diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 8c206de..38592fd 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -50,6 +50,6 @@
 - Roles are not exclusive: a single node may issue queries and answer them concurrently (I5, §3 "any member"). Implement querier/responder as independent enable flags — never an exclusive mode enum or fixed deployment role.
 - Matching floor: boundary tokenizer (`src/tokenizer.rs` — letter/digit splits so `5555` matches `DLEX5555`, lowercase, ASCII fold, English stopwords+stemmer) → coverage gate (`[match] min_coverage`, default 0.4; 1–2 term queries require all terms) → title boost 2.0 + phrase boost 3.0 + query-time snippets. Schema changes require a fresh index dir (`open_or_create` errors on mismatch).
 - Engine seam: `src/engine.rs` `SearchEngine` trait (`search` → `EngineOutput { hits, total: Option<u64> }`, `doc_count`); `respond()` in `src/node.rs` is the conformance wrapper (budget clamp, truncation from engine total — unknown total forces `truncated = true`). Power users can implement the trait (HTTP adapter or subprocess to an external engine).
-- Onboarding: `frxd --onboarding` runs a wizard consuming a credential block (`id=.. token=.. registry=.. ma_key=..`) issued by the MA's signup endpoint (`registry serve --signup-code --registry-url`; HTML page at `/`, `POST /v1/signup` → one-time invite token, `POST /v1/enroll` binds keys and re-signs). Identity registration stays MA-side; the wizard never creates identities, only binds locally generated keys. Invites live in `<registry dir>/invites.json`; the form's organization/representative/contact/payment fields are stored privately in `<registry dir>/applications.json` (mode 600, MA contract data — never in the signed snapshot), and the two acknowledgement checkboxes are required by the endpoint. Prompts accept empty input as the default; scripted stdin works for tests.
+- Onboarding: `frxd --onboarding` runs a wizard consuming a credential block (`id=.. token=.. registry=.. ma_key=..`) issued by the MA's signup endpoint (`registry serve --signup-code --registry-url`; HTML page at `/`, `POST /v1/signup` → one-time invite token, `POST /v1/enroll` binds keys and re-signs). Identity registration stays MA-side; the wizard never creates identities, only binds locally generated keys. Signup without a code queues a pending application (`<registry dir>/applications.json`, mode 600, MA contract data — never in the signed snapshot); `frxd registry approve <id>` promotes it (member stub + invite + credential block). A valid `--signup-code` approves immediately. Invites live in `<registry dir>/invites.json`. Prompts accept empty input as the default; scripted stdin works for tests.
 - Next matching steps: eval harness with a small golden set (precision@k + false-silence rate), then a dense recall leg (model2vec-rs 0.2.1 exists but needs `default-features = false, features = ["fancy-regex", "local-only"]` for musl/airgapped; verify crate + model licenses before bundling), then an optional cross-encoder reranker. Embeddings are for recall; reranking is the precision tier.
 - Identity/registry (RFC Draft 0.5 §4/§6): MA-hosted FQDN identifiers first (`<label>.frx.<ma-domain>`, no DNS needed by users), signed versioned registry snapshot with the MA key pinned; envelope `from` = identifier, `key` = pubkey; registry outage fails static. Member-hosted identities, MA anchor rollover, and unicast confidentiality are §10 open. Implementation phases: A (signed registry snapshot) and B (identifier + `key` + JCS on the wire) are built and tested. Prioritize frictionless onboarding (users may be department-level and cannot create DNS).
diff --git a/DEPLOY.md b/DEPLOY.md
index c4d971d..89de3ef 100644
--- a/DEPLOY.md
+++ b/DEPLOY.md
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ frxd registry --dir ./ma init --zone frx.federatedsearch.org
 frxd registry --dir ./ma serve --listen 127.0.0.1:7800 --signup-code <code> --registry-url https://ma.federatedsearch.org/registry.json
 ```
 
-(put Caddy in front for a real domain). The page at `/` accepts the registration form (label, signup code, organization details) and returns a credential block: `id=... token=... registry=... ma_key=...`. Organization details (legal name, representative, contacts, payment) are recorded privately by the MA in `<registry dir>/applications.json` — contract data, never in the public signed snapshot; review with `frxd registry applications`.
