diff --git a/exercises/07_SD_Startup_Watcher/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.cpp b/exercises/07_SD_Startup_Watcher/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.cpp
index a77f92e..5cc77ed 100644
--- a/exercises/07_SD_Startup_Watcher/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.cpp
+++ b/exercises/07_SD_Startup_Watcher/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.cpp
@@ -71,11 +71,6 @@ void StartupSdManager::update() {
   bool mounted = mountPreferred(false);
   if (!mounted && (uint32_t)(now - lastFullScanMs_) >= cfg_.fullScanIntervalMs) {
     lastFullScanMs_ = now;
-    if (cfg_.recoveryRailCycleOnFullScan) {
-      logf("Watcher: recovery rail cycle before full scan");
-      cycleSdRail(cfg_.recoveryRailOffMs, cfg_.recoveryRailOnSettleMs);
-      delay(150);
-    }
     logf("Watcher: preferred probe failed, running full scan");
     mounted = mountCardFullScan();
   }
diff --git a/exercises/07_SD_Startup_Watcher/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.h b/exercises/07_SD_Startup_Watcher/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.h
index be9ef27..095f857 100644
--- a/exercises/07_SD_Startup_Watcher/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.h
+++ b/exercises/07_SD_Startup_Watcher/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.h
@@ -23,9 +23,6 @@ using SdStatusCallback = void (*)(SdEvent event, const char* message);
 struct SdWatcherConfig {
   bool enableSdRailCycle = true;
   bool enablePinDumps = true;
-  bool recoveryRailCycleOnFullScan = true;
-  uint32_t recoveryRailOffMs = 250;
-  uint32_t recoveryRailOnSettleMs = 700;
   uint32_t startupWarmupMs = 1500;
   uint32_t pollIntervalAbsentMs = 1000;
   uint32_t pollIntervalMountedMs = 2000;
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/README.md b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/README.md
deleted file mode 100644
index c9b1a8d..0000000
--- a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/README.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,43 +0,0 @@
-## Exercise 08: SystemStartup Package Scaffold
-
-This exercise starts a reusable `SystemStartup` package that is intended to be shared by future exercises and field firmware.
-
-Current package responsibilities:
-
-1. Initialize OLED and show boot/status messages.
-2. Initialize SD startup watcher.
-3. Keep SD monitoring active in `loop()` with a single call.
-
-Current integration pattern:
-
-```cpp
-#include "SystemStartup.h"
-
-static SystemStartup g_systemStartup(Serial);
-
-void setup() {
-  Serial.begin(115200);
-  g_systemStartup.begin();
-}
-
-void loop() {
-  g_systemStartup.update();
-  delay(10);
-}
-```
-
-This is the foundation for adding more startup subsystems (RTC sync/check, etc.) behind the same `begin()/update()` API.
-
-## Build
-
-```bash
-source /home/jlpoole/rnsenv/bin/activate
-pio run -e node_a
-```
-
-## Upload
-
-```bash
-source /home/jlpoole/rnsenv/bin/activate
-pio run -e node_a -t upload --upload-port /dev/ttyACM0
-```
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.cpp b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 1e8791c..0000000
--- a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,360 +0,0 @@
-#include "StartupSdManager.h"
-
-#include <stdarg.h>
-#include "driver/gpio.h"
-
-StartupSdManager::StartupSdManager(Print& serial) : serial_(serial) {}
-
-bool StartupSdManager::begin(const SdWatcherConfig& cfg, SdStatusCallback callback) {
-  cfg_ = cfg;
-  callback_ = callback;
-
-  forceSpiDeselected();
-  dumpSdPins("very-early");
-
-  if (!initPmuForSdPower()) {
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  cycleSdRail();
-  delay(cfg_.startupWarmupMs);
-
-  bool warmMounted = false;
-  for (uint8_t i = 0; i < 3; ++i) {
-    if (mountPreferred(false)) {
-      warmMounted = true;
-      break;
-    }
-    delay(200);
-  }
-
-  // Some cards need a longer power/settle window after cold boot.
