diff --git a/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_liveness_chat_bar.py b/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_liveness_chat_bar.py
index f8f6aea62..25dcdc787 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_liveness_chat_bar.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_liveness_chat_bar.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def chat_client(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     (config_dir / "journal.json").write_text(
         json.dumps(
             {
-                "setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09T00:00:00Z"},
+                "setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000},
             }
         )
         + "\n",
diff --git a/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_liveness_live.py b/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_liveness_live.py
index bc58ec003..c59ad1e0b 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_liveness_live.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_liveness_live.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ def chat_client(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     (config_dir / "journal.json").write_text(
         json.dumps(
             {
-                "setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09T00:00:00Z"},
+                "setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000},
             }
         )
         + "\n",
diff --git a/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_origin_tag_live.py b/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_origin_tag_live.py
index e5d440dee..8760ab396 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_origin_tag_live.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_origin_tag_live.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ def chat_client(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     (config_dir / "journal.json").write_text(
         json.dumps(
             {
-                "setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09T00:00:00Z"},
+                "setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000},
             }
         )
         + "\n",
diff --git a/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_routes.py b/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_routes.py
index 212a8d650..26eda3361 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_routes.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/chat/tests/test_routes.py
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ def test_state_missing_identity_returns_default_names(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     config_dir = journal / "config"
     config_dir.mkdir(parents=True)
     (config_dir / "journal.json").write_text(
-        json.dumps({"setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09T00:00:00Z"}}) + "\n",
+        json.dumps({"setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000}}) + "\n",
         encoding="utf-8",
     )
     _set_today(monkeypatch, "20990110")
diff --git a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_chat_routes.py b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_chat_routes.py
index edfd3990e..8bd61d3c2 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_chat_routes.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_chat_routes.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ CHAT_THINKING_COPY_NAMES = (
 
 def _base_config() -> dict:
     return {
-        "setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09T00:00:00Z"},
+        "setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000},
     }
 
 
diff --git a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_facet_config_routes.py b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_facet_config_routes.py
index b3790f3e4..e7dbcc001 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_facet_config_routes.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_facet_config_routes.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ def _settings_client(settings_env):
     journal_path, _config = settings_env()
     config_path = journal_path / "config" / "journal.json"
     config = json.loads(config_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     config_path.write_text(json.dumps(config, indent=2) + "\n", encoding="utf-8")
     app = create_app(str(journal_path))
     app.config["TESTING"] = True
diff --git a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_facet_detail.py b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_facet_detail.py
index 2ac35b216..d106e5b13 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_facet_detail.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_facet_detail.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def _settings_client(settings_env):
     journal_path, _config = settings_env()
     config_path = journal_path / "config" / "journal.json"
     config = json.loads(config_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     config_path.write_text(json.dumps(config, indent=2) + "\n", encoding="utf-8")
     app = create_app(str(journal_path))
     app.config["TESTING"] = True
diff --git a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_journal_config_routes.py b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_journal_config_routes.py
index 0fc78de42..d1aecc870 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_journal_config_routes.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_journal_config_routes.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from solstone.think.utils import get_config
 
 def _base_config() -> dict:
     return {
-        "setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09T00:00:00Z"},
+        "setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000},
     }
 
 
diff --git a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_parakeet_cpp_settings.py b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_parakeet_cpp_settings.py
index e17f354af..11f7930bc 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_parakeet_cpp_settings.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_parakeet_cpp_settings.py
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def test_transcribe_payload_marks_linux_parakeet_cpp_runtime(
     from solstone.apps.settings import routes
 
     journal_path, config = settings_env()
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     (journal_path / "config" / "journal.json").write_text(
         json.dumps(config, indent=2) + "\n",
         encoding="utf-8",
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ def test_parakeet_cpp_device_round_trips_through_settings_config(settings_env) -
     from solstone.think import supervisor
 
