Simplify downstream tool configuration

README.md

@@ -34,6 +34,25 @@ Pipeline config lookup for CLI commands:
   - `/usr/local/etc/narratio/pipeline.yml`
   - `/etc/narratio/pipeline.yml`
 
+Session config lookup for CLI commands:
+
+- if `--session <path>` is provided, Narratio uses that path
+- if `--session` is omitted, Narratio searches in this order:
+  - `./session.yml`
+  - `/usr/local/etc/narratio/session.yml`
+  - `/etc/narratio/session.yml`
+
+Session template support:
+
+- Narratio renders `session.yml` templates before strict YAML decode.
+- `--session-id <value>` provides the `session_id` template variable.
+- Supported placeholder forms:
+  - `{{session_id}}`
+  - `{{ session_id }}`
+- unresolved template placeholders fail with a clear error.
+- strict YAML validation still runs after rendering.
+- concrete `session.yml` files without templates remain fully supported.
+
 Optional secrets-from-files config:
 
 - `pipeline.secrets.env_dir` may point to a directory of secret files
@@ -64,6 +83,7 @@ Implemented foundations:
 Current defaults:
 
 - `pipeline.storage.s3.root_prefix`: `dnd`
+- `pipeline.workspace.cleanup_after_archive`: `false`
 - `pipeline.spool.root`: `/var/spool/narratio`
 - `pipeline.spool.delete_audio_after_archive`: `false`
 - `pipeline.archive.enabled`: `true`
@@ -85,6 +105,12 @@ Current boundaries:
 - archive uploads `current/run_id.txt` last as the effective commit marker
 - required missing promotions fail archive
 - optional missing promotions are skipped and recorded
+- cleanup remains conservative and opt-in:
+  - `pipeline.spool.delete_audio_after_archive: true` removes only the run-scoped spool audio directory after successful archive commit
+  - `pipeline.workspace.cleanup_after_archive: true` removes only the run-scoped local workdir after successful archive commit
+  - cleanup executes only after all selected stages for the command invocation succeed
+  - cleanup does not run for failed, incomplete, skipped, or unarchived runs
+  - local development `audio_dir`/`audio_files` source inputs are never deleted by spool cleanup
 
 S3 input details and current boundaries are documented in [docs/s3-audio-input.md](docs/s3-audio-input.md).
 
@@ -136,21 +162,40 @@ Archive run-upload details and boundaries are documented in [docs/archive-storag
 - `transcripts/normalized.json`: Seriatim-normalized transcript from the normalize stage
 - `transcripts/trimmed.json`: gameplay-only normalized polished transcript from trim stage
 
+## Seriatim Configuration
+
+`pipeline.seriatim` configures the Seriatim subprocess adapter used by `merge`, `normalize`, and `trim`.
+
+Minimal behavior:
+
+- `pipeline.seriatim` may be omitted entirely.
+- when omitted, Narratio defaults to:
+  - `binary: seriatim`
+  - `timeout: 10m`
+  - `output_schema: seriatim-intermediate`
+  - `coalesce_gap: 3.0`
+  - `report: true`
+
+Optional overrides in `pipeline.seriatim` continue to work, including explicit binary paths and advanced `env` tuning values.
+
 ## Audita Configuration
 
 `pipeline.audita` configures the real Audita subprocess adapter used by `polish`.
 
-Required:
+Minimal behavior:
 
-- `binary`
+- `pipeline.audita` may be omitted entirely.
-- `timeout`
+- when omitted, Narratio defaults to:
-- `base_url`
+  - `binary: audita`
-- `model`
+  - `timeout: 3h`
+  - `report: true`
 
 Optional:
 
 - `llm_api_key_env` (when set, Narratio requires that env var and passes it to Audita as `AUDITA_LLM_API_KEY`)
 - `modules` override list (when empty/omitted, Narratio does not pass `--modules`)
+- `base_url` (when omitted, Narratio does not pass `--base-url`; Audita runtime defaults/config may apply)
+- `model` (when omitted, Narratio does not pass `--model`; Audita runtime defaults/config may apply)
 - `transcript_description`
 - `config_path`
 - `output_schema` (`bare-segments` or `audita-v1`)
@@ -161,7 +206,7 @@ Optional:
 - `validation_llm_concurrency` (> 0 when provided)
 - `report` (defaults to `true`)
 
-Narratio passes only configured optional Audita flags. Omitted optional values are left to Audita runtime defaults.
+Narratio passes only configured optional Audita flags. Omitted optional values are left to Audita runtime defaults/config.
 
 ## Normalize Configuration
 
@@ -256,7 +301,7 @@ Render-debug files are diagnostics and are not treated as canonical stage output
 
 Key points:
 
-- `scriptorium.binary` is required when section is present
+- `scriptorium.binary` defaults to `scriptorium` when section is present
 - `scriptorium.config_path` is optional
 - `scriptorium.timeout` defaults to `10m` when omitted
 - `scriptorium.render_debug` enables render diagnostics globally
@@ -344,7 +389,9 @@ Expected session output paths:
 Starter files:
 
 - `examples/pipeline.minimal.yml`
+- `examples/pipeline.audita-overrides.yml`
 - `examples/session.minimal.yml`
+- `examples/session.template.yml`
 - `examples/speakers.yml`
 
 ## Commands
@@ -363,6 +410,12 @@ go run ./cmd/narratio plan --session examples/session.minimal.yml
 
 Use `--config <path>` to override default pipeline lookup when needed.
 
+Run with a discoverable session template:
+
+```bash
+go run ./cmd/narratio run --session-id 2026-04-04
+```
+
 Run full pipeline:
 
 ```bash
@@ -375,6 +428,12 @@ Run analyze only:
 go run ./cmd/narratio run-stage --config examples/pipeline.minimal.yml --session examples/session.minimal.yml analyze
 ```
 
+Resume with a template session ID:
+
+```bash
+go run ./cmd/narratio resume --config examples/pipeline.minimal.yml --session examples/session.template.yml --session-id 2026-04-04
+```
+
 ## Operational Note
 
 Checksum-based stale detection is not implemented yet.

architecture.md

@@ -115,6 +115,25 @@ CLI pipeline config path resolution:
   - `/usr/local/etc/narratio/pipeline.yml`
   - `/etc/narratio/pipeline.yml`
 
+CLI session config path resolution:
+
+- when `--session <path>` is provided, that path is used
+- when `--session` is omitted, Narratio searches defaults in order:
+  - `./session.yml`
+  - `/usr/local/etc/narratio/session.yml`
+  - `/etc/narratio/session.yml`
+
+Session template rendering:
+
+- session templates are rendered before strict YAML decode
+- `--session-id <value>` provides the `session_id` template variable
+- supported placeholders:
+  - `{{session_id}}`
+  - `{{ session_id }}`
+- unresolved placeholders fail clearly
+- strict `KnownFields(true)` YAML validation still applies after rendering
+- if rendered `session.session_id` conflicts with `--session-id`, load fails clearly
+
 Optional pipeline secrets directory:
 
 - `pipeline.secrets.env_dir` enables loading environment variables from local files before command execution
@@ -133,7 +152,8 @@ Storage and archive foundations:
   - `endpoint`
   - `force_path_style` (default `false`)
 - `pipeline.spool.root` defaults to `/var/spool/narratio`
-- `pipeline.spool.delete_audio_after_archive` defaults to `false` (cleanup behavior not implemented yet)
+- `pipeline.workspace.cleanup_after_archive` defaults to `false`
+- `pipeline.spool.delete_audio_after_archive` defaults to `false`
 - `pipeline.archive` is optional and defaults to:
   - `enabled: true`
   - `upload_run: true`
@@ -211,6 +231,13 @@ Archive publishing behavior (implemented):
   - `current/run_id.txt` is the effective commit marker
 - if promotion or current-manifest upload fails, archive returns failure and does not write `current/run_id.txt`
 - failed/incomplete runs remain local and are not uploaded
+- post-archive local cleanup (implemented, opt-in):
+  - cleanup runs only after archive succeeded and wrote `current/run_id.txt`
+  - cleanup is executed after all selected stages in the command invocation succeed (for example, a later `notify` failure leaves local files intact)
+  - `pipeline.spool.delete_audio_after_archive: true` removes only `{spool.root}/{campaign}/{session_id}/{run_id}/audio/`
+  - `pipeline.workspace.cleanup_after_archive: true` removes only `{workspace.root}/work/{campaign}/{session_id}/{run_id}/`
+  - cleanup does not run when archive is skipped/disabled/fails or when run upload is disabled
+  - local development `audio_dir`/`audio_files` inputs are never removed by spool cleanup
 
 `pipeline.scriptorium` is optional. Existing pipelines without Scriptorium continue to work.
 
@@ -220,17 +247,18 @@ Archive publishing behavior (implemented):
 
 `pipeline.audita` drives the real Audita subprocess adapter for the `polish` stage.
 
