diff --git a/docs/v4.0.0/STICK.md b/docs/v4.0.0/STICK.md
index 867924da..f3edfd16 100644
--- a/docs/v4.0.0/STICK.md
+++ b/docs/v4.0.0/STICK.md
@@ -122,9 +122,13 @@ gains the partitions below). Three partitions:
   - **The minimum stick: 8 GB.** Sticks on the shelf are 16–64 GB; 8 GB is the floor.
   - **The identity partition stays 500 MiB.** About half a million 1 KiB blocks for Zuse's keys and
     her own pool.
-  - **Artemis grows to fill the stick at its first boot (§5a),** up to **2 TiB** for the partition
-    (the block layer numbers 1 KiB blocks with 32 bits: 4 TiB is its hard limit; 2 TiB keeps a margin
-    and is past any thumb drive). Space past 2 TiB is left unused, and the boot says so.
+  - **Artemis grows to fill the stick at its first boot (§5a),** up to **256 GiB** for the partition
+    (**amended 2026-10-29**, Captain Bob: "256 GiB is ruled" -- plan
+    `plans/2026-10-29-stick-5-proxy-zuse-and-real-zuse.md`, R1. This said 2 TiB: the block layer
+    numbers 1 KiB blocks with 32 bits, so 4 TiB is its hard limit, but the block subsystem keeps two
+    bytes of kernel heap per block and the heap is 2 GiB, so a 2 TiB Artemis could not attach; 256 GiB
+    takes about 384 MiB. The stick's Artemis is formatted with a BAM sized for 256 GiB, so growth
+    writes metadata only.) Space past 256 GiB is left unused, and the boot says so.
   - **A stick under 8 GB** is not grown: it runs at the 2 GiB it was written with, and the boot says
     so.
 - **The Artemis partition is formatted when the image is built (my call),** not on first boot:
@@ -168,7 +172,7 @@ Before genesis, on a stick whose GPT ends where the 2 GiB image ended and whose
 first boot of a freshly written stick), the kernel grows Artemis:
 
 - It moves the backup GPT header and entry array to the disk's end, extends the Artemis partition's
-  last LBA to the end of the usable space (capped at 2 TiB of partition), and rewrites both headers
+  last LBA to the end of the usable space (capped at 256 GiB of partition, amended -- §4), and rewrites both headers
   with their CRCs (the GPT writer; `INSTALL` reuses it).
 - It grows Artemis's volume to the partition: its `STFR` header's size, its free map for the new
   blocks, and its metadata fence (with the genesis marker's slot) moved to the new top, as the block
diff --git a/experiments/bare_metal/runs/doe-amd64-20261108-115815.csv b/experiments/bare_metal/runs/doe-amd64-20261108-115815.csv
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/experiments/bare_metal/runs/doe-amd64-20261108-120001.csv b/experiments/bare_metal/runs/doe-amd64-20261108-120001.csv
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/experiments/bare_metal/runs/doe-amd64-20261108-120143.csv b/experiments/bare_metal/runs/doe-amd64-20261108-120143.csv
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/kernel/Makefile b/kernel/Makefile
index 98c73223..6a6c0c0a 100644
--- a/kernel/Makefile
+++ b/kernel/Makefile
@@ -270,6 +270,14 @@ STICK_IMAGE_MIB    := 2048
 STICK_ESP_MIB      := 64
 STICK_IDENT_MIB    := 500
 DATASTICK_MIB      := 1536
+# Growth (STICK.md 5a; plan 2026-10-29-stick-5, R1: "256 GiB is ruled"): a stick of at least
+# STICK_GROW_MIN_BYTES grows its Artemis partition to fill it, at most STICK_ARTEMIS_CAP_GIB; the
+# stick's and data stick's Artemis are formatted with a BAM sized for that cap, so growth writes
+# metadata only. The kernel is built with both (-D, below).
+STICK_GROW_MIN_BYTES      := 8000000000
+STICK_ARTEMIS_CAP_GIB     := 256
+STICK_ARTEMIS_CAP_SECTORS := 536870912
+# (256 GiB in 512-byte sectors: keep the two in step)
 DATASTICK_IMG       = $(BUILD_DIR)/datastick.img
 # STICK_PAIR -- a minted pair (e.g. disk/zuse-scratch) whose identity and Artemis images become
 # the PC stick's partitions, byte for byte, instead of a blank identity and a fresh Artemis.
@@ -706,7 +714,8 @@ endif
 V4_DEFAULT ?= 1
 ifeq ($(STARFORTH_V4),1)
 V4_DEFS := -DSTARFORTH_V4=1 -DSK_V4_DEFAULT=$(V4_DEFAULT) -Iv4/include \
-    -DV4_CELL_BITS=64 -DV4_NODE_WORDS=16384 -DV4_DATA_RING=30 -DV4_RET_RING=31 -DV4_ROM_WORDS=4096
+    -DV4_CELL_BITS=64 -DV4_NODE_WORDS=16384 -DV4_DATA_RING=30 -DV4_RET_RING=31 -DV4_ROM_WORDS=4096 \
+    -DSTICK_GROW_MIN_BYTES=$(STICK_GROW_MIN_BYTES)ULL -DSTICK_ARTEMIS_CAP_GIB=$(STICK_ARTEMIS_CAP_GIB)ULL
 KERNEL_CFLAGS += $(V4_DEFS)
 LOADER_CFLAGS += $(V4_DEFS)
 
@@ -714,8 +723,8 @@ V4_ENGINE_SRCS := $(addprefix v4/src/,node.c exec.c stack.c iword.c heat.c guard
 V4_ROM_C       := $(BUILD_DIR)/v4_rom_64.c
 V4_MAP_C       := $(BUILD_DIR)/v4_map_64.c
 
-LOADER_EXTRA_SRCS += $(KERNEL_SRC)/v4/sk_v4.c $(KERNEL_SRC)/v4/sk_v4_identity.c $(KERNEL_SRC)/v4/sk_v4_marker.c
-KERNEL_EXTRA_SRCS += $(KERNEL_SRC)/v4/sk_v4.c $(KERNEL_SRC)/v4/sk_v4_identity.c $(KERNEL_SRC)/v4/sk_v4_marker.c
+LOADER_EXTRA_SRCS += $(KERNEL_SRC)/v4/sk_v4.c $(KERNEL_SRC)/v4/sk_v4_identity.c $(KERNEL_SRC)/v4/sk_v4_marker.c $(KERNEL_SRC)/v4/sk_v4_grow.c
+KERNEL_EXTRA_SRCS += $(KERNEL_SRC)/v4/sk_v4.c $(KERNEL_SRC)/v4/sk_v4_identity.c $(KERNEL_SRC)/v4/sk_v4_marker.c $(KERNEL_SRC)/v4/sk_v4_grow.c
 # v4/system/boot.c is the boot the hosted v4 system runs too: the ROM
 # assembles the system, then the capsules from this kernel's own capsule
 # directory, then the prompt.
@@ -816,7 +825,8 @@ $(MKARTEMIS_BIN): $(MKARTEMIS_SRC) $(wildcard v3/include/*.h) kernel/include/sta
 .PHONY: datastick
 datastick: $(MKARTEMIS_BIN)
 	@bash scripts/mkdiskimage.sh --out $(DATASTICK_IMG) --table gpt --size-mib $(DATASTICK_MIB) \
-	    --label DATASTICK --starship $(STICK_IDENT_MIB) --mkartemis $(MKARTEMIS_BIN) --esp-mib 0
+	    --label DATASTICK --starship $(STICK_IDENT_MIB) --mkartemis $(MKARTEMIS_BIN) --esp-mib 0 \
+	    --bam-for $(STICK_ARTEMIS_CAP_SECTORS)
 
 # zusestick -- Zuse's minted pair as a stick, fresh every time it is made (the ZUSEDISK default).
 .PHONY: zusestick
@@ -1493,7 +1503,8 @@ boot_image: all $(if $(BOARD_STICK),$(MKARTEMIS_BIN))
 	@bash scripts/mkdiskimage.sh --out $(BOARD_OUT)/$(BOARD_IMAGE) --table gpt \
 	    $(if $(BOARD_STICK),$(if $(STICK_PAIR),--esp-mib $(STICK_ESP_MIB) --starship-from \
 	        $(STICK_PAIR)/zuse-thumb-ident.img $(STICK_PAIR)/artemis.img,--size-mib $(STICK_IMAGE_MIB) \
-	        --starship $(STICK_IDENT_MIB) --mkartemis $(MKARTEMIS_BIN) --esp-mib $(STICK_ESP_MIB)), \
+	        --starship $(STICK_IDENT_MIB) --mkartemis $(MKARTEMIS_BIN) --esp-mib $(STICK_ESP_MIB) \
+	        --bam-for $(STICK_ARTEMIS_CAP_SECTORS)), \
 	        --size-mib $(BOOT_IMAGE_SIZE_MIB)) \
 	    --label LITHOS \
 	    $(LOADER_EFI):/EFI/BOOT/$(EFI_BOOTNAME) \
diff --git a/kernel/include/starkernel/gpt.h b/kernel/include/starkernel/gpt.h
index cad5da82..05b413ed 100644
--- a/kernel/include/starkernel/gpt.h
+++ b/kernel/include/starkernel/gpt.h
@@ -33,6 +33,22 @@ int gpt_read(blkio_dev_t *disk, gpt_part_t *parts, unsigned max, unsigned *count
  * returned GPT_OK: which disk it was, so a stick can be told from another. */
 void gpt_disk_guid(uint8_t guid[16]);
 
