Strengthen validation retries and checkpoint safety

internal/cli/assembled_spell_pipeline_contract_test.go

@@ -124,8 +124,8 @@ func TestAssembledSpellPipelineCorrectsRejectedDirectExtraction(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("run output = %#v, want corrected accepted spell output", output)
 	}
 	correction := extractor.correctionSnapshot()
-	if correction == nil || string(correction.AssistantResponse) != `{"spell":"Mysterious Burst"}` || correction.UserGuidance != "use a known spell name" {
-		t.Fatalf("extract correction = %#v, want exact rejected model response and validator guidance", correction)
+	if correction == nil || string(correction.AssistantResponse) != `{"spell":"Mysterious Burst"}` || !strings.Contains(correction.UserGuidance, "use a known spell name") || !strings.Contains(correction.UserGuidance, "complete corrected replacement") || strings.Contains(correction.UserGuidance, "unknown_spell") || strings.Contains(correction.UserGuidance, "spell is not in the catalog") {
+		t.Fatalf("extract correction = %#v, want exact rejected model response and semantic replacement guidance only", correction)
 	}
 }
 

internal/framework/contracts/correction.go

@@ -126,11 +126,17 @@ func (candidate ModelCandidate) Validate() error {
 }
 
 func ValidateValidationResult(result ValidationResult) error {
+	if !result.Approved && result.ReasonCode == "" {
+		return errors.New("validation rejection reason code must not be empty")
+	}
 	if result.ReasonCode != "" {
 		if err := validateBoundedText(result.ReasonCode, MaxValidationReasonCodeBytes, "validation reason code", false); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
+	if !result.Approved && result.CorrectionGuidance == "" {
+		return errors.New("validation rejection correction guidance must not be empty")
+	}
 	if result.CorrectionGuidance != "" {
 		if err := validateBoundedText(result.CorrectionGuidance, MaxValidationCorrectionGuidanceBytes, "validation correction guidance", false); err != nil {
 			return err

internal/framework/contracts/correction_test.go

@@ -59,13 +59,21 @@ func TestCorrectionContractsRejectInvalidContent(t *testing.T) {
 		{"unsupported protocol", func() error { _, err := NewModelCandidate([]byte("response"), "multiple_responses"); return err }},
 		{"missing candidate protocol", func() error { _, err := NewModelCandidate([]byte("response"), ""); return err }},
 		{"blank candidate response", func() error { _, err := NewModelCandidate([]byte(" "), CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1); return err }},
-		{"oversized reason code", func() error { return ValidateValidationResult(ValidationResult{ReasonCode: tooLongReason}) }},
-		{"blank reason code", func() error { return ValidateValidationResult(ValidationResult{ReasonCode: " \t"}) }},
+		{"missing rejection reason code", func() error {
+			return ValidateValidationResult(ValidationResult{CorrectionGuidance: "Correct the response."})
+		}},
+		{"missing rejection guidance", func() error { return ValidateValidationResult(ValidationResult{ReasonCode: "invalid"}) }},
+		{"oversized reason code", func() error {
+			return ValidateValidationResult(ValidationResult{ReasonCode: tooLongReason, CorrectionGuidance: "Correct the response."})
+		}},
+		{"blank reason code", func() error {
+			return ValidateValidationResult(ValidationResult{ReasonCode: " \t", CorrectionGuidance: "Correct the response."})
+		}},
 		{"invalid correction guidance utf8", func() error {
-			return ValidateValidationResult(ValidationResult{CorrectionGuidance: string([]byte{0xff})})
+			return ValidateValidationResult(ValidationResult{ReasonCode: "invalid", CorrectionGuidance: string([]byte{0xff})})
 		}},
 		{"oversized correction guidance", func() error {
-			return ValidateValidationResult(ValidationResult{CorrectionGuidance: tooLongValidationGuidance})
+			return ValidateValidationResult(ValidationResult{ReasonCode: "invalid", CorrectionGuidance: tooLongValidationGuidance})
 		}},
 	} {
 		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {

internal/framework/pipeline/checkpoint.go

@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@ const (
 	CheckpointReasonReused                      CheckpointReasonCode = "checkpoint_reused"
 	CheckpointReasonAcceptedArtifactReused      CheckpointReasonCode = "accepted_artifact_reused"
 	CheckpointReasonRecomputeStep               CheckpointReasonCode = "recompute_step"
+	CheckpointReasonValidationIncompleteLineage CheckpointReasonCode = "validation_incomplete_lineage"
 )
 
 type CheckpointDecision struct {
@@ -160,6 +161,8 @@ func checkpointDecisionDetail(reasonCode CheckpointReasonCode) string {
 		return "accepted normalized artifact is reusable"
 	case CheckpointReasonRecomputeStep:
 		return "selected step requires execution"
+	case CheckpointReasonValidationIncompleteLineage:
+		return "checkpoint reuse is disabled by validation-incomplete input lineage"
 	default:
 		return "checkpoint decision"
 	}

internal/framework/pipeline/evidence_output_test.go

@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ func TestRunnerEvidenceContextOmitsAbsentAndRejectedLanes(t *testing.T) {
 	prepared.Steps[1].lanes[0].mergeValidators.validators = []preparedValidator{{
 		resolved: ResolvedValidator{Binding: Binding("reject"), Target: ValidatorTargetTyped, ArtifactKind: "test/notes"},
 		typedValidate: func(context.Context, any, typedValidationTarget) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
-			return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "not accepted"}, nil
+			return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "not accepted", CorrectionGuidance: "return an acceptable candidate"}, nil
 		},
 	}}
 	prepared.Steps[1].lanes[0].resolved.MergeValidationPolicy.SemanticRejection = SemanticRejectionRejectOutput

internal/framework/pipeline/handoff.go

@@ -41,6 +41,54 @@ func operationReferenceSet(input RunInput, target ResolvedReferenceTarget) contr
 	return CloneReferenceSet(target.ReferenceSet)
 }
 
+// referenceTargetReuseEligible reports whether every generated artifact in a
+// stage's reference set descends exclusively from fully validated work. Static
+// references and callers that do not supply lineage metadata are reusable.
+func referenceTargetReuseEligible(input RunInput, target ResolvedReferenceTarget) bool {
+	if input.referenceReuseEligibility == nil {
+		return true
+	}
+	eligible, ok := input.referenceReuseEligibility[keyForReferenceTarget(target)]
+	return !ok || eligible
+}
+
+func laneReferencesReuseEligible(input RunInput, lane ResolvedArtifactLane) bool {
+	return referenceTargetReuseEligible(input, lane.ExtractReferences) &&
+		referenceTargetReuseEligible(input, lane.MergeReferences) &&
+		referenceTargetReuseEligible(input, lane.NormalizeReferences)
+}
+
+// buildStepReferenceReuseEligibility carries validation completeness alongside
+// generated references without exposing the internal lineage flag in artifact
+// payloads. A target becomes ineligible when any generated input is ineligible.
+func buildStepReferenceReuseEligibility(step PreparedPipelineStep, outputs map[generatedOutputKey]bool) map[referenceTargetKey]bool {
+	eligibility := make(map[referenceTargetKey]bool)
+	for _, prepared := range step.lanes {
+		lane := prepared.resolved
+		for _, target := range []ResolvedReferenceTarget{lane.ExtractReferences, lane.MergeReferences, lane.NormalizeReferences} {
+			generated := false
+			eligible := true
+			for _, binding := range target.Bindings {
+				if binding.Artifact == nil {
+					continue
+				}
+				generated = true
+				producer := generatedOutputKeyFor(binding.Artifact.Step, binding.Artifact.Lane)
+				if reusable, ok := outputs[producer]; ok && !reusable {
+					eligible = false
+				}
+			}
+			if generated {
+				eligibility[keyForReferenceTarget(target)] = eligible
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if len(eligibility) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return eligibility
+}
+
 // buildStepReferenceSets resolves every generated binding for a step before
 // any lane in that step is allowed to start. Each returned set is a fresh
 // operation-time view; prepared reference sets are never modified.

internal/framework/pipeline/producer_attempts.go

@@ -232,7 +232,12 @@ func runProducerAttempts(ctx context.Context, config producerAttemptConfig, prod
 				}
 			}
 			if number < attemptLimit && correctionCandidate != nil && correctionCandidate.Protocol == contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1 {
-				correction, err = contracts.NewSemanticCorrection(correctionCandidate.Response, report.CorrectionGuidance())
+				correctionRequest, guidanceErr := report.CorrectionRequest()
+				if guidanceErr != nil {
+					provenance = append(provenance, producerAttemptProvenance{Number: number, Kind: kind, Outcome: producerAttemptFailed, Validation: report})
+					return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), fmt.Errorf("construct semantic correction request: %w", guidanceErr)
+				}
+				correction, err = contracts.NewSemanticCorrection(correctionCandidate.Response, correctionRequest)
 				if err != nil {
 					provenance = append(provenance, producerAttemptProvenance{Number: number, Kind: kind, Outcome: producerAttemptFailed, Validation: report})
 					return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), fmt.Errorf("construct semantic correction: %w", err)

internal/framework/pipeline/runner.go

@@ -61,10 +61,11 @@ type RunInput struct {
 	// single worker so direct framework callers retain deterministic behavior.
 	ExtractWorkers int
 
-	pipeline   ResolvedPipeline
-	llmClient  contracts.StructuredLLMClient
-	stepID     string
-	references map[referenceTargetKey]contracts.ReferenceSet
+	pipeline                  ResolvedPipeline
+	llmClient                 contracts.StructuredLLMClient
+	stepID                    string
+	references                map[referenceTargetKey]contracts.ReferenceSet
+	referenceReuseEligibility map[referenceTargetKey]bool
 }
 
 type RunOutput struct {
@@ -76,6 +77,8 @@ type RunOutput struct {
 	OutputFiles         []contracts.OutputFile        `json:"-"`
 	CheckpointEvents    []CheckpointEvent             `json:"checkpoint_events,omitempty"`
 	ValidationSummaries []artifacts.ValidationSummary `json:"validation_summaries,omitempty"`
+
+	normalizeReuseEligibility map[generatedOutputKey]bool
 }
 
 func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, input RunInput) (output RunOutput, err error) {
@@ -425,6 +428,7 @@ func (r *Runner) runPreparedSteps(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoin
 			return fmt.Errorf("prepare generated references for pipeline step %q: %w", step.ID, err)
 		}
 		stepInput.references = stepReferences
+		stepInput.referenceReuseEligibility = buildStepReferenceReuseEligibility(step, output.normalizeReuseEligibility)
 		output.Manifest.References = append(output.Manifest.References, referenceProvenance...)
 		laneOutput, laneErr := r.runLanes(ctx, stepInput, step, checkpoints, loader, doc, sourceInput, sessionID, chunks)
 		if err := mergeLaneOutput(output, laneOutput); err != nil {

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_attempt_debug_test.go

@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ func TestRunnerRecordsDistinctRetryAttemptsAndPromotesAcceptedWarningsOnly(t *te
 				resolved: ResolvedValidator{Binding: Binding("retry-check"), Target: ValidatorTargetTyped, ArtifactKind: "test/notes"},
 				typedValidate: func(context.Context, any, typedValidationTarget) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
 					validatorCalls++
-					return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: validatorCalls > 1, ReasonCode: "retry", Message: "retry candidate"}, nil
+					return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: validatorCalls > 1, ReasonCode: "retry", Message: "retry candidate", CorrectionGuidance: "return an acceptable candidate"}, nil
 				},
 			}
 			switch stage {
@@ -280,11 +280,12 @@ func TestRunnerRecordsDistinctRetryAttemptsAndPromotesAcceptedWarningsOnly(t *te
 
 func TestRunnerAttemptDebugRepresentsFailuresAndFinalRejection(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
-		name      string
-		configure func(*PreparedPipeline)
-		path      string
-		wantError string
-		wantBody  string
+		name         string
+		configure    func(*PreparedPipeline)
+		path         string
+		wantError    string
+		wantBody     string
+		attemptError bool
 	}{
 		{
 			name: "merge module error",
@@ -293,8 +294,9 @@ func TestRunnerAttemptDebugRepresentsFailuresAndFinalRejection(t *testing.T) {
 					return erasedTypedResult{}, errors.New("merge exploded")
 				}
 			},
-			path:      "merge/notes/attempt-01.json",
-			wantError: "merge exploded",
+			path:         "merge/notes/attempt-01.json",
+			wantError:    "merge exploded",
+			attemptError: true,
 		},
 		{
 			name: "normalize validator error",
@@ -318,7 +320,7 @@ func TestRunnerAttemptDebugRepresentsFailuresAndFinalRejection(t *testing.T) {
 				prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0].mergeValidators.validators = []preparedValidator{{
 					resolved: ResolvedValidator{Binding: Binding("reject-check"), Target: ValidatorTargetTyped, ArtifactKind: "test/notes"},
 					typedValidate: func(context.Context, any, typedValidationTarget) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
-						return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "not accepted"}, nil
+						return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "not accepted", CorrectionGuidance: "return an acceptable candidate"}, nil
 					},
 				}}
 			},
@@ -332,8 +334,9 @@ func TestRunnerAttemptDebugRepresentsFailuresAndFinalRejection(t *testing.T) {
 					return erasedTypedResult{Value: "wrong artifact type"}, nil
 				}
 			},
-			path:      "normalize/notes/attempt-01.json",
-			wantError: "serialize normalize candidate",
+			path:         "normalize/notes/attempt-01.json",
+			wantError:    "serialize normalize candidate",
+			attemptError: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -345,9 +348,15 @@ func TestRunnerAttemptDebugRepresentsFailuresAndFinalRejection(t *testing.T) {
 			output, runErr := New().Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Prepared: prepared, RawInput: []byte("input"), Debug: debug})
 			envelope := debug.envelope(t, tc.path)
 			if tc.wantError != "" {
-				if runErr == nil || !strings.Contains(runErr.Error(), tc.wantError) || !strings.Contains(envelope.Error, tc.wantError) {
+				if runErr == nil || !strings.Contains(runErr.Error(), tc.wantError) {
 					t.Fatalf("run error = %v, envelope error = %q; want %q", runErr, envelope.Error, tc.wantError)
 				}
+				if tc.attemptError && !strings.Contains(envelope.Error, tc.wantError) {
+					t.Fatalf("attempt envelope error = %q, want %q", envelope.Error, tc.wantError)
+				}
+				if !tc.attemptError && envelope.Error != "" {
+					t.Fatalf("settled validator failure attempt error = %q, want empty", envelope.Error)
+				}
 			} else if runErr != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil rejection outcome", runErr)
 			}

