fix: resolve conflicts for PR #421

Merge prgs/master; keep audit-readonly gate (#419) and explicit delete_branch
preflight task binding from master.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <[email protected]>

author_mutation_worktree.py

@@ -7,8 +7,11 @@ project's ``branches/`` directory, never from the stable control checkout.
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
+import subprocess
 
 BASE_BRANCHES = frozenset({"master", "main", "dev"})
+ACTIVE_WORKTREE_ENV = "GITEA_ACTIVE_WORKTREE"
+AUTHOR_WORKTREE_ENV = "GITEA_AUTHOR_WORKTREE"
 
 
 def _normalize_path(path: str) -> str:
@@ -48,6 +51,130 @@ def resolve_mutation_workspace(
     return os.path.realpath(project_root)
 
 
+def _realpath_git_common_dir(workspace_path: str, common_dir: str) -> str:
+    """Resolve ``git rev-parse --git-common-dir`` relative to *workspace_path*."""
+    raw = (common_dir or "").strip()
+    if not raw:
+        return raw
+    if os.path.isabs(raw):
+        return os.path.realpath(raw)
+    return os.path.realpath(os.path.join(workspace_path, raw))
+
+
+def resolve_canonical_repo_root(workspace_path: str, fallback_project_root: str) -> str:
+    """Return the stable repository root for *workspace_path* via git metadata (#460)."""
+    path = (workspace_path or "").strip()
+    fallback = os.path.realpath(fallback_project_root)
+    if not path:
+        return fallback
+    try:
+        res = subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "-C", path, "rev-parse", "--git-common-dir"],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            check=True,
+        )
+        common = _realpath_git_common_dir(path, res.stdout)
+    except Exception:
+        return fallback
+    if common.endswith(f"{os.sep}.git"):
+        return os.path.dirname(common)
+    if os.path.basename(common) == ".git":
+        return os.path.dirname(common)
+    return fallback
+
+
+def resolve_author_mutation_context(
+    worktree_path: str | None,
+    process_project_root: str,
+    *,
+    active_worktree_env: str | None = None,
+    author_worktree_env: str | None = None,
+) -> dict:
+    """Shared workspace resolution for runtime_context and mutation guards (#460)."""
+    workspace = resolve_mutation_workspace(
+        worktree_path,
+        process_project_root,
+        active_worktree_env=active_worktree_env,
+        author_worktree_env=author_worktree_env,
+    )
+    process_root = os.path.realpath(process_project_root)
+    # Canonical repository identity comes from the MCP process checkout (#460),
+    # not from the declared task workspace being validated.
+    canonical_root = resolve_canonical_repo_root(process_root, process_root)
+    return {
+        "workspace_path": workspace,
+        "process_project_root": process_root,
+        "canonical_repo_root": canonical_root,
+        "roots_aligned": canonical_root == process_root,
+    }
+
+
+def assess_workspace_repo_membership(
+    *,
+    workspace_path: str,
+    canonical_repo_root: str,
+) -> dict:
+    """Fail closed when *workspace_path* is not a git worktree of *canonical_repo_root*."""
+    workspace = os.path.realpath(workspace_path)
+    root = os.path.realpath(canonical_repo_root)
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+
+    if not os.path.exists(workspace):
+        reasons.append(f"worktree path '{workspace}' does not exist")
+        return _membership_assessment(False, reasons, workspace, root, None)
+
+    if not os.path.isdir(workspace):
+        reasons.append(f"worktree path '{workspace}' is not a directory")
+        return _membership_assessment(False, reasons, workspace, root, None)
+
+    try:
+        res = subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "-C", workspace, "rev-parse", "--git-common-dir"],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            check=True,
+        )
+        common_dir = _realpath_git_common_dir(workspace, res.stdout)
+    except Exception:
+        reasons.append(f"worktree '{workspace}' is not a valid git repository")
+        return _membership_assessment(False, reasons, workspace, root, None)
+
+    expected_dir = os.path.realpath(os.path.join(root, ".git"))
+    if common_dir != expected_dir:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"worktree '{workspace}' does not belong to the target repository '{root}'"
+        )
+    return _membership_assessment(not reasons, reasons, workspace, root, common_dir)
+
+
+def _membership_assessment(
+    proven: bool,
+    reasons: list[str],
+    workspace: str,
+    root: str,
+    common_dir: str | None,
+) -> dict:
+    return {
+        "proven": proven,
+        "block": not proven,
+        "reasons": reasons,
+        "workspace_path": workspace,
+        "canonical_repo_root": root,
+        "git_common_dir": common_dir,
+    }
+
+
+def format_workspace_repo_membership_error(assessment: dict) -> str:
+    workspace = assessment.get("workspace_path") or "(unknown)"
+    root = assessment.get("canonical_repo_root") or "(unknown)"
+    reasons = "; ".join(assessment.get("reasons") or ["unknown repository membership violation"])
+    return (
+        f"Branches-only mutation guard (#274): {reasons} (fail closed). "
+        f"canonical repository root: {root}; workspace: {workspace}."
+    )
+
+
 def assess_author_mutation_worktree(
     *,
     workspace_path: str,

docs/llm-workflow-runbooks.md

@@ -274,12 +274,46 @@ is proven abandoned and the takeover is recorded.
 
 Gitea-Tools lease gates: `gitea_lock_issue` (fail-closed before author
 mutations), `status:in-progress`, and claim comments. `gitea_lock_issue`
-records an `author_issue_work` lease in the issue-lock payload with issue
+records an `author_issue_work` lease in a keyed lock file under
-number, optional PR number, branch, worktree path, claimant identity/profile,
+`GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR` (default `~/.cache/gitea-tools/issue-locks`), one file
-created timestamp, expiry timestamp, and last heartbeat timestamp. An active
+per `remote` + `org` + `repo` + `issue_number`. The current MCP session binds
-same-issue/same-operation lease blocks duplicate work. An expired lease still
+its active lock through a per-process pointer so concurrent repos/issues never
-blocks takeover until a recovery review records why the prior work is abandoned,
+share one overwrite-prone slot (#443).
-completed, or unsafe to continue.
+
+Each lock payload includes issue number, optional PR number, branch, worktree
+path, claimant identity/profile, created timestamp, expiry timestamp, and last
+heartbeat timestamp. An active same-issue/same-operation lease blocks duplicate
+work. An expired lease still blocks takeover until a recovery review records why
+the prior work is abandoned, completed, or unsafe to continue.
+
+**Stacked PRs (#484).** By default the lock worktree must be base-equivalent to
+`master`/`main`/`dev` — ordinary work is unchanged. A *stacked* PR (deliberately
+based on another unmerged PR's branch) is an explicit, opt-in path: pass
+`stacked_base_branch` **and** `stacked_base_pr` to `gitea_lock_issue`. The lock
+fails closed unless that branch is owned by a live **open** PR whose number
+matches `stacked_base_pr`, so arbitrary or stale branches cannot be used as
+bases. When approved, the lock payload records
+`approved_stacked_base = {branch, pr_number, verified_open}` and the worktree may
+be base-equivalent to that branch instead of master. `gitea_create_pr` then
+allows `base = <that branch>` only when it matches the recorded approval, the
+dependency PR is **still open**, and the PR body documents the stack:
+
+- `Stacked on PR #<X> / issue #<Y>`
+- `Base branch: <feature-branch>`
+- `Head branch: <this-issue-branch>`
+- `Do not merge before PR #<X>` (merge ordering)
+- retarget/rebase to `master` after the dependency lands, if required
+
+Stacked support never bypasses the issue lock — the base is recorded *on* the
+lock and re-verified at PR time. A merged/closed dependency base fails closed;
+retarget onto `master` or re-lock against a live base.
+
+**Do not manually seed `/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json` or any lock file as a normal
+recovery path.** That global slot is deprecated and can clobber unrelated live
+leases (#438). After an MCP restart, call `gitea_lock_issue` again — own-branch
+adoption rebinds the session when the issue's exact branch already exists (#442).
+`gitea_create_pr` resolves the durable keyed lock by session pointer or by
+matching `head` branch without unsafe manual seeding.
 
 **Issue-lock recovery (#447):** Do not manually seed, restore, or delete
 `/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json` as a normal recovery path. That file is global
@@ -291,6 +325,17 @@ shared state and manual writes can clobber another session's live lease. Use
 3. Operator override only when explicitly authorized — record
    `External-state mutations` and `operator override proof` in the final report.
 
+**Adoption proof in the live lock response (#477):** when `gitea_lock_issue`
+adopts an existing own branch, the response carries an `adoption` block with
+citable fields — `adoption_decision` (`ADOPT`), `adopted` (`true`),
+`adopted_branch`, `adopted_branch_head`, `matcher_summary` (boundary-safe reason
+the branch qualified), `competing_branch_check`, and `safe_next_action`. A normal
+lock instead returns an `adoption_check` block with `adoption_decision`
+(`NO_MATCH`) and `adopted: false`, so a non-adoption response can never be misread
+as claiming adoption. Recovery reports should quote the live lock response
+`adoption`/`adoption_check` block directly instead of inferring adoption from
+separate offline checks.
+
 `gitea_create_pr` rejects lock files that lack sanctioned `lock_provenance`
 metadata. Final-report validation blocks handoffs that hide lock read/write/delete
 under `External-state mutations: none` or mix author PR creation with reviewer

final_report_validator.py

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ from review_proofs import (
     assess_review_mutation_final_report,
     assess_validation_report,
 )
+from validation_status_vocabulary import assess_validation_status_vocabulary
 
 FINAL_REPORT_TASK_KINDS = frozenset({
     "review_pr",
@@ -491,6 +492,81 @@ def _rule_reviewer_validation_failure_history(
     ]
 
 
+def _rule_reviewer_validation_cwd_proof(
+    report_text: str,
+    *,
+    validation_session: dict | None = None,
+) -> list[dict[str, str]]:
+    from reviewer_validation_cwd_proof import assess_validation_cwd_proof_report
+
+    session = validation_session or {}
+    claims = (
+        session.get("validation_ran")
+        or session.get("command")
+        or session.get("baseline_validation_ran")
+    )
+    if not claims and "validation command:" not in (report_text or "").lower():
+        return []
+
+    result = assess_validation_cwd_proof_report(
+        report_text,
+        validation_session=session,
+    )
+    if result.get("proven") or not result.get("claims_validation"):
+        return []
+    severity = "block" if result.get("violations") else "downgrade"
+    return [
+        validator_finding(
+            "reviewer.validation_cwd_proof",
+            severity,
+            "Validation cwd/HEAD proof",
+            reason,
+            result.get("safe_next_action")
+            or "document pwd, HEAD SHA, and explicit cwd before validation",
+        )
+        for reason in (result.get("violations") or result.get("reasons") or ["incomplete"])
+    ]
+
+
+def _rule_reviewer_stale_head_proof(report_text: str) -> list[dict[str, str]]:
+    from pr_work_lease import assess_reviewer_stale_head_final_report
+
+    result = assess_reviewer_stale_head_final_report(report_text)
+    if result.get("proven"):
+        return []
+    return _findings_from_reasons(
+        "reviewer.stale_head_proof",
+        result.get("reasons") or [],
+        field="Stale-head proof",
+        severity="block",
+        safe_next_action=(
+            "state reviewed head SHA, live head before approval/merge, and "
+            "whether any push occurred during validation"
+        ),
+    )
+
+
+def _rule_conflict_fix_push_proof(report_text: str) -> list[dict[str, str]]:
+    from pr_work_lease import assess_conflict_fix_final_report
+
+    text = report_text or ""
+    if "conflict-fix" not in text.lower() and "conflict fix" not in text.lower():
+        return []
+    result = assess_conflict_fix_final_report(text)
+    if result.get("proven"):
+        return []
+    return _findings_from_reasons(
+        "author.conflict_fix_push_proof",
+        result.get("reasons") or [],
+        field="Conflict-fix push proof",
+        severity="block",
+        safe_next_action=(
+            "state branch head before/after push, reviewer lease status, "
+            "fast-forward status, and whether any reviewer was active"
+        ),
+    )
+
+
 def _rule_reviewer_validation_command(report_text: str) -> list[dict[str, str]]:
     text = report_text or ""
     if not _BARE_PYTEST_RE.search(text):
@@ -599,6 +675,34 @@ def _rule_reviewer_main_checkout_baseline(report_text: str) -> list[dict[str, st
     ]
 
 
+def _rule_reviewer_validation_status_vocabulary(
+    report_text: str,
+    *,
+    action_log: list[dict] | None = None,
+) -> list[dict[str, str]]:
+    text = report_text or ""
+    if not re.search(
+        r"validation status|pr-head validation status|official validation status",
+        text,
+        re.IGNORECASE,
+    ):
+        return []
+    result = assess_validation_status_vocabulary(
+        text,
+        command_log=action_log,
+    )
+    if not result.get("block"):
+        return []
+    return _findings_from_reasons(
+        "reviewer.validation_status_vocabulary",
+        result.get("reasons") or [],
+        field="Validation status",
+        severity="block",
+        safe_next_action=result.get("safe_next_action")
+        or "use a validation status that matches the proof path executed",
+    )
+
+
 def _rule_reviewer_main_checkout_path(report_text: str) -> list[dict[str, str]]:
     text = report_text or ""
     if "baseline worktree path" not in text.lower():
@@ -971,9 +1075,11 @@ _RULES_BY_TASK: dict[str, list[Callable[..., list[dict[str, str]]]]] = {
         _rule_reviewer_git_fetch_readonly,
         _rule_reviewer_validation_command,
         _rule_reviewer_validation_failure_history,
+        _rule_reviewer_validation_cwd_proof,
         _rule_reviewer_validation_structured,
         _rule_reviewer_linked_issue,
         _rule_reviewer_baseline_on_failure,
+        _rule_reviewer_validation_status_vocabulary,
         _rule_reviewer_main_checkout_baseline,
         _rule_reviewer_main_checkout_path,
         _rule_reviewer_already_landed_eligible,
@@ -981,6 +1087,7 @@ _RULES_BY_TASK: dict[str, list[Callable[..., list[dict[str, str]]]]] = {
         _rule_reviewer_target_branch_freshness,
         _rule_reviewer_mutation_ledger,
         _rule_reviewer_review_mutation,
+        _rule_reviewer_stale_head_proof,
     ],
     "reconcile_already_landed": [
         _rule_reconcile_controller_handoff,
@@ -1006,6 +1113,7 @@ _RULES_BY_TASK: dict[str, list[Callable[..., list[dict[str, str]]]]] = {
         _rule_shared_email_disclosure,
         *_SHARED_ISSUE_LOCK_RULES,
         _rule_reviewer_vague_mutations_none,
+        _rule_conflict_fix_push_proof,
     ],
     "issue_filing": [
         _rule_shared_controller_handoff,