-Audita required fields:
+Audita defaulted fields:
 
-- `binary`
+- `binary` defaults to `audita`
-- `timeout`
+- `timeout` defaults to `3h`
-- `base_url`
+- `report` defaults to `true`
-- `model`
 
 Audita optional fields:
 
 - `llm_api_key_env` (enforced only when configured)
 - `modules` override list (when omitted/empty, Narratio does not pass `--modules`)
+- `base_url` (when omitted, Narratio does not pass `--base-url`)
+- `model` (when omitted, Narratio does not pass `--model`)
 - `transcript_description`
 - `config_path`
 - `output_schema` (`bare-segments` or `audita-v1`)
@@ -239,9 +267,18 @@ Audita optional fields:
 - `proposal_llm_concurrency` (> 0 when provided)
 - `validation_model`
 - `validation_llm_concurrency` (> 0 when provided)
-- `report` (default `true`)
+- `report` override
 
-Narratio passes only configured optional Audita flags; omitted optional values defer to Audita defaults.
+Narratio passes only configured optional Audita flags; omitted optional values defer to Audita runtime defaults/config.
+
+Seriatim defaults:
+
+- `pipeline.seriatim` may be omitted
+- `binary` defaults to `seriatim`
+- `timeout` defaults to `10m`
+- `output_schema` defaults to `seriatim-intermediate`
+- `coalesce_gap` defaults to `3.0`
+- `report` defaults to `true`
 
 When `pipeline.normalize` is omitted, defaults are applied:
 
@@ -275,7 +312,7 @@ When `pipeline.trim.enabled: true`:
 
 When `pipeline.scriptorium` is present:
 
-- `binary` is required and non-empty
+- `binary` defaults to `scriptorium` when omitted
 - `config_path` is optional; when provided it must be non-empty
 - `timeout` is optional; when provided it must parse as a Go duration
 - default `timeout` is `10m`

docs/archive-storage.md

@@ -20,11 +20,13 @@ Implemented:
 - archive uploads configured promoted outputs to session-level keys.
 - archive uploads `current/manifest.json`.
 - archive uploads `current/run_id.txt` last as the effective commit marker.
+- optional post-archive local cleanup:
+  - `pipeline.spool.delete_audio_after_archive: true` removes only the run-scoped spool audio directory
+  - `pipeline.workspace.cleanup_after_archive: true` removes only the run-scoped local workdir
 - tests use fake storage and do not require live S3.
 
 Future work:
 
-- spool audio cleanup/deletion behavior
 - `notify` stage behavior
 - stale detection
 - optional future source-audio upload mode
@@ -89,6 +91,7 @@ Archive writes:
 Writing `current/run_id.txt` last makes it the effective commit marker for published session state.
 
 If any required run upload, promotion upload, or current-manifest upload fails, archive returns failure and does not write `current/run_id.txt`.
+Cleanup runs only after this commit-marker write has succeeded.
 
 ## Audio Upload Policy
 
@@ -99,6 +102,7 @@ Original audio is expected at the session-level audio prefix and is not duplicat
 
 - `archive.enabled: false` skips archive cleanly.
 - `archive.upload_run: false` skips run upload cleanly.
+- both skip cases also skip post-archive local cleanup.
 
 ## Metadata
 

docs/roadmap/narratio-s3-archive-implementation-plan.md

@@ -95,6 +95,11 @@ Implemented in repository:
   - campaign/session/run local work and spool path helpers
   - manifest run/path identity fields
 - examples and tests for the above foundations
+- session template operator UX:
+  - default session config discovery (`./session.yml`, `/usr/local/etc/narratio/session.yml`, `/etc/narratio/session.yml`)
+  - `--session-id` template injection for `session_id`
+  - session template rendering before strict YAML decode
+  - unresolved template placeholders and `session_id` mismatches fail clearly
 - remote storage backend layer:
   - object-store abstraction with `List`, `Download`, `Upload`, and `Exists`
   - fake storage backend for deterministic, no-network testing
@@ -115,10 +120,13 @@ Implemented in repository:
   - `current/run_id.txt` is uploaded last as the effective commit marker
   - current pointer content is `{run_id}` plus trailing newline
   - if promotion/current manifest upload fails, current pointer is not written
+- post-archive local cleanup behavior:
+  - `pipeline.spool.delete_audio_after_archive` removes run-scoped spool audio only after successful archive commit
+  - `pipeline.workspace.cleanup_after_archive` removes run-scoped workdir only after successful archive commit
+  - cleanup is skipped for failed/incomplete/skipped/unarchived runs
 
 Not implemented yet:
 
-- spool audio cleanup / deletion behavior
 - `notify` stage behavior
 - generic stale detection based on input/config checksums
 - optional future mode for uploading source audio from local workspace/spool

docs/s3-audio-input.md

@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ Implemented:
 
 Not implemented:
 
-- spool cleanup/deletion behavior
 - uploads of failed runs
 
 ## Required Configuration

examples/pipeline.audita-overrides.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+workspace:
+  root: ./tmp/narratio-workspace
+
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: "https://transcription.example.com/transcribe"
+
+seriatim:
+  binary: "seriatim"
+  timeout: "10m"
+  output_schema: "seriatim-intermediate"
+  coalesce_gap: 3.0
+
+audita:
+  binary: "audita"
+  timeout: "3h"
+  base_url: "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1"
+  model: "openrouter/google/gemma-4-31b-it"
+  llm_api_key_env: "AUDITA_LLM_API_KEY"
+  modules: ["glossary", "homophones", "spoken_word", "grammar"]
+  output_schema: "audita-v1"
+  work_dir_retention: "auto"
+  total_llm_concurrency: 2
+  proposal_llm_concurrency: 1
+  validation_model: "openrouter/google/gemma-4-31b-it"
+  validation_llm_concurrency: 1
+  report: true

examples/pipeline.minimal.yml

@@ -1,14 +1,13 @@
 workspace:
   root: ./tmp/narratio-workspace
+  cleanup_after_archive: false
 
 storage:
-  backend: local
+  backend: s3
   s3:
     bucket: "my-dnd-archive"
     root_prefix: "dnd"
     region: "us-east-1"
-    endpoint: ""
-    force_path_style: false
 
 spool:
   root: "/var/spool/narratio"
@@ -17,106 +16,33 @@ spool:
 archive:
   enabled: true
   upload_run: true
-  promote_artifacts:
-    - from: "transcripts/trimmed.json"
-      to: "transcripts/trimmed.json"
-      required: true
-    - from: "artifacts/session_recap.md"
-      to: "artifacts/session_recap.md"
-      required: true
-
-secrets:
-  # Optional: load environment variables from files in this directory.
-  # File name = env var name; file contents = env var value.
-  env_dir: /var/local/narratio/secrets
 
 whisperx:
   transcribe_url: "https://transcription.example.com/transcribe"
-  language: "en"
-  timeout: "30m"
-  retries: 3
-  retry_delay: "2s"
-  concurrency: 2
 
-seriatim:
+# Optional. When omitted entirely, Narratio defaults to seriatim binary + runtime defaults.
-  binary: "seriatim"
+seriatim: {}
-  timeout: "10m"
-  output_schema: "seriatim-intermediate"
-  coalesce_gap: 3.0
-  report: true
-  env:
-    overlap_word_run_gap: 1.0
-    overlap_word_run_reorder_window: 1.0
-    backchannel_max_duration: 2.0
-    filler_max_duration: 1.25
 
+# Optional runtime overrides. Model/provider can be owned by Audita runtime config.
 audita:
-  binary: "audita"
+  config_path: "/usr/local/etc/audita/config.yml"
-  timeout: "3h"
   llm_api_key_env: "AUDITA_LLM_API_KEY"
-  # Optional: pass only when overriding Audita's default module sequence.
-  modules: []
-  base_url: "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1"
-  model: "openrouter/google/gemma-4-31b-it"
-  transcript_description: ""
-  config_path: ""
-  output_schema: "audita-v1"
-  work_dir_retention: "auto"
-  total_llm_concurrency: 1
-  proposal_llm_concurrency: 1
-  validation_model: ""
-  validation_llm_concurrency: 1
-  report: true
-
-normalize:
-  # Session-workdir-relative when not absolute.
-  output_path: "transcripts/normalized.json"
-  output_schema: "seriatim-intermediate"
-  report: true
-
-trim:
-  enabled: true
-  # Session-workdir-relative when not absolute.
-  output_path: "transcripts/trimmed.json"
-  bounds:
-    prompt_id: "dnd_session.bounds"
-    # Empty means use prompt default profile.
-    profile_id: ""
-    transcript_input_name: "transcript"
-    output_path: "artifacts/session_bounds.json"
-    timeout: "10m"
-    render_debug: false
-    render_output_path: "artifacts/session_bounds.render.json"
-  seriatim:
-    report: false
 
+# Optional Scriptorium integration for analyze artifacts.
 scriptorium:
-  binary: "scriptorium"
+  config_path: "/usr/local/etc/scriptorium/config.yml"
-  config_path: "/etc/scriptorium/config.yml"
-  timeout: "10m"
-  render_debug: false
   artifacts:
     session_recap:
       enabled: true
       prompt_id: "dnd.session_recap"
-      profile_id: "local-quality"
       output_path: "artifacts/session_recap.md"
-      timeout: "10m"
-      # Optional per-artifact override of global scriptorium.render_debug.
-      # render_debug: true
       inputs:
         transcript:
-          # Available transcript sources:
-          # - trimmed_transcript (recommended for session_recap)
-          # - normalized_transcript (recommended for future full-session analysis)
-          # - processed_transcript (raw Audita-polished output)
           source: "trimmed_transcript"
           required: true
         previous_recap:
           source: "previous_session_artifact"
           artifact: "session_recap"
-          # Optional: set when previous recap is available.
-          path: ""
           required: false
       vars:
         session_id: true
@@ -124,11 +50,3 @@ scriptorium:
         campaign_name: true
         previous_session_id: true
         output_kind: "session_recap"
-
-analyzer:
-  timeout: 20m
-  artifacts:
-    output_dir: artifacts
-
-notification:
-  timeout: 10s

examples/session.template.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+session_id: "{{ session_id }}"
+campaign: sample-campaign
+date: ""
+title: ""
+inputs:
+  audio_dir: ./audio
+  # Optional S3 input alternative. Do not configure with audio_dir/audio_files.
+  # audio_s3:
+  #   prefix: "audio/{{ session_id }}/"
+  speakers_file: ./speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: ./glossary.yml