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_candidate_encoding_test.go

@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ func setCandidateValidator(prepared *PreparedPipeline, target ModuleStage, appro
 	validator := preparedValidator{
 		resolved: ResolvedValidator{Binding: Binding("candidate-check"), Target: ValidatorTargetTyped, ArtifactKind: "test/notes"},
 		typedValidate: func(context.Context, any, typedValidationTarget) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
-			return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: approved, ReasonCode: "candidate_rejected", Message: "candidate rejected by validator"}, nil
+			return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: approved, ReasonCode: "candidate_rejected", Message: "candidate rejected by validator", CorrectionGuidance: "return an acceptable candidate"}, nil
 		},
 	}
 	switch target {

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_chunk_plan.go

@@ -72,10 +72,9 @@ func (r *Runner) runChunkPlan(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, doc *source.S
 					result.setValidation(report.Warnings(), nil, err)
 					return result, err
 				}
-				if report.FirstRejection() == nil {
-					if incomplete := firstIncompleteValidation(report); incomplete != nil && input.pipeline.ChunkValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure == ValidatorFailureFailRun {
-						return result, validatorFailureError(*incomplete)
-					}
+				rejection := report.FirstRejection()
+				incomplete := firstIncompleteValidation(report)
+				if rejection == nil && incomplete == nil {
 					if err := result.setCandidate(record, "reused"); err != nil {
 						return result, fmt.Errorf("clone reused chunk plan record: %w", err)
 					}
@@ -85,18 +84,21 @@ func (r *Runner) runChunkPlan(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, doc *source.S
 					result.accepted = true
 					result.setValidation(report.Warnings(), nil, nil)
 					cachedTerminal := producerAttemptTerminal{Action: producerTerminalAccepted, Validation: report}
-					if firstIncompleteValidation(report) != nil {
-						result.summary.ValidationStatus = "incomplete"
-						cachedTerminal.Action = producerTerminalIncompleteAccepted
-						cachedTerminal.ValidationIncomplete = true
-					}
 					summary := validationSummary(cachedTerminal, StageChunk, "", "", chunker.Key(), "", 0)
 					result.validation = &summary
 					return result, nil
 				}
+				if incomplete != nil && input.pipeline.ChunkValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure == ValidatorFailureFailRun {
+					failure := validatorFailureError(*incomplete)
+					result.setValidation(report.Warnings(), nil, failure)
+					failedTerminal := producerAttemptTerminal{Action: producerTerminalFailed, Validation: report, ValidationIncomplete: true}
+					summary := validationSummary(failedTerminal, StageChunk, "", "", chunker.Key(), "", 0)
+					result.validation = &summary
+					return result, failure
+				}
 				// A cache hit is not model material. Its rejection is discarded and
-				// generation begins with the ordinary initial request below.
-				result.setValidation(report.Warnings(), chunkRejection(report, 1, chunker.Key()), nil)
+				// generation begins with the ordinary initial request below. Warnings
+				// from this discarded candidate are intentionally not promoted.
 			}
 			result.lookup = ChunkPlanDecision{Status: ChunkPlanInvalid, Reason: chunkPlanLookupReason(ChunkPlanInvalid)}
 			result.summary.LookupStatus = "invalid"
@@ -176,11 +178,6 @@ func (r *Runner) runChunkPlan(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, doc *source.S
 		if validationErr != nil {
 			return report, candidate.terminal.record(payload, validationErr)
 		}
-		if report.FirstRejection() == nil && input.pipeline.ChunkValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure == ValidatorFailureFailRun {
-			if failure := firstIncompleteValidation(report); failure != nil {
-				return report, candidate.terminal.record(payload, validatorFailureError(*failure))
-			}
-		}
 		return report, candidate.terminal.record(payload, nil)
 	})
 	terminalSummary := validationSummary(terminal, StageChunk, "", "", chunker.Key(), "", 0)

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_chunk_plan_test.go

@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ func TestRunnerOmitsChunkMapForRejectedPlan(t *testing.T) {
 	prepared.output = encoder
 	prepared.chunkValidators.validators = []preparedValidator{{
 		resolved: ResolvedValidator{Binding: Binding("reject/chunk"), Target: ValidatorTargetChunk},
-		chunk:    &countingChunkValidator{result: contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "not accepted"}},
+		chunk:    &countingChunkValidator{result: contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "not accepted", CorrectionGuidance: "return an acceptable chunk plan"}},
 	}}
 	output, err := New().Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Prepared: prepared, RawInput: []byte("input")})
 	if err != nil {
@@ -351,6 +351,92 @@ func TestRunnerDoesNotPublishValidationIncompleteChunkPlan(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestRunnerRegeneratesValidationIncompleteChunkPlanHit(t *testing.T) {
+	prepared, plan := preparedTerminalDebugPipeline(t)
+	prepared.resolved.ChunkValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure = ValidatorFailureWarnContinue
+	calls := 0
+	prepared.chunker = terminalChunker{key: prepared.resolved.Chunk.Module, plan: plan, calls: &calls}
+	validatorCalls := 0
+	prepared.chunkValidators.validators = []preparedValidator{{
+		resolved: ResolvedValidator{Binding: Binding("cache-then-generated"), Target: ValidatorTargetChunk},
+		chunk: chunkValidationFunc{name: "cache-then-generated", validate: func(context.Context, contracts.ChunkValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+			validatorCalls++
+			if validatorCalls == 1 {
+				return contracts.ValidationResult{}, errors.New("cached candidate could not be validated")
+			}
+			return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
+		}},
+	}}
+	record := chunkPlanRecord(t, prepared, plan)
+	record.Warnings = []contracts.Warning{{Scope: "stored", ReasonCode: "old", Message: "discarded stored warning"}}
+	store := &recordingChunkPlanStore{record: record, decision: ChunkPlanDecision{Status: ChunkPlanHit}}
+	debug := newCapturedDebugRecorder()
+
+	output, err := New().Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Prepared: prepared, RawInput: []byte("input"), ChunkCacheMode: ChunkCacheAuto, ChunkPlans: store, Debug: debug})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if calls != 1 || validatorCalls != 2 || store.saves != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("calls = producer %d validator %d saves %d, want 1 2 1", calls, validatorCalls, store.saves)
+	}
+	if output.ChunkPlan == nil || output.ChunkPlan.Action != "generated" || output.ChunkPlan.LookupStatus != "invalid" || output.ChunkPlan.ValidationStatus != "approved" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk plan summary = %#v", output.ChunkPlan)
+	}
+	if len(output.Warnings) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("warnings = %#v, want discarded cache warnings omitted", output.Warnings)
+	}
+	assertAttemptEnvelopeSequence(t, debug, "chunk", 1)
+}
+
+func TestRunnerKeepsStoredPlanWhenCacheAndGeneratedValidationAreIncomplete(t *testing.T) {
+	prepared, plan := preparedTerminalDebugPipeline(t)
+	prepared.resolved.ChunkValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure = ValidatorFailureWarnContinue
+	calls := 0
+	prepared.chunker = terminalChunker{key: prepared.resolved.Chunk.Module, plan: plan, calls: &calls}
+	validator := &countingChunkValidator{err: errors.New("validator unavailable")}
+	prepared.chunkValidators.validators = []preparedValidator{{resolved: ResolvedValidator{Binding: Binding(validator.Name()), Target: ValidatorTargetChunk}, chunk: validator}}
+	record := chunkPlanRecord(t, prepared, plan)
+	record.Warnings = []contracts.Warning{{Scope: "stored", ReasonCode: "old", Message: "discarded stored warning"}}
+	store := &recordingChunkPlanStore{record: record, decision: ChunkPlanDecision{Status: ChunkPlanHit}}
+
+	output, err := New().Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Prepared: prepared, RawInput: []byte("input"), ChunkCacheMode: ChunkCacheAuto, ChunkPlans: store})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if calls != 1 || validator.calls != 2 || store.saves != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("calls = producer %d validator %d saves %d, want 1 2 0", calls, validator.calls, store.saves)
+	}
+	if output.ChunkPlan == nil || output.ChunkPlan.Action != "generated" || output.ChunkPlan.LookupStatus != "invalid" || output.ChunkPlan.ValidationStatus != "incomplete" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk plan summary = %#v", output.ChunkPlan)
+	}
+	if len(output.Warnings) != 1 || output.Warnings[0].ReasonCode != "validator_execution_incomplete" {
+		t.Fatalf("warnings = %#v, want only generated incomplete warning", output.Warnings)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(store.record, record) {
+		t.Fatal("discarded incomplete candidates mutated the stored record")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunnerFailsOnValidationIncompleteChunkPlanHitUnderFailRun(t *testing.T) {
+	prepared, plan := preparedTerminalDebugPipeline(t)
+	calls := 0
+	prepared.chunker = terminalChunker{key: prepared.resolved.Chunk.Module, plan: plan, calls: &calls}
+	validator := &countingChunkValidator{err: errors.New("validator unavailable")}
+	prepared.chunkValidators.validators = []preparedValidator{{resolved: ResolvedValidator{Binding: Binding(validator.Name()), Target: ValidatorTargetChunk}, chunk: validator}}
+	store := &recordingChunkPlanStore{record: chunkPlanRecord(t, prepared, plan), decision: ChunkPlanDecision{Status: ChunkPlanHit}}
+
+	output, err := New().Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Prepared: prepared, RawInput: []byte("input"), ChunkCacheMode: ChunkCacheAuto, ChunkPlans: store})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "validator unavailable") {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want cached validation failure", err)
+	}
+	if calls != 0 || validator.calls != 1 || store.saves != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("calls = producer %d validator %d saves %d, want 0 1 0", calls, validator.calls, store.saves)
+	}
+	if output.ChunkPlan == nil || output.ChunkPlan.ValidationStatus != "error" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk plan summary = %#v", output.ChunkPlan)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRunnerRetainsChunkMapAfterLaneRejection(t *testing.T) {
 	prepared, _ := preparedTerminalDebugPipeline(t)
 	encoder := &capturingChunkMapOutput{}
@@ -358,7 +444,7 @@ func TestRunnerRetainsChunkMapAfterLaneRejection(t *testing.T) {
 	prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0].mergeValidators.validators = []preparedValidator{{
 		resolved: ResolvedValidator{Binding: Binding("reject/lane"), Target: ValidatorTargetTyped, ArtifactKind: "test/notes"},
 		typedValidate: func(context.Context, any, typedValidationTarget) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
-			return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "not accepted"}, nil
+			return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "not accepted", CorrectionGuidance: "return an acceptable candidate"}, nil
 		},
 	}}
 	output, err := New().Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Prepared: prepared, RawInput: []byte("input")})
@@ -392,7 +478,7 @@ func TestRunnerChunkMapRequestDoesNotAliasStoredPlan(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestRunnerChunkPlanManifestRetainsCandidateOnRejection(t *testing.T) {
 	prepared, _ := preparedTerminalDebugPipeline(t)
-	validator := &countingChunkValidator{result: contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "policy", Message: "no"}}
+	validator := &countingChunkValidator{result: contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "policy", Message: "no", CorrectionGuidance: "return a policy-compliant chunk plan"}}
 	prepared.chunkValidators.validators = []preparedValidator{{resolved: ResolvedValidator{Binding: Binding(validator.Name()), Target: ValidatorTargetChunk}, chunk: validator}}
 	output, err := New().Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Prepared: prepared, RawInput: []byte("input"), ChunkCacheMode: ChunkCacheRefresh, ChunkPlans: &recordingChunkPlanStore{}})
 	if err != nil {
@@ -508,7 +594,7 @@ func TestRunnerAutoHitValidatesOnceWithoutRegenerationOrMutation(t *testing.T) {
 		wantReject   bool
 	}{
 		{name: "warning", result: contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true, Warnings: []contracts.Warning{{Scope: "current", ReasonCode: "observed", Message: "current warning"}}}},
-		{name: "rejection", result: contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "rejected hit"}, wantReject: true},
+		{name: "rejection", result: contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "rejected hit", CorrectionGuidance: "return an acceptable chunk plan"}, wantReject: true},
 		{name: "error", validatorErr: errors.New("validator failed"), wantError: "validator failed"},
 	}
 	for _, tc := range tests {
@@ -573,7 +659,7 @@ func TestRunnerPublishesOnlyAcceptedGeneratedPlans(t *testing.T) {
 		wantReject bool
 	}{
 		{name: "module error", moduleErr: errors.New("generation failed"), wantCalls: 2},
-		{name: "validator rejection", validator: contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "rejected generated plan"}, wantCalls: 1, wantReject: true},
+		{name: "validator rejection", validator: contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "rejected generated plan", CorrectionGuidance: "return an acceptable chunk plan"}, wantCalls: 1, wantReject: true},
 		{name: "cancellation", cancel: true},
 	} {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_concurrency_test.go

