64": b64(b"bill of sale"), "description": "Bill of sale"}),
+                   "content_base64": b64(b"bill of sale"),
+                   "sha256": ledger_store::journal::sha256_hex(b"bill of sale"),
+                   "description": "Bill of sale"}),
         )["attachment_id"]
             .as_u64()
             .unwrap()

crates/ledger-mcp/tests/spec_attachments.rs

@@ -371,6 +371,11 @@ fn b64(bytes: &[u8]) -> String {
     base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD.encode(bytes)
 }
 
+/// The SHA-256 (hex) a file given inline comes with.
+fn sha(bytes: &[u8]) -> String {
+    ledger_store::journal::sha256_hex(bytes)
+}
+
 const CHART: &[(&str, &str, &str)] = &[
     ("1000", "Bank", "asset"),
     ("1300", "Prepaid Expenses", "asset"),
@@ -406,7 +411,7 @@ impl Mcp {
         self.ok(
             "books.file_document",
             json!({"category": category, "file_name": format!("{category}.pdf"),
-                   "mime_type": "application/pdf", "content_base64": b64(bytes),
+                   "mime_type": "application/pdf", "content_base64": b64(bytes), "sha256": sha(bytes),
                    "link_to": link_to}),
         )["attachment_id"]
             .as_u64()
@@ -416,7 +421,7 @@ impl Mcp {
     /// Attach a receipt (to `entry`, or unlinked); its id.
     fn receipt(&mut self, entry: Option<u64>, bytes: &[u8]) -> u64 {
         let mut args = json!({"file_name": "r.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-                              "content_base64": b64(bytes)});
+                              "content_base64": b64(bytes), "sha256": sha(bytes)});
         if let Some(e) = entry {
             args["entry_id"] = json!(e);
         }
@@ -787,25 +792,25 @@ fn filing_links_in_the_same_call_all_or_nothing() {
         m.refuse(
             "books.attach_receipt",
             json!({"entry_id": e, "file_name": "r.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-                   "content_base64": b64(b"r"), "link_to": link_to}),
+                   "content_base64": b64(b"r"), "sha256": sha(b"r"), "link_to": link_to}),
         );
     }
     m.refuse(
         "books.file_document",
         json!({"category": "contract", "file_name": "c.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-               "content_base64": b64(b"c"), "link_to": [{"kind": "asset", "id": "NOPE"}]}),
+               "content_base64": b64(b"c"), "sha256": sha(b"c"), "link_to": [{"kind": "asset", "id": "NOPE"}]}),
     );
     // An unknown entry_id is refused before anything is filed.
     m.refuse(
         "books.attach_receipt",
         json!({"entry_id": 999, "file_name": "r.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-               "content_base64": b64(b"r"), "link_to": [{"kind": "company"}]}),
+               "content_base64": b64(b"r"), "sha256": sha(b"r"), "link_to": [{"kind": "company"}]}),
     );
     assert_eq!(count(&mut m), n, "nothing filed");
     let out = m.ok(
         "books.attach_receipt",
         json!({"entry_id": e, "file_name": "r.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-               "content_base64": b64(b"r"),
+               "content_base64": b64(b"r"), "sha256": sha(b"r"),
                "link_to": [{"kind": "entry", "id": other}, {"kind": "party", "id": "acme design"}]}),
     );
     assert_eq!(
@@ -819,7 +824,7 @@ fn filing_links_in_the_same_call_all_or_nothing() {
     let doc = m.ok(
         "books.file_document",
         json!({"category": "formation", "file_name": "cert.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-               "content_base64": b64(b"certificate"), "link_to": [{"kind": "company"}]}),
+               "content_base64": b64(b"certificate"), "sha256": sha(b"certificate"), "link_to": [{"kind": "company"}]}),
     );
     assert_eq!(kinds(&doc), ["company"]);
     assert_eq!(m.count("document.filed"), 1);
@@ -849,7 +854,7 @@ fn documents_file_under_the_attachment_kinds() {
     m.refuse(
         "books.file_document",
         json!({"category": "receipt-ish", "file_name": "x", "mime_type": "text/plain",
-               "content_base64": b64(b"x")}),
+               "content_base64": b64(b"x"), "sha256": sha(b"x")}),
     );
 }
 

crates/ledger-mcp/tests/spec_mcp.rs

@@ -213,14 +213,6 @@ fn test_dir(name: &str) -> TestDir {
 
 /// A directory beside the books dir `dir`, outside it (vault keys, files
 /// with TINs).
-/// The import root beside the books dir `dir`: files the tests hand the
-/// server by path (books.import_local_file, books.set_w9 w9_file_path).
-fn inbox(dir: &Path) -> PathBuf {
-    let d = dir.with_extension("inbox");
-    std::fs::create_dir_all(&d).unwrap();
-    d
-}
-
 fn outside(dir: &Path) -> PathBuf {
     let d = PathBuf::from(format!("{}-outside", dir.display()));
     std::fs::create_dir_all(&d).unwrap();
@@ -260,10 +252,6 @@ fn spawn_child(dir: &Path, toml: &Path) -> Child {
                 .into_iter()
                 .flatten(),
         )
-        // Local files come only from here (the default is the downloads
-        // folder): never the books, never where the server writes.
-        .arg("--import-root")
-        .arg(inbox(dir))
         // books.show writes a viewer request here; keep it out of the
         // user's real runtime dir.
         .env("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR", &run)
@@ -548,6 +536,7 @@ impl Mcp {
             "file_name": "receipt.txt",
             "mime_type": "text/plain",
             "content_base64": b64(bytes),
+            "sha256": sha(bytes),
         });
         if let Some(e) = entry {
             args["entry_id"] = json!(e);
@@ -660,6 +649,11 @@ fn canon(s: &str) -> String {
     }
 }
 
