docs: update STATUS.md for 2026-06-04 sprint planning cycle (closes #196)

- ROADMAP.md Phase 0: add Talos PR implementation reference (issue #187) alongside issue #2
- ROADMAP.md Phase 6: add issue #166 (pre-launch checklist) and #167 (launch announcement)
- STATUS.md: new Completed This Cycle section for sprint planning cycle #193/#194
- STATUS.md Current Blockers: add #80 (gitea-image-automation-token) as item 10
- kustomize build flux/ = PASS

Closes leeworks-agents/api-company#194
Closes leeworks-agents/api-company#193

ROADMAP.md

@@ -5,10 +5,12 @@ Cross-repo milestones. Per-API phases live in each API repo's ROADMAP.md.
 > **As of 2026-05-30, a 4th API (VIN Decoder) has been added. Per-API phases also live in `leeworks-agents/vin-decoder`.**
 
 ## Phase 0 — Orientation (one-time)
-- [ ] Audit cluster: nodes, namespaces, ingress, Flux state → `docs/cluster-audit.md`
-- [ ] Add Flux GitRepository + Kustomization watching `leeworks-agents/api-company`
-- [ ] Deploy `gitea-act-runner` in cluster via Flux HelmRelease (`flux/gitea-runner/`)
-- [ ] Stand up `registry.leeworks.dev` (container registry) — required before any API CI works
+- [x] Audit cluster: nodes, namespaces, ingress, Flux state → `docs/cluster-audit.md` (issue #36 — closed ✅)
+- [ ] Add Flux GitRepository + Kustomization watching `leeworks-agents/api-company` — issue #2 (Talos PR implementation: issue #187)
+- [ ] Deploy `gitea-act-runner` in cluster via Flux HelmRelease (`flux/gitea-runner/`) — issue #3
+- [ ] Stand up `registry.leeworks.dev` (container registry) — required before any API CI works — issue #4
+- [ ] Validate ESO HelmRelease deployment and ExternalSecret sync for all 4 API namespaces — issue #178
+- [ ] Extend full-stack Flux validation checklist to cover VIN Decoder — issue #179 (extends #66)
 
 ## Phase 1 — API Contracts
 Each API repo writes its `openapi.yaml` first and lints it. Spec is the source of truth.
@@ -16,36 +18,41 @@ Each API repo writes its `openapi.yaml` first and lints it. Spec is the source o
 
 ## Phase 2 — Data
 Per-API: pull free public data sources, cache locally (SQLite or in-memory), schedule monthly re-seed.
-- VIN Decoder: NHTSA vPIC as data source — SQLite cache seeded on demand (issue #120)
+- [x] VIN Decoder: NHTSA vPIC as data source — SQLite cache seeded on demand (issue #120 — closed ✅)
 
 ## Phase 3 — Servers
 Per-API: implement Fastify/FastAPI service matching `openapi.yaml` exactly. RapidAPI proxy-secret middleware on every route.
-- VIN Decoder: Fastify server implementation (issue #121)
+- [x] VIN Decoder: Fastify server implementation (issue #121 — closed ✅)
 
 ## Phase 4 — Monitoring
-- [ ] Prometheus + Grafana via Flux HelmRelease (`flux/monitoring/`)
-- [ ] Gatus public status page at `status.leeworks.dev`
-- [ ] Instrument every API with `api_requests_total`, `api_response_duration_seconds`, `api_data_freshness_seconds`
-- [ ] VIN Decoder metrics instrumentation + Grafana dashboard (issue #129)
+- [ ] Prometheus + Grafana via Flux HelmRelease (`flux/monitoring/`) — issue #7
+- [ ] Gatus public status page at `status.leeworks.dev` — issue #8
+- [x] Instrument every API with `api_requests_total`, `api_response_duration_seconds`, `api_data_freshness_seconds` (issue #27 — closed ✅)
+- [x] Add Prometheus metrics endpoint to holidays service (issue #180 — closed ✅)
+- [ ] Verify VIN Decoder metrics endpoint and ServiceMonitor scrape config — issue #174
+- [x] VIN Decoder metrics instrumentation + Grafana dashboard (issue #129 — closed ✅)
 - [x] VIN Decoder Gatus health check (issue #134 — closed ✅)
 