-  // Before declaring ABSENT, retry with extended settle and a full scan.
-  if (!warmMounted) {
-    logf("Watcher: startup preferred mount failed, retrying with extended settle");
-    cycleSdRail(400, 1200);
-    delay(cfg_.startupWarmupMs + 1500);
-    warmMounted = mountCardFullScan();
-  }
-
-  if (warmMounted) {
-    setStateMounted();
-  } else {
-    setStateAbsent();
-  }
-  return true;
-}
-
-void StartupSdManager::update() {
-  const uint32_t now = millis();
-  const uint32_t pollInterval =
-      (watchState_ == SdWatchState::MOUNTED) ? cfg_.pollIntervalMountedMs : cfg_.pollIntervalAbsentMs;
-
-  if ((uint32_t)(now - lastPollMs_) < pollInterval) {
-    return;
-  }
-  lastPollMs_ = now;
-
-  if (watchState_ == SdWatchState::MOUNTED) {
-    if (verifyMountedCard()) {
-      presentVotes_ = 0;
-      absentVotes_ = 0;
-      return;
-    }
-
-    if (mountPreferred(false) && verifyMountedCard()) {
-      presentVotes_ = 0;
-      absentVotes_ = 0;
-      return;
-    }
-
-    absentVotes_++;
-    presentVotes_ = 0;
-    if (absentVotes_ >= cfg_.votesToAbsent) {
-      setStateAbsent();
-      absentVotes_ = 0;
-    }
-    return;
-  }
-
-  bool mounted = mountPreferred(false);
-  if (!mounted && (uint32_t)(now - lastFullScanMs_) >= cfg_.fullScanIntervalMs) {
-    lastFullScanMs_ = now;
-    if (cfg_.recoveryRailCycleOnFullScan) {
-      logf("Watcher: recovery rail cycle before full scan");
-      cycleSdRail(cfg_.recoveryRailOffMs, cfg_.recoveryRailOnSettleMs);
-      delay(150);
-    }
-    logf("Watcher: preferred probe failed, running full scan");
-    mounted = mountCardFullScan();
-  }
-
-  if (mounted) {
-    presentVotes_++;
-    absentVotes_ = 0;
-    if (presentVotes_ >= cfg_.votesToPresent) {
-      setStateMounted();
-      presentVotes_ = 0;
-    }
-  } else {
-    absentVotes_++;
-    presentVotes_ = 0;
-    if (absentVotes_ >= cfg_.votesToAbsent) {
-      setStateAbsent();
-      absentVotes_ = 0;
-    }
-  }
-}
-
-bool StartupSdManager::consumeMountedEvent() {
-  bool out = mountedEventPending_;
-  mountedEventPending_ = false;
-  return out;
-}
-
-bool StartupSdManager::consumeRemovedEvent() {
-  bool out = removedEventPending_;
-  removedEventPending_ = false;
-  return out;
-}
-
-void StartupSdManager::logf(const char* fmt, ...) {
-  char msg[196];
-  va_list args;
-  va_start(args, fmt);
-  vsnprintf(msg, sizeof(msg), fmt, args);
-  va_end(args);
-  serial_.printf("[%10lu][%06lu] %s\r\n",
-                 (unsigned long)millis(),
-                 (unsigned long)logSeq_++,
-                 msg);
-}
-
-void StartupSdManager::notify(SdEvent event, const char* message) {
-  if (callback_ != nullptr) {
-    callback_(event, message);
-  }
-}
-
-void StartupSdManager::forceSpiDeselected() {
-  pinMode(tbeam_supreme::sdCs(), OUTPUT);
-  digitalWrite(tbeam_supreme::sdCs(), HIGH);
-  pinMode(tbeam_supreme::imuCs(), OUTPUT);
-  digitalWrite(tbeam_supreme::imuCs(), HIGH);
-}
-
-void StartupSdManager::dumpSdPins(const char* tag) {
-  if (!cfg_.enablePinDumps) {
-    (void)tag;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  const gpio_num_t cs = (gpio_num_t)tbeam_supreme::sdCs();
-  const gpio_num_t sck = (gpio_num_t)tbeam_supreme::sdSck();
-  const gpio_num_t miso = (gpio_num_t)tbeam_supreme::sdMiso();
-  const gpio_num_t mosi = (gpio_num_t)tbeam_supreme::sdMosi();
-  logf("PINS(%s): CS=%d SCK=%d MISO=%d MOSI=%d",
