diff --git a/docs/PRODUCTION-MASTER-PLAN.md b/docs/PRODUCTION-MASTER-PLAN.md
index 2b855c61..6a481d4f 100644
--- a/docs/PRODUCTION-MASTER-PLAN.md
+++ b/docs/PRODUCTION-MASTER-PLAN.md
@@ -158,10 +158,32 @@ phases 2–6 (`dual-ecash-design.md`).
   **Up 4 days (NOT recreated)** — zero data/credential disruption. UI green:
   frontend :7778 → 200, nostr-provider.js → 200, **/api/ → 200 (proves
   network_aliases: frontend nginx `http://api:4000` resolved on indeedhub-net)**.
-  Fleet healthy (36 containers, none down). **STILL TODO: fresh-create path** —
-  adoption is NoOp so install_fresh (→ post_install hook + alias rendering on a NEW
-  container) was NOT exercised live; validate via destructive lifecycle
-  (uninstall→reinstall or recreate one member) on .228, then .198, then the gate.
+  Fleet healthy (36 containers, none down).
+  **FRESH-CREATE PATH = BLOCKED (found live 2026-06-21).** Removed the stateless
+  frontend + reinstalled to exercise install_fresh → it FAILED:
+  `orchestrator stack install indeedhub failed at app indeedhub: IndeedHub
+  dependencies were not ready within 120s (indeedhub-api dependency DNS not ready)`,
+  and the frontend was left down. Recovered manually on .228 (podman run w/ alias
+  indeedhub on indeedhub-net; UI 200). ROOT CAUSE = hardcoded indeedhub orchestrator
+  special-cases that predate + conflict with the manifest path:
+  - prod_orchestrator `ensure_running` ~L1377: `app_id=="indeedhub"` →
+    `reconcile_indeedhub_stack`, which REFUSES manifest creation when the frontend
+    is absent (returns Left("stack-managed")).
+  - `run_pre_start_hooks("indeedhub")` ~L2324 → `start_indeedhub_backends` →
+    `wait_for_indeedhub_dependencies_ready(120)` — the gate that blocked install_fresh
+    (`indeedhub_api_dependency_dns_ready` returns false while the frontend's own alias
+    is absent + a getent transiently fails).
+  - also `repair_indeedhub_network_aliases`, `patch_indeedhub_nostr_provider`, the
+    "frontend did not stay reachable; restart" path (~L2474), `INDEEDHUB_BACKEND_*`
+    consts, and a crash_recovery.rs indeedhub special-case.
+  **FIX (next, its own build/deploy/test cycle):** delete these special-cases now
+  that the manifest carries dependencies/network_aliases/post_install — route
+  "indeedhub" through the GENERIC install_fresh + reconcile path so the frontend
+  fresh-creates normally (hook fires). Then re-run the destructive lifecycle on .228
+  (frontend recreate must succeed + run the hook), then .198, then the gate.
+  NOTE: .228 currently runs v1.7.99-alpha (these special-cases still present) — the
+  running stack is fine (adoption NoOp); only a frontend-absent event re-triggers the
+  bug, and the frontend is up.
 - `b1eea8c0` indeedhub (#20) **phase 3 — CODE COMPLETE, unit-tested.** 7 manifests (apps/indeedhub-{postgres,redis,minio,relay,api,
   ffmpeg} + apps/indeedhub frontend) + install_indeedhub_stack orchestrator-first
   (immich pattern). Data-preserving by construction = ADOPTION on .228: exact live