diff --git a/runner/harness/generic.py b/runner/harness/generic.py
index 326b589..94a161f 100644
--- a/runner/harness/generic.py
+++ b/runner/harness/generic.py
@@ -118,22 +118,49 @@ def assert_serving(domain: str, meta: dict) -> None:
     assert "commoninternet.net" in detail.lower(), f"{domain}: served cert unexpected — {detail}"
 
 
-def do_upgrade(domain: str, target: str | None, meta: dict) -> None:
-    """UPGRADE op (in place on the shared deployment): abra app upgrade -> target, then assert it
-    reconverges + still serves AND that the deployment actually MOVED (version label and/or image
-    changed). The move assertion guards against a vacuous no-op upgrade silently passing — the exact
-    F1d-2 failure where a mis-pinned base deployed LATEST so 'upgrade to latest' changed nothing."""
-    before = lifecycle.deployed_identity(domain)
-    lifecycle.upgrade_app(domain, version=target)
+# ---- Op/assertion split (Phase 1e HC3) -------------------------------------------------------
+# The orchestrator performs each mutating op ONCE (the harness owns the op), records what an
+# assertion needs (pre-upgrade identity, backup snapshot_id) into a run-scoped JSON state file at
+# $CCCI_OP_STATE_FILE, then runs the generic assertion file (unless opted out) AND the overlay
+# assertion file against the shared post-op state. The assertion functions below read that state via
+# `op_state()`. They NEVER perform the op — that keeps the op single + lets generic+overlay coexist.
+
+import json as _json  # noqa: E402
+
+
+def op_state() -> dict:
+    """The run-scoped op state the orchestrator wrote between op and assertions (or {} if unset).
+    Carries e.g. {"upgrade": {"before": {...}}, "backup": {"snapshot_id": "..."}}."""
+    path = os.environ.get("CCCI_OP_STATE_FILE")
+    if not path or not os.path.exists(path):
+        return {}
+    try:
+        with open(path) as f:
+            return _json.load(f)
+    except (OSError, ValueError):
+        return {}
+
+
+def assert_upgraded(domain: str, meta: dict) -> None:
+    """Generic UPGRADE assertion (post-op): the orchestrator already performed the upgrade once.
+    Assert it reconverged + still serves AND that the deployment actually MOVED — guarding against a
+    vacuous no-op upgrade silently passing (F1d-2). HC1: prev→PR-head may NOT bump the version label,
+    so a MOVE is ANY of: version-label change, image change, or a chaos label now present (a chaos
+    deploy stamps the PR-head commit — THE proof the code under test was deployed)."""
+    before = op_state().get("upgrade", {}).get("before") or {}
     assert_serving(domain, meta)
     after = lifecycle.deployed_identity(domain)
-    moved = (before[0] and after[0] and before[0] != after[0]) or (
-        before[1] and after[1] and before[1] != after[1]
+    moved = (
+        (before.get("version") and after.get("version") and before["version"] != after["version"])
+        or (before.get("image") and after.get("image") and before["image"] != after["image"])
+        or (after.get("chaos") and after.get("chaos") != before.get("chaos"))
     )
     assert moved, (
         f"{domain}: upgrade did not move the deployment "
-        f"(version {before[0]}->{after[0]}, image {before[1]}->{after[1]}) — "
-        "not a real previous->target upgrade (DG2 must be non-vacuous)"
+        f"(version {before.get('version')}->{after.get('version')}, "
+        f"image {before.get('image')}->{after.get('image')}, "
+        f"chaos {before.get('chaos')}->{after.get('chaos')}) — "
+        "not a real upgrade to the code under test (HC1/DG2 must be non-vacuous)"
     )
 
 
@@ -148,10 +175,10 @@ def parse_snapshot_id(backup_output: str) -> str | None:
     return m.group(1) if m else None
 
 
-def do_backup(domain: str) -> str:
-    """BACKUP op: create a backup, then assert a snapshot artifact was produced (returns its id)."""
-    out = lifecycle.backup_app(domain)
-    snap_id = parse_snapshot_id(out)
+def assert_backup_artifact(domain: str) -> str:
+    """Generic BACKUP assertion (post-op): the orchestrator already ran the backup once. Assert a
+    snapshot artifact was produced (its id recorded in op state). Returns the id."""
+    snap_id = op_state().get("backup", {}).get("snapshot_id")
     assert snap_id, (
         f"{domain}: backup produced no snapshot artifact "
         "(no snapshot_id in `abra app backup create` output)"
@@ -159,8 +186,29 @@ def do_backup(domain: str) -> str:
     return snap_id
 
 
-def do_restore(domain: str, meta: dict) -> None:
-    """RESTORE op: restore the latest snapshot, then assert the app is healthy + serving again
-    (assert_serving polls, so the post-restore reconverge settles)."""
-    lifecycle.restore_app(domain)
+def assert_restore_healthy(domain: str, meta: dict) -> None:
+    """Generic RESTORE assertion (post-op): the orchestrator already restored. Assert the app is
+    healthy + serving again (assert_serving polls, so the post-restore reconverge settles)."""
     assert_serving(domain, meta)
+
+
+# ---- Op primitives (orchestrator-only; perform the op once, never assert) --------------------
+
+
+def perform_upgrade(domain: str, target: str | None) -> dict[str, str | None]:
+    """Perform the UPGRADE op once (in place). E1 baseline: `abra app upgrade` -> target. (HC1/E2
+    redefines this as a chaos redeploy of the PR-head checkout.) Returns the pre-upgrade identity so
+    the orchestrator can record it for `assert_upgraded`'s move check."""
+    before = lifecycle.deployed_identity(domain)
+    lifecycle.upgrade_app(domain, version=target)
+    return before
+
+
+def perform_backup(domain: str) -> str | None:
+    """Perform the BACKUP op once. Returns the produced snapshot_id (or None) for the assertion."""
+    return parse_snapshot_id(lifecycle.backup_app(domain))
+
+
+def perform_restore(domain: str) -> None:
+    """Perform the RESTORE op once (restore the latest snapshot)."""
+    lifecycle.restore_app(domain)
diff --git a/runner/harness/lifecycle.py b/runner/harness/lifecycle.py
index b18b85d..ae54367 100644
--- a/runner/harness/lifecycle.py
+++ b/runner/harness/lifecycle.py
@@ -245,11 +245,18 @@ def wait_healthy(
     raise TimeoutError(f"{domain}: not healthy over HTTPS {path} (last status {last})")
 
 
-def deployed_identity(domain: str, service: str = "app") -> tuple[str | None, str | None]:
-    """(coop-cloud version label, image) of the running app service. Used to prove an upgrade
-    actually MOVED the deployment prev→target (not a vacuous no-op — Adversary F1d-2). The version
-    label (`coop-cloud.<stack>.version`) is bumped per published recipe version; the image usually
-    bumps too. Either changing proves the upgrade did something."""
+def deployed_identity(domain: str, service: str = "app") -> dict[str, str | None]:
+    """Identity of the running app service: {"version", "image", "chaos"}. Used to prove an upgrade
+    actually MOVED the deployment (not a vacuous no-op — Adversary F1d-2), AND (Phase 1e HC1) that an
+    `abra app deploy --chaos` upgrade actually deployed the PR-head code under test.
+
+    - `version` = the `coop-cloud.<stack>.version` label (bumped per published recipe version).
+    - `image`   = the running container image (usually bumps with a published version).
+    - `chaos`   = the chaos label value (a chaos deploy stamps the recipe git commit/dirty state here)
+      — present after `abra app deploy --chaos`, absent on a clean pinned-tag deploy. For prev→PR-head
+      this is THE proof PR-head was deployed even when the version label is unbumped (HC1). The exact
+      chaos label key varies by abra version, so we capture any `coop-cloud.<stack>.*` label whose key
+      contains "chaos"."""
     name = f"{_stack_name(domain)}_{service}"
     proc = subprocess.run(
         [
@@ -265,15 +272,18 @@ def deployed_identity(domain: str, service: str = "app") -> tuple[str | None, st
     )
     out = proc.stdout.strip()
     if "|" not in out:
-        return (None, None)
+        return {"version": None, "image": None, "chaos": None}
     labels_json, _, image = out.partition("|")
-    ver = None
+    ver = chaos = None
     with contextlib.suppress(ValueError, json.JSONDecodeError):
         for k, v in json.loads(labels_json).items():
-            if k.startswith("coop-cloud.") and k.endswith(".version"):
+            if not k.startswith("coop-cloud."):
+                continue
+            if k.endswith(".version"):
                 ver = v
-                break
-    return (ver, image.strip() or None)
+            elif "chaos" in k:
+                chaos = v
+    return {"version": ver, "image": image.strip() or None, "chaos": chaos}
 
 
 def upgrade_app(domain: str, version: str | None = None) -> None:
diff --git a/runner/run_recipe_ci.py b/runner/run_recipe_ci.py
index 466abc3..9d87584 100644
--- a/runner/run_recipe_ci.py
+++ b/runner/run_recipe_ci.py
@@ -1,13 +1,18 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
-"""Top-level CI orchestrator (plan §4.3 + Phase 1d), invoked by the Drone pipeline (or by hand).
+"""Top-level CI orchestrator (plan §4.3 + Phase 1d/1e), invoked by the Drone pipeline (or by hand).
 
