feat(scheduling): node tags + service placement_tags affinity (#58)

Operator-set node labels (node_agents.tags) gate which nodes a service
may schedule onto: services.placement_tags requires every listed tag.
auto and spread filter eligible agents by tags; tags are re-evaluated
each reconcile so retagging a node re-spreads replicas. Pin + tags and
local + tags rejected; empty array clears the requirement.

Surfaces: --placement-tags on services create/update, nodes update
--tags, MCP args, OpenAPI, node-detail tag editor, service-detail
placement-tags input.

Generated with [Devin](https://devin.ai)

Co-authored-by: Devin <158243242+devin-ai-integration[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>

ROADMAP2.md

@@ -289,11 +289,39 @@ and wired refs, one click or one CLI call.
   (drain evicts remote containers via the agent queue + unpins services
   so they redeploy locally), `nodes cordon|uncordon|drain` CLI +
   MCP (drain confirm-gated) + node-detail page controls; `auto` and
-  explicit pins skip cordoned nodes. Remote nodes run registry-pulled
+  explicit pins skip cordoned nodes. Spread placement shipped:
+  `services.spread` distributes replicas deterministically across every
+  online schedulable agent (replica i → agents[i mod n]), mutually
+  exclusive with a pin; `auto` is now resource-aware — least memory
+  utilisation, then cpu, then container count, with uninstrumented
+  agents sorting last. Lifecycle and `GET /runtime` are
+  inventory-driven, so remote replicas show up and tear down wherever
+  they run. Remote nodes run registry-pulled
   images only — git builds, Traefik domains, and remote sleep are
-  documented ceilings. Remaining: `scheduling_rules` spread/affinity
+  documented ceilings. Tag affinity shipped: `node_agents.tags`
-  policies, deployment status reported back from agent
+  (operator-set via `PUT /agents/:id` / `nodes update --tags`) +
-  results, per-node resource-aware `auto` (currently count-based).
+  `services.placement_tags` — `auto` and `spread` only consider
+  online schedulable agents carrying every required tag, tags are
+  re-evaluated each reconcile (a tag change re-spreads replicas),
+  unsatisfiable requirements fail with a clear error, pin + tags
+  and local + tags are rejected, empty array clears. Surfaces:
+  `--placement-tags` on services create/update, `--tags` on
+  `nodes update`, MCP args, OpenAPI, node-detail tag editor +
+  service-detail placement-tags input. Remaining: deployment
+  status reported back from agent results, spread weighting by
+  real capacity.
+- [x] **Agent self-upgrade** — `POST /agents/:id/upgrade` enqueues a
+  `self_upgrade` command carrying platform + sha256 + server version;
+  the agent downloads its replacement from `GET /agents/download/
+  :platform`, verifies the checksum, sanity-checks `--version`,
+  atomically swaps its own executable, reports the result, then
+  re-execs (`syscall.Exec`) — no supervisor needed. Agents now stamp
+  `main.version` via ldflags at image build and report it at
+  register/heartbeat (`node_agents.version` refreshes on re-register;
+  older agents keep their stored value). Surfaces: `nodes upgrade`
+  CLI, `containr_nodes_upgrade` MCP (confirm-gated), node-detail page
+  button (online-gated). Ceilings: linux amd64/arm64 only; agents on
+  other platforms get a `NO_BINARY` 409.
 - [🟡] **Build-on-node** — private registry pulls shipped: the dispatch
   payload carries the project owner's `registries` credentials for the
   image host; the agent `docker login`s for the pull and logs out after,

app/backend/Dockerfile

@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ RUN CGO_ENABLED=0 GOOS=linux go build -a -installsuffix cgo \
     -ldflags "-X containr/internal/api.Version=${VERSION}" -o main cmd/server/main.go
 
 # Node-agent binaries served by the API for SSH/bootstrap installs.
-RUN CGO_ENABLED=0 GOOS=linux GOARCH=amd64 go build -o /agents/containr-agent-linux-amd64 ./cmd/agent && \
+RUN CGO_ENABLED=0 GOOS=linux GOARCH=amd64 go build -ldflags "-X main.version=${VERSION}" -o /agents/containr-agent-linux-amd64 ./cmd/agent && \
-    CGO_ENABLED=0 GOOS=linux GOARCH=arm64 go build -o /agents/containr-agent-linux-arm64 ./cmd/agent
+    CGO_ENABLED=0 GOOS=linux GOARCH=arm64 go build -ldflags "-X main.version=${VERSION}" -o /agents/containr-agent-linux-arm64 ./cmd/agent
 
 # Build embedded Better Auth runtime dependencies
 FROM node:22-alpine AS auth-builder

app/backend/cmd/agent/main.go

@@ -3,14 +3,18 @@ package main
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/hex"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 	"log"
 	"net"
 	"net/http"
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"runtime"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
@@ -104,7 +108,15 @@ type registerResponse struct {
 	Status  string `json:"status"`
 }
 
+// version is stamped at build time via -ldflags "-X main.version=…".
+// The server reports it on upgrades so agents can show what they run.
+var version = "dev"
+
 func main() {
+	if len(os.Args) > 1 && (os.Args[1] == "--version" || os.Args[1] == "version") {
+		fmt.Printf("containr-agent %s\n", version)
+		return
+	}
 	cfg, err := loadConfig()
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatal(err)
@@ -167,6 +179,7 @@ func register(ctx context.Context, client *http.Client, cfg agentConfig) (string
 		"ip_address":   cfg.IP,
 		"port":         cfg.Port,
 		"capabilities": detectCapabilities(),
+		"version":      firstEnv("CONTAINR_AGENT_VERSION", version),
 		// Always send mesh so a removed interface clears stored state.
 		"mesh": detectMeshInterfaces(),
 	}
@@ -190,7 +203,7 @@ func sendHeartbeat(ctx context.Context, client *http.Client, cfg agentConfig, ag
 		"container_count": dockerContainerCount(),
 		"system_load":     readSystemLoad(),
 		"uptime":          readSystemUptime(),
-		"version":         firstEnv("CONTAINR_AGENT_VERSION", "dev"),
+		"version":         firstEnv("CONTAINR_AGENT_VERSION", version),
 	}
 	return postJSON(ctx, client, cfg, "/api/agents/heartbeat", payload, nil)
 }
@@ -216,7 +229,13 @@ func processCommands(ctx context.Context, client *http.Client, cfg agentConfig,
 		return err
 	}
 	for _, item := range list.Commands {
-		result, runErr := executeCommand(item)
+		var result, reexecPath string
+		var runErr error
+		if item.Type == "self_upgrade" {
+			result, reexecPath, runErr = selfUpgrade(cfg, item.Payload)
+		} else {
+			result, runErr = executeCommand(item)
+		}
 		status := "completed"
 		errText := ""
 		if runErr != nil {
@@ -232,6 +251,12 @@ func processCommands(ctx context.Context, client *http.Client, cfg agentConfig,
 		if err := postJSON(ctx, client, cfg, path, payload, nil); err != nil {
 			log.Printf("report command result failed: command=%s err=%v", item.ID, err)
 		}
+		// Re-exec AFTER the result posts — the new binary picks up the loop.
+		if reexecPath != "" {
+			if err := syscall.Exec(reexecPath, os.Args, os.Environ()); err != nil {
+				log.Fatalf("re-exec after upgrade failed: %v", err)
+			}
+		}
 	}
 	return nil
 }
@@ -257,6 +282,67 @@ func executeCommand(item command) (string, error) {
 	}
 }
 
+// selfUpgrade downloads the agent binary the server bundles for this
+// platform, verifies it, swaps it in atomically, and returns the path to
+// re-exec. On any failure the running binary is left untouched.
+func selfUpgrade(cfg agentConfig, payload map[string]interface{}) (string, string, error) {
+	platform := firstString(stringValue(payload["platform"]), runtime.GOOS+"-"+runtime.GOARCH)
+
+	exe, err := os.Executable()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("resolve own path: %w", err)
+	}
+	if resolved, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(exe); err == nil {
+		exe = resolved
+	}
+
+	url := fmt.Sprintf("%s/api/agents/download/%s", cfg.APIURL, platform)
+	req, err := http.NewRequest(http.MethodGet, url, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", "", err
+	}
+	resp, err := (&http.Client{Timeout: 2 * time.Minute}).Do(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("download %s: %w", platform, err)
+	}
+	defer resp.Body.Close()
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("download %s: server returned %d", platform, resp.StatusCode)
+	}
+
+	newPath := exe + ".new"
+	out, err := os.OpenFile(newPath, os.O_WRONLY|os.O_CREATE|os.O_TRUNC, 0o755)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("write %s: %w", newPath, err)
+	}
+	h := sha256.New()
+	if _, err := io.Copy(io.MultiWriter(out, h), resp.Body); err != nil {
+		out.Close()
+		os.Remove(newPath)
+		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("download write: %w", err)
+	}
+	out.Close()
+
+	if want := stringValue(payload["sha256"]); want != "" {
+		if got := hex.EncodeToString(h.Sum(nil)); got != want {
+			os.Remove(newPath)
+			return "", "", fmt.Errorf("sha256 mismatch: got %s want %s", got, want)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Sanity: the new binary must at least report its version.
+	if verOut, err := exec.Command(newPath, "--version").CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+		os.Remove(newPath)
+		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("new binary failed sanity check: %s", strings.TrimSpace(string(verOut)))
+	}
+
+	if err := os.Rename(newPath, exe); err != nil {
+		os.Remove(newPath)
+		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("swap binary: %w", err)
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("upgraded to %s (%s)", firstString(stringValue(payload["version"]), "latest"), platform), exe, nil
+}
+
 // dockerPrune runs a bounded docker system prune. Volumes are excluded
 // unless the payload explicitly opts in — a stray volume prune destroys
 // database data.

app/backend/internal/api/agents.go

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 	"log"
 	"math"
 	"net/http"
@@ -41,6 +42,9 @@ type NodeAgent struct {
 	LastHeartbeat time.Time              `json:"last_heartbeat"`
 	AutoPrune     bool                   `json:"auto_prune"`
 	Schedulable   bool                   `json:"schedulable"`
+	// Tags are operator-set placement labels; services with placement_tags
+	// only schedule onto agents carrying every required tag.
+	Tags          []string               `json:"tags"`
 	CreatedAt     time.Time              `json:"created_at"`
 	UpdatedAt     time.Time              `json:"updated_at"`
 	Metadata      map[string]interface{} `json:"metadata"`
@@ -241,10 +245,15 @@ func (h *NodeAgentHandler) ListNodeOptions(c *gin.Context) {
 	}
 	options := make([]gin.H, 0, len(rows))
 	for _, row := range rows {
+		var tags []string
+		if len(row.Tags) > 0 {
+			_ = json.Unmarshal(row.Tags, &tags)
+		}
 		options = append(options, gin.H{
 			"id":     row.ID,
 			"name":   row.Name,
 			"status": row.Status.String,
+			"tags":   tags,
 		})
 	}
 	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{"nodes": options})
@@ -261,6 +270,7 @@ func agentFromRow(row sqlcdb.NodeAgent) NodeAgent {
 		Version:     row.Version.String,
 		AutoPrune:   row.AutoPrune,
 		Schedulable: row.Schedulable,
+		Tags:        []string{},
 		Metadata:    map[string]interface{}{},
 	}
 	if row.LastHeartbeat.Valid {
@@ -275,6 +285,9 @@ func agentFromRow(row sqlcdb.NodeAgent) NodeAgent {
 	unmarshalRaw(row.Capabilities, &agent.Capabilities)
 	unmarshalRaw(row.Resources, &agent.Resources)
 	unmarshalRaw(row.Metadata, &agent.Metadata)
+	if len(row.Tags) > 0 {
+		_ = json.Unmarshal(row.Tags, &agent.Tags)
+	}
 	return agent
 }
 
@@ -353,6 +366,7 @@ func (h *NodeAgentHandler) RegisterAgent(c *gin.Context) {
 		IPAddress    string            `json:"ip_address" binding:"required"`
 		Port         int               `json:"port" binding:"required"`
 		Capabilities AgentCapabilities `json:"capabilities" binding:"required"`
+		Version      string            `json:"version"`
 		AuthToken    string            `json:"auth_token"`
 		Mesh         map[string]string `json:"mesh"`
 	}
@@ -398,7 +412,8 @@ func (h *NodeAgentHandler) RegisterAgent(c *gin.Context) {
 			IpAddress: existing.IpAddress,
 			Port:      int32(req.Port),
 			Status:    sql.NullString{String: "connecting", Valid: true},
-			Version:       existing.Version,
+			// Older agents don't report a version — keep whatever's stored.
+			Version:       sql.NullString{String: firstNonEmpty(req.Version, existing.Version.String), Valid: true},
 			Capabilities:  rawJSON(req.Capabilities),
 			Resources:     existing.Resources,
 			LastHeartbeat: sql.NullTime{Time: time.Now(), Valid: true},
@@ -450,7 +465,7 @@ func (h *NodeAgentHandler) RegisterAgent(c *gin.Context) {
 		IpAddress:     req.IPAddress,
 		Port:          int32(req.Port),
 		Status:        sql.NullString{String: "connecting", Valid: true},
-		Version:       sql.NullString{},
+		Version:       sql.NullString{String: req.Version, Valid: req.Version != ""},
 		Capabilities:  rawJSON(req.Capabilities),
 		Resources:     rawJSON(resources),
 		LastHeartbeat: sql.NullTime{Time: time.Now(), Valid: true},
@@ -543,7 +558,26 @@ func (h *NodeAgentHandler) UpdateAgent(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{"agent": agentFromRow(updated)})
+	// Tags persist through their own column write — UpdateAgent keeps the
+	// register-path signature untouched.
+	resp := agentFromRow(updated)
+	if raw, ok := updates["tags"]; ok {
+		var tags []string
+		if b, mErr := json.Marshal(raw); mErr == nil {
+			_ = json.Unmarshal(b, &tags)
+		}
+		tags = normalizePlacementTags(tags)
+		if err := h.q.SetAgentTags(ctx, sqlcdb.SetAgentTagsParams{
+			ID:      id,
+			Column2: json.RawMessage(tagsJSON(tags)),
+		}); err != nil {
+			c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to update agent tags"})
+			return
+		}
+		resp.Tags = tags
+	}
+
+	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{"agent": resp})
 }
 
