diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index d9033e3..14cfded 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -59,12 +59,25 @@ made the code's default dead.
 A sick day is a date in the shared `sickdays` pool, read only through
 `_sick.py`. It may keep lockers: the workout lock asks
 `_sick.stands_down_workout` (keep-aware), while everything that only computes
-shutdown (this floor, `_grace_floor`, `_shutdown_base`, `_shutdown_target`,
-the preview scripts) asks `is_sick` and ignores keep. The reset resolves it with `earned_time.resolve(..., sick=True)`
-(shutdown >= 20:00) and saves the lift above the earned sum like the grace
-lift; a day marked after the reset is lifted by `_sick_floor` on the next
-live pass. Both are floors, never terms: later credits are paid out of the
-lift first (`_grace_floor.plan_absorb`), so nothing stacks on 20:00.
+shutdown (`_sick_floor`, `_shutdown_base`, `_shutdown_target`, the preview
+scripts) asks `is_sick` and ignores keep. A sick day's shutdown is absolute:
+20:00 plus the GAMING pay of everything credited that day, capped at 23:00
+(`earned_time.sick_shutdown_from`, 0.13). The reset writes it, `_sick_floor`
+re-derives it on every live pass from the ledgers, and a sick-day credit only
+raises to it (`_raise_on_sick_day`), never adds -- its row is already in the
+sum. No lift is saved on a sick day.
+
+## A shutdown never blocks submitting a finished task
+
+A credit timed at or after tonight's shutdown moves tonight to
+`min(23:00, the credit's OWN time + its reward)` (`_late_credit.late_tonight`):
+only the 23:00 ceiling is hard. The anchor is the credit's own time (the run's
+end via `_workout_ledger.entry_done_at`, the ledger row via
+`_earned.first_credit_time`), never the sync time, so a late upload buys
+nothing. It is live-only: the next day's reset re-derives from scratch. This
+replaced the first-credit +60 grace floor (gone 2026-10-17); `_grace_floor`
+keeps only `first_done_at`, `tonight_minutes` and the lift file, which
+`plan_absorb` spends once if a stale one is left.
 
 Flat earners are read from their gate's ledger by `earned_time.done_today`
 via `_earned.py`: HMAC-verified `credit` rows matched by the earner's own
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d24f3f9..01b0d4d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -10,13 +10,15 @@ A sick day is a date in the fleet-wide [`sickdays`](https://github.com/kuhyx/uti
 pool, nothing else: no budget, countdown, justification or debt. The lock
 screen's **I'm sick** button (retry screen, no-phone screen and the Tue-Thu
 prompt) marks today with one tap and unlocks; `sickdays add` or the phone do
-the same. On a sick day the workout lock and the grace floor stand down,
-wake-alarm's workday penalty is void, and shutdown is
-`max(20:00, the normal ladder)` capped at 23:00 (`earned_time.resolve(...,
-sick=True)`). A day marked after its daily reset is lifted to 20:00 by the
-next 5-minute pass (`_sick_floor`); a workout that day still earns normally
-and is paid out of that lift first, so it lands on the ladder value (e.g.
-20:40), never 20:00 plus its whole reward. `install.sh` migrates the old
+the same. On a sick day the workout lock stands down,
+wake-alarm's workday penalty is void, and shutdown is 20:00 plus the gaming
+pay of everything credited that day, capped at 23:00
+(`earned_time.sick_shutdown_from`). A day marked after its daily reset is
+raised to it by the next live pass (`_sick_floor`), and every later credit
+that day raises it again.
+
+A credit landing at or after tonight's shutdown is never lost: tonight
+becomes `min(23:00, the credit's own time + its reward)` (`_late_credit`). `install.sh` migrates the old
 `sick_history.json` dates into the pool once (`scripts/migrate_sick_history.py`).
 
 A sick day may *keep* lockers (`sickdays add --keep workout`). A kept workout
diff --git a/screen_locker/_constants.py b/screen_locker/_constants.py
index 4489012..4a8df8c 100644
--- a/screen_locker/_constants.py
+++ b/screen_locker/_constants.py
@@ -105,7 +105,6 @@ SHUTDOWN_BASE_FILE = Path(__file__).resolve().parent / "shutdown_base.json"
 REST_DAY_FILE = Path(__file__).resolve().parent / "rest_days.json"
 REST_DAYS_PER_ISO_WEEK = 2
 GRACE_STATE_FILE = Path(__file__).resolve().parent / "grace_floor.json"
-GRACE_MINUTES = 60
 # A day's RunnerUp walks (commute legs) count as the workout once their
 # MOVING time sums to this; moving = trackpoint pairs at walking speed.
 WALK_MIN_MOVING_MINUTES = 40
diff --git a/screen_locker/_earned.py b/screen_locker/_earned.py
index 3c0b663..5b5923d 100644
--- a/screen_locker/_earned.py
+++ b/screen_locker/_earned.py
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ def first_credit_time(earner: earned_time.Earner, day: date) -> float | None:
 
     ``None`` when there is none, when it cannot be checked, and on an
     ``earned_time`` without ``first_credit_at`` (0.3.0) -- logged, because
-    then the grace floor sees no ledger earner at all.
+    then a late ledger credit counts from now, not from its row.
     """
     fn = getattr(earned_time, "first_credit_at", None)
     if fn is None:
@@ -187,8 +187,8 @@ def first_credit_time(earner: earned_time.Earner, day: date) -> float | None:
 def _warn_no_first_credit() -> None:
     """Once per process: the installed earned_time predates first_credit_at."""
     _logger.warning(
-        "earned_time has no first_credit_at (needs >= 0.4); the grace floor "
-        "sees no ledger earner, only the workout log"
+        "earned_time has no first_credit_at (needs >= 0.4); a late ledger "
+        "credit counts from now, not from its own time"
     )
 
 
diff --git a/screen_locker/_grace_floor.py b/screen_locker/_grace_floor.py
index e8dd65f..9a77201 100644
--- a/screen_locker/_grace_floor.py
+++ b/screen_locker/_grace_floor.py
@@ -1,22 +1,15 @@
-"""Grace floor: shutdown is never earlier than the day's first task + 60 min.
+"""When the day's first task was done, and the day's floor lift.
 
-Someone who gets home at 18:10 and finishes their first task at 18:55 is not
-cut off at 19:00. The floor is ``first done + GRACE_MINUTES``, capped at the
-day's ceiling. "First done" is the earliest of every gate earner's first
-verified credit, flat or counted (``earned_time.first_credit_at``), and the
-workout's own completion time -- the end of the run or walk, never the
-moment a sync happened to log it, so a late upload does not move the floor
-later.
+The grace floor (first task + 60 min) is gone since 2026-10-17: a credit at
+or after tonight's shutdown now counts from its own time
+(:mod:`screen_locker._late_credit`), which is what the floor approximated,
+and the floor's lift then absorbed minutes the late credit had already
+restarted from (LeetCode late at 19:00, reading at 19:30: 20:10, not 20:20).
 