+/// The SHA-256 (hex) a file given inline comes with.
+fn sha(bytes: &[u8]) -> String {
+    ledger_store::journal::sha256_hex(bytes)
+}
+
 fn b64(bytes: &[u8]) -> String {
     const T: &[u8; 64] = b"ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+/";
     let mut out = String::new();
@@ -811,12 +805,12 @@ fn happy_path(name: &str) -> Mcp {
         json!({"party": "Landlord", "received_on": "2026-01-03", "entity_type": "LLC (partnership)",
                "tin_last4": "4321", "kept_at": "CPA portal"}),
     );
-    let w9_pdf = inbox(&dir).join("landlord-w9.pdf");
-    std::fs::write(&w9_pdf, b"%PDF-1.4 W-9 EIN 79-9714321").unwrap();
+    let w9_pdf = b"%PDF-1.4 W-9 EIN 79-9714321";
     m.ok(
         "books.set_w9",
         json!({"party": "Landlord", "received_on": "2026-01-03", "entity_type": "LLC (partnership)",
-               "tin": "79-9714321", "tin_type": "ein", "w9_file_path": w9_pdf.to_str().unwrap()}),
+               "tin": "79-9714321", "tin_type": "ein",
+               "w9_content_base64": b64(w9_pdf), "w9_sha256": sha(w9_pdf)}),
     );
     m.ok(
         "books.get_w9",
@@ -889,17 +883,23 @@ fn happy_path(name: &str) -> Mcp {
     m.ok("books.list_receipts", json!({"include_withdrawn": true}));
     m.ok("books.list_receipts", json!({"entry_id": e2}));
     m.ok("books.get_receipt", json!({"attachment_id": r_old}));
+    m.ok(
+        "books.get_receipt",
+        json!({"attachment_id": r_old, "view": "bytes"}),
+    );
     let doc = m.ok(
         "books.file_document",
         json!({"category": "legal", "file_name": "agreement.txt", "mime_type": "text/plain",
-               "content_base64": b64(b"operating agreement"), "description": "OA"}),
+               "content_base64": b64(b"operating agreement"),
+               "sha256": sha(b"operating agreement"), "description": "OA"}),
     )["attachment_id"]
         .as_u64()
         .unwrap();
     let filed = m.ok(
         "books.file_document",
         json!({"category": "contract", "file_name": "lease.txt", "mime_type": "text/plain",
-               "content_base64": b64(b"lease"), "link_to": [{"kind": "company"}]}),
+               "content_base64": b64(b"lease"),
+               "sha256": sha(b"lease"), "link_to": [{"kind": "company"}]}),
     )["attachment_id"]
         .as_u64()
         .unwrap();
@@ -915,13 +915,15 @@ fn happy_path(name: &str) -> Mcp {
         "books.unlink_attachment",
         json!({"attachment_id": filed, "subject": {"kind": "company"}, "reason": "a lease, not a formation document"}),
     );
-    // From outside the books, in the server's import folder.
-    let local = inbox(&dir).join("local-receipt.txt");
-    std::fs::write(&local, b"a local receipt").unwrap();
-    m.ok(
-        "books.import_local_file",
-        json!({"path": local.to_str().unwrap(), "category": "receipt"}),
+    // An upload of bytes already stored: begin_upload names the
+    // attachment that holds them (over stdio, the only upload answered).
+    let local = m.attach(None, b"a local receipt");
+    let up = m.ok(
+        "books.begin_upload",
+        json!({"sha256": sha(b"a local receipt"), "size": 15, "mime_type": "text/plain",
+               "file_name": "local-receipt.txt", "purpose": "receipt"}),
     );
+    assert_eq!(up["existing_attachment_id"], json!(local), "{up}");
 
     // Reversal: preview, then confirmed.
     let e3 = m.draft(
@@ -1071,7 +1073,8 @@ fn happy_path(name: &str) -> Mcp {
     let source = m.ok(
         "books.file_document",
         json!({"category": "import_source", "file_name": "bank.csv", "mime_type": "text/csv",
-               "content_base64": b64(csv.as_bytes())}),
+               "content_base64": b64(csv.as_bytes()),
+               "sha256": sha(csv.as_bytes())}),
     )["attachment_id"]
         .as_u64()
         .unwrap();
@@ -1092,7 +1095,8 @@ fn happy_path(name: &str) -> Mcp {
     let stmt = m.ok(
         "books.file_document",
         json!({"category": "statement", "file_name": "2026-01.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-               "content_base64": b64(b"%PDF statement")}),
+               "content_base64": b64(b"%PDF statement"),
+               "sha256": sha(b"%PDF statement")}),
     )["attachment_id"]
         .as_u64()
         .unwrap();
@@ -1572,7 +1576,8 @@ fn run_op(m: &mut Mcp, k: &mut Known, op: &Op) {
                 let out = m.tool(
                     "books.attach_receipt",
                     json!({"entry_id": e, "file_name": "r.txt", "mime_type": "text/plain",
-                           "content_base64": b64(bytes.as_bytes())}),
+                           "content_base64": b64(bytes.as_bytes()),
+                           "sha256": sha(bytes.as_bytes())}),
                 );
                 k.attachments.extend(new_id(&out, "attachment_id"));
             }
@@ -1601,11 +1606,21 @@ fn run_op(m: &mut Mcp, k: &mut Known, op: &Op) {
             json!({"entry_id": entry.resolve(&k.entries), "date": date, "description": "undo",
                    "confirmed": opt(*confirmed)}),
         ),
-        Op::Attach { entry, content } => (
-            "books.attach_receipt",
-            json!({"entry_id": entry.map(|p| p.resolve(&k.entries)), "file_name": "r.bin",
-                   "mime_type": "application/octet-stream", "content_base64": content}),
-        ),
+        Op::Attach { entry, content } => {
+            // The bytes' own SHA-256 (content that is no base64 has none).
+            let sha256 = {
+                use base64::Engine as _;
+                base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD
+                    .decode(content)
+                    .map_or_else(|_| "0".repeat(64), |b| sha(&b))
+            };
+            (
+                "books.attach_receipt",
+                json!({"entry_id": entry.map(|p| p.resolve(&k.entries)), "file_name": "r.bin",
+                       "mime_type": "application/octet-stream", "content_base64": content,
+                       "sha256": sha256}),
+            )
+        }
         Op::Link { att, entry } => (
             "books.link_receipt",
             json!({"attachment_id": att.resolve(&k.attachments),

crates/ledger-mcp/tests/spec_vault.rs

@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ impl Drop for Mcp {
 
 static DIR_SEQ: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
 
-/// A test's dir and the folders beside it (`-inbox`, `-outside`),
+/// A test's dir and the folder beside it (`-outside`),
 /// removed when the test ends, pass or panic.
 struct TestDir(PathBuf);
 
