diff --git a/docs/internal/README.md b/docs/internal/README.md
index 3c2f02b..0c0f34f 100644
--- a/docs/internal/README.md
+++ b/docs/internal/README.md
@@ -1,29 +1,43 @@
 # Internal Documentation Index
 
 ## Audience
-Developers and LLM coding agents changing Narratio internals.
+Developers and coding agents changing Narratio internals.
 
 ## Scope
-Implementation-accurate contracts for workspace/state, manifests, stages, artifact resolution, adapter boundaries, and restore command behavior.
+`docs/internal/` documents implemented internal contracts: stage boundaries, manifest/state behavior, artifact resolution, restore behavior, storage boundaries, and workspace invariants.
 
-## Component Docs
-- `adapters.md`: external adapter map, runtime wiring, and boundary ownership.
-- `storage.md`: remote storage backend contracts and object-store invariants.
-- `manifest.md`: session/run manifest schemas, lifecycle transitions, and persistence semantics.
-- `artifacts.md`: built-in artifact registry, runtime artifact catalog, and source-resolution behavior.
-- `workspace.md`: local state model, manifests, run-local layout, materialization, and cleanup invariants.
-- `command-restore.md`: restore command discovery/planning/execution/reporting contract.
-- `stage-prepare.md`: input materialization and provenance capture.
-- `stage-transcribe.md`: WhisperX transcript generation.
-- `stage-merge.md`: Seriatim normalization + merge.
-- `stage-polish.md`: Audita transcript polishing.
-- `stage-normalize.md`: post-polish normalization.
-- `stage-trim.md`: bounds-driven transcript trimming.
-- `stage-analyze.md`: dependency-ordered Scriptorium artifact generation for selected configured artifacts.
-- `stage-publish.md`: publish upload and current-pointer commit contract.
+User and operator behavior belongs in:
+- `docs/cli.md`
+- `docs/config.md`
+- `docs/operations.md`
+- `docs/troubleshooting.md`
 
-## External Integration Notes
-- `../integrations/README.md`: canonical location for external integration contracts (`audita.md`, `seriatim.md`, `scriptorium.md`).
+## Pipeline Stage Set
+Canonical stage order from `internal/stage.All()`:
+1. `prepare`
+2. `transcribe`
+3. `merge`
+4. `polish`
+5. `normalize`
+6. `trim`
+7. `analyze`
+8. `publish`
+9. `notify` (placeholder)
 
-## Canonical Owner
-`docs/internal/` is the canonical home for implemented internals per `docs/policy/documentation.md`.
+`notify` is currently a placeholder stage with optional notifier call behavior; it has no persisted pipeline outputs.
+
+## Internal Component Docs
+- `adapters.md`: external adapter boundaries and default runtime wiring.
+- `artifacts.md`: canonical source IDs, runtime catalog behavior, and resolution rules.
+- `manifest.md`: session and run manifest contracts.
+- `storage.md`: object-store interface and S3 implementation behavior.
+- `workspace.md`: local session layout, run-local layout, and cleanup guardrails.
+- `command-restore.md`: restore discovery, planning, execution, and reporting.
+- `stage-prepare.md`
+- `stage-transcribe.md`
+- `stage-merge.md`
+- `stage-polish.md`
+- `stage-normalize.md`
+- `stage-trim.md`
+- `stage-analyze.md`
+- `stage-publish.md`
diff --git a/docs/internal/adapters.md b/docs/internal/adapters.md
index 8355093..4f9eff7 100644
--- a/docs/internal/adapters.md
+++ b/docs/internal/adapters.md
@@ -1,38 +1,12 @@
 # Internal: Adapters
 
 ## Purpose
-Describe the external adapter boundaries used by Narratio stages and app orchestration, including default runtime wiring.
+Define external integration boundaries and default adapter wiring used by app/stage orchestration.
 
-## Inputs and outputs
-Inputs:
-- Stage requests passed through adapter interfaces (for example transcription, merge/normalize/trim, polish, artifact generation, object-store operations, notifications).
-- Resolved config values used to construct default adapters.
+## Adapter Boundaries
+Narratio stage logic depends on adapter interfaces, not transport-specific details.
 
-Outputs:
-- Adapter-specific result structs (paths, metadata, status/attempt info, duration/exit details).
-- Adapter errors returned to stage/app orchestration.
-
-## Boundaries
-Owns:
-- Transport/process/SDK details at system boundaries (`HTTP`, subprocess CLI invocation, AWS SDK calls).
-- Request/response contracts in `internal/adapters/*` packages.
-
-Does not own:
-- Stage sequencing, skip/force/resume decisions.
-- Manifest transition logic.
-- Canonical workspace path policy.
-
-## Config fields used
-Default wiring and adapter calls consume:
-- `pipeline.whisperx.*`
-- `pipeline.seriatim.*`
-- `pipeline.audita.*`
-- `pipeline.scriptorium.*`
-- `pipeline.storage.*` and `pipeline.publish.*` (object-store construction/gating)
-- `pipeline.notification.*` (sender boundary exists; placeholder behavior today)
-
-## External adapters used
-Runtime env boundary fields (`internal/stage.Env`):
+Primary adapters:
 - `whisperx.Client`
 - `seriatim.Runner`
 - `audita.Runner`
@@ -40,39 +14,39 @@ Runtime env boundary fields (`internal/stage.Env`):
 - `storage.ObjectStore`
 - `notify.Sender`
 
-Current execution usage:
-- Actively used by implemented stages: `WhisperX`, `Seriatim`, `Audita`, `Scriptorium`, `ObjectStore`, `Notifier`.
-- Present but not used by implemented stage set: legacy `storage.Backend`.
+Legacy compatibility boundary:
+- `storage.Backend` remains in the storage adapter package and defaults to `NoopBackend`; current pipeline stages use `storage.ObjectStore`.
 
-Default construction in app runner:
-- Auto-constructed when not injected: WhisperX HTTP client, Seriatim subprocess runner, Audita subprocess runner, Scriptorium subprocess runner, object store (only when needed), and `notify.NoopSender`.
-- Object-store construction goes through app command orchestration so configured filesystem secrets are loaded before the storage adapter is initialized.
-- Callers can inject test/fake implementations through `app.RunOptions.Env`.
+## Ownership
+Adapters own:
+- HTTP/subprocess/SDK argument and transport details.
+- Backend-specific request/response mapping.
 
-## State and manifest behavior
-- Adapters do not directly mutate session/run manifests.
-- Stages and runner own manifest writes and stage status transitions.
-- Adapter outputs are persisted indirectly through stage result mapping (outputs/logs/generated configs/metadata).
+Adapters do not own:
+- stage ordering/skip/force logic;
+- manifest transitions;
+- canonical path policy.
 
-## Skip and resume behavior
-- No adapter-level skip/resume semantics.
-- Skip/resume/force behavior is decided by app runner using manifest stage state.
+## Default Wiring
+`internal/app/runner.go` initializes default adapters when not injected:
+- WhisperX HTTP client from pipeline config.
+- Seriatim subprocess runner.
+- Audita subprocess runner.
+- Scriptorium subprocess runner.
+- Noop notifier (`notify.NoopSender`).
+- Object store only when required by selected stages/config.
 
-## Failure behavior
-- Adapter constructors validate config-derived values and fail early on invalid required inputs.
-- Adapter run-time failures are returned to stage code with boundary context and are recorded as stage failures by runner logic.
-- Subprocess adapters preserve stdout/stderr and generated-config paths to aid diagnosis.
+Object-store construction goes through `newCommandObjectStore`, which loads configured filesystem secrets before adapter initialization.
 
-## Tests to inspect before changing
+## Failure Semantics
+- Constructor errors fail stage execution setup early.
+- Runtime adapter errors propagate to stage code and then manifest failure handling.
+- Subprocess adapters persist stage logs/generated configs through stage-managed paths.
+
+## Test Surfaces
 - `internal/adapters/whisperx/http_test.go`
 - `internal/adapters/seriatim/subprocess_test.go`
 - `internal/adapters/audita/subprocess_test.go`
 - `internal/adapters/scriptorium/subprocess_test.go`
 - `internal/adapters/storage/*_test.go`
-- `internal/adapters/notify/fake_test.go`
 - `internal/app/runner_test.go`
-
-## Architectural invariants
-- Stage code depends on adapter interfaces, not transport-specific implementation types.
-- External SDK-specific types remain inside adapter implementations.
-- Default app wiring must remain deterministic and overrideable via injected env dependencies.
diff --git a/docs/internal/artifacts.md b/docs/internal/artifacts.md
index d13dd75..387803a 100644
--- a/docs/internal/artifacts.md
+++ b/docs/internal/artifacts.md
@@ -1,106 +1,68 @@
 # Internal: Artifacts
 
 ## Purpose
-Define Narratio artifact identity, catalog, and source-resolution behavior for:
-- built-in session artifacts;
-- configured analyze artifacts;
-- canonical previous-session artifact sources.
+Define canonical artifact IDs, runtime catalog behavior, and source resolution rules for stage execution and publish output selection.
 
