Adjusted starting speech rate for new users. Fixed error that could happen when figuring out where to write changes.

README.md

@@ -181,8 +181,10 @@ Default settings locations:
 - Root: `/etc/fenrirscreenreader/settings/settings.toml`.
 
 Fenrir loads the first existing file, or built-in defaults if neither exists.
-Use `--config PATH` to select a specific file. To create a personal settings
-file without opening devices:
+Python `settings.conf` files are ignored. Regular users save to their personal
+TOML file even when startup loaded system defaults; root saves to the system
+file. `--config PATH` explicitly selects both the load and save path.
+To create a personal settings file without opening devices:
 
 ```bash
 ./fenrir --write-config ~/.local/share/stormux/fenrirscreenreader/settings/settings.toml

cmd/fenrir/main.go

@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ func run_with_ready(args []string, stdout, stderr io.Writer, ready func() error)
 	checkConfig := flags.Bool("check-config", false, "validate settings and exit without opening devices")
 	writeConfig := flags.String("write-config", "", "atomically write effective settings to PATH and exit")
 	driver := flags.String("speech-driver", "speech-dispatcher", "speech driver ID (overrides presentation.speech.driver)")
-	rate := flags.Int("speech-rate", 80, "Speech Dispatcher rate (-100 to 100)")
+	rate := flags.Int("speech-rate", config.Defaults().Presentation.Speech.Rate, "Speech Dispatcher rate (-100 to 100)")
 	module := flags.String("speech-module", "", "Speech Dispatcher output module (empty uses server default)")
 	debugFile := flags.String("debug-file", "", "append timing and reader-decision diagnostics without text or key values")
 	var devices []string
@@ -160,14 +160,6 @@ func run_with_ready(args []string, stdout, stderr io.Writer, ready func() error)
 	slog.Info("reader starting", "pid", os.Getpid(), "terminal_mode", *terminalMode, "at", time.Now())
 	ctx, stop := termination_context()
 	defer stop()
-	if path == "" {
-		home, err := os.UserHomeDir()
-		if err != nil {
-			fmt.Fprintln(stderr, "fenrir:", err)
-			return 1
-		}
-		path = config.Paths(home, os.Geteuid())[0]
-	}
 	if *terminalMode {
 		err = app.Start_terminal(ctx, settings, path, bindings)
 	} else {
@@ -227,7 +219,7 @@ func load_settings(flags *flag.FlagSet, requested string, rate int, module strin
 	if err != nil {
 		return config.Settings{}, "", err
 	}
-	settings, path, err := config.Load(requested, config.Paths(home, os.Geteuid()))
+	settings, path, err := config.Load_startup(requested, config.Paths(home, os.Geteuid()))
 	if err != nil {
 		return config.Settings{}, path, err
 	}

cmd/fenrir/main_test.go

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"flag"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
@@ -28,6 +29,16 @@ import (
 	"git.stormux.org/storm/fenrir/internal/version"
 )
 
+func TestStartupUsesAccountSaveDestination(t *testing.T) {
+	home := t.TempDir()
+	t.Setenv("HOME", home)
+	flags := flag.NewFlagSet("fenrir", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	_, path, err := load_settings(flags, "", config.Defaults().Presentation.Speech.Rate, "", nil, "", "speech-dispatcher", "")
+	if expected := config.Paths(home, os.Geteuid())[0]; err != nil || path != expected {
+		t.Fatalf("save destination=%q, want %q: %v", path, expected, err)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestCLIWithoutOpeningDevices(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, testCase := range []struct {
 		args   []string
@@ -35,7 +46,7 @@ func TestCLIWithoutOpeningDevices(t *testing.T) {
 		text   string
 	}{
 		{[]string{"--help"}, 0, "keypad 7/8/9"},
-		{[]string{"--help"}, 0, "(default 80)"},
+		{[]string{"--help"}, 0, "(default -20)"},
 		{[]string{"-f", "--help"}, 0, "stay in the foreground"},
 		{[]string{"-f", "--version"}, 0, "fenrir " + version.Label()},
 		{[]string{"--version"}, 0, "fenrir " + version.Label()},

config/settings/settings.toml

@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ hardware_device = ""
 hardware_baud_rate = 0
 enabled = true
 # Shared -100 to 100 scale; hardware drivers map it to native ranges.
-rate = 80
+# -20 corresponds to 0.4 on Python Fenrir's 0.0 to 1.0 scale.
