diff --git a/bin/status2html.sh b/bin/status2html.sh
index ab1d8fcf0..eac81df50 100755
--- a/bin/status2html.sh
+++ b/bin/status2html.sh
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ export LC_ALL="C"
 
 # set variables referenced in the usage message
 #
-export VERSION="2.0.1 2025-06-04"
+export VERSION="2.0.2 2025-12-02"
 NAME=$(basename "$0")
 export NAME
 export V_FLAG=0
@@ -476,14 +476,13 @@ esac
 	echo
         echo "While the IOCCC is not open now, there is a tentative opening date for the next IOCCC."
         echo
-	echo "See the [IOCCC news](news.html) for details including the tentative" \
-	     "scheduled opening date."
+	echo "See the [IOCCC news](news.html) for details including the tentative scheduled opening date."
 	echo
-	echo "A preliminary [IOCCC rules](next/rules.html), preliminary [IOCCC guidelines](next/guidelines.html)," \
-	     "and preliminary [mkiocccentry tools](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry) have been posted."
+	echo "A preliminary [IOCCC rules](next/rules.html), preliminary [IOCCC guidelines](next/guidelines.html),"
+	echo "and preliminary [mkiocccentry toolkit](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry) have been posted."
 	echo
-	echo "Comments and suggestions on these preliminary items are welcome, see [FAQ 0.5](quick-start.html#feedback)" \
-	     "for information on how."
+	echo "Comments and suggestions on these preliminary items are welcome."
+	echo "See [how to provide feedback on rules, guidelines, and mkiocccentry toolkit](faq.html#feedback)."
 	;;
     open) echo "# The IOCCC is open for submissions"
 	echo
@@ -491,32 +490,33 @@ esac
 	echo
 	echo "See [How to enter the IOCCC](quick-start.html#enter) FAQ for additional information."
 	echo
-	echo "**IMPORTANT**: If you viewed the preliminary IOCCC rules, guidelines, and tools while the IOCCC status" \
-	     "was pending, be sure to review the official IOCCC rules, guidelines, and tools for any changes that may" \
-	     "have been recently made before submitting to the IOCCC."
+	echo "**IMPORTANT**: If you viewed the preliminary rules, guidelines, and tools while the IOCCC status"
+	echo "was pending, be sure to review the official [IOCCC rules](next/rules.html),"
+	echo "[IOCCC guidelines](next/guidelines.html), and [mkiocccentry toolkit](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry)"
+	echo "for any changes that may have been recently made before submitting to the IOCCC."
 	;;
     judging) echo "# The IOCCC is closed to new submissions"
 	echo
-	echo "The [IOCCC judges](judges.html) are in the process of judging the submissions they received" \
-	     "while the IOCCC was open."
+	echo "The [IOCCC judges](judges.html) are in the process of judging the submissions they received"
+	echo "while the IOCCC was open."
 	echo
-	echo "Watch the [@IOCCC mastodon feed](https://fosstodon.org/@ioccc), as well as the" \
-	     "[IOCCC news](news.html) page for updates."
+	echo "Watch the [@IOCCC mastodon feed](https://fosstodon.org/@ioccc), as well as the"
+	echo "[IOCCC news](news.html) page for updates."
 	;;
     closed) echo "# The IOCCC is closed"
         echo
-		echo "The IOCCC is **NOT** accepting [new submissions](next/submit.html) at this time.  See the" \
-	     "[IOCCC winning entries page](years.html) for the entries that have won the IOCCC."
+	echo "The IOCCC is **NOT** accepting [new submissions](next/submit.html) at this time.  See the"
+	echo "[IOCCC winning entries page](years.html) for the entries that have won the IOCCC."
 	echo
-	echo "Watch both [this IOCCC status page](status.html) and the" \
-	     "[@IOCCC mastodon feed](https://fosstodon.org/@ioccc) for information about future IOCCC openings."
+	echo "Watch both [this IOCCC status page](status.html) and the"
+	echo "[@IOCCC mastodon feed](https://fosstodon.org/@ioccc) for information about future IOCCC openings."
 	;;
     *) echo "# The IOCCC status is unknown"
         echo
 	echo "The IOCCC status is an unexpected status value: $CONTEST_STATUS"
         echo
         echo "This is a **BUG**, not a feature.  Feel free to report it!" 1>&2
-		echo "See the [GitHub issues page](https://github.com/ioccc-src/winner/issues/new/choose)." 1>&2
+	echo "See the [GitHub issues page](https://github.com/ioccc-src/winner/issues/new/choose)." 1>&2
 	;;
     esac
     echo
diff --git a/faq.html b/faq.html
index 61b52293b..6120ab089 100644
--- a/faq.html
+++ b/faq.html
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@
 