internal/adapters/audita/subprocess.go

@@ -108,18 +108,14 @@ func NewSubprocessRunner(cfg SubprocessRunnerConfig) (*SubprocessRunner, error)
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("audita module at index %d is empty", i)
 		}
 	}
-	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.BaseURL) == "" {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.BaseURL) != "" {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("audita base url is required")
+		u, err := url.Parse(cfg.BaseURL)
-	}
+		if err != nil || u.Scheme == "" || u.Host == "" {
-	u, err := url.Parse(cfg.BaseURL)
+			if err != nil {
-	if err != nil || u.Scheme == "" || u.Host == "" {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("audita base url %q is invalid: %w", cfg.BaseURL, err)
-		if err != nil {
+			}
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("audita base url %q is invalid: %w", cfg.BaseURL, err)
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("audita base url %q is invalid", cfg.BaseURL)
 		}
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("audita base url %q is invalid", cfg.BaseURL)
-	}
-	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.Model) == "" {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("audita model is required")
 	}
 	if cfg.TotalLLMConcurrency != nil && *cfg.TotalLLMConcurrency <= 0 {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("audita total llm concurrency must be > 0 when provided")
@@ -307,10 +303,14 @@ func (r *SubprocessRunner) buildArgs(req PolishRequest, modules []string) []stri
 		req.MergedTranscriptPath,
 		"--glossary", req.GlossaryPath,
 		"--output", req.OutputProcessedPath,
-		"--base-url", r.baseURL,
-		"--model", r.model,
 		"--work-dir", req.WorkDir,
 	}
+	if r.baseURL != "" {
+		args = append(args, "--base-url", r.baseURL)
+	}
+	if r.model != "" {
+		args = append(args, "--model", r.model)
+	}
 	if len(modules) > 0 {
 		args = append(args, "--modules", strings.Join(modules, ","))
 	}

internal/adapters/audita/subprocess_test.go

@@ -99,9 +99,9 @@ func TestSubprocessRunnerSuccessArgsEnvAndValidation(t *testing.T) {
 		"process", req.MergedTranscriptPath,
 		"--glossary", req.GlossaryPath,
 		"--output", req.OutputProcessedPath,
+		"--work-dir", req.WorkDir,
 		"--base-url", "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1",
 		"--model", "openrouter/google/gemma-4-31b-it",
-		"--work-dir", req.WorkDir,
 		"--modules", "glossary,homophones,glossary",
 		"--report-json", req.ReportPath,
 		"--transcript-description", "Campaign Session 42",
@@ -248,6 +248,36 @@ func TestSubprocessRunnerOmitsModulesFlagWhenNotConfigured(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestSubprocessRunnerOmitsBaseURLAndModelFlagsWhenNotConfigured(t *testing.T) {
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+		t.Skip("helper wrapper script uses /bin/sh")
+	}
+	t.Setenv("GO_WANT_AUDITA_HELPER", "1")
+	t.Setenv("AUDITA_HELPER_MODE", "success")
+	recordPath := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "record.json")
+	t.Setenv("AUDITA_HELPER_RECORD_PATH", recordPath)
+
+	runner := mustAuditaRunner(t, SubprocessRunnerConfig{
+		Binary:       writeAuditaHelperWrapper(t),
+		Timeout:      mustParseAuditaDuration(t, "2s"),
+		LLMAPIKeyEnv: "",
+		Report:       false,
+	})
+	req := auditaReqForTest(t, false)
+	if _, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), req); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	rec := readAuditaHelperRecord(t, recordPath)
+	for i := 0; i < len(rec.Args); i++ {
+		if rec.Args[i] == "--base-url" {
+			t.Fatalf("args contained --base-url unexpectedly: %#v", rec.Args)
+		}
+		if rec.Args[i] == "--model" {
+			t.Fatalf("args contained --model unexpectedly: %#v", rec.Args)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func TestSubprocessRunnerSubprocessFailure(t *testing.T) {
 	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
 		t.Skip("helper wrapper script uses /bin/sh")

internal/app/commands_test.go

@@ -64,12 +64,12 @@ func TestExecuteMissingRequiredFlags(t *testing.T) {
 		args []string
 		want string
 	}{
-		{name: "run missing flags", args: []string{"run"}, want: "run: --session is required"},
+		{name: "run missing flags", args: []string{"run"}, want: "run: no pipeline config path provided and no default pipeline config found; searched:"},
-		{name: "plan missing flags", args: []string{"plan"}, want: "plan: --session is required"},
+		{name: "plan missing flags", args: []string{"plan"}, want: "plan: no pipeline config path provided and no default pipeline config found; searched:"},
 		{name: "status missing flags", args: []string{"status"}, want: "status: --manifest is required"},
-		{name: "resume missing flags", args: []string{"resume"}, want: "resume: --session is required"},
+		{name: "resume missing flags", args: []string{"resume"}, want: "resume: no pipeline config path provided and no default pipeline config found; searched:"},
 		{name: "run-stage missing name", args: []string{"run-stage", "--config", "a", "--session", "b"}, want: "run-stage: expected exactly one stage name"},
-		{name: "run-stage missing config flags", args: []string{"run-stage", "polish"}, want: "run-stage: --session is required"},
+		{name: "run-stage missing config flags", args: []string{"run-stage", "polish"}, want: "run-stage: no pipeline config path provided and no default pipeline config found; searched:"},
 		{name: "run missing config uses defaults", args: []string{"run", "--session", "session.yml"}, want: "run: no pipeline config path provided and no default pipeline config found; searched:"},
 	}
 

internal/app/plan.go

@@ -21,9 +21,11 @@ func Plan(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 
 	var pipelinePath string
 	var sessionPath string
+	var sessionID string
 	var force bool
 	fs.StringVar(&pipelinePath, "config", "", "path to pipeline.yml (optional; defaults searched)")
 	fs.StringVar(&sessionPath, "session", "", "path to session.yml")
+	fs.StringVar(&sessionID, "session-id", "", "session identifier for session.yml templates")
 	fs.BoolVar(&force, "force", false, "force stage execution (reserved for future behavior)")
 
 	if err := fs.Parse(args); err != nil {
@@ -32,16 +34,18 @@ func Plan(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	if fs.NArg() != 0 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("plan: unexpected positional arguments")
 	}
-	if sessionPath == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("plan: --session is required")
-	}
-
 	resolvedPipelinePath, err := resolvePipelineConfigPath(pipelinePath)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("plan: %w", err)
 	}
+	resolvedSessionPath, err := resolveSessionConfigPath(sessionPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("plan: %w", err)
+	}
 
-	cfg, err := config.Load(resolvedPipelinePath, sessionPath)
+	cfg, err := config.LoadWithSessionOptions(resolvedPipelinePath, resolvedSessionPath, config.SessionLoadOptions{
+		SessionID: sessionID,
+	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("plan: %w", err)
 	}

