diff --git a/scripts/validate_runtime_wave1.sh b/scripts/validate_runtime_wave1.sh
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6177bcfc3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/validate_runtime_wave1.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Focused runtime gate; no model inference or benchmark fixture access.
+set -euo pipefail
+cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")/.."
+export ODYSSEUS_TEST_STATIC_PORT=0
+export PYTHONDONTWRITEBYTECODE=1
+export PYTHON_DOTENV_DISABLED=1
+export ODYSSEUS_DATA_DIR="${ODYSSEUS_DATA_DIR:-/tmp/odysseus-runtime-decomposition-test-state}"
+exec "${ODYSSEUS_TEST_PYTHON:-python3}" -m pytest -q -p no:cacheprovider \
+  tests/test_runtime_evidence_contract.py tests/test_agent_evidence.py \
+  tests/test_agent_evidence_loop.py tests/test_agent_render_ownership.py \
+  tests/test_agent_runs_terminal_order.py tests/test_agent_loop.py \
+  tests/test_tool_task_cancelled_on_disconnect.py tests/test_turn_contract.py \
+  tests/test_agent_turn_contract_boundaries.py tests/test_loop_breaker_runaway.py \
+  tests/test_chat_route_tool_policy.py tests/test_agent_runtime_context.py \
+  tests/test_external_context_tool_gate.py tests/test_workspace_confine.py \
+  tests/test_private_browser_tool.py tests/test_bg_jobs_store.py tests/test_bg_job_tools.py \
+  tests/test_context_budget.py tests/test_context_compactor.py \
+  tests/test_context_compactor_nonstring.py tests/test_generation_budget.py \
+  tests/test_foreground_model_routing.py tests/test_tool_policy.py \
+  tests/test_execution_bridge.py tests/test_tool_approvals.py \
+  tests/test_tool_approval_single_action_scope.py tests/test_tool_approval_task_scope.py \
+  tests/test_mcp_text_error_normalization.py tests/test_mcp_email_search_error_transport.py \
+  tests/test_tool_path_confinement.py tests/test_workspace_artifact_tool_floor.py \
+  tests/test_native_unattended_workspace_floor.py tests/test_misfenced_read_file_tool_call.py \
+  tests/test_builtin_mcp_pythonpath.py tests/test_python_tool_import_paths.py "$@"
diff --git a/src/agent_evidence.py b/src/agent_evidence.py
index 5fc6165d8..d0f7560e6 100644
--- a/src/agent_evidence.py
+++ b/src/agent_evidence.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from dataclasses import asdict, dataclass, field
 from enum import Enum
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Iterable, Mapping, Sequence
+from src.agent_runtime.identity import artifact_identity, artifact_version, executable_words, is_test_command, is_validation_command
 
 
 def workspace_artifact_is_usable(path: Path) -> bool:
@@ -99,6 +100,10 @@ class EvidenceEvent:
     command_sha256: str = ""
     output_sha256: str = ""
     detail: str = ""
+    action_id: str = ""
+    execution_id: str = ""
+    artifact_id: str = ""
+    verification_id: str = ""
 
     def to_dict(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
         data = asdict(self)
@@ -195,12 +200,12 @@ _VALIDATION_COMMAND_RE = re.compile(
 def command_is_validation(command: str) -> bool:
     """Return whether a shell command provides executable verification evidence."""
     value = str(command or "")
-    return bool(_TEST_COMMAND_RE.search(value) or _VALIDATION_COMMAND_RE.search(value))
+    return is_validation_command(value)
 
 
 def command_is_test(command: str) -> bool:
     """Return whether a shell command executes a recognized test runner."""
-    return bool(_TEST_COMMAND_RE.search(str(command or "")))
+    return is_test_command(str(command or ""))
 
 
 def _clean_path(value: str) -> str:
@@ -441,18 +446,12 @@ def _path_is_mentioned(command: str, required_path: str) -> bool:
     return path in command or Path(path).name in command
 
 
-def _artifact_path_matches_required(artifact_path: str, required_path: str) -> bool:
-    artifact = _clean_path(artifact_path)
+def _artifact_path_matches_required(artifact_path: str, required_path: str, workspace: str = "") -> bool:
+    artifact = str(artifact_path or '').strip()
     required = _clean_path(required_path)
     if not artifact or not required:
         return False
-    if artifact == required:
-        return True
-    # Absolute requirements are exact output contracts; same basename in a
-    # different directory is not enough.
-    if artifact.startswith("/") or required.startswith("/"):
-        return False
-    return Path(artifact).name == Path(required).name
+    return artifact_identity(artifact, workspace) == artifact_identity(required, workspace)
 
 
 def _explicit_tool_paths(tool: str, command: str) -> list[str]:
@@ -462,21 +461,21 @@ def _explicit_tool_paths(tool: str, command: str) -> list[str]:
         except (TypeError, json.JSONDecodeError):
             args = None
         if isinstance(args, Mapping):
-            path = _clean_path(str(args.get("path") or ""))
+            path = str(args.get("path") or "").strip()
             return [path] if path else []
         # Keep compatibility with the legacy ``path\ncontent`` transport.
-        path = _clean_path(str(command or "").splitlines()[0] if command else "")
+        path = (str(command or "").splitlines()[0] if command else "").strip()
         return [path] if path else []
     if tool == "edit_file":
         try:
             args = json.loads(command or "{}")
         except (TypeError, json.JSONDecodeError):
             return []
-        path = _clean_path(str(args.get("path") or "")) if isinstance(args, dict) else ""
+        path = str(args.get("path") or "").strip() if isinstance(args, dict) else ""
         return [path] if path else []
     if tool == "apply_patch":
         return [
-            _clean_path(match.group(1))
+            match.group(1).strip()
             for match in re.finditer(r"^\*\*\* (?:Add|Update|Delete) File:\s*(.+)$", command or "", re.MULTILINE)
             if _clean_path(match.group(1))
         ]
@@ -549,13 +548,13 @@ def _command_text(value: str) -> str:
 
 
 def _matches_declared_verifier(command: str, expected: Sequence[str]) -> bool:
-    actual = " ".join(_command_text(command).split())
+    actual = executable_words(_command_text(command))
     if not actual:
         return False
     return any(
-        normalized == actual or normalized in actual
+        normalized == actual
         for item in expected
-        if (normalized := " ".join(str(item or "").split()))
+        if (normalized := executable_words(str(item or "")))
     )
 
 
@@ -574,6 +573,7 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
     def __init__(self, requirements: CompletionRequirements | None = None) -> None:
         self.requirements = requirements or CompletionRequirements()
         self.events: list[EvidenceEvent] = []
+        self._verification_versions: dict[str, str] = {}
 
     @classmethod
     def from_tool_events(
@@ -611,6 +611,10 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
             "command_sha256": _digest(command),
             "output_sha256": _digest(output),
         }
+        action_id = str(source.get('action_id') or '')
+        execution_id = str(source.get('execution_id') or '')
+        if action_id:
+            payload.update(action_id=action_id, execution_id=execution_id)
         evidence = EvidenceEvent(
             event_id=_event_id(payload, len(self.events)),
             kind=kind,
@@ -623,6 +627,11 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
             command_sha256=payload["command_sha256"],
             output_sha256=payload["output_sha256"],
             detail=detail,
+            action_id=action_id,
+            execution_id=execution_id,
+            artifact_id=artifact_identity(artifact_path, self.requirements.workspace_root) if artifact_path else '',
+            verification_id=('verification-' + _event_id(payload, len(self.events)))
+            if kind in {EvidenceKind.VERIFIER_RESULT, EvidenceKind.ARTIFACT_VALIDATION} else '',
         )
         self.events.append(evidence)
         return evidence
@@ -631,8 +640,12 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
         tool = str(event.get("tool") or "")
         command = str(event.get("command") or "")
         exit_code = event.get("exit_code")
-        authoritative = isinstance(exit_code, int) and not isinstance(exit_code, bool)
-        success = authoritative and exit_code == 0
+        authoritative = (
+            isinstance(exit_code, int) and not isinstance(exit_code, bool)
+            and not event.get("blocked") and not event.get("approval_required")
+            and event.get("execution_attempted") is not False
+        )
+        success = authoritative and exit_code == 0 and not event.get('error')
         if not authoritative:
             success = not bool(event.get("error"))
         self._append(
@@ -644,7 +657,11 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
 
         explicit_paths = _explicit_tool_paths(tool, command)
         mutation_paths = list(explicit_paths)
-        if command_has_mutation_effect(command) and tool not in {
+        observed_changes = event.get('artifact_changes')
+        if isinstance(observed_changes, list) and tool in {'bash', 'python', 'host_shell'}:
+            mutation_paths.extend(path for path in self.requirements.required_artifacts
+                                  if artifact_identity(path, self.requirements.workspace_root) in observed_changes)
+        elif command_has_mutation_effect(command) and tool not in {
             "write_file",
             "edit_file",
             "apply_patch",
@@ -657,7 +674,7 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
             )
         seen_paths: set[str] = set()
         for path in mutation_paths:
-            path = _clean_path(path)
+            path = str(path or '').strip()
             if not path or path in seen_paths:
                 continue
             seen_paths.add(path)
@@ -675,12 +692,12 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
             except (TypeError, json.JSONDecodeError):
                 read_args = None
             read_path = (
-                _clean_path(str(read_args.get("path") or ""))
+                str(read_args.get("path") or "").strip()
                 if isinstance(read_args, Mapping)
-                else ""
+                else command.strip() if read_args is None else ""
             )
             if read_path and any(
-                _artifact_path_matches_required(read_path, required)
+                _artifact_path_matches_required(read_path, required, self.requirements.workspace_root)
                 for required in self.requirements.required_artifacts
             ):
                 self._append(
@@ -692,10 +709,13 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
                     detail="post-write artifact inspection",
                 )
 
-        if _TEST_COMMAND_RE.search(_command_text(command)) or _matches_declared_verifier(
+        if tool in {"bash", "host_shell"} and (command_is_test(_command_text(command)) or _matches_declared_verifier(
             command,
             self.requirements.verifier_commands,
-        ):
+        )):
+            if authoritative:
+                versions = event.get('artifact_versions')
+                self._verification_versions = dict(versions) if isinstance(versions, Mapping) else {}
             self._append(
                 kind=EvidenceKind.VERIFIER_RESULT,
                 success=success,
@@ -703,7 +723,7 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
                 source=event,
                 detail="executable test/verifier command",
             )
-        elif _VALIDATION_COMMAND_RE.search(command) and not mutation_paths:
+        elif tool in {"bash", "host_shell"} and is_validation_command(command) and not mutation_paths:
             for path in self.requirements.required_artifacts:
                 if _path_is_mentioned(command, path):
                     self._append(
@@ -767,6 +787,19 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
                 (latest_verifier.event_id,),
             )
 
