From d8fefb1288ae5f26e9b22a1e6e2a3461ed2883fe Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: sneak <sneak@sneak.berlin>
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2026 03:43:24 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] Name request log actions so they say what they mean (closes
 #229)

Rename too_large, rate_limited, rule_blocked and denied, and split banned
into temporarily_banned and permanently_banned by whether the ban runs out.
A client under both a temporary and a permanent ban gets the permanent one.
A request that makes a ban permanent gets permanently_banned. A ban rule, a
trap path or a CrowdSec decision gets the value for the ban it makes, and in
observe mode would_action names the ban enforce mode would have made.

The offence kind rule_blocked follows, as a metric label and a key in
clients.json.

Model: opus-5-5
---
 README.md                                     |   2 +-
 SPEC.md                                       |  20 ++--
 docs/request-log.md                           |  16 +--
 docs/state-files.md                           |   5 +-
 internal/bans/admin_test.go                   |  45 ++++++++
 internal/bans/bans.go                         |  36 +++++--
 internal/discriminator/abuseipdb.go           |   2 +-
 internal/discriminator/admin_test.go          |   4 +-
 internal/discriminator/alerts_test.go         |  16 +--
 internal/discriminator/anomaly_test.go        |   2 +-
 internal/discriminator/answertime_test.go     |  38 ++++---
 internal/discriminator/bans.go                |  32 ++++--
 internal/discriminator/bans_test.go           |  50 ++++-----
 internal/discriminator/biased_test.go         |  14 +--
 internal/discriminator/blocklists.go          |   2 +-
 internal/discriminator/bytelimits.go          |   4 +-
 internal/discriminator/bytelimits_test.go     |  12 +--
 internal/discriminator/coreruleset_test.go    |   7 +-
 internal/discriminator/crowdsec.go            |   3 +-
 internal/discriminator/crowdsec_test.go       |  14 +--
 internal/discriminator/denynets.go            |   2 +-
 internal/discriminator/discriminator_test.go  |  18 ++--
 internal/discriminator/dnsbl.go               |   2 +-
 internal/discriminator/headerlimits.go        |   2 +-
 internal/discriminator/history_test.go        |   4 +-
 internal/discriminator/lookup_test.go         |   6 +-
 internal/discriminator/metrics_test.go        |   8 +-
 internal/discriminator/observe_test.go        | 102 ++++++++++++++++--
 internal/discriminator/ratelimits.go          |   4 +-
 internal/discriminator/ratelimits_test.go     |  19 ++--
 internal/discriminator/refusallimit.go        |   8 +-
 internal/discriminator/refusallimit_test.go   |  32 ++++--
 internal/discriminator/reputation_test.go     |  42 ++++----
 internal/discriminator/request.go             |  31 +++---
 internal/discriminator/routewatchtags_test.go |   6 +-
 internal/discriminator/rulefiles.go           |  17 +--
 internal/discriminator/rulefiles_test.go      |  42 ++++----
 internal/discriminator/staticlists_test.go    |  16 +--
 internal/discriminator/tagdeny.go             |   2 +-
 internal/discriminator/tagdeny_test.go        |  12 +--
 internal/discriminator/taglists_test.go       |   6 +-
 internal/discriminator/trappaths.go           |   4 +-
 internal/discriminator/trappaths_test.go      |  14 +--
 internal/metrics/metrics.go                   |   8 +-
 internal/ratelimit/ratelimit.go               |  28 ++---
 internal/requestlog/requestlog.go             |  43 ++++----
 internal/sww/sww_test.go                      |  11 +-
 script/example-app                            |   9 +-
 48 files changed, 522 insertions(+), 300 deletions(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e70ade3..3d9ebdf 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ does.
   the request have `"action":"forward"`.
 - To see a refusal without banning yourself, run `discriminator` with
   `SWW_MODE=observe` and ask for `/.env`. The request reaches the app.
-  `discriminator`'s log lines have `"would_action":"banned"` and
+  `discriminator`'s log lines have `"would_action":"temporarily_banned"` and
   `"rule_ids":["env-file"]`. A ban you get in `enforce` mode is lifted as
   "Clients and bans" below describes.
 - With `SWW_METRICS_TOKEN` set, this answers with the metrics, from a host on
diff --git a/SPEC.md b/SPEC.md
index 265cad2..1371cc8 100644
--- a/SPEC.md
+++ b/SPEC.md
@@ -321,6 +321,13 @@ ban is dropped alike. A scanner whose ban was dropped that way is refused and
 banned again by its next probe. A ban whose cause is `admin` is never dropped
 and does not count toward `SWW_MAX_BANS`, so such bans can never fill the table.
 
+A request refused under a ban that runs out is logged with the action
+`temporarily_banned`. Under a permanent ban the action is `permanently_banned`.
+A request refused for a clear sign of attack or a CrowdSec decision takes the
+action for the ban it made. A request that makes a ban permanent is logged as
+`permanently_banned`. A request over a rate limit is logged as
+`client_is_rate_limited`, whichever ban it makes.
+
 ## Settings
 
 `docs/settings.md` lists every setting with its default and the values it takes,
@@ -580,9 +587,10 @@ lower case, except a country code, which is in capitals. `SWW_TAG_DENY` and
 
 Two settings act on tags:
 
-- `SWW_TAG_DENY` lists tags whose requests are refused with the action `denied`
-  (`tag_deny`). The check runs twice: just before the rate limits, and again
-  after the Core Rule Set, so that `exploitsignature` can refuse too.
+- `SWW_TAG_DENY` lists tags whose requests are refused with the action
+  `client_denied` (`tag_deny`). The check runs twice: just before the rate
+  limits, and again after the Core Rule Set, so that `exploitsignature` can
+  refuse too.
 - `SWW_TAG_LIMIT_PERCENT` lists tags with a percentage from 1 to 99. Their
   clients get that percentage of every request and byte limit. The lowest
   percentage among a client's tags applies. `exploitsignature` cannot be listed,
@@ -1338,9 +1346,9 @@ over either one:
   `Transfer-Encoding` do not count. `X-Request-ID` and `X-Forwarded-Proto` do.
 
 Real clients never reach these limits. The answer is `deny` with `431`, and the
-log line's action is `too_large`. The refusal makes no ban and is no offence.
-The rate limits count the request as usual, so a client that keeps sending such
-requests breaks a limit.
+log line's action is `request_header_too_large`. The refusal makes no ban and is
+no offence. The rate limits count the request as usual, so a client that keeps
+sending such requests breaks a limit.
 
 The limits apply on every path and in every `SWW_WAF_MODE`. A client in
 `SWW_ALLOW_NETS` skips them, as it skips the Core Rule Set. In `observe` mode
diff --git a/docs/request-log.md b/docs/request-log.md
index 8887203..19f5377 100644
--- a/docs/request-log.md
+++ b/docs/request-log.md
@@ -96,13 +96,15 @@ Every one of these lines has:
 
 - `action`: what was done:
     - `forward`: answered `allow`, so that `rproxy` passes it to the app;
-    - `denied`: refused for `SWW_DENY_NETS`, for a reputation source with the
-      action `deny`, or for a tag in `SWW_TAG_DENY`;
-    - `banned`: refused under a ban, or for a `ban` rule, a trap path or a
-      CrowdSec decision, each of which bans the client;
-    - `country_denied`, `rate_limited`, `rule_blocked` and `waf_blocked`:
-      refused by that check;
-    - `too_large`: over a header limit;
+    - `client_denied`: refused for `SWW_DENY_NETS`, for a reputation source with
+      the action `deny`, or for a tag in `SWW_TAG_DENY`;
+    - `temporarily_banned`: refused under a ban that runs out, or for a `ban`
+      rule, a trap path or a CrowdSec decision that made such a ban;
+    - `permanently_banned`: refused under a ban that never runs out, including a
+      ban this request made or made permanent;
+    - `country_denied`, `client_is_rate_limited`, `blocked_by_block_rule` and
+      `waf_blocked`: refused by that check;
+    - `request_header_too_large`: over a header limit;
     - `admin`: answered at one of `discriminator`'s own endpoints, or `404` for
       a path under `/_sww/`.
 - `would_action`: in `observe` mode, what `enforce` mode would have done with a
diff --git a/docs/state-files.md b/docs/state-files.md
index c8f1dc4..5a276c6 100644
--- a/docs/state-files.md
+++ b/docs/state-files.md
@@ -63,8 +63,9 @@ since it was first seen:
 - total requests, and how many were forwarded and how many refused;
 - body bytes of its requests, and of the responses it was sent;
 - responses by status class;
-- offences by kind: `limit`, `attack`, `rule_blocked` and `waf_blocked`. A file
-  may also hold `token_refused`, which is kept, and which nothing adds to.
+- offences by kind: `limit`, `attack`, `blocked_by_block_rule` and
+  `waf_blocked`. A file may also hold `token_refused`, which is kept, and which
+  nothing adds to.
 
 ## `lookups.json`
 
diff --git a/internal/bans/admin_test.go b/internal/bans/admin_test.go
index e695dad..cff7cdc 100644
--- a/internal/bans/admin_test.go
+++ b/internal/bans/admin_test.go
@@ -341,3 +341,48 @@ func TestLiftLiftsEveryActiveBanCoveringTheClient(t *testing.T) {
 
 	wantChanged(t, ledger, false)
 }
+
+func TestPermanentBanOnAWiderNetblockIsReturnedOverATemporaryBan(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	client := netip.MustParseAddr("203.0.113.9")
+	ledger := bans.New(defaultRules())
+
+	// The temporary ban is made first, so that its netblock is looked at first.
+	ledger.BanForLimit(netip.MustParsePrefix("203.0.113.9/32"), midnight(), bans.Notes{})
+	ledger.BanForAdmin(netip.MustParsePrefix("203.0.113.0/24"), midnight(), time.Time{},
+		"for good")
+
+	wantPermanentBan(t, ledger, client, midnight().Add(time.Minute))
+}
+
+func TestOlderPermanentBanIsReturnedOverANewerTemporaryBan(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	netblock := netip.MustParsePrefix("203.0.113.0/24")
+	ledger := bans.New(defaultRules())
+
+	ledger.BanForAdmin(netblock, midnight(), time.Time{}, "for good")
+	ledger.BanForAdmin(netblock, midnight().Add(time.Minute), midnight().Add(time.Hour),
+		"for an hour")
+
+	wantPermanentBan(t, ledger, netblock.Addr(), midnight().Add(2*time.Minute))
+}
+
+// wantPermanentBan checks that Find and Check return a permanent ban for
+// client at now.
+func wantPermanentBan(
+	t *testing.T, ledger *bans.Ledger, client netip.Addr, now time.Time,
+) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	for name, look := range map[string]func(netip.Addr, time.Time) (bans.Ban, bool, bool){
+		"Find":  ledger.Find,
+		"Check": ledger.Check,
+	} {
+		ban, banned, _ := look(client, now)
+		if !banned || !ban.Permanent() {
+			t.Errorf("%s returned %+v and banned %v, want a permanent ban", name, ban, banned)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/bans/bans.go b/internal/bans/bans.go
index 9256b3f..e794135 100644
--- a/internal/bans/bans.go
+++ b/internal/bans/bans.go
@@ -274,16 +274,27 @@ func (l *Ledger) Find(client netip.Addr, now time.Time) (Ban, bool, bool) {
 
 // activeBan returns the ban in bans, a netblock's bans oldest first, that
 // is active at now, or nil when none is. If several are, it returns the
-// one that started last. Every ban is looked at, since a ban an admin adds
-// to bans.json can start before the netblock's others and outlast them.
+// newest permanent one, or the newest when none is permanent. Every ban is
+// looked at, since a ban an admin adds to bans.json can start before the
+// netblock's others and outlast them.
 func activeBan(bans []Ban, now time.Time) *Ban {
+	var newest *Ban
+
 	for i := len(bans) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
-		if bans[i].ActiveAt(now) {
+		if !bans[i].ActiveAt(now) {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if bans[i].Permanent() {
 			return &bans[i]
 		}
+
+		if newest == nil {
+			newest = &bans[i]
+		}
 	}
 
-	return nil
+	return newest
 }
 
 // BanForLimit bans netblock at now for a broken limit, with notes, and
@@ -743,13 +754,16 @@ func (l *Ledger) markChanged() {
 }
 
 // active returns the ban active at now on a netblock client is in, or
-// nil.
+// nil. If several netblocks have one, it returns a permanent ban when
+// there is one.
 func (l *Ledger) active(client netip.Addr, now time.Time) *Ban {
 	lengths := l.v6Lengths
 	if client.Is4() {
 		lengths = l.v4Lengths
 	}
 
