Prepare the v0.4.0 release

.woodpecker/release.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+when:
+  - event: tag
+
+steps:
+  - name: validate-release
+    image: golang:1.25.5
+    commands:
+      - |
+        set -eu
+
+        version="$CI_COMMIT_TAG"
+        release_note="docs/releases/$version.md"
+
+        if ! printf '%s\n' "$version" | grep -E -x 'v(0|[1-9][0-9]*)\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*)\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*)' >/dev/null; then
+          printf '%s\n' "invalid release tag: $version" >&2
+          exit 1
+        fi
+        if [ ! -s "$release_note" ]; then
+          printf '%s\n' "missing release note: $release_note" >&2
+          exit 1
+        fi
+        if ! grep -F -x "# Notarius $version" "$release_note" >/dev/null; then
+          printf '%s\n' "release note heading does not match $version" >&2
+          exit 1
+        fi
+        for heading in '## Summary' '## Compatibility' '## Upgrade' '## Changes'; do
+          if ! grep -F -x "$heading" "$release_note" >/dev/null; then
+            printf '%s\n' "release note is missing heading: $heading" >&2
+            exit 1
+          fi
+        done
+
+        ./scripts/check-release-source.sh "$version"

README.md

@@ -28,6 +28,20 @@ For the complete ordered D&D workflow, use
 [its synthetic transcript](examples/dnd-complete-transcript.json). It
 demonstrates all implemented D&D lanes and the supporting campaign references.
 
+## Install A Source Release
+
+Install a pinned source release with Go:
+
+~~~
+GOWORK=off go install \
+  gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/cmd/notarius@<tag>
+~~~
+
+Replace `<tag>` with a stable release tag such as `vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH`. The
+installed command's diagnostic version is described in the [CLI
+reference](docs/cli.md); maintainers preparing a release should follow [Source
+Releases](docs/release.md).
+
 ## Documentation
 
 - [CLI reference](docs/cli.md) — commands, flags, output streams, and exits.
@@ -39,6 +53,8 @@ demonstrates all implemented D&D lanes and the supporting campaign references.
   artifact formats.
 - [Subprocess consumer guide](docs/consumers/subprocess.md) — invoke Notarius
   from an orchestrator and consume a published result.
+- [Complete D&D consumer guide](docs/consumers/dnd-pipeline.md) — run the full
+  D&D pipeline as a subprocess and discover its structured artifacts.
 - [Internal overview](docs/internal/overview.md) — implemented component map
   for maintainers.
 - [Developer guide](docs/development.md) — contributor orientation and

assets/dnd/combat-turns/prompts/prompt.yaml

@@ -42,4 +42,4 @@ output:
   format: json
   validation_mode: json_schema
   schema_path: dnd_combat_turns_llm.v1.json
-  repair_attempts: 0
+  repair_attempts: 1

assets/dnd/enemy-events/prompts/prompt.yaml

@@ -50,4 +50,4 @@ output:
   format: json
   validation_mode: json_schema
   schema_path: dnd_enemy_events_llm.v1.json
-  repair_attempts: 0
+  repair_attempts: 1

assets/dnd/item-occurrences/prompts/prompt.yaml

@@ -42,4 +42,4 @@ output:
   format: json
   validation_mode: json_schema
   schema_path: dnd_item_occurrences_llm.v1.json
-  repair_attempts: 0
+  repair_attempts: 1

assets/dnd/item-registry/extract/prompts/prompt.yaml

@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ output:
   format: json
   validation_mode: json_schema
   schema_path: dnd_item_registry_llm.v1.json
-  repair_attempts: 0
+  repair_attempts: 1

assets/dnd/item-registry/normalize/prompts/prompt.yaml

@@ -27,4 +27,4 @@ output:
   format: json
   validation_mode: json_schema
   schema_path: semantic_reconciliation_llm.v1.json
-  repair_attempts: 0
+  repair_attempts: 1

assets/dnd/location-occurrences/prompts/prompt.yaml

@@ -42,4 +42,4 @@ output:
   format: json
   validation_mode: json_schema
   schema_path: dnd_location_occurrences_llm.v1.json
-  repair_attempts: 0
+  repair_attempts: 1

assets/dnd/location-registry/extract/prompts/prompt.yaml

@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ output:
   format: json
   validation_mode: json_schema
   schema_path: dnd_location_registry_llm.v1.json
-  repair_attempts: 0
+  repair_attempts: 1

assets/dnd/location-registry/normalize/prompts/prompt.yaml

@@ -27,4 +27,4 @@ output:
   format: json
   validation_mode: json_schema
   schema_path: semantic_reconciliation_llm.v1.json
-  repair_attempts: 0
+  repair_attempts: 1

assets/dnd/npc-occurrences/prompts/prompt.yaml

@@ -42,4 +42,4 @@ output:
   format: json
   validation_mode: json_schema
   schema_path: dnd_npc_occurrences_llm.v1.json
-  repair_attempts: 0
+  repair_attempts: 1

assets/dnd/npc-registry/extract/prompts/prompt.yaml

@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ output:
   format: json
   validation_mode: json_schema
   schema_path: dnd_npc_registry_llm.v1.json
-  repair_attempts: 0
+  repair_attempts: 1

assets/dnd/npc-registry/normalize/prompts/prompt.yaml

@@ -27,4 +27,4 @@ output:
   format: json
   validation_mode: json_schema
   schema_path: semantic_reconciliation_llm.v1.json
-  repair_attempts: 0
+  repair_attempts: 1

assets/dnd/scene-descriptions/prompts/prompt.yaml

@@ -35,4 +35,4 @@ output:
   format: json
   validation_mode: json_schema
   schema_path: dnd_scene_descriptions_llm.v1.json
-  repair_attempts: 0
+  repair_attempts: 1

assets/dnd/scenes/prompts/prompt.yaml

@@ -31,4 +31,4 @@ output:
   format: json
   validation_mode: json_schema
   schema_path: dnd_scenes_llm.v1.json
-  repair_attempts: 0
+  repair_attempts: 1

assets/dnd/spells/prompts/prompt.yaml

@@ -47,4 +47,4 @@ output:
   format: json
   validation_mode: json_schema
   schema_path: dnd_spells_llm.v1.json
-  repair_attempts: 0
+  repair_attempts: 1

assets/generic/normalize/deduplication/prompts/prompt.yaml

@@ -24,4 +24,4 @@ output:
   format: json
   validation_mode: json_schema
   schema_path: semantic_reconciliation_llm.v1.json
-  repair_attempts: 0
+  repair_attempts: 1

docs/adr/0013-use-request-local-candidate-handles-for-semantic-reconciliation.md

@@ -83,9 +83,7 @@ entity identity, checkpoint contracts, or cross-request correlation. Changes
 to shared protocol and policy assets must participate in the normal prompt,
 schema, and checkpoint fingerprint mechanisms.
 
-Acceptance of this decision does not imply that the shared mechanism or its
+The shared mechanism and its initial D&D registry consumers are now
-consumer migrations are implemented. The
+implemented. Current behavior is documented in
-[feature roadmap](../roadmap/semantic-reconciliation.md) owns target behavior
+[Module Internals](../internal/modules.md#semantic-reconciliation) and
-and status, and the
+[D&D Module Internals](../internal/dnd.md#semantic-registry-reconciliation).
-[implementation plan](../roadmap/implementation.md) owns delivery sequence
-until the work is complete.

docs/adr/0014-feedback-aware-validation-retries.md

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+# ADR-0014: Use feedback-aware validation retries
+
+**Status:** Accepted
+**Date:** 2026-08-26
+
+## Context
+
+Validation can identify a candidate defect after a producer has returned an
+otherwise well-formed result. Retrying without the validator's deterministic,
+bounded feedback wastes the useful diagnosis, while treating validator
+execution failures as defects would ask a producer to repair conditions it
+cannot control. The mechanism must preserve typed producer ownership,
+checkpoint safety, and the repository's sensitive-data boundaries.
+
+## Decision
+
+The implementation will keep three independent budgets: the producer binding's
+outer `retries` budget, PromptKit's structured-output repair budget, and each
+validator's execution-retry budget. Validators will run sequentially in their
+configured order and aggregate both rejections and execution failures before a
+candidate disposition is selected.
+
+A correction-capable producer will provide the exact single LLM response that
+controlled its candidate using the `single_response_v1` protocol. A correction
+attempt will reconstruct the ordinary request and append exactly two fresh
+messages: that latest response as `assistant`, followed by one deterministic
+aggregate correction request as `user`. Earlier turns will not accumulate.
+
+Validator failures will not recurse into correction. Pipeline policy owns
+terminal disposition, with field-by-field producer overrides over pipeline
+defaults: structural failure and semantic rejection default to `fail_run`, and
+validator execution failure defaults to `warn_continue`. Validators can report
+facts and bounded corrective guidance, but never decide disposition.
+
+Rejected and structurally invalid candidates will not advance. A candidate
+allowed through after a validator execution failure will retain explicit
+incomplete-validation provenance and will not be checkpointed. Exact response
+and correction text remain attempt-local: they are excluded from ordinary
+errors, warnings, manifests, receipts, caches, checkpoints, and default debug
+summaries.
+
+## Alternatives considered
+
+- Retry every producer after any validation outcome. This conflates producer
+  defects with validator operational failures and wastes retry budget.
+- Let validators decide whether to continue. This would distribute pipeline
+  disposition policy across validators and undermine consistent defaults.
+- Reuse the full prior conversation. Accumulated turns introduce unbounded
+  prompt growth and make correction behavior depend on incidental history.
+- Persist raw responses to simplify diagnosis. Raw model output and correction
+  guidance may be sensitive and do not belong in durable pipeline records.
+
+## Consequences
+
+The framework gains transport-neutral correction and candidate contracts,
+producer capability checks, policy resolution, aggregated validation outcomes,
+and conservative checkpoint handling. Prompt construction remains inside the
+LLM adapter, while modules remain responsible for accurately exposing the
+single response that directly controlled a candidate.

docs/cli.md

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ defined in [Operations](operations.md).
 
 ~~~
 notarius help
+notarius --version
 notarius run <pipeline-id> --input path/to/source.json [--json] [flags]
 notarius config validate [--config path/to/config.yml] [--pipeline pipeline-id] [--only lane-a,lane-b]
 notarius pipelines list [--config path/to/config.yml] [--json]
@@ -18,6 +19,17 @@ notarius pipelines list [--config path/to/config.yml] [--json]
 Running Notarius without arguments, or with **help**, **--help**, or **-h**,
 writes the command summary to standard output and exits with status 0.
 
+`notarius --version` is valid only as the sole root argument. It writes exactly
+`notarius <version>` followed by a newline to standard output and exits with
+status 0. A tagged `go install` build can report its main-module stable tag,
+and controlled builds can inject a stable tag at link time through
+`gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/buildinfo.Override`; an ordinary
+unversioned checkout reports `development`. Invalid injected version content is
+a runtime error with exit status 1, while extra `--version` arguments are a
+syntax error with exit status 2. This diagnostic does not replace the
+[run-result](integrations/run-result.md) or artifact contracts for downstream
+compatibility decisions.
+
 ## run
 
 ~~~

docs/config.md

@@ -132,7 +132,11 @@ model: example-model
 Keep credentials out of the local-backend object. A PromptKit profile may name
 its credential environment variable through `api_key_env`; set that variable
 only in the run environment. PromptKit owns the
-[pinned profile-file format](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/src/tag/v0.5.0/docs/formats.md).
+[pinned profile-file format](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/src/tag/v0.9.0/docs/formats.md),
+including `base_profile` inheritance. Notarius passes profiles through without
+merging them. Filesystem profiles cannot express PromptKit's in-memory
+`APIKeyRequired` setting; an unset `api_key_env` is optional and may reach the
+provider without authorization.
 The [PromptKit upstream boundary](integrations/pkg-promptkit.md) identifies the
 supported package API, and [Operations](operations.md#operational-limits)
 describes the effective concurrency layers.
@@ -218,6 +222,8 @@ pipelines:
 | Field | Type | Default | Rules |
 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
 | **llm_profile** | string | none | Optional non-empty default PromptKit profile ID for selected LLM-backed bindings and validators. An explicitly present blank value is invalid. |
+| **structured_output_repair_attempts** | integer | prompt-owned (1 in maintained production prompts) | Optional structural-repair limit from 0 through 3 for selected LLM-backed bindings and validators. Omission leaves the prompt's declared policy in control; explicit 0 disables structural repair at that scope. |
+| **validation_policy** | object | see below | Optional terminal policy defaults for producer validation. Its fields inherit independently into chunk, extract, merge, and normalize bindings. |
 | **input** | module binding | none | Required. |
 | **chunk** | module binding | **generic** | Optional. |
 | **output** | module binding | **json** | Optional. |
@@ -237,6 +243,42 @@ run-level **--llm-profile** value first, then the binding's **llm_profile**,
 then the pipeline's **llm_profile**, and finally the PromptKit default.
 Deterministic bindings do not receive these defaults or run overrides.
 
+Structural output repair is resolved after module, validator, and `--only` lane
+selection. An object's **structured_output_repair_attempts** value takes
+precedence over the pipeline value; otherwise, an LLM-backed binding or
+validator inherits the pipeline value. If both are omitted, PromptKit uses the
+prompt's declared repair policy. The value must be an integer from 0 through 3;
+explicit `null` and non-integer values are invalid. An explicit value on a
+deterministic binding or validator is invalid, while a pipeline value simply
+does not apply to deterministic selections.
+
+`validation_policy` controls terminal disposition for one complete producer
+attempt and validator chain. It may appear on a pipeline or a **chunk**,
+**extract**, **merge**, or **normalize** module binding; input, output, and
+validator bindings reject it. Every field is optional and resolves in binding,
+pipeline, then application-default order:
+
+| Field | Values | Default |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| **producer_structural_failure** | **fail_run**, **reject_output** | **fail_run** |
+| **semantic_rejection** | **fail_run**, **reject_output** | **fail_run** |
+| **validator_failure** | **warn_continue**, **fail_run** | **warn_continue** |
+
+The policy object and its fields must be non-null, and unknown fields are
+rejected. A deterministic producer may not explicitly set
+**producer_structural_failure** on its binding, although a pipeline-level
+default remains valid for pipelines that include LLM-backed producers.
+
+After the producer binding's retry budget is exhausted, an invalid structured
+response uses **producer_structural_failure**. One or more semantic validator
+rejections use **semantic_rejection**; rejection takes precedence over an
+exhausted validator failure or skip. With no rejection, an exhausted validator
+failure or skip uses **validator_failure**. `reject_output` records the
+terminal rejection without advancing that candidate. `warn_continue` is valid
+only for validator execution failure: it advances a structurally valid,
+otherwise unrejected result with incomplete-validation provenance and without
+making it reusable checkpoint state.
+
 A lane has these fields:
 
 | Field | Type | Default | Rules |
@@ -274,17 +316,32 @@ extract:
 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
 | **module** | string | none | Required for an object binding. Must be a registered compatible key. |
 | **llm_profile** | string | none | Optional non-empty PromptKit profile ID for an LLM-backed binding. It overrides the pipeline default unless the run supplies **--llm-profile**. |
-| **retries** | integer | 0 | Non-negative additional attempts for chunk, extract, merge, and normalize bindings. |
+| **structured_output_repair_attempts** | integer | pipeline or prompt-owned (1 in maintained production prompts) | Optional structural-repair limit from 0 through 3 for an LLM-backed binding. It overrides the pipeline value; explicit 0 disables structural repair. |
+| **validation_policy** | object | pipeline or application defaults | Optional field-by-field terminal-policy override for a chunk, extract, merge, or normalize binding. |
+| **retries** | integer | 0 | Non-negative additional complete producer attempts for chunk, extract, merge, and normalize bindings. This single budget covers operational errors, invalid structured output, module-requested normalization retry, and semantic correction. |
 | **options** | object | none | Must satisfy the selected module. |
 | **references** | map | none | Valid only on chunk, extract, merge, and normalize bindings. |
 | **validators** | list | production chain | Valid only on chunk, extract, merge, and normalize bindings. |
 
 Omitting **validators** uses the registered chain. **validators: []** selects
 an empty chain; a non-empty list replaces the chain in the listed order.
-Validator bindings accept only **module**, **llm_profile**, and **options**.
+Validator bindings accept only **module**, **llm_profile**,
-They reject **references**, **retries**, and nested **validators**. Deterministic
+**structured_output_repair_attempts**, **retries**, and **options**. Their
-validators reject an explicit **llm_profile**. Deterministic module bindings
+**retries** value is a non-negative additional validator-execution budget and
-also reject an explicit **llm_profile**.
+is valid only when the selected validator is LLM-backed. A validator retry
+rechecks the same immutable candidate; it never regenerates the producer.
+They reject
+**validation_policy**, **references**, and nested **validators**. Deterministic
+validators reject explicit **llm_profile** and
+**structured_output_repair_attempts**.
+Deterministic module bindings also reject those explicit fields.
+
+An LLM-backed chunk, extract, merge, or normalize producer with both a
+non-empty validator chain and positive **retries** must declare the supported
+single-response correction capability. Preparation rejects a configuration
+that could require semantic correction from a producer that cannot provide an
+exact prior response. A deterministic producer, or an LLM attempt that did
+not make a model call, cannot consume a semantic retry after rejection.
 
 The **json** output module accepts optional **include_chunk_map** and
 **evidence_context** settings:
@@ -319,7 +376,8 @@ Unknown outer or nested option fields are rejected, as are incompatible YAML
 types. The allowlist remains valid when a run uses lane filtering: a configured
 lane that is not active for that invocation simply contributes no evidence.
 Evidence publication is opt-in because it can persist source text and metadata.
-Its payload contract is [Published Evidence Context](integrations/evidence-context.md).
+When enabled, it publishes the selected source-unit excerpt defined by the
+[Published Evidence Context contract](integrations/evidence-context.md).
 
 ## References And Ordered Handoffs
 

docs/consumers/dnd-pipeline.md

@@ -0,0 +1,208 @@
+# Consuming The Complete D&D Pipeline
+
+Use this workflow when an orchestrator runs the maintained complete D&D
+pipeline and consumes its structured JSON artifacts. The generic
+[subprocess consumer guide](subprocess.md) owns process-level responsibilities;
+this guide connects that workflow to the complete D&D configuration, its
+Seriatim input, and its artifact inventory.
+
+The [CLI reference](../cli.md), [configuration reference](../config.md),
+[run-result receipt](../integrations/run-result.md), and
+[published JSON output contract](../integrations/json-output.md) remain the
+canonical definitions of those public interfaces.
+
+## Prepare And Validate The Deployment
+
+Start from the maintained
+[complete D&D configuration](../../examples/dnd-complete.config.yml). It uses
+the `dnd-session` pipeline and demonstrates every implemented D&D lane, ordered
+artifact handoffs, campaign references, chunk-map publication, and evidence
+context.
+
+A deployment must provide its own PromptKit profile and campaign reference
+files. Use absolute paths for service and subprocess deployments. In
+particular, observe these different resolution rules:
+
+- reference paths in YAML are resolved relative to the Notarius configuration
+  file; and
+- `promptkit.profile_file` is resolved relative to the Notarius process working
+  directory.
+
+Do not copy the repository example's relative profile path into a deployment
+without also controlling that working directory. The complete path and profile
+rules are defined in [Configuration](../config.md).
+
+Preflight the deployed configuration before processing sessions and whenever
+it changes:
+
+```sh
+notarius config validate \
+  --config /absolute/path/to/notarius.yml \
+  --pipeline dnd-session
+```
+
+Provide credentials through the environment or the documented configuration
+mechanism. Do not put credentials in command arguments, generated
+configuration, or logs.
+
+## Supply The Transcript
+
+The complete pipeline consumes a Seriatim JSON document. The
+[Seriatim input contract](../integrations/seriatim.md) defines its required
+metadata, segments, and validation rules. Preserve segment IDs: D&D artifact
+citations use those segment IDs as source-unit ranges.
+
+When the caller maintains several transcript tiers, use the final trimmed JSON
+transcript so extraction operates on the same session content presented to
+later consumers. For example, Narratio identifies this implemented artifact as
+`narratio.transcript.final_trimmed` and normally stores it at
+`transcripts/final.trimmed.json`.
+
+Notarius generates a stable prompt session from the resolved input module and
+the exact input bytes. An ordinary orchestrator should not pass `--session-id`.
+Use that override only when intentionally changing the routing relationship
+between invocations; it is not a credential or output identity.
+
+## Run Notarius
+
+Invoke the pipeline with explicit absolute paths and request its
+machine-readable receipt:
+
+```sh
+notarius run dnd-session \
+  --config /absolute/path/to/notarius.yml \
+  --input /absolute/path/to/transcripts/final.trimmed.json \
+  --output-dir /absolute/path/to/notarius-output \
+  --json
+```
+
+The caller should:
+
+- capture stdout and stderr separately;
+- propagate cancellation and impose an operator-appropriate timeout;
+- wait for process completion before interpreting stdout; and
+- retain stderr for diagnosis without copying secrets or transcript content
+  into other logs.
+
+Only exit status 0 permits decoding stdout as a receipt. Ignore stdout after a
+nonzero exit because a failed receipt write can leave partial bytes. The
+[CLI reference](../cli.md#output-streams-and-exit-statuses) defines the complete
+stream and exit-status contract.
+
+## Discover The Published Bundle
+
+Decode the successful stdout document as a supported run-result schema. For
+the current contract, `schema_version` is `notarius.run-result.v1`. Tolerate
+unknown fields allowed by that version, but reject an unsupported schema
+version.
+
+Use the receipt's absolute `output_directory` as the exact run-specific bundle
+root. Do not scan the output root for its newest directory, guess a run ID, or
+construct a bundle path. Resolve `index_file` beneath `output_directory` and
+reject an absolute logical path or any result that escapes the bundle root.
+
+The complete configuration uses the application validation defaults. A caller
+that requires fully validated D&D artifacts must also require receipt
+`validation_status: approved`; a successful `incomplete` result reflects the
+configured validator-failure continuation policy and carries its bounded
+validator provenance in `validation_summaries`.
+
+Read `index.json` and locate each requested lane in `output_files` by its exact
+`lane_id`. Do not guess a lane filename. Before decoding a payload:
+
+1. resolve its descriptor's relative `file` beneath the bundle root with the
+   same confinement check;
+2. verify the descriptor's media type and schema identity against the linked
+   artifact contract; and
+3. decode the payload according to that contract.
+
+The [published JSON output contract](../integrations/json-output.md) defines
+the index and bundle layout. Treat all paths obtained from a decoded external
+document as untrusted until confined to their documented root.
+
+## Complete Artifact Inventory
+
+When every configured lane is accepted, the complete example publishes these
+lane artifacts:
+
+| Lane ID | Purpose | Canonical contract |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `item-registry` | Canonical registry of encountered items and currency. | [Item registry](../integrations/dnd-item-registry-artifacts.md) |
+| `npc-registry` | Canonical registry of named NPCs. | [NPC registry](../integrations/dnd-npc-registry-artifacts.md) |
+| `location-registry` | Canonical registry of named locations. | [Location registry](../integrations/dnd-location-registry-artifacts.md) |
+| `scene-descriptions` | Classification, title, and summary for each scene. | [Scene descriptions](../integrations/dnd-scene-description-artifacts.md) |
+| `item-occurrences` | Source-grounded item discovery, acquisition, use, transfer, and loss events. | [Item occurrences](../integrations/dnd-item-occurrence-artifacts.md) |
+| `spells` | Source-grounded spell casts and casters. | [Spell casts](../integrations/dnd-spell-artifacts.md) |
+| `combat-turns` | Source-grounded combat turn participation. | [Combat turns](../integrations/dnd-combat-turn-artifacts.md) |
+| `npc-occurrences` | Source-grounded NPC interaction occurrences. | [NPC occurrences](../integrations/dnd-npc-occurrence-artifacts.md) |
+| `location-occurrences` | Source-grounded location occurrences. | [Location occurrences](../integrations/dnd-location-occurrence-artifacts.md) |
+| `enemy-events` | Source-grounded enemy combat events. | [Enemy events](../integrations/dnd-enemy-event-artifacts.md) |
+
+The JSON encoder always publishes these bundle-management files:
+
+| File | Purpose |
+| --- | --- |
+| `index.json` | Discovery document for lane and pipeline-wide artifacts. |
+| `manifest.json` | Run provenance and result summaries. |
+| `rejected.json` | Rejected pipeline outputs. |
+| `warnings.json` | Accepted-output and run warnings. |
+
+The complete configuration also requests two pipeline-wide artifacts:
+
+- [`chunk-map.json`](../integrations/chunk-map.md), the accepted chunk plan and
+  chunk metadata; and
+- [`evidence-context.json`](../integrations/evidence-context.md), a reading
+  excerpt containing the union of selected cited source units and the
+  configured surrounding window.
+
+Discover both from their top-level `index.json` descriptors rather than
+treating them as lanes. Evidence context is convenient reading material, not
+authoritative provenance; citations in the normalized lane payloads remain the
+evidence contract.
+
+Every optional or lane file is published only when its corresponding artifact
+is available. A successful process does not guarantee that all configured
+lanes were accepted.
+
+## Decide What Counts As Consumer Success
+
+Exit status 0 means Notarius completed the pipeline and published its result
+bundle. The receipt or bundle may still report warnings, rejected outputs, or
+missing lane descriptors. A downstream consumer must define its own required
+artifact set explicitly.
+
+A caller that claims to consume the complete D&D workflow should normally
+require all ten lane IDs in the table and verify each descriptor's expected
+contract. If any required lane is missing, rejected, or incompatible, fail the
+caller's extraction step while retaining the Notarius bundle for diagnosis. A
+consumer that needs only a subset may define and document a narrower policy.
+
+Keep the successful receipt with the complete published bundle. Retain
+`manifest.json`, `rejected.json`, `warnings.json`, and captured process logs as
+required by the caller's provenance, diagnosis, and retention policies. Avoid
+selectively copying payload files without also preserving enough index and
+manifest information to identify their originating run and contracts.
+
+The transcript, lane artifacts, evidence context, manifest, debug data, and
+logs can all contain private campaign information. Apply the same access,
+publication, and retention controls used for the source transcript.
+
+## Consumer Checklist
+
+- Validate the deployed Notarius configuration and `dnd-session` pipeline.
+- Pass the final trimmed Seriatim JSON transcript with stable segment IDs.
+- Use absolute configuration, input, output-root, profile, and reference paths
+  in service deployments.
+- Capture stdout and stderr separately and enforce cancellation and timeout.
+- Parse stdout only after exit status 0.
+- Accept only supported receipt, index, and artifact schema versions while
+  tolerating permitted unknown fields.
+- Use the receipt's `output_directory`; never guess the run directory.
+- Confine `index_file` and every descriptor path to the published bundle root.
+- Discover lanes by `lane_id` and verify descriptor compatibility before
+  decoding payloads.
+- Enforce an explicit required-lane policy and inspect rejections and warnings.
+- Preserve the receipt and sufficient bundle provenance for every retained
+  artifact.
+- Protect all transcript-derived files and diagnostic streams as sensitive
+  campaign data.

docs/consumers/subprocess.md

@@ -6,6 +6,10 @@ statuses, while the [run-result receipt](../integrations/run-result.md) and
 [Published JSON Output contract](../integrations/json-output.md) own the
 durable result formats.
 
+For the maintained complete D&D workflow, including its transcript input,
+configured lane inventory, and downstream acceptance checklist, see
+[Consuming The Complete D&D Pipeline](dnd-pipeline.md).
+
 ## Run And Check The Process
 
 Optionally preflight a selected configuration and pipeline before work starts:
@@ -55,16 +59,23 @@ contract. The JSON bundle contract links to the available lane contracts.
 If `index.json` has an `evidence_context` descriptor, treat it as a
 pipeline-wide artifact rather than a lane entry. Verify its six descriptor
 fields before decoding the linked file according to the [Published Evidence
-Context contract](../integrations/evidence-context.md). Use each
+Context contract](../integrations/evidence-context.md). Decode its top-level
-`evidence_refs` entry as the citation to source material. Its surrounding
+source-unit array as a reading excerpt. Obtain authoritative citations and lane
-context range and included units explain the citation, but do not widen or
+provenance from the normalized lane artifacts; the excerpt has neither and its
-replace the cited source reference.
+nearby units do not widen a lane artifact's cited source reference.
 
 A zero exit status may still report rejected outputs, warnings, or absent
 lanes. The caller decides which lane IDs are required for its own work and
 which are optional; it should make that decision explicitly rather than infer
 failure from the receipt counts alone.
 
+When complete validation is required, also require receipt
+`validation_status: approved` and inspect `validation_summaries`. A successful
+run with `validation_status: incomplete` contains a structurally valid result
+that advanced after validator execution could not complete under the configured
+`warn_continue` policy. It is not reusable checkpoint state and should not be
+silently treated as fully reviewed by the caller.
+
 ## Preserve Provenance And Handle Data Carefully
 
 Keep the receipt with the published `manifest.json`, and retain
@@ -73,5 +84,5 @@ them. Treat the input, output bundle, cache, debug bundle, and captured process
 logs as potentially sensitive data. Apply the caller's access controls and
 retention policy, and avoid copying secrets into arguments, logs, or
 provenance records. An evidence-context artifact contains source-unit text and
-metadata, and selected lanes can cover most of an input; preserve and share it
+metadata and can cover most of an input; preserve and share it only when that
-only when that source content is authorized for the recipient.
+source content is authorized for the recipient.

docs/development.md

@@ -18,13 +18,14 @@ implemented component map.
 | Any documentation addition or revision | [Documentation Policy](policy/documentation.md) | It defines canonical homes, audiences, current-behavior rules, and maintenance requirements. |
 | Adding, changing, reviewing, or deleting tests | [Testing Policy](policy/testing.md) | It defines risk-based sufficiency, durable test boundaries, test-double guidance, and criteria for retaining tests. |
 | CLI composition or command behavior | [CLI Internals](internal/cli.md) and [CLI Reference](cli.md) | The internal guide owns composition and command flow; the reference owns public syntax. |
-| Building a subprocess caller or changing its result protocol | [Subprocess Consumer Guide](consumers/subprocess.md), [Run Result Receipt](integrations/run-result.md), and [CLI Internals](internal/cli.md) | These separate caller workflow, durable receipt contract, and CLI implementation behavior. |
+| Building a subprocess caller or changing its result protocol | [Subprocess Consumer Guide](consumers/subprocess.md), [Complete D&D Consumer Guide](consumers/dnd-pipeline.md), [Run Result Receipt](integrations/run-result.md), and [CLI Internals](internal/cli.md) | These separate generic caller workflow, the complete D&D workflow, the durable receipt contract, and CLI implementation behavior. |
 | Configuration loading, resolution, or user-visible configuration behavior | [Configuration Internals](internal/configuration.md) and [Configuration](config.md) | The internal guide owns loading and resolution mechanics; the reference owns the configuration contract. |
 | Pipeline resolution or execution | [Pipeline Internals](internal/pipeline.md) | It documents profiles, references, validation, retries, checkpoints, and runner behavior. |
 | Production modules or validators | [Module Internals](internal/modules.md), [D&D Module Internals](internal/dnd.md), and [D&D integration contracts](integrations/) | The generic guide owns extension mechanics, the D&D guide owns shared family conventions, and the contracts own durable output shapes. |
 | LLM clients, prompts, schemas, profiles, or scheduling | [LLM Runtime](internal/llm.md) | It documents the transport boundary and PromptKit integration. |
 | Output, cache, resume, or debug artifacts | [Run State Internals](internal/state.md), [Operations](operations.md), and [Configuration](config.md) | These separate implementation details, operator behavior, and configuration contracts. |
 | External input formats, artifact schemas, or durable output files | [Integration Contracts](integrations/) | Integration documents define external and durable data contracts. |
+| Release preparation, tagging, publication, or verification | [Source Releases](release.md) and [Documentation Policy](policy/documentation.md) | The release procedure owns maintainer guards and immutable-tag recovery; the policy assigns release-note ownership. |
 | Proposed or unimplemented behavior | [Roadmap](roadmap/) | Future work belongs only in roadmap documentation until implemented. |
 
 For an existing subsystem, also inspect its focused tests and the package-local

docs/integrations/evidence-context.md

@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 # Published Evidence Context
 
 This contract defines the optional `source/evidence-context` artifact emitted
-by the production JSON output. Its configuration is owned by
+by the production JSON output. It is a selected source-unit excerpt for
-[Configuration](../config.md#module-bindings-and-validators); its logical-file
+convenient reading alongside normalized lane artifacts; it is not a second
-discovery is owned by [Published JSON Output](json-output.md).
+citation or provenance model. Its configuration is owned by
+[Configuration](../config.md#module-bindings-and-validators), and its
+logical-file discovery is owned by [Published JSON Output](json-output.md).
 
 ## Identity And Discovery
 
@@ -26,35 +28,13 @@ its absence means evidence publication was not enabled for that bundle.
 
 ## Payload
 
-The v1 payload is a JSON object with required `source_id`, `source_digest`,
+The v1 payload is a top-level JSON array of generic source units. There is no
-`window_units`, `selected_lanes`, and `contexts` fields. `selected_lanes` and
+wrapper, source-level metadata, context grouping, lane identifier, or evidence
-`contexts` are always arrays; an enabled configuration with no accepted direct
+reference in the payload. An enabled configuration with no contributing
-evidence publishes `contexts: []`.
+accepted evidence publishes `[]`.
 
 ```json
-{
+[
-  "source_id": "session-alpha",
-  "source_digest": "sha256:0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef",
-  "window_units": 1,
-  "selected_lanes": ["npc_registry", "spells"],
-  "contexts": [
-    {
-      "context_ref": {
-        "source_id": "session-alpha",
-        "start_unit_id": 10,
-        "end_unit_id": 20
-      },
-      "evidence_refs": [
-        {
-          "lane_id": "spells",
-          "source_ref": {
-            "source_id": "session-alpha",
-            "start_unit_id": 10,
-            "end_unit_id": 10
-          }
-        }
-      ],
-      "units": [
   {
     "id": 10,
     "kind": "transcript_segment",
@@ -76,41 +56,52 @@ evidence publishes `contexts: []`.
     }
   }
 ]
-    }
-  ]
-}
 ```
 
-Each context requires a `context_ref` object and `evidence_refs` and `units`
+Each source unit has required `id`, `kind`, `text`, and self `ref` fields.
-arrays. `context_ref` identifies the first and last included unit. Each
+`ref` contains `source_id`, `start_unit_id`, and `end_unit_id`, and both unit
-evidence entry contains a selected `lane_id` and an original `source_ref`. A
+endpoints identify that unit's `id`. A unit may also contain source-owned
-unit uses the existing source-unit shape: required `id`, `kind`, `text`, and
+`metadata`, an open-ended JSON object. Fixed unit and reference fields are
-self `ref`, plus optional JSON-object `metadata`. Fixed payload objects reject
+strict: consumers must reject unknown fixed fields, malformed units, invalid
-unknown fields; unit metadata may contain application-defined JSON values.
+self-references, units whose `source_id` differs from other units in the same
+excerpt, and a payload that is not the array described here.
 
-## Citations And Context
+The excerpt preserves each selected unit exactly as represented by the
+validated generic source document. It does not add evidence-context-specific
+annotations or reshape source-owned metadata.
 
-`evidence_refs` are the authoritative citations. They identify the direct
+## Selection And Citations
-references emitted by accepted normalized artifacts. `context_ref` and the
-units collection include those cited units plus nearby source units selected by
-the configured window. They are explanatory context, not widened citations.
 
-Only accepted outputs from the configured lane allowlist contribute. Rejected,
+The framework obtains direct source references only through typed evidence
-failed, absent, and lane-filtered outputs do not contribute. The artifact never
+projections of accepted normalized artifacts in the configured lane allowlist.
-contains raw input bytes, prompts, model responses, auxiliary reference
+It validates each reference against the current source document, expands its
-content, credentials, or filesystem paths.
+range by `window_units` source-unit positions on each side, clamps at document
+boundaries, and takes the union of all expanded ranges. The output contains
+each selected source unit once in source-document position order, regardless
+of numeric unit IDs. Repeated references, overlapping windows, and citations
+from multiple lanes do not duplicate a unit. Rejected, failed, absent,
+inactive, and unselected lanes contribute nothing.
 
-## Ordering And Compatibility
+Normalized lane artifacts remain authoritative for citations and for which lane
+cited a range. The excerpt has no lane attribution and must not be used to
+reconstruct it. Its included nearby units provide reading context only; they
+do not widen any citation in a lane artifact.
 
-The selected lane allowlist is lexical. Contexts and units are in source
+The excerpt contains at most every generic source unit once. It can therefore
-document position order, not numeric unit-ID order. Direct evidence entries
+equal the complete generic source document when coverage is broad or the
-are deterministically ordered by lane and source reference. Overlapping or
+window is large. No byte-, token-, or compression-size guarantee is made, and
-contiguous windows merge, and each source unit appears at most once in the
+the framework does not truncate the excerpt to meet an arbitrary size limit.
-resulting contexts.
+
+## Consumer Responsibilities And Data Handling
 
 The artifact is additive to the JSON bundle and is not a lane payload,
 normalized-output count, checkpoint, or generated reference. Consumers that
-do not need it must tolerate the absent optional descriptor. Consumers that do
+do not need it must tolerate an absent descriptor. Consumers that do use it
-use it should preserve the artifact and its schema identity with the run
+should validate the descriptor and payload before use, retain the artifact with
-provenance, and should treat its source text and metadata as sensitive durable
+its schema identity when needed for a run record, and read citations from the
-content.
+corresponding normalized lane artifacts.
+
+The excerpt contains source-unit text and source-owned metadata and is durable
+output. Treat it as sensitive source content, apply appropriate access controls
+and retention, and do not assume its selected form is materially smaller or
+less sensitive than the original input.

docs/integrations/json-output.md

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ root for the logical discovery described here.
 | `warnings.json` | Accepted-output and run warnings. |
 | `lanes/<safe-lane-id>.json` | One normalized artifact payload for each lane. |
 | `chunk-map.json` | Optional accepted chunk map, when its export is enabled and available. |
-| `evidence-context.json` | Optional source-context artifact, when evidence publication is enabled. |
+| `evidence-context.json` | Optional selected source-unit excerpt, when evidence publication is enabled. |
 
 JSON files are pretty-printed with a trailing newline. Lane payloads are
 accepted only when their media type is `application/json`.
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ group into the following externally observable summaries:
 | Run identity and result | `run_id`, `pipeline_id`, `pipeline_digest`, `schema_version`, `validation_status`, `started_at`, `completed_at` |
 | Resolved components | `input_module`, `chunker`, `extractors`, `merger`, `normalizer`, `output_encoder`, `artifact_lanes`, `validator_chains`, `module_metadata` |
 | Source and references | `source_digests`, `references` |
-| Published result summaries | `normalized_outputs`, `rejected_outputs` |
+| Published result summaries | `normalized_outputs`, `rejected_outputs`, `validation_summaries` |
 | Execution summaries | `chunk_plan`, `checkpoint_decisions`, `llm_profiles`, `metadata` |
 
 `references` records provenance such as the target, slot, origin, digest,
@@ -102,6 +102,16 @@ summarize results without embedding lane payload bytes. A chunk-plan summary is
 provenance for the plan used by this run; cache records, debug artifacts, and
 other operational state are not published as bundle files.
 
+Each `validation_summaries` entry is a bounded outcome for one producer result.
+It has required `status`, `producer_attempt_count`, and `terminal_action`;
+the stage and affected step, lane, module, or chunk identity are present when
+applicable. `status` is `complete`, `rejected`, or `incomplete`.
+`rejecting_validators`, `reason_codes`, and `incomplete_validators` preserve
+configured validator order and omit later duplicates. Entries contain no raw
+candidate response, correction guidance, validator diagnostic message, or
+artifact payload. The same shape may appear as `validation` on an affected
+rejection entry.
+
 When present, `metadata.session_id` is the effective non-secret routing
 correlation identifier used for the run. It can be visible to providers and is
 not a substitute for a cache or checkpoint identity. Its generation and
@@ -127,7 +137,10 @@ distinct even when their profile, provider, and model are otherwise equal.
 `rejected.json` is always an object with a `rejected` array. Each entry has
 required `stage` and `message`; `step_id`, `lane_id`, `module_key`, `chunk_id`,
 `chunk_index`, `validator_name`, `reason_code`, `attempt_count`, and
-`diagnostic_artifact_path` are present only when applicable.
+`diagnostic_artifact_path` are present only when applicable. An entry may also
+contain the bounded `validation` summary described above; the existing singular
+validator and reason fields remain the first configured rejection for
+compatibility.
 
 `warnings.json` is always an object with a `warnings` array. Each warning has
 `reason_code` and `message`; `scope` is optional. Both arrays are empty when

docs/integrations/pkg-promptkit.md

@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 # PromptKit Integration
 
 Notarius pins
-[`gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit` v0.5.0](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/src/tag/v0.5.0)
+[`gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit` v0.9.0](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/src/tag/v0.9.0)
 as its in-process prompt engine. The upstream
-[Go package consumer guide](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/src/tag/v0.5.0/docs/consumers/pkg-promptkit.md)
+[Go package consumer guide](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/src/tag/v0.9.0/docs/consumers/pkg-promptkit.md)
 owns the public engine API, and the upstream
-[format reference](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/src/tag/v0.5.0/docs/formats.md)
+[format reference](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/src/tag/v0.9.0/docs/formats.md)
 owns prompt, profile, and schema file contracts.
 
 ## Supported Boundary
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ Notarius relies on the root `promptkit` package to:
 - construct an `Engine` with filesystem-backed prompt, schema, and optional
   operator and application-fallback profile sources;
 - prepare one frozen execution from a `RunRequest` with named inline artifacts,
-  variables, a direct session ID, prompt identity, and profile selection, then
+  variables, a direct session ID, prompt identity, profile selection, and
+  optional appended rendered messages, then
   record credential-redacted details and run that exact execution;
 - return rendered debug material, validated structured output, selected
   profile, backend, effective model metadata, and token usage;
@@ -26,7 +27,7 @@ Notarius relies on the root `promptkit` package to:
   admission exhaustion through `ErrCapacityExceeded`.
 
 The pinned
-[`BackendLocal`, `LocalBackend`, and `WithBackend` API](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/src/tag/v0.5.0/backends.go)
+[`BackendLocal`, `LocalBackend`, and `WithBackend` API](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/src/tag/v0.9.0/backends.go)
 owns the registration and backend-capacity contract.
 
 For one completion, the adapter calls `PrepareExecution`, takes a
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ Notarius sends one stable effective session through PromptKit's direct session
 field, which is authoritative for provider session behavior. It also retains
 the same value as the `session_id` prompt variable for maintained prompt
 compatibility. The generated identifier is 76 ASCII characters, within
-PromptKit v0.5.0's 256-code-point session limit. Session IDs are non-secret
+PromptKit v0.9.0's 256-code-point session limit. Session IDs are non-secret
 correlation identifiers and may be exposed to providers and provider
 observability. The CLI contract owns generation and override behavior.
 
@@ -84,7 +85,39 @@ configuration and deployment workflow are defined in
 [Configuration](../config.md#promptkit-profiles) and
 [Operations](../operations.md#promptkit-profile-deployment).
 
-Notarius supports this boundary against PromptKit v0.5.0. Its fallback source,
+PromptKit owns `base_profile` resolution under its
+[pinned format rules](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/src/tag/v0.9.0/docs/formats.md).
+Notarius records the selected leaf identity and resolved target without parsing
+or merging inheritance. An unset filesystem `api_key_env` is optional and may
+reach the provider without authorization, which can result in a 401 or 403.
+
+PromptKit v0.9.0 accepts only the `developer`, `system`, `user`, and
+`assistant` text-chat roles after normalizing case and surrounding whitespace.
+Maintained Notarius prompt definitions use only `system` and `user`.
+
+For application-owned semantic correction, Notarius uses PromptKit v0.9.0's
+`RunRequest.AppendedMessages` after the ordinary rendered prompt. It supplies
+exactly two messages in order: the latest validated producer response with
+role `assistant`, then deterministic validation guidance with role `user`.
+It never exposes a general caller-selected role API, accumulates earlier
+correction turns, or changes the ordinary prompt prefix. Ordinary requests
+leave appended messages unset.
+
+PromptKit preserves supplied content but does not own Notarius's correction
+bounds. Notarius rejects invalid UTF-8, blank, or oversized assistant material
+(at most 1 MiB), guidance (at most 64 KiB), and combined content (at most
+1,114,112 bytes) before preparing the request. The transport-neutral
+application contract owns defensive copying and these limits. Default request
+and terminal summaries retain only safe counts, digests, identities, and usage;
+complete appended messages remain limited to the explicitly requested detailed
+debug trace.
+
+PromptKit now obtains its maintained OpenRouter and Rakestrawhome backend and
+profile catalogs from independently versioned transitive modules. Notarius
+does not import or register either catalog; PromptKit retains catalog source,
+identity, precedence, credential, and capacity ownership.
+
+Notarius supports this boundary against PromptKit v0.9.0. Its fallback source,
 prepared-execution, inspection, and typed capacity APIs are used as public
 upstream contracts; other PromptKit APIs or file-format behavior are not
 implicitly supported. A dependency upgrade requires reviewing the adapter,
@@ -97,6 +130,10 @@ pinned upstream documentation.
 module assets, maps its transport-neutral completion contract, prepares and
 executes requests, validates output, records provenance, captures debug
 material, redacts errors, and preserves timeout ownership.
+
+PromptKit provider error details do not cross the ordinary completion boundary.
+Notarius exposes a provider-neutral generation category and optional status;
+redacted provider details are retained only in requested debug material.
 [D&D Module Internals](../internal/dnd.md) owns the embedded
 `dnd-extraction` fallback profile and the maintained D&D prompt defaults.
 [Configuration](../config.md#promptkit-profiles) defines how a Notarius
@@ -105,4 +142,7 @@ the conventional local backend.
 
