diff --git a/docs/fabric/FABRIC-3.md b/docs/fabric/FABRIC-3.md
index f00b1bad..378faf5c 100644
--- a/docs/fabric/FABRIC-3.md
+++ b/docs/fabric/FABRIC-3.md
@@ -6581,3 +6581,23 @@ and memorize frequently so we can pick up where we left off").
 - **Seen to pass:** `mint_part_fail` (the new message, never "nothing changed", the old stick logs
   in); `mint_fail`, every write failing, still "nothing changed"; `replace`, the success path.
 
+### 21. #188: the Jacquard selector's cards -- 64, each different, L2 a real gate (2026-11-12)
+
+- **Found** (Captain Bob asked, 2026-11-12: "Is the jacquard selector implementing all of the
+  possible cards?"): the table held 128 cards, the 7-bit L1-L7 DoE space, and wrote all seven bits
+  into the VM's config, but nothing read L7 and the rolling window (L2) recorded every execution
+  whatever the card said: the 128 cards were 32 behaviours, four cards each. `ssm_jacquard.h` said
+  L7 was wired; it was not.
+- **Ruled:** "Wire L2, keep L7 on" -- L7 permanently on, as `docs/reference/L8_ADAPTIVE_CONFIG_TABLE.md`
+  §2 says it is; L2 the selector's to switch.
+- **Tested first, seen to fail:** `kernel/tests/test_ssm_jacquard.c` -- 64 cards, the start still
+  C4 (L3+L7), L7 on in all, all 64 L1-L6 settings distinct, a forced 7-bit index naming its card
+  with or without its L7 bit: 4 of 7 failed. `kernel/tests/test_physics_l2.c` -- with L2 off an
+  execution is not recorded: failed against the old hook.
+- **Built:** `cd_tuning_word()` sizes the table to 64 (`compudynamics.c`); a card's index is its L1-L6 bits and
+  `card_bits()` in `ssm_jacquard.c` makes its 7-bit mask with L7 set, at the three places a card is
+  read, the DoE seeding, and the start (17 -> card 8). `ssm_l8_force_config()` takes the 7-bit index
+  as before. The rolling window records only while the config's L2 is on, or before there is a
+  config (`physics_execution_hooks.c`, `kernel/src/vm/vm_core.c`).
+  `ssm_jacquard.h` says what is wired, bit by bit; `v3/CLAUDE.md` and the L8 reference corrected.
+- **Seen to pass:** both tests; v4 does not read the rolling window, so acceptance is unchanged.
diff --git a/docs/reference/L8_ADAPTIVE_CONFIG_TABLE.md b/docs/reference/L8_ADAPTIVE_CONFIG_TABLE.md
index 5a05b239..86de7dfb 100644
--- a/docs/reference/L8_ADAPTIVE_CONFIG_TABLE.md
+++ b/docs/reference/L8_ADAPTIVE_CONFIG_TABLE.md
@@ -4,6 +4,14 @@
 **Author:** Claude Code session, June 2026  
 **Affects:** `include/ssm_jacquard.h`, `src/ssm_jacquard.c`, `src/inference_engine.c`, `include/vm.h`  
 
+> **Corrected 2026-11-12 (#188; Captain Bob: "Wire L2, keep L7 on").** As built, the table has **64
+> cards, not 128**: the six bits L1–L6, with L7 permanently on in every card, as §2's table says L7
+> is. The 128 below -- the 2^7 DoE space -- held each card twice, differing only in an L7 bit that
+> nothing read, so half the table was the same cards. A card's 7-bit mask is `(card << 1) | L7`;
+> `ssm_l8_force_config()` still takes the 7-bit index and ignores its L7 bit. L2 (rolling window) was
+> recorded whatever the card said; it is now L8's live toggle, as L4 is. The 128s below are left as
+> the proposal said them.
+
 ---
 
