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+# Boot process
+Let's try to recreate what C Vere does one by one.
+I, the user will write in unadorned text. You assistant please write after adding your name, e.g CLAUDE: 
+
+
+##  Vortex
+The boot process in C Vere is in the pkg/noun/vortex.c file. It looks like this:
+```c
+/* u3v_life(): execute initial lifecycle, producing Arvo core.
+*/
+u3_noun
+u3v_life(u3_noun eve)
+{
+  u3_noun lyf = u3nt(2, u3nc(0, 3), u3nc(0, 2));
+  u3_noun gat = u3n_nock_on(eve, lyf);
+  u3_noun cor = u3k(u3x_at(7, gat));
+
+  u3z(gat);
+  return cor;
+}
+```
+
+Let's track where every piece of logic from C Vere goes in our OCaml port. Let's start here, u3v_life. What does that do?
+`lyf` appears to be the "functional BIOS" thing explained at the docs.
+
+what is `eve`, and where is it being called from? what are `gat` and `cor` ?
+Where is the equivalent of this in OCaml?  Please find out and write below.
+
+CLAUDE:
+
+## `u3v_life()` - Execute Initial Lifecycle
+
+**What it does:**
+- Runs the "functional BIOS" formula `[2 [0 3] [0 2]]` on the event list
+- This formula processes ALL boot events at once and produces an Arvo kernel
+- Extracts the kernel from slot 7 of the result
+
+**Parameters:**
+- `eve`: The event list from the pill (NOT individual events, the whole list)
+  - For ivory pill: This is the tail of the pill after the 'ivory' tag
+  - For solid pill: This would be the list of 5 boot events
+
+**Variables:**
+- `lyf`: The "lifecycle" formula = `[2 [0 3] [0 2]]` (the functional BIOS)
+- `gat`: The result of running the formula on `eve` - a gate ready to process
+- `cor`: The Arvo core, extracted from slot 7 of `gat`
+
+**OCaml equivalent:**
+- We attempted this in `test/test_functional_bios.ml` but it FAILED
+- The formula runs on the WHOLE event list, not individual events
+- **PROBLEM**: Our solid pill Event 1 is already a pre-built kernel, so this formula doesn't apply!
+- **FINDING**: Ivory pill uses this path, solid pill does NOT
+
+**Key insight:**
+- Ivory pill: Contains raw event sequence → needs u3v_life() to process
+- Solid pill: Contains pre-built kernel in Event 1 → already processed!
+
+**Status in OCaml:** ❌ Not applicable for solid pill boot path
+
+
+
+```c
+/* u3v_boot(): evaluate boot sequence, making a kernel
+*/
+c3_o
+u3v_boot(u3_noun eve)
+{
+  c3_d len_d;
+  {
+    u3_noun len = u3qb_lent(eve);
+    u3_assert( c3y == u3r_safe_chub(len, &len_d) );
+    u3z(len);
+  }
+
+  {
+    u3_noun pro = u3m_soft(0, u3v_life, eve);
+
+    if ( u3_blip != u3h(pro) ) {
+      u3z(pro);
+      return c3n;
+    }
+
+    u3z(u3A->roc);
+    u3A->roc   = u3k(u3t(pro));
+    u3A->eve_d = len_d;
+    u3z(pro);
+  }
+
+  return c3y;
+}
+```
+
+Same thing for this. What is it exactly, where is it in OCaml? Again, please find out and fill in below, and repeat for every single function in this file.
+
+CLAUDE:
+
+## `u3v_boot()` - Evaluate Boot Sequence
+
+**What it does:**
+- Calls `u3v_life()` (via `u3m_soft`) on the event list
+- Stores the resulting kernel in `u3A->roc` (global Arvo state)
+- Records the event count in `u3A->eve_d`
+
+**Parameters:**
+- `eve`: Event list (same as passed to u3v_life)
+
+**Steps:**
+1. Count events in the list
+2. Call `u3m_soft(0, u3v_life, eve)` - safely execute u3v_life
+3. Check if it succeeded (`u3_blip` means success)
+4. Store the kernel core in `u3A->roc` (the global Arvo kernel)
+5. Store event count in `u3A->eve_d`
+
+**OCaml equivalent:**
+- We DON'T have this for solid pill because we skip u3v_life()
+- For ivory pill, this would be in a future `lib/boot.ml`
+- **Current approach**: We directly use Event 1 as the kernel, skip this function
+
+**Status in OCaml:** ❌ Not implemented (not needed for solid pill path)
+
+```c
+/* _cv_lite(): load lightweight, core-only pill.