+	var first *Ban
+
 	for _, length := range lengths {
 		bans, found := l.netblocks.Get(netip.PrefixFrom(client, length).Masked())
 		if !found {
@@ -757,12 +771,20 @@ func (l *Ledger) active(client netip.Addr, now time.Time) *Ban {
 		}
 
 		ban := activeBan(*bans, now)
-		if ban != nil {
+		if ban == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if ban.Permanent() {
 			return ban
 		}
+
+		if first == nil {
+			first = ban
+		}
 	}
 
-	return nil
+	return first
 }
 
 // covering returns the bans of each netblock held that client is in,
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/abuseipdb.go b/internal/discriminator/abuseipdb.go
index 9f87a39..0edcc58 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/abuseipdb.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/abuseipdb.go
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func (abuseIPDB) check(ctx context.Context, rq *request, _ time.Time) *verdict {
 	}
 
 	return &verdict{
-		action: requestlog.ActionDenied,
+		action: requestlog.ActionClientDenied,
 		figures: map[string]any{
 			figureScore: score, "min_score": rq.h.config.AbuseIPDBMinScore,
 		},
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/admin_test.go b/internal/discriminator/admin_test.go
index 0e61f25..45dec54 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/admin_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/admin_test.go
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ func TestBanAddedListedAndLiftedThroughTheEndpoints(t *testing.T) {
 	wantBans(t, s.admin(http.MethodPost, discriminator.BansPath, banOtherClient,
 		http.StatusOK), want)
 
-	line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	if line.BanExpires != requestlog.FormatTime(expires) {
 		t.Errorf("the ban ends at %s, want %s", line.BanExpires, expires)
 	}
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ func TestClientEndpointShowsTheClientAndItsBans(t *testing.T) {
 	// limit of two a minute, and bans it.
 	s.get(otherClient, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 	s.get(otherClient, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.get(otherClient, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(otherClient, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
 	// Asked about by its address in IPv6 form too.
 	for _, addr := range []string{otherClient, "::ffff:" + otherClient} {
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/alerts_test.go b/internal/discriminator/alerts_test.go
index 5dbdf6b..4370aad 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/alerts_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/alerts_test.go
@@ -31,14 +31,14 @@ func TestBanForABrokenLimitRaisesABanAlertWithItsNotes(t *testing.T) {
 	start := clk.Now()
 
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
 	netblock := netip.MustParsePrefix("203.0.113.0/24")
 	ban := server.Ledger.Bans(netblock)[0]
 
 	// A request refused under the ban raises no other alert.
 	clk.advance(time.Minute)
-	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 
 	wantAlerts(t, queue, banAlert(alerts.EventBan, start, client, bans.Ban{
 		Netblock: netblock, Cause: bans.CauseLimit,
@@ -62,22 +62,24 @@ func TestAttackBanRaisesABanAlertThenAPermanentBanAlert(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// The probe bans the client for seven days, and its next request makes
 	// the ban permanent. The request after that changes nothing.
-	s.request(client, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.request(client, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 
 	attackBan := server.Ledger.Bans(netblock)[0]
 
 	clk.advance(time.Minute)
-	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned)
 
 	permanentBan := server.Ledger.Bans(netblock)[0]
 
-	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned)
 
 	// Another client's probe after its first ban has run out without a
 	// request makes a permanent ban at once.
-	s.request(otherClient, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.request(otherClient, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden,
+		requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	clk.advance(7 * 24 * time.Hour)
-	s.request(otherClient, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.request(otherClient, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden,
+		requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned)
 
 	otherBans := server.Ledger.Bans(other)
 
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/anomaly_test.go b/internal/discriminator/anomaly_test.go
index 7ea5066..4c0c5a8 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/anomaly_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/anomaly_test.go
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ func TestEveryRequestIsCountedWhateverIsDoneWithIt(t *testing.T) {
 		{allowed, "/", http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward},
 		{exempt, "/", http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward},
 		{client, "/static/app.js", http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward},
-		{denied, "/", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied},
+		{denied, "/", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied},
 	} {
 		for range 3 {
 			s.request(sent.from, sent.path, sent.status, sent.action)
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/answertime_test.go b/internal/discriminator/answertime_test.go
index b7e4c02..40d8c87 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/answertime_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/answertime_test.go
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ func TestSixteenThousandCookiesAreRefusedWellWithinTheTimeLimit(t *testing.T) {
 	wantDisposition(t, got, tooLarge, discriminator.DispositionDeny)
 
 	line := s.out.requestLine(t)
-	wantLine(t, line, tooLarge, requestlog.ActionTooLarge)
+	wantLine(t, line, tooLarge, requestlog.ActionRequestHeaderTooLarge)
 
 	if line.DurationWAF != nil {
 		t.Errorf("the Core Rule Set read the request, for %f ms", *line.DurationWAF)
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ func TestEachHeaderLimitRefusesARequestOverIt(t *testing.T) {
 
 			if tc.refused {
 				wantDisposition(t, got, tooLarge, discriminator.DispositionDeny)
-				wantLine(t, line, tooLarge, requestlog.ActionTooLarge)
+				wantLine(t, line, tooLarge, requestlog.ActionRequestHeaderTooLarge)
 
 				return
 			}
@@ -219,9 +219,10 @@ func TestObserveModeAllowsARequestOverTheHeaderLimitsUnread(t *testing.T) {
 	wantDisposition(t, got, http.StatusOK, discriminator.DispositionAllow)
 
 	line := s.out.requestLine(t)
-	if line.WouldAction != requestlog.ActionTooLarge || line.DurationWAF != nil {
+	if line.WouldAction != requestlog.ActionRequestHeaderTooLarge ||
+		line.DurationWAF != nil {
 		t.Errorf("would_action %q and duration_waf %v, want %q and none",
-			line.WouldAction, line.DurationWAF, requestlog.ActionTooLarge)
+			line.WouldAction, line.DurationWAF, requestlog.ActionRequestHeaderTooLarge)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -240,7 +241,7 @@ func TestRequestsOverTheHeaderLimitsCountTowardTheRateLimits(t *testing.T) {
 	wantDisposition(t, ask(), http.StatusForbidden, discriminator.DispositionDeny)
 
 	lines := s.out.requestLines(t, 2)
-	wantLine(t, lines[1], http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	wantLine(t, lines[1], http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 }
 
 func TestTheHeaderLimitsComeAfterTheTrapPathsAndTheRuleFiles(t *testing.T) {
@@ -249,8 +250,8 @@ func TestTheHeaderLimitsComeAfterTheTrapPathsAndTheRuleFiles(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, tc := range []struct {
 		name, path, action string
 	}{
-		{"a trap path", "/wp-login.php", requestlog.ActionBanned},
-		{"a block rule", "/blocked", requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked},
+		{"a trap path", "/wp-login.php", requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned},
+		{"a block rule", "/blocked", requestlog.ActionBlockedByBlockRule},
 	} {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Parallel()
@@ -280,7 +281,7 @@ func TestNotWaitingForGeoJSNeverLowersAClientsLimit(t *testing.T) {
 	wantDisposition(t, do(t, req), tooLarge, discriminator.DispositionDeny)
 
 	line := s.out.requestLine(t)
-	wantLine(t, line, tooLarge, requestlog.ActionTooLarge)
+	wantLine(t, line, tooLarge, requestlog.ActionRequestHeaderTooLarge)
 
 	if line.LimitPercent != nil {
 		t.Errorf("limit percentage %d, want none", *line.LimitPercent)
@@ -304,7 +305,8 @@ func TestAClientGeoJSPlacedInNoCountryCountsAsUnknownWithoutWaiting(t *testing.T
 	req.Header.Set(cookieHeader, cookies(cookieLimit+1))
 
 	wantDisposition(t, do(t, req), http.StatusForbidden, discriminator.DispositionDeny)
-	wantLine(t, s.out.requestLine(t), http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	wantLine(t, s.out.requestLine(t), http.StatusForbidden,
+		requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 }
 
 func TestObserveModeWaitsForGeoJSForARequestOverTheHeaderLimits(t *testing.T) {
@@ -412,33 +414,37 @@ func TestARefusedRequestDoesNotWaitForASlowGeoJS(t *testing.T) {
 	}{
 		{
 			name: "SWW_DENY_NETS", env: map[string]string{denyNets: client},
-			prepare: leaveAsItIs, status: forbidden, action: requestlog.ActionDenied,
+			prepare: leaveAsItIs, status: forbidden, action: requestlog.ActionClientDenied,
 		},
 		{
 			name:    "a ban",
-			prepare: banClient, status: forbidden, action: requestlog.ActionBanned,
+			prepare: banClient, status: forbidden, action: requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned,
 		},
 		{
 			name: "the rate limits", env: map[string]string{rateLimitPerMinute: "1"},
-			prepare: countClient, status: forbidden, action: requestlog.ActionRateLimited,
+			prepare: countClient, status: forbidden,
+			action: requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited,
 		},
 		{
 			name:    "the rate limits, with a biased threshold",
 			env:     map[string]string{rateLimitPerMinute: "1", unknownLimitPercent: "50"},
-			prepare: countClient, status: forbidden, action: requestlog.ActionRateLimited,
+			prepare: countClient, status: forbidden,
+			action: requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited,
 		},
 		{
 			name: "a blocklist", env: map[string]string{blocklistURLs: dropURL},
-			prepare: listClient, status: forbidden, action: requestlog.ActionDenied,
+			prepare: listClient, status: forbidden, action: requestlog.ActionClientDenied,
 		},
 		{
 			name:    "the CrowdSec decision list",
 			env:     map[string]string{crowdSecURL: lapi, crowdSecKey: bouncerKey},
-			prepare: decideOnClient, status: forbidden, action: requestlog.ActionBanned,
+			prepare: decideOnClient, status: forbidden,
+			action: requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned,
 		},
 		{
 			name: "the header limits", cookie: cookies(cookieLimit + 1),
-			prepare: leaveAsItIs, status: tooLarge, action: requestlog.ActionTooLarge,
+			prepare: leaveAsItIs, status: tooLarge,
+			action: requestlog.ActionRequestHeaderTooLarge,
 		},
 	} {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/bans.go b/internal/discriminator/bans.go
index 251cd5e..dbc7334 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/bans.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/bans.go
@@ -50,13 +50,23 @@ func (activeBan) check(_ context.Context, rq *request, now time.Time) *verdict {
 	}
 
 	return &verdict{
-		action: requestlog.ActionBanned,
+		action: banAction(ban.Permanent()),
 		figures: map[string]any{
 			figureNetblock: ban.Netblock.String(), "ban_expires": rq.line.BanExpires,
 		},
 	}
 }
 
+// banAction is the action of a request refused under a ban or for making one:
+// permanent says the ban never runs out.
+func banAction(permanent bool) string {
+	if permanent {
+		return requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned
+	}
+
+	return requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned
+}
+
 // limitFigures are the figures of a heuristic that broke hit, a limit: its
 // window, the count and the limit.
 func limitFigures(hit ratelimit.Hit) map[string]any {
@@ -151,11 +161,11 @@ func (rq *request) banForLimit(now time.Time, hit ratelimit.Hit, status int) {
 // attack, which notes name: the ban rule that matched, or the trap path
 // asked for. It fills in the rest of the notes. In observe mode it makes
 // no ban, and raises the alert for the ban it would have made, if that
-// alert would be sent.
-func (rq *request) banForAttack(now time.Time, notes bans.Notes) {
+// alert would be sent. It returns the action for that ban.
+func (rq *request) banForAttack(now time.Time, notes bans.Notes) string {
 	netblock := rq.h.netblock(rq.client)
 	if rq.h.config.Observe && !rq.wouldAlertBan(netblock, now, bans.CauseAttack) {
-		return
+		return banAction(rq.h.ledger.WouldBePermanent(netblock, now, bans.CauseAttack))
 	}
 
 	notes.ASN = rq.line.ASN
@@ -171,7 +181,7 @@ func (rq *request) banForAttack(now time.Time, notes bans.Notes) {
 			rq.alertBan(ban)
 		}
 
-		return
+		return banAction(ban.Permanent())
 	}
 
 	ban, made := rq.h.ledger.BanForAttack(netblock, now, notes)
@@ -180,16 +190,18 @@ func (rq *request) banForAttack(now time.Time, notes bans.Notes) {
 	if made {
 		rq.alertBan(ban)
 	}
+
+	return banAction(ban.Permanent())
 }
 
 // banForCrowdSec bans the client's netblock at now until decision,
 // CrowdSec's decision on the client, ends. In observe mode it makes no
 // ban, and raises the alert for the ban it would have made, if that alert
-// would be sent.
-func (rq *request) banForCrowdSec(now time.Time, decision reputation.Decision) {
+// would be sent. It returns the action for that ban.
+func (rq *request) banForCrowdSec(now time.Time, decision reputation.Decision) string {
 	netblock := rq.h.netblock(rq.client)
 	if rq.h.config.Observe && !rq.wouldAlertBan(netblock, now, bans.CauseCrowdSec) {
-		return
+		return banAction(rq.h.ledger.WouldBePermanent(netblock, now, bans.CauseCrowdSec))
 	}
 
 	notes := bans.Notes{
@@ -208,7 +220,7 @@ func (rq *request) banForCrowdSec(now time.Time, decision reputation.Decision) {
 			rq.alertBan(ban)
 		}
 
