diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index fd2763a0..e888e0da 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 # Virtual environment
 .venv/
 
+# Herald (session history — parked)
+HERALD.md
+
 # Python
 __pycache__/
 *.pyc
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ae0fb7b7..946e2855 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-[![Status](https://img.shields.io/badge/status-beta-yellow)](HERALD.md)
+[![Status](https://img.shields.io/badge/status-beta-yellow)](#project-status)
 [![Python 3.10+](https://img.shields.io/badge/python-3.10%2B-blue)](pyproject.toml)
 [![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/license-MIT-green)](LICENSE)
 [![PyPI](https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/aipass)](https://pypi.org/project/aipass/)
@@ -232,8 +232,6 @@ setup.sh auto-detects which CLIs are installed and configures hooks for each.
 
 Each agent documents its own operational status in its branch README — what works, what doesn't, and why.
 
-For detailed session history, see [HERALD.md](HERALD.md).
-
 ---
 
 ## Requirements
diff --git a/src/aipass/memory/apps/handlers/monitor/detector.py b/src/aipass/memory/apps/handlers/monitor/detector.py
index bbc06ddf..9532a955 100644
--- a/src/aipass/memory/apps/handlers/monitor/detector.py
+++ b/src/aipass/memory/apps/handlers/monitor/detector.py
@@ -46,6 +46,25 @@ def _find_repo_root() -> Path:
 _REPO_ROOT = _find_repo_root()
 
 
+def _find_caller_registries() -> List[Path]:
+    """Find project registries reachable from CWD (for external projects)."""
+    import os
+
+    caller_cwd = (
+        Path(os.environ.get("AIPASS_CALLER_CWD", "")).resolve() if os.environ.get("AIPASS_CALLER_CWD") else Path.cwd()
+    )
+    aipass_registry = (_REPO_ROOT / "AIPASS_REGISTRY.json").resolve()
+
+    registries = []
+    for parent in [caller_cwd] + list(caller_cwd.parents):
+        for reg in parent.glob("*_REGISTRY.json"):
+            if reg.resolve() != aipass_registry:
+                registries.append(reg)
+        if registries:
+            break
+    return registries
+
+
 # =============================================================================
 # DATA STRUCTURES
 # =============================================================================
@@ -74,17 +93,8 @@ class RolloverTrigger:
 # =============================================================================
 
 
-def _read_registry() -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
-    """
-    Read AIPASS_REGISTRY.json from repo root.
-
-    Registry paths are relative — resolved against repo root.
-
-    Returns:
-        List of branch dictionaries with absolute paths
-    """
-    registry_path = _REPO_ROOT / "AIPASS_REGISTRY.json"
-
+def _read_single_registry(registry_path: Path, root: Path) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+    """Read branches from a single registry file, resolving paths against root."""
     if not registry_path.exists():
         return []
 
@@ -93,20 +103,40 @@ def _read_registry() -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
             data = json.load(f)
             branches = data.get("branches", [])
 
-            # Resolve relative paths against repo root
             for branch in branches:
                 raw_path = branch.get("path", "")
                 resolved = Path(raw_path)
                 if not resolved.is_absolute():
-                    resolved = _REPO_ROOT / raw_path
+                    resolved = root / raw_path
                 branch["path"] = str(resolved)
 
             return branches
     except Exception as e:
-        logger.warning(f"[detector] Failed to read registry: {e}")
+        logger.warning(f"[detector] Failed to read registry {registry_path}: {e}")
         return []
 
 
+def _read_registry() -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+    """
+    Read all project registries (AIPass + external projects from caller CWD).
+
+    Registry paths are relative — resolved against their respective project root.
+
+    Returns:
+        List of branch dictionaries with absolute paths
+    """
+    branches = _read_single_registry(_REPO_ROOT / "AIPASS_REGISTRY.json", _REPO_ROOT)
+
+    seen_paths = {b.get("path") for b in branches}
+    for reg_path in _find_caller_registries():
+        for branch in _read_single_registry(reg_path, reg_path.parent):
+            if branch.get("path") not in seen_paths:
+                branches.append(branch)
+                seen_paths.add(branch.get("path"))
+
+    return branches
+
+
 def _get_memory_file_path(branch: Dict, memory_type: str) -> Path | None:
     """
     Get path to memory file for branch.
diff --git a/src/aipass/memory/apps/handlers/monitor/memory_watcher.py b/src/aipass/memory/apps/handlers/monitor/memory_watcher.py
index 6427225b..ea26d58b 100644
--- a/src/aipass/memory/apps/handlers/monitor/memory_watcher.py
+++ b/src/aipass/memory/apps/handlers/monitor/memory_watcher.py
@@ -429,20 +429,10 @@ def _find_repo_root() -> Path:
     return Path.cwd()
 
