diff --git a/RUN-A-NODE.md b/RUN-A-NODE.md
index a9722b4..031c083 100644
--- a/RUN-A-NODE.md
+++ b/RUN-A-NODE.md
@@ -73,6 +73,12 @@ alone, of the kind the rest of this file insists on; until that proof is added h
 `0001`, `0003` and `0004` together and treat a build without `0003` as unable to follow the
 current chain.
 
+Measured 2026-08-15: on a pristine `d2032017` checkout, `git apply` (no flags) accepted
+`0001`, `0003` and `0004` in that order, and `./gradlew --no-daemon installDist
+-x spotlessJavaCheck -x test` exited 0 on JDK 21, producing
+`besu/v26.8-develop-d203201/linux-x86_64/openjdk-java-21`. That proves the recipe builds;
+it does not yet prove the build follows the live chain, which is the import proof still owed.
+
 ---
 
 ## Start it