Document completed LLM and reference expansion

.gitignore

@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+# build and testing artifacts
+notarius
+notarius-output
+
 # ---> Go
 # If you prefer the allow list template instead of the deny list, see community template:
 # https://github.com/github/gitignore/blob/main/community/Golang/Go.AllowList.gitignore
@@ -49,6 +53,7 @@ go.work.sum
 # Icon must end with two \r
 Icon
 
+
 # Thumbnails
 ._*
 

AGENTS.md

@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
-Please carefully review the documents in `docs/policy` before making any changes to this repository.
- - `architecture.md` provides the canonical high-level architecture policy for this repository.
- - `documentation.md` provides the canonical documentation policy for this repository.
+Please review `docs/internal/overview.md` for initial orientation in this repository.
+
+Additionally, please carefully review the relevant documents in `docs/policy` before making any changes to this repository.
+ - `development.md` defines the contributor workflow for this application.
+ - `architecture.md` provides the canonical high-level architecture policy for this repository, and should be reviewed before writing or changing any code.
+ - `documentation.md` provides the canonical documentation policy for this repository, and should be reviewed before writing or changing any documentation.

docs/cli.md

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ a bearer token.
 
 ```text
 notarius help
-notarius run <pipeline-id> --input path/to/source.json [--config path/to/config.yml] [--only lane-a,lane-b]
+notarius run <pipeline-id> --input path/to/source.json [--config path/to/config.yml] [--only lane-a,lane-b] [--reference selector=path] [--without-reference selector]
 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]
 ```
@@ -46,11 +46,82 @@ Flags:
   invocation.
 - `--llm-profile id`: override every effective module binding to use one LLM
   profile.
+- `--reference selector=path`: bind a reference path to a chunk, extractor, or
+  normalizer reference slot. Repeatable.
+- `--without-reference selector`: remove a configured optional reference binding.
+  Repeatable. It accepts the same selector forms as `--reference`, without
+  `=path`.
 
 On success, the command prints the completed pipeline ID, approved and rejected
 artifact counts, and the output directory. If the run completes with warnings,
 the warning count is printed to stderr.
 
+Reference flags are resolved against selected chunk, extractor, and normalizer
+targets before the run starts. Flat slot names are accepted only when exactly
+one selected target declares that slot. Bound reference files are read before
+pipeline work starts, validated as UTF-8 text, and recorded as provenance for
+the target that declares the slot. Runtime reference content is passed to the
+chunker, extractor, or normalizer target that declares the slot. Notarius infers
+reference media types from file extensions for provenance and for optional slot
+checks. Reference content is not written to diagnostics, logs, errors, or
+manifests.
+
+Reference binding precedence is:
+
+1. pipeline-level config `references`;
+2. target-local config references, including legacy lane-level extractor
+   `references`;
+3. `--reference` run flags;
+4. `--without-reference` run flags.
+
+`--reference` binds or replaces one slot for one selected target. Selectors are:
+
+- `slot=path`: valid when exactly one selected target declares `slot`;
+- `chunk.slot=path`: target the chunker;
+- `lane.slot=path`: valid when exactly one selected extractor or normalizer in
+  that lane declares `slot`;
+- `lane.extract.slot=path`: target a lane extractor;
+- `lane.normalize.slot=path`: target a lane normalizer.
+
+Use `slot=path` when the selected targets declare the slot unambiguously:
+
+```sh
+go run ./cmd/notarius run dnd-session \
+  --config examples/dnd-spells.config.yml \
+  --input examples/seriatim-minimal-transcript.json \
+  --reference roster=./campaign-roster.txt
+```
+
+Use an explicit selector when multiple selected targets declare the same slot or
+when you want to target a specific target:
+
+```sh
+go run ./cmd/notarius run dnd-session \
+  --config examples/dnd-spells.config.yml \
+  --input examples/seriatim-minimal-transcript.json \
+  --reference spells.extract.glossary=./campaign-glossary.txt
+```
+
+The same grammar can target chunk and normalize slots when the configured
+modules declare them:
+
+```sh
+go run ./cmd/notarius run dnd-session \
+  --config path/to/config.yml \
+  --input examples/seriatim-minimal-transcript.json \
+  --reference chunk.scene_guide=./campaign-scenes.txt \
+  --reference spells.normalize.normalization_notes=./normalization-notes.txt
+```
+
+Use `--without-reference` to remove a configured optional binding for a run:
+
+```sh
+go run ./cmd/notarius run dnd-session \
+  --config examples/dnd-spells.config.yml \
+  --input examples/seriatim-minimal-transcript.json \
+  --without-reference glossary
+```
+
 For durable output, diagnostics, retention, and failure inspection, see
 [Operations](operations.md).
 
@@ -117,7 +188,7 @@ go run ./cmd/notarius pipelines list \
 The production CLI currently registers these module keys:
 
 - input: `seriatim`
-- chunk: `generic`
+- chunk: `generic`, `dnd/scenes`
 - extract: `dnd/spells`
 - merge: `appendorder`
 - normalize: `noop`

docs/config.md

@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ llm_profiles:
 pipelines:
   dnd-session:
     input: seriatim
+    references:
+      roster: ./dnd-spells-roster.txt
+      glossary: ./dnd-spells-glossary.txt
     chunk:
       module: generic
       options:
@@ -121,6 +124,9 @@ Pipeline fields:
 - `artifacts`: required for pipeline resolution. It maps artifact lane IDs to
   lane definitions.
 - `output`: optional module binding. Default module is `json`.
+- `references`: optional map of reference slot names to reference paths. These
+  bindings are defaults for eligible pipeline targets that declare the matching
+  slot.
 
 Artifact lane fields:
 
@@ -129,11 +135,78 @@ Artifact lane fields:
 - `normalize`: optional module binding. Default module is `noop`.
 - `validators`: optional list of module bindings. The production CLI currently
   does not register validator modules.
+- `references`: optional compatibility alias for extractor reference bindings.
+  Lane bindings override pipeline-level bindings for the same slot.
 
 `notarius run` and `notarius config validate --pipeline` resolve the pipeline
 against the production module catalog and fail fast for unknown or incompatible
 module keys.
 
+Reference bindings are validated against reference slots declared by eligible
+chunk, extract, and normalize targets during pipeline resolution. Required slots
+must be bound after config defaults, target-local references, lane-level
+compatibility bindings, and run-time `--reference` or `--without-reference`
+overrides are applied. Config-relative paths are resolved relative to the config
+file; CLI reference paths are resolved relative to the current working
+directory. Materialized bound files must be UTF-8 text. Materialized reference
+provenance is recorded for chunk, extractor, and normalizer targets, and runtime
+reference content is passed to the target that declares the slot. Reference
+media types are inferred from file extensions, recorded as canonical base media
+types, and checked only when a module declares
+`AcceptedMediaTypes`; unknown extensions are recorded as
+`application/octet-stream`. Reference content is not written to diagnostics,
+logs, errors, or manifests.
+
+Pipeline-level `references` are defaults. They are valid when at least one
+eligible target in the full configured pipeline declares the slot, including
+chunk, extractor, and normalizer targets. During a run, they apply only to the
+selected targets that declare the slot:
+
+```yaml
+pipelines:
+  dnd-session:
+    input: seriatim
+    references:
+      roster: ./campaign/party-roster.txt
+      glossary: ./campaign/glossary.txt
+    artifacts:
+      spells:
+        extract: dnd/spells
+```
+
+Extractor binding `references` are the canonical lane-local location. The
+legacy lane-level `references` field remains supported as an alias; when both
+bind the same slot, `extract.references` wins:
+
+```yaml
+pipelines:
+  dnd-session:
+    input: seriatim
+    references:
+      glossary: ./campaign/glossary.txt
+    artifacts:
+      spells:
+        references:
+          roster: ./campaign/legacy-roster.txt
+        extract:
+          module: dnd/spells
+          references:
+            roster: ./campaign/session-roster.txt
+```
+
+`chunk.references` and `normalize.references` are accepted in object-form
+bindings. They override pipeline-level defaults for slots declared by the chunk
+or normalizer module. Extractor-local references apply only to the extractor,
+and normalizer-local references apply only to the normalizer.
+
+Stage-local reference fields use the same map shape at:
+
+- `pipelines.<id>.chunk.references`
+- `pipelines.<id>.artifacts.<lane>.extract.references`
+- `pipelines.<id>.artifacts.<lane>.normalize.references`
+
+Each binding is valid only when that target module declares the slot.
+
 ## Module Bindings
 
 Every module binding may use shorthand:
@@ -157,6 +230,9 @@ Binding fields:
 - `module`: module key.
 - `llm_profile`: optional LLM profile ID. Empty means `default`.
 - `options`: optional module-specific settings.
+- `references`: optional reference bindings. Supported only for `chunk`,
+  `extract`, and `normalize` bindings. `input`, `merge`, validator, and
+  `output` bindings reject this field during validation.
 
 The `--llm-profile` run flag overrides every effective module binding to use
 one configured profile.
@@ -167,6 +243,7 @@ one configured profile.
 | --- | --- | --- |
 | input | `seriatim` | Reads Seriatim transcript JSON. |
 | chunk | `generic` | Splits source units into ordered chunks. |
+| chunk | `dnd/scenes` | Uses an LLM to split transcript source units into D&D scenes. |
 | extract | `dnd/spells` | Extracts `dnd.spell_cast` artifacts. |
 | merge | `appendorder` | Keeps candidates in append order. |
 | normalize | `noop` | Passes merged artifacts through unchanged. |
@@ -178,6 +255,17 @@ The `generic` chunker accepts:
 - `overlap_units`: non-negative integer, default `0`, and must be less than
   `max_units`.
 
+The `dnd/scenes` chunker requires transcript source capabilities, calls the
+configured structured LLM provider, and does not accept module options.
+
+The `dnd/spells` extractor declares optional text reference slots:
+
+- `roster`
+- `glossary`
+
+The extractor uses these references only as supporting disambiguation material;
+spell casts still must be present in the source transcript.
+
 ## Diagnostics
 
 `diagnostics` fields:
@@ -211,3 +299,5 @@ Pipeline resolution additionally checks:
 - required module keys are present;
 - module keys are registered for the expected slot;
 - module capability requirements are satisfied.
+- bound reference slots are declared by selected lane extractors;
+- required reference slots are bound for selected lanes.

docs/integrations/dnd-spell-artifacts.md

@@ -17,6 +17,14 @@ The extractor requires source chunks and transcript source capability. It
 returns generic artifact candidates that are serialized by the JSON output
 module.
 
+The extractor accepts optional UTF-8 text references:
+
+- `roster`: campaign roster or player-character notes.
+- `glossary`: campaign glossary or spell/name notes.
+
+References are supporting disambiguation material only. They are not source
+evidence and are not addressable through `source_refs`.
+
 ## Artifact Envelope
 
 Approved artifacts use the generic artifact envelope documented in
@@ -120,6 +128,11 @@ Rejection reason codes:
 - `invalid_source_ref`: at least one source reference fails generic source
   reference validation.
 
+Warning reason codes:
+
+- `spell_not_near_source`: the extracted spell name was not found in the cited
+  source text.
+
 Rejected candidates are written to `rejected.json` by the JSON output module.
 
 ## Manifest Metadata

docs/integrations/json-output.md

@@ -57,7 +57,19 @@ approved.
   "pipeline_id": "dnd-session",
   "pipeline_digest": "sha256:...",
   "input_module": "seriatim",
-  "chunker": "generic",
+  "chunker": "dnd/scenes",
+  "module_metadata": {
+    "chunker": {
+      "prompt_id": "dnd.scenes",
+      "prompt_version": "v1",
+      "prompt_sha256": "sha256:...",
+      "response_schema_key": "dnd_scenes",
+      "response_schema_id": "notarius.dnd.scenes",
+      "response_schema_name": "notarius_dnd_scenes_v1",
+      "response_schema_version": "v1",
+      "response_schema_sha256": "sha256:..."
+    }
+  },
   "source_digests": ["sha256:..."],
   "extractors": ["dnd/spells"],
   "merger": "appendorder",
@@ -86,9 +98,48 @@ approved.
 
 Fields with empty values may be omitted by JSON encoding.
 
+`source_digests` contains source document digests only. Bound references are
+recorded separately under `references`, which contains provenance only:
+target stage, lane ID when present, slot name, origin type and URI, digest,
+media type, byte size, and binding source. Reference content is not written to
+durable output.
+
+Reference `stage` is `chunk`, `extract`, or `normalize`. `lane_id` is omitted
+for chunk references and present for extract and normalize references.
+
+When references are bound, the manifest section has this shape:
+
+```json
+{
+  "references": [
+    {
+      "stage": "extract",
+      "lane_id": "spells",
+      "slot_name": "roster",
+      "origin_type": "file",
+      "origin_uri": "file:///absolute/path/roster.txt",
+      "digest": "sha256:...",
+      "media_type": "text/plain",
+      "size_bytes": 123,
+      "binding_source": "config"
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+Reference media types are inferred from file extensions and recorded as
+canonical base media types. Unknown extensions are recorded as
+`application/octet-stream`.
+
+`module_metadata` is omitted when no singleton module provides metadata.
+
 `validation_status` is `approved` when no candidates were rejected and
 `rejected` when one or more candidates were rejected.
 
+Top-level `module_metadata` is reserved for singleton pipeline modules
+(`input`, `chunker`, and `output`). Lane-owned module metadata remains under
+`artifact_lanes[].metadata`.
+
 ## Artifact Files
 
 Each artifact file has this shape:

docs/internal/diagnostics.md

@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ Implemented artifact names:
 - `invocation.json`
 - `effective-config.json`
 - `resolved-pipeline.json`
+- `resolved-references.json`
 - `source-document.json`
 - `run-manifest.json`
 - `run-report.json`

docs/internal/llm.md

@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ The request contains messages, optional model override, response schema name,
 and response schema JSON. The caller supplies a pointer target for decoded
 structured output.
 
-Extractors own prompts and schemas. Provider adapters should not contain
-domain-specific prompt logic.
+Modules that call the LLM own their prompts and schemas. Provider adapters
+should not contain domain-specific prompt logic.
 
 ## Production Client Construction
 

docs/internal/modules.md

@@ -20,6 +20,36 @@ A production module package should provide:
 Module specs should describe capabilities accurately. Resolution uses specs to
 reject incompatible pipelines before execution.
 
+Chunk, extract, and normalize modules that accept auxiliary reference material
+must declare slots through both `ReferenceSlots()` and
+`ModuleSpec().ReferenceSlots`. The runtime slot list and registry metadata
+should match so config validation can inspect slots without constructing module
+instances. A slot declaration names the slot, whether it is required, accepted
+media types, whether multiple items are allowed, and any byte limit. Empty
+`AcceptedMediaTypes` means any inferred media type is accepted, though the file
+must still be UTF-8 text. When a slot declares accepted media types, Notarius
+compares the canonical base media type inferred from the file extension,
+case-insensitively and without parameters.
+
+The resolver materializes reference content for chunk, extractor, and
+normalizer targets. Runtime delivery uses `contracts.ChunkRequest.References`,
+`contracts.ExtractionRequest.References`, and
+`contracts.NormalizeRequest.References`. Reference material is not source
+evidence and must not be converted into `SourceRef` values. If a module prompt
+uses references, load the prompt bundle with the same declared slots and render
+with `RenderUserSystemWithReferences`. Prompt templates may use the `reference`
+function for content and the `hasreference` function for conditional sections.
+Prompt metadata hashes remain based on template source, not rendered reference
+bytes.
+
+Chunk modules receive the structured LLM client through `contracts.ChunkRequest`
+when they need model-backed chunking. The pipeline runner validates generic
+chunk result invariants before extraction; module-owned policies may be stricter
+but must stay within the module package.
+
+Normalize modules receive the structured LLM client through
+`contracts.NormalizeRequest` when they need model-backed reconciliation.
+
 ## `seriatim` Input
 
 Package: `internal/modules/input/seriatim`
@@ -44,6 +74,10 @@ The `generic` chunker splits source units into ordered chunks. It validates the
 source document, clones source units, assigns chunk IDs such as `chunk-000001`,
 and records chunk metadata for start unit, end unit, and unit count.
 
+The pipeline runner canonicalizes chunk units from the source document by ID
+before extractors and mergers run. Chunker-owned context should stay in
+`SourceChunk.Metadata`.
+
 Options:
 
 - `max_units`: positive integer, default `50`;
@@ -54,6 +88,39 @@ Provides:
 
 - `chunks`
 
+## `dnd/scenes` Chunker
+
+Package: `internal/modules/chunk/dnd/scenes`
+
+The `dnd/scenes` chunker uses the structured LLM client to divide transcript
+source units into coherent D&D scenes. It renders embedded prompts, loads the
+embedded structured response schema, validates model-authored source-unit
+boundaries, and converts each scene into a deterministic source chunk.
+
+Requires:
+
+- `source.transcript`
+
+Provides:
+
+- `chunks`
+- `chunks.scenes`
+
+Options: none. Non-empty options are rejected.
+
+The chunker enforces full source-unit coverage from the first source unit to the
+last, exact source-unit IDs, sequential contiguous scenes, and no overlap. It
+assigns chunk IDs such as `scene-000001` and stores scene metadata including
+title, primary mode, participants, summary, boundary note, confidence, boundary
+unit IDs, and unit count. Boundary caveats become warnings with reason code
+`scene_boundary_caveat`. Whitespace-only caveats are treated as malformed
+structured output rather than silently dropped.
+
+Malformed model output fails explicitly rather than falling back to another
+chunker. The chunker exposes prompt and response-schema provenance through
+top-level `module_metadata.chunker` without raw prompts, raw schemas, source
+text, or secrets.
+
 ## `dnd/spells` Extractor
 
 Package: `internal/modules/extract/dnd/spells`
@@ -78,15 +145,23 @@ Artifact type and schema version:
 - schema version: `v1`
 
 The extractor adds prompt and response-schema provenance to lane manifest
-metadata. Durable artifact payload details belong in the
+metadata under `artifact_lanes[].metadata.extractor`. Durable artifact payload
+details belong in the
 [D&D spell artifact contract](../integrations/dnd-spell-artifacts.md).
 
+The extractor declares optional `roster` and `glossary` reference slots
+accepting UTF-8 text without narrowing accepted media types. Its prompt frames
+references as supporting disambiguation material only; spell-cast artifacts must
+still be grounded in the source transcript.
+
 ## D&D Spell Validators
 
 The spell extractor returns two built-in validators:
 
 - `dnd/spells/shape`: rejects malformed payloads and missing required fields.
 - `dnd/spells/source_refs`: rejects candidates without valid source references.
+  It also emits a warning when the extracted spell name is not found in the
+  cited source text.
 
 Reason codes include:
 
@@ -94,6 +169,7 @@ Reason codes include:
 - `missing_required_field`
 - `missing_source_ref`
 - `invalid_source_ref`
+- `spell_not_near_source`
 
 These validators are supplied by the extractor when no validators are configured
 for the lane.

docs/internal/pipeline.md

@@ -30,6 +30,38 @@ before execution:
 
 The CLI writes the resolved pipeline and digest to diagnostics.
 
+Pipeline profiles and artifact lanes may include reference binding maps keyed by
+reference slot name. During resolution, pipeline-level bindings act as defaults
+for selected chunk, extractor, and normalizer targets that declare the slot;
+target-local bindings override or add bindings for that target. Runtime
+`--reference` requests override target config bindings, and runtime unbinds
+remove optional target bindings. Flat runtime slot names are resolved only when
+exactly one selected target declares the slot; otherwise the CLI requires a more
+specific selector such as `chunk.slot`, `lane.extract.slot`, or
+`lane.normalize.slot`. Resolution validates bindings against the declaring
+target specs and stores the bindings in target-aware resolved reference holders.
+It does not read reference files or include reference bytes in source digests.
+
+During run preparation, resolved file references for chunk, extractor, and
+normalizer targets are materialized before any LLM-backed pipeline work. Config
+bindings resolve relative to the config file, and CLI bindings resolve relative
+to the current working directory. Materialization accepts UTF-8 text files,
+computes `sha256:` content digests, records file origins, infers canonical base
+media types from file extensions, enforces declared byte limits, and warns for
+empty bound files. Media-type acceptance is checked only when a slot declares
+`AcceptedMediaTypes`; unknown extensions are recorded as
+`application/octet-stream`. Reference content is omitted from diagnostics and
+manifests. The CLI writes provenance-only resolved reference diagnostics, and
+the run manifest records target-stage reference provenance separately from
+source digests. Runtime reference content is passed to the matching chunker,
+extractor, or normalizer request.
+
+Prompt bundles can declare reference slots and use `reference` and
+`hasreference` template functions. Bundle loading validates string-literal slot
+names against the declaration. Rendering receives a target reference set from the
+caller; unbound optional slots render as empty strings, and `hasreference`
+returns true only when at least one bound item has content.
+
 ## Registries And Module Specs
 
 `pipeline.Registries` holds concrete constructors for execution. A
@@ -44,6 +76,11 @@ Every production module registers a `ModuleSpec` with:
 - `Provides`: capabilities added after that module runs;
 - `Requires`: capabilities that must already be available.
 
+Chunk, extract, and normalize specs may also declare reference slots. Slot
+declarations are available from registry metadata without constructing module
+instances. Input, merge, validate, and output specs must not declare reference
+slots.
+
 Capability checks prevent incompatible pipeline composition before a run starts.
 
 ## Runner Input And Output
@@ -73,8 +110,39 @@ The runner:
 2. builds the input adapter and parses the raw input into a source document;
 3. validates the source document;
 4. builds the chunker and produces source chunks;
-5. runs each selected artifact lane in sorted resolved order;
-6. builds the output encoder and validates logical output file names.
+5. validates source chunks against framework invariants;
+6. runs each selected artifact lane in sorted resolved order;
+7. builds the output encoder and validates logical output file names.
+
+## Chunk Results
+
+Chunkers implement `contracts.Chunker` and receive a `contracts.ChunkRequest`
+with the validated source document, reference set, structured LLM client, the
+configured LLM profile, module options, and run metadata. Deterministic and
+LLM-backed chunkers use the same contract; provider construction stays outside
+chunk modules.
+
+After `Chunk` returns, the runner appends chunker warnings before returning any
+chunker error. When chunking succeeds, the runner validates generic chunk
+invariants before running extractors:
+
+- chunk IDs must be non-empty and unique in the chunk result;
+- each chunk `SourceID` must match the source document ID;
+- each chunk `Index` must match its zero-based returned order;
+- each chunk must contain at least one source unit;
+- a chunk must not repeat a source unit;
+- every chunk source unit must exist in the source document;
+- source units inside each chunk must appear in source-document order.
+
+After validation, the runner rebuilds each chunk from source-document units by
+ID, preserving the chunk boundary order and cloning chunk metadata. Extractors
+and downstream stages therefore see canonical source units, while
+`SourceChunk.Metadata` remains the supported place for chunker-owned context.
+
+The framework does not require complete source-unit coverage and does not reject
+overlap between different chunks. Stricter policies, such as full coverage or
+non-overlap, belong to individual chunk modules when they are part of that
+module's contract.
 
 Within an artifact lane, the runner:
 
@@ -119,9 +187,15 @@ On successful execution, the manifest validation status is:
 
 ## Manifest Population
 
-The manifest records run ID, pipeline ID, pipeline digest, module keys, artifact
-lanes, LLM profile metadata, source digest, validation status, and timing.
+The manifest records run ID, pipeline ID, pipeline digest, module keys, top-level
+module metadata, artifact lanes, LLM profile metadata, source digest,
+reference provenance, validation status, and timing.
 
-Modules can add non-secret manifest metadata by implementing
-`contracts.ManifestMetadataProvider`. The D&D spell extractor uses this for
+Singleton pipeline modules may add non-secret metadata by implementing
+`contracts.ManifestMetadataProvider`. The runner records that metadata under
+`module_metadata` with stable keys for `input`, `chunker`, and `output`.
+
+Lane-owned modules may add non-secret metadata through
+`artifact_lanes[].metadata`. The runner records extractor, merger, and
+normalizer metadata there. The D&D spell extractor uses lane metadata for
 prompt and response-schema provenance.

docs/operations.md

@@ -34,8 +34,9 @@ The `json` output module writes these files:
 
 - `index.json`: file index with paths to the manifest, artifact files,
   rejected artifacts, and warnings.
-- `manifest.json`: run manifest with resolved pipeline provenance, module keys,
-  validation status, and timing.
+- `manifest.json`: run manifest with resolved pipeline provenance, top-level
+  module metadata, module keys, reference provenance, validation status, and
+  timing.
 - `artifacts/<artifact-type>.json`: approved artifacts grouped by artifact
   type. For the current D&D spell extractor, this includes
   `artifacts/dnd.spell_cast.json` when spell-cast artifacts are approved.
@@ -62,8 +63,11 @@ Implemented diagnostics artifacts:
   path, selected lanes, run ID, and pipeline digest when available.
 - `effective-config.json`: resolved config with API keys redacted.
 - `resolved-pipeline.json`: resolved module bindings and pipeline digest.
+- `resolved-references.json`: resolved reference provenance, including target
+  stage, lane ID when present, origin, digest, media type, byte size, and
+  binding source, without reference content.
 - `run-manifest.json`: the same run manifest written to durable output when it
-  is available.
+  is available, including top-level module metadata when present.
 - `warnings.json`: warning list.
 - `run-report.json`: counts, status, output path, diagnostics path, and run ID.
 - `error.log`: failure message, written after diagnostics directory creation
@@ -107,6 +111,10 @@ stderr, and writes warnings to durable output and diagnostics when retained.
 The run manifest `validation_status` indicates whether final artifacts were
 approved or rejected after validation.
 
+Reference-related warnings include empty bound reference files and D&D spell
+relatedness warnings such as `spell_not_near_source`. Empty references are still
+passed to extractors so optional slots can be intentionally blank.
+
 ## Cleanup
 
 It is safe to remove specific old run directories after their output and

docs/roadmap/future.md

@@ -8,6 +8,16 @@ future work only.
 
 - Additional input adapters, such as Markdown or note-export formats.
 - Additional D&D extractors beyond spell casts.
+- Add non-file reference producers, such as prior-run artifacts, derived
+  summaries, or entity registries, without changing module-facing reference
+  item contracts.
+- Add token budgeting and model context-window management for reference content.
+- Add per-slot or per-chunk inclusion policies so modules can avoid repeating
+  large reference content in every prompt when that becomes important.
+- Add structured or parsed references, such as typed roster schemas, when a
+  module has a clear need for more than opaque UTF-8 text.
+- Add reference caching, preprocessing, summarization, embedding, or retrieval
+  if references become large enough to require preprocessing.
 - Cross-lane entity normalization.
 - Cross-chunk semantic deduplication.
 - Configurable validator chains with production validator modules.
@@ -15,6 +25,13 @@ future work only.
 - Parallel execution where it preserves deterministic manifests and diagnostics.
 - Additional output encoders.
 
+## Candidate Architecture Work
+
+- Evaluate replacing the local LLM adapter with an import from
+  `gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/scriptorium`, provided it preserves Notarius
+  boundaries around provider plumbing, prompt ownership, diagnostics, and secret
+  handling.
+
 ## Candidate Operational Work
 
 - Packaged release artifacts for alpha distribution.

docs/roadmap/implementation.md

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# LLM And Reference Expansion Completed
+
+This roadmap item is implemented.
+
+Notarius now supports first-class LLM access for chunk, extract, and normalize
+modules, plus target-aware reference declaration, binding, CLI override,
+materialization, provenance, and runtime delivery for chunker, extractor, and
+normalizer targets.
+
+Current behavior is documented in:
+
+- [CLI Reference](../cli.md)
+- [Configuration](../config.md)
+- [Pipeline Internals](../internal/pipeline.md)
+- [Module Internals](../internal/modules.md)
+- [JSON Output](../integrations/json-output.md)
+- [Troubleshooting](../troubleshooting.md)
+
+Deferred reference work remains tracked in [Future Work](future.md), including
+non-file reference producers, token budgeting, structured references, and
+reference preprocessing or retrieval.

docs/troubleshooting.md

@@ -102,6 +102,45 @@ go run ./cmd/notarius run dnd-session \
 - For `config validate`, include `--pipeline` when using `--only`.
 - Confirm the lane ID exists under `pipelines.<id>.artifacts`.
 
+## Reference Binding Failure
+
+Symptoms include:
+
+- `reference slot "..." is not declared`
+- `reference slot "..." is declared by multiple selected targets`
+- `required reference slot "..." is not bound`
+- `--reference must use slot=path`
+- `--without-reference must use a reference selector without =path`
+- `read "...": no such file`
+- `must be UTF-8 text`
+- `media type "..." is not accepted`
+- `is ... bytes, limit ...`
+
+Fix:
+
+- Confirm the selected chunker, extractor, or normalizer declares the slot. The
+  implemented `dnd/spells` extractor declares optional `roster` and `glossary`
+  slots.
+- Use a specific selector when more than one selected target declares the same
+  slot. Examples include `chunk.context=./context.txt`,
+  `spells.extract.context=./extract-context.txt`, and
+  `spells.normalize.context=./normalize-context.txt`.
+- `lane.slot=path` is valid only when exactly one selected extractor or
+  normalizer in that lane declares the slot. If both do, use
+  `lane.extract.slot=path` or `lane.normalize.slot=path`.
+- Use `--without-reference selector` to remove optional config bindings; do not
+  pass an empty `--reference selector=`.
+- Check whether a path came from config or CLI. Config paths are relative to
+  the config file. CLI reference paths are relative to the current working
+  directory.
+- Ensure the file is readable UTF-8 text and within any byte limit declared by
+  the declaring module.
+- If the declaring module narrows accepted media types, use a file extension that
+  infers an accepted type such as `text/markdown` or `application/json`.
+  Unknown extensions infer `application/octet-stream`.
+- If diagnostics are retained, inspect `resolved-pipeline.json`,
+  `resolved-references.json`, and `error.log`.
+
 ## Seriatim Input Validation Failure
 
 Symptoms include `seriatim input`, `parse JSON`, `segments must not be empty`,
@@ -177,6 +216,34 @@ Fix:
 
 Provider error messages are redacted for configured API key values.
 
+## Scene Chunking Failure
+
+Symptoms include:
+
+- `dnd scenes chunker`
+- `malformed structured output`
+- `boundary_caveats`
+- `start_unit_id`
+- `end_unit_id`
+- `gap`
+- `overlap`
+- `final scene`
+- `complete structured output`
+
+Fix:
+
+- Validate the pipeline configuration and confirm the input module provides a
+  transcript source when using `chunk: dnd/scenes`.
+- Confirm the LLM profile has a working OpenAI-compatible `base_url`, `model`,
+  and credentials.
+- Inspect retained diagnostics for the run error and resolved pipeline.
+- If the error names malformed structured output, retry with a model that
+  follows structured response schemas reliably.
+- If the error names `boundary_caveats`, check for blank or whitespace-only
+  caveat text in the scene response.
+- Scene boundaries must use exact source-unit IDs, cover the full source
+  document, be contiguous, and not overlap.
+
 ## Output Write Failure
 
 Symptoms include:

examples/dnd-spells-glossary.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Cure Wounds: healing spell cast by touch.
+Shield: defensive reaction spell.

examples/dnd-spells-roster.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+Aria: party cleric and recurring healer.
+Borin: fighter ally.
+Bandit mage: hostile spellcaster.

examples/dnd-spells.config.yml

@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ llm_profiles:
 pipelines:
   dnd-session:
     input: seriatim
+    references:
+      roster: ./dnd-spells-roster.txt
+      glossary: ./dnd-spells-glossary.txt
     chunk:
       module: generic
       options:

internal/cli/catalog.go

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/llm"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/chunk/dnd/scenes"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/chunk/generic"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/extract/dnd/spells"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/modules/input/seriatim"
@@ -34,6 +35,9 @@ func productionRegistries() (pipeline.Registries, error) {
 	if err := generic.Register(registries.Chunkers); err != nil {
 		return pipeline.Registries{}, fmt.Errorf("register generic chunker: %w", err)
 	}
+	if err := scenes.Register(registries.Chunkers); err != nil {
+		return pipeline.Registries{}, fmt.Errorf("register dnd scenes chunker: %w", err)
+	}
 	if err := spells.Register(registries.Extractors); err != nil {
 		return pipeline.Registries{}, fmt.Errorf("register dnd spells extractor: %w", err)
 	}

internal/cli/run.go

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ const defaultOutputRoot = "./notarius-output"
 
 const usage = `Usage:
   notarius help
-  notarius run <pipeline-id> --input path/to/source.json [--config path/to/config.yml] [--only lane-a,lane-b]
+  notarius run <pipeline-id> --input path/to/source.json [--config path/to/config.yml] [--only lane-a,lane-b] [--reference selector=path] [--without-reference selector]
   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]
 `
@@ -95,6 +95,10 @@ func runPipelineCommand(args []string, stdout, stderr io.Writer, opts Options) i
 	outputDir := fs.String("output-dir", "", "output directory")
 	diagnosticsDir := fs.String("diagnostics-dir", "", "diagnostics directory")
 	llmProfile := fs.String("llm-profile", "", "LLM profile override")
+	referenceFlags := stringListFlag{}
+	withoutReferenceFlags := stringListFlag{}
+	fs.Var(&referenceFlags, "reference", "reference binding, as slot=path, chunk.slot=path, lane.slot=path, lane.extract.slot=path, or lane.normalize.slot=path")
+	fs.Var(&withoutReferenceFlags, "without-reference", "unbind a reference, using the same selector forms as --reference")
 	if err := fs.Parse(reorderRunArgs(args)); err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "notarius: %v\n", err)
 		return 2
@@ -121,6 +125,16 @@ func runPipelineCommand(args []string, stdout, stderr io.Writer, opts Options) i
 		fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "notarius: %v\n", err)
 		return 2
 	}
+	referenceRequests, err := parseReferenceFlags(referenceFlags)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "notarius: %v\n", err)
+		return 2
+	}
+	referenceUnbindRequests, err := parseReferenceUnbindFlags(withoutReferenceFlags)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "notarius: %v\n", err)
+		return 2
+	}
 
 	cfg, loadedConfigPath, err := loadConfig(*configPath, opts)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -155,15 +169,33 @@ func runPipelineCommand(args []string, stdout, stderr io.Writer, opts Options) i
 	if err != nil {
 		return failPipelineCommand(stderr, runDir, cfg.Diagnostics.Retention, err)
 	}
+	referenceOverrides, referenceUnbinds, err := resolveCLIReferenceRequests(cfg, pipelineID, only, catalog, referenceRequests, referenceUnbindRequests)
+	if err != nil {
+		return failPipelineCommand(stderr, runDir, cfg.Diagnostics.Retention, err)
+	}
 	effective, err := cfg.Resolve(config.ResolveInput{
 		PipelineID:         pipelineID,
 		Only:               only,
 		Catalog:            catalog,
 		LLMProfileOverride: *llmProfile,
+		ReferenceOverrides: referenceOverrides,
+		ReferenceUnbinds:   referenceUnbinds,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return failPipelineCommand(stderr, runDir, cfg.Diagnostics.Retention, err)
 	}
+	workingDir, err := os.Getwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		return failPipelineCommand(stderr, runDir, cfg.Diagnostics.Retention, fmt.Errorf("resolve working directory: %w", err))
+	}
+	materialized, referenceWarnings, err := pipeline.MaterializeReferences(effective.ResolvedPipeline, catalog, pipeline.ReferenceMaterializationOptions{
+		ConfigPath: loadedConfigPath,
+		WorkingDir: workingDir,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return failPipelineCommand(stderr, runDir, cfg.Diagnostics.Retention, err)
+	}
+	effective.ResolvedPipeline = materialized
 	invocation.PipelineDigest = effective.ResolvedPipeline.Digest
 	if err := runDir.WriteInvocationMetadata(invocation); err != nil {
 		return failPipelineCommand(stderr, runDir, cfg.Diagnostics.Retention, fmt.Errorf("write diagnostics invocation metadata: %w", err))
@@ -174,6 +206,9 @@ func runPipelineCommand(args []string, stdout, stderr io.Writer, opts Options) i
 	if err := runDir.WriteResolvedPipeline(effective.ResolvedPipeline); err != nil {
 		return failPipelineCommand(stderr, runDir, cfg.Diagnostics.Retention, fmt.Errorf("write diagnostics resolved pipeline: %w", err))
 	}
+	if err := runDir.WriteResolvedReferences(pipeline.ReferenceProvenance(effective.ResolvedPipeline)); err != nil {
+		return failPipelineCommand(stderr, runDir, cfg.Diagnostics.Retention, fmt.Errorf("write diagnostics resolved references: %w", err))
+	}
 
 	profileIDs := effectiveLLMProfileIDs(effective.ResolvedPipeline)
 	if len(profileIDs) != 1 {
@@ -205,6 +240,7 @@ func runPipelineCommand(args []string, stdout, stderr io.Writer, opts Options) i
 		StartedAt:   startedAt,
 		LLMProfiles: llmProfiles,
 		Metadata:    runMetadata(*outputDir, *diagnosticsDir),
+		Warnings:    referenceWarnings,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		if output.Manifest.PipelineID != "" {
@@ -412,7 +448,7 @@ func reorderRunArgs(args []string) []string {
 
 func runFlagTakesValue(arg string) bool {
 	switch arg {
-	case "--config", "--input", "--only", "--output-dir", "--diagnostics-dir", "--llm-profile":
+	case "--config", "--input", "--only", "--output-dir", "--diagnostics-dir", "--llm-profile", "--reference", "--without-reference":
 		return true
 	default:
 		return false
@@ -661,6 +697,417 @@ func parseOnly(raw string) ([]string, error) {
 	return result, nil
 }
 