 
-def _get_branch_paths() -> list[Path]:
-    """
-    Get all branch paths from AIPASS_REGISTRY.json (silent - no logging).
-
-    Registry paths are relative — resolved against repo root.
-
-    Returns:
-        List of Path objects for each branch
-    """
+def _paths_from_registry(registry_path: Path, root: Path) -> list[Path]:
+    """Read branch paths from a single registry file."""
     import json
 
-    repo_root = _find_repo_root()
-    registry_path = repo_root / "AIPASS_REGISTRY.json"
-
     if not registry_path.exists():
         return []
 
@@ -456,16 +446,49 @@ def _get_branch_paths() -> list[Path]:
                 raw_path = branch.get("path", "")
                 branch_path = Path(raw_path)
                 if not branch_path.is_absolute():
-                    branch_path = repo_root / raw_path
+                    branch_path = root / raw_path
                 if branch_path.exists():
                     paths.append(branch_path)
 
             return paths
     except Exception as e:
-        logger.warning(f"[memory_watcher] Failed to read branch paths from registry: {e}")
+        logger.warning(f"[memory_watcher] Failed to read registry {registry_path}: {e}")
         return []
 
 
+def _get_branch_paths() -> list[Path]:
+    """
+    Get all branch paths from AIPass registry + external project registries.
+
+    Returns:
+        List of Path objects for each branch
+    """
+    import os
+
+    repo_root = _find_repo_root()
+    paths = _paths_from_registry(repo_root / "AIPASS_REGISTRY.json", repo_root)
+    seen = {p.resolve() for p in paths}
+
+    caller_cwd = (
+        Path(os.environ.get("AIPASS_CALLER_CWD", "")).resolve() if os.environ.get("AIPASS_CALLER_CWD") else Path.cwd()
+    )
+    aipass_registry = (repo_root / "AIPASS_REGISTRY.json").resolve()
+
+    found_external = False
+    for parent in [caller_cwd] + list(caller_cwd.parents):
+        for reg in parent.glob("*_REGISTRY.json"):
+            if reg.resolve() != aipass_registry:
+                found_external = True
+                for p in _paths_from_registry(reg, reg.parent):
+                    if p.resolve() not in seen:
+                        paths.append(p)
+                        seen.add(p.resolve())
+        if found_external:
+            break
+
+    return paths
+
+
 def _is_memory_file(file_path: Path) -> bool:
     """
     Check if file is a memory file in .trinity/ (local.json or observations.json)
diff --git a/src/aipass/memory/tests/test_detector.py b/src/aipass/memory/tests/test_detector.py
index 71951440..c8ab6117 100644
--- a/src/aipass/memory/tests/test_detector.py
+++ b/src/aipass/memory/tests/test_detector.py
@@ -316,6 +316,7 @@ class TestReadRegistry:
 
         # Point _REPO_ROOT at our tmp_path
         monkeypatch.setattr(detector, "_REPO_ROOT", tmp_path)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(detector, "_find_caller_registries", lambda: [])
 
         result = detector._read_registry()
 
@@ -329,6 +330,7 @@ class TestReadRegistry:
 
         # Point _REPO_ROOT at a directory with no registry file
         monkeypatch.setattr(detector, "_REPO_ROOT", tmp_path)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(detector, "_find_caller_registries", lambda: [])
 
         result = detector._read_registry()
 
@@ -341,6 +343,7 @@ class TestReadRegistry:
         from aipass.memory.apps.handlers.monitor import detector
 
         monkeypatch.setattr(detector, "_REPO_ROOT", tmp_path)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(detector, "_find_caller_registries", lambda: [])
 
         result = detector._read_registry()
 
