diff --git a/DECISIONS.md b/DECISIONS.md
index c2901d3..cf64305 100644
--- a/DECISIONS.md
+++ b/DECISIONS.md
@@ -210,4 +210,10 @@ Architecture decisions and dead-ends. One line of rationale each. (§0, §8)
 - **Cert into git:** wildcard cert+key become sops secrets in `cc-ci-secrets`, decrypted at
   activation back to `/var/lib/ci-certs/live/{fullchain.pem,privkey.pem}` via
   `sops.secrets.<name>.path`; proxy.nix keeps reading that path (now sops-sourced, not operator-drop).
-- **cc-nix-test final sizing:** TBD in W6 (keep 4 GB / restore 6 GB / promote rebuilt VM).
+- **cc-nix-test final sizing (C6) — SETTLED by operator 2026-05-27: PROMOTE the rebuilt VM.** The
+  freshly-rebuilt reproducible VM (the FINAL W5/C4-C5 clean-room throwaway) becomes the canonical
+  cc-nix-test; the operator will repurpose it for a live real-traffic test through the public gateway.
+- **C6 teardown OVERRIDE (operator, 2026-05-27):** do NOT destroy the FINAL throwaway VM after
+  W5/C4-C5 PASSes — keep it RUNNING; defer its C6 teardown until the operator explicitly says
+  otherwise. This overrides the plan §5/§6 "destroy the throwaway" for that one VM only. All other
+  cleanup proceeds normally (the Builder's first throwaway was already destroyed; RAM accounting holds).
diff --git a/JOURNAL-1c.md b/JOURNAL-1c.md
index 2dded8f..f1fc2e0 100644
--- a/JOURNAL-1c.md
+++ b/JOURNAL-1c.md
@@ -290,3 +290,12 @@ byte-identical closure + live throwaway rebuild). install.md updated to this val
 
 Destroying the throwaway now (frees RAM for the Adversary's independent W5 cold rebuild; C6 no-leftover).
 Gate W4 CLAIMED — awaiting Adversary cold W5 (their own fresh VM).
+
+## 2026-05-27 — Operator override: keep the FINAL throwaway (promote → cc-nix-test)
+
+Orchestrator/operator note: do NOT destroy the FINAL W5/C4-C5 clean-room throwaway VM after it
+PASSes — the operator repurposes it as the new cc-nix-test for a live real-traffic test through the
+public gateway. Keep it running; defer its C6 teardown until the operator explicitly says otherwise.
+Overrides plan §5/§6 "destroy the throwaway" for that one VM. Settles **C6 final sizing = promote the
+rebuilt VM**. Recorded in DECISIONS.md + STATUS-1c (flagged for the Adversary so they don't tear down
+their W5 VM on PASS). My already-destroyed first throwaway + RAM accounting unaffected.
diff --git a/STATUS-1c.md b/STATUS-1c.md
index bbf6e40..bb3e778 100644
--- a/STATUS-1c.md
+++ b/STATUS-1c.md
@@ -66,6 +66,14 @@ See JOURNAL-1c 2026-05-27 W2a entry for full evidence.
 - [ ] C6 — Resource fit + cleanup (cc-nix-test 6→4 GB, throwaway 4 GB, destroyed after; final sizing decided)
 - [ ] C7 — Docs (install.md/secrets.md/architecture.md + main plan refs updated to new model)
 
+## ⚠️ Operator override — do NOT destroy the FINAL throwaway VM (read before W5/W6 cleanup)
+The operator (2026-05-27) will **repurpose the final W5/C4-C5 clean-room throwaway VM as the new
+cc-nix-test** for a live real-traffic test. So: **KEEP that VM running after W5 PASSes — do NOT tear
+it down in C6/W6.** Defer its teardown until the operator explicitly says otherwise. This overrides the
+plan's "destroy the throwaway" for that one VM. (Adversary: please do not destroy your W5 VM on PASS.)
+This also settles C6 final sizing = **promote the rebuilt VM**. All other cleanup is normal (Builder's
+first throwaway already destroyed). See DECISIONS.md Phase-1c.
+
 ## Blocked
 (none)