+type stringListFlag []string
+
+func (flag *stringListFlag) String() string {
+	if flag == nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return strings.Join(*flag, ",")
+}
+
+func (flag *stringListFlag) Set(value string) error {
+	*flag = append(*flag, value)
+	return nil
+}
+
+type cliReferenceRequest struct {
+	Selector cliReferenceSelector
+	Source   string
+}
+
+type cliReferenceUnbindRequest struct {
+	Selector cliReferenceSelector
+}
+
+type cliReferenceSelector struct {
+	LaneID   string
+	Stage    pipeline.ModuleStage
+	SlotName string
+}
+
+func parseReferenceFlags(values []string) ([]cliReferenceRequest, error) {
+	if len(values) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	requests := make([]cliReferenceRequest, 0, len(values))
+	for _, raw := range values {
+		name, source, ok := strings.Cut(raw, "=")
+		if !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("--reference must use slot=path or lane.slot=path")
+		}
+		if strings.TrimSpace(source) == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("--reference path must not be empty; use --without-reference to unbind")
+		}
+		selector, err := parseReferenceSelector(name, "--reference")
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		requests = append(requests, cliReferenceRequest{
+			Selector: selector,
+			Source:   strings.TrimSpace(source),
+		})
+	}
+	return requests, nil
+}
+
+func parseReferenceUnbindFlags(values []string) ([]cliReferenceUnbindRequest, error) {
+	if len(values) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	requests := make([]cliReferenceUnbindRequest, 0, len(values))
+	for _, raw := range values {
+		if strings.Contains(raw, "=") {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("--without-reference must use a reference selector without =path")
+		}
+		selector, err := parseReferenceSelector(raw, "--without-reference")
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		requests = append(requests, cliReferenceUnbindRequest{
+			Selector: selector,
+		})
+	}
+	return requests, nil
+}
+
+func parseReferenceSelector(raw string, flagName string) (cliReferenceSelector, error) {
+	selector := strings.TrimSpace(raw)
+	if selector == "" {
+		return cliReferenceSelector{}, fmt.Errorf("%s reference slot must not be empty", flagName)
+	}
+	parts := strings.Split(selector, ".")
+	for _, part := range parts {
+		if strings.TrimSpace(part) == "" {
+			return cliReferenceSelector{}, fmt.Errorf("%s must use non-empty reference selector values", flagName)
+		}
+	}
+	switch len(parts) {
+	case 1:
+		return cliReferenceSelector{SlotName: strings.TrimSpace(parts[0])}, nil
+	case 2:
+		first := strings.TrimSpace(parts[0])
+		slotName := strings.TrimSpace(parts[1])
+		if first == string(pipeline.StageChunk) {
+			return cliReferenceSelector{Stage: pipeline.StageChunk, SlotName: slotName}, nil
+		}
+		return cliReferenceSelector{LaneID: first, SlotName: slotName}, nil
+	case 3:
+		laneID := strings.TrimSpace(parts[0])
+		stage := pipeline.ModuleStage(strings.TrimSpace(parts[1]))
+		slotName := strings.TrimSpace(parts[2])
+		if stage != pipeline.StageExtract && stage != pipeline.StageNormalize {
+			return cliReferenceSelector{}, fmt.Errorf("%s lane-qualified selector must use lane.extract.slot or lane.normalize.slot", flagName)
+		}
+		return cliReferenceSelector{LaneID: laneID, Stage: stage, SlotName: slotName}, nil
+	default:
+		return cliReferenceSelector{}, fmt.Errorf("%s must use slot, chunk.slot, lane.slot, lane.extract.slot, or lane.normalize.slot", flagName)
+	}
+}
+
+func resolveCLIReferenceRequests(
+	cfg config.Config,
+	pipelineID string,
+	only []string,
+	catalog pipeline.ModuleCatalog,
+	referenceRequests []cliReferenceRequest,
+	unbindRequests []cliReferenceUnbindRequest,
+) ([]pipeline.ReferenceBinding, []pipeline.ReferenceUnbind, error) {
+	if len(referenceRequests) == 0 && len(unbindRequests) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil, nil
+	}
+
+	targets, err := selectedReferenceTargets(cfg, pipelineID, only, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+
+	overrides := make([]pipeline.ReferenceBinding, 0, len(referenceRequests))
+	for _, request := range referenceRequests {
+		target, err := resolveCLIReferenceTarget(targets, request.Selector)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, err
+		}
+		overrides = append(overrides, pipeline.ReferenceBinding{
+			Stage:         target.stage,
+			LaneID:        target.laneID,
+			SlotName:      request.Selector.SlotName,
+			Source:        request.Source,
+			BindingSource: contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceCLI,
+		})
+	}
+
+	unbinds := make([]pipeline.ReferenceUnbind, 0, len(unbindRequests))
+	for _, request := range unbindRequests {
+		target, err := resolveCLIReferenceTarget(targets, request.Selector)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, err
+		}
+		unbinds = append(unbinds, pipeline.ReferenceUnbind{
+			Stage:    target.stage,
+			LaneID:   target.laneID,
+			SlotName: request.Selector.SlotName,
+		})
+	}
+
+	return overrides, unbinds, nil
+}
+
+type selectedReferenceTarget struct {
+	laneID string
+	stage  pipeline.ModuleStage
+	module string
+	slots  map[string]struct{}
+}
+
+func selectedReferenceTargets(cfg config.Config, pipelineID string, only []string, catalog pipeline.ModuleCatalog) ([]selectedReferenceTarget, error) {
+	profile, ok := lookupCLIReferencePipeline(cfg.Pipelines, pipelineID)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q is not configured", strings.TrimSpace(pipelineID))
+	}
+
+	lanesByID := make(map[string]pipeline.ArtifactLaneProfile, len(profile.Artifacts))
+	for rawLaneID, lane := range profile.Artifacts {
+		laneID := strings.TrimSpace(rawLaneID)
+		if laneID == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q artifact lane id must not be empty", strings.TrimSpace(pipelineID))
+		}
+		if _, ok := lanesByID[laneID]; ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q artifact lane %q is duplicated after trimming", strings.TrimSpace(pipelineID), laneID)
+		}
+		lanesByID[laneID] = lane
+	}
+
+	selectedIDs := make([]string, 0, len(lanesByID))
+	if len(only) == 0 {
+		for laneID := range lanesByID {
+			selectedIDs = append(selectedIDs, laneID)
+		}
+	} else {
+		seen := make(map[string]struct{}, len(only))
+		for _, rawLaneID := range only {
+			laneID := strings.TrimSpace(rawLaneID)
+			if laneID == "" {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q selected artifact lane id must not be empty", strings.TrimSpace(pipelineID))
+			}
+			if _, ok := lanesByID[laneID]; !ok {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q selected artifact lane %q is not declared", strings.TrimSpace(pipelineID), laneID)
+			}
+			if _, ok := seen[laneID]; !ok {
+				selectedIDs = append(selectedIDs, laneID)
+				seen[laneID] = struct{}{}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(selectedIDs)
+
+	targets := make([]selectedReferenceTarget, 0, 1+len(selectedIDs)*2)
+	chunk := pipeline.Binding(profile.Chunk.Module)
+	chunk.Module = strings.TrimSpace(profile.Chunk.Module)
+	if chunk.Module == "" {
+		chunk.Module = pipeline.DefaultChunkModule
+	}
+	chunkSpec, err := cliReferenceChunkerSpec(catalog, chunk.Module)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q chunk module %q: %w", strings.TrimSpace(pipelineID), chunk.Module, err)
+	}
+	targets = append(targets, selectedReferenceTarget{
+		stage:  pipeline.StageChunk,
+		module: chunk.Module,
+		slots:  referenceSlotSet(chunkSpec.ReferenceSlots),
+	})
+
+	for _, laneID := range selectedIDs {
+		lane := lanesByID[laneID]
+		extractModule := strings.TrimSpace(lane.Extract.Module)
+		if extractModule == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q lane %q extract module must not be empty", strings.TrimSpace(pipelineID), laneID)
+		}
+		extractSpec, err := cliReferenceExtractorSpec(catalog, extractModule)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q lane %q extract module %q: %w", strings.TrimSpace(pipelineID), laneID, extractModule, err)
+		}
+		targets = append(targets, selectedReferenceTarget{
+			laneID: laneID,
+			stage:  pipeline.StageExtract,
+			module: extractModule,
+			slots:  referenceSlotSet(extractSpec.ReferenceSlots),
+		})
+
+		normalizeModule := strings.TrimSpace(lane.Normalize.Module)
+		if normalizeModule == "" {
+			normalizeModule = pipeline.DefaultNormalizeModule
+		}
+		normalizeSpec, err := cliReferenceNormalizerSpec(catalog, normalizeModule)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q lane %q normalize module %q: %w", strings.TrimSpace(pipelineID), laneID, normalizeModule, err)
+		}
+		targets = append(targets, selectedReferenceTarget{
+			laneID: laneID,
+			stage:  pipeline.StageNormalize,
+			module: normalizeModule,
+			slots:  referenceSlotSet(normalizeSpec.ReferenceSlots),
+		})
+	}
+	return targets, nil
+}
+
+func lookupCLIReferencePipeline(profiles map[string]pipeline.PipelineProfile, pipelineID string) (pipeline.PipelineProfile, bool) {
+	pipelineID = strings.TrimSpace(pipelineID)
+	for rawID, profile := range profiles {
+		if strings.TrimSpace(rawID) == pipelineID {
+			return profile, true
+		}
+	}
+	return pipeline.PipelineProfile{}, false
+}
+
+func cliReferenceChunkerSpec(catalog pipeline.ModuleCatalog, module string) (pipeline.ModuleSpec, error) {
+	if catalog.Chunkers == nil {
+		return pipeline.ModuleSpec{}, fmt.Errorf("module %q is not registered", module)
+	}
+	spec, ok := catalog.Chunkers.Spec(module)
+	if !ok {
+		return pipeline.ModuleSpec{}, fmt.Errorf("module %q is not registered", module)
+	}
+	return spec, nil
+}
+
+func cliReferenceExtractorSpec(catalog pipeline.ModuleCatalog, module string) (pipeline.ModuleSpec, error) {
+	if catalog.Extractors == nil {
+		return pipeline.ModuleSpec{}, fmt.Errorf("module %q is not registered", module)
+	}
+	spec, ok := catalog.Extractors.Spec(module)
+	if !ok {
+		return pipeline.ModuleSpec{}, fmt.Errorf("module %q is not registered", module)
+	}
+	return spec, nil
+}
+
+func cliReferenceNormalizerSpec(catalog pipeline.ModuleCatalog, module string) (pipeline.ModuleSpec, error) {
+	if catalog.Normalizers == nil {
+		return pipeline.ModuleSpec{}, fmt.Errorf("module %q is not registered", module)
+	}
+	spec, ok := catalog.Normalizers.Spec(module)
+	if !ok {
+		return pipeline.ModuleSpec{}, fmt.Errorf("module %q is not registered", module)
+	}
+	return spec, nil
+}
+
+func referenceSlotSet(slots []contracts.ReferenceSlot) map[string]struct{} {
+	slotSet := make(map[string]struct{}, len(slots))
+	for _, slot := range slots {
+		slotSet[slot.Name] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	return slotSet
+}
+
+func resolveCLIReferenceTarget(targets []selectedReferenceTarget, selector cliReferenceSelector) (selectedReferenceTarget, error) {
+	slotName := strings.TrimSpace(selector.SlotName)
+	if slotName == "" {
+		return selectedReferenceTarget{}, fmt.Errorf("reference slot must not be empty")
+	}
+	if selector.Stage == pipeline.StageChunk {
+		for _, target := range targets {
+			if target.stage != pipeline.StageChunk {
+				continue
+			}
+			if _, ok := target.slots[slotName]; !ok {
+				return selectedReferenceTarget{}, fmt.Errorf("reference slot %q is not declared by chunk module %q", slotName, target.module)
+			}
+			return target, nil
+		}
+		return selectedReferenceTarget{}, fmt.Errorf("reference chunk target is not selected")
+	}
+	if selector.Stage == pipeline.StageExtract || selector.Stage == pipeline.StageNormalize {
+		for _, target := range targets {
+			if target.laneID == selector.LaneID && target.stage == selector.Stage {
+				if _, ok := target.slots[slotName]; !ok {
+					return selectedReferenceTarget{}, fmt.Errorf("reference slot %q is not declared by selected %s target %q", slotName, selector.Stage, targetLabel(target))
+				}
+				return target, nil
+			}
+		}
+		return selectedReferenceTarget{}, fmt.Errorf("reference lane %q is not selected", selector.LaneID)
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(selector.LaneID) != "" {
+		return resolveCLIReferenceLaneTarget(targets, strings.TrimSpace(selector.LaneID), slotName)
+	}
+	return resolveCLIReferenceFlatTarget(targets, slotName)
+}
+
+func resolveCLIReferenceLaneTarget(targets []selectedReferenceTarget, laneID string, slotName string) (selectedReferenceTarget, error) {
+	laneSelected := false
+	matches := make([]selectedReferenceTarget, 0, 2)
+	for _, target := range targets {
+		if target.laneID != laneID {
+			continue
+		}
+		laneSelected = true
+		if _, ok := target.slots[slotName]; ok {
+			matches = append(matches, target)
+		}
+	}
+	if !laneSelected {
+		return selectedReferenceTarget{}, fmt.Errorf("reference lane %q is not selected", laneID)
+	}
+	switch len(matches) {
+	case 0:
+		return selectedReferenceTarget{}, fmt.Errorf("reference slot %q is not declared by selected lane %q", slotName, laneID)
+	case 1:
+		return matches[0], nil
+	default:
+		return selectedReferenceTarget{}, fmt.Errorf("reference slot %q is declared by multiple selected targets in lane %q (%s); use %s.extract.%s or %s.normalize.%s", slotName, laneID, targetList(matches), laneID, slotName, laneID, slotName)
+	}
+}
+
+func resolveCLIReferenceFlatTarget(targets []selectedReferenceTarget, slotName string) (selectedReferenceTarget, error) {
+	matches := make([]selectedReferenceTarget, 0, 2)
+	for _, target := range targets {
+		if _, ok := target.slots[slotName]; ok {
+			matches = append(matches, target)
+		}
+	}
+	switch len(matches) {
+	case 0:
+		return selectedReferenceTarget{}, fmt.Errorf("reference slot %q is not declared by any selected reference target", slotName)
+	case 1:
+		return matches[0], nil
+	default:
+		return selectedReferenceTarget{}, fmt.Errorf("reference slot %q is declared by multiple selected targets (%s); use a more specific selector such as %s", slotName, targetList(matches), selectorSuggestions(matches, slotName))
+	}
+}
+
+func targetList(targets []selectedReferenceTarget) string {
+	labels := make([]string, 0, len(targets))
+	for _, target := range targets {
+		labels = append(labels, targetLabel(target))
+	}
+	sort.Strings(labels)
+	return strings.Join(labels, ", ")
+}
+
+func targetLabel(target selectedReferenceTarget) string {
+	if target.stage == pipeline.StageChunk {
+		return "chunk"
+	}
+	return target.laneID + "." + string(target.stage)
+}
+
+func selectorSuggestions(targets []selectedReferenceTarget, slotName string) string {
+	suggestions := make([]string, 0, len(targets))
+	for _, target := range targets {
+		if target.stage == pipeline.StageChunk {
+			suggestions = append(suggestions, "chunk."+slotName)
+			continue
+		}
+		suggestions = append(suggestions, target.laneID+"."+string(target.stage)+"."+slotName)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(suggestions)
+	return strings.Join(suggestions, " or ")
+}
+
 func sortedPipelineIDs(cfg config.Config) []string {
 	ids := make([]string, 0, len(cfg.Pipelines))
 	for id := range cfg.Pipelines {

internal/core/artifacts/artifacts.go

@@ -48,23 +48,37 @@ type LLMProfileManifest struct {
 	Model    string `json:"model,omitempty"`
 }
 
+type ReferenceProvenance struct {
+	Stage         string `json:"stage,omitempty"`
+	LaneID        string `json:"lane_id,omitempty"`
+	SlotName      string `json:"slot_name"`
+	OriginType    string `json:"origin_type"`
+	OriginURI     string `json:"origin_uri,omitempty"`
+	Digest        string `json:"digest,omitempty"`
+	MediaType     string `json:"media_type,omitempty"`
+	SizeBytes     int64  `json:"size_bytes,omitempty"`
+	BindingSource string `json:"binding_source,omitempty"`
+}
+
 type RunManifest struct {
-	RunID            string                 `json:"run_id,omitempty"`
-	PipelineID       string                 `json:"pipeline_id,omitempty"`
-	PipelineDigest   string                 `json:"pipeline_digest,omitempty"`
-	InputModule      string                 `json:"input_module,omitempty"`
-	Chunker          string                 `json:"chunker,omitempty"`
-	SourceDigests    []string               `json:"source_digests,omitempty"`
-	Extractors       []string               `json:"extractors,omitempty"`
-	Merger           string                 `json:"merger,omitempty"`
-	Normalizer       string                 `json:"normalizer,omitempty"`
-	OutputEncoder    string                 `json:"output_encoder,omitempty"`
-	ArtifactLanes    []ArtifactLaneManifest `json:"artifact_lanes,omitempty"`
-	LLMProfiles      []LLMProfileManifest   `json:"llm_profiles,omitempty"`
-	SchemaVersion    string                 `json:"schema_version,omitempty"`
-	ValidationStatus string                 `json:"validation_status,omitempty"`
-	StartedAt        *time.Time             `json:"started_at,omitempty"`
-	CompletedAt      *time.Time             `json:"completed_at,omitempty"`
+	RunID            string                    `json:"run_id,omitempty"`
+	PipelineID       string                    `json:"pipeline_id,omitempty"`
+	PipelineDigest   string                    `json:"pipeline_digest,omitempty"`
+	InputModule      string                    `json:"input_module,omitempty"`
+	Chunker          string                    `json:"chunker,omitempty"`
+	SourceDigests    []string                  `json:"source_digests,omitempty"`
+	Extractors       []string                  `json:"extractors,omitempty"`
+	Merger           string                    `json:"merger,omitempty"`
+	Normalizer       string                    `json:"normalizer,omitempty"`
+	OutputEncoder    string                    `json:"output_encoder,omitempty"`
+	ModuleMetadata   map[string]map[string]any `json:"module_metadata,omitempty"`
+	ArtifactLanes    []ArtifactLaneManifest    `json:"artifact_lanes,omitempty"`
+	References       []ReferenceProvenance     `json:"references,omitempty"`
+	LLMProfiles      []LLMProfileManifest      `json:"llm_profiles,omitempty"`
+	SchemaVersion    string                    `json:"schema_version,omitempty"`
+	ValidationStatus string                    `json:"validation_status,omitempty"`
+	StartedAt        *time.Time                `json:"started_at,omitempty"`
+	CompletedAt      *time.Time                `json:"completed_at,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func ArtifactFromCandidate(candidate ArtifactCandidate) Artifact {

internal/core/artifacts/artifacts_test.go

@@ -183,6 +183,80 @@ func TestRunManifestIncludesPipelineAndArtifactLaneFields(t *testing.T) {
 	assertHasKeys(t, lane, "id", "extractor", "merger", "normalizer", "validators", "metadata")
 }
 
+func TestRunManifestIncludesReferenceProvenance(t *testing.T) {
+	manifest := RunManifest{
+		References: []ReferenceProvenance{
+			{
+				Stage:         "extract",
+				LaneID:        "events",
+				SlotName:      "roster",
+				OriginType:    "file",
+				OriginURI:     "file:///tmp/roster.txt",
+				Digest:        "sha256:reference",
+				MediaType:     "text/plain; charset=utf-8",
+				SizeBytes:     12,
+				BindingSource: "config",
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	gotJSON, err := json.Marshal(manifest)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("json.Marshal() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var got RunManifest
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(gotJSON, &got); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("json.Unmarshal() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(got.References) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("len(References) = %d, want 1", len(got.References))
+	}
+	reference := got.References[0]
+	if reference.Stage != "extract" || reference.LaneID != "events" || reference.SlotName != "roster" || reference.OriginType != "file" || reference.OriginURI != "file:///tmp/roster.txt" {
+		t.Fatalf("reference provenance = %#v, want lane-scoped origin details", reference)
+	}
+	if reference.Digest != "sha256:reference" || reference.MediaType != "text/plain; charset=utf-8" || reference.SizeBytes != 12 || reference.BindingSource != "config" {
+		t.Fatalf("reference provenance = %#v, want digest/media/size/source details", reference)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunManifestIncludesTopLevelModuleMetadata(t *testing.T) {
+	manifest := RunManifest{
+		ModuleMetadata: map[string]map[string]any{
+			"chunker": {
+				"prompt_id":            "dnd.scenes",
+				"prompt_version":       "v1",
+				"prompt_sha256":        "sha256:abc123",
+				"response_schema_key":  "dnd_scenes",
+				"response_schema_name": "dnd_scenes",
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	gotJSON, err := json.Marshal(manifest)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("json.Marshal() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var got map[string]any
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(gotJSON, &got); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("json.Unmarshal() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	moduleMetadata, ok := got["module_metadata"].(map[string]any)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("module_metadata = %#v, want object", got["module_metadata"])
+	}
+	assertHasKeys(t, moduleMetadata, "chunker")
+
+	chunkerMetadata, ok := moduleMetadata["chunker"].(map[string]any)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("module_metadata.chunker = %#v, want object", moduleMetadata["chunker"])
+	}
+	assertHasKeys(t, chunkerMetadata, "prompt_id", "prompt_version", "prompt_sha256", "response_schema_key", "response_schema_name")
+}
+
 func assertHasKeys(t *testing.T, values map[string]any, keys ...string) {
 	t.Helper()
 

internal/core/config/config.go

@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ func clonePipelineProfile(in pipeline.PipelineProfile) pipeline.PipelineProfile
 	out.Input = cloneModuleBinding(in.Input)
 	out.Chunk = cloneModuleBinding(in.Chunk)
 	out.Output = cloneModuleBinding(in.Output)
+	out.References = cloneStringMap(in.References)
 	if len(in.Artifacts) > 0 {
 		out.Artifacts = make(map[string]pipeline.ArtifactLaneProfile, len(in.Artifacts))
 		for key, lane := range in.Artifacts {
@@ -87,6 +88,7 @@ func cloneArtifactLaneProfile(in pipeline.ArtifactLaneProfile) pipeline.Artifact
 	out.Extract = cloneModuleBinding(in.Extract)
 	out.Merge = cloneModuleBinding(in.Merge)
 	out.Normalize = cloneModuleBinding(in.Normalize)
+	out.References = cloneStringMap(in.References)
 	if len(in.Validators) > 0 {
 		out.Validators = make([]pipeline.ModuleBinding, len(in.Validators))
 		for i, binding := range in.Validators {
@@ -96,11 +98,23 @@ func cloneArtifactLaneProfile(in pipeline.ArtifactLaneProfile) pipeline.Artifact
 	return out
 }
 
+func cloneStringMap(in map[string]string) map[string]string {
+	if len(in) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]string, len(in))
+	for key, value := range in {
+		out[key] = value
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 func cloneModuleBinding(in pipeline.ModuleBinding) pipeline.ModuleBinding {
 	out := in
 	if len(in.Options) > 0 {
 		out.Options = cloneOptions(in.Options)
 	}
+	out.References = cloneStringMap(in.References)
 	return out
 }
 

internal/core/config/effective_config.go

@@ -14,13 +14,17 @@ type ResolveInput struct {
 	Only               []string
 	Catalog            pipeline.ModuleCatalog
 	LLMProfileOverride string
+	ReferenceOverrides []pipeline.ReferenceBinding
+	ReferenceUnbinds   []pipeline.ReferenceUnbind
 }
 
 type EffectiveConfig struct {
-	Config           Config
-	PipelineID       string
-	Only             []string
-	ResolvedPipeline pipeline.ResolvedPipeline
+	Config             Config
+	PipelineID         string
+	Only               []string
+	ReferenceOverrides []pipeline.ReferenceBinding
+	ReferenceUnbinds   []pipeline.ReferenceUnbind
+	ResolvedPipeline   pipeline.ResolvedPipeline
 }
 
 func (c Config) Resolve(input ResolveInput) (EffectiveConfig, error) {
@@ -46,16 +50,22 @@ func (c Config) Resolve(input ResolveInput) (EffectiveConfig, error) {
 		applyLLMProfileOverride(&profile, override)
 	}
 
-	resolved, err := pipeline.ResolvePipeline(profile, pipeline.ResolveOptions{Only: input.Only}, input.Catalog)
+	resolved, err := pipeline.ResolvePipeline(profile, pipeline.ResolveOptions{
+		Only:               input.Only,
+		ReferenceOverrides: append([]pipeline.ReferenceBinding(nil), input.ReferenceOverrides...),
+		ReferenceUnbinds:   append([]pipeline.ReferenceUnbind(nil), input.ReferenceUnbinds...),
+	}, input.Catalog)
 	if err != nil {
 		return EffectiveConfig{}, fmt.Errorf("resolve pipeline %q: %w", pipelineID, err)
 	}
 
 	return EffectiveConfig{
-		Config:           cloneConfig(c),
-		PipelineID:       pipelineID,
-		Only:             append([]string(nil), input.Only...),
-		ResolvedPipeline: resolved,
+		Config:             cloneConfig(c),
+		PipelineID:         pipelineID,
+		Only:               append([]string(nil), input.Only...),
+		ReferenceOverrides: append([]pipeline.ReferenceBinding(nil), input.ReferenceOverrides...),
+		ReferenceUnbinds:   append([]pipeline.ReferenceUnbind(nil), input.ReferenceUnbinds...),
+		ResolvedPipeline:   resolved,
 	}, nil
 }
 

internal/core/config/effective_config_test.go

@@ -98,6 +98,43 @@ func TestResolveSurfacesMissingCapabilityThroughCatalog(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestResolveCanBindSceneChunkerFromCatalog(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := validConfig()
+	profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+	profile.Chunk = pipeline.Binding("dnd/scenes")
+	lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+	profile.Artifacts = map[string]pipeline.ArtifactLaneProfile{"events": lane}
+	cfg.Pipelines["example"] = profile
+
+	catalog := fakeCatalog(t,
+		pipeline.ModuleSpec{
+			Key:      "fake/input",
+			Stage:    pipeline.StageInput,
+			Provides: []string{"source.transcript"},
+		},
+		pipeline.ModuleSpec{
+			Key:      "fake/extract",
+			Stage:    pipeline.StageExtract,
+			Requires: []string{"chunks", "source.transcript"},
+			Provides: []string{"artifact"},
+		},
+	)
+	mustRegisterChunker(t, catalog.Chunkers, pipeline.ModuleSpec{
+		Key:      "dnd/scenes",
+		Stage:    pipeline.StageChunk,
+		Requires: []string{"source.transcript"},
+		Provides: []string{"chunks", "chunks.scenes"},
+	})
+
+	effective, err := cfg.Resolve(ResolveInput{PipelineID: "example", Catalog: catalog})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Resolve() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if got := effective.ResolvedPipeline.Chunk.Module; got != "dnd/scenes" {
+		t.Fatalf("Chunk.Module = %q, want dnd/scenes", got)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestResolveDigestChangesWhenEffectiveConfigChanges(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := validConfig()
 	first, err := cfg.Resolve(ResolveInput{PipelineID: "example", Catalog: fakeCatalog(t)})

internal/core/config/file_config.go

@@ -35,10 +35,11 @@ type FileLLMProfile struct {
 }
 
 type FilePipelineProfile struct {
-	Input     fileModuleBinding                  `yaml:"input"`
-	Chunk     *fileModuleBinding                 `yaml:"chunk,omitempty"`
-	Artifacts map[string]FileArtifactLaneProfile `yaml:"artifacts,omitempty"`
-	Output    *fileModuleBinding                 `yaml:"output,omitempty"`
+	Input      fileModuleBinding                  `yaml:"input"`
+	Chunk      *fileModuleBinding                 `yaml:"chunk,omitempty"`
+	Artifacts  map[string]FileArtifactLaneProfile `yaml:"artifacts,omitempty"`
+	Output     *fileModuleBinding                 `yaml:"output,omitempty"`
+	References map[string]string                  `yaml:"references,omitempty"`
 }
 
 type FileArtifactLaneProfile struct {
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ type FileArtifactLaneProfile struct {
 	Merge      *fileModuleBinding  `yaml:"merge,omitempty"`
 	Normalize  *fileModuleBinding  `yaml:"normalize,omitempty"`
 	Validators []fileModuleBinding `yaml:"validators,omitempty"`
+	References map[string]string   `yaml:"references,omitempty"`
 }
 
 type FileConcurrencyConfig struct {
@@ -97,6 +99,7 @@ type fileModuleBinding struct {
 	Module     string
 	LLMProfile string
 	Options    map[string]any
+	References map[string]string
 }
 
 func (b *fileModuleBinding) UnmarshalYAML(node *yaml.Node) error {
@@ -131,6 +134,12 @@ func (b *fileModuleBinding) UnmarshalYAML(node *yaml.Node) error {
 					return err
 				}
 				b.Options = normalizeOptions(options)
+			case "references":
+				var references map[string]string
+				if err := valueNode.Decode(&references); err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+				b.References = references
 			default:
 				return fmt.Errorf("field %s not found in module binding", keyNode.Value)
 			}
@@ -146,6 +155,7 @@ func (b fileModuleBinding) toPipelineBinding() pipeline.ModuleBinding {
 		Module:     strings.TrimSpace(b.Module),
 		LLMProfile: strings.TrimSpace(b.LLMProfile),
 		Options:    cloneOptions(b.Options),
+		References: normalizedStringMap(b.References),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -212,6 +222,49 @@ func (c *Config) applyFileConfigWithLookup(fileCfg FileConfig, lookup func(strin
 		if _, _, err := normalizedMapKeys(filePipeline.Artifacts, fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q artifact lane id", pipelineID)); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+		if _, _, err := normalizedMapKeys(filePipeline.References, fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q reference slot", pipelineID)); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if filePipeline.Chunk != nil {
+			if _, _, err := normalizedMapKeys(filePipeline.Chunk.References, fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q chunk reference slot", pipelineID)); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+		if _, _, err := normalizedMapKeys(filePipeline.Input.References, fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q input reference slot", pipelineID)); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if filePipeline.Output != nil {
+			if _, _, err := normalizedMapKeys(filePipeline.Output.References, fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q output reference slot", pipelineID)); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+		for rawLaneID, fileLane := range filePipeline.Artifacts {
+			laneID := strings.TrimSpace(rawLaneID)
+			if laneID == "" {
+				continue
+			}
+			if _, _, err := normalizedMapKeys(fileLane.References, fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q lane %q reference slot", pipelineID, laneID)); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if _, _, err := normalizedMapKeys(fileLane.Extract.References, fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q lane %q extract reference slot", pipelineID, laneID)); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if fileLane.Merge != nil {
+				if _, _, err := normalizedMapKeys(fileLane.Merge.References, fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q lane %q merge reference slot", pipelineID, laneID)); err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+			}
+			if fileLane.Normalize != nil {
+				if _, _, err := normalizedMapKeys(fileLane.Normalize.References, fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q lane %q normalize reference slot", pipelineID, laneID)); err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+			}
+			for i, validator := range fileLane.Validators {
+				if _, _, err := normalizedMapKeys(validator.References, fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q lane %q validator[%d] reference slot", pipelineID, laneID, i)); err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+			}
+		}
 	}
 
 	for _, profileID := range profileIDs {
@@ -253,9 +306,10 @@ func (c *Config) applyFileConfigWithLookup(fileCfg FileConfig, lookup func(strin
 			return err
 		}
 		profile := pipeline.PipelineProfile{
-			ID:        pipelineID,
-			Input:     filePipeline.Input.toPipelineBinding(),
-			Artifacts: make(map[string]pipeline.ArtifactLaneProfile, len(filePipeline.Artifacts)),
+			ID:         pipelineID,
+			Input:      filePipeline.Input.toPipelineBinding(),
+			Artifacts:  make(map[string]pipeline.ArtifactLaneProfile, len(filePipeline.Artifacts)),
+			References: normalizedStringMap(filePipeline.References),
 		}
 		if filePipeline.Chunk != nil {
 			profile.Chunk = filePipeline.Chunk.toPipelineBinding()
@@ -265,8 +319,11 @@ func (c *Config) applyFileConfigWithLookup(fileCfg FileConfig, lookup func(strin
 		}
 		for _, laneID := range laneIDs {
 			fileLane := filePipeline.Artifacts[rawLaneIDs[laneID]]
+			extract := fileLane.Extract.toPipelineBinding()
+			extract.References = mergeStringMaps(normalizedStringMap(fileLane.References), extract.References)
 			lane := pipeline.ArtifactLaneProfile{
-				Extract: fileLane.Extract.toPipelineBinding(),
+				Extract:    extract,
+				References: normalizedStringMap(fileLane.References),
 			}
 			if fileLane.Merge != nil {
 				lane.Merge = fileLane.Merge.toPipelineBinding()
@@ -318,6 +375,39 @@ func normalizedMapKeys[T any](values map[string]T, keyName string) ([]string, ma
 	return keys, rawByNormalized, nil
 }
 
+func normalizedStringMap(values map[string]string) map[string]string {
+	if len(values) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]string, len(values))
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(values))
+	rawByNormalized := make(map[string]string, len(values))
+	for rawKey := range values {
+		key := strings.TrimSpace(rawKey)
+		rawByNormalized[key] = rawKey
+		keys = append(keys, key)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		out[key] = strings.TrimSpace(values[rawByNormalized[key]])
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func mergeStringMaps(base map[string]string, override map[string]string) map[string]string {
+	if len(base) == 0 && len(override) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]string, len(base)+len(override))
+	for key, value := range base {
+		out[key] = value
+	}
+	for key, value := range override {
+		out[key] = value
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 func resolveAPIKeyEnv(envName string, lookup func(string) (string, bool)) (string, error) {
 	name := strings.TrimSpace(envName)
 	if name == "" {

internal/core/config/file_config_test.go

@@ -144,6 +144,78 @@ pipelines:
 	}
 }
 
+func TestParseFileConfigReferenceMaps(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := parseAndApplyConfig(t, `
+version: 1
+pipelines:
+  example:
+    input: fake/input
+    references:
+      " roster ": " ./shared-roster.yml "
+    artifacts:
+      events:
+        extract: fake/extract
+        references:
+          " lore ": " ./lore.md "
+`)
+
+	profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(profile.References, map[string]string{"roster": "./shared-roster.yml"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("pipeline references = %#v, want trimmed map", profile.References)
+	}
+	gotLaneRefs := profile.Artifacts["events"].References
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(gotLaneRefs, map[string]string{"lore": "./lore.md"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("lane references = %#v, want trimmed map", gotLaneRefs)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParseFileConfigStageLocalReferenceMaps(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := parseAndApplyConfig(t, `
+version: 1
+pipelines:
+  example:
+    input: fake/input
+    chunk:
+      module: generic
+      references:
+        " scene_guide ": " ./scenes.md "
+    artifacts:
+      events:
+        extract:
+          module: fake/extract
+          references:
+            " glossary ": " ./glossary.md "
+            " roster ": " ./extract-roster.yml "
+        references:
+          roster: ./legacy-roster.yml
+          lore: ./lore.md
+        normalize:
+          module: noop
+          references:
+            " normalization_notes ": " ./normalization.md "
+`)
+
+	profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(profile.Chunk.References, map[string]string{"scene_guide": "./scenes.md"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk references = %#v, want trimmed map", profile.Chunk.References)
+	}
+	lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(lane.References, map[string]string{"lore": "./lore.md", "roster": "./legacy-roster.yml"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("legacy lane references = %#v, want trimmed map", lane.References)
+	}
+	wantExtract := map[string]string{
+		"glossary": "./glossary.md",
+		"lore":     "./lore.md",
+		"roster":   "./extract-roster.yml",
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(lane.Extract.References, wantExtract) {
+		t.Fatalf("extract references = %#v, want legacy merged with extract override %#v", lane.Extract.References, wantExtract)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(lane.Normalize.References, map[string]string{"normalization_notes": "./normalization.md"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("normalize references = %#v, want trimmed map", lane.Normalize.References)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestParseFileConfigValidatorMixedBindingForms(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := parseAndApplyConfig(t, `
 version: 1
@@ -297,6 +369,108 @@ pipelines:
 	}
 }
 
+func TestApplyFileConfigRejectsDuplicateTrimmedReferenceSlots(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		raw  string
+		want string
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "pipeline",
+			raw: `
+version: 1
+pipelines:
+  example:
+    input: fake/input
+    references:
+      roster: ./first.yml
+      " roster ": ./second.yml
+`,
+			want: `pipeline "example" reference slot`,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "lane",
+			raw: `
+version: 1
+pipelines:
+  example:
+    input: fake/input
+    artifacts:
+      events:
+        extract: fake/extract
+        references:
+          roster: ./first.yml
+          " roster ": ./second.yml
+`,
+			want: `pipeline "example" lane "events" reference slot`,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "chunk",
+			raw: `
+version: 1
+pipelines:
+  example:
+    input: fake/input
+    chunk:
+      module: generic
+      references:
+        roster: ./first.yml
+        " roster ": ./second.yml
+`,
+			want: `pipeline "example" chunk reference slot`,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "extract",
+			raw: `
+version: 1
+pipelines:
+  example:
+    input: fake/input
+    artifacts:
+      events:
+        extract:
+          module: fake/extract
+          references:
+            roster: ./first.yml
+            " roster ": ./second.yml
+`,
+			want: `pipeline "example" lane "events" extract reference slot`,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "normalize",
+			raw: `
+version: 1
+pipelines:
+  example:
+    input: fake/input
+    artifacts:
+      events:
+        extract: fake/extract
+        normalize:
+          module: noop
+          references:
+            roster: ./first.yml
+            " roster ": ./second.yml
+`,
+			want: `pipeline "example" lane "events" normalize reference slot`,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			fileCfg, err := ParseFileConfigYAML([]byte(tc.raw))
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("ParseFileConfigYAML: %v", err)
+			}
+			cfg := Default()
+			err = cfg.applyFileConfigWithLookup(fileCfg, emptyLookup)
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tc.want) || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "duplicated") {
+				t.Fatalf("expected duplicate reference slot error, got %v", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestApplyFileConfigAllowsRetryOnlyLLMProfile(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := parseAndApplyConfig(t, `
 version: 1

internal/core/config/redaction.go

@@ -21,10 +21,12 @@ func (c Config) RedactedDiagnosticsPayload() any {
 
 func (e EffectiveConfig) RedactedDiagnosticsPayload() any {
 	return EffectiveConfig{
-		Config:           e.Config.Redacted(),
-		PipelineID:       e.PipelineID,
-		Only:             append([]string(nil), e.Only...),
-		ResolvedPipeline: cloneResolvedPipeline(e.ResolvedPipeline),
+		Config:             e.Config.Redacted(),
+		PipelineID:         e.PipelineID,
+		Only:               append([]string(nil), e.Only...),
+		ReferenceOverrides: append([]pipeline.ReferenceBinding(nil), e.ReferenceOverrides...),
+		ReferenceUnbinds:   append([]pipeline.ReferenceUnbind(nil), e.ReferenceUnbinds...),
+		ResolvedPipeline:   cloneResolvedPipeline(e.ResolvedPipeline),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -32,6 +34,7 @@ func cloneResolvedPipeline(in pipeline.ResolvedPipeline) pipeline.ResolvedPipeli
 	out := in
 	out.Input = cloneModuleBinding(in.Input)
 	out.Chunk = cloneModuleBinding(in.Chunk)
+	out.ChunkReferences = pipeline.CloneReferenceTarget(in.ChunkReferences)
 	out.Output = cloneModuleBinding(in.Output)
 	if len(in.ArtifactLanes) > 0 {
 		out.ArtifactLanes = make([]pipeline.ResolvedArtifactLane, len(in.ArtifactLanes))
@@ -47,6 +50,8 @@ func cloneResolvedArtifactLane(in pipeline.ResolvedArtifactLane) pipeline.Resolv
 	out.Extract = cloneModuleBinding(in.Extract)
 	out.Merge = cloneModuleBinding(in.Merge)
 	out.Normalize = cloneModuleBinding(in.Normalize)
+	out.ExtractReferences = pipeline.CloneReferenceTarget(in.ExtractReferences)
+	out.NormalizeReferences = pipeline.CloneReferenceTarget(in.NormalizeReferences)
 	if len(in.Validators) > 0 {
 		out.Validators = make([]pipeline.ModuleBinding, len(in.Validators))
 		for i, binding := range in.Validators {

internal/core/config/redaction_test.go

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package config
 import (
 	"testing"
 
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
 )
 