@@ -568,7 +568,7 @@ func TestRunnerKeepsSuccessfulChunksWhenAnotherExtractIsRejected(t *testing.T) {
 	validator := &prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0].extractValidators.validators[0]
 	validator.typedValidate = func(_ context.Context, _ any, target typedValidationTarget) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
 		if target.chunk != nil && target.chunk.Index == 0 {
-			return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "expected_rejection", Message: "rejected by test"}, nil
+			return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "expected_rejection", Message: "rejected by test", CorrectionGuidance: "return an acceptable candidate"}, nil
 		}
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 	}

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_concurrent.go

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ type laneExtractState struct {
 	prepared            preparedLaneExecutor
 	deps                []CheckpointFingerprint
 	decision            CheckpointDecision
+	reuseEligible       bool
 	values              []erasedExtractArtifact
 	serialized          []CheckpointArtifact
 	warnings            []contracts.Warning
@@ -42,6 +43,7 @@ type finalizedExtractResults struct {
 	incomplete          []int
 	validationSummaries []artifacts.ValidationSummary
 	decision            CheckpointDecision
+	reuseEligible       bool
 }
 
 func loadExtract(loader CheckpointLoader, stepID, laneID, moduleKey string, deps []CheckpointFingerprint) (ExtractCheckpoint, CheckpointDecision) {
@@ -123,6 +125,9 @@ func initializeLaneStates(input RunInput, step PreparedPipelineStep, checkpoints
 			return states, err
 		}
 		if input.CheckpointPolicy.requiresReusable(input.stepID, prepared.resolved.ID) && !input.CheckpointPolicy.forced(input.stepID, prepared.resolved.ID) {
+			if !laneReferencesReuseEligible(input, prepared.resolved) {
+				return states, fmt.Errorf("required reusable checkpoint unavailable for step %q lane %q: generated input lineage is validation-incomplete", input.stepID, prepared.resolved.ID)
+			}
 			state, err := hydrateRequiredLane(input, loader, doc, i, prepared)
 			states[i] = state
 			if err != nil {
@@ -134,7 +139,7 @@ func initializeLaneStates(input RunInput, step PreparedPipelineStep, checkpoints
 		if err != nil {
 			return states, err
 		}
-		if !state.decision.Reused {
+		if !state.decision.Reused && state.reuseEligible {
 			if err := checkpointExtractRunning(checkpoints, input.stepID, prepared.resolved.ID, prepared.resolved.Extract.Module, state.deps); err != nil {
 				return states, fmt.Errorf("write extract checkpoint for lane %q: %w", prepared.resolved.ID, err)
 			}
@@ -303,7 +308,9 @@ func (e *laneEngine) handleExtractResult(result extractJobResult) {
 	if result.err != nil {
 		state.failed = true
 		e.runErrors = append(e.runErrors, orderedRunError{stage: 0, lane: state.index, chunk: result.chunkIndex, err: result.err})
-		_ = checkpointExtractFailed(e.checkpoints, e.input.stepID, state.prepared.resolved.ID, state.prepared.resolved.Extract.Module, state.deps, result.err)
+		if state.reuseEligible {
+			_ = checkpointExtractFailed(e.checkpoints, e.input.stepID, state.prepared.resolved.ID, state.prepared.resolved.Extract.Module, state.deps, result.err)
+		}
 		e.cancel()
 	} else {
 		state.results[result.chunkIndex] = result
@@ -341,7 +348,7 @@ func hydrateRequiredLane(input RunInput, loader CheckpointLoader, doc *source.So
 	}
 	resolution, err := resolveCheckpointDecision(&local, loader, input.CheckpointPolicy, StageNormalize, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, decision, typed.codec, []CheckpointArtifact{checkpoint.Output})
 	decision = resolution.decision
-	state := &laneExtractState{index: index, prepared: prepared, decision: decision, terminal: true, output: local}
+	state := &laneExtractState{index: index, prepared: prepared, decision: decision, reuseEligible: true, terminal: true, output: local}
 	if err != nil {
 		return state, err
 	}
@@ -354,6 +361,7 @@ func hydrateRequiredLane(input RunInput, loader CheckpointLoader, doc *source.So
 		SourceID:      doc.ID,
 		Artifact:      contracts.CloneSerializedArtifact(hydrated.Artifact),
 	})
+	local.normalizeReuseEligibility = map[generatedOutputKey]bool{generatedOutputKeyFor(input.stepID, lane.ID): true}
 	state.output = local
 	return state, nil
 }
@@ -387,7 +395,12 @@ func prepareLaneExtract(input RunInput, loader CheckpointLoader, doc *source.Sou
 	}
 	extractReferences := operationReferenceSet(input, lane.ExtractReferences)
 	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))}
+	state := &laneExtractState{index: index, prepared: prepared, deps: normalizeCheckpointFingerprints(deps), reuseEligible: referenceTargetReuseEligible(input, lane.ExtractReferences), remaining: len(chunks), results: make(map[int]extractJobResult, len(chunks))}
+	if !state.reuseEligible {
+		state.decision = checkpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionExecuted, CheckpointReasonValidationIncompleteLineage)
+		recordCheckpointEvent(output, loader, string(StageExtract), input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Extract.Module, state.decision)
+		return state, nil
+	}
 	cp, decision := loadExtract(loader, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Extract.Module, state.deps)
 	resolution, err := resolveCheckpointDecision(output, loader, input.CheckpointPolicy, StageExtract, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Extract.Module, decision, typed.codec, cp.Outputs)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -460,14 +473,6 @@ func (r *Runner) runExtractJob(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, doc *source.
 		if validationErr != nil {
 			return report, candidate.terminal.record(payload, validationErr)
 		}
-		if report.FirstRejection() != nil {
-			return report, candidate.terminal.record(payload, nil)
-		}
-		if report.FirstRejection() == nil && lane.ExtractValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure == ValidatorFailureFailRun {
-			if failure := firstIncompleteValidation(report); failure != nil {
-				return report, candidate.terminal.record(payload, validatorFailureError(*failure))
-			}
-		}
 		return report, candidate.terminal.record(payload, nil)
 	})
 	result.err = err
@@ -540,7 +545,10 @@ func finalizeLaneExtract(checkpoints CheckpointRecorder, stepID string, state *l
 	sort.SliceStable(state.serialized, func(i, j int) bool { return state.serialized[i].ChunkIndex < state.serialized[j].ChunkIndex })
 	sort.SliceStable(state.rejected, func(i, j int) bool { return state.rejected[i].ChunkIndex < state.rejected[j].ChunkIndex })
 	sort.Ints(state.incomplete)
-	if !state.decision.Reused && len(state.incomplete) == 0 {
+	if len(state.incomplete) > 0 {
+		state.reuseEligible = false
+	}
+	if !state.decision.Reused && state.reuseEligible {
 		if err := recordExtract(checkpoints, stepID, lane.ID, lane.Extract.Module, state.deps, state.serialized, state.rejected, state.warnings); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("write extract checkpoint for lane %q: %w", lane.ID, err)
 		}
@@ -559,6 +567,7 @@ func (r *Runner) continueLane(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoints C
 		incomplete:          state.incomplete,
 		validationSummaries: state.validationSummaries,
 		decision:            state.decision,
+		reuseEligible:       state.reuseEligible,
 	}
 	local.Warnings = append(local.Warnings, cloneWarnings(results.warnings)...)
 	local.Rejected = append(local.Rejected, cloneRejectedOutputs(results.rejected)...)
@@ -634,6 +643,14 @@ func mergeLaneOutput(dst *RunOutput, src RunOutput) error {
 	dst.Warnings = append(dst.Warnings, cloneWarnings(src.Warnings)...)
 	dst.CheckpointEvents = append(dst.CheckpointEvents, src.CheckpointEvents...)
 	dst.ValidationSummaries = append(dst.ValidationSummaries, cloneValidationSummaries(src.ValidationSummaries)...)
+	if len(src.normalizeReuseEligibility) > 0 {
+		if dst.normalizeReuseEligibility == nil {
+			dst.normalizeReuseEligibility = make(map[generatedOutputKey]bool, len(src.normalizeReuseEligibility))
+		}
+		for key, eligible := range src.normalizeReuseEligibility {
+			dst.normalizeReuseEligibility[key] = eligible
+		}
+	}
 	for i := range dst.Manifest.ArtifactLanes {
 		for j := range src.Manifest.ArtifactLanes {
 			if dst.Manifest.ArtifactLanes[i].ID == src.Manifest.ArtifactLanes[j].ID && dst.Manifest.ArtifactLanes[i].StepID == src.Manifest.ArtifactLanes[j].StepID && src.Manifest.ArtifactLanes[j].Metadata != nil {

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_extract_correction_test.go

@@ -65,8 +65,8 @@ func TestRunnerCorrectsExtractCandidatesIndependentlyPerChunk(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	for index := 0; index < 2; index++ {
 		correction := corrections[index]
-		if correction == nil || string(correction.AssistantResponse) != fmt.Sprintf("initial-response-%d", index) || correction.UserGuidance != fmt.Sprintf("correct chunk %d", index) {
-			t.Fatalf("chunk %d correction = %#v, want its exact initial response and guidance", index, correction)
+		if correction == nil || string(correction.AssistantResponse) != fmt.Sprintf("initial-response-%d", index) || !strings.Contains(correction.UserGuidance, fmt.Sprintf("correct chunk %d", index)) || !strings.Contains(correction.UserGuidance, "complete corrected replacement") || strings.Contains(correction.UserGuidance, "incorrect_extract") || strings.Contains(correction.UserGuidance, "candidate needs correction") {
+			t.Fatalf("chunk %d correction = %#v, want its exact initial response and semantic replacement guidance only", index, correction)
 		}
 	}
 	terminal := string(debug.json["extract/notes/chunk-000001/terminal.json"])

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_extract_handoff_test.go

@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ func TestRunnerPromotesOnlyAcceptedExtractRetryWarnings(t *testing.T) {
 	validatorCalls := 0
 	prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0].extractValidators.validators[0].typedValidate = func(context.Context, any, typedValidationTarget) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
 		validatorCalls++
-		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: validatorCalls == 2, ReasonCode: "retry", Message: "retry extract"}, nil
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: validatorCalls == 2, ReasonCode: "retry", Message: "retry extract", CorrectionGuidance: "return an acceptable extract"}, nil
 	}
 	debug := newCapturedDebugRecorder()
 	output, err := New().Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Prepared: prepared, RawInput: []byte("input"), Debug: debug})

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_normalize_retry_test.go

@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func TestRunnerHandlesRetryableNormalizeFallbacks(t *testing.T) {
 			validator: &preparedValidator{
 				resolved: ResolvedValidator{Binding: Binding("reject-final-fallback"), Target: ValidatorTargetTyped, ArtifactKind: "test/notes"},
 				typedValidate: func(context.Context, any, typedValidationTarget) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
-					return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "reject fallback"}, nil
+					return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "reject fallback", CorrectionGuidance: "return an acceptable normalized artifact"}, nil
 				},
 			},
 			wantCalls:      2,

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_rejection_warnings_test.go

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func TestRunnerPromotesOnlyTerminalRejectionWarnings(t *testing.T) {
 				return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true, Warnings: []contracts.Warning{{Scope: fmt.Sprintf("validator-%d", attempts), ReasonCode: "validator", Message: "validator warning"}}}
 			}
 			reject := func() contracts.ValidationResult {
-				return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "rejected"}
+				return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "rejected", Message: "rejected", CorrectionGuidance: "return an acceptable candidate"}
 			}
 			debug := newCapturedDebugRecorder()
 			recorder := &extractCaptureRecorder{CheckpointRecorder: NoopCheckpointRecorder()}