issue_lock_adoption.py

@@ -0,0 +1,272 @@
+"""Own-branch lock adoption / recovery for ``gitea_lock_issue`` (#442 / #443).
+
+When an issue's own already-pushed branch exists, lock reacquisition must be
+allowed (adoption) instead of being treated as #400 duplicate competing work.
+This module isolates the pure decision so it can be unit-tested apart from the
+MCP server's live Gitea calls.
+
+Adoption is granted only for the issue's *exact* requested branch. Any other
+branch that merely contains the same ``issue-<n>`` marker is competing work and
+stays fail-closed. Open-PR, competing-live-lock, capability, and worktree
+safety checks are enforced by the caller before this decision is consulted;
+this module additionally records whether they passed for proof purposes.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import re
+
+ADOPT = "adopt_existing_branch"
+BLOCK_COMPETING = "block_competing_branch"
+NO_MATCH = "no_matching_branch"
+
+# Citable decision labels aligned with the ``assess_own_branch_adoption``
+# outcomes, surfaced verbatim in the live ``gitea_lock_issue`` response so
+# recovery reports (#473-style) can quote the lock tool output directly
+# instead of inferring adoption from separate offline checks (#477).
+DECISION_LABELS = {
+    ADOPT: "ADOPT",
+    BLOCK_COMPETING: "BLOCK_COMPETING",
+    NO_MATCH: "NO_MATCH",
+}
+
+_SAFE_NEXT_ACTIONS = {
+    ADOPT: (
+        "Own existing branch adopted for lock recovery; proceed to "
+        "gitea_create_pr for this issue and cite this adoption proof."
+    ),
+    BLOCK_COMPETING: (
+        "Competing same-issue branch(es) exist; resolve branch ownership "
+        "before locking. No adoption performed (fail closed)."
+    ),
+    NO_MATCH: (
+        "No existing branch carries this issue marker; normal lock path "
+        "applied. No adoption performed."
+    ),
+}
+
+
+def decision_label(outcome: str) -> str:
+    """Map an ``assess_own_branch_adoption`` outcome to its citable label."""
+    return DECISION_LABELS.get(outcome, "UNKNOWN")
+
+
+def safe_next_action(outcome: str) -> str:
+    """Return the safe next action string for an adoption *outcome*."""
+    return _SAFE_NEXT_ACTIONS.get(
+        outcome, "Unknown adoption outcome; treat as fail closed."
+    )
+
+
+def _branch_name(entry) -> str:
+    if isinstance(entry, dict):
+        return str(entry.get("name") or "")
+    return str(entry or "")
+
+
+def _branch_sha(entry) -> str | None:
+    if isinstance(entry, dict):
+        sha = entry.get("commit_sha")
+        if sha:
+            return str(sha)
+    return None
+
+
+def _branch_carries_issue_marker(branch_name: str, issue_number: int) -> bool:
+    """Return True when *branch_name* references issue *issue_number* exactly.
+
+    Uses a numeric word-boundary so ``issue-42`` does not match inside
+    ``issue-420`` (AC6 / #440).
+    """
+    name = (branch_name or "").strip()
+    if not name:
+        return False
+    pattern = rf"(?:^|/)issue-{int(issue_number)}(?![0-9])"
+    return re.search(pattern, name) is not None
+
+
+def assess_own_branch_adoption(
+    *,
+    issue_number: int,
+    requested_branch: str,
+    existing_branches,
+) -> dict:
+    """Decide whether an existing matching branch is adoptable.
+
+    Args:
+        issue_number: The tracking issue number being locked.
+        requested_branch: The exact branch the caller wants to lock.
+        existing_branches: Iterable of remote branch entries — either names or
+            dicts with ``name`` and optional ``commit_sha``.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict with:
+          * ``outcome`` — one of ADOPT / BLOCK_COMPETING / NO_MATCH
+          * ``adopt`` (bool), ``block`` (bool)
+          * ``reason`` (str)
+          * ``matched_branch`` (str | None), ``matched_head_sha`` (str | None)
+          * ``competing_branches`` (list[str])
+
+    ADOPT: the issue's exact branch exists and no other same-issue branch does.
+    BLOCK_COMPETING: at least one same-issue branch is not the requested branch.
+    NO_MATCH: no branch carries the issue marker — normal lock path applies.
+    """
+    requested = (requested_branch or "").strip()
+
+    matches: list[tuple[str, str | None]] = []
+    for entry in existing_branches or []:
+        name = _branch_name(entry).strip()
+        if _branch_carries_issue_marker(name, issue_number):
+            matches.append((name, _branch_sha(entry)))
+
+    competing = sorted({name for name, _ in matches if name != requested})
+    exact = [(name, sha) for name, sha in matches if name == requested]
+
+    # Fail closed whenever any non-requested same-issue branch exists, even if
+    # the requested branch is also present: ownership is then ambiguous.
+    if competing:
+        return {
+            "outcome": BLOCK_COMPETING,
+            "adopt": False,
+            "block": True,
+            "reason": (
+                f"issue #{issue_number} already has matching branch(es) "
+                f"{competing} that are not the requested branch "
+                f"'{requested}' (fail closed)"
+            ),
+            "matched_branch": None,
+            "matched_head_sha": None,
+            "competing_branches": competing,
+        }
+
+    if exact:
+        name, sha = exact[0]
+        return {
+            "outcome": ADOPT,
+            "adopt": True,
+            "block": False,
+            "reason": (
+                f"existing branch '{name}' is the exact requested branch for "
+                f"issue #{issue_number}; adopting it for lock recovery"
+            ),
+            "matched_branch": name,
+            "matched_head_sha": sha,
+            "competing_branches": [],
+        }
+
+    return {
+        "outcome": NO_MATCH,
+        "adopt": False,
+        "block": False,
+        "reason": f"no existing branch matches issue #{issue_number}",
+        "matched_branch": None,
+        "matched_head_sha": None,
+        "competing_branches": [],
+    }
+
+
+def _matcher_summary(issue_number: int, assessment: dict) -> str:
+    """Explain, citably, why the assessed branch did or did not qualify.
+
+    Names the numeric word-boundary rule so reports can show that
+    ``issue-42`` was not matched inside ``issue-420`` (#440 / #477 AC3).
+    """
+    outcome = assessment.get("outcome")
+    matched = assessment.get("matched_branch")
+    competing = assessment.get("competing_branches") or []
+    if outcome == ADOPT and matched:
+        return (
+            f"branch '{matched}' exactly matches the issue-{int(issue_number)} "
+            f"marker (numeric word-boundary; 'issue-{int(issue_number)}' is not "
+            f"matched inside 'issue-{int(issue_number)}0')"
+        )
+    if outcome == BLOCK_COMPETING:
+        return (
+            f"competing same-issue branch(es) {competing} carry the "
+            f"issue-{int(issue_number)} marker but are not the requested "
+            f"branch; ownership is ambiguous (fail closed)"
+        )
+    return (
+        f"no existing branch carries the issue-{int(issue_number)} marker "
+        f"under the numeric word-boundary rule"
+    )
+
+
+def _competing_branch_check(assessment: dict) -> dict:
+    """Structured competing-branch verdict for the proof block."""
+    competing = list(assessment.get("competing_branches") or [])
+    return {
+        "result": "blocked" if competing else "clear",
+        "competing_branches": competing,
+    }
+
+
+def build_adoption_proof(
+    *,
+    issue_number: int,
+    branch_name: str,
+    assessment: dict,
+    open_pr_checked: bool,
+    competing_lock_checked: bool,
+    lock_file_path: str,
+    lock_file_status: str,
+) -> dict:
+    """Assemble the proof block returned by ``gitea_lock_issue`` on adoption.
+
+    Requirement #4: adoption results must carry issue number, branch name,
+    branch head commit, adoption reason, no-existing-PR proof, no-competing-
+    live-lock proof, and lock file path/status.
+
+    #477: additionally surface explicit, citable adoption-proof fields tied to
+    the ``assess_own_branch_adoption`` outcome (``adoption_decision``,
+    ``adopted``, ``adopted_branch``, ``adopted_branch_head``,
+    ``matcher_summary``, ``competing_branch_check``, ``safe_next_action``) so a
+    recovery session can quote the live lock response directly. The explicit
+    fields are populated for any outcome; ``adopted_branch`` /
+    ``adopted_branch_head`` are set only when the outcome is ADOPT so a
+    non-adoption proof can never be misread as claiming adoption.
+    """
+    outcome = assessment.get("outcome")
+    adopted = outcome == ADOPT
+    return {
+        "issue_number": issue_number,
+        "branch_name": branch_name,
+        "branch_head_commit": assessment.get("matched_head_sha"),
+        "adoption_reason": assessment.get("reason"),
+        "no_existing_pr_proof": bool(open_pr_checked),
+        "no_competing_live_lock_proof": bool(competing_lock_checked),
+        "lock_file_path": lock_file_path,
+        "lock_file_status": lock_file_status,
+        # Explicit citable fields (#477).
+        "adoption_decision": decision_label(outcome),
+        "adopted": adopted,
+        "adopted_branch": branch_name if adopted else None,
+        "adopted_branch_head": assessment.get("matched_head_sha") if adopted else None,
+        "matcher_summary": _matcher_summary(issue_number, assessment),
+        "competing_branch_check": _competing_branch_check(assessment),
+        "safe_next_action": safe_next_action(outcome),
+    }
+
+
+def build_non_adoption_lock_proof(*, issue_number: int, branch_name: str) -> dict:
+    """Safe, adoption-free proof metadata for a normal (NO_MATCH) lock.
+
+    Requirement #477 AC2: non-adoption lock responses must stay clear and must
+    not imply adoption. This returns explicit ``adopted: False`` metadata with
+    the ``NO_MATCH`` decision so a normal lock response can carry citable proof
+    without ever asserting a branch was adopted.
+    """
+    return {
+        "issue_number": issue_number,
+        "branch_name": branch_name,
+        "adoption_decision": DECISION_LABELS[NO_MATCH],
+        "adopted": False,
+        "adopted_branch": None,
+        "adopted_branch_head": None,
+        "matcher_summary": (
+            f"no existing branch carries the issue-{int(issue_number)} marker; "
+            f"normal lock path (no adoption)"
+        ),
+        "competing_branch_check": {"result": "clear", "competing_branches": []},
+        "safe_next_action": safe_next_action(NO_MATCH),
+    }

issue_lock_store.py

@@ -0,0 +1,612 @@
+"""Keyed, persistent issue-lock storage (#443) with flock hardening (#438).
+
+Replaces the single global ``/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json`` slot with per-issue
+lock files under ``GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR`` (default
+``~/.cache/gitea-tools/issue-locks``). Each MCP session binds its active lock
+via a per-process pointer file so concurrent repos/issues never clobber each
+other. Acquisition is serialized per issue with ``fcntl.flock``.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import errno
+import fcntl
+import json
+import os
+import re
+import tempfile
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
+from typing import Any
+
+LOCK_DIR_ENV = "GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR"
+DEFAULT_LOCK_DIR = os.path.expanduser("~/.cache/gitea-tools/issue-locks")
+WORK_LEASE_TTL_HOURS = 4
+AUTHOR_ISSUE_WORK_LEASE = "author_issue_work"
+
+_SAFE_SEGMENT_RE = re.compile(r"[^A-Za-z0-9._+-]+")
+
+
+class LockContentionError(RuntimeError):
+    """Raised when an exclusive per-issue lock cannot be acquired."""
+
+
+def default_lock_dir() -> str:
+    raw = (os.environ.get(LOCK_DIR_ENV) or DEFAULT_LOCK_DIR).strip()
+    return raw or DEFAULT_LOCK_DIR
+
+
+def _sanitize_segment(value: str) -> str:
+    text = (value or "").strip()
+    if not text:
+        return "_"
+    return _SAFE_SEGMENT_RE.sub("_", text)
+
+
+def lock_key(
+    *,
+    remote: str,
+    org: str,
+    repo: str,
+    issue_number: int,
+) -> str:
+    return "-".join(
+        _sanitize_segment(part)
+        for part in (remote, org, repo, str(issue_number))
+    )
+
+
+def lock_file_path(
+    *,
+    remote: str,
+    org: str,
+    repo: str,
+    issue_number: int,
+    lock_dir: str | None = None,
+) -> str:
+    root = (lock_dir or default_lock_dir()).strip()
+    return os.path.join(root, f"{lock_key(remote=remote, org=org, repo=repo, issue_number=issue_number)}.json")
+
+
+def session_pointer_path(lock_dir: str | None = None) -> str:
+    root = (lock_dir or default_lock_dir()).strip()
+    return os.path.join(root, f"session-{os.getpid()}.json")
+
+
+def _ensure_lock_dir(lock_dir: str | None = None) -> str:
+    root = (lock_dir or default_lock_dir()).strip()
+    os.makedirs(root, mode=0o700, exist_ok=True)
+    return root
+
+
+def flock_path(json_path: str) -> str:
+    return f"{json_path}.lock"
+
+
+def is_process_alive(pid: int | None) -> bool:
+    if not pid or pid <= 0:
+        return False
+    try:
+        os.kill(int(pid), 0)
+        return True
+    except OSError as exc:
+        return exc.errno != errno.ESRCH
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        return False
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def _exclusive_file_lock(lock_path: str):
+    os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(lock_path) or ".", exist_ok=True)
+    fd = os.open(lock_path, os.O_CREAT | os.O_RDWR, 0o600)
+    try:
+        try:
+            fcntl.flock(fd, fcntl.LOCK_EX | fcntl.LOCK_NB)
+        except BlockingIOError as exc:
+            raise LockContentionError(
+                f"could not acquire exclusive lock on '{lock_path}'"
+            ) from exc
+        yield fd
+    finally:
+        try:
+            fcntl.flock(fd, fcntl.LOCK_UN)
+        finally:
+            os.close(fd)
+
+
+def read_lock_file(path: str) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    lock_path = (path or "").strip()
+    if not lock_path or not os.path.exists(lock_path):
+        return None
+    try:
+        with open(lock_path, encoding="utf-8") as handle:
+            data = json.load(handle)
+    except (OSError, json.JSONDecodeError):
+        return None
+    return data if isinstance(data, dict) else None
+
+
+def save_lock_file(path: str, data: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+    lock_path = (path or "").strip()
+    if not lock_path:
+        raise ValueError("lock path is required (fail closed)")
+    parent = os.path.dirname(lock_path) or "."
+    os.makedirs(parent, mode=0o700, exist_ok=True)
+    payload = json.dumps(data, indent=2, sort_keys=True) + "\n"
+    fd, temp_path = tempfile.mkstemp(prefix=".lock-", suffix=".json", dir=parent)
+    try:
+        with os.fdopen(fd, "w", encoding="utf-8") as handle:
+            handle.write(payload)
+            handle.flush()
+            os.fsync(handle.fileno())
+        os.replace(temp_path, lock_path)
+    finally:
+        if os.path.exists(temp_path):
+            try:
+                os.remove(temp_path)
+            except OSError:
+                pass
+
+
+def bind_session_lock(lock_data: dict[str, Any], lock_dir: str | None = None) -> str:
+    """Persist a keyed lock and bind it to the current process session."""
+    remote = str(lock_data.get("remote") or "")
+    org = str(lock_data.get("org") or "")
+    repo = str(lock_data.get("repo") or "")
+    issue_number = int(lock_data.get("issue_number") or 0)
+    if not remote or not org or not repo or issue_number <= 0:
+        raise ValueError("lock record must include remote, org, repo, and issue_number")
+
+    root = _ensure_lock_dir(lock_dir)
+    path = lock_file_path(
+        remote=remote,
+        org=org,
+        repo=repo,
+        issue_number=issue_number,
+        lock_dir=root,
+    )
+    record = dict(lock_data)
+    record["lock_file_path"] = path
+    record["session_pid"] = os.getpid()
+    record.setdefault("pid", os.getpid())
+
+    pointer = {
+        "pid": os.getpid(),
+        "lock_file_path": path,
+        "issue_number": issue_number,
+        "branch_name": record.get("branch_name"),
+        "remote": remote,
+        "org": org,
+        "repo": repo,
+    }
+    sentinel = flock_path(path)
+    try:
+        with _exclusive_file_lock(sentinel):
+            existing = read_lock_file(path)
+            overwrite_block = assess_foreign_lock_overwrite(existing, record)
+            if overwrite_block:
+                raise RuntimeError(overwrite_block)
+            lease_block = assess_same_issue_lease_conflict(
+                existing,
+                issue_number=issue_number,
+                branch_name=str(record.get("branch_name") or ""),
+                worktree_path=str(record.get("worktree_path") or ""),
+            )
+            if lease_block:
+                raise RuntimeError(lease_block)
+            save_lock_file(path, record)
+            save_lock_file(session_pointer_path(root), pointer)
+    except LockContentionError as exc:
+        competing = read_lock_file(path)
+        if competing:
+            owner_pid = competing.get("session_pid") or competing.get("pid")
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                f"Issue #{issue_number} lock contention: {exc}; competing owner "
+                f"pid={owner_pid} (fail closed)"
+            ) from exc
+        raise RuntimeError(f"Issue #{issue_number} lock contention: {exc} (fail closed)") from exc
+    return path
+
+
+def read_session_issue_lock(lock_dir: str | None = None) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    root = (lock_dir or default_lock_dir()).strip()
+    pointer = read_lock_file(session_pointer_path(root))
+    if not pointer:
+        return None
+    lock_path = str(pointer.get("lock_file_path") or "").strip()
+    if not lock_path:
+        return None
+    return read_lock_file(lock_path)
+
+
+def load_issue_lock(
+    *,
+    remote: str,
+    org: str,
+    repo: str,
+    issue_number: int,
+    lock_dir: str | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    return read_lock_file(
+        lock_file_path(
+            remote=remote,
+            org=org,
+            repo=repo,
+            issue_number=issue_number,
+            lock_dir=lock_dir,
+        )
+    )
+
+
+def iter_lock_files(lock_dir: str | None = None) -> list[str]:
+    root = (lock_dir or default_lock_dir()).strip()
+    if not os.path.isdir(root):
+        return []
+    paths: list[str] = []
+    for name in os.listdir(root):
+        if not name.endswith(".json") or name.startswith("session-"):
+            continue
+        paths.append(os.path.join(root, name))
+    return sorted(paths)
+
+
+def find_lock_for_branch(
+    *,
+    remote: str,
+    org: str,
+    repo: str,
+    branch_name: str,
+    lock_dir: str | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    target = (branch_name or "").strip()
+    if not target:
+        return None
+    for path in iter_lock_files(lock_dir):
+        lock = read_lock_file(path)
+        if not lock:
+            continue
+        if (
+            str(lock.get("remote") or "") == remote
+            and str(lock.get("org") or "") == org
+            and str(lock.get("repo") or "") == repo
+            and str(lock.get("branch_name") or "").strip() == target
+        ):
+            lock = dict(lock)
+            lock.setdefault("lock_file_path", path)
+            return lock
+    return None
+
+
+def _lease_now(now: datetime | None = None) -> datetime:
+    return now or datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+
+
+def _parse_lease_timestamp(value: str | None) -> datetime | None:
+    text = (value or "").strip()
+    if not text:
+        return None
+    try:
+        return datetime.fromisoformat(text.replace("Z", "+00:00")).astimezone(timezone.utc)
+    except ValueError:
+        return None
+
+
+def lease_expires_at(lock: dict[str, Any] | None) -> datetime | None:
+    if not lock:
+        return None
+    lease = lock.get("work_lease")
+    if not isinstance(lease, dict):
+        return None
+    return _parse_lease_timestamp(lease.get("expires_at"))
+
+
+def is_lease_expired(lock: dict[str, Any] | None, *, now: datetime | None = None) -> bool:
+    expires = lease_expires_at(lock)
+    if expires is None:
+        return False
+    return expires <= _lease_now(now)
+
+
+def is_lease_live(lock: dict[str, Any] | None, *, now: datetime | None = None) -> bool:
+    return assess_lock_freshness(lock, now=now)["live"]
+
+
+def assess_lock_freshness(
+    lock_data: dict[str, Any] | None,
+    *,
+    now: datetime | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Classify a lock as live, expired, stale, or absent."""
+    current = _lease_now(now)
+    if not lock_data:
+        return {
+            "status": "absent",
+            "live": False,
+            "stale": False,
+            "reason": "no lock record",
+        }
+
+    expires_at = lease_expires_at(lock_data)
+    lease = lock_data.get("work_lease")
+    heartbeat_at = _parse_lease_timestamp(lock_data.get("last_heartbeat_at"))
+    if heartbeat_at is None and isinstance(lease, dict):
+        heartbeat_at = _parse_lease_timestamp(lease.get("last_heartbeat_at"))
+
+    pid = lock_data.get("session_pid")
+    if pid is None:
+        pid = lock_data.get("pid")
+    pid_alive = is_process_alive(pid) if pid is not None else False
+
+    if expires_at and expires_at <= current:
+        return {
+            "status": "expired",
+            "live": False,
+            "stale": True,
+            "reason": f"lease expired at {expires_at.isoformat()}",
+            "pid_alive": pid_alive,
+        }
+
+    if pid is not None and not pid_alive:
+        return {
+            "status": "stale",
+            "live": False,
+            "stale": True,
+            "reason": f"owner pid {pid} is not alive",
+            "pid_alive": False,
+        }
+
+    return {
+        "status": "live",
+        "live": True,
+        "stale": False,
+        "reason": "lock heartbeat and lease are fresh",
+        "pid_alive": pid_alive,
+        "heartbeat_at": heartbeat_at.isoformat() if heartbeat_at else None,
+        "expires_at": expires_at.isoformat() if expires_at else None,
+    }
+
+
+def _same_realpath(left: str | None, right: str | None) -> bool:
+    if not left or not right:
+        return False
+    try:
+        return os.path.realpath(left) == os.path.realpath(right)
+    except OSError:
+        return left == right
+
+
+def assess_same_issue_lease_conflict(
+    existing_lock: dict[str, Any] | None,
+    *,
+    issue_number: int,
+    branch_name: str,
+    worktree_path: str,
+    operation_type: str = AUTHOR_ISSUE_WORK_LEASE,
+    now: datetime | None = None,
+) -> str | None:
+    """Return a fail-closed error when a competing live lease blocks acquisition."""
+    if not existing_lock:
+        return None
+
+    existing_issue = existing_lock.get("issue_number")
+    lease = existing_lock.get("work_lease")
+    existing_operation = (
+        lease.get("operation_type")
+        if isinstance(lease, dict)
+        else AUTHOR_ISSUE_WORK_LEASE
+    )
+    if existing_issue != issue_number or existing_operation != operation_type:
+        return None
+
+    existing_branch = existing_lock.get("branch_name")
+    existing_worktree = existing_lock.get("worktree_path")
+    same_owner = (
+        existing_branch == branch_name
+        and _same_realpath(str(existing_worktree or ""), worktree_path)
+    )
+    if is_lease_expired(existing_lock, now=now):
+        return (
+            f"Issue #{issue_number} has an expired {operation_type} lease on "
+            f"branch '{existing_branch}' from worktree '{existing_worktree}'. "
+            "Recovery review is required before takeover (fail closed)"
+        )
+    if same_owner:
+        return None
+    return (
+        f"Issue #{issue_number} already has an active {operation_type} lease on "
+        f"branch '{existing_branch}' from worktree '{existing_worktree}' "
+        "(fail closed)"
+    )
+
+
+def assess_foreign_lock_overwrite(
+    existing_lock: dict[str, Any] | None,
+    incoming_lock: dict[str, Any],
+    *,
+    now: datetime | None = None,
+) -> str | None:
+    """Block writes that would clobber an unrelated live lease on the same key."""
+    if not existing_lock:
+        return None
+
+    same_issue = existing_lock.get("issue_number") == incoming_lock.get("issue_number")
+    same_branch = existing_lock.get("branch_name") == incoming_lock.get("branch_name")
+    same_worktree = _same_realpath(
+        str(existing_lock.get("worktree_path") or ""),
+        str(incoming_lock.get("worktree_path") or ""),
+    )
+    if same_issue and same_branch and same_worktree:
+        return None
+    if not is_lease_live(existing_lock, now=now):
+        return None
+    return (
+        "Refusing to overwrite a live foreign issue lock "
+        f"(issue #{existing_lock.get('issue_number')}, "
+        f"branch '{existing_lock.get('branch_name')}', "
+        f"worktree '{existing_lock.get('worktree_path')}') (fail closed)"
+    )
+
+
+def find_live_lock_for_branch(
+    branch_name: str,
+    lock_dir: str | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    target = (branch_name or "").strip()
+    if not target:
+        return None
+    for path in iter_lock_files(lock_dir):
+        lock = read_lock_file(path)
+        if not lock:
+            continue
+        if str(lock.get("branch_name") or "").strip() != target:
+            continue
+        if not is_lease_live(lock):
+            continue
+        record = dict(lock)
+        record.setdefault("lock_file_path", path)
+        return record
+    return None
+
+
+def resolve_locked_branch_for_session(
+    branch_name: str | None = None,
+    lock_dir: str | None = None,
+) -> str:
+    if branch_name:
+        lock = find_live_lock_for_branch(branch_name, lock_dir)
+        if lock:
+            return str(lock.get("branch_name") or "")
+    lock = read_session_issue_lock(lock_dir)
+    return str((lock or {}).get("branch_name") or "")
+
+
+def has_active_issue_lock(
+    branch: str,
+    *,
+    lock_dir: str | None = None,
+) -> bool:
+    target = (branch or "").strip()
+    if not target:
+        return False
+    for path in iter_lock_files(lock_dir):
+        lock = read_lock_file(path)
+        if not lock:
+            continue
+        if str(lock.get("branch_name") or "").strip() != target:
+            continue
+        if is_lease_live(lock):
+            return True
+    return False
+
+
+def verify_lock_for_mutation(
+    lock_data: dict[str, Any] | None,
+    *,
+    issue_number: int | None = None,
+    branch_name: str | None = None,
+    worktree_path: str | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Re-check lock ownership immediately before a mutation (#438)."""
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+    if not lock_data:
+        return {"proven": False, "block": True, "reasons": ["issue lock is missing (fail closed)"]}
+
+    freshness = assess_lock_freshness(lock_data)
+    if not freshness["live"]:
+        reasons.append(f"issue lock is not live: {freshness['reason']} (fail closed)")
+
+    if issue_number is not None and lock_data.get("issue_number") != issue_number:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"issue lock targets #{lock_data.get('issue_number')}, expected #{issue_number} (fail closed)"
+        )
+
+    if branch_name is not None and lock_data.get("branch_name") != branch_name:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"issue lock branch '{lock_data.get('branch_name')}' does not match "
+            f"'{branch_name}' (fail closed)"
+        )
+
+    if worktree_path is not None:
+        locked = os.path.realpath(str(lock_data.get("worktree_path") or ""))
+        declared = os.path.realpath(worktree_path)
+        if locked != declared:
+            reasons.append(
+                f"issue lock worktree '{locked}' does not match declared '{declared}' (fail closed)"
+            )
+
+    return {
+        "proven": not reasons,
+        "block": bool(reasons),
+        "reasons": reasons,
+        "freshness": freshness,
+        "lock_proof": format_lock_proof(lock_data, freshness=freshness),
+    }
+
+
+def list_live_locks(
+    *,
+    lock_dir: str | None = None,
+    now: datetime | None = None,
+) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
+    """Return live per-issue locks for queue visibility."""
+    live: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
+    for path in iter_lock_files(lock_dir):
+        record = read_lock_file(path)
+        if not record:
+            continue
+        freshness = assess_lock_freshness(record, now=now)
+        if not freshness["live"]:
+            continue
+        live.append(
+            {
+                "issue_number": record.get("issue_number"),
+                "branch_name": record.get("branch_name"),
+                "remote": record.get("remote"),
+                "org": record.get("org"),
+                "repo": record.get("repo"),
+                "worktree_path": record.get("worktree_path"),
+                "pid": record.get("session_pid") or record.get("pid"),
+                "claimant": (
+                    record.get("claimant")
+                    or (record.get("work_lease") or {}).get("claimant")
+                ),
+                "freshness": freshness,
+                "lock_path": record.get("lock_file_path") or path,
+            }
+        )
+    return live
+
+
+def format_lock_proof(
+    lock_data: dict[str, Any] | None,
+    *,
+    freshness: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
+    competing_live_locks: list[dict[str, Any]] | None = None,
+    released: bool | None = None,
+) -> str:
+    """Canonical issue-lock proof string for final reports."""
+    if not lock_data:
+        return "issue lock proof: not acquired"
+    fresh = freshness or assess_lock_freshness(lock_data)
+    owner = lock_data.get("claimant") or {}
+    if not owner and isinstance(lock_data.get("work_lease"), dict):
+        owner = lock_data["work_lease"].get("claimant") or {}
+    parts = [
+        "issue lock proof:",
+        f"acquired issue #{lock_data.get('issue_number')}",
+        f"branch {lock_data.get('branch_name')}",
+        f"owner {owner.get('profile') or 'unknown'}",
+        f"pid {lock_data.get('session_pid') or lock_data.get('pid')}",
+        f"freshness {fresh.get('status')}",
+    ]
+    if competing_live_locks is not None:
+        parts.append(
+            "no competing live lock"
+            if not competing_live_locks
+            else f"competing live locks {len(competing_live_locks)}"
+        )
+    if released is True:
+        parts.append("lock released")
+    elif released is False:
+        parts.append("lock retained")
+    return "; ".join(parts)