 ## 1. Executive Summary
diff --git a/kernel/src/vm/vm_core.c b/kernel/src/vm/vm_core.c
index 918c7ea9..aa191e3f 100644
--- a/kernel/src/vm/vm_core.c
+++ b/kernel/src/vm/vm_core.c
@@ -785,8 +785,13 @@ void execute_colon_word(VM* vm)
             uint32_t word_id = w->word_id;
             if (word_id < DICTIONARY_SIZE)
             {
-                /* L8 FINAL INTEGRATION: Loop #2 always-on - Rolling Window of Truth */
-                rolling_window_record_execution(&vm->rolling_window, word_id);
+                /* Loop #2: Rolling Window of Truth -- L8's live toggle (#188: it was always on,
+                 * so the selector's L2 bit did nothing). No config yet: recorded. */
+                {
+                    const ssm_config_t *ssm_cfg = (const ssm_config_t*)vm->ssm_config;
+                    if (!ssm_cfg || ssm_cfg->L2_rolling_window)
+                        rolling_window_record_execution(&vm->rolling_window, word_id);
+                }
 
 /* L8 FINAL INTEGRATION: Loop always-on */                /* Loop #4: Pipelining Transition Metrics - WIRED & UTILIZED */
                 if (prev_word && prev_word->transition_metrics && ENABLE_PIPELINING)
diff --git a/kernel/tests/Makefile b/kernel/tests/Makefile
index fccd8ce5..aca9f740 100644
--- a/kernel/tests/Makefile
+++ b/kernel/tests/Makefile
@@ -19,7 +19,9 @@ CC     ?= cc
 CFLAGS := -std=c99 -Wall -Wextra -Werror -O2 -g -I$(HERE) -I$(ROOT)/kernel/include \
           -I$(ROOT)/kernel/include/starkernel -I$(ROOT)/v3/include
 