-## Inputs and outputs
-Inputs:
-- configured input sources (`pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts.*.inputs.*.source`);
-- session paths and manifest inputs/outputs;
-- runtime catalog state.
+## Built-in Source IDs
+- `narratio.transcript.base` -> `transcripts/base.json` (`merge`)
+- `narratio.transcript.polished` -> `transcripts/polished.json` (`polish`)
+- `narratio.transcript.final` -> `transcripts/final.json` (`normalize`)
+- `narratio.transcript.final_trimmed` -> `transcripts/final.trimmed.json` (`trim`)
+- `narratio.bounds.session` -> `artifacts/session_bounds.json` (`trim`)
 
-Outputs:
-- resolved artifact path + provenance (`ResolvedSessionArtifact`);
-- runtime catalog entries for built-ins and configured artifacts;
-- requirement sets for canonical previous-session inputs;
-- canonical S3 session, run, current, session config, session locks, audio, and published output keys.
+## Configured and Previous-Session Sources
+- Configured artifact source ID: `narratio.artifact.<artifact_key>`
+- Previous-session source ID: `narratio.previous_session.artifact.<artifact_key>`
 
-## Boundaries
-Owns:
-- built-in source registry and validation;
-- configured artifact catalog identity (`narratio.artifact.<name>`);
-- canonical previous-session source parsing and resolution;
-- previous-session requirement collection (`CollectPreviousArtifactRequirements`).
+Configured and previous-session source IDs are validated by strict regex rules.
 
-Does not own:
-- prepare-stage remote hydration;
-- stage success/skip transitions;
-- publish upload orchestration.
+## Runtime Catalog
+`ArtifactCatalog` tracks:
+- `planned`: source registered for run context.
+- `executable`: selected and enabled for analyze execution.
+- `available`: local file exists and validated.
+- `provenance`: availability source.
 
-## Built-in IDs
-| Artifact ID | Canonical file | Producer stage | Output kind |
-| --- | --- | --- | --- |
-| `narratio.transcript.base` | `transcripts/base.json` | `merge` | `transcript_base` |
-| `narratio.transcript.polished` | `transcripts/polished.json` | `polish` | `transcript_polished` |
-| `narratio.transcript.final` | `transcripts/final.json` | `normalize` | `transcript_final` |
-| `narratio.transcript.final_trimmed` | `transcripts/final.trimmed.json` | `trim` | `transcript_final_trimmed` |
-| `narratio.bounds.session` | `artifacts/session_bounds.json` | `trim` | `session_bounds` |
-
-## Source families
-- built-in: `narratio.transcript.*`, `narratio.bounds.session`
-- configured artifact: `narratio.artifact.<artifact_key>`
-- canonical previous-session artifact: `narratio.previous_session.artifact.<artifact_key>`
-
-## S3 key helpers
-- session prefix: `{root_prefix}/campaigns/{campaign}/sessions/{session_id}/`
-- session config: `{session_prefix}/session.yml`
-- session lock store: `{session_prefix}/locks.yml`
-- run prefix: `{session_prefix}/runs/{run_id}/`
-- audio prefix: `{session_prefix}/{session.inputs.audio_s3.prefix}`
-- current manifest: `{session_prefix}/current/manifest.json`
-- current run pointer: `{session_prefix}/current/run_id.txt`
-
-## Runtime catalog model
-Catalog entries track:
-- `planned`: source is registered for this run;
-- `executable`: configured artifact is selected for analyze execution;
-- `available`: usable local file exists (generated this run or reused from disk).
-
-Configured artifact provenance values include:
+Current provenance values:
 - `generated.current_analyze_run`
 - `filesystem.disabled_artifact_output`
-
-Previous-session canonical provenance values include:
 - `manifest.inputs.previous_cache`
 - `current_session.previous_cache`
 
-## Resolution behavior
-- Built-ins resolve via manifest producer outputs first, then canonical fallback paths.
-- Configured `narratio.artifact.<name>` sources resolve through catalog availability.
-- Canonical previous-session sources resolve to current-session `previous/` cache candidates derived from configured artifact canonical output paths.
-- Publish-relative configured artifact paths under `artifacts/` are cached without a redundant nested `artifacts/` segment.
-- Previous-session canonical resolution prefers manifest-recorded input paths when present, then filesystem fallback under `previous/artifacts/**`.
+## Resolution Rules
+Built-ins:
+1. manifest producer outputs (when present)
+2. canonical session path fallback
 
-## Previous-session requirement scanning
+Configured sources (`narratio.artifact.*`):
+- resolve only through runtime catalog availability.
+
+Previous-session sources (`narratio.previous_session.artifact.*`):
+- resolve only from local `previous/` cache state.
+- prefer manifest-backed previous input paths.
+- fallback to existing previous-cache filesystem paths.
+
+Validation by content type:
+- transcript built-ins: JSON with top-level `segments` array.
+- bounds built-in: valid JSON.
+- configured/previous-session artifact files: non-empty text file.
+
+## Previous Requirement Collection
 `CollectPreviousArtifactRequirements`:
 - scans enabled configured artifacts only;
-- includes canonical previous-session sources only;
+- extracts only canonical previous-session sources;
 - deduplicates by artifact key;
-- merges required/optional references (`required` wins);
-- records deterministic sorted source locations for diagnostics.
+- merges required/optional (required wins);
+- returns deterministic ordering and source locations.
 
-## Validation behavior
-- transcript built-ins: JSON with top-level `segments` array;
-- bounds built-in: valid JSON;
-- configured and previous-session artifact files: non-empty text content.
+## Key Path Helpers
+`internal/artifacts/paths.go` defines canonical helpers for:
+- session/work/run paths;
+- previous-cache paths;
+- spool/cache paths;
+- S3 key layout helpers for session/run/current pointers.
 
-## Failure behavior
-- unsupported source or malformed canonical previous source: validation/resolution error;
-- known source unavailable: `ErrSessionArtifactNotFound`;
-- configured/previous canonical source without catalog: error;
-- resolved invalid file content: validation error.
-
-## Tests to inspect before changing
-- `internal/artifacts/artifact_resolver_test.go`
-- `internal/artifacts/catalog_test.go`
-- `internal/artifacts/previous_requirements_test.go`
-- `internal/stage/prepare_previous_test.go`
-- `internal/stage/analyze_test.go`
-
-## Architectural invariants
-- Built-in source IDs are static.
-- Configured and previous-session source IDs are artifact-key based and validation-gated.
-- Resolution behavior remains deterministic and manifest-aware.
+## Invariants
+- Source ID formats are stable contracts.
+- Resolution is deterministic and manifest-aware.
+- Previous-session source resolution does not call remote storage in `analyze`; remote hydration is `prepare` responsibility.
diff --git a/docs/internal/command-restore.md b/docs/internal/command-restore.md
index 511a25a..66f4d1a 100644
--- a/docs/internal/command-restore.md
+++ b/docs/internal/command-restore.md
@@ -1,106 +1,65 @@
 # Internal: Command Restore
 
 ## Purpose
-Define the implemented `narratio session restore` contract: committed remote-state discovery, deterministic plan classification, safe file install semantics, and restore reporting.
+Document the implemented `narratio session restore` command contract:
+- committed remote current-state discovery;
+- deterministic restore plan classification;
+- safe local install semantics;
+- durable restore reporting.
 
-## Inputs and outputs
-Inputs:
-- CLI syntax: `narratio session restore <session_id>`.
-- CLI flags: `--config`, `--campaign`, `--campaign-file`, `--session`, `--previous-session-id`, `--dry-run`, `--force`, `--include-audio`.
-- Resolved/validated `pipeline.yml` and `session.yml`.
-- Configured remote object store.
-- Remote committed current-state markers (`current/run_id.txt`, `current/manifest.json`).
+## Discovery Contract
+Restore discovers remote committed state using:
+- `current/run_id.txt` (required, non-empty)
+- `current/manifest.json` (required, decodable)
 
-Outputs:
-- Dry-run summary to stdout (plan + counts).
-- Non-dry-run completion summary to stdout.
-- Local durable session files restored under canonical session root.
-- Non-dry-run restore report at `reports/restore-latest.json`.
+Discovered manifest identity must match requested `session_id` and `campaign`.
 
-## Boundaries
-Owns:
-- Restore command flag parsing and command wiring.
-- Remote current-state discovery and identity validation.
-- Restore plan construction and conflict classification.
-- Restore execution for planned downloads.
-- Restore report model and persistence.
+## Plan Contract
+Planner actions:
+- `download`
+- `skip_same`
+- `conflict`
 
-Does not own:
-- Stage execution orchestration (`run`, `resume`, `run-stage`).
-- Publish-stage behavior.
-- Storage transport implementation details (owned by storage adapters).
+Plan behavior:
+- remote list scope is the resolved session prefix;
+- mapping to local paths is traversal-safe;
+- actions are sorted deterministically by local relative path.
 