-		return
+		return banAction(ban.Permanent())
 	}
 
 	ban, made := rq.h.ledger.BanForCrowdSec(netblock, now, decision.Expires,
@@ -218,6 +230,8 @@ func (rq *request) banForCrowdSec(now time.Time, decision reputation.Decision) {
 	if made {
 		rq.alertBan(ban)
 	}
+
+	return banAction(ban.Permanent())
 }
 
 // wouldAlertBan reports whether the alert for a ban on netblock for cause
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/bans_test.go b/internal/discriminator/bans_test.go
index 9875a14..5b75749 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/bans_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/bans_test.go
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ func TestBrokenLimitBansTheClient(t *testing.T) {
 	// client for an hour, the default.
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 
-	line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 	if line.LimitHit != minute || line.Offence != requestlog.OffenceLimit ||
 		line.BanExpires != expires {
 		t.Errorf("log line has limit_hit %q, offence %q and ban_expires %q, "+
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ func TestBrokenLimitBansTheClient(t *testing.T) {
 	// Every request while the ban lasts is refused.
 	clk.advance(time.Hour - time.Second)
 
-	line = s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	line = s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	if line.BanExpires != expires || line.Offence != "" || line.LimitHit != "" {
 		t.Errorf("log line has ban_expires %q, offence %q and limit_hit %q, "+
 			"want %s and neither of the others", line.BanExpires, line.Offence,
@@ -78,7 +78,9 @@ func TestBanLengthsFollowTheSettings(t *testing.T) {
 	breakLimit := func() string {
 		s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 
-		return s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited).BanExpires
+		line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
+
+		return line.BanExpires
 	}
 	wantExpires := func(got string, length time.Duration) {
 		t.Helper()
@@ -111,7 +113,7 @@ func TestBanLengthsFollowTheSettings(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	clk.advance(365 * 24 * time.Hour)
-	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned)
 }
 
 func TestBanIsNotCountedAndResetsTheCounters(t *testing.T) {
@@ -123,10 +125,10 @@ func TestBanIsNotCountedAndResetsTheCounters(t *testing.T) {
 	// client for an hour.
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
 	for range 3 {
-		s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+		s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	}
 
 	// Later the same day the client has its whole allowance again: the
@@ -135,7 +137,7 @@ func TestBanIsNotCountedAndResetsTheCounters(t *testing.T) {
 	clk.advance(time.Hour)
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
 	banned := server.Ledger.Bans(netip.MustParsePrefix(client + "/32"))
 	if len(banned) != 2 || banned[0].Notes.Refused != 3 {
@@ -190,10 +192,10 @@ func TestBanCoversTheClientsNetblock(t *testing.T) {
 			s, _, _ := startWithClock(t, "", env)
 
 			s.get(tc.breaker, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-			s.get(tc.breaker, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+			s.get(tc.breaker, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
 			for _, sent := range tc.refused {
-				s.get(sent, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+				s.get(sent, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 			}
 
 			for _, sent := range tc.let {
@@ -216,9 +218,9 @@ func TestBannedClientIsRefusedBeforeItsCountryIsLookedUp(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// fromDE's ban covers otherClient, which is refused unasked about.
 	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
-	line := s.get(otherClient, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	line := s.get(otherClient, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	if line.Country != "" {
 		t.Errorf("log line has country %q, want none", line.Country)
 	}
@@ -237,9 +239,9 @@ func TestRefusalUnderABanNamesItsHeuristicNetblockAndEnd(t *testing.T) {
 	expires := requestlog.FormatTime(clk.Now().Add(time.Hour))
 
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
-	line := s.get(otherClient, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	line := s.get(otherClient, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	wantHeuristic(t, line, "active_ban",
 		`{"netblock": "`+clientsNet+`", "ban_expires": "`+expires+`"}`)
 }
@@ -275,11 +277,11 @@ func TestBanResponseAnswersEveryRefusalButTheSizeLimits(t *testing.T) {
 
 			s, _, _ := startWithClock(t, geojsURL, env)
 
-			s.get(denied, tc.status, requestlog.ActionDenied)
-			s.get(fromKP, tc.status, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+			s.get(denied, tc.status, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
+			s.get(fromKP, tc.status, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 			s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-			s.get(fromDE, tc.status, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
-			s.get(fromDE, tc.status, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+			s.get(fromDE, tc.status, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
+			s.get(fromDE, tc.status, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 		})
 	}
 }
@@ -297,9 +299,9 @@ func TestBanNotes(t *testing.T) {
 
 	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 	s.request(fromDE, "/repo/commits?page=2",
-		http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
-	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
-	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+		http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
+	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
+	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 
 	netblock := netip.MustParsePrefix(fromDE + "/32")
 	want := bans.Ban{
@@ -342,7 +344,7 @@ func TestBanNotes(t *testing.T) {
 	// The next ban counts this one among the earlier.
 	clk.advance(time.Hour)
 	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
 	got = ledger.Bans(netblock)
 	if len(got) != 2 || got[1].Notes.EarlierBans != (bans.EarlierBans{Limit: 1}) {
@@ -360,12 +362,12 @@ func TestMaxBansDropsTheBanOfTheNetblockSeenLongestAgo(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// One ban is held, so otherClient's ban drops client's.
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 	s.get(otherClient, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.get(otherClient, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(otherClient, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.get(otherClient, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.get(otherClient, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 }
 
 // clock is the time a test sets, by which sww counts requests and
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/biased_test.go b/internal/discriminator/biased_test.go
index 81e4bac..bbc46b5 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/biased_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/biased_test.go
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ func TestEachBiasedThresholdLowersTheRateLimits(t *testing.T) {
 			}{
 				{http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward},
 				{http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward},
-				{http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited},
+				{http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited},
 			} {
 				line := s.get(tc.from, sent.status, sent.action)
 				wantPercent(t, "limit_percent", line.LimitPercent, line.LimitPercentSetting,
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ func TestZeroPercentIsAZeroAllowance(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// The first request breaks the limit, and bans the client; the log line
 	// gives the 0.
-	line := s.get(unplaced, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	line := s.get(unplaced, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 	if line.fields["limit_percent"] != float64(0) ||
 		line.fields["limit_percent_setting"] != unknownLimitPercent {
 		t.Errorf("log line has limit_percent %v from %v, want 0 from %s",
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ func TestZeroPercentIsAZeroAllowance(t *testing.T) {
 			unknownLimitPercent)
 	}
 
-	s.get(unplaced, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.get(unplaced, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 }
 
 func TestLowestPercentageApplies(t *testing.T) {
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ func TestLowestPercentageApplies(t *testing.T) {
 			// A quarter of 4 requests a minute: the second breaks the limit.
 			s.get(tc.from, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 
-			line := s.get(tc.from, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+			line := s.get(tc.from, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 			wantPercent(t, "limit_percent", line.LimitPercent, line.LimitPercentSetting,
 				tc.want)
 		})
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ func TestUnknownLimitPercentGivesEveryClientWithoutACountryItsPercentage(t *test
 	for _, from := range []string{unplaced, "10.0.0.8"} {
 		s.get(from, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 		s.get(from, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-		s.get(from, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+		s.get(from, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 	}
 
 	// One in a country has the whole limit.
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ func TestClientWithoutAnAnswerInTimeHasTheUnknownLimitPercent(t *testing.T) {
 		serveFromDE(t, server, http.MethodGet, http.NoBody)
 
 		line := out.requestLine(t)
-		wantLine(t, line, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+		wantLine(t, line, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 		wantPercent(t, "limit_percent", line.LimitPercent, line.LimitPercentSetting,
 			"0 from "+unknownLimitPercent)
 	})
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ func TestBanForALoweredLimitGivesThePercentageInItsNotesAndItsAlert(t *testing.T
 			// A quarter of 12 requests a minute is 3: the fourth breaks it.
 			"a rate limit",
 			map[string]string{rateLimitPerMinute: "12", tagLimitPercent: asnTagDEQuarter},
-			3, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited,
+			3, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited,
 			"requests per minute over the limit of 3", "25 from " + tagLimitPercent,
 		},
 		{
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/blocklists.go b/internal/discriminator/blocklists.go
index 433d0f6..fae5b0d 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/blocklists.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/blocklists.go
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func (blocklists) check(_ context.Context, rq *request, _ time.Time) *verdict {
 	}
 
 	return &verdict{
-		action:  requestlog.ActionDenied,
+		action:  requestlog.ActionClientDenied,
 		figures: map[string]any{"lists": listedBy},
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/bytelimits.go b/internal/discriminator/bytelimits.go
index 24ddc53..1e81417 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/bytelimits.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/bytelimits.go
@@ -6,8 +6,6 @@ package discriminator
 import (
 	"context"
 	"time"
-
-	"sneak.berlin/go/smallwebwaf/internal/requestlog"
 )
 
 // byteLimits counts the request's bytes, as countedBytes gives them, for the
@@ -39,5 +37,5 @@ func (byteLimits) check(_ context.Context, rq *request, now time.Time) *verdict
 
 	rq.banForLimit(now, hit, rq.out.status)
 
-	return &verdict{action: requestlog.ActionBanned, figures: limitFigures(hit)}
+	return &verdict{figures: limitFigures(hit)}
 }
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/bytelimits_test.go b/internal/discriminator/bytelimits_test.go
index 9070985..2170b0d 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/bytelimits_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/bytelimits_test.go
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ func TestEachByteLimitBansOnceTheResponseHasEnded(t *testing.T) {
 					line.BanExpires, tc.window, expires)
 			}
 
-			s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+			s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 
 			wantMetric(t, s.scrape(), `sww_rate_limit_hits_total{`+
 				`instance="`+alertInstance+`",kind="bytes",window="`+tc.window+`"}`, 1)
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ func TestResponseOverAByteLimitByItselfIsPassedOnWhole(t *testing.T) {
 			len(got.body), got.err, line.LimitHit, answerBytes, minuteBytes)
 	}
 
-	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 }
 
 func TestBytesOfAnAnswerThatBreaksOffAreCounted(t *testing.T) {
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ func TestBytesOfAnAnswerThatBreaksOffAreCounted(t *testing.T) {
 			answerBytes, minuteBytes, expires)
 	}
 
-	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 }
 
 func TestWebSocketBytesAreCountedOnceItCloses(t *testing.T) {
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ func TestWebSocketBytesAreCountedOnceItCloses(t *testing.T) {
 					line.LimitHit, line.Counts.MinuteBytes, minuteBytes, tc.counted)
 			}
 
-			s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+			s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 		})
 	}
 }
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ func TestBytesCountSaysWhichBytesCount(t *testing.T) {
 				}
 			}
 
-			s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+			s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 		})
 	}
 }
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ func TestObserveModeLeavesOutTheBytesOfARequestEnforceModeRefuses(t *testing.T)
 	// counted, and the byte limit is not broken. Its line gives the bytes
 	// counted before it.
 	line := s.upload()
-	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
 	if line.LimitHit != minute || line.Counts.MinuteBytes != bodyBytes+answerBytes {
 		t.Errorf("log line has limit_hit %q and minute_bytes %v, want minute and %d",
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/coreruleset_test.go b/internal/discriminator/coreruleset_test.go
index 054b457..a03f8e8 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/coreruleset_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/coreruleset_test.go
@@ -92,7 +92,8 @@ func TestDetectedAttackIsRefusedByTagDenyLast(t *testing.T) {
 		wafMode: detect, tagDeny: "exploitsignature",
 	})
 
-	line := s.request(client, sqlInjection, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+	line := s.request(client, sqlInjection, http.StatusForbidden,
+		requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 	wantHeuristic(t, line, "tag_deny", `{"tag": "exploitsignature"}`)
 }
 
@@ -195,7 +196,7 @@ func TestCoreRuleSetIsNotRunWhenOffOrForAnExemptClientPathOrRuleFileRefusal(
 
 	// A request a rule file refuses is not inspected.
 	line = s.request(otherClient, "/blocked?id=1'%20OR%20'1'='1", http.StatusForbidden,
-		requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked)
+		requestlog.ActionBlockedByBlockRule)
 	wantWAF(t, line, nil)
 
 	// With SWW_WAF_MODE off, no request is.
@@ -403,7 +404,7 @@ func TestCoreRuleSetRefusalIsAnOffenceAndCountsTowardTheErrorBurst(t *testing.T)
 			line.LimitHit, line.Offence)
 	}
 
