Reconcile uncertain tag pushes

publish.go

@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ const (
 	PublicationTagCreation PublicationPhase = PublicationPhase(publish.TagCreation)
 	// PublicationPush identifies the remote tag push attempt.
 	PublicationPush PublicationPhase = PublicationPhase(publish.Push)
+	// PublicationReconciliation identifies the single authoritative tag query after a push error.
+	PublicationReconciliation PublicationPhase = PublicationPhase(publish.Reconciliation)
 	// PublicationComplete identifies a successful tag push.
 	PublicationComplete PublicationPhase = PublicationPhase(publish.Complete)
 )
@@ -51,8 +53,10 @@ type PublicationResult struct {
 // object to the selected remote. It returns a result with errors: preflight
 // failures are not_attempted, failed authoritative guards are conflict, and
 // errors after local tag creation but before push are not_published. A failed
-// push is unknown until remote reconciliation is available. A nil error means
-// the push succeeded and the result state is published.
+// push gets one bounded authoritative tag query: an exact object match confirms
+// publication, absence is not_published, a different object is conflict, and
+// an unreadable result is unknown. A nil error means publication is confirmed
+// by the successful push or exact remote object match.
 func Publish(ctx context.Context, request ReleaseRequest) (PublicationResult, error) {
 	var validate func(context.Context, candidate.Candidate) error
 	if request.Validate != nil {