@@ -92,11 +92,7 @@ impl AsRef<std::path::Path> for TestDir {
 impl Drop for TestDir {
     fn drop(&mut self) {
         let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&self.0);
-        for beside in ["-inbox", "-outside"] {
-            let p = PathBuf::from(format!("{}{beside}", self.0.display()));
-            let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&p);
-            let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&p);
-        }
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(format!("{}-outside", self.0.display()));
     }
 }
 
@@ -119,12 +115,15 @@ fn outside(dir: &Path) -> PathBuf {
     d
 }
 
-/// The server's import root, beside the books dir `dir`: W-9 files handed
-/// to books.set_w9 by path. Never where the server writes TINs.
-fn inbox(dir: &Path) -> PathBuf {
-    let d = PathBuf::from(format!("{}-inbox", dir.display()));
-    std::fs::create_dir_all(&d).unwrap();
-    d
+/// `bytes` as a tool takes them inline: base64.
+fn b64(bytes: &[u8]) -> String {
+    use base64::Engine as _;
+    base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD.encode(bytes)
+}
+
+/// The SHA-256 (hex) a file given inline comes with.
+fn sha(bytes: &[u8]) -> String {
+    ledger_store::journal::sha256_hex(bytes)
 }
 
 /// `wanderbooks.toml` with a company name, the receipt threshold, and
@@ -169,9 +168,6 @@ impl Mcp {
                     .into_iter()
                     .flatten()
             })
-            // Files handed over by path come only from here.
-            .arg("--import-root")
-            .arg(inbox(dir))
             .env("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR", &run)
             // Never the user's real vault key (the default key file is
             // under XDG_CONFIG_HOME); the tests name theirs anyway.
@@ -519,11 +515,9 @@ impl Mcp {
         }
         self.tool("books.set_w9", args)
     }
-    /// A W-9 file outside the books; it shows the TIN, like the real one.
-    fn w9_file(&self, name: &str, tin: &str) -> PathBuf {
-        let p = inbox(&self.books_dir()).join(name);
-        std::fs::write(&p, format!("%PDF-1.4 Form W-9 TIN {tin}")).unwrap();
-        p
+    /// A W-9 file (a PDF); it shows the TIN, like the real one.
+    fn w9_file(&self, tin: &str) -> Vec<u8> {
+        format!("%PDF-1.4 Form W-9 TIN {tin}").into_bytes()
     }
     /// Pay `vendor` `amount` from the bank in 2026, tagged.
     fn pay(&mut self, vendor: &str, amount: &str) {
@@ -626,9 +620,9 @@ fn set_w9_refusals_write_nothing_anywhere() {
     let mut m = books("refusals");
     let acme = m.party_id("Acme Design");
     m.add_party("IRS", &["tax_agency"]);
-    let missing = inbox(&m.books_dir()).join("no-such-w9.pdf");
-    let txt = inbox(&m.books_dir()).join("w9.txt");
-    std::fs::write(&txt, "W-9").unwrap();
+    let pdf = m.w9_file(SSN);
+    let txt = b"W-9";
+    let big = [b"%PDF-1.4 ".as_slice(), &vec![b' '; 256 * 1024]].concat();
     for (party, extra) in [
         ("Acme Design", json!({"tin": "57193284", "tin_type": "ssn"})), // eight digits
         (
@@ -653,14 +647,6 @@ fn set_w9_refusals_write_nothing_anywhere() {
             "Acme Design",
             json!({"tin": 291122846.0, "tin_type": "ssn"}),
         ), // a float
-        (
-            "Acme Design",
-            json!({"tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn", "w9_file_path": missing.to_str().unwrap()}),
-        ),
-        (
-            "Acme Design",
-            json!({"tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn", "w9_file_path": txt.to_str().unwrap()}),
-        ),
         (
             "Acme Design",
             json!({"tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn", "clear": true}),
@@ -680,6 +666,51 @@ fn set_w9_refusals_write_nothing_anywhere() {
             out.err_text()
         );
     }
+    // The W-9 file, each refused for its own reason.
+    let long = "!".repeat((256 * 1024usize).div_ceil(3) * 4 + 4);
+    for (extra, why) in [
+        (
+            json!({"w9_content_base64": b64(txt), "w9_sha256": sha(txt)}),
+            "a PDF, PNG, or JPEG",
+        ),
+        (
+            json!({"w9_content_base64": b64(&pdf)}),
+            "comes with its sha256",
+        ),
+        (
+            json!({"w9_content_base64": b64(&pdf), "w9_sha256": sha(txt)}),
+            "lost on the way",
+        ),
+        (
+            json!({"w9_content_base64": "!!not base64", "w9_sha256": sha(&pdf)}),
+            "not valid base64",
+        ),
+        (
+            json!({"w9_content_base64": b64(&big), "w9_sha256": sha(&big)}),
+            "upload it with books.begin_upload",
+        ),
+        (
+            json!({"w9_content_base64": long, "w9_sha256": sha(&big)}),
+            "inline is at most",
+        ),
+        (json!({"w9_upload_id": "u1"}), "takes files inline only"),
+        (
+            json!({"w9_upload_id": "u1", "w9_content_base64": b64(&pdf), "w9_sha256": sha(&pdf)}),
+            "not both",
+        ),
+        (
+            json!({"w9_content_base64": b64(&pdf), "w9_sha256": sha(&pdf), "w9_file_name": "../w9.pdf"}),
+            "no folder",
+        ),
+    ] {
+        let mut args = json!({"tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn"});
+        for (k, v) in extra.as_object().unwrap() {
+            args[k] = v.clone();
+        }
+        let why_given = m.w9("Acme Design", args).err_text();
+        assert!(why_given.contains(why), "{extra}: {why_given}");
+        assert!(!holds_tin(why_given.as_bytes(), SSN_DIGITS), "{why_given}");
+    }
     assert!(
         !m.vault().join(format!("tin-{acme}.bin")).exists(),
         "no record written"
@@ -739,10 +770,10 @@ fn the_facts_never_disagree_with_the_vault() {
 fn the_w9_file_goes_to_the_vault_never_the_documents() {
     let mut m = books("w9-file");
     let acme = m.party_id("Acme Design");
-    let src = m.w9_file("acme-w9.pdf", SSN);
+    let src = m.w9_file(SSN);
     let Out::Ok(p) = m.w9(
         "Acme Design",
-        json!({"tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn", "w9_file_path": src.to_str().unwrap()}),
+        json!({"tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn", "w9_content_base64": b64(&src), "w9_sha256": sha(&src)}),
     ) else {
         panic!("set_w9 with a file")
     };
@@ -760,8 +791,9 @@ fn the_w9_file_goes_to_the_vault_never_the_documents() {
         json!({"party": "Acme Design", "save_to": to.to_str().unwrap()}),
     );
     assert_eq!(out["path"], json!(to.display().to_string()));
-    assert_eq!(out["file_name"], "acme-w9.pdf");
-    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&to).unwrap(), std::fs::read(&src).unwrap());
+    // Given inline, the file is named for its type.
+    assert_eq!(out["file_name"], "w9.pdf");
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&to).unwrap(), src);
     assert!(!holds_tin(out.to_string().as_bytes(), SSN_DIGITS));
     #[cfg(unix)]
     {
@@ -804,10 +836,10 @@ fn the_w9_file_goes_to_the_vault_never_the_documents() {
     );
     // A W-9 file alone (the TIN typed in later) records the vault too.
     m.add_party("Solo", &["contractor"]);
-    let solo = m.w9_file("solo.png", "000");
+    let solo = m.w9_file("000");
     let Out::Ok(p) = m.w9(
         "Solo",
-        json!({"tin_last4": "0000", "w9_file_path": solo.to_str().unwrap()}),
+        json!({"tin_last4": "0000", "w9_content_base64": b64(&solo), "w9_sha256": sha(&solo)}),
     ) else {
         panic!("a W-9 file alone")
     };
@@ -815,22 +847,25 @@ fn the_w9_file_goes_to_the_vault_never_the_documents() {
     assert_eq!(p["w9"]["kept_at"], "wanderbooks vault");
 }
 