+rate = -20
 # Empty choices use the server default. Voice names are module-specific.
 module = ""
 language = ""

docs/fenrir.1

@@ -448,9 +448,11 @@ Root: \f[CR]/etc/fenrirscreenreader/settings/settings.toml\f[R].
 \f[CR]\-\-config PATH\f[R]: use that file explicitly.
 .PP
 If default files are absent, Fenrir uses built\-in defaults.
-An explicitly selected file must exist.
-Saving targets the selected file; if startup used built\-in defaults,
-saving creates the first default path for that account.
+Python \f[CR]settings.conf\f[R] files are ignored.
+Regular users save to their personal TOML file, including when startup
+loaded system defaults; root saves to the system file.
+\f[CR]\-\-config PATH\f[R] explicitly selects both the load and save path,
+and that file must exist at startup.
 .PP
 Create a personal settings file and validate it without opening devices:
 .IP

docs/user.md

@@ -346,9 +346,11 @@ Fenrir loads one settings file rather than merging files.
 - Root: `/etc/fenrirscreenreader/settings/settings.toml`.
 - `--config PATH`: use that file explicitly.
 
-If default files are absent, Fenrir uses built-in defaults. An explicitly
-selected file must exist. Saving targets the selected file; if startup used
-built-in defaults, saving creates the first default path for that account.
+If default files are absent, Fenrir uses built-in defaults. Python
+`settings.conf` files are ignored. Regular users save to their personal TOML
+file, including when startup loaded system defaults; root saves to the system
+file. `--config PATH` explicitly selects both the load and save path, and that
+file must exist at startup.
 
 Create a personal settings file and validate it without opening devices:
 

docs/user.txt

@@ -272,10 +272,11 @@ options. Fenrir loads one settings file rather than merging files.
 - Root: /etc/fenrirscreenreader/settings/settings.toml.
 - --config PATH: use that file explicitly.
 
-If default files are absent, Fenrir uses built-in defaults. An
-explicitly selected file must exist. Saving targets the selected file;
-if startup used built-in defaults, saving creates the first default path
-for that account.
+If default files are absent, Fenrir uses built-in defaults. Python
+settings.conf files are ignored. Regular users save to their personal TOML
+file, including when startup loaded system defaults; root saves to the system
+file. --config PATH explicitly selects both the load and save path, and that
+file must exist at startup.
 
 Create a personal settings file and validate it without opening devices:
 

internal/app/attributes_test.go

@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ func TestAttributeSessionToggleQuickSaveAndFreshStartup(t *testing.T) {
 					t.Fatal(err)
 				}
 				saved, _, err := config.Load(path, nil)
-				if err != nil || saved.Reading.Attributes != mode || saved.Reading.AttributeFormat != "fenrirBold" || saved.Presentation.Speech.Rate != 90 {
+				if err != nil || saved.Reading.Attributes != mode || saved.Reading.AttributeFormat != "fenrirBold" || saved.Presentation.Speech.Rate != -10 {
 					t.Fatal("temporary toggle persisted", saved, err)
 				}
 				settings = saved

internal/app/commands.go

@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ func (a *application) handle_command(id command.ID) {
 	case command.Help:
 		a.ui.open_tutorial(a.options.Bindings, a.options.Scripts, a.settings.live.General.ScriptKeys)
 	case command.Version:
-		a.present(i18n.Format("Fenrir screen reader version {0}-{1}", version.Build, version.Channel), "")
+		a.present(i18n.Format("Fenrir screen reader version {0}-{1}", version.Version, version.Channel), "")
 	case command.Time:
 		text, _ := datetime.Format_time(a.settings.live.Presentation.DateTime.TimeFormat, time.Now())
 		a.present(text, "")

internal/app/quick_settings_test.go

@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ import (
 
 func TestQuickSpeechSelectionAdjustmentAndBounds(t *testing.T) {
 	settings := config.Defaults()
+	settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate = 80 // Exercise the upper rate bound.