 // applyAgentUpdates merges whitelisted keys from an arbitrary update map.
@@ -911,6 +945,76 @@ func (h *NodeAgentHandler) PruneAgent(c *gin.Context) {
 	c.JSON(http.StatusAccepted, gin.H{"command": command})
 }
 
+// UpgradeAgent enqueues a self_upgrade command: the agent downloads its
+// replacement binary from this server's bundled /download endpoint,
+// verifies the sha256, swaps it in, and re-execs. Fails fast when no
+// bundled binary exists for the agent's architecture.
+func (h *NodeAgentHandler) UpgradeAgent(c *gin.Context) {
+	ctx := c.Request.Context()
+	id := c.Param("id")
+	agent, err := h.q.GetAgent(ctx, id)
+	if err != nil {
+		respondError(c, http.StatusNotFound, "NOT_FOUND", "Agent not found")
+		return
+	}
+	if agent.Status.String != "online" {
+		respondError(c, http.StatusConflict, "NODE_OFFLINE", "node is offline — reconnect it before upgrading")
+		return
+	}
+
+	arch := "amd64"
+	var caps struct {
+		SupportedArchitectures []string `json:"supported_architectures"`
+	}
+	unmarshalRaw(agent.Capabilities, &caps)
+	if len(caps.SupportedArchitectures) > 0 && caps.SupportedArchitectures[0] != "" {
+		arch = caps.SupportedArchitectures[0]
+	}
+	platform := "linux-" + arch // agents only ship for linux today
+
+	dir := os.Getenv("CONTAINR_AGENT_BIN_DIR")
+	if dir == "" {
+		dir = "/agents"
+	}
+	path := filepath.Join(dir, "containr-agent-"+platform)
+	sum, err := sha256File(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		respondError(c, http.StatusConflict, "NO_BINARY",
+			fmt.Sprintf("no bundled agent binary for %s on this server", platform))
+		return
+	}
+
+	command, err := h.q.CreateCommand(ctx, sqlcdb.CreateCommandParams{
+		ID:          uuid.New().String(),
+		Type:        "self_upgrade",
+		NodeAgentID: id,
+		Payload: rawJSON(map[string]interface{}{
+			"platform": platform,
+			"sha256":   sum,
+			"version":  Version,
+		}),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		respondError(c, http.StatusInternalServerError, "INTERNAL", "failed to enqueue upgrade")
+		return
+	}
+	LogAuditWithRequest(c, "node", id, "upgrade", map[string]interface{}{"platform": platform, "version": Version})
+	c.JSON(http.StatusAccepted, gin.H{"command": command, "platform": platform, "version": Version})
+}
+
+func sha256File(path string) (string, error) {
+	f, err := os.Open(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	defer f.Close()
+	h := sha256.New()
+	if _, err := io.Copy(h, f); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return hex.EncodeToString(h.Sum(nil)), nil
+}
+
 // ExecuteCommand executes a command on an agent
 func (h *NodeAgentHandler) ExecuteCommand(c *gin.Context) {
 	agentID := c.Param("id")
@@ -1390,6 +1494,7 @@ func (h *NodeAgentHandler) SetupAdminRoutes(router *gin.RouterGroup) {
 		agents.POST("/:id/cordon", h.CordonAgent)
 		agents.POST("/:id/uncordon", h.UncordonAgent)
 		agents.POST("/:id/drain", h.DrainAgent)
+		agents.POST("/:id/upgrade", h.UpgradeAgent)
 		agents.POST("/:id/prune", h.PruneAgent)
 		agents.POST("/:id/commands", h.ExecuteCommand)
 		agents.GET("/:id/commands", h.GetAgentCommands)

app/backend/internal/api/deployments.go

@@ -425,9 +425,10 @@ func runDeploymentAndSyncWithImage(
 	// on the local host, so remote placement only works for registry-pulled
 	// images — git-sourced and rollback deploys fail fast with that message.
 	nodeID := serviceNodeID(db, service.ID)
-	if nodeID != "" && (service.GitRepo != "" || imageOverride != "") {
+	spread := serviceSpread(db, service.ID)
+	if (nodeID != "" || spread) && (service.GitRepo != "" || imageOverride != "") {
 		failedAt := time.Now()
-		msg := "service is pinned to a remote node but remote nodes only run registry-pulled images (git builds and rollbacks stay local — build-on-node is not yet supported)"
+		msg := "service uses remote node placement but remote nodes only run registry-pulled images (git builds and rollbacks stay local — build-on-node is not yet supported)"
 		_, _ = db.Exec(
 			`UPDATE deployments SET status = 'failed', error = $1, completed_at = $2, updated_at = $2 WHERE id = $3`,
 			msg, failedAt, dbDeployment.ID,
@@ -462,6 +463,7 @@ func runDeploymentAndSyncWithImage(
 			MaintenanceURL: maintURL,
 			BasicAuthUsers: basicAuthUsers,
 			NodeID:         nodeID,
+			Spread:         spread,
 		},
 		Trigger: deployment.TriggerConfig{
 			Type:      req.Trigger,

app/backend/internal/api/noderunner.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"crypto/sha256"
 	"database/sql"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
@@ -48,6 +49,88 @@ func (r *agentNodeRunner) ReconcileOnNode(ctx context.Context, spec deployment.R
 	if !agent.Status.Valid || agent.Status.String != "online" {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("node %s is %s — heartbeats resume scheduling when it reconnects", agent.Name, agent.Status.String)
 	}
+	return r.reconcileOnAgents(ctx, spec, func(int) string { return spec.NodeID })
+}
+
+// ReconcileSpread distributes replicas deterministically across online,
+// schedulable agents: replica i lands on agents[i % len(agents)], agents
+// sorted by id. Replicas wrap when they outnumber nodes. The local host is
+// not a spread target — pin "local" or leave unset for local execution.
+func (r *agentNodeRunner) ReconcileSpread(ctx context.Context, spec deployment.RuntimeSpec) (*deployment.RuntimeState, error) {
+	tagsRaw, _ := json.Marshal(spec.PlacementTags)
+	if len(spec.PlacementTags) == 0 {
+		tagsRaw = []byte("[]")
+	}
+	agents, err := r.q.ListSchedulableAgentsMatching(ctx, json.RawMessage(tagsRaw))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("list schedulable nodes: %w", err)
+	}
+	if len(agents) == 0 {
+		if len(spec.PlacementTags) > 0 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("no online schedulable nodes carry placement tags %v — tag a node or relax the requirement", spec.PlacementTags)
+		}
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("no online schedulable nodes — connect an agent or unset spread")
+	}
+	return r.reconcileOnAgents(ctx, spec, func(i int) string {
+		return agents[i%len(agents)].ID
+	})
+}
+
+// ReconcileAuto resolves the least-loaded online agent matching the
+// service's placement tags and reconciles every replica onto it. Stale
+// replicas on other agents retire through reconcileOnAgents — a service
+// follows its tags when the matching set changes.
+func (r *agentNodeRunner) ReconcileAuto(ctx context.Context, spec deployment.RuntimeSpec) (*deployment.RuntimeState, error) {
+	tagsRaw, _ := json.Marshal(spec.PlacementTags)
+	if len(spec.PlacementTags) == 0 {
+		tagsRaw = []byte("[]")
+	}
+	agentID, err := r.q.PickLeastLoadedAgentMatching(ctx, json.RawMessage(tagsRaw))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("no online nodes carry placement tags %v", spec.PlacementTags)
+	}
+	return r.reconcileOnAgents(ctx, spec, func(int) string { return agentID })
+}
+
+// RemoteRuntimeState reads the service's remote replicas from inventory.
+// Rows only carry the last dispatched state — the agent doesn't stream
+// container events — so "running" means "last create succeeded".
+func (r *agentNodeRunner) RemoteRuntimeState(ctx context.Context, serviceID string) (*deployment.RuntimeState, error) {
+	rows, err := r.q.ListServiceContainers(ctx, serviceID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	state := &deployment.RuntimeState{Status: "stopped"}
+	running := 0
+	for _, row := range rows {
+		var status struct {
+			State string `json:"state"`
+		}
+		unmarshalRaw(row.Status, &status)
+		if status.State == "" || status.State == "removed" {
+			continue
+		}
+		replica := -1
+		if idx, err := strconv.Atoi(strings.TrimPrefix(row.Name, fmt.Sprintf("containr-%s-", serviceID))); err == nil {
+			replica = idx
+		}
+		state.Containers = append(state.Containers, deployment.RuntimeContainer{
+			ID: row.ID, Name: row.Name, State: status.State, Replica: replica,
+		})
+		if status.State == "running" {
+			running++
+		}
+	}
+	if running > 0 {
+		state.Status = "running"
+	}
+	return state, nil
+}
+
+// reconcileOnAgents creates the service's replicas on the agents chosen by
+// targetFor and retires stale replicas on any agent — including leftovers
+// from a previous pin or a different spread assignment.
+func (r *agentNodeRunner) reconcileOnAgents(ctx context.Context, spec deployment.RuntimeSpec, targetFor func(replica int) string) (*deployment.RuntimeState, error) {
 	if len(spec.Domains) > 0 || spec.Domain != "" {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("domains are routed by the local Traefik — remove the service's domains or run it on the local node")
 	}
@@ -57,31 +140,68 @@ func (r *agentNodeRunner) ReconcileOnNode(ctx context.Context, spec deployment.R
 		replicas = 1
 	}
 
-	// Retire replicas above the desired count using inventory rows.
 	prefix := fmt.Sprintf("containr-%s-", spec.ServiceID)
-	existing, _ := r.q.ListContainersForAgent(ctx, spec.NodeID)
+	existing, _ := r.q.ListServiceContainers(ctx, spec.ServiceID)
 	for _, row := range existing {
-		if row.ServiceID != spec.ServiceID || !strings.HasPrefix(row.Name, prefix) {
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(row.Name, prefix) {
 			continue
 		}
 		replica, err := strconv.Atoi(strings.TrimPrefix(row.Name, prefix))
-		if err == nil && replica >= replicas {
+		keep := err == nil && replica < replicas && row.NodeAgentID == targetFor(replica)
-			if cmdErr := r.enqueueAndWait(ctx, spec.NodeID, "", "remove_container",
+		if keep {
+			continue
+		}
+		if cmdErr := r.enqueueAndWait(ctx, row.NodeAgentID, "", "remove_container",
 			map[string]interface{}{"container_name": row.Name}); cmdErr != nil {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("remove stale replica %s: %w", row.Name, cmdErr)
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("remove stale replica %s on node %s: %w", row.Name, row.NodeAgentID, cmdErr)
 		}
 		_ = r.q.UpdateContainerStatus(ctx, sqlcdb.UpdateContainerStatusParams{
 			ID:     row.ID,
 			Status: rawJSON(map[string]interface{}{"state": "removed"}),
 		})
 	}
-	}
 
 	state := &deployment.RuntimeState{Desired: replicas, Status: "running"}
 	for i := 0; i < replicas; i++ {
+		agentID := targetFor(i)
 		name := remoteContainerName(spec.ServiceID, i)
-		containerID := remoteContainerID(spec.NodeID, spec.ServiceID, i)
+		containerID := remoteContainerID(agentID, spec.ServiceID, i)
+		container, env, ports, volumes, restart := r.replicaPayload(spec, agentID, i, name)
 
+		_ = r.q.UpsertServiceContainer(ctx, sqlcdb.UpsertServiceContainerParams{
+			ID:            containerID,
+			Name:          name,
+			Image:         spec.Image,
+			ProjectID:     spec.ProjectID,
+			ServiceID:     spec.ServiceID,
+			NodeAgentID:   agentID,
+			Status:        rawJSON(map[string]interface{}{"state": "created", "health": "none"}),
+			Resources:     rawJSON(map[string]interface{}{"memory": spec.MemoryBytes, "cpus": float64(spec.NanoCPUs) / 1e9}),
+			Ports:         rawJSON(ports),
+			Environment:   rawJSON(env),
+			Volumes:       rawJSON(volumes),
+			Networks:      rawJSON([]string{}),
+			RestartPolicy: rawJSON(map[string]interface{}{"name": restart}),
+			HealthCheck:   rawJSON(map[string]interface{}{"path": spec.HealthPath}),
+		})
+
+		if err := r.enqueueAndWait(ctx, agentID, containerID, "create_container",
+			map[string]interface{}{"container": container}); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("replica %d on node %s: %w", i, agentID, err)
+		}
+		_ = r.q.UpdateContainerStatus(ctx, sqlcdb.UpdateContainerStatusParams{
+			ID:     containerID,
+			Status: rawJSON(map[string]interface{}{"state": "running", "health": "none"}),
+		})
+		state.Containers = append(state.Containers, deployment.RuntimeContainer{
+			ID: containerID, Name: name, State: "running", Replica: i,
+		})
+	}
+	return state, nil
+}
+
+// replicaPayload builds the agent create_container payload for one replica.
+func (r *agentNodeRunner) replicaPayload(spec deployment.RuntimeSpec, agentID string, i int, name string) (map[string]interface{}, map[string]interface{}, []interface{}, []interface{}, string) {
 	ports := []interface{}{}
 	if spec.Port > 0 {
 		hostPort := spec.PublishedPort // 0 → ephemeral on the node
@@ -113,7 +233,7 @@ func (r *agentNodeRunner) ReconcileOnNode(ctx context.Context, spec deployment.R
 	for _, arg := range spec.Command {
 		cmd = append(cmd, arg)
 	}
-		container := map[string]interface{}{
+	return map[string]interface{}{
 		"name":           name,
 		"image":          spec.Image,
 		"command":        cmd,
@@ -129,40 +249,9 @@ func (r *agentNodeRunner) ReconcileOnNode(ctx context.Context, spec deployment.R
 			"containr.project": spec.ProjectID,
 			"containr.service": spec.ServiceID,
 			"containr.replica": fmt.Sprint(i),
-				"containr.node":    spec.NodeID,
+			"containr.node":    agentID,
 		},
-		}
+	}, env, ports, volumes, restart
-
-		_ = r.q.UpsertServiceContainer(ctx, sqlcdb.UpsertServiceContainerParams{
-			ID:            containerID,
-			Name:          name,
-			Image:         spec.Image,
-			ProjectID:     spec.ProjectID,
-			ServiceID:     spec.ServiceID,
-			NodeAgentID:   spec.NodeID,
-			Status:        rawJSON(map[string]interface{}{"state": "created", "health": "none"}),
-			Resources:     rawJSON(map[string]interface{}{"memory": spec.MemoryBytes, "cpus": float64(spec.NanoCPUs) / 1e9}),
-			Ports:         rawJSON(ports),
-			Environment:   rawJSON(env),
-			Volumes:       rawJSON(volumes),
-			Networks:      rawJSON([]string{}),
-			RestartPolicy: rawJSON(map[string]interface{}{"name": restart}),
-			HealthCheck:   rawJSON(map[string]interface{}{"path": spec.HealthPath}),
-		})
-
-		if err := r.enqueueAndWait(ctx, spec.NodeID, containerID, "create_container",
-			map[string]interface{}{"container": container}); err != nil {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("replica %d on %s: %w", i, agent.Name, err)
-		}
-		_ = r.q.UpdateContainerStatus(ctx, sqlcdb.UpdateContainerStatusParams{
-			ID:     containerID,
-			Status: rawJSON(map[string]interface{}{"state": "running", "health": "none"}),
-		})
-		state.Containers = append(state.Containers, deployment.RuntimeContainer{
-			ID: containerID, Name: name, State: "running", Replica: i,
-		})
-	}
-	return state, nil
 }
 