-/// A W-9 file is a PDF, PNG or JPEG, by its extension in any case
-/// (.pdf, .png, .jpg, .jpeg): each is taken into the vault and comes back
-/// byte for byte, under its own name.
+/// A W-9 file is a PDF, PNG or JPEG, judged by its own first bytes: each
+/// is taken into the vault and comes back byte for byte, named for its
+/// type.
 #[test]
 fn every_w9_file_type_is_taken() {
     let mut m = books("w9-types");
-    for (n, name) in ["w9.pdf", "w9.png", "w9.jpg", "w9.jpeg", "W9.JPG"]
-        .iter()
-        .enumerate()
+    for (n, (bytes, name)) in [
+        (b"%PDF-1.4 Form W-9".as_slice(), "w9.pdf"),
+        (b"\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n\0\0\0\rIHDR W-9".as_slice(), "w9.png"),
+        (b"\xff\xd8\xff\xe0\0\x10JFIF W-9".as_slice(), "w9.jpg"),
+    ]
+    .iter()
+    .enumerate()
     {
         let party = format!("Payee {n}");
         m.add_party(&party, &["contractor"]);
-        let src = m.w9_file(name, "000");
         let Out::Ok(p) = m.w9(
             &party,
-            json!({"tin_last4": "0000", "w9_file_path": src.to_str().unwrap()}),
+            json!({"tin_last4": "0000", "w9_content_base64": b64(bytes), "w9_sha256": sha(bytes)}),
         ) else {
             panic!("{name} refused")
         };
@@ -841,17 +876,57 @@ fn every_w9_file_type_is_taken() {
             json!({"party": party, "save_to": to.to_str().unwrap()}),
         );
         assert_eq!(out["file_name"], *name);
-        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&to).unwrap(), std::fs::read(&src).unwrap());
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&to).unwrap(), *bytes);
     }
+    // Its own name, when given; given alone, a name is refused.
+    m.add_party("Payee N", &["contractor"]);
+    let bytes = b"%PDF-1.4 Form W-9 named";
+    let Out::Ok(_) = m.w9(
+        "Payee N",
+        json!({"tin_last4": "0000", "w9_content_base64": b64(bytes), "w9_sha256": sha(bytes),
+               "w9_file_name": "payee-n-w9.pdf"}),
+    ) else {
+        panic!("named W-9 refused")
+    };
+    let to = m.outside().join("copy-named");
+    let out = m.ok(
+        "books.get_w9",
+        json!({"party": "Payee N", "save_to": to.to_str().unwrap()}),
+    );
+    assert_eq!(out["file_name"], "payee-n-w9.pdf");
+    let why = m
+        .w9(
+            "Payee N",
+            json!({"tin_last4": "0000", "w9_file_name": "x.pdf"}),
+        )
+        .err_text();
+    assert!(why.contains("w9_file_name names the W-9"), "{why}");
+    // Anything else is refused, near misses too.
+    m.add_party("Payee X", &["contractor"]);
+    for bytes in [
+        b"PDF-1.4 no percent".as_slice(),
+        b"\x89PNG\r\n no".as_slice(),
+        b"\xff\xd8 short".as_slice(),
+        b"GIF89a".as_slice(),
+    ] {
+        let why = m
+            .w9(
+                "Payee X",
+                json!({"tin_last4": "0000", "w9_content_base64": b64(bytes), "w9_sha256": sha(bytes)}),
+            )
+            .err_text();
+        assert!(why.contains("PDF, PNG, or JPEG"), "{why}");
+    }
+    assert_eq!(m.party("Payee X", 2026)["party"]["w9"], Value::Null);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn a_locked_vault_says_so_and_never_guesses() {
     let mut m = books("locked");
-    let src = m.w9_file("w9.pdf", SSN);
+    let src = m.w9_file(SSN);
     m.w9(
         "Acme Design",
-        json!({"tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn", "w9_file_path": src.to_str().unwrap()}),
+        json!({"tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn", "w9_content_base64": b64(&src), "w9_sha256": sha(&src)}),
     );
     m.pay("Acme Design", "700.00");
     let key = std::fs::read(m.key()).unwrap();
@@ -1003,10 +1078,10 @@ fn the_1099_worksheet_carries_full_tins_only_when_asked() {
 fn purge_deletes_the_vault_records_and_journals_why() {
     let mut m = books("purge");
     let acme = m.party_id("Acme Design");
-    let src = m.w9_file("w9.pdf", SSN);
+    let src = m.w9_file(SSN);
     m.w9(
         "Acme Design",
-        json!({"tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn", "w9_file_path": src.to_str().unwrap()}),
+        json!({"tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn", "w9_content_base64": b64(&src), "w9_sha256": sha(&src)}),
     );
     // Clearing while the vault holds it: refused.
     let why = m
@@ -1086,10 +1161,10 @@ fn no_full_tin_leaves_the_vault_except_the_worksheet_when_asked() {
         "no-leak",
         "[[company.members]]\nname = \"Mo\"\nshare = \"100%\"\ncapital_account = \"3000\"\n",
     );
-    let src = m.w9_file("acme-w9.pdf", SSN);
+    let src = m.w9_file(SSN);
     m.w9(
         "Acme Design",
-        json!({"tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn", "w9_file_path": src.to_str().unwrap()}),
+        json!({"tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn", "w9_content_base64": b64(&src), "w9_sha256": sha(&src)}),
     );
     m.w9("Rent Co", json!({"tin": EIN, "tin_type": "ein"}));
     m.ok("books.add_vendor", json!({"name": "Rent Co"}));