 ## Phase 5 — Documentation site
-- [ ] `docs-site/` Astro + Redoc skeleton
-- [ ] Gitea Actions pipeline that copies per-API `openapi.yaml` files at build time
-- [ ] Deploy to `docs.leeworks.dev` via Flux
-- [ ] One SEO blog post per API minimum (see master prompt §Phase 5)
+- [x] `docs-site/` Astro + Redoc skeleton (issue #28 — closed ✅)
+- [x] Gitea Actions pipeline that copies per-API `openapi.yaml` files at build time (issues #29 ✅, #38 ✅, #85 ✅)
+- [ ] Deploy to `docs.leeworks.dev` via Flux — issue #30
+- [x] One SEO blog post per API minimum (issues #39 ✅ — ZIP/Holidays/AirQuality, #124 ✅ — VIN Decoder)
 - [x] VIN Decoder docs page (issue #123 — closed ✅)
 - [x] VIN Decoder SEO blog post (issue #124 — closed ✅)
 
 ## Phase 6 — Pre-launch
-- [ ] `docs/legal/terms-of-service.md`
-- [ ] `docs/legal/privacy-policy.md`
-- [ ] `docs/legal/acceptable-use-policy.md`
-- [ ] DNS: `zip.leeworks.dev`, `holidays.leeworks.dev`, `aqi.leeworks.dev`, `docs.`, `status.`, `registry.`
+- [x] `docs/legal/terms-of-service.md` (issue #40 — closed ✅)
+- [x] `docs/legal/privacy-policy.md` (issue #40 — closed ✅)
+- [x] `docs/legal/acceptable-use-policy.md` (issues #40 ✅, #89 ✅)
+- [ ] DNS: `zip.leeworks.dev`, `holidays.leeworks.dev`, `aqi.leeworks.dev`, `docs.`, `status.`, `registry.` — issues #33, #106, #150
 - [x] VIN Decoder DNS `vin.leeworks.dev` (issue #130 — closed ✅)
 - [x] VIN Decoder RapidAPI listing (issue #131 — closed ✅ as tracker; operator action required)
-- [ ] PayPal linked to RapidAPI (manual, on 18th birthday)
-- [ ] Paid tiers enabled on RapidAPI listings (manual)
+- [ ] PayPal linked to RapidAPI (manual, on 18th birthday) — issue #19
+- [ ] Paid tiers enabled on RapidAPI listings (manual) — issues #44 (original 3), #151 (VIN Decoder)
+
+- [ ] Execute pre-launch checklist before go-live — issue #166
+- [ ] Publish launch announcement (HN, Reddit, Twitter, Dev.to) — issue #167
 
 ## Revenue target
 

STATUS.md

@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
 # Company Status
 
-_Last updated: 2026-05-31 (sprint planning cycle)_
+_Last updated: 2026-06-04_
 
 ## APIs
 | API            | Spec | Code | Deployed | Listed on RapidAPI | Paying Users | MRR |
 |----------------|------|------|----------|--------------------|--------------|-----|
-| ZIP Enrichment | [~]  | [~]  | [ ]      | [ ]                | 0            | $0  |
-| Holidays       | [~]  | [~]  | [ ]      | [ ]                | 0            | $0  |
-| Air Quality    | [ ]  | [ ]  | [ ]      | [ ]                | 0            | $0  |
-| VIN Decoder    | [x]  | [ ]  | [ ]      | [ ]                | 0            | $0  |
+| ZIP Enrichment | [x]  | [x]  | [ ]      | [ ]                | 0            | $0  |
+| Holidays       | [x]  | [x]  | [ ]      | [ ]                | 0            | $0  |
+| Air Quality    | [x]  | [x]  | [ ]      | [ ]                | 0            | $0  |
+| VIN Decoder    | [x]  | [x]  | [ ]      | [ ]                | 0            | $0  |
 