-**A floor, not a bonus.** The config is otherwise read-add-write: every
-earner adds its minutes to whatever is there. Lifting it to the floor and
-then letting the next earner add on top would pay the lift twice (anki at
-21:00 lifts to 22:00; reading then makes 22:30 where max(earned, floor) is
-22:00). So the lift is remembered for the day in ``grace_floor.json`` and
-later additions are paid out of it first: with ``E`` earned, floor ``G`` and
-lift ``L = max(0, G - E)``, adding ``m`` moves the config by
-``max(0, m - L)`` and leaves ``L' = max(0, L - m)`` -- which keeps the config
-at ``max(E + m, G)`` without ever needing to know ``E``.
+What stays: :func:`first_done_at` (shown by the preview and the reset log)
+and the lift file. The lift is ``0`` on every day now (no floor lifts the
+config above the earned sum), but ``plan_absorb`` still spends a stale one
+recorded before the change, once.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -28,13 +21,10 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 import earned_time
 
-from screen_locker._bonus_lock import bonus_lock
-from screen_locker._constants import GRACE_MINUTES, GRACE_STATE_FILE
+from screen_locker._constants import GRACE_STATE_FILE
 from screen_locker._day import today_str
-from screen_locker._earned import ceiling, first_credit_time, gate_earners, hhmm
+from screen_locker._earned import first_credit_time, gate_earners
 from screen_locker._log_io import load_workout_log
-from screen_locker._rest_day import is_rest_day
-from screen_locker._sick import is_sick
 from screen_locker._weekly_check import credit_key, day_workout_index
 from screen_locker._workout_ledger import entry_done_at
 
@@ -96,17 +86,6 @@ def first_done_at(
     return min(on_day, default=None)
 
 
-def grace_for(first_done: float | None, day: date) -> int | None:
-    """The floor for ``day`` in minutes after midnight, or ``None`` if none."""
-    if first_done is None:
-        return None
-    moment = datetime.fromtimestamp(first_done).astimezone()
-    if moment.date() != day:
-        return None
-    done = moment.hour * 60 + moment.minute
-    return min(ceiling(day), done + GRACE_MINUTES)
-
-
 def load_lift(state_file: Path, today: str) -> int:
     """Today's recorded floor lift (grace or sick), 0 when none or unreadable."""
     if not state_file.exists():
@@ -146,57 +125,3 @@ def tonight_minutes(config: tuple[int, int, int], day: date) -> int:
     """``day``'s shutdown from a (mon_wed, thu_sun, morning_end) config."""
     mon_wed, thu_sun, _ = config
     return mon_wed if day.weekday() in _MON_WED else thu_sun
-
-
-class GraceFloorMixin:
-    """Lifts tonight's shutdown to the grace floor; composed into ShutdownMixin."""
-
-    if TYPE_CHECKING:
-
-        def _read_shutdown_config(self) -> tuple[int, int, int] | None: ...
-
-        def _write_shutdown_config(
-            self, mon_wed: int, thu_sun: int, morning_end: int, *, restore: bool = ...
-        ) -> bool: ...
-
-    def _apply_grace_floor(
-        self, log_file: Path | None, *, first_done: float | None = None
-    ) -> bool:
-        """Lift tonight's shutdown to the grace floor if it sits below it.
-
-        ``first_done`` overrides the ledgers' answer (the preview script's
-        simulations). Returns True when the config was raised on this call.
-        """
-        day = date.fromisoformat(today_str())
-        if is_sick(day):
-            # The sick floor (20:00, _sick_floor) stands in for it that day.
-            _logger.info("Grace floor: skipped, today is a sick day")
-            return False
-        if first_done is None:
-            first_done = first_done_at(day, log_file, rest_day=is_rest_day(day))
-        floor = grace_for(first_done, day)
-        if floor is None:
-            return False
-        with bonus_lock(GRACE_STATE_FILE):
-            config = self._read_shutdown_config()
-            if config is None:
-                _logger.warning("Grace floor: shutdown config unreadable; not applied")
-                return False
-            current = tonight_minutes(config, day)
-            if current >= floor:
-                return False
-            mon_wed, thu_sun, morning = config
-            if not self._write_shutdown_config(
-                max(mon_wed, floor), max(thu_sun, floor), morning, restore=True
-            ):
-                _logger.warning("Grace floor: failed to write shutdown config")
-                return False
-            lift = load_lift(GRACE_STATE_FILE, today_str()) + floor - current
-            save_lift(lift, GRACE_STATE_FILE)
-        _logger.info(
-            "Grace floor: shutdown %s -> %s (first task done + %d min).",
-            hhmm(current),
-            hhmm(floor),
-            GRACE_MINUTES,
-        )
-        return True
diff --git a/screen_locker/_late_credit.py b/screen_locker/_late_credit.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a882c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/screen_locker/_late_credit.py
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+"""A credit at or after tonight's shutdown counts from its own time.
+
+Shutting down must never make a finished task impossible to submit (kuhy,
+2026-10-17). The config is read-add-write, so a credit landing after the
+shutdown used to add its minutes to a time already past: LeetCode at 19:00
+after an 18:00 shutdown made 19:00, and the machine stayed locked. Now such
+a credit moves tonight to ``its own time + its reward``, capped at the
+ceiling -- only the ceiling (23:00) is hard.
+
+The anchor is the credit's own time (a run's end, a ledger row's), never the
+moment a sync applied it, so a late upload does not buy extra time. Past the
+shutdown the grace and sick lifts are spent: the caller clears the lift.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from datetime import date, datetime
+import logging
+import time
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+
+from screen_locker._day import today_str
+from screen_locker._earned import ceiling, hhmm
+from screen_locker._grace_floor import save_lift, tonight_minutes
+
+_logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+def _now() -> float:
+    """The clock a credit without its own time is stamped with."""
+    return time.time()
+
+
+def late_tonight(
+    config: tuple[int, int, int], day: date, at: float, minutes: int
+) -> int | None:
+    """Tonight's new shutdown for a late credit, or ``None`` if it is not late.
+
+    Late means timed on ``day`` at or after tonight's shutdown: the check
+    script locks at ``now >= shutdown``, so a credit exactly on it is late.
+    """
+    moment = datetime.fromtimestamp(at).astimezone()
+    if moment.date() != day:
+        return None
+    done = moment.hour * 60 + moment.minute
+    if done < tonight_minutes(config, day):
+        return None
+    return min(ceiling(day), done + minutes)
+
+
+class LateCreditMixin:
+    """Late credits and sick-day credits; composed into ShutdownMixin."""
+
+    if TYPE_CHECKING:
+
+        def _read_shutdown_config(self) -> tuple[int, int, int] | None: ...
+
+        def _write_shutdown_config(
+            self, mon_wed: int, thu_sun: int, morning_end: int, *, restore: bool = ...
+        ) -> bool: ...
+
+        def _apply_sick_floor(self) -> bool: ...
+
+    def _raise_on_sick_day(self, minutes: int, at: float | None) -> bool:
+        """A sick day's credit: raise to the derived target, never add.
+
+        The credit's row is already in the target (``_sick_floor``), so adding
+        its minutes on top would pay it twice; a late one still counts from
+        its own time. True even when nothing moved (capped, or already there):
+        the credit is accounted for, and a failed write is retried by the next
+        tick's sick pass.
+        """
+        self._apply_sick_floor()
+        late = self._late_write(minutes, at)
+        return True if late is None else late
+
+    def _late_write(self, minutes: int, at: float | None) -> bool | None:
+        """Write a late credit's shutdown; ``None`` when it is not late."""
+        day = date.fromisoformat(today_str())
+        try:
+            config = self._read_shutdown_config()
+        except (OSError, ValueError) as exc:
+            # The add path reads it again inside its own guard and fails there.
+            _logger.warning("Late credit: cannot read shutdown config (%s)", exc)
+            return None
+        if config is None:
+            return None  # the add path reads it again and reports it
+        target = late_tonight(config, day, _now() if at is None else at, minutes)
+        if target is None:
+            return None
+        mon_wed, thu_sun, morning = config
+        if not self._write_shutdown_config(
+            max(mon_wed, target), max(thu_sun, target), morning, restore=True
+        ):
+            _logger.warning("Late credit: failed to write shutdown config")
+            return False
+        save_lift(0)  # past the shutdown, the floors' lift is spent
+        _logger.info(
+            "Late credit: shutdown %s -> %s (earned at or after tonight's).",
+            hhmm(tonight_minutes(config, day)),
+            hhmm(target),
+        )
+        return True
diff --git a/screen_locker/_shutdown.py b/screen_locker/_shutdown.py
index f60fbbb..5623189 100644
--- a/screen_locker/_shutdown.py
+++ b/screen_locker/_shutdown.py
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ from screen_locker._constants import (
 )
 from screen_locker._day import today_str
 from screen_locker._earned import ceiling, first_minutes, hhmm, span
-from screen_locker._grace_floor import GraceFloorMixin, plan_absorb, save_lift
+from screen_locker._grace_floor import plan_absorb, save_lift
+from screen_locker._late_credit import LateCreditMixin
 from screen_locker._sick import is_sick
 from screen_locker._sick_floor import SickFloorMixin
 
@@ -68,18 +69,23 @@ def read_shutdown_config(path: Path) -> tuple[int, int, int] | None:
     return mon_wed, thu_sun, morning_end
 
 
-class ShutdownMixin(GraceFloorMixin, SickFloorMixin):
+class ShutdownMixin(SickFloorMixin, LateCreditMixin):
     """Mixin providing shutdown schedule adjustment functionality."""
 
