diff --git a/conversion.go b/conversion.go
index a6ab423..60595d2 100644
--- a/conversion.go
+++ b/conversion.go
@@ -43,12 +43,80 @@ func toEngineLocations(values []Location) []engine.Location {
 	return result
 }
 func fromEngineSourceInfo(value engine.SourceInfo) SourceInfo {
-	return SourceInfo{ID: value.ID, Label: value.Label, Path: value.Path, Destination: fromEnginePath(value.Destination), PlacementMode: PlacementMode(engine.SourceInfoPlacementModeForFacade(value)), DestinationUnresolved: engine.SourceInfoDestinationUnresolvedForFacade(value), Layer: Layer(value.Layer), Kind: SourceKind(value.Kind), UnderlayIndex: value.UnderlayIndex, ImportedFrom: fromEngineLocationPointer(value.ImportedFrom), VersionCheck: fromEngineSourceVersionCheck(value.VersionCheck)}
+	return SourceInfo{
+		ID: value.ID, Label: value.Label, Path: value.Path, Destination: fromEnginePath(value.Destination),
+		PlacementMode:         PlacementMode(engine.SourceInfoPlacementModeForFacade(value)),
+		DestinationUnresolved: engine.SourceInfoDestinationUnresolvedForFacade(value),
+		Layer:                 Layer(value.Layer), Kind: SourceKind(value.Kind), UnderlayIndex: value.UnderlayIndex,
+		ImportedFrom: fromEngineLocationPointer(value.ImportedFrom), VersionCheck: fromEngineSourceVersionCheck(value.VersionCheck),
+		ImportSelections: fromEngineImportSelections(engine.SourceInfoImportSelectionsForFacade(value)),
+	}
 }
 func toEngineSourceInfo(value SourceInfo) engine.SourceInfo {
-	result := engine.SourceInfo{ID: value.ID, Label: value.Label, Path: value.Path, Destination: toEnginePath(value.Destination), Layer: engine.Layer(value.Layer), Kind: engine.SourceKind(value.Kind), UnderlayIndex: value.UnderlayIndex, ImportedFrom: toEngineLocationPointer(value.ImportedFrom), VersionCheck: toEngineSourceVersionCheck(value.VersionCheck)}
+	result := engine.SourceInfo{
+		ID: value.ID, Label: value.Label, Path: value.Path, Destination: toEnginePath(value.Destination),
+		Layer: engine.Layer(value.Layer), Kind: engine.SourceKind(value.Kind), UnderlayIndex: value.UnderlayIndex,
+		ImportedFrom: toEngineLocationPointer(value.ImportedFrom), VersionCheck: toEngineSourceVersionCheck(value.VersionCheck),
+	}
+	result = engine.SourceInfoWithImportSelections(result, toEngineImportSelections(value.ImportSelections))
 	return engine.SourceInfoWithPlacement(result, uint8(value.PlacementMode), value.DestinationUnresolved)
 }
+
+func fromEngineImportSelections(values []engine.ImportSelectionForFacade) []ImportSelection {
+	if values == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	result := make([]ImportSelection, len(values))
+	for index, value := range values {
+		result[index] = ImportSelection{
+			Path: fromEnginePath(value.Path), Location: fromEngineLocation(value.Location),
+			Selector: ImportSelector(value.Selector), Outcome: ImportSelectionOutcome(value.Outcome),
+		}
+	}
+	return result
+}
+
+func toEngineImportSelections(values []ImportSelection) []engine.ImportSelectionForFacade {
+	if values == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	result := make([]engine.ImportSelectionForFacade, len(values))
+	for index, value := range values {
+		result[index] = engine.ImportSelectionForFacade{
+			Path: toEnginePath(value.Path), Location: toEngineLocation(value.Location),
+			Selector: string(value.Selector), Outcome: string(value.Outcome),
+		}
+	}
+	return result
+}
+
+func toEngineImportDefaults(value ImportDefaults) engine.ImportDefaults {
+	return engine.ImportDefaults{
+		Required:  cloneImportDefaultBool(value.Required),
+		Follow:    cloneImportDefaultBool(value.Follow),
+		Hidden:    cloneImportDefaultBool(value.Hidden),
+		Recursive: cloneImportDefaultBool(value.Recursive),
+		Pattern:   cloneImportDefaultStrings(value.Pattern),
+	}
+}
+
+func cloneImportDefaultBool(value *bool) *bool {
+	if value == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	cloned := *value
+	return &cloned
+}
+
+func cloneImportDefaultStrings(values []string) []string {
+	if values == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	cloned := make([]string, len(values))
+	copy(cloned, values)
+	return cloned
+}
+
 func fromEngineSourceVersionCheck(value *engine.SourceVersionCheck) *SourceVersionCheck {
 	if value == nil {
 		return nil
diff --git a/docs/consumers/README.md b/docs/consumers/README.md
index 60e95b5..cd58920 100644
--- a/docs/consumers/README.md
+++ b/docs/consumers/README.md
@@ -55,6 +55,24 @@ both without redefining their syntax. ConfigKit overlays are configuration overl
 they do not select or replace an application's LLM, model, pipeline, report, or
 execution profile concepts.