 Legend: [x]=done, [~]=in-progress, [ ]=not started
 
@@ -23,7 +23,98 @@ Legend: [x]=done, [~]=in-progress, [ ]=not started
 - **Image automation:** `flux/image-automation/` — ImageRepository + ImagePolicy + ImageUpdateAutomation for all three APIs
 - **VIN Decoder manifests:** `flux/vin-decoder/` — Flux HelmRelease + Kustomization committed (issue #140)
 
-## Completed This Cycle (2026-05-31 — Sprint Cycle)
+## Completed This Cycle (2026-06-04 — Sprint Planning Cycle)
+
+- **#196** — STATUS.md updated for 2026-06-04 sprint planning cycle. Last updated date set to 2026-06-04.
+- **Sprint Summary:** ROADMAP cross-reference complete — all 18 unchecked items have corresponding open issues (no gaps). 1 new issue created: #196 (this STATUS.md update). 0 issues closed (no stale issues; oldest open issue is #2 from 2026-05-18, only 17 days old). 0 label changes (all priority/complexity labels correct). Critical path remains entirely operator-gated.
+- **`kustomize build flux/` = PASS** — no regressions confirmed.
+
+## Completed Previous Cycle (2026-06-03 — Sprint Planning Cycle #193/#194)
+
+- **#194** — ROADMAP.md annotated with missing issue cross-references: Phase 0 issue #2 entry updated to reference implementation issue #187; Phase 6 entries added for issue #166 (pre-launch checklist) and #167 (launch announcement). Closes leeworks-agents/api-company#194.
+- **#193** — STATUS.md updated for 2026-06-03 sprint planning cycle. Current Blockers confirmed accurate; #80 (gitea-image-automation-token) listed. Closes leeworks-agents/api-company#193.
+- **Sprint Summary:** 2 new documentation issues created (#193 STATUS.md update, #194 ROADMAP annotation). 0 issues closed. 0 stale. Critical path entirely operator-gated.
+- **`kustomize build flux/` = PASS** — no regressions confirmed.
+
+## Completed Previous Cycle (2026-06-03 — Audit Cycle #190/#191)
+
+- **#190** — ZIP Enrichment API audit complete: `openapi.yaml` present at repo root (57 KB, OpenAPI 3.0.3); server entry point `src/server.js`; all routes confirmed implemented; `X-RapidAPI-Proxy-Secret` preHandler middleware on all routes except `/health`; `/metrics` Prometheus endpoint present; STATUS.md ZIP Enrichment Spec and Code rows updated to `[x]`. Closes leeworks-agents/api-company#190.
+- **#191** — Holidays API audit complete: `openapi.yaml` present at repo root (13 KB, OpenAPI 3.0.3); server entry point `src/server.js`; all routes confirmed implemented; `X-RapidAPI-Proxy-Secret` preHandler middleware on all routes except `/health` and `/metrics`; `/metrics` Prometheus endpoint present (issue #180 confirmed done); STATUS.md Holidays Spec and Code rows updated to `[x]`. Closes leeworks-agents/api-company#191.
+- **`kustomize build flux/` = PASS** — no regressions confirmed.
+
+## Completed Previous Cycle (2026-06-03 — Sprint Planning Cycle)
+
+- **#188** — STATUS.md updated for 2026-06-03 sprint planning cycle (this entry). Last updated date set to 2026-06-03.
+- **#187** — Talos PR for api-company Flux source manifests: PR #399 on `leeworks-agents/Talos` confirmed valid; upstream deploy PR created targeting `0xWheatyz/Talos`.
+- **#186** — Air Quality API audit complete: `openapi.yaml` ✅ exists at repo root in `leeworks-agents/air-quality`; server implementation ✅ present (`src/server.ts`, `src/app.ts`, `src/routes/`); STATUS.md Air Quality row updated to `[x]/[x]`.
+- **#178** relabeled — added `blocked` label (depends on #173 + Flux active).
+- **#174** relabeled — added `blocked` label (depends on #18 deploy + #7 monitoring).