-    def _adjust_shutdown_time_later(self) -> bool:
+    def _adjust_shutdown_time_later(self, at: float | None = None) -> bool:
         """Push shutdown later by the first workout's reward, capped at the ceiling.
 
-        Returns True if successful, False otherwise.
+        ``at`` is when the workout ended (default now): a late one counts from
+        it (:mod:`._late_credit`). Returns True if successful, False otherwise.
         """
         day = date.fromisoformat(today_str())
+        reward = first_minutes(earned_time.WORKOUT, day)
         if is_sick(day):
-            return self._raise_on_sick_day()
-        bonus, lift = plan_absorb(first_minutes(earned_time.WORKOUT, day))
+            return self._raise_on_sick_day(reward, at)
+        late = self._late_write(reward, at)
+        if late is not None:
+            return late
+        bonus, lift = plan_absorb(reward)
         try:
             config_values = self._read_shutdown_config()
             if config_values is None:
@@ -98,18 +104,24 @@ class ShutdownMixin(GraceFloorMixin, SickFloorMixin):
             save_lift(lift)
         return ok
 
-    def _adjust_shutdown_time_by(self, extra_minutes: int) -> bool:
+    def _adjust_shutdown_time_by(
+        self, extra_minutes: int, at: float | None = None
+    ) -> bool:
         """Push shutdown later by *extra_minutes*, capped at 24:00 (midnight).
 
         Used for earner and extra-workout bonuses. A cap of midnight works
         because ``day-specific-shutdown-check.sh`` fires at 00:00 and catches it
         via the morning-window condition; the helper clamps it to 23:00 anyway.
 
-        Returns True if successful, False otherwise.
+        ``at`` is when the credit was earned (default now): a late one counts
+        from it (:mod:`._late_credit`). Returns True if successful.
         """
         if is_sick(date.fromisoformat(today_str())):
-            return self._raise_on_sick_day()
-        # Paid out of the grace lift first, so the floor is never stacked on.
+            return self._raise_on_sick_day(extra_minutes, at)
+        late = self._late_write(extra_minutes, at)
+        if late is not None:
+            return late
+        # A stale lift recorded before the grace floor went is spent first.
         moved, lift = plan_absorb(extra_minutes)
         try:
             config_values = self._read_shutdown_config()
@@ -131,17 +143,6 @@ class ShutdownMixin(GraceFloorMixin, SickFloorMixin):
             save_lift(lift)
         return ok
 
-    def _raise_on_sick_day(self) -> bool:
-        """A sick day's credit: raise to the derived target, never add.
-
-        The credit's row is already in the target (``_sick_floor``), so adding
-        its minutes on top would pay it twice. True even when nothing moved
-        (capped, or already there): the credit is accounted for, and a failed
-        write is retried by the next tick's sick pass.
-        """
-        self._apply_sick_floor()
-        return True
-
     def _read_shutdown_config(self) -> tuple[int, int, int] | None:
         """Read shutdown config as (mon_wed, thu_sun, morning_end) minutes, or None."""
         return read_shutdown_config(SHUTDOWN_CONFIG_FILE)
diff --git a/screen_locker/_shutdown_base.py b/screen_locker/_shutdown_base.py
index cab3acf..ae57089 100644
--- a/screen_locker/_shutdown_base.py
+++ b/screen_locker/_shutdown_base.py
@@ -18,10 +18,9 @@ followed -- on 2026-09-13 that left the bar at 21:00 with a counted workout on
 disk. Any bonus source that is not a term of this derivation has that bug;
 registering it in ``earned_time`` makes it one.
 
-A sick day (``sickdays``) is resolved with ``sick=True``: shutdown is at least
-20:00, and the lift above the earned sum is saved like the grace lift. A day
-marked sick after the reset is lifted by the live pass
-(:mod:`screen_locker._sick_floor`).
+A sick day (``sickdays``) is resolved with ``sick=True``: 20:00 plus the
+gaming pay of the day's credits, with no lift saved. A day marked sick after
+the reset is raised by the live pass (:mod:`screen_locker._sick_floor`).
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -38,6 +37,7 @@ from screen_locker._day import today_str
 from screen_locker._earned import (
     counted_gate_earners,
     earned_today,
+    first_credit_time,
     first_credits,
     first_minutes,
     flat_earners,
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ def _reset(
         _logger.warning("Daily base reset: failed to write shutdown config.")
         return False
 
-    # Later additions are paid out of the floor lift (grace or sick) first.
+    # 0 now that no floor lifts the sum; overwrites a stale lift from before.
     save_lift(derived.lift)
 
     # The bonuses the reset already included are stamped, so the live pass
@@ -179,13 +179,12 @@ def _reset(
         f"{span(t.shutdown_minutes)} {t.earner.label}" for t in day.terms
     )
     _logger.info(
-        "Daily base reset: %s (base %s + %s already earned today%s%s%s).",
+        "Daily base reset: %s (base %s + %s already earned today%s%s).",
         hhmm(target),
         hhmm(day.base.shutdown_minutes),
         earned,
         "; rest day" if derived.rest_day else "",
         "; sick day" if day.sick else "",
-        f"; grace floor {hhmm(derived.grace)}" if derived.grace is not None else "",
     )
     return True
 
@@ -218,8 +217,10 @@ def _apply_flat_bonus(
         return False
     if not answer:
         return False
-    minutes = first_minutes(earner, date.fromisoformat(today))
-    if not mixin._adjust_shutdown_time_by(minutes):
+    day = date.fromisoformat(today)
+    minutes = first_minutes(earner, day)
+    # Anchored on the credit's own row, so a late solve counts from its time.
+    if not mixin._adjust_shutdown_time_by(minutes, at=first_credit_time(earner, day)):
         _logger.warning("%s bonus: failed to write shutdown config.", earner.label)
         return False
     state[stamp] = today
@@ -242,7 +243,6 @@ def apply_flat_bonuses_if_new(state_file: Path, mixin: object) -> None:
             state = _load_state(state_file)
             if apply_counted_bonus(state, adjust, earner, today_str()):
                 _save_state(state_file, state)
-        # Last, so the floors compare against everything earned so far. The
-        # sick floor covers a day marked sick after today's reset.
+        # Last, so the sick target sees everything earned so far; it covers a
+        # day marked sick after today's reset.
         mixin._apply_sick_floor()
-        mixin._apply_grace_floor(getattr(mixin, "log_file", None))
diff --git a/screen_locker/_shutdown_target.py b/screen_locker/_shutdown_target.py
index 2416c1c..d076f46 100644
--- a/screen_locker/_shutdown_target.py
+++ b/screen_locker/_shutdown_target.py
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
-"""Tonight's shutdown, derived from scratch: earned time, rest day, grace floor.
+"""Tonight's shutdown, derived from scratch: earned time and rest day.
 
 :func:`derive` is pure, and is the one formula behind both the daily reset
 (:mod:`screen_locker._shutdown_base`) and the read-only preview
 (``scripts/preview_shutdown.py``), so a dry run exercises the real sum::
 
-    earned = earned_time.resolve(answers, sick=...)  # base + every earner, capped;
-                                                     # sick: at least 20:00
-    target = min(ceiling, max(earned, grace floor))  # no grace floor when sick
+    target = earned_time.resolve(answers, sick=...)  # base + every earner, capped;
+    # sick: 20:00 + gaming pay
+
+A late credit (``_late_credit``) is live-only: it restarts tonight from its own
+time, and the next day's reset re-derives from scratch.
 