-       tag, gpio_get_level(cs), gpio_get_level(sck), gpio_get_level(miso), gpio_get_level(mosi));
-}
-
-bool StartupSdManager::initPmuForSdPower() {
-  if (!tbeam_supreme::initPmuForPeripherals(pmu_, &serial_)) {
-    logf("ERROR: PMU init failed");
-    return false;
-  }
-  return true;
-}
-
-void StartupSdManager::cycleSdRail(uint32_t offMs, uint32_t onSettleMs) {
-  if (!cfg_.enableSdRailCycle) {
-    return;
-  }
-  if (!pmu_) {
-    logf("SD rail cycle skipped: pmu=null");
-    return;
-  }
-
-  forceSpiDeselected();
-  pmu_->disablePowerOutput(XPOWERS_BLDO1);
-  delay(offMs);
-  pmu_->setPowerChannelVoltage(XPOWERS_BLDO1, 3300);
-  pmu_->enablePowerOutput(XPOWERS_BLDO1);
-  delay(onSettleMs);
-}
-
-bool StartupSdManager::tryMountWithBus(SPIClass& bus, const char* busName, uint32_t hz, bool verbose) {
-  SD.end();
-  bus.end();
-  delay(10);
-  forceSpiDeselected();
-
-  bus.begin(tbeam_supreme::sdSck(), tbeam_supreme::sdMiso(), tbeam_supreme::sdMosi(), tbeam_supreme::sdCs());
-  digitalWrite(tbeam_supreme::sdCs(), HIGH);
-  delay(2);
-  for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
-    bus.transfer(0xFF);
-  }
-  delay(2);
-
-  if (verbose) {
-    logf("SD: trying bus=%s freq=%lu Hz", busName, (unsigned long)hz);
-  }
-
-  if (!SD.begin(tbeam_supreme::sdCs(), bus, hz)) {
-    if (verbose) {
-      logf("SD: mount failed (possible non-FAT format, power, or bus issue)");
-    }
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  if (SD.cardType() == CARD_NONE) {
-    SD.end();
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  sdSpi_ = &bus;
-  sdBusName_ = busName;
-  sdFreq_ = hz;
-  return true;
-}
-
-bool StartupSdManager::mountPreferred(bool verbose) {
-  return tryMountWithBus(sdSpiH_, "HSPI", 400000, verbose);
-}
-
-bool StartupSdManager::mountCardFullScan() {
-  const uint32_t freqs[] = {400000, 1000000, 4000000, 10000000};
-
-  for (uint8_t i = 0; i < (sizeof(freqs) / sizeof(freqs[0])); ++i) {
-    if (tryMountWithBus(sdSpiH_, "HSPI", freqs[i], true)) {
-      logf("SD: card detected and mounted");
-      return true;
-    }
-  }
-  for (uint8_t i = 0; i < (sizeof(freqs) / sizeof(freqs[0])); ++i) {
-    if (tryMountWithBus(sdSpiF_, "FSPI", freqs[i], true)) {
-      logf("SD: card detected and mounted");
-      return true;
-    }
-  }
-
-  logf("SD: begin() failed on all bus/frequency attempts");
-  return false;
-}
-
-bool StartupSdManager::verifyMountedCard() {
-  File root = SD.open("/", FILE_READ);
-  if (!root) {
-    return false;
-  }
-  root.close();
-  return true;
-}
-
-const char* StartupSdManager::cardTypeToString(uint8_t type) {
-  switch (type) {
-    case CARD_MMC:
-      return "MMC";
-    case CARD_SD:
-      return "SDSC";
-    case CARD_SDHC:
-      return "SDHC/SDXC";
-    default:
-      return "UNKNOWN";
-  }
-}
-
-void StartupSdManager::printCardInfo() {
-  uint8_t cardType = SD.cardType();
-  uint64_t cardSizeMB = SD.cardSize() / (1024ULL * 1024ULL);
-  uint64_t totalMB = SD.totalBytes() / (1024ULL * 1024ULL);
-  uint64_t usedMB = SD.usedBytes() / (1024ULL * 1024ULL);
-
-  logf("SD type: %s", cardTypeToString(cardType));
-  logf("SD size: %llu MB", cardSizeMB);
-  logf("FS total: %llu MB", totalMB);
-  logf("FS used : %llu MB", usedMB);
-  logf("SPI bus: %s @ %lu Hz", sdBusName_, (unsigned long)sdFreq_);
-}
-
-bool StartupSdManager::ensureDirRecursive(const char* path) {
-  String full(path);
-  if (!full.startsWith("/")) {