@@ -358,6 +361,7 @@ class TestReadRegistry:
         from aipass.memory.apps.handlers.monitor import detector
 
         monkeypatch.setattr(detector, "_REPO_ROOT", tmp_path)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(detector, "_find_caller_registries", lambda: [])
 
         result = detector._read_registry()
 
@@ -373,6 +377,7 @@ class TestReadRegistry:
         from aipass.memory.apps.handlers.monitor import detector
 
         monkeypatch.setattr(detector, "_REPO_ROOT", tmp_path)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(detector, "_find_caller_registries", lambda: [])
 
         result = detector._read_registry()
 
diff --git a/src/aipass/spawn/apps/handlers/passport_ops.py b/src/aipass/spawn/apps/handlers/passport_ops.py
index be54043a..138c43c0 100644
--- a/src/aipass/spawn/apps/handlers/passport_ops.py
+++ b/src/aipass/spawn/apps/handlers/passport_ops.py
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ from aipass.spawn.apps.handlers.registry import (
     find_registry,
     add_to_registry,
     get_next_citizen_number,
+    ensure_project_has_owner,
 )
 from aipass.spawn.apps.handlers.class_registry import get_template_dir
 from aipass.spawn.apps.handlers.json import json_handler
@@ -98,6 +99,14 @@ def grant_passport(
     # Rename any placeholder paths
     _ = rename_placeholder_paths(target, folder_name)
 
+    # Set owner field — first agent in the project is the owner
+    passport_path = target / ".trinity" / "passport.json"
+    if passport_path.exists():
+        passport_data = json_handler.read_json(passport_path)
+        if passport_data:
+            passport_data.setdefault("citizenship", {})["owner"] = citizen_number == 1
+            json_handler.write_json(passport_path, passport_data)
+
     # Regenerate template registry
     regenerate_template_registry(target)
 
@@ -116,6 +125,9 @@ def grant_passport(
         purpose or "Birthright citizen - purpose TBD",
     )
 
+    # Ensure at least one agent in the project is the owner
+    ensure_project_has_owner(reg_path)
+
     # Validate
     issues = validate_no_placeholders(target)
 
diff --git a/src/aipass/spawn/apps/handlers/registry.py b/src/aipass/spawn/apps/handlers/registry.py
index 1a69cbff..720d1d94 100644
--- a/src/aipass/spawn/apps/handlers/registry.py
+++ b/src/aipass/spawn/apps/handlers/registry.py
@@ -265,3 +265,34 @@ def fix_passport_registry_id(branch_dir: Path, registry_path: Path) -> bool:
     except Exception as e:
         logger.warning("[registry] Failed to fix registry_id for %s: %s", branch_dir.name, e)
         return False
+
+
+def ensure_project_has_owner(registry_path):
+    """If no agent in the project has owner:true, assign it to the earliest-created agent."""
+    registry_path = Path(registry_path)
+    reg_data = load_registry(registry_path)
+    branches = _branches_as_list(reg_data.get("branches", []))
+    if not branches:
+        return False
+
+    registry_root = registry_path.parent
+    for branch in branches:
+        branch_path = registry_root / branch.get("path", "")
+        passport_path = branch_path / ".trinity" / "passport.json"
+        if passport_path.exists():
+            passport = json_handler.read_json(passport_path)
+            if passport and passport.get("citizenship", {}).get("owner") is True:
+                return False
+
+    by_created = sorted(branches, key=lambda b: b.get("created", "9999-99-99"))
+    for branch in by_created:
+        branch_path = registry_root / branch.get("path", "")
+        passport_path = branch_path / ".trinity" / "passport.json"
+        if passport_path.exists():
+            passport = json_handler.read_json(passport_path)
+            if passport:
+                passport.setdefault("citizenship", {})["owner"] = True
+                json_handler.write_json(passport_path, passport)
+                logger.info("[registry] Retroactively set owner=true on %s", branch.get("name", "?"))
+                return True
+    return False
diff --git a/src/aipass/spawn/apps/modules/core.py b/src/aipass/spawn/apps/modules/core.py
index 8d167b0a..462c16b8 100644
--- a/src/aipass/spawn/apps/modules/core.py
+++ b/src/aipass/spawn/apps/modules/core.py
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ from aipass.spawn.apps.handlers.registry import (
     add_to_registry,
     get_next_citizen_number,
     fix_passport_registry_id,
+    ensure_project_has_owner,
 )
 from aipass.spawn.apps.handlers.class_registry import (
     get_template_dir as _get_template_dir,
@@ -217,6 +218,14 @@ def _spawn_agent(
     # Step 2: Rename any {{BRANCH}} dirs/files that weren't caught by path replacement
     renamed = rename_placeholder_paths(target, folder_name)
 
