diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f8b4910..ed3808a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,29 +2,58 @@
 
 `narratio` is a Go-based orchestration application for processing D&D session audio into transcripts and downstream artifacts.
 
-This repository is currently an **initial scaffold** that establishes:
+This repository currently contains a **working scaffold** with strict config loading, local workdir/manifest handling, resumable stage control, and placeholder adapters/stages.
 
-- Go module and package boundaries
-- Placeholder CLI commands: `run`, `plan`, `status`, `resume`, `run-stage`
-- Basic structured logging setup via `log/slog`
-- Stub adapter, stage, config, manifest, artifact, and contract packages
+## Expected Config Files
 
-## Current State
+`narratio` expects two YAML files:
 
-The CLI commands are intentionally placeholders and print `not yet implemented` messages.
+- `pipeline.yml`: pipeline/workspace settings (`workspace`, `storage`, `whisperx`, `seriatim`, `audita`, `analyzer`, `notification`)
+- `session.yml`: per-session settings (`session_id`, `inputs`, optional metadata)
 
-Example:
+Decoding is strict (`KnownFields(true)`), so unknown YAML fields fail fast.
+
+Example minimal files are available under `examples/`:
+
+- `examples/pipeline.minimal.yml`
+- `examples/session.minimal.yml`
+
+## Current Scaffold Status
+
+Implemented in scaffold form:
+
+- strict config load + validation
+- local artifact/workdir creation and locking
+- manifest create/load/save and stage status tracking
+- stage framework with real `prepare` stage and placeholder downstream stages
+- resumable run control (`run`, `resume`, `run-stage`, `plan` with run/skip decisions)
+- fake/no-op adapters for external tool boundaries
+
+Not implemented yet:
+
+- real WhisperX HTTP integration
+- real Seriatim execution
+- real Audita execution
+- real analyzer integration
+- real remote archive/storage backend
+- real notification backend
+
+## Run Tests
 
 ```bash
-go run ./cmd/narratio plan
+go test ./...
 ```
 
-## Non-Goals (Current Pass)
+## Run Plan
 
-This scaffold does not yet implement:
+```bash
+go run ./cmd/narratio plan --config examples/pipeline.minimal.yml --session examples/session.minimal.yml
+```
 
-- real config loading/validation behavior
-- manifest persistence behavior
-- stage execution behavior
-- real WhisperX/seriatim/audita/analyzer integrations
-- real S3 or notification integrations
+## Run Placeholder Pipeline
+
+The current `run` command executes available scaffold behavior (`prepare` + placeholder stages) and records progress in `manifest.json`.
+
+```bash
+go run ./cmd/narratio run --config examples/pipeline.minimal.yml --session examples/session.minimal.yml
+```
diff --git a/examples/audio/sample-speaker.flac b/examples/audio/sample-speaker.flac
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f79771b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/audio/sample-speaker.flac
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+placeholder-flac-bytes
+
diff --git a/examples/autocorrect.yml b/examples/autocorrect.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7dd4387
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/autocorrect.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+[]
+
diff --git a/examples/glossary.yml b/examples/glossary.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7dd4387
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/glossary.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+[]
+
diff --git a/examples/pipeline.minimal.yml b/examples/pipeline.minimal.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8e05f38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/pipeline.minimal.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+workspace:
+  root: ./tmp/narratio-workspace
+
+storage:
+  backend: local
+
+whisperx:
+  timeout: 15m
+
+seriatim:
+  timeout: 30s
+
+audita:
+  timeout: 1h
+
+analyzer:
+  timeout: 20m
+  artifacts:
+    output_dir: artifacts
+
+notification:
+  timeout: 10s
+
diff --git a/examples/session.minimal.yml b/examples/session.minimal.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a5693f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/session.minimal.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+session_id: 2026-05-03
+campaign: sample-campaign
+date: 2026-05-03
+title: Sample Session
+inputs:
+  audio_dir: ./audio
+  speakers_file: ./speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
+
diff --git a/examples/speakers.yml b/examples/speakers.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed4acd7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/speakers.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+sample-speaker: sample-speaker.flac
+
diff --git a/internal/adapters/analyzer/runner.go b/internal/adapters/analyzer/runner.go
index f5ac1c2..ab2ca2c 100644
--- a/internal/adapters/analyzer/runner.go
+++ b/internal/adapters/analyzer/runner.go
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ package analyzer
 
 import "context"
 
