diff --git a/docs/internal/state.md b/docs/internal/state.md
index 18fa305..5333c80 100644
--- a/docs/internal/state.md
+++ b/docs/internal/state.md
@@ -43,6 +43,17 @@ not permit stale downstream reuse. The CLI's selective recomputation policy
 records `forced_recompute` for the selected step and its dependents while
 requiring compatible predecessor checkpoints.
 
+The loader assigns a typed category and reason code at each validation site;
+diagnostic prose is not classified after the fact. The runner then applies
+forced-execution policy, validates reusable artifact bytes through the prepared
+codec, and records the final decision before enforcing a required-predecessor
+failure. That failure names only the step, lane, and stable reason code. Decision
+detail passes through one UTF-8-safe bounded sanitizer and contains only
+allowlisted diagnostic context, never payloads, references, credentials,
+environment values, or physical paths. Typed categories and codes remain intact
+through pipeline events and become strings only in manifest and debug-summary
+JSON.
+
 `internal/core/fileio` provides confined atomic file writes used by state
 collaborators. The chunk-plan store retains its stronger entry validation.
 
diff --git a/docs/operations.md b/docs/operations.md
index 7339b05..1fa02ee 100644
--- a/docs/operations.md
+++ b/docs/operations.md
@@ -173,6 +173,33 @@ then inspect checkpoint decision categories and reason codes. A
 `dependency_invalidated` decision means the stored producer, codec identity,
 schema, or canonical content no longer matches; a missing or rejected producer
 requires rerunning it rather than copying an artifact into the checkpoint root.
+The decision that caused a required-predecessor failure is retained before the
+run returns, and the CLI error identifies its step, lane, and reason code.
+
+Checkpoint reason codes are stable diagnostic identifiers:
+
+| Reason code | Operator meaning |
+| --- | --- |
+| `loading_disabled` | This invocation did not enable checkpoint loading. |
+| `checkpoint_missing` | The requested checkpoint file does not exist. |
+| `checkpoint_path_invalid` | The requested checkpoint location failed confinement validation. |
+| `checkpoint_read_failed` | An existing checkpoint could not be read. |
+| `checkpoint_decode_failed` | Checkpoint JSON could not be decoded. |
+| `workspace_schema_incompatible` | The stored workspace schema is not supported by this build. |
+| `identity_mismatch` | The stored invocation identity differs from the current invocation. |
+| `stage_mismatch`, `step_mismatch`, `lane_mismatch`, `module_mismatch` | Stored scope does not match the requested pipeline scope. |
+| `status_not_reusable` | The stored operation did not finish in a reusable status. |
+| `dependency_mismatch` | Stored dependencies differ; the category is `dependency_invalidated`. |
+| `artifact_payload_invalid` | Stored artifact payload structure or encoding is invalid. |
+| `artifact_digest_mismatch` | Stored artifact bytes do not match their recorded digest. |
+| `artifact_codec_incompatible` | Stored artifact identity is incomplete or incompatible with the codec contract. |
+| `artifact_not_canonical` | The codec can decode the artifact, but its bytes are not canonical. |
+| `checkpoint_reused` | The stored checkpoint passed validation and was reused. |
+| `recompute_step` | Selective recomputation forced execution of this lane. |
+
+Decision detail is bounded explanatory text, not a data-recovery channel. It
+never contains checkpoint paths, artifact or reference content, source content,
+credentials, or environment values.
 
 ## Debug Bundles
 
diff --git a/internal/framework/checkpoint/filesystem_test.go b/internal/framework/checkpoint/filesystem_test.go
index 117b804..fef4ae0 100644
--- a/internal/framework/checkpoint/filesystem_test.go
+++ b/internal/framework/checkpoint/filesystem_test.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"runtime"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
+	"unicode/utf8"
 
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
@@ -137,7 +138,7 @@ func TestFilesystemCheckpointRejectsMissingAndCorruptState(t *testing.T) {
 			if err := os.Remove(stage.manifest(fixture)); err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 			}
-			assertStageNotReused(t, stage, fixture, "missing")
+			assertStageNotReused(t, stage, fixture, pipeline.CheckpointReasonMissing)
 		})
 
 		t.Run(stage.name+" malformed manifest", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -145,7 +146,7 @@ func TestFilesystemCheckpointRejectsMissingAndCorruptState(t *testing.T) {
 			if err := os.WriteFile(stage.manifest(fixture), []byte("{"), 0o600); err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 			}
-			assertStageNotReused(t, stage, fixture, "decode")
+			assertStageNotReused(t, stage, fixture, pipeline.CheckpointReasonDecodeFailed)
 		})
 	}
 }
@@ -154,18 +155,18 @@ func TestFilesystemCheckpointRejectsIncompatibleManifests(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, tt := range []struct {
 		name string
 		edit func(map[string]any)
-		want string
+		want pipeline.CheckpointReasonCode
 	}{
-		{"v1 schema", func(m map[string]any) { m["workspace_schema_version"] = WorkspaceSchemaVersionV1 }, "workspace schema"},
-		{"v2 schema", func(m map[string]any) { m["workspace_schema_version"] = WorkspaceSchemaVersionV2 }, "workspace schema"},
-		{"unknown schema", func(m map[string]any) { m["workspace_schema_version"] = "notarius.workspace.future" }, "workspace schema"},
-		{"identity", func(m map[string]any) { m["metadata"].(map[string]any)["checkpoint_identity_digest"] = "sha256:other" }, "identity"},
-		{"stage", func(m map[string]any) { m["stage"] = string(StageMerge) }, "stage"},
-		{"lane", func(m map[string]any) { m["lane_id"] = "lane-other" }, "lane"},
-		{"module", func(m map[string]any) { m["module_key"] = "module-other" }, "module"},
+		{"v1 schema", func(m map[string]any) { m["workspace_schema_version"] = WorkspaceSchemaVersionV1 }, pipeline.CheckpointReasonWorkspaceSchemaIncompatible},
+		{"v2 schema", func(m map[string]any) { m["workspace_schema_version"] = WorkspaceSchemaVersionV2 }, pipeline.CheckpointReasonWorkspaceSchemaIncompatible},
+		{"unknown schema", func(m map[string]any) { m["workspace_schema_version"] = "notarius.workspace.future" }, pipeline.CheckpointReasonWorkspaceSchemaIncompatible},
+		{"identity", func(m map[string]any) { m["metadata"].(map[string]any)["checkpoint_identity_digest"] = "sha256:other" }, pipeline.CheckpointReasonIdentityMismatch},
+		{"stage", func(m map[string]any) { m["stage"] = string(StageMerge) }, pipeline.CheckpointReasonStageMismatch},
+		{"lane", func(m map[string]any) { m["lane_id"] = "lane-other" }, pipeline.CheckpointReasonLaneMismatch},
+		{"module", func(m map[string]any) { m["module_key"] = "module-other" }, pipeline.CheckpointReasonModuleMismatch},
 		{"dependency", func(m map[string]any) {
 			m["dependency_fingerprints"] = []map[string]string{{"name": "input", "value": "other"}}
-		}, "dependency"},
+		}, pipeline.CheckpointReasonDependencyMismatch},
 	} {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			fixture := seedFilesystemCheckpoints(t)
@@ -180,7 +181,7 @@ func TestFilesystemCheckpointRejectsNonTerminalStatuses(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Run(string(status), func(t *testing.T) {
 			fixture := seedFilesystemCheckpoints(t)
 			editManifest(t, checkpointStages()[1].manifest(fixture), func(m map[string]any) { m["status"] = string(status) })
-			assertStageNotReused(t, checkpointStages()[1], fixture, "status")
+			assertStageNotReused(t, checkpointStages()[1], fixture, pipeline.CheckpointReasonStatusNotReusable)
 		})
 	}
 }
@@ -189,20 +190,20 @@ func TestFilesystemCheckpointRejectsIncompleteArtifactsAndContent(t *testing.T)
 	for _, tt := range []struct {
 		name string
 		edit func(map[string]any)
-		want string
+		want pipeline.CheckpointReasonCode
 	}{
-		{"artifact kind", func(m map[string]any) { m["outputs"].([]any)[0].(map[string]any)["artifact_kind"] = "" }, "artifact codec identity"},
-		{"schema id", func(m map[string]any) { m["outputs"].([]any)[0].(map[string]any)["schema"].(map[string]any)["id"] = "" }, "artifact codec identity"},
+		{"artifact kind", func(m map[string]any) { m["outputs"].([]any)[0].(map[string]any)["artifact_kind"] = "" }, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactCodecIncompatible},
+		{"schema id", func(m map[string]any) { m["outputs"].([]any)[0].(map[string]any)["schema"].(map[string]any)["id"] = "" }, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactCodecIncompatible},
 		{"schema version", func(m map[string]any) {
 			m["outputs"].([]any)[0].(map[string]any)["schema"].(map[string]any)["version"] = ""
-		}, "artifact codec identity"},
-		{"schema digest", func(m map[string]any) { m["outputs"].([]any)[0].(map[string]any)["schema_digest"] = "" }, "artifact codec identity"},
+		}, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactCodecIncompatible},
+		{"schema digest", func(m map[string]any) { m["outputs"].([]any)[0].(map[string]any)["schema_digest"] = "" }, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactCodecIncompatible},
 		{"base64", func(m map[string]any) {
 			m["outputs"].([]any)[0].(map[string]any)["content"].(map[string]any)["content_base64"] = "%"
-		}, "base64"},
+		}, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactPayloadInvalid},
 		{"content digest", func(m map[string]any) {
 			m["outputs"].([]any)[0].(map[string]any)["content"].(map[string]any)["content_digest"] = "sha256:other"
-		}, "content digest"},
+		}, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactDigestMismatch},
 	} {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			fixture := seedFilesystemCheckpoints(t)
@@ -218,7 +219,7 @@ func TestFilesystemCheckpointRejectsSourceAndOutputDigestMismatches(t *testing.T
 		editJSON(t, filepath.Join(fixture.root, mustRelativePath(t, fixture.identity), "source", "source-document.json"), func(m map[string]any) {
 			m["document"].(map[string]any)["units"].([]any)[0].(map[string]any)["text"] = ""
 		})
-		assertStageNotReused(t, checkpointStages()[0], fixture, "source checkpoint document")
+		assertStageNotReused(t, checkpointStages()[0], fixture, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactPayloadInvalid)
 	})
 