 PromptKit API or format changes outside this boundary are not implicitly
 supported. Updating the pinned version requires reviewing the adapter and
-profile/configuration contracts against the upstream documentation.
+profile/configuration contracts against the upstream documentation. Maintained
+production prompts use PromptKit's bounded structural-repair contract; their
+current declaration is one additional repair attempt. Notarius retains the
+transport-neutral boundary and does not expose PromptKit types to modules.

docs/integrations/run-result.md

@@ -22,11 +22,15 @@ The current schema version is `notarius.run-result.v1`.
 | `rejected_output_count` | Yes | Number of recorded rejected outputs. |
 | `warning_count` | Yes | Number of final run warnings. |
 | `validation_status` | Yes | The final run manifest validation status. |
+| `validation_summaries` | No | Bounded per-producer validation outcomes; present when producer work ran. |
 | `debug_directory` | No | Absolute path to the run-specific debug bundle when requested debug capture completed. |
 
 For the production `json` output module, `index_file` is present only when the
 completed run returned exactly one logical output file named `index.json`.
 For another output module, its absence does not indicate a failed run.
+`validation_status` is `approved`, `rejected`, or `incomplete`; `incomplete`
+means one or more otherwise accepted results advanced under validator-failure
+`warn_continue`.
 
 ```json
 {
@@ -38,7 +42,17 @@ For another output module, its absence does not indicate a failed run.
   "normalized_output_count": 6,
   "rejected_output_count": 2,
   "warning_count": 1,
-  "validation_status": "rejected"
+  "validation_status": "incomplete",
+  "validation_summaries": [
+    {
+      "stage": "extract",
+      "lane_id": "spells",
+      "status": "incomplete",
+      "incomplete_validators": ["dnd/spells/source_refs"],
+      "producer_attempt_count": 1,
+      "terminal_action": "warn_continue"
+    }
+  ]
 }
 ```
 
@@ -48,8 +62,11 @@ For another output module, its absence does not indicate a failed run.
 paths. They identify the paths used by Notarius and do not resolve symlinks.
 `output_directory` is the run-specific bundle, not the configured output root.
 
-The receipt is a summary and discovery document. It does not contain lane
+The receipt is a summary and discovery document. Its optional validation
-descriptors, payloads, manifest data, rejections, warnings, or file contents.
+summaries contain only stable status, identity, validator names, reason codes,
+attempt counts, and terminal actions. It does not contain lane descriptors,
+payloads, manifest payloads, rejection messages, warnings, raw model responses,
+correction guidance, or file contents.
 For the production JSON output, resolve `index_file` beneath
 `output_directory`, reject path escapes, and use the
 [Published JSON Output contract](json-output.md) to discover logical files and

docs/internal/cli.md

@@ -24,10 +24,14 @@ preparation, and runner mechanics after their inputs are supplied.
 
 ## Dispatch And Configuration Handoff
 
-The root dispatcher handles help, configuration validation, pipeline listing,
+The root dispatcher handles help, version reporting, configuration validation,
-and a pipeline run. It normalizes injectable options before dispatch so that a
+pipeline listing, and a pipeline run. Version reporting resolves build
-missing production dependency fails as a command error rather than reaching
+information through `internal/buildinfo` before production composition, so the
-execution.
+diagnostic remains available without configuration or runtime collaborators.
+The public syntax, streams, exit classes, and version semantics are defined by
+the [CLI reference](../cli.md). Other root commands normalize injectable
+options before dispatch so that a missing production dependency fails as a
+command error rather than reaching execution.
 
 Commands that need configuration use one shared loader. The CLI discovers the
 file, parses it through **internal/core/config**, starts from defaults, applies

docs/internal/configuration.md

@@ -74,10 +74,19 @@ profile-free, and no second inheritance decision occurs during execution. The
 public field definitions and precedence are owned by
 [Configuration](../config.md#pipelines).
 
+The resolver retains configured `validation_policy` overrides and derives one
+detached concrete terminal policy for the chunk producer and every lane's
+extract, merge, and normalize producers. That field-by-field inheritance is
+complete before preparation, and the effective values contribute to pipeline
+and checkpoint identity; execution does not interpret configuration defaults.
+
 The framework resolver supplies defaults, selects lanes, resolves validator
 chains, checks registered module and artifact compatibility, validates module
-options, and returns the fixed ordered pipeline shape. The resulting
+options, and returns the fixed ordered pipeline shape. Positive validator retry
-**EffectiveConfig** retains the selected ID, requested selection and reference
+budgets require an LLM-backed selected validator; deterministic validators are
+rejected during resolution. Eligible LLM-backed producer specifications also
+contribute their declared correction protocol to the resolved metadata. The
+resulting **EffectiveConfig** retains the selected ID, requested selection and reference
 changes, a clone of the input configuration, and the resolved pipeline.
 Callers may therefore retain or modify their input slices and maps without
 changing the resolved result, and later consumers cannot mutate the original
@@ -94,8 +103,8 @@ runtime error class described in the [CLI reference](../cli.md#output-streams-an
 
 The framework assigns the resolved pipeline a deterministic SHA-256 digest
 after defaults, lane selection, module bindings, reference bindings, validator
-chains, effective LLM profiles, and artifact schema identity have been
+chains, selected correction protocols, effective LLM profiles, and artifact
-resolved. The digest excludes
+schema identity have been resolved. The digest excludes
 its own stored value. It identifies resolved composition rather than raw YAML
 bytes, a debug payload, or all runtime state. The CLI records it as invocation
 provenance before execution; cache and checkpoint identity have additional

docs/internal/dnd.md

@@ -33,7 +33,9 @@ typed builder. Scene chunking, every extractor, and NPC, location, and item-regi
 normalization are registered as `llm_backed`; the remaining current D&D mergers
 and normalizers are `deterministic`. The metadata is available to catalog inspection and
 resolved-pipeline debug data and determines which selected bindings inherit the
-pipeline profile. Configuration remains the canonical owner of the exact keys,
+pipeline profile. The registry normalizers use `single_response_v1`, forwarding
+corrections to their reconciliation completion and retaining the accepted raw
+proposal only as an owned model candidate. Configuration remains the canonical owner of the exact keys,
 profile precedence, and validator order.
 
 Private structured-LLM response schemas are deliberately minimal. They reject
@@ -42,6 +44,13 @@ unknown fields, while preserving semantic candidates for deterministic
 validation. Do not promote a private response envelope into a durable schema;
 the contracts above define durable data.
 
+A D&D producer that declares `single_response_v1` forwards any supplied
+semantic correction to its structured completion and returns an owned copy of
+that completion's exact validated raw response as its model candidate. It does
+not serialize normalized artifacts to create that candidate, so deterministic
+identity, evidence, warning, and durable-schema behavior remains separate from
+the model transport material.
+
 ## Prompt Construction
 
 D&D LLM-facing content lives beneath `assets/dnd/`. Each module contributes a
@@ -125,6 +134,13 @@ relatedness validators report advisory evidence concerns. The configured order
 is documented in
 [Configuration](../config.md#production-validator-keys-and-default-chains).
 
+Every D&D rejection describes the correction in transcript-grounded domain
+terms, using contextual names, artifact fields, and source segment ranges when
+useful. The guidance must not ask the model to reproduce durable entity IDs,
+hashes, validator module keys, or reason codes. Those identifiers remain in
+ordinary validation provenance; only the actionable semantic guidance is
+eligible for the correction prompt.
+
 Enemy-event extraction additionally rejects a second `engaged` observation for
 the same comparison identity within one scene-scoped result. Normalization may
 combine results from distinct scenes, so it intentionally does not apply that

docs/internal/llm.md

@@ -42,6 +42,22 @@ observability. The adapter returns PromptKit’s validated raw bytes rather than
 re-encoding the decoded target. An empty optional material is represented as
 one space so its named input is retained by PromptKit.
 
+When a request includes semantic correction material, the adapter validates and
+defensively copies it before preparation, then appends exactly two messages
+after the ordinarily rendered prompt: the prior response as an assistant
+message and the correction guidance as a user message. Requests without a
+correction do not add messages or introduce caller roles. Ordinary request
+summaries record correction byte counts and digests only; complete messages are
+available solely in an explicitly requested debug trace.
+
+The adapter leaves the ordinary rendered message prefix, named inputs,
+variables, session, profile, execution overrides, prepared-execution path, and
+PromptKit repair policy unchanged for a corrected request. It never imports a
+PromptKit message type into a module or pipeline contract. PromptKit reports
+actual structural repair count and cumulative token usage per completion; the
+pipeline's safe terminal debug record projects those values without copying
+message content.
+
 Client construction may also receive a run-wide reasoning-effort override from
 the CLI factory boundary. The adapter copies the caller-owned pointer and
 creates a fresh PromptKit execution override for each request: a nil pointer
@@ -75,7 +91,7 @@ backend membership as runtime without performing generation. Fallback assets
 are mounted only when at least one source is registered. The production D&D
 registrar contributes its `dnd-extraction` fallback, and the maintained D&D
 prompts select that logical ID by default. PromptKit owns source precedence and
-profile parsing: an operator-provided matching profile takes precedence over a
+profile parsing and inheritance: an operator-provided matching profile takes precedence over a
 fallback profile without Notarius merging either document.
 When the registration is absent, a profile selecting `backend: local` fails
 inspection instead of falling back to a built-in or endpoint-only target.
@@ -210,13 +226,29 @@ caller context takes precedence. The adapter does not retry capacity failures;
 the pipeline's existing binding attempt policy sees the operational error and
 decides whether to rerun the complete operation.
 
-Prompt-declared repair is executed within PromptKit’s structured-output flow.
+PromptKit executes structural repair within its structured-output flow. The
-The current production D&D prompt manifests set repair attempts to zero. That
+maintained production prompt manifests declare one additional repair attempt.
-setting does not replace pipeline retry behavior: a binding’s configured retry
+When a resolved binding supplies a repair value, the adapter inspects the
-count reruns its stage attempt after an error or rejection, and an exhausted
+prompt, copies its complete output contract, changes only the repair limit, and
-rejection is a recorded output rather than a provider error. The pipeline owns
+passes that complete replacement contract to PromptKit. This preserves the
-attempt lifecycle, validation chains, and retry diagnostics; see
+prompt's output format, validation mode, schema, and provider structured-output
-[Pipeline Internals](pipeline.md#validation-retries-and-output) and the
+settings.
+
+A successful repair is an ordinary successful completion, not a warning. The
+adapter reports PromptKit's actual repair count and its cumulative usage
+directly, without adding the initial and corrective counts again. Debug prompt
+material records the configured complete contract; debug response material
+records the repaired response and actual validation result. If the repair
+budget is exhausted, the adapter retains the final raw bytes and debug material
+and reports `ErrInvalidStructuredOutput`. Generation failures during an initial
+or corrective call remain provider-neutral operational errors with the same
+redaction boundary.
+
+Structural repair does not replace pipeline retry behavior: a binding's
+configured retry count reruns its complete stage attempt after an operational
+or structural error, module-requested retry, or actionable semantic rejection.
+The pipeline owns attempt lifecycle, validation chains, and retry diagnostics;
+see [Pipeline Internals](pipeline.md#validation-retries-and-output) and the
 [binding reference](../config.md#module-bindings-and-validators).
 
 ## Timeout Ownership
@@ -247,6 +279,13 @@ surfaced; when the completion already failed, its call error remains the
 result. Debug-bundle location, retention, and handling are operational concerns
 documented in [Operations](../operations.md#debug-bundles).
 
+The attempt-terminal summary is a separate safe trace record: it contains
+attempt kinds, validator outcome counts and reason codes, effective policy,
+terminal action, and repair/usage references. It excludes raw assistant
+responses and correction text. Those values can appear only in the explicitly
+requested detailed prompt and response artifacts, which require sensitive-data
+handling.
+
 Run manifests receive selected profile summaries, including optional effective
 backend and reasoning provenance, and component identities—not prompt, schema,
 source, reference, or response content. The published field semantics belong
@@ -256,6 +295,9 @@ redacted before it crosses the runtime boundary. Known-secret redaction is
 available to other runtime collaborators; it does not make prompt or response
 contents safe for general logging.
 
+Generation failures expose an application-owned category and optional HTTP
+status. Provider code, type, and message remain debug-only, after redaction.
+
 ## Failure Boundaries
 
 - Construction fails for missing asset registries, mutually exclusive profile

docs/internal/modules.md

@@ -22,6 +22,15 @@ to bindings whose declared execution class is `llm_backed` and rejects a
 binding-specific profile on a deterministic module. The user-facing precedence
 contract belongs in [Configuration](../config.md#pipelines).
 
+An eligible LLM-backed chunk, extract, merge, or normalize producer may also
+declare correction protocol `single_response_v1`. That declaration is a
+promise that the implementation accepts one attempt-local semantic correction
+and returns an owned copy of the exact one model response that directly
+controlled the candidate. It must forward correction only to its structured
+completion request; it must not manufacture prior-response material by
+serializing a normalized artifact or expose opaque application IDs. Input,
+output, validator, and deterministic specs cannot declare the protocol.
+
 Implementations that accept options must provide both an option validator and
 a builder. The validator is used while resolving configuration; the builder
 decodes the same options and constructs the implementation from the prepared
@@ -36,13 +45,23 @@ they need, register each leaf implementation, and add any family-owned assets
 or default validator chains. They return contextual errors so production
 composition fails at startup rather than at the first run.
 
+A validator that returns a completed rejection must supply two separate
+bounded values: a stable `ReasonCode` for provenance and actionable
+`CorrectionGuidance` for the producer. Guidance identifies the semantic defect
+and the constraints on one complete corrected replacement. It must not contain
+validator keys, diagnostic paths, opaque application IDs, or other internal
+identifiers. An operator-facing `Message` may explain the same event, but the
+framework never copies it into a model request. Missing or invalid guidance is
+a validator contract failure.
+
 An artifact family can register an optional typed evidence projector alongside
 its codec. The projector returns defensive copies of the artifact's direct
 generic source references and must use the codec's exact Go type. It does not
 interpret surrounding context or publish files; the pipeline validates the
 capability during preparation and the output boundary owns publication. See
 the [Published Evidence Context contract](../integrations/evidence-context.md)
-for the durable result.
+for the durable source-unit excerpt. Lane artifacts retain citation and lane
+provenance; the framework does not add either to that published excerpt.
 
 An artifact family is broader than a module: it owns the cohesive domain
 feature across its artifact type, codec, stage modules, validators, prompt
@@ -90,6 +109,12 @@ combined-material bound preserves the deterministic result under the family's
 fallback policy. Provider, transport, cancellation, and context-construction
 failures remain execution errors.
 
+When the engine actually makes a proposal call, its typed result carries the
+owned exact proposal response under the same correction contract as other
+eligible producers. Deterministic skip, limit, and fallback outcomes carry no
+model candidate, so a later rejection applies terminal policy without spending
+an ineffective semantic retry.
+
 The core supplies a conservative generic prompt and the single private
 response schema. A domain prompt may substitute its semantic instructions but
 mounts the core-owned protocol and candidate/transcript presentation assets.
@@ -110,9 +135,13 @@ its domain prompt.
 3. Implement strict option decoding, construction, and the typed stage
    interface. Preserve caller ownership: do not retain mutable request data
    and return defensive copies where an implementation exposes stored data.
+   If declaring correction capability, forward the request correction and
+   retain only the exact validated response that controlled the result.
 4. Register the module through its typed registry helper and add it to the
    owning family registrar. Add a default validator chain only when that
    family owns the behavior; otherwise require an explicit compatible chain.
+   Every rejection path in a validator must provide actionable correction
+   guidance while retaining its stable internal reason code.
 5. Update the selectable-key and chain reference in
    [Configuration](../config.md#production-module-keys), the applicable
    integration contract, and focused tests. Keep the configuration document

docs/internal/overview.md

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ physical state roots.
 | Area | Implemented owners | Responsibility |
 | --- | --- | --- |
 | Executable and command boundary | **cmd/notarius**, **internal/cli** | Process entry, command dispatch, configuration discovery, production composition, runtime collaborator setup, durable file placement, and user-facing reporting. |
+| Build information | **internal/buildinfo** | Resolves a stable linked release tag or build metadata for the diagnostic root version command. |
 | Configuration | **internal/core/config** | Defaults, strict YAML parsing, environment overrides, structural validation, effective resolution, redaction, and resolved-composition summaries. |
 | Generic models | **internal/core/source**, **internal/core/artifacts**, **internal/framework/contracts** | Source documents and chunks, manifests and provenance, plus typed artifact, reference, validation, output, and structured-completion contracts. |
 | Pipeline framework | **internal/framework/pipeline** | Registries, profile and reference resolution, typed preparation, validation, retry coordination, ordered execution, handoff, and result assembly. |

docs/internal/pipeline.md

@@ -32,13 +32,26 @@ Resolution turns a configured pipeline profile into a **ResolvedPipeline**.
 It normalizes the pipeline and lane identities, applies stage defaults, selects
 requested lanes where that is supported, resolves validator chains, checks
 module capabilities and typed artifact compatibility, validates options, and
-assigns a deterministic resolved-composition digest. The resolved pipeline
+assigns a deterministic resolved-composition digest. A correction protocol is
-contains bindings and declared reference targets, not external reference bytes.
+selected from each eligible LLM-backed producer specification and becomes part
+of that resolved identity; only `single_response_v1` is currently supported.
+Preparation rejects an LLM-backed producer that combines a non-empty validator
+chain with positive producer retries unless it declares that protocol. Producers
+without validators or without retries remain valid without correction support.
+The resolved pipeline contains bindings and declared reference targets, not
+external reference bytes.
 After selection, the resolver applies command, binding, and pipeline profile
 precedence to LLM-backed bindings and validators only; prompt defaults remain
-an empty resolved binding profile. Deterministic bindings remain profile-free.
+an empty resolved binding profile. It resolves structural output repair
-These effective values are part of the digest, so execution and checkpoint
+separately: a binding's `structured_output_repair_attempts` value wins, then a
-consumers do not repeat profile inheritance.
+pipeline value applies to LLM-backed bindings and validators, and omission
+leaves the prompt-owned policy intact. An explicit repair value on a
+deterministic binding is rejected. Resolved bindings own copied repair values,
+and these effective values are part of the digest, so execution and checkpoint
+consumers do not repeat profile inheritance or configuration resolution.
+Each LLM request receives its own copy of that resolved value. PromptKit spends
+it only for structural correction inside one completion; the runner's binding
+retry policy remains the separate outer budget for complete stage attempts.
 Configuration resolution supplies the selected profile and catalog; see
 [Configuration Internals](configuration.md).
 
@@ -52,9 +65,11 @@ remains declared but has no bytes until its producing step completes.
 
 Preparation is the construction boundary. It validates the resolved shape and
 registry set, clones the resolved data, then constructs the input adapter,
-chunker, stage-local validators, every typed lane, and output encoder. Each
+chunker, stage-local validators, every typed lane, and output encoder. The
-registered builder receives its own cloned build request immediately before its
+prepared producer metadata preserves each selected correction protocol, and
-module-owned code runs. Preparation also collects stable checkpoint
+the resolved digest carrying that metadata participates in checkpoint identity.
+Each registered builder receives its own cloned build request immediately
+before its module-owned code runs. Preparation also collects stable checkpoint
 fingerprints. Missing registrations, incompatible typed entries, nil
 implementations, and constructor failures are reported before source parsing
 or any stage operation begins.
@@ -121,14 +136,45 @@ their target: chunks, codec-decoded typed candidates, or serialized codec
 bytes. Each typed validator receives a newly decoded value from the one
 candidate serialization for that attempt, while serialized validators receive
 separately owned representation bytes and schema metadata. They may approve,
-approve with warnings, reject, or fail. A rejection is an ordinary pipeline
+approve with warnings, reject, fail, or be skipped when a runtime prerequisite
-result; a validator error is a framework error.
+is unavailable. The shared executor settles every configured validator in
+order. A failed LLM-backed validator retries only itself against the same
+immutable candidate; it does not regenerate the producer or alter the
+validator request. Rejections stop that validator, while other configured
+validators still run. The executor retains ordered results, bounded
+deduplicated correction guidance from rejections, and only the final exhausted
+failure outcome for each validator. The correction builder keeps first
+occurrence order, omits internal reason codes, validator names, and operator
+messages, and requests one complete replacement. Missing guidance or an
+oversized aggregate is a framework contract error; guidance is never inferred
+or truncated.
 
 The runner applies the binding's retry policy around a stage operation and its
 complete validation chain. It preserves warnings only from the final accepted
-or rejected attempt. Cancellation stops retries. Normalizer-specific retry
+or rejected attempt, plus one fixed warning per validator whose execution
-directives consume this same budget and validate any final safe fallback through
+budget was exhausted under `warn_continue`. Cancellation stops retries.
-the normalizer chain.
+Normalizer-specific retry directives consume this same budget and validate any
+final safe fallback through the normalizer chain.
+
+The artifact-neutral producer-attempt state machine owns that shared budget,
+attempt provenance, semantic-correction material, and terminal-policy
+selection. It accepts producer and complete-validation closures, so artifact
+materialization, cache handling, checkpoints, and debug output stay at the
+operation boundary. It distinguishes operational, structural, module-requested,
+and semantic retries. A semantic retry is available only for a valid latest
+`single_response_v1` candidate; a deterministic or no-model rejection instead
+settles the semantic policy immediately. Structural-output errors alone use the
+structural policy, and validation failure without rejection settles the
+validator-failure policy without regenerating the producer.
+
+Chunk planning uses this state machine for generated plans. A rejected or
+validation-incomplete automatic cache hit is not model material and therefore
+falls through to a fresh initial generation at producer attempt one; it neither
+receives a correction, consumes retry budget, promotes cached-candidate
+warnings, nor overwrites the stored record. An incomplete cache validation
+under `fail_run` terminates instead. Only a newly generated, completely
+validated plan is published to the chunk-plan store. Rejected plans never
+advance, and validation-incomplete plans remain unpublishable.
 
 After terminal lane work, the runner assembles manifest provenance, normalized
 artifacts, rejections, warnings, and an optional accepted chunk map. When an
@@ -142,6 +188,15 @@ The CLI publishes those files only after the runner returns without a framework
 error. Logical file names and schemas are defined by the [output integration
 contracts](../integrations/).
 
+For every completed producer disposition, the runner projects one bounded
+validation summary to the manifest, the affected rejection when present, and
+the CLI result receipt. The summary records status, configured-order rejecting
+validators and reason codes, incomplete validators, producer-attempt count,
+and terminal action. It contains no operator message, correction guidance, or
+model response. `complete`, `rejected`, and `incomplete` describe the final
+candidate disposition; a run-level `incomplete` status indicates at least one
+current-run output advanced under `warn_continue`.
+
 ## Checkpoint And Debug Hooks
 
 The runner receives checkpoint and debug interfaces rather than roots. It
@@ -151,6 +206,20 @@ handoff. Generated-reference dependencies participate in checkpoint decisions.
 Selective recomputation can require a canonical accepted normalized predecessor
 before a dependent lane starts.
 
+The runner writes successful checkpoint artifacts only after complete accepted
+validation. Chunk plans follow the same rule for publication. A rejection,
+invalid structured response, or incomplete validation is never reusable state;
+the current run may still hand off an otherwise valid `warn_continue` result
+according to its terminal policy. The runner carries private reuse eligibility
+through extract, merge, normalize, and generated-reference handoff. Any stage
+derived from incomplete validation skips both checkpoint lookup and all
+checkpoint publication even when that stage's own validation completes.
+External references and fully validated generated references remain eligible.
+Attempt debug records retain safe kind,
+validator, repair-usage, policy, and terminal-decision provenance. Full
+assistant and correction content remains confined to the requested detailed
+LLM trace.
+
 Debug recording is attempt-scoped and application-owned. A failure to persist
 required debug data is a framework error. State roots, persistence, reason-code
 meanings, resume, and cleanup are intentionally owned by

docs/operations.md

@@ -5,6 +5,23 @@ This is the canonical guide for operating Notarius runtime state. The
 [Configuration](config.md) owns fields, defaults, and precedence. Maintainers
 who need implementation mechanics should read [Run State Internals](internal/state.md).
 
+## Source Deployment
+
+Linux is the supported deployment platform. Install a pinned source release
+with the Go version declared in `go.mod` (currently Go 1.25.5):
+
+~~~sh
+GOWORK=off go install \
+  gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/cmd/notarius@vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
+~~~
+
+Pin the exact tag in deployment automation rather than following a branch.
+Use [`notarius --version`](cli.md#command-summary) as a diagnostic after
+installation; its syntax and semantics are owned by the [CLI reference](cli.md).
+The maintainer publication process, including tag guards and verification,
+belongs to [Source Releases](release.md). macOS builds are best-effort for
+development, and Windows is unsupported.
+
 ## State Surfaces
 
 Each run can use independent roots with different retention and access-control
@@ -72,6 +89,9 @@ provider call or credentials:
 notarius config validate --config /etc/notarius/config.yml --pipeline dnd-session
 ~~~
 
+An unset optional `api_key_env` reaches the provider without authorization and
+may receive a 401 or 403 response.
+
 Profile paths are currently resolved from the process working directory, not
 from the configuration file. The complete example's
 `./examples/profiles/dnd-extraction.yml` path is valid for a repository-root
@@ -89,6 +109,33 @@ On success, the command reports the output bundle path. A warning-bearing run
 still succeeds and reports its warning count on standard error. Errors and
 their exit classes are defined in the [CLI reference](cli.md#output-streams-and-exit-statuses).
 
+## Validation Retries And Terminal Outcomes
+
+Each producer binding has one outer **retries** budget. It covers complete
+producer attempts for operational failures, invalid structured output,
+normalizer fallback retry, and semantic correction. It is independent from
+PromptKit's structural-repair calls inside one completion and from an
+LLM-backed validator's own retry budget. A semantic correction rebuilds the
+ordinary producer request and supplies only the latest rejected model response
+plus aggregated validator guidance; it is not a conversation replay.
+
+After the applicable budgets are exhausted, the resolved
+[`validation_policy`](config.md#pipelines) determines the result. Structural
+failure and semantic rejection normally fail the run; an explicit
+`reject_output` records a rejection and allows unrelated work to finish. A
+validator execution failure normally uses `warn_continue`, which keeps an
+otherwise accepted result in the current run with `incomplete` validation
+provenance. It emits one bounded warning for every validator whose execution
+budget was exhausted. A corrected result that later passes validation does not
+retain abandoned-attempt warnings.
+
+Treat a successful process exit as a completed run, not as proof that every
+candidate was fully validated. Inspect the receipt's `validation_status`,
+`validation_summaries`, rejection count, and warning count when an orchestrator
+requires complete validation. The durable fields and their meanings are owned
+by the [run-result receipt](integrations/run-result.md) and
+[published JSON output contract](integrations/json-output.md).
+
 ## Output Bundles
 
 Each successful run receives a generated safe run identifier and writes beneath:
@@ -110,9 +157,9 @@ are defined in [Accepted Chunk Map](integrations/chunk-map.md). An optional
 [evidence context](integrations/evidence-context.md) contains source-unit text
 and metadata. It is not a cache or debug artifact: retain it with the output
 bundle only for as long as consumers need it, and apply source-content access
-controls to the entire bundle. Selected lanes may collectively cite most of a
+controls to the entire bundle. Its selected source-unit excerpt may include
-transcript, so a broad allowlist can make the evidence artifact nearly as
+every source unit once when coverage is broad or its configured window is
-sensitive and large as the source itself.
+large, so do not assume a byte or token reduction or reduced sensitivity.
 
 ## Chunk-Plan Cache
 
@@ -138,7 +185,9 @@ The configured cache mode controls one invocation:
 A reused plan is still materialized and validated against the current source.
 If a prior plan no longer gives acceptable results, use a refresh run rather
 than editing cache files. Deleting a plan is recoverable but can repeat costly
-chunking work.
+chunking work. A plan accepted only under incomplete validation is not
+published, and a rejected cache hit falls through to ordinary generation rather
+than becoming a correction candidate.
 
 ## Checkpoint Recording, Resume, And Recompute
 
@@ -163,6 +212,12 @@ Reasoning-effort inheritance, replacement, and explicit clearing are distinct
 runtime identities, so checkpoints created under one state are not reused by
 either of the others.
 
+Only accepted, completely validated chunk, extract, merge, and normalize
+results are checkpointed for reuse. Rejected, structurally invalid, and
+validation-incomplete producer results remain non-reusable, even when a
+`warn_continue` result advanced during its original run. A resumed invocation
+therefore reruns that producer rather than treating degraded state as accepted.
+
 Checkpoint state is confined below an identity-specific path:
 