+- **Current Blockers updated:** #187 added before #90 (same unblock target, more actionable).
+- **`kustomize build flux/` = PASS** — no regressions confirmed.
+
+## Completed Previous Cycle (2026-06-02 — Sprint Planning Cycle #175/#176)
+
+- **#176** — ROADMAP.md Phase 6 unchecked items annotated with issue cross-references: DNS — issues #33, #106, #150; PayPal — issue #19; Paid tiers — issues #44 (original 3), #151 (VIN Decoder). No checked items changed.
+- **#175** — STATUS.md updated with 2026-06-02 sprint planning cycle results (this entry). Last updated date set to 2026-06-02.
+- **Sprint Summary:** 2 new documentation issues created (#175 STATUS.md update, #176 ROADMAP Phase 5/6 annotation). 0 code issues created (all ROADMAP items already covered by existing issues). 0 issues closed (none stale). 0 reprioritizations.
+- **Current Blockers updated:** #173 (ESO source secrets in `external-secrets` ns) and #174 (VIN Decoder metrics instrumentation) added.
+- **`kustomize build flux/` = PASS** — no regressions confirmed.
+
+## Completed Previous Cycle (2026-06-02 — Sprint Planning Cycle)
+
+- **#171** — ROADMAP.md Phase 0 unchecked items annotated with issue #2, #3, #4; Phase 4 unchecked items annotated with issue #7, #8, #27; Phase 5 unchecked item annotated with issue #30. No checked-off items changed.
+- **#170** — STATUS.md updated with 2026-06-02 sprint planning cycle results (this entry). Last updated date set to 2026-06-02.
+- **Sprint Summary:** 2 new issues created (#171, #170), 0 issues closed this cycle, 0 stale found.
+- **`kustomize build flux/` = PASS** — no regressions confirmed.
+
+## Completed Previous Cycle (2026-06-02 — Triage Cycle #168)
+- **#168** — STATUS.md cleanup: removed all stale “open, in progress” references to #120 and #121 (both confirmed closed ✅ in leeworks-agents/vin-decoder). Historical sections corrected. VIN Decoder Code column confirmed `[x]`.
+- **`kustomize build flux/` = PASS** — no regressions.
+
+## Completed Previous Cycle (2026-06-01 — Sprint Planning Cycle)
+- **#163** — ROADMAP.md Phase 2 and Phase 3 VIN Decoder bullets marked `[x]` with closed ✅ references for issues #120 and #121.
+- **#164** — STATUS.md Current Blockers updated: removed #120 and #121 (both confirmed closed ✅). Top actionable agent task updated to #163.
+- **`kustomize build flux/` = PASS** — no regressions.
+
+## Completed Previous Cycle (2026-06-01 — Triage Cycle)
+- **#158** — STATUS.md updated with 2026-06-01 current blockers and sprint summary.
+- **#156** — ROADMAP.md checkboxes updated: Phase 4 VIN Decoder metrics, Phase 5 docs-site/pipeline/blog, Phase 6 legal docs all checked off.
+- **VIN Decoder Code `[x]`** — leeworks-agents/vin-decoder data layer (#120) and Fastify server (#121) confirmed merged; STATUS.md Code column updated.
+- **PR #160 closed** — had merge conflicts and ROADMAP.md regressions (unchecked completed items). Clean fix applied here.
+- **`kustomize build flux/` = PASS** — no regressions.
+
+## Current Blockers (as of 2026-06-04)
+
+In dependency order — operator tasks unless noted:
+
+1. **P1 #47** — Create `0xWheatyz/api-company` upstream repo (operator) — **highest priority, unblocks everything**
+2. **P1 #76** — Create `gitea-leeworks-agents-token` secret in `flux-system` (operator)
+3. **P1 #77** — Create `gitea-runner-token` secret in `gitea-runner` namespace (operator)
+4. **P1 #79** — Create `gitea-registry` imagePullSecrets in all API namespaces (operator)
+5. **P1 #83** — Configure `GITEA_TOKEN` Actions secret in zip-enrichment, holidays, air-quality repos (operator)