 // pullCredentials resolves the project owner's registry auth for the image
@@ -279,16 +368,25 @@ func (r *agentNodeRunner) enqueueAndWait(ctx context.Context, agentID, container
 }
 
 // resolveNodePin validates or resolves a node_id request value. "auto" picks
-// the least-loaded online agent; "" / "local" clears the pin.
+// the least-loaded online agent that carries every required placement tag;
-func resolveNodePin(ctx context.Context, db *database.DB, requested string) (string, error) {
+// "" / "local" clears the pin. An explicit pin bypasses tag filtering —
+// the operator is overriding placement on purpose.
+func resolveNodePin(ctx context.Context, db *database.DB, requested string, requiredTags []string) (string, error) {
 	requested = strings.TrimSpace(requested)
 	if requested == "" || requested == "local" {
 		return "", nil
 	}
 	q := sqlcdb.New(db.DB)
 	if requested == "auto" {
-		id, err := q.PickLeastLoadedAgent(ctx)
+		tagsRaw, _ := json.Marshal(requiredTags)
+		if len(requiredTags) == 0 {
+			tagsRaw = []byte("[]")
+		}
+		id, err := q.PickLeastLoadedAgentMatching(ctx, json.RawMessage(tagsRaw))
 		if err != nil {
+			if len(requiredTags) > 0 {
+				return "", fmt.Errorf("no online nodes carry placement tags %v", requiredTags)
+			}
 			return "", fmt.Errorf("no online nodes available")
 		}
 		return id, nil

app/backend/internal/api/runtime.go

@@ -18,13 +18,37 @@ import (
 	"github.com/google/uuid"
 )
 
-// serviceLifecycle routes a start/stop/restart action to the node agent when
+// remoteAgentsForService lists every agent holding inventory rows for the
-// the service is pinned, or to the local Docker engine otherwise. Remote
+// service — covers pinned placements, spread replicas, and leftovers from a
-// actions block on the agent's poll loop; that matches the synchronous
+// since-cleared pin.
-// behavior the local path already has.
+func remoteAgentsForService(ctx context.Context, db *database.DB, serviceID uuid.UUID) []string {
+	rows, err := db.Query(
+		`SELECT DISTINCT node_agent_id FROM container_instances WHERE service_id = $1`,
+		serviceID,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	var ids []string
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var id string
+		if rows.Scan(&id) == nil && id != "" {
+			ids = append(ids, id)
+		}
+	}
+	return ids
+}
+
+// serviceLifecycle routes a start/stop/restart action to every agent holding
+// the service's replicas, then to the local Docker engine. Both run — a
+// service can't be pinned and local at once, but stale containers from a
+// cleared pin shouldn't survive a stop.
 func serviceLifecycle(ctx context.Context, db *database.DB, engine *deployment.DeploymentEngine, serviceID uuid.UUID, action string) error {
-	if nodeID := serviceNodeID(db, serviceID); nodeID != "" {
+	for _, agentID := range remoteAgentsForService(ctx, db, serviceID) {
-		return engine.ControlServiceOnNode(ctx, serviceID.String(), nodeID, action)
+		if err := engine.ControlServiceOnNode(ctx, serviceID.String(), agentID, action); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
 	}
 	switch action {
 	case "start":
@@ -40,12 +64,11 @@ func serviceLifecycle(ctx context.Context, db *database.DB, engine *deployment.D
 	return fmt.Errorf("unsupported lifecycle action %q", action)
 }
 
-// removeServiceRuntime tears down replicas wherever they run — remote node
+// removeServiceRuntime tears down replicas wherever they run — remote nodes
-// when pinned, local Docker otherwise.
+// (pinned or spread) and the local Docker host.
 func removeServiceRuntime(ctx context.Context, db *database.DB, engine *deployment.DeploymentEngine, serviceID uuid.UUID) {
-	if nodeID := serviceNodeID(db, serviceID); nodeID != "" {
+	for _, agentID := range remoteAgentsForService(ctx, db, serviceID) {
-		_ = engine.RemoveServiceContainersOnNode(ctx, serviceID.String(), nodeID)
+		_ = engine.RemoveServiceContainersOnNode(ctx, serviceID.String(), agentID)
-		return
 	}
 	_ = engine.RemoveServiceContainers(ctx, serviceID.String())
 }
@@ -70,6 +93,8 @@ func serviceRuntimeSpec(db *database.DB, service Service) (deployment.RuntimeSpe
 		HealthPath:    service.HealthCheckPath,
 		RestartPolicy: service.RestartPolicy,
 		NodeID:        serviceNodeID(db, service.ID),
+		Spread:        serviceSpread(db, service.ID),
+		PlacementTags: servicePlacementTags(db, service.ID),
 	}
 	// Best effort: reuse the host port from the last live deployment so the
 	// public URL survives restarts. Column exists post-migration; older DBs
@@ -374,6 +399,7 @@ func handleGetServiceRuntime(c *gin.Context) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": err.Error()})
 		return
 	}
+	mergeRemoteRuntime(c.Request.Context(), engine, service.ID.String(), state)
 	engine.ProbeServiceHealth(c.Request.Context(), state, service.ProjectID.String(), service.Name, service.Port, service.HealthCheckPath)
 	persistPublishedPort(db, service.ID, state.Ports)
 	if host := requestHostname(c); host != "" {
@@ -564,6 +590,37 @@ func enqueueServiceRedeploy(c *gin.Context, db *database.DB, service Service) bo
 	return true
 }
 
+// mergeRemoteRuntime folds inventory-backed remote replica state into a
+// local runtime view so pinned and spread services report their containers.
+// Remote rows carry deterministic UUIDs, local ones Docker IDs — no overlap.
+func mergeRemoteRuntime(ctx context.Context, engine *deployment.DeploymentEngine, serviceID string, state *deployment.RuntimeState) {
+	remote, err := engine.RemoteRuntimeState(ctx, serviceID)
+	if err != nil || remote == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	running := 0
+	for _, c := range state.Containers {
+		if c.State == "running" {
+			running++
+		}
+	}
+	for _, rc := range remote.Containers {
+		state.Containers = append(state.Containers, rc)
+		if rc.State == "running" {
+			running++
+		}
+	}
+	switch {
+	case len(state.Containers) == 0:
+	case running == 0:
+		state.Status = "stopped"
+	case running < state.Desired:
+		state.Status = "degraded"
+	default:
+		state.Status = "running"
+	}
+}
+
 // persistPublishedPort records the host port Docker actually bound so later
 // redeploys can reuse it. Idempotent — only writes when the value changed.
 func persistPublishedPort(db *database.DB, serviceID uuid.UUID, ports []uint16) {
@@ -587,7 +644,11 @@ func liveServiceStatus(c *gin.Context, db *database.DB, service *Service) {
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(c.Request.Context(), 3*time.Second)
 	defer cancel()
 	state, err := engine.RuntimeState(ctx, service.ID.String(), service.Replicas)
-	if err != nil || state == nil || len(state.Containers) == 0 {
+	if err != nil || state == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	mergeRemoteRuntime(ctx, engine, service.ID.String(), state)
+	if len(state.Containers) == 0 {
 		return
 	}
 	if state.Status != service.Status {

app/backend/internal/api/services.go

@@ -53,6 +53,12 @@ type Service struct {
 	// resolved "auto" picks the least-loaded online agent at write time).
 	NodeID   string `json:"node_id,omitempty" db:"-"`
 	NodeName string `json:"node_name,omitempty" db:"-"`
+	// Spread distributes replicas across every online, schedulable agent.
+	// Mutually exclusive with an explicit NodeID pin.
+	Spread bool `json:"spread" db:"-"`
+	// PlacementTags restrict auto/spread candidates to agents carrying all
+	// listed tags. An explicit pin overrides them — pin + tags is rejected.
+	PlacementTags []string  `json:"placement_tags,omitempty" db:"-"`
 	CreatedAt     time.Time `json:"created_at" db:"created_at"`
 	UpdatedAt     time.Time `json:"updated_at" db:"updated_at"`
 }
@@ -79,10 +85,60 @@ func serviceNodeID(db *database.DB, serviceID uuid.UUID) string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-// loadServiceNode fills the pin + the agent's display name for responses.
+// serviceSpread reads the spread column with the same lazy pattern.
+func serviceSpread(db *database.DB, serviceID uuid.UUID) bool {
+	var spread bool
+	if err := db.QueryRow(`SELECT COALESCE(spread, false) FROM services WHERE id = $1`, serviceID).Scan(&spread); err == nil {
+		return spread
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// servicePlacementTags reads the placement_tags column with the lazy pattern.
+func servicePlacementTags(db *database.DB, serviceID uuid.UUID) []string {
+	var raw []byte
+	if err := db.QueryRow(`SELECT placement_tags FROM services WHERE id = $1`, serviceID).Scan(&raw); err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var tags []string
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &tags); err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return tags
+}
+
+// normalizePlacementTags trims, lowercases, and dedupes tag input. Tags are
+// matched verbatim against node_agents.tags.
+func normalizePlacementTags(tags []string) []string {
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(tags))
+	for _, t := range tags {
+		t = strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(t))
+		if t == "" || seen[t] {
+			continue
+		}
+		seen[t] = true
+		out = append(out, t)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// tagsJSON marshals a tag list for a jsonb column; empty stays an array, not null.
+func tagsJSON(tags []string) []byte {
+	if len(tags) == 0 {
+		return []byte("[]")
+	}
+	raw, _ := json.Marshal(tags)
+	return raw
+}
+
+// loadServiceNode fills the pin + spread + placement tags + the agent's
+// display name for responses.
 func loadServiceNode(db *database.DB, s *Service) {
 	var name sql.NullString
 	s.NodeID = serviceNodeID(db, s.ID)
+	s.Spread = serviceSpread(db, s.ID)
+	s.PlacementTags = servicePlacementTags(db, s.ID)
 	if s.NodeID == "" {
 		return
 	}
@@ -171,6 +227,12 @@ type CreateServiceRequest struct {
 	// NodeID pins placement to a node agent; "auto" picks the least-loaded
 	// online agent, "local"/"" runs on the Containr host.
 	NodeID string `json:"node_id"`
+	// Spread distributes replicas across every online, schedulable agent.
+	// Mutually exclusive with an explicit node pin.
+	Spread *bool `json:"spread"`
+	// PlacementTags restrict auto/spread candidates to agents carrying all
+	// listed tags. Mutually exclusive with an explicit node pin.
+	PlacementTags []string `json:"placement_tags"`
 }
 
 // UpdateServiceRequest represents a request to update a service
@@ -202,6 +264,13 @@ type UpdateServiceRequest struct {
 	SleepIdleMinutes *int             `json:"sleep_idle_minutes"`
 	// NodeID pins placement; pointer so "local"/"" explicitly clears the pin.
 	NodeID *string `json:"node_id"`
+	// Spread toggles multi-node replica distribution; pointer so false is
+	// a real update, not a missing field.
+	Spread *bool `json:"spread"`
+	// PlacementTags restrict auto/spread candidates to agents carrying all
+	// listed tags; pointer so [] clears the requirement. Mutually exclusive
+	// with an explicit node pin.
+	PlacementTags *[]string `json:"placement_tags"`
 }
 
 // handleGetServices retrieves all services for a project
@@ -442,14 +511,28 @@ func handleCreateService(c *gin.Context) {
 
 	sourceType := inferServiceSourceType(service)
 
+	if req.Spread != nil {
+		service.Spread = *req.Spread
+	}
+	service.PlacementTags = normalizePlacementTags(req.PlacementTags)
 	if req.NodeID != "" {
-		nodeID, nodeErr := resolveNodePin(c.Request.Context(), db.(*database.DB), req.NodeID)
+		if service.Spread && req.NodeID != "auto" && req.NodeID != "local" {
+			c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "spread and an explicit node pin are mutually exclusive", "code": "VALIDATION"})
+			return
+		}
+		if len(service.PlacementTags) > 0 && req.NodeID != "auto" {
+			c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "placement tags only apply to remote placement — set node_id=\"auto\" or omit it", "code": "VALIDATION"})
+			return
+		}
+		nodeID, nodeErr := resolveNodePin(c.Request.Context(), db.(*database.DB), req.NodeID, service.PlacementTags)
 		if nodeErr != nil {
 			c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": nodeErr.Error(), "code": "VALIDATION"})
 			return
 		}
+		if !service.Spread {
 			service.NodeID = nodeID
 		}
+	}
 
 	// Insert service into database
 	_, err = db.(*database.DB).Exec(
@@ -459,9 +542,9 @@ func handleCreateService(c *gin.Context) {
 				 git_repo, git_branch, build_path, cpu, memory, replicas, port, domain,
 				 healthcheck_path, restart_policy, volumes,
 				 builder, cpu_reserve, memory_reserve, static_build_cmd, static_dir,
-				 node_id, created_at, updated_at)
+				 node_id, spread, placement_tags, created_at, updated_at)
 			VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8, $9, $10, $11, $12, $13, $14, $15, $16, $17, $18, $19, $20, $21, $22, $23, $24, $25, $26,
-					$27, $28, $29, $30, $31, $32, $33, $34)`,
+					$27, $28, $29, $30, $31, $32, $33, $34, $35, $36)`,
 		service.ID, service.ProjectID, service.Name, environmentID, service.Type,
 		sourceType, firstNonEmpty(service.GitRepo, service.Image), service.Image,
 		"", service.Command, service.Type, service.Status, service.Image, service.Command,
@@ -470,6 +553,8 @@ func handleCreateService(c *gin.Context) {
 		volumesJSON, service.Builder, service.CPUReserve, service.MemoryReserve,
 		service.StaticBuildCmd, service.StaticDir,
 		sql.NullString{String: service.NodeID, Valid: service.NodeID != ""},
+		service.Spread,
+		tagsJSON(service.PlacementTags),
 		service.CreatedAt, service.UpdatedAt,
 	)
 