+    # Step 2b: Set owner field — first agent in the project is the owner
+    passport_path = target / ".trinity" / "passport.json"
+    if passport_path.exists():
+        passport_data = json_handler.read_json(passport_path)
+        if passport_data:
+            passport_data.setdefault("citizenship", {})["owner"] = citizen_number == 1
+            json_handler.write_json(passport_path, passport_data)
+
     # Step 3: Regenerate .template_registry.json with fresh hashes
     regenerate_template_registry(target)
 
@@ -242,7 +251,10 @@ def _spawn_agent(
         purpose or "New agent - purpose TBD",
     )
 
-    # Step 5: Validate no unreplaced placeholders
+    # Step 5: Ensure at least one agent in the project is the owner
+    ensure_project_has_owner(reg_path)
+
+    # Step 6: Validate no unreplaced placeholders
     issues = validate_no_placeholders(target)
 
     json_handler.log_operation("branch_created", data={"branch": branch_upper})
diff --git a/src/aipass/spawn/templates/builder/.spawn/.template_registry.json b/src/aipass/spawn/templates/builder/.spawn/.template_registry.json
index cfc0d8cb..9ee2eea7 100644
--- a/src/aipass/spawn/templates/builder/.spawn/.template_registry.json
+++ b/src/aipass/spawn/templates/builder/.spawn/.template_registry.json
@@ -137,6 +137,12 @@
       "content_hash": "2e4f4a0c1b47",
       "has_branch_placeholder": false
     },
+    "f022": {
+      "path": "apps/handlers/__init__.py",
+      "name": "__init__.py",
+      "content_hash": "dbfc0e044461",
+      "has_branch_placeholder": false
+    },
     "f044": {
       "path": "apps/integrations/README.md",
       "name": "README.md",
@@ -149,7 +155,7 @@
       "content_hash": "a4cf0a8e3b4f",
       "has_branch_placeholder": false
     },
-    "f045": {
+    "f015": {
       "path": "apps/modules/__init__.py",
       "name": "__init__.py",
       "content_hash": "e3b0c44298fc",
@@ -161,6 +167,12 @@
       "content_hash": "d1e4e2b98c38",
       "has_branch_placeholder": false
     },
+    "f027": {
+      "path": "apps/{{BRANCH}}.py",
+      "name": "{{BRANCH}}.py",
+      "content_hash": "39db2c4f8160",
+      "has_branch_placeholder": true
+    },
     "f028": {
       "path": "artifacts/README.md",
       "name": "README.md",
@@ -227,6 +239,12 @@
       "content_hash": "881f06bb6574",
       "has_branch_placeholder": false
     },
+    "f039": {
+      "path": "tests/conftest.py",
+      "name": "conftest.py",
+      "content_hash": "97f220799d19",
+      "has_branch_placeholder": false
+    },
     "f040": {
       "path": "tools/README.md",
       "name": "README.md",
@@ -245,25 +263,7 @@
       "content_hash": "28e9ae373563",
       "has_branch_placeholder": false
     },
-    "f022": {
-      "path": "apps/handlers/__init__.py",
-      "name": "__init__.py",
-      "content_hash": "dbfc0e044461",
-      "has_branch_placeholder": false
-    },
-    "f027": {
-      "path": "apps/{{BRANCH}}.py",
-      "name": "{{BRANCH}}.py",
-      "content_hash": "39db2c4f8160",
-      "has_branch_placeholder": true
-    },
-    "f039": {
-      "path": "tests/conftest.py",
-      "name": "conftest.py",
-      "content_hash": "97f220799d19",
-      "has_branch_placeholder": false
-    },
-    "f015": {
+    "f026": {
       "path": "apps/plugins/__init__.py",
       "name": "__init__.py",
       "content_hash": "e3b0c44298fc",
diff --git a/src/aipass/spawn/tests/test_citizen_classes.py b/src/aipass/spawn/tests/test_citizen_classes.py
index d4b976c1..022bee7a 100644
--- a/src/aipass/spawn/tests/test_citizen_classes.py
+++ b/src/aipass/spawn/tests/test_citizen_classes.py
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ class-aware update, and backward compatibility.
 """
 