-TESTS := test_gpt test_usb_config test_sk_v4_stop test_sk_v4_slots test_sk_v4_mint test_sk_v4_identity test_heartbeat_export
+TESTS := test_gpt test_usb_config test_sk_v4_stop test_sk_v4_slots test_sk_v4_mint test_sk_v4_identity test_heartbeat_export test_ssm_jacquard test_physics_l2
+SRC_test_physics_l2 := $(ROOT)/v3/src/physics_execution_hooks.c
+SRC_test_ssm_jacquard := $(ROOT)/v3/src/ssm_jacquard.c $(ROOT)/v3/src/compudynamics.c
 SRC_test_heartbeat_export := $(ROOT)/v3/src/heartbeat_export.c
 SRC_test_sk_v4_identity := $(ROOT)/kernel/src/v4/sk_v4_identity.c $(ROOT)/kernel/src/v4/sk_v4_slots.c $(ROOT)/kernel/src/gpt.c
 EXTRA_test_sk_v4_identity := -D__STARKERNEL__ -I$(ROOT)/v4/include -DSTICK_GROW_MIN_BYTES=8000000000ULL -DSTICK_ARTEMIS_CAP_GIB=256ULL
diff --git a/kernel/tests/test_physics_l2.c b/kernel/tests/test_physics_l2.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1dbfb89e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/kernel/tests/test_physics_l2.c
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+/* SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Starship-1.0
+ * Copyright (c) 2023-2026 Robert A. James
+ */
+/* test_physics_l2.c -- v3/src/physics_execution_hooks.c on the host (#188): the rolling window
+ * records a word's execution only while the live config's L2 (rolling window) is on -- L8's toggle,
+ * as L4 is -- and, with no config yet, records it. It recorded whatever the card said (Captain Bob,
+ * 2026-11-12: "Wire L2, keep L7 on").
+ *
+ * What the hook calls outside itself is defined here: the rolling window's recorder counts.
+ */
+#include "harness.h"
+#include "vm.h"
+#include "physics_execution_hooks.h"
+#include "physics_metadata.h"
+#include "platform_time.h"
+#include "profiler.h"
+#include "rolling_window_of_truth.h"
+#include "ssm_jacquard.h"
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+
+static unsigned recorded;
+int rolling_window_record_execution(RollingWindowOfTruth *window, uint32_t word_id)
+{
+    (void)window; (void)word_id; recorded++; return 0;
+}
+void physics_metadata_apply_linear_decay(DictEntry *entry, uint64_t elapsed_ticks, VM *vm)
+{
+    (void)entry; (void)elapsed_ticks; (void)vm;
+}
+void physics_metadata_touch(DictEntry *entry, cell_t execution_heat, uint64_t now_ns)
+{
+    (void)entry; (void)execution_heat; (void)now_ns;
+}
+void profiler_word_exit(const DictEntry *entry) { (void)entry; }
+void sf_mutex_lock(sf_mutex_t *mutex) { (void)mutex; }
+void sf_mutex_unlock(sf_mutex_t *mutex) { (void)mutex; }
+void vm_heartbeat_run_cycle(VM *vm) { (void)vm; }
+
+static sf_time_ns_t clock_ns(void) { return 1000u; }
+static sf_time_backend_t backend;
+const sf_time_backend_t *sf_time_backend = &backend;
+
+static unsigned run(VM *vm, DictEntry *w)   /* one execution of w: how many times was it recorded */
+{
+    recorded = 0;
+    physics_pre_execute(vm, w, NULL);
+    return recorded;
+}
+
+int main(void)
+{
+    VM *vm = calloc(1, sizeof *vm);
+    DictEntry w;
+    ssm_config_t cfg;
+    unsigned n;
+
+    backend.get_monotonic_ns = clock_ns;
+    CHECK(vm != 0, "a VM");
+    if (!vm) return DONE();
+    memset(&w, 0, sizeof w);
+    w.word_id = 7;
+    memset(&cfg, 0, sizeof cfg);
+
+    vm->ssm_config = NULL;
+    n = run(vm, &w);
+    CHECK(n == 1u, "no config yet: the execution is recorded (%u)", n);
+
+    vm->ssm_config = &cfg;
+    cfg.L2_rolling_window = 1;
+    n = run(vm, &w);
+    CHECK(n == 1u, "L2 on: the execution is recorded (%u)", n);
+
+    cfg.L2_rolling_window = 0;
+    n = run(vm, &w);
+    CHECK(n == 0u, "#188: L2 off: the execution is not recorded (%u times)", n);
+
+    free(vm);
+    return DONE();
+}
diff --git a/kernel/tests/test_ssm_jacquard.c b/kernel/tests/test_ssm_jacquard.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..46ff28df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/kernel/tests/test_ssm_jacquard.c
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+/* SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Starship-1.0
+ * Copyright (c) 2023-2026 Robert A. James
+ */
+/* test_ssm_jacquard.c -- v3/src/ssm_jacquard.c and compudynamics.c on the host (#188): the L8
+ * selector's cards are 64, every one different, L7 (adaptive heartrate) on in all of them -- it is
+ * permanently on (docs/reference/L8_ADAPTIVE_CONFIG_TABLE.md; Captain Bob, 2026-11-12: "Wire L2,
