Prepare the v1.6.0 release

.woodpecker/release.yml

@@ -2,74 +2,26 @@ when:
   - event: tag
 
 steps:
-  validate:
-    image: golang:1.25
+  validate-release:
+    image: golang:1.25.5
     commands:
-      - go test ./...
-      - go test -race ./...
-      - go vet ./...
-      - go build ./...
-      - go test ./internal/doccheck
-      - go test ./internal/config -run '^TestExamplesLoadAndValidate$'
-
-  cross-build:
-    image: golang:1.25
-    depends_on: validate
-    commands:
-      - |
-        set -eu
-        output_dir="$(mktemp -d)"
-        trap 'rm -rf "$output_dir"' EXIT
-        for target in linux/amd64 linux/arm64 darwin/amd64 darwin/arm64 windows/amd64 windows/arm64; do
-          goos="${target%/*}"
-          goarch="${target#*/}"
-          CGO_ENABLED=0 GOOS="$goos" GOARCH="$goarch" go build -o "$output_dir/narratio-$goos-$goarch" ./cmd/narratio
-        done
+      - ./scripts/check-release-candidate.sh "$CI_COMMIT_TAG"
 
   build-release-assets:
-    image: golang:1.25
-    depends_on: [validate, cross-build]
+    image: golang:1.25.5
+    depends_on:
+      - validate-release
     commands:
       - |
         set -eu
-
-        version="$CI_COMMIT_TAG"
-        dist="dist"
-        pkg="gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/cmd/narratio"
-
-        rm -rf "$dist"
-        mkdir -p "$dist"
-
-        build_binary() {
-          goos="$1"
-          goarch="$2"
-          suffix="$3"
-          output="$dist/narratio-$version-$goos-$goarch$suffix"
-
-          CGO_ENABLED=0 GOOS="$goos" GOARCH="$goarch" \
-            go build -trimpath -ldflags "-s -w -X gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/buildinfo.Version=$version" \
-            -o "$output" "$pkg"
-        }
-
-        build_binary linux amd64 ""
-        build_binary linux arm64 ""
-        build_binary darwin amd64 ""
-        build_binary darwin arm64 ""
-        build_binary windows amd64 ".exe"
-        build_binary windows arm64 ".exe"
-
-        smoke_binary="$dist/narratio-version-smoke"
-        go build -trimpath -ldflags "-s -w -X gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/buildinfo.Version=$version" \
-          -o "$smoke_binary" "$pkg"
-        reported_version="$("$smoke_binary" version)"
-        rm -f "$smoke_binary"
-        if [ "$reported_version" != "narratio $version" ]; then
-          echo "release binary reported unexpected version: $reported_version" >&2
-          exit 1
-        fi
+        case "$PWD" in
+          /*) ;;
+          *) echo "release workspace must have an absolute path" >&2; exit 1 ;;
+        esac
+        ./scripts/build-release-assets.sh "$CI_COMMIT_TAG" "$PWD/dist"
 
   publish-release:
-    image: woodpeckerci/plugin-release
+    image: woodpeckerci/plugin-release:0.3.1
     depends_on:
       - build-release-assets
     settings:
@@ -77,6 +29,8 @@ steps:
         from_secret: GITEA_RELEASE_TOKEN
       files:
         - dist/narratio-*
+      title: Narratio ${CI_COMMIT_TAG}
+      note: docs/releases/${CI_COMMIT_TAG}.md
       checksum: sha256
       checksum-file: SHA256SUMS
       checksum-flatten: true

README.md

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ This requires resolvable `pipeline.yml`, `campaign.yml`, and concrete
 - [Integration contracts](docs/integrations/) — external tools, formats, and
   compatibility expectations.
 - [Maintained examples](examples/README.md) — complete copyable configuration
-  and input files.
+  and input files, including the production/testing split bundle.
 
 ## Maintainer Documentation
 

docs/cli.md

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ Top-level commands:
 - `publish <session_id>`: force-run publish.
 - `clean <session_id>` or `clean --all`: remove local work/spool state.
 - `session <subcommand>`: session helper commands.
+- `config <subcommand>`: validate, display, source-trace, or compare resolved pipeline configuration.
 
 Session subcommands:
 
@@ -43,6 +44,7 @@ Most session-aware commands accept:
 - `--session <session.yml>`
 - `--session-id <session_id>`
 - `--previous-session-id <session_id>`
+- `--profile <name>`
 
 Rules:
 
@@ -51,6 +53,10 @@ Rules:
 - if both positional `<session_id>` and `--session-id` are provided, values must match.
 - `--previous-session-id` is a strict expectation: the selected session file
   must contain the same `previous_session_id`.
+- `--profile` selects a declared pipeline profile. It may be supplied once;
+  an explicit empty or unknown value fails configuration resolution. When it is
+  omitted, a declared `default_profile` is used. The same selection applies to
+  all common-flag commands, including `regenerate-artifacts`.
 - `clean --all` cannot be combined with campaign/session selectors.
 - notification delivery is currently limited to the configured `noop` mode; see
   the [configuration reference](./config.md#notifications).
@@ -72,6 +78,62 @@ Commands with additional positionals keep their command-specific order:
 
 ## Command Reference
 
+### `config validate`, `config show`, `config sources`, and `config diff`
+
+```bash
+narratio config validate [--config <pipeline.yml>] [--campaign <id> | --campaign-file <campaign.yml>] [--profile <name>]
+narratio config show [--config <pipeline.yml>] [--campaign <id> | --campaign-file <campaign.yml>] [--profile <name>]
+narratio config sources [--config <pipeline.yml>] [--campaign <id> | --campaign-file <campaign.yml>] [--profile <name>]
+narratio config diff <left-profile> <right-profile> [--config <pipeline.yml>] [--campaign <id> | --campaign-file <campaign.yml>]
+```
+
+These commands resolve the selected profile, defaults, ordinary paths, and—if
+a campaign is selected—the campaign-owned party. They neither discover or load
+a session nor create a workspace, manifest, run, lock, adapter, remote
+connection, or credential environment.
+
+Campaign selection is optional for a pipeline without party-driven artifact
+families. A pipeline with `scriptorium.artifact_families` needs a selected or
+configured default campaign so Narratio can expand its concrete artifacts and
+publish rules. `--campaign` and `--campaign-file` remain mutually exclusive.
+Session, range, force, and artifact-execution flags are not accepted.
+
+`config validate` writes a concise root-path, selected-profile (or `none`), and
+effective-digest summary after successful complete validation. `config show`
+writes one deterministic, secret-free YAML document containing defaulted and
+expanded concrete configuration. It omits composition declarations, artifact
+family declarations, and runtime provenance.
+
+`config sources` reports the same fully validated resolution without printing
+effective values. Its header identifies the root, ordered imports, selected
+profile and overlay, selected campaign, party mode/source, and digest. The
+remaining tab-separated records are sorted as `path`, `role`, and `source`.
+Roles distinguish root, import, profile, centralized default, campaign, party,
+legacy-player, and generated family ownership. A generated party member has
+one family record and one party record at the same logical path. The output
+never reads or prints secret values.
+
+`config diff` resolves both supplied profile names from one parsed root source
+set and compares their fully resolved, secret-free effective mappings. It does
+not accept `--profile`; the two positional names must be distinct, declared
+profiles. When party-driven families are present, both profiles must resolve to
+the same selected campaign and party. Use `--campaign-file` if profile-specific
+campaign configuration would otherwise select different files.
+
+Equal profiles print `no differences`. Otherwise, sorted tab-separated records
+use one of these forms, with compact JSON values:
+
+```text
+added    <path>    <right-value>
+removed  <path>    <left-value>
+changed  <path>    <left-value>    <right-value>
+```
+
+Mappings are flattened to their logical field paths; lists remain one atomic
+value. The command compares defaulted concrete artifacts and publish rules, not
+profile names, source-file layout, or formatting. It succeeds when differences
+are found, making it suitable for review and migration checks.
+
 ### `version`
 
 ```bash
@@ -102,6 +164,7 @@ Behavior:
   `--name=value` spellings;
 - continues interrupted or partially completed sessions by running non-succeeded stages;
 - writes session and run manifests.
+- reports the resolved profile (or `none`) and effective configuration digest.
 
 When `--artifacts` is present, the selected range must contain `analyze` or
 `publish`. Either consumer is sufficient, including a one-stage range.
@@ -203,6 +266,8 @@ Uses the same inclusive bounds, endpoint validation, force scope, and artifact
 selection contract as `run`. It validates config and prints run/skip decisions
 for selected stages only without creating the local workdir or changing the
 manifest. Resume-capable selected stages are checked against durable evidence.
+The output includes the resolved profile (or `none`) and effective configuration
+digest without writing provenance or any manifest state.
 For `analyze`, the preview also lists explicit targets, prerequisite-only work,
 execution order, and reusable current artifacts with concise reasons. These
 artifact decisions come from the same reconciliation and work planner used by
@@ -302,6 +367,12 @@ and precedence.
 
 ## `--artifacts` Selection Rules
 
+An artifact-family key selects all of its concrete character members. A
+concrete generated key selects only that member; mixed family and concrete
+selection is deduplicated and executed as concrete keys. The resulting plan
+and command output identify both the concrete key and, where applicable, its
+family and character ID.
+
 - accepted on `run`, `session plan`, `run-stage`, `analyze`, and `publish`;
 - repeatable and comma-separated values are combined, surrounding whitespace
   is removed, and duplicate names are collapsed;

docs/config.md

@@ -42,6 +42,50 @@ The downloaded remote session file is command-scoped: Narratio removes it after
 the command finishes and records only the remote object provenance alongside
 the durable copied session input.
 
+### Read-only effective pipeline inspection
+
+`narratio config validate`, `narratio config show`, and `narratio config
+sources` use the same `--config`, `--campaign`, `--campaign-file`, and
+`--profile` selection rules as pipeline commands, but do not select, discover,
+or load a session. They do not read credential values or create runtime state.
+`narratio config diff <left-profile> <right-profile>` uses the same pipeline and
+campaign selectors, resolves each named profile independently from one parsed
+root source set, and does not accept a separate `--profile` flag.
+
+Campaign selection is optional only when the resolved pipeline has no
+`scriptorium.artifact_families`. When families are declared, Narratio selects a
+campaign through an explicit flag or `pipeline.campaigns.default_campaign_id`,
+then parses the campaign-owned party and expands concrete artifacts and any
+family publish rules before validation. `config validate` prints the resulting
+root, profile, and effective digest. `config show` emits the normalized
+effective pipeline YAML, with defaults and concrete expansion included but
+composition and family declarations omitted. `config sources` prints a stable
+source projection instead of effective values: root/import/profile/default
+ownership plus campaign/party and generated-family records. Canonical derived
+players trace to the party; a legacy configured players file is explicitly
+marked as a legacy player source. The [CLI reference](cli.md#config-validate-config-show-config-sources-and-config-diff)
+owns command syntax and output conventions.
+
+`config diff` compares normalized field values rather than YAML text or source
+ownership. It emits sorted `added`, `removed`, and `changed` records, uses
+compact deterministic JSON values, treats lists atomically, and reports `no
+differences` when the complete effective configurations are equal. Concrete
+family members and generated publish rules participate after expansion; moving
+an equal value between eligible root/import sources does not create a
+difference.
+
+### Migrating to the maintained bundle
+
+Use the [production/testing bundle](../examples/production-testing/pipeline.yml)
+as the complete copyable migration reference. Split stable pipeline settings
+into explicit additive imports, place production/testing differences in one
+selected overlay, and retain a production `default_profile`. Convert campaign
+rosters to [canonical party input](integrations/party.md), remove a separate
+`players_file`, then express character work as families. Inspect the result
+with `config validate`, `config show`, and `config sources`; use `config diff`
+to review profiles before running a session. Unversioned parties and their
+`players_file` remain a clearly bounded legacy compatibility path.
+
 ### Identity segments
 
 Campaign IDs (`campaign_id` and `default_campaign_id`), session IDs, previous
@@ -55,19 +99,100 @@ remote state with an unsafe legacy identity must be migrated before use.
 
 - YAML decode is strict (`KnownFields(true)`) and accepts exactly one document:
   unknown fields or trailing documents fail load.
+- A pipeline file may explicitly import additive YAML fragments through the
+  root-only `composition.imports` list. Imported files contribute fields to one
+  logical pipeline document; they do not override fields supplied by the root
+  or another import.
+- A root pipeline may declare named profiles. Exactly one profile is selected
+  by an option-aware caller or by `composition.default_profile`; a caller's
+  explicit selection takes precedence. Declaring profiles without either form
+  of selection is an error.
 - Configured timeout and retry-delay durations must be positive. An omitted
   artifact timeout continues to inherit its configured Scriptorium timeout.
 - Session files must be concrete; unresolved `{{ ... }}` placeholders fail load.
 - Pipeline defaults are applied before validation.
 - Campaign and session identities must agree.
 - Required stable files (`speakers_file`, `autocorrect_file`, `glossary_file`,
-  `players_file`, `party_file`) and the optional `spell_catalog_file` resolve
-  from session overrides when provided, otherwise from campaign defaults. An
-  empty or omitted session spell-catalog value inherits the campaign value.
+  `party_file`) and the optional `spell_catalog_file` resolve from session
+  overrides when provided, otherwise from campaign defaults. An empty or
+  omitted session spell-catalog value inherits the campaign value.
+- `party_file` is classified when pipeline and campaign configuration are
+  combined. A versioned [canonical party](integrations/party.md) is
+  campaign-owned, derives the players input internally, and forbids both a
+  separate `players_file` and a session `party_file` override. An unversioned
+  party remains a bounded legacy input and requires `players_file`; its normal
+  campaign/session overrides continue to apply.
 - Exactly one audio mode must be configured in session input:
   - local (`audio_dir` or `audio_files`), or
   - S3 (`audio_s3.prefix`).
 
+### Pipeline composition
+
+Large pipeline configurations may be split into explicitly named fragments and
+may declare one overlay per selectable profile:
+
+```yaml
+composition:
+  imports:
+    - config/storage.yml
+    - config/integrations.yaml
+  default_profile: production
+  profiles:
+    production:
+      overlay: profiles/production.yml
+    testing:
+      overlay: profiles/testing.yml
+
+campaigns:
+  root: /usr/local/share/narratio/campaigns
+```
+
+The maintained [production/testing bundle](../examples/production-testing/pipeline.yml)
+is a complete copyable example of this structure, including canonical-party
+artifact families.
+
+Imports are resolved relative to the directory containing the root pipeline
+file and are loaded in declaration order. Narratio does not scan directories or
+infer fragments. Each import must be a confined regular `.yml` or `.yaml` file:
+absolute paths, traversal, symlinks, directories, duplicate files, and an
+import of the root pipeline itself are rejected. Only the root pipeline may
+contain `composition`; nested composition is rejected.
+
+Composition is additive. A map may be extended by multiple files when every
+leaf is distinct, but a scalar, list, or map/list/scalar kind cannot be claimed
+more than once, even when the repeated values are identical. Conflict errors
+name the full field path and every source that claimed it. The assembled YAML is
+then decoded against the normal strict pipeline schema and defaults are applied
+once.
+
+Profile names are case-sensitive, non-empty, trimmed, and cannot contain
+control characters. If `profiles` is present, it must contain at least one
+entry and every entry must contain only an `overlay` path. An explicit profile
+selection overrides `default_profile`; unknown and explicitly empty selections
+fail. Narratio never selects the first profile implicitly and does not read a
+profile selection from the environment.
+
+Every declared overlay is resolved relative to the root pipeline directory and
+must satisfy the same confined regular-YAML-file rules as an import. Narratio
+parses every declared overlay even when it is not selected, then applies only
+the selected one. Maps merge recursively, overlay scalars replace base scalars,
+and overlay lists replace base lists completely. Explicit `false`, zero, empty
+lists, and empty maps remain meaningful. YAML null cannot delete a value, and
+kind changes are rejected. Profiles cannot inherit from or stack with other
+profiles, and overlays cannot import files or declare profiles.
+
+After composition, Narratio strictly decodes the result, applies centralized
+defaults once, resolves ordinary paths, and computes a deterministic effective
+configuration digest. The digest represents the normalized, secret-free
+runtime pipeline mapping; it excludes composition declarations, source
+provenance, profile identity, and raw environment secret values. Equivalent
+effective mappings therefore have the same digest regardless of how fields are
+split among the root and imports.
+
+An imported field has the same meaning it would have in a monolithic root
+pipeline. In particular, ordinary relative pipeline paths continue to resolve
+from the root pipeline directory, not from the importing fragment's directory.
+
 ## Minimal Working Configuration
 
 `pipeline.yml`
@@ -155,6 +280,9 @@ Rules:
 
 | Field | Type | Required | Default / Rule |
 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| `composition.imports[]` | list of strings | No | explicit additive pipeline fragments relative to the root pipeline directory; `.yml` or `.yaml` regular files only |
+| `composition.default_profile` | string | Conditional | selected when profiles exist and no caller explicitly selects one; must name a declared profile |
+| `composition.profiles.<name>.overlay` | string | Conditional | required for every declared profile; one confined `.yml` or `.yaml` overlay relative to the root pipeline directory |
 | `pipeline.workspace.root` | string | No | `/var/lib/narratio` |
 | `pipeline.workspace.cleanup_after_publish` | bool | No | `false` |
 | `pipeline.campaigns.root` | string | No | `/usr/local/share/narratio/campaigns` |
@@ -243,6 +371,7 @@ Rules:
 | `pipeline.scriptorium.timeout` | duration | No | `10m` |
 | `pipeline.scriptorium.render_debug` | bool | No | `false` |
 | `pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts` | map | No | empty |
+| `pipeline.scriptorium.artifact_families` | map | No | empty; expands one ordinary artifact per canonical party character |
 | `pipeline.notification.mode` | string | No | `noop`; the only supported notification mode until a provider is implemented |
 
 ### Notarius Reference Bindings
@@ -342,6 +471,42 @@ For each artifact input `pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts.<name>.inputs.<input_nam
 loading. Use the canonical `source` identifier to select the input; Narratio
 does not provide adapter-specific input passthrough fields.
 
+### Scriptorium Artifact Families
+
+`pipeline.scriptorium.artifact_families` declares a shared artifact template
+for every canonical campaign character. Configuration resolution expands each
+family into ordinary `pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts` entries before analyze
+planning or Scriptorium invocation. A legacy party cannot be used for a family.
+
+For each `pipeline.scriptorium.artifact_families.<name>`:
+
+| Field | Type | Required | Rule |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| `enabled`, `prompt_id`, `profile_id`, `timeout`, `render_debug`, `depends_on`, `inputs`, `vars` | ordinary artifact fields | No | copied to each generated artifact under the corresponding ordinary rules |
+| `for_each` | string | Yes | exactly `party.characters` |
+| `output_path_pattern` | string | Yes | safe path beneath `artifacts/` with exactly one `{character_id}` token and no other brace syntax |
+| `member_vars` | map | No | maps an ordinary Scriptorium variable name to a supported canonical character selector |
+| `member_dependencies` | list | No | unique family keys; each generated member depends on the corresponding generated member of each listed family |
+| `publish` | map | No | typed family publish policy (`enabled`, `required`, `dest_pattern`) expanded into concrete publish outputs when enabled |
+
+Generated keys are `<family>_<character_id>` and generated output paths must
+not collide with explicit artifacts or another generated artifact. Families
+expand even when disabled; normal analyze selection still omits disabled
+artifacts unless they are explicitly selected by their concrete key.
+
+Supported `member_vars` selectors are `character_id`, `player.name`,
+`character.name`, `character.class_summary`, and `character.alias_summary`.
+Their resolved values are strings. A member variable may not reuse a static
+`vars` name; `session_id` remains owned and overwritten by Narratio as for any
+other Scriptorium artifact.
+
+Within a family only, an input source may use
+`narratio.member_artifact.<family>`. The referenced family must be named in
+that family's `member_dependencies`; resolution rewrites the source to the
+corresponding ordinary `narratio.artifact.<family>_<character_id>` source.
+This syntax is rejected in explicit artifacts and never reaches runtime stages
+or Scriptorium.
+
 ### Notifications
 
 Narratio currently supports only `notification.mode: noop`, which is also the
@@ -359,8 +524,8 @@ integration.
 | `inputs.speakers_file` | string | Yes | stable input default |
 | `inputs.autocorrect_file` | string | Yes | stable input default |
 | `inputs.glossary_file` | string | Yes | stable input default |
-| `inputs.players_file` | string | Yes | stable input default |
-| `inputs.party_file` | string | Yes | stable input default |
+| `inputs.players_file` | string | Conditional | required only with an unversioned legacy `party_file`; forbidden for a canonical party |
+| `inputs.party_file` | string | Yes | stable campaign party source; relative paths resolve from `campaign.yml` |
 | `inputs.spell_catalog_file` | string | No | optional spell-catalog overlay default; required when a Notarius reference selects `narratio.input.spell_catalog` |
 
 ### Session
@@ -375,8 +540,8 @@ integration.
 | `inputs.speakers_file` | string | No | overrides campaign stable input |
 | `inputs.autocorrect_file` | string | No | overrides campaign stable input |
 | `inputs.glossary_file` | string | No | overrides campaign stable input |
-| `inputs.players_file` | string | No | overrides campaign stable input |
-| `inputs.party_file` | string | No | overrides campaign stable input |
+| `inputs.players_file` | string | No | legacy-party override; forbidden for a canonical party |
+| `inputs.party_file` | string | No | legacy-party override; forbidden for a canonical campaign party |
 | `inputs.spell_catalog_file` | string | No | overrides the optional campaign spell catalog; empty or omitted inherits the campaign value |
 | `inputs.audio_dir` | string | Conditional | local audio mode |
 | `inputs.audio_files[]` | list[string] | Conditional | local audio mode |

docs/development.md

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ polished transcripts and generated artifacts. Start with the
 | Adapters or external tool contracts | [Adapter Internals](internal/adapters.md) and [Integration Contracts](integrations/README.md) | The internal guide owns adapter composition and mechanics; integration documents own external formats and protocols. |
 | Manifests, artifacts, workspace paths, or publish behavior | [Manifest Internals](internal/manifest.md), [Artifact Internals](internal/artifacts.md), [Workspace Internals](internal/workspace.md), [Publish Internals](internal/stage-publish.md), and [Operations](operations.md) | These separate implementation state and resolution from operator-visible layout and lifecycle. |
 | Maintained configuration or input examples | [Configuration](config.md) and [Examples](../examples/README.md) | The reference owns field meanings; the examples directory owns complete copyable files. |
+| Preparing, validating, or publishing a release | [Release Procedure](release.md) | The maintainer procedure owns version selection, candidate validation, guarded tag publication, and optional later CI inspection. |
 | Proposed or unimplemented behavior | `docs/roadmap/` | Future work belongs only in roadmap documentation until implemented. |
 
 For an existing subsystem, also inspect its focused tests and package-level
@@ -46,9 +47,9 @@ go test ./internal/config -run '^TestExamplesLoadAndValidate$'
 
 The documentation check verifies local Markdown links and the dependency graph
 of the Woodpecker workflows. The configuration check loads every maintained
-pipeline and session example. Release automation repeats these checks and
-cross-compiles the CLI before it builds release assets; publishing depends on
-that validation path, so a failure cannot publish a release.
+pipeline and session example. Tag CI reuses this validation path before its
+asynchronous asset publication; the maintainer release boundary is documented
+in the [Release Procedure](release.md).
 
 Woodpecker also runs `go test -race -shuffle=on -count=3 ./...` on its scheduled
 job to expose ordering and repeatability defects. Current runners cross-compile

docs/integrations/README.md

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ focused stage documents.
 - [Audita](./audita.md): transcript polishing (`audita process`).
 - [Notarius](./notarius.md): complete pipeline execution and safe JSON bundle
   discovery (`notarius run`).
+- [Party](./party.md): canonical campaign roster input.
 - [Seriatim](./seriatim.md): merge, normalize, trim, and render operations.
 - [Scriptorium](./scriptorium.md): artifact generation and debug rendering
   (`scriptorium run|render`).

docs/integrations/notarius.md

@@ -41,6 +41,12 @@ selector, as direct argument-vector entries without shell interpretation. A CLI
 binding takes precedence over a matching external path in Notarius
 configuration. Narratio never emits `--without-reference`.
 
+For canonical party configuration, the `party` binding is the unchanged,
+validated authored roster and the `players` binding is its generated
+projection. Both retain their established `narratio.input.party` and
+`narratio.input.players` source IDs, and both are resolved from the prepared
+manifest rather than from campaign configuration at extraction time.
+
 The maintained D&D boundary binds only the four campaign-owned external slots:
 
 ```text

docs/integrations/party.md

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+# Canonical Party Input
+
+`party.yml` is a campaign-owned roster input. Narratio recognizes the
+versioned `narratio.party.v1` document below when it resolves a pipeline,
+campaign, and session together.
+
+```yaml
+schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+
+characters:
+  arannis:
+    player:
+      name: Eric
+    character:
+      name: Arannis
+      alias:
+        - Ari
+        - The Grey Owl
+      classes:
+        - name: wizard
+          level: 8
+```
+
+`characters` is a non-empty mapping. Each key is a stable character ID using
+the configured-artifact key grammar: a lowercase ASCII letter followed by zero
+or more lowercase ASCII letters, digits, or underscores. Character order is
+preserved where roster order matters.
+
+Every entry has `player.name`, `character.name`, and a non-empty
+`character.classes` list. Class entries require a non-empty `name` and may
+include a positive integer `level`. The optional, intentionally singular
+`character.alias` field is a list. Names, aliases, and class names must be
+non-empty, trimmed display strings without control characters. Character names
+and aliases must be unique across the full roster under Unicode-aware
+case-insensitive comparison; player names may repeat.
+
+The document has exactly one YAML document and accepts no unknown fields. A
+wrong or malformed `schema_version` is an error.
+
+## Legacy migration boundary
+
+An unversioned party input remains supported only as opaque legacy reference
+material while campaigns migrate. It requires a separate `players_file` and
+retains the existing session override behavior. It cannot be mixed with a
+canonical party: canonical campaigns must omit `players_file`, and sessions
+must not override their party or players inputs.
+
+Use the canonical document for new campaigns. The configuration rules and
+source-relative path behavior are defined in the [Configuration Reference](../config.md).
+
+## Derived players document
+
+During `prepare`, Narratio copies the canonical party source bytes unchanged
+to `inputs/party.yml` and writes this deterministic players-only projection to
+`inputs/players.yml`:
+
+```yaml
+schema_version: narratio.players.v1
+players:
+    - name: Eric
+      character:
+        id: arannis
+        name: Arannis
+        alias:
+            - Ari
+            - The Grey Owl
+```
+
+There is one entry per character, sorted by stable character ID. Repeated
+player names remain separate entries. The optional `alias` list retains its
+declared order and is omitted when empty. The projection carries no class
+data. Its prepared manifest record is marked `derived_from_party`; it is not a
+separate user-provided `players_file`.

docs/internal/artifacts.md

@@ -39,7 +39,10 @@ ID.
 Prepared stable source IDs are `narratio.input.players`,
 `narratio.input.party`, `narratio.input.glossary`, and
 `narratio.input.spell_catalog`. Artifact policy owns their canonical manifest
-kind and prepared filename vocabulary.
+kind and prepared filename vocabulary. Canonical party mode preserves the
+party source bytes in the party record and supplies the players record from the
+deterministic `derived_from_party` projection; both remain ordinary prepared
+source IDs for consumers.
 
 ## Runtime Catalog
 
@@ -57,6 +60,12 @@ exact named configured definitions become the effective set for that invocation,
 regardless of their `enabled` value. The effective-set resolver itself does not
 expand dependencies; the analyze work planner closes those targets over their
 configured prerequisite graph. Availability is separate from executability.
+Configuration may normalize a family selection into its concrete generated
+members before this resolver runs. The effective set retains optional family
+and character origin metadata, but its keys, catalog sources, and runtime
+lookups remain concrete configured-artifact identities.
+Family publish policies are likewise expanded into ordinary configured-source
+publish rules during configuration resolution.
 Configured outputs, including non-executable prerequisites, become available
 only when the versioned analyze state identifies a current result whose source,
 contract, canonical configured path, size, and checksum match a confined
@@ -99,6 +108,10 @@ Configured sources (`narratio.artifact.*`):
   rewriting manifest state. Catalog construction iterates current
   configuration, so removed or renamed records are not advertised.
 
+`narratio.member_artifact.*` is not a runtime source family. Configuration
+resolution accepts it only in an artifact-family declaration and rewrites it
+to the corresponding configured source before this catalog is built.
+
 Prepared stable sources (`narratio.input.*`):
 
 - resolve only from the current manifest's exact prepared-input record;

docs/internal/configuration.md

@@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+# Configuration Internals
+
+User-visible fields, defaults, and selection behavior belong in the
+[Configuration Reference](../config.md). This document describes the internal
+pipeline-loading boundary implemented by `internal/config`.
+
+## Pipeline Loading
+
+`LoadPipeline` assembles and validates a pipeline in this order:
+
+1. Parse the root YAML into a presence-aware composition tree. The tree retains
+   source names, full field paths, node kinds, declaration order, and explicit
+   zero, false, empty-map, and empty-list values.
+2. Remove the root-only `composition` envelope and validate its explicit
+   `imports`, `default_profile`, and named `profiles` declarations. A load
+   option retains the difference between omitted and explicitly empty profile
+   selection.
+3. Open each import relative to the root pipeline directory through the
+   confined regular-file boundary. Imports must use a `.yml` or `.yaml`
+   extension and cannot traverse, use symlinks, repeat a file, import the root,
+   or contain another composition envelope.
+4. Resolve and structurally parse every declared profile overlay through the
+   same confined regular-file boundary. Missing or malformed unselected
+   overlays fail the load. Overlays cannot contain a composition envelope.
+5. Additively merge the root body and imports. Distinct map leaves compose;
+   repeated scalar or list paths and node-kind disagreements are conflicts.
+6. Select exactly one declared profile from an explicit option or the default,
+   then recursively merge its overlay. Overlay leaves replace base leaves,
+   lists are atomic replacements, and null or kind changes fail.
+7. Emit deterministic canonical YAML and strictly decode it into
+   `PipelineConfig`.
+8. Apply pipeline defaults once, resolve ordinary relative pipeline paths from
+   the root pipeline file, and digest the normalized effective mapping.
+
+This ordering preserves monolithic configuration behavior. Moving a field to
+an imported fragment changes its source ownership, not its path base, default,
+or schema semantics.
+
+## Loaded Context Resolution
+
+`LoadedPipelineCampaign` carries one already composed pipeline and its selected
+campaign into session resolution. `LoadSessionWithPipelineCampaignOptions`
+loads a local session against that context, while
+`ResolveLoadedPipelineCampaign` also accepts an already loaded remote session
+or no session while a caller retrieves one. Compatibility loaders route through
+these functions after their initial pipeline and campaign reads.
+
+Application commands own pipeline and campaign discovery, campaign-file versus
+registry selection, and the corresponding mutual-exclusion rules. Once they
+have a `LoadedPipelineCampaign`, local session discovery and remote-session
+download retain that exact pipeline object and its private provenance. Removing
+a temporary downloaded session file therefore cannot invalidate the resolved
+pipeline or campaign context.
+
+The application also has a separate read-only inspection resolver for `config
+validate`, `config show`, and `config sources`. It uses the same production root/profile and
+campaign selection functions, but never routes through session discovery,
+remote-session download, secret loading, adapter composition, workspace
+initialization, manifest access, or cleanup. A pipeline with retained artifact
+family declarations must resolve its selected campaign before ordinary pipeline
+validation, which expands its canonical-party members and generated publish
+rules. A pipeline without those declarations may be validated by itself.
+
+`MarshalEffectivePipeline` is the configuration-owned projection for `config
+show`. It serializes the typed, defaulted effective mapping through the
+deterministic composition renderer, then removes resolution-only artifact
+family declarations. The result contains no composition envelope or private
+provenance fields and has one trailing newline; commands do not marshal runtime
+objects directly.
+
+`EffectivePipelineSources` and `EffectiveCampaignSources` provide the separate
+safe provenance projection for `config sources`. Pipeline ownership begins with
+the complete logical field paths retained during composition and classifies
+each contributor as root, import, profile, or centralized default. The
+projection replaces generated concrete member paths with paired family and
+canonical-party records, and does the same for generated publish rules.
+Campaign records identify campaign-owned fields and party inputs; canonical
+derived players point to the party source, while legacy players retain a
+dedicated legacy-player role. The application command only joins these sorted
+records with selection metadata and never reparses configuration files.
+
+`config diff` uses a paired profile loader that parses the root, imports, and
+declared overlays once, then clones the additive base before independently
+selecting, decoding, defaulting, and finalizing each profile. When campaign
+resolution is needed, the command loads one selected campaign and party and
+expands both effective pipelines from that same party value. The configuration
+owner projects each normalized effective mapping into sorted logical paths;
+mapping leaves are compared individually while sequence values remain atomic.
+Values are compact deterministic JSON representations for command output, not
+raw YAML fragments, ownership records, or secret material. A differing digest
+with no projected difference is treated as an internal consistency error.
+
+Campaign context construction also reads and classifies the campaign-owned
+party source through `ParseParty`. A canonical party retains its raw bytes and
+normalized roster in runtime-only `ResolvedParty` provenance, while a legacy
+party remains opaque. Canonical resolution creates a virtual
+`derived_from_party` players input and rejects competing campaign or session
+players files and session party overrides. The compact legacy compatibility
+path resolves the effective campaign/session party and players files together.
+
+## Canonical Party Domain
+
+`ParseParty` is the package-owned boundary for classifying a party source.
+When a top-level `schema_version` is present, it strictly validates the
+`narratio.party.v1` contract into ordered character domain values. The
+canonical value retains a separate exact byte copy of its source so consumers
+can materialize the authored party document without reserializing it. Its
+`PlayersYAML` method deterministically derives the versioned players-only
+projection.
+
+An unversioned source is classified by the small legacy compatibility boundary
+in `party_legacy.go`; it deliberately exposes no parsed roster information.
+That boundary exists solely to isolate removable compatibility behavior from
+the canonical parser.
+
+## Diagnostics And Runtime Metadata
+
+Syntax, duplicate-key, composition, conflict, and schema failures include the
+relevant source name and full field path. Additive conflicts report every
+claiming source so operators can repair the split without repeatedly
+rediscovering additional conflicts.
+
+The loaded pipeline retains private runtime metadata for the absolute root
+path, ordered imports, selected profile name and selection source, selected
+overlay, contributing sources, effective digest, and leaf ownership. Base
+leaves retain their root/import owners, replaced leaves belong to the selected
+overlay, and centrally supplied values use the synthetic `default` owner. This
+metadata does not participate in YAML decoding or alter the public
+configuration model.
+
+The effective digest is SHA-256 over deterministic canonical YAML produced from
+the defaulted `PipelineConfig`. Runtime Notarius paths remain absolute for
+execution, but the digest substitutes their normalized logical values captured
+before root-relative resolution, so relocating an equivalent configuration
+bundle does not change provenance. Because composition and resolution metadata
+are private, the digest excludes source layout, profile name, and ownership.
+Configuration stores environment variable names rather than resolving raw
+credentials, so raw secret values are neither loaded nor hashed.
+`recomputePipelineEffectiveDigest` is the single package-owned refresh point
+for later runtime expansion.
+
+## Test Surfaces
+
+`composition_test.go` protects the presence and merge algebra independently of
+the public schema. `pipeline_composition_test.go` exercises explicit imports,
+confinement, conflicts, strict decoding, metadata, and root-relative path
+behavior through `LoadPipeline`. `pipeline_profiles_test.go` covers selection,
+all-overlay validation, overlay behavior, provenance, option propagation, and
+effective-digest stability. Application configuration-loader tests protect the
+single-read boundary by changing the pipeline file after its initial load and
+confirming local session resolution retains the original pipeline. Other
+configuration tests continue to protect defaults and validation after assembly.
+`party_test.go` protects the versioned party schema, domain invariants, and
+deterministic players projection without involving campaign or runtime wiring.
+`party_resolution_test.go` protects campaign-owned party loading, canonical
+input restrictions, legacy overrides, source provenance, and virtual players
+input selection.
+
+## Artifact Family Resolution
+
+Pipeline loading retains `scriptorium.artifact_families` as a resolution-only
+declaration. Once campaign party resolution establishes a canonical roster,
+configuration expands families in sorted family-key and character-ID order
+into ordinary `ScriptoriumArtifactConfig` values. The expansion owns the narrow
+`{character_id}` output substitution, closed member-variable selectors, key and
+output collision checks, and the runtime-only family-origin catalog. It then
+removes family declarations from `ScriptoriumConfig`, runs ordinary Scriptorium
+validation, and refreshes the effective pipeline digest. Stages and adapters
+therefore receive only concrete artifact maps.
+
+The catalog retains sorted family member keys plus family/character/source
+origins and the typed dependency/publish declarations for their later owners.
+`member_dependencies` add corresponding ordinary concrete dependencies, while
+the family-only `narratio.member_artifact.<family>` input form is rewritten to
+the matching ordinary configured-artifact source. The catalog records those
+resolved dependency and input identities with their declaring family and party
+member. No member-artifact source is registered as a runtime policy source.
+An enabled family publish declaration expands to ordinary configured-artifact
+publish rules before the existing publish and lock validators run. Runtime
+publication consequently receives no family wildcard or special matcher.

docs/internal/manifest.md

@@ -25,6 +25,12 @@ portable opaque segments. Unsafe legacy identities are rejected with migration
 guidance rather than being normalized into a different workspace or remote
 namespace.
 
+Prepare records independent `party` and `players` input checksums. In canonical
+party mode, the party record retains its campaign source identity while the
+players record uses `derived_from_party`; raw roster content is never embedded
+in manifest metadata. Both records remain the durable authority for consumers
+of their prepared input source IDs.
+
 The model admits these stage states:
 
 - `pending`
@@ -60,6 +66,11 @@ checksum, and positive byte size. Non-current records cannot carry an output,
 so an older file is not advertised through stale, missing, failed, or
 unselected state.
 
+Family-produced records additionally retain optional `family` and
+`character_id` provenance supplied by configuration resolution. These fields
+do not replace the concrete configured key or infer family membership from a
+name, so older records without them remain valid.
+
 The session-stage collection is the reconciled authority across invocations.
 The corresponding collection on an invocation's `analyze` stage record is an
 audit of only the artifacts evaluated or attempted by that run. These records
@@ -113,6 +124,7 @@ does not turn incidental canonical bytes into manifest authority.
 `manifest.RunManifest` is created for each invocation and records:
 
 - invocation identity and `force` flag
+- the selected profile (when any) and secret-free effective configuration digest
 - requested stages
 - per-stage action (`run` or `skip`)
 - per-stage status
@@ -156,7 +168,9 @@ durable; callers must reload it before retrying.
 
 The application runner marks an executing stage running and then succeeded or
 failed in both manifests, persisting each transition. On success it records
-outputs, logs, generated configuration references, and metadata. Artifact
+outputs, logs, generated configuration references, metadata, and—when the
+stage implements the optional contract—a versioned semantic-configuration
+fingerprint. Artifact
 records may include optional contract and external provenance objects; old
 manifests remain compatible when those fields are absent. A successful forced
 rerun marks only succeeded transitive dependent session-stage records stale.
@@ -165,7 +179,8 @@ dependents are returned in canonical order. Render and extract therefore never
 stale one another, while either can stale analyze, publish, and notify.
 
 Starting an execution clears the current session-stage record's prior outputs,
-logs, generated configuration references, and metadata. Failed and skipped
+logs, generated configuration references, metadata, and semantic fingerprint.
+Failed and skipped
 transitions enforce the same clearing rule directly, while success repopulates
 only fields returned by the new result. Marking a record stale does not clear
 those details because resume validation and diagnosis may still require them
@@ -184,20 +199,69 @@ session-stage record along with older logs, generated configuration references,
 and metadata, then applies any bounded details from the current skip and
 continues. This self-skip is distinct from deciding not to execute an
 already-succeeded stage and is reconsidered on later runs. Skipped results
-cannot contain outputs.
+cannot contain outputs. An intentional self-skip records the current semantic
+fingerprint because it is a completed, reusable stage result; failed or
+interrupted work never promotes one.
 
 When an already-succeeded stage is skipped, the invocation run manifest records
 the `skip` action and reason. The session manifest deliberately retains its
 existing succeeded record because it remains the cross-invocation progress
-authority. Extraction and analyze have resume validators and may reject an
+authority. If a stage supplies semantic configuration evidence, reuse first
+requires the persisted positive schema version and lowercase SHA-256 digest to
+match the current resolved stage semantics. Missing legacy evidence, malformed
+evidence, or a mismatch makes the stage and its fixed transitive dependents
+stale. The invocation skip copies the matched fingerprint for provenance but
+does not rewrite session authority. The existing stage-specific resume
+validator runs only after this semantic check succeeds; both checks are
+required. Extraction and analyze have resume validators and may reject an
 otherwise eligible skip when their selected durable evidence is obsolete; the
 runner marks the aggregate record stale and executes it. Analyze's validator
 can still accept a partial selection when only unrelated artifact records are
 stale.
 
+Implemented reuse coverage is deliberately split between aggregate semantic
+evidence and focused durable validators:
+
+| Work | Reuse authority | Focused owners |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| prepare | aggregate semantic fingerprint | [prepare](stage-prepare.md) |
+| transcribe | aggregate semantic fingerprint | [transcribe](stage-transcribe.md), [WhisperX](../integrations/whisperx.md) |
+| merge | aggregate semantic fingerprint | [merge](stage-merge.md), [Seriatim](../integrations/seriatim.md) |
+| polish | aggregate semantic fingerprint | [polish](stage-polish.md), [Audita](../integrations/audita.md) |
+| normalize | aggregate semantic fingerprint | [normalize](stage-normalize.md), [Seriatim](../integrations/seriatim.md) |
+| trim | aggregate semantic fingerprint | [trim](stage-trim.md), [Scriptorium](../integrations/scriptorium.md), [Seriatim](../integrations/seriatim.md) |
+| render | aggregate semantic fingerprint | [render](stage-render.md), [Seriatim](../integrations/seriatim.md) |
+| extract | aggregate semantic fingerprint plus reference/output validator | [extract](stage-extract.md), [Notarius](../integrations/notarius.md) |
+| analyze artifacts | per-artifact fingerprint, reconciliation, and output validator | [analyze](stage-analyze.md), [Scriptorium](../integrations/scriptorium.md) |
+| publish | aggregate semantic fingerprint plus immediate lock/commit checks | [publish](stage-publish.md), [storage adapter](adapters.md) |
+| notify | aggregate delivery-mode fingerprint | [pipeline overview](overview.md), [configuration](../config.md#notifications) |
+
+These contracts record resolved choices Narratio can observe, not operational
+runner tuning. External model, module, prompt, profile, and configuration-file
+contents that a tool privately loads remain outside the contract when their
+configured identifier is unchanged; operators must force the affected work
+after such a private content change.
+
 Session manifest is the authoritative stage-progress ledger across invocations.
 Run manifest is invocation-scoped audit state.
 
+Both manifests retain the most recently resolved invocation's bounded
+configuration provenance. It identifies the selected profile name and source
+(`default` or `cli`) plus the effective configuration digest, but never a raw
+secret or profile content. This provenance is informational: it does not
+participate in stage resume or cache decisions. A profile change therefore
+invalidates only stages whose semantic configuration changed. When a private
+external-tool model, module, prompt, or profile changes behind an unchanged
+configured identifier, use `--force` for the affected work.
+
+`session plan` computes the same current fingerprint and applies the same
+comparison and invalidation rules to a cloned manifest. It predicts the runner
+decision without persisting session or invocation state. The shared helper
+hashes deterministic JSON from stage-owned typed structs; stage providers must
+exclude secrets, complete effective-configuration dumps, and operational
+values that cannot affect canonical results. Concrete coverage is owned by the
+focused stage and integration documents linked above.
+
 Before an explicitly bounded execution starts after `prepare`, the application
 reads the session manifest and accepts only `succeeded` or `skipped` for every
 excluded canonical prefix stage. The first other status or absent record fails
@@ -228,6 +292,9 @@ where a durable running record can require operator interpretation.
 ## Invariants
 
 - stage resume/skip decisions are session-manifest driven.
+- semantic fingerprint comparison precedes stage-specific resume validation.
+- only successful and intentional-skipped results promote current semantic
+  evidence; invocation reuse copies evidence without replacing session state.
 - running, failed, and self-skipped stages do not retain result payloads from
   an earlier success.
 - stale stages retain prior details until replacement execution starts.

docs/internal/overview.md

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ progress and artifact services resolve durable inputs and outputs.
 | --- | --- | --- |
 | Executable | `cmd/narratio` | Process entry, standard stream wiring, argument handoff, and exit status. |
 | Application orchestration | `internal/app` | Command dispatch, configuration selection, secret-file environment loading, production composition, session locking, planning, execution, restore, cleanup gates, and user-facing reporting. |
-| Configuration | `internal/config` | Strict YAML loading, discovery, defaults, normalization, session templating, and validation. |
+| Configuration | [`internal/config`](configuration.md) | Presence-aware root/import/profile composition, canonical party and family expansion, strict YAML loading, defaults, normalization, session templating, and validation. |
 | Pipeline stages | `internal/stage` | Canonical stage registry, shared stage contract, execution dependencies, and implemented stage behavior. |
 | External boundaries | `internal/adapters`, `internal/audio` | WhisperX HTTP, downstream subprocesses, notification, object storage, and S3 audio materialization behind Narratio contracts. |
 | Manifests | `internal/manifest` | Durable session progress, invocation audit state, stage transitions, validation, and atomic persistence. |
@@ -47,9 +47,11 @@ Pipeline execution and `session plan` share the same inclusive contiguous-range
 model. Planning clones session state and applies selected-stage transitions and
 resume validation in memory; it does not create invocation state or initialize
 stage-execution adapters. Command configuration loading can still retrieve a
-missing session file through configured remote storage. Analyze planning
-additionally exposes the artifact closure's targets, prerequisite rebuilds,
-execution order, and current reuse.
+missing session file through configured remote storage. It retains the initially
+composed pipeline and selected campaign while resolving either a local or
+downloaded remote session, so one invocation cannot mix pipeline revisions.
+Analyze planning additionally exposes the artifact closure's targets,
+prerequisite rebuilds, execution order, and current reuse.
 
 ## Pipeline Stage Set
 
@@ -68,8 +70,9 @@ The implemented canonical order is:
 11. `notify` (no-op)
 
 `notify` currently has no persisted pipeline outputs and uses the explicit
-`noop` notification mode. The focused stage documents own implementation
-mechanics. The
+`noop` notification mode. Its versioned semantic evidence records that delivery
+mode and excludes adapter credentials and response data. The focused stage
+documents own implementation mechanics. The
 [CLI](../cli.md) and [Operations](../operations.md) own user-visible invocation
 and execution semantics.
 
@@ -82,6 +85,8 @@ trimmed transcript state: neither invalidates the other, while either can stale
 
 ## Focused Documentation
 
+- [Configuration Internals](configuration.md): pipeline composition, import
+  confinement, field ownership, decoding, and root-relative path semantics.
 - [Adapter Internals](adapters.md): external adapter boundaries, composition,
   failure behavior, and test surfaces.
 - [Artifact Internals](artifacts.md): source identities, runtime catalog,

docs/internal/stage-analyze.md

@@ -7,7 +7,10 @@ dependency order, and safely materialize validated outputs.
 
 ## Inputs
 
-- configured artifacts from `pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts`
+- ordinary configured artifacts from `pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts`; canonical
+  party artifact families have already expanded into this map during
+  configuration resolution, including corresponding member dependencies and
+  rewritten member-artifact input sources
 - optional selected artifact keys supplied through the stage environment
 - built-in, configured, extraction, and previous-session source references in
   artifact inputs
@@ -165,7 +168,8 @@ Supported source families:
 ## Related Contracts And Tests
 
 - [Configuration](../config.md#scriptorium-artifact-entries) owns artifact
-  fields and source-selection rules.
+  fields and source-selection rules, including
+  [artifact families](../config.md#scriptorium-artifact-families).
 - [CLI](../cli.md) owns user-visible artifact selection.
 - [Scriptorium](../integrations/scriptorium.md) owns the subprocess contract.
 - Implementation and tests: `internal/stage/analyze.go`,

docs/internal/stage-extract.md

@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ procedures belong in [Operations](../operations.md).
    manifest-authoritative identity resolver before creating run-local output;
 3. streams each verified reference into an invocation-local snapshot and
    rejects any source change observed while copying;
-4. fingerprints the Notarius invocation contract, including sorted reference
-   identities;
+4. fingerprints the byte- and provenance-bearing Notarius invocation evidence,
+   including sorted reference identities;
 5. creates a run-local staging directory and invokes the injected
    `notarius.Runner`;
 6. revalidates the reference snapshots, then validates the v2 successful
@@ -56,14 +56,20 @@ outputs is stable and does not repeatedly invalidate dependent stages.
 
 ## Resume Validation
 
-`internal/stage/extract_resume.go` permits a skip only when the existing stage
-record succeeded and still matches the current invocation fingerprint. The
-fingerprint covers the resolved executable and config paths, pipeline ID,
-timeout, working directory, sorted configured output contracts, the current
-direct trimmed-transcript identity, and sorted prepared-reference identities.
-The same reference helper and transcript identity are resolved again for
-artifact evidence, so changing the current transcript bytes or producer
-identity makes the prior extraction obsolete.
+Before the focused validator runs, the application compares extract's versioned
+semantic fingerprint. It covers enablement, Notarius pipeline identity, sorted
+reference selector/source mappings, sorted declared output contracts, and each
+canonical `narratio.extraction.<key>` output identity. It excludes executable,
+timeout, working directory, config path, and private Notarius config contents.
+
+`internal/stage/extract_resume.go` then permits a skip only when the existing
+stage record still matches the current byte- and provenance-bearing invocation
+evidence. That evidence covers the current direct trimmed-transcript identity,
+sorted prepared-reference identities, pipeline identity, and configured output
+contracts. The same reference helper and transcript identity are resolved again
+for artifact evidence, so changing current transcript bytes, reference bytes,
+or producer identity makes the prior extraction obsolete. Operational runner
+settings do not invalidate otherwise current durable evidence.
 
 A valid prepared-reference change makes extraction non-resumable. Missing,
 unsafe, or checksum-inconsistent prepared evidence is a hard validation error
@@ -76,9 +82,10 @@ contracts and provenance, regular-file status, and stored checksums. Missing or
 obsolete results are non-resumable and run again; unsafe filesystem conditions
 return an error rather than silently accepting or replacing data.
 
-The fingerprint cannot observe files imported by Notarius configuration,
-profile contents, prompt/module definitions, or other transitive inputs.
-Operators must force extraction after changing any such input.
+Neither contract can observe files imported by Notarius configuration, profile
+contents, prompt/module definitions, or other transitive inputs. Operators must
+force extraction after changing any such private input behind a stable
+identifier.
 
 ## Failure Behavior
 
@@ -101,7 +108,8 @@ available for audit and recovery.
 
 - Stage execution, selection, and resume validation: `internal/stage/extract.go`,
   `internal/stage/extract_resume.go`,
-  `internal/stage/extract_test.go`
+  `internal/stage/extract_test.go`,
+  `internal/stage/semantic_contracts_delivery.go`
 - Subprocess boundary: `internal/adapters/notarius/subprocess.go`,
   `internal/adapters/notarius/subprocess_test.go`
 - Catalog hydration: `internal/artifacts/extraction_catalog.go`,

docs/internal/stage-merge.md

@@ -29,9 +29,23 @@ Normalize raw transcript inputs and merge into base transcript via Seriatim.
 - base transcript must validate before stage success.
 - report output is config-gated.
 
+## Resume Evidence
+
+Merge records a versioned semantic-configuration fingerprint for the Seriatim
+merge operation, output schema, coalesce gap, and every configured advanced
+merge transformation. A change reruns merge and stales only its fixed
+descendants; prepare and transcribe remain reusable. Binary path, timeout,
+report emission, logs, and diagnostic retention are operational exclusions.
+
+Configuration or resources loaded privately inside Seriatim are outside
+Narratio's observable contract and require `--force` when changed. An existing
+successful merge record without evidence reruns once when selected.
+
 ## Related Contracts And Tests
 
 - [Seriatim](../integrations/seriatim.md) owns subprocess and output semantics.
 - [Configuration](../config.md#pipeline) owns operator-selected Seriatim values.
 - Implementation and tests: `internal/stage/merge.go`,
-  `internal/stage/merge_test.go`
+  `internal/stage/merge_test.go`,
+  `internal/stage/semantic_contracts_initial.go`, and
+  `internal/stage/semantic_contracts_initial_test.go`

docs/internal/stage-normalize.md

@@ -26,9 +26,17 @@ Normalize polished transcript into final transcript using Seriatim.
 - final transcript must validate as processed transcript JSON (`segments` array).
 - normalize defaults are applied when `pipeline.normalize` is unset.
 