+// TODO: implement analyzer integration once the analyzer contract is finalized.
+
 // Runner is the adapter boundary for analyzer invocations.
 type Runner interface {
 	Run(ctx context.Context, req AnalyzeRequest) (AnalyzeResult, error)
diff --git a/internal/adapters/audita/runner.go b/internal/adapters/audita/runner.go
index bd94533..7f73233 100644
--- a/internal/adapters/audita/runner.go
+++ b/internal/adapters/audita/runner.go
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ package audita
 
 import "context"
 
+// TODO: implement a real Audita subprocess/service adapter.
+
 // Runner is the adapter boundary for audita polish invocations.
 type Runner interface {
 	Run(ctx context.Context, req PolishRequest) (PolishResult, error)
diff --git a/internal/adapters/notify/sender.go b/internal/adapters/notify/sender.go
index 44e9902..520b44b 100644
--- a/internal/adapters/notify/sender.go
+++ b/internal/adapters/notify/sender.go
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ package notify
 
 import "context"
 
+// TODO: implement a real notification backend (email/webhook/etc.).
+
 // Sender is the adapter boundary for notifications.
 type Sender interface {
 	Send(ctx context.Context, req SendRequest) (SendResult, error)
diff --git a/internal/adapters/seriatim/runner.go b/internal/adapters/seriatim/runner.go
index 1115b16..8754f87 100644
--- a/internal/adapters/seriatim/runner.go
+++ b/internal/adapters/seriatim/runner.go
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ package seriatim
 
 import "context"
 
+// TODO: implement a real Seriatim subprocess adapter.
+
 // Runner is the adapter boundary for seriatim merge invocations.
 type Runner interface {
 	Run(ctx context.Context, req MergeRequest) (MergeResult, error)
diff --git a/internal/adapters/storage/archive.go b/internal/adapters/storage/archive.go
index e466fa5..bf083b5 100644
--- a/internal/adapters/storage/archive.go
+++ b/internal/adapters/storage/archive.go
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ package storage
 
 import "context"
 
+// TODO: implement remote storage/archive backends (S3/SFTP/etc.).
+
 // Backend is the adapter boundary for archive/storage operations.
 type Backend interface {
 	Archive(ctx context.Context, req ArchiveRequest) (ArchiveResult, error)
diff --git a/internal/adapters/whisperx/client.go b/internal/adapters/whisperx/client.go
index c835314..40925f8 100644
--- a/internal/adapters/whisperx/client.go
+++ b/internal/adapters/whisperx/client.go
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ package whisperx
 
 import "context"
 
+// TODO: implement a real WhisperX HTTP client adapter.
+
 // Client is the adapter boundary for WhisperX transcription jobs.
 type Client interface {
 	Transcribe(ctx context.Context, req TranscribeRequest) (TranscribeResult, error)
diff --git a/internal/app/app.go b/internal/app/app.go
index b71ee9e..b0f539c 100644
--- a/internal/app/app.go
+++ b/internal/app/app.go
@@ -1,50 +1,7 @@
 package app
 
-import (
-	"log/slog"
-
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/adapters/analyzer"
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/adapters/audita"
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/adapters/notify"
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/adapters/seriatim"
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/adapters/storage"
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/adapters/whisperx"
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/artifacts"
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/config"
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/manifest"
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/stage"
-)
+import "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/stage"
 
 // Env is the shared dependency container passed to orchestrator components.
-type Env struct {
-	Config        *config.Config
-	ArtifactStore artifacts.Store
-	ManifestStore manifest.Store
-	Logger        *slog.Logger
-
-	WhisperX whisperx.Client
-	Seriatim seriatim.Runner
-	Audita   audita.Runner
-	Analyzer analyzer.Runner
-	Storage  storage.Backend
-	Notifier notify.Sender
-}
-
-func toStageEnv(env *Env) *stage.Env {
-	if env == nil {
-		return nil
-	}
-
-	return &stage.Env{
-		Config:        env.Config,
-		ArtifactStore: env.ArtifactStore,
-		ManifestStore: env.ManifestStore,
-		Logger:        env.Logger,
-		WhisperX:      env.WhisperX,
-		Seriatim:      env.Seriatim,
-		Audita:        env.Audita,
-		Analyzer:      env.Analyzer,
-		Storage:       env.Storage,
-		Notifier:      env.Notifier,
-	}
-}
+// It aliases stage.Env so orchestration and stages stay on one source of truth.
+type Env = stage.Env
diff --git a/internal/app/runner.go b/internal/app/runner.go
index 17d882e..27d137a 100644
--- a/internal/app/runner.go
+++ b/internal/app/runner.go
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ func executeStages(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, stages []stage.Stage
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	stageEnv := toStageEnv(env)
+	stageEnv := env
 
 	decisions := decideStageActions(stages, m, opts.Force)
 