-## Config fields used
-- Config/session discovery and templating fields consumed by all commands.
-- `pipeline.workspace.root` (local restore target root).
-- `pipeline.storage.*` (remote backend + publish identity derivation).
-- `pipeline.storage.s3.*` identity components used by session-prefix helpers.
-- `pipeline.spool.root` for active audio downloads.
-- `pipeline.cache.root` and `pipeline.cache.s3_audio` for reusable S3 audio cache.
-- `session.session_id`
-- `session.campaign`
+Restore scope from current remote state:
+- include `manifest.json`
+- include `transcripts/**`
+- include `artifacts/**`
+- include `audio/**` only with `--include-audio`
 
-## External adapters used
-- `storage.ObjectStore` for `Exists`, `List`, `Download`.
-- `artifacts.Store` (`LocalStore`) for layout and session lock management.
-- `manifest.LocalStore` for manifest decode/validation and identity checks.
+Explicit exclusions from current remote state mapping:
+- `current/**`
+- `runs/**`
+- `logs/**`
+- `reports/**`
+- `config/**`
+- `inputs/**`
+- `previous/**`
 
-## State and manifest behavior
-- Restore is not a pipeline run and does not create a run manifest.
-- Restore uses committed remote current state only:
-  - `current/run_id.txt` must exist and be non-empty.
-  - `current/manifest.json` must decode and match requested session/campaign.
-- Non-dry-run writes restore files to canonical session paths.
-- With `--include-audio`, restore uses the shared S3 audio cache for `audio/**` objects. Cache hits avoid object downloads; cache misses download through spool, install the work file, and populate cache.
-- Manifest install behavior:
-  - validated before replacement.
-  - installed last among download actions.
-  - existing local manifest is preserved if restored manifest validation/install fails.
-- Non-dry-run report persists summary/action status metadata in `reports/restore-latest.json`.
+Previous-cache restore files are planned separately through `previouscache.BuildPlan` when configured previous-session requirements exist.
 
-Restore path scope:
-- includes:
-  - `manifest.json`
-  - `transcripts/**`
-  - `artifacts/**`
-  - `previous/**`
-  - `audio/**` only when `--include-audio` is set
-- excludes:
-  - `runs/**`
-  - `logs/**`
-  - `reports/**`
-  - `config/**`
-  - `inputs/**`
-  - remote `current/**` pointer files as local restore targets
+## Execution Contract
+- non-manifest downloads happen before manifest install;
+- `manifest.json` is installed last;
+- downloads use sibling temp files + atomic rename;
+- manifest replacement is validated before rename;
+- failed installs do not roll back previously written files.
 
-## Skip and resume behavior
-- Restore does not participate in stage skip/resume decisions.
-- Restore provides durable local state so subsequent stage commands can resume or rerun based on restored manifest state.
-- Audio cache is outside the workspace and is reused across restore and prepare invocations.
-- Dry-run is read-only and returns plan output only.
+Audio restore path:
+- uses `audio.MaterializeS3Audio`;
+- integrates spool and S3 audio cache paths;
+- supports cache hit reuse without object redownload.
 
-## Failure behavior
-- Fails when storage backend is unavailable or publish identity cannot be resolved.
-- Fails when remote current pointer/manifest is missing or invalid.
-- Fails when remote manifest identity mismatches requested campaign/session.
-- Fails on local conflicts unless `--force` is set.
-- Fails fast on session lock acquisition conflict for non-dry-run execution.
-- On execution failure, previously installed files remain; no rollback is performed.
+## Reporting Contract
+- dry-run: summary only (no writes).
+- non-dry-run: writes `reports/restore-latest.json`.
+- report captures plan counts, action status, and execution failures.
 
-## Tests to inspect before changing
-- `internal/app/restore_test.go`
-- `internal/app/restore_discovery_test.go`
-- `internal/app/restore_plan_test.go`
-- `internal/app/restore_execution_test.go`
-- `internal/app/restore_workflow_test.go`
-- `internal/artifacts/archive_identity_test.go`
-
-## Architectural invariants
-- Restore relies on centralized path/key helpers (`internal/artifacts`) rather than ad hoc key building.
-- `current/run_id.txt` is the remote commit marker; restore must not infer committed state from incidental files.
-- Local path mapping is traversal-safe and constrained to session root.
-- Restore scope is deterministic and path-classified:
-  - include `manifest.json`, `transcripts/**`, `artifacts/**`, `previous/**`
-  - include `audio/**` only with `--include-audio`
-  - exclude `runs/**`, `logs/**`, `reports/**`, `config/**`, `inputs/**`
-- Command remains standalone; no implicit `run --restore` behavior.
+## Invariants
+- restore uses only committed remote current state as authority.
+- `current/run_id.txt` is the remote commit marker.
+- restore is a standalone command and does not run stages.
diff --git a/docs/internal/manifest.md b/docs/internal/manifest.md
index a8c3a69..9354f45 100644
--- a/docs/internal/manifest.md
+++ b/docs/internal/manifest.md
@@ -1,81 +1,57 @@
 # Internal: Manifest
 
 ## Purpose
-Describe Narratio's durable execution state model for session-level and run-level manifests, including lifecycle transitions and persistence behavior.
+Define durable session state (`manifest.json`) and invocation state (`runs/{run_id}/manifest.json`) contracts.
 
-## Inputs and outputs
-Inputs:
-- Session identity and run identity from app orchestration.
-- Stage transition events and stage result payloads.
+## Session Manifest
+Path:
+- `{workspace.root}/work/{campaign}/{session_id}/manifest.json`
 
-Outputs:
-- Session manifest at `{workspace.root}/work/{campaign}/{session_id}/manifest.json`.
-- Run manifest at `{workspace.root}/work/{campaign}/{session_id}/runs/{run_id}/manifest.json`.
+Primary model (`manifest.Manifest`):
+- identity (`session_id`, `campaign`, `run_id`)
+- local path metadata (`local_workdir`, `local_spool_dir`)
+- remote identity metadata (`s3_bucket`, `s3_session_prefix`, `s3_run_prefix`)
+- `inputs` records
+- durable `artifacts` records
+- per-stage `stages` map
 
-## Boundaries
-Owns:
-- Manifest schemas (`Manifest`, `RunManifest`, stage records, error records, input/artifact records).
-- Stage status/action transition methods.
-- Persistent store contract (`manifest.Store`) and local JSON store implementation.
+Stage status enum:
+- `pending`
+- `running`
+- `succeeded`
+- `failed`
+- `skipped`
+- `stale`
+- `interrupted`
 
-Does not own:
-- Stage implementation details.
-- Path construction policy outside manifest file persistence calls.
-- CLI command behavior.
+## Run Manifest
+Path:
+- `{workspace.root}/work/{campaign}/{session_id}/runs/{run_id}/manifest.json`
 
-## Config fields used
-Manifest package itself does not read config directly.
+Run model (`manifest.RunManifest`):
+- invocation identity and `force` flag
+- requested stages
+- per-stage action (`run` or `skip`)
+- per-stage status
+- overall run status (`running`, `succeeded`, `failed`)
 
-Manifest identity fields are populated by app/stage orchestration from:
-- `session.session_id`
-- `session.campaign`
-- `pipeline.workspace.root`
-- `pipeline.storage.s3.*` (when publish/S3 identity is set)
+## Persistence Semantics
+`manifest.LocalStore`:
+- validates loaded documents;
+- normalizes missing maps/stage records;
+- writes atomically via temp file + rename;
+- updates `updated_at` on save.
 
-## External adapters used
-- No external service adapters.
-- Uses local filesystem for persistence via `manifest.LocalStore`.
+## Execution Semantics
+Runner updates both manifests per stage transition:
+- mark running
+- mark succeeded/failed/skipped
+- persist logs/generated config refs and metadata
 
-## State and manifest behavior
-Session manifest model:
-- Tracks durable per-session stage state and provenance (`pending`, `running`, `succeeded`, `failed`, `skipped`, `stale`, `interrupted`).
-- Stores resolved inputs, durable artifacts, stage logs/config refs, and stage metadata.
+Session manifest is the authoritative stage-progress ledger across invocations.
+Run manifest is invocation-scoped audit state.
 
-Run manifest model:
-- Tracks one invocation (`run_id`) with requested stages and force mode.
-- Tracks per-stage action (`run` or `skip`) and per-stage status.
-- Tracks overall run status (`running`, `succeeded`, `failed`).
-
-Persistence behavior:
-- Load validates required identity/timestamp fields and normalizes maps/records.
-- Save updates `updated_at` and writes JSON atomically (temp file + rename).
-- Session and run manifests are saved incrementally before/after stage transitions.
-
-Relationship during execution:
-- Runner updates both manifests for every stage transition.
-- Session manifest is the durable pipeline-progress ledger.
-- Run manifest is invocation history and audit record.
-- Analyze stage outputs are persisted as `kind=scriptorium_artifact` with `source_id=narratio.artifact.<name>` for configured artifact identity.
-
-## Skip and resume behavior
-- Resume and skip decisions are based on session-manifest stage statuses.
-- `--force` reruns selected stages and marks downstream succeeded stages as `stale` in session manifest.
-- Run manifest records whether each stage was executed or skipped in that invocation.
-
-## Failure behavior
-- Stage failure marks both manifests failed for that stage and records error messages/timestamps.
-- Save failures are returned immediately and fail the command.
-- Invalid/malformed manifest files fail load with explicit validation/decode errors.
-
-## Tests to inspect before changing
-- `internal/manifest/manifest_test.go`
-- `internal/manifest/run_manifest_test.go`
-- `internal/manifest/store_test.go`
-- `internal/app/runner_test.go`
-- `internal/app/run_control_test.go`
-- `internal/app/resume_run_stage_test.go`
-
-## Architectural invariants
-- Session manifest is authoritative for stage progression across invocations.
-- Run manifest is invocation-scoped and never replaces session manifest as progress authority.
-- Manifest writes are atomic and deterministic (JSON + newline, temp rename pattern).
+## Invariants
+- stage resume/skip decisions are session-manifest driven.
+- force reruns stale downstream succeeded stages.
+- run manifest does not replace session manifest as progress authority.
diff --git a/docs/internal/stage-analyze.md b/docs/internal/stage-analyze.md
index a78b863..1181d23 100644
--- a/docs/internal/stage-analyze.md
+++ b/docs/internal/stage-analyze.md
@@ -1,80 +1,38 @@
 # Stage: analyze
 
 ## Purpose
-Execute selected configured Scriptorium artifacts in deterministic dependency order and materialize successful outputs to canonical session artifact paths.
+Execute selected configured Scriptorium artifacts in dependency order and materialize outputs.
 