+        if latest_verifier and self.requirements.workspace_root:
+            for path in self.requirements.required_artifacts:
+                identity = artifact_identity(path, self.requirements.workspace_root)
+                expected = self._verification_versions.get(identity)
+                if expected in {'unobserved', 'missing-or-unreadable'}:
+                    return CompletionDecision(CompletionStatus.BLOCKED, False,
+                                              'artifact version could not be established for verification',
+                                              (latest_verifier.event_id,))
+                if expected is not None and expected != artifact_version(path, self.requirements.workspace_root):
+                    return CompletionDecision(CompletionStatus.BLOCKED, False,
+                                              'artifact content changed after verification',
+                                              (latest_verifier.event_id,))
+
         satisfied_ids: list[str] = []
         missing: list[str] = []
         workspace_root = str(self.requirements.workspace_root or "").strip()
@@ -774,7 +807,7 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
             matches = [
                 event for event in self.events
                 if event.kind == EvidenceKind.ARTIFACT_MUTATION
-                and _artifact_path_matches_required(event.artifact_path, required)
+                and _artifact_path_matches_required(event.artifact_path, required, self.requirements.workspace_root)
             ]
             authoritative = [
                 event for event in matches
@@ -793,10 +826,11 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
                 and latest.tool in {"bash", "python"}
             )
             filesystem_missing = False
-            if latest_success is not None and workspace_root and required.startswith("/workspace/"):
+            if latest_success is not None and workspace_root:
                 try:
                     root = Path(workspace_root).resolve()
-                    candidate = (root / required.removeprefix("/workspace/")).resolve()
+                    identity = artifact_identity(required, workspace_root)
+                    candidate = (root / identity.removeprefix('workspace:')).resolve() if identity.startswith('workspace:') else Path(required).resolve()
                     candidate.relative_to(root)
                     filesystem_missing = not workspace_artifact_is_usable(candidate)
                 except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
@@ -852,14 +886,14 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
                 if event.kind == EvidenceKind.ARTIFACT_MUTATION
                 and event.authoritative
                 and event.success
-                and _artifact_path_matches_required(event.artifact_path, required)
+                and _artifact_path_matches_required(event.artifact_path, required, self.requirements.workspace_root)
             ]
             matching_validations = [
                 (index, event)
                 for index, event in enumerate(self.events)
                 if event.kind == EvidenceKind.ARTIFACT_VALIDATION
                 and event.authoritative
-                and _artifact_path_matches_required(event.artifact_path, required)
+                and _artifact_path_matches_required(event.artifact_path, required, self.requirements.workspace_root)
             ]
             if not matching_validations:
                 continue
@@ -882,6 +916,10 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
             current_validation_ids.append(latest_validation.event_id)
 
         if self.requirements.verifier_required and latest_verifier is None:
+            if self.requirements.executable_verifier_available:
+                return CompletionDecision(CompletionStatus.BLOCKED, False,
+                                          'the request requires an executable verifier result',
+                                          tuple(satisfied_ids))
             validation_ids: list[str] = []
             for required in self.requirements.required_artifacts:
                 matching_validation = [
@@ -890,7 +928,7 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
                     if event.kind == EvidenceKind.ARTIFACT_VALIDATION
                     and event.authoritative
                     and event.success
-                    and _artifact_path_matches_required(event.artifact_path, required)
+                    and _artifact_path_matches_required(event.artifact_path, required, self.requirements.workspace_root)
                 ]
                 latest_validation = matching_validation[-1] if matching_validation else None
                 if latest_validation is None or latest_validation[0] < latest_mutation_index:
diff --git a/src/agent_loop.py b/src/agent_loop.py
index b25ac0e1c..a8ca4e017 100644
--- a/src/agent_loop.py
+++ b/src/agent_loop.py
@@ -82,6 +82,8 @@ from src.tool_approvals import (
 )
 from src.tool_types import ToolBlock
 from src.turn_contract import selected_tools_for_request, with_turn_contract
+from src.agent_runtime.journal import propose_action, execute_action
+from src.agent_runtime.completion import with_completion_gate
 from src.tool_utils import _truncate, get_mcp_manager
 from src.agent_tools import (
     parse_tool_blocks,
@@ -20324,6 +20326,7 @@ def _blocks_before_inference(turn_contract) -> bool:
 
 
 @with_turn_contract
+@with_completion_gate
 async def stream_agent_loop(
     endpoint_url: str,
     model: str,
@@ -29694,7 +29697,10 @@ async def stream_agent_loop(
                     _completion_requirements,
                 )
                 _round_decision = _round_evidence.evaluate()
-                if not _round_decision.can_complete and _evidence_repair_rounds < 2:
+                # Missing evidence is an incomplete result, not a reason to
+                # manufacture additional provider rounds. Actual diagnostic
+                # failures can still enter the bounded recovery path.
+                if _round_decision.status.value == "failed" and _evidence_repair_rounds < 2:
                     _evidence_repair_rounds += 1
                     _missing = ", ".join(_round_decision.missing_artifacts)
                     _declared_verifiers = _completion_requirements.verifier_commands
@@ -31423,6 +31429,15 @@ async def stream_agent_loop(
         local_network_budget_hit = False
         local_inspection_budget_hit = False
         for i, block in enumerate(tool_blocks):
+            native_call = converted_calls[i] if i < len(converted_calls) else None
+            tool_call_id = _resolved_tool_call_id(
+                native_call,
+                session_id=str(session_id or ""),
+                round_num=round_num,
+                tool_index=i,
+                tool_name=block.tool_type,
+            )
+            _runtime_action = propose_action(block, tool_call_id, native_call)
             _call_signature = _tool_call_signature(block.tool_type, block.content)
             _previous_failure = _failed_call_history.get(_call_signature)
             _blocked_failed_retry = bool(
@@ -31439,6 +31454,8 @@ async def stream_agent_loop(
             )
             # --- Tool budget check ---
             if max_tool_calls > 0 and total_tool_calls >= max_tool_calls:
+                if _runtime_action is not None:
+                    _runtime_action.finish({'blocked': True, 'exit_code': 1, 'error': 'tool budget exceeded'})
                 yield f'data: {json.dumps({"type": "budget_exceeded", "limit": max_tool_calls, "used": total_tool_calls})}\n\n'
                 budget_hit = True
                 break
@@ -31450,26 +31467,22 @@ async def stream_agent_loop(
                 )
             ):
                 local_network_budget_hit = True
+                if _runtime_action is not None:
+                    _runtime_action.finish({'blocked': True, 'exit_code': 1, 'error': 'network action budget exceeded'})
                 break
             if (
                 _tui_local_inspection_turn
                 and total_tool_calls >= _TUI_LOCAL_INSPECTION_TOOL_CALL_CAP
             ):
                 local_inspection_budget_hit = True
+                if _runtime_action is not None:
+                    _runtime_action.finish({'blocked': True, 'exit_code': 1, 'error': 'inspection budget exceeded'})
                 break
             if local_inspection_budget_hit:
                 break
 
             if not (_blocked_failed_retry or _blocked_redundant_read):
                 total_tool_calls += 1
-            native_call = converted_calls[i] if i < len(converted_calls) else None
-            tool_call_id = _resolved_tool_call_id(
-                native_call,
-                session_id=str(session_id or ""),
-                round_num=round_num,
-                tool_index=i,
-                tool_name=block.tool_type,
-            )
             normalized_native_block = _normalize_native_tool_shell_wrapper(block, _last_user)
             if normalized_native_block != block:
                 logger.info(
@@ -32722,7 +32735,8 @@ async def stream_agent_loop(
                                 "error": "Web recovery action is repeated or exceeds the execution budget.",
                                 "output": _web_execution_budget.instruction(),
                             }
-                        return await execute_tool_block(
+                        return await execute_action(
+                            execute_tool_block, _runtime_action,
                             block,
                             session_id=session_id,
                             disabled_tools=disabled_tools,
@@ -33256,6 +33270,10 @@ async def stream_agent_loop(
 