-Phase 1d model: deploy the app ONCE, then run lifecycle TIERS against that single shared deployment
-(install asserts; upgrade does `abra app upgrade` in place; backup/restore mutate in place; custom
-asserts), then ONE teardown in `finally`. Each tier's assertions come from exactly one file — a
-recipe overlay if present, else the generic default — discovered by `harness.discovery`
-(precedence repo-local > cc-ci > generic). The generic is the default for every op, so ANY recipe is
-testable with zero config (DG1–DG4). The lifecycle OPS live in the shared harness (harness.generic),
-not per-recipe (DG7 DRY).
+Model: deploy the app ONCE, then run lifecycle TIERS against that single shared deployment, then ONE
+teardown in `finally`. Per Phase 1e the orchestrator OWNS each mutating op (HC3): for a tier it runs
+the optional pre-op seed hook (recipe ops.py `pre_<op>`), performs the op exactly ONCE
+(upgrade/backup/restore — install has none), then runs BOTH the generic assertion file (the floor,
+unless explicitly opted out) AND the recipe overlay assertion file (if any) against the shared
+post-op state — generic and overlay are ADDITIVE, not override (HC3). Op results an assertion needs
+(pre-upgrade identity, snapshot_id) pass op→assertion via a run-scoped JSON state file
+($CCCI_OP_STATE_FILE). The upgrade op deploys the PR-HEAD code under test via `abra app deploy
+--chaos` (HC1). Repo-local (PR-authored) overlays/hooks run only for allowlist-approved recipes (HC2,
+gated in harness.discovery). The generic is the default for every op, so ANY recipe is testable with
+zero config (DG1–DG4). The lifecycle OPS live in the shared harness (harness.generic), not per-recipe
+(DG7 DRY).
 
 Run parameters from env (set by the comment-bridge via Drone build params):
   RECIPE   recipe name (e.g. custom-html)        [required]
@@ -23,7 +28,10 @@ invoke as:  cc-ci-run runner/run_recipe_ci.py
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import contextlib
 import glob
+import importlib.util
+import json
 import os
 import shutil
 import subprocess
@@ -37,6 +45,10 @@ from harness import discovery, generic, lifecycle, naming  # noqa: E402
 ALL_STAGES = ("install", "upgrade", "backup", "restore", "custom")
 
 
+def _truthy(v: str | None) -> bool:
+    return str(v or "").strip().lower() in ("1", "true", "yes", "on")
+
+
 def _redact_values() -> list[str]:
     """Values to scrub from published logs (D6 redaction filter, plan §4.4). The infra secrets
     materialised at /run/secrets/* — if any subprocess ever echoes one, mask it. Only >=8-char
@@ -56,6 +68,14 @@ def _redact_values() -> list[str]:
 _REDACT = _redact_values()
 
 
+def _scrub(text: str) -> str:
+    """Mask any known infra-secret value in a string (D6 redaction, plan §4.4)."""
+    for v in _REDACT:
+        if v in text:
+            text = text.replace(v, "***REDACTED***")
+    return text
+
+
 def run_redacted(cmd: list[str], env: dict | None = None) -> int:
     """Run a subprocess, streaming output live (so Drone logs stay tail-able) but masking any known
     infra-secret value first. Belt-and-suspenders: the harness never prints secrets and abra doesn't
@@ -71,10 +91,7 @@ def run_redacted(cmd: list[str], env: dict | None = None) -> int:
     )
     assert proc.stdout is not None
     for line in proc.stdout:
-        for v in _REDACT:
-            if v in line:
-                line = line.replace(v, "***REDACTED***")
-        sys.stdout.write(line)
+        sys.stdout.write(_scrub(line))
         sys.stdout.flush()
     return proc.wait()
 
@@ -149,7 +166,7 @@ def _load_meta(recipe: str) -> dict:
         ns: dict = {}
         with open(path) as fh:
             exec(compile(fh.read(), path, "exec"), ns)  # noqa: S102 (trusted, in-repo)
-        for k in list(meta) + ["BACKUP_CAPABLE"]:
+        for k in list(meta) + ["BACKUP_CAPABLE", "SKIP_GENERIC"]:
             if k in ns:
                 meta[k] = ns[k]
     return meta
@@ -159,15 +176,105 @@ def _tier_env(domain: str) -> dict:
     return dict(os.environ, CCCI_APP_DOMAIN=domain, CCCI_BASE_URL=f"https://{domain}")
 
 
-def run_op_tier(recipe: str, op: str, repo_local: str | None, domain: str) -> str:
-    """Run the single assertion file for a lifecycle op (overlay or generic) against the shared
-    deployment. The file performs the op (upgrade/backup/restore) + asserts; install asserts only
-    (already deployed). Returns 'pass' | 'fail'."""
-    source, path = discovery.resolve_op(recipe, op, repo_local)
-    rel = os.path.relpath(path, ROOT)
-    print(f"\n===== TIER: {op} ({source}: {rel}) =====", flush=True)
-    rc = run_redacted([sys.executable, "-m", "pytest", "-v", "-rA", path], env=_tier_env(domain))
-    return "pass" if rc == 0 else "fail"
+def _skip_generic(op: str, meta: dict) -> bool:
+    """Whether the generic assertion for `op` is opted out (Phase 1e HC3). Default: run (additive).
+    Opt-out, any of: env CCCI_SKIP_GENERIC (all ops), env CCCI_SKIP_GENERIC_<OP>, or the recipe's
+    declarative recipe_meta.SKIP_GENERIC list (op name, or "all"/"*")."""
+    if _truthy(os.environ.get("CCCI_SKIP_GENERIC")):
+        return True
+    if _truthy(os.environ.get(f"CCCI_SKIP_GENERIC_{op.upper()}")):
+        return True
+    sg = [str(s).lower() for s in (meta.get("SKIP_GENERIC") or [])]
+    return "all" in sg or "*" in sg or op in sg
+
+
+def _run_pre_hook(recipe: str, op: str, repo_local: str | None, domain: str, meta: dict) -> None:
+    """Run the optional pre-op seed hook (recipe ops.py `pre_<op>`) BEFORE the harness performs the
+    op (HC3 op/assertion split): overlays seed data-continuity markers / the backup→restore mutation
+    here, then assert post-op in test_<op>.py. cc-ci's ops.py is trusted; a repo-local ops.py is
+    consulted only for allowlist-approved recipes (HC2 gate is inside discovery.pre_op_hook). Imported
+    in-process; the recipe dir is put on sys.path so an ops.py can import its sibling helpers."""
+    hook = discovery.pre_op_hook(recipe, op, repo_local)
+    if not hook:
+        return
+    source, path = hook
+    d = os.path.dirname(path)
+    sys.path.insert(0, d)
+    try:
+        spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location(f"ccci_ops_{recipe}_{op}", path)
+        mod = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
+        spec.loader.exec_module(mod)
+        print(f"  pre-op seed ({source}): {os.path.relpath(path, ROOT)}::pre_{op}", flush=True)
+        getattr(mod, f"pre_{op}")(domain, meta)
+    finally:
+        if d in sys.path:
+            sys.path.remove(d)
+
+
+def _perform_op(op: str, domain: str, target: str | None, op_state: dict) -> None:
+    """Perform the single mutating op ONCE (the harness owns the op, HC3). install has no op. Records
+    what the assertions need (pre-upgrade identity, backup snapshot_id) into op_state. None of these
+    call deploy_app, so the deploy-count guard (DG4.1) stays 1 — the in-place upgrade is not a new
+    install (HC1 reconciliation)."""
+    if op == "upgrade":
+        op_state["upgrade"] = {"before": generic.perform_upgrade(domain, target)}
+    elif op == "backup":
+        op_state["backup"] = {"snapshot_id": generic.perform_backup(domain)}
+    elif op == "restore":
+        generic.perform_restore(domain)
+    # install: already deployed; no op
+
+
+def run_lifecycle_tier(
+    recipe: str,
+    op: str,
+    repo_local: str | None,
+    domain: str,
+    meta: dict,
+    target: str | None,
+    op_state: dict,
+) -> str:
+    """Additive lifecycle tier (HC3): seed (pre-op hook) → perform the op ONCE → run the generic
+    assertion file (unless opted out) AND the overlay assertion file, both against the shared post-op
+    deployment. Returns 'pass' | 'fail' | 'skip'."""
+    overlay = discovery.resolve_overlay_op(recipe, op, repo_local)
+    skip_gen = _skip_generic(op, meta)
+    files: list[tuple[str, str]] = []
+    if not skip_gen:
+        files.append(discovery.generic_op(op))
+    if overlay:
+        files.append(overlay)
+    if not files:
+        # generic opted out AND no overlay → nothing would assert; don't perform a pointless mutating op
+        print(f"\n===== TIER: {op} — SKIP (generic opted out, no overlay) =====", flush=True)
+        return "skip"
+
+    ov = f"{overlay[0]}:{os.path.relpath(overlay[1], ROOT)}" if overlay else "none"
+    print(
+        f"\n===== TIER: {op} (generic={'skip' if skip_gen else 'run'}, overlay={ov}) =====",
+        flush=True,
+    )
+    # 1) pre-op seed hook + 2) the op ONCE (harness-owned). A failure here is an op failure → tier fail.
+    try:
+        _run_pre_hook(recipe, op, repo_local, domain, meta)
+        _perform_op(op, domain, target, op_state)
+        with open(os.environ["CCCI_OP_STATE_FILE"], "w") as f:
+            json.dump(op_state, f)
+    except Exception as e:  # noqa: BLE001 — a failed op is a reported tier failure, not a crash
+        print(f"!! {op} op failed: {_scrub(str(e))}", flush=True)
+        return "fail"
+
+    # 3) assertions: generic (unless opted out) + overlay, each its own pytest, all against the
+    #    single post-op deployment. Generic runs first so an overlay may assume readiness.
+    rc_all = 0
+    for source, path in files:
+        print(f"  assert ({source}): {os.path.relpath(path, ROOT)}", flush=True)
+        rc = run_redacted(
+            [sys.executable, "-m", "pytest", "-v", "-rA", path], env=_tier_env(domain)
+        )
+        if rc != 0:
+            rc_all = rc
+    return "pass" if rc_all == 0 else "fail"
 
 
 def run_custom(recipe: str, repo_local: str | None, domain: str) -> str:
@@ -223,6 +330,14 @@ def main() -> int:
         f.write("0")
     os.environ["CCCI_DEPLOY_COUNT_FILE"] = countfile
 