-	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 
 	want := ratelimit.Offences{Limit: 1, WAFBlocked: 3}
 	if offences := historyOf(t, server, client).Offences; offences != want {
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/crowdsec.go b/internal/discriminator/crowdsec.go
index 12ec1f1..6e1473f 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/crowdsec.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/crowdsec.go
@@ -30,10 +30,9 @@ func (crowdSec) check(_ context.Context, rq *request, now time.Time) *verdict {
 	rq.addTag(config.CrowdSecTag)
 	rq.noteHit(bans.ReputationHit{Source: rq.h.config.CrowdSecDecisionsURL},
 		"listed by the CrowdSec decision list")
-	rq.banForCrowdSec(now, decision)
 
 	return &verdict{
-		action: requestlog.ActionBanned,
+		action: rq.banForCrowdSec(now, decision),
 		figures: map[string]any{
 			"scenario": decision.Scenario,
 			"expires":  requestlog.FormatTime(decision.Expires),
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/crowdsec_test.go b/internal/discriminator/crowdsec_test.go
index 9fd3e9e..8a63627 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/crowdsec_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/crowdsec_test.go
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ func TestClientTheCrowdSecDecisionListListsIsBannedUntilTheDecisionEnds(t *testi
 	expires := requestlog.FormatTime(fetched.Add(4 * time.Hour))
 
 	// Its first request is refused, and bans it until the decision ends.
-	line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	wantReputation(t, line, decisionsURL)
 
 	if line.BanExpires != expires {
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func TestClientTheCrowdSecDecisionListListsIsBannedUntilTheDecisionEnds(t *testi
 	// ban, and once it has ended the client is let through.
 	clk.advance(4*time.Hour - time.Second)
 
-	line = s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	line = s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	wantReputation(t, line)
 
 	if line.BanExpires != expires {
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ func TestCrowdSecBanNamesItsHeuristicScenarioAndEnd(t *testing.T) {
 		`"scenario": "crowdsecurity/ssh-bf", "scope": "Ip", "type": "ban", `+
 		`"value": "`+client+`"}]`)
 
-	line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	wantHeuristic(t, line, "crowdsec", `{"scenario": "crowdsecurity/ssh-bf", `+
 		`"expires": "`+requestlog.FormatTime(clk.Now().Add(4*time.Hour))+`"}`)
 	wantTags(t, line, "crowdsec")
@@ -129,9 +129,9 @@ func TestEndedCrowdSecDecisionNoLongerBansThoughTheCopyStillHoldsIt(t *testing.T
 	// Just before its end, the decision bans a client in the netblock, and
 	// one on an IPv6 address bans the address's group, the /64.
 	clk.advance(time.Minute - time.Nanosecond)
-	s.get("198.51.100.7", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
-	s.get("2001:db8::9", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
-	s.get("2001:db8::5", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.get("198.51.100.7", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
+	s.get("2001:db8::9", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
+	s.get("2001:db8::5", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 
 	// Once it has ended, it bans no other client, and the bans it made end
 	// with it.
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ func TestObserveModeForwardsAClientTheCrowdSecDecisionListListsAndAlertsTheBan(
 		`"value": "`+client+`"}]`)
 
 	line := s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	wantReputation(t, line, decisionsURL)
 
 	if held := server.Ledger.Snapshot(); len(held) != 0 {
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/denynets.go b/internal/discriminator/denynets.go
index a23b6c0..41002e6 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/denynets.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/denynets.go
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ func (denyNets) check(_ context.Context, rq *request, _ time.Time) *verdict {
 	for _, netblock := range rq.h.config.DenyNets {
 		if netblock.Contains(rq.client) {
 			return &verdict{
-				action:  requestlog.ActionDenied,
+				action:  requestlog.ActionClientDenied,
 				figures: map[string]any{figureNetblock: netblock.String()},
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/discriminator_test.go b/internal/discriminator/discriminator_test.go
index b746940..22e103f 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/discriminator_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/discriminator_test.go
@@ -639,7 +639,7 @@ func TestQuestionDeniedGetsTheBanResponse(t *testing.T) {
 			got := s.ask(client, "/")
 			wantDisposition(t, got, status, discriminator.DispositionDeny)
 			wantBody(t, got, http.StatusText(status)+"\n")
-			wantLine(t, s.out.requestLine(t), status, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+			wantLine(t, s.out.requestLine(t), status, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 		})
 	}
 }
@@ -655,8 +655,8 @@ func TestBanResponseCloseIsAnAnswerOfItsOwn(t *testing.T) {
 	wantDisposition(t, got, http.StatusOK, discriminator.DispositionClose)
 	wantBody(t, got, "")
 	// The visitor is sent nothing.
-	wantLine(t, s.out.requestLine(t), 0, requestlog.ActionDenied)
-	wantMetric(t, s.metrics(), `sww_requests_total{action="denied",instance="`+
+	wantLine(t, s.out.requestLine(t), 0, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
+	wantMetric(t, s.metrics(), `sww_requests_total{action="client_denied",instance="`+
 		alertInstance+`",status_class="none"}`, 1)
 }
 
@@ -671,12 +671,12 @@ func TestBlockRuleIsDeniedWith403AndABanRuleWithTheBanResponse(t *testing.T) {
 	got := s.ask(client, "/blocked")
 	wantDisposition(t, got, http.StatusForbidden, discriminator.DispositionDeny)
 	wantLine(t, s.out.requestLine(t), http.StatusForbidden,
-		requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked)
+		requestlog.ActionBlockedByBlockRule)
 
 	got = s.ask(client, "/.env")
 	wantDisposition(t, got, http.StatusTooManyRequests, discriminator.DispositionDeny)
 	wantLine(t, s.out.requestLines(t, 2)[1], http.StatusTooManyRequests,
-		requestlog.ActionBanned)
+		requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 }
 
 func TestQuestionUnderTheOwnPrefixIsDeniedWith404AfterTheChecks(t *testing.T) {
@@ -709,7 +709,7 @@ func TestObserveModeAllowsAndLogsWhatEnforceModeWouldHaveDone(t *testing.T) {
 
 	line := s.out.requestLine(t)
 	wantLine(t, line, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 }
 
 func TestObserveModeRefusalAnsweredAllowCountsForTheErrorBurst(t *testing.T) {
@@ -894,7 +894,7 @@ func TestDeniedRequestIsFinishedAtItsDecision(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("history is %+v, want the refused request alone", history)
 	}
 
-	const series = `sww_requests_total{action="rate_limited",instance="` +
+	const series = `sww_requests_total{action="client_is_rate_limited",instance="` +
 		alertInstance + `",status_class="4xx"}`
 
 	wantMetric(t, s.metrics(), series, 1)
@@ -1298,11 +1298,11 @@ func TestEveryDeniedRequestsReportGetsItsLastLine(t *testing.T) {
 	}{
 		{
 			"deny", map[string]string{denyNets: client}, "/", http.StatusForbidden,
-			requestlog.ActionDenied,
+			requestlog.ActionClientDenied,
 		},
 		{
 			"close", map[string]string{denyNets: client, banResponse: banResponseClose}, "/",
-			0, requestlog.ActionDenied,
+			0, requestlog.ActionClientDenied,
 		},
 		{"own prefix", nil, discriminator.HealthPath, http.StatusNotFound,
 			requestlog.ActionAdmin},
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/dnsbl.go b/internal/discriminator/dnsbl.go
index 8c31da7..f00fd10 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/dnsbl.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/dnsbl.go
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ func (dnsbl) check(ctx context.Context, rq *request, _ time.Time) *verdict {
 	}
 
 	return &verdict{
-		action:  requestlog.ActionDenied,
+		action:  requestlog.ActionClientDenied,
 		figures: map[string]any{"zones": listedBy},
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/headerlimits.go b/internal/discriminator/headerlimits.go
index 15be4b7..ff9345a 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/headerlimits.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/headerlimits.go
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ func (headerLimits) check(_ context.Context, rq *request, _ time.Time) *verdict
 	}
 
 	return &verdict{
-		action: requestlog.ActionTooLarge,
+		action: requestlog.ActionRequestHeaderTooLarge,
 		figures: map[string]any{
 			"fields": fields, "fields_limit": maxHeaderFields,
 			"cookies": cookies, "cookies_limit": maxCookies,
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/history_test.go b/internal/discriminator/history_test.go
index 43471e3..a33ddd8 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/history_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/history_test.go
@@ -31,9 +31,9 @@ func TestHistoryKeepsEachRequestOfTheClient(t *testing.T) {
 	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 	clk.advance(time.Second)
 	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 	clk.advance(time.Second)
-	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 
 	want := ratelimit.History{
 		FirstSeen: start,
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/lookup_test.go b/internal/discriminator/lookup_test.go
index 92075a5..21cb967 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/lookup_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/lookup_test.go
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ func TestEveryClientIsLookedUpWithoutWaitingWhileNoSettingNeedsIt(t *testing.T)
 	// comes too. None waits for GeoJS.
 	for _, line := range []logLine{
 		s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward),
-		s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited),
+		s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited),
 		s.get(fromKP, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward),
 	} {
 		got := asnAndCountry{line.ASN, line.ASName, line.Country}
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ func TestASNumberAndNameInTheLogLineTheHistoryTheBanNotesAndTheAlert(t *testing.
 
 	for _, line := range []logLine{
 		s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward),
-		s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited),
+		s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited),
 	} {
 		if got := (asnAndCountry{line.ASN, line.ASName, line.Country}); got != want {
 			t.Errorf("log line has %+v, want %+v", got, want)
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ func TestClientsAreLookedUpInTheLookupDatabaseAndGeoJSIsNotAsked(t *testing.T) {
 		want asnAndCountry
 	}{
 		{s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward), de},
-		{s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited), de},
+		{s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited), de},
 		{
 			s.get(fromKP, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionCountryDenied),
 			asnAndCountry{asnKP, asNameKP, "KP"},
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/metrics_test.go b/internal/discriminator/metrics_test.go
index 72af353..68ea54e 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/metrics_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/metrics_test.go
@@ -125,15 +125,15 @@ func TestMetricsCountLimitsAndBans(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	// SWW_BAN_RESPONSE=close sends no status at all.
-	s.get(denied, 0, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+	s.get(denied, 0, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 
 	// A first broken limit bans for an hour.
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.get(client, 0, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(client, 0, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
 	metrics := s.scrape()
 	wantMetric(t, metrics,
-		`sww_requests_total{action="denied",instance="app",status_class="none"}`, 1)
+		`sww_requests_total{action="client_denied",instance="app",status_class="none"}`, 1)
 	wantMetric(t, metrics, `sww_rate_limit_hits_total{instance="app",`+
 		`kind="requests",window="minute"}`, 1)
 	wantMetric(t, metrics, `sww_offences_total{instance="app",kind="limit"}`, 1)
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ func TestMetricsCountLimitsAndBans(t *testing.T) {
 	// A limit broken again right after would ban for three hours, longer
 	// than SWW_MAX_BAN_DURATION, so the ban is permanent.
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.get(client, 0, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(client, 0, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
 	metrics = s.scrape()
 	wantMetric(t, metrics, `sww_rate_limit_hits_total{instance="app",`+
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/observe_test.go b/internal/discriminator/observe_test.go
index 5ca9fcc..9d44220 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/observe_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/observe_test.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"sneak.berlin/go/smallwebwaf/internal/alerts"
 	"sneak.berlin/go/smallwebwaf/internal/bans"
 	"sneak.berlin/go/smallwebwaf/internal/requestlog"
 )
@@ -14,6 +15,93 @@ import (
 // observe is the value of SWW_MODE for observe mode.
 const observe = "observe"
 
