diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/build.yml b/.gitea/workflows/build.yml
index aa63bd1..d18bdbe 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/build.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/build.yml
@@ -7,10 +7,6 @@ on:
   pull_request:
   workflow_dispatch:
 
-env:
-  GODOT_VERSION: "4.7.2"
-  GODOT_BIN: /usr/local/bin/godot
-
 jobs:
   checks:
     name: Import + headless tests
@@ -21,18 +17,8 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Restore Godot binary cache
-        uses: actions/cache@v4
-        with:
-          path: /usr/local/bin/godot
-          key: godot-checks-${{ runner.os }}-${{ env.GODOT_VERSION }}-v2
-
       - name: Install Godot 4.7.2
         run: |
-          if [ -x /usr/local/bin/godot ]; then
-            godot --version
-            exit 0
-          fi
           curl -sL -o /tmp/godot.zip \
             https://github.com/godotengine/godot/releases/download/4.7.2-stable/Godot_v4.7.2-stable_linux.x86_64.zip
           unzip -qo /tmp/godot.zip -d /tmp/godot-bin
@@ -71,38 +57,15 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Restore Godot binary cache
-        uses: actions/cache@v4
-        with:
-          path: /usr/local/bin/godot
-          key: godot-build-${{ runner.os }}-${{ env.GODOT_VERSION }}-v2
-
-      - name: Restore export templates cache
-        uses: actions/cache@v4
-        with:
-          path: ~/.local/share/godot/export_templates/4.7.2.stable
-          key: godot-templates-${{ runner.os }}-${{ env.GODOT_VERSION }}-v2
-
       - name: Install Godot 4.7.2 and export templates
         run: |
-          if [ ! -x /usr/local/bin/godot ]; then
-            curl -sL -o /tmp/godot.zip \
-              https://github.com/godotengine/godot/releases/download/4.7.2-stable/Godot_v4.7.2-stable_linux.x86_64.zip
-            unzip -qo /tmp/godot.zip -d /tmp/godot-bin
-            sudo install /tmp/godot-bin/Godot_v4.7.2-stable_linux.x86_64 /usr/local/bin/godot
-          fi
+          curl -sL -o /tmp/godot.zip \
+            https://github.com/godotengine/godot/releases/download/4.7.2-stable/Godot_v4.7.2-stable_linux.x86_64.zip
+          unzip -qo /tmp/godot.zip -d /tmp/godot-bin
+          sudo install /tmp/godot-bin/Godot_v4.7.2-stable_linux.x86_64 /usr/local/bin/godot
           godot --version
           TEMPLATE_DIR="$HOME/.local/share/godot/export_templates/4.7.2.stable"
           NEEDED="version.txt icudt_godot.dat linux_release.x86_64 windows_release_x86_64.exe macos.zip web_nothreads_release.zip web_dlink_nothreads_release.zip"
-          missing=0
-          for file in $NEEDED; do
-            [ -f "$TEMPLATE_DIR/$file" ] || missing=1
-          done
-          if [ "$missing" -eq 0 ]; then
-            echo "export templates restored from cache"
-            ls "$TEMPLATE_DIR" | head -10
-            exit 0
-          fi
           curl -sL -o /tmp/templates.tpz \
             https://github.com/godotengine/godot/releases/download/4.7.2-stable/Godot_v4.7.2-stable_export_templates.tpz
           rm -rf /tmp/tpl && mkdir -p /tmp/tpl
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 73cfa68..7453999 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ Semantic Versioning.
 
 - Unified the project, local tooling and CI/release environment on Godot 4.7.2,
   including matching export templates and project feature metadata.
-- Added Gitea Actions cache for the Godot binary and export templates to reduce
-  repeated download time.
+- Evaluated Gitea Actions cache for the Godot binary/templates; disabled it after
+  cache saves timed out or were rejected, pending a healthy host cache service.
 - Updated release and setup documentation for the 4.7.2 baseline.
 