+/* The backup header's LBA (header bytes 32..39) of the last gpt_read that
+ * returned GPT_OK: a disk whose backup header is not its last sector is larger
+ * than the table written to it. */
+uint64_t gpt_alternate_lba(void);
+
+/* Grow the partition of `type` -- which must be the disk's last -- to the end
+ * of `disk` (plan 2026-10-29-stick-5, Task 2): the backup entry array and
+ * header moved to the disk's last sectors, the partition's last LBA to the
+ * last usable sector before them (on a whole MiB, at most `max_part_sectors`
+ * long), both headers rewritten with their CRCs -- the backup first, so a
+ * write torn between them leaves the old primary valid -- and the protective
+ * MBR's size. GPT_OK with `*new_last_lba` the partition's last LBA (unchanged,
+ * and nothing written, when the backup header is already the disk's last
+ * sector); GPT_BAD or GPT_EIO otherwise. */
+int gpt_grow_last(blkio_dev_t *disk, const uint8_t type[16], uint64_t max_part_sectors, uint64_t *new_last_lba);
+
 /* The index of the first partition of `type`, or -1. */
 int gpt_find(const gpt_part_t *parts, unsigned count, const uint8_t type[16]);
 
diff --git a/kernel/include/starkernel/v4/sk_v4_grow.h b/kernel/include/starkernel/v4/sk_v4_grow.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..365ff63c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/kernel/include/starkernel/v4/sk_v4_grow.h
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+/* sk_v4_grow.h -- Artemis grows to fill the stick at its first boot
+ * (docs/v4.0.0/STICK.md 5a; plan 2026-10-29-stick-5, Task 2).
+ *
+ * Built only with STARFORTH_V4=1 (Kconfig.kernel).
+ */
+#ifndef STARKERNEL_V4_SK_V4_GROW_H
+#define STARKERNEL_V4_SK_V4_GROW_H
+
+#include <stdint.h>
+#include "blkio.h"
+
+/* How far the Artemis partition `art` may grow, in 512-byte sectors: no
+ * further than `cap_sectors`, nor than its volume's BAM can track. 0 when
+ * `art` holds no STFR v2 volume. Reads only. */
+uint64_t sk_v4_grow_cap_sectors(blkio_dev_t *art, uint64_t cap_sectors);
+
+/* Grow the volume on `art` to fill its partition: its fence (the Artemis
+ * signature, Zuse's genesis marker) moved to the new top, then its header.
+ * Metadata only. 1 when grown, 0 when it already fills the partition, -1 on
+ * an error -- the old header then still names the old volume, whole. */
+int sk_v4_grow_artemis(blkio_dev_t *art);
+
+#endif /* STARKERNEL_V4_SK_V4_GROW_H */
diff --git a/kernel/src/gpt.c b/kernel/src/gpt.c
index 2f4df899..88700e5c 100644
--- a/kernel/src/gpt.c
+++ b/kernel/src/gpt.c
@@ -7,8 +7,13 @@
  * a block device of a StarshipOS partition: its block 0 is the partition's
  * first 1 KiB, and nothing past its end can be reached through it. The
  * identity and Artemis formats inside a partition are exactly those of a raw
- * drive today. Reads only. 512-byte logical sectors only (the stick and its
- * data stick); docs/v4.0.0/plans/2026-10-26-stick-2-gpt-reader.md.
+ * drive today. 512-byte logical sectors only (the stick and its data stick);
+ * docs/v4.0.0/plans/2026-10-26-stick-2-gpt-reader.md.
+ *
+ * The writer (plan 2026-10-29-stick-5, Task 2; STICK.md 5a): the stick's last
+ * partition grown to the end of a disk larger than the image written to it --
+ * the backup header and entry array moved to the disk's end, both headers
+ * rewritten with their CRCs, the backup before the primary.
  */
 #include "starkernel/gpt.h"
 #include "console.h"
@@ -51,6 +56,7 @@ static uint64_t le64(const uint8_t *p) { return (uint64_t)le32(p) | (uint64_t)le
 static uint8_t g_gpt_hdr_block[BLKIO_FORTH_BLOCK_SIZE];
 static uint8_t g_gpt_entries[GPT_ENTRIES_MAX];
 static uint8_t g_gpt_disk_guid[16];     /* the DiskGUID of the last gpt_read that gave GPT_OK */
+static uint64_t g_gpt_alternate_lba;    /* and its backup header's LBA */
 
 int gpt_read(blkio_dev_t *disk, gpt_part_t *parts, unsigned max, unsigned *count)
 {
@@ -125,6 +131,7 @@ int gpt_read(blkio_dev_t *disk, gpt_part_t *parts, unsigned max, unsigned *count
     }
     *count = n;
     memcpy(g_gpt_disk_guid, h + 56, 16);
+    g_gpt_alternate_lba = le64(h + 32);
     return GPT_OK;
 }
 
@@ -140,6 +147,122 @@ int gpt_find(const gpt_part_t *parts, unsigned count, const uint8_t type[16])
     return -1;
 }
 