issue_lock_worktree.py

@@ -30,8 +30,16 @@ def resolve_author_worktree_path(
     return os.path.realpath(os.path.abspath(path))
 
 
-def read_worktree_git_state(worktree_path: str) -> dict:
+def read_worktree_git_state(
-    """Read branch name and porcelain status from a git worktree."""
+    worktree_path: str,
+    extra_bases: tuple[str, ...] | list[str] = (),
+) -> dict:
+    """Read branch name and porcelain status from a git worktree.
+
+    ``extra_bases`` names additional branches (e.g. an approved stacked base)
+    that may anchor base-equivalence in addition to master/main/dev. When empty
+    (the default), only the normal base branches are considered.
+    """
     path = (worktree_path or "").strip()
     if not path:
         return {"current_branch": None, "porcelain_status": ""}
@@ -63,7 +71,7 @@ def read_worktree_git_state(worktree_path: str) -> dict:
         check=False,
     )
     head_sha = (head_res.stdout or "").strip() if head_res.returncode == 0 else None
-    base_branch, base_sha = _find_matching_base_ref(path, head_sha)
+    base_branch, base_sha = _find_matching_base_ref(path, head_sha, extra_bases)
     return {
         "current_branch": current_branch,
         "porcelain_status": status_res.stdout or "",
@@ -203,13 +211,26 @@ def _assessment(
     }
 
 
-def _find_matching_base_ref(path: str, head_sha: str | None) -> tuple[str | None, str | None]:
+def _find_matching_base_ref(
-    """Return the stable branch ref whose commit matches HEAD, if any."""
+    path: str,
+    head_sha: str | None,
+    extra_bases: tuple[str, ...] | list[str] = (),
+) -> tuple[str | None, str | None]:
+    """Return the stable branch ref whose commit matches HEAD, if any.
+
+    Normal base branches (master/main/dev) are always considered. ``extra_bases``
+    adds explicitly-approved stacked bases; each is checked as a local ref and via
+    the ``prgs``/``origin`` remotes.
+    """
     if not head_sha:
         return None, None
     candidates: list[str] = []
     for branch in sorted(BASE_BRANCHES):
         candidates.extend((f"origin/{branch}", branch))
+    for branch in extra_bases:
+        name = (branch or "").strip()
+        if name:
+            candidates.extend((f"prgs/{name}", f"origin/{name}", name))
     for ref in candidates:
         res = subprocess.run(
             ["git", "-C", path, "rev-parse", "--verify", ref],

merge_approval_gate.py

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+"""Merge approval must pin the current PR head SHA (#471).
+
+Formal APPROVED reviews that predate the live PR head must not satisfy
+``gitea_merge_pr`` eligibility. Pure assessment helpers are isolated here
+for hermetic unit tests apart from MCP HTTP calls.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+
+def assess_merge_approval_head(
+    *,
+    current_head_sha: str | None,
+    latest_by_reviewer: dict,
+) -> dict:
+    """Return whether a visible approval applies to the live PR head.
+
+    Args:
+        current_head_sha: Current PR head commit SHA.
+        latest_by_reviewer: Map of reviewer login → review entry dicts with
+            ``verdict``, ``dismissed``, and ``reviewed_head_sha`` keys.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict with ``approval_at_current_head``, ``latest_approved_head_sha``,
+        and ``stale_approval_block_reason`` (set when merge must fail closed).
+    """
+    current = (current_head_sha or "").strip()
+    approved_entries = [
+        entry
+        for entry in (latest_by_reviewer or {}).values()
+        if (entry.get("verdict") or "").upper() == "APPROVED"
+        and not entry.get("dismissed")
+    ]
+    at_current = any(
+        (entry.get("reviewed_head_sha") or "").strip() == current
+        for entry in approved_entries
+        if current
+    )
+    latest_approved = None
+    if approved_entries:
+        latest_entry = sorted(
+            approved_entries,
+            key=lambda entry: (
+                entry.get("submitted_at") or "",
+                entry.get("reviewed_head_sha") or "",
+            ),
+        )[-1]
+        latest_approved = (latest_entry.get("reviewed_head_sha") or "").strip() or None
+    reason = None
+    if approved_entries and not at_current:
+        reason = (
+            f"stale approval: approved SHA '{latest_approved}' does not match "
+            f"current live PR head SHA '{current or '(unknown)'}' (fail closed); "
+            "required next action: re-review PR at current head before merge"
+        )
+
+    return {
+        "approval_at_current_head": at_current,
+        "latest_approved_head_sha": latest_approved,
+        "stale_approval_block_reason": reason,
+    }

merged_cleanup_reconcile.py

@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@ import subprocess
 from typing import Any
 
 from reviewer_worktree import parse_dirty_tracked_files
+import issue_lock_store
 
 PROTECTED_BRANCHES = frozenset({"master", "main", "dev"})
-ISSUE_LOCK_FILE = os.environ.get("GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_FILE", "/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json")
 CLOSES_FIXES_RE = re.compile(r"\b(?:closes|fixes)\s+#(\d+)\b", re.IGNORECASE)
 
 
@@ -37,22 +37,18 @@ def resolve_worktree_path(project_root: str, branch: str) -> str:
 
 
 def read_issue_lock(path: str | None = None) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
-    lock_path = (path or ISSUE_LOCK_FILE).strip()
+    if path:
-    if not lock_path or not os.path.exists(lock_path):
+        return issue_lock_store.read_lock_file(path.strip())
-        return None
+    return issue_lock_store.read_session_issue_lock()
-    try:
-        with open(lock_path, encoding="utf-8") as handle:
-            data = json.load(handle)
-    except (OSError, json.JSONDecodeError):
-        return None
-    return data if isinstance(data, dict) else None
 
 
 def has_active_issue_lock(branch: str, lock_path: str | None = None) -> bool:
-    lock = read_issue_lock(lock_path)
+    if lock_path:
+        lock = issue_lock_store.read_lock_file(lock_path.strip())
         if not lock:
             return False
         return (lock.get("branch_name") or "").strip() == (branch or "").strip()
+    return issue_lock_store.has_active_issue_lock(branch)
 
 
 def collect_open_pr_heads(open_prs: list[dict[str, Any]]) -> set[str]:

pr_work_lease.py

@@ -0,0 +1,482 @@
+"""Conflict-fix and reviewer PR work leases (#399, #407 reader).
+
+Structured PR/issue comments prove exclusive phases so author conflict-fix
+pushes cannot race reviewer validation/approval/merge on the same head.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import re
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
+from typing import Any
+
+REVIEWER_LEASE_MARKER = "<!-- mcp-review-lease:v1 -->"
+CONFLICT_FIX_LEASE_MARKER = "<!-- mcp-conflict-fix-lease:v1 -->"
+
+_FULL_SHA = re.compile(r"^[0-9a-f]{40}$", re.IGNORECASE)
+
+_FIELD_RE = re.compile(
+    r"^\s*([a-z_]+)\s*:\s*(.+?)\s*$",
+    re.IGNORECASE | re.MULTILINE,
+)
+
+_TERMINAL_REVIEWER_PHASES = frozenset({"done", "released", "blocked"})
+_ACTIVE_REVIEWER_PHASES = frozenset({
+    "claimed",
+    "validating",
+    "approved",
+    "request-changes",
+    "merging",
+})
+_TERMINAL_CONFLICT_FIX_PHASES = frozenset({"released", "blocked", "done"})
+_ACTIVE_CONFLICT_FIX_PHASES = frozenset({"claimed", "pushing", "pushed"})
+
+DEFAULT_CONFLICT_FIX_TTL_MINUTES = 120
+DEFAULT_REVIEWER_LEASE_TTL_MINUTES = 120
+
+
+def _parse_timestamp(value: str | None) -> datetime | None:
+    if not value:
+        return None
+    text = value.strip()
+    if text.endswith("Z"):
+        text = text[:-1] + "+00:00"
+    try:
+        parsed = datetime.fromisoformat(text)
+    except ValueError:
+        return None
+    if parsed.tzinfo is None:
+        return parsed.replace(tzinfo=timezone.utc)
+    return parsed.astimezone(timezone.utc)
+
+
+def _normalize_sha(value: str | None) -> str | None:
+    text = (value or "").strip().lower()
+    if not text:
+        return None
+    return text if _FULL_SHA.match(text) else None
+
+
+def _parse_pr_ref(value: str | None) -> int | None:
+    digits = re.sub(r"[^\d]", "", value or "")
+    return int(digits) if digits.isdigit() else None
+
+
+def _parse_marker_comment(body: str, marker: str) -> dict[str, str] | None:
+    text = body or ""
+    if marker not in text:
+        return None
+    fields: dict[str, str] = {}
+    for match in _FIELD_RE.finditer(text):
+        fields[match.group(1).strip().lower()] = match.group(2).strip()
+    return fields or None
+
+
+def parse_reviewer_lease_comment(body: str) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    fields = _parse_marker_comment(body, REVIEWER_LEASE_MARKER)
+    if not fields:
+        return None
+    return {
+        "lease_kind": "reviewer",
+        "pr_number": _parse_pr_ref(fields.get("pr")),
+        "issue_number": _parse_pr_ref(fields.get("issue")),
+        "reviewer_identity": fields.get("reviewer_identity"),
+        "profile": fields.get("profile"),
+        "session_id": fields.get("session_id"),
+        "worktree": fields.get("worktree"),
+        "phase": (fields.get("phase") or "").strip().lower() or None,
+        "candidate_head": _normalize_sha(fields.get("candidate_head")),
+        "target_branch": fields.get("target_branch"),
+        "target_branch_sha": _normalize_sha(fields.get("target_branch_sha")),
+        "last_activity": fields.get("last_activity"),
+        "expires_at": fields.get("expires_at"),
+        "blocker": fields.get("blocker"),
+        "raw_fields": fields,
+    }
+
+
+def parse_conflict_fix_lease_comment(body: str) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    fields = _parse_marker_comment(body, CONFLICT_FIX_LEASE_MARKER)
+    if not fields:
+        return None
+    ff = (fields.get("fast_forward") or "").strip().lower()
+    reviewer_active = (fields.get("reviewer_active") or "").strip().lower()
+    return {
+        "lease_kind": "conflict_fix",
+        "pr_number": _parse_pr_ref(fields.get("pr")),
+        "branch": fields.get("branch"),
+        "worktree": fields.get("worktree"),
+        "profile": fields.get("profile"),
+        "session_id": fields.get("session_id"),
+        "phase": (fields.get("phase") or "").strip().lower() or None,
+        "head_before": _normalize_sha(fields.get("head_before")),
+        "head_after": _normalize_sha(fields.get("head_after")),
+        "expires_at": fields.get("expires_at"),
+        "reviewer_active": reviewer_active in {"yes", "true", "1"},
+        "fast_forward": ff in {"yes", "true", "1"},
+        "raw_fields": fields,
+    }
+
+
+def _comment_entries(comments: list[dict], *, pr_number: int | None) -> list[dict]:
+    entries: list[dict] = []
+    for comment in comments or []:
+        body = comment.get("body") or ""
+        for parser in (parse_reviewer_lease_comment, parse_conflict_fix_lease_comment):
+            parsed = parser(body)
+            if not parsed:
+                continue
+            if pr_number is not None and parsed.get("pr_number") not in (None, pr_number):
+                continue
+            entries.append({
+                **parsed,
+                "comment_id": comment.get("id"),
+                "author": (comment.get("user") or {}).get("login") or comment.get("author"),
+                "created_at": comment.get("created_at"),
+                "updated_at": comment.get("updated_at"),
+            })
+            break
+    return entries
+
+
+def _lease_expired(lease: dict, *, now: datetime) -> bool:
+    expires_at = _parse_timestamp(lease.get("expires_at"))
+    return bool(expires_at and expires_at <= now)
+
+
+def _lease_phase_active(lease: dict, *, active_phases: frozenset[str]) -> bool:
+    phase = (lease.get("phase") or "").strip().lower()
+    if phase in _TERMINAL_REVIEWER_PHASES or phase in _TERMINAL_CONFLICT_FIX_PHASES:
+        return False
+    return phase in active_phases or bool(phase and phase not in (
+        _TERMINAL_REVIEWER_PHASES | _TERMINAL_CONFLICT_FIX_PHASES
+    ))
+
+
+def find_active_reviewer_lease(
+    comments: list[dict],
+    *,
+    pr_number: int,
+    now: datetime | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    """Return the newest unexpired reviewer lease for *pr_number*, if any."""
+    now = now or datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    candidates = [
+        entry for entry in _comment_entries(comments, pr_number=pr_number)
+        if entry.get("lease_kind") == "reviewer"
+    ]
+    for lease in reversed(candidates):
+        if _lease_expired(lease, now=now):
+            continue
+        phase = (lease.get("phase") or "").strip().lower()
+        if phase in _TERMINAL_REVIEWER_PHASES:
+            continue
+        if phase in _ACTIVE_REVIEWER_PHASES or phase:
+            return lease
+    return None
+
+
+def find_active_conflict_fix_lease(
+    comments: list[dict],
+    *,
+    pr_number: int,
+    now: datetime | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    """Return the newest unexpired conflict-fix lease for *pr_number*, if any."""
+    now = now or datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    candidates = [
+        entry for entry in _comment_entries(comments, pr_number=pr_number)
+        if entry.get("lease_kind") == "conflict_fix"
+    ]
+    for lease in reversed(candidates):
+        if _lease_expired(lease, now=now):
+            continue
+        phase = (lease.get("phase") or "").strip().lower()
+        if phase in _TERMINAL_CONFLICT_FIX_PHASES:
+            continue
+        if phase in _ACTIVE_CONFLICT_FIX_PHASES or phase:
+            return lease
+    return None
+
+
+def format_conflict_fix_lease_body(
+    *,
+    pr_number: int,
+    branch: str,
+    worktree: str,
+    profile: str,
+    head_before: str,
+    phase: str = "claimed",
+    session_id: str = "unknown",
+    expires_at: datetime | None = None,
+    reviewer_active: bool = False,
+) -> str:
+    expires = expires_at or (
+        datetime.now(timezone.utc) + timedelta(minutes=DEFAULT_CONFLICT_FIX_TTL_MINUTES)
+    )
+    expires_text = expires.astimezone(timezone.utc).replace(microsecond=0).isoformat().replace(
+        "+00:00", "Z"
+    )
+    lines = [
+        CONFLICT_FIX_LEASE_MARKER,
+        f"pr: #{pr_number}",
+        f"branch: {branch}",
+        f"worktree: {worktree}",
+        f"profile: {profile}",
+        f"session_id: {session_id}",
+        f"phase: {phase}",
+        f"head_before: {head_before}",
+        f"expires_at: {expires_text}",
+        f"reviewer_active: {'yes' if reviewer_active else 'no'}",
+    ]
+    return "\n".join(lines)
+
+
+def assess_head_sha_equality(
+    reviewed_head_sha: str | None,
+    live_head_sha: str | None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Fail closed when reviewed and live PR heads differ."""
+    reviewed = _normalize_sha(reviewed_head_sha)
+    live = _normalize_sha(live_head_sha)
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+    if not reviewed or not live:
+        reasons.append(
+            "reviewed/live head SHA missing or not full 40-hex; fail closed"
+        )
+    elif reviewed != live:
+        reasons.append(
+            "PR head changed after validation; re-pin and re-validate before "
+            "approval or merge"
+        )
+    proven = not reasons
+    return {
+        "proven": proven,
+        "block": not proven,
+        "reasons": reasons,
+        "reviewed_head_sha": reviewed,
+        "live_head_sha": live,
+        "head_changed": bool(reviewed and live and reviewed != live),
+    }
+
+
+def assess_conflict_fix_push(
+    *,
+    pr_number: int,
+    comments: list[dict],
+    branch_head_before: str | None,
+    branch_head_after: str | None,
+    worktree_path: str | None,
+    push_cwd: str | None,
+    is_fast_forward: bool | None,
+    now: datetime | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Author pre-push gate: block when a reviewer holds an active lease."""
+    now = now or datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+    reviewer_lease = find_active_reviewer_lease(comments, pr_number=pr_number, now=now)
+    conflict_lease = find_active_conflict_fix_lease(comments, pr_number=pr_number, now=now)
+
+    if reviewer_lease:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"active reviewer lease on PR #{pr_number} "
+            f"(phase={reviewer_lease.get('phase')}); author push blocked"
+        )
+
+    head_before = _normalize_sha(branch_head_before)
+    head_after = _normalize_sha(branch_head_after)
+    if not head_before:
+        reasons.append("branch head before push missing or invalid SHA")
+    if head_after and head_before and head_before == head_after:
+        reasons.append("branch head unchanged; no push to perform")
+
+    worktree = (worktree_path or "").strip()
+    cwd = (push_cwd or "").strip()
+    if not worktree:
+        reasons.append("worktree path required for conflict-fix push proof")
+    elif cwd and worktree and not cwd.rstrip("/").endswith(worktree.rstrip("/").split("/")[-1]):
+        if worktree not in cwd:
+            reasons.append(
+                f"push cwd '{cwd}' does not match session worktree '{worktree}'"
+            )
+
+    if is_fast_forward is False:
+        reasons.append("non-fast-forward push rejected for conflict-fix (fail closed)")
+
+    if conflict_lease and conflict_lease.get("phase") == "pushing":
+        owner = conflict_lease.get("worktree")
+        if owner and worktree and owner != worktree:
+            reasons.append(
+                f"sibling conflict-fix lease active from worktree '{owner}'"
+            )
+
+    push_allowed = not reasons
+    return {
+        "push_allowed": push_allowed,
+        "block": not push_allowed,
+        "reasons": reasons,
+        "active_reviewer_lease": reviewer_lease,
+        "active_conflict_fix_lease": conflict_lease,
+        "branch_head_before": head_before,
+        "branch_head_after": head_after,
+        "reviewer_was_active": bool(reviewer_lease),
+        "fast_forward": is_fast_forward,
+    }
+
+
+def assess_reviewer_mutation_blocked(
+    *,
+    pr_number: int,
+    comments: list[dict],
+    reviewed_head_sha: str | None,
+    live_head_sha: str | None,
+    mutation: str,
+    now: datetime | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Reviewer gate: block when conflict-fix lease active or head moved."""
+    now = now or datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+    conflict_lease = find_active_conflict_fix_lease(comments, pr_number=pr_number, now=now)
+    if conflict_lease and (conflict_lease.get("phase") or "") in _ACTIVE_CONFLICT_FIX_PHASES:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"active conflict-fix lease on PR #{pr_number} "
+            f"(phase={conflict_lease.get('phase')}); reviewer {mutation} blocked"
+        )
+
+    head_check = assess_head_sha_equality(reviewed_head_sha, live_head_sha)
+    if head_check["block"]:
+        reasons.extend(head_check["reasons"])
+
+    if not _normalize_sha(reviewed_head_sha):
+        reasons.append(
+            f"reviewed head SHA required before reviewer {mutation} (fail closed)"
+        )
+
+    allowed = not reasons
+    return {
+        "mutation_allowed": allowed,
+        "block": not allowed,
+        "reasons": reasons,
+        "active_conflict_fix_lease": conflict_lease,
+        "head_check": head_check,
+        "reviewed_head_sha": head_check.get("reviewed_head_sha"),
+        "live_head_sha": head_check.get("live_head_sha"),
+        "push_during_validation": bool(
+            conflict_lease and conflict_lease.get("phase") in {"pushing", "pushed"}
+        ),
+    }
+
+
+_REVIEWED_HEAD_RE = re.compile(
+    r"reviewed head sha\s*:\s*([0-9a-f]{40})",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_LIVE_HEAD_BEFORE_APPROVAL_RE = re.compile(
+    r"(?:live head sha before approval|final live head sha before approval)\s*:\s*([0-9a-f]{40})",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_LIVE_HEAD_BEFORE_MERGE_RE = re.compile(
+    r"(?:live head sha before merge|final live head sha before merge)\s*:\s*([0-9a-f]{40})",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_PUSH_DURING_VALIDATION_RE = re.compile(
+    r"push(?:es)? occurred during validation\s*:\s*(yes|no|true|false)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_CONFLICT_HEAD_BEFORE_RE = re.compile(
+    r"branch head before push\s*:\s*([0-9a-f]{40})",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_CONFLICT_HEAD_AFTER_RE = re.compile(
+    r"branch head after push\s*:\s*([0-9a-f]{40})",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_REVIEWER_LEASE_STATUS_RE = re.compile(
+    r"active reviewer lease status\s*:\s*(.+)$",
+    re.IGNORECASE | re.MULTILINE,
+)
+_FAST_FORWARD_RE = re.compile(
+    r"whether push was fast-forward\s*:\s*(yes|no|true|false)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_REVIEWER_ACTIVE_RE = re.compile(
+    r"whether any reviewer was active\s*:\s*(yes|no|true|false)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+
+
+def assess_reviewer_stale_head_final_report(report_text: str) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Final-report proof for reviewed vs live head SHAs (#399 AC 6)."""
+    text = report_text or ""
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+    reviewed = _normalize_sha(_REVIEWED_HEAD_RE.search(text).group(1) if _REVIEWED_HEAD_RE.search(text) else None)
+    live_approval = _normalize_sha(
+        _LIVE_HEAD_BEFORE_APPROVAL_RE.search(text).group(1)
+        if _LIVE_HEAD_BEFORE_APPROVAL_RE.search(text)
+        else None
+    )
+    live_merge = _normalize_sha(
+        _LIVE_HEAD_BEFORE_MERGE_RE.search(text).group(1)
+        if _LIVE_HEAD_BEFORE_MERGE_RE.search(text)
+        else None
+    )
+    push_during = _PUSH_DURING_VALIDATION_RE.search(text)
+
+    if not reviewed:
+        reasons.append("reviewed head SHA not stated in final report")
+    if not live_approval:
+        reasons.append("final live head SHA before approval not stated")
+    if not live_merge:
+        reasons.append("final live head SHA before merge not stated")
+    if not push_during:
+        reasons.append("whether push occurred during validation not stated")
+    elif reviewed and live_approval and reviewed != live_approval:
+        reasons.append("live head before approval differs from reviewed head SHA")
+    elif reviewed and live_merge and reviewed != live_merge:
+        reasons.append("live head before merge differs from reviewed head SHA")
+
+    proven = not reasons
+    return {
+        "proven": proven,
+        "block": not proven,
+        "reasons": reasons,
+        "reviewed_head_sha": reviewed,
+        "live_head_sha_before_approval": live_approval,
+        "live_head_sha_before_merge": live_merge,
+        "push_during_validation": (push_during.group(1).lower() if push_during else None),
+    }
+
+
+def assess_conflict_fix_final_report(report_text: str) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Final-report proof for conflict-fix push sessions (#399 AC 7)."""
+    text = report_text or ""
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+    head_before = _normalize_sha(
+        _CONFLICT_HEAD_BEFORE_RE.search(text).group(1)
+        if _CONFLICT_HEAD_BEFORE_RE.search(text)
+        else None
+    )
+    head_after = _normalize_sha(
+        _CONFLICT_HEAD_AFTER_RE.search(text).group(1)
+        if _CONFLICT_HEAD_AFTER_RE.search(text)
+        else None
+    )
+    if not head_before:
+        reasons.append("branch head before push not stated")
+    if not head_after:
+        reasons.append("branch head after push not stated")
+    if not _REVIEWER_LEASE_STATUS_RE.search(text):
+        reasons.append("active reviewer lease status not stated")
+    if not _FAST_FORWARD_RE.search(text):
+        reasons.append("whether push was fast-forward not stated")
+    if not _REVIEWER_ACTIVE_RE.search(text):
+        reasons.append("whether any reviewer was active not stated")
+
+    proven = not reasons
+    return {
+        "proven": proven,
+        "block": not proven,
+        "reasons": reasons,
+        "branch_head_before": head_before,
+        "branch_head_after": head_after,
+    }

review_proofs.py

@@ -5524,6 +5524,13 @@ def assess_validation_failure_history_report(report_text, **kwargs):
     return _assess(report_text, **kwargs)
 
 
+def assess_validation_cwd_proof_report(report_text, **kwargs):
+    """#398: validation commands require explicit worktree cwd and HEAD proof."""
+    from reviewer_validation_cwd_proof import assess_validation_cwd_proof_report as _assess
+
+    return _assess(report_text, **kwargs)
+
+
 def assess_already_landed_classification_report(report_text, **kwargs):
     """#295: already-landed PRs are reconciliation-only, not review eligible."""
     from reviewer_already_landed_classification import (