+## Resume Semantics
+
+The versioned semantic fingerprint covers the Seriatim normalize operation,
+output schema and canonical output identity, plus the configured transcript
+transformations. Seriatim's executable and timeout and optional report
+generation are operational and do not invalidate the normalized transcript.
+
 ## Related Contracts And Tests
 
 - [Seriatim](../integrations/seriatim.md) owns subprocess and output semantics.
 - [Configuration](../config.md#pipeline) owns normalize fields and defaults.
 - Implementation and tests: `internal/stage/normalize.go`,
-  `internal/stage/normalize_test.go`
+  `internal/stage/normalize_test.go`,
+  `internal/stage/semantic_contracts_refinement.go`

docs/internal/stage-polish.md

@@ -28,10 +28,26 @@ Run Audita polishing on base transcript and produce polished transcript.
 - polished transcript schema validation is mandatory.
 - report output is config-gated.
 
+## Resume Semantics
+
+The versioned semantic fingerprint covers the Audita service endpoint, model,
+validation model, module set, transcript description, output schema, selected
+external configuration path, and canonical polished-transcript identity. Module
+ordering is normalized because the configured modules form a set. Audita's
+executable, timeouts, concurrency, report and debug behavior, work retention,
+and credential environment name are operational and do not invalidate a
+successful result.
+
+Narratio can fingerprint a selected model, module, or configuration identifier,
+but it cannot inspect content that Audita privately resolves behind that stable
+identifier. Force `polish` after changing such private content without changing
+its identifier.
+
 ## Related Contracts And Tests
 
 - [Audita](../integrations/audita.md) owns subprocess, validation, and failure
   semantics.
 - [Configuration](../config.md#pipeline) owns operator-selected Audita values.
 - Implementation and tests: `internal/stage/polish.go`,
-  `internal/stage/polish_test.go`
+  `internal/stage/polish_test.go`,
+  `internal/stage/semantic_contracts_refinement.go`

docs/internal/stage-prepare.md

@@ -39,6 +39,9 @@ Materialize canonical current-session inputs before processing stages.
 - materializes a configured spell catalog with checksum and provenance, or
   safely removes an obsolete canonical spell catalog and its manifest record
   when the effective input is omitted.
+- in canonical party mode, copies the validated raw party bytes unchanged and
+  deterministically generates the prepared players projection; legacy mode
+  continues to copy its opaque party and explicit players sources.
 - scans enabled configured artifact inputs for `narratio.previous_session.artifact.*` requirements.
 - clears managed `previous/` state on every invocation, then, when requirements exist:
   - resolves the pointer-selected previous source through the shared resolver;
@@ -57,6 +60,26 @@ mapping, while the isolated legacy reader rejects ambiguous fallback matches.
 - managed `previous/` state represents only the current requirement set.
 - `manifest.inputs` ordering is deterministic (`kind`, `path`).
 
+## Resume Evidence
+
+Prepare records a versioned semantic-configuration fingerprint for the
+resolved campaign/session selection, local-versus-S3 audio mode and canonical
+audio names, stable-input ownership/presence, previous-session identity, and
+the party mode plus canonical players projection version, and the effective
+previous-artifact requirement set. A change reruns prepare and
+stales its fixed descendants. Existing successful records without this
+evidence rerun once when selected.
+
+Workspace, spool, and cache placement and absolute source relocation are not
+semantic when logical selection, canonical names, and bytes are equivalent.
+The fingerprint deliberately does not read or rehash large audio. Prepared
+input checksums remain the content provenance. Before reusing success, prepare
+validates every durable prepared copy and compares current stable-input bytes,
+canonical party and derived-player bytes, local audio membership/checksums, or
+S3 key/size/entity-tag identity with that provenance. Source relocation with
+equivalent names and bytes remains reusable; changed or unavailable evidence
+causes a normal prepare rerun.
+
 ## Related Contracts And Tests
 
 - [Configuration](../config.md) owns audio selection, stable input fields, and
@@ -66,5 +89,10 @@ mapping, while the isolated legacy reader rejects ambiguous fallback matches.
 - [Storage Internals](storage.md) and [Artifact Internals](artifacts.md) explain
   the internal collaborators.
 - Implementation and tests: `internal/stage/prepare.go`,
-  `internal/stage/prepare_test.go`, `internal/audio/s3_audio_test.go`,
+  `internal/stage/prepare_test.go`,
+  `internal/stage/prepare_resume.go`,
+  `internal/stage/prepare_resume_test.go`,
+  `internal/stage/semantic_contracts_initial.go`,
+  `internal/stage/semantic_contracts_initial_test.go`,
+  `internal/audio/s3_audio_test.go`,
   `internal/previouscache/*_test.go`

docs/internal/stage-publish.md

@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ Exact remote placement and the operator workflow belong in
 
 - when publishing or run upload is disabled, completes successfully with no
   outputs and records explanatory metadata. This is not an explicit self-skip:
-  both manifests record success, and an ordinary later run reuses that result
-  until publish is forced.
+  both manifests record success. Enablement and upload policy are fingerprinted,
+  so changing either automatically makes the prior result non-resumable.
 - validates prerequisite stage success and object-store availability.
 - derives a deterministic run-archive allowlist from the validated run
   `manifest.json`: declared run-local outputs, logs, generated configs, and the
@@ -89,6 +89,16 @@ Includes counts/lists for:
 - post-commit local cleanup is authorized by the committed publish metadata and
   is durably recorded by the application lifecycle before any local deletion.
 
+## Resume Semantics
+
+The versioned semantic fingerprint covers enabled behavior, run-upload policy,
+normalized source/destination/required output rules, static lock policy, and
+the remote backend, bucket, region, endpoint, and root-prefix identity. Rule
+and lock ordering is canonicalized. Credential environment names,
+path-addressing transport mode, local workspace placement, and run identifiers
+are excluded. Remote locks remain mutable state and are still revalidated at
+the commit boundary; semantic evidence does not replace that safety check.
+
 The commit boundary and cleanup gate are normative architecture invariants; see
 [Architecture](../policy/architecture.md#publish-commit-boundary).
 
@@ -101,5 +111,7 @@ The commit boundary and cleanup gate are normative architecture invariants; see
 - [Artifact Internals](artifacts.md) explains source resolution and current-state
   helpers.
 - Implementation and tests: `internal/stage/publish.go`,
-  `internal/stage/publish_test.go`, `internal/app/operator_helpers_test.go`,
+  `internal/stage/publish_test.go`,
+  `internal/stage/semantic_contracts_delivery.go`,
+  `internal/app/operator_helpers_test.go`, and
   `internal/app/post_publish_cleanup_test.go`

docs/internal/stage-render.md

@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ records that may consume rendered transcripts.
 - records input provenance, output paths, adapter metadata, logs, and generated config refs.
 - when `pipeline.render.enabled=false`, completes successfully with no outputs
   and records explanatory metadata. This is not an explicit self-skip: both
-  manifests record success, and enabling render later requires a forced run.
+  manifests record success. Because enablement is fingerprinted, enabling
+  render later automatically makes the prior result non-resumable.
 
 ## Failure Semantics
 
@@ -40,9 +41,20 @@ records that may consume rendered transcripts.
 - only `format: markdown` is supported.
 - render stage owns production of built-in Markdown transcript sources.
 
+## Resume Semantics
+
+The versioned semantic fingerprint covers enablement, final format, resolved
+title (including the session-title fallback), timestamp, segment-ID and
+metadata inclusion, both canonical input identities, and both Markdown output
+identities. Seriatim's executable, timeout, and report behavior are operational
+and do not invalidate rendered transcripts. A render-only change leaves the
+independent `extract` sibling reusable while invalidating their shared
+downstream consumers.
+
 ## Related Contracts And Tests
 
 - [Seriatim](../integrations/seriatim.md) owns render subprocess behavior.
 - [Configuration](../config.md#pipeline) owns render fields and defaults.
 - Implementation and tests: `internal/stage/render.go`,
-  `internal/stage/render_test.go`
+  `internal/stage/render_test.go`,
+  `internal/stage/semantic_contracts_refinement.go`

docs/internal/stage-transcribe.md

@@ -31,6 +31,19 @@ Generate raw per-speaker transcripts from prepared audio using WhisperX.
 - each successful output is validated before stage success, and cancellation or
   incomplete dispatch cannot be reported as a successful result.
 
+## Resume Evidence
+
+Transcribe records a versioned semantic-configuration fingerprint containing
+the Narratio-visible WhisperX service URL and recognition language. Changes to
+either rerun transcription and stale its fixed descendants while leaving
+prepare reusable. Retry count/delay, concurrency, timeout, credentials, and
+diagnostic locations are operational and do not change this evidence.
+
+WhisperX models or private service configuration not exposed by Narratio's
+adapter contract cannot be fingerprinted; use `--force` after changing them.
+An existing successful transcribe record without evidence reruns once when
+selected.
+
 ## Related Contracts And Tests
 
 - [WhisperX](../integrations/whisperx.md) owns HTTP, retry, timeout, and
@@ -38,4 +51,6 @@ Generate raw per-speaker transcripts from prepared audio using WhisperX.
 - [Configuration](../config.md#pipeline) owns concurrency and other
   operator-selected values.
 - Implementation and tests: `internal/stage/transcribe.go`,
-  `internal/stage/transcribe_test.go`
+  `internal/stage/transcribe_test.go`,
+  `internal/stage/semantic_contracts_initial.go`, and
+  `internal/stage/semantic_contracts_initial_test.go`

docs/internal/stage-trim.md

@@ -33,6 +33,19 @@ When `trim.enabled=false`:
 - bounds output exists only in enabled trim path.
 - render-debug output is diagnostic and not a declared stage output.
 
+## Resume Semantics
+
+The versioned semantic fingerprint covers enablement, the bounds prompt and
+profile identifiers, the Scriptorium configuration identity, transcript input
+name, sticky session variable, bounds and trimmed output identities, and the
+Seriatim trim operation. Diagnostic bounds rendering, diagnostic output paths,
+timeouts, executable paths, and optional reports are operational and do not
+invalidate the canonical trimmed transcript.
+
+Narratio cannot inspect prompt, profile, or configuration content that
+Scriptorium or Seriatim privately resolves behind a stable identifier. Force
+`trim` after changing such private content without changing its identifier.
+
 ## Related Contracts And Tests
 
 - [Scriptorium](../integrations/scriptorium.md) owns bounds generation and
@@ -40,4 +53,5 @@ When `trim.enabled=false`:
 - [Seriatim](../integrations/seriatim.md) owns transcript trimming behavior.
 - [Configuration](../config.md#pipeline) owns trim fields and defaults.
 - Implementation and tests: `internal/stage/trim.go`,
-  `internal/stage/trim_test.go`
+  `internal/stage/trim_test.go`,
+  `internal/stage/semantic_contracts_refinement.go`