 	voice := &fakeVoice{}
 	menu := new_quick_settings("speech-dispatcher")
 	for _, testCase := range []struct {
@@ -89,14 +90,14 @@ func TestHardwareQuickSettingsOnlyOfferSupportedControls(t *testing.T) {
 		menu.selectSpeech = func(config.Speech, func(error, bool)) {
 			t.Fatal("hardware numeric adjustment tried reopening the device")
 		}
-		for _, want := range []string{"speech pitch 0", "speech volume 100", "speech rate 80"} {
+		for _, want := range []string{"speech pitch 0", "speech volume 100", "speech rate -20"} {
 			menu.command(command.NextQuickEntry, &settings, voice)
 			if got := voice.messages[len(voice.messages)-1]; got != want {
 				t.Fatal(driver, got, want)
 			}
 		}
 		menu.command(command.NextQuickValue, &settings, voice)
-		if settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate != 90 || voice.parameters[len(voice.parameters)-1].Rate != 90 {
+		if settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate != -10 || voice.parameters[len(voice.parameters)-1].Rate != -10 {
 			t.Fatal(settings, voice.parameters)
 		}
 	}
@@ -124,7 +125,7 @@ func TestQuickChangesSurviveMenuCancelAndExplicitSaveThenQuit(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	saved, _, err := config.Load(path, nil)
-	if err != nil || saved.Presentation.Speech.Rate != 90 || saved.Presentation.Speech.Pitch != -10 || !saved.Reading.Automatic || saved.Reading.Mode != "table" || !reflect.DeepEqual(saved.General, base.General) {
+	if err != nil || saved.Presentation.Speech.Rate != -10 || saved.Presentation.Speech.Pitch != -10 || !saved.Reading.Automatic || saved.Reading.Mode != "table" || !reflect.DeepEqual(saved.General, base.General) {
 		t.Fatal(saved, err)
 	}
 	if !strings.Contains(strings.Join(voice.messages, "|"), "Settings saved.") {
@@ -208,7 +209,7 @@ func TestSessionMuteDoesNotPersistAcrossRestart(t *testing.T) {
 				if err != nil || settings.Presentation.Speech.Enabled != trial.enabled {
 					t.Fatal("session mute changed saved speech enablement", settings.Presentation.Speech, err)
 				}
-				if trial.save && settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate != 90 {
+				if trial.save && settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate != -10 {
 					t.Fatal("quick speech adjustment was not saved", settings.Presentation.Speech)
 				}
 			}
@@ -277,7 +278,7 @@ func TestSessionAutomaticReadingDoesNotPersistAcrossRestart(t *testing.T) {
 				if err != nil || settings.Reading.Automatic != trial.automatic || !settings.Presentation.Speech.Enabled {
 					t.Fatal("session reading toggle changed saved startup behavior", settings, err)
 				}
-				if trial.save && settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate != 90 {
+				if trial.save && settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate != -10 {
 					t.Fatal("quick adjustment was not saved", settings.Presentation.Speech)
 				}
 			}
@@ -305,7 +306,7 @@ func TestSaveFailureKeepsRunningQuickSettings(t *testing.T) {
 	case <-time.After(time.Second):
 		t.Fatal("save hung")
 	}
-	if saver.busy || settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate != 90 || voice.messages[len(voice.messages)-1] != "Failed to save settings." {
+	if saver.busy || settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate != -10 || voice.messages[len(voice.messages)-1] != "Failed to save settings." {
 		t.Fatal(settings, voice.messages)
 	}
 }
@@ -341,7 +342,7 @@ func TestQuickCategoriesRememberSelectionAndWrap(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Fatalf("%s: got %q, want %q", trial.id, got, trial.want)
 		}
 	}
-	if menu := new_quick_settings("speech-dispatcher"); !menu.command(command.CurrentQuickEntry, &settings, voice) || voice.messages[len(voice.messages)-1] != "speech rate 80" {
+	if menu := new_quick_settings("speech-dispatcher"); !menu.command(command.CurrentQuickEntry, &settings, voice) || voice.messages[len(voice.messages)-1] != "speech rate -20" {
 		t.Fatal("new session did not reset selection", voice.messages)
 	}
 }

internal/app/speech_selection_test.go

@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ func TestMenuSelectionFailurePreservesDiskAndCommittedSaveSurvivesClose(t *testi
 					t.Fatal("failure changed disk/live", outcome)
 				}
 			} else {