     journal_path, config = settings_env()
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     (journal_path / "config" / "journal.json").write_text(
         json.dumps(config, indent=2) + "\n",
         encoding="utf-8",
diff --git a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_processing_routes.py b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_processing_routes.py
index befaf4c51..95272051c 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_processing_routes.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_processing_routes.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from solstone.convey.reasons import INVALID_CONFIG_VALUE
 
 def _base_config() -> dict:
     return {
-        "setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09T00:00:00Z"},
+        "setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000},
     }
 
 
diff --git a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_sol_voice_routes.py b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_sol_voice_routes.py
index 133e27ec9..d96176a1e 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_sol_voice_routes.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_sol_voice_routes.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ from solstone.convey.sol_initiated.settings import load_settings
 
 def _base_config() -> dict:
     return {
-        "setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09T00:00:00Z"},
+        "setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000},
     }
 
 
diff --git a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_spa_routes.py b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_spa_routes.py
index f9e24c3a9..da290c63b 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_spa_routes.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_spa_routes.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from solstone.convey import create_app
 
 def _settings_client(settings_env):
     journal_path, config = settings_env()
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     config_path = journal_path / "config" / "journal.json"
     config_path.write_text(json.dumps(config, indent=2) + "\n", encoding="utf-8")
     facet_dir = journal_path / "facets" / "known"
diff --git a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_storage_routes.py b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_storage_routes.py
index f09d45165..b8d4e0eb9 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_storage_routes.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_storage_routes.py
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ def _write(path: Path, content: str = "x") -> Path:
 
 
 def test_storage_get_includes_journal_log_retention_defaults(settings_env):
-    journal_path, _config = settings_env({"setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09"}})
+    journal_path, _config = settings_env({"setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000}})
     client = _client(journal_path)
 
     response = client.get("/app/settings/api/storage")
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ def test_storage_get_includes_journal_log_retention_defaults(settings_env):
 def test_storage_put_journal_logs_preserves_raw_media_and_reverse(settings_env):
     journal_path, _config = settings_env(
         {
-            "setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09"},
+            "setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000},
             "retention": {
                 "raw_media": "days",
                 "raw_media_days": 21,
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ def test_storage_put_journal_logs_preserves_raw_media_and_reverse(settings_env):
     ],
 )
 def test_storage_put_journal_logs_validates_values(settings_env, payload):
-    journal_path, _config = settings_env({"setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09"}})
+    journal_path, _config = settings_env({"setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000}})
     client = _client(journal_path)
 
     response = client.put("/app/settings/api/storage", json=payload)
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ def test_storage_put_journal_logs_validates_values(settings_env, payload):
 def test_storage_prune_logs_dry_run_serializes_result_and_deletes_nothing(
     settings_env,
 ):
-    journal_path, _config = settings_env({"setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09"}})
+    journal_path, _config = settings_env({"setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000}})
     old_token = _write(journal_path / "tokens" / f"{_old_day()}.jsonl")
     client = _client(journal_path)
 
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ def test_storage_prune_logs_dry_run_serializes_result_and_deletes_nothing(
 
 
 def test_storage_prune_logs_serializes_root_task_log_dry_run(settings_env):
-    journal_path, _config = settings_env({"setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09"}})
+    journal_path, _config = settings_env({"setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000}})
     old_line = _root_task_log_line(_old_day(), "old root line")
     root_log = journal_path / "task_log.txt"
     root_log.write_bytes(old_line)
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ def test_storage_prune_logs_serializes_root_task_log_dry_run(settings_env):
 def test_storage_prune_logs_disabled_config_deletes_nothing(settings_env):
     journal_path, _config = settings_env(
         {
-            "setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09"},
+            "setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000},
             "retention": {"journal_logs": {"enabled": False, "days": 30}},
         }
     )
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ def test_storage_prune_logs_disabled_config_deletes_nothing(settings_env):
 
 
 def test_storage_prune_logs_validates_days(settings_env):
-    journal_path, _config = settings_env({"setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09"}})
+    journal_path, _config = settings_env({"setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000}})
     client = _client(journal_path)
 