 ~~~
@@ -217,13 +272,16 @@ Only a [debug-enabled run](cli.md#run) creates a bundle:
 ~~~
 
 The summary contains redacted invocation and resolution information plus run,
-warning, checkpoint, chunk-plan, and terminal reporting artifacts. The trace
+warning, checkpoint, chunk-plan, and terminal reporting artifacts. Attempt
-contains allowlisted application diagnostic records and can include source or
+terminal records contain bounded attempt kinds, validator outcomes, policy,
-derived application data. Neither surface is a cache input. Do not treat a
+decision, PromptKit repair count, and usage; they do not contain assistant
-debug bundle as safe to share merely because its configuration summary is
+responses or complete correction messages. The trace contains allowlisted
-redacted. Invocation metadata omits reasoning effort when it is inherited,
+application diagnostic records and can include source, model, and correction
-records the replacement value when one is supplied, and records an empty value
+content. Neither surface is a cache input. Do not treat a debug bundle as safe
-when inherited reasoning was explicitly cleared.
+to share merely because its configuration summary is redacted. Invocation
+metadata omits reasoning effort when it is inherited, records the replacement
+value when one is supplied, and records an empty value when inherited reasoning
+was explicitly cleared.
 
 Notarius never creates debug state without an explicit request and never
 automatically deletes a requested bundle. If allocation succeeds, the command
@@ -255,14 +313,29 @@ Provider execution settings and the generation timeout come from the selected
 PromptKit profile. The invocation-only **--reasoning-effort** and
 **--clear-reasoning-effort** controls may replace or clear that profile setting
 for all LLM-backed calls in one run without changing the profile. PromptKit
-v0.5.0 does not add a provider retry loop. Notarius binding retries rerun the
+structural output repair happens within one structured-completion call. Its
-complete module operation and validation chain as defined by
+effective `structured_output_repair_attempts` limit is resolved from the
-[module bindings](config.md#module-bindings-and-validators).
+selected binding, then the pipeline, then the prompt declaration; see
+[module bindings](config.md#module-bindings-and-validators). This is distinct
+from Notarius binding **retries**, which rerun the complete module operation
+and validation chain and do not consume or replenish the structural-repair
+limit. The maintained production prompts declare one repair attempt, paid only
+after a structural failure. One structured completion with repair budget **R**
+makes at most **R + 1** serial provider calls. If one stage attempt performs
+**C** structured completions, a binding with **retries: N** has a maximum of
+**(N + 1) * C * (R + 1)** provider calls; LLM-backed validators have their own
+corresponding invocation counts and budgets. This is an upper bound, not a
+promise that every call reaches a provider.
 
 Timeouts are layered. Caller cancellation is the outer authority. A positive
 effective generation timeout adds an inner request deadline, while zero
 disables only that generation deadline. The HTTP client timeout remains a
 transport-wide cap. Notarius does not add another timeout around PromptKit.
+Repairs are serial within the same caller context, so their worst-case latency
+and cost follow the provider-call bound above; provision run deadlines and
+provider budgets accordingly. Credentials remain optional unless the selected
+PromptKit profile requires one, in which case preparation fails before a
+provider call when its configured credential is unavailable.
 The pinned upstream boundary and profile-format links are in
 [PromptKit Integration](integrations/pkg-promptkit.md).
 
@@ -279,6 +352,11 @@ positive value makes the effective active local-generation bound the smaller
 of **total_llm** and that local limit, so a local limit of four permits no more
 than four active local generations.
 
+The Notarius scheduler admits one logical structured completion and holds that
+permit while PromptKit performs its serial corrective calls. PromptKit applies
+its selected-backend admission to each provider call; Notarius does not
+reacquire a permit or add another scheduler for a repair.
+
 For a positive local limit, PromptKit owns its default waiting capacity and
 admission behavior. When a PromptKit backend has admitted all active and queued
 work, a new call fails as capacity exhaustion before generation. The adapter

docs/policy/architecture.md

@@ -167,18 +167,29 @@ starting, waits for started work, and prevents output encoding.
 ## Validation
 
 Validation is a framework-managed boundary around outputs from chunk, extract,
-merge, and normalize stages. Validators receive immutable stage output
+merge, and normalize stages. Validators receive immutable stage output and
-and make an explicit whole-output decision: approve, approve with warnings, or
+make an explicit whole-output decision: approve, approve with warnings,
-reject.
+reject, fail, or skip when a runtime prerequisite is unavailable.
 
 Typed artifact validators receive the domain value directly. Chunk validators
 receive source-zone chunks, while serialized validators receive immutable
 representation bytes and declared schema metadata. A validator registered for
 one target or artifact kind cannot satisfy an incompatible selection.
 
-Rejection is a recorded pipeline outcome, not a framework execution error.
+The framework runs every applicable validator sequentially in configured order.
-Validator execution failures are framework errors. Rejected output does not
+It aggregates rejections, exhausted validator failures, and skips before the
-advance to the next stage.
+producer policy chooses a disposition. A completed rejection never advances.
+With no rejection, an exhausted validator failure may fail the run or, under
+the configured `warn_continue` policy, advance a structurally valid candidate
+with explicit incomplete-validation provenance. Validators report findings;
+they do not choose candidate disposition.
+
+A completed rejection supplies a stable reason code for internal provenance
+and bounded actionable correction guidance for the candidate producer. Reason
+codes, validator keys, and operator-facing messages remain diagnostic data;
+they are not model instructions. The framework constructs model-facing retry
+text only from the semantic guidance and fails the contract rather than
+inventing or truncating missing guidance.
 
 Default validator chains are production composition policy and are registered
 centrally by stage and module. Configuration may replace a stage-local default,
@@ -195,6 +206,19 @@ The caller of the LLM owns prompt selection, prompt inputs, response schema,
 and interpretation of structured output. Provider adapters do not own source-
 or domain-specific prompt logic.
 
+PromptKit owns bounded structural correction within one structured completion.
+Notarius owns outer stage attempts, semantic validation, and acceptance policy;
+the two budgets must remain separate.
+
+An LLM-backed producer can participate in semantic correction only when it
+declares `single_response_v1` and returns the exact one response that directly
+controlled its candidate. On an actionable rejection, the framework rebuilds
+the ordinary request and appends only the latest defective response as an
+`assistant` message plus one aggregated `user` correction message. This is a
+fresh replacement request, not a growing conversation. The retry budgets,
+terminal policy, and sensitive-data rationale are recorded in
+[ADR-0014](../adr/0014-feedback-aware-validation-retries.md).
+
 When a model selects an application entity, callers must supply a contextual
 selection and deterministically attach the opaque application identity whenever
 the selection resolves exactly. Models do not receive or reproduce opaque
@@ -229,7 +253,8 @@ invalid or incompatible.
 
 Run manifests record enough resolved pipeline, module, source, reference, and
 LLM provenance to make a run auditable after configuration changes. Manifests
-record identities and summaries rather than secret or large payload content.
+record identities and bounded validation summaries rather than secret, raw
+model, correction, or large payload content.
 
 ## State, Output, And Safety
 
@@ -249,18 +274,39 @@ an invocation that explicitly requests resume. Debug is never a cache input and
 is never created without an explicit request. Pipeline modules receive
 collaborator interfaces and never physical roots.
 
+Only accepted, completely validated producer output is reusable checkpoint or
+chunk-plan state. Rejected, structurally invalid, and validation-incomplete
+results cannot become cache or checkpoint inputs, even when a
+`warn_continue` result is allowed to advance in the current run. This
+ineligibility follows derived merge and normalize results and generated
+references for the remainder of the run: current-run handoff remains allowed,
+but no dependent cache or checkpoint may be loaded or published.
+
 Writes are atomic where practical. Paths for writes, moves, overwrites, and
 deletion must be narrow and explicit. Notarius never automatically deletes
 output or requested debug bundles; cache cleanup is explicit and recoverable.
 
 Secrets must not appear in errors, logs, output, cache, debug summaries,
-traces, manifests, documentation, examples, or redacted configuration. Debug
+traces, manifests, documentation, examples, or redacted configuration. Raw
+assistant responses and complete correction messages are attempt-local and are
+excluded from ordinary durable records and summaries; the requested detailed
+debug trace is the sole diagnostic surface allowed to retain them. Debug
 collection is allowlisted to application-owned payloads and must not capture
 unrelated process environment values or filesystem content. Trace data may
 contain application data and therefore inherits its sensitivity; operators own
 access controls and retention. Physical layout and operation are defined in
 [Operations](../operations.md).
 
+## Platform And Distribution
+
+Linux is the supported deployment platform. macOS is supported only as a
+best-effort development and compilation environment, while Windows is
+unsupported. Notarius distributes source releases only: an immutable source
+tag and its checked-in release note identify a release. The project does not
+publish executable binaries, archives, installers, container images,
+checksums, signatures, or package-manager entries. Maintainer release commands
+and tag guards belong to [Source Releases](../release.md).
+
 ## Architectural Non-Goals
 
 Notarius does not aim to provide:

docs/policy/documentation.md

@@ -65,6 +65,8 @@ secret values.
 | CLI contract | `docs/cli.md` | Commands, arguments, flags, invocation semantics, and exit codes. | End-to-end operating procedures, configuration field definitions, runtime filesystem layout, module implementation details. |
 | Configuration contract | `docs/config.md` | Discovery and precedence, file schema, fields, defaults, environment overrides, validation rules, and user-selectable module or validator keys. | Complete example files, CLI syntax, runtime state lifecycle, module implementation details. |
 | Operations | `docs/operations.md` | Runtime workflows, physical filesystem and state layout, output, cache, and debug handling, resume, cleanup, permissions, recovery, and operational limits. | CLI flag syntax, configuration field definitions, logical output schemas, implementation mechanics. |
+| Source release procedure | `docs/release.md` | Maintainer release selection, candidate validation, tagging, publication guards, verification, and immutable-tag recovery. | Product installation summary, CLI version semantics, historical release summaries, CI implementation detail. |
+| Release-note history | `docs/releases/` | One checked-in historical summary for each source release made under the procedure. The note at the immutable tag is that release's record. | Current commands, behavior, contracts, and compatibility definitions. |
 | Public HTTP contract, if introduced | `docs/api.md` | Routes, authentication, media types, request and response schemas, status codes, pagination, caching, idempotency, rate limits, and HTTP retry semantics. | Client walkthroughs, upstream or downstream integration internals, implementation detail. |
 | Consumer guidance, if a public package or API is introduced | `docs/consumers/` | Task-oriented use of the public interface, minimal client examples, and consumer responsibilities. | HTTP wire semantics, external protocol contracts, internal implementation detail. |
 | External and durable integration contracts | `docs/integrations/` | External file formats and protocols, upstream and downstream contracts, logical output bundle paths and schemas, media types, and compatibility behavior. | Physical runtime placement and lifecycle, internal transformations, CLI syntax, configuration defaults. |
@@ -95,6 +97,14 @@ runtime state and how to operate or recover the application. When a workflow
 crosses these topics, choose the document that owns the task and link to the
 other contracts.
 
+### Releases
+
+`docs/release.md` owns the source-release procedure. Release notes are
+historical summaries, not current-state contract owners: the checked-in note at
+an immutable tag records that release, while current canonical documentation
+must change with the behavior it describes. Do not use a release note to defer
+or replace current documentation updates.
+
 ### Contracts And Implementation
 
 Integration and API documents define externally observable shapes and

docs/release.md

@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+# Source Releases
+
+This procedure is for maintainers publishing Notarius source releases. A
+release is an immutable lightweight `vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH` tag on `main` together
+with its checked-in `docs/releases/<tag>.md` note. Tag CI validates that source
+candidate after publication; it does not publish or repair a release.
+
+Notarius publishes no binaries, archives, checksums, signatures, containers,
+package-manager entries, or Gitea release objects. Windows is not supported.
+Do not create retrospective notes for the pre-procedure `v0.1.0`, `v0.2.0`, or
+`v0.3.0` tags.
+
+## Select And Describe The Release
+
+Choose an unused stable semantic version in the form `vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH`.
+Prereleases are not supported. Before `v1.0.0`, a minor release may change a
+documented CLI, configuration, durable artifact, integration, or operating
+contract when its note explains the impact and required operator action. A
+patch release must not intentionally break those documented contracts within
+its minor line.
+
+Create the version-matched note as part of the candidate. Every new note uses
+this structure, with concise, truthful content in each section:
+
+```markdown
+# Notarius vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
+
+This release ...
+
+## Summary
+
+## Compatibility
+
+## Upgrade
+
+## Changes
+```
+
+The note is a historical summary. Link to current canonical documentation for
+exact behavior, and update that documentation in the candidate rather than
+using the note as a substitute.
+
+## Prepare The Candidate
+
+Set the selected release version and disable Go workspace use for every
+candidate command:
+
+```sh
+RELEASE_VERSION=vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
+export RELEASE_VERSION GOWORK=off
+```
+
+Run the shared source-candidate checks from the repository. They cover module
+hygiene, tests, race tests, vet, builds, formatting, whitespace, maintained
+configuration validation, and the Linux and Darwin command-build matrix:
+
+```sh
+./scripts/check-release-source.sh "$RELEASE_VERSION"
+```
+
+Before committing, manually follow every changed local Markdown link and
+review the candidate for unintended files, generated output, credentials, or
+other unrelated changes. Commit the release note and all affected current
+documentation, then run the shared checker against that exact candidate. Push
+the candidate commit to `main` only after it succeeds. Record the exact commit
+only after that push:
+
+```sh
+RELEASE_COMMIT=$(git rev-parse 'HEAD^{commit}')
+export RELEASE_COMMIT
+```
+
+For private-module installation, configure standard `GOPRIVATE` matching this
+module and ordinary Git authentication for the hosting service before running
+the verification below. The exact authentication mechanism belongs to the
+maintainer environment; never record credentials or environment dumps in a
+release note, command history, or repository file.
+
+## Guard And Publish The Tag
+
+Fetch current remote references, then run this guard without editing the
+candidate. It requires `main`, a clean worktree and index, disabled workspace
+use, a stable release version, the recorded and pushed commit, a matching note,
+and unused local and remote tags:
+
+```sh
+git fetch origin main --tags
+
+if ! printf '%s\n' "$RELEASE_VERSION" |
+  grep -E -x 'v(0|[1-9][0-9]*)\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*)\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*)' >/dev/null
+then
+  printf '%s\n' "invalid release version: $RELEASE_VERSION" >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+test "$GOWORK" = off
+test "$(git branch --show-current)" = main
+test -z "$(git status --porcelain)"
+test "$RELEASE_COMMIT" = "$(git rev-parse 'HEAD^{commit}')"
+test "$RELEASE_COMMIT" = "$(git rev-parse 'origin/main^{commit}')"
+test -s "docs/releases/$RELEASE_VERSION.md"
+grep -F -x "# Notarius $RELEASE_VERSION" "docs/releases/$RELEASE_VERSION.md"
+for heading in '## Summary' '## Compatibility' '## Upgrade' '## Changes'; do
+  grep -F -x "$heading" "docs/releases/$RELEASE_VERSION.md"
+done
+if git rev-parse -q --verify "refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION" >/dev/null; then
+  printf '%s\n' "local tag already exists: $RELEASE_VERSION" >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+if git ls-remote --exit-code --tags origin "refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  printf '%s\n' "remote tag already exists: $RELEASE_VERSION" >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+```
+
+Create an explicitly lightweight tag against the guarded commit, verify its
+target, and push only that tag ref:
+
+```sh
+git -c tag.gpgSign=false tag "$RELEASE_VERSION" "$RELEASE_COMMIT"
+test "$(git cat-file -t "$RELEASE_VERSION")" = commit
+test "$(git rev-parse "$RELEASE_VERSION^{commit}")" = "$RELEASE_COMMIT"
+git push origin "refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION:refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION"
+```
+
+Never use `git push --tags`, move a published tag, or delete a published tag.
+
+## Verify The Published Release
+
+Confirm that the remote tag still points at the guarded commit and that the
+note is available from the tagged tree:
+
+```sh
+REMOTE_TAG_COMMIT=$(git ls-remote origin "refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION" | awk '{print $1}')
+test "$REMOTE_TAG_COMMIT" = "$RELEASE_COMMIT"
+git show "$RELEASE_VERSION:docs/releases/$RELEASE_VERSION.md" >/dev/null
+```
+
+Verify a fresh source installation and its diagnostic version. The temporary
+directory confines the installed command to this check:
+
+```sh
+release_verification_dir=$(mktemp -d)
+trap 'rm -rf "$release_verification_dir"' 0 HUP INT TERM
+mkdir -p "$release_verification_dir/bin"
+GOWORK=off GOBIN="$release_verification_dir/bin" go install \
+  "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/cmd/notarius@$RELEASE_VERSION"
+test "$("$release_verification_dir/bin/notarius" --version)" = "notarius $RELEASE_VERSION"
+```
+
+An exact fresh checkout and `GOWORK=off go build ./cmd/notarius` is an
+equivalent source verification when local installation policy requires it.
+`notarius --version` is diagnostic only; downstream compatibility remains
+defined by the published receipt and artifact contracts.
+
+## Failure And Correction Policy
+
+If candidate validation fails before publication, fix the candidate on `main`,
+rerun the shared checker, and repeat the guards. An unpublished local tag may
+be deleted after inspection.
+
+If the remote tag or tag CI reveals a defect, leave the published tag intact.
+Fix the defect on `main`, choose a new patch version, write a new matching
+note, and repeat this procedure. Do not weaken tag immutability or add release
+assets as a workaround.

docs/releases/v0.4.0.md

@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+# Notarius v0.4.0
+
+This release strengthens LLM reliability and validation throughout the
+configured pipeline, upgrades the PromptKit integration, and establishes the
+source-release and downstream-consumer workflows needed for broader D&D
+pipeline integration.
+
+## Summary
+
+Notarius now distinguishes PromptKit structural-output repair from
+application-owned semantic validation retries. Producer candidates can run
+through complete deterministic validator chains, receive bounded semantic
+correction guidance, and retry under explicit stage policies. Final run
+receipts and manifests preserve bounded validation provenance, while outputs
+that advance with incomplete validation remain available to the current run
+without entering reusable checkpoint state.
+
+The release also adds a maintained complete D&D subprocess-consumer workflow,
+diagnostic build versions, and the source-only release procedure used to
+publish this version.
+
+## Compatibility
+
+- Configuration files must use schema version 4. Version 3 is not decoded or
+  rewritten; rename the top-level `scriptorium` section to `promptkit` when
+  migrating. See [Configuration](../config.md#migrating-version-3-configuration).
+- PromptKit is pinned to v0.9.0. Operator profile files use PromptKit's v0.9.0
+  format and may use its profile-inheritance support. Notarius continues to
+  resolve operator profiles before embedded fallbacks.
+- Structural-output repair and semantic stage retries are separate bounded
+  mechanisms. Maintained production prompts request one structural repair by
+  default; explicit configuration can override the supported repair count.
+- Validation policy can now fail a run, reject an output, or permit an
+  otherwise valid candidate to advance with incomplete-validation provenance.
+  The application defaults are documented in
+  [Configuration](../config.md#pipelines).
+- The `notarius.run-result.v1` receipt remains at schema version 1 and adds
+  optional validation summaries plus a required validation-status field.
+  Consumers of this pre-release contract should follow the current
+  [run-result receipt](../integrations/run-result.md).
+- Existing D&D artifact schema identities remain unchanged. Validation and
+  producer-policy changes can nevertheless cause previously accepted weak
+  candidates to retry, reject, or fail instead.
+
+## Upgrade
+
+1. Migrate every Notarius configuration to version 4 and rename `scriptorium`
+   to `promptkit`.
+2. Review deployed PromptKit profiles against the pinned v0.9.0 profile format
+   and ensure their credential environment variables are available at run
+   time.
+3. Run `notarius config validate --config <path> --pipeline <id>` before the
+   first production invocation.
+4. Review `structured_output_repair_attempts`, producer retry counts, and
+   `validation_policy` wherever the deployment needs behavior different from
+   the documented defaults.
+5. Update subprocess consumers to inspect receipt `validation_status` and to
+   tolerate the optional bounded `validation_summaries` field. A consumer that
+   requires fully validated artifacts should require `approved`.
+
+## Changes
+
+- Upgraded PromptKit from v0.5.0 through v0.9.0 and adopted profile
+  inheritance, structured-output repair, typed error classification, and the
+  correction-aware completion protocol.
+- Added pipeline and binding configuration for structural repair and terminal
+  validation policy, with strict startup validation and effective-setting
+  provenance.
+- Added feedback-aware retries for chunking, extraction, merge, normalize, and
+  semantic reconciliation producers. Retry prompts contain the exact defective
+  response and actionable semantic correction guidance without exposing
+  internal reason codes or opaque entity identifiers.
+- Added complete validator-chain execution, validator retry handling, bounded
+  warnings, terminal dispositions, and durable validation summaries.
+- Prevented validation-incomplete artifacts and all derived lineage from
+  loading or publishing reusable checkpoints while preserving same-run
+  generated-reference handoff.
+- Tightened cached chunk-plan validation so only completely validated plans are
+  reused or replace stored plans.
+- Added a machine-readable subprocess receipt workflow and complete D&D
+  consumer documentation covering all maintained artifacts.
+- Added source-release checks, immutable lightweight-tag guidance, Linux and
+  Darwin build verification, and diagnostic `notarius --version` output.

docs/roadmap/future.md

@@ -5,13 +5,90 @@ configuration, operations, internal, and integration docs. This roadmap records
 future work only. Items are ordered roughly by current value and specificity,
 not as committed release dates.
 
+## Near-Term Validation And LLM Reliability
+
+PromptKit now owns structural output repair within one completion. Notarius
+owns stage candidates, validator chains, semantic rejection policy, bounded
+feedback-aware stage retries, validation provenance, and reusable-state
+eligibility. The remaining near-term work applies those completed foundations
+to domain review and operator-facing diagnostics.
+
+### D&D Combat Scene Semantic Validation
+
+- Add an optional production LLM-backed D&D validator that determines whether
+  proposed scene boundaries and classifications represent substantive active
+  combat correctly. Its central quality goal is that active combat is kept in
+  coherent scenes classified as `combat`, rather than split incorrectly or
+  hidden inside scenes classified as `narrative`, `recap`, or `meta`.
+- Resolve the validator's exact target before implementation. The current
+  `dnd/scenes` chunker owns only complete, gap-free source ranges, while the
+  per-chunk `dnd/scene-descriptions` extractor owns the `combat`, `narrative`,
+  `recap`, and `meta` classification. The preferred initial placement is
+  therefore an extract-stage validator for `dnd/scene-descriptions`, where it
+  can compare one proposed kind with the corresponding transcript chunk.
+- Consider a chunk-stage LLM validator only for a distinct boundary-coherence
+  question that can be answered from the complete transcript and proposed
+  range map, such as whether one continuous combat was fragmented across
+  inappropriate scene boundaries. Do not duplicate the same classification
+  judgment at both stages. Moving classification into chunk-plan annotations
+  would change the deliberately minimal, annotation-free chunk contract and
+  requires an explicit architecture review before it is selected.
+- Validate both false negatives and false positives: a non-combat kind must not
+  omit substantive active combat, and a combat kind must be supported by such
+  combat. Keep the existing deterministic downstream rule that combat-turn
+  extraction runs only for an exact `combat` scene classification; semantic
+  review improves the upstream classification but does not replace that gate.
+- Run the semantic validator through PromptKit, use a minimal required-field
+  structured response schema, and let PromptKit repair structural validator
+  output within its bounded budget. A contract-invalid final validator response
+  is a validator execution failure, not a semantic rejection and not a reason
+  to recursively validate the validator.
+- Evaluate the prompt and decision policy against a small human-reviewed set
+  containing combat setup, active turns, interruptions, multi-phase encounters,
+  brief rules discussion, aftermath, recalled combat, and false-positive
+  hostile dialogue. Measure false acceptance, false rejection, retry success,
+  added calls, latency, and token cost before placing it in the production
+  default chain.
+- An ADR is not required if classification remains owned by
+  `dnd/scene-descriptions` and the validator follows the generic validation ADR.
+  Create or supersede an ADR if the work transfers scene classification into
+  the chunker or otherwise changes stage ownership or the durable chunk-plan
+  contract.
+
+### Warning Signal And Presentation Reform
+
+- Audit every warning producer and representative successful runs. Ordinary
+  success producing dozens of warnings is a failed operator experience: the
+  volume obscures actionable problems and trains operators to ignore the
+  warning channel.
+- Define a small warning taxonomy that distinguishes actionable degradation,
+  incomplete validation, lossy fallback, and data-quality risk from routine
+  normalization observations or informational diagnostics. Preserve detailed
+  traceability in debug or manifest data without promoting every observation
+  to a top-level CLI warning.
+- Consider stable deduplication and aggregation by scope and reason code,
+  bounded samples plus omitted counts, and a concise CLI summary with a path to
+  detailed diagnostics. Do not suppress genuine validator execution failures
+  merely to reduce the count.
+- Decide which warnings affect process status, rejection summaries, durable run
+  receipts, or only debug output. Ensure warning ordering and aggregation are
+  deterministic across concurrent execution.
+- Establish a representative warning-volume acceptance target and human review
+  workflow before changing individual producers piecemeal. The intended result
+  is not zero warnings; it is a small set in which every surfaced warning merits
+  operator attention.
+- This work does not require an ADR unless it changes validation acceptance,
+  failure, or durable contract semantics. CLI presentation and diagnostic
+  taxonomy otherwise belong in a feature roadmap followed by updates to their
+  canonical configuration, operations, integration, and internal documents.
+
 ## Near-Term D&D Pipeline
 
 ### Evaluate Spell Extraction And Normalization
 
 - Evaluate ordinary extraction retries and the completed normalization path
-  against a human-reviewed transcript set before adding repair-aware retries or
+  against a human-reviewed transcript set before and after adopting the shared
-  an LLM-backed semantic validator.
+  PromptKit repair and Notarius validation-retry policies above.
 - Maintain a small set of human-reviewed transcripts and outputs for prompt,
   validator, and normalizer development. Treat model-quality review as an
   iterative human evaluation aid, not a deterministic correctness gate.
@@ -28,8 +105,7 @@ The implemented source-backed core and initial D&D registry adoption are
 described by [Module Internals](../internal/modules.md#semantic-reconciliation)
 and
 [D&D Module Internals](../internal/dnd.md#semantic-registry-reconciliation).
-The [Semantic Reconciliation Roadmap](semantic-reconciliation.md) retains the
+The sections below keep broader extensions deferred.
-original feature scope; the sections below keep broader extensions deferred.
 
 ### Large-Collection Semantic Reconciliation
 
@@ -153,7 +229,6 @@ section only after a concrete workflow, contract, and priority emerge.
 ### Distribution And Operations
 
 - Packaged release artifacts for alpha distribution.
-- A documented versioning and release process.
 - Optional generated example-output fixtures with a regeneration procedure.
 - Additional diagnostics or reporting views.
 

go.mod

@@ -3,9 +3,14 @@ module gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius
 go 1.25.5
 
 require (
-	gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit v0.5.0
+	gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit v0.9.0
 	github.com/santhosh-tekuri/jsonschema/v6 v6.0.2
 	gopkg.in/yaml.v3 v3.0.1
 )
 
 require golang.org/x/text v0.40.0
+
+require (
+	gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit-backend-openrouter v1.0.0 // indirect
+	gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit-backend-rakestrawhome v1.0.0 // indirect
+)

go.sum

@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
-gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit v0.5.0 h1:jnpazLyyNhWrB2xzwwtUkNUfktkTdkENTwuSPnKiYrc=
+gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit v0.9.0 h1:IpvDRC8L6xRxQ9hpuyKOmMc5b6MeLTKYyx+h1YAjy08=
-gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit v0.5.0/go.mod h1:R95NM6fbMDGDC0/UomgnSBP6ui2ns+8SZb8bESNvrDQ=
+gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit v0.9.0/go.mod h1:oMJ/WUJImUtwJ5e+6MAGECPYAErAkOaKel0G+3T/b4E=
+gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit-backend-openrouter v1.0.0 h1:lc062euk2qseO//D762i3JaFyulDNML3eQQX7DkYTho=
+gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit-backend-openrouter v1.0.0/go.mod h1:AIa7kAu2mfrRQgcspe4L+DW51WqgnALQT60lqkEywJI=
+gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit-backend-rakestrawhome v1.0.0 h1:j9YY7wsTVjzke2kHH4YAzpU0oUpM+x+nXwl1IeS+2eg=
+gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit-backend-rakestrawhome v1.0.0/go.mod h1:4RNS+LILDg4JbS4Ts9Lwy1C92wauXJIbeQaalps4Koo=
 github.com/dlclark/regexp2 v1.11.0 h1:G/nrcoOa7ZXlpoa/91N3X7mM3r8eIlMBBJZvsz/mxKI=
 github.com/dlclark/regexp2 v1.11.0/go.mod h1:DHkYz0B9wPfa6wondMfaivmHpzrQ3v9q8cnmRbL6yW8=
 github.com/santhosh-tekuri/jsonschema/v6 v6.0.2 h1:KRzFb2m7YtdldCEkzs6KqmJw4nqEVZGK7IN2kJkjTuQ=

internal/buildinfo/buildinfo.go

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+// Package buildinfo resolves the product version embedded in a Notarius build.
+package buildinfo
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"regexp"
+	"runtime/debug"
+)
+
+var stableVersion = regexp.MustCompile(`^v(0|[1-9][0-9]*)\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*)\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*)$`)
+
+// Override is set at link time for controlled builds.
+var Override string
+
+// Version returns the release version embedded in the build, or development
+// when the build does not carry a stable release tag.
+func Version() (string, error) {
+	buildVersion := ""
+	if info, ok := debug.ReadBuildInfo(); ok {
+		buildVersion = info.Main.Version
+	}
+	return resolve(Override, buildVersion)
+}
+
+func resolve(override, buildVersion string) (string, error) {
+	if override != "" {
+		if !stableVersion.MatchString(override) {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("build version override is not a stable release tag")
+		}
+		return override, nil
+	}
+	if stableVersion.MatchString(buildVersion) {
+		return buildVersion, nil
+	}
+	return "development", nil
+}

internal/buildinfo/buildinfo_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+package buildinfo
+
+import "testing"
+
+func TestResolve(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name         string
+		override     string
+		buildVersion string
+		want         string
+		wantErr      bool
+	}{
+		{name: "stable main module version", buildVersion: "v1.2.3", want: "v1.2.3"},
+		{name: "zero version", buildVersion: "v0.0.0", want: "v0.0.0"},
+		{name: "override takes precedence", override: "v2.3.4", buildVersion: "v1.2.3", want: "v2.3.4"},
+		{name: "invalid override", override: "version", buildVersion: "v1.2.3", wantErr: true},
+		{name: "override with whitespace", override: " v1.2.3", wantErr: true},
+		{name: "leading zero major", buildVersion: "v01.2.3", want: "development"},
+		{name: "leading zero minor", buildVersion: "v1.02.3", want: "development"},
+		{name: "leading zero patch", buildVersion: "v1.2.03", want: "development"},
+		{name: "build version with whitespace", buildVersion: "v1.2.3 ", want: "development"},
+		{name: "prerelease", buildVersion: "v1.2.3-rc.1", want: "development"},
+		{name: "build suffix", buildVersion: "v1.2.3+build.1", want: "development"},
+		{name: "pseudo version", buildVersion: "v0.0.0-20260102030405-abcdef123456", want: "development"},
+		{name: "development build", buildVersion: "(devel)", want: "development"},
+		{name: "missing build information", want: "development"},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			got, err := resolve(tt.override, tt.buildVersion)
+			if tt.wantErr {
+				if err == nil {
+					t.Fatal("resolve() error = nil, want error")
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("resolve() error = %v", err)
+			}
+			if got != tt.want {
+				t.Fatalf("resolve() = %q, want %q", got, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

internal/cli/assembled_spell_pipeline_contract_test.go

@@ -21,6 +21,10 @@ import (
 
 const assembledSpellExtractorKey = "test/dnd/spell-casts"
 
+const assembledCorrectingSpellExtractorKey = "test/dnd/correcting-spell-casts"
+
+const assembledDirectSpellValidatorKey = "test/dnd/direct-spell-correction"
+
 func TestAssembledSpellPipelineNormalizesMergedCasts(t *testing.T) {
 	registries, resolved, extractor := assembledSpellPipeline(t, assembledSpellPipelineOptions{})
 	prepared, err := pipeline.Prepare(resolved, registries, pipeline.ModuleDependencies{})
@@ -101,6 +105,30 @@ func TestAssembledSpellPipelineNormalizesMergedCasts(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestAssembledSpellPipelineCorrectsRejectedDirectExtraction(t *testing.T) {
+	registries, resolved, extractor := assembledCorrectingSpellPipeline(t)
+	prepared, err := pipeline.Prepare(resolved, registries, pipeline.ModuleDependencies{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Prepare() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	output, err := pipeline.New().Run(context.Background(), pipeline.RunInput{
+		Prepared:       prepared,
+		RawInput:       readRepositoryFile(t, "examples", "seriatim-minimal-transcript.json"),
+		ChunkCacheMode: pipeline.ChunkCacheBypass,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if len(output.Rejected) != 0 || output.Manifest.ValidationStatus != "approved" || len(output.NormalizeOutputs) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("run output = %#v, want corrected accepted spell output", output)
+	}
+	correction := extractor.correctionSnapshot()
+	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)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestAssembledSpellPipelineHonorsNormalizeValidatorOverride(t *testing.T) {
 	registries, resolved, _ := assembledSpellPipeline(t, assembledSpellPipelineOptions{normalizeValidatorOverride: true})
 	var normalizeChain *pipeline.ResolvedValidatorChain
@@ -136,6 +164,7 @@ func TestAssembledSpellPipelineHonorsNormalizeValidatorOverride(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestAssembledSpellPipelinePromotesTerminalUnknownSpellWarning(t *testing.T) {
 	registries, resolved, _ := assembledSpellPipeline(t, assembledSpellPipelineOptions{unknownSpell: true})
+	resolved.Steps[0].ArtifactLanes[0].NormalizeValidationPolicy.SemanticRejection = pipeline.SemanticRejectionRejectOutput
 	prepared, err := pipeline.Prepare(resolved, registries, pipeline.ModuleDependencies{})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Prepare() error = %v, want nil", err)
@@ -161,8 +190,8 @@ func TestAssembledSpellPipelinePromotesTerminalUnknownSpellWarning(t *testing.T)
 	if !reflect.DeepEqual(rejectedFile.Rejected, output.Rejected) {
 		t.Fatalf("rejected file = %#v, run rejections = %#v, want durable rejection diagnostic", rejectedFile.Rejected, output.Rejected)
 	}
-	if len(output.Warnings) != 1 || output.Warnings[0].ReasonCode != spellnormalize.ReasonCodeSpellNameUnresolved || output.Warnings[0].Scope != "spell_casts[0]" {
+	if len(output.Warnings) != 2 || output.Warnings[0].ReasonCode != spellnormalize.ReasonCodeSpellNameUnresolved || output.Warnings[0].Scope != "spell_casts[0]" || output.Warnings[1].ReasonCode != "spell_not_near_source" {
-		t.Fatalf("warnings = %#v, want terminal normalize catalog warning", output.Warnings)
+		t.Fatalf("warnings = %#v, want complete terminal normalize validation warnings", output.Warnings)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -206,6 +235,47 @@ type assembledSpellPipelineOptions struct {
 	unknownSpell               bool
 }
 
+func assembledCorrectingSpellPipeline(t *testing.T) (pipeline.Registries, pipeline.ResolvedPipeline, *assembledCorrectingSpellExtractor) {
+	t.Helper()
+	components := productionTestComponents(t)
+	extractor := &assembledCorrectingSpellExtractor{}
+	if err := pipeline.RegisterExtractor[dnd.SpellList](components.registries.Extractors, pipeline.ModuleSpec{
+		Key:                assembledCorrectingSpellExtractorKey,
+		Stage:              pipeline.StageExtract,
+		ExecutionClass:     contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked,
+		CorrectionProtocol: contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1,
+		Requires:           []string{"chunks", "source.transcript"},
+		Provides:           []string{"dnd.spell_casts"},
+		ArtifactKind:       dnd.SpellListKind,
+	}, func() (contracts.Extractor[dnd.SpellList], error) {
+		return extractor, nil
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("register correcting extractor: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := pipeline.RegisterTypedValidator[dnd.SpellList](components.registries.Validators, dnd.SpellListKind, pipeline.ValidatorSpec{Key: assembledDirectSpellValidatorKey, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic}, func() (contracts.TypedValidator[dnd.SpellList], error) {
+		return assembledDirectSpellValidator{}, nil
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("register direct spell validator: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	extract := pipeline.Binding(assembledCorrectingSpellExtractorKey)
+	extract.Retries = 1
+	extract.Validators = pipeline.ValidatorOverride{Set: true, Validators: []pipeline.ModuleBinding{{Module: assembledDirectSpellValidatorKey}}}
+	resolved, err := pipeline.ResolvePipeline(pipeline.PipelineProfile{
+		ID:    "assembled-dnd-correcting-spells",
+		Input: pipeline.Binding("seriatim"),
+		Chunk: pipeline.ModuleBinding{Module: "generic", Options: map[string]any{"max_units": 1}},
+		Artifacts: map[string]pipeline.ArtifactLaneProfile{
+			"spells": {Extract: extract, Normalize: pipeline.Binding(spellnormalize.Key)},
+		},
+		Output: pipeline.Binding("json"),
+	}, pipeline.ResolveOptions{}, catalogFromRegistries(components.registries))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	return components.registries, resolved, extractor
+}
+
 func assembledSpellPipeline(t *testing.T, options assembledSpellPipelineOptions) (pipeline.Registries, pipeline.ResolvedPipeline, *assembledSpellExtractor) {
 	t.Helper()
 	components := productionTestComponents(t)
@@ -251,6 +321,69 @@ type assembledSpellExtractor struct {
 	unknownSpell bool
 }
 
+type assembledCorrectingSpellExtractor struct {
+	mu         sync.Mutex
+	correction *contracts.SemanticCorrection
+}
+
+func (*assembledCorrectingSpellExtractor) Key() string { return assembledCorrectingSpellExtractorKey }
+
+func (*assembledCorrectingSpellExtractor) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot { return nil }
+
+func (e *assembledCorrectingSpellExtractor) Extract(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedExtractionRequest) (contracts.TypedExtractionResult[dnd.SpellList], error) {
+	if req.Source == nil || req.Chunk == nil {
+		return contracts.TypedExtractionResult[dnd.SpellList]{}, fmt.Errorf("correcting assembled extractor requires source and chunk")
+	}
+	response := `{"spell":"accepted"}`
+	value := dnd.SpellList{SpellCasts: []dnd.SpellCast{}}
+	if req.Chunk.Index == 0 && req.Correction == nil {
+		response = `{"spell":"Mysterious Burst"}`
+		value.SpellCasts = []dnd.SpellCast{{Caster: "Aria", Spell: "Mysterious Burst", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{{SourceID: req.Source.ID, StartUnitID: 1, EndUnitID: 1}}}}
+	}
+	if req.Chunk.Index == 0 && req.Correction != nil {
+		correction, err := contracts.CloneSemanticCorrection(req.Correction)
+		if err != nil {
+			return contracts.TypedExtractionResult[dnd.SpellList]{}, err
+		}
+		e.mu.Lock()
+		e.correction = correction
+		e.mu.Unlock()
+		value.SpellCasts = []dnd.SpellCast{{Caster: "Aria", Spell: "Cure Wounds", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{{SourceID: req.Source.ID, StartUnitID: 1, EndUnitID: 1}}}}
+	}
+	candidate, err := contracts.NewModelCandidate([]byte(response), contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1)
+	if err != nil {
+		return contracts.TypedExtractionResult[dnd.SpellList]{}, err
+	}
+	return contracts.TypedExtractionResult[dnd.SpellList]{Value: value, ModelCandidate: candidate}, nil
+}
+
+func (e *assembledCorrectingSpellExtractor) correctionSnapshot() *contracts.SemanticCorrection {
+	e.mu.Lock()
+	defer e.mu.Unlock()
+	correction, err := contracts.CloneSemanticCorrection(e.correction)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return correction
+}
+
+type assembledDirectSpellValidator struct{}
+
+func (assembledDirectSpellValidator) Name() string { return assembledDirectSpellValidatorKey }
+
+func (assembledDirectSpellValidator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
+	return contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic
+}
+
+func (assembledDirectSpellValidator) Validate(_ context.Context, req contracts.TypedValidationRequest[dnd.SpellList]) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	for _, cast := range req.Value.SpellCasts {
+		if cast.Spell == "Mysterious Burst" {
+			return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: false, ReasonCode: "unknown_spell", Message: "spell is not in the catalog", CorrectionGuidance: "use a known spell name"}, nil
+		}
+	}
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
+}
+
 func (e *assembledSpellExtractor) Key() string { return assembledSpellExtractorKey }
 
 func (*assembledSpellExtractor) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot { return nil }

internal/cli/command_contract_test.go

@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/buildinfo"
 )
 
 func TestCommandHelpSpellingsWriteUsageToStdout(t *testing.T) {
@@ -38,6 +40,7 @@ func TestCommandSyntaxErrorsUseStderrAndExitTwo(t *testing.T) {
 		{name: "unknown pipelines subcommand", args: []string{"pipelines", "unknown"}, want: "unknown pipelines subcommand"},
 		{name: "malformed run flag", args: []string{"run", "demo", "--chunk_cache", "invalid"}, want: "not supported"},
 		{name: "unknown flag", args: []string{"config", "validate", "--unknown"}, want: "flag provided but not defined"},
+		{name: "version arguments", args: []string{"--version", "extra"}, want: "--version does not accept arguments"},
 	}
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -50,6 +53,33 @@ func TestCommandSyntaxErrorsUseStderrAndExitTwo(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestCommandVersionOutput(t *testing.T) {
+	previous := buildinfo.Override
+	t.Cleanup(func() { buildinfo.Override = previous })
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name       string
+		override   string
+		wantCode   int
+		wantStdout string
+		wantStderr string
+	}{
+		{name: "development", wantStdout: "notarius development\n"},
+		{name: "release override", override: "v1.2.3", wantStdout: "notarius v1.2.3\n"},
+		{name: "invalid override", override: "release", wantCode: 1, wantStderr: "notarius: build version override is not a stable release tag\n"},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			buildinfo.Override = tt.override
+			var stdout, stderr bytes.Buffer
+			code := RunWithOptions([]string{"--version"}, &stdout, &stderr, Options{})
+			if code != tt.wantCode || stdout.String() != tt.wantStdout || stderr.String() != tt.wantStderr {
+				t.Fatalf("code=%d stdout=%q stderr=%q", code, stdout.String(), stderr.String())
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestConfigDiscoveryPrefersExplicitPathThenEnvironment(t *testing.T) {
 	explicit := writeCommandConfig(t, "explicit", "alpha")
 	environment := writeCommandConfig(t, "environment", "beta")

internal/cli/dnd_enemy_events_contract_test.go

@@ -189,10 +189,18 @@ func TestMaintainedCompleteExamplePublishesRegistryBackedEntityOccurrences(t *te
 	}
 
 	evidence := readProductionJSON[evidencecontext.Document](t, filepath.Join(runRoot, "evidence-context.json"))
-	for _, laneID := range []string{"enemy-events", "npc-registry", "npc-occurrences", "item-registry", "item-occurrences", "location-registry", "location-occurrences"} {
+	if len(evidence) == 0 {
-		if !containsString(evidence.SelectedLanes, laneID) || !evidenceHasLane(evidence, laneID) {
+		t.Fatalf("evidence context = %#v, want selected source-unit evidence", evidence)
-			t.Fatalf("evidence context = %#v, want direct %s evidence", evidence, laneID)
 	}
+	seenEvidenceUnits := make(map[int]struct{}, len(evidence))
+	for _, unit := range evidence {
+		if unit.Ref.SourceID != "session-ravenfall" || unit.Ref.StartUnitID != unit.ID || unit.Ref.EndUnitID != unit.ID {
+			t.Fatalf("evidence unit = %#v, want unchanged source-unit self-reference", unit)
+		}
+		if _, exists := seenEvidenceUnits[unit.ID]; exists {
+			t.Fatalf("evidence context = %#v, want each source unit once", evidence)
+		}
+		seenEvidenceUnits[unit.ID] = struct{}{}
 	}
 
 	requests := client.requestsFor(enemyevents.PromptID)
@@ -388,8 +396,12 @@ func (client *enemyEventLLMClient) CompleteStructured(ctx context.Context, reque
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(content, output); err != nil {
 		return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("populate fake structured target: %w", err)
 	}
+	snapshot, err := contracts.CloneStructuredCompletionRequest(request)
+	if err != nil {
+		return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("clone fake request: %w", err)
+	}
 	client.mu.Lock()
-	client.requests = append(client.requests, request)
+	client.requests = append(client.requests, snapshot)
 	client.mu.Unlock()
 	return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{Content: content, Provider: "test", Model: "deterministic", ProfileID: request.ProfileID}, nil
 }
@@ -400,7 +412,11 @@ func (client *enemyEventLLMClient) requestsFor(promptID string) []contracts.Stru
 	var requests []contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest
 	for _, request := range client.requests {
 		if request.PromptID == promptID {
-			requests = append(requests, request)
+			snapshot, err := contracts.CloneStructuredCompletionRequest(request)
+			if err != nil {
+				panic(err)
+			}
+			requests = append(requests, snapshot)
 		}
 	}
 	return requests
@@ -415,17 +431,6 @@ func containsString(values []string, want string) bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-func evidenceHasLane(value evidencecontext.Document, laneID string) bool {
-	for _, context := range value.Contexts {
-		for _, reference := range context.EvidenceRefs {
-			if reference.LaneID == laneID {
-				return true
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	return false
-}
-
 func generatedReferenceBinding(bindings []pipeline.ReferenceBinding, slotName string) (pipeline.ReferenceBinding, bool) {
 	for _, binding := range bindings {
 		if binding.SlotName == slotName && binding.Artifact != nil {

internal/cli/production_contract_test.go

@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ import (
 	"testing/fstest"
 	"time"
 
+	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/artifacts"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/config"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/chunkmap"
@@ -331,27 +333,61 @@ func TestProductionPromptAssetsPrepareWithoutProviderCredentials(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("production prompt engine: %v", err)
 	}
-	inputs := map[string]promptkit.ArtifactRef{
+	promptFS, err := components.assets.PromptFS()
-		"candidates": promptkit.Inline(`{"candidates":[{"candidate_id":1,"label":"Alias","source_refs":[{"start_unit_id":1,"end_unit_id":1}]}]}`),
+	if err != nil {
-		"transcript": promptkit.Inline(`{"windows":[{"units":[]}]}`),
+		t.Fatalf("production prompt assets: %v", err)
+	}
+	type manifest struct {
+		ID      string `yaml:"id"`
+		Version string `yaml:"version"`
+		Inputs  []struct {
+			Name string `yaml:"name"`
+		} `yaml:"inputs"`
+		Messages []struct {
+			Role string `yaml:"role"`
+		} `yaml:"messages"`
+	}
+	preparedPrompts := 0
+	if err := fs.WalkDir(promptFS, ".", func(path string, entry fs.DirEntry, walkErr error) error {
+		if walkErr != nil {
+			return walkErr
+		}
+		if entry.IsDir() || filepath.Base(path) != "prompt.yaml" {
+			return nil
+		}
+		data, err := fs.ReadFile(promptFS, path)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		var prompt manifest
+		if err := yaml.Unmarshal(data, &prompt); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		for _, message := range prompt.Messages {
+			if message.Role != promptkit.RoleSystem && message.Role != promptkit.RoleUser {
+				return fmt.Errorf("production prompt %q uses role %q, want system or user", prompt.ID, message.Role)
+			}
+		}
+		inputs := make(map[string]promptkit.ArtifactRef, len(prompt.Inputs))
+		for _, input := range prompt.Inputs {
+			inputs[input.Name] = promptkit.Inline(`{}`)
 		}
-	for _, prompt := range []struct {
-		id      string
-		version string
-	}{
-		{id: npcnormalize.PromptID, version: npcnormalize.PromptVersion},
-		{id: itemregistrynormalize.PromptID, version: itemregistrynormalize.PromptVersion},
-		{id: locationnormalize.PromptID, version: locationnormalize.PromptVersion},
-	} {
 		prepared, err := engine.Prepare(context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{
-			PromptID: prompt.id, PromptVersion: prompt.version, ProfileID: "assembled-prompt-test", Inputs: inputs,
+			PromptID: prompt.ID, PromptVersion: prompt.Version, ProfileID: "assembled-prompt-test", Inputs: inputs,
 		})
 		if err != nil {
-			t.Fatalf("prepare production prompt %q: %v", prompt.id, err)
+			return fmt.Errorf("prepare production prompt %q: %w", prompt.ID, err)