@@ -772,8 +857,27 @@ func handleUpdateService(c *gin.Context) {
 		volumesArg = volumesJSON
 	}
 
+	if req.Spread != nil {
+		existingService.Spread = *req.Spread
+	} else {
+		existingService.Spread = serviceSpread(db.(*database.DB), serviceID)
+	}
+	if req.PlacementTags != nil {
+		existingService.PlacementTags = normalizePlacementTags(*req.PlacementTags)
+	} else {
+		existingService.PlacementTags = servicePlacementTags(db.(*database.DB), serviceID)
+	}
 	if req.NodeID != nil {
-		nodeID, nodeErr := resolveNodePin(c.Request.Context(), db.(*database.DB), *req.NodeID)
+		nodeValue := strings.TrimSpace(*req.NodeID)
+		if existingService.Spread && nodeValue != "" && nodeValue != "auto" && nodeValue != "local" {
+			c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "spread and an explicit node pin are mutually exclusive — set spread=false first", "code": "VALIDATION"})
+			return
+		}
+		if len(existingService.PlacementTags) > 0 && nodeValue != "" && nodeValue != "auto" {
+			c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "service has placement tags — clear them (placement_tags=[]) before pinning or going local", "code": "VALIDATION"})
+			return
+		}
+		nodeID, nodeErr := resolveNodePin(c.Request.Context(), db.(*database.DB), nodeValue, existingService.PlacementTags)
 		if nodeErr != nil {
 			c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": nodeErr.Error(), "code": "VALIDATION"})
 			return
@@ -782,6 +886,14 @@ func handleUpdateService(c *gin.Context) {
 	} else {
 		existingService.NodeID = serviceNodeID(db.(*database.DB), serviceID)
 	}
+	if existingService.Spread && existingService.NodeID != "" {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "service already has an explicit node pin — clear it (node_id=\"local\") before enabling spread", "code": "VALIDATION"})
+		return
+	}
+	if len(existingService.PlacementTags) > 0 && existingService.NodeID != "" {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "service already has an explicit node pin — clear it (node_id=\"local\") before setting placement tags", "code": "VALIDATION"})
+		return
+	}
 
 	existingService.UpdatedAt = time.Now()
 
@@ -794,7 +906,8 @@ func handleUpdateService(c *gin.Context) {
 				restart_policy = $15, volumes = COALESCE($17::jsonb, volumes), updated_at = $16,
 				builder = $19, cpu_reserve = $20, memory_reserve = $21,
 				static_build_cmd = $22, static_dir = $23,
-				sleep_enabled = $24, sleep_idle_minutes = $25, node_id = $26
+				sleep_enabled = $24, sleep_idle_minutes = $25, node_id = $26, spread = $27,
+				placement_tags = $28::jsonb
 			WHERE id = $18`,
 		existingService.Name, existingService.Type, existingService.Image, existingService.Command,
 		existingService.Environment, existingService.GitRepo, existingService.GitBranch,
@@ -806,6 +919,8 @@ func handleUpdateService(c *gin.Context) {
 		existingService.StaticBuildCmd, existingService.StaticDir,
 		existingService.SleepEnabled, existingService.SleepIdleMinutes,
 		sql.NullString{String: existingService.NodeID, Valid: existingService.NodeID != ""},
+		existingService.Spread,
+		tagsJSON(existingService.PlacementTags),
 	)
 
 	if err != nil {

app/backend/internal/cli/commands/nodes.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package commands
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ var nodesDeleteCmd = &cobra.Command{
 
 var nodesUpdateCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "update <id>",
-	Short: "Update a node agent (--name, --auto-prune)",
+	Short: "Update a node agent (--name, --auto-prune, --tags)",
 	Args:  cobra.ExactArgs(1),
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		c, err := client()
@@ -97,8 +98,18 @@ var nodesUpdateCmd = &cobra.Command{
 		if cmd.Flags().Changed("auto-prune") {
 			body["auto_prune"], _ = cmd.Flags().GetBool("auto-prune")
 		}
+		if cmd.Flags().Changed("tags") {
+			raw, _ := cmd.Flags().GetString("tags")
+			tags := []string{}
+			for _, t := range strings.Split(raw, ",") {
+				if t = strings.TrimSpace(t); t != "" {
+					tags = append(tags, t)
+				}
+			}
+			body["tags"] = tags
+		}
 		if len(body) == 0 {
-			return &APIError{Message: "nothing to update — pass --name or --auto-prune", ExitCode: ExitError}
+			return &APIError{Message: "nothing to update — pass --name, --auto-prune or --tags", ExitCode: ExitError}
 		}
 		data, err := c.Do("PUT", "/agents/"+args[0], body)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -190,6 +201,24 @@ var nodesDrainCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	},
 }
 
+var nodesUpgradeCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:   "upgrade <id>",
+	Short: "Upgrade the node agent to the server's bundled binary",
+	Args:  cobra.ExactArgs(1),
+	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		c, err := client()
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		data, err := c.Do("POST", "/agents/"+args[0]+"/upgrade", nil)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		PrintRaw(data)
+		return nil
+	},
+}
+
 var nodesCommandsCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "commands <id>",
 	Short: "List recent commands sent to a node agent",
@@ -274,8 +303,9 @@ var nodeTokensRevokeCmd = &cobra.Command{
 func init() {
 	nodesUpdateCmd.Flags().String("name", "", "node display name")
 	nodesUpdateCmd.Flags().Bool("auto-prune", false, "enqueue a daily bounded docker prune")
+	nodesUpdateCmd.Flags().String("tags", "", "comma-separated placement tags (services with placement_tags only schedule onto matching nodes)")
 	nodesPruneCmd.Flags().String("until", "", "only prune objects older than this duration (e.g. 168h)")
 	nodesPruneCmd.Flags().Bool("volumes", false, "also prune volumes (destructive — asks twice)")
 	nodeTokensCmd.AddCommand(nodeTokensIssueCmd, nodeTokensListCmd, nodeTokensRevokeCmd)
-	NodesCmd.AddCommand(nodesListCmd, nodesGetCmd, nodesUpdateCmd, nodesCordonCmd, nodesUncordonCmd, nodesDrainCmd, nodesPruneCmd, nodesCommandsCmd, nodesDeleteCmd, nodeTokensCmd)
+	NodesCmd.AddCommand(nodesListCmd, nodesGetCmd, nodesUpdateCmd, nodesCordonCmd, nodesUncordonCmd, nodesDrainCmd, nodesUpgradeCmd, nodesPruneCmd, nodesCommandsCmd, nodesDeleteCmd, nodeTokensCmd)
 }

app/backend/internal/cli/commands/services.go

@@ -114,6 +114,18 @@ var servicesCreateCmd = &cobra.Command{
 		if v, _ := cmd.Flags().GetInt("replicas"); v > 0 {
 			body["replicas"] = v
 		}
+		if v, _ := cmd.Flags().GetBool("spread"); v {
+			body["spread"] = v
+		}
+		if v, _ := cmd.Flags().GetString("placement-tags"); v != "" {
+			tags := []string{}
+			for _, t := range strings.Split(v, ",") {
+				if t = strings.TrimSpace(t); t != "" {
+					tags = append(tags, t)
+				}
+			}
+			body["placement_tags"] = tags
+		}
 		data, err := c.Do("POST", "/projects/"+args[0]+"/services", body)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -203,6 +215,20 @@ var servicesUpdateCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			v, _ := cmd.Flags().GetBool("sleep")
 			body["sleep_enabled"] = v
 		}
+		if cmd.Flags().Changed("spread") {
+			v, _ := cmd.Flags().GetBool("spread")
+			body["spread"] = v
+		}
+		if cmd.Flags().Changed("placement-tags") {
+			v, _ := cmd.Flags().GetString("placement-tags")
+			tags := []string{}
+			for _, t := range strings.Split(v, ",") {
+				if t = strings.TrimSpace(t); t != "" {
+					tags = append(tags, t)
+				}
+			}
+			body["placement_tags"] = tags
+		}
 		if cmd.Flags().Changed("sleep-idle") {
 			v, _ := cmd.Flags().GetInt("sleep-idle")
 			body["sleep_idle_minutes"] = v
@@ -495,6 +521,8 @@ func init() {
 	f.String("static-cmd", "", "build command for the static builder")
 	f.String("static-dir", "", "output dir for the static builder (default dist)")
 	f.String("node", "", "pin to a node agent id, or 'auto' for least-loaded (image services only)")
+	f.Bool("spread", false, "distribute replicas across all online schedulable nodes")
+	f.String("placement-tags", "", "comma-separated node tags required for remote placement (auto/spread only)")
 
 	uf := servicesUpdateCmd.Flags()
 	uf.String("name", "", "service name")
@@ -520,6 +548,8 @@ func init() {
 	uf.Bool("sleep", false, "enable scale-to-zero on idle (sleep mode)")
 	uf.Int("sleep-idle", 0, "idle minutes before sleeping (1-1440)")
 	uf.String("node", "", "pin to a node agent id, 'auto' for least-loaded, 'local' to clear")
+	uf.Bool("spread", false, "spread replicas across all online schedulable nodes (--spread=false to disable)")
+	uf.String("placement-tags", "", "comma-separated node tags required for remote placement (empty clears)")
 
 	for _, a := range []string{"start", "stop", "restart", "redeploy", "sleep", "wake"} {
 		verb := a

app/backend/internal/database/sqlcdb/agents.sql.go

@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ INSERT INTO node_agents (
     id, name, hostname, ip_address, port, status, version,
     capabilities, resources, last_heartbeat, metadata
 ) VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8, $9, $10, $11)
-RETURNING id, name, hostname, ip_address, port, status, version, capabilities, resources, last_heartbeat, created_at, updated_at, metadata, auto_prune, schedulable
+RETURNING id, name, hostname, ip_address, port, status, version, capabilities, resources, last_heartbeat, created_at, updated_at, metadata, auto_prune, schedulable, tags
 `
 
 type CreateAgentParams struct {
@@ -123,6 +123,7 @@ func (q *Queries) CreateAgent(ctx context.Context, arg CreateAgentParams) (NodeA
 		&i.Metadata,
 		&i.AutoPrune,
 		&i.Schedulable,
+		&i.Tags,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
@@ -257,7 +258,7 @@ func (q *Queries) DeleteServiceContainersOnAgent(ctx context.Context, arg Delete
 }
 
 const getAgent = `-- name: GetAgent :one
-SELECT id, name, hostname, ip_address, port, status, version, capabilities, resources, last_heartbeat, created_at, updated_at, metadata, auto_prune, schedulable FROM node_agents WHERE id = $1
+SELECT id, name, hostname, ip_address, port, status, version, capabilities, resources, last_heartbeat, created_at, updated_at, metadata, auto_prune, schedulable, tags FROM node_agents WHERE id = $1
 `
 
 func (q *Queries) GetAgent(ctx context.Context, id string) (NodeAgent, error) {
@@ -279,12 +280,13 @@ func (q *Queries) GetAgent(ctx context.Context, id string) (NodeAgent, error) {
 		&i.Metadata,
 		&i.AutoPrune,
 		&i.Schedulable,
+		&i.Tags,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
 
 const getAgentByHostAndIP = `-- name: GetAgentByHostAndIP :one
-SELECT id, name, hostname, ip_address, port, status, version, capabilities, resources, last_heartbeat, created_at, updated_at, metadata, auto_prune, schedulable FROM node_agents
+SELECT id, name, hostname, ip_address, port, status, version, capabilities, resources, last_heartbeat, created_at, updated_at, metadata, auto_prune, schedulable, tags FROM node_agents
 WHERE hostname = $1 AND ip_address = $2
 LIMIT 1
 `
@@ -313,6 +315,7 @@ func (q *Queries) GetAgentByHostAndIP(ctx context.Context, arg GetAgentByHostAnd
 		&i.Metadata,
 		&i.AutoPrune,
 		&i.Schedulable,
+		&i.Tags,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
@@ -520,7 +523,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListAgentHeartbeatsSince(ctx context.Context, arg ListAgentHea
 }
 
 const listAgents = `-- name: ListAgents :many
-SELECT id, name, hostname, ip_address, port, status, version, capabilities, resources, last_heartbeat, created_at, updated_at, metadata, auto_prune, schedulable FROM node_agents ORDER BY created_at ASC
+SELECT id, name, hostname, ip_address, port, status, version, capabilities, resources, last_heartbeat, created_at, updated_at, metadata, auto_prune, schedulable, tags FROM node_agents ORDER BY created_at ASC
 `
 
 func (q *Queries) ListAgents(ctx context.Context) ([]NodeAgent, error) {
@@ -548,6 +551,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListAgents(ctx context.Context) ([]NodeAgent, error) {
 			&i.Metadata,
 			&i.AutoPrune,
 			&i.Schedulable,
+			&i.Tags,
 		); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -691,6 +695,116 @@ func (q *Queries) ListPendingCommands(ctx context.Context, nodeAgentID string) (
 	return items, nil
 }
 