reviewer_pr_lease.py

@@ -0,0 +1,382 @@
+"""Per-PR reviewer leases for safe parallel review sessions (#407)."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import re
+import uuid
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
+from typing import Any
+
+MARKER = "<!-- mcp-review-lease:v1 -->"
+
+_FIELD_RE = re.compile(
+    r"^\s*([a-z_]+)\s*:\s*(.+?)\s*$",
+    re.IGNORECASE | re.MULTILINE,
+)
+_FULL_SHA = re.compile(r"^[0-9a-f]{40}$", re.IGNORECASE)
+
+_TERMINAL_PHASES = frozenset({"done", "released", "blocked"})
+_ACTIVE_PHASES = frozenset({
+    "claimed",
+    "validating",
+    "approved",
+    "request-changes",
+    "merging",
+})
+
+DEFAULT_LEASE_TTL_MINUTES = 120
+STALE_WARNING_MINUTES = 30
+RECLAIMABLE_MINUTES = 60
+
+_SESSION_LEASE: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+
+
+def _parse_timestamp(value: str | None) -> datetime | None:
+    if not value:
+        return None
+    text = value.strip()
+    if text.endswith("Z"):
+        text = text[:-1] + "+00:00"
+    try:
+        parsed = datetime.fromisoformat(text)
+    except ValueError:
+        return None
+    if parsed.tzinfo is None:
+        return parsed.replace(tzinfo=timezone.utc)
+    return parsed.astimezone(timezone.utc)
+
+
+def _normalize_sha(value: str | None) -> str | None:
+    text = (value or "").strip().lower()
+    return text if text and _FULL_SHA.match(text) else None
+
+
+def _parse_pr_ref(value: str | None) -> int | None:
+    digits = re.sub(r"[^\d]", "", value or "")
+    return int(digits) if digits.isdigit() else None
+
+
+def new_session_id() -> str:
+    return f"{os.getpid()}-{uuid.uuid4().hex[:12]}"
+
+
+def format_lease_body(
+    *,
+    repo: str,
+    pr_number: int,
+    issue_number: int | None,
+    reviewer_identity: str,
+    profile: str,
+    session_id: str,
+    worktree: str,
+    phase: str,
+    candidate_head: str | None,
+    target_branch: str,
+    target_branch_sha: str | None,
+    last_activity: datetime | None = None,
+    expires_at: datetime | None = None,
+    blocker: str = "none",
+) -> str:
+    now = last_activity or datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    expires = expires_at or (now + timedelta(minutes=DEFAULT_LEASE_TTL_MINUTES))
+    last_text = now.astimezone(timezone.utc).replace(microsecond=0).isoformat().replace(
+        "+00:00", "Z"
+    )
+    expires_text = expires.astimezone(timezone.utc).replace(microsecond=0).isoformat().replace(
+        "+00:00", "Z"
+    )
+    issue_text = f"#{issue_number}" if issue_number else "none"
+    lines = [
+        MARKER,
+        f"repo: {repo}",
+        f"pr: #{pr_number}",
+        f"issue: {issue_text}",
+        f"reviewer_identity: {reviewer_identity}",
+        f"profile: {profile}",
+        f"session_id: {session_id}",
+        f"worktree: {worktree}",
+        f"phase: {phase}",
+        f"candidate_head: {candidate_head or 'none'}",
+        f"target_branch: {target_branch}",
+        f"target_branch_sha: {target_branch_sha or 'none'}",
+        f"last_activity: {last_text}",
+        f"expires_at: {expires_text}",
+        f"blocker: {blocker}",
+    ]
+    return "\n".join(lines)
+
+
+def parse_lease_comment(body: str) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    text = body or ""
+    if MARKER not in text:
+        return None
+    fields: dict[str, str] = {}
+    for match in _FIELD_RE.finditer(text):
+        fields[match.group(1).strip().lower()] = match.group(2).strip()
+    if not fields:
+        return None
+    return {
+        "repo": fields.get("repo"),
+        "pr_number": _parse_pr_ref(fields.get("pr")),
+        "issue_number": _parse_pr_ref(fields.get("issue")),
+        "reviewer_identity": fields.get("reviewer_identity"),
+        "profile": fields.get("profile"),
+        "session_id": fields.get("session_id"),
+        "worktree": fields.get("worktree"),
+        "phase": (fields.get("phase") or "").strip().lower() or None,
+        "candidate_head": _normalize_sha(fields.get("candidate_head")),
+        "target_branch": fields.get("target_branch"),
+        "target_branch_sha": _normalize_sha(fields.get("target_branch_sha")),
+        "last_activity": fields.get("last_activity"),
+        "expires_at": fields.get("expires_at"),
+        "blocker": fields.get("blocker"),
+        "raw_fields": fields,
+    }
+
+
+def _lease_entries(comments: list[dict], *, pr_number: int) -> list[dict]:
+    entries: list[dict] = []
+    for comment in comments or []:
+        parsed = parse_lease_comment(comment.get("body") or "")
+        if not parsed:
+            continue
+        if parsed.get("pr_number") not in (None, pr_number):
+            continue
+        entries.append({
+            **parsed,
+            "comment_id": comment.get("id"),
+            "author": (comment.get("user") or {}).get("login") or comment.get("author"),
+            "created_at": comment.get("created_at"),
+            "updated_at": comment.get("updated_at"),
+        })
+    return entries
+
+
+def _lease_expired(lease: dict, *, now: datetime) -> bool:
+    expires_at = _parse_timestamp(lease.get("expires_at"))
+    return bool(expires_at and expires_at <= now)
+
+
+def _minutes_since_activity(lease: dict, *, now: datetime) -> float | None:
+    last = _parse_timestamp(lease.get("last_activity"))
+    if not last:
+        return None
+    return (now - last).total_seconds() / 60.0
+
+
+def classify_lease_freshness(lease: dict, *, now: datetime | None = None) -> str:
+    """Return active, stale_warning, reclaimable, expired, or terminal."""
+    now = now or datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    phase = (lease.get("phase") or "").strip().lower()
+    if phase in _TERMINAL_PHASES:
+        return "terminal"
+    if _lease_expired(lease, now=now):
+        return "expired"
+    minutes = _minutes_since_activity(lease, now=now)
+    if minutes is None:
+        return "active"
+    if minutes >= RECLAIMABLE_MINUTES:
+        return "reclaimable"
+    if minutes >= STALE_WARNING_MINUTES:
+        return "stale_warning"
+    return "active"
+
+
+def find_active_reviewer_lease(
+    comments: list[dict],
+    *,
+    pr_number: int,
+    now: datetime | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    """Newest non-terminal, unexpired lease for *pr_number*."""
+    now = now or datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    for lease in reversed(_lease_entries(comments, pr_number=pr_number)):
+        phase = (lease.get("phase") or "").strip().lower()
+        if phase in _TERMINAL_PHASES:
+            continue
+        if _lease_expired(lease, now=now):
+            continue
+        if phase in _ACTIVE_PHASES or phase:
+            lease = dict(lease)
+            lease["freshness"] = classify_lease_freshness(lease, now=now)
+            return lease
+    return None
+
+
+def assess_acquire_lease(
+    comments: list[dict],
+    *,
+    pr_number: int,
+    reviewer_identity: str,
+    profile: str,
+    session_id: str,
+    repo: str,
+    issue_number: int | None,
+    worktree: str,
+    candidate_head: str | None,
+    target_branch: str,
+    target_branch_sha: str | None,
+    now: datetime | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Fail closed when another session holds an active lease."""
+    now = now or datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+    existing = find_active_reviewer_lease(comments, pr_number=pr_number, now=now)
+    if existing:
+        owner_session = (existing.get("session_id") or "").strip()
+        freshness = existing.get("freshness") or classify_lease_freshness(existing, now=now)
+        if owner_session and owner_session != session_id and freshness in {
+            "active", "stale_warning"
+        }:
+            reasons.append(
+                f"PR #{pr_number} already has active reviewer lease "
+                f"(session_id={owner_session}, phase={existing.get('phase')})"
+            )
+        elif owner_session and owner_session != session_id and freshness == "reclaimable":
+            reasons.append(
+                f"PR #{pr_number} lease is reclaimable but still held by "
+                f"session_id={owner_session}; explicit reclaim not implemented "
+                "(fail closed)"
+            )
+
+    if not (reviewer_identity or "").strip():
+        reasons.append("reviewer identity required for lease acquisition")
+    if not (session_id or "").strip():
+        reasons.append("session_id required for lease acquisition")
+    if not (worktree or "").strip():
+        reasons.append("worktree path required for lease acquisition")
+
+    allowed = not reasons
+    body = None
+    if allowed:
+        body = format_lease_body(
+            repo=repo,
+            pr_number=pr_number,
+            issue_number=issue_number,
+            reviewer_identity=reviewer_identity,
+            profile=profile,
+            session_id=session_id,
+            worktree=worktree,
+            phase="claimed",
+            candidate_head=candidate_head,
+            target_branch=target_branch,
+            target_branch_sha=target_branch_sha,
+            last_activity=now,
+        )
+    return {
+        "acquire_allowed": allowed,
+        "reasons": reasons,
+        "existing_lease": existing,
+        "lease_body": body,
+        "session_id": session_id,
+    }
+
+
+def record_session_lease(lease: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    global _SESSION_LEASE
+    _SESSION_LEASE = dict(lease)
+    return dict(_SESSION_LEASE)
+
+
+def clear_session_lease() -> None:
+    global _SESSION_LEASE
+    _SESSION_LEASE = None
+
+
+def get_session_lease() -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    return dict(_SESSION_LEASE) if _SESSION_LEASE else None
+
+
+def assess_mutation_lease_gate(
+    *,
+    pr_number: int,
+    comments: list[dict],
+    reviewer_identity: str,
+    session_id: str | None,
+    mutation: str,
+    live_head_sha: str | None,
+    pinned_head_sha: str | None,
+    now: datetime | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Reviewer mutations require an owned, current PR lease."""
+    now = now or datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+    session = get_session_lease()
+    active = find_active_reviewer_lease(comments, pr_number=pr_number, now=now)
+
+    if not session:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"no in-session reviewer lease recorded; acquire via "
+            f"gitea_acquire_reviewer_pr_lease before {mutation}"
+        )
+    elif session.get("pr_number") != pr_number:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"session lease is for PR #{session.get('pr_number')}, not #{pr_number}"
+        )
+    elif (session.get("session_id") or "") != (session_id or session.get("session_id")):
+        reasons.append("session lease session_id mismatch (fail closed)")
+
+    if active:
+        owner = (active.get("session_id") or "").strip()
+        if owner and session_id and owner != session_id:
+            reasons.append(
+                f"active PR lease owned by session_id={owner}; current session "
+                f"cannot {mutation}"
+            )
+        pinned = _normalize_sha(pinned_head_sha)
+        live = _normalize_sha(live_head_sha)
+        lease_head = active.get("candidate_head")
+        if pinned and live and pinned != live:
+            reasons.append(
+                "PR head changed during lease; stop and re-validate before "
+                f"reviewer {mutation}"
+            )
+        if lease_head and live and lease_head != live:
+            reasons.append(
+                "live PR head differs from lease candidate_head; refresh lease "
+                f"before {mutation}"
+            )
+        freshness = active.get("freshness") or classify_lease_freshness(active, now=now)
+        if freshness in {"expired", "reclaimable"}:
+            reasons.append(f"reviewer lease freshness is '{freshness}' (fail closed)")
+    else:
+        reasons.append(f"no active reviewer lease found on PR #{pr_number}")
+
+    allowed = not reasons
+    return {
+        "mutation_allowed": allowed,
+        "block": not allowed,
+        "reasons": reasons,
+        "active_lease": active,
+        "session_lease": session,
+    }
+
+
+def assess_lease_inventory(
+    comments_by_pr: dict[int, list[dict]],
+    *,
+    now: datetime | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Summarize lease states across PR comment threads."""
+    now = now or datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    active: list[dict] = []
+    stale: list[dict] = []
+    reclaimable: list[dict] = []
+    for pr_number, comments in (comments_by_pr or {}).items():
+        lease = find_active_reviewer_lease(comments, pr_number=pr_number, now=now)
+        if not lease:
+            continue
+        freshness = lease.get("freshness") or classify_lease_freshness(lease, now=now)
+        entry = {"pr_number": pr_number, "session_id": lease.get("session_id"), "freshness": freshness}
+        if freshness == "stale_warning":
+            stale.append(entry)
+        elif freshness == "reclaimable":
+            reclaimable.append(entry)
+        else:
+            active.append(entry)
+    return {
+        "active_review_leases": active,
+        "stale_review_leases": stale,
+        "reclaimable_review_leases": reclaimable,
+    }

reviewer_validation_cwd_proof.py

@@ -0,0 +1,233 @@
+"""Explicit worktree and cwd proof for PR review validation (#398)."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import re
+from typing import Any
+
+_FULL_SHA = re.compile(r"^[0-9a-f]{40}$", re.IGNORECASE)
+
+_PWD_RE = re.compile(
+    r"(?:^|\n)\s*(?:pwd|working\s+directory|cwd)\s*:\s*(\S+)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_HEAD_RE = re.compile(
+    r"(?:git\s+rev-parse\s+head|observed\s+head\s+sha)\s*:\s*([0-9a-f]{7,40})",
+    re.IGNORECASE | re.MULTILINE,
+)
+_EXPECTED_HEAD_RE = re.compile(
+    r"(?:expected\s+(?:pr\s+)?head\s+sha|candidate\s+head\s+sha|pinned\s+head)\s*:\s*([0-9a-f]{7,40})",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_STATUS_RE = re.compile(
+    r"git\s+status\s+(?:--short\s+--branch|--short|-sb)\s*:\s*(.+)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_VALIDATION_CMD_RE = re.compile(
+    r"validation\s+command\s*:\s*(.+)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_GIT_C_CMD_RE = re.compile(r"git\s+-C\s+\S+", re.IGNORECASE)
+_CD_CMD_RE = re.compile(r"(?:^|&&\s*)cd\s+\S+", re.IGNORECASE)
+_BASELINE_CWD_RE = re.compile(
+    r"baseline\s+(?:worktree|working\s+directory|cwd)\s*:\s*(\S+)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_BASELINE_SHA_RE = re.compile(
+    r"baseline\s+(?:target\s+)?sha\s*:\s*([0-9a-f]{7,40})",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_BASELINE_CMD_RE = re.compile(
+    r"baseline\s+validation\s+command\s*:\s*(.+)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+
+
+def _normalize_path(path: str) -> str:
+    return (path or "").replace("\\", "/").rstrip("/")
+
+
+def _path_under_branches(path: str, project_root: str | None = None) -> bool:
+    normalized = _normalize_path(path)
+    if not normalized:
+        return False
+    if "/branches/" in f"{normalized}/":
+        return True
+    if normalized.endswith("/branches"):
+        return True
+    if project_root:
+        root = _normalize_path(project_root)
+        if normalized.startswith(f"{root}/"):
+            rel = normalized[len(root) + 1 :]
+            return rel == "branches" or rel.startswith("branches/")
+    return False
+
+
+def _expand_sha(sha: str) -> str:
+    return (sha or "").strip().lower()
+
+
+def _sha_matches(expected: str, observed: str) -> bool:
+    exp = _expand_sha(expected)
+    obs = _expand_sha(observed)
+    if not exp or not obs:
+        return False
+    if len(exp) == 40 and len(obs) == 40:
+        return exp == obs
+    return obs.startswith(exp) or exp.startswith(obs)
+
+
+def _command_has_explicit_cwd(command: str, cwd: str) -> bool:
+    text = (command or "").strip()
+    if not text:
+        return False
+    if _GIT_C_CMD_RE.search(text):
+        return True
+    if _CD_CMD_RE.search(text):
+        return True
+    if cwd and cwd in text:
+        return True
+    return False
+
+
+def assess_validation_cwd_proof_report(
+    report_text: str,
+    *,
+    validation_session: dict | None = None,
+    project_root: str | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Require cwd/HEAD proof before reviewer validation claims (#398)."""
+    text = report_text or ""
+    session = dict(validation_session or {})
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+    violations: list[str] = []
+
+    claims_validation = bool(
+        session.get("validation_ran")
+        or _VALIDATION_CMD_RE.search(text)
+        or session.get("command")
+    )
+    if not claims_validation:
+        return {
+            "proven": True,
+            "block": False,
+            "claims_validation": False,
+            "reasons": [],
+            "violations": [],
+            "safe_next_action": "proceed",
+        }
+
+    expected_head = (
+        session.get("expected_head_sha")
+        or session.get("candidate_head_sha")
+        or ""
+    ).strip()
+    if not expected_head:
+        match = _EXPECTED_HEAD_RE.search(text)
+        expected_head = (match.group(1) if match else "").strip()
+
+    observed_head = (session.get("observed_head_sha") or "").strip()
+    if not observed_head:
+        match = _HEAD_RE.search(text)
+        observed_head = (match.group(1) if match else "").strip()
+
+    cwd = (
+        session.get("working_directory")
+        or session.get("cwd")
+        or session.get("pwd")
+        or ""
+    ).strip()
+    if not cwd:
+        match = _PWD_RE.search(text)
+        cwd = (match.group(1) if match else "").strip().rstrip(",.;")
+
+    command = (session.get("command") or "").strip()
+    if not command:
+        match = _VALIDATION_CMD_RE.search(text)
+        command = (match.group(1) if match else "").strip().rstrip(".;")
+
+    if not cwd:
+        reasons.append(
+            "validation claimed without pwd/working-directory proof (#398)"
+        )
+    elif not _path_under_branches(cwd, project_root):
+        violations.append(
+            f"validation cwd {cwd!r} is not under branches/ (#398)"
+        )
+        reasons.append(
+            "reviewer validation must run from a branches/ worktree, "
+            "not the main checkout (#398)"
+        )
+
+    if not observed_head:
+        reasons.append(
+            "validation claimed without git rev-parse HEAD / observed HEAD SHA "
+            "proof (#398)"
+        )
+    elif expected_head and not _sha_matches(expected_head, observed_head):
+        violations.append(
+            f"observed HEAD {observed_head} does not match expected "
+            f"PR head {expected_head} (#398)"
+        )
+        reasons.append("validation HEAD SHA must match pinned PR head (#398)")
+
+    if not _STATUS_RE.search(text) and session.get("git_status") is None:
+        reasons.append(
+            "validation claimed without git status --short --branch proof (#398)"
+        )
+
+    if command and cwd and not _command_has_explicit_cwd(command, cwd):
+        if session.get("tool_working_directory") is not True:
+            reasons.append(
+                "validation command must use git -C <worktree>, "
+                "cd <worktree> && ..., or tool-provided cwd metadata (#398)"
+            )
+
+    baseline_ran = bool(
+        session.get("baseline_validation_ran")
+        or _BASELINE_CMD_RE.search(text)
+    )
+    if baseline_ran:
+        baseline_cwd = (session.get("baseline_worktree_path") or "").strip()
+        if not baseline_cwd:
+            match = _BASELINE_CWD_RE.search(text)
+            baseline_cwd = (match.group(1) if match else "").strip().rstrip(",.;")
+        if not baseline_cwd or not _path_under_branches(baseline_cwd, project_root):
+            reasons.append(
+                "baseline validation claimed without baseline worktree cwd "
+                "under branches/ (#398)"
+            )
+        baseline_sha = (session.get("baseline_target_sha") or "").strip()
+        if not baseline_sha:
+            match = _BASELINE_SHA_RE.search(text)
+            baseline_sha = (match.group(1) if match else "").strip()
+        if not baseline_sha:
+            reasons.append(
+                "baseline validation claimed without baseline target SHA (#398)"
+            )
+        baseline_cmd = (session.get("baseline_command") or "").strip()
+        if not baseline_cmd:
+            match = _BASELINE_CMD_RE.search(text)
+            baseline_cmd = (match.group(1) if match else "").strip()
+        if not baseline_cmd:
+            reasons.append(
+                "baseline validation claimed without exact baseline command (#398)"
+            )
+
+    proven = not reasons and not violations
+    return {
+        "proven": proven,
+        "block": bool(violations) or not proven,
+        "claims_validation": True,
+        "expected_head_sha": expected_head or None,
+        "observed_head_sha": observed_head or None,
+        "working_directory": cwd or None,
+        "reasons": reasons,
+        "violations": violations,
+        "safe_next_action": (
+            "before validation record pwd, git rev-parse HEAD, git status, "
+            "expected PR head SHA; run commands with git -C or cd in the same line"
+            if not proven
+            else "proceed"
+        ),
+    }

scripts/worktree-start

@@ -38,13 +38,21 @@ fi
 branch="$1"
 start_ref="${2:-prgs/master}"
 
+script_dir="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+repo_root="$(cd "$script_dir/.." && pwd)"
+
 # Enforce issue-linked, traceable branch names (issue → branch → worktree → PR).
 if [[ "$allow_unlinked" -eq 0 ]]; then
-  if [[ ! -f "/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json" ]]; then
+  locked_branch=$(python3 -c "
-    echo "Error: Issue lock file '/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json' is missing. You must lock exactly one issue before branch creation (fail closed)." >&2
+import sys
+sys.path.insert(0, '$repo_root')
+import issue_lock_store
+print(issue_lock_store.resolve_locked_branch_for_session('$branch'))
+")
+  if [[ -z "$locked_branch" ]]; then
+    echo "Error: No session issue lock is bound. Call gitea_lock_issue before branch creation (fail closed)." >&2
     exit 2
   fi
-  locked_branch=$(python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(open('/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json')).get('branch_name', ''))")
   if [[ "$branch" != "$locked_branch" ]]; then
     echo "Error: Requested branch '$branch' does not match locked branch '$locked_branch' (fail closed)." >&2
     exit 2
@@ -68,8 +76,6 @@ EOF
   fi
 fi
 
-script_dir="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
-repo_root="$(cd "$script_dir/.." && pwd)"
 worktree_name="${branch//\//-}"
 worktree_path="$repo_root/branches/$worktree_name"
 

skills/llm-project-workflow/workflows/review-merge-pr.md

@@ -568,6 +568,28 @@ If the cause is unknown, do not erase the earlier failure with plain
 `gitea_validate_review_final_report` rejects reports that omit known earlier
 validation failures when `validation_session.observed_failures` is supplied.
 
