diff --git a/docs/cli.md b/docs/cli.md
index 364d71a..0b3dd1a 100644
--- a/docs/cli.md
+++ b/docs/cli.md
@@ -281,7 +281,8 @@ execution; the preview does not predict output identities.
 narratio session validate <session_id> [...common config flags]
 ```
 
-Read-only preflight checks for config validity, required inputs, audio mode, previous-session requirements, publish outputs, and effective locks.
+Read-only preflight checks for config validity, required inputs, audio mode,
+previous-session requirements, publish outputs, and independent remote locks.
 
 ### `session status`
 
@@ -290,7 +291,10 @@ narratio session status <session_id> [...common config flags]
 ```
 
 Prints local manifest state and, when storage is available, status for the
-pointer-selected remote commit and its declared published outputs.
+pointer-selected remote commit and its declared published outputs. Current
+publish metadata reports `published`, `carried_locked`, `locked_unpublished`,
+`optional_missing`, and `unselected`; carried output lines include the run
+derived from their exact declared key.
 
 ### `session init`
 
@@ -348,7 +352,8 @@ narratio session artifacts <session_id> [--remote] [...common config flags]
 Lists effective built-in, configured Scriptorium, and configured extraction
 sources; reports planned, available, unavailable, and published state without
 reading payload bodies; and includes publish rules, lock state, and optional
-remote published-state availability.
+remote published-state availability. Remote inspection uses exact commit
+declarations and displays the five current publish outcomes when recorded.
 
 ### `session locks`
 
@@ -360,12 +365,14 @@ narratio session locks remove <session_id> <source> [...common config flags]
 
 Behavior:
 
-- list mode reports the effective merge of static and remote locks;
-- add/remove mutate only remote locks;
-- static locks from pipeline config cannot be removed by CLI commands.
+- list mode validates and reports independent remote locks sorted by source;
+- add creates one lock and reports an existing lock unless `--force` is used;
+- `--force` performs one generation-matched replacement and reports a
+  concurrent change for operator retry; and
+- remove is idempotent and reports when the source was not locked.
 
 See [Operations: Publish Locks](./operations.md#publish-locks) for lock storage
-and precedence.
+and publication behavior.
 
 ## `--artifacts` Selection Rules
 
diff --git a/docs/operations.md b/docs/operations.md
index 29d3c98..e491f51 100644
--- a/docs/operations.md
+++ b/docs/operations.md
@@ -345,10 +345,11 @@ outcome changes also stale affected downstream stages, while an identical
 repeated `notarius_disabled` self-skip does not repeatedly invalidate them.
 
 Publish reuse additionally tracks enabled/run-upload behavior, normalized
-output rules, static locks, and remote backend/bucket/region/endpoint/root
-identity. Credential environment names, local workspace placement, and run IDs
-are excluded. Regardless of semantic reuse evidence, executing publish still
-revalidates mutable remote locks immediately before commit selection.
+output rules, the currently supported configured lock field, and remote
+backend/bucket/region/endpoint/root identity. Credential environment names,
+local workspace placement, and run IDs are excluded. Regardless of semantic
+reuse evidence, executing publish reads independent remote locks directly and
+rechecks initially unlocked sources before commit selection.
 
 ## Publish Workflow
 
@@ -399,24 +400,27 @@ local `current_pointer_written` metadata.
 
 ## Publish Locks
 
-Lock sources:
+Each mutable lock is an independent strict JSON object at
+`{session_prefix}/locks/{sha256(source)}.lock`. The lowercase digest is computed
+from the exact canonical source. Listing validates every object in that
+reserved prefix and reports locks sorted by source.
 
-- static locks in `pipeline.publish.locks`
-- mutable remote locks in `{session_prefix}/locks.yml`
+Operational rules:
 
-Effective lock rules:
-
-- static and remote locks are merged;
-- static locks win on source collisions;
-- locked outputs are intentional skips;
-- lock add/remove commands mutate only remote lock state through generation-bound
-  conditional writes. A command retries a bounded number of concurrent
-  conflicts while its invocation context remains active, so it never replaces a
-  different lock-document generation; and
-- a publish re-reads remote locks immediately before it writes the current
-  commit pointer. A lock committed before that recheck prevents selecting the
-  new snapshot, even though its already-uploaded immutable objects may remain
-  available for a later retry.
+- add uses conditional creation and reports an existing lock;
+- add with `--force` observes the current generation and attempts one
+  generation-matched replacement. A concurrent change is reported for an
+  explicit operator retry;
+- remove is idempotent and reports whether a lock was present;
+- the initial publish lock snapshot controls output planning. A locked source
+  carries its exact declaration from the prior current commit when available;
+  a never-published locked source remains absent even when required;
+- carried bytes are not copied. Publish verifies the prior object's exact key,
+  size, and generation without downloading it; and
+- after immutable uploads and the immutable commit, publish re-reads every
+  initially unlocked participating source. A newly added lock prevents the
+  current pointer from advancing, although the immutable attempt may remain.
+  A removed initial lock may conservatively cause one carry.
 