+ * keep L7 on") -- instead of 128 cards of which those differing only in L7 (or L2) acted alike.
+ */
+#include "harness.h"
+#include "ssm_jacquard.h"
+#include "compudynamics.h"
+#include <string.h>
+
+static unsigned tuple(const ssm_config_t *c)       /* L1..L6 as six bits */
+{
+    return (unsigned)(c->L1_heat_tracking << 5 | c->L2_rolling_window << 4 | c->L3_linear_decay << 3 |
+                      c->L4_pipelining << 2 | c->L5_window_inference << 1 | c->L6_decay_inference);
+}
+
+int main(void)
+{
+    ssm_l8_state_t st;
+    ssm_config_t cfg;
+    unsigned seen[64], c, n, distinct = 0, all_l7 = 1;
+
+    memset(&st, 0, sizeof st);
+    ssm_l8_init(&st, SSM_MODE_C4);
+    ssm_l8_init_table(&st);
+    CHECK(st.table != 0, "the adaptive table is allocated");
+    if (!st.table) return DONE();
+    n = st.table->num_configs;
+    CHECK(n == 64u, "#188: 64 cards -- L7 is not the selector's to choose (%u)", n);
+
+    memset(&cfg, 0, sizeof cfg);
+    ssm_apply_mode_from_table(&st, &cfg);
+    CHECK(cfg.L3_linear_decay == 1 && cfg.L7_adaptive_heartrate == 1 && tuple(&cfg) == 0x08u,
+          "the starting card is still C4: L3 and L7 only (L1-L6 bits %#x, L7 %d)", tuple(&cfg), cfg.L7_adaptive_heartrate);
+
+    memset(seen, 0, sizeof seen);
+    for (c = 0; c < n && c < 128u; c++) {
+        st.table->current_config = c;
+        memset(&cfg, 0, sizeof cfg);
+        ssm_apply_mode_from_table(&st, &cfg);
+        if (!cfg.L7_adaptive_heartrate) all_l7 = 0;
+        if (tuple(&cfg) < 64u && !seen[tuple(&cfg)]++) distinct++;
+    }
+    CHECK(all_l7, "#188: L7 on in every card");
+    CHECK(distinct == 64u && distinct == n, "#188: every card a different L1-L6 setting, all 64 of them (%u distinct of %u)", distinct, n);
+
+    /* forcing a card by its 7-bit index (inference_words.c): the L7 bit is implied on */
+    memset(&cfg, 0, sizeof cfg);
+    ssm_l8_force_config(&st, &cfg, 0x31u);                  /* 49: L2+L3+L7 -- C12 */
+    CHECK(tuple(&cfg) == 0x18u && cfg.L7_adaptive_heartrate == 1, "forced 0x31: L2, L3 and L7 (L1-L6 %#x)", tuple(&cfg));
+    memset(&cfg, 0, sizeof cfg);
+    ssm_l8_force_config(&st, &cfg, 0x30u);                  /* the same without its L7 bit */
+    CHECK(tuple(&cfg) == 0x18u && cfg.L7_adaptive_heartrate == 1, "forced 0x30: the same card, L7 still on (L1-L6 %#x, L7 %d)",
+          tuple(&cfg), cfg.L7_adaptive_heartrate);
+
+    ssm_l8_free_table(&st);
+    return DONE();
+}
diff --git a/logs/20261112-210510/kernel-tests/all-after.log b/logs/20261112-210510/kernel-tests/all-after.log
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0e24c3b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/logs/20261112-210510/kernel-tests/all-after.log
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+version https://git-lfs.github.com/spec/v1
+oid sha256:13bcf89889793171b3af6a22237020c7dce4d8540acc51c81e7d4fe1f4ba03bf
+size 474
diff --git a/logs/20261112-210510/kernel-tests/physics_l2-before.log b/logs/20261112-210510/kernel-tests/physics_l2-before.log
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..43a984e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/logs/20261112-210510/kernel-tests/physics_l2-before.log
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+version https://git-lfs.github.com/spec/v1
+oid sha256:3c6d484ae6bb8bd92ec35bcc728317b59fb894ae0966149bee0a9d6f72bbdf38
+size 296
diff --git a/logs/20261112-210510/kernel-tests/ssm_jacquard-before.log b/logs/20261112-210510/kernel-tests/ssm_jacquard-before.log
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..182efea1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/logs/20261112-210510/kernel-tests/ssm_jacquard-before.log
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+version https://git-lfs.github.com/spec/v1
+oid sha256:4171cb3fb250885abbc800e3d4a37c49938558d07a75379dbb00e69f4d207155
+size 679
diff --git a/v3/CLAUDE.md b/v3/CLAUDE.md
index a9680202..a2544e3e 100644
--- a/v3/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/v3/CLAUDE.md
@@ -12,7 +12,9 @@ Uses thermodynamic metaphors as modeling language (see `ONTOLOGY.md`):
 6. **Loop #6 — Decay Slope Inference** (`inference_engine.c`) — exponential regression
 7. **Loop #7 — Adaptive Heartrate** (`HeartbeatState`) — background tick coordinator
 