 <!-- BEFORE: 1st line of markdown file: faq.md -->
 <h1 id="ioccc-faq-table-of-contents">IOCCC FAQ Table of Contents</h1>
-<p>This is FAQ version <strong>29.04 2025-12-01</strong>.</p>
+<p>This is FAQ version <strong>29.05 2025-12-02</strong>.</p>
 <h2 id="entering-the-ioccc-the-bare-minimum-you-need-to-know">0. <a href="#enter_questions">Entering the IOCCC: the bare minimum you need to know</a></h2>
 <ul>
 <li><strong>Q 0.0</strong>: <a class="normal" href="#enter">How can I enter the IOCCC?</a></li>
diff --git a/faq.md b/faq.md
index 1f8e6a33f..c0ab54b1d 100644
--- a/faq.md
+++ b/faq.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # IOCCC FAQ Table of Contents
 
-This is FAQ version **29.04 2025-12-01**.
+This is FAQ version **29.05 2025-12-02**.
 
 
 ## 0. [Entering the IOCCC: the bare minimum you need to know](#enter_questions)
diff --git a/next/guidelines.html b/next/guidelines.html
index 1b11c8ce1..10df2c63a 100644
--- a/next/guidelines.html
+++ b/next/guidelines.html
@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ entirety and remains unaltered. All other uses must receive prior
 permission in writing by <a href="../contact.html">contacting the Judges</a>.</p>
 <h1 id="guidelines-version">Guidelines Version</h1>
 <p class="leftbar">
-These Guidelines are version <strong>29.07 2025-12-02</strong>.
+These Guidelines are version <strong>29.08 2025-12-02</strong>.
 </p>
 <p class="leftbar">
 The <span style="font-size:28px;"><b>|</b></span> symbol
diff --git a/next/guidelines.md b/next/guidelines.md
index 060919dbb..9fe4a37f2 100644
--- a/next/guidelines.md
+++ b/next/guidelines.md
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ permission in writing by [contacting the Judges](../contact.html).
 # Guidelines Version
 
 <p class="leftbar">
-These Guidelines are version **29.07 2025-12-02**.
+These Guidelines are version **29.08 2025-12-02**.
 </p>
 
 <p class="leftbar">
diff --git a/next/rules.html b/next/rules.html
index c094629cf..4c0ba7bbe 100644
--- a/next/rules.html
+++ b/next/rules.html
@@ -452,27 +452,29 @@
 <!-- START: this line starts content for HTML phase 21 by: bin/pandoc-wrapper.sh via bin/md2html.sh -->
 