 Examples:
 
diff --git a/docs/roadmap/implementation.md b/docs/roadmap/implementation.md
index 1742350..16634e3 100644
--- a/docs/roadmap/implementation.md
+++ b/docs/roadmap/implementation.md
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ locked-source work, and exactly one pointer write. Run
 
 ## Stage 8 — Migrate Commands And Inspection
 
-**Status:** Pending
+**Status:** Completed
 
 ### Goal
 
diff --git a/internal/app/operator_artifact_rendering.go b/internal/app/operator_artifact_rendering.go
index 62d68c7..345dfc1 100644
--- a/internal/app/operator_artifact_rendering.go
+++ b/internal/app/operator_artifact_rendering.go
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ func buildHelperArtifactCatalog(cfg *config.Config, m *manifest.Manifest) (*arti
 	return catalog, nil
 }
 
-func writeArtifactList(out io.Writer, cfg *config.Config, catalog *artifacts.ArtifactCatalog, locks *effectiveLocks, publishedRemoteState map[string]string) {
-	lockSet := lockSourceSet(locks.All)
+func writeArtifactList(out io.Writer, cfg *config.Config, catalog *artifacts.ArtifactCatalog, locks []artifacts.RemoteLock, publishedRemoteState map[string]string) {
+	lockSet := remoteLockSourceSet(locks)
 	fmt.Fprintln(out, "Built-in:")
 	for _, transcript := range artifacts.RuntimeTranscriptArtifacts() {
 		writeArtifactLine(out, transcript.SourceID, lockSet)
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ func writeArtifactList(out io.Writer, cfg *config.Config, catalog *artifacts.Art
 	}
 }
 
-func writeConfiguredArtifactLine(out io.Writer, source, state, provenance string, lockSet map[string]config.PublishLockRule, origins map[string]config.ArtifactFamilyMemberOrigin) {
+func writeConfiguredArtifactLine(out io.Writer, source, state, provenance string, lockSet map[string]struct{}, origins map[string]config.ArtifactFamilyMemberOrigin) {
 	parts := []string{source, "planned", state}
 	if key, ok := artifactpolicy.ParseConfiguredSource(source); ok {
 		if origin, family := origins[key]; family {
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ func writeConfiguredArtifactLine(out io.Writer, source, state, provenance string
 	fmt.Fprintf(out, "- %s\n", strings.Join(parts, " "))
 }
 
-func writeExtractionArtifactLine(out io.Writer, source, state, provenance string, lockSet map[string]config.PublishLockRule) {
+func writeExtractionArtifactLine(out io.Writer, source, state, provenance string, lockSet map[string]struct{}) {
 	parts := []string{source, "planned", state}
 	if strings.TrimSpace(provenance) != "" {
 		parts = append(parts, "provenance="+strings.TrimSpace(provenance))
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ func writeExtractionArtifactLine(out io.Writer, source, state, provenance string
 	fmt.Fprintf(out, "- %s\n", strings.Join(parts, " "))
 }
 
-func writeArtifactLine(out io.Writer, source string, lockSet map[string]config.PublishLockRule) {
+func writeArtifactLine(out io.Writer, source string, lockSet map[string]struct{}) {
 	parts := []string{source}
 	if _, ok := lockSet[source]; ok {
 		parts = append(parts, "locked")
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ func writeArtifactLine(out io.Writer, source string, lockSet map[string]config.P
 	fmt.Fprintf(out, "- %s\n", strings.Join(parts, " "))
 }
 
-func writePublishedOutputLine(out io.Writer, rule config.PublishOutputRule, catalog *artifacts.ArtifactCatalog, lockSet map[string]config.PublishLockRule, remoteState map[string]string) {
+func writePublishedOutputLine(out io.Writer, rule config.PublishOutputRule, catalog *artifacts.ArtifactCatalog, lockSet map[string]struct{}, remoteState map[string]string) {
 	source := strings.TrimSpace(rule.Source)
 	parts := []string{source}
 	if _, ok := lockSet[source]; ok {
@@ -127,6 +127,14 @@ func writePublishedOutputLine(out io.Writer, rule config.PublishOutputRule, cata
 	fmt.Fprintf(out, "- %s\n", strings.Join(parts, " "))
 }
 
+func remoteLockSourceSet(locks []artifacts.RemoteLock) map[string]struct{} {
+	out := make(map[string]struct{}, len(locks))
+	for _, lock := range locks {
+		out[lock.Source] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 func unresolvedRemotePublishedOutputAvailability(cfg *config.Config, catalog *artifacts.ArtifactCatalog, state string) map[string]string {
 	out := map[string]string{}
 	for _, rule := range cfg.Pipeline.Publish.Outputs {
@@ -151,6 +159,7 @@ func remotePublishedOutputAvailabilityForCurrent(
 	if current == nil || current.Commit == nil {
 		return unresolvedRemotePublishedOutputAvailability(cfg, catalog, "remote=missing")
 	}
+	outcomes := committedPublishOutputOutcomes(current.Manifest)
 	out := map[string]string{}
 	for _, rule := range cfg.Pipeline.Publish.Outputs {
 		source := strings.TrimSpace(rule.Source)
@@ -159,26 +168,31 @@ func remotePublishedOutputAvailabilityForCurrent(
 			out[publishedOutputRemoteStateKey(source, "")] = "remote=error"
 			continue
 		}
+		outcome := outcomes[source]
+		state := ""
+		if outcome != "" {
+			state = "outcome=" + outcome + " "
+		}
 		declaration, ok := committedPublishedOutput(current.Commit, source)
 		if !ok {
-			out[publishedOutputRemoteStateKey(source, dest)] = "remote=missing"
+			out[publishedOutputRemoteStateKey(source, dest)] = state + "remote=missing"
 			continue
 		}
 		identity, err := artifacts.ParseImmutableRunObjectKey(current.SessionPrefix, declaration.DestinationKey)
 		if err != nil {
-			out[publishedOutputRemoteStateKey(source, dest)] = "remote=error"
+			out[publishedOutputRemoteStateKey(source, dest)] = state + "remote=error"
 			continue
 		}
 		exists, err := store.Exists(ctx, declaration.DestinationKey)
 		if err != nil {
-			out[publishedOutputRemoteStateKey(source, dest)] = "remote=error"
+			out[publishedOutputRemoteStateKey(source, dest)] = state + "remote=error"
 			continue
 		}
 		if !exists {
-			out[publishedOutputRemoteStateKey(source, dest)] = "remote=missing"
+			out[publishedOutputRemoteStateKey(source, dest)] = state + "remote=missing"
 			continue
 		}
-		state := "remote=published"
+		state += "remote=published"
 		if identity.RunID != current.RunID {
 			state += " origin_run=" + identity.RunID
 		}
@@ -187,6 +201,43 @@ func remotePublishedOutputAvailabilityForCurrent(
 	return out
 }
 