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_reuse_lineage_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,238 @@
+package pipeline
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
+)
+
+type reuseLineageCheckpointSpy struct {
+	CheckpointLoader
+	CheckpointRecorder
+	loads  map[string]int
+	writes map[string]int
+	forbid map[string]struct{}
+}
+
+func newReuseLineageCheckpointSpy() *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy {
+	return &reuseLineageCheckpointSpy{
+		CheckpointLoader:   NoopCheckpointLoader(),
+		CheckpointRecorder: NoopCheckpointRecorder(),
+		loads:              make(map[string]int),
+		writes:             make(map[string]int),
+		forbid:             make(map[string]struct{}),
+	}
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) Enabled() bool { return true }
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) load(stage, laneID string) {
+	key := stage + "/" + laneID
+	if _, forbidden := s.forbid[key]; forbidden {
+		panic("checkpoint lookup crossed validation-incomplete lineage: " + key)
+	}
+	s.loads[key]++
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) write(stage, action, laneID string) {
+	s.writes[stage+"/"+action+"/"+laneID]++
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) Extract(laneID, _ string, _ []CheckpointFingerprint) (ExtractCheckpoint, CheckpointDecision) {
+	s.load("extract", laneID)
+	return ExtractCheckpoint{}, NewCheckpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionExecuted, CheckpointReasonMissing)
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) Merge(laneID, _ string, _ []CheckpointFingerprint) (MergeCheckpoint, CheckpointDecision) {
+	s.load("merge", laneID)
+	return MergeCheckpoint{}, NewCheckpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionExecuted, CheckpointReasonMissing)
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) Normalize(laneID, _ string, _ []CheckpointFingerprint) (NormalizeCheckpoint, CheckpointDecision) {
+	s.load("normalize", laneID)
+	return NormalizeCheckpoint{}, NewCheckpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionExecuted, CheckpointReasonMissing)
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) ExtractRunning(laneID, _ string, _ []CheckpointFingerprint) error {
+	s.write("extract", "running", laneID)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) ExtractSucceeded(laneID, _ string, _ []CheckpointFingerprint, _ []CheckpointArtifact, _ []contracts.RejectedOutput, _ []contracts.Warning) error {
+	s.write("extract", "succeeded", laneID)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) ExtractFailed(laneID, _ string, _ []CheckpointFingerprint, _ error) error {
+	s.write("extract", "failed", laneID)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) MergeRunning(laneID, _ string, _ []CheckpointFingerprint) error {
+	s.write("merge", "running", laneID)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) MergeSucceeded(laneID, _ string, _ []CheckpointFingerprint, _ CheckpointArtifact, _ []contracts.Warning) error {
+	s.write("merge", "succeeded", laneID)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) MergeRejected(laneID, _ string, _ []CheckpointFingerprint, _ contracts.RejectedOutput) error {
+	s.write("merge", "rejected", laneID)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) MergeFailed(laneID, _ string, _ []CheckpointFingerprint, _ error) error {
+	s.write("merge", "failed", laneID)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) NormalizeRunning(laneID, _ string, _ []CheckpointFingerprint) error {
+	s.write("normalize", "running", laneID)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) NormalizeSucceeded(laneID, _ string, _ []CheckpointFingerprint, _ CheckpointArtifact, _ []contracts.Warning) error {
+	s.write("normalize", "succeeded", laneID)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) NormalizeRejected(laneID, _ string, _ []CheckpointFingerprint, _ contracts.RejectedOutput) error {
+	s.write("normalize", "rejected", laneID)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) NormalizeFailed(laneID, _ string, _ []CheckpointFingerprint, _ error) error {
+	s.write("normalize", "failed", laneID)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *reuseLineageCheckpointSpy) writesFor(stage, laneID string) int {
+	total := 0
+	needle := stage + "/"
+	suffix := "/" + laneID
+	for key, count := range s.writes {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(key, needle) && strings.HasSuffix(key, suffix) {
+			total += count
+		}
+	}
+	return total
+}
+
+func unavailableTypedValidator(kind contracts.ArtifactKind) preparedValidator {
+	return preparedValidator{
+		resolved: ResolvedValidator{Binding: Binding("typed/check"), Target: ValidatorTargetTyped, ArtifactKind: kind},
+		typedValidate: func(context.Context, any, typedValidationTarget) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+			return contracts.ValidationResult{}, fmt.Errorf("validator unavailable")
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidationIncompleteExtractDisablesDownstreamCheckpointIO(t *testing.T) {
+	prepared := preparedAttemptDebugPipeline(t)
+	lane := &prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0]
+	lane.resolved.ExtractValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure = ValidatorFailureWarnContinue
+	installExtractOperation(prepared, 0, func(_ context.Context, request contracts.TypedExtractionRequest) (erasedTypedResult, error) {
+		return erasedTypedResult{Value: typedValueForLane(0, request.Chunk.Index)}, nil
+	})
+	lane.extractValidators.validators[0].typedValidate = func(context.Context, any, typedValidationTarget) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{}, fmt.Errorf("validator unavailable")
+	}
+	spy := newReuseLineageCheckpointSpy()
+
+	output, err := New().Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Prepared: prepared, RawInput: []byte("input"), Checkpoint: spy, Checkpoints: spy})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(output.NormalizeOutputs) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("normalize outputs = %d, want current-run handoff", len(output.NormalizeOutputs))
+	}
+	if spy.loads["merge/notes"] != 0 || spy.loads["normalize/notes"] != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("downstream loads = %#v, want none", spy.loads)
+	}
+	if spy.writesFor("merge", "notes") != 0 || spy.writesFor("normalize", "notes") != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("downstream writes = %#v, want none", spy.writes)
+	}
+	if spy.writes["extract/succeeded/notes"] != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("extract writes = %#v, want no reusable success", spy.writes)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidationIncompleteMergeDisablesNormalizeCheckpointIO(t *testing.T) {
+	prepared := preparedAttemptDebugPipeline(t)
+	lane := &prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0]
+	lane.resolved.MergeValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure = ValidatorFailureWarnContinue
+	installExtractOperation(prepared, 0, func(_ context.Context, request contracts.TypedExtractionRequest) (erasedTypedResult, error) {
+		return erasedTypedResult{Value: typedValueForLane(0, request.Chunk.Index)}, nil
+	})
+	lane.mergeValidators.validators = []preparedValidator{unavailableTypedValidator(lane.resolved.ArtifactKind)}
+	spy := newReuseLineageCheckpointSpy()
+
+	output, err := New().Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Prepared: prepared, RawInput: []byte("input"), Checkpoint: spy, Checkpoints: spy})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(output.NormalizeOutputs) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("normalize outputs = %d, want current-run handoff", len(output.NormalizeOutputs))
+	}
+	if spy.loads["merge/notes"] != 1 || spy.loads["normalize/notes"] != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("loads = %#v, want merge lookup only", spy.loads)
+	}
+	if spy.writes["merge/succeeded/notes"] != 0 || spy.writesFor("normalize", "notes") != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("writes = %#v, want no reusable merge or normalize state", spy.writes)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidationIncompleteNormalizeIsNotPublished(t *testing.T) {
+	prepared := preparedAttemptDebugPipeline(t)
+	lane := &prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0]
+	lane.resolved.NormalizeValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure = ValidatorFailureWarnContinue
+	installExtractOperation(prepared, 0, func(_ context.Context, request contracts.TypedExtractionRequest) (erasedTypedResult, error) {
+		return erasedTypedResult{Value: typedValueForLane(0, request.Chunk.Index)}, nil
+	})
+	lane.normalizeValidators.validators = []preparedValidator{unavailableTypedValidator(lane.resolved.ArtifactKind)}
+	spy := newReuseLineageCheckpointSpy()
+
+	output, err := New().Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Prepared: prepared, RawInput: []byte("input"), Checkpoint: spy, Checkpoints: spy})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(output.NormalizeOutputs) != 1 || spy.writes["normalize/succeeded/notes"] != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("output/writes = %d / %#v, want in-memory output without normalize publication", len(output.NormalizeOutputs), spy.writes)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestGeneratedReferenceFromIncompleteValidationDisablesDependentCheckpointIO(t *testing.T) {
+	input, _, _ := handoffFixture(t, codecNotes{Items: []string{"producer"}})
+	prepared := input.Prepared
+	producer := &prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0]
+	consumer := &prepared.Steps[1].lanes[0]
+	producer.resolved.NormalizeValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure = ValidatorFailureWarnContinue
+	producer.normalizeValidators.validators = []preparedValidator{unavailableTypedValidator(producer.resolved.ArtifactKind)}
+	referenceItems := 0
+	consumer.typed.extract = func(_ context.Context, _ any, request contracts.TypedExtractionRequest) (erasedTypedResult, error) {
+		referenceItems = len(request.References.Slots["producer-output"].Items)
+		return erasedTypedResult{Value: codecScore{Value: 1}}, nil
+	}
+	spy := newReuseLineageCheckpointSpy()
+	for _, stage := range []string{"extract", "merge", "normalize"} {
+		spy.forbid[stage+"/score"] = struct{}{}
+	}
+
+	output, err := New().Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Prepared: prepared, RawInput: []byte("input"), Checkpoint: spy, Checkpoints: spy})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if referenceItems != 1 || len(output.NormalizeOutputs) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("current-run handoff = items %d outputs %d, want one generated item and two outputs", referenceItems, len(output.NormalizeOutputs))
+	}
+	for _, stage := range []string{"extract", "merge", "normalize"} {
+		if spy.writesFor(stage, "score") != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("dependent writes = %#v, want none for %s", spy.writes, stage)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_semantic_correction_test.go

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package pipeline
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
@@ -61,8 +62,8 @@ func TestRunnerCorrectsRejectedMergeAndNormalizeCandidates(t *testing.T) {
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil", err)
 			}
-			if correction == nil || string(correction.AssistantResponse) != `{"items":["invalid"]}` || correction.UserGuidance != "produce the accepted value" {
-				t.Fatalf("%s correction = %#v, want exact rejected response and guidance", target, correction)
+			if correction == nil || string(correction.AssistantResponse) != `{"items":["invalid"]}` || !strings.Contains(correction.UserGuidance, "produce the accepted value") || !strings.Contains(correction.UserGuidance, "complete corrected replacement") || strings.Contains(correction.UserGuidance, "invalid_candidate") || strings.Contains(correction.UserGuidance, "candidate needs correction") {
+				t.Fatalf("%s correction = %#v, want exact rejected response and semantic replacement guidance only", target, correction)
 			}
 			if len(output.Rejected) != 0 || len(output.NormalizeOutputs) != 1 {
 				t.Fatalf("run output = %#v, want corrected accepted output", output)
@@ -84,7 +85,7 @@ func TestRunnerRejectsDeterministicMergeCandidateWithoutCorrection(t *testing.T)
 	lane.mergeValidators.validators = []preparedValidator{{
 		resolved: ResolvedValidator{Binding: Binding("reject"), Target: ValidatorTargetTyped, ArtifactKind: "test/notes"},
 		typedValidate: func(context.Context, any, typedValidationTarget) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
-			return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "invalid_candidate", Message: "not accepted"}, nil
+			return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "invalid_candidate", Message: "not accepted", CorrectionGuidance: "return an acceptable candidate"}, nil
 		},
 	}}
 