+/* ---- the writer: growing the last partition to the disk's end ---------- */
+
+static void put_le32(uint8_t *p, uint32_t v) { p[0] = (uint8_t)v; p[1] = (uint8_t)(v >> 8); p[2] = (uint8_t)(v >> 16); p[3] = (uint8_t)(v >> 24); }
+static void put_le64(uint8_t *p, uint64_t v) { put_le32(p, (uint32_t)v); put_le32(p + 4, (uint32_t)(v >> 32)); }
+
+static uint8_t g_gpt_rmw[BLKIO_FORTH_BLOCK_SIZE];
+
+/* Write `n` 512-byte sectors from `src` at sector `lba`: each through a
+ * read-modify-write of the 1 KiB block that holds it, so a sector at an odd
+ * LBA (the backup header, the backup entry array) is written alone. */
+static int put_sectors(blkio_dev_t *disk, uint64_t lba, const uint8_t *src, uint32_t n)
+{
+    uint32_t i;
+    for (i = 0; i < n; i++) {
+        uint64_t s = lba + i;
+        uint32_t blk = (uint32_t)(s / 2u);
+        if (blkio_read(disk, blk, g_gpt_rmw) != BLKIO_OK) return -1;
+        memcpy(g_gpt_rmw + (s % 2u) * GPT_SECTOR, src + (size_t)i * GPT_SECTOR, GPT_SECTOR);
+        if (blkio_write(disk, blk, g_gpt_rmw) != BLKIO_OK) return -1;
+    }
+    return 0;
+}
+
+uint64_t gpt_alternate_lba(void)
+{
+    return g_gpt_alternate_lba;
+}
+
+int gpt_grow_last(blkio_dev_t *disk, const uint8_t type[16], uint64_t max_part_sectors, uint64_t *new_last_lba)
+{
+    static gpt_part_t parts[16];
+    static uint8_t    hdr[GPT_SECTOR], bak[GPT_SECTOR];
+    const uint8_t    *h = g_gpt_hdr_block + GPT_SECTOR;
+    uint8_t          *mbr = g_gpt_hdr_block, *e = (uint8_t *)0;
+    uint64_t          disk_sectors, alt, ent_lba, new_alt, new_ent, new_last_usable, first, last, want, top = 0;
+    uint32_t          nent, esize, ent_sectors, i;
+    unsigned          count;
+    size_t            ebytes;
+    int               rc;
+
+    rc = gpt_read(disk, parts, 16u, &count);
+    if (rc != GPT_OK) return rc == GPT_NONE ? GPT_BAD : rc;
+    nent  = le32(h + 80);
+    esize = le32(h + 84);
+    ebytes = (size_t)nent * esize;
+    ent_sectors = (uint32_t)((ebytes + GPT_SECTOR - 1u) / GPT_SECTOR);
+    ent_lba = le64(h + 72);
+    alt = le64(h + 32);
+    disk_sectors = (uint64_t)disk->total_blocks * (BLKIO_FORTH_BLOCK_SIZE / GPT_SECTOR);
+
+    /* the partition of `type`, which must be the last on the disk */
+    for (i = 0; i < nent; i++) {
+        uint8_t *x = g_gpt_entries + (size_t)i * esize;
+        static const uint8_t zero[16];
+        if (memcmp(x, zero, 16) == 0) continue;
+        if (le64(x + 40) > top) top = le64(x + 40);
+        if (!e && memcmp(x, type, 16) == 0) e = x;
+    }
+    if (!e) return GPT_BAD;
+    first = le64(e + 32);
+    last  = le64(e + 40);
+    *new_last_lba = last;
+    if (alt == disk_sectors - 1u) return GPT_OK;               /* already ends at the disk's end */
+    if (alt > disk_sectors - 1u || last != top) return GPT_BAD;
+
+    /* the backup entry array and header at the disk's end; the partition to
+     * the last usable sector before them, on whole MiB, at most max sectors */
+    new_alt = disk_sectors - 1u;
+    new_ent = new_alt - ent_sectors;
+    new_last_usable = new_ent - 1u;
+    if (new_last_usable < last) return GPT_BAD;
+    want = new_last_usable - first + 1u;
+    if (want > max_part_sectors) want = max_part_sectors;
+    want -= want % 2048u;
+    if (first + want - 1u > last) {
+        last = first + want - 1u;
+        put_le64(e + 40, last);
+    }
+
+    /* the primary header, then the backup: each with its own LBAs and CRC */
+    memcpy(hdr, h, GPT_SECTOR);
+    put_le64(hdr + 32, new_alt);
+    put_le64(hdr + 48, new_last_usable);
+    put_le32(hdr + 88, gpt_crc32(g_gpt_entries, ebytes));
+    memcpy(bak, hdr, GPT_SECTOR);
+    put_le64(bak + 24, new_alt);
+    put_le64(bak + 32, 1u);
+    put_le64(bak + 72, new_ent);
+    put_le32(hdr + 16, 0u);
+    put_le32(hdr + 16, gpt_crc32(hdr, le32(hdr + 12)));
+    put_le32(bak + 16, 0u);
+    put_le32(bak + 16, gpt_crc32(bak, le32(bak + 12)));
+
+    /* the backup before the primary: a write torn between them leaves the old
+     * primary, which still checks out, and the next boot grows again */
+    if (put_sectors(disk, new_ent, g_gpt_entries, ent_sectors) != 0 ||
+        put_sectors(disk, new_alt, bak, 1u) != 0 || disk->vt->flush(disk) != BLKIO_OK)
+        return GPT_EIO;
+    if (put_sectors(disk, ent_lba, g_gpt_entries, ent_sectors) != 0 ||
+        put_sectors(disk, 1u, hdr, 1u) != 0 || disk->vt->flush(disk) != BLKIO_OK)
+        return GPT_EIO;
+
+    /* the protective MBR's partition covers the disk (as many sectors as fit) */
+    for (i = 0; i < 4u; i++) {
+        uint8_t *p = mbr + 446u + 16u * i;
+        if (p[4] == 0xEEu) {
+            put_le32(p + 12, disk_sectors - 1u > 0xFFFFFFFFu ? 0xFFFFFFFFu : (uint32_t)(disk_sectors - 1u));
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+    if (put_sectors(disk, 0u, mbr, 1u) != 0 || disk->vt->flush(disk) != BLKIO_OK) return GPT_EIO;
+
+    *new_last_lba = last;
+    return GPT_OK;
+}
+
 /* ---- a partition as a blkio device ------------------------------------- */
 
 static int part_open(blkio_dev_t *dev, const blkio_params_t *p)
diff --git a/kernel/src/v4/sk_v4_grow.c b/kernel/src/v4/sk_v4_grow.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4f25ec4a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/kernel/src/v4/sk_v4_grow.c
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+/* sk_v4_grow.c -- Artemis grows to fill the stick at its first boot
+ * (docs/v4.0.0/STICK.md 5a; plan 2026-10-29-stick-5, Task 2).
+ *
+ * Metadata only: the volume's header, and its fence -- the top-of-volume
+ * system metadata, which holds the Artemis signature and Zuse's genesis
+ * marker (artemis_sig.c, blk_meta_zone_read/write) -- moved to the new top.
+ * The volume's data blocks are never written, and its BAM is not resized: the
+ * image is built with a BAM sized for the cap (mkartemis --bam-for), so the
+ * new blocks are tracked already and read as free.
+ *
+ * The block subsystem places a volume's fence by its device's size, not by
+ * its header (blk_format_or_load_disk), so a volume always fills its
+ * partition: the partition is grown no further than the BAM can track
+ * (sk_v4_grow_cap_sectors), then the volume to the partition.
+ */
+#include "starkernel/v4/sk_v4_grow.h"
+#include "block_subsystem.h"
+#include <string.h>
+
+static union {
+    uint8_t           bytes[4096];
+    blk_volume_meta_t meta;
+} g_hdr;
+static uint8_t g_move[4096];
+
+static int dev_rw4k(blkio_dev_t *dev, uint64_t devblock, uint8_t *buf, int write)
+{
+    uint32_t base = (uint32_t)devblock * 4u, k;
+    for (k = 0; k < 4u; k++) {
+        int rc = write ? blkio_write(dev, base + k, buf + k * 1024u)
+                       : blkio_read(dev, base + k, buf + k * 1024u);
+        if (rc != BLKIO_OK) return -1;
+    }
+    return 0;
+}
+
+static int read_header(blkio_dev_t *art)
+{
+    if (dev_rw4k(art, 0u, g_hdr.bytes, 0) != 0) return -1;
+    if (g_hdr.meta.magic != 0x53544652u || g_hdr.meta.version != 2u ||
+        g_hdr.meta.bam_devblocks == 0u || g_hdr.meta.meta_fence_blocks == 0u)
+        return -1;
+    return 0;
+}
+
+/* The most devblocks a volume with this header's BAM can be: no more Forth
+ * blocks in its payload than the BAM tracks (compute_totals_from_B). */
+static uint64_t bam_cover_devblocks(const blk_volume_meta_t *m)
+{
+    uint64_t tracked = 32768ULL * m->bam_devblocks;
+    return tracked / 3u + 1u + m->bam_devblocks + m->reloc_devblocks + m->meta_fence_blocks;
+}
+
+uint64_t sk_v4_grow_cap_sectors(blkio_dev_t *art, uint64_t cap_sectors)
+{
+    uint64_t cover;
+    if (read_header(art) != 0) return 0;
+    cover = bam_cover_devblocks(&g_hdr.meta) * 8u;      /* 4 KiB devblocks, in 512-byte sectors */
+    return cover < cap_sectors ? cover : cap_sectors;
+}
+
+int sk_v4_grow_artemis(blkio_dev_t *art)
+{
+    blkio_info_t info;
+    uint64_t     old_t, new_t, f, k, old_total;
+
+    if (read_header(art) != 0) return -1;
+    if (blkio_info(art, &info) != BLKIO_OK) return -1;
+    old_t = g_hdr.meta.total_devblocks;
+    new_t = info.total_blocks / 4u;
+    if (new_t <= old_t) return 0;                         /* not grown: it fills its partition */
+    if (new_t > bam_cover_devblocks(&g_hdr.meta)) return -1;
+    f = g_hdr.meta.meta_fence_blocks;
+    /* the old and new fences never overlap (a partition grows by whole MiB,
+     * 256 devblocks, past a 128-devblock fence), so a copy torn by a power
+     * loss is simply done again from the old top at the next boot */
+    if (f >= old_t || new_t - old_t < f) return -1;
+
+    /* the fence to the new top, devblock by devblock */
+    for (k = 0; k < f; k++) {
+        if (dev_rw4k(art, old_t - 1u - k, g_move, 0) != 0) return -1;
+        if (dev_rw4k(art, new_t - 1u - k, g_move, 1) != 0) return -1;
+    }
+    if (blkio_flush(art) != BLKIO_OK) return -1;
+
+    /* the header last: until it is written, the old header names the old top */
+    old_total = g_hdr.meta.total_blocks;
+    g_hdr.meta.total_devblocks = new_t;
+    blk_volume_compute_totals(&g_hdr.meta);
+    g_hdr.meta.free_blocks += g_hdr.meta.total_blocks - old_total;
+    if (dev_rw4k(art, 0u, g_hdr.bytes, 1) != 0) return -1;
+    if (blkio_flush(art) != BLKIO_OK) return -1;
+    return 1;
+}
diff --git a/kernel/src/v4/sk_v4_identity.c b/kernel/src/v4/sk_v4_identity.c
index e6a0e721..b1d266a3 100644
--- a/kernel/src/v4/sk_v4_identity.c
+++ b/kernel/src/v4/sk_v4_identity.c
@@ -22,6 +22,12 @@
  * Zuse exists -- reads her back, then writes the version 2 marker
  * (sk_v4_marker.c) naming her.
  *
+ * Growth (plan 2026-10-29-stick-5, Task 2; STICK.md 5a): a stick of at least
+ * 8 GB whose GPT ends short of the disk -- a stick larger than the image
+ * written to it -- has its Artemis partition grown to fill it (capped at
+ * 256 GiB, and at what its BAM tracks: sk_v4_grow.c), then Artemis's volume
+ * grown to the partition, before anything on it is read. Metadata only.
+ *
  * Not here (the plan's "not in this gate"): WIREBIND identities, EJECT,
  * ACL-ZUSE-BOOT.
  */
@@ -39,6 +45,7 @@
 #include "starkernel/kbd_input.h"
 #include "starkernel/gpt.h"
 #include "starkernel/v4/sk_v4_marker.h"
+#include "starkernel/v4/sk_v4_grow.h"
 #ifdef ARCH_AMD64
 #include "starkernel/ioapic.h"
 #include "starkernel/i8042.h"
@@ -149,6 +156,45 @@ static int sk_v4_is_this_stick(unsigned nparts)
     return !g_stick_in;
 }
 