             # Emit tool_output (include ui_event data if present)
             tool_output_data = {"type": "tool_output", "tool": block.tool_type, "command": cmd_display, "output": output_text, "exit_code": result.get("exit_code"), "execution_attempted": _execution_attempted, "blocked": bool(result.get("blocked", False))}
+            if _runtime_action is not None:
+                _runtime_action.normalize(block, 'agent_loop compatibility adapters')
+                _runtime_action.finish(result)
+                tool_output_data['action_receipt'] = _runtime_action.to_dict()
             # Keep exact arguments on email mutation events. The frontend uses
             # these UIDs to reconcile an agent cleanup immediately, even when
             # a provider returns only human-readable MCP text.
diff --git a/src/agent_runtime/__init__.py b/src/agent_runtime/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c0d70533b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/agent_runtime/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+"""Run-scoped contracts behind the public agent-loop compatibility facade."""
diff --git a/src/agent_runtime/completion.py b/src/agent_runtime/completion.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..121c095fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/agent_runtime/completion.py
@@ -0,0 +1,207 @@
+"""One presentation gate between agent execution and externally visible prose.
+
+Tool, progress and interaction events stay live. Answer deltas are held until
+the generator unwinds so a later replacement cannot conceal an earlier false
+claim. This consumes no provider calls. Cancellation closes the inner generator
+under the same journal/turn authority; it never emits a successful terminal event.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from contextlib import aclosing
+from dataclasses import replace
+from functools import wraps
+from inspect import signature
+import json
+import re
+from time import perf_counter
+
+from src.agent_evidence import (
+    CompletionDecision, CompletionStatus, EvidenceKind, EvidenceLedger,
+    requirements_from_runtime_context,
+)
+from .journal import ActionJournal, bind_journal, current_journal
+
+
+_TEST_CLAIM = re.compile(
+    r'\b(?:(?:all\s+)?(?:tests?|checks?|verification|suite)\s+(?:have\s+|has\s+|now\s+|are\s+|is\s+)*(?:passed|passing|successful|green)|'
+    r'(?:passed|passing)\s+(?:all\s+)?(?:the\s+)?tests?|\d+\s+passed)\b', re.I)
+_TEST_STATUS_CLAIM = re.compile(
+    r'\b(?:tests?|pytest|unittest|test suite|checks?|verification)\s*[:—-]?\s*'
+    r'(?:all\s+|have\s+|has\s+|now\s+|are\s+|is\s+|ran\s+)*'
+    r'(?:pass(?:ed|ing)?|succeeded|successful(?:ly)?|green)\b|'
+    r'\b(?:zero|no|0)\s+(?:test\s+)?failures\b', re.I)
+_TERMINAL_SUCCESS = re.compile(r'^\s*(?:done|completed|success|all done|all set|fixed)\b', re.I)
+_EXECUTION_CLAIM = re.compile(
+    r'\b(?:(?:I|we|I\'ve|we\'ve)\s+(?:have\s+)?(?:successfully\s+)?(?:ran|executed|tested|verified|created|updated|modified|wrote|saved|fixed|completed)|'
+    r'(?:file|artifact|command|script|service|server)\s+(?:was\s+|has\s+been\s+|is\s+)?(?:successfully\s+)?(?:created|updated|written|saved|executed|started)|'
+    r'(?:successfully\s+)(?:ran|executed|created|updated|saved|completed))\b', re.I)
+
+
+def completion_answer(text: str, ledger: EvidenceLedger, decision: CompletionDecision) -> tuple[str, str]:
+    """Return the answer and a reason if unsupported execution claims were removed."""
+    if decision.status == CompletionStatus.AWAITING_USER:
+        # A question may still falsely assert that preceding work passed.
+        unsupported = ''
+    elif not decision.can_complete:
+        unsupported = decision.reason
+    else:
+        unsupported = ''
+    if (_TEST_CLAIM.search(text) or _TEST_STATUS_CLAIM.search(text)) and decision.status != CompletionStatus.VERIFIED:
+        unsupported = unsupported or 'no current passing executable verification supports the claim'
+    productive = [event for event in ledger.events
+                  if event.authoritative and event.success
+                  and event.tool not in {'update_plan', 'todowrite', 'ask_user'}]
+    if (_EXECUTION_CLAIM.search(text) or _TERMINAL_SUCCESS.search(text)) and not productive:
+        unsupported = unsupported or 'no successful operation supports the execution claim'
+    if not unsupported:
+        # For a declared execution contract, publish facts selected from the
+        # receipts rather than an unconstrained model claim (test counts,
+        # coverage and "everything fixed" cannot be inferred from exit status).
+        if decision.can_complete and (ledger.requirements.required_artifacts or ledger.requirements.verifier_required):
+            parts = []
+            if ledger.requirements.required_artifacts:
+                parts.append('Output available: ' + ', '.join(ledger.requirements.required_artifacts) + '.')
+            if decision.status == CompletionStatus.VERIFIED:
+                parts.append('The latest executable verification passed.')
+            elif any(e.kind == EvidenceKind.ARTIFACT_VALIDATION and e.authoritative and e.success for e in ledger.events):
+                parts.append('Artifact readback verified. No passing executable test result was recorded.')
+            else:
+                parts.append('No passing executable test result was recorded.')
+            return ' '.join(parts), ''
+        return text, ''
+    missing = (" Missing artifacts: " + ", ".join(decision.missing_artifacts) + "."
+               if decision.missing_artifacts else '')
+    return "The task is incomplete: " + unsupported.rstrip('.') + '.' + missing, unsupported
+
+
+def _event(data: dict) -> str:
+    return 'data: ' + json.dumps(data) + '\n\n'
+
+
+def with_completion_gate(func):
+    call_signature = signature(func)
+
+    @wraps(func)
+    async def wrapped(*args, **kwargs):
+        started = perf_counter()
+        first_answer_at = None
+        arguments = call_signature.bind(*args, **kwargs)
+        arguments.apply_defaults()
+        bound = arguments.arguments
+        messages = bound.get('messages') or []
+        instruction = next((m.get('content', '') for m in reversed(messages)
+                            if m.get('role') == 'user' and isinstance(m.get('content'), str)), '')
+        context = bound.get('client_runtime_context') or {}
+        requirements = requirements_from_runtime_context(context, instruction=instruction)
+        from src.tool_execution import vet_workspace
+        # A completion declaration is not a filesystem permission. Only the
+        # explicit, vetted runtime workspace may be read for artifact versions.
+        trusted_workspace = vet_workspace(bound.get('workspace')) if bound.get('workspace') else ''
+        requirements = replace(requirements, workspace_root=trusted_workspace or '')
+        parent = current_journal()
+        journal = parent if parent is not None and parent.workspace == requirements.workspace_root else ActionJournal(
+            workspace=requirements.workspace_root, observed_artifacts=requirements.required_artifacts)
+        answer_events: list[dict] = []
+        metrics_events: list[dict] = []
+        answer = ''
+        has_final = False
+        done = False
+        awaiting = False
+        exhausted = False
+        provider_error = False
+        with bind_journal(journal):
+            async with aclosing(func(*args, **kwargs)) as stream:
+                async for chunk in stream:
+                    if chunk.strip() == 'data: [DONE]':
+                        done = True
+                        continue
+                    try:
+                        data = json.loads(chunk[6:]) if chunk.startswith('data: ') else None
+                    except (ValueError, TypeError):
+                        data = None
+                    if not isinstance(data, dict):
+                        if chunk.startswith('event: error'):
+                            provider_error = True
+                        yield chunk
+                        continue
+                    kind = data.get('type')
+                    if kind == 'completion_decision':
+                        existing = data.get('data') or {}
+                        awaiting |= existing.get('status') == 'awaiting_user'
+                        exhausted |= existing.get('status') == 'exhausted'
+                        continue
+                    if kind in {'metrics', 'agent_terminal'}:
+                        metrics_events.append(data)
+                        declared = (data.get('data') or {}).get('completion_requirements')
+                        awaiting |= bool((data.get('data') or {}).get('missing_workspace'))
+                        if isinstance(declared, dict):
+                            requirements = requirements_from_runtime_context({'completion_requirements': declared})
+                            requirements = replace(requirements, workspace_root=trusted_workspace or '')
+                        continue
+                    if kind == 'ask_user':
+                        awaiting = True
+                        payload = data.get('data') or {}
+                        if isinstance(payload.get('question'), str):
+                            current = EvidenceLedger.from_tool_events(journal.evidence_events(), requirements)
+                            question, why = completion_answer(payload['question'], current, current.evaluate(awaiting_user=True))
+                            if why:
+                                data = {**data, 'data': {**payload, 'question': question}}
+                                chunk = _event(data)
+                    if kind == 'final_response':
+                        if first_answer_at is None:
+                            first_answer_at = perf_counter()
+                        answer = str(data.get('content') or '')
+                        has_final = True
+                        answer_events.append(data)
+                        continue
+                    if 'delta' in data and not data.get('thinking'):
+                        if first_answer_at is None:
+                            first_answer_at = perf_counter()
+                        if has_final:
+                            answer = ''
+                            has_final = False
+                        answer += str(data.get('delta') or '')
+                        answer_events.append(data)
+                        continue
+                    yield chunk
+            if provider_error and not answer_events and not metrics_events:
+                return
+            ledger = EvidenceLedger.from_tool_events(journal.evidence_events(), requirements)
+            decision = ledger.evaluate(exhausted=exhausted, awaiting_user=awaiting)
+            # Exhaustion limits execution; factual source synthesis can remain
+            # useful and must not be replaced merely because the budget ended.
+            presentation_decision = ledger.evaluate(awaiting_user=awaiting) if exhausted else decision
+            safe_answer, reason = completion_answer(answer, ledger, presentation_decision)
+            if reason and decision.can_complete:
+                decision = CompletionDecision(CompletionStatus.UNVERIFIED, False, reason,
+                                              decision.evidence_ids, decision.missing_artifacts)
+            released_at = perf_counter()
+            yield _event({'type': 'completion_decision', 'data': decision.to_dict()})
+            # Evaluate each earlier draft as well as the final replacement.
+            # Never replay an unsupported intermediate success claim.
+            draft = ''.join(str(e.get('delta') or e.get('content') or '') for e in answer_events)
+            _, unsafe_draft = completion_answer(draft, ledger, presentation_decision)
+            replaced_answer = bool(reason or unsafe_draft or safe_answer != answer)
+            if replaced_answer:
+                yield _event({'type': 'final_response', 'content': safe_answer})
+            else:
+                for event in answer_events:
+                    yield _event(event)
+            for event in metrics_events:
+                metadata = event.setdefault('data', {})
+                metadata.update(completion_decision=decision.to_dict(), evidence_events=ledger.to_list(),
+                                action_receipts=journal.to_list(), completion_requirements=requirements.to_dict())
+                metadata['completion_gate'] = {
+                    'buffer_seconds': released_at - first_answer_at if first_answer_at is not None else 0,
+                    'first_visible_answer_seconds': released_at - started,
+                    'additional_provider_calls': 0,
+                    'answer_replaced': replaced_answer,
+                }
+                if replaced_answer:
+                    metadata['round_texts'] = [safe_answer]
+                    metadata['completion_gate_reason'] = reason or unsafe_draft or 'receipt_summary'
+                yield _event(event)
+            if done:
+                yield 'data: [DONE]\n\n'
+
+    return wrapped
diff --git a/src/agent_runtime/identity.py b/src/agent_runtime/identity.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..49381cde5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/agent_runtime/identity.py
@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+"""Canonical evidence identities; these helpers never grant filesystem access."""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import hashlib
+import json
+import os
+from pathlib import Path, PurePosixPath
+import re
+import shlex
+import stat
+from .path_policy import _is_sensitive_path
+
+
+def digest(value: object) -> str:
+    return hashlib.sha256(json.dumps(value, sort_keys=True, ensure_ascii=False,
+                                     separators=(",", ":"), default=str).encode()).hexdigest()
+
+
+def artifact_version(value: str, workspace: str) -> str:
+    """Content version for a confined declared output; missing/unreadable is explicit."""
+    identity = artifact_identity(value, workspace)
+    if not workspace or not identity.startswith('workspace:'):
+        return 'unobserved'
+    root = Path(workspace).resolve()
+    candidate = (root / identity.removeprefix('workspace:')).resolve()
+    if not candidate.is_relative_to(root) or _is_sensitive_path(str(candidate)):
+        return 'unobserved'
+    if not hasattr(os, 'O_NOFOLLOW') or not os.supports_dir_fd:
+        return 'unobserved'
+    directory = None
+    try:
+        directory = os.open(root, os.O_RDONLY | os.O_DIRECTORY | os.O_NOFOLLOW)
+        parts = candidate.relative_to(root).parts
+        if not parts:
+            return 'unobserved'
+        for part in parts[:-1]:
+            child = os.open(part, os.O_RDONLY | os.O_DIRECTORY | os.O_NOFOLLOW, dir_fd=directory)
+            os.close(directory)
+            directory = child