+    # Run-scoped op state (HC3): the orchestrator records op results (pre-upgrade identity, backup
+    # snapshot_id) here for the assertion tiers (generic + overlay) to read via generic.op_state().
+    statefile = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), f"ccci-opstate-{domain}.json")
+    with open(statefile, "w") as f:
+        json.dump({}, f)
+    os.environ["CCCI_OP_STATE_FILE"] = statefile
+    op_state: dict = {}
+
     results: dict[str, str] = {}
     lifecycle.janitor()
     try:
@@ -243,28 +358,38 @@ def main() -> int:
             print(f"!! deploy/readiness failed: {e}", flush=True)
             deploy_ok = False
 
-        # ---- INSTALL tier (always) ----
+        # ---- INSTALL tier (always; additive generic + overlay, no op) ----
         if "install" in stages:
             results["install"] = (
-                run_op_tier(recipe, "install", repo_local, domain) if deploy_ok else "fail"
+                run_lifecycle_tier(recipe, "install", repo_local, domain, meta, target, op_state)
+                if deploy_ok
+                else "fail"
             )
 
         if deploy_ok:
-            # ---- UPGRADE tier ----
+            # ---- UPGRADE tier (op once → generic + overlay assert) ----
             if "upgrade" in stages:
                 results["upgrade"] = (
-                    run_op_tier(recipe, "upgrade", repo_local, domain)
+                    run_lifecycle_tier(
+                        recipe, "upgrade", repo_local, domain, meta, target, op_state
+                    )
                     if prev
                     else "skip"  # only one published version → nothing to upgrade from
                 )
             # ---- BACKUP + RESTORE tiers (backup-capable only; else clean N/A) ----
             if "backup" in stages:
                 results["backup"] = (
-                    run_op_tier(recipe, "backup", repo_local, domain) if backup_cap else "skip"
+                    run_lifecycle_tier(recipe, "backup", repo_local, domain, meta, target, op_state)
+                    if backup_cap
+                    else "skip"
                 )
             if "restore" in stages:
                 results["restore"] = (
-                    run_op_tier(recipe, "restore", repo_local, domain) if backup_cap else "skip"
+                    run_lifecycle_tier(
+                        recipe, "restore", repo_local, domain, meta, target, op_state
+                    )
+                    if backup_cap
+                    else "skip"
                 )
             # ---- CUSTOM tier ----
             if "custom" in stages:
@@ -281,6 +406,8 @@ def main() -> int:
     with open(countfile) as f:
         deploy_count = int(f.read().strip() or "0")
     os.remove(countfile)
+    with contextlib.suppress(OSError):
+        os.remove(statefile)
 
     # ---- per-op summary (DG6 feed) ----
     print("\n===== RUN SUMMARY =====", flush=True)
diff --git a/tests/_generic/test_backup.py b/tests/_generic/test_backup.py
index 74cf15a..0aca0ab 100644
--- a/tests/_generic/test_backup.py
+++ b/tests/_generic/test_backup.py
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
-"""Generic BACKUP tier (Phase 1d DG3) — recipe-agnostic, backup-capable recipes only.
+"""Generic BACKUP tier (Phase 1d DG3 + Phase 1e HC3) — recipe-agnostic, assertion-only.
 
-Runs `abra app backup create` against the shared live deployment and asserts a snapshot artifact is
-produced (abra app backup snapshots is non-empty). Honest limit: the generic verifies the backup
-MECHANISM, not app-specific data integrity — that's a recipe overlay (test_backup.py seeds a marker).
-For recipes that declare no backup config the orchestrator skips this tier as N/A (not a failure)."""
+The orchestrator ran `abra app backup create` ONCE against the shared live deployment and recorded
+the produced snapshot id in the run-scoped op state. This tier ASSERTS a snapshot artifact was
+produced — it does NOT perform the op. Honest limit: the generic verifies the backup MECHANISM, not
+app-specific data integrity — that's a recipe overlay (test_backup.py). Runs by default ALONGSIDE any
+overlay (additive). For recipes that declare no backup config the orchestrator skips this tier (N/A)."""
 
 import os
 import sys
@@ -13,5 +14,4 @@ from harness import generic  # noqa: E402
 
 
 def test_backup_artifact(live_app, meta):
-    snaps = generic.do_backup(live_app)
-    assert snaps, "backup produced no snapshot artifact"
+    assert generic.assert_backup_artifact(live_app), "backup produced no snapshot artifact"
diff --git a/tests/_generic/test_restore.py b/tests/_generic/test_restore.py
index a0c1f1f..5e3a9dc 100644
--- a/tests/_generic/test_restore.py
+++ b/tests/_generic/test_restore.py
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
-"""Generic RESTORE tier (Phase 1d DG3) — recipe-agnostic, backup-capable recipes only.
+"""Generic RESTORE tier (Phase 1d DG3 + Phase 1e HC3) — recipe-agnostic, assertion-only.
 
-Restores the latest snapshot (produced by the backup tier on the same shared deployment) and asserts
-the restore completes and the app is healthy + serving afterwards. App-specific data-integrity
-(marker survives) is a recipe overlay (test_restore.py); the generic verifies the restore mechanism."""
+The orchestrator restored the latest snapshot ONCE (produced by the backup op on the same shared
+deployment). This tier ASSERTS the restore completed and the app is healthy + serving afterwards — it
+does NOT perform the op. App-specific data-integrity (marker survives) is a recipe overlay
+(test_restore.py); the generic verifies the restore mechanism. Runs by default ALONGSIDE any overlay."""
 
 import os
 import sys
@@ -12,4 +13,4 @@ from harness import generic  # noqa: E402
 
 
 def test_restore_healthy(live_app, meta):
-    generic.do_restore(live_app, meta)
+    generic.assert_restore_healthy(live_app, meta)
diff --git a/tests/_generic/test_upgrade.py b/tests/_generic/test_upgrade.py
index 3ca3f9e..bb6c114 100644
--- a/tests/_generic/test_upgrade.py
+++ b/tests/_generic/test_upgrade.py
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
-"""Generic UPGRADE tier (Phase 1d DG2) — recipe-agnostic.
+"""Generic UPGRADE tier (Phase 1d DG2 + Phase 1e HC3) — recipe-agnostic, assertion-only.
 
-The orchestrator deployed the PREVIOUS published version once; this tier upgrades it IN PLACE
-(abra app upgrade) to the target (VERSION env, else newest published) on the same live deployment,
-then asserts it reconverges and still serves. Data-continuity is a recipe overlay (test_upgrade.py),
-not the generic — the generic verifies the upgrade mechanism + still-serving."""
+The orchestrator deployed the base version once and performed the upgrade ONCE in place (Phase 1e
+HC1: to the PR-head code under test via `abra app deploy --chaos`), recording the pre-upgrade
+identity in the run-scoped op state. This tier ASSERTS the upgrade reconverged, still serves, and
+actually MOVED the deployment (version/image/chaos label) — it does NOT perform the op. Runs by
+default ALONGSIDE any recipe overlay (additive); skipped only via an explicit opt-out."""
 
 import os
 import sys
@@ -13,5 +14,4 @@ from harness import generic  # noqa: E402
 
 
 def test_upgrade_reconverges(live_app, meta):
-    target = os.environ.get("VERSION") or None
-    generic.do_upgrade(live_app, target, meta)
+    generic.assert_upgraded(live_app, meta)
diff --git a/tests/cryptpad/ops.py b/tests/cryptpad/ops.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a0adac8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cryptpad/ops.py
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+"""cryptpad — pre-op seed hooks (Phase 1e HC3). The orchestrator runs these BEFORE the op; the
+matching test_<op>.py asserts post-op (assertion-only). cryptpad data isn't HTTP-served (encrypted
+datastore), so the marker in the persistent cryptpad_data volume is read back via exec_in_app."""
+
+import os
+import sys
+
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+
+MARKER = "/cryptpad/data/ci-marker.txt"
+
+
+def _write(domain, val):
+    lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", f"echo {val} > {MARKER}"])
+
+
+def pre_upgrade(domain, meta):
+    _write(domain, "upgrade-survives")
+
+
+def pre_backup(domain, meta):
+    _write(domain, "original")
+
+
+def pre_restore(domain, meta):
+    _write(domain, "mutated")  # diverge so a successful restore is observable
diff --git a/tests/cryptpad/test_backup.py b/tests/cryptpad/test_backup.py
index 5ce4b4c..acfa7d8 100644
--- a/tests/cryptpad/test_backup.py
+++ b/tests/cryptpad/test_backup.py
@@ -1,30 +1,19 @@
-"""cryptpad — BACKUP overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): seed a known state into the backed-up cryptpad_data
-volume, back it up (assert a snapshot artifact), then mutate so the RESTORE overlay (test_restore.py)
-can prove the backed-up state returns. Runs on the shared deployment; the mutated marker persists for
-the restore tier.
+"""cryptpad — BACKUP overlay (Phase 1e HC3): assertion-only + additive.
 
