Public Access
A real <ol> whose current step carries aria-current="step" and whose done step is marked by a tick (never colour alone), following the page state — step 1 when seats are available, step 1 done / step 2 current when a seat is claimed, and no bar at all in the cohort-full and count-unavailable states. The bar states no count and no deadline: both come from the wire. The claimed state gains the signup link: "Sign up here", target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer", pointing at the directory page's own #apply form — the one place the application lives, no invented URL. Secondary to any button; the accessible text says it opens a new window. Untouched: the four states, the consent gate, the claim body, the leftKeys contract, the leak rules, the 15 questions, the corrected copy.