+        descriptor = os.open(parts[-1], os.O_RDONLY | os.O_NOFOLLOW | os.O_NONBLOCK, dir_fd=directory)
+        with os.fdopen(descriptor, 'rb') as stream:
+            info = os.fstat(stream.fileno())
+            if not stat.S_ISREG(info.st_mode) or info.st_size > 64 * 1024 * 1024:
+                return 'unobserved'
+            result = hashlib.sha256()
+            remaining = 64 * 1024 * 1024
+            while block := stream.read(min(1024 * 1024, remaining + 1)):
+                remaining -= len(block)
+                if remaining < 0:
+                    return 'unobserved'
+                result.update(block)
+            return result.hexdigest()
+    except (OSError, ValueError):
+        return 'missing-or-unreadable'
+    finally:
+        if directory is not None:
+            os.close(directory)
+
+
+def artifact_identity(value: str, workspace: str = "") -> str:
+    """Unify relative, virtual and host aliases without basename matching.
+
+    Resolving symlinks is evidence bookkeeping, never a confinement check. Paths
+    outside the workspace retain their absolute identity and cannot satisfy a
+    workspace obligation with the same basename.
+    """
+    text = str(value or "").strip()
+    if not text:
+        return ""
+    path = PurePosixPath(text)
+    root = Path(workspace or "/workspace").resolve()
+    if path.parts[:2] == ('/', 'workspace'):
+        path = PurePosixPath(*path.parts[2:])
+    candidate = Path(str(path))
+    if not candidate.is_absolute():
+        candidate = root / candidate
+    try:
+        resolved = candidate.resolve()
+        relative = resolved.relative_to(root)
+        return "workspace:" + relative.as_posix()
+    except ValueError:
+        return "absolute:" + str(candidate.resolve())
+    except (OSError, RuntimeError):
+        return "unresolved:" + text
+
+
+def executable_words(command: str) -> tuple[str, ...]:
+    """Recognize one foreground command, optionally after safe cd/set prefixes.
+
+    This is deliberately conservative evidence parsing, not shell authorization.
+    Pipelines, control flow, substitutions and status-masking tails are not proof
+    that a verifier returned the recorded shell status.
+    """
+    text = str(command or '').strip()
+    if any(marker in text for marker in ('`', '$(', '${', '\n', '\r')):
+        return ()
+    try:
+        lexer = shlex.shlex(text, posix=True, punctuation_chars=';&|<>()')
+        lexer.whitespace_split = True
+        words = list(lexer)
+    except ValueError:
+        return ()
+    while '&&' in words:
+        index = words.index('&&')
+        prefix = words[:index]
+        if not ((len(prefix) == 2 and prefix[0] == 'cd') or prefix == ['set', '-e']):
+            return ()
+        words = words[index + 1:]
+    if any(word and all(c in ';&|<>()' for c in word) for word in words):
+        return ()
+    while words and re.fullmatch(r'[A-Za-z_][A-Za-z0-9_]*=[^\n]*', words[0]):
+        words.pop(0)
+    return tuple(words)
+
+
+def is_test_command(command: str) -> bool:
+    words = executable_words(command)
+    if not words:
+        return False
+    if any(word in {'--help', '-h', '--version', '--collect-only', '--co'} for word in words[1:]):
+        return False
+    binary = Path(words[0]).name
+    if binary in {'pytest', 'py.test'}:
+        return True
+    if re.fullmatch(r'python(?:\d+(?:\.\d+)?)?', binary):
+        args = list(words[1:])
+        while args and args[0] in {'-I', '-S', '-s', '-E', '-B', '-u'}:
+            args.pop(0)
+        return len(args) >= 2 and args[:2] in (['-m', 'pytest'], ['-m', 'unittest'])
+    if binary in {'npm', 'pnpm', 'yarn', 'make', 'cargo', 'go'}:
+        args = words[1:]
+        return bool(args and (args[0] == 'test' or binary == 'npm' and args[:2] == ('run', 'test')))
+    return bool(re.match(r'^/(?:tests?|verifier)/[^/]+', words[0]))
+
+
+def is_validation_command(command: str) -> bool:
+    words = executable_words(command)
+    if not words:
+        return False
+    binary = Path(words[0]).name
+    return (is_test_command(command)
+            or binary in {'cat', 'head', 'tail', 'stat', 'wc', 'jq', 'cmp', 'diff',
+                          'coqc', 'gcc', 'g++', 'clang', 'clang++', 'javac', 'rustc'}
+            or binary == 'test' and len(words) > 1 and words[1] in {'-e', '-f', '-s', '-d'}
+            or binary in {'cargo', 'go', 'npm', 'pnpm', 'yarn'} and words[1:2] in {('build',), ('check',)}
+            or binary == 'npm' and words[1:3] == ('run', 'build'))
diff --git a/src/agent_runtime/journal.py b/src/agent_runtime/journal.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8e8a118b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/agent_runtime/journal.py
@@ -0,0 +1,205 @@
+"""Run-owned action history. Model text cannot insert authoritative receipts."""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+from contextvars import ContextVar
+from copy import deepcopy
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field, asdict
+from functools import wraps
+from inspect import signature
+from typing import Any
+from uuid import uuid4
+
+from .identity import artifact_identity, artifact_version, digest
+
+
+@dataclass
+class ActionReceipt:
+    action_id: str
+    call_id: str
+    proposed_tool: str
+    proposed_arguments: str
+    provider_arguments: Any = None
+    provider_tool: str = ''
+    tool: str = ""
+    arguments: str = ""
+    transitions: list[dict[str, Any]] = field(default_factory=list)
+    execution_id: str | None = None
+    operation_started: bool = False
+    outcome: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+    artifact_versions: dict[str, str] = field(default_factory=dict)
+    artifact_changes: list[str] | None = None
+
+    def transition(self, stage: str, **details: Any) -> None:
+        self.transitions.append({'sequence': len(self.transitions), 'stage': stage, **details})
+
+    def normalize(self, block: Any, reason: str) -> None:
+        tool, arguments = str(block.tool_type), str(block.content)
+        if tool != self.tool or arguments != self.arguments or not any(t['stage'] == 'normalized' for t in self.transitions):
+            self.transition('normalized', reason=reason, tool=tool, arguments=arguments,
+                            previous_sha256=digest((self.tool, self.arguments)))
+            self.tool, self.arguments = tool, arguments
+
+    def finish(self, result: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+        if self.outcome is not None:
+            return
+        code = result.get('exit_code')
+        valid_code = isinstance(code, int) and not isinstance(code, bool)
+        denied = bool(result.get('blocked') or result.get('approval_required')
+                      or str(result.get('failure_kind', '')).endswith('_denied'))
+        self.outcome = {
+            'exit_code': code if valid_code else None,
+            'success': valid_code and code == 0 and not result.get('error') and not denied,
+            'authoritative': self.execution_id is not None and valid_code and not denied,
+            'blocked': denied,
+            'output_sha256': digest(result.get('output') or result.get('error') or result.get('stdout') or ''),
+        }
+        self.transition('outcome', **self.outcome)
+
+    def to_dict(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        return asdict(self)
+
+
+@dataclass
+class ActionJournal:
+    run_id: str = field(default_factory=lambda: uuid4().hex)
+    actions: list[ActionReceipt] = field(default_factory=list)
+    workspace: str = ''
+    observed_artifacts: tuple[str, ...] = ()
+
+    def capture_versions(self, action: ActionReceipt) -> None:
+        if self.workspace:
+            action.artifact_versions = {
+                artifact_identity(path, self.workspace): artifact_version(path, self.workspace)
+                for path in self.observed_artifacts
+            }
+
+    def propose(self, block: Any, call_id: str = '', native_call: dict | None = None) -> ActionReceipt:
+        native = native_call or {}
+        function = native.get('function') or native
+        if not isinstance(function, dict):
+            function = {}
+        action = ActionReceipt(
+            action_id=f'{self.run_id}:action:{len(self.actions) + 1}', call_id=call_id,
+            proposed_tool=str(block.tool_type), proposed_arguments=str(block.content),
+            provider_arguments=deepcopy(function.get('arguments')),
+            provider_tool=str(function.get('name') or ''),
+            tool=str(block.tool_type), arguments=str(block.content),
+        )
+        action.transition('proposed')
+        self.actions.append(action)
+        return action
+
+    def to_list(self) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
+        return [action.to_dict() for action in self.actions]
+
+    def evidence_events(self) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
+        return [dict(tool=a.tool, command=a.arguments,
+                     exit_code=(a.outcome or {}).get('exit_code'),
+                     error=not (a.outcome or {}).get('success'),
+                     execution_attempted=bool((a.outcome or {}).get('authoritative')),
+                     blocked=(a.outcome or {}).get('blocked', False),
+                     action_id=a.action_id, execution_id=a.execution_id,
+                     artifact_versions=a.artifact_versions, artifact_changes=a.artifact_changes)
+                for a in self.actions if a.outcome is not None]
+
+
+_JOURNAL: ContextVar[ActionJournal | None] = ContextVar('runtime_action_journal', default=None)
+_ACTION: ContextVar[ActionReceipt | None] = ContextVar('runtime_current_action', default=None)
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def bind_journal(journal: ActionJournal):
+    token = _JOURNAL.set(journal)
+    try:
+        yield journal
+    finally:
+        _JOURNAL.reset(token)
+
+
+def current_journal() -> ActionJournal | None:
+    return _JOURNAL.get()
+
+
+def propose_action(block: Any, call_id: str = '', native_call: dict | None = None) -> ActionReceipt | None:
+    journal = _JOURNAL.get()
+    return journal.propose(block, call_id, native_call) if journal else None
+
+
+def mark_authorized() -> None:
+    action = _ACTION.get()
+    if action is not None and not any(t['stage'] == 'authorized' for t in action.transitions):
+        action.transition('authorized', authority='existing_dispatcher_policy')
+
+
+def mark_dispatch() -> None:
+    action = _ACTION.get()
+    if action is not None and action.execution_id is None:
+        mark_authorized()
+        action.execution_id = action.action_id + ':execution:1'
+        action.transition('dispatched', execution_id=action.execution_id)
+
+
+async def dispatched(operation):
+    """Record an actual backend invocation, distinct from router admission."""
+    mark_dispatch()
+    return await operation
+
+
+def mark_operation_started(backend: str, **details: Any) -> None:
+    action = _ACTION.get()
+    if action is not None:
+        action.operation_started = True
+        action.transition('operation_started', backend=backend, **details)
+
+
+async def execute_action(executor, action: ActionReceipt | None, block: Any, **kwargs):
+    """Adapter binds the proposal across async tool-task execution and cleanup."""
+    if action is not None:
+        action.normalize(block, 'agent_loop compatibility adapters')
+    token = _ACTION.set(action)
+    try:
+        return await executor(block, **kwargs)
+    finally:
+        _ACTION.reset(token)
+
+
+def record_action(func):
+    call_signature = signature(func)
+
+    @wraps(func)
+    async def wrapped(*args, **kwargs):
+        bound = call_signature.bind(*args, **kwargs)
+        block = bound.arguments['block']
+        action = _ACTION.get() or propose_action(block)
+        token = _ACTION.set(action)
+        try:
+            journal = current_journal()
+            before = {}
+            if action is not None:
+                action.normalize(block, 'dispatcher input')
+                if journal is not None and journal.workspace:
+                    journal.capture_versions(action)
+                    before = dict(action.artifact_versions)
+            description, result = await func(*args, **kwargs)
+            if action is not None:
+                journal = current_journal()
+                if journal is not None:
+                    journal.capture_versions(action)
+                    if journal.workspace:
+                        action.artifact_changes = [key for key, value in action.artifact_versions.items()
+                                                   if before.get(key) != value]
+                if 'BLOCKED' in description and action.execution_id is None:
+                    action.transition('authorization_denied', reason=str(result.get('error', '')))
+                    action.finish({**result, 'blocked': True})
+                else:
+                    action.finish(result)
+            return description, result
+        except BaseException as exc:
+            if action is not None:
+                action.transition('interrupted', category=type(exc).__name__)
+            raise
+        finally:
+            _ACTION.reset(token)
+
+    return wrapped
diff --git a/src/agent_runtime/path_policy.py b/src/agent_runtime/path_policy.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d03d2d83f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/agent_runtime/path_policy.py
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+"""Existing sensitive-path policy shared by tools and evidence observation.
+
+This is a deny predicate, not an authorization grant or a workspace scope.
+"""
+import os
+
+_SENSITIVE_BASENAMES: set[str] = {
+    ".ssh", ".gnupg", ".gitconfig",
+    ".bashrc", ".bash_profile", ".bash_logout",
+    ".zshrc", ".zprofile", ".zshenv",
+    ".profile", ".tcshrc", ".cshrc", ".env", ".netrc",
+}
+_SENSITIVE_FILE_PATTERNS: tuple[str, ...] = (
+    "authorized_keys", "id_rsa", "id_ed25519", "id_ecdsa",
+    "known_hosts", "auth.json", "app.db", "settings.json",
+)
+_SENSITIVE_BASENAMES_CF = frozenset(b.casefold() for b in _SENSITIVE_BASENAMES)
+_SENSITIVE_FILE_PATTERNS_CF = frozenset(p.casefold() for p in _SENSITIVE_FILE_PATTERNS)
+
+
+def _is_sensitive_path(resolved: str) -> bool:
+    # Case folding is required even on POSIX: default macOS volumes are
+    # case insensitive but os.path.normcase there does not fold path names.
+    parts = [p.casefold() for p in resolved.split(os.sep)]
+    filename = parts[-1] if parts else ""
+    return any(part in _SENSITIVE_BASENAMES_CF for part in parts) or filename in _SENSITIVE_FILE_PATTERNS_CF
diff --git a/src/agent_tools/subprocess_tools.py b/src/agent_tools/subprocess_tools.py
index c8ffe9ddb..7537c82b5 100644
--- a/src/agent_tools/subprocess_tools.py
+++ b/src/agent_tools/subprocess_tools.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ from urllib.parse import urlparse
 import httpx
 