internal/app/post_archive_cleanup.go

@@ -0,0 +1,208 @@
+package app
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/artifacts"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/config"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/manifest"
+)
+
+func runPostArchiveCleanup(ctx context.Context, env *Env, manifestPath string, m *manifest.Manifest, executed []string) error {
+	if env == nil || env.Config == nil || env.Config.Pipeline == nil || m == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	spoolRequested := env.Config.Pipeline.Spool.DeleteAudioAfterArchive
+	workRequested := env.Config.Pipeline.Workspace.CleanupAfterArchive
+	if !spoolRequested && !workRequested {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	sr := archiveStageRecordForCleanup(m, executed)
+	if sr == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if sr.Metadata == nil {
+		sr.Metadata = map[string]any{}
+	}
+	sr.Metadata["spool_cleanup_requested"] = spoolRequested
+	sr.Metadata["workdir_cleanup_requested"] = workRequested
+
+	eligible, reason := archiveCleanupEligible(env.Config, sr)
+	if !eligible {
+		sr.Metadata["cleanup_skipped"] = true
+		sr.Metadata["cleanup_skipped_reason"] = reason
+		if err := env.ManifestStore.Save(ctx, manifestPath, m); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("save manifest cleanup skip metadata %q: %w", manifestPath, err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	spoolDir := strings.TrimSpace(m.LocalSpoolDir)
+	if spoolDir == "" {
+		spoolDir = artifacts.SessionSpoolAudioDir(
+			env.Config.Pipeline.Spool.Root,
+			strings.TrimSpace(env.Config.Session.Campaign),
+			strings.TrimSpace(env.Config.Session.SessionID),
+			strings.TrimSpace(m.RunID),
+		)
+	}
+	workDir := strings.TrimSpace(m.LocalWorkDir)
+	if workDir == "" {
+		workDir = artifacts.SessionRunWorkDir(
+			env.Config.Pipeline.Workspace.Root,
+			strings.TrimSpace(env.Config.Session.Campaign),
+			strings.TrimSpace(env.Config.Session.SessionID),
+			strings.TrimSpace(m.RunID),
+		)
+	}
+
+	if spoolRequested {
+		if err := removeRunScopedDir(strings.TrimSpace(env.Config.Pipeline.Spool.Root), spoolDir, "pipeline.spool.delete_audio_after_archive"); err != nil {
+			sr.Metadata["cleanup_failed"] = true
+			sr.Metadata["cleanup_failed_policy"] = "pipeline.spool.delete_audio_after_archive"
+			sr.Metadata["cleanup_failed_path"] = spoolDir
+			_ = env.ManifestStore.Save(ctx, manifestPath, m)
+			return err
+		}
+		sr.Metadata["spool_cleanup_deleted"] = filepath.Clean(spoolDir)
+	}
+
+	if !workRequested {
+		sr.Metadata["cleanup_completed"] = true
+		sr.Metadata["cleanup_skipped"] = false
+		if err := env.ManifestStore.Save(ctx, manifestPath, m); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("save manifest cleanup metadata %q: %w", manifestPath, err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if err := removeRunScopedDir(strings.TrimSpace(env.Config.Pipeline.Workspace.Root), workDir, "pipeline.workspace.cleanup_after_archive"); err != nil {
+		sr.Metadata["cleanup_failed"] = true
+		sr.Metadata["cleanup_failed_policy"] = "pipeline.workspace.cleanup_after_archive"
+		sr.Metadata["cleanup_failed_path"] = workDir
+		_ = env.ManifestStore.Save(ctx, manifestPath, m)
+		return err
+	}
+
+	sr.Metadata["workdir_cleanup_deleted"] = filepath.Clean(workDir)
+	sr.Metadata["cleanup_completed"] = true
+	sr.Metadata["cleanup_skipped"] = false
+	return nil
+}
+
+func archiveStageRecordForCleanup(m *manifest.Manifest, executed []string) *manifest.StageRecord {
+	if m == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	archiveRan := false
+	for _, name := range executed {
+		if name == "archive" {
+			archiveRan = true
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	if !archiveRan {
+		return nil
+	}
+	sr := m.Stages["archive"]
+	if sr == nil || sr.Status != manifest.StatusSucceeded {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return sr
+}
+
+func archiveCleanupEligible(cfg *config.Config, sr *manifest.StageRecord) (bool, string) {
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.Pipeline == nil || cfg.Pipeline.Archive == nil {
+		return false, "archive configuration is missing"
+	}
+	enabled := true
+	if cfg.Pipeline.Archive.Enabled != nil {
+		enabled = *cfg.Pipeline.Archive.Enabled
+	}
+	if !enabled {
+		return false, "archive.enabled is false"
+	}
+	uploadRun := true
+	if cfg.Pipeline.Archive.UploadRun != nil {
+		uploadRun = *cfg.Pipeline.Archive.UploadRun
+	}
+	if !uploadRun {
+		return false, "archive.upload_run is false"
+	}
+	if sr == nil || sr.Metadata == nil {
+		return false, "archive metadata is missing"
+	}
+	if skipped, _ := sr.Metadata["skipped"].(bool); skipped {
+		return false, "archive stage was skipped"
+	}
+	if uploaded, _ := sr.Metadata["uploaded"].(bool); !uploaded {
+		return false, "archive did not upload run record"
+	}
+	if pointer, _ := sr.Metadata["current_pointer_written"].(bool); !pointer {
+		return false, "archive did not write current pointer"
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(asString(sr.Metadata["current_run_id_key"])) == "" {
+		return false, "archive current run pointer key is missing"
+	}
+	return true, ""
+}
+
+func removeRunScopedDir(root, target, policy string) error {
+	cleanRoot := strings.TrimSpace(root)
+	cleanTarget := strings.TrimSpace(target)
+	if cleanRoot == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cleanup policy %s: root path is required", policy)
+	}
+	if cleanTarget == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cleanup policy %s: target path is required", policy)
+	}
+
+	rootAbs, err := filepath.Abs(cleanRoot)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cleanup policy %s: resolve root %q: %w", policy, cleanRoot, err)
+	}
+	targetAbs, err := filepath.Abs(cleanTarget)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cleanup policy %s: resolve target %q: %w", policy, cleanTarget, err)
+	}
+
+	rel, err := filepath.Rel(rootAbs, targetAbs)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cleanup policy %s: relative path from %q to %q: %w", policy, rootAbs, targetAbs, err)
+	}
+	if rel == "." {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cleanup policy %s: refusing to delete root directory %q", policy, rootAbs)
+	}
+	if rel == ".." || strings.HasPrefix(rel, ".."+string(filepath.Separator)) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cleanup policy %s: refusing to delete path outside root: root=%q target=%q", policy, rootAbs, targetAbs)
+	}
+
+	info, err := os.Lstat(targetAbs)
+	if err != nil {
+		if os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			return nil
+		}
+		return fmt.Errorf("cleanup policy %s: stat target %q: %w", policy, targetAbs, err)
+	}
+	if info.Mode()&os.ModeSymlink != 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cleanup policy %s: refusing to delete symlink path %q", policy, targetAbs)
+	}
+	if !info.IsDir() {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cleanup policy %s: target %q is not a directory", policy, targetAbs)
+	}
+	if err := os.RemoveAll(targetAbs); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cleanup policy %s: remove %q: %w", policy, targetAbs, err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func asString(v any) string {
+	s, _ := v.(string)
+	return s
+}