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_terminal_debug_test.go

@@ -157,10 +157,11 @@ func TestRunnerRecordsChunkTerminalOutcomes(t *testing.T) {
 		validator     terminalChunkValidator
 		wantError     string
 		wantRejection bool
+		attemptError  bool
 	}{
 		{name: "accepted", validator: terminalChunkValidator{result: contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}}},
-		{name: "module error", moduleError: errors.New("chunk module failed"), wantError: "chunk module failed"},
-		{name: "validator rejection", validator: terminalChunkValidator{result: contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "chunk_rejected", Message: "chunk rejected"}}, wantRejection: true},
+		{name: "module error", moduleError: errors.New("chunk module failed"), wantError: "chunk module failed", attemptError: true},
+		{name: "validator rejection", validator: terminalChunkValidator{result: contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "chunk_rejected", Message: "chunk rejected", CorrectionGuidance: "return an acceptable chunk plan"}}, wantRejection: true},
 		{name: "validator error", validator: terminalChunkValidator{err: errors.New("chunk validator failed")}, wantError: "chunk validator failed"},
 	}
 	for _, tc := range tests {
@@ -174,9 +175,15 @@ func TestRunnerRecordsChunkTerminalOutcomes(t *testing.T) {
 			assertAttemptEnvelopeSequence(t, debug, "chunk", 1)
 			envelope := debug.envelope(t, "chunk/attempt-01.json")
 			if tc.wantError != "" {
-				if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tc.wantError) || !strings.Contains(envelope.Error, tc.wantError) {
+				if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tc.wantError) {
 					t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, attempt error = %q; want %q", err, envelope.Error, tc.wantError)
 				}
+				if tc.attemptError && !strings.Contains(envelope.Error, tc.wantError) {
+					t.Fatalf("attempt error = %q, want %q", envelope.Error, tc.wantError)
+				}
+				if !tc.attemptError && envelope.Error != "" {
+					t.Fatalf("settled validator failure attempt error = %q, want empty", envelope.Error)
+				}
 			} else if err != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil", err)
 			}
@@ -300,12 +307,13 @@ func TestRunnerRecordsExtractTerminalOutcomes(t *testing.T) {
 		candidateFail bool
 		finalFail     bool
 		wantError     string
+		attemptError  bool
 	}{
 		{name: "terminal rejection", reject: true},
-		{name: "module error", moduleError: errors.New("extract module failed"), wantError: "extract module failed"},
+		{name: "module error", moduleError: errors.New("extract module failed"), wantError: "extract module failed", attemptError: true},
 		{name: "validator error", validatorErr: errors.New("extract validator failed"), wantError: "extract validator failed"},
-		{name: "candidate codec error", candidateFail: true, wantError: "serialize extract candidate"},
-		{name: "final codec error", finalFail: true, wantError: "serialize accepted extract output"},
+		{name: "candidate codec error", candidateFail: true, wantError: "serialize extract candidate", attemptError: true},
+		{name: "final codec error", finalFail: true, wantError: "serialize accepted extract output", attemptError: true},
 	}
 	for _, tc := range tests {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -333,7 +341,7 @@ func TestRunnerRecordsExtractTerminalOutcomes(t *testing.T) {
 			prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0].extractValidators.validators = []preparedValidator{{
 				resolved: ResolvedValidator{Binding: Binding("terminal/extract-validator"), Target: ValidatorTargetTyped, ArtifactKind: "test/notes"},
 				typedValidate: func(context.Context, any, typedValidationTarget) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
-					return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: !tc.reject, ReasonCode: "extract_rejected", Message: "extract rejected"}, tc.validatorErr
+					return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: !tc.reject, ReasonCode: "extract_rejected", Message: "extract rejected", CorrectionGuidance: "return an acceptable extract"}, tc.validatorErr
 				},
 			}}
 			debug := newCapturedDebugRecorder()
@@ -343,9 +351,15 @@ func TestRunnerRecordsExtractTerminalOutcomes(t *testing.T) {
 			attemptPath := "extract/notes/chunk-000001/attempt-01.json"
 			envelope := debug.envelope(t, attemptPath)
 			if tc.wantError != "" {
-				if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tc.wantError) || !strings.Contains(envelope.Error, tc.wantError) {
+				if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tc.wantError) {
 					t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, attempt error = %q; want %q", err, envelope.Error, tc.wantError)
 				}
+				if tc.attemptError && !strings.Contains(envelope.Error, tc.wantError) {
+					t.Fatalf("attempt error = %q, want %q", envelope.Error, tc.wantError)
+				}
+				if !tc.attemptError && envelope.Error != "" {
+					t.Fatalf("settled validator failure attempt error = %q, want empty", envelope.Error)
+				}
 			} else {
 				if err != nil {
 					t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil rejection", err)

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_typed.go

@@ -193,6 +193,7 @@ type mergeStageResult struct {
 	serialized           CheckpointArtifact
 	terminal             bool
 	validationIncomplete bool
+	reuseEligible        bool
 }
 
 type mergeAttemptValue struct {
@@ -223,12 +224,16 @@ func (r *Runner) continueTypedLane(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoi
 	if merged.terminal {
 		return nil
 	}
-	normalized, err := r.runNormalizeStage(ctx, input, checkpoints, loader, doc, sourceInput, sessionID, prepared, merged.artifact, merged.serialized, output)
+	normalized, err := r.runNormalizeStage(ctx, input, checkpoints, loader, doc, sourceInput, sessionID, prepared, merged.artifact, merged.serialized, merged.reuseEligible, output)
 	if err != nil {
 		return &laneRunError{stage: StageNormalize, err: err}
 	}
 	if normalized.accepted {
 		output.NormalizeOutputs = append(output.NormalizeOutputs, contracts.SerializedOutput{StepID: input.stepID, LaneID: lane.ID, NormalizerKey: lane.Normalize.Module, SourceID: doc.ID, Artifact: contracts.CloneSerializedArtifact(normalized.serialized.Artifact)})
+		if output.normalizeReuseEligibility == nil {
+			output.normalizeReuseEligibility = make(map[generatedOutputKey]bool)
+		}
+		output.normalizeReuseEligibility[generatedOutputKeyFor(input.stepID, lane.ID)] = normalized.reuseEligible
 	}
 	return nil
 }
@@ -241,9 +246,14 @@ func (r *Runner) runMergeStage(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoints
 		mergeInputs[i] = contracts.ExtractArtifact[any]{LaneID: value.LaneID, ExtractorKey: value.ExtractorKey, SourceID: value.SourceID, ChunkID: value.ChunkID, ChunkIndex: value.ChunkIndex, ChunkRef: value.ChunkRef, Value: value.Value}
 	}
 	mergeReferences := operationReferenceSet(input, lane.MergeReferences)
+	stageResult.reuseEligible = extracts.reuseEligible && referenceTargetReuseEligible(input, lane.MergeReferences)
 	mergeDeps := append(artifactCheckpointDigests(extracts.serialized), generatedReferenceDependencies(mergeReferences)...)
 	mergeDeps = normalizeCheckpointFingerprints(mergeDeps)
-	mergeCP, mergeDecision := loadMerge(loader, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDeps)
+	var mergeCP MergeCheckpoint
+	mergeDecision := checkpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionExecuted, CheckpointReasonValidationIncompleteLineage)
+	if stageResult.reuseEligible {
+		mergeCP, mergeDecision = loadMerge(loader, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDeps)
+	}
 	mergeResolution, err := resolveCheckpointDecision(output, loader, input.CheckpointPolicy, StageMerge, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDecision, typed.codec, []CheckpointArtifact{mergeCP.Output})
 	if err != nil {
 		return stageResult, err
@@ -261,8 +271,10 @@ func (r *Runner) runMergeStage(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoints
 		mergeWarnings = cloneWarnings(mergeCP.Warnings)
 		output.Warnings = append(output.Warnings, mergeWarnings...)
 	} else {
-		if err := checkpointMergeRunning(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDeps); err != nil {
-			return stageResult, err
+		if stageResult.reuseEligible {
+			if err := checkpointMergeRunning(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDeps); err != nil {
+				return stageResult, err
+			}
 		}
 		terminalResult, runErr := runProducerAttempts(ctx, producerAttemptConfig{Retries: lane.Merge.Retries, Policy: lane.MergeValidationPolicy, AllowStructuralRetry: lane.MergeExecutionClass == contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked}, func(attemptCtx context.Context, request producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
 			started := time.Now().UTC()
@@ -295,23 +307,19 @@ func (r *Runner) runMergeStage(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoints
 			if validationErr != nil {
 				return report, candidate.terminal.record(payload, validationErr)
 			}
-			if report.FirstRejection() != nil {
-				return report, candidate.terminal.record(payload, nil)
-			}
-			if lane.MergeValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure == ValidatorFailureFailRun {
-				if failure := firstIncompleteValidation(report); failure != nil {
-					return report, candidate.terminal.record(payload, validatorFailureError(*failure))
-				}
-			}
-			return report, nil
+			return report, candidate.terminal.record(payload, nil)
 		})
 		terminalSummary := validationSummary(terminalResult, StageMerge, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, "", 0)
 		if debugErr := writeProducerTerminalDebug(input.Debug, path.Join("merge", fileio.EncodePathComponent(lane.ID), "terminal.json"), terminalResult, lane.MergeValidationPolicy, terminalSummary); debugErr != nil {
-			_ = checkpointMergeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDeps, debugErr)
+			if stageResult.reuseEligible {
+				_ = checkpointMergeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDeps, debugErr)
+			}
 			return stageResult, debugErr
 		}
 		if runErr != nil {
-			_ = checkpointMergeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDeps, runErr)
+			if stageResult.reuseEligible {
+				_ = checkpointMergeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDeps, runErr)
+			}
 			return stageResult, runErr
 		}
 		if terminalResult.Action == producerTerminalRejected {
@@ -324,8 +332,10 @@ func (r *Runner) runMergeStage(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoints
 			output.ValidationSummaries = append(output.ValidationSummaries, artifacts.CloneValidationSummary(terminalSummary))
 			output.Warnings = append(output.Warnings, terminalResult.Warnings...)
 			output.Rejected = append(output.Rejected, *rejected)
-			if err := checkpointMergeRejected(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDeps, *rejected); err != nil {
-				return stageResult, err
+			if stageResult.reuseEligible {
+				if err := checkpointMergeRejected(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDeps, *rejected); err != nil {
+					return stageResult, err
+				}
 			}
 			stageResult.terminal = true
 			return stageResult, nil
@@ -338,19 +348,26 @@ func (r *Runner) runMergeStage(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoints
 		payload := map[string]any{"output": debugCheckpointArtifact(candidate.candidate), "warnings": debugWarningEnvelopes(terminalResult.Warnings), "rejection": debugRejectedOutputPtr(nil)}
 		if encodeErr != nil {
 			attemptErr := fmt.Errorf("serialize accepted merge output for lane %q: %w", lane.ID, encodeErr)
-			_ = checkpointMergeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDeps, attemptErr)
+			if stageResult.reuseEligible {
+				_ = checkpointMergeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDeps, attemptErr)
+			}
 			return stageResult, candidate.terminal.record(payload, attemptErr)
 		}
 		if debugErr := candidate.terminal.record(payload, nil); debugErr != nil {
-			_ = checkpointMergeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDeps, debugErr)
+			if stageResult.reuseEligible {
+				_ = checkpointMergeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDeps, debugErr)
+			}
 			return stageResult, debugErr
 		}
 		merged, serializedMerge = candidate.artifact, stored
 		mergeWarnings = cloneWarnings(terminalResult.Warnings)
 		output.ValidationSummaries = append(output.ValidationSummaries, terminalSummary)
 		stageResult.validationIncomplete = terminalResult.ValidationIncomplete
+		if stageResult.validationIncomplete {
+			stageResult.reuseEligible = false
+		}
 		output.Warnings = append(output.Warnings, mergeWarnings...)
-		if !stageResult.validationIncomplete {
+		if stageResult.reuseEligible {
 			if err := recordMerge(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeDeps, serializedMerge, mergeWarnings); err != nil {
 				return stageResult, err
 			}
@@ -365,18 +382,24 @@ func (r *Runner) runMergeStage(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoints
 }
 
 type normalizeStageResult struct {
-	serialized CheckpointArtifact
-	warnings   []contracts.Warning
-	accepted   bool
+	serialized    CheckpointArtifact
+	warnings      []contracts.Warning
+	accepted      bool
+	reuseEligible bool
 }
 
