diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index a882a3cb..1f61271f 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -76,3 +76,8 @@ TASK_COMPLETION_SUMMARY.md
 __pycache__/
 extra.img: 1073741824 bytes
 extra.img
+local/cache/pkgar/
+
+# Red Bear git-tracked build cache (survives make clean)
+!local/cache/pkgar/
+!local/cache/pkgar/**
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 16c61e5a..401b8f36 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -9,41 +9,63 @@ all: $(BUILD)/harddrive.img
 
 # ── Red Bear OS Build Cache ──────────────────────────────────────────────
 # The upstream Redox build system loses cached stages on make clean.
-# Red Bear provides snapshot/restore so the build can recover quickly.
-# Essential package caches are tracked in git under local/cache/essential/.
+# Red Bear provides a git-tracked cache that survives everything.
+#
+# Architecture:
+#   local/cache/pkgar/{pkgname}/stage.pkgar  — committed to git
+#   local/cache/rbos-cache-*/                — timestamped snapshots
 #
 # Usage:
-#   make cache-save              Save full cache snapshot
-#   make cache-save-essential    Save only essential (boot) packages
-#   make cache-restore           Auto-restore latest cache before build
-#   make cache-verify            Check cache integrity
+#   make cache-sync              Sync built packages → git-tracked cache
+#   make cache-commit            Sync + git commit
+#   make cache-restore           Restore from git-tracked cache
+#   make cache-save              Full timestamped snapshot (local only)
+#   make cache-status            Compare cache vs build state
+#   make cache-list              List available snapshots
 
-CACHE_SCRIPT = local/scripts/snapshot-cache.sh
-RESTORE_SCRIPT = local/scripts/restore-cache.sh
+CACHE_SYNC = local/scripts/cache-sync.sh
+CACHE_SAVE = local/scripts/snapshot-cache.sh
+CACHE_RESTORE = local/scripts/restore-cache.sh
 
-cache-save:
-	@bash $(CACHE_SCRIPT)
+cache-sync:
+	@bash $(CACHE_SYNC)
 
-cache-save-essential:
-	@bash $(CACHE_SCRIPT) --essential
+cache-commit:
+	@bash $(CACHE_SYNC) --commit
 
 cache-restore:
-	@bash $(RESTORE_SCRIPT)
+	@echo "Red Bear: restoring from git-tracked cache..."
+	@bash $(CACHE_SYNC) --restore
+	@bash $(CACHE_RESTORE) 2>/dev/null || true
+
+cache-save:
+	@bash $(CACHE_SAVE)
+
+cache-save-essential:
+	@bash $(CACHE_SAVE) --essential
 
 cache-verify:
-	@bash $(RESTORE_SCRIPT) --verify
+	@bash $(CACHE_RESTORE) --verify
 
 cache-list:
-	@bash $(CACHE_SCRIPT) --list
+	@bash $(CACHE_SAVE) --list
 
-# Auto-restore cache if available (runs before all builds)
+cache-status:
+	@bash $(CACHE_SYNC) --status
+
+# Auto-restore cache before build, sync after successful build
 cache-auto:
-	@if [ -d local/cache ] && ls local/cache/rbos-cache-* >/dev/null 2>&1; then \
-		echo "Red Bear: restoring build cache..."; \
-		bash $(RESTORE_SCRIPT); \
+	@if [ ! -f $(BUILD)/repo.tag ]; then \
+		if ls local/cache/pkgar/*/stage.pkgar >/dev/null 2>&1; then \
+			echo "Red Bear: build cache found, restoring..."; \
+			bash $(CACHE_SYNC) --restore; \
+		fi; \
+	fi
+	@if [ -f $(BUILD)/harddrive.img ]; then \
+		echo "Red Bear: build complete, syncing cache..."; \
+		bash $(CACHE_SYNC); \
 	fi
 