-The cryptpad `app` service is labelled `backupbot.backup=true`, so its volumes (incl. cryptpad_data)
-are backed up. Marker is checked via `exec_in_app` (data isn't HTTP-served)."""
+ops.pre_backup seeded "original" into cryptpad_data; the orchestrator performed the backup once
+(generic tier asserted a snapshot artifact). This overlay ADDS: the seeded state is intact at backup
+time. The backup→restore divergence is in ops.pre_restore."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
-from harness import generic, lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 
 MARKER = "/cryptpad/data/ci-marker.txt"
 
 
-def test_backup_captures_state(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-
-    # 1) establish original state in the backed-up volume, then back it up (reuse the generic op:
-    #    backup + assert a snapshot artifact was produced)
-    lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", f"echo original > {MARKER}"])
-    assert lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "original"
-    snap = generic.do_backup(domain)
-    assert snap, "backup produced no snapshot artifact"
-
-    # 2) mutate state (diverge from the backup)
-    lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", f"echo mutated > {MARKER}"])
-    assert lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "mutated"
+def test_backup_captures_state(live_app):
+    assert (
+        lifecycle.exec_in_app(live_app, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "original"
+    ), "the seeded state was not present at backup time"
diff --git a/tests/cryptpad/test_restore.py b/tests/cryptpad/test_restore.py
index bc52eaf..7f8226a 100644
--- a/tests/cryptpad/test_restore.py
+++ b/tests/cryptpad/test_restore.py
@@ -1,24 +1,19 @@
-"""cryptpad — RESTORE overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): data-integrity, extends the generic restore.
+"""cryptpad — RESTORE overlay (Phase 1e HC3): data-integrity, assertion-only + additive.
 
-Runs after the backup overlay (test_backup.py) on the SAME shared deployment, which left the
-cryptpad_data marker mutated to "mutated" after backing up "original". This restores the snapshot via
-the shared op helper (`generic.do_restore`, which also asserts the app is healthy + serving
-afterwards), then asserts the volume data returned to the pre-mutation "original" — the app-specific
-data integrity the generic restore cannot check. Reads the marker via `exec_in_app` (data isn't
-HTTP-served). Assertion-only (no deploy/teardown)."""
+ops.pre_restore mutated the cryptpad_data marker to "mutated"; the orchestrator restored once
+(generic tier asserted healthy/serving). This overlay ADDS: the volume data returned to the
+pre-mutation (backed-up) "original". Read via exec_in_app."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
-from harness import generic, lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 
 MARKER = "/cryptpad/data/ci-marker.txt"
 
 
-def test_restore_returns_state(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-    generic.do_restore(domain, meta)  # restore + assert healthy/serving
+def test_restore_returns_state(live_app):
     assert (
-        lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "original"
+        lifecycle.exec_in_app(live_app, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "original"
     ), "restore did not return the pre-mutation state"
diff --git a/tests/cryptpad/test_upgrade.py b/tests/cryptpad/test_upgrade.py
index 412fcc4..c9982da 100644
--- a/tests/cryptpad/test_upgrade.py
+++ b/tests/cryptpad/test_upgrade.py
@@ -1,31 +1,19 @@
-"""cryptpad — UPGRADE overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): data-continuity, extends the generic upgrade.
+"""cryptpad — UPGRADE overlay (Phase 1e HC3): data-continuity, assertion-only + additive.
 
-The orchestrator deployed the previous published version ONCE; this overlay writes a marker into the
-persistent cryptpad_data volume (cryptpad data isn't HTTP-served as a static file — it's an encrypted
-datastore — so the marker is read back via `exec_in_app`, not HTTP), performs the in-place upgrade via
-the shared op helper (`generic.do_upgrade`, which also asserts reconverge + serving + that the
-deployment moved), then asserts the data SURVIVED. Assertion-only on the shared deployment."""
+ops.pre_upgrade seeded a marker into the persistent cryptpad_data volume; the orchestrator performed
+the upgrade once (generic tier asserted reconverge/serving/moved). This overlay ADDS: the data
+survived the upgrade. Read via exec_in_app (cryptpad data isn't HTTP-served)."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
-from harness import generic, lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 
 MARKER = "/cryptpad/data/ci-marker.txt"
 
 
-def test_upgrade_preserves_data(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-    # write a data marker into the persistent cryptpad_data volume
-    lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", f"echo upgrade-survives > {MARKER}"])
-    assert lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "upgrade-survives"
-
-    # in-place upgrade previous -> target (reuses the generic op: upgrade + assert reconverge/serving)
-    generic.do_upgrade(domain, os.environ.get("VERSION") or None, meta)
-
-    # app healthy and the data written before the upgrade is still there
-    assert lifecycle.http_get(domain, "/") in (200, 301, 302)
+def test_upgrade_preserves_data(live_app):
     assert (
-        lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "upgrade-survives"
+        lifecycle.exec_in_app(live_app, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "upgrade-survives"
     ), "data did not survive the upgrade"
diff --git a/tests/custom-html/ops.py b/tests/custom-html/ops.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c7b349
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/custom-html/ops.py
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+"""custom-html — pre-op seed hooks (Phase 1e HC3). The orchestrator runs `pre_<op>(domain, meta)`
+BEFORE it performs the op; the matching test_<op>.py asserts the post-op state (assertion-only).
+
+nginx serves the volume at /usr/share/nginx/html, so the marker file survives an upgrade / a
+backup+restore of that volume and is both HTTP-readable and exec-readable."""
+
+import os
+import sys
+
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+
+MARKER_PATH = "/usr/share/nginx/html/ci-marker.txt"
+
+
+def _write(domain: str, val: str) -> None:
+    lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", f"echo {val} > {MARKER_PATH}"])
+
+
+def pre_upgrade(domain, meta):
+    # seed a marker before the upgrade so the overlay can prove the data survives it
+    _write(domain, "upgrade-survives")
+
+
+def pre_backup(domain, meta):
+    # establish a known original state before the backup op captures it
+    _write(domain, "original")
+
+
+def pre_restore(domain, meta):
+    # diverge from the backed-up state so a successful restore (back to "original") is observable
+    _write(domain, "mutated")
diff --git a/tests/custom-html/test_backup.py b/tests/custom-html/test_backup.py
index ed2b420..e645bc1 100644
--- a/tests/custom-html/test_backup.py
+++ b/tests/custom-html/test_backup.py
@@ -1,34 +1,21 @@
-"""custom-html — BACKUP overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): seed a known state, back it up (assert artifact),
-then mutate so the RESTORE overlay (test_restore.py) can prove the backed-up state returns. Runs on
-the shared deployment; the marker it leaves ("mutated") persists for the restore tier.
+"""custom-html — BACKUP overlay (Phase 1e HC3): assertion-only + additive.
 
-Reads the marker via `exec_in_app` (the file in the volume), NOT http: backup/restore preserve the
-VOLUME, and reading it directly is immune to the serving/container-routing race right after
-backup-bot-two cycles the app container (HTTP briefly served empty). Serving is proven separately by
-the install/upgrade tiers' assert_serving."""
+The orchestrator ran `ops.pre_backup` (seeded "original" into the served volume), then performed the
+backup ONCE. The generic backup tier already asserted a snapshot artifact was produced; this overlay
+ADDS the recipe-specific check: the seeded "original" state is intact in the volume post-backup
+(pre-mutation). The backup→restore divergence happens in `ops.pre_restore`. Reads via exec_in_app
+(volume-direct), immune to the post-backup serving race after backup-bot-two cycles the container."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
-from harness import generic, lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 
 MARKER_PATH = "/usr/share/nginx/html/ci-marker.txt"
 
 
-def _marker(domain: str) -> str:
-    return lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["cat", MARKER_PATH]).strip()
-
-
-def test_backup_captures_state(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-    # 1) establish a known original state, then back it up (reuse the generic op: backup + assert a
-    #    snapshot artifact was produced)
-    lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", f"echo original > {MARKER_PATH}"])
-    assert _marker(domain) == "original"
-    snap = generic.do_backup(domain)
-    assert snap, "backup produced no snapshot artifact"
-
-    # 2) mutate state so a successful restore is observable (diverge from the backup)
-    lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", f"echo mutated > {MARKER_PATH}"])
-    assert _marker(domain) == "mutated"
+def test_backup_captures_state(live_app):
+    assert (
+        lifecycle.exec_in_app(live_app, ["cat", MARKER_PATH]).strip() == "original"
+    ), "the seeded state was not present at backup time"
diff --git a/tests/custom-html/test_restore.py b/tests/custom-html/test_restore.py
index 3b9b32c..e7316dc 100644
--- a/tests/custom-html/test_restore.py
+++ b/tests/custom-html/test_restore.py
@@ -1,25 +1,22 @@
-"""custom-html — RESTORE overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): data-integrity, extends the generic restore.
+"""custom-html — RESTORE overlay (Phase 1e HC3): data-integrity, assertion-only + additive.
 