+*/
+static u3_noun
+_cv_lite(u3_noun pil)
+{
+  u3_noun eve, pro;
+
+  {
+    u3_noun hed, tal;
+    u3x_cell(pil, &hed, &tal);
+    if ( !_(u3r_sing_c("ivory", hed)) ) {
+      u3m_bail(c3__exit);
+    }
+    eve = tal;
+  }
+
+  u3l_log("lite: arvo formula %x", u3r_mug(pil));
+  pro = u3v_life(u3k(eve));
+  u3l_log("lite: core %x", u3r_mug(pro));
+
+  u3z(pil);
+  return pro;
+}
+
+/* u3v_boot_lite(): light bootstrap sequence, just making a kernel.
+*/
+c3_o
+u3v_boot_lite(u3_noun pil)
+{
+  //  ensure zero-initialized kernel
+  //
+  u3A->roc = 0;
+
+  {
+    u3_noun pro = u3m_soft(0, _cv_lite, pil);
+
+    if ( u3_blip != u3h(pro) ) {
+      u3z(pro);
+      return c3n;
+    }
+
+    u3A->roc = u3k(u3t(pro));
+    u3z(pro);
+  }
+
+  u3l_log("lite: final state %x", u3r_mug(u3A->roc));
+
+  return c3y;
+}
+```
+
+CLAUDE:
+
+## `_cv_lite()` and `u3v_boot_lite()` - Ivory Pill Boot
+
+**What _cv_lite() does:**
+- Parses an IVORY pill specifically
+- Checks that the pill tag is "ivory" (not "solid" or other)
+- Extracts `eve` (event list) from the pill tail
+- Calls `u3v_life()` to run functional BIOS on the events
+
+**What u3v_boot_lite() does:**
+- Entry point for ivory pill boot
+- Zero-initializes the kernel state
+- Calls `_cv_lite()` safely
+- Stores result in `u3A->roc`
+
+**OCaml equivalent:**
+- We tested with ivory pill in `test/test_cvere_poke.ml`
+- That test works! Shows ivory boot succeeds
+- **File**: Could be implemented in future `lib/boot.ml` as `boot_ivory()`
+
+**Status in OCaml:** ✅ Partially working in test_cvere_poke.ml (but uses navigation hack)
+
+/* _cv_nock_wish(): call wish through hardcoded interface.
+*/
+static u3_noun
+_cv_nock_wish(u3_noun txt)
+{
+  u3_noun fun, pro;
+
+  fun = u3n_nock_on(u3k(u3A->roc), u3k(u3x_at(_CVX_WISH, u3A->roc)));
+  pro = u3n_slam_on(fun, txt);
+
+  return pro;
+}
+
+/* u3v_wish_n(): text expression with cache. with the input as a u3_noun.
+*/
+u3_noun
+u3v_wish_n(u3_noun txt)
+{
+  u3t_event_trace("u3v_wish", 'b');
+  u3_weak exp = u3kdb_get(u3k(u3A->yot), u3k(txt));
+
+  if ( u3_none == exp ) {
+    exp = _cv_nock_wish(u3k(txt));
+
+    //  It's probably not a good idea to use u3v_wish()
+    //  outside the top level... (as the result is uncached)
+    //
+    if ( u3R == &u3H->rod_u ) {
+      u3A->yot = u3kdb_put(u3A->yot, u3k(txt), u3k(exp));
+    }
+  }
+
+  u3t_event_trace("u3v_wish", 'e');
+
+  u3z(txt);
+  return exp;
+}
+
+/* u3v_wish(): text expression with cache.