     response = client.post(
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ def test_storage_prune_logs_validates_days(settings_env):
 
 
 def test_storage_prune_logs_serializes_partial_errors(settings_env, monkeypatch):
-    journal_path, _config = settings_env({"setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09"}})
+    journal_path, _config = settings_env({"setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000}})
     client = _client(journal_path)
     result = PruneResult(
         enabled=True,
diff --git a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_transcribe_resource_payload.py b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_transcribe_resource_payload.py
index 6568f82fa..e778f8779 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_transcribe_resource_payload.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_transcribe_resource_payload.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def _client(journal_path):
 
 def _ready_journal(settings_env):
     journal_path, config = settings_env()
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     (journal_path / "config" / "journal.json").write_text(
         json.dumps(config, indent=2) + "\n",
         encoding="utf-8",
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ def test_transcribe_route_includes_resource_block(settings_env, monkeypatch):
 
 def test_transcribe_route_passes_confidential_lane_flag(settings_env, monkeypatch):
     journal_path, config = settings_env()
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     config.setdefault("services", {})["confidential"] = {
         "enabled_at": "2026-05-24T00:00:00Z"
     }
diff --git a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_vision_routes.py b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_vision_routes.py
index 767404823..f225e188d 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_vision_routes.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_vision_routes.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from solstone.think.utils import get_config
 
 def _base_config() -> dict:
     return {
-        "setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09T00:00:00Z"},
+        "setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000},
         "describe": {"max_extractions": 37},
     }
 
diff --git a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_workspace_install_copy_template.py b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_workspace_install_copy_template.py
index 0fe4adead..078a2e153 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_workspace_install_copy_template.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/settings/tests/test_workspace_install_copy_template.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ from solstone.convey import create_app
 @pytest.fixture
 def settings_client(settings_env):
     journal_path, config = settings_env()
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     (journal_path / "config" / "journal.json").write_text(
         json.dumps(config, indent=2) + "\n",
         encoding="utf-8",
diff --git a/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_confidential_attestation_payload.py b/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_confidential_attestation_payload.py
index 29e6b31b2..d92482540 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_confidential_attestation_payload.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_confidential_attestation_payload.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ HOSTILE_ARCH = "<script>alert(1)</script>"
 
 def _client(settings_env, *, confidential: bool = False):
     journal_path, config = settings_env()
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     if confidential:
         config.setdefault("services", {})["confidential"] = {
             "enabled_at": "2026-05-24T00:00:00Z",
diff --git a/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_keys_check_route.py b/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_keys_check_route.py
index 1e0d42841..479770996 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_keys_check_route.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_keys_check_route.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ from solstone.convey import create_app
 @pytest.fixture
 def settings_client_with_journal(settings_env):
     journal_path, config = settings_env()
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     config_path = journal_path / "config" / "journal.json"
     config_path.write_text(json.dumps(config, indent=2) + "\n", encoding="utf-8")
     app = create_app(str(journal_path))
diff --git a/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_local_bootstrap_routes.py b/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_local_bootstrap_routes.py
index c020dbaa1..28bbfc4b5 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_local_bootstrap_routes.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_local_bootstrap_routes.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def _client(journal_path):
 
 def _settings_config() -> dict:
     return {
-        "setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-09T00:00:00Z"},
+        "setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000},
         "providers": {
             "generate": {"provider": "google", "model": "gemini-flash-latest"},
             "cogitate": {"provider": "openai", "model": "gpt-5.4-mini"},
diff --git a/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_local_endpoint_routes.py b/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_local_endpoint_routes.py
index 2ac88347b..ffd80df90 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_local_endpoint_routes.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_local_endpoint_routes.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def _write_config(journal_path: Path, config: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
 
 def _ready_settings_env(settings_env) -> tuple[Path, dict[str, Any]]:
     journal_path, config = settings_env()
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     _write_config(journal_path, config)
     return journal_path, config
 