+/* Growth's limits, from kernel/Makefile (-D): the stick at least this big,
+ * Artemis's partition at most this big */
+#define SK_V4_GROW_MIN_BYTES   STICK_GROW_MIN_BYTES
+#define SK_V4_CAP_SECTORS      (STICK_ARTEMIS_CAP_GIB * 2097152ULL)
+
+/* This system's stick, its GPT just read (g_gpt_parts, *nparts): when the
+ * stick is larger than its GPT (its backup header is not the disk's last
+ * sector) and at least 8 GB, the Artemis partition is grown to fill it, and
+ * the GPT read again. Returns 0, or -1 when the GPT cannot be read again. */
+static int sk_v4_grow_stick(sk_v4_drive_t *d, unsigned *nparts)
+{
+    static int said_small;
+    uint64_t   disk_sectors = (uint64_t)d->raw.total_blocks * (BLKIO_FORTH_BLOCK_SIZE / 512u);
+    uint64_t   cap, new_last, first;
+    int        ai = gpt_find(g_gpt_parts, *nparts, gpt_type_starship_artemis);
+
+    if (ai < 0 || gpt_alternate_lba() == disk_sectors - 1u) return 0;   /* the GPT fills the stick */
+    if (disk_sectors * 512u < SK_V4_GROW_MIN_BYTES) {
+        if (!said_small) {
+            console_println("Artemis: the stick is under 8 GB -- not grown");
+            said_small = 1;
+        }
+        return 0;
+    }
+    first = g_gpt_parts[ai].first_lba;
+    if (gpt_part_open(&d->art, &d->art_state, &d->raw, &g_gpt_parts[ai]) != BLKIO_OK) return 0;
+    cap = sk_v4_grow_cap_sectors(&d->art, SK_V4_CAP_SECTORS);
+    if (cap == 0) return 0;                  /* no Artemis volume: the signature check refuses it */
+    if (gpt_grow_last(&d->raw, gpt_type_starship_artemis, cap, &new_last) != GPT_OK)
+        console_println("GPT: the stick's table could not be grown");
+    else if (new_last - first + 1u >= SK_V4_CAP_SECTORS && first + SK_V4_CAP_SECTORS + 2048u < disk_sectors)
+        console_println("Artemis: past 256 GiB of the stick is left unused");
+    if (gpt_read(&d->raw, g_gpt_parts, SK_V4_GPT_PARTS, nparts) != GPT_OK ||
+        gpt_find(g_gpt_parts, *nparts, gpt_type_starship_identity) < 0 ||
+        gpt_find(g_gpt_parts, *nparts, gpt_type_starship_artemis) < 0)
+        return -1;
+    return 0;
+}
+
 /* Zuse's session begins on @p dev: the console is hers, and the screen with
  * it (docs/v4.0.0/STICK.md 2). @p line says how she was found. */
 static void sk_v4_login(blkio_dev_t *dev, const uint8_t seed[32], const uint8_t pubkey[32],
@@ -241,6 +287,10 @@ static int sk_v4_drive_arrived(sk_v4_drive_t *d)
         console_println("USB: a drive that is not this system's stick -- not used");
         return 1;
     }
+    if (sk_v4_grow_stick(d, &nparts) != 0) {
+        console_println("GPT: the stick's grown table does not read back");
+        return 1;
+    }
     if (gpt_part_open(&d->art, &d->art_state, &d->raw,
                       &g_gpt_parts[gpt_find(g_gpt_parts, nparts, gpt_type_starship_artemis)]) != BLKIO_OK ||
         gpt_part_open(&d->part, &d->part_state, &d->raw,
@@ -249,6 +299,13 @@ static int sk_v4_drive_arrived(sk_v4_drive_t *d)
         return 1;
     }
 
+    /* Artemis's volume fills its partition, grown with it (STICK.md 5a) */
+    {
+        int g = sk_v4_grow_artemis(&d->art);
+        if (g > 0) console_println("Artemis: grown to fill the stick");
+        else if (g < 0) console_println("Artemis: the stick's volume could not be grown");
+    }
+
     /* Artemis first: formatted and signed at build (STICK.md 4); a
      * signature that does not check out is not used, nor is the stick */
     if (artemis_sig_check(&d->art, &asig) != ARTEMIS_SIG_OK) {
diff --git a/logs/20261108-115815/amd64/qemu-amd64-20261108-115815.log b/logs/20261108-115815/amd64/qemu-amd64-20261108-115815.log
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..99a1d8c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/logs/20261108-115815/amd64/qemu-amd64-20261108-115815.log
@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+[=3h[=3h[=3hBdsDxe: loading Boot0001 "UEFI QEMU QEMU USB HARDDRIVE 1-0000:00:03.0-1" from PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x3,0x0)/USB(0x0,0x0)
+BdsDxe: starting Boot0001 "UEFI QEMU QEMU USB HARDDRIVE 1-0000:00:03.0-1" from PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x3,0x0)/USB(0x0,0x0)
+[=3hStarKernel UEFI Loader
+Loading kernel from ESP...
+[CKPT 001] Entered efi_main - ConOut live
+RAW SERIAL UP
+[CKPT 002] Serial (COM1) initialized
+Monolithic build - kernel linked directly
+Collecting boot information...
+CmdLine: from starforth.cfg
+CmdLine: parsed OK
+[CKPT 004] Command line parsed
+[CKPT 005] Kernel stack allocation decided
+[CKPT 006] Boot info collected (ACPI table located)
+GOP: linear framebuffer found
+[CKPT 007] GOP: linear framebuffer found
+[CKPT 008] About to enter ExitBootServices retry loop
+EBS...