+const listSchedulableAgents = `-- name: ListSchedulableAgents :many
+SELECT id, name FROM node_agents
+WHERE status = 'online' AND schedulable
+ORDER BY id
+`
+
+type ListSchedulableAgentsRow struct {
+	ID   string `json:"id"`
+	Name string `json:"name"`
+}
+
+func (q *Queries) ListSchedulableAgents(ctx context.Context) ([]ListSchedulableAgentsRow, error) {
+	rows, err := q.db.QueryContext(ctx, listSchedulableAgents)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	items := []ListSchedulableAgentsRow{}
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var i ListSchedulableAgentsRow
+		if err := rows.Scan(&i.ID, &i.Name); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		items = append(items, i)
+	}
+	if err := rows.Close(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return items, nil
+}
+
+const listSchedulableAgentsMatching = `-- name: ListSchedulableAgentsMatching :many
+SELECT id, name FROM node_agents
+WHERE status = 'online' AND schedulable
+  AND tags @> $1::jsonb
+ORDER BY id
+`
+
+type ListSchedulableAgentsMatchingRow struct {
+	ID   string `json:"id"`
+	Name string `json:"name"`
+}
+
+// Only agents carrying every required placement tag (jsonb array containment).
+func (q *Queries) ListSchedulableAgentsMatching(ctx context.Context, dollar_1 json.RawMessage) ([]ListSchedulableAgentsMatchingRow, error) {
+	rows, err := q.db.QueryContext(ctx, listSchedulableAgentsMatching, dollar_1)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	items := []ListSchedulableAgentsMatchingRow{}
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var i ListSchedulableAgentsMatchingRow
+		if err := rows.Scan(&i.ID, &i.Name); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		items = append(items, i)
+	}
+	if err := rows.Close(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return items, nil
+}
+
+const listServiceContainers = `-- name: ListServiceContainers :many
+SELECT id, name, node_agent_id, status FROM container_instances
+WHERE service_id = $1
+`
+
+type ListServiceContainersRow struct {
+	ID          string                `json:"id"`
+	Name        string                `json:"name"`
+	NodeAgentID string                `json:"node_agent_id"`
+	Status      pqtype.NullRawMessage `json:"status"`
+}
+
+func (q *Queries) ListServiceContainers(ctx context.Context, serviceID string) ([]ListServiceContainersRow, error) {
+	rows, err := q.db.QueryContext(ctx, listServiceContainers, serviceID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	items := []ListServiceContainersRow{}
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var i ListServiceContainersRow
+		if err := rows.Scan(
+			&i.ID,
+			&i.Name,
+			&i.NodeAgentID,
+			&i.Status,
+		); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		items = append(items, i)
+	}
+	if err := rows.Close(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return items, nil
+}
+
 const pickLeastLoadedAgent = `-- name: PickLeastLoadedAgent :one
 SELECT a.id FROM node_agents a
 LEFT JOIN LATERAL (
@@ -699,10 +813,20 @@ LEFT JOIN LATERAL (
     ORDER BY h.timestamp DESC LIMIT 1
 ) h ON true
 WHERE a.status = 'online' AND a.schedulable
-ORDER BY COALESCE(h.container_count, 0) ASC, a.created_at ASC
+ORDER BY
+    COALESCE(
+        (a.resources->'memory'->>'used')::double precision
+        / NULLIF((a.resources->'memory'->>'total')::double precision, 0),
+        1.0
+    ) ASC,
+    COALESCE((a.resources->'cpu'->>'usage')::double precision, 100.0) ASC,
+    COALESCE(h.container_count, 0) ASC,
+    a.created_at ASC
 LIMIT 1
 `
 
+// Resource-aware: lowest memory utilisation first, then cpu, then container
+// count. Agents without telemetry sort last (NULL → worst score).
 func (q *Queries) PickLeastLoadedAgent(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 	row := q.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, pickLeastLoadedAgent)
 	var id string
@@ -710,6 +834,36 @@ func (q *Queries) PickLeastLoadedAgent(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 	return id, err
 }
 
+const pickLeastLoadedAgentMatching = `-- name: PickLeastLoadedAgentMatching :one
+SELECT a.id FROM node_agents a
+LEFT JOIN LATERAL (
+    SELECT h.container_count FROM agent_heartbeats h
+    WHERE h.node_agent_id = a.id
+    ORDER BY h.timestamp DESC LIMIT 1
+) h ON true
+WHERE a.status = 'online' AND a.schedulable
+  AND a.tags @> $1::jsonb
+ORDER BY
+    COALESCE(
+        (a.resources->'memory'->>'used')::double precision
+        / NULLIF((a.resources->'memory'->>'total')::double precision, 0),
+        1.0
+    ) ASC,
+    COALESCE((a.resources->'cpu'->>'usage')::double precision, 100.0) ASC,
+    COALESCE(h.container_count, 0) ASC,
+    a.created_at ASC
+LIMIT 1
+`
+
+// Same resource-aware ordering as PickLeastLoadedAgent, restricted to agents
+// carrying every required placement tag.
+func (q *Queries) PickLeastLoadedAgentMatching(ctx context.Context, dollar_1 json.RawMessage) (string, error) {
+	row := q.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, pickLeastLoadedAgentMatching, dollar_1)
+	var id string
+	err := row.Scan(&id)
+	return id, err
+}
+
 const scrubCommandPayload = `-- name: ScrubCommandPayload :exec
 UPDATE agent_commands SET payload = $2, updated_at = NOW() WHERE id = $1
 `
@@ -738,6 +892,20 @@ func (q *Queries) SetAgentSchedulable(ctx context.Context, arg SetAgentSchedulab
 	return err
 }
 
+const setAgentTags = `-- name: SetAgentTags :exec
+UPDATE node_agents SET tags = $2::jsonb, updated_at = NOW() WHERE id = $1
+`
+
+type SetAgentTagsParams struct {
+	ID      string          `json:"id"`
+	Column2 json.RawMessage `json:"column_2"`
+}
+
+func (q *Queries) SetAgentTags(ctx context.Context, arg SetAgentTagsParams) error {
+	_, err := q.db.ExecContext(ctx, setAgentTags, arg.ID, arg.Column2)
+	return err
+}
+
 const updateAgent = `-- name: UpdateAgent :one
 UPDATE node_agents SET
     name = $2,
@@ -754,7 +922,7 @@ UPDATE node_agents SET
     schedulable = $13,
     updated_at = NOW()
 WHERE id = $1
-RETURNING id, name, hostname, ip_address, port, status, version, capabilities, resources, last_heartbeat, created_at, updated_at, metadata, auto_prune, schedulable
+RETURNING id, name, hostname, ip_address, port, status, version, capabilities, resources, last_heartbeat, created_at, updated_at, metadata, auto_prune, schedulable, tags
 `
 
 type UpdateAgentParams struct {
@@ -806,6 +974,7 @@ func (q *Queries) UpdateAgent(ctx context.Context, arg UpdateAgentParams) (NodeA
 		&i.Metadata,
 		&i.AutoPrune,
 		&i.Schedulable,
+		&i.Tags,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }

app/backend/internal/database/sqlcdb/models.go

@@ -177,6 +177,7 @@ type NodeAgent struct {
 	Metadata      pqtype.NullRawMessage `json:"metadata"`
 	AutoPrune     bool                  `json:"auto_prune"`
 	Schedulable   bool                  `json:"schedulable"`
+	Tags          json.RawMessage       `json:"tags"`
 }
 
 type Notification struct {
@@ -276,6 +277,8 @@ type Service struct {
 	StaticBuildCmd  string          `json:"static_build_cmd"`
 	StaticDir       string          `json:"static_dir"`
 	NodeID          sql.NullString  `json:"node_id"`
+	Spread          bool            `json:"spread"`
+	PlacementTags   json.RawMessage `json:"placement_tags"`
 }
 
 type ServiceDomain struct {

app/backend/internal/database/sqlcdb/querier.go

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ package sqlcdb
 import (
 	"context"
 	"database/sql"
+	"encoding/json"
 
 	"github.com/google/uuid"
 )
@@ -94,6 +95,10 @@ type Querier interface {
 	// display, when the caller owns or is a member of it, or when the caller is a
 	// platform admin. Anonymous callers pass user_id = uuid.Nil, is_admin = false.
 	ListProjectsWithStatsByUser(ctx context.Context, arg ListProjectsWithStatsByUserParams) ([]ListProjectsWithStatsByUserRow, error)
+	ListSchedulableAgents(ctx context.Context) ([]ListSchedulableAgentsRow, error)
+	// Only agents carrying every required placement tag (jsonb array containment).
+	ListSchedulableAgentsMatching(ctx context.Context, dollar_1 json.RawMessage) ([]ListSchedulableAgentsMatchingRow, error)
+	ListServiceContainers(ctx context.Context, serviceID string) ([]ListServiceContainersRow, error)
 	ListServiceTemplatesByCategoryForUser(ctx context.Context, arg ListServiceTemplatesByCategoryForUserParams) ([]ServiceTemplate, error)
 	ListServiceTemplatesForUser(ctx context.Context, ownerID uuid.NullUUID) ([]ServiceTemplate, error)
 	ListUserInvites(ctx context.Context) ([]UserInvite, error)
@@ -102,11 +107,17 @@ type Querier interface {
 	MarkAllNotificationsReadByUser(ctx context.Context, arg MarkAllNotificationsReadByUserParams) error
 	MarkNotificationReadByIDAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg MarkNotificationReadByIDAndUserParams) error
 	MarkUserInviteUsed(ctx context.Context, arg MarkUserInviteUsedParams) error
+	// Resource-aware: lowest memory utilisation first, then cpu, then container
+	// count. Agents without telemetry sort last (NULL → worst score).
 	PickLeastLoadedAgent(ctx context.Context) (string, error)
+	// Same resource-aware ordering as PickLeastLoadedAgent, restricted to agents
+	// carrying every required placement tag.
+	PickLeastLoadedAgentMatching(ctx context.Context, dollar_1 json.RawMessage) (string, error)
 	RevokeAgentAuthToken(ctx context.Context, id uuid.UUID) (AgentAuthToken, error)
 	RevokeUserToken(ctx context.Context, arg RevokeUserTokenParams) (int64, error)
 	ScrubCommandPayload(ctx context.Context, arg ScrubCommandPayloadParams) error
 	SetAgentSchedulable(ctx context.Context, arg SetAgentSchedulableParams) error
+	SetAgentTags(ctx context.Context, arg SetAgentTagsParams) error
 	SetDatabaseBackupRemoteKeyByID(ctx context.Context, arg SetDatabaseBackupRemoteKeyByIDParams) error
 	SetDatabaseBackupScheduleByIDAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg SetDatabaseBackupScheduleByIDAndUserParams) error
 	SetDatabaseBackupStatusByID(ctx context.Context, arg SetDatabaseBackupStatusByIDParams) error

app/backend/internal/deployment/engine.go

@@ -17,11 +17,21 @@ type NodeRunner interface {
 	// ReconcileOnNode brings the node's containers in line with the spec and
 	// returns the resulting runtime state.
 	ReconcileOnNode(ctx context.Context, spec RuntimeSpec) (*RuntimeState, error)
+	// ReconcileSpread distributes the service's replicas across every online,
+	// schedulable agent — replica i lands on agents[i % len].
+	ReconcileSpread(ctx context.Context, spec RuntimeSpec) (*RuntimeState, error)
+	// ReconcileAuto picks the least-loaded online agent carrying every tag in
+	// spec.PlacementTags and reconciles all replicas onto it. Re-resolved on
+	// every reconcile — the service follows the tag, not a stored node.
+	ReconcileAuto(ctx context.Context, spec RuntimeSpec) (*RuntimeState, error)
 	// ControlService fans a lifecycle action ("start"|"stop"|"restart"|"remove")
 	// out to every replica of the service on the agent.
 	ControlService(ctx context.Context, serviceID, agentID, action string) error
 	// RemoveService tears down every replica of the service on the agent.
 	RemoveService(ctx context.Context, serviceID, agentID string) error
+	// RemoteRuntimeState reads the service's remote replicas from inventory
+	// across all agents. nil/empty means nothing runs remotely.
+	RemoteRuntimeState(ctx context.Context, serviceID string) (*RuntimeState, error)
 }
 
 type DeploymentEngine struct {
@@ -85,6 +95,9 @@ type ServiceConfig struct {
 	// host. Remote placement requires a registry-pullable image — builds stay
 	// on the local host (build-on-node is not yet supported).
 	NodeID string `json:"node_id,omitempty"`
+	// Spread distributes replicas across every online, schedulable agent.
+	// Same registry-image constraint as NodeID.
+	Spread bool `json:"spread,omitempty"`
 }
 
 type PortMapping struct {
@@ -376,6 +389,7 @@ func (de *DeploymentEngine) deployService(ctx context.Context, deployment *Deplo
 		MaintenanceURL: cfg.MaintenanceURL,
 		BasicAuthUsers: cfg.BasicAuthUsers,
 		NodeID:         cfg.NodeID,
+		Spread:         cfg.Spread,
 	}
 	for _, pm := range cfg.PortMappings {
 		if spec.Port == 0 {

app/backend/internal/deployment/runtime.go

@@ -57,6 +57,12 @@ type RuntimeSpec struct {
 	BasicAuthUsers string        // htpasswd-format user:hash pairs, comma-separated
 	// NodeID pins the service to a node agent; "" runs on the local host.
 	NodeID string
+	// Spread distributes replicas across all online, schedulable agents
+	// instead of a single node. Mutually exclusive with NodeID.
+	Spread bool
+	// PlacementTags restricts auto/spread candidates to agents carrying
+	// every listed tag. An explicit NodeID pin bypasses tag filtering.
+	PlacementTags []string
 }
 
 // RuntimeContainer describes one live replica.
@@ -156,12 +162,26 @@ func (de *DeploymentEngine) ListServiceContainers(ctx context.Context, serviceID
 // otherwise only the replica delta is applied. A pinned NodeID routes the
 // whole reconcile to that agent's command queue instead of local Docker.
 func (de *DeploymentEngine) ReconcileService(ctx context.Context, spec RuntimeSpec) (*RuntimeState, error) {
+	if spec.Spread && spec.NodeID == "" {
+		if de.nodeRunner == nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("service has spread placement but remote dispatch is unavailable")
+		}
+		return de.nodeRunner.ReconcileSpread(ctx, spec)
+	}
 	if spec.NodeID != "" {
 		if de.nodeRunner == nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("service is pinned to node %s but remote dispatch is unavailable", spec.NodeID)
 		}
 		return de.nodeRunner.ReconcileOnNode(ctx, spec)
 	}
+	// Placement tags without a pin/spread resolve to the least-loaded
+	// matching agent on every reconcile — soft affinity, re-evaluated.
+	if len(spec.PlacementTags) > 0 {
+		if de.nodeRunner == nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("service has placement tags but remote dispatch is unavailable")
+		}
+		return de.nodeRunner.ReconcileAuto(ctx, spec)
+	}
 	if spec.Replicas < 1 {
 		spec.Replicas = 1
 	}
@@ -526,6 +546,15 @@ func (de *DeploymentEngine) RemoveServiceContainersOnNode(ctx context.Context, s
 	return de.nodeRunner.RemoveService(ctx, serviceID, nodeID)
 }
 