+(put Caddy in front for a real domain). The page at `/` collects the registration form (short name, organization details, optional pre-approval code). Without a code the application queues for MA review — `frxd registry --dir <dir> applications` lists it and `frxd registry --dir <dir> approve <id> --registry-url <url>` issues the member, the invite, and the credential block to hand over; a valid code approves immediately and shows the block on the page. The block is `id=... token=... registry=... ma_key=...`. Organization details (legal name, representative, contacts, payment) are recorded privately by the MA in `<registry dir>/applications.json` — contract data, never in the public signed snapshot.
 
 New member:
 
diff --git a/src/commands.rs b/src/commands.rs
index 7ed7c1b..1be794c 100644
--- a/src/commands.rs
+++ b/src/commands.rs
@@ -431,7 +431,7 @@ pub fn registry_applications(dir: &Path) -> Result<()> {
         return Ok(());
     }
     for app in &applications {
-        println!("{} [{}] {} <{}>", app.id, app.class, app.org, app.email);
+        println!("{} [{}] {} <{}> — {}", app.id, app.class, app.org, app.email, app.status);
         println!("    representative: {}", app.representative);
         if !app.address.is_empty() {
             println!("    address: {}", app.address);
@@ -449,6 +449,41 @@ pub fn registry_applications(dir: &Path) -> Result<()> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
+/// Approves a pending application: creates the member stub (class from the application),
+/// issues a 24h invite, and prints the credential block to hand to the member.
+pub fn registry_approve(dir: &Path, id: &str, registry_url: Option<&str>) -> Result<()> {
+    let (_, signed) = open_registry(dir)?;
+    if signed.doc.members.iter().any(|member| member.id == id) {
+        return Err(anyhow!("member {id} already listed"));
+    }
+    let application = registry::approve_application(dir, id)?;
+    let class = if application.class == CLASS_ENRICHMENT {
+        CLASS_ENRICHMENT
+    } else {
+        CLASS_SOURCE
+    }
+    .to_string();
+    mutate_registry(dir, |doc| {
+        doc.members.push(RegistryMember {
+            id: id.to_string(),
+            class: class.clone(),
+            keys: Vec::new(),
+            enc_key: None,
+        });
+        Ok(())
+    })?;
+    let invite = registry::create_invite(dir, id, 24 * 3600)?;
+    let (_, signed) = open_registry(dir)?;
+    let registry_url = registry_url.unwrap_or("<registry-url>");
+    println!("approved {id} ({class})");
+    println!("hand this credential block to the member:");
+    println!(
+        "id={id} token={} registry={registry_url} ma_key={}",
+        invite.token, signed.doc.ma_key
+    );
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 pub fn registry_set_relays(dir: &Path, relays: &[String]) -> Result<()> {
     mutate_registry(dir, |doc| {
         doc.relays = relays.to_vec();
@@ -570,20 +605,36 @@ async fn registry_signup(
     State(server): State<std::sync::Arc<RegistryServer>>,
     Json(request): Json<SignupRequest>,
 ) -> Response {
-    let Some(expected) = &server.signup_code else {
+    let label = sanitize_label(&request.label);
+    if label.is_empty() {
         return (
-            StatusCode::FORBIDDEN,
-            Json(serde_json::json!({ "error": "signup is not enabled" })),
-        )
-            .into_response();
-    };
-    if request.code.as_deref() != Some(expected.as_str()) {
-        return (
-            StatusCode::FORBIDDEN,
-            Json(serde_json::json!({ "error": "wrong signup code" })),
+            StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST,
+            Json(serde_json::json!({ "error": "label must be alphanumeric" })),
         )
             .into_response();
     }
+    // A pre-approval code, if supplied, must be valid; an empty code queues for review.