-## Inputs and outputs
-Inputs:
-- configured artifact definitions from `pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts`;
-- selected artifact filter (`--artifacts`) when provided;
-- resolved artifact sources from resolver/catalog.
+## Inputs
+- configured artifacts from `pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts`
+- optional selected artifact filter (`--artifacts`)
+- built-in/configured/previous-session source references in artifact inputs
 
-Source types used by analyze:
-- built-ins: `narratio.transcript.*`, `narratio.bounds.session`;
-- configured artifacts: `narratio.artifact.<artifact_key>`;
-- canonical previous-session artifacts: `narratio.previous_session.artifact.<artifact_key>`.
+Supported source families:
+- built-ins: `narratio.transcript.*`, `narratio.bounds.session`
+- configured artifacts: `narratio.artifact.<key>`
+- previous-session cache: `narratio.previous_session.artifact.<key>`
 
-Outputs:
-- materialized configured artifact files at each configured `output_path`;
-- stage metadata (`generated_artifacts`, `reused_artifacts`, selected/order info).
+## Outputs
+- one materialized output per executed configured artifact (`output_path`)
+- stage metadata describing selected/generated/reused artifacts
 
-## Boundaries
-Owns:
-- runtime artifact catalog construction;
-- selected-artifact planning and dependency ordering;
-- per-input resolution and required/optional handling;
-- Scriptorium render/run invocation;
-- run-local output generation and canonical materialization.
+## Key Behavior
+- skips with metadata when Scriptorium config is missing or no executable artifacts remain.
+- builds runtime artifact catalog (built-ins + configured artifacts).
+- marks non-executable configured artifacts as reusable when output files already exist.
+- validates selected artifact dependency order (cycle-safe topo ordering).
+- resolves required/optional inputs per artifact source definition.
+- resolves previous-session sources from local `previous/` cache only.
+- runs optional render-debug, then artifact execution.
+- validates non-empty output files and materializes canonical outputs.
 
-Does not own:
-- prepare-time previous-session hydration;
-- object-store access for previous-session sources;
-- publish output rule behavior.
+## Failure Semantics
+- required missing configured/previous-session inputs fail.
+- missing required previous-session source includes prepare rerun guidance.
+- dependency cycles or unavailable required dependencies fail.
+- adapter validation failures fail stage.
 
-## Config fields used
-- `session.session_id`
-- `session.campaign`
-- `pipeline.workspace.root`
-- `pipeline.scriptorium.binary`
-- `pipeline.scriptorium.config_path`
-- `pipeline.scriptorium.timeout`
-- `pipeline.scriptorium.render_debug`
-- `pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts.<name>.*`
-
-## External adapters used
-- Scriptorium adapter:
-  - optional `RenderArtifact` when render-debug is enabled;
-  - `RunArtifact` for artifact generation.
-
-## State and manifest behavior
-- If Scriptorium config is absent, or no artifacts are executable after filtering, analyze returns success metadata with `skipped=true`.
-- Builds runtime catalog with built-ins and configured `narratio.artifact.<name>` entries.
-- Non-executable configured artifacts may still be marked available from existing canonical output files.
-- Resolves canonical previous-session sources from local prepared `previous/` cache:
-  - prefers manifest-backed previous input paths when present;
-  - may fall back to current-session `previous/` filesystem paths.
-- Analyze does not call object storage for canonical previous-session source resolution.
-- Required canonical previous-session input missing:
-  - fails with guidance to run `narratio run-stage --force prepare`.
-- Optional missing sources are omitted from adapter input paths.
-
-## Skip and resume behavior
-- Runner-level skip applies when analyze is already `succeeded` and `--force` is not set.
-- Analyze is stage-scoped for resume; no per-artifact manifest resume state.
-- `--artifacts` filters executable artifacts but does not imply force rerun.
-
-## Failure behavior
-- Fails on dependency-order violations, missing required inputs, resolver validation failures, adapter errors, and missing/empty generated outputs.
-- Required unavailable configured artifact source (`narratio.artifact.<name>`) fails before invocation.
-- Required canonical previous-session source fails with prepare-rerun guidance.
-
-## Tests to inspect before changing
-- `internal/stage/analyze_test.go`
-- `internal/artifacts/catalog_test.go`
-- `internal/artifacts/artifact_resolver_test.go`
-- `internal/app/restore_workflow_test.go`
-
-## Architectural invariants
-- Canonical previous-session behavior is local-cache only during analyze.
-- Generated outputs are validated and materialized before stage success is recorded.
-- Resolver/catalog decisions stay deterministic and validation-gated.
+## Invariants
+- `analyze` performs no remote storage calls for previous-session source resolution.
+- output provenance and metadata are deterministic per execution.
diff --git a/docs/internal/stage-merge.md b/docs/internal/stage-merge.md
index 21f92b6..f05ab12 100644
--- a/docs/internal/stage-merge.md
+++ b/docs/internal/stage-merge.md
@@ -1,63 +1,25 @@
 # Stage: merge
 
 ## Purpose
-Normalize per-speaker raw transcripts and merge them into the base transcript via Seriatim.
+Normalize raw transcript inputs and merge into base transcript via Seriatim.
 
-## Inputs and Outputs
-Inputs:
+## Inputs
 - `transcripts/raw/*.json`
 - `inputs/speakers.yml`
 - `inputs/autocorrect.yml`
 
-Outputs:
+## Outputs
 - `transcripts/base.json`
-- optional `artifacts/seriatim.report.json` (when report enabled)
+- optional `artifacts/seriatim.report.json`
 
-## Boundaries
-Owns:
-- Raw transcript discovery/validation
-- Per-input normalize calls to Seriatim
-- Final merge call to Seriatim
-- Run-local log/config/report path wiring
-- Materialization of base/report outputs to canonical paths
+## Key Behavior
+- discovers and validates raw transcript inputs.
+- normalizes each raw transcript (`seriatim.Normalize`) into run-local scratch output.
+- merges normalized inputs (`seriatim.Run`) into base transcript.
+- validates merged transcript and optional report JSON.
+- materializes canonical outputs and records stage logs/generated configs.
 
-Does not own:
-- Transcript polishing or downstream artifact generation
-
-## Config Fields Used
-- `session.session_id`
-- `session.campaign`
-- `pipeline.workspace.root`
-- `pipeline.seriatim.binary`
-- `pipeline.seriatim.timeout`
-- `pipeline.seriatim.output_schema`
-- `pipeline.seriatim.coalesce_gap`
-- `pipeline.seriatim.report`
-- `pipeline.seriatim.env.*`
-
-## External Adapters Used
-- Seriatim adapter:
-  - `Normalize` for each raw input
-  - `Run` for final merge
-
-## State and Manifest Behavior
-- Reads transcript inputs from transcribe stage outputs in manifest when present; falls back to canonical raw directory.
-- Writes run-local outputs/logs/config under `runs/{run_id}/merge/...` when enabled.
-- Materializes canonical base transcript and optional report.
-- Records normalized-input provenance and adapter metadata in stage metadata.
-
-## Skip and Resume Behavior
-- Runner-level skip applies when already succeeded and not forced.
-- Forced rerun of this or upstream stages can stale downstream succeeded stages via runner invalidation.
-
-## Failure Behavior
-- Fails on missing/invalid raw transcripts, missing speakers/autocorrect files, normalize failure, merge failure, invalid base output JSON, or invalid report JSON when enabled.
-
-## Tests to Inspect Before Changing
-- `internal/stage/merge_test.go`
-- `internal/adapters/seriatim/subprocess_test.go`
-
-## Architectural Invariants
-- Merge consumes normalized forms of each raw transcript.
-- Base transcript must validate before materialization.
-- Report output is optional and gated by config.
+## Invariants
+- merge always consumes normalized forms of raw inputs.
+- base transcript must validate before stage success.
+- report output is config-gated.
diff --git a/docs/internal/stage-normalize.md b/docs/internal/stage-normalize.md
index 325e469..cd9a048 100644
--- a/docs/internal/stage-normalize.md
+++ b/docs/internal/stage-normalize.md
@@ -1,56 +1,22 @@
 # Stage: normalize
 
 ## Purpose
-Normalize the polished transcript into the full final transcript and optionally emit a normalize report.
+Normalize polished transcript into final transcript using Seriatim.
 