docs/operations.md

@@ -70,6 +70,19 @@ narratio run 2026-04-04
 narratio session status 2026-04-04
 ```
 
+Run, plan, and status output identify the resolved pipeline profile (or `none`)
+and effective configuration digest. Status distinguishes the current resolved
+value from the last value persisted in the session manifest, which helps
+diagnose profile switches without changing resume authority.
+
+Before switching an operational profile, compare its effective meaning with the
+current selection through `narratio config diff <left-profile> <right-profile>`.
+The command is read-only and succeeds whether it finds differences or not. Its
+sorted records describe defaulted, expanded concrete configuration—not source
+file layout—so it can be used to review model, artifact, and publish changes
+without creating a session or run. Select the same campaign explicitly when
+profiles could resolve different campaign paths; see the [CLI reference](cli.md#config-validate-config-show-config-sources-and-config-diff) for syntax and record format.
+
 ## Stage Execution and Continuation Behavior
 
 Canonical stage order:
@@ -88,7 +101,9 @@ Canonical stage order:
 
 Execution rules:
 
-- succeeded stages are skipped unless `--force` is set;
+- succeeded stages are skipped unless `--force` is set; stages with semantic
+  configuration contracts additionally require matching versioned evidence,
+  and missing legacy evidence causes a safe one-time rerun;
 - `run` continues interrupted or partially completed sessions by running non-succeeded stages;
 - forcing a stage marks succeeded transitive dependents as `stale` before the
   replacement runs; render and extract are independent siblings; and
@@ -97,6 +112,27 @@ Execution rules:
   repeated self-skip with the same reason and no outputs is stable and does not
   perpetually rerun dependent work.
 
+Every aggregate stage except analyze currently provides semantic-configuration
+evidence; analyze retains its more precise per-artifact fingerprints and
+validator.
+Prepare additionally validates current stable/local/S3 source identity and the
+checksums of its durable prepared copies before reuse. Changed bytes, audio
+membership, S3 object identity, or missing/tampered copies rerun prepare and
+its fixed descendants without requiring `--force`. Changing prepare selection
+semantics likewise reruns all fixed descendants; changing
+WhisperX language/service identity reuses prepare; changing a Seriatim merge
+transformation reuses prepare and transcribe; and changing an Audita model
+reuses prepare, transcribe, and merge while rebuilding transcript refinement.
+A trim change invalidates both render and extract through the fixed dependency
+relation, while a render-only change preserves the extract sibling.
+
+Operational timeouts, retry/concurrency tuning, executable paths,
+workspace/cache/spool placement, reports, diagnostics, and secret values are
+excluded. Configuration, models, prompts, modules, or resources loaded
+privately inside external tools remain unobservable to Narratio. If their
+contents change behind the same configured identifier, explicitly force the
+affected stage.
+
 An explicit self-skip is a durable `skipped` stage outcome that later runs
 reconsider. It differs from successful no-output execution: disabled `render`
 and `publish`, and absent or no-executable `analyze`, record `succeeded` with
@@ -177,6 +213,11 @@ canonical file into place or editing the manifest. See
 
 ## Artifact Selection
 
+For a configured artifact family, selecting its family key expands to every
+concrete character artifact. Select a concrete generated key to operate on one
+member only. Manifests and plan output retain the concrete key as the durable
+identity and include the family and character ID as optional provenance.
+
 `--artifacts` can be used on `run`, `session plan`, `run-stage`, `analyze`, and
 `publish`. For a bounded run or plan, the selected range must contain `analyze`
 or `publish`.
@@ -213,6 +254,11 @@ prepared inputs. Their canonical locations are `inputs/party.yml`,
 `inputs/spell_catalog.json`. Extraction supplies Notarius with verified copies
 under `runs/<run_id>/extract/references/` so a concurrent refresh of canonical
 prepared files cannot change the bytes consumed by an in-flight invocation.
+For a canonical party, preparation retains the validated authored party bytes
+at `inputs/party.yml` and generates `inputs/players.yml` from that roster.
+The manifest records their checksums separately, with the players input marked
+as derived from the party; refresh preparation after changing the roster rather
+than editing either prepared file.
 Inspect the effective stable-input inventory and
 prepared-file readiness with:
 
@@ -280,6 +326,10 @@ narratio run-stage extract 2026-04-04 --force
 
 Narratio automatically reruns extraction when its recorded invocation contract,
 prepared Narratio reference identities, or durable output validation changes.
+The semantic portion covers Notarius enablement, pipeline identity, declared
+reference mapping, and output contracts. Executable, timeout, working directory,
+and private config-file paths are operational and do not invalidate a current
+result.
 It cannot fingerprint configuration files, profiles, prompts, modules, or
 other references loaded transitively by Notarius itself. Force extraction after
 changing any of those inputs, even when the top-level Narratio and Notarius
@@ -288,6 +338,12 @@ marks successful downstream stages stale. Ordinary extraction failures or
 outcome changes also stale affected downstream stages, while an identical
 repeated `notarius_disabled` self-skip does not repeatedly invalidate them.
 
+Publish reuse additionally tracks enabled/run-upload behavior, normalized
+output rules, static locks, and remote backend/bucket/region/endpoint/root
+identity. Credential environment names, local workspace placement, and run IDs
+are excluded. Regardless of semantic reuse evidence, executing publish still
+revalidates mutable remote locks immediately before commit selection.
+
 ## Publish Workflow
 
 Run publish only:

docs/policy/architecture.md

@@ -145,6 +145,14 @@ Configuration is strict, explicit, centralized, and operator-oriented.
 - Empty configured values do not silently replace meaningful defaults.
 - Validation rejects invalid composition before stage execution where
   practical.
+- Root-owned imports and one selected profile resolve deterministically through
+  the configuration owner; commands do not implement their own merge rules.
+- Canonical party rosters are campaign-owned. Their derived players projection
+  and concrete character-family artifacts are resolved before runtime stages
+  or adapters receive configuration.
+- Resume uses stage- or artifact-owned semantic evidence for observable
+  result-affecting configuration; profile identity and an effective digest are
+  provenance, never blanket cache keys.
 - Session templating remains narrow and deterministic rather than becoming a
   general configuration language.
 - Secret values are supplied indirectly and are not persisted in ordinary

docs/policy/documentation.md

@@ -59,6 +59,8 @@ secret values.
 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
 | Product orientation and minimal end-to-end quickstart | `README.md` | What Narratio is, why it is useful, one shortest successful invocation, and links onward. | Complete command reference, configuration reference, operational procedures, implementation detail. |
 | Contributor entry point | `docs/development.md` | Task-oriented reading guide, minimal contributor orientation, baseline validation commands, and links to canonical docs. | Package inventory, architecture rules, subsystem behavior, detailed change recipes. |
+| Maintainer release procedure | `docs/release.md` | Version selection, candidate preparation and validation, guarded tag publication, release completion boundary, failure recovery, and optional asynchronous inspection. | Script implementation mechanics, current application contracts, and historical release summaries. |
+| Historical release summary | `docs/releases/<tag>.md` | Immutable summary, compatibility, upgrade, and changes for one released version. | Current maintainer procedure and current application contract details. |
 | Current application architecture | `docs/policy/architecture.md` | System shape, normative ownership, dependency direction, architectural boundaries, invariants, safety properties, and non-goals. | Concrete package inventory, implementation mechanics, contributor procedures, decision history, future work. |
 | Documentation organization | `docs/policy/documentation.md` | Documentation ownership, audience boundaries, maintenance rules, and ADR/document lifecycle. | Application architecture or product behavior. |
 | Testing policy | `docs/policy/testing.md` | Test philosophy, risk-based sufficiency, test boundaries, doubles, coverage guidance, regression-test policy, and criteria for adding, rewriting, or deleting tests. | Subsystem behavior, application contracts, subsystem-specific test inventories, and implementation plans. |

docs/release.md

@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+# Releasing Narratio
+
+This document is the maintainer procedure for creating a Narratio source and
+binary release. The synchronous release boundary is a successful push of one
+new tag to `origin`; Woodpecker and Gitea publication happen later and do not
+change that result.
+
+## Choose a version and write its note
+
+Narratio is past `v1.0.0`. Use an unused stable tag in the exact form
+`vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH`:
+
+- increment `MINOR` for backward-compatible features;
+- increment `PATCH` for backward-compatible fixes; and
+- reserve a new `MAJOR` for an intentional breaking documented contract.
+
+Before preparing the candidate, create
+`docs/releases/vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH.md` with this structure:
+
+```markdown
+# Narratio vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
+
+This release ...
+
+## Summary
+
+## Compatibility
+
+## Upgrade
+
+## Changes
+```
+
+The compatibility section identifies relevant CLI, configuration, artifact,
+integration, or operating-contract changes. The upgrade section states the
+required operator action, or explicitly says that no special action is
+required. Release notes are immutable historical summaries; link to the
+current canonical documentation for detailed behavior.
+
+Commit the note and all candidate changes, then use the ordinary development
+workflow to push that commit to `main`. Do not create a release tag before the
+candidate is committed and `origin/main` contains the exact same commit.
+
+## Validate the candidate
+
+Run the shared checker from any directory:
+
+```sh
+scripts/check-release-candidate.sh vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
+```
+
+It validates the version and matching note, module hygiene, formatting,
+whitespace, uncached tests, race tests, static checks, documentation, examples,
+and six official cross-build assets. It uses `GOWORK=off`, does not contact
+application services, CI, or Gitea, and does not create tags or modify tracked
+source. Fix any failure on `main`, commit it, push it normally, and rerun the
+checker.
+
+The checker builds Linux, macOS, and Windows assets for `amd64` and `arm64`.
+Cross-builds prove compilation; they are not native macOS or Windows runtime
+evidence.
+
+## Publish the tag
+
+From a clean checkout on `main` whose `HEAD` equals `origin/main`, run:
+
+```sh
+scripts/release.sh vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
+```
+
+The command fetches and checks `origin/main`, re-runs candidate validation,
+then fetches and checks again before creating an explicitly unsigned lightweight
+tag for the originally recorded commit. It refuses dirty, divergent, changed,
+or already-tagged candidates. It pushes only:
+
+```text
+refs/tags/vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH:refs/tags/vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
+```
+
+It never commits changes, pushes `main`, force-pushes, moves a tag, or pushes
+all tags. A successful push of that exact ref completes the release command;
+the command prints the tag and commit, then returns without waiting for CI,
+querying Gitea, downloading assets, or checking checksums.
+
+If a failure occurs before the tag is created, correct the candidate on `main`
+and repeat validation. If the push fails after local tag creation, the local tag
+is intentionally retained for inspection and the command must not be retried
+blindly. Once the upstream tag has been pushed, it is immutable. Correct any
+defect or failed asynchronous publication with a new patch version, a new
+release note, and the complete procedure again.
+
+## Optional asynchronous inspection
+
+After a successful tag push, a human may later inspect the tag-triggered
+Woodpecker run and the corresponding Gitea release for binaries and checksums.
+This is optional follow-up only. Automated releasers must not wait for, poll,
+or treat CI/Gitea completion as a condition of the successful tag push.

docs/releases/README.md

@@ -1,7 +1,26 @@
 # Release Notes
 
-This directory contains the maintained release-note text for Narratio releases.
-The corresponding Gitea release is the canonical source for downloadable
-binaries and checksums.
+This directory contains immutable historical release notes for Narratio.
+Future notes are created with the matching stable version and use this minimum
+structure:
 
+```markdown
+# Narratio vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
+
+This release ...
+
+## Summary
+
+## Compatibility
+
+## Upgrade
+
+## Changes
+```
+
+See the [release procedure](../release.md) for creating a candidate and tag.
+When asynchronous publication succeeds, the corresponding Gitea release is the
+canonical source for downloadable binaries and checksums.
+
+- [v1.6.0](v1.6.0.md)
 - [v1.5.0](v1.5.0.md)

docs/releases/v1.6.0.md

@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+# Narratio v1.6.0
+
+Narratio v1.6.0 makes large pipeline configurations easier to organize,
+inspect, and vary while adding character-oriented artifact generation and a
+guarded, reproducible release procedure.
+
+## Summary
+
+Pipeline configuration can now be assembled from explicit additive imports and
+a selected production or testing profile. Campaigns can own a canonical,
+versioned party roster, and Scriptorium artifact families can expand one
+definition into concrete per-character artifacts, dependencies, variables, and
+publish rules.
+
+New read-only configuration commands expose the fully resolved pipeline,
+source provenance, semantic digest, and profile differences before a session is
+run. Stage reuse now records configuration-sensitive semantic evidence so
+profile or configuration changes cannot silently reuse incompatible work.
+
+## Compatibility
+
+This is a backward-compatible feature release. Existing monolithic pipeline
+files, concrete Scriptorium artifacts, publish rules, and configurations
+without profiles remain supported. When profiles are declared and no explicit
+profile is selected, Narratio uses the configured production default.
+
+An unversioned party file plus a separate players file remains available as an
+isolated legacy compatibility path, but it cannot drive artifact families. New
+campaigns and new party-oriented features should use the `narratio.party.v1`
+schema. Existing manifests remain readable; missing legacy semantic evidence
+is treated as stale rather than trusted.
+
+Narratio continues to consume the documented Notarius D&D pipeline contract.
+The release workflow still cross-compiles Linux, macOS, and Windows binaries
+for `amd64` and `arm64`; cross-compilation is not native runtime evidence for
+macOS or Windows.
+
+## Upgrade
+
+No special action is required for existing monolithic configurations that do
+not adopt profiles or artifact families. On the first run after upgrading,
+stages recorded by older manifests may regenerate once because those records do
+not contain the new semantic configuration evidence.
+
+To adopt the new configuration model, use the maintained
+`examples/production-testing` bundle as a migration reference: split stable
+settings into explicit imports, define a production default and optional
+testing profile, convert campaign party data to `narratio.party.v1`, remove the
+separate players file, and then introduce character artifact families. Review
+the result with `narratio config validate`, `config show`, `config sources`, and
+`config diff` before running a session.
+
+Campaign, session, previous-session, and run identifiers must satisfy the
+documented portable identity grammar. Existing manifests or remote state with
+unsafe legacy identifiers must be migrated before use.
+
+## Changes
+
+- Added root-owned, non-recursive additive pipeline imports with strict,
+  source-aware conflict detection.
+- Added named pipeline profiles with an explicit production default and
+  deliberate command-line selection.
+- Added `config validate`, `config show`, `config sources`, and `config diff`
+  for read-only inspection of resolved configuration and provenance.
+- Added the strict `narratio.party.v1` campaign roster, including stable
+  character IDs, player and character names, optional aliases, and classes.
+- Added deterministic players derivation and canonical party delivery to
+  downstream integrations.
+- Added character-oriented artifact families, corresponding member
+  dependencies, family selection, and generated publish policies.
+- Added semantic configuration fingerprints and stage-specific resume checks
+  across transcript and artifact stages.
+- Added shared release candidate, asset build, and guarded tag-publication
+  scripts, with tag-triggered publication remaining asynchronous.

docs/troubleshooting.md

@@ -71,6 +71,36 @@ Safe fix:
 
 Relevant reference: [Configuration](./config.md).
 
+## Unexpected imported or profile value
+
+Symptom:
+
+- an effective configuration value differs from the root file, or a duplicate
+  ownership/configuration error is hard to locate.
+
+Diagnostics:
+
+```bash
+narratio config sources --config /path/pipeline.yml --profile testing
+```
+
+Add `--campaign` or `--campaign-file` when the pipeline has party-driven
+artifact families. The output identifies each effective logical field's root,
+import, profile, default, campaign, party, or family source without printing
+the field value or credential contents.
+
+Safe fix:
+
+- move a duplicated base field so it has one owner;
+- correct the selected profile or its overlay; or
+- correct the campaign party/family declaration that owns generated values.
+
+To review what would actually change before switching profiles, run `config
+diff` with the same pipeline and campaign selectors. It compares normalized
+effective values rather than YAML formatting or source-file layout.
+
+Relevant reference: [Configuration inspection](./config.md#read-only-effective-pipeline-inspection).
+
 ## Audio mode conflict
 
 Symptom:

examples/README.md

@@ -11,6 +11,18 @@ in the [configuration reference](../docs/config.md).
   WhisperX URL.
 - [Production-shaped pipeline](pipeline.production.yml): S3 storage, publish,
   external tools, and configured Scriptorium artifacts.
+- [Production/testing split bundle](production-testing/pipeline.yml): explicit
+  `conf.d` imports, a production default, and selectable production/testing
+  overlays. It also demonstrates canonical-party artifact families and a
+  testing-only disabled artifact. Validate it with:
+
+  ```sh
+  narratio config validate --config examples/production-testing/pipeline.yml --campaign-file examples/campaigns/sample-campaign/campaign.yml
+  narratio config diff production testing --config examples/production-testing/pipeline.yml --campaign-file examples/campaigns/sample-campaign/campaign.yml
+  ```
+
+  `config show` and `config sources` accept the same selectors and remain
+  read-only.
 - [Full annotated pipeline](pipeline.full.annotated.yml): every implemented
   pipeline section with explanatory comments.
 - [Extraction subset pipeline](pipeline.extraction-subset.yml): a focused
@@ -37,11 +49,11 @@ with the sample campaign and a compatible local- or S3-audio session.
 - The sample campaign references its local
   [speakers](campaigns/sample-campaign/speakers.yml),
   [autocorrect](campaigns/sample-campaign/autocorrect.yml),
-  [glossary](campaigns/sample-campaign/glossary.yml),
-  [players](campaigns/sample-campaign/players.yml), and
-  [party](campaigns/sample-campaign/party.yml) fixtures, plus an optional
+  [glossary](campaigns/sample-campaign/glossary.yml), and canonical
+  [party](campaigns/sample-campaign/party.yml) fixture, plus an optional
   [spell-catalog overlay](campaigns/sample-campaign/spell_catalog.json) that
-  follows the Notarius v0.6 contract.
+  follows the Notarius v0.6 contract. Narratio derives the players projection
+  from this party source; the campaign deliberately has no `players_file`.
 - [Sample speaker audio](audio/sample-speaker.flac) is a text placeholder that
   reserves the expected filename and directory shape. Replace it with a real
   FLAC file before running transcription.

examples/campaigns/sample-campaign/campaign.yml

@@ -4,6 +4,5 @@ inputs:
   speakers_file: ./speakers.yml
   autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
   glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
-  players_file: ./players.yml
   party_file: ./party.yml
   spell_catalog_file: ./spell_catalog.json

examples/campaigns/sample-campaign/party.yml

@@ -1,2 +1,26 @@
-- name: Example Hero
-  type: pc
+schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+
+characters:
+  arannis:
+    player:
+      name: Rowan Hale
+    character:
+      name: Arannis
+      alias:
+        - Ari
+        - The Grey Owl
+      classes:
+        - name: wizard
+          level: 8
+  brenna:
+    player:
+      name: Rowan Hale
+    character:
+      name: Brenna
+      alias:
+        - Shield of Dawn
+      classes:
+        - name: paladin
+          level: 6
+        - name: warlock
+          level: 2

examples/campaigns/sample-campaign/players.yml

@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-- name: Example Player
-  role: player

examples/production-testing/conf.d/artifacts.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+scriptorium:
+  binary: scriptorium
+  config_path: ./scriptorium/config.yml
+  artifact_families:
+    character_meta:
+      enabled: true
+      for_each: party.characters
+      prompt_id: dnd.character_meta
+      output_path_pattern: artifacts/characters/{character_id}/meta.md
+      member_vars:
+        character_id: character_id
+        character_name: character.name
+        player_name: player.name
+        class_summary: character.class_summary
+    character_items:
+      enabled: true
+      for_each: party.characters
+      prompt_id: dnd.character_items
+      output_path_pattern: artifacts/characters/{character_id}/items.md
+      member_dependencies: [character_meta]
+      inputs:
+        character_meta:
+          source: narratio.member_artifact.character_meta
+          required: true
+      member_vars:
+        character_id: character_id
+        character_name: character.name
+        aliases: character.alias_summary
+      publish:
+        enabled: true
+        required: false
+        dest_pattern: artifacts/characters/{character_id}/items.md

examples/production-testing/conf.d/platform.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+workspace:
+  root: ./workspace
+
+campaigns:
+  root: ../../campaigns
+  default_campaign_id: sample-campaign
+
+cache:
+  root: ./cache
+
+spool:
+  root: ./spool

examples/production-testing/conf.d/publish.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+publish:
+  enabled: true
+  upload_run: false
+  outputs:
+    - source: narratio.transcript.final_markdown
+      dest: transcripts/final.md
+      required: true

examples/production-testing/conf.d/storage.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+storage:
+  backend: local

examples/production-testing/conf.d/transcript.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+  language: en
+
+seriatim:
+  binary: seriatim
+  output_schema: seriatim-intermediate
+
+audita:
+  binary: audita
+  modules: [glossary, grammar]
+  output_schema: audita-v1
+
+normalize:
+  output_path: transcripts/final.json
+  output_schema: seriatim-intermediate

examples/production-testing/pipeline.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# Copyable production/testing pipeline entry point. Every fragment is named
+# explicitly; Narratio never scans conf.d automatically.
+composition:
+  imports:
+    - conf.d/platform.yml
+    - conf.d/storage.yml
+    - conf.d/transcript.yml
+    - conf.d/artifacts.yml
+    - conf.d/publish.yml
+  default_profile: production
+  profiles:
+    production:
+      overlay: profiles/production.yml
+    testing:
+      overlay: profiles/testing.yml

examples/production-testing/profiles/production.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+audita:
+  model: narratio-production-model-placeholder
+  validation_model: narratio-production-validator-placeholder
+
+scriptorium:
+  artifact_families:
+    character_meta:
+      profile_id: production-placeholder
+    character_items:
+      profile_id: production-placeholder

examples/production-testing/profiles/testing.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+audita:
+  model: narratio-testing-model-placeholder
+  validation_model: narratio-testing-validator-placeholder
+
+scriptorium:
+  artifacts:
+    testing_notes:
+      enabled: false
+      output_path: artifacts/testing-notes.md
+  artifact_families:
+    character_meta:
+      profile_id: testing-placeholder
+    character_items:
+      profile_id: testing-placeholder

internal/app/analyze_artifacts.go

@@ -60,10 +60,14 @@ func resolveEffectiveArtifacts(cfg *config.Config, selected []string) (artifacts
 		return artifacts.EffectiveArtifactSet{}, fmt.Errorf("--artifacts requires pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts to be configured")
 	}
 	configured := artifacts.ConfiguredArtifactDefinitions(cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.Artifacts)
-	if len(selected) > 0 && len(configured) == 0 {
+	normalized, err := normalizeArtifactSelection(cfg, selected)
+	if err != nil {
+		return artifacts.EffectiveArtifactSet{}, err
+	}
+	if len(normalized) > 0 && len(configured) == 0 {
 		return artifacts.EffectiveArtifactSet{}, fmt.Errorf("--artifacts requires at least one configured artifact in pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts")
 	}
-	effective, err := artifacts.ResolveEffectiveArtifactSet(configured, selected)
+	effective, err := artifacts.ResolveEffectiveArtifactSet(configured, normalized)
 	if err != nil {
 		if strings.Contains(err.Error(), "is not configured") {
 			return artifacts.EffectiveArtifactSet{}, fmt.Errorf("--artifacts includes unknown artifact %q", selectedArtifactName(err))
@@ -73,7 +77,47 @@ func resolveEffectiveArtifacts(cfg *config.Config, selected []string) (artifacts
 	if err := validateEffectiveArtifactConfiguration(cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.Artifacts, effective); err != nil {
 		return artifacts.EffectiveArtifactSet{}, err
 	}
-	return effective, nil
+	return effective.WithOrigins(effectiveArtifactOrigins(cfg.Pipeline)), nil
+}
+
+func normalizeArtifactSelection(cfg *config.Config, selected []string) ([]string, error) {
+	if len(selected) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	configured := cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.Artifacts
+	families := config.ArtifactFamilies(cfg.Pipeline).Families
+	set := make(map[string]struct{}, len(selected))
+	for _, raw := range selected {
+		key := strings.TrimSpace(raw)
+		if key == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("artifact names must be non-empty")
+		}
+		if family, ok := families[key]; ok {
+			for _, member := range family.Members {
+				set[member] = struct{}{}
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+		if _, ok := configured[key]; !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("--artifacts includes unknown artifact %q", key)
+		}
+		set[key] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	normalized := make([]string, 0, len(set))
+	for key := range set {
+		normalized = append(normalized, key)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(normalized)
+	return normalized, nil
+}
+
+func effectiveArtifactOrigins(pipeline *config.PipelineConfig) map[string]artifacts.EffectiveArtifactOrigin {
+	catalog := config.ArtifactFamilies(pipeline)
+	origins := make(map[string]artifacts.EffectiveArtifactOrigin, len(catalog.Members))
+	for key, member := range catalog.Members {
+		origins[key] = artifacts.EffectiveArtifactOrigin{Family: member.Family, CharacterID: member.CharacterID}
+	}
+	return origins
 }
 
 func selectedArtifactName(err error) string {

internal/app/analyze_artifacts_commands_test.go

@@ -125,17 +125,28 @@ func TestRunArtifactsWithSucceededAnalyzeSkipsUnlessForced(t *testing.T) {
 	manifestPath := filepath.Join(workspaceRoot, "work", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03", "manifest.json")
 
 	store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
-	seed := manifest.New("2026-05-03", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC))
+	if err := RunStage(
+		context.Background(),
+		[]string{"prepare", "2026-05-03", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--session", sessionPath},
+		&bytes.Buffer{},
+	); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed prepare stage: %v", err)
+	}
+	seed, err := store.Load(context.Background(), manifestPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load prepared manifest: %v", err)
+	}
 	for _, stageName := range []string{"prepare", "transcribe", "merge", "polish", "normalize", "trim", "render", "analyze", "publish", "notify"} {
 		seed.MarkStageSucceeded(stageName, time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 1, 0, 0, time.UTC), nil)
 	}
 	seed.MarkStageSkipped("extract", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 1, 0, 0, time.UTC), "notarius_disabled")
+	seedCurrentSemanticEvidence(t, loadConfigForSemanticEvidence(t, pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath), seed, "prepare", "transcribe", "merge", "polish", "normalize", "trim", "render")
 	if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPath, seed); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("save manifest: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	var out bytes.Buffer
-	err := Run(
+	err = Run(
 		context.Background(),
 		[]string{"2026-05-03", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--session", sessionPath, "--artifacts", "session_recap"},
 		&out,

internal/app/analyze_artifacts_test.go

@@ -1,11 +1,71 @@
 package app
 
 import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/config"
 )
 
+func TestResolveEffectiveArtifactsExpandsFamilySelections(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	write := func(name, body string) string {
+		path := filepath.Join(dir, name)
+		if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte(body), 0o644); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		return path
+	}
+	pipeline := write("pipeline.yml", `workspace: {root: /tmp/narratio-work}
+whisperx: {transcribe_url: https://example.test/transcribe}
+notification: {mode: noop}
+scriptorium:
+  artifact_families:
+    character_meta:
+      enabled: false
+      for_each: party.characters
+      prompt_id: dnd.character_meta
+      output_path_pattern: artifacts/characters/{character_id}/meta.md
+`)
+	campaign := write("campaign.yml", `campaign_id: campaign
+inputs: {speakers_file: speakers.yml, autocorrect_file: autocorrect.yml, glossary_file: glossary.yml, party_file: party.yml}
+`)
+	session := write("session.yml", `session_id: session
+campaign: campaign
+inputs: {audio_dir: audio}
+`)
+	write("party.yml", `schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  zeta: {player: {name: Z}, character: {name: Zeta, classes: [{name: wizard}]}}
+  alpha: {player: {name: A}, character: {name: Alpha, classes: [{name: ranger}]}}
+`)
+	cfg, err := config.LoadWithSessionOptions(pipeline, campaign, session, config.SessionLoadOptions{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	effective, err := resolveEffectiveArtifacts(cfg, []string{"character_meta", "character_meta_alpha"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got, want := effective.Keys(), []string{"character_meta_alpha", "character_meta_zeta"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("keys = %#v, want %#v", got, want)
+	}
+	if origin, ok := effective.Origin("character_meta_alpha"); !ok || origin.Family != "character_meta" || origin.CharacterID != "alpha" {
+		t.Fatalf("origin = %#v, %t", origin, ok)
+	}
+	if _, err := resolveEffectiveArtifacts(cfg, []string{"unknown"}); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "unknown artifact") {
+		t.Fatalf("unknown selection error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if defaultEffective, err := resolveEffectiveArtifacts(cfg, nil); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	} else if len(defaultEffective.Keys()) != 0 {
+		t.Fatal("default selection should omit disabled family members")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestArtifactSelectionFlagNormalize(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name    string

internal/app/assembled_workflow_test.go

@@ -3,8 +3,11 @@ package app
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
+	"io"
+	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"reflect"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
@@ -271,6 +274,188 @@ func TestAssembledLegacyAnalyzeTransitionPublishesOnlyCurrentRecords(t *testing.
 	}
 }
 
+func TestAssembledSplitBundleCommandsUseOneEffectiveFamilyConfiguration(t *testing.T) {
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := assembledSplitBundlePaths()
+	workspacePath := filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(pipelinePath), "workspace")
+	if _, err := os.Stat(workspacePath); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatalf("example workspace stat = %v, want absent", err)
+	}
+
+	var validated bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigValidate(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath}, &validated); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("validate production default: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(validated.String(), "profile=production") {
+		t.Fatalf("validate output = %q, want production profile", validated.String())
+	}
+	for _, command := range []func(context.Context, []string, io.Writer) error{ConfigShow, ConfigSources} {
+		if err := command(context.Background(), []string{
+			"--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--profile", "testing",
+		}, io.Discard); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("testing inspection command %T: %v", command, err)
+		}
+	}
+	var diff bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigDiff(context.Background(), []string{
+		"production", "testing", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath,
+	}, &diff); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("compare profiles: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(diff.String(), "audita.model") || !strings.Contains(diff.String(), "character_items_arannis.profile_id") {
+		t.Fatalf("profile diff = %q, want model and expanded family changes", diff.String())
+	}
+
+	common := []string{
+		"2026-05-03", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath,
+		"--session", sessionPath, "--profile", "testing",
+	}
+	var planned bytes.Buffer
+	if err := Plan(context.Background(), common, &planned); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("plan testing bundle: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(planned.String(), "profile=testing") {
+		t.Fatalf("plan output = %q, want testing provenance", planned.String())
+	}
+
+	original := executeStagesFn
+	t.Cleanup(func() { executeStagesFn = original })
+	var capturedCfg *config.Config
+	var capturedPlan BoundedPlan
+	var capturedOptions RunOptions
+	executeStagesFn = func(_ context.Context, cfg *config.Config, plan BoundedPlan, options RunOptions) (*RunSummary, error) {
+		capturedCfg = cfg
+		capturedPlan = plan
+		capturedOptions = options
+		return &RunSummary{SessionID: cfg.Session.SessionID, ManifestPath: manifestPathForConfig(cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.Root)}, nil
+	}
+	runArgs := append(append([]string(nil), common...), "--from", "analyze", "--through", "analyze", "--artifacts", "character_items_arannis")
+	var runOut bytes.Buffer
+	if err := Run(context.Background(), runArgs, &runOut); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("bounded family run: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(capturedPlan.Names(), []string{"analyze"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("bounded plan = %#v, want analyze only", capturedPlan.Names())
+	}
+	if profile, ok := config.SelectedPipelineProfile(capturedCfg.Pipeline); !ok || profile.Name != "testing" {
+		t.Fatalf("captured profile = %#v, selected=%t", profile, ok)
+	}
+	if digest := config.EffectivePipelineDigest(capturedCfg.Pipeline); digest == "" || !strings.Contains(runOut.String(), "digest="+digest) {
+		t.Fatalf("run output = %q, want effective digest %q", runOut.String(), digest)
+	}
+	if got := capturedOptions.EffectiveArtifacts.Keys(); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, []string{"character_items_arannis"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("effective artifact keys = %#v", got)
+	}
+	if origin, ok := capturedOptions.EffectiveArtifacts.Origin("character_items_arannis"); !ok || origin.Family != "character_items" || origin.CharacterID != "arannis" {
+		t.Fatalf("family origin = %#v, present=%t", origin, ok)
+	}
+	fullFamily, err := resolveEffectiveArtifacts(capturedCfg, []string{"character_items"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("resolve complete family: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got := fullFamily.Keys(); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, []string{"character_items_arannis", "character_items_brenna"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("full family keys = %#v", got)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(workspacePath); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatalf("inspection or bounded run created example workspace: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAssembledSplitBundleProfileSwitchRecordsProvenanceAndLimitsReuse(t *testing.T) {
+	production := loadAssembledSplitBundleConfig(t, "")
+	testingCfg := loadAssembledSplitBundleConfig(t, "testing")
+	workspace := t.TempDir()
+	production.Pipeline.Workspace.Root = workspace
+	testingCfg.Pipeline.Workspace.Root = workspace
+
+	names := []string{"prepare", "transcribe", "merge", "polish", "normalize", "trim", "render"}
+	providers := make([]stage.SemanticConfigFingerprinter, len(names))
+	seed := manifest.New(production.Session.SessionID, time.Now().UTC())
+	seed.Campaign = production.Session.Campaign
+	for _, candidate := range stage.All() {
+		seed.MarkStageSucceeded(candidate.Name(), time.Now().UTC(), nil)
+	}
+	for index, name := range names {
+		providers[index] = canonicalSemanticProvider(t, name)
+		fingerprint, err := providers[index].SemanticConfigFingerprint(&stage.Env{Config: production})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("production %s fingerprint: %v", name, err)
+		}
+		seed.Stages[name].SemanticConfig = &fingerprint
+	}
+	store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
+	if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPathForConfig(workspace), seed); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	productionRuns := make([]int, len(names))
+	productionStages := assembledSemanticStages(names, providers, productionRuns)
+	productionSummary, err := executeStages(context.Background(), production, productionStages, RunOptions{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("record production provenance: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(productionRuns, make([]int, len(names))) {
+		t.Fatalf("production runs = %v, want complete reuse", productionRuns)
+	}
+	assertAssembledProvenance(t, store, productionSummary, "production", config.EffectivePipelineDigest(production.Pipeline))
+
+	testingRuns := make([]int, len(names))
+	testingStages := assembledSemanticStages(names, providers, testingRuns)
+	testingSummary, err := executeStages(context.Background(), testingCfg, testingStages, RunOptions{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("switch to testing profile: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got, want := testingRuns, []int{0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1}; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("testing profile runs = %v, want %v", got, want)
+	}
+	assertAssembledProvenance(t, store, testingSummary, "testing", config.EffectivePipelineDigest(testingCfg.Pipeline))
+}
+
+func assembledSplitBundlePaths() (pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath string) {
+	examplesDir := filepath.Join("..", "..", "examples")
+	return filepath.Join(examplesDir, "production-testing", "pipeline.yml"),
+		filepath.Join(examplesDir, "campaigns", "sample-campaign", "campaign.yml"),
+		filepath.Join(examplesDir, "session.local-audio.yml")
+}
+
+func loadAssembledSplitBundleConfig(t *testing.T, profile string) *config.Config {
+	t.Helper()
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := assembledSplitBundlePaths()
+	options := config.SessionLoadOptions{}
+	if profile != "" {
+		options.Profile = &profile
+	}
+	cfg, err := config.LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath, options)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load split bundle profile %q: %v", profile, err)
+	}
+	return cfg
+}
+
+func assembledSemanticStages(names []string, providers []stage.SemanticConfigFingerprinter, runs []int) []stage.Stage {
+	stages := make([]stage.Stage, 0, len(names))
+	for index, name := range names {
+		stages = append(stages, semanticContractRunStub{name: name, provider: providers[index], runs: &runs[index]})
+	}
+	return stages
+}
+
+func assertAssembledProvenance(t *testing.T, store *manifest.LocalStore, summary *RunSummary, profile, digest string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	session, err := store.Load(context.Background(), summary.ManifestPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	run, err := store.LoadRun(context.Background(), summary.RunManifestPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, value := range []*manifest.EffectiveConfigProvenance{session.EffectiveConfig, run.EffectiveConfig} {
+		if value == nil || value.SelectedProfile == nil || value.SelectedProfile.Name != profile || value.EffectiveConfigDigest != digest {
+			t.Fatalf("effective configuration provenance = %#v, want profile=%q digest=%q", value, profile, digest)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func seedAllStagesSucceeded(t *testing.T, cfg *config.Config) {
 	t.Helper()
 	m := manifest.New(cfg.Session.SessionID, time.Now().UTC())

internal/app/bounded_run.go

@@ -31,6 +31,14 @@ func (f *singletonStringFlag) Set(value string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (f singletonStringFlag) pointer() *string {
+	if !f.set {
+		return nil
+	}
+	value := f.value
+	return &value
+}
+
 type singletonBoolFlag struct {
 	name  string
 	value bool

internal/app/bounded_run_test.go

@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ func TestBoundedRunParsingRejectsDuplicateSingletons(t *testing.T) {
 		{name: "through mixed", args: []string{"session", "--through", "analyze", "--through=publish"}, want: "--through may be specified only once"},
 		{name: "force separate", args: []string{"session", "--force", "--force"}, want: "--force may be specified only once"},
 		{name: "force equals", args: []string{"session", "--force=true", "--force=false"}, want: "--force may be specified only once"},
+		{name: "profile", args: []string{"session", "--profile", "production", "--profile=testing"}, want: "--profile may be specified only once"},
 	}
 	for _, test := range tests {
 		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -68,6 +69,32 @@ func TestBoundedRunParsingRejectsDuplicateSingletons(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestBoundedRunParsingRetainsExplicitProfilePresence(t *testing.T) {
+	withoutProfile, err := parseBoundedRunRequest("run", []string{"session"}, io.Discard)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got := withoutProfile.Config.sessionOptions().Profile; got != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("omitted profile = %#v, want nil", got)
+	}
+
+	withProfile, err := parseBoundedRunRequest("run", []string{"session", "--profile", "testing"}, io.Discard)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got := withProfile.Config.sessionOptions().Profile; got == nil || *got != "testing" {
+		t.Fatalf("explicit profile = %#v, want testing", got)
+	}
+
+	explicitEmpty, err := parseBoundedRunRequest("run", []string{"session", "--profile", ""}, io.Discard)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got := explicitEmpty.Config.sessionOptions().Profile; got == nil || *got != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("explicit empty profile = %#v, want non-nil empty", got)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestBoundedRunParsingUsesSharedRangeValidation(t *testing.T) {
 	args := []string{"session", "--from", "publish", "--through", "render"}
 	runRequest, runErr := parseBoundedRunRequest("run", args, io.Discard)

internal/app/clean.go

@@ -88,11 +88,7 @@ func cleanAllLocal(flags commonConfigFlags, dryRun, clearCache bool, out io.Writ
 		strings.TrimSpace(flags.previousSessionID) != "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("clean: --all cannot be combined with --campaign, --campaign-file, --session, a session_id, or --previous-session-id")
 	}
-	resolvedPipelinePath, err := resolvePipelineConfigPath(flags.pipelinePath)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("clean: %w", err)
-	}
-	pipelineCfg, err := config.LoadPipeline(resolvedPipelinePath)
+	_, pipelineCfg, err := loadPipelineConfig(flags.pipelinePath, config.PipelineLoadOptions{Profile: flags.profile.pointer()})
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("clean: %w", err)
 	}

internal/app/commands.go

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 )
 
-var supportedCommands = []string{"version", "run", "regenerate-artifacts", "run-stage", "analyze", "publish", "clean", "session"}
+var supportedCommands = []string{"version", "run", "regenerate-artifacts", "run-stage", "analyze", "publish", "clean", "session", "config"}
 
 var runCommandFn = Run
 
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ func Execute(args []string, stdout, stderr io.Writer) int {
 		err = Session(ctx, cmdArgs, stdout)
 	case "clean":
 		err = Clean(ctx, cmdArgs, stdout)
+	case "config":
+		err = Config(ctx, cmdArgs, stdout)
 	default:
 		fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "unknown command: %q\n\n", cmd)
 		printUsage(stderr)

internal/app/commands_test.go

@@ -549,6 +549,17 @@ inputs:
 	return pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath
 }
 
+func materializePrepareResumeFixture(t *testing.T, pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	if err := RunStage(
+		context.Background(),
+		[]string{"prepare", "2026-05-03", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--session", sessionPath},
+		&bytes.Buffer{},
+	); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("materialize prepare resume fixture: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
 func writeAppTestCampaignConfig(t *testing.T, dir string) string {
 	t.Helper()
 	campaignPath := filepath.Join(dir, "campaign.yml")
@@ -563,6 +574,7 @@ inputs:
 	if err := os.WriteFile(campaignPath, []byte(campaignYAML), 0o644); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("write campaign.yml: %v", err)
 	}
+	mustWriteTestFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "party.yml"), "legacy: party\n")
 	return campaignPath
 }
 

internal/app/config_commands.go

@@ -0,0 +1,298 @@
+package app
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"flag"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/config"
+)
+
+type inspectionFlags struct {
+	pipelinePath     string
+	campaignPath     string
+	campaignFilePath string
+	profile          singletonStringFlag
+}
+
+type inspectionConfig struct {
+	PipelinePath string
+	Pipeline     *config.PipelineConfig
+	CampaignPath string
+	Campaign     *config.CampaignConfig
+	Party        config.ResolvedParty
+}
+
+// Config dispatches read-only pipeline configuration commands.
+func Config(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
+	if len(args) == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("config: expected subcommand: validate|show|sources|diff")
+	}
+	if args[0] == "--help" || args[0] == "-h" {
+		writeConfigCommandUsage(out)
+		return nil
+	}
+	switch args[0] {
+	case "validate":
+		return ConfigValidate(ctx, args[1:], out)
+	case "show":
+		return ConfigShow(ctx, args[1:], out)
+	case "sources":
+		return ConfigSources(ctx, args[1:], out)
+	case "diff":
+		return ConfigDiff(ctx, args[1:], out)
+	default:
+		return fmt.Errorf("config: unknown subcommand %q", args[0])
+	}
+}
+
+// ConfigValidate validates one fully resolved effective pipeline without
+// loading session state or constructing runtime collaborators.
+func ConfigValidate(_ context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
+	flags, err := parseInspectionFlags("config validate", args, out)
+	if err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, flag.ErrHelp) {
+			return nil
+		}
+		return err
+	}
+	resolved, err := resolveInspectionConfig(flags)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("config validate: %w", err)
+	}
+	_, err = fmt.Fprintf(out, "Configuration valid: root=%s; profile=%s; digest=%s\n",
+		inspectionRootPath(resolved), inspectionProfile(resolved.Pipeline), config.EffectivePipelineDigest(resolved.Pipeline))
+	return err
+}
+
+// ConfigShow validates and renders one fully resolved effective pipeline
+// without loading session state or constructing runtime collaborators.
+func ConfigShow(_ context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
+	flags, err := parseInspectionFlags("config show", args, out)
+	if err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, flag.ErrHelp) {
+			return nil
+		}
+		return err
+	}
+	resolved, err := resolveInspectionConfig(flags)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("config show: %w", err)
+	}
+	data, err := config.MarshalEffectivePipeline(resolved.Pipeline)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("config show: %w", err)
+	}
+	_, err = out.Write(data)
+	return err
+}
+
+// ConfigSources validates and reports deterministic effective configuration
+// ownership without loading session state or runtime collaborators.
+func ConfigSources(_ context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
+	flags, err := parseInspectionFlags("config sources", args, out)
+	if err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, flag.ErrHelp) {
+			return nil
+		}
+		return err
+	}
+	resolved, err := resolveInspectionConfig(flags)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("config sources: %w", err)
+	}
+	records, err := config.EffectivePipelineSources(resolved.Pipeline, resolved.Party)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("config sources: %w", err)
+	}
+	records = append(records, config.EffectiveCampaignSources(resolved.CampaignPath, resolved.Campaign, resolved.Party)...)
+	sortInspectionSourceRecords(records)
+	if err := writeInspectionSourceHeader(out, resolved); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	for _, record := range records {
+		if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s\t%s\t%s\n", record.Path, record.Role, record.Source); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func parseInspectionFlags(command string, args []string, out io.Writer) (inspectionFlags, error) {
+	fs := flag.NewFlagSet(command, flag.ContinueOnError)
+	fs.SetOutput(out)
+	var flags inspectionFlags
+	fs.StringVar(&flags.pipelinePath, "config", "", "path to pipeline.yml (optional; defaults searched)")
+	fs.StringVar(&flags.campaignPath, "campaign", "", "campaign ID")
+	fs.StringVar(&flags.campaignFilePath, "campaign-file", "", "path to campaign.yml")
+	flags.profile.name = "profile"
+	fs.Var(&flags.profile, "profile", "named pipeline profile")
+	fs.Usage = func() {
+		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Usage: narratio %s [--config <pipeline.yml>] [--campaign <id> | --campaign-file <campaign.yml>] [--profile <name>]\n\n", command)
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "Resolves configuration without a session, workspace, manifest, adapters, or external services.")
+		fmt.Fprintln(out)
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "Flags:")
+		fs.PrintDefaults()
+	}
+	if err := fs.Parse(args); err != nil {
+		return inspectionFlags{}, fmt.Errorf("%s: invalid flags: %w", command, err)
+	}
+	if fs.NArg() != 0 {
+		return inspectionFlags{}, fmt.Errorf("%s: unexpected positional arguments", command)
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(flags.campaignPath) != "" && strings.TrimSpace(flags.campaignFilePath) != "" {
+		return inspectionFlags{}, fmt.Errorf("%s: --campaign and --campaign-file are mutually exclusive", command)
+	}
+	return flags, nil
+}
+
+func resolveInspectionConfig(flags inspectionFlags) (*inspectionConfig, error) {
+	pipelinePath, pipeline, err := loadPipelineConfig(flags.pipelinePath, config.PipelineLoadOptions{Profile: flags.profile.pointer()})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	needsCampaign := pipelineHasArtifactFamilies(pipeline)
+	hasCampaignSelection := strings.TrimSpace(flags.campaignPath) != "" || strings.TrimSpace(flags.campaignFilePath) != ""
+	if !needsCampaign && !hasCampaignSelection {
+		if err := validateInspectionPipeline(pipelinePath, pipeline); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return &inspectionConfig{PipelinePath: pipelinePath, Pipeline: pipeline}, nil
+	}
+
+	campaignPath, err := resolveCampaignConfigPath(pipeline, flags.campaignPath, flags.campaignFilePath)
+	if err != nil {
+		if needsCampaign {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline.scriptorium.artifact_families requires a campaign: %w", err)
+		}
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	campaign, err := config.LoadCampaign(campaignPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if selectedID := strings.TrimSpace(flags.campaignPath); selectedID != "" && strings.TrimSpace(flags.campaignFilePath) == "" {
+		if got := config.CampaignID(campaign); got != selectedID {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("campaign config %q invalid: campaign_id %q does not match selected campaign %q", campaignPath, got, selectedID)
+		}
+	}
+	loaded, err := config.LoadPipelineCampaign(pipelinePath, pipeline, campaignPath, campaign)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := validateInspectionPipeline(loaded.PipelinePath, loaded.Pipeline); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := validateInspectionCampaign(loaded.CampaignPath, loaded.Campaign); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return &inspectionConfig{
+		PipelinePath: loaded.PipelinePath,
+		Pipeline:     loaded.Pipeline,
+		CampaignPath: loaded.CampaignPath,
+		Campaign:     loaded.Campaign,
+		Party:        loaded.Party,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func pipelineHasArtifactFamilies(pipeline *config.PipelineConfig) bool {
+	return pipeline != nil && pipeline.Scriptorium != nil && len(pipeline.Scriptorium.ArtifactFamilies) != 0
+}
+
+func validateInspectionPipeline(path string, pipeline *config.PipelineConfig) error {
+	if err := config.ValidatePipelineConfig(pipeline); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("pipeline config %q invalid: %w", path, err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func validateInspectionCampaign(path string, campaign *config.CampaignConfig) error {
+	if err := config.ValidateCampaignConfig(campaign); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("campaign config %q invalid: %w", path, err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func inspectionRootPath(resolved *inspectionConfig) string {
+	if resolved == nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	if root := config.EffectivePipelineRootPath(resolved.Pipeline); root != "" {
+		return root
+	}
+	return resolved.PipelinePath
+}
+
+func inspectionProfile(pipeline *config.PipelineConfig) string {
+	if profile, ok := config.SelectedPipelineProfile(pipeline); ok {
+		return profile.Name
+	}
+	return "none"
+}
+
+func writeConfigCommandUsage(out io.Writer) {
+	fmt.Fprintln(out, "Usage: narratio config <validate|show|sources|diff>")
+	fmt.Fprintln(out)
+	fmt.Fprintln(out, "Use config validate to check an effective pipeline, config show to print normalized YAML, config sources to report ownership, or config diff to compare two profiles.")
+}
+
+func writeInspectionSourceHeader(out io.Writer, resolved *inspectionConfig) error {
+	if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(out, "root: %s\n", inspectionRootPath(resolved)); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	imports := config.EffectivePipelineImports(resolved.Pipeline)
+	if len(imports) == 0 {
+		if _, err := fmt.Fprintln(out, "imports: none"); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	for _, imported := range imports {
+		if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(out, "import: %s\n", config.NormalizedConfigurationPath(imported)); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	if profile, ok := config.SelectedPipelineProfile(resolved.Pipeline); ok {
+		if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(out, "profile: name=%s selection=%s overlay=%s\n", profile.Name, profile.Source, config.NormalizedConfigurationPath(profile.OverlayPath)); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	} else if _, err := fmt.Fprintln(out, "profile: none"); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if resolved.Campaign == nil {
+		if _, err := fmt.Fprintln(out, "campaign: none"); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if _, err := fmt.Fprintln(out, "party: none"); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	} else {
+		if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(out, "campaign: id=%s source=%s\n", config.CampaignID(resolved.Campaign), config.NormalizedConfigurationPath(resolved.CampaignPath)); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(out, "party: mode=%s source=%s\n", resolved.Party.Mode, config.NormalizedConfigurationPath(resolved.Party.Source.Path)); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(out, "digest: %s\n", config.EffectivePipelineDigest(resolved.Pipeline)); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	_, err := fmt.Fprintln(out, "path\trole\tsource")
+	return err
+}
+
+func sortInspectionSourceRecords(records []config.EffectivePipelineSourceRecord) {
+	sort.Slice(records, func(left, right int) bool {
+		if records[left].Path != records[right].Path {
+			return records[left].Path < records[right].Path
+		}
+		if records[left].Role != records[right].Role {
+			return records[left].Role < records[right].Role
+		}
+		return records[left].Source < records[right].Source
+	})
+}

internal/app/config_commands_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,557 @@
+package app
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"io"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/config"
+)
+
+func TestConfigCommandHelpAndDispatch(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name string
+		args []string
+		want string
+		code int
+	}{
+		{name: "top level help", args: []string{"config", "--help"}, want: "Usage: narratio config <validate|show|sources|diff>"},
+		{name: "validate help", args: []string{"config", "validate", "--help"}, want: "Usage: narratio config validate"},
+		{name: "show help", args: []string{"config", "show", "--help"}, want: "Usage: narratio config show"},
+		{name: "sources help", args: []string{"config", "sources", "--help"}, want: "Usage: narratio config sources"},
+		{name: "diff help", args: []string{"config", "diff", "--help"}, want: "Usage: narratio config diff"},
+		{name: "unknown", args: []string{"config", "unknown"}, want: `config: unknown subcommand "unknown"`, code: 1},
+		{name: "missing", args: []string{"config"}, want: "config: expected subcommand: validate|show|sources|diff", code: 1},
+		{name: "session flag", args: []string{"config", "validate", "--session", "session.yml"}, want: "flag provided but not defined", code: 1},
+		{name: "stage flag", args: []string{"config", "show", "--from", "prepare"}, want: "flag provided but not defined", code: 1},
+		{name: "force flag", args: []string{"config", "show", "--force"}, want: "flag provided but not defined", code: 1},
+		{name: "artifact flag", args: []string{"config", "show", "--artifacts", "recap"}, want: "flag provided but not defined", code: 1},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			var stdout, stderr bytes.Buffer
+			code := Execute(test.args, &stdout, &stderr)
+			if code != test.code {
+				t.Fatalf("exit code = %d, want %d; stdout=%q stderr=%q", code, test.code, stdout.String(), stderr.String())
+			}
+			combined := stdout.String() + stderr.String()
+			if !strings.Contains(combined, test.want) {
+				t.Fatalf("output = %q, want %q", combined, test.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigValidateAndShowPipelineOnlyAreSideEffectFree(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	workspaceRoot := filepath.Join(dir, "workspace-does-not-exist")
+	pipelinePath := filepath.Join(dir, "pipeline.yml")
+	secretsDir := filepath.Join(dir, "secrets")
+	const secret = "inspection-secret-must-not-escape"
+	mustWriteTestFile(t, filepath.Join(secretsDir, "INSPECTION_SECRET"), secret+"\n")
+	calls := 0
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(http.ResponseWriter, *http.Request) { calls++ }))
+	defer server.Close()
+	mustWriteTestFile(t, pipelinePath, `workspace:
+  root: `+workspaceRoot+`
+secrets:
+  env_dir: `+secretsDir+`
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: `+server.URL+`
+`)
+	t.Setenv("INSPECTION_SECRET", secret)
+
+	var validateOut bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigValidate(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath}, &validateOut); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ConfigValidate() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(validateOut.String(), "Configuration valid: root=") || !strings.Contains(validateOut.String(), "; profile=none; digest=") {
+		t.Fatalf("validate output = %q", validateOut.String())
+	}
+
+	var showOut bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigShow(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath}, &showOut); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ConfigShow() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	show := showOut.String()
+	if !strings.HasSuffix(show, "\n") || !strings.Contains(show, "workspace:\n") || !strings.Contains(show, "root: "+workspaceRoot) {
+		t.Fatalf("show output = %q", show)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(show, "artifact_families") || strings.Contains(show, "resolution") {
+		t.Fatalf("show output leaked resolution-only fields: %q", show)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(show, secret) {
+		t.Fatalf("show output leaked a raw secret: %q", show)
+	}
+	var sourcesOut bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigSources(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath}, &sourcesOut); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ConfigSources() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(sourcesOut.String(), secret) {
+		t.Fatalf("sources output leaked a raw secret: %q", sourcesOut.String())
+	}
+	writeInspectionProfiles(t, pipelinePath, "whisperx:\n  language: en\n", "whisperx:\n  language: fr\n")
+	var diffOut bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigDiff(context.Background(), []string{"production", "testing", "--config", pipelinePath}, &diffOut); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ConfigDiff() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(diffOut.String(), secret) {
+		t.Fatalf("diff output leaked a raw secret: %q", diffOut.String())
+	}
+	if calls != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("inspection invoked configured external endpoint %d time(s)", calls)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(workspaceRoot); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatalf("workspace root stat error = %v, want absent", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigDiffReportsSemanticProfileChanges(t *testing.T) {
+	workspaceRoot := t.TempDir()
+	pipelinePath, _, _ := writeValidConfigFiles(t, workspaceRoot)
+	writeInspectionProfiles(t, pipelinePath, `workspace:
+  cleanup_after_publish: true
+whisperx:
+  language: en
+audita:
+  modules: [glossary, grammar]
+scriptorium:
+  artifacts:
+    production_only:
+      enabled: false
+      output_path: artifacts/production.md
+`, `workspace:
+  cleanup_after_publish: false
+whisperx:
+  language: fr
+audita:
+  modules: []
+scriptorium:
+  artifacts:
+    testing_only:
+      enabled: false
+      output_path: artifacts/testing.md
+`)
+
+	args := []string{"production", "testing", "--config", pipelinePath}
+	var first, second bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigDiff(context.Background(), args, &first); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ConfigDiff() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := ConfigDiff(context.Background(), args, &second); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("second ConfigDiff() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if first.String() != second.String() {
+		t.Fatalf("diff output is not deterministic:\nfirst=%q\nsecond=%q", first.String(), second.String())
+	}
+	output := first.String()
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"changed\taudita.modules\t[\"glossary\",\"grammar\"]\t[]\n",
+		"changed\tworkspace.cleanup_after_publish\ttrue\tfalse\n",
+		"changed\twhisperx.language\t\"en\"\t\"fr\"\n",
+		"removed\tscriptorium.artifacts.production_only.enabled\tfalse\n",
+		"added\tscriptorium.artifacts.testing_only.enabled\tfalse\n",
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(output, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("diff output missing %q:\n%s", want, output)
+		}
+	}
+	if strings.Index(output, "audita.modules") > strings.Index(output, "workspace.cleanup_after_publish") {
+		t.Fatalf("diff records are not sorted by path:\n%s", output)
+	}
+	var reversed bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigDiff(context.Background(), []string{"testing", "production", "--config", pipelinePath}, &reversed); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("reversed ConfigDiff() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(reversed.String(), "changed\twhisperx.language\t\"fr\"\t\"en\"\n") {
+		t.Fatalf("reversed diff did not independently resolve profiles:\n%s", reversed.String())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigDiffComparesExpandedFamiliesAndPublishRules(t *testing.T) {
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath := writeInspectionFamilyConfig(t)
+	writeInspectionProfiles(t, pipelinePath, `scriptorium:
+  artifact_families:
+    character_note:
+      enabled: false
+      member_vars:
+        character_name: character.name
+      publish:
+        enabled: true
+        required: false
+`, `scriptorium:
+  artifact_families:
+    character_note:
+      enabled: true
+      prompt_id: dnd.character_note
+      member_vars:
+        character_name: character.class_summary
+      publish:
+        enabled: true
+        required: true
+`)
+
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigDiff(context.Background(), []string{
+		"production", "testing", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath,
+	}, &out); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ConfigDiff() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	output := out.String()
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"changed\tscriptorium.artifacts.character_note_arannis.enabled\tfalse\ttrue\n",
+		"changed\tscriptorium.artifacts.character_note_arannis.vars.character_name\t\"Arannis\"\t\"wizard\"\n",
+		"changed\tpublish.outputs\t",
