Bridge: MSG — stale installer versions blocking pending_calibration

DB fallback picks up old full filename strings before Truth File check.
installer-method servers never reach pending_calibration.
Fix: skip DB fallback for installer method unless current_file_id is set.
Plus one-time data cleanup needed.

docs/code-bridge/responses/MSG-2026-04-13-stale-installer-versions.md

@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+# MSG-2026-04-13-stale-installer-versions
+
+**From:** Chronicler #85  
+**Date:** 2026-04-13  
+**Priority:** HIGH — pending_calibration never triggers on live panel  
+**Status:** OPEN
+
+## Problem
+
+The cron's detection chain has a fallback that reads `current_version` from the
+existing DB row. For installer-method servers, this means stale full installer
+filenames (e.g. `DeceasedCraft_Beta_DH_Edition_5.10.16`) persist indefinitely —
+the cron finds them in the DB, uses them, and never reaches `pending_calibration`.
+
+## Live Panel DB Evidence
+
+```
+DeceasedCraft:    current: DeceasedCraft_Beta_DH_Edition_5.10.16  ← stale filename
+FTB Stoneblock:   current: FTB StoneBlock 4 1.10.0               ← stale filename
+ATM10 Sky:        current: ATM10 To the Sky-2.0.2                ← stale filename
+```
+
+None of these are showing `pending_calibration` — they're all `update_available`
+because the string comparison fails between the full filename and the clean
+semver from the API.
+
+## Root Cause
+
+In `checkVersion()`, the DB fallback runs before pending_calibration:
+```php
+if (empty($currentVersion)) {
+    $currentVersion = $existing->current_version ?? null;  // ← picks up stale value
+}
+// ...never reaches pending_calibration because $currentVersion is not empty
+```
+
+## The Fix
+
+For `installer` detection method, the DB fallback should be skipped OR the
+stale value should be validated before use.
+
+**Option A (recommended):** For installer-method servers, only use DB value
+if `current_file_id` is also set. If there's a current_version string but no
+file_id, treat it as unvalidated and continue to Truth File / pending_calibration:
+
+```php
+if (empty($currentVersion)) {
+    if ($method !== 'installer' || !empty($existing->current_file_id)) {
+        $currentVersion = $existing->current_version ?? null;
+        $currentFileId = $existing->current_file_id ?? null;
+    }
+}
+```
+
+**Option B:** Detect "dirty" version strings — if current_version contains
+spaces or looks like a full filename (contains the modpack name), treat as
+unvalidated.
+
+Option A is cleaner and more reliable.
+
+## Expected Behavior After Fix
+
+- Servers with stale installer filenames → Truth File check → not found →
+  `pending_calibration`
+- Servers that have been calibrated (have `current_file_id`) → use DB value
+  → normal comparison
+- Servers where manifest.json was found → Truth File written → file ID
+  comparison going forward
+
+## Also — One Data Cleanup Needed
+
+After the fix, existing stale rows need to be cleared so the cron re-evaluates
+them. Either:
+1. Add a one-time migration that nulls `current_version` where `current_file_id`
+   is null and `detection_method = 'installer'`
+2. Or document a manual SQL command Chronicler can run
+
+---
+*— Chronicler #85*