-				if outcome != nil || a.settings.live.Presentation.Speech.Voice != "Base Voice" || a.settings.live.Presentation.Speech.Rate != 90 || a.settings.resetBase.Presentation.Speech.Rate != 80 || a.settings.resetBase.Presentation.Speech.Voice != "Base Voice" {
+				if outcome != nil || a.settings.live.Presentation.Speech.Voice != "Base Voice" || a.settings.live.Presentation.Speech.Rate != -10 || a.settings.resetBase.Presentation.Speech.Rate != -20 || a.settings.resetBase.Presentation.Speech.Voice != "Base Voice" {
 					t.Fatal("committed selection or newer numeric override lost", outcome, a.settings.live, a.settings.resetBase)
 				}
 			}

internal/app/version_test.go

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"git.stormux.org/storm/fenrir/internal/version"
 )
 
-func TestVersionUsesBuildMetadataInBothModes(t *testing.T) {
+func TestVersionUsesReleaseMetadataInBothModes(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, terminalMode := range []bool{false, true} {
 		voice := &fakeVoice{}
 		a, err := new_application(context.Background(), &fakeSource{}, &fakeKeys{}, voice, RunOptions{Settings: config.Defaults(), TerminalMode: terminalMode})

internal/config/config.go

@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ type Reading struct {
 }
 
 func Defaults() Settings {
-	return Settings{Screen: Screen{IgnoredVTs: []int{}}, Review: Review{LineBreak: true, EndOfScreen: true, LeaveReviewOnCursorChange: true, LeaveReviewOnScreenChange: true}, Prompt: Prompt{ExactMatches: []string{}, CustomPatterns: []string{}}, Version: 3, Presentation: Presentation{DateTime: DateTime{TimeFormat: "locale", DateFormat: "locale"}, Progress: Progress{Enabled: true}, Sound: Sound{Enabled: true, Volume: 0.7, Driver: "pulse", Theme: "default", Device: "default"}, Speech: Speech{Enabled: true, Rate: 80, Volume: 100, Driver: "speech-dispatcher"}}, Keyboard: Keyboard{MultiPressTimeoutMS: int(input.DefaultMultiPressTimeout / time.Millisecond), Layout: "desktop", CharacterEcho: true}, Reading: Reading{Emoticons: true, RepeatedSymbolsMin: 4, Spellcheck: true, SpellcheckSound: true, Attributes: "none", AttributeFormat: presentation.Default_attribute_format, Indentation: "none", RaisePitchForCapitals: true, Automatic: true, CursorEcho: true, Mode: "cursor", PunctuationProfile: "default", PunctuationLevel: "some"}, Clipboard: Clipboard{NumberOfClipboards: 200, ExportPath: "/tmp/fenrirClipboard"}, General: General{ScriptPath: "/usr/share/fenrirscreenreader/scripts", ScriptKeys: []string{"KEY_COMPOSE"}}, Scripts: Scripts{Workers: 2, QueueLimit: 16, OutputBytes: 1 << 20}, Remote: Remote{Enabled: true, EnableCommandRemote: true, EnableSettingsRemote: true}}
+	return Settings{Screen: Screen{IgnoredVTs: []int{}}, Review: Review{LineBreak: true, EndOfScreen: true, LeaveReviewOnCursorChange: true, LeaveReviewOnScreenChange: true}, Prompt: Prompt{ExactMatches: []string{}, CustomPatterns: []string{}}, Version: 3, Presentation: Presentation{DateTime: DateTime{TimeFormat: "locale", DateFormat: "locale"}, Progress: Progress{Enabled: true}, Sound: Sound{Enabled: true, Volume: 0.7, Driver: "pulse", Theme: "default", Device: "default"}, Speech: Speech{Enabled: true, Rate: -20, Volume: 100, Driver: "speech-dispatcher"}}, Keyboard: Keyboard{MultiPressTimeoutMS: int(input.DefaultMultiPressTimeout / time.Millisecond), Layout: "desktop", CharacterEcho: true}, Reading: Reading{Emoticons: true, RepeatedSymbolsMin: 4, Spellcheck: true, SpellcheckSound: true, Attributes: "none", AttributeFormat: presentation.Default_attribute_format, Indentation: "none", RaisePitchForCapitals: true, Automatic: true, CursorEcho: true, Mode: "cursor", PunctuationProfile: "default", PunctuationLevel: "some"}, Clipboard: Clipboard{NumberOfClipboards: 200, ExportPath: "/tmp/fenrirClipboard"}, General: General{ScriptPath: "/usr/share/fenrirscreenreader/scripts", ScriptKeys: []string{"KEY_COMPOSE"}}, Scripts: Scripts{Workers: 2, QueueLimit: 16, OutputBytes: 1 << 20}, Remote: Remote{Enabled: true, EnableCommandRemote: true, EnableSettingsRemote: true}}
 }
 
 func (s Settings) Validate() error {
@@ -234,9 +234,8 @@ func (s Settings) Validate() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// Paths follows Python Fenrir's selection: root uses the system file; a normal
-// user first checks their personal file, then the system file. Sudo also uses
-// the system settings, just as Python does.