-# Ensure cache is restored before build
 $(BUILD)/harddrive.img: cache-auto
 
 live:
diff --git a/local/cache/.gitignore b/local/cache/.gitignore
deleted file mode 100644
index 07f8b449..00000000
--- a/local/cache/.gitignore
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,4 +0,0 @@
-*
-!essential/
-!.gitignore
-!.gitkeep
diff --git a/local/cache/README.md b/local/cache/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..92220932
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+# Red Bear git-tracked cache — survives make clean and git clone
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/.gitkeep b/local/cache/pkgar/.gitkeep
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7233025e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/.gitkeep
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+# Red Bear package caches — committed to git
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/base-initfs/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/base-initfs/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/base-initfs/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/base-initfs/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/base-initfs/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9008da94
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/base-initfs/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/base/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/base/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/base/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/base/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/base/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..00c8d442
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/base/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/bash/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/bash/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/bash/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/bash/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/bash/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5274273a
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/bash/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/bootloader/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/bootloader/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/bootloader/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/bootloader/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/bootloader/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5ed27e02
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/bootloader/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/bottom/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/bottom/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/bottom/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/bottom/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/bottom/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0c1846fc
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/bottom/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/ca-certificates/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/ca-certificates/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/ca-certificates/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/ca-certificates/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/ca-certificates/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f622827f
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/ca-certificates/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/coreutils/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/coreutils/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/coreutils/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/coreutils/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/coreutils/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c13f2144
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/coreutils/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/installer/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/installer/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/installer/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/installer/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/installer/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c9ca138f
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/installer/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/ion/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/ion/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/ion/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/ion/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/ion/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a8609f3e
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/ion/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/ncurses/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/ncurses/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/ncurses/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/ncurses/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/ncurses/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4abc7f0c
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/ncurses/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/ncursesw/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/ncursesw/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/ncursesw/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/ncursesw/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/ncursesw/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4ba353b3
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/ncursesw/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/nghttp2/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/nghttp2/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/nghttp2/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/nghttp2/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/nghttp2/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f59b6edf
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/nghttp2/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/readline/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/readline/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b8a3f351
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/readline/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = ["ncursesw"]
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/readline/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/readline/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..99a2ddec
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/readline/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/redoxfs/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/redoxfs/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/redoxfs/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/redoxfs/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/redoxfs/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5653a713
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/redoxfs/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/termcap/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/termcap/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/termcap/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/termcap/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/termcap/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5f0fe4bb
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/termcap/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/zlib/auto_deps.toml b/local/cache/pkgar/zlib/auto_deps.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/pkgar/zlib/auto_deps.toml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/pkgar/zlib/stage.pkgar b/local/cache/pkgar/zlib/stage.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7f3af4a4
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/pkgar/zlib/stage.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/base-initfs.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/base-initfs.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/base-initfs.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/base-initfs.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/base-initfs.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9008da94
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/base-initfs.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/base.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/base.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/base.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/base.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/base.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..00c8d442
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/base.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bash.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bash.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bash.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bash.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bash.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5274273a
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bash.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bootloader.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bootloader.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bootloader.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bootloader.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bootloader.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5ed27e02
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bootloader.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bottom.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bottom.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bottom.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bottom.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bottom.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0c1846fc
