diff --git a/docs/internal/modules.md b/docs/internal/modules.md
index fe0c444..6329094 100644
--- a/docs/internal/modules.md
+++ b/docs/internal/modules.md
@@ -21,10 +21,10 @@ Production input, chunk, output, and D&D spell-extract packages register strict
 option decoders and run-local builders. Preparation decodes their options into
 implementation-owned values and injects dependencies. The spell extractor is
 typed over the canonical D&D model; a temporary raw adapter preserves the
-current downstream production path. Production merge, normalize, and validator
-packages still use the explicit legacy raw registration APIs and temporary
-adapters around zero-argument constructors. Their raw option maps and LLM
-clients remain operation inputs while that part of the catalog migrates.
+current runner path. D&D validators, merge, and normalize use typed variants;
+JSON representation validators use serialized requests; and unconditional
+validators expose separate chunk and typed variants. Narrow legacy
+registrations preserve current raw execution until the runner migrates.
 
 Specs expose capability and execution metadata without constructing an
 implementation. Registry entries separately expose option validation and
@@ -123,16 +123,16 @@ The durable payload and manifest metadata shapes are defined in the
 
 ### `internal/modules/generic/merge/appendorder`
 
-The merger preserves extract-result order. It passes through one JSON result,
-concatenates a common top-level array field across multiple JSON objects, and
-otherwise emits an array of the decoded values. It rejects invalid JSON and
-non-JSON media types, and it preserves compatible schema provenance.
+The typed merger passes values to an injected combine function in framework
+source-chunk order. The D&D registrar specializes it with a spell-list append
+function. Its temporary raw implementation retains the prior JSON merge
+behavior for the current runner.
 
 ### `internal/modules/generic/normalize/noop`
 
-The normalizer defensively clones the accepted merge result, including payload
-bytes, metadata, warnings, and schema provenance, without changing its logical
-content.
+The typed normalizer returns the merged domain value unchanged and is reusable
+for any registered artifact type. Its temporary raw implementation defensively
+clones the accepted payload for the current runner.
 
 ## Output Encoder
 
@@ -152,26 +152,23 @@ paths and schemas.
 The generic validator implementations live under
 `internal/modules/generic/validate`.
 
-The unconditional accept and reject validators provide deterministic production
-registrations used primarily for controlled composition and tests.
+The unconditional accept and reject validators provide explicit chunk and
+typed-artifact variants used primarily for controlled composition and tests.
 
-The JSON syntax validator uses `encoding/json` to reject malformed payloads. The
-JSON Schema validator requires schema bytes on the validation request, parses
-the instance and schema with `jsonschema`, and distinguishes payload rejection
-from schema loading or compilation errors. Neither validator calls the LLM.
+The serialized JSON syntax validator uses `encoding/json` to reject malformed
+representation bytes. The serialized JSON Schema validator requires schema
+bytes, parses the instance and schema with `jsonschema`, and distinguishes
+payload rejection from schema loading or compilation errors. The framework
+serialized-validation request carries either canonical chunk bytes or artifact
+codec bytes according to its target context. Neither validator calls the LLM.
 
 ## D&D Spell Validators
 
-`internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/spellpayload` provides strict decoding,
-shape checks, source-reference candidates, and cited-text lookup shared by the
-three validators.
-
-The shape validator rejects malformed JSON, unknown fields, missing or empty
-spell fields, and empty reference lists. The source-reference validator applies
-generic source-reference validation to every cited range. The relatedness
-validator approves structurally valid payloads but warns when a case-insensitive
-spell name is absent from all cited source text. It leaves malformed payloads to
-the earlier validators in the configured chain.
+All three validators receive `dnd.SpellList` directly. The shape validator
+rejects missing or empty spell fields and empty reference lists. The
+source-reference validator applies generic source-reference validation to every
+cited range. The relatedness validator warns when a case-insensitive spell name
+is absent from all cited source text.
 
 These validators are deterministic. Their selectable keys and production order
 are defined in
diff --git a/docs/internal/overview.md b/docs/internal/overview.md
index b9db5f7..452df8f 100644
--- a/docs/internal/overview.md
+++ b/docs/internal/overview.md
@@ -64,10 +64,11 @@ parsing. Production input, chunk, and output modules use strict construction-tim
 option decoding, and the LLM-backed scene chunker retains the injected shared
 client. The D&D family registers the canonical `dnd/spell-list` codec and a
 typed spell extractor. A temporary raw adapter serializes that typed result for
-the still-raw production validators, merger, normalizer, and runner. Other
-artifact-lane modules and validators continue through explicitly named legacy
-raw registrations and temporary zero-argument constructor adapters. The current
-runner rejects a typed prepared lane instead of routing it through raw execution.
+the current runner. The D&D family also registers typed spell validators and
+kind-specific generic merge and normalize strategies; generic JSON validators
+use the serialized-validation contract. Narrow legacy registrations preserve
+the existing raw runner path until typed execution lands. The current runner
+rejects a typed prepared lane instead of routing it through raw execution.
 
 ## Production Extensions
 
@@ -96,8 +97,8 @@ helpers. Domain-neutral prompt filesystem composition lives in
 Generic validators under `internal/modules/generic/validate` provide
 unconditional test decisions, JSON syntax validation, and JSON Schema
 validation. D&D spell validators under `internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells`
-provide shape, source-reference, and source-relatedness decisions, with
-`spellpayload` holding their shared parser and lookup helpers.
+consume the canonical spell-list type directly to provide shape,
+source-reference, and source-relatedness decisions.
 
 Production composition is grouped behind package-family registrars, and every
 implemented production extension uses its domain-first tree:
diff --git a/docs/internal/pipeline.md b/docs/internal/pipeline.md
index 60aa3a3..1faa2d0 100644
--- a/docs/internal/pipeline.md
+++ b/docs/internal/pipeline.md
@@ -75,9 +75,11 @@ mismatches are rejected deterministically.
 
 Production composition registers the D&D spell-list codec. The typed spell
 extractor also registers a temporary raw adapter, which resolution selects
-until its downstream production lane is typed. Other production artifact-lane
-modules use the explicitly named legacy raw registration APIs. A standalone raw
-registration cannot satisfy a typed lane.
+until runner execution is typed. The D&D family registers matching typed merge,
+normalize, and semantic-validator variants, while JSON validators register for
+serialized chunk and artifact targets. Narrow legacy registrations preserve the
+current raw runner path. A standalone raw registration cannot satisfy a typed
+lane.
 
 A `ModuleSpec` declares its stage plus required and provided capabilities.
 Chunk, extract, merge, and normalize specs may also declare reference slots.
diff --git a/internal/modules/dnd/codec/spells/codec.go b/internal/modules/dnd/codec/spells/codec.go
index 062ca13..7654014 100644
--- a/internal/modules/dnd/codec/spells/codec.go
+++ b/internal/modules/dnd/codec/spells/codec.go
@@ -58,6 +58,19 @@ func (c *Codec) EncodeCandidate(value dnd.SpellList) ([]byte, error) {
 }
 
 func (c *Codec) Decode(content []byte) (dnd.SpellList, error) {
+	value, err := c.DecodeCandidate(content)
+	if err != nil {
+		return dnd.SpellList{}, err
+	}
+	if err := validate(value); err != nil {
+		return dnd.SpellList{}, fmt.Errorf("decode dnd spell list: %w", err)
+	}
+	return value, nil
+}
+
+// DecodeCandidate reads the durable representation before semantic validators
+// have approved it on the temporary raw runner path.
+func (c *Codec) DecodeCandidate(content []byte) (dnd.SpellList, error) {
 	decoder := json.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(content))
 	decoder.DisallowUnknownFields()
 	var value dnd.SpellList
@@ -68,9 +81,6 @@ func (c *Codec) Decode(content []byte) (dnd.SpellList, error) {
 	if err := decoder.Decode(&trailing); err != io.EOF {
 		return dnd.SpellList{}, fmt.Errorf("decode dnd spell list: multiple JSON values")
 	}
-	if err := validate(value); err != nil {
-		return dnd.SpellList{}, fmt.Errorf("decode dnd spell list: %w", err)
-	}
 	return value, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/modules/dnd/register/register.go b/internal/modules/dnd/register/register.go
index 5dc760f..73045d3 100644
--- a/internal/modules/dnd/register/register.go
+++ b/internal/modules/dnd/register/register.go
@@ -6,12 +6,17 @@ import (
 