-**L8 Jacquard Mode Selector** (`ssm_jacquard.c`) — a 128-state, 7-bit loop-gate selector.
+**L8 Jacquard Mode Selector** (`ssm_jacquard.c`) — a 64-card loop-gate selector: L1–L6, with L7
+permanently on (corrected 2026-11-12, #188 -- this said "a 128-state, 7-bit" selector; the cards
+differing only in L7 or the then-unwired L2 acted alike).
 In this repo it now has a real per-VM heat channel into fleet-wide tuning (VM Fleet
 Attractor physics — see `docs/working/architecture/VM-FLEET-ATTRACTOR-DESIGN-20260705.md`),
 replacing hardcoded compudynamics constants with a dynamically-inferred rate.
diff --git a/v3/include/compudynamics.h b/v3/include/compudynamics.h
index 845680e8..bf209e43 100644
--- a/v3/include/compudynamics.h
+++ b/v3/include/compudynamics.h
@@ -141,7 +141,9 @@ typedef struct {
  * a referenced global; these accessors are the aggregate-typed
  * equivalent of that same constraint. */
 
-/* Word level (ssm_jacquard.c): 128 configs (7-bit L1-L7), 8 regimes
+/* Word level (ssm_jacquard.c): 64 configs (6-bit L1-L6; L7 permanently on -- #188,
+ * 2026-11-12; it said 128 configs, 7-bit L1-L7, and the cards differing only in L7 were
+ * alike), 8 regimes
  * (3-bit diversity/volatility/locality). Values match the constants
  * ssm_jacquard.c/.h used before this module existed -- this is a lift,
  * not a retune. */
diff --git a/v3/include/ssm_jacquard.h b/v3/include/ssm_jacquard.h
index e339208b..8e5dd5fd 100644
--- a/v3/include/ssm_jacquard.h
+++ b/v3/include/ssm_jacquard.h
@@ -127,7 +127,18 @@ typedef struct {
  * macros (ENABLE_HOTWORDS_CACHE, ENABLE_PIPELINING, HEARTBEAT_THREAD_ENABLED)
  * for the whole process lifetime. Adding these fields, and wiring them at
  * their four call sites alongside (not instead of) the compile-time macros,
- * makes the bandit's full selection actually take effect. */
+ * makes the bandit's full selection actually take effect.
+ *
+ * Corrected 2026-11-12 (#188): that was true of L1 and L4, not of L7 -- nothing reads
+ * L7_adaptive_heartrate -- and L2 was never wired. What is wired now:
+ *   L1  hotwords_cache_set_enabled()               vm_time.c, kernel vm_runtime.c
+ *   L2  rolling_window_record_execution(), gated   physics_execution_hooks.c, kernel vm_core.c
+ *   L3  linear decay                               physics_metadata.c
+ *   L4  pipelining                                 physics_execution_hooks.c
+ *   L5  window inference                           inference_engine.c
+ *   L6  decay inference                            inference_engine.c
+ *   L7  not chosen: permanently on in every card (Captain Bob: "Wire L2, keep L7 on");
+ *       the table is 64 cards, L1-L6, not 128. */
 typedef struct {
     int L1_heat_tracking;             /* 1 = hotwords cache active, 0 = off */
     int L2_rolling_window;            /* 1 = window tracking active, 0 = off */
@@ -146,7 +157,8 @@ typedef struct {
  */
 