+EBS OK

+Calling kernel_main (monolithic)...
+
+
+   _____ _             _  __                    _ 
+  / ____| |           | |/ /                   | |
+ | (___ | |_ __ _ _ __| ' / ___ _ __ _ __   ___| |
+  \___ \| __/ _` | '__|  < / _ \ '__| '_ \ / _ \ |
+  ____) | || (_| | |  | . \  __/ |  | | | |  __/ |
+ |_____/ \__\__,_|_|  |_|\_\___|_|  |_| |_|\___|_|
+
+LithosAnanke v4.0.0-alpha.3 amd64
+Architecture: amd64
+Build: Nov  8 2026 11:58:08
+
+UEFI BootServices: EXITED
+Console: serial line is a 16550 at port 0x00000000000003f8 (COM1, probed)
+
+=== StarKernel Boot Information ===
+Memory map entries: 128
+Total memory: 1023 MB
+Usable memory: 965 MB
+===================================
+
+PMM initialized.
+PMM statistics:
+  Total pages: 248623
+  Free pages : 247096
+  Used pages : 1527
+  Total MB   : 971
+  Free  MB   : 965
+  Used  MB   : 5
+
+VMM initialized (mapped RAM, CR3 switched)
+VMM initialized (mapped RAM, CR3 switched)
+VMM self-test: mapped OK at 0xffff800000000000
+VMM self-test complete.
+
+IDT installed.
+
+APIC: init...
+APIC: IA32_APIC_BASE MSR=0x00000000fee00900
+APIC: stale-ISR drain: 0 EOI(s) issued
+APIC: initialized (xAPIC MMIO, TPR=0, SIVR=0x1FF, EOI-clear)
+APIC: init done
+
+I/O APIC: init...
+I/O APIC: base=0xfec00000, gsi_base=0, overrides=5
+  override: source=00 gsi=2 flags=0x0000
+  override: source=05 gsi=5 flags=0x000d
+  override: source=09 gsi=9 flags=0x000d
+  override: source=0a gsi=10 flags=0x000d
+  override: source=0b gsi=11 flags=0x000d
+i8042: keyboard ACKed enable-scanning
+i8042: IRQ1 enabled in controller config byte
+I/O APIC: keyboard IRQ1 routed (masked)
+
+Timer: init...
+Timer: init start
+Timer: PM_TMR_BLK discovered from FADT at port 1544
+Timer: VM mode detected (hypervisor present).
+Timer: HPET calibration disabled (VM-exit MMIO would poison timing).
+Timer: WARNING: invariant TSC not present under hypervisor.
+Timer:          continuing in RELATIVE mode (no determinism guarantees).
+Timer: RDTSCP not present; using RDTSC (less serialized).
+Timer: CPUID frequency unavailable; trying PM Timer...
+Timer: trust=1 (0=NONE,1=REL,2=ABS), TSC=2048803536 Hz
+Timer: init done
+
+Kernel heap initialized.
+Heap statistics:
+  Total bytes: 536870872
+  Free  bytes: 536870872
+  Used  bytes: 0
+  Peak  bytes: 0
+  Heap base addr: 24641536
+  Heap end  addr: 561512448
+
+Heartbeat: init...
+APIC Timer: calibrating...

+APIC Timer: apic_hz=980690917, tick_hz=100, initial_count=9806909
+APIC Timer: configured (masked, ready to start)

+Heartbeat: init done
+Kernel initialization complete.
+Boot successful!
+
+Boot disk: a StarshipOS stick
+System: StarForth v4 (system=v4)
+StarForth v4: one host node, the F18-derived engine
+V4: capsule v4:sys:map-64.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:map-64.f18 capsule_hash=0x949eb6a1e9260e49
+V4: capsule v4:sys:core.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:core.f18 capsule_hash=0xb8f167892ec18c28
+V4: capsule v4:sys:input.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:input.f18 capsule_hash=0x85d3ec486d929a79
+V4: capsule v4:sys:dict.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:dict.f18 capsule_hash=0x1379bd3b5de811dc
+V4: capsule v4:sys:codegen.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:codegen.f18 capsule_hash=0x36d2ae84d2911b90
+V4: capsule v4:sys:compile.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:compile.f18 capsule_hash=0x11145c4c2ab819d8
+V4: capsule v4:sys:quit.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:quit.f18 capsule_hash=0x43cadf3b21ddbf3e
+V4: capsule v4:sys:forth.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:forth.f18 capsule_hash=0x16cab4a1268b85da
+V4: capsule v4:sys:numout.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:numout.f18 capsule_hash=0x85a240ad3fb2b299
+V4: capsule v4:sys:words.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:words.f18 capsule_hash=0xb1d381f927d9f14e
+V4: capsule v4:sys:system.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:system.f18 capsule_hash=0xd92203664c2915bd
+V4: capsule v4:sys:qmath.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:qmath.f18 capsule_hash=0xdb4140713dd857f3
+V4: capsule v4:sys:blocks.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:blocks.f18 capsule_hash=0x76307ef48678dc2a
+V4: capsule v4:sys:log.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:log.f18 capsule_hash=0xfc6540e6b824a52b
+V4: capsule v4:sys:acl.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:acl.f18 capsule_hash=0x6845aa048db7eb22
+V4: capsule v4:sys:end.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:end.f18 capsule_hash=0x5ef01312c07b79cc
+PARITY:V4_ROM words=2372 rom_hash=0x87b23d3ae2643c8d instructions=59145258
+V4: capsule v4:forth79.4th signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_CAPSULE name=v4:forth79.4th capsule_id=0x4055641ee17d176b capsule_hash=0x4055641ee17d176b dict_hash=0x033e1c05c09a1df8
+PARITY:V4_POST tests=538 pass=538 fail=0
+PARITY:V4_SYSTEM word_count=317 dict_hash=0xfec8c47cfc6f437f
+PARITY:OK
+POST: PASSED
+[HADES][INFO ] [KRELTSC: 0] blk: raw device LBN 2048..3071 (1024 blocks)
+PCI: init...
+PCI: ECAM mapped (amd64)
+virtio-rng: no device on PCI bus 0
+rng: backend = rdrand
+entropy: ready
+virtio-input: no device on PCI bus 0
+Starting heartbeat...
+APIC Timer: started (LVT=0x00020020 ICR=9806909)

+I/O APIC: keyboard IRQ1 unmasked
+Heartbeat running.
+blkio_usb: MSC device ready
+Artemis: grown to fill the stick
+[HADES][INFO ] [KRELTSC: 16230636740] blk: disk 'StarForth Volume' v2 LBN 3072..12132441 (12129370 us
+Artemis: the stick's partition attached
+[HADES][INFO ] [KRELTSC: 16247512130] blk: disk 'StarForth Volume' v2 LBN 12132442..12515983 (383542 
+[HADES][INFO ] [KRELTSC: 16269128656] MINT verify: identity reads back correctly
+[Hera] Zuse: genesis minted onto attached thumbdrive
+[zuse@Hera] ok> 
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/logs/20261108-120001/amd64/qemu-amd64-20261108-120001.log b/logs/20261108-120001/amd64/qemu-amd64-20261108-120001.log
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b5c17a6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/logs/20261108-120001/amd64/qemu-amd64-20261108-120001.log
@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+[=3h[=3h[=3hBdsDxe: loading Boot0001 "UEFI QEMU QEMU USB HARDDRIVE 1-0000:00:03.0-1" from PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x3,0x0)/USB(0x0,0x0)
+BdsDxe: starting Boot0001 "UEFI QEMU QEMU USB HARDDRIVE 1-0000:00:03.0-1" from PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x3,0x0)/USB(0x0,0x0)
+[=3hStarKernel UEFI Loader
+Loading kernel from ESP...
+[CKPT 001] Entered efi_main - ConOut live
+RAW SERIAL UP
+[CKPT 002] Serial (COM1) initialized
+Monolithic build - kernel linked directly
+Collecting boot information...
+CmdLine: from starforth.cfg
+CmdLine: parsed OK
+[CKPT 004] Command line parsed
+[CKPT 005] Kernel stack allocation decided
+[CKPT 006] Boot info collected (ACPI table located)
+GOP: linear framebuffer found
+[CKPT 007] GOP: linear framebuffer found
+[CKPT 008] About to enter ExitBootServices retry loop
+EBS...

+EBS OK

+Calling kernel_main (monolithic)...
+
+
+   _____ _             _  __                    _ 
+  / ____| |           | |/ /                   | |
+ | (___ | |_ __ _ _ __| ' / ___ _ __ _ __   ___| |
+  \___ \| __/ _` | '__|  < / _ \ '__| '_ \ / _ \ |
+  ____) | || (_| | |  | . \  __/ |  | | | |  __/ |
+ |_____/ \__\__,_|_|  |_|\_\___|_|  |_| |_|\___|_|
+
+LithosAnanke v4.0.0-alpha.3 amd64
+Architecture: amd64
+Build: Nov  8 2026 11:58:08
+
+UEFI BootServices: EXITED
+Console: serial line is a 16550 at port 0x00000000000003f8 (COM1, probed)
+
+=== StarKernel Boot Information ===
+Memory map entries: 128
+Total memory: 1023 MB
+Usable memory: 965 MB
+===================================
+
+PMM initialized.
+PMM statistics:
+  Total pages: 248623
+  Free pages : 247096
+  Used pages : 1527
+  Total MB   : 971
+  Free  MB   : 965
+  Used  MB   : 5
+
+VMM initialized (mapped RAM, CR3 switched)
+VMM initialized (mapped RAM, CR3 switched)
+VMM self-test: mapped OK at 0xffff800000000000
+VMM self-test complete.
+
+IDT installed.
+
+APIC: init...
+APIC: IA32_APIC_BASE MSR=0x00000000fee00900
+APIC: stale-ISR drain: 0 EOI(s) issued
+APIC: initialized (xAPIC MMIO, TPR=0, SIVR=0x1FF, EOI-clear)
+APIC: init done
+
+I/O APIC: init...
+I/O APIC: base=0xfec00000, gsi_base=0, overrides=5
+  override: source=00 gsi=2 flags=0x0000
+  override: source=05 gsi=5 flags=0x000d
+  override: source=09 gsi=9 flags=0x000d
+  override: source=0a gsi=10 flags=0x000d
+  override: source=0b gsi=11 flags=0x000d
+i8042: keyboard ACKed enable-scanning
+i8042: IRQ1 enabled in controller config byte
+I/O APIC: keyboard IRQ1 routed (masked)
+
+Timer: init...
+Timer: init start
+Timer: PM_TMR_BLK discovered from FADT at port 1544
+Timer: VM mode detected (hypervisor present).
+Timer: HPET calibration disabled (VM-exit MMIO would poison timing).
+Timer: WARNING: invariant TSC not present under hypervisor.
+Timer:          continuing in RELATIVE mode (no determinism guarantees).
+Timer: RDTSCP not present; using RDTSC (less serialized).
+Timer: CPUID frequency unavailable; trying PM Timer...
+Timer: trust=1 (0=NONE,1=REL,2=ABS), TSC=2031442736 Hz
+Timer: init done
+
+Kernel heap initialized.
+Heap statistics:
+  Total bytes: 536870872
+  Free  bytes: 536870872
+  Used  bytes: 0
+  Peak  bytes: 0
+  Heap base addr: 24641536
+  Heap end  addr: 561512448
+
+Heartbeat: init...
+APIC Timer: calibrating...