 	t.Run("source output digest", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -226,7 +227,7 @@ func TestFilesystemCheckpointRejectsSourceAndOutputDigestMismatches(t *testing.T
 		editJSON(t, filepath.Join(fixture.root, mustRelativePath(t, fixture.identity), "source", "source-document.json"), func(m map[string]any) {
 			m["document"].(map[string]any)["digest"] = "sha256:other"
 		})
-		assertStageNotReused(t, checkpointStages()[0], fixture, "output digest")
+		assertStageNotReused(t, checkpointStages()[0], fixture, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactDigestMismatch)
 	})
 
 	for _, stage := range checkpointStages()[1:] {
@@ -235,7 +236,7 @@ func TestFilesystemCheckpointRejectsSourceAndOutputDigestMismatches(t *testing.T
 			editManifest(t, stage.manifest(fixture), func(m map[string]any) {
 				m["output_digests"].([]any)[0].(map[string]any)["value"] = "sha256:other"
 			})
-			assertStageNotReused(t, stage, fixture, "output digest")
+			assertStageNotReused(t, stage, fixture, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactDigestMismatch)
 		})
 	}
 }
@@ -259,6 +260,68 @@ func TestFilesystemCheckpointDependencyDecisionIsBoundedAndCategorized(t *testin
 	}
 }
 
+func TestFilesystemCheckpointDecisionFamiliesAreStableAndSafe(t *testing.T) {
+	const secretSentinel = "do-not-expose-checkpoint-secret"
+	tests := []struct {
+		name     string
+		prepare  func(*testing.T, filesystemCheckpointFixture) pipeline.CheckpointDecision
+		category pipeline.CheckpointDecisionCategory
+		code     pipeline.CheckpointReasonCode
+	}{
+		{"loading disabled", func(t *testing.T, _ filesystemCheckpointFixture) pipeline.CheckpointDecision {
+			_, decision := pipeline.NoopCheckpointLoader().Source("source")
+			return decision
+		}, pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonLoadingDisabled},
+		{"checkpoint unavailable", func(t *testing.T, fixture filesystemCheckpointFixture) pipeline.CheckpointDecision {
+			if err := os.Remove(checkpointStages()[1].manifest(fixture)); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			return checkpointStages()[1].load(fixture)
+		}, pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonMissing},
+		{"workspace identity", func(t *testing.T, fixture filesystemCheckpointFixture) pipeline.CheckpointDecision {
+			editManifest(t, checkpointStages()[1].manifest(fixture), func(m map[string]any) {
+				m["workspace_schema_version"] = secretSentinel
+			})
+			return checkpointStages()[1].load(fixture)
+		}, pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonWorkspaceSchemaIncompatible},
+		{"manifest scope", func(t *testing.T, fixture filesystemCheckpointFixture) pipeline.CheckpointDecision {
+			editManifest(t, checkpointStages()[1].manifest(fixture), func(m map[string]any) { m["module_key"] = secretSentinel })
+			return checkpointStages()[1].load(fixture)
+		}, pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonModuleMismatch},
+		{"dependency invalidated", func(t *testing.T, fixture filesystemCheckpointFixture) pipeline.CheckpointDecision {
+			_, decision := fixture.loader.Extract("lane-a", "extract-module", []pipeline.CheckpointFingerprint{{Name: "input", Value: secretSentinel}})
+			return decision
+		}, pipeline.CheckpointDecisionDependencyInvalidated, pipeline.CheckpointReasonDependencyMismatch},
+		{"artifact payload", func(t *testing.T, fixture filesystemCheckpointFixture) pipeline.CheckpointDecision {
+			editJSON(t, filepath.Join(fixture.root, mustRelativePath(t, fixture.identity), "extract", "lane-a", "outputs.json"), func(m map[string]any) {
+				m["outputs"].([]any)[0].(map[string]any)["artifact_kind"] = ""
+				m["outputs"].([]any)[0].(map[string]any)["source_id"] = secretSentinel
+			})
+			return checkpointStages()[1].load(fixture)
+		}, pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactCodecIncompatible},
+		{"checkpoint reused", func(t *testing.T, fixture filesystemCheckpointFixture) pipeline.CheckpointDecision {
+			return checkpointStages()[1].load(fixture)
+		}, pipeline.CheckpointDecisionReused, pipeline.CheckpointReasonReused},
+	}
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			fixture := seedFilesystemCheckpoints(t)
+			decision := test.prepare(t, fixture)
+			if decision.Category != test.category || decision.ReasonCode != test.code {
+				t.Fatalf("decision = %#v, want category %q and code %q", decision, test.category, test.code)
+			}
+			if len([]byte(decision.Detail)) > 512 || !utf8.ValidString(decision.Detail) {
+				t.Fatalf("decision detail is not bounded valid UTF-8: %#v", decision)
+			}
+			for _, forbidden := range []string{secretSentinel, fixture.root} {
+				if strings.Contains(decision.Detail, forbidden) || strings.Contains(decision.Reason, forbidden) {
+					t.Fatalf("decision leaked %q: %#v", forbidden, decision)
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 type checkpointStage struct {
 	name     string
 	manifest func(filesystemCheckpointFixture) string
@@ -367,11 +430,11 @@ func checkpointArtifact(module, content string) pipeline.CheckpointArtifact {
 	}
 }
 