+## 21B. Validation status taxonomy (#406)
+
+When the final report summarizes how validation concluded, use one of these
+**validation status** labels (distinct from per-command pass/fail entries):
+
+* `passed` — raw PR-head validation passed on the unmodified head.
+* `failed` — raw PR-head validation failed and no allowed resolution path
+  was proven.
+* `baseline-equivalent failure accepted` — only when a clean baseline
+  worktree under `branches/` proves matching failure signatures on the target
+  branch (baseline path, target SHA, exact commands, failure lists, and
+  `failure signatures match: true`).
+* `raw-head failure resolved by merge simulation` — raw PR-head validation
+  failed, but merge simulation into the current target passed cleanly; report
+  merge simulation under `Worktree/index mutations` with full #317 proof.
+* `passed after transient failure investigation` — a later run passed after an
+  earlier failure in the same session; document the failure history (#396).
+
+Do not use `baseline-equivalent failure accepted` when only merge simulation
+resolved the failure. Do not use bare `passed` when raw PR-head validation
+failed unless one of the resolution statuses above applies.
+
 ## 22. Baseline validation rule
 
 Do not run tests in the main checkout.
@@ -604,6 +626,28 @@ Do not claim “full-suite failures are pre-existing” unless baseline proof is
 
 ## 23. Validation command proof rule
 
+Before any diff, test, or compile validation, record in the same command
+transcript or final report:
+
+* `pwd` or explicit working directory
+* `git rev-parse HEAD`
+* `git status --short --branch`
+* expected PR head SHA (candidate head SHA)
+
+Validation commands must use one of:
+
+* `git -C <review_worktree> ...`
+* `cd <review_worktree> && ...` in the same command
+* tool-provided explicit working-directory metadata
+
+Do not rely on inferred shell cwd from a prior command in a different block.
+
+`gitea_validate_review_final_report` rejects validation claims without
+cwd/HEAD proof when `validation_session` is supplied.
+
+Baseline validation must document baseline worktree path, baseline target SHA,
+cwd proof, exact baseline command, and baseline result using the same rules.
+
 Report the exact validation command as executed.
 
 Report the working directory where validation ran.
@@ -732,6 +776,44 @@ The final report must identify:
 * whether same-PR merge continuation was allowed
 * whether the run stopped as required
 
+## 26B. Per-PR reviewer lease (#407)
+
+Parallel reviewer sessions are allowed only when each session holds a distinct,
+live PR lease.
+
+Before validation or review mutation on a selected PR:
+
+1. Call `gitea_acquire_reviewer_pr_lease` with worktree path, candidate head SHA,
+   and target branch SHA.
+2. Post heartbeats via `gitea_heartbeat_reviewer_pr_lease` before validation,
+   after validation, before review mutation, and before merge.
+3. Do not approve, request changes, or merge unless the in-session lease
+   matches the selected PR.
+
+If PR head or target branch advances during the lease, stop and refresh
+inventory before continuing.
+
+Final reports must include lease session id, acquisition proof, heartbeat
+status, and release/blocked status.
+
+## 26C. Conflict-fix lease and stale-head protection (#399)
+
+Before validating, approving, or merging a PR:
+
+1. Check for an active conflict-fix lease on the PR; stop if one is active.
+2. Pin `expected_head_sha` before validation and pass it to
+   `gitea_mark_final_review_decision`, `gitea_submit_pr_review`, and
+   `gitea_merge_pr`.
+3. Re-fetch live PR head immediately before approval and merge; refuse when
+   live head differs from the reviewed SHA.
+
+Final reports must state:
+
+* reviewed head SHA
+* final live head SHA before approval
+* final live head SHA before merge
+* whether any push occurred during validation
+
 ## 27. Merge rules
 
 Before merge, rerun fresh live checks:
@@ -742,6 +824,7 @@ Before merge, rerun fresh live checks:
 * author safety
 * PR re-fetch
 * reviewed head SHA unchanged
+* visible APPROVED review applies to the **current live PR head SHA** (`approval_at_current_head`); if the head moved after approval, re-review at the new head before merge (#471)
 * target branch freshly fetched
 * PR still open
 * PR still mergeable
@@ -758,6 +841,7 @@ Do not merge if:
 * capability state is stale
 * worktree is dirty
 * PR head changed
+* approval is stale (approved SHA ≠ current live head SHA)
 * validation failed
 * inventory was incomplete
 * PR is already landed
@@ -1127,6 +1211,7 @@ Controller Handoff:
 * Files reviewed:
 * Validation:
 * Validation failure history:
+* Validation cwd/HEAD proof:
 * Official validation integrity status:
 * Terminal review mutation:
 * Review decision:

skills/llm-project-workflow/workflows/work-issue.md

@@ -144,6 +144,14 @@ If the main checkout is dirty before selection, stop and produce a recovery hand
 
 If the main checkout becomes dirty during the run, stop and produce a recovery handoff unless the change is explicitly allowed by the canonical workflow.
 
+### Stacked PRs (explicit exception, #484)
+
+Normal author work stays base-equivalent to `master`/`main`/`dev`. A **stacked PR** — deliberately based on another unmerged PR's branch — is the only sanctioned non-master base, and only when the operator/controller explicitly chooses it:
+
+- Branch the `branches/` worktree from the dependency's branch, then lock with `gitea_lock_issue(..., stacked_base_branch=<dep-branch>, stacked_base_pr=<open-PR#>)`. The lock fails closed unless that open PR owns the branch; arbitrary or stale branches are rejected.
+- Open the PR with `gitea_create_pr(base=<dep-branch>)`. The body must state: `Stacked on PR #<X> / issue #<Y>`, `Base branch: <dep-branch>`, `Head branch: <this-branch>`, `Do not merge before PR #<X>`, and note retarget/rebase to `master` after the dependency lands if required.
+- This does not relax the main-checkout rule or bypass the issue lock — work still happens under `branches/`, and the approved base is recorded on the lock.
+
 ## 5. No raw MCP repair during normal issue work
 
 Do not run `pkill`, kill MCP processes, edit MCP config, restart servers, or perform control-checkout repair during normal issue work.
@@ -607,6 +615,29 @@ After push, report:
 
 If push fails, stop and produce a recovery handoff.
 
+## 20A. Conflict-fix lease and push gate (#399)
+
+When pushing to an existing PR branch to resolve merge conflicts:
+
+1. Call `gitea_acquire_conflict_fix_lease` before any push.
+2. Call `gitea_assess_conflict_fix_push` immediately before `git push` with:
+   * branch head before push
+   * branch head after push (local)
+   * session worktree path
+   * push cwd
+   * whether the push is fast-forward
+3. Do not push when a reviewer holds an active lease on the same PR.
+4. Do not force-push.
+5. Do not push from the main checkout or wrong cwd.
+
+Conflict-fix final reports must state:
+
+* branch head before push
+* branch head after push
+* active reviewer lease status
+* whether push was fast-forward
+* whether any reviewer was active
+
 ## 21. PR creation rules
 
 Create a PR only if implementation and validation pass, unless project policy explicitly allows draft PRs with documented validation failures.

stacked_pr_support.py

@@ -0,0 +1,211 @@
+"""Stacked-PR support for author issue locks and PR creation (#484).
+
+Normal author work locks a worktree that is base-equivalent to ``master``/
+``main``/``dev`` and opens a PR against one of those base branches. A *stacked*
+PR is deliberately based on another unmerged PR's branch, so its worktree is not
+master-equivalent and its PR base is not a normal base branch.
+
+This module holds the pure decision logic that lets:
+
+* ``gitea_lock_issue`` approve a non-master base **only** when it is explicitly
+  declared and proven to correspond to an open pull request, and
+* ``gitea_create_pr`` accept that approved base while still rejecting arbitrary,
+  mismatched, or stale (merged/closed) branches.
+
+The normal master-based path is unchanged: when no stacked base is declared, and
+when the PR base is a normal base branch, these helpers are inert. Nothing here
+bypasses the issue lock — a stacked base is recorded *on* the lock and re-checked
+at PR time.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+BASE_BRANCHES = frozenset({"master", "main", "dev"})
+
+# Phrases that satisfy the required merge-ordering statement in a stacked PR body.
+MERGE_ORDER_PHRASES = ("do not merge before", "do not merge until")
+
+
+def is_base_branch(base: str | None, base_branches: frozenset[str] | None = None) -> bool:
+    """True when ``base`` is a normal base branch (master/main/dev)."""
+    bases = base_branches or BASE_BRANCHES
+    return (base or "").strip() in bases
+
+
+def _pr_head_ref(pr: dict) -> str:
+    head = pr.get("head") or {}
+    if isinstance(head, dict):
+        return (head.get("ref") or "").strip()
+    return (str(head) if head else "").strip()
+
+
+def find_open_pr_for_branch(open_prs: list[dict] | None, branch: str | None) -> dict | None:
+    """Return the first OPEN PR whose head ref equals ``branch`` (else ``None``)."""
+    branch = (branch or "").strip()
+    if not branch:
+        return None
+    for pr in open_prs or []:
+        if (pr.get("state") or "").strip().lower() != "open":
+            continue
+        if _pr_head_ref(pr) == branch:
+            return pr
+    return None
+
+
+def assess_stacked_base_declaration(
+    *,
+    stacked_base_branch: str | None,
+    stacked_base_pr: int | None,
+    open_prs: list[dict] | None,
+) -> dict:
+    """Validate an explicit stacked-base declaration at lock time.
+
+    Returns a dict with ``block`` (fail closed), ``reasons``, ``declared``
+    (whether a stacked base was requested), and ``approved`` (the metadata to
+    persist on the lock when valid, else ``None``).
+    """
+    branch = (stacked_base_branch or "").strip()
+    if not branch:
+        # No stacked base requested — normal master-based lock path.
+        return {"block": False, "reasons": [], "approved": None, "declared": False}
+
+    if branch in BASE_BRANCHES:
+        return {
+            "block": True,
+            "declared": True,
+            "approved": None,
+            "reasons": [
+                f"stacked base '{branch}' is already a normal base branch; do not "
+                "declare a base branch as a stacked base"
+            ],
+        }
+
+    if stacked_base_pr is None:
+        return {
+            "block": True,
+            "declared": True,
+            "approved": None,
+            "reasons": [
+                "stacked base branch declared without stacked_base_pr; a stacked PR "
+                "must cite the open PR that owns the base branch"
+            ],
+        }
+
+    pr = find_open_pr_for_branch(open_prs, branch)
+    if pr is None:
+        return {
+            "block": True,
+            "declared": True,
+            "approved": None,
+            "reasons": [
+                f"stacked base branch '{branch}' does not correspond to any OPEN pull "
+                "request; arbitrary or stale branches are not allowed as stacked bases"
+            ],
+        }
+
+    if int(pr.get("number")) != int(stacked_base_pr):
+        return {
+            "block": True,
+            "declared": True,
+            "approved": None,
+            "reasons": [
+                f"declared stacked_base_pr #{stacked_base_pr} does not match the open "
+                f"PR #{pr.get('number')} that owns base branch '{branch}'"
+            ],
+        }
+
+    return {
+        "block": False,
+        "declared": True,
+        "reasons": [],
+        "approved": {
+            "branch": branch,
+            "pr_number": int(pr.get("number")),
+            "verified_open": True,
+        },
+    }
+
+
+def assess_stacked_pr_body(
+    body: str | None, *, base_branch: str | None, pr_number: int | None
+) -> list[str]:
+    """Return the list of missing stacked-PR documentation fields (empty = ok)."""
+    text = body or ""
+    low = text.lower()
+    missing: list[str] = []
+    if base_branch and base_branch not in text:
+        missing.append(f"base branch '{base_branch}'")
+    if pr_number is not None and f"#{pr_number}" not in text:
+        missing.append(f"stacked-on PR reference '#{pr_number}'")
+    if not any(phrase in low for phrase in MERGE_ORDER_PHRASES):
+        missing.append("merge-ordering statement (e.g. 'Do not merge before PR #<n>')")
+    return missing
+
+
+def assess_create_pr_base(
+    *,
+    base: str | None,
+    approved_stacked_base: dict | None,
+    body: str | None,
+    open_prs: list[dict] | None,
+    base_branches: frozenset[str] | None = None,
+) -> dict:
+    """Validate the PR base at create time.
+
+    Normal base branches pass through unchanged (``stacked`` False). A non-base
+    branch is allowed only when it matches the lock's approved stacked base, that
+    base still has an open PR, and the body documents the stack.
+    """
+    bases = base_branches or BASE_BRANCHES
+    base = (base or "").strip()
+    if base in bases:
+        return {"block": False, "reasons": [], "stacked": False}
+
+    approved = approved_stacked_base or {}
+    approved_branch = (approved.get("branch") or "").strip()
+    if not approved_branch:
+        return {
+            "block": True,
+            "stacked": True,
+            "reasons": [
+                f"PR base '{base}' is not one of {'/'.join(sorted(bases))} and the "
+                "issue lock has no approved stacked base; re-lock with an explicit, "
+                "proof-backed stacked base to open a stacked PR"
+            ],
+        }
+
+    if base != approved_branch:
+        return {
+            "block": True,
+            "stacked": True,
+            "reasons": [
+                f"PR base '{base}' does not match the issue lock's approved stacked "
+                f"base '{approved_branch}'"
+            ],
+        }
+
+    pr = find_open_pr_for_branch(open_prs, base)
+    if pr is None:
+        return {
+            "block": True,
+            "stacked": True,
+            "reasons": [
+                f"approved stacked base '{base}' no longer corresponds to an OPEN pull "
+                "request (dependency merged, closed, or stale); retarget/rebase onto "
+                "master or re-lock against a live base"
+            ],
+        }
+
+    pr_number = approved.get("pr_number") or pr.get("number")
+    missing = assess_stacked_pr_body(body, base_branch=base, pr_number=pr_number)
+    if missing:
+        return {
+            "block": True,
+            "stacked": True,
+            "reasons": [
+                "stacked PR body must document the stack; missing: "
+                + ", ".join(missing)
+            ],
+        }
+
+    return {"block": False, "reasons": [], "stacked": True, "stacked_base_pr": pr_number}

tests/test_agent_temp_artifacts.py

@@ -74,21 +74,24 @@ ISSUE_WRITE_ENV = {
 
 class TestIssueLockArtifactWarning(unittest.TestCase):
     def setUp(self):
-        self._env_patcher = patch.dict(os.environ, ISSUE_WRITE_ENV, clear=True)
+        self._lock_dir = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        env = {**ISSUE_WRITE_ENV, "GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": self._lock_dir.name}
+        self._env_patcher = patch.dict(os.environ, env, clear=True)
         self._env_patcher.start()
 
     def tearDown(self):
         self._env_patcher.stop()
+        self._lock_dir.cleanup()
 
     @patch(
         "mcp_server.issue_duplicate_context_fetcher",
         return_value=([], [], {"status": "not_claimed"}),
     )
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_get_all", return_value=[])
     @patch("mcp_server._auth", return_value="token x")
     @patch("mcp_server._resolve", return_value=("h", "o", "r"))
-    @patch("mcp_server.ISSUE_LOCK_FILE", new_callable=lambda: tempfile.mktemp())
     @patch("issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state")
-    def test_lock_success_includes_artifact_warning(self, mock_state, _lock_file, *_mocks):
+    def test_lock_success_includes_artifact_warning(self, mock_state, *_mocks):
         mock_state.return_value = {
             "current_branch": "master",
             "porcelain_status": "?? _emit_payload.py\n",

tests/test_audit.py

@@ -284,8 +284,40 @@ class TestSimpleToolAudit(_AuditWiringBase):
         self.assertEqual(result["number"], 9)
 
 
+_NO_PR_WORK_LEASE_BLOCK = {"block": False, "reasons": [], "mutation_allowed": True}
+
+
 class TestGatedToolAudit(_AuditWiringBase):
 