+APIC Timer: apic_hz=975597517, tick_hz=100, initial_count=9755975
+APIC Timer: configured (masked, ready to start)

+Heartbeat: init done
+Kernel initialization complete.
+Boot successful!
+
+Boot disk: a StarshipOS stick
+System: StarForth v4 (system=v4)
+StarForth v4: one host node, the F18-derived engine
+V4: capsule v4:sys:map-64.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:map-64.f18 capsule_hash=0x949eb6a1e9260e49
+V4: capsule v4:sys:core.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:core.f18 capsule_hash=0xb8f167892ec18c28
+V4: capsule v4:sys:input.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:input.f18 capsule_hash=0x85d3ec486d929a79
+V4: capsule v4:sys:dict.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:dict.f18 capsule_hash=0x1379bd3b5de811dc
+V4: capsule v4:sys:codegen.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:codegen.f18 capsule_hash=0x36d2ae84d2911b90
+V4: capsule v4:sys:compile.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:compile.f18 capsule_hash=0x11145c4c2ab819d8
+V4: capsule v4:sys:quit.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:quit.f18 capsule_hash=0x43cadf3b21ddbf3e
+V4: capsule v4:sys:forth.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:forth.f18 capsule_hash=0x16cab4a1268b85da
+V4: capsule v4:sys:numout.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:numout.f18 capsule_hash=0x85a240ad3fb2b299
+V4: capsule v4:sys:words.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:words.f18 capsule_hash=0xb1d381f927d9f14e
+V4: capsule v4:sys:system.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:system.f18 capsule_hash=0xd92203664c2915bd
+V4: capsule v4:sys:qmath.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARRITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:qmath.f18 capsule_hash=0xdb4140713dd857f3
+V4: capsule v4:sys:blocks.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:blocks.f18 capsule_hash=0x76307ef48678dc2a
+V4: capsule v4:sys:log.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:log.f18 capsule_hash=0xfc6540e6b824a52b
+V4: capsule v4:sys:acl.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:acl.f18 capsule_hash=0x6845aa048db7eb22
+V4: capsule v4:sys:end.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:end.f18 capsule_hash=0x5ef01312c07b79cc
+PARITY:V4_ROM words=2372 rom_hash=0x87b23d3ae2643c8d instructions=59145258
+V4: capsule v4:forth79.4th signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_CAPSULE name=v4:forth79.4th capsule_id=0x4055641ee17d176b capsule_hash=0x4055641ee17d176b dict_hash=0x033e1c05c09a1df8
+PARITY:V4_POST tests=538 pass=538 fail=0
+PARITY:V4_SYSTEM word_count=317 dict_hash=0xfec8c47cfc6f437f
+PARITY:OK
+POST: PASSED
+[HADES][INFO ] [KRELTSC: 0] blk: raw device LBN 2048..3071 (1024 blocks)
+PCI: init...
+PCI: ECAM mapped (amd64)
+virtio-rng: no device on PCI bus 0
+rng: backend = rdrand
+entropy: ready
+virtio-input: no device on PCI bus 0
+Starting heartbeat...
+APIC Timer: started (LVT=0x00020020 ICR=9755975)

+I/O APIC: keyboard IRQ1 unmasked
+Heartbeat running.
+blkio_usb: MSC device ready
+[HADES][INFO ] [KRELTSC: 15850556752] blk: disk 'StarForth Volume' v2 LBN 3072..12132441 (12129370 us
+Artemis: the stick's partition attached
+[HADES][INFO ] [KRELTSC: 15868168832] blk: disk 'StarForth Volume' v2 LBN 12132442..12515983 (383542 
+[Hera] Zuse: identity confirmed from attached thumbdrive
+[zuse@Hera] ok> 
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/logs/20261108-120143/amd64/qemu-amd64-20261108-120143.log b/logs/20261108-120143/amd64/qemu-amd64-20261108-120143.log
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6c89fcdb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/logs/20261108-120143/amd64/qemu-amd64-20261108-120143.log
@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+[=3h[=3h[=3hBdsDxe: loading Boot0001 "UEFI QEMU QEMU USB HARDDRIVE 1-0000:00:03.0-1" from PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x3,0x0)/USB(0x0,0x0)
+BdsDxe: starting Boot0001 "UEFI QEMU QEMU USB HARDDRIVE 1-0000:00:03.0-1" from PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x3,0x0)/USB(0x0,0x0)
+[=3hStarKernel UEFI Loader
+Loading kernel from ESP...
+[CKPT 001] Entered efi_main - ConOut live
+RAW SERIAL UP
+[CKPT 002] Serial (COM1) initialized
+Monolithic build - kernel linked directly
+Collecting boot information...
+CmdLine: from starforth.cfg
+CmdLine: parsed OK
+[CKPT 004] Command line parsed
+[CKPT 005] Kernel stack allocation decided
+[CKPT 006] Boot info collected (ACPI table located)
+GOP: linear framebuffer found
+[CKPT 007] GOP: linear framebuffer found
+[CKPT 008] About to enter ExitBootServices retry loop
+EBS...

+EBS OK

+Calling kernel_main (monolithic)...
+
+
+   _____ _             _  __                    _ 
+  / ____| |           | |/ /                   | |
+ | (___ | |_ __ _ _ __| ' / ___ _ __ _ __   ___| |
+  \___ \| __/ _` | '__|  < / _ \ '__| '_ \ / _ \ |
+  ____) | || (_| | |  | . \  __/ |  | | | |  __/ |
+ |_____/ \__\__,_|_|  |_|\_\___|_|  |_| |_|\___|_|
+
+LithosAnanke v4.0.0-alpha.3 amd64
+Architecture: amd64
+Build: Nov  8 2026 12:01:37
+
+UEFI BootServices: EXITED
+Console: serial line is a 16550 at port 0x00000000000003f8 (COM1, probed)
+
+=== StarKernel Boot Information ===
+Memory map entries: 128
+Total memory: 1023 MB
+Usable memory: 965 MB
+===================================
+
+PMM initialized.
+PMM statistics:
+  Total pages: 248623
+  Free pages : 247096
+  Used pages : 1527
+  Total MB   : 971
+  Free  MB   : 965
+  Used  MB   : 5
+
+VMM initialized (mapped RAM, CR3 switched)
+VMM initialized (mapped RAM, CR3 switched)
+VMM self-test: mapped OK at 0xffff800000000000
+VMM self-test complete.
+
+IDT installed.
+
+APIC: init...
+APIC: IA32_APIC_BASE MSR=0x00000000fee00900
+APIC: stale-ISR drain: 0 EOI(s) issued
+APIC: initialized (xAPIC MMIO, TPR=0, SIVR=0x1FF, EOI-clear)
+APIC: init done
+
+I/O APIC: init...
+I/O APIC: base=0xfec00000, gsi_base=0, overrides=5
+  override: source=00 gsi=2 flags=0x0000
+  override: source=05 gsi=5 flags=0x000d
+  override: source=09 gsi=9 flags=0x000d
+  override: source=0a gsi=10 flags=0x000d
+  override: source=0b gsi=11 flags=0x000d
+i8042: keyboard ACKed enable-scanning
+i8042: IRQ1 enabled in controller config byte
+I/O APIC: keyboard IRQ1 routed (masked)
+
+Timer: init...
+Timer: init start
+Timer: PM_TMR_BLK discovered from FADT at port 1544
+Timer: VM mode detected (hypervisor present).
+Timer: HPET calibration disabled (VM-exit MMIO would poison timing).
+Timer: WARNING: invariant TSC not present under hypervisor.
+Timer:          continuing in RELATIVE mode (no determinism guarantees).
+Timer: RDTSCP not present; using RDTSC (less serialized).
+Timer: CPUID frequency unavailable; trying PM Timer...
+Timer: trust=1 (0=NONE,1=REL,2=ABS), TSC=2090125821 Hz
+Timer: init done
+
+Kernel heap initialized.
+Heap statistics:
+  Total bytes: 536870872
+  Free  bytes: 536870872
+  Used  bytes: 0
+  Peak  bytes: 0
+  Heap base addr: 24641536
+  Heap end  addr: 561512448
+
+Heartbeat: init...
+APIC Timer: calibrating...