+// Paths lists TOML settings in load order. The first path is also the default
+// save destination: personal settings for a normal user, system settings for root.
 func Paths(home string, uid int) []string {
 	if uid == 0 {
 		return []string{SystemPath}
@@ -293,6 +292,17 @@ func Load(requested string, paths []string) (Settings, string, error) {
 	return Defaults(), "", nil
 }
 
+// Load_startup loads settings and returns their save destination. System
+// fallback settings seed a user's first save without making /etc the destination.
+// An explicit --config path remains the destination; errors name the source.
+func Load_startup(requested string, paths []string) (Settings, string, error) {
+	settings, path, err := Load(requested, paths)
+	if err == nil && requested == "" && len(paths) != 0 {
+		path = paths[0]
+	}
+	return settings, path, err
+}
+
 // Save validates before touching disk and replaces the file atomically. The
 // caller retains its last good in-memory settings on a load/save error.
 func Save(path string, settings Settings) error {

internal/config/config_test.go

@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ func TestSettingsSelectionDoesNotHideInvalidOrExplicitMissingFiles(t *testing.T)
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	settings, selected, err = Load("", []string{userPath, systemPath})
-	if err != nil || selected != userPath || settings.Presentation.Sound.Enabled || settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate != 80 {
+	if err != nil || selected != userPath || settings.Presentation.Sound.Enabled || settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate != -20 {
 		t.Fatalf("user selection merged system values: %+v %s %v", settings, selected, err)
 	}
 	if err := os.WriteFile(userPath, []byte("invalid = true"), 0600); err != nil {
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ func TestShippedExampleMatchesDefaults(t *testing.T) {
 func TestSpeechParameterDefaultsAndBounds(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, data := range []string{"version=1\n", "version=2\n", "version=3\n"} {
 		settings, err := Decode([]byte(data))
-		if err != nil || settings.Presentation.Speech.Pitch != 0 || settings.Presentation.Speech.Volume != 100 {
+		if err != nil || settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate != -20 || settings.Presentation.Speech.Pitch != 0 || settings.Presentation.Speech.Volume != 100 {
 			t.Fatal(settings, err)
 		}
 	}

internal/config/migrate.go

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ func decode_v1(data []byte) (Settings, error) {
 		General   General   `toml:"general"`
 		Scripts   Scripts   `toml:"scripts"`
 		Remote    Remote    `toml:"remote"`
-	}{Review: defaults.Review, Version: 1, Speech: oldSpeech{Enabled: true, Rate: 80}, Sound: defaults.Presentation.Sound, Keyboard: defaults.Keyboard, Reading: defaults.Reading, Clipboard: defaults.Clipboard, General: defaults.General, Scripts: defaults.Scripts, Remote: defaults.Remote}
+	}{Review: defaults.Review, Version: 1, Speech: oldSpeech{Enabled: true, Rate: defaults.Presentation.Speech.Rate}, Sound: defaults.Presentation.Sound, Keyboard: defaults.Keyboard, Reading: defaults.Reading, Clipboard: defaults.Clipboard, General: defaults.General, Scripts: defaults.Scripts, Remote: defaults.Remote}
 	if err := toml.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(data)).DisallowUnknownFields().Decode(&old); err != nil {
 		return Settings{}, fmt.Errorf("parse version 1 settings: %w", err)
 	}

internal/config/startup_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2026 Storm Dragon
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+
+package config
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestStartupSaveDestinationAndLegacySettingsIgnored(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, scenario := range []string{"defaults", "system fallback", "personal", "explicit", "root"} {
+		t.Run(scenario, func(t *testing.T) {
+			root := t.TempDir()
+			paths := Paths(root, 1000)
+			userPath := paths[0]
+			// Substitute an isolated system directory without touching /etc.