+func committedPublishOutputOutcomes(m *manifest.Manifest) map[string]string {
+	out := map[string]string{}
+	if m == nil || m.Stages["publish"] == nil {
+		return out
+	}
+	raw := m.Stages["publish"].Metadata["publish_output_outcomes"]
+	appendOutcome := func(item map[string]any) {
+		source, sourceOK := item["source"].(string)
+		status, statusOK := item["status"].(string)
+		if sourceOK && statusOK && isPublishOutputOutcome(status) {
+			out[source] = status
+		}
+	}
+	switch items := raw.(type) {
+	case []any:
+		for _, rawItem := range items {
+			if item, ok := rawItem.(map[string]any); ok {
+				appendOutcome(item)
+			}
+		}
+	case []map[string]any:
+		for _, item := range items {
+			appendOutcome(item)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func isPublishOutputOutcome(status string) bool {
+	switch status {
+	case "published", "carried_locked", "locked_unpublished", "optional_missing", "unselected":
+		return true
+	default:
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
 func committedPublishedOutput(commit *artifacts.RemoteCommitManifest, source string) (artifacts.RemoteArtifact, bool) {
 	if commit == nil {
 		return artifacts.RemoteArtifact{}, false
diff --git a/internal/app/operator_helpers.go b/internal/app/operator_helpers.go
index 4143083..2424367 100644
--- a/internal/app/operator_helpers.go
+++ b/internal/app/operator_helpers.go
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ func Artifacts(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	}
 }
 
-func loadHelperContext(ctx context.Context, flags commonConfigFlags, needStore bool) (*config.Config, storage.ObjectStore, *effectiveLocks, *manifest.Manifest, func(), error) {
+func loadHelperContext(ctx context.Context, flags commonConfigFlags, needStore bool) (*config.Config, storage.ObjectStore, []artifacts.RemoteLock, *manifest.Manifest, func(), error) {
 	loaded, err := loadCommandConfig(ctx, flags.pipelinePath, flags.campaignPath, flags.campaignFilePath, flags.sessionPath, flags.sessionOptions())
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, nil, nil, nil, err
@@ -118,9 +118,16 @@ func loadHelperContext(ctx context.Context, flags commonConfigFlags, needStore b
 	} else {
 		store, _ = objectStoreIfConfigured(ctx, cfg)
 	}
-	locks, err := loadEffectiveLocks(ctx, cfg, store)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, nil, nil, nil, err
+	var locks []artifacts.RemoteLock
+	if store != nil {
+		sessionPrefix, prefixErr := artifacts.ResolvePublishSessionPrefix(cfg, nil)
+		if prefixErr != nil {
+			return nil, nil, nil, nil, nil, prefixErr
+		}
+		locks, err = artifacts.ListRemoteLocks(ctx, store, sessionPrefix)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, nil, nil, nil, err
+		}
 	}
 	paths := artifacts.NewLocalStore(cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.Root).SessionPathsFor(cfg.Session.Campaign, cfg.Session.SessionID)
 	m, err := loadLocalManifest(ctx, paths.ManifestPath)
diff --git a/internal/app/operator_helpers_test.go b/internal/app/operator_helpers_test.go
index 3cf97de..3140c62 100644
--- a/internal/app/operator_helpers_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/operator_helpers_test.go
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ func TestOperatorCommandsReportConfiguredSpellCatalog(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestExecuteLocksAddListAndRemoveUseRemoteLockStore(t *testing.T) {
+func TestExecuteLocksAddListAndRemoveUseIndependentObjects(t *testing.T) {
 	workspaceRoot := t.TempDir()
 	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writeValidConfigFiles(t, workspaceRoot)
 	fake := &storage.FakeBackend{}
@@ -534,13 +534,17 @@ func TestExecuteLocksAddListAndRemoveUseRemoteLockStore(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("locks add exit code = %d, want 0; stderr=%q", code, stderr.String())
 	}
-	key := artifacts.S3SessionLocksKey(artifacts.S3SessionPrefix("dnd", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03"))
+	key, err := artifacts.RemoteLockKey(artifacts.S3SessionPrefix("dnd", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03"), "narratio.transcript.final_trimmed")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
 	obj, ok := fake.Objects[key]
 	if !ok {
 		t.Fatalf("remote locks key %q not uploaded", key)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(string(obj.Data), "source: narratio.transcript.final_trimmed") || !strings.Contains(string(obj.Data), "reason: manual edit") {
-		t.Fatalf("lock store data = %q", string(obj.Data))
+	lock, err := artifacts.DecodeRemoteLock(obj.Data)
+	if err != nil || lock.Source != "narratio.transcript.final_trimmed" || lock.Reason != "manual edit" {
+		t.Fatalf("lock object = %#v, %v", lock, err)
 	}
 