 from src.constants import MAX_OUTPUT_CHARS
+from src.agent_runtime.journal import mark_operation_started
 
 # Agent shell calls must fail fast enough for the loop to recover and choose a
 # better tool.  A one-hour default can pin an entire benchmark worker on an
@@ -690,6 +691,7 @@ class BashTool:
                 )
         except RuntimeError as exc:
             return {"error": str(exc), "exit_code": 1}
+        mark_operation_started('subprocess', pid=proc.pid)
         stdout, stderr, rc, timed_out = await _run_subprocess_streaming(
             proc,
             timeout=DEFAULT_BASH_TIMEOUT,
@@ -1015,6 +1017,7 @@ class PythonTool:
                 env=_subproc_env,
                 cwd=agent_cwd(),
             )
+        mark_operation_started('subprocess', pid=proc.pid)
         stdout, stderr, rc, timed_out = await _run_subprocess_streaming(
             proc,
             timeout=DEFAULT_PYTHON_TIMEOUT,
diff --git a/src/tool_execution.py b/src/tool_execution.py
index 57707a693..451d5c7a8 100644
--- a/src/tool_execution.py
+++ b/src/tool_execution.py
@@ -727,49 +727,13 @@ async def _route_tool_via_bridge(tool: str, content: str, session_id: Optional[s
 #      "tool_path_extra_roots" setting (list of path strings).
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-_SENSITIVE_BASENAMES: set[str] = {
-    ".ssh", ".gnupg", ".gitconfig",
-    ".bashrc", ".bash_profile", ".bash_logout",
-    ".zshrc", ".zprofile", ".zshenv",
-    ".profile", ".tcshrc", ".cshrc",
-    ".env", ".netrc",
-}
-
-_SENSITIVE_FILE_PATTERNS: tuple[str, ...] = (
-    "authorized_keys", "id_rsa", "id_ed25519", "id_ecdsa",
-    "known_hosts", "auth.json", "app.db", "settings.json",
+# Compatibility exports: the same deny predicate protects tool access and
+# artifact observations, so hashing cannot become a sensitive-file side channel.
+from src.agent_runtime.path_policy import (
+    _SENSITIVE_BASENAMES, _SENSITIVE_FILE_PATTERNS,
+    _SENSITIVE_BASENAMES_CF, _SENSITIVE_FILE_PATTERNS_CF, _is_sensitive_path,
 )
 
-# Case-folded views used for matching. On a case-insensitive filesystem
-# (Windows, default macOS) ".SSH/AUTHORIZED_KEYS" and ".env" resolve to the
-# same protected files as their lowercase forms, so the deny-list has to fold
-# case before comparing — the sibling resolver already normcases paths for the
-# same reason. casefold (not os.path.normcase) because normcase is a no-op on
-# POSIX, which is exactly where the macOS read-exfil path lives.
-_SENSITIVE_BASENAMES_CF: frozenset[str] = frozenset(b.casefold() for b in _SENSITIVE_BASENAMES)
-_SENSITIVE_FILE_PATTERNS_CF: frozenset[str] = frozenset(p.casefold() for p in _SENSITIVE_FILE_PATTERNS)
-
-
-def _is_sensitive_path(resolved: str) -> bool:
-    """Return True if *resolved* falls under a sensitive directory or
-    matches a sensitive filename — regardless of what root it sits under.
-
-    Matching is case-insensitive: on Windows / default macOS a case-variant
-    name (``.SSH``, ``AUTHORIZED_KEYS``, ``Id_Rsa``) points at the same file as
-    the lowercase form, so a case-sensitive check would let it slip past the
-    deny-list in every file tool that relies on it.
-    """
-    parts = [p.casefold() for p in resolved.split(os.sep)]
-    filename = parts[-1] if parts else ""
-
-    # Check if any path component is a sensitive directory.
-    for part in parts:
-        if part in _SENSITIVE_BASENAMES_CF:
-            return True
-
-    # Check filename against known sensitive files.
-    return filename in _SENSITIVE_FILE_PATTERNS_CF
-
 
 def _tool_path_roots() -> list[str]:
     """Return the list of directory roots that read_file / write_file
@@ -1290,6 +1254,10 @@ async def _document_tool_dispatch(
 # Dispatcher
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+from src.agent_runtime.journal import dispatched, mark_authorized, mark_dispatch, record_action
+
+
+@record_action
 async def execute_tool_block(
     block: Any,
     session_id: Optional[str] = None,
@@ -1615,14 +1583,15 @@ async def _execute_tool_block_impl(
         if rejected is not None:
             return rejected
 
+    mark_authorized()
     if bridge_owns_tool:
         try:
-            return await execution_bridge.route_tool(
+            return await dispatched(execution_bridge.route_tool(
                 tool,
                 content,
                 session_id,
                 client_runtime_context,
-            )
+            ))
         except asyncio.CancelledError:
             raise
         except Exception as exc:
@@ -1643,7 +1612,7 @@ async def _execute_tool_block_impl(
             )
 
     if tool in _ROUTED_BRIDGE_TOOLS and _client_bridge(client_runtime_context) is not None:
-        return await _route_tool_via_bridge(tool, content, session_id, client_runtime_context)
+        return await dispatched(_route_tool_via_bridge(tool, content, session_id, client_runtime_context))
 