 
+## Import defaults and selection inspection
+
+`Options.ImportDefaults` and `LayeredOptions.ImportDefaults` apply one
+load-wide policy to enabled main, underlay, and transitive imports. Each field
+is resolved independently: a declaration's explicit value wins, then the
+application default, then the library default. `Required`, `Follow`, `Hidden`,
+and `Recursive` use nil pointers for unspecified values. `Pattern` applies to
+directory searches: nil leaves filenames unrestricted, while a non-nil empty
+slice selects no files. A declaration's own `pattern` replaces the application
+default. The defaults do not enable imports or change selected-overlay behavior.
+
+`Result.Sources`, `LoadError.Sources`, and `Resolution.Source` expose each
+declaring source's `ImportSelections`. These records identify the source-local
+declaration path, its authored location and selector, and the `none` outcome;
+they do not include candidate names or a guessed reason for absence. Returned
+records are detached snapshots. The [configuration contract](../config.md#explicit-imports)
+owns selector applicability and exact absence semantics.
+
 ## Shared source-version checks
 
 [`LoadVersionedService`](../../examples/consumers/source_version.go) demonstrates
diff --git a/facade_import_defaults_test.go b/facade_import_defaults_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6125f1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/facade_import_defaults_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,230 @@
+package configkit
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/ConfigKit/internal/engine"
+)
+
+func TestImportDefaultsApplyToTransitiveAndUnderlayImports(t *testing.T) {
+	type config struct {
+		Main        string `yaml:"main"`
+		Transitive  string `yaml:"transitive"`
+		Exception   string `yaml:"exception"`
+		Underlay    string `yaml:"underlay"`
+		IgnoredDeep string `yaml:"ignored_deep"`
+	}
+	directory := t.TempDir()
+	mainPath := writeFacadeImportFile(t, directory, "main.yml", `configkit:
+  imports:
+    - path: parent/parent.yml
+main: main
+`)
+	writeFacadeImportFile(t, directory, "parent/parent.yml", `configkit:
+  imports:
+    - dir: generated
+    - dir: explicit
+      pattern: '*.yaml'
+      recursive: false
+`)
+	transitivePath := writeFacadeImportFile(t, directory, "parent/generated/deep/transitive.cfg", "transitive: selected\n")
+	writeFacadeImportFile(t, directory, "parent/generated/ignored.yaml", "ignored_deep: wrong-pattern\n")
+	explicitPath := writeFacadeImportFile(t, directory, "parent/explicit/exception.yaml", "exception: declaration\n")
+	writeFacadeImportFile(t, directory, "parent/explicit/deep/ignored.yaml", "ignored_deep: wrong-depth\n")
+	writeFacadeImportFile(t, directory, "parent/explicit/ignored.cfg", "ignored_deep: wrong-explicit-pattern\n")
+	underlayPath := writeFacadeImportFile(t, directory, "underlay.yml", `configkit:
+  imports:
+    - dir: underlay-files
+`)
+	underlayImportPath := writeFacadeImportFile(t, directory, "underlay-files/underlay.cfg", "underlay: selected\n")
+	recursive := true
+	loaded, err := LoadLayered(Input{Source: File(mainPath), Imports: true}, LayeredOptions[config]{
+		ImportDefaults: ImportDefaults{Recursive: &recursive, Pattern: []string{"*.cfg"}},
+		Underlays:      []Underlay{{Inputs: []Input{{Source: File(underlayPath), Imports: true}}}},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadLayered: %v", err)
+	}
+	if loaded.Config.Main != "main" || loaded.Config.Transitive != "selected" || loaded.Config.Exception != "declaration" || loaded.Config.Underlay != "selected" || loaded.Config.IgnoredDeep != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("configuration = %#v", loaded.Config)
+	}
+	paths := make(map[string]bool)
+	for _, source := range loaded.Sources() {
+		paths[source.Path] = true
+	}
+	for _, selected := range []string{transitivePath, explicitPath, underlayImportPath} {
+		if !paths[canonicalFacadeImportPath(t, selected)] {