 		}
-		if prepared.OutputContract.SchemaPath != filepath.Base(semanticreconcile.SchemaAssetPath) {
+		if prepared.OutputContract.RepairAttempts != 1 {
-			t.Fatalf("prompt %q schema = %q, want generic reconciliation schema", prompt.id, prepared.OutputContract.SchemaPath)
+			return fmt.Errorf("prompt %q repair attempts = %d, want 1", prompt.ID, prepared.OutputContract.RepairAttempts)
 		}
+		preparedPrompts++
+		return nil
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if preparedPrompts == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("prepared no production prompts")
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1063,8 +1099,12 @@ func (client *productionFakeLLMClient) CompleteStructured(ctx context.Context, r
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(content, out); err != nil {
 		return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("populate fake structured target: %w", err)
 	}
+	snapshot, err := contracts.CloneStructuredCompletionRequest(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("clone fake request: %w", err)
+	}
 	client.mu.Lock()
-	client.requests = append(client.requests, req)
+	client.requests = append(client.requests, snapshot)
 	client.mu.Unlock()
 	return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{Content: content, Provider: "test", Model: "deterministic", ProfileID: req.ProfileID}, nil
 }
@@ -1075,7 +1115,11 @@ func (client *productionFakeLLMClient) requestsFor(promptID string) []contracts.
 	var requests []contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest
 	for _, req := range client.requests {
 		if req.PromptID == promptID {
-			requests = append(requests, req)
+			snapshot, err := contracts.CloneStructuredCompletionRequest(req)
+			if err != nil {
+				panic(err)
+			}
+			requests = append(requests, snapshot)
 		}
 	}
 	return requests

internal/cli/promptkit_profiles_test.go

@@ -71,10 +71,10 @@ api_key_env: NOTARIUS_PROMPTKIT_PROFILE_INSPECTION_TEST_KEY
 		},
 		{
 			name:        "malformed profile",
-			profilePath: writeProfile(t, "malformed-profile", "id: malformed-profile\nbackend: [\n"),
+			profilePath: writeProfile(t, "malformed-profile", "id: malformed-profile\nendpoint: https://provider.example/v1?credential=forbidden\nmodel: malformed-model\n"),
 			profileID:   "malformed-profile",
 			wantErr:     []string{`PromptKit profile "malformed-profile" is invalid or unreadable`},
-			rejectErr:   []string{"malformed-profile.yaml", "backend: ["},
+			rejectErr:   []string{"malformed-profile.yaml", "credential=forbidden"},
 		},
 		{
 			name:        "invalid profile source",
@@ -157,3 +157,25 @@ func TestExplicitPromptKitProfileValidationUsesFallbackAssets(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("validateExplicitPromptKitProfiles() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
 }
+
+func TestExplicitPromptKitProfileValidationRejectsInvalidInheritanceBeforeGeneration(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, profiles := range []string{
+		"id: child\nbase_profile: missing\n",
+		"id: first\nbase_profile: second\n\n---\nid: second\nbase_profile: first\n",
+	} {
+		t.Run("invalid inheritance", func(t *testing.T) {
+			profilePath := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "profiles.yaml")
+			if err := os.WriteFile(profilePath, []byte(profiles), 0o600); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			profileID := "child"
+			if strings.Contains(profiles, "id: first") {
+				profileID = "first"
+			}
+			err := validateExplicitPromptKitProfiles(context.Background(), config.Config{PromptKit: config.PromptKitConfig{ProfileFile: profilePath}}, []string{profileID}, nil)
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "invalid or unreadable") || strings.Contains(err.Error(), profilePath) {
+				t.Fatalf("profile preflight error = %v", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

internal/cli/run.go

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/buildinfo"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/artifacts"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/config"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/debugbundle"
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ import (
 const defaultConfigPath = "/usr/local/etc/notarius/config.yml"
 const usage = `Usage:
   notarius help
+  notarius --version
   notarius run <pipeline-id> --input path/to/source.json [--json] [flags]
   notarius config validate --config path/to/config.yml [--pipeline pipeline-id] [--only lane-a,lane-b]
   notarius pipelines list --config path/to/config.yml [--json]
@@ -62,6 +64,20 @@ func Run(args []string, stdout, stderr io.Writer) int {
 }
 
 func RunWithOptions(args []string, stdout, stderr io.Writer, opts Options) int {
+	if len(args) > 0 && args[0] == "--version" {
+		if len(args) != 1 {
+			fmt.Fprintln(stderr, "notarius: --version does not accept arguments")
+			return 2
+		}
+		version, err := buildinfo.Version()
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "notarius: %v\n", err)
+			return 1
+		}
+		fmt.Fprintf(stdout, "notarius %s\n", version)
+		return 0
+	}
+
 	var err error
 	opts, err = normalizeOptions(opts)
 	if err != nil {

internal/cli/run_id_test.go

@@ -48,8 +48,15 @@ func TestWriteOutputFilesSupportsNestedLogicalPaths(t *testing.T) {
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
-		if info.Mode().Perm() != want {
+		mode := info.Mode().Perm()
-			t.Fatalf("%s mode = %#o, want %#o", path, info.Mode().Perm(), want)
+		if mode&^want != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("%s mode = %#o, must not be broader than %#o", path, mode, want)
+		}
+		if info.IsDir() && mode&0o700 != 0o700 {
+			t.Fatalf("%s mode = %#o, want owner access", path, mode)
+		}
+		if !info.IsDir() && mode != want {
+			t.Fatalf("%s mode = %#o, want %#o", path, mode, want)
 		}
 	}
 	entries, err := os.ReadDir(filepath.Join(runPath, "nested"))

internal/cli/run_result.go

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/artifacts"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
 )
 
@@ -22,6 +23,7 @@ type runResult struct {
 	RejectedOutputCount   int                           `json:"rejected_output_count"`
 	WarningCount          int                           `json:"warning_count"`
 	ValidationStatus      string                        `json:"validation_status"`
+	ValidationSummaries   []artifacts.ValidationSummary `json:"validation_summaries,omitempty"`
 	DebugDirectory        string                        `json:"debug_directory,omitempty"`
 }
 
@@ -59,6 +61,7 @@ func newRunResult(resolved pipeline.ResolvedPipeline, output pipeline.RunOutput,
 		RejectedOutputCount:   len(output.Rejected),
 		WarningCount:          len(output.Warnings),
 		ValidationStatus:      output.Manifest.ValidationStatus,
+		ValidationSummaries:   cloneValidationSummaries(output.Manifest.ValidationSummaries),
 	}
 
 	if strings.TrimSpace(debugDirectory) != "" {
@@ -85,6 +88,17 @@ func newRunResult(resolved pipeline.ResolvedPipeline, output pipeline.RunOutput,
 	return result, nil
 }
 
+func cloneValidationSummaries(summaries []artifacts.ValidationSummary) []artifacts.ValidationSummary {
+	if len(summaries) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	cloned := make([]artifacts.ValidationSummary, len(summaries))
+	for index, summary := range summaries {
+		cloned[index] = artifacts.CloneValidationSummary(summary)
+	}
+	return cloned
+}
+
 func encodeRunResult(result runResult) ([]byte, error) {
 	encoded, err := json.Marshal(result)
 	if err != nil {

internal/cli/run_result_command_test.go

@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ func TestRunResultReportsSuccessfulRejection(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	configBytes = []byte(replaceRequiredOnce(t, string(configBytes), "        normalize: test/normalize\n", "        normalize:\n          module: test/normalize\n          validators:\n            - generic/always_reject\n"))
+	configBytes = []byte(replaceRequiredOnce(t, string(configBytes), "        normalize: test/normalize\n", "        normalize:\n          module: test/normalize\n          validators:\n            - generic/always_reject\n          validation_policy:\n            semantic_rejection: reject_output\n"))
 	if err := os.WriteFile(roots.config, configBytes, 0o600); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}

internal/cli/run_result_test.go

@@ -55,6 +55,9 @@ func TestRunResultEncodesRequiredFieldsAndCounts(t *testing.T) {
 	if got := decoded["warning_count"]; got != float64(1) {
 		t.Fatalf("warning_count = %v", got)
 	}
+	if got := decoded["validation_summaries"]; got != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("validation_summaries = %#v, want omitted when empty", got)
+	}
 	if got := decoded["output_directory"]; got != filepath.Join(mustWorkingDirectory(t), "relative-output") {
 		t.Fatalf("output_directory = %q", got)
 	}
@@ -112,6 +115,26 @@ func TestRunResultOmitsIndexFileForOtherOutputModules(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestRunResultProjectsOwnedValidationSummaries(t *testing.T) {
+	output := testRunOutput()
+	output.Manifest.ValidationSummaries = []artifacts.ValidationSummary{{Status: "incomplete", IncompleteValidators: []string{"validator"}, ProducerAttemptCount: 1, TerminalAction: "warn_continue"}}
+	result, err := newRunResult(testResolvedPipeline(pipeline.DefaultOutputModule), output, "output", "")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	output.Manifest.ValidationSummaries[0].IncompleteValidators[0] = "caller mutation"
+	if got := result.ValidationSummaries[0].IncompleteValidators; len(got) != 1 || got[0] != "validator" {
+		t.Fatalf("result validation summaries = %#v", result.ValidationSummaries)
+	}
+	encoded, err := encodeRunResult(result)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !bytes.Contains(encoded, []byte(`"validation_summaries":[{"status":"incomplete","incomplete_validators":["validator"],"producer_attempt_count":1,"terminal_action":"warn_continue"}]`)) {
+		t.Fatalf("encoded result = %s", encoded)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRunResultRequiresOneProductionIndexFile(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name  string

internal/cli/spell_catalog_retry_contract_test.go

@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ func TestProductionSpellCatalogValidationRetries(t *testing.T) {
 				t.Fatalf("materialize production references: %v", err)
 			}
 			materialized.Steps[0].ArtifactLanes[0].Extract.Retries = retries
+			materialized.Steps[0].ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractValidationPolicy.SemanticRejection = pipeline.SemanticRejectionRejectOutput
 
 			llmClient := &catalogRetryLLMClient{responses: tt.responses}
 			prepared, err := pipeline.Prepare(materialized, components.registries, pipeline.ModuleDependencies{LLM: llmClient})
@@ -91,8 +92,8 @@ func TestProductionSpellCatalogValidationRetries(t *testing.T) {
 				if rejection.ReasonCode != "unknown_spell" || rejection.AttemptCount != retries+1 {
 					t.Fatalf("rejection = %#v, want exhausted unknown-spell rejection", rejection)
 				}
-				if len(output.Warnings) != 0 {
+				if len(output.Warnings) != 1 || output.Warnings[0].ReasonCode != "spell_not_near_source" {
-					t.Fatalf("warnings = %#v, want no emitted warnings from rejected attempts", output.Warnings)
+					t.Fatalf("warnings = %#v, want complete terminal validation warnings", output.Warnings)
 				}
 				return
 			}

internal/core/artifacts/artifacts.go

@@ -104,6 +104,33 @@ type RejectedOutputManifest struct {
 	Message                string             `json:"message,omitempty"`
 	AttemptCount           int                `json:"attempt_count,omitempty"`
 	DiagnosticArtifactPath string             `json:"diagnostic_artifact_path,omitempty"`
+	Validation             *ValidationSummary `json:"validation,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// ValidationSummary is the bounded, durable outcome of validating one
+// producer result. It deliberately contains identities and stable codes, not
+// model responses, corrective guidance, validator diagnostics, or payloads.
+type ValidationSummary struct {
+	Stage                string   `json:"stage,omitempty"`
+	StepID               string   `json:"step_id,omitempty"`
+	LaneID               string   `json:"lane_id,omitempty"`
+	ModuleKey            string   `json:"module_key,omitempty"`
+	ChunkID              string   `json:"chunk_id,omitempty"`
+	ChunkIndex           int      `json:"chunk_index,omitempty"`
+	Status               string   `json:"status"`
+	RejectingValidators  []string `json:"rejecting_validators,omitempty"`
+	ReasonCodes          []string `json:"reason_codes,omitempty"`
+	IncompleteValidators []string `json:"incomplete_validators,omitempty"`
+	ProducerAttemptCount int      `json:"producer_attempt_count"`
+	TerminalAction       string   `json:"terminal_action"`
+}
+
+// CloneValidationSummary returns an independently owned durable summary.
+func CloneValidationSummary(summary ValidationSummary) ValidationSummary {
+	summary.RejectingValidators = append([]string(nil), summary.RejectingValidators...)
+	summary.ReasonCodes = append([]string(nil), summary.ReasonCodes...)
+	summary.IncompleteValidators = append([]string(nil), summary.IncompleteValidators...)
+	return summary
 }
 
 type CheckpointDecisionManifest struct {
@@ -163,6 +190,7 @@ type RunManifest struct {
 	References          []ReferenceProvenance        `json:"references,omitempty"`
 	NormalizedOutputs   []NormalizedOutputManifest   `json:"normalized_outputs,omitempty"`
 	RejectedOutputs     []RejectedOutputManifest     `json:"rejected_outputs,omitempty"`
+	ValidationSummaries []ValidationSummary          `json:"validation_summaries,omitempty"`
 	CheckpointDecisions []CheckpointDecisionManifest `json:"checkpoint_decisions,omitempty"`
 	LLMProfiles         []LLMProfileManifest         `json:"llm_profiles,omitempty"`
 	Metadata            map[string]any               `json:"metadata,omitempty"`

internal/core/config/config.go

@@ -116,6 +116,11 @@ func (c *ConcurrencyConfig) recomputeStageWorkerDefaults() {
 
 func clonePipelineProfile(in pipeline.PipelineProfile) pipeline.PipelineProfile {
 	out := in
+	out.ValidationPolicy = cloneValidationPolicyOverride(in.ValidationPolicy)
+	if in.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != nil {
+		value := *in.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts
+		out.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = &value
+	}
 	out.Input = cloneModuleBinding(in.Input)
 	out.Chunk = cloneModuleBinding(in.Chunk)
 	out.Output = cloneModuleBinding(in.Output)
@@ -196,6 +201,11 @@ func cloneReferenceSource(in pipeline.ReferenceSource) pipeline.ReferenceSource
 
 func cloneModuleBinding(in pipeline.ModuleBinding) pipeline.ModuleBinding {
 	out := in
+	out.ValidationPolicy = cloneValidationPolicyOverride(in.ValidationPolicy)
+	if in.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != nil {
+		value := *in.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts
+		out.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = &value
+	}
 	if len(in.Options) > 0 {
 		out.Options = cloneOptions(in.Options)
 	}
@@ -204,6 +214,26 @@ func cloneModuleBinding(in pipeline.ModuleBinding) pipeline.ModuleBinding {
 	return out
 }
 
+func cloneValidationPolicyOverride(in *pipeline.ValidationPolicyOverride) *pipeline.ValidationPolicyOverride {
+	if in == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := *in
+	if in.ProducerStructuralFailure != nil {
+		value := *in.ProducerStructuralFailure
+		out.ProducerStructuralFailure = &value
+	}
+	if in.SemanticRejection != nil {
+		value := *in.SemanticRejection
+		out.SemanticRejection = &value
+	}
+	if in.ValidatorFailure != nil {
+		value := *in.ValidatorFailure
+		out.ValidatorFailure = &value
+	}
+	return &out
+}
+
 func cloneValidatorOverride(in pipeline.ValidatorOverride) pipeline.ValidatorOverride {
 	out := pipeline.ValidatorOverride{Set: in.Set}
 	if len(in.Validators) > 0 {

internal/core/config/file_config.go

@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ type FilePromptKitLocalBackendConfig struct {
 
 type FilePipelineProfile struct {
 	LLMProfile                     *string                            `yaml:"llm_profile,omitempty"`
+	StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int                               `yaml:"structured_output_repair_attempts,omitempty"`
+	ValidationPolicy               *pipeline.ValidationPolicyOverride `yaml:"validation_policy,omitempty"`
 	Input                          fileModuleBinding                  `yaml:"input"`
 	Chunk                          *fileModuleBinding                 `yaml:"chunk,omitempty"`
 	Artifacts                      map[string]FileArtifactLaneProfile `yaml:"artifacts,omitempty"`
@@ -48,15 +50,25 @@ type FilePipelineProfile struct {
 }
 
 func (p *FilePipelineProfile) UnmarshalYAML(node *yaml.Node) error {
+	if err := validateStructuredOutputRepairAttemptsNode(node, "pipeline profile"); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 	type plainFilePipelineProfile FilePipelineProfile
 	var decoded plainFilePipelineProfile
 	seen, err := decodeKnownMapping(node, &decoded, map[string]struct{}{
-		"llm_profile": {}, "input": {}, "chunk": {}, "artifacts": {}, "steps": {}, "output": {}, "references": {},
+		"llm_profile": {}, "structured_output_repair_attempts": {}, "validation_policy": {}, "input": {}, "chunk": {}, "artifacts": {}, "steps": {}, "output": {}, "references": {},
 	}, "pipeline profile")
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	*p = FilePipelineProfile(decoded)
+	if validationPolicyNode, ok := mappingValue(node, "validation_policy"); ok {
+		policy, err := parseValidationPolicy(validationPolicyNode, "pipeline profile")
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		p.ValidationPolicy = policy
+	}
 	_, p.artifactsSet = seen["artifacts"]
 	_, p.stepsSet = seen["steps"]
 	_, p.llmProfileSet = seen["llm_profile"]
@@ -149,6 +161,8 @@ type FileDebugConfig struct {
 type fileModuleBinding struct {
 	Module                         string
 	LLMProfile                     string
+	StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int
+	ValidationPolicy               *pipeline.ValidationPolicyOverride
 	Retries                        int
 	Options                        map[string]any
 	References                     map[string]fileReferenceSource
@@ -245,9 +259,14 @@ func (b *fileModuleBinding) UnmarshalYAML(node *yaml.Node) error {
 		b.Module = strings.TrimSpace(module)
 		return nil
 	case yaml.MappingNode:
+		seen := make(map[string]struct{}, len(node.Content)/2)
 		for i := 0; i < len(node.Content); i += 2 {
 			keyNode := node.Content[i]
 			valueNode := node.Content[i+1]
+			if _, exists := seen[keyNode.Value]; exists {
+				return fmt.Errorf("module binding field %q is duplicated", keyNode.Value)
+			}
+			seen[keyNode.Value] = struct{}{}
 			switch keyNode.Value {
 			case "module":
 				var module string
@@ -264,6 +283,18 @@ func (b *fileModuleBinding) UnmarshalYAML(node *yaml.Node) error {
 				if b.LLMProfile == "" {
 					return fmt.Errorf("llm_profile must not be empty when set")
 				}
+			case "structured_output_repair_attempts":
+				attempts, err := parseStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(valueNode, "module binding")
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+				b.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = attempts
+			case "validation_policy":
+				policy, err := parseValidationPolicy(valueNode, "module binding")
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+				b.ValidationPolicy = policy
 			case "retries":
 				var retries int
 				if err := valueNode.Decode(&retries); err != nil {
@@ -306,13 +337,100 @@ func (b fileModuleBinding) toPipelineBinding() pipeline.ModuleBinding {
 	return pipeline.ModuleBinding{
 		Module:                         strings.TrimSpace(b.Module),
 		LLMProfile:                     strings.TrimSpace(b.LLMProfile),
+		StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: cloneStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(b.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts),
+		ValidationPolicy:               cloneValidationPolicyOverride(b.ValidationPolicy),
 		Retries:                        b.Retries,
 		Options:                        cloneOptions(b.Options),
 		References:                     fileReferenceSourcesToPipeline(b.References),
-		Validators: b.Validators,
+		Validators:                     cloneValidatorOverride(b.Validators),
 	}
 }
 
+func mappingValue(node *yaml.Node, key string) (*yaml.Node, bool) {
+	for i := 0; i < len(node.Content); i += 2 {
+		if node.Content[i].Value == key {
+			return node.Content[i+1], true
+		}
+	}
+	return nil, false
+}
+
+func parseValidationPolicy(node *yaml.Node, context string) (*pipeline.ValidationPolicyOverride, error) {
+	if node == nil || node.Tag == "!!null" || node.Kind != yaml.MappingNode {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s validation_policy must be an object", context)
+	}
+	policy := &pipeline.ValidationPolicyOverride{}
+	seen := make(map[string]struct{}, len(node.Content)/2)
+	for i := 0; i < len(node.Content); i += 2 {
+		key := node.Content[i].Value
+		value := node.Content[i+1]
+		if _, exists := seen[key]; exists {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s validation_policy field %q is duplicated", context, key)
+		}
+		seen[key] = struct{}{}
+		if value.Tag == "!!null" || value.Kind != yaml.ScalarNode || value.Tag != "!!str" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s validation_policy.%s must be a string", context, key)
+		}
+		switch key {
+		case "producer_structural_failure":
+			value := pipeline.ProducerStructuralFailureAction(value.Value)
+			policy.ProducerStructuralFailure = &value
+		case "semantic_rejection":
+			value := pipeline.SemanticRejectionAction(value.Value)
+			policy.SemanticRejection = &value
+		case "validator_failure":
+			value := pipeline.ValidatorFailureAction(value.Value)
+			policy.ValidatorFailure = &value
+		default:
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("field %s not found in %s validation_policy", key, context)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := policy.Validate(); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s validation_policy: %w", context, err)
+	}
+	return policy, nil
+}
+
+func validateStructuredOutputRepairAttemptsNode(node *yaml.Node, context string) error {
+	if node.Kind != yaml.MappingNode {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s must be an object", context)
+	}
+	for i := 0; i < len(node.Content); i += 2 {
+		if node.Content[i].Value != "structured_output_repair_attempts" {
+			continue
+		}
+		if _, err := parseStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(node.Content[i+1], context); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func parseStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(node *yaml.Node, context string) (*int, error) {
+	if node.Tag == "!!null" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s structured_output_repair_attempts must not be null", context)
+	}
+	if node.Kind != yaml.ScalarNode || node.Tag != "!!int" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s structured_output_repair_attempts must be an integer", context)
+	}
+	var attempts int
+	if err := node.Decode(&attempts); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s structured_output_repair_attempts must be an integer: %w", context, err)
+	}
+	if attempts < 0 || attempts > 3 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s structured_output_repair_attempts must be between zero and three", context)
+	}
+	return &attempts, nil
+}
+
+func cloneStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(attempts *int) *int {
+	if attempts == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	value := *attempts
+	return &value
+}
+
 func LoadFileConfig(path string) (FileConfig, error) {
 	data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -520,6 +638,8 @@ func (c *Config) applyFileConfigWithLookup(fileCfg FileConfig, lookup func(strin
 		profile := pipeline.PipelineProfile{
 			ID:                             pipelineID,
 			LLMProfile:                     llmProfile,
+			StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: cloneStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(filePipeline.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts),
+			ValidationPolicy:               cloneValidationPolicyOverride(filePipeline.ValidationPolicy),
 			Input:                          filePipeline.Input.toPipelineBinding(),
 			Artifacts:                      make(map[string]pipeline.ArtifactLaneProfile, len(filePipeline.Artifacts)),
 			References:                     fileReferenceSourcesToPipeline(filePipeline.References),

internal/core/config/file_config_contract_test.go

@@ -138,6 +138,168 @@ pipelines:
 	}
 }
 
+func TestStructuredOutputRepairAttemptsFileConfigurationPreservesPresenceAndOwnership(t *testing.T) {
+	const pipelineYAML = `version: 4
+pipelines:
+  main:
+    %s
+    input: input
+    artifacts:
+      lane:
+        extract:
+          module: extract
+          structured_output_repair_attempts: 2
+          validators:
+            - module: validator
+              structured_output_repair_attempts: 3
+`
+
+	t.Run("omitted pipeline value remains absent", func(t *testing.T) {
+		file := parseFileConfig(t, fmt.Sprintf(pipelineYAML, ""))
+		if got := file.Pipelines["main"].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts; got != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("file pipeline repair attempts = %v, want nil", *got)
+		}
+		cfg := Default()
+		if err := cfg.ApplyFileConfig(file); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if got := cfg.Pipelines["main"].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts; got != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("pipeline repair attempts = %v, want nil", *got)
+		}
+		if got := cfg.Pipelines["main"].Input.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts; got != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("scalar input binding repair attempts = %v, want nil", *got)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("zero is explicit and survives configuration boundaries", func(t *testing.T) {
+		file := parseFileConfig(t, fmt.Sprintf(pipelineYAML, "structured_output_repair_attempts: 0"))
+		cfg := Default()
+		if err := cfg.ApplyFileConfig(file); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		profile := cfg.Pipelines["main"]
+		if profile.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts == nil || *profile.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("pipeline repair attempts = %v, want explicit zero", profile.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts)
+		}
+		lane := profile.Artifacts["lane"]
+		if lane.Extract.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts == nil || *lane.Extract.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != 2 {
+			t.Fatalf("extract repair attempts = %v, want 2", lane.Extract.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts)
+		}
+		if lane.Extract.Validators.Validators[0].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts == nil || *lane.Extract.Validators.Validators[0].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != 3 {
+			t.Fatalf("validator repair attempts = %v, want 3", lane.Extract.Validators.Validators[0].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts)
+		}
+
+		*file.Pipelines["main"].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = 1
+		if got := *cfg.Pipelines["main"].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts; got != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("applied config aliased file configuration: got %d, want 0", got)
+		}
+		fileProfile := file.Pipelines["main"]
+		fileLane := fileProfile.Artifacts["lane"]
+		*fileLane.Extract.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = 1
+		*fileLane.Extract.Validators.Validators[0].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = 1
+		fileProfile.Artifacts["lane"] = fileLane
+		file.Pipelines["main"] = fileProfile
+		configuredLane := cfg.Pipelines["main"].Artifacts["lane"]
+		if got := *configuredLane.Extract.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts; got != 2 {
+			t.Fatalf("configured extract aliased file configuration: got %d, want 2", got)
+		}
+		if got := *configuredLane.Extract.Validators.Validators[0].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts; got != 3 {
+			t.Fatalf("configured validator aliased file configuration: got %d, want 3", got)
+		}
+		cloned := cloneConfig(cfg)
+		*cloned.Pipelines["main"].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = 1
+		if got := *cfg.Pipelines["main"].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts; got != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("cloned config aliased source configuration: got %d, want 0", got)
+		}
+		redacted := cfg.Redacted()
+		*redacted.Pipelines["main"].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = 1
+		if got := *cfg.Pipelines["main"].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts; got != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("redacted config aliased source configuration: got %d, want 0", got)
+		}
+		summary := cfg.RedactedSummaryPayload().(Config)
+		if summary.Pipelines["main"].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts == nil || *summary.Pipelines["main"].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("redacted summary pipeline repair attempts = %v, want explicit zero", summary.Pipelines["main"].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts)
+		}
+
+		data, err := json.Marshal(cfg)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		var roundTripped Config
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &roundTripped); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		roundTrippedProfile := roundTripped.Pipelines["main"]
+		if roundTrippedProfile.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts == nil || *roundTrippedProfile.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("round-tripped pipeline repair attempts = %v, want explicit zero", roundTrippedProfile.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts)
+		}
+		roundTrippedLane := roundTrippedProfile.Artifacts["lane"]
+		if roundTrippedLane.Extract.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts == nil || *roundTrippedLane.Extract.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != 2 {
+			t.Fatalf("round-tripped extract repair attempts = %v, want 2", roundTrippedLane.Extract.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts)
+		}
+		if roundTrippedLane.Extract.Validators.Validators[0].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts == nil || *roundTrippedLane.Extract.Validators.Validators[0].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != 3 {
+			t.Fatalf("round-tripped validator repair attempts = %v, want 3", roundTrippedLane.Extract.Validators.Validators[0].StructuredOutputRepairAttempts)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestStructuredOutputRepairAttemptsFileConfigurationRejectsInvalidValues(t *testing.T) {
+	const pipelineYAML = `version: 4
+pipelines:
+  main:
+    input: input
+    artifacts:
+      lane:
+        extract: extract
+    %s
+`
+	const bindingYAML = `version: 4
+pipelines:
+  main:
+    input:
+      module: input
+      %s
+    artifacts:
+      lane:
+        extract: extract
+`
+
+	for _, tt := range []struct {
+		name   string
+		source string
+		want   string
+	}{
+		{name: "null pipeline value", source: "structured_output_repair_attempts: null", want: "pipeline profile structured_output_repair_attempts must not be null"},
+		{name: "fractional pipeline value", source: "structured_output_repair_attempts: 1.5", want: "pipeline profile structured_output_repair_attempts must be an integer"},
+		{name: "quoted pipeline value", source: "structured_output_repair_attempts: '1'", want: "pipeline profile structured_output_repair_attempts must be an integer"},
+		{name: "out of range pipeline value", source: "structured_output_repair_attempts: 4", want: "pipeline profile structured_output_repair_attempts must be between zero and three"},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := ParseFileConfigYAML([]byte(fmt.Sprintf(pipelineYAML, tt.source)))
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tt.want) {
+				t.Fatalf("ParseFileConfigYAML() error = %v, want %q", err, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range []struct {
+		name   string
+		source string
+		want   string
+	}{
+		{name: "null binding value", source: "structured_output_repair_attempts: null", want: "module binding structured_output_repair_attempts must not be null"},
+		{name: "noninteger binding value", source: "structured_output_repair_attempts: true", want: "module binding structured_output_repair_attempts must be an integer"},
+		{name: "out of range binding value", source: "structured_output_repair_attempts: -1", want: "module binding structured_output_repair_attempts must be between zero and three"},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := ParseFileConfigYAML([]byte(fmt.Sprintf(bindingYAML, tt.source)))
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tt.want) {
+				t.Fatalf("ParseFileConfigYAML() error = %v, want %q", err, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestFileModuleBindingRejectsExplicitEmptyLLMProfile(t *testing.T) {
 	const configYAML = `version: 4
 pipelines:

internal/core/config/redaction.go

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ func (e EffectiveConfig) RedactedResolvedPipelinePayload() pipeline.ResolvedPipe
 
 func cloneResolvedPipeline(in pipeline.ResolvedPipeline) pipeline.ResolvedPipeline {
 	out := in
+	out.ConfiguredValidationPolicy = cloneValidationPolicyOverride(in.ConfiguredValidationPolicy)
 	out.Input = redactBinding(cloneModuleBinding(in.Input))
 	out.Chunk = redactBinding(cloneModuleBinding(in.Chunk))
 	out.ChunkReferences = pipeline.CloneReferenceTarget(in.ChunkReferences)

internal/core/config/redaction_test.go

@@ -225,6 +225,39 @@ func TestRedactedResolvedPipelinePayloadHandlesTypedOptionContainers(t *testing.
 	}
 }
 
+func TestRedactedEffectiveConfigPayloadOwnsValidationPolicies(t *testing.T) {
+	semantic := pipeline.SemanticRejectionRejectOutput
+	validator := pipeline.ValidatorFailureFailRun
+	configured := &pipeline.ValidationPolicyOverride{SemanticRejection: &semantic, ValidatorFailure: &validator}
+	effective := EffectiveConfig{
+		Config: Config{Pipelines: map[string]pipeline.PipelineProfile{
+			"main": {ValidationPolicy: configured},
+		}},
+		ResolvedPipeline: pipeline.ResolvedPipeline{
+			ConfiguredValidationPolicy: configured,
+			ChunkValidationPolicy: pipeline.ValidationPolicy{
+				ProducerStructuralFailure: pipeline.ProducerStructuralFailureFailRun,
+				SemanticRejection:         pipeline.SemanticRejectionRejectOutput,
+				ValidatorFailure:          pipeline.ValidatorFailureFailRun,
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	payload := effective.RedactedSummaryPayload().(EffectiveConfig)
+	encoded, err := json.Marshal(payload)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(string(encoded), `"configured_validation_policy":{"semantic_rejection":"reject_output","validator_failure":"fail_run"}`) || !strings.Contains(string(encoded), `"chunk_validation_policy":{"producer_structural_failure":"fail_run","semantic_rejection":"reject_output","validator_failure":"fail_run"}`) {
+		t.Fatalf("redacted payload omitted validation policy: %s", encoded)
+	}
+	*payload.Config.Pipelines["main"].ValidationPolicy.SemanticRejection = pipeline.SemanticRejectionFailRun
+	*payload.ResolvedPipeline.ConfiguredValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure = pipeline.ValidatorFailureWarnContinue
+	if *effective.Config.Pipelines["main"].ValidationPolicy.SemanticRejection != pipeline.SemanticRejectionRejectOutput || *effective.ResolvedPipeline.ConfiguredValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure != pipeline.ValidatorFailureFailRun {
+		t.Fatal("redacted payload aliases validation policy")
+	}
+}
+
 func redactionTestBinding(name string) pipeline.ModuleBinding {
 	return pipeline.ModuleBinding{
 		Module: "safe-" + name,

internal/core/config/validation.go

@@ -116,6 +116,14 @@ func validatePipelineProfiles(profiles map[string]pipeline.PipelineProfile) erro
 		if profile.ID != "" && strings.TrimSpace(profile.ID) != id {
 			return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q profile id %q does not match map key", id, profile.ID)
 		}
+		if err := validateStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q", id), profile.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if profile.ValidationPolicy != nil {
+			if err := profile.ValidationPolicy.Validate(); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q validation_policy: %w", id, err)
+			}
+		}
 		if err := validateBinding(id, "", "input", profile.Input, false); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -195,6 +203,19 @@ func validateBinding(
 	binding pipeline.ModuleBinding,
 	referencesAllowed bool,
 ) error {
+	if binding.ValidationPolicy != nil {
+		switch slot {
+		case "chunk", "extract", "merge", "normalize":
+		default:
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s validation_policy is not supported", referenceContext(pipelineID, laneID, slot))
+		}
+		if err := binding.ValidationPolicy.Validate(); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s validation_policy: %w", referenceContext(pipelineID, laneID, slot), err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := validateStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(referenceContext(pipelineID, laneID, slot), binding.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 	if err := validateBindingLLMProfile(pipelineID, laneID, slot, binding); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -219,6 +240,13 @@ func validateBinding(
 	return validateReferenceMapForContext(pipelineID, laneID, slot, binding.References, true)
 }
 
+func validateStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(context string, attempts *int) error {
+	if attempts != nil && (*attempts < 0 || *attempts > 3) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s structured_output_repair_attempts must be between zero and three", context)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func validateValidatorOverride(pipelineID string, laneID string, slot string, override pipeline.ValidatorOverride) error {
 	if !override.Set {
 		return nil
@@ -230,6 +258,9 @@ func validateValidatorOverride(pipelineID string, laneID string, slot string, ov
 	}
 	for i, validator := range override.Validators {
 		context := fmt.Sprintf("%s validators[%d]", referenceContext(pipelineID, laneID, slot), i)
+		if err := validateStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(context, validator.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
 		if strings.TrimSpace(validator.Module) == "" {
 			return fmt.Errorf("%s module must not be empty", context)
 		}
@@ -239,8 +270,11 @@ func validateValidatorOverride(pipelineID string, laneID string, slot string, ov
 		if validator.Validators.Set {
 			return fmt.Errorf("%s nested validators are not supported", context)
 		}
-		if validator.Retries != 0 {
+		if validator.ValidationPolicy != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("%s retries are not supported", context)
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s validation_policy is not supported", context)
+		}
+		if validator.Retries < 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s retries must be greater than or equal to zero", context)
 		}
 		if validator.LLMProfile != "" && strings.TrimSpace(validator.LLMProfile) == "" {
 			return fmt.Errorf("%s llm_profile must not be empty when set", context)

internal/core/config/validation_contract_test.go

@@ -374,17 +374,17 @@ func TestValidateValidatorBindingRules(t *testing.T) {
 			want: "chunk validators[0] module must not be empty",
 		},
 		{
-			name: "validator retries",
+			name: "negative validator retries",
 			setup: func(profile *pipeline.PipelineProfile) {
 				profile.Chunk.Validators = pipeline.ValidatorOverride{
 					Set: true,
 					Validators: []pipeline.ModuleBinding{{
 						Module:  "validator",
-						Retries: 1,
+						Retries: -1,
 					}},
 				}
 			},
-			want: "chunk validators[0] retries are not supported",
+			want: "chunk validators[0] retries must be greater than or equal to zero",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "validator references",

internal/core/config/validation_policy_contract_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
+)
+
+func TestValidationPolicyFileConfigurationIsStrictAndPresenceAware(t *testing.T) {
+	const valid = `version: 4
+pipelines:
+  main:
+    validation_policy:
+      producer_structural_failure: reject_output
+      semantic_rejection: fail_run
+    input: seriatim
+    chunk:
+      module: generic
+      validation_policy:
+        validator_failure: fail_run
+    artifacts:
+      lane:
+        extract:
+          module: extract
+          validation_policy:
+            semantic_rejection: reject_output
+`
+	cfg := applyFileConfig(t, valid)
+	profile := cfg.Pipelines["main"]
+	if profile.ValidationPolicy == nil || profile.ValidationPolicy.ProducerStructuralFailure == nil || *profile.ValidationPolicy.ProducerStructuralFailure != pipeline.ProducerStructuralFailureRejectOutput || profile.ValidationPolicy.SemanticRejection == nil || *profile.ValidationPolicy.SemanticRejection != pipeline.SemanticRejectionFailRun || profile.ValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("pipeline validation policy = %#v", profile.ValidationPolicy)
+	}
+	if profile.Chunk.ValidationPolicy == nil || profile.Chunk.ValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure == nil || *profile.Chunk.ValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure != pipeline.ValidatorFailureFailRun {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk validation policy = %#v", profile.Chunk.ValidationPolicy)
+	}
+	lane := profile.Artifacts["lane"]
+	if lane.Extract.ValidationPolicy == nil || lane.Extract.ValidationPolicy.SemanticRejection == nil || *lane.Extract.ValidationPolicy.SemanticRejection != pipeline.SemanticRejectionRejectOutput {
+		t.Fatalf("extract validation policy = %#v", lane.Extract.ValidationPolicy)
+	}
+
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name string
+		yaml string
+	}{
+		{"null object", strings.Replace(valid, "validation_policy:\n      producer_structural_failure: reject_output\n      semantic_rejection: fail_run", "validation_policy: null", 1)},
+		{"null field", strings.Replace(valid, "semantic_rejection: fail_run", "semantic_rejection: null", 1)},
+		{"unknown field", strings.Replace(valid, "semantic_rejection: fail_run", "unknown: fail_run", 1)},
+		{"duplicate field", strings.Replace(valid, "semantic_rejection: fail_run", "semantic_rejection: fail_run\n      semantic_rejection: reject_output", 1)},
+		{"invalid enum", strings.Replace(valid, "semantic_rejection: fail_run", "semantic_rejection: continue", 1)},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if _, err := ParseFileConfigYAML([]byte(test.yaml)); err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("ParseFileConfigYAML() error = nil, want strict validation-policy rejection")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidationPolicyPlacementRules(t *testing.T) {
+	policy := &pipeline.ValidationPolicyOverride{}
+	semantic := pipeline.SemanticRejectionRejectOutput
+	policy.SemanticRejection = &semantic
+	base := pipeline.PipelineProfile{
+		ID:    "main",
+		Input: pipeline.Binding("input"),
+		Artifacts: map[string]pipeline.ArtifactLaneProfile{
+			"lane": {Extract: pipeline.Binding("extract")},
+		},
+	}
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name   string
+		mutate func(*pipeline.PipelineProfile)
+	}{
+		{"input", func(profile *pipeline.PipelineProfile) { profile.Input.ValidationPolicy = policy }},
+		{"output", func(profile *pipeline.PipelineProfile) {
+			profile.Output = pipeline.Binding("output")
+			profile.Output.ValidationPolicy = policy
+		}},
+		{"validator", func(profile *pipeline.PipelineProfile) {
+			lane := profile.Artifacts["lane"]
+			lane.Extract.Validators = pipeline.ValidatorOverride{Set: true, Validators: []pipeline.ModuleBinding{{Module: "validator", ValidationPolicy: policy}}}
+			profile.Artifacts["lane"] = lane
+		}},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			profile := base
+			profile.Artifacts = map[string]pipeline.ArtifactLaneProfile{"lane": base.Artifacts["lane"]}
+			test.mutate(&profile)
+			cfg := Default()
+			cfg.Pipelines = map[string]pipeline.PipelineProfile{"main": profile}
+			if err := cfg.Validate(); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "validation_policy") {
+				t.Fatalf("Config.Validate() error = %v, want placement rejection", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

internal/framework/checkpoint/recorder.go

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/artifacts"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/fileio"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
@@ -344,7 +345,15 @@ func cloneRejectedOutputs(rejected []contracts.RejectedOutput) []contracts.Rejec
 	if len(rejected) == 0 {
 		return nil
 	}
-	return append([]contracts.RejectedOutput(nil), rejected...)
+	cloned := make([]contracts.RejectedOutput, len(rejected))
+	for index, item := range rejected {
+		cloned[index] = item
+		if item.Validation != nil {
+			summary := artifacts.CloneValidationSummary(*item.Validation)
+			cloned[index].Validation = &summary
+		}
+	}
+	return cloned
 }
 
 func cloneMetadata(metadata map[string]any) map[string]any {

internal/framework/contracts/completion_request_debug.go

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+package contracts
+
+import (
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"fmt"
+)
+
+// DebugStructuredCompletionRequest is the content-safe representation of a
+// structured completion request for ordinary diagnostics and summaries.
+// Detailed prompt material remains available only through the explicitly
+// requested LLM debug trace.
+type DebugStructuredCompletionRequest struct {
+	StageName                      string                   `json:"stage_name,omitempty"`
+	PromptID                       string                   `json:"prompt_id,omitempty"`
+	PromptVersion                  string                   `json:"prompt_version,omitempty"`
+	ProfileID                      string                   `json:"profile_id,omitempty"`
+	SessionID                      string                   `json:"session_id,omitempty"`
+	InputCount                     int                      `json:"input_count"`
+	VariableCount                  int                      `json:"variable_count"`
+	StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int                     `json:"structured_output_repair_attempts,omitempty"`
+	Correction                     *DebugSemanticCorrection `json:"correction,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// DebugSemanticCorrection records only safe correction metadata. It never
+// exposes the assistant response or user guidance text.
+type DebugSemanticCorrection struct {
+	AssistantResponseBytes  int    `json:"assistant_response_bytes"`
+	AssistantResponseDigest string `json:"assistant_response_digest"`
+	UserGuidanceBytes       int    `json:"user_guidance_bytes"`
+	UserGuidanceDigest      string `json:"user_guidance_digest"`
+}
+
+// DebugSummary returns a content-safe representation suitable for ordinary
+// diagnostics. It does not validate or retain correction content.
+func (request StructuredCompletionRequest) DebugSummary() DebugStructuredCompletionRequest {
+	summary := DebugStructuredCompletionRequest{
+		StageName:     request.StageName,
+		PromptID:      request.PromptID,
+		PromptVersion: request.PromptVersion,
+		ProfileID:     request.ProfileID,
+		SessionID:     request.SessionID,
+		InputCount:    len(request.Inputs),
+		VariableCount: len(request.Vars),
+	}
+	if request.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != nil {
+		attempts := *request.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts
+		summary.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = &attempts
+	}
+	if request.Correction != nil {
+		summary.Correction = request.Correction.DebugSummary()
+	}
+	return summary
+}
+
+// DebugSummary returns content-safe correction metadata suitable for ordinary
+// diagnostics.
+func (correction *SemanticCorrection) DebugSummary() *DebugSemanticCorrection {
+	if correction == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return &DebugSemanticCorrection{
+		AssistantResponseBytes:  len(correction.AssistantResponse),
+		AssistantResponseDigest: debugContentDigest(correction.AssistantResponse),
+		UserGuidanceBytes:       len(correction.UserGuidance),
+		UserGuidanceDigest:      debugContentDigest([]byte(correction.UserGuidance)),
+	}
+}
+
+// String prevents ordinary request formatting from exposing correction
+// content. Use the explicitly requested debug trace for complete messages.
+func (request StructuredCompletionRequest) String() string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%+v", request.DebugSummary())
+}
+
+// GoString gives %#v formatting the same content-safe behavior as String.
+func (request StructuredCompletionRequest) GoString() string {
+	return request.String()
+}
+
+func debugContentDigest(content []byte) string {
+	sum := sha256.Sum256(content)
+	return "sha256:" + hex.EncodeToString(sum[:])
+}

internal/framework/contracts/contracts.go

@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ type StructuredCompletionRequest struct {
 	SessionID                      string              `json:"session_id,omitempty"`
 	Inputs                         LLMInputSet         `json:"inputs,omitempty"`
 	Vars                           map[string]any      `json:"vars,omitempty"`
+	StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int                `json:"structured_output_repair_attempts,omitempty"`
+	Correction                     *SemanticCorrection `json:"-"`
 }
 
 type StructuredCompletionResponse struct {
@@ -26,6 +28,7 @@ type StructuredCompletionResponse struct {
 	PromptTokens     int               `json:"prompt_tokens,omitempty"`
 	CompletionTokens int               `json:"completion_tokens,omitempty"`
 	TotalTokens      int               `json:"total_tokens,omitempty"`
+	RepairAttempts   int               `json:"repair_attempts,omitempty"`
 	Debug            *LLMDebugMaterial `json:"debug,omitempty"`
 }
 
@@ -73,6 +76,14 @@ type LLMDebugResponse struct {
 	InputHashes          map[string]string      `json:"input_hashes,omitempty"`
 	Validation           map[string]any         `json:"validation,omitempty"`
 	Usage                LLMDebugUsage          `json:"usage,omitempty"`
+	ProviderError        *LLMDebugProviderError `json:"provider_error,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type LLMDebugProviderError struct {
+	StatusCode int    `json:"status_code,omitempty"`
+	Code       string `json:"code,omitempty"`
+	Type       string `json:"type,omitempty"`
+	Message    string `json:"message,omitempty"`
 }
 
 type LLMDebugUsage struct {
@@ -130,6 +141,7 @@ type ParseRequest struct {
 	Path                           string         `json:"path,omitempty"`
 	Raw                            []byte         `json:"-"`
 	LLMProfile                     string         `json:"llm_profile,omitempty"`
+	StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int           `json:"structured_output_repair_attempts,omitempty"`
 	Metadata                       map[string]any `json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 }
 
@@ -144,12 +156,15 @@ type ChunkRequest struct {
 	SessionID                      string                 `json:"session_id,omitempty"`
 	References                     ReferenceSet           `json:"references,omitempty"`
 	LLMProfile                     string                 `json:"llm_profile,omitempty"`
+	StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int                   `json:"structured_output_repair_attempts,omitempty"`
+	Correction                     *SemanticCorrection    `json:"-"`
 	Metadata                       map[string]any         `json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 }
 
 type ChunkPlanResult struct {
 	Plan           source.ChunkPlan `json:"plan"`
 	Warnings       []Warning        `json:"warnings,omitempty"`
+	ModelCandidate *ModelCandidate  `json:"-"`
 }
 
 type Chunker interface {
@@ -271,6 +286,7 @@ type ValidationResult struct {
 	Approved               bool      `json:"approved"`
 	ReasonCode             string    `json:"reason_code,omitempty"`
 	Message                string    `json:"message,omitempty"`
+	CorrectionGuidance     string    `json:"-"`
 	DiagnosticArtifactPath string    `json:"diagnostic_artifact_path,omitempty"`
 	Warnings               []Warning `json:"warnings,omitempty"`
 }
@@ -287,6 +303,7 @@ type OutputRequest struct {
 	Rejected                       []RejectedOutput      `json:"rejected,omitempty"`
 	Warnings                       []Warning             `json:"warnings,omitempty"`
 	LLMProfile                     string                `json:"llm_profile,omitempty"`
+	StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int                  `json:"structured_output_repair_attempts,omitempty"`
 	Metadata                       map[string]any        `json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	ChunkMap                       *SerializedArtifact   `json:"chunk_map,omitempty"`
 	EvidenceContext                *SerializedArtifact   `json:"evidence_context,omitempty"`
@@ -320,6 +337,7 @@ type RejectedOutput struct {
 	Message                string                       `json:"message"`
 	AttemptCount           int                          `json:"attempt_count,omitempty"`
 	DiagnosticArtifactPath string                       `json:"diagnostic_artifact_path,omitempty"`
+	Validation             *artifacts.ValidationSummary `json:"validation,omitempty"`
 }
 
 type ManifestMetadataProvider interface {