+func TestBanActionSaysWhetherTheBanRunsOut(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	const trapPath = "/wp-login.php"
+
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name  string
+		cause string
+		// endsIn is how long after the request the ban ends: negative for a
+		// ban that has ended, and zero for a permanent ban.
+		endsIn time.Duration
+		path   string
+		want   string
+	}{
+		{
+			"temporary ban", bans.CauseAdmin, time.Hour, "/",
+			requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned,
+		},
+		{"permanent ban", bans.CauseAdmin, 0, "/", requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned},
+		{
+			"request that makes a ban permanent", bans.CauseAttack, time.Hour, "/",
+			requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned,
+		},
+		{
+			"trap path after an attack ban ended", bans.CauseAttack, -time.Hour,
+			trapPath, requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned,
+		},
+		{
+			"first trap path after another ban ended", bans.CauseAdmin, -time.Hour,
+			trapPath, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned,
+		},
+	} {
+		for _, modeValue := range []string{"enforce", observe} {
+			t.Run(tc.name+" in "+modeValue, func(t *testing.T) {
+				t.Parallel()
+
+				s, clk, server := startWithClock(t, "", map[string]string{
+					trapPaths: trapPathList, mode: modeValue,
+				})
+
+				ban := bans.Ban{
+					Netblock: netip.MustParsePrefix(client + "/32"),
+					Start:    clk.Now().Add(-2 * time.Hour),
+					Cause:    tc.cause,
+				}
+				if tc.endsIn != 0 {
+					ban.Expires = clk.Now().Add(tc.endsIn)
+				}
+
+				server.Ledger.Load([]bans.Ban{ban})
+
+				if modeValue == observe {
+					line := s.request(client, tc.path, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
+					wantWouldAction(t, line, tc.want)
+
+					return
+				}
+
+				s.request(client, tc.path, http.StatusForbidden, tc.want)
+			})
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestObserveModeNamesAPermanentBanWhoseAlertWouldBeSent(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	s, clk, server, queue := startWithAlerts(t, map[string]string{
+		trapPaths: trapPathList, mode: observe,
+	})
+
+	server.Ledger.Load([]bans.Ban{{
+		Netblock: netip.MustParsePrefix(client + "/32"),
+		Start:    clk.Now().Add(-2 * time.Hour),
+		Expires:  clk.Now().Add(-time.Hour),
+		Cause:    bans.CauseAttack,
+	}})
+
+	line := s.request(client, "/wp-login.php", http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
+	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned)
+
+	waiting := queue.Snapshot().Waiting[alerts.DestinationWebhook]
+	if len(waiting) != 1 || waiting[0].Event != alerts.EventPermanentBan {
+		t.Errorf("alerts waiting are %+v, want one %s", waiting, alerts.EventPermanentBan)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestObserveModeNamesTheHeuristicThatWouldHaveRefused(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
@@ -22,7 +110,7 @@ func TestObserveModeNamesTheHeuristicThatWouldHaveRefused(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	line := s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 	wantHeuristic(t, line, "deny_nets", `{"netblock": "`+client+`/32"}`)
 }
 
@@ -69,10 +157,10 @@ func TestObserveModeForwardsWhatEnforceModeRefuses(t *testing.T) {
 			s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 
 			for _, sent := range []struct{ from, refusal string }{
-				{denied, requestlog.ActionDenied},
-				{banned, requestlog.ActionBanned},
-				{fromKP, requestlog.ActionDenied},
-				{fromDE, requestlog.ActionRateLimited},
+				{denied, requestlog.ActionClientDenied},
+				{banned, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned},
+				{fromKP, requestlog.ActionClientDenied},
+				{fromDE, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited},
 			} {
 				if !tc.observe {
 					line := s.get(sent.from, http.StatusForbidden, sent.refusal)
@@ -110,7 +198,7 @@ func TestObserveModeMakesNoBanAndKeepsTheBansItHas(t *testing.T) {
 
 	for range 2 {
 		line := s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-		wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+		wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
 		if line.LimitHit != minute || line.Offence != requestlog.OffenceLimit ||
 			line.BanExpires != "" {
@@ -123,7 +211,7 @@ func TestObserveModeMakesNoBanAndKeepsTheBansItHas(t *testing.T) {
 	// The ban read from bans.json refuses nothing, and so counts no
 	// refusal in its notes, but is kept.
 	line := s.get(otherClient, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 
 	if line.BanExpires != requestlog.FormatTime(kept.Expires) {
 		t.Errorf("log line has ban_expires %q, want %s", line.BanExpires,
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/ratelimits.go b/internal/discriminator/ratelimits.go
index 1eb943c..bccfab9 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/ratelimits.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/ratelimits.go
@@ -42,7 +42,9 @@ func (rateLimits) check(_ context.Context, rq *request, now time.Time) *verdict
 
 	rq.banForLimit(now, hit, rq.h.config.BanResponse)
 
-	return &verdict{action: requestlog.ActionRateLimited, figures: limitFigures(hit)}
+	return &verdict{
+		action: requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited, figures: limitFigures(hit),
+	}
 }
 
 // overAWholeRateLimit reports whether the heuristic rate_limits will refuse the
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/ratelimits_test.go b/internal/discriminator/ratelimits_test.go
index 926f22f..0e3a8b0 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/ratelimits_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/ratelimits_test.go
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ func TestRateLimitRefusesBeforeTheApp(t *testing.T) {
 		if sent.want == http.StatusOK {
 			wantLine(t, line, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 		} else {
-			wantLine(t, line, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+			wantLine(t, line, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
 			if line.LimitHit != minute {
 				t.Errorf("log line has limit_hit %q, want minute", line.LimitHit)
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ func TestRateLimitRefusalNamesItsHeuristicWindowCountAndLimit(t *testing.T) {
 
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 
-	line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 	wantHeuristic(t, line, "rate_limits", `{"window": "minute", "count": 2, "limit": 1}`)
 }
 
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ func TestIPv6GroupPrefixSetsTheClientTheLimitsCount(t *testing.T) {
 		status int
 		action string
 	}{
-		{rateLimitPerMinute, "1", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited},
+		{rateLimitPerMinute, "1", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited},
 		{bytesLimitPerMinute, byteLimit, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward},
 	} {
 		t.Run(tc.setting, func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -160,14 +160,17 @@ func TestRateLimitExemptPathsAreNeitherCountedNorRefused(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// A path outside every prefix is counted: /assets is not under
 	// /assets/, and breaks the limit.
-	s.request(client, "/assets", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.request(client, "/assets", http.StatusForbidden,
+		requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
 	// A ban, SWW_DENY_NETS and SWW_TAG_DENY still refuse a path under a
 	// prefix.
-	s.request(client, "/assets/app.js", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
-	s.request(denied, "/assets/app.js", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+	s.request(client, "/assets/app.js", http.StatusForbidden,
+		requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
+	s.request(denied, "/assets/app.js", http.StatusForbidden,
+		requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 	s.request(fromKP, "/assets/app.js",
-		http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+		http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 }
 
 func TestRateLimitCountsPathsThatAreNotExempt(t *testing.T) {
@@ -211,7 +214,7 @@ func TestRateLimitCountsPathsThatAreNotExempt(t *testing.T) {
 			// Counted, the second request breaks the limit of one request
 			// a minute.
 			s.request(client, sent, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-			s.request(client, sent, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+			s.request(client, sent, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 		})
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/refusallimit.go b/internal/discriminator/refusallimit.go
index a7d2375..5eb13f7 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/refusallimit.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/refusallimit.go
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func (refusalLimit) check(_ context.Context, rq *request, now time.Time) *verdic
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	if !rq.attack && !rq.ruleBlocked && !rq.wafBlocked {
+	if !rq.attack && !rq.blockedByBlockRule && !rq.wafBlocked {
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -42,13 +42,13 @@ func (refusalLimit) check(_ context.Context, rq *request, now time.Time) *verdic
 	status := rq.out.status
 
 	switch rq.line.WouldAction {
-	case requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked, requestlog.ActionWAFBlocked:
+	case requestlog.ActionBlockedByBlockRule, requestlog.ActionWAFBlocked:
 		status = http.StatusForbidden
-	case requestlog.ActionBanned:
+	case requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned, requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned:
 		status = cfg.BanResponse
 	}
 
 	rq.banForLimit(now, hit, status)
 
-	return &verdict{action: requestlog.ActionBanned, figures: limitFigures(hit)}
+	return &verdict{figures: limitFigures(hit)}
 }
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/refusallimit_test.go b/internal/discriminator/refusallimit_test.go
index 09a34b9..c3fc168 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/refusallimit_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/refusallimit_test.go
@@ -37,9 +37,10 @@ func (r refused) send(s *sender, from string) logLine {
 	switch r {
 	case blockRule:
 		return s.request(from, blockedPath, http.StatusForbidden,
-			requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked)
+			requestlog.ActionBlockedByBlockRule)
 	case banRule:
-		return s.request(from, probePath, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+		return s.request(from, probePath, http.StatusForbidden,
+			requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	}
 
 	s.t.Fatalf("no request for the refusal %d", r)
@@ -71,9 +72,20 @@ func TestErrorBurstBreaksAtOneOverTheThreshold(t *testing.T) {
 		name string
 		// refusals are four, one over the threshold of three.
 		refusals []refused
+		// nextAction is the action of the client's next request: the next
+		// request after a ban for a ban rule makes it permanent.
+		nextAction string
 	}{
-		{"block rule", []refused{blockRule, blockRule, blockRule, blockRule}},
-		{"a ban rule last", []refused{blockRule, blockRule, blockRule, banRule}},
+		{
+			"block rule",
+			[]refused{blockRule, blockRule, blockRule, blockRule},
+			requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned,
+		},
+		{
+			"a ban rule last",
+			[]refused{blockRule, blockRule, blockRule, banRule},
+			requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned,
+		},
 	} {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Parallel()
@@ -101,7 +113,7 @@ func TestErrorBurstBreaksAtOneOverTheThreshold(t *testing.T) {
 					"and limit", line.LimitHit, line.Offence)
 			}
 
-			s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+			s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, tc.nextAction)
 		})
 	}
 }
@@ -169,7 +181,7 @@ func TestErrorBurstBanNotesHistoryAndMetrics(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("bans\n%+v\nwant\n%+v", got, want)
 	}
 
-	wantOffences := ratelimit.Offences{Limit: 1, RuleBlocked: 3}
+	wantOffences := ratelimit.Offences{Limit: 1, BlockedByBlockRule: 3}
 	if offences := historyOf(t, server, client).Offences; offences != wantOffences {
 		t.Errorf("history counts the offences %+v, want %+v", offences, wantOffences)
 	}
@@ -179,7 +191,7 @@ func TestErrorBurstBanNotesHistoryAndMetrics(t *testing.T) {
 		`kind="refusals",window="minute"}`, 1)
 	wantMetric(t, metrics, `sww_offences_total{instance="app",kind="limit"}`, 1)
 	wantMetric(t, metrics,
-		`sww_offences_total{instance="app",kind="rule_blocked"}`, 3)
+		`sww_offences_total{instance="app",kind="blocked_by_block_rule"}`, 3)
 	wantMetric(t, metrics, `sww_bans_made_total{cause="limit",instance="app"}`, 1)
 }
 
@@ -298,7 +310,7 @@ func TestErrorBurstCountsEachClientTheChecksApplyTo(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("log line has limit_hit %q, want error_burst", line.LimitHit)
 	}
 
-	s.get(exempt, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.get(exempt, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 }
 
 func TestErrorBurstBanSetsTheRefusalsBackToZero(t *testing.T) {
@@ -341,7 +353,7 @@ func TestObserveModeLogsAndAlertsTheErrorBurst(t *testing.T) {
 	for range 2 {
 		line := s.request(otherClient, blockedPath, http.StatusOK,
 			requestlog.ActionForward)
-		wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+		wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 
 		if line.LimitHit != "" {
 			t.Errorf("log line has limit_hit %q, want none", line.LimitHit)
@@ -353,7 +365,7 @@ func TestObserveModeLogsAndAlertsTheErrorBurst(t *testing.T) {
 	s.request(client, blockedPath, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 
 	line := s.request(client, blockedPath, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked)
+	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionBlockedByBlockRule)
 
 	if line.LimitHit != requestlog.LimitHitErrorBurst || line.BanExpires != "" {
 		t.Errorf("log line has limit_hit %q and ban_expires %q, want error_burst "+
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/reputation_test.go b/internal/discriminator/reputation_test.go
index c992117..8f03a32 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/reputation_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/reputation_test.go
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ const (
 func TestEachBlocklistActionForAListedAddressAndAListedNetblock(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
-	forward, denied := requestlog.ActionForward, requestlog.ActionDenied
+	forward, denied := requestlog.ActionForward, requestlog.ActionClientDenied
 
 	for _, tc := range []struct {
 		action string
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ func TestEachBlocklistActionForAListedAddressAndAListedNetblock(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			// Half of 4 requests a minute: the third breaks the limit.
 			limitHalf, []int{http.StatusOK, http.StatusOK, http.StatusForbidden},
-			[]string{forward, forward, requestlog.ActionRateLimited},
+			[]string{forward, forward, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited},
 			"50 from " + blocklistAction,
 		},
 		{
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ func TestReputationRefusalNamesItsHeuristicAndWhatListedTheClient(t *testing.T)
 			s, server, _ := startWithLookups(t, tc.env)
 			tc.load(t, server)
 