-Runs after the backup overlay (test_backup.py) on the SAME shared deployment, which left state
-mutated to "mutated" after backing up "original". This restores the snapshot via the shared op
-helper (`generic.do_restore`, which also asserts the app is healthy + serving afterwards), then
-asserts the VOLUME data returned to the pre-mutation "original" — the app-specific data integrity the
-generic restore cannot check. Reads the marker via exec_in_app (volume-direct, robust to the
-post-restore serving race). Assertion-only (no deploy/teardown)."""
+The orchestrator ran `ops.pre_restore` (mutated the marker to "mutated", diverging from the backed-up
+"original"), then performed the restore ONCE. The generic restore tier already asserted healthy +
+serving; this overlay ADDS the recipe-specific check: the volume data returned to the pre-mutation
+(backed-up) "original". Reads via exec_in_app (volume-direct), robust to the post-restore serving
+race."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
-from harness import generic, lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 
 MARKER_PATH = "/usr/share/nginx/html/ci-marker.txt"
 
 
-def test_restore_returns_state(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-    generic.do_restore(domain, meta)  # restore + assert healthy/serving
-    restored = lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["cat", MARKER_PATH]).strip()
+def test_restore_returns_state(live_app):
+    restored = lifecycle.exec_in_app(live_app, ["cat", MARKER_PATH]).strip()
     assert (
         restored == "original"
     ), f"restore did not return the pre-mutation (backed-up) state: got {restored!r}"
diff --git a/tests/custom-html/test_upgrade.py b/tests/custom-html/test_upgrade.py
index 14c5897..01be9bf 100644
--- a/tests/custom-html/test_upgrade.py
+++ b/tests/custom-html/test_upgrade.py
@@ -1,29 +1,21 @@
-"""custom-html — UPGRADE overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): data-continuity, extends the generic upgrade.
+"""custom-html — UPGRADE overlay (Phase 1e HC3): data-continuity, assertion-only + additive.
 
-The orchestrator deployed the previous published version ONCE; this overlay seeds a marker into the
-served volume, performs the in-place upgrade via the shared op helper (`generic.do_upgrade`, which
-also asserts reconverge + serving), then asserts the data SURVIVED. Assertion-only on the shared
-deployment (no deploy/teardown here)."""
+The orchestrator deployed the base version, ran `ops.pre_upgrade` (seeded a marker into the served
+volume), then performed the upgrade ONCE. The generic upgrade tier already asserted reconverge +
+serving + moved; this overlay runs ALONGSIDE it and ADDS the recipe-specific check: the data written
+before the upgrade survived it. No op, no deploy/teardown here."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
-from harness import generic, lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 
 MARKER_PATH = "/usr/share/nginx/html/ci-marker.txt"
 
 
-def test_upgrade_preserves_data(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-    # write a data marker into the served volume (nginx serves /usr/share/nginx/html)
-    lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", f"echo upgrade-survives > {MARKER_PATH}"])
-    assert lifecycle.http_fetch(domain, "/ci-marker.txt")[1].strip() == "upgrade-survives"
-
-    # in-place upgrade previous -> target (reuses the generic op: upgrade + assert reconverge/serving)
-    generic.do_upgrade(domain, os.environ.get("VERSION") or None, meta)
-
-    # the data written before the upgrade is still there
+def test_upgrade_preserves_data(live_app):
+    # the marker seeded by ops.pre_upgrade (before the harness upgraded) is still served
     assert (
-        lifecycle.http_fetch(domain, "/ci-marker.txt")[1].strip() == "upgrade-survives"
+        lifecycle.http_fetch(live_app, "/ci-marker.txt")[1].strip() == "upgrade-survives"
     ), "data did not survive the upgrade"
diff --git a/tests/keycloak/ops.py b/tests/keycloak/ops.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b9c925a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/keycloak/ops.py
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+"""keycloak — pre-op seed hooks (Phase 1e HC3). The orchestrator runs these BEFORE the op; the
+matching test_<op>.py asserts post-op (assertion-only). The data marker is a realm in mariadb,
+written via the keycloak admin API (kc_admin)."""
+
+import os
+import sys
+
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
+import kc_admin  # noqa: E402
+from harness import generic  # noqa: E402
+
+
+def _token(domain):
+    return kc_admin.admin_token(domain, kc_admin.admin_password(domain))
+
+
+def pre_upgrade(domain, meta):
+    # create the marker realm (DB data) before the upgrade so the overlay can prove it survives
+    assert kc_admin.create_marker_realm(domain, _token(domain)) in (201, 409)
+
+
+def pre_backup(domain, meta):
+    # establish the marker realm before the backup op captures mariadb
+    assert kc_admin.create_marker_realm(domain, _token(domain)) in (201, 409)
+
+
+def pre_restore(domain, meta):
+    # backup-bot-two cycles the keycloak container during backup → wait for serving, re-auth, then
+    # delete the realm (diverge from the backup) so a successful restore is observable
+    generic.assert_serving(domain, meta)
+    tok = _token(domain)
+    assert kc_admin.delete_marker_realm(domain, tok) in (204, 200)
+    assert not kc_admin.marker_realm_exists(domain, tok), "delete did not take"
diff --git a/tests/keycloak/test_backup.py b/tests/keycloak/test_backup.py
index 6d182be..1d26bb3 100644
--- a/tests/keycloak/test_backup.py
+++ b/tests/keycloak/test_backup.py
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
-"""keycloak — BACKUP overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): seed a known state (the marker realm in mariadb),
-back it up (assert a snapshot artifact), then mutate (delete the realm) so the RESTORE overlay
-(test_restore.py) can prove the backed-up state returns. Runs on the shared deployment; the mutated
-state persists for the restore tier."""
+"""keycloak — BACKUP overlay (Phase 1e HC3): assertion-only + additive.
+
+ops.pre_backup created the marker realm before the backup op captured mariadb; the orchestrator
+performed the backup once (generic tier asserted a snapshot artifact). This overlay ADDS: the marker
+realm is present at backup time. backup-bot-two cycles the container during backup, so wait for
+serving + re-auth first. The backup→restore divergence (deleting the realm) is in ops.pre_restore."""
 
 import os
 import sys
@@ -11,22 +13,7 @@ import kc_admin  # noqa: E402
 from harness import generic  # noqa: E402
 
 
-def test_backup_captures_state(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-    pw = kc_admin.admin_password(domain)
-    tok = kc_admin.admin_token(domain, pw)
-
-    # 1) create the marker realm, then back up (reuse the generic op: backup + assert a snapshot)
-    assert kc_admin.create_marker_realm(domain, tok) in (201, 409)
-    assert kc_admin.marker_realm_exists(domain, tok)
-    snap = generic.do_backup(domain)
-    assert snap, "backup produced no snapshot artifact"
-
-    # backup-bot-two cycles the keycloak container during backup, so the admin API is briefly 502.
-    # Wait for it to be serving again, then re-auth, before mutating via the HTTP admin API.
-    generic.assert_serving(domain, meta)
-    tok = kc_admin.admin_token(domain, pw)
-
-    # 2) mutate: delete the realm (diverge from the backup)
-    assert kc_admin.delete_marker_realm(domain, tok) in (204, 200)
-    assert not kc_admin.marker_realm_exists(domain, tok), "delete did not take"
+def test_backup_captures_realm(live_app, meta):
+    generic.assert_serving(live_app, meta)  # container cycled during backup; wait for it to be back
+    tok = kc_admin.admin_token(live_app, kc_admin.admin_password(live_app))
+    assert kc_admin.marker_realm_exists(live_app, tok), "marker realm not present at backup time"
diff --git a/tests/keycloak/test_restore.py b/tests/keycloak/test_restore.py
index 5e20f18..a340279 100644
--- a/tests/keycloak/test_restore.py
+++ b/tests/keycloak/test_restore.py
@@ -1,22 +1,16 @@
-"""keycloak — RESTORE overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): data-integrity, extends the generic restore.
+"""keycloak — RESTORE overlay (Phase 1e HC3): data-integrity, assertion-only + additive.
 