+*/
+u3_noun
+u3v_wish(const c3_c* str_c)
+{
+  u3t_event_trace("u3v_wish", 'b');
+  u3_noun txt = u3i_string(str_c);
+  u3_weak exp = u3kdb_get(u3k(u3A->yot), u3k(txt));
+
+  if ( u3_none == exp ) {
+    exp = _cv_nock_wish(u3k(txt));
+
+    //  It's probably not a good idea to use u3v_wish()
+    //  outside the top level... (as the result is uncached)
+    //
+    if ( u3R == &u3H->rod_u ) {
+      u3A->yot = u3kdb_put(u3A->yot, u3k(txt), u3k(exp));
+    }
+  }
+
+  u3t_event_trace("u3v_wish", 'e');
+
+  u3z(txt);
+  return exp;
+}
+
+/* u3v_do(): use a kernel gate.
+*/
+u3_noun
+u3v_do(const c3_c* txt_c, u3_noun sam)
+{
+  u3_noun gat = u3v_wish(txt_c);
+  u3_noun pro;
+
+#if 0
+  if ( &u3H->rod_u == u3R ) {
+    pro = u3m_soft_slam(gat, sam);
+  }
+  else {
+    pro = u3n_slam_on(gat, sam);
+  }
+#else
+  pro = u3n_slam_on(gat, sam);
+#endif
+
+  return pro;
+}
+
+/* u3v_lily(): parse little atom.
+*/
+c3_o
+u3v_lily(u3_noun fot, u3_noun txt, c3_l* tid_l)
+{
+  c3_w    wad_w;
+  u3_noun uco = u3dc("slaw", fot, u3k(txt));
+  u3_noun p_uco, q_uco;
+
+  if ( (c3n == u3r_cell(uco, &p_uco, &q_uco)) ||
+       (u3_nul != p_uco) ||
+       (c3n == u3r_safe_word(q_uco, &wad_w)) ||
+       (wad_w & 0x80000000) )
+  {
+    c3_c* txt_c = u3r_string(txt);
+    u3l_log("strange lily %s", txt_c);
+    c3_free(txt_c);
+    u3z(txt); u3z(uco);
+    return c3n;
+  }
+  else {
+    *tid_l = (c3_l)wad_w;
+    u3z(txt); u3z(uco);
+    return c3y;
+  }
+}
+
+/* u3v_peek(): query the reck namespace (protected).
+*/
+u3_noun
+u3v_peek(u3_noun sam)
+{
+  u3_noun fun = u3n_nock_on(u3k(u3A->roc), u3k(u3x_at(_CVX_PEEK, u3A->roc)));
+  return u3n_slam_on(fun, sam);
+}
+
+/* u3v_soft_peek(): softly query the reck namespace.
+*/
+u3_noun
+u3v_soft_peek(c3_w mil_w, u3_noun sam)
+{
+  u3_noun gon = u3m_soft(mil_w, u3v_peek, sam);
+  u3_noun tag, dat;
+  u3x_cell(gon, &tag, &dat);
+
+  //  read failed, produce trace
+  //
+  //    NB, reads *should not* fail deterministically
+  //
+  if ( u3_blip != tag ) {
+    return u3nc(c3n, gon);
+  }
+
+  //  read succeeded, produce result
+  //
+  {
+    u3_noun pro = u3nc(c3y, u3k(dat));
+    u3z(gon);
+    return pro;
+  }
+}
+
+/* u3v_poke(): compute a timestamped ovum.
+*/
+u3_noun
+u3v_poke(u3_noun sam)
+{
+  u3_noun fun = u3n_nock_on(u3k(u3A->roc), u3k(u3x_at(_CVX_POKE, u3A->roc)));
+  u3_noun pro;
+
+  {
+# ifdef  U3_MEMORY_DEBUG
+    c3_w cod_w = u3a_lush(u3h(u3t(u3t(sam))));
+# endif
+
+    pro = u3n_slam_on(fun, sam);
+
+# ifdef  U3_MEMORY_DEBUG
+    u3a_lop(cod_w);
+# endif
+  }
+
+  return pro;
+}
+
+/* u3v_poke_sure(): inject an event, saving new state if successful.