+			t.Errorf("selected source %q missing from source records", selected)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestImportDefaultsPreserveEmptyPatternAndRequiredness(t *testing.T) {
+	type config struct {
+		Value string `yaml:"value"`
+	}
+	directory := t.TempDir()
+	mainPath := writeFacadeImportFile(t, directory, "main.yml", `configkit:
+  imports:
+    - dir: snippets
+`)
+	writeFacadeImportFile(t, directory, "snippets/value.cfg", "value: imported\n")
+
+	unrestricted, err := Load(File(mainPath), Options[config]{Imports: true})
+	if err != nil || unrestricted.Config.Value != "imported" {
+		t.Fatalf("unspecified pattern = %#v, %v", unrestricted, err)
+	}
+	empty, err := Load(File(mainPath), Options[config]{Imports: true, ImportDefaults: ImportDefaults{Pattern: []string{}}})
+	if err != nil || empty.Config.Value != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("empty pattern = %#v, %v", empty, err)
+	}
+	emptySources := empty.Sources()
+	if len(emptySources) != 1 || len(emptySources[0].ImportSelections) != 1 || emptySources[0].ImportSelections[0].Path.String() != "/configkit/imports/0" || emptySources[0].ImportSelections[0].Selector != ImportSelectorDirectory || emptySources[0].ImportSelections[0].Outcome != ImportSelectionNone {
+		t.Fatalf("empty-pattern evidence = %#v", emptySources)
+	}
+	required := true
+	_, err = Load(File(mainPath), Options[config]{Imports: true, ImportDefaults: ImportDefaults{Required: &required, Pattern: []string{}}})
+	var loadError *LoadError
+	if !errors.As(err, &loadError) || len(loadError.Diagnostics()) != 1 || loadError.Diagnostics()[0].Code != CodeImportMissing {
+		t.Fatalf("required empty selection error = %T %v", err, err)
+	}
+	if sources := loadError.Sources(); len(sources) != 1 || len(sources[0].ImportSelections) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("required empty selection was recorded as optional: %#v", sources)
+	}
+
+	recursiveMain := writeFacadeImportFile(t, directory, "recursive.yml", `configkit:
+  imports:
+    - dir: recursive-files
+`)
+	writeFacadeImportFile(t, directory, "recursive-files/nested/value.cfg", "value: selected\n")
+	recursive := true
+	patterns := []string{"*.cfg"}
+	engineOptions := toEngineOptions(Options[config]{Imports: true, ImportDefaults: ImportDefaults{Recursive: &recursive, Pattern: patterns}})
+	recursive = false
+	patterns[0] = "["
+	loadedEngine, err := engine.Load(File(recursiveMain).toEngine(), secretBinding(), engineOptions)
+	if err != nil || loadedEngine.Config.Value != "selected" {
+		t.Fatalf("load after mutating caller defaults = %#v, %v", loadedEngine, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestInvalidImportDefaultsPreflightBeforeOrdinaryAndLayeredReads(t *testing.T) {
+	type config struct {
+		Value string `yaml:"value"`
+	}
+	for _, layered := range []bool{false, true} {
+		input := strings.NewReader("value: read\n")
+		underlayInput := strings.NewReader("value: underlay\n")
+		defaultsCalled := false
+		resolveCalled := false
+		definition := Definition[config]{
+			Defaults: func() config { defaultsCalled = true; return config{} },
+			Resolve:  func(*config, *Resolution) error { resolveCalled = true; return nil },
+		}
+		defaults := ImportDefaults{Pattern: []string{"["}}
+		var err error
+		if layered {
+			_, err = LoadLayered(Input{Source: Reader("reader.yml", input)}, LayeredOptions[config]{
+				Definition: definition, ImportDefaults: defaults,
+				Underlays: []Underlay{{Inputs: []Input{{Source: Reader("underlay.yml", underlayInput)}}}},
+			})
+		} else {
+			_, err = Load(Reader("reader.yml", input), Options[config]{Definition: definition, ImportDefaults: defaults})
+		}
+		var loadError *LoadError
+		if !errors.As(err, &loadError) || len(loadError.Diagnostics()) != 1 || loadError.Diagnostics()[0].Code != CodeOptionsInvalid {
+			if loadError != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("layered=%v diagnostics = %#v", layered, loadError.Diagnostics())
+			}
+			t.Fatalf("layered=%v error = %T %v", layered, err, err)