@@ -65,12 +66,47 @@ func TestEffectiveConfigRedactedDiagnosticsPayloadRedactsAndCopies(t *testing.T)
 	cfg.LLMProfiles[pipeline.DefaultLLMProfile] = profile
 	lane := cfg.Pipelines["example"].Artifacts["events"]
 	lane.Extract.Options = map[string]any{"temperature": 0.2}
+	lane.References = map[string]string{"roster": "./roster.yml"}
+	lane.Extract.References = map[string]string{"glossary": "./glossary.md"}
+	lane.Normalize.References = map[string]string{"notes": "./normalize.md"}
 	cfg.Pipelines["example"].Artifacts["events"] = lane
+	pipelineProfile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+	pipelineProfile.Chunk.References = map[string]string{"scene_guide": "./scene.md"}
+	cfg.Pipelines["example"] = pipelineProfile
 
 	effective, err := cfg.Resolve(ResolveInput{
 		PipelineID: "example",
 		Only:       []string{"events"},
-		Catalog:    fakeCatalog(t),
+		Catalog: fakeCatalog(t,
+			pipeline.ModuleSpec{
+				Key:      "generic",
+				Stage:    pipeline.StageChunk,
+				Requires: []string{"source"},
+				Provides: []string{"chunks"},
+				ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+					{Name: "scene_guide"},
+				},
+			},
+			pipeline.ModuleSpec{
+				Key:      "fake/extract",
+				Stage:    pipeline.StageExtract,
+				Requires: []string{"chunks"},
+				Provides: []string{"artifact"},
+				ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+					{Name: "glossary"},
+					{Name: "roster"},
+				},
+			},
+			pipeline.ModuleSpec{
+				Key:      "noop",
+				Stage:    pipeline.StageNormalize,
+				Requires: []string{"merged"},
+				Provides: []string{"normalized"},
+				ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+					{Name: "notes"},
+				},
+			},
+		),
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Resolve: %v", err)
@@ -98,4 +134,52 @@ func TestEffectiveConfigRedactedDiagnosticsPayloadRedactsAndCopies(t *testing.T)
 	if effective.ResolvedPipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].Extract.Options["temperature"] != 0.2 {
 		t.Fatalf("expected resolved pipeline options to be copied")
 	}
+	payload.ResolvedPipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.Bindings[0].Source = "./changed.yml"
+	if referenceBindingSource(effective.ResolvedPipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.Bindings, "roster") != "./roster.yml" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected resolved pipeline references to be copied")
+	}
+	payload.ResolvedPipeline.Chunk.References["scene_guide"] = "./changed-scene.md"
+	if effective.ResolvedPipeline.Chunk.References["scene_guide"] != "./scene.md" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected chunk references to be copied")
+	}
+	payload.ResolvedPipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].Extract.References["glossary"] = "./changed-glossary.md"
+	if effective.ResolvedPipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].Extract.References["glossary"] != "./glossary.md" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected extract references to be copied")
+	}
+	payload.ResolvedPipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].Normalize.References["notes"] = "./changed-normalize.md"
+	if effective.ResolvedPipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].Normalize.References["notes"] != "./normalize.md" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected normalize references to be copied")
+	}
+
+	effective.ResolvedPipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet = contracts.ReferenceSet{
+		Slots: map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+			"roster": {
+				Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster"},
+				Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+					{
+						SlotName: "roster",
+						Content:  []byte("reference content"),
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+	payload, ok = effective.RedactedDiagnosticsPayload().(EffectiveConfig)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("expected EffectiveConfig payload, got %T", effective.RedactedDiagnosticsPayload())
+	}
+	payload.ResolvedPipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet.Slots["roster"].Items[0].Content[0] = 'X'
+	got := effective.ResolvedPipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet.Slots["roster"].Items[0].Content
+	if string(got) != "reference content" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected materialized reference content to be copied, got %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func referenceBindingSource(bindings []pipeline.ReferenceBinding, slotName string) string {
+	for _, binding := range bindings {
+		if binding.SlotName == slotName {
+			return binding.Source
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
 }

internal/core/config/validation.go

@@ -89,13 +89,16 @@ func validatePipelineProfiles(profiles map[string]pipeline.PipelineProfile, llmP
 		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 := validateBindingLLMProfile(id, "", "input", profile.Input, llmProfiles); err != nil {
+		if err := validateBinding(id, "", "input", profile.Input, llmProfiles, false); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		if err := validateBindingLLMProfile(id, "", "chunk", profile.Chunk, llmProfiles); err != nil {
+		if err := validateBinding(id, "", "chunk", profile.Chunk, llmProfiles, true); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		if err := validateBindingLLMProfile(id, "", "output", profile.Output, llmProfiles); err != nil {
+		if err := validateBinding(id, "", "output", profile.Output, llmProfiles, false); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if err := validateReferenceMap(id, "", profile.References); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 		for rawLaneID, lane := range profile.Artifacts {
@@ -103,17 +106,20 @@ func validatePipelineProfiles(profiles map[string]pipeline.PipelineProfile, llmP
 			if laneID == "" {
 				return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q artifact lane id must not be empty", id)
 			}
-			if err := validateBindingLLMProfile(id, laneID, "extract", lane.Extract, llmProfiles); err != nil {
+			if err := validateReferenceMap(id, laneID, lane.References); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
-			if err := validateBindingLLMProfile(id, laneID, "merge", lane.Merge, llmProfiles); err != nil {
+			if err := validateBinding(id, laneID, "extract", lane.Extract, llmProfiles, true); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
-			if err := validateBindingLLMProfile(id, laneID, "normalize", lane.Normalize, llmProfiles); err != nil {
+			if err := validateBinding(id, laneID, "merge", lane.Merge, llmProfiles, false); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if err := validateBinding(id, laneID, "normalize", lane.Normalize, llmProfiles, true); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 			for i, validator := range lane.Validators {
-				if err := validateBindingLLMProfile(id, laneID, fmt.Sprintf("validator[%d]", i), validator, llmProfiles); err != nil {
+				if err := validateBinding(id, laneID, fmt.Sprintf("validator[%d]", i), validator, llmProfiles, false); err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
 			}
@@ -122,6 +128,64 @@ func validatePipelineProfiles(profiles map[string]pipeline.PipelineProfile, llmP
 	return nil
 }
 
+func validateBinding(
+	pipelineID string,
+	laneID string,
+	slot string,
+	binding pipeline.ModuleBinding,
+	profiles map[string]LLMProfile,
+	referencesAllowed bool,
+) error {
+	if err := validateBindingLLMProfile(pipelineID, laneID, slot, binding, profiles); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if len(binding.References) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if !referencesAllowed {
+		if laneID != "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q lane %q %s references are not supported", pipelineID, laneID, slot)
+		}
+		return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q %s references are not supported", pipelineID, slot)
+	}
+	return validateReferenceMapForContext(pipelineID, laneID, slot, binding.References)
+}
+
+func validateReferenceMap(pipelineID string, laneID string, references map[string]string) error {
+	return validateReferenceMapForContext(pipelineID, laneID, "", references)
+}
+
+func validateReferenceMapForContext(pipelineID string, laneID string, slot string, references map[string]string) error {
+	seen := make(map[string]struct{}, len(references))
+	for rawSlotName, rawSource := range references {
+		slotName := strings.TrimSpace(rawSlotName)
+		if slotName == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s reference slot name must not be empty", referenceContext(pipelineID, laneID, slot))
+		}
+		if _, ok := seen[slotName]; ok {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s reference slot %q is duplicated after trimming", referenceContext(pipelineID, laneID, slot), slotName)
+		}
+		seen[slotName] = struct{}{}
+		if strings.TrimSpace(rawSource) == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s reference slot %q source must not be empty", referenceContext(pipelineID, laneID, slot), slotName)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func referenceContext(pipelineID string, laneID string, slot string) string {
+	if laneID != "" && slot != "" {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q lane %q %s", pipelineID, laneID, slot)
+	}
+	if laneID != "" {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q lane %q", pipelineID, laneID)
+	}
+	if slot != "" {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q %s", pipelineID, slot)
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q", pipelineID)
+}
+
 func validateBindingLLMProfile(
 	pipelineID string,
 	laneID string,

internal/core/config/validation_test.go

@@ -116,6 +116,211 @@ func TestValidateRejectsInvalidDiagnosticsRetention(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestValidateRejectsInvalidReferenceMaps(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name   string
+		mutate func(Config) Config
+		want   []string
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "empty chunk slot",
+			mutate: func(cfg Config) Config {
+				profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+				profile.Chunk.References = map[string]string{" ": "./roster.yml"}
+				cfg.Pipelines["example"] = profile
+				return cfg
+			},
+			want: []string{"example", "chunk", "reference slot", "empty"},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "empty chunk source",
+			mutate: func(cfg Config) Config {
+				profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+				profile.Chunk.References = map[string]string{"roster": " "}
+				cfg.Pipelines["example"] = profile
+				return cfg
+			},
+			want: []string{"example", "chunk", "roster", "source", "empty"},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "empty extract slot",
+			mutate: func(cfg Config) Config {
+				profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+				lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+				lane.Extract.References = map[string]string{" ": "./roster.yml"}
+				profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+				cfg.Pipelines["example"] = profile
+				return cfg
+			},
+			want: []string{"example", "events", "extract", "reference slot", "empty"},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "empty extract source",
+			mutate: func(cfg Config) Config {
+				profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+				lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+				lane.Extract.References = map[string]string{"roster": " "}
+				profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+				cfg.Pipelines["example"] = profile
+				return cfg
+			},
+			want: []string{"example", "events", "extract", "roster", "source", "empty"},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "empty normalize slot",
+			mutate: func(cfg Config) Config {
+				profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+				lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+				lane.Normalize.References = map[string]string{" ": "./roster.yml"}
+				profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+				cfg.Pipelines["example"] = profile
+				return cfg
+			},
+			want: []string{"example", "events", "normalize", "reference slot", "empty"},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "empty normalize source",
+			mutate: func(cfg Config) Config {
+				profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+				lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+				lane.Normalize.References = map[string]string{"roster": " "}
+				profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+				cfg.Pipelines["example"] = profile
+				return cfg
+			},
+			want: []string{"example", "events", "normalize", "roster", "source", "empty"},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "empty pipeline slot",
+			mutate: func(cfg Config) Config {
+				profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+				profile.References = map[string]string{" ": "./roster.yml"}
+				cfg.Pipelines["example"] = profile
+				return cfg
+			},
+			want: []string{"example", "reference slot", "empty"},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "empty pipeline source",
+			mutate: func(cfg Config) Config {
+				profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+				profile.References = map[string]string{"roster": " "}
+				cfg.Pipelines["example"] = profile
+				return cfg
+			},
+			want: []string{"example", "roster", "source", "empty"},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "empty lane slot",
+			mutate: func(cfg Config) Config {
+				profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+				lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+				lane.References = map[string]string{" ": "./roster.yml"}
+				profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+				cfg.Pipelines["example"] = profile
+				return cfg
+			},
+			want: []string{"example", "events", "reference slot", "empty"},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "empty lane source",
+			mutate: func(cfg Config) Config {
+				profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+				lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+				lane.References = map[string]string{"roster": " "}
+				profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+				cfg.Pipelines["example"] = profile
+				return cfg
+			},
+			want: []string{"example", "events", "roster", "source", "empty"},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			err := tc.mutate(validConfig()).Validate()
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("Validate() error = nil, want error")
+			}
+			for _, want := range tc.want {
+				if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+					t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %q, want substring %q", err.Error(), want)
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidateRejectsReferencesOnUnsupportedBindings(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name   string
+		mutate func(Config) Config
+		want   []string
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "input",
+			mutate: func(cfg Config) Config {
+				profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+				profile.Input.References = map[string]string{"roster": "./roster.yml"}
+				cfg.Pipelines["example"] = profile
+				return cfg
+			},
+			want: []string{"example", "input", "references", "not supported"},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "merge",
+			mutate: func(cfg Config) Config {
+				profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+				lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+				lane.Merge.References = map[string]string{"roster": "./roster.yml"}
+				profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+				cfg.Pipelines["example"] = profile
+				return cfg
+			},
+			want: []string{"example", "events", "merge", "references", "not supported"},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "validator",
+			mutate: func(cfg Config) Config {
+				profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+				lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+				lane.Validators = []pipeline.ModuleBinding{{
+					Module:     "fake/validator",
+					References: map[string]string{"roster": "./roster.yml"},
+				}}
+				profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+				cfg.Pipelines["example"] = profile
+				return cfg
+			},
+			want: []string{"example", "events", "validator[0]", "references", "not supported"},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "output",
+			mutate: func(cfg Config) Config {
+				profile := cfg.Pipelines["example"]
+				profile.Output.References = map[string]string{"roster": "./roster.yml"}
+				cfg.Pipelines["example"] = profile
+				return cfg
+			},
+			want: []string{"example", "output", "references", "not supported"},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			err := tc.mutate(validConfig()).Validate()
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("Validate() error = nil, want error")
+			}
+			for _, want := range tc.want {
+				if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+					t.Fatalf("Validate() error = %q, want substring %q", err.Error(), want)
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestValidateRejectsEmptyIDs(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name   string

internal/core/diagnostics/artifacts.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ const (
 	ArtifactInvocationMetadata = "invocation.json"
 	ArtifactEffectiveConfig    = "effective-config.json"
 	ArtifactResolvedPipeline   = "resolved-pipeline.json"
+	ArtifactResolvedReferences = "resolved-references.json"
 	ArtifactSourceDocument     = "source-document.json"
 	ArtifactRunManifest        = "run-manifest.json"
 	ArtifactRunReport          = "run-report.json"

internal/core/diagnostics/artifacts_test.go

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ func TestArtifactNamesUseExtractionOrientedNames(t *testing.T) {
 		ArtifactInvocationMetadata,
 		ArtifactEffectiveConfig,
 		ArtifactResolvedPipeline,
+		ArtifactResolvedReferences,
 		ArtifactSourceDocument,
 		ArtifactRunManifest,
 		ArtifactRunReport,

internal/core/diagnostics/run_dir.go

@@ -149,6 +149,10 @@ func (r *RunDirectory) WriteResolvedPipeline(payload any) error {
 	return r.WriteJSONArtifact(ArtifactResolvedPipeline, payload)
 }
 
+func (r *RunDirectory) WriteResolvedReferences(payload any) error {
+	return r.WriteJSONArtifact(ArtifactResolvedReferences, payload)
+}
+
 func (r *RunDirectory) WriteSourceDocument(payload any) error {
 	return r.WriteJSONArtifact(ArtifactSourceDocument, payload)
 }

internal/core/diagnostics/run_dir_test.go

@@ -191,6 +191,9 @@ func TestWriteTypedArtifacts(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := runDir.WriteResolvedPipeline(map[string]any{"pipeline": "test"}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("WriteResolvedPipeline: %v", err)
 	}
+	if err := runDir.WriteResolvedReferences([]artifacts.ReferenceProvenance{{LaneID: "events", SlotName: "roster"}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("WriteResolvedReferences: %v", err)
+	}
 	if err := runDir.WriteSourceDocument(map[string]any{"source_id": "source-1"}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("WriteSourceDocument: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -207,6 +210,7 @@ func TestWriteTypedArtifacts(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, name := range []string{
 		ArtifactEffectiveConfig,
 		ArtifactResolvedPipeline,
+		ArtifactResolvedReferences,
 		ArtifactSourceDocument,
 		ArtifactRunManifest,
 		ArtifactRunReport,

internal/framework/contracts/composition_test.go

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ var _ contracts.Extractor = compositionExtractor{}
 var _ contracts.Merger = compositionMerger{}
 var _ contracts.Normalizer = compositionNormalizer{}
 var _ contracts.Validator = compositionValidator{}
+var _ contracts.StructuredLLMClient = compositionLLMClient{}
 var _ contracts.OutputEncoder = compositionOutputEncoder{}
 
 func TestContractsComposeAcrossPackages(t *testing.T) {
@@ -38,8 +39,9 @@ func TestContractsComposeAcrossPackages(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	chunking, err := chunker.Chunk(ctx, contracts.ChunkRequest{
-		Source:   doc,
-		Metadata: map[string]any{"max_units": 2},
+		Source:    doc,
+		LLMClient: compositionLLMClient{},
+		Metadata:  map[string]any{"max_units": 2},
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Chunk() error = %v, want nil", err)
@@ -160,10 +162,17 @@ func (chunker compositionChunker) Key() string {
 	return "generic-chunker"
 }
 
+func (chunker compositionChunker) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (chunker compositionChunker) Chunk(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ChunkRequest) (contracts.ChunkResult, error) {
 	if req.Source == nil {
 		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, errors.New("source document is required")
 	}
+	if req.LLMClient == nil {
+		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, errors.New("structured llm client is required")
+	}
 
 	return contracts.ChunkResult{
 		Chunks: []contracts.SourceChunk{
@@ -178,6 +187,12 @@ func (chunker compositionChunker) Chunk(ctx context.Context, req contracts.Chunk
 	}, nil
 }
 
+type compositionLLMClient struct{}
+
+func (client compositionLLMClient) CompleteStructured(ctx context.Context, req contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest, out any) (contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse, error) {
+	return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{}, nil
+}
+
 type compositionExtractor struct{}
 
 func (extractor compositionExtractor) Key() string {
@@ -192,6 +207,10 @@ func (extractor compositionExtractor) SchemaVersion() string {
 	return "v1"
 }
 
+func (extractor compositionExtractor) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (extractor compositionExtractor) Validators() []contracts.Validator {
 	return []contracts.Validator{compositionValidator{}}
 }
@@ -249,6 +268,10 @@ func (normalizer compositionNormalizer) Key() string {
 	return "generic-normalizer"
 }
 
+func (normalizer compositionNormalizer) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (normalizer compositionNormalizer) Normalize(ctx context.Context, req contracts.NormalizeRequest) (contracts.NormalizeResult, error) {
 	return contracts.NormalizeResult{Candidates: req.Candidates}, nil
 }

internal/framework/contracts/contracts.go

@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@ type SourceChunk struct {
 
 type ChunkRequest struct {
 	Source     *source.SourceDocument `json:"-"`
+	References ReferenceSet           `json:"references,omitempty"`
+	LLMClient  StructuredLLMClient    `json:"-"`
 	LLMProfile string                 `json:"llm_profile,omitempty"`
 	Options    map[string]any         `json:"options,omitempty"`
 	Metadata   map[string]any         `json:"metadata,omitempty"`
@@ -70,13 +72,53 @@ type ChunkResult struct {
 
 type Chunker interface {
 	Key() string
+	ReferenceSlots() []ReferenceSlot
 	Chunk(ctx context.Context, req ChunkRequest) (ChunkResult, error)
 }
 
+const (
+	ReferenceBindingSourceConfig = "config"
+	ReferenceBindingSourceCLI    = "cli"
+)
+
+type ReferenceSlot struct {
+	Name               string   `json:"name"`
+	Description        string   `json:"description,omitempty"`
+	Required           bool     `json:"required,omitempty"`
+	AcceptedMediaTypes []string `json:"accepted_media_types,omitempty"`
+	Multiple           bool     `json:"multiple,omitempty"`
+	MaxBytes           int64    `json:"max_bytes,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type ReferenceOrigin struct {
+	Type string `json:"type"`
+	URI  string `json:"uri,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type ReferenceItem struct {
+	SlotName      string          `json:"slot_name"`
+	MediaType     string          `json:"media_type,omitempty"`
+	Content       []byte          `json:"-"`
+	Digest        string          `json:"digest,omitempty"`
+	Origin        ReferenceOrigin `json:"origin"`
+	SizeBytes     int64           `json:"size_bytes,omitempty"`
+	BindingSource string          `json:"binding_source,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type ResolvedReferenceSlot struct {
+	Slot  ReferenceSlot   `json:"slot"`
+	Items []ReferenceItem `json:"items,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type ReferenceSet struct {
+	Slots map[string]ResolvedReferenceSlot `json:"slots,omitempty"`
+}
+
 type ExtractionRequest struct {
 	Source         *source.SourceDocument `json:"-"`
 	Chunk          *SourceChunk           `json:"chunk,omitempty"`
 	AmbientContext map[string]any         `json:"ambient_context,omitempty"`
+	References     ReferenceSet           `json:"references,omitempty"`
 	LLMClient      StructuredLLMClient    `json:"-"`
 	LLMProfile     string                 `json:"llm_profile,omitempty"`
 	Options        map[string]any         `json:"options,omitempty"`
@@ -92,6 +134,7 @@ type Extractor interface {
 	Key() string
 	ArtifactType() string
 	SchemaVersion() string
+	ReferenceSlots() []ReferenceSlot
 	Validators() []Validator
 	Extract(ctx context.Context, req ExtractionRequest) (ExtractionResult, error)
 }
@@ -124,6 +167,8 @@ type NormalizeRequest struct {
 	Source     *source.SourceDocument        `json:"-"`
 	LaneID     string                        `json:"lane_id"`
 	Candidates []artifacts.ArtifactCandidate `json:"candidates"`
+	References ReferenceSet                  `json:"references,omitempty"`
+	LLMClient  StructuredLLMClient           `json:"-"`
 	LLMProfile string                        `json:"llm_profile,omitempty"`
 	Options    map[string]any                `json:"options,omitempty"`
 	Metadata   map[string]any                `json:"metadata,omitempty"`
@@ -136,6 +181,7 @@ type NormalizeResult struct {
 
 type Normalizer interface {
 	Key() string
+	ReferenceSlots() []ReferenceSlot
 	Normalize(ctx context.Context, req NormalizeRequest) (NormalizeResult, error)
 }
 

internal/framework/contracts/contracts_test.go

@@ -117,6 +117,27 @@ func TestFakeChunkerReturnsSourceChunks(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestFakeChunkerReceivesLLMClient(t *testing.T) {
+	doc := &source.SourceDocument{
+		ID:     "source-1",
+		Kind:   "document",
+		Format: "text/plain",
+		Digest: "sha256:abc123",
+		Units: []source.SourceUnit{
+			{ID: "u1", Kind: "section", Text: "Source text."},
+		},
+	}
+	client := fakeLLMClient{}
+	chunker := &recordingChunker{key: "llm-chunker"}
+
+	if _, err := chunker.Chunk(context.Background(), ChunkRequest{Source: doc, LLMClient: client}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Chunk() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if chunker.request.LLMClient == nil {
+		t.Fatal("ChunkRequest.LLMClient = nil, want structured LLM client")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestFakeExtractorReceivesChunkAndAmbientContext(t *testing.T) {
 	extractor := fakeExtractor{
 		key:           "generic-extractor",
@@ -165,6 +186,71 @@ func TestFakeExtractorReceivesChunkAndAmbientContext(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestReferenceSetDataTypes(t *testing.T) {
+	references := ReferenceSet{
+		Slots: map[string]ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+			"roster": {
+				Slot: ReferenceSlot{
+					Name:               "roster",
+					Description:        "Known characters",
+					Required:           true,
+					AcceptedMediaTypes: []string{"text/plain"},
+					Multiple:           true,
+					MaxBytes:           4096,
+				},
+				Items: []ReferenceItem{
+					{
+						SlotName:  "roster",
+						MediaType: "text/plain",
+						Content:   []byte("Aria\nBryn\n"),
+						Digest:    "sha256:reference",
+						Origin: ReferenceOrigin{
+							Type: "file",
+							URI:  "file:///tmp/roster.txt",
+						},
+						SizeBytes:     10,
+						BindingSource: ReferenceBindingSourceConfig,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	item := references.Slots["roster"].Items[0]
+	if item.SlotName != "roster" || item.MediaType != "text/plain" || string(item.Content) != "Aria\nBryn\n" {
+		t.Fatalf("reference item = %#v, want constructed item fields", item)
+	}
+	if item.BindingSource != ReferenceBindingSourceConfig {
+		t.Fatalf("BindingSource = %q, want %q", item.BindingSource, ReferenceBindingSourceConfig)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestReferenceItemJSONOmitsContent(t *testing.T) {
+	item := ReferenceItem{
+		SlotName:  "roster",
+		MediaType: "text/plain",
+		Content:   []byte("reference content"),
+		Digest:    "sha256:reference",
+		Origin:    ReferenceOrigin{Type: "file", URI: "file:///tmp/roster.txt"},
+	}
+
+	encoded, err := json.Marshal(item)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("json.Marshal() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	var got map[string]any
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(encoded, &got); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("json.Unmarshal() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if _, ok := got["content"]; ok {
+		t.Fatalf("encoded reference item leaked content: %s", encoded)
+	}
+	if _, ok := got["Content"]; ok {
+		t.Fatalf("encoded reference item leaked Content: %s", encoded)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestFakeMergeNormalizeAndOutputContracts(t *testing.T) {
 	candidate := artifacts.ArtifactCandidate{
 		Index:         0,
@@ -292,6 +378,10 @@ func (chunker fakeChunker) Key() string {
 	return chunker.key
 }
 
+func (chunker fakeChunker) ReferenceSlots() []ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (chunker fakeChunker) Chunk(ctx context.Context, req ChunkRequest) (ChunkResult, error) {
 	return ChunkResult{
 		Chunks: []SourceChunk{
@@ -305,6 +395,24 @@ func (chunker fakeChunker) Chunk(ctx context.Context, req ChunkRequest) (ChunkRe
 	}, nil
 }
 
+type recordingChunker struct {
+	key     string
+	request ChunkRequest
+}
+
+func (chunker *recordingChunker) Key() string {
+	return chunker.key
+}
+
+func (chunker *recordingChunker) ReferenceSlots() []ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (chunker *recordingChunker) Chunk(ctx context.Context, req ChunkRequest) (ChunkResult, error) {
+	chunker.request = req
+	return fakeChunker{key: chunker.key}.Chunk(ctx, req)
+}
+
 type fakeExtractor struct {
 	key           string
 	artifactType  string
@@ -324,6 +432,10 @@ func (extractor fakeExtractor) SchemaVersion() string {
 	return extractor.schemaVersion
 }
 
+func (extractor fakeExtractor) ReferenceSlots() []ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (extractor fakeExtractor) Validators() []Validator {
 	return extractor.validators
 }
@@ -383,6 +495,10 @@ func (normalizer fakeNormalizer) Key() string {
 	return normalizer.key
 }
 
+func (normalizer fakeNormalizer) ReferenceSlots() []ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (normalizer fakeNormalizer) Normalize(ctx context.Context, req NormalizeRequest) (NormalizeResult, error) {
 	return NormalizeResult{Candidates: req.Candidates}, nil
 }

internal/framework/pipeline/chunk_validation.go

@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+package pipeline
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
+)
+
+func validateAndCanonicalizeChunkResult(doc *source.SourceDocument, chunks []contracts.SourceChunk) ([]contracts.SourceChunk, error) {
+	sourceUnitIndexes := make(map[string]int, len(doc.Units))
+	sourceUnits := make(map[string]source.SourceUnit, len(doc.Units))
+	for index, unit := range doc.Units {
+		sourceUnitIndexes[unit.ID] = index
+		sourceUnits[unit.ID] = unit
+	}
+
+	canonicalChunks := make([]contracts.SourceChunk, 0, len(chunks))
+	seenChunkIDs := make(map[string]struct{}, len(chunks))
+	for chunkIndex, chunk := range chunks {
+		if strings.TrimSpace(chunk.ID) == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("chunk[%d].id must not be empty", chunkIndex)
+		}
+		if _, ok := seenChunkIDs[chunk.ID]; ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("chunk id %q is duplicated", chunk.ID)
+		}
+		seenChunkIDs[chunk.ID] = struct{}{}
+
+		if chunk.SourceID != doc.ID {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("chunk %q source_id %q does not match source document id %q", chunk.ID, chunk.SourceID, doc.ID)
+		}
+		if chunk.Index != chunkIndex {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("chunk %q index %d does not match returned order %d", chunk.ID, chunk.Index, chunkIndex)
+		}
+		if len(chunk.Units) == 0 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("chunk %q units must not be empty", chunk.ID)
+		}
+
+		seenUnitIDs := make(map[string]struct{}, len(chunk.Units))
+		previousSourceIndex := -1
+		canonicalUnits := make([]source.SourceUnit, 0, len(chunk.Units))
+		for unitIndex, unit := range chunk.Units {
+			if strings.TrimSpace(unit.ID) == "" {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("chunk %q unit[%d].id must not be empty", chunk.ID, unitIndex)
+			}
+			if _, ok := seenUnitIDs[unit.ID]; ok {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("chunk %q repeats source unit %q", chunk.ID, unit.ID)
+			}
+			seenUnitIDs[unit.ID] = struct{}{}
+
+			sourceIndex, ok := sourceUnitIndexes[unit.ID]
+			if !ok {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("chunk %q source unit %q was not found in source document %q", chunk.ID, unit.ID, doc.ID)
+			}
+			if sourceIndex <= previousSourceIndex {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("chunk %q source units must appear in source document order", chunk.ID)
+			}
+			previousSourceIndex = sourceIndex
+			canonicalUnits = append(canonicalUnits, cloneSourceUnit(sourceUnits[unit.ID]))
+		}
+
+		canonicalChunks = append(canonicalChunks, contracts.SourceChunk{
+			ID:       chunk.ID,
+			SourceID: chunk.SourceID,
+			Index:    chunk.Index,
+			Units:    canonicalUnits,
+			Metadata: cloneMetadata(chunk.Metadata),
+		})
+	}
+
+	return canonicalChunks, nil
+}
+
+func cloneSourceUnit(unit source.SourceUnit) source.SourceUnit {
+	return source.SourceUnit{
+		ID:       unit.ID,
+		Kind:     unit.Kind,
+		Text:     unit.Text,
+		Metadata: cloneMetadata(unit.Metadata),
+	}
+}

internal/framework/pipeline/chunker_registry_test.go

@@ -330,6 +330,10 @@ func (chunker registryChunker) Key() string {
 	return chunker.key
 }
 
+func (chunker registryChunker) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (chunker registryChunker) Chunk(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ChunkRequest) (contracts.ChunkResult, error) {
 	return contracts.ChunkResult{}, nil
 }
@@ -354,6 +358,10 @@ func (normalizer registryNormalizer) Key() string {
 	return normalizer.key
 }
 
+func (normalizer registryNormalizer) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (normalizer registryNormalizer) Normalize(ctx context.Context, req contracts.NormalizeRequest) (contracts.NormalizeResult, error) {
 	return contracts.NormalizeResult{}, nil
 }

internal/framework/pipeline/default_modules_test.go

@@ -117,6 +117,8 @@ func (defaultExtractor) ArtifactType() string { return "record" }
 
 func (defaultExtractor) SchemaVersion() string { return "v1" }
 
+func (defaultExtractor) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot { return nil }
+
 func (defaultExtractor) Validators() []contracts.Validator { return nil }
 
 func (defaultExtractor) Extract(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ExtractionRequest) (contracts.ExtractionResult, error) {

internal/framework/pipeline/extractor_registry_test.go

@@ -49,6 +49,20 @@ func TestExtractorRegistryRegisterWithSpecStoresMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 		Stage:    StageExtract,
 		Provides: []string{" generic-artifact ", "source-citations", "generic-artifact", ""},
 		Requires: []string{" source-document ", "source-document", ""},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+			{
+				Name:               " glossary ",
+				Description:        " Supporting terms ",
+				AcceptedMediaTypes: []string{" text/plain ", "text/markdown", "text/plain", ""},
+				MaxBytes:           1024,
+			},
+			{
+				Name:        " roster ",
+				Description: " Characters ",
+				Required:    true,
+				Multiple:    true,
+			},
+		},
 	}
 
 	if err := registry.RegisterWithSpec(spec, fakeExtractorConstructor("generic-extractor")); err != nil {
@@ -64,12 +78,28 @@ func TestExtractorRegistryRegisterWithSpecStoresMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 		Stage:    StageExtract,
 		Provides: []string{"generic-artifact", "source-citations"},
 		Requires: []string{"source-document"},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+			{
+				Name:               "glossary",
+				Description:        "Supporting terms",
+				AcceptedMediaTypes: []string{"text/markdown", "text/plain"},
+				MaxBytes:           1024,
+			},
+			{
+				Name:        "roster",
+				Description: "Characters",
+				Required:    true,
+				Multiple:    true,
+			},
+		},
 	}
 	if !reflect.DeepEqual(got, want) {
 		t.Fatalf("Spec() = %#v, want %#v", got, want)
 	}
 
 	got.Provides[0] = "changed"
+	got.ReferenceSlots[0].Name = "changed"
+	got.ReferenceSlots[0].AcceptedMediaTypes[0] = "changed"
 	again, ok := registry.Spec("generic-extractor")
 	if !ok {
 		t.Fatal("Spec() after caller mutation ok = false, want true")
@@ -109,6 +139,50 @@ func TestExtractorRegistryRegisterWithSpecRejectsWrongStage(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestExtractorRegistryRejectsInvalidReferenceSlots(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name  string
+		slots []contracts.ReferenceSlot
+		want  string
+	}{
+		{
+			name:  "empty name",
+			slots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: " "}},
+			want:  "name",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "duplicate name after trim",
+			slots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+				{Name: "roster"},
+				{Name: " roster "},
+			},
+			want: "duplicated",
+		},
+		{
+			name:  "negative max bytes",
+			slots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster", MaxBytes: -1}},
+			want:  "max_bytes",
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			registry := NewExtractorRegistry()
+			err := registry.RegisterWithSpec(ModuleSpec{
+				Key:            "generic-extractor",
+				Stage:          StageExtract,
+				ReferenceSlots: test.slots,
+			}, fakeExtractorConstructor("generic-extractor"))
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("RegisterWithSpec() error = nil, want error")
+			}
+			if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), test.want) {
+				t.Fatalf("RegisterWithSpec() error = %q, want %q", err.Error(), test.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestExtractorRegistrySpecRejectsUnknownKey(t *testing.T) {
 	registry := NewExtractorRegistry()
 
@@ -301,6 +375,10 @@ func (extractor registryFakeExtractor) SchemaVersion() string {
 	return "v1"
 }
 
+func (extractor registryFakeExtractor) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (extractor registryFakeExtractor) Validators() []contracts.Validator {
 	return nil
 }

internal/framework/pipeline/module.go

@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
 )
 
 type ModuleStage string
@@ -19,10 +21,11 @@ const (
 )
 
 type ModuleSpec struct {
-	Key      string
-	Stage    ModuleStage
-	Provides []string
-	Requires []string
+	Key            string
+	Stage          ModuleStage
+	Provides       []string
+	Requires       []string
+	ReferenceSlots []contracts.ReferenceSlot
 }
 
 func defaultModuleSpec(key string, stage ModuleStage) ModuleSpec {
@@ -34,10 +37,11 @@ func defaultModuleSpec(key string, stage ModuleStage) ModuleSpec {
 
 func normalizeModuleSpec(spec ModuleSpec) ModuleSpec {
 	return ModuleSpec{
-		Key:      strings.TrimSpace(spec.Key),
-		Stage:    spec.Stage,
-		Provides: normalizeCapabilities(spec.Provides),
-		Requires: normalizeCapabilities(spec.Requires),
+		Key:            strings.TrimSpace(spec.Key),
+		Stage:          spec.Stage,
+		Provides:       normalizeCapabilities(spec.Provides),
+		Requires:       normalizeCapabilities(spec.Requires),
+		ReferenceSlots: normalizeReferenceSlots(spec.ReferenceSlots),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -68,10 +72,11 @@ func normalizeCapabilities(values []string) []string {
 
 func cloneModuleSpec(spec ModuleSpec) ModuleSpec {
 	return ModuleSpec{
-		Key:      spec.Key,
-		Stage:    spec.Stage,
-		Provides: append([]string(nil), spec.Provides...),
-		Requires: append([]string(nil), spec.Requires...),
+		Key:            spec.Key,
+		Stage:          spec.Stage,
+		Provides:       append([]string(nil), spec.Provides...),
+		Requires:       append([]string(nil), spec.Requires...),
+		ReferenceSlots: cloneReferenceSlots(spec.ReferenceSlots),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -82,9 +87,19 @@ func validateModuleSpec(kind string, expectedStage ModuleStage, spec ModuleSpec)
 	if spec.Stage != expectedStage {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%s %q must use %q stage, got %q", kind, spec.Key, expectedStage, spec.Stage)
 	}
+	if !referenceSlotStage(spec.Stage) && len(spec.ReferenceSlots) > 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s %q must not declare reference slots", kind, spec.Key)
+	}
+	if err := validateReferenceSlots(spec.ReferenceSlots); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s %q reference slots: %w", kind, spec.Key, err)
+	}
 	return nil
 }
 
+func referenceSlotStage(stage ModuleStage) bool {
+	return stage == StageChunk || stage == StageExtract || stage == StageNormalize
+}
+
 func sortedRegistryKeys[C any](constructors map[string]C) []string {
 	if len(constructors) == 0 {
 		return nil
@@ -97,3 +112,74 @@ func sortedRegistryKeys[C any](constructors map[string]C) []string {
 	sort.Strings(keys)
 	return keys
 }
+
+func normalizeReferenceSlots(slots []contracts.ReferenceSlot) []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	if len(slots) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	normalized := make([]contracts.ReferenceSlot, 0, len(slots))
+	for _, slot := range slots {
+		slot.Name = strings.TrimSpace(slot.Name)
+		slot.Description = strings.TrimSpace(slot.Description)
+		slot.AcceptedMediaTypes = normalizeStringSet(slot.AcceptedMediaTypes)
+		normalized = append(normalized, slot)
+	}
+	sort.SliceStable(normalized, func(i, j int) bool {
+		return normalized[i].Name < normalized[j].Name
+	})
+	return normalized
+}
+
+func normalizeStringSet(values []string) []string {
+	if len(values) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	seen := make(map[string]struct{}, len(values))
+	for _, value := range values {
+		normalized := strings.TrimSpace(value)
+		if normalized == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		seen[normalized] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	if len(seen) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(seen))
+	for value := range seen {
+		out = append(out, value)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return out
+}
+
+func validateReferenceSlots(slots []contracts.ReferenceSlot) error {
+	seen := make(map[string]struct{}, len(slots))
+	for i, slot := range slots {
+		if slot.Name == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("slot[%d].name must not be empty", i)
+		}
+		if _, ok := seen[slot.Name]; ok {
+			return fmt.Errorf("slot name %q is duplicated", slot.Name)
+		}
+		seen[slot.Name] = struct{}{}
+		if slot.MaxBytes < 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("slot %q max_bytes must not be negative", slot.Name)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func cloneReferenceSlots(slots []contracts.ReferenceSlot) []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	if len(slots) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make([]contracts.ReferenceSlot, 0, len(slots))
+	for _, slot := range slots {
+		slot.AcceptedMediaTypes = append([]string(nil), slot.AcceptedMediaTypes...)
+		out = append(out, slot)
+	}
+	return out
+}

internal/framework/pipeline/module_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+package pipeline
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
+)
+
+func TestValidateModuleSpecAllowsReferenceSlotsForEligibleStages(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name  string
+		kind  string
+		stage ModuleStage
+	}{
+		{name: "chunker", kind: "chunker", stage: StageChunk},
+		{name: "extractor", kind: "extractor", stage: StageExtract},
+		{name: "normalizer", kind: "normalizer", stage: StageNormalize},
+	}
+
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			spec := normalizeModuleSpec(ModuleSpec{
+				Key:   "module",
+				Stage: test.stage,
+				ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+					{Name: "roster", Description: "Character roster", MaxBytes: 1024},
+				},
+			})
+			err := validateModuleSpec(test.kind, test.stage, spec)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("validateModuleSpec() error = %v, want nil", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidateModuleSpecRejectsReferenceSlotsForIneligibleStages(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name  string
+		kind  string
+		stage ModuleStage
+	}{
+		{name: "input", kind: "input adapter", stage: StageInput},
+		{name: "merge", kind: "merger", stage: StageMerge},
+		{name: "validate", kind: "validator", stage: StageValidate},
+		{name: "output", kind: "output encoder", stage: StageOutput},
+	}
+
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			spec := normalizeModuleSpec(ModuleSpec{
+				Key:   "module",
+				Stage: test.stage,
+				ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+					{Name: "roster"},
+				},
+			})
+			err := validateModuleSpec(test.kind, test.stage, spec)
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("validateModuleSpec() error = nil, want error")
+			}
+			if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "reference slots") {
+				t.Fatalf("validateModuleSpec() error = %q, want reference slots context", err.Error())
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidateModuleSpecRejectsInvalidReferenceSlotsForEligibleStages(t *testing.T) {
+	invalidSlots := []struct {
+		name  string
+		slots []contracts.ReferenceSlot
+		want  string
+	}{
+		{
+			name:  "empty name",
+			slots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: " "}},
+			want:  "name",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "duplicate name after trim",
+			slots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+				{Name: "roster"},
+				{Name: " roster "},
+			},
+			want: "duplicated",
+		},
+		{
+			name:  "negative max bytes",
+			slots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster", MaxBytes: -1}},
+			want:  "max_bytes",
+		},
+	}
+	eligibleStages := []struct {
+		name  string
+		kind  string
+		stage ModuleStage
+	}{
+		{name: "chunk", kind: "chunker", stage: StageChunk},
+		{name: "extract", kind: "extractor", stage: StageExtract},
+		{name: "normalize", kind: "normalizer", stage: StageNormalize},
+	}
+
+	for _, stage := range eligibleStages {
+		for _, invalid := range invalidSlots {
+			t.Run(stage.name+"/"+invalid.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+				spec := normalizeModuleSpec(ModuleSpec{
+					Key:            "module",
+					Stage:          stage.stage,
+					ReferenceSlots: invalid.slots,
+				})
+				err := validateModuleSpec(stage.kind, stage.stage, spec)
+				if err == nil {
+					t.Fatal("validateModuleSpec() error = nil, want error")
+				}
+				if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), invalid.want) {
+					t.Fatalf("validateModuleSpec() error = %q, want %q", err.Error(), invalid.want)
+				}
+			})
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/framework/pipeline/profile.go