+// RemoteRuntimeState exposes inventory-backed remote container state; nil
+// runner means no node support was wired at boot.
+func (de *DeploymentEngine) RemoteRuntimeState(ctx context.Context, serviceID string) (*RuntimeState, error) {
+	if de.nodeRunner == nil {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	return de.nodeRunner.RemoteRuntimeState(ctx, serviceID)
+}
+
 // RemoveProjectContainers deletes every managed container in a project.
 func (de *DeploymentEngine) RemoveProjectContainers(ctx context.Context, projectID string) error {
 	containers, err := de.dockerClient.ListContainersFiltered(ctx, filters.NewArgs(

app/backend/internal/mcpserver/server.go

@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ func init() {
 	// Services
 	register(spec{"containr_services_list", "List services in a project", "GET", "/projects/{project_id}/services", []string{"project_id"}, nil, false})
 	register(spec{"containr_services_get", "Get a service by id", "GET", "/services/{id}", []string{"id"}, nil, false})
-	register(spec{"containr_services_create", "Create a service in a project. Args: name (required), type, image, git_repo, git_branch, environment, port, domain, replicas, volumes = [{type: volume|bind, source, target, read_only}], builder = auto|railpack|nixpacks|dockerfile|static, cpu, memory, cpu_reserve, memory_reserve, static_build_cmd, static_dir, node_id (agent id | 'auto' = least-loaded online node; image services only — remote nodes can't run git builds).", "POST", "/projects/{project_id}/services", []string{"project_id"}, nil, false})
+	register(spec{"containr_services_create", "Create a service in a project. Args: name (required), type, image, git_repo, git_branch, environment, port, domain, replicas, volumes = [{type: volume|bind, source, target, read_only}], builder = auto|railpack|nixpacks|dockerfile|static, cpu, memory, cpu_reserve, memory_reserve, static_build_cmd, static_dir, node_id (agent id | 'auto' = least-loaded online node; image services only — remote nodes can't run git builds), spread (bool — distribute replicas across every online schedulable node; mutually exclusive with a node pin), placement_tags (string array — remote placement only onto nodes carrying every tag; re-resolved per reconcile, pin overrides).", "POST", "/projects/{project_id}/services", []string{"project_id"}, nil, false})
 	register(spec{"containr_services_delete", "Delete a service. Requires confirm:true.", "DELETE", "/services/{id}", []string{"id"}, nil, true})
 	register(spec{"containr_services_start", "Start a service", "POST", "/services/{id}/start", []string{"id"}, nil, false})
 	register(spec{"containr_services_stop", "Stop a service", "POST", "/services/{id}/stop", []string{"id"}, nil, false})
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ func init() {
 	register(spec{"containr_services_move", "Move a service to another project the caller owns. Args: id, project_id (required).", "POST", "/services/{id}/move", []string{"id"}, []string{"project_id"}, false})
 	register(spec{"containr_services_logs", "Get service runtime logs. Args: id, tail (default 100).", "GET", "/services/{id}/logs", []string{"id"}, nil, false})
 	register(spec{"containr_services_exec", "Run a one-off command in the service container (30s ceiling). Args: id, command (required).", "POST", "/services/{id}/exec", []string{"id"}, []string{"command"}, false})
-	register(spec{"containr_services_update", "Update a service. Args: id, name, image, command, domain, restart_policy, healthcheck_path, cpu, memory, replicas, port, volumes = [{type: volume|bind, source, target, read_only}] — volumes replaces the whole mount list; pass [] to clear. maintenance_mode (bool), basic_auth = [{username, password}] — replaces all creds; [] clears. builder = auto|railpack|nixpacks|dockerfile|static, cpu_reserve, memory_reserve, static_build_cmd, static_dir (empty string clears reserves/static fields). sleep_enabled (bool) + sleep_idle_minutes (1-1440) enable scale-to-zero on idle; a wake placeholder answers traffic while the service resumes. node_id pins placement to a node agent ('auto' = least-loaded, 'local' = run on the Containr host).", "PUT", "/services/{id}", []string{"id"}, nil, false})
+	register(spec{"containr_services_update", "Update a service. Args: id, name, image, command, domain, restart_policy, healthcheck_path, cpu, memory, replicas, port, volumes = [{type: volume|bind, source, target, read_only}] — volumes replaces the whole mount list; pass [] to clear. maintenance_mode (bool), basic_auth = [{username, password}] — replaces all creds; [] clears. builder = auto|railpack|nixpacks|dockerfile|static, cpu_reserve, memory_reserve, static_build_cmd, static_dir (empty string clears reserves/static fields). sleep_enabled (bool) + sleep_idle_minutes (1-1440) enable scale-to-zero on idle; a wake placeholder answers traffic while the service resumes. node_id pins placement to a node agent ('auto' = least-loaded, 'local' = run on the Containr host). spread (bool) distributes replicas across every online schedulable node; mutually exclusive with a pin — clear node_id to 'local' first if pinned. placement_tags (string array; [] clears) restricts auto/spread placement to nodes carrying every tag; mutually exclusive with an explicit pin — clear the pin first.", "PUT", "/services/{id}", []string{"id"}, nil, false})
 
 	// Domains
 	register(spec{"containr_domains_list", "List domains attached to a service", "GET", "/services/{id}/domains", []string{"id"}, nil, false})
@@ -173,11 +173,12 @@ func init() {
 	register(spec{"containr_nodes_get", "Get a node agent (admin)", "GET", "/agents/{id}", []string{"id"}, nil, false})
 	register(spec{"containr_agent_tokens_issue", "Issue an agent onboarding token (admin). Args: label.", "POST", "/agent-tokens", nil, []string{"label"}, false})
 	register(spec{"containr_agent_tokens_list", "List agent onboarding tokens (admin)", "GET", "/agent-tokens", nil, nil, false})
-	register(spec{"containr_nodes_update", "Update a node agent (admin). Args: id; optional auto_prune, name.", "PUT", "/agents/{id}", []string{"id"}, []string{"auto_prune", "name"}, false})
+	register(spec{"containr_nodes_update", "Update a node agent (admin). Args: id; optional auto_prune, name, tags (string array — placement labels services can require via placement_tags; [] clears).", "PUT", "/agents/{id}", []string{"id"}, []string{"auto_prune", "name", "tags"}, false})
 	register(spec{"containr_nodes_cordon", "Cordon a node: blocks new pins and 'auto' placements; running replicas stay (admin). Args: id.", "POST", "/agents/{id}/cordon", []string{"id"}, nil, false})
 	register(spec{"containr_nodes_uncordon", "Re-open a node for placement (admin). Args: id.", "POST", "/agents/{id}/uncordon", []string{"id"}, nil, false})
 	register(spec{"containr_nodes_drain", "Drain a node: cordon + remove all service containers via the agent + unpin affected services so they redeploy locally. Requires the node online (admin). Args: id.", "POST", "/agents/{id}/drain", []string{"id"}, nil, true})
 	register(spec{"containr_nodes_prune", "Enqueue a bounded docker system prune on a node (admin). Args: id; optional until (e.g. 168h), volumes (danger, off by default).", "POST", "/agents/{id}/prune", []string{"id"}, []string{"until", "volumes"}, true})
+	register(spec{"containr_nodes_upgrade", "Upgrade a node's agent to the server's bundled binary: downloads over the API, verifies sha256, swaps atomically, re-execs. Node must be online (admin). Args: id.", "POST", "/agents/{id}/upgrade", []string{"id"}, nil, true})
 	register(spec{"containr_nodes_commands", "List recent commands sent to a node agent (admin). Args: id.", "GET", "/agents/{id}/commands", []string{"id"}, nil, false})
 
 	// Scaling / HA / security

app/backend/migrations_goose/20261110000000_service_spread.sql

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+-- +goose Up
+ALTER TABLE services ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS spread BOOLEAN NOT NULL DEFAULT false;
+
+-- +goose Down
+ALTER TABLE services DROP COLUMN IF EXISTS spread;

app/backend/migrations_goose/20261112000000_placement_tags.sql

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+-- +goose Up
+-- Placement tags: operators label node_agents (tags jsonb array of strings),
+-- services require a tag set (placement_tags). "auto" and spread placement
+-- only consider online schedulable agents carrying every required tag.
+-- Explicit node_id pins bypass tag filtering — the pin is an operator override.
+ALTER TABLE services ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS placement_tags jsonb NOT NULL DEFAULT '[]';
+ALTER TABLE node_agents ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS tags jsonb NOT NULL DEFAULT '[]';
+
+-- +goose Down
+ALTER TABLE services DROP COLUMN IF EXISTS placement_tags;
+ALTER TABLE node_agents DROP COLUMN IF EXISTS tags;

app/backend/sqlc/queries/agents.sql

@@ -116,6 +116,8 @@ WHERE node_agent_id = $1 AND type = $2
 ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 1;
 
 -- name: PickLeastLoadedAgent :one
+-- Resource-aware: lowest memory utilisation first, then cpu, then container
+-- count. Agents without telemetry sort last (NULL → worst score).
 SELECT a.id FROM node_agents a
 LEFT JOIN LATERAL (
     SELECT h.container_count FROM agent_heartbeats h
@@ -123,9 +125,58 @@ LEFT JOIN LATERAL (
     ORDER BY h.timestamp DESC LIMIT 1
 ) h ON true
 WHERE a.status = 'online' AND a.schedulable
-ORDER BY COALESCE(h.container_count, 0) ASC, a.created_at ASC
+ORDER BY
+    COALESCE(
+        (a.resources->'memory'->>'used')::double precision
+        / NULLIF((a.resources->'memory'->>'total')::double precision, 0),
+        1.0
+    ) ASC,
+    COALESCE((a.resources->'cpu'->>'usage')::double precision, 100.0) ASC,
+    COALESCE(h.container_count, 0) ASC,
+    a.created_at ASC
 LIMIT 1;
 
+-- name: ListSchedulableAgents :many
+SELECT id, name FROM node_agents
+WHERE status = 'online' AND schedulable
+ORDER BY id;
+
+-- name: ListSchedulableAgentsMatching :many
+-- Only agents carrying every required placement tag (jsonb array containment).
+SELECT id, name FROM node_agents
+WHERE status = 'online' AND schedulable
+  AND tags @> $1::jsonb
+ORDER BY id;
+
+-- name: PickLeastLoadedAgentMatching :one
+-- Same resource-aware ordering as PickLeastLoadedAgent, restricted to agents
+-- carrying every required placement tag.
+SELECT a.id FROM node_agents a
+LEFT JOIN LATERAL (
+    SELECT h.container_count FROM agent_heartbeats h
+    WHERE h.node_agent_id = a.id
+    ORDER BY h.timestamp DESC LIMIT 1
+) h ON true
+WHERE a.status = 'online' AND a.schedulable
+  AND a.tags @> $1::jsonb
+ORDER BY
+    COALESCE(
+        (a.resources->'memory'->>'used')::double precision
+        / NULLIF((a.resources->'memory'->>'total')::double precision, 0),
+        1.0
+    ) ASC,
+    COALESCE((a.resources->'cpu'->>'usage')::double precision, 100.0) ASC,
+    COALESCE(h.container_count, 0) ASC,
+    a.created_at ASC
+LIMIT 1;
+
+-- name: SetAgentTags :exec
+UPDATE node_agents SET tags = $2::jsonb, updated_at = NOW() WHERE id = $1;
+
+-- name: ListServiceContainers :many
+SELECT id, name, node_agent_id, status FROM container_instances
+WHERE service_id = $1;
+
 -- name: SetAgentSchedulable :exec
 UPDATE node_agents SET schedulable = $2, updated_at = NOW() WHERE id = $1;
 

app/backend/sqlc/schema.sql

@@ -67,7 +67,9 @@ CREATE TABLE services (
     memory_reserve VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
     static_build_cmd VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
     static_dir VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
-    node_id VARCHAR(255)
+    node_id VARCHAR(255),
+    spread BOOLEAN NOT NULL DEFAULT false,
+    placement_tags JSONB NOT NULL DEFAULT '[]'
 );
 
 CREATE TABLE registries (
@@ -195,7 +197,8 @@ CREATE TABLE node_agents (
     updated_at TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE DEFAULT NOW(),
     metadata JSONB,
     auto_prune BOOLEAN NOT NULL DEFAULT false,
-    schedulable BOOLEAN NOT NULL DEFAULT true
+    schedulable BOOLEAN NOT NULL DEFAULT true,
+    tags JSONB NOT NULL DEFAULT '[]'
 );
 