+		}
+		if input.Len() != len("value: read\n") || underlayInput.Len() != len("value: underlay\n") || defaultsCalled || resolveCalled {
+			t.Fatalf("layered=%v consumed input or called application hooks: remaining=%d underlay=%d defaults=%v resolve=%v", layered, input.Len(), underlayInput.Len(), defaultsCalled, resolveCalled)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPublicImportSelectionSnapshotsAreDetachedAcrossResultErrorAndResolution(t *testing.T) {
+	type config struct {
+		Value string `yaml:"value"`
+	}
+	directory := t.TempDir()
+	mainPath := writeFacadeImportFile(t, directory, "main.yml", `configkit:
+  imports:
+    - dir: absent
+value: loaded
+`)
+	callbackPath := ""
+	loaded, err := Load(File(mainPath), Options[config]{Imports: true, Definition: Definition[config]{Resolve: func(_ *config, resolution *Resolution) error {
+		first, ok := resolution.Source("source-1")
+		if !ok || len(first.ImportSelections) != 1 {
+			t.Fatalf("resolution source = %#v, %v", first, ok)
+		}
+		first.ImportSelections[0].Path = Keys("callback mutation")
+		second, ok := resolution.Source("source-1")
+		if !ok || second.ImportSelections[0].Path.String() != "/configkit/imports/0" {
+			t.Fatalf("resolution snapshot changed after mutation: %#v", second)
+		}
+		callbackPath = second.ImportSelections[0].Path.String()
+		return nil
+	}}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if callbackPath != "/configkit/imports/0" {
+		t.Fatalf("callback path = %q", callbackPath)
+	}
+	sources := loaded.Sources()
+	if len(sources) != 1 || len(sources[0].ImportSelections) != 1 || sources[0].ImportSelections[0].Location.SourceID != sources[0].ID || sources[0].ImportSelections[0].Selector != ImportSelectorDirectory {
+		t.Fatalf("result source evidence = %#v", sources)
+	}
+	sources[0].ImportSelections[0].Path = Keys("result mutation")
+	if got := loaded.Sources()[0].ImportSelections[0].Path.String(); got != "/configkit/imports/0" {
+		t.Fatalf("result snapshot changed after mutation: %q", got)
+	}
+
+	failurePath := writeFacadeImportFile(t, directory, "failure.yml", `configkit:
+  imports:
+    - dir: absent
+    - path: required-missing.yml
+      required: true
+`)
+	_, err = Load(File(failurePath), Options[config]{Imports: true})
+	var loadError *LoadError
+	if !errors.As(err, &loadError) {
+		t.Fatalf("failed load error = %T %v", err, err)
+	}
+	errorSources := loadError.Sources()
+	if len(errorSources) != 1 || len(errorSources[0].ImportSelections) != 1 || errorSources[0].ImportSelections[0].Path.String() != "/configkit/imports/0" {
+		t.Fatalf("error source evidence = %#v", errorSources)
+	}
+	errorSources[0].ImportSelections[0].Path = Keys("error mutation")
+	if got := loadError.Sources()[0].ImportSelections[0].Path.String(); got != "/configkit/imports/0" {
+		t.Fatalf("error snapshot changed after mutation: %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func writeFacadeImportFile(t *testing.T, root, name, contents string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	filename := filepath.Join(root, name)
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(filename), 0o700); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filename, []byte(contents), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return filename
+}
+
+func canonicalFacadeImportPath(t *testing.T, filename string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	canonical, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(filename)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return filepath.ToSlash(canonical)
+}
diff --git a/internal/engine/import_spec.go b/internal/engine/import_spec.go
index f1c5c78..3af59dc 100644
--- a/internal/engine/import_spec.go
+++ b/internal/engine/import_spec.go
@@ -52,6 +52,40 @@ type importDefaults struct {
 	pattern   []string
 }
 
+// ImportDefaults transports root-owned load defaults across the facade
+// boundary. Load options snapshot this value before source acquisition.