internal/framework/contracts/correction.go

@@ -0,0 +1,175 @@
+package contracts
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"unicode/utf8"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
+)
+
+// CorrectionProtocol identifies how a producer can represent the model output
+// that directly controlled a candidate.
+type CorrectionProtocol string
+
+const (
+	CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1 CorrectionProtocol = "single_response_v1"
+)
+
+const (
+	MaxValidationReasonCodeBytes         = 128
+	MaxValidationCorrectionGuidanceBytes = 4 * 1024
+	MaxAssistantResponseBytes            = 1 << 20
+	MaxCorrectionGuidanceBytes           = 64 * 1024
+	MaxCorrectionContentBytes            = MaxAssistantResponseBytes + MaxCorrectionGuidanceBytes
+)
+
+func (protocol CorrectionProtocol) Validate() error {
+	if protocol == CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return fmt.Errorf("unsupported correction protocol %q", protocol)
+}
+
+// SemanticCorrection carries the latest model response and application-owned
+// guidance for one fresh corrected request. Its content is sensitive and is
+// deliberately excluded from ordinary JSON serialization.
+type SemanticCorrection struct {
+	AssistantResponse []byte `json:"-"`
+	UserGuidance      string `json:"-"`
+}
+
+func NewSemanticCorrection(assistantResponse []byte, userGuidance string) (*SemanticCorrection, error) {
+	correction := &SemanticCorrection{
+		AssistantResponse: append([]byte(nil), assistantResponse...),
+		UserGuidance:      userGuidance,
+	}
+	if err := correction.Validate(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return correction, nil
+}
+
+func CloneSemanticCorrection(correction *SemanticCorrection) (*SemanticCorrection, error) {
+	if correction == nil {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	return NewSemanticCorrection(correction.AssistantResponse, correction.UserGuidance)
+}
+
+// CloneStructuredCompletionRequest returns a request whose mutable values are
+// owned by the caller. It is suitable for clients that retain requests after
+// CompleteStructured returns.
+func CloneStructuredCompletionRequest(request StructuredCompletionRequest) (StructuredCompletionRequest, error) {
+	correction, err := CloneSemanticCorrection(request.Correction)
+	if err != nil {
+		return StructuredCompletionRequest{}, fmt.Errorf("clone correction: %w", err)
+	}
+	vars, err := source.CloneMetadata(request.Vars)
+	if err != nil {
+		return StructuredCompletionRequest{}, fmt.Errorf("clone variables: %w", err)
+	}
+	request.Inputs = request.Inputs.Clone()
+	request.Vars = vars
+	request.Correction = correction
+	if request.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != nil {
+		attempts := *request.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts
+		request.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = &attempts
+	}
+	return request, nil
+}
+
+func (correction SemanticCorrection) Validate() error {
+	if err := validateAssistantResponse(correction.AssistantResponse); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("semantic correction assistant response: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := validateBoundedText(correction.UserGuidance, MaxCorrectionGuidanceBytes, "semantic correction user guidance", false); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if len(correction.AssistantResponse)+len(correction.UserGuidance) > MaxCorrectionContentBytes {
+		return errors.New("semantic correction content exceeds maximum length")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// ModelCandidate preserves the exact single model response that directly
+// controlled a producer result. It is attempt-local and never durable data.
+type ModelCandidate struct {
+	Response []byte             `json:"-"`
+	Protocol CorrectionProtocol `json:"-"`
+}
+
+func NewModelCandidate(response []byte, protocol CorrectionProtocol) (*ModelCandidate, error) {
+	candidate := &ModelCandidate{Response: append([]byte(nil), response...), Protocol: protocol}
+	if err := candidate.Validate(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return candidate, nil
+}
+
+func CloneModelCandidate(candidate *ModelCandidate) (*ModelCandidate, error) {
+	if candidate == nil {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	return NewModelCandidate(candidate.Response, candidate.Protocol)
+}
+
+func (candidate ModelCandidate) Validate() error {
+	if err := candidate.Protocol.Validate(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := validateAssistantResponse(candidate.Response); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("model candidate response: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+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
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func validateAssistantResponse(response []byte) error {
+	if len(response) > MaxAssistantResponseBytes {
+		return errors.New("exceeds maximum length")
+	}
+	if !utf8.Valid(response) {
+		return errors.New("must be valid UTF-8")
+	}
+	if len(strings.TrimSpace(string(response))) == 0 {
+		return errors.New("must not be blank")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func validateBoundedText(value string, maximum int, name string, optional bool) error {
+	if value == "" && optional {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if !utf8.ValidString(value) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s must be valid UTF-8", name)
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(value) == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s must not be blank", name)
+	}
+	if len(value) > maximum {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s exceeds maximum length", name)
+	}
+	return nil
+}

internal/framework/contracts/correction_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,184 @@
+package contracts
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestSemanticCorrectionOwnsValidatedContent(t *testing.T) {
+	assistant := []byte(`{"items":["original"]}`)
+	correction, err := NewSemanticCorrection(assistant, "Return one corrected replacement.")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewSemanticCorrection() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	assistant[0] = '['
+	if got := string(correction.AssistantResponse); got != `{"items":["original"]}` {
+		t.Fatalf("assistant response = %q, want owned original content", got)
+	}
+
+	clone, err := CloneSemanticCorrection(correction)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("CloneSemanticCorrection() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	clone.AssistantResponse[0] = '['
+	if got := string(correction.AssistantResponse); got != `{"items":["original"]}` {
+		t.Fatalf("source correction changed through clone = %q", got)
+	}
+	if nilClone, err := CloneSemanticCorrection(nil); err != nil || nilClone != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("CloneSemanticCorrection(nil) = %#v, %v; want nil, nil", nilClone, err)
+	}
+
+	encoded, err := json.Marshal(correction)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("marshal correction: %v", err)
+	}
+	if string(encoded) != "{}" {
+		t.Fatalf("correction JSON = %s, want no sensitive content", encoded)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCorrectionContractsRejectInvalidContent(t *testing.T) {
+	tooLongAssistant := bytes.Repeat([]byte("a"), MaxAssistantResponseBytes+1)
+	tooLongGuidance := strings.Repeat("a", MaxCorrectionGuidanceBytes+1)
+	tooLongReason := strings.Repeat("a", MaxValidationReasonCodeBytes+1)
+	tooLongValidationGuidance := strings.Repeat("a", MaxValidationCorrectionGuidanceBytes+1)
+
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name string
+		call func() error
+	}{
+		{"blank assistant", func() error { _, err := NewSemanticCorrection([]byte(" \n"), "guidance"); return err }},
+		{"invalid assistant utf8", func() error { _, err := NewSemanticCorrection([]byte{0xff}, "guidance"); return err }},
+		{"oversized assistant", func() error { _, err := NewSemanticCorrection(tooLongAssistant, "guidance"); return err }},
+		{"blank guidance", func() error { _, err := NewSemanticCorrection([]byte("response"), " \t"); return err }},
+		{"invalid guidance utf8", func() error { _, err := NewSemanticCorrection([]byte("response"), string([]byte{0xff})); return err }},
+		{"oversized guidance", func() error { _, err := NewSemanticCorrection([]byte("response"), tooLongGuidance); return err }},
+		{"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 }},
+		{"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{ReasonCode: "invalid", CorrectionGuidance: string([]byte{0xff})})
+		}},
+		{"oversized correction guidance", func() error {
+			return ValidateValidationResult(ValidationResult{ReasonCode: "invalid", CorrectionGuidance: tooLongValidationGuidance})
+		}},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if err := test.call(); err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("validation error = nil, want error")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestModelCandidateOwnsValidatedResponse(t *testing.T) {
+	response := []byte(`{"items":["original"]}`)
+	candidate, err := NewModelCandidate(response, CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewModelCandidate() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	response[0] = '['
+	if got := string(candidate.Response); got != `{"items":["original"]}` {
+		t.Fatalf("candidate response = %q, want owned original content", got)
+	}
+	clone, err := CloneModelCandidate(candidate)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("CloneModelCandidate() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	clone.Response[0] = '['
+	if got := string(candidate.Response); got != `{"items":["original"]}` {
+		t.Fatalf("source candidate changed through clone = %q", got)
+	}
+	if nilClone, err := CloneModelCandidate(nil); err != nil || nilClone != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("CloneModelCandidate(nil) = %#v, %v; want nil, nil", nilClone, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidationResultAllowsAbsentOptionalCorrectionFields(t *testing.T) {
+	if err := ValidateValidationResult(ValidationResult{Approved: true}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ValidateValidationResult() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if err := ValidateValidationResult(ValidationResult{ReasonCode: "invalid-evidence", CorrectionGuidance: "Provide source-backed evidence."}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ValidateValidationResult() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if err := CorrectionProtocol("").Validate(); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("empty correction protocol validation error = nil, want error")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCloneStructuredCompletionRequestOwnsCorrection(t *testing.T) {
+	correction, err := NewSemanticCorrection([]byte(`{"value":"original"}`), "Correct the value.")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewSemanticCorrection() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	attempts := 2
+	request := StructuredCompletionRequest{
+		Inputs:                         LLMInputSet{"source": NewLLMInputMaterial("source", "application/json", []byte(`{"source":true}`), "", "")},
+		Vars:                           map[string]any{"labels": []string{"original"}},
+		StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: &attempts,
+		Correction:                     correction,
+	}
+	clone, err := CloneStructuredCompletionRequest(request)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("CloneStructuredCompletionRequest() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	correction.AssistantResponse[0] = '['
+	request.Inputs["source"] = NewLLMInputMaterial("source", "application/json", []byte(`{"source":false}`), "", "")
+	*request.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = 7
+	if got := string(clone.Correction.AssistantResponse); got != `{"value":"original"}` {
+		t.Fatalf("cloned correction response = %q, want owned original content", got)
+	}
+	if got := string(clone.Inputs["source"].Content); got != `{"source":true}` {
+		t.Fatalf("cloned input = %q, want owned original content", got)
+	}
+	if clone.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts == nil || *clone.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("cloned repair attempts = %v, want 2", clone.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStructuredCompletionRequestDebugSummaryOmitsCorrectionContent(t *testing.T) {
+	const assistantResponse = `{"secret":"assistant response"}`
+	const userGuidance = "secret user guidance"
+	correction, err := NewSemanticCorrection([]byte(assistantResponse), userGuidance)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewSemanticCorrection() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	request := StructuredCompletionRequest{
+		Inputs:     LLMInputSet{"source": NewLLMInputMaterial("source", "application/json", []byte(`{"source":true}`), "", "")},
+		Vars:       map[string]any{"custom": "value"},
+		Correction: correction,
+	}
+
+	summary := request.DebugSummary()
+	if summary.InputCount != 1 || summary.VariableCount != 1 || summary.Correction == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("debug summary = %#v, want input, variable, and correction metadata", summary)
+	}
+	if summary.Correction.AssistantResponseBytes != len(assistantResponse) || summary.Correction.UserGuidanceBytes != len(userGuidance) ||
+		summary.Correction.AssistantResponseDigest == "" || summary.Correction.UserGuidanceDigest == "" {
+		t.Fatalf("correction summary = %#v, want byte counts and digests", summary.Correction)
+	}
+	encoded, err := json.Marshal(summary)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("marshal debug summary: %v", err)
+	}
+	for _, rendered := range []string{string(encoded), fmt.Sprintf("%+v", request), fmt.Sprintf("%#v", request)} {
+		for _, secret := range []string{assistantResponse, userGuidance} {
+			if strings.Contains(rendered, secret) {
+				t.Fatalf("content-safe request rendering leaked %q: %s", secret, rendered)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/framework/contracts/errors.go

@@ -9,3 +9,31 @@ var ErrInvalidStructuredOutput = errors.New("invalid structured output")
 // ErrLLMCapacityExceeded identifies backend admission exhaustion before model
 // generation begins.
 var ErrLLMCapacityExceeded = errors.New("LLM capacity exceeded")
+
+// ErrLLMGeneration identifies a provider generation failure.
+var ErrLLMGeneration = errors.New("LLM generation failed")
+
+type LLMGenerationError struct {
+	status     int
+	diagnostic string
+}
+
+func NewLLMGenerationError(status int, diagnostic string) *LLMGenerationError {
+	if status < 0 {
+		status = 0
+	}
+	return &LLMGenerationError{status: status, diagnostic: diagnostic}
+}
+func (e *LLMGenerationError) Error() string {
+	if e == nil || e.diagnostic == "" {
+		return ErrLLMGeneration.Error()
+	}
+	return e.diagnostic
+}
+func (e *LLMGenerationError) Unwrap() error { return ErrLLMGeneration }
+func (e *LLMGenerationError) StatusCode() int {
+	if e == nil {
+		return 0
+	}
+	return e.status
+}

internal/framework/contracts/typed_pipeline.go

@@ -41,12 +41,15 @@ type TypedExtractionRequest struct {
 	SessionID                      string
 	References                     ReferenceSet
 	LLMProfile                     string
+	StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int
+	Correction                     *SemanticCorrection
 	Metadata                       map[string]any
 }
 
 type TypedExtractionResult[T any] struct {
 	Value          T
 	Warnings       []Warning
+	ModelCandidate *ModelCandidate
 }
 
 type Extractor[T any] interface {
@@ -63,12 +66,15 @@ type TypedMergeRequest[T any] struct {
 	SessionID                      string
 	References                     ReferenceSet
 	LLMProfile                     string
+	StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int
+	Correction                     *SemanticCorrection
 	Metadata                       map[string]any
 }
 
 type TypedMergeResult[T any] struct {
 	Value          T
 	Warnings       []Warning
+	ModelCandidate *ModelCandidate
 }
 
 type Merger[T any] interface {
@@ -84,6 +90,8 @@ type TypedNormalizeRequest[T any] struct {
 	SessionID                      string
 	References                     ReferenceSet
 	LLMProfile                     string
+	StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int
+	Correction                     *SemanticCorrection
 	Metadata                       map[string]any
 }
 
@@ -91,6 +99,7 @@ type TypedNormalizeResult[T any] struct {
 	Value          T
 	Warnings       []Warning
 	Retry          *NormalizeRetry
+	ModelCandidate *ModelCandidate
 }
 
 // Normalize retry diagnostic limits bound module-provided values before the
@@ -124,6 +133,7 @@ type TypedValidationRequest[T any] struct {
 	SessionID                      string
 	References                     ReferenceSet
 	LLMProfile                     string
+	StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int
 	Metadata                       map[string]any
 	Chunk                          *source.Chunk
 	Chunks                         []source.Chunk
@@ -145,6 +155,7 @@ type ChunkValidationRequest struct {
 	SessionID                      string
 	References                     ReferenceSet
 	LLMProfile                     string
+	StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int
 	Metadata                       map[string]any
 	Chunks                         []source.Chunk
 }
@@ -165,6 +176,7 @@ type SerializedValidationRequest struct {
 	SessionID                      string
 	References                     ReferenceSet
 	LLMProfile                     string
+	StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int
 	Metadata                       map[string]any
 	Chunk                          *source.Chunk
 	Chunks                         []source.Chunk

internal/framework/evidencecontext/assets/schemas/source_evidence_context.v1.json

@@ -2,24 +2,8 @@
   "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
   "$id": "notarius.source.evidence_context",
   "title": "notarius_source_evidence_context_v1",
-  "type": "object",
-  "additionalProperties": false,
-  "required": ["source_id", "source_digest", "window_units", "selected_lanes", "contexts"],
-  "properties": {
-    "source_id": {"type": "string", "minLength": 1},
-    "source_digest": {"type": "string", "pattern": "^sha256:[0-9a-f]{64}$"},
-    "window_units": {"type": "integer", "minimum": 0},
-    "selected_lanes": {
   "type": "array",
-      "minItems": 1,
+  "items": {"$ref": "#/$defs/unit"},
-      "uniqueItems": true,
-      "items": {"type": "string", "minLength": 1}
-    },
-    "contexts": {
-      "type": "array",
-      "items": {"$ref": "#/$defs/context"}
-    }
-  },
   "$defs": {
     "source_ref": {
       "type": "object",
@@ -42,25 +26,6 @@
         "ref": {"$ref": "#/$defs/source_ref"},
         "metadata": {"type": "object", "additionalProperties": true}
       }
-    },
-    "evidence_ref": {
-      "type": "object",
-      "additionalProperties": false,
-      "required": ["lane_id", "source_ref"],
-      "properties": {
-        "lane_id": {"type": "string", "minLength": 1},
-        "source_ref": {"$ref": "#/$defs/source_ref"}
-      }
-    },
-    "context": {
-      "type": "object",
-      "additionalProperties": false,
-      "required": ["context_ref", "evidence_refs", "units"],
-      "properties": {
-        "context_ref": {"$ref": "#/$defs/source_ref"},
-        "evidence_refs": {"type": "array", "minItems": 1, "items": {"$ref": "#/$defs/evidence_ref"}},
-        "units": {"type": "array", "minItems": 1, "items": {"$ref": "#/$defs/unit"}}
-      }
     }
   }
 }

internal/framework/evidencecontext/build.go

@@ -3,118 +3,62 @@ package evidencecontext
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"sort"
-	"strings"
 
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
 )
 
-type contribution struct {
-	laneID   string
-	ref      source.SourceRef
-	startPos int
-	endPos   int
-}
-
 type expandedRange struct {
 	startPos int
 	endPos   int
-	contributions []contribution
 }
 
-// Build validates accepted direct references, expands them by source-document
+// Build validates projected source references, expands them by source-document
-// position, and returns their deterministic context union.
+// position, and returns their ordered union as an owned source-unit excerpt.
 func Build(request BuildRequest) (Document, error) {
 	if request.WindowUnits < 0 {
-		return Document{}, fmt.Errorf("window_units must not be negative")
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("window_units must not be negative")
-	}
-	lanes, err := normalizeSelectedLanes(request.SelectedLanes)
-	if err != nil {
-		return Document{}, err
 	}
 	if err := source.ValidateDocument(request.Source); err != nil {
-		return Document{}, fmt.Errorf("validate source document: %w", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("validate source document: %w", err)
 	}
 	digest, err := source.DigestDocument(request.Source)
 	if err != nil {
-		return Document{}, fmt.Errorf("digest source document: %w", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("digest source document: %w", err)
 	}
 	if digest != request.Source.Digest {
-		return Document{}, fmt.Errorf("source digest does not match source document digest")
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("source digest does not match source document digest")
 	}
 
-	selected := make(map[string]struct{}, len(lanes))
-	for _, laneID := range lanes {
-		selected[laneID] = struct{}{}
-	}
 	index := source.NewDocumentIndex(request.Source)
-	seen := make(map[evidenceKey]struct{})
+	ranges := make([]expandedRange, 0, len(request.SourceRefs))
-	contributions := make([]contribution, 0)
+	for refIndex, ref := range request.SourceRefs {
-	for laneIndex, laneEvidence := range request.LaneEvidence {
-		laneID := strings.TrimSpace(laneEvidence.LaneID)
-		if _, ok := selected[laneID]; !ok {
-			return Document{}, fmt.Errorf("lane evidence[%d] lane %q is not selected", laneIndex, laneID)
-		}
-		for refIndex, ref := range laneEvidence.SourceRefs {
 		if err := index.ValidateRef(ref); err != nil {
-				return Document{}, fmt.Errorf("lane %q source reference[%d]: %w", laneID, refIndex, err)
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("source reference[%d]: %w", refIndex, err)
 		}
-			key := evidenceKey{laneID: laneID, ref: ref}
-			if _, exists := seen[key]; exists {
-				continue
-			}
-			seen[key] = struct{}{}
 		startPos, _ := index.Position(ref.StartUnitID)
 		endPos, _ := index.Position(ref.EndUnitID)
-			contributions = append(contributions, contribution{laneID: laneID, ref: ref, startPos: expandStart(startPos, request.WindowUnits), endPos: expandEnd(endPos, len(request.Source.Units), request.WindowUnits)})
+		ranges = append(ranges, expandedRange{
-		}
+			startPos: expandStart(startPos, request.WindowUnits),
+			endPos:   expandEnd(endPos, len(request.Source.Units), request.WindowUnits),
+		})
 	}
 
-	sort.Slice(contributions, func(i, j int) bool { return lessContribution(contributions[i], contributions[j]) })
+	merged := mergeRanges(ranges)
-	document := Document{
+	unitCount := 0
-		SourceID:      request.Source.ID,
+	for _, value := range merged {
-		SourceDigest:  digest,
+		unitCount += value.endPos - value.startPos + 1
-		WindowUnits:   request.WindowUnits,
-		SelectedLanes: lanes,
-		Contexts:      make([]Context, 0),
 	}
-	for _, rangeValue := range mergeRanges(contributions) {
+	document := make(Document, 0, unitCount)
-		context, err := buildContext(request.Source, rangeValue)
+	for _, value := range merged {
+		for position := value.startPos; position <= value.endPos; position++ {
+			unit, err := cloneSourceUnit(request.Source.Units[position])
 			if err != nil {
-			return Document{}, err
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("clone source unit at position %d: %w", position, err)
 			}
-		document.Contexts = append(document.Contexts, context)
+			document = append(document, unit)
 		}
-	canonical, err := canonicalizeOwned(document)
-	if err != nil {
-		return Document{}, fmt.Errorf("validate evidence context: %w", err)
 	}
-	return canonical, nil
+	return document, nil
-}
-
-type evidenceKey struct {
-	laneID string
-	ref    source.SourceRef
-}
-
-func normalizeSelectedLanes(values []string) ([]string, error) {
-	if len(values) == 0 {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("selected_lanes must not be empty")
-	}
-	seen := make(map[string]struct{}, len(values))
-	lanes := make([]string, 0, len(values))
-	for index, raw := range values {
-		laneID := strings.TrimSpace(raw)
-		if laneID == "" {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("selected_lanes[%d] must not be empty", index)
-		}
-		if _, exists := seen[laneID]; exists {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("selected_lanes lane %q is duplicated", laneID)
-		}
-		seen[laneID] = struct{}{}
-		lanes = append(lanes, laneID)
-	}
-	sort.Strings(lanes)
-	return lanes, nil
 }
 
 func expandStart(position, window int) int {
@@ -132,65 +76,25 @@ func expandEnd(position, length, window int) int {
 	return position + window
 }
 
-func lessContribution(left, right contribution) bool {
+func mergeRanges(values []expandedRange) []expandedRange {
-	if left.startPos != right.startPos {
-		return left.startPos < right.startPos
-	}
-	if left.endPos != right.endPos {
-		return left.endPos < right.endPos
-	}
-	return lessEvidenceRef(EvidenceRef{LaneID: left.laneID, SourceRef: left.ref}, EvidenceRef{LaneID: right.laneID, SourceRef: right.ref})
-}
-
-func mergeRanges(values []contribution) []expandedRange {
 	if len(values) == 0 {
 		return nil
 	}
-	ranges := make([]expandedRange, 0, len(values))
+	sort.Slice(values, func(i, j int) bool {
+		if values[i].startPos != values[j].startPos {
+			return values[i].startPos < values[j].startPos
+		}
+		return values[i].endPos < values[j].endPos
+	})
+	merged := make([]expandedRange, 0, len(values))
 	for _, value := range values {
-		if len(ranges) == 0 || value.startPos > ranges[len(ranges)-1].endPos+1 {
+		if len(merged) == 0 || value.startPos > merged[len(merged)-1].endPos+1 {
-			ranges = append(ranges, expandedRange{startPos: value.startPos, endPos: value.endPos, contributions: []contribution{value}})
+			merged = append(merged, value)
 			continue
 		}
-		current := &ranges[len(ranges)-1]
+		if value.endPos > merged[len(merged)-1].endPos {
-		if value.endPos > current.endPos {
+			merged[len(merged)-1].endPos = value.endPos
-			current.endPos = value.endPos
 		}
-		current.contributions = append(current.contributions, value)
 	}
-	return ranges
+	return merged
-}
-
-func buildContext(document *source.SourceDocument, value expandedRange) (Context, error) {
-	evidenceRefs := make([]EvidenceRef, 0, len(value.contributions))
-	for _, contribution := range value.contributions {
-		evidenceRefs = append(evidenceRefs, EvidenceRef{LaneID: contribution.laneID, SourceRef: contribution.ref})
-	}
-	sort.Slice(evidenceRefs, func(i, j int) bool { return lessEvidenceRef(evidenceRefs[i], evidenceRefs[j]) })
-	units := make([]source.SourceUnit, 0, value.endPos-value.startPos+1)
-	for position := value.startPos; position <= value.endPos; position++ {
-		unit, err := cloneSourceUnit(document.Units[position])
-		if err != nil {
-			return Context{}, fmt.Errorf("clone source unit at position %d: %w", position, err)
-		}
-		units = append(units, unit)
-	}
-	return Context{
-		ContextRef:   source.SourceRef{SourceID: document.ID, StartUnitID: units[0].ID, EndUnitID: units[len(units)-1].ID},
-		EvidenceRefs: evidenceRefs,
-		Units:        units,
-	}, nil
-}
-
-func lessEvidenceRef(left, right EvidenceRef) bool {
-	if left.LaneID != right.LaneID {
-		return left.LaneID < right.LaneID
-	}
-	if left.SourceRef.SourceID != right.SourceRef.SourceID {
-		return left.SourceRef.SourceID < right.SourceRef.SourceID
-	}
-	if left.SourceRef.StartUnitID != right.SourceRef.StartUnitID {
-		return left.SourceRef.StartUnitID < right.SourceRef.StartUnitID
-	}
-	return left.SourceRef.EndUnitID < right.SourceRef.EndUnitID
 }

internal/framework/evidencecontext/codec.go

@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
-	"regexp"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 
@@ -18,8 +17,6 @@ import (
 //go:embed assets/schemas/source_evidence_context.v1.json
 var schemaAssets embed.FS
 
-var digestPattern = regexp.MustCompile(`^sha256:[0-9a-f]{64}$`)
-
 var (
 	loadSchemaOnce sync.Once
 	loadedSchema   []byte
@@ -78,24 +75,24 @@ func (c *Codec) Encode(value Document) ([]byte, error) {
 
 func (c *Codec) Decode(content []byte) (Document, error) {
 	if _, err := c.schemaBytes(); err != nil {
-		return Document{}, err
+		return nil, err
 	}
 	if err := validateSchemaInstance(content); err != nil {
-		return Document{}, fmt.Errorf("decode evidence context: %w", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("decode evidence context: %w", err)
 	}
 	decoder := json.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(content))
 	decoder.DisallowUnknownFields()
 	var value Document
 	if err := decoder.Decode(&value); err != nil {
-		return Document{}, fmt.Errorf("decode evidence context: %w", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("decode evidence context: %w", err)
 	}
 	var trailing any
 	if err := decoder.Decode(&trailing); err != io.EOF {
-		return Document{}, fmt.Errorf("decode evidence context: multiple JSON values")
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("decode evidence context: multiple JSON values")
 	}
 	canonical, err := canonicalizeOwned(value)
 	if err != nil {
-		return Document{}, fmt.Errorf("decode evidence context: %w", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("decode evidence context: %w", err)
 	}
 	return canonical, nil
 }
@@ -118,14 +115,13 @@ func loadAndCompileSchema() {
 		ID    string `json:"$id"`
 		Title string `json:"title"`
 		Type  string `json:"type"`
-		Required []string `json:"required"`
 	}
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &identity); err != nil {
 		loadSchemaErr = fmt.Errorf("decode source evidence context schema: %w", err)
 		return
 	}
-	if identity.ID != SchemaID || identity.Title != SchemaName || identity.Type != "object" || !hasRequiredFields(identity.Required) {
+	if identity.ID != SchemaID || identity.Title != SchemaName || identity.Type != "array" {
-		loadSchemaErr = fmt.Errorf("source evidence context schema identity or required fields are invalid")
+		loadSchemaErr = fmt.Errorf("source evidence context schema identity is invalid")
 		return
 	}
 	schemaDocument, err := jsonschema.UnmarshalJSON(bytes.NewReader(raw))
@@ -158,164 +154,65 @@ func validateSchemaInstance(content []byte) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func hasRequiredFields(required []string) bool {
-	want := map[string]bool{"source_id": true, "source_digest": true, "window_units": true, "selected_lanes": true, "contexts": true}
-	for _, field := range required {
-		delete(want, field)
-	}
-	return len(want) == 0
-}
-
 func canonicalize(value Document) (Document, error) {
 	owned, err := clone(value)
 	if err != nil {
-		return Document{}, err
+		return nil, err
 	}
 	return canonicalizeOwned(owned)
 }
 
 func canonicalizeOwned(value Document) (Document, error) {
-	if err := requireIdentity("source_id", value.SourceID); err != nil {
+	if value == nil {
-		return Document{}, err
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("document must be a JSON array")
 	}
-	if !digestPattern.MatchString(value.SourceDigest) {
+	seenUnitIDs := make(map[int]struct{}, len(value))
-		return Document{}, fmt.Errorf("source_digest must be a sha256 digest")
+	sourceID := ""
+	for unitIndex := range value {
+		unit := value[unitIndex]
+		if unit.ID <= 0 || strings.TrimSpace(unit.Kind) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(unit.Text) == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("units[%d] has invalid required fields", unitIndex)
 		}
-	if value.WindowUnits < 0 {
+		if err := validateUnitRef(unit, unitIndex); err != nil {
-		return Document{}, fmt.Errorf("window_units must not be negative")
+			return nil, err
 		}
-	if err := validateSelectedLanes(value.SelectedLanes); err != nil {
+		if sourceID == "" {
-		return Document{}, err
+			sourceID = unit.Ref.SourceID
+		} else if unit.Ref.SourceID != sourceID {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("units[%d].ref.source_id must match units[0].ref.source_id", unitIndex)
 		}
-	if value.Contexts == nil {
+		if _, exists := seenUnitIDs[unit.ID]; exists {
-		value.Contexts = make([]Context, 0)
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("units contains duplicate unit id %d", unit.ID)
 		}
-	selected := make(map[string]struct{}, len(value.SelectedLanes))
+		seenUnitIDs[unit.ID] = struct{}{}
-	for _, laneID := range value.SelectedLanes {
-		selected[laneID] = struct{}{}
-	}
-	seenUnits := make(map[int]struct{})
-	for contextIndex := range value.Contexts {
-		context, err := canonicalizeContext(value.SourceID, selected, seenUnits, value.Contexts[contextIndex], contextIndex)
-		if err != nil {
-			return Document{}, err
-		}
-		value.Contexts[contextIndex] = context
 	}
 	return value, nil
 }
 
-func validateSelectedLanes(lanes []string) error {
+func validateUnitRef(unit source.SourceUnit, unitIndex int) error {
-	if len(lanes) == 0 {
+	prefix := fmt.Sprintf("units[%d].ref", unitIndex)
-		return fmt.Errorf("selected_lanes must not be empty")
+	if strings.TrimSpace(unit.Ref.SourceID) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(unit.Ref.SourceID) != unit.Ref.SourceID {
-	}
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s.source_id must be a non-empty trimmed string", prefix)
-	for index, laneID := range lanes {
-		if err := requireIdentity(fmt.Sprintf("selected_lanes[%d]", index), laneID); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-		if index > 0 && lanes[index-1] >= laneID {
-			return fmt.Errorf("selected_lanes must be unique and in lexical order")
-		}
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func canonicalizeContext(sourceID string, selected map[string]struct{}, seenUnits map[int]struct{}, value Context, contextIndex int) (Context, error) {
-	prefix := fmt.Sprintf("contexts[%d]", contextIndex)
-	if len(value.EvidenceRefs) == 0 {
-		return Context{}, fmt.Errorf("%s.evidence_refs must not be empty", prefix)
-	}
-	if len(value.Units) == 0 {
-		return Context{}, fmt.Errorf("%s.units must not be empty", prefix)
-	}
-	if err := validateRefIdentity(sourceID, value.ContextRef, prefix+".context_ref"); err != nil {
-		return Context{}, err
-	}
-	positions := make(map[int]int, len(value.Units))
-	for unitIndex := range value.Units {
-		unit := value.Units[unitIndex]
-		if unit.ID <= 0 || strings.TrimSpace(unit.Kind) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(unit.Text) == "" {
-			return Context{}, fmt.Errorf("%s.units[%d] has invalid required fields", prefix, unitIndex)
-		}
-		if err := validateRefIdentity(sourceID, unit.Ref, fmt.Sprintf("%s.units[%d].ref", prefix, unitIndex)); err != nil {
-			return Context{}, err
 	}
 	if unit.Ref.StartUnitID != unit.ID || unit.Ref.EndUnitID != unit.ID {
-			return Context{}, fmt.Errorf("%s.units[%d].ref must identify unit id %d", prefix, unitIndex, unit.ID)
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s must identify unit id %d", prefix, unit.ID)
-		}
-		if _, exists := positions[unit.ID]; exists {
-			return Context{}, fmt.Errorf("%s.units contains duplicate unit id %d", prefix, unit.ID)
-		}
-		if _, exists := seenUnits[unit.ID]; exists {
-			return Context{}, fmt.Errorf("contexts contain duplicate unit id %d", unit.ID)
-		}
-		positions[unit.ID] = unitIndex
-		seenUnits[unit.ID] = struct{}{}
-	}
-	if value.ContextRef.StartUnitID != value.Units[0].ID || value.ContextRef.EndUnitID != value.Units[len(value.Units)-1].ID {
-		return Context{}, fmt.Errorf("%s.context_ref must identify the first and last units", prefix)
-	}
-	for evidenceIndex := range value.EvidenceRefs {
-		evidence := value.EvidenceRefs[evidenceIndex]
-		if _, ok := selected[evidence.LaneID]; !ok {
-			return Context{}, fmt.Errorf("%s.evidence_refs[%d].lane_id is not selected", prefix, evidenceIndex)
-		}
-		if err := requireIdentity(fmt.Sprintf("%s.evidence_refs[%d].lane_id", prefix, evidenceIndex), evidence.LaneID); err != nil {
-			return Context{}, err
-		}
-		if err := validateRefIdentity(sourceID, evidence.SourceRef, fmt.Sprintf("%s.evidence_refs[%d].source_ref", prefix, evidenceIndex)); err != nil {
-			return Context{}, err
-		}
-		start, startOK := positions[evidence.SourceRef.StartUnitID]
-		end, endOK := positions[evidence.SourceRef.EndUnitID]
-		if !startOK || !endOK || start > end {
-			return Context{}, fmt.Errorf("%s.evidence_refs[%d].source_ref is outside context units", prefix, evidenceIndex)
-		}
-		if evidenceIndex > 0 && !lessEvidenceRef(value.EvidenceRefs[evidenceIndex-1], evidence) {
-			return Context{}, fmt.Errorf("%s.evidence_refs must be unique and in deterministic order", prefix)
-		}
-	}
-	return value, nil
-}
-
-func validateRefIdentity(sourceID string, ref source.SourceRef, field string) error {
-	if ref.SourceID != sourceID {
-		return fmt.Errorf("%s.source_id does not match source_id", field)
-	}
-	if ref.StartUnitID <= 0 || ref.EndUnitID <= 0 {
-		return fmt.Errorf("%s endpoints must be positive", field)
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func requireIdentity(field, value string) error {
-	if strings.TrimSpace(value) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(value) != value {
-		return fmt.Errorf("%s must be a non-empty trimmed string", field)
 	}
 	return nil
 }
 
 func clone(value Document) (Document, error) {
-	value.SelectedLanes = append([]string(nil), value.SelectedLanes...)
+	if value == nil {
-	if value.Contexts == nil {
+		return nil, nil
-		value.Contexts = make([]Context, 0)
+	}
-	} else {
+	cloned := make(Document, len(value))
-		contexts := make([]Context, len(value.Contexts))
+	for unitIndex, unit := range value {
-		for contextIndex, context := range value.Contexts {
+		owned, err := cloneSourceUnit(unit)
-			contexts[contextIndex].ContextRef = context.ContextRef
-			contexts[contextIndex].EvidenceRefs = append([]EvidenceRef(nil), context.EvidenceRefs...)
-			contexts[contextIndex].Units = make([]source.SourceUnit, len(context.Units))
-			for unitIndex, unit := range context.Units {
-				cloned, err := cloneSourceUnit(unit)
 		if err != nil {
-					return Document{}, fmt.Errorf("clone contexts[%d].units[%d]: %w", contextIndex, unitIndex, err)
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("clone units[%d]: %w", unitIndex, err)
 		}
-				contexts[contextIndex].Units[unitIndex] = cloned
+		cloned[unitIndex] = owned
 	}
-		}
+	return cloned, nil
-		value.Contexts = contexts
-	}
-	return value, nil
 }
 
 func cloneSourceUnit(unit source.SourceUnit) (source.SourceUnit, error) {

internal/framework/evidencecontext/evidencecontext_test.go

@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ package evidencecontext
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
-	"encoding/json"
 	"math"
 	"os"
 	"reflect"
@@ -12,126 +11,57 @@ import (
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
 )
 
-func TestBuildExpandsAndMergesEvidenceByDocumentPosition(t *testing.T) {
+func TestBuildSelectsExpandedSourceUnitUnion(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, test := range []struct {
 		name    string
 		window  int
-		evidence  []LaneEvidence
+		refs    []source.SourceRef
-		wantUnits [][]int
+		wantIDs []int
-		wantRefs  [][]EvidenceRef
 	}{
-		{
+		{name: "zero window", refs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3)}, wantIDs: []int{3}},
-			name:      "zero window",
+		{name: "multi unit citation includes complete range", refs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 7)}, wantIDs: []int{3, 30, 7}},
-			evidence:  []LaneEvidence{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3)}}},
+		{name: "non monotonic IDs use document positions", window: 1, refs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3)}, wantIDs: []int{10, 3, 30}},
-			wantUnits: [][]int{{3}},
+		{name: "boundary clamping", window: 1, refs: []source.SourceRef{ref(10, 10), ref(50, 50)}, wantIDs: []int{10, 3, 7, 50}},
-			wantRefs:  [][]EvidenceRef{{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRef: ref(3, 3)}}},
+		{name: "overlapping and adjacent windows merge", window: 1, refs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3), ref(30, 30), ref(30, 30)}, wantIDs: []int{10, 3, 30, 7}},
-		},
+		{name: "adjacent expanded ranges merge", window: 1, refs: []source.SourceRef{ref(10, 10), ref(7, 7)}, wantIDs: []int{10, 3, 30, 7, 50}},
-		{
+		{name: "largest window clips without overflow", window: math.MaxInt, refs: []source.SourceRef{ref(30, 30)}, wantIDs: []int{10, 3, 30, 7, 50}},
-			name:      "non monotonic ids use positions and clip boundaries",
+		{name: "no references returns an initialized empty document", wantIDs: []int{}},
-			window:    1,
-			evidence:  []LaneEvidence{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3)}}},
-			wantUnits: [][]int{{10, 3, 30}},
-			wantRefs:  [][]EvidenceRef{{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRef: ref(3, 3)}}},
-		},
-		{
-			name:      "separate gaps stay separate",
-			evidence:  []LaneEvidence{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(10, 10), ref(50, 50)}}},
-			wantUnits: [][]int{{10}, {50}},
-			wantRefs:  [][]EvidenceRef{{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRef: ref(10, 10)}}, {{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRef: ref(50, 50)}}},
-		},
-		{
-			name:      "overlapping windows merge",
-			window:    1,
-			evidence:  []LaneEvidence{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3), ref(30, 30)}}},
-			wantUnits: [][]int{{10, 3, 30, 7}},
-			wantRefs:  [][]EvidenceRef{{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRef: ref(3, 3)}, {LaneID: "npcs", SourceRef: ref(30, 30)}}},
-		},
-		{
-			name:      "contiguous windows merge",
-			window:    1,
-			evidence:  []LaneEvidence{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(10, 10), ref(7, 7)}}},
-			wantUnits: [][]int{{10, 3, 30, 7, 50}},
-			wantRefs:  [][]EvidenceRef{{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRef: ref(7, 7)}, {LaneID: "npcs", SourceRef: ref(10, 10)}}},
-		},
-		{
-			name: "duplicate contributions retain unique lane attribution",
-			evidence: []LaneEvidence{
-				{LaneID: "spells", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(30, 30), ref(30, 30)}},
-				{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(30, 30)}},
-			},
-			wantUnits: [][]int{{30}},
-			wantRefs:  [][]EvidenceRef{{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRef: ref(30, 30)}, {LaneID: "spells", SourceRef: ref(30, 30)}}},
-		},
-		{
-			name:      "empty contributions retain explicit empty contexts",
-			evidence:  []LaneEvidence{{LaneID: "npcs"}},
-			wantUnits: [][]int{},
-			wantRefs:  [][]EvidenceRef{},
-		},
-		{
-			name:      "largest window clips without overflow",
-			window:    math.MaxInt,
-			evidence:  []LaneEvidence{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(30, 30)}}},
-			wantUnits: [][]int{{10, 3, 30, 7, 50}},
-			wantRefs:  [][]EvidenceRef{{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRef: ref(30, 30)}}},
-		},
 	} {
 		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			document := testDocument(t)
+			got, err := Build(BuildRequest{Source: testDocument(t), WindowUnits: test.window, SourceRefs: test.refs})
-			got, err := Build(BuildRequest{Source: document, WindowUnits: test.window, SelectedLanes: []string{"spells", "npcs"}, LaneEvidence: test.evidence})
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("Build() error = %v", err)
 			}
-			if want := []string{"npcs", "spells"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(got.SelectedLanes, want) {
+			if got == nil {
-				t.Fatalf("SelectedLanes = %#v, want %#v", got.SelectedLanes, want)
+				t.Fatal("Build() returned a nil document")
 			}
-			if got.WindowUnits != test.window || got.SourceID != document.ID || got.SourceDigest != document.Digest {
+			if actual := unitIDs(got); !reflect.DeepEqual(actual, test.wantIDs) {
-				t.Fatalf("Build() identity = %#v, want source and window identity", got)
+				t.Fatalf("unit IDs = %#v, want %#v", actual, test.wantIDs)
-			}
-			if actual := contextUnitIDs(got.Contexts); !reflect.DeepEqual(actual, test.wantUnits) {
-				t.Fatalf("context unit ids = %#v, want %#v", actual, test.wantUnits)
-			}
-			if actual := contextEvidenceRefs(got.Contexts); !reflect.DeepEqual(actual, test.wantRefs) {
-				t.Fatalf("context evidence refs = %#v, want %#v", actual, test.wantRefs)
 			}
 		})
 	}
 }
 
-func TestBuildIsStableAndOwnsSourceAndInputs(t *testing.T) {
+func TestBuildCopiesSelectedUnitsAndMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 	document := testDocument(t)
-	refs := []source.SourceRef{ref(30, 30), ref(3, 3)}
+	first, err := Build(BuildRequest{Source: document, WindowUnits: 1, SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3)}})
-	request := BuildRequest{
-		Source:        document,
-		WindowUnits:   1,
-		SelectedLanes: []string{"spells", "npcs"},
-		LaneEvidence:  []LaneEvidence{{LaneID: "spells", SourceRefs: refs}, {LaneID: "npcs", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3)}}},
-	}
-	first, err := Build(request)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	secondRequest := request
+	second, err := Build(BuildRequest{Source: document, WindowUnits: 1, SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3)}})
-	secondRequest.LaneEvidence = []LaneEvidence{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3)}}, {LaneID: "spells", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3), ref(30, 30)}}}
-	second, err := Build(secondRequest)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if !reflect.DeepEqual(first, second) {
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(first[0], document.Units[0]) {
-		t.Fatalf("Build() order differs:\nfirst: %#v\nsecond: %#v", first, second)
+		t.Fatalf("first unit = %#v, want unchanged source unit %#v", first[0], document.Units[0])
 	}
-	first.SelectedLanes[0] = "changed"
+	first[0].Metadata["nested"].(map[string]any)["value"] = "changed"
-	first.Contexts[0].Units[0].Metadata["nested"].(map[string]any)["value"] = "changed"
 	if document.Units[0].Metadata["nested"].(map[string]any)["value"] != "original" {
-		t.Fatal("Build() returned metadata aliases to source document")
+		t.Fatal("Build() returned metadata aliases to the source document")
 	}
 	document.Units[0].Metadata["nested"].(map[string]any)["value"] = "later"
-	if second.Contexts[0].Units[0].Metadata["nested"].(map[string]any)["value"] != "original" {
+	if second[0].Metadata["nested"].(map[string]any)["value"] != "original" {
-		t.Fatal("Build() retained metadata aliases to source document")
+		t.Fatal("Build() retained metadata aliases to the source document")
-	}
-	refs[0].StartUnitID = 999
-	if !containsEvidenceRef(second.Contexts[0].EvidenceRefs, ref(30, 30)) {
-		t.Fatal("Build() retained source-reference input aliases")
 	}
 }
 
@@ -142,18 +72,11 @@ func TestBuildRejectsInvalidInputs(t *testing.T) {
 		want   string
 	}{
 		{name: "negative window", mutate: func(request *BuildRequest) { request.WindowUnits = -1 }, want: "window_units"},
-		{name: "blank selected lane", mutate: func(request *BuildRequest) { request.SelectedLanes = []string{" "} }, want: "selected_lanes"},
-		{name: "duplicate selected lane", mutate: func(request *BuildRequest) { request.SelectedLanes = []string{"npcs", " npcs "} }, want: "duplicated"},
-		{name: "unselected contribution", mutate: func(request *BuildRequest) {
-			request.LaneEvidence = []LaneEvidence{{LaneID: "other", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3)}}}
-		}, want: "not selected"},
 		{name: "source digest mismatch", mutate: func(request *BuildRequest) { request.Source.Digest = "sha256:" + strings.Repeat("0", 64) }, want: "does not match"},
-		{name: "invalid reference", mutate: func(request *BuildRequest) {
+		{name: "invalid reference", mutate: func(request *BuildRequest) { request.SourceRefs = []source.SourceRef{ref(99, 99)} }, want: "source reference[0]"},
-			request.LaneEvidence = []LaneEvidence{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(99, 99)}}}
-		}, want: "source reference[0]"},
 	} {
 		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			request := BuildRequest{Source: testDocument(t), SelectedLanes: []string{"npcs"}, LaneEvidence: []LaneEvidence{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3)}}}}
+			request := BuildRequest{Source: testDocument(t), SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3)}}
 			test.mutate(&request)
 			if _, err := Build(request); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), test.want) {
 				t.Fatalf("Build() error = %v, want %q", err, test.want)
@@ -162,7 +85,7 @@ func TestBuildRejectsInvalidInputs(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestCodecRoundTripsCompactFixtureAndOwnsDecodedValues(t *testing.T) {
+func TestCodecRoundTripsFixtureAndOwnsValues(t *testing.T) {
 	fixture, err := os.ReadFile("testdata/source_evidence_context.v1.json")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
@@ -179,15 +102,16 @@ func TestCodecRoundTripsCompactFixtureAndOwnsDecodedValues(t *testing.T) {
 	if !bytes.Equal(encoded, bytes.TrimSpace(fixture)) {
 		t.Fatalf("fixture does not use canonical encoding\nwant: %s\n got: %s", fixture, encoded)
 	}
-	value.Contexts[0].Units[0].Text = "changed"
+	value[0].Text = "changed"
 	decoded, err := codec.Decode(encoded)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if decoded.Contexts[0].Units[0].Text != "The party meets Rowan." {
+	if decoded[0].Text != "The party meets Rowan." {
 		t.Fatal("Encode() retained mutable document storage")
 	}
-	built, err := Build(BuildRequest{Source: testDocument(t), WindowUnits: 1, SelectedLanes: []string{"npcs"}, LaneEvidence: []LaneEvidence{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3)}}}})
+
+	built, err := Build(BuildRequest{Source: testDocument(t), WindowUnits: 1, SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3)}})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -203,82 +127,52 @@ func TestCodecRoundTripsCompactFixtureAndOwnsDecodedValues(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	first.Contexts[0].Units[0].Metadata["nested"].(map[string]any)["value"] = "changed"
+	first[0].Metadata["nested"].(map[string]any)["value"] = "changed"
-	if second.Contexts[0].Units[0].Metadata["nested"].(map[string]any)["value"] != "original" {
+	if second[0].Metadata["nested"].(map[string]any)["value"] != "original" {
 		t.Fatal("Decode() returned metadata aliases")
 	}
 }
 
-func TestCodecRejectsInvalidDurableBoundaries(t *testing.T) {
+func TestCodecRejectsInvalidDurablePayloads(t *testing.T) {
-	value, err := Build(BuildRequest{Source: testDocument(t), SelectedLanes: []string{"npcs"}, LaneEvidence: []LaneEvidence{{LaneID: "npcs", SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{ref(3, 3)}}}})
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
 	for _, test := range []struct {
 		name    string
-		mutate func(*Document)
+		content string
 	}{
-		{name: "unsorted lanes", mutate: func(value *Document) { value.SelectedLanes = []string{"z", "a"} }},
+		{name: "null", content: "null"},
-		{name: "context range mismatch", mutate: func(value *Document) { value.Contexts[0].ContextRef.EndUnitID = 999 }},
+		{name: "wrapper object", content: `{"units":[]}`},
-		{name: "mismatched evidence source", mutate: func(value *Document) { value.Contexts[0].EvidenceRefs[0].SourceRef.SourceID = "other" }},
+		{name: "missing required unit field", content: `[{"id":1,"kind":"segment","ref":{"source_id":"session","start_unit_id":1,"end_unit_id":1}}]`},
-		{name: "invalid evidence range", mutate: func(value *Document) {
+		{name: "unknown unit field", content: `[{"id":1,"kind":"segment","text":"text","ref":{"source_id":"session","start_unit_id":1,"end_unit_id":1},"unknown":true}]`},
-			value.Contexts[0].EvidenceRefs[0].SourceRef.StartUnitID = 10
+		{name: "unknown reference field", content: `[{"id":1,"kind":"segment","text":"text","ref":{"source_id":"session","start_unit_id":1,"end_unit_id":1,"unknown":true}}]`},
-		}},
+		{name: "invalid self reference", content: `[{"id":1,"kind":"segment","text":"text","ref":{"source_id":"session","start_unit_id":1,"end_unit_id":2}}]`},
-		{name: "duplicate context unit", mutate: func(value *Document) { value.Contexts = append(value.Contexts, value.Contexts[0]) }},
+		{name: "mixed source documents", content: `[{"id":1,"kind":"segment","text":"one","ref":{"source_id":"session-one","start_unit_id":1,"end_unit_id":1}},{"id":2,"kind":"segment","text":"two","ref":{"source_id":"session-two","start_unit_id":2,"end_unit_id":2}}]`},
+		{name: "duplicate units", content: `[{"id":1,"kind":"segment","text":"one","ref":{"source_id":"session","start_unit_id":1,"end_unit_id":1}},{"id":1,"kind":"segment","text":"two","ref":{"source_id":"session","start_unit_id":1,"end_unit_id":1}}]`},
+		{name: "multiple JSON values", content: `[] []`},
 	} {
 		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			candidate, err := clone(value)
+			if _, err := New().Decode([]byte(test.content)); err == nil {
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			test.mutate(&candidate)
-			if _, err := New().Encode(candidate); err == nil {
-				t.Fatal("Encode() error = nil, want durable model rejection")
-			}
-		})
-	}
-	content, err := New().Encode(value)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	for _, test := range []struct {
-		name   string
-		mutate func(map[string]any)
-	}{
-		{name: "missing contexts", mutate: func(value map[string]any) { delete(value, "contexts") }},
-		{name: "null contexts", mutate: func(value map[string]any) { value["contexts"] = nil }},
-		{name: "unknown fixed field", mutate: func(value map[string]any) { value["unknown"] = true }},
-		{name: "missing units", mutate: func(value map[string]any) { delete(contextObject(value, 0), "units") }},
-		{name: "null evidence refs", mutate: func(value map[string]any) { contextObject(value, 0)["evidence_refs"] = nil }},