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(output, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("family diff output missing %q:\n%s", want, output)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigDiffReportsEqualityAndRejectsInvalidInput(t *testing.T) {
+	workspaceRoot := t.TempDir()
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, _ := writeValidConfigFiles(t, workspaceRoot)
+	writeInspectionProfiles(t, pipelinePath, "whisperx:\n  language: en\n", "whisperx:\n  language: en\n")
+
+	var equal bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigDiff(context.Background(), []string{"production", "testing", "--config", pipelinePath}, &equal); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ConfigDiff() equal profiles error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if got := equal.String(); got != "no differences\n" {
+		t.Fatalf("equal diff output = %q", got)
+	}
+
+	for _, args := range [][]string{
+		{"production", "testing", "extra", "--config", pipelinePath},
+		{"production", "--config", pipelinePath},
+		{"production", "production", "--config", pipelinePath},
+		{"unknown", "testing", "--config", pipelinePath},
+		{"production", "testing", "--config", pipelinePath, "--profile", "production"},
+		{"production", "testing", "--config", pipelinePath, "--config", pipelinePath},
+		{"production", "testing", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign", "sample-campaign", "--campaign-file", campaignPath},
+	} {
+		if err := ConfigDiff(context.Background(), args, io.Discard); err == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("ConfigDiff(%q) succeeded, want error", args)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigCommandsInspectMaintainedSplitBundleWithoutRuntimeState(t *testing.T) {
+	examplesDir := filepath.Join("..", "..", "examples")
+	pipelinePath := filepath.Join(examplesDir, "production-testing", "pipeline.yml")
+	campaignPath := filepath.Join(examplesDir, "campaigns", "sample-campaign", "campaign.yml")
+	workspacePath := filepath.Join(examplesDir, "production-testing", "workspace")
+	if _, err := os.Stat(workspacePath); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatalf("example workspace stat = %v, want absent", err)
+	}
+
+	for _, command := range []func(context.Context, []string, io.Writer) error{ConfigValidate, ConfigShow, ConfigSources} {
+		if err := command(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--profile", "production"}, io.Discard); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("inspection command %T error = %v", command, err)
+		}
+	}
+	var diff bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigDiff(context.Background(), []string{"production", "testing", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath}, &diff); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ConfigDiff() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(diff.String(), "audita.model") {
+		t.Fatalf("split bundle profile diff = %q, want model change", diff.String())
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(workspacePath); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatalf("inspection created example workspace: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func writeInspectionProfiles(t *testing.T, pipelinePath, production, testing string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(pipelinePath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	composition := "composition:\n  default_profile: production\n  profiles:\n    production:\n      overlay: production.yml\n    testing:\n      overlay: testing.yml\n"
+	if err := os.WriteFile(pipelinePath, append([]byte(composition), data...), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	dir := filepath.Dir(pipelinePath)
+	mustWriteTestFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "production.yml"), production)
+	mustWriteTestFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "testing.yml"), testing)
+}
+
+func TestConfigCommandsSelectProfilesAndCampaigns(t *testing.T) {
+	workspaceRoot := t.TempDir()
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, _ := writeValidConfigFiles(t, workspaceRoot)
+	enableCommandTestProfiles(t, pipelinePath)
+
+	var defaultOut bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigValidate(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath}, &defaultOut); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("default ConfigValidate() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(defaultOut.String(), "profile=production") {
+		t.Fatalf("default output = %q", defaultOut.String())
+	}
+
+	var explicitOut bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigShow(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath, "--profile", "testing"}, &explicitOut); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("explicit ConfigShow() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(explicitOut.String(), "language: fr") {
+		t.Fatalf("explicit show output = %q", explicitOut.String())
+	}
+
+	for _, args := range [][]string{
+		{"--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign", "sample-campaign"},
+		{"--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath},
+	} {
+		var out bytes.Buffer
+		if err := ConfigValidate(context.Background(), args, &out); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("ConfigValidate(%q) error = %v", args, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigCommandsExpandFamiliesAndRequireCampaign(t *testing.T) {
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath := writeInspectionFamilyConfig(t)
+
+	for _, command := range []func(context.Context, []string, io.Writer) error{ConfigValidate, ConfigShow} {
+		var out bytes.Buffer
+		err := command(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath}, &out)
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "artifact_families requires a campaign") {
+			t.Fatalf("family command without campaign error = %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	var show bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigShow(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath}, &show); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ConfigShow() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(show.String(), "character_note_arannis:") || strings.Contains(show.String(), "artifact_families") {
+		t.Fatalf("expanded show output = %q", show.String())
+	}
+
+	loadedPipeline, err := config.LoadPipeline(pipelinePath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	loadedCampaign, err := config.LoadCampaign(campaignPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	loaded, err := config.LoadPipelineCampaign(pipelinePath, loadedPipeline, campaignPath, loadedCampaign)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var validateOut bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigValidate(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath}, &validateOut); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(validateOut.String(), "digest="+config.EffectivePipelineDigest(loaded.Pipeline)) {
+		t.Fatalf("inspection digest = %q, want %q", validateOut.String(), config.EffectivePipelineDigest(loaded.Pipeline))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigValidateReportsCanonicalPartyAndImportErrors(t *testing.T) {
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath := writeInspectionFamilyConfig(t)
+	mustWriteTestFile(t, filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(campaignPath), "party.yml"), "schema_version: narratio.party.v2\ncharacters: {}\n")
+	if err := ConfigValidate(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath}, io.Discard); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "unsupported") {
+		t.Fatalf("canonical party error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	rootPath := filepath.Join(dir, "pipeline.yml")
+	mustWriteTestFile(t, rootPath, `composition:
+  imports: [conf.yml]
+workspace:
+  root: /one
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+`)
+	mustWriteTestFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "conf.yml"), "workspace:\n  root: /two\n")
+	err := ConfigValidate(context.Background(), []string{"--config", rootPath}, io.Discard)
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "workspace.root") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "pipeline.yml") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "conf.yml") {
+		t.Fatalf("import diagnostic = %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigSourcesReportsStableOwnership(t *testing.T) {
+	workspaceRoot := t.TempDir()
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, _ := writeValidConfigFiles(t, workspaceRoot)
+	enableCommandTestProfiles(t, pipelinePath)
+
+	args := []string{"--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--profile", "testing"}
+	var first, second bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigSources(context.Background(), args, &first); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("first ConfigSources() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := ConfigSources(context.Background(), args, &second); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("second ConfigSources() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if first.String() != second.String() {
+		t.Fatalf("sources output is not deterministic:\nfirst=%q\nsecond=%q", first.String(), second.String())
+	}
+	output := first.String()
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"root: ",
+		"imports: none",
+		"profile: name=testing selection=cli overlay=",
+		"campaign: id=sample-campaign source=",
+		"party: mode=legacy source=",
+		"digest: ",
+		"path\trole\tsource\n",
+		"workspace.root\troot\t",
+		"whisperx.language\tprofile\t",
+		"campaign.inputs.players_file\tlegacy_player\t",
+		"trim.enabled\tdefault\tdefault",
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(output, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("sources output missing %q:\n%s", want, output)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigSourcesReportsCanonicalFamilyAndPublishOrigins(t *testing.T) {
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath := writeInspectionFamilyConfig(t)
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigSources(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath}, &out); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ConfigSources() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	output := out.String()
+	partyPath := filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(campaignPath), "party.yml")
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"party: mode=canonical source=" + partyPath,
+		"derived.players\tparty\t" + partyPath,
+		"scriptorium.artifacts.character_note_arannis.enabled\tfamily\t" + pipelinePath,
+		"scriptorium.artifacts.character_note_arannis.enabled\tparty\t" + partyPath,
+		"scriptorium.artifacts.character_note_arannis.depends_on\tfamily\t" + pipelinePath,
+		"scriptorium.artifacts.character_note_arannis.inputs.prior.source\tparty\t" + partyPath,
+		"publish.outputs[",
+		"\tfamily\t" + pipelinePath,
+		"\tparty\t" + partyPath,
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(output, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("sources output missing %q:\n%s", want, output)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigSourcesPreservesProfileOwnershipThroughFamilyExpansion(t *testing.T) {
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath := writeInspectionFamilyConfig(t)
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(pipelinePath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	profilePath := filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(pipelinePath), "testing.yml")
+	composition := "composition:\n  default_profile: testing\n  profiles:\n    testing:\n      overlay: testing.yml\n"
+	if err := os.WriteFile(pipelinePath, append([]byte(composition), data...), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	mustWriteTestFile(t, profilePath, `scriptorium:
+  artifact_families:
+    character_note:
+      enabled: true
+      prompt_id: dnd.character_note
+`)
+
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigSources(context.Background(), []string{"--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath}, &out); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ConfigSources() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	want := "scriptorium.artifacts.character_note_arannis.enabled\tfamily\t" + profilePath
+	if !strings.Contains(out.String(), want) {
+		t.Fatalf("sources output missing profile-generated ownership %q:\n%s", want, out.String())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigSourcesReportsRootImportProfileAndDefaultOwnership(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	rootPath := filepath.Join(dir, "pipeline.yml")
+	importPath := filepath.Join(dir, "base.yml")
+	profilePath := filepath.Join(dir, "testing.yml")
+	mustWriteTestFile(t, rootPath, `composition:
+  imports: [base.yml]
+  default_profile: testing
+  profiles:
+    testing:
+      overlay: testing.yml
+workspace:
+  root: /srv/narratio
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+`)
+	mustWriteTestFile(t, importPath, "storage:\n  backend: local\n")
+	mustWriteTestFile(t, profilePath, "whisperx:\n  language: fr\n")
+
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	if err := ConfigSources(context.Background(), []string{"--config", rootPath}, &out); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ConfigSources() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	output := out.String()
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"import: " + importPath,
+		"profile: name=testing selection=default overlay=" + profilePath,
+		"workspace.root\troot\t" + rootPath,
+		"storage.backend\timport\t" + importPath,
+		"whisperx.language\tprofile\t" + profilePath,
+		"trim.enabled\tdefault\tdefault",
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(output, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("sources output missing %q:\n%s", want, output)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func writeInspectionFamilyConfig(t *testing.T) (string, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	campaignRoot := filepath.Join(dir, "campaigns")
+	campaignDir := filepath.Join(campaignRoot, "sample-campaign")
+	pipelinePath := filepath.Join(dir, "pipeline.yml")
+	campaignPath := filepath.Join(campaignDir, "campaign.yml")
+	mustWriteTestFile(t, pipelinePath, `workspace:
+  root: `+filepath.Join(dir, "workspace")+`
+campaigns:
+  root: `+campaignRoot+`
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+scriptorium:
+  artifact_families:
+    character_meta:
+      enabled: false
+      for_each: party.characters
+      output_path_pattern: artifacts/characters/{character_id}/meta.md
+    character_note:
+      enabled: false
+      for_each: party.characters
+      output_path_pattern: artifacts/characters/{character_id}/note.md
+      member_dependencies: [character_meta]
+      inputs:
+        prior: {source: narratio.member_artifact.character_meta, required: true}
+      member_vars:
+        character_name: character.name
+      publish:
+        enabled: true
+        required: true
+publish:
+  enabled: true
+  upload_run: false
+`)
+	mustWriteTestFile(t, campaignPath, `campaign_id: sample-campaign
+inputs:
+  speakers_file: ./speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
+  party_file: ./party.yml
+`)
+	mustWriteTestFile(t, filepath.Join(campaignDir, "party.yml"), `schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  arannis:
+    player: {name: Eric}
+    character: {name: Arannis, classes: [{name: wizard}]}
+`)
+	return pipelinePath, campaignPath
+}

internal/app/config_diff.go

@@ -0,0 +1,302 @@
+package app
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"flag"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/config"
+)
+
+type configDiffFlags struct {
+	pipelinePath     singletonStringFlag
+	campaignPath     singletonStringFlag
+	campaignFilePath singletonStringFlag
+}
+
+type configDiffRequest struct {
+	leftProfile  string
+	rightProfile string
+	flags        configDiffFlags
+}
+
+type configDiffResolved struct {
+	left  *inspectionConfig
+	right *inspectionConfig
+}
+
+type configDiffRecord struct {
+	Kind  string
+	Path  string
+	Left  string
+	Right string
+}
+
+// ConfigDiff compares two explicitly selected profiles through the same
+// read-only configuration resolution boundary used by config validate, show,
+// and sources. Differences describe normalized effective values rather than
+// the layout of root, import, or overlay files.
+func ConfigDiff(_ context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
+	request, err := parseConfigDiffRequest(args, out)
+	if err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, flag.ErrHelp) {
+			return nil
+		}
+		return err
+	}
+	resolved, err := resolveConfigDiff(request)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("config diff: %w", err)
+	}
+	leftValues, err := config.EffectivePipelineValues(resolved.left.Pipeline)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("config diff: project left effective configuration: %w", err)
+	}
+	rightValues, err := config.EffectivePipelineValues(resolved.right.Pipeline)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("config diff: project right effective configuration: %w", err)
+	}
+	records, err := diffEffectivePipelineValues(leftValues, rightValues)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("config diff: %w", err)
+	}
+	leftDigest := config.EffectivePipelineDigest(resolved.left.Pipeline)
+	rightDigest := config.EffectivePipelineDigest(resolved.right.Pipeline)
+	if len(records) == 0 {
+		if leftDigest != rightDigest {
+			return fmt.Errorf("internal error: effective pipeline digests differ without a semantic difference")
+		}
+		_, err := fmt.Fprintln(out, "no differences")
+		return err
+	}
+	for _, record := range records {
+		switch record.Kind {
+		case "added":
+			if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(out, "added\t%s\t%s\n", record.Path, record.Right); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		case "removed":
+			if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(out, "removed\t%s\t%s\n", record.Path, record.Left); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		case "changed":
+			if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(out, "changed\t%s\t%s\t%s\n", record.Path, record.Left, record.Right); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		default:
+			return fmt.Errorf("internal error: unsupported difference kind %q", record.Kind)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func parseConfigDiffRequest(args []string, out io.Writer) (configDiffRequest, error) {
+	profiles, flagArgs := splitConfigDiffArguments(args)
+	fs := flag.NewFlagSet("config diff", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	fs.SetOutput(out)
+	var request configDiffRequest
+	request.flags.pipelinePath.name = "config"
+	request.flags.campaignPath.name = "campaign"
+	request.flags.campaignFilePath.name = "campaign-file"
+	fs.Var(&request.flags.pipelinePath, "config", "path to pipeline.yml (optional; defaults searched)")
+	fs.Var(&request.flags.campaignPath, "campaign", "campaign ID")
+	fs.Var(&request.flags.campaignFilePath, "campaign-file", "path to campaign.yml")
+	fs.Usage = func() {
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "Usage: narratio config diff <left-profile> <right-profile> [--config <pipeline.yml>] [--campaign <id> | --campaign-file <campaign.yml>]")
+		fmt.Fprintln(out)
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "Compares fully resolved profiles without a session, workspace, manifest, adapters, or external services.")
+		fmt.Fprintln(out)
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "Flags:")
+		fs.PrintDefaults()
+	}
+	if err := fs.Parse(flagArgs); err != nil {
+		return configDiffRequest{}, fmt.Errorf("config diff: invalid flags: %w", err)
+	}
+	profiles = append(profiles, fs.Args()...)
+	if len(profiles) != 2 || strings.TrimSpace(profiles[0]) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(profiles[1]) == "" {
+		return configDiffRequest{}, fmt.Errorf("config diff: exactly two non-empty profile names are required")
+	}
+	if request.flags.campaignPath.set && request.flags.campaignFilePath.set {
+		return configDiffRequest{}, fmt.Errorf("config diff: --campaign and --campaign-file are mutually exclusive")
+	}
+	request.leftProfile = profiles[0]
+	request.rightProfile = profiles[1]
+	return request, nil
+}
+
+// splitConfigDiffArguments accepts the documented positional-first syntax and
+// also permits flags before or between profile names. Values belonging to the
+// supported string flags stay with their flag so they are not mistaken for
+// profile names.
+func splitConfigDiffArguments(args []string) (profiles, flagArgs []string) {
+	for index := 0; index < len(args); index++ {
+		argument := args[index]
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(argument, "-") || argument == "-" {
+			profiles = append(profiles, argument)
+			continue
+		}
+		flagArgs = append(flagArgs, argument)
+		name, hasValue := strings.CutPrefix(argument, "--")
+		if !hasValue {
+			continue
+		}
+		name, _, hasInlineValue := strings.Cut(name, "=")
+		if hasInlineValue || !configDiffStringFlag(name) || index+1 >= len(args) {
+			continue
+		}
+		index++
+		flagArgs = append(flagArgs, args[index])
+	}
+	return profiles, flagArgs
+}
+
+func configDiffStringFlag(name string) bool {
+	switch name {
+	case "config", "campaign", "campaign-file", "profile":
+		return true
+	default:
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
+func resolveConfigDiff(request configDiffRequest) (*configDiffResolved, error) {
+	pipelinePath, err := resolvePipelineConfigPath(request.flags.pipelinePath.value)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	leftPipeline, rightPipeline, err := config.LoadPipelineProfilePair(pipelinePath, request.leftProfile, request.rightProfile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	needsCampaign := pipelineHasArtifactFamilies(leftPipeline) || pipelineHasArtifactFamilies(rightPipeline)
+	hasCampaignSelection := request.flags.campaignPath.set || request.flags.campaignFilePath.set
+	if !needsCampaign && !hasCampaignSelection {
+		if err := validateInspectionPipeline(pipelinePath, leftPipeline); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if err := validateInspectionPipeline(pipelinePath, rightPipeline); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return &configDiffResolved{
+			left:  &inspectionConfig{PipelinePath: pipelinePath, Pipeline: leftPipeline},
+			right: &inspectionConfig{PipelinePath: pipelinePath, Pipeline: rightPipeline},
+		}, nil
+	}
+
+	campaignPath, err := resolveSharedDiffCampaignPath(leftPipeline, rightPipeline, request.flags)
+	if err != nil {
+		if needsCampaign {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline.scriptorium.artifact_families requires one shared campaign: %w", err)
+		}
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	campaign, err := config.LoadCampaign(campaignPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if request.flags.campaignPath.set && !request.flags.campaignFilePath.set {
+		if got := config.CampaignID(campaign); got != request.flags.campaignPath.value {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("campaign config %q invalid: campaign_id %q does not match selected campaign %q", campaignPath, got, request.flags.campaignPath.value)
+		}
+	}
+	leftLoaded, err := config.LoadPipelineCampaign(pipelinePath, leftPipeline, campaignPath, campaign)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	rightLoaded, err := config.LoadPipelineCampaignWithParty(pipelinePath, rightPipeline, campaignPath, campaign, leftLoaded.Party)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := validateInspectionPipeline(leftLoaded.PipelinePath, leftLoaded.Pipeline); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := validateInspectionPipeline(rightLoaded.PipelinePath, rightLoaded.Pipeline); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := validateInspectionCampaign(campaignPath, campaign); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return &configDiffResolved{
+		left: &inspectionConfig{
+			PipelinePath: leftLoaded.PipelinePath,
+			Pipeline:     leftLoaded.Pipeline,
+			CampaignPath: leftLoaded.CampaignPath,
+			Campaign:     campaign,
+			Party:        leftLoaded.Party,
+		},
+		right: &inspectionConfig{
+			PipelinePath: rightLoaded.PipelinePath,
+			Pipeline:     rightLoaded.Pipeline,
+			CampaignPath: rightLoaded.CampaignPath,
+			Campaign:     campaign,
+			Party:        rightLoaded.Party,
+		},
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func resolveSharedDiffCampaignPath(left, right *config.PipelineConfig, flags configDiffFlags) (string, error) {
+	leftPath, leftErr := resolveCampaignConfigPath(left, flags.campaignPath.value, flags.campaignFilePath.value)
+	if leftErr != nil {
+		return "", leftErr
+	}
+	rightPath, rightErr := resolveCampaignConfigPath(right, flags.campaignPath.value, flags.campaignFilePath.value)
+	if rightErr != nil {
+		return "", rightErr
+	}
+	if leftPath != rightPath {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("profile selections resolve different campaign files; specify --campaign-file to compare one campaign")
+	}
+	return leftPath, nil
+}
+
+func diffEffectivePipelineValues(left, right []config.EffectivePipelineValueRecord) ([]configDiffRecord, error) {
+	leftByPath, err := effectivePipelineValueMap("left", left)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	rightByPath, err := effectivePipelineValueMap("right", right)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	paths := make([]string, 0, len(leftByPath)+len(rightByPath))
+	seen := make(map[string]struct{}, len(leftByPath)+len(rightByPath))
+	for path := range leftByPath {
+		seen[path] = struct{}{}
+		paths = append(paths, path)
+	}
+	for path := range rightByPath {
+		if _, exists := seen[path]; !exists {
+			paths = append(paths, path)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(paths)
+	records := make([]configDiffRecord, 0)
+	for _, path := range paths {
+		leftValue, leftExists := leftByPath[path]
+		rightValue, rightExists := rightByPath[path]
+		switch {
+		case !leftExists:
+			records = append(records, configDiffRecord{Kind: "added", Path: path, Right: rightValue})
+		case !rightExists:
+			records = append(records, configDiffRecord{Kind: "removed", Path: path, Left: leftValue})
+		case leftValue != rightValue:
+			records = append(records, configDiffRecord{Kind: "changed", Path: path, Left: leftValue, Right: rightValue})
+		}
+	}
+	return records, nil
+}
+
+func effectivePipelineValueMap(side string, records []config.EffectivePipelineValueRecord) (map[string]string, error) {
+	values := make(map[string]string, len(records))
+	for _, record := range records {
+		if _, exists := values[record.Path]; exists {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("internal error: %s effective configuration has duplicate path %q", side, record.Path)
+		}
+		values[record.Path] = record.Value
+	}
+	return values, nil
+}

internal/app/config_loader.go

@@ -14,14 +14,10 @@ import (
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/fileops"
 )
 
-type pipelineCampaignConfig struct {
-	PipelinePath string
-	CampaignPath string
-	Pipeline     *config.PipelineConfig
-	Campaign     *config.CampaignConfig
-}
+type pipelineCampaignConfig = config.LoadedPipelineCampaign
 
 var downloadObjectToTempFn = storage.DownloadObjectToTemp
+var loadPipelineConfigFn = config.LoadPipelineWithOptions
 
 type commandConfig struct {
 	Config  *config.Config
@@ -52,13 +48,13 @@ func loadCommandConfig(ctx context.Context, pipelineFlag, campaignFlag, campaign
 		}
 	}()
 
-	base, err := loadPipelineCampaignConfig(pipelineFlag, campaignFlag, campaignFileFlag)
+	base, err := loadPipelineCampaignConfig(pipelineFlag, campaignFlag, campaignFileFlag, config.PipelineLoadOptions{Profile: sessionOpts.Profile})
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	if explicitSession := strings.TrimSpace(sessionFlag); explicitSession != "" {
-		cfg, err := config.LoadWithSessionOptions(base.PipelinePath, base.CampaignPath, explicitSession, sessionOpts)
+		cfg, err := config.LoadSessionWithPipelineCampaignOptions(*base, explicitSession, sessionOpts)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -70,7 +66,7 @@ func loadCommandConfig(ctx context.Context, pipelineFlag, campaignFlag, campaign
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	if discoveredSession.Path != "" {
-		cfg, err := config.LoadWithSessionOptions(base.PipelinePath, base.CampaignPath, discoveredSession.Path, sessionOpts)
+		cfg, err := config.LoadSessionWithPipelineCampaignOptions(*base, discoveredSession.Path, sessionOpts)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -88,11 +84,9 @@ func loadCommandConfig(ctx context.Context, pipelineFlag, campaignFlag, campaign
 	}
 	sessionPrefix := artifacts.S3SessionPrefix(rootPrefix, config.CampaignID(base.Campaign), sessionID)
 	remoteKey := artifacts.S3SessionConfigKey(sessionPrefix)
-	partialCfg := &config.Config{
-		Pipeline:     base.Pipeline,
-		Campaign:     base.Campaign,
-		PipelinePath: base.PipelinePath,
-		CampaignPath: base.CampaignPath,
+	partialCfg, err := config.ResolveLoadedPipelineCampaign(*base, "", nil, config.SessionSource{})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
 	}
 	store, err := newCommandObjectStore(ctx, partialCfg, nil)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -122,11 +116,8 @@ func loadCommandConfig(ctx context.Context, pipelineFlag, campaignFlag, campaign
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	cfg, err := config.Resolve(
-		base.PipelinePath,
-		base.Pipeline,
-		base.CampaignPath,
-		base.Campaign,
+	cfg, err := config.ResolveLoadedPipelineCampaign(
+		*base,
 		sessionTempPath,
 		sessionCfg,
 		config.SessionSource{
@@ -146,12 +137,8 @@ func loadCommandConfig(ctx context.Context, pipelineFlag, campaignFlag, campaign
 	return loaded, nil
 }
 
-func loadPipelineCampaignConfig(pipelineFlag, campaignFlag, campaignFileFlag string) (*pipelineCampaignConfig, error) {
-	resolvedPipelinePath, err := resolvePipelineConfigPath(pipelineFlag)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	pipelineCfg, err := config.LoadPipeline(resolvedPipelinePath)
+func loadPipelineCampaignConfig(pipelineFlag, campaignFlag, campaignFileFlag string, pipelineOpts config.PipelineLoadOptions) (*pipelineCampaignConfig, error) {
+	loadedPipelinePath, pipelineCfg, err := loadPipelineConfig(pipelineFlag, pipelineOpts)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -168,12 +155,23 @@ func loadPipelineCampaignConfig(pipelineFlag, campaignFlag, campaignFileFlag str
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("campaign config %q invalid: campaign_id %q does not match selected campaign %q", resolvedCampaignPath, got, selectedID)
 		}
 	}
-	return &pipelineCampaignConfig{
-		PipelinePath: resolvedPipelinePath,
-		CampaignPath: resolvedCampaignPath,
-		Pipeline:     pipelineCfg,
-		Campaign:     campaignCfg,
-	}, nil
+	loaded, err := config.LoadPipelineCampaign(loadedPipelinePath, pipelineCfg, resolvedCampaignPath, campaignCfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return &loaded, nil
+}
+
+func loadPipelineConfig(pipelineFlag string, opts config.PipelineLoadOptions) (string, *config.PipelineConfig, error) {
+	resolvedPipelinePath, err := resolvePipelineConfigPath(pipelineFlag)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", nil, err
+	}
+	pipelineCfg, err := loadPipelineConfigFn(resolvedPipelinePath, opts)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", nil, err
+	}
+	return resolvedPipelinePath, pipelineCfg, nil
 }
 
 func findRemoteSessionConfig(ctx context.Context, store storage.ObjectStore, sessionPrefix, remoteKey string) (storage.ObjectInfo, error) {

internal/app/config_loader_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+package app
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/config"
+)
+
+func TestLoadCommandConfigRetainsInitiallyLoadedPipeline(t *testing.T) {
+	workspaceRoot := t.TempDir()
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writeValidConfigFiles(t, workspaceRoot)
+
+	originalLoader := loadPipelineConfigFn
+	loadCalls := 0
+	loadPipelineConfigFn = func(path string, opts config.PipelineLoadOptions) (*config.PipelineConfig, error) {
+		loaded, err := originalLoader(path, opts)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		loadCalls++
+
+		data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		changedRoot := workspaceRoot + "-changed"
+		updated := strings.ReplaceAll(string(data), workspaceRoot, changedRoot)
+		if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte(updated), 0o644); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return loaded, nil
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { loadPipelineConfigFn = originalLoader })
+
+	loaded, err := loadCommandConfig(context.Background(), pipelinePath, "", campaignPath, sessionPath, config.SessionLoadOptions{SessionID: "2026-05-03"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("loadCommandConfig() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = loaded.Close() }()
+
+	if loadCalls != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("pipeline load calls = %d, want 1", loadCalls)
+	}
+	if got := loaded.Config.Pipeline.Workspace.Root; got != workspaceRoot {
+		t.Fatalf("resolved workspace root = %q, want originally loaded %q", got, workspaceRoot)
+	}
+}

internal/app/config_provenance.go

@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+package app
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/config"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/manifest"
+)
+
+func effectiveConfigProvenance(cfg *config.Config) *manifest.EffectiveConfigProvenance {
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.Pipeline == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	provenance := &manifest.EffectiveConfigProvenance{
+		EffectiveConfigDigest: config.EffectivePipelineDigest(cfg.Pipeline),
+	}
+	if selected, ok := config.SelectedPipelineProfile(cfg.Pipeline); ok {
+		provenance.SelectedProfile = &manifest.SelectedProfileProvenance{
+			Name:   selected.Name,
+			Source: selected.Source,
+		}
+	}
+	if provenance.SelectedProfile == nil && provenance.EffectiveConfigDigest == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return provenance
+}
+
+func applyEffectiveConfigProvenance(m *manifest.Manifest, cfg *config.Config) {
+	if m != nil {
+		m.EffectiveConfig = effectiveConfigProvenance(cfg)
+	}
+}
+
+func applyEffectiveConfigProvenanceToRun(m *manifest.RunManifest, cfg *config.Config) {
+	if m != nil {
+		m.EffectiveConfig = effectiveConfigProvenance(cfg)
+	}
+}
+
+func effectiveConfigSummary(cfg *config.Config) string {
+	provenance := effectiveConfigProvenance(cfg)
+	if provenance == nil {
+		return "profile=none digest=unavailable"
+	}
+	profile := "none"
+	if provenance.SelectedProfile != nil {
+		profile = provenance.SelectedProfile.Name + " (" + provenance.SelectedProfile.Source + ")"
+	}
+	digest := provenance.EffectiveConfigDigest
+	if digest == "" {
+		digest = "unavailable"
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("profile=%s digest=%s", profile, digest)
+}
+
+func persistedEffectiveConfigSummary(provenance *manifest.EffectiveConfigProvenance) string {
+	if provenance == nil {
+		return "profile=none digest=unavailable"
+	}
+	profile := "none"
+	if provenance.SelectedProfile != nil {
+		profile = provenance.SelectedProfile.Name + " (" + provenance.SelectedProfile.Source + ")"
+	}
+	digest := provenance.EffectiveConfigDigest
+	if digest == "" {
+		digest = "unavailable"
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("profile=%s digest=%s", profile, digest)
+}

internal/app/operator_artifact_rendering.go

@@ -43,12 +43,13 @@ func writeArtifactList(out io.Writer, cfg *config.Config, catalog *artifacts.Art
 	}
 	writeArtifactLine(out, artifacts.ArtifactBoundsSession, lockSet)
 	fmt.Fprintln(out, "Configured:")
+	origins := config.ArtifactFamilies(cfg.Pipeline).Members
 	for _, entry := range catalog.ListConfigured() {
 		state := "unavailable"
 		if entry.Available {
 			state = "available"
 		}
-		writeExtractionArtifactLine(out, entry.SourceID, state, entry.Provenance, lockSet)
+		writeConfiguredArtifactLine(out, entry.SourceID, state, entry.Provenance, lockSet, origins)
 	}
 	fmt.Fprintln(out, "Extraction:")
 	for _, entry := range catalog.ListExtraction() {
@@ -70,6 +71,22 @@ func writeArtifactList(out io.Writer, cfg *config.Config, catalog *artifacts.Art
 	}
 }
 
+func writeConfiguredArtifactLine(out io.Writer, source, state, provenance string, lockSet map[string]config.PublishLockRule, origins map[string]config.ArtifactFamilyMemberOrigin) {
+	parts := []string{source, "planned", state}
+	if key, ok := artifactpolicy.ParseConfiguredSource(source); ok {
+		if origin, family := origins[key]; family {
+			parts = append(parts, "family="+origin.Family, "character_id="+origin.CharacterID)
+		}
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(provenance) != "" {
+		parts = append(parts, "provenance="+strings.TrimSpace(provenance))
+	}
+	if _, ok := lockSet[source]; ok {
+		parts = append(parts, "locked")
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintf(out, "- %s\n", strings.Join(parts, " "))
+}
+
 func writeExtractionArtifactLine(out io.Writer, source, state, provenance string, lockSet map[string]config.PublishLockRule) {
 	parts := []string{source, "planned", state}
 	if strings.TrimSpace(provenance) != "" {

internal/app/operator_helpers.go

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ type commonConfigFlags struct {
 	sessionPath       string
 	sessionID         string
 	previousSessionID string
+	profile           singletonStringFlag
 }
 
 func addCommonConfigFlags(fs *flag.FlagSet, flags *commonConfigFlags) {
@@ -29,12 +30,15 @@ func addCommonConfigFlags(fs *flag.FlagSet, flags *commonConfigFlags) {
 	fs.StringVar(&flags.sessionPath, "session", "", "path to session.yml")
 	fs.StringVar(&flags.sessionID, "session-id", "", "session identifier")
 	fs.StringVar(&flags.previousSessionID, "previous-session-id", "", "expected previous session identifier")
+	flags.profile.name = "profile"
+	fs.Var(&flags.profile, "profile", "named pipeline profile")
 }
 
 func (f commonConfigFlags) sessionOptions() config.SessionLoadOptions {
 	return config.SessionLoadOptions{
 		SessionID:         f.sessionID,
 		PreviousSessionID: f.previousSessionID,
+		Profile:           f.profile.pointer(),
 	}
 }
 

internal/app/operator_session_init.go

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ func SessionInit(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	fs := flag.NewFlagSet("session init", flag.ContinueOnError)
 	fs.SetOutput(io.Discard)
 	var pipelinePath, campaignPath, campaignFilePath, sessionID, previousSessionID, date, title, output, audioS3Prefix, audioDir string
+	var profile singletonStringFlag
 	var remote, force bool
 	fs.StringVar(&pipelinePath, "config", "", "path to pipeline.yml (optional; defaults searched)")
 	fs.StringVar(&campaignPath, "campaign", "", "campaign ID")
@@ -33,6 +34,8 @@ func SessionInit(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	fs.StringVar(&output, "output", "", "local output session.yml path")
 	fs.StringVar(&audioS3Prefix, "audio-s3-prefix", "", "session audio S3 prefix")
 	fs.StringVar(&audioDir, "audio-dir", "", "local audio directory")
+	profile.name = "profile"
+	fs.Var(&profile, "profile", "named pipeline profile")
 	fs.BoolVar(&remote, "remote", false, "write session.yml to S3 session prefix")
 	fs.BoolVar(&force, "force", false, "overwrite existing target")
 	if err := parseSessionAwareFlags("session init", fs, args, &sessionID); err != nil {
@@ -48,7 +51,7 @@ func SessionInit(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("session init: --audio-dir and --audio-s3-prefix are mutually exclusive")
 	}
 
-	base, err := loadPipelineCampaignConfig(pipelinePath, campaignPath, campaignFilePath)
+	base, err := loadPipelineCampaignConfig(pipelinePath, campaignPath, campaignFilePath, config.PipelineLoadOptions{Profile: profile.pointer()})
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("session init: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -79,7 +82,7 @@ func SessionInit(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("session init: %w", err)
 	}
-	cfg, err := config.Resolve(base.PipelinePath, base.Pipeline, base.CampaignPath, base.Campaign, label, sessionCfg, config.SessionSource{Source: "session_config", LocalPath: label})
+	cfg, err := config.ResolveLoadedPipelineCampaign(*base, label, sessionCfg, config.SessionSource{Source: "session_config", LocalPath: label})
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("session init: %w", err)
 	}

internal/app/operator_status.go

@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ func Status(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	fmt.Fprintf(out, "Campaign: %s\n", cfg.Session.Campaign)
 	fmt.Fprintf(out, "Workspace: %s\n", paths.Root)
 	fmt.Fprintf(out, "Session config: %s\n", sessionSourceSummary(cfg))
+	fmt.Fprintf(out, "Configuration (current): %s\n", effectiveConfigSummary(cfg))
 	writeStatusStableInputs(out, inspectStableInputs(cfg))
 	writeStatusLocalAudio(out, inspectLocalAudioPresence(cfg))
 
@@ -51,6 +52,7 @@ func Status(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	} else {
 		localManifest = m
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Local manifest: %s\n", paths.ManifestPath)
+		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Configuration (last persisted): %s\n", persistedEffectiveConfigSummary(m.EffectiveConfig))
 		writeStageStatuses(out, m)
 	}
 

internal/app/plan.go

@@ -35,7 +35,11 @@ func Plan(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	if err := config.Validate(cfg); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("plan: %w", err)
 	}
-	effective, err := resolveEffectiveArtifacts(cfg, request.SelectedArtifacts)
+	selectedArtifacts, err := normalizeArtifactSelection(cfg, request.SelectedArtifacts)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("plan: %w", err)
+	}
+	effective, err := resolveEffectiveArtifacts(cfg, selectedArtifacts)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("plan: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -55,27 +59,29 @@ func Plan(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 
 	stages := request.Plan.Stages()
 	stageEnv := &stage.Env{
-		Config: cfg, SelectedArtifactKeys: append([]string(nil), request.SelectedArtifacts...),
+		Config: cfg, SelectedArtifactKeys: append([]string(nil), selectedArtifacts...),
 		EffectiveArtifacts: effective, ArtifactStore: store, Force: request.Force,
 	}
 
 	runCount := 0
 	skipCount := 0
-	if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(out, "narratio session plan: read-only workdir at %s\n", paths.Root); err != nil {
+	if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(out, "narratio session plan: read-only workdir at %s; %s\n", paths.Root, effectiveConfigSummary(cfg)); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	for _, selectedStage := range stages {
+		semanticConfig, err := currentStageSemanticConfig(selectedStage, stageEnv)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("plan: fingerprint semantic configuration for stage %q: %w", selectedStage.Name(), err)
+		}
 		action := decideStageAction(selectedStage, model, request.Force)
 		var validation *stage.ResumeValidation
-		if validator, ok := selectedStage.(stage.ResumeValidator); ok &&
-			(action == stageActionSkip || selectedStage.Name() == "analyze") {
-			checked, validationErr := validator.ValidateResume(ctx, stageEnv, model)
+		if action == stageActionSkip {
+			checked, validationErr := evaluateStageResume(ctx, selectedStage, stageEnv, model, semanticConfig)
 			if validationErr != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("plan: validate resume for stage %q: %w", selectedStage.Name(), validationErr)
 			}
-			checked = checked.Normalized()
-			validation = &checked
-			if action == stageActionSkip && !checked.Resumable {
+			validation = checked
+			if checked != nil && !checked.Resumable {
 				at := time.Now().UTC()
 				model.MarkStageStale(selectedStage.Name(), at, checked.Reason)
 				if _, invalidationErr := invalidateDependentSucceededStagesWithReason(
@@ -86,6 +92,16 @@ func Plan(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 				action = stageActionRun
 			}
 		}
+		if action == stageActionRun && selectedStage.Name() == "analyze" {
+			if validator, ok := selectedStage.(stage.ResumeValidator); ok {
+				checked, validationErr := validator.ValidateResume(ctx, stageEnv, model)
+				if validationErr != nil {
+					return fmt.Errorf("plan: validate resume for stage %q: %w", selectedStage.Name(), validationErr)
+				}
+				checked = checked.Normalized()
+				validation = &checked
+			}
+		}
 		if action == stageActionRun {
 			runCount++
 		} else {
@@ -100,7 +116,7 @@ func Plan(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 			}
 		}
 		if action == stageActionRun {
-			if err := modelPlannedStageRun(model, selectedStage, cfg, request.Force); err != nil {
+			if err := modelPlannedStageRun(model, selectedStage, cfg, request.Force, semanticConfig); err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("plan: model stage %q: %w", selectedStage.Name(), err)
 			}
 		}
@@ -129,7 +145,13 @@ func cloneManifestForPlan(source *manifest.Manifest, cfg *config.Config) (*manif
 	return &cloned, nil
 }
 
-func modelPlannedStageRun(model *manifest.Manifest, selectedStage stage.Stage, cfg *config.Config, force bool) error {
+func modelPlannedStageRun(
+	model *manifest.Manifest,
+	selectedStage stage.Stage,
+	cfg *config.Config,
+	force bool,
+	semanticConfig *manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint,
+) error {
 	prior := capturePriorStageOutcome(model, selectedStage.Name())
 	at := time.Now().UTC()
 	model.MarkStageRunning(selectedStage.Name(), at)
@@ -142,6 +164,7 @@ func modelPlannedStageRun(model *manifest.Manifest, selectedStage stage.Stage, c
 	}
 	if reason := plannedSelfSkipReason(selectedStage.Name(), cfg); reason != "" {
 		model.MarkStageSkipped(selectedStage.Name(), at, reason)
+		setSessionStageSemanticConfig(model, selectedStage.Name(), semanticConfig)
 		if !prior.isSameSelfSkip(reason) {
 			_, err := invalidateDependentSucceededStagesWithReason(
 				model, selectedStage.Name(), at, staleReasonSelfSkip,
@@ -151,6 +174,7 @@ func modelPlannedStageRun(model *manifest.Manifest, selectedStage stage.Stage, c
 		return nil
 	}
 	model.MarkStageSucceeded(selectedStage.Name(), at, nil)
+	setSessionStageSemanticConfig(model, selectedStage.Name(), semanticConfig)
 	if !prior.exists || prior.status != manifest.StatusSucceeded {
 		if _, err := invalidateDependentSucceededStagesWithReason(
 			model, selectedStage.Name(), at, staleReasonChangedResult,
@@ -206,7 +230,11 @@ func planArtifactList(values []stage.AnalyzeResumeArtifact) string {
 		if value.Forced {
 			detail += ":forced"
 		}
-		parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("%s(%s)", value.Key, detail))
+		identity := value.Key
+		if value.Family != "" {
+			identity += fmt.Sprintf("[family=%s character_id=%s]", value.Family, value.CharacterID)
+		}
+		parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("%s(%s)", identity, detail))
 	}
 	return strings.Join(parts, ", ")
 }

internal/app/plan_test.go

@@ -61,9 +61,13 @@ func TestPlanShowsRunAndSkipFromManifest(t *testing.T) {
 	manifestPath := filepath.Join(workspaceRoot, "work", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03", "manifest.json")
 
 	store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
-	m := manifest.New("2026-05-03", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC))
-	m.MarkStageSucceeded("prepare", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 1, 0, 0, time.UTC), nil)
+	materializePrepareResumeFixture(t, pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath)
+	m, err := store.Load(context.Background(), manifestPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load prepared manifest: %v", err)
+	}
 	m.MarkStageSucceeded("transcribe", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 2, 0, 0, time.UTC), nil)
+	seedCurrentSemanticEvidence(t, loadConfigForSemanticEvidence(t, pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath), m, "prepare", "transcribe")
 	if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPath, m); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("save manifest: %v", err)
 	}

internal/app/profile_commands_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+package app
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/config"
+)
+
+func TestRunProfileSelectionFlowsThroughSharedLoader(t *testing.T) {
+	workspaceRoot := t.TempDir()
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writeValidConfigFiles(t, workspaceRoot)
+	enableCommandTestProfiles(t, pipelinePath)
+
+	original := executeStagesFn
+	t.Cleanup(func() { executeStagesFn = original })
+	var language string
+	executeStagesFn = func(_ context.Context, cfg *config.Config, _ BoundedPlan, _ RunOptions) (*RunSummary, error) {
+		language = cfg.Pipeline.WhisperX.Language
+		return &RunSummary{SessionID: cfg.Session.SessionID, ManifestPath: "manifest.json"}, nil
+	}
+
+	if err := Run(context.Background(), []string{
+		"2026-05-03", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--session", sessionPath, "--profile", "testing",
+	}, io.Discard); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if language != "fr" {
+		t.Fatalf("explicit profile language = %q, want fr", language)
+	}
+
+	if err := Run(context.Background(), []string{
+		"2026-05-03", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--session", sessionPath,
+	}, io.Discard); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if language != "en" {
+		t.Fatalf("default profile language = %q, want en", language)
+	}
+
+	for _, profile := range []string{"unknown", ""} {
+		err := Run(context.Background(), []string{
+			"2026-05-03", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--session", sessionPath, "--profile", profile,
+		}, io.Discard)
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "profile") {
+			t.Fatalf("profile %q error = %v, want selection rejection", profile, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func enableCommandTestProfiles(t *testing.T, pipelinePath string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(pipelinePath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	composition := "composition:\n  default_profile: production\n  profiles:\n    production:\n      overlay: production.yml\n    testing:\n      overlay: testing.yml\n"
+	if err := os.WriteFile(pipelinePath, append([]byte(composition), data...), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	dir := filepath.Dir(pipelinePath)
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "production.yml"), []byte("whisperx:\n  language: en\n"), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "testing.yml"), []byte("whisperx:\n  language: fr\n"), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}

internal/app/regenerate_artifacts_test.go

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ func TestRegenerateArtifactsForwardsExactCanonicalRunArguments(t *testing.T) {
 		"--artifacts=player_handout",
 		"--config", "pipeline.yml",
 		"--campaign", "sample-campaign",
+		"--profile", "testing",
 	}, io.Discard, io.Discard)
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("Execute() code = %d, want 0", code)
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ func TestRegenerateArtifactsForwardsExactCanonicalRunArguments(t *testing.T) {
 		"--artifacts=player_handout",
 		"--config", "pipeline.yml",
 		"--campaign", "sample-campaign",
+		"--profile", "testing",
 	}
 	if !reflect.DeepEqual(captured, want) {
 		t.Fatalf("forwarded args = %#v, want %#v", captured, want)

internal/app/remote_session_test.go

@@ -44,6 +44,49 @@ inputs:
 	}
 }
 
+func TestRemoteSessionLoadingRetainsCampaignCanonicalParty(t *testing.T) {
+	workspaceRoot := t.TempDir()
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, _ := writeValidConfigFiles(t, workspaceRoot)
+	canonicalCampaign := `campaign_id: sample-campaign
+inputs:
+  speakers_file: ./speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: ./glossary.yml
+  party_file: ./party.yml
+`
+	if err := os.WriteFile(campaignPath, []byte(canonicalCampaign), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write canonical campaign: %v", err)
+	}
+	canonicalParty := `schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  arannis:
+    player: {name: Eric}
+    character:
+      name: Arannis
+      classes: [{name: wizard}]
+`
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(campaignPath), "party.yml"), []byte(canonicalParty), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write canonical party: %v", err)
+	}
+	fake := &storage.FakeBackend{}
+	seedRemoteSessionConfig(t, fake, "2026-05-03", `session_id: 2026-05-03
+inputs:
+  audio_s3:
+    prefix: audio/
+`)
+	var storeInitCalls int
+	restoreAppConfigTestGlobals(t, fake, &storeInitCalls, []string{filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "session.yml")})
+
+	loaded, err := loadCommandConfig(context.Background(), pipelinePath, "", campaignPath, "", config.SessionLoadOptions{SessionID: "2026-05-03"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("loadCommandConfig() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = loaded.Close() }()
+	if loaded.Config.Party.Mode != config.PartyModeCanonical || loaded.Config.StableInputs.PlayersFile.Source != "derived_from_party" {
+		t.Fatalf("remote config party = %#v, players = %#v", loaded.Config.Party, loaded.Config.StableInputs.PlayersFile)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRemoteSessionConfigIsRemovedAfterEveryCommandExit(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name           string
@@ -166,6 +209,9 @@ inputs:
 	if err := loaded.Close(); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("second Close() error = %v", err)
 	}
+	if loaded.Config == nil || loaded.Config.Pipeline == nil || loaded.Config.Campaign == nil || loaded.Config.Session == nil {
+		t.Fatal("closing remote session cleanup discarded retained configuration")
+	}
 	if _, err := os.Stat(downloadedPath); !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
 		t.Fatalf("downloaded remote session path still exists or could not be inspected: %q, err=%v", downloadedPath, err)
 	}

internal/app/run.go

@@ -29,13 +29,17 @@ func Run(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	if err := config.Validate(cfg); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("run: %w", err)
 	}
-	effectiveArtifacts, err := resolveEffectiveArtifacts(cfg, request.SelectedArtifacts)
+	selectedArtifacts, err := normalizeArtifactSelection(cfg, request.SelectedArtifacts)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("run: %w", err)
+	}
+	effectiveArtifacts, err := resolveEffectiveArtifacts(cfg, selectedArtifacts)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("run: %w", err)
 	}
 	summary, err := executeStagesFn(ctx, cfg, request.Plan, RunOptions{
 		Force:              request.Force,
-		SelectedArtifacts:  request.SelectedArtifacts,
+		SelectedArtifacts:  selectedArtifacts,
 		EffectiveArtifacts: effectiveArtifacts,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
@@ -44,11 +48,12 @@ func Run(ctx context.Context, args []string, out io.Writer) error {
 
 	_, err = fmt.Fprintf(
 		out,
-		"narratio run: session %s; executed=%d skipped=%d; manifest=%s\n",
+		"narratio run: session %s; executed=%d skipped=%d; manifest=%s; %s\n",
 		summary.SessionID,
 		len(summary.Executed),
 		len(summary.Skipped),
 		summary.ManifestPath,
+		effectiveConfigSummary(cfg),
 	)
 	return err
 }

internal/app/run_stage.go

@@ -216,13 +216,17 @@ func runSingleStageCommand(ctx context.Context, req singleStageCommand) (*RunSum
 	if err := config.Validate(cfg); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", req.CommandName, err)
 	}
-	effectiveArtifacts, err := resolveEffectiveArtifacts(cfg, req.SelectedArtifacts)
+	selectedArtifacts, err := normalizeArtifactSelection(cfg, req.SelectedArtifacts)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", req.CommandName, err)
+	}
+	effectiveArtifacts, err := resolveEffectiveArtifacts(cfg, selectedArtifacts)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", req.CommandName, err)
 	}
 	summary, err := executeStagesFn(ctx, cfg, plan, RunOptions{
 		Force:              req.Force,
-		SelectedArtifacts:  req.SelectedArtifacts,
+		SelectedArtifacts:  selectedArtifacts,
 		EffectiveArtifacts: effectiveArtifacts,
 	})
 	if err != nil {

internal/app/run_stage_test.go

@@ -19,20 +19,21 @@ func TestRunContinuesAfterCompletedStages(t *testing.T) {
 	manifestPath := filepath.Join(workspaceRoot, "work", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03", "manifest.json")
 
 	store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
-	m := manifest.New("2026-05-03", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC))
-	m.MarkStageSucceeded("prepare", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 1, 0, 0, time.UTC), nil)
+	materializePrepareResumeFixture(t, pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath)
+	m, err := store.Load(context.Background(), manifestPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load prepared manifest: %v", err)
+	}
 	m.MarkStageSucceeded("transcribe", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 2, 0, 0, time.UTC), nil)
+	seedCurrentSemanticEvidence(t, loadConfigForSemanticEvidence(t, pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath), m, "prepare", "transcribe")
 	if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPath, m); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("save manifest: %v", err)
 	}
 	workRoot := filepath.Join(workspaceRoot, "work", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03")
 	mustWriteTestFile(t, filepath.Join(workRoot, "transcripts", "raw", "alice.json"), `{"segments":[]}`)
-	mustWriteTestFile(t, filepath.Join(workRoot, "inputs", "speakers.yml"), "match:\n  - speaker: Alice\n    match: [\"alice\"]\n")
-	mustWriteTestFile(t, filepath.Join(workRoot, "inputs", "autocorrect.yml"), "[]\n")
-	mustWriteTestFile(t, filepath.Join(workRoot, "inputs", "glossary.yml"), "terms: []\n")
 
 	var out bytes.Buffer
-	err := Run(context.Background(), []string{"2026-05-03", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--session", sessionPath}, &out)
+	err = Run(context.Background(), []string{"2026-05-03", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--session", sessionPath}, &out)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v", err)
 	}
@@ -55,17 +56,22 @@ func TestRunNoRemainingStagesRecordsSkippedStages(t *testing.T) {
 	manifestPath := filepath.Join(workspaceRoot, "work", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03", "manifest.json")
 
 	store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
-	m := manifest.New("2026-05-03", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC))
+	materializePrepareResumeFixture(t, pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath)
+	m, err := store.Load(context.Background(), manifestPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load prepared manifest: %v", err)
+	}
 	for _, name := range []string{"prepare", "transcribe", "merge", "polish", "normalize", "trim", "render", "analyze", "publish", "notify"} {
 		m.MarkStageSucceeded(name, time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 1, 0, 0, time.UTC), nil)
 	}
 	m.MarkStageSkipped("extract", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 1, 0, 0, time.UTC), "notarius_disabled")
+	seedCurrentSemanticEvidence(t, loadConfigForSemanticEvidence(t, pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath), m, "prepare", "transcribe", "merge", "polish", "normalize", "trim", "render", "publish", "notify")
 	if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPath, m); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("save manifest: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	var out bytes.Buffer
-	err := Run(context.Background(), []string{"2026-05-03", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--session", sessionPath}, &out)
+	err = Run(context.Background(), []string{"2026-05-03", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--session", sessionPath}, &out)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v", err)
 	}
@@ -172,6 +178,7 @@ func TestRunStageSkipAndForce(t *testing.T) {
 	store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
 	m := manifest.New("2026-05-03", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC))
 	m.MarkStageSucceeded("polish", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 1, 0, 0, time.UTC), nil)
+	seedCurrentSemanticEvidence(t, loadConfigForSemanticEvidence(t, pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath), m, "polish")
 	if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPath, m); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("save manifest: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -201,19 +208,23 @@ func TestRunStageForceMarksDownstreamStaleAndRunContinuesFromStale(t *testing.T)
 	manifestPath := filepath.Join(workspaceRoot, "work", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03", "manifest.json")
 	workRoot := filepath.Join(workspaceRoot, "work", "sample-campaign", "2026-05-03")
 	mustWriteTestFile(t, filepath.Join(workRoot, "transcripts", "base.json"), `{"segments":[]}`)
-	mustWriteTestFile(t, filepath.Join(workRoot, "inputs", "glossary.yml"), "terms: []\n")
 
 	store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
-	seed := manifest.New("2026-05-03", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC))
+	materializePrepareResumeFixture(t, pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath)
+	seed, err := store.Load(context.Background(), manifestPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load prepared manifest: %v", err)
+	}
 	for _, name := range []string{"prepare", "transcribe", "merge", "polish", "normalize", "trim", "extract", "render", "analyze", "publish", "notify"} {
 		seed.MarkStageSucceeded(name, time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 10, 1, 0, 0, time.UTC), nil)
 	}
+	seedCurrentSemanticEvidence(t, loadConfigForSemanticEvidence(t, pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath), seed, "prepare", "transcribe", "merge")
 	if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPath, seed); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("save manifest: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	var out bytes.Buffer
-	err := RunStage(context.Background(), []string{"polish", "2026-05-03", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--session", sessionPath, "--force"}, &out)
+	err = RunStage(context.Background(), []string{"polish", "2026-05-03", "--config", pipelinePath, "--campaign-file", campaignPath, "--session", sessionPath, "--force"}, &out)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("RunStage(force) error = %v", err)
 	}

internal/app/runner.go

@@ -147,6 +147,7 @@ func executePlan(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, plan BoundedPlan, opts
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("validate bounded run prerequisites under session lock: %w", err)
 	}
 	identity.applyToSessionManifest(m)
+	applyEffectiveConfigProvenance(m, cfg)
 	if err := env.ManifestStore.Save(ctx, manifestPath, m); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("save manifest identity %q: %w", manifestPath, err)
 	}
@@ -172,6 +173,7 @@ func executePlan(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, plan BoundedPlan, opts
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("create run manifest: %w", err)
 	}
 	identity.applyToRunManifest(runManifest, manifestPath)
+	applyEffectiveConfigProvenanceToRun(runManifest, cfg)
 	if err := runManifestStore.SaveRun(ctx, runManifestPath, runManifest); err != nil {
 		return nil, persistTerminalFailure(
 			ctx, env.ManifestStore, manifestPath, m, runManifestStore, runManifestPath, runManifest,
@@ -259,19 +261,24 @@ func executePlan(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, plan BoundedPlan, opts
 	for _, s := range stages {
 		stageEnv.Force = opts.Force
 		runNames = append(runNames, s.Name())
+		semanticConfig, err := currentStageSemanticConfig(s, stageEnv)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, persistTerminalFailure(
+				ctx, env.ManifestStore, manifestPath, m, runManifestStore, runManifestPath, runManifest,
+				fmt.Errorf("fingerprint semantic configuration for stage %q: %w", s.Name(), err),
+			)
+		}
 		action := decideStageAction(s, m, opts.Force)
 
 		if action == stageActionSkip {
-			if validator, ok := s.(stage.ResumeValidator); ok {
-				validation, err := validator.ValidateResume(ctx, stageEnv, m)
+			validation, err := evaluateStageResume(ctx, s, stageEnv, m, semanticConfig)
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, persistTerminalFailure(
 					ctx, env.ManifestStore, manifestPath, m, runManifestStore, runManifestPath, runManifest,
 					fmt.Errorf("validate resume for stage %q: %w", s.Name(), err),
 				)
 			}
-				validation = validation.Normalized()
-				if !validation.Resumable {
+			if validation != nil && !validation.Resumable {
 				staleAt := nowUTC()
 				m.MarkStageStale(s.Name(), staleAt, validation.Reason)
 				if _, err := invalidateDependentSucceededStagesWithReason(
@@ -292,13 +299,13 @@ func executePlan(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, plan BoundedPlan, opts
 				action = stageActionRun
 			}
 		}
-		}
 
 		if action == stageActionSkip {
 			skipped = append(skipped, s.Name())
 			skipAt := nowUTC()
 			runManifest.SetStageAction(s.Name(), manifest.RunStageActionSkip, skipAt)
 			runManifest.MarkStageSkipped(s.Name(), skipAt, "already_succeeded")
+			setRunStageSemanticConfig(runManifest, s.Name(), semanticConfig)
 			if err := runManifestStore.SaveRun(ctx, runManifestPath, runManifest); err != nil {
 				return nil, persistTerminalFailure(
 					ctx, env.ManifestStore, manifestPath, m, runManifestStore, runManifestPath, runManifest,
@@ -380,6 +387,7 @@ func executePlan(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, plan BoundedPlan, opts
 			skippedAt := nowUTC()
 			m.MarkStageSkipped(s.Name(), skippedAt, result.SkipReason)
 			applyStageResultToManifest(m, s.Name(), result)
+			setSessionStageSemanticConfig(m, s.Name(), semanticConfig)
 			if !priorOutcome.isSameSelfSkip(result.SkipReason) {
 				if _, err := invalidateDependentSucceededStagesWithReason(m, s.Name(), skippedAt, staleReasonSelfSkip); err != nil {
 					return nil, persistTerminalFailure(
@@ -396,6 +404,7 @@ func executePlan(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, plan BoundedPlan, opts
 			}
 			runManifest.MarkStageSkipped(s.Name(), skippedAt, result.SkipReason)
 			applyStageResultToRunManifest(runManifest, s.Name(), result)
+			setRunStageSemanticConfig(runManifest, s.Name(), semanticConfig)
 			identity.applyToRunManifest(runManifest, manifestPath)
 			if err := runManifestStore.SaveRun(ctx, runManifestPath, runManifest); err != nil {
 				return nil, persistTerminalFailure(
@@ -418,6 +427,7 @@ func executePlan(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, plan BoundedPlan, opts
 		m.MarkStageSucceeded(s.Name(), succeededAt, sessionOutputs)
 		applyAnalyzeProjection(m, runManifest, analyzeProjection)
 		applyStageResultToManifest(m, s.Name(), result)
+		setSessionStageSemanticConfig(m, s.Name(), semanticConfig)
 		if !priorOutcome.exists || priorOutcome.status != manifest.StatusSucceeded {
 			if _, err := invalidateDependentSucceededStagesWithReason(m, s.Name(), succeededAt, staleReasonChangedResult); err != nil {
 				return nil, persistTerminalFailure(
@@ -445,6 +455,7 @@ func executePlan(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, plan BoundedPlan, opts
 		}
 		runManifest.MarkStageSucceeded(s.Name(), succeededAt, runOutputs)
 		applyStageResultToRunManifest(runManifest, s.Name(), result)
+		setRunStageSemanticConfig(runManifest, s.Name(), semanticConfig)
 		identity.applyToRunManifest(runManifest, manifestPath)
 		if err := runManifestStore.SaveRun(ctx, runManifestPath, runManifest); err != nil {
 			return nil, persistTerminalFailure(

internal/app/runner_test.go

@@ -642,6 +642,7 @@ func TestExecuteStagesForceRerunsSucceeded(t *testing.T) {
 
 	existing := manifest.New(cfg.Session.SessionID, time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 1, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC))
 	existing.MarkStageSucceeded("transcribe", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 1, 1, 0, 0, time.UTC), nil)
+	seedCurrentSemanticEvidence(t, cfg, existing, "transcribe")
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(manifestPath), 0o755); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("MkdirAll() error = %v", err)