-## Inputs and Outputs
-Inputs:
+## Inputs
 - `transcripts/polished.json`
 
-Outputs:
+## Outputs
 - `transcripts/final.json` (or configured normalize output path)
 - optional `artifacts/seriatim.normalize.report.json`
 
-## Boundaries
-Owns:
-- Polished transcript discovery/validation
-- Normalize request construction and invocation
-- Optional normalize report wiring
-- Promotion of final transcript and optional report
+## Key Behavior
+- resolves polished transcript from manifest outputs/canonical fallback.
+- applies `pipeline.normalize` config or default normalize config.
+- runs Seriatim normalize with configured timeout/binary.
+- validates normalized transcript and optional report.
+- materializes canonical outputs and records logs/generated configs.
 
-Does not own:
-- Bounds detection or segment trimming
-
-## Config Fields Used
-- `session.session_id`
-- `session.campaign`
-- `pipeline.workspace.root`
-- `pipeline.normalize.output_path`
-- `pipeline.normalize.output_schema`
-- `pipeline.normalize.report`
-- `pipeline.seriatim.binary`
-- `pipeline.seriatim.timeout`
-
-## External Adapters Used
-- Seriatim adapter (`Normalize`).
-
-## State and Manifest Behavior
-- Reads polished transcript from polish outputs in manifest when present; falls back to canonical path.
-- Uses run-local output/report/log/config paths when run layout is enabled.
-- Promotes canonical final transcript and optional normalize report.
-- Records adapter/result metadata including source path selection.
-
-## Skip and Resume Behavior
-- Runner-level skip applies when already succeeded and not forced.
-- Forced reruns can stale downstream succeeded stages.
-
-## Failure Behavior
-- Fails on missing/invalid polished transcript, adapter error, invalid final output, or invalid report output when report enabled.
-
-## Tests to Inspect Before Changing
-- `internal/stage/normalize_test.go`
-- `internal/adapters/seriatim/subprocess_test.go`
-
-## Architectural Invariants
-- Final output must validate as transcript-compatible JSON (`segments` array required).
-- Default normalize config is applied when `pipeline.normalize` is unset.
+## Invariants
+- final transcript must validate as processed transcript JSON (`segments` array).
+- normalize defaults are applied when `pipeline.normalize` is unset.
diff --git a/docs/internal/stage-polish.md b/docs/internal/stage-polish.md
index a9f54bc..3125563 100644
--- a/docs/internal/stage-polish.md
+++ b/docs/internal/stage-polish.md
@@ -1,69 +1,23 @@
 # Stage: polish
 
 ## Purpose
-Polish the base transcript with Audita and produce a polished transcript for downstream normalization/analyze.
+Run Audita polishing on base transcript and produce polished transcript.
 
-## Inputs and Outputs
-Inputs:
+## Inputs
 - `transcripts/base.json`
 - `inputs/glossary.yml`
 
-Outputs:
+## Outputs
 - `transcripts/polished.json`
-- optional `artifacts/audita.report.json` (when report enabled)
+- optional `artifacts/audita.report.json`
 
-## Boundaries
-Owns:
-- Base transcript discovery/validation
-- Audita invocation request construction
-- Run-local logs/config/work-dir/report wiring
-- Promotion of polished transcript and optional report
+## Key Behavior
+- resolves base transcript from merge outputs/canonical fallback.
+- invokes Audita with configured model/module/runtime options.
+- validates processed transcript structure (`segments` array required).
+- validates optional report JSON.
+- materializes canonical outputs; records logs/generated config and adapter metadata.
 
-Does not own:
-- Upstream merge normalization
-- Downstream normalize/trim/analyze logic
-
-## Config Fields Used
-- `session.session_id`
-- `session.campaign`
-- `pipeline.workspace.root`
-- `pipeline.audita.binary`
-- `pipeline.audita.timeout`
-- `pipeline.audita.llm_api_key_env`
-- `pipeline.audita.modules`
-- `pipeline.audita.base_url`
-- `pipeline.audita.model`
-- `pipeline.audita.transcript_description`
-- `pipeline.audita.config_path`
-- `pipeline.audita.output_schema`
-- `pipeline.audita.work_dir_retention`
-- `pipeline.audita.total_llm_concurrency`
-- `pipeline.audita.proposal_llm_concurrency`
-- `pipeline.audita.validation_model`
-- `pipeline.audita.validation_llm_concurrency`
-- `pipeline.audita.report`
-
-## External Adapters Used
-- Audita adapter (`env.Audita.Run`).
-
-## State and Manifest Behavior
-- Reads base transcript from merge manifest outputs when available; falls back to canonical base path.
-- Uses run-local output/report/log/config/scratch paths when run layout is enabled.
-- Promotes canonical `transcripts/polished.json` and optional report.
-- Records adapter invocation metadata, credential presence signal, and output provenance in stage metadata.
-
-## Skip and Resume Behavior
-- Runner-level skip applies when already succeeded and not forced.
-- Forced rerun can stale downstream succeeded stages via runner invalidation.
-
-## Failure Behavior
-- Fails on missing/invalid base transcript, missing glossary, adapter error, invalid polished output shape (`segments` array required), or invalid report JSON when enabled.
-
-## Tests to Inspect Before Changing
-- `internal/stage/polish_test.go`
-- `internal/adapters/audita/subprocess_test.go`
-
-## Architectural Invariants
-- Polished transcript must contain a top-level `segments` array.
-- Report behavior is strictly config-gated.
-- Stage output canonicalization always ends at `transcripts/polished.json`.
+## Invariants
+- polished transcript schema validation is mandatory.
+- report output is config-gated.
diff --git a/docs/internal/stage-prepare.md b/docs/internal/stage-prepare.md
index 31b8eae..517893f 100644
--- a/docs/internal/stage-prepare.md
+++ b/docs/internal/stage-prepare.md
@@ -1,124 +1,42 @@
 # Stage: prepare
 
 ## Purpose
-Materialize canonical current-session input state and provenance before downstream stages run.
+Materialize canonical current-session inputs before processing stages.
 
-Prepare owns:
-- local input file materialization (`inputs/**`);
-- audio input materialization (`audio/**`);
-- previous-session cache hydration (`previous/**`) for canonical previous-session artifact sources.
-
-## Inputs and outputs
-Inputs:
-- resolved config/campaign/session (`pipeline.yml`, `campaign.yml`, `session.yml`);
-- remote session provenance when `session.yml` was loaded from S3;
-- campaign or session input files (`speakers`, `autocorrect`, `glossary`);
+## Inputs
+- resolved `campaign.yml`, `session.yml`, and pipeline config
+- stable input files (`speakers`, `autocorrect`, `glossary`)
 - audio source:
-  - local: `session.inputs.audio_dir` or `session.inputs.audio_files`;
-  - S3: `session.inputs.audio_s3.prefix`;
-- configured enabled Scriptorium artifact inputs (for previous-session requirement scanning);
-- remote previous-session current publish state when previous hydration is required.
+  - local `audio_dir`/`audio_files`, or
+  - S3 `audio_s3.prefix`
+- enabled configured artifact input requirements for previous-session sources
 
-Outputs:
-- `inputs/campaign.yml`;
-- `inputs/session.yml`;
-- `inputs/pipeline.resolved.yml`;
-- `inputs/speakers.yml`;
-- `inputs/autocorrect.yml`;
-- `inputs/glossary.yml`;
-- `audio/*.flac` in canonical session `audio/`;
-- optional `previous/manifest.json`;
-- optional `previous/artifacts/**`;
-- deterministic `manifest.Inputs` records with checksums and provenance metadata.
+## Outputs
+- `inputs/campaign.yml`
+- `inputs/session.yml`
+- `inputs/pipeline.resolved.yml`
+- `inputs/speakers.yml`
+- `inputs/autocorrect.yml`
+- `inputs/glossary.yml`
+- `audio/*.flac`
+- optional `previous/manifest.json`
+- optional `previous/artifacts/**`
+- deterministic `manifest.inputs` entries (checksums + provenance)
 