-	} {
-		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			raw := decodeJSON(t, content)
-			test.mutate(raw)
-			mutated, err := json.Marshal(raw)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			if _, err := New().Decode(mutated); err == nil {
 				t.Fatal("Decode() error = nil, want strict payload rejection")
 			}
 		})
 	}
-	if _, err := New().Decode(append(content, []byte(" {}")...)); err == nil {
+	if _, err := New().Encode(nil); err == nil {
-		t.Fatal("Decode() error = nil, want trailing JSON rejection")
+		t.Fatal("Encode(nil) error = nil, want array rejection")
 	}
 }
 
-func TestSerializeUsesFixedArtifactIdentity(t *testing.T) {
+func TestSerializeUsesFixedArtifactIdentityAndEmptyArray(t *testing.T) {
-	artifact, err := Serialize(BuildRequest{Source: testDocument(t), SelectedLanes: []string{"npcs"}})
+	artifact, err := Serialize(BuildRequest{Source: testDocument(t)})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if artifact.Kind != ArtifactKind || artifact.MediaType != MediaType || artifact.Schema.ID != SchemaID || artifact.Schema.Name != SchemaName || artifact.Schema.Version != SchemaVersion {
 		t.Fatalf("Serialize() = %#v, want fixed artifact identity", artifact)
 	}
+	if string(artifact.Content) != "[]" {
+		t.Fatalf("Serialize() content = %s, want []", artifact.Content)
+	}
 	decoded, err := New().Decode(artifact.Content)
-	if err != nil || len(decoded.Contexts) != 0 || decoded.Contexts == nil {
+	if err != nil || decoded == nil || len(decoded) != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("Decode(Serialize()) = %#v, %v; want explicit empty contexts", decoded, err)
+		t.Fatalf("Decode(Serialize()) = %#v, %v; want explicit empty array", decoded, err)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -306,45 +200,10 @@ func ref(start, end int) source.SourceRef {
 	return source.SourceRef{SourceID: "session", StartUnitID: start, EndUnitID: end}
 }
 
-func contextUnitIDs(contexts []Context) [][]int {
+func unitIDs(units Document) []int {
-	values := make([][]int, len(contexts))
+	values := make([]int, len(units))
-	for index, context := range contexts {
+	for index, unit := range units {
-		values[index] = make([]int, len(context.Units))
+		values[index] = unit.ID
-		for unitIndex, unit := range context.Units {
-			values[index][unitIndex] = unit.ID
-		}
 	}
 	return values
 }
-
-func contextEvidenceRefs(contexts []Context) [][]EvidenceRef {
-	values := make([][]EvidenceRef, len(contexts))
-	for index, context := range contexts {
-		values[index] = append([]EvidenceRef(nil), context.EvidenceRefs...)
-	}
-	return values
-}
-
-func containsEvidenceRef(values []EvidenceRef, want source.SourceRef) bool {
-	for _, value := range values {
-		if value.SourceRef == want {
-			return true
-		}
-	}
-	return false
-}
-
-func decodeJSON(t *testing.T, content []byte) map[string]any {
-	t.Helper()
-	decoder := json.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(content))
-	decoder.UseNumber()
-	var value map[string]any
-	if err := decoder.Decode(&value); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	return value
-}
-
-func contextObject(value map[string]any, index int) map[string]any {
-	return value["contexts"].([]any)[index].(map[string]any)
-}

internal/framework/evidencecontext/model.go

@@ -14,37 +14,12 @@ const (
 	MediaType                            = "application/json"
 )
 
-// Document is the durable union of direct evidence and surrounding source
+// Document is the durable selected source-unit excerpt.
-// context selected for one accepted source document.
+type Document []source.SourceUnit
-type Document struct {
-	SourceID      string    `json:"source_id"`
-	SourceDigest  string    `json:"source_digest"`
-	WindowUnits   int       `json:"window_units"`
-	SelectedLanes []string  `json:"selected_lanes"`
-	Contexts      []Context `json:"contexts"`
-}
 
-type Context struct {
+// BuildRequest supplies accepted source material and projected source references.
-	ContextRef   source.SourceRef    `json:"context_ref"`
-	EvidenceRefs []EvidenceRef       `json:"evidence_refs"`
-	Units        []source.SourceUnit `json:"units"`
-}
-
-type EvidenceRef struct {
-	LaneID    string           `json:"lane_id"`
-	SourceRef source.SourceRef `json:"source_ref"`
-}
-
-// LaneEvidence attributes direct source references to one selected lane.
-type LaneEvidence struct {
-	LaneID     string             `json:"lane_id"`
-	SourceRefs []source.SourceRef `json:"source_refs"`
-}
-
-// BuildRequest supplies accepted source material and direct lane evidence.
 type BuildRequest struct {
 	Source      *source.SourceDocument
 	WindowUnits int
-	SelectedLanes []string
+	SourceRefs  []source.SourceRef
-	LaneEvidence  []LaneEvidence
 }

internal/framework/evidencecontext/testdata/source_evidence_context.v1.json

@@ -1 +1 @@
-{"source_id":"session-alpha","source_digest":"sha256:0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000","window_units":0,"selected_lanes":["npcs"],"contexts":[{"context_ref":{"source_id":"session-alpha","start_unit_id":13,"end_unit_id":13},"evidence_refs":[{"lane_id":"npcs","source_ref":{"source_id":"session-alpha","start_unit_id":13,"end_unit_id":13}}],"units":[{"id":13,"kind":"transcript_segment","text":"The party meets Rowan.","ref":{"source_id":"session-alpha","start_unit_id":13,"end_unit_id":13}}]}]}
+[{"id":13,"kind":"transcript_segment","text":"The party meets Rowan.","ref":{"source_id":"session-alpha","start_unit_id":13,"end_unit_id":13}}]

internal/framework/llm/promptkit_client.go

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"net/http"
+	"os"
 	"regexp"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
@@ -115,6 +116,13 @@ func (c *PromptKitClient) CompleteStructured(ctx context.Context, req contracts.
 	if err := validateOutputTarget(out); err != nil {
 		return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{}, err
 	}
+	if req.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != nil && (*req.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts < 0 || *req.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts > 3) {
+		return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("structured output repair attempts must be between zero and three")
+	}
+	appendedMessages, err := promptKitCorrectionMessages(req.Correction)
+	if err != nil {
+		return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("structured completion correction: %w", err)
+	}
 	promptID := strings.TrimSpace(req.PromptID)
 	if promptID == "" {
 		return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("structured completion prompt_id must not be empty")
@@ -136,6 +144,19 @@ func (c *PromptKitClient) CompleteStructured(ctx context.Context, req contracts.
 		Inputs:           promptKitInputs(req.Inputs),
 		Vars:             promptKitVars(req, sessionID),
 		Execution:        execution,
+		AppendedMessages: appendedMessages,
+	}
+	if req.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != nil {
+		inspection, err := c.engine.InspectPrompt(ctx, promptID, strings.TrimSpace(req.PromptVersion))
+		if err != nil {
+			if ctxErr := ctx.Err(); ctxErr != nil {
+				return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{}, ctxErr
+			}
+			return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("inspect PromptKit prompt %q: %v", promptID, redactPromptKitError(err))
+		}
+		contract := inspection.OutputContract
+		contract.RepairAttempts = *req.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts
+		runReq.Validation = &contract
 	}
 	prepared, err := c.engine.PrepareExecution(ctx, runReq)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -169,6 +190,16 @@ func (c *PromptKitClient) CompleteStructured(ctx context.Context, req contracts.
 				redactPromptKitError(err),
 			)
 		}
+		if errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrLLMGenerate) {
+			var generationErr *promptkit.GenerationError
+			status := 0
+			response := contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{Debug: &contracts.LLMDebugMaterial{Prompt: promptKitDebugPrompt(&preparedDetails)}}
+			if errors.As(err, &generationErr) {
+				status = generationErr.StatusCode()
+				response.Debug.Response = promptKitDebugGenerationError(&preparedDetails, generationErr)
+			}
+			return response, contracts.NewLLMGenerationError(status, fmt.Sprintf("run PromptKit prompt %q: %v", promptID, redactPromptKitError(err)))
+		}
 		return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("run PromptKit prompt %q: %v", promptID, redactPromptKitError(err))
 	}
 	if result == nil {
@@ -187,6 +218,41 @@ func (c *PromptKitClient) CompleteStructured(ctx context.Context, req contracts.
 	return response, nil
 }
 
+func promptKitCorrectionMessages(correction *contracts.SemanticCorrection) ([]promptkit.RenderedMessage, error) {
+	owned, err := contracts.CloneSemanticCorrection(correction)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if owned == nil {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	return []promptkit.RenderedMessage{
+		{Role: promptkit.RoleAssistant, Content: string(owned.AssistantResponse)},
+		{Role: promptkit.RoleUser, Content: owned.UserGuidance},
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func promptKitDebugGenerationError(prepared *promptkit.PreparedRun, generationErr *promptkit.GenerationError) *contracts.LLMDebugResponse {
+	if generationErr == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var secrets []string
+	if prepared != nil && strings.TrimSpace(prepared.EffectiveModelParams.APIKeyEnv) != "" {
+		if value, ok := os.LookupEnv(prepared.EffectiveModelParams.APIKeyEnv); ok {
+			secrets = append(secrets, value)
+		}
+	}
+	redact := func(value string) string {
+		return bearerTokenPattern.ReplaceAllString(RedactSecrets(value, secrets), "Bearer "+secretReplacement)
+	}
+	return &contracts.LLMDebugResponse{ProviderError: &contracts.LLMDebugProviderError{
+		StatusCode: generationErr.StatusCode(),
+		Code:       redact(generationErr.ProviderCode()),
+		Type:       redact(generationErr.ProviderType()),
+		Message:    redact(generationErr.ProviderMessage()),
+	}}
+}
+
 func (c *PromptKitClient) responseFromResult(result *promptkit.RunResult, prepared *promptkit.PreparedRun) contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse {
 	content := result.Artifact.Body
 	if len(content) == 0 {
@@ -210,6 +276,7 @@ func (c *PromptKitClient) responseFromResult(result *promptkit.RunResult, prepar
 		PromptTokens:     result.Usage.PromptTokens,
 		CompletionTokens: result.Usage.CompletionTokens,
 		TotalTokens:      result.Usage.TotalTokens,
+		RepairAttempts:   result.Validation.RepairAttempts,
 		Debug:            promptKitDebugMaterial(prepared, result),
 	}
 }

internal/framework/llm/promptkit_client_test.go

@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 package llm
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
+	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"io/fs"
 	"net/http"
@@ -115,6 +117,74 @@ func TestPromptKitClientMapsPromptRequestAndUnmarshalsOutput(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestPromptKitClientAppendsSemanticCorrectionAfterRenderedPrompt(t *testing.T) {
+	fake := &fakePromptKitLLM{content: `{"ok":true}`}
+	client := newTestPromptKitClient(t, fake)
+	request := contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{
+		PromptID:  "adapter.direct-session",
+		ProfileID: "explicit-profile",
+		SessionID: "correction-session",
+		Inputs: contracts.LLMInputSet{
+			"transcript": contracts.NewLLMInputMaterial("transcript", "application/json", []byte(`{"source":true}`), "", ""),
+		},
+		Vars: map[string]any{"custom": "value"},
+	}
+
+	var ordinary map[string]any
+	if _, err := client.CompleteStructured(context.Background(), request, &ordinary); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ordinary CompleteStructured() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	ordinaryMessages := append([]promptkit.RenderedMessage(nil), fake.lastRequest().Prompt.Messages...)
+	if len(ordinaryMessages) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("ordinary rendered messages = %#v, want only the declared prompt message", ordinaryMessages)
+	}
+
+	correction, err := contracts.NewSemanticCorrection([]byte(`{"previous":"response"}`), "Return the corrected JSON object.")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewSemanticCorrection() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	request.Correction = correction
+	var corrected map[string]any
+	if _, err := client.CompleteStructured(context.Background(), request, &corrected); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("corrected CompleteStructured() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	correctedMessages := fake.lastRequest().Prompt.Messages
+	if len(correctedMessages) != len(ordinaryMessages)+2 {
+		t.Fatalf("corrected message count = %d, want %d", len(correctedMessages), len(ordinaryMessages)+2)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(correctedMessages[:len(ordinaryMessages)], ordinaryMessages) {
+		t.Fatalf("ordinary rendered prefix changed: got %#v, want %#v", correctedMessages[:len(ordinaryMessages)], ordinaryMessages)
+	}
+	if got, want := correctedMessages[len(ordinaryMessages)], (promptkit.RenderedMessage{Role: promptkit.RoleAssistant, Content: `{"previous":"response"}`}); got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("assistant correction message = %#v, want %#v", got, want)
+	}
+	if got, want := correctedMessages[len(ordinaryMessages)+1], (promptkit.RenderedMessage{Role: promptkit.RoleUser, Content: "Return the corrected JSON object."}); got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("user correction message = %#v, want %#v", got, want)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPromptKitClientRejectsInvalidCorrectionsBeforePromptPreparation(t *testing.T) {
+	const sensitiveResponse = "assistant-response-must-not-appear-in-errors"
+	for _, correction := range []*contracts.SemanticCorrection{
+		{AssistantResponse: []byte(sensitiveResponse), UserGuidance: " \t"},
+		{AssistantResponse: bytes.Repeat([]byte(sensitiveResponse), contracts.MaxAssistantResponseBytes/len(sensitiveResponse)+1), UserGuidance: "Use a smaller response."},
+	} {
+		fake := &fakePromptKitLLM{content: `{"ok":true}`}
+		client := newTestPromptKitClient(t, fake)
+		var out map[string]any
+		_, err := client.CompleteStructured(context.Background(), contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{Correction: correction}, &out)
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "correction") {
+			t.Fatalf("CompleteStructured() error = %v, want correction validation failure", err)
+		}
+		if strings.Contains(err.Error(), sensitiveResponse) {
+			t.Fatalf("correction validation error leaked response content: %v", err)
+		}
+		if got := atomic.LoadInt32(&fake.calls); got != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("provider calls = %d, want no provider call after invalid correction", got)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func TestPromptKitClientUsesOnePreparedSnapshotForDebugAndGeneration(t *testing.T) {
 	const initialPrompt = `id: snapshot.test
 version: "v1"
@@ -456,6 +526,32 @@ func TestPromptKitClientCheckpointFingerprintTracksProfileSource(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Fatalf("profile-source fingerprint exposes source path: %#v, %#v", first, second)
 		}
 	})
+
+	t.Run("inherited parent", func(t *testing.T) {
+		profileDir := t.TempDir()
+		parentPath := filepath.Join(profileDir, "parent.yaml")
+		leafPath := filepath.Join(profileDir, "leaf.yaml")
+		if err := os.WriteFile(parentPath, []byte("id: parent\nendpoint: http://promptkit.test/v1\nmodel: parent-one\n"), 0o600); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if err := os.WriteFile(leafPath, []byte("id: leaf\nbase_profile: parent\nmodel: leaf-model\n"), 0o600); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		first, err := promptKitProfileFingerprint(profileDir, "", "")
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if err := os.WriteFile(parentPath, []byte("id: parent\nendpoint: http://promptkit.test/v1\nmodel: parent-two\n"), 0o600); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		second, err := promptKitProfileFingerprint(profileDir, "", "")
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if first == second || strings.Contains(first.Value, "parent-one") || strings.Contains(first.Value, parentPath) || strings.Contains(first.Value, leafPath) {
+			t.Fatalf("inherited profile fingerprint = %#v then %#v", first, second)
+		}
+	})
 }
 
 func TestPromptKitProfileFingerprintReadErrorsDoNotExposeSourcePaths(t *testing.T) {
@@ -531,6 +627,130 @@ func TestPromptKitClientUsesFallbackProfilesForExecutionAndInspection(t *testing
 	}
 }
 
+func TestPromptKitClientUsesInheritedFilesystemProfileForInspectionAndExecution(t *testing.T) {
+	profileDir := t.TempDir()
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(profileDir, "base.yaml"), []byte("id: base\nendpoint: http://promptkit.test/v1\nmodel: base-model\nreasoning_effort: medium\n"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(profileDir, "leaf.yaml"), []byte("id: inherited-profile\nbase_profile: base\nmodel: leaf-model\n"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	fake := &fakePromptKitLLM{content: `{"ok":true}`}
+	client, err := NewPromptKitClient(PromptKitClientConfig{Assets: newTestPromptKitAssets(t), ProfileDir: profileDir, EngineOptions: []promptkit.Option{promptkit.WithLLMClient(fake)}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	inspector, err := NewPromptKitProfileInspector(PromptKitProfileInspectorConfig{Source: PromptKitProfileSourceConfig{ProfileDir: profileDir}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	inspection, err := inspector.InspectProfile(context.Background(), "inherited-profile")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if inspection.ProfileID != "inherited-profile" || inspection.Model != "leaf-model" {
+		t.Fatalf("inspection = %#v, want resolved leaf target", inspection)
+	}
+	var out map[string]any
+	response, err := client.CompleteStructured(context.Background(), contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{PromptID: "adapter.test", ProfileID: "inherited-profile", SessionID: "inheritance-test", Inputs: contracts.LLMInputSet{"transcript": contracts.NewLLMInputMaterial("transcript", "application/json", []byte(`{"source":true}`), "", "")}}, &out)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if response.ProfileID != inspection.ProfileID || response.Model != inspection.Model || fake.lastRequest().Target.ReasoningEffort != "medium" {
+		t.Fatalf("response=%#v target=%#v inspection=%#v", response, fake.lastRequest().Target, inspection)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPromptKitProfileInspectorExposesRakestrawhomeBuiltIn(t *testing.T) {
+	inspector, err := NewPromptKitProfileInspector(PromptKitProfileInspectorConfig{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	inspection, err := inspector.InspectProfile(context.Background(), "rakestrawhome-gemma-4-31b")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if inspection.BackendID != promptkit.BackendRakestrawHome || inspection.Model != "google/gemma-4-31b-it" {
+		t.Fatalf("inspection = %#v", inspection)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPromptKitClientAllowsMissingOptionalFilesystemCredential(t *testing.T) {
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		if got := r.Header.Get("Authorization"); got != "" {
+			t.Fatalf("Authorization = %q, want omitted", got)
+		}
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		_, _ = w.Write([]byte(`{"choices":[{"message":{"content":"{\"ok\":true}"}}]}`))
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+	t.Setenv("NOTARIUS_OPTIONAL_PROFILE_KEY", "")
+	profilePath := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "optional.yaml")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(profilePath, []byte("id: optional-profile\nendpoint: "+server.URL+"/v1\nmodel: optional-model\napi_key_env: NOTARIUS_OPTIONAL_PROFILE_KEY\n"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	client, err := NewPromptKitClient(PromptKitClientConfig{Assets: newTestPromptKitAssets(t), ProfileFile: profilePath})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var out map[string]any
+	if _, err := client.CompleteStructured(context.Background(), contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{PromptID: "adapter.test", ProfileID: "optional-profile", SessionID: "optional-credential-test", Inputs: contracts.LLMInputSet{"transcript": contracts.NewLLMInputMaterial("transcript", "application/json", []byte(`{"source":true}`), "", "")}}, &out); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPromptKitClientMapsHTTPGenerationErrorToApplicationBoundary(t *testing.T) {
+	const credential = "selected-test-credential"
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusServiceUnavailable)
+		_, _ = w.Write([]byte(`{"error":{"code":"temporary","type":"provider_error","message":"marker ` + credential + ` Bearer bearer-secret"}}`))
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+	t.Setenv("NOTARIUS_GENERATION_TEST_KEY", credential)
+	profilePath := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "profile.yaml")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(profilePath, []byte("id: generation-profile\nendpoint: "+server.URL+"/v1\nmodel: test\napi_key_env: NOTARIUS_GENERATION_TEST_KEY\n"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	client, err := NewPromptKitClient(PromptKitClientConfig{Assets: newTestPromptKitAssets(t), ProfileFile: profilePath})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var out map[string]any
+	response, err := client.CompleteStructured(context.Background(), contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{PromptID: "adapter.test", ProfileID: "generation-profile", SessionID: "generation-error-test", Inputs: contracts.LLMInputSet{"transcript": contracts.NewLLMInputMaterial("transcript", "application/json", []byte(`{"source":true}`), "", "")}}, &out)
+	if !errors.Is(err, contracts.ErrLLMGeneration) {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %v", err)
+	}
+	var generation *contracts.LLMGenerationError
+	if !errors.As(err, &generation) || generation.StatusCode() != http.StatusServiceUnavailable {
+		t.Fatalf("generation error = %#v", generation)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(err.Error(), credential) || strings.Contains(err.Error(), "marker") {
+		t.Fatalf("ordinary error leaked provider detail: %v", err)
+	}
+	if response.Debug == nil || response.Debug.Response == nil || response.Debug.Response.ProviderError == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("debug = %#v", response.Debug)
+	}
+	debug := response.Debug.Response.ProviderError
+	if debug.StatusCode != http.StatusServiceUnavailable || debug.Code != "temporary" || strings.Contains(debug.Message, credential) || strings.Contains(debug.Message, "bearer-secret") || !strings.Contains(debug.Message, "marker") {
+		t.Fatalf("debug provider error = %#v", debug)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPromptKitClientRejectsInvalidRepairAttemptOverride(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, attempts := range []int{-1, 4} {
+		t.Run("invalid", func(t *testing.T) {
+			fake := &fakePromptKitLLM{content: `{"ok":true}`}
+			client := newTestPromptKitClient(t, fake)
+			var out map[string]any
+			_, err := client.CompleteStructured(context.Background(), contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{PromptID: "adapter.test", StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: &attempts}, &out)
+			if err == nil || fake.calls != 0 {
+				t.Fatalf("error=%v calls=%d", err, fake.calls)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestPromptKitClientCheckpointFingerprintTracksFallbackProfileAssets(t *testing.T) {
 	fingerprintFor := func(content string) CheckpointFingerprint {
 		t.Helper()
@@ -772,12 +992,15 @@ func TestLLMProfileRecorderDistinguishesEffectiveTargets(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPromptKitClientValidationFailureReturnsError(t *testing.T) {
-	client := newTestPromptKitClient(t, &fakePromptKitLLM{content: `{"bad":true}`})
+	attempts := 1
+	fake := &fakePromptKitLLM{responses: []promptkit.GenerateResponse{{Content: `{"bad":true}`}, {Content: `{"bad":true}`}}}
+	client := newTestPromptKitClient(t, fake)
 
 	var out map[string]any
 	resp, err := client.CompleteStructured(context.Background(), contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{
 		PromptID:                       "adapter.test",
 		SessionID:                      "session-123",
+		StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: &attempts,
 		Inputs: contracts.LLMInputSet{
 			"transcript": contracts.NewLLMInputMaterial("transcript", "application/json", []byte(`{"source":true}`), "", ""),
 		},
@@ -785,6 +1008,9 @@ func TestPromptKitClientValidationFailureReturnsError(t *testing.T) {
 	if err == nil || !errors.Is(err, contracts.ErrInvalidStructuredOutput) || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "validation failed") {
 		t.Fatalf("CompleteStructured() error = %v, want validation failure", err)
 	}
+	if got := atomic.LoadInt32(&fake.calls); got != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("provider calls = %d, want exhausted repair budget", got)
+	}
 	if got := string(resp.Content); got != `{"bad":true}` {
 		t.Fatalf("response content = %q, want raw failed output", got)
 	}
@@ -796,6 +1022,61 @@ func TestPromptKitClientValidationFailureReturnsError(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestPromptKitClientRepairsStructuredOutputAndReportsCumulativeUsage(t *testing.T) {
+	attempts := 1
+	fake := &fakePromptKitLLM{responses: []promptkit.GenerateResponse{
+		{Content: `{"bad":true}`, Usage: promptkit.TokenUsage{PromptTokens: 3, CompletionTokens: 5, TotalTokens: 8}},
+		{Content: `{"ok":true}`, Usage: promptkit.TokenUsage{PromptTokens: 7, CompletionTokens: 11, TotalTokens: 18}},
+	}}
+	client := newTestPromptKitClient(t, fake)
+	correction, err := contracts.NewSemanticCorrection([]byte(`{"bad":true}`), "Return the required ok field.")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewSemanticCorrection() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var out struct {
+		OK bool `json:"ok"`
+	}
+	response, err := client.CompleteStructured(context.Background(), contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{
+		PromptID:                       "adapter.test",
+		StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: &attempts,
+		SessionID:                      "repair-test",
+		Correction:                     correction,
+		Inputs: contracts.LLMInputSet{
+			"transcript": contracts.NewLLMInputMaterial("transcript", "application/json", []byte(`{"source":true}`), "", ""),
+		},
+	}, &out)
+	if err != nil || !out.OK {
+		t.Fatalf("CompleteStructured() = (%#v, %v), want repaired success", response, err)
+	}
+	if got := atomic.LoadInt32(&fake.calls); got != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("provider calls = %d, want initial generation and one repair", got)
+	}
+	requests := fake.requestsSnapshot()
+	if len(requests) != 2 || len(requests[0].Prompt.Messages) < 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("repair requests = %#v, want correction messages on the initial prepared request", requests)
+	}
+	messages := requests[0].Prompt.Messages
+	if got, want := messages[len(messages)-2], (promptkit.RenderedMessage{Role: promptkit.RoleAssistant, Content: `{"bad":true}`}); got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("repair assistant correction = %#v, want %#v", got, want)
+	}
+	if got, want := messages[len(messages)-1], (promptkit.RenderedMessage{Role: promptkit.RoleUser, Content: "Return the required ok field."}); got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("repair user correction = %#v, want %#v", got, want)
+	}
+	if response.RepairAttempts != 1 || response.PromptTokens != 10 || response.CompletionTokens != 16 || response.TotalTokens != 26 {
+		t.Fatalf("response repair and usage = %#v, want one repair and PromptKit cumulative usage", response)
+	}
+	if response.Debug == nil || response.Debug.Prompt == nil || response.Debug.Response == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("debug = %#v, want prompt and response details", response.Debug)
+	}
+	if response.Debug.Prompt.OutputContract["repair_attempts"] != float64(1) ||
+		response.Debug.Response.Validation["repair_attempts"] != float64(1) ||
+		response.Debug.Response.Content != `{"ok":true}` ||
+		response.Debug.Response.Usage.TotalTokens != 26 {
+		t.Fatalf("debug repair result = %#v, want configured contract and repaired response", response.Debug)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestPromptKitClientDecodeFailureReturnsRawResponse(t *testing.T) {
 	client := newTestPromptKitClient(t, &fakePromptKitLLM{content: `{"ok":true}`})
 
@@ -847,8 +1128,8 @@ func TestPromptKitClientProviderFailureIncludesContextAndRedactsBearerToken(t *t
 			t.Fatalf("error chain exposes credential: %v", err)
 		}
 	}
-	if errors.Unwrap(err) != nil {
+	if !errors.Is(err, contracts.ErrLLMGeneration) {
-		t.Fatalf("provider failure must not expose a wrapped diagnostic: %v", err)
+		t.Fatalf("provider failure = %v, want application generation classification", err)
 	}
 	var recoveredProviderErr *credentialBearingProviderError
 	if errors.As(err, &recoveredProviderErr) {
@@ -857,8 +1138,8 @@ func TestPromptKitClientProviderFailureIncludesContextAndRedactsBearerToken(t *t
 	if errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrLLMGenerate) {
 		t.Fatalf("provider failure exposes PromptKit generation sentinel: %v", err)
 	}
-	if resp.Debug != nil {
+	if resp.Debug == nil || resp.Debug.Prompt == nil || resp.Debug.Response != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("debug material = %#v, want none for provider failure without result", resp.Debug)
+		t.Fatalf("debug material = %#v, want prepared prompt without provider details", resp.Debug)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -951,6 +1232,15 @@ func TestPromptKitClientTranslatesBackendCapacityExhaustion(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPromptKitClientContextCancellationIsRespected(t *testing.T) {
+	attempts := 1
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name     string
+		attempts *int
+	}{
+		{name: "during preparation"},
+		{name: "during override inspection", attempts: &attempts},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 			cancel()
 			client := newTestPromptKitClient(t, &fakePromptKitLLM{content: `{"ok":true}`})
@@ -958,6 +1248,7 @@ func TestPromptKitClientContextCancellationIsRespected(t *testing.T) {
 			var out map[string]any
 			_, err := client.CompleteStructured(ctx, contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{
 				PromptID:                       "adapter.test",
+				StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: test.attempts,
 				Inputs: contracts.LLMInputSet{
 					"transcript": contracts.NewLLMInputMaterial("transcript", "application/json", []byte(`{"source":true}`), "", ""),
 				},
@@ -965,6 +1256,8 @@ func TestPromptKitClientContextCancellationIsRespected(t *testing.T) {
 			if !errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) || errors.Is(err, contracts.ErrInvalidStructuredOutput) {
 				t.Fatalf("CompleteStructured() error = %v, want context canceled", err)
 			}
+		})
+	}
 }
 
 func TestPromptKitClientForwardsConfiguredTransportTimeout(t *testing.T) {
@@ -1071,6 +1364,66 @@ func TestScheduledPromptKitClientBoundsConcurrentCalls(t *testing.T) {
 	wg.Wait()
 }
 
+func TestScheduledPromptKitClientHoldsPermitAcrossStructuredOutputRepair(t *testing.T) {
+	attempts := 1
+	fake := &fakePromptKitLLM{
+		responses: []promptkit.GenerateResponse{
+			{Content: `{"bad":true}`},
+			{Content: `{"ok":true}`},
+			{Content: `{"ok":true}`},
+		},
+		block: make(chan struct{}),
+	}
+	scheduler, err := NewScheduler(1)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewScheduler() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	scheduled := NewScheduledClient(newTestPromptKitClient(t, fake), scheduler)
+
+	firstDone := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		var out map[string]any
+		_, callErr := scheduled.CompleteStructured(context.Background(), contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{
+			PromptID:                       "adapter.test",
+			SessionID:                      "repair-session",
+			StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: &attempts,
+			Inputs: contracts.LLMInputSet{
+				"transcript": contracts.NewLLMInputMaterial("transcript", "application/json", []byte(`{"source":true}`), "", ""),
+			},
+		}, &out)
+		firstDone <- callErr
+	}()
+	waitForAtomicAtLeast(t, &fake.calls, 1)
+
+	secondDone := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		var out map[string]any
+		_, callErr := scheduled.CompleteStructured(context.Background(), contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{
+			PromptID:  "adapter.test",
+			SessionID: "queued-session",
+			Inputs: contracts.LLMInputSet{
+				"transcript": contracts.NewLLMInputMaterial("transcript", "application/json", []byte(`{"source":true}`), "", ""),
+			},
+		}, &out)
+		secondDone <- callErr
+	}()
+	close(fake.block)
+	if err := <-firstDone; err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("repaired completion error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := <-secondDone; err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("queued completion error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	requests := fake.requestsSnapshot()
+	if len(requests) != 3 || requests[1].Prompt.SessionID != "repair-session" || requests[2].Prompt.SessionID != "queued-session" {
+		t.Fatalf("generation order = %#v, want repair before queued completion", requests)
+	}
+	if got := atomic.LoadInt32(&fake.maxInFlight); got > 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("max in-flight calls = %d, want one scheduled logical completion", got)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestPromptKitClientValidatesRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	client := newTestPromptKitClient(t, &fakePromptKitLLM{content: `{"ok":true}`})
 	var out map[string]any
@@ -1225,11 +1578,13 @@ func (f *switchingPromptFS) resumePromptRead() {
 
 type fakePromptKitLLM struct {
 	content     string
+	responses   []promptkit.GenerateResponse
 	allowEmpty  bool
 	err         error
 	block       chan struct{}
 	mu          sync.Mutex
 	last        promptkit.GenerateRequest
+	requests    []promptkit.GenerateRequest
 	calls       int32
 	inFlight    int32
 	maxInFlight int32
@@ -1244,8 +1599,9 @@ func (*credentialBearingProviderError) Error() string {
 func (f *fakePromptKitLLM) Generate(ctx context.Context, req promptkit.GenerateRequest) (*promptkit.GenerateResponse, error) {
 	f.mu.Lock()
 	f.last = req
+	f.requests = append(f.requests, req)
 	f.mu.Unlock()
-	atomic.AddInt32(&f.calls, 1)
+	call := atomic.AddInt32(&f.calls, 1)
 	current := atomic.AddInt32(&f.inFlight, 1)
 	for {
 		seen := atomic.LoadInt32(&f.maxInFlight)
@@ -1264,6 +1620,14 @@ func (f *fakePromptKitLLM) Generate(ctx context.Context, req promptkit.GenerateR
 	if f.err != nil {
 		return nil, f.err
 	}
+	if len(f.responses) > 0 {
+		index := int(call - 1)
+		if index >= len(f.responses) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("unexpected provider call %d", call)
+		}
+		response := f.responses[index]
+		return &response, nil
+	}
 	content := f.content
 	if content == "" && !f.allowEmpty {
 		content = `{"ok":true}`
@@ -1294,3 +1658,9 @@ func (f *fakePromptKitLLM) lastRequest() promptkit.GenerateRequest {
 	defer f.mu.Unlock()
 	return f.last
 }
+
+func (f *fakePromptKitLLM) requestsSnapshot() []promptkit.GenerateRequest {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+	return append([]promptkit.GenerateRequest(nil), f.requests...)
+}

internal/framework/llm/promptkit_profile_fingerprint.go

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ const (
 	promptKitLocalBackendMarker          = "notarius:promptkit-local-backend:v1"
 	// The built-in profile catalog is compiled into this pinned PromptKit
 	// release. Update this identity when the dependency is upgraded.
-	promptKitBuiltinProfileCatalogID = "promptkit:v0.5.0:builtin-profiles"
+	promptKitBuiltinProfileCatalogID = "promptkit:v0.9.0:builtin-profiles"
 )
 
 func promptKitProfileFingerprint(profileDir, profileFile, fallbackProfileDigest string) (CheckpointFingerprint, error) {

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/debug.go

@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ type debugTimedEnvelope struct {
 	LaneID      string                  `json:"lane_id,omitempty"`
 	ModuleKey   string                  `json:"module_key,omitempty"`
 	Attempt     int                     `json:"attempt,omitempty"`
+	AttemptKind string                  `json:"attempt_kind,omitempty"`
 	StartedAt   time.Time               `json:"started_at"`
 	CompletedAt time.Time               `json:"completed_at"`
 	DurationMS  int64                   `json:"duration_ms"`
@@ -110,24 +111,7 @@ type debugSerializedOutput struct {
 	Content       debugBinaryEnvelope      `json:"content"`
 }
 
-type debugLLMInputMaterial struct {
+type debugStructuredCompletionRequest = contracts.DebugStructuredCompletionRequest
-	Name      string `json:"name"`
-	MediaType string `json:"media_type,omitempty"`
-	Content   string `json:"content_base64,omitempty"`
-	Digest    string `json:"digest,omitempty"`
-	OriginURI string `json:"origin_uri,omitempty"`
-	SizeBytes int64  `json:"size_bytes,omitempty"`
-}
-
-type debugStructuredCompletionRequest struct {
-	StageName     string                           `json:"stage_name"`
-	PromptID      string                           `json:"prompt_id,omitempty"`
-	PromptVersion string                           `json:"prompt_version,omitempty"`
-	ProfileID     string                           `json:"profile_id,omitempty"`
-	SessionID     string                           `json:"session_id,omitempty"`
-	Inputs        map[string]debugLLMInputMaterial `json:"inputs,omitempty"`
-	Vars          map[string]any                   `json:"vars,omitempty"`
-}
 
 type debugStructuredCompletionResponse struct {
 	Content          string `json:"content,omitempty"`
@@ -160,9 +144,37 @@ type debugLLMCallReference struct {
 	PromptID            string `json:"prompt_id,omitempty"`
 	ProfileID           string `json:"profile_id,omitempty"`
 	Model               string `json:"model,omitempty"`
+	PromptTokens        int    `json:"prompt_tokens,omitempty"`
+	CompletionTokens    int    `json:"completion_tokens,omitempty"`
+	TotalTokens         int    `json:"total_tokens,omitempty"`
+	RepairAttempts      int    `json:"repair_attempts,omitempty"`
 	Error               bool   `json:"error,omitempty"`
 }
 
+type debugValidationOutcome struct {
+	ValidatorName string `json:"validator_name"`
+	Outcome       string `json:"outcome"`
+	AttemptCount  int    `json:"attempt_count"`
+	ReasonCode    string `json:"reason_code,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type debugProducerAttempt struct {
+	Number     int                      `json:"number"`
+	Kind       string                   `json:"kind"`
+	Outcome    string                   `json:"outcome"`
+	Validation []debugValidationOutcome `json:"validation,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type debugProducerTerminal struct {
+	ProducerAttemptCount int                         `json:"producer_attempt_count"`
+	Attempts             []debugProducerAttempt      `json:"attempts,omitempty"`
+	AggregateReasonCodes []string                    `json:"aggregate_reason_codes,omitempty"`
+	ValidationComplete   bool                        `json:"validation_complete"`
+	EffectivePolicy      ValidationPolicy            `json:"effective_policy"`
+	TerminalAction       string                      `json:"terminal_action"`
+	Summary              artifacts.ValidationSummary `json:"validation_summary"`
+}
+
 type debugValidationCall struct {
 	ValidatorName string                     `json:"validator_name"`
 	Request       any                        `json:"request"`
@@ -267,6 +279,10 @@ func (client *debugLLMClient) CompleteStructured(ctx context.Context, req contra
 		PromptID:            req.PromptID,
 		ProfileID:           debugFirstNonEmptyString(response.ProfileID, req.ProfileID),
 		Model:               debugFirstNonEmptyString(response.Model, debugResponseModel(response)),
+		PromptTokens:        response.PromptTokens,
+		CompletionTokens:    response.CompletionTokens,
+		TotalTokens:         response.TotalTokens,
+		RepairAttempts:      response.RepairAttempts,
 		Error:               err != nil,
 	}
 	if scope := debugLLMScopeFromContext(ctx); scope != nil {
@@ -423,6 +439,50 @@ func (r attemptTerminalRecorder) record(payload any, terminalErr error) error {
 	return terminalErr
 }
 
+func debugValidationOutcomes(report validationReport) []debugValidationOutcome {
+	if len(report.records) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	outcomes := make([]debugValidationOutcome, 0, len(report.records))
+	for _, record := range report.records {
+		outcomes = append(outcomes, debugValidationOutcome{
+			ValidatorName: record.validatorName,
+			Outcome:       string(record.outcome),
+			AttemptCount:  record.attemptCount,
+			ReasonCode:    record.reasonCode,
+		})
+	}
+	return outcomes
+}
+
+func writeProducerTerminalDebug(recorder DebugRecorder, name string, terminal producerAttemptTerminal, policy ValidationPolicy, summary artifacts.ValidationSummary) error {
+	attempts := make([]debugProducerAttempt, 0, len(terminal.Provenance))
+	for _, item := range terminal.Provenance {
+		attempts = append(attempts, debugProducerAttempt{
+			Number:     item.Number,
+			Kind:       string(item.Kind),
+			Outcome:    string(item.Outcome),
+			Validation: debugValidationOutcomes(item.Validation),
+		})
+	}
+	return writeDebugTimed(recorder, name, debugTimedEnvelope{
+		Stage:     summary.Stage,
+		StepID:    summary.StepID,
+		LaneID:    summary.LaneID,
+		ModuleKey: summary.ModuleKey,
+		StartedAt: time.Now().UTC(),
+		Payload: debugProducerTerminal{
+			ProducerAttemptCount: summary.ProducerAttemptCount,
+			Attempts:             attempts,
+			AggregateReasonCodes: append([]string(nil), summary.ReasonCodes...),
+			ValidationComplete:   summary.Status == "complete",
+			EffectivePolicy:      policy,
+			TerminalAction:       string(terminal.Action),
+			Summary:              artifacts.CloneValidationSummary(summary),
+		},
+	})
+}
+
 func debugContentEnvelope(content []byte, mediaType string, metadata map[string]any, warnings []contracts.Warning) debugBinaryEnvelope {
 	content = redactSecretBytes(content)
 	return debugBinaryEnvelope{
@@ -567,29 +627,7 @@ func debugOutputFiles(files []contracts.OutputFile) []debugOutputFile {
 }
 
 func debugCompletionRequest(req contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest) debugStructuredCompletionRequest {
-	inputs := make(map[string]debugLLMInputMaterial, len(req.Inputs))
+	return req.DebugSummary()
-	for key, material := range req.Inputs {
-		inputs[key] = debugLLMInputMaterial{
-			Name:      material.Name,
-			MediaType: material.MediaType,
-			Content:   base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(redactSecretBytes(material.Content)),
-			Digest:    material.Digest,
-			OriginURI: material.OriginURI,
-			SizeBytes: material.SizeBytes,
-		}
-	}
-	if len(inputs) == 0 {
-		inputs = nil
-	}
-	return debugStructuredCompletionRequest{
-		StageName:     req.StageName,
-		PromptID:      req.PromptID,
-		PromptVersion: req.PromptVersion,
-		ProfileID:     req.ProfileID,
-		SessionID:     req.SessionID,
-		Inputs:        inputs,
-		Vars:          redactSensitiveMap(req.Vars),
-	}
 }
 
 func debugCompletionResponse(response contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse) debugStructuredCompletionResponse {
@@ -691,6 +729,7 @@ func debugResponseModel(response contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse) string
 
 func debugValidationResultEnvelope(result contracts.ValidationResult) contracts.ValidationResult {
 	result.Message = string(redactSecretBytes([]byte(result.Message)))
+	result.CorrectionGuidance = ""
 	result.DiagnosticArtifactPath = string(redactSecretBytes([]byte(result.DiagnosticArtifactPath)))
 	for i := range result.Warnings {
 		result.Warnings[i].Message = string(redactSecretBytes([]byte(result.Warnings[i].Message)))

internal/framework/pipeline/debug_test.go

@@ -47,6 +47,32 @@ func TestDebugLLMPathsKeepDotIdentitiesDistinct(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestDebugCompletionRequestOmitsCorrectionContent(t *testing.T) {
+	const assistantResponse = `{"secret":"assistant response"}`
+	const userGuidance = "secret user guidance"
+	correction, err := contracts.NewSemanticCorrection([]byte(assistantResponse), userGuidance)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewSemanticCorrection() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	summary := debugCompletionRequest(contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{
+		Inputs:     contracts.LLMInputSet{"source": contracts.NewLLMInputMaterial("source", "application/json", []byte(`{"source":true}`), "", "")},
+		Vars:       map[string]any{"custom": "value"},
+		Correction: correction,
+	})
+	encoded, err := json.Marshal(summary)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("marshal completion summary: %v", err)
+	}
+	for _, secret := range []string{assistantResponse, userGuidance} {
+		if strings.Contains(string(encoded), secret) {
+			t.Fatalf("debug completion summary leaked %q: %s", secret, encoded)
+		}
+	}
+	if summary.InputCount != 1 || summary.VariableCount != 1 || summary.Correction == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("debug completion summary = %#v, want counts and correction metadata", summary)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestDebugSourceDocumentPreservesUnitReferences(t *testing.T) {
 	doc := validSourceDocument()
 	envelope := debugSourceDocumentEnvelope(doc)

internal/framework/pipeline/evidence_output.go

@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ type debugEvidenceContextSummary struct {
 	SchemaVersion string                 `json:"schema_version"`
 	SelectedLanes []string               `json:"selected_lanes"`
 	WindowUnits   int                    `json:"window_units"`
-	ContextCount  int                    `json:"context_count"`
 	UnitCount     int                    `json:"unit_count"`
 	SourceDigest  string                 `json:"source_digest"`
 }
@@ -51,8 +50,7 @@ func buildOutputEvidenceContext(prepared *PreparedPipeline, doc *source.SourceDo
 	request := evidencecontext.BuildRequest{
 		Source:      doc,
 		WindowUnits: prepared.evidencePlan.policy.WindowUnits,
-		SelectedLanes: append([]string(nil), prepared.evidencePlan.policy.LaneIDs...),
+		SourceRefs:  make([]source.SourceRef, 0),
-		LaneEvidence:  make([]evidencecontext.LaneEvidence, 0, len(prepared.evidencePlan.lanes)),
 	}
 	for _, lane := range prepared.evidencePlan.lanes {
 		output, ok := byLane[lane.laneID]
@@ -73,10 +71,7 @@ func buildOutputEvidenceContext(prepared *PreparedPipeline, doc *source.SourceDo
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("evidence context output lane %q: accepted normalized artifact cannot be projected", lane.laneID)
 		}
-		request.LaneEvidence = append(request.LaneEvidence, evidencecontext.LaneEvidence{
+		request.SourceRefs = append(request.SourceRefs, references...)
-			LaneID:     lane.laneID,
-			SourceRefs: append([]source.SourceRef(nil), references...),
-		})
 	}
 
 	document, err := evidencecontext.Build(request)
@@ -99,13 +94,10 @@ func buildOutputEvidenceContext(prepared *PreparedPipeline, doc *source.SourceDo
 		SchemaID:      artifact.Schema.ID,
 		SchemaName:    artifact.Schema.Name,
 		SchemaVersion: artifact.Schema.Version,
-		SelectedLanes: append([]string(nil), document.SelectedLanes...),
+		SelectedLanes: append([]string(nil), prepared.evidencePlan.policy.LaneIDs...),
-		WindowUnits:   document.WindowUnits,
+		WindowUnits:   prepared.evidencePlan.policy.WindowUnits,
-		ContextCount:  len(document.Contexts),
+		SourceDigest:  doc.Digest,
-		SourceDigest:  document.SourceDigest,
+		UnitCount:     len(document),
-	}
-	for _, context := range document.Contexts {
-		summary.UnitCount += len(context.Units)
 	}
 	return contracts.CloneSerializedArtifactPointer(artifact), &summary, nil
 }

internal/framework/pipeline/evidence_output_test.go

@@ -97,14 +97,11 @@ func TestRunnerBuildsEvidenceContextFromSelectedNormalizedOutputs(t *testing.T)
 	}
 
 	value := decodeCapturedEvidence(t, encoder)
-	if !reflect.DeepEqual(value.SelectedLanes, []string{"alpha", "beta", "inactive"}) || len(value.Contexts) != 1 || len(value.Contexts[0].Units) != 3 {
+	if actual := []int{value[0].ID, value[1].ID, value[2].ID}; !reflect.DeepEqual(actual, []int{1, 2, 3}) {
 		t.Fatalf("evidence context = %#v, want selected union", value)
 	}
-	if got := value.Contexts[0].EvidenceRefs; len(got) != 2 || got[0].LaneID != "alpha" || got[1].LaneID != "beta" {
-		t.Fatalf("evidence refs = %#v, want both selected lanes", got)
-	}
 	debugJSON := string(debug.json["output/evidence-context.json"])
-	if strings.Contains(debugJSON, "text-1") || strings.Contains(debugJSON, "metadata") || !strings.Contains(debugJSON, `"artifact_kind":"source/evidence-context"`) || !strings.Contains(debugJSON, `"schema_id":"notarius.source.evidence_context"`) || !strings.Contains(debugJSON, `"context_count":1`) || !strings.Contains(debugJSON, `"unit_count":3`) {
+	if strings.Contains(debugJSON, "text-1") || strings.Contains(debugJSON, "metadata") || !strings.Contains(debugJSON, `"artifact_kind":"source/evidence-context"`) || !strings.Contains(debugJSON, `"schema_id":"notarius.source.evidence_context"`) || strings.Contains(debugJSON, "context_count") || !strings.Contains(debugJSON, `"unit_count":3`) {
 		t.Fatalf("evidence debug envelope = %s, want only allowlisted summary", debugJSON)
 	}
 }
@@ -117,9 +114,10 @@ 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
 	installEvidencePlan(prepared, 0, []string{"absent", "present", "rejected"}, func(notes codecNotes) ([]source.SourceRef, error) {
 		if len(notes.Items) > 0 && notes.Items[0] == "present" {
 			return []source.SourceRef{{SourceID: "source", StartUnitID: 1, EndUnitID: 1}}, nil
@@ -134,7 +132,7 @@ func TestRunnerEvidenceContextOmitsAbsentAndRejectedLanes(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("rejections = %#v, want rejected lane unchanged", result.Rejected)
 	}
 	value := decodeCapturedEvidence(t, encoder)
-	if len(value.Contexts) != 1 || len(value.Contexts[0].EvidenceRefs) != 1 || value.Contexts[0].EvidenceRefs[0].LaneID != "present" {
+	if len(value) != 1 || value[0].ID != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("evidence context = %#v, want present lane only", value)
 	}
 }
@@ -232,7 +230,7 @@ func TestRunnerEvidenceContextRebuildsFromAcceptedCheckpoint(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v", err)
 	}
 	value := decodeCapturedEvidence(t, encoder)
-	if len(value.Contexts) != 1 || value.Contexts[0].EvidenceRefs[0].LaneID != "notes" {
+	if len(value) != 1 || value[0].ID != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("evidence context = %#v, want checkpointed normalized output", value)
 	}
 }

internal/framework/pipeline/extractor_registry.go

@@ -58,11 +58,20 @@ func RegisterExtractorBuilder[T any](registry *ExtractorRegistry, spec ModuleSpe
 		if !ok {
 			return erasedTypedResult{}, fmt.Errorf("extractor %q has incompatible implementation %T", normalized.Key, implementation)
 		}
+		correction, err := contracts.CloneSemanticCorrection(request.Correction)
+		if err != nil {
+			return erasedTypedResult{}, fmt.Errorf("clone extraction correction: %w", err)
+		}
+		request.Correction = correction
 		result, err := extractor.Extract(ctx, request)
 		if err != nil {
 			return erasedTypedResult{}, err
 		}
-		return erasedTypedResult{Value: result.Value, Warnings: result.Warnings}, nil
+		candidate, err := contracts.CloneModelCandidate(result.ModelCandidate)
+		if err != nil {
+			return erasedTypedResult{}, fmt.Errorf("clone extraction model candidate: %w", err)
+		}
+		return erasedTypedResult{Value: result.Value, Warnings: cloneWarnings(result.Warnings), ModelCandidate: candidate}, nil
 	}}
 	if registry.typedEntries == nil {
 		registry.typedEntries = map[string]typedExtractorEntry{}

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/merger_registry.go

@@ -85,11 +85,19 @@ func RegisterMergerBuilder[T any](registry *MergerRegistry, spec ModuleSpec, val
 				}
 				outputs[i] = contracts.ExtractArtifact[T]{LaneID: output.LaneID, ExtractorKey: output.ExtractorKey, SourceID: output.SourceID, ChunkID: output.ChunkID, ChunkIndex: output.ChunkIndex, ChunkRef: output.ChunkRef, Value: value}
 			}
-			result, err := merger.Merge(ctx, contracts.TypedMergeRequest[T]{Source: request.Source, LaneID: request.LaneID, ExtractOutputs: outputs, SourceInput: request.SourceInput, SessionID: request.SessionID, References: request.References, LLMProfile: request.LLMProfile, Metadata: request.Metadata})
+			correction, err := contracts.CloneSemanticCorrection(request.Correction)
+			if err != nil {
+				return erasedTypedResult{}, fmt.Errorf("clone merge correction: %w", err)
+			}
+			result, err := merger.Merge(ctx, contracts.TypedMergeRequest[T]{Source: request.Source, LaneID: request.LaneID, ExtractOutputs: outputs, SourceInput: request.SourceInput, SessionID: request.SessionID, References: request.References, LLMProfile: request.LLMProfile, StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: request.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts, Correction: correction, Metadata: request.Metadata})
 			if err != nil {
 				return erasedTypedResult{}, err
 			}
-			return erasedTypedResult{Value: result.Value, Warnings: result.Warnings}, nil
+			candidate, err := contracts.CloneModelCandidate(result.ModelCandidate)
+			if err != nil {
+				return erasedTypedResult{}, fmt.Errorf("clone merge model candidate: %w", err)
+			}
+			return erasedTypedResult{Value: result.Value, Warnings: cloneWarnings(result.Warnings), ModelCandidate: candidate}, nil