 A declared rest day answers the workout with at least one unit, i.e. its
 first-unit bonus; a real workout on top of it earns only what a further unit
@@ -20,8 +22,8 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 import earned_time
 
-from screen_locker._earned import ceiling, first_credits, gate_answers, registry
-from screen_locker._grace_floor import first_done_at, grace_for
+from screen_locker._earned import first_credits, gate_answers, registry
+from screen_locker._grace_floor import first_done_at
 from screen_locker._log_io import load_workout_log
 from screen_locker._rest_day import is_rest_day
 from screen_locker._sick import is_sick
@@ -42,14 +44,12 @@ class Target:
             day raised to the 20:00 sick floor).
         rest_day: Whether the day is a declared rest day.
         first_done_at: Unix time the day's first earner was done, if any.
-        grace: The grace floor in minutes, or ``None``.
         minutes: The shutdown to write, minutes after midnight.
     """
 
     resolution: earned_time.Resolution
     rest_day: bool
     first_done_at: float | None
-    grace: int | None
     minutes: int
 
     @property
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class Target:
 
     @property
     def lift(self) -> int:
-        """How far the floors (grace or sick) lift the earned shutdown.
+        """How far a floor lifts the earned shutdown: 0 since the grace floor went.
 
         Saved as the day's lift (``_grace_floor.save_lift``), so a credit that
         lands later is paid out of it first instead of stacking on 20:00.
@@ -86,7 +86,8 @@ class DayInputs:
         rest_day: Declared rest day.
         first_done: Unix time the day's first earner was done, if any.
         sick_day: Sick day (``sickdays``): shutdown is at least 20:00
-            (``earned_time.resolve(..., sick=True)``) and no grace floor.
+            plus the gaming pay of the credits
+            (``earned_time.resolve(..., sick=True)``).
         first_credits: Each penalised gate's first real credit
             (:func:`~screen_locker._earned.first_credits`); ``None`` resolves
             on ``penalty_from`` alone, as before earned_time 0.6.
@@ -102,7 +103,7 @@ class DayInputs:
 
 
 def derive(inputs: DayInputs) -> Target:
-    """The pure formula: earned time, then the grace floor, then the ceiling."""
+    """The pure formula: earned time, capped (a sick day stacks on 20:00)."""
     day = inputs.day
     answers: dict[str, int | bool | None] = dict(inputs.flat)
     answers[earned_time.WORKOUT.name] = workout_units(
@@ -118,16 +119,11 @@ def derive(inputs: DayInputs) -> Target:
         if starts is None
         else earned_time.resolve(answers, day, earners, first_credits=starts, sick=sick)
     )
-    grace = None if inputs.sick_day else grace_for(inputs.first_done, day)
-    minutes = resolution.shutdown_minutes
-    if grace is not None:
-        minutes = min(ceiling(day), max(minutes, grace))
     return Target(
         resolution=resolution,
         rest_day=inputs.rest_day,
         first_done_at=inputs.first_done,
-        grace=grace,
-        minutes=minutes,
+        minutes=resolution.shutdown_minutes,
     )
 
 
diff --git a/screen_locker/_workout_credit.py b/screen_locker/_workout_credit.py
index d589efb..fda3978 100644
--- a/screen_locker/_workout_credit.py
+++ b/screen_locker/_workout_credit.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ from screen_locker._day import today_str
 from screen_locker._earned import extra_minutes
 from screen_locker._rest_day import is_rest_day
 from screen_locker._weekly_check import COUNTED_WORKOUT_TYPES, count_weekly_workouts
+from screen_locker._workout_ledger import entry_done_at
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pathlib import Path
@@ -66,12 +67,22 @@ class WorkoutCreditMixin:
     workout_data: dict[str, str]
     log_file: Path
 
+    def _done_at(self, day: date) -> float | None:
+        """When this workout ended; ``None`` (now) when it records no end.
+
+        ``workout_data`` is the entry's inner dict, so it is wrapped as the
+        log entry ``entry_done_at`` reads. The run's own end anchors a late
+        workout, never the moment a sync applied it.
+        """
+        return entry_done_at({"workout_data": self.workout_data}, day)
+
     def _try_adjust_shutdown_for_workout(self) -> bool:
         """Try to adjust shutdown time later for actual workouts."""
         workout_type = self.workout_data.get("type", "")
         if workout_type not in COUNTED_WORKOUT_TYPES:
             return False
-        adjusted = self._adjust_shutdown_time_later()
+        day = date.fromisoformat(today_str())
+        adjusted = self._adjust_shutdown_time_later(at=self._done_at(day))
         if adjusted:
             _logger.info("Shutdown time moved later as workout reward")
         return adjusted
@@ -141,7 +152,7 @@ class WorkoutCreditMixin:
                 slot is CreditSlot.FURTHER
                 and extra
                 and before
-                and self._adjust_shutdown_time_by(extra)
+                and self._adjust_shutdown_time_by(extra, at=self._done_at(day))
             ):
                 new_cfg = self._read_shutdown_config()
                 if new_cfg:
diff --git a/screen_locker/tests/_late_credit_fixtures.py b/screen_locker/tests/_late_credit_fixtures.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5d5fb30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/screen_locker/tests/_late_credit_fixtures.py
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+"""Pinning the clock an untimed credit is stamped with.
+
+Re-exported from ``conftest`` rather than defined there so neither file
+exceeds the repo's line limit.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+import pytest
+
+from screen_locker import _late_credit
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Iterator
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def _untimed_credits_land_at_noon() -> Iterator[None]:
+    """A credit with no time of its own (``at=None``) lands at today's noon.
+
+    ``at=None`` means "now", and a suite run after a test's configured
+    shutdown (18:00, say) made every such credit late: the same tests went red
+    at 18:01. Noon is before any shutdown, so only tests that pass ``at=``
+    (or re-patch ``_late_credit._now``) take the late path.
+    """
+    noon = datetime.now(tz=UTC).astimezone().replace(hour=12, minute=0, second=0)
+    with patch.object(_late_credit, "_now", return_value=noon.timestamp()):
+        yield
diff --git a/screen_locker/tests/conftest.py b/screen_locker/tests/conftest.py
index 7d8c23f..e36dc6f 100644
--- a/screen_locker/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/screen_locker/tests/conftest.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from screen_locker.tests._gatelock_fixtures import (
     dual_output,
 )
 from screen_locker.tests._isolated_state import ISOLATED_STATE
+from screen_locker.tests._late_credit_fixtures import _untimed_credits_land_at_noon
 from screen_locker.tests._locker_factories import (
     _make_locker,
     create_locker,
@@ -47,15 +48,15 @@ from screen_locker.tests._tk_mocks import (
     _make_mock_tk,
 )
 
-# Re-exported so pytest still resolves these by name: a fixture defined in a
-# sibling module is only visible to tests once conftest imports it. __all__
-# keeps ruff from pruning them as unused.
+# Re-exported: a sibling module's fixture is visible to tests only once
+# conftest imports it, and __all__ keeps ruff from pruning them as unused.
 __all__ = [
     "FAKE_OUTPUTS",
     "TWO_OUTPUTS",
     "_hermetic_gatelock",
     "_make_locker",
     "_mock_sys_exit",
+    "_untimed_credits_land_at_noon",
     "create_locker",
     "create_locker_early_bird",
     "create_locker_relaxed_day",
diff --git a/screen_locker/tests/test_grace_floor.py b/screen_locker/tests/test_grace_floor.py
index 5775923..b385a8a 100644
--- a/screen_locker/tests/test_grace_floor.py
+++ b/screen_locker/tests/test_grace_floor.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-"""Tests for the grace floor, its lift bookkeeping and the derived target."""
+"""Tests for when the day started and the lift bookkeeping (the floor is gone)."""
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
@@ -10,23 +10,20 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
 import earned_time
-import pytest
-import sickdays
 