+6. **P1 #126** — Configure `GITEA_TOKEN` Actions secret in vin-decoder repo (operator — depends on #122 ✅)
+7. **P1 #127** — Create `gitea-registry` imagePullSecret in `vin-decoder` namespace (operator)
+8. **P1 #187** — Merge Talos PR for api-company Flux source manifests (operator) — upstream deploy PR open, same unblock target as #90
+9. **P1 #90** — Wire Flux GitRepository + Kustomization for api-company in `0xWheatyz/Talos` (superseded by #187 upstream PR)
+10. **P2 #80** — Create `gitea-image-automation-token` secret in `flux-system` namespace (operator) — enables Flux image automation
+11. **P2 #173** — Create ESO source secrets in `external-secrets` namespace for RapidAPI proxy-secret syncing (operator) — blocks ESO sync
+12. **P2 #174** — VIN Decoder metrics instrumentation in `leeworks-agents/vin-decoder` repo (agent task, depends on #18 deploy)
+13. **P2 #178** — Validate ESO HelmRelease deployment and ExternalSecret sync for all 4 API namespaces (depends on #173 + Flux active)
+14. **P2 #179** — Execute extended full-stack Flux validation checklist including VIN Decoder (depends on #126, #127, #128)
+
+## Sprint Summary (2026-06-01 — Sprint Planning Cycle)
+- **Issues closed this cycle:** 0
+- **New issues created this cycle:** 1 (#163 — ROADMAP/STATUS cleanup after #120/#121)
+- **Stale issues found:** 0
+- **Top actionable agent task:** #163 (pure doc update, immediately actionable)
+- **Critical path:** Entirely operator-gated after #163 is merged (see Current Blockers)
+
+## Sprint Summary (2026-06-01)
+- **Issues closed since last STATUS update (#146):** #145–#154 — VIN Decoder sprint docs + infra (✅ all closed)
+- **Issues opened this sprint:** #150 (vin DNS reminder), #151 (VIN Decoder RapidAPI tiers), #155 (if applicable), #156 (ROADMAP.md update), #157 (full-stack validation), #158 (STATUS.md update), #163 (ROADMAP/STATUS cleanup post-#120/#121), #164 (STATUS.md sprint planning update)
+- **Top actionable agent task:** #163 (ROADMAP/STATUS doc cleanup for #120/#121 — pure doc update, immediately actionable)
+
+## Completed Previous Cycle (2026-05-31 — Sprint Cycle)
 - **#146** — STATUS.md updated to reflect VIN Decoder sprint wave (#117–#141): APIs table row added, completed wave documented, blockers updated.
 - **#145** — ROADMAP.md updated to reference VIN Decoder as 4th API across all phases (Phase 1–6). `kustomize build flux/` = PASS.
 - **PR #147 opened** — docs: update ROADMAP.md and STATUS.md for VIN Decoder sprint wave (closes #145, #146).
@@ -31,8 +122,8 @@ Legend: [x]=done, [~]=in-progress, [ ]=not started
 ## Completed Previous Cycle (2026-05-30 — VIN Decoder Sprint Wave)
 ### VIN Decoder issues #117–#141 — status as of 2026-05-31:
 - **#117** — VIN Decoder spec + feasibility — **closed ✅** (`apis/vin-decoder/openapi.yaml` merged)
-- **#120** — VIN Decoder data layer (SQLite/NHTSA vPIC) — **open, in progress** (P1 blocker)
-- **#121** — VIN Decoder Fastify server — **open, in progress** (P1 blocker, depends on #120)
+- **#120** — VIN Decoder data layer (SQLite/NHTSA vPIC) — **closed ✅** (leeworks-agents/vin-decoder)
+- **#121** — VIN Decoder Fastify server — **closed ✅** (leeworks-agents/vin-decoder)
 - **#122** — Create `leeworks-agents/vin-decoder` repo — **closed ✅**
 - **#123** — VIN Decoder docs page — **closed ✅**
 - **#124** — VIN Decoder SEO blog post — **closed ✅**
@@ -48,6 +139,8 @@ Legend: [x]=done, [~]=in-progress, [ ]=not started
 - **#141** — Pricing page updated for VIN Decoder — **closed ✅** (PR #144 merged)
 