 <!-- BEFORE: 1st line of markdown file: next/rules.md -->
-<!-- START: this line starts content from: inc/rules.closed.hdr -->
-<h1 id="the-ioccc-is-closed">The IOCCC is closed</h1>
-<p>The IOCCC is <strong>NOT</strong> accepting new submissions at this time. See the
-<a href="../years.html">IOCCC winning entries page</a> for the entries that have
-won the IOCCC in the past.</p>
-<p>These rules are a <strong>TENTATIVE proposal</strong> for the next IOCCC and are
-<strong>likely be to be updated</strong> before the next IOCCC.</p>
+<!-- START: this line starts content from: inc/rules.pending.hdr -->
+<h1 id="warning-these-rules-are-tentative">WARNING: These rules are TENTATIVE</h1>
+<p>One might think of them as a <strong>beta</strong> release for the IOCCC that is
+about to open.</p>
+<p><strong>IMPORTANT</strong>: All <strong>tentative</strong> <a href="rules.html">rules</a> and
+<a href="guidelines.html">guidelines</a> are subject to change by the
+<a href="../judges.html">IOCCC judges</a> at any time. See both the <a href="../news.html">IOCCC
+news</a> and the <a href="https://fosstodon.org/@ioccc">IOCCC Mastodon</a>
+feed as <em>sometimes</em> the <a href="../judges.html">IOCCC judges</a> <em>mention</em>
+changes there.</p>
 <p>See our
 FAQ on “<a href="../faq.html#feedback">rules, guidelines, tools feedback</a>”
 as well as our
 FAQ on “<a href="../faq.html#question">about asking questions</a>”
-about these rules. You might also find the FAQ in general useful,
-especially the
+about these rules. You might also find the FAQ in general useful, especially the
 FAQ on “<a href="../quick-start.html#enter">how to enter the IOCCC</a>”.</p>
-<p>Watch both <a href="../status.html">the IOCCC status page</a> and the <a href="https://fosstodon.org/@ioccc"><span class="citation" data-cites="IOCCC">@IOCCC</span>
-mastodon feed</a> for information about
-future IOCCC openings.</p>
-<p><strong>HINT to mastodon users</strong>: You may wish to refresh the <a href="https://fosstodon.org/@ioccc"><span class="citation" data-cites="IOCCC">@IOCCC</span>
-mastodon feed</a> page and/or mastodon app
-from time to time to view IOCCC mastodon updates.</p>
-<!-- END: the next line ends content from: inc/rules.closed.hdr -->
+<h1 id="the-ioccc-is-pending">The IOCCC is pending</h1>
+<p>While the IOCCC is not open now, there is a tentative opening date for
+the next IOCCC.</p>
+<p>Comments and suggestions on these preliminary rules are welcome.
+See the <a href="../faq.html#feedback">FAQ</a> for how to suggest, correct or
+provide feedback about these rules.</p>
+<!-- END: the next line ends content from: inc/rules.pending.hdr -->
 <!-- This is the last line modified by the tool: bin/gen-status.sh -->
 <h1 id="th-international-obfuscated-c-code-contest-official-rules">29th International Obfuscated C Code Contest Official Rules</h1>
 <p>Copyright (c) 2025 Leonid A. Broukhis and Landon Curt Noll.</p>
@@ -481,7 +483,7 @@ granted provided this copyright and notice are included in its entirety
 and remains unaltered. All other uses <strong>MUST</strong> receive prior permission in
 writing by <a href="../contact.html">contacting the judges</a>.</p>
 <h2 id="rules-version">Rules Version</h2>
-<p>These IOCCC Rules are version <strong>29.14 2025-12-02</strong>.</p>
+<p>These IOCCC Rules are version <strong>29.15 2025-12-02</strong>.</p>
 <p class="leftbar">
 The <span style="font-size:28px;"><b>|</b></span> symbol
 indicates a <strong>change</strong> from the previous IOCCC.
diff --git a/next/rules.md b/next/rules.md
index 073e848d1..372fd4b75 100644
--- a/next/rules.md
+++ b/next/rules.md
@@ -1,31 +1,35 @@
-<!-- START: this line starts content from: inc/rules.closed.hdr -->
+<!-- START: this line starts content from: inc/rules.pending.hdr -->
 
-# The IOCCC is closed
+# WARNING: These rules are TENTATIVE
 
-The IOCCC is **NOT** accepting new submissions at this time.  See the
-[IOCCC winning entries page](../years.html) for the entries that have
-won the IOCCC in the past.
+One might think of them as a **beta** release for the IOCCC that is
+about to open.
 
-These rules are a **TENTATIVE proposal** for the next IOCCC and are
-**likely be to be updated** before the next IOCCC.
+**IMPORTANT**: All **tentative** [rules](rules.html) and
+[guidelines](guidelines.html) are subject to change by the
+[IOCCC judges](../judges.html) at any time.  See both the [IOCCC
+news](../news.html) and the [IOCCC Mastodon](https://fosstodon.org/@ioccc)
+feed as _sometimes_ the [IOCCC judges](../judges.html) _mention_
+changes there.
 