-from screen_locker import _earned, _grace_floor
+from screen_locker import _grace_floor
 from screen_locker._grace_floor import (
-    GraceFloorMixin,
     first_done_at,
-    grace_for,
     plan_absorb,
     save_lift,
     workout_done_at,
 )
-from screen_locker.tests._sick_helpers import mark_sick
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pathlib import Path
 
+    import pytest
+
 _DAY = date(2026, 10, 10)
 _ISO = _DAY.isoformat()
 _FLAT = {"leetcode": False, "reading": False, "anki": False, "tutor": False}
@@ -99,18 +96,6 @@ class TestWhenTheDayStarted:
             assert first_done_at(_DAY, None) is None
 
 
-class TestGraceFor:
-    def test_an_hour_after_the_first_task(self) -> None:
-        assert grace_for(at("18:55"), _DAY) == 19 * 60 + 55
-
-    def test_capped_at_the_ceiling(self) -> None:
-        assert grace_for(at("22:40"), _DAY) == _earned.ceiling(_DAY)
-
-    def test_nothing_done_or_another_day_is_no_floor(self) -> None:
-        assert grace_for(None, _DAY) is None
-        assert grace_for(at("12:00", _DAY - timedelta(1)), _DAY) is None
-
-
 class TestLift:
     def test_absorb_pays_from_the_lift_first(self) -> None:
         with patch.object(_grace_floor, "today_str", return_value=_ISO):
@@ -139,71 +124,3 @@ class TestLift:
         with caplog.at_level(logging.WARNING):
             save_lift(5, tmp_path / "missing-dir" / "g.json")
         assert "Could not record the grace lift" in caplog.text
-
-
-class Host(GraceFloorMixin):
-    """The mixin over an in-memory config."""
-
-    def __init__(self, config: tuple[int, int, int] | None, *, ok: bool = True) -> None:
-        self.config = config
-        self.ok = ok
-
-    def _read_shutdown_config(self) -> tuple[int, int, int] | None:
-        return self.config
-
-    def _write_shutdown_config(
-        self, mon_wed: int, thu_sun: int, morning_end: int, *, restore: bool = False
-    ) -> bool:
-        assert restore
-        if self.ok:
-            self.config = (mon_wed, thu_sun, morning_end)
-        return self.ok
-
-
-@pytest.fixture
-def saturday() -> Any:
-    with patch.object(_grace_floor, "today_str", return_value=_ISO):
-        yield
-
-
-@pytest.mark.usefixtures("saturday")
-class TestApply:
-    def test_lifts_to_the_floor_and_records_the_lift(self) -> None:
-        host = Host((19 * 60 + 25, 19 * 60 + 25, 300))
-        assert host._apply_grace_floor(None, first_done=at("18:55")) is True
-        assert host.config == (19 * 60 + 55, 19 * 60 + 55, 300)
-        assert plan_absorb(0) == (0, 30)
-
-    def test_already_above_the_floor(self) -> None:
-        host = Host((21 * 60, 21 * 60, 300))
-        assert host._apply_grace_floor(None, first_done=at("18:55")) is False
-
-    def test_no_first_task_no_floor(self) -> None:
-        with patch.object(_grace_floor, "first_done_at", return_value=None):
-            assert Host((1140, 1140, 300))._apply_grace_floor(None) is False
-
-    def test_unreadable_config(self, caplog: pytest.LogCaptureFixture) -> None:
-        with caplog.at_level(logging.WARNING):
-            assert Host(None)._apply_grace_floor(None, first_done=at("18:55")) is False
-        assert "config unreadable" in caplog.text
-
-    def test_failed_write(self, caplog: pytest.LogCaptureFixture) -> None:
-        host = Host((1140, 1140, 300), ok=False)
-        with caplog.at_level(logging.WARNING):
-            assert host._apply_grace_floor(None, first_done=at("18:55")) is False
-        assert "failed to write" in caplog.text
-        assert plan_absorb(0) == (0, 0)
-
-    def test_a_sick_day_that_keeps_the_workout_lock_still_has_no_floor(self) -> None:
-        """The sick floor is shutdown's, so keep does not bring the grace floor back."""
-        mark_sick(_DAY, keep=[sickdays.LOCKER_WORKOUT])
-        host = Host((18 * 60, 18 * 60, 300))
-        assert host._apply_grace_floor(None, first_done=at("18:55")) is False
-        assert host.config == (18 * 60, 18 * 60, 300)
-
-    def test_a_sick_day_has_no_floor(self) -> None:
-        """A sick day has the 20:00 sick floor instead."""
-        mark_sick(_DAY)
-        host = Host((18 * 60, 18 * 60, 300))
-        assert host._apply_grace_floor(None, first_done=at("18:55")) is False
-        assert host.config == (18 * 60, 18 * 60, 300)
diff --git a/screen_locker/tests/test_late_credit.py b/screen_locker/tests/test_late_credit.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..58ff055
--- /dev/null
+++ b/screen_locker/tests/test_late_credit.py
@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+"""A credit that lands after tonight's shutdown restarts the clock from it.
+
+kuhy, 2026-10-17: shutting down must never make a finished task impossible to
+submit. A credit timed at or after tonight's shutdown moves it to the
+credit's own time plus its reward (capped at the ceiling), so LeetCode done
+at 19:00 after an 18:00 shutdown means 20:00. Anchored on the credit's time,
+never the sync's: a workout done at 17:00 and uploaded at 19:00 is not late.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from datetime import date, datetime
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+import earned_time
+import pytest
+
+from screen_locker import _grace_floor, _late_credit, _shutdown, _sick_floor
+from screen_locker._earned import first_minutes
+from screen_locker._grace_floor import plan_absorb, save_lift
+from screen_locker._shutdown import ShutdownMixin
+from screen_locker.tests._sick_helpers import mark_sick
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Iterator
+
+# Captured before conftest pins it to noon for every test.
+_REAL_NOW = _late_credit._now
+
+_DAY = date(2026, 10, 17)  # a Saturday: the Thu-Sun band is tonight's
+_ISO = _DAY.isoformat()
+
+
+def at(hhmm: str, day: date = _DAY) -> float:
+    """Unix time of ``hhmm`` local on ``day``."""
+    hour, minute = (int(p) for p in hhmm.split(":"))
+    return datetime(day.year, day.month, day.day, hour, minute).astimezone().timestamp()
+
+
+def host_workout_minutes() -> int:
+    return first_minutes(earned_time.WORKOUT, _DAY)
+
+
+def m(hhmm: str) -> int:
+    hour, minute = (int(p) for p in hhmm.split(":"))
+    return hour * 60 + minute
+
+
+class Host(ShutdownMixin):
+    """The real add paths over an in-memory config."""
+
+    def __init__(self, tonight: str, *, ok: bool = True) -> None:
+        self.config: tuple[int, int, int] = (m(tonight), m(tonight), 300)
+        self.ok = ok
+
+    def _read_shutdown_config(self) -> tuple[int, int, int] | None:
+        return self.config
+
+    def _write_shutdown_config(
+        self, mon_wed: int, thu_sun: int, morning_end: int, *, restore: bool = False
+    ) -> bool:
+        assert restore
+        if self.ok:
+            self.config = (mon_wed, thu_sun, morning_end)
+        return self.ok
+
+    @property
+    def tonight(self) -> int:
+        return self.config[1]
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def _on_the_day() -> Iterator[Any]:
+    with (
+        patch.object(_sick_floor, "today_str", return_value=_ISO),
+        patch.object(_grace_floor, "today_str", return_value=_ISO),
+        patch.object(_shutdown, "today_str", return_value=_ISO),
+        patch.object(_late_credit, "today_str", return_value=_ISO),
+    ):
+        yield
+
+
+class TestLateCredit:
+    def test_a_credit_before_the_shutdown_adds_as_before(self) -> None:
+        host = Host("20:00")
+        assert host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(60, at=at("18:30")) is True
+        assert host.tonight == m("21:00")
+
+    def test_a_credit_after_the_shutdown_counts_from_its_own_time(self) -> None:
+        host = Host("18:00")
+        assert host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(60, at=at("19:00")) is True
+        assert host.tonight == m("20:00")
+        assert host.config[0] == m("20:00")  # both bands, like the floors
+
+    def test_a_credit_exactly_at_the_shutdown_is_late(self) -> None:
+        """The check script locks at ``now >= shutdown``."""
+        host = Host("19:00")
+        host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(60, at=at("19:00"))
+        assert host.tonight == m("20:00")
+
+    def test_capped_at_the_ceiling(self) -> None:
+        host = Host("22:30")
+        host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(120, at=at("22:45"))
+        assert host.tonight == m("23:00")
+
+    def test_after_the_ceiling_nothing_moves_past_it(self) -> None:
+        host = Host("23:00")
+        host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(60, at=at("23:10"))
+        assert host.tonight == m("23:00")
+
+    def test_a_late_upload_is_not_a_late_credit(self) -> None:
+        """Done at 17:00, synced at 19:00: 18:00 + 2 h, not 19:00 + 2 h."""
+        host = Host("18:00")
+        assert host._adjust_shutdown_time_later(at=at("17:00")) is True
+        assert host.tonight == m("18:00") + host_workout_minutes()
+
+    def test_a_late_workout_counts_from_its_end(self) -> None:
+        host = Host("18:00")
+        host._adjust_shutdown_time_later(at=at("19:00"))
+        assert host.tonight == min(m("23:00"), m("19:00") + host_workout_minutes())
+
+    def test_a_credit_timed_on_another_day_is_never_late(self) -> None:
+        host = Host("18:00")
+        host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(60, at=at("19:00", date(2026, 10, 16)))
+        assert host.tonight == m("19:00")
+
+    def test_no_time_means_now(self) -> None:
+        host = Host("18:00")
+        with patch.object(_late_credit, "_now", return_value=at("19:30")):
+            host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(60)
+        assert host.tonight == m("20:30")
+
+    def test_now_is_the_wall_clock(self) -> None:
+        with patch.object(_late_credit.time, "time", return_value=123.0):
+            assert _REAL_NOW() == 123.0
+
+    def test_a_late_credit_clears_the_lift(self) -> None:
+        """Past the shutdown the floor is spent: nothing is left to absorb."""
+        save_lift(30)
+        host = Host("18:00")
+        host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(60, at=at("19:00"))
+        assert host.tonight == m("20:00")
+        assert plan_absorb(60) == (60, 0)
+
+    def test_a_failed_write_keeps_the_lift(self) -> None:
+        save_lift(30)
+        host = Host("18:00", ok=False)
+        assert host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(60, at=at("19:00")) is False
+        assert plan_absorb(0) == (0, 30)
+
+    def test_unreadable_config_fails(self) -> None:
+        host = Host("18:00")
+        with patch.object(Host, "_read_shutdown_config", return_value=None):
+            assert host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(60, at=at("19:00")) is False
+
+
+class TestLateOnASickDay:
+    def test_late_after_the_sick_target(self) -> None:
+        mark_sick(_DAY)
+        host = Host("20:00")
+        with patch.object(_sick_floor, "sick_target", return_value=m("20:00")):
+            assert host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(60, at=at("21:00")) is True
+        assert host.tonight == m("22:00")
+
+    def test_not_late_raises_to_the_target_only(self) -> None:
+        mark_sick(_DAY)
+        host = Host("21:00")
+        with patch.object(_sick_floor, "sick_target", return_value=m("22:00")):
+            host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(60, at=at("15:00"))
+        assert host.tonight == m("22:00")
diff --git a/screen_locker/tests/test_manual_workout_features_part2.py b/screen_locker/tests/test_manual_workout_features_part2.py
index bf1c6f6..74882e9 100644
--- a/screen_locker/tests/test_manual_workout_features_part2.py
+++ b/screen_locker/tests/test_manual_workout_features_part2.py
@@ -3,12 +3,14 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+from datetime import date, datetime, time
 import pathlib
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
 