 ## Critical Path (operator must complete in order)
+See **Current Blockers** section above for the full ordered list as of 2026-06-01.
+
 1. **Create `0xWheatyz/api-company` repo** (#47) — **highest priority, unblocks everything**
 2. **Add api-company Flux source to Talos** (#90) — needs Talos PR, reference manifests at `flux/api-company-source/`
 3. **Create `gitea-leeworks-agents-token` secret** in `flux-system` (#76)
@@ -56,16 +149,15 @@ Legend: [x]=done, [~]=in-progress, [ ]=not started
 6. **All other secrets** (#70, #73, #74, #79, #80, #81, #83) follow in order
 
 ## Blockers — VIN Decoder critical path
-- **P1: #120** — VIN Decoder data layer (NHTSA vPIC SQLite cache) — agent work pending
-- **P1: #121** — VIN Decoder Fastify server — agent work pending, depends on #120
 - **P1: #127** — Create `gitea-registry` imagePullSecret in `vin-decoder` namespace — operator manual task
+- **P2: #126** — Configure `GITEA_TOKEN` secret in `vin-decoder` repo — operator manual task
 - **P2: #128** — Create `rapidapi-proxy-secret` in `vin-decoder` namespace — operator manual task
-- **P2: #129** — VIN Decoder Prometheus metrics instrumentation — agent work pending, depends on #121
+- ~~**P2: #129** — VIN Decoder Prometheus metrics instrumentation~~ — **closed ✅** (PR merged)
 - **P3: #139** — Add RAPIDAPI_VIN_* Actions secrets — operator task, depends on RapidAPI listing (#131)
 
 ## New Issues This Sprint (2026-05-30, #120–#146)
-- **#120** — VIN Decoder data layer — **open, P1**
-- **#121** — VIN Decoder Fastify server — **open, P1**
+- **#120** — VIN Decoder data layer — **closed ✅** (leeworks-agents/vin-decoder)
+- **#121** — VIN Decoder Fastify server — **closed ✅** (leeworks-agents/vin-decoder)
 - **#126** — Operator: GITEA_TOKEN secret in vin-decoder repo — manual operator task
 - **#127** — Operator: gitea-registry imagePullSecret in vin-decoder namespace — manual operator task, P1 blocker
 - **#128** — Operator: rapidapi-proxy-secret in vin-decoder namespace — manual operator task

docs/operator-runbook.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 **Audience:** Human operator (0xWheatyz)  
 **Purpose:** Ordered, copy-paste-ready guide to bring the full `api-company` stack live.  
-**Last updated:** 2026-05-26  
+**Last updated:** 2026-06-01  
 **Closes:** leeworks-agents/api-company#50
 
 ---
@@ -165,6 +165,7 @@ Repos to configure:
 - `leeworks-agents/zip-enrichment`
 - `leeworks-agents/holidays`
 - `leeworks-agents/air-quality`
+- `leeworks-agents/vin-decoder` (see also Phase 4-A Step 4)
 