 	}
@@ -983,6 +984,7 @@ func TestExecuteStagesRunManifestRecordsSkippedStage(t *testing.T) {
 	manifestPath := manifestPathFor(cfg)
 	existing := manifest.New(cfg.Session.SessionID, time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 1, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC))
 	existing.MarkStageSucceeded("transcribe", time.Date(2026, 5, 3, 1, 1, 0, 0, time.UTC), nil)
+	seedCurrentSemanticEvidence(t, cfg, existing, "transcribe")
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(manifestPath), 0o755); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("MkdirAll() error = %v", err)
 	}
@@ -1232,6 +1234,7 @@ func TestExecuteStagesSkippedStagePreservesExistingOutputsProvenance(t *testing.
 			ProducerRunID: "20260501T000000Z-deadbeef",
 		},
 	})
+	seedCurrentSemanticEvidence(t, cfg, existing, "transcribe")
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(manifestPath), 0o755); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("MkdirAll() error = %v", err)
 	}
@@ -1403,6 +1406,7 @@ inputs:
 	mustWriteFile(t, pipelinePath, pipelineYAML)
 	mustWriteFile(t, campaignPath, campaignYAML)
 	mustWriteFile(t, sessionPath, sessionYAML)
+	mustWriteFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "party.yml"), "legacy: party\n")
 
 	cfg, err := config.Load(pipelinePath, sessionPath)
 	if err != nil {

internal/app/runner_test_helpers_test.go

@@ -2,8 +2,10 @@ package app
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"testing"
 
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/config"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/manifest"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/stage"
 )
 
@@ -13,3 +15,37 @@ func executeStages(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, stages []stage.Stage
 	plan := BoundedPlan{stages: append([]stage.Stage(nil), stages...)}
 	return executePlan(ctx, cfg, plan, opts)
 }
+
+func seedCurrentSemanticEvidence(t *testing.T, cfg *config.Config, m *manifest.Manifest, names ...string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	providers := make(map[string]stage.SemanticConfigFingerprinter)
+	for _, candidate := range stage.All() {
+		if provider, ok := candidate.(stage.SemanticConfigFingerprinter); ok {
+			providers[candidate.Name()] = provider
+		}
+	}
+	for _, name := range names {
+		record := m.Stages[name]
+		if record == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("stage %q must exist before semantic evidence is seeded", name)
+		}
+		provider, ok := providers[name]
+		if !ok {
+			t.Fatalf("stage %q has no semantic fingerprint provider", name)
+		}
+		fingerprint, err := provider.SemanticConfigFingerprint(&stage.Env{Config: cfg})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("fingerprint stage %q: %v", name, err)
+		}
+		record.SemanticConfig = &fingerprint
+	}
+}
+
+func loadConfigForSemanticEvidence(t *testing.T, pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath string) *config.Config {
+	t.Helper()
+	cfg, err := config.Load(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load config for semantic evidence: %v", err)
+	}
+	return cfg
+}

internal/app/semantic_resume.go

@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+package app
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/manifest"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/stage"
+)
+
+func currentStageSemanticConfig(selected stage.Stage, env *stage.Env) (*manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint, error) {
+	provider, ok := selected.(stage.SemanticConfigFingerprinter)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	record, err := provider.SemanticConfigFingerprint(env)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := record.Validate(); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid current semantic configuration fingerprint: %w", err)
+	}
+	return cloneSemanticConfig(&record), nil
+}
+
+func validateStageSemanticResume(selected stage.Stage, m *manifest.Manifest, current *manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint) stage.ResumeValidation {
+	if current == nil {
+		return stage.Resumable()
+	}
+	var persisted *manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint
+	if m != nil && m.Stages != nil && m.Stages[selected.Name()] != nil {
+		persisted = m.Stages[selected.Name()].SemanticConfig
+	}
+	if persisted == nil {
+		return stage.NonResumable("semantic configuration evidence is missing; rerun the stage to establish current evidence")
+	}
+	if err := persisted.Validate(); err != nil {
+		return stage.NonResumable("persisted semantic configuration evidence is malformed; rerun the stage")
+	}
+	if persisted.Version != current.Version {
+		return stage.NonResumable("semantic configuration contract version changed; rerun the stage")
+	}
+	if persisted.Digest != current.Digest {
+		return stage.NonResumable("result-affecting configuration changed; rerun the stage")
+	}
+	return stage.Resumable()
+}
+
+func evaluateStageResume(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	selected stage.Stage,
+	env *stage.Env,
+	m *manifest.Manifest,
+	current *manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint,
+) (*stage.ResumeValidation, error) {
+	semantic := validateStageSemanticResume(selected, m, current).Normalized()
+	if !semantic.Resumable {
+		return &semantic, nil
+	}
+	validator, ok := selected.(stage.ResumeValidator)
+	if !ok {
+		if current == nil {
+			return nil, nil
+		}
+		return &semantic, nil
+	}
+	validation, err := validator.ValidateResume(ctx, env, m)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	validation = validation.Normalized()
+	return &validation, nil
+}
+
+func setSessionStageSemanticConfig(m *manifest.Manifest, name string, value *manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint) {
+	if m == nil || m.Stages == nil || m.Stages[name] == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	m.Stages[name].SemanticConfig = cloneSemanticConfig(value)
+}
+
+func setRunStageSemanticConfig(m *manifest.RunManifest, name string, value *manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint) {
+	if m == nil || m.Stages == nil || m.Stages[name] == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	m.Stages[name].SemanticConfig = cloneSemanticConfig(value)
+}
+
+func cloneSemanticConfig(value *manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint) *manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint {
+	if value == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	copy := *value
+	return &copy
+}

internal/app/semantic_resume_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,577 @@
+package app
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/config"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/manifest"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/stage"
+)
+
+type semanticStage struct {
+	name           string
+	fingerprint    manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint
+	fingerprintErr error
+	result         *stage.StageResult
+	runErr         error
+	runs           *int
+}
+
+func (s semanticStage) Name() string { return s.name }
+func (s semanticStage) Run(_ context.Context, _ *stage.Env, _ *manifest.Manifest) (*stage.StageResult, error) {
+	if s.runs != nil {
+		*s.runs++
+	}
+	return s.result, s.runErr
+}
+func (s semanticStage) SemanticConfigFingerprint(_ *stage.Env) (manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint, error) {
+	return s.fingerprint, s.fingerprintErr
+}
+
+type semanticResumeCheckingStage struct {
+	semanticStage
+	validation      stage.ResumeValidation
+	validationCalls *int
+}
+
+type semanticContractRunStub struct {
+	name     string
+	provider stage.SemanticConfigFingerprinter
+	runs     *int
+}
+
+func (s semanticContractRunStub) Name() string { return s.name }
+func (s semanticContractRunStub) Run(_ context.Context, _ *stage.Env, _ *manifest.Manifest) (*stage.StageResult, error) {
+	*s.runs++
+	return &stage.StageResult{}, nil
+}
+func (s semanticContractRunStub) SemanticConfigFingerprint(env *stage.Env) (manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint, error) {
+	return s.provider.SemanticConfigFingerprint(env)
+}
+
+func (s semanticResumeCheckingStage) ValidateResume(_ context.Context, _ *stage.Env, _ *manifest.Manifest) (stage.ResumeValidation, error) {
+	if s.validationCalls != nil {
+		*s.validationCalls++
+	}
+	return s.validation, nil
+}
+
+func TestSemanticResumeComparison(t *testing.T) {
+	current := semanticFingerprint(1, "a")
+	selected := semanticStage{name: "render", fingerprint: current}
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name      string
+		persisted *manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint
+		resumable bool
+		want      string
+	}{
+		{name: "matching", persisted: &current, resumable: true},
+		{name: "missing", want: "missing"},
+		{name: "version", persisted: fingerprintPointer(semanticFingerprint(2, "a")), want: "version"},
+		{name: "digest", persisted: fingerprintPointer(semanticFingerprint(1, "b")), want: "configuration changed"},
+		{name: "malformed", persisted: &manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint{Version: 1, Digest: "bad"}, want: "malformed"},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			model := manifest.New("session", time.Now().UTC())
+			model.MarkStageSucceeded("render", time.Now().UTC(), nil)
+			model.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig = test.persisted
+			got := validateStageSemanticResume(selected, model, &current)
+			if got.Resumable != test.resumable || (test.want != "" && !strings.Contains(got.Reason, test.want)) {
+				t.Fatalf("validation = %#v, want resumable=%v reason %q", got, test.resumable, test.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestExecuteStagesSemanticEvidenceLifecycle(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name        string
+		persisted   *manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint
+		force       bool
+		wantRuns    int
+		wantSkipped int
+	}{
+		{name: "matching skips", persisted: fingerprintPointer(semanticFingerprint(1, "current")), wantSkipped: 1},
+		{name: "legacy missing reruns", wantRuns: 1},
+		{name: "version reruns", persisted: fingerprintPointer(semanticFingerprint(2, "current")), wantRuns: 1},
+		{name: "digest reruns", persisted: fingerprintPointer(semanticFingerprint(1, "old")), wantRuns: 1},
+		{name: "force reruns matching", persisted: fingerprintPointer(semanticFingerprint(1, "current")), force: true, wantRuns: 1},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			cfg := testConfig(t)
+			store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
+			seed := manifest.New(cfg.Session.SessionID, time.Now().UTC())
+			seed.MarkStageSucceeded("render", time.Now().UTC(), nil)
+			seed.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig = test.persisted
+			if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPathFor(cfg), seed); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			runs := 0
+			current := semanticFingerprint(1, "current")
+			candidate := semanticStage{name: "render", fingerprint: current, result: &stage.StageResult{}, runs: &runs}
+			summary, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{candidate}, RunOptions{Force: test.force})
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if runs != test.wantRuns || len(summary.Skipped) != test.wantSkipped {
+				t.Fatalf("runs=%d summary=%#v", runs, summary)
+			}
+			loaded, err := store.Load(context.Background(), summary.ManifestPath)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if loaded.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig == nil || !loaded.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig.Equal(current) {
+				t.Fatalf("session evidence = %#v", loaded.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig)
+			}
+			run, err := store.LoadRun(context.Background(), summary.RunManifestPath)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if run.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig == nil || !run.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig.Equal(current) {
+				t.Fatalf("run evidence = %#v", run.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSemanticEvidenceRequiresBothChecksAndNeverPromotesFailure(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("semantic mismatch precedes resume validator", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := testConfig(t)
+		store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
+		seed := manifest.New(cfg.Session.SessionID, time.Now().UTC())
+		seed.MarkStageSucceeded("render", time.Now().UTC(), nil)
+		seed.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig = fingerprintPointer(semanticFingerprint(1, "old"))
+		if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPathFor(cfg), seed); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		runs, validations := 0, 0
+		candidate := semanticResumeCheckingStage{
+			semanticStage: semanticStage{name: "render", fingerprint: semanticFingerprint(1, "new"), result: &stage.StageResult{}, runs: &runs},
+			validation:    stage.Resumable(), validationCalls: &validations,
+		}
+		if _, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{candidate}, RunOptions{}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if runs != 1 || validations != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("runs=%d validations=%d", runs, validations)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("matching semantic evidence still requires validator", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := testConfig(t)
+		store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
+		current := semanticFingerprint(1, "same")
+		seed := manifest.New(cfg.Session.SessionID, time.Now().UTC())
+		seed.MarkStageSucceeded("render", time.Now().UTC(), nil)
+		seed.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig = &current
+		if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPathFor(cfg), seed); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		runs, validations := 0, 0
+		candidate := semanticResumeCheckingStage{
+			semanticStage: semanticStage{name: "render", fingerprint: current, result: &stage.StageResult{}, runs: &runs},
+			validation:    stage.NonResumable("output changed"), validationCalls: &validations,
+		}
+		if _, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{candidate}, RunOptions{}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if runs != 1 || validations != 1 {
+			t.Fatalf("runs=%d validations=%d", runs, validations)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("failed execution has no promoted evidence", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := testConfig(t)
+		runs := 0
+		candidate := semanticStage{
+			name: "render", fingerprint: semanticFingerprint(1, "new"), runErr: errors.New("render failed"), runs: &runs,
+		}
+		_, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{candidate}, RunOptions{})
+		if err == nil {
+			t.Fatal("executeStages() error = nil")
+		}
+		loaded, loadErr := (&manifest.LocalStore{}).Load(context.Background(), manifestPathFor(cfg))
+		if loadErr != nil {
+			t.Fatal(loadErr)
+		}
+		if loaded.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig != nil || runs != 1 {
+			t.Fatalf("failed evidence=%#v runs=%d", loaded.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig, runs)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestIntentionalStageSkipPersistsSemanticEvidence(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := testConfig(t)
+	current := semanticFingerprint(1, "disabled")
+	runs := 0
+	candidate := semanticStage{
+		name: "render", fingerprint: current, runs: &runs,
+		result: &stage.StageResult{Disposition: stage.StageDispositionSkipped, SkipReason: "render disabled"},
+	}
+	summary, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{candidate}, RunOptions{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
+	session, err := store.Load(context.Background(), summary.ManifestPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	run, err := store.LoadRun(context.Background(), summary.RunManifestPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if runs != 1 || session.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig == nil || run.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig == nil ||
+		!session.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig.Equal(current) || !run.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig.Equal(current) {
+		t.Fatalf("runs=%d session=%#v run=%#v", runs, session.Stages["render"], run.Stages["render"])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestInvalidCurrentSemanticEvidenceStopsBeforeExecution(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := testConfig(t)
+	runs := 0
+	candidate := semanticStage{
+		name: "render", fingerprint: manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint{Version: 1, Digest: "invalid"}, runs: &runs,
+	}
+	_, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{candidate}, RunOptions{Force: true})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "invalid current semantic configuration fingerprint") || runs != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("error=%v runs=%d", err, runs)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestReadOnlySemanticResumeDecisionMutatesOnlyPlanModel(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := testConfig(t)
+	original := manifest.New(cfg.Session.SessionID, time.Now().UTC())
+	original.MarkStageSucceeded("render", time.Now().UTC(), nil)
+	original.MarkStageSucceeded("extract", time.Now().UTC(), nil)
+	original.MarkStageSucceeded("analyze", time.Now().UTC(), nil)
+	original.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig = fingerprintPointer(semanticFingerprint(1, "old"))
+	model, err := cloneManifestForPlan(original, cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	selected := semanticStage{name: "render", fingerprint: semanticFingerprint(1, "new")}
+	current, err := currentStageSemanticConfig(selected, &stage.Env{Config: cfg})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	validation, err := evaluateStageResume(context.Background(), selected, &stage.Env{Config: cfg}, model, current)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if validation == nil || validation.Resumable {
+		t.Fatalf("validation = %#v, want planned rerun", validation)
+	}
+	at := time.Now().UTC()
+	model.MarkStageStale("render", at, validation.Reason)
+	if _, err := invalidateDependentSucceededStagesWithReason(model, "render", at, staleReasonNotResumable); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if model.Stages["render"].Status != manifest.StatusStale || model.Stages["analyze"].Status != manifest.StatusStale {
+		t.Fatalf("model render=%q analyze=%q", model.Stages["render"].Status, model.Stages["analyze"].Status)
+	}
+	if original.Stages["render"].Status != manifest.StatusSucceeded || original.Stages["analyze"].Status != manifest.StatusSucceeded {
+		t.Fatalf("authoritative manifest mutated: render=%q analyze=%q", original.Stages["render"].Status, original.Stages["analyze"].Status)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSemanticMismatchInvalidatesOnlyFixedDependents(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := testConfig(t)
+	store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
+	seed := manifest.New(cfg.Session.SessionID, time.Now().UTC())
+	for _, name := range []string{"render", "extract", "analyze", "publish", "notify"} {
+		seed.MarkStageSucceeded(name, time.Now().UTC(), nil)
+	}
+	seed.Stages["render"].SemanticConfig = fingerprintPointer(semanticFingerprint(1, "old"))
+	if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPathFor(cfg), seed); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	runs := 0
+	candidate := semanticStage{name: "render", fingerprint: semanticFingerprint(1, "new"), result: &stage.StageResult{}, runs: &runs}
+	if _, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{candidate}, RunOptions{}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	loaded, err := store.Load(context.Background(), manifestPathFor(cfg))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if loaded.Stages["render"].Status != manifest.StatusSucceeded || loaded.Stages["extract"].Status != manifest.StatusSucceeded {
+		t.Fatalf("render=%q extract=%q", loaded.Stages["render"].Status, loaded.Stages["extract"].Status)
+	}
+	for _, name := range []string{"analyze", "publish", "notify"} {
+		if loaded.Stages[name].Status != manifest.StatusStale {
+			t.Fatalf("%s status = %q, want stale", name, loaded.Stages[name].Status)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestInitialPipelineSemanticChangesRerunOnlyAffectedLineage(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name     string
+		mutate   func(*config.Config)
+		wantRuns [3]int
+	}{
+		{name: "prepare selection", mutate: func(cfg *config.Config) {
+			cfg.Session.PreviousSessionID = "2026-04-26"
+		}, wantRuns: [3]int{1, 1, 1}},
+		{name: "transcribe language", mutate: func(cfg *config.Config) {
+			cfg.Pipeline.WhisperX.Language = "fr"
+		}, wantRuns: [3]int{0, 1, 1}},
+		{name: "merge transformation", mutate: func(cfg *config.Config) {
+			value := 1.75
+			cfg.Pipeline.Seriatim.CoalesceGap = &value
+		}, wantRuns: [3]int{0, 0, 1}},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			cfg := testConfig(t)
+			names := []string{"prepare", "transcribe", "merge"}
+			providers := make([]stage.SemanticConfigFingerprinter, len(names))
+			for index, name := range names {
+				providers[index] = canonicalSemanticProvider(t, name)
+			}
+			seed := manifest.New(cfg.Session.SessionID, time.Now().UTC())
+			for _, candidate := range stage.All() {
+				seed.MarkStageSucceeded(candidate.Name(), time.Now().UTC(), nil)
+			}
+			for index, name := range names {
+				fingerprint, err := providers[index].SemanticConfigFingerprint(&stage.Env{Config: cfg})
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+				seed.Stages[name].SemanticConfig = &fingerprint
+			}
+			store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
+			if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPathFor(cfg), seed); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			test.mutate(cfg)
+
+			runs := [3]int{}
+			selected := make([]stage.Stage, 0, len(names))
+			for index, name := range names {
+				selected = append(selected, semanticContractRunStub{name: name, provider: providers[index], runs: &runs[index]})
+			}
+			if _, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, selected, RunOptions{}); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if runs != test.wantRuns {
+				t.Fatalf("runs = %v, want %v", runs, test.wantRuns)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRefinementSemanticChangesRespectDependencyBranches(t *testing.T) {
+	names := []string{"prepare", "transcribe", "merge", "polish", "normalize", "trim", "render"}
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name              string
+		mutate            func(*config.Config)
+		wantRuns          [7]int
+		wantExtractStatus manifest.StageStatus
+	}{
+		{name: "polish model", mutate: func(cfg *config.Config) {
+			cfg.Pipeline.Audita.Model = "production"
+		}, wantRuns: [7]int{0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1}, wantExtractStatus: manifest.StatusStale},
+		{name: "normalize schema", mutate: func(cfg *config.Config) {
+			cfg.Pipeline.Normalize = &config.NormalizeConfig{OutputSchema: "seriatim.transcript.v2"}
+		}, wantRuns: [7]int{0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1}, wantExtractStatus: manifest.StatusStale},
+		{name: "trim prompt", mutate: func(cfg *config.Config) {
+			enabled := true
+			cfg.Pipeline.Trim = &config.TrimConfig{
+				Enabled: &enabled,
+				Bounds:  config.TrimBoundsConfig{PromptID: "session-bounds-v2"},
+			}
+		}, wantRuns: [7]int{0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1}, wantExtractStatus: manifest.StatusStale},
+		{name: "render format", mutate: func(cfg *config.Config) {
+			cfg.Pipeline.Render = &config.RenderConfig{Format: "html"}
+		}, wantRuns: [7]int{0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1}, wantExtractStatus: manifest.StatusSucceeded},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			cfg := testConfig(t)
+			providers := make([]stage.SemanticConfigFingerprinter, len(names))
+			seed := manifest.New(cfg.Session.SessionID, time.Now().UTC())
+			for _, candidate := range stage.All() {
+				seed.MarkStageSucceeded(candidate.Name(), time.Now().UTC(), nil)
+			}
+			for index, name := range names {
+				providers[index] = canonicalSemanticProvider(t, name)
+				fingerprint, err := providers[index].SemanticConfigFingerprint(&stage.Env{Config: cfg})
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+				seed.Stages[name].SemanticConfig = &fingerprint
+			}
+			store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
+			if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPathFor(cfg), seed); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			test.mutate(cfg)
+
+			runs := [7]int{}
+			selected := make([]stage.Stage, 0, len(names))
+			for index, name := range names {
+				selected = append(selected, semanticContractRunStub{name: name, provider: providers[index], runs: &runs[index]})
+			}
+			if _, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, selected, RunOptions{}); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if runs != test.wantRuns {
+				t.Fatalf("runs = %v, want %v", runs, test.wantRuns)
+			}
+			loaded, err := store.Load(context.Background(), manifestPathFor(cfg))
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if got := loaded.Stages["extract"].Status; got != test.wantExtractStatus {
+				t.Fatalf("extract status = %q, want %q", got, test.wantExtractStatus)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDeliverySemanticChangesInvalidateOnlyTheirFixedDependents(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("extract contract", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := testConfig(t)
+		configureDeliverySemanticConfig(cfg)
+		provider := canonicalSemanticProvider(t, "extract")
+		seed := manifest.New(cfg.Session.SessionID, time.Now().UTC())
+		for _, name := range []string{"render", "extract", "analyze", "publish", "notify"} {
+			seed.MarkStageSucceeded(name, time.Now().UTC(), nil)
+		}
+		fingerprint, err := provider.SemanticConfigFingerprint(&stage.Env{Config: cfg})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		seed.Stages["extract"].SemanticConfig = &fingerprint
+		store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
+		if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPathFor(cfg), seed); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		cfg.Pipeline.Notarius.PipelineID = "session-v2"
+		runs := 0
+		selected := semanticContractRunStub{name: "extract", provider: provider, runs: &runs}
+		if _, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, []stage.Stage{selected}, RunOptions{}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		loaded, err := store.Load(context.Background(), manifestPathFor(cfg))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if runs != 1 || loaded.Stages["render"].Status != manifest.StatusSucceeded {
+			t.Fatalf("runs=%d render=%q", runs, loaded.Stages["render"].Status)
+		}
+		for _, name := range []string{"analyze", "publish", "notify"} {
+			if loaded.Stages[name].Status != manifest.StatusStale {
+				t.Fatalf("%s status = %q, want stale", name, loaded.Stages[name].Status)
+			}
+		}
+	})
+
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name     string
+		mutate   func(*config.Config)
+		wantRuns [2]int
+	}{
+		{name: "publish destination", mutate: func(cfg *config.Config) {
+			cfg.Pipeline.Publish.Outputs[0].Dest = "published/alternate.json"
+		}, wantRuns: [2]int{1, 1}},
+		{name: "publish credentials", mutate: func(cfg *config.Config) {
+			cfg.Pipeline.Storage.S3.AccessKeyIDEnv = "OTHER_ACCESS_KEY"
+			cfg.Pipeline.Storage.S3.SecretKeyEnv = "OTHER_SECRET_KEY"
+		}, wantRuns: [2]int{0, 0}},
+		{name: "notify mode", mutate: func(cfg *config.Config) {
+			cfg.Pipeline.Notification.Mode = "webhook"
+		}, wantRuns: [2]int{0, 1}},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			cfg := testConfig(t)
+			configureDeliverySemanticConfig(cfg)
+			names := []string{"publish", "notify"}
+			providers := []stage.SemanticConfigFingerprinter{
+				canonicalSemanticProvider(t, names[0]), canonicalSemanticProvider(t, names[1]),
+			}
+			seed := manifest.New(cfg.Session.SessionID, time.Now().UTC())
+			for index, name := range names {
+				seed.MarkStageSucceeded(name, time.Now().UTC(), nil)
+				fingerprint, err := providers[index].SemanticConfigFingerprint(&stage.Env{Config: cfg})
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+				seed.Stages[name].SemanticConfig = &fingerprint
+			}
+			store := &manifest.LocalStore{}
+			if err := store.Save(context.Background(), manifestPathFor(cfg), seed); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			test.mutate(cfg)
+			runs := [2]int{}
+			selected := []stage.Stage{
+				semanticContractRunStub{name: names[0], provider: providers[0], runs: &runs[0]},
+				semanticContractRunStub{name: names[1], provider: providers[1], runs: &runs[1]},
+			}
+			if _, err := executeStages(context.Background(), cfg, selected, RunOptions{}); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if runs != test.wantRuns {
+				t.Fatalf("runs = %v, want %v", runs, test.wantRuns)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func configureDeliverySemanticConfig(cfg *config.Config) {
+	enabled := true
+	disabled := false
+	cfg.Pipeline.Notarius = &config.NotariusConfig{
+		Enabled: true, PipelineID: "session",
+		References: map[string]string{"party": "narratio.input.party"},
+		Outputs: map[string]config.NotariusOutputConfig{
+			"encounters": {LaneID: "encounters", MediaType: "application/json", SchemaID: "encounters", SchemaVersion: "1"},
+		},
+	}
+	cfg.Pipeline.Publish = &config.PublishConfig{
+		Enabled: &disabled, UploadRun: &enabled,
+		Outputs: []config.PublishOutputRule{{
+			Source: "narratio.transcript.final_trimmed", Dest: "transcripts/final.trimmed.json", Required: &enabled,
+		}},
+	}
+	cfg.Pipeline.Storage = config.StorageConfig{
+		Backend: config.StorageBackendLocal,
+		S3: &config.StorageS3Config{
+			Bucket: "campaign", RootPrefix: "narratio", Region: "us-east-1",
+			Endpoint: "https://objects.example", AccessKeyIDEnv: "ACCESS_KEY", SecretKeyEnv: "SECRET_KEY",
+		},
+	}
+	cfg.Pipeline.Notification.Mode = config.DefaultNotificationMode
+}
+
+func canonicalSemanticProvider(t *testing.T, name string) stage.SemanticConfigFingerprinter {
+	t.Helper()
+	for _, candidate := range stage.All() {
+		if candidate.Name() != name {
+			continue
+		}
+		provider, ok := candidate.(stage.SemanticConfigFingerprinter)
+		if !ok {
+			t.Fatalf("canonical stage %q does not implement semantic fingerprinting", name)
+		}
+		return provider
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("canonical stage %q not found", name)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func semanticFingerprint(version int, seed string) manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint {
+	digest := sha256.Sum256([]byte(seed))
+	return manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint{Version: version, Digest: hex.EncodeToString(digest[:])}
+}
+
+func fingerprintPointer(value manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint) *manifest.SemanticConfigFingerprint {
+	return &value
+}

internal/artifacts/effective_set.go

@@ -13,9 +13,17 @@ import (
 // analyze invocation will execute.
 type EffectiveArtifactSet struct {
 	keys     []string
+	origins  map[string]EffectiveArtifactOrigin
 	resolved bool
 }
 
+// EffectiveArtifactOrigin identifies a concrete artifact produced by a
+// resolved family declaration.
+type EffectiveArtifactOrigin struct {
+	Family      string
+	CharacterID string
+}
+
 // ResolveEffectiveArtifactSet applies an explicit artifact selection when one
 // is supplied; otherwise it selects the configured enabled artifacts.
 func ResolveEffectiveArtifactSet(
@@ -88,6 +96,27 @@ func (s EffectiveArtifactSet) Resolved() bool {
 	return s.resolved
 }
 
+// WithOrigins attaches optional resolution provenance without changing the
+// selected concrete keys or lookup semantics.
+func (s EffectiveArtifactSet) WithOrigins(origins map[string]EffectiveArtifactOrigin) EffectiveArtifactSet {
+	if len(origins) == 0 {
+		return s
+	}
+	s.origins = make(map[string]EffectiveArtifactOrigin, len(origins))
+	for key, origin := range origins {
+		if s.Includes(key) {
+			s.origins[key] = origin
+		}
+	}
+	return s
+}
+
+// Origin reports optional family provenance for a concrete artifact key.
+func (s EffectiveArtifactSet) Origin(key string) (EffectiveArtifactOrigin, bool) {
+	origin, ok := s.origins[strings.TrimSpace(key)]
+	return origin, ok
+}
+
 func newEffectiveArtifactSet(set map[string]struct{}) EffectiveArtifactSet {
 	keys := make([]string, 0, len(set))
 	for key := range set {

internal/config/artifact_families.go

@@ -0,0 +1,475 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/artifactpolicy"
+)
+
+const (
+	partyCharactersFamilySource = "party.characters"
+	characterIDToken            = "{character_id}"
+	memberArtifactSourcePrefix  = "narratio.member_artifact."
+)
+
+var memberVariableSelectors = map[string]func(PartyCharacter) string{
+	"character_id":            func(character PartyCharacter) string { return character.ID },
+	"player.name":             func(character PartyCharacter) string { return character.Player.Name },
+	"character.name":          func(character PartyCharacter) string { return character.Character.Name },
+	"character.class_summary": func(character PartyCharacter) string { return character.ClassSummary() },
+	"character.alias_summary": func(character PartyCharacter) string { return character.AliasSummary() },
+}
+
+func retainArtifactFamilyDeclarations(cfg *PipelineConfig) {
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.Scriptorium == nil || cfg.resolution == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	cfg.resolution.artifactFamilies = cloneArtifactFamilyDefinitions(cfg.Scriptorium.ArtifactFamilies)
+}
+
+func expandPipelineArtifactFamilies(cfg *PipelineConfig, party ResolvedParty) error {
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.Scriptorium == nil || cfg.resolution == nil || cfg.resolution.artifactFamiliesExpanded {
+		return nil
+	}
+	families := cfg.resolution.artifactFamilies
+	if len(families) == 0 {
+		families = cloneArtifactFamilyDefinitions(cfg.Scriptorium.ArtifactFamilies)
+	}
+	if len(families) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if party.Mode != PartyModeCanonical || party.Canonical == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("pipeline.scriptorium.artifact_families requires a canonical campaign party")
+	}
+
+	expanded := cloneArtifactDefinitions(cfg.Scriptorium.Artifacts)
+	if err := rejectConcreteMemberArtifactSources(expanded); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	familyKeys := sortedFamilyKeys(families)
+	for _, familyKey := range familyKeys {
+		if !artifactpolicy.IsConfiguredKey(familyKey) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("pipeline.scriptorium.artifact_families keys must match ^[a-z][a-z0-9_]*$")
+		}
+		if _, exists := expanded[familyKey]; exists {
+			return fmt.Errorf("pipeline.scriptorium.artifact_families.%s collides with configured artifact key %q", familyKey, familyKey)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := validateFamilyMemberDependencies(families, familyKeys); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	characters := append([]PartyCharacter(nil), party.Canonical.Characters...)
+	sort.Slice(characters, func(left, right int) bool { return characters[left].ID < characters[right].ID })
+	catalog := ArtifactFamilyCatalog{Families: make(map[string]ArtifactFamilyOrigin, len(familyKeys)), Members: map[string]ArtifactFamilyMemberOrigin{}}
+	outputOwners := make(map[string]string, len(expanded))
+	for key, artifact := range expanded {
+		if output := strings.TrimSpace(artifact.OutputPath); output != "" {
+			outputOwners[output] = key
+		}
+	}
+	for _, familyKey := range familyKeys {
+		family := families[familyKey]
+		prefix := "pipeline.scriptorium.artifact_families." + familyKey
+		if strings.TrimSpace(family.ForEach) != partyCharactersFamilySource {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s.for_each must be %q", prefix, partyCharactersFamilySource)
+		}
+		if err := validateFamilyOutputPattern(prefix+".output_path_pattern", family.OutputPathPattern); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		familyOrigin := ArtifactFamilyOrigin{
+			Members:            make([]string, 0, len(characters)),
+			MemberDependencies: append([]string(nil), family.MemberDependencies...),
+			Publish:            cloneArtifactFamilyPublish(family.Publish),
+			Source:             artifactFamilySource(cfg, familyKey),
+		}
+		for _, character := range characters {
+			key := familyKey + "_" + character.ID
+			if !artifactpolicy.IsConfiguredKey(key) {
+				return fmt.Errorf("%s generates invalid artifact key %q", prefix, key)
+			}
+			if _, exists := expanded[key]; exists {
+				return fmt.Errorf("%s generates artifact key %q that collides with another artifact", prefix, key)
+			}
+			outputPath := strings.ReplaceAll(family.OutputPathPattern, characterIDToken, character.ID)
+			if prior, exists := outputOwners[outputPath]; exists {
+				return fmt.Errorf("%s.output_path_pattern generates output path %q already used by artifact %q", prefix, outputPath, prior)
+			}
+			vars, err := resolveFamilyVars(prefix, family, character)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			dependencies, err := expandedFamilyDependencies(prefix, family, character.ID)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			inputs, err := expandFamilyInputs(prefix, family, character.ID)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			expanded[key] = ScriptoriumArtifactConfig{
+				Enabled: family.Enabled, DependsOn: dependencies, RenderDebug: family.RenderDebug,
+				PromptID: family.PromptID, ProfileID: family.ProfileID, OutputPath: outputPath, Timeout: family.Timeout,
+				Inputs: inputs, Vars: vars,
+			}
+			outputOwners[outputPath] = key
+			familyOrigin.Members = append(familyOrigin.Members, key)
+			catalog.Members[key] = ArtifactFamilyMemberOrigin{Family: familyKey, CharacterID: character.ID, Source: familyOrigin.Source, Dependencies: append([]string(nil), dependencies...), Inputs: inputSourceMap(inputs)}
+		}
+		catalog.Families[familyKey] = familyOrigin
+	}
+	cfg.Scriptorium.Artifacts = expanded
+	if err := expandFamilyPublishRules(cfg, catalog); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	cfg.Scriptorium.ArtifactFamilies = nil
+	cfg.familyCatalog = catalog
+	cfg.resolution.artifactFamiliesExpanded = true
+	if err := rejectConcreteMemberArtifactSources(expanded); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := validateScriptorium(cfg.Scriptorium, cfg.Notarius); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := validatePublish(cfg.Publish, cfg.Scriptorium, cfg.Notarius); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := recomputePipelineEffectiveDigest(cfg); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("refresh expanded pipeline digest: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func expandFamilyPublishRules(cfg *PipelineConfig, catalog ArtifactFamilyCatalog) error {
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.Scriptorium == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if cfg.Publish == nil {
+		for familyKey, family := range catalog.Families {
+			if family.Publish != nil && family.Publish.Enabled {
+				return fmt.Errorf("pipeline.scriptorium.artifact_families.%s.publish requires pipeline.publish", familyKey)
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	generated := make([]PublishOutputRule, 0)
+	explicitSources := make(map[string]struct{}, len(cfg.Publish.Outputs))
+	for _, rule := range cfg.Publish.Outputs {
+		explicitSources[strings.TrimSpace(rule.Source)] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	for familyKey, family := range catalog.Families {
+		if family.Publish == nil || !family.Publish.Enabled {
+			continue
+		}
+		if cfg.resolution == nil || !cfg.resolution.publishDeclared {
+			return fmt.Errorf("pipeline.scriptorium.artifact_families.%s.publish requires pipeline.publish", familyKey)
+		}
+		pattern := strings.TrimSpace(family.Publish.DestPattern)
+		if pattern != "" {
+			if err := validateFamilyOutputPattern("pipeline.scriptorium.artifact_families."+familyKey+".publish.dest_pattern", pattern); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+		for _, key := range family.Members {
+			if _, conflict := explicitSources[artifactpolicy.ConfiguredSourceID(key)]; conflict {
+				return fmt.Errorf("pipeline.scriptorium.artifact_families.%s.publish conflicts with explicit publish source %q", familyKey, artifactpolicy.ConfiguredSourceID(key))
+			}
+			origin := catalog.Members[key]
+			dest := cfg.Scriptorium.Artifacts[key].OutputPath
+			if pattern != "" {
+				dest = strings.ReplaceAll(pattern, characterIDToken, origin.CharacterID)
+			}
+			required := family.Publish.Required
+			generated = append(generated, PublishOutputRule{Source: artifactpolicy.ConfiguredSourceID(key), Dest: dest, Required: &required})
+		}
+	}
+	if len(generated) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	cfg.Publish.Outputs = append(cfg.Publish.Outputs, generated...)
+	sort.Slice(cfg.Publish.Outputs, func(i, j int) bool {
+		if cfg.Publish.Outputs[i].Dest == cfg.Publish.Outputs[j].Dest {
+			return cfg.Publish.Outputs[i].Source < cfg.Publish.Outputs[j].Source
+		}
+		return cfg.Publish.Outputs[i].Dest < cfg.Publish.Outputs[j].Dest
+	})
+	return nil
+}
+
+func validateFamilyMemberDependencies(families map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyConfig, familyKeys []string) error {
+	for _, familyKey := range familyKeys {
+		family := families[familyKey]
+		seen := make(map[string]struct{}, len(family.MemberDependencies))
+		for index, raw := range family.MemberDependencies {
+			dependency := strings.TrimSpace(raw)
+			prefix := fmt.Sprintf("pipeline.scriptorium.artifact_families.%s.member_dependencies[%d]", familyKey, index)
+			if !artifactpolicy.IsConfiguredKey(dependency) {
+				return fmt.Errorf("%s must be a valid family key", prefix)
+			}
+			if dependency == familyKey {
+				return fmt.Errorf("%s must not reference its own family", prefix)
+			}
+			if _, duplicate := seen[dependency]; duplicate {
+				return fmt.Errorf("%s duplicates family %q", prefix, dependency)
+			}
+			seen[dependency] = struct{}{}
+			dependencyFamily, exists := families[dependency]
+			if !exists {
+				return fmt.Errorf("%s references unknown family %q", prefix, dependency)
+			}
+			if strings.TrimSpace(dependencyFamily.ForEach) != partyCharactersFamilySource {
+				return fmt.Errorf("%s family %q must use %q", prefix, dependency, partyCharactersFamilySource)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func expandedFamilyDependencies(prefix string, family ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyConfig, characterID string) ([]string, error) {
+	dependencies := append([]string(nil), family.DependsOn...)
+	memberDependencies := append([]string(nil), family.MemberDependencies...)
+	sort.Strings(memberDependencies)
+	for _, familyKey := range memberDependencies {
+		dependencies = append(dependencies, familyKey+"_"+characterID)
+	}
+	return normalizedFamilyDependencies(prefix, dependencies), nil
+}
+
+func normalizedFamilyDependencies(_ string, dependencies []string) []string {
+	seen := make(map[string]struct{}, len(dependencies))
+	normalized := make([]string, 0, len(dependencies))
+	for _, dependency := range dependencies {
+		dependency = strings.TrimSpace(dependency)
+		if _, exists := seen[dependency]; exists {
+			continue
+		}
+		seen[dependency] = struct{}{}
+		normalized = append(normalized, dependency)
+	}
+	return normalized
+}
+
+func expandFamilyInputs(prefix string, family ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyConfig, characterID string) (map[string]ScriptoriumInputConfig, error) {
+	inputs := cloneArtifactInputs(family.Inputs)
+	for name, input := range inputs {
+		familyKey, matched, err := parseMemberArtifactSource(input.Source)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s.inputs.%s.source: %w", prefix, name, err)
+		}
+		if !matched {
+			continue
+		}
+		if !familyDependencyContains(family.MemberDependencies, familyKey) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s.inputs.%s.source %q requires member_dependencies entry %q", prefix, name, input.Source, familyKey)
+		}
+		input.Source = artifactpolicy.ConfiguredSourceID(familyKey + "_" + characterID)
+		inputs[name] = input
+	}
+	return inputs, nil
+}
+
+func parseMemberArtifactSource(source string) (string, bool, error) {
+	trimmed := strings.TrimSpace(source)
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(trimmed, "narratio.member_artifact") {
+		return "", false, nil
+	}
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(trimmed, memberArtifactSourcePrefix) {
+		return "", true, fmt.Errorf("malformed member artifact source %q", source)
+	}
+	family := strings.TrimPrefix(trimmed, memberArtifactSourcePrefix)
+	if !artifactpolicy.IsConfiguredKey(family) {
+		return "", true, fmt.Errorf("malformed member artifact source %q", source)
+	}
+	return family, true, nil
+}
+
+func rejectConcreteMemberArtifactSources(artifacts map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactConfig) error {
+	for artifactKey, artifact := range artifacts {
+		for inputName, input := range artifact.Inputs {
+			if _, matched, err := parseMemberArtifactSource(input.Source); matched {
+				if err != nil {
+					return fmt.Errorf("pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts.%s.inputs.%s.source: %w", artifactKey, inputName, err)
+				}
+				return fmt.Errorf("pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts.%s.inputs.%s.source uses member artifact syntax outside an artifact family", artifactKey, inputName)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func familyDependencyContains(values []string, want string) bool {
+	for _, value := range values {
+		if strings.TrimSpace(value) == want {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func inputSourceMap(inputs map[string]ScriptoriumInputConfig) map[string]string {
+	if len(inputs) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]string, len(inputs))
+	for name, input := range inputs {
+		out[name] = input.Source
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func validateFamilyOutputPattern(field, pattern string) error {
+	if strings.Count(pattern, characterIDToken) != 1 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s must contain exactly one %s token", field, characterIDToken)
+	}
+	remainder := strings.ReplaceAll(pattern, characterIDToken, "")
+	if strings.ContainsAny(remainder, "{}") {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s contains unsupported brace syntax", field)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func resolveFamilyVars(prefix string, family ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyConfig, character PartyCharacter) (map[string]any, error) {
+	vars := make(map[string]any, len(family.Vars)+len(family.MemberVars))
+	for name, value := range family.Vars {
+		vars[name] = value
+	}
+	for name, selector := range family.MemberVars {
+		if strings.TrimSpace(name) == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s.member_vars keys must be non-empty", prefix)
+		}
+		if _, exists := vars[name]; exists {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s.member_vars.%s conflicts with static vars", prefix, name)
+		}
+		resolve, ok := memberVariableSelectors[strings.TrimSpace(selector)]
+		if !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s.member_vars.%s selector %q is unsupported", prefix, name, selector)
+		}
+		vars[name] = resolve(character)
+	}
+	return vars, nil
+}
+
+func sortedFamilyKeys(families map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyConfig) []string {
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(families))
+	for key := range families {
+		keys = append(keys, key)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	return keys
+}
+
+func artifactFamilySource(cfg *PipelineConfig, family string) string {
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.resolution == nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	prefix := "scriptorium.artifact_families." + family + "."
+	var fallback string
+	for _, ownership := range cfg.resolution.ownership {
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(ownership.path, prefix) || len(ownership.sources) == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, source := range ownership.sources {
+			if source != pipelineDefaultOwnershipSource {
+				return source
+			}
+			if fallback == "" {
+				fallback = source
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if fallback != "" {
+		return fallback
+	}
+	return pipelineDefaultOwnershipSource
+}
+
+func cloneArtifactDefinitions(in map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactConfig) map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactConfig {
+	if len(in) == 0 {
+		return map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactConfig{}
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactConfig, len(in))
+	for key, artifact := range in {
+		artifact.DependsOn = append([]string(nil), artifact.DependsOn...)
+		artifact.Inputs = cloneArtifactInputs(artifact.Inputs)
+		artifact.Vars = cloneArtifactVars(artifact.Vars)
+		out[key] = artifact
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func cloneArtifactInputs(in map[string]ScriptoriumInputConfig) map[string]ScriptoriumInputConfig {
+	if len(in) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]ScriptoriumInputConfig, len(in))
+	for key, input := range in {
+		out[key] = input
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func cloneArtifactVars(in map[string]any) map[string]any {
+	if len(in) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]any, len(in))
+	for key, value := range in {
+		out[key] = value
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func cloneArtifactFamilyDefinitions(in map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyConfig) map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyConfig {
+	if len(in) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyConfig, len(in))
+	for key, family := range in {
+		family.DependsOn = append([]string(nil), family.DependsOn...)
+		family.MemberDependencies = append([]string(nil), family.MemberDependencies...)
+		family.Inputs = cloneArtifactInputs(family.Inputs)
+		family.Vars = cloneArtifactVars(family.Vars)
+		if len(family.MemberVars) > 0 {
+			memberVars := make(map[string]string, len(family.MemberVars))
+			for name, selector := range family.MemberVars {
+				memberVars[name] = selector
+			}
+			family.MemberVars = memberVars
+		}
+		family.Publish = cloneArtifactFamilyPublish(family.Publish)
+		out[key] = family
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func cloneArtifactFamilyPublish(in *ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyPublishConfig) *ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyPublishConfig {
+	if in == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	copy := *in
+	return &copy
+}
+
+func cloneArtifactFamilyCatalog(in ArtifactFamilyCatalog) ArtifactFamilyCatalog {
+	out := ArtifactFamilyCatalog{Families: make(map[string]ArtifactFamilyOrigin, len(in.Families)), Members: make(map[string]ArtifactFamilyMemberOrigin, len(in.Members))}
+	for key, family := range in.Families {
+		family.Members = append([]string(nil), family.Members...)
+		family.MemberDependencies = append([]string(nil), family.MemberDependencies...)
+		family.Publish = cloneArtifactFamilyPublish(family.Publish)
+		out.Families[key] = family
+	}
+	for key, member := range in.Members {
+		member.Dependencies = append([]string(nil), member.Dependencies...)
+		if len(member.Inputs) > 0 {
+			inputs := make(map[string]string, len(member.Inputs))
+			for name, source := range member.Inputs {
+				inputs[name] = source
+			}
+			member.Inputs = inputs
+		}
+		out.Members[key] = member
+	}
+	return out
+}

internal/config/artifact_families_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,368 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"path/filepath"
+	"reflect"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestArtifactFamiliesExpandCanonicalCharactersDeterministically(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	writePartyResolutionFile(t, dir+"/party.yml", `schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  zeta:
+    player: {name: Zara}
+    character:
+      name: Zeta
+      alias: [Z]
+      classes: [{name: wizard, level: 8}, {name: fighter}]
+  alpha:
+    player: {name: Ada}
+    character:
+      name: Alpha
+      alias: [A, The First]
+      classes: [{name: ranger}]
+`)
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writeArtifactFamilyConfig(t, dir, artifactFamilyPipelineYAML(`
+  character_items:
+    enabled: false
+    for_each: party.characters
+    prompt_id: dnd.character_items
+    profile_id: production
+    output_path_pattern: artifacts/characters/{character_id}/items.md
+    inputs:
+      transcript: {source: narratio.transcript.final_trimmed, required: true}
+    member_vars:
+      id: character_id
+      player: player.name
+      name: character.name
+      classes: character.class_summary
+      aliases: character.alias_summary
+    vars:
+      static_flag: true
+  character_meta:
+    enabled: true
+    for_each: party.characters
+    prompt_id: dnd.character_meta
+    profile_id: production
+    output_path_pattern: artifacts/characters/{character_id}/meta.md
+    inputs:
+      transcript: {source: narratio.transcript.final_trimmed, required: true}
+`))
+
+	cfg, err := LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadWithSessionOptions() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := Validate(cfg); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.ArtifactFamilies) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("adapter-facing artifact families = %#v, want none", cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.ArtifactFamilies)
+	}
+	keys := sortedArtifactKeys(cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.Artifacts)
+	wantKeys := []string{"character_items_alpha", "character_items_zeta", "character_meta_alpha", "character_meta_zeta"}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(keys, wantKeys) {
+		t.Fatalf("artifact keys = %#v, want %#v", keys, wantKeys)
+	}
+	alpha := cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.Artifacts["character_items_alpha"]
+	if alpha.Enabled || alpha.OutputPath != "artifacts/characters/alpha/items.md" {
+		t.Fatalf("alpha artifact = %#v", alpha)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(alpha.Vars, map[string]any{
+		"static_flag": true, "id": "alpha", "player": "Ada", "name": "Alpha", "classes": "ranger", "aliases": "A, The First",
+	}) {
+		t.Fatalf("alpha vars = %#v", alpha.Vars)
+	}
+	zeta := cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.Artifacts["character_items_zeta"]
+	if got := zeta.Vars["classes"]; got != "wizard 8 / fighter" {
+		t.Fatalf("zeta class summary = %#v", got)
+	}
+	catalog := ArtifactFamilies(cfg.Pipeline)
+	if got, want := catalog.Families["character_meta"].Source, absolutePath(t, pipelinePath); got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("family source = %q, want %q", got, want)
+	}
+	if got := catalog.Families["character_meta"].Members; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, []string{"character_meta_alpha", "character_meta_zeta"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("meta members = %#v", got)
+	}
+	if got := catalog.Members["character_items_zeta"]; got.Family != "character_items" || got.CharacterID != "zeta" || got.Source == "" {
+		t.Fatalf("zeta origin = %#v", got)
+	}
+
+	firstDigest := EffectivePipelineDigest(cfg.Pipeline)
+	writePartyResolutionFile(t, dir+"/party.yml", `schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  alpha:
+    player: {name: Ada}
+    character:
+      name: Alpha
+      alias: [A, The First]
+      classes: [{name: ranger}]
+  zeta:
+    player: {name: Zara}
+    character:
+      name: Zeta
+      alias: [Z]
+      classes: [{name: wizard, level: 8}, {name: fighter}]
+`)
+	again, err := LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("reordered LoadWithSessionOptions() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.Artifacts, again.Pipeline.Scriptorium.Artifacts) || !reflect.DeepEqual(ArtifactFamilies(cfg.Pipeline), ArtifactFamilies(again.Pipeline)) || firstDigest != EffectivePipelineDigest(again.Pipeline) {
+		t.Fatalf("reordered source maps changed expansion")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestArtifactFamiliesRejectInvalidExpansionDeclarations(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name      string
+		party     string
+		families  string
+		wantError string
+	}{
+		{name: "legacy party", party: "legacy: party\n", families: validFamilyYAML, wantError: "requires a canonical campaign party"},
+		{name: "invalid iteration", party: canonicalPartyFixture, families: strings.Replace(validFamilyYAML, "party.characters", "party.players", 1), wantError: ".for_each must be"},
+		{name: "invalid token", party: canonicalPartyFixture, families: strings.Replace(validFamilyYAML, "{character_id}", "{character_name}", 1), wantError: "must contain exactly one"},
+		{name: "repeated token", party: canonicalPartyFixture, families: strings.Replace(validFamilyYAML, "meta.md", "{character_id}.md", 1), wantError: "must contain exactly one"},
+		{name: "member selector", party: canonicalPartyFixture, families: strings.Replace(validFamilyYAML, "character.name", "character.unknown", 1), wantError: "selector"},
+		{name: "static variable collision", party: canonicalPartyFixture, families: strings.Replace(validFamilyYAML, "member_vars:\n      character_name", "vars:\n      character_name: static\n    member_vars:\n      character_name", 1), wantError: "conflicts with static vars"},
+		{name: "unsafe output", party: canonicalPartyFixture, families: strings.Replace(validFamilyYAML, "artifacts/characters/{character_id}/meta.md", "../{character_id}.md", 1), wantError: "must not contain path traversal"},
+	}
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			dir := t.TempDir()
+			writePartyResolutionFile(t, dir+"/party.yml", test.party)
+			pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writeArtifactFamilyConfig(t, dir, artifactFamilyPipelineYAML(test.families))
+			_, err := LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), test.wantError) {
+				t.Fatalf("LoadWithSessionOptions() error = %v, want %q", err, test.wantError)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestArtifactFamilyStrictDecodeRejectsUnknownFields(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	pipelinePath, _, _ := writeArtifactFamilyConfig(t, dir, artifactFamilyPipelineYAML(validFamilyYAML+"    unsupported: true\n"))
+	_, err := LoadPipeline(pipelinePath)
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "field unsupported not found") {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadPipeline() error = %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestArtifactFamiliesRejectGeneratedKeyAndOutputCollisions(t *testing.T) {
+	document, err := ParseParty([]byte(canonicalPartyFixture))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	base := ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyConfig{
+		ForEach: partyCharactersFamilySource, PromptID: "dnd.character_meta",
+		OutputPathPattern: "artifacts/characters/{character_id}/meta.md",
+	}
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name      string
+		artifacts map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactConfig
+		wantError string
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "generated key", artifacts: map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactConfig{
+				"character_meta_arannis": {OutputPath: "artifacts/other.md"},
+			}, wantError: "generates artifact key",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "generated output", artifacts: map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactConfig{
+				"existing": {OutputPath: "artifacts/characters/arannis/meta.md"},
+			}, wantError: "generates output path",
+		},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			pipeline := &PipelineConfig{
+				Scriptorium: &ScriptoriumConfig{Artifacts: test.artifacts},
+				resolution:  &pipelineResolutionMetadata{artifactFamilies: map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyConfig{"character_meta": base}},
+			}
+			err := expandPipelineArtifactFamilies(pipeline, ResolvedParty{Mode: PartyModeCanonical, Canonical: document.Canonical})
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), test.wantError) {
+				t.Fatalf("expandPipelineArtifactFamilies() error = %v, want %q", err, test.wantError)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestArtifactFamiliesExpandSameMemberDependenciesAndInputs(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	writePartyResolutionFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "party.yml"), `schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  arannis:
+    player: {name: Eric}
+    character: {name: Arannis, classes: [{name: wizard}]}
+  bryn:
+    player: {name: Bri}
+    character: {name: Bryn, classes: [{name: fighter}]}
+`)
+	families := `
+  character_meta:
+    enabled: true
+    for_each: party.characters
+    prompt_id: dnd.character_meta
+    output_path_pattern: artifacts/characters/{character_id}/meta.md
+  character_items:
+    enabled: true
+    for_each: party.characters
+    prompt_id: dnd.character_items
+    output_path_pattern: artifacts/characters/{character_id}/items.md
+    depends_on: [session_recap]
+    member_dependencies: [character_meta]
+    inputs:
+      transcript: {source: narratio.transcript.final_trimmed, required: true}
+      prior_meta: {source: narratio.member_artifact.character_meta, required: true}
+`
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writeArtifactFamilyConfig(t, dir, strings.Replace(artifactFamilyPipelineYAML(families), "  artifact_families:", "  artifacts:\n    session_recap:\n      enabled: false\n      output_path: artifacts/session_recap.md\n  artifact_families:", 1))
+	cfg, err := LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	items := cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.Artifacts["character_items_arannis"]
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(items.DependsOn, []string{"session_recap", "character_meta_arannis"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("member dependencies = %#v", items.DependsOn)
+	}
+	if got := items.Inputs["prior_meta"].Source; got != "narratio.artifact.character_meta_arannis" {
+		t.Fatalf("rewritten member source = %q", got)
+	}
+	catalog := ArtifactFamilies(cfg.Pipeline)
+	if got := catalog.Members["character_items_arannis"]; !reflect.DeepEqual(got.Dependencies, items.DependsOn) || got.Inputs["prior_meta"] != "narratio.artifact.character_meta_arannis" {
+		t.Fatalf("member provenance = %#v", got)
+	}
+	for key, artifact := range cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.Artifacts {
+		for name, input := range artifact.Inputs {
+			if strings.Contains(input.Source, "narratio.member_artifact.") {
+				t.Fatalf("unresolved source at %s.%s = %q", key, name, input.Source)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestArtifactFamiliesRejectInvalidMemberDependenciesAndSources(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, test := range []struct{ name, families, want string }{
+		{name: "missing family", families: strings.Replace(validFamilyYAML, "member_vars:", "member_dependencies: [missing]\n    member_vars:", 1), want: "unknown family"},
+		{name: "self dependency", families: strings.Replace(validFamilyYAML, "member_vars:", "member_dependencies: [character_meta]\n    member_vars:", 1), want: "must not reference its own family"},
+		{name: "duplicate dependency", families: strings.Replace(validFamilyYAML, "member_vars:", "member_dependencies: [other, other]\n    member_vars:", 1) + `
+  other:
+    for_each: party.characters
+    output_path_pattern: artifacts/characters/{character_id}/other.md
+`, want: "duplicates family"},
+		{name: "undeclared source dependency", families: strings.Replace(validFamilyYAML, "member_vars:", "inputs:\n      prior: {source: narratio.member_artifact.other, required: true}\n    member_vars:", 1) + `
+  other:
+    for_each: party.characters
+    output_path_pattern: artifacts/characters/{character_id}/other.md
+`, want: "requires member_dependencies"},
+		{name: "transitive cycle", families: strings.Replace(validFamilyYAML, "member_vars:", "member_dependencies: [other]\n    member_vars:", 1) + `
+  other:
+    for_each: party.characters
+    output_path_pattern: artifacts/characters/{character_id}/other.md
+    member_dependencies: [character_meta]
+`, want: "dependencies must not contain cycles"},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			dir := t.TempDir()
+			writePartyResolutionFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "party.yml"), canonicalPartyFixture)
+			pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writeArtifactFamilyConfig(t, dir, artifactFamilyPipelineYAML(test.families))
+			_, err := LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), test.want) {
+				t.Fatalf("error = %v, want %q", err, test.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+
+	pipeline := &PipelineConfig{
+		Scriptorium: &ScriptoriumConfig{Artifacts: map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactConfig{
+			"explicit": {Inputs: map[string]ScriptoriumInputConfig{
+				"bad": {Source: "narratio.member_artifact.character_meta"},
+			}},
+		}},
+		resolution: &pipelineResolutionMetadata{artifactFamilies: map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyConfig{
+			"character_meta": {ForEach: partyCharactersFamilySource, OutputPathPattern: "artifacts/{character_id}.md"},
+		}},
+	}
+	document, err := ParseParty([]byte(canonicalPartyFixture))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := expandPipelineArtifactFamilies(pipeline, ResolvedParty{Mode: PartyModeCanonical, Canonical: document.Canonical}); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "outside an artifact family") {
+		t.Fatalf("concrete member source error = %v", err)
+	}
+	pipeline.Scriptorium.Artifacts["explicit"] = ScriptoriumArtifactConfig{Inputs: map[string]ScriptoriumInputConfig{"bad": {Source: "narratio.member_artifact."}}}
+	pipeline.resolution.artifactFamiliesExpanded = false
+	if err := expandPipelineArtifactFamilies(pipeline, ResolvedParty{Mode: PartyModeCanonical, Canonical: document.Canonical}); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "malformed member artifact source") {
+		t.Fatalf("malformed concrete member source error = %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestFamilyPublishRulesExpandToConcreteArtifacts(t *testing.T) {
+	required := true
+	cfg := &PipelineConfig{
+		Scriptorium: &ScriptoriumConfig{Artifacts: map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactConfig{
+			"character_meta_alpha": {OutputPath: "artifacts/characters/alpha/meta.md"},
+			"character_meta_zeta":  {OutputPath: "artifacts/characters/zeta/meta.md"},
+		}},
+		Publish:    &PublishConfig{},
+		resolution: &pipelineResolutionMetadata{publishDeclared: true},
+	}
+	catalog := ArtifactFamilyCatalog{Families: map[string]ArtifactFamilyOrigin{
+		"character_meta": {Members: []string{"character_meta_alpha", "character_meta_zeta"}, Publish: &ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyPublishConfig{Enabled: true, Required: required, DestPattern: "published/{character_id}.md"}},
+	}, Members: map[string]ArtifactFamilyMemberOrigin{
+		"character_meta_alpha": {CharacterID: "alpha"}, "character_meta_zeta": {CharacterID: "zeta"},
+	}}
+	if err := expandFamilyPublishRules(cfg, catalog); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got := cfg.Publish.Outputs; len(got) != 2 || got[0].Source != "narratio.artifact.character_meta_alpha" || got[0].Dest != "published/alpha.md" || got[0].Required == nil || !*got[0].Required {
+		t.Fatalf("generated publish rules = %#v", got)
+	}
+	cfg.Publish.Outputs = nil
+	catalog.Families["character_meta"] = ArtifactFamilyOrigin{Members: []string{"character_meta_alpha"}, Publish: &ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyPublishConfig{Enabled: true}}
+	cfg.resolution.publishDeclared = false
+	if err := expandFamilyPublishRules(cfg, catalog); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "requires pipeline.publish") {
+		t.Fatalf("missing publish error = %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+const validFamilyYAML = `