crates/ledger-mcp/tests/startup.rs

@@ -240,187 +240,25 @@ fn newer_books_are_refused_as_newer_not_corrupt() {
     );
 }
 
-/// Start the server and report whether it refused to start (it never got
-/// as far as serving), with its standard error.
-fn refuses_to_start(cmd: &mut Command) -> Option<String> {
-    let mut child = cmd
-        .stdin(Stdio::piped())
-        .stdout(Stdio::piped())
-        .stderr(Stdio::piped())
-        .spawn()
+/// `--import-root` is gone (files come in as tool input, P2 slice 5): a
+/// server started with it stops at once, as for any unknown argument,
+/// and never serves as if it had read from that folder.
+#[test]
+fn the_import_root_flag_is_refused_as_unknown() {
+    let dir = temp("import-root");
+    let out = Command::new(BIN)
+        .arg("--data-dir")
+        .arg(dir.join("books-data"))
+        .arg("--import-root")
+        .arg(dir.join("Downloads"))
+        .env("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", dir.join("config"))
+        .env("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR", dir.join("config"))
+        .stdin(Stdio::null())
+        .output()
         .unwrap();
-    // A server that starts waits on stdin; closing it ends the server.
-    drop(child.stdin.take());
-    let out = child.wait_with_output().unwrap();
-    let err = String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stderr).into_owned();
-    (!err.contains("serving over stdio")).then_some(err)
-}
-
-/// local_files.rs INVARIANT 0: a named import root that is `/`, the home
-/// folder, a folder holding it, a folder holding the books, the data dir
-/// (a symlinked --data-dir placed where it really is), the vault or a key
-/// file, or a folder inside the books, the data dir or the vault, stops
-/// the server at startup, saying why; a folder holding none of them is
-/// used.
-#[test]
-fn an_import_root_holding_the_books_or_the_home_folder_is_refused() {
-    let tmp = temp("bad-roots");
-    let dir = tmp.canonicalize().unwrap();
-    let home = dir.join("home");
-    let books = home.join("work/books");
-    let data = books.join("books-data");
-    let keys = dir.join("keys");
-    for d in [&home.join("Downloads"), &books, &keys, &dir.join("config")] {
-        std::fs::create_dir_all(d).unwrap();
-    }
-    std::fs::write(
-        books.join("wanderbooks.toml"),
-        format!(
-            "[vault]\nkey_file = \"{}\"\n",
-            keys.join("vault.key").display()
-        ),
-    )
-    .unwrap();
-    let link = dir.join("data-link");
-    std::os::unix::fs::symlink(&data, &link).unwrap();
-    let start = |data: &std::path::Path, root: &std::path::Path| {
-        let mut cmd = Command::new(BIN);
-        cmd.arg("--data-dir")
-            .arg(data)
-            .arg("--import-root")
-            .arg(root)
-            .env("HOME", &home)
-            .env("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", dir.join("config"))
-            .env("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR", dir.join("config"));
-        refuses_to_start(&mut cmd)
-    };
-    for (root, why) in [
-        (std::path::PathBuf::from("/"), "whole filesystem"),
-        (home.clone(), "home folder"),
-        (dir.clone(), "home folder"),
-        (home.join("work"), "holds the books"),
-        (books.clone(), "holds the books"),
-        (data.clone(), "holds the books"),
-        (
-            keys.clone(),
-            "holds the books, the TIN vault, or a vault key",
-        ),
-        (
-            dir.join("config"),
-            "holds the books, the TIN vault, or a vault key",
-        ),
-    ] {
-        let err = start(&data, &root).unwrap_or_else(|| panic!("{} was used", root.display()));
-        assert!(
-            err.contains("can't be used") && err.contains(why),
-            "{}: {err}",
-            root.display()
-        );
-    }
-    // A folder inside the books, the data dir or the vault: every file in
-    // it would be refused, so the root is.
-    for root in [
-        books.join("company"),
-        data.join("blobs"),
-        books.join("vault/inner"),
-    ] {
-        std::fs::create_dir_all(&root).unwrap();
-        let err = start(&data, &root).unwrap_or_else(|| panic!("{} was used", root.display()));
-        assert!(
-            err.contains("can't be used") && err.contains("inside the books"),
-            "{}: {err}",
-            root.display()
-        );
-    }
-    // Through a symlinked data dir, the books are where they really are.
-    let err = start(&link, &home.join("work")).expect("a root holding the real books");
-    assert!(err.contains("holds the books"), "{err}");
-    // A folder holding none of them is used.
-    assert_eq!(start(&data, &home.join("Downloads")), None);
-}
-
-/// local_files.rs INVARIANT 0, the default: an XDG_DOWNLOAD_DIR of
-/// "$HOME/" (or "/") never makes the home folder an import root. With no
-/// real ~/Downloads there is no root, and an import says so; with one, it
-/// is the root, and the rest of the home folder stays out of reach.
