A lets not debate the tops of cells perspective.
From the beginning, I believe buyers were told that flat top batteries will not work reliably. Or at all for many cells.
The horror that has spread “requiring” users to throw away the “faulty” (no nipple) cells. I would think there are a lot of users that have the specified cells for the Q8 and LT1 designs (i.e., not flat on top). They are following instructions.
One should harken back to the Q8. You know, that big round black thing (pending possibilities of colored shells) that holds up the lantern. And the electrical paths. And the cells. Which all seem to work pretty well. The power interfaces are essentially identical.
I believe (not going back and re-reading everything) that from the beginning early design of the Q8 project and through the LT1 project, we have repeatedly told potential buyers about not using flat top Li cells. A lot. The reason is quite clear; and outside the design. These cells are neither hugely expensive (they are regular old common cells) and not difficult to find from vendors that add the button and maybe the safety fuse in the cell. Laptop cells are also popular, but likely weak. There are probably more flat tops on the market than any other form; but they are only a step away from solder bumps or vendor posts.
Could we all quit bitching about the tops of cells, start following the design specifications, and move on. I see no reason for supporting some way to make flat top cells work (except in a few cells claiming to mostly be OK). The only responsibility of the team and other members, it to tell the non-button people that the specified battery requirement was included in two very significant builds. It is their problem to work around using the wrong cells; and not a design problem.
The designs are good; and safe.
One short addition: the cell wrappers for sale. I would not generally contest someone helping and maybe picking up a few bucks in the process. But I have a real concern about people (not just muggles) being confused by the wrappers and alternating the direction of the cells. I would not put them on my eventually available cells. Alternating battery orientation is a common thing with batteries. I would not trust my possible users with cells with those markings.