 		},
 	}
 	return nil

internal/framework/pipeline/module.go

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ type ModuleSpec struct {
 	Key                string
 	Stage              ModuleStage
 	ExecutionClass     contracts.ExecutionClass
+	CorrectionProtocol contracts.CorrectionProtocol
 	ArtifactKind       contracts.ArtifactKind
 	Provides           []string
 	Requires           []string
@@ -32,10 +33,12 @@ type ModuleSpec struct {
 
 func normalizeModuleSpec(spec ModuleSpec) ModuleSpec {
 	executionClass := contracts.ExecutionClass(strings.TrimSpace(string(spec.ExecutionClass)))
+	correctionProtocol := contracts.CorrectionProtocol(strings.TrimSpace(string(spec.CorrectionProtocol)))
 	return ModuleSpec{
 		Key:                strings.TrimSpace(spec.Key),
 		Stage:              spec.Stage,
 		ExecutionClass:     executionClass,
+		CorrectionProtocol: correctionProtocol,
 		ArtifactKind:       normalizeArtifactKind(spec.ArtifactKind),
 		Provides:           normalizeCapabilities(spec.Provides),
 		Requires:           normalizeCapabilities(spec.Requires),
@@ -73,6 +76,7 @@ func cloneModuleSpec(spec ModuleSpec) ModuleSpec {
 		Key:                spec.Key,
 		Stage:              spec.Stage,
 		ExecutionClass:     spec.ExecutionClass,
+		CorrectionProtocol: spec.CorrectionProtocol,
 		ArtifactKind:       spec.ArtifactKind,
 		Provides:           append([]string(nil), spec.Provides...),
 		Requires:           append([]string(nil), spec.Requires...),
@@ -93,6 +97,19 @@ func validateModuleSpec(kind string, expectedStage ModuleStage, spec ModuleSpec)
 	if spec.ExecutionClass != contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic && spec.ExecutionClass != contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%s %q has unsupported execution class %q", kind, spec.Key, spec.ExecutionClass)
 	}
+	if spec.CorrectionProtocol != "" {
+		if err := spec.CorrectionProtocol.Validate(); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s %q correction protocol: %w", kind, spec.Key, err)
+		}
+		if spec.ExecutionClass != contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s %q correction protocol requires an LLM-backed execution class", kind, spec.Key)
+		}
+		switch spec.Stage {
+		case StageChunk, StageExtract, StageMerge, StageNormalize:
+		default:
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s %q correction protocol is not supported for %q stage", kind, spec.Key, spec.Stage)
+		}
+	}
 	if spec.ArtifactKind != "" && spec.Stage != StageExtract && spec.Stage != StageMerge && spec.Stage != StageNormalize {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%s %q must not declare an artifact kind", kind, spec.Key)
 	}

internal/framework/pipeline/module_test.go

@@ -32,14 +32,70 @@ func TestValidateModuleSpecRequiresSupportedExecutionClass(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestCloneModuleSpecPreservesExecutionClass(t *testing.T) {
+func TestCloneModuleSpecPreservesCorrectionProtocol(t *testing.T) {
-	spec := normalizeModuleSpec(ModuleSpec{Key: " module ", Stage: StageChunk, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked})
+	spec := normalizeModuleSpec(ModuleSpec{
+		Key:                " module ",
+		Stage:              StageChunk,
+		ExecutionClass:     contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked,
+		CorrectionProtocol: " single_response_v1 ",
+	})
+	if spec.CorrectionProtocol != contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1 {
+		t.Fatalf("normalized CorrectionProtocol = %q, want %q", spec.CorrectionProtocol, contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1)
+	}
 	cloned := cloneModuleSpec(spec)
 	if !reflect.DeepEqual(cloned, spec) {
 		t.Fatalf("cloneModuleSpec() = %#v, want %#v", cloned, spec)
 	}
 }
 
+func TestValidateModuleSpecCorrectionProtocolEligibility(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name     string
+		stage    ModuleStage
+		class    contracts.ExecutionClass
+		protocol contracts.CorrectionProtocol
+		want     string
+	}{
+		{name: "LLM chunk", stage: StageChunk, class: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, protocol: contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1},
+		{name: "LLM extract", stage: StageExtract, class: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, protocol: contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1},
+		{name: "LLM merge", stage: StageMerge, class: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, protocol: contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1},
+		{name: "LLM normalize", stage: StageNormalize, class: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, protocol: contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1},
+		{name: "deterministic chunk", stage: StageChunk, class: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic, protocol: contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1, want: "LLM-backed"},
+		{name: "input", stage: StageInput, class: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, protocol: contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1, want: "not supported"},
+		{name: "output", stage: StageOutput, class: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, protocol: contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1, want: "not supported"},
+		{name: "unknown protocol", stage: StageChunk, class: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, protocol: "unsupported", want: "unsupported correction protocol"},
+	}
+
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			spec := normalizeModuleSpec(ModuleSpec{
+				Key:                "module",
+				Stage:              test.stage,
+				ExecutionClass:     test.class,
+				CorrectionProtocol: test.protocol,
+			})
+			err := validateModuleSpec("module", test.stage, spec)
+			if test.want == "" && err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("validateModuleSpec() error = %v, want nil", err)
+			}
+			if test.want != "" && (err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), test.want)) {
+				t.Fatalf("validateModuleSpec() error = %v, want %q", err, test.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNormalizeValidatorSpecRejectsCorrectionProtocol(t *testing.T) {
+	_, err := normalizeValidatorSpec(ValidatorSpec{
+		Key:                "validator",
+		ExecutionClass:     contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked,
+		CorrectionProtocol: contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1,
+	})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "correction protocol") {
+		t.Fatalf("normalizeValidatorSpec() error = %v, want correction protocol error", err)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestValidateModuleSpecAllowsReferenceSlotsForEligibleStages(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name  string

internal/framework/pipeline/normalizer_registry.go

@@ -76,11 +76,19 @@ func RegisterNormalizerBuilder[T any](registry *NormalizerRegistry, spec ModuleS
 			if err != nil {
 				return erasedTypedResult{}, err
 			}
-			result, err := normalizer.Normalize(ctx, contracts.TypedNormalizeRequest[T]{Source: request.Source, LaneID: request.LaneID, MergeOutput: contracts.MergeArtifact[T]{LaneID: request.MergeOutput.LaneID, MergerKey: request.MergeOutput.MergerKey, SourceID: request.MergeOutput.SourceID, Value: value}, SourceInput: request.SourceInput, SessionID: request.SessionID, References: request.References, LLMProfile: request.LLMProfile, Metadata: request.Metadata})
+			correction, err := contracts.CloneSemanticCorrection(request.Correction)
+			if err != nil {
+				return erasedTypedResult{}, fmt.Errorf("clone normalize correction: %w", err)
+			}
+			result, err := normalizer.Normalize(ctx, contracts.TypedNormalizeRequest[T]{Source: request.Source, LaneID: request.LaneID, MergeOutput: contracts.MergeArtifact[T]{LaneID: request.MergeOutput.LaneID, MergerKey: request.MergeOutput.MergerKey, SourceID: request.MergeOutput.SourceID, Value: value}, SourceInput: request.SourceInput, SessionID: request.SessionID, References: request.References, LLMProfile: request.LLMProfile, StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: request.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts, Correction: correction, Metadata: request.Metadata})
 			if err != nil {
 				return erasedTypedResult{}, err
 			}
-			return erasedTypedResult{Value: result.Value, Warnings: cloneWarnings(result.Warnings), Retry: cloneNormalizeRetry(result.Retry)}, nil
+			candidate, err := contracts.CloneModelCandidate(result.ModelCandidate)
+			if err != nil {
+				return erasedTypedResult{}, fmt.Errorf("clone normalize model candidate: %w", err)
+			}
+			return erasedTypedResult{Value: result.Value, Warnings: cloneWarnings(result.Warnings), Retry: cloneNormalizeRetry(result.Retry), ModelCandidate: candidate}, nil
 		},
 	}
 	return nil

internal/framework/pipeline/prepare.go

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 type PreparedPipeline struct {
 	Input                   ModuleBinding
 	Chunk                   ModuleBinding
+	ChunkCorrectionProtocol contracts.CorrectionProtocol
 	Steps                   []PreparedPipelineStep
 	Output                  ModuleBinding
 
@@ -37,6 +38,9 @@ type PreparedPipelineStep struct {
 
 type PreparedArtifactLane struct {
 	Resolved                    ResolvedArtifactLane
+	ExtractCorrectionProtocol   contracts.CorrectionProtocol
+	MergeCorrectionProtocol     contracts.CorrectionProtocol
+	NormalizeCorrectionProtocol contracts.CorrectionProtocol
 }
 
 type preparedLaneExecutor struct {
@@ -79,6 +83,7 @@ type preparedValidator struct {
 	typedValidate typedValidateOperation
 	chunk         contracts.ChunkValidator
 	serialized    contracts.SerializedValidator
+	position      int
 }
 
 // Prepare validates all configured options and constructs every selected
@@ -87,6 +92,9 @@ func Prepare(resolved ResolvedPipeline, registries Registries, deps ModuleDepend
 	if err := validateResolvedPipeline(resolved); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+	if err := validateCorrectionRetryCapabilities(resolved); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	if err := validateRegistrySet(resolved, registries); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -94,6 +102,7 @@ func Prepare(resolved ResolvedPipeline, registries Registries, deps ModuleDepend
 	prepared := &PreparedPipeline{
 		Input:                   cloneModuleBinding(stable.Input),
 		Chunk:                   cloneModuleBinding(stable.Chunk),
+		ChunkCorrectionProtocol: stable.ChunkCorrectionProtocol,
 		Output:                  cloneModuleBinding(stable.Output),
 		resolved:                stable,
 		dependencies:            deps,
@@ -131,7 +140,12 @@ func Prepare(resolved ResolvedPipeline, registries Registries, deps ModuleDepend
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, err
 			}
-			preparedStep.ArtifactLanes = append(preparedStep.ArtifactLanes, PreparedArtifactLane{Resolved: cloneResolvedArtifactLane(lane)})
+			preparedStep.ArtifactLanes = append(preparedStep.ArtifactLanes, PreparedArtifactLane{
+				Resolved:                    cloneResolvedArtifactLane(lane),
+				ExtractCorrectionProtocol:   lane.ExtractCorrectionProtocol,
+				MergeCorrectionProtocol:     lane.MergeCorrectionProtocol,
+				NormalizeCorrectionProtocol: lane.NormalizeCorrectionProtocol,
+			})
 			preparedStep.lanes = append(preparedStep.lanes, executor)
 		}
 		prepared.Steps[stepIndex] = preparedStep
@@ -199,6 +213,40 @@ func prepareEvidencePlan(resolved ResolvedPipeline, registries Registries, outpu
 	return plan, nil
 }
 
+func validateCorrectionRetryCapabilities(pipeline ResolvedPipeline) error {
+	validate := func(stage ModuleStage, laneID string, binding ModuleBinding, executionClass contracts.ExecutionClass, protocol contracts.CorrectionProtocol) error {
+		if executionClass != contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked || binding.Retries == 0 {
+			return nil
+		}
+		chain := resolvedValidatorChain(stage, laneID, binding.Module, pipeline.ValidatorChains)
+		if len(chain.Validators) == 0 || protocol == contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1 {
+			return nil
+		}
+		if laneID == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q %s module %q configures validators and retries but does not declare correction protocol %q", pipeline.ID, stage, binding.Module, contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1)
+		}
+		return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q lane %q %s module %q configures validators and retries but does not declare correction protocol %q", pipeline.ID, laneID, stage, binding.Module, contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1)
+	}
+
+	if err := validate(StageChunk, "", pipeline.Chunk, pipeline.ChunkExecutionClass, pipeline.ChunkCorrectionProtocol); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	for _, step := range pipeline.Steps {
+		for _, lane := range step.ArtifactLanes {
+			if err := validate(StageExtract, lane.ID, lane.Extract, lane.ExtractExecutionClass, lane.ExtractCorrectionProtocol); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if err := validate(StageMerge, lane.ID, lane.Merge, lane.MergeExecutionClass, lane.MergeCorrectionProtocol); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if err := validate(StageNormalize, lane.ID, lane.Normalize, lane.NormalizeExecutionClass, lane.NormalizeCorrectionProtocol); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func prepareLane(pipeline ResolvedPipeline, lane ResolvedArtifactLane, registries Registries, deps ModuleDependencies) (preparedLaneExecutor, error) {
 	executor := preparedLaneExecutor{resolved: cloneResolvedArtifactLane(lane)}
 	request := func(binding ModuleBinding, references contracts.ReferenceSet) BuildRequest {
@@ -406,6 +454,7 @@ func validateRegistrySet(resolved ResolvedPipeline, registries Registries) error
 
 func cloneResolvedPipeline(in ResolvedPipeline) ResolvedPipeline {
 	out := in
+	out.ConfiguredValidationPolicy = cloneValidationPolicyOverride(in.ConfiguredValidationPolicy)
 	out.Input = cloneModuleBinding(in.Input)
 	out.Chunk = cloneModuleBinding(in.Chunk)
 	out.Output = cloneModuleBinding(in.Output)

internal/framework/pipeline/producer_attempts.go

@@ -0,0 +1,391 @@
+package pipeline
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/artifacts"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
+)
+
+// producerAttemptKind records why a producer invocation followed the prior
+// one. It is deliberately independent of any artifact family.
+type producerAttemptKind string
+
+const (
+	producerAttemptInitial          producerAttemptKind = "initial"
+	producerAttemptOperationalRetry producerAttemptKind = "operational_error_retry"
+	producerAttemptStructuralRetry  producerAttemptKind = "structural_retry"
+	producerAttemptModuleRetry      producerAttemptKind = "module_requested_retry"
+	producerAttemptSemanticRetry    producerAttemptKind = "semantic_correction"
+)
+
+type producerAttemptOutcome string
+
+const (
+	producerAttemptAccepted           producerAttemptOutcome = "accepted"
+	producerAttemptRejected           producerAttemptOutcome = "rejected"
+	producerAttemptIncompleteAccepted producerAttemptOutcome = "incomplete_accepted"
+	producerAttemptRetried            producerAttemptOutcome = "retried"
+	producerAttemptFailed             producerAttemptOutcome = "failed"
+)
+
+type producerTerminalAction string
+
+const (
+	producerTerminalAccepted           producerTerminalAction = "accepted"
+	producerTerminalRejected           producerTerminalAction = "reject_output"
+	producerTerminalIncompleteAccepted producerTerminalAction = "warn_continue"
+	producerTerminalFailed             producerTerminalAction = "fail_run"
+)
+
+// producerAttemptRequest contains only attempt-local control material. The
+// producer reconstructs its ordinary request from its own durable inputs.
+type producerAttemptRequest struct {
+	Number     int
+	Kind       producerAttemptKind
+	Correction *contracts.SemanticCorrection
+}
+
+// producerRetryDirective asks for another producer invocation while retaining
+// the current value as a safe fallback if its shared budget is exhausted.
+// Artifact-specific adapters are responsible for validating and populating it.
+type producerRetryDirective struct {
+	FallbackWarnings []contracts.Warning
+}
+
+func (directive *producerRetryDirective) clone() *producerRetryDirective {
+	if directive == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return &producerRetryDirective{FallbackWarnings: cloneWarnings(directive.FallbackWarnings)}
+}
+
+// producerAttemptOutput is intentionally artifact-neutral. Value remains
+// opaque to the state machine; Candidate is the attempt-local response that
+// may support semantic correction.
+type producerAttemptOutput struct {
+	Value     any
+	Candidate *contracts.ModelCandidate
+	Warnings  []contracts.Warning
+	Retry     *producerRetryDirective
+}
+
+func (output producerAttemptOutput) clone() (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+	candidate, err := contracts.CloneModelCandidate(output.Candidate)
+	if err != nil {
+		return producerAttemptOutput{}, fmt.Errorf("clone model candidate: %w", err)
+	}
+	return producerAttemptOutput{
+		Value:     output.Value,
+		Candidate: candidate,
+		Warnings:  cloneWarnings(output.Warnings),
+		Retry:     output.Retry.clone(),
+	}, nil
+}
+
+type producerAttemptProducer func(context.Context, producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error)
+type producerAttemptValidator func(context.Context, producerAttemptOutput) (validationReport, error)
+
+type producerAttemptConfig struct {
+	Retries              int
+	Policy               ValidationPolicy
+	AllowStructuralRetry bool
+}
+
+// producerAttemptProvenance is ordered by producer invocation. It retains the
+// settled validation report for later debug and durable-provenance adapters.
+type producerAttemptProvenance struct {
+	Number     int
+	Kind       producerAttemptKind
+	Outcome    producerAttemptOutcome
+	Validation validationReport
+}
+
+func (provenance producerAttemptProvenance) clone() producerAttemptProvenance {
+	provenance.Validation = cloneValidationReport(provenance.Validation)
+	return provenance
+}
+
+// producerAttemptTerminal describes the state-machine decision without
+// materializing an artifact or persisting stage-specific diagnostics.
+type producerAttemptTerminal struct {
+	Action               producerTerminalAction
+	Value                any
+	Warnings             []contracts.Warning
+	Rejection            *contracts.RejectedOutput
+	Validation           validationReport
+	ValidationIncomplete bool
+	Provenance           []producerAttemptProvenance
+}
+
+func (terminal producerAttemptTerminal) clone() producerAttemptTerminal {
+	terminal.Warnings = cloneWarnings(terminal.Warnings)
+	if terminal.Rejection != nil {
+		rejection := *terminal.Rejection
+		rejection.Validation = cloneValidationSummaryPtr(rejection.Validation)
+		terminal.Rejection = &rejection
+	}
+	terminal.Validation = cloneValidationReport(terminal.Validation)
+	terminal.Provenance = cloneProducerAttemptProvenance(terminal.Provenance)
+	return terminal
+}
+
+func cloneProducerAttemptProvenance(provenance []producerAttemptProvenance) []producerAttemptProvenance {
+	if len(provenance) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	cloned := make([]producerAttemptProvenance, len(provenance))
+	for index, item := range provenance {
+		cloned[index] = item.clone()
+	}
+	return cloned
+}
+
+func cloneValidationReport(report validationReport) validationReport {
+	return validationReport{records: report.Records()}
+}
+
+func runProducerAttempts(ctx context.Context, config producerAttemptConfig, produce producerAttemptProducer, validate producerAttemptValidator) (producerAttemptTerminal, error) {
+	if ctx == nil {
+		return producerAttemptTerminal{}, errors.New("producer attempt context must not be nil")
+	}
+	if config.Retries < 0 {
+		return producerAttemptTerminal{}, errors.New("producer retries must not be negative")
+	}
+	if produce == nil {
+		return producerAttemptTerminal{}, errors.New("producer attempt closure must not be nil")
+	}
+	if validate == nil {
+		return producerAttemptTerminal{}, errors.New("producer validation closure must not be nil")
+	}
+
+	attemptLimit := config.Retries + 1
+	provenance := make([]producerAttemptProvenance, 0, attemptLimit)
+	kind := producerAttemptInitial
+	var correction *contracts.SemanticCorrection
+
+	for number := 1; number <= attemptLimit; number++ {
+		if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+			return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), err
+		}
+		requestCorrection, err := contracts.CloneSemanticCorrection(correction)
+		if err != nil {
+			return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), fmt.Errorf("clone semantic correction: %w", err)
+		}
+		output, err := produce(ctx, producerAttemptRequest{Number: number, Kind: kind, Correction: requestCorrection})
+		if err != nil {
+			provenance = append(provenance, producerAttemptProvenance{Number: number, Kind: kind, Outcome: producerAttemptFailed})
+			if isImmediateProducerFailure(err) {
+				return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), err
+			}
+			if errors.Is(err, contracts.ErrInvalidStructuredOutput) && config.AllowStructuralRetry {
+				if number < attemptLimit {
+					kind, correction = producerAttemptStructuralRetry, nil
+					continue
+				}
+				return applyStructuralTerminalPolicy(config.Policy, provenance, number, err)
+			}
+			if number < attemptLimit {
+				kind, correction = producerAttemptOperationalRetry, nil
+				continue
+			}
+			return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), fmt.Errorf("producer failed after %d attempt(s): %w", number, err)
+		}
+
+		output, err = output.clone()
+		if err != nil {
+			provenance = append(provenance, producerAttemptProvenance{Number: number, Kind: kind, Outcome: producerAttemptFailed})
+			return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), err
+		}
+		if output.Retry != nil && number < attemptLimit {
+			provenance = append(provenance, producerAttemptProvenance{Number: number, Kind: kind, Outcome: producerAttemptRetried})
+			kind, correction = producerAttemptModuleRetry, nil
+			continue
+		}
+		if output.Retry != nil {
+			output.Warnings = append(output.Warnings, cloneWarnings(output.Retry.FallbackWarnings)...)
+		}
+		correctionCandidate, err := contracts.CloneModelCandidate(output.Candidate)
+		if err != nil {
+			provenance = append(provenance, producerAttemptProvenance{Number: number, Kind: kind, Outcome: producerAttemptFailed})
+			return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), fmt.Errorf("clone correction candidate: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		report, err := validate(ctx, output)
+		if err != nil {
+			provenance = append(provenance, producerAttemptProvenance{Number: number, Kind: kind, Outcome: producerAttemptFailed})
+			return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), err
+		}
+		report = cloneValidationReport(report)
+		if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+			provenance = append(provenance, producerAttemptProvenance{Number: number, Kind: kind, Outcome: producerAttemptFailed, Validation: report})
+			return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), err
+		}
+
+		if rejection := report.FirstRejection(); rejection != nil {
+			if correctionCandidate != nil {
+				if err := correctionCandidate.Validate(); err != nil {
+					provenance = append(provenance, producerAttemptProvenance{Number: number, Kind: kind, Outcome: producerAttemptFailed, Validation: report})
+					return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), fmt.Errorf("validate producer model candidate: %w", err)
+				}
+			}
+			if number < attemptLimit && correctionCandidate != nil && correctionCandidate.Protocol == contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1 {
+				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)
+				}
+				provenance = append(provenance, producerAttemptProvenance{Number: number, Kind: kind, Outcome: producerAttemptRetried, Validation: report})
+				kind = producerAttemptSemanticRetry
+				continue
+			}
+			provenance = append(provenance, producerAttemptProvenance{Number: number, Kind: kind, Outcome: producerAttemptRejected, Validation: report})
+			return applySemanticTerminalPolicy(config.Policy, provenance, number, output, report, *rejection)
+		}
+
+		if incomplete := firstIncompleteValidation(report); incomplete != nil {
+			provenance = append(provenance, producerAttemptProvenance{Number: number, Kind: kind, Outcome: producerAttemptIncompleteAccepted, Validation: report})
+			if config.Policy.ValidatorFailure == ValidatorFailureWarnContinue {
+				warnings := terminalWarnings(output, report)
+				warnings = append(warnings, incompleteValidationWarnings(report)...)
+				return producerAttemptTerminal{Action: producerTerminalIncompleteAccepted, Value: output.Value, Warnings: warnings, Validation: report, ValidationIncomplete: true, Provenance: cloneProducerAttemptProvenance(provenance)}, nil
+			}
+			return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), validatorFailureError(*incomplete)
+		}
+
+		provenance = append(provenance, producerAttemptProvenance{Number: number, Kind: kind, Outcome: producerAttemptAccepted, Validation: report})
+		return producerAttemptTerminal{Action: producerTerminalAccepted, Value: output.Value, Warnings: terminalWarnings(output, report), Validation: report, Provenance: cloneProducerAttemptProvenance(provenance)}, nil
+	}
+
+	return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), errors.New("producer attempt budget was not exhausted deterministically")
+}
+
+func isImmediateProducerFailure(err error) bool {
+	if errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) || errors.Is(err, context.DeadlineExceeded) {
+		return true
+	}
+	var debugErr *attemptDebugPersistenceError
+	return errors.As(err, &debugErr)
+}
+
+func applyStructuralTerminalPolicy(policy ValidationPolicy, provenance []producerAttemptProvenance, number int, err error) (producerAttemptTerminal, error) {
+	switch policy.ProducerStructuralFailure {
+	case ProducerStructuralFailureRejectOutput:
+		return producerAttemptTerminal{Action: producerTerminalRejected, Rejection: &contracts.RejectedOutput{ReasonCode: "invalid_structured_output", Message: "producer returned invalid structured output", AttemptCount: number}, Provenance: cloneProducerAttemptProvenance(provenance)}, nil
+	case ProducerStructuralFailureFailRun:
+		return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), fmt.Errorf("producer returned invalid structured output after %d attempt(s): %w", number, err)
+	default:
+		return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), fmt.Errorf("unknown producer structural-failure action %q", policy.ProducerStructuralFailure)
+	}
+}
+
+func applySemanticTerminalPolicy(policy ValidationPolicy, provenance []producerAttemptProvenance, number int, output producerAttemptOutput, report validationReport, rejection validationRecord) (producerAttemptTerminal, error) {
+	rejected := contracts.RejectedOutput{ValidatorName: rejection.validatorName, ReasonCode: rejection.reasonCode, Message: rejection.message, AttemptCount: number, DiagnosticArtifactPath: rejection.diagnosticPath}
+	switch policy.SemanticRejection {
+	case SemanticRejectionRejectOutput:
+		return producerAttemptTerminal{Action: producerTerminalRejected, Warnings: terminalWarnings(output, report), Rejection: &rejected, Validation: report, ValidationIncomplete: firstIncompleteValidation(report) != nil, Provenance: cloneProducerAttemptProvenance(provenance)}, nil
+	case SemanticRejectionFailRun:
+		return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), fmt.Errorf("producer candidate rejected after %d attempt(s): %s", number, rejection.message)
+	default:
+		return failedProducerAttempt(provenance), fmt.Errorf("unknown semantic-rejection action %q", policy.SemanticRejection)
+	}
+}
+
+func firstIncompleteValidation(report validationReport) *validationRecord {
+	for _, record := range report.records {
+		if record.outcome == validationFailed || record.outcome == validationSkipped {
+			clone := record.clone()
+			return &clone
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func terminalWarnings(output producerAttemptOutput, report validationReport) []contracts.Warning {
+	warnings := cloneWarnings(output.Warnings)
+	warnings = append(warnings, report.Warnings()...)
+	return warnings
+}
+
+// incompleteValidationWarnings reports only validators that exhausted their
+// execution budget. It never reports rejected candidates, and it uses fixed
+// text so provider errors and correction content cannot cross this boundary.
+func incompleteValidationWarnings(report validationReport) []contracts.Warning {
+	warnings := make([]contracts.Warning, 0)
+	for _, record := range report.records {
+		if record.outcome != validationFailed {
+			continue
+		}
+		warnings = append(warnings, contracts.Warning{
+			Scope:      record.validatorName,
+			ReasonCode: "validator_execution_incomplete",
+			Message:    "Validator execution did not complete within its configured budget.",
+		})
+	}
+	return warnings
+}
+
+// validationSummary projects a terminal state-machine result into the durable
+// bounded representation used by manifests, rejections, and receipts.
+func validationSummary(terminal producerAttemptTerminal, stage ModuleStage, stepID, laneID, moduleKey, chunkID string, chunkIndex int) artifacts.ValidationSummary {
+	summary := artifacts.ValidationSummary{
+		Stage:                string(stage),
+		StepID:               stepID,
+		LaneID:               laneID,
+		ModuleKey:            moduleKey,
+		ChunkID:              chunkID,
+		ChunkIndex:           chunkIndex,
+		ProducerAttemptCount: len(terminal.Provenance),
+		TerminalAction:       string(terminal.Action),
+	}
+	switch {
+	case terminal.Action == producerTerminalRejected:
+		summary.Status = "rejected"
+	case terminal.Action == producerTerminalFailed:
+		summary.Status = "incomplete"
+	case terminal.ValidationIncomplete:
+		summary.Status = "incomplete"
+	default:
+		summary.Status = "complete"
+	}
+	seenValidators := make(map[string]struct{})
+	seenReasons := make(map[string]struct{})
+	seenIncomplete := make(map[string]struct{})
+	for _, record := range terminal.Validation.records {
+		if record.reasonCode != "" {
+			if _, exists := seenReasons[record.reasonCode]; !exists {
+				seenReasons[record.reasonCode] = struct{}{}
+				summary.ReasonCodes = append(summary.ReasonCodes, record.reasonCode)
+			}
+		}
+		if record.outcome == validationRejected {
+			if _, exists := seenValidators[record.validatorName]; !exists {
+				seenValidators[record.validatorName] = struct{}{}
+				summary.RejectingValidators = append(summary.RejectingValidators, record.validatorName)
+			}
+		}
+		if record.outcome == validationFailed || record.outcome == validationSkipped {
+			if _, exists := seenIncomplete[record.validatorName]; !exists {
+				seenIncomplete[record.validatorName] = struct{}{}
+				summary.IncompleteValidators = append(summary.IncompleteValidators, record.validatorName)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if terminal.Rejection != nil && terminal.Rejection.ReasonCode != "" {
+		if _, exists := seenReasons[terminal.Rejection.ReasonCode]; !exists {
+			summary.ReasonCodes = append(summary.ReasonCodes, terminal.Rejection.ReasonCode)
+		}
+	}
+	return summary
+}
+
+func failedProducerAttempt(provenance []producerAttemptProvenance) producerAttemptTerminal {
+	return producerAttemptTerminal{Action: producerTerminalFailed, Provenance: cloneProducerAttemptProvenance(provenance)}
+}

internal/framework/pipeline/producer_attempts_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,414 @@
+package pipeline
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
+)
+
+func TestRunProducerAttemptsUsesOneSharedBudget(t *testing.T) {
+	candidate := attemptCandidate(t, "first response")
+	producerCalls := 0
+	terminal, err := runProducerAttempts(context.Background(), producerAttemptConfig{Retries: 2, Policy: DefaultValidationPolicy(), AllowStructuralRetry: true}, func(_ context.Context, request producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+		producerCalls++
+		switch request.Number {
+		case 1:
+			return producerAttemptOutput{}, errors.New("temporary producer failure")
+		case 2:
+			return producerAttemptOutput{}, contracts.ErrInvalidStructuredOutput
+		case 3:
+			return producerAttemptOutput{Value: "accepted", Candidate: candidate}, nil
+		default:
+			t.Fatalf("unexpected producer attempt %d", request.Number)
+			return producerAttemptOutput{}, nil
+		}
+	}, approveAttempt)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("runProducerAttempts() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if terminal.Action != producerTerminalAccepted || terminal.Value != "accepted" {
+		t.Fatalf("terminal = %#v, want accepted value", terminal)
+	}
+	if producerCalls != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("producer calls = %d, want 3", producerCalls)
+	}
+	if got := attemptKinds(terminal.Provenance); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, []producerAttemptKind{producerAttemptInitial, producerAttemptOperationalRetry, producerAttemptStructuralRetry}) {
+		t.Fatalf("attempt kinds = %v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunProducerAttemptsReplacesSemanticCorrectionWithLatestResponse(t *testing.T) {
+	first := attemptCandidate(t, "first response")
+	second := attemptCandidate(t, "second response")
+	var corrections []*contracts.SemanticCorrection
+	terminal, err := runProducerAttempts(context.Background(), producerAttemptConfig{Retries: 2, Policy: DefaultValidationPolicy()}, func(_ context.Context, request producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+		if request.Correction != nil {
+			corrections = append(corrections, request.Correction)
+		}
+		switch request.Number {
+		case 1:
+			return producerAttemptOutput{Value: "one", Candidate: first}, nil
+		case 2:
+			return producerAttemptOutput{Value: "two", Candidate: second}, nil
+		case 3:
+			return producerAttemptOutput{Value: "three", Candidate: attemptCandidate(t, "third response")}, nil
+		default:
+			t.Fatalf("unexpected producer attempt %d", request.Number)
+			return producerAttemptOutput{}, nil
+		}
+	}, func(_ context.Context, output producerAttemptOutput) (validationReport, error) {
+		if output.Value == "three" {
+			return validationReport{}, nil
+		}
+		return rejectedAttemptReport("semantic_defect"), nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("runProducerAttempts() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if terminal.Action != producerTerminalAccepted {
+		t.Fatalf("terminal action = %q, want accepted", terminal.Action)
+	}
+	if len(corrections) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("correction count = %d, want 2", len(corrections))
+	}
+	if corrections[0] == corrections[1] {
+		t.Fatal("semantic corrections reused the same pointer")
+	}
+	if got := string(corrections[0].AssistantResponse); got != "first response" {
+		t.Fatalf("first correction response = %q", got)
+	}
+	if got := string(corrections[1].AssistantResponse); got != "second response" {
+		t.Fatalf("second correction response = %q", got)
+	}
+	if got := attemptKinds(terminal.Provenance); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, []producerAttemptKind{producerAttemptInitial, producerAttemptSemanticRetry, producerAttemptSemanticRetry}) {
+		t.Fatalf("attempt kinds = %v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunProducerAttemptsAppliesTerminalPolicies(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name       string
+		config     producerAttemptConfig
+		produce    producerAttemptProducer
+		validate   producerAttemptValidator
+		wantAction producerTerminalAction
+		wantError  bool
+		wantValue  any
+	}{
+		{
+			name:   "structural reject output",
+			config: producerAttemptConfig{Policy: ValidationPolicy{ProducerStructuralFailure: ProducerStructuralFailureRejectOutput, SemanticRejection: SemanticRejectionFailRun, ValidatorFailure: ValidatorFailureWarnContinue}, AllowStructuralRetry: true},
+			produce: func(context.Context, producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+				return producerAttemptOutput{}, contracts.ErrInvalidStructuredOutput
+			},
+			validate:   approveAttempt,
+			wantAction: producerTerminalRejected,
+		},
+		{
+			name:   "structural fail run",
+			config: producerAttemptConfig{Policy: DefaultValidationPolicy(), AllowStructuralRetry: true},
+			produce: func(context.Context, producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+				return producerAttemptOutput{}, contracts.ErrInvalidStructuredOutput
+			},
+			validate:   approveAttempt,
+			wantAction: producerTerminalFailed,
+			wantError:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:   "operational failure after retry exhaustion",
+			config: producerAttemptConfig{Policy: DefaultValidationPolicy()},
+			produce: func(context.Context, producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+				return producerAttemptOutput{}, errors.New("producer unavailable")
+			},
+			validate:   approveAttempt,
+			wantAction: producerTerminalFailed,
+			wantError:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:   "semantic reject output",
+			config: producerAttemptConfig{Policy: ValidationPolicy{ProducerStructuralFailure: ProducerStructuralFailureFailRun, SemanticRejection: SemanticRejectionRejectOutput, ValidatorFailure: ValidatorFailureWarnContinue}},
+			produce: func(context.Context, producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+				return producerAttemptOutput{Value: "discard", Candidate: attemptCandidate(t, "response")}, nil
+			},
+			validate: func(context.Context, producerAttemptOutput) (validationReport, error) {
+				return rejectedAttemptReport("bad"), nil
+			},
+			wantAction: producerTerminalRejected,
+		},
+		{
+			name:   "semantic fail run",
+			config: producerAttemptConfig{Policy: DefaultValidationPolicy()},
+			produce: func(context.Context, producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+				return producerAttemptOutput{Candidate: attemptCandidate(t, "response")}, nil
+			},
+			validate: func(context.Context, producerAttemptOutput) (validationReport, error) {
+				return rejectedAttemptReport("bad"), nil
+			},
+			wantAction: producerTerminalFailed,
+			wantError:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:   "validator failure warns and continues",
+			config: producerAttemptConfig{Policy: DefaultValidationPolicy()},
+			produce: func(context.Context, producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+				return producerAttemptOutput{Value: "kept"}, nil
+			},
+			validate: func(context.Context, producerAttemptOutput) (validationReport, error) {
+				return failedAttemptReport(), nil
+			},
+			wantAction: producerTerminalIncompleteAccepted,
+			wantValue:  "kept",
+		},
+		{
+			name:   "validator failure fails run",
+			config: producerAttemptConfig{Policy: ValidationPolicy{ProducerStructuralFailure: ProducerStructuralFailureFailRun, SemanticRejection: SemanticRejectionFailRun, ValidatorFailure: ValidatorFailureFailRun}},
+			produce: func(context.Context, producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+				return producerAttemptOutput{}, nil
+			},
+			validate: func(context.Context, producerAttemptOutput) (validationReport, error) {
+				return failedAttemptReport(), nil
+			},
+			wantAction: producerTerminalFailed,
+			wantError:  true,
+		},
+	}
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			terminal, err := runProducerAttempts(context.Background(), test.config, test.produce, test.validate)
+			if (err != nil) != test.wantError {
+				t.Fatalf("error = %v, want error %t", err, test.wantError)
+			}
+			if terminal.Action != test.wantAction {
+				t.Fatalf("terminal action = %q, want %q", terminal.Action, test.wantAction)
+			}
+			if terminal.Value != test.wantValue {
+				t.Fatalf("terminal value = %#v, want %#v", terminal.Value, test.wantValue)
+			}
+			if test.wantAction == producerTerminalRejected && (terminal.Rejection == nil || terminal.Value != nil) {
+				t.Fatalf("rejected terminal = %#v, want rejection without value", terminal)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunProducerAttemptsDoesNotRetryUncorrectableRejection(t *testing.T) {
+	calls := 0
+	policy := DefaultValidationPolicy()
+	policy.SemanticRejection = SemanticRejectionRejectOutput
+	terminal, err := runProducerAttempts(context.Background(), producerAttemptConfig{Retries: 3, Policy: policy}, func(context.Context, producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+		calls++
+		return producerAttemptOutput{Value: "deterministic"}, nil
+	}, func(context.Context, producerAttemptOutput) (validationReport, error) {
+		return rejectedAttemptReport("deterministic_rejection"), nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("runProducerAttempts() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if calls != 1 || terminal.Action != producerTerminalRejected || len(terminal.Provenance) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("terminal = %#v, calls = %d; want immediate rejection", terminal, calls)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunProducerAttemptsUsesModuleRetryBudgetAndFallback(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("retry", func(t *testing.T) {
+		calls := 0
+		terminal, err := runProducerAttempts(context.Background(), producerAttemptConfig{Retries: 1, Policy: DefaultValidationPolicy()}, func(_ context.Context, request producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+			calls++
+			if request.Number == 1 {
+				return producerAttemptOutput{Value: "fallback", Retry: &producerRetryDirective{}}, nil
+			}
+			return producerAttemptOutput{Value: "replacement"}, nil
+		}, approveAttempt)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("runProducerAttempts() error = %v", err)
+		}
+		if terminal.Action != producerTerminalAccepted || terminal.Value != "replacement" || calls != 2 {
+			t.Fatalf("terminal = %#v, calls = %d", terminal, calls)
+		}
+		if got := attemptKinds(terminal.Provenance); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, []producerAttemptKind{producerAttemptInitial, producerAttemptModuleRetry}) {
+			t.Fatalf("attempt kinds = %v", got)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("fallback", func(t *testing.T) {
+		fallbackWarning := contracts.Warning{ReasonCode: "fallback", Message: "fallback warning"}
+		terminal, err := runProducerAttempts(context.Background(), producerAttemptConfig{Policy: DefaultValidationPolicy()}, func(context.Context, producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+			return producerAttemptOutput{Value: "fallback", Retry: &producerRetryDirective{FallbackWarnings: []contracts.Warning{fallbackWarning}}}, nil
+		}, approveAttempt)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("runProducerAttempts() error = %v", err)
+		}
+		if terminal.Action != producerTerminalAccepted || terminal.Value != "fallback" || !reflect.DeepEqual(terminal.Warnings, []contracts.Warning{fallbackWarning}) {
+			t.Fatalf("terminal = %#v", terminal)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestRunProducerAttemptsRejectionWinsOverValidatorFailure(t *testing.T) {
+	firstWarnings := []contracts.Warning{{ReasonCode: "discarded", Message: "discarded warning"}}
+	secondWarnings := []contracts.Warning{{ReasonCode: "accepted", Message: "accepted warning"}}
+	terminal, err := runProducerAttempts(context.Background(), producerAttemptConfig{Retries: 1, Policy: DefaultValidationPolicy()}, func(_ context.Context, request producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+		if request.Number == 1 {
+			return producerAttemptOutput{Value: "first", Candidate: attemptCandidate(t, "defective"), Warnings: firstWarnings}, nil
+		}
+		return producerAttemptOutput{Value: "second", Candidate: attemptCandidate(t, "corrected"), Warnings: secondWarnings}, nil
+	}, func(_ context.Context, output producerAttemptOutput) (validationReport, error) {
+		if output.Value == "first" {
+			report := rejectedAttemptReport("defect")
+			report.records = append(report.records, validationRecord{validatorName: "unavailable", outcome: validationFailed, failure: errors.New("validator unavailable")})
+			return report, nil
+		}
+		return validationReport{}, nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("runProducerAttempts() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if terminal.Action != producerTerminalAccepted {
+		t.Fatalf("terminal action = %q, want accepted", terminal.Action)
+	}
+	if got := attemptKinds(terminal.Provenance); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, []producerAttemptKind{producerAttemptInitial, producerAttemptSemanticRetry}) {
+		t.Fatalf("attempt kinds = %v", got)
+	}
+	if got := terminal.Warnings; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, secondWarnings) {
+		t.Fatalf("terminal warnings = %#v, want %#v", got, secondWarnings)
+	}
+	if len(terminal.Provenance[0].Validation.records) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("first validation records = %#v, want rejection and failure", terminal.Provenance[0].Validation.records)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidationSummaryIsBoundedAndCorrectedSuccessIsQuiet(t *testing.T) {
+	terminal, err := runProducerAttempts(context.Background(), producerAttemptConfig{Retries: 1, Policy: DefaultValidationPolicy()}, func(_ context.Context, request producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+		if request.Number == 1 {
+			return producerAttemptOutput{Value: "first", Candidate: attemptCandidate(t, "sensitive defective response")}, nil
+		}
+		return producerAttemptOutput{Value: "corrected", Candidate: attemptCandidate(t, "sensitive corrected response")}, nil
+	}, func(_ context.Context, output producerAttemptOutput) (validationReport, error) {
+		if output.Value == "first" {
+			return validationReport{records: []validationRecord{{validatorName: "first", outcome: validationRejected, reasonCode: "needs_fix", message: "sensitive diagnostic", correctionGuidance: "sensitive guidance"}}}, nil
+		}
+		return validationReport{}, nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("runProducerAttempts() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	summary := validationSummary(terminal, StageExtract, "step", "lane", "module", "chunk", 3)
+	if summary.Status != "complete" || summary.ProducerAttemptCount != 2 || summary.TerminalAction != string(producerTerminalAccepted) {
+		t.Fatalf("summary = %#v", summary)
+	}
+	if len(summary.ReasonCodes) != 0 || len(summary.RejectingValidators) != 0 || len(summary.IncompleteValidators) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("corrected success summary retained prior findings: %#v", summary)
+	}
+	if len(terminal.Warnings) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("corrected success warnings = %#v, want none", terminal.Warnings)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWarnContinueRecordsOneWarningForEachExhaustedValidator(t *testing.T) {
+	report := validationReport{records: []validationRecord{
+		{validatorName: "first", outcome: validationFailed, attemptCount: 2, failure: errors.New("provider error with sensitive details")},
+		{validatorName: "second", outcome: validationSkipped, attemptCount: 1, reasonCode: "missing_prerequisite", message: "sensitive skipped detail"},
+		{validatorName: "third", outcome: validationFailed, attemptCount: 1, failure: errors.New("other provider error")},
+	}}
+	terminal, err := runProducerAttempts(context.Background(), producerAttemptConfig{Policy: DefaultValidationPolicy()}, func(context.Context, producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+		return producerAttemptOutput{Value: "candidate"}, nil
+	}, func(context.Context, producerAttemptOutput) (validationReport, error) {
+		return report, nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("runProducerAttempts() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if terminal.Action != producerTerminalIncompleteAccepted {
+		t.Fatalf("terminal action = %q", terminal.Action)
+	}
+	if got, want := terminal.Warnings, []contracts.Warning{
+		{Scope: "first", ReasonCode: "validator_execution_incomplete", Message: "Validator execution did not complete within its configured budget."},
+		{Scope: "third", ReasonCode: "validator_execution_incomplete", Message: "Validator execution did not complete within its configured budget."},
+	}; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("warnings = %#v, want %#v", got, want)
+	}
+	summary := validationSummary(terminal, StageNormalize, "step", "lane", "module", "", 0)
+	if summary.Status != "incomplete" || !reflect.DeepEqual(summary.IncompleteValidators, []string{"first", "second", "third"}) || !reflect.DeepEqual(summary.ReasonCodes, []string{"missing_prerequisite"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("summary = %#v", summary)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunProducerAttemptsStopsForCancellationAndDebugFailure(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		context context.Context
+		produce producerAttemptProducer
+	}{
+		{
+			name:    "cancelled context",
+			context: cancelledAttemptContext(),
+			produce: func(context.Context, producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+				return producerAttemptOutput{}, nil
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "debug persistence failure",
+			context: context.Background(),
+			produce: func(context.Context, producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+				return producerAttemptOutput{}, &attemptDebugPersistenceError{label: "attempt", err: errors.New("write debug")}
+			},
+		},
+	}
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			calls := 0
+			producer := func(ctx context.Context, request producerAttemptRequest) (producerAttemptOutput, error) {
+				calls++
+				return test.produce(ctx, request)
+			}
+			terminal, err := runProducerAttempts(test.context, producerAttemptConfig{Retries: 3, Policy: DefaultValidationPolicy()}, producer, approveAttempt)
+			if err == nil || terminal.Action != producerTerminalFailed {
+				t.Fatalf("terminal = %#v, error = %v", terminal, err)
+			}
+			if test.name == "cancelled context" && calls != 0 {
+				t.Fatalf("cancelled producer calls = %d, want 0", calls)
+			}
+			if test.name == "debug persistence failure" && calls != 1 {
+				t.Fatalf("debug failure producer calls = %d, want 1", calls)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func attemptCandidate(t *testing.T, response string) *contracts.ModelCandidate {
+	t.Helper()
+	candidate, err := contracts.NewModelCandidate([]byte(response), contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewModelCandidate() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	return candidate
+}
+
+func approveAttempt(context.Context, producerAttemptOutput) (validationReport, error) {
+	return validationReport{}, nil
+}
+
+func rejectedAttemptReport(reason string) validationReport {
+	return validationReport{records: []validationRecord{{validatorName: "validator", outcome: validationRejected, reasonCode: reason, message: "candidate rejected", correctionGuidance: "fix the defect"}}}
+}
+
+func failedAttemptReport() validationReport {
+	return validationReport{records: []validationRecord{{validatorName: "validator", outcome: validationFailed, attemptCount: 1, failure: errors.New("validator failure")}}}
+}
+
+func attemptKinds(provenance []producerAttemptProvenance) []producerAttemptKind {
+	kinds := make([]producerAttemptKind, len(provenance))
+	for index, item := range provenance {
+		kinds[index] = item.Kind
+	}
+	return kinds
+}
+
+func cancelledAttemptContext() context.Context {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	cancel()
+	return ctx
+}

internal/framework/pipeline/profile.go

@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ const (
 type ModuleBinding struct {
 	Module                         string                     `json:"module"`
 	LLMProfile                     string                     `json:"llm_profile,omitempty"`
+	StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int                       `json:"structured_output_repair_attempts,omitempty"`
+	ValidationPolicy               *ValidationPolicyOverride  `json:"validation_policy,omitempty"`
 	Retries                        int                        `json:"retries,omitempty"`
 	Options                        map[string]any             `json:"options,omitempty"`
 	References                     map[string]ReferenceSource `json:"references,omitempty"`
@@ -82,6 +84,8 @@ func (binding ModuleBinding) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
 	type moduleBindingJSON struct {
 		Module                         string                     `json:"module"`
 		LLMProfile                     string                     `json:"llm_profile,omitempty"`
+		StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int                       `json:"structured_output_repair_attempts,omitempty"`
+		ValidationPolicy               *ValidationPolicyOverride  `json:"validation_policy,omitempty"`
 		Retries                        int                        `json:"retries,omitempty"`
 		Options                        map[string]any             `json:"options,omitempty"`
 		References                     map[string]ReferenceSource `json:"references,omitempty"`
@@ -90,6 +94,8 @@ func (binding ModuleBinding) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
 	out := moduleBindingJSON{
 		Module:                         binding.Module,
 		LLMProfile:                     binding.LLMProfile,
+		StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: binding.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts,
+		ValidationPolicy:               cloneValidationPolicyOverride(binding.ValidationPolicy),
 		Retries:                        binding.Retries,
 		Options:                        binding.Options,
 		References:                     binding.References,
@@ -101,6 +107,44 @@ func (binding ModuleBinding) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
 	return json.Marshal(out)
 }
 