+  character_meta:
+    enabled: true
+    for_each: party.characters
+    prompt_id: dnd.character_meta
+    profile_id: production
+    output_path_pattern: artifacts/characters/{character_id}/meta.md
+    member_vars:
+      character_name: character.name
+`
+
+func artifactFamilyPipelineYAML(families string) string {
+	lines := strings.Split(strings.TrimPrefix(families, "\n"), "\n")
+	for index, line := range lines {
+		if line != "" {
+			lines[index] = "  " + line
+		}
+	}
+	return "workspace:\n  root: /tmp/narratio-work\nwhisperx:\n  transcribe_url: https://example.test/transcribe\nnotification:\n  mode: noop\nscriptorium:\n  binary: scriptorium\n  artifact_families:\n" + strings.Join(lines, "\n")
+}
+
+func writeArtifactFamilyConfig(t *testing.T, dir, pipeline string) (string, string, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	pipelinePath := writePartyResolutionFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "pipeline.yml"), pipeline)
+	campaignPath := writePartyResolutionFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "campaign.yml"), "campaign_id: campaign\ninputs:\n  speakers_file: speakers.yml\n  autocorrect_file: autocorrect.yml\n  glossary_file: glossary.yml\n  party_file: party.yml\n")
+	sessionPath := writePartyResolutionFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "session.yml"), "session_id: session\ncampaign: campaign\ninputs:\n  audio_dir: audio\n")
+	return pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath
+}
+
+func sortedArtifactKeys(artifacts map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactConfig) []string {
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(artifacts))
+	for key := range artifacts {
+		keys = append(keys, key)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	return keys
+}

internal/config/campaign_config_test.go

@@ -206,21 +206,17 @@ func TestCampaignSessionMergeRejectsWhitespaceSpellCatalog(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestCampaignRequiresPlayersAndPartyInputs(t *testing.T) {
+func TestLegacyCampaignRequiresPlayersInput(t *testing.T) {
 	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writeCampaignConfigTestFiles(t,
-		"campaign_id: sample-campaign\ninputs:\n  speakers_file: ./speakers.yml\n  autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml\n  glossary_file: ./glossary.yml\n",
+		"campaign_id: sample-campaign\ninputs:\n  speakers_file: ./speakers.yml\n  autocorrect_file: ./autocorrect.yml\n  glossary_file: ./glossary.yml\n  party_file: ./party.yml\n",
 		"session_id: 2026-05-03\ninputs:\n  audio_dir: ./audio\n",
 	)
 
-	cfg, err := LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("LoadWithSessionOptions() error = %v", err)
-	}
-	err = Validate(cfg)
+	_, err := LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
 	if err == nil {
-		t.Fatal("expected validation error, got nil")
+		t.Fatal("expected load error, got nil")
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "campaign.inputs.players_file is required") {
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "players_file is required with a legacy party") {
 		t.Fatalf("error = %q, want players_file required", err.Error())
 	}
 }
@@ -274,6 +270,11 @@ func writeCampaignConfigTestFiles(t *testing.T, campaignYAML, sessionYAML string
 	if err := os.WriteFile(sessionPath, []byte(sessionYAML), 0o644); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("write session.yml: %v", err)
 	}
+	for _, name := range []string{"party.yml", "campaign-party.yml", "session-party.yml"} {
+		if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, name), []byte("legacy: party\n"), 0o644); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("write %s: %v", name, err)
+		}
+	}
 
 	return pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath
 }

internal/config/composition.go

@@ -0,0 +1,796 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"sort"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+)
+
+// compositionDocument is the presence-aware representation used while
+// assembling pipeline configuration sources. It deliberately models YAML
+// mechanics rather than duplicating PipelineConfig's field schema.
+type compositionDocument struct {
+	root    *compositionNode
+	sources []string
+}
+
+type compositionNode struct {
+	kind    yaml.Kind
+	tag     string
+	value   string
+	path    string
+	sources []string
+	line    int
+	column  int
+	fields  []compositionField
+	items   []*compositionNode
+}
+
+type compositionField struct {
+	key    string
+	value  *compositionNode
+	order  int
+	line   int
+	column int
+}
+
+// compositionValueRecord is a deterministic semantic leaf projection. Lists
+// are atomic configuration values, while mappings are traversed recursively.
+type compositionValueRecord struct {
+	Path    string
+	Kind    yaml.Kind
+	Value   string
+	Sources []string
+}
+
+// parseCompositionDocument parses exactly one YAML mapping while retaining
+// source ownership, explicit zero values, and declaration order.
+func parseCompositionDocument(source string, reader io.Reader) (*compositionDocument, error) {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(source) == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("configuration source identity is required")
+	}
+	if reader == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("configuration source %q: reader is nil", source)
+	}
+
+	decoder := yaml.NewDecoder(reader)
+	var document yaml.Node
+	if err := decoder.Decode(&document); err != nil {
+		if err == io.EOF {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("configuration source %q: document is empty", source)
+		}
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("configuration source %q: decode YAML: %w", source, err)
+	}
+	var trailing yaml.Node
+	if err := decoder.Decode(&trailing); err == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("configuration source %q: must contain exactly one YAML document", source)
+	} else if err != io.EOF {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("configuration source %q: decode trailing YAML: %w", source, err)
+	}
+	if document.Kind != yaml.DocumentNode || len(document.Content) != 1 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("configuration source %q: must contain exactly one YAML document", source)
+	}
+	if document.Content[0].Kind != yaml.MappingNode {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf(
+			"configuration source %q: top-level document must be a mapping, got %s",
+			source,
+			yamlKindName(document.Content[0].Kind),
+		)
+	}
+
+	root, err := buildCompositionNode(document.Content[0], source, "")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return &compositionDocument{root: root, sources: []string{source}}, nil
+}
+
+func parseCompositionBytes(source string, data []byte) (*compositionDocument, error) {
+	return parseCompositionDocument(source, bytes.NewReader(data))
+}
+
+func buildCompositionNode(node *yaml.Node, source, path string) (*compositionNode, error) {
+	if node == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("configuration source %q at %s: YAML node is nil", source, displayCompositionPath(path))
+	}
+	if node.Kind == yaml.AliasNode {
+		return nil, compositionNodeError(source, path, node, "YAML aliases are not supported because source ownership would be ambiguous")
+	}
+	result := &compositionNode{
+		kind: node.Kind, tag: node.Tag, value: node.Value, path: path,
+		sources: []string{source}, line: node.Line, column: node.Column,
+	}
+
+	switch node.Kind {
+	case yaml.MappingNode:
+		if len(node.Content)%2 != 0 {
+			return nil, compositionNodeError(source, path, node, "mapping has an incomplete key/value pair")
+		}
+		seen := make(map[string]*yaml.Node, len(node.Content)/2)
+		for index := 0; index < len(node.Content); index += 2 {
+			keyNode := node.Content[index]
+			valueNode := node.Content[index+1]
+			if keyNode.Kind == yaml.AliasNode {
+				return nil, compositionNodeError(source, path, keyNode, "YAML aliases are not supported because source ownership would be ambiguous")
+			}
+			if valueNode.Kind == yaml.AliasNode {
+				return nil, compositionNodeError(source, appendCompositionPath(path, keyNode.Value), valueNode, "YAML aliases are not supported because source ownership would be ambiguous")
+			}
+			if keyNode.Kind != yaml.ScalarNode || keyNode.Tag != "!!str" {
+				return nil, compositionNodeError(source, path, keyNode, "mapping keys must be strings")
+			}
+			key := keyNode.Value
+			fieldPath := appendCompositionPath(path, key)
+			if prior, duplicate := seen[key]; duplicate {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf(
+					"configuration source %q at %s: duplicate YAML key %q (first declared at line %d, column %d; repeated at line %d, column %d)",
+					source, displayCompositionPath(fieldPath), key,
+					prior.Line, prior.Column, keyNode.Line, keyNode.Column,
+				)
+			}
+			seen[key] = keyNode
+			child, err := buildCompositionNode(valueNode, source, fieldPath)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			result.fields = append(result.fields, compositionField{
+				key: key, value: child, order: len(result.fields),
+				line: keyNode.Line, column: keyNode.Column,
+			})
+		}
+	case yaml.SequenceNode:
+		for index, childNode := range node.Content {
+			childPath := fmt.Sprintf("%s[%d]", path, index)
+			child, err := buildCompositionNode(childNode, source, childPath)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			result.items = append(result.items, child)
+		}
+	case yaml.ScalarNode:
+		// Scalar tag and lexical value retain distinctions such as explicit
+		// false, zero, an empty string, and null until final strict decoding.
+	default:
+		return nil, compositionNodeError(source, path, node, fmt.Sprintf("unsupported YAML node kind %s", yamlKindName(node.Kind)))
+	}
+	return result, nil
+}
+
+// mergeAdditiveComposition recursively combines disjoint mappings. A scalar,
+// list, or final keyed value may have only one base owner, regardless of
+// whether duplicate values happen to be equal.
+func mergeAdditiveComposition(base, incoming *compositionDocument) (*compositionDocument, error) {
+	return mergeAdditiveCompositions(base, incoming)
+}
+
+// mergeAdditiveCompositions validates the complete base source set before
+// merging so a conflict names every source that claims the same final path.
+func mergeAdditiveCompositions(documents ...*compositionDocument) (*compositionDocument, error) {
+	if len(documents) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("configuration additive base merge requires at least one document")
+	}
+	for index, document := range documents {
+		if err := validateCompositionDocument(document, fmt.Sprintf("base[%d]", index)); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+	if err := validateAdditiveClaims(documents); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	result := &compositionDocument{
+		root:    cloneCompositionNode(documents[0].root),
+		sources: append([]string(nil), documents[0].sources...),
+	}
+	for _, incoming := range documents[1:] {
+		merged, err := mergeAdditiveNodes(result.root, incoming.root)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		result.root = merged
+		result.sources = appendUniqueStrings(result.sources, incoming.sources...)
+	}
+	return result, nil
+}
+
+func validateAdditiveClaims(documents []*compositionDocument) error {
+	claims := make(map[string][]*compositionNode)
+	for _, document := range documents {
+		appendCompositionClaims(document.root, claims)
+	}
+	paths := make([]string, 0, len(claims))
+	for path := range claims {
+		paths = append(paths, path)
+	}
+	sort.Slice(paths, func(i, j int) bool {
+		leftDepth := compositionPathDepth(paths[i])
+		rightDepth := compositionPathDepth(paths[j])
+		if leftDepth != rightDepth {
+			return leftDepth < rightDepth
+		}
+		return paths[i] < paths[j]
+	})
+	for _, path := range paths {
+		values := claims[path]
+		if len(values) < 2 {
+			continue
+		}
+		allPopulatedMappings := true
+		for _, value := range values {
+			if value.kind != yaml.MappingNode || len(value.fields) == 0 {
+				allPopulatedMappings = false
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if !allPopulatedMappings {
+			return newCompositionConflict("additive base merge", path, values...)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func appendCompositionClaims(node *compositionNode, claims map[string][]*compositionNode) {
+	if node == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if node.path != "" {
+		claims[node.path] = append(claims[node.path], node)
+	}
+	for _, field := range node.fields {
+		appendCompositionClaims(field.value, claims)
+	}
+}
+
+func compositionPathDepth(path string) int {
+	if path == "" {
+		return 0
+	}
+	return strings.Count(path, ".") + strings.Count(path, "[") + 1
+}
+
+func mergeAdditiveNodes(base, incoming *compositionNode) (*compositionNode, error) {
+	if base.kind != yaml.MappingNode || incoming.kind != yaml.MappingNode {
+		return nil, newCompositionConflict("additive base merge", base.path, base, incoming)
+	}
+	base.sources = appendUniqueStrings(base.sources, incoming.sources...)
+	for _, incomingField := range incoming.fields {
+		index := compositionFieldIndex(base.fields, incomingField.key)
+		if index < 0 {
+			field := cloneCompositionField(incomingField)
+			field.order = len(base.fields)
+			base.fields = append(base.fields, field)
+			continue
+		}
+		baseValue := base.fields[index].value
+		incomingValue := incomingField.value
+		if baseValue.kind == yaml.MappingNode && incomingValue.kind == yaml.MappingNode {
+			if len(baseValue.fields) == 0 || len(incomingValue.fields) == 0 {
+				return nil, newCompositionConflict("additive base merge", incomingValue.path, baseValue, incomingValue)
+			}
+			merged, err := mergeAdditiveNodes(baseValue, incomingValue)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			base.fields[index].value = merged
+			continue
+		}
+		return nil, newCompositionConflict("additive base merge", incomingValue.path, baseValue, incomingValue)
+	}
+	return base, nil
+}
+
+// mergeOverlayComposition applies the sole overwrite layer. Mappings merge
+// recursively; same-kind scalars and lists replace; null and kind changes are
+// rejected.
+func mergeOverlayComposition(base, overlay *compositionDocument) (*compositionDocument, error) {
+	if err := validateCompositionDocument(base, "base"); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := validateCompositionDocument(overlay, "overlay"); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if null := firstNullCompositionNode(overlay.root); null != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf(
+			"configuration overlay at %s from %s: null cannot delete an effective value",
+			displayCompositionPath(null.path), formatCompositionSources(null.sources),
+		)
+	}
+	merged, err := mergeOverlayNodes(cloneCompositionNode(base.root), overlay.root)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return &compositionDocument{
+		root: merged,
+		sources: appendUniqueStrings(
+			append([]string(nil), base.sources...), overlay.sources...,
+		),
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func mergeOverlayNodes(base, overlay *compositionNode) (*compositionNode, error) {
+	if base.kind != yaml.MappingNode || overlay.kind != yaml.MappingNode {
+		return nil, newCompositionConflict("profile overlay", base.path, base, overlay)
+	}
+	base.sources = appendUniqueStrings(base.sources, overlay.sources...)
+	for _, overlayField := range overlay.fields {
+		index := compositionFieldIndex(base.fields, overlayField.key)
+		if index < 0 {
+			field := cloneCompositionField(overlayField)
+			field.order = len(base.fields)
+			base.fields = append(base.fields, field)
+			continue
+		}
+		baseValue := base.fields[index].value
+		overlayValue := overlayField.value
+		if baseValue.kind != overlayValue.kind {
+			return nil, newCompositionConflict("profile overlay kind change", overlayValue.path, baseValue, overlayValue)
+		}
+		if baseValue.kind == yaml.MappingNode {
+			merged, err := mergeOverlayNodes(baseValue, overlayValue)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			base.fields[index].value = merged
+			continue
+		}
+		base.fields[index].value = cloneCompositionNode(overlayValue)
+	}
+	return base, nil
+}
+
+// canonicalYAML renders the effective mapping with sorted keys and normalized
+// presentation while retaining sequence order and scalar YAML types.
+func (document *compositionDocument) canonicalYAML() ([]byte, error) {
+	if err := validateCompositionDocument(document, "document"); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	root, err := compositionYAMLNode(document.root)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var buffer bytes.Buffer
+	encoder := yaml.NewEncoder(&buffer)
+	encoder.SetIndent(2)
+	if err := encoder.Encode(root); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("render effective configuration YAML: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := encoder.Close(); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("finish effective configuration YAML: %w", err)
+	}
+	return buffer.Bytes(), nil
+}
+
+// canonicalDigestInput provides a deterministic, formatting-independent byte
+// representation for later secret-free effective configuration digesting.
+func (document *compositionDocument) canonicalDigestInput() ([]byte, error) {
+	if err := validateCompositionDocument(document, "document"); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	value, err := canonicalCompositionValue(document.root)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	data, err := json.Marshal(value)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("serialize canonical configuration digest input: %w", err)
+	}
+	return append(data, '\n'), nil
+}
+
+// semanticRecords returns sorted atomic values for future effective diff and
+// source-report projections. A caller receives copies of all source slices.
+func (document *compositionDocument) semanticRecords() ([]compositionValueRecord, error) {
+	if err := validateCompositionDocument(document, "document"); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var records []compositionValueRecord
+	if err := appendCompositionRecords(document.root, &records); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	sort.Slice(records, func(i, j int) bool { return records[i].Path < records[j].Path })
+	return records, nil
+}
+
+// compactSemanticRecords returns the same logical atomic paths as
+// semanticRecords, but represents values as compact JSON-compatible YAML
+// values rather than the typed structural form used for digesting. It is the
+// stable human-facing projection for semantic comparisons.
+func (document *compositionDocument) compactSemanticRecords() ([]compositionValueRecord, error) {
+	if err := validateCompositionDocument(document, "document"); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var records []compositionValueRecord
+	if err := appendCompactCompositionRecords(document.root, &records); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	sort.Slice(records, func(i, j int) bool { return records[i].Path < records[j].Path })
+	return records, nil
+}
+
+func appendCompositionRecords(node *compositionNode, records *[]compositionValueRecord) error {
+	if node.kind == yaml.MappingNode && len(node.fields) > 0 {
+		for _, field := range node.fields {
+			if err := appendCompositionRecords(field.value, records); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	value, err := canonicalCompositionValue(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	encoded, err := json.Marshal(value)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("serialize configuration value at %s: %w", displayCompositionPath(node.path), err)
+	}
+	*records = append(*records, compositionValueRecord{
+		Path: node.path, Kind: node.kind, Value: string(encoded),
+		Sources: append([]string(nil), node.sources...),
+	})
+	return nil
+}
+
+func appendCompactCompositionRecords(node *compositionNode, records *[]compositionValueRecord) error {
+	if node.kind == yaml.MappingNode && len(node.fields) > 0 {
+		for _, field := range node.fields {
+			if err := appendCompactCompositionRecords(field.value, records); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	value, err := compactCompositionValue(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	encoded, err := json.Marshal(value)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("serialize configuration value at %s: %w", displayCompositionPath(node.path), err)
+	}
+	*records = append(*records, compositionValueRecord{
+		Path: node.path, Kind: node.kind, Value: string(encoded),
+		Sources: append([]string(nil), node.sources...),
+	})
+	return nil
+}
+
+func compactCompositionValue(node *compositionNode) (any, error) {
+	switch node.kind {
+	case yaml.MappingNode:
+		values := make(map[string]any, len(node.fields))
+		for _, field := range node.fields {
+			value, err := compactCompositionValue(field.value)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			values[field.key] = value
+		}
+		return values, nil
+	case yaml.SequenceNode:
+		values := make([]any, 0, len(node.items))
+		for _, item := range node.items {
+			value, err := compactCompositionValue(item)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			values = append(values, value)
+		}
+		return values, nil
+	case yaml.ScalarNode:
+		return canonicalScalarValue(node)
+	default:
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("configuration at %s has unsupported YAML kind %s", displayCompositionPath(node.path), yamlKindName(node.kind))
+	}
+}
+
+type canonicalCompositionField struct {
+	Key   string `json:"key"`
+	Value any    `json:"value"`
+}
+
+type canonicalCompositionNode struct {
+	Kind   string                      `json:"kind"`
+	Tag    string                      `json:"tag,omitempty"`
+	Value  any                         `json:"value,omitempty"`
+	Fields []canonicalCompositionField `json:"fields,omitempty"`
+	Items  []any                       `json:"items,omitempty"`
+}
+
+func canonicalCompositionValue(node *compositionNode) (any, error) {
+	switch node.kind {
+	case yaml.MappingNode:
+		fields := append([]compositionField(nil), node.fields...)
+		sort.Slice(fields, func(i, j int) bool { return fields[i].key < fields[j].key })
+		result := canonicalCompositionNode{Kind: "mapping"}
+		if len(fields) == 0 {
+			result.Fields = []canonicalCompositionField{}
+		}
+		for _, field := range fields {
+			value, err := canonicalCompositionValue(field.value)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			result.Fields = append(result.Fields, canonicalCompositionField{Key: field.key, Value: value})
+		}
+		return result, nil
+	case yaml.SequenceNode:
+		result := canonicalCompositionNode{Kind: "sequence", Items: make([]any, 0, len(node.items))}
+		for _, item := range node.items {
+			value, err := canonicalCompositionValue(item)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			result.Items = append(result.Items, value)
+		}
+		return result, nil
+	case yaml.ScalarNode:
+		value, err := canonicalScalarValue(node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return canonicalCompositionNode{Kind: "scalar", Tag: node.tag, Value: value}, nil
+	default:
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("configuration at %s has unsupported YAML kind %s", displayCompositionPath(node.path), yamlKindName(node.kind))
+	}
+}
+
+func canonicalScalarValue(node *compositionNode) (any, error) {
+	raw := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.ScalarNode, Tag: node.tag, Value: node.value}
+	var value any
+	if err := raw.Decode(&value); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("decode scalar at %s: %w", displayCompositionPath(node.path), err)
+	}
+	switch typed := value.(type) {
+	case nil, bool, string, int, int64, uint64, float64:
+		return typed, nil
+	default:
+		// yaml.v3 may decode timestamps or uncommon scalar tags into types that
+		// encoding/json can serialize deterministically. Preserve the resolved
+		// tag alongside the value in the containing canonical node.
+		return typed, nil
+	}
+}
+
+func compositionYAMLNode(node *compositionNode) (*yaml.Node, error) {
+	switch node.kind {
+	case yaml.MappingNode:
+		result := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.MappingNode, Tag: "!!map"}
+		fields := append([]compositionField(nil), node.fields...)
+		sort.Slice(fields, func(i, j int) bool { return fields[i].key < fields[j].key })
+		for _, field := range fields {
+			value, err := compositionYAMLNode(field.value)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			result.Content = append(result.Content,
+				&yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.ScalarNode, Tag: "!!str", Value: field.key},
+				value,
+			)
+		}
+		return result, nil
+	case yaml.SequenceNode:
+		result := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.SequenceNode, Tag: "!!seq"}
+		for _, item := range node.items {
+			value, err := compositionYAMLNode(item)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			result.Content = append(result.Content, value)
+		}
+		return result, nil
+	case yaml.ScalarNode:
+		return normalizedCompositionScalarNode(node)
+	default:
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("configuration at %s has unsupported YAML kind %s", displayCompositionPath(node.path), yamlKindName(node.kind))
+	}
+}
+
+func normalizedCompositionScalarNode(node *compositionNode) (*yaml.Node, error) {
+	raw := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.ScalarNode, Tag: node.tag, Value: node.value}
+	var value any
+	if err := raw.Decode(&value); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("normalize scalar at %s: %w", displayCompositionPath(node.path), err)
+	}
+	normalized := &yaml.Node{}
+	if err := normalized.Encode(value); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("encode normalized scalar at %s: %w", displayCompositionPath(node.path), err)
+	}
+	if normalized.Kind != yaml.ScalarNode {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("normalize scalar at %s produced YAML kind %s", displayCompositionPath(node.path), yamlKindName(normalized.Kind))
+	}
+	return normalized, nil
+}
+
+func validateCompositionDocument(document *compositionDocument, role string) error {
+	if document == nil || document.root == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("configuration composition %s document is nil", role)
+	}
+	if document.root.kind != yaml.MappingNode {
+		return fmt.Errorf("configuration composition %s root must be a mapping", role)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func firstNullCompositionNode(node *compositionNode) *compositionNode {
+	if node == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if node.kind == yaml.ScalarNode && node.tag == "!!null" {
+		return node
+	}
+	for _, field := range node.fields {
+		if found := firstNullCompositionNode(field.value); found != nil {
+			return found
+		}
+	}
+	for _, item := range node.items {
+		if found := firstNullCompositionNode(item); found != nil {
+			return found
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func cloneCompositionNode(node *compositionNode) *compositionNode {
+	if node == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	clone := &compositionNode{
+		kind: node.kind, tag: node.tag, value: node.value, path: node.path,
+		sources: append([]string(nil), node.sources...), line: node.line, column: node.column,
+	}
+	for _, field := range node.fields {
+		clone.fields = append(clone.fields, cloneCompositionField(field))
+	}
+	for _, item := range node.items {
+		clone.items = append(clone.items, cloneCompositionNode(item))
+	}
+	return clone
+}
+
+func cloneCompositionField(field compositionField) compositionField {
+	return compositionField{
+		key: field.key, value: cloneCompositionNode(field.value), order: field.order,
+		line: field.line, column: field.column,
+	}
+}
+
+func compositionFieldIndex(fields []compositionField, key string) int {
+	for index := range fields {
+		if fields[index].key == key {
+			return index
+		}
+	}
+	return -1
+}
+
+func appendCompositionPath(parent, key string) string {
+	if isSimpleCompositionPathSegment(key) {
+		if parent == "" {
+			return key
+		}
+		return parent + "." + key
+	}
+	if parent == "" {
+		return "[" + strconv.Quote(key) + "]"
+	}
+	return parent + "[" + strconv.Quote(key) + "]"
+}
+
+func isSimpleCompositionPathSegment(value string) bool {
+	if value == "" {
+		return false
+	}
+	for index, char := range value {
+		if (char >= 'a' && char <= 'z') || (char >= 'A' && char <= 'Z') || char == '_' || (index > 0 && char >= '0' && char <= '9') || (index > 0 && char == '-') {
+			continue
+		}
+		return false
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
+func displayCompositionPath(path string) string {
+	if path == "" {
+		return "<root>"
+	}
+	return path
+}
+
+func compositionNodeError(source, path string, node *yaml.Node, message string) error {
+	line, column := 0, 0
+	if node != nil {
+		line, column = node.Line, node.Column
+	}
+	return fmt.Errorf(
+		"configuration source %q at %s (line %d, column %d): %s",
+		source, displayCompositionPath(path), line, column, message,
+	)
+}
+
+func newCompositionConflict(operation, path string, values ...*compositionNode) error {
+	var sources []string
+	var kinds []string
+	for _, value := range values {
+		if value == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		sources = appendUniqueStrings(sources, compositionClaimSources(value)...)
+		kind := yamlKindName(value.kind)
+		if !containsString(kinds, kind) {
+			kinds = append(kinds, kind)
+		}
+	}
+	return fmt.Errorf(
+		"configuration %s conflict at %s: claimed by %s (YAML kinds: %s)",
+		operation, displayCompositionPath(path), formatCompositionSources(sources), strings.Join(kinds, ", "),
+	)
+}
+
+func compositionClaimSources(node *compositionNode) []string {
+	if node == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	sources := append([]string(nil), node.sources...)
+	for _, field := range node.fields {
+		sources = appendUniqueStrings(sources, compositionClaimSources(field.value)...)
+	}
+	for _, item := range node.items {
+		sources = appendUniqueStrings(sources, compositionClaimSources(item)...)
+	}
+	return sources
+}
+
+func appendUniqueStrings(values []string, additions ...string) []string {
+	seen := make(map[string]struct{}, len(values)+len(additions))
+	result := make([]string, 0, len(values)+len(additions))
+	for _, value := range append(append([]string(nil), values...), additions...) {
+		if _, exists := seen[value]; exists {
+			continue
+		}
+		seen[value] = struct{}{}
+		result = append(result, value)
+	}
+	return result
+}
+
+func containsString(values []string, target string) bool {
+	for _, value := range values {
+		if value == target {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func formatCompositionSources(sources []string) string {
+	quoted := make([]string, 0, len(sources))
+	for _, source := range sources {
+		quoted = append(quoted, strconv.Quote(source))
+	}
+	return strings.Join(quoted, ", ")
+}
+
+func yamlKindName(kind yaml.Kind) string {
+	switch kind {
+	case yaml.DocumentNode:
+		return "document"
+	case yaml.MappingNode:
+		return "mapping"
+	case yaml.SequenceNode:
+		return "sequence"
+	case yaml.ScalarNode:
+		return "scalar"
+	case yaml.AliasNode:
+		return "alias"
+	default:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("kind(%d)", kind)
+	}
+}

internal/config/composition_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,353 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+)
+
+func TestParseCompositionDocumentRetainsPresenceOwnershipAndDeclarationOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	document := mustParseComposition(t, "root.yml", `zeta: false
+zero: 0
+empty_map: {}
+empty_list: []
+nested:
+  value: ""
+`)
+
+	wantOrder := []string{"zeta", "zero", "empty_map", "empty_list", "nested"}
+	gotOrder := make([]string, 0, len(document.root.fields))
+	for _, field := range document.root.fields {
+		gotOrder = append(gotOrder, field.key)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(gotOrder, wantOrder) {
+		t.Fatalf("declaration order = %#v, want %#v", gotOrder, wantOrder)
+	}
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		path  string
+		kind  yaml.Kind
+		tag   string
+		value string
+	}{
+		{path: "zeta", kind: yaml.ScalarNode, tag: "!!bool", value: "false"},
+		{path: "zero", kind: yaml.ScalarNode, tag: "!!int", value: "0"},
+		{path: "empty_map", kind: yaml.MappingNode, tag: "!!map"},
+		{path: "empty_list", kind: yaml.SequenceNode, tag: "!!seq"},
+		{path: "nested.value", kind: yaml.ScalarNode, tag: "!!str", value: ""},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		node := compositionNodeAtPath(t, document.root, tt.path)
+		if node.kind != tt.kind || node.tag != tt.tag || node.value != tt.value || !reflect.DeepEqual(node.sources, []string{"root.yml"}) {
+			t.Fatalf("node %s = kind=%v tag=%q value=%q sources=%#v", tt.path, node.kind, node.tag, node.value, node.sources)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParseCompositionDocumentRejectsAmbiguousOrMalformedYAML(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		yaml string
+		want string
+	}{
+		{name: "duplicate top-level key", yaml: "value: 1\nvalue: 2\n", want: "duplicate YAML key"},
+		{name: "duplicate nested key", yaml: "outer:\n  value: 1\n  value: 2\n", want: "outer.value"},
+		{name: "alias", yaml: "base: &base\n  value: 1\ncopy: *base\n", want: "aliases are not supported"},
+		{name: "trailing document", yaml: "value: 1\n---\nvalue: 2\n", want: "exactly one YAML document"},
+		{name: "top-level sequence", yaml: "- value\n", want: "top-level document must be a mapping"},
+		{name: "non-string key", yaml: "1: value\n", want: "mapping keys must be strings"},
+		{name: "malformed", yaml: "outer: [\n", want: "decode YAML"},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := parseCompositionDocument("broken.yml", strings.NewReader(tt.yaml))
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("parseCompositionDocument() error = nil")
+			}
+			if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "broken.yml") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tt.want) {
+				t.Fatalf("error = %q, want source and %q", err, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMergeAdditiveCompositionJoinsOnlyDisjointMappings(t *testing.T) {
+	root := mustParseComposition(t, "pipeline.yml", `scriptorium:
+  artifacts:
+    recap:
+      enabled: true
+zero: 0
+`)
+	imports := mustParseComposition(t, "conf.d/artifacts.yml", `scriptorium:
+  artifacts:
+    handout:
+      enabled: false
+empty_list: []
+`)
+
+	merged, err := mergeAdditiveComposition(root, imports)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("mergeAdditiveComposition() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	for _, path := range []string{
+		"empty_list", "scriptorium.artifacts.handout.enabled",
+		"scriptorium.artifacts.recap.enabled", "zero",
+	} {
+		_ = compositionNodeAtPath(t, merged.root, path)
+	}
+	if got := compositionNodeAtPath(t, merged.root, "scriptorium.artifacts.handout.enabled").sources; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, []string{"conf.d/artifacts.yml"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("handout sources = %#v", got)
+	}
+	if got := compositionNodeAtPath(t, merged.root, "scriptorium.artifacts.recap.enabled").sources; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, []string{"pipeline.yml"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("recap sources = %#v", got)
+	}
+
+	// Merge operations return a new document and retain the declared order in
+	// each input for source-aware diagnostics.
+	if len(root.root.fields) != 2 || len(imports.root.fields) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("merge mutated inputs: root=%d import=%d", len(root.root.fields), len(imports.root.fields))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMergeAdditiveCompositionRejectsEveryDuplicateClass(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name     string
+		baseYAML string
+		nextYAML string
+		path     string
+	}{
+		{name: "equal scalar", baseYAML: "value: true\n", nextYAML: "value: true\n", path: "value"},
+		{name: "different scalar", baseYAML: "value: true\n", nextYAML: "value: false\n", path: "value"},
+		{name: "atomic list", baseYAML: "values: [one]\n", nextYAML: "values: [two]\n", path: "values"},
+		{name: "keyed entry", baseYAML: "items:\n  shared:\n    left: 1\n", nextYAML: "items:\n  shared:\n    left: 2\n", path: "items.shared.left"},
+		{name: "kind conflict", baseYAML: "value:\n  nested: true\n", nextYAML: "value: scalar\n", path: "value"},
+		{name: "duplicate empty map", baseYAML: "value: {}\n", nextYAML: "value: {}\n", path: "value"},
+		{name: "empty map then populated map", baseYAML: "value: {}\n", nextYAML: "value: {nested: true}\n", path: "value"},
+		{name: "populated map then empty map", baseYAML: "value: {nested: true}\n", nextYAML: "value: {}\n", path: "value"},
+		{name: "duplicate empty list", baseYAML: "value: []\n", nextYAML: "value: []\n", path: "value"},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			base := mustParseComposition(t, "base.yml", tt.baseYAML)
+			next := mustParseComposition(t, "next.yml", tt.nextYAML)
+			_, err := mergeAdditiveComposition(base, next)
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("mergeAdditiveComposition() error = nil")
+			}
+			for _, want := range []string{tt.path, "base.yml", "next.yml"} {
+				if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+					t.Fatalf("error = %q, want %q", err, want)
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMergeAdditiveCompositionReportsAllClaimingSources(t *testing.T) {
+	left := mustParseComposition(t, "left.yml", "group:\n  left: 1\n")
+	right := mustParseComposition(t, "right.yml", "group:\n  right: 2\n")
+	base, err := mergeAdditiveComposition(left, right)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	overlap := mustParseComposition(t, "overlap.yml", "group: scalar\n")
+	_, err = mergeAdditiveComposition(base, overlap)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("mergeAdditiveComposition() error = nil")
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{"group", "left.yml", "right.yml", "overlap.yml"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+			t.Fatalf("error = %q, want %q", err, want)
+		}
+	}
+
+	_, err = mergeAdditiveCompositions(
+		mustParseComposition(t, "first.yml", "value: 1\n"),
+		mustParseComposition(t, "second.yml", "value: 2\n"),
+		mustParseComposition(t, "third.yml", "value: 3\n"),
+	)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("mergeAdditiveCompositions() error = nil")
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{"value", "first.yml", "second.yml", "third.yml"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+			t.Fatalf("error = %q, want %q", err, want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMergeOverlayCompositionRecursesMapsAndReplacesAtomicValues(t *testing.T) {
+	base := mustParseComposition(t, "base.yml", `feature:
+  enabled: true
+  retries: 3
+  values: [one, two]
+  inherited: kept
+artifacts:
+  recap:
+    enabled: true
+`)
+	overlay := mustParseComposition(t, "testing.yml", `feature:
+  enabled: false
+  retries: 0
+  values: []
+  added: present
+artifacts:
+  handout:
+    enabled: false
+`)
+
+	merged, err := mergeOverlayComposition(base, overlay)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("mergeOverlayComposition() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	assertCompositionScalar(t, merged.root, "feature.enabled", "!!bool", "false", "testing.yml")
+	assertCompositionScalar(t, merged.root, "feature.retries", "!!int", "0", "testing.yml")
+	assertCompositionScalar(t, merged.root, "feature.inherited", "!!str", "kept", "base.yml")
+	assertCompositionScalar(t, merged.root, "feature.added", "!!str", "present", "testing.yml")
+	if values := compositionNodeAtPath(t, merged.root, "feature.values"); values.kind != yaml.SequenceNode || len(values.items) != 0 || !reflect.DeepEqual(values.sources, []string{"testing.yml"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("replaced list = %#v", values)
+	}
+	_ = compositionNodeAtPath(t, merged.root, "artifacts.recap.enabled")
+	_ = compositionNodeAtPath(t, merged.root, "artifacts.handout.enabled")
+}
+
+func TestMergeOverlayCompositionRejectsKindChangesAndNullDeletion(t *testing.T) {
+	kindTests := []struct {
+		name     string
+		baseYAML string
+		overlay  string
+	}{
+		{name: "map to scalar", baseYAML: "value: {nested: true}\n", overlay: "value: replacement\n"},
+		{name: "scalar to map", baseYAML: "value: original\n", overlay: "value: {nested: true}\n"},
+		{name: "list to scalar", baseYAML: "value: [one]\n", overlay: "value: replacement\n"},
+		{name: "scalar to list", baseYAML: "value: original\n", overlay: "value: [one]\n"},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range kindTests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := mergeOverlayComposition(
+				mustParseComposition(t, "base.yml", tt.baseYAML),
+				mustParseComposition(t, "overlay.yml", tt.overlay),
+			)
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "value") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "kind change") {
+				t.Fatalf("error = %v, want value kind change", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+
+	for _, overlayYAML := range []string{"value: null\n", "value: ~\n", "nested:\n  value:\n"} {
+		_, err := mergeOverlayComposition(
+			mustParseComposition(t, "base.yml", "value: original\nnested:\n  value: original\n"),
+			mustParseComposition(t, "overlay.yml", overlayYAML),
+		)
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "null cannot delete") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "overlay.yml") {
+			t.Fatalf("error = %v, want source-qualified null rejection", err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCompositionCanonicalOutputsAreDeterministic(t *testing.T) {
+	first := mustParseComposition(t, "first.yml", `zeta: 01
+alpha:
+  list: [true, false]
+  empty: {}
+`)
+	second := mustParseComposition(t, "second.yml", `alpha:
+  empty: {}
+  list:
+    - true
+    - false
+zeta: 1
+`)
+
+	firstYAML, err := first.canonicalYAML()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	secondYAML, err := second.canonicalYAML()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(firstYAML, secondYAML) {
+		t.Fatalf("canonical YAML differs:\n%s\n---\n%s", firstYAML, secondYAML)
+	}
+	firstDigest, err := first.canonicalDigestInput()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	secondDigest, err := second.canonicalDigestInput()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(firstDigest, secondDigest) {
+		t.Fatalf("digest input differs:\n%s\n---\n%s", firstDigest, secondDigest)
+	}
+
+	left := mustParseComposition(t, "left.yml", "zeta: 1\n")
+	right := mustParseComposition(t, "right.yml", "alpha: 2\n")
+	leftRight, err := mergeAdditiveComposition(left, right)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	rightLeft, err := mergeAdditiveComposition(right, left)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want, _ := leftRight.canonicalDigestInput()
+	got, _ := rightLeft.canonicalDigestInput()
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(got, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("source traversal changed semantic digest input: got %s want %s", got, want)
+	}
+	wantYAML, _ := leftRight.canonicalYAML()
+	gotYAML, _ := rightLeft.canonicalYAML()
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(gotYAML, wantYAML) {
+		t.Fatalf("source traversal changed canonical YAML: got %s want %s", gotYAML, wantYAML)
+	}
+
+	records, err := first.semanticRecords()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	paths := make([]string, 0, len(records))
+	for _, record := range records {
+		paths = append(paths, record.Path)
+	}
+	if wantPaths := []string{"alpha.empty", "alpha.list", "zeta"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(paths, wantPaths) {
+		t.Fatalf("semantic record paths = %#v, want %#v", paths, wantPaths)
+	}
+}
+
+func mustParseComposition(t *testing.T, source, input string) *compositionDocument {
+	t.Helper()
+	document, err := parseCompositionBytes(source, []byte(input))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("parseCompositionBytes(%q) error = %v", source, err)
+	}
+	return document
+}
+
+func compositionNodeAtPath(t *testing.T, root *compositionNode, path string) *compositionNode {
+	t.Helper()
+	node := root
+	for _, segment := range strings.Split(path, ".") {
+		if node == nil || node.kind != yaml.MappingNode {
+			t.Fatalf("path %q reached non-mapping at %q", path, segment)
+		}
+		index := compositionFieldIndex(node.fields, segment)
+		if index < 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("path %q missing segment %q", path, segment)
+		}
+		node = node.fields[index].value
+	}
+	return node
+}
+
+func assertCompositionScalar(t *testing.T, root *compositionNode, path, tag, value, source string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	node := compositionNodeAtPath(t, root, path)
+	if node.kind != yaml.ScalarNode || node.tag != tag || node.value != value || !reflect.DeepEqual(node.sources, []string{source}) {
+		t.Fatalf("%s = kind=%s tag=%q value=%q sources=%#v", path, yamlKindName(node.kind), node.tag, node.value, node.sources)
+	}
+}

internal/config/config.go

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ type Config struct {
 
 	StableInputs  ResolvedStableInputs
 	SessionSource SessionSource
+	Party         ResolvedParty
 }
 
 // PipelineConfig contains durable pipeline-level settings.
@@ -32,6 +33,17 @@ type PipelineConfig struct {
 	Scriptorium  *ScriptoriumConfig `yaml:"scriptorium"`
 	Notarius     *NotariusConfig    `yaml:"notarius"`
 	Notification NotificationConfig `yaml:"notification"`
+
+	resolution    *pipelineResolutionMetadata `yaml:"-"`
+	familyCatalog ArtifactFamilyCatalog       `yaml:"-"`
+}
+
+// ArtifactFamilies returns a copy of runtime-only expansion provenance.
+func ArtifactFamilies(cfg *PipelineConfig) ArtifactFamilyCatalog {
+	if cfg == nil {
+		return ArtifactFamilyCatalog{}
+	}
+	return cloneArtifactFamilyCatalog(cfg.familyCatalog)
 }
 
 // CampaignsConfig configures the local campaign registry.
@@ -238,6 +250,7 @@ type ScriptoriumConfig struct {
 	Timeout          string                                     `yaml:"timeout"`
 	RenderDebug      bool                                       `yaml:"render_debug"`
 	Artifacts        map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactConfig       `yaml:"artifacts"`
+	ArtifactFamilies map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyConfig `yaml:"artifact_families"`
 }
 
 // ScriptoriumArtifactConfig configures one named output artifact workflow.
@@ -253,6 +266,57 @@ type ScriptoriumArtifactConfig struct {
 	Vars        map[string]any                    `yaml:"vars"`
 }
 
+// ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyConfig declares the shared configuration expanded
+// into one ordinary artifact for each canonical party character.
+type ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyConfig struct {
+	Enabled            bool                                    `yaml:"enabled"`
+	ForEach            string                                  `yaml:"for_each"`
+	DependsOn          []string                                `yaml:"depends_on"`
+	RenderDebug        *bool                                   `yaml:"render_debug"`
+	PromptID           string                                  `yaml:"prompt_id"`
+	ProfileID          string                                  `yaml:"profile_id"`
+	OutputPathPattern  string                                  `yaml:"output_path_pattern"`
+	Timeout            string                                  `yaml:"timeout"`
+	Inputs             map[string]ScriptoriumInputConfig       `yaml:"inputs"`
+	Vars               map[string]any                          `yaml:"vars"`
+	MemberVars         map[string]string                       `yaml:"member_vars"`
+	MemberDependencies []string                                `yaml:"member_dependencies"`
+	Publish            *ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyPublishConfig `yaml:"publish"`
+}
+
+// ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyPublishConfig retains the typed declaration for
+// family publishing. It is resolved by the publish owner.
+type ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyPublishConfig struct {
+	Enabled     bool   `yaml:"enabled"`
+	Required    bool   `yaml:"required"`
+	DestPattern string `yaml:"dest_pattern"`
+}
+
+// ArtifactFamilyCatalog records the runtime-only origin of expanded artifacts.
+// It is intentionally kept outside the Scriptorium adapter configuration.
+type ArtifactFamilyCatalog struct {
+	Families map[string]ArtifactFamilyOrigin
+	Members  map[string]ArtifactFamilyMemberOrigin
+}
+
+// ArtifactFamilyOrigin records one declared family and its source ownership.
+type ArtifactFamilyOrigin struct {
+	Members            []string
+	MemberDependencies []string
+	Publish            *ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyPublishConfig
+	Source             string
+}
+
+// ArtifactFamilyMemberOrigin identifies the canonical party member that
+// produced one ordinary concrete artifact.
+type ArtifactFamilyMemberOrigin struct {
+	Family       string
+	CharacterID  string
+	Source       string
+	Dependencies []string
+	Inputs       map[string]string
+}
+
 // ScriptoriumInputConfig configures one named prompt input source.
 type ScriptoriumInputConfig struct {
 	Source   string `yaml:"source"`
@@ -321,6 +385,23 @@ type ResolvedInputFile struct {
 	Source     string
 }
 
+// ResolvedParty records the selected party mode, its non-secret source
+// provenance, and canonical domain data when available. It is runtime-only and
+// must never be copied into manifests as raw party content.
+type ResolvedParty struct {
+	Mode      PartyMode
+	Source    PartySource
+	Canonical *CanonicalParty
+}
+
+// PartySource identifies the selected party input without retaining its raw
+// contents. Path is the resolved on-disk source path.
+type PartySource struct {
+	Path       string
+	ConfigPath string
+	Source     string
+}
+
 // SessionSource records where session.yml came from before materialization.
 type SessionSource struct {
 	Source    string

internal/config/effective_digest.go

@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"fmt"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+)
+
+const pipelineDefaultOwnershipSource = "default"
+
+// PipelineProfileProvenance identifies the profile selected while resolving a
+// pipeline. It contains only non-secret selection metadata.
+type PipelineProfileProvenance struct {
+	Name        string
+	Source      string
+	OverlayPath string
+}
+
+// SelectedPipelineProfile reports the profile used to resolve cfg, if any.
+func SelectedPipelineProfile(cfg *PipelineConfig) (*PipelineProfileProvenance, bool) {
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.resolution == nil || cfg.resolution.selectedProfile == nil {
+		return nil, false
+	}
+	selection := cfg.resolution.selectedProfile
+	return &PipelineProfileProvenance{Name: selection.name, Source: selection.source, OverlayPath: selection.overlayPath}, true
+}
+
+// EffectivePipelineDigest reports the deterministic secret-free digest for a
+// resolved pipeline.
+func EffectivePipelineDigest(cfg *PipelineConfig) string {
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.resolution == nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return cfg.resolution.effectiveDigest
+}
+
+func finalizePipelineResolution(cfg *PipelineConfig) error {
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.resolution == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("pipeline resolution metadata is required")
+	}
+	declared := make(map[string][]string, len(cfg.resolution.ownership))
+	for _, ownership := range cfg.resolution.ownership {
+		declared[ownership.path] = append([]string(nil), ownership.sources...)
+	}
+	data, err := yaml.Marshal(cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("serialize normalized effective pipeline: %w", err)
+	}
+	document, err := parseCompositionBytes("normalized effective pipeline", data)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	records, err := document.semanticRecords()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	ownership := make([]pipelineFieldOwnership, 0, len(records))
+	for _, record := range records {
+		sources := declared[record.Path]
+		if len(sources) == 0 {
+			sources = []string{pipelineDefaultOwnershipSource}
+		}
+		ownership = append(ownership, pipelineFieldOwnership{
+			path: record.Path, sources: append([]string(nil), sources...),
+		})
+	}
+	cfg.resolution.ownership = ownership
+	return recomputePipelineEffectiveDigest(cfg)
+}
+
+// recomputePipelineEffectiveDigest is the single package-owned hook for
+// refreshing provenance after later resolution expands concrete pipeline
+// values. Composition declarations and runtime provenance are not serialized.
+func recomputePipelineEffectiveDigest(cfg *PipelineConfig) error {
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.resolution == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("pipeline resolution metadata is required")
+	}
+	digestConfig := *cfg
+	if cfg.Notarius != nil && cfg.resolution.logicalNotariusCaptured {
+		notarius := *cfg.Notarius
+		notarius.ConfigPath = cfg.resolution.logicalNotariusConfig
+		notarius.WorkingDirectory = cfg.resolution.logicalNotariusWorking
+		digestConfig.Notarius = &notarius
+	}
+	data, err := yaml.Marshal(&digestConfig)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("serialize normalized effective pipeline: %w", err)
+	}
+	document, err := parseCompositionBytes("normalized effective pipeline", data)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	canonical, err := document.canonicalDigestInput()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	digest := sha256.Sum256(canonical)
+	cfg.resolution.effectiveDigest = hex.EncodeToString(digest[:])
+	return nil
+}
+
+// captureLogicalNotariusPaths retains normalized user-facing path semantics
+// before runtime resolution makes relative paths depend on the checkout or
+// installation directory. Runtime paths remain absolute; provenance does not.
+func captureLogicalNotariusPaths(cfg *PipelineConfig) {
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.resolution == nil || cfg.Notarius == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	configPath := normalizeLogicalFilesystemPath(cfg.Notarius.ConfigPath)
+	workingDirectory := normalizeLogicalFilesystemPath(cfg.Notarius.WorkingDirectory)
+	if cfg.Notarius.Enabled && workingDirectory == "" && configPath != "" {
+		workingDirectory = normalizeLogicalFilesystemPath(filepath.Dir(configPath))
+	}
+	cfg.resolution.logicalNotariusConfig = configPath
+	cfg.resolution.logicalNotariusWorking = workingDirectory
+	cfg.resolution.logicalNotariusCaptured = true
+}
+
+func normalizeLogicalFilesystemPath(value string) string {
+	value = strings.TrimSpace(value)
+	if value == "" {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return filepath.ToSlash(filepath.Clean(value))
+}

internal/config/effective_pipeline.go

@@ -0,0 +1,418 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+)
+
+// EffectivePipelineRootPath reports the absolute root pipeline path retained
+// while resolving cfg. It is empty for a pipeline not loaded through the
+// production loader.
+func EffectivePipelineRootPath(cfg *PipelineConfig) string {
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.resolution == nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return cfg.resolution.rootPath
+}
+
+// EffectivePipelineImports reports the ordered, absolute import paths that
+// contributed to cfg.
+func EffectivePipelineImports(cfg *PipelineConfig) []string {
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.resolution == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return append([]string(nil), cfg.resolution.imports...)
+}
+
+// NormalizedConfigurationPath returns a clean absolute path when possible for
+// display-only configuration provenance.
+func NormalizedConfigurationPath(path string) string {
+	return normalizedProvenancePath(path)
+}
+
+// EffectivePipelineSourceRecord identifies one effective logical field and a
+// safe source that contributed to it. Generated values intentionally have two
+// records: their family declaration and the canonical party that supplied the
+// member-specific value.
+type EffectivePipelineSourceRecord struct {
+	Path   string
+	Role   string
+	Source string
+}
+
+// EffectivePipelineValueRecord identifies one normalized, secret-free
+// effective configuration value. Values use deterministic compact JSON
+// representations so command output can be compared without raw YAML layout.
+type EffectivePipelineValueRecord struct {
+	Path  string
+	Value string
+}
+
+// EffectivePipelineValues projects a fully resolved pipeline into sorted
+// logical configuration values. Mappings are flattened, while sequences remain
+// atomic values. The projection uses the same normalized effective mapping as
+// config show and therefore excludes composition and family declarations.
+func EffectivePipelineValues(cfg *PipelineConfig) ([]EffectivePipelineValueRecord, error) {
+	if cfg == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline config is required")
+	}
+	data, err := MarshalEffectivePipeline(cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	document, err := parseCompositionBytes("effective pipeline", data)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	records, err := document.compactSemanticRecords()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	values := make([]EffectivePipelineValueRecord, 0, len(records))
+	for _, record := range records {
+		values = append(values, EffectivePipelineValueRecord{Path: record.Path, Value: record.Value})
+	}
+	return values, nil
+}
+
+// EffectivePipelineSources projects pipeline ownership after defaults and
+// optional family expansion. It never includes effective values or raw secret
+// material, only logical paths and source identifiers.
+func EffectivePipelineSources(cfg *PipelineConfig, party ResolvedParty) ([]EffectivePipelineSourceRecord, error) {
+	if cfg == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline config is required")
+	}
+	data, err := MarshalEffectivePipeline(cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	document, err := parseCompositionBytes("effective pipeline", data)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	paths := effectivePipelineFieldPaths(document.root)
+	owners := effectivePipelineOwners(cfg)
+	families := ArtifactFamilies(cfg)
+	publishCount := 0
+	if cfg.Publish != nil {
+		publishCount = len(cfg.Publish.Outputs)
+	}
+	records := make([]EffectivePipelineSourceRecord, 0, len(paths)+publishCount)
+	for _, path := range paths {
+		if path == "publish.outputs" {
+			continue
+		}
+		if familyKey, ok := generatedArtifactFamilyForPath(path, families); ok {
+			records = appendGeneratedArtifactSources(records, path, familyKey, families, owners, party)
+			continue
+		}
+		records = appendPipelineOwners(records, path, owners[path], cfg)
+	}
+	records = appendPublishOutputSources(records, cfg, families, party, owners)
+	sort.Slice(records, func(left, right int) bool {
+		if records[left].Path != records[right].Path {
+			return records[left].Path < records[right].Path
+		}
+		if records[left].Role != records[right].Role {
+			return records[left].Role < records[right].Role
+		}
+		return records[left].Source < records[right].Source
+	})
+	return records, nil
+}
+
+// EffectiveCampaignSources projects selected campaign and party ownership
+// without retaining or rendering campaign values. Canonical players are a
+// derived party value, while a legacy players file remains explicitly marked
+// as legacy input provenance.
+func EffectiveCampaignSources(campaignPath string, campaign *CampaignConfig, party ResolvedParty) []EffectivePipelineSourceRecord {
+	if campaign == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	campaignSource := normalizedProvenancePath(campaignPath)
+	records := []EffectivePipelineSourceRecord{
+		{Path: "campaign.campaign_id", Role: "campaign", Source: campaignSource},
+		{Path: "campaign.inputs.autocorrect_file", Role: "campaign", Source: campaignSource},
+		{Path: "campaign.inputs.glossary_file", Role: "campaign", Source: campaignSource},
+		{Path: "campaign.inputs.speakers_file", Role: "campaign", Source: campaignSource},
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(campaign.Inputs.SpellCatalogFile) != "" {
+		records = append(records, EffectivePipelineSourceRecord{Path: "campaign.inputs.spell_catalog_file", Role: "campaign", Source: campaignSource})
+	}
+	if party.Mode == PartyModeCanonical {
+		partySource := normalizedProvenancePath(party.Source.Path)
+		records = append(records,
+			EffectivePipelineSourceRecord{Path: "campaign.inputs.party_file", Role: "party", Source: partySource},
+			EffectivePipelineSourceRecord{Path: "derived.players", Role: "party", Source: partySource},
+		)
+	} else {
+		partySource := normalizedProvenancePath(party.Source.Path)
+		records = append(records, EffectivePipelineSourceRecord{Path: "campaign.inputs.party_file", Role: "party", Source: partySource})
+		if strings.TrimSpace(campaign.Inputs.PlayersFile) != "" {
+			records = append(records, EffectivePipelineSourceRecord{
+				Path: "campaign.inputs.players_file", Role: "legacy_player", Source: campaignInputSourcePath(campaignPath, campaign.Inputs.PlayersFile),
+			})
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Slice(records, func(left, right int) bool {
+		if records[left].Path != records[right].Path {
+			return records[left].Path < records[right].Path
+		}
+		if records[left].Role != records[right].Role {
+			return records[left].Role < records[right].Role
+		}
+		return records[left].Source < records[right].Source
+	})
+	return records
+}
+
+// MarshalEffectivePipeline renders the validated, normalized pipeline as one
+// deterministic YAML document. Composition declarations and runtime-only
+// resolution data are excluded. Artifact family declarations are also omitted
+// because a resolved pipeline exposes their concrete artifacts instead.
+func MarshalEffectivePipeline(cfg *PipelineConfig) ([]byte, error) {
+	if cfg == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline config is required")
+	}
+
+	data, err := yaml.Marshal(cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("serialize effective pipeline: %w", err)
+	}
+	document, err := parseCompositionBytes("effective pipeline", data)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	removeResolutionOnlyPipelineFields(document)
+	return document.canonicalYAML()
+}
+
+func removeResolutionOnlyPipelineFields(document *compositionDocument) {
+	if document == nil || document.root == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	scriptoriumIndex := compositionFieldIndex(document.root.fields, "scriptorium")
+	if scriptoriumIndex < 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	scriptorium := document.root.fields[scriptoriumIndex].value
+	if scriptorium == nil || scriptorium.kind != yaml.MappingNode {
+		return
+	}
+	familyIndex := compositionFieldIndex(scriptorium.fields, "artifact_families")
+	if familyIndex < 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	scriptorium.fields = append(scriptorium.fields[:familyIndex], scriptorium.fields[familyIndex+1:]...)
+	for index := range scriptorium.fields {
+		scriptorium.fields[index].order = index
+	}
+}
+
+func effectivePipelineFieldPaths(node *compositionNode) []string {
+	var paths []string
+	var visit func(*compositionNode)
+	visit = func(current *compositionNode) {
+		if current == nil {
+			return
+		}
+		if current.kind == yaml.MappingNode && len(current.fields) > 0 {
+			for _, field := range current.fields {
+				visit(field.value)
+			}
+			return
+		}
+		paths = append(paths, current.path)
+	}
+	visit(node)
+	return paths
+}
+
+func effectivePipelineOwners(cfg *PipelineConfig) map[string][]string {
+	owners := make(map[string][]string)
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.resolution == nil {
+		return owners
+	}
+	for _, ownership := range cfg.resolution.ownership {
+		owners[ownership.path] = append([]string(nil), ownership.sources...)
+	}
+	return owners
+}
+
+func generatedArtifactFamilyForPath(path string, families ArtifactFamilyCatalog) (string, bool) {
+	const prefix = "scriptorium.artifacts."
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(path, prefix) {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	memberPath := strings.TrimPrefix(path, prefix)
+	memberKey, _, _ := strings.Cut(memberPath, ".")
+	member, exists := families.Members[memberKey]
+	if !exists {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	_, exists = families.Families[member.Family]
+	return member.Family, exists
+}
+
+func appendGeneratedArtifactSources(records []EffectivePipelineSourceRecord, path, familyKey string, families ArtifactFamilyCatalog, owners map[string][]string, party ResolvedParty) []EffectivePipelineSourceRecord {
+	for _, source := range generatedArtifactSources(path, familyKey, families, owners) {
+		role := "family"
+		if source == pipelineDefaultOwnershipSource {
+			role = "default"
+		}
+		records = append(records, EffectivePipelineSourceRecord{Path: path, Role: role, Source: normalizedProvenanceSource(source)})
+	}
+	if source := normalizedProvenancePath(party.Source.Path); source != "" {
+		records = append(records, EffectivePipelineSourceRecord{Path: path, Role: "party", Source: source})
+	}
+	return records
+}
+
+func generatedArtifactSources(path, familyKey string, families ArtifactFamilyCatalog, owners map[string][]string) []string {
+	const artifactPrefix = "scriptorium.artifacts."
+	memberPath := strings.TrimPrefix(path, artifactPrefix)
+	_, suffix, _ := strings.Cut(memberPath, ".")
+	familyPrefix := "scriptorium.artifact_families." + familyKey + "."
+	candidates := []string{familyPrefix + suffix}
+	switch {
+	case suffix == "output_path":
+		candidates = []string{familyPrefix + "output_path_pattern"}
+	case suffix == "depends_on":
+		candidates = []string{familyPrefix + "depends_on", familyPrefix + "member_dependencies"}
+	case strings.HasPrefix(suffix, "vars."):
+		variable := strings.TrimPrefix(suffix, "vars.")
+		candidates = []string{familyPrefix + "vars." + variable, familyPrefix + "member_vars." + variable}
+	}
+	sources := sourcesForPipelinePaths(owners, candidates)
+	if len(sources) != 0 {
+		return sources
+	}
+	if family, ok := families.Families[familyKey]; ok && family.Source != "" {
+		return []string{family.Source}
+	}
+	return []string{pipelineDefaultOwnershipSource}
+}
+
+func sourcesForPipelinePaths(owners map[string][]string, paths []string) []string {
+	seen := make(map[string]struct{})
+	var sources []string
+	for _, path := range paths {
+		for _, source := range owners[path] {
+			if _, exists := seen[source]; exists {
+				continue
+			}
+			seen[source] = struct{}{}
+			sources = append(sources, source)
+		}
+	}
+	return sources
+}
+
+func appendPipelineOwners(records []EffectivePipelineSourceRecord, path string, sources []string, cfg *PipelineConfig) []EffectivePipelineSourceRecord {
+	if len(sources) == 0 {
+		sources = []string{pipelineDefaultOwnershipSource}
+	}
+	for _, source := range sources {
+		records = append(records, EffectivePipelineSourceRecord{
+			Path: path, Role: pipelineSourceRole(cfg, source), Source: normalizedProvenanceSource(source),
+		})
+	}
+	return records
+}
+
+func appendPublishOutputSources(records []EffectivePipelineSourceRecord, cfg *PipelineConfig, families ArtifactFamilyCatalog, party ResolvedParty, owners map[string][]string) []EffectivePipelineSourceRecord {
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.Publish == nil {
+		return records
+	}
+	generated := make(map[string]string)
+	for familyKey, family := range families.Families {
+		if family.Publish == nil || !family.Publish.Enabled {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, key := range family.Members {
+			generated["narratio.artifact."+key] = familyKey
+		}
+	}
+	for index, output := range cfg.Publish.Outputs {
+		path := fmt.Sprintf("publish.outputs[%d]", index)
+		if familyKey, ok := generated[strings.TrimSpace(output.Source)]; ok {
+			records = appendGeneratedPublishSources(records, path, familyKey, families, owners, party)
+			continue
+		}
+		records = appendPipelineOwners(records, path, owners["publish.outputs"], cfg)
+	}
+	return records
+}
+
+func appendGeneratedPublishSources(records []EffectivePipelineSourceRecord, path, familyKey string, families ArtifactFamilyCatalog, owners map[string][]string, party ResolvedParty) []EffectivePipelineSourceRecord {
+	familyPrefix := "scriptorium.artifact_families." + familyKey + ".publish."