 	stdout.Reset()
@@ -554,7 +558,7 @@ func TestExecuteLocksAddListAndRemoveUseRemoteLockStore(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("locks list exit code = %d, want 0; stderr=%q", code, stderr.String())
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "- narratio.transcript.final_trimmed origin=remote") {
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "- narratio.transcript.final_trimmed published reason=manual edit created_at=") {
 		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want remote lock", stdout.String())
 	}
 
@@ -569,15 +573,56 @@ func TestExecuteLocksAddListAndRemoveUseRemoteLockStore(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("locks remove exit code = %d, want 0; stderr=%q", code, stderr.String())
 	}
-	store, err := config.LoadPublishLockStoreBytes("locks.yml", fake.Objects[key].Data, nil, nil)
+	if _, exists := fake.Objects[key]; exists {
+		t.Fatalf("lock object %q remains after remove", key)
+	}
+	stdout.Reset()
+	stderr.Reset()
+	code = Execute([]string{
+		"session", "locks", "remove", "2026-05-03", "narratio.transcript.final_trimmed",
+		"--config", pipelinePath,
+		"--campaign-file", campaignPath,
+		"--session", sessionPath,
+	}, &stdout, &stderr)
+	if code != 0 || !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "was not locked") {
+		t.Fatalf("idempotent remove exit code = %d, stdout=%q stderr=%q", code, stdout.String(), stderr.String())
+	}
+	if storeInitCalls != 4 {
+		t.Fatalf("object store init calls = %d, want 4", storeInitCalls)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestExecuteLocksListIsSortedAndRejectsMalformedObjects(t *testing.T) {
+	workspaceRoot := t.TempDir()
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writeValidConfigFiles(t, workspaceRoot)
+	fake := &storage.FakeBackend{}
+	var storeInitCalls int
+	restoreAppConfigTestGlobals(t, fake, &storeInitCalls, []string{sessionPath})
+	sessionPrefix := artifacts.S3SessionPrefix("dnd", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03")
+	seedOperatorRemoteLock(t, fake, sessionPrefix, "narratio.transcript.final_trimmed", "second")
+	seedOperatorRemoteLock(t, fake, sessionPrefix, "narratio.transcript.final", "first")
+	args := []string{"session", "locks", "2026-05-03", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--session", sessionPath}
+
+	var stdout bytes.Buffer
+	var stderr bytes.Buffer
+	if code := Execute(args, &stdout, &stderr); code != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("locks list exit code = %d; stderr=%q", code, stderr.String())
+	}
+	first := strings.Index(stdout.String(), "narratio.transcript.final ")
+	second := strings.Index(stdout.String(), "narratio.transcript.final_trimmed ")
+	if first < 0 || second < 0 || first >= second {
+		t.Fatalf("locks list is not source sorted: %q", stdout.String())
+	}
+
+	badKey, err := artifacts.RemoteLockKey(sessionPrefix, "narratio.transcript.base")
 	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("LoadPublishLockStoreBytes() error = %v", err)
+		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if len(store.Locks) != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("locks after remove = %#v, want empty", store.Locks)
-	}
-	if storeInitCalls != 3 {
-		t.Fatalf("object store init calls = %d, want 3", storeInitCalls)
+	fake.SeedObject(storage.FakeObject{Key: badKey, Data: []byte(`{"format_version":1}`)})
+	stdout.Reset()
+	stderr.Reset()
+	if code := Execute(args, &stdout, &stderr); code == 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("malformed lock list exit code = 0; stdout=%q", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
@@ -747,9 +792,47 @@ func TestExecuteLocksAddDuplicateRequiresForce(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("forced locks add exit code = %d, want 0; stderr=%q", code, stderr.String())
 	}
-	key := artifacts.S3SessionLocksKey(artifacts.S3SessionPrefix("dnd", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03"))
-	if !strings.Contains(string(fake.Objects[key].Data), "reason: second") {
-		t.Fatalf("lock store data = %q, want updated reason", string(fake.Objects[key].Data))
+	key, err := artifacts.RemoteLockKey(artifacts.S3SessionPrefix("dnd", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03"), "narratio.transcript.final_trimmed")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	lock, err := artifacts.DecodeRemoteLock(fake.Objects[key].Data)
+	if err != nil || lock.Reason != "second" {
+		t.Fatalf("lock object = %#v, %v; want updated reason", lock, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestExecuteLocksForceReportsConcurrentReplacement(t *testing.T) {
+	workspaceRoot := t.TempDir()
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writeValidConfigFiles(t, workspaceRoot)
+	fake := &storage.FakeBackend{}
+	var storeInitCalls int
+	restoreAppConfigTestGlobals(t, fake, &storeInitCalls, []string{sessionPath})
+	sessionPrefix := artifacts.S3SessionPrefix("dnd", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03")
+	key := seedOperatorRemoteLock(t, fake, sessionPrefix, "narratio.transcript.final_trimmed", "first")
+	replacement, err := artifacts.NewRemoteLock("narratio.transcript.final_trimmed", "concurrent", time.Date(2026, 5, 20, 1, 2, 3, 0, time.UTC))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	replacementData, err := artifacts.EncodeRemoteLock(replacement)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	fake.UploadHook = func(call storage.FakeUploadCall) error {
+		if call.Key == key {
+			fake.SeedObject(storage.FakeObject{Key: key, Data: replacementData})
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	var stdout bytes.Buffer
+	var stderr bytes.Buffer
+	code := Execute([]string{
+		"session", "locks", "add", "2026-05-03", "narratio.transcript.final_trimmed", "--force",
+		"--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--session", sessionPath,
+	}, &stdout, &stderr)
+	if code == 0 || !strings.Contains(stderr.String(), "changed concurrently; retry") {
+		t.Fatalf("forced conflict exit code = %d, stderr=%q", code, stderr.String())
 	}
 }
 