diff --git a/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_providers_payload_extended.py b/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_providers_payload_extended.py
index a0389c165..dd4dc35ec 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_providers_payload_extended.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_providers_payload_extended.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ def _settings_client_with_journal(settings_env, thinking_app):
     from solstone.convey import state
 
     journal_path, config = settings_env()
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     (journal_path / "config" / "journal.json").write_text(
         json.dumps(config, indent=2) + "\n",
         encoding="utf-8",
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ def test_get_providers_reports_none_lane_when_no_engine_selected(
 ):
     journal_path, config = settings_env(
         {
-            "setup": {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"},
+            "setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000},
             "env": {},
             "providers": {"contexts": {}, "models": {}},
         }
diff --git a/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_validate_model_route.py b/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_validate_model_route.py
index 34f1f2791..a65e8c58a 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_validate_model_route.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_validate_model_route.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ from solstone.convey import create_app
 @pytest.fixture
 def settings_client_with_journal(settings_env):
     journal_path, config = settings_env()
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     config_path = journal_path / "config" / "journal.json"
     config_path.write_text(json.dumps(config, indent=2) + "\n", encoding="utf-8")
     app = create_app(str(journal_path))
diff --git a/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_workspace_html.py b/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_workspace_html.py
index 8e0f6dcf6..4b720032a 100644
--- a/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_workspace_html.py
+++ b/solstone/apps/thinking/tests/test_workspace_html.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ STATIC = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1] / "static" / "thinking.js"
 
 def test_workspace_renders_each_lane(settings_env):
     journal_path, config = settings_env()
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     (journal_path / "config" / "journal.json").write_text(
         json.dumps(config, indent=2) + "\n",
         encoding="utf-8",
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ def test_workspace_renders_each_lane(settings_env):
 
 def test_thinking_literal_paths_resolve(settings_env):
     journal_path, config = settings_env()
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     (journal_path / "config" / "journal.json").write_text(
         json.dumps(config, indent=2) + "\n",
         encoding="utf-8",
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ def test_thinking_state_degrades_when_initial_payload_fails(
     from solstone.apps.thinking import routes
 
     journal_path, config = settings_env()
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     (journal_path / "config" / "journal.json").write_text(
         json.dumps(config, indent=2) + "\n",
         encoding="utf-8",
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ def test_thinking_copy_payload_shape_carries_deck_blocks() -> None:
 
 def test_thinking_state_serves_byo_model_copy_bytes(settings_env) -> None:
     journal_path, config = settings_env()
-    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": "2026-05-23T00:00:00Z"}
+    config["setup"] = {"completed_at": 1700000000000}
     (journal_path / "config" / "journal.json").write_text(
         json.dumps(config, indent=2) + "\n",
         encoding="utf-8",
diff --git a/solstone/convey/root.py b/solstone/convey/root.py
index 9b358f301..3e27f7750 100644
--- a/solstone/convey/root.py
+++ b/solstone/convey/root.py
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ from solstone.think.utils import (
     ensure_journal_config,
     get_config,
     get_journal,
+    journal_is_active,
 )
 
 from . import bridge as convey_bridge
@@ -59,16 +60,6 @@ from .utils import error_response, error_response_with_reason
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-def _is_setup_complete() -> bool:
-    """Check if initial setup has been completed."""
-    try:
-        config = get_config()
-        return bool(config.get("setup", {}).get("completed_at"))
-    except Exception:
-        # Intended fail-closed-on-unreadable-config: require setup flow.
-        return False
-
-
 bp = Blueprint(
     "root",
     __name__,
@@ -132,7 +123,7 @@ def require_access() -> Any:
         )
 
     # Check setup state
-    if not _is_setup_complete():
+    if not journal_is_active(get_journal()):
         return redirect(url_for("root.init"))
 
     return None
@@ -326,7 +317,7 @@ def init_local_capability() -> Any:
 
