C4's public-record read (peers scanTree, the ls-tree of origin's default branch) follows replace refs, so a local replace ref can make a record read as present on the default branch when the stored tree does not hold it.

C4's public-record read (peers scanTree, the ls-tree of origin's default branch) follows replace refs, so a local replace ref can make a record read as present on the default branch when the stored tree does not hold it.

Grounds

• declined: A plain fetch never brings refs/replace/* refs, so only the person at this checkout can plant one, and a replace ref they plant misleads only their own reading; C4's read is left as it is (ruled in the step 2 review, 2026-10-16).