@@ -825,7 +908,7 @@ func TestExecuteLocksMutationRejectsSessionIDMismatch(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestExecuteLocksCannotModifyStaticLocks(t *testing.T) {
+func TestExecuteLocksDoNotTreatStaticConfigAsAuthority(t *testing.T) {
 	workspaceRoot := t.TempDir()
 	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writeValidConfigFiles(t, workspaceRoot)
 	addStaticPublishLockToPipelineConfig(t, pipelinePath, "narratio.transcript.final_trimmed")
@@ -841,11 +924,8 @@ func TestExecuteLocksCannotModifyStaticLocks(t *testing.T) {
 		"--campaign-file", campaignPath,
 		"--session", sessionPath,
 	}, &stdout, &stderr)
-	if code == 0 {
-		t.Fatal("locks add static lock exit code = 0, want non-zero")
-	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stderr.String(), "locked by pipeline config") {
-		t.Fatalf("stderr = %q, want static lock error", stderr.String())
+	if code != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("locks add exit code = %d, want 0; stderr=%q", code, stderr.String())
 	}
 
 	stdout.Reset()
@@ -856,11 +936,8 @@ func TestExecuteLocksCannotModifyStaticLocks(t *testing.T) {
 		"--campaign-file", campaignPath,
 		"--session", sessionPath,
 	}, &stdout, &stderr)
-	if code == 0 {
-		t.Fatal("locks remove static lock exit code = 0, want non-zero")
-	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stderr.String(), "locked by pipeline config") {
-		t.Fatalf("stderr = %q, want static lock error", stderr.String())
+	if code != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("locks remove exit code = %d, want 0; stderr=%q", code, stderr.String())
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1125,12 +1202,11 @@ func TestExecuteStatusReportsRemoteArtifactCatalog(t *testing.T) {
 `)
 	fake := &storage.FakeBackend{}
 	sessionPrefix := artifacts.S3SessionPrefix("dnd", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03")
-	lockKey := artifacts.S3SessionLocksKey(sessionPrefix)
 	seedOperatorCommittedOutputs(t, fake, map[string]string{
 		"narratio.transcript.final_trimmed": "transcripts/final.trimmed.json",
 		"narratio.transcript.final":         "transcripts/full.json",
 	})
-	fake.SeedObject(storage.FakeObject{Key: lockKey, Data: []byte("locks:\n  - source: narratio.transcript.final_trimmed\n    reason: remote review\n")})
+	seedOperatorRemoteLock(t, fake, sessionPrefix, "narratio.transcript.final_trimmed", "remote review")
 	var storeInitCalls int
 	restoreAppConfigTestGlobals(t, fake, &storeInitCalls, []string{sessionPath})
 
@@ -1484,6 +1560,24 @@ func replaceInFileOrFatal(t *testing.T, path, old, new string) {
 	}
 }
 
+func seedOperatorRemoteLock(t *testing.T, fake *storage.FakeBackend, sessionPrefix, source, reason string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	lock, err := artifacts.NewRemoteLock(source, reason, time.Date(2026, 5, 19, 1, 2, 3, 0, time.UTC))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewRemoteLock() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	data, err := artifacts.EncodeRemoteLock(lock)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("EncodeRemoteLock() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	key, err := artifacts.RemoteLockKey(sessionPrefix, source)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("RemoteLockKey() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	fake.SeedObject(storage.FakeObject{Key: key, Data: data})
+	return key
+}
+
 func writeValidPublishRunConfigFiles(t *testing.T, workspaceRoot string) (string, string, string) {
 	t.Helper()
 	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writeValidConfigFiles(t, workspaceRoot)
diff --git a/internal/app/operator_inspection.go b/internal/app/operator_inspection.go
index 96edc7b..3d038f9 100644
--- a/internal/app/operator_inspection.go
+++ b/internal/app/operator_inspection.go
@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ type remoteCurrentStateCheck struct {
 	Err   error
 }
 
-type effectiveLocksCheck struct {
-	Locks *effectiveLocks
+type remoteLocksCheck struct {
+	Locks []artifacts.RemoteLock
 	Err   error
 }
 
@@ -194,12 +194,19 @@ func inspectRemoteCurrentState(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, store st
 	return remoteCurrentStateCheck{State: current}
 }
 