-func assertStageNotReused(t *testing.T, stage checkpointStage, fixture filesystemCheckpointFixture, want string) {
+func assertStageNotReused(t *testing.T, stage checkpointStage, fixture filesystemCheckpointFixture, want pipeline.CheckpointReasonCode) {
 	t.Helper()
 	decision := stage.load(fixture)
-	if decision.Reused || !strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(decision.Reason), strings.ToLower(want)) {
-		t.Fatalf("%s decision=%#v, want non-reused reason containing %q", stage.name, decision, want)
+	if decision.Reused || decision.ReasonCode != want {
+		t.Fatalf("%s decision=%#v, want non-reused reason code %q", stage.name, decision, want)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/framework/checkpoint/loader.go b/internal/framework/checkpoint/loader.go
index 4bc5140..c7a52b4 100644
--- a/internal/framework/checkpoint/loader.go
+++ b/internal/framework/checkpoint/loader.go
@@ -52,13 +52,13 @@ func (l *FilesystemLoader) Source(moduleKey string) (pipeline.SourceCheckpoint,
 	}
 	doc := cloneSourceDocument(payload.Document)
 	if err := source.ValidateDocument(&doc); err != nil {
-		return pipeline.SourceCheckpoint{}, invalidDecision("source checkpoint document is invalid: %v", err)
+		return pipeline.SourceCheckpoint{}, decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactPayloadInvalid, "source checkpoint document is invalid")
 	}
 	if strings.TrimSpace(manifest.SourceID) != "" && manifest.SourceID != doc.ID {
-		return pipeline.SourceCheckpoint{}, invalidDecision("source checkpoint source id does not match payload")
+		return pipeline.SourceCheckpoint{}, decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactPayloadInvalid, "source checkpoint identity does not match its payload")
 	}
 	if !fingerprintsEqual(checkpointToPipelineFingerprints(manifest.OutputDigests), digestFingerprints("source_document", doc.Digest)) {
-		return pipeline.SourceCheckpoint{}, invalidDecision("source checkpoint output digest does not match payload")
+		return pipeline.SourceCheckpoint{}, decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactDigestMismatch, "source checkpoint output digest does not match its payload")
 	}
 	return pipeline.SourceCheckpoint{Document: &doc}, reusedDecision()
 }
@@ -81,10 +81,10 @@ func (l *FilesystemLoader) ExtractForStep(stepID, laneID, moduleKey string, depe
 	}
 	outputs, err := artifactCheckpointOutputs(payload.Outputs)
 	if err != nil {
-		return pipeline.ExtractCheckpoint{}, invalidDecision("extract artifact checkpoint payload is invalid: %v", err)
+		return pipeline.ExtractCheckpoint{}, artifactDecision(err, "extract checkpoint artifact is invalid")
 	}
 	if !fingerprintsEqual(checkpointToPipelineFingerprints(manifest.OutputDigests), artifactOutputDigests(outputs)) {
-		return pipeline.ExtractCheckpoint{}, invalidDecision("extract artifact checkpoint output digests do not match payload")
+		return pipeline.ExtractCheckpoint{}, decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactDigestMismatch, "extract checkpoint output digest does not match its payload")
 	}
 	return pipeline.ExtractCheckpoint{Outputs: outputs, Rejected: cloneRejectedOutputs(payload.Rejected), Warnings: cloneWarnings(payload.Warnings)}, reusedDecision()
 }
@@ -107,10 +107,10 @@ func (l *FilesystemLoader) MergeForStep(stepID, laneID, moduleKey string, depend
 	}
 	values, err := artifactCheckpointOutputs([]artifactCheckpointEnvelope{payload.Output})
 	if err != nil {
-		return pipeline.MergeCheckpoint{}, invalidDecision("merge artifact checkpoint payload is invalid: %v", err)
+		return pipeline.MergeCheckpoint{}, artifactDecision(err, "merge checkpoint artifact is invalid")
 	}
 	if !fingerprintsEqual(checkpointToPipelineFingerprints(manifest.OutputDigests), artifactOutputDigests(values)) {
-		return pipeline.MergeCheckpoint{}, invalidDecision("merge artifact checkpoint output digest does not match payload")
+		return pipeline.MergeCheckpoint{}, decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactDigestMismatch, "merge checkpoint output digest does not match its payload")
 	}
 	return pipeline.MergeCheckpoint{Output: values[0], Warnings: cloneWarnings(payload.Warnings)}, reusedDecision()
 }
@@ -133,10 +133,10 @@ func (l *FilesystemLoader) NormalizeForStep(stepID, laneID, moduleKey string, de
 	}
 	values, err := artifactCheckpointOutputs([]artifactCheckpointEnvelope{payload.Output})
 	if err != nil {
-		return pipeline.NormalizeCheckpoint{}, invalidDecision("normalize artifact checkpoint payload is invalid: %v", err)
+		return pipeline.NormalizeCheckpoint{}, artifactDecision(err, "normalize checkpoint artifact is invalid")
 	}
 	if !fingerprintsEqual(checkpointToPipelineFingerprints(manifest.OutputDigests), artifactOutputDigests(values)) {
-		return pipeline.NormalizeCheckpoint{}, invalidDecision("normalize artifact checkpoint output digest does not match payload")
+		return pipeline.NormalizeCheckpoint{}, decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactDigestMismatch, "normalize checkpoint output digest does not match its payload")
 	}
 	return pipeline.NormalizeCheckpoint{Output: values[0], Warnings: cloneWarnings(payload.Warnings)}, reusedDecision()
 }
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ func artifactCheckpointOutputs(values []artifactCheckpointEnvelope) ([]pipeline.
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		if strings.TrimSpace(string(v.Kind)) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(v.Schema.ID) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(v.Schema.Version) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(v.SchemaDigest) == "" {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("artifact codec identity is incomplete")
+			return nil, &artifactPayloadError{code: pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactCodecIncompatible, err: fmt.Errorf("artifact codec identity is incomplete")}
 		}
 		out = append(out, pipeline.CheckpointArtifact{LaneID: v.LaneID, ModuleKey: v.ModuleKey, SourceID: v.SourceID, ChunkID: v.ChunkID, ChunkIndex: v.ChunkIndex, ChunkRef: v.ChunkRef, SchemaDigest: v.SchemaDigest, Artifact: contracts.SerializedArtifact{Kind: v.Kind, Schema: v.Schema, MediaType: v.Content.MediaType, Content: content, Metadata: cloneMetadata(v.Content.Metadata)}})
 	}
@@ -161,21 +161,21 @@ func artifactCheckpointOutputs(values []artifactCheckpointEnvelope) ([]pipeline.
 