+APIC Timer: apic_hz=999200110, tick_hz=100, initial_count=9992001
+APIC Timer: configured (masked, ready to start)

+Heartbeat: init done
+Kernel initialization complete.
+Boot successful!
+
+Boot disk: a StarshipOS stick
+System: StarForth v4 (system=v4)
+StarForth v4: one host node, the F18-derived engine
+V4: capsule v4:sys:map-64.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:map-64.f18 capsule_hash=0x949eb6a1e9260e49
+V4: capsule v4:sys:core.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:core.f18 capsule_hash=0xb8f167892ec18c28
+V4: capsule v4:sys:input.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:input.f18 capsule_hash=0x85d3ec486d929a79
+V4: capsule v4:sys:dict.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:dict.f18 capsule_hash=0x1379bd3b5de811dc
+V4: capsule v4:sys:codegen.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:codegen.f18 capsule_hash=0x36d2ae84d2911b90
+V4: capsule v4:sys:compile.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:compile.f18 capsule_hash=0x11145c4c2ab819d8
+V4: capsule v4:sys:quit.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:quit.f18 capsule_hash=0x43cadf3b21ddbf3e
+V4: capsule v4:sys:forth.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:forth.f18 capsule_hash=0x16cab4a1268b85da
+V4: capsule v4:sys:numout.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:numout.f18 capsule_hash=0x85a240ad3fb2b299
+V4: capsule v4:sys:words.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:words.f18 capsule_hash=0xb1d381f927d9f14e
+V4: capsule v4:sys:system.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:system.f18 capsule_hash=0xd92203664c2915bd
+V4: capsule v4:sys:qmath.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:qmath.f18 capsule_hash=0xdb4140713dd857f3
+V4: capsule v4:sys:blocks.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:blocks.f18 capsule_hash=0x76307ef48678dc2a
+V4: capsule v4:sys:log.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:log.f18 capsule_hash=0xfc6540e6b824a52b
+V4: capsule v4:sys:acl.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:acl.f18 capsule_hash=0x6845aa048db7eb22
+V4: capsule v4:sys:end.f18 signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_F18 name=v4:sys:end.f18 capsule_hash=0x5ef01312c07b79cc
+PARITY:V4_ROM words=2372 rom_hash=0x87b23d3ae2643c8d instructions=59145258
+V4: capsule v4:forth79.4th signature: missing (unsigned)
+PARITY:V4_CAPSULE name=v4:forth79.4th capsule_id=0x4055641ee17d176b capsule_hash=0x4055641ee17d176b dict_hash=0x033e1c05c09a1df8
+PARITY:V4_POST tests=538 pass=538 fail=0
+PARITY:V4_SYSTEM word_count=317 dict_hash=0xfec8c47cfc6f437f
+PARITY:OK
+POST: PASSED
+[HADES][INFO ] [KRELTSC: 0] blk: raw device LBN 2048..3071 (1024 blocks)
+PCI: init...
+PCI: ECAM mapped (amd64)
+virtio-rng: no device on PCI bus 0
+rng: backend = rdrand
+entropy: ready
+virtio-input: no device on PCI bus 0
+Starting heartbeat...
+APIC Timer: started (LVT=0x00020020 ICR=9992001)

+I/O APIC: keyboard IRQ1 unmasked
+Heartbeat running.
+blkio_usb: MSC device ready
+Artemis: the stick is under 8 GB -- not grown
+[HADES][INFO ] [KRELTSC: 15571534696] blk: disk 'StarForth Volume' v2 LBN 3072..1122393 (1119322 user
+Artemis: the stick's partition attached
+[HADES][INFO ] [KRELTSC: 15591872270] blk: disk 'StarForth Volume' v2 LBN 1122394..1505935 (383542 us
+[HADES][INFO ] [KRELTSC: 15623585180] MINT verify: identity reads back correctly
+[Hera] Zuse: genesis minted onto attached thumbdrive
+[zuse@Hera] ok> 
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/scripts/mkdiskimage.sh b/scripts/mkdiskimage.sh
index 17f74ee5..b0995042 100644
--- a/scripts/mkdiskimage.sh
+++ b/scripts/mkdiskimage.sh
@@ -17,11 +17,12 @@
 # --table gpt  -> partition type "EFI System"     (UEFI firmware, U-Boot bootefi)
 #
 # The StarshipOS stick and data stick (docs/v4.0.0/STICK.md 4; --table gpt only):
-#   --starship IDENT_MIB --mkartemis TOOL --esp-mib E
+#   --starship IDENT_MIB --mkartemis TOOL --esp-mib E [--bam-for SECTORS]
 # lays out an ESP of E MiB holding the SRC:DEST files (E=0: no ESP, no files),
 # then a StarshipOS identity partition of IDENT_MIB MiB (all zeros), then a
 # StarshipOS Artemis partition to the last whole MiB before the backup GPT,
-# formatted and signed by TOOL (tools/mkartemis.c). Every partition starts and
+# formatted and signed by TOOL (tools/mkartemis.c) -- with --bam-for, its BAM sized for an Artemis
+# of SECTORS, so it can grow that far on a larger stick (STICK.md 5a). Every partition starts and
 # ends on a whole MiB, so on 1 KiB blocks, as the kernel's GPT reader needs.
 #
 # Zuse's minted pair as a stick (docs/v4.0.0/plans/2026-10-27-stick-4-one-disk.md, Task 1):
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@
 # root, no loop devices.
 set -euo pipefail
 
-OUT="" TABLE="" SIZE_MIB="" LABEL="" IDENT_MIB="" MKARTEMIS="" ESP_MIB="" FROM_IDENT="" FROM_ART=""
+OUT="" TABLE="" SIZE_MIB="" LABEL="" IDENT_MIB="" MKARTEMIS="" ESP_MIB="" FROM_IDENT="" FROM_ART="" BAM_FOR=""
 while [ $# -gt 0 ]; do
     case "$1" in
         --out)      OUT="$2"; shift 2 ;;
@@ -48,6 +49,7 @@ while [ $# -gt 0 ]; do
         --starship) IDENT_MIB="$2"; shift 2 ;;
         --mkartemis) MKARTEMIS="$2"; shift 2 ;;
         --esp-mib)  ESP_MIB="$2"; shift 2 ;;
+        --bam-for)  BAM_FOR="$2"; shift 2 ;;
         --starship-from) FROM_IDENT="$2"; FROM_ART="$3"; shift 3 ;;
         --) shift; break ;;
         -*) echo "mkdiskimage.sh: unknown option $1" >&2; exit 2 ;;
@@ -119,7 +121,8 @@ if [ -n "$IDENT_MIB" ]; then
         dd if="$FROM_IDENT" of="$OUT" bs=1M seek=$(( IDENT_START / 2048 )) conv=notrunc,sparse status=none
         dd if="$FROM_ART" of="$OUT" bs=1M seek=$(( ART_START / 2048 )) conv=notrunc,sparse status=none
     else
-        "$MKARTEMIS" --format "$OUT" --first-lba "$ART_START" --sectors "$ART_SECTORS" >/dev/null || {
+        "$MKARTEMIS" --format "$OUT" --first-lba "$ART_START" --sectors "$ART_SECTORS" \
+            ${BAM_FOR:+--bam-for "$BAM_FOR"} >/dev/null || {
             echo "mkdiskimage.sh: formatting Artemis failed" >&2; rm -f "$OUT"; exit 1; }
     fi
     if [ "$ESP_MIB" = 0 ]; then
diff --git a/tools/mkartemis.c b/tools/mkartemis.c
index cab7d282..a81ba1ba 100644
--- a/tools/mkartemis.c
+++ b/tools/mkartemis.c
@@ -10,10 +10,14 @@
  * kernel writes. Zuse's genesis marker is not written: the first boot does
  * that. docs/v4.0.0/plans/2026-10-27-stick-3-images.md.
  *
- *   mkartemis --format IMG --first-lba L --sectors N
+ *   mkartemis --format IMG --first-lba L --sectors N [--bam-for M]
  *   mkartemis --check  IMG --first-lba L --sectors N
  *
- * L and N count 512-byte sectors; both must be even (1 KiB blocks).
+ * L, N and M count 512-byte sectors; L and N must be even (1 KiB blocks).
+ * --bam-for M sizes the volume's BAM as for a volume of M sectors, so it can
+ * grow that far on a larger stick with no BAM to move (docs/v4.0.0/STICK.md
+ * 5a; plan 2026-10-29-stick-5, R1 and Task 2). --check reports the BAM's
+ * size in 4 KiB devblocks.
  */
 #define _GNU_SOURCE
 #include <errno.h>
@@ -111,7 +115,7 @@ static uint8_t g_ram[(size_t)BLK_RAM_BLOCKS * BLK_FORTH_SIZE];
 