+    def setUp(self):
+        super().setUp()
+        from mcp_server import init_review_decision_lock
+        from tests.test_mcp_server import _install_owned_reviewer_lease
+        import reviewer_pr_lease
+
+        # init_review_decision_lock clears any prior session lease (#407).
+        init_review_decision_lock("prgs", "review_pr")
+        self._lease_patch = _install_owned_reviewer_lease(8)
+        self._lease_patch.start()
+        self._auth_identity_patch = patch(
+            "mcp_server._authenticated_username", return_value="reviewer-bot"
+        )
+        self._auth_identity_patch.start()
+        self._pr_lease_comments_patch = patch(
+            "mcp_server._list_pr_lease_comments", return_value=[]
+        )
+        self._pr_lease_comments_patch.start()
+        self._pr_work_lease_patch = patch(
+            "mcp_server._pr_work_lease_reviewer_block",
+            return_value=dict(_NO_PR_WORK_LEASE_BLOCK),
+        )
+        self._pr_work_lease_patch.start()
+        self.addCleanup(self._auth_identity_patch.stop)
+        self.addCleanup(self._lease_patch.stop)
+        self.addCleanup(self._pr_lease_comments_patch.stop)
+        self.addCleanup(self._pr_work_lease_patch.stop)
+        self.addCleanup(reviewer_pr_lease.clear_session_lease)
+
     def _pr(self, author, state="open", sha="abc123", mergeable=True):
         return {"user": {"login": author}, "state": state,
                 "head": {"sha": sha}, "mergeable": mergeable}
@@ -298,7 +330,8 @@ class TestGatedToolAudit(_AuditWiringBase):
             {"login": "merger-bot"}, self._pr("author-bot"),
             self._pr("author-bot"),
             [{"id": 1, "user": {"login": "reviewer-bot"}, "state": "APPROVED",
-              "submitted_at": "2026-07-06T10:00:00Z", "dismissed": False}],
+              "commit_id": "abc123", "submitted_at": "2026-07-06T10:00:00Z",
+              "dismissed": False}],
             {}, {"merged_commit_sha": "c1"},
         ]
         env = self._env(GITEA_PROFILE_NAME="gitea-merger",
@@ -334,7 +367,9 @@ class TestGatedToolAudit(_AuditWiringBase):
     @patch("mcp_server.api_request")
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
     def test_submit_review_success_audited(self, _auth, mock_api):
+        # mark_final_review_decision and submit each run eligibility (user + PR).
         mock_api.side_effect = [
+            {"login": "reviewer-bot"}, self._pr("author-bot"),
             {"login": "reviewer-bot"}, self._pr("author-bot"),
             {"id": 7, "state": "APPROVED"},
             [{"id": 7, "user": {"login": "reviewer-bot"}, "state": "APPROVED",
@@ -343,12 +378,16 @@ class TestGatedToolAudit(_AuditWiringBase):
         env = self._env(GITEA_PROFILE_NAME="gitea-reviewer",
                         GITEA_ALLOWED_OPERATIONS="read,review,approve")
         with patch.dict(os.environ, env, clear=True):
-            from mcp_server import init_review_decision_lock, gitea_mark_final_review_decision
+            from mcp_server import gitea_mark_final_review_decision
-            init_review_decision_lock("prgs", "review_pr")
+
-            gitea_mark_final_review_decision(8, "approve", remote="prgs")
+            gitea_mark_final_review_decision(
-            r = gitea_submit_pr_review(pr_number=8, action="approve",
+                8, "approve", expected_head_sha="abc123", remote="prgs",
+            )
+            r = gitea_submit_pr_review(
+                pr_number=8, action="approve",
                 body="LGTM", remote="prgs",
-                                       final_review_decision_ready=True)
+                final_review_decision_ready=True,
+            )
         self.assertTrue(r["performed"])
         recs = self._records()
         self.assertEqual(len(recs), 1)

tests/test_commit_payloads.py

@@ -66,9 +66,12 @@ class TestCommitPayloads(unittest.TestCase):
         )
         self.locked_worktree_path = os.path.realpath(self.locked_worktree_dir.name)
 
-        self.lock_file_path = "/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json"
+        import issue_lock_store
         import issue_lock_provenance
 
+        self._lock_dir = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        os.environ["GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR"] = self._lock_dir.name
+
         work_lease = {
             "operation_type": "author_issue_work",
             "issue_number": 263,
@@ -89,8 +92,7 @@ class TestCommitPayloads(unittest.TestCase):
                 claimant=work_lease.get("claimant"),
             ),
         }
-        with open(self.lock_file_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as fh:
+        self.lock_file_path = issue_lock_store.bind_session_lock(self.lock_data)
-            fh.write(json.dumps(self.lock_data))
 
         # Reset preflight status to bypass/pass verification in tests
         self.orig_whoami_called = mcp_server._preflight_whoami_called
@@ -114,8 +116,7 @@ class TestCommitPayloads(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self._dir.cleanup()
         self.locked_worktree_dir.cleanup()
-        if os.path.exists(self.lock_file_path):
+        self._lock_dir.cleanup()
-            os.remove(self.lock_file_path)
 
     def _env(self, profile: str) -> dict:
         return {
@@ -124,6 +125,7 @@ class TestCommitPayloads(unittest.TestCase):
             "GITEA_TOKEN_AUTHOR": "author-pass",
             "GITEA_TEST_PORCELAIN": "",
             "GITEA_AUTHOR_WORKTREE": self.locked_worktree_path,
+            "GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": self._lock_dir.name,
         }
 
     @patch("mcp_server.api_request")

tests/test_create_issue_workspace_guard.py

@@ -106,16 +106,28 @@ class TestCreateIssueWorkspaceGuard(unittest.TestCase):
     @patch("gitea_mcp_server.issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state", return_value={"current_branch": "feat/issue-1"})
     @patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
     @patch("os.path.isdir", return_value=True)
+    @patch("author_mutation_worktree.subprocess.run")
     @patch("subprocess.run")
-    def test_create_issue_wrong_repo_fails_closed(self, mock_run, mock_isdir, mock_exists, _git, _get_all, mock_api, _role, _ns, _prof, _auth):
+    def test_create_issue_wrong_repo_fails_closed(self, mock_run, mock_amw_run, mock_isdir, mock_exists, _git, _get_all, mock_api, _role, _ns, _prof, _auth):
-        # Mock subprocess.run for git --git-common-dir to return a different path
-        mock_res = MagicMock()
-        mock_res.stdout = "/Users/jasonwalker/Development/some-other-repo/.git\n"
-        mock_run.return_value = mock_res
-
         wrong_repo_path = os.path.join(CONTROL_CHECKOUT_ROOT, "branches", "feat-issue-1")
 
+        def _subprocess_side_effect(cmd, *args, **kwargs):
+            mock_res = MagicMock(returncode=0)
+            if "--git-common-dir" in cmd:
+                cwd = cmd[cmd.index("-C") + 1] if "-C" in cmd else ""
+                if cwd == wrong_repo_path:
+                    mock_res.stdout = "/Users/jasonwalker/Development/some-other-repo/.git\n"
+                else:
+                    mock_res.stdout = f"{CONTROL_CHECKOUT_ROOT}/.git\n"
+            else:
+                mock_res.stdout = ""
+            return mock_res
+
+        mock_run.side_effect = _subprocess_side_effect
+        mock_amw_run.side_effect = _subprocess_side_effect
+
         with patch.object(srv, "PROJECT_ROOT", CONTROL_CHECKOUT_ROOT):
+            with patch("gitea_mcp_server._get_workspace_porcelain", return_value=""):
                 with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
                     srv.gitea_create_issue(
                         title="Test issue", body="body", worktree_path=wrong_repo_path

tests/test_final_report_validator.py

@@ -41,6 +41,10 @@ def _review_handoff(**overrides):
         "- Selected PR: #203",
         "- Reviewer eligibility: eligible",
         "- Pinned reviewed head: 0fdc8f582026b72a229d59a172c0a63ac4aaeaf9",
+        "- Reviewed head SHA: 0fdc8f582026b72a229d59a172c0a63ac4aaeaf9",
+        "- Final live head SHA before approval: 0fdc8f582026b72a229d59a172c0a63ac4aaeaf9",
+        "- Final live head SHA before merge: 0fdc8f582026b72a229d59a172c0a63ac4aaeaf9",
+        "- Push occurred during validation: no",
         "- Worktree path: branches/review-203",
         "- Worktree dirty: clean",
         "- Scratch worktree used: yes (branches/review-203)",

tests/test_issue_lock_adoption.py

@@ -0,0 +1,227 @@
+"""Unit tests for own-branch lock adoption decision (#442 / #443)."""
+import sys
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+from issue_lock_adoption import (  # noqa: E402
+    ADOPT,
+    BLOCK_COMPETING,
+    NO_MATCH,
+    assess_own_branch_adoption,
+    build_adoption_proof,
+    build_non_adoption_lock_proof,
+)
+
+REQ = "feat/issue-420-server-code-parity"
+
+
+class TestAssessOwnBranchAdoption(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_exact_own_branch_is_adopted(self):
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420,
+            requested_branch=REQ,
+            existing_branches=[{"name": REQ, "commit_sha": "934688a"}],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], ADOPT)
+        self.assertTrue(result["adopt"])
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["matched_branch"], REQ)
+        self.assertEqual(result["matched_head_sha"], "934688a")
+
+    def test_exact_own_branch_adopted_when_sha_missing(self):
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420, requested_branch=REQ, existing_branches=[REQ]
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], ADOPT)
+        self.assertIsNone(result["matched_head_sha"])
+
+    def test_different_branch_same_issue_blocks(self):
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420,
+            requested_branch=REQ,
+            existing_branches=[{"name": "feat/issue-420-other-work"}],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], BLOCK_COMPETING)
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        self.assertFalse(result["adopt"])
+        self.assertIn("feat/issue-420-other-work", result["competing_branches"])
+        self.assertIn("fail closed", result["reason"])
+
+    def test_own_branch_plus_competing_branch_blocks(self):
+        # Ambiguous ownership: fail closed even though the exact branch exists.
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420,
+            requested_branch=REQ,
+            existing_branches=[{"name": REQ}, {"name": "feat/issue-420-rogue"}],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], BLOCK_COMPETING)
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["competing_branches"], ["feat/issue-420-rogue"])
+
+    def test_no_matching_branch_is_normal_path(self):
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420,
+            requested_branch=REQ,
+            existing_branches=[{"name": "feat/issue-999-unrelated"}],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], NO_MATCH)
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertFalse(result["adopt"])
+
+    def test_empty_branch_list_is_normal_path(self):
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420, requested_branch=REQ, existing_branches=[]
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], NO_MATCH)
+
+    def test_higher_issue_number_branch_does_not_block_lower_issue_adoption(self):
+        # issue-420 must not be treated as competing work for issue #42.
+        own_branch = "feat/issue-42-widget"
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=42,
+            requested_branch=own_branch,
+            existing_branches=[
+                {"name": own_branch, "commit_sha": "abc1234"},
+                {"name": "feat/issue-420-server-code-parity"},
+            ],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], ADOPT)
+        self.assertTrue(result["adopt"])
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["matched_branch"], own_branch)
+
+    def test_unrelated_higher_number_branch_is_ignored_without_own_branch(self):
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=42,
+            requested_branch="feat/issue-42-thing",
+            existing_branches=[{"name": "feat/issue-420-server-code-parity"}],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], NO_MATCH)
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertFalse(result["adopt"])
+
+
+class TestBuildAdoptionProof(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_proof_has_all_required_fields(self):
+        assessment = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420,
+            requested_branch=REQ,
+            existing_branches=[{"name": REQ, "commit_sha": "934688a"}],
+        )
+        proof = build_adoption_proof(
+            issue_number=420,
+            branch_name=REQ,
+            assessment=assessment,
+            open_pr_checked=True,
+            competing_lock_checked=True,
+            lock_file_path="/tmp/example-lock.json",
+            lock_file_status="written",
+        )
+        for key in (
+            "issue_number",
+            "branch_name",
+            "branch_head_commit",
+            "adoption_reason",
+            "no_existing_pr_proof",
+            "no_competing_live_lock_proof",
+            "lock_file_path",
+            "lock_file_status",
+        ):
+            self.assertIn(key, proof)
+        self.assertEqual(proof["branch_head_commit"], "934688a")
+        self.assertTrue(proof["no_existing_pr_proof"])
+        self.assertTrue(proof["no_competing_live_lock_proof"])
+
+
+class TestExplicitAdoptionProofFields(unittest.TestCase):
+    """#477: explicit, citable adoption-proof fields for all outcomes."""
+
+    def _proof(self, assessment, branch):
+        return build_adoption_proof(
+            issue_number=420,
+            branch_name=branch,
+            assessment=assessment,
+            open_pr_checked=True,
+            competing_lock_checked=True,
+            lock_file_path="/tmp/example-lock.json",
+            lock_file_status="written",
+        )
+
+    def test_adopt_proof_exposes_explicit_fields(self):
+        assessment = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420,
+            requested_branch=REQ,
+            existing_branches=[{"name": REQ, "commit_sha": "934688a"}],
+        )
+        proof = self._proof(assessment, REQ)
+        self.assertEqual(proof["adoption_decision"], "ADOPT")
+        self.assertTrue(proof["adopted"])
+        self.assertEqual(proof["adopted_branch"], REQ)
+        self.assertEqual(proof["adopted_branch_head"], "934688a")
+        self.assertEqual(proof["competing_branch_check"]["result"], "clear")
+        self.assertEqual(proof["competing_branch_check"]["competing_branches"], [])
+        self.assertIn("gitea_create_pr", proof["safe_next_action"])
+        self.assertIn("exactly matches", proof["matcher_summary"])
+
+    def test_block_proof_reports_competing_and_does_not_claim_adoption(self):
+        assessment = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420,
+            requested_branch=REQ,
+            existing_branches=[{"name": "feat/issue-420-rogue"}],
+        )
+        proof = self._proof(assessment, REQ)
+        self.assertEqual(proof["adoption_decision"], "BLOCK_COMPETING")
+        self.assertFalse(proof["adopted"])
+        self.assertIsNone(proof["adopted_branch"])
+        self.assertIsNone(proof["adopted_branch_head"])
+        self.assertEqual(proof["competing_branch_check"]["result"], "blocked")
+        self.assertIn(
+            "feat/issue-420-rogue",
+            proof["competing_branch_check"]["competing_branches"],
+        )
+        self.assertIn("fail closed", proof["safe_next_action"])
+
+    def test_no_match_proof_does_not_claim_adoption(self):
+        assessment = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420,
+            requested_branch=REQ,
+            existing_branches=[{"name": "feat/issue-999-unrelated"}],
+        )
+        proof = self._proof(assessment, REQ)
+        self.assertEqual(proof["adoption_decision"], "NO_MATCH")
+        self.assertFalse(proof["adopted"])
+        self.assertIsNone(proof["adopted_branch"])
+        self.assertEqual(proof["competing_branch_check"]["result"], "clear")
+
+    def test_substring_collision_stays_boundary_safe(self):
+        # issue-42 must not adopt/claim against an issue-420 branch (#440/#477).
+        own = "feat/issue-42-widget"
+        assessment = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=42,
+            requested_branch=own,
+            existing_branches=[
+                {"name": own, "commit_sha": "abc1234"},
+                {"name": "feat/issue-420-server-code-parity"},
+            ],
+        )
+        proof = self._proof(assessment, own)
+        self.assertEqual(proof["adoption_decision"], "ADOPT")
+        self.assertEqual(proof["adopted_branch"], own)
+        self.assertEqual(proof["competing_branch_check"]["competing_branches"], [])
+
+    def test_non_adoption_lock_proof_is_adoption_free(self):
+        proof = build_non_adoption_lock_proof(
+            issue_number=196, branch_name="feat/issue-196-mutations"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(proof["adoption_decision"], "NO_MATCH")
+        self.assertFalse(proof["adopted"])
+        self.assertIsNone(proof["adopted_branch"])
+        self.assertIsNone(proof["adopted_branch_head"])
+        self.assertEqual(proof["competing_branch_check"]["result"], "clear")
+        self.assertIn("no adoption", proof["safe_next_action"].lower())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_issue_lock_store.py