 func (l *FilesystemLoader) readJSON(name string, out any) pipeline.CheckpointDecision {
 	if !l.Enabled() {
-		return pipeline.CheckpointDecision{Category: "executed", ReasonCode: "loading_disabled", Reason: "checkpoint loading disabled"}
+		return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonLoadingDisabled, "checkpoint loading disabled")
 	}
 	target, err := fileio.SafePath(l.root, name)
 	if err != nil {
-		return invalidDecision("checkpoint path is invalid: %v", err)
+		return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonPathInvalid, "checkpoint path is invalid")
 	}
 	data, err := os.ReadFile(target)
 	if err != nil {
 		if os.IsNotExist(err) {
-			return pipeline.CheckpointDecision{Category: "executed", ReasonCode: "checkpoint_missing", Reason: "checkpoint artifact is missing"}
+			return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonMissing, "checkpoint artifact is missing")
 		}
-		return invalidDecision("read checkpoint artifact: %v", err)
+		return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonReadFailed, "checkpoint artifact could not be read")
 	}
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, out); err != nil {
-		return invalidDecision("decode checkpoint artifact: %v", err)
+		return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonDecodeFailed, "checkpoint artifact could not be decoded")
 	}
 	return reusedDecision()
 }
@@ -186,28 +186,28 @@ func (l *FilesystemLoader) validateManifest(manifest StageManifest, stage StageN
 
 func (l *FilesystemLoader) validateLaneManifest(manifest StageManifest, stage StageName, stepID string, laneID string, moduleKey string, dependencies []pipeline.CheckpointFingerprint, statuses ...StageStatus) pipeline.CheckpointDecision {
 	if manifest.WorkspaceSchemaVersion == WorkspaceSchemaVersionV1 {
-		return invalidDecision("checkpoint workspace schema version %q is incompatible with %q and must be recomputed", manifest.WorkspaceSchemaVersion, WorkspaceSchemaVersion)
+		return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonWorkspaceSchemaIncompatible, "checkpoint workspace schema is incompatible")
 	}
 	if manifest.WorkspaceSchemaVersion == WorkspaceSchemaVersionV2 {
-		return invalidDecision("checkpoint workspace schema version %q is incompatible with %q and must be recomputed", manifest.WorkspaceSchemaVersion, WorkspaceSchemaVersion)
+		return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonWorkspaceSchemaIncompatible, "checkpoint workspace schema is incompatible")
 	}
 	if manifest.WorkspaceSchemaVersion != WorkspaceSchemaVersion {
-		return invalidDecision("checkpoint workspace schema version %q is not supported", manifest.WorkspaceSchemaVersion)
+		return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonWorkspaceSchemaIncompatible, "checkpoint workspace schema is incompatible")
 	}
 	if strings.TrimSpace(l.identityDigest) != "" && manifest.Metadata["checkpoint_identity_digest"] != l.identityDigest {
-		return invalidDecision("checkpoint identity digest does not match current invocation")
+		return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonIdentityMismatch, "checkpoint identity does not match the current invocation")
 	}
 	if manifest.Stage != stage {
-		return invalidDecision("checkpoint stage %q does not match %q", manifest.Stage, stage)
+		return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonStageMismatch, "checkpoint stage does not match the requested stage")
 	}
 	if strings.TrimSpace(stepID) != "" && manifest.StepID != stepID {
-		return invalidDecision("checkpoint step does not match requested step")
+		return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonStepMismatch, "checkpoint step does not match the requested step")
 	}
 	if strings.TrimSpace(laneID) != "" && manifest.LaneID != laneID {
-		return invalidDecision("checkpoint lane %q does not match %q", manifest.LaneID, laneID)
+		return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonLaneMismatch, "checkpoint lane does not match the requested lane")
 	}
 	if strings.TrimSpace(moduleKey) != "" && manifest.ModuleKey != moduleKey {
-		return invalidDecision("checkpoint module %q does not match %q", manifest.ModuleKey, moduleKey)
+		return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonModuleMismatch, "checkpoint module does not match the requested module")
 	}
 	statusOK := false
 	for _, status := range statuses {
@@ -217,10 +217,10 @@ func (l *FilesystemLoader) validateLaneManifest(manifest StageManifest, stage St
 		}
 	}
 	if !statusOK {
-		return invalidDecision("checkpoint status %q cannot be reused", manifest.Status)
+		return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, pipeline.CheckpointReasonStatusNotReusable, "checkpoint status cannot be reused")
 	}
 	if !fingerprintsEqual(checkpointToPipelineFingerprints(manifest.DependencyFingerprints), dependencies) {
-		return invalidDecision("checkpoint dependency fingerprints do not match")
+		return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionDependencyInvalidated, pipeline.CheckpointReasonDependencyMismatch, "checkpoint dependencies do not match")
 	}
 	return reusedDecision()
 }
@@ -228,10 +228,10 @@ func (l *FilesystemLoader) validateLaneManifest(manifest StageManifest, stage St
 func contentFromEnvelope(value binaryEnvelope) ([]byte, error) {
 	content, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(value.ContentBase64)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("decode content_base64: %w", err)
+		return nil, &artifactPayloadError{code: pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactPayloadInvalid, err: fmt.Errorf("decode content_base64: %w", err)}
 	}
 	if digest := strings.TrimSpace(value.ContentDigest); digest != "" && digest != contentDigest(content) {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("content digest mismatch")
+		return nil, &artifactPayloadError{code: pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactDigestMismatch, err: fmt.Errorf("content digest mismatch")}
 	}
 	return content, nil
 }
@@ -262,65 +262,24 @@ func fingerprintsEqual(a []pipeline.CheckpointFingerprint, b []pipeline.Checkpoi
 }
 
 func reusedDecision() pipeline.CheckpointDecision {
-	return pipeline.CheckpointDecision{Reused: true, Category: "reused", ReasonCode: "checkpoint_valid", Reason: "checkpoint is valid"}
+	return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionReused, pipeline.CheckpointReasonReused, "checkpoint is reusable")
 }
 
-func invalidDecision(format string, args ...any) pipeline.CheckpointDecision {
-	reason := fmt.Sprintf(format, args...)
-	code := "checkpoint_invalid"
-	category := "executed"
-	switch {
-	case strings.Contains(reason, "dependency fingerprints"):
-		code, category = "dependency_mismatch", "dependency_invalidated"
-	case strings.Contains(reason, "missing"):
-		code = "checkpoint_missing"
-	case strings.Contains(reason, "schema"):
-		code = "workspace_schema_incompatible"
-	case strings.Contains(reason, "codec"):
-		code = "artifact_codec_incompatible"
-	case strings.Contains(reason, "content"):
-		code = "artifact_content_invalid"
-	case strings.Contains(reason, "identity"):
-		code = "identity_mismatch"
-	}
-	safe := safeReasonText(reason, code)
-	return pipeline.CheckpointDecision{Category: category, ReasonCode: code, Detail: safe, Reason: safe}
+func decision(category pipeline.CheckpointDecisionCategory, code pipeline.CheckpointReasonCode, detail string) pipeline.CheckpointDecision {
+	return pipeline.NewCheckpointDecision(category, code, detail)
 }
 