-func (r *Runner) runNormalizeStage(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoints CheckpointRecorder, loader CheckpointLoader, doc *source.SourceDocument, sourceInput contracts.LLMInputMaterial, sessionID string, prepared preparedLaneExecutor, merged erasedMergeArtifact, serializedMerge CheckpointArtifact, output *RunOutput) (normalizeStageResult, error) {
+func (r *Runner) runNormalizeStage(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoints CheckpointRecorder, loader CheckpointLoader, doc *source.SourceDocument, sourceInput contracts.LLMInputMaterial, sessionID string, prepared preparedLaneExecutor, merged erasedMergeArtifact, serializedMerge CheckpointArtifact, upstreamReuseEligible bool, output *RunOutput) (normalizeStageResult, error) {
 	var stageResult normalizeStageResult
 	lane, typed := prepared.resolved, prepared.typed
 	normalizeReferences := operationReferenceSet(input, lane.NormalizeReferences)
+	stageResult.reuseEligible = upstreamReuseEligible && referenceTargetReuseEligible(input, lane.NormalizeReferences)
 	normalizeDeps := append(artifactCheckpointDigests([]CheckpointArtifact{serializedMerge}), generatedReferenceDependencies(normalizeReferences)...)
 	normalizeDeps = normalizeCheckpointFingerprints(normalizeDeps)
-	normalizeCP, normalizeDecision := loadNormalize(loader, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDeps)
+	var normalizeCP NormalizeCheckpoint
+	normalizeDecision := checkpointDecision(CheckpointDecisionExecuted, CheckpointReasonValidationIncompleteLineage)
+	if stageResult.reuseEligible {
+		normalizeCP, normalizeDecision = loadNormalize(loader, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDeps)
+	}
 	normalizeResolution, err := resolveCheckpointDecision(output, loader, input.CheckpointPolicy, StageNormalize, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDecision, typed.codec, []CheckpointArtifact{normalizeCP.Output})
 	if err != nil {
 		return stageResult, err
@@ -392,8 +415,10 @@ func (r *Runner) runNormalizeStage(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoi
 		normalizeWarnings = cloneWarnings(normalizeCP.Warnings)
 		output.Warnings = append(output.Warnings, normalizeWarnings...)
 	} else {
-		if err := checkpointNormalizeRunning(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDeps); err != nil {
-			return stageResult, err
+		if stageResult.reuseEligible {
+			if err := checkpointNormalizeRunning(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDeps); err != nil {
+				return stageResult, err
+			}
 		}
 		terminalResult, runErr := runProducerAttempts(ctx, producerAttemptConfig{Retries: lane.Normalize.Retries, Policy: lane.NormalizeValidationPolicy, AllowStructuralRetry: lane.NormalizeExecutionClass == contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked}, func(attemptCtx context.Context, request producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
 			started := time.Now().UTC()
@@ -444,23 +469,19 @@ func (r *Runner) runNormalizeStage(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoi
 			if validationErr != nil {
 				return report, candidate.terminal.record(payload, validationErr)
 			}
-			if report.FirstRejection() != nil {
-				return report, candidate.terminal.record(payload, nil)
-			}
-			if lane.NormalizeValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure == ValidatorFailureFailRun {
-				if failure := firstIncompleteValidation(report); failure != nil {
-					return report, candidate.terminal.record(payload, validatorFailureError(*failure))
-				}
-			}
-			return report, nil
+			return report, candidate.terminal.record(payload, nil)
 		})
 		terminalSummary := validationSummary(terminalResult, StageNormalize, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, "", 0)
 		if debugErr := writeProducerTerminalDebug(input.Debug, path.Join("normalize", fileio.EncodePathComponent(lane.ID), "terminal.json"), terminalResult, lane.NormalizeValidationPolicy, terminalSummary); debugErr != nil {
-			_ = checkpointNormalizeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDeps, debugErr)
+			if stageResult.reuseEligible {
+				_ = checkpointNormalizeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDeps, debugErr)
+			}
 			return stageResult, debugErr
 		}
 		if runErr != nil {
-			_ = checkpointNormalizeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDeps, runErr)
+			if stageResult.reuseEligible {
+				_ = checkpointNormalizeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDeps, runErr)
+			}
 			return stageResult, runErr
 		}
 		if terminalResult.Action == producerTerminalRejected {
@@ -473,8 +494,10 @@ func (r *Runner) runNormalizeStage(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoi
 			output.ValidationSummaries = append(output.ValidationSummaries, artifacts.CloneValidationSummary(terminalSummary))
 			output.Warnings = append(output.Warnings, terminalResult.Warnings...)
 			output.Rejected = append(output.Rejected, *rejected)
-			if err := checkpointNormalizeRejected(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDeps, *rejected); err != nil {
-				return stageResult, err
+			if stageResult.reuseEligible {
+				if err := checkpointNormalizeRejected(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDeps, *rejected); err != nil {
+					return stageResult, err
+				}
 			}
 			return stageResult, nil
 		}
@@ -489,18 +512,25 @@ func (r *Runner) runNormalizeStage(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoi
 		}
 		if encodeErr != nil {
 			attemptErr := fmt.Errorf("serialize accepted normalize output for lane %q: %w", lane.ID, encodeErr)
-			_ = checkpointNormalizeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDeps, attemptErr)
+			if stageResult.reuseEligible {
+				_ = checkpointNormalizeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDeps, attemptErr)
+			}
 			return stageResult, candidate.terminal.record(payload, attemptErr)
 		}
 		if debugErr := candidate.terminal.record(payload, nil); debugErr != nil {
-			_ = checkpointNormalizeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDeps, debugErr)
+			if stageResult.reuseEligible {
+				_ = checkpointNormalizeFailed(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDeps, debugErr)
+			}
 			return stageResult, debugErr
 		}
 		serializedNormalize = stored
 		normalizeWarnings = cloneWarnings(terminalResult.Warnings)
 		output.ValidationSummaries = append(output.ValidationSummaries, terminalSummary)
 		output.Warnings = append(output.Warnings, normalizeWarnings...)
-		if !terminalResult.ValidationIncomplete {
+		if terminalResult.ValidationIncomplete {
+			stageResult.reuseEligible = false
+		}
+		if stageResult.reuseEligible {
 			if err := recordNormalize(checkpoints, input.stepID, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeDeps, serializedNormalize, normalizeWarnings); err != nil {
 				return stageResult, err
 			}
@@ -616,20 +646,6 @@ func (r *Runner) validateTypedReport(ctx context.Context, codec artifactCodecEnt
 	return report, nil
 }
 
-func (r *Runner) validateTypedArtifact(ctx context.Context, codec artifactCodecEntry, target typedValidationTarget, chain preparedValidatorChain, attempt int, debug DebugRecorder) ([]contracts.Warning, *contracts.RejectedOutput, error) {
-	report, err := r.validateTypedReport(ctx, codec, target, chain, attempt, debug)
-	if err != nil {
-		return report.Warnings(), nil, err
-	}
-	if failure := report.FirstFailure(); failure != nil {
-		return report.Warnings(), nil, validatorFailureError(*failure)
-	}
-	if rejected := typedRejection(report, target, attempt); rejected != nil {
-		return report.Warnings(), rejected, nil
-	}
-	return report.Warnings(), nil, nil
-}
-
 func typedRejection(report validationReport, target typedValidationTarget, attempt int) *contracts.RejectedOutput {
 	rejection := report.FirstRejection()
 	if rejection == nil {

internal/framework/pipeline/validation_executor.go

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ const (
 	validationSkipped  validationOutcome = "skipped"
 )
 
-const defaultCorrectionGuidance = "Correct the candidate to satisfy the validator requirements."
+const correctionRequestIntroduction = "The previous response failed semantic validation. Return one complete corrected replacement response, not a patch, explanation, or commentary.\n\nCorrect all of the following:\n"
 
 // validationRecord captures the settled result of one configured validator.
 // Its fields remain private so reports cannot expose mutable warning storage.
@@ -82,33 +82,39 @@ func (report validationReport) FirstFailure() *validationRecord {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (report validationReport) CorrectionGuidance() string {
+func (report validationReport) CorrectionRequest() (string, error) {
 	seen := make(map[string]struct{})
 	parts := make([]string, 0, len(report.records))
-	used := 0
 	for _, record := range report.records {
 		if record.outcome != validationRejected {
 			continue
 		}
 		guidance := strings.TrimSpace(record.correctionGuidance)
 		if guidance == "" {
-			guidance = defaultCorrectionGuidance
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("validator %q rejected output without correction guidance", record.validatorName)
 		}
 		if _, exists := seen[guidance]; exists {
 			continue
 		}
-		separator := 0
-		if len(parts) > 0 {
-			separator = 1
-		}
-		if used+separator+len(guidance) > contracts.MaxCorrectionGuidanceBytes {
-			break
-		}
 		seen[guidance] = struct{}{}
 		parts = append(parts, guidance)
-		used += separator + len(guidance)
 	}
-	return strings.Join(parts, "\n")
+	if len(parts) == 0 {
+		return "", errors.New("validation report contains no correction guidance")
+	}
+	var builder strings.Builder
+	builder.WriteString(correctionRequestIntroduction)
+	for index, guidance := range parts {
+		fmt.Fprintf(&builder, "%d. %s", index+1, guidance)
+		if index+1 < len(parts) {
+			builder.WriteByte('\n')
+		}
+	}
+	request := builder.String()
+	if len(request) > contracts.MaxCorrectionGuidanceBytes {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("aggregate correction request exceeds maximum length of %d bytes", contracts.MaxCorrectionGuidanceBytes)
+	}
+	return request, nil
 }
 
 type validationInvocation struct {
@@ -184,15 +190,11 @@ func executeValidationChain(ctx context.Context, chain preparedValidatorChain, i
 				report.records = append(report.records, validationRecord{validatorName: binding.Module, outcome: validationApproved, attemptCount: attempt, warnings: cloneWarnings(invocation.result.Warnings), diagnosticPath: invocation.result.DiagnosticArtifactPath})
 				break
 			}
-			reason := invocation.result.ReasonCode
-			if reason == "" {
-				reason = "output_rejected"
-			}
 			message := invocation.result.Message
 			if message == "" {
 				message = "output rejected"
 			}
-			report.records = append(report.records, validationRecord{validatorName: binding.Module, outcome: validationRejected, attemptCount: attempt, reasonCode: reason, message: message, diagnosticPath: invocation.result.DiagnosticArtifactPath, warnings: cloneWarnings(invocation.result.Warnings), correctionGuidance: invocation.result.CorrectionGuidance})
+			report.records = append(report.records, validationRecord{validatorName: binding.Module, outcome: validationRejected, attemptCount: attempt, reasonCode: invocation.result.ReasonCode, message: message, diagnosticPath: invocation.result.DiagnosticArtifactPath, warnings: cloneWarnings(invocation.result.Warnings), correctionGuidance: invocation.result.CorrectionGuidance})
 			break
 		}
 	}

internal/framework/pipeline/validation_executor_test.go

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ func TestExecuteValidationChainSettlesEveryValidatorInOrder(t *testing.T) {
 		invoke       validationInvoker
 		want         []validationOutcome
 		wantCalls    []string
-		wantGuidance string
+		wantGuidance []string
 		wantWarnings []string
 	}{
 		{
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ func TestExecuteValidationChainSettlesEveryValidatorInOrder(t *testing.T) {
 			}),
 			want:         []validationOutcome{validationRejected, validationRejected, validationRejected},
 			wantCalls:    []string{"shape:1", "refs:1", "coverage:1"},
-			wantGuidance: "repair shape\nrepair references",
+			wantGuidance: []string{"repair shape", "repair references"},
 		},
 		{
 			name:  "rejection and failure both settle",
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ func TestExecuteValidationChainSettlesEveryValidatorInOrder(t *testing.T) {
 			}),
 			want:         []validationOutcome{validationRejected, validationFailed},
 			wantCalls:    []string{"shape:1", "remote:1"},
-			wantGuidance: "repair shape",
+			wantGuidance: []string{"repair shape"},
 		},
 		{
 			name:      "failure only has no correction guidance",
@@ -103,8 +103,19 @@ func TestExecuteValidationChainSettlesEveryValidatorInOrder(t *testing.T) {
 			if !reflect.DeepEqual(outcomes, test.want) || !reflect.DeepEqual(calls, test.wantCalls) {
 				t.Fatalf("outcomes = %#v calls = %#v, want %#v %#v", outcomes, calls, test.want, test.wantCalls)
 			}
-			if guidance := report.CorrectionGuidance(); guidance != test.wantGuidance {
-				t.Fatalf("CorrectionGuidance() = %q, want %q", guidance, test.wantGuidance)
+			if len(test.wantGuidance) > 0 {
+				guidance, err := report.CorrectionRequest()
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Fatalf("CorrectionRequest() error = %v", err)
+				}
+				if !strings.Contains(guidance, "complete corrected replacement") {
+					t.Fatalf("CorrectionRequest() = %q, want complete replacement instruction", guidance)
+				}
+				for _, item := range test.wantGuidance {
+					if strings.Count(guidance, item) != 1 {
+						t.Fatalf("CorrectionRequest() = %q, want one occurrence of %q", guidance, item)
+					}
+				}
 			}
 			warnings := report.Warnings()
 			var warningCodes []string
@@ -139,7 +150,7 @@ func TestExecuteValidationChainKeepsInvocationInputsImmutable(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestValidationReportBoundsGuidanceAndOwnsRecords(t *testing.T) {
+func TestValidationReportRejectsOversizedGuidanceAndOwnsRecords(t *testing.T) {
 	guidance := strings.Repeat("x", contracts.MaxValidationCorrectionGuidanceBytes)
 	report := validationReport{records: make([]validationRecord, 17)}
 	for index := range report.records {
@@ -148,8 +159,8 @@ func TestValidationReportBoundsGuidanceAndOwnsRecords(t *testing.T) {
 		report.records[index] = validationRecord{validatorName: "validator", outcome: validationRejected, correctionGuidance: string(unique)}
 	}
 	report.records[0].warnings = []contracts.Warning{{ReasonCode: "warning"}}
-	if got := report.CorrectionGuidance(); len(got) > contracts.MaxCorrectionGuidanceBytes || !strings.Contains(got, string([]byte{byte('a')})) || strings.Contains(got, string([]byte{byte('q')})) {
-		t.Fatalf("CorrectionGuidance() length = %d, want bounded ordered guidance", len(got))
+	if _, err := report.CorrectionRequest(); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("CorrectionRequest() error = nil, want aggregate overflow error")
 	}
 	records := report.Records()
 	records[0].warnings[0].ReasonCode = "changed"

internal/modules/dnd/validate/combatturns/invariants/validator.go

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ func (v *Validator) CheckpointFingerprints() []pipeline.CheckpointFingerprint {
 
 func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.CombatTurnList]) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
 	if err := Validate(req.Source, req.Value); err != nil {
-		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: err.Error()}, nil
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: err.Error(), CorrectionGuidance: "Return combat turns in transcript order, without duplicate turns, using consistent contextual combatant names and evidence for each turn."}, nil
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/combatturns/shape/validator.go