+type ImportDefaults struct {
+	// Required controls absence handling when non-nil.
+	Required *bool
+	// Follow controls symlink following when non-nil.
+	Follow *bool
+	// Hidden controls hidden-entry discovery when non-nil.
+	Hidden *bool
+	// Recursive controls descendant directory traversal when non-nil.
+	Recursive *bool
+	// Pattern filters directory-search filenames; nil and empty differ.
+	Pattern []string
+}
+
+// OptionsWithImportDefaults copies root-owned defaults into ordinary options.
+func OptionsWithImportDefaults[T any](options Options[T], value ImportDefaults) Options[T] {
+	options.importDefaults = privateImportDefaults(value)
+	return options
+}
+
+// LayeredOptionsWithImportDefaults copies root-owned defaults into grouped options.
+func LayeredOptionsWithImportDefaults[T any](options LayeredOptions[T], value ImportDefaults) LayeredOptions[T] {
+	options.importDefaults = privateImportDefaults(value)
+	return options
+}
+
+func privateImportDefaults(value ImportDefaults) importDefaults {
+	return snapshotImportDefaults(importDefaults{
+		required: value.Required, follow: value.Follow, hidden: value.Hidden,
+		recursive: value.Recursive, pattern: value.Pattern,
+	})
+}
+
 type resolvedImportPolicy struct {
 	required    bool
 	follow      bool
diff --git a/internal/engine/load.go b/internal/engine/load.go
index fa571fd..c74c03c 100644
--- a/internal/engine/load.go
+++ b/internal/engine/load.go
@@ -24,17 +24,18 @@ type Definition[T any] struct {
 // Imports enables explicit import declarations; Overlay selects one fixed overlay;
 // Overrides contains only values explicitly supplied by an application CLI.
 type Options[T any] struct {
-	Definition        Definition[T]
-	Imports           bool
-	Overlay           string
-	Filesystem        *FilesystemContext
-	Overrides         []Override
-	SourceVersionMode sourceVersionMode
-	importDefaults    importDefaults
-	destination       Path
-	placementMode     placementMode
-	sequencePolicy    sequencePolicy
-	deferAssembly     bool
+	Definition              Definition[T]
+	Imports                 bool
+	Overlay                 string
+	Filesystem              *FilesystemContext
+	Overrides               []Override
+	SourceVersionMode       sourceVersionMode
+	importDefaults          importDefaults
+	destination             Path
+	placementMode           placementMode
+	sequencePolicy          sequencePolicy
+	deferAssembly           bool
+	importDefaultsValidated bool
 }
 
 // FilesystemContext supplies filesystem roots for imports and overlays.
diff --git a/internal/engine/load_request.go b/internal/engine/load_request.go
index 74486b4..0288af7 100644
--- a/internal/engine/load_request.go
+++ b/internal/engine/load_request.go
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ func loadGroupedWithSecretLookup[T any](request loadRequest[T], secrets SecretBi
 	request.definition.sequenceRegistrations = nil
 	mainOptions, mainDiagnostics := selectOptions(request.main.source, []Options[T]{{
 		Definition: request.definition, Imports: request.main.imports, Filesystem: request.main.filesystem, destination: request.main.destination.clone(),
-		SourceVersionMode: request.sourceVersionMode, placementMode: request.main.placementMode, importDefaults: request.importDefaults,
+		SourceVersionMode: request.sourceVersionMode, placementMode: request.main.placementMode,
+		importDefaults: request.importDefaults, importDefaultsValidated: true,
 	}})
 	request.main.destination = mainOptions.destination
 	diagnostics = append(diagnostics, mainDiagnostics...)
@@ -56,7 +57,10 @@ func loadGroupedWithSecretLookup[T any](request loadRequest[T], secrets SecretBi
 	for groupIndex := range request.underlays {
 		for inputIndex := range request.underlays[groupIndex].inputs {
 			input := &request.underlays[groupIndex].inputs[inputIndex]
-			inputOptions, inputDiagnostics := selectOptions(input.source, []Options[T]{{Imports: input.imports, Filesystem: input.filesystem, destination: input.destination.clone(), placementMode: input.placementMode, importDefaults: request.importDefaults}})
+			inputOptions, inputDiagnostics := selectOptions(input.source, []Options[T]{{
+				Imports: input.imports, Filesystem: input.filesystem, destination: input.destination.clone(), placementMode: input.placementMode,
+				importDefaults: request.importDefaults, importDefaultsValidated: true,
+			}})
 			input.destination = inputOptions.destination
 			diagnostics = append(diagnostics, inputDiagnostics...)