 import pytest
 
+from screen_locker._day import today_str
 from screen_locker._log_mixin import RecordResult
 from screen_locker.tests.conftest import create_locker
 
@@ -27,6 +29,13 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pathlib import Path
 
 
+def _today_at(hhmm: str) -> float:
+    """Unix time of ``hhmm`` local on the locker's today."""
+    hours, minutes = (int(p) for p in hhmm.split(":"))
+    day = date.fromisoformat(today_str())
+    return datetime.combine(day, time(hours, minutes)).astimezone().timestamp()
+
+
 @pytest.mark.usefixtures("pre_ladder")
 class TestApplyWorkoutCredit:
     """Tests for ScreenLocker._apply_workout_credit under the multi-per-day rule.
@@ -92,7 +101,7 @@ class TestApplyWorkoutCredit:
         ``test_additional_verified_workout_earns_plus_one_hour``.
         """
         locker = create_locker(mock_tk, tmp_path)
-        locker.workout_data = {"type": "manual_workout"}
+        locker.workout_data = {"type": "manual_workout", "end_time": "17:00"}
         prior = [{"workout_data": {"type": "manual_workout"}}]
         object.__setattr__(
             locker,
@@ -121,7 +130,9 @@ class TestApplyWorkoutCredit:
         assert result.shutdown_adjusted is False
         assert result.extra_bonus_delta == 60
         locker._try_adjust_shutdown_for_workout.assert_not_called()
-        locker._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(60)
+        locker._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(
+            60, at=_today_at("17:00")
+        )
 
     def test_additional_verified_workout_earns_plus_one_hour(
         self, mock_tk: MagicMock, mock_sys_exit: MagicMock, tmp_path: Path
@@ -162,4 +173,4 @@ class TestApplyWorkoutCredit:
         assert result.shutdown_adjusted is False
         assert result.extra_bonus_delta == 60
         locker._try_adjust_shutdown_for_workout.assert_not_called()
-        locker._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(60)
+        locker._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(60, at=None)
diff --git a/screen_locker/tests/test_phone_check_unlock_part2.py b/screen_locker/tests/test_phone_check_unlock_part2.py
index 4fc9a35..791e4a2 100644
--- a/screen_locker/tests/test_phone_check_unlock_part2.py
+++ b/screen_locker/tests/test_phone_check_unlock_part2.py
@@ -114,14 +114,15 @@ class TestUnlockScreenShutdownAdjustment:
         """Test unlock_screen adjusts shutdown for phone-verified workout."""
         locker = create_locker(mock_tk, tmp_path)
         locker.log_file = tmp_path / "log.json"
-        locker.workout_data = {"type": "phone_verified"}
+        locker.workout_data = {"type": "phone_verified", "completed_at": "123.0"}
         object.__setattr__(
             locker, "_adjust_shutdown_time_later", MagicMock(return_value=True)
         )
 
         locker.unlock_screen()
 
-        locker._adjust_shutdown_time_later.assert_called_once()
+        # Anchored on the workout's own end, so a late upload buys nothing.
+        locker._adjust_shutdown_time_later.assert_called_once_with(at=123.0)
 
     def test_unlock_screen_skips_adjustment_for_sick_day(
         self,
diff --git a/screen_locker/tests/test_screen_lock_coverage_part2.py b/screen_locker/tests/test_screen_lock_coverage_part2.py
index 89585c5..967c844 100644
--- a/screen_locker/tests/test_screen_lock_coverage_part2.py
+++ b/screen_locker/tests/test_screen_lock_coverage_part2.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ class TestUnlockScreenExtras:
         ):
             locker.unlock_screen()
 
-        locker._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(60)
+        locker._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(60, at=None)
 
     def test_extra_bonus_delta_displayed(
         self,
diff --git a/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_ceiling_invariant.py b/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_ceiling_invariant.py
index e90895f..b672b29 100644
--- a/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_ceiling_invariant.py
+++ b/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_ceiling_invariant.py
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ in ``earned_time.earners_for(day)`` is done to its full units (the tutor's
 four blocks included) must shut down exactly at ``shutdown_ceiling_for(day)``
 -- never short of it, and never past it. Checked through screen-locker's own
 paths, not a re-implementation: the daily reset's :func:`derive`, and the live
-pass (first workout, further workouts, flat gates, counted gate blocks, grace
-floor) over :class:`ShutdownMixin` with an in-memory config.
+pass (first workout, further workouts, flat gates, counted gate blocks, each
+timed at ``first`` so a 22:30 one is a late credit) over :class:`ShutdownMixin` with an in-memory config.
 