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/llm"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/chunk/scenes"
 	spellcodec "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/codec/spells"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/extract/spells"
 	spellshape "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/shape"
 	spellsourcerefs "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_refs"
 	spellrelatedness "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_relatedness"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/generic/merge/appendorder"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/generic/normalize/noop"
+	alwaysaccept "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_accept"
+	alwaysreject "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_reject"
 	validjson "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json"
 	validjsonschema "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json_schema"
 )
@@ -21,16 +26,30 @@ func Register(registries pipeline.Registries, assets *llm.AssetRegistry) error {
 	if err := validateRegistries(registries, assets); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	codec := spellcodec.New()
 	registrations := []struct {
 		name     string
 		register func() error
 	}{
-		{name: "spells codec", register: func() error { return pipeline.RegisterArtifactCodec(registries.ArtifactCodecs, spellcodec.New()) }},
+		{name: "spells codec", register: func() error { return pipeline.RegisterArtifactCodec(registries.ArtifactCodecs, codec) }},
 		{name: "scenes chunker", register: func() error { return scenes.Register(registries.Chunkers) }},
-		{name: "spells extractor", register: func() error { return spells.RegisterWithRawAdapter(registries.Extractors, spellcodec.New()) }},
+		{name: "spells extractor", register: func() error { return spells.RegisterWithRawAdapter(registries.Extractors, codec) }},
+		{name: "spell-list appendorder merger", register: func() error {
+			return appendorder.RegisterTyped(registries.Mergers, dnd.SpellListKind, appendSpellLists)
+		}},
+		{name: "spell-list noop normalizer", register: func() error { return noop.RegisterTyped[dnd.SpellList](registries.Normalizers, dnd.SpellListKind) }},
 		{name: "spell shape validator", register: func() error { return spellshape.Register(registries.Validators) }},
+		{name: "legacy spell shape validator", register: func() error { return spellshape.RegisterLegacy(registries.Validators, codec) }},
 		{name: "spell source references validator", register: func() error { return spellsourcerefs.Register(registries.Validators) }},
+		{name: "legacy spell source references validator", register: func() error { return spellsourcerefs.RegisterLegacy(registries.Validators, codec) }},
 		{name: "spell source relatedness validator", register: func() error { return spellrelatedness.Register(registries.Validators) }},
+		{name: "legacy spell source relatedness validator", register: func() error { return spellrelatedness.RegisterLegacy(registries.Validators, codec) }},
+		{name: "spell-list always accept validator", register: func() error {
+			return alwaysaccept.RegisterTyped[dnd.SpellList](registries.Validators, dnd.SpellListKind)
+		}},
+		{name: "spell-list always reject validator", register: func() error {
+			return alwaysreject.RegisterTyped[dnd.SpellList](registries.Validators, dnd.SpellListKind)
+		}},
 		{name: "scenes prompt assets", register: func() error { return scenes.RegisterPromptAssets(assets) }},
 		{name: "spells prompt assets", register: func() error { return spells.RegisterPromptAssets(assets) }},
 	}
@@ -55,6 +74,18 @@ func Register(registries pipeline.Registries, assets *llm.AssetRegistry) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func appendSpellLists(values []dnd.SpellList) (dnd.SpellList, error) {
+	count := 0
+	for _, value := range values {
+		count += len(value.SpellCasts)
+	}
+	combined := dnd.SpellList{SpellCasts: make([]dnd.SpellCast, 0, count)}
+	for _, value := range values {
+		combined.SpellCasts = append(combined.SpellCasts, value.SpellCasts...)
+	}
+	return combined, nil
+}
+
 func validateRegistries(registries pipeline.Registries, assets *llm.AssetRegistry) error {
 	switch {
 	case registries.Chunkers == nil:
@@ -63,6 +94,10 @@ func validateRegistries(registries pipeline.Registries, assets *llm.AssetRegistr
 		return fmt.Errorf("dnd registrar: artifact codec registry must not be nil")
 	case registries.Extractors == nil:
 		return fmt.Errorf("dnd registrar: extractor registry must not be nil")
+	case registries.Mergers == nil:
+		return fmt.Errorf("dnd registrar: merger registry must not be nil")
+	case registries.Normalizers == nil:
+		return fmt.Errorf("dnd registrar: normalizer registry must not be nil")
 	case registries.Validators == nil:
 		return fmt.Errorf("dnd registrar: validator registry must not be nil")
 	case registries.ValidatorChains == nil:
diff --git a/internal/modules/dnd/register/register_test.go b/internal/modules/dnd/register/register_test.go
index e115d84..0d2e043 100644
--- a/internal/modules/dnd/register/register_test.go
+++ b/internal/modules/dnd/register/register_test.go
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ func TestRegisterAddsDNDFamily(t *testing.T) {
 		"extract/dnd/spells/shape",
 		"extract/dnd/spells/source_refs",
 		"extract/dnd/spells/source_relatedness",
+		"generic/always_accept",
+		"generic/always_reject",
 	})
 	wantChain := []pipeline.ModuleBinding{
 		pipeline.Binding("generic/valid_json"),
@@ -68,6 +70,8 @@ func TestRegisterRejectsMissingDNDDependenciesBeforeMutation(t *testing.T) {
 		{name: "chunkers", remove: func(r *pipeline.Registries, _ **llm.AssetRegistry) { r.Chunkers = nil }, wantErr: "chunker registry"},
 		{name: "artifact codecs", remove: func(r *pipeline.Registries, _ **llm.AssetRegistry) { r.ArtifactCodecs = nil }, wantErr: "artifact codec registry"},
 		{name: "extractors", remove: func(r *pipeline.Registries, _ **llm.AssetRegistry) { r.Extractors = nil }, wantErr: "extractor registry"},
+		{name: "mergers", remove: func(r *pipeline.Registries, _ **llm.AssetRegistry) { r.Mergers = nil }, wantErr: "merger registry"},
+		{name: "normalizers", remove: func(r *pipeline.Registries, _ **llm.AssetRegistry) { r.Normalizers = nil }, wantErr: "normalizer registry"},
 		{name: "validators", remove: func(r *pipeline.Registries, _ **llm.AssetRegistry) { r.Validators = nil }, wantErr: "validator registry"},
 		{name: "validator chains", remove: func(r *pipeline.Registries, _ **llm.AssetRegistry) { r.ValidatorChains = nil }, wantErr: "validator chain registry"},
 		{name: "assets", remove: func(_ *pipeline.Registries, assets **llm.AssetRegistry) { *assets = nil }, wantErr: "asset registry"},
diff --git a/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/shape/validator.go b/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/shape/validator.go
index 784b16d..2de7cc7 100644
--- a/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/shape/validator.go
+++ b/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/shape/validator.go
@@ -2,59 +2,104 @@ package shape
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
 
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/spellpayload"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd"
 )
 
 const Key = "extract/dnd/spells/shape"
 const ReasonCode = "invalid_spell_shape"
 
-var _ contracts.LegacyRawValidator = (*Validator)(nil)
-
+type Options struct{}
 type Validator struct{}
-
-func New() *Validator {
-	return &Validator{}
+type legacyValidator struct{ codec decoder }
+type decoder interface {
+	DecodeCandidate([]byte) (dnd.SpellList, error)
 }
 
-func (v *Validator) Name() string {
-	return Key
-}
+var _ contracts.TypedValidator[dnd.SpellList] = (*Validator)(nil)
 
+func New(Options) *Validator      { return &Validator{} }
+func (v *Validator) Name() string { return Key }
 func (v *Validator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
 	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
 }
-
-func (v *Validator) Validate(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
-	payload, err := spellpayload.ValidationRequestPayload(req)
-	if err != nil {
-		return rejection(err.Error()), nil
-	}
-	if err := spellpayload.ValidateShape(payload); err != nil {
+func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SpellList]) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	if err := Validate(req.Value); err != nil {
 		return rejection(err.Error()), nil
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 }
 