 		}
diff --git a/internal/engine/options.go b/internal/engine/options.go
index f0c2a19..e7b3a47 100644
--- a/internal/engine/options.go
+++ b/internal/engine/options.go
@@ -9,7 +9,10 @@ func selectOptions[T any](source Source, supplied []Options[T]) (Options[T], []D
 		options = supplied[0]
 	}
 	options.importDefaults = snapshotImportDefaults(options.importDefaults)
-	diagnostics := validateImportDefaults(options.importDefaults)
+	var diagnostics []Diagnostic
+	if !options.importDefaultsValidated {
+		diagnostics = validateImportDefaults(options.importDefaults)
+	}
 	if options.placementMode != placementModeMapping && options.placementMode != placementModeSequenceItem {
 		diagnostics = append(diagnostics, optionDiagnostic(CodeOptionsInvalid, "input placement mode is invalid"))
 	}
diff --git a/internal/engine/records.go b/internal/engine/records.go
index c9906e3..cc70b25 100644
--- a/internal/engine/records.go
+++ b/internal/engine/records.go
@@ -207,6 +207,90 @@ type importSelectionEvidence struct {
 	outcome  importSelectionOutcome
 }
 
+// ImportSelectionForFacade is a root-converted source-selection transport
+// record. Its paths and enum spellings are converted by the facade.
+type ImportSelectionForFacade struct {
+	Path     Path     // source-local import declaration path
+	Location Location // authored location and declaring source ID
+	Selector string   // path, dir, or glob
+	Outcome  string   // none for a completed empty optional selection
+}
+
+// SourceInfoImportSelectionsForFacade returns detached selection records for
+// explicit root-owned conversion.
+func SourceInfoImportSelectionsForFacade(source SourceInfo) []ImportSelectionForFacade {
+	if source.importSelections == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	result := make([]ImportSelectionForFacade, len(source.importSelections))
+	for index, selection := range source.importSelections {
+		result[index] = ImportSelectionForFacade{
+			Path: selection.path.clone(), Location: selection.location,
+			Selector: importSelectorString(selection.selector),
+			Outcome:  importSelectionOutcomeString(selection.outcome),
+		}
+	}
+	return result
+}
+
+// SourceInfoWithImportSelections copies converted root-owned records into
+// private engine source evidence.
+func SourceInfoWithImportSelections(source SourceInfo, selections []ImportSelectionForFacade) SourceInfo {
+	if selections == nil {
+		source.importSelections = nil
+		return source
+	}
+	source.importSelections = make([]importSelectionEvidence, len(selections))
+	for index, selection := range selections {
+		source.importSelections[index] = importSelectionEvidence{
+			path: selection.Path.clone(), location: selection.Location,
+			selector: importSelectorFromString(selection.Selector),
+			outcome:  importSelectionOutcomeFromString(selection.Outcome),
+		}
+	}
+	return source
+}
+
+func importSelectorString(value importSelector) string {
+	switch value {
+	case importSelectorPath:
+		return "path"
+	case importSelectorDirectory:
+		return "dir"
+	case importSelectorGlob:
+		return "glob"
+	default:
+		return ""
+	}
+}
+
+func importSelectorFromString(value string) importSelector {
+	switch value {
+	case "path":
+		return importSelectorPath
+	case "dir":
+		return importSelectorDirectory
+	case "glob":
+		return importSelectorGlob
+	default:
+		return 0
+	}
+}
+
+func importSelectionOutcomeString(value importSelectionOutcome) string {
+	if value == importSelectionNone {
+		return "none"
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func importSelectionOutcomeFromString(value string) importSelectionOutcome {
+	if value == "none" {
+		return importSelectionNone
+	}
+	return 0
+}
+
 // SourceInfoPlacementModeForFacade converts private placement evidence to its
 // root-owned numeric representation.
 func SourceInfoPlacementModeForFacade(source SourceInfo) uint8 {
diff --git a/layered.go b/layered.go
index cfe878d..dd72c54 100644
--- a/layered.go
+++ b/layered.go
@@ -35,6 +35,9 @@ type Underlay struct{ Inputs []Input }
 type LayeredOptions[T any] struct {
 	Definition        Definition[T]
 	SourceVersionMode SourceVersionMode
+	// ImportDefaults supplies one load-wide default policy for enabled main,
+	// underlay, and transitive declarations. Explicit declaration values win.