@@ -100,5 +100,5 @@ func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
 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}
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: message, CorrectionGuidance: "Return a complete combat-turn list with every required field present, valid combatant names, and valid source references."}
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/combatturns/shape/validator_test.go

@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@ func TestValidateRejectsEveryOwnedShapeBoundary(t *testing.T) {
 			if err != nil || result.Approved || result.ReasonCode != ReasonCode {
 				t.Fatalf("Validator result = %#v, %v; want shape rejection", result, err)
 			}
+			if err := contracts.ValidateValidationResult(result); err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("ValidateValidationResult() error = %v for %#v", err, result)
+			}
 		})
 	}
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/combatturns/source_refs/validator.go

@@ -49,9 +49,10 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{
-		Approved:   false,
-		ReasonCode: ReasonCode,
-		Message:    diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid combat turn source references", issues),
+		Approved:           false,
+		ReasonCode:         ReasonCode,
+		Message:            diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid combat turn source references", issues),
+		CorrectionGuidance: "Return combat turns whose source references identify valid transcript ranges within the supplied extraction chunk and directly support each turn.",
 	}, nil
 }
 

internal/modules/dnd/validate/combatturns/source_refs/validator_test.go

@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ func TestValidatorRejectsInvalidSourceIdentityExistenceAndOrder(t *testing.T) {
 			if err != nil || result.Approved || result.ReasonCode != ReasonCode || !strings.Contains(result.Message, test.want) {
 				t.Fatalf("Validate() = %#v, %v; want source-reference rejection containing %q", result, err, test.want)
 			}
+			if err := contracts.ValidateValidationResult(result); err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("ValidateValidationResult() error = %v for %#v", err, result)
+			}
 		})
 	}
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/correction_contract_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+package validate_test
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd"
+	npccodec "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/codec/npcregistry"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/npcs/identity"
+	npcregistry "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/npcs/registry"
+	combatshape "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/validate/combatturns/shape"
+	combatsourcerefs "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/validate/combatturns/source_refs"
+	combatsourcerelatedness "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/validate/combatturns/source_relatedness"
+	npcregistryvalidator "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/validate/npcoccurrences/registry"
+	npcidentity "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/validate/npcregistry/identity"
+	spellcatalog "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/catalog"
+)
+
+func TestRepresentativeProductionValidatorResultsSatisfyCorrectionContract(t *testing.T) {
+	document := &source.SourceDocument{
+		ID: "session", Kind: "transcript", Format: "application/json", Digest: "sha256:session",
+		Units: []source.SourceUnit{{ID: 1, Kind: "message", Text: "Mira Thorn waits while Aria acts."}},
+	}
+	npcReferences := npcRegistryReferences(t, "Mira Thorn")
+	npcRegistryValidator, err := npcregistryvalidator.New(npcregistryvalidator.Options{}, npcReferences)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	unknownNPCID := "npc:sha256:ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff"
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name             string
+		validate         func() (contracts.ValidationResult, error)
+		wantApproved     bool
+		wantWarningCount int
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "shape rejection",
+			validate: func() (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+				return combatshape.New(combatshape.Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.CombatTurnList]{
+					Value: dnd.CombatTurnList{},
+				})
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "source reference rejection",
+			validate: func() (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+				return combatsourcerefs.New(combatsourcerefs.Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.CombatTurnList]{
+					Source: document,
+					Value: dnd.CombatTurnList{CombatTurns: []dnd.CombatTurn{{
+						Actor: "Aria", TurnKind: dnd.CombatTurnKindTurn,
+						SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{{SourceID: "other", StartUnitID: 1, EndUnitID: 1}},
+					}}},
+				})
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "registry identity rejection",
+			validate: func() (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+				return npcidentity.New(npcidentity.Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.NPCRegistry]{
+					Value: dnd.NPCRegistry{NPCs: []dnd.NPC{{
+						ID: "not-an-id", Name: "Mira Thorn",
+						SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{{SourceID: "session", StartUnitID: 1, EndUnitID: 1}},
+					}}},
+				})
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "catalog membership rejection",
+			validate: func() (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+				validator, buildErr := spellcatalog.New(spellcatalog.Options{})
+				if buildErr != nil {
+					return contracts.ValidationResult{}, buildErr
+				}
+				return validator.Validate(context.Background(), contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SpellList]{
+					Value: dnd.SpellList{SpellCasts: []dnd.SpellCast{{
+						Caster: "Aria", Spell: "Definitely Not A Spell",
+						SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{{SourceID: "session", StartUnitID: 1, EndUnitID: 1}},
+					}}},
+				})
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "registry membership rejection",
+			validate: func() (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+				return npcRegistryValidator.Validate(context.Background(), contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.NPCOccurrenceList]{
+					References: npcReferences,
+					Value: dnd.NPCOccurrenceList{Occurrences: []dnd.NPCOccurrence{{
+						NPCID: unknownNPCID, Name: "Mira Thorn", Kind: dnd.NPCOccurrenceKindDialogue,
+						SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{{SourceID: "session", StartUnitID: 1, EndUnitID: 1}},
+					}}},
+				})
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "source relatedness advisory",
+			validate: func() (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+				return combatsourcerelatedness.New(combatsourcerelatedness.Options{}).Validate(context.Background(), contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.CombatTurnList]{
+					Source: document,
+					Value: dnd.CombatTurnList{CombatTurns: []dnd.CombatTurn{{
+						Actor: "Unmentioned Actor", TurnKind: dnd.CombatTurnKindTurn,
+						SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{{SourceID: "session", StartUnitID: 1, EndUnitID: 1}},
+					}}},
+				})
+			},
+			wantApproved:     true,
+			wantWarningCount: 1,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			result, err := test.validate()
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %v", err)
+			}
+			if result.Approved != test.wantApproved {
+				t.Fatalf("Validate() approved = %t, want %t: %#v", result.Approved, test.wantApproved, result)
+			}
+			if len(result.Warnings) != test.wantWarningCount {
+				t.Fatalf("Validate() warnings = %d, want %d: %#v", len(result.Warnings), test.wantWarningCount, result)
+			}
+			if err := contracts.ValidateValidationResult(result); err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("ValidateValidationResult() error = %v for %#v", err, result)
+			}
+			if !result.Approved && strings.TrimSpace(result.CorrectionGuidance) == "" {
+				t.Fatalf("rejection lacks actionable correction guidance: %#v", result)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRegistryCorrectionGuidanceUsesContextualNamesNotOpaqueIDs(t *testing.T) {
+	references := npcRegistryReferences(t, "Mira Thorn")
+	validator, err := npcregistryvalidator.New(npcregistryvalidator.Options{}, references)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	opaqueID := "npc:sha256:ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff"
+	result, err := validator.Validate(context.Background(), contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.NPCOccurrenceList]{
+		References: references,
+		Value: dnd.NPCOccurrenceList{Occurrences: []dnd.NPCOccurrence{{
+			NPCID: opaqueID, Name: "Mira Thorn", Kind: dnd.NPCOccurrenceKindDialogue,
+			SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{{SourceID: "session", StartUnitID: 1, EndUnitID: 1}},
+		}}},
+	})
+	if err != nil || result.Approved {
+		t.Fatalf("Validate() = %#v, %v; want rejection", result, err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(result.CorrectionGuidance, "contextual NPC names") {
+		t.Fatalf("correction guidance = %q, want contextual-name instruction", result.CorrectionGuidance)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(result.CorrectionGuidance, opaqueID) || strings.Contains(result.CorrectionGuidance, "npc:sha256:") {
+		t.Fatalf("correction guidance leaked opaque durable ID: %q", result.CorrectionGuidance)
+	}
+}
+
+func npcRegistryReferences(t *testing.T, name string) contracts.ReferenceSet {
+	t.Helper()
+	content, err := npccodec.New().Encode(dnd.NPCRegistry{NPCs: []dnd.NPC{{
+		ID: identity.DeriveID(name), Name: name,
+		SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{{SourceID: "prior-session", StartUnitID: 1, EndUnitID: 1}},
+	}}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return contracts.ReferenceSet{Slots: map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+		npcregistry.ReferenceSlot: {
+			Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: npcregistry.ReferenceSlot},
+			Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{{
+				SlotName:  npcregistry.ReferenceSlot,
+				MediaType: npccodec.MediaType,
+				Content:   content,
+			}},
+		},
+	}}
+}

internal/modules/dnd/validate/enemyevents/engagements/validator.go

@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 				Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("duplicate enemy engagement", []string{
 					fmt.Sprintf("subject %s has more than one engagement in one combat scene", diagnostics.Quote(event.Name)),
 				}),
+				CorrectionGuidance: "Return at most one engagement event for each contextual enemy name within the same combat scene.",
 			}, nil
 		}
 		seen[identity] = struct{}{}

internal/modules/dnd/validate/enemyevents/invariants/validator.go

@@ -90,13 +90,13 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{}, fmt.Errorf("resolve NPC registry: %w", err)
 	}
 	if !registry.Bound() {
-		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: "invalid enemy event normalization: NPC registry reference is required"}, nil
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: "invalid enemy event normalization: NPC registry reference is required", CorrectionGuidance: "Return enemy events using contextual NPC names that match the supplied NPC registry."}, nil
 	}
 	issues := issuesFor(shared.NewSourceRefOrderFromIndex(index), req.Value, registry)
 	if len(issues) == 0 {
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 	}
-	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid enemy event normalization", issues)}, nil
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid enemy event normalization", issues), CorrectionGuidance: "Return enemy events in canonical transcript order, without duplicate events, using contextual NPC names that match the supplied registry and evidence."}, nil
 }
 
 func allSourceRefsValid(index source.DocumentIndex, value dnd.EnemyEventList) bool {

internal/modules/dnd/validate/enemyevents/shape/validator.go

@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ func (v *Validator) CheckpointFingerprints() []pipeline.CheckpointFingerprint {
 
 func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.EnemyEventList]) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
 	if err := Validate(req.Value); err != nil {
-		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: err.Error()}, nil
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: err.Error(), CorrectionGuidance: "Return a complete enemy-event list with every required field present, valid contextual NPC names, supported event values, and valid source references."}, nil
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/enemyevents/source_refs/validator.go

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 	if len(issues) == 0 {
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 	}
-	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid enemy event source references", issues)}, nil
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid enemy event source references", issues), CorrectionGuidance: "Return enemy events whose source references identify valid transcript ranges within the supplied extraction chunk and directly support each event."}, nil
 }
 
 func sourceRefIssues(index source.DocumentIndex, doc *source.SourceDocument, coverage *chunkCoverage, value dnd.EnemyEventList) []string {

internal/modules/dnd/validate/itemoccurrences/invariants/validator.go

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ func (v *Validator) CheckpointFingerprints() []pipeline.CheckpointFingerprint {
 
 func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.ItemOccurrenceList]) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
 	if err := Validate(req.Source, req.Value); err != nil {
-		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: err.Error()}, nil
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: err.Error(), CorrectionGuidance: "Return item occurrences in canonical transcript order, without duplicate occurrences, using consistent contextual item names and valid event transitions."}, nil
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/itemoccurrences/registry/validator.go

@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 }
 
 func rejection(issues []string) contracts.ValidationResult {
-	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid item occurrence registry", issues)}
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid item occurrence registry", issues), CorrectionGuidance: "Return item occurrences using contextual item names that match an item in the supplied registry; omit occurrences that cannot be matched unambiguously."}
 }
 func Spec() pipeline.ValidatorSpec {
 	return pipeline.ValidatorSpec{Key: Key, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic}

internal/modules/dnd/validate/itemoccurrences/shape/validator.go

@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ func (v *Validator) CheckpointFingerprints() []pipeline.CheckpointFingerprint {
 
 func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.ItemOccurrenceList]) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
 	if err := Validate(req.Value); err != nil {
-		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: err.Error()}, nil
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: err.Error(), CorrectionGuidance: "Return a complete item-occurrence list with every required field present, valid contextual item names, supported event kinds and holder combinations, positive quantities, and valid source references."}, nil
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/itemoccurrences/source_refs/validator.go

@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 	if len(issues) == 0 {
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 	}
-	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid item occurrence source references", issues)}, nil
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid item occurrence source references", issues), CorrectionGuidance: "Return item occurrences whose source references identify valid transcript ranges within the supplied extraction chunk and directly support each occurrence."}, nil
 }
 
 type chunkCoverage struct {

internal/modules/dnd/validate/itemregistry/identity/validator.go

@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 	for index, issue := range identityIssues {
 		issues[index] = fmt.Sprintf("items[%d] %s: %s", issue.RecordIndex, issue.Code, diagnostics.Quote(issue.Value))
 	}
-	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid item identity", issues)}, nil
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid item identity", issues), CorrectionGuidance: "Return one canonical registry entry per distinct properly named item, combining duplicate mentions under the same transcript-supported name."}, nil
 }
 
 func Spec() pipeline.ValidatorSpec {

internal/modules/dnd/validate/itemregistry/shape/validator.go

@@ -93,5 +93,5 @@ func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
 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}
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: message, CorrectionGuidance: "Return a complete item registry containing only properly named items with valid source references."}
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/itemregistry/source_refs/validator.go