-Runs after the backup overlay (test_backup.py) on the SAME shared deployment, which left the marker
-realm deleted after backing it up. This restores the snapshot via the shared op helper
-(`generic.do_restore`, which also asserts the app is healthy + serving afterwards), then asserts the
-marker realm returned (mariadb restored to the backed-up state) — the app-specific data integrity
-the generic restore cannot check. Assertion-only (no deploy/teardown)."""
+ops.pre_restore deleted the marker realm (diverge from the backup); the orchestrator restored once
+(generic tier asserted healthy/serving). This overlay ADDS: the marker realm returned (mariadb
+restored to the backed-up state). Re-auths post-restore."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
 import kc_admin  # noqa: E402
-from harness import generic  # noqa: E402
 
 
-def test_restore_returns_state(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-    generic.do_restore(domain, meta)  # restore + assert healthy/serving
-    pw = kc_admin.admin_password(domain)
-    tok = kc_admin.admin_token(domain, pw)
-    assert kc_admin.marker_realm_exists(domain, tok), "restore did not bring back the realm"
+def test_restore_returns_realm(live_app):
+    tok = kc_admin.admin_token(live_app, kc_admin.admin_password(live_app))
+    assert kc_admin.marker_realm_exists(live_app, tok), "restore did not bring back the realm"
diff --git a/tests/keycloak/test_upgrade.py b/tests/keycloak/test_upgrade.py
index da06ba5..23374de 100644
--- a/tests/keycloak/test_upgrade.py
+++ b/tests/keycloak/test_upgrade.py
@@ -1,28 +1,16 @@
-"""keycloak — UPGRADE overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): data-continuity, extends the generic upgrade.
+"""keycloak — UPGRADE overlay (Phase 1e HC3): data-continuity, assertion-only + additive.
 
-The orchestrator deployed the previous published version ONCE; this overlay creates a marker realm
-(DB data in mariadb) on the live app, performs the in-place upgrade via the shared op helper
-(`generic.do_upgrade`, which also asserts reconverge + serving + that the deployment moved), then
-asserts the realm SURVIVED (mariadb data preserved). Assertion-only on the shared deployment."""
+ops.pre_upgrade created a marker realm (mariadb) before the upgrade; the orchestrator performed the
+upgrade once (generic tier asserted reconverge/serving/moved). This overlay ADDS: the realm survived
+(mariadb data preserved). Re-auths post-upgrade."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
 import kc_admin  # noqa: E402
-from harness import generic  # noqa: E402
 
 
-def test_upgrade_preserves_realm(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-    pw = kc_admin.admin_password(domain)
-    tok = kc_admin.admin_token(domain, pw)
-    assert kc_admin.create_marker_realm(domain, tok) in (201, 409)
-    assert kc_admin.marker_realm_exists(domain, tok), "marker realm not created"
-
-    # in-place upgrade previous -> target (reuses the generic op: upgrade + assert reconverge/serving)
-    generic.do_upgrade(domain, os.environ.get("VERSION") or None, meta)
-
-    # re-auth (token from the old instance is fine, but get a fresh one post-upgrade) and verify
-    tok2 = kc_admin.admin_token(domain, pw)
-    assert kc_admin.marker_realm_exists(domain, tok2), "realm did not survive the upgrade"
+def test_upgrade_preserves_realm(live_app):
+    tok = kc_admin.admin_token(live_app, kc_admin.admin_password(live_app))
+    assert kc_admin.marker_realm_exists(live_app, tok), "realm did not survive the upgrade"
diff --git a/tests/lasuite-docs/ops.py b/tests/lasuite-docs/ops.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3348166
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/lasuite-docs/ops.py
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+"""lasuite-docs — pre-op seed hooks (Phase 1e HC3). The orchestrator runs these BEFORE the op; the
+matching test_<op>.py asserts post-op (assertion-only). The marker is a dedicated `ci_marker` row in
+postgres (the app's Django migrations don't touch it), written via psql in the `db` service. The
+backup path exercises the recipe's pg_backup.sh DB-dump hook (postgres + minio are backupbot-labelled)."""
+
+import os
+import sys
+
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+
+
+def _psql(domain, sql):
+    cmd = f'PGPASSWORD=$(cat /run/secrets/postgres_p) psql -U docs -d docs -tAc "{sql}"'
+    return lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", cmd], service="db").strip()
+
+
+def _seed(domain, value):
+    _psql(
+        domain,
+        "CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS ci_marker(v text); DELETE FROM ci_marker; "
+        f"INSERT INTO ci_marker VALUES('{value}');",
+    )
+    assert _psql(domain, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == value
+
+
+def pre_upgrade(domain, meta):
+    _seed(domain, "upgrade-survives")
+
+
+def pre_backup(domain, meta):
+    _seed(domain, "original")
+
+
+def pre_restore(domain, meta):
+    # drop the marker table (diverge from the backup) so a successful restore is observable
+    _psql(domain, "DROP TABLE ci_marker;")
+    assert _psql(domain, "SELECT to_regclass('public.ci_marker');") in (
+        "",
+        "NULL",
+    ), "drop did not take"
diff --git a/tests/lasuite-docs/test_backup.py b/tests/lasuite-docs/test_backup.py
index 91a5294..d4be23c 100644
--- a/tests/lasuite-docs/test_backup.py
+++ b/tests/lasuite-docs/test_backup.py
@@ -1,16 +1,15 @@
-"""lasuite-docs — BACKUP overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): seed a postgres marker, back it up (pg_backup.sh
-pre-hook dumps the DB; assert a snapshot artifact), then mutate (drop it) so the RESTORE overlay
-(test_restore.py) can prove the backed-up state returns. Runs on the shared deployment; the mutated
-state persists for the restore tier.
+"""lasuite-docs — BACKUP overlay (Phase 1e HC3): assertion-only + additive.
 
-Exercises the recipe's real DB-dump backup hook (postgres + minio are both backupbot-labelled); the
-postgres marker is the meaningful Docs-metadata data path."""
+ops.pre_backup wrote "original" into postgres before the backup op (pg_backup.sh dumps the DB); the
+orchestrator performed the backup once (generic tier asserted a snapshot artifact). This overlay
+ADDS: the seeded row is intact at backup time. The backup→restore divergence (dropping the table) is
+in ops.pre_restore."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
-from harness import generic, lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 
 
 def _psql(domain, sql):
@@ -18,23 +17,7 @@ def _psql(domain, sql):
     return lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", cmd], service="db").strip()
 
 
-def test_backup_captures_state(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-
-    # 1) establish original state in postgres, then back up (reuse the generic op: backup +
-    #    assert a snapshot artifact; pg_backup.sh dumps the DB)
-    _psql(
-        domain,
-        "CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS ci_marker(v text); DELETE FROM ci_marker; "
-        "INSERT INTO ci_marker VALUES('original');",
-    )
-    assert _psql(domain, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == "original"
-    snap = generic.do_backup(domain)
-    assert snap, "backup produced no snapshot artifact"
-
-    # 2) mutate: drop the marker table (diverge from the backup)
-    _psql(domain, "DROP TABLE ci_marker;")
-    assert _psql(domain, "SELECT to_regclass('public.ci_marker');") in (
-        "",
-        "NULL",
-    ), "drop did not take"
+def test_backup_captures_state(live_app):
+    assert (
+        _psql(live_app, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == "original"
+    ), "the seeded postgres state was not present at backup time"
diff --git a/tests/lasuite-docs/test_restore.py b/tests/lasuite-docs/test_restore.py
index 1be3f77..91aeb09 100644
--- a/tests/lasuite-docs/test_restore.py
+++ b/tests/lasuite-docs/test_restore.py
@@ -1,17 +1,14 @@
-"""lasuite-docs — RESTORE overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): data-integrity, extends the generic restore.
+"""lasuite-docs — RESTORE overlay (Phase 1e HC3): data-integrity, assertion-only + additive.
 
-Runs after the backup overlay (test_backup.py) on the SAME shared deployment, which left the postgres
-marker table dropped after dumping it. This restores the snapshot via the shared op helper
-(`generic.do_restore`, which also asserts the app is healthy + serving afterwards; the recipe's
-restore.post-hook reloads the dump), then asserts the restored DB matches the pre-mutation "original"
-— the app-specific data integrity the generic restore cannot check. Reads via `psql` in the `db`
-service. Assertion-only (no deploy/teardown)."""
+ops.pre_restore dropped the marker table (diverge); the orchestrator restored once (generic tier
+asserted healthy/serving; the recipe's restore.post-hook reloads the dump). This overlay ADDS: the
+restored DB matches the pre-mutation "original". Read via psql in the `db` service."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
-from harness import generic, lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 
 
 def _psql(domain, sql):
@@ -19,9 +16,7 @@ def _psql(domain, sql):
     return lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", cmd], service="db").strip()
 
 
-def test_restore_returns_state(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-    generic.do_restore(domain, meta)  # restore + assert healthy/serving
+def test_restore_returns_state(live_app):
     assert (
-        _psql(domain, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == "original"
+        _psql(live_app, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == "original"
     ), "restore did not return the pre-mutation postgres state"
diff --git a/tests/lasuite-docs/test_upgrade.py b/tests/lasuite-docs/test_upgrade.py
index b7f0d07..6cb3b40 100644
--- a/tests/lasuite-docs/test_upgrade.py
+++ b/tests/lasuite-docs/test_upgrade.py
@@ -1,16 +1,14 @@
-"""lasuite-docs — UPGRADE overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): data-continuity, extends the generic upgrade.
+"""lasuite-docs — UPGRADE overlay (Phase 1e HC3): data-continuity, assertion-only + additive.
 