-    full = "/" + full;
-  }
-
-  int start = 1;
-  while (start > 0 && start < (int)full.length()) {
-    int slash = full.indexOf('/', start);
-    String partial = (slash < 0) ? full : full.substring(0, slash);
-    if (!SD.exists(partial.c_str()) && !SD.mkdir(partial.c_str())) {
-      logf("ERROR: mkdir failed for %s", partial.c_str());
-      return false;
-    }
-    if (slash < 0) {
-      break;
-    }
-    start = slash + 1;
-  }
-
-  return true;
-}
-
-bool StartupSdManager::rewriteFile(const char* path, const char* payload) {
-  if (SD.exists(path) && !SD.remove(path)) {
-    logf("ERROR: failed to erase %s", path);
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  File f = SD.open(path, FILE_WRITE);
-  if (!f) {
-    logf("ERROR: failed to create %s", path);
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  size_t wrote = f.println(payload);
-  f.close();
-  if (wrote == 0) {
-    logf("ERROR: write failed for %s", path);
-    return false;
-  }
-  return true;
-}
-
-void StartupSdManager::permissionsDemo(const char* path) {
-  logf("Permissions demo: FAT has no Unix chmod/chown, use open mode only.");
-  File r = SD.open(path, FILE_READ);
-  if (!r) {
-    logf("Could not open %s as FILE_READ", path);
-    return;
-  }
-  size_t writeInReadMode = r.print("attempt write while opened read-only");
-  if (writeInReadMode == 0) {
-    logf("As expected, FILE_READ write was blocked.");
-  } else {
-    logf("NOTE: FILE_READ write returned %u (unexpected)", (unsigned)writeInReadMode);
-  }
-  r.close();
-}
-
-void StartupSdManager::setStateMounted() {
-  if (watchState_ != SdWatchState::MOUNTED) {
-    logf("EVENT: card inserted/mounted");
-    mountedEventPending_ = true;
-    notify(SdEvent::CARD_MOUNTED, "SD card mounted");
-  }
-  watchState_ = SdWatchState::MOUNTED;
-}
-
-void StartupSdManager::setStateAbsent() {
-  if (watchState_ == SdWatchState::MOUNTED) {
-    logf("EVENT: card removed/unavailable");
-    removedEventPending_ = true;
-    notify(SdEvent::CARD_REMOVED, "SD card removed");
-  } else if (watchState_ != SdWatchState::ABSENT) {
-    logf("EVENT: no card detected");
-    notify(SdEvent::NO_CARD, "Missing SD card or invalid FAT16/FAT32 format");
-  }
-  SD.end();
-  watchState_ = SdWatchState::ABSENT;
-}
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.h b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.h
deleted file mode 100644
index be9ef27..0000000
--- a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,90 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-
-#include <Arduino.h>
-#include <SD.h>
-#include <SPI.h>
-#include <Wire.h>
-#include "tbeam_supreme_adapter.h"
-
-enum class SdWatchState : uint8_t {
-  UNKNOWN = 0,
-  ABSENT,
-  MOUNTED
-};
-
-enum class SdEvent : uint8_t {
-  NO_CARD,
-  CARD_MOUNTED,
-  CARD_REMOVED
-};
-
-using SdStatusCallback = void (*)(SdEvent event, const char* message);
-
-struct SdWatcherConfig {
-  bool enableSdRailCycle = true;
-  bool enablePinDumps = true;
-  bool recoveryRailCycleOnFullScan = true;
-  uint32_t recoveryRailOffMs = 250;
-  uint32_t recoveryRailOnSettleMs = 700;
-  uint32_t startupWarmupMs = 1500;
-  uint32_t pollIntervalAbsentMs = 1000;
-  uint32_t pollIntervalMountedMs = 2000;
-  uint32_t fullScanIntervalMs = 10000;
-  uint8_t votesToPresent = 2;
-  uint8_t votesToAbsent = 5;
-};
-
-class StartupSdManager {
- public:
-  explicit StartupSdManager(Print& serial = Serial);