+    let code = request
+        .code
+        .as_deref()
+        .map(str::trim)
+        .filter(|code| !code.is_empty());
+    if let Some(code) = code {
+        let Some(expected) = &server.signup_code else {
+            return (
+                StatusCode::FORBIDDEN,
+                Json(serde_json::json!({ "error": "no pre-approval code is configured; submit without one to queue for review" })),
+            )
+                .into_response();
+        };
+        if code != expected.as_str() {
+            return (
+                StatusCode::FORBIDDEN,
+                Json(serde_json::json!({ "error": "wrong signup code" })),
+            )
+                .into_response();
+        }
+    }
     if !request.attestation {
         return (
             StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST,
@@ -598,11 +649,13 @@ async fn registry_signup(
         )
             .into_response();
     }
-    let label = sanitize_label(&request.label);
-    if label.is_empty() {
+    if request.org.trim().is_empty()
+        || request.representative.trim().is_empty()
+        || request.email.trim().is_empty()
+    {
         return (
             StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST,
-            Json(serde_json::json!({ "error": "label must be alphanumeric" })),
+            Json(serde_json::json!({ "error": "organization name, representative, and contact email are required" })),
         )
             .into_response();
     }
@@ -625,8 +678,9 @@ async fn registry_signup(
         )
             .into_response();
     }
-    let invite = match registry::create_invite(&server.dir, &id, 24 * 3600) {
-        Ok(invite) => invite,
+    let applications = match registry::load_applications(&registry::applications_path(&server.dir))
+    {
+        Ok(applications) => applications,
         Err(error) => {
             return (
                 StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
@@ -635,26 +689,18 @@ async fn registry_signup(
                 .into_response();
         }
     };
+    if applications.iter().any(|application| application.id == id) {
+        return (
+            StatusCode::CONFLICT,
+            Json(serde_json::json!({ "error": "an application for this identifier is already on file" })),
+        )
+            .into_response();
+    }
     let class = if request.class.as_deref() == Some(CLASS_ENRICHMENT) {
         CLASS_ENRICHMENT
     } else {
         CLASS_SOURCE
     };
-    if let Err(error) = mutate_registry(&server.dir, |doc| {
-        doc.members.push(RegistryMember {
-            id: id.clone(),
-            class: class.to_string(),
-            keys: Vec::new(),
-            enc_key: None,
-        });
-        Ok(())
-    }) {
-        return (
-            StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
-            Json(serde_json::json!({ "error": error.to_string() })),
-        )
-            .into_response();
-    }
     let application = registry::Application {
         id: id.clone(),
         org: request.org.clone(),
@@ -665,8 +711,31 @@ async fn registry_signup(
         class: class.to_string(),
         payment: request.payment.clone(),
         privacy_link: request.privacy_link.clone(),
+        status: if code.is_some() {
+            "approved".to_string()
+        } else {
+            "pending".to_string()
+        },
         submitted_at: now_ts(),
     };
+    if code.is_none() {
+        if let Err(error) = registry::record_application(&server.dir, application) {
+            return (
+                StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
+                Json(serde_json::json!({ "error": error.to_string() })),
+            )
+                .into_response();
+        }
+        return (
+            StatusCode::ACCEPTED,
+            Json(serde_json::json!({
+                "status": "pending",
+                "id": id,
+                "message": "application received — the membership authority reviews it and issues your credential block"
+            })),
+        )
+            .into_response();
+    }
     if let Err(error) = registry::record_application(&server.dir, application) {
         return (
             StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
@@ -674,6 +743,31 @@ async fn registry_signup(
         )
