diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 3f499ce8..a47a4d8c 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -60,7 +60,8 @@ before writing code. Do not summarize from memory. Read fresh.
 ## Broken Tablets (Build Log)
 
 Record what broke and how it was fixed. The correction is as important
-as the specification. See `memory/build_log.md` for the full log.
+as the specification. The full log is kept in the operator's private
+notes, outside this repo.
 
 Key corrections from L1 build:
 - U+05BD (siluq/meteg) misclassified as vowel — moved to TEAMIM_MAP
diff --git a/BUILD_KORBAN.md b/BUILD_KORBAN.md
index 68ac062d..5cdecfc5 100644
--- a/BUILD_KORBAN.md
+++ b/BUILD_KORBAN.md
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ Add to the Principles section:
 
 ## Task 3: Record Broken Tablets
 
-As you build, record what breaks and how it was fixed in `memory/build_log.md`. The correction is as important as the specification. Include:
+As you build, record what breaks and how it was fixed in the operator's build log (kept outside this repo). The correction is as important as the specification. Include:
 - What you expected vs what happened
 - The root cause
 - The fix
diff --git a/deploy/ARCHITECTURE.md b/deploy/ARCHITECTURE.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..79ec6ccb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deploy/ARCHITECTURE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+# Deployment Architecture
+
+Generic architecture shape for a shorashim deployment. Specifics of a particular deployment (hostnames, IPs, account names, credentials) live in the operator's private notes, not in this repo.
+
+## Components
+
+One Kubernetes namespace runs the following:
+
+| Component | Runtime | Purpose |
+|-----------|---------|---------|
+| `vav-pipeline` | Elixir/OTP release | Bereishit cycle, ShemaContext, Cloud, Manna, HTTP API (pe'ah, courtyard, chatzer, kodesh) |
+| `shoresh-engine` | Haskell binary (sidecar via Erlang Port) | Root activation, te'amim parsing, gematria |
+| `talmudic-engine` | SWI-Prolog (sidecar via Unix socket) | 613 mitzvot, 13 middot, kushya generation, teiku |
+| `korban-processor` | Python 3.12 (sidecar) | Offering protocol, eish zarah validation |
+
+All four run in the same pod; the vav-pipeline is the main container, the other three are sidecars.
+
+## External dependencies
+
+| Dependency | Purpose | Contract |
+|-----------|---------|----------|
+| Managed PostgreSQL 17+ | L3 Oral Tradition (append-only) | `DATABASE_URL` env var. Requires SSL. Role with `SELECT, INSERT` only — `UPDATE`, `DELETE` revoked (see migration). |
+| Block-storage PersistentVolume | L1 Torah filesystem (read-only, ~1 GiB) | Mount read-only at `/mnt/torah`. SHA-256 hash verified at boot. |
+| Block-storage PersistentVolume | Manna provision (read-write, ~100 MiB) | Mount at `/var/lib/shorashim/manna`. Operator writes `today.json` daily. |
+| Ingress controller + TLS cert | Public HTTPS access | Cert-manager with Let's Encrypt HTTP-01 is the reference setup. |
+| Container registry | Image distribution | Any registry that supports Docker v2 protocol. |
+
+## Kubernetes manifests
+
+Kept in `deploy/k8s/`:
+
+- `namespace.yaml` — the namespace
+- `configmap.yaml` — non-secret configuration
+- `secrets.yaml` — **template only**; operator fills in `DATABASE_URL`
+- `l1-volume.yaml` — PV and PVC for Torah filesystem
+- `manna-volume.yaml` — PVC for provision file
+- `deployment.yaml` — the pod with 4 containers + init container for migrations
+- `service.yaml` — ClusterIP and external LoadBalancer
+- `gitea-mcp-deployment.yaml` — separate MCP server for Gitea connector (optional)
+- `gitea-mcp-ingress.yaml` — TLS ingress for the MCP server
+- `gitea-mcp-secret.yaml` — template for Gitea PAT
+- `cert-manager-issuer.yaml` — Let's Encrypt ClusterIssuer
+
+## Containers
+
+Four Dockerfiles in `deploy/docker/`:
+
+- `Dockerfile.vav_pipeline` — multi-stage Elixir 1.16.1 / OTP 26.2.1 release
+- `Dockerfile.shoresh_engine` — multi-stage Haskell GHC 9.6.4 / Cabal
+- `Dockerfile.talmudic_engine` — SWI-Prolog 9.2.2 with socket server
+- `Dockerfile.korban_processor` — Python 3.12.2 slim
+
+## Configuration surface
+
+The system reads three things from its environment:
+
+1. **L1 Torah** — mounted read-only at `$L1_MOUNT_POINT`. Integrity verified at every boot.
+2. **Manna provision** — JSON file at `$MANNA_PROVISION_FILE`, written by the kohen/treasurer.
+3. **L3 database** — connection string in `$DATABASE_URL`.
+
+Nothing else is configurable. The system obeys Torah (L1 + calendar) for governance and the provision file for resources.
+
+## Seven-day inauguration
+
+Before serving users, run the `shiv'at y'mei milu'im` sequence documented in `KOHEN.md`. Each day validates a specific layer. Partial inauguration is no inauguration.