 CREATE TABLE container_instances (

app/frontend/src/features/nodes/NodeDetailPage.tsx

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import {
   listAgentContainers,
   pruneAgent,
   updateAgent,
+  upgradeAgent,
   type AgentMetricPoint,
 } from '@/lib/api-client';
 import { getCurrentUserProfile } from '@/lib/api-client';
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ export function NodeDetailPage() {
   const [confirmDelete, setConfirmDelete] = useState(false);
   const [confirmVolumes, setConfirmVolumes] = useState(false);
   const [confirmDrain, setConfirmDrain] = useState(false);
+  const [tagDraft, setTagDraft] = useState<string | null>(null);
 
   const agentQuery = useQuery({
     queryKey: ['node-agent', id],
@@ -78,8 +80,8 @@ export function NodeDetailPage() {
     queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['usage-agents'] });
   };
   const updateMutation = useMutation({
-    mutationFn: (body: { name?: string; auto_prune?: boolean }) => updateAgent(id, body),
+    mutationFn: (body: { name?: string; auto_prune?: boolean; tags?: string[] }) => updateAgent(id, body),
-    onSuccess: () => { setRename(null); invalidate(); },
+    onSuccess: () => { setRename(null); setTagDraft(null); invalidate(); },
   });
   const pruneMutation = useMutation({
     mutationFn: (volumes: boolean) => pruneAgent(id, { volumes }),
@@ -97,6 +99,10 @@ export function NodeDetailPage() {
     mutationFn: () => drainAgent(id),
     onSuccess: () => { setConfirmDrain(false); invalidate(); },
   });
+  const upgradeMutation = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: () => upgradeAgent(id),
+    onSuccess: invalidate,
+  });
 
   const agent = agentQuery.data;
   const metrics = useMemo(() => metricsQuery.data ?? [], [metricsQuery.data]);
@@ -172,6 +178,46 @@ export function NodeDetailPage() {
                   mesh: {meshAddresses(agent).map(([iface, ip]) => `${iface}=${ip}`).join(' · ')}
                 </p>
               )}
+              <p className="v-mono mt-1 text-[11px] text-[var(--text-tertiary)] flex items-center gap-1.5 flex-wrap">
+                tags:
+                {tagDraft === null ? (
+                  <>
+                    {agent.tags.length > 0
+                      ? agent.tags.map((t) => (
+                          <span key={t} className="px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded border border-[var(--border-subtle)] text-[var(--text-secondary)]">{t}</span>
+                        ))
+                      : <span className="text-[var(--text-muted)]">none</span>}
+                    {isAdmin && (
+                      <button
+                        onClick={() => setTagDraft(agent.tags.join(', '))}
+                        className="text-[var(--text-muted)] hover:text-[var(--text-primary)]"
+                        title="Edit placement tags — services can require them via placement_tags"
+                      >
+                        <Pencil size={11} />
+                      </button>
+                    )}
+                  </>
+                ) : (
+                  <>
+                    <input
+                      value={tagDraft}
+                      onChange={(e) => setTagDraft(e.target.value)}
+                      onKeyDown={(e) => {
+                        if (e.key === 'Enter') updateMutation.mutate({ tags: tagDraft.split(',').map((t) => t.trim()).filter(Boolean) });
+                        if (e.key === 'Escape') setTagDraft(null);
+                      }}
+                      autoFocus
+                      placeholder="eu-west, gpu"
+                      className="rounded-md border border-[var(--border-subtle)] bg-[var(--bg-tertiary)] px-2 py-0.5 text-[11px] text-[var(--text-primary)] w-52"
+                    />
+                    <button
+                      onClick={() => updateMutation.mutate({ tags: tagDraft.split(',').map((t) => t.trim()).filter(Boolean) })}
+                      className="text-[var(--accent-primary)] hover:underline"
+                    >save</button>
+                    <button onClick={() => setTagDraft(null)} className="text-[var(--text-muted)] hover:underline">cancel</button>
+                  </>
+                )}
+              </p>
             </div>
             <div className="flex items-center gap-3">
               <span className={`v-mono text-[11px] px-2 py-1 rounded-md border ${online
@@ -215,6 +261,16 @@ export function NodeDetailPage() {
                   >
                     drain
                   </button>
+                  <button
+                    onClick={() => upgradeMutation.mutate()}
+                    disabled={upgradeMutation.isPending || !online}
+                    title={online
+                      ? `Upgrade agent to the server's bundled binary (server ${upgradeMutation.data?.version ?? 'build'}) — the agent restarts itself`
+                      : 'Node must be online to upgrade'}
+                    className="v-mono text-[11px] px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md border border-[var(--border-subtle)] text-[var(--text-secondary)] hover:text-[var(--text-primary)] disabled:opacity-50"
+                  >
+                    {upgradeMutation.isPending ? 'upgrading…' : 'upgrade agent'}
+                  </button>
                   <button
                     onClick={() => setConfirmVolumes(true)}
                     disabled={pruneMutation.isPending}

app/frontend/src/features/service/pages/ServiceDetailPage.tsx

@@ -2404,10 +2404,12 @@ export function ServiceDetailPage() {
                 </div>
                 <div className="flex items-center gap-3 text-xs">
                   <select
-                    value={nodeDraft ?? (service.nodeId || 'local')}
+                    value={service.spread ? '__spread__' : (nodeDraft ?? (service.nodeId || 'local'))}
+                    disabled={service.spread}
                     onChange={(e) => setNodeDraft(e.target.value)}
-                    className="px-2 py-1.5 rounded-[var(--radius-md)] bg-[var(--surface-muted)] border border-[var(--border-subtle)] text-sm text-[var(--text-primary)]"
+                    className="px-2 py-1.5 rounded-[var(--radius-md)] bg-[var(--surface-muted)] border border-[var(--border-subtle)] text-sm text-[var(--text-primary)] disabled:opacity-50"
                   >
+                    {service.spread && <option value="__spread__">All nodes (spread)</option>}
                     <option value="local">This server (local Docker)</option>
                     <option value="auto">Auto — least-loaded online node</option>
                     {(nodesQuery.data ?? []).map((n) => (
@@ -2416,6 +2418,17 @@ export function ServiceDetailPage() {
                       </option>
                     ))}
                   </select>
+                  <label className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-[var(--text-secondary)]">
+                    <input
+                      type="checkbox"
+                      checked={service.spread ?? false}
+                      disabled={updateServiceMutation.isPending || (!!service.nodeId && !service.spread)}
+                      title={service.nodeId && !service.spread ? 'Clear the node pin first (choose "This server")' : undefined}
+                      onChange={(e) => updateServiceMutation.mutate({ spread: e.target.checked })}
+                      className="accent-[var(--accent-primary)]"
+                    />
+                    spread replicas across nodes
+                  </label>
                   {nodeDraft !== null && (
                     <>
                       <button
@@ -2439,6 +2452,30 @@ export function ServiceDetailPage() {
                     <span className="text-[var(--text-tertiary)]">running on {service.nodeName}</span>
                   )}
                 </div>
+                {!service.nodeId && (
+                  <div className="mt-3 flex items-center gap-2 text-xs">
+                    <label className="text-[var(--text-tertiary)]" htmlFor="placement-tags">
+                      required node tags
+                    </label>
+                    <input
+                      id="placement-tags"
+                      type="text"
+                      placeholder="e.g. eu-west, gpu — empty = any node"
+                      defaultValue={(service.placementTags ?? []).join(', ')}
+                      disabled={updateServiceMutation.isPending}
+                      title="Remote placement only targets nodes carrying every tag. Re-resolved each reconcile — the service follows the tag, not a stored node."
+                      onBlur={(e) => {
+                        const next = e.target.value.split(',').map((t) => t.trim()).filter(Boolean);
+                        const prev = service.placementTags ?? [];
+                        if (next.join('|') !== prev.join('|')) {
+                          updateServiceMutation.mutate({ placement_tags: next });
+                        }
+                      }}
+                      onKeyDown={(e) => { if (e.key === 'Enter') (e.target as HTMLInputElement).blur(); }}
+                      className="px-2 py-1.5 rounded-[var(--radius-md)] bg-[var(--surface-muted)] border border-[var(--border-subtle)] text-sm text-[var(--text-primary)] w-72"
+                    />
+                  </div>
+                )}
                 {updateServiceMutation.isError && (
                   <p className="mt-2 text-xs text-[var(--error)]">{(updateServiceMutation.error as Error).message}</p>
                 )}

app/frontend/src/generated/api-types.ts

@@ -8008,6 +8008,7 @@ export interface paths {
                                 id?: string;
                                 name?: string;
                                 status?: string;
+                                tags?: string[];
                             }[];
                         };
                     };
@@ -8104,7 +8105,7 @@ export interface paths {
         };
         /**
          * Update node agent
-         * @description Partial update — accepts any subset of agent fields (name, status, labels, etc.).
+         * @description Partial update — accepts any subset of agent fields (name, status, auto_prune, tags). `tags` sets the node's placement labels; services with placement_tags only schedule onto agents carrying every required tag.
          */
         put: {
             parameters: {
@@ -8732,6 +8733,70 @@ export interface paths {
         patch?: never;
         trace?: never;
     };
+    "/agents/{id}/upgrade": {
+        parameters: {
+            query?: never;
+            header?: never;
+            path?: never;
+            cookie?: never;
+        };
+        get?: never;
+        put?: never;
+        /**
+         * Upgrade the node agent
+         * @description Enqueues a `self_upgrade` command. The agent downloads its replacement binary from this server's bundled `/agents/download` endpoint, verifies the sha256, atomically swaps the executable, and re-execs itself — the command result reports before the process swaps. The node must be online, and the server must bundle a binary for the node's architecture (`linux-amd64`/`linux-arm64`).
+         */
+        post: {
+            parameters: {
+                query?: never;
+                header?: never;
+                path: {
+                    /** @description Node agent ID */
+                    id: components["parameters"]["AgentIdParam"];
+                };
+                cookie?: never;
+            };
+            requestBody?: never;
+            responses: {
+                /** @description Upgrade command enqueued */
+                202: {
+                    headers: {
+                        [name: string]: unknown;
+                    };
+                    content: {
+                        "application/json": {
+                            command?: Record<string, never>;
+                            platform?: string;
+                            version?: string;
+                        };
+                    };
+                };
+                /** @description Agent not found */
+                404: {
+                    headers: {
+                        [name: string]: unknown;
+                    };
+                    content: {
+                        "application/json": components["schemas"]["Error"];
+                    };
+                };
+                /** @description Node offline or no bundled binary for its architecture */
+                409: {
+                    headers: {
+                        [name: string]: unknown;
+                    };
+                    content: {
+                        "application/json": components["schemas"]["Error"];
+                    };
+                };
+            };
+        };
+        delete?: never;
+        options?: never;
+        head?: never;
+        patch?: never;
+        trace?: never;
+    };
     "/agents/{id}/metrics": {
         parameters: {
             query?: never;
@@ -10878,6 +10943,10 @@ export interface components {
             node_id?: string;
             /** @description Display name of the pinned node agent (read-only) */
             node_name?: string;
+            /** @description Replicas are distributed across every online, schedulable node agent (replica i → agents[i mod n]). Mutually exclusive with an explicit node_id pin. */
+            spread?: boolean;
+            /** @description Node tags required for remote placement — auto/spread only consider agents carrying every tag; re-resolved each reconcile. Mutually exclusive with an explicit node_id pin (read-only on responses when a pin is set). */
+            placement_tags?: string[];
             /** @description Computed public URL (published port or domain) */
             public_url?: string;
             /**
@@ -10950,6 +11019,10 @@ export interface components {
             static_dir?: string;
             /** @description Node agent id to pin to, 'auto' = least-loaded online agent; omit/empty = local host */
             node_id?: string;
+            /** @description Distribute replicas across every online, schedulable node agent; mutually exclusive with an explicit node_id pin */
+            spread?: boolean;
+            /** @description Restrict remote placement to agents carrying every listed tag; mutually exclusive with an explicit pin or 'local' */
+            placement_tags?: string[];
         };
         UpdateServiceRequest: {
             /** @description Service name */
@@ -11013,6 +11086,10 @@ export interface components {
             sleep_idle_minutes?: number;
             /** @description Node agent id to pin to, 'auto' = least-loaded online agent, 'local' = run on the Containr host (clears the pin) */
             node_id?: string;
+            /** @description Distribute replicas across every online, schedulable node agent; mutually exclusive with an explicit node_id pin — send 'local' first to clear a pin */
+            spread?: boolean;
+            /** @description Restrict remote placement to agents carrying every listed tag; [] clears. Mutually exclusive with a pin or 'local' — clear the pin first */
+            placement_tags?: string[];
         };
         ServiceDomain: {
             /** Format: uuid */
@@ -12132,6 +12209,8 @@ export interface components {
             auto_prune?: boolean;
             /** @description False on a cordoned/drained node — `auto` placement skips it and new explicit pins are rejected. */
             schedulable?: boolean;
+            /** @description Operator-set placement labels; services with placement_tags require all of them on the target node. */
+            tags?: string[];
             /** Format: date-time */
             last_heartbeat?: string;
             /** Format: date-time */