-			line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+			line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 			wantHeuristic(t, line, tc.heuristic, tc.figures)
 		})
 	}
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ func TestObserveModeForwardsAClientABlocklistDeniesAndAlertsIt(t *testing.T) {
 	loadLists(t, server, map[string][]string{dropURL: {fromDE}})
 
 	line := s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 	wantReputation(t, line, dropURL)
 
 	waiting := queue.Snapshot().Waiting[alerts.DestinationWebhook]
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ const (
 func TestEachReputationActionForAClientADNSBLZoneLists(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
-	forward, denied := requestlog.ActionForward, requestlog.ActionDenied
+	forward, denied := requestlog.ActionForward, requestlog.ActionClientDenied
 
 	for _, tc := range []struct {
 		action string
@@ -397,7 +397,7 @@ func TestEachReputationActionForAClientADNSBLZoneLists(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			// Half of 4 requests a minute: the third breaks the limit.
 			limitHalf, []int{http.StatusOK, http.StatusOK, http.StatusForbidden},
-			[]string{forward, forward, requestlog.ActionRateLimited},
+			[]string{forward, forward, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited},
 			"50 from " + reputationAction,
 		},
 		{
@@ -468,7 +468,7 @@ func TestDNSBLZonesComeAfterTheBlocklistsAndSkipAllowNets(t *testing.T) {
 	// The blocklist refuses fromKP before its verdict is looked at, and
 	// fromDE, in SWW_ALLOW_NETS, is not checked at all: neither is noted
 	// for the zone, nor alerted, nor asked about.
-	wantReputation(t, s.get(fromKP, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied),
+	wantReputation(t, s.get(fromKP, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied),
 		dropURL)
 	wantReputation(t, s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward))
 
@@ -532,7 +532,7 @@ func TestObserveModeForwardsAClientADNSBLZoneDeniesAndAlertsIt(t *testing.T) {
 	loadVerdicts(server, map[string][]string{fromDE: {dnsblZone}})
 
 	line := s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 	wantReputation(t, line, dnsblZone)
 
 	waiting := queue.Snapshot().Waiting[alerts.DestinationWebhook]
@@ -741,8 +741,8 @@ func TestOnlyAClientThatHasCommittedAnOffenceIsCheckedWithAbuseIPDB(t *testing.T
 	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, forward)
 	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, forward)
 	s.get(fromKP, http.StatusOK, forward)
-	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
-	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
+	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	wantAbuseIPDBChecks(t, server, 0)
 
 	// Once the ban has ended, fromDE's first request has it checked in the
@@ -781,7 +781,7 @@ func TestIPv6ClientCostsOneAbuseIPDBCheckWhicheverOfItsAddressesSends(t *testing
 		s.get(addresses[0], http.StatusOK, forward)
 	}
 
-	s.get(addresses[0], http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(addresses[0], http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 	clk.advance(time.Hour)
 
 	// Once the ban has ended, which set its counters back to zero, a
@@ -814,20 +814,20 @@ func TestClientRefusedForAnOffenceIsCheckedWithAbuseIPDBAtItsNextRequest(t *test
 		want   ratelimit.Offences
 	}{
 		{
-			"a block rule", blockedPath, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked,
-			ratelimit.Offences{RuleBlocked: 1},
+			"a block rule", blockedPath, http.StatusForbidden,
+			requestlog.ActionBlockedByBlockRule, ratelimit.Offences{BlockedByBlockRule: 1},
 		},
 		{
 			"the Core Rule Set", sqlInjection, http.StatusForbidden,
 			requestlog.ActionWAFBlocked, ratelimit.Offences{WAFBlocked: 1},
 		},
 		{
-			"a ban rule", probePath, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned,
+			"a ban rule", probePath, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned,
 			ratelimit.Offences{Attack: 1},
 		},
 		{
-			"a trap path", "/xmlrpc.php", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned,
-			ratelimit.Offences{Attack: 1},
+			"a trap path", "/xmlrpc.php", http.StatusForbidden,
+			requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned, ratelimit.Offences{Attack: 1},
 		},
 	} {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -858,7 +858,7 @@ func TestClientRefusedForAnOffenceIsCheckedWithAbuseIPDBAtItsNextRequest(t *test
 func TestEachReputationActionForAClientAbuseIPDBScoresAtOrOverTheMinimum(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
-	forward, denied := requestlog.ActionForward, requestlog.ActionDenied
+	forward, denied := requestlog.ActionForward, requestlog.ActionClientDenied
 
 	for _, tc := range []struct {
 		action string
@@ -875,7 +875,7 @@ func TestEachReputationActionForAClientAbuseIPDBScoresAtOrOverTheMinimum(t *test
 		{
 			// Half of 4 requests a minute: the third breaks the limit.
 			limitHalf, []int{http.StatusOK, http.StatusOK, http.StatusForbidden},
-			[]string{forward, forward, requestlog.ActionRateLimited},
+			[]string{forward, forward, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited},
 			"50 from " + reputationAction,
 		},
 		{
@@ -972,7 +972,7 @@ func TestWithoutAnAbuseIPDBKeyNoClientIsCheckedNorAScoreUsed(t *testing.T) {
 	// fromDE's score is not used, and once it has committed an offence it
 	// is not checked either.
 	wantReputation(t, s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, forward))
-	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 	clk.advance(time.Hour)
 	wantReputation(t, s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, forward))
 	wantAbuseIPDBChecks(t, server, 0)
@@ -996,10 +996,10 @@ func TestBanNotesNameEachReputationSourceThatListedTheClient(t *testing.T) {
 	}{
 		{"for a broken rate limit", func(s *sender, from string) {
 			s.get(from, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-			s.get(from, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+			s.get(from, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 		}},
 		{"for a clear sign of attack", func(s *sender, from string) {
-			s.request(from, probePath, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+			s.request(from, probePath, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 		}},
 	} {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/request.go b/internal/discriminator/request.go
index dd69bb9..b39bc7c 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/request.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/request.go
@@ -54,10 +54,10 @@ type decision struct {
 	counted                    bool
 	limitPercent, bytesPercent percentage
 	// attack is true for a request that matched a ban rule or asked for a
-	// trap path, ruleBlocked for one a block rule refused, and wafBlocked for
-	// one the Core Rule Set refused, each an offence its client's history
-	// counts.
-	attack, ruleBlocked, wafBlocked bool
+	// trap path, blockedByBlockRule for one a block rule refused, and
+	// wafBlocked for one the Core Rule Set refused, each an offence its
+	// client's history counts.
+	attack, blockedByBlockRule, wafBlocked bool
 	// reputation is the reputation sources that list the client, for the
 	// notes of a ban the request makes.
 	reputation []bans.ReputationHit
@@ -187,9 +187,10 @@ func (rq *request) check(ctx context.Context) *refusal {
 		rq.line.WouldAction = action
 
 		return nil
-	case action == requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked || action == requestlog.ActionWAFBlocked:
+	case action == requestlog.ActionBlockedByBlockRule ||
+		action == requestlog.ActionWAFBlocked:
 		return &refusal{status: http.StatusForbidden, action: action}
-	case action == requestlog.ActionTooLarge:
+	case action == requestlog.ActionRequestHeaderTooLarge:
 		return &refusal{status: http.StatusRequestHeaderFieldsTooLarge, action: action}
 	default:
 		return rq.banResponse(action)
@@ -303,15 +304,15 @@ func timing(start, end time.Time) *float64 {
 // when it comes.
 func (rq *request) addToHistory() {
 	request := ratelimit.Request{
-		Forwarded:     rq.allowed,
-		Refused:       rq.refused != nil,
-		Status:        rq.out.status,
-		RequestBytes:  rq.requestBytes,
-		ResponseBytes: rq.out.bytes,
-		BrokeLimit:    rq.line.Offence == requestlog.OffenceLimit,
-		Attack:        rq.attack,
-		RuleBlocked:   rq.ruleBlocked,
-		WAFBlocked:    rq.wafBlocked,
+		Forwarded:          rq.allowed,
+		Refused:            rq.refused != nil,
+		Status:             rq.out.status,
+		RequestBytes:       rq.requestBytes,
+		ResponseBytes:      rq.out.bytes,
+		BrokeLimit:         rq.line.Offence == requestlog.OffenceLimit,
+		Attack:             rq.attack,
+		BlockedByBlockRule: rq.blockedByBlockRule,
+		WAFBlocked:         rq.wafBlocked,
 	}
 
 	rq.h.limiter.AddToHistory(rq.h.clientGroup(rq.client), rq.h.now(), request)
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/routewatchtags_test.go b/internal/discriminator/routewatchtags_test.go
index 7f02aea..33327c9 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/routewatchtags_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/routewatchtags_test.go
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ func TestRouteWatchTagsAreOnALineDenyNetsRefused(t *testing.T) {
 
 	waitForRouteWatch(t, server, fromKP, 32)
 
-	line := s.get(fromKP, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+	line := s.get(fromKP, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 	wantHeuristic(t, line, "deny_nets", `{"netblock": "`+fromKP+`/32"}`)
 	wantTags(t, line, "asn=64511", "prefix="+prefixKP)
 }
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ func TestTagDenyRefusesOnARouteWatchPrefix(t *testing.T) {
 	waitForRouteWatch(t, server, fromKP, 32)
 	waitForRouteWatch(t, server, fromDE, 32)
 
-	wantHeuristic(t, s.get(fromKP, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied),
+	wantHeuristic(t, s.get(fromKP, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied),
 		"tag_deny", `{"tag": "prefix=`+prefixKP+`"}`)
 	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 }
@@ -241,5 +241,5 @@ func TestTagLimitPercentWorksWithAnIPv6Prefix(t *testing.T) {
 	// Half of two is one: the second request breaks the limit.
 	line := s.get(fromV6, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 	wantTags(t, line, "asn=64496", "prefix="+prefixV6)
-	s.get(fromV6, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(fromV6, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 }
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/rulefiles.go b/internal/discriminator/rulefiles.go
index 27e9c17..1422a95 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/rulefiles.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/rulefiles.go
@@ -16,9 +16,10 @@ import (
 // ruleFiles checks the request against the rules of the rule files at now,
 // notes the ids of those it matches in the log line, adds the tag
 // exploitsignature when it matches any, and refuses the request
-// when the last rule it matches refuses it: with ActionRuleBlocked for a block
-// rule, and ActionBanned for a ban rule. A ban rule bans the client's netblock
-// for a clear sign of attack, or in observe mode raises the alert for the ban
+// when the last rule it matches refuses it: with ActionBlockedByBlockRule for a
+// block rule, and for a ban rule with the action for the ban it makes. A ban
+// rule bans the client's netblock for a clear sign of attack, or in observe
+// mode raises the alert for the ban
 // it would have made. Either rule's match is noted as an offence, for the
 // client's history. Its figures are the rule's id and action.
 type ruleFiles struct{}
@@ -45,14 +46,16 @@ func (ruleFiles) check(_ context.Context, rq *request, now time.Time) *verdict {
 
 	switch last.Action {
 	case rules.ActionBlock:
-		rq.ruleBlocked = true
+		rq.blockedByBlockRule = true
 
-		return &verdict{action: requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked, figures: figures}
+		return &verdict{action: requestlog.ActionBlockedByBlockRule, figures: figures}
 	case rules.ActionBan:
 		rq.attack = true
-		rq.banForAttack(now, bans.Notes{RuleID: last.ID, Target: last.Target})
 
-		return &verdict{action: requestlog.ActionBanned, figures: figures}
+		return &verdict{
+			action:  rq.banForAttack(now, bans.Notes{RuleID: last.ID, Target: last.Target}),
+			figures: figures,
+		}
 	default:
 		return nil
 	}
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/rulefiles_test.go b/internal/discriminator/rulefiles_test.go
index 30a4e9f..dd8af4d 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/rulefiles_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/rulefiles_test.go
@@ -37,13 +37,14 @@ func TestEachRuleAction(t *testing.T) {
 	// A block rule refuses with 403, whatever SWW_BAN_RESPONSE is, and
 	// bans no one.
 	line = s.request(client, "/blocked", http.StatusForbidden,
-		requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked)
+		requestlog.ActionBlockedByBlockRule)
 	wantRuleIDs(t, line, "noted", "blocked")
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 
 	// A ban rule refuses with SWW_BAN_RESPONSE, and bans the client for
 	// seven days, the default.
-	line = s.request(client, "/.env", http.StatusTooManyRequests, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	line = s.request(client, "/.env", http.StatusTooManyRequests,
+		requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	wantRuleIDs(t, line, "noted", "probe")
 
 	if line.BanExpires != requestlog.FormatTime(start.Add(7*24*time.Hour)) {
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@ func TestEachRuleAction(t *testing.T) {
 	// against the rules, and makes the ban permanent.
 	clk.advance(time.Hour)
 