-#[test]
-fn a_download_dir_of_home_never_opens_the_home_folder() {
-    let tmp = temp("xdg-home");
-    let dir = tmp.canonicalize().unwrap();
-    let home = dir.join("home");
-    std::fs::create_dir_all(home.join(".ssh")).unwrap();
-    std::fs::write(home.join(".ssh/id_ed25519"), "PRIVATE KEY").unwrap();
-    let key = home.join(".ssh/id_ed25519");
-    let import = |xdg: &str, path: &std::path::Path| {
-        one_call(
-            Command::new(BIN)
-                .arg("--data-dir")
-                .arg(dir.join("books/books-data"))
-                .env("HOME", &home)
-                .env("XDG_DOWNLOAD_DIR", xdg)
-                .env("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", dir.join("config"))
-                .env("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR", dir.join("config")),
-            "books.import_local_file",
-            serde_json::json!({"path": path.to_str().unwrap(), "category": "document"}),
-        )
-    };
-    for xdg in ["$HOME/", "$HOME", "/"] {
-        let reply = import(xdg, &key);
-        assert!(reply.contains("has no import folder"), "{xdg}: {reply}");
-    }
-    std::fs::create_dir_all(home.join("Downloads")).unwrap();
-    std::fs::write(home.join("Downloads/receipt.pdf"), "%PDF a receipt").unwrap();
-    for xdg in ["$HOME/", "/"] {
-        let reply = import(xdg, &key);
-        assert!(
-            reply.contains("no such file in the server's import folders"),
-            "{xdg}: {reply}"
-        );
-        assert!(!reply.contains("PRIVATE"), "{reply}");
-    }
-    let reply = import("$HOME/", &home.join("Downloads/receipt.pdf"));
-    assert!(reply.contains("attachment_id"), "{reply}");
-}
-
-/// local_files.rs INVARIANT 0, a refused default: a downloads folder
-/// that holds the books, or one inside them, is dropped, never fatal
-/// (only a named root stops the server): it serves, with no import
-/// folder, and an import says so.
-#[test]
-fn a_default_download_dir_holding_the_books_is_dropped_not_fatal() {
-    let tmp = temp("xdg-books");
-    let dir = tmp.canonicalize().unwrap();
-    let home = dir.join("home");
-    let downloads = dir.join("downloads");
-    std::fs::create_dir_all(&home).unwrap();
-    std::fs::create_dir_all(downloads.join("books")).unwrap();
-    std::fs::write(downloads.join("receipt.pdf"), "%PDF a receipt").unwrap();
-    let reply = one_call(
-        Command::new(BIN)
-            .arg("--data-dir")
-            .arg(downloads.join("books/books-data"))
-            .env("HOME", &home)
-            .env("XDG_DOWNLOAD_DIR", &downloads)
-            .env("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", dir.join("config"))
-            .env("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR", dir.join("config")),
-        "books.import_local_file",
-        serde_json::json!({"path": downloads.join("receipt.pdf").to_str().unwrap(), "category": "document"}),
-    );
-    assert!(reply.contains("has no import folder"), "{reply}");
-    // A downloads folder inside the books dir is dropped the same way.
-    let books = dir.join("books");
-    std::fs::create_dir_all(books.join("Downloads")).unwrap();
-    std::fs::write(books.join("Downloads/receipt.pdf"), "%PDF a receipt").unwrap();
-    let reply = one_call(
-        Command::new(BIN)
-            .arg("--data-dir")
-            .arg(books.join("books-data"))
-            .env("HOME", &home)
-            .env("XDG_DOWNLOAD_DIR", books.join("Downloads"))
-            .env("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", dir.join("config"))
-            .env("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR", dir.join("config")),
-        "books.import_local_file",
-        serde_json::json!({"path": books.join("Downloads/receipt.pdf").to_str().unwrap(), "category": "document"}),
-    );
-    assert!(reply.contains("has no import folder"), "{reply}");
+    assert_eq!(out.status.code(), Some(2));
+    let err = String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stderr);
+    assert!(err.contains("unknown argument: --import-root"), "{err}");
+    assert!(!err.contains("serving"), "{err}");
+    assert!(!dir.join("books-data").exists(), "opened the books");
 }

crates/ledger-mcp/tests/tin_files.rs

@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@
 //! SOURCE: rules.md B-26; DECISION (P0 review round 2, 2026-10-16).
 //! INVARIANTS (oracle):
 //!   1. Every file the server read or wrote with full TINs is refused by
-//!      every way a file enters the books (books.import_local_file,
-//!      books.attach_receipt, books.file_document), from any session and
+//!      every way a file enters the books (books.attach_receipt and
+//!      books.file_document, its bytes given inline), from any session and
 //!      after the server restarts.
 //!   2. Text holding a full TIN is refused, whoever made it: one the vault
 //!      holds, in every common rendering (nine digits; 3-2-4 joined by
@@ -59,8 +59,9 @@ impl Drop for Server {
     }
 }
 