internal/app/post_archive_cleanup_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,396 @@
+package app
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/adapters/storage"
+	"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"
+)
+
+type archiveSuccessStage struct {
+	metadata map[string]any
+}
+
+func (archiveSuccessStage) Name() string           { return "archive" }
+func (archiveSuccessStage) Declares() stage.IODecl { return stage.IODecl{} }
+func (s archiveSuccessStage) Run(_ context.Context, _ *stage.Env, _ *manifest.Manifest) (*stage.StageResult, error) {
+	md := map[string]any{
+		"stage":                   "archive",
+		"uploaded":                true,
+		"current_pointer_written": true,
+		"current_run_id_key":      "dnd/campaigns/sample-campaign/sessions/2026-05-03/current/run_id.txt",
+	}
+	for k, v := range s.metadata {
+		md[k] = v
+	}
+	return &stage.StageResult{Metadata: md}, nil
+}
+
+type notifyFailStage struct{}
+
+func (notifyFailStage) Name() string           { return "notify" }
+func (notifyFailStage) Declares() stage.IODecl { return stage.IODecl{} }
+func (notifyFailStage) Run(_ context.Context, _ *stage.Env, _ *manifest.Manifest) (*stage.StageResult, error) {
+	return nil, errors.New("notify failed")
+}
+
+func TestPostArchiveCleanupDisabledKeepsLocalDirs(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, seed := cleanupFixtureConfig(t)
+	cfg.Pipeline.Spool.DeleteAudioAfterArchive = false
+	cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.CleanupAfterArchive = false
+
+	if _, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{archiveSuccessStage{}}, RunOptions{Env: &Env{ObjectStore: &storage.FakeBackend{}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("executeStages() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	assertExists(t, seed.spoolAudioDir)
+	assertExists(t, seed.runWorkDir)
+	assertExists(t, seed.localSourceAudio)
+}
+
+func TestPostArchiveCleanupSpoolOnly(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, seed := cleanupFixtureConfig(t)
+	cfg.Pipeline.Spool.DeleteAudioAfterArchive = true
+	cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.CleanupAfterArchive = false
+
+	if _, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{archiveSuccessStage{}}, RunOptions{Env: &Env{ObjectStore: &storage.FakeBackend{}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("executeStages() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	assertMissing(t, seed.spoolAudioDir)
+	assertExists(t, seed.runWorkDir)
+	assertExists(t, seed.localSourceAudio)
+}
+
+func TestPostArchiveCleanupWorkdirOnly(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, seed := cleanupFixtureConfig(t)
+	cfg.Pipeline.Spool.DeleteAudioAfterArchive = false
+	cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.CleanupAfterArchive = true
+
+	if _, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{archiveSuccessStage{}}, RunOptions{Env: &Env{ObjectStore: &storage.FakeBackend{}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("executeStages() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	assertExists(t, cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.Root)
+	assertExists(t, seed.otherRunDir)
+	assertMissing(t, seed.runWorkDir)
+	assertExists(t, seed.spoolAudioDir)
+}
+
+func TestPostArchiveCleanupBothPolicies(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, seed := cleanupFixtureConfig(t)
+	cfg.Pipeline.Spool.DeleteAudioAfterArchive = true
+	cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.CleanupAfterArchive = true
+
+	if _, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{archiveSuccessStage{}}, RunOptions{Env: &Env{ObjectStore: &storage.FakeBackend{}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("executeStages() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	assertMissing(t, seed.spoolAudioDir)
+	assertMissing(t, seed.runWorkDir)
+	assertExists(t, seed.otherRunDir)
+}
+
+func TestPostArchiveCleanupNotRunWhenArchiveFails(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, seed := cleanupFixtureConfig(t)
+	cfg.Pipeline.Spool.DeleteAudioAfterArchive = true
+	cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.CleanupAfterArchive = true
+
+	_, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{failingStage{name: "archive", err: errors.New("archive failed")}}, RunOptions{Env: &Env{ObjectStore: &storage.FakeBackend{}}})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "stage \"archive\" failed") {
+		t.Fatalf("executeStages() error = %v, want archive failure", err)
+	}
+
+	assertExists(t, seed.spoolAudioDir)
+	assertExists(t, seed.runWorkDir)
+}
+
+func TestPostArchiveCleanupNotRunWhenArchiveSkipped(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, seed := cleanupFixtureConfig(t)
+	cfg.Pipeline.Spool.DeleteAudioAfterArchive = true
+	cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.CleanupAfterArchive = true
+
+	if _, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{archiveSuccessStage{metadata: map[string]any{"skipped": true}}}, RunOptions{Env: &Env{ObjectStore: &storage.FakeBackend{}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("executeStages() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	assertExists(t, seed.spoolAudioDir)
+	assertExists(t, seed.runWorkDir)
+}
+
+func TestPostArchiveCleanupNotRunWhenCurrentPointerMissing(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, seed := cleanupFixtureConfig(t)
+	cfg.Pipeline.Spool.DeleteAudioAfterArchive = true
+	cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.CleanupAfterArchive = true
+
+	if _, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{archiveSuccessStage{metadata: map[string]any{"current_pointer_written": false}}}, RunOptions{Env: &Env{ObjectStore: &storage.FakeBackend{}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("executeStages() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	assertExists(t, seed.spoolAudioDir)
+	assertExists(t, seed.runWorkDir)
+}
+
+func TestPostArchiveCleanupNotRunWhenArchiveUploadDisabled(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, seed := cleanupFixtureConfig(t)
+	cfg.Pipeline.Spool.DeleteAudioAfterArchive = true
+	cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.CleanupAfterArchive = true
+	cfg.Pipeline.Archive.UploadRun = boolPtr(false)
+
+	if _, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{archiveSuccessStage{}}, RunOptions{Env: &Env{ObjectStore: &storage.FakeBackend{}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("executeStages() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	assertExists(t, seed.spoolAudioDir)
+	assertExists(t, seed.runWorkDir)
+}
+
+func TestPostArchiveCleanupWaitsUntilAllStagesSucceed(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, seed := cleanupFixtureConfig(t)
+	cfg.Pipeline.Spool.DeleteAudioAfterArchive = true
+	cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.CleanupAfterArchive = true
+
+	_, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{archiveSuccessStage{}, notifyFailStage{}}, RunOptions{Env: &Env{ObjectStore: &storage.FakeBackend{}}})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "stage \"notify\" failed") {
+		t.Fatalf("executeStages() error = %v, want notify failure", err)
+	}
+
+	assertExists(t, seed.spoolAudioDir)
+	assertExists(t, seed.runWorkDir)
+}
+
+func TestPostArchiveCleanupFailsOnUnsafePath(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, _ := cleanupFixtureConfig(t)
+	cfg.Pipeline.Spool.DeleteAudioAfterArchive = true
+	cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.CleanupAfterArchive = false
+
+	manifestPath := manifestPathFor(cfg)
+	store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
+	m, err := store.Load(context.Background(), manifestPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Load() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	m.LocalSpoolDir = filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(cfg.Pipeline.Spool.Root), "outside-spool")
+	if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPath, m); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Save() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	_, err = executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{archiveSuccessStage{}}, RunOptions{Env: &Env{ObjectStore: &storage.FakeBackend{}}})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "refusing to delete path outside root") {
+		t.Fatalf("executeStages() error = %v, want safe-path failure", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPostArchiveCleanupNotRunWhenPromotionIsMissing(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, seed, runID := archiveStageCleanupFixture(t)
+	cfg.Pipeline.Spool.DeleteAudioAfterArchive = true
+	cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.CleanupAfterArchive = true
+	cfg.Pipeline.Archive.PromoteArtifacts = []config.ArchivePromotionRule{
+		{From: "artifacts/missing.md", To: "artifacts/missing.md", Required: boolPtr(true)},
+	}
+
+	archiveStageImpl, err := stage.Select("archive")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Select(archive) error = %v", err)
+	}
+	_, err = executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{archiveStageImpl}, RunOptions{Env: &Env{ObjectStore: &storage.FakeBackend{}}})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "required promotion source missing") {
+		t.Fatalf("executeStages() error = %v, want promotion-missing failure", err)
+	}
+
+	assertExists(t, seed.spoolAudioDir)
+	assertExists(t, seed.runWorkDir)
+	assertExists(t, filepath.Join(seed.runWorkDir, "manifest.json"))
+	assertExists(t, artifacts.SessionRunWorkDir(cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.Root, cfg.Session.Campaign, cfg.Session.SessionID, runID))
+}
+
+func TestPostArchiveCleanupNotRunWhenCurrentManifestUploadFails(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, seed, _ := archiveStageCleanupFixture(t)
+	cfg.Pipeline.Spool.DeleteAudioAfterArchive = true
+	cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.CleanupAfterArchive = true
+	failKey := seed.sessionPrefix + "current/manifest.json"
+
+	archiveStageImpl, err := stage.Select("archive")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Select(archive) error = %v", err)
+	}
+	_, err = executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{archiveStageImpl}, RunOptions{
+		Env: &Env{ObjectStore: &failKeyStore{delegate: &storage.FakeBackend{}, failKey: failKey}},
+	})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "current manifest") {
+		t.Fatalf("executeStages() error = %v, want current-manifest failure", err)
+	}
+
+	assertExists(t, seed.spoolAudioDir)
+	assertExists(t, seed.runWorkDir)
+}
+
+func TestPostArchiveCleanupNotRunWhenCurrentPointerUploadFails(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, seed, _ := archiveStageCleanupFixture(t)
+	cfg.Pipeline.Spool.DeleteAudioAfterArchive = true
+	cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.CleanupAfterArchive = true
+	failKey := seed.sessionPrefix + "current/run_id.txt"
+
+	archiveStageImpl, err := stage.Select("archive")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Select(archive) error = %v", err)
+	}
+	_, err = executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{archiveStageImpl}, RunOptions{
+		Env: &Env{ObjectStore: &failKeyStore{delegate: &storage.FakeBackend{}, failKey: failKey}},
+	})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "current run pointer") {
+		t.Fatalf("executeStages() error = %v, want current-run-pointer failure", err)
+	}
+
+	assertExists(t, seed.spoolAudioDir)
+	assertExists(t, seed.runWorkDir)
+}
+
+type cleanupSeed struct {
+	runWorkDir       string
+	otherRunDir      string
+	spoolAudioDir    string
+	localSourceAudio string
+	sessionPrefix    string
+}
+
+func cleanupFixtureConfig(t *testing.T) (*config.Config, cleanupSeed) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	cfg := testConfig(t)
+	cfg.Pipeline.Archive = &config.ArchiveConfig{Enabled: boolPtr(true), UploadRun: boolPtr(true)}
+	cfg.Pipeline.Spool.Root = filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "spool")
+
+	runID := "20260516T010203Z-1a2b3c4d"
+	runWorkDir := artifacts.SessionRunWorkDir(cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.Root, cfg.Session.Campaign, cfg.Session.SessionID, runID)
+	otherRunDir := artifacts.SessionRunWorkDir(cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.Root, cfg.Session.Campaign, cfg.Session.SessionID, "20260516T010204Z-5e6f7a8b")
+	spoolAudioDir := artifacts.SessionSpoolAudioDir(cfg.Pipeline.Spool.Root, cfg.Session.Campaign, cfg.Session.SessionID, runID)
+
+	mustWriteFile(t, filepath.Join(runWorkDir, "manifest.json"), "{}\n")
+	mustWriteFile(t, filepath.Join(runWorkDir, "logs", "stage.log"), "log\n")
+	mustWriteFile(t, filepath.Join(otherRunDir, "logs", "stage.log"), "other\n")
+	mustWriteFile(t, filepath.Join(spoolAudioDir, "speaker.flac"), "flac\n")
+
+	localSourceAudio := filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(cfg.SessionPath), "audio", "alice.flac")
+	mustWriteFile(t, localSourceAudio, "source\n")
+
+	seed := manifest.New(cfg.Session.SessionID, time.Now().UTC())
+	seed.Campaign = cfg.Session.Campaign
+	seed.RunID = runID
+	seed.LocalWorkDir = runWorkDir
+	seed.LocalSpoolDir = spoolAudioDir
+	seed.S3Bucket = "my-dnd-archive"
+	seed.S3SessionPrefix = "dnd/campaigns/sample-campaign/sessions/2026-05-03/"
+	seed.S3RunPrefix = seed.S3SessionPrefix + "runs/" + runID + "/"
+
+	store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(manifestPathFor(cfg)), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MkdirAll() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPathFor(cfg), seed); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed manifest save error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	return cfg, cleanupSeed{
+		runWorkDir:       runWorkDir,
+		otherRunDir:      otherRunDir,
+		spoolAudioDir:    spoolAudioDir,
+		localSourceAudio: localSourceAudio,
+		sessionPrefix:    seed.S3SessionPrefix,
+	}
+}
+
+func archiveStageCleanupFixture(t *testing.T) (*config.Config, cleanupSeed, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	cfg, seed := cleanupFixtureConfig(t)
+	runID := "20260516T010203Z-1a2b3c4d"
+	cfg.Pipeline.Storage.S3 = &config.StorageS3Config{
+		Bucket:     "my-dnd-archive",
+		RootPrefix: "dnd",
+	}
+	cfg.Pipeline.Archive = &config.ArchiveConfig{
+		Enabled:   boolPtr(true),
+		UploadRun: boolPtr(true),
+		PromoteArtifacts: []config.ArchivePromotionRule{
+			{From: "transcripts/trimmed.json", To: "transcripts/trimmed.json", Required: boolPtr(true)},
+			{From: "artifacts/session_recap.md", To: "artifacts/session_recap.md", Required: boolPtr(true)},
+		},
+	}
+	writeArchiveFixtureRunFiles(t, seed.runWorkDir)
+
+	store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
+	seedManifest, err := store.Load(context.Background(), manifestPathFor(cfg))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Load() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	for _, name := range []string{"prepare", "transcribe", "merge", "polish", "normalize", "trim", "analyze"} {
+		seedManifest.MarkStageSucceeded(name, time.Now().UTC(), nil)
+	}
+	seedManifest.S3SessionPrefix = artifacts.S3SessionPrefix("dnd", cfg.Session.Campaign, cfg.Session.SessionID)
+	seedManifest.S3RunPrefix = artifacts.S3RunPrefix(seedManifest.S3SessionPrefix, runID)
+	if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPathFor(cfg), seedManifest); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Save() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	seed.sessionPrefix = seedManifest.S3SessionPrefix
+	return cfg, seed, runID
+}
+
+func writeArchiveFixtureRunFiles(t *testing.T, runWorkDir string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	mustWriteFile(t, filepath.Join(runWorkDir, "inputs", "session.yml"), "session_id: 2026-05-03\n")
+	mustWriteFile(t, filepath.Join(runWorkDir, "transcripts", "raw", "speaker.json"), "{}\n")
+	mustWriteFile(t, filepath.Join(runWorkDir, "transcripts", "trimmed.json"), "{}\n")
+	mustWriteFile(t, filepath.Join(runWorkDir, "artifacts", "session_recap.md"), "# recap\n")
+	mustWriteFile(t, filepath.Join(runWorkDir, "reports", "audita.report.json"), "{}\n")
+	mustWriteFile(t, filepath.Join(runWorkDir, "config", "audita.generated.yml"), "key: value\n")
+	mustWriteFile(t, filepath.Join(runWorkDir, "logs", "audita.stderr.log"), "stderr\n")
+	mustWriteFile(t, filepath.Join(runWorkDir, "manifest.json"), "{}\n")
+}
+
+type failKeyStore struct {
+	delegate *storage.FakeBackend
+	failKey  string
+}
+
+func (s *failKeyStore) List(ctx context.Context, prefix string) ([]storage.ObjectInfo, error) {
+	return s.delegate.List(ctx, prefix)
+}
+
+func (s *failKeyStore) Download(ctx context.Context, key, localPath string) error {
+	return s.delegate.Download(ctx, key, localPath)
+}
+
+func (s *failKeyStore) Upload(ctx context.Context, localPath, key string, opts storage.UploadOptions) (storage.ObjectInfo, error) {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(key) == strings.TrimSpace(s.failKey) {
+		return storage.ObjectInfo{}, errors.New("forced upload failure")
+	}
+	return s.delegate.Upload(ctx, localPath, key, opts)
+}
+
+func (s *failKeyStore) Exists(ctx context.Context, key string) (bool, error) {
+	return s.delegate.Exists(ctx, key)
+}
+
+func assertExists(t *testing.T, path string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	if _, err := os.Stat(path); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected path to exist %q: %v", path, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func assertMissing(t *testing.T, path string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	if _, err := os.Stat(path); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatalf("expected path to be removed %q, stat err=%v", path, err)
+	}
+}