 See our
 FAQ on "[rules, guidelines, tools feedback](../faq.html#feedback)"
 as well as our
 FAQ on "[about asking questions](../faq.html#question)"
-about these rules. You might also find the FAQ in general useful,
-especially the
+about these rules. You might also find the FAQ in general useful, especially the
 FAQ on "[how to enter the IOCCC](../quick-start.html#enter)".
 
-Watch both [the IOCCC status page](../status.html) and the [@IOCCC
-mastodon feed](https://fosstodon.org/@ioccc) for information about
-future IOCCC openings.
 
-**HINT to mastodon users**: You may wish to refresh the [@IOCCC
-mastodon feed](https://fosstodon.org/@ioccc) page and/or mastodon app
-from time to time to view IOCCC mastodon updates.
+# The IOCCC is pending
 
-<!-- END: the next line ends content from: inc/rules.closed.hdr -->
+While the IOCCC is not open now, there is a tentative opening date for
+the next IOCCC.
+
+Comments and suggestions on these preliminary rules are welcome.
+See the [FAQ](../faq.html#feedback) for how to suggest, correct or
+provide feedback about these rules.
+
+<!-- END: the next line ends content from: inc/rules.pending.hdr -->
 <!-- This is the last line modified by the tool: bin/gen-status.sh -->
 
 # 29th International Obfuscated C Code Contest Official Rules
@@ -40,7 +44,7 @@ writing by [contacting the judges](../contact.html).
 
 ## Rules Version
 
-These IOCCC Rules are version **29.14 2025-12-02**.
+These IOCCC Rules are version **29.15 2025-12-02**.
 
 <p class="leftbar">
 The <span style='font-size:28px;'><b>&verbar;</b></span> symbol
diff --git a/sitemap.xml b/sitemap.xml
index 36b3d2bb5..fda251617 100644
--- a/sitemap.xml
+++ b/sitemap.xml
@@ -14270,7 +14270,7 @@
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/2024/2024.tar.bz2</loc>
-    <lastmod>2025-12-02T19:14:09+00:00</lastmod>
+    <lastmod>2025-12-03T01:56:54+00:00</lastmod>
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/2024/burton/2024_01_18_wordle_stats.png</loc>
@@ -15186,7 +15186,7 @@
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/2024/macke/2024_macke.tar.bz2</loc>
-    <lastmod>2025-12-02T19:13:56+00:00</lastmod>
+    <lastmod>2025-12-03T01:56:54+00:00</lastmod>
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/2024/macke/a</loc>
@@ -15194,7 +15194,7 @@
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/2024/macke/index.html</loc>
-    <lastmod>2025-12-03T01:47:57+00:00</lastmod>
+    <lastmod>2025-12-03T01:56:54+00:00</lastmod>
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/2024/macke/Makefile</loc>
@@ -15214,7 +15214,7 @@
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/2024/macke/README.md</loc>
-    <lastmod>2025-12-03T01:43:11+00:00</lastmod>
+    <lastmod>2025-12-03T01:56:54+00:00</lastmod>
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/2024/macke/try.sh</loc>
@@ -16694,7 +16694,7 @@
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/bin/status2html.sh</loc>
-    <lastmod>2025-08-23T23:37:18+00:00</lastmod>
+    <lastmod>2025-12-03T02:46:50+00:00</lastmod>
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/bin/subst.default.sh</loc>
@@ -16758,11 +16758,11 @@
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/faq.html</loc>
-    <lastmod>2025-12-02T04:29:35+00:00</lastmod>
+    <lastmod>2025-12-03T02:50:55+00:00</lastmod>
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/faq.md</loc>
-    <lastmod>2025-12-02T04:29:35+00:00</lastmod>
+    <lastmod>2025-12-03T02:50:34+00:00</lastmod>
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/inc/index.html</loc>
@@ -16826,11 +16826,11 @@
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/next/guidelines.html</loc>
-    <lastmod>2025-12-02T18:49:24+00:00</lastmod>
+    <lastmod>2025-12-03T02:50:57+00:00</lastmod>
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/next/guidelines.md</loc>
-    <lastmod>2025-12-02T18:49:24+00:00</lastmod>
+    <lastmod>2025-12-03T02:50:13+00:00</lastmod>
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/next/index.html</loc>
@@ -16870,11 +16870,11 @@
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/next/rules.html</loc>
-    <lastmod>2025-12-03T01:40:12+00:00</lastmod>
+    <lastmod>2025-12-03T02:50:59+00:00</lastmod>
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/next/rules.md</loc>
-    <lastmod>2025-12-03T01:36:50+00:00</lastmod>
+    <lastmod>2025-12-03T02:49:48+00:00</lastmod>
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/next/submit.html</loc>
@@ -16938,11 +16938,11 @@
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/status.html</loc>
-    <lastmod>2025-12-03T01:47:59+00:00</lastmod>
+    <lastmod>2025-12-03T03:17:34+00:00</lastmod>
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/status.json</loc>
-    <lastmod>2025-12-01T05:56:01+00:00</lastmod>
+    <lastmod>2025-12-03T02:45:37+00:00</lastmod>
 </url>
 <url>
     <loc>https://www.ioccc.org/status.md</loc>
diff --git a/status.html b/status.html
index e84e0cfaa..a4c522e1f 100644
--- a/status.html
+++ b/status.html
@@ -453,16 +453,20 @@
 