     # Background execution: a `bash` block whose first line is the `#!bg`
     # marker runs DETACHED — returns a job id immediately so the chat stream
@@ -1653,6 +1622,7 @@ async def _execute_tool_block_impl(
         _is_bg, _bg_cmd = _split_bg_marker(content)
         if _is_bg and _bg_cmd:
             from src import bg_jobs
+            mark_dispatch()
             rec = bg_jobs.launch(_bg_cmd, session_id=session_id, cwd=agent_cwd())
             short = _bg_cmd.strip().split(chr(10))[0][:80]
             desc = f"bash (background): {short}"
@@ -1678,37 +1648,37 @@ async def _execute_tool_block_impl(
     if tool in _MCP_TOOL_MAP:
         first_line = content.split(chr(10))[0][:80]
         desc = f"{tool}: {first_line}"
-        result = await _call_mcp_tool(tool, content, progress_cb=progress_cb)
+        result = await dispatched(_call_mcp_tool(tool, content, progress_cb=progress_cb))
     elif tool in ("grep", "glob", "ls", "get_workspace", "host_shell"):
         # Code-navigation tools — no MCP server; run the direct implementation.
         first_line = content.split(chr(10))[0][:80]
         desc = f"{tool}: {first_line}"
-        result = await _direct_fallback(
+        result = await dispatched(_direct_fallback(
             tool,
             content,
             progress_cb=progress_cb,
             owner=owner,
             client_runtime_context=client_runtime_context,
-        ) \
+        )) \
             or {"error": f"{tool}: execution failed", "exit_code": 1}
     elif tool == "apply_patch" and _tui_host_bridge_patch_url(client_runtime_context):
         first_line = content.split(chr(10))[0][:80]
         desc = f"{tool}: {first_line}" if first_line else tool
-        result = await _apply_patch_via_tui_host_bridge(content, client_runtime_context)
+        result = await dispatched(_apply_patch_via_tui_host_bridge(content, client_runtime_context))
     elif tool in ("apply_patch", "todowrite"):
         first_line = content.split(chr(10))[0][:80]
         desc = f"{tool}: {first_line}" if first_line else tool
-        result = await _direct_fallback(tool, content, session_id=session_id, owner=owner) \
+        result = await dispatched(_direct_fallback(tool, content, session_id=session_id, owner=owner)) \
             or {"error": f"{tool}: execution failed", "exit_code": 1}
     elif tool == "manage_bg_jobs":
         # Inspect/kill detached `bash` jobs; needs session_id to scope to chat.
         desc = f"manage_bg_jobs: {content.split(chr(10))[0][:80]}"
-        result = await _direct_fallback(tool, content, session_id=session_id, owner=owner) \
+        result = await dispatched(_direct_fallback(tool, content, session_id=session_id, owner=owner)) \
             or {"error": "manage_bg_jobs: execution failed", "exit_code": 1}
     elif tool in ("create_document", "update_document", "edit_document",
                   "suggest_document", "manage_documents"):
         desc = f"{tool}: {content.split(chr(10))[0][:80]}"
-        result = await _document_tool_dispatch(
+        result = await dispatched(_document_tool_dispatch(
             tool,
             content,
             session_id,
@@ -1716,14 +1686,14 @@ async def _execute_tool_block_impl(
             document_id=approved_document_id or active_document_id,
             document_version=approved_document_version,
             document_digest=approved_document_digest,
-        ) \
+        )) \
             or {"error": f"{tool}: execution failed", "exit_code": 1}
         if tool in ("edit_document", "suggest_document") and "title" in (result or {}):
             desc = f"{tool}: {result.get('title', '')}"
     elif tool == "search_chats":
         query = content.split("\n")[0].strip()
         desc = f"search_chats: {query[:80]}"
-        result = await do_search_chats(query, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_search_chats(query, owner=owner))
     elif tool in ("chat_with_model", "ask_teacher", "list_models"):
         # Migrated to the agent_tools registry (#3629): dispatched through
         # TOOL_HANDLERS with the owner/session ctx these tools need, instead
@@ -1731,7 +1701,7 @@ async def _execute_tool_block_impl(
         # src/agent_tools/model_interaction_tools.py.
         first_line = content.split(chr(10))[0].strip()[:60]
         desc = f"{tool}: {first_line}" if first_line else tool
-        result = await _document_tool_dispatch(tool, content, session_id, owner) \
+        result = await dispatched(_document_tool_dispatch(tool, content, session_id, owner)) \
             or {"error": f"{tool}: execution failed", "exit_code": 1}
     elif tool in ("create_session", "list_sessions", "send_to_session", "manage_session"):
         # Migrated to the agent_tools registry (#3629): dispatched through
@@ -1739,101 +1709,101 @@ async def _execute_tool_block_impl(
         # live in src/agent_tools/session_tools.py.
         first_line = content.split(chr(10))[0].strip()[:60]
         desc = f"{tool}: {first_line}" if first_line else tool
-        result = await _document_tool_dispatch(tool, content, session_id, owner) \
+        result = await dispatched(_document_tool_dispatch(tool, content, session_id, owner)) \
             or {"error": f"{tool}: execution failed", "exit_code": 1}
     elif tool in ("pipeline", "manage_memory", "ui_control"):
         from src.ai_interaction import dispatch_ai_tool
-        desc, result = await dispatch_ai_tool(tool, content, session_id, owner=owner)
+        desc, result = await dispatched(dispatch_ai_tool(tool, content, session_id, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "manage_tasks":
         desc = "manage_tasks"
-        result = await do_manage_tasks(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_manage_tasks(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "manage_skills":
         desc = "manage_skills"
-        result = await do_manage_skills(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_manage_skills(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "api_call":
         first_line = content.split("\n")[0].strip()[:60]
         desc = f"api_call: {first_line}"
-        result = await do_api_call(content)
+        result = await dispatched(do_api_call(content))
     elif tool in ("manage_endpoints", "manage_mcp", "manage_webhooks", "manage_tokens", "manage_settings"):
         # Registry-dispatched (agent_tools.admin_tools); owner threaded for ownership/admin checks.
         desc = tool
-        result = await _direct_fallback(tool, content, owner=owner) \
+        result = await dispatched(_direct_fallback(tool, content, owner=owner)) \
             or {"error": f"{tool}: execution failed", "exit_code": 1}
     elif tool == "manage_notes":
         desc = "manage_notes"
-        result = await do_manage_notes(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_manage_notes(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "manage_calendar":
         desc = "manage_calendar"
-        result = await do_manage_calendar(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_manage_calendar(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "download_model":
         desc = "download_model"
-        result = await do_download_model(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_download_model(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "serve_model":
         desc = "serve_model"
-        result = await do_serve_model(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_serve_model(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "list_served_models":
         desc = "list_served_models"
-        result = await do_list_served_models(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_list_served_models(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "stop_served_model":
         desc = "stop_served_model"
-        result = await do_stop_served_model(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_stop_served_model(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "tail_serve_output":
         desc = "tail_serve_output"
-        result = await do_tail_serve_output(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_tail_serve_output(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "list_downloads":
         desc = "list_downloads"
-        result = await do_list_downloads(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_list_downloads(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "cancel_download":
         desc = "cancel_download"
-        result = await do_cancel_download(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_cancel_download(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "search_hf_models":
         desc = "search_hf_models"
-        result = await do_search_hf_models(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_search_hf_models(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "list_cached_models":
         desc = "list_cached_models"
-        result = await do_list_cached_models(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_list_cached_models(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "app_api":
         desc = "app_api"
-        result = await do_app_api(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_app_api(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "list_serve_presets":
         desc = "list_serve_presets"
-        result = await do_list_serve_presets(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_list_serve_presets(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "serve_preset":
         desc = "serve_preset"
-        result = await do_serve_preset(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_serve_preset(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "adopt_served_model":
         desc = "adopt_served_model"
-        result = await do_adopt_served_model(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_adopt_served_model(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "list_cookbook_servers":
         desc = "list_cookbook_servers"
-        result = await do_list_cookbook_servers(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_list_cookbook_servers(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "edit_image":
         desc = "edit_image"
-        result = await do_edit_image(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_edit_image(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "edit_file":
-        result = await _direct_fallback(tool, content) or {"error": "edit failed", "exit_code": 1}
+        result = await dispatched(_direct_fallback(tool, content)) or {"error": "edit failed", "exit_code": 1}
         desc = result.get("output") or result.get("error") or "edit_file"
     elif tool == "trigger_research":
         desc = "trigger_research"
-        result = await do_trigger_research(content, owner=owner, chat_session_id=session_id)
+        result = await dispatched(do_trigger_research(content, owner=owner, chat_session_id=session_id))
     elif tool == "manage_research":
         desc = "manage_research"
-        result = await do_manage_research(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_manage_research(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "resolve_contact":
         desc = "resolve_contact"
-        result = await do_resolve_contact(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_resolve_contact(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "manage_contact":
         desc = "manage_contact"
-        result = await do_manage_contact(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_manage_contact(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "vault_search":
         desc = "vault_search"
-        result = await do_vault_search(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_vault_search(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "vault_get":
         desc = "vault_get"
-        result = await do_vault_get(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_vault_get(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool == "vault_unlock":
         desc = "vault_unlock"
-        result = await do_vault_unlock(content, owner=owner)
+        result = await dispatched(do_vault_unlock(content, owner=owner))
     elif tool in BUILTIN_EMAIL_TOOLS:
         # Bare email tool name from fenced-block models (e.g. Ollama) — route to MCP email server.
         # Non-admin owners never reach here: BUILTIN_EMAIL_TOOLS ⊆ NON_ADMIN_BLOCKED_TOOLS,
@@ -1879,7 +1849,7 @@ async def _execute_tool_block_impl(
                 if session_id:
                     args = dict(args)
                     args[_EMAIL_MCP_SESSION_ARG] = session_id
-                result = await mcp.call_tool(qualified, args)
+                result = await dispatched(mcp.call_tool(qualified, args))
         else:
             result = {"error": "MCP manager not available", "exit_code": 1}
     elif tool.startswith("mcp__"):
@@ -1898,7 +1868,7 @@ async def _execute_tool_block_impl(
                     if session_id:
                         args = dict(args)
                         args[_EMAIL_MCP_SESSION_ARG] = session_id
-                result = _normalize_mcp_text_error(await mcp.call_tool(tool, args))
+                result = _normalize_mcp_text_error(await dispatched(mcp.call_tool(tool, args)))
         else:
             desc = f"mcp: {tool}"
             result = {"error": "MCP manager not available", "exit_code": 1}
@@ -1907,14 +1877,14 @@ async def _execute_tool_block_impl(
     elif tool in dynamic_handlers:
         first_line = content.split(chr(10))[0][:80]
         desc = f"registry: {tool} {first_line}".strip()
-        res = await _direct_fallback(
+        res = await dispatched(_direct_fallback(
             tool,
             content,
             progress_cb=progress_cb,
             session_id=session_id,
             owner=owner,
             client_runtime_context=client_runtime_context,
-        )
+        ))
 
         if isinstance(res, tuple):
             desc, result = res
diff --git a/tests/runtime_evidence_helpers.py b/tests/runtime_evidence_helpers.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f5aa483f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/runtime_evidence_helpers.py
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+"""Dispatcher doubles must simulate the receipt boundary as well as the result."""
+from src.agent_runtime.journal import mark_dispatch, record_action
+
+
+def authoritative_executor(function):
+    @record_action
+    async def execute(block, *args, **kwargs):
+        mark_dispatch()
+        return await function(block, *args, **kwargs)
+    return execute
diff --git a/tests/test_agent_evidence_loop.py b/tests/test_agent_evidence_loop.py
index 5b7acfde8..b9350edf6 100644
--- a/tests/test_agent_evidence_loop.py
+++ b/tests/test_agent_evidence_loop.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import json
 import src.agent_loop as agent_loop
 from src.tool_parsing import ToolBlock
 from src.tool_capabilities import ToolGateDecision
+from tests.runtime_evidence_helpers import authoritative_executor
 
 
 def _events(chunks):
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ def _patch_loop(monkeypatch, responses, captured_kwargs=None):
         yield f'data: {json.dumps({"delta": response})}\n\n'
         yield "data: [DONE]\n\n"
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", execute)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", authoritative_executor(execute))
     monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "stream_llm_with_fallback", stream)
     return lambda: call_index
 
@@ -117,14 +118,14 @@ def test_failed_workspace_mutation_attempts_are_not_hidden_by_successful_probe()
     assert agent_loop._failed_workspace_mutation_attempts([failed, probe], records) == 1
 
 
-def test_terminal_completion_repairs_missing_artifact_at_most_twice(monkeypatch):
+def test_terminal_completion_missing_artifact_does_not_add_model_rounds(monkeypatch):
     calls = _patch_loop(monkeypatch, ["Done without writing anything."])
 