internal/app/resume.go

@@ -17,9 +17,11 @@ func Resume(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 
 	var pipelinePath string
 	var sessionPath string
+	var sessionID string
 	var force bool
 	fs.StringVar(&pipelinePath, "config", "", "path to pipeline.yml (optional; defaults searched)")
 	fs.StringVar(&sessionPath, "session", "", "path to session.yml")
+	fs.StringVar(&sessionID, "session-id", "", "session identifier for session.yml templates")
 	fs.BoolVar(&force, "force", false, "force stage execution")
 
 	if err := fs.Parse(args); err != nil {
@@ -28,16 +30,18 @@ func Resume(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	if fs.NArg() != 0 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("resume: unexpected positional arguments")
 	}
-	if sessionPath == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("resume: --session is required")
-	}
-
 	resolvedPipelinePath, err := resolvePipelineConfigPath(pipelinePath)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("resume: %w", err)
 	}
+	resolvedSessionPath, err := resolveSessionConfigPath(sessionPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("resume: %w", err)
+	}
 
-	cfg, err := config.Load(resolvedPipelinePath, sessionPath)
+	cfg, err := config.LoadWithSessionOptions(resolvedPipelinePath, resolvedSessionPath, config.SessionLoadOptions{
+		SessionID: sessionID,
+	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("resume: %w", err)
 	}

internal/app/run.go

@@ -16,9 +16,11 @@ func Run(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 
 	var pipelinePath string
 	var sessionPath string
+	var sessionID string
 	var force bool
 	fs.StringVar(&pipelinePath, "config", "", "path to pipeline.yml (optional; defaults searched)")
 	fs.StringVar(&sessionPath, "session", "", "path to session.yml")
+	fs.StringVar(&sessionID, "session-id", "", "session identifier for session.yml templates")
 	fs.BoolVar(&force, "force", false, "force stage execution (reserved for future behavior)")
 
 	if err := fs.Parse(args); err != nil {
@@ -27,16 +29,18 @@ func Run(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	if fs.NArg() != 0 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("run: unexpected positional arguments")
 	}
-	if sessionPath == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("run: --session is required")
-	}
-
 	resolvedPipelinePath, err := resolvePipelineConfigPath(pipelinePath)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("run: %w", err)
 	}
+	resolvedSessionPath, err := resolveSessionConfigPath(sessionPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("run: %w", err)
+	}
 
-	cfg, err := config.Load(resolvedPipelinePath, sessionPath)
+	cfg, err := config.LoadWithSessionOptions(resolvedPipelinePath, resolvedSessionPath, config.SessionLoadOptions{
+		SessionID: sessionID,
+	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("run: %w", err)
 	}

internal/app/run_stage.go

@@ -16,9 +16,11 @@ func RunStage(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 
 	var pipelinePath string
 	var sessionPath string
+	var sessionID string
 	var force bool
 	fs.StringVar(&pipelinePath, "config", "", "path to pipeline.yml (optional; defaults searched)")
 	fs.StringVar(&sessionPath, "session", "", "path to session.yml")
+	fs.StringVar(&sessionID, "session-id", "", "session identifier for session.yml templates")
 	fs.BoolVar(&force, "force", false, "force stage execution (reserved for future behavior)")
 
 	if err := fs.Parse(args); err != nil {
@@ -27,10 +29,6 @@ func RunStage(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	if fs.NArg() != 1 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("run-stage: expected exactly one stage name")
 	}
-	if sessionPath == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("run-stage: --session is required")
-	}
-
 	stageName := fs.Arg(0)
 	stages, err := BuildSingleStagePlan(stageName)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -41,8 +39,14 @@ func RunStage(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("run-stage: %w", err)
 	}
+	resolvedSessionPath, err := resolveSessionConfigPath(sessionPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("run-stage: %w", err)
+	}
 
-	cfg, err := config.Load(resolvedPipelinePath, sessionPath)
+	cfg, err := config.LoadWithSessionOptions(resolvedPipelinePath, resolvedSessionPath, config.SessionLoadOptions{
+		SessionID: sessionID,
+	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("run-stage: %w", err)
 	}

internal/app/runner.go

@@ -168,6 +168,10 @@ func executeStages(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, stages []stage.Stage
 		env.Logger.Info("stage succeeded", "stage", s.Name())
 	}
 
+	if err := runPostArchiveCleanup(ctx, env, manifestPath, m, executed); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("post-archive cleanup: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	return &RunSummary{
 		SessionID:    cfg.Session.SessionID,
 		ManifestPath: manifestPath,
@@ -246,7 +250,7 @@ func buildDefaultAuditaRunner(cfg *config.Config) (audita.Runner, error) {
 	}
 
 	a := cfg.Pipeline.Audita
-	if strings.TrimSpace(a.Binary) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(a.Timeout) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(a.BaseURL) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(a.Model) == "" {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(a.Binary) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(a.Timeout) == "" {
 		// Compatibility fallback for tests or internal call paths that bypass config validation/defaults.
 		return &audita.NoopRunner{}, nil
 	}

internal/app/runner_test.go

@@ -497,6 +497,55 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T) *config.Config {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestBuildDefaultRunnersWithOmittedToolSections(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	pipelinePath := filepath.Join(dir, "pipeline.yml")
+	sessionPath := filepath.Join(dir, "session.yml")
+	pipelineYAML := `workspace:
+  root: ` + t.TempDir() + `
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://example.com/transcribe
+analyzer:
+  timeout: 20m
+notification:
+  timeout: 10s
+`
+	sessionYAML := `session_id: 2026-05-03
+campaign: sample-campaign
+inputs:
+  audio_dir: ./audio
+  speakers_file: ./speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
+`
+	mustWriteFile(t, pipelinePath, pipelineYAML)
+	mustWriteFile(t, sessionPath, sessionYAML)
+
+	cfg, err := config.Load(pipelinePath, sessionPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Load() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := config.Validate(cfg); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	serRunner, err := buildDefaultSeriatimRunner(cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("buildDefaultSeriatimRunner() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, ok := serRunner.(*seriatim.SubprocessRunner); !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("seriatim runner type = %T, want *seriatim.SubprocessRunner", serRunner)
+	}
+
+	audRunner, err := buildDefaultAuditaRunner(cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("buildDefaultAuditaRunner() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, ok := audRunner.(*audita.SubprocessRunner); !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("audita runner type = %T, want *audita.SubprocessRunner", audRunner)
+	}
+}
+
 func mustWriteFile(t *testing.T, path, contents string) {
 	t.Helper()
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(path), 0o755); err != nil {

internal/app/session_cli_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+package app
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestPlanUsesDiscoveredSessionTemplateWithSessionID(t *testing.T) {
+	workspaceRoot := t.TempDir()
+	pipelinePath, sessionPath := writeValidConfigFiles(t, workspaceRoot)
+
+	sessionTemplate := `session_id: "{{ session_id }}"
+campaign: sample-campaign
+inputs:
+  audio_dir: ./audio
+  speakers_file: ./speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
+`
+	if err := os.WriteFile(sessionPath, []byte(sessionTemplate), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write session template: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	cwd := filepath.Dir(sessionPath)
+	originalWD, err := os.Getwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Getwd(): %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.Chdir(cwd); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Chdir(%q): %v", cwd, err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = os.Chdir(originalWD) })
+
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	if err := Plan(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath, "--session-id", "2026-04-04"}, &out); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Plan() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(out.String(), "narratio plan: workdir prepared") {
+		t.Fatalf("output = %q, want plan output", out.String())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPlanFailsWhenSessionIDMismatchesConcreteSession(t *testing.T) {
+	workspaceRoot := t.TempDir()
+	pipelinePath, sessionPath := writeValidConfigFiles(t, workspaceRoot)
+
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	err := Plan(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath, "--session", sessionPath, "--session-id", "2026-04-04"}, &out)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error, got nil")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "session_id mismatch") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %q, want mismatch context", err.Error())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunStageAcceptsSessionIDFlagAndParsesStageName(t *testing.T) {
+	workspaceRoot := t.TempDir()
+	pipelinePath, sessionPath := writeValidConfigFiles(t, workspaceRoot)
+
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	err := RunStage(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath, "--session", sessionPath, "--session-id", "2026-05-03", "prepare"}, &out)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("RunStage() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(out.String(), "stage=prepare") {
+		t.Fatalf("output = %q, want stage output", out.String())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveSessionConfigPathErrorIncludesSearchedPaths(t *testing.T) {
+	_, err := resolveSessionConfigPathWithCandidates("", []string{"./session.yml", "/usr/local/etc/narratio/session.yml", "/etc/narratio/session.yml"})
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error, got nil")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "searched") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %q, want searched paths", err.Error())
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "pass --session") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %q, want explicit-session guidance", err.Error())
+	}
+}