-func safeReasonText(reason, code string) string {
-	lower := strings.ToLower(reason)
-	switch {
-	case strings.Contains(lower, "workspace schema"):
-		return "checkpoint workspace schema is incompatible"
-	case strings.Contains(lower, "source checkpoint document"):
-		return "source checkpoint document is invalid"
-	case strings.Contains(lower, "artifact codec identity"):
-		return "artifact codec identity is incomplete"
-	case strings.Contains(lower, "base64"):
-		return "checkpoint content base64 is invalid"
-	case strings.Contains(lower, "content digest"):
-		return "checkpoint content digest is invalid"
-	case strings.Contains(lower, "output digest"):
-		return "checkpoint output digest does not match payload"
-	case strings.Contains(lower, "identity"):
-		return "checkpoint identity does not match"
-	case strings.Contains(lower, "dependency"):
-		return "checkpoint dependency fingerprints do not match"
-	case strings.Contains(lower, "stage"):
-		return "checkpoint stage does not match"
-	case strings.Contains(lower, "step"):
-		return "checkpoint step does not match"
-	case strings.Contains(lower, "lane"):
-		return "checkpoint lane does not match"
-	case strings.Contains(lower, "module"):
-		return "checkpoint module does not match"
-	case strings.Contains(lower, "status"):
-		return "checkpoint status cannot be reused"
-	case strings.Contains(lower, "payload"):
-		return "checkpoint artifact payload is invalid"
-	case strings.Contains(lower, "decode"):
-		return "checkpoint artifact decode failed"
-	default:
-		return "checkpoint is not reusable (" + code + ")"
-	}
+type artifactPayloadError struct {
+	code pipeline.CheckpointReasonCode
+	err  error
+}
+
+func (e *artifactPayloadError) Error() string { return e.err.Error() }
+
+func artifactDecision(err error, detail string) pipeline.CheckpointDecision {
+	code := pipeline.CheckpointReasonArtifactPayloadInvalid
+	if payloadErr, ok := err.(*artifactPayloadError); ok {
+		code = payloadErr.code
+	}
+	return decision(pipeline.CheckpointDecisionExecuted, code, detail)
 }
diff --git a/internal/framework/pipeline/checkpoint.go b/internal/framework/pipeline/checkpoint.go
index 743d52a..2aa1bb3 100644
--- a/internal/framework/pipeline/checkpoint.go
+++ b/internal/framework/pipeline/checkpoint.go
@@ -57,26 +57,96 @@ type StepCheckpointRecorder interface {
 	NormalizeFailedForStep(stepID, laneID string, moduleKey string, dependencies []CheckpointFingerprint, err error) error
 }
 
+type CheckpointDecisionCategory string
+
+const (
+	CheckpointDecisionExecuted              CheckpointDecisionCategory = "executed"
+	CheckpointDecisionReused                CheckpointDecisionCategory = "reused"
+	CheckpointDecisionForcedRecompute       CheckpointDecisionCategory = "forced_recompute"
+	CheckpointDecisionDependencyInvalidated CheckpointDecisionCategory = "dependency_invalidated"
+)
+
+type CheckpointReasonCode string
+
+const (
+	CheckpointReasonLoadingDisabled             CheckpointReasonCode = "loading_disabled"
+	CheckpointReasonMissing                     CheckpointReasonCode = "checkpoint_missing"
+	CheckpointReasonPathInvalid                 CheckpointReasonCode = "checkpoint_path_invalid"
+	CheckpointReasonReadFailed                  CheckpointReasonCode = "checkpoint_read_failed"
+	CheckpointReasonDecodeFailed                CheckpointReasonCode = "checkpoint_decode_failed"
+	CheckpointReasonWorkspaceSchemaIncompatible CheckpointReasonCode = "workspace_schema_incompatible"
+	CheckpointReasonIdentityMismatch            CheckpointReasonCode = "identity_mismatch"
+	CheckpointReasonStageMismatch               CheckpointReasonCode = "stage_mismatch"
+	CheckpointReasonStepMismatch                CheckpointReasonCode = "step_mismatch"
+	CheckpointReasonLaneMismatch                CheckpointReasonCode = "lane_mismatch"
+	CheckpointReasonModuleMismatch              CheckpointReasonCode = "module_mismatch"
+	CheckpointReasonStatusNotReusable           CheckpointReasonCode = "status_not_reusable"
+	CheckpointReasonDependencyMismatch          CheckpointReasonCode = "dependency_mismatch"
+	CheckpointReasonArtifactPayloadInvalid      CheckpointReasonCode = "artifact_payload_invalid"
+	CheckpointReasonArtifactDigestMismatch      CheckpointReasonCode = "artifact_digest_mismatch"
+	CheckpointReasonArtifactCodecIncompatible   CheckpointReasonCode = "artifact_codec_incompatible"
+	CheckpointReasonArtifactNotCanonical        CheckpointReasonCode = "artifact_not_canonical"
+	CheckpointReasonReused                      CheckpointReasonCode = "checkpoint_reused"
+	CheckpointReasonAcceptedArtifactReused      CheckpointReasonCode = "accepted_artifact_reused"
+	CheckpointReasonRecomputeStep               CheckpointReasonCode = "recompute_step"
+)
+
 type CheckpointDecision struct {
-	Reused     bool   `json:"reused"`
-	Category   string `json:"category,omitempty"`
-	ReasonCode string `json:"reason_code,omitempty"`
-	Detail     string `json:"detail,omitempty"`
+	Reused     bool                       `json:"reused"`
+	Category   CheckpointDecisionCategory `json:"category,omitempty"`
+	ReasonCode CheckpointReasonCode       `json:"reason_code,omitempty"`
+	Detail     string                     `json:"detail,omitempty"`
 	// Reason is retained as a compatibility/debug field for existing callers.
 	// New checkpoint stores should put bounded, non-sensitive text in Detail.
 	Reason string `json:"reason,omitempty"`
 }
 
+const checkpointDecisionDetailLimit = 512
+
+func NewCheckpointDecision(category CheckpointDecisionCategory, reasonCode CheckpointReasonCode, detail string) CheckpointDecision {
+	return checkpointDecision(category, reasonCode, detail)
+}
+
+func checkpointDecision(category CheckpointDecisionCategory, reasonCode CheckpointReasonCode, detail string) CheckpointDecision {
+	detail = sanitizeCheckpointDecisionDetail(detail)
+	return CheckpointDecision{
+		Reused:     category == CheckpointDecisionReused,
+		Category:   category,
+		ReasonCode: reasonCode,
+		Detail:     detail,
+		Reason:     detail,
+	}
+}
+
+func sanitizeCheckpointDecisionDetail(detail string) string {
+	detail = strings.TrimSpace(strings.ToValidUTF8(detail, "?"))
+	lower := strings.ToLower(detail)
+	if strings.ContainsAny(detail, `/\\`) || strings.Contains(lower, "secret") || strings.Contains(lower, "token") || strings.Contains(lower, "password") || strings.Contains(lower, "credential") || strings.Contains(lower, "environment") {
+		return "checkpoint decision detail redacted"
+	}
+	var b strings.Builder
+	for _, r := range detail {
+		if r < 0x20 || r == 0x7f {
+			r = ' '
+		}
+		if b.Len()+len(string(r)) > checkpointDecisionDetailLimit {
+			break
+		}
+		b.WriteRune(r)
+	}
+	return strings.Join(strings.Fields(b.String()), " ")
+}
+
 type CheckpointEvent struct {
-	Stage      string `json:"stage"`
-	StepID     string `json:"step_id,omitempty"`
-	LaneID     string `json:"lane_id,omitempty"`
-	ModuleKey  string `json:"module_key,omitempty"`
-	Action     string `json:"action"`
-	Category   string `json:"category,omitempty"`
-	ReasonCode string `json:"reason_code,omitempty"`
-	Detail     string `json:"detail,omitempty"`
-	Reason     string `json:"reason,omitempty"`
+	Stage      string                     `json:"stage"`
+	StepID     string                     `json:"step_id,omitempty"`
+	LaneID     string                     `json:"lane_id,omitempty"`
+	ModuleKey  string                     `json:"module_key,omitempty"`
+	Action     CheckpointDecisionCategory `json:"action"`
+	Category   CheckpointDecisionCategory `json:"category,omitempty"`
+	ReasonCode CheckpointReasonCode       `json:"reason_code,omitempty"`
+	Detail     string                     `json:"detail,omitempty"`
+	Reason     string                     `json:"reason,omitempty"`
 }
 