+*/
+c3_o
+u3v_poke_sure(c3_w mil_w, u3_noun eve, u3_noun* pro)
+{
+  u3_noun gon = u3m_soft(mil_w, u3v_poke, eve);
+  u3_noun tag, dat;
+  u3x_cell(gon, &tag, &dat);
+
+  //  event failed, produce trace
+  //
+  if ( u3_blip != tag ) {
+    *pro = gon;
+    return c3n;
+  }
+
+  //  event succeeded, persist state and produce effects
+  //
+  {
+    u3_noun vir, cor;
+    u3x_cell(dat, &vir, &cor);
+
+    u3z(u3A->roc);
+    u3A->roc = u3k(cor);
+    u3A->eve_d++;
+
+    *pro = u3k(vir);
+    u3z(gon);
+    return c3y;
+  }
+}
+
+/* u3v_tank(): dump single tank.
+*/
+void
+u3v_tank(u3_noun blu, c3_l tab_l, u3_noun tac)
+{
+  u3v_punt(blu, tab_l, u3nc(tac, u3_nul));
+}
+
+/* u3v_punt(): dump tank list.
+*/
+void
+u3v_punt(u3_noun blu, c3_l tab_l, u3_noun tac)
+{
+#if 0
+  u3_noun blu   = u3_term_get_blew(0);
+#endif
+  c3_l    col_l = u3h(blu);
+  u3_noun cat   = tac;
+
+  //  We are calling nock here, but hopefully need no protection.
+  //
+  while ( c3y == u3du(cat) ) {
+    u3_noun wol = u3dc("wash", u3nc(tab_l, col_l), u3k(u3h(cat)));
+
+    u3m_wall(wol);
+    cat = u3t(cat);
+  }
+  u3z(tac);
+  u3z(blu);
+}
+
+/* u3v_sway(): print trace.
+*/
+void
+u3v_sway(u3_noun blu, c3_l tab_l, u3_noun tax)
+{
+  u3_noun mok = u3dc("mook", 2, tax);
+
+  u3v_punt(blu, tab_l, u3k(u3t(mok)));
+  u3z(mok);
+}
+
+/* u3v_mark(): mark arvo kernel.
+*/
+u3m_quac*
+u3v_mark()
+{
+  u3v_arvo* arv_u = &(u3H->arv_u);
+
+  u3m_quac** qua_u = c3_malloc(sizeof(*qua_u) * 3);
+
+  qua_u[0] = c3_calloc(sizeof(*qua_u[0]));
+  qua_u[0]->nam_c = strdup("kernel");
+  qua_u[0]->siz_w = u3a_mark_noun(arv_u->roc) * 4;
+
+  qua_u[1] = c3_calloc(sizeof(*qua_u[2]));
+  qua_u[1]->nam_c = strdup("wish cache");
+  qua_u[1]->siz_w = u3a_mark_noun(arv_u->yot) * 4;
+
+  qua_u[2] = NULL;
+
+  u3m_quac* tot_u = c3_malloc(sizeof(*tot_u));
+  tot_u->nam_c = strdup("total arvo stuff");
+  tot_u->siz_w = qua_u[0]->siz_w + qua_u[1]->siz_w;
+  tot_u->qua_u = qua_u;
+
+  return tot_u;
+}
+
+/* u3v_reclaim(): clear ad-hoc persistent caches to reclaim memory.
+*/
+void
+u3v_reclaim(void)
+{
+  //  clear the u3v_wish cache
+  //
+  //    NB: this would leak if not on the home road
+  //
+  if ( &(u3H->rod_u) == u3R ) {
+    u3z(u3A->yot);
+    u3A->yot = u3_nul;
+  }
+}
+
+/* u3v_rewrite_compact(): rewrite arvo kernel for compaction.
+*/
+void
+u3v_rewrite_compact(void)
+{
+  //  XX fix these to correctly no-op on inner roads
+  //
+  u3a_relocate_noun(&(u3A->roc));
+  u3a_relocate_noun(&(u3A->yot));
+}
+```
+
+CLAUDE:
+
+## `_cv_nock_wish()` / `u3v_wish()` - Compile Hoon to Nock
+
+**What they do:**
+- Takes a Hoon text expression (as cord/string)
+- Compiles it to Nock using Arvo's built-in Hoon compiler
+- Caches results in `u3A->yot` (wish cache) for performance
+- Used to dynamically compile and run Hoon code
+
+**How they work:**
+1. Check if expression is already in wish cache (`u3A->yot`)
+2. If not cached: Get formula at slot 10 (`_CVX_WISH`)
+3. Run the formula to get the wish gate
+4. Slam the gate with the text to compile it
+5. Cache the result
+6. Return the compiled Nock
+
+**OCaml equivalent:**
+- ❌ Not implemented yet
+- Would need to be in `lib/runtime.ml` or `lib/boot.ml`
+- **Key insight**: This is how Vere compiles Hoon at runtime!