 static int usage(void)
 {
-    fprintf(stderr, "usage: mkartemis --format|--check IMG --first-lba L --sectors N\n");
+    fprintf(stderr, "usage: mkartemis --format|--check IMG --first-lba L --sectors N [--bam-for M]\n");
     return 2;
 }
 
@@ -140,6 +144,8 @@ static int attach(blkio_dev_t *dev, uint32_t *start_lbn, uint32_t *count)
  * header is read from the disk itself and judged as attach judges it
  * (block_subsystem.c blk_format_or_load_disk): blk_get_volume_meta would give
  * the geometry computed in memory for a blank disk, magic and all. */
+static uint32_t g_bam_devblocks;     /* the BAM's size, as check_volume read it */
+
 static int check_volume(blkio_dev_t *dev, uint32_t *count, artemis_sig_t *sig)
 {
     static uint8_t       hdr[BLK_DEVICE_SECTOR];
@@ -160,6 +166,7 @@ static int check_volume(blkio_dev_t *dev, uint32_t *count, artemis_sig_t *sig)
         fprintf(stderr, "mkartemis: the Artemis signature does not check out (%d)\n", (int)src);
     else
         rc = 0;
+    g_bam_devblocks = meta.bam_devblocks;
     blk_subsys_shutdown();
     return rc;
 }
@@ -167,7 +174,7 @@ static int check_volume(blkio_dev_t *dev, uint32_t *count, artemis_sig_t *sig)
 int main(int argc, char **argv)
 {
     const char     *mode, *img;
-    unsigned long long first_lba, sectors;
+    unsigned long long first_lba, sectors, bam_for = 0;
     range_t         r;
     blkio_dev_t     dev;
     blkio_params_t  params;
@@ -175,7 +182,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     artemis_sig_t   sig;
     int             i, format;
 
-    if (argc != 7 || strcmp(argv[3], "--first-lba") != 0 || strcmp(argv[5], "--sectors") != 0) return usage();
+    if ((argc != 7 && argc != 9) || strcmp(argv[3], "--first-lba") != 0 || strcmp(argv[5], "--sectors") != 0)
+        return usage();
     mode = argv[1];
     img  = argv[2];
     if (strcmp(mode, "--format") == 0) format = 1;
@@ -185,6 +193,12 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
         fprintf(stderr, "mkartemis: --first-lba and --sectors take a number of sectors\n");
         return 1;
     }
+    if (argc == 9) {
+        if (!format || strcmp(argv[7], "--bam-for") != 0 || parse_count(argv[8], &bam_for) != 0 || bam_for < sectors) {
+            fprintf(stderr, "mkartemis: --bam-for takes a number of sectors, at least --sectors, with --format\n");
+            return 1;
+        }
+    }
     if (first_lba % 2u != 0u || sectors % 2u != 0u || sectors == 0u || sectors / 2u > 0xFFFFFFFFull) {
         fprintf(stderr, "mkartemis: the partition must start and end on a 1 KiB block (even LBA and sector count)\n");
         return 1;
@@ -202,6 +216,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 
     sf_time_init();
     if (format) {
+        blk_subsys_set_format_bam_for(bam_for / 8u);    /* sectors -> 4 KiB devblocks */
         if (attach(&dev, &start_lbn, &count) != 0) return 1;
         if (artemis_sig_check(&dev, &sig) != ARTEMIS_SIG_BLANK) {
             fprintf(stderr, "mkartemis: the partition is not blank -- not formatted\n");
@@ -221,7 +236,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
         printf("mkartemis: formatted %u blocks, STFR v2, signature stamped, read back ok\n", r.blocks);
     } else {
         if (check_volume(&dev, &count, &sig) != 0) return 1;
-        printf("mkartemis: STFR v2, %u user blocks, signature ok, disk_uuid ", count);
+        printf("mkartemis: STFR v2, %u user blocks, bam %u devblocks, signature ok, disk_uuid ",
+               count, g_bam_devblocks);
         for (i = 0; i < 16; i++) printf("%02x", sig.disk_uuid[i]);
         printf("\n");
     }
diff --git a/v3/include/block_subsystem.h b/v3/include/block_subsystem.h
index 328c540a..23fd242d 100644
--- a/v3/include/block_subsystem.h
+++ b/v3/include/block_subsystem.h
@@ -591,6 +591,18 @@ int blk_subsys_add_raw_device(uint8_t *buf, uint32_t nblocks);
  * by the disk's owner before any write to that slot will succeed. */
 int blk_subsys_confirm_format(uint32_t lbn);
 
+/* blk_volume_compute_totals - a volume's tracked/total block counts from its
+ * total_devblocks, bam_devblocks, reloc_devblocks and meta_fence_blocks, as a
+ * fresh format computes them. For a volume grown to fill a larger partition
+ * (the v4 stick, plan 2026-10-29-stick-5, Task 2). */
+void blk_volume_compute_totals(blk_volume_meta_t *m);
+
+/* blk_subsys_set_format_bam_for - size the BAM of the next fresh format for a
+ * volume of `total_devblocks` 4 KiB devblocks, when that is more than the
+ * disk's own: the volume can later grow that far with no BAM of its own to
+ * move (mkartemis --bam-for). 0, the default, sizes it for the disk. */
+void blk_subsys_set_format_bam_for(uint64_t total_devblocks);
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 } /* extern "C" */
 #endif
diff --git a/v3/src/block_subsystem.c b/v3/src/block_subsystem.c
index d8f04d2f..6c3afca6 100644
--- a/v3/src/block_subsystem.c
+++ b/v3/src/block_subsystem.c
@@ -386,6 +386,20 @@ static void compute_totals_from_B(blk_volume_meta_t *m) {
      * blk_compute_fresh_geometry()). */
 }
 
+/* compute_totals_from_B, for a volume grown on its disk (the v4 stick:
+ * docs/v4.0.0/plans/2026-10-29-stick-5-proxy-zuse-and-real-zuse.md, Task 2). */
+void blk_volume_compute_totals(blk_volume_meta_t *m) {
+    if (m) compute_totals_from_B(m);
+}
+
+/* The BAM a fresh format sizes: for this many devblocks when it is more than
+ * the disk's own (0: the disk's). Only mkartemis sets it (--bam-for). */
+static uint64_t g_format_bam_for;
+
+void blk_subsys_set_format_bam_for(uint64_t total_devblocks) {
+    g_format_bam_for = total_devblocks;
+}
+
 /* ===== physical BAM I/O (sync to/from slot->bam[]) ===== */
 
 /*
@@ -530,7 +544,8 @@ static void blk_compute_fresh_geometry(blk_dev_slot_t *slot) {
     strncpy(slot->vol_meta.label, "StarForth Volume", sizeof(slot->vol_meta.label) - 1);
     slot->vol_meta.total_devblocks  = (uint64_t) udiv_floor(slot->total_blkio_blocks_1k, 4);
     slot->vol_meta.bam_start        = 1;
-    slot->vol_meta.bam_devblocks    = choose_B(slot->vol_meta.total_devblocks);
+    slot->vol_meta.bam_devblocks    = choose_B(g_format_bam_for > slot->vol_meta.total_devblocks
+                                               ? g_format_bam_for : slot->vol_meta.total_devblocks);
     slot->vol_meta.reloc_start      = slot->vol_meta.bam_start + slot->vol_meta.bam_devblocks;
     /* One devblock (4 KiB): a 4-byte count prefix + up to BLK_RELOC_MAX_ENTRIES
      * 8-byte {home_lbn, actual_lbn} pairs -- see this file's own doc comment