-
-  bool begin(const SdWatcherConfig& cfg, SdStatusCallback callback = nullptr);
-  void update();
-
-  bool isMounted() const { return watchState_ == SdWatchState::MOUNTED; }
-  SdWatchState state() const { return watchState_; }
-
-  bool consumeMountedEvent();
-  bool consumeRemovedEvent();
-
-  void printCardInfo();
-  bool ensureDirRecursive(const char* path);
-  bool rewriteFile(const char* path, const char* payload);
-  void permissionsDemo(const char* path);
-
- private:
-  void logf(const char* fmt, ...);
-  void notify(SdEvent event, const char* message);
-  void forceSpiDeselected();
-  void dumpSdPins(const char* tag);
-  bool initPmuForSdPower();
-  void cycleSdRail(uint32_t offMs = 250, uint32_t onSettleMs = 600);
-  bool tryMountWithBus(SPIClass& bus, const char* busName, uint32_t hz, bool verbose);
-  bool mountPreferred(bool verbose);
-  bool mountCardFullScan();
-  bool verifyMountedCard();
-  const char* cardTypeToString(uint8_t type);
-  void setStateMounted();
-  void setStateAbsent();
-
-  Print& serial_;
-  SdWatcherConfig cfg_{};
-  SdStatusCallback callback_ = nullptr;
-
-  SPIClass sdSpiH_{HSPI};
-  SPIClass sdSpiF_{FSPI};
-  SPIClass* sdSpi_ = nullptr;
-  const char* sdBusName_ = "none";
-  uint32_t sdFreq_ = 0;
-  XPowersLibInterface* pmu_ = nullptr;
-
-  SdWatchState watchState_ = SdWatchState::UNKNOWN;
-  uint8_t presentVotes_ = 0;
-  uint8_t absentVotes_ = 0;
-  uint32_t lastPollMs_ = 0;
-  uint32_t lastFullScanMs_ = 0;
-  uint32_t logSeq_ = 0;
-
-  bool mountedEventPending_ = false;
-  bool removedEventPending_ = false;
-};
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/library.json b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/library.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 4978fdd..0000000
--- a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/library.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,12 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "name": "startup_sd",
-  "version": "0.1.0",
-  "dependencies": [
-    {
-      "name": "XPowersLib"
-    },
-    {
-      "name": "Wire"
-    }
-  ]
-}
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/SystemStartup.cpp b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/SystemStartup.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 3a82e1f..0000000
--- a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/SystemStartup.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,96 +0,0 @@
-#include "SystemStartup.h"
-
-#include <Wire.h>
-#include <U8g2lib.h>
-
-#ifndef OLED_SDA
-#define OLED_SDA 17
-#endif
-
-#ifndef OLED_SCL
-#define OLED_SCL 18
-#endif
-
-#ifndef OLED_ADDR
-#define OLED_ADDR 0x3C
-#endif
-
-static const bool kEnableOled = true;
-
-static U8G2_SH1106_128X64_NONAME_F_HW_I2C g_oled(U8G2_R0, /* reset=*/U8X8_PIN_NONE);
-static SystemStartup* g_activeSystemStartup = nullptr;
-
-static void forceSpiDeselectedEarly() {
-  pinMode(tbeam_supreme::sdCs(), OUTPUT);
-  digitalWrite(tbeam_supreme::sdCs(), HIGH);
-  pinMode(tbeam_supreme::imuCs(), OUTPUT);
-  digitalWrite(tbeam_supreme::imuCs(), HIGH);
-}
-
-SystemStartup::SystemStartup(Print& serial) : serial_(serial), sd_(serial) {}
-
-bool SystemStartup::begin(const SystemStartupConfig& cfg, SystemEventCallback callback) {
-  cfg_ = cfg;
-  callback_ = callback;
-  g_activeSystemStartup = this;
-
-  // Match Exercise 05 behavior: deselect SPI devices immediately at startup.