 import json
+import unittest.mock
+
 import pytest
 from pathlib import Path
 
@@ -444,3 +446,163 @@ class TestMultiAgentCoexistence:
             passport = json.loads((tmp_path / name / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
             assert passport["branch_info"]["branch_name"] == name.upper()
             assert passport["identity"]["citizen_class"] == "builder"
+
+
+class TestPassportOwnerField:
+    """Tests verifying the owner field in passport.json."""
+
+    def test_first_agent_is_owner(self, tmp_path):
+        """First agent created in a project gets owner: true."""
+        from aipass.spawn.apps.modules.core import _spawn_agent
+
+        reg = tmp_path / "TEST_REGISTRY.json"
+        reg.write_text('{"metadata":{"version":"1.0.0","total_branches":0},"branches":[]}')
+
+        _spawn_agent(str(tmp_path / "first"), registry_path=str(reg))
+
+        passport = json.loads((tmp_path / "first" / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
+        assert passport["citizenship"]["owner"] is True
+
+    def test_second_agent_not_owner(self, tmp_path):
+        """Second agent created in a project gets owner: false."""
+        from aipass.spawn.apps.modules.core import _spawn_agent
+
+        reg = tmp_path / "TEST_REGISTRY.json"
+        reg.write_text('{"metadata":{"version":"1.0.0","total_branches":0},"branches":[]}')
+
+        _spawn_agent(str(tmp_path / "first"), registry_path=str(reg))
+        _spawn_agent(str(tmp_path / "second"), registry_path=str(reg))
+
+        p1 = json.loads((tmp_path / "first" / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
+        p2 = json.loads((tmp_path / "second" / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
+        assert p1["citizenship"]["owner"] is True
+        assert p2["citizenship"]["owner"] is False
+
+    def test_third_agent_not_owner(self, tmp_path):
+        """Third agent also gets owner: false."""
+        from aipass.spawn.apps.modules.core import _spawn_agent
+
+        reg = tmp_path / "TEST_REGISTRY.json"
+        reg.write_text('{"metadata":{"version":"1.0.0","total_branches":0},"branches":[]}')
+
+        for name in ["alpha", "beta", "gamma"]:
+            _spawn_agent(str(tmp_path / name), registry_path=str(reg))
+
+        passports = {}
+        for name in ["alpha", "beta", "gamma"]:
+            passports[name] = json.loads((tmp_path / name / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
+
+        assert passports["alpha"]["citizenship"]["owner"] is True
+        assert passports["beta"]["citizenship"]["owner"] is False
+        assert passports["gamma"]["citizenship"]["owner"] is False
+
+    def test_birthright_first_agent_is_owner(self, tmp_path):
+        """First birthright agent gets owner: true."""
+        from aipass.spawn.apps.handlers.passport_ops import grant_passport
+
+        reg = tmp_path / "TEST_REGISTRY.json"
+        reg.write_text('{"metadata":{"version":"1.0.0","total_branches":0},"branches":[]}')
+
+        target = tmp_path / "citizen"
+        target.mkdir()
+        with unittest.mock.patch("aipass.spawn.apps.handlers.passport_ops.find_registry", return_value=reg):
+            grant_passport(str(target))
+
+        passport = json.loads((target / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
+        assert passport["citizenship"]["owner"] is True
+
+    def test_birthright_second_agent_not_owner(self, tmp_path):
+        """Second birthright agent gets owner: false."""
+        from aipass.spawn.apps.handlers.passport_ops import grant_passport
+
+        reg = tmp_path / "TEST_REGISTRY.json"
+        reg.write_text('{"metadata":{"version":"1.0.0","total_branches":0},"branches":[]}')
+
+        first = tmp_path / "first"
+        first.mkdir()
+        second = tmp_path / "second"
+        second.mkdir()
+
+        with unittest.mock.patch("aipass.spawn.apps.handlers.passport_ops.find_registry", return_value=reg):
+            grant_passport(str(first))
+            grant_passport(str(second))
+
+        p1 = json.loads((first / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