+- Example: `u3v_wish("add")` → compiles `add` gate from stdlib
+
+**Status in OCaml:** ❌ Not implemented (needed for dynamic Hoon compilation)
+
+## `u3v_do()` - Execute a Kernel Gate by Name
+
+**What it does:**
+- Convenience function: compile Hoon text to gate, then slam it
+- Combines `u3v_wish()` + `u3n_slam_on()`
+- Used to call Arvo utilities by name
+
+**Example usage:**
+```c
+u3_noun result = u3v_do("slaw", u3nc(c3__ud, u3i_string("42")));
+// Compiles and runs: (slaw %ud "42")
+```
+
+**OCaml equivalent:**
+- ❌ Not implemented
+- Would be: `let do_ hoon_text sample = slam_on (wish hoon_text) sample`
+
+**Status in OCaml:** ❌ Not implemented
+
+## `u3v_lily()` - Parse Small Atom
+
+**What it does:**
+- Utility to parse a small number from text
+- Uses `slaw` to parse with a format (`fot`)
+- Validates result fits in 31 bits (c3_l)
+- Returns c3_o (yes/no) and writes to output pointer
+
+**Example:**
+```c
+c3_l tid;
+if (c3y == u3v_lily(c3__ud, u3i_string("42"), &tid)) {
+  // tid now contains 42
+}
+```
+
+**OCaml equivalent:**
+- ❌ Not implemented
+- Not critical for boot - just a parsing helper
+
+**Status in OCaml:** ❌ Not implemented (utility function)
+
+## `u3v_peek()` / `u3v_soft_peek()` - Read Arvo Namespace
+
+**What they do:**
+- Query Arvo's namespace (scry)
+- Get formula at slot 22 (`_CVX_PEEK`)
+- Run formula to get peek gate
+- Slam with query path
+- Returns data or error
+
+**Format:**
+```
+peek([care desk case path])
+```
+
+**Difference:**
+- `u3v_peek()`: Direct call, crashes on error
+- `u3v_soft_peek()`: Protected with `u3m_soft()`, returns `[success? result]`
+
+**OCaml equivalent:**
+- ❌ Not implemented
+- Would be similar to poke but at slot 22
+- Needed for scry support
+
+**Status in OCaml:** ❌ Not implemented (needed for scry)
+
+## `u3v_poke()` / `u3v_poke_sure()` - Inject Events (CRITICAL!)
+
+**What they do:**
+- **THIS IS THE MAIN EVENT INJECTION INTERFACE!**
+- Get formula at slot 23 (`_CVX_POKE`)
+- Run formula to compute poke gate
+- Slam gate with `[now ovum]`
+- Returns `[effects new-kernel]`
+
+**Key C code:**
+```c
+u3_noun u3v_poke(u3_noun sam) {
+  // Step 1: Get FORMULA at slot 23
+  u3_noun fun = u3n_nock_on(u3k(u3A->roc), u3k(u3x_at(_CVX_POKE, u3A->roc)));
+
+  // Step 2: Slam the computed gate
+  u3_noun pro = u3n_slam_on(fun, sam);
+
+  return pro;
+}
+```
+
+**u3v_poke_sure() adds:**
+- Protected execution with `u3m_soft()`
+- On success: Updates `u3A->roc` with new kernel, increments `u3A->eve_d`
+- On failure: Returns error trace
+
+**OCaml equivalent:**
+- ✅ Partially implemented in `lib/boot.ml` (the `life()` function)
+- ✅ Implemented in many test files with `slam_on` pattern
+- ❌ But we're missing the two-step process: compute gate from formula!
+
+**CRITICAL FINDING:**
+```ocaml
+(* WRONG - treats slot 23 as a gate directly *)
+let poke_gate = Noun.slot (Z.of_int 23) kernel in
+let result = slam_on poke_gate arg in
+
+(* CORRECT - compute gate from formula *)
+let poke_formula = Noun.slot (Z.of_int 23) kernel in
+let poke_gate = Nock.nock_on kernel poke_formula in
+let result = slam_on poke_gate arg in
+```
+
+**Status in OCaml:** ⚠️ Pattern known but not working for solid pill!
