# K1556–K1560: bounded symlink resolution

The read-only VFS symlink model stores two exact canonical link paths and absolute targets. It resolves each target through the same two-volume namespace and process root as an ordinary path. A lookup may follow at most 40 links. The next attempted hop returns `Eloop`; it never loops indefinitely or publishes a partial path.

Construction rejects duplicate link paths, empty or overlong targets, relative targets, invalid UTF-8, and targets outside the process root. Resolution preserves the namespace CWD and generation on success and failure. A two-link chain can cross mounts and reach a file path. A self loop demonstrates the 41st-hop refusal. The table holds fixed-size values and allocates no frame.

This initial model matches complete paths only. Component-prefix symlinks, disk-backed link contents, concurrent namespace mutation, and product release acceptance remain separate work.