-func inspectEffectiveLocks(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, store storage.ObjectStore) effectiveLocksCheck {
-	locks, err := loadEffectiveLocks(ctx, cfg, store)
-	if err != nil {
-		return effectiveLocksCheck{Err: err}
+func inspectRemoteLocks(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, store storage.ObjectStore) remoteLocksCheck {
+	if store == nil {
+		return remoteLocksCheck{}
 	}
-	return effectiveLocksCheck{Locks: locks}
+	sessionPrefix, err := artifacts.ResolvePublishSessionPrefix(cfg, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return remoteLocksCheck{Err: err}
+	}
+	locks, err := artifacts.ListRemoteLocks(ctx, store, sessionPrefix)
+	if err != nil {
+		return remoteLocksCheck{Err: err}
+	}
+	return remoteLocksCheck{Locks: locks}
 }
 
 func resolveLocalInspectionAudioPaths(sessionDir string, inputs config.SessionInputsConfig) ([]string, error) {
diff --git a/internal/app/operator_locks.go b/internal/app/operator_locks.go
index f4426d5..38b091e 100644
--- a/internal/app/operator_locks.go
+++ b/internal/app/operator_locks.go
@@ -2,12 +2,15 @@ package app
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"flag"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
-	"sort"
 	"strings"
+	"time"
 
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/adapters/storage"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/artifacts"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/config"
 )
 
@@ -26,7 +29,7 @@ func Locks(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	return LocksList(ctx, args, out)
 }
 
-// LocksList lists effective publish locks.
+// LocksList lists independent publish locks.
 func LocksList(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	fs := flag.NewFlagSet("locks", flag.ContinueOnError)
 	fs.SetOutput(io.Discard)
@@ -38,11 +41,15 @@ func LocksList(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	if strings.TrimSpace(flags.sessionID) == "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("locks: session_id is required")
 	}
-	cfg, _, locks, _, cleanup, err := loadHelperContext(ctx, flags, true)
+	cfg, store, sessionPrefix, cleanup, err := loadLockCommandContext(ctx, flags)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("locks: %w", err)
 	}
 	defer cleanup()
+	locks, err := artifacts.ListRemoteLocks(ctx, store, sessionPrefix)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("locks: %w", err)
+	}
 	writeLocks(out, cfg, locks)
 	return nil
 }
@@ -64,31 +71,28 @@ func LocksAdd(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	if strings.TrimSpace(flags.sessionID) == "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("locks add: session_id is required")
 	}
-	cfg, store, locks, _, cleanup, err := loadHelperContext(ctx, flags, true)
+	_, store, sessionPrefix, cleanup, err := loadLockCommandContext(ctx, flags)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("locks add: %w", err)
 	}
 	defer cleanup()
-	if _, err := config.ValidatePublishLockRules([]config.PublishLockRule{{Source: source}}, cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium, cfg.Pipeline.Notarius, "locks add"); err != nil {
+	lock, err := artifacts.NewRemoteLock(source, strings.TrimSpace(reason), nowUTC())
+	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("locks add: %w", err)
 	}
-	if _, ok := lockSourceSet(locks.Static)[source]; ok {
-		return fmt.Errorf("locks add: source %q is locked by pipeline config and cannot be modified remotely", source)
-	}
-	if err := mutateRemoteLockStore(ctx, cfg, store, func(lockStore *config.PublishLockStore) error {
-		remoteSet := lockSourceSet(lockStore.Locks)
-		if _, exists := remoteSet[source]; exists && !force {
-			return fmt.Errorf("remote lock for %q already exists; pass --force to update", source)
-		}
-		remoteSet[source] = config.PublishLockRule{Source: source, Reason: strings.TrimSpace(reason)}
-		lockStore.Locks = lockMapValues(remoteSet)
-		normalized, err := config.ValidatePublishLockRules(lockStore.Locks, cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium, cfg.Pipeline.Notarius, "locks")
+	if !force {
+		current, err := artifacts.LookupRemoteLock(ctx, store, sessionPrefix, source)
 		if err != nil {
-			return err
+			return fmt.Errorf("locks add: %w", err)
+		}
+		if current.Present {
+			return fmt.Errorf("locks add: remote lock for %q already exists; pass --force to update", source)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := artifacts.AddRemoteLock(ctx, store, sessionPrefix, lock, force); err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, storage.ErrConditionNotMet) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("locks add: remote lock for %q changed concurrently; retry: %w", source, err)
 		}
-		lockStore.Locks = normalized
-		return nil
-	}); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("locks add: %w", err)
 	}
 	_, err = fmt.Fprintf(out, "narratio session locks add: locked %s\n", source)
@@ -108,34 +112,55 @@ func LocksRemove(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	if strings.TrimSpace(flags.sessionID) == "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("locks remove: session_id is required")
 	}
-	cfg, store, locks, _, cleanup, err := loadHelperContext(ctx, flags, true)
+	_, store, sessionPrefix, cleanup, err := loadLockCommandContext(ctx, flags)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("locks remove: %w", err)
 	}
 	defer cleanup()
-	if _, err := config.ValidatePublishLockRules([]config.PublishLockRule{{Source: source}}, cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium, cfg.Pipeline.Notarius, "locks remove"); err != nil {
+	current, err := artifacts.LookupRemoteLock(ctx, store, sessionPrefix, source)
+	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("locks remove: %w", err)
 	}
-	if err := mutateRemoteLockStore(ctx, cfg, store, func(lockStore *config.PublishLockStore) error {
-		remoteSet := lockSourceSet(lockStore.Locks)
-		if _, ok := remoteSet[source]; !ok {
-			if _, static := lockSourceSet(locks.Static)[source]; static {
-				return fmt.Errorf("source %q is locked by pipeline config and cannot be unlocked remotely", source)
-			}
-			return fmt.Errorf("remote lock for %q does not exist", source)
-		}
-		delete(remoteSet, source)
-		lockStore.Locks = lockMapValues(remoteSet)
-		return nil
-	}); err != nil {
+	if err := artifacts.RemoveRemoteLock(ctx, store, sessionPrefix, source); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("locks remove: %w", err)
 	}
+	if !current.Present {
+		_, err = fmt.Fprintf(out, "narratio session locks remove: %s was not locked\n", source)
+		return err
+	}
 	_, err = fmt.Fprintf(out, "narratio session locks remove: unlocked %s\n", source)
 	return err
 }
 