     events = _run("Write answer.json", max_rounds=4)
 
     blocked = [event for event in events if event.get("type") == "completion_blocked"]
-    assert [event["attempt"] for event in blocked] == [1, 2]
-    assert calls() == 3
+    assert blocked == []
+    assert calls() == 1
     decision = next(event["data"] for event in events if event.get("type") == "completion_decision")
     assert decision["status"] == "blocked"
     assert decision["missing_artifacts"] == ["answer.json"]
@@ -145,7 +146,7 @@ def test_failed_trailing_tool_with_planning_prose_continues_artifact_task(monkey
             "exit_code": 1,
         }
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", fail_execute)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", authoritative_executor(fail_execute))
 
     events = _run(
         "Create answer.json after inspecting the source",
@@ -155,8 +156,8 @@ def test_failed_trailing_tool_with_planning_prose_continues_artifact_task(monkey
 
     assert calls() > 1
     assert any(
-        event.get("type") == "completion_blocked"
-        and event.get("decision", {}).get("missing_artifacts") == ["answer.json"]
+        event.get("type") == "completion_decision"
+        and event.get("data", {}).get("missing_artifacts") == ["answer.json"]
         for event in events
     )
 
@@ -178,7 +179,7 @@ def test_exact_failed_call_is_blocked_across_planning_and_intervening_failure(mo
         executed.append(block.content)
         return block.tool_type, {"output": f"failed: {block.content}", "exit_code": 1}
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", fail_execute)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", authoritative_executor(fail_execute))
 
     events = _run(
         "Create /tmp_workspace/results after classifying the files",
@@ -218,7 +219,7 @@ def test_exact_failed_call_can_retry_after_successful_workspace_mutation(monkeyp
             return block.tool_type, {"output": "written", "exit_code": 0}
         return block.tool_type, {"output": "classifier failed", "exit_code": 1}
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", execute)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", authoritative_executor(execute))
 
     events = _run(
         "Create /tmp_workspace/results after repairing and running the classifier",
@@ -260,7 +261,7 @@ def test_terminal_artifact_task_repairs_after_consecutive_failed_batches(monkeyp
             "exit_code": 1,
         }
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", execute)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", authoritative_executor(execute))
 
     events = _run(
         "Create answer.json and verify it",
@@ -312,7 +313,7 @@ def test_varied_failed_artifact_mutations_have_cumulative_cap(monkeypatch):
             "exit_code": 1,
         }
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", execute)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", authoritative_executor(execute))
 
     events = _run(
         "Create answer.json and verify it",
@@ -355,7 +356,7 @@ def test_exact_successful_read_is_blocked_until_workspace_changes(monkeypatch):
             return block.tool_type, {"output": "written", "exit_code": 0}
         return block.tool_type, {"output": "7", "exit_code": 0}
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", execute)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", authoritative_executor(execute))
 
     events = _run(
         "Create answer.json from the inspected workspace",
@@ -378,7 +379,7 @@ def test_exact_successful_read_is_blocked_until_workspace_changes(monkeypatch):
     assert any(tool == "write_file" for tool, _ in executed)
 
 
-def test_terminal_completion_recovers_fenced_body_after_two_repairs(monkeypatch):
+def test_missing_evidence_does_not_generate_later_fenced_body_or_mutation(monkeypatch):
     executed = []
     calls = _patch_loop(
         monkeypatch,
@@ -395,20 +396,19 @@ def test_terminal_completion_recovers_fenced_body_after_two_repairs(monkeypatch)
         executed.append(block)
         return await original_execute(block, *args, **kwargs)
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", record_execute)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(agent_loop, "execute_tool_block", authoritative_executor(record_execute))
 
     events = _run("Write answer.json", max_rounds=5)
 
-    assert [(block.tool_type, block.content) for block in executed] == [
-        ("write_file", 'answer.json\n{"ok": true}'),
-    ]
+    assert executed == []
+    assert calls() == 1
     decision = next(
         event["data"]
         for event in events
         if event.get("type") == "completion_decision"
     )
-    assert decision["status"] == "satisfied"
-    assert decision["can_complete"] is True
+    assert decision["status"] == "blocked"
+    assert decision["can_complete"] is False
 
 
 def test_successful_artifact_write_emits_satisfied_completion(monkeypatch):
@@ -514,7 +514,8 @@ def test_verified_artifact_survives_provider_error_during_finish_round(monkeypat
     assert not any(event.get("type") == "agent_terminal" for event in events)
     final = next(event for event in events if event.get("type") == "final_response")
     assert "output.html" in final["content"]
-    assert "verified" in final["content"].lower()
+    assert "Output available" in final["content"]
+    assert "No passing executable test result" in final["content"]
 
 
 def test_uninspected_artifact_still_fails_on_provider_error(monkeypatch):
diff --git a/tests/test_agent_runtime_context.py b/tests/test_agent_runtime_context.py
index 4514bf187..b6fe40562 100644
--- a/tests/test_agent_runtime_context.py
+++ b/tests/test_agent_runtime_context.py
@@ -1122,7 +1122,8 @@ def test_native_host_shell_call_runs_through_bridge_and_threads_result(monkeypat
     # at import time, so a fresh `import src.tool_execution` here can bind a
     # different module object than the execute_tool_block agent_loop calls —
     # patching that fresh copy silently no-ops in full-suite runs.
-    _dispatch_globals = al.execute_tool_block.__globals__
+    from inspect import unwrap
+    _dispatch_globals = unwrap(al.execute_tool_block).__globals__
     monkeypatch.setitem(
         _dispatch_globals,
         "owner_is_admin_or_single_user",
diff --git a/tests/test_foreground_model_routing.py b/tests/test_foreground_model_routing.py
index 659c6761b..a683595e8 100644
--- a/tests/test_foreground_model_routing.py
+++ b/tests/test_foreground_model_routing.py
@@ -2331,6 +2331,9 @@ def test_multi_round_agent_uses_only_selected_model(monkeypatch):
             yield f'data: {json.dumps({"delta": "done"})}\n\n'
         yield "data: [DONE]\n\n"
 
+    from tests.runtime_evidence_helpers import authoritative_executor
+
+    @authoritative_executor
     async def fake_execute(block, *args, **kwargs):
         return "bash", {"output": "ok", "exit_code": 0}
 