-func Spec() pipeline.ValidatorSpec {
-	return pipeline.ValidatorSpec{
-		Key:            Key,
-		ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic,
+func Validate(value dnd.SpellList) error {
+	if value.SpellCasts == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("spell_casts must be present")
 	}
+	for index, spell := range value.SpellCasts {
+		if strings.TrimSpace(spell.Caster) == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("spell_casts[%d].caster must not be empty", index)
+		}
+		if strings.TrimSpace(spell.Spell) == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("spell_casts[%d].spell must not be empty", index)
+		}
+		if strings.TrimSpace(spell.Effect) == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("spell_casts[%d].effect must not be empty", index)
+		}
+		if strings.TrimSpace(spell.NarrativeDescription) == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("spell_casts[%d].narrative_description must not be empty", index)
+		}
+		if len(spell.SourceRefs) == 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("spell_casts[%d].source_refs must not be empty", index)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
 }
 
+func (v *legacyValidator) Name() string { return Key }
+func (v *legacyValidator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
+	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
+}
+func (v *legacyValidator) Validate(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	value, err := v.codec.DecodeCandidate(req.Payload.Content)
+	if err != nil {
+		return rejection(err.Error()), nil
+	}
+	return New(Options{}).Validate(ctx, contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SpellList]{Value: value})
+}
+
+func Spec() pipeline.ValidatorSpec {
+	return pipeline.ValidatorSpec{Key: Key, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic}
+}
 func Register(registry *pipeline.ValidatorRegistry) error {
-	return registry.RegisterLegacyRawWithSpec(Spec(), func() (contracts.LegacyRawValidator, error) {
-		return New(), nil
+	return pipeline.RegisterTypedValidatorBuilder(registry, dnd.SpellListKind, Spec(), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.TypedValidator[dnd.SpellList], error) {
+		options, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return New(options), nil
 	})
 }
-
-func rejection(message string) contracts.ValidationResult {
-	return contracts.ValidationResult{
-		Approved:   false,
-		ReasonCode: ReasonCode,
-		Message:    message,
+func RegisterLegacy(registry *pipeline.ValidatorRegistry, codec decoder) error {
+	if codec == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("spell shape validator codec must not be nil")
 	}
+	return registry.RegisterLegacyRawBuilderWithSpec(Spec(), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.LegacyRawValidator, error) {
+		if _, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return &legacyValidator{codec: codec}, nil
+	})
+}
+func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
+	if err := pipeline.RejectUnknownOptions(options); err != nil {
+		return Options{}, err
+	}
+	return Options{}, nil
+}
+func validateOptions(options map[string]any) error { _, err := DecodeOptions(options); return err }
+func rejection(message string) contracts.ValidationResult {
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: message}
 }
diff --git a/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/shape/validator_test.go b/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/shape/validator_test.go
index 34020ea..b7340b1 100644
--- a/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/shape/validator_test.go
+++ b/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/shape/validator_test.go
@@ -4,12 +4,14 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"testing"
 
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd"
 )
 
 func TestValidatorApprovesWellFormedSpellPayload(t *testing.T) {
-	result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithPayload(`{"spell_casts":[{"caster":"Aria","spell":"Cure Wounds","effect":"heals","narrative_description":"Aria heals Borin.","source_refs":[{"source_id":"session","start_unit_id":1,"end_unit_id":1}]}]}`))
+	result, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), requestWithValue(validSpellList()))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
@@ -18,8 +20,8 @@ func TestValidatorApprovesWellFormedSpellPayload(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestValidatorRejectsMalformedPayload(t *testing.T) {
-	result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithPayload(`{"spell_casts":`))
+func TestValidatorRejectsMissingSpellList(t *testing.T) {
+	result, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), requestWithValue(dnd.SpellList{}))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
@@ -32,7 +34,9 @@ func TestValidatorRejectsMalformedPayload(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestValidatorRejectsMissingRequiredSpellFields(t *testing.T) {
-	result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithPayload(`{"spell_casts":[{"caster":"Aria","effect":"heals","narrative_description":"Aria heals Borin.","source_refs":[{"source_id":"session","start_unit_id":1,"end_unit_id":1}]}]}`))
+	value := validSpellList()
+	value.SpellCasts[0].Spell = ""
+	result, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), requestWithValue(value))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
@@ -49,20 +53,15 @@ func TestSpecAndRegister(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := Register(registry); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Register() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
-	validator, err := registry.BuildLegacyRaw(Key)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("Build(%q) error = %v, want nil", Key, err)
-	}
-	if validator.Name() != Key || validator.ExecutionClass() != contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic {
-		t.Fatalf("validator = %q/%q, want key and deterministic execution", validator.Name(), validator.ExecutionClass())
+	if _, err := DecodeOptions(map[string]any{"unexpected": true}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("DecodeOptions() error = nil, want unknown option error")
 	}
 }
 
-func requestWithPayload(payload string) contracts.ValidationRequest {
-	return contracts.ValidationRequest{
-		Payload: contracts.RawPayload{
-			Content:   []byte(payload),
-			MediaType: "application/json",
-		},
-	}
+func requestWithValue(value dnd.SpellList) contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SpellList] {
+	return contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SpellList]{Value: value}
+}
+
+func validSpellList() dnd.SpellList {
+	return dnd.SpellList{SpellCasts: []dnd.SpellCast{{Caster: "Aria", Spell: "Cure Wounds", Effect: "heals", NarrativeDescription: "Aria heals Borin.", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{{SourceID: "session", StartUnitID: 1, EndUnitID: 1}}}}}
 }
diff --git a/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_refs/validator.go b/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_refs/validator.go
index ad2b26a..af0e768 100644
--- a/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_refs/validator.go
+++ b/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_refs/validator.go
@@ -7,38 +7,33 @@ import (
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/spellpayload"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd"
+	spellshape "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/shape"
 )
 
 const Key = "extract/dnd/spells/source_refs"
 const ReasonCode = "invalid_source_refs"
 
-var _ contracts.LegacyRawValidator = (*Validator)(nil)
-
+type Options struct{}
 type Validator struct{}
-
-func New() *Validator {
-	return &Validator{}
+type legacyValidator struct{ codec decoder }
+type decoder interface {
+	DecodeCandidate([]byte) (dnd.SpellList, error)
 }
 
-func (v *Validator) Name() string {
-	return Key
-}
+var _ contracts.TypedValidator[dnd.SpellList] = (*Validator)(nil)
 
+func New(Options) *Validator      { return &Validator{} }
+func (v *Validator) Name() string { return Key }
 func (v *Validator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
 	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
 }
-
-func (v *Validator) Validate(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
-	payload, err := spellpayload.ValidationRequestPayload(req)
-	if err != nil {
+func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SpellList]) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	if err := spellshape.Validate(req.Value); err != nil {
 		return rejection(err.Error()), nil
 	}
-	if err := spellpayload.ValidateShape(payload); err != nil {
-		return rejection(err.Error()), nil
-	}
-	for spellIndex, spell := range payload.SpellCasts {
-		for refIndex, ref := range spellpayload.SourceRefCandidates(req.Source, spell) {
+	for spellIndex, spell := range req.Value.SpellCasts {
+		for refIndex, ref := range spell.SourceRefs {
 			if err := source.ValidateRef(req.Source, ref); err != nil {
 				return rejection(fmt.Sprintf("spell_casts[%d].source_refs[%d]: %v", spellIndex, refIndex, err)), nil
 			}
@@ -46,24 +41,50 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ValidationReques
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 }
-
-func Spec() pipeline.ValidatorSpec {
-	return pipeline.ValidatorSpec{
-		Key:            Key,
-		ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic,
-	}
+func (v *legacyValidator) Name() string { return Key }
+func (v *legacyValidator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
+	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
+}
+func (v *legacyValidator) Validate(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	value, err := v.codec.DecodeCandidate(req.Payload.Content)
+	if err != nil {
+		return rejection(err.Error()), nil
+	}
+	if err := spellshape.Validate(value); err != nil {
+		return rejection(err.Error()), nil
+	}
+	return New(Options{}).Validate(ctx, contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SpellList]{Source: req.Source, Value: value})
+}
+func Spec() pipeline.ValidatorSpec {
+	return pipeline.ValidatorSpec{Key: Key, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic}
 }
-
 func Register(registry *pipeline.ValidatorRegistry) error {
-	return registry.RegisterLegacyRawWithSpec(Spec(), func() (contracts.LegacyRawValidator, error) {
-		return New(), nil
+	return pipeline.RegisterTypedValidatorBuilder(registry, dnd.SpellListKind, Spec(), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.TypedValidator[dnd.SpellList], error) {
+		options, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return New(options), nil
 	})
 }
-
-func rejection(message string) contracts.ValidationResult {
-	return contracts.ValidationResult{
-		Approved:   false,
-		ReasonCode: ReasonCode,
-		Message:    message,
+func RegisterLegacy(registry *pipeline.ValidatorRegistry, codec decoder) error {
+	if codec == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("spell source references validator codec must not be nil")
 	}
+	return registry.RegisterLegacyRawBuilderWithSpec(Spec(), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.LegacyRawValidator, error) {
+		if _, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return &legacyValidator{codec: codec}, nil
+	})
+}
+func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
+	if err := pipeline.RejectUnknownOptions(options); err != nil {
+		return Options{}, err
+	}
+	return Options{}, nil
+}
+func validateOptions(options map[string]any) error { _, err := DecodeOptions(options); return err }
+func rejection(message string) contracts.ValidationResult {
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: message}
 }
diff --git a/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_refs/validator_test.go b/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_refs/validator_test.go
index a6551ac..df96ed2 100644
--- a/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_refs/validator_test.go
+++ b/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_refs/validator_test.go
@@ -7,10 +7,11 @@ import (
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd"
 )
 