-func writeLocks(out io.Writer, cfg *config.Config, locks *effectiveLocks) {
-	if locks == nil || len(locks.All) == 0 {
+func loadLockCommandContext(ctx context.Context, flags commonConfigFlags) (*config.Config, storage.ObjectStore, string, func(), error) {
+	loaded, err := loadCommandConfig(ctx, flags.pipelinePath, flags.campaignPath, flags.campaignFilePath, flags.sessionPath, flags.sessionOptions())
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, "", nil, err
+	}
+	release := true
+	defer func() {
+		if release {
+			_ = loaded.Close()
+		}
+	}()
+	cfg := loaded.Config
+	if err := config.Validate(cfg); err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, "", nil, err
+	}
+	store, err := newCommandObjectStore(ctx, cfg, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, "", nil, err
+	}
+	sessionPrefix, err := artifacts.ResolvePublishSessionPrefix(cfg, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, "", nil, err
+	}
+	release = false
+	return cfg, store, sessionPrefix, func() { _ = loaded.Close() }, nil
+}
+
+func writeLocks(out io.Writer, cfg *config.Config, locks []artifacts.RemoteLock) {
+	if len(locks) == 0 {
 		fmt.Fprintln(out, "Publish locks: none")
 		return
 	}
@@ -146,12 +171,7 @@ func writeLocks(out io.Writer, cfg *config.Config, locks *effectiveLocks) {
 			published[strings.TrimSpace(rule.Source)] = rule
 		}
 	}
-	staticSet := lockSourceSet(locks.Static)
-	for _, lock := range locks.All {
-		origin := "remote"
-		if _, ok := staticSet[lock.Source]; ok {
-			origin = "pipeline"
-		}
+	for _, lock := range locks {
 		promo := "not-published"
 		if _, ok := published[lock.Source]; ok {
 			promo = "published"
@@ -160,22 +180,6 @@ func writeLocks(out io.Writer, cfg *config.Config, locks *effectiveLocks) {
 		if reason == "" {
 			reason = "(no reason)"
 		}
-		fmt.Fprintf(out, "- %s origin=%s %s reason=%s\n", lock.Source, origin, promo, reason)
+		fmt.Fprintf(out, "- %s %s reason=%s created_at=%s\n", lock.Source, promo, reason, lock.CreatedAt.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339Nano))
 	}
 }
-
-func lockMapValues(in map[string]config.PublishLockRule) []config.PublishLockRule {
-	keys := make([]string, 0, len(in))
-	for key := range in {
-		keys = append(keys, key)
-	}
-	sort.Strings(keys)
-	out := make([]config.PublishLockRule, 0, len(keys))
-	for _, key := range keys {
-		item := in[key]
-		item.Source = key
-		item.Reason = strings.TrimSpace(item.Reason)
-		out = append(out, item)
-	}
-	return out
-}
diff --git a/internal/app/operator_session_validate.go b/internal/app/operator_session_validate.go
index 64e1fd0..5419aad 100644
--- a/internal/app/operator_session_validate.go
+++ b/internal/app/operator_session_validate.go
@@ -76,13 +76,13 @@ func SessionValidate(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	locks := inspectEffectiveLocks(ctx, cfg, store)
+	locks := inspectRemoteLocks(ctx, cfg, store)
 	if locks.Err != nil {
 		findings = append(findings, errorFinding("locks", locks.Err.Error()))
-	} else if len(locks.Locks.All) == 0 {
-		findings = append(findings, okFinding("locks", "no effective publish locks"))
+	} else if len(locks.Locks) == 0 {
+		findings = append(findings, okFinding("locks", "no publish locks"))
 	} else {
-		for _, lock := range locks.Locks.All {
+		for _, lock := range locks.Locks {
 			findings = append(findings, warnFinding("locks", fmt.Sprintf("%s locked: %s", lock.Source, strings.TrimSpace(lock.Reason))))
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/internal/app/operator_status.go b/internal/app/operator_status.go
index 999e094..0300b6f 100644
--- a/internal/app/operator_status.go
+++ b/internal/app/operator_status.go
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ func Status(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 		artifacts.CollectPreviousArtifactRequirements(configuredScriptoriumArtifacts(cfg), effective),
 	))
 
-	lockChecks := inspectEffectiveLocks(ctx, cfg, store)
+	lockChecks := inspectRemoteLocks(ctx, cfg, store)
 	locks := lockChecks.Locks
 	lockErr := lockChecks.Err
 	if catalog, catalogErr := buildHelperArtifactCatalog(cfg, localManifest); catalogErr != nil {
@@ -92,10 +92,7 @@ func Status(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	} else if storeErr == nil {
 		catalogLocks := locks
 		if lockErr != nil {
-			catalogLocks = &effectiveLocks{
-				Static: staticPublishLocks(cfg),
-				All:    staticPublishLocks(cfg),
-			}
+			catalogLocks = nil
 		}
 		publishedRemoteState := map[string]string{}
 		if store != nil {
diff --git a/internal/app/remote_locks.go b/internal/app/remote_locks.go
index e640100..cdef96a 100644
--- a/internal/app/remote_locks.go
+++ b/internal/app/remote_locks.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"sort"
 	"strings"
 