+	sources := sourcesForPipelinePaths(owners, []string{familyPrefix + "enabled", familyPrefix + "required", familyPrefix + "dest_pattern"})
+	if len(sources) == 0 {
+		if family, ok := families.Families[familyKey]; ok && family.Source != "" {
+			sources = []string{family.Source}
+		} else {
+			sources = []string{pipelineDefaultOwnershipSource}
+		}
+	}
+	for _, source := range sources {
+		role := "family"
+		if source == pipelineDefaultOwnershipSource {
+			role = "default"
+		}
+		records = append(records, EffectivePipelineSourceRecord{Path: path, Role: role, Source: normalizedProvenanceSource(source)})
+	}
+	if source := normalizedProvenancePath(party.Source.Path); source != "" {
+		records = append(records, EffectivePipelineSourceRecord{Path: path, Role: "party", Source: source})
+	}
+	return records
+}
+
+func pipelineSourceRole(cfg *PipelineConfig, source string) string {
+	if source == pipelineDefaultOwnershipSource {
+		return "default"
+	}
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.resolution == nil {
+		return "pipeline"
+	}
+	if source == cfg.resolution.rootPath {
+		return "root"
+	}
+	if cfg.resolution.selectedProfile != nil && source == cfg.resolution.selectedProfile.overlayPath {
+		return "profile"
+	}
+	for _, imported := range cfg.resolution.imports {
+		if source == imported {
+			return "import"
+		}
+	}
+	return "pipeline"
+}
+
+func normalizedProvenanceSource(source string) string {
+	if source == pipelineDefaultOwnershipSource {
+		return source
+	}
+	return normalizedProvenancePath(source)
+}
+
+func normalizedProvenancePath(path string) string {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(path) == "" {
+		return ""
+	}
+	abs, err := filepath.Abs(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return filepath.Clean(path)
+	}
+	return filepath.Clean(abs)
+}
+
+func campaignInputSourcePath(campaignPath, configuredPath string) string {
+	if filepath.IsAbs(configuredPath) {
+		return normalizedProvenancePath(configuredPath)
+	}
+	return normalizedProvenancePath(filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(campaignPath), configuredPath))
+}

internal/config/load.go

@@ -14,15 +14,96 @@ 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("pipeline", path, &cfg); err != nil {
+	return LoadPipelineWithOptions(path, PipelineLoadOptions{})
+}
+
+// PipelineLoadOptions carries an optional explicit profile selection. A nil
+// Profile means the caller omitted selection; a non-nil empty value is an
+// explicit invalid selection.
+type PipelineLoadOptions struct {
+	Profile *string
+}
+
+// LoadPipelineWithOptions loads pipeline configuration with strict field
+// checking and optional named-profile selection.
+func LoadPipelineWithOptions(path string, opts PipelineLoadOptions) (*PipelineConfig, error) {
+	sources, err := loadPipelineCompositionSources(path)
+	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("load pipeline config: %w", err)
 	}
-	applyPipelineDefaults(&cfg)
-	if err := resolveNotariusPaths(&cfg, path); err != nil {
+	if _, err := selectPipelineProfile(sources.envelope, opts); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("load pipeline config: %w", err)
 	}
-	return &cfg, nil
+	if err := sources.loadOverlays(); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("load pipeline config: %w", err)
+	}
+	cfg, err := sources.resolve(opts)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("load pipeline config: %w", err)
+	}
+	return finalizeLoadedPipeline(path, cfg)
+}
+
+// LoadPipelineProfilePair resolves two explicit named profiles from one parsed
+// pipeline root and its declared source set. Each result is independently
+// decoded, defaulted, and finalized so later resolution can safely mutate one
+// effective pipeline without affecting the other.
+func LoadPipelineProfilePair(path, leftProfile, rightProfile string) (*PipelineConfig, *PipelineConfig, error) {
+	if _, err := normalizePipelineProfileName(leftProfile, "left profile selection"); err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("load left pipeline profile: %w", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := normalizePipelineProfileName(rightProfile, "right profile selection"); err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("load right pipeline profile: %w", err)
+	}
+	if leftProfile == rightProfile {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("load pipeline profiles: left and right profile selections must differ")
+	}
+	sources, err := loadPipelineCompositionSources(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("load pipeline config: %w", err)
+	}
+	leftOptions := PipelineLoadOptions{Profile: &leftProfile}
+	rightOptions := PipelineLoadOptions{Profile: &rightProfile}
+	if _, err := selectPipelineProfile(sources.envelope, leftOptions); err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("load left pipeline profile: %w", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := selectPipelineProfile(sources.envelope, rightOptions); err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("load right pipeline profile: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := sources.loadOverlays(); err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("load pipeline config: %w", err)
+	}
+	left, err := sources.resolve(leftOptions)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("load left pipeline profile: %w", err)
+	}
+	right, err := sources.resolve(rightOptions)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("load right pipeline profile: %w", err)
+	}
+	left, err = finalizeLoadedPipeline(path, left)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	right, err = finalizeLoadedPipeline(path, right)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	return left, right, nil
+}
+
+func finalizeLoadedPipeline(path string, cfg *PipelineConfig) (*PipelineConfig, error) {
+	cfg.resolution.publishDeclared = cfg.Publish != nil
+	applyPipelineDefaults(cfg)
+	captureLogicalNotariusPaths(cfg)
+	if err := resolveNotariusPaths(cfg, path); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("load pipeline config: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := finalizePipelineResolution(cfg); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("load pipeline config: %w", err)
+	}
+	retainArtifactFamilyDeclarations(cfg)
+	return cfg, nil
 }
 
 // LoadCampaign loads campaign configuration from a YAML file with strict field checking.
@@ -43,6 +124,7 @@ func LoadSession(path string) (*SessionConfig, error) {
 type SessionLoadOptions struct {
 	SessionID         string
 	PreviousSessionID string
+	Profile           *string
 }
 
 // LoadSessionWithOptions loads session configuration from a YAML file with
@@ -141,7 +223,7 @@ func Load(pipelinePath string, paths ...string) (*Config, error) {
 // LoadWithSessionOptions loads and resolves combined pipeline, campaign, and
 // session configuration with expected session identity checks.
 func LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath string, sessionOpts SessionLoadOptions) (*Config, error) {
-	pipelineCfg, err := LoadPipeline(pipelinePath)
+	pipelineCfg, err := LoadPipelineWithOptions(pipelinePath, PipelineLoadOptions{Profile: sessionOpts.Profile})
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -150,42 +232,168 @@ func LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath string, sess
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+	loaded, err := LoadPipelineCampaign(pipelinePath, pipelineCfg, campaignPath, campaignCfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return LoadSessionWithPipelineCampaignOptions(loaded, sessionPath, sessionOpts)
+}
 
+// LoadedPipelineCampaign retains one already loaded pipeline and campaign for
+// subsequent local or remote session resolution. It prevents a command from
+// reloading the root pipeline after campaign selection.
+type LoadedPipelineCampaign struct {
+	PipelinePath string
+	Pipeline     *PipelineConfig
+	CampaignPath string
+	Campaign     *CampaignConfig
+	Party        ResolvedParty
+}
+
+// LoadPipelineCampaign combines already loaded pipeline and campaign documents
+// with their campaign-owned party source. Callers that later resolve a session
+// retain this context rather than independently reimplementing party loading.
+func LoadPipelineCampaign(pipelinePath string, pipeline *PipelineConfig, campaignPath string, campaign *CampaignConfig) (LoadedPipelineCampaign, error) {
+	if pipeline == nil {
+		return LoadedPipelineCampaign{}, fmt.Errorf("pipeline config is required")
+	}
+	if campaign == nil {
+		return LoadedPipelineCampaign{}, fmt.Errorf("campaign config is required")
+	}
+	party, err := resolveCampaignParty(campaignPath, campaign)
+	if err != nil {
+		return LoadedPipelineCampaign{}, err
+	}
+	return LoadPipelineCampaignWithParty(pipelinePath, pipeline, campaignPath, campaign, party)
+}
+
+// LoadPipelineCampaignWithParty combines an already loaded pipeline and
+// campaign with one already resolved campaign-owned party. It is useful when
+// more than one independently resolved pipeline must be expanded against the
+// exact same party document.
+func LoadPipelineCampaignWithParty(pipelinePath string, pipeline *PipelineConfig, campaignPath string, campaign *CampaignConfig, party ResolvedParty) (LoadedPipelineCampaign, error) {
+	if pipeline == nil {
+		return LoadedPipelineCampaign{}, fmt.Errorf("pipeline config is required")
+	}
+	if campaign == nil {
+		return LoadedPipelineCampaign{}, fmt.Errorf("campaign config is required")
+	}
+	if party.Mode == "" {
+		return LoadedPipelineCampaign{}, fmt.Errorf("resolved campaign party is required")
+	}
+	if party.Mode == PartyModeCanonical {
+		if err := validateCanonicalPartySelection(campaign, nil); err != nil {
+			return LoadedPipelineCampaign{}, err
+		}
+	}
+	if err := expandPipelineArtifactFamilies(pipeline, party); err != nil {
+		return LoadedPipelineCampaign{}, err
+	}
+	return LoadedPipelineCampaign{
+		PipelinePath: pipelinePath,
+		Pipeline:     pipeline,
+		CampaignPath: campaignPath,
+		Campaign:     campaign,
+		Party:        party,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+// LoadSessionWithPipelineCampaignOptions loads one local session and combines
+// it with an already loaded pipeline and campaign.
+func LoadSessionWithPipelineCampaignOptions(loaded LoadedPipelineCampaign, sessionPath string, sessionOpts SessionLoadOptions) (*Config, error) {
 	sessionCfg, err := LoadSessionWithOptions(sessionPath, sessionOpts)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-
-	return Resolve(pipelinePath, pipelineCfg, campaignPath, campaignCfg, sessionPath, sessionCfg, SessionSource{
+	return ResolveLoadedPipelineCampaign(loaded, sessionPath, sessionCfg, SessionSource{
 		Source:    "session_config",
 		LocalPath: sessionPath,
 	})
 }
 
-// Resolve builds final stage-facing configuration from already loaded
-// pipeline, campaign, and session documents.
-func Resolve(pipelinePath string, pipelineCfg *PipelineConfig, campaignPath string, campaignCfg *CampaignConfig, sessionPath string, sessionCfg *SessionConfig, sessionSource SessionSource) (*Config, error) {
-	stableInputs, err := mergeCampaignSession(campaignCfg, sessionCfg, campaignPath, sessionPath)
+// ResolveLoadedPipelineCampaign combines an already loaded pipeline and
+// campaign with optional already loaded session data. A nil session preserves
+// the resolved pipeline/campaign context for callers that need to locate or
+// retrieve a session without rereading the root pipeline.
+func ResolveLoadedPipelineCampaign(loaded LoadedPipelineCampaign, sessionPath string, sessionCfg *SessionConfig, sessionSource SessionSource) (*Config, error) {
+	if loaded.Pipeline == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline config is required")
+	}
+	if loaded.Campaign == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("campaign config is required")
+	}
+	if loaded.Party.Mode == "" {
+		party, err := resolveCampaignParty(loaded.CampaignPath, loaded.Campaign)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-	if strings.TrimSpace(sessionSource.Source) == "" {
-		sessionSource.Source = "session_config"
+		loaded.Party = party
 	}
-	if strings.TrimSpace(sessionSource.LocalPath) == "" {
-		sessionSource.LocalPath = sessionPath
+	if loaded.Party.Mode == PartyModeCanonical {
+		if err := validateCanonicalPartySelection(loaded.Campaign, nil); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+	cfg := &Config{
+		Pipeline:      loaded.Pipeline,
+		Campaign:      loaded.Campaign,
+		Session:       sessionCfg,
+		PipelinePath:  loaded.PipelinePath,
+		CampaignPath:  loaded.CampaignPath,
+		SessionPath:   sessionPath,
+		SessionSource: sessionSource,
+		Party:         loaded.Party,
+	}
+	if cfg.Party.Mode == PartyModeCanonical && sessionCfg != nil {
+		if err := validateCanonicalPartySelection(loaded.Campaign, sessionCfg); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+	if sessionCfg == nil {
+		return cfg, nil
 	}
 
-	return &Config{
-		Pipeline:      pipelineCfg,
-		Campaign:      campaignCfg,
-		Session:       sessionCfg,
-		PipelinePath:  pipelinePath,
-		CampaignPath:  campaignPath,
-		SessionPath:   sessionPath,
-		StableInputs:  stableInputs,
-		SessionSource: sessionSource,
-	}, nil
+	stableInputs, err := mergeCampaignSession(loaded.Campaign, sessionCfg, loaded.CampaignPath, sessionPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.SessionSource.Source) == "" {
+		cfg.SessionSource.Source = "session_config"
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.SessionSource.LocalPath) == "" {
+		cfg.SessionSource.LocalPath = sessionPath
+	}
+	if cfg.Party.Mode == PartyModeCanonical {
+		stableInputs.PlayersFile = virtualPlayersInput()
+		cfg.Session.Inputs.PlayersFile = ""
+	} else {
+		party, err := resolvePartyInput(stableInputs.PartyFile)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if party.Mode == PartyModeCanonical {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("session.inputs.party_file cannot select a canonical party; canonical parties are campaign-owned")
+		}
+		cfg.Party = party
+		if strings.TrimSpace(stableInputs.PlayersFile.Path) == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("players_file is required with a legacy party")
+		}
+	}
+	cfg.StableInputs = stableInputs
+	return cfg, nil
+}
+
+// Resolve builds final stage-facing configuration from already loaded
+// pipeline, campaign, and session documents.
+func Resolve(pipelinePath string, pipelineCfg *PipelineConfig, campaignPath string, campaignCfg *CampaignConfig, sessionPath string, sessionCfg *SessionConfig, sessionSource SessionSource) (*Config, error) {
+	if sessionCfg == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("session config is required")
+	}
+	loaded, err := LoadPipelineCampaign(pipelinePath, pipelineCfg, campaignPath, campaignCfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return ResolveLoadedPipelineCampaign(loaded, sessionPath, sessionCfg, sessionSource)
 }
 
 func campaignSessionPaths(paths ...string) (campaignPath, sessionPath string, err error) {

internal/config/load_validate_test.go

@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 package config
 
 import (
+	"io/fs"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"reflect"
+	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 )
@@ -34,6 +36,53 @@ inputs:
 	}
 }
 
+func TestMarshalEffectivePipelineRendersStablePublicConfiguration(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	path := filepath.Join(dir, "pipeline.yml")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte(`scriptorium:
+  artifacts:
+    zeta:
+      enabled: false
+      output_path: artifacts/zeta.md
+    alpha:
+      enabled: false
+      output_path: artifacts/alpha.md
+workspace:
+  root: /srv/narratio
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+`), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	first, err := LoadPipeline(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	second, err := LoadPipeline(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	firstYAML, err := MarshalEffectivePipeline(first)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	secondYAML, err := MarshalEffectivePipeline(second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if string(firstYAML) != string(secondYAML) || !strings.HasSuffix(string(firstYAML), "\n") {
+		t.Fatalf("effective YAML is not stable: first=%q second=%q", firstYAML, secondYAML)
+	}
+	output := string(firstYAML)
+	if strings.Contains(output, "artifact_families") || strings.Contains(output, "resolution") {
+		t.Fatalf("effective YAML leaked runtime fields: %q", output)
+	}
+	if strings.Index(output, "alpha:") > strings.Index(output, "zeta:") {
+		t.Fatalf("configured artifacts are not sorted: %q", output)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestValidateMissingAudioSource(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := loadedValidConfig(t)
 	cfg.Session.Inputs.AudioDir = ""
@@ -54,6 +103,15 @@ func TestValidateMissingAudioSource(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestExamplesLoadAndValidate(t *testing.T) {
 	examplesDir := filepath.Join("..", "..", "examples")
+	if got, want := maintainedPipelineRoots(t, examplesDir), []string{
+		"pipeline.extraction-subset.yml",
+		"pipeline.full.annotated.yml",
+		"pipeline.minimal.yml",
+		"pipeline.production.yml",
+		filepath.Join("production-testing", "pipeline.yml"),
+	}; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("maintained pipeline roots = %#v, want %#v", got, want)
+	}
 	tests := []struct {
 		name         string
 		pipelineFile string
@@ -96,6 +154,108 @@ func TestExamplesLoadAndValidate(t *testing.T) {
 			}
 		})
 	}
+
+	t.Run("split production and testing bundle", func(t *testing.T) {
+		pipelinePath := filepath.Join(examplesDir, "production-testing", "pipeline.yml")
+		campaignPath := filepath.Join(examplesDir, "campaigns", "sample-campaign", "campaign.yml")
+		sessionPath := filepath.Join(examplesDir, "session.local-audio.yml")
+		campaign, err := LoadCampaign(campaignPath)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("load split bundle campaign: %v", err)
+		}
+		for _, profile := range []struct {
+			name  string
+			model string
+		}{
+			{name: "production", model: "narratio-production-model-placeholder"},
+			{name: "testing", model: "narratio-testing-model-placeholder"},
+		} {
+			t.Run(profile.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+				selected := profile.name
+				pipeline, err := LoadPipelineWithOptions(pipelinePath, PipelineLoadOptions{Profile: &selected})
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Fatalf("load split bundle pipeline: %v", err)
+				}
+				loaded, err := LoadPipelineCampaign(pipelinePath, pipeline, campaignPath, campaign)
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Fatalf("resolve split bundle campaign: %v", err)
+				}
+				cfg, err := LoadSessionWithPipelineCampaignOptions(loaded, sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Fatalf("load split bundle session: %v", err)
+				}
+				if err := Validate(cfg); err != nil {
+					t.Fatalf("validate split bundle: %v", err)
+				}
+				if cfg.Pipeline.Audita.Model != profile.model {
+					t.Fatalf("audita model = %q, want %q", cfg.Pipeline.Audita.Model, profile.model)
+				}
+				if cfg.Pipeline.Secrets != nil || cfg.Pipeline.Audita.LLMAPIKeyEnv != "" || cfg.Pipeline.Storage.Backend != StorageBackendLocal || cfg.Pipeline.Storage.S3 != nil {
+					t.Fatalf("split bundle must remain offline and secret-free: secrets=%#v audita=%#v storage=%#v", cfg.Pipeline.Secrets, cfg.Pipeline.Audita, cfg.Pipeline.Storage)
+				}
+				if selectedProfile, ok := SelectedPipelineProfile(cfg.Pipeline); !ok || selectedProfile.Name != profile.name {
+					t.Fatalf("selected profile = %#v, want %q", selectedProfile, profile.name)
+				}
+				for _, key := range []string{
+					"character_meta_arannis",
+					"character_meta_brenna",
+					"character_items_arannis",
+					"character_items_brenna",
+				} {
+					if _, exists := cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.Artifacts[key]; !exists {
+						t.Fatalf("expanded artifact %q is absent", key)
+					}
+				}
+				if got := cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.Artifacts["character_items_arannis"].Inputs["character_meta"].Source; got != "narratio.artifact.character_meta_arannis" {
+					t.Fatalf("same-member input source = %q", got)
+				}
+				if cfg.Party.Mode != PartyModeCanonical || cfg.Party.Canonical == nil || len(cfg.Party.Canonical.Characters) != 2 {
+					t.Fatalf("canonical party = %#v", cfg.Party)
+				}
+				characters := cfg.Party.Canonical.Characters
+				if characters[0].Player.Name != characters[1].Player.Name || len(characters[0].Character.Aliases) != 2 || len(characters[1].Character.Classes) != 2 {
+					t.Fatalf("canonical party does not preserve repeated player, aliases, and multiclass data: %#v", characters)
+				}
+				if len(cfg.Pipeline.Publish.Outputs) != 3 {
+					t.Fatalf("publish outputs = %#v, want transcript plus two family outputs", cfg.Pipeline.Publish.Outputs)
+				}
+				if profile.name == "testing" {
+					artifact, exists := cfg.Pipeline.Scriptorium.Artifacts["testing_notes"]
+					if !exists || artifact.Enabled {
+						t.Fatalf("testing-only disabled artifact = %#v", artifact)
+					}
+				}
+			})
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func maintainedPipelineRoots(t *testing.T, examplesDir string) []string {
+	t.Helper()
+	var roots []string
+	err := filepath.WalkDir(examplesDir, func(path string, entry fs.DirEntry, walkErr error) error {
+		if walkErr != nil {
+			return walkErr
+		}
+		if entry.IsDir() {
+			return nil
+		}
+		name := entry.Name()
+		if name != "pipeline.yml" && !(strings.HasPrefix(name, "pipeline.") && (strings.HasSuffix(name, ".yml") || strings.HasSuffix(name, ".yaml"))) {
+			return nil
+		}
+		relative, err := filepath.Rel(examplesDir, path)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		roots = append(roots, relative)
+		return nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("discover maintained pipeline roots: %v", err)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(roots)
+	return roots
 }
 
 func TestMaintainedExtractionExamplesPreservePublishedContracts(t *testing.T) {
@@ -176,6 +336,9 @@ inputs:
 	if err := os.WriteFile(sessionPath, []byte(sessionYAML), 0o644); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("write session.yml: %v", err)
 	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "party.yml"), []byte("legacy: party\n"), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write party.yml: %v", err)
+	}
 
 	return pipelinePath, sessionPath
 }

internal/config/notarius_test.go

@@ -100,6 +100,36 @@ notarius:
 	}
 }
 
+func TestNotariusRelativePathsDoNotMakeEffectiveDigestLocationDependent(t *testing.T) {
+	pipelineYAML := testPipelineBaseYAML + `
+notarius:
+  enabled: true
+  config_path: notarius/config.yml
+  pipeline_id: dnd-session
+`
+	paths := make([]string, 2)
+	configs := make([]*PipelineConfig, 2)
+	for index := range paths {
+		dir := t.TempDir()
+		paths[index] = filepath.Join(dir, "pipeline.yml")
+		if err := os.WriteFile(paths[index], []byte(pipelineYAML), 0o644); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("write pipeline %d: %v", index, err)
+		}
+		loaded, err := LoadPipeline(paths[index])
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("LoadPipeline(%d) error = %v", index, err)
+		}
+		configs[index] = loaded
+	}
+	if configs[0].Notarius.ConfigPath == configs[1].Notarius.ConfigPath ||
+		configs[0].Notarius.WorkingDirectory == configs[1].Notarius.WorkingDirectory {
+		t.Fatalf("runtime Notarius paths should remain location-specific: %#v / %#v", configs[0].Notarius, configs[1].Notarius)
+	}
+	if first, second := EffectivePipelineDigest(configs[0]), EffectivePipelineDigest(configs[1]); first == "" || first != second {
+		t.Fatalf("relocated logical configuration digests = %q / %q, want equal non-empty values", first, second)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestNotariusStrictYAML(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name string
@@ -117,8 +147,13 @@ func TestNotariusStrictYAML(t *testing.T) {
 			if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte(testPipelineBaseYAML+"\n"+tt.yaml), 0o644); err != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("write pipeline: %v", err)
 			}
-			if _, err := LoadPipeline(path); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "strict decode failed") {
-				t.Fatalf("LoadPipeline() error = %v, want strict decode failure", err)
+			_, err := LoadPipeline(path)
+			want := "strict decode failed"
+			if tt.name == "duplicate reference selector" {
+				want = "duplicate YAML key"
+			}
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+				t.Fatalf("LoadPipeline() error = %v, want containing %q", err, want)
 			}
 		})
 	}

internal/config/party.go

@@ -0,0 +1,494 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"sort"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"unicode"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/artifactpolicy"
+	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+)
+
+const (
+	// PartySchemaVersion identifies the canonical campaign party document.
+	PartySchemaVersion = "narratio.party.v1"
+	// PlayersSchemaVersion identifies the derived players-only document.
+	PlayersSchemaVersion = "narratio.players.v1"
+)
+
+// PartyMode records whether a source document uses the canonical party
+// contract or the bounded compatibility path for older opaque files.
+type PartyMode string
+
+const (
+	PartyModeCanonical PartyMode = "canonical"
+	PartyModeLegacy    PartyMode = "legacy"
+)
+
+// PartyDocument classifies a party input. Canonical is populated only for a
+// versioned canonical document; legacy contents intentionally remain opaque.
+type PartyDocument struct {
+	Mode      PartyMode
+	Canonical *CanonicalParty
+}
+
+// IsCanonical reports whether the document has validated canonical data.
+func (d *PartyDocument) IsCanonical() bool {
+	return d != nil && d.Mode == PartyModeCanonical && d.Canonical != nil
+}
+
+// PlayersYAML renders the derived players projection for a canonical document.
+func (d *PartyDocument) PlayersYAML() ([]byte, error) {
+	if !d.IsCanonical() {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("canonical party is required")
+	}
+	return d.Canonical.PlayersYAML()
+}
+
+// CanonicalParty is the normalized domain value for narratio.party.v1. Raw is
+// retained independently so later preparation can copy the authored party file
+// byte-for-byte rather than serializing normalized values.
+type CanonicalParty struct {
+	Raw        []byte
+	Characters []PartyCharacter
+}
+
+// PartyCharacter is one ordered character declaration from a canonical party.
+type PartyCharacter struct {
+	ID        string
+	Player    PartyPlayer
+	Character PartyCharacterDetails
+}
+
+// PartyPlayer identifies the player controlling a character.
+type PartyPlayer struct {
+	Name string
+}
+
+// PartyCharacterDetails contains the player-facing character details.
+type PartyCharacterDetails struct {
+	Name    string
+	Aliases []string
+	Classes []PartyClass
+}
+
+// PartyClass represents one declared class. A missing Level is distinct from
+// an explicitly supplied level.
+type PartyClass struct {
+	Name  string
+	Level *int
+}
+
+// ParseParty classifies and, when selected by schema_version, strictly parses
+// a party source. An unversioned source takes the deliberately opaque legacy
+// compatibility path; see party_legacy.go.
+func ParseParty(data []byte) (*PartyDocument, error) {
+	root, decoder, err := parsePartyFirstDocument(data)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if !partyDocumentSelectsCanonical(root) {
+		return classifyLegacyPartyDocument(), nil
+	}
+	if err := requireNoTrailingPartyDocuments(decoder); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	party, err := parseCanonicalParty(root, data)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return &PartyDocument{Mode: PartyModeCanonical, Canonical: party}, nil
+}
+
+func parsePartyFirstDocument(data []byte) (*yaml.Node, *yaml.Decoder, error) {
+	decoder := yaml.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(data))
+	var document yaml.Node
+	if err := decoder.Decode(&document); err != nil {
+		if err == io.EOF {
+			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("party YAML document is empty")
+		}
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("decode party YAML: %w", err)
+	}
+	if document.Kind != yaml.DocumentNode || len(document.Content) != 1 {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("party must contain one YAML document")
+	}
+	return document.Content[0], decoder, nil
+}
+
+func partyDocumentSelectsCanonical(root *yaml.Node) bool {
+	if root == nil || root.Kind != yaml.MappingNode {
+		return false
+	}
+	for index := 0; index+1 < len(root.Content); index += 2 {
+		key := root.Content[index]
+		if key.Kind == yaml.ScalarNode && key.Tag == "!!str" && key.Value == "schema_version" {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func requireNoTrailingPartyDocuments(decoder *yaml.Decoder) error {
+	var trailing yaml.Node
+	if err := decoder.Decode(&trailing); err == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("canonical party must contain exactly one YAML document")
+	} else if err != io.EOF {
+		return fmt.Errorf("decode trailing canonical party YAML: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func parseCanonicalParty(root *yaml.Node, raw []byte) (*CanonicalParty, error) {
+	fields, err := partyMappingFields(root, "party")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := partyKnownFields(fields, "party", "schema_version", "characters"); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	version, err := partyRequiredString(fields, "schema_version", "party")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if version != PartySchemaVersion {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("party.schema_version %q is unsupported", version)
+	}
+	charactersNode, ok := fields["characters"]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("party.characters is required")
+	}
+	charactersFields, err := partyMappingFields(charactersNode, "party.characters")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if len(charactersFields) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("party.characters must be non-empty")
+	}
+
+	party := &CanonicalParty{Raw: append([]byte(nil), raw...)}
+	seenNames := make([]string, 0, len(charactersFields))
+	for _, id := range partyMappingOrder(charactersNode) {
+		entry, err := parsePartyCharacter(id, charactersFields[id], seenNames)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		party.Characters = append(party.Characters, entry)
+		seenNames = append(seenNames, entry.Character.Name)
+		seenNames = append(seenNames, entry.Character.Aliases...)
+	}
+	return party, nil
+}
+
+func parsePartyCharacter(id string, node *yaml.Node, seenNames []string) (PartyCharacter, error) {
+	path := "party.characters." + id
+	if id != strings.TrimSpace(id) || !artifactpolicy.IsConfiguredKey(id) {
+		return PartyCharacter{}, fmt.Errorf("%s has invalid character id %q", path, id)
+	}
+	fields, err := partyMappingFields(node, path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return PartyCharacter{}, err
+	}
+	if err := partyKnownFields(fields, path, "player", "character"); err != nil {
+		return PartyCharacter{}, err
+	}
+	player, err := parsePartyPlayer(fields["player"], path+".player")
+	if err != nil {
+		return PartyCharacter{}, err
+	}
+	character, err := parsePartyCharacterDetails(fields["character"], path+".character")
+	if err != nil {
+		return PartyCharacter{}, err
+	}
+	if partyNameAmbiguous(character.Name, seenNames) {
+		return PartyCharacter{}, fmt.Errorf("%s name or alias %q is ambiguous", path, character.Name)
+	}
+	visibleNames := append(append([]string(nil), seenNames...), character.Name)
+	for _, name := range character.Aliases {
+		if partyNameAmbiguous(name, visibleNames) {
+			return PartyCharacter{}, fmt.Errorf("%s name or alias %q is ambiguous", path, name)
+		}
+		visibleNames = append(visibleNames, name)
+	}
+	return PartyCharacter{ID: id, Player: player, Character: character}, nil
+}
+
+func parsePartyPlayer(node *yaml.Node, path string) (PartyPlayer, error) {
+	fields, err := partyMappingFields(node, path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return PartyPlayer{}, err
+	}
+	if err := partyKnownFields(fields, path, "name"); err != nil {
+		return PartyPlayer{}, err
+	}
+	name, err := partyRequiredDisplayString(fields, "name", path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return PartyPlayer{}, err
+	}
+	return PartyPlayer{Name: name}, nil
+}
+
+func parsePartyCharacterDetails(node *yaml.Node, path string) (PartyCharacterDetails, error) {
+	fields, err := partyMappingFields(node, path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return PartyCharacterDetails{}, err
+	}
+	if err := partyKnownFields(fields, path, "name", "alias", "classes"); err != nil {
+		return PartyCharacterDetails{}, err
+	}
+	name, err := partyRequiredDisplayString(fields, "name", path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return PartyCharacterDetails{}, err
+	}
+	aliases, err := partyAliases(fields["alias"], path+".alias")
+	if err != nil {
+		return PartyCharacterDetails{}, err
+	}
+	classes, err := partyClasses(fields["classes"], path+".classes")
+	if err != nil {
+		return PartyCharacterDetails{}, err
+	}
+	return PartyCharacterDetails{Name: name, Aliases: aliases, Classes: classes}, nil
+}
+
+func partyAliases(node *yaml.Node, path string) ([]string, error) {
+	if node == nil {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	if node.Kind != yaml.SequenceNode {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s must be a list", path)
+	}
+	aliases := make([]string, 0, len(node.Content))
+	for index, item := range node.Content {
+		alias, err := partyDisplayString(item, fmt.Sprintf("%s[%d]", path, index))
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		aliases = append(aliases, alias)
+	}
+	return aliases, nil
+}
+
+func partyClasses(node *yaml.Node, path string) ([]PartyClass, error) {
+	if node == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s is required", path)
+	}
+	if node.Kind != yaml.SequenceNode || len(node.Content) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s must be a non-empty list", path)
+	}
+	classes := make([]PartyClass, 0, len(node.Content))
+	classNames := make([]string, 0, len(node.Content))
+	for index, item := range node.Content {
+		classPath := fmt.Sprintf("%s[%d]", path, index)
+		fields, err := partyMappingFields(item, classPath)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if err := partyKnownFields(fields, classPath, "name", "level"); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		name, err := partyRequiredDisplayString(fields, "name", classPath)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if partyNameAmbiguous(name, classNames) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s has duplicate class %q", path, name)
+		}
+		classNames = append(classNames, name)
+		level, err := partyLevel(fields["level"], classPath+".level")
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		classes = append(classes, PartyClass{Name: name, Level: level})
+	}
+	return classes, nil
+}
+
+func partyLevel(node *yaml.Node, path string) (*int, error) {
+	if node == nil {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	if node.Kind != yaml.ScalarNode || node.Tag != "!!int" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s must be a positive integer", path)
+	}
+	level, err := strconv.Atoi(node.Value)
+	if err != nil || level <= 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s must be a positive integer", path)
+	}
+	return &level, nil
+}
+
+func partyRequiredDisplayString(fields map[string]*yaml.Node, key, path string) (string, error) {
+	node, ok := fields[key]
+	if !ok {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%s.%s is required", path, key)
+	}
+	return partyDisplayString(node, path+"."+key)
+}
+
+func partyRequiredString(fields map[string]*yaml.Node, key, path string) (string, error) {
+	node, ok := fields[key]
+	if !ok {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%s.%s is required", path, key)
+	}
+	if node.Kind != yaml.ScalarNode || node.Tag != "!!str" || node.Value == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%s.%s must be a non-empty string", path, key)
+	}
+	return node.Value, nil
+}
+
+func partyDisplayString(node *yaml.Node, path string) (string, error) {
+	if node == nil || node.Kind != yaml.ScalarNode || node.Tag != "!!str" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%s must be a display string", path)
+	}
+	value := node.Value
+	if value == "" || strings.TrimSpace(value) != value {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%s must be non-empty and trimmed", path)
+	}
+	for _, runeValue := range value {
+		if unicode.IsControl(runeValue) {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("%s must not contain control characters", path)
+		}
+	}
+	return value, nil
+}
+
+func partyNameAmbiguous(name string, existing []string) bool {
+	for _, candidate := range existing {
+		if strings.EqualFold(name, candidate) {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func partyMappingFields(node *yaml.Node, path string) (map[string]*yaml.Node, error) {
+	if node == nil || node.Kind != yaml.MappingNode {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s must be a mapping", path)
+	}
+	if len(node.Content)%2 != 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s has an incomplete mapping", path)
+	}
+	fields := make(map[string]*yaml.Node, len(node.Content)/2)
+	for index := 0; index < len(node.Content); index += 2 {
+		key, value := node.Content[index], node.Content[index+1]
+		if key.Kind != yaml.ScalarNode || key.Tag != "!!str" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s has a non-string field name", path)
+		}
+		if key.Value == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s has an empty field name", path)
+		}
+		if _, duplicate := fields[key.Value]; duplicate {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s has duplicate field %q", path, key.Value)
+		}
+		if partyContainsAlias(value) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s.%s must not use YAML aliases", path, key.Value)
+		}
+		fields[key.Value] = value
+	}
+	return fields, nil
+}
+
+func partyMappingOrder(node *yaml.Node) []string {
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(node.Content)/2)
+	for index := 0; index < len(node.Content); index += 2 {
+		keys = append(keys, node.Content[index].Value)
+	}
+	return keys
+}
+
+func partyKnownFields(fields map[string]*yaml.Node, path string, allowed ...string) error {
+	for name := range fields {
+		known := false
+		for _, candidate := range allowed {
+			if name == candidate {
+				known = true
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if !known {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s has unknown field %q", path, name)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func partyContainsAlias(node *yaml.Node) bool {
+	if node == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	if node.Kind == yaml.AliasNode {
+		return true
+	}
+	for _, child := range node.Content {
+		if partyContainsAlias(child) {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// ClassSummary preserves the declaration order required by the party contract.
+func (c PartyCharacter) ClassSummary() string {
+	parts := make([]string, 0, len(c.Character.Classes))
+	for _, class := range c.Character.Classes {
+		entry := class.Name
+		if class.Level != nil {
+			entry += fmt.Sprintf(" %d", *class.Level)
+		}
+		parts = append(parts, entry)
+	}
+	return strings.Join(parts, " / ")
+}
+
+// AliasSummary preserves the declaration order required by the party contract.
+func (c PartyCharacter) AliasSummary() string {
+	return strings.Join(c.Character.Aliases, ", ")
+}
+
+// PlayersYAML renders the deterministic players-only projection of a
+// canonical party. It returns one final newline, as produced by yaml.Marshal.
+func (p *CanonicalParty) PlayersYAML() ([]byte, error) {
+	if p == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("canonical party is required")
+	}
+	characters := append([]PartyCharacter(nil), p.Characters...)
+	sort.Slice(characters, func(left, right int) bool {
+		return characters[left].ID < characters[right].ID
+	})
+	type projectionCharacter struct {
+		ID      string   `yaml:"id"`
+		Name    string   `yaml:"name"`
+		Aliases []string `yaml:"alias,omitempty"`
+	}
+	type projectionPlayer struct {
+		Name      string              `yaml:"name"`
+		Character projectionCharacter `yaml:"character"`
+	}
+	projection := struct {
+		SchemaVersion string             `yaml:"schema_version"`
+		Players       []projectionPlayer `yaml:"players"`
+	}{
+		SchemaVersion: PlayersSchemaVersion,
+		Players:       make([]projectionPlayer, 0, len(characters)),
+	}
+	for _, character := range characters {
+		projection.Players = append(projection.Players, projectionPlayer{
+			Name: character.Player.Name,
+			Character: projectionCharacter{
+				ID:      character.ID,
+				Name:    character.Character.Name,
+				Aliases: append([]string(nil), character.Character.Aliases...),
+			},
+		})
+	}
+	encoded, err := yaml.Marshal(projection)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("render players projection: %w", err)
+	}
+	return encoded, nil
+}

internal/config/party_legacy.go

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+package config
+
+// classifyLegacyPartyDocument is the bounded compatibility path for an
+// unversioned party source. It intentionally retains no parsed roster data and
+// must be removed once legacy campaign inputs are no longer supported.
+func classifyLegacyPartyDocument() *PartyDocument {
+	return &PartyDocument{Mode: PartyModeLegacy}
+}
+
+// resolveLegacyParty preserves the deliberately opaque legacy party mode.
+// This small compatibility surface is intended for removal once legacy
+// campaign inputs are no longer supported.
+func resolveLegacyParty(resolved ResolvedParty) (ResolvedParty, error) {
+	resolved.Mode = PartyModeLegacy
+	resolved.Canonical = nil
+	return resolved, nil
+}

internal/config/party_resolution.go

@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/fileops"
+)
+
+const maxPartyDocumentBytes = 8 << 20
+
+func resolvePartyInput(input ResolvedInputFile) (ResolvedParty, error) {
+	configuredPath := strings.TrimSpace(input.Path)
+	if configuredPath == "" {
+		return ResolvedParty{}, fmt.Errorf("party input path is required")
+	}
+	configPath := strings.TrimSpace(input.ConfigPath)
+	if configPath == "" {
+		return ResolvedParty{}, fmt.Errorf("party input %q has no declaring configuration path", configuredPath)
+	}
+	path := configuredPath
+	if !filepath.IsAbs(path) {
+		path = filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(configPath), path)
+	}
+	path = filepath.Clean(path)
+	raw, err := fileops.ReadRegularFile(path, maxPartyDocumentBytes)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ResolvedParty{}, fmt.Errorf("read party input %q: %w", path, err)
+	}
+	document, err := ParseParty(raw)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ResolvedParty{}, fmt.Errorf("parse party input %q: %w", path, err)
+	}
+	resolved := ResolvedParty{
+		Mode: document.Mode,
+		Source: PartySource{
+			Path:       path,
+			ConfigPath: configPath,
+			Source:     input.Source,
+		},
+		Canonical: document.Canonical,
+	}
+	if document.IsCanonical() {
+		return resolved, nil
+	}
+	return resolveLegacyParty(resolved)
+}
+
+func campaignPartyInput(campaignPath string, campaign *CampaignConfig) (ResolvedInputFile, error) {
+	if campaign == nil {
+		return ResolvedInputFile{}, fmt.Errorf("campaign config is required")
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(campaign.Inputs.PartyFile) == "" {
+		return ResolvedInputFile{}, fmt.Errorf("campaign.inputs.party_file is required")
+	}
+	return ResolvedInputFile{
+		Path:       campaign.Inputs.PartyFile,
+		ConfigPath: campaignPath,
+		Source:     "campaign_config",
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func resolveCampaignParty(campaignPath string, campaign *CampaignConfig) (ResolvedParty, error) {
+	input, err := campaignPartyInput(campaignPath, campaign)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ResolvedParty{}, err
+	}
+	return resolvePartyInput(input)
+}
+
+func validateCanonicalPartySelection(campaign *CampaignConfig, session *SessionConfig) error {
+	if campaign == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("campaign config is required")
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(campaign.Inputs.PlayersFile) != "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("campaign.inputs.players_file is not allowed with a canonical party")
+	}
+	if session == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(session.Inputs.PlayersFile) != "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("session.inputs.players_file is not allowed with a canonical party")
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(session.Inputs.PartyFile) != "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("session.inputs.party_file cannot override a canonical campaign party")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func virtualPlayersInput() ResolvedInputFile {
+	return ResolvedInputFile{Source: "derived_from_party"}
+}

internal/config/party_resolution_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,240 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestCanonicalPartyResolvesFromCampaignAndDerivesVirtualPlayers(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	partyPath := filepath.Join(dir, "roster", "party.yml")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(filepath.Dir(partyPath), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("create roster directory: %v", err)
+	}
+	partyYAML := []byte(`schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  arannis:
+    player: {name: Eric}
+    character:
+      name: Arannis
+      classes: [{name: wizard, level: 8}]
+`)
+	if err := os.WriteFile(partyPath, partyYAML, 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write party: %v", err)
+	}
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writePartyResolutionConfig(t, dir, `campaign_id: campaign
+inputs:
+  speakers_file: speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: glossary.yml
+  party_file: roster/party.yml
+`, `session_id: session
+campaign: campaign
+inputs:
+  audio_dir: audio
+`)
+
+	cfg, err := LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadWithSessionOptions() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := Validate(cfg); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if cfg.Party.Mode != PartyModeCanonical || cfg.Party.Canonical == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("party = %#v, want canonical party", cfg.Party)
+	}
+	if got, want := cfg.Party.Source.Path, partyPath; got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("party source path = %q, want %q", got, want)
+	}
+	if cfg.Party.Source.Source != "campaign_config" || cfg.Party.Source.ConfigPath != campaignPath {
+		t.Fatalf("party provenance = %#v, want campaign source", cfg.Party.Source)
+	}
+	if !bytes.Equal(cfg.Party.Canonical.Raw, partyYAML) {
+		t.Fatal("canonical party bytes were not retained")
+	}
+	if got := cfg.StableInputs.PlayersFile; got.Source != "derived_from_party" || got.Path != "" || got.ConfigPath != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("derived players input = %#v, want virtual party projection source", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCanonicalPartyRejectsSeparatePlayersAndSessionPartyOverrides(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name          string
+		campaignExtra string
+		sessionExtra  string
+		want          string
+	}{
+		{name: "campaign players", campaignExtra: "  players_file: players.yml\n", want: "campaign.inputs.players_file is not allowed"},
+		{name: "session players", sessionExtra: "  players_file: players.yml\n", want: "session.inputs.players_file is not allowed"},
+		{name: "session party", sessionExtra: "  party_file: party-override.yml\n", want: "session.inputs.party_file cannot override"},
+	}
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			dir := t.TempDir()
+			writePartyResolutionFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "party.yml"), canonicalPartyFixture)
+			pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writePartyResolutionConfig(t, dir, "campaign_id: campaign\ninputs:\n  speakers_file: speakers.yml\n  autocorrect_file: autocorrect.yml\n  glossary_file: glossary.yml\n  party_file: party.yml\n"+test.campaignExtra, "session_id: session\ncampaign: campaign\ninputs:\n  audio_dir: audio\n"+test.sessionExtra)
+			_, err := LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), test.want) {
+				t.Fatalf("LoadWithSessionOptions() error = %v, want %q", err, test.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLegacyPartyPreservesCampaignAndSessionInputOverrides(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	writePartyResolutionFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "party.yml"), "legacy: campaign\n")
+	writePartyResolutionFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "session-party.yml"), "legacy: session\n")
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writePartyResolutionConfig(t, dir, `campaign_id: campaign
+inputs:
+  speakers_file: speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: glossary.yml
+  players_file: campaign-players.yml
+  party_file: party.yml
+`, `session_id: session
+campaign: campaign
+inputs:
+  audio_dir: audio
+  players_file: session-players.yml
+  party_file: session-party.yml
+`)
+
+	cfg, err := LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadWithSessionOptions() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := Validate(cfg); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if cfg.Party.Mode != PartyModeLegacy || cfg.Party.Canonical != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("party = %#v, want opaque legacy party", cfg.Party)
+	}
+	if cfg.Party.Source.Source != "session_config" || filepath.Base(cfg.Party.Source.Path) != "session-party.yml" {
+		t.Fatalf("party source = %#v, want session override", cfg.Party.Source)
+	}
+	if got := cfg.StableInputs.PlayersFile; got.Path != "session-players.yml" || got.Source != "session_config" {
+		t.Fatalf("players input = %#v, want session override", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLegacyPartyAcceptsAnEffectiveSessionPlayersOverride(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	writePartyResolutionFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "party.yml"), "legacy: campaign\n")
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writePartyResolutionConfig(t, dir, `campaign_id: campaign
+inputs:
+  speakers_file: speakers.yml
+  autocorrect_file: autocorrect.yml
+  glossary_file: glossary.yml
+  party_file: party.yml
+`, `session_id: session
+campaign: campaign
+inputs:
+  audio_dir: audio
+  players_file: session-players.yml
+`)
+	cfg, err := LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadWithSessionOptions() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if got := cfg.StableInputs.PlayersFile; got.Path != "session-players.yml" || got.Source != "session_config" {
+		t.Fatalf("players input = %#v, want effective session override", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLegacyPartyRequiresPlayersAndPartyMustBeReadableRegularFile(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name        string
+		partySetup  func(t *testing.T, dir string)
+		partyFile   string
+		playersFile string
+		want        string
+	}{
+		{name: "missing players", partySetup: func(t *testing.T, dir string) {
+			writePartyResolutionFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "party.yml"), "legacy: party\n")
+		}, partyFile: "party.yml", want: "players_file is required with a legacy party"},
+		{name: "missing party file", partySetup: func(t *testing.T, dir string) {}, partyFile: "missing.yml", playersFile: "players.yml", want: "read party input"},
+		{name: "non-regular party file", partySetup: func(t *testing.T, dir string) {
+			if err := os.Mkdir(filepath.Join(dir, "party-dir"), 0o755); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}, partyFile: "party-dir", playersFile: "players.yml", want: "read party input"},
+	}
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			dir := t.TempDir()
+			test.partySetup(t, dir)
+			players := ""
+			if test.playersFile != "" {
+				players = "  players_file: " + test.playersFile + "\n"
+			}
+			pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writePartyResolutionConfig(t, dir, "campaign_id: campaign\ninputs:\n  speakers_file: speakers.yml\n  autocorrect_file: autocorrect.yml\n  glossary_file: glossary.yml\n"+players+"  party_file: "+test.partyFile+"\n", "session_id: session\ncampaign: campaign\ninputs:\n  audio_dir: audio\n")
+			_, err := LoadWithSessionOptions(pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{})
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), test.want) {
+				t.Fatalf("LoadWithSessionOptions() error = %v, want %q", err, test.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveAndLoadedCampaignShareCanonicalPartyResolution(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	writePartyResolutionFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "party.yml"), canonicalPartyFixture)
+	pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath := writePartyResolutionConfig(t, dir, "campaign_id: campaign\ninputs:\n  speakers_file: speakers.yml\n  autocorrect_file: autocorrect.yml\n  glossary_file: glossary.yml\n  party_file: party.yml\n", "session_id: session\ncampaign: campaign\ninputs:\n  audio_dir: audio\n")
+	pipeline, err := LoadPipeline(pipelinePath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadPipeline() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	campaign, err := LoadCampaign(campaignPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadCampaign() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	session, err := LoadSession(sessionPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadSession() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	loaded, err := LoadPipelineCampaign(pipelinePath, pipeline, campaignPath, campaign)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadPipelineCampaign() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	partial, err := ResolveLoadedPipelineCampaign(loaded, "", nil, SessionSource{})
+	if err != nil || partial.Party.Mode != PartyModeCanonical {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolveLoadedPipelineCampaign() = %#v, %v; want canonical partial config", partial, err)
+	}
+	direct, err := Resolve(pipelinePath, pipeline, campaignPath, campaign, sessionPath, session, SessionSource{Source: "session_config", LocalPath: sessionPath})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Resolve() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if direct.Party.Mode != PartyModeCanonical || direct.StableInputs.PlayersFile.Source != "derived_from_party" {
+		t.Fatalf("Resolve() party = %#v, players = %#v", direct.Party, direct.StableInputs.PlayersFile)
+	}
+}
+
+const canonicalPartyFixture = `schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  arannis:
+    player: {name: Eric}
+    character:
+      name: Arannis
+      classes: [{name: wizard}]
+`
+
+func writePartyResolutionConfig(t *testing.T, dir, campaign, session string) (string, string, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	pipelinePath := writePartyResolutionFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "pipeline.yml"), "workspace:\n  root: "+filepath.ToSlash(filepath.Join(dir, "work"))+"\nwhisperx:\n  transcribe_url: https://example.test/transcribe\nnotification:\n  mode: noop\n")
+	campaignPath := writePartyResolutionFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "campaign.yml"), campaign)
+	sessionPath := writePartyResolutionFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "session.yml"), session)
+	return pipelinePath, campaignPath, sessionPath
+}
+
+func writePartyResolutionFile(t *testing.T, path, contents string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte(contents), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write %s: %v", path, err)
+	}
+	return path
+}

internal/config/party_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,286 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestParsePartyCanonicalContract(t *testing.T) {
+	data := []byte(`schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  arannis:
+    player:
+      name: Eric
+    character:
+      name: Arannis
+      alias:
+        - Ari
+        - The Grey Owl
+      classes:
+        - name: wizard
+          level: 8
+        - name: fighter
+`)
+
+	document, err := ParseParty(data)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ParseParty() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if !document.IsCanonical() || document.Mode != PartyModeCanonical {
+		t.Fatalf("document mode = %#v, want canonical", document)
+	}
+	if !bytes.Equal(document.Canonical.Raw, data) {
+		t.Fatal("canonical raw bytes were not preserved")
+	}
+	characters := document.Canonical.Characters
+	if len(characters) != 1 || characters[0].ID != "arannis" {
+		t.Fatalf("characters = %#v, want ordered arannis character", characters)
+	}
+	if got, want := characters[0].ClassSummary(), "wizard 8 / fighter"; got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("ClassSummary() = %q, want %q", got, want)
+	}
+	if got, want := characters[0].AliasSummary(), "Ari, The Grey Owl"; got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("AliasSummary() = %q, want %q", got, want)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParsePartyCanonicalRejectsInvalidDocuments(t *testing.T) {
+	valid := `schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  arannis:
+    player:
+      name: Eric
+    character:
+      name: Arannis
+      classes:
+        - name: wizard
+          level: 8
+`
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		yaml string
+		want string
+	}{
+		{name: "unsupported version", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, PartySchemaVersion, "narratio.party.v2", 1), want: "unsupported"},
+		{name: "non-string version", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, PartySchemaVersion, "1", 1), want: "must be a non-empty string"},
+		{name: "unknown top field", yaml: valid + "unknown: true\n", want: "unknown field"},
+		{name: "unknown nested field", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, "      name: Eric\n", "      name: Eric\n      role: GM\n", 1), want: "unknown field"},
+		{name: "trailing document", yaml: valid + "---\ncharacters: {}\n", want: "exactly one YAML document"},
+		{name: "empty characters", yaml: "schema_version: narratio.party.v1\ncharacters: {}\n", want: "must be non-empty"},
+		{name: "invalid id", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, "  arannis:", "  bad-id:", 1), want: "invalid character id"},
+		{name: "whitespace id", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, "  arannis:", "  ' arannis':", 1), want: "invalid character id"},
+		{name: "missing player name", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, "player:\n      name: Eric", "player: {}", 1), want: "player.name is required"},
+		{name: "missing character name", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, "      name: Arannis\n", "", 1), want: "character.name is required"},
+		{name: "blank player name", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, "name: Eric", "name: ' Eric'", 1), want: "non-empty and trimmed"},
+		{name: "control character", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, "name: Arannis", "name: \"Ara\\tnnis\"", 1), want: "control characters"},
+		{name: "non-string display", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, "name: Eric", "name: 42", 1), want: "display string"},
+		{name: "missing classes", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, "      classes:\n        - name: wizard\n          level: 8\n", "", 1), want: "classes is required"},
+		{name: "empty classes", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, "      classes:\n        - name: wizard\n          level: 8\n", "      classes: []\n", 1), want: "non-empty list"},
+		{name: "zero level", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, "level: 8", "level: 0", 1), want: "positive integer"},
+		{name: "negative level", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, "level: 8", "level: -2", 1), want: "positive integer"},
+		{name: "non-integer level", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, "level: 8", "level: eight", 1), want: "positive integer"},
+		{name: "duplicate class", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, "          level: 8\n", "          level: 8\n        - name: WIZARD\n", 1), want: "duplicate class"},
+		{name: "duplicate field", yaml: strings.Replace(valid, "      name: Eric\n", "      name: Eric\n      name: Erin\n", 1), want: "duplicate field"},
+		{name: "yaml alias", yaml: strings.Replace(strings.Replace(valid, "      name: Eric", "      name: &player Eric", 1), "      name: Arannis", "      name: *player", 1), want: "must not use YAML aliases"},
+	}
+
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := ParseParty([]byte(test.yaml))
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("ParseParty() error = nil, want rejection")
+			}
+			if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), test.want) {
+				t.Fatalf("ParseParty() error = %q, want %q", err, test.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParsePartyRejectsGlobalAliasAmbiguityWithUnicodeCaseFolding(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		yaml string
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "alias equals primary on same character",
+			yaml: `schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  arannis:
+    player: {name: Eric}
+    character:
+      name: Arannis
+      alias: [arannis]
+      classes: [{name: wizard}]
+`,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "primary collides with prior alias",
+			yaml: `schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  arannis:
+    player: {name: Eric}
+    character:
+      name: Arannis
+      alias: [Ari]
+      classes: [{name: wizard}]
+  brenna:
+    player: {name: Jane}
+    character:
+      name: ari
+      classes: [{name: paladin}]
+`,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "aliases collide on one character",
+			yaml: `schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  arannis:
+    player: {name: Eric}
+    character:
+      name: Arannis
+      alias: [Ari, ari]
+      classes: [{name: wizard}]
+`,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "unicode simple fold collision",
+			yaml: `schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  kelvin:
+    player: {name: Eric}
+    character:
+      name: Kelvin
+      alias: [Knight]
+      classes: [{name: wizard}]
+  knight:
+    player: {name: Jane}
+    character:
+      name: knight
+      classes: [{name: paladin}]
+`,
+		},
+	}
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := ParseParty([]byte(test.yaml))
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "ambiguous") {
+				t.Fatalf("ParseParty() error = %v, want ambiguity rejection", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParsePartyAllowsRepeatedPlayersAndEmptyAliasList(t *testing.T) {
+	document, err := ParseParty([]byte(`schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  arannis:
+    player: {name: Eric}
+    character:
+      name: Arannis
+      alias: []
+      classes: [{name: wizard}]
+  brenna:
+    player: {name: Eric}
+    character:
+      name: Brenna
+      classes: [{name: paladin}]
+`))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ParseParty() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if got := len(document.Canonical.Characters); got != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("character count = %d, want 2", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParsePartyRejectsEmptyAlias(t *testing.T) {
+	_, err := ParseParty([]byte(`schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  arannis:
+    player: {name: Eric}
+    character:
+      name: Arannis
+      alias: [""]
+      classes: [{name: wizard}]
+`))
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "non-empty") {
+		t.Fatalf("ParseParty() error = %v, want empty alias rejection", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParsePartyClassifiesUnversionedDocumentAsLegacy(t *testing.T) {
+	document, err := ParseParty([]byte("players:\n  - not canonical\n---\nlegacy: remains opaque\n"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ParseParty() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if document.Mode != PartyModeLegacy || document.Canonical != nil || document.IsCanonical() {
+		t.Fatalf("document = %#v, want opaque legacy classification", document)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCanonicalPartyPlayersYAML(t *testing.T) {
+	document, err := ParseParty([]byte(`schema_version: narratio.party.v1
+characters:
+  zeta:
+    player: {name: Shared Player}
+    character:
+      name: Zeta
+      alias: [Z, The Last]
+      classes: [{name: wizard, level: 8}]
+  alpha:
+    player: {name: Shared Player}
+    character:
+      name: Alpha
+      classes: [{name: ranger}]
+`))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ParseParty() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	got, err := document.PlayersYAML()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("PlayersYAML() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	again, err := document.Canonical.PlayersYAML()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("PlayersYAML() repeat error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if !bytes.Equal(got, again) {
+		t.Fatalf("PlayersYAML() was not deterministic:\nfirst:\n%s\nsecond:\n%s", got, again)
+	}
+	want := `schema_version: narratio.players.v1
+players:
+    - name: Shared Player
+      character:
+        id: alpha
+        name: Alpha
+    - name: Shared Player
+      character:
+        id: zeta
+        name: Zeta
+        alias:
+            - Z
+            - The Last
+`
+	if string(got) != want {
+		t.Fatalf("PlayersYAML() =\n%s\nwant:\n%s", got, want)
+	}
+	if !strings.HasSuffix(string(got), "\n") || strings.Contains(string(got), "classes") {
+		t.Fatalf("players projection leaked unsupported data: %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCanonicalPartyPlayersYAMLRequiresCanonicalParty(t *testing.T) {
+	var party *CanonicalParty
+	if _, err := party.PlayersYAML(); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("PlayersYAML() error = nil, want canonical party requirement")
+	}
+	legacy, err := ParseParty([]byte("legacy: party\n"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ParseParty() legacy error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := legacy.PlayersYAML(); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("legacy PlayersYAML() error = nil, want canonical party requirement")
+	}
+}

internal/config/pipeline_composition.go

@@ -0,0 +1,515 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"unicode"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/fileops"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/narratio/internal/pathsafe"
+	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+)
+
+type pipelineResolutionMetadata struct {
+	rootPath                 string
+	imports                  []string
+	sources                  []string
+	selectedProfile          *pipelineProfileSelection
+	effectiveDigest          string
+	logicalNotariusConfig    string
+	logicalNotariusWorking   string
+	logicalNotariusCaptured  bool
+	ownership                []pipelineFieldOwnership
+	artifactFamilies         map[string]ScriptoriumArtifactFamilyConfig
+	artifactFamiliesExpanded bool
+	publishDeclared          bool
+}
+
+type pipelineProfileSelection struct {
+	name        string
+	source      string
+	overlayPath string
+}
+
+type pipelineFieldOwnership struct {
+	path    string
+	sources []string
+}
+
+type pipelineCompositionEnvelope struct {
+	imports        []string
+	defaultProfile *string
+	profiles       []pipelineProfileDeclaration
+}
+
+type pipelineProfileDeclaration struct {
+	name    string
+	overlay string
+}
+
+// pipelineCompositionSources retains one validated root source set. Each
+// selected profile is resolved from a cloned base document so callers can
+// safely compare or otherwise resolve multiple profiles without rereading or
+// mutating the source set.
+type pipelineCompositionSources struct {
+	rootPath       string
+	envelope       pipelineCompositionEnvelope
+	imports        []loadedPipelineImport
+	overlays       []loadedPipelineProfileOverlay
+	overlaysLoaded bool