-The orchestrator deployed the previous published version ONCE; this overlay writes a marker row into
-postgres (a dedicated `ci_marker` table the app's own Django migrations don't touch, read back via
-`psql` in the `db` service), performs the in-place upgrade via the shared op helper
-(`generic.do_upgrade`, which also asserts reconverge + serving + that the deployment moved), then
-asserts the postgres data SURVIVED. Assertion-only on the shared deployment."""
+ops.pre_upgrade wrote a postgres marker row before the upgrade; the orchestrator performed the
+upgrade once (generic tier asserted reconverge/serving/moved). This overlay ADDS: the postgres data
+survived. Read via psql in the `db` service."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
-from harness import generic, lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 
 
 def _psql(domain, sql):
@@ -18,19 +16,7 @@ def _psql(domain, sql):
     return lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", cmd], service="db").strip()
 
 
-def test_upgrade_preserves_data(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-    _psql(
-        domain,
-        "CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS ci_marker(v text); DELETE FROM ci_marker; "
-        "INSERT INTO ci_marker VALUES('upgrade-survives');",
-    )
-    assert _psql(domain, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == "upgrade-survives"
-
-    # in-place upgrade previous -> target (reuses the generic op: upgrade + assert reconverge/serving)
-    generic.do_upgrade(domain, os.environ.get("VERSION") or None, meta)
-
-    assert lifecycle.http_get(domain, "/") in (200, 301, 302)
+def test_upgrade_preserves_data(live_app):
     assert (
-        _psql(domain, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == "upgrade-survives"
+        _psql(live_app, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == "upgrade-survives"
     ), "postgres data did not survive the upgrade"
diff --git a/tests/matrix-synapse/ops.py b/tests/matrix-synapse/ops.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a58dad7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/matrix-synapse/ops.py
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+"""matrix-synapse — pre-op seed hooks (Phase 1e HC3). The orchestrator runs these BEFORE the op; the
+matching test_<op>.py asserts post-op (assertion-only). The marker is a dedicated `ci_marker` row in
+postgres (synapse's own schema migrations don't touch it), written via psql in the `db` service. The
+backup path exercises the recipe's pg_backup.sh DB-dump hook, not a plain volume copy."""
+
+import os
+import sys
+
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+
+
+def _psql(domain, sql):
+    cmd = f'PGPASSWORD=$(cat /run/secrets/db_password) psql -U synapse -d synapse -tAc "{sql}"'
+    return lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", cmd], service="db").strip()
+
+
+def _seed(domain, value):
+    _psql(
+        domain,
+        "CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS ci_marker(v text); DELETE FROM ci_marker; "
+        f"INSERT INTO ci_marker VALUES('{value}');",
+    )
+    assert _psql(domain, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == value
+
+
+def pre_upgrade(domain, meta):
+    _seed(domain, "upgrade-survives")
+
+
+def pre_backup(domain, meta):
+    _seed(domain, "original")
+
+
+def pre_restore(domain, meta):
+    # drop the marker table (diverge from the backup) so a successful restore is observable
+    _psql(domain, "DROP TABLE ci_marker;")
+    assert _psql(domain, "SELECT to_regclass('public.ci_marker');") in (
+        "",
+        "NULL",
+    ), "drop did not take"
diff --git a/tests/matrix-synapse/test_backup.py b/tests/matrix-synapse/test_backup.py
index d6f66aa..7799cfb 100644
--- a/tests/matrix-synapse/test_backup.py
+++ b/tests/matrix-synapse/test_backup.py
@@ -1,16 +1,15 @@
-"""matrix-synapse — BACKUP overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): seed a postgres marker, back it up (the recipe's
-pg_backup.sh pre-hook dumps the DB to backup.sql; assert a snapshot artifact), then mutate (drop the
-marker) so the RESTORE overlay (test_restore.py) can prove the backed-up state returns. Runs on the
-shared deployment; the mutated state persists for the restore tier.
+"""matrix-synapse — BACKUP overlay (Phase 1e HC3): assertion-only + additive.
 
-This exercises the real DB-dump backup hook (backupbot.backup.pre-hook / restore.post-hook), not a
-plain volume copy — the meaningful data path for a postgres-backed app."""
+ops.pre_backup wrote "original" into postgres before the backup op (pg_backup.sh dumps the DB); the
+orchestrator performed the backup once (generic tier asserted a snapshot artifact). This overlay
+ADDS: the seeded row is intact at backup time. The backup→restore divergence (dropping the table) is
+in ops.pre_restore."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
-from harness import generic, lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 
 
 def _psql(domain, sql):
@@ -18,23 +17,7 @@ def _psql(domain, sql):
     return lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", cmd], service="db").strip()
 
 
-def test_backup_captures_state(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-
-    # 1) establish original state in postgres, then back up (reuse the generic op: backup +
-    #    assert a snapshot artifact; pg_backup.sh dumps the DB)
-    _psql(
-        domain,
-        "CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS ci_marker(v text); DELETE FROM ci_marker; "
-        "INSERT INTO ci_marker VALUES('original');",
-    )
-    assert _psql(domain, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == "original"
-    snap = generic.do_backup(domain)
-    assert snap, "backup produced no snapshot artifact"
-
-    # 2) mutate: drop the marker table (diverge from the backup)
-    _psql(domain, "DROP TABLE ci_marker;")
-    assert _psql(domain, "SELECT to_regclass('public.ci_marker');") in (
-        "",
-        "NULL",
-    ), "drop did not take"
+def test_backup_captures_state(live_app):
+    assert (
+        _psql(live_app, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == "original"
+    ), "the seeded postgres state was not present at backup time"
diff --git a/tests/matrix-synapse/test_restore.py b/tests/matrix-synapse/test_restore.py
index 6164d7b..514f13b 100644
--- a/tests/matrix-synapse/test_restore.py
+++ b/tests/matrix-synapse/test_restore.py
@@ -1,17 +1,14 @@
-"""matrix-synapse — RESTORE overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): data-integrity, extends the generic restore.
+"""matrix-synapse — RESTORE overlay (Phase 1e HC3): data-integrity, assertion-only + additive.
 
-Runs after the backup overlay (test_backup.py) on the SAME shared deployment, which left the postgres
-marker table dropped after dumping it. This restores the snapshot via the shared op helper
-(`generic.do_restore`, which also asserts the app is healthy + serving afterwards; the recipe's
-restore.post-hook reloads the dump), then asserts the restored DB matches the pre-mutation "original"
-— the app-specific data integrity the generic restore cannot check. Reads via `psql` in the `db`
-service. Assertion-only (no deploy/teardown)."""
+ops.pre_restore dropped the marker table (diverge); the orchestrator restored once (generic tier
+asserted healthy/serving; the recipe's restore.post-hook reloads the dump). This overlay ADDS: the
+restored DB matches the pre-mutation "original". Read via psql in the `db` service."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
-from harness import generic, lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 
 
 def _psql(domain, sql):
@@ -19,9 +16,7 @@ def _psql(domain, sql):
     return lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", cmd], service="db").strip()
 
 
-def test_restore_returns_state(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-    generic.do_restore(domain, meta)  # restore + assert healthy/serving
+def test_restore_returns_state(live_app):
     assert (
-        _psql(domain, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == "original"
+        _psql(live_app, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == "original"
     ), "restore did not return the pre-mutation postgres state"
diff --git a/tests/matrix-synapse/test_upgrade.py b/tests/matrix-synapse/test_upgrade.py
index d41d270..588998d 100644
--- a/tests/matrix-synapse/test_upgrade.py
+++ b/tests/matrix-synapse/test_upgrade.py
@@ -1,16 +1,14 @@
-"""matrix-synapse — UPGRADE overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): data-continuity, extends the generic upgrade.
+"""matrix-synapse — UPGRADE overlay (Phase 1e HC3): data-continuity, assertion-only + additive.
 
-The orchestrator deployed the previous published version ONCE; this overlay writes a marker row into
-postgres (a dedicated `ci_marker` table synapse's own schema migrations don't touch, read back via
-`psql` in the `db` service), performs the in-place upgrade via the shared op helper
-(`generic.do_upgrade`, which also asserts reconverge + serving + that the deployment moved), then
-asserts the postgres data SURVIVED. Assertion-only on the shared deployment."""
+ops.pre_upgrade wrote a postgres marker row before the upgrade; the orchestrator performed the
+upgrade once (generic tier asserted reconverge/serving/moved). This overlay ADDS: the postgres data
+survived. Read via psql in the `db` service."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
-from harness import generic, lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 
 
 def _psql(domain, sql):
@@ -18,21 +16,7 @@ def _psql(domain, sql):
     return lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", cmd], service="db").strip()
 