 @bp.route("/init")
 def init() -> Any:
-    if _is_setup_complete():
+    if journal_is_active(get_journal()):
         return redirect(url_for("root.index"))
 
     # Preserve the setup page's historical config materialization on page load;
diff --git a/solstone/think/utils.py b/solstone/think/utils.py
index b8750ae09..ac30f9ca2 100644
--- a/solstone/think/utils.py
+++ b/solstone/think/utils.py
@@ -812,7 +812,11 @@ def journal_is_active(path: str | Path) -> bool:
         with open(config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             config = json.load(f)
         completed = config["setup"]["completed_at"]
-        return isinstance(completed, (int, float)) and completed > 0
+        return (
+            isinstance(completed, (int, float))
+            and not isinstance(completed, bool)
+            and completed > 0
+        )
     except (
         OSError,
         json.JSONDecodeError,
diff --git a/tests/test_app_import_journal.py b/tests/test_app_import_journal.py
index 3f8b5e700..76bd39b8a 100644
--- a/tests/test_app_import_journal.py
+++ b/tests/test_app_import_journal.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ def _temp_journal(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
     (config_dir / "journal.json").write_text(
         json.dumps(
             {
-                "setup": {"completed_at": "2026-04-26T00:00:00Z"},
+                "setup": {"completed_at": 1700000000000},
             }
         ),
         encoding="utf-8",
diff --git a/tests/test_config.py b/tests/test_config.py
index 16537858c..7cdf61c9d 100644
--- a/tests/test_config.py
+++ b/tests/test_config.py
@@ -191,6 +191,8 @@ def _write_journal_config(journal_path, config):
         ({"setup": {"completed_at": 1.5}}, True),
         ({"setup": {"completed_at": 0}}, False),
         ({"setup": {"completed_at": None}}, False),
+        ({"setup": {"completed_at": True}}, False),
+        ({"setup": {"completed_at": False}}, False),
         ({}, False),
         ({"setup": {"completed_at": "foo"}}, False),
         ({"identity": {"name": "Active User"}}, False),
diff --git a/tests/test_setup_predicate_shared.py b/tests/test_setup_predicate_shared.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7594cec53
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_setup_predicate_shared.py
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only
+# Copyright (c) 2026 sol pbc
+
+import json
+from pathlib import Path
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+
+import pytest
+
+from solstone.convey import create_app
+
+
+def _write_iso_completed_journal(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> Path:
+    journal = tmp_path / "journal"
+    journal.mkdir()
+    config_dir = journal / "config"
+    config_dir.mkdir()
+    (config_dir / "journal.json").write_text(
+        json.dumps({"setup": {"completed_at": "2026-04-26T00:00:00Z"}}),
+        encoding="utf-8",
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setenv("SOLSTONE_JOURNAL", str(journal))
+    return journal
+
+
+def test_access_gate_treats_iso_completed_at_as_incomplete(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> None:
+    journal = _write_iso_completed_journal(tmp_path, monkeypatch)
+    app = create_app(str(journal))
+    app.config["TESTING"] = True
+    client = app.test_client()
+
+    resp = client.get("/")
+
+    assert resp.status_code == 302
+    assert "/init" in resp.headers["Location"]
+
+
+def test_secure_listener_treats_iso_completed_at_as_incomplete(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> None:
+    from solstone.convey.secure_listener import runtime as rt
+    from solstone.think.link.ca import load_or_generate_ca
+    from solstone.think.link.paths import ca_dir
+
+    previous_runtime = rt._runtime
+    try:
+        rt._runtime = None
+        _write_iso_completed_journal(tmp_path, monkeypatch)
+        load_or_generate_ca(ca_dir())
+        app = SimpleNamespace(config={"SECURE_LISTENER_ENABLED": True})
+
+        rt.start_secure_listener(app)
+
+        assert rt._runtime is None
+        assert not getattr(app, "secure_listener_started", False)
+    finally:
+        rt.stop_all_secure_listener()
+        rt._runtime = previous_runtime