@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
 )
 
 const (
@@ -18,45 +20,75 @@ const (
 )
 
 type ModuleBinding struct {
-	Module     string         `json:"module"`
-	LLMProfile string         `json:"llm_profile,omitempty"`
-	Options    map[string]any `json:"options,omitempty"`
+	Module     string            `json:"module"`
+	LLMProfile string            `json:"llm_profile,omitempty"`
+	Options    map[string]any    `json:"options,omitempty"`
+	References map[string]string `json:"references,omitempty"`
 }
 
 type ArtifactLaneProfile struct {
-	Extract    ModuleBinding   `json:"extract"`
-	Merge      ModuleBinding   `json:"merge,omitempty"`
-	Normalize  ModuleBinding   `json:"normalize,omitempty"`
-	Validators []ModuleBinding `json:"validators,omitempty"`
+	Extract    ModuleBinding     `json:"extract"`
+	Merge      ModuleBinding     `json:"merge,omitempty"`
+	Normalize  ModuleBinding     `json:"normalize,omitempty"`
+	Validators []ModuleBinding   `json:"validators,omitempty"`
+	References map[string]string `json:"references,omitempty"`
 }
 
 type PipelineProfile struct {
-	ID        string                         `json:"id"`
-	Input     ModuleBinding                  `json:"input"`
-	Chunk     ModuleBinding                  `json:"chunk,omitempty"`
-	Artifacts map[string]ArtifactLaneProfile `json:"artifacts"`
-	Output    ModuleBinding                  `json:"output,omitempty"`
+	ID         string                         `json:"id"`
+	Input      ModuleBinding                  `json:"input"`
+	Chunk      ModuleBinding                  `json:"chunk,omitempty"`
+	Artifacts  map[string]ArtifactLaneProfile `json:"artifacts"`
+	Output     ModuleBinding                  `json:"output,omitempty"`
+	References map[string]string              `json:"references,omitempty"`
 }
 
 type ResolveOptions struct {
-	Only []string
+	Only               []string
+	ReferenceOverrides []ReferenceBinding
+	ReferenceUnbinds   []ReferenceUnbind
+}
+
+type ReferenceBinding struct {
+	Stage         ModuleStage `json:"stage,omitempty"`
+	LaneID        string      `json:"lane_id,omitempty"`
+	SlotName      string      `json:"slot_name"`
+	Source        string      `json:"source"`
+	BindingSource string      `json:"binding_source,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type ReferenceUnbind struct {
+	Stage    ModuleStage `json:"stage,omitempty"`
+	LaneID   string      `json:"lane_id,omitempty"`
+	SlotName string      `json:"slot_name"`
+}
+
+type ResolvedReferenceTarget struct {
+	Stage        ModuleStage            `json:"stage"`
+	LaneID       string                 `json:"lane_id,omitempty"`
+	Module       string                 `json:"module"`
+	Bindings     []ReferenceBinding     `json:"bindings,omitempty"`
+	ReferenceSet contracts.ReferenceSet `json:"-"`
 }
 
 type ResolvedArtifactLane struct {
-	ID         string
-	Extract    ModuleBinding
-	Merge      ModuleBinding
-	Normalize  ModuleBinding
-	Validators []ModuleBinding
+	ID                  string
+	Extract             ModuleBinding
+	Merge               ModuleBinding
+	Normalize           ModuleBinding
+	Validators          []ModuleBinding
+	ExtractReferences   ResolvedReferenceTarget `json:"extract_references"`
+	NormalizeReferences ResolvedReferenceTarget `json:"normalize_references"`
 }
 
 type ResolvedPipeline struct {
-	ID            string
-	Digest        string
-	Input         ModuleBinding
-	Chunk         ModuleBinding
-	ArtifactLanes []ResolvedArtifactLane
-	Output        ModuleBinding
+	ID              string
+	Digest          string
+	Input           ModuleBinding
+	Chunk           ModuleBinding
+	ChunkReferences ResolvedReferenceTarget `json:"chunk_references"`
+	ArtifactLanes   []ResolvedArtifactLane
+	Output          ModuleBinding
 }
 
 type ModuleCatalog struct {
@@ -115,18 +147,34 @@ func ResolvePipeline(profile PipelineProfile, options ResolveOptions, catalog Mo
 	if len(selectedLaneIDs) == 0 {
 		return ResolvedPipeline{}, fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q must select at least one artifact lane", pipelineID)
 	}
+	if err := validatePipelineReferenceDefaults(pipelineID, profile.References, chunkSpec, lanesByID, catalog); err != nil {
+		return ResolvedPipeline{}, err
+	}
 
+	chunkReferences, err := resolveReferenceTargetBindings(referenceResolutionTarget{
+		PipelineID:         pipelineID,
+		Stage:              StageChunk,
+		Module:             chunk.Module,
+		Slots:              chunkSpec.ReferenceSlots,
+		PipelineReferences: profile.References,
+		LocalReferences:    chunk.References,
+		Options:            options,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return ResolvedPipeline{}, err
+	}
 	resolved := ResolvedPipeline{
-		ID:     pipelineID,
-		Input:  input,
-		Chunk:  chunk,
-		Output: resolveBinding(profile.Output, DefaultOutputModule),
+		ID:              pipelineID,
+		Input:           input,
+		Chunk:           chunk,
+		ChunkReferences: referenceTarget(StageChunk, "", chunk.Module, chunkReferences),
+		Output:          resolveBinding(profile.Output, DefaultOutputModule),
 	}
 	outputCapabilities := capabilities.clone()
 
 	for _, laneID := range selectedLaneIDs {
 		laneProfile := lanesByID[laneID]
-		lane, laneCapabilities, err := resolveArtifactLane(pipelineID, laneID, laneProfile, capabilities, catalog)
+		lane, laneCapabilities, err := resolveArtifactLane(pipelineID, laneID, laneProfile, profile.References, options, capabilities, catalog)
 		if err != nil {
 			return ResolvedPipeline{}, err
 		}
@@ -150,7 +198,15 @@ func ResolvePipeline(profile PipelineProfile, options ResolveOptions, catalog Mo
 	return resolved, nil
 }
 
-func resolveArtifactLane(pipelineID, laneID string, profile ArtifactLaneProfile, inherited capabilitySet, catalog ModuleCatalog) (ResolvedArtifactLane, capabilitySet, error) {
+func resolveArtifactLane(
+	pipelineID string,
+	laneID string,
+	profile ArtifactLaneProfile,
+	pipelineReferences map[string]string,
+	options ResolveOptions,
+	inherited capabilitySet,
+	catalog ModuleCatalog,
+) (ResolvedArtifactLane, capabilitySet, error) {
 	lane := ResolvedArtifactLane{
 		ID:         laneID,
 		Extract:    resolveBinding(profile.Extract, ""),
@@ -171,6 +227,21 @@ func resolveArtifactLane(pipelineID, laneID string, profile ArtifactLaneProfile,
 	if missing, ok := capabilities.missing(extractSpec.Requires); ok {
 		return ResolvedArtifactLane{}, nil, capabilityError(pipelineID, laneID, StageExtract, lane.Extract.Module, missing)
 	}
+	extractReferences := mergeReferenceMaps(profile.References, lane.Extract.References)
+	references, err := resolveReferenceTargetBindings(referenceResolutionTarget{
+		PipelineID:         pipelineID,
+		LaneID:             laneID,
+		Stage:              StageExtract,
+		Module:             lane.Extract.Module,
+		Slots:              extractSpec.ReferenceSlots,
+		PipelineReferences: pipelineReferences,
+		LocalReferences:    extractReferences,
+		Options:            options,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return ResolvedArtifactLane{}, nil, err
+	}
+	lane.ExtractReferences = referenceTarget(StageExtract, laneID, lane.Extract.Module, references)
 	capabilities.add(extractSpec.Provides...)
 
 	mergeSpec, err := mergerSpec(catalog, lane.Merge.Module)
@@ -189,6 +260,20 @@ func resolveArtifactLane(pipelineID, laneID string, profile ArtifactLaneProfile,
 	if missing, ok := capabilities.missing(normalizeSpec.Requires); ok {
 		return ResolvedArtifactLane{}, nil, capabilityError(pipelineID, laneID, StageNormalize, lane.Normalize.Module, missing)
 	}
+	normalizeReferences, err := resolveReferenceTargetBindings(referenceResolutionTarget{
+		PipelineID:         pipelineID,
+		LaneID:             laneID,
+		Stage:              StageNormalize,
+		Module:             lane.Normalize.Module,
+		Slots:              normalizeSpec.ReferenceSlots,
+		PipelineReferences: pipelineReferences,
+		LocalReferences:    lane.Normalize.References,
+		Options:            options,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return ResolvedArtifactLane{}, nil, err
+	}
+	lane.NormalizeReferences = referenceTarget(StageNormalize, laneID, lane.Normalize.Module, normalizeReferences)
 	capabilities.add(normalizeSpec.Provides...)
 
 	for _, validator := range lane.Validators {
@@ -205,6 +290,307 @@ func resolveArtifactLane(pipelineID, laneID string, profile ArtifactLaneProfile,
 	return lane, capabilities, nil
 }
 
+func referenceTarget(stage ModuleStage, laneID string, module string, bindings []ReferenceBinding) ResolvedReferenceTarget {
+	return ResolvedReferenceTarget{
+		Stage:    stage,
+		LaneID:   strings.TrimSpace(laneID),
+		Module:   strings.TrimSpace(module),
+		Bindings: append([]ReferenceBinding(nil), bindings...),
+	}
+}
+
+func mergeReferenceMaps(base map[string]string, override map[string]string) map[string]string {
+	if len(base) == 0 && len(override) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]string, len(base)+len(override))
+	for key, value := range base {
+		out[key] = value
+	}
+	for key, value := range override {
+		out[key] = value
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func validatePipelineReferenceDefaults(
+	pipelineID string,
+	pipelineReferences map[string]string,
+	chunkSpec ModuleSpec,
+	lanesByID map[string]ArtifactLaneProfile,
+	catalog ModuleCatalog,
+) error {
+	normalizedPipelineReferences, err := normalizedReferenceMap(pipelineReferences, fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q reference slot", pipelineID))
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if len(normalizedPipelineReferences) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	declaredByAnyTarget := make(map[string]struct{}, len(normalizedPipelineReferences))
+	for _, slot := range chunkSpec.ReferenceSlots {
+		declaredByAnyTarget[slot.Name] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	for _, laneID := range sortedArtifactLaneProfileKeys(lanesByID) {
+		laneProfile := lanesByID[laneID]
+		extract := resolveBinding(laneProfile.Extract, "")
+		if extract.Module == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q lane %q extract module must not be empty", pipelineID, laneID)
+		}
+		extractSpec, err := extractorSpec(catalog, extract.Module)
+		if err != nil {
+			return moduleLookupError(pipelineID, laneID, StageExtract, extract.Module, err)
+		}
+		for _, slot := range extractSpec.ReferenceSlots {
+			declaredByAnyTarget[slot.Name] = struct{}{}
+		}
+
+		normalize := resolveBinding(laneProfile.Normalize, DefaultNormalizeModule)
+		normalizeSpec, err := normalizerSpec(catalog, normalize.Module)
+		if err != nil {
+			return moduleLookupError(pipelineID, laneID, StageNormalize, normalize.Module, err)
+		}
+		for _, slot := range normalizeSpec.ReferenceSlots {
+			declaredByAnyTarget[slot.Name] = struct{}{}
+		}
+	}
+
+	for _, slotName := range sortedStringMapKeys(normalizedPipelineReferences) {
+		if _, ok := declaredByAnyTarget[slotName]; !ok {
+			return fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q reference slot %q is not declared by any eligible reference target", pipelineID, slotName)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+type referenceResolutionTarget struct {
+	PipelineID         string
+	LaneID             string
+	Stage              ModuleStage
+	Module             string
+	Slots              []contracts.ReferenceSlot
+	PipelineReferences map[string]string
+	LocalReferences    map[string]string
+	Options            ResolveOptions
+}
+
+func resolveReferenceTargetBindings(target referenceResolutionTarget) ([]ReferenceBinding, error) {
+	slotByName := make(map[string]contracts.ReferenceSlot, len(target.Slots))
+	for _, slot := range target.Slots {
+		slotByName[slot.Name] = slot
+	}
+
+	bindings := make(map[string]ReferenceBinding)
+	addBinding := func(slotName, source, bindingSource string) error {
+		slotName = strings.TrimSpace(slotName)
+		source = strings.TrimSpace(source)
+		if slotName == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s reference slot name must not be empty", referenceTargetErrorContext(target))
+		}
+		if source == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s reference slot %q source must not be empty", referenceTargetErrorContext(target), slotName)
+		}
+		if _, ok := slotByName[slotName]; !ok {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s reference slot %q is not declared by %s module %q", referenceTargetErrorContext(target), slotName, target.Stage, target.Module)
+		}
+		bindings[slotName] = ReferenceBinding{
+			LaneID:        target.LaneID,
+			SlotName:      slotName,
+			Source:        source,
+			BindingSource: bindingSource,
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	normalizedPipelineReferences, err := normalizedReferenceMap(target.PipelineReferences, fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q reference slot", target.PipelineID))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	for _, slotName := range sortedStringMapKeys(normalizedPipelineReferences) {
+		if _, ok := slotByName[slotName]; !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		if err := addBinding(slotName, normalizedPipelineReferences[slotName], contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+
+	normalizedLocalReferences, err := normalizedReferenceMap(target.LocalReferences, referenceTargetSlotLabel(target))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	for _, slotName := range sortedStringMapKeys(normalizedLocalReferences) {
+		if err := addBinding(slotName, normalizedLocalReferences[slotName], contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+
+	for _, override := range target.Options.ReferenceOverrides {
+		match, err := referenceOverrideMatchesTarget(target, override)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if !match {
+			continue
+		}
+		source := override.BindingSource
+		if strings.TrimSpace(source) == "" {
+			source = contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceCLI
+		}
+		if err := addBinding(override.SlotName, override.Source, strings.TrimSpace(source)); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+
+	for _, unbind := range target.Options.ReferenceUnbinds {
+		match, err := referenceUnbindMatchesTarget(target, unbind)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if !match {
+			continue
+		}
+		slotName := strings.TrimSpace(unbind.SlotName)
+		if slotName == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s reference unbind slot name must not be empty", referenceTargetErrorContext(target))
+		}
+		if _, ok := slotByName[slotName]; !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s reference slot %q is not declared", referenceTargetErrorContext(target), slotName)
+		}
+		delete(bindings, slotName)
+	}
+
+	for _, slot := range target.Slots {
+		if slot.Required {
+			if _, ok := bindings[slot.Name]; !ok {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s required reference slot %q is not bound", referenceTargetErrorContext(target), slot.Name)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return sortedReferenceBindings(bindings), nil
+}
+
+func referenceOverrideMatchesTarget(target referenceResolutionTarget, override ReferenceBinding) (bool, error) {
+	stage, laneID, err := normalizeReferenceOptionTarget(target.PipelineID, "override", override.Stage, override.LaneID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	return stage == target.Stage && laneID == target.LaneID, nil
+}
+
+func referenceUnbindMatchesTarget(target referenceResolutionTarget, unbind ReferenceUnbind) (bool, error) {
+	stage, laneID, err := normalizeReferenceOptionTarget(target.PipelineID, "unbind", unbind.Stage, unbind.LaneID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	return stage == target.Stage && laneID == target.LaneID, nil
+}
+
+func normalizeReferenceOptionTarget(pipelineID string, operation string, stage ModuleStage, laneID string) (ModuleStage, string, error) {
+	stage = ModuleStage(strings.TrimSpace(string(stage)))
+	if stage == "" {
+		stage = StageExtract
+	}
+	laneID = strings.TrimSpace(laneID)
+
+	switch stage {
+	case StageChunk:
+		if laneID != "" {
+			return "", "", fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q reference %s for chunk must not include a lane id", pipelineID, operation)
+		}
+	case StageExtract, StageNormalize:
+		if laneID == "" {
+			return "", "", fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q reference %s lane id must not be empty", pipelineID, operation)
+		}
+	default:
+		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("pipeline %q reference %s stage %q is not supported", pipelineID, operation, stage)
+	}
+	return stage, laneID, nil
+}
+
+func sortedReferenceBindings(bindings map[string]ReferenceBinding) []ReferenceBinding {
+	keys := sortedReferenceBindingKeys(bindings)
+	resolved := make([]ReferenceBinding, 0, len(keys))
+	for _, slotName := range keys {
+		resolved = append(resolved, bindings[slotName])
+	}
+	return resolved
+}
+
+func referenceTargetErrorContext(target referenceResolutionTarget) string {
+	if target.LaneID != "" {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q lane %q %s module %q", target.PipelineID, target.LaneID, target.Stage, target.Module)
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q %s module %q", target.PipelineID, target.Stage, target.Module)
+}
+
+func referenceTargetSlotLabel(target referenceResolutionTarget) string {
+	if target.LaneID != "" {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q lane %q %s reference slot", target.PipelineID, target.LaneID, target.Stage)
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q %s reference slot", target.PipelineID, target.Stage)
+}
+
+func normalizedReferenceMap(values map[string]string, keyName string) (map[string]string, error) {
+	if len(values) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]string, len(values))
+	for rawSlotName, rawSource := range values {
+		slotName := strings.TrimSpace(rawSlotName)
+		if slotName == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s must not be empty", keyName)
+		}
+		if _, ok := out[slotName]; ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s %q is duplicated after trimming", keyName, slotName)
+		}
+		source := strings.TrimSpace(rawSource)
+		if source == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s %q source must not be empty", keyName, slotName)
+		}
+		out[slotName] = source
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func sortedArtifactLaneProfileKeys(values map[string]ArtifactLaneProfile) []string {
+	if len(values) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(values))
+	for key := range values {
+		keys = append(keys, key)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	return keys
+}
+
+func sortedStringMapKeys(values map[string]string) []string {
+	if len(values) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(values))
+	for key := range values {
+		keys = append(keys, key)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	return keys
+}
+
+func sortedReferenceBindingKeys(values map[string]ReferenceBinding) []string {
+	if len(values) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(values))
+	for key := range values {
+		keys = append(keys, key)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	return keys
+}
+
 func resolveBinding(binding ModuleBinding, defaultModule string) ModuleBinding {
 	module := strings.TrimSpace(binding.Module)
 	if module == "" {
@@ -218,6 +604,7 @@ func resolveBinding(binding ModuleBinding, defaultModule string) ModuleBinding {
 		Module:     module,
 		LLMProfile: llmProfile,
 		Options:    cloneOptions(binding.Options),
+		References: normalizeReferenceMap(binding.References),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -246,6 +633,25 @@ func cloneOptions(options map[string]any) map[string]any {
 	return copied
 }
 
+func normalizeReferenceMap(values map[string]string) map[string]string {
+	if len(values) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]string, len(values))
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(values))
+	rawByNormalized := make(map[string]string, len(values))
+	for rawKey := range values {
+		key := strings.TrimSpace(rawKey)
+		rawByNormalized[key] = rawKey
+		keys = append(keys, key)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		out[key] = strings.TrimSpace(values[rawByNormalized[key]])
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 func selectedArtifactLanes(pipelineID string, artifacts map[string]ArtifactLaneProfile, options ResolveOptions) (map[string]ArtifactLaneProfile, []string, error) {
 	lanesByID := make(map[string]ArtifactLaneProfile, len(artifacts))
 	for rawLaneID, lane := range artifacts {
@@ -290,17 +696,19 @@ func selectedArtifactLanes(pipelineID string, artifacts map[string]ArtifactLaneP
 
 func resolvedPipelineDigest(resolved ResolvedPipeline) (string, error) {
 	withoutDigest := struct {
-		ID            string
-		Input         ModuleBinding
-		Chunk         ModuleBinding
-		ArtifactLanes []ResolvedArtifactLane
-		Output        ModuleBinding
+		ID              string
+		Input           ModuleBinding
+		Chunk           ModuleBinding
+		ChunkReferences ResolvedReferenceTarget
+		ArtifactLanes   []ResolvedArtifactLane
+		Output          ModuleBinding
 	}{
-		ID:            resolved.ID,
-		Input:         resolved.Input,
-		Chunk:         resolved.Chunk,
-		ArtifactLanes: resolved.ArtifactLanes,
-		Output:        resolved.Output,
+		ID:              resolved.ID,
+		Input:           resolved.Input,
+		Chunk:           resolved.Chunk,
+		ChunkReferences: resolved.ChunkReferences,
+		ArtifactLanes:   resolved.ArtifactLanes,
+		Output:          resolved.Output,
 	}
 	encoded, err := json.Marshal(withoutDigest)
 	if err != nil {

internal/framework/pipeline/profile_test.go

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package pipeline
 import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
 	"reflect"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
@@ -125,6 +126,409 @@ func TestResolvePipelineSelectsOnlyRequestedLanes(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestResolvePipelineAppliesReferenceBindings(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := multiLaneProfile()
+	profile.References = map[string]string{
+		" roster ": " ./shared-roster.yml ",
+	}
+	lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+	lane.References = map[string]string{
+		"roster": "./lane-roster.yml",
+		" lore ": " ./lore.md ",
+	}
+	profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+
+	catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverride(t, ModuleSpec{
+		Key:      "event-extractor",
+		Stage:    StageExtract,
+		Requires: []string{"chunk"},
+		Provides: []string{"candidate"},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+			{Name: "roster", Required: true},
+			{Name: "lore"},
+		},
+	})
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{Only: []string{"events", "summaries"}}, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	events := resolvedLane(t, resolved.ArtifactLanes, "events")
+	if events.ExtractReferences.Stage != StageExtract || events.ExtractReferences.LaneID != "events" || events.ExtractReferences.Module != "event-extractor" {
+		t.Fatalf("extract reference target = %#v, want event extractor target", events.ExtractReferences)
+	}
+	if events.NormalizeReferences.Stage != StageNormalize || events.NormalizeReferences.LaneID != "events" || events.NormalizeReferences.Module != DefaultNormalizeModule {
+		t.Fatalf("normalize reference target = %#v, want event normalizer target", events.NormalizeReferences)
+	}
+	if resolved.ChunkReferences.Stage != StageChunk || resolved.ChunkReferences.Module != DefaultChunkModule {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk reference target = %#v, want chunk target", resolved.ChunkReferences)
+	}
+	want := []ReferenceBinding{
+		{LaneID: "events", SlotName: "lore", Source: "./lore.md", BindingSource: contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig},
+		{LaneID: "events", SlotName: "roster", Source: "./lane-roster.yml", BindingSource: contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig},
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(events.ExtractReferences.Bindings, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("events references = %#v, want %#v", events.ExtractReferences.Bindings, want)
+	}
+	summaries := resolvedLane(t, resolved.ArtifactLanes, "summaries")
+	if len(summaries.ExtractReferences.Bindings) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("summaries references = %#v, want none", summaries.ExtractReferences.Bindings)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineAppliesPipelineReferenceDefaultToChunkTarget(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := baselineProfile()
+	profile.References = map[string]string{"scene_guide": "./scenes.md"}
+	catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverrides(t, ModuleSpec{
+		Key:            "generic",
+		Stage:          StageChunk,
+		Requires:       []string{"source"},
+		Provides:       []string{"chunk"},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "scene_guide"}},
+	})
+
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	want := []ReferenceBinding{{SlotName: "scene_guide", Source: "./scenes.md", BindingSource: contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig}}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(resolved.ChunkReferences.Bindings, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk references = %#v, want %#v", resolved.ChunkReferences.Bindings, want)
+	}
+	if refs := resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.Bindings; len(refs) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("extract references = %#v, want none", refs)
+	}
+	if refs := resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].NormalizeReferences.Bindings; len(refs) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("normalize references = %#v, want none", refs)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineAppliesPipelineReferenceDefaultToExtractorTarget(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := baselineProfile()
+	profile.References = map[string]string{"roster": "./roster.yml"}
+	catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverrides(t, ModuleSpec{
+		Key:            "event-extractor",
+		Stage:          StageExtract,
+		Requires:       []string{"chunk"},
+		Provides:       []string{"candidate"},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster"}},
+	})
+
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	want := []ReferenceBinding{{LaneID: "events", SlotName: "roster", Source: "./roster.yml", BindingSource: contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig}}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.Bindings, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("extract references = %#v, want %#v", resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.Bindings, want)
+	}
+	if refs := resolved.ChunkReferences.Bindings; len(refs) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk references = %#v, want none", refs)
+	}
+	if refs := resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].NormalizeReferences.Bindings; len(refs) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("normalize references = %#v, want none", refs)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineAppliesPipelineReferenceDefaultToNormalizerTarget(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := baselineProfile()
+	profile.References = map[string]string{"normalization_notes": "./normalize.md"}
+	catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverrides(t, ModuleSpec{
+		Key:            "noop",
+		Stage:          StageNormalize,
+		Requires:       []string{"merged"},
+		Provides:       []string{"normalized"},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "normalization_notes"}},
+	})
+
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	want := []ReferenceBinding{{LaneID: "events", SlotName: "normalization_notes", Source: "./normalize.md", BindingSource: contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig}}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].NormalizeReferences.Bindings, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("normalize references = %#v, want %#v", resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].NormalizeReferences.Bindings, want)
+	}
+	if refs := resolved.ChunkReferences.Bindings; len(refs) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk references = %#v, want none", refs)
+	}
+	if refs := resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.Bindings; len(refs) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("extract references = %#v, want none", refs)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineAppliesOnePipelineReferenceDefaultToMultipleTargets(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := baselineProfile()
+	profile.References = map[string]string{"context": "./context.md"}
+	catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverrides(t,
+		ModuleSpec{Key: "generic", Stage: StageChunk, Requires: []string{"source"}, Provides: []string{"chunk"}, ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "context"}}},
+		ModuleSpec{Key: "event-extractor", Stage: StageExtract, Requires: []string{"chunk"}, Provides: []string{"candidate"}, ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "context"}}},
+		ModuleSpec{Key: "noop", Stage: StageNormalize, Requires: []string{"merged"}, Provides: []string{"normalized"}, ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "context"}}},
+	)
+
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	assertBindingSource(t, resolved.ChunkReferences.Bindings, "context", "./context.md")
+	assertBindingSource(t, resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.Bindings, "context", "./context.md")
+	assertBindingSource(t, resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].NormalizeReferences.Bindings, "context", "./context.md")
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineAllowsPipelineReferenceDeclaredOnlyByUnselectedLane(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := multiLaneProfile()
+	profile.References = map[string]string{"notes_context": "./notes.md"}
+	catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverride(t, ModuleSpec{
+		Key:      "note-extractor",
+		Stage:    StageExtract,
+		Requires: []string{"chunk"},
+		Provides: []string{"candidate"},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+			{Name: "notes_context"},
+		},
+	})
+
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{Only: []string{"events"}}, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if refs := resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.Bindings; len(refs) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("selected lane references = %#v, want none", refs)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineAllowsPipelineReferenceDeclaredOnlyByUnselectedNormalizer(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := multiLaneProfile()
+	profile.References = map[string]string{"notes_context": "./notes.md"}
+	lane := profile.Artifacts["notes"]
+	lane.Normalize = Binding("note-normalizer")
+	profile.Artifacts["notes"] = lane
+	catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverrides(t, ModuleSpec{
+		Key:      "note-normalizer",
+		Stage:    StageNormalize,
+		Requires: []string{"merged"},
+		Provides: []string{"normalized"},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+			{Name: "notes_context"},
+		},
+	})
+
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{Only: []string{"events"}}, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if refs := resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.Bindings; len(refs) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("selected extract references = %#v, want none", refs)
+	}
+	if refs := resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].NormalizeReferences.Bindings; len(refs) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("selected normalize references = %#v, want none", refs)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineRejectsPipelineReferenceNotDeclaredByAnyLane(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := multiLaneProfile()
+	profile.References = map[string]string{"missing": "./missing.md"}
+
+	_, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{Only: []string{"events"}}, newProfileCatalog(t))
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("ResolvePipeline() error = nil, want error")
+	}
+	assertErrorContains(t, err, "multi", "reference slot", "missing", "not declared")
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineRejectsUndeclaredReferenceSlot(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := baselineProfile()
+	lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+	lane.References = map[string]string{"missing": "./missing.yml"}
+	profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+
+	_, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, newProfileCatalog(t))
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("ResolvePipeline() error = nil, want error")
+	}
+	assertErrorContains(t, err, "events", "missing", "not declared")
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineRejectsExtractLocalReferenceDeclaredOnlyByNormalizer(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := baselineProfile()
+	lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+	lane.Extract.References = map[string]string{"normalization_notes": "./normalize.md"}
+	profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+	catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverrides(t, ModuleSpec{
+		Key:            "noop",
+		Stage:          StageNormalize,
+		Requires:       []string{"merged"},
+		Provides:       []string{"normalized"},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "normalization_notes"}},
+	})
+
+	_, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("ResolvePipeline() error = nil, want error")
+	}
+	assertErrorContains(t, err, "baseline", "events", "extract", "event-extractor", "normalization_notes", "not declared")
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineRejectsNormalizeLocalReferenceDeclaredOnlyByExtractor(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := baselineProfile()
+	lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+	lane.Normalize.References = map[string]string{"roster": "./roster.yml"}
+	profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+	catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverrides(t, ModuleSpec{
+		Key:            "event-extractor",
+		Stage:          StageExtract,
+		Requires:       []string{"chunk"},
+		Provides:       []string{"candidate"},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster"}},
+	})
+
+	_, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("ResolvePipeline() error = nil, want error")
+	}
+	assertErrorContains(t, err, "baseline", "events", "normalize", "noop", "roster", "not declared")
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineRequiresBoundChunkReference(t *testing.T) {
+	catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverrides(t, ModuleSpec{
+		Key:            "generic",
+		Stage:          StageChunk,
+		Requires:       []string{"source"},
+		Provides:       []string{"chunk"},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "scene_guide", Required: true}},
+	})
+
+	_, err := ResolvePipeline(baselineProfile(), ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("ResolvePipeline() error = nil, want error")
+	}
+	assertErrorContains(t, err, "baseline", "chunk", "generic", "required", "scene_guide", "not bound")
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineRequiresBoundNormalizeReference(t *testing.T) {
+	catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverrides(t, ModuleSpec{
+		Key:            "noop",
+		Stage:          StageNormalize,
+		Requires:       []string{"merged"},
+		Provides:       []string{"normalized"},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "normalization_notes", Required: true}},
+	})
+
+	_, err := ResolvePipeline(baselineProfile(), ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("ResolvePipeline() error = nil, want error")
+	}
+	assertErrorContains(t, err, "baseline", "events", "normalize", "noop", "required", "normalization_notes", "not bound")
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineLocalReferencesOverridePipelineDefaultsForEligibleTargets(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := baselineProfile()
+	profile.References = map[string]string{
+		"context":             "./shared-context.md",
+		"roster":              "./shared-roster.yml",
+		"normalization_notes": "./shared-normalize.md",
+	}
+	profile.Chunk.References = map[string]string{"context": "./chunk-context.md"}
+	lane := profile.Artifacts["events"]
+	lane.Extract.References = map[string]string{"roster": "./extract-roster.yml"}
+	lane.Normalize.References = map[string]string{"normalization_notes": "./local-normalize.md"}
+	profile.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+	catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverrides(t,
+		ModuleSpec{Key: "generic", Stage: StageChunk, Requires: []string{"source"}, Provides: []string{"chunk"}, ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "context"}}},
+		ModuleSpec{Key: "event-extractor", Stage: StageExtract, Requires: []string{"chunk"}, Provides: []string{"candidate"}, ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster"}}},
+		ModuleSpec{Key: "noop", Stage: StageNormalize, Requires: []string{"merged"}, Provides: []string{"normalized"}, ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "normalization_notes"}}},
+	)
+
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	assertBindingSource(t, resolved.ChunkReferences.Bindings, "context", "./chunk-context.md")
+	assertBindingSource(t, resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.Bindings, "roster", "./extract-roster.yml")
+	assertBindingSource(t, resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].NormalizeReferences.Bindings, "normalization_notes", "./local-normalize.md")
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineRequiresBoundReferenceSlotsForSelectedLanes(t *testing.T) {
+	catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverride(t, ModuleSpec{
+		Key:      "event-extractor",
+		Stage:    StageExtract,
+		Requires: []string{"chunk"},
+		Provides: []string{"candidate"},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+			{Name: "roster", Required: true},
+		},
+	})
+
+	if _, err := ResolvePipeline(multiLaneProfile(), ResolveOptions{Only: []string{"notes"}}, catalog); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline(unselected required slot) error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	_, err := ResolvePipeline(multiLaneProfile(), ResolveOptions{Only: []string{"events"}}, catalog)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("ResolvePipeline(selected required slot) error = nil, want error")
+	}
+	assertErrorContains(t, err, "events", "required", "roster", "not bound")
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineReferenceUnbindCanLeaveRequiredSlotMissing(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := baselineProfile()
+	profile.References = map[string]string{"roster": "./roster.yml"}
+	catalog := newProfileCatalogWithOverride(t, ModuleSpec{
+		Key:      "event-extractor",
+		Stage:    StageExtract,
+		Requires: []string{"chunk"},
+		Provides: []string{"candidate"},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+			{Name: "roster", Required: true},
+		},
+	})
+
+	_, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{
+		ReferenceUnbinds: []ReferenceUnbind{{LaneID: "events", SlotName: "roster"}},
+	}, catalog)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("ResolvePipeline() error = nil, want error")
+	}
+	assertErrorContains(t, err, "events", "required", "roster", "not bound")
+}
+
+func TestResolvePipelineUsesReferenceSlotsFromSpecWithoutConstructingExtractor(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := baselineProfile()
+	profile.References = map[string]string{"roster": "./roster.yml"}
+	catalog := emptyProfileCatalog()
+	for _, spec := range defaultProfileSpecs() {
+		if spec.Key != "event-extractor" {
+			registerProfileSpecs(t, catalog, spec)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := catalog.Extractors.RegisterWithSpec(ModuleSpec{
+		Key:      "event-extractor",
+		Stage:    StageExtract,
+		Requires: []string{"chunk"},
+		Provides: []string{"candidate"},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+			{Name: "roster", Required: true},
+		},
+	}, func() (contracts.Extractor, error) {
+		return nil, errors.New("constructor should not run")
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("RegisterWithSpec() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if got := resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.Bindings[0].Source; got != "./roster.yml" {
+		t.Fatalf("reference source = %q, want ./roster.yml", got)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestResolvePipelineRejectsUnknownOnlyLane(t *testing.T) {
 	_, err := ResolvePipeline(multiLaneProfile(), ResolveOptions{Only: []string{"missing"}}, newProfileCatalog(t))
 	if err == nil {
@@ -463,6 +867,17 @@ func laneIDs(lanes []ResolvedArtifactLane) []string {
 	return ids
 }
 
+func resolvedLane(t *testing.T, lanes []ResolvedArtifactLane, laneID string) ResolvedArtifactLane {
+	t.Helper()
+	for _, lane := range lanes {
+		if lane.ID == laneID {
+			return lane
+		}
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("lane %q not found in %#v", laneID, laneIDs(lanes))
+	return ResolvedArtifactLane{}
+}
+
 func assertErrorContains(t *testing.T, err error, values ...string) {
 	t.Helper()
 
@@ -474,6 +889,21 @@ func assertErrorContains(t *testing.T, err error, values ...string) {
 	}
 }
 
+func assertBindingSource(t *testing.T, bindings []ReferenceBinding, slotName string, source string) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	for _, binding := range bindings {
+		if binding.SlotName != slotName {
+			continue
+		}
+		if binding.Source != source {
+			t.Fatalf("binding %q source = %q, want %q in %#v", slotName, binding.Source, source, bindings)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("binding %q not found in %#v", slotName, bindings)
+}
+
 func newProfileCatalog(t *testing.T) ModuleCatalog {
 	t.Helper()
 
@@ -485,19 +915,29 @@ func newProfileCatalog(t *testing.T) ModuleCatalog {
 func newProfileCatalogWithOverride(t *testing.T, override ModuleSpec) ModuleCatalog {
 	t.Helper()
 
