Start with a threat model, not a dramatic trigger

Source code may need to survive a founder's incapacity, seizure of one device, account suspension or loss of a maintainer. Those are different events. Automatic public release can endanger sources, expose personal data, violate contracts or destroy intellectual property.

Define the authorised recipient, the exact material they may receive, the conditions under which counsel or an editor should act, and the harm caused by a false release. High-risk journalism needs specialist legal and operational-security advice.

Build continuity at the repository and organisation level

Use an organisation-owned repository, at least two maintainers, protected branches, reviewed deploy keys, reproducible backups and a documented ownership-transfer process. Keep sensitive source identities outside the code repository. Make immediate incident response possible without waiting for any personal timer.

A continuity package can contain repository locations, integrity hashes, build instructions, key-custody maps, counsel contacts and the safe order for restoring access. Avoid permanent tokens when delegated or time-limited access is available.

ZeroLatch is a delayed handover, not an auto-publisher

ZeroLatch supports check-ins beginning at 1 day and an optional safety period. Lifecycle processing runs daily, not continuously. It sends a secure access path to one intended recipient; it does not publish a repository, detect detention, revoke accounts or call an emergency contact tree.

That may fit long-term founder or maintainer absence. It does not fit a 24–48-hour duress trigger. A specialist rapid-response workflow would need monitored escalation, human confirmation, legal review and a controlled publication process.

Rehearse with a non-sensitive repository

Test a clone, build and restore using a harmless repository and temporary credentials. Verify that the responder can establish authority, check file integrity and rotate access afterward. Test wrong-recipient, expired-link and lost-code cases as well as success.

The objective is resilient, authorised continuity—not an unreviewed promise that silence will automatically publish everything.