diff --git a/tests/test_runtime_evidence_contract.py b/tests/test_runtime_evidence_contract.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3af727f98
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_runtime_evidence_contract.py
@@ -0,0 +1,293 @@
+"""Observable execution, stale evidence and completion-stream trust boundaries."""
+import asyncio
+from contextlib import aclosing
+from inspect import signature
+import json
+import os
+
+import pytest
+
+from src.agent_evidence import CompletionRequirements, EvidenceLedger, EvidenceKind
+from src.agent_runtime.completion import completion_answer, with_completion_gate
+from src.agent_runtime.identity import artifact_identity, artifact_version, is_test_command, is_validation_command
+from src.agent_runtime.journal import (
+    ActionJournal, bind_journal, current_journal, execute_action, mark_dispatch,
+    propose_action, record_action,
+)
+from src.tool_types import ToolBlock
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('command', [
+    'python -m unittest discover -s tests -v', 'python3.12 -I -m unittest tests.test_app',
+    'cd /workspace && python3 -m unittest', 'pytest -q tests/test_app.py',
+    '/usr/bin/python3 -m pytest', 'PYTHONPATH=. python -m unittest', 'npm run test',
+])
+def test_actual_foreground_test_commands(command):
+    assert is_test_command(command)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('command', [
+    'echo python -m unittest', 'echo "pytest passed"', 'false && pytest',
+    'pytest; true', 'pytest || true', 'pytest | cat', 'python -c "print(\'pytest\')"',
+    'printf "python -m unittest"', 'pytest --help', 'pytest --collect-only',
+    'python -m unittest --help', 'if false; then pytest; fi', 'echo $(pytest)',
+])
+def test_non_execution_or_masked_status_is_not_verifier(command):
+    assert not is_test_command(command)
+
+
+def test_echoed_readback_is_not_validation():
+    assert not is_validation_command('echo cat answer.json')
+    assert is_validation_command('cat answer.json')
+
+
+def test_workspace_path_aliases_and_unrelated_basenames(tmp_path):
+    (tmp_path / 'nested').mkdir()
+    (tmp_path / 'a.py').write_text('x')
+    (tmp_path / 'alias.py').symlink_to(tmp_path / 'a.py')
+    expected = artifact_identity('a.py', str(tmp_path))
+    assert all(artifact_identity(path, str(tmp_path)) == expected for path in
+               ('./a.py', '/workspace/a.py', str(tmp_path / 'a.py'), 'nested/../a.py', 'alias.py'))
+    assert artifact_identity('nested/a.py', str(tmp_path)) != expected
+    assert artifact_identity('../a.py', str(tmp_path)) != expected
+    assert artifact_identity('/workspace-other/a.py', str(tmp_path)) != expected
+    assert artifact_identity('a.py.', str(tmp_path)) != expected
+
+
+def test_literal_tool_path_punctuation_is_not_prose_to_strip():
+    ledger = EvidenceLedger.from_tool_events([
+        {'tool': 'write_file', 'command': '{"path":"app.py."}', 'exit_code': 0},
+    ], CompletionRequirements(required_artifacts=('app.py',)))
+    assert ledger.evaluate().missing_artifacts == ('app.py',)
+
+
+def test_artifact_observation_does_not_open_sensitive_or_outside_files(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    (tmp_path / '.SSH').mkdir()
+    (tmp_path / '.SSH' / 'id_rsa').write_text('sensitive fixture')
+    def forbidden(*args, **kwargs):
+        raise AssertionError('protected artifact must not be opened')
+    monkeypatch.setattr(os, 'open', forbidden)
+    assert artifact_version('.SSH/id_rsa', str(tmp_path)) == 'unobserved'
+    assert artifact_version('../outside', str(tmp_path)) == 'unobserved'
+
+
+def test_fifo_artifact_observation_is_nonblocking(tmp_path):
+    os.mkfifo(tmp_path / 'pipe')
+    assert artifact_version('pipe', str(tmp_path)) == 'unobserved'
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('nested', [True, False])
+def test_native_argument_shapes_are_preserved_without_mutable_aliases(nested):
+    function = {'name': 'provider_tool', 'arguments': {'value': 'original'}}
+    native = {'function': function} if nested else function
+    journal = ActionJournal()
+    action = journal.propose(ToolBlock('normalized_tool', '{}'), native_call=native)
+    function['arguments']['value'] = 'changed later'
+    assert action.provider_arguments == {'value': 'original'}
+    assert action.provider_tool == 'provider_tool'
+
+
+def test_large_artifact_hashing_is_bounded(tmp_path):
+    with (tmp_path / 'large.bin').open('wb') as stream:
+        stream.truncate(64 * 1024 * 1024 + 1)
+    assert artifact_version('large.bin', str(tmp_path)) == 'unobserved'
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_client_completion_declaration_cannot_grant_a_host_workspace(tmp_path):
+    seen = []
+    @with_completion_gate
+    async def stream(messages, client_runtime_context=None):
+        seen.append(current_journal().workspace)
+        yield 'data: {"delta":"I cannot verify that."}\n\n'
+        yield 'data: [DONE]\n\n'
+    context = {'completion_requirements': {'workspace_root': str(tmp_path), 'required_artifacts': ['secret.txt']}}
+    _ = [chunk async for chunk in stream([], client_runtime_context=context)]
+    assert seen == ['']
+
+
+def test_denied_and_never_dispatched_results_are_not_authoritative():
+    for flags in ({'blocked': True}, {'execution_attempted': False}, {'approval_required': True}):
+        ledger = EvidenceLedger.from_tool_events([
+            {'tool': 'bash', 'command': 'python -m unittest', 'exit_code': 0, **flags}],
+            CompletionRequirements(verifier_required=True, executable_verifier_available=True))
+        assert not ledger.evaluate().can_complete
+        assert not any(e.authoritative for e in ledger.events)
+
+
+def test_readback_does_not_substitute_for_required_executable_tests():
+    ledger = EvidenceLedger.from_tool_events([
+        {'tool': 'write_file', 'command': '{"path":"answer.json"}', 'exit_code': 0},
+        {'tool': 'read_file', 'command': '/workspace/answer.json', 'exit_code': 0},
+    ], CompletionRequirements(required_artifacts=('answer.json',), verifier_required=True,
+                              executable_verifier_available=True))
+    assert not ledger.evaluate().can_complete
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('claim', ['All tests passed.', 'Tests: PASS', 'unittest succeeded',
+                                  'Test suite ran successfully', 'No failures.', 'Done.',
+                                  'I executed the command.', 'Successfully created the file.'])
+def test_no_execution_receipts_cannot_support_adversarial_success_claims(claim):
+    ledger = EvidenceLedger()
+    answer, reason = completion_answer(claim, ledger, ledger.evaluate())
+    assert reason
+    assert answer.startswith('The task is incomplete:')
+
+
+def test_declared_execution_contract_does_not_publish_invented_test_counts():
+    ledger = EvidenceLedger.from_tool_events([
+        {'tool': 'write_file', 'command': '{"path":"app.py"}', 'exit_code': 0},
+        {'tool': 'bash', 'command': 'python -m unittest', 'exit_code': 0},
+    ], CompletionRequirements(required_artifacts=('app.py',)))
+    answer, _ = completion_answer('All 938 tests passed, 100% coverage, everything fixed.', ledger, ledger.evaluate())
+    assert '938' not in answer and '100%' not in answer and 'everything' not in answer
+    assert 'executable verification passed' in answer
+
+
+@record_action
+async def successful_backend(block):
+    mark_dispatch()
+    return block.tool_type, {'exit_code': 0, 'output': 'OK'}
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_normalization_preserves_provider_arguments_and_replay_identity():
+    journal = ActionJournal(run_id='known')
+    original = ToolBlock('write_file', 'original arguments')
+    normalized = ToolBlock('bash', 'python -m unittest')
+    with bind_journal(journal):
+        action = propose_action(original, 'native-1', {'function': {'arguments': '{"original":true}'}})
+        await execute_action(successful_backend, action, normalized)
+    receipt = action.to_dict()
+    assert receipt['proposed_arguments'] == 'original arguments'
+    assert receipt['provider_arguments'] == '{"original":true}'
+    assert receipt['arguments'] == normalized.content
+    assert [t['stage'] for t in receipt['transitions']] == ['proposed', 'normalized', 'authorized', 'dispatched', 'outcome']
+    assert receipt['execution_id'] == 'known:action:1:execution:1'
+    first = EvidenceLedger.from_tool_events(journal.evidence_events())
+    replay = EvidenceLedger.from_tool_events(json.loads(json.dumps(journal.evidence_events())))
+    assert first.to_list() == replay.to_list()
+    assert first.evaluate().status.value == 'verified'
+    assert first.events[-1].verification_id
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_changed_bytes_invalidate_a_passing_verifier(tmp_path):
+    path = tmp_path / 'app.py'
+    path.write_text('before')
+    journal = ActionJournal(workspace=str(tmp_path), observed_artifacts=('app.py',))
+    with bind_journal(journal):
+        await successful_backend(ToolBlock('write_file', '{"path":"app.py"}'))
+        await successful_backend(ToolBlock('bash', 'python -m unittest'))
+    requirements = CompletionRequirements(required_artifacts=('app.py',), workspace_root=str(tmp_path))
+    assert EvidenceLedger.from_tool_events(journal.evidence_events(), requirements).evaluate().can_complete
+    path.write_text('changed outside recorded call')
+    decision = EvidenceLedger.from_tool_events(journal.evidence_events(), requirements).evaluate()
+    assert not decision.can_complete
+    assert 'changed after verification' in decision.reason
+
+
+def decode(chunks):
+    return [json.loads(c[6:]) for c in chunks if c.strip() != 'data: [DONE]']
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_gate_holds_false_claim_until_decision_without_another_round():
+    invocations = []
+    @with_completion_gate
+    async def stream(messages, workspace=None, client_runtime_context=None):
+        invocations.append(1)
+        yield 'data: {"delta":"All tests "}\n\n'
+        yield 'data: {"type":"tool_start","tool":"bash"}\n\n'
+        yield 'data: {"delta":"passed."}\n\n'
+        yield 'data: {"type":"metrics","data":{}}\n\n'
+        yield 'data: [DONE]\n\n'
+    events = decode([c async for c in stream([{'role': 'user', 'content': 'Run the tests'}])])
+    assert invocations == [1]
+    assert events[0]['type'] == 'tool_start'
+    assert events[1]['type'] == 'completion_decision'
+    assert not events[1]['data']['can_complete']
+    assert all('All tests passed' not in str(e) for e in events)
+    assert events[2]['content'].startswith('The task is incomplete:')
+    assert events[3]['data']['round_texts'] == [events[2]['content']]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_gate_preserves_verified_answer_and_sse_shape():
+    @with_completion_gate
+    async def stream(messages):
+        await successful_backend(ToolBlock('bash', 'python -m unittest'))
+        yield 'data: {"delta":"Tests passed."}\n\n'
+        yield 'data: [DONE]\n\n'
+    chunks = [c async for c in stream([])]
+    events = decode(chunks)
+    assert events[0]['data']['status'] == 'verified'
+    assert events[1] == {'delta': 'Tests passed.'}
+    assert chunks[-1] == 'data: [DONE]\n\n'
+    assert str(signature(stream)) == '(messages)'
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_cancellation_unwinds_bound_journal_without_done_or_claims():
+    closed = []
+    @with_completion_gate
+    async def stream(messages):
+        try:
+            yield 'data: {"delta":"Tests passed."}\n\n'
+            yield 'data: {"type":"tool_start","tool":"bash"}\n\n'
+            await asyncio.Event().wait()
+        finally:
+            closed.append(current_journal() is not None)
+    async with aclosing(stream([])) as output:
+        assert json.loads((await anext(output))[6:])['type'] == 'tool_start'
+    assert closed == [True]
+    assert current_journal() is None
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_real_unittest_dispatch_and_policy_denial_have_distinct_receipts(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    from src.tool_execution import execute_tool_block, NO_TOOL_SECURITY_CONTEXT
+    monkeypatch.setattr('src.tool_execution.owner_is_admin_or_single_user', lambda owner: True)
+    (tmp_path / 'test_sample.py').write_text('import unittest\nclass TestSample(unittest.TestCase):\n def test_ok(self): self.assertEqual(2+2,4)\n')
+    journal = ActionJournal()
+    with bind_journal(journal):
+        _, denied = await execute_tool_block(ToolBlock('bash', 'python3 -m unittest'),
+            workspace=str(tmp_path), disabled_tools={'bash'}, security_context=NO_TOOL_SECURITY_CONTEXT)
+        _, result = await execute_tool_block(ToolBlock('bash', 'python3 -m unittest -v'),
+            workspace=str(tmp_path), security_context=NO_TOOL_SECURITY_CONTEXT)
+    assert denied['exit_code'] != 0
+    assert journal.actions[0].execution_id is None
+    assert not journal.actions[0].operation_started
+    assert result['exit_code'] == 0, result
+    assert 'Ran 1 test' in result['output']
+    assert journal.actions[1].execution_id
+    assert journal.actions[1].operation_started
+    assert EvidenceLedger.from_tool_events(journal.evidence_events()).evaluate().status.value == 'verified'
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_shell_writing_same_basename_elsewhere_is_not_required_mutation(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    from src.tool_execution import execute_tool_block, NO_TOOL_SECURITY_CONTEXT
+    monkeypatch.setattr('src.tool_execution.owner_is_admin_or_single_user', lambda owner: True)
+    (tmp_path / 'app.py').write_text('unchanged')
+    journal = ActionJournal(workspace=str(tmp_path), observed_artifacts=('app.py',))
+    with bind_journal(journal):
+        _, result = await execute_tool_block(ToolBlock('bash', 'mkdir nested && printf changed > nested/app.py'),
+            workspace=str(tmp_path), security_context=NO_TOOL_SECURITY_CONTEXT)
+    assert result['exit_code'] == 0
+    assert (tmp_path / 'nested' / 'app.py').read_text() == 'changed'
+    assert journal.actions[0].artifact_changes == []
+    ledger = EvidenceLedger.from_tool_events(journal.evidence_events(),
+        CompletionRequirements(required_artifacts=('app.py',), workspace_root=str(tmp_path)))
+    assert not ledger.evaluate().can_complete
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_unknown_tool_never_creates_dispatch_identity(monkeypatch):
+    from src.tool_execution import execute_tool_block, NO_TOOL_SECURITY_CONTEXT
+    monkeypatch.setattr('src.tool_execution.owner_is_admin_or_single_user', lambda owner: True)
+    journal = ActionJournal()
+    with bind_journal(journal):
+        await execute_tool_block(ToolBlock('unknown_nonexistent_tool', '{}'), security_context=NO_TOOL_SECURITY_CONTEXT)
+    assert journal.actions[0].execution_id is None
+    assert not journal.actions[0].outcome['authoritative']
diff --git a/tests/test_tool_policy.py b/tests/test_tool_policy.py
index 952444f72..969cc978a 100644
--- a/tests/test_tool_policy.py
+++ b/tests/test_tool_policy.py
@@ -1681,6 +1681,9 @@ def test_calendar_create_response_includes_persistent_event_link(monkeypatch):
 
     set_user_timezone("Asia/Tokyo", 540)
 
+    from tests.runtime_evidence_helpers import authoritative_executor
+
+    @authoritative_executor
     async def _fake_exec(block, *args, **kwargs):
         if '"list_calendars"' in (block.content or ""):
             return (