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/adapters/storage"
@@ -158,6 +159,22 @@ func lockSourceSet(locks []config.PublishLockRule) map[string]config.PublishLock
 	return out
 }
 
+func lockMapValues(in map[string]config.PublishLockRule) []config.PublishLockRule {
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(in))
+	for key := range in {
+		keys = append(keys, key)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	out := make([]config.PublishLockRule, 0, len(keys))
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		item := in[key]
+		item.Source = key
+		item.Reason = strings.TrimSpace(item.Reason)
+		out = append(out, item)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 func writeLocalFile(path string, data []byte, force bool) error {
 	cleaned := filepath.Clean(strings.TrimSpace(path))
 	if cleaned == "" || cleaned == "." {
diff --git a/internal/app/restore_commit_test.go b/internal/app/restore_commit_test.go
index 713af3a..05efd27 100644
--- a/internal/app/restore_commit_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/restore_commit_test.go
@@ -149,10 +149,16 @@ func TestCommittedStatusReportsCarriedOutputOriginAndChecksExactKey(t *testing.T
 	fake.SeedObject(storage.FakeObject{Key: oldKey, Data: []byte("carried\n")})
 	current.Commit.Artifacts[1].Source = "narratio.transcript.final_trimmed"
 	current.Commit.Artifacts[1].DestinationKey = oldKey
+	current.Manifest.Stages["publish"] = &manifest.StageRecord{
+		Name: "publish", Status: manifest.StatusSucceeded,
+		Metadata: map[string]any{"publish_output_outcomes": []any{map[string]any{
+			"source": "narratio.transcript.final_trimmed", "status": "carried_locked",
+		}}},
+	}
 
 	availability := remotePublishedOutputAvailabilityForCurrent(context.Background(), cfg, fake, nil, current)
 	key := publishedOutputRemoteStateKey("narratio.transcript.final_trimmed", "transcripts/full.json")
-	want := "remote=published origin_run=" + originRun
+	want := "outcome=carried_locked remote=published origin_run=" + originRun
 	if availability[key] != want {
 		t.Fatalf("availability = %#v, want %q", availability, want)
 	}
@@ -161,6 +167,24 @@ func TestCommittedStatusReportsCarriedOutputOriginAndChecksExactKey(t *testing.T
 	}
 }
 
+func TestCommittedPublishOutputOutcomesRecognizesAllStates(t *testing.T) {
+	statuses := []string{"published", "carried_locked", "locked_unpublished", "optional_missing", "unselected"}
+	items := make([]any, 0, len(statuses))
+	for _, status := range statuses {
+		items = append(items, map[string]any{"source": "source." + status, "status": status})
+	}
+	m := &manifest.Manifest{Stages: map[string]*manifest.StageRecord{
+		"publish": {Metadata: map[string]any{"publish_output_outcomes": items}},
+	}}
+
+	got := committedPublishOutputOutcomes(m)
+	for _, status := range statuses {
+		if got["source."+status] != status {
+			t.Fatalf("outcomes = %#v, missing %q", got, status)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func TestCommittedRestoreKeepsSelectedSnapshotWhenPointerChanges(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := restorePlanConfig(t)
 	fake := &storage.FakeBackend{}
diff --git a/internal/app/session_oriented_cli_test.go b/internal/app/session_oriented_cli_test.go
index f07c685..e3c6843 100644
--- a/internal/app/session_oriented_cli_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/session_oriented_cli_test.go
@@ -324,9 +324,13 @@ func TestExecuteSessionLocksMutationAcceptsPositionalSessionID(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("locks add exit code = %d, want 0; stderr=%q", code, stderr.String())
 	}
-	key := artifacts.S3SessionLocksKey(artifacts.S3SessionPrefix("dnd", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03"))
-	if !strings.Contains(string(fake.Objects[key].Data), "reason: review") {
-		t.Fatalf("lock store data = %q, want reason", string(fake.Objects[key].Data))
+	key, err := artifacts.RemoteLockKey(artifacts.S3SessionPrefix("dnd", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03"), "narratio.transcript.final_trimmed")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	lock, err := artifacts.DecodeRemoteLock(fake.Objects[key].Data)
+	if err != nil || lock.Reason != "review" {
+		t.Fatalf("lock object = %#v, %v; want reason", lock, err)
 	}
 
 	stdout.Reset()
@@ -340,12 +344,8 @@ func TestExecuteSessionLocksMutationAcceptsPositionalSessionID(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("locks remove exit code = %d, want 0; stderr=%q", code, stderr.String())
 	}
-	store, err := config.LoadPublishLockStoreBytes("locks.yml", fake.Objects[key].Data, nil, nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("LoadPublishLockStoreBytes() error = %v", err)
-	}
-	if len(store.Locks) != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("locks after remove = %#v, want empty", store.Locks)
+	if _, exists := fake.Objects[key]; exists {
+		t.Fatalf("lock object %q remains after remove", key)
 	}
 }