+	base           *compositionDocument
+}
+
+func loadPipelineCompositionSources(path string) (*pipelineCompositionSources, error) {
+	rootPath, err := filepath.Abs(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("resolve root pipeline path %q: %w", path, err)
+	}
+	rootFile, err := os.Open(rootPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline file %q: open: %w", path, err)
+	}
+	rootDocument, parseErr := parseCompositionDocument(rootPath, rootFile)
+	closeErr := rootFile.Close()
+	if parseErr != nil {
+		return nil, parseErr
+	}
+	if closeErr != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline file %q: close: %w", rootPath, closeErr)
+	}
+
+	baseRoot, envelope, err := splitPipelineCompositionEnvelope(rootDocument)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	imports, err := loadPipelineImports(rootPath, envelope.imports)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	documents := make([]*compositionDocument, 0, len(imports)+1)
+	documents = append(documents, baseRoot)
+	for _, imported := range imports {
+		documents = append(documents, imported.document)
+	}
+	merged, err := mergeAdditiveCompositions(documents...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return &pipelineCompositionSources{
+		rootPath: rootPath,
+		envelope: envelope,
+		imports:  imports,
+		base:     merged,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func (sources *pipelineCompositionSources) loadOverlays() error {
+	if sources == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("pipeline composition sources are required")
+	}
+	if sources.overlaysLoaded {
+		return nil
+	}
+	overlays, err := loadPipelineProfileOverlays(sources.rootPath, sources.envelope.profiles, sources.imports)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	sources.overlays = overlays
+	sources.overlaysLoaded = true
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (sources *pipelineCompositionSources) resolve(opts PipelineLoadOptions) (*PipelineConfig, error) {
+	if sources == nil || sources.base == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline composition sources are required")
+	}
+	if !sources.overlaysLoaded {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline profile overlays have not been loaded")
+	}
+	selection, err := selectPipelineProfile(sources.envelope, opts)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	merged := &compositionDocument{
+		root:    cloneCompositionNode(sources.base.root),
+		sources: append([]string(nil), sources.base.sources...),
+	}
+	if selection != nil {
+		overlay, ok := loadedProfileOverlay(sources.overlays, selection.name)
+		if !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("selected profile %q overlay was not loaded", selection.name)
+		}
+		merged, err = mergeOverlayComposition(merged, overlay.document)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		selection.overlayPath = overlay.path
+	}
+
+	rendered, err := merged.canonicalYAML()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var cfg PipelineConfig
+	if err := decodeStrictYAMLFromReader("pipeline", sources.rootPath, strings.NewReader(string(rendered)), &cfg); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("assembled pipeline sources %s: %w", formatCompositionSources(merged.sources), err)
+	}
+	records, err := merged.semanticRecords()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	metadata := &pipelineResolutionMetadata{
+		rootPath:        sources.rootPath,
+		sources:         append([]string(nil), merged.sources...),
+		selectedProfile: selection,
+	}
+	for _, imported := range sources.imports {
+		metadata.imports = append(metadata.imports, imported.path)
+	}
+	for _, record := range records {
+		metadata.ownership = append(metadata.ownership, pipelineFieldOwnership{
+			path: record.Path, sources: append([]string(nil), record.Sources...),
+		})
+	}
+	cfg.resolution = metadata
+	return &cfg, nil
+}
+
+func splitPipelineCompositionEnvelope(document *compositionDocument) (*compositionDocument, pipelineCompositionEnvelope, error) {
+	if err := validateCompositionDocument(document, "root pipeline"); err != nil {
+		return nil, pipelineCompositionEnvelope{}, err
+	}
+	root := cloneCompositionNode(document.root)
+	index := compositionFieldIndex(root.fields, "composition")
+	if index < 0 {
+		return &compositionDocument{root: root, sources: append([]string(nil), document.sources...)}, pipelineCompositionEnvelope{}, nil
+	}
+	envelopeNode := root.fields[index].value
+	if envelopeNode.kind != yaml.MappingNode {
+		return nil, pipelineCompositionEnvelope{}, fmt.Errorf(
+			"configuration source %s at composition: expected a mapping, got %s",
+			formatCompositionSources(envelopeNode.sources), yamlKindName(envelopeNode.kind),
+		)
+	}
+
+	var envelope pipelineCompositionEnvelope
+	for _, field := range envelopeNode.fields {
+		switch field.key {
+		case "imports":
+			if field.value.kind != yaml.SequenceNode {
+				return nil, pipelineCompositionEnvelope{}, fmt.Errorf(
+					"configuration source %s at composition.imports: expected a list, got %s",
+					formatCompositionSources(field.value.sources), yamlKindName(field.value.kind),
+				)
+			}
+			for itemIndex, item := range field.value.items {
+				if item.kind != yaml.ScalarNode || item.tag != "!!str" {
+					return nil, pipelineCompositionEnvelope{}, fmt.Errorf(
+						"configuration source %s at composition.imports[%d]: expected a string path",
+						formatCompositionSources(item.sources), itemIndex,
+					)
+				}
+				envelope.imports = append(envelope.imports, item.value)
+			}
+		case "default_profile":
+			if field.value.kind != yaml.ScalarNode || field.value.tag != "!!str" {
+				return nil, pipelineCompositionEnvelope{}, fmt.Errorf(
+					"configuration source %s at composition.default_profile: expected a string profile name",
+					formatCompositionSources(field.value.sources),
+				)
+			}
+			name, err := normalizePipelineProfileName(field.value.value, "composition.default_profile")
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, pipelineCompositionEnvelope{}, err
+			}
+			envelope.defaultProfile = &name
+		case "profiles":
+			if field.value.kind != yaml.MappingNode {
+				return nil, pipelineCompositionEnvelope{}, fmt.Errorf(
+					"configuration source %s at composition.profiles: expected a mapping, got %s",
+					formatCompositionSources(field.value.sources), yamlKindName(field.value.kind),
+				)
+			}
+			if len(field.value.fields) == 0 {
+				return nil, pipelineCompositionEnvelope{}, fmt.Errorf("composition.profiles must declare at least one named profile")
+			}
+			for _, profileField := range field.value.fields {
+				name, err := normalizePipelineProfileName(profileField.key, "composition.profiles profile name")
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, pipelineCompositionEnvelope{}, err
+				}
+				profile, err := parsePipelineProfileDeclaration(name, profileField.value)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, pipelineCompositionEnvelope{}, err
+				}
+				envelope.profiles = append(envelope.profiles, profile)
+			}
+		default:
+			return nil, pipelineCompositionEnvelope{}, fmt.Errorf(
+				"configuration source %s at composition.%s: unknown composition field %q",
+				formatCompositionSources(field.value.sources), field.key, field.key,
+			)
+		}
+	}
+	if envelope.defaultProfile != nil && !pipelineProfileDeclared(envelope.profiles, *envelope.defaultProfile) {
+		return nil, pipelineCompositionEnvelope{}, fmt.Errorf(
+			"composition.default_profile %q does not name a declared profile", *envelope.defaultProfile,
+		)
+	}
+	root.fields = append(root.fields[:index], root.fields[index+1:]...)
+	for fieldIndex := range root.fields {
+		root.fields[fieldIndex].order = fieldIndex
+	}
+	return &compositionDocument{root: root, sources: append([]string(nil), document.sources...)}, envelope, nil
+}
+
+func parsePipelineProfileDeclaration(name string, node *compositionNode) (pipelineProfileDeclaration, error) {
+	path := "composition.profiles." + name
+	if node.kind != yaml.MappingNode {
+		return pipelineProfileDeclaration{}, fmt.Errorf(
+			"configuration source %s at %s: expected a mapping, got %s",
+			formatCompositionSources(node.sources), path, yamlKindName(node.kind),
+		)
+	}
+	profile := pipelineProfileDeclaration{name: name}
+	for _, field := range node.fields {
+		if field.key != "overlay" {
+			return pipelineProfileDeclaration{}, fmt.Errorf(
+				"configuration source %s at %s.%s: unknown profile field %q; only overlay is supported",
+				formatCompositionSources(field.value.sources), path, field.key, field.key,
+			)
+		}
+		if field.value.kind != yaml.ScalarNode || field.value.tag != "!!str" {
+			return pipelineProfileDeclaration{}, fmt.Errorf(
+				"configuration source %s at %s.overlay: expected a string path",
+				formatCompositionSources(field.value.sources), path,
+			)
+		}
+		profile.overlay = field.value.value
+	}
+	if profile.overlay == "" {
+		return pipelineProfileDeclaration{}, fmt.Errorf("%s.overlay is required", path)
+	}
+	return profile, nil
+}
+
+func normalizePipelineProfileName(value, label string) (string, error) {
+	if value == "" || strings.TrimSpace(value) != value {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%s must be non-empty without surrounding whitespace", label)
+	}
+	for _, character := range value {
+		if unicode.IsControl(character) {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("%s %q must not contain control characters", label, value)
+		}
+	}
+	return value, nil
+}
+
+func pipelineProfileDeclared(profiles []pipelineProfileDeclaration, name string) bool {
+	for _, profile := range profiles {
+		if profile.name == name {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func selectPipelineProfile(envelope pipelineCompositionEnvelope, opts PipelineLoadOptions) (*pipelineProfileSelection, error) {
+	if opts.Profile != nil {
+		name, err := normalizePipelineProfileName(*opts.Profile, "explicit profile selection")
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if len(envelope.profiles) == 0 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("explicit profile %q was selected but the pipeline declares no profiles", name)
+		}
+		if !pipelineProfileDeclared(envelope.profiles, name) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("explicit profile %q is not declared by the pipeline", name)
+		}
+		return &pipelineProfileSelection{name: name, source: "cli"}, nil
+	}
+	if len(envelope.profiles) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	if envelope.defaultProfile == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline declares profiles but composition.default_profile is omitted and no profile was explicitly selected")
+	}
+	return &pipelineProfileSelection{name: *envelope.defaultProfile, source: "default"}, nil
+}
+
+type loadedPipelineImport struct {
+	path     string
+	document *compositionDocument
+	info     os.FileInfo
+}
+
+type loadedPipelineProfileOverlay struct {
+	profile  string
+	path     string
+	document *compositionDocument
+	info     os.FileInfo
+}
+
+func loadPipelineProfileOverlays(
+	rootPath string,
+	declared []pipelineProfileDeclaration,
+	imports []loadedPipelineImport,
+) ([]loadedPipelineProfileOverlay, error) {
+	if len(declared) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	rootDir := filepath.Dir(rootPath)
+	rootInfo, err := os.Stat(rootPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("inspect root pipeline file %q: %w", rootPath, err)
+	}
+	seenPaths := make(map[string]string, len(declared))
+	loaded := make([]loadedPipelineProfileOverlay, 0, len(declared))
+	for _, profile := range declared {
+		label := "composition.profiles." + profile.name + ".overlay"
+		raw := profile.overlay
+		if strings.TrimSpace(raw) != raw || raw == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s must be a non-empty path without surrounding whitespace", label)
+		}
+		normalized, err := pathsafe.NormalizeRelativeDestination(raw)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s path %q is invalid: %w", label, raw, err)
+		}
+		extension := filepath.Ext(filepath.FromSlash(normalized))
+		if extension != ".yml" && extension != ".yaml" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s path %q must use .yml or .yaml", label, raw)
+		}
+		if prior, duplicate := seenPaths[normalized]; duplicate {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s path %q duplicates profile %q overlay after normalization", label, raw, prior)
+		}
+		seenPaths[normalized] = profile.name
+		resolved := filepath.Join(rootDir, filepath.FromSlash(normalized))
+		file, err := fileops.OpenConfinedRegularFile(rootDir, normalized)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("open %s path %q beneath root pipeline directory: %w", label, raw, err)
+		}
+		info, statErr := file.Stat()
+		if statErr != nil {
+			_ = file.Close()
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("inspect %s path %q: %w", label, raw, statErr)
+		}
+		if os.SameFile(rootInfo, info) {
+			_ = file.Close()
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s path %q references the root pipeline itself", label, raw)
+		}
+		for _, imported := range imports {
+			if os.SameFile(imported.info, info) {
+				_ = file.Close()
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s path %q references the same file as imported source %q", label, raw, imported.path)
+			}
+		}
+		for _, prior := range loaded {
+			if os.SameFile(prior.info, info) {
+				_ = file.Close()
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s path %q references the same file as profile %q overlay", label, raw, prior.profile)
+			}
+		}
+		document, parseErr := parseCompositionDocument(resolved, file)
+		closeErr := file.Close()
+		if parseErr != nil {
+			return nil, parseErr
+		}
+		if closeErr != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("close %s path %q: %w", label, raw, closeErr)
+		}
+		if compositionFieldIndex(document.root.fields, "composition") >= 0 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("profile overlay source %q declares composition; only the root pipeline may declare composition", resolved)
+		}
+		loaded = append(loaded, loadedPipelineProfileOverlay{
+			profile: profile.name, path: resolved, document: document, info: info,
+		})
+	}
+	return loaded, nil
+}
+
+func loadedProfileOverlay(overlays []loadedPipelineProfileOverlay, name string) (loadedPipelineProfileOverlay, bool) {
+	for _, overlay := range overlays {
+		if overlay.profile == name {
+			return overlay, true
+		}
+	}
+	return loadedPipelineProfileOverlay{}, false
+}
+
+func loadPipelineImports(rootPath string, declared []string) ([]loadedPipelineImport, error) {
+	if len(declared) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	rootDir := filepath.Dir(rootPath)
+	rootInfo, err := os.Stat(rootPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("inspect root pipeline file %q: %w", rootPath, err)
+	}
+	seenPaths := make(map[string]int, len(declared))
+	loaded := make([]loadedPipelineImport, 0, len(declared))
+	for index, raw := range declared {
+		if strings.TrimSpace(raw) != raw || raw == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("composition.imports[%d] must be a non-empty path without surrounding whitespace", index)
+		}
+		normalized, err := pathsafe.NormalizeRelativeDestination(raw)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("composition.imports[%d] path %q is invalid: %w", index, raw, err)
+		}
+		extension := filepath.Ext(filepath.FromSlash(normalized))
+		if extension != ".yml" && extension != ".yaml" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("composition.imports[%d] path %q must use .yml or .yaml", index, raw)
+		}
+		if prior, duplicate := seenPaths[normalized]; duplicate {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf(
+				"composition.imports[%d] path %q duplicates composition.imports[%d] after normalization",
+				index, raw, prior,
+			)
+		}
+		seenPaths[normalized] = index
+		resolved := filepath.Join(rootDir, filepath.FromSlash(normalized))
+		if resolved == rootPath {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("composition.imports[%d] path %q imports the root pipeline itself", index, raw)
+		}
+
+		file, err := fileops.OpenConfinedRegularFile(rootDir, normalized)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("open composition.imports[%d] path %q beneath root pipeline directory: %w", index, raw, err)
+		}
+		info, statErr := file.Stat()
+		if statErr != nil {
+			_ = file.Close()
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("inspect composition.imports[%d] path %q: %w", index, raw, statErr)
+		}
+		if os.SameFile(rootInfo, info) {
+			_ = file.Close()
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("composition.imports[%d] path %q imports the root pipeline itself", index, raw)
+		}
+		for priorIndex, prior := range loaded {
+			if os.SameFile(prior.info, info) {
+				_ = file.Close()
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf(
+					"composition.imports[%d] path %q references the same file as composition.imports[%d] %q",
+					index, raw, priorIndex, declared[priorIndex],
+				)
+			}
+		}
+		document, parseErr := parseCompositionDocument(resolved, file)
+		closeErr := file.Close()
+		if parseErr != nil {
+			return nil, parseErr
+		}
+		if closeErr != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("close composition.imports[%d] path %q: %w", index, raw, closeErr)
+		}
+		if compositionFieldIndex(document.root.fields, "composition") >= 0 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf(
+				"imported configuration source %q declares composition; only the root pipeline may declare composition",
+				resolved,
+			)
+		}
+		loaded = append(loaded, loadedPipelineImport{path: resolved, document: document, info: info})
+	}
+	return loaded, nil
+}

internal/config/pipeline_composition_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,370 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"reflect"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestLoadPipelineCompositionImportsDisjointFieldsAndTracksOwnership(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	rootPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "pipeline.yml", `composition:
+  imports:
+    - conf.d/platform.yml
+    - conf.d/artifacts.yml
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+`)
+	platformPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "conf.d/platform.yml", `workspace:
+  root: /srv/narratio/work
+storage:
+  backend: local
+`)
+	artifactsPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "conf.d/artifacts.yml", `scriptorium:
+  artifacts:
+    player_handout:
+      enabled: false
+    session_recap:
+      enabled: true
+      prompt_id: dnd.session_recap
+      output_path: artifacts/session_recap.md
+`)
+
+	cfg, err := LoadPipeline(rootPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadPipeline() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if cfg.Workspace.Root != "/srv/narratio/work" || cfg.Storage.Backend != StorageBackendLocal {
+		t.Fatalf("imported platform config = workspace=%q storage=%#v", cfg.Workspace.Root, cfg.Storage)
+	}
+	if cfg.Scriptorium == nil || len(cfg.Scriptorium.Artifacts) != 2 || cfg.Scriptorium.Artifacts["player_handout"].Enabled {
+		t.Fatalf("imported artifacts = %#v", cfg.Scriptorium)
+	}
+	if cfg.WhisperX.TranscribeURL != "https://transcription.example.com/transcribe" {
+		t.Fatalf("root field = %q", cfg.WhisperX.TranscribeURL)
+	}
+	if cfg.resolution == nil {
+		t.Fatal("pipeline resolution metadata = nil")
+	}
+	wantSources := []string{absolutePath(t, rootPath), absolutePath(t, platformPath), absolutePath(t, artifactsPath)}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(cfg.resolution.sources, wantSources) || !reflect.DeepEqual(cfg.resolution.imports, wantSources[1:]) {
+		t.Fatalf("resolution sources=%#v imports=%#v, want %#v / %#v", cfg.resolution.sources, cfg.resolution.imports, wantSources, wantSources[1:])
+	}
+	assertPipelineFieldOwner(t, cfg, "whisperx.transcribe_url", absolutePath(t, rootPath))
+	assertPipelineFieldOwner(t, cfg, "workspace.root", absolutePath(t, platformPath))
+	assertPipelineFieldOwner(t, cfg, "scriptorium.artifacts.session_recap.prompt_id", absolutePath(t, artifactsPath))
+}
+
+func TestLoadPipelineCompositionMergesDisjointKeyedEntries(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	rootPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "pipeline.yml", `composition:
+  imports: [first.yml, second.yml]
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+scriptorium:
+  artifacts:
+    root_artifact:
+      enabled: false
+`)
+	writePipelineSource(t, dir, "first.yml", `scriptorium:
+  artifacts:
+    first_artifact:
+      enabled: false
+`)
+	writePipelineSource(t, dir, "second.yml", `scriptorium:
+  artifacts:
+    second_artifact:
+      enabled: false
+`)
+
+	cfg, err := LoadPipeline(rootPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got := len(cfg.Scriptorium.Artifacts); got != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("artifact count = %d, want 3: %#v", got, cfg.Scriptorium.Artifacts)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadPipelineCompositionRejectsBaseConflictsWithAllSources(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		root    string
+		imports map[string]string
+		path    string
+		sources []string
+	}{
+		{
+			name:    "root and import identical scalar",
+			root:    "whisperx:\n  language: en\n",
+			imports: map[string]string{"one.yml": "whisperx:\n  language: en\n"},
+			path:    "whisperx.language", sources: []string{"pipeline.yml", "one.yml"},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "all import claimants",
+			imports: map[string]string{
+				"one.yml":   "workspace:\n  root: /one\n",
+				"two.yml":   "workspace:\n  root: /two\n",
+				"three.yml": "workspace:\n  root: /three\n",
+			},
+			path: "workspace.root", sources: []string{"one.yml", "two.yml", "three.yml"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "atomic list",
+			root:    "audita:\n  modules: [one]\n",
+			imports: map[string]string{"one.yml": "audita:\n  modules: [two]\n"},
+			path:    "audita.modules", sources: []string{"pipeline.yml", "one.yml"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "kind conflict",
+			root:    "workspace:\n  root: /work\n",
+			imports: map[string]string{"one.yml": "workspace: invalid\n"},
+			path:    "workspace", sources: []string{"pipeline.yml", "one.yml"},
+		},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			dir := t.TempDir()
+			order := make([]string, 0, len(tt.imports))
+			for _, name := range []string{"one.yml", "two.yml", "three.yml"} {
+				if _, ok := tt.imports[name]; ok {
+					order = append(order, name)
+				}
+			}
+			root := "composition:\n  imports:\n"
+			for _, name := range order {
+				root += "    - " + name + "\n"
+			}
+			root += tt.root
+			rootPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "pipeline.yml", root)
+			for name, content := range tt.imports {
+				writePipelineSource(t, dir, name, content)
+			}
+
+			_, err := LoadPipeline(rootPath)
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("LoadPipeline() error = nil")
+			}
+			if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tt.path) {
+				t.Fatalf("error = %q, want path %q", err, tt.path)
+			}
+			for _, source := range tt.sources {
+				if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), source) {
+					t.Fatalf("error = %q, want source %q", err, source)
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadPipelineCompositionRejectsUnsafeOrInvalidImports(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		imports []string
+		setup   func(*testing.T, string)
+		want    string
+	}{
+		{name: "empty", imports: []string{""}, want: "non-empty path"},
+		{name: "surrounding whitespace", imports: []string{" one.yml "}, want: "surrounding whitespace"},
+		{name: "absolute", imports: []string{"/tmp/one.yml"}, want: "invalid"},
+		{name: "traversal", imports: []string{"../one.yml"}, want: "invalid"},
+		{name: "unsupported extension", imports: []string{"one.json"}, want: ".yml or .yaml"},
+		{name: "missing", imports: []string{"missing.yml"}, want: "open composition.imports"},
+		{name: "duplicate normalized", imports: []string{"one.yml", "./one.yml"}, setup: func(t *testing.T, dir string) {
+			writePipelineSource(t, dir, "one.yml", "workspace:\n  root: /work\n")
+		}, want: "duplicates composition.imports"},
+		{name: "root self import", imports: []string{"pipeline.yml"}, want: "root pipeline itself"},
+		{name: "directory", imports: []string{"directory.yml"}, setup: func(t *testing.T, dir string) {
+			if err := os.Mkdir(filepath.Join(dir, "directory.yml"), 0o755); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}, want: "regular file"},
+		{name: "symlink file", imports: []string{"link.yml"}, setup: func(t *testing.T, dir string) {
+			writePipelineSource(t, dir, "target.yml", "workspace:\n  root: /work\n")
+			if err := os.Symlink("target.yml", filepath.Join(dir, "link.yml")); err != nil {
+				t.Skipf("symlink unavailable: %v", err)
+			}
+		}, want: "not a regular file"},
+		{name: "symlink directory", imports: []string{"linked/one.yml"}, setup: func(t *testing.T, dir string) {
+			writePipelineSource(t, dir, "actual/one.yml", "workspace:\n  root: /work\n")
+			if err := os.Symlink("actual", filepath.Join(dir, "linked")); err != nil {
+				t.Skipf("symlink unavailable: %v", err)
+			}
+		}, want: "not a regular directory"},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			dir := t.TempDir()
+			if tt.setup != nil {
+				tt.setup(t, dir)
+			}
+			rootPath := writeImportRoot(t, dir, tt.imports)
+			_, err := LoadPipeline(rootPath)
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(err.Error()), strings.ToLower(tt.want)) {
+				t.Fatalf("LoadPipeline() error = %v, want containing %q", err, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadPipelineCompositionRejectsSameFileAliasesAndImportedComposition(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("same file through hard link", func(t *testing.T) {
+		if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+			t.Skip("hard-link identity behavior is platform-specific")
+		}
+		dir := t.TempDir()
+		writePipelineSource(t, dir, "one.yml", "workspace:\n  root: /work\n")
+		if err := os.Link(filepath.Join(dir, "one.yml"), filepath.Join(dir, "two.yml")); err != nil {
+			t.Skipf("hard links unavailable: %v", err)
+		}
+		rootPath := writeImportRoot(t, dir, []string{"one.yml", "two.yml"})
+		_, err := LoadPipeline(rootPath)
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "same file") {
+			t.Fatalf("LoadPipeline() error = %v, want same-file rejection", err)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("imported composition", func(t *testing.T) {
+		dir := t.TempDir()
+		rootPath := writeImportRoot(t, dir, []string{"nested.yml"})
+		writePipelineSource(t, dir, "nested.yml", "composition:\n  imports: []\n")
+		_, err := LoadPipeline(rootPath)
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "only the root pipeline") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "nested.yml") {
+			t.Fatalf("LoadPipeline() error = %v, want imported composition rejection", err)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("empty profiles", func(t *testing.T) {
+		dir := t.TempDir()
+		rootPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "pipeline.yml", "composition:\n  profiles: {}\n")
+		_, err := LoadPipeline(rootPath)
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "must declare at least one named profile") {
+			t.Fatalf("LoadPipeline() error = %v, want empty profiles rejection", err)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestLoadPipelineCompositionReportsImportedParseAndSchemaSources(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("malformed imported YAML", func(t *testing.T) {
+		dir := t.TempDir()
+		rootPath := writeImportRoot(t, dir, []string{"broken.yml"})
+		brokenPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "broken.yml", "workspace: [\n")
+		_, err := LoadPipeline(rootPath)
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), absolutePath(t, brokenPath)) || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "decode YAML") {
+			t.Fatalf("LoadPipeline() error = %v, want imported parse source", err)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("unknown imported field", func(t *testing.T) {
+		dir := t.TempDir()
+		rootPath := writeImportRoot(t, dir, []string{"unknown.yml"})
+		unknownPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "unknown.yml", "unknown_field: true\n")
+		_, err := LoadPipeline(rootPath)
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), absolutePath(t, unknownPath)) || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "strict decode failed") {
+			t.Fatalf("LoadPipeline() error = %v, want assembled source-aware strict error", err)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestLoadPipelineCompositionKeepsRelativePathsRootBased(t *testing.T) {
+	rootDir := t.TempDir()
+	monolithicPath := writePipelineSource(t, rootDir, "monolithic.yml", testPipelineBaseYAML+`
+notarius:
+  enabled: true
+  config_path: tool/notarius.yml
+  pipeline_id: dnd-session
+  outputs:
+    npc_registry:
+      lane_id: npc-registry
+      media_type: application/json
+      schema_id: notarius.dnd.npc_registry
+      schema_version: v1
+`)
+	composedPath := writePipelineSource(t, rootDir, "pipeline.yml", `composition:
+  imports: [conf.d/extraction.yml]
+`+testPipelineBaseYAML)
+	writePipelineSource(t, rootDir, "conf.d/extraction.yml", `notarius:
+  enabled: true
+  config_path: tool/notarius.yml
+  pipeline_id: dnd-session
+  outputs:
+    npc_registry:
+      lane_id: npc-registry
+      media_type: application/json
+      schema_id: notarius.dnd.npc_registry
+      schema_version: v1
+`)
+
+	monolithic, err := LoadPipeline(monolithicPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	composed, err := LoadPipeline(composedPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want := filepath.Join(rootDir, "tool", "notarius.yml")
+	if monolithic.Notarius.ConfigPath != want || composed.Notarius.ConfigPath != want {
+		t.Fatalf("config paths = monolithic %q composed %q, want %q", monolithic.Notarius.ConfigPath, composed.Notarius.ConfigPath, want)
+	}
+	if monolithic.Notarius.WorkingDirectory != filepath.Dir(want) || composed.Notarius.WorkingDirectory != filepath.Dir(want) {
+		t.Fatalf("working directories = %q / %q", monolithic.Notarius.WorkingDirectory, composed.Notarius.WorkingDirectory)
+	}
+}
+
+func writeImportRoot(t *testing.T, dir string, imports []string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	var builder strings.Builder
+	builder.WriteString("composition:\n  imports:\n")
+	for _, imported := range imports {
+		builder.WriteString("    - ")
+		if imported == "" {
+			builder.WriteString(`""`)
+		} else {
+			builder.WriteString(`"` + imported + `"`)
+		}
+		builder.WriteByte('\n')
+	}
+	builder.WriteString("whisperx:\n  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe\n")
+	return writePipelineSource(t, dir, "pipeline.yml", builder.String())
+}
+
+func writePipelineSource(t *testing.T, root, relative, content string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	path := filepath.Join(root, filepath.FromSlash(relative))
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(path), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte(content), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return path
+}
+
+func absolutePath(t *testing.T, path string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	absolute, err := filepath.Abs(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return absolute
+}
+
+func assertPipelineFieldOwner(t *testing.T, cfg *PipelineConfig, path, source string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.resolution == nil {
+		t.Fatal("pipeline resolution metadata is absent")
+	}
+	for _, ownership := range cfg.resolution.ownership {
+		if ownership.path == path {
+			if !reflect.DeepEqual(ownership.sources, []string{source}) {
+				t.Fatalf("owner of %s = %#v, want %q", path, ownership.sources, source)
+			}
+			return
+		}
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("ownership path %q not found: %#v", path, cfg.resolution.ownership)
+}

internal/config/pipeline_profiles_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,477 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestLoadPipelineProfilesSelectDefaultAndExplicitOverlay(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	rootPath := writeProfilePipeline(t, dir, `composition:
+  imports: [conf.d/base.yml]
+  default_profile: production
+  profiles:
+    production:
+      overlay: profiles/production.yml
+    testing:
+      overlay: profiles/testing.yml
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+`)
+	importPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "conf.d/base.yml", `workspace:
+  root: /srv/base
+audita:
+  modules: [base, shared]
+`)
+	productionPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "profiles/production.yml", `workspace:
+  root: /srv/production
+whisperx:
+  language: en
+`)
+	testingPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "profiles/testing.yml", `workspace:
+  root: /srv/testing
+whisperx:
+  language: fr
+`)
+
+	production, err := LoadPipeline(rootPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if production.Workspace.Root != "/srv/production" || production.WhisperX.Language != "en" {
+		t.Fatalf("default profile result = workspace=%q language=%q", production.Workspace.Root, production.WhisperX.Language)
+	}
+	assertSelectedPipelineProfile(t, production, "production", "default", productionPath)
+	if want := []string{absolutePath(t, rootPath), absolutePath(t, importPath), absolutePath(t, productionPath)}; !reflect.DeepEqual(production.resolution.sources, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("default sources = %#v, want %#v", production.resolution.sources, want)
+	}
+	assertPipelineFieldOwner(t, production, "workspace.root", absolutePath(t, productionPath))
+	assertPipelineFieldOwner(t, production, "audita.modules", absolutePath(t, importPath))
+	assertPipelineFieldOwner(t, production, "storage.backend", pipelineDefaultOwnershipSource)
+
+	profile := "testing"
+	testingCfg, err := LoadPipelineWithOptions(rootPath, PipelineLoadOptions{Profile: &profile})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if testingCfg.Workspace.Root != "/srv/testing" || testingCfg.WhisperX.Language != "fr" {
+		t.Fatalf("explicit profile result = workspace=%q language=%q", testingCfg.Workspace.Root, testingCfg.WhisperX.Language)
+	}
+	assertSelectedPipelineProfile(t, testingCfg, "testing", "cli", testingPath)
+}
+
+func TestLoadPipelineProfileSelectionErrors(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name    string
+		root    string
+		profile *string
+		want    string
+	}{
+		{name: "profiles require selection", root: profileComposition("", "production"), want: "default_profile is omitted"},
+		{name: "unknown explicit", root: profileComposition("production", "production"), profile: profilePointer("unknown"), want: "not declared"},
+		{name: "stacked explicit", root: profileComposition("production", "production", "testing"), profile: profilePointer("production,testing"), want: "not declared"},
+		{name: "explicit empty", root: profileComposition("production", "production"), profile: profilePointer(""), want: "must be non-empty"},
+		{name: "explicit whitespace", root: profileComposition("production", "production"), profile: profilePointer(" production "), want: "surrounding whitespace"},
+		{name: "invalid default", root: profileComposition("unknown", "production"), want: "does not name a declared profile"},
+		{name: "empty default", root: profileComposition("EMPTY", "production"), want: "must be non-empty"},
+		{name: "empty profile name", root: `composition:
+  default_profile: production
+  profiles:
+    "":
+      overlay: production.yml
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+`, want: "profile name must be non-empty"},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			dir := t.TempDir()
+			root := test.root
+			if test.name == "empty default" {
+				root = strings.ReplaceAll(root, "default_profile: EMPTY", `default_profile: ""`)
+			}
+			rootPath := writeProfilePipeline(t, dir, root)
+			writePipelineSource(t, dir, "production.yml", "whisperx:\n  language: en\n")
+			_, err := LoadPipelineWithOptions(rootPath, PipelineLoadOptions{Profile: test.profile})
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(err.Error()), strings.ToLower(test.want)) {
+				t.Fatalf("LoadPipelineWithOptions() error = %v, want containing %q", err, test.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+
+	t.Run("explicit against profile-free pipeline", func(t *testing.T) {
+		dir := t.TempDir()
+		rootPath := writeProfilePipeline(t, dir, testPipelineBaseYAML)
+		selected := "testing"
+		_, err := LoadPipelineWithOptions(rootPath, PipelineLoadOptions{Profile: &selected})
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "declares no profiles") {
+			t.Fatalf("error = %v, want profile-free rejection", err)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestPipelineProfileNamesRejectControlCharacters(t *testing.T) {
+	if _, err := normalizePipelineProfileName("production\x00testing", "profile"); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "control characters") {
+		t.Fatalf("normalizePipelineProfileName() error = %v, want control-character rejection", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadPipelineProfilesValidateEveryDeclaredOverlay(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name    string
+		path    string
+		content string
+		setup   func(*testing.T, string)
+		want    string
+	}{
+		{name: "missing", path: "profiles/missing.yml", want: "open composition.profiles.testing.overlay"},
+		{name: "malformed", path: "profiles/testing.yml", content: "workspace: [\n", want: "decode yaml"},
+		{name: "duplicate keys", path: "profiles/testing.yml", content: "workspace:\n  root: /one\n  root: /two\n", want: "duplicate yaml key"},
+		{name: "trailing document", path: "profiles/testing.yml", content: "workspace:\n  root: /one\n---\nworkspace:\n  root: /two\n", want: "exactly one yaml document"},
+		{name: "nested composition", path: "profiles/testing.yml", content: "composition:\n  imports: [nested.yml]\n", want: "only the root pipeline"},
+		{name: "inheritance", path: "profiles/testing.yml", content: "workspace:\n  root: /testing\n", setup: func(t *testing.T, dir string) {
+			rootPath := filepath.Join(dir, "pipeline.yml")
+			data, err := os.ReadFile(rootPath)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			updated := strings.Replace(string(data), "testing:\n      overlay:", "testing:\n      extends: production\n      overlay:", 1)
+			if err := os.WriteFile(rootPath, []byte(updated), 0o644); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}, want: "only overlay is supported"},
+		{name: "traversal", path: "../testing.yml", want: "invalid"},
+		{name: "extension", path: "profiles/testing.json", content: "{}\n", want: ".yml or .yaml"},
+		{name: "directory", path: "profiles/testing.yml", setup: func(t *testing.T, dir string) {
+			if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "profiles/testing.yml"), 0o755); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}, want: "regular file"},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			dir := t.TempDir()
+			rootPath := writeProfilePipeline(t, dir, `composition:
+  default_profile: production
+  profiles:
+    production:
+      overlay: profiles/production.yml
+    testing:
+      overlay: `+test.path+`
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+`)
+			writePipelineSource(t, dir, "profiles/production.yml", "whisperx:\n  language: en\n")
+			if test.content != "" {
+				writePipelineSource(t, dir, test.path, test.content)
+			}
+			if test.setup != nil {
+				test.setup(t, dir)
+			}
+			_, err := LoadPipeline(rootPath)
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(err.Error()), strings.ToLower(test.want)) {
+				t.Fatalf("LoadPipeline() error = %v, want containing %q", err, test.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadPipelineProfileOverlaySemantics(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	rootPath := writeProfilePipeline(t, dir, `composition:
+  default_profile: testing
+  profiles:
+    testing:
+      overlay: testing.yml
+workspace:
+  root: /base
+  cleanup_after_publish: true
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+  retries: 3
+audita:
+  modules: [base, shared]
+scriptorium:
+  artifacts:
+    session_recap:
+      enabled: true
+      prompt_id: dnd.session_recap
+      output_path: artifacts/session_recap.md
+`)
+	writePipelineSource(t, dir, "testing.yml", `workspace:
+  cleanup_after_publish: false
+whisperx:
+  retries: 0
+audita:
+  modules: []
+scriptorium:
+  artifacts:
+    session_recap:
+      enabled: false
+    experimental:
+      enabled: false
+`)
+
+	cfg, err := LoadPipeline(rootPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if cfg.Workspace.Root != "/base" || cfg.Workspace.CleanupAfterPublish || cfg.WhisperX.Retries == nil || *cfg.WhisperX.Retries != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("recursive/zero overlay = workspace=%#v retries=%#v", cfg.Workspace, cfg.WhisperX.Retries)
+	}
+	if cfg.Audita.Modules == nil || len(cfg.Audita.Modules) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("list replacement = %#v, want explicit empty list", cfg.Audita.Modules)
+	}
+	if cfg.Scriptorium == nil || cfg.Scriptorium.Artifacts["session_recap"].Enabled || len(cfg.Scriptorium.Artifacts) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("keyed artifact overlay = %#v", cfg.Scriptorium)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadPipelineProfileRejectsNullAndKindChanges(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name    string
+		overlay string
+		want    string
+	}{
+		{name: "null deletion", overlay: "workspace:\n  root: null\n", want: "null cannot delete"},
+		{name: "mapping scalar", overlay: "workspace: /other\n", want: "kind change"},
+		{name: "list mapping", overlay: "audita:\n  modules:\n    testing: true\n", want: "kind change"},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			dir := t.TempDir()
+			rootPath := writeProfilePipeline(t, dir, `composition:
+  default_profile: testing
+  profiles:
+    testing:
+      overlay: testing.yml
+workspace:
+  root: /base
+audita:
+  modules: [base]
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+`)
+			writePipelineSource(t, dir, "testing.yml", test.overlay)
+			_, err := LoadPipeline(rootPath)
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(err.Error()), strings.ToLower(test.want)) {
+				t.Fatalf("LoadPipeline() error = %v, want containing %q", err, test.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPipelineEffectiveDigestTracksNormalizedMeaning(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	monolithicPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "monolithic.yml", `workspace:
+  root: /srv/narratio
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+  language: en
+`)
+	composedPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "pipeline.yml", `composition:
+  imports: [workspace.yml]
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+  language: en
+`)
+	writePipelineSource(t, dir, "workspace.yml", "workspace:\n  root: /srv/narratio\n")
+
+	monolithic, err := LoadPipeline(monolithicPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	composed, err := LoadPipeline(composedPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if monolithic.resolution.effectiveDigest == "" || monolithic.resolution.effectiveDigest != composed.resolution.effectiveDigest {
+		t.Fatalf("equal effective results have digests %q and %q", monolithic.resolution.effectiveDigest, composed.resolution.effectiveDigest)
+	}
+
+	changedPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "changed.yml", `workspace:
+  root: /srv/narratio
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+  language: fr
+`)
+	changed, err := LoadPipeline(changedPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if changed.resolution.effectiveDigest == monolithic.resolution.effectiveDigest {
+		t.Fatal("semantic value change retained effective digest")
+	}
+
+	t.Setenv("AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY", "secret-one")
+	first, err := LoadPipeline(monolithicPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Setenv("AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY", "secret-two")
+	second, err := LoadPipeline(monolithicPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if first.resolution.effectiveDigest != second.resolution.effectiveDigest || strings.Contains(first.resolution.effectiveDigest, "secret") {
+		t.Fatalf("environment secret affected or appeared in digest: %q / %q", first.resolution.effectiveDigest, second.resolution.effectiveDigest)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEffectivePipelineValuesIgnoreEquivalentSourceLayout(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	monolithicPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "monolithic.yml", `workspace:
+  root: /srv/narratio
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+  language: en
+`)
+	composedPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "pipeline.yml", `composition:
+  imports: [workspace.yml]
+whisperx:
+  language: en
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+`)
+	writePipelineSource(t, dir, "workspace.yml", "workspace:\n  root: /srv/narratio\n")
+
+	monolithic, err := LoadPipeline(monolithicPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	composed, err := LoadPipeline(composedPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	monolithicValues, err := EffectivePipelineValues(monolithic)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	composedValues, err := EffectivePipelineValues(composed)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(monolithicValues, composedValues) {
+		t.Fatalf("equivalent effective values differ:\nmonolithic=%#v\ncomposed=%#v", monolithicValues, composedValues)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPipelineEffectiveDigestExcludesProfileIdentity(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	rootPath := writeProfilePipeline(t, dir, profileComposition("production", "production", "testing"))
+	overlay := "workspace:\n  root: /srv/narratio\n"
+	writePipelineSource(t, dir, "production.yml", overlay)
+	writePipelineSource(t, dir, "testing.yml", overlay)
+
+	production := "production"
+	productionCfg, err := LoadPipelineWithOptions(rootPath, PipelineLoadOptions{Profile: &production})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	testing := "testing"
+	testingCfg, err := LoadPipelineWithOptions(rootPath, PipelineLoadOptions{Profile: &testing})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if productionCfg.resolution.effectiveDigest != testingCfg.resolution.effectiveDigest {
+		t.Fatalf("profile identity changed equal effective digests: %q / %q", productionCfg.resolution.effectiveDigest, testingCfg.resolution.effectiveDigest)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadPipelineProfilePairResolvesIndependentEffectivePipelines(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	rootPath := writeProfilePipeline(t, dir, `composition:
+  imports: [base.yml]
+  default_profile: production
+  profiles:
+    production:
+      overlay: production.yml
+    testing:
+      overlay: testing.yml
+whisperx:
+  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe
+`)
+	writePipelineSource(t, dir, "base.yml", "workspace:\n  root: /srv/base\n")
+	writePipelineSource(t, dir, "production.yml", "workspace:\n  root: /srv/production\nwhisperx:\n  language: en\n")
+	writePipelineSource(t, dir, "testing.yml", "workspace:\n  root: /srv/testing\nwhisperx:\n  language: fr\n")
+
+	production, testing, err := LoadPipelineProfilePair(rootPath, "production", "testing")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if production.Workspace.Root != "/srv/production" || production.WhisperX.Language != "en" {
+		t.Fatalf("production pair result = %#v", production)
+	}
+	if testing.Workspace.Root != "/srv/testing" || testing.WhisperX.Language != "fr" {
+		t.Fatalf("testing pair result = %#v", testing)
+	}
+	production.Workspace.Root = "/mutated-left"
+	if testing.Workspace.Root != "/srv/testing" {
+		t.Fatalf("right profile shared mutable state with left: %q", testing.Workspace.Root)
+	}
+	testingFirst, productionSecond, err := LoadPipelineProfilePair(rootPath, "testing", "production")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if testingFirst.Workspace.Root != "/srv/testing" || productionSecond.Workspace.Root != "/srv/production" {
+		t.Fatalf("reversed profile pair = testing=%q production=%q", testingFirst.Workspace.Root, productionSecond.Workspace.Root)
+	}
+
+	if _, _, err := LoadPipelineProfilePair(rootPath, "production", "production"); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "must differ") {
+		t.Fatalf("equal profile pair error = %v, want selection rejection", err)
+	}
+	if _, _, err := LoadPipelineProfilePair(rootPath, "unknown", "testing"); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "not declared") {
+		t.Fatalf("unknown profile pair error = %v, want selection rejection", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadWithSessionOptionsCarriesExplicitProfilePresence(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	rootPath := writeProfilePipeline(t, dir, profileComposition("production", "production", "testing"))
+	writePipelineSource(t, dir, "production.yml", "workspace:\n  root: /production\n")
+	writePipelineSource(t, dir, "testing.yml", "workspace:\n  root: /testing\n")
+	campaignPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "campaign.yml", "campaign_id: campaign\ninputs:\n  speakers_file: speakers.yml\n  autocorrect_file: autocorrect.yml\n  glossary_file: glossary.yml\n  players_file: players.yml\n  party_file: party.yml\n")
+	writePipelineSource(t, dir, "party.yml", "legacy: party\n")
+	sessionPath := writePipelineSource(t, dir, "session.yml", "session_id: session\ncampaign: campaign\n")
+	selected := "testing"
+	cfg, err := LoadWithSessionOptions(rootPath, campaignPath, sessionPath, SessionLoadOptions{Profile: &selected})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.Root != "/testing" || cfg.Pipeline.resolution.selectedProfile.source != "cli" {
+		t.Fatalf("combined profile result = workspace=%q metadata=%#v", cfg.Pipeline.Workspace.Root, cfg.Pipeline.resolution.selectedProfile)
+	}
+}
+
+func writeProfilePipeline(t *testing.T, dir, content string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	return writePipelineSource(t, dir, "pipeline.yml", content)
+}
+
+func profileComposition(defaultProfile string, profiles ...string) string {
+	var builder strings.Builder
+	builder.WriteString("composition:\n")
+	if defaultProfile != "" {
+		builder.WriteString("  default_profile: " + defaultProfile + "\n")
+	}
+	builder.WriteString("  profiles:\n")
+	for _, profile := range profiles {
+		builder.WriteString("    " + profile + ":\n      overlay: " + profile + ".yml\n")
+	}
+	builder.WriteString("whisperx:\n  transcribe_url: https://transcription.example.com/transcribe\n")
+	return builder.String()
+}
+
+func profilePointer(value string) *string {
+	return &value
+}
+
+func assertSelectedPipelineProfile(t *testing.T, cfg *PipelineConfig, name, source, overlayPath string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.resolution == nil || cfg.resolution.selectedProfile == nil {
+		t.Fatal("selected profile provenance is absent")
+	}
+	selection := cfg.resolution.selectedProfile
+	if selection.name != name || selection.source != source || selection.overlayPath != absolutePath(t, overlayPath) {
+		t.Fatalf("selected profile = %#v, want name=%q source=%q overlay=%q", selection, name, source, absolutePath(t, overlayPath))
+	}
+}

internal/config/validate.go

@@ -31,15 +31,18 @@ func Validate(cfg *Config) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("session config is required")
 	}
 
-	if err := validatePipeline(cfg.Pipeline); err != nil {
+	if err := ValidatePipelineConfig(cfg.Pipeline); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("pipeline config %q invalid: %w", shortName(cfg.PipelinePath, "pipeline.yml"), err)
 	}
-	if err := validateCampaign(cfg.Campaign); err != nil {
+	if err := ValidateCampaignConfig(cfg.Campaign); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("campaign config %q invalid: %w", shortName(cfg.CampaignPath, "campaign.yml"), err)
 	}
 	if err := validateSession(cfg.Session); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("session config %q invalid: %w", shortName(cfg.SessionPath, "session.yml"), err)
 	}
+	if err := validateResolvedPartyInputs(cfg); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("campaign/session config invalid: %w", err)
+	}
 	if err := validateCrossConfig(cfg.Pipeline, cfg.Session, cfg.StableInputs); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("pipeline/session config invalid: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -47,6 +50,23 @@ func Validate(cfg *Config) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// ValidatePipelineConfig validates a loaded, defaulted pipeline without
+// requiring session configuration. Callers that require party-driven artifact
+// expansion must resolve a campaign first through LoadPipelineCampaign.
+func ValidatePipelineConfig(cfg *PipelineConfig) error {
+	if cfg == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("pipeline config is required")
+	}
+	return validatePipeline(cfg)
+}
+
+// ValidateCampaignConfig validates a loaded campaign without requiring a
+// session. Party parsing and canonical-party checks remain owned by
+// LoadPipelineCampaign, which has the campaign source path available.
+func ValidateCampaignConfig(cfg *CampaignConfig) error {
+	return validateCampaign(cfg)
+}
+
 func validateCampaign(cfg *CampaignConfig) error {
 	if cfg == nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("campaign config is required")
@@ -66,9 +86,6 @@ func validateCampaign(cfg *CampaignConfig) error {
 	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.Inputs.GlossaryFile) == "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("campaign.inputs.glossary_file is required")
 	}
-	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.Inputs.PlayersFile) == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("campaign.inputs.players_file is required")
-	}
 	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.Inputs.PartyFile) == "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("campaign.inputs.party_file is required")
 	}
@@ -671,6 +688,7 @@ func validateScriptorium(cfg *ScriptoriumConfig, notarius *NotariusConfig) error
 
 	configuredArtifacts := make(map[string]struct{}, len(cfg.Artifacts))
 	referencedArtifacts := make(map[string]struct{})
+	outputOwners := make(map[string]string, len(cfg.Artifacts))
 	for artifactName := range cfg.Artifacts {
 		if !artifactpolicy.IsConfiguredKey(artifactName) {
 			return fmt.Errorf("pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts keys must match ^[a-z][a-z0-9_]*$")
@@ -693,6 +711,10 @@ func validateScriptorium(cfg *ScriptoriumConfig, notarius *NotariusConfig) error
 			if err := validatePathWithinRoot(pathField, artifactCfg.OutputPath, DefaultScriptoriumArtifactOutputRoot); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
+			if previous, exists := outputOwners[artifactCfg.OutputPath]; exists {
+				return fmt.Errorf("%s.output_path %q duplicates artifact %q", pathField, artifactCfg.OutputPath, previous)
+			}
+			outputOwners[artifactCfg.OutputPath] = artifactName
 		}
 		if err := validateDuration("pipeline.scriptorium.artifacts."+artifactName+".timeout", artifactCfg.Timeout); err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -794,12 +816,6 @@ func validateSession(cfg *SessionConfig) error {
 	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.Inputs.GlossaryFile) == "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("session.inputs.glossary_file is required")
 	}
-	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.Inputs.PlayersFile) == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("session.inputs.players_file is required")
-	}
-	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.Inputs.PartyFile) == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("session.inputs.party_file is required")
-	}
 	if cfg.Inputs.SpellCatalogFile != "" && strings.TrimSpace(cfg.Inputs.SpellCatalogFile) == "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("session.inputs.spell_catalog_file must be non-empty when provided")
 	}
@@ -825,6 +841,31 @@ func validateSession(cfg *SessionConfig) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func validateResolvedPartyInputs(cfg *Config) error {
+	if cfg == nil || cfg.Session == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("session config is required")
+	}
+	if cfg.Party.Mode == PartyModeCanonical {
+		if cfg.Party.Canonical == nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("canonical party data is required")
+		}
+		if cfg.Party.Source.Source != "campaign_config" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("canonical party must be sourced by campaign_config")
+		}
+		if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.StableInputs.PlayersFile.Source) != "derived_from_party" || strings.TrimSpace(cfg.StableInputs.PlayersFile.Path) != "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("canonical party requires derived players input")
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.Session.Inputs.PlayersFile) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(cfg.StableInputs.PlayersFile.Path) == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("players input is required with a legacy party")
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.Session.Inputs.PartyFile) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(cfg.StableInputs.PartyFile.Path) == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("party input is required with a legacy party")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func validateSessionIdentifier(fieldName, value string, required bool) error {
 	if strings.TrimSpace(value) == "" {
 		if required {

internal/doccheck/doccheck_test.go

@@ -60,9 +60,58 @@ func TestReleaseWorkflowRequiresValidation(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := yaml.Unmarshal(data, &workflow); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("parse release workflow: %v", err)
 	}
-	if !workflowDependsOn(workflow.Steps, "publish-release", "validate", map[string]bool{}) {
-		t.Fatal("publish-release must depend on validate so validation failures block releases")
+	validate, ok := workflow.Steps["validate-release"]
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("release workflow must define validate-release")
 	}
+	if validate.Image != "golang:1.25.5" || !containsWorkflowCommand(validate.Commands, `./scripts/check-release-candidate.sh "$CI_COMMIT_TAG"`) {
+		t.Fatalf("validate-release = %#v, want the shared candidate checker in golang:1.25.5", validate)
+	}
+	assets, ok := workflow.Steps["build-release-assets"]
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("release workflow must define build-release-assets")
+	}
+	if assets.Image != "golang:1.25.5" || !workflowDependsOn(workflow.Steps, "build-release-assets", "validate-release", map[string]bool{}) {
+		t.Fatalf("build-release-assets = %#v, want validated golang:1.25.5 asset construction", assets)
+	}
+	assetCommands := strings.Join(assets.Commands, "\n")
+	if !strings.Contains(assetCommands, `./scripts/build-release-assets.sh "$CI_COMMIT_TAG" "$PWD/dist"`) || strings.Contains(assetCommands, "GOOS=") || strings.Contains(assetCommands, "go build") {
+		t.Fatalf("build-release-assets commands must delegate target construction: %q", assetCommands)
+	}
+	publish, ok := workflow.Steps["publish-release"]
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("release workflow must define publish-release")
+	}
+	if publish.Image != "woodpeckerci/plugin-release:0.3.1" || !workflowDependsOn(workflow.Steps, "publish-release", "validate-release", map[string]bool{}) || !workflowDependsOn(workflow.Steps, "publish-release", "build-release-assets", map[string]bool{}) {
+		t.Fatalf("publish-release = %#v, want transitive validation and asset dependencies", publish)
+	}
+	for key, want := range map[string]any{
+		"title":            "Narratio ${CI_COMMIT_TAG}",
+		"note":             "docs/releases/${CI_COMMIT_TAG}.md",
+		"checksum":         "sha256",
+		"checksum-file":    "SHA256SUMS",
+		"checksum-flatten": true,
+		"file-exists":      "skip",
+		"overwrite":        false,
+		"prerelease":       false,
+	} {
+		if got := publish.Settings[key]; got != want {
+			t.Fatalf("publish-release setting %q = %#v, want %#v", key, got, want)
+		}
+	}
+	files, ok := publish.Settings["files"].([]any)
+	if !ok || len(files) != 1 || files[0] != "dist/narratio-*" {
+		t.Fatalf("publish-release files = %#v", publish.Settings["files"])
+	}
+}
+
+func containsWorkflowCommand(commands []string, want string) bool {
+	for _, command := range commands {
+		if strings.Contains(command, want) {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
 }
 
 func repositoryRoot(t *testing.T) string {
@@ -130,6 +179,9 @@ type woodpeckerWorkflow struct {
 
 type woodpeckerStep struct {
 	DependsOn woodpeckerDependencies `yaml:"depends_on"`
+	Image     string                 `yaml:"image"`
+	Commands  []string               `yaml:"commands"`
+	Settings  map[string]any         `yaml:"settings"`
 }
 
 type woodpeckerDependencies []string

internal/manifest/analyze_state.go

@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ type AnalyzeArtifactRecord struct {
 	Status             AnalyzeArtifactStatus      `json:"status"`
 	FingerprintVersion int                        `json:"fingerprint_version,omitempty"`
 	Fingerprint        string                     `json:"fingerprint,omitempty"`
+	Family             string                     `json:"family,omitempty"`
+	CharacterID        string                     `json:"character_id,omitempty"`
 	Dependencies       []string                   `json:"dependencies,omitempty"`
 	Output             *ArtifactRecord            `json:"output,omitempty"`
 	OutputSize         int64                      `json:"output_size,omitempty"`
@@ -134,6 +136,14 @@ func validateAnalyzeArtifactRecord(mapKey string, record AnalyzeArtifactRecord)
 	if err := validateAnalyzeDependencies(record.Dependencies); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	if (record.Family == "") != (record.CharacterID == "") {
+		return fmt.Errorf("family and character_id must be present together")
+	}
+	if record.Family != "" {
+		if !artifactpolicy.IsConfiguredKey(record.Family) || !artifactpolicy.IsConfiguredKey(record.CharacterID) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("family and character_id must match ^[a-z][a-z0-9_]*$")
+		}
+	}
 	if err := validateAnalyzeFingerprint(record.FingerprintVersion, record.Fingerprint, record.Status == AnalyzeArtifactCurrent); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}

internal/manifest/analyze_state_test.go

@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ func TestAnalyzeArtifactStateRoundTripsEveryStatusDeterministically(t *testing.T
 	records["session_recap"] = func() AnalyzeArtifactRecord {
 		record := records["session_recap"]
 		record.Dependencies = []string{"quest_log", "gm_notes"}
+		record.Family = "character_meta"
+		record.CharacterID = "arannis"
 		return record
 	}()
 
@@ -74,6 +76,9 @@ func TestAnalyzeArtifactStateRoundTripsEveryStatusDeterministically(t *testing.T
 	if got := analyze.AnalyzeArtifacts["session_recap"].Dependencies; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, []string{"gm_notes", "quest_log"}) {
 		t.Fatalf("canonical dependencies = %#v", got)
 	}
+	if got := analyze.AnalyzeArtifacts["session_recap"]; got.Family != "character_meta" || got.CharacterID != "arannis" {
+		t.Fatalf("family provenance = %#v", got)
+	}
 
 	data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
 	if err != nil {

internal/manifest/manifest.go

@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ type StageRecord struct {
 	GeneratedConfigs    []string                         `json:"generated_configs,omitempty"`
 	Error               *ErrorRecord                     `json:"error,omitempty"`
 	Metadata            map[string]any                   `json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	SemanticConfig      *SemanticConfigFingerprint       `json:"semantic_config,omitempty"`
 	AnalyzeStateVersion int                              `json:"analyze_state_version,omitempty"`
 	AnalyzeArtifacts    map[string]AnalyzeArtifactRecord `json:"analyze_artifacts,omitempty"`
 }
@@ -78,6 +79,20 @@ type PostPublishCleanup struct {
 	Targets                 []CleanupTarget `json:"targets"`
 }
 
+// EffectiveConfigProvenance records bounded non-secret configuration identity
+// for one resolved invocation.
+type EffectiveConfigProvenance struct {
+	SelectedProfile       *SelectedProfileProvenance `json:"selected_profile,omitempty"`
+	EffectiveConfigDigest string                     `json:"effective_config_digest,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// SelectedProfileProvenance identifies an explicitly or default-selected
+// pipeline profile without recording profile content.
+type SelectedProfileProvenance struct {
+	Name   string `json:"name"`
+	Source string `json:"source"`
+}
+
 // Manifest is the durable run-state record for a session execution.
 type Manifest struct {
 	SessionID          string                     `json:"session_id"`
@@ -89,6 +104,7 @@ type Manifest struct {
 	S3SessionPrefix    string                     `json:"s3_session_prefix,omitempty"`
 	S3RunPrefix        string                     `json:"s3_run_prefix,omitempty"`
 	PipelineVersion    string                     `json:"pipeline_version,omitempty"`
+	EffectiveConfig    *EffectiveConfigProvenance `json:"effective_config,omitempty"`
 	CreatedAt          time.Time                  `json:"created_at"`
 	UpdatedAt          time.Time                  `json:"updated_at"`
 	LastError          *ErrorRecord               `json:"last_error,omitempty"`
@@ -177,6 +193,7 @@ func (s *StageRecord) clearResultDetails() {
 	s.Logs = nil
 	s.GeneratedConfigs = nil
 	s.Metadata = nil
+	s.SemanticConfig = nil
 }
 
 func (m *Manifest) ensureStage(name string, at time.Time) *StageRecord {

internal/manifest/run_manifest.go

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ type RunStageRecord struct {
 	GeneratedConfigs    []string                         `json:"generated_configs,omitempty"`
 	Error               *ErrorRecord                     `json:"error,omitempty"`
 	Metadata            map[string]any                   `json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	SemanticConfig      *SemanticConfigFingerprint       `json:"semantic_config,omitempty"`
 	AnalyzeStateVersion int                              `json:"analyze_state_version,omitempty"`
 	AnalyzeArtifacts    map[string]AnalyzeArtifactRecord `json:"analyze_artifacts,omitempty"`
 }
@@ -51,6 +52,7 @@ type RunManifest struct {
 	S3Bucket            string                     `json:"s3_bucket,omitempty"`
 	S3SessionPrefix     string                     `json:"s3_session_prefix,omitempty"`
 	S3RunPrefix         string                     `json:"s3_run_prefix,omitempty"`
+	EffectiveConfig     *EffectiveConfigProvenance `json:"effective_config,omitempty"`
 	CreatedAt           time.Time                  `json:"created_at"`
 	UpdatedAt           time.Time                  `json:"updated_at"`
 	StartedAt           *time.Time                 `json:"started_at,omitempty"`

internal/manifest/semantic_fingerprint.go

@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+package manifest
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"regexp"
+)
+
+var lowercaseSHA256Pattern = regexp.MustCompile(`^[0-9a-f]{64}$`)
+
+// SemanticConfigFingerprint identifies the versioned, result-affecting
+// configuration observed by one pipeline stage.
+type SemanticConfigFingerprint struct {
+	Version int    `json:"version"`
+	Digest  string `json:"digest"`
+}
+
+// Validate checks the durable fingerprint contract.
+func (f SemanticConfigFingerprint) Validate() error {
+	if f.Version <= 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("version must be positive")
+	}
+	if !lowercaseSHA256Pattern.MatchString(f.Digest) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("digest must be a lowercase SHA-256 value")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Equal reports whether two valid fingerprint records identify the same
+// semantic configuration contract and payload.
+func (f SemanticConfigFingerprint) Equal(other SemanticConfigFingerprint) bool {
+	return f.Version == other.Version && f.Digest == other.Digest
+}