 type CheckpointExecutionPolicy struct {
@@ -100,14 +170,14 @@ func (policy CheckpointExecutionPolicy) requiresReusable(stepID, laneID string)
 
 func forceCheckpointDecision(policy CheckpointExecutionPolicy, stepID, laneID string, decision CheckpointDecision) CheckpointDecision {
 	if policy.forced(stepID, laneID) {
-		return CheckpointDecision{Category: "forced_recompute", ReasonCode: "recompute_step", Detail: "selected step requires execution"}
+		return checkpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionForcedRecompute, CheckpointReasonRecomputeStep, "selected step requires execution")
 	}
 	return decision
 }
 
 func requireReusableCheckpoint(policy CheckpointExecutionPolicy, stepID, laneID string, decision CheckpointDecision) error {
 	if policy.requiresReusable(stepID, laneID) && !decision.Reused {
-		return fmt.Errorf("required reusable checkpoint unavailable for step %q lane %q", strings.TrimSpace(stepID), strings.TrimSpace(laneID))
+		return fmt.Errorf("required reusable checkpoint unavailable for step %q lane %q (%s)", strings.TrimSpace(stepID), strings.TrimSpace(laneID), decision.ReasonCode)
 	}
 	return nil
 }
@@ -116,23 +186,20 @@ func requireReusableCheckpoint(policy CheckpointExecutionPolicy, stepID, laneID
 // validation at the single point where a stage's observable decision is made.
 func resolveCheckpointDecision(output *RunOutput, loader CheckpointLoader, policy CheckpointExecutionPolicy, stage ModuleStage, stepID, laneID, moduleKey string, decision CheckpointDecision, codec artifactCodecEntry, artifacts []CheckpointArtifact) (CheckpointDecision, error) {
 	decision = forceCheckpointDecision(policy, stepID, laneID, decision)
-	if err := requireReusableCheckpoint(policy, stepID, laneID, decision); err != nil {
-		return decision, err
-	}
 	if decision.Reused {
 		for _, artifact := range artifacts {
 			if _, _, err := decodeCanonicalCheckpointArtifact(codec, artifact); err != nil {
-				decision = CheckpointDecision{Category: "executed", ReasonCode: "artifact_not_canonical", Detail: "stored " + string(stage) + " artifact failed canonical codec validation", Reason: string(stage) + " artifact checkpoint is not canonical"}
+				decision = checkpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionExecuted, checkpointArtifactReasonCode(err), "stored "+string(stage)+" artifact failed canonical codec validation")
 				break
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	if err := requireReusableCheckpoint(policy, stepID, laneID, decision); err != nil {
-		return decision, err
-	}
 	if output != nil {
 		recordCheckpointEvent(output, loader, string(stage), stepID, laneID, moduleKey, decision)
 	}
+	if err := requireReusableCheckpoint(policy, stepID, laneID, decision); err != nil {
+		return decision, err
+	}
 	return decision, nil
 }
 
@@ -228,16 +295,16 @@ func (noopCheckpointRecorder) NormalizeFailed(string, string, []CheckpointFinger
 
 func (noopCheckpointLoader) Enabled() bool { return false }
 func (noopCheckpointLoader) Source(string) (SourceCheckpoint, CheckpointDecision) {
-	return SourceCheckpoint{}, CheckpointDecision{Category: "executed", ReasonCode: "loading_disabled", Reason: "checkpoint loading disabled"}
+	return SourceCheckpoint{}, checkpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionExecuted, CheckpointReasonLoadingDisabled, "checkpoint loading disabled")
 }
 func (noopCheckpointLoader) Extract(string, string, []CheckpointFingerprint) (ExtractCheckpoint, CheckpointDecision) {
-	return ExtractCheckpoint{}, CheckpointDecision{Category: "executed", ReasonCode: "loading_disabled", Reason: "checkpoint loading disabled"}
+	return ExtractCheckpoint{}, checkpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionExecuted, CheckpointReasonLoadingDisabled, "checkpoint loading disabled")
 }
 func (noopCheckpointLoader) Merge(string, string, []CheckpointFingerprint) (MergeCheckpoint, CheckpointDecision) {
-	return MergeCheckpoint{}, CheckpointDecision{Category: "executed", ReasonCode: "loading_disabled", Reason: "checkpoint loading disabled"}
+	return MergeCheckpoint{}, checkpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionExecuted, CheckpointReasonLoadingDisabled, "checkpoint loading disabled")
 }
 func (noopCheckpointLoader) Normalize(string, string, []CheckpointFingerprint) (NormalizeCheckpoint, CheckpointDecision) {
-	return NormalizeCheckpoint{}, CheckpointDecision{Category: "executed", ReasonCode: "loading_disabled", Reason: "checkpoint loading disabled"}
+	return NormalizeCheckpoint{}, checkpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionExecuted, CheckpointReasonLoadingDisabled, "checkpoint loading disabled")
 }
 
 func checkpointExtractRunning(recorder CheckpointRecorder, stepID, laneID, moduleKey string, deps []CheckpointFingerprint) error {
diff --git a/internal/framework/pipeline/runner.go b/internal/framework/pipeline/runner.go
index 30f6867..66daf49 100644
--- a/internal/framework/pipeline/runner.go
+++ b/internal/framework/pipeline/runner.go
@@ -623,14 +623,14 @@ func recordCheckpointEvent(output *RunOutput, loader CheckpointLoader, stage str
 	})
 }
 
-func checkpointDecisionCategory(decision CheckpointDecision) string {
+func checkpointDecisionCategory(decision CheckpointDecision) CheckpointDecisionCategory {
 	if decision.Category != "" {
 		return decision.Category
 	}
 	if decision.Reused {
-		return "reused"
+		return CheckpointDecisionReused
 	}
-	return "executed"
+	return CheckpointDecisionExecuted
 }
 
 func populateOutputManifest(output *RunOutput) {
@@ -642,7 +642,7 @@ func populateOutputManifest(output *RunOutput) {
 	if len(output.CheckpointEvents) > 0 {
 		decisions := make([]artifacts.CheckpointDecisionManifest, 0, len(output.CheckpointEvents))
 		for _, event := range output.CheckpointEvents {
-			decisions = append(decisions, artifacts.CheckpointDecisionManifest{Stage: event.Stage, StepID: event.StepID, LaneID: event.LaneID, ModuleKey: event.ModuleKey, Category: event.Category, ReasonCode: event.ReasonCode, Detail: event.Detail})
+			decisions = append(decisions, artifacts.CheckpointDecisionManifest{Stage: event.Stage, StepID: event.StepID, LaneID: event.LaneID, ModuleKey: event.ModuleKey, Category: string(event.Category), ReasonCode: string(event.ReasonCode), Detail: event.Detail})
 		}
 		output.Manifest.CheckpointDecisions = decisions
 	}
diff --git a/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_concurrent.go b/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_concurrent.go
index 01e8c3b..d815923 100644
--- a/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_concurrent.go
+++ b/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_concurrent.go
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ func initializeLaneStates(input RunInput, step PreparedPipelineStep, checkpoints
 		if err := setTypedLaneManifestMetadata(output, prepared.resolved.ID, prepared.typed.extractor, prepared.typed.merger, prepared.typed.normalizer); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		state, err := prepareLaneExtract(input, loader, doc, chunks, i, prepared)
+		state, err := prepareLaneExtract(input, loader, doc, chunks, i, prepared, output)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -175,6 +175,13 @@ func (r *Runner) runLaneEngine(parent context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoin
 		}()
 	}
 