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/bottom.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ca-certificates.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ca-certificates.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ca-certificates.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ca-certificates.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ca-certificates.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f622827f
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ca-certificates.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/coreutils.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/coreutils.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/coreutils.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/coreutils.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/coreutils.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c13f2144
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/coreutils.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/installer.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/installer.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/installer.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/installer.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/installer.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c9ca138f
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/installer.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ion.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ion.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ion.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ion.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ion.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a8609f3e
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ion.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/manifest.toml b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/manifest.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bfab158c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/manifest.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+[snapshot]
+name = "rbos-cache-20260428-080713"
+timestamp = "20260428-080713"
+mode = "--full"
+packages = 16
+total_size = 129468786
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ncurses.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ncurses.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ncurses.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ncurses.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ncurses.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4abc7f0c
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ncurses.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ncursesw.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ncursesw.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ncursesw.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ncursesw.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ncursesw.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4ba353b3
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/ncursesw.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/nghttp2.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/nghttp2.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/nghttp2.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/nghttp2.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/nghttp2.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f59b6edf
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/nghttp2.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/readline.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/readline.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b8a3f351
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/readline.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = ["ncursesw"]
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/readline.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/readline.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..99a2ddec
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/readline.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/redoxfs.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/redoxfs.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/redoxfs.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/redoxfs.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/redoxfs.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5653a713
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/redoxfs.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/termcap.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/termcap.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/termcap.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/termcap.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/termcap.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5f0fe4bb
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/termcap.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/zlib.deps b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/zlib.deps
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fc07aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/zlib.deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+packages = []
diff --git a/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/zlib.pkgar b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/zlib.pkgar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7f3af4a4
Binary files /dev/null and b/local/cache/rbos-cache-20260428-080713/zlib.pkgar differ
diff --git a/local/scripts/cache-sync.sh b/local/scripts/cache-sync.sh
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+++ b/local/scripts/cache-sync.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Red Bear OS — Git-Tracked Build Cache
+# Automatically syncs recipe stage.pkgar files to local/cache/pkgar/
+# and commits them to git so the cache survives make clean AND git clone.
+#
+# The cache is organized as: local/cache/pkgar/{pkgname}/stage.pkgar
+# This keeps individual files small enough for git (<100MB each).
+#
+# Usage:
+#   ./local/scripts/cache-sync.sh              # Sync all built packages to cache
+#   ./local/scripts/cache-sync.sh --commit     # Sync + git commit
+#   ./local/scripts/cache-sync.sh --restore    # Restore cache to recipe targets
+#   ./local/scripts/cache-sync.sh --status     # Show cache vs build state
+
+set -euo pipefail
+cd "$(dirname "$0")/../.."
+
+CACHE_ROOT="local/cache/pkgar"
+mkdir -p "${CACHE_ROOT}"
+
+MODE="${1:-}"
+
+if [ "$MODE" = "--status" ]; then
+    echo "=== Red Bear Cache Status ==="
+    cached=0; stale=0; missing=0
+    for pkgar in "${CACHE_ROOT}"/*/stage.pkgar; do
+        [ -f "$pkgar" ] || continue
+        pkg=$(basename "$(dirname "$pkgar")")
+        recipe_dir=$(find recipes -maxdepth 3 -name "$pkg" -type d 2>/dev/null | head -1)
+        if [ -z "$recipe_dir" ]; then
+            echo "  ORPHAN $pkg (no recipe)"
+            stale=$((stale + 1))
+            continue
+        fi
+        target="${recipe_dir}/target/x86_64-unknown-redox/stage.pkgar"
+        if [ -f "$target" ]; then
+            if [ "$pkgar" -nt "$target" ]; then
+                echo "  STALE  $pkg (cache newer than build)"
+                stale=$((stale + 1))
+            else
+                echo "  SYNCED $pkg"
+                cached=$((cached + 1))
+            fi
+        else
+            echo "  CACHED $pkg (no build)"
+            cached=$((cached + 1))
+        fi
+    done
+    # Check built but not cached
+    while IFS= read -r target; do
+        pkg=$(echo "$target" | sed 's|recipes/[^/]*/[^/]*/||; s|/target/.*||')
+        if [ ! -f "${CACHE_ROOT}/${pkg}/stage.pkgar" ]; then
+            size=$(stat -c%s "$target" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)
+            echo "  UNCACHED $pkg ($(numfmt --to=iec $size 2>/dev/null || echo ${size}B))"
+            missing=$((missing + 1))
+        fi
+    done < <(find recipes -name "stage.pkgar" -path "*/target/x86_64-unknown-redox/*" 2>/dev/null | head -100)
+    echo ""
+    echo "Synced: $cached  Stale: $stale  Uncached: $missing"
+    exit 0
+fi
+
+if [ "$MODE" = "--restore" ]; then
+    echo "=== Restoring Cache to Recipes ==="
+    count=0
+    for pkgar in "${CACHE_ROOT}"/*/stage.pkgar; do
+        [ -f "$pkgar" ] || continue
+        pkg=$(basename "$(dirname "$pkgar")")
+        recipe_dir=$(find recipes -maxdepth 4 -name "$pkg" -type d 2>/dev/null | head -1)
+        if [ -z "$recipe_dir" ]; then continue; fi
+        target="${recipe_dir}/target/x86_64-unknown-redox/stage.pkgar"
+        if [ ! -f "$target" ] || [ "$pkgar" -nt "$target" ]; then
+            mkdir -p "$(dirname "$target")"
+            cp "$pkgar" "$target"
+            count=$((count + 1))
+        fi
+    done
+    echo "Restored $count packages"
+    exit 0
+fi
+
+# Default: --sync mode
+echo "=== Syncing Build Cache ==="
+synced=0
+while IFS= read -r target; do
+    pkg_path="${target%/target/x86_64-unknown-redox/stage.pkgar}"
+    # Extract package name: recipes/{category}/{name}/target/... → {name}
+    pkg=$(basename "$pkg_path")
+    [ -z "$pkg" ] && continue
+    
+    cache_dir="${CACHE_ROOT}/${pkg}"
+    cache_file="${cache_dir}/stage.pkgar"
+    
+    # Only copy if build is newer
+    if [ -f "$cache_file" ] && [ ! "$target" -nt "$cache_file" ]; then
+        continue
+    fi
+    
+    mkdir -p "$cache_dir"
+    cp "$target" "$cache_file"
+    
+    # Also save auto_deps
+    deps_file="${pkg_path}/target/x86_64-unknown-redox/auto_deps.toml"
+    if [ -f "$deps_file" ]; then
+        cp "$deps_file" "${cache_dir}/auto_deps.toml"
+    fi
+    
+    synced=$((synced + 1))
+done < <(find recipes -name "stage.pkgar" -path "*/target/x86_64-unknown-redox/*" 2>/dev/null)
+
+echo "Synced $synced packages to ${CACHE_ROOT}/"
+
+if [ "$MODE" = "--commit" ] && [ $synced -gt 0 ]; then
+    echo ""
+    echo "=== Committing Cache ==="
+    git add "${CACHE_ROOT}/"
+    
+    # Only commit if there are staged changes
+    if git diff --cached --quiet; then
+        echo "No cache changes to commit"
+    else
+        commit_msg="cache: $(date +%Y-%m-%d) — ${synced} packages"
+        git commit -m "$commit_msg"
+        echo "Committed: $commit_msg"
+        echo "To push: git push"
+    fi
+fi