-## Boundaries
-Owns:
-- input path resolution and materialization;
-- S3 audio list/download/copy flow;
-- previous-session artifact requirement collection from enabled configured artifacts;
-- previous cache lifecycle when requirements exist (clear and rehydrate managed `previous/` state).
-
-Does not own:
-- transcript or artifact generation;
-- analyze-stage source resolution;
-- publish commit behavior.
-
-## Config fields used
-- `session.session_id`
-- `session.previous_session_id`
-- `session.campaign`
-- `session.inputs.speakers_file`
-- `session.inputs.autocorrect_file`
-- `session.inputs.glossary_file`
-- `session.inputs.audio_dir`
-- `session.inputs.audio_files`
-- `session.inputs.audio_s3.prefix`
-- `pipeline.workspace.root`
-- `pipeline.spool.root`
-- `pipeline.cache.root`
-- `pipeline.cache.s3_audio`
-- `pipeline.storage.s3.bucket`
-- `pipeline.storage.s3.root_prefix`
-- `pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts.<name>.enabled`
-- `pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts.<name>.inputs.<key>.source`
-- `pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts.<name>.inputs.<key>.required`
-- `campaign.campaign_id`
-- `campaign.inputs.speakers_file`
-- `campaign.inputs.autocorrect_file`
-- `campaign.inputs.glossary_file`
-
-## External adapters used
-- `storage.ObjectStore` for:
-  - S3 audio listing/downloads;
-  - previous-session current pointer/manifest/artifact object checks and downloads.
-
-## State and manifest behavior
-- Ensures workspace layout exists.
-- Materializes canonical input files and audio files.
-- For S3 audio, uses run-scoped spool for active downloads and durable cache for reusable audio files; cache hits copy directly to work audio without downloading the object again.
-- Records `inputs/session.yml` provenance as local `session_config` or remote `session_config.s3`.
-- Resolves campaign-provided stable input paths relative to `campaign.yml`.
-- Resolves session-provided stable input overrides relative to `session.yml`.
-- Scans enabled configured artifact inputs for canonical sources:
-  - `narratio.previous_session.artifact.<artifact_key>`
-- If one or more canonical previous-session requirements exist:
+## Key Behavior
+- validates required config/store state.
+- enforces local audio vs S3 audio mutual exclusivity.
+- materializes S3 audio through spool/cache-aware logic.
+- scans enabled configured artifact inputs for `narratio.previous_session.artifact.*` requirements.
+- when previous requirements exist:
   - clears managed `previous/` state;
-  - hydrates required/optional previous artifacts from the configured previous session’s committed publish current state;
-  - writes `previous/manifest.json` and hydrated `previous/artifacts/**`;
-  - stores publish-relative artifact paths such as `artifacts/session_recap.md` as `previous/artifacts/session_recap.md`, not `previous/artifacts/artifacts/session_recap.md`;
-  - records hydrated previous inputs in `manifest.Inputs` with source `previous_session_publish.current`.
-- If no canonical previous-session requirements exist, prepare does not manage `previous/`.
-- `manifest.Inputs` is sorted deterministically by `(kind, path)`.
-- S3 audio `manifest.Inputs` retain S3 provenance and include `cache_path`; `spool_path` is present only when the current prepare invocation downloaded the file.
+  - builds previous-cache remote plan;
+  - downloads previous manifest/artifacts;
+  - records previous inputs in `manifest.inputs`.
 
-## Required and optional previous-session behavior
-- `previous_session_id` unset:
-  - if any referenced previous artifact is required: fail;
-  - if all referenced previous artifacts are optional: continue and omit them.
-- Previous session publish current pointer or manifest missing:
-  - if any referenced previous artifact is required: fail;
-  - if all referenced previous artifacts are optional: continue and omit missing ones.
-- Missing required previous artifact object: fail.
-- Missing optional previous artifact object: omit.
-- Downloaded previous artifacts must validate as non-empty files.
+Required previous-session inputs fail when unavailable; optional missing inputs are skipped.
 
-## Skip and resume behavior
-- Runner-level skip remains authoritative:
-  - if `prepare` already succeeded and run is not forced, `prepare` does not run and no hydration/download occurs.
-- If `prepare` runs (including with `--force`), it owns managed `previous/` state for canonical previous-session inputs.
-
-## Failure behavior
-- Fails on missing required input files, invalid audio-source combinations, empty/duplicate audio inputs, missing object store for S3 modes, and remote access/download/validation errors.
-- For required canonical previous-session inputs, analyze-time missing-input guidance is to rerun:
-  - `narratio run-stage --force prepare`
-
-## Tests to inspect before changing
-- `internal/stage/prepare_test.go`
-- `internal/stage/prepare_previous_test.go`
-- `internal/artifacts/previous_requirements_test.go`
-- `internal/app/runner_test.go`
-
-## Architectural invariants
-- `audio_dir`/`audio_files` and `audio_s3` are mutually exclusive.
-- Storage keys are computed by callers using path helpers; storage adapter receives explicit keys.
-- `prepare` is the only stage that hydrates canonical previous-session cache state.
+## Invariants
+- only `prepare` hydrates canonical `previous/` cache state.
+- managed previous artifacts are stored under `previous/artifacts/**` without duplicate `artifacts/artifacts/` nesting.
+- `manifest.inputs` ordering is deterministic (`kind`, `path`).
diff --git a/docs/internal/stage-publish.md b/docs/internal/stage-publish.md
index 8231473..208bd0c 100644
--- a/docs/internal/stage-publish.md
+++ b/docs/internal/stage-publish.md
@@ -1,88 +1,44 @@
 # Stage: publish
 
 ## Purpose
-Publish durable run/session state to object storage, then atomically advance remote current state.
+Upload run/session outputs to object storage and atomically advance remote current state.
 
-## Inputs and Outputs
-Inputs:
-- session manifest and prerequisite stage records
-- run root contents under `runs/{run_id}/`
-- publish output rules with artifact `source` IDs and publish `dest` paths (`pipeline.publish.outputs`)
-- effective source-based publish locks from static config and remote session lock store
-- session-level `previous/**` cache files when present
+## Inputs
+- successful prerequisite stages: `prepare`, `transcribe`, `merge`, `polish`, `normalize`, `trim`, `analyze`
+- run root `runs/{run_id}/**`
+- publish output rules (`pipeline.publish.outputs`)
+- effective publish locks (static + remote merged lock set)
+- local `previous/**` files when present
 
-Outputs:
-- uploaded run files under `{session_prefix}/runs/{run_id}/...`
-- uploaded published outputs under `{session_prefix}/...`
-- uploaded session previous-cache files under `{session_prefix}/previous/...` when present
-- `{session_prefix}/current/manifest.json`
-- `{session_prefix}/current/run_id.txt` written last
+## Outputs
+- uploaded run files under remote `runs/{run_id}/...` (excluding `audio/**`)
+- uploaded selected publish outputs under session prefix
+- uploaded `previous/**` files under session prefix when present
+- uploaded `current/manifest.json`
+- uploaded `current/run_id.txt` written last
 
-## Boundaries
-Owns:
-- publish enable/disable gate behavior
-- prerequisite stage success enforcement
-- run file collection and upload (excluding `audio/`)
-- publish output rule resolution and upload
-- publish lock enforcement
-- session previous-cache file collection/upload
-- commit pointer publish order
+## Key Behavior
+- stage can self-skip when publish disabled or run upload disabled.
+- validates prerequisite stage success and object-store availability.
+- collects deterministic run file list plus run `manifest.json`.
+- resolves publish output sources through runtime artifact catalog and manifest-aware resolution.
+- selected artifact filter applies to configured artifact sources only.
+- locked outputs are skipped intentionally (including required ones).
+- optional missing outputs are skipped; required missing unlocked outputs fail.
+- writes remote current manifest before current run pointer.
 
-Does not own:
-- stage execution before publish
-- post-publish local cleanup policy execution (handled by app cleanup logic)
+## Metadata Signals
+Includes counts/lists for:
+- run uploads
+- published output uploads
+- previous uploads
+- skipped optional outputs
+- skipped unselected outputs
+- locked outputs
+- current-state key paths
+- `current_pointer_written`
 
-## Config Fields Used
-- `pipeline.publish.enabled`
-- `pipeline.publish.upload_run`
-- `pipeline.publish.outputs`
-- `pipeline.publish.locks`
-- `{session_prefix}/locks.yml` loaded by app orchestration before publish execution
-- `pipeline.storage.s3.bucket`
-- `pipeline.storage.s3.root_prefix`
-- `pipeline.workspace.root`
-- `session.campaign`
-- `session.session_id`
-
-## External Adapters Used
-- Object storage backend (`env.ObjectStore`) for upload/list primitives.
-
-## State and Manifest Behavior
-- Requires `prepare`, `transcribe`, `merge`, `polish`, `normalize`, `trim`, and `analyze` status `succeeded`.
-- Resolves bucket/prefix from manifest identity first, then config fallback.
-- Uploads session `previous/**` files as durable session state when the local `previous/` directory exists.
-- Skips top-level published output uploads for effective locked sources; run-local materialized outputs remain unchanged.
-- When selected configured artifact keys are supplied, skips publish rules for unselected `narratio.artifact.<key>` sources; built-in transcript and bounds outputs still publish.
-- Effective locks are the union of `pipeline.publish.locks` and remote `{session_prefix}/locks.yml`; static pipeline locks win on duplicate sources.
-- Writes metadata including:
-  - upload counts/paths
-  - `previous_files_uploaded` and `previous_uploaded_paths`
-  - `published_files_uploaded` and `published_paths`
-  - `skipped_optional_outputs`
-  - `skipped_unselected_outputs`
-  - `locked_output_count` and `locked_outputs`
-  - `current_manifest_key`
-  - `current_run_id_key`
-  - `current_pointer_written`
-- On skipped publish path, returns metadata with `skipped=true` and pointer not written.
-
-## Skip and Resume Behavior
-- Stage may self-skip (metadata skip) when publish disabled or run upload disabled.
-- Runner-level skip also applies for previously succeeded stage unless forced.
-
-## Failure Behavior
-- Fails on missing prerequisite success, missing object store when required, missing run root, missing unlocked required output source, upload failures, or pointer write failures.
-- Locked required outputs are intentional skips and do not fail publish.
-- Pointer semantics are fail-safe: `current/run_id.txt` is not written if prior required uploads fail.
-
-## Tests to Inspect Before Changing
-- `internal/stage/archive_test.go`
-- `internal/app/post_archive_cleanup_test.go`
-
-## Architectural Invariants
-- Run upload excludes `audio/` subtree.
-- Session `previous/**` is publishable durable input/provenance state, not run-local output.
-- Ordinary `--force` does not override publish locks.
-- Malformed or unreadable remote lock store fails publish-capable execution before output uploads.
-- `current/manifest.json` uploads before `current/run_id.txt`.
-- `current/run_id.txt` is the remote publish commit marker.
+## Invariants
+- `current/run_id.txt` is the remote commit marker and is written last.
+- run upload excludes `audio/**`.
+- publish locks are not overridden by `--force`.
diff --git a/docs/internal/stage-transcribe.md b/docs/internal/stage-transcribe.md
index 8b7ce96..6d90ff9 100644
--- a/docs/internal/stage-transcribe.md
+++ b/docs/internal/stage-transcribe.md
@@ -1,58 +1,22 @@
 # Stage: transcribe
 
 ## Purpose
-Generate per-speaker raw transcripts from prepared audio using WhisperX.
+Generate raw per-speaker transcripts from prepared audio using WhisperX.
 