@@ -102,15 +102,18 @@ func executeStages(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, stages []stage.Stage
 
 		if d.Action == stageActionSkip {
 			skipped = append(skipped, s.Name())
+			env.Logger.Info("skipping stage", "stage", s.Name(), "reason", "already_succeeded", "force", opts.Force)
 			continue
 		}
 		executed = append(executed, s.Name())
 
 		now := nowUTC()
 		m.MarkStageRunning(s.Name(), now)
+		env.Logger.Info("starting stage", "stage", s.Name())
 		if err := env.ManifestStore.Save(ctx, manifestPath, m); err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("save manifest before stage %q: %w", s.Name(), err)
 		}
+		env.Logger.Debug("manifest saved", "stage", s.Name(), "transition", "running", "path", manifestPath)
 
 		result, err := s.Run(ctx, stageEnv, m)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -118,6 +121,7 @@ func executeStages(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, stages []stage.Stage
 			if saveErr := env.ManifestStore.Save(ctx, manifestPath, m); saveErr != nil {
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("stage %q failed (%v) and manifest save failed (%v)", s.Name(), err, saveErr)
 			}
+			env.Logger.Info("stage failed", "stage", s.Name(), "error", err)
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("stage %q failed: %w", s.Name(), err)
 		}
 
@@ -128,6 +132,8 @@ func executeStages(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, stages []stage.Stage
 		if err := env.ManifestStore.Save(ctx, manifestPath, m); err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("save manifest after stage %q: %w", s.Name(), err)
 		}
+		env.Logger.Debug("manifest saved", "stage", s.Name(), "transition", "succeeded", "path", manifestPath)
+		env.Logger.Info("stage succeeded", "stage", s.Name())
 	}
 
 	return &RunSummary{
diff --git a/internal/config/load.go b/internal/config/load.go
index cfdcbdd..4dd28cd 100644
--- a/internal/config/load.go
+++ b/internal/config/load.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
 
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
@@ -11,7 +12,7 @@ import (
 // LoadPipeline loads pipeline configuration from a YAML file with strict field checking.
 func LoadPipeline(path string) (*PipelineConfig, error) {
 	var cfg PipelineConfig
-	if err := decodeStrictYAML(path, &cfg); err != nil {
+	if err := decodeStrictYAML("pipeline", path, &cfg); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("load pipeline config: %w", err)
 	}
 	return &cfg, nil
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ func LoadPipeline(path string) (*PipelineConfig, error) {
 // LoadSession loads session configuration from a YAML file with strict field checking.
 func LoadSession(path string) (*SessionConfig, error) {
 	var cfg SessionConfig
-	if err := decodeStrictYAML(path, &cfg); err != nil {
+	if err := decodeStrictYAML("session", path, &cfg); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("load session config: %w", err)
 	}
 	return &cfg, nil
@@ -46,23 +47,31 @@ func Load(pipelinePath, sessionPath string) (*Config, error) {
 	}, nil
 }
 
-func decodeStrictYAML(path string, out any) error {
+func decodeStrictYAML(kind, path string, out any) error {
 	f, err := os.Open(path)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("open %q: %w", path, err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s file %q: open: %w", kind, path, err)
 	}
 	defer f.Close()
 
 	dec := yaml.NewDecoder(f)
 	dec.KnownFields(true)
 	if err := dec.Decode(out); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("decode %q: %w", path, err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s file %q: strict decode failed: %w", kind, path, err)
 	}
 
 	var extra any
 	if err := dec.Decode(&extra); err != nil && err != io.EOF {
-		return fmt.Errorf("decode trailing content in %q: %w", path, err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s file %q: trailing content decode failed: %w", kind, path, err)
 	}
 
 	return nil
 }
+
+func shortName(path, fallback string) string {
+	base := filepath.Base(path)
+	if base == "." || base == string(filepath.Separator) {
+		return fallback
+	}
+	return base
+}
diff --git a/internal/config/load_validate_test.go b/internal/config/load_validate_test.go
index 626515e..953a085 100644
--- a/internal/config/load_validate_test.go
+++ b/internal/config/load_validate_test.go
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ inputs:
   autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
   glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
 `,
-			wantLoadErr: "field bogus not found",
+			wantLoadErr: "pipeline file",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "unknown session field fails",
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ inputs:
   glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
 unknown_field: true
 `,
-			wantLoadErr: "field unknown_field not found",
+			wantLoadErr: "session file",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "missing required field fails",
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ inputs:
   autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
   glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
 `,
-			wantValidate: "session.session_id is required",
+			wantValidate: "session config \"session.yml\" invalid: session.session_id is required",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "invalid timeout fails",
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ inputs:
   autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
   glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
 `,
-			wantValidate: "pipeline.whisperx.timeout must be a valid duration",
+			wantValidate: "pipeline config \"pipeline.yml\" invalid: pipeline.whisperx.timeout must be a valid duration",
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -112,6 +112,9 @@ inputs:
 				if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tt.wantLoadErr) {
 					t.Fatalf("load error = %q, want to contain %q", err.Error(), tt.wantLoadErr)
 				}
+				if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "strict decode failed") {
+					t.Fatalf("load error = %q, want strict decode context", err.Error())
+				}
 				return
 			}
 