+	completedOutputs, runErrors := collectLaneResults(ctx, cancel, input, checkpoints, chunks, states, results, completions, continuations)
+	close(continuations)
+	continuationWorkers.Wait()
+	return completedOutputs, runErrors
+}
+
+func collectLaneResults(ctx context.Context, cancel context.CancelFunc, input RunInput, checkpoints CheckpointRecorder, chunks []source.Chunk, states []*laneExtractState, results <-chan extractJobResult, completions <-chan laneCompletion, continuations chan<- *laneExtractState) ([]RunOutput, []orderedRunError) {
 	completedOutputs := make([]RunOutput, len(states))
 	var runErrors []orderedRunError
 	var pendingContinuations []*laneExtractState
@@ -184,7 +191,6 @@ func (r *Runner) runLaneEngine(parent context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoin
 			pendingContinuations = append(pendingContinuations, state)
 		}
 	}
-
 	resultChannel := results
 	for resultChannel != nil || len(pendingContinuations) > 0 || completed < launched {
 		var continuationChannel chan<- *laneExtractState
@@ -232,8 +238,6 @@ func (r *Runner) runLaneEngine(parent context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoin
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	close(continuations)
-	continuationWorkers.Wait()
 	return completedOutputs, runErrors
 }
 
@@ -246,7 +250,7 @@ func mergeCompletedLanes(output *RunOutput, completedOutputs []RunOutput) error
 	return nil
 }
 
-func prepareLaneExtract(input RunInput, loader CheckpointLoader, doc *source.SourceDocument, chunks []source.Chunk, index int, prepared preparedLaneExecutor) (*laneExtractState, error) {
+func prepareLaneExtract(input RunInput, loader CheckpointLoader, doc *source.SourceDocument, chunks []source.Chunk, index int, prepared preparedLaneExecutor, output *RunOutput) (*laneExtractState, error) {
 	lane, typed := prepared.resolved, prepared.typed
 	digest, err := joinedChunkDigest(chunks)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -256,7 +260,7 @@ func prepareLaneExtract(input RunInput, loader CheckpointLoader, doc *source.Sou
 	deps := append(digestFingerprints("chunks", digest), generatedReferenceDependencies(extractReferences)...)
 	state := &laneExtractState{index: index, prepared: prepared, deps: normalizeCheckpointFingerprints(deps), remaining: len(chunks), results: make(map[int]extractJobResult, len(chunks))}
 	cp, decision := loadExtract(loader, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Extract.Module, state.deps)
-	decision, err = resolveCheckpointDecision(nil, loader, input.CheckpointPolicy, StageExtract, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Extract.Module, decision, typed.codec, cp.Outputs)
+	decision, err = resolveCheckpointDecision(output, loader, input.CheckpointPolicy, StageExtract, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Extract.Module, decision, typed.codec, cp.Outputs)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -385,7 +389,6 @@ func (r *Runner) continueLane(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoints C
 	}
 	local.Warnings = append(local.Warnings, cloneWarnings(results.warnings)...)
 	local.Rejected = append(local.Rejected, cloneRejectedOutputs(results.rejected)...)
-	recordCheckpointEvent(&local, loader, string(StageExtract), input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Extract.Module, results.decision)
 	if err := writeDebugTimed(input.Debug, path.Join("extract", debugPathComponent(lane.ID), "input.json"), debugTimedEnvelope{Stage: string(StageExtract), StepID: input.stepID, LaneID: lane.ID, ModuleKey: lane.Extract.Module, StartedAt: time.Now().UTC(), Payload: map[string]any{"reused": results.decision.Reused, "decision": results.decision, "source": debugSourceDocumentEnvelope(doc), "chunks": debugSourceChunkEnvelopes(chunks), "options": redactSensitiveMap(lane.Extract.Options), "metadata": redactSensitiveMap(input.Metadata)}}); err != nil {
 		return local, &laneRunError{stage: StageExtract, err: err}
 	}
diff --git a/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_extract_handoff_test.go b/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_extract_handoff_test.go
index 2ba4fd6..bd92796 100644
--- a/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_extract_handoff_test.go
+++ b/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_extract_handoff_test.go
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ func TestRunnerPromotesOnlyAcceptedExtractRetryWarnings(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func assertExtractDecision(t *testing.T, events []CheckpointEvent, action string, reason string) {
+func assertExtractDecision(t *testing.T, events []CheckpointEvent, action CheckpointDecisionCategory, reason string) {
 	t.Helper()
 	for _, event := range events {
 		if event.Stage == string(StageExtract) {
diff --git a/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_typed.go b/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_typed.go
index 3bd9b98..475ad67 100644
--- a/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_typed.go
+++ b/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_typed.go
@@ -100,21 +100,45 @@ func serializeArtifact(codec artifactCodecEntry, value any, candidate bool) (con
 	return contracts.SerializedArtifact{Kind: codec.spec.Kind, Schema: contracts.CloneArtifactSchema(schema), MediaType: codec.spec.MediaType, Content: append([]byte(nil), content...), Metadata: metadata}, nil
 }
 
+type checkpointArtifactValidationError struct {
+	code CheckpointReasonCode
+	err  error
+}
+
+func (e *checkpointArtifactValidationError) Error() string { return e.err.Error() }
+func (e *checkpointArtifactValidationError) Unwrap() error { return e.err }
+
+func checkpointArtifactValidationFailure(code CheckpointReasonCode, format string, args ...any) error {
+	return &checkpointArtifactValidationError{code: code, err: fmt.Errorf(format, args...)}
+}
+
+func checkpointArtifactReasonCode(err error) CheckpointReasonCode {
+	var validationErr *checkpointArtifactValidationError
+	if errors.As(err, &validationErr) {
+		return validationErr.code
+	}
+	return CheckpointReasonArtifactPayloadInvalid
+}
+
 func decodeCheckpointArtifact(codec artifactCodecEntry, artifact CheckpointArtifact) (any, error) {
 	expectedDigest := contracts.DigestArtifactSchema(codec.spec.Schema)
 	if artifact.Artifact.Kind != codec.spec.Kind {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("artifact kind %q does not match codec %q", artifact.Artifact.Kind, codec.spec.Kind)
+		return nil, checkpointArtifactValidationFailure(CheckpointReasonArtifactCodecIncompatible, "artifact kind %q does not match codec %q", artifact.Artifact.Kind, codec.spec.Kind)
 	}
 	if artifact.Artifact.Schema.ID != codec.spec.Schema.ID || artifact.Artifact.Schema.Version != codec.spec.Schema.Version {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("artifact schema %q version %q does not match codec schema %q version %q", artifact.Artifact.Schema.ID, artifact.Artifact.Schema.Version, codec.spec.Schema.ID, codec.spec.Schema.Version)
+		return nil, checkpointArtifactValidationFailure(CheckpointReasonArtifactCodecIncompatible, "artifact schema %q version %q does not match codec schema %q version %q", artifact.Artifact.Schema.ID, artifact.Artifact.Schema.Version, codec.spec.Schema.ID, codec.spec.Schema.Version)
 	}
 	if artifact.SchemaDigest != expectedDigest {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("artifact schema digest %q does not match codec schema digest %q", artifact.SchemaDigest, expectedDigest)
+		return nil, checkpointArtifactValidationFailure(CheckpointReasonArtifactCodecIncompatible, "artifact schema digest %q does not match codec schema digest %q", artifact.SchemaDigest, expectedDigest)
 	}
 	if artifact.Artifact.MediaType != codec.spec.MediaType {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("artifact media type %q does not match codec media type %q", artifact.Artifact.MediaType, codec.spec.MediaType)
+		return nil, checkpointArtifactValidationFailure(CheckpointReasonArtifactCodecIncompatible, "artifact media type %q does not match codec media type %q", artifact.Artifact.MediaType, codec.spec.MediaType)
 	}
-	return codec.decode(append([]byte(nil), artifact.Artifact.Content...))
+	value, err := codec.decode(append([]byte(nil), artifact.Artifact.Content...))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, checkpointArtifactValidationFailure(CheckpointReasonArtifactPayloadInvalid, "decode artifact payload: %w", err)
+	}
+	return value, nil
 }
 