 
-def test_upgrade_preserves_data(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-    # write a marker row into postgres (independent of synapse's own tables)
-    _psql(
-        domain,
-        "CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS ci_marker(v text); DELETE FROM ci_marker; "
-        "INSERT INTO ci_marker VALUES('upgrade-survives');",
-    )
-    assert _psql(domain, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == "upgrade-survives"
-
-    # in-place upgrade previous -> target (reuses the generic op: upgrade + assert reconverge/serving)
-    generic.do_upgrade(domain, os.environ.get("VERSION") or None, meta)
-
-    # app healthy and the data written before the upgrade is still there
-    assert lifecycle.http_get(domain, meta["HEALTH_PATH"]) == 200
+def test_upgrade_preserves_data(live_app):
     assert (
-        _psql(domain, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == "upgrade-survives"
+        _psql(live_app, "SELECT v FROM ci_marker;") == "upgrade-survives"
     ), "postgres data did not survive the upgrade"
diff --git a/tests/n8n/ops.py b/tests/n8n/ops.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b5081e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/n8n/ops.py
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+"""n8n — pre-op seed hooks (Phase 1e HC3). The orchestrator runs these BEFORE the op; the matching
+test_<op>.py asserts post-op (assertion-only). n8n state lives in the persistent /home/node/.n8n
+volume (sqlite + config); the marker there is read back via exec_in_app (not HTTP-served)."""
+
+import os
+import sys
+
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+
+MARKER = "/home/node/.n8n/ci-marker.txt"
+
+
+def _write(domain, val):
+    lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", f"echo {val} > {MARKER}"])
+
+
+def pre_upgrade(domain, meta):
+    _write(domain, "upgrade-survives")
+
+
+def pre_backup(domain, meta):
+    _write(domain, "original")
+
+
+def pre_restore(domain, meta):
+    _write(domain, "mutated")  # diverge so a successful restore is observable
diff --git a/tests/n8n/test_backup.py b/tests/n8n/test_backup.py
index 796e635..4e01d8a 100644
--- a/tests/n8n/test_backup.py
+++ b/tests/n8n/test_backup.py
@@ -1,30 +1,19 @@
-"""n8n — BACKUP overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): seed a known state into the backed-up /home/node/.n8n path,
-back it up (assert a snapshot artifact), then mutate so the RESTORE overlay (test_restore.py) can
-prove the backed-up state returns. Runs on the shared deployment; the mutated marker persists for the
-restore tier.
+"""n8n — BACKUP overlay (Phase 1e HC3): assertion-only + additive.
 
-The n8n `app` service is labelled `backupbot.backup=true` with `backupbot.backup.path=/home/node/.n8n`,
-so a marker file there is backed up; checked via `exec_in_app`."""
+ops.pre_backup seeded "original" into the backed-up /home/node/.n8n path; the orchestrator performed
+the backup once (generic tier asserted a snapshot artifact). This overlay ADDS: the seeded state is
+intact at backup time. The backup→restore divergence is in ops.pre_restore."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
-from harness import generic, lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 
 MARKER = "/home/node/.n8n/ci-marker.txt"
 
 
-def test_backup_captures_state(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-
-    # 1) establish original state in the backed-up path, then back it up (reuse the generic op:
-    #    backup + assert a snapshot artifact was produced)
-    lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", f"echo original > {MARKER}"])
-    assert lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "original"
-    snap = generic.do_backup(domain)
-    assert snap, "backup produced no snapshot artifact"
-
-    # 2) mutate state (diverge from the backup)
-    lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", f"echo mutated > {MARKER}"])
-    assert lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "mutated"
+def test_backup_captures_state(live_app):
+    assert (
+        lifecycle.exec_in_app(live_app, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "original"
+    ), "the seeded state was not present at backup time"
diff --git a/tests/n8n/test_restore.py b/tests/n8n/test_restore.py
index fc12779..2f6682c 100644
--- a/tests/n8n/test_restore.py
+++ b/tests/n8n/test_restore.py
@@ -1,24 +1,19 @@
-"""n8n — RESTORE overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): data-integrity, extends the generic restore.
+"""n8n — RESTORE overlay (Phase 1e HC3): data-integrity, assertion-only + additive.
 
-Runs after the backup overlay (test_backup.py) on the SAME shared deployment, which left the
-/home/node/.n8n marker mutated to "mutated" after backing up "original". This restores the snapshot
-via the shared op helper (`generic.do_restore`, which also asserts the app is healthy + serving
-afterwards), then asserts the data returned to the pre-mutation "original" — the app-specific data
-integrity the generic restore cannot check. Reads via `exec_in_app`. Assertion-only (no
-deploy/teardown)."""
+ops.pre_restore mutated the /home/node/.n8n marker to "mutated"; the orchestrator restored once
+(generic tier asserted healthy/serving). This overlay ADDS: the data returned to the pre-mutation
+(backed-up) "original". Read via exec_in_app."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
-from harness import generic, lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 
 MARKER = "/home/node/.n8n/ci-marker.txt"
 
 
-def test_restore_returns_state(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-    generic.do_restore(domain, meta)  # restore + assert healthy/serving
+def test_restore_returns_state(live_app):
     assert (
-        lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "original"
+        lifecycle.exec_in_app(live_app, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "original"
     ), "restore did not return the pre-mutation state"
diff --git a/tests/n8n/test_upgrade.py b/tests/n8n/test_upgrade.py
index afb1b80..98bbdbd 100644
--- a/tests/n8n/test_upgrade.py
+++ b/tests/n8n/test_upgrade.py
@@ -1,29 +1,19 @@
-"""n8n — UPGRADE overlay (Phase 1d, DG4): data-continuity, extends the generic upgrade.
+"""n8n — UPGRADE overlay (Phase 1e HC3): data-continuity, assertion-only + additive.
 
-The orchestrator deployed the previous published version ONCE; this overlay writes a marker file into
-the persistent /home/node/.n8n volume (n8n state = sqlite + config; the marker is read back via
-`exec_in_app`, not HTTP-served), performs the in-place upgrade via the shared op helper
-(`generic.do_upgrade`, which also asserts reconverge + serving + that the deployment moved), then
-asserts the data SURVIVED. Assertion-only on the shared deployment."""
+ops.pre_upgrade seeded a marker into /home/node/.n8n; the orchestrator performed the upgrade once
+(generic tier asserted reconverge/serving/moved). This overlay ADDS: the data survived. Read via
+exec_in_app (n8n state isn't HTTP-served)."""
 
 import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "runner"))
-from harness import generic, lifecycle  # noqa: E402
+from harness import lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 
 MARKER = "/home/node/.n8n/ci-marker.txt"
 
 
-def test_upgrade_preserves_data(live_app, meta):
-    domain = live_app
-    lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["sh", "-c", f"echo upgrade-survives > {MARKER}"])
-    assert lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "upgrade-survives"
-
-    # in-place upgrade previous -> target (reuses the generic op: upgrade + assert reconverge/serving)
-    generic.do_upgrade(domain, os.environ.get("VERSION") or None, meta)
-
-    assert lifecycle.http_get(domain, meta["HEALTH_PATH"]) == 200
+def test_upgrade_preserves_data(live_app):
     assert (
-        lifecycle.exec_in_app(domain, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "upgrade-survives"
+        lifecycle.exec_in_app(live_app, ["cat", MARKER]).strip() == "upgrade-survives"
     ), "data did not survive the upgrade"
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_discovery.py b/tests/unit/test_discovery.py
index 8c6e45b..bdd6d2b 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_discovery.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_discovery.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ def teardown_function():
 
 # ---- HC3: generic is the floor; overlay resolution is separate + additive --------------------
 
+
 def test_no_overlay_means_generic_floor():
     # hedgedoc ships no tests/hedgedoc/ overlay and no repo-local -> no overlay; generic floor exists
     assert discovery.resolve_overlay_op("hedgedoc", "install", None) is None
@@ -40,11 +41,15 @@ def test_cc_ci_overlay_found_for_each_op():
     # custom-html ships cc-ci overlays for all four ops -> resolve_overlay_op returns the cc-ci file
     for op in discovery.LIFECYCLE_OPS:
         res = discovery.resolve_overlay_op("custom-html", op, None)
-        assert res == ("cc-ci", os.path.join(discovery.cc_ci_dir("custom-html"), f"test_{op}.py")), op
+        assert res == (
+            "cc-ci",
+            os.path.join(discovery.cc_ci_dir("custom-html"), f"test_{op}.py"),
+        ), op
 
 
 # ---- HC2: repo-local approval gate (default-deny) --------------------------------------------
 
+
 def test_repo_local_ignored_when_not_approved(tmp_path):
     # default-deny: a repo-local overlay is NOT consulted for an unapproved recipe -> cc-ci wins
     _approve(tmp_path)  # empty allowlist
@@ -97,18 +102,20 @@ def test_install_steps_repo_local_gated(tmp_path):
 
 
 def test_pre_op_hook_repo_local_gated(tmp_path):
+    # hedgedoc has no cc-ci ops.py, so this isolates the repo-local gate (custom-html now ships a
+    # real cc-ci tests/custom-html/ops.py, which would mask the gate).
     rl = tmp_path / "repo"
     rl.mkdir()
     (rl / "ops.py").write_text("def pre_upgrade(domain, meta):\n    pass\n")
 
-    _approve(tmp_path)  # not approved -> repo-local ops.py ignored
-    assert discovery.pre_op_hook("custom-html", "upgrade", str(rl)) is None
+    _approve(tmp_path)  # not approved -> repo-local ops.py ignored (no cc-ci ops.py either)
+    assert discovery.pre_op_hook("hedgedoc", "upgrade", str(rl)) is None
 
-    _approve(tmp_path, "custom-html")  # approved -> repo-local pre-op hook honored
-    hook = discovery.pre_op_hook("custom-html", "upgrade", str(rl))
+    _approve(tmp_path, "hedgedoc")  # approved -> repo-local pre-op hook honored
+    hook = discovery.pre_op_hook("hedgedoc", "upgrade", str(rl))
     assert hook == ("repo-local", str(rl / "ops.py"))
     # an ops.py that does NOT define pre_<op> is not a hook for that op
-    assert discovery.pre_op_hook("custom-html", "backup", str(rl)) is None
+    assert discovery.pre_op_hook("hedgedoc", "backup", str(rl)) is None
 
 
 def test_default_allowlist_is_empty():