+			systemPath := filepath.Join(root, "etc", "settings.toml")
+			paths[1] = systemPath
+			legacyPath := filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(userPath), "settings.conf")
+			legacy := []byte("[speech]\nrate = 19\n")
+			if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(userPath), 0700); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if err := os.WriteFile(legacyPath, legacy, 0600); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			requested, destination, rate := "", userPath, -20
+			if scenario != "defaults" {
+				system := Defaults()
+				system.Presentation.Speech.Rate = 30
+				if err := Save(systemPath, system); err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+				rate = 30
+			}
+			switch scenario {
+			case "personal":
+				personal := Defaults()
+				personal.Presentation.Speech.Rate = 40
+				if err := Save(userPath, personal); err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+				rate = 40
+			case "explicit":
+				requested, destination = systemPath, systemPath
+			case "root":
+				paths, destination = []string{systemPath}, systemPath
+			}
+			systemBefore, _ := os.ReadFile(systemPath)
+			settings, path, err := Load_startup(requested, paths)
+			if err != nil || path != destination || settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate != rate {
+				t.Fatalf("startup: destination=%q rate=%d err=%v", path, settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate, err)
+			}
+			// Follow the settings menu's document save workflow, then restart.
+			doc, err := Open_document(path, settings)
+			if err != nil || doc.Settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate != rate {
+				t.Fatalf("open settings: %+v %v", doc, err)
+			}
+			settings.Presentation.Speech.Rate = 55
+			if err := doc.Save(settings); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			restarted, path, err := Load_startup(requested, paths)
+			if err != nil || path != destination || restarted.Presentation.Speech.Rate != 55 {
+				t.Fatalf("restart: destination=%q rate=%d err=%v", path, restarted.Presentation.Speech.Rate, err)
+			}
+			if destination != systemPath {
+				systemAfter, _ := os.ReadFile(systemPath)
+				if !bytes.Equal(systemBefore, systemAfter) {
+					t.Fatal("personal save modified the system file")
+				}
+			}
+			if data, err := os.ReadFile(legacyPath); err != nil || !bytes.Equal(data, legacy) {
+				t.Fatal("legacy settings changed", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStartupErrorsIdentifySource(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	userPath, systemPath := filepath.Join(root, "user.toml"), filepath.Join(root, "system.toml")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(systemPath, []byte("invalid=true"), 0600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, path, err := Load_startup("", []string{userPath, systemPath}); err == nil || path != systemPath {
+		t.Fatal("invalid fallback did not identify source", path, err)
+	}
+	if _, path, err := Load_startup(userPath, []string{systemPath}); err == nil || path != userPath {
+		t.Fatal("explicit missing file did not identify source", path, err)
+	}
+}

internal/preferences/settings_test.go

@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ func TestSettingsFormCoversSchemaAndReturnsIsolatedDraft(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if draft.Presentation.Speech.Enabled || draft.Presentation.Speech.Rate != 81 || !base.Presentation.Speech.Enabled || base.Presentation.Speech.Rate != 80 {
+	if draft.Presentation.Speech.Enabled || draft.Presentation.Speech.Rate != -19 || !base.Presentation.Speech.Enabled || base.Presentation.Speech.Rate != -20 {
 		t.Fatal("draft isolation", draft, base)
 	}
 }

internal/version/version.go

@@ -5,12 +5,9 @@
 package version
 
 // Keep editable release metadata here, following Cthulhu's version package.
-const Version = "2026.10.27"
+const Version = "2026.10.28"
 const Channel = "testing"
 
-// Build defaults to Version; release builders can override it using -ldflags -X.
-var Build = Version
-
 func Label() string {
-	return Build + "-" + Channel
+	return Version + "-" + Channel
 }

tests/native_terminal.py

@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ def main():
         server = SpeechServer(root / "speech.sock")
         (root / "settings.toml").write_text(
             'version=3\n[presentation.sound]\nenabled=false\n'
-            '[presentation.speech]\n'
+            '[presentation.speech]\nrate=80\n'
             '[presentation.time_and_date]\ntime_format="24-hour-words"\ndate_format="numbers-ymd"\n'
             '[screen]\nignored_vts=[1,7,8,10,63]\n'
             f'[remote]\nsocket_file="{root / "remote.sock"}"\n'