@@ -97,5 +97,5 @@ func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
 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}
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: message, CorrectionGuidance: "Return registry items whose source references identify valid transcript ranges within the supplied extraction chunk and directly support each named item."}
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/locationoccurrences/invariants/validator.go

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 	if len(issues) == 0 {
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 	}
-	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid location occurrence normalization", issues)}, nil
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid location occurrence normalization", issues), CorrectionGuidance: "Return location occurrences in canonical transcript order, without duplicates, using consistent proper location names and supported occurrence kinds."}, nil
 }
 
 func allSourceRefsValid(index source.DocumentIndex, value dnd.LocationOccurrenceList) bool {

internal/modules/dnd/validate/locationoccurrences/registry/validator.go

@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 }
 
 func rejection(issues []string) contracts.ValidationResult {
-	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid location occurrence registry", issues)}
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid location occurrence registry", issues), CorrectionGuidance: "Return location occurrences using proper contextual location names that match a location in the supplied registry; omit occurrences that cannot be matched unambiguously."}
 }
 
 func Spec() pipeline.ValidatorSpec {

internal/modules/dnd/validate/locationoccurrences/shape/validator.go

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func (v *Validator) CheckpointFingerprints() []pipeline.CheckpointFingerprint {
 
 func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.LocationOccurrenceList]) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
 	if err := Validate(req.Value); err != nil {
-		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: err.Error()}, nil
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: err.Error(), CorrectionGuidance: "Return a complete location-occurrence list with every required field present, valid contextual location names, supported occurrence kinds, and valid source references."}, nil
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/locationoccurrences/source_refs/validator.go

@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 	if len(issues) == 0 {
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 	}
-	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid location occurrence source references", issues)}, nil
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid location occurrence source references", issues), CorrectionGuidance: "Return location occurrences whose source references identify valid transcript ranges within the supplied extraction chunk and directly support each occurrence."}, nil
 }
 
 func chunkContainsRef(chunk *source.Chunk, ref source.SourceRef) bool {

internal/modules/dnd/validate/locationregistry/identity/validator.go

@@ -47,8 +47,10 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 		issues[index] = fmt.Sprintf("locations[%d] %s: %s", issue.RecordIndex, issue.Code, diagnostics.Quote(issue.Value))
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{
-		Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode,
-		Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid location identity", issues),
+		Approved:           false,
+		ReasonCode:         ReasonCode,
+		Message:            diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid location identity", issues),
+		CorrectionGuidance: "Return one canonical registry entry per distinct proper location name, combining duplicate mentions of the same location.",
 	}, nil
 }
 

internal/modules/dnd/validate/locationregistry/shape/validator.go

@@ -93,5 +93,5 @@ func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
 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}
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: message, CorrectionGuidance: "Return a complete location registry containing only properly named locations with valid source references."}
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/locationregistry/source_refs/validator.go

@@ -97,5 +97,5 @@ func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
 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}
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: message, CorrectionGuidance: "Return registry locations whose source references identify valid transcript ranges within the supplied extraction chunk and directly support each proper location name."}
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/npcoccurrences/invariants/validator.go

@@ -92,16 +92,17 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{}, fmt.Errorf("resolve NPC registry: %w", err)
 	}
 	if !npcRegistry.Bound() {
-		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: "invalid NPC occurrence normalization: NPC registry reference is required"}, nil
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: "invalid NPC occurrence normalization: NPC registry reference is required", CorrectionGuidance: "Return NPC occurrences using contextual NPC names that match the supplied NPC registry."}, nil
 	}
 	issues := issuesFor(shared.NewSourceRefOrderFromIndex(index), req.Value, npcRegistry)
 	if len(issues) == 0 {
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{
-		Approved:   false,
-		ReasonCode: ReasonCode,
-		Message:    diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid NPC occurrence normalization", issues),
+		Approved:           false,
+		ReasonCode:         ReasonCode,
+		Message:            diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid NPC occurrence normalization", issues),
+		CorrectionGuidance: "Return NPC occurrences in canonical transcript order, without duplicates, using contextual NPC names that match the supplied registry and supported interaction kinds.",
 	}, nil
 }
 

internal/modules/dnd/validate/npcoccurrences/registry/validator.go

@@ -105,9 +105,10 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 
 func rejection(issues []string) contracts.ValidationResult {
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{
-		Approved:   false,
-		ReasonCode: ReasonCode,
-		Message:    diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid NPC occurrence registry", issues),
+		Approved:           false,
+		ReasonCode:         ReasonCode,
+		Message:            diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid NPC occurrence registry", issues),
+		CorrectionGuidance: "Return NPC occurrences using contextual NPC names that match an NPC in the supplied registry; omit occurrences that cannot be matched unambiguously.",
 	}
 }
 

internal/modules/dnd/validate/npcoccurrences/registry/validator_test.go

@@ -29,6 +29,12 @@ func TestValidatorRecognizesExactRegistryPairsAndRejectsUnknownIDs(t *testing.T)
 	if err != nil || result.Approved || result.ReasonCode != ReasonCode || !strings.Contains(result.Message, "occurrences[0].npc_id") {
 		t.Fatalf("unknown result = %#v, %v", result, err)
 	}
+	if err := contracts.ValidateValidationResult(result); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ValidateValidationResult() error = %v for %#v", err, result)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(result.CorrectionGuidance, "contextual NPC names") || strings.Contains(result.CorrectionGuidance, value.Occurrences[0].NPCID) {
+		t.Fatalf("correction guidance = %q, want contextual names without opaque IDs", result.CorrectionGuidance)
+	}
 	value = validList("Mira Thorn")
 	value.Occurrences[0].Name = "Hooded Guard"
 	result, err = validator.Validate(context.Background(), request(references, value))

internal/modules/dnd/validate/npcoccurrences/shape/validator.go

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func (v *Validator) CheckpointFingerprints() []pipeline.CheckpointFingerprint {
 
 func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.NPCOccurrenceList]) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
 	if err := Validate(req.Value); err != nil {
-		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: err.Error()}, nil
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: err.Error(), CorrectionGuidance: "Return a complete NPC-occurrence list with every required field present, valid contextual NPC names, supported interaction kinds, and valid source references."}, nil
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/npcoccurrences/source_refs/validator.go

@@ -61,9 +61,10 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{
-		Approved:   false,
-		ReasonCode: ReasonCode,
-		Message:    diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid NPC occurrence source references", issues),
+		Approved:           false,
+		ReasonCode:         ReasonCode,
+		Message:            diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid NPC occurrence source references", issues),
+		CorrectionGuidance: "Return NPC occurrences whose source references identify valid transcript ranges within the supplied extraction chunk and directly support each occurrence.",
 	}, nil
 }
 

internal/modules/dnd/validate/npcregistry/identity/validator.go

@@ -51,9 +51,10 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 		issues[index] = fmt.Sprintf("%s %s: %s", location, issue.Code, diagnostics.Quote(issue.Value))
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{
-		Approved:   false,
-		ReasonCode: ReasonCode,
-		Message:    diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid NPC identity", issues),
+		Approved:           false,
+		ReasonCode:         ReasonCode,
+		Message:            diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid NPC identity", issues),
+		CorrectionGuidance: "Return one canonical registry entry per distinct properly named NPC, combining duplicate mentions under the same transcript-supported name.",
 	}, nil
 }
 

internal/modules/dnd/validate/npcregistry/identity/validator_test.go

@@ -57,6 +57,9 @@ func TestValidatorDefersShapeAndRejectsIdentityIssues(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil || result.Approved || result.ReasonCode != ReasonCode {
 		t.Fatalf("identity result = %#v, error = %v, want rejection", result, err)
 	}
+	if err := contracts.ValidateValidationResult(result); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ValidateValidationResult() error = %v for %#v", err, result)
+	}
 	for _, want := range []string{"invalid_id", "duplicate_canonical_identity", "duplicate_id", "npcs[0]", "npcs[1]"} {
 		if !strings.Contains(result.Message, want) {
 			t.Fatalf("identity message %q missing %q", result.Message, want)

internal/modules/dnd/validate/npcregistry/shape/validator.go

@@ -92,5 +92,5 @@ func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
 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}
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: message, CorrectionGuidance: "Return a complete NPC registry containing only properly named NPCs with valid source references."}
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/npcregistry/source_refs/validator.go

@@ -117,5 +117,5 @@ func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
 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}
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: message, CorrectionGuidance: "Return registry NPCs whose source references identify valid transcript ranges within the supplied extraction chunk and directly support each proper NPC name."}
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/scenedescriptions/invariants/validator.go

@@ -48,8 +48,10 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{
-		Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode,
-		Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid scene description normalization", issues),
+		Approved:           false,
+		ReasonCode:         ReasonCode,
+		Message:            diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid scene description normalization", issues),
+		CorrectionGuidance: "Return scene descriptions in canonical source order, with one unique scene per source range and no duplicate scene identity.",
 	}, nil
 }
 

internal/modules/dnd/validate/scenedescriptions/shape/validator.go

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func (v *Validator) CheckpointFingerprints() []pipeline.CheckpointFingerprint {
 
 func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SceneDescriptionList]) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
 	if err := ValidateForStage(req.Value, req.Stage); err != nil {
-		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: err.Error()}, nil
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: err.Error(), CorrectionGuidance: "Return a complete scene-description list with the required number of scenes, supported scene kinds, nonblank titles and summaries, and valid source references."}, nil
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/scenedescriptions/source_refs/validator.go

@@ -62,8 +62,10 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationReq
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{
-		Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode,
-		Message: diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid scene description source references", issues),
+		Approved:           false,
+		ReasonCode:         ReasonCode,
+		Message:            diagnostics.Aggregate("invalid scene description source references", issues),
+		CorrectionGuidance: "Return exactly one scene description for the supplied chunk, using that chunk's scene identity and complete source range.",
 	}, nil
 }
 

internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/catalog/validator.go

@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ func rejection(unknown []unknownSpell) contracts.ValidationResult {
 		issues = append(issues, issue)
 	}
 	message := rejectionMessage(issues, len(unknown)-len(issues))
-	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: message}
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: message, CorrectionGuidance: "Use recognized D&D spell names supported by the supplied transcript evidence, and omit any candidate that is not a spell cast."}
 }
 
 func truncateDisplayedName(name string) string {

internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/catalog/validator_test.go

@@ -54,6 +54,9 @@ func TestValidatorRejectsMultipleUnknownCastsInStableOrder(t *testing.T) {
 	if result.Approved || result.ReasonCode != ReasonCode {
 		t.Fatalf("Validate() = %#v, want unknown-spell rejection", result)
 	}
+	if err := contracts.ValidateValidationResult(result); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ValidateValidationResult() error = %v for %#v", err, result)
+	}
 	if want := `spell_casts[0].spell "Unknown First", spell_casts[2].spell "Unknown Second"`; !strings.Contains(result.Message, want) {
 		t.Fatalf("message = %q, want %q", result.Message, want)
 	}

internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/shape/validator.go

@@ -75,5 +75,5 @@ func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
 }
 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}
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: message, CorrectionGuidance: "Return a complete spell-cast list with a nonblank spell name and caster plus valid source references for every cast."}
 }

internal/modules/dnd/validate/spells/source_refs/validator.go

@@ -111,5 +111,5 @@ func DecodeOptions(options map[string]any) (Options, error) {
 }
 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}
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: message, CorrectionGuidance: "Return spell casts whose source references identify valid transcript ranges within the supplied extraction chunk and directly support the named spell and caster."}
 }

internal/modules/generic/validate/always_reject/validator.go

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ func NewChunk(Options) *ChunkValidator           { return &ChunkValidator{} }
 func NewTyped[T any](Options) *TypedValidator[T] { return &TypedValidator[T]{} }
 
 func rejection() contracts.ValidationResult {
-	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: "output rejected by always-reject validator"}
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCode, Message: "output rejected by always-reject validator", CorrectionGuidance: "Return one complete replacement response that satisfies the configured validation requirements."}
 }
 func (v *ChunkValidator) Name() string { return Key }
 func (v *ChunkValidator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {

internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json/validator.go

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.SerializedValidati
 
 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: false, ReasonCode: ReasonCodeInvalidJSON, Message: "payload is not valid JSON", CorrectionGuidance: "Return one complete replacement response encoded as valid JSON."}
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}
 }

internal/modules/generic/validate/valid_json_schema/validator.go

@@ -56,14 +56,14 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.SerializedValidati
 	}
 	instance, err := jsonschema.UnmarshalJSON(bytes.NewReader(req.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", CorrectionGuidance: "Return one complete replacement response encoded as valid JSON."}, nil
 	}
 	schema, err := v.compiledSchema(req.Schema)
 	if err != nil {
 		return contracts.ValidationResult{}, 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", CorrectionGuidance: "Return one complete JSON replacement that conforms exactly to the supplied response schema."}, nil
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
 }