internal/app/session_config_path.go

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+package app
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/config"
+)
+
+func resolveSessionConfigPath(flagValue string) (string, error) {
+	return resolveSessionConfigPathWithCandidates(flagValue, config.DefaultSessionConfigSearchPaths)
+}
+
+func resolveSessionConfigPathWithCandidates(flagValue string, candidates []string) (string, error) {
+	if explicit := strings.TrimSpace(flagValue); explicit != "" {
+		return explicit, nil
+	}
+
+	ordered := make([]string, 0, len(candidates))
+	for _, raw := range candidates {
+		path := strings.TrimSpace(raw)
+		if path == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		ordered = append(ordered, path)
+		info, err := os.Stat(path)
+		if err == nil {
+			if info.IsDir() {
+				continue
+			}
+			return filepath.Clean(path), nil
+		}
+		if errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+			continue
+		}
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("check default session config %q: %w", path, err)
+	}
+
+	if len(ordered) == 0 {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("no session config path provided and no default locations configured")
+	}
+	return "", fmt.Errorf(
+		"no session config path provided and no default session config found; searched: %s; pass --session to use an explicit path",
+		strings.Join(ordered, ", "),
+	)
+}

internal/app/session_config_path_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+package app
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestResolveSessionConfigPathWithCandidatesExplicitWins(t *testing.T) {
+	got, err := resolveSessionConfigPathWithCandidates("  ./custom/session.yml  ", []string{"./session.yml", "/a", "/b"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("resolveSessionConfigPathWithCandidates() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if got != "./custom/session.yml" {
+		t.Fatalf("resolved path = %q, want explicit path", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveSessionConfigPathWithCandidatesUsesFirstExisting(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	first := filepath.Join(dir, "first.yml")
+	second := filepath.Join(dir, "second.yml")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(second, []byte("session_id: 2026-05-03\n"), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write second default: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	got, err := resolveSessionConfigPathWithCandidates("", []string{first, second})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("resolveSessionConfigPathWithCandidates() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if got != filepath.Clean(second) {
+		t.Fatalf("resolved path = %q, want %q", got, filepath.Clean(second))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveSessionConfigPathWithCandidatesPrecedence(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	first := filepath.Join(dir, "first.yml")
+	second := filepath.Join(dir, "second.yml")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(first, []byte("session_id: 2026-05-03\n"), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write first default: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(second, []byte("session_id: 2026-05-03\n"), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write second default: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	got, err := resolveSessionConfigPathWithCandidates("", []string{first, second})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("resolveSessionConfigPathWithCandidates() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if got != filepath.Clean(first) {
+		t.Fatalf("resolved path = %q, want first candidate %q", got, filepath.Clean(first))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveSessionConfigPathWithCandidatesMissing(t *testing.T) {
+	_, err := resolveSessionConfigPathWithCandidates("", []string{"/does/not/exist/one.yml", "/does/not/exist/two.yml"})
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error, got nil")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "no default session config found") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %q, want missing-defaults context", err.Error())
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "pass --session") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %q, want explicit-path guidance", err.Error())
+	}
+}

internal/config/config.go

@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@ type SessionConfig struct {
 
 // WorkspaceConfig configures local workspace behavior.
 type WorkspaceConfig struct {
-	Root string `yaml:"root"`
+	Root                string `yaml:"root"`
+	CleanupAfterArchive bool   `yaml:"cleanup_after_archive"`
 }
 
 // SecretsConfig configures optional local filesystem secret loading.

internal/config/defaults.go

@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@ package config
 const (
 	DefaultPipelineConfigPathUsrLocal = "/usr/local/etc/narratio/pipeline.yml"
 	DefaultPipelineConfigPathEtc      = "/etc/narratio/pipeline.yml"
+	DefaultSessionConfigPathLocal     = "./session.yml"
+	DefaultSessionConfigPathUsrLocal  = "/usr/local/etc/narratio/session.yml"
+	DefaultSessionConfigPathEtc       = "/etc/narratio/session.yml"
 )
 
 // DefaultPipelineConfigSearchPaths defines the default search order for
@@ -16,3 +19,14 @@ var DefaultPipelineConfigSearchPaths = []string{
 	DefaultPipelineConfigPathUsrLocal,
 	DefaultPipelineConfigPathEtc,
 }
+
+// DefaultSessionConfigSearchPaths defines the default search order for
+// session.yml when callers do not provide an explicit path.
+//
+// Keep this in a variable so future defaults can be extended without changing
+// call sites.
+var DefaultSessionConfigSearchPaths = []string{
+	DefaultSessionConfigPathLocal,
+	DefaultSessionConfigPathUsrLocal,
+	DefaultSessionConfigPathEtc,
+}

internal/config/load.go

@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ import (
 	"io"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"regexp"
+	"strings"
 
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
@@ -21,21 +23,56 @@ 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
+	return LoadSessionWithOptions(path, SessionLoadOptions{})
-	if err := decodeStrictYAML("session", path, &cfg); err != nil {
+}
+
+// SessionLoadOptions configures session template rendering behavior.
+type SessionLoadOptions struct {
+	SessionID string
+}
+
+// LoadSessionWithOptions loads session configuration from a YAML file with
+// strict field checking after template rendering.
+func LoadSessionWithOptions(path string, opts SessionLoadOptions) (*SessionConfig, error) {
+	sessionBytes, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("load session config: session file %q: open: %w", path, err)
+	}
+
+	rendered, err := renderSessionTemplate(string(sessionBytes), opts)
+	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("load session config: %w", err)
 	}
+
+	var cfg SessionConfig
+	if err := decodeStrictYAMLFromReader("session", path, strings.NewReader(rendered), &cfg); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("load session config: %w", err)
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(opts.SessionID) != "" && strings.TrimSpace(cfg.SessionID) != "" && strings.TrimSpace(cfg.SessionID) != strings.TrimSpace(opts.SessionID) {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf(
+			"load session config: session file %q: session_id mismatch: --session-id %q does not match rendered session_id %q",
+			path,
+			strings.TrimSpace(opts.SessionID),
+			strings.TrimSpace(cfg.SessionID),
+		)
+	}
 	return &cfg, nil
 }
 
 // Load loads and resolves combined pipeline and session configuration.
 func Load(pipelinePath, sessionPath string) (*Config, error) {
+	return LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
+}
+
+// LoadWithSessionOptions loads and resolves combined pipeline and session
+// configuration with session template options.
+func LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, sessionPath string, sessionOpts SessionLoadOptions) (*Config, error) {
 	pipelineCfg, err := LoadPipeline(pipelinePath)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	sessionCfg, err := LoadSession(sessionPath)
+	sessionCfg, err := LoadSessionWithOptions(sessionPath, sessionOpts)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -55,7 +92,11 @@ func decodeStrictYAML(kind, path string, out any) error {
 	}
 	defer f.Close()
 
-	dec := yaml.NewDecoder(f)
+	return decodeStrictYAMLFromReader(kind, path, f, out)
+}
+
+func decodeStrictYAMLFromReader(kind, path string, r io.Reader, out any) error {
+	dec := yaml.NewDecoder(r)
 	dec.KnownFields(true)
 	if err := dec.Decode(out); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%s file %q: strict decode failed: %w", kind, path, err)
@@ -69,6 +110,36 @@ func decodeStrictYAML(kind, path string, out any) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+var sessionTemplatePattern = regexp.MustCompile(`\{\{\s*([a-zA-Z_][a-zA-Z0-9_]*)\s*\}\}`)
+
+func renderSessionTemplate(content string, opts SessionLoadOptions) (string, error) {
+	sessionID := strings.TrimSpace(opts.SessionID)
+	rendered := content
+	if sessionID != "" {
+		rendered = strings.ReplaceAll(rendered, "{{session_id}}", sessionID)
+		rendered = strings.ReplaceAll(rendered, "{{ session_id }}", sessionID)
+	}
+
+	unresolved := sessionTemplatePattern.FindAllStringSubmatch(rendered, -1)
+	if len(unresolved) > 0 {
+		vars := make([]string, 0, len(unresolved))
+		for _, m := range unresolved {
+			if len(m) > 1 {
+				vars = append(vars, m[1])
+			}
+		}
+		if len(vars) > 0 {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf(
+				"session file template rendering failed: unresolved template variable(s): %s; pass --session-id when using {{ session_id }}",
+				strings.Join(vars, ", "),
+			)
+		}
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("session file template rendering failed: unresolved template placeholders remain")
+	}
+
+	return rendered, nil
+}
+
 func shortName(path, fallback string) string {
 	base := filepath.Base(path)
 	if base == "." || base == string(filepath.Separator) {
@@ -173,6 +244,9 @@ func applySeriatimDefaults(cfg *SeriatimConfig) {
 	if cfg == nil {
 		return
 	}
+	if cfg.Binary == "" {
+		cfg.Binary = "seriatim"
+	}
 	if cfg.Timeout == "" {
 		cfg.Timeout = "10m"
 	}
@@ -191,15 +265,12 @@ func applyAuditaDefaults(cfg *AuditaConfig) {
 	if cfg == nil {
 		return
 	}
+	if cfg.Binary == "" {
+		cfg.Binary = "audita"
+	}
 	if cfg.Timeout == "" {
 		cfg.Timeout = "3h"
 	}
-	if cfg.BaseURL == "" {
-		cfg.BaseURL = "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1"
-	}
-	if cfg.Model == "" {
-		cfg.Model = "openrouter/google/gemma-4-31b-it"
-	}
 	if cfg.Report == nil {
 		cfg.Report = boolPtr(true)
 	}
@@ -209,6 +280,9 @@ func applyScriptoriumDefaults(cfg *ScriptoriumConfig) {
 	if cfg == nil {
 		return
 	}
+	if cfg.Binary == "" {
+		cfg.Binary = "scriptorium"
+	}
 	if cfg.Timeout == "" {
 		cfg.Timeout = "10m"
 	}