+        p2 = json.loads((second / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
+        assert p1["citizenship"]["owner"] is True
+        assert p2["citizenship"]["owner"] is False
+
+
+class TestRetroactiveOwner:
+    """Tests for retroactive owner assignment on legacy projects."""
+
+    def test_retroactive_owner_on_legacy_agents(self, tmp_path):
+        """Creating a new agent in a project where no agent has owner sets the first one."""
+        from aipass.spawn.apps.modules.core import _spawn_agent
+
+        reg = tmp_path / "TEST_REGISTRY.json"
+        reg.write_text('{"metadata":{"version":"1.0.0","total_branches":0},"branches":[]}')
+
+        # Create two agents, then remove their owner field to simulate legacy
+        _spawn_agent(str(tmp_path / "old_a"), registry_path=str(reg))
+        _spawn_agent(str(tmp_path / "old_b"), registry_path=str(reg))
+
+        for name in ["old_a", "old_b"]:
+            pp = tmp_path / name / ".trinity" / "passport.json"
+            data = json.loads(pp.read_text())
+            del data["citizenship"]["owner"]
+            pp.write_text(json.dumps(data, indent=2))
+
+        # Create a third agent — should trigger retroactive fix
+        _spawn_agent(str(tmp_path / "new_c"), registry_path=str(reg))
+
+        pa = json.loads((tmp_path / "old_a" / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
+        pb = json.loads((tmp_path / "old_b" / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
+        pc = json.loads((tmp_path / "new_c" / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
+        assert pa["citizenship"]["owner"] is True
+        assert pb["citizenship"].get("owner") is not True
+        assert pc["citizenship"]["owner"] is False
+
+    def test_no_retroactive_if_owner_exists(self, tmp_path):
+        """If an existing agent already has owner:true, no retroactive change."""
+        from aipass.spawn.apps.modules.core import _spawn_agent
+
+        reg = tmp_path / "TEST_REGISTRY.json"
+        reg.write_text('{"metadata":{"version":"1.0.0","total_branches":0},"branches":[]}')
+
+        _spawn_agent(str(tmp_path / "first"), registry_path=str(reg))
+        _spawn_agent(str(tmp_path / "second"), registry_path=str(reg))
+        _spawn_agent(str(tmp_path / "third"), registry_path=str(reg))
+
+        p1 = json.loads((tmp_path / "first" / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
+        p2 = json.loads((tmp_path / "second" / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
+        p3 = json.loads((tmp_path / "third" / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
+        assert p1["citizenship"]["owner"] is True
+        assert p2["citizenship"]["owner"] is False
+        assert p3["citizenship"]["owner"] is False
+
+    def test_ensure_project_has_owner_direct(self, tmp_path):
+        """Direct call to ensure_project_has_owner fixes a legacy project."""
+        from aipass.spawn.apps.handlers.registry import ensure_project_has_owner
+        from aipass.spawn.apps.modules.core import _spawn_agent
+
+        reg = tmp_path / "TEST_REGISTRY.json"
+        reg.write_text('{"metadata":{"version":"1.0.0","total_branches":0},"branches":[]}')
+
+        _spawn_agent(str(tmp_path / "agent_x"), registry_path=str(reg))
+        _spawn_agent(str(tmp_path / "agent_y"), registry_path=str(reg))
+
+        # Strip owner from both
+        for name in ["agent_x", "agent_y"]:
+            pp = tmp_path / name / ".trinity" / "passport.json"
+            data = json.loads(pp.read_text())
+            data["citizenship"].pop("owner", None)
+            pp.write_text(json.dumps(data, indent=2))
+
+        result = ensure_project_has_owner(reg)
+        assert result is True
+
+        px = json.loads((tmp_path / "agent_x" / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
+        py = json.loads((tmp_path / "agent_y" / ".trinity" / "passport.json").read_text())
+        assert px["citizenship"]["owner"] is True
+        assert py["citizenship"].get("owner") is not True