+	return newProfileCatalogWithOverrides(t, override)
+}
+
+func newProfileCatalogWithOverrides(t *testing.T, overrides ...ModuleSpec) ModuleCatalog {
+	t.Helper()
+
 	specs := defaultProfileSpecs()
-	for index, spec := range specs {
-		if spec.Stage == override.Stage && spec.Key == override.Key {
-			specs[index] = override
-			catalog := emptyProfileCatalog()
-			registerProfileSpecs(t, catalog, specs...)
-			return catalog
+	for _, override := range overrides {
+		replaced := false
+		for index, spec := range specs {
+			if spec.Stage == override.Stage && spec.Key == override.Key {
+				specs[index] = override
+				replaced = true
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if !replaced {
+			specs = append(specs, override)
 		}
 	}
 
 	catalog := emptyProfileCatalog()
 	registerProfileSpecs(t, catalog, specs...)
-	registerProfileSpecs(t, catalog, override)
 	return catalog
 }
 

internal/framework/pipeline/references.go

@@ -0,0 +1,323 @@
+package pipeline
+
+import (
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"fmt"
+	"mime"
+	"net/url"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"unicode/utf8"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/artifacts"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
+)
+
+const (
+	referenceOriginFile = "file"
+	referenceMediaType  = "text/plain"
+	unknownMediaType    = "application/octet-stream"
+)
+
+type ReferenceMaterializationOptions struct {
+	ConfigPath string
+	WorkingDir string
+}
+
+func MaterializeReferences(resolved ResolvedPipeline, catalog ModuleCatalog, options ReferenceMaterializationOptions) (ResolvedPipeline, []contracts.Warning, error) {
+	out := resolved
+	out.ChunkReferences = CloneReferenceTarget(resolved.ChunkReferences)
+	chunkReferenceSet, chunkWarnings, err := materializeReferenceTarget(resolved.ID, resolved.ChunkReferences, catalog, options)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ResolvedPipeline{}, nil, err
+	}
+	out.ChunkReferences.ReferenceSet = chunkReferenceSet
+	warnings := append([]contracts.Warning(nil), chunkWarnings...)
+	if len(resolved.ArtifactLanes) == 0 {
+		return out, warnings, nil
+	}
+
+	out.ArtifactLanes = make([]ResolvedArtifactLane, len(resolved.ArtifactLanes))
+	for i, lane := range resolved.ArtifactLanes {
+		materializedLane := lane
+		materializedLane.ExtractReferences = CloneReferenceTarget(lane.ExtractReferences)
+		materializedLane.NormalizeReferences = CloneReferenceTarget(lane.NormalizeReferences)
+		extractReferenceSet, laneWarnings, err := materializeReferenceTarget(resolved.ID, lane.ExtractReferences, catalog, options)
+		if err != nil {
+			return ResolvedPipeline{}, nil, err
+		}
+		materializedLane.ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet = extractReferenceSet
+		warnings = append(warnings, laneWarnings...)
+
+		normalizeReferenceSet, laneWarnings, err := materializeReferenceTarget(resolved.ID, lane.NormalizeReferences, catalog, options)
+		if err != nil {
+			return ResolvedPipeline{}, nil, err
+		}
+		materializedLane.NormalizeReferences.ReferenceSet = normalizeReferenceSet
+		warnings = append(warnings, laneWarnings...)
+		out.ArtifactLanes[i] = materializedLane
+	}
+	return out, warnings, nil
+}
+
+func materializeReferenceTarget(
+	pipelineID string,
+	target ResolvedReferenceTarget,
+	catalog ModuleCatalog,
+	options ReferenceMaterializationOptions,
+) (contracts.ReferenceSet, []contracts.Warning, error) {
+	if len(target.Bindings) == 0 {
+		return contracts.ReferenceSet{}, nil, nil
+	}
+	spec, err := referenceTargetSpec(target, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		return contracts.ReferenceSet{}, nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", referenceTargetContext(pipelineID, target), err)
+	}
+
+	slotByName := make(map[string]contracts.ReferenceSlot, len(spec.ReferenceSlots))
+	for _, slot := range spec.ReferenceSlots {
+		slotByName[slot.Name] = slot
+	}
+
+	set := contracts.ReferenceSet{Slots: make(map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot, len(target.Bindings))}
+	var warnings []contracts.Warning
+	for _, binding := range target.Bindings {
+		slotName := strings.TrimSpace(binding.SlotName)
+		slot, ok := slotByName[slotName]
+		if !ok {
+			return contracts.ReferenceSet{}, nil, fmt.Errorf("%s reference slot %q is not declared by %s module %q", referenceTargetContext(pipelineID, target), slotName, target.Stage, target.Module)
+		}
+
+		path, err := referencePath(binding, options)
+		if err != nil {
+			return contracts.ReferenceSet{}, nil, fmt.Errorf("%s reference slot %q path %q: %w", referenceTargetContext(pipelineID, target), slotName, binding.Source, err)
+		}
+		content, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+		if err != nil {
+			return contracts.ReferenceSet{}, nil, fmt.Errorf("%s reference slot %q read %q: %w", referenceTargetContext(pipelineID, target), slotName, path, err)
+		}
+		if !utf8.Valid(content) {
+			return contracts.ReferenceSet{}, nil, fmt.Errorf("%s reference slot %q path %q must be UTF-8 text", referenceTargetContext(pipelineID, target), slotName, path)
+		}
+		mediaType := referenceMediaTypeForPath(path)
+		if !referenceMediaTypeAccepted(mediaType, slot.AcceptedMediaTypes) {
+			return contracts.ReferenceSet{}, nil, fmt.Errorf("%s reference slot %q path %q media type %q is not accepted", referenceTargetContext(pipelineID, target), slotName, path, mediaType)
+		}
+		if slot.MaxBytes > 0 && int64(len(content)) > slot.MaxBytes {
+			return contracts.ReferenceSet{}, nil, fmt.Errorf("%s reference slot %q path %q is %d bytes, limit %d", referenceTargetContext(pipelineID, target), slotName, path, len(content), slot.MaxBytes)
+		}
+		if len(content) == 0 {
+			warnings = append(warnings, contracts.Warning{
+				Scope:      referenceWarningScope(pipelineID, target, slotName),
+				ReasonCode: "empty_reference",
+				Message:    fmt.Sprintf("reference slot %q for %s is bound to an empty file", slotName, referenceTargetLabel(target)),
+			})
+		}
+
+		item := contracts.ReferenceItem{
+			SlotName:      slotName,
+			MediaType:     mediaType,
+			Content:       append([]byte(nil), content...),
+			Digest:        referenceDigest(content),
+			Origin:        contracts.ReferenceOrigin{Type: referenceOriginFile, URI: fileURI(path)},
+			SizeBytes:     int64(len(content)),
+			BindingSource: strings.TrimSpace(binding.BindingSource),
+		}
+		set.Slots[slotName] = contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+			Slot:  cloneReferenceSlot(slot),
+			Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{item},
+		}
+	}
+	return set, warnings, nil
+}
+
+func referenceTargetSpec(target ResolvedReferenceTarget, catalog ModuleCatalog) (ModuleSpec, error) {
+	switch target.Stage {
+	case StageChunk:
+		return registrySpec(catalog.Chunkers, target.Module)
+	case StageExtract:
+		return registrySpec(catalog.Extractors, target.Module)
+	case StageNormalize:
+		return registrySpec(catalog.Normalizers, target.Module)
+	default:
+		return ModuleSpec{}, fmt.Errorf("reference target stage %q is not supported", target.Stage)
+	}
+}
+
+func referenceTargetContext(pipelineID string, target ResolvedReferenceTarget) string {
+	if target.LaneID != "" {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q lane %q %s module %q", pipelineID, target.LaneID, target.Stage, target.Module)
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("pipeline %q %s module %q", pipelineID, target.Stage, target.Module)
+}
+
+func referenceTargetLabel(target ResolvedReferenceTarget) string {
+	if target.LaneID != "" {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("lane %q %s target", target.LaneID, target.Stage)
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s target", target.Stage)
+}
+
+func referenceWarningScope(pipelineID string, target ResolvedReferenceTarget, slotName string) string {
+	if target.LaneID != "" {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("pipeline.%s.lane.%s.%s.reference.%s", pipelineID, target.LaneID, target.Stage, slotName)
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("pipeline.%s.%s.reference.%s", pipelineID, target.Stage, slotName)
+}
+
+func referenceMediaTypeForPath(path string) string {
+	extension := strings.ToLower(filepath.Ext(path))
+	mediaType := mime.TypeByExtension(extension)
+	if strings.TrimSpace(mediaType) == "" {
+		if extension == ".md" || extension == ".markdown" {
+			return "text/markdown"
+		}
+		return unknownMediaType
+	}
+	return canonicalMediaType(mediaType)
+}
+
+func referenceMediaTypeAccepted(mediaType string, accepted []string) bool {
+	if len(accepted) == 0 {
+		return true
+	}
+	mediaType = canonicalMediaType(mediaType)
+	for _, value := range accepted {
+		if strings.EqualFold(mediaType, canonicalMediaType(value)) {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func canonicalMediaType(mediaType string) string {
+	trimmed := strings.TrimSpace(mediaType)
+	if trimmed == "" {
+		return ""
+	}
+	parsed, _, err := mime.ParseMediaType(trimmed)
+	if err != nil {
+		return strings.ToLower(trimmed)
+	}
+	return strings.ToLower(parsed)
+}
+
+func referencePath(binding ReferenceBinding, options ReferenceMaterializationOptions) (string, error) {
+	source := strings.TrimSpace(binding.Source)
+	if source == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("must not be empty")
+	}
+	if filepath.IsAbs(source) {
+		return filepath.Clean(source), nil
+	}
+
+	base := strings.TrimSpace(options.WorkingDir)
+	if strings.TrimSpace(binding.BindingSource) == contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig {
+		base = filepath.Dir(strings.TrimSpace(options.ConfigPath))
+	}
+	if base == "" {
+		var err error
+		base, err = os.Getwd()
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("resolve working directory: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+	return filepath.Clean(filepath.Join(base, source)), nil
+}
+
+func referenceDigest(content []byte) string {
+	sum := sha256.Sum256(content)
+	return "sha256:" + hex.EncodeToString(sum[:])
+}
+
+func fileURI(path string) string {
+	absolute, err := filepath.Abs(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		absolute = path
+	}
+	absolute = filepath.ToSlash(filepath.Clean(absolute))
+	if strings.HasPrefix(absolute, "/") {
+		return "file://" + (&url.URL{Path: absolute}).EscapedPath()
+	}
+	return "file:///" + (&url.URL{Path: absolute}).EscapedPath()
+}
+
+func cloneReferenceSlot(slot contracts.ReferenceSlot) contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	slot.AcceptedMediaTypes = append([]string(nil), slot.AcceptedMediaTypes...)
+	return slot
+}
+
+func CloneReferenceSet(in contracts.ReferenceSet) contracts.ReferenceSet {
+	if len(in.Slots) == 0 {
+		return contracts.ReferenceSet{}
+	}
+	out := contracts.ReferenceSet{Slots: make(map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot, len(in.Slots))}
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(in.Slots))
+	for key := range in.Slots {
+		keys = append(keys, key)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		slot := in.Slots[key]
+		slot.Slot = cloneReferenceSlot(slot.Slot)
+		if len(slot.Items) > 0 {
+			items := make([]contracts.ReferenceItem, len(slot.Items))
+			for i, item := range slot.Items {
+				item.Content = append([]byte(nil), item.Content...)
+				items[i] = item
+			}
+			slot.Items = items
+		}
+		out.Slots[key] = slot
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func CloneReferenceTarget(in ResolvedReferenceTarget) ResolvedReferenceTarget {
+	out := in
+	out.Bindings = append([]ReferenceBinding(nil), in.Bindings...)
+	out.ReferenceSet = CloneReferenceSet(in.ReferenceSet)
+	return out
+}
+
+func ReferenceProvenance(resolved ResolvedPipeline) []artifacts.ReferenceProvenance {
+	provenance := []artifacts.ReferenceProvenance{}
+	provenance = append(provenance, referenceTargetProvenance(resolved.ChunkReferences)...)
+	for _, lane := range resolved.ArtifactLanes {
+		provenance = append(provenance, referenceTargetProvenance(lane.ExtractReferences)...)
+		provenance = append(provenance, referenceTargetProvenance(lane.NormalizeReferences)...)
+	}
+	return provenance
+}
+
+func referenceTargetProvenance(target ResolvedReferenceTarget) []artifacts.ReferenceProvenance {
+	if len(target.ReferenceSet.Slots) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	provenance := []artifacts.ReferenceProvenance{}
+	slotNames := make([]string, 0, len(target.ReferenceSet.Slots))
+	for slotName := range target.ReferenceSet.Slots {
+		slotNames = append(slotNames, slotName)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(slotNames)
+	for _, slotName := range slotNames {
+		slot := target.ReferenceSet.Slots[slotName]
+		for _, item := range slot.Items {
+			provenance = append(provenance, artifacts.ReferenceProvenance{
+				Stage:         string(target.Stage),
+				LaneID:        target.LaneID,
+				SlotName:      item.SlotName,
+				OriginType:    item.Origin.Type,
+				OriginURI:     item.Origin.URI,
+				Digest:        item.Digest,
+				MediaType:     item.MediaType,
+				SizeBytes:     item.SizeBytes,
+				BindingSource: item.BindingSource,
+			})
+		}
+	}
+	return provenance
+}

internal/framework/pipeline/references_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,477 @@
+package pipeline
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"reflect"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
+)
+
+func TestMaterializeReferencesResolvesPathsAndDigestsContent(t *testing.T) {
+	configDir := t.TempDir()
+	workingDir := t.TempDir()
+	configReference := filepath.Join(configDir, "config-reference.txt")
+	cliReference := filepath.Join(workingDir, "cli-reference.txt")
+	writeReferenceFile(t, configReference, []byte("config text"))
+	writeReferenceFile(t, cliReference, []byte("cli text"))
+
+	pipeline := baselineProfile()
+	pipeline.References = map[string]string{"roster": "config-reference.txt"}
+	lane := pipeline.Artifacts["events"]
+	lane.References = map[string]string{"glossary": "cli-reference.txt"}
+	pipeline.Artifacts["events"] = lane
+	catalog := referenceCatalog(t, []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+		{Name: "roster"},
+		{Name: "glossary"},
+	})
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(pipeline, ResolveOptions{
+		ReferenceOverrides: []ReferenceBinding{
+			{LaneID: "events", SlotName: "glossary", Source: "cli-reference.txt", BindingSource: contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceCLI},
+		},
+	}, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	first, warnings, err := MaterializeReferences(resolved, catalog, ReferenceMaterializationOptions{
+		ConfigPath: filepath.Join(configDir, "config.yml"),
+		WorkingDir: workingDir,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MaterializeReferences() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if len(warnings) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("warnings = %#v, want none", warnings)
+	}
+	second, _, err := MaterializeReferences(resolved, catalog, ReferenceMaterializationOptions{
+		ConfigPath: filepath.Join(configDir, "config.yml"),
+		WorkingDir: workingDir,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MaterializeReferences(second) error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	referenceSet := first.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet
+	roster := referenceSet.Slots["roster"].Items[0]
+	if string(roster.Content) != "config text" {
+		t.Fatalf("roster content = %q, want config text", roster.Content)
+	}
+	if roster.Digest != referenceDigest([]byte("config text")) || roster.Digest != second.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet.Slots["roster"].Items[0].Digest {
+		t.Fatalf("roster digest = %q, want stable digest", roster.Digest)
+	}
+	if roster.BindingSource != contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig {
+		t.Fatalf("roster binding source = %q, want config", roster.BindingSource)
+	}
+	if roster.MediaType != referenceMediaType || roster.Origin.Type != referenceOriginFile || roster.SizeBytes != int64(len("config text")) {
+		t.Fatalf("roster metadata = %#v, want text file metadata", roster)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(roster.Origin.URI, "config-reference.txt") {
+		t.Fatalf("roster origin URI = %q, want config reference path", roster.Origin.URI)
+	}
+
+	glossary := referenceSet.Slots["glossary"].Items[0]
+	if string(glossary.Content) != "cli text" {
+		t.Fatalf("glossary content = %q, want cli text", glossary.Content)
+	}
+	if glossary.BindingSource != contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceCLI {
+		t.Fatalf("glossary binding source = %q, want cli", glossary.BindingSource)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(glossary.Origin.URI, "cli-reference.txt") {
+		t.Fatalf("glossary origin URI = %q, want cli reference path", glossary.Origin.URI)
+	}
+
+	provenance := ReferenceProvenance(first)
+	if len(provenance) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("ReferenceProvenance() = %#v, want two entries", provenance)
+	}
+	if provenance[0].Stage != string(StageExtract) || provenance[0].LaneID != "events" || provenance[0].SlotName != "glossary" || provenance[0].Digest != glossary.Digest {
+		t.Fatalf("ReferenceProvenance()[0] = %#v, want sorted glossary provenance", provenance[0])
+	}
+	if provenance[1].Stage != string(StageExtract) || provenance[1].LaneID != "events" || provenance[1].SlotName != "roster" || provenance[1].Digest != roster.Digest {
+		t.Fatalf("ReferenceProvenance()[1] = %#v, want roster provenance", provenance[1])
+	}
+
+	encoded, err := json.Marshal(first)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("json.Marshal(materialized) error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(string(encoded), "config text") || strings.Contains(string(encoded), "cli text") {
+		t.Fatalf("materialized pipeline JSON contains reference content: %s", encoded)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMaterializeReferencesStoresSetsAndProvenanceForAllTargets(t *testing.T) {
+	configDir := t.TempDir()
+	writeReferenceFile(t, filepath.Join(configDir, "chunk.txt"), []byte("chunk text"))
+	writeReferenceFile(t, filepath.Join(configDir, "extract.txt"), []byte("extract text"))
+	writeReferenceFile(t, filepath.Join(configDir, "normalize.txt"), []byte("normalize text"))
+
+	profile := baselineProfile()
+	profile.References = map[string]string{
+		"scene_guide":         "chunk.txt",
+		"roster":              "extract.txt",
+		"normalization_notes": "normalize.txt",
+	}
+	catalog := referenceCatalogForTargets(t,
+		[]contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "scene_guide"}},
+		[]contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster"}},
+		[]contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "normalization_notes"}},
+	)
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	materialized, warnings, err := MaterializeReferences(resolved, catalog, ReferenceMaterializationOptions{
+		ConfigPath: filepath.Join(configDir, "config.yml"),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MaterializeReferences() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if len(warnings) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("warnings = %#v, want none", warnings)
+	}
+
+	chunkItem := materialized.ChunkReferences.ReferenceSet.Slots["scene_guide"].Items[0]
+	if string(chunkItem.Content) != "chunk text" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk content = %q, want chunk text", chunkItem.Content)
+	}
+	extractItem := materialized.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet.Slots["roster"].Items[0]
+	if string(extractItem.Content) != "extract text" {
+		t.Fatalf("extract content = %q, want extract text", extractItem.Content)
+	}
+	normalizeItem := materialized.ArtifactLanes[0].NormalizeReferences.ReferenceSet.Slots["normalization_notes"].Items[0]
+	if string(normalizeItem.Content) != "normalize text" {
+		t.Fatalf("normalize content = %q, want normalize text", normalizeItem.Content)
+	}
+
+	provenance := ReferenceProvenance(materialized)
+	if len(provenance) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("ReferenceProvenance() = %#v, want three entries", provenance)
+	}
+	if provenance[0].Stage != string(StageChunk) || provenance[0].LaneID != "" || provenance[0].SlotName != "scene_guide" || provenance[0].Digest != chunkItem.Digest {
+		t.Fatalf("ReferenceProvenance()[0] = %#v, want chunk scene guide provenance", provenance[0])
+	}
+	if provenance[1].Stage != string(StageExtract) || provenance[1].LaneID != "events" || provenance[1].SlotName != "roster" || provenance[1].Digest != extractItem.Digest {
+		t.Fatalf("ReferenceProvenance()[1] = %#v, want extract roster provenance", provenance[1])
+	}
+	if provenance[2].Stage != string(StageNormalize) || provenance[2].LaneID != "events" || provenance[2].SlotName != "normalization_notes" || provenance[2].Digest != normalizeItem.Digest {
+		t.Fatalf("ReferenceProvenance()[2] = %#v, want normalize notes provenance", provenance[2])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMaterializeReferencesRejectsNonUTF8Content(t *testing.T) {
+	configDir := t.TempDir()
+	path := filepath.Join(configDir, "bad.txt")
+	writeReferenceFile(t, path, []byte{0xff, 0xfe})
+
+	resolved := resolvedPipelineWithReference(t, "roster", "bad.txt", contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig, contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster"})
+	_, _, err := MaterializeReferences(resolved, referenceCatalog(t, []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster"}}), ReferenceMaterializationOptions{
+		ConfigPath: filepath.Join(configDir, "config.yml"),
+	})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "UTF-8") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "roster") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), path) {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %v, want UTF-8 path error", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMaterializeReferencesRejectsNonUTF8ContentForChunkTarget(t *testing.T) {
+	configDir := t.TempDir()
+	path := filepath.Join(configDir, "bad.txt")
+	writeReferenceFile(t, path, []byte{0xff, 0xfe})
+
+	resolved := resolvedPipelineWithTargetReference(t, StageChunk, "", "scene_guide", "bad.txt", contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig, contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "scene_guide"})
+	_, _, err := MaterializeReferences(resolved, referenceCatalogForTargets(t, []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "scene_guide"}}, nil, nil), ReferenceMaterializationOptions{
+		ConfigPath: filepath.Join(configDir, "config.yml"),
+	})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "chunk") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "UTF-8") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "scene_guide") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), path) {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %v, want chunk UTF-8 path error", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMaterializeReferencesAllowsAnyMediaTypeWhenSlotDoesNotRestrictIt(t *testing.T) {
+	configDir := t.TempDir()
+	path := filepath.Join(configDir, "roster.reference")
+	writeReferenceFile(t, path, []byte("plain text"))
+
+	resolved := resolvedPipelineWithReference(t, "roster", "roster.reference", contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig, contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster"})
+	materialized, _, err := MaterializeReferences(resolved, referenceCatalog(t, []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster"}}), ReferenceMaterializationOptions{
+		ConfigPath: filepath.Join(configDir, "config.yml"),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MaterializeReferences() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	item := materialized.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet.Slots["roster"].Items[0]
+	if item.MediaType != unknownMediaType {
+		t.Fatalf("MediaType = %q, want %q", item.MediaType, unknownMediaType)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMaterializeReferencesAcceptsDeclaredMarkdownMediaType(t *testing.T) {
+	configDir := t.TempDir()
+	path := filepath.Join(configDir, "glossary.md")
+	writeReferenceFile(t, path, []byte("# Terms\n"))
+
+	slot := contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "glossary", AcceptedMediaTypes: []string{"text/markdown"}}
+	resolved := resolvedPipelineWithReference(t, "glossary", "glossary.md", contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig, slot)
+	materialized, _, err := MaterializeReferences(resolved, referenceCatalog(t, []contracts.ReferenceSlot{slot}), ReferenceMaterializationOptions{
+		ConfigPath: filepath.Join(configDir, "config.yml"),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MaterializeReferences() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	item := materialized.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet.Slots["glossary"].Items[0]
+	if item.MediaType != "text/markdown" {
+		t.Fatalf("MediaType = %q, want text/markdown", item.MediaType)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMaterializeReferencesAcceptsDeclaredJSONMediaType(t *testing.T) {
+	configDir := t.TempDir()
+	path := filepath.Join(configDir, "roster.json")
+	writeReferenceFile(t, path, []byte(`{"aria":"cleric"}`))
+
+	slot := contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster", AcceptedMediaTypes: []string{"application/json"}}
+	resolved := resolvedPipelineWithReference(t, "roster", "roster.json", contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig, slot)
+	materialized, _, err := MaterializeReferences(resolved, referenceCatalog(t, []contracts.ReferenceSlot{slot}), ReferenceMaterializationOptions{
+		ConfigPath: filepath.Join(configDir, "config.yml"),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MaterializeReferences() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	item := materialized.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet.Slots["roster"].Items[0]
+	if item.MediaType != "application/json" {
+		t.Fatalf("MediaType = %q, want application/json", item.MediaType)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMaterializeReferencesRejectsUnacceptedMediaType(t *testing.T) {
+	configDir := t.TempDir()
+	path := filepath.Join(configDir, "roster.json")
+	writeReferenceFile(t, path, []byte(`{"aria":"cleric"}`))
+
+	slot := contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster", AcceptedMediaTypes: []string{"text/markdown"}}
+	resolved := resolvedPipelineWithReference(t, "roster", "roster.json", contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig, slot)
+	_, _, err := MaterializeReferences(resolved, referenceCatalog(t, []contracts.ReferenceSlot{slot}), ReferenceMaterializationOptions{
+		ConfigPath: filepath.Join(configDir, "config.yml"),
+	})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "media type") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "application/json") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "roster") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %v, want media type rejection", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMaterializeReferencesMatchesAcceptedMediaTypesIgnoringParameters(t *testing.T) {
+	configDir := t.TempDir()
+	path := filepath.Join(configDir, "roster.txt")
+	writeReferenceFile(t, path, []byte("Aria\n"))
+
+	slot := contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster", AcceptedMediaTypes: []string{"text/plain; charset=utf-8"}}
+	resolved := resolvedPipelineWithReference(t, "roster", "roster.txt", contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig, slot)
+	materialized, _, err := MaterializeReferences(resolved, referenceCatalog(t, []contracts.ReferenceSlot{slot}), ReferenceMaterializationOptions{
+		ConfigPath: filepath.Join(configDir, "config.yml"),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MaterializeReferences() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	item := materialized.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet.Slots["roster"].Items[0]
+	if item.MediaType != referenceMediaType {
+		t.Fatalf("MediaType = %q, want %q", item.MediaType, referenceMediaType)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMaterializeReferencesRejectsUnacceptedMediaTypeForNormalizeTarget(t *testing.T) {
+	configDir := t.TempDir()
+	path := filepath.Join(configDir, "notes.json")
+	writeReferenceFile(t, path, []byte(`{"notes":true}`))
+
+	slot := contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "normalization_notes", AcceptedMediaTypes: []string{"text/markdown"}}
+	resolved := resolvedPipelineWithTargetReference(t, StageNormalize, "events", "normalization_notes", "notes.json", contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig, slot)
+	_, _, err := MaterializeReferences(resolved, referenceCatalogForTargets(t, nil, nil, []contracts.ReferenceSlot{slot}), ReferenceMaterializationOptions{
+		ConfigPath: filepath.Join(configDir, "config.yml"),
+	})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "normalize") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "media type") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "application/json") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "normalization_notes") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %v, want normalize media type rejection", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMaterializeReferencesWarnsForEmptyFiles(t *testing.T) {
+	configDir := t.TempDir()
+	path := filepath.Join(configDir, "empty.txt")
+	writeReferenceFile(t, path, nil)
+
+	resolved := resolvedPipelineWithReference(t, "roster", "empty.txt", contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig, contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster"})
+	materialized, warnings, err := MaterializeReferences(resolved, referenceCatalog(t, []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster"}}), ReferenceMaterializationOptions{
+		ConfigPath: filepath.Join(configDir, "config.yml"),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MaterializeReferences() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if len(warnings) != 1 || warnings[0].ReasonCode != "empty_reference" {
+		t.Fatalf("warnings = %#v, want empty reference warning", warnings)
+	}
+	item := materialized.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet.Slots["roster"].Items[0]
+	if item.SizeBytes != 0 || item.Digest != referenceDigest(nil) {
+		t.Fatalf("empty item = %#v, want zero size and empty digest", item)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMaterializeReferencesWarningScopesIncludeTargetContext(t *testing.T) {
+	configDir := t.TempDir()
+	writeReferenceFile(t, filepath.Join(configDir, "chunk.txt"), nil)
+	writeReferenceFile(t, filepath.Join(configDir, "extract.txt"), nil)
+	writeReferenceFile(t, filepath.Join(configDir, "normalize.txt"), nil)
+
+	profile := baselineProfile()
+	profile.References = map[string]string{
+		"scene_guide":         "chunk.txt",
+		"roster":              "extract.txt",
+		"normalization_notes": "normalize.txt",
+	}
+	catalog := referenceCatalogForTargets(t,
+		[]contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "scene_guide"}},
+		[]contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster"}},
+		[]contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "normalization_notes"}},
+	)
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	_, warnings, err := MaterializeReferences(resolved, catalog, ReferenceMaterializationOptions{
+		ConfigPath: filepath.Join(configDir, "config.yml"),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MaterializeReferences() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	got := warningScopes(warnings)
+	want := []string{
+		"pipeline.baseline.chunk.reference.scene_guide",
+		"pipeline.baseline.lane.events.extract.reference.roster",
+		"pipeline.baseline.lane.events.normalize.reference.normalization_notes",
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(got, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("warning scopes = %#v, want %#v", got, want)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMaterializeReferencesEnforcesMaxBytes(t *testing.T) {
+	configDir := t.TempDir()
+	path := filepath.Join(configDir, "large.txt")
+	writeReferenceFile(t, path, []byte("too large"))
+
+	slot := contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster", MaxBytes: 3}
+	resolved := resolvedPipelineWithReference(t, "roster", "large.txt", contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig, slot)
+	_, _, err := MaterializeReferences(resolved, referenceCatalog(t, []contracts.ReferenceSlot{slot}), ReferenceMaterializationOptions{
+		ConfigPath: filepath.Join(configDir, "config.yml"),
+	})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "9 bytes") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "limit 3") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "roster") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %v, want max bytes error", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func resolvedPipelineWithReference(t *testing.T, slotName, source, bindingSource string, slot contracts.ReferenceSlot) ResolvedPipeline {
+	t.Helper()
+	return resolvedPipelineWithTargetReference(t, StageExtract, "events", slotName, source, bindingSource, slot)
+}
+
+func resolvedPipelineWithTargetReference(t *testing.T, stage ModuleStage, laneID string, slotName, source, bindingSource string, slot contracts.ReferenceSlot) ResolvedPipeline {
+	t.Helper()
+	profile := baselineProfile()
+	switch stage {
+	case StageChunk:
+		profile.Chunk.References = map[string]string{slotName: source}
+	case StageExtract:
+		lane := profile.Artifacts[laneID]
+		lane.References = map[string]string{slotName: source}
+		profile.Artifacts[laneID] = lane
+	case StageNormalize:
+		lane := profile.Artifacts[laneID]
+		lane.Normalize.References = map[string]string{slotName: source}
+		profile.Artifacts[laneID] = lane
+	default:
+		t.Fatalf("unsupported reference target stage %q", stage)
+	}
+	catalog := referenceCatalogForStage(t, stage, []contracts.ReferenceSlot{slot})
+	resolved, err := ResolvePipeline(profile, ResolveOptions{}, catalog)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolvePipeline() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if bindingSource != contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig {
+		switch stage {
+		case StageChunk:
+			resolved.ChunkReferences.Bindings[0].BindingSource = bindingSource
+		case StageExtract:
+			resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.Bindings[0].BindingSource = bindingSource
+		case StageNormalize:
+			resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].NormalizeReferences.Bindings[0].BindingSource = bindingSource
+		}
+	}
+	return resolved
+}
+
+func referenceCatalog(t *testing.T, slots []contracts.ReferenceSlot) ModuleCatalog {
+	t.Helper()
+	return referenceCatalogForStage(t, StageExtract, slots)
+}
+
+func referenceCatalogForStage(t *testing.T, stage ModuleStage, slots []contracts.ReferenceSlot) ModuleCatalog {
+	t.Helper()
+	switch stage {
+	case StageChunk:
+		return referenceCatalogForTargets(t, slots, nil, nil)
+	case StageExtract:
+		return referenceCatalogForTargets(t, nil, slots, nil)
+	case StageNormalize:
+		return referenceCatalogForTargets(t, nil, nil, slots)
+	default:
+		t.Fatalf("unsupported reference target stage %q", stage)
+		return ModuleCatalog{}
+	}
+}
+
+func referenceCatalogForTargets(t *testing.T, chunkSlots, extractSlots, normalizeSlots []contracts.ReferenceSlot) ModuleCatalog {
+	t.Helper()
+	return newProfileCatalogWithOverrides(t,
+		ModuleSpec{
+			Key:            "generic",
+			Stage:          StageChunk,
+			Requires:       []string{"source"},
+			Provides:       []string{"chunk"},
+			ReferenceSlots: chunkSlots,
+		},
+		ModuleSpec{
+			Key:            "event-extractor",
+			Stage:          StageExtract,
+			Requires:       []string{"chunk"},
+			Provides:       []string{"candidate"},
+			ReferenceSlots: extractSlots,
+		},
+		ModuleSpec{
+			Key:            "noop",
+			Stage:          StageNormalize,
+			Requires:       []string{"merged"},
+			Provides:       []string{"normalized"},
+			ReferenceSlots: normalizeSlots,
+		},
+	)
+}
+
+func warningScopes(warnings []contracts.Warning) []string {
+	scopes := make([]string, 0, len(warnings))
+	for _, warning := range warnings {
+		scopes = append(scopes, warning.Scope)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(scopes)
+	return scopes
+}
+
+func writeReferenceFile(t *testing.T, path string, content []byte) {
+	t.Helper()
+	if err := os.WriteFile(path, content, 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write reference %q: %v", path, err)
+	}
+}

internal/framework/pipeline/registry_integration_test.go

@@ -118,6 +118,10 @@ func (chunker integrationChunker) Key() string {
 	return "chunk"
 }
 
+func (chunker integrationChunker) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (chunker integrationChunker) Chunk(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ChunkRequest) (contracts.ChunkResult, error) {
 	return contracts.ChunkResult{
 		Chunks: []contracts.SourceChunk{
@@ -149,6 +153,10 @@ func (extractor integrationExtractor) SchemaVersion() string {
 	return "v1"
 }
 
+func (extractor integrationExtractor) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (extractor integrationExtractor) Validators() []contracts.Validator {
 	return extractor.validators
 }
@@ -182,6 +190,10 @@ func (normalizer integrationNormalizer) Key() string {
 	return "normalize"
 }
 
+func (normalizer integrationNormalizer) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (normalizer integrationNormalizer) Normalize(ctx context.Context, req contracts.NormalizeRequest) (contracts.NormalizeResult, error) {
 	return contracts.NormalizeResult{Candidates: req.Candidates}, nil
 }

internal/framework/pipeline/runner.go

@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ type RunInput struct {
 	StartedAt   time.Time
 	LLMProfiles []artifacts.LLMProfileManifest
 	Metadata    map[string]any
+	Warnings    []contracts.Warning
 }
 
 type RunOutput struct {
@@ -63,12 +64,14 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, input RunInput) (RunOutput, error) {
 		return output, err
 	}
 
+	output.Warnings = append(output.Warnings, cloneWarnings(input.Warnings)...)
 	output.Manifest = manifestFromPipeline(input)
 
 	adapter, err := r.registries.Inputs.Build(input.Pipeline.Input.Module)
 	if err != nil {
 		return failOutput(output), fmt.Errorf("build input adapter %q: %w", input.Pipeline.Input.Module, err)
 	}
+	attachModuleManifestMetadata(&output, "input", adapter)
 	doc, err := adapter.Parse(ctx, contracts.ParseRequest{
 		SourceID:   input.SourceID,
 		Path:       input.Path,
@@ -89,8 +92,11 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, input RunInput) (RunOutput, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return failOutput(output), fmt.Errorf("build chunker %q: %w", input.Pipeline.Chunk.Module, err)
 	}
+	attachModuleManifestMetadata(&output, "chunker", chunker)
 	chunkResult, err := chunker.Chunk(ctx, contracts.ChunkRequest{
 		Source:     doc,
+		References: CloneReferenceSet(input.Pipeline.ChunkReferences.ReferenceSet),
+		LLMClient:  input.LLMClient,
 		LLMProfile: input.Pipeline.Chunk.LLMProfile,
 		Options:    cloneOptions(input.Pipeline.Chunk.Options),
 		Metadata:   input.Metadata,
@@ -102,10 +108,14 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, input RunInput) (RunOutput, error) {
 	if len(chunkResult.Chunks) == 0 {
 		return failOutput(output), fmt.Errorf("chunker %q returned no chunks", chunker.Key())
 	}
+	canonicalChunks, err := validateAndCanonicalizeChunkResult(doc, chunkResult.Chunks)
+	if err != nil {
+		return failOutput(output), fmt.Errorf("validate chunks from chunker %q: %w", chunker.Key(), err)
+	}
 
 	nextCandidateIndex := 0
 	for _, lane := range input.Pipeline.ArtifactLanes {
-		if err := r.runLane(ctx, input, doc, chunkResult.Chunks, lane, &output, &nextCandidateIndex); err != nil {
+		if err := r.runLane(ctx, input, doc, canonicalChunks, lane, &output, &nextCandidateIndex); err != nil {
 			return failOutput(output), err
 		}
 	}
@@ -121,6 +131,7 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, input RunInput) (RunOutput, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return failOutput(output), fmt.Errorf("build output encoder %q: %w", input.Pipeline.Output.Module, err)
 	}
+	attachModuleManifestMetadata(&output, "output", encoder)
 	encoded, err := encoder.Encode(ctx, contracts.OutputRequest{
 		Manifest:   output.Manifest,
 		Approved:   output.Approved,
@@ -176,6 +187,7 @@ func (r *Runner) runLane(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, doc *source.Source
 		result, err := extractor.Extract(ctx, contracts.ExtractionRequest{
 			Source:     doc,
 			Chunk:      &chunk,
+			References: CloneReferenceSet(lane.ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet),
 			LLMClient:  input.LLMClient,
 			LLMProfile: lane.Extract.LLMProfile,
 			Options:    cloneOptions(lane.Extract.Options),
@@ -213,6 +225,8 @@ func (r *Runner) runLane(ctx context.Context, input RunInput, doc *source.Source
 		Source:     doc,
 		LaneID:     lane.ID,
 		Candidates: mergeResult.Candidates,
+		References: CloneReferenceSet(lane.NormalizeReferences.ReferenceSet),
+		LLMClient:  input.LLMClient,
 		LLMProfile: lane.Normalize.LLMProfile,
 		Options:    cloneOptions(lane.Normalize.Options),
 		Metadata:   input.Metadata,
@@ -345,8 +359,12 @@ func manifestFromPipeline(input RunInput) artifacts.RunManifest {
 		ArtifactLanes:  make([]artifacts.ArtifactLaneManifest, 0, len(pipeline.ArtifactLanes)),
 		RunID:          runID,
 		StartedAt:      timePtr(startedAt),
+		References:     ReferenceProvenance(pipeline),
 		LLMProfiles:    cloneLLMProfiles(input.LLMProfiles),
 	}
+	// The runner does not currently maintain a cache or idempotency key. Reference
+	// digests are recorded in manifest provenance and intentionally kept separate
+	// from source_digests.
 
 	for _, lane := range pipeline.ArtifactLanes {
 		laneManifest := artifacts.ArtifactLaneManifest{
@@ -382,14 +400,10 @@ func setLaneManifestMetadata(output *RunOutput, laneID string, modules ...any) {
 
 		metadata := make(map[string]any)
 		for _, module := range modules {
-			provider, ok := module.(contracts.ManifestMetadataProvider)
+			moduleMetadata, ok := moduleManifestMetadata(module)
 			if !ok {
 				continue
 			}
-			moduleMetadata := cloneMetadata(provider.ManifestMetadata())
-			if len(moduleMetadata) == 0 {
-				continue
-			}
 			key := manifestMetadataKey(module)
 			if key == "" {
 				continue
@@ -403,6 +417,20 @@ func setLaneManifestMetadata(output *RunOutput, laneID string, modules ...any) {
 	}
 }
 
+func attachModuleManifestMetadata(output *RunOutput, moduleKey string, module any) {
+	if output == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	moduleMetadata, ok := moduleManifestMetadata(module)
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+	if output.Manifest.ModuleMetadata == nil {
+		output.Manifest.ModuleMetadata = make(map[string]map[string]any)
+	}
+	output.Manifest.ModuleMetadata[moduleKey] = moduleMetadata
+}
+
 func manifestMetadataKey(module any) string {
 	switch module.(type) {
 	case contracts.Extractor:
@@ -416,6 +444,19 @@ func manifestMetadataKey(module any) string {
 	}
 }
 
+func moduleManifestMetadata(module any) (map[string]any, bool) {
+	provider, ok := module.(contracts.ManifestMetadataProvider)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, false
+	}
+
+	moduleMetadata := cloneMetadata(provider.ManifestMetadata())
+	if len(moduleMetadata) == 0 {
+		return nil, false
+	}
+	return moduleMetadata, true
+}
+
 func outputFilesFromResult(result contracts.OutputResult) ([]contracts.OutputFile, error) {
 	out := make([]contracts.OutputFile, 0, len(result.Files))
 	for _, file := range result.Files {
@@ -469,6 +510,13 @@ func cloneLLMProfiles(profiles []artifacts.LLMProfileManifest) []artifacts.LLMPr
 	return append([]artifacts.LLMProfileManifest(nil), profiles...)
 }
 