internal/config/load_validate_test.go

@@ -37,6 +37,26 @@ inputs:
   speakers_file: ./speakers.yml
   autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
   glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
+`,
+			checkDefault: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "seriatim and audita sections can be omitted",
+			pipelineYAML: `workspace:
+  root: /tmp/narratio
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.ai.rakestrawhome.com/transcribe
+analyzer:
+  timeout: 20m
+notification:
+  timeout: 15s
+`,
+			sessionYAML: `session_id: 2026-05-03
+inputs:
+  audio_dir: ./audio
+  speakers_file: ./speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
 `,
 			checkDefault: true,
 		},
@@ -296,7 +316,7 @@ inputs:
 			wantLoadErr: "strict decode failed",
 		},
 		{
-			name: "missing seriatim binary fails",
+			name: "missing seriatim binary uses default",
 			pipelineYAML: `workspace:
   root: /tmp/narratio
 whisperx:
@@ -311,7 +331,6 @@ inputs:
   autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
   glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
 `,
-			wantValidate: "pipeline config \"pipeline.yml\" invalid: pipeline.seriatim.binary is required",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "invalid seriatim timeout fails",
@@ -412,7 +431,7 @@ inputs:
 			wantLoadErr: "strict decode failed",
 		},
 		{
-			name: "missing audita binary fails",
+			name: "missing audita binary uses default",
 			pipelineYAML: `workspace:
   root: /tmp/narratio
 whisperx:
@@ -429,7 +448,6 @@ inputs:
   autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
   glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
 `,
-			wantValidate: "pipeline config \"pipeline.yml\" invalid: pipeline.audita.binary is required",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "invalid audita timeout fails",
@@ -713,6 +731,9 @@ inputs:
 				if cfg.Pipeline.Seriatim.Timeout != "10m" {
 					t.Fatalf("seriatim.timeout = %q, want %q", cfg.Pipeline.Seriatim.Timeout, "10m")
 				}
+				if cfg.Pipeline.Seriatim.Binary != "seriatim" {
+					t.Fatalf("seriatim.binary = %q, want %q", cfg.Pipeline.Seriatim.Binary, "seriatim")
+				}
 				if cfg.Pipeline.Seriatim.OutputSchema != "seriatim-intermediate" {
 					t.Fatalf("seriatim.output_schema = %q, want %q", cfg.Pipeline.Seriatim.OutputSchema, "seriatim-intermediate")
 				}
@@ -725,17 +746,20 @@ inputs:
 				if cfg.Pipeline.Audita.Timeout != "3h" {
 					t.Fatalf("audita.timeout = %q, want %q", cfg.Pipeline.Audita.Timeout, "3h")
 				}
+				if cfg.Pipeline.Audita.Binary != "audita" {
+					t.Fatalf("audita.binary = %q, want %q", cfg.Pipeline.Audita.Binary, "audita")
+				}
 				if cfg.Pipeline.Audita.LLMAPIKeyEnv != "" {
 					t.Fatalf("audita.llm_api_key_env = %q, want empty by default", cfg.Pipeline.Audita.LLMAPIKeyEnv)
 				}
 				if cfg.Pipeline.Audita.Modules != nil {
 					t.Fatalf("audita.modules = %#v, want nil default (optional override)", cfg.Pipeline.Audita.Modules)
 				}
-				if cfg.Pipeline.Audita.BaseURL != "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1" {
+				if cfg.Pipeline.Audita.BaseURL != "" {
-					t.Fatalf("audita.base_url = %q, want %q", cfg.Pipeline.Audita.BaseURL, "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1")
+					t.Fatalf("audita.base_url = %q, want empty default", cfg.Pipeline.Audita.BaseURL)
 				}
-				if cfg.Pipeline.Audita.Model != "openrouter/google/gemma-4-31b-it" {
+				if cfg.Pipeline.Audita.Model != "" {
-					t.Fatalf("audita.model = %q, want %q", cfg.Pipeline.Audita.Model, "openrouter/google/gemma-4-31b-it")
+					t.Fatalf("audita.model = %q, want empty default", cfg.Pipeline.Audita.Model)
 				}
 				if cfg.Pipeline.Audita.ValidationModel != "" {
 					t.Fatalf("audita.validation_model = %q, want empty default", cfg.Pipeline.Audita.ValidationModel)

internal/config/scriptorium_test.go

@@ -49,11 +49,19 @@ func TestScriptoriumLoadAndValidate(t *testing.T) {
 			wantLoadErr: "strict decode failed",
 		},
 		{
-			name: "missing binary fails when section present",
+			name: "missing binary defaults when section present",
 			scriptoriumYAML: `scriptorium:
   timeout: 10m
 `,
-			wantValidateErr: "pipeline.scriptorium.binary is required",
+			assert: func(t *testing.T, cfg *Config) {
+				t.Helper()
+				if cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium == nil {
+					t.Fatal("scriptorium config should be present")
+				}
+				if cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.Binary != "scriptorium" {
+					t.Fatalf("scriptorium.binary = %q, want scriptorium", cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.Binary)
+				}
+			},
 		},
 		{
 			name: "enabled artifact missing prompt id fails",

internal/config/session_template_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestLoadSessionWithOptionsRendersCompactPlaceholder(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	sessionPath := filepath.Join(dir, "session.yml")
+	sessionYAML := `session_id: "{{session_id}}"
+campaign: sample-campaign
+inputs:
+  audio_dir: ./audio
+  speakers_file: ./speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
+`
+	if err := os.WriteFile(sessionPath, []byte(sessionYAML), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write session.yml: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	cfg, err := LoadSessionWithOptions(sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{SessionID: "2026-04-04"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadSessionWithOptions() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if cfg.SessionID != "2026-04-04" {
+		t.Fatalf("SessionID = %q, want 2026-04-04", cfg.SessionID)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadSessionWithOptionsRendersSpacedPlaceholder(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	sessionPath := filepath.Join(dir, "session.yml")
+	sessionYAML := `session_id: "{{ session_id }}"
+campaign: sample-campaign
+inputs:
+  audio_dir: ./audio
+  speakers_file: ./speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
+`
+	if err := os.WriteFile(sessionPath, []byte(sessionYAML), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write session.yml: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	cfg, err := LoadSessionWithOptions(sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{SessionID: "2026-04-04"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadSessionWithOptions() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if cfg.SessionID != "2026-04-04" {
+		t.Fatalf("SessionID = %q, want 2026-04-04", cfg.SessionID)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadSessionWithOptionsUnresolvedPlaceholderFails(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	sessionPath := filepath.Join(dir, "session.yml")
+	sessionYAML := `session_id: "{{ session_id }}"
+campaign: sample-campaign
+inputs:
+  audio_dir: ./audio
+  speakers_file: ./speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
+`
+	if err := os.WriteFile(sessionPath, []byte(sessionYAML), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write session.yml: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	_, err := LoadSessionWithOptions(sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error, got nil")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "unresolved template variable") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %q, want unresolved-variable context", err.Error())
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "session_id") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %q, want session_id variable", err.Error())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadSessionWithOptionsMismatchFails(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	sessionPath := filepath.Join(dir, "session.yml")
+	sessionYAML := `session_id: 2026-05-03
+campaign: sample-campaign
+inputs:
+  audio_dir: ./audio
+  speakers_file: ./speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
+`
+	if err := os.WriteFile(sessionPath, []byte(sessionYAML), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write session.yml: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	_, err := LoadSessionWithOptions(sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{SessionID: "2026-04-04"})
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error, got nil")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "session_id mismatch") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %q, want mismatch context", err.Error())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadSessionWithOptionsUnknownFieldStillRejectedAfterRendering(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	sessionPath := filepath.Join(dir, "session.yml")
+	sessionYAML := `session_id: "{{ session_id }}"
+campaign: sample-campaign
+unknown_field: true
+inputs:
+  audio_dir: ./audio
+  speakers_file: ./speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
+`
+	if err := os.WriteFile(sessionPath, []byte(sessionYAML), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write session.yml: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	_, err := LoadSessionWithOptions(sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{SessionID: "2026-04-04"})
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error, got nil")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "strict decode failed") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %q, want strict-decode context", err.Error())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadSessionWithOptionsConcreteSessionStillLoads(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	sessionPath := filepath.Join(dir, "session.yml")
+	sessionYAML := `session_id: 2026-05-03
+campaign: sample-campaign
+inputs:
+  audio_dir: ./audio
+  speakers_file: ./speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
+`
+	if err := os.WriteFile(sessionPath, []byte(sessionYAML), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write session.yml: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	cfg, err := LoadSessionWithOptions(sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadSessionWithOptions() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if cfg.SessionID != "2026-05-03" {
+		t.Fatalf("SessionID = %q, want 2026-05-03", cfg.SessionID)
+	}
+}

internal/config/storage_archive_test.go

@@ -47,6 +47,9 @@ func TestSpoolAndArchiveDefaults(t *testing.T) {
 	if cfg.Pipeline.Spool.DeleteAudioAfterArchive {
 		t.Fatalf("spool.delete_audio_after_archive = true, want false")
 	}
+	if cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.CleanupAfterArchive {
+		t.Fatalf("workspace.cleanup_after_archive = true, want false")
+	}
 	if cfg.Pipeline.Archive == nil {
 		t.Fatal("archive should be initialized by defaults")
 	}

internal/config/validate.go

@@ -276,9 +276,6 @@ func validateAudita(cfg AuditaConfig) error {
 			return fmt.Errorf("pipeline.audita.base_url must be a valid URL")
 		}
 	}
-	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.Model) == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("pipeline.audita.model is required")
-	}
 	if cfg.TotalLLMConcurrency != nil && *cfg.TotalLLMConcurrency <= 0 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("pipeline.audita.total_llm_concurrency must be > 0")
 	}