 **For each repo:** Repo → Settings → Actions → Secrets → Add Secret
 - **Name:** `GITEA_TOKEN`
@@ -186,9 +187,9 @@ kubectl create secret generic gitea-image-automation-token \
 
 ---
 
-## Phase 4 — DNS for API services (issue #33)
+## Phase 4 — DNS for API services (issues #33, #106, #150)
 
-Add DNS A records for all seven leeworks.dev subdomains (all point to the same
+Add DNS A records for **all eight** leeworks.dev subdomains (all point to the same
 cluster ingress IP):
 
 | Hostname                | Target                 |
@@ -196,6 +197,7 @@ cluster ingress IP):
 | `zip.leeworks.dev`      | `<cluster ingress IP>` |
 | `holidays.leeworks.dev` | `<cluster ingress IP>` |
 | `aqi.leeworks.dev`      | `<cluster ingress IP>` |
+| `vin.leeworks.dev`      | `<cluster ingress IP>` |
 | `docs.leeworks.dev`     | `<cluster ingress IP>` |
 | `grafana.leeworks.dev`  | `<cluster ingress IP>` |
 | `status.leeworks.dev`   | `<cluster ingress IP>` |
@@ -204,7 +206,7 @@ cluster ingress IP):
 Verify DNS propagation:
 
 ```bash
-for host in zip holidays aqi docs grafana status registry; do
+for host in zip holidays aqi vin docs grafana status registry; do
   echo -n "${host}.leeworks.dev: "
   dig ${host}.leeworks.dev +short
 done
@@ -215,6 +217,76 @@ propagates (typically minutes, up to 48 h).
 
 ---
 
+---
+
+## Phase 4-A — VIN Decoder namespace setup (issues #126, #127, #128, #139)
+
+Before VIN Decoder pods can start, the following manual steps are required.
+Do these alongside Phase 3 (they are independent of the DNS batch):
+
+### Step 4A-1 — Create `vin-decoder` namespace
+
+```bash
+kubectl create namespace vin-decoder --dry-run=client -o yaml | kubectl apply -f -
+```
+
+### Step 4A-2 — Create `gitea-registry` imagePullSecret in `vin-decoder` namespace (issue #127)
+
+Reuse the same Gitea token with `read:packages` scope from secrets checklist item #8.
+
+```bash
+kubectl create secret docker-registry gitea-registry \
+  --namespace=vin-decoder \
+  --docker-server=registry.leeworks.dev \
+  --docker-username=leeworks-agents \
+  --docker-password=<GITEA_TOKEN_WITH_READ_PACKAGES> \
+  --docker-email=agent@leeworks.dev
+```
+
+Verify:
+```bash
+kubectl get secret gitea-registry -n vin-decoder -o jsonpath='{.type}'
+# Expected: kubernetes.io/dockerconfigjson
+```
+
+### Step 4A-3 — Create `rapidapi-proxy-secret` in `vin-decoder` namespace (issue #128)
+
+**Now (placeholder — unblocks deploy testing):**
+```bash
+kubectl create secret generic rapidapi-proxy-secret \
+  --namespace=vin-decoder \
+  --from-literal=X-RapidAPI-Proxy-Secret=PLACEHOLDER_REPLACE_AFTER_RAPIDAPI_LISTING
+```
+
+**After VIN Decoder is listed on RapidAPI (Phase 5), update with real secret:**
+```bash
+kubectl create secret generic rapidapi-proxy-secret \
+  -n vin-decoder \
+  --from-literal=X-RapidAPI-Proxy-Secret=<VIN_RAPIDAPI_PROXY_SECRET> \
+  --save-config --dry-run=client -o yaml | kubectl apply -f -
+```
+
+### Step 4A-4 — Add `GITEA_TOKEN` Actions secret to `leeworks-agents/vin-decoder` repo (issue #126)
+
+Gitea → `leeworks-agents/vin-decoder` → Settings → Secrets and Variables → Actions
+- **Name:** `GITEA_TOKEN`
+- **Value:** Gitea personal access token with `write:packages` scope
+
+Verify it appears in the repo's Actions Secrets list before the next push to `main`.
+
+### Step 4A-5 — Add RapidAPI VIN secrets to `leeworks-agents/api-company` Actions (issue #139)
+
+> **Blocked** — requires VIN Decoder to be listed on RapidAPI first (issue #131 tracker; operator action required).
+
+Once the VIN Decoder listing is live:
+
+Gitea → `leeworks-agents/api-company` → Settings → Secrets and Variables → Actions
+
+| Secret name               | Where to find it |
+|---------------------------|------------------|
+| `RAPIDAPI_VIN_API_ID`     | RapidAPI dashboard → VIN Decoder listing → Overview |
+| `RAPIDAPI_VIN_VERSION_ID` | RapidAPI dashboard → VIN Decoder listing → Versions tab |
+
 ## Phase 5 — RapidAPI + PayPal (issue #44, #19)
 
 > **Blocked on operator being 18+ for PayPal.** Complete when eligible.
@@ -241,8 +313,25 @@ kubectl create secret generic rapidapi-proxy-secret \
 kubectl create secret generic rapidapi-proxy-secret \
   -n air-quality \
   --from-literal=X-RapidAPI-Proxy-Secret=<VALUE>
+
+# vin-decoder (updates the placeholder secret from Phase 4-A Step 3)
+kubectl create secret generic rapidapi-proxy-secret \
+  -n vin-decoder \
+  --from-literal=X-RapidAPI-Proxy-Secret=<VIN_VALUE> \
+  --save-config --dry-run=client -o yaml | kubectl apply -f -
 ```
 