+func cloneWarnings(warnings []contracts.Warning) []contracts.Warning {
+	if len(warnings) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return append([]contracts.Warning(nil), warnings...)
+}
+
 func timePtr(t time.Time) *time.Time {
 	return &t
 }

internal/framework/pipeline/runner_test.go

@@ -256,6 +256,191 @@ func TestRunRejectsChunkerBuildChunkAndEmptyChunkErrors(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestRunRejectsInvalidChunks(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name   string
+		chunks []contracts.SourceChunk
+		want   string
+	}{
+		{
+			name:   "empty chunk id",
+			chunks: []contracts.SourceChunk{{ID: "", SourceID: "source-1", Index: 0, Units: []source.SourceUnit{unitWithID("u1")}}},
+			want:   "id must not be empty",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "duplicate chunk id",
+			chunks: []contracts.SourceChunk{
+				{ID: "chunk-0", SourceID: "source-1", Index: 0, Units: []source.SourceUnit{unitWithID("u1")}},
+				{ID: "chunk-0", SourceID: "source-1", Index: 1, Units: []source.SourceUnit{unitWithID("u2")}},
+			},
+			want: "duplicated",
+		},
+		{
+			name:   "wrong source id",
+			chunks: []contracts.SourceChunk{{ID: "chunk-0", SourceID: "other-source", Index: 0, Units: []source.SourceUnit{unitWithID("u1")}}},
+			want:   "source_id",
+		},
+		{
+			name:   "wrong index",
+			chunks: []contracts.SourceChunk{{ID: "chunk-0", SourceID: "source-1", Index: 1, Units: []source.SourceUnit{unitWithID("u1")}}},
+			want:   "index",
+		},
+		{
+			name:   "empty units",
+			chunks: []contracts.SourceChunk{{ID: "chunk-0", SourceID: "source-1", Index: 0}},
+			want:   "units must not be empty",
+		},
+		{
+			name:   "repeated unit inside chunk",
+			chunks: []contracts.SourceChunk{{ID: "chunk-0", SourceID: "source-1", Index: 0, Units: []source.SourceUnit{unitWithID("u1"), unitWithID("u1")}}},
+			want:   "repeats source unit",
+		},
+		{
+			name:   "unknown unit",
+			chunks: []contracts.SourceChunk{{ID: "chunk-0", SourceID: "source-1", Index: 0, Units: []source.SourceUnit{unitWithID("u9")}}},
+			want:   "was not found",
+		},
+		{
+			name:   "units out of source order",
+			chunks: []contracts.SourceChunk{{ID: "chunk-0", SourceID: "source-1", Index: 0, Units: []source.SourceUnit{unitWithID("u2"), unitWithID("u1")}}},
+			want:   "source document order",
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			modules := defaultRunnerModules()
+			modules.chunker.chunks = test.chunks
+
+			output, err := New(newRunnerRegistries(t, modules)).Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Pipeline: resolvedPipeline()})
+
+			assertRunError(t, err, test.want)
+			if output.Manifest.ValidationStatus != "failed" {
+				t.Fatalf("ValidationStatus = %q, want failed", output.Manifest.ValidationStatus)
+			}
+			if len(modules.extractors["extract-alpha"].requests) != 0 {
+				t.Fatalf("extractor calls = %d, want none after invalid chunks", len(modules.extractors["extract-alpha"].requests))
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunAllowsPartialCoverageAndOverlappingChunks(t *testing.T) {
+	modules := defaultRunnerModules()
+	modules.chunker.chunks = []contracts.SourceChunk{
+		{ID: "chunk-0", SourceID: "source-1", Index: 0, Units: []source.SourceUnit{unitWithID("u1"), unitWithID("u2")}},
+		{ID: "chunk-1", SourceID: "source-1", Index: 1, Units: []source.SourceUnit{unitWithID("u2")}},
+	}
+
+	output, err := New(newRunnerRegistries(t, modules)).Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Pipeline: resolvedPipeline()})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if len(output.Approved) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("len(Approved) = %d, want one candidate per accepted chunk", len(output.Approved))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunCanonicalizesChunkUnitsBeforeExtraction(t *testing.T) {
+	modules := defaultRunnerModules()
+	modules.input.doc = sourceDocumentWithUnitMetadata()
+	modules.chunker.chunks = []contracts.SourceChunk{
+		{
+			ID:       "chunk-0",
+			SourceID: "source-1",
+			Index:    0,
+			Units: []source.SourceUnit{
+				{
+					ID:   "u1",
+					Kind: "mutated-kind",
+					Text: "mutated text",
+					Metadata: map[string]any{
+						"speaker": "chunker-speaker",
+						"note":    "chunker note",
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	output, err := New(newRunnerRegistries(t, modules)).Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Pipeline: resolvedPipeline()})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(output.Approved) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("len(Approved) = %d, want 1", len(output.Approved))
+	}
+
+	extractor := modules.extractors["extract-alpha"]
+	if len(extractor.requests) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("len(extractor requests) = %d, want 1", len(extractor.requests))
+	}
+	chunk := extractor.requests[0].Chunk
+	if chunk == nil {
+		t.Fatal("extractor chunk = nil, want canonical chunk")
+	}
+	if chunk.Units[0].ID != "u1" || chunk.Units[0].Kind != "source-kind" || chunk.Units[0].Text != "source text" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk unit = %#v, want source document unit values", chunk.Units[0])
+	}
+	if got := chunk.Units[0].Metadata["speaker"]; got != "source-speaker" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk unit metadata = %#v, want source document metadata", chunk.Units[0].Metadata)
+	}
+	if got := chunk.Units[0].Metadata["topic"]; got != "source-topic" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk unit metadata = %#v, want cloned source document metadata", chunk.Units[0].Metadata)
+	}
+
+	modules.input.doc.Units[0].Kind = "changed-kind"
+	modules.input.doc.Units[0].Text = "changed text"
+	modules.input.doc.Units[0].Metadata["speaker"] = "changed-speaker"
+	if chunk.Units[0].Kind != "source-kind" || chunk.Units[0].Text != "source text" || chunk.Units[0].Metadata["speaker"] != "source-speaker" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk unit changed after source mutation: %#v", chunk.Units[0])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunPreservesChunkMetadataDuringCanonicalization(t *testing.T) {
+	modules := defaultRunnerModules()
+	modules.chunker.chunks = []contracts.SourceChunk{
+		{
+			ID:       "chunk-0",
+			SourceID: "source-1",
+			Index:    0,
+			Units: []source.SourceUnit{
+				unitWithID("u1"),
+			},
+			Metadata: map[string]any{
+				"scene_title":   "Original scene",
+				"boundary_note": "Chunker note",
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	_, err := New(newRunnerRegistries(t, modules)).Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Pipeline: resolvedPipeline()})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	extractor := modules.extractors["extract-alpha"]
+	if len(extractor.requests) != 1 || extractor.requests[0].Chunk == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("extractor requests = %#v, want one canonical chunk", extractor.requests)
+	}
+	if got := extractor.requests[0].Chunk.Metadata["scene_title"]; got != "Original scene" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk metadata = %#v, want chunker metadata", extractor.requests[0].Chunk.Metadata)
+	}
+	if got := extractor.requests[0].Chunk.Metadata["boundary_note"]; got != "Chunker note" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk metadata = %#v, want chunker metadata", extractor.requests[0].Chunk.Metadata)
+	}
+
+	modules.chunker.chunks[0].Metadata["scene_title"] = "changed"
+	modules.chunker.chunks[0].Metadata["boundary_note"] = "changed"
+	if got := extractor.requests[0].Chunk.Metadata["scene_title"]; got != "Original scene" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk metadata aliased to chunker map: %#v", extractor.requests[0].Chunk.Metadata)
+	}
+	if got := extractor.requests[0].Chunk.Metadata["boundary_note"]; got != "Chunker note" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk metadata aliased to chunker map: %#v", extractor.requests[0].Chunk.Metadata)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRunExecutesChunksAndPassesChunkAndLLMClient(t *testing.T) {
 	modules := defaultRunnerModules()
 	llmClient := fakeLLMClient{}
@@ -273,9 +458,16 @@ func TestRunExecutesChunksAndPassesChunkAndLLMClient(t *testing.T) {
 	if !reflect.DeepEqual(extractor.seenChunkIDs, []string{"chunk-0", "chunk-1"}) {
 		t.Fatalf("seen chunks = %#v, want both chunks", extractor.seenChunkIDs)
 	}
+	if len(modules.chunker.requests) != 1 || modules.chunker.requests[0].LLMClient == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("chunker LLM client = %#v, want client on chunk request", modules.chunker.requests)
+	}
 	if len(extractor.seenLLMClients) != 2 || extractor.seenLLMClients[0] == nil || extractor.seenLLMClients[1] == nil {
 		t.Fatalf("seen LLM clients = %#v, want client for each chunk", extractor.seenLLMClients)
 	}
+	normalizer := modules.normalizers["normalize"]
+	if len(normalizer.requests) != 1 || normalizer.requests[0].LLMClient == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("normalizer LLM client = %#v, want client on normalize request", normalizer.requests)
+	}
 	if extractor.seenMetadata[0]["request"] != "test" {
 		t.Fatalf("seen metadata = %#v, want request metadata", extractor.seenMetadata)
 	}
@@ -371,6 +563,133 @@ func TestRunPassesModuleBindingConfigToStageRequests(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestRunPassesLaneReferencesToExtractorRequests(t *testing.T) {
+	modules := defaultRunnerModules()
+	pipeline := resolvedPipeline()
+	pipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet = testReferenceSet("roster", "reference text")
+
+	_, err := New(newRunnerRegistries(t, modules)).Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Pipeline: pipeline})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	req := modules.extractors["extract-alpha"].requests[0]
+	item := req.References.Slots["roster"].Items[0]
+	if string(item.Content) != "reference text" {
+		t.Fatalf("reference content = %q, want reference text", item.Content)
+	}
+	item.Content[0] = 'R'
+	if got := string(pipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet.Slots["roster"].Items[0].Content); got != "reference text" {
+		t.Fatalf("runner mutated reference set content = %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunPassesChunkReferencesToChunkerRequest(t *testing.T) {
+	modules := defaultRunnerModules()
+	pipeline := resolvedPipeline()
+	pipeline.ChunkReferences.ReferenceSet = testReferenceSet("scene_guide", "chunk reference text")
+
+	_, err := New(newRunnerRegistries(t, modules)).Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Pipeline: pipeline})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	req := modules.chunker.requests[0]
+	item := req.References.Slots["scene_guide"].Items[0]
+	if string(item.Content) != "chunk reference text" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk reference content = %q, want chunk reference text", item.Content)
+	}
+	item.Content[0] = 'C'
+	if got := string(pipeline.ChunkReferences.ReferenceSet.Slots["scene_guide"].Items[0].Content); got != "chunk reference text" {
+		t.Fatalf("runner mutated chunk reference set content = %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunPassesNormalizeReferencesToNormalizerRequest(t *testing.T) {
+	modules := defaultRunnerModules()
+	pipeline := resolvedPipeline()
+	pipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].NormalizeReferences.ReferenceSet = testReferenceSet("normalization_notes", "normalize reference text")
+
+	_, err := New(newRunnerRegistries(t, modules)).Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Pipeline: pipeline})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	req := modules.normalizers["normalize"].requests[0]
+	item := req.References.Slots["normalization_notes"].Items[0]
+	if string(item.Content) != "normalize reference text" {
+		t.Fatalf("normalize reference content = %q, want normalize reference text", item.Content)
+	}
+	item.Content[0] = 'N'
+	if got := string(pipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].NormalizeReferences.ReferenceSet.Slots["normalization_notes"].Items[0].Content); got != "normalize reference text" {
+		t.Fatalf("runner mutated normalize reference set content = %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunAllowsNilLLMClientWhenModulesDoNotUseIt(t *testing.T) {
+	_, err := New(newRunnerRegistries(t, defaultRunnerModules())).Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Pipeline: resolvedPipeline()})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil with nil LLM client when modules do not use it", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunIncludesInputWarnings(t *testing.T) {
+	modules := defaultRunnerModules()
+	warning := contracts.Warning{Scope: "reference", ReasonCode: "empty_reference", Message: "empty reference"}
+
+	output, err := New(newRunnerRegistries(t, modules)).Run(context.Background(), RunInput{
+		Pipeline: resolvedPipeline(),
+		Warnings: []contracts.Warning{warning},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if len(output.Warnings) != 1 || output.Warnings[0] != warning {
+		t.Fatalf("warnings = %#v, want input warning", output.Warnings)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunRecordsTopLevelModuleMetadataForSingletonModules(t *testing.T) {
+	modules := defaultRunnerModules()
+	modules.input.manifestMetadata = map[string]any{
+		"input_profile": "input-metadata",
+	}
+	modules.chunker.manifestMetadata = map[string]any{
+		"prompt_id":            "dnd.scenes",
+		"prompt_version":       "v1",
+		"prompt_sha256":        "sha256:chunker-prompt",
+		"response_schema_key":  "dnd_scenes",
+		"response_schema_id":   "schema-dnd-scenes",
+		"response_schema_name": "dnd_scenes",
+	}
+	modules.output.manifestMetadata = map[string]any{
+		"output_profile": "output-metadata",
+	}
+
+	output, err := New(newRunnerRegistries(t, modules)).Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Pipeline: resolvedPipeline()})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	if output.Manifest.ModuleMetadata == nil {
+		t.Fatal("ModuleMetadata = nil, want module metadata map")
+	}
+	if got := output.Manifest.ModuleMetadata["input"]; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, modules.input.manifestMetadata) {
+		t.Fatalf("input module metadata = %#v, want %#v", got, modules.input.manifestMetadata)
+	}
+	if got := output.Manifest.ModuleMetadata["chunker"]; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, modules.chunker.manifestMetadata) {
+		t.Fatalf("chunker module metadata = %#v, want %#v", got, modules.chunker.manifestMetadata)
+	}
+	if got := output.Manifest.ModuleMetadata["output"]; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, modules.output.manifestMetadata) {
+		t.Fatalf("output module metadata = %#v, want %#v", got, modules.output.manifestMetadata)
+	}
+
+	modules.chunker.manifestMetadata["prompt_id"] = "changed"
+	if output.Manifest.ModuleMetadata["chunker"]["prompt_id"] != "dnd.scenes" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunker module metadata aliased to provider map: %#v", output.Manifest.ModuleMetadata["chunker"])
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRunPassesPerChunkCandidatesToMergeAndNormalize(t *testing.T) {
 	modules := defaultRunnerModules()
 
@@ -677,7 +996,63 @@ func TestRunReturnsFailedManifestWhenOutputEncoderFails(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRunManifestIncludesPipelineAndLaneDetails(t *testing.T) {
-	output, err := New(newRunnerRegistries(t, nil)).Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Pipeline: resolvedPipelineWithValidators("configured")})
+	resolved := resolvedPipelineWithValidators("configured")
+	resolved.ChunkReferences.ReferenceSet = contracts.ReferenceSet{
+		Slots: map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+			"scene_guide": {
+				Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "scene_guide"},
+				Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+					{
+						SlotName:      "scene_guide",
+						MediaType:     "text/plain; charset=utf-8",
+						Content:       []byte("chunk reference content"),
+						Digest:        "sha256:chunk-reference",
+						Origin:        contracts.ReferenceOrigin{Type: "file", URI: "file:///tmp/scene-guide.txt"},
+						SizeBytes:     int64(len("chunk reference content")),
+						BindingSource: contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceCLI,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+	resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet = contracts.ReferenceSet{
+		Slots: map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+			"roster": {
+				Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster"},
+				Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+					{
+						SlotName:      "roster",
+						MediaType:     "text/plain; charset=utf-8",
+						Content:       []byte("reference content"),
+						Digest:        "sha256:reference",
+						Origin:        contracts.ReferenceOrigin{Type: "file", URI: "file:///tmp/roster.txt"},
+						SizeBytes:     int64(len("reference content")),
+						BindingSource: contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+	resolved.ArtifactLanes[0].NormalizeReferences.ReferenceSet = contracts.ReferenceSet{
+		Slots: map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+			"normalization_notes": {
+				Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "normalization_notes"},
+				Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+					{
+						SlotName:      "normalization_notes",
+						MediaType:     "text/plain; charset=utf-8",
+						Content:       []byte("normalize reference content"),
+						Digest:        "sha256:normalize-reference",
+						Origin:        contracts.ReferenceOrigin{Type: "file", URI: "file:///tmp/normalize.txt"},
+						SizeBytes:     int64(len("normalize reference content")),
+						BindingSource: contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	output, err := New(newRunnerRegistries(t, nil)).Run(context.Background(), RunInput{Pipeline: resolved})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
@@ -692,6 +1067,27 @@ func TestRunManifestIncludesPipelineAndLaneDetails(t *testing.T) {
 	if !reflect.DeepEqual(manifest.SourceDigests, []string{"sha256:source"}) {
 		t.Fatalf("SourceDigests = %#v, want source digest", manifest.SourceDigests)
 	}
+	if len(manifest.References) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("References = %#v, want three reference provenance entries", manifest.References)
+	}
+	chunkReference := manifest.References[0]
+	if chunkReference.Stage != string(StageChunk) || chunkReference.LaneID != "" || chunkReference.SlotName != "scene_guide" || chunkReference.Digest != "sha256:chunk-reference" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk reference provenance = %#v, want chunk slot digest", chunkReference)
+	}
+	if chunkReference.OriginType != "file" || chunkReference.OriginURI != "file:///tmp/scene-guide.txt" || chunkReference.MediaType != "text/plain; charset=utf-8" || chunkReference.SizeBytes != int64(len("chunk reference content")) || chunkReference.BindingSource != contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceCLI {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk reference provenance = %#v, want origin/media/size/source", chunkReference)
+	}
+	extractReference := manifest.References[1]
+	if extractReference.Stage != string(StageExtract) || extractReference.LaneID != "alpha" || extractReference.SlotName != "roster" || extractReference.Digest != "sha256:reference" {
+		t.Fatalf("extract reference provenance = %#v, want lane slot digest", extractReference)
+	}
+	if extractReference.OriginType != "file" || extractReference.OriginURI != "file:///tmp/roster.txt" || extractReference.MediaType != "text/plain; charset=utf-8" || extractReference.SizeBytes != int64(len("reference content")) || extractReference.BindingSource != contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig {
+		t.Fatalf("extract reference provenance = %#v, want origin/media/size/source", extractReference)
+	}
+	normalizeReference := manifest.References[2]
+	if normalizeReference.Stage != string(StageNormalize) || normalizeReference.LaneID != "alpha" || normalizeReference.SlotName != "normalization_notes" || normalizeReference.Digest != "sha256:normalize-reference" {
+		t.Fatalf("normalize reference provenance = %#v, want lane slot digest", normalizeReference)
+	}
 	if manifest.ValidationStatus != "approved" {
 		t.Fatalf("ValidationStatus = %q, want approved", manifest.ValidationStatus)
 	}
@@ -775,6 +1171,11 @@ func TestRunManifestIncludesExtractorMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 	if extractorMetadata["prompt_id"] != "test.prompt" || extractorMetadata["response_schema_name"] != "test_schema" {
 		t.Fatalf("extractor metadata = %#v, want prompt and schema metadata", extractorMetadata)
 	}
+	if output.Manifest.ModuleMetadata != nil {
+		if _, ok := output.Manifest.ModuleMetadata["extractor"]; ok {
+			t.Fatalf("top-level module metadata includes lane metadata key: %#v", output.Manifest.ModuleMetadata)
+		}
+	}
 }
 
 func TestRunReturnsPartialOutputWhenLaterLaneFails(t *testing.T) {
@@ -839,16 +1240,19 @@ func TestRunRejectsNilDefaultValidator(t *testing.T) {
 
 func resolvedPipeline() ResolvedPipeline {
 	return ResolvedPipeline{
-		ID:     "pipeline-1",
-		Digest: "sha256:pipeline",
-		Input:  Binding("input"),
-		Chunk:  Binding("chunk"),
+		ID:              "pipeline-1",
+		Digest:          "sha256:pipeline",
+		Input:           Binding("input"),
+		Chunk:           Binding("chunk"),
+		ChunkReferences: referenceTarget(StageChunk, "", "chunk", nil),
 		ArtifactLanes: []ResolvedArtifactLane{
 			{
-				ID:        "alpha",
-				Extract:   Binding("extract-alpha"),
-				Merge:     Binding("merge"),
-				Normalize: Binding("normalize"),
+				ID:                  "alpha",
+				Extract:             Binding("extract-alpha"),
+				Merge:               Binding("merge"),
+				Normalize:           Binding("normalize"),
+				ExtractReferences:   referenceTarget(StageExtract, "alpha", "extract-alpha", nil),
+				NormalizeReferences: referenceTarget(StageNormalize, "alpha", "normalize", nil),
 			},
 		},
 		Output: Binding("output"),
@@ -863,6 +1267,27 @@ func resolvedPipelineWithValidators(validators ...string) ResolvedPipeline {
 	return pipeline
 }
 
+func testReferenceSet(slotName string, content string) contracts.ReferenceSet {
+	return contracts.ReferenceSet{
+		Slots: map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+			slotName: {
+				Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: slotName},
+				Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+					{
+						SlotName:      slotName,
+						MediaType:     "text/plain; charset=utf-8",
+						Content:       []byte(content),
+						Digest:        "sha256:test",
+						Origin:        contracts.ReferenceOrigin{Type: "file", URI: "file:///tmp/reference.txt"},
+						SizeBytes:     int64(len(content)),
+						BindingSource: contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+}
+
 type runnerModules struct {
 	input           *runnerInputAdapter
 	chunker         *runnerChunker
@@ -963,10 +1388,11 @@ func newRunnerRegistries(t *testing.T, modules *runnerModules) Registries {
 }
 
 type runnerInputAdapter struct {
-	key      string
-	doc      *source.SourceDocument
-	err      error
-	requests []contracts.ParseRequest
+	key              string
+	doc              *source.SourceDocument
+	err              error
+	manifestMetadata map[string]any
+	requests         []contracts.ParseRequest
 }
 
 func (adapter *runnerInputAdapter) Key() string {
@@ -978,18 +1404,27 @@ func (adapter *runnerInputAdapter) Parse(ctx context.Context, req contracts.Pars
 	return adapter.doc, adapter.err
 }
 
+func (adapter *runnerInputAdapter) ManifestMetadata() map[string]any {
+	return adapter.manifestMetadata
+}
+
 type runnerChunker struct {
-	key      string
-	chunks   []contracts.SourceChunk
-	warnings []contracts.Warning
-	err      error
-	requests []contracts.ChunkRequest
+	key              string
+	chunks           []contracts.SourceChunk
+	warnings         []contracts.Warning
+	err              error
+	manifestMetadata map[string]any
+	requests         []contracts.ChunkRequest
 }
 
 func (chunker *runnerChunker) Key() string {
 	return chunker.key
 }
 
+func (chunker *runnerChunker) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (chunker *runnerChunker) Chunk(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ChunkRequest) (contracts.ChunkResult, error) {
 	chunker.requests = append(chunker.requests, req)
 	return contracts.ChunkResult{
@@ -998,6 +1433,10 @@ func (chunker *runnerChunker) Chunk(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ChunkRequ
 	}, chunker.err
 }
 
+func (chunker *runnerChunker) ManifestMetadata() map[string]any {
+	return chunker.manifestMetadata
+}
+
 type runnerExtractor struct {
 	key              string
 	artifactType     string
@@ -1025,6 +1464,10 @@ func (extractor *runnerExtractor) SchemaVersion() string {
 	return extractor.schemaVersion
 }
 
+func (extractor *runnerExtractor) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (extractor *runnerExtractor) ManifestMetadata() map[string]any {
 	return extractor.manifestMetadata
 }
@@ -1089,6 +1532,10 @@ func (normalizer *runnerNormalizer) Key() string {
 	return normalizer.key
 }
 
+func (normalizer *runnerNormalizer) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (normalizer *runnerNormalizer) Normalize(ctx context.Context, req contracts.NormalizeRequest) (contracts.NormalizeResult, error) {
 	normalizer.requests = append(normalizer.requests, req)
 	candidates := append([]artifacts.ArtifactCandidate(nil), normalizer.result...)
@@ -1138,11 +1585,12 @@ func (validator *runnerValidator) Validate(ctx context.Context, req contracts.Va
 }
 
 type runnerOutputEncoder struct {
-	key      string
-	files    []contracts.OutputFile
-	warnings []contracts.Warning
-	err      error
-	requests []contracts.OutputRequest
+	key              string
+	files            []contracts.OutputFile
+	warnings         []contracts.Warning
+	err              error
+	manifestMetadata map[string]any
+	requests         []contracts.OutputRequest
 }
 
 func (encoder *runnerOutputEncoder) Key() string {
@@ -1157,6 +1605,10 @@ func (encoder *runnerOutputEncoder) Encode(ctx context.Context, req contracts.Ou
 	}, encoder.err
 }
 
+func (encoder *runnerOutputEncoder) ManifestMetadata() map[string]any {
+	return encoder.manifestMetadata
+}
+
 type fakeLLMClient struct{}
 
 func (client fakeLLMClient) CompleteStructured(ctx context.Context, req contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest, out any) (contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse, error) {
@@ -1179,6 +1631,36 @@ func validSourceDocument() *source.SourceDocument {
 		Digest: "sha256:source",
 		Units: []source.SourceUnit{
 			{ID: "u1", Kind: "unit", Text: "Source unit."},
+			{ID: "u2", Kind: "unit", Text: "Second source unit."},
+			{ID: "u3", Kind: "unit", Text: "Third source unit."},
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func sourceDocumentWithUnitMetadata() *source.SourceDocument {
+	return &source.SourceDocument{
+		ID:     "source-1",
+		Kind:   "document",
+		Format: "text/plain",
+		Digest: "sha256:source",
+		Units: []source.SourceUnit{
+			{
+				ID:   "u1",
+				Kind: "source-kind",
+				Text: "source text",
+				Metadata: map[string]any{
+					"speaker": "source-speaker",
+					"topic":   "source-topic",
+				},
+			},
+			{
+				ID:   "u2",
+				Kind: "source-kind",
+				Text: "second source text",
+				Metadata: map[string]any{
+					"speaker": "source-speaker-2",
+				},
+			},
 		},
 	}
 }
@@ -1194,6 +1676,19 @@ func sourceChunkWithID(id string, index int) contracts.SourceChunk {
 	}
 }
 
+func unitWithID(id string) source.SourceUnit {
+	switch id {
+	case "u1":
+		return source.SourceUnit{ID: "u1", Kind: "unit", Text: "Source unit."}
+	case "u2":
+		return source.SourceUnit{ID: "u2", Kind: "unit", Text: "Second source unit."}
+	case "u3":
+		return source.SourceUnit{ID: "u3", Kind: "unit", Text: "Third source unit."}
+	default:
+		return source.SourceUnit{ID: id, Kind: "unit", Text: "Unknown source unit."}
+	}
+}
+
 func warningReasons(warnings []contracts.Warning) []string {
 	reasons := make([]string, 0, len(warnings))
 	for _, warning := range warnings {

internal/framework/pipeline/testdata/walking_skeleton_output.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "manifest": {
     "pipeline_id": "walking-skeleton",
-    "pipeline_digest": "sha256:5df1e501a2307ef75bbfeb59d315b3710571d52e5466a9c7f8320248740e6fca",
+    "pipeline_digest": "sha256:25084e39a0cadace375c896551d1752413755c1a6772f6b24cfe91c029ea2631",
     "validation_status": "approved",
     "artifact_lanes": [
       {

internal/framework/pipeline/walking_skeleton_test.go

@@ -43,8 +43,8 @@ func TestWalkingSkeletonFixture(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("ContentType = %q, want application/json", output.OutputFiles[0].ContentType)
 	}
 	assertStructuralJSONEqual(t, output.OutputFiles[0].Bytes, expectedBytes)
-	if llmClient.calls != 2 {
-		t.Fatalf("LLM calls = %d, want chunk count 2", llmClient.calls)
+	if llmClient.calls != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("LLM calls = %d, want extractor calls plus normalizer call", llmClient.calls)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -216,6 +216,10 @@ func (chunker walkingSkeletonChunker) Key() string {
 	return "fake/chunk"
 }
 
+func (chunker walkingSkeletonChunker) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (chunker walkingSkeletonChunker) Chunk(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ChunkRequest) (contracts.ChunkResult, error) {
 	if len(req.Source.Units) < 3 {
 		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, fmt.Errorf("fixture source must contain at least three units")
@@ -252,6 +256,10 @@ func (extractor walkingSkeletonExtractor) SchemaVersion() string {
 	return "v1"
 }
 
+func (extractor walkingSkeletonExtractor) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (extractor walkingSkeletonExtractor) Validators() []contracts.Validator {
 	return nil
 }
@@ -332,7 +340,20 @@ func (normalizer walkingSkeletonNormalizer) Key() string {
 	return DefaultNormalizeModule
 }
 
+func (normalizer walkingSkeletonNormalizer) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (normalizer walkingSkeletonNormalizer) Normalize(ctx context.Context, req contracts.NormalizeRequest) (contracts.NormalizeResult, error) {
+	var response struct {
+		Call int `json:"call"`
+	}
+	if _, err := req.LLMClient.CompleteStructured(ctx, contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{
+		StageName:          "fake/normalize",
+		ResponseSchemaName: "fake_normalize",
+	}, &response); err != nil {
+		return contracts.NormalizeResult{}, err
+	}
 	return contracts.NormalizeResult{Candidates: req.Candidates}, nil
 }
 

internal/framework/prompt/registry.go

@@ -7,9 +7,13 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io/fs"
 	"path"
+	"reflect"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"text/template"
+	"text/template/parse"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
 )
 
 //go:embed assets/**
@@ -43,18 +47,20 @@ func (m Metadata) DiagnosticsMap() map[string]any {
 
 // Definition identifies a caller-owned system/user prompt bundle.
 type Definition struct {
-	PromptID     string
-	Version      string
-	EmbeddedPath string
-	SystemPath   string
-	UserPath     string
+	PromptID       string
+	Version        string
+	EmbeddedPath   string
+	SystemPath     string
+	UserPath       string
+	ReferenceSlots []contracts.ReferenceSlot
 }
 
 // Bundle is a compiled system/user prompt pair.
 type Bundle struct {
-	systemTmpl *template.Template
-	userTmpl   *template.Template
-	metadata   Metadata
+	systemTmpl     *template.Template
+	userTmpl       *template.Template
+	metadata       Metadata
+	referenceSlots map[string]contracts.ReferenceSlot
 }
 
 // Metadata returns metadata for the compiled prompt bundle.
@@ -168,7 +174,9 @@ func LoadBundle(fsys fs.FS, def Definition) (*Bundle, error) {
 	}
 
 	funcs := template.FuncMap{
-		"hardening": func() string { return sharedHardening },
+		"hardening":    func() string { return sharedHardening },
+		"reference":    func(string) (string, error) { return "", nil },
+		"hasreference": func(string) (bool, error) { return false, nil },
 	}
 	systemTmpl, err := template.New(path.Base(systemPath)).Option("missingkey=error").Funcs(funcs).Parse(systemSource)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -178,6 +186,13 @@ func LoadBundle(fsys fs.FS, def Definition) (*Bundle, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("parse embedded user prompt %q: %w", userPath, err)
 	}
+	referenceSlots := referenceSlotMap(def.ReferenceSlots)
+	if err := validateTemplateReferenceSlots(systemTmpl, referenceSlots); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("validate embedded system prompt %q: %w", systemPath, err)
+	}
+	if err := validateTemplateReferenceSlots(userTmpl, referenceSlots); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("validate embedded user prompt %q: %w", userPath, err)
+	}
 
 	hashInput := systemSource + "\n\n" + userSource
 	hash := sha256.Sum256([]byte(hashInput))
@@ -190,12 +205,127 @@ func LoadBundle(fsys fs.FS, def Definition) (*Bundle, error) {
 	}
 
 	return &Bundle{
-		systemTmpl: systemTmpl,
-		userTmpl:   userTmpl,
-		metadata:   metadata,
+		systemTmpl:     systemTmpl,
+		userTmpl:       userTmpl,
+		metadata:       metadata,
+		referenceSlots: referenceSlots,
 	}, nil
 }
 
+func referenceSlotMap(slots []contracts.ReferenceSlot) map[string]contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	if len(slots) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]contracts.ReferenceSlot, len(slots))
+	for _, slot := range slots {
+		name := strings.TrimSpace(slot.Name)
+		if name == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		slot.Name = name
+		slot.AcceptedMediaTypes = append([]string(nil), slot.AcceptedMediaTypes...)
+		out[name] = slot
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func validateTemplateReferenceSlots(tmpl *template.Template, declared map[string]contracts.ReferenceSlot) error {
+	if tmpl == nil || tmpl.Tree == nil || tmpl.Tree.Root == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return validateReferenceNodes(tmpl.Tree.Root, declared)
+}
+
+func validateReferenceNodes(node parse.Node, declared map[string]contracts.ReferenceSlot) error {
+	if node == nil || reflect.ValueOf(node).IsNil() {
+		return nil
+	}
+	switch typed := node.(type) {
+	case *parse.ListNode:
+		for _, child := range typed.Nodes {
+			if err := validateReferenceNodes(child, declared); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+	case *parse.ActionNode:
+		return validateReferencePipeline(typed.Pipe, declared)
+	case *parse.IfNode:
+		if err := validateReferencePipeline(typed.Pipe, declared); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if err := validateReferenceNodes(typed.List, declared); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return validateReferenceNodes(typed.ElseList, declared)
+	case *parse.RangeNode:
+		if err := validateReferencePipeline(typed.Pipe, declared); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if err := validateReferenceNodes(typed.List, declared); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return validateReferenceNodes(typed.ElseList, declared)
+	case *parse.WithNode:
+		if err := validateReferencePipeline(typed.Pipe, declared); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if err := validateReferenceNodes(typed.List, declared); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return validateReferenceNodes(typed.ElseList, declared)
+	case *parse.TemplateNode:
+		return nil
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func validateReferencePipeline(pipe *parse.PipeNode, declared map[string]contracts.ReferenceSlot) error {
+	if pipe == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	for _, cmd := range pipe.Cmds {
+		if err := validateReferenceCommand(cmd, declared); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func validateReferenceCommand(cmd *parse.CommandNode, declared map[string]contracts.ReferenceSlot) error {
+	if cmd == nil || len(cmd.Args) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	for _, arg := range cmd.Args[1:] {
+		if nested, ok := arg.(*parse.PipeNode); ok {
+			if err := validateReferencePipeline(nested, declared); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	identifier, ok := cmd.Args[0].(*parse.IdentifierNode)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if identifier.Ident != "reference" && identifier.Ident != "hasreference" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if len(cmd.Args) != 2 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s requires one string slot name", identifier.Ident)
+	}
+	slotArg, ok := cmd.Args[1].(*parse.StringNode)
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s requires a string literal slot name", identifier.Ident)
+	}
+	slotName := strings.TrimSpace(slotArg.Text)
+	if slotName == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s slot name must not be empty", identifier.Ident)
+	}
+	if _, ok := declared[slotName]; !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s slot %q is not declared", identifier.Ident, slotName)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func readPromptAsset(fsys fs.FS, assetPath string) (string, error) {
 	if strings.TrimSpace(assetPath) == "" {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("prompt asset path must not be empty")

internal/framework/prompt/render.go

@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ import (
 	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
 	"strings"
+	"text/template"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
 )
 
 // RenderUserSystem renders the system and user prompt pair for promptID.
@@ -16,20 +19,105 @@ func RenderUserSystem(promptID string, data any) (system string, user string, me
 	return compiled.RenderUserSystem(data)
 }
 