-  forceSpiDeselectedEarly();
-
-  if (kEnableOled) {
-    Wire.begin(OLED_SDA, OLED_SCL);
-    g_oled.setI2CAddress(OLED_ADDR << 1);
-    g_oled.begin();
-  }
-
-  emit(SystemEvent::BOOTING, "System startup booting");
-  oledShow3("System Startup", "Booting...");
-
-  serial_.printf("Sleeping for %lu ms to allow Serial Monitor connection...\r\n",
-                 (unsigned long)cfg_.serialDelayMs);
-  delay(cfg_.serialDelayMs);
-
-  return sd_.begin(cfg_.sd, &SystemStartup::onSdEventThunk);
-}
-
-void SystemStartup::update() {
-  sd_.update();
-}
-
-void SystemStartup::onSdEventThunk(SdEvent event, const char* message) {
-  if (g_activeSystemStartup != nullptr) {
-    g_activeSystemStartup->onSdEvent(event, message);
-  }
-}
-
-void SystemStartup::onSdEvent(SdEvent event, const char* message) {
-  if (event == SdEvent::NO_CARD) {
-    oledShow3("SD missing or", "invalid FAT16/32", "Insert/format card");
-    emit(SystemEvent::SD_MISSING, message);
-  } else if (event == SdEvent::CARD_MOUNTED) {
-    oledShow3("SD card ready", "Mounted OK");
-    emit(SystemEvent::SD_READY, message);
-  } else if (event == SdEvent::CARD_REMOVED) {
-    oledShow3("SD card removed", "Please re-insert");
-    emit(SystemEvent::SD_REMOVED, message);
-  }
-}
-
-void SystemStartup::emit(SystemEvent event, const char* message) {
-  serial_.printf("[SYSTEM] %s\r\n", message);
-  if (callback_ != nullptr) {
-    callback_(event, message);
-  }
-}
-
-void SystemStartup::oledShow3(const char* l1, const char* l2, const char* l3) {
-  if (!kEnableOled) {
-    return;
-  }
-  g_oled.clearBuffer();
-  g_oled.setFont(u8g2_font_6x10_tf);
-  if (l1) g_oled.drawUTF8(0, 16, l1);
-  if (l2) g_oled.drawUTF8(0, 32, l2);
-  if (l3) g_oled.drawUTF8(0, 48, l3);
-  g_oled.sendBuffer();
-}
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/SystemStartup.h b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/SystemStartup.h
deleted file mode 100644
index cd83857..0000000
--- a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/SystemStartup.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,46 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-
-#include <Arduino.h>
-#include "StartupSdManager.h"
-
-// Convenience alias so sketches can use System.println(...) style logging.
-// Arduino exposes Serial, not System, so map System -> Serial.