@@ -162,6 +165,22 @@ func TestValidateMissingAudioSource(t *testing.T) {
 	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "audio_dir or at least one audio_files") {
 		t.Fatalf("error = %q, want audio source guidance", err.Error())
 	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "session config") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %q, want session config context", err.Error())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestExamplesLoadAndValidate(t *testing.T) {
+	pipelinePath := filepath.Join("..", "..", "examples", "pipeline.minimal.yml")
+	sessionPath := filepath.Join("..", "..", "examples", "session.minimal.yml")
+
+	cfg, err := Load(pipelinePath, sessionPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Load(examples) error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := Validate(cfg); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Validate(examples) error = %v", err)
+	}
 }
 
 func writeConfigFiles(t *testing.T, pipelineYAML, sessionYAML string) (string, string) {
diff --git a/internal/config/validate.go b/internal/config/validate.go
index 965c7d6..b6f42c5 100644
--- a/internal/config/validate.go
+++ b/internal/config/validate.go
@@ -19,10 +19,10 @@ func Validate(cfg *Config) error {
 	}
 
 	if err := validatePipeline(cfg.Pipeline); err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("pipeline config %q invalid: %w", shortName(cfg.PipelinePath, "pipeline.yml"), err)
 	}
 	if err := validateSession(cfg.Session); err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("session config %q invalid: %w", shortName(cfg.SessionPath, "session.yml"), err)
 	}
 
 	return nil
diff --git a/internal/manifest/manifest_test.go b/internal/manifest/manifest_test.go
index 68f612f..88c2d7e 100644
--- a/internal/manifest/manifest_test.go
+++ b/internal/manifest/manifest_test.go
@@ -34,6 +34,10 @@ func TestStageMarkHelpers(t *testing.T) {
 	if len(stage.Outputs) != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("outputs len = %d, want 1", len(stage.Outputs))
 	}
+	outputs[0].LocalPath = "mutated.json"
+	if stage.Outputs[0].LocalPath != "transcripts/processed.json" {
+		t.Fatalf("stage outputs should be copied, got %#v", stage.Outputs)
+	}
 
 	failedAt := succeededAt.Add(1 * time.Minute)
 	m.MarkStageFailed("analyze", failedAt, "analyzer crashed")
@@ -64,3 +68,45 @@ func TestStageMarkHelpers(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("error code = %q, want %q", skipped.Error.Code, "skipped")
 	}
 }
+
+func TestMarkStageRunningClearsPriorCompletionAndError(t *testing.T) {
+	m := New("2026-05-03", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC))
+
+	failedAt := time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 1, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	m.MarkStageFailed("merge", failedAt, "boom")
+
+	runAt := failedAt.Add(1 * time.Minute)
+	m.MarkStageRunning("merge", runAt)
+
+	stage := m.Stages["merge"]
+	if stage == nil {
+		t.Fatal("missing stage record")
+	}
+	if stage.Status != StatusRunning {
+		t.Fatalf("status = %q, want %q", stage.Status, StatusRunning)
+	}
+	if stage.CompletedAt != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("completed_at = %v, want nil while running", stage.CompletedAt)
+	}
+	if stage.Error != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %#v, want nil while running", stage.Error)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMarkStageSucceededClearsError(t *testing.T) {
+	m := New("2026-05-03", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC))
+
+	m.MarkStageFailed("analyze", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 1, 0, 0, time.UTC), "failed once")
+	m.MarkStageSucceeded("analyze", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 2, 0, 0, time.UTC), nil)
+
+	stage := m.Stages["analyze"]
+	if stage == nil {
+		t.Fatal("missing stage record")
+	}
+	if stage.Status != StatusSucceeded {
+		t.Fatalf("status = %q, want %q", stage.Status, StatusSucceeded)
+	}
+	if stage.Error != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %#v, want nil on success", stage.Error)
+	}
+}