 func TestValidatorApprovesValidSourceRefs(t *testing.T) {
-	result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithPayload(validDocument(), `{"spell_casts":[{"caster":"Aria","spell":"Cure Wounds","effect":"heals","narrative_description":"Aria casts Cure Wounds.","source_refs":[{"source_id":"session","start_unit_id":1,"end_unit_id":2}]}]}`))
+	result, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), requestWithValue(validDocument(), source.SourceRef{SourceID: "session", StartUnitID: 1, EndUnitID: 2}))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ func TestValidatorApprovesValidSourceRefs(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestValidatorRejectsInvalidSourceRefs(t *testing.T) {
-	result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithPayload(validDocument(), `{"spell_casts":[{"caster":"Aria","spell":"Cure Wounds","effect":"heals","narrative_description":"Aria casts Cure Wounds.","source_refs":[{"source_id":"session","start_unit_id":99,"end_unit_id":99}]}]}`))
+	result, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), requestWithValue(validDocument(), source.SourceRef{SourceID: "session", StartUnitID: 99, EndUnitID: 99}))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ func TestValidatorRejectsInvalidSourceRefs(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestValidatorRejectsMissingSourceDocument(t *testing.T) {
-	result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithPayload(nil, `{"spell_casts":[{"caster":"Aria","spell":"Cure Wounds","effect":"heals","narrative_description":"Aria casts Cure Wounds.","source_refs":[{"source_id":"session","start_unit_id":1,"end_unit_id":1}]}]}`))
+	result, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), requestWithValue(nil, source.SourceRef{SourceID: "session", StartUnitID: 1, EndUnitID: 1}))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
@@ -50,23 +51,15 @@ func TestSpecAndRegister(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := Register(registry); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Register() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
-	validator, err := registry.BuildLegacyRaw(Key)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("Build(%q) error = %v, want nil", Key, err)
-	}
-	if validator.Name() != Key || validator.ExecutionClass() != contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic {
-		t.Fatalf("validator = %q/%q, want key and deterministic execution", validator.Name(), validator.ExecutionClass())
+	if _, err := DecodeOptions(map[string]any{"unexpected": true}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("DecodeOptions() error = nil, want unknown option error")
 	}
 }
 
-func requestWithPayload(doc *source.SourceDocument, payload string) contracts.ValidationRequest {
-	return contracts.ValidationRequest{
-		Source: doc,
-		Payload: contracts.RawPayload{
-			Content:   []byte(payload),
-			MediaType: "application/json",
-		},
-	}
+func requestWithValue(doc *source.SourceDocument, ref source.SourceRef) contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SpellList] {
+	return contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SpellList]{Source: doc, Value: dnd.SpellList{SpellCasts: []dnd.SpellCast{{
+		Caster: "Aria", Spell: "Cure Wounds", Effect: "heals", NarrativeDescription: "Aria casts Cure Wounds.", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref},
+	}}}}
 }
 
 func validDocument() *source.SourceDocument {
diff --git a/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_relatedness/validator.go b/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_relatedness/validator.go
index cd483fe..a756bcf 100644
--- a/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_relatedness/validator.go
+++ b/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_relatedness/validator.go
@@ -8,76 +8,113 @@ import (
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/spellpayload"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd"
+	spellshape "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/shape"
 )
 
 const Key = "extract/dnd/spells/source_relatedness"
 const WarningReasonCode = "spell_not_near_source"
 
-var _ contracts.LegacyRawValidator = (*Validator)(nil)
-
+type Options struct{}
 type Validator struct{}
-
-func New() *Validator {
-	return &Validator{}
+type legacyValidator struct{ codec decoder }
+type decoder interface {
+	DecodeCandidate([]byte) (dnd.SpellList, error)
 }
 
-func (v *Validator) Name() string {
-	return Key
-}
+var _ contracts.TypedValidator[dnd.SpellList] = (*Validator)(nil)
 
+func New(Options) *Validator      { return &Validator{} }
+func (v *Validator) Name() string { return Key }
 func (v *Validator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
 	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
 }
-
-func (v *Validator) Validate(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
-	payload, err := spellpayload.ValidationRequestPayload(req)
-	if err != nil {
+func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SpellList]) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	if err := spellshape.Validate(req.Value); err != nil {
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 	}
-	if err := spellpayload.ValidateShape(payload); err != nil {
-		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
-	}
-
 	var warnings []contracts.Warning
-	for spellIndex, spell := range payload.SpellCasts {
+	for spellIndex, spell := range req.Value.SpellCasts {
 		if !spellAppearsInCitedText(req.Source, spell) {
-			warnings = append(warnings, contracts.Warning{
-				Scope:      fmt.Sprintf("spell_casts[%d]", spellIndex),
-				ReasonCode: WarningReasonCode,
-				Message:    fmt.Sprintf("spell %q was not found in cited source text", strings.TrimSpace(spell.Spell)),
-			})
+			warnings = append(warnings, contracts.Warning{Scope: fmt.Sprintf("spell_casts[%d]", spellIndex), ReasonCode: WarningReasonCode, Message: fmt.Sprintf("spell %q was not found in cited source text", strings.TrimSpace(spell.Spell))})
 		}
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true, Warnings: warnings}, nil
 }
-
-func Spec() pipeline.ValidatorSpec {
-	return pipeline.ValidatorSpec{
-		Key:            Key,
-		ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic,
+func (v *legacyValidator) Name() string { return Key }
+func (v *legacyValidator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
+	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
+}
+func (v *legacyValidator) Validate(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	value, err := v.codec.DecodeCandidate(req.Payload.Content)
+	if err != nil {
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 	}
+	if err := spellshape.Validate(value); err != nil {
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
+	}
+	return New(Options{}).Validate(ctx, contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SpellList]{Source: req.Source, Value: value})
 }
-
-func Register(registry *pipeline.ValidatorRegistry) error {
-	return registry.RegisterLegacyRawWithSpec(Spec(), func() (contracts.LegacyRawValidator, error) {
-		return New(), nil
-	})
-}
-
-func spellAppearsInCitedText(doc *source.SourceDocument, spell spellpayload.SpellCast) bool {
+func spellAppearsInCitedText(doc *source.SourceDocument, spell dnd.SpellCast) bool {
 	name := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(spell.Spell))
 	if name == "" {
 		return true
 	}
-	for _, ref := range spellpayload.SourceRefCandidates(doc, spell) {
-		text, ok := spellpayload.CitedText(doc, ref)
-		if !ok {
-			continue
-		}
-		if strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(text), name) {
+	for _, ref := range spell.SourceRefs {
+		if text, ok := citedText(doc, ref); ok && strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(text), name) {
 			return true
 		}
 	}
 	return false
 }
+func citedText(doc *source.SourceDocument, ref source.SourceRef) (string, bool) {
+	if doc == nil {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	start, ok := source.UnitIndex(doc, ref.StartUnitID)
+	if !ok {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	end, ok := source.UnitIndex(doc, ref.EndUnitID)
+	if !ok || start > end {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	var b strings.Builder
+	for i := start; i <= end; i++ {
+		if b.Len() > 0 {
+			b.WriteByte('\n')
+		}
+		b.WriteString(doc.Units[i].Text)
+	}
+	return b.String(), true
+}
+func Spec() pipeline.ValidatorSpec {
+	return pipeline.ValidatorSpec{Key: Key, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic}
+}
+func Register(registry *pipeline.ValidatorRegistry) error {
+	return pipeline.RegisterTypedValidatorBuilder(registry, dnd.SpellListKind, Spec(), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.TypedValidator[dnd.SpellList], error) {
+		options, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return New(options), nil
+	})
+}
+func RegisterLegacy(registry *pipeline.ValidatorRegistry, codec decoder) error {
+	if codec == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("spell source relatedness validator codec must not be nil")
+	}
+	return registry.RegisterLegacyRawBuilderWithSpec(Spec(), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.LegacyRawValidator, error) {
+		if _, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return &legacyValidator{codec: codec}, nil
+	})
+}
+func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
+	if err := pipeline.RejectUnknownOptions(options); err != nil {
+		return Options{}, err
+	}
+	return Options{}, nil
+}
+func validateOptions(options map[string]any) error { _, err := DecodeOptions(options); return err }
diff --git a/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_relatedness/validator_test.go b/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_relatedness/validator_test.go
index b164183..060bacf 100644
--- a/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_relatedness/validator_test.go
+++ b/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_relatedness/validator_test.go
@@ -7,10 +7,11 @@ import (
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd"
 )
 