 Every gate maturity state is covered: ``first_credits`` omitted (0.5.0
 ``penalty_from``), empty (every earner on its ``confirmed_on``), never paid
@@ -18,13 +18,14 @@ maturing (paid yesterday), mature, and a new tutor beside mature gates.
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from datetime import date, datetime, time, timedelta
+from functools import partial
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
 import earned_time
 import pytest
 
-from screen_locker import _gate_bonus, _grace_floor, _shutdown
+from screen_locker import _gate_bonus, _grace_floor, _late_credit, _shutdown
 from screen_locker._earned import ceiling, extra_minutes, first_minutes, is_gate
 from screen_locker._earned import registry as registry_for
 from screen_locker._gate_bonus import apply_counted_bonus
@@ -148,26 +149,29 @@ def _live_pass(day: date, case: tuple[str, bool, int, str]) -> int:
     """Reset with nothing done, then every credit as the live pass applies it."""
     _, rest, workouts, first = case
     host = _Host(derive(_inputs(day, case, done=False)).minutes)
-    first_done = _at(day, first)
-    if first_done is not None:
-        host._apply_grace_floor(None, first_done=first_done)
+    # Every credit lands at ``first`` (09:00 when "none"): at 22:30 they are
+    # late credits (_late_credit), which must still land on the ceiling.
+    when = _at(day, first) or _at(day, "09:00")
     # A rest day's first unit is already in the reset; a real workout on it
     # is a further unit (_workout_credit's rest_paid rule).
     further = workouts if rest else workouts - 1
     if not rest:
-        host._adjust_shutdown_time_later()
+        host._adjust_shutdown_time_later(at=when)
     extra = extra_minutes(earned_time.WORKOUT, day)
     for _ in range(further if extra else 0):
-        host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(extra)
+        host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(extra, at=when)
     state: dict[str, Any] = {}
     for gate in (e for e in registry_for(day) if is_gate(e)):
         if gate.kind == "flat":
-            host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(first_minutes(gate, day))
+            host._adjust_shutdown_time_by(first_minutes(gate, day), at=when)
             continue
         for units in range(1, (gate.max_units or 1) + 1):
             with patch.object(_gate_bonus, "earned_units", return_value=units):
                 apply_counted_bonus(
-                    state, host._adjust_shutdown_time_by, gate, day.isoformat()
+                    state,
+                    partial(host._adjust_shutdown_time_by, at=when),
+                    gate,
+                    day.isoformat(),
                 )
     return host.config[1]
 
@@ -178,8 +182,10 @@ def frozen_day() -> Iterator[Callable[[date], Any]]:
 
     def at_day(day: date) -> Any:
         iso = day.isoformat()
-        return patch.multiple(_shutdown, today_str=lambda: iso), patch.multiple(
-            _grace_floor, today_str=lambda: iso, is_sick=lambda _d: False
+        return (
+            patch.multiple(_shutdown, today_str=lambda: iso, is_sick=lambda _d: False),
+            patch.multiple(_grace_floor, today_str=lambda: iso),
+            patch.multiple(_late_credit, today_str=lambda: iso),
         )
 
     return at_day
@@ -197,8 +203,8 @@ def test_the_live_pass_lands_every_all_done_day_on_the_ceiling(
     case = (maturity, rest, workouts, first)
     misses = []
     for day in _DAYS:
-        shutdown_patch, grace_patch = frozen_day(day)
-        with shutdown_patch, grace_patch:
+        shutdown_patch, grace_patch, late_patch = frozen_day(day)
+        with shutdown_patch, grace_patch, late_patch:
             got = _live_pass(day, case)
         _grace_floor.GRACE_STATE_FILE.unlink(missing_ok=True)
         if got != ceiling(day):
diff --git a/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_flat_earners.py b/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_flat_earners.py
index 3362015..6426a94 100644
--- a/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_flat_earners.py
+++ b/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_flat_earners.py
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ class TestFlatBonuses:
         state = tmp_path / "state.json"
         mixin = _mixin()
         apply_flat_bonuses_if_new(state, mixin)
-        mixin._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(60)
+        mixin._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(60, at=None)
         assert json.loads(state.read_text()) == {"reading_bonus_date": today_str()}
 
 
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ class TestANewlyRegisteredEarner:
         mixin = _mixin()
         apply_flat_bonuses_if_new(state, mixin)
         apply_flat_bonuses_if_new(state, mixin)
-        mixin._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(60)
+        mixin._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(60, at=None)
         assert json.loads(state.read_text()) == {"extra_bonus_date": today_str()}
 
     def test_its_ledger_is_read_like_any_other(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ class TestANewlyRegisteredEarner:
         mixin = _mixin()
         with signing_key(tmp_path):
             apply_flat_bonuses_if_new(tmp_path / "state.json", mixin)
-        mixin._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(60)
+        mixin._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(60, at=None)
 
     def test_a_penalised_earner_lowers_the_base_from_its_day(
         self, monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch
@@ -149,8 +149,7 @@ class TestRealLedgers:
     @pytest.mark.usefixtures("pre_ladder")
     def test_signed_credits_on_disk_reach_the_reset(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
         """No mock between the ledgers and the written hour."""
-        # Pinned to local midnight: stamped "now", the grace floor (first
-        # credit + GRACE_MINUTES) beats base+120 whenever this runs after ~19:00.
+        # Pinned to local midnight, so the credits are never late ones.
         midnight = datetime.now(tz=UTC).astimezone().replace(hour=0, minute=0, second=0)
         write_ledger(earned_time.LEETCODE, [credit(earned_time.LEETCODE, midnight)])
         write_ledger(earned_time.READING, [credit(earned_time.READING, midnight)])
@@ -169,6 +168,18 @@ class TestRealLedgers:
             "reading_bonus_date": today_str(),
         }
 
+    def test_the_live_pass_hands_on_the_credit_s_own_time(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        """A late credit counts from its ledger row, never the pass's clock."""
+        midnight = datetime.now(tz=UTC).astimezone().replace(hour=0, minute=0, second=0)
+        write_ledger(earned_time.LEETCODE, [credit(earned_time.LEETCODE, midnight)])
+        mixin = _mixin()
+        with signing_key(tmp_path), answering({"leetcode": True}):
+            apply_flat_bonuses_if_new(tmp_path / "state.json", mixin)
+        mixin._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(
+            _earned.first_minutes(earned_time.LEETCODE, midnight.date()),
+            at=float(int(midnight.timestamp())),
+        )
+
 
 class TestProjectionFollowsTheCut:
     """Every projected row is priced on its own date, not on today's base."""
diff --git a/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_leetcode.py b/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_leetcode.py
index 21c05c2..4710fa5 100644
--- a/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_leetcode.py
+++ b/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_leetcode.py
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ class TestLivePass:
         mixin = _mixin()
         assert apply_leetcode_bonus_if_new(state, mixin) is True
         assert apply_leetcode_bonus_if_new(state, mixin) is False
-        mixin._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(60)
+        mixin._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(60, at=None)
         assert json.loads(state.read_text()) == {
             "last_reset_date": today_str(),
             "leetcode_bonus_date": today_str(),
diff --git a/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_reading.py b/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_reading.py
index 6888450..40dc54a 100644
--- a/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_reading.py
+++ b/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_reading.py
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ class TestReadingLivePass:
         mixin = _mixin()
         assert apply_reading_bonus_if_new(state, mixin) is True
         assert apply_reading_bonus_if_new(state, mixin) is False
-        mixin._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(60)
+        mixin._adjust_shutdown_time_by.assert_called_once_with(60, at=None)
         assert json.loads(state.read_text()) == {
             "last_reset_date": today_str(),
             "reading_bonus_date": today_str(),
diff --git a/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_target.py b/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_target.py
index caa92c6..d6ef600 100644
--- a/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_target.py
+++ b/screen_locker/tests/test_shutdown_target.py
@@ -48,16 +48,16 @@ class TestTarget:
         assert workout_units(2, rest_day=True) == 2
         assert workout_units(0, rest_day=False) == 0
 