 /* ============================================================================
- * Adaptive Table Constants (L8 Heat-Ranked 128-Config Selector)
+ * Adaptive Table Constants (L8 Heat-Ranked Config Selector: 64 cards, L1-L6, L7
+ * permanently on -- 128, the 7-bit space, before #188)
  * One clock only: the heartbeat tick (rev r). Scoring and UCB reselection
  * both run every tick -- no derived multi-tick batching unit exists
  * anywhere in this mechanism. The score/UCB/reward/weight constants live
@@ -173,7 +185,8 @@ typedef struct {
  * ============================================================================
  *
  * The adaptive table itself (CDConfigEntry/CDConfigTable) is the generic
- * compudynamics bandit (compudynamics.h), sized to 128 configs x 8 regimes
+ * compudynamics bandit (compudynamics.h), sized to 64 cards x 8 regimes (#188;
+ * 128 before)
  * via cd_tuning_word() -- see ssm_l8_init_table().
  */
 
diff --git a/v3/src/compudynamics.c b/v3/src/compudynamics.c
index a1ed459a..987fb537 100644
--- a/v3/src/compudynamics.c
+++ b/v3/src/compudynamics.c
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ CDTuning cd_tuning_word(void)
     t.volatility_high_threshold_q16 = 9830u;  /* 0.15 * 65536 */
     t.locality_high_threshold_q16   = 32768u; /* 0.5  * 65536 */
     /* bandit */
-    t.num_configs             = 128u; /* 7-bit L1-L7 */
+    t.num_configs             = 64u;  /* 6-bit L1-L6: L7 is permanently on, not chosen (#188) */
     t.num_regimes              = 8u;   /* 3-bit diversity/volatility/locality */
     t.score_max                = 65535u;
     t.score_min                = 0u;
diff --git a/v3/src/physics_execution_hooks.c b/v3/src/physics_execution_hooks.c
index 33a1a0b7..e0414224 100644
--- a/v3/src/physics_execution_hooks.c
+++ b/v3/src/physics_execution_hooks.c
@@ -94,8 +94,13 @@ void physics_pre_execute(VM* vm, DictEntry* word, DictEntry* prev)
     uint32_t word_id = word->word_id;
     if (word_id >= DICTIONARY_SIZE) return;
 
-    /* Loop #2: Rolling Window of Truth */
-    rolling_window_record_execution(&vm->rolling_window, word_id);
+    /* Loop #2: Rolling Window of Truth -- L8's live toggle, as L4 below (#188: it recorded
+     * whatever the card said, so the selector's L2 bit did nothing). No config yet: recorded. */
+    {
+        const ssm_config_t *ssm_cfg = (const ssm_config_t*)vm->ssm_config;
+        if (!ssm_cfg || ssm_cfg->L2_rolling_window)
+            rolling_window_record_execution(&vm->rolling_window, word_id);
+    }
 
     /* Loop #4: Pipelining Transition Metrics. ENABLE_PIPELINING is the
      * compile-time ceiling; ssm_config's L4_pipelining is L8's live
diff --git a/v3/src/ssm_jacquard.c b/v3/src/ssm_jacquard.c
index 84ffdf31..b3d5691d 100644
--- a/v3/src/ssm_jacquard.c
+++ b/v3/src/ssm_jacquard.c
@@ -228,6 +228,12 @@ const char* ssm_l8_mode_name(ssm_l8_mode_t mode)
  * @param table Pointer to the CDConfigTable to seed (already initialised
  *              via cd_config_table_init())
  */
+/* A card of the table is its index, 0..63: the six bits L1-L6, shifted up by one, with L7 -- the
+ * adaptive heartrate, permanently on (docs/reference/L8_ADAPTIVE_CONFIG_TABLE.md; Captain Bob,
+ * 2026-11-12: "Wire L2, keep L7 on") -- set below them. The table held 128, the 7-bit L1-L7 space,
+ * though L7 is not the selector's to choose: the cards differing only in L7 were the same (#188). */
+static uint8_t card_bits(uint32_t card) { return (uint8_t)(((card & 0x3Fu) << 1) | SSM_CFG_L7); }
+
 static void ssm_l8_seed_from_doe(CDConfigTable *table)
 {
     /* Top-5% config indices in 7-bit space */
@@ -238,7 +244,7 @@ static void ssm_l8_seed_from_doe(CDConfigTable *table)
     uint32_t c, i;
 