 func TestValidatorApprovesWithoutWarningWhenSpellAppearsInCitedText(t *testing.T) {
-	result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithPayload(validDocument(), `{"spell_casts":[{"caster":"Aria","spell":"Cure Wounds","effect":"heals","narrative_description":"Aria casts Cure Wounds.","source_refs":[{"source_id":"session","start_unit_id":2,"end_unit_id":2}]}]}`))
+	result, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), requestWithSpell(validDocument(), "Cure Wounds", 2))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
@@ -23,7 +24,7 @@ func TestValidatorApprovesWithoutWarningWhenSpellAppearsInCitedText(t *testing.T
 }
 
 func TestValidatorWarnsWhenSpellDoesNotAppearInCitedText(t *testing.T) {
-	result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithPayload(validDocument(), `{"spell_casts":[{"caster":"Borin","spell":"Fire Bolt","effect":"scorches","narrative_description":"Borin casts Fire Bolt.","source_refs":[{"source_id":"session","start_unit_id":1,"end_unit_id":1}]}]}`))
+	result, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), requestWithSpell(validDocument(), "Fire Bolt", 1))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
@@ -38,8 +39,8 @@ func TestValidatorWarnsWhenSpellDoesNotAppearInCitedText(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestValidatorApprovesMalformedPayloadWithoutWarning(t *testing.T) {
-	result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithPayload(validDocument(), `{"spell_casts":`))
+func TestValidatorApprovesEmptySpellListWithoutWarning(t *testing.T) {
+	result, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SpellList]{Source: validDocument(), Value: dnd.SpellList{SpellCasts: []dnd.SpellCast{}}})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
@@ -53,23 +54,16 @@ func TestSpecAndRegister(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := Register(registry); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Register() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
-	validator, err := registry.BuildLegacyRaw(Key)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("Build(%q) error = %v, want nil", Key, err)
-	}
-	if validator.Name() != Key || validator.ExecutionClass() != contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic {
-		t.Fatalf("validator = %q/%q, want key and deterministic execution", validator.Name(), validator.ExecutionClass())
+	if _, err := DecodeOptions(map[string]any{"unexpected": true}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("DecodeOptions() error = nil, want unknown option error")
 	}
 }
 
-func requestWithPayload(doc *source.SourceDocument, payload string) contracts.ValidationRequest {
-	return contracts.ValidationRequest{
-		Source: doc,
-		Payload: contracts.RawPayload{
-			Content:   []byte(payload),
-			MediaType: "application/json",
-		},
-	}
+func requestWithSpell(doc *source.SourceDocument, name string, unitID int) contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SpellList] {
+	return contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SpellList]{Source: doc, Value: dnd.SpellList{SpellCasts: []dnd.SpellCast{{
+		Caster: "Aria", Spell: name, Effect: "effect", NarrativeDescription: "description",
+		SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{{SourceID: "session", StartUnitID: unitID, EndUnitID: unitID}},
+	}}}}
 }
 