-## Inputs and Outputs
-Inputs:
-- `audio/*.flac` prepared by `prepare`
+## Inputs
+- `audio/*.flac` from `prepare`
 
-Outputs:
-- `transcripts/raw/<speaker>.json` for each input audio file
+## Outputs
+- `transcripts/raw/<speaker>.json`
 
-## Boundaries
-Owns:
-- Discovering prepared audio inputs
-- Deriving speaker ids from audio basenames
-- Parallel WhisperX invocation with bounded concurrency
-- Validating produced JSON and materializing run-local outputs
+## Key Behavior
+- discovers prepared audio from manifest inputs or canonical audio directory.
+- derives speaker ID from `.flac` basename.
+- runs WhisperX with configured concurrency/retry settings.
+- validates each output as JSON.
+- writes run-local outputs then materializes canonical transcript outputs.
 
-Does not own:
-- Transcript merge/polish/normalize/trim/analyze
-
-## Config Fields Used
-- `session.session_id`
-- `session.campaign`
-- `pipeline.workspace.root`
-- `pipeline.whisperx.transcribe_url`
-- `pipeline.whisperx.language`
-- `pipeline.whisperx.timeout`
-- `pipeline.whisperx.retries`
-- `pipeline.whisperx.retry_delay`
-- `pipeline.whisperx.concurrency`
-
-## External Adapters Used
-- WhisperX adapter (`env.WhisperX.Transcribe`).
-
-## State and Manifest Behavior
-- Uses run-local output paths under `runs/{run_id}/transcribe/outputs/...` when run layout is enabled.
-- Validates each generated transcript JSON before materialization.
-- Materializes canonical outputs to `transcripts/raw/*.json`.
-- Records per-file metadata (attempts/status/duration/output path) in stage metadata.
-
-## Skip and Resume Behavior
-- Runner-level skip applies for previously succeeded stage unless forced.
-- On forced upstream reruns, downstream succeeded stages can be marked `stale` by runner logic.
-
-## Failure Behavior
-- Fails if no prepared audio exists, duplicate speaker basenames are detected, adapter output path mismatches expected path, any output JSON is invalid, or one worker fails.
-- Cancels in-flight workers after first terminal error.
-
-## Tests to Inspect Before Changing
-- `internal/stage/transcribe_test.go`
-- `internal/app/whisperx_wiring_test.go`
-
-## Architectural Invariants
-- Speaker identity is derived from `.flac` basename and must be unique.
-- Every successful speaker output must be valid JSON before materialization.
-- Canonical raw transcript set is the only supported merge input surface.
+## Invariants
+- speaker basenames must be unique.
+- output path returned by adapter must match requested output path.
+- each successful output is validated before stage success.
diff --git a/docs/internal/stage-trim.md b/docs/internal/stage-trim.md
index d520e14..16b66bc 100644
--- a/docs/internal/stage-trim.md
+++ b/docs/internal/stage-trim.md
@@ -1,75 +1,28 @@
 # Stage: trim
 
 ## Purpose
-Optionally trim the final transcript to session bounds; always produce a durable final-trimmed transcript.
+Produce a final-trimmed transcript; optionally generate bounds-driven trim.
 
-## Inputs and Outputs
-Inputs:
+## Inputs
 - `transcripts/final.json`
 
-Outputs:
+## Outputs
 - `transcripts/final.trimmed.json` (or configured trim output path)
 - when trim enabled: `artifacts/session_bounds.json`
 
-## Boundaries
-Owns:
-- Trim-enabled switch behavior
-- Bounds generation via Scriptorium artifact run
-- Bounds validation against final transcript
-- Keep-selector derivation and Seriatim trim invocation
-- Copy-through behavior when disabled or bounds indicate unchanged transcript
+## Key Behavior
+When `trim.enabled=false`:
+- copies normalized transcript to trimmed output.
 
-Does not own:
-- Upstream normalization
-- Downstream artifact analysis
+When `trim.enabled=true`:
+- runs Scriptorium bounds artifact generation;
+- optionally runs render-debug output generation;
+- validates bounds payload against transcript;
+- derives keep selector;
+- either copies unchanged transcript or runs Seriatim trim;
+- validates trimmed transcript and materializes bounds output.
 
-## Config Fields Used
-- `session.session_id`
-- `session.campaign`
-- `pipeline.workspace.root`
-- `pipeline.trim.enabled`
-- `pipeline.trim.output_path`
-- `pipeline.trim.bounds.prompt_id`
-- `pipeline.trim.bounds.profile_id`
-- `pipeline.trim.bounds.timeout`
-- `pipeline.trim.bounds.output_path`
-- `pipeline.trim.bounds.transcript_input_name`
-- `pipeline.trim.bounds.render_debug`
-- `pipeline.trim.bounds.render_output_path`
-- `pipeline.seriatim.binary`
-- `pipeline.seriatim.timeout`
-- `pipeline.scriptorium.binary`
-- `pipeline.scriptorium.config_path`
-- `pipeline.scriptorium.timeout`
-
-## External Adapters Used
-- Scriptorium adapter:
-  - optional `RenderArtifact` for bounds debug render
-  - `RunArtifact` for bounds output
-- Seriatim adapter:
-  - `Trim` when bounds indicate trimming is required
-
-## State and Manifest Behavior
-- Reads final transcript from normalize manifest outputs when available; falls back to canonical path.
-- Uses run-local outputs/logs/reports/config/scratch paths when run layout is enabled.
-- Materializes canonical final-trimmed transcript and session bounds when trim is enabled.
-- Records bounds diagnostics, trim action, keep selector, and adapter metadata.
-
-## Skip and Resume Behavior
-- Runner-level skip applies when already succeeded and not forced.
-- Forced reruns can stale downstream succeeded stages.
-- When `trim.enabled=false`, stage still succeeds by copying final to final-trimmed output.
-
-## Failure Behavior
-- Fails on missing/invalid final transcript.
-- With trim enabled, fails on missing adapters/config, bounds generation/validation errors, invalid bounds JSON, invalid range/segment ids, trim adapter failures, or invalid final-trimmed output.
-
-## Tests to Inspect Before Changing
-- `internal/stage/trim_test.go`
-- `internal/adapters/scriptorium/subprocess_test.go`
-- `internal/adapters/seriatim/subprocess_test.go`
-
-## Architectural Invariants
-- Trim never falls back to polished transcript; final transcript is required input.
-- `session_bounds` output exists only for enabled trim path.
-- Render-debug artifacts are diagnostics and not declared stage outputs.
+## Invariants
+- normalized transcript is required input.
+- bounds output exists only in enabled trim path.
+- render-debug output is diagnostic and not a declared stage output.
diff --git a/docs/internal/storage.md b/docs/internal/storage.md
index 610f7a4..0c8422a 100644
--- a/docs/internal/storage.md
+++ b/docs/internal/storage.md
@@ -1,75 +1,37 @@
 # Internal: Storage
 
 ## Purpose
-Document Narratio's remote storage backend contracts and implementations under `internal/adapters/storage`.
+Document remote object-store contracts and S3 implementation behavior.
 
-## Inputs and outputs
-Inputs:
-- Resolved storage config (`pipeline.storage.*`).
-- Already-loaded environment variables for configured S3 credentials.
-- Bucket-relative object keys and local file paths from app/stage orchestration.
+## Primary Contract
+`storage.ObjectStore` interface:
+- `List(ctx, prefix)`
+- `Download(ctx, key, localPath)`
+- `Upload(ctx, localPath, key, opts)`
+- `Exists(ctx, key)`
 
-Outputs:
-- Listed/downloaded/uploaded object metadata (`ObjectInfo`).
-- Existence checks and storage-layer errors.
+Key invariant:
+- callers pass full bucket-relative keys;
+- storage implementations do not infer campaign/session/run prefixes.
 
-## Boundaries
-Owns:
-- Remote object-store interface and implementation details.
-- S3 client wiring and API calls.
-- Object key normalization and upload/download/list primitives.
+## Configuration
+`NewObjectStoreFromConfig` currently supports S3-backed stores from `pipeline.storage.*` config.
 
-Does not own:
-- Session/run prefix semantics.
-- Archive commit order semantics.
-- Manifest updates.
-- Filesystem secret loading from `pipeline.secrets.env_dir`.
+S3 constructor behavior:
+- requires configured bucket;
+- uses region/endpoint/path-style options when set;
+- resolves credentials from configured env var names (with defaults).
 
