fix(runtime): retain publications when recovery state is unreadable

src/agent_runtime/process_resources.py

@@ -452,13 +452,19 @@ def prune_foreground_publications():
 
     A dead/replaced manager cannot resume attachment. A missing receipt also
     makes attachment impossible; publication cannot reconstruct that receipt.
-    Its process tree still
+    Its process tree still belongs to containment recovery; deleting a publication never signals or
-    belongs to containment recovery; deleting a publication never signals or
     asserts tree death. Live/unverifiable managers and background history stay.
     """
     from src import containment
     from src import process_ownership
-    receipts = containment._load_records()
+    try:
+        receipts = json.loads(containment._store_path().read_text())
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        receipts = {}
+    except (OSError, ValueError):
+        return 0  # Unreadable state is not evidence that consumers are gone.
+    if not isinstance(receipts, dict) or any(not isinstance(r, dict) for r in receipts.values()):
+        return 0
     retired = 0
     for path in _LAUNCH_DIR.glob("*.json"):
         try:

tests/test_wave3_launch_cost_lifecycle.py

@@ -168,3 +168,13 @@ def test_missing_receipt_publication_cannot_recover_authority(workspace):
     assert resources.prune_foreground_publications() == 1
     assert not resources.launch_path(launch.generation).exists()
     assert not containment._load_records()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('receipt_data', ['{corrupt', '[]', '{"receipt":null}'])
+def test_unreadable_receipts_cannot_retire_live_consumers(workspace, receipt_data):
+    admitted = authority(workspace)
+    launch = resources.resolve_process_operation(admitted, ExactOperation.normalize('bash', 'printf pending'), NativeBackendResource('bash')).launch
+    resources.publish_launch(launch, admitted, 'receipt')
+    containment._store_path().write_text(receipt_data)
+    assert resources.prune_foreground_publications() == 0
+    assert resources.launch_path(launch.generation).is_file()