 func validDocument() *source.SourceDocument {
diff --git a/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/spellpayload/payload.go b/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/spellpayload/payload.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 36b7f97..0000000
--- a/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/spellpayload/payload.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,98 +0,0 @@
-package spellpayload
-
-import (
-	"bytes"
-	"encoding/json"
-	"fmt"
-	"io"
-	"strings"
-
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/shared"
-)
-
-type Payload struct {
-	SpellCasts []SpellCast `json:"spell_casts"`
-}
-
-type SpellCast struct {
-	Caster               string                     `json:"caster"`
-	Spell                string                     `json:"spell"`
-	Effect               string                     `json:"effect"`
-	NarrativeDescription string                     `json:"narrative_description"`
-	SourceRefs           []shared.SourceRefResponse `json:"source_refs"`
-}
-
-func Parse(raw []byte) (Payload, error) {
-	decoder := json.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(raw))
-	decoder.DisallowUnknownFields()
-
-	var payload Payload
-	if err := decoder.Decode(&payload); err != nil {
-		return Payload{}, fmt.Errorf("parse spell payload: %w", err)
-	}
-	var extra any
-	if err := decoder.Decode(&extra); err != io.EOF {
-		return Payload{}, fmt.Errorf("parse spell payload: multiple JSON values")
-	}
-	return payload, nil
-}
-
-func ValidateShape(payload Payload) error {
-	if payload.SpellCasts == nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("spell_casts must be present")
-	}
-	for index, spell := range payload.SpellCasts {
-		if strings.TrimSpace(spell.Caster) == "" {
-			return fmt.Errorf("spell_casts[%d].caster must not be empty", index)
-		}
-		if strings.TrimSpace(spell.Spell) == "" {
-			return fmt.Errorf("spell_casts[%d].spell must not be empty", index)
-		}
-		if strings.TrimSpace(spell.Effect) == "" {
-			return fmt.Errorf("spell_casts[%d].effect must not be empty", index)
-		}
-		if strings.TrimSpace(spell.NarrativeDescription) == "" {
-			return fmt.Errorf("spell_casts[%d].narrative_description must not be empty", index)
-		}
-		if len(spell.SourceRefs) == 0 {
-			return fmt.Errorf("spell_casts[%d].source_refs must not be empty", index)
-		}
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func SourceRefCandidates(doc *source.SourceDocument, spell SpellCast) []source.SourceRef {
-	refs := make([]source.SourceRef, 0, len(spell.SourceRefs))
-	for _, ref := range spell.SourceRefs {
-		refs = append(refs, shared.SourceRefCandidate(doc, ref))
-	}
-	return refs
-}
-
-func CitedText(doc *source.SourceDocument, ref source.SourceRef) (string, bool) {
-	if doc == nil {
-		return "", false
-	}
-	startIndex, ok := source.UnitIndex(doc, ref.StartUnitID)
-	if !ok {
-		return "", false
-	}
-	endIndex, ok := source.UnitIndex(doc, ref.EndUnitID)
-	if !ok || startIndex > endIndex {
-		return "", false
-	}
-	var b strings.Builder
-	for i := startIndex; i <= endIndex; i++ {
-		if b.Len() > 0 {
-			b.WriteByte('\n')
-		}
-		b.WriteString(doc.Units[i].Text)
-	}
-	return b.String(), true
-}
-
-func ValidationRequestPayload(req contracts.ValidationRequest) (Payload, error) {
-	return Parse(req.Payload.Content)
-}
diff --git a/internal/modules/generic/merge/appendorder/merger_test.go b/internal/modules/generic/merge/appendorder/merger_test.go
index f298d4b..abdad42 100644
--- a/internal/modules/generic/merge/appendorder/merger_test.go
+++ b/internal/modules/generic/merge/appendorder/merger_test.go
@@ -174,6 +174,30 @@ func TestMergeRejectsInvalidJSONAndNonJSONMediaTypes(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestTypedMergeUsesRequestOrderForReusableValueType(t *testing.T) {
+	type notes struct{ Values []string }
+	merger, err := NewTyped(func(values []notes) (notes, error) {
+		var combined notes
+		for _, value := range values {
+			combined.Values = append(combined.Values, value.Values...)
+		}
+		return combined, nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewTyped() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	result, err := merger.Merge(context.Background(), contracts.TypedMergeRequest[notes]{ExtractOutputs: []contracts.ExtractArtifact[notes]{
+		{ChunkIndex: 4, Value: notes{Values: []string{"first"}}},
+		{ChunkIndex: 1, Value: notes{Values: []string{"second"}}},
+	}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Merge() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if got := result.Value.Values; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, []string{"first", "second"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("Values = %#v", got)
+	}
+}
+
 func extractOutput(chunkID string, chunkIndex int, content string) contracts.ExtractOutput {
 	return contracts.ExtractOutput{
 		LaneID:       "events",
diff --git a/internal/modules/generic/merge/appendorder/typed.go b/internal/modules/generic/merge/appendorder/typed.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fcaa167
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/modules/generic/merge/appendorder/typed.go
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+package appendorder
+
+import (
+	"context"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
+)
+
+// CombineFunc combines values in the source-chunk order supplied by the
+// framework. Implementations must not reorder the slice.
+type CombineFunc[T any] func([]T) (T, error)
+
+type TypedMerger[T any] struct {
+	combine CombineFunc[T]
+}
+
+func NewTyped[T any](combine CombineFunc[T]) (*TypedMerger[T], error) {
+	if combine == nil {
+		return nil, mergerErrorf("combine function must not be nil")
+	}
+	return &TypedMerger[T]{combine: combine}, nil
+}
+
+func (m *TypedMerger[T]) Key() string { return Key }
+
+func (m *TypedMerger[T]) Merge(ctx context.Context, req contracts.TypedMergeRequest[T]) (contracts.TypedMergeResult[T], error) {
+	if m == nil || m.combine == nil {
+		return contracts.TypedMergeResult[T]{}, mergerErrorf("merger must not be nil")
+	}
+	if ctx == nil {
+		return contracts.TypedMergeResult[T]{}, mergerErrorf("context must not be nil")
+	}
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return contracts.TypedMergeResult[T]{}, mergerErrorf("context error before merge: %w", err)
+	}
+	values := make([]T, len(req.ExtractOutputs))
+	for i, output := range req.ExtractOutputs {
+		values[i] = output.Value
+	}
+	value, err := m.combine(values)
+	if err != nil {
+		return contracts.TypedMergeResult[T]{}, mergerErrorf("combine values: %w", err)
+	}
+	return contracts.TypedMergeResult[T]{Value: value}, nil
+}
+
+func TypedModuleSpec(kind contracts.ArtifactKind) pipeline.ModuleSpec {
+	spec := ModuleSpec()
+	spec.ArtifactKind = kind
+	return spec
+}
+
+func RegisterTyped[T any](registry *pipeline.MergerRegistry, kind contracts.ArtifactKind, combine CombineFunc[T]) error {
+	validateOptions := func(options map[string]any) error { return pipeline.RejectUnknownOptions(options) }
+	return pipeline.RegisterMergerBuilder(registry, TypedModuleSpec(kind), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.Merger[T], error) {
+		if err := pipeline.RejectUnknownOptions(request.Options); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return NewTyped(combine)
+	})
+}
diff --git a/internal/modules/generic/normalize/noop/normalizer_test.go b/internal/modules/generic/normalize/noop/normalizer_test.go
index 20d68dc..bab10dc 100644
--- a/internal/modules/generic/normalize/noop/normalizer_test.go
+++ b/internal/modules/generic/normalize/noop/normalizer_test.go
@@ -84,6 +84,19 @@ func TestNormalizeDefensivelyCopiesRawPayload(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestTypedNormalizePassesThroughReusableValueType(t *testing.T) {
+	type score struct{ Value int }
+	result, err := NewTyped[score]().Normalize(context.Background(), contracts.TypedNormalizeRequest[score]{
+		MergeOutput: contracts.MergeArtifact[score]{Value: score{Value: 7}},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Normalize() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if result.Value.Value != 7 {
+		t.Fatalf("Value = %d, want 7", result.Value.Value)
+	}
+}
+
 func mergeOutput(content string) contracts.MergeOutput {
 	return contracts.MergeOutput{
 		LaneID:    "events",
diff --git a/internal/modules/generic/normalize/noop/typed.go b/internal/modules/generic/normalize/noop/typed.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..68b4ef7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/modules/generic/normalize/noop/typed.go
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+package noop
+
+import (
+	"context"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
+)
+
+type TypedNormalizer[T any] struct{}
+
+func NewTyped[T any]() *TypedNormalizer[T] { return &TypedNormalizer[T]{} }
+
+func (n *TypedNormalizer[T]) Key() string                               { return Key }
+func (n *TypedNormalizer[T]) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot { return nil }
+
+func (n *TypedNormalizer[T]) Normalize(ctx context.Context, req contracts.TypedNormalizeRequest[T]) (contracts.TypedNormalizeResult[T], error) {
+	if n == nil {
+		return contracts.TypedNormalizeResult[T]{}, normalizerErrorf("normalizer must not be nil")
+	}
+	if ctx == nil {
+		return contracts.TypedNormalizeResult[T]{}, normalizerErrorf("context must not be nil")
+	}
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return contracts.TypedNormalizeResult[T]{}, normalizerErrorf("context error before normalize: %w", err)
+	}
+	return contracts.TypedNormalizeResult[T]{Value: req.MergeOutput.Value}, nil
+}
+
+func TypedModuleSpec(kind contracts.ArtifactKind) pipeline.ModuleSpec {
+	spec := ModuleSpec()
+	spec.ArtifactKind = kind
+	return spec
+}
+
+func RegisterTyped[T any](registry *pipeline.NormalizerRegistry, kind contracts.ArtifactKind) error {
+	validateOptions := func(options map[string]any) error { return pipeline.RejectUnknownOptions(options) }
+	return pipeline.RegisterNormalizerBuilder(registry, TypedModuleSpec(kind), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.Normalizer[T], error) {
+		if err := pipeline.RejectUnknownOptions(request.Options); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return NewTyped[T](), nil
+	})
+}
diff --git a/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_accept/validator.go b/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_accept/validator.go
index 8caf536..2d8ab8b 100644
--- a/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_accept/validator.go
+++ b/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_accept/validator.go
@@ -9,35 +9,76 @@ import (
 
 const Key = "generic/always_accept"
 
-var _ contracts.LegacyRawValidator = (*Validator)(nil)
+type Options struct{}
+type ChunkValidator struct{}
+type TypedValidator[T any] struct{}
+type legacyValidator struct{}
 
-type Validator struct{}
+var _ contracts.ChunkValidator = (*ChunkValidator)(nil)
 
-func New() *Validator {
-	return &Validator{}
-}
+func NewChunk(Options) *ChunkValidator           { return &ChunkValidator{} }
+func NewTyped[T any](Options) *TypedValidator[T] { return &TypedValidator[T]{} }
 
-func (v *Validator) Name() string {
-	return Key
-}
-
-func (v *Validator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
+func (v *ChunkValidator) Name() string { return Key }
+func (v *ChunkValidator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
 	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
 }
+func (v *ChunkValidator) Validate(context.Context, contracts.ChunkValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
+}
 