+	ImportDefaults    ImportDefaults
 	Underlays         []Underlay
 	Overlay           string
 	OverlayFilesystem *FilesystemContext
@@ -73,6 +76,7 @@ func toEngineLayeredOptions[T any](options LayeredOptions[T]) engine.LayeredOpti
 		Overlay:           options.Overlay,
 		OverlayFilesystem: toEngineFilesystemContext(options.OverlayFilesystem),
 	}
+	result = engine.LayeredOptionsWithImportDefaults(result, toEngineImportDefaults(options.ImportDefaults))
 	if options.Underlays != nil {
 		result.Underlays = make([]engine.Underlay, len(options.Underlays))
 		for index, group := range options.Underlays {
diff --git a/lifecycle.go b/lifecycle.go
index e9183f3..0098e0a 100644
--- a/lifecycle.go
+++ b/lifecycle.go
@@ -72,6 +72,28 @@ const (
 	SourceVersionModeRequired
 )
 
+// ImportDefaults supplies load-wide defaults for enabled import declarations.
+// Each field applies independently and an explicit declaration value takes
+// precedence. Nil boolean fields are unspecified and leave the library defaults
+// in effect: Required false, Follow true, Hidden true, and Recursive false.
+// Pattern applies to directory searches; nil leaves filenames unrestricted,
+// while a non-nil empty slice selects none. Defaults apply to main, underlay,
+// and transitive imports, not selected overlays.
+type ImportDefaults struct {
+	// Required defaults absence handling. For path, true requires every named
+	// file; for dir and glob, true requires at least one selected file.
+	Required *bool
+	// Follow controls discovered symbolic links for directory and glob search.
+	Follow *bool
+	// Hidden controls discovery of hidden files and directories.
+	Hidden *bool
+	// Recursive controls descendant traversal for directory searches.
+	Recursive *bool
+	// Pattern replaces the library's unrestricted filename matching for directory
+	// searches unless a declaration supplies its own pattern.
+	Pattern []string
+}
+
 // Options contains the application definition and per-load input selections.
 // Imports enables explicit import declarations; Overlay selects one fixed overlay;
 // Overrides contains only values explicitly supplied by an application CLI.
@@ -86,8 +108,12 @@ type Options[T any] struct {
 	Destination Path
 	// PlacementMode defaults to mapping placement; unknown values and root item
 	// placement fail before acquisition.
-	PlacementMode     PlacementMode
-	Imports           bool
+	PlacementMode PlacementMode
+	Imports       bool
+	// ImportDefaults supplies one load-wide default policy for every enabled
+	// declaration, including transitive imports. Each field is independently
+	// overridden by an explicit declaration value.
+	ImportDefaults    ImportDefaults
 	Overlay           string
 	Filesystem        *FilesystemContext
 	Overrides         []Override
@@ -301,6 +327,7 @@ func toEngineOptions[T any](options Options[T]) engine.Options[T] {
 		SourceVersionMode: engine.SourceVersionModeFromFacade(uint8(options.SourceVersionMode)),
 	}
 	result = engine.OptionsWithPlacement(result, toEnginePath(options.Destination.clone()), uint8(options.PlacementMode))
+	result = engine.OptionsWithImportDefaults(result, toEngineImportDefaults(options.ImportDefaults))
 	if options.Filesystem != nil {
 		result.Filesystem = toEngineFilesystemContext(options.Filesystem)
 	}
diff --git a/records.go b/records.go
index a51ce2a..c5dad51 100644
--- a/records.go
+++ b/records.go
@@ -210,6 +210,39 @@ type SourceInfo struct {
 	// and failed loads, text is conservatively withheld; successful final source
 	// records reflect completed sensitivity classification.
 	VersionCheck *SourceVersionCheck
+	// ImportSelections records completed optional declarations that selected no
+	// sources, in declaration order. Paths are local to this declaring source.