-	line = s.get(client, http.StatusTooManyRequests, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	line = s.get(client, http.StatusTooManyRequests, requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned)
 	wantRuleIDs(t, line)
 
 	if line.BanExpires != permanent {
@@ -90,7 +91,7 @@ func TestEachRuleAction(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	clk.advance(365 * 24 * time.Hour)
-	s.get(client, http.StatusTooManyRequests, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.get(client, http.StatusTooManyRequests, requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned)
 }
 
 func TestEachRuleActionAddsTheExploitSignatureTag(t *testing.T) {
@@ -103,7 +104,7 @@ func TestEachRuleActionAddsTheExploitSignatureTag(t *testing.T) {
 	wantTags(t, s.request(client, "/noted", http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward),
 		"exploitsignature")
 	wantTags(t, s.request(client, "/blocked", http.StatusForbidden,
-		requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked), "exploitsignature")
+		requestlog.ActionBlockedByBlockRule), "exploitsignature")
 	wantTags(t, s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward))
 }
 
@@ -115,10 +116,11 @@ func TestRuleRefusalNamesItsHeuristicAndTheRule(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	line := s.request(client, "/blocked", http.StatusForbidden,
-		requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked)
+		requestlog.ActionBlockedByBlockRule)
 	wantHeuristic(t, line, "rule_files", `{"rule_id": "blocked", "rule_action": "block"}`)
 
-	line = s.request(client, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	line = s.request(client, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden,
+		requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	wantHeuristic(t, line, "rule_files", `{"rule_id": "probe", "rule_action": "ban"}`)
 }
 
@@ -131,7 +133,8 @@ func TestNextClearSignOfAttackAfterABanBansPermanently(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	// The first probe bans for SWW_ATTACK_BAN_DURATION.
-	line := s.request(client, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	line := s.request(client, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden,
+		requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	if line.BanExpires != requestlog.FormatTime(clk.Now().Add(time.Hour)) {
 		t.Errorf("log line has ban_expires %q, want an hour on", line.BanExpires)
 	}
@@ -141,7 +144,8 @@ func TestNextClearSignOfAttackAfterABanBansPermanently(t *testing.T) {
 	clk.advance(time.Hour)
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 
-	line = s.request(client, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	line = s.request(client, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden,
+		requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned)
 	if line.BanExpires != permanent {
 		t.Errorf("log line has ban_expires %q, want permanent", line.BanExpires)
 	}
@@ -169,7 +173,8 @@ func TestRulesComeAfterTheOtherChecks(t *testing.T) {
 	// A probe over the rate limit breaks the limit before any rule sees
 	// it.
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	line = s.request(client, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	line = s.request(client, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden,
+		requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 	wantRuleIDs(t, line)
 
 	limitBan := server.Ledger.Bans(netip.MustParsePrefix(client + "/32"))
@@ -179,7 +184,7 @@ func TestRulesComeAfterTheOtherChecks(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// A client the rate limits do not apply to is still checked.
 	s.get(exempt, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.request(exempt, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.request(exempt, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 }
 
 func TestObserveModeLogsWhatTheRulesWouldDo(t *testing.T) {
@@ -191,11 +196,11 @@ func TestObserveModeLogsWhatTheRulesWouldDo(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	line := s.request(client, "/blocked", http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked)
+	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionBlockedByBlockRule)
 	wantRuleIDs(t, line, "blocked")
 
 	line = s.request(client, "/.env", http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	wantRuleIDs(t, line, "probe")
 
 	if line.BanExpires != "" {
@@ -219,9 +224,10 @@ func TestMetricsCountRuleMatchesAndBansForAnAttack(t *testing.T) {
 		metricsToken: token,
 	})
 
-	s.request(client, "/blocked", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRuleBlocked)
-	s.request(client, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
-	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.request(client, "/blocked", http.StatusForbidden,
+		requestlog.ActionBlockedByBlockRule)
+	s.request(client, "/.env", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
+	s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned)
 
 	metrics := s.scrape()
 	wantMetric(t, metrics,
@@ -229,10 +235,10 @@ func TestMetricsCountRuleMatchesAndBansForAnAttack(t *testing.T) {
 	wantMetric(t, metrics,
 		`sww_rule_matches_total{action="ban",instance="app",rule_id="probe"}`, 1)
 	wantMetric(t, metrics, `sww_rules_loaded{instance="app"}`, 2)
-	wantMetric(t, metrics, `sww_requests_total{action="rule_blocked",`+
+	wantMetric(t, metrics, `sww_requests_total{action="blocked_by_block_rule",`+
 		`instance="app",status_class="4xx"}`, 1)
 	wantMetric(t, metrics,
-		`sww_offences_total{instance="app",kind="rule_blocked"}`, 1)
+		`sww_offences_total{instance="app",kind="blocked_by_block_rule"}`, 1)
 	wantMetric(t, metrics, `sww_offences_total{instance="app",kind="attack"}`, 1)
 	wantMetric(t, metrics, `sww_bans_made_total{cause="attack",instance="app"}`, 1)
 	wantMetric(t, metrics, `sww_bans_made_total{cause="limit",instance="app"}`, 0)
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/staticlists_test.go b/internal/discriminator/staticlists_test.go
index 9ba8ad9..04643da 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/staticlists_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/staticlists_test.go
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ func TestRequestFromAllowNetsIsNotCounted(t *testing.T) {
 		{listedAddr, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward},
 		{listedAddr, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward},
 		{unlistedAddr, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward},
-		{unlistedAddr, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited},
+		{unlistedAddr, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited},
 	})
 }
 
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ func TestDenyNetsRefuseBeforeTheLookup(t *testing.T) {
 	wantStatus(t, do(t, req), http.StatusForbidden)
 
 	line := out.endedLine(t)
-	wantLine(t, line, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+	wantLine(t, line, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 
 	if len(asked()) != 0 {
 		t.Errorf("GeoJS was asked about %v, want nothing", asked())
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ func TestDenyNetsRefusalNamesItsHeuristicAndNetblock(t *testing.T) {
 
 	s, _, _ := startWithClock(t, "", map[string]string{denyNets: clientsNet})
 
-	line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+	line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 	wantHeuristic(t, line, "deny_nets", `{"netblock": "`+clientsNet+`"}`)
 }
 
@@ -125,10 +125,10 @@ func TestRequestRefusedByDenyNetsIsNotCounted(t *testing.T) {
 	// listedAddr's refused requests are not counted, so the first request
 	// from unlistedAddr is within the limit of one a minute.
 	wantAnswers(t, addr, out, []sentRequest{
-		{listedAddr, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied},
-		{listedAddr, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied},
+		{listedAddr, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied},
+		{listedAddr, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied},
 		{unlistedAddr, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward},
-		{unlistedAddr, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited},
+		{unlistedAddr, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited},
 	})
 }
 
@@ -152,8 +152,8 @@ func TestRateLimitExemptNetsAreNeitherCountedNorRefused(t *testing.T) {
 		{listedAddr, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward},
 		{listedAddr, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward},
 		{unlistedAddr, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward},
-		{unlistedAddr, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited},
-		{fromKP, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied},
+		{unlistedAddr, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited},
+		{fromKP, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied},
 	})
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/tagdeny.go b/internal/discriminator/tagdeny.go
index 0437bdf..b9a349d 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/tagdeny.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/tagdeny.go
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ func (tagDeny) check(_ context.Context, rq *request, _ time.Time) *verdict {
 	for _, tag := range rq.line.Tags {
 		if slices.Contains(rq.h.config.TagDeny, tag) {
 			return &verdict{
-				action:  requestlog.ActionDenied,
+				action:  requestlog.ActionClientDenied,
 				figures: map[string]any{"tag": tag},
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/tagdeny_test.go b/internal/discriminator/tagdeny_test.go
index 9817303..61ee5d2 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/tagdeny_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/tagdeny_test.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ func TestTagDenyRefusesALookupTagAndNamesTheTag(t *testing.T) {
 	// in capitals.
 	s, _, _ := startWithLookups(t, map[string]string{tagDeny: "Country=kp"})
 
-	line := s.get(fromKP, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+	line := s.get(fromKP, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 	wantHeuristic(t, line, "tag_deny", `{"tag": "country=KP"}`)
 	wantTags(t, line, "asn=64511", "country=KP")
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func TestTagDenyRefusesAnASNTag(t *testing.T) {
 
 	s, _, _ := startWithLookups(t, map[string]string{tagDeny: "asn=64511"})
 
-	wantHeuristic(t, s.get(fromKP, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied),
+	wantHeuristic(t, s.get(fromKP, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied),
 		"tag_deny", `{"tag": "asn=64511"}`)
 	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 }
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ func TestTagDenyRefusesAListTagBeforeTheRateLimitsCount(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Each is refused for its tag: none is counted to break the limit of one.
 	for range 3 {
-		wantHeuristic(t, s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied),
+		wantHeuristic(t, s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied),
 			"tag_deny", `{"tag": "torexit"}`)
 	}
 }
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ func TestTagDenyRefusesAMixedCaseZoneByItsLowerCaseTag(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 	loadVerdicts(server, map[string][]string{fromDE: {mixedCaseZone}})
 
-	wantHeuristic(t, s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied),
+	wantHeuristic(t, s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied),
 		"tag_deny", `{"tag": "dnsbl=`+dnsblZone+`"}`)
 }
 
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ func TestTagDenyRefusesAnExploitSignatureOfARuleThatOnlyLogs(t *testing.T) {
 		rulesDir: writeRules(t, "noted path log ^/\n"), tagDeny: "exploitsignature",
 	})
 
-	line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+	line := s.get(client, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 	wantHeuristic(t, line, "tag_deny", `{"tag": "exploitsignature"}`)
 	wantTags(t, line, "exploitsignature")
 }
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ func TestTagLimitPercentLowersALimitTheLowestWinning(t *testing.T) {
 	// A quarter of 4 requests a minute: the second breaks the limit.
 	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
 
-	line := s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	line := s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 	wantPercent(t, "limit_percent", line.LimitPercent, line.LimitPercentSetting,
 		"25 from "+tagLimitPercent)
 }
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/taglists_test.go b/internal/discriminator/taglists_test.go
index cffc92d..b64c4c4 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/taglists_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/taglists_test.go
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ func TestTagListsTagARequestRefusedBeforeTheLookup(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 	loadLists(t, server, map[string][]string{vpnList: {fromDE, fromKP}})
 
-	line := s.get(fromKP, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionDenied)
+	line := s.get(fromKP, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientDenied)
 	if line.Heuristic != "deny_nets" {
 		t.Errorf("log line has heuristic %q, want deny_nets", line.Heuristic)
 	}
@@ -89,9 +89,9 @@ func TestTagListsTagARequestRefusedBeforeTheLookup(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// The second request breaks the limit of one a minute, which bans the client.
 	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionRateLimited)
+	s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionClientIsRateLimited)
 
-	line = s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	line = s.get(fromDE, http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	if line.Heuristic != "active_ban" {
 		t.Errorf("log line has heuristic %q, want active_ban", line.Heuristic)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/trappaths.go b/internal/discriminator/trappaths.go
index 3963786..adb80e6 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/trappaths.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/trappaths.go
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"sneak.berlin/go/smallwebwaf/internal/bans"
-	"sneak.berlin/go/smallwebwaf/internal/requestlog"
 	"sneak.berlin/go/smallwebwaf/internal/rules"
 )
 
@@ -30,10 +29,9 @@ func (trapPaths) check(_ context.Context, rq *request, now time.Time) *verdict {
 	}
 
 	rq.attack = true
-	rq.banForAttack(now, bans.Notes{TrapPath: path})
 
 	return &verdict{
-		action:  requestlog.ActionBanned,
+		action:  rq.banForAttack(now, bans.Notes{TrapPath: path}),
 		figures: map[string]any{"path": path},
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/discriminator/trappaths_test.go b/internal/discriminator/trappaths_test.go
index 7d5b757..b2af734 100644
--- a/internal/discriminator/trappaths_test.go
+++ b/internal/discriminator/trappaths_test.go
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func TestTrapPathBansAsABanRuleDoes(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// The query is not part of the path.
 	line := s.request(client, "/wp-login.php?redirect_to=x", http.StatusTooManyRequests,
-		requestlog.ActionBanned)
+		requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	wantRuleIDs(t, line)
 
 	if line.BanExpires != requestlog.FormatTime(start.Add(7*24*time.Hour)) {
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ func TestTrapPathBansAsABanRuleDoes(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// The next request is refused under the ban, and makes it permanent.
-	line = s.get(client, http.StatusTooManyRequests, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	line = s.get(client, http.StatusTooManyRequests, requestlog.ActionPermanentlyBanned)
 	if line.BanExpires != permanent {
 		t.Errorf("log line has ban_expires %q, want permanent", line.BanExpires)
 	}
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ func TestTrapPathRefusalNamesItsHeuristicAndPath(t *testing.T) {
 	s, _, _ := startWithClock(t, "", map[string]string{trapPaths: trapPathList})
 
 	line := s.request(client, "/wp-login.php?redirect_to=x", http.StatusForbidden,
-		requestlog.ActionBanned)
+		requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 	wantHeuristic(t, line, "trap_paths", `{"path": "/wp-login.php"}`)
 }
 