-func (v *Validator) Validate(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+func (v *TypedValidator[T]) Name() string { return Key }
+func (v *TypedValidator[T]) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
+	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
+}
+func (v *TypedValidator[T]) Validate(context.Context, contracts.TypedValidationRequest[T]) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
+}
+
+func (v *legacyValidator) Name() string { return Key }
+func (v *legacyValidator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
+	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
+}
+func (v *legacyValidator) Validate(context.Context, contracts.ValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 }
 
 func Spec() pipeline.ValidatorSpec {
-	return pipeline.ValidatorSpec{
-		Key:            Key,
-		ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic,
-	}
+	return pipeline.ValidatorSpec{Key: Key, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic}
 }
 
 func Register(registry *pipeline.ValidatorRegistry) error {
-	return registry.RegisterLegacyRawWithSpec(Spec(), func() (contracts.LegacyRawValidator, error) {
-		return New(), nil
+	if err := pipeline.RegisterChunkValidatorBuilder(registry, Spec(), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.ChunkValidator, error) {
+		options, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return NewChunk(options), nil
+	}); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return registry.RegisterLegacyRawBuilderWithSpec(Spec(), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.LegacyRawValidator, error) {
+		if _, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return &legacyValidator{}, nil
 	})
 }
+
+func RegisterTyped[T any](registry *pipeline.ValidatorRegistry, kind contracts.ArtifactKind) error {
+	return pipeline.RegisterTypedValidatorBuilder(registry, kind, Spec(), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.TypedValidator[T], error) {
+		options, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return NewTyped[T](options), nil
+	})
+}
+
+func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
+	if err := pipeline.RejectUnknownOptions(options); err != nil {
+		return Options{}, err
+	}
+	return Options{}, nil
+}
+func validateOptions(options map[string]any) error { _, err := DecodeOptions(options); return err }
diff --git a/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_accept/validator_test.go b/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_accept/validator_test.go
index f03a3fa..7f9d069 100644
--- a/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_accept/validator_test.go
+++ b/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_accept/validator_test.go
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestValidatorApproves(t *testing.T) {
-	result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), contracts.ValidationRequest{})
+	result, err := NewChunk(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), contracts.ChunkValidationRequest{})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_reject/validator.go b/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_reject/validator.go
index d6ffcbd..5fa0478 100644
--- a/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_reject/validator.go
+++ b/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_reject/validator.go
@@ -10,39 +10,72 @@ import (
 const Key = "generic/always_reject"
 const ReasonCode = "always_reject"
 
-var _ contracts.LegacyRawValidator = (*Validator)(nil)
+type Options struct{}
+type ChunkValidator struct{}
+type TypedValidator[T any] struct{}
+type legacyValidator struct{}
 
-type Validator struct{}
+func NewChunk(Options) *ChunkValidator           { return &ChunkValidator{} }
+func NewTyped[T any](Options) *TypedValidator[T] { return &TypedValidator[T]{} }
 
-func New() *Validator {
-	return &Validator{}
+func rejection() contracts.ValidationResult {
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: "output rejected by always-reject validator"}
 }
-
-func (v *Validator) Name() string {
-	return Key
-}
-
-func (v *Validator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
+func (v *ChunkValidator) Name() string { return Key }
+func (v *ChunkValidator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
 	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
 }
-
-func (v *Validator) Validate(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
-	return contracts.ValidationResult{
-		Approved:   false,
-		ReasonCode: ReasonCode,
-		Message:    "output rejected by always-reject validator",
-	}, nil
+func (v *ChunkValidator) Validate(context.Context, contracts.ChunkValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return rejection(), nil
+}
+func (v *TypedValidator[T]) Name() string { return Key }
+func (v *TypedValidator[T]) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
+	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
+}
+func (v *TypedValidator[T]) Validate(context.Context, contracts.TypedValidationRequest[T]) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return rejection(), nil
+}
+func (v *legacyValidator) Name() string { return Key }
+func (v *legacyValidator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
+	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
+}
+func (v *legacyValidator) Validate(context.Context, contracts.ValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return rejection(), nil
 }
 
 func Spec() pipeline.ValidatorSpec {
-	return pipeline.ValidatorSpec{
-		Key:            Key,
-		ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic,
-	}
+	return pipeline.ValidatorSpec{Key: Key, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic}
 }
-
 func Register(registry *pipeline.ValidatorRegistry) error {
-	return registry.RegisterLegacyRawWithSpec(Spec(), func() (contracts.LegacyRawValidator, error) {
-		return New(), nil
+	if err := pipeline.RegisterChunkValidatorBuilder(registry, Spec(), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.ChunkValidator, error) {
+		options, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return NewChunk(options), nil
+	}); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return registry.RegisterLegacyRawBuilderWithSpec(Spec(), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.LegacyRawValidator, error) {
+		if _, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return &legacyValidator{}, nil
 	})
 }
+func RegisterTyped[T any](registry *pipeline.ValidatorRegistry, kind contracts.ArtifactKind) error {
+	return pipeline.RegisterTypedValidatorBuilder(registry, kind, Spec(), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.TypedValidator[T], error) {
+		options, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return NewTyped[T](options), nil
+	})
+}
+func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
+	if err := pipeline.RejectUnknownOptions(options); err != nil {
+		return Options{}, err
+	}
+	return Options{}, nil
+}
+func validateOptions(options map[string]any) error { _, err := DecodeOptions(options); return err }
diff --git a/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_reject/validator_test.go b/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_reject/validator_test.go
index 07a9254..104065f 100644
--- a/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_reject/validator_test.go
+++ b/internal/modules/generic/validate/always_reject/validator_test.go
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestValidatorRejects(t *testing.T) {
-	result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), contracts.ValidationRequest{})
+	result, err := NewTyped[string](Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), contracts.TypedValidationRequest[string]{Value: "value"})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json/validator.go b/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json/validator.go
index 2eb2c6b..6c200a1 100644
--- a/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json/validator.go
+++ b/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json/validator.go
@@ -11,42 +11,73 @@ import (
 const Key = "generic/valid_json"
 const ReasonCodeInvalidJSON = "invalid_json"
 
-var _ contracts.LegacyRawValidator = (*Validator)(nil)
+type Options struct{}
 
 type Validator struct{}
 
-func New() *Validator {
-	return &Validator{}
-}
+type legacyValidator struct{}
 
-func (v *Validator) Name() string {
-	return Key
-}
+var _ contracts.SerializedValidator = (*Validator)(nil)
+var _ contracts.LegacyRawValidator = (*legacyValidator)(nil)
+
+func New(Options) *Validator { return &Validator{} }
+
+func (v *Validator) Name() string { return Key }
 
 func (v *Validator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
 	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
 }
 
-func (v *Validator) Validate(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
-	if !json.Valid(req.Payload.Content) {
-		return contracts.ValidationResult{
-			Approved:   false,
-			ReasonCode: ReasonCodeInvalidJSON,
-			Message:    "payload is not valid JSON",
-		}, nil
+func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.SerializedValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return validate(req.Content), nil
+}
+
+func (v *legacyValidator) Name() string { return Key }
+
+func (v *legacyValidator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
+	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
+}
+
+func (v *legacyValidator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.ValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return validate(req.Payload.Content), nil
+}
+
+func validate(content []byte) contracts.ValidationResult {
+	if !json.Valid(content) {
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCodeInvalidJSON, Message: "payload is not valid JSON"}
 	}
-	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}
 }
 
 func Spec() pipeline.ValidatorSpec {
-	return pipeline.ValidatorSpec{
-		Key:            Key,
-		ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic,
-	}
+	return pipeline.ValidatorSpec{Key: Key, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic}
 }
 