+	ImportSelections []ImportSelection
+}
+
+// ImportSelector identifies the selector used by an import declaration.
+type ImportSelector string
+
+const (
+	// ImportSelectorPath identifies a named-file selector.
+	ImportSelectorPath ImportSelector = "path"
+	// ImportSelectorDirectory identifies a literal directory search.
+	ImportSelectorDirectory ImportSelector = "dir"
+	// ImportSelectorGlob identifies a path-glob selector.
+	ImportSelectorGlob ImportSelector = "glob"
+)
+
+// ImportSelectionOutcome identifies the established result of import selection.
+type ImportSelectionOutcome string
+
+const (
+	// ImportSelectionNone means the optional declaration selected no sources.
+	ImportSelectionNone ImportSelectionOutcome = "none"
+)
+
+// ImportSelection records an optional import declaration that selected no
+// sources. Path is local to the declaring source; Location identifies its
+// declaration mapping and source ID.
+type ImportSelection struct {
+	Path     Path
+	Location Location
+	Selector ImportSelector
+	Outcome  ImportSelectionOutcome
 }
 
 // SourceVersionCheck describes a source-local version declaration observed
@@ -295,9 +328,22 @@ func cloneSourceInfo(source SourceInfo) SourceInfo {
 	source.Destination = source.Destination.clone()
 	source.ImportedFrom = cloneLocation(source.ImportedFrom)
 	source.VersionCheck = cloneSourceVersionCheck(source.VersionCheck)
+	source.ImportSelections = cloneImportSelections(source.ImportSelections)
 	return source
 }
 
+func cloneImportSelections(selections []ImportSelection) []ImportSelection {
+	if selections == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	cloned := make([]ImportSelection, len(selections))
+	for index, selection := range selections {
+		selection.Path = selection.Path.clone()
+		cloned[index] = selection
+	}
+	return cloned
+}
+
 func cloneSourceVersionCheck(value *SourceVersionCheck) *SourceVersionCheck {
 	if value == nil {
 		return nil
diff --git a/records_test.go b/records_test.go
index a8e48b0..a1406a0 100644
--- a/records_test.go
+++ b/records_test.go
@@ -71,3 +71,34 @@ func TestSourceVersionCheckConversionsAndCopies(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("source version check changed through a detached copy: %#v", converted.VersionCheck)
 	}
 }
+
+func TestImportSelectionConversionsAndCopies(t *testing.T) {
+	declaration, err := ParsePath("/configkit/imports/2")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	source := SourceInfo{ID: "source-4", ImportSelections: []ImportSelection{{
+		Path: declaration, Location: Location{SourceID: "source-4", Line: 7, Column: 5},
+		Selector: ImportSelectorGlob, Outcome: ImportSelectionNone,
+	}}}
+	internal := toEngineSourceInfo(source)
+	transport := engine.SourceInfoImportSelectionsForFacade(internal)
+	if len(transport) != 1 || transport[0].Path.String() != declaration.String() || transport[0].Location.SourceID != source.ID || transport[0].Selector != "glob" || transport[0].Outcome != "none" {
+		t.Fatalf("engine selection evidence = %#v", transport)
+	}
+	source.ImportSelections[0].Path = Keys("changed")
+	converted := fromEngineSourceInfo(internal)
+	if len(converted.ImportSelections) != 1 || converted.ImportSelections[0].Path.String() != declaration.String() || converted.ImportSelections[0].Location.Line != 7 || converted.ImportSelections[0].Selector != ImportSelectorGlob || converted.ImportSelections[0].Outcome != ImportSelectionNone {
+		t.Fatalf("converted selection evidence = %#v", converted.ImportSelections)
+	}
+	copy := cloneSourceInfo(converted)
+	copy.ImportSelections[0].Path = Keys("copy")
+	copy.ImportSelections[0].Selector = ImportSelectorPath
+	if converted.ImportSelections[0].Path.String() != declaration.String() || converted.ImportSelections[0].Selector != ImportSelectorGlob {
+		t.Fatalf("source selection evidence changed through copy: %#v", converted.ImportSelections)
+	}
+	empty := cloneSourceInfo(SourceInfo{ImportSelections: make([]ImportSelection, 0)})
+	if empty.ImportSelections == nil {
+		t.Fatal("cloning collapsed a non-nil empty selection slice")
+	}
+}