             .into_response();
     }
+    let invite = match registry::create_invite(&server.dir, &id, 24 * 3600) {
+        Ok(invite) => invite,
+        Err(error) => {
+            return (
+                StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
+                Json(serde_json::json!({ "error": error.to_string() })),
+            )
+                .into_response();
+        }
+    };
+    if let Err(error) = mutate_registry(&server.dir, |doc| {
+        doc.members.push(RegistryMember {
+            id: id.clone(),
+            class: class.to_string(),
+            keys: Vec::new(),
+            enc_key: None,
+        });
+        Ok(())
+    }) {
+        return (
+            StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
+            Json(serde_json::json!({ "error": error.to_string() })),
+        )
+            .into_response();
+    }
     let registry_url = server.registry_url.clone().unwrap_or_default();
     let ma_key = signed.doc.ma_key.clone();
     (
@@ -816,20 +910,21 @@ scores on the wire, no in-protocol payment.</p>
 
 <h2>1. Register with the membership authority</h2>
 <div class="card">
-<p class="muted">Registering here creates your identifier with the membership authority (MA); the
-onboarding wizard in step 4 then binds your node's keys to it. The public registry publishes only
-your identifier, class, keys, and the federation's relays. The organization details below are kept
-privately by the MA for the membership contract — they are never published and never travel on the
-wire.</p>
+<p class="muted">This form requests membership from the membership authority (MA). The MA reviews
+your organization details and issues a credential block
+(<code>id=... token=... registry=... ma_key=...</code>); the onboarding wizard in step 4 then
+binds your node's keys to the identifier. The public registry publishes only your identifier,
+class, keys, and the federation's relays. The organization details below are kept privately by
+the MA for the membership contract — never published, never on the wire.</p>
 <form id="f">
 <label>Short name — this becomes your identifier<br>
 <input name="label" id="label" required pattern="[A-Za-z0-9 -]+" placeholder="keswick-research"></label>
 <p class="muted">identifier: <code id="preview">(type a short name)</code> — no domain or DNS of your own is needed.</p>
-<label>Signup code<br>
-<input name="code" type="password" placeholder="invite code"></label>
-<p class="muted">The code is the admission gate: members are approved, not anonymous. Ask the MA
-operator for one. (If you run the MA, it is the <code>--signup-code</code> passed to
-<code>frxd registry serve</code>.)</p>
+<label>Signup code (optional)<br>
+<input name="code" type="password" placeholder="pre-approval code"></label>
+<p class="muted">Leave empty to queue your application for MA review — the MA will contact you
+with your credential block. A pre-approval code, issued by the MA out of band, approves you
+immediately and returns the block here.</p>
 <label>Legal organization name<br>
 <input name="org" required placeholder="Keswick Research LLC"></label>
 <label>Representative (authorized contact person)<br>
@@ -859,10 +954,10 @@ operator for one. (If you run the MA, it is the <code>--signup-code</code> passe
 <h2>2. Download</h2>
 <div class="card">
 <p>Static Linux x86_64 binaries (musl — no runtime dependencies):</p>
-<pre class="cmd">curl -LO https://git.federatedsearch.org/frx/frxd/releases/download/v0.1.1/frxd-linux-amd64
-curl -LO https://git.federatedsearch.org/frx/frxd/releases/download/v0.1.1/frxd-linux-amd64.sha256
-curl -LO https://git.federatedsearch.org/frx/frxd/releases/download/v0.1.1/frx-linux-amd64
-curl -LO https://git.federatedsearch.org/frx/frxd/releases/download/v0.1.1/frx-linux-amd64.sha256</pre>
+<pre class="cmd">curl -LO https://git.federatedsearch.org/frx/frxd/releases/download/v0.1.2/frxd-linux-amd64
+curl -LO https://git.federatedsearch.org/frx/frxd/releases/download/v0.1.2/frxd-linux-amd64.sha256
+curl -LO https://git.federatedsearch.org/frx/frxd/releases/download/v0.1.2/frx-linux-amd64
+curl -LO https://git.federatedsearch.org/frx/frxd/releases/download/v0.1.2/frx-linux-amd64.sha256</pre>
 <p class="muted">All releases: <a href="https://git.federatedsearch.org/frx/frxd/releases">git.federatedsearch.org/frx/frxd/releases</a>.