+func (binding *ModuleBinding) UnmarshalJSON(data []byte) error {
+	if binding == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("module binding must not be nil")
+	}
+	type moduleBindingJSON struct {
+		Module                         string                     `json:"module"`
+		LLMProfile                     string                     `json:"llm_profile,omitempty"`
+		StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int                       `json:"structured_output_repair_attempts,omitempty"`
+		ValidationPolicy               *ValidationPolicyOverride  `json:"validation_policy,omitempty"`
+		Retries                        int                        `json:"retries,omitempty"`
+		Options                        map[string]any             `json:"options,omitempty"`
+		References                     map[string]ReferenceSource `json:"references,omitempty"`
+		Validators                     json.RawMessage            `json:"validators,omitempty"`
+	}
+	var decoded moduleBindingJSON
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &decoded); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	out := ModuleBinding{
+		Module:                         decoded.Module,
+		LLMProfile:                     decoded.LLMProfile,
+		StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: decoded.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts,
+		ValidationPolicy:               cloneValidationPolicyOverride(decoded.ValidationPolicy),
+		Retries:                        decoded.Retries,
+		Options:                        decoded.Options,
+		References:                     decoded.References,
+	}
+	if len(decoded.Validators) > 0 && string(decoded.Validators) != "null" {
+		var validators []ModuleBinding
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(decoded.Validators, &validators); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("decode module binding validators: %w", err)
+		}
+		out.Validators = ValidatorOverride{Set: true, Validators: validators}
+	}
+	*binding = cloneModuleBinding(out)
+	return nil
+}
+
 type ArtifactLaneProfile struct {
 	Extract    ModuleBinding              `json:"extract"`
 	Merge      ModuleBinding              `json:"merge,omitempty"`
@@ -118,6 +162,8 @@ type PipelineStepProfile struct {
 type PipelineProfile struct {
 	ID                             string                         `json:"id"`
 	LLMProfile                     string                         `json:"llm_profile,omitempty"`
+	StructuredOutputRepairAttempts *int                           `json:"structured_output_repair_attempts,omitempty"`
+	ValidationPolicy               *ValidationPolicyOverride      `json:"validation_policy,omitempty"`
 	Input                          ModuleBinding                  `json:"input"`
 	Chunk                          ModuleBinding                  `json:"chunk,omitempty"`
 	Artifacts                      map[string]ArtifactLaneProfile `json:"artifacts"`
@@ -167,10 +213,16 @@ type ResolvedArtifactLane struct {
 	ArtifactSchemaDigest        string                 `json:"artifact_schema_digest,omitempty"`
 	Extract                     ModuleBinding
 	ExtractExecutionClass       contracts.ExecutionClass     `json:"extract_execution_class"`
+	ExtractCorrectionProtocol   contracts.CorrectionProtocol `json:"extract_correction_protocol,omitempty"`
+	ExtractValidationPolicy     ValidationPolicy             `json:"extract_validation_policy"`
 	Merge                       ModuleBinding
 	MergeExecutionClass         contracts.ExecutionClass     `json:"merge_execution_class"`
+	MergeCorrectionProtocol     contracts.CorrectionProtocol `json:"merge_correction_protocol,omitempty"`
+	MergeValidationPolicy       ValidationPolicy             `json:"merge_validation_policy"`
 	Normalize                   ModuleBinding
 	NormalizeExecutionClass     contracts.ExecutionClass     `json:"normalize_execution_class"`
+	NormalizeCorrectionProtocol contracts.CorrectionProtocol `json:"normalize_correction_protocol,omitempty"`
+	NormalizeValidationPolicy   ValidationPolicy             `json:"normalize_validation_policy"`
 	Validators                  []ModuleBinding
 	ExtractReferences           ResolvedReferenceTarget `json:"extract_references"`
 	MergeReferences             ResolvedReferenceTarget `json:"merge_references"`
@@ -199,10 +251,13 @@ type ResolvedValidator struct {
 type ResolvedPipeline struct {
 	ID                         string
 	Digest                     string
+	ConfiguredValidationPolicy *ValidationPolicyOverride `json:"configured_validation_policy,omitempty"`
 	Input                      ModuleBinding
 	InputExecutionClass        contracts.ExecutionClass `json:"input_execution_class"`
 	Chunk                      ModuleBinding
 	ChunkExecutionClass        contracts.ExecutionClass     `json:"chunk_execution_class"`
+	ChunkCorrectionProtocol    contracts.CorrectionProtocol `json:"chunk_correction_protocol,omitempty"`
+	ChunkValidationPolicy      ValidationPolicy             `json:"chunk_validation_policy"`
 	ChunkReferences            ResolvedReferenceTarget      `json:"chunk_references"`
 	Steps                      []ResolvedPipelineStep
 	ValidatorChains            []ResolvedValidatorChain `json:"validator_chains"`
@@ -375,10 +430,12 @@ func ResolvePipeline(profile PipelineProfile, options ResolveOptions, catalog Mo
 	}
 	resolved := ResolvedPipeline{
 		ID:                         pipelineID,
+		ConfiguredValidationPolicy: cloneValidationPolicyOverride(profile.ValidationPolicy),
 		Input:                      input,
 		InputExecutionClass:        inputModuleSpec.ExecutionClass,
 		Chunk:                      chunk,
 		ChunkExecutionClass:        chunkSpec.ExecutionClass,
+		ChunkCorrectionProtocol:    chunkSpec.CorrectionProtocol,
 		ChunkReferences:            referenceTarget(StageChunk, "", chunk.Module, chunkReferences),
 		Output:                     output,
 	}
@@ -450,6 +507,12 @@ func ResolvePipeline(profile PipelineProfile, options ResolveOptions, catalog Mo
 	if err := applyEffectiveLLMProfiles(&resolved, profile.LLMProfile, options.LLMProfileOverride); err != nil {
 		return ResolvedPipeline{}, err
 	}
+	if err := applyEffectiveStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(&resolved, profile.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts); err != nil {
+		return ResolvedPipeline{}, err
+	}
+	if err := applyEffectiveValidationPolicies(&resolved, profile.ValidationPolicy); err != nil {
+		return ResolvedPipeline{}, err
+	}
 	if err := validateResolvedOptions(resolved, catalog, configuredLaneIDs); err != nil {
 		return ResolvedPipeline{}, err
 	}
@@ -557,6 +620,7 @@ func resolveArtifactLane(
 	lane.ExtractReferences = referenceTarget(StageExtract, laneID, lane.Extract.Module, references)
 	lane.ExtractReferences.StepID = strings.TrimSpace(stepID)
 	lane.ExtractExecutionClass = extractSpec.ExecutionClass
+	lane.ExtractCorrectionProtocol = extractSpec.CorrectionProtocol
 	capabilities.add(extractSpec.Provides...)
 
 	mergeSpec, err := mergerSpecForArtifact(catalog, lane.Merge.Module, lane.ArtifactKind, artifactType)
@@ -583,6 +647,7 @@ func resolveArtifactLane(
 	lane.MergeReferences = referenceTarget(StageMerge, laneID, lane.Merge.Module, mergeReferences)
 	lane.MergeReferences.StepID = strings.TrimSpace(stepID)
 	lane.MergeExecutionClass = mergeSpec.ExecutionClass
+	lane.MergeCorrectionProtocol = mergeSpec.CorrectionProtocol
 	capabilities.add(mergeSpec.Provides...)
 
 	normalizeSpec, err := normalizerSpecForArtifact(catalog, lane.Normalize.Module, lane.ArtifactKind, artifactType)
@@ -609,6 +674,7 @@ func resolveArtifactLane(
 	lane.NormalizeReferences = referenceTarget(StageNormalize, laneID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeReferences)
 	lane.NormalizeReferences.StepID = strings.TrimSpace(stepID)
 	lane.NormalizeExecutionClass = normalizeSpec.ExecutionClass
+	lane.NormalizeCorrectionProtocol = normalizeSpec.CorrectionProtocol
 	capabilities.add(normalizeSpec.Provides...)
 
 	if len(lane.Validators) > 0 {
@@ -870,6 +936,9 @@ func resolveValidatorChain(pipelineID string, laneID string, stage ModuleStage,
 		if err != nil {
 			return ResolvedValidatorChain{}, fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q %s validator chain for module %q: %w", pipelineID, stage, chain.ModuleKey, err)
 		}
+		if validator.Retries > 0 && spec.ExecutionClass != contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked {
+			return ResolvedValidatorChain{}, fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q %s validator %q retries require an LLM-backed execution class", pipelineID, stage, validator.Module)
+		}
 		chain.Validators = append(chain.Validators, ResolvedValidator{
 			Binding:        cloneModuleBinding(validator),
 			ExecutionClass: spec.ExecutionClass,
@@ -1284,6 +1353,8 @@ func resolveBinding(binding ModuleBinding, defaultModule string, referenceSlotLa
 	return ModuleBinding{
 		Module:                         module,
 		LLMProfile:                     llmProfile,
+		StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: cloneStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(binding.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts),
+		ValidationPolicy:               cloneValidationPolicyOverride(binding.ValidationPolicy),
 		Retries:                        binding.Retries,
 		Options:                        cloneOptions(binding.Options),
 		References:                     references,
@@ -1359,6 +1430,125 @@ func applyEffectiveLLMProfiles(resolved *ResolvedPipeline, pipelineProfile, over
 	return nil
 }
 
+func applyEffectiveStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(resolved *ResolvedPipeline, pipelineAttempts *int) error {
+	apply := func(stage ModuleStage, laneID, module string, binding *ModuleBinding, executionClass contracts.ExecutionClass, kind string) error {
+		binding.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = cloneStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(binding.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts)
+		if executionClass != contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked {
+			if binding.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != nil {
+				if laneID == "" {
+					return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q %s %q assigns structured_output_repair_attempts to deterministic %s %q", resolved.ID, stage, module, kind, binding.Module)
+				}
+				return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q lane %q %s %q assigns structured_output_repair_attempts to deterministic %s %q", resolved.ID, laneID, stage, module, kind, binding.Module)
+			}
+			return nil
+		}
+		if binding.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts == nil {
+			binding.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = cloneStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(pipelineAttempts)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if err := apply(StageInput, "", resolved.Input.Module, &resolved.Input, resolved.InputExecutionClass, "module"); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := apply(StageChunk, "", resolved.Chunk.Module, &resolved.Chunk, resolved.ChunkExecutionClass, "module"); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	for stepIndex := range resolved.Steps {
+		for laneIndex := range resolved.Steps[stepIndex].ArtifactLanes {
+			lane := &resolved.Steps[stepIndex].ArtifactLanes[laneIndex]
+			if err := apply(StageExtract, lane.ID, lane.Extract.Module, &lane.Extract, lane.ExtractExecutionClass, "module"); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if err := apply(StageMerge, lane.ID, lane.Merge.Module, &lane.Merge, lane.MergeExecutionClass, "module"); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if err := apply(StageNormalize, lane.ID, lane.Normalize.Module, &lane.Normalize, lane.NormalizeExecutionClass, "module"); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if err := apply(StageOutput, "", resolved.Output.Module, &resolved.Output, resolved.OutputExecutionClass, "module"); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	for chainIndex := range resolved.ValidatorChains {
+		chain := &resolved.ValidatorChains[chainIndex]
+		for validatorIndex := range chain.Validators {
+			validator := &chain.Validators[validatorIndex]
+			if err := apply(chain.Stage, chain.LaneID, chain.ModuleKey, &validator.Binding, validator.ExecutionClass, "validator"); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func applyEffectiveValidationPolicies(resolved *ResolvedPipeline, pipelinePolicy *ValidationPolicyOverride) error {
+	apply := func(stage ModuleStage, laneID string, binding ModuleBinding, executionClass contracts.ExecutionClass) (ValidationPolicy, error) {
+		binding.ValidationPolicy = cloneValidationPolicyOverride(binding.ValidationPolicy)
+		if binding.ValidationPolicy != nil {
+			if err := binding.ValidationPolicy.Validate(); err != nil {
+				return ValidationPolicy{}, fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q %s validation_policy: %w", resolved.ID, stage, err)
+			}
+			if executionClass == contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic && binding.ValidationPolicy.ProducerStructuralFailure != nil {
+				if laneID == "" {
+					return ValidationPolicy{}, fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q %s %q assigns producer_structural_failure to deterministic module", resolved.ID, stage, binding.Module)
+				}
+				return ValidationPolicy{}, fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q lane %q %s %q assigns producer_structural_failure to deterministic module", resolved.ID, laneID, stage, binding.Module)
+			}
+		}
+		return ResolveValidationPolicy(binding.ValidationPolicy, pipelinePolicy), nil
+	}
+
+	if pipelinePolicy != nil {
+		if err := pipelinePolicy.Validate(); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q validation_policy: %w", resolved.ID, err)
+		}
+	}
+	if resolved.Input.ValidationPolicy != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q input validation_policy is not supported", resolved.ID)
+	}
+	if resolved.Output.ValidationPolicy != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q output validation_policy is not supported", resolved.ID)
+	}
+	for _, chain := range resolved.ValidatorChains {
+		for _, validator := range chain.Validators {
+			if validator.Binding.ValidationPolicy != nil {
+				if chain.LaneID == "" {
+					return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q %s validator %q validation_policy is not supported", resolved.ID, chain.Stage, validator.Binding.Module)
+				}
+				return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q lane %q %s validator %q validation_policy is not supported", resolved.ID, chain.LaneID, chain.Stage, validator.Binding.Module)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	policy, err := apply(StageChunk, "", resolved.Chunk, resolved.ChunkExecutionClass)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	resolved.ChunkValidationPolicy = policy
+	for stepIndex := range resolved.Steps {
+		for laneIndex := range resolved.Steps[stepIndex].ArtifactLanes {
+			lane := &resolved.Steps[stepIndex].ArtifactLanes[laneIndex]
+			policy, err = apply(StageExtract, lane.ID, lane.Extract, lane.ExtractExecutionClass)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			lane.ExtractValidationPolicy = policy
+			policy, err = apply(StageMerge, lane.ID, lane.Merge, lane.MergeExecutionClass)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			lane.MergeValidationPolicy = policy
+			policy, err = apply(StageNormalize, lane.ID, lane.Normalize, lane.NormalizeExecutionClass)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			lane.NormalizeValidationPolicy = policy
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func resolveBindings(bindings []ModuleBinding, defaultModule string, referenceSlotLabel string) ([]ModuleBinding, error) {
 	if len(bindings) == 0 {
 		return nil, nil
@@ -1453,10 +1643,13 @@ func selectedArtifactLanes(pipelineID string, artifacts map[string]ArtifactLaneP
 func resolvedPipelineDigest(resolved ResolvedPipeline) (string, error) {
 	withoutDigest := struct {
 		ID                         string
+		ConfiguredValidationPolicy *ValidationPolicyOverride
 		Input                      ModuleBinding
 		InputExecutionClass        contracts.ExecutionClass
 		Chunk                      ModuleBinding
 		ChunkExecutionClass        contracts.ExecutionClass
+		ChunkCorrectionProtocol    contracts.CorrectionProtocol
+		ChunkValidationPolicy      ValidationPolicy
 		ChunkReferences            ResolvedReferenceTarget
 		Steps                      []ResolvedPipelineStep
 		ValidatorChains            []ResolvedValidatorChain
@@ -1464,10 +1657,13 @@ func resolvedPipelineDigest(resolved ResolvedPipeline) (string, error) {
 		OutputExecutionClass       contracts.ExecutionClass
 	}{
 		ID:                         resolved.ID,
+		ConfiguredValidationPolicy: cloneValidationPolicyOverride(resolved.ConfiguredValidationPolicy),
+		ChunkValidationPolicy:      resolved.ChunkValidationPolicy,
 		Input:                      resolved.Input,
 		InputExecutionClass:        resolved.InputExecutionClass,
 		Chunk:                      resolved.Chunk,
 		ChunkExecutionClass:        resolved.ChunkExecutionClass,
+		ChunkCorrectionProtocol:    resolved.ChunkCorrectionProtocol,
 		ChunkReferences:            resolved.ChunkReferences,
 		Steps:                      resolved.Steps,
 		ValidatorChains:            resolved.ValidatorChains,

internal/framework/pipeline/profile_test.go

@@ -126,6 +126,148 @@ func TestModuleCatalogExecutionClassLooksUpRegisteredMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestResolvePipelineCarriesCorrectionProtocolsIntoPreparedMetadata(t *testing.T) {
+	correction := contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1
+	catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverrides(t,
+		ModuleSpec{Key: "llm-input", Stage: StageInput, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, Provides: []string{"source"}},
+		ModuleSpec{Key: "llm-chunk", Stage: StageChunk, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, CorrectionProtocol: correction, Requires: []string{"source"}, Provides: []string{"chunk"}},
+		ModuleSpec{Key: "llm-extractor", Stage: StageExtract, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, CorrectionProtocol: correction, ArtifactKind: "test/notes", Requires: []string{"chunk"}, Provides: []string{"candidate"}},
+		ModuleSpec{Key: "llm-merge", Stage: StageMerge, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, CorrectionProtocol: correction, ArtifactKind: "test/notes", Requires: []string{"candidate"}, Provides: []string{"merged"}},
+		ModuleSpec{Key: "llm-normalize", Stage: StageNormalize, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, CorrectionProtocol: correction, ArtifactKind: "test/notes", Requires: []string{"merged"}, Provides: []string{"normalized"}},
+		ModuleSpec{Key: "llm-output", Stage: StageOutput, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, Requires: []string{"normalized"}, Provides: []string{"encoded"}},
+	)
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(llmProfilePipeline(), ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if resolved.ChunkCorrectionProtocol != correction {
+		t.Fatalf("ChunkCorrectionProtocol = %q, want %q", resolved.ChunkCorrectionProtocol, correction)
+	}
+	lane := resolved.Steps[0].ArtifactLanes[0]
+	if lane.ExtractCorrectionProtocol != correction || lane.MergeCorrectionProtocol != correction || lane.NormalizeCorrectionProtocol != correction {
+		t.Fatalf("lane correction protocols = %q/%q/%q, want %q", lane.ExtractCorrectionProtocol, lane.MergeCorrectionProtocol, lane.NormalizeCorrectionProtocol, correction)
+	}
+	withoutCapability := cloneResolvedPipeline(resolved)
+	withoutCapability.ChunkCorrectionProtocol = ""
+	withoutCapability.Steps[0].ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractCorrectionProtocol = ""
+	withoutCapability.Steps[0].ArtifactLanes[0].MergeCorrectionProtocol = ""
+	withoutCapability.Steps[0].ArtifactLanes[0].NormalizeCorrectionProtocol = ""
+	withoutCapabilityDigest, err := resolvedPipelineDigest(withoutCapability)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("resolvedPipelineDigest() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if withoutCapabilityDigest == resolved.Digest {
+		t.Fatalf("resolved digest = %q with and without correction capability, want changed", resolved.Digest)
+	}
+
+	prepared, err := Prepare(resolved, registriesFromModuleCatalog(catalog), ModuleDependencies{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Prepare() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if prepared.ChunkCorrectionProtocol != correction {
+		t.Fatalf("prepared ChunkCorrectionProtocol = %q, want %q", prepared.ChunkCorrectionProtocol, correction)
+	}
+	preparedLane := prepared.Steps[0].ArtifactLanes[0]
+	if preparedLane.ExtractCorrectionProtocol != correction || preparedLane.MergeCorrectionProtocol != correction || preparedLane.NormalizeCorrectionProtocol != correction {
+		t.Fatalf("prepared lane correction protocols = %q/%q/%q, want %q", preparedLane.ExtractCorrectionProtocol, preparedLane.MergeCorrectionProtocol, preparedLane.NormalizeCorrectionProtocol, correction)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPrepareRequiresCorrectionCapabilityForValidatorRetries(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name       string
+		protocol   contracts.CorrectionProtocol
+		retries    int
+		validators bool
+		want       string
+	}{
+		{name: "supported", protocol: contracts.CorrectionProtocolSingleResponseV1, retries: 1, validators: true},
+		{name: "unsupported", retries: 1, validators: true, want: "does not declare correction protocol"},
+		{name: "no validators", retries: 1},
+		{name: "no retries", validators: true},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverrides(t,
+				ModuleSpec{Key: "llm-input", Stage: StageInput, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, Provides: []string{"source"}},
+				ModuleSpec{Key: "llm-chunk", Stage: StageChunk, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, CorrectionProtocol: test.protocol, Requires: []string{"source"}, Provides: []string{"chunk"}},
+				ModuleSpec{Key: "llm-extractor", Stage: StageExtract, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, ArtifactKind: "test/notes", Requires: []string{"chunk"}, Provides: []string{"candidate"}},
+				ModuleSpec{Key: "llm-merge", Stage: StageMerge, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, ArtifactKind: "test/notes", Requires: []string{"candidate"}, Provides: []string{"merged"}},
+				ModuleSpec{Key: "llm-normalize", Stage: StageNormalize, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, ArtifactKind: "test/notes", Requires: []string{"merged"}, Provides: []string{"normalized"}},
+				ModuleSpec{Key: "llm-output", Stage: StageOutput, ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked, Requires: []string{"normalized"}, Provides: []string{"encoded"}},
+			)
+			if err := RegisterChunkValidator(catalog.Validators, ValidatorSpec{Key: "chunk-validator", ExecutionClass: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked}, func() (contracts.ChunkValidator, error) {
+				return llmProfileTestChunkValidator{key: "chunk-validator"}, nil
+			}); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			profile := llmProfilePipeline()
+			profile.Chunk.Retries = test.retries
+			if test.validators {
+				profile.Chunk.Validators = ValidatorOverride{Set: true, Validators: []ModuleBinding{{Module: "chunk-validator"}}}
+			}
+			resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+			}
+			_, err = Prepare(resolved, registriesFromModuleCatalog(catalog), ModuleDependencies{})
+			if test.want != "" {
+				if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), test.want) {
+					t.Fatalf("Prepare() error = %v, want %q", err, test.want)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("Prepare() error = %v, want nil", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+type llmProfileTestChunkValidator struct{ key string }
+
+func (validator llmProfileTestChunkValidator) Name() string { return validator.key }
+
+func (llmProfileTestChunkValidator) ExecutionClass() contracts.ExecutionClass {
+	return contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked
+}
+
+func (llmProfileTestChunkValidator) Validate(context.Context, contracts.ChunkValidationRequest) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineValidatorRetriesRequireLLMBackedValidator(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name  string
+		class contracts.ExecutionClass
+		want  string
+	}{
+		{name: "deterministic validator", class: contracts.ExecutionClassDeterministic, want: "retries require an LLM-backed"},
+		{name: "LLM validator", class: contracts.ExecutionClassLLMBacked},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			catalog := newProfileCatalog(t)
+			registerProfileValidatorSpec(t, catalog, ValidatorSpec{Key: "retrying-validator", ExecutionClass: test.class})
+			profile := baselineProfile()
+			lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+			lane.Extract.Validators = ValidatorOverride{Set: true, Validators: []ModuleBinding{{Module: "retrying-validator", Retries: 1}}}
+			profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+			resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+			if test.want != "" {
+				if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), test.want) {
+					t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want %q", err, test.want)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+			}
+			if got := resolved.ValidatorChains[1].Validators[0].Binding.Retries; got != 1 {
+				t.Fatalf("validator retries = %d, want 1", got)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestResolvePipelineAppliesDefaults(t *testing.T) {
 	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(PipelineProfile{
 		ID:    "defaulted",
@@ -408,6 +550,148 @@ func TestResolvePipelineDigestUsesEffectiveLLMProfiles(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestResolvePipelineAppliesStructuredOutputRepairAttemptsToLLMBindings(t *testing.T) {
+	pipelineAttempts := 2
+	chunkAttempts := 1
+	extractAttempts := 0
+	validatorAttempts := 3
+	profile := llmProfilePipeline()
+	profile.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = &pipelineAttempts
+	profile.Chunk.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = &chunkAttempts
+	lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+	lane.Extract.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = &extractAttempts
+	lane.Extract.Validators = ValidatorOverride{Set: true, Validators: []ModuleBinding{{Module: "llm-validator", StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: &validatorAttempts}}}
+	profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, llmProfileCatalog(t))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	encoded, err := json.Marshal(resolved)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("json.Marshal(resolved) error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(string(encoded), `"structured_output_repair_attempts":2`) {
+		t.Fatalf("resolved JSON = %s, want effective repair policy", encoded)
+	}
+	resolvedLane := resolved.Steps[0].ArtifactLanes[0]
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name string
+		got  *int
+		want int
+	}{
+		{name: "input", got: resolved.Input.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts, want: pipelineAttempts},
+		{name: "chunk binding", got: resolved.Chunk.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts, want: chunkAttempts},
+		{name: "extract binding", got: resolvedLane.Extract.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts, want: extractAttempts},
+		{name: "merge binding", got: resolvedLane.Merge.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts, want: pipelineAttempts},
+		{name: "normalize binding", got: resolvedLane.Normalize.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts, want: pipelineAttempts},
+		{name: "output", got: resolved.Output.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts, want: pipelineAttempts},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if test.got == nil || *test.got != test.want {
+				t.Fatalf("repair attempts = %v, want %d", test.got, test.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+
+	extractChain := findResolvedValidatorChain(resolved.ValidatorChains, StageExtract, "events", "llm-extractor")
+	if extractChain == nil || len(extractChain.Validators) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("resolved extract validator chain = %#v, want one validator", extractChain)
+	}
+	if got := extractChain.Validators[0].Binding.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts; got == nil || *got != validatorAttempts {
+		t.Fatalf("extract validator repair attempts = %v, want %d", got, validatorAttempts)
+	}
+	chunkChain := findResolvedValidatorChain(resolved.ValidatorChains, StageChunk, "", "llm-chunk")
+	if chunkChain == nil || len(chunkChain.Validators) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("resolved chunk validator chain = %#v, want one validator", chunkChain)
+	}
+	if got := chunkChain.Validators[0].Binding.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts; got == nil || *got != pipelineAttempts {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk validator repair attempts = %v, want %d", got, pipelineAttempts)
+	}
+
+	pipelineAttempts = 1
+	chunkAttempts = 2
+	extractAttempts = 3
+	validatorAttempts = 0
+	if got := *resolved.Input.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts; got != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("resolved input repair attempts aliased profile: got %d, want 2", got)
+	}
+	if got := *resolved.Chunk.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts; got != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("resolved chunk repair attempts aliased profile: got %d, want 1", got)
+	}
+	if got := *resolvedLane.Extract.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts; got != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("resolved extract repair attempts aliased profile: got %d, want 0", got)
+	}
+	if got := *extractChain.Validators[0].Binding.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts; got != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("resolved validator repair attempts aliased profile: got %d, want 3", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineRejectsStructuredOutputRepairAttemptsOnDeterministicBindings(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name   string
+		mutate func(*PipelineProfile)
+	}{
+		{name: "module", mutate: func(profile *PipelineProfile) { profile.Input.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = repairAttempts(1) }},
+		{name: "validator", mutate: func(profile *PipelineProfile) {
+			lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+			lane.Extract.Validators = ValidatorOverride{Set: true, Validators: []ModuleBinding{{Module: "grounded", StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: repairAttempts(1)}}}
+			profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+		}},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			profile := baselineProfile()
+			test.mutate(&profile)
+			_, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, newProfileCatalog(t))
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "structured_output_repair_attempts") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "deterministic") {
+				t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want deterministic repair-attempt rejection", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineLeavesPipelineRepairAttemptsOffDeterministicBindings(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := baselineProfile()
+	profile.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = repairAttempts(2)
+
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, newProfileCatalog(t))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if resolved.Input.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != nil || resolved.Chunk.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != nil || resolved.Output.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("deterministic pipeline inherited repair attempts: %#v", resolved)
+	}
+	lane := resolved.Steps[0].ArtifactLanes[0]
+	if lane.Extract.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != nil || lane.Merge.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != nil || lane.Normalize.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("deterministic lane inherited repair attempts: %#v", lane)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineDigestUsesEffectiveStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(t *testing.T) {
+	digests := make(map[string]string)
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name     string
+		attempts *int
+	}{
+		{name: "prompt owned", attempts: nil},
+		{name: "disabled", attempts: repairAttempts(0)},
+		{name: "configured", attempts: repairAttempts(1)},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			profile := llmProfilePipeline()
+			profile.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = test.attempts
+			resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, llmProfileCatalogWithoutValidatorChains(t))
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+			}
+			digests[test.name] = resolved.Digest
+		})
+	}
+	if digests["prompt owned"] == digests["disabled"] || digests["disabled"] == digests["configured"] || digests["prompt owned"] == digests["configured"] {
+		t.Fatalf("digests = %#v, want distinct effective repair policies", digests)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestResolvePipelineRecordsValidatorChains(t *testing.T) {
 	catalog := newProfileCatalog(t)
 	if err := catalog.ValidatorChains.Register(ValidatorChainMapping{
@@ -1843,6 +2127,10 @@ func llmProfilePipeline() PipelineProfile {
 	}
 }
 
+func repairAttempts(value int) *int {
+	return &value
+}
+
 func llmProfileValues(profile string) map[string]string {
 	return map[string]string{
 		"input":                      profile,

internal/framework/pipeline/runner.go

@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ type RunInput struct {
 	llmClient                 contracts.StructuredLLMClient
 	stepID                    string
 	references                map[referenceTargetKey]contracts.ReferenceSet
+	referenceReuseEligibility map[referenceTargetKey]bool
 }
 
 type RunOutput struct {
@@ -75,6 +76,9 @@ type RunOutput struct {
 	Warnings            []contracts.Warning           `json:"warnings,omitempty"`
 	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) {
@@ -177,6 +181,7 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, input RunInput) (output RunOutput, err
 			Path:                           input.Path,
 			Raw:                            input.RawInput,
 			LLMProfile:                     input.pipeline.Input.LLMProfile,
+			StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: cloneStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(input.pipeline.Input.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts),
 			Metadata:                       requestMetadata,
 		})
 		if ctxErr := ctx.Err(); ctxErr != nil {
@@ -240,6 +245,9 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, input RunInput) (output RunOutput, err
 	if chunkResult.rejection != nil {
 		output.Rejected = append(output.Rejected, *chunkResult.rejection)
 	}
+	if chunkResult.validation != nil {
+		output.ValidationSummaries = append(output.ValidationSummaries, artifacts.CloneValidationSummary(*chunkResult.validation))
+	}
 	output.Warnings = append(output.Warnings, chunkResult.warnings...)
 	chunkDebugPayload := map[string]any{
 		"cache_mode":          chunkMode,
@@ -296,6 +304,8 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, input RunInput) (output RunOutput, err
 
 	if len(output.Rejected) > 0 {
 		output.Manifest.ValidationStatus = "rejected"
+	} else if hasIncompleteValidation(output.ValidationSummaries) {
+		output.Manifest.ValidationStatus = "incomplete"
 	} else {
 		output.Manifest.ValidationStatus = "approved"
 	}
@@ -365,6 +375,7 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, input RunInput) (output RunOutput, err
 		Rejected:                       cloneRejectedOutputs(output.Rejected),
 		Warnings:                       output.Warnings,
 		LLMProfile:                     input.pipeline.Output.LLMProfile,
+		StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: cloneStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(input.pipeline.Output.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts),
 		Metadata:                       outputMetadata,
 		ChunkMap:                       contracts.CloneSerializedArtifactPointer(acceptedChunkMap),
 		EvidenceContext:                contracts.CloneSerializedArtifactPointer(evidenceArtifact),
@@ -399,6 +410,15 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, input RunInput) (output RunOutput, err
 	return output, nil
 }
 
+func hasIncompleteValidation(summaries []artifacts.ValidationSummary) bool {
+	for _, summary := range summaries {
+		if summary.Status == "incomplete" {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
 func (r *Runner) runPreparedSteps(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, checkpoints CheckpointRecorder, loader CheckpointLoader, doc *source.SourceDocument, sourceInput contracts.LLMInputMaterial, sessionID string, chunks []source.Chunk, output *RunOutput) error {
 	for _, step := range input.Prepared.Steps {
 		stepInput := input
@@ -408,6 +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 {
@@ -426,7 +447,7 @@ type retryAttemptResult struct {
 	warnings  []contracts.Warning
 }
 
-func runWithRetry(ctx context.Context, retries int, run func(attempt int) (retryAttemptResult, error)) (retryAttemptResult, error) {
+func runSimpleRetry(ctx context.Context, retries int, run func(attempt int) (retryAttemptResult, error)) (retryAttemptResult, error) {
 	attempts := retries + 1
 	var last retryAttemptResult
 	for attempt := 1; attempt <= attempts; attempt++ {
@@ -468,34 +489,36 @@ func runWithRetry(ctx context.Context, retries int, run func(attempt int) (retry
 	return last, nil
 }
 
-func (r *Runner) validateChunks(ctx context.Context, doc *source.SourceDocument, moduleKey string, chunks []source.Chunk, sourceInput contracts.LLMInputMaterial, sessionID string, references contracts.ReferenceSet, metadata map[string]any, prepared preparedValidatorChain, attempt int, debug DebugRecorder) ([]contracts.Warning, *contracts.RejectedOutput, error) {
+func (r *Runner) validateChunkReport(ctx context.Context, doc *source.SourceDocument, moduleKey string, chunks []source.Chunk, sourceInput contracts.LLMInputMaterial, sessionID string, references contracts.ReferenceSet, metadata map[string]any, prepared preparedValidatorChain, attempt int, debug DebugRecorder) (validationReport, error) {
 	content, err := json.Marshal(chunks)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("encode canonical chunks for validation: %w", err)
+		return validationReport{}, fmt.Errorf("encode canonical chunks for validation: %w", err)
 	}
 	schema := contracts.ArtifactSchema{ID: "notarius.source.chunks", Name: "notarius_source_chunks", Version: "v1", JSONSchema: []byte(`{"$schema":"https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema","type":"array"}`)}
-	var warnings []contracts.Warning
+	report, err := executeValidationChain(ctx, prepared, func(validatorCtx context.Context, item preparedValidator, validatorAttempt int) (validationInvocation, error) {
-	for index, item := range prepared.validators {
 		binding := item.resolved.Binding
 		started := time.Now().UTC()
-		attemptPath := path.Join("validate", fileio.EncodePathComponent(string(StageChunk)), "", fileio.EncodePathComponent(moduleKey), fmt.Sprintf("%02d-%s-attempt-%02d", index+1, fileio.EncodePathComponent(binding.Module), attempt))
+		attemptPath := validatorAttemptPath(path.Join("validate", fileio.EncodePathComponent(string(StageChunk)), "", fileio.EncodePathComponent(moduleKey), fmt.Sprintf("%02d-%s-attempt-%02d", item.position, fileio.EncodePathComponent(binding.Module), attempt)), validatorAttempt)
-		validatorCtx, llmScope := withIsolatedDebugLLMScope(ctx, attemptPath)
+		validatorCtx, llmScope := withIsolatedDebugLLMScope(validatorCtx, attemptPath)
 		var result contracts.ValidationResult
 		requestMetadata, cloneErr := cloneMetadata(metadata)
 		if cloneErr != nil {
-			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("clone chunk validation metadata: %w", cloneErr)
+			return validationInvocation{}, fatalValidationError(fmt.Errorf("clone chunk validation metadata: %w", cloneErr))
 		}
 		requestChunks, cloneErr := cloneSourceChunks(chunks)
 		if cloneErr != nil {
-			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("clone chunks for validation: %w", cloneErr)
+			return validationInvocation{}, fatalValidationError(fmt.Errorf("clone chunks for validation: %w", cloneErr))
 		}
 		switch item.resolved.Target {
 		case ValidatorTargetChunk:
-			result, err = item.chunk.Validate(validatorCtx, contracts.ChunkValidationRequest{ModuleKey: moduleKey, Source: doc, SourceID: doc.ID, SourceInput: sourceInput.Clone(), SessionID: sessionID, References: CloneReferenceSet(references), LLMProfile: binding.LLMProfile, Metadata: requestMetadata, Chunks: requestChunks})
+			result, err = item.chunk.Validate(validatorCtx, contracts.ChunkValidationRequest{ModuleKey: moduleKey, Source: doc, SourceID: doc.ID, SourceInput: sourceInput.Clone(), SessionID: sessionID, References: CloneReferenceSet(references), LLMProfile: binding.LLMProfile, StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: cloneStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(binding.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts), Metadata: requestMetadata, Chunks: requestChunks})
 		case ValidatorTargetSerialized:
-			result, err = item.serialized.Validate(validatorCtx, contracts.SerializedValidationRequest{Stage: string(StageChunk), ModuleKey: moduleKey, Source: doc, SourceID: doc.ID, SourceInput: sourceInput.Clone(), SessionID: sessionID, References: CloneReferenceSet(references), LLMProfile: binding.LLMProfile, Metadata: requestMetadata, Chunks: requestChunks, Schema: contracts.CloneArtifactSchema(schema), MediaType: "application/json", Content: append([]byte(nil), content...)})
+			result, err = item.serialized.Validate(validatorCtx, contracts.SerializedValidationRequest{Stage: string(StageChunk), ModuleKey: moduleKey, Source: doc, SourceID: doc.ID, SourceInput: sourceInput.Clone(), SessionID: sessionID, References: CloneReferenceSet(references), LLMProfile: binding.LLMProfile, StructuredOutputRepairAttempts: cloneStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(binding.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts), Metadata: requestMetadata, Chunks: requestChunks, Schema: contracts.CloneArtifactSchema(schema), MediaType: "application/json", Content: append([]byte(nil), content...)})
 		default:
-			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("validator %q is incompatible with chunk validation", binding.Module)
+			return validationInvocation{}, fatalValidationError(fmt.Errorf("validator %q is incompatible with chunk validation", binding.Module))
+		}
+		if err == nil {
+			err = contracts.ValidateValidationResult(result)
 		}
 		debugContent := debugContentEnvelope(content, "application/json", nil, nil)
 		debugContent.ContentDigest = debugContentDigest(content)
@@ -506,27 +529,19 @@ func (r *Runner) validateChunks(ctx context.Context, doc *source.SourceDocument,
 		if err != nil {
 			validationErr := fmt.Errorf("validate chunks with validator %q: %w", binding.Module, err)
 			if debugErr := writeDebugAttempt(debug, attemptPath, debugTimedEnvelope{Stage: string(StageChunk), ModuleKey: moduleKey, Attempt: attempt, StartedAt: started, Payload: debugCall, Error: debugCall.Error}, llmScope); debugErr != nil {
-				return warnings, nil, errors.Join(validationErr, fmt.Errorf("write chunk validator attempt debug artifact: %w", debugErr))
+				return validationInvocation{}, fatalValidationError(errors.Join(validationErr, fmt.Errorf("write chunk validator attempt debug artifact: %w", debugErr)))
 			}
-			return warnings, nil, validationErr
+			return validationInvocation{}, validationErr
 		}
 		if debugErr := writeDebugAttempt(debug, attemptPath, debugTimedEnvelope{Stage: string(StageChunk), ModuleKey: moduleKey, Attempt: attempt, StartedAt: started, Payload: debugCall}, llmScope); debugErr != nil {
-			return warnings, nil, fmt.Errorf("write chunk validator attempt debug artifact: %w", debugErr)
+			return validationInvocation{}, fatalValidationError(fmt.Errorf("write chunk validator attempt debug artifact: %w", debugErr))
 		}
-		if !result.Approved {
+		return validationInvocation{result: result}, nil
-			reason := result.ReasonCode
+	})
-			if reason == "" {
+	if err != nil {
-				reason = "output_rejected"
+		return report, err
 	}
-			message := result.Message
+	return report, nil
-			if message == "" {
-				message = "output rejected"
-			}
-			return warnings, &contracts.RejectedOutput{Stage: string(StageChunk), ModuleKey: moduleKey, ValidatorName: binding.Module, ReasonCode: reason, Message: message, AttemptCount: attempt, DiagnosticArtifactPath: result.DiagnosticArtifactPath}, nil
-		}
-		warnings = append(warnings, result.Warnings...)
-	}
-	return warnings, nil, nil
 }
 
 func resolvedValidatorChain(stage ModuleStage, laneID string, moduleKey string, chains []ResolvedValidatorChain) ResolvedValidatorChain {
@@ -724,6 +739,9 @@ func populateOutputManifest(output *RunOutput) {
 	}
 	output.Manifest.NormalizedOutputs = normalizedOutputManifests(output.NormalizeOutputs)
 	output.Manifest.RejectedOutputs = rejectedOutputManifests(output.Rejected)
+	if len(output.ValidationSummaries) > 0 {
+		output.Manifest.ValidationSummaries = cloneValidationSummaries(output.ValidationSummaries)
+	}
 	if len(output.CheckpointEvents) > 0 {
 		decisions := make([]artifacts.CheckpointDecisionManifest, 0, len(output.CheckpointEvents))
 		for _, event := range output.CheckpointEvents {
@@ -773,6 +791,7 @@ func rejectedOutputManifests(rejected []contracts.RejectedOutput) []artifacts.Re
 			Message:                output.Message,
 			AttemptCount:           output.AttemptCount,
 			DiagnosticArtifactPath: output.DiagnosticArtifactPath,
+			Validation:             cloneValidationSummaryPtr(output.Validation),
 		})
 	}
 	return manifests
@@ -1031,7 +1050,31 @@ func cloneRejectedOutputs(rejected []contracts.RejectedOutput) []contracts.Rejec
 	if len(rejected) == 0 {
 		return nil
 	}
-	return append([]contracts.RejectedOutput(nil), rejected...)
+	cloned := make([]contracts.RejectedOutput, len(rejected))
+	for index, item := range rejected {
+		cloned[index] = item
+		cloned[index].Validation = cloneValidationSummaryPtr(item.Validation)
+	}
+	return cloned
+}
+
+func cloneValidationSummaryPtr(summary *artifacts.ValidationSummary) *artifacts.ValidationSummary {
+	if summary == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	cloned := artifacts.CloneValidationSummary(*summary)
+	return &cloned
+}
+
+func cloneValidationSummaries(summaries []artifacts.ValidationSummary) []artifacts.ValidationSummary {
+	if len(summaries) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	cloned := make([]artifacts.ValidationSummary, len(summaries))
+	for index, summary := range summaries {
+		cloned[index] = artifacts.CloneValidationSummary(summary)
+	}
+	return cloned
 }
 
 func timePtr(t time.Time) *time.Time {

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_attempt_debug_test.go

@@ -117,6 +117,38 @@ func preparedAttemptDebugPipeline(t *testing.T) *PreparedPipeline {
 	return prepared
 }
 
+func TestRunnerForwardsDetachedStructuredOutputRepairAttempts(t *testing.T) {
+	prepared := preparedAttemptDebugPipeline(t)
+	lane := &prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0]
+	producerAttempts := 2
+	validatorAttempts := 0
+	lane.resolved.Extract.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = &producerAttempts
+	if len(lane.extractValidators.validators) == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("extract validators are empty")
+	}
+	lane.extractValidators.validators[0].resolved.Binding.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts = &validatorAttempts
+
+	var observedProducer, observedValidator *int
+	installExtractOperation(prepared, 0, func(_ context.Context, request contracts.TypedExtractionRequest) (erasedTypedResult, error) {
+		observedProducer = request.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts
+		return erasedTypedResult{Value: codecNotes{Items: []string{"extract"}}}, nil
+	})
+	lane.extractValidators.validators[0].typedValidate = func(_ context.Context, _ any, target typedValidationTarget) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
+		observedValidator = target.structuredOutputRepairAttempts
+		return contracts.ValidationResult{Approved: true}, nil
+	}
+
+	if _, err := New().Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Prepared: prepared, RawInput: []byte("input")}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if observedProducer == nil || *observedProducer != producerAttempts || observedProducer == lane.resolved.Extract.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts {
+		t.Fatalf("producer repair attempts = %v, want detached value %d", observedProducer, producerAttempts)
+	}
+	if observedValidator == nil || *observedValidator != validatorAttempts || observedValidator == lane.extractValidators.validators[0].resolved.Binding.StructuredOutputRepairAttempts {
+		t.Fatalf("validator repair attempts = %v, want detached value %d", observedValidator, validatorAttempts)
+	}
+}
+
 func callAttemptDebugLLM(ctx context.Context, client contracts.StructuredLLMClient, name string) error {
 	_, err := client.CompleteStructured(ctx, contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{StageName: "unscoped-" + name, PromptID: name, ProfileID: "test"}, nil)
 	return err
@@ -198,14 +230,14 @@ func TestRunnerRecordsDistinctRetryAttemptsAndPromotesAcceptedWarningsOnly(t *te
 				if attempts == 1 {
 					scope = "discarded"
 				}
-				return erasedTypedResult{Value: codecNotes{Items: []string{scope}}, Warnings: []contracts.Warning{{Scope: scope, ReasonCode: "observed", Message: scope}}}, nil
+				return erasedTypedResult{Value: codecNotes{Items: []string{scope}}, Warnings: []contracts.Warning{{Scope: scope, ReasonCode: "observed", Message: scope}}, ModelCandidate: attemptCandidate(t, fmt.Sprintf(`{"items":["%s"]}`, scope))}, nil
 			}
 			validatorCalls := 0
 			validator := preparedValidator{
 				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 {
@@ -253,6 +285,7 @@ func TestRunnerAttemptDebugRepresentsFailuresAndFinalRejection(t *testing.T) {
 		path         string
 		wantError    string
 		wantBody     string
+		attemptError bool
 	}{
 		{
 			name: "merge module error",
@@ -263,10 +296,12 @@ func TestRunnerAttemptDebugRepresentsFailuresAndFinalRejection(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			path:         "merge/notes/attempt-01.json",
 			wantError:    "merge exploded",
+			attemptError: true,
 		},
 		{
 			name: "normalize validator error",
 			configure: func(prepared *PreparedPipeline) {
+				prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0].resolved.NormalizeValidationPolicy.ValidatorFailure = ValidatorFailureFailRun
 				prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0].normalizeValidators.validators = []preparedValidator{{
 					resolved: ResolvedValidator{Binding: Binding("error-check"), Target: ValidatorTargetTyped, ArtifactKind: "test/notes"},
 					typedValidate: func(context.Context, any, typedValidationTarget) (contracts.ValidationResult, error) {
@@ -281,10 +316,11 @@ func TestRunnerAttemptDebugRepresentsFailuresAndFinalRejection(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			name: "merge final rejection",
 			configure: func(prepared *PreparedPipeline) {
+				prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0].resolved.MergeValidationPolicy.SemanticRejection = SemanticRejectionRejectOutput
 				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
 					},
 				}}
 			},
@@ -300,6 +336,7 @@ func TestRunnerAttemptDebugRepresentsFailuresAndFinalRejection(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			path:         "normalize/notes/attempt-01.json",
 			wantError:    "serialize normalize candidate",
+			attemptError: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -311,9 +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 {
@@ -187,6 +187,11 @@ func TestRunnerIsolatesTypedValidatorCandidates(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, target := range []ModuleStage{StageExtract, StageMerge, StageNormalize} {
 		t.Run(string(target), func(t *testing.T) {
 			prepared := preparedAttemptDebugPipeline(t)
+			if target == StageMerge {
+				prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0].resolved.MergeValidationPolicy.SemanticRejection = SemanticRejectionRejectOutput
+			} else {
+				prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0].resolved.NormalizeValidationPolicy.SemanticRejection = SemanticRejectionRejectOutput
+			}
 			prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0].extractValidators = preparedValidatorChain{}
 			prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0].mergeValidators = preparedValidatorChain{}
 			prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0].normalizeValidators = preparedValidatorChain{}
@@ -306,6 +311,11 @@ func TestRunnerRejectsCandidatesBeforeFinalEncoding(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, target := range []ModuleStage{StageMerge, StageNormalize} {
 		t.Run(string(target), func(t *testing.T) {
 			prepared := preparedAttemptDebugPipeline(t)
+			if target == StageMerge {
+				prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0].resolved.MergeValidationPolicy.SemanticRejection = SemanticRejectionRejectOutput
+			} else {
+				prepared.Steps[0].lanes[0].resolved.NormalizeValidationPolicy.SemanticRejection = SemanticRejectionRejectOutput
+			}
 			codec := &observedNotesCodec{}
 			installObservedNotesCodec(t, prepared, codec)
 			configureCandidateOperation(prepared, target, codecNotes{Items: []string{"invalid"}})