-/// The books dir, the import root, a folder outside both, and the
-/// settings (a member, so the CPA package has a K-1 worksheet).
+/// The books dir, a folder for files on their way in, a folder outside
+/// both, and the settings (a member, so the CPA package has a K-1
+/// worksheet).
 struct Books {
     dir: PathBuf,
     inbox: PathBuf,
@@ -125,8 +126,6 @@ fn serve(b: &Books) -> (Server, String) {
         .arg(b.dir.join("books-data"))
         .arg("--books-toml")
         .arg(&b.toml)
-        .arg("--import-root")
-        .arg(&b.inbox)
         .arg("--http")
         .arg(&addr)
         .env("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", base.join("config"))
@@ -177,14 +176,17 @@ async fn ok(c: &Client, tool: &str, args: Value) -> Value {
         .unwrap_or_else(|e| panic!("{tool}: {e}"))
 }
 
-fn b64(bytes: &[u8]) -> String {
+/// `bytes` as a tool takes them inline: base64, and their SHA-256 (hex).
+fn inline(bytes: &[u8]) -> (String, String) {
     use base64::Engine;
-    base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD.encode(bytes)
+    (
+        base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD.encode(bytes),
+        ledger_store::journal::sha256_hex(bytes),
+    )
 }
 
-/// Every way the file at `path` (copied into the import root as `name`)
-/// could enter the books is refused with `why`, and nothing is stored:
-/// the refusals, tool by tool.
+/// Every way the file at `path` (named `name`) could enter the books is
+/// refused with `why`, and nothing is stored: the refusals, tool by tool.
 async fn refused_everywhere(
     c: &Client,
     b: &Books,
@@ -193,23 +195,20 @@ async fn refused_everywhere(
     why: &str,
 ) -> Vec<String> {
     let bytes = std::fs::read(path).unwrap();
-    let copy = b.inbox.join(name);
-    std::fs::copy(path, &copy).unwrap();
+    let (content, sha) = inline(&bytes);
     let journal = b.dir.join("books-data").join(ledger_store::JOURNAL_FILE);
     let before = std::fs::read(&journal).unwrap();
     let mut refusals = Vec::new();
     for (tool, args) in [
-        (
-            "books.import_local_file",
-            json!({"path": copy.to_str().unwrap(), "category": "document", "document_category": "tax"}),
-        ),
         (
             "books.attach_receipt",
-            json!({"file_name": name, "mime_type": "application/octet-stream", "content_base64": b64(&bytes)}),
+            json!({"file_name": name, "mime_type": "application/octet-stream",
+                   "content_base64": content, "sha256": sha}),
         ),
         (
             "books.file_document",
-            json!({"category": "tax", "file_name": name, "mime_type": "application/pdf", "content_base64": b64(&bytes)}),
+            json!({"category": "tax", "file_name": name, "mime_type": "application/pdf",
+                   "content_base64": content, "sha256": sha}),
         ),
     ] {
         let err = call(c, tool, args).await.expect_err(tool);
@@ -221,7 +220,6 @@ async fn refused_everywhere(
         before,
         "a refusal stored something"
     );
-    std::fs::remove_file(copy).unwrap();
     refusals
 }
 
@@ -240,6 +238,7 @@ async fn a_tin_bearing_file_is_refused_from_every_session_and_after_a_restart()
         b"%PDF-1.4\n\xff\xfe\x00 scanned W-9 \x01\x02\x03\n%%EOF\n",
     )
     .unwrap();
+    let (w9_content, w9_sha) = inline(&std::fs::read(&w9).unwrap());
     let (server, url) = serve(&b);
     let one = connect(&url).await;
     for (code, name, ty) in [
@@ -270,7 +269,7 @@ async fn a_tin_bearing_file_is_refused_from_every_session_and_after_a_restart()
         &one,
         "books.set_w9",
         json!({"party": "Acme", "received_on": "2026-01-03", "entity_type": "Individual",
-               "tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn", "w9_file_path": w9.to_str().unwrap()}),
+               "tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn", "w9_content_base64": w9_content, "w9_sha256": w9_sha}),
     )
     .await;
     ok(
@@ -281,7 +280,7 @@ async fn a_tin_bearing_file_is_refused_from_every_session_and_after_a_restart()
     .await;
     // A bank statement filed in the books: the package carries it, and it
     // is no TIN file (its routing numbers are not TINs).
-    accepted_everywhere(&one, &b, "statement.csv", BANK_CSV).await;
+    accepted_everywhere(&one, "statement.csv", BANK_CSV).await;
     // What the server writes with TINs, from the first session.
     let copy = b.out.join("w9-copy.pdf");
     ok(
@@ -333,12 +332,12 @@ async fn a_tin_bearing_file_is_refused_from_every_session_and_after_a_restart()
     std::fs::write(&fresh, format!("name,ssn\nDana,{}\n", "187-05-1907")).unwrap();
     refused_everywhere(&two, &b, &fresh, "payees.csv", TIN_PRINTED).await;
     // An ordinary file still goes in, every way.
-    let fine = b.inbox.join("lunch.pdf");
-    std::fs::write(&fine, b"%PDF-1.4\n\xff lunch receipt, order 12-34\n").unwrap();
+    let (fine, fine_sha) = inline(b"%PDF-1.4\n\xff lunch receipt, order 12-34\n");
     ok(
         &two,
-        "books.import_local_file",
-        json!({"path": fine.to_str().unwrap(), "category": "receipt"}),
+        "books.attach_receipt",
+        json!({"file_name": "lunch.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
+               "content_base64": fine, "sha256": fine_sha}),
     )
     .await;
     // The books' own files the package carried are not marked: the
@@ -353,7 +352,7 @@ async fn a_tin_bearing_file_is_refused_from_every_session_and_after_a_restart()
             "the package carries the statement"
         );
     }
-    accepted_everywhere(&two, &b, "statement-again.csv", BANK_CSV).await;
+    accepted_everywhere(&two, "statement-again.csv", BANK_CSV).await;
     drop((one, two));
     drop(server);
 