     for (c = 0u; c < tuning.num_configs; c++) {
-        uint8_t bits = (uint8_t)c;
+        uint8_t bits = card_bits(c);
         int has_l1 = (bits & SSM_CFG_L1) != 0;
         int has_l4 = (bits & SSM_CFG_L4) != 0;
         int is_top5 = 0;
@@ -256,8 +262,8 @@ static void ssm_l8_seed_from_doe(CDConfigTable *table)
         initial_scores[c] = score;
     }
 
-    /* Start on C4-equivalent (config index 17: L3+L7 only) */
-    cd_config_table_seed(table, &tuning, initial_scores, 17u);
+    /* Start on C4-equivalent (7-bit 17, L3+L7 only: card 8) */
+    cd_config_table_seed(table, &tuning, initial_scores, (uint8_t)(17u >> 1));
 }
 
 /* ============================================================================
@@ -288,7 +294,7 @@ static void ssm_l8_tick_score_and_select(CDConfigTable *table, ssm_config_t *con
                                           uint32_t current_window, uint32_t locality_q16)
 {
     CDTuning tuning = cd_tuning_word();
-    uint8_t active_bits = table->entries[table->current_config].config_bits;
+    uint8_t active_bits = card_bits(table->entries[table->current_config].config_bits);
     int use_joint_convergence = ((active_bits & SSM_CFG_L5) || (active_bits & SSM_CFG_L6)) ? 1 : 0;
 
     /* --- ANOVA stability: this tick's own outcome, not an accumulated
@@ -418,7 +424,7 @@ void ssm_l8_update_table(ssm_l8_state_t *state, const ssm_l8_metrics_t *metrics,
 
     /* Mirror L2/L3/L5/L6 bits into the legacy mode field for diagnostics */
     {
-        uint8_t bits = table->entries[table->current_config].config_bits;
+        uint8_t bits = card_bits(table->entries[table->current_config].config_bits);
         state->current_mode = (ssm_l8_mode_t)(
             (((bits & SSM_CFG_L2) ? 1u : 0u) << 3) |
             (((bits & SSM_CFG_L3) ? 1u : 0u) << 2) |
@@ -445,7 +451,7 @@ void ssm_apply_mode_from_table(const ssm_l8_state_t *state, ssm_config_t *config
 
     if (!state || !state->table || !config) return;
     table = state->table;
-    bits  = table->entries[table->current_config].config_bits;
+    bits  = card_bits(table->entries[table->current_config].config_bits);
 
     config->L1_heat_tracking      = (bits & SSM_CFG_L1) ? 1 : 0;
     config->L2_rolling_window     = (bits & SSM_CFG_L2) ? 1 : 0;
@@ -472,11 +478,12 @@ void ssm_apply_mode_from_table(const ssm_l8_state_t *state, ssm_config_t *config
  *
  * @param state      L8 state with an attached, initialised adaptive table
  * @param config     Runtime configuration to update immediately
- * @param config_idx Desired config, masked to the 128-entry (7-bit) space
+ * @param config_idx Desired config in the 7-bit L1-L7 space; its L7 bit is ignored -- L7 is on in
+ *                   every card (#188) -- and it names card config_idx >> 1
  */
 void ssm_l8_force_config(ssm_l8_state_t *state, ssm_config_t *config, uint8_t config_idx)
 {
     if (!state || !state->table || !config) return;
-    cd_config_table_force(state->table, config_idx & 0x7Fu);
+    cd_config_table_force(state->table, (uint8_t)((config_idx & 0x7Fu) >> 1));   /* its L7 bit is implied (#188) */
     ssm_apply_mode_from_table(state, config);
 }
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