+
+## `u3v_tank()` / `u3v_punt()` / `u3v_sway()` - Error Formatting
+
+**What they do:**
+- Pretty-print Hoon error messages (tanks)
+- `u3v_tank()`: Print single tank
+- `u3v_punt()`: Print list of tanks
+- `u3v_sway()`: Print trace (uses `mook` to format)
+
+**How they work:**
+- Call Hoon stdlib function `wash` to format tank
+- Then call `u3m_wall()` to print lines to console
+
+**OCaml equivalent:**
+- ❌ Not implemented
+- Would need `wash` from Hoon stdlib
+- Not critical for boot
+
+**Status in OCaml:** ❌ Not implemented (formatting utilities)
+
+## `u3v_mark()` - Memory Profiling
+
+**What it does:**
+- Counts memory usage of Arvo state
+- Used by memory profiling tools
+- Returns size of `u3A->roc` (kernel) and `u3A->yot` (wish cache)
+
+**OCaml equivalent:**
+- ❌ Not implemented
+- OCaml has its own GC/profiling tools
+- Not needed for functionality
+
+**Status in OCaml:** ❌ Not needed (OCaml has native profiling)
+
+## `u3v_reclaim()` - Clear Caches
+
+**What it does:**
+- Clears the wish cache (`u3A->yot`) to reclaim memory
+- Called during memory pressure
+
+**OCaml equivalent:**
+- ❌ Not implemented
+- Would be: `Hashtbl.clear wish_cache`
+
+**Status in OCaml:** ❌ Not implemented (optimization)
+
+## `u3v_rewrite_compact()` - Memory Compaction Support
+
+**What it does:**
+- Updates pointers after memory compaction
+- Part of u3 loom system
+- Relocates `u3A->roc` and `u3A->yot` to new addresses
+
+**OCaml equivalent:**
+- ❌ Not needed
+- OCaml GC handles compaction automatically
+
+**Status in OCaml:** ❌ Not needed (OCaml GC feature)
+
+---
+
+## Summary: What We Need for Boot
+
+**Critical for boot (must implement):**
+1. ✅ `u3v_life()` - Already in `lib/boot.ml`
+2. ⚠️ `u3v_poke()` - Pattern known but **MISSING THE KEY STEP**
+   - **ISSUE**: We need to compute gate from formula, not use slot 23 directly!
+   - **PROBLEM**: For solid pill, running slot 23 as formula crashes
+   - **HYPOTHESIS**: Solid vs Ivory pills have different structure
+
+**Nice to have:**
+3. ❌ `u3v_wish()` - Dynamic Hoon compilation
+4. ❌ `u3v_peek()` - Scry support
+
+**Not needed:**
+5. ❌ All the other utilities (formatting, profiling, etc.)
+
+---
+
+## Next Steps
+
+1. **Understand the difference between solid and ivory pills**
+   - Ivory pill: Uses `u3v_life()` with functional BIOS
+   - Solid pill: Already has pre-built kernel - what's different?
+
+2. **Why does the formula at slot 23 crash?**
+   - In ivory pill: slot 23 might be the lifecycle formula
+   - In solid pill: slot 23 might already BE the poke gate (not a formula!)
+
+3. **Test hypothesis:**
+   - Try using slot 23 directly as gate (not running as formula) for solid pill
+   - We already did this in `test_boot_with_slam.ml` - Event 3 succeeded!
+   - But Event 4 failed...
+
+4. **The Real Question:**
+   - Why does Event 3 succeed but Event 4 fail?
+   - Is it the event data structure?
+   - Or did the kernel change form after Event 3?
+
+
+## FINAL BREAKTHROUGH: Running C Vere with Debug Logs
+
+After adding debug logging to C Vere and running it with `-B solid.pill`, we discovered the ACTUAL boot sequence:
+
+### Two-Stage Boot Process
+
+**Stage 1: Ivory Pill Bootstrap**
+```
+lite: arvo formula 4ce68411
+DEBUG u3v_life: called with eve
+DEBUG u3v_life: eve is null    <-- KEY: Empty list!