 Source and spec (<code>rfc.txt</code>): <a href="https://git.federatedsearch.org/frx/frxd">git.federatedsearch.org/frx/frxd</a>.</p>
 </div>
@@ -931,9 +1026,11 @@ f.onsubmit = async (e) => {
   });
   const body = await res.json();
   out.style.display = "block";
-  out.textContent = res.ok
+  out.textContent = body.credentials
     ? "Membership approved.\n\nNext: download frxd (step 2), install it (step 3), then run `frxd --onboarding` and paste this block:\n\n" + body.credentials + "\n"
-    : "Failed: " + (body.error || ("http " + res.status));
+    : res.ok
+      ? "Application received.\n\n" + (body.message || "The membership authority will review it and issue your credential block.")
+      : "Failed: " + (body.error || ("http " + res.status));
 };
 
 (async () => {
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 1aef7c6..fb81869 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -180,6 +180,11 @@ enum RegistryCommand {
     },
     List,
     Applications,
+    Approve {
+        id: String,
+        #[arg(long)]
+        registry_url: Option<String>,
+    },
     SetRelays {
         #[arg(required = true)]
         relays: Vec<String>,
@@ -356,6 +361,9 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
             RegistryCommand::Remove { id } => commands::registry_remove(&dir, &id)?,
             RegistryCommand::List => commands::registry_list(&dir)?,
             RegistryCommand::Applications => commands::registry_applications(&dir)?,
+            RegistryCommand::Approve { id, registry_url } => {
+                commands::registry_approve(&dir, &id, registry_url.as_deref())?
+            }
             RegistryCommand::SetRelays { relays } => commands::registry_set_relays(&dir, &relays)?,
             RegistryCommand::Show => commands::registry_show(&dir)?,
             RegistryCommand::Serve {
diff --git a/src/registry.rs b/src/registry.rs
index ca1be30..1936f5c 100644
--- a/src/registry.rs
+++ b/src/registry.rs
@@ -129,9 +129,16 @@ pub struct Application {
     pub payment: String,
     #[serde(default)]
     pub privacy_link: String,
+    /// "pending" until the MA approves, then "approved".
+    #[serde(default = "default_status")]
+    pub status: String,
     pub submitted_at: u64,
 }
 
+fn default_status() -> String {
+    "pending".to_string()
+}
+
 pub fn applications_path(dir: &Path) -> PathBuf {
     dir.join("applications.json")
 }
@@ -144,13 +151,36 @@ pub fn load_applications(path: &Path) -> Result<Vec<Application>> {
     serde_json::from_str(&raw).context("parsing applications")
 }
 
+pub fn save_applications(path: &Path, applications: &[Application]) -> Result<()> {
+    fs::write(path, serde_json::to_string_pretty(applications)?)?;
+    crate::config::set_private_permissions(path)?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 pub fn record_application(dir: &Path, application: Application) -> Result<()> {
     let path = applications_path(dir);
     let mut applications = load_applications(&path)?;
     applications.push(application);
-    fs::write(&path, serde_json::to_string_pretty(&applications)?)?;
-    crate::config::set_private_permissions(&path)?;
-    Ok(())
+    save_applications(&path, &applications)
+}
+
+/// Marks a pending application approved and returns it. Errors if unknown or not pending.