 <!-- START: this line starts content generated by: bin/status2html.sh -->
 
-<h1 id="the-ioccc-is-closed">The IOCCC is closed</h1>
-<p>The IOCCC is <strong>NOT</strong> accepting <a href="next/submit.html">new submissions</a> at this time. See the <a href="years.html">IOCCC winning entries page</a> for the entries that have won the IOCCC.</p>
-<p>Watch both <a href="status.html">this IOCCC status page</a> and the <a href="https://fosstodon.org/@ioccc"><span class="citation" data-cites="IOCCC">@IOCCC</span> mastodon feed</a> for information about future IOCCC openings.</p>
+<h1 id="the-ioccc-is-pending">The IOCCC is pending</h1>
+<p>While the IOCCC is not open now, there is a tentative opening date for the next IOCCC.</p>
+<p>See the <a href="news.html">IOCCC news</a> for details including the tentative scheduled opening date.</p>
+<p>A preliminary <a href="next/rules.html">IOCCC rules</a>, preliminary <a href="next/guidelines.html">IOCCC guidelines</a>,
+and preliminary <a href="https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry">mkiocccentry toolkit</a> have been posted.</p>
+<p>Comments and suggestions on these preliminary items are welcome.
+See <a href="faq.html#feedback">how to provide feedback on rules, guidelines, and mkiocccentry toolkit</a>.</p>
 <h1 id="status.json">status.json</h1>
 <pre><code>    {
         &quot;no_comment&quot; : &quot;mandatory comment: because comments were removed from the original JSON spec&quot;,
         &quot;IOCCC_status_version&quot; : &quot;1.0 2024-03-09&quot;,
-        &quot;contest_status&quot; : &quot;closed&quot;,
+        &quot;contest_status&quot; : &quot;pending&quot;,
         &quot;news_update&quot; : &quot;2025-12-01T05:55:54+00:00&quot;,
-        &quot;status_update&quot; : &quot;2025-08-01T19:38:14+00:00&quot;
+        &quot;status_update&quot; : &quot;2025-12-03T02:45:37+00:00&quot;
     }</code></pre>
 
 <!-- END: next line ends content generated by: bin/status2html.sh -->
diff --git a/status.json b/status.json
index ea4374275..94a6987af 100644
--- a/status.json
+++ b/status.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     "no_comment" : "mandatory comment: because comments were removed from the original JSON spec",
     "IOCCC_status_version" : "1.0 2024-03-09",
-    "contest_status" : "closed",
+    "contest_status" : "pending",
     "news_update" : "2025-12-01T05:55:54+00:00",
-    "status_update" : "2025-08-01T19:38:14+00:00"
+    "status_update" : "2025-12-03T02:45:37+00:00"
 }