-    def test_the_floor_lifts_and_the_lift_is_reported(self) -> None:
+    def test_an_early_first_task_no_longer_lifts_the_sum(self) -> None:
+        """The grace floor is gone (2026-10-17): late credits replace it."""
         target = derive(
             DayInputs(_DAY, {**_FLAT, "anki": True}, first_done=at("18:55"))
         )
-        assert target.minutes == max(target.earned, 19 * 60 + 55)
-        assert target.lift == target.minutes - target.earned
+        assert target.minutes == target.earned
+        assert target.lift == 0
 
-    def test_a_sick_day_has_no_grace_floor_but_the_20_00_one(self) -> None:
+    def test_a_sick_day_has_the_20_00_floor(self) -> None:
         target = derive(DayInputs(_DAY, _FLAT, first_done=at("18:55"), sick_day=True))
-        assert target.grace is None
         assert target.resolution.sick is True
         assert target.minutes == SICK_FLOOR + sum(
             t.gaming_minutes for t in target.resolution.terms
@@ -112,5 +112,5 @@ class TestTarget:
             target = gather(_DAY, log)
         assert target.resolution.term("workout").answer == 1
         assert target.first_done_at == at("18:00")
-        assert target.grace == 19 * 60
+        assert target.minutes == target.earned
         assert not target.rest_day
diff --git a/scripts/_preview_sim.py b/scripts/_preview_sim.py
index fee4417..e54d3ed 100644
--- a/scripts/_preview_sim.py
+++ b/scripts/_preview_sim.py
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ class SimShutdown(ShutdownMixin):
         self.config = (*clamp, morning_end)
         return True
 
-    def credit(self, name: str, day: date, first_done: float | None) -> None:
+    def credit(self, name: str, day: date, at: float | None = None) -> None:
         """One live pass: the earner's add (lift-absorbing), then the floors.
 
         ``sick`` is not an earner: it marks the (temporary) pool and runs the
@@ -99,12 +99,11 @@ class SimShutdown(ShutdownMixin):
         if name == SICK_STEP:
             sick_pool(day, sick_day=True)
         elif name == earned_time.WORKOUT.name:
-            self._adjust_shutdown_time_later()
+            self._adjust_shutdown_time_later(at=at)
         else:
-            self._adjust_shutdown_time_by(first_minutes(earned_time.earner(name), day))
+            minutes = first_minutes(earned_time.earner(name), day)
+            self._adjust_shutdown_time_by(minutes, at=at)
         self._apply_sick_floor()
-        if first_done is not None:
-            self._apply_grace_floor(None, first_done=first_done)
 
 
 # The --sequence step that marks the day sick instead of crediting an earner.
diff --git a/scripts/preview_shutdown.py b/scripts/preview_shutdown.py
index 9b79a15..422caa1 100755
--- a/scripts/preview_shutdown.py
+++ b/scripts/preview_shutdown.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ READ-ONLY on the real system: it never runs the sudo helper, never writes
 ``/etc``, ``shutdown_base.json``, ``grace_floor.json``, ``rest_days.json``,
 ``log.json`` or the real workout ledger. Simulations run the real code paths
 (TCX parsing + walk summing via the RunnerUp backfill, rest-day signing and
-verification, ``_shutdown_target.derive``, the grace and sick floors and their
+verification, ``_shutdown_target.derive``, the sick floor, late credits and the
 lift bookkeeping, a temporary ``sickdays`` pool) against a temporary
 directory, with an in-memory shutdown config.
 
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ import tempfile
 
 import earned_time
 
-from screen_locker import _earned, _grace_floor, _shutdown, _sick_floor
+from screen_locker import _earned, _grace_floor, _late_credit, _shutdown, _sick_floor
 from screen_locker._constants import SHUTDOWN_CONFIG_FILE
 from screen_locker._day import today_str
 from screen_locker._earned import hhmm
@@ -74,11 +74,10 @@ def _report(label: str, target: Target) -> None:
         if target.first_done_at
         else "-"
     )
-    grace = hhmm(target.grace) if target.grace is not None else "-"
     _say(f"[{label}] {res.day} base {hhmm(res.base.shutdown_minutes)} | {terms}")
     _say(
         f"    rest_day={target.rest_day} sick={res.sick} earned={hhmm(target.earned)} "
-        f"first_done={first} grace={grace} lift={target.lift} "
+        f"first_done={first} lift={target.lift} "
         f"-> SHUTDOWN {hhmm(target.minutes)}"
     )
 
@@ -118,9 +117,15 @@ def _simulate(args: argparse.Namespace, tmp: Path) -> None:
     _report("simulated", target)
 
 
+def hhmm_minutes(text: str) -> int:
+    """``HH:MM`` as minutes after midnight."""
+    hour, minute = (int(p) for p in text.split(":"))
+    return hour * 60 + minute
+
+
 def _sequence(args: argparse.Namespace, tmp: Path) -> None:
     day = date.fromisoformat(args.day)
-    for module in (_grace_floor, _shutdown, _sick_floor):
+    for module in (_grace_floor, _late_credit, _shutdown, _sick_floor):
         vars(module)["today_str"] = lambda: args.day
         vars(module)["GRACE_STATE_FILE"] = tmp / "grace_floor.json"
     use_temp_pool(tmp)
@@ -128,7 +133,11 @@ def _sequence(args: argparse.Namespace, tmp: Path) -> None:
     start = derive(DayInputs(day, done))
     sim = SimShutdown(start.minutes)
     _say(f"[sequence] {day} start {hhmm(start.minutes)} (nothing done, not sick)")
-    workouts, first = 0, None
+    workouts, first, went_late = 0, None, False
+    # The real target reads today's real ledgers; the sim's are ``done``.
+    vars(_sick_floor)["sick_target"] = lambda d, _log: (
+        derive(DayInputs(d, done, workouts, sick_day=True)).minutes
+    )
     for step in args.sequence.split(","):
         name, _, at = step.partition("@")
         if name == earned_time.WORKOUT.name:
@@ -137,11 +146,19 @@ def _sequence(args: argparse.Namespace, tmp: Path) -> None:
             done[name] = True
         if name != SICK_STEP:
             first = min(first or stamp(day, at), stamp(day, at))
-        sim.credit(name, day, first)
+        late = name != SICK_STEP and hhmm_minutes(at) >= sim.config[0]
+        sim.credit(name, day, stamp(day, at))
         want = derive(
             DayInputs(day, done, workouts, first_done=first, sick_day=is_sick(day))
         )
-        verdict = "" if sim.config[0] == want.minutes else " MISMATCH"
+        # A late credit is live-only, so from it on the derived sum is no judge.
+        went_late = went_late or late
+        if late:
+            verdict = " LATE: from its own time"
+        elif went_late:
+            verdict = " live, after a late credit"
+        else:
+            verdict = "" if sim.config[0] == want.minutes else " MISMATCH"
         _say(
             f"    {name}@{at}: config {hhmm(sim.config[0])} "
             f"(derived {hhmm(want.minutes)}{verdict})"