 ## [0.9.0] — 2026-11-01
diff --git a/MEMORY.md b/MEMORY.md
index 3d65807..3580fe3 100644
--- a/MEMORY.md
+++ b/MEMORY.md
@@ -63,7 +63,8 @@ Session memory for durable decisions, state, and gotchas. Keep concise, remove o
   Export templates for 4.7.2 are installed under
   `~/.local/share/godot/export_templates/4.7.2.stable`. Godot 4.7 writes
   `*.gd.uid` files; they are kept out of this clone's status via
-  `.git/info/exclude`. CI caches the binary/templates with Gitea Actions cache.
+  `.git/info/exclude`. CI downloads the binary/templates directly; Gitea
+  Actions cache is currently unreliable (see CI cache evaluation below).
 - **Blender invocation (v0.6.0):** `flatpak run org.blender.Blender --background --python
   /run/media/system/DATA/Documents/06-games/security-game/tools/npc_pipeline.py -- build`.
   The flatpak cannot read `/tmp`; use absolute repo paths. `assets/models/npc/.gdignore` is
@@ -576,9 +577,11 @@ Session memory for durable decisions, state, and gotchas. Keep concise, remove o
 - Venue cycling: `V` switches Hollywood Blvd → The Joke Shop → TV Studio and restarts the shift.
 - Venue door-staff dialogue: `VenueScenario.door_staff_line(context, rng)` and GameManager logging
   (id/ticket/wand-check, refusal, prohibited-item) — Joke Shop flavor.
-- CI cache: `.gitea/workflows/build.yml` caches `/usr/local/bin/godot` and the
-  4.7.2 export templates with Gitea Actions cache. `GODOT_SILENCE_ROOT_WARNING=1`
-  is set on jobs.
+- CI cache evaluation: Gitea Actions cache was tested for the Godot binary and
+  trimmed 4.7.2 templates. Restores were inconsistent and saves timed out in
+  `CreateCacheEntry` or were rejected as reserved by another job. The cache steps
+  are disabled until the host cache service is healthy; keep direct downloads.
+  `GODOT_SILENCE_ROOT_WARNING=1` is set on jobs.
   Logs live in `.gitea/logs/` after each run.
 - Visual polish (v0.2.0): phase lighting (GameManager.PHASE_LIGHTING + ProceduralSkyMaterial),
   street lamps + night mode in WorldBuilder.set_night_mode, marquee Label3D, crosswalk/planters/
diff --git a/docs/RELEASING.md b/docs/RELEASING.md
index 182595b..53bb4ad 100644
--- a/docs/RELEASING.md
+++ b/docs/RELEASING.md
@@ -63,11 +63,12 @@ setup, so do not rely on it.
 > artifacts. If CI publishing fails again, run
 > `./tools/publish_release.sh <version>` from a checkout with `~/.git-credentials`.
 
-> **Godot cache:** the workflow uses Gitea Actions cache for the Godot binary and a
-> trimmed 4.7.2 export-template set (Linux/Windows/macOS/Web release files only, not
-> Android/iOS). The first run still downloads them; subsequent runs restore from cache.
-> If the host cache service is unavailable, remove the cache steps and let the install
-> steps download fresh copies.
+> **Godot cache evaluation:** Gitea Actions cache was tested for the Godot binary and
+> trimmed 4.7.2 templates. Restores worked intermittently, but cache saves timed out
+> in `CreateCacheEntry` / were rejected as reserved by another job. The cache steps
+> were removed because they added restore/save overhead without a reliable hit.
+> Revisit when the host's Gitea Actions cache service is healthy; otherwise keep
+> downloading the binary/templates directly.
 
 > The workflow lives in `.gitea/workflows/` (Gitea's canonical path). The old
 > `.github/workflows/ci.yml` was removed to avoid double runs on hosts that scan
diff --git a/docs/architecture.md b/docs/architecture.md
index c3b21b7..8fc5622 100644
--- a/docs/architecture.md
+++ b/docs/architecture.md
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ Future options include external analytics, cloud saves, or replay sharing, but t
 
 A continuous-integration pipeline keeps the headless test suite green on every change and publishes tagged releases.
 
-- **Workflow:** `.gitea/workflows/build.yml` runs on pushes, pull requests, tags, and manual dispatches. The `checks` job restores/caches Godot 4.7.2, imports the project, and runs `res://src/test/test_runner.gd`; it fails on a non-zero exit code or any `SCRIPT ERROR` in the output.
+- **Workflow:** `.gitea/workflows/build.yml` runs on pushes, pull requests, tags, and manual dispatches. The `checks` job installs Godot 4.7.2, imports the project, and runs `res://src/test/test_runner.gd`; it fails on a non-zero exit code or any `SCRIPT ERROR` in the output.
 - **Build job:** runs for tags and manual dispatches. It installs export templates, exports Linux/Windows/macOS and the non-threaded Web build, packages the NSIS installer, Linux AppImage and optional Desktop HQ zip, verifies the installer contents, and uploads the artifacts.
 - **Publish job:** tag builds call `tools/publish_release.sh` to create the Gitea release and upload the standard artifacts plus the optional Desktop HQ zip. The script uses `GITEA_TOKEN` when configured and otherwise reuses the runner's checkout extraheader credentials.
 - **Hosting:** the repository lives on Gitea (`https://git.allucanget.biz/zwitschi/security-game`). Export templates must match the pinned Godot version; macOS builds are unsigned and need quarantine guidance or notarization for wider distribution.