app/frontend/src/generated/docs-snapshot.ts

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ export const bundledDocs: BundledDoc[] = [
     "path": "guides/CLI.md",
     "section": "guides",
     "title": "Containr CLI",
-    "markdown": "# Containr CLI\n\nThe CLI controls every part of a Containr instance — the same API surface\nthe web UI uses. Build it with `scripts/build-cli.sh` or\n`go build ./cmd/cli` from `app/backend`.\n\n## Authentication\n\nCreate a personal access token in the web UI under\n**Settings → Personal Access Tokens** (or `containr tokens create`), then:\n\n```bash\ncontainr auth login cnp_...                      # verify + store\ncontainr auth login cnp_... --url https://containr.example.com\ncontainr auth login cnp_... --name production    # named profile\ncontainr auth status                             # show active profile + identity\ncontainr auth logout\n```\n\nResolution order for every command: `--token`/`--api-url` flags >\n`CONTAINR_TOKEN`/`CONTAINR_API_URL` env > active profile >\n`http://localhost:8080/api/v1`. The active profile is `--profile` >\n`CONTAINR_PROFILE` > `current_profile` in `~/.containr.yaml`.\n\n## Output and scripting\n\n- `--json` prints the raw API response — safe to pipe and parse.\n- `--yes` / `-y` skips confirmation on destructive commands (delete,\n  revoke, restore, failover). Non-interactive shells refuse destructive\n  commands without it.\n- Exit codes are stable: `0` ok, `1` error, `2` auth/permission,\n  `3` not found, `4` validation, `5` unreachable.\n\n## Commands\n\n```\nauth login|logout|status         token auth and profiles\ntokens list|create|revoke        personal access tokens\nprojects list|get|create|delete\nservices list|get|create|update|delete|start|stop|restart|redeploy\nservices clone|move              duplicate config or re-parent a service\nservices domains list|add|remove|default|check   multi-domain + DNS preflight\nregistries list|add|update|remove  private-image pull credentials\nvolumes list|delete              docker volume inventory + cleanup (admin)\ndeploy <service-id>              trigger a deployment (--no-cache, --commit-hash, --branch)\ndeployments list|get|logs|rollback|cancel\nlogs <service-id> [--follow]     runtime logs (SSE follow)\nexec <service-id> -- <cmd>       one-off container command\nvariables list|set|unset         env vars (secrets masked; --redeploy applies them)\nvariables shared list|set|unset  project shared vars — referenced as ${{shared.KEY}}\ndatabases list|get|create|update|delete|action|backup|restore|download-backup|import-backup\n                               import-backup <id> <file.tar.gz|-> uploads an archive as a restore\n                               point; ships offsite too when a backup target is assigned\ndatabases list|get|create|update|delete|action|backup|restore|download-backup\n                               create --public exposes the port on all interfaces;\n                               update <id> --public/--public=false toggles it (container recreates, data persists)\ndatabases register <name>      register an external database (--type --host --port --database --username --password --ssl; probed before storing)\ndatabases test-connection      probe a connection — by id, or ad-hoc flags\nbackup-targets list|add|update|remove|test\n                               S3-compatible archive destinations; add/update probe the bucket\n                               first, empty --access-key/--secret-key on update keep stored keys;\n                               update <db-id> --backup-target assigns a target (\"\" clears it)\ncron list|get|create|delete|trigger|executions\ntemplates list|get|create|delete|deploy|plan|import-compose|deploy-graph\n                               deploy --name --var K=V; plan dry-resolves expressions;\n                               import-compose <compose.yml|-> converts a compose file into\n                               a v2 graph config; deploy-graph <project-id> <config.json|->\n                               deploys an ad-hoc service graph\nimport compose <project-id> <compose.yml|->\n                               deploys a docker-compose file straight into a project —\n                               no template row. DB images become managed databases\n                               attached under their service name; --var K=V overrides\n                               template variables\nnodes list|get|delete|tokens     node agents + onboarding tokens (admin)\nnodes add <user@host>            SSH bootstrap — one session installs the agent, then never needed again (--print for manual runs)\nnodes update|prune|commands      rename/auto-prune, bounded docker prune, command history\nmigrate railway                  pull a Railway project (services, vars, domains) via GraphQL and recreate it — --dry-run prints the plan\nmigrate dflow                    import a dflow project (services, vars, volumes, domains) via its Payload REST API — needs --url + --api-key, --dry-run prints the plan\nscaling status|policies|services|scale\nha status|alerts|health|policies|enable|disable|failover\nsecurity scan|vulnerabilities|metrics\ngateway services|keys|anLine truncated
+    "markdown": "# Containr CLI\n\nThe CLI controls every part of a Containr instance — the same API surface\nthe web UI uses. Build it with `scripts/build-cli.sh` or\n`go build ./cmd/cli` from `app/backend`.\n\n## Authentication\n\nCreate a personal access token in the web UI under\n**Settings → Personal Access Tokens** (or `containr tokens create`), then:\n\n```bash\ncontainr auth login cnp_...                      # verify + store\ncontainr auth login cnp_... --url https://containr.example.com\ncontainr auth login cnp_... --name production    # named profile\ncontainr auth status                             # show active profile + identity\ncontainr auth logout\n```\n\nResolution order for every command: `--token`/`--api-url` flags >\n`CONTAINR_TOKEN`/`CONTAINR_API_URL` env > active profile >\n`http://localhost:8080/api/v1`. The active profile is `--profile` >\n`CONTAINR_PROFILE` > `current_profile` in `~/.containr.yaml`.\n\n## Output and scripting\n\n- `--json` prints the raw API response — safe to pipe and parse.\n- `--yes` / `-y` skips confirmation on destructive commands (delete,\n  revoke, restore, failover). Non-interactive shells refuse destructive\n  commands without it.\n- Exit codes are stable: `0` ok, `1` error, `2` auth/permission,\n  `3` not found, `4` validation, `5` unreachable.\n\n## Commands\n\n```\nauth login|logout|status         token auth and profiles\ntokens list|create|revoke        personal access tokens\nprojects list|get|create|delete\nservices list|get|create|update|delete|start|stop|restart|redeploy\nservices clone|move              duplicate config or re-parent a service\nservices domains list|add|remove|default|check   multi-domain + DNS preflight\nregistries list|add|update|remove  private-image pull credentials\nvolumes list|delete              docker volume inventory + cleanup (admin)\ndeploy <service-id>              trigger a deployment (--no-cache, --commit-hash, --branch)\ndeployments list|get|logs|rollback|cancel\nlogs <service-id> [--follow]     runtime logs (SSE follow)\nexec <service-id> -- <cmd>       one-off container command\nvariables list|set|unset         env vars (secrets masked; --redeploy applies them)\nvariables shared list|set|unset  project shared vars — referenced as ${{shared.KEY}}\ndatabases list|get|create|update|delete|action|backup|restore|download-backup|import-backup\n                               import-backup <id> <file.tar.gz|-> uploads an archive as a restore\n                               point; ships offsite too when a backup target is assigned\ndatabases list|get|create|update|delete|action|backup|restore|download-backup\n                               create --public exposes the port on all interfaces;\n                               update <id> --public/--public=false toggles it (container recreates, data persists)\ndatabases register <name>      register an external database (--type --host --port --database --username --password --ssl; probed before storing)\ndatabases test-connection      probe a connection — by id, or ad-hoc flags\nbackup-targets list|add|update|remove|test\n                               S3-compatible archive destinations; add/update probe the bucket\n                               first, empty --access-key/--secret-key on update keep stored keys;\n                               update <db-id> --backup-target assigns a target (\"\" clears it)\ncron list|get|create|delete|trigger|executions\ntemplates list|get|create|delete|deploy|plan|import-compose|deploy-graph\n                               deploy --name --var K=V; plan dry-resolves expressions;\n                               import-compose <compose.yml|-> converts a compose file into\n                               a v2 graph config; deploy-graph <project-id> <config.json|->\n                               deploys an ad-hoc service graph\nimport compose <project-id> <compose.yml|->\n                               deploys a docker-compose file straight into a project —\n                               no template row. DB images become managed databases\n                               attached under their service name; --var K=V overrides\n                               template variables\nnodes list|get|delete|tokens     node agents + onboarding tokens (admin)\nnodes add <user@host>            SSH bootstrap — one session installs the agent, then never needed again (--print for manual runs)\nnodes update|prune|commands      rename/auto-prune, bounded docker prune, command history\nmigrate railway                  pull a Railway project (services, vars, domains) via GraphQL and recreate it — --dry-run prints the plan\nmigrate dflow                    import a dflow project (services, vars, volumes, domains) via its Payload REST API — needs --url + --api-key, --dry-run prints the plan\nscaling status|policies|services|scale\nha status|alerts|health|policies|enable|disable|failover\nsecurity scan|vulnerabilities|metrics\ngateway services|keys|anLine truncated
   },
   {
     "path": "guides/CLOUDFLARE_SETUP.md",

app/frontend/src/lib/api-client.ts

@@ -86,6 +86,8 @@ export type ServiceEntity = {
   sleepIdleMinutes?: number;
   nodeId?: string;
   nodeName?: string;
+  spread?: boolean;
+  placementTags?: string[];
   publicUrl?: string;
 };
 
@@ -93,6 +95,7 @@ export type NodeOption = {
   id: string;
   name: string;
   status: string;
+  tags?: string[];
 };
 
 export async function listNodeOptions(): Promise<NodeOption[]> {
@@ -357,6 +360,7 @@ export type NodeAgentEntity = {
   resources: NodeResources;
   autoPrune: boolean;
   schedulable: boolean;
+  tags: string[];
   metadata: Record<string, unknown>;
   lastHeartbeat?: string;
   createdAt?: string;
@@ -696,6 +700,8 @@ function normalizeService(service: RawService): ServiceEntity | null {
     sleepIdleMinutes: service.sleep_idle_minutes,
     nodeId: service.node_id,
     nodeName: service.node_name,
+    spread: service.spread,
+    placementTags: service.placement_tags,
     publicUrl: service.public_url,
   };
 }
@@ -1098,6 +1104,7 @@ function normalizeAgent(agent: RawNodeAgent): NodeAgentEntity | null {
     lastHeartbeat: agent.last_heartbeat,
     autoPrune: agent.auto_prune ?? false,
     schedulable: agent.schedulable ?? true,
+    tags: Array.isArray(agent.tags) ? agent.tags : [],
     metadata: (agent.metadata ?? {}) as Record<string, unknown>,
     createdAt: agent.created_at,
     updatedAt: agent.updated_at,
@@ -1137,7 +1144,7 @@ export async function listAgents(): Promise<NodeAgentEntity[]> {
   return normalizeAgentArray(payload.agents);
 }
 
-export async function updateAgent(id: string, body: { name?: string; auto_prune?: boolean }): Promise<NodeAgentEntity | null> {
+export async function updateAgent(id: string, body: { name?: string; auto_prune?: boolean; tags?: string[] }): Promise<NodeAgentEntity | null> {
   const payload = await requestJson<{ agent?: RawNodeAgent }>(`/agents/${id}`, {
     method: 'PUT',
     body: JSON.stringify(body),
@@ -1162,6 +1169,12 @@ export async function drainAgent(id: string): Promise<DrainResult> {
   return requestJson<DrainResult>(`/agents/${id}/drain`, { method: 'POST' });
 }
 
+export type UpgradeResult = { platform: string; version: string };
+
+export async function upgradeAgent(id: string): Promise<UpgradeResult> {
+  return requestJson<UpgradeResult>(`/agents/${id}/upgrade`, { method: 'POST' });
+}
+
 export async function getAgent(id: string): Promise<NodeAgentEntity | null> {
   const payload = await requestJson<{ agent?: RawNodeAgent }>(`/agents/${id}`);
   return payload.agent ? normalizeAgent(payload.agent) : null;

docs/api/openapi.yaml

@@ -5107,6 +5107,9 @@ paths:
                           type: string
                         status:
                           type: string
+                        tags:
+                          type: array
+                          items: { type: string }
 
   /agents:
     get:
@@ -5157,7 +5160,7 @@ paths:
       tags:
         - Agents
       summary: Update node agent
-      description: Partial update — accepts any subset of agent fields (name, status, labels, etc.).
+      description: Partial update — accepts any subset of agent fields (name, status, auto_prune, tags). `tags` sets the node's placement labels; services with placement_tags only schedule onto agents carrying every required tag.
       security:
         - bearerAuth: []
       parameters:
@@ -5503,6 +5506,46 @@ paths:
               schema:
                 $ref: '#/components/schemas/Error'
 
+  /agents/{id}/upgrade:
+    post:
+      tags:
+        - Agents
+      summary: Upgrade the node agent
+      description: >-
+        Enqueues a `self_upgrade` command. The agent downloads its
+        replacement binary from this server's bundled `/agents/download`
+        endpoint, verifies the sha256, atomically swaps the executable, and
+        re-execs itself — the command result reports before the process
+        swaps. The node must be online, and the server must bundle a binary
+        for the node's architecture (`linux-amd64`/`linux-arm64`).
+      security:
+        - bearerAuth: []
+      parameters:
+        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/AgentIdParam'
+      responses:
+        '202':
+          description: Upgrade command enqueued
+          content:
+            application/json:
+              schema:
+                type: object
+                properties:
+                  command: { type: object }
+                  platform: { type: string }
+                  version: { type: string }
+        '404':
+          description: Agent not found
+          content:
+            application/json:
+              schema:
+                $ref: '#/components/schemas/Error'
+        '409':
+          description: Node offline or no bundled binary for its architecture
+          content:
+            application/json:
+              schema:
+                $ref: '#/components/schemas/Error'
+
   /agents/{id}/metrics:
     get:
       tags:
@@ -6974,6 +7017,13 @@ components:
         node_name:
           type: string
           description: Display name of the pinned node agent (read-only)
+        spread:
+          type: boolean
+          description: Replicas are distributed across every online, schedulable node agent (replica i → agents[i mod n]). Mutually exclusive with an explicit node_id pin.
+        placement_tags:
+          type: array
+          items: { type: string }
+          description: Node tags required for remote placement — auto/spread only consider agents carrying every tag; re-resolved each reconcile. Mutually exclusive with an explicit node_id pin (read-only on responses when a pin is set).
         public_url:
           type: string
           description: Computed public URL (published port or domain)
@@ -7068,6 +7118,13 @@ components:
         node_id:
           type: string
           description: Node agent id to pin to, 'auto' = least-loaded online agent; omit/empty = local host
+        spread:
+          type: boolean
+          description: Distribute replicas across every online, schedulable node agent; mutually exclusive with an explicit node_id pin
+        placement_tags:
+          type: array
+          items: { type: string }
+          description: Restrict remote placement to agents carrying every listed tag; mutually exclusive with an explicit pin or 'local'
 
     UpdateServiceRequest:
       type: object
@@ -7157,6 +7214,13 @@ components:
         node_id:
           type: string
           description: Node agent id to pin to, 'auto' = least-loaded online agent, 'local' = run on the Containr host (clears the pin)
+        spread:
+          type: boolean
+          description: Distribute replicas across every online, schedulable node agent; mutually exclusive with an explicit node_id pin — send 'local' first to clear a pin
+        placement_tags:
+          type: array
+          items: { type: string }
+          description: Restrict remote placement to agents carrying every listed tag; [] clears. Mutually exclusive with a pin or 'local' — clear the pin first
 
     ServiceDomain:
       type: object
@@ -9042,6 +9106,10 @@ components:
           description: >-
             False on a cordoned/drained node — `auto` placement skips it and
             new explicit pins are rejected.
+        tags:
+          type: array
+          items: { type: string }
+          description: Operator-set placement labels; services with placement_tags require all of them on the target node.
         last_heartbeat:
           type: string
           format: date-time

docs/guides/CLI.md

@@ -143,6 +143,24 @@ containr services update <id> --node auto    # least-loaded online node
 containr services update <id> --node local   # move back to this server
 ```
 
+`auto` scores nodes by real headroom — lowest memory utilisation, then
+cpu, then container count. Or spread replicas across every online,
+schedulable node (mutually exclusive with a pin):
+
+```bash
+containr services update <id> --replicas 4 --spread    # replica i → node[i % n]
+containr services update <id> --spread=false           # back to single placement
+```
+
+Constrain `auto`/`spread` placement to nodes carrying operator tags —
+`nodes update` labels a node, `--placement-tags` requires every listed tag
+(mutually exclusive with a pin; an empty value clears the requirement):
+
+```bash
+containr nodes update <id> --tags gpu,eu-west
+containr services update <id> --placement-tags gpu     # only gpu nodes are eligible
+```
+
 Remote nodes run registry-pulled images only — git builds, domains
 (Traefik lives on the host), and sleep detection stay local. Start,
 stop, restart, redeploy, and delete all fan out to the pinned node's
@@ -154,8 +172,15 @@ Take a node out of rotation or empty it entirely (admin):
 containr nodes cordon <id>    # no new pins; running replicas stay
 containr nodes uncordon <id>
 containr nodes drain <id>     # cordon + remove its containers + unpin services
+containr nodes upgrade <id>   # agent pulls its replacement from the server, re-execs
 ```
 
+`nodes upgrade` swaps the agent binary for the one bundled in the running
+server image — the agent downloads it over the API, verifies the sha256 the
+server computed, sanity-checks it, atomically replaces its own executable,
+and re-execs. The node must be online and the server must ship a binary for
+its architecture (`linux-amd64`/`linux-arm64`).
+
 ## Service domains and access
 
 A service can carry multiple hostnames; the default is mirrored to