-#ifndef System
-#define System Serial
-#endif
-
-enum class SystemEvent : uint8_t {
-  BOOTING = 0,
-  SD_MISSING,
-  SD_READY,
-  SD_REMOVED
-};
-
-using SystemEventCallback = void (*)(SystemEvent event, const char* message);
-
-struct SystemStartupConfig {
-  uint32_t serialDelayMs = 5000;
-  SdWatcherConfig sd{};
-};
-
-class SystemStartup {
- public:
-  explicit SystemStartup(Print& serial = Serial);
-
-  bool begin(const SystemStartupConfig& cfg = SystemStartupConfig{}, SystemEventCallback callback = nullptr);
-  void update();
-
-  bool isSdMounted() const { return sd_.isMounted(); }
-  StartupSdManager& sdManager() { return sd_; }
-
- private:
-  static void onSdEventThunk(SdEvent event, const char* message);
-  void onSdEvent(SdEvent event, const char* message);
-  void emit(SystemEvent event, const char* message);
-  void oledShow3(const char* l1, const char* l2 = nullptr, const char* l3 = nullptr);
-
-  Print& serial_;
-  SystemStartupConfig cfg_{};
-  SystemEventCallback callback_ = nullptr;
-  StartupSdManager sd_;
-};
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/library.json b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/library.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 0c2c1cf..0000000
--- a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/library.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,15 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "name": "system_startup",
-  "version": "0.1.0",
-  "dependencies": [
-    {
-      "name": "startup_sd"
-    },
-    {
-      "name": "U8g2"
-    },
-    {
-      "name": "Wire"
-    }
-  ]
-}
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/platformio.ini b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/platformio.ini
deleted file mode 100644
index e760c56..0000000
--- a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/platformio.ini
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,37 +0,0 @@
-; 20260213 ChatGPT
-; $Id$
-; $HeadURL$
-
-[platformio]
-default_envs = node_a
-
-[env]
-platform = espressif32
-framework = arduino
-board = esp32-s3-devkitc-1
-monitor_speed = 115200
-lib_deps =
-  lewisxhe/XPowersLib@0.3.3
-  Wire
-  olikraus/U8g2@^2.36.4
-
-; SD pins based on T-Beam S3 core pin mapping
-build_flags =
-  -I ../../shared/boards
-  -I ../../external/microReticulum_Firmware
-  -D BOARD_MODEL=BOARD_TBEAM_S_V1
-  -D OLED_SDA=17
-  -D OLED_SCL=18
-  -D OLED_ADDR=0x3C
-  -D ARDUINO_USB_MODE=1
-  -D ARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=1
-
-[env:node_a]
-build_flags =
-  ${env.build_flags}
-  -D NODE_LABEL=\"A\"
-
-[env:node_b]
-build_flags =
-  ${env.build_flags}
-  -D NODE_LABEL=\"B\"
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/src/main.cpp b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/src/main.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 5f766e7..0000000
--- a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/src/main.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-// 20260216 ChatGPT
-// $Id$
-// $HeadURL$
-
-#include <Arduino.h>
-#include "SystemStartup.h"
-
-static SystemStartup g_systemStartup(Serial);
-
-void setup() {
-  Serial.begin(115200);
-  System.println("Example 08: setup() called. About to call g_systemStartup.begin().");
-  g_systemStartup.begin();
-  System.println("After g_systemStartup() in setup().");
-}
-
-void loop() {
-  g_systemStartup.update();
-  System.println("Example 08 loop() called and after g_systemStartup.update().");
-  delay(1000);
-}
diff --git a/exercises/README.md b/exercises/README.md
index 2f7f118..a6b703a 100644
--- a/exercises/README.md
+++ b/exercises/README.md
@@ -45,8 +45,6 @@ Exercise 06: RTC check (PCF8563) read/set and persistence validation
 
 Exercise 07: SD startup watcher library harness with hot-insert detection
 
-Exercise 08: SystemStartup package scaffold (shared begin/update API)
-
 Each exercise is self-contained:
 
   its own platformio.ini