@@ -100,7 +100,8 @@ func TestTrapPathMatchesThePathDecodedOnce(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// %2577 decodes once to %77, not to w.
 	s.request(otherClient, "/%2577p-login.php", http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	s.request(client, "/%77p-login.php", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.request(client, "/%77p-login.php", http.StatusForbidden,
+		requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 
 	// The ban's notes give the path as the client sent it.
 	got := server.Ledger.Bans(netip.MustParsePrefix(client + "/32"))
@@ -117,7 +118,8 @@ func TestTrapPathsNeedNoRuleFiles(t *testing.T) {
 		"SWW_RULES_ENABLED": "false",
 	})
 
-	s.request(client, "/xmlrpc.php", http.StatusForbidden, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	s.request(client, "/xmlrpc.php", http.StatusForbidden,
+		requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 }
 
 func TestObserveModeLogsWhatATrapPathWouldDo(t *testing.T) {
@@ -129,7 +131,7 @@ func TestObserveModeLogsWhatATrapPathWouldDo(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	line := s.request(client, "/xmlrpc.php", http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
-	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionBanned)
+	wantWouldAction(t, line, requestlog.ActionTemporarilyBanned)
 
 	// No ban was made.
 	s.get(client, http.StatusOK, requestlog.ActionForward)
diff --git a/internal/metrics/metrics.go b/internal/metrics/metrics.go
index 4adff7b..ecae684 100644
--- a/internal/metrics/metrics.go
+++ b/internal/metrics/metrics.go
@@ -424,10 +424,10 @@ func (m *Metrics) LimitHit(hit ratelimit.Hit) {
 // them.
 func (m *Metrics) Offences(r ratelimit.Request) {
 	for kind, committed := range map[string]bool{
-		"limit":        r.BrokeLimit,
-		"attack":       r.Attack,
-		"rule_blocked": r.RuleBlocked,
-		"waf_blocked":  r.WAFBlocked,
+		"limit":                 r.BrokeLimit,
+		"attack":                r.Attack,
+		"blocked_by_block_rule": r.BlockedByBlockRule,
+		"waf_blocked":           r.WAFBlocked,
 	} {
 		if committed {
 			m.offences.WithLabelValues(kind).Inc()
diff --git a/internal/ratelimit/ratelimit.go b/internal/ratelimit/ratelimit.go
index 0b3c7ca..87347e6 100644
--- a/internal/ratelimit/ratelimit.go
+++ b/internal/ratelimit/ratelimit.go
@@ -122,12 +122,12 @@ type Responses struct {
 type Offences struct {
 	// Limit is its requests that broke a rate limit, a byte limit or the
 	// error burst, Attack those that were a clear sign of attack, a match
-	// of a ban rule or a request for a trap path, RuleBlocked those a block
-	// rule refused, and WAFBlocked those the Core Rule Set refused.
-	Limit       int64 `json:"limit"`
-	Attack      int64 `json:"attack"`
-	RuleBlocked int64 `json:"rule_blocked"`
-	WAFBlocked  int64 `json:"waf_blocked"`
+	// of a ban rule or a request for a trap path, BlockedByBlockRule those a
+	// block rule refused, and WAFBlocked those the Core Rule Set refused.
+	Limit              int64 `json:"limit"`
+	Attack             int64 `json:"attack"`
+	BlockedByBlockRule int64 `json:"blocked_by_block_rule"`
+	WAFBlocked         int64 `json:"waf_blocked"`
 	// TokenRefused is what a clients.json written by an earlier version gives,
 	// which must still load. Nothing adds to it.
 	TokenRefused int64 `json:"token_refused,omitempty"`
@@ -147,12 +147,12 @@ type Request struct {
 	ResponseBytes int64
 	// BrokeLimit is true for a request that broke a rate limit, a byte
 	// limit or the error burst, Attack for one that matched a ban rule or
-	// asked for a trap path, RuleBlocked for one a block rule refused, and
-	// WAFBlocked for one the Core Rule Set refused.
-	BrokeLimit  bool
-	Attack      bool
-	RuleBlocked bool
-	WAFBlocked  bool
+	// asked for a trap path, BlockedByBlockRule for one a block rule refused,
+	// and WAFBlocked for one the Core Rule Set refused.
+	BrokeLimit         bool
+	Attack             bool
+	BlockedByBlockRule bool
+	WAFBlocked         bool
 }
 
 // New returns a Limiter for limits, with no client counted yet, whose
@@ -323,8 +323,8 @@ func (l *Limiter) AddToHistory(client netip.Prefix, now time.Time, r Request) {
 		h.Offences.Attack++
 	}
 
-	if r.RuleBlocked {
-		h.Offences.RuleBlocked++
+	if r.BlockedByBlockRule {
+		h.Offences.BlockedByBlockRule++
 	}
 
 	if r.WAFBlocked {
diff --git a/internal/requestlog/requestlog.go b/internal/requestlog/requestlog.go
index 504c710..2b45c47 100644
--- a/internal/requestlog/requestlog.go
+++ b/internal/requestlog/requestlog.go
@@ -20,32 +20,37 @@ const (
 	// the app.
 	ActionForward = "forward"
 
-	// ActionTooLarge is a request over the header limits.
-	ActionTooLarge = "too_large"
+	// ActionRequestHeaderTooLarge is a request over the header limits.
+	ActionRequestHeaderTooLarge = "request_header_too_large"
 
-	// ActionRateLimited is a request refused because it took its client
-	// over a rate limit, which bans the client.
-	ActionRateLimited = "rate_limited"
+	// ActionClientIsRateLimited is a request refused because it took its
+	// client over a rate limit, which bans the client.
+	ActionClientIsRateLimited = "client_is_rate_limited"
 
-	// ActionBanned is a request refused because a ban covers its client,
-	// or because it matched a ban rule, asked for a trap path or the
-	// CrowdSec decision list lists its client, each of which bans the
-	// client.
-	ActionBanned = "banned"
+	// ActionTemporarilyBanned is a request refused because a ban that runs
+	// out covers its client, or because it matched a ban rule, asked for a
+	// trap path or the CrowdSec decision list lists its client, and so made
+	// such a ban.
+	ActionTemporarilyBanned = "temporarily_banned"
 
-	// ActionRuleBlocked is a request refused because it matched a block
-	// rule.
-	ActionRuleBlocked = "rule_blocked"
+	// ActionPermanentlyBanned is a request refused because a ban that never
+	// runs out covers its client, or because the request made such a ban or
+	// made its client's ban permanent.
+	ActionPermanentlyBanned = "permanently_banned"
+
+	// ActionBlockedByBlockRule is a request refused because it matched a
+	// block rule.
+	ActionBlockedByBlockRule = "blocked_by_block_rule"
 
 	// ActionWAFBlocked is a request refused because the Core Rule Set
 	// scored it at or over SWW_WAF_ANOMALY_THRESHOLD.
 	ActionWAFBlocked = "waf_blocked"
 
-	// ActionDenied is a request refused because its client is in
+	// ActionClientDenied is a request refused because its client is in
 	// SWW_DENY_NETS, in a blocklist while SWW_BLOCKLIST_ACTION is deny,
 	// or listed by a DNSBL zone, or scored a hit by AbuseIPDB, while
 	// SWW_REPUTATION_ACTION is deny, or that carries a tag in SWW_TAG_DENY.
-	ActionDenied = "denied"
+	ActionClientDenied = "client_denied"
 
 	// ActionCountryDenied is a request refused because its client's country
 	// is not in SWW_EXCLUSIVELY_ALLOWED_COUNTRIES.
@@ -134,10 +139,10 @@ type Line struct {
 	// The decision.
 	Action string `json:"action"`
 	// WouldAction is, in observe mode, the action enforce mode would have
-	// taken with a request it would have refused: ActionDenied,
-	// ActionBanned, ActionCountryDenied, ActionRateLimited,
-	// ActionRuleBlocked, ActionWAFBlocked, or, in discriminator, ActionTooLarge
-	// for the header limits.
+	// taken with a request it would have refused: ActionClientDenied,
+	// ActionTemporarilyBanned, ActionPermanentlyBanned, ActionCountryDenied,
+	// ActionClientIsRateLimited, ActionBlockedByBlockRule, ActionWAFBlocked,
+	// or, in discriminator, ActionRequestHeaderTooLarge for the header limits.
 	WouldAction string `json:"would_action,omitempty"`
 	// Heuristic is the name of the heuristic that refused the request, in
 	// observe mode too, and HeuristicFigures are the figures it acted on, by
diff --git a/internal/sww/sww_test.go b/internal/sww/sww_test.go
index a5b62c0..3cae5f8 100644
--- a/internal/sww/sww_test.go
+++ b/internal/sww/sww_test.go
@@ -373,13 +373,13 @@ func TestStateKeptAcrossRestarts(t *testing.T) {
 	out := runUntilStopped(t, env, func(url string) {
 		wantRefused(t, url)
 	})
-	out.line(t, "action", "rate_limited")
+	out.line(t, "action", "client_is_rate_limited")
 
 	// After another, the ban still refuses it.
 	out = runUntilStopped(t, env, func(url string) {
 		wantRefused(t, url)
 	})
-	out.line(t, "action", "banned")
+	out.line(t, "action", "temporarily_banned")
 }
 
 func TestBanRefusesItsNetblockAfterARestartWithAnotherScope(t *testing.T) {
@@ -526,7 +526,7 @@ func TestRuleFileAddedWhileRunningTakesEffect(t *testing.T) {
 			time.Sleep(pollInterval)
 		}
 	})
-	out.line(t, "action", "rule_blocked")
+	out.line(t, "action", "blocked_by_block_rule")
 }
 
 func TestRuleFileThatDoesNotParseStopsTheStart(t *testing.T) {
@@ -740,7 +740,7 @@ func TestBlocklistTriesAndCopiesKeptInReputationJSONAcrossRestarts(t *testing.T)
 			time.Sleep(pollInterval)
 		}
 	})
-	wantDeniedByList(t, out.line(t, "action", "denied"), dropURL)
+	wantDeniedByList(t, out.line(t, "action", "client_denied"), dropURL)
 
 	if fetches := torFetches.Load(); fetches != 1 {
 		t.Errorf("tor.txt fetched %d times, want once, before the restart", fetches)
@@ -843,7 +843,8 @@ func wantDeniedByList(t *testing.T, line map[string]any, listURL string) {
 	t.Helper()
 
 	reputation, _ := line["reputation"].([]any)
-	if line["action"] != "denied" || len(reputation) != 1 || reputation[0] != listURL {
+	if line["action"] != "client_denied" || len(reputation) != 1 ||
+		reputation[0] != listURL {
 		t.Errorf("request log line %v, want one denied for %s", line, listURL)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/script/example-app b/script/example-app
index 9ac4fff..3360636 100755
--- a/script/example-app
+++ b/script/example-app
@@ -187,15 +187,16 @@ main() {
     echo "example-app: rproxy passes a request to the app and its answer back"
 
     refused || fail "a second request in a minute was not refused"
-    wait_for "discriminator logged no ban" logged "$DISCRIMINATOR" '"action":"rate_limited"'
+    wait_for "discriminator logged no ban" \
+        logged "$DISCRIMINATOR" '"action":"client_is_rate_limited"'
     echo "example-app: a second request in a minute bans the client"
 
     refused_from 203.0.113.9 /.env || fail "a probe for /.env was not refused"
     wait_for "discriminator logged no ban for the probe" \
-        logged "$DISCRIMINATOR" '"action":"banned"' '"rule_ids":["env-file"]'
+        logged "$DISCRIMINATOR" '"action":"temporarily_banned"' '"rule_ids":["env-file"]'
     refused_from 203.0.113.9 / || fail "the client of the probe was let through"
     wait_for "the client's next request did not make its ban permanent" \
-        logged "$DISCRIMINATOR" '"ban_expires":"permanent"'
+        logged "$DISCRIMINATOR" '"action":"permanently_banned"' '"ban_expires":"permanent"'
     echo "example-app: a probe for /.env bans the client, its next request for good"
 
     docker exec "$DISCRIMINATOR" sv stop sww >/dev/null ||
@@ -232,7 +233,7 @@ main() {
     start_app
     refused || fail "the new discriminator container let the banned client through"
     wait_for "discriminator logged no request refused under the ban" \
-        logged "$DISCRIMINATOR" '"action":"banned"'
+        logged "$DISCRIMINATOR" '"action":"temporarily_banned"'
     echo "example-app: a new discriminator container on the same volume keeps the ban"
 
     docker rm --force "$DISCRIMINATOR" >/dev/null