+// RenderUserSystemWithReferences renders the system and user prompt pair for promptID with reference template functions.
+func RenderUserSystemWithReferences(promptID string, data any, references contracts.ReferenceSet) (system string, user string, metadata Metadata, err error) {
+	trimmedID := strings.TrimSpace(promptID)
+	compiled, ok := promptRegistry[trimmedID]
+	if !ok {
+		return "", "", Metadata{}, fmt.Errorf("unknown prompt id %q", promptID)
+	}
+	return compiled.RenderUserSystemWithReferences(data, references)
+}
+
 // RenderUserSystem renders the bundle's system and user prompts.
 func (b *Bundle) RenderUserSystem(data any) (system string, user string, metadata Metadata, err error) {
+	return b.RenderUserSystemWithReferences(data, contracts.ReferenceSet{})
+}
+
+// RenderUserSystemWithReferences renders the bundle's system and user prompts with reference template functions.
+func (b *Bundle) RenderUserSystemWithReferences(data any, references contracts.ReferenceSet) (system string, user string, metadata Metadata, err error) {
 	if b == nil {
 		return "", "", Metadata{}, fmt.Errorf("prompt bundle must not be nil")
 	}
+	systemTmpl, userTmpl, err := b.renderTemplates(references)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", "", Metadata{}, err
+	}
 	var systemBuf bytes.Buffer
-	if err := b.systemTmpl.Execute(&systemBuf, data); err != nil {
+	if err := systemTmpl.Execute(&systemBuf, data); err != nil {
 		return "", "", Metadata{}, fmt.Errorf("render system prompt %q: %w", b.metadata.PromptID, err)
 	}
 
 	var userBuf bytes.Buffer
-	if err := b.userTmpl.Execute(&userBuf, data); err != nil {
+	if err := userTmpl.Execute(&userBuf, data); err != nil {
 		return "", "", Metadata{}, fmt.Errorf("render user prompt %q: %w", b.metadata.PromptID, err)
 	}
 
 	return strings.TrimSpace(systemBuf.String()), strings.TrimSpace(userBuf.String()), b.metadata, nil
 }
+
+func (b *Bundle) renderTemplates(references contracts.ReferenceSet) (*template.Template, *template.Template, error) {
+	funcs := b.referenceFuncs(references)
+	systemTmpl, err := b.systemTmpl.Clone()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("clone system prompt %q: %w", b.metadata.PromptID, err)
+	}
+	userTmpl, err := b.userTmpl.Clone()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("clone user prompt %q: %w", b.metadata.PromptID, err)
+	}
+	systemTmpl.Funcs(funcs)
+	userTmpl.Funcs(funcs)
+	return systemTmpl, userTmpl, nil
+}
+
+func (b *Bundle) referenceFuncs(references contracts.ReferenceSet) template.FuncMap {
+	return template.FuncMap{
+		"hardening": func() string { return sharedHardening },
+		"hasreference": func(slotName string) (bool, error) {
+			items, _, err := b.referenceItems(slotName, references)
+			if err != nil {
+				return false, err
+			}
+			for _, item := range items {
+				if len(item.Content) > 0 {
+					return true, nil
+				}
+			}
+			return false, nil
+		},
+		"reference": func(slotName string) (string, error) {
+			items, slot, err := b.referenceItems(slotName, references)
+			if err != nil {
+				return "", err
+			}
+			if len(items) == 0 {
+				return "", nil
+			}
+			if len(items) > 1 && !slot.Multiple {
+				return "", fmt.Errorf("reference slot %q has %d bound items but does not allow multiple", slot.Name, len(items))
+			}
+			parts := make([]string, 0, len(items))
+			for _, item := range items {
+				parts = append(parts, string(item.Content))
+			}
+			return strings.Join(parts, "\n"), nil
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func (b *Bundle) referenceItems(slotName string, references contracts.ReferenceSet) ([]contracts.ReferenceItem, contracts.ReferenceSlot, error) {
+	slotName = strings.TrimSpace(slotName)
+	slot, ok := b.referenceSlots[slotName]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, contracts.ReferenceSlot{}, fmt.Errorf("reference slot %q is not declared", slotName)
+	}
+	if len(references.Slots) == 0 {
+		return nil, slot, nil
+	}
+	resolved, ok := references.Slots[slotName]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, slot, nil
+	}
+	return append([]contracts.ReferenceItem(nil), resolved.Items...), slot, nil
+}

internal/framework/prompt/render_test.go

@@ -1,8 +1,13 @@
 package prompt
 
 import (
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/hex"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
+	"testing/fstest"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
 )
 
 func TestRenderUserSystemReturnsTextAndMetadata(t *testing.T) {
@@ -64,3 +69,226 @@ func TestRenderUserSystemIncludesHardeningText(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("expected rendered system prompt to include hardening text: %q", system)
 	}
 }
+
+func TestRenderUserSystemWithReferencesRendersDeclaredSlots(t *testing.T) {
+	bundle := loadReferenceBundle(t,
+		[]contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster"}, {Name: "glossary"}},
+		`System has roster={{ hasreference "roster" }} has glossary={{ hasreference "glossary" }}`,
+		`Roster={{ reference "roster" }} Glossary={{ reference "glossary" }}`,
+	)
+	references := contracts.ReferenceSet{Slots: map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+		"roster": {
+			Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster"},
+			Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+				{SlotName: "roster", Content: []byte("Aria")},
+			},
+		},
+	}}
+
+	system, user, _, err := bundle.RenderUserSystemWithReferences(map[string]any{}, references)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("RenderUserSystemWithReferences: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(system, "has roster=true") || !strings.Contains(system, "has glossary=false") {
+		t.Fatalf("system = %q, want reference presence flags", system)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(user, "Roster=Aria") || !strings.Contains(user, "Glossary=") {
+		t.Fatalf("user = %q, want rendered and empty optional references", user)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRenderUserSystemWithReferencesSupportsChunkRequestData(t *testing.T) {
+	bundle := loadReferenceBundle(t,
+		[]contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "scene_guide"}},
+		`Chunk system has guide={{ hasreference "scene_guide" }}`,
+		`Source={{ .SourceID }} Guide={{ reference "scene_guide" }}`,
+	)
+	references := contracts.ReferenceSet{Slots: map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+		"scene_guide": {
+			Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "scene_guide"},
+			Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+				{SlotName: "scene_guide", Content: []byte("Keep combat scenes separate.")},
+			},
+		},
+	}}
+
+	system, user, _, err := bundle.RenderUserSystemWithReferences(map[string]any{"SourceID": "session-alpha"}, references)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("RenderUserSystemWithReferences: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(system, "has guide=true") {
+		t.Fatalf("system = %q, want chunk reference presence", system)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(user, "Source=session-alpha") || !strings.Contains(user, "Keep combat scenes separate.") {
+		t.Fatalf("user = %q, want chunk request data and reference content", user)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRenderUserSystemWithReferencesSupportsNormalizeRequestData(t *testing.T) {
+	bundle := loadReferenceBundle(t,
+		[]contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "normalization_notes"}},
+		`Normalize system`,
+		`Lane={{ .LaneID }} Notes={{ reference "normalization_notes" }}`,
+	)
+	references := contracts.ReferenceSet{Slots: map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+		"normalization_notes": {
+			Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "normalization_notes"},
+			Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+				{SlotName: "normalization_notes", Content: []byte("Prefer canonical item names.")},
+			},
+		},
+	}}
+
+	_, user, _, err := bundle.RenderUserSystemWithReferences(map[string]any{"LaneID": "spells"}, references)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("RenderUserSystemWithReferences: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(user, "Lane=spells") || !strings.Contains(user, "Prefer canonical item names.") {
+		t.Fatalf("user = %q, want normalize request data and reference content", user)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRenderUserSystemReferenceHasReferenceRequiresContent(t *testing.T) {
+	bundle := loadReferenceBundle(t,
+		[]contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster"}},
+		`System`,
+		`{{ hasreference "roster" }} {{ reference "roster" }}`,
+	)
+	references := contracts.ReferenceSet{Slots: map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+		"roster": {
+			Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster"},
+			Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+				{SlotName: "roster", Content: nil},
+			},
+		},
+	}}
+
+	_, user, _, err := bundle.RenderUserSystemWithReferences(map[string]any{}, references)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("RenderUserSystemWithReferences: %v", err)
+	}
+	if user != "false" {
+		t.Fatalf("user = %q, want false with empty reference content", user)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadBundleRejectsUndeclaredReferenceSlots(t *testing.T) {
+	_, err := LoadBundle(referenceBundleFS(`System`, `{{ reference "roster" }}`), referenceBundleDefinition(nil))
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "roster") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "not declared") {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadBundle() error = %v, want undeclared reference slot error", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadBundleRejectsDynamicReferenceSlotNames(t *testing.T) {
+	_, err := LoadBundle(referenceBundleFS(`System`, `{{ reference .SlotName }}`), referenceBundleDefinition([]contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster"}}))
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "string literal") {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadBundle() error = %v, want string literal error", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadBundleRejectsNestedUndeclaredReferenceSlots(t *testing.T) {
+	_, err := LoadBundle(referenceBundleFS(`System`, `{{ printf "%s" (reference "roster") }}`), referenceBundleDefinition(nil))
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "roster") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "not declared") {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadBundle() error = %v, want nested undeclared reference slot error", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRenderUserSystemRejectsMultipleReferenceItemsUnlessDeclared(t *testing.T) {
+	bundle := loadReferenceBundle(t,
+		[]contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster"}},
+		`System`,
+		`{{ reference "roster" }}`,
+	)
+	references := contracts.ReferenceSet{Slots: map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+		"roster": {
+			Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster"},
+			Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+				{SlotName: "roster", Content: []byte("Aria")},
+				{SlotName: "roster", Content: []byte("Bryn")},
+			},
+		},
+	}}
+
+	_, _, _, err := bundle.RenderUserSystemWithReferences(map[string]any{}, references)
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "does not allow multiple") {
+		t.Fatalf("RenderUserSystemWithReferences() error = %v, want multiple item error", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRenderUserSystemRendersMultipleReferenceItemsDeterministicallyWhenDeclared(t *testing.T) {
+	bundle := loadReferenceBundle(t,
+		[]contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster", Multiple: true}},
+		`System`,
+		`{{ reference "roster" }}`,
+	)
+	references := contracts.ReferenceSet{Slots: map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+		"roster": {
+			Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster", Multiple: true},
+			Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+				{SlotName: "roster", Content: []byte("Aria")},
+				{SlotName: "roster", Content: []byte("Bryn")},
+			},
+		},
+	}}
+
+	_, first, _, err := bundle.RenderUserSystemWithReferences(map[string]any{}, references)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("RenderUserSystemWithReferences(first): %v", err)
+	}
+	_, second, _, err := bundle.RenderUserSystemWithReferences(map[string]any{}, references)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("RenderUserSystemWithReferences(second): %v", err)
+	}
+	if first != "Aria\nBryn" || first != second {
+		t.Fatalf("rendered references = %q/%q, want deterministic item order", first, second)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPromptMetadataHashIgnoresRenderedReferenceContent(t *testing.T) {
+	systemSource := `System`
+	userSource := `{{ reference "roster" }}`
+	bundle := loadReferenceBundle(t, []contracts.ReferenceSlot{{Name: "roster"}}, systemSource, userSource)
+	references := contracts.ReferenceSet{Slots: map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+		"roster": {
+			Slot:  contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster"},
+			Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{{SlotName: "roster", Content: []byte("Aria")}},
+		},
+	}}
+
+	_, _, metadata, err := bundle.RenderUserSystemWithReferences(map[string]any{}, references)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("RenderUserSystemWithReferences: %v", err)
+	}
+	hash := sha256.Sum256([]byte(systemSource + "\n\n" + userSource))
+	want := "sha256:" + hex.EncodeToString(hash[:])
+	if metadata.SHA256 != want {
+		t.Fatalf("metadata.SHA256 = %q, want template source hash %q", metadata.SHA256, want)
+	}
+}
+
+func loadReferenceBundle(t *testing.T, slots []contracts.ReferenceSlot, systemSource string, userSource string) *Bundle {
+	t.Helper()
+	bundle, err := LoadBundle(referenceBundleFS(systemSource, userSource), referenceBundleDefinition(slots))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadBundle() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	return bundle
+}
+
+func referenceBundleDefinition(slots []contracts.ReferenceSlot) Definition {
+	return Definition{
+		PromptID:       "test.references",
+		Version:        VersionV1,
+		EmbeddedPath:   "assets/test/references",
+		SystemPath:     "assets/test/references/system.md",
+		UserPath:       "assets/test/references/user.md",
+		ReferenceSlots: slots,
+	}
+}
+
+func referenceBundleFS(systemSource string, userSource string) fstest.MapFS {
+	return fstest.MapFS{
+		"assets/test/references/system.md": {Data: []byte(systemSource)},
+		"assets/test/references/user.md":   {Data: []byte(userSource)},
+	}
+}

internal/modules/chunk/dnd/scenes/assets.go

@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+package scenes
+
+import "embed"
+
+//go:embed assets/prompts/*.md assets/schemas/*.json
+var embeddedAssets embed.FS

internal/modules/chunk/dnd/scenes/assets/prompts/system.md

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+You identify coherent scenes in Dungeons & Dragons session source units.
+
+{{ hardening }}
+
+Use only the provided source units. Source text may contain transcription
+errors, repeated lines, incomplete sentences, and misheard proper nouns. Speaker
+metadata, when present, may be treated as accurate.
+
+Return only valid JSON matching the provided response schema.

internal/modules/chunk/dnd/scenes/assets/prompts/user.md

@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+Source document ID: {{ .SourceID }}
+
+Ordered source units:
+{{ range .Units }}
+- Unit ID: {{ .ID }}
+  Text: {{ .Text }}
+{{ if .Metadata }}
+  Metadata:
+{{ range .Metadata }}
+  - {{ .Key }}: {{ .Value }}
+{{ end }}
+{{ end }}
+{{ end }}
+
+Divide these source units into D&D scenes for the dnd/scenes chunk module.
+
+A scene is a coherent unit of play. Start a new scene when there is a meaningful
+change in location, objective, threat, activity, encounter, or mode of play.
+
+Good reasons to start a new scene include:
+- the party moves to a new location;
+- a combat encounter begins or ends;
+- combat changes into a substantially different phase;
+- the party shifts between combat, exploration, social interaction, discussion,
+  planning, travel, rest, or downtime;
+- a new NPC, faction, threat, or objective becomes central;
+- the party completes one immediate goal and begins another;
+- a major table-level rules discussion interrupts and materially changes play.
+
+Do not start a new scene merely because:
+- the speaker changes;
+- a new combat round begins;
+- a player asks a brief rules question;
+- there is a joke, aside, or short table comment;
+- a character takes a routine turn;
+- the same encounter continues without a meaningful change in situation.
+
+dnd/scenes boundary policy:
+- cover the full provided source document from the first source unit to the last
+  source unit;
+- return sequential scenes with no gaps;
+- do not overlap scenes;
+- preserve source-unit order;
+- use exact source-unit IDs from the ordered source units;
+- each scene must have start_unit_id and end_unit_id;
+- do not include final chunk IDs or chunk indexes.
+
+For each scene:
+- short_title should be brief and factual;
+- primary_mode must be Recap, Discussion, Combat, or Narrative;
+- main_participants should include only principal characters, NPCs, factions, or
+  groups involved;
+- summary should be factual and compact, usually one to three sentences;
+- boundary_note should explain why the scene begins at start_unit_id and ends at
+  end_unit_id;
+- boundary_confidence must be High, Medium, or Low.
+
+Primary mode guidance:
+- Use Recap for opening recap, initiative setup, session framing, or immediate
+  continuation from prior events.
+- Use Discussion when the party is primarily discussing options or choosing a
+  course of action.
+- Use Combat when active combat or combat-resolution mechanics dominate.
+- Use Narrative for all other non-combat gameplay, including exploration, social
+  interactions, shopping, preparation, travel, rest, and downtime.
+
+In boundary_caveats, list overall caveats about scene divisions. Include scenes
+that could reasonably be split differently, combat phases that were kept
+together, gradual transitions, or places where map context would have helped.
+
+Return exactly one JSON object and no explanatory text.

internal/modules/chunk/dnd/scenes/assets/schemas/dnd_scenes.v1.json

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "$id": "notarius.dnd.scenes",
+  "type": "object",
+  "additionalProperties": false,
+  "required": [
+    "scenes",
+    "boundary_caveats"
+  ],
+  "properties": {
+    "scenes": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "minItems": 1,
+      "items": {
+        "type": "object",
+        "additionalProperties": false,
+        "required": [
+          "start_unit_id",
+          "end_unit_id",
+          "short_title",
+          "primary_mode",
+          "main_participants",
+          "summary",
+          "boundary_note",
+          "boundary_confidence"
+        ],
+        "properties": {
+          "start_unit_id": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "minLength": 1
+          },
+          "end_unit_id": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "minLength": 1
+          },
+          "short_title": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "minLength": 1
+          },
+          "primary_mode": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "enum": [
+              "Recap",
+              "Discussion",
+              "Combat",
+              "Narrative"
+            ]
+          },
+          "main_participants": {
+            "type": "array",
+            "minItems": 1,
+            "items": {
+              "type": "string",
+              "minLength": 1
+            }
+          },
+          "summary": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "minLength": 1
+          },
+          "boundary_note": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "minLength": 1
+          },
+          "boundary_confidence": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "enum": [
+              "High",
+              "Medium",
+              "Low"
+            ]
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "boundary_caveats": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "items": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "minLength": 1
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}

internal/modules/chunk/dnd/scenes/chunker.go

@@ -0,0 +1,315 @@
+package scenes
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
+)
+
+const Key = "dnd/scenes"
+
+var requiredCapabilities = []string{
+	"source.transcript",
+}
+
+var providedCapabilities = []string{
+	"chunks",
+	"chunks.scenes",
+}
+
+var _ contracts.Chunker = (*Chunker)(nil)
+var _ contracts.ManifestMetadataProvider = (*Chunker)(nil)
+
+type Chunker struct{}
+
+func New() *Chunker {
+	return &Chunker{}
+}
+
+func (c *Chunker) Key() string {
+	return Key
+}
+
+func (c *Chunker) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (c *Chunker) ManifestMetadata() map[string]any {
+	promptMetadata := scenesPromptBundle.Metadata()
+	metadata := map[string]any{
+		"prompt_id":            PromptID,
+		"prompt_version":       promptMetadata.PromptVersion,
+		"prompt_sha256":        promptMetadata.SHA256,
+		"response_schema_key":  string(ResponseSchemaKey),
+		"response_schema_id":   ResponseSchemaID,
+		"response_schema_name": ResponseSchemaName,
+	}
+	if schema, err := loadResponseSchema(); err == nil {
+		metadata["response_schema_version"] = schema.Version
+		metadata["response_schema_sha256"] = schema.SHA256
+	}
+	return metadata
+}
+
+func (c *Chunker) Chunk(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ChunkRequest) (contracts.ChunkResult, error) {
+	if c == nil {
+		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, chunkerErrorf("chunker must not be nil")
+	}
+	if ctx == nil {
+		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, chunkerErrorf("context must not be nil")
+	}
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, chunkerErrorf("context error before chunking: %w", err)
+	}
+	if req.Source == nil {
+		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, chunkerErrorf("source must not be nil")
+	}
+	if len(req.Source.Units) == 0 {
+		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, chunkerErrorf("source units must not be empty")
+	}
+	if err := source.ValidateDocument(req.Source); err != nil {
+		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, chunkerErrorf("validate source document: %w", err)
+	}
+	if req.LLMClient == nil {
+		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, chunkerErrorf("LLM client must not be nil")
+	}
+	if len(req.Options) > 0 {
+		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, chunkerErrorf("options are not supported")
+	}
+
+	system, user, _, err := renderPrompt(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, chunkerErrorf("render prompt: %w", err)
+	}
+	schema, err := loadResponseSchema()
+	if err != nil {
+		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, chunkerErrorf("load response schema %q: %w", ResponseSchemaKey, err)
+	}
+
+	var response chunkResponse
+	if _, err := req.LLMClient.CompleteStructured(ctx, contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{
+		StageName: Key,
+		Messages: []contracts.LLMMessage{
+			{Role: "system", Content: system},
+			{Role: "user", Content: user},
+		},
+		ResponseSchemaName: schema.Name,
+		ResponseSchema:     schema.JSONSchema,
+	}, &response); err != nil {
+		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, chunkerErrorf("complete structured output: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	warnings, err := warningsFromCaveats(response.BoundaryCaveats)
+	if err != nil {
+		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, chunkerErrorf("malformed structured output: %w", err)
+	}
+	chunks, err := chunksFromResponse(req.Source, response)
+	if err != nil {
+		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, chunkerErrorf("malformed structured output: %w", err)
+	}
+	return contracts.ChunkResult{
+		Chunks:   chunks,
+		Warnings: warnings,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func ModuleSpec() pipeline.ModuleSpec {
+	return pipeline.ModuleSpec{
+		Key:      Key,
+		Stage:    pipeline.StageChunk,
+		Requires: append([]string(nil), requiredCapabilities...),
+		Provides: append([]string(nil), providedCapabilities...),
+	}
+}
+
+func Register(registry *pipeline.ChunkerRegistry) error {
+	return registry.RegisterWithSpec(ModuleSpec(), func() (contracts.Chunker, error) {
+		return New(), nil
+	})
+}
+
+func chunksFromResponse(doc *source.SourceDocument, response chunkResponse) ([]contracts.SourceChunk, error) {
+	if response.Scenes == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("scenes must be present")
+	}
+	if len(response.Scenes) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("scenes must not be empty")
+	}
+
+	unitIndexes := make(map[string]int, len(doc.Units))
+	for i, unit := range doc.Units {
+		unitIndexes[unit.ID] = i
+	}
+
+	chunks := make([]contracts.SourceChunk, 0, len(response.Scenes))
+	previousEnd := -1
+	for i, scene := range response.Scenes {
+		normalized, err := normalizeScene(i, scene)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+		startIndex, ok := unitIndexes[normalized.StartUnitID]
+		if !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("scene[%d] start_unit_id %q was not found", i, normalized.StartUnitID)
+		}
+		endIndex, ok := unitIndexes[normalized.EndUnitID]
+		if !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("scene[%d] end_unit_id %q was not found", i, normalized.EndUnitID)
+		}
+		if startIndex > endIndex {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("scene[%d] start_unit_id %q appears after end_unit_id %q", i, normalized.StartUnitID, normalized.EndUnitID)
+		}
+
+		if i == 0 && startIndex != 0 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("first scene must start at first source unit %q", doc.Units[0].ID)
+		}
+		if i > 0 {
+			if startIndex <= previousEnd {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("scene[%d] overlaps previous scene", i)
+			}
+			if startIndex > previousEnd+1 {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("scene[%d] leaves a gap after previous scene", i)
+			}
+		}
+		previousEnd = endIndex
+
+		units := cloneUnits(doc.Units[startIndex : endIndex+1])
+		chunks = append(chunks, contracts.SourceChunk{
+			ID:       fmt.Sprintf("scene-%06d", i+1),
+			SourceID: doc.ID,
+			Index:    i,
+			Units:    units,
+			Metadata: map[string]any{
+				"scene_title":         normalized.ShortTitle,
+				"primary_mode":        normalized.PrimaryMode,
+				"main_participants":   append([]string(nil), normalized.MainParticipants...),
+				"summary":             normalized.Summary,
+				"boundary_note":       normalized.BoundaryNote,
+				"boundary_confidence": normalized.BoundaryConfidence,
+				"start_unit_id":       normalized.StartUnitID,
+				"end_unit_id":         normalized.EndUnitID,
+				"unit_count":          len(units),
+			},
+		})
+	}
+
+	if previousEnd != len(doc.Units)-1 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("final scene must end at final source unit %q", doc.Units[len(doc.Units)-1].ID)
+	}
+	return chunks, nil
+}
+
+func normalizeScene(index int, scene sceneResponse) (sceneResponse, error) {
+	out := sceneResponse{
+		StartUnitID:        strings.TrimSpace(scene.StartUnitID),
+		EndUnitID:          strings.TrimSpace(scene.EndUnitID),
+		ShortTitle:         strings.TrimSpace(scene.ShortTitle),
+		PrimaryMode:        strings.TrimSpace(scene.PrimaryMode),
+		Summary:            strings.TrimSpace(scene.Summary),
+		BoundaryNote:       strings.TrimSpace(scene.BoundaryNote),
+		BoundaryConfidence: strings.TrimSpace(scene.BoundaryConfidence),
+	}
+
+	required := map[string]string{
+		"start_unit_id":       out.StartUnitID,
+		"end_unit_id":         out.EndUnitID,
+		"short_title":         out.ShortTitle,
+		"primary_mode":        out.PrimaryMode,
+		"summary":             out.Summary,
+		"boundary_note":       out.BoundaryNote,
+		"boundary_confidence": out.BoundaryConfidence,
+	}
+	for field, value := range required {
+		if value == "" {
+			return sceneResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("scene[%d] %s must not be empty", index, field)
+		}
+	}
+	if !validPrimaryMode(out.PrimaryMode) {
+		return sceneResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("scene[%d] primary_mode %q is not supported", index, out.PrimaryMode)
+	}
+	if !validBoundaryConfidence(out.BoundaryConfidence) {
+		return sceneResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("scene[%d] boundary_confidence %q is not supported", index, out.BoundaryConfidence)
+	}
+	if len(scene.MainParticipants) == 0 {
+		return sceneResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("scene[%d] main_participants must not be empty", index)
+	}
+	out.MainParticipants = make([]string, 0, len(scene.MainParticipants))
+	for participantIndex, participant := range scene.MainParticipants {
+		trimmed := strings.TrimSpace(participant)
+		if trimmed == "" {
+			return sceneResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("scene[%d] main_participants[%d] must not be empty", index, participantIndex)
+		}
+		out.MainParticipants = append(out.MainParticipants, trimmed)
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func validPrimaryMode(value string) bool {
+	switch value {
+	case "Recap", "Discussion", "Combat", "Narrative":
+		return true
+	default:
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
+func validBoundaryConfidence(value string) bool {
+	switch value {
+	case "High", "Medium", "Low":
+		return true
+	default:
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
+func warningsFromCaveats(caveats []string) ([]contracts.Warning, error) {
+	if len(caveats) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	warnings := make([]contracts.Warning, 0, len(caveats))
+	for i, caveat := range caveats {
+		trimmed := strings.TrimSpace(caveat)
+		if trimmed == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("boundary_caveats[%d] must not be empty after trimming", i)
+		}
+		warnings = append(warnings, contracts.Warning{
+			Scope:      Key,
+			ReasonCode: "scene_boundary_caveat",
+			Message:    trimmed,
+		})
+	}
+	return warnings, nil
+}
+
+func cloneUnits(units []source.SourceUnit) []source.SourceUnit {
+	out := make([]source.SourceUnit, 0, len(units))
+	for _, unit := range units {
+		out = append(out, source.SourceUnit{
+			ID:       unit.ID,
+			Kind:     unit.Kind,
+			Text:     unit.Text,
+			Metadata: cloneMetadata(unit.Metadata),
+		})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func cloneMetadata(metadata map[string]any) map[string]any {
+	if len(metadata) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]any, len(metadata))
+	for key, value := range metadata {
+		out[key] = value
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func chunkerErrorf(format string, args ...any) error {
+	return fmt.Errorf("dnd scenes chunker: "+format, args...)
+}

internal/modules/chunk/dnd/scenes/chunker_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,487 @@
+package scenes
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
+)
+
+func TestNewModuleSpecAndRegister(t *testing.T) {
+	chunker := New()
+	if chunker == nil {
+		t.Fatal("New() = nil, want chunker")
+	}
+	if chunker.Key() != Key {
+		t.Fatalf("Key() = %q, want %q", chunker.Key(), Key)
+	}
+
+	want := pipeline.ModuleSpec{
+		Key:      Key,
+		Stage:    pipeline.StageChunk,
+		Requires: []string{"source.transcript"},
+		Provides: []string{"chunks", "chunks.scenes"},
+	}
+	if got := ModuleSpec(); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("ModuleSpec() = %#v, want %#v", got, want)
+	}
+	got := ModuleSpec()
+	got.Requires[0] = "changed"
+	got.Provides[0] = "changed"
+	if again := ModuleSpec(); !reflect.DeepEqual(again, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("ModuleSpec() after caller mutation = %#v, want %#v", again, want)
+	}
+
+	registry := pipeline.NewChunkerRegistry()
+	if err := Register(registry); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Register() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	registered, ok := registry.Spec(Key)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("Spec(%q) ok = false, want true", Key)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(registered, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("registered spec = %#v, want %#v", registered, want)
+	}
+	built, err := registry.Build(Key)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Build(%q) error = %v, want nil", Key, err)
+	}
+	if built.Key() != Key {
+		t.Fatalf("built Key() = %q, want %q", built.Key(), Key)
+	}
+	if slots := built.ReferenceSlots(); len(slots) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("ReferenceSlots() = %#v, want none", slots)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRegisterNilRegistryReturnsError(t *testing.T) {
+	err := Register(nil)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("Register(nil) error = nil, want error")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "chunker registry") {
+		t.Fatalf("Register(nil) error = %q, want registry context", err.Error())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestChunkReturnsSceneChunksFromStructuredOutput(t *testing.T) {
+	client := &fakeScenesLLMClient{
+		response: chunkResponse{
+			Scenes: []sceneResponse{
+				{
+					StartUnitID:        "seg-001",
+					EndUnitID:          "seg-002",
+					ShortTitle:         " Goblin parley ",
+					PrimaryMode:        "Discussion",
+					MainParticipants:   []string{" Aria ", "Goblin scout"},
+					Summary:            " The party negotiates with a scout. ",
+					BoundaryNote:       " The scene covers the discussion before fighting starts. ",
+					BoundaryConfidence: "High",
+				},
+				{
+					StartUnitID:        "seg-003",
+					EndUnitID:          "seg-004",
+					ShortTitle:         "Ambush at the gate",
+					PrimaryMode:        "Combat",
+					MainParticipants:   []string{"Aria", "Goblin ambushers"},
+					Summary:            "The goblins attack at the gate.",
+					BoundaryNote:       "Combat begins and resolves the immediate threat.",
+					BoundaryConfidence: "Medium",
+				},
+			},
+			BoundaryCaveats: []string{" The transition into combat is gradual. "},
+		},
+	}
+
+	result, err := New().Chunk(context.Background(), chunkRequestWithClient(client))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Chunk() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(client.requests) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("LLM calls = %d, want 1", len(client.requests))
+	}
+	req := client.requests[0]
+	if req.StageName != Key {
+		t.Fatalf("StageName = %q, want %q", req.StageName, Key)
+	}
+	schema, err := loadResponseSchema()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("loadResponseSchema() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if req.ResponseSchemaName != schema.Name {
+		t.Fatalf("ResponseSchemaName = %q, want %q", req.ResponseSchemaName, schema.Name)
+	}
+	if !bytes.Equal(req.ResponseSchema, schema.JSONSchema) {
+		t.Fatal("ResponseSchema does not match D&D scenes schema")
+	}
+	if len(req.Messages) != 2 || req.Messages[0].Role != "system" || req.Messages[1].Role != "user" {
+		t.Fatalf("Messages = %#v, want system then user", req.Messages)
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{"session-alpha", "seg-001", "seg-004", "start_unit_id", "boundary_confidence"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(req.Messages[1].Content, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("user message = %q, want substring %q", req.Messages[1].Content, want)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if got := chunkIDs(result.Chunks); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, []string{"scene-000001", "scene-000002"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk IDs = %#v, want deterministic scene IDs", got)
+	}
+	gotUnits := [][]string{unitIDs(result.Chunks[0].Units), unitIDs(result.Chunks[1].Units)}
+	wantUnits := [][]string{{"seg-001", "seg-002"}, {"seg-003", "seg-004"}}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(gotUnits, wantUnits) {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk units = %#v, want %#v", gotUnits, wantUnits)
+	}
+	first := result.Chunks[0]
+	if first.SourceID != "session-alpha" || first.Index != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("first chunk = %#v, want source and index fields", first)
+	}
+	if first.Metadata["scene_title"] != "Goblin parley" ||
+		first.Metadata["primary_mode"] != "Discussion" ||
+		first.Metadata["summary"] != "The party negotiates with a scout." ||
+		first.Metadata["boundary_note"] != "The scene covers the discussion before fighting starts." ||
+		first.Metadata["boundary_confidence"] != "High" ||
+		first.Metadata["start_unit_id"] != "seg-001" ||
+		first.Metadata["end_unit_id"] != "seg-002" ||
+		first.Metadata["unit_count"] != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("first metadata = %#v, want scene metadata", first.Metadata)
+	}
+	if got, ok := first.Metadata["main_participants"].([]string); !ok || !reflect.DeepEqual(got, []string{"Aria", "Goblin scout"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("main_participants = %#v, want trimmed participant slice", first.Metadata["main_participants"])
+	}
+	if got := result.Warnings; len(got) != 1 ||
+		got[0].Scope != Key ||
+		got[0].ReasonCode != "scene_boundary_caveat" ||
+		got[0].Message != "The transition into combat is gradual." {
+		t.Fatalf("Warnings = %#v, want boundary caveat warning", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestChunkRejectsWhitespaceOnlyBoundaryCaveats(t *testing.T) {
+	client := &fakeScenesLLMClient{
+		response: chunkResponse{
+			Scenes: validSceneResponse().Scenes,
+			BoundaryCaveats: []string{
+				"   ",
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	_, err := New().Chunk(context.Background(), chunkRequestWithClient(client))
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("Chunk() error = nil, want malformed structured output error")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "dnd scenes chunker") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "malformed structured output") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "boundary_caveats[0]") {
+		t.Fatalf("Chunk() error = %q, want malformed boundary caveat context", err.Error())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestChunkDefensivelyCopiesSourceUnitsAndMetadata(t *testing.T) {
+	doc := sceneSourceDocument()
+	client := &fakeScenesLLMClient{response: validSceneResponse()}
+
+	result, err := New().Chunk(context.Background(), contracts.ChunkRequest{
+		Source:    doc,
+		LLMClient: client,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Chunk() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	doc.Units[0].ID = "mutated"
+	doc.Units[0].Metadata["speaker"] = "mutated"
+	client.response.Scenes[0].MainParticipants[0] = "mutated"
+
+	if result.Chunks[0].Units[0].ID != "seg-001" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk unit ID changed after source mutation: %#v", result.Chunks[0].Units[0])
+	}
+	if result.Chunks[0].Units[0].Metadata["speaker"] != "Alice" {
+		t.Fatalf("chunk unit metadata changed after source mutation: %#v", result.Chunks[0].Units[0].Metadata)
+	}
+	participants, ok := result.Chunks[0].Metadata["main_participants"].([]string)
+	if !ok || participants[0] != "Aria" {
+		t.Fatalf("participants = %#v, want defensive copy", result.Chunks[0].Metadata["main_participants"])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestChunkerManifestMetadataIncludesPromptAndSchemaProvenance(t *testing.T) {
+	metadata := New().ManifestMetadata()
+
+	tests := map[string]string{
+		"prompt_id":               PromptID,
+		"prompt_version":          ResponseSchemaVersion,
+		"response_schema_key":     string(ResponseSchemaKey),
+		"response_schema_id":      ResponseSchemaID,
+		"response_schema_name":    ResponseSchemaName,
+		"response_schema_version": ResponseSchemaVersion,
+	}
+	for key, want := range tests {
+		if metadata[key] != want {
+			t.Fatalf("metadata[%q] = %#v, want %q", key, metadata[key], want)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, key := range []string{"prompt_sha256", "response_schema_sha256"} {
+		value, ok := metadata[key].(string)
+		if !ok || !strings.HasPrefix(value, "sha256:") {
+			t.Fatalf("metadata[%q] = %#v, want sha256 value", key, metadata[key])
+		}
+	}
+	for _, forbidden := range []string{"prompt", "schema", "source", "text"} {
+		if _, ok := metadata[forbidden]; ok {
+			t.Fatalf("metadata includes raw %q field: %#v", forbidden, metadata)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestChunkRejectsInvalidRequests(t *testing.T) {
+	validClient := &fakeScenesLLMClient{response: validSceneResponse()}
+	validReq := chunkRequestWithClient(validClient)
+	canceledCtx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	cancel()
+	invalidDoc := sceneSourceDocument()
+	invalidDoc.Units[0].ID = ""
+	emptyDoc := sceneSourceDocument()
+	emptyDoc.Units = nil
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		chunker *Chunker
+		ctx     context.Context
+		req     contracts.ChunkRequest
+		want    string
+	}{
+		{name: "nil chunker", chunker: nil, ctx: context.Background(), req: validReq, want: "chunker"},
+		{name: "nil context", chunker: New(), ctx: nil, req: validReq, want: "context"},
+		{name: "canceled context", chunker: New(), ctx: canceledCtx, req: validReq, want: "context"},
+		{name: "nil source", chunker: New(), ctx: context.Background(), req: contracts.ChunkRequest{LLMClient: validClient}, want: "source"},
+		{name: "empty source units", chunker: New(), ctx: context.Background(), req: contracts.ChunkRequest{Source: emptyDoc, LLMClient: validClient}, want: "units"},
+		{name: "invalid source", chunker: New(), ctx: context.Background(), req: contracts.ChunkRequest{Source: invalidDoc, LLMClient: validClient}, want: "validate source document"},
+		{name: "nil LLM client", chunker: New(), ctx: context.Background(), req: contracts.ChunkRequest{Source: sceneSourceDocument()}, want: "LLM client"},
+		{name: "unsupported options", chunker: New(), ctx: context.Background(), req: requestWithOptions(validReq), want: "options"},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := tt.chunker.Chunk(tt.ctx, tt.req)
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("Chunk() error = nil, want error")
+			}
+			if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "dnd scenes") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tt.want) {
+				t.Fatalf("Chunk() error = %q, want module context and %q", err.Error(), tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestChunkRejectsMalformedStructuredOutput(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name     string
+		response chunkResponse
+		want     string
+	}{
+		{name: "missing scenes", response: chunkResponse{}, want: "scenes"},
+		{name: "empty scenes", response: chunkResponse{Scenes: []sceneResponse{}}, want: "scenes"},
+		{
+			name: "unknown boundary id",
+			response: replaceScenes(validSceneResponse(), []sceneResponse{
+				scene("seg-001", "seg-999"),
+			}),
+			want: "was not found",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "out of order boundaries",
+			response: replaceScenes(validSceneResponse(), []sceneResponse{
+				scene("seg-003", "seg-002"),
+			}),
+			want: "appears after",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "gap",
+			response: replaceScenes(validSceneResponse(), []sceneResponse{
+				scene("seg-001", "seg-001"),
+				scene("seg-003", "seg-004"),
+			}),
+			want: "gap",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "overlap",
+			response: replaceScenes(validSceneResponse(), []sceneResponse{
+				scene("seg-001", "seg-002"),
+				scene("seg-002", "seg-004"),
+			}),
+			want: "overlap",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "incomplete coverage",
+			response: replaceScenes(validSceneResponse(), []sceneResponse{
+				scene("seg-001", "seg-003"),
+			}),
+			want: "final scene",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "empty metadata field",
+			response: replaceScenes(validSceneResponse(), []sceneResponse{
+				{
+					StartUnitID:        "seg-001",
+					EndUnitID:          "seg-004",
+					ShortTitle:         " ",
+					PrimaryMode:        "Narrative",
+					MainParticipants:   []string{"Aria"},
+					Summary:            "Summary.",
+					BoundaryNote:       "Note.",
+					BoundaryConfidence: "High",
+				},
+			}),
+			want: "short_title",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "empty participant",
+			response: replaceScenes(validSceneResponse(), []sceneResponse{
+				{
+					StartUnitID:        "seg-001",
+					EndUnitID:          "seg-004",
+					ShortTitle:         "Title",
+					PrimaryMode:        "Narrative",
+					MainParticipants:   []string{"Aria", " "},
+					Summary:            "Summary.",
+					BoundaryNote:       "Note.",
+					BoundaryConfidence: "High",
+				},
+			}),
+			want: "main_participants",
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			client := &fakeScenesLLMClient{response: tt.response}
+			_, err := New().Chunk(context.Background(), chunkRequestWithClient(client))
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("Chunk() error = nil, want error")
+			}
+			if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "dnd scenes") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tt.want) {
+				t.Fatalf("Chunk() error = %q, want module context and %q", err.Error(), tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestChunkWrapsLLMClientError(t *testing.T) {
+	client := &fakeScenesLLMClient{err: errors.New("provider unavailable")}
+
+	_, err := New().Chunk(context.Background(), chunkRequestWithClient(client))
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("Chunk() error = nil, want LLM error")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "dnd scenes") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "provider unavailable") {
+		t.Fatalf("Chunk() error = %q, want wrapped LLM context", err.Error())
+	}
+}
+
+func chunkRequestWithClient(client contracts.StructuredLLMClient) contracts.ChunkRequest {
+	return contracts.ChunkRequest{
+		Source:    sceneSourceDocument(),
+		LLMClient: client,
+	}
+}
+
+func requestWithOptions(req contracts.ChunkRequest) contracts.ChunkRequest {
+	req.Options = map[string]any{"max_units": 2}
+	return req
+}
+
+func sceneSourceDocument() *source.SourceDocument {
+	return &source.SourceDocument{
+		ID:     "session-alpha",
+		Kind:   "transcript",
+		Format: "application/vnd.seriatim.minimal+json",
+		Digest: "sha256:source",
+		Units: []source.SourceUnit{
+			{ID: "seg-001", Kind: "transcript_segment", Text: "Aria asks whether the goblin will parley.", Metadata: map[string]any{"speaker": "Alice"}},
+			{ID: "seg-002", Kind: "transcript_segment", Text: "The goblin scout describes the gate guards."},
+			{ID: "seg-003", Kind: "transcript_segment", Text: "The guards rush out with blades drawn."},
+			{ID: "seg-004", Kind: "transcript_segment", Text: "The party defeats the ambushers."},
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func validSceneResponse() chunkResponse {
+	return chunkResponse{
+		Scenes: []sceneResponse{
+			scene("seg-001", "seg-004"),
+		},
+		BoundaryCaveats: []string{},
+	}
+}
+
+func replaceScenes(response chunkResponse, scenes []sceneResponse) chunkResponse {
+	response.Scenes = scenes
+	return response
+}
+
+func scene(startUnitID string, endUnitID string) sceneResponse {
+	return sceneResponse{
+		StartUnitID:        startUnitID,
+		EndUnitID:          endUnitID,
+		ShortTitle:         "Scene title",
+		PrimaryMode:        "Narrative",
+		MainParticipants:   []string{"Aria"},
+		Summary:            "A compact summary.",
+		BoundaryNote:       "The source units form one coherent scene.",
+		BoundaryConfidence: "High",
+	}
+}
+
+func chunkIDs(chunks []contracts.SourceChunk) []string {
+	ids := make([]string, 0, len(chunks))
+	for _, chunk := range chunks {
+		ids = append(ids, chunk.ID)
+	}
+	return ids
+}
+
+func unitIDs(units []source.SourceUnit) []string {
+	ids := make([]string, 0, len(units))
+	for _, unit := range units {
+		ids = append(ids, unit.ID)
+	}
+	return ids
+}
+
+type fakeScenesLLMClient struct {
+	response chunkResponse
+	err      error
+	requests []contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest
+}
+
+func (client *fakeScenesLLMClient) CompleteStructured(ctx context.Context, req contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest, out any) (contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse, error) {
+	client.requests = append(client.requests, contracts.StructuredCompletionRequest{
+		StageName:          req.StageName,
+		Messages:           append([]contracts.LLMMessage(nil), req.Messages...),
+		Model:              req.Model,
+		ResponseSchemaName: req.ResponseSchemaName,
+		ResponseSchema:     append(json.RawMessage(nil), req.ResponseSchema...),
+	})
+	if client.err != nil {
+		return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{}, client.err
+	}
+
+	target, ok := out.(*chunkResponse)
+	if !ok {
+		return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{}, errors.New("unexpected output target")
+	}
+	*target = client.response
+	content, err := json.Marshal(client.response)
+	if err != nil {
+		return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{}, err
+	}
+	return contracts.StructuredCompletionResponse{Content: content}, nil
+}