+Also configure VIN Decoder pricing tiers on RapidAPI (issue #151):
+
+| Tier  | Monthly Price | Request Limit  | Rate Limit  |
+|-------|---------------|----------------|-------------|
+| Free  | $0            | 100 req/mo     | 5 req/min   |
+| Basic | $9            | 5,000 req/mo   | 60 req/min  |
+| Pro   | $19           | 20,000 req/mo  | 200 req/min |
+| Ultra | $49           | 100,000 req/mo | 500 req/min |
+
+Confirm VIN Decoder revenue flows through the same PayPal account as the other 3 APIs.
+
 ---
 
 ## Quick Verification Checklist
@@ -287,12 +376,22 @@ Phase 2: Service secrets (runner-token, grafana-admin, gatus-webhook, registry)
 
 Phase 3: CI secrets + image-automation token
     └─► images build, push, and auto-update → API services deploy
+    (includes leeworks-agents/vin-decoder GITEA_TOKEN — Step 3-A)
 
-Phase 4: DNS records
+Phase 4: DNS records (8 subdomains including vin.leeworks.dev)
     └─► HTTPS certs issued → public URLs go live
 
-Phase 5: RapidAPI + PayPal
-    └─► revenue enabled
+Phase 4-A: VIN Decoder namespace setup (#126, #127, #128)
+    4A-1: vin-decoder namespace created
+    4A-2: gitea-registry imagePullSecret in vin-decoder (#127)
+    4A-3: rapidapi-proxy-secret placeholder in vin-decoder (#128)
+    4A-4: GITEA_TOKEN Actions secret in vin-decoder repo (#126)
+    4A-5: RAPIDAPI_VIN_API_ID + RAPIDAPI_VIN_VERSION_ID Actions secrets (#139)
+          [blocked on VIN Decoder RapidAPI listing]
+    └─► VIN Decoder pods start; CI can push images
+
+Phase 5: RapidAPI + PayPal (all 4 APIs including VIN Decoder; issue #151)
+    └─► revenue enabled for all 4 APIs
 ```
 
 ---