-## Config fields used
-- `pipeline.storage.backend`
-- `pipeline.storage.s3.bucket`
-- `pipeline.storage.s3.region`
-- `pipeline.storage.s3.endpoint`
-- `pipeline.storage.s3.force_path_style`
-- `pipeline.storage.s3.access_key_id_env`
-- `pipeline.storage.s3.secret_access_key_env`
+## S3 Backend Behavior
+- normalizes object keys.
+- `List` paginates and returns normalized `ObjectInfo`.
+- `Download` writes local files with parent directory creation.
+- `Upload` streams local file and returns remote metadata.
+- `Exists` maps not-found responses to `false`.
 
-## External adapters used
-Storage package contracts:
-- `ObjectStore` (active remote object-store boundary): `List`, `Download`, `Upload`, `Exists`.
-- `Backend` (legacy compatibility boundary): currently implemented with `NoopBackend` only.
+## Legacy Compatibility Interface
+`storage.Backend` (with `ArchiveRequest`) remains as compatibility surface with `NoopBackend`; it is not used by current stage execution.
 
-Implementations:
-- `S3Backend`: AWS SDK-backed `ObjectStore` implementation.
-- `FakeBackend`: deterministic test `ObjectStore` and compatibility backend.
-- `NoopBackend`: deterministic no-op compatibility backend for wiring/tests.
-
-## State and manifest behavior
-- Storage implementations are stateless with respect to manifest/session lifecycle.
-- Caller supplies fully-qualified bucket-relative keys.
-- Storage layer does not infer campaign/session/run/root-prefix semantics.
-- Caller controls publish ordering; storage layer executes individual operations in the order invoked.
-
-## Skip and resume behavior
-- No storage-level skip/resume behavior.
-- Skip/resume decisions are made by stage/app logic before storage calls occur.
-
-## Failure behavior
-- `NewObjectStoreFromConfig` fails when no remote backend is configured or required S3 config is missing.
-- `S3Backend` constructor fails when required bucket is missing or AWS client setup fails.
-- App command orchestration loads configured filesystem secrets before calling the object-store factory.
-- CRUD operations return contextual errors (including not-found behavior via `Exists`).
-- Key normalization is applied before operations (`\\` to `/`, leading slash trimmed).
-- Remote session loading uses `List` to find the exact `session.yml` key and `Download` to materialize it to a local temp file.
-
-## Tests to inspect before changing
-- `internal/adapters/storage/factory_test.go`
-- `internal/adapters/storage/s3_backend_test.go`
-- `internal/adapters/storage/fake_test.go`
-- `internal/adapters/storage/keys_test.go`
-- `internal/adapters/storage/archive.go` + consumers in stage tests (`prepare`, `publish`)
-
-## Architectural invariants
-- Callers pass full bucket-relative keys.
-- Storage backends must not prepend or infer narratio prefixes.
-- Remote transport details remain isolated to storage adapter implementations.
+## Invariants
+- storage layer is stateless regarding manifest/stage progression.
+- publish ordering semantics are owned by stage/app code, not storage adapters.
diff --git a/docs/internal/workspace.md b/docs/internal/workspace.md
index ca97482..e8863d5 100644
--- a/docs/internal/workspace.md
+++ b/docs/internal/workspace.md
@@ -1,78 +1,57 @@
-# Workspace internals
+# Internal: Workspace
 
 ## Purpose
-Define the local durable and run-local workspace model used by stages, manifests, resume, and publish.
+Define local session layout, run-local stage layout, and cleanup guardrails.
 
-## Inputs and Outputs
-Inputs:
-- `pipeline.workspace.root`
-- `session.campaign`
-- `session.session_id`
-- generated `run_id`
+## Canonical Session Layout
+Session root:
+- `{workspace.root}/work/{campaign}/{session_id}`
 
-Outputs:
-- Session manifest at `{workspace.root}/work/{campaign}/{session_id}/manifest.json`
-- Run manifest at `{workspace.root}/work/{campaign}/{session_id}/runs/{run_id}/manifest.json`
-- Canonical durable session directories and run-local stage trees
+Core directories/files:
+- `inputs/`
+- `audio/`
+- `transcripts/`
+- `artifacts/`
+- `reports/`
+- `logs/`
+- `config/`
+- `current/`
+- `runs/`
+- `previous/`
+- `manifest.json`
+- `.lock`
 
-## Boundaries
-Owns:
-- Session-level path layout (`inputs/`, `audio/`, `transcripts/`, `artifacts/`, `reports/`, `logs/`, `config/`, `current/`, `runs/`, `previous/`)
-  - `previous/manifest.json` and `previous/artifacts/**` are reserved for previous-session cache state materialized by `prepare` or `restore`
-- Run-local stage sandbox layout under `runs/{run_id}/{stage}/`
-- Session lock acquisition/release (`.lock`)
+`previous/` reserved files:
+- `previous/manifest.json`
+- `previous/artifacts/**`
 
-Does not own:
-- Stage business logic
-- Remote publish semantics (documented in `stage-publish.md`)
-- CLI argument parsing
+## Run-Local Stage Layout
+When run context is available, stages use:
+- `runs/{run_id}/{stage}/outputs/`
+- `runs/{run_id}/{stage}/logs/`
+- `runs/{run_id}/{stage}/reports/`
+- `runs/{run_id}/{stage}/config/`
+- `runs/{run_id}/{stage}/scratch/`
 
-## Config Fields Used
-- `pipeline.workspace.root`
-- `pipeline.workspace.cleanup_after_publish`
-- `pipeline.spool.root`
-- `pipeline.spool.delete_audio_after_publish`
-- `pipeline.cache.root`
-- `pipeline.cache.s3_audio`
-- `session.campaign`
-- `session.session_id`
+Run-local outputs are materialized back into canonical session paths before stage success.
+`previous/**` writes are never redirected to run-local output paths.
 
-## External Adapters Used
-None directly in this subsystem. Stages may use object storage adapters and then write local outputs into this layout.
+## Locking
+`artifacts.LocalStore` enforces single-writer session lock via `.lock` file (`ErrLockConflict` on contention).
 
-## State and Manifest Behavior
-- Session state is persisted in the session manifest (`manifest.Manifest`).
-- Invocation history is persisted per run in run manifests under `runs/{run_id}/manifest.json`.
-- During each run, stage outputs are often written run-local first (`runs/{run_id}/{stage}/outputs/...`) and then materialized to canonical session paths after stage success.
-- `manifest.Artifacts` entries record `ProducerRunID` for durable outputs.
-- For S3 audio sessions, `prepare` records work/cache paths, S3 provenance, and spool path when the invocation downloaded the object.
-- `previous/**` is reconstructed from configured previous-session requirements; restore uses the previous session's committed current publish state rather than treating current-session stored `previous/**` as authoritative.
-- Durable cache state under `pipeline.cache.root` is not workspace state and is preserved by default by `narratio clean`.
-- `narratio clean <id>` removes the session work root and session spool root.
-- `narratio clean --all` removes all local session work under `workspace.root/work` and spool children under `spool.root`.
-- `narratio clean --clear-cache` is the explicit opt-in for deleting matching S3 audio cache entries.
+## Cleanup Semantics
+Automatic post-publish cleanup (`runPostArchiveCleanup`):
+- only runs when publish actually executed and succeeded;
+- requires `uploaded=true` and `current_pointer_written=true` metadata;
+- respects `pipeline.spool.delete_audio_after_publish` and `pipeline.workspace.cleanup_after_publish`;
+- refuses unsafe deletes (root delete, out-of-root delete, symlink paths).
 
-## Skip and Resume Behavior
-- Skip/resume decisions are made in `internal/app` (`run_control.go`, `resume.go`) using stage status in the session manifest.
-- `--force` reruns selected stages and marks downstream previously-succeeded stages as `stale`.
-- Workspace layout is idempotent (`EnsureLayoutFor`) and reused across runs.
+Manual clean command:
+- `clean <session_id>` removes session work and spool subtree.
+- `clean --all` removes all workspace work and spool children.
+- durable cache is preserved unless `--clear-cache` is requested.
 
-## Failure Behavior
-- Failures preserve manifests and run-local files for inspection.
-- Lock conflicts fail fast via `ErrLockConflict`.
-- Cleanup can fail post-publish; failure is recorded in publish stage metadata and returned by the run.
-
-## Tests to Inspect Before Changing
-- `internal/artifacts/local_test.go`
-- `internal/stage/run_local_test.go`
-- `internal/app/run_control_test.go`
-- `internal/app/resume_run_stage_test.go`
-- `internal/app/post_archive_cleanup_test.go`
-
-## Architectural Invariants
-- Session root is campaign-aware: `{workspace.root}/work/{campaign}/{session_id}`.
-- Run roots are always nested: `runs/{run_id}` under the session root.
-- Run-local output materialization must end in canonical session paths.
-- `previous/**` is session-durable state and must not be treated as run-local output scratch state.
-- Automatic post-publish cleanup only targets run-scoped directories and must never delete configured root directories.
-- Manual `clean` may delete session-scoped directories or the `workspace.root/work` directory, but it must preserve configured root directories and reject unsafe targets.
+## Invariants
+- campaign-aware session root is mandatory.
+- manifest-driven stage state is durable across runs.
+- cleanup guardrails prevent destructive root/out-of-scope deletion.