internal/modules/chunk/dnd/scenes/model.go

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+package scenes
+
+type chunkResponse struct {
+	Scenes          []sceneResponse `json:"scenes"`
+	BoundaryCaveats []string        `json:"boundary_caveats"`
+}
+
+type sceneResponse struct {
+	StartUnitID        string   `json:"start_unit_id"`
+	EndUnitID          string   `json:"end_unit_id"`
+	ShortTitle         string   `json:"short_title"`
+	PrimaryMode        string   `json:"primary_mode"`
+	MainParticipants   []string `json:"main_participants"`
+	Summary            string   `json:"summary"`
+	BoundaryNote       string   `json:"boundary_note"`
+	BoundaryConfidence string   `json:"boundary_confidence"`
+}

internal/modules/chunk/dnd/scenes/prompt.go

@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+package scenes
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/prompt"
+)
+
+type promptData struct {
+	SourceID string
+	Units    []promptUnit
+}
+
+type promptUnit struct {
+	ID       string
+	Text     string
+	Metadata []promptMetadata
+}
+
+type promptMetadata struct {
+	Key   string
+	Value string
+}
+
+var scenesPromptBundle = mustLoadPromptBundle()
+
+func mustLoadPromptBundle() *prompt.Bundle {
+	bundle, err := prompt.LoadBundle(embeddedAssets, prompt.Definition{
+		PromptID:     PromptID,
+		Version:      ResponseSchemaVersion,
+		EmbeddedPath: "assets/prompts",
+		SystemPath:   "assets/prompts/system.md",
+		UserPath:     "assets/prompts/user.md",
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	return bundle
+}
+
+func buildPromptData(req contracts.ChunkRequest) (promptData, error) {
+	if req.Source == nil {
+		return promptData{}, fmt.Errorf("dnd scenes prompt: source must not be nil")
+	}
+
+	data := promptData{
+		SourceID: req.Source.ID,
+		Units:    make([]promptUnit, 0, len(req.Source.Units)),
+	}
+	for _, unit := range req.Source.Units {
+		data.Units = append(data.Units, promptUnit{
+			ID:       unit.ID,
+			Text:     unit.Text,
+			Metadata: selectedMetadata(unit),
+		})
+	}
+	return data, nil
+}
+
+func renderPrompt(req contracts.ChunkRequest) (system string, user string, metadata prompt.Metadata, err error) {
+	data, err := buildPromptData(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", "", prompt.Metadata{}, err
+	}
+	system, user, metadata, err = scenesPromptBundle.RenderUserSystem(data)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", "", prompt.Metadata{}, fmt.Errorf("dnd scenes prompt: %w", err)
+	}
+	return system, user, metadata, nil
+}
+
+func selectedMetadata(unit source.SourceUnit) []promptMetadata {
+	if len(unit.Metadata) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	keys := []string{"speaker", "start", "end"}
+	metadata := make([]promptMetadata, 0, len(keys))
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		value, ok := unit.Metadata[key]
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		rendered := strings.TrimSpace(fmt.Sprint(value))
+		if rendered == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		metadata = append(metadata, promptMetadata{
+			Key:   key,
+			Value: rendered,
+		})
+	}
+	return metadata
+}

internal/modules/chunk/dnd/scenes/prompt_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,155 @@
+package scenes
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/core/source"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/prompt"
+)
+
+func TestBuildPromptDataFromSourceDocument(t *testing.T) {
+	req := promptChunkRequest()
+
+	data, err := buildPromptData(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("buildPromptData() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	if data.SourceID != "session-alpha" {
+		t.Fatalf("SourceID = %q, want session-alpha", data.SourceID)
+	}
+	if len(data.Units) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("len(Units) = %d, want 2", len(data.Units))
+	}
+	first := data.Units[0]
+	if first.ID != "seg-001" || first.Text != "Aria and Bram discuss whether to enter the ruins." {
+		t.Fatalf("first unit = %#v, want source unit data", first)
+	}
+	wantMetadata := []promptMetadata{
+		{Key: "speaker", Value: "Alice"},
+		{Key: "start", Value: "1.25"},
+		{Key: "end", Value: "3.5"},
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(first.Metadata, wantMetadata) {
+		t.Fatalf("first.Metadata = %#v, want %#v", first.Metadata, wantMetadata)
+	}
+	if len(data.Units[1].Metadata) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("second.Metadata = %#v, want no selected metadata", data.Units[1].Metadata)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBuildPromptDataDoesNotMutateRequest(t *testing.T) {
+	req := promptChunkRequest()
+	beforeSource := mustJSON(t, req.Source)
+	beforeRequest := mustJSON(t, req)
+
+	if _, err := buildPromptData(req); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("buildPromptData() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	afterSource := mustJSON(t, req.Source)
+	afterRequest := mustJSON(t, req)
+	if beforeSource != afterSource || beforeRequest != afterRequest {
+		t.Fatalf(
+			"request mutated:\nsource before: %s\nsource after:  %s\nrequest before: %s\nrequest after:  %s",
+			beforeSource,
+			afterSource,
+			beforeRequest,
+			afterRequest,
+		)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRenderPromptIncludesSourceUnitsAndMetadata(t *testing.T) {
+	system, user, metadata, err := renderPrompt(promptChunkRequest())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("renderPrompt() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	if !strings.Contains(system, prompt.HardeningText()) {
+		t.Fatalf("system prompt = %q, want hardening text", system)
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"session-alpha",
+		"seg-001",
+		"seg-002",
+		"Aria and Bram discuss whether to enter the ruins.",
+		"The goblins rush out and initiative begins.",
+		"speaker: Alice",
+		"start: 1.25",
+		"end: 3.5",
+		"start_unit_id",
+		"end_unit_id",
+		"primary_mode",
+		"boundary_confidence",
+		"Recap, Discussion, Combat, or Narrative",
+		"High, Medium, or Low",
+		"no gaps",
+		"do not overlap",
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(user, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("user prompt = %q, want substring %q", user, want)
+		}
+	}
+	if metadata.PromptID != PromptID {
+		t.Fatalf("metadata.PromptID = %q, want %q", metadata.PromptID, PromptID)
+	}
+	if metadata.PromptVersion != ResponseSchemaVersion {
+		t.Fatalf("metadata.PromptVersion = %q, want %q", metadata.PromptVersion, ResponseSchemaVersion)
+	}
+	if metadata.EmbeddedPath != "assets/prompts" {
+		t.Fatalf("metadata.EmbeddedPath = %q, want assets/prompts", metadata.EmbeddedPath)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBuildPromptDataRejectsMissingSourceContext(t *testing.T) {
+	if _, err := buildPromptData(contracts.ChunkRequest{}); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "source") {
+		t.Fatalf("buildPromptData() error = %v, want source error", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func promptChunkRequest() contracts.ChunkRequest {
+	return contracts.ChunkRequest{
+		Source: promptSourceDocument(),
+	}
+}
+
+func promptSourceDocument() *source.SourceDocument {
+	return &source.SourceDocument{
+		ID:     "session-alpha",
+		Kind:   "transcript",
+		Format: "application/vnd.seriatim.minimal+json",
+		Digest: "sha256:test",
+		Units: []source.SourceUnit{
+			{
+				ID:   "seg-001",
+				Kind: "transcript_segment",
+				Text: "Aria and Bram discuss whether to enter the ruins.",
+				Metadata: map[string]any{
+					"speaker": "Alice",
+					"start":   json.Number("1.25"),
+					"end":     json.Number("3.5"),
+					"ignored": "not rendered",
+				},
+			},
+			{
+				ID:       "seg-002",
+				Kind:     "transcript_segment",
+				Text:     "The goblins rush out and initiative begins.",
+				Metadata: map[string]any{"ignored": "not rendered"},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func mustJSON(t *testing.T, value any) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	encoded, err := json.Marshal(value)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Marshal() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	return string(encoded)
+}

internal/modules/chunk/dnd/scenes/schema.go

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+package scenes
+
+import "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/llm"
+
+const (
+	PromptID              = "dnd.scenes"
+	ResponseSchemaKey     = llm.ResponseSchemaKey("dnd_scenes")
+	ResponseSchemaID      = "notarius.dnd.scenes"
+	ResponseSchemaVersion = "v1"
+	ResponseSchemaName    = "notarius_dnd_scenes_v1"
+)
+
+func loadResponseSchema() (llm.ResponseSchema, error) {
+	return llm.LoadResponseSchema(embeddedAssets, llm.ResponseSchemaDefinition{
+		Key:       ResponseSchemaKey,
+		ID:        ResponseSchemaID,
+		Version:   ResponseSchemaVersion,
+		Name:      ResponseSchemaName,
+		AssetPath: "assets/schemas/dnd_scenes.v1.json",
+	})
+}

internal/modules/chunk/dnd/scenes/schema_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+package scenes
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestLoadResponseSchemaForScenes(t *testing.T) {
+	schema, err := loadResponseSchema()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("loadResponseSchema() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if schema.Key != ResponseSchemaKey {
+		t.Fatalf("schema.Key = %q, want %q", schema.Key, ResponseSchemaKey)
+	}
+	if schema.ID != ResponseSchemaID {
+		t.Fatalf("schema.ID = %q, want %q", schema.ID, ResponseSchemaID)
+	}
+	if schema.Version != ResponseSchemaVersion {
+		t.Fatalf("schema.Version = %q, want %q", schema.Version, ResponseSchemaVersion)
+	}
+	if schema.Name != ResponseSchemaName {
+		t.Fatalf("schema.Name = %q, want %q", schema.Name, ResponseSchemaName)
+	}
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(schema.SHA256, "sha256:") {
+		t.Fatalf("schema.SHA256 = %q, want sha256 prefix", schema.SHA256)
+	}
+	if !json.Valid(schema.JSONSchema) {
+		t.Fatalf("schema.JSONSchema is invalid JSON: %s", schema.JSONSchema)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResponseSchemaShapeUsesSourceUnitBoundaries(t *testing.T) {
+	schema, err := loadResponseSchema()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("loadResponseSchema() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	var decoded map[string]any
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(schema.JSONSchema, &decoded); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Unmarshal() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if decoded["$id"] != ResponseSchemaID {
+		t.Fatalf("$id = %#v, want %q", decoded["$id"], ResponseSchemaID)
+	}
+	if decoded["additionalProperties"] != false {
+		t.Fatalf("additionalProperties = %#v, want false", decoded["additionalProperties"])
+	}
+
+	properties := decoded["properties"].(map[string]any)
+	if _, ok := properties["artifact_type"]; ok {
+		t.Fatal("schema includes artifact_type, want only scene response fields")
+	}
+	if _, ok := properties["session_scope"]; ok {
+		t.Fatal("schema includes session_scope, want no session wrapper")
+	}
+
+	sceneProperties := properties["scenes"].(map[string]any)["items"].(map[string]any)["properties"].(map[string]any)
+	for _, field := range []string{"scene_id", "start_segment_id", "end_segment_id"} {
+		if _, ok := sceneProperties[field]; ok {
+			t.Fatalf("scene schema includes old field %q", field)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, field := range []string{"start_unit_id", "end_unit_id"} {
+		property := sceneProperties[field].(map[string]any)
+		if property["type"] != "string" {
+			t.Fatalf("%s type = %#v, want string", field, property["type"])
+		}
+	}
+
+	modeEnum := sceneProperties["primary_mode"].(map[string]any)["enum"].([]any)
+	if !sameStrings(modeEnum, []string{"Recap", "Discussion", "Combat", "Narrative"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("primary_mode enum = %#v, want Recap/Discussion/Combat/Narrative", modeEnum)
+	}
+	confidenceEnum := sceneProperties["boundary_confidence"].(map[string]any)["enum"].([]any)
+	if !sameStrings(confidenceEnum, []string{"High", "Medium", "Low"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("boundary_confidence enum = %#v, want High/Medium/Low", confidenceEnum)
+	}
+
+	boundaryCaveatItems := decoded["properties"].(map[string]any)["boundary_caveats"].(map[string]any)["items"].(map[string]any)
+	if boundaryCaveatItems["type"] != "string" {
+		t.Fatalf("boundary_caveats.items.type = %#v, want string", boundaryCaveatItems["type"])
+	}
+	if boundaryCaveatItems["minLength"] != float64(1) {
+		t.Fatalf("boundary_caveats.items.minLength = %#v, want 1", boundaryCaveatItems["minLength"])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResponseStructRejectsIntegerBoundaries(t *testing.T) {
+	raw := []byte(`{
+		"scenes": [
+			{
+				"start_unit_id": 1,
+				"end_unit_id": 3,
+				"short_title": "Ambush",
+				"primary_mode": "Combat",
+				"main_participants": ["Aria"],
+				"summary": "The party fights.",
+				"boundary_note": "Combat starts and resolves.",
+				"boundary_confidence": "High"
+			}
+		],
+		"boundary_caveats": []
+	}`)
+
+	var response chunkResponse
+	err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &response)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Unmarshal() error = nil, want integer boundary type error: %#v", response)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "string") {
+		t.Fatalf("Unmarshal() error = %v, want string type error", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResponseSchemaJSONIsMutationSafe(t *testing.T) {
+	first, err := loadResponseSchema()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("loadResponseSchema() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	first.JSONSchema[0] = '['
+
+	second, err := loadResponseSchema()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("loadResponseSchema() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	if !json.Valid(second.JSONSchema) {
+		t.Fatalf("schema JSON was mutated: %s", second.JSONSchema)
+	}
+	if len(second.JSONSchema) > 0 && second.JSONSchema[0] == '[' {
+		t.Fatalf("schema JSON did not use defensive copy")
+	}
+}
+
+func sameStrings(got []any, want []string) bool {
+	if len(got) != len(want) {
+		return false
+	}
+	for i := range want {
+		if got[i] != want[i] {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}

internal/modules/chunk/generic/chunker.go

@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@ func (c *Chunker) Key() string {
 	return Key
 }
 
+func (c *Chunker) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (c *Chunker) Chunk(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ChunkRequest) (contracts.ChunkResult, error) {
 	if c == nil {
 		return contracts.ChunkResult{}, chunkerErrorf("chunker must not be nil")

internal/modules/chunk/generic/chunker_test.go

@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@ func TestModuleSpecAndRegister(t *testing.T) {
 	if chunker.Key() != Key {
 		t.Fatalf("Key() = %q, want %q", chunker.Key(), Key)
 	}
+	if slots := chunker.ReferenceSlots(); len(slots) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("ReferenceSlots() = %#v, want none", slots)
+	}
 }
 
 func TestChunkUsesDefaultsForSingleChunk(t *testing.T) {

internal/modules/extract/dnd/spells/assets/prompts/system.md

@@ -6,4 +6,9 @@ Extract only spell casts that are supported by the provided source text. Do not
 infer spells from general D&D knowledge or from table chatter that does not
 identify a spell being cast.
 
+Reference material, when present, is supporting context only. Use it only to
+disambiguate names, aliases, speakers, campaign terms, or spell names already
+present in the source text. Do not extract a spell cast solely because it appears
+in reference material.
+
 Source references must use the source-unit IDs exactly as provided.

internal/modules/extract/dnd/spells/assets/prompts/user.md

@@ -16,6 +16,19 @@ Source units:
 {{ end }}
 {{ end }}
 
+{{ if hasreference "roster" }}
+Roster reference material:
+{{ reference "roster" }}
+
+{{ end }}
+{{ if hasreference "glossary" }}
+Glossary reference material:
+{{ reference "glossary" }}
+
+{{ end }}
 Return only D&D spell-cast artifacts. For each spell cast, identify the in-world
 caster, spell name, effect, narrative description, and source references using
 source_id, start_unit_id, and end_unit_id.
+
+Use roster and glossary reference material only to clarify source text. Do not
+return spells, casters, or effects that are mentioned only in reference material.

internal/modules/extract/dnd/spells/config_test.go

@@ -236,6 +236,10 @@ func (dndSpellsChunker) Key() string {
 	return "fake/chunk"
 }
 
+func (dndSpellsChunker) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (dndSpellsChunker) Chunk(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ChunkRequest) (contracts.ChunkResult, error) {
 	return contracts.ChunkResult{
 		Chunks: []contracts.SourceChunk{

internal/modules/extract/dnd/spells/extractor.go

@@ -25,6 +25,19 @@ var providedCapabilities = []string{
 	"dnd.spell_casts",
 }
 
+var referenceSlots = []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+	{
+		Name:               "glossary",
+		Description:        "Optional campaign glossary reference material used only for disambiguation.",
+		AcceptedMediaTypes: []string{"text/plain; charset=utf-8"},
+	},
+	{
+		Name:               "roster",
+		Description:        "Optional campaign roster or player-character reference material used only for disambiguation.",
+		AcceptedMediaTypes: []string{"text/plain; charset=utf-8"},
+	},
+}
+
 var _ contracts.Extractor = (*Extractor)(nil)
 
 type Extractor struct{}
@@ -45,6 +58,10 @@ func (e *Extractor) SchemaVersion() string {
 	return SchemaVersion
 }
 
+func (e *Extractor) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return cloneReferenceSlots(referenceSlots)
+}
+
 func (e *Extractor) ManifestMetadata() map[string]any {
 	promptMetadata := spellsPromptBundle.Metadata()
 	metadata := map[string]any{
@@ -136,10 +153,11 @@ func (e *Extractor) Extract(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ExtractionRequest
 
 func ModuleSpec() pipeline.ModuleSpec {
 	return pipeline.ModuleSpec{
-		Key:      Key,
-		Stage:    pipeline.StageExtract,
-		Requires: append([]string(nil), requiredCapabilities...),
-		Provides: append([]string(nil), providedCapabilities...),
+		Key:            Key,
+		Stage:          pipeline.StageExtract,
+		Requires:       append([]string(nil), requiredCapabilities...),
+		Provides:       append([]string(nil), providedCapabilities...),
+		ReferenceSlots: cloneReferenceSlots(referenceSlots),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -161,3 +179,15 @@ func spellCastPayload(spellCast spellCastResponse) (json.RawMessage, error) {
 func extractorErrorf(format string, args ...any) error {
 	return fmt.Errorf("dnd spells extractor: "+format, args...)
 }
+
+func cloneReferenceSlots(slots []contracts.ReferenceSlot) []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	if len(slots) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make([]contracts.ReferenceSlot, len(slots))
+	for i, slot := range slots {
+		slot.AcceptedMediaTypes = append([]string(nil), slot.AcceptedMediaTypes...)
+		out[i] = slot
+	}
+	return out
+}

internal/modules/extract/dnd/spells/extractor_test.go

@@ -116,6 +116,56 @@ func TestExtractorManifestMetadataIncludesPromptAndSchemaProvenance(t *testing.T
 	}
 }
 
+func TestExtractIncludesReferencesInPrompt(t *testing.T) {
+	client := &fakeSpellsLLMClient{response: extractionResponse{SpellCasts: []spellCastResponse{}}}
+	req := extractionRequestWithClient(client)
+	req.References = contracts.ReferenceSet{
+		Slots: map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+			"roster": {
+				Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster"},
+				Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+					{SlotName: "roster", Content: []byte("Aria Brightmantle: party cleric")},
+				},
+			},
+			"glossary": {
+				Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "glossary"},
+				Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+					{SlotName: "glossary", Content: []byte("Brightmantle: local temple name")},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	if _, err := New().Extract(context.Background(), req); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Extract() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(client.requests) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("LLM calls = %d, want 1", len(client.requests))
+	}
+	system := client.requests[0].Messages[0].Content
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"Reference material, when present, is supporting context only.",
+		"in reference material.",
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(system, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("system prompt = %q, want substring %q", system, want)
+		}
+	}
+	user := client.requests[0].Messages[1].Content
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"Roster reference material:",
+		"Aria Brightmantle: party cleric",
+		"Glossary reference material:",
+		"Brightmantle: local temple name",
+		"mentioned only in reference material.",
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(user, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("user prompt = %q, want substring %q", user, want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func TestExtractReturnsNoCandidatesForEmptyResponse(t *testing.T) {
 	client := &fakeSpellsLLMClient{response: extractionResponse{SpellCasts: []spellCastResponse{}}}
 

internal/modules/extract/dnd/spells/prompt.go

@@ -32,11 +32,12 @@ var spellsPromptBundle = mustLoadPromptBundle()
 
 func mustLoadPromptBundle() *prompt.Bundle {
 	bundle, err := prompt.LoadBundle(embeddedAssets, prompt.Definition{
-		PromptID:     PromptID,
-		Version:      SchemaVersion,
-		EmbeddedPath: "assets/prompts",
-		SystemPath:   "assets/prompts/system.md",
-		UserPath:     "assets/prompts/user.md",
+		PromptID:       PromptID,
+		Version:        SchemaVersion,
+		EmbeddedPath:   "assets/prompts",
+		SystemPath:     "assets/prompts/system.md",
+		UserPath:       "assets/prompts/user.md",
+		ReferenceSlots: cloneReferenceSlots(referenceSlots),
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ func renderPrompt(req contracts.ExtractionRequest) (system string, user string,
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", "", prompt.Metadata{}, err
 	}
-	system, user, metadata, err = spellsPromptBundle.RenderUserSystem(data)
+	system, user, metadata, err = spellsPromptBundle.RenderUserSystemWithReferences(data, req.References)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", "", prompt.Metadata{}, fmt.Errorf("dnd spells prompt: %w", err)
 	}

internal/modules/extract/dnd/spells/prompt_test.go

@@ -101,6 +101,50 @@ func TestRenderPromptIncludesSourceContext(t *testing.T) {
 	if metadata.EmbeddedPath != "assets/prompts" {
 		t.Fatalf("metadata.EmbeddedPath = %q, want assets/prompts", metadata.EmbeddedPath)
 	}
+	if strings.Contains(user, "Roster reference material") || strings.Contains(user, "Glossary reference material") {
+		t.Fatalf("user prompt = %q, want no optional reference sections without bindings", user)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRenderPromptIncludesBoundReferences(t *testing.T) {
+	req := promptExtractionRequest()
+	req.References = contracts.ReferenceSet{
+		Slots: map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+			"roster": {
+				Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster"},
+				Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+					{SlotName: "roster", Content: []byte("Aria: cleric, also known as Sister Aria")},
+				},
+			},
+			"glossary": {
+				Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "glossary"},
+				Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+					{SlotName: "glossary", Content: []byte("Cure Wounds: healing spell")},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	_, user, metadata, err := renderPrompt(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("renderPrompt() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"Roster reference material:",
+		"Aria: cleric, also known as Sister Aria",
+		"Glossary reference material:",
+		"Cure Wounds: healing spell",
+		"Use roster and glossary reference material only to clarify source text.",
+		"mentioned only in reference material.",
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(user, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("user prompt = %q, want substring %q", user, want)
+		}
+	}
+	if metadata.SHA256 != spellsPromptBundle.Metadata().SHA256 {
+		t.Fatalf("metadata.SHA256 = %q, want template hash %q", metadata.SHA256, spellsPromptBundle.Metadata().SHA256)
+	}
 }
 
 func TestBuildPromptDataRejectsMissingSourceContext(t *testing.T) {

internal/modules/extract/dnd/spells/registry_test.go

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/contracts"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/notarius/internal/framework/pipeline"
 )
 
@@ -36,6 +37,18 @@ func TestModuleSpec(t *testing.T) {
 		Provides: []string{
 			"dnd.spell_casts",
 		},
+		ReferenceSlots: []contracts.ReferenceSlot{
+			{
+				Name:               "glossary",
+				Description:        "Optional campaign glossary reference material used only for disambiguation.",
+				AcceptedMediaTypes: []string{"text/plain; charset=utf-8"},
+			},
+			{
+				Name:               "roster",
+				Description:        "Optional campaign roster or player-character reference material used only for disambiguation.",
+				AcceptedMediaTypes: []string{"text/plain; charset=utf-8"},
+			},
+		},
 	}
 	if !reflect.DeepEqual(got, want) {
 		t.Fatalf("ModuleSpec() = %#v, want %#v", got, want)
@@ -43,6 +56,7 @@ func TestModuleSpec(t *testing.T) {
 
 	got.Requires[0] = "changed"
 	got.Provides[0] = "changed"
+	got.ReferenceSlots[0].AcceptedMediaTypes[0] = "changed"
 	again := ModuleSpec()
 	if !reflect.DeepEqual(again, want) {
 		t.Fatalf("ModuleSpec() after caller mutation = %#v, want %#v", again, want)
@@ -82,6 +96,15 @@ func TestRegisterStoresModuleSpec(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestRuntimeReferenceSlotsMatchModuleSpec(t *testing.T) {
+	extractor := New()
+	spec := ModuleSpec()
+
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(extractor.ReferenceSlots(), spec.ReferenceSlots) {
+		t.Fatalf("ReferenceSlots() = %#v, want spec slots %#v", extractor.ReferenceSlots(), spec.ReferenceSlots)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRegisterNilRegistryReturnsError(t *testing.T) {
 	err := Register(nil)
 	if err == nil {

internal/modules/extract/dnd/spells/runner_test.go

@@ -110,6 +110,96 @@ func TestRunnerProcessesSeriatimInputWithDNDSpellsExtractor(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestRunnerPassesRosterAndGlossaryReferencesToDNDSpellsPrompt(t *testing.T) {
+	raw := readDNDSpellsFixture(t)
+	expectedDoc := parseDNDSpellsFixture(t, raw)
+	resolved := resolveDNDSpellsPipeline(t)
+	resolved.ResolvedPipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet = dndSpellsReferenceSet(
+		"Aria: party cleric\nBorin: fighter",
+		"Fire Bolt: evocation cantrip",
+	)
+	llmClient := &fakeSpellsLLMClient{
+		response: extractionResponse{
+			SpellCasts: []spellCastResponse{
+				{
+					Caster:               "Borin",
+					Spell:                "Fire Bolt",
+					Effect:               "Scorches the wight.",
+					NarrativeDescription: "Borin hurls fire at the wight.",
+					SourceRefs: []source.SourceRef{
+						{SourceID: expectedDoc.ID, StartUnitID: "seg-003", EndUnitID: "seg-003"},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	output, err := pipeline.New(dndSpellsRunnerRegistries(t)).Run(context.Background(), pipeline.RunInput{
+		Pipeline:  resolved.ResolvedPipeline,
+		RawInput:  raw,
+		LLMClient: llmClient,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(output.Approved) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("len(Approved) = %d, want 1", len(output.Approved))
+	}
+	if len(output.Manifest.References) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("manifest references = %#v, want roster and glossary provenance", output.Manifest.References)
+	}
+	if len(llmClient.requests) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("LLM calls = %d, want 1", len(llmClient.requests))
+	}
+	user := llmClient.requests[0].Messages[1].Content
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"Roster reference material:",
+		"Aria: party cleric",
+		"Glossary reference material:",
+		"Fire Bolt: evocation cantrip",
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(user, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("user prompt = %q, want substring %q", user, want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunnerDoesNotExtractSpellMentionedOnlyInRoster(t *testing.T) {
+	raw := readDNDSpellsFixture(t)
+	resolved := resolveDNDSpellsPipeline(t)
+	resolved.ResolvedPipeline.ArtifactLanes[0].ExtractReferences.ReferenceSet = dndSpellsReferenceSet(
+		"Mira: wizard who can cast Lightning Bolt",
+		"",
+	)
+	llmClient := &fakeSpellsLLMClient{
+		response: extractionResponse{SpellCasts: []spellCastResponse{}},
+	}
+
+	output, err := pipeline.New(dndSpellsRunnerRegistries(t)).Run(context.Background(), pipeline.RunInput{
+		Pipeline:  resolved.ResolvedPipeline,
+		RawInput:  raw,
+		LLMClient: llmClient,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(output.Approved) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("approved artifacts = %#v, want no roster-only spell casts", output.Approved)
+	}
+	if len(llmClient.requests) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("LLM calls = %d, want 1", len(llmClient.requests))
+	}
+	user := llmClient.requests[0].Messages[1].Content
+	if !strings.Contains(user, "Lightning Bolt") {
+		t.Fatalf("user prompt = %q, want roster-only spell in reference section", user)
+	}
+	if output.Manifest.ValidationStatus != "approved" {
+		t.Fatalf("ValidationStatus = %q, want approved empty extraction", output.Manifest.ValidationStatus)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRunnerRejectsDNDSpellCastWithInvalidSourceRef(t *testing.T) {
 	raw := readDNDSpellsFixture(t)
 	resolved := resolveDNDSpellsPipeline(t)
@@ -155,6 +245,43 @@ func TestRunnerRejectsDNDSpellCastWithInvalidSourceRef(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func dndSpellsReferenceSet(roster string, glossary string) contracts.ReferenceSet {
+	slots := make(map[string]contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot)
+	if strings.TrimSpace(roster) != "" {
+		slots["roster"] = contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+			Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "roster"},
+			Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+				{
+					SlotName:      "roster",
+					MediaType:     "text/plain; charset=utf-8",
+					Content:       []byte(roster),
+					Digest:        "sha256:roster",
+					Origin:        contracts.ReferenceOrigin{Type: "file", URI: "file:///tmp/roster.txt"},
+					SizeBytes:     int64(len(roster)),
+					BindingSource: contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig,
+				},
+			},
+		}
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(glossary) != "" {
+		slots["glossary"] = contracts.ResolvedReferenceSlot{
+			Slot: contracts.ReferenceSlot{Name: "glossary"},
+			Items: []contracts.ReferenceItem{
+				{
+					SlotName:      "glossary",
+					MediaType:     "text/plain; charset=utf-8",
+					Content:       []byte(glossary),
+					Digest:        "sha256:glossary",
+					Origin:        contracts.ReferenceOrigin{Type: "file", URI: "file:///tmp/glossary.txt"},
+					SizeBytes:     int64(len(glossary)),
+					BindingSource: contracts.ReferenceBindingSourceConfig,
+				},
+			},
+		}
+	}
+	return contracts.ReferenceSet{Slots: slots}
+}
+
 func TestRunnerFailsWhenDNDSpellsExtractorReturnsMalformedOutput(t *testing.T) {
 	raw := readDNDSpellsFixture(t)
 	resolved := resolveDNDSpellsPipeline(t)

internal/modules/extract/dnd/spells/validator.go

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ const (
 	reasonMissingRequiredField = "missing_required_field"
 	reasonMissingSourceRef     = "missing_source_ref"
 	reasonInvalidSourceRef     = "invalid_source_ref"
+	reasonSpellNotNearSource   = "spell_not_near_source"
 )
 
 var _ contracts.Validator = ShapeValidator{}
@@ -54,12 +55,15 @@ func (validator SourceRefValidator) Validate(ctx context.Context, req contracts.
 	}
 
 	decisions := make([]contracts.ValidationDecision, 0, len(req.Candidates))
+	var warnings []contracts.Warning
 	for _, candidate := range req.Candidates {
 		decisions = append(decisions, validateSourceRefs(req.Source, candidate))
+		warnings = append(warnings, sourceRelatednessWarnings(req.Source, candidate)...)
 	}
 	return contracts.ValidationResult{
 		ValidatorName: validator.Name(),
 		Decisions:     decisions,
+		Warnings:      warnings,
 	}, nil
 }
 
@@ -88,6 +92,66 @@ func validateSourceRefs(doc *source.SourceDocument, candidate artifacts.Artifact
 	return validate.Approved(candidate.Index)
 }
 
+func sourceRelatednessWarnings(doc *source.SourceDocument, candidate artifacts.ArtifactCandidate) []contracts.Warning {
+	if doc == nil || len(candidate.SourceRefs) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var payload SpellCast
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(candidate.Payload, &payload); err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	spell := strings.TrimSpace(payload.Spell)
+	if spell == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	needle := strings.ToLower(spell)
+	for _, ref := range candidate.SourceRefs {
+		text, ok := sourceRefText(doc, ref)
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		if strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(text), needle) {
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+
+	return []contracts.Warning{
+		{
+			Scope:      fmt.Sprintf("candidate.%d", candidate.Index),
+			ReasonCode: reasonSpellNotNearSource,
+			Message:    fmt.Sprintf("spell %q was not found in the cited source text", spell),
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func sourceRefText(doc *source.SourceDocument, ref source.SourceRef) (string, bool) {
+	if err := source.ValidateRef(doc, ref); err != nil {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	start := -1
+	end := -1
+	for i, unit := range doc.Units {
+		if unit.ID == ref.StartUnitID {
+			start = i
+		}
+		if unit.ID == ref.EndUnitID {
+			end = i
+		}
+	}
+	if start < 0 || end < start {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	var b strings.Builder
+	for i := start; i <= end; i++ {
+		if b.Len() > 0 {
+			b.WriteString("\n")
+		}
+		b.WriteString(doc.Units[i].Text)
+	}
+	return b.String(), true
+}
+
 func requiredSpellCastFields(payload SpellCast) []struct {
 	name  string
 	value string

internal/modules/extract/dnd/spells/validator_test.go

@@ -51,6 +51,9 @@ func TestValidatorsApproveValidCandidate(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("SourceRefValidator.Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
 	}
 	assertSingleDecision(t, sourceRefResult, sourceRefValidatorName, 7, true, validate.ReasonApproved)
+	if len(sourceRefResult.Warnings) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("warnings = %#v, want none", sourceRefResult.Warnings)
+	}
 }
 
 func TestShapeValidatorRejectsMalformedPayload(t *testing.T) {
@@ -167,6 +170,29 @@ func TestSourceRefValidatorRejectsInvalidRefs(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestSourceRefValidatorWarnsWhenSpellNameIsNotInCitedSource(t *testing.T) {
+	candidate := validSpellCandidate(31)
+	payload := validSpellPayload()
+	payload.Spell = "Shield"
+	candidate.Payload = mustSpellPayload(t, payload)
+
+	result, err := SourceRefValidator{}.Validate(context.Background(), contracts.ValidationRequest{
+		Source:     promptSourceDocument(),
+		Candidates: []artifacts.ArtifactCandidate{candidate},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SourceRefValidator.Validate() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+	assertSingleDecision(t, result, sourceRefValidatorName, 31, true, validate.ReasonApproved)
+	if len(result.Warnings) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("warnings = %#v, want one relatedness warning", result.Warnings)
+	}
+	warning := result.Warnings[0]
+	if warning.ReasonCode != reasonSpellNotNearSource || !strings.Contains(warning.Message, "Shield") {
+		t.Fatalf("warning = %#v, want spell relatedness warning", warning)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestSourceRefValidatorRequiresSourceDocument(t *testing.T) {
 	_, err := SourceRefValidator{}.Validate(context.Background(), contracts.ValidationRequest{
 		Candidates: []artifacts.ArtifactCandidate{validSpellCandidate(19)},

internal/modules/input/seriatim/config_test.go

@@ -209,6 +209,8 @@ type fakeChunker struct{}
 
 func (fakeChunker) Key() string { return "fake/chunk" }
 
+func (fakeChunker) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot { return nil }
+
 func (fakeChunker) Chunk(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ChunkRequest) (contracts.ChunkResult, error) {
 	return contracts.ChunkResult{}, nil
 }
@@ -221,6 +223,8 @@ func (fakeExtractor) ArtifactType() string { return "fake" }
 
 func (fakeExtractor) SchemaVersion() string { return "v1" }
 
+func (fakeExtractor) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot { return nil }
+
 func (fakeExtractor) Validators() []contracts.Validator { return nil }
 
 func (fakeExtractor) Extract(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ExtractionRequest) (contracts.ExtractionResult, error) {

internal/modules/input/seriatim/runner_test.go

@@ -157,6 +157,10 @@ func (runnerSeriatimChunker) Key() string {
 	return "fake/chunk"
 }
 
+func (runnerSeriatimChunker) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (runnerSeriatimChunker) Chunk(ctx context.Context, req contracts.ChunkRequest) (contracts.ChunkResult, error) {
 	return contracts.ChunkResult{
 		Chunks: []contracts.SourceChunk{
@@ -186,6 +190,10 @@ func (e *runnerSeriatimExtractor) SchemaVersion() string {
 	return "v1"
 }
 
+func (e *runnerSeriatimExtractor) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (e *runnerSeriatimExtractor) Validators() []contracts.Validator {
 	return nil
 }

internal/modules/normalize/noop/normalizer.go

@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ func (n *Normalizer) Key() string {
 	return Key
 }
 
+func (n *Normalizer) ReferenceSlots() []contracts.ReferenceSlot {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (n *Normalizer) Normalize(ctx context.Context, req contracts.NormalizeRequest) (contracts.NormalizeResult, error) {
 	if n == nil {
 		return contracts.NormalizeResult{}, normalizerErrorf("normalizer must not be nil")

internal/modules/normalize/noop/normalizer_test.go

@@ -34,6 +34,13 @@ func TestModuleSpecAndRegister(t *testing.T) {
 	if !reflect.DeepEqual(spec, want) {
 		t.Fatalf("registered spec = %#v, want %#v", spec, want)
 	}
+	normalizer, err := registry.Build(Key)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Build(%q) error = %v, want nil", Key, err)
+	}
+	if slots := normalizer.ReferenceSlots(); len(slots) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("ReferenceSlots() = %#v, want none", slots)
+	}
 }
 
 func TestNormalizePassesThroughOrderAndValues(t *testing.T) {

internal/modules/output/json/encoder_test.go

@@ -142,6 +142,43 @@ func TestEncodePrettyPrintsJSON(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestEncodeIncludesManifestReferences(t *testing.T) {
+	result, err := New().Encode(context.Background(), contracts.OutputRequest{
+		Manifest: artifacts.RunManifest{
+			RunID: "run-1",
+			References: []artifacts.ReferenceProvenance{
+				{
+					Stage:         "extract",
+					LaneID:        "events",
+					SlotName:      "roster",
+					OriginType:    "file",
+					OriginURI:     "file:///tmp/roster.txt",
+					Digest:        "sha256:reference",
+					MediaType:     "text/plain; charset=utf-8",
+					SizeBytes:     12,
+					BindingSource: "config",
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Encode() error = %v, want nil", err)
+	}
+
+	manifest := decodeObject(t, fileBytes(t, result.Files, "manifest.json"))
+	references := manifest["references"].([]any)
+	if len(references) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("references = %#v, want one entry", references)
+	}
+	reference := references[0].(map[string]any)
+	if reference["lane_id"] != "events" || reference["slot_name"] != "roster" || reference["digest"] != "sha256:reference" {
+		t.Fatalf("reference manifest = %#v, want lane slot digest", reference)
+	}
+	if _, ok := reference["content"]; ok {
+		t.Fatalf("reference manifest = %#v, want no content field", reference)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestEncodeRejectsArtifactTypeWithoutSafeFileName(t *testing.T) {
 	_, err := New().Encode(context.Background(), contracts.OutputRequest{
 		Approved: []artifacts.Artifact{artifact("///", "unsafe")},