 func decodeCanonicalCheckpointArtifact(codec artifactCodecEntry, artifact CheckpointArtifact) (any, CheckpointArtifact, error) {
@@ -124,14 +148,14 @@ func decodeCanonicalCheckpointArtifact(codec artifactCodecEntry, artifact Checkp
 	}
 	canonical, err := serializeArtifact(codec, value, false)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, CheckpointArtifact{}, err
+		return nil, CheckpointArtifact{}, checkpointArtifactValidationFailure(CheckpointReasonArtifactPayloadInvalid, "encode canonical artifact: %w", err)
 	}
 	if canonical.Kind != artifact.Artifact.Kind || canonical.MediaType != artifact.Artifact.MediaType || checkpointContentDigest(canonical.Content) != checkpointContentDigest(artifact.Artifact.Content) {
-		return nil, CheckpointArtifact{}, fmt.Errorf("stored artifact is not canonical")
+		return nil, CheckpointArtifact{}, checkpointArtifactValidationFailure(CheckpointReasonArtifactNotCanonical, "stored artifact is not canonical")
 	}
 	hydrated, err := hydrateCheckpointArtifact(codec, cloneCheckpointArtifact(artifact), value)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, CheckpointArtifact{}, err
+		return nil, CheckpointArtifact{}, checkpointArtifactValidationFailure(CheckpointReasonArtifactPayloadInvalid, "hydrate checkpoint artifact: %w", err)
 	}
 	return value, hydrated, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_typed_checkpoint_test.go b/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_typed_checkpoint_test.go
index 50d4e9c..e6dbdaa 100644
--- a/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_typed_checkpoint_test.go
+++ b/internal/framework/pipeline/runner_typed_checkpoint_test.go
@@ -1,12 +1,94 @@
 package pipeline
 
 import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
 )
 
+type requiredCheckpointLoader struct {
+	CheckpointLoader
+	checkpoint ExtractCheckpoint
+	decision   CheckpointDecision
+}
+
+func (l requiredCheckpointLoader) Enabled() bool { return true }
+func (l requiredCheckpointLoader) Extract(string, string, []CheckpointFingerprint) (ExtractCheckpoint, CheckpointDecision) {
+	return l.checkpoint, l.decision
+}
+
+func TestRequiredCheckpointFailureRetainsDecision(t *testing.T) {
+	const unsafeDetail = "unsafe-loader-detail-/private/checkpoint/path"
+	tests := []struct {
+		name       string
+		decision   CheckpointDecision
+		corrupt    bool
+		wantCode   CheckpointReasonCode
+		wantAction CheckpointDecisionCategory
+	}{
+		{"missing", NewCheckpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionExecuted, CheckpointReasonMissing, unsafeDetail), false, CheckpointReasonMissing, CheckpointDecisionExecuted},
+		{"corrupt", NewCheckpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionReused, CheckpointReasonReused, "checkpoint reusable"), true, CheckpointReasonArtifactNotCanonical, CheckpointDecisionExecuted},
+		{"incompatible", NewCheckpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionExecuted, CheckpointReasonArtifactCodecIncompatible, unsafeDetail), false, CheckpointReasonArtifactCodecIncompatible, CheckpointDecisionExecuted},
+		{"dependency invalidated", NewCheckpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionDependencyInvalidated, CheckpointReasonDependencyMismatch, unsafeDetail), false, CheckpointReasonDependencyMismatch, CheckpointDecisionDependencyInvalidated},
+	}
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			prepared := preparedConcurrentPipeline(t, 1)
+			step := prepared.Steps[0]
+			lane := step.lanes[0]
+			checkpoint := ExtractCheckpoint{}
+			if test.corrupt {
+				stored, err := checkpointArtifact(lane.typed.codec, lane.resolved.ID, lane.resolved.Extract.Module, "source", codecNotes{Items: []string{"stored"}})
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+				stored.Artifact.Content = []byte(`{"items": ["stored"]}`)
+				checkpoint.Outputs = []CheckpointArtifact{stored}
+			}
+			loader := requiredCheckpointLoader{CheckpointLoader: NoopCheckpointLoader(), checkpoint: checkpoint, decision: test.decision}
+			policy := CheckpointExecutionPolicy{RequireReusableLanes: map[string]struct{}{CheckpointLaneKey(step.ID, lane.resolved.ID): {}}}
+			output, err := New().Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Prepared: prepared, RawInput: []byte("input"), Checkpoint: loader, CheckpointPolicy: policy})
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), step.ID) || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), lane.resolved.ID) || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), string(test.wantCode)) {
+				t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want step, lane, and reason code %q", err, test.wantCode)
+			}
+			if strings.Contains(err.Error(), unsafeDetail) {
+				t.Fatalf("Run() error leaked loader detail: %v", err)
+			}
+			var found bool
+			for _, event := range output.CheckpointEvents {
+				if event.Stage == string(StageExtract) && event.StepID == step.ID && event.LaneID == lane.resolved.ID {
+					found = true
+					if event.Action != test.wantAction || event.ReasonCode != test.wantCode {
+						t.Fatalf("checkpoint event = %#v, want action %q and reason %q", event, test.wantAction, test.wantCode)
+					}
+					if strings.Contains(event.Detail, unsafeDetail) {
+						t.Fatalf("checkpoint event leaked loader detail: %#v", event)
+					}
+				}
+			}
+			if !found {
+				t.Fatalf("required checkpoint decision missing from %#v", output.CheckpointEvents)
+			}
+			var manifestFound bool
+			for _, decision := range output.Manifest.CheckpointDecisions {
+				if decision.Stage == string(StageExtract) && decision.StepID == step.ID && decision.LaneID == lane.resolved.ID {
+					manifestFound = decision.Category == string(test.wantAction) && decision.ReasonCode == string(test.wantCode)
+				}
+			}
+			if !manifestFound {
+				t.Fatalf("manifest checkpoint decision missing category %q and code %q: %#v", test.wantAction, test.wantCode, output.Manifest.CheckpointDecisions)
+			}
+			encoded, marshalErr := json.Marshal(output.CheckpointEvents)
+			if marshalErr != nil || !strings.Contains(string(encoded), `"category":"`+string(test.wantAction)+`"`) || !strings.Contains(string(encoded), `"reason_code":"`+string(test.wantCode)+`"`) {
+				t.Fatalf("checkpoint event JSON = %s, error = %v", encoded, marshalErr)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestDecodeCheckpointArtifactRejectsIncompatibleCodecIdentityAndBytes(t *testing.T) {
 	registry := NewArtifactCodecRegistry()
 	if err := RegisterArtifactCodec(registry, notesCodec()); err != nil {