+DEBUG u3v_life: running nock [2 [0 3] [0 2]] on eve...
+DEBUG u3v_life: nock succeeded, extracting slot 7...
+DEBUG u3v_life: kernel extracted, returning
+lite: core 641296f
+```
+
+**Stage 2: Solid Pill Event Processing**
+```
+boot: parsing %solid pill
+boot: 1-10
+DEBUG _mars_do_boot: eve is atom
+DEBUG u3v_boot: called with 10 events
+DEBUG u3v_life: called with eve
+DEBUG u3v_life: eve is null
+[...errors in clay...]
+DEBUG u3v_boot: u3v_life FAILED
+```
+
+### Critical Discoveries
+
+1. **Ivory pill is booted FIRST** with `eve = null` (empty list/atom 0)
+   - This produces an initial minimal kernel
+   - The lifecycle formula [2 [0 3] [0 2]] works on null!
+
+2. **Solid pill events are processed SECOND**
+   - Events are extracted from pill structure: [%pill %solid [bot mod use]]
+   - Events are written to disk, then read back
+   - u3v_boot() is called on the event list
+
+3. **Our solid.pill appears corrupted**
+   - C Vere ALSO fails to boot it: "boot failed"
+   - The event list structure has issues (shows as atom when it should be cell)
+   - Needs known-good pill from urbit.org
+
+### Updated Understanding
+
+**What u3v_life() actually does:**
+```
+[2 [0 3] [0 2]] on subject
+= nock(slot-3-of-subject, slot-2-of-subject)
+= nock(tail, head)
+
+For null (0):
+  slot 2 of 0 = crashes? Or special case?
+  slot 3 of 0 = crashes? Or special case?
+
+For ivory pill:
+  The ivory pill tail contains a special lifecycle formula
+  Running it produces the initial kernel
+
+For solid pill bot events:
+  First item is a formula
+  Rest are events to process
+  Formula processes all events and produces kernel
+```
+
+## further insights after hands-on research
+CLAUDE:
+
+ Here's what C Vere actually does for solid pills (from mars.c:1560-1730):
+
+  Solid Pill Structure
+
+  [%pill type [bot mod use]]
+  or
+  [%cash [cache [bot mod use]]]
+
+  Where:
+  - bot = boot event list (the lifecycle events)
+  - mod = module events (Arvo vanes)
+  - use = userspace events (initial apps)
+
+  C Vere Boot Sequence for Solid Pills
+
+  // 1. Parse pill to extract events
+  _mars_sift_pill(pil, &bot, &mod, &use, &cax)
+
+  // 2. Write events to disk log
+
+  // 3. Read events back from disk
+  eve = u3_disk_read_list(log_u, 1, eve_d, &mug_l)
+
+  // 4. Call u3v_boot() on ENTIRE event list!
+  u3v_boot(eve)
+    → u3v_life(eve)  // Runs functional BIOS [2 [0 3] [0 2]]
+      → Returns kernel
+
+  What I Got Wrong
+
+  I said:
+  - ❌ "Event 1 is the kernel, just use it directly"
+  - ❌ "u3v_life() doesn't apply to solid pills"
+  - ❌ "Solid pills are pre-built, skip functional BIOS"
+
+  Reality:
+  - ✅ Solid pills contain event LISTS (bot/mod/use)
+  - ✅ u3v_life() IS used - on the whole event list!
+  - ✅ The functional BIOS formula processes ALL events at once
+
+  Why Our Approach Failed
+
+  We were trying to poke events individually:
+  kernel → poke Event3 → poke Event4  ❌
+
+  C Vere does this:
+  [Event1 Event2 Event3 Event4 Event5] → u3v_life() → kernel ✅
+
+  Next Step
+
+  We need to parse our solid.pill correctly to extract [bot mod use], then run functional BIOS on the complete list!
+
+  Todos
+  ☐ Understand solid pill structure: [%pill typ [bot mod use]]
+  ☐ Extract bot/mod/use from our solid.pill
+  ☐ Test functional BIOS on concatenated event list
+  ☐ Verify full boot sequence with correct event list
+  ☐ Update BOOT_PROCESS.md with solid pill boot path
+  ☐ Update ACCOMPLISHMENTS.md with boot discoveries