@@ -406,8 +405,9 @@ async fn a_refused_set_w9_never_marks_its_file() {
         .await;
     }
     let w9_args = |party: &str, path: &Path| {
+        let (content, sha) = inline(&std::fs::read(path).unwrap());
         json!({"party": party, "received_on": "2026-01-03", "entity_type": "Individual",
-               "tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn", "w9_file_path": path.to_str().unwrap()})
+               "tin": SSN, "tin_type": "ssn", "w9_content_base64": content, "w9_sha256": sha})
     };
     for (party, path, why) in [
         ("Nobody", &w9, "unknown party"),
@@ -424,51 +424,54 @@ async fn a_refused_set_w9_never_marks_its_file() {
         ("w9-scan.pdf", w9_bytes.clone()),
         ("notes.txt", std::fs::read(&notes).unwrap()),
     ] {
+        let (content, sha) = inline(&bytes);
         let out = ok(
             &c,
             "books.file_document",
             json!({"category": "other", "file_name": name, "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-                   "content_base64": b64(&bytes)}),
+                   "content_base64": content, "sha256": sha}),
         )
         .await;
         assert!(out["attachment_id"].is_u64(), "{name}: {out}");
     }
     // A set_w9 that succeeds marks it.
     ok(&c, "books.set_w9", w9_args("Acme", &w9)).await;
-    let err = call(
-        &c,
-        "books.file_document",
-        json!({"category": "other", "file_name": "again.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
-               "content_base64": b64(&w9_bytes)}),
-    )
-    .await
-    .expect_err("marked");
-    assert!(err.contains(TIN_FILE), "{err}");
+    let (content, sha) = inline(&w9_bytes);
+    for (tool, args) in [
+        (
+            "books.file_document",
+            json!({"category": "other", "file_name": "again.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
+                   "content_base64": content, "sha256": sha}),
+        ),
+        (
+            "books.attach_receipt",
+            json!({"file_name": "again.pdf", "mime_type": "application/pdf",
+                   "content_base64": content, "sha256": sha}),
+        ),
+    ] {
+        let err = call(&c, tool, args).await.expect_err("marked");
+        assert!(err.contains(TIN_FILE), "{tool}: {err}");
+    }
 }
 
 /// Every way a file enters the books takes the text `name` holding
 /// `text`, and the journal shows it.
-async fn accepted_everywhere(c: &Client, b: &Books, name: &str, text: &str) {
-    let path = b.inbox.join(name);
-    std::fs::write(&path, text).unwrap();
+async fn accepted_everywhere(c: &Client, name: &str, text: &str) {
+    let (content, sha) = inline(text.as_bytes());
     for (tool, args) in [
-        (
-            "books.import_local_file",
-            json!({"path": path.to_str().unwrap(), "category": "document", "document_category": "statement"}),
-        ),
         (
             "books.attach_receipt",
-            json!({"file_name": name, "mime_type": "text/csv", "content_base64": b64(text.as_bytes())}),
+            json!({"file_name": name, "mime_type": "text/csv", "content_base64": content, "sha256": sha}),
         ),
         (
             "books.file_document",
-            json!({"category": "import_source", "file_name": name, "mime_type": "text/csv", "content_base64": b64(text.as_bytes())}),
+            json!({"category": "import_source", "file_name": name, "mime_type": "text/csv",
+                   "content_base64": content, "sha256": sha}),
         ),
     ] {
         let out = ok(c, tool, args).await;
         assert!(out["attachment_id"].is_u64(), "{tool}: {out}");
     }
-    std::fs::remove_file(path).unwrap();
 }
 
 /// A real bank export: ABA routing numbers (nine digits), account and
@@ -526,7 +529,7 @@ async fn text_with_a_vault_tin_or_a_printed_one_is_refused_and_a_bank_export_is_
         std::fs::write(&path, format!("payee,tin\n{printed}\n")).unwrap();
         refused_everywhere(&c, &b, &path, &format!("payees-{n}.csv"), TIN_PRINTED).await;
     }
-    accepted_everywhere(&c, &b, "bank.csv", BANK_CSV).await;
+    accepted_everywhere(&c, "bank.csv", BANK_CSV).await;
     drop(c);
     drop(server);
 
@@ -542,12 +545,11 @@ async fn text_with_a_vault_tin_or_a_printed_one_is_refused_and_a_bank_export_is_
     refused_everywhere(&c, &b, &path, "members-1.csv", TIN_PRINTED).await;
     accepted_everywhere(
         &c,
-        &b,
         "bank-2.csv",
         &format!("{BANK_CSV}2026-10-06,x,1.00,1.00,1\n"),
     )
     .await;
-    accepted_everywhere(&c, &b, "members-0.csv", "member,tin\nKat,830835531\n").await;
+    accepted_everywhere(&c, "members-0.csv", "member,tin\nKat,830835531\n").await;
 }
 
 /// INVARIANT 3b through the tools: the company's own EIN, as its
@@ -571,7 +573,6 @@ async fn the_company_s_own_ein_goes_in_and_no_other() {
     let c = connect(&url).await;
     accepted_everywhere(
         &c,
-        &b,
         "plan.md",
         "# Tin Co business plan\n\nEIN 12-3456789, formed 2026-10-04.\n",
     )
@@ -697,8 +698,8 @@ async fn text_probing_for_a_tin_is_refused_alike_by_every_filing_tool() {
     };
     let open = probes(&c).await;
     refused_everywhere(&c, &b, &tin, "tin.csv", TIN_HELD).await;
-    accepted_everywhere(&c, &b, "one.csv", &std::fs::read_to_string(&one).unwrap()).await;
-    accepted_everywhere(&c, &b, "bank.csv", BANK_CSV).await;
+    accepted_everywhere(&c, "one.csv", &std::fs::read_to_string(&one).unwrap()).await;
+    accepted_everywhere(&c, "bank.csv", BANK_CSV).await;
     drop(c);
     drop(server);