 func Register(registry *pipeline.ValidatorRegistry) error {
-	return registry.RegisterLegacyRawWithSpec(Spec(), func() (contracts.LegacyRawValidator, error) {
-		return New(), nil
+	if err := pipeline.RegisterSerializedValidatorBuilder(registry, pipeline.SerializedValidatorSpec{
+		ValidatorSpec: Spec(), SupportsChunks: true, SupportsArtifacts: true,
+	}, validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.SerializedValidator, error) {
+		options, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return New(options), nil
+	}); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return registry.RegisterLegacyRawBuilderWithSpec(Spec(), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.LegacyRawValidator, error) {
+		if _, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return &legacyValidator{}, nil
 	})
 }
+
+func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
+	if err := pipeline.RejectUnknownOptions(options); err != nil {
+		return Options{}, err
+	}
+	return Options{}, nil
+}
+
+func validateOptions(options map[string]any) error { _, err := DecodeOptions(options); return err }
diff --git a/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json/validator_test.go b/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json/validator_test.go
index ced8321..c8d4532 100644
--- a/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json/validator_test.go
+++ b/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json/validator_test.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ func TestValidatorAcceptsValidJSON(t *testing.T) {
 		`"value"`,
 	}
 	for _, payload := range tests {
-		result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithPayload(payload))
+		result, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), requestWithPayload(payload))
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Validate(%s) error = %v, want nil", payload, err)
 		}
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func TestValidatorAcceptsValidJSON(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestValidatorRejectsInvalidJSON(t *testing.T) {
-	result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithPayload(`{"value":`))
+	result, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), requestWithPayload(`{"value":`))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
@@ -56,11 +56,6 @@ func TestSpecAndRegister(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func requestWithPayload(payload string) contracts.ValidationRequest {
-	return contracts.ValidationRequest{
-		Payload: contracts.RawPayload{
-			Content:   []byte(payload),
-			MediaType: "application/json",
-		},
-	}
+func requestWithPayload(payload string) contracts.SerializedValidationRequest {
+	return contracts.SerializedValidationRequest{Content: []byte(payload), MediaType: "application/json"}
 }
diff --git a/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json_schema/validator.go b/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json_schema/validator.go
index 37cd091..0d8e228 100644
--- a/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json_schema/validator.go
+++ b/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json_schema/validator.go
@@ -15,37 +15,40 @@ const Key = "generic/valid_json_schema"
 const ReasonCodeInvalidJSON = "invalid_json"
 const ReasonCodeSchemaInvalid = "json_schema_invalid"
 
-var _ contracts.LegacyRawValidator = (*Validator)(nil)
-
+type Options struct{}
 type Validator struct{}
+type legacyValidator struct{}
 
-func New() *Validator {
-	return &Validator{}
-}
-
-func (v *Validator) Name() string {
-	return Key
-}
+var _ contracts.SerializedValidator = (*Validator)(nil)
+var _ contracts.LegacyRawValidator = (*legacyValidator)(nil)
 
+func New(Options) *Validator      { return &Validator{} }
+func (v *Validator) Name() string { return Key }
 func (v *Validator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
 	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
 }
 
-func (v *Validator) Validate(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
-	if len(req.Schema.JSONSchema) == 0 {
+func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.SerializedValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return validate(req.Content, req.Schema.JSONSchema)
+}
+
+func (v *legacyValidator) Name() string { return Key }
+func (v *legacyValidator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
+	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
+}
+func (v *legacyValidator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.ValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return validate(req.Payload.Content, req.Schema.JSONSchema)
+}
+
+func validate(content, schemaContent []byte) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	if len(schemaContent) == 0 {
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{}, fmt.Errorf("response schema content is not available")
 	}
-
-	instance, err := jsonschema.UnmarshalJSON(bytes.NewReader(req.Payload.Content))
+	instance, err := jsonschema.UnmarshalJSON(bytes.NewReader(content))
 	if err != nil {
-		return contracts.ValidationResult{
-			Approved:   false,
-			ReasonCode: ReasonCodeInvalidJSON,
-			Message:    "payload is not valid JSON",
-		}, nil
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCodeInvalidJSON, Message: "payload is not valid JSON"}, nil
 	}
-
-	schemaDocument, err := jsonschema.UnmarshalJSON(bytes.NewReader(req.Schema.JSONSchema))
+	schemaDocument, err := jsonschema.UnmarshalJSON(bytes.NewReader(schemaContent))
 	if err != nil {
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{}, fmt.Errorf("parse response schema: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -58,24 +61,39 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ValidationReques
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{}, fmt.Errorf("compile response schema: %w", err)
 	}
 	if err := schema.Validate(instance); err != nil {
-		return contracts.ValidationResult{
-			Approved:   false,
-			ReasonCode: ReasonCodeSchemaInvalid,
-			Message:    "payload does not conform to response schema",
-		}, nil
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCodeSchemaInvalid, Message: "payload does not conform to response schema"}, nil
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 }
 
 func Spec() pipeline.ValidatorSpec {
-	return pipeline.ValidatorSpec{
-		Key:            Key,
-		ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic,
-	}
+	return pipeline.ValidatorSpec{Key: Key, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic}
 }
 
 func Register(registry *pipeline.ValidatorRegistry) error {
-	return registry.RegisterLegacyRawWithSpec(Spec(), func() (contracts.LegacyRawValidator, error) {
-		return New(), nil
+	if err := pipeline.RegisterSerializedValidatorBuilder(registry, pipeline.SerializedValidatorSpec{
+		ValidatorSpec: Spec(), SupportsChunks: true, SupportsArtifacts: true,
+	}, validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.SerializedValidator, error) {
+		options, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return New(options), nil
+	}); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return registry.RegisterLegacyRawBuilderWithSpec(Spec(), validateOptions, func(request pipeline.BuildRequest) (contracts.LegacyRawValidator, error) {
+		if _, err := DecodeOptions(request.Options); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return &legacyValidator{}, nil
 	})
 }
+
+func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
+	if err := pipeline.RejectUnknownOptions(options); err != nil {
+		return Options{}, err
+	}
+	return Options{}, nil
+}
+func validateOptions(options map[string]any) error { _, err := DecodeOptions(options); return err }
diff --git a/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json_schema/validator_test.go b/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json_schema/validator_test.go
index 0584a84..937b6f1 100644
--- a/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json_schema/validator_test.go
+++ b/internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json_schema/validator_test.go
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestValidatorAcceptsSchemaConformantJSON(t *testing.T) {
-	result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithSchema(`{"name":"Aria"}`, objectSchema()))
+	result, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), requestWithSchema(`{"name":"Aria"}`, objectSchema()))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ func TestValidatorAcceptsSchemaConformantJSON(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestValidatorRejectsInvalidPayloadJSON(t *testing.T) {
-	result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithSchema(`{"name":`, objectSchema()))
+	result, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), requestWithSchema(`{"name":`, objectSchema()))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ func TestValidatorRejectsInvalidPayloadJSON(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestValidatorRejectsSchemaNonConformance(t *testing.T) {
-	result, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithSchema(`{"name":3}`, objectSchema()))
+	result, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), requestWithSchema(`{"name":3}`, objectSchema()))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func TestValidatorRejectsSchemaNonConformance(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestValidatorErrorsWhenSchemaContentMissing(t *testing.T) {
-	_, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithSchema(`{"name":"Aria"}`, nil))
+	_, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), requestWithSchema(`{"name":"Aria"}`, nil))
 	if err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("Validate() error = nil, want missing schema content error")
 	}
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ func TestValidatorErrorsWhenSchemaContentMissing(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestValidatorErrorsWhenSchemaContentIsMalformed(t *testing.T) {
-	_, err := New().Validate(context.Background(), requestWithSchema(`{"name":"Aria"}`, []byte(`{"type":`)))
+	_, err := New(Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), requestWithSchema(`{"name":"Aria"}`, []byte(`{"type":`)))
 	if err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("Validate() error = nil, want malformed schema error")
 	}
@@ -83,18 +83,15 @@ func TestSpecAndRegister(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func requestWithSchema(payload string, schema []byte) contracts.ValidationRequest {
-	return contracts.ValidationRequest{
-		Schema: contracts.ResponseSchema{
+func requestWithSchema(payload string, schema []byte) contracts.SerializedValidationRequest {
+	return contracts.SerializedValidationRequest{
+		Schema: contracts.ArtifactSchema{
 			ID:         "test.schema",
 			Name:       "test_schema",
 			Version:    "v1",
 			JSONSchema: append([]byte(nil), schema...),
 		},
-		Payload: contracts.RawPayload{
-			Content:   []byte(payload),
-			MediaType: "application/json",
-		},
+		Content: []byte(payload), MediaType: "application/json",
 	}
 }