+pub fn approve_application(dir: &Path, id: &str) -> Result<Application> {
+    let path = applications_path(dir);
+    let mut applications = load_applications(&path)?;
+    let Some(application) = applications.iter_mut().find(|app| app.id == id) else {
+        return Err(anyhow!("no application for {id}"));
+    };
+    if application.status != "pending" {
+        return Err(anyhow!(
+            "application for {id} is not pending ({})",
+            application.status
+        ));
+    }
+    application.status = "approved".to_string();
+    let approved = application.clone();
+    save_applications(&path, &applications)?;
+    Ok(approved)
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
diff --git a/tests/onboarding.rs b/tests/onboarding.rs
index 20fdad1..aabea6c 100644
--- a/tests/onboarding.rs
+++ b/tests/onboarding.rs
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ async fn signup_issues_invite_and_enroll_binds_key() {
 
     let response = http
         .post(format!("{base}/v1/signup"))
-        .json(&serde_json::json!({"label": "Alice Dev", "code": "sesame", "attestation": true, "privacy_ack": true}))
+        .json(&serde_json::json!({"label": "Alice Dev", "code": "sesame", "org": "Alice Dev Org", "representative": "Alice", "email": "alice@example.org", "attestation": true, "privacy_ack": true}))
         .send()
         .await
         .unwrap();
@@ -169,6 +169,83 @@ async fn signup_stores_private_application_and_class() {
     assert_eq!(app.class, "enrichment");
 }
 
+#[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread", worker_threads = 4)]
+async fn signup_without_code_queues_application_for_approval() {
+    let root = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+    let dir = setup_ma(root.path());
+    let base = spawn_registry_server(&dir, Some("sesame")).await;
+    let http = reqwest::Client::builder()
+        .timeout(Duration::from_secs(5))
+        .build()
+        .unwrap();
+
+    // no code: application queues as pending; no credentials, no member entry
+    let response = http
+        .post(format!("{base}/v1/signup"))
+        .json(&serde_json::json!({
+            "label": "Pending Co",
+            "org": "Pending Co Ltd",
+            "representative": "P. Pending",
+            "email": "ops@pending.example",
+            "attestation": true,
+            "privacy_ack": true
+        }))
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(response.status(), reqwest::StatusCode::ACCEPTED);
+    let body: Value = response.json().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(body.get("status").and_then(Value::as_str), Some("pending"));
+    assert!(body.get("credentials").is_none());
+    let id = "pending-co.frx.invalid";
+
+    let signed = registry::load_registry(&dir.join("registry.json")).unwrap();
+    assert!(
+        signed.doc.members.iter().all(|member| member.id != id),
+        "a pending application must not create a member entry"
+    );
+    let apps = registry::load_applications(&dir.join("applications.json")).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(apps.len(), 1);
+    assert_eq!(apps[0].id, id);
+    assert_eq!(apps[0].status, "pending");
+
+    // a wrong code is still rejected, not queued
+    let rejected = http
+        .post(format!("{base}/v1/signup"))
+        .json(&serde_json::json!({
+            "label": "other", "code": "wrong", "org": "O", "representative": "R",
+            "email": "r@o.example", "attestation": true, "privacy_ack": true
+        }))
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(rejected.status(), reqwest::StatusCode::FORBIDDEN);
+
+    // MA approves: member stub + invite; enrollment binds the key
+    commands::registry_approve(&dir, id, None).unwrap();
+    let signed = registry::load_registry(&dir.join("registry.json")).unwrap();
+    assert!(signed.doc.members.iter().any(|member| member.id == id));
+    let apps = registry::load_applications(&dir.join("applications.json")).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(apps[0].status, "approved");
+
+    let invites = registry::load_invites(&dir.join("invites.json")).unwrap();
+    let invite = invites.iter().find(|invite| invite.id == id).unwrap();
+    let key = Keypair::generate();
+    let enrolled = http
+        .post(format!("{base}/v1/enroll"))
+        .json(&serde_json::json!({
+            "id": id,
+            "token": invite.token,
+            "pubkey": key.public_hex(),
+        }))
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(enrolled.status().is_success());
+    let signed = registry::load_registry(&dir.join("registry.json")).unwrap();
+    assert!(registry::authorized_keys(&signed, now_ts()).contains_key(&key.public_hex()));
+}
+
 #[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread", worker_threads = 4)]
 async fn wizard_enrolls_and_writes_config() {
     let root = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
@@ -177,7 +254,7 @@ async fn wizard_enrolls_and_writes_config() {
     let http = reqwest::Client::new();
     let body: Value = http
         .post(format!("{base}/v1/signup"))
-        .json(&serde_json::json!({"label": "Wizard Test", "code": "sesame", "attestation": true, "privacy_ack": true}))
+        .json(&serde_json::json!({"label": "Wizard Test", "code": "sesame", "org": "Wizard Test Org", "representative": "Wiz", "email": "wiz@example.org", "attestation": true, "privacy_ack": true}))
         .send()
         .await
         .unwrap()