@@ -0,0 +1,280 @@
+"""Unit tests for keyed issue-lock storage (#443) and flock hardening (#438)."""
+import json
+import os
+import sys
+import tempfile
+import threading
+import unittest
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
+from pathlib import Path
+from unittest import mock
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+import issue_lock_store as ils  # noqa: E402
+
+
+def _lease(expires_at: str) -> dict:
+    return {
+        "operation_type": ils.AUTHOR_ISSUE_WORK_LEASE,
+        "expires_at": expires_at,
+        "created_at": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+        "last_heartbeat_at": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+    }
+
+
+def _lock_record(**overrides) -> dict:
+    record = {
+        "issue_number": 420,
+        "branch_name": "feat/issue-420-server-code-parity",
+        "remote": "prgs",
+        "org": "Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+        "repo": "Gitea-Tools",
+        "worktree_path": "/tmp/wt-420",
+        "work_lease": _lease("2999-01-01T00:00:00Z"),
+    }
+    record.update(overrides)
+    return record
+
+
+class TestIssueLockStore(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self._dir = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.lock_dir = self._dir.name
+        self._env = mock.patch.dict(os.environ, {"GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": self.lock_dir})
+        self._env.start()
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        self._env.stop()
+        self._dir.cleanup()
+
+    def test_concurrent_repo_locks_do_not_overwrite(self):
+        lock_a = _lock_record(
+            issue_number=108,
+            branch_name="feat/issue-108-root-menu",
+            repo="mcp-control-plane",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/wt-108",
+        )
+        lock_b = _lock_record(
+            issue_number=420,
+            branch_name="feat/issue-420-server-code-parity",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/wt-420",
+        )
+        path_a = ils.bind_session_lock(lock_a)
+        with mock.patch("os.getpid", return_value=9999):
+            path_b = ils.bind_session_lock(lock_b)
+
+        self.assertNotEqual(path_a, path_b)
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(path_a))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(path_b))
+        stored_a = ils.read_lock_file(path_a)
+        stored_b = ils.read_lock_file(path_b)
+        self.assertEqual(stored_a["issue_number"], 108)
+        self.assertEqual(stored_b["issue_number"], 420)
+
+    def test_concurrent_issue_locks_same_repo_do_not_overwrite(self):
+        lock_a = _lock_record(issue_number=427, branch_name="feat/issue-427-a")
+        lock_b = _lock_record(issue_number=428, branch_name="feat/issue-428-b")
+        path_a = ils.bind_session_lock(lock_a)
+        with mock.patch("os.getpid", return_value=4242):
+            path_b = ils.bind_session_lock(lock_b)
+
+        self.assertNotEqual(path_a, path_b)
+        self.assertEqual(ils.read_lock_file(path_a)["issue_number"], 427)
+        self.assertEqual(ils.read_lock_file(path_b)["issue_number"], 428)
+
+    def test_foreign_live_lease_blocks_overwrite(self):
+        existing = _lock_record(
+            branch_name="feat/issue-420-other",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/other",
+            work_lease=_lease("2999-01-01T00:00:00Z"),
+        )
+        path = ils.lock_file_path(
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            issue_number=420,
+        )
+        ils.save_lock_file(path, existing)
+
+        incoming = _lock_record(worktree_path="/tmp/mine")
+        block = ils.assess_foreign_lock_overwrite(existing, incoming)
+        self.assertIn("live foreign issue lock", block or "")
+
+    def test_expired_lease_allows_takeover_with_conflict_check(self):
+        existing = _lock_record(
+            branch_name="feat/issue-420-other",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/other",
+            work_lease=_lease("2000-01-01T00:00:00Z"),
+        )
+        incoming = _lock_record(worktree_path="/tmp/mine")
+        self.assertIsNone(ils.assess_foreign_lock_overwrite(existing, incoming))
+        block = ils.assess_same_issue_lease_conflict(
+            existing,
+            issue_number=420,
+            branch_name="feat/issue-420-server-code-parity",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/mine",
+        )
+        self.assertIn("Recovery review is required", block or "")
+
+    def test_same_owner_lease_conflict_allows_refresh(self):
+        worktree = "/tmp/wt-420"
+        existing = _lock_record(worktree_path=worktree)
+        block = ils.assess_same_issue_lease_conflict(
+            existing,
+            issue_number=420,
+            branch_name="feat/issue-420-server-code-parity",
+            worktree_path=worktree,
+        )
+        self.assertIsNone(block)
+
+    def test_find_lock_for_branch_after_restart(self):
+        record = _lock_record()
+        path = ils.lock_file_path(
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            issue_number=420,
+        )
+        ils.save_lock_file(path, record)
+
+        with mock.patch("os.getpid", return_value=5555):
+            self.assertIsNone(ils.read_session_issue_lock())
+
+        found = ils.find_lock_for_branch(
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            branch_name="feat/issue-420-server-code-parity",
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(found["issue_number"], 420)
+
+    def test_has_active_issue_lock_scans_keyed_store(self):
+        ils.bind_session_lock(_lock_record())
+        self.assertTrue(
+            ils.has_active_issue_lock("feat/issue-420-server-code-parity")
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(ils.has_active_issue_lock("feat/issue-999-other"))
+
+    def test_approved_stacked_base_survives_round_trip(self):
+        # #484: the approved stacked base recorded on the lock must persist so
+        # gitea_create_pr can validate the non-master base at PR time.
+        record = _lock_record(
+            issue_number=482,
+            branch_name="feat/issue-482-skip-stale-request-changes-pr",
+            approved_stacked_base={
+                "branch": "feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell",
+                "pr_number": 479,
+                "verified_open": True,
+            },
+        )
+        path = ils.lock_file_path(
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            issue_number=482,
+        )
+        ils.save_lock_file(path, record)
+        stored = ils.read_lock_file(path)
+        self.assertEqual(stored["approved_stacked_base"]["branch"], "feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell")
+        self.assertEqual(stored["approved_stacked_base"]["pr_number"], 479)
+        self.assertTrue(stored["approved_stacked_base"]["verified_open"])
+
+    def test_atomic_write_preserves_unrelated_lock(self):
+        path_a = ils.lock_file_path(
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            issue_number=108,
+        )
+        ils.save_lock_file(path_a, _lock_record(issue_number=108, repo="mcp-control-plane"))
+        path_b = ils.lock_file_path(
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            issue_number=420,
+        )
+        ils.save_lock_file(path_b, _lock_record())
+
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(path_a))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(path_b))
+        self.assertEqual(ils.read_lock_file(path_a)["issue_number"], 108)
+
+    def test_concurrent_bind_same_issue_only_one_wins(self):
+        barrier = threading.Barrier(2)
+        results: list[str | Exception] = []
+
+        def worker():
+            barrier.wait()
+            try:
+                ils.bind_session_lock(
+                    _lock_record(worktree_path=f"/tmp/wt-{threading.get_ident()}")
+                )
+                results.append("ok")
+            except Exception as exc:  # noqa: BLE001
+                results.append(exc)
+
+        threads = [threading.Thread(target=worker) for _ in range(2)]
+        for thread in threads:
+            thread.start()
+        for thread in threads:
+            thread.join()
+
+        successes = [item for item in results if item == "ok"]
+        failures = [item for item in results if isinstance(item, Exception)]
+        self.assertEqual(len(successes), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(len(failures), 1)
+        failure_text = str(failures[0]).lower()
+        self.assertTrue(
+            "active" in failure_text or "lock contention" in failure_text,
+            failures[0],
+        )
+
+    def test_verify_lock_for_mutation_blocks_stale_lock(self):
+        record = _lock_record(
+            work_lease=_lease("2000-01-01T00:00:00Z"),
+        )
+        record["pid"] = 999999
+        record["session_pid"] = 999999
+        result = ils.verify_lock_for_mutation(
+            record,
+            issue_number=420,
+            branch_name="feat/issue-420-server-code-parity",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/wt-420",
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        self.assertIn("not live", result["reasons"][0])
+
+    def test_list_live_locks_excludes_stale_records(self):
+        live_path = ils.lock_file_path(
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            issue_number=420,
+        )
+        ils.save_lock_file(
+            live_path,
+            _lock_record(worktree_path="/tmp/wt-420"),
+        )
+        stale_path = ils.lock_file_path(
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            issue_number=440,
+        )
+        ils.save_lock_file(
+            stale_path,
+            _lock_record(
+                issue_number=440,
+                branch_name="feat/issue-440-recovery",
+                work_lease=_lease("2000-01-01T00:00:00Z"),
+                worktree_path="/tmp/wt-440",
+            ),
+        )
+        live = ils.list_live_locks(lock_dir=self.lock_dir)
+        self.assertEqual([entry["issue_number"] for entry in live], [420])
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_issue_lock_worktree.py

@@ -72,6 +72,59 @@ class TestIssueLockWorktreeAssessment(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(result["proven"])
 
 
+class TestStackedBaseEquivalence(unittest.TestCase):
+    """extra_bases (an approved stacked base) can anchor base-equivalence (#484)."""
+
+    def _git(self, *args):
+        import subprocess
+
+        subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "-C", self.repo, *args],
+            check=True,
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+        )
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        import subprocess
+        import tempfile
+
+        self.tmp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.repo = self.tmp.name
+        subprocess.run(["git", "init", "-q", self.repo], check=True, capture_output=True)
+        self._git("config", "user.email", "t@t")
+        self._git("config", "user.name", "t")
+        self._git("commit", "--allow-empty", "-q", "-m", "base")
+        # Rename the default branch away from master/main/dev so no *base* branch
+        # exists at HEAD — otherwise HEAD would be base-equivalent for free.
+        self._git("branch", "-m", "trunk")
+        # Create a non-master "dependency" branch at the same commit, then a
+        # feature branch off it — mirrors a stacked worktree.
+        self._git("branch", "feat/issue-100-dep")
+        self._git("checkout", "-q", "-b", "feat/issue-101-stacked")
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        self.tmp.cleanup()
+
+    def test_stacked_base_not_equivalent_without_extra_bases(self):
+        state = issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state(self.repo)
+        # HEAD does not match master/main/dev, so base-equivalence is False.
+        self.assertFalse(state["base_equivalent"])
+
+    def test_stacked_base_equivalent_with_extra_bases(self):
+        state = issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state(
+            self.repo, extra_bases=("feat/issue-100-dep",)
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(state["base_equivalent"])
+        self.assertEqual(state["base_branch"], "feat/issue-100-dep")
+
+    def test_unrelated_extra_base_does_not_anchor(self):
+        state = issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state(
+            self.repo, extra_bases=("feat/does-not-exist",)
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(state["base_equivalent"])
+
+
 class TestIssueLockWorktreeResolution(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_explicit_path_wins(self):
         resolved = issue_lock_worktree.resolve_author_worktree_path(

tests/test_issue_work_duplicate_gate.py

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 """Tests for early duplicate-work detection (#400)."""
-import json
 import os
 import sys
 import tempfile
@@ -9,6 +8,8 @@ from unittest.mock import patch
 
 sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
 
+import issue_lock_provenance
+import issue_lock_store
 import issue_work_duplicate_gate as dup_gate
 import mcp_server
 from issue_work_duplicate_gate import (
@@ -122,8 +123,9 @@ class TestDuplicateReportOutcome(unittest.TestCase):
 
 
 class TestInjectableDuplicateFetcher(unittest.TestCase):
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_get_all", return_value=[])
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value="token x")
-    def test_lock_issue_uses_injected_fetcher(self, _auth):
+    def test_lock_issue_uses_injected_fetcher(self, _auth, _api):
         seen = {}
 
         def fetcher(h, o, r, auth, issue_number):
@@ -140,10 +142,12 @@ class TestInjectableDuplicateFetcher(unittest.TestCase):
                 "porcelain_status": "",
                 "base_equivalent": True,
             },
-        ), patch.dict(os.environ, {
+        ):
+            with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as lock_dir:
+                with patch.dict(os.environ, {
                     "GITEA_ALLOWED_OPERATIONS": "gitea.issue.comment",
+                    "GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": lock_dir,
                 }, clear=True):
-            with patch.object(mcp_server, "ISSUE_LOCK_FILE", tempfile.mktemp()):
                     mcp_server.gitea_lock_issue(
                         issue_number=400,
                         branch_name="feat/issue-400-duplicate-work-preflight",
@@ -155,11 +159,12 @@ class TestInjectableDuplicateFetcher(unittest.TestCase):
 class TestMcpDuplicateRecheck(unittest.TestCase):
     def setUp(self):
         self._dir = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
-        self.lock_path = os.path.join(self._dir.name, "gitea_issue_lock.json")
+        self._env_patch = patch.dict(
-        self._lock_patch = patch.object(
+            os.environ,
-            mcp_server, "ISSUE_LOCK_FILE", self.lock_path
+            {"GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": self._dir.name},
+            clear=False,
         )
-        self._lock_patch.start()
+        self._env_patch.start()
         self._remotes = patch.dict(mcp_server.REMOTES, {
             "prgs": {"host": "gitea.example.com", "org": "Example-Org",
                      "repo": "Example-Repo"},
@@ -172,12 +177,27 @@ class TestMcpDuplicateRecheck(unittest.TestCase):
         self._dir.cleanup()
 
     def _write_lock(self, issue_number=400, branch="feat/issue-400-x"):
-        with open(self.lock_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as fh:
+        worktree_path = os.path.realpath(os.getcwd())
-            json.dump({
+        work_lease = {
+            "operation_type": "author_issue_work",
+            "issue_number": issue_number,
+            "branch": branch,
+            "claimant": {"username": "test-user", "profile": "test-author"},
+            "expires_at": "2999-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+        }
+        issue_lock_store.bind_session_lock({
             "issue_number": issue_number,
             "branch_name": branch,
             "remote": "prgs",
-            }, fh)
+            "org": "Example-Org",
+            "repo": "Example-Repo",
+            "worktree_path": worktree_path,
+            "work_lease": work_lease,
+            "lock_provenance": issue_lock_provenance.build_sanctioned_lock_provenance(
+                tool="gitea_lock_issue",
+                claimant=work_lease.get("claimant"),
+            ),
+        })
 
     @patch("mcp_server._assess_issue_duplicate_gate")
     @patch("mcp_server.get_profile", return_value={
@@ -241,6 +261,7 @@ class TestMcpDuplicateRecheck(unittest.TestCase):
                 base="master",
                 body="Closes #400",
                 remote="prgs",
+                worktree_path=os.path.realpath(os.getcwd()),
             )
         self.assertFalse(result["success"])
         self.assertIsNone(result.get("number"))

tests/test_llm_agent_sha.py

@@ -122,15 +122,19 @@ class TestShaCannotBypassSelfReview(unittest.TestCase):
     @patch("mcp_server.api_request")
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
     def test_review_tool_refuses_self_approval_despite_sha(self, _auth, mock_api, mock_get_all):
-        mock_get_all.return_value = [{"number": 9, "title": "PR 9", "state": "open", "head": {"ref": "branch9", "sha": "abc1234"}, "base": {"ref": "master"}, "mergeable": True, "user": {"login": "jcwalker3"}}]
+        from mcp_server import init_review_decision_lock
+        from tests.test_mcp_server import FULL_HEAD_SHA, _seed_ready_review_decision
+
+        head_sha = FULL_HEAD_SHA
+        mock_get_all.return_value = [{"number": 9, "title": "PR 9", "state": "open", "head": {"ref": "branch9", "sha": head_sha}, "base": {"ref": "master"}, "mergeable": True, "user": {"login": "jcwalker3"}}]
         mock_api.side_effect = [
             {"login": "jcwalker3"}, # /user (inventory)
             {"login": "jcwalker3"}, # /user (submit eligibility)
-            {"user": {"login": "jcwalker3"}, "state": "open", "head": {"sha": "abc1234"}, "mergeable": True}, # /pulls/9
+            {"user": {"login": "jcwalker3"}, "state": "open", "head": {"sha": head_sha}, "mergeable": True}, # /pulls/9
         ]
-        from mcp_server import init_review_decision_lock, gitea_mark_final_review_decision
         init_review_decision_lock("prgs", "review_pr")
-        gitea_mark_final_review_decision(9, "approve", remote="prgs")
+        with patch("mcp_server._list_pr_lease_comments", return_value=[]):
+            _seed_ready_review_decision(9, "approve", sha=head_sha, remote="prgs")
         env = self._env(SHA_WOULD_BE_REVIEWER, "reviewer")
         with patch.dict(os.environ, env, clear=True):
             r = gitea_review_pr(

tests/test_llm_workflow_split.py

@@ -221,6 +221,12 @@ def test_validation_failure_history_verifier_exported():
     assert callable(assess_validation_failure_history_report)
 
 
+def test_validation_cwd_proof_verifier_exported():
+    from review_proofs import assess_validation_cwd_proof_report
+
+    assert callable(assess_validation_cwd_proof_report)
+
+
 def test_prior_blocker_skip_verifier_exported():
     from review_proofs import assess_prior_blocker_skip_proof
 

tests/test_merge_approval_gate.py

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+"""Hermetic tests for merge approval head pinning (#471)."""
+import sys
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+from merge_approval_gate import assess_merge_approval_head  # noqa: E402
+
+HEAD_OLD = "8b61c4b41f1b49b271ed3b99657431cf06eeda3e"
+HEAD_NEW = "3e4b721d60e97147ba0704773cf57cd0d42cbe31"
+
+
+class TestMergeApprovalGate(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_fresh_approval_at_current_head(self):
+        result = assess_merge_approval_head(
+            current_head_sha=HEAD_NEW,
+            latest_by_reviewer={
+                "reviewer1": {
+                    "verdict": "APPROVED",
+                    "dismissed": False,
+                    "reviewed_head_sha": HEAD_NEW,
+                    "submitted_at": "2026-07-06T12:00:00Z",
+                }
+            },
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["approval_at_current_head"])
+        self.assertIsNone(result["stale_approval_block_reason"])
+
+    def test_stale_approval_after_rebase(self):
+        result = assess_merge_approval_head(
+            current_head_sha=HEAD_NEW,
+            latest_by_reviewer={
+                "reviewer1": {
+                    "verdict": "APPROVED",
+                    "dismissed": False,
+                    "reviewed_head_sha": HEAD_OLD,
+                    "submitted_at": "2026-07-06T10:00:00Z",
+                }
+            },
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["approval_at_current_head"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["latest_approved_head_sha"], HEAD_OLD)
+        self.assertIn("stale approval", result["stale_approval_block_reason"])
+        self.assertIn(HEAD_OLD, result["stale_approval_block_reason"])
+        self.assertIn(HEAD_NEW, result["stale_approval_block_reason"])
+        self.assertIn("re-review PR at current head", result["stale_approval_block_reason"])
+
+    def test_no_approval_entries(self):
+        result = assess_merge_approval_head(
+            current_head_sha=HEAD_NEW,
+            latest_by_reviewer={},
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["approval_at_current_head"])
+        self.assertIsNone(result["latest_approved_head_sha"])
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_permission_reports.py

@@ -230,7 +230,9 @@ class TestEligibilityDenialReport(PermissionReportBase):
             return PR_PAYLOAD
         mock_api.side_effect = fake_api
         mcp_server.init_review_decision_lock("prgs", "review_pr")
-        mcp_server.gitea_mark_final_review_decision(42, "approve", remote="prgs")
+        from tests.test_mcp_server import _seed_ready_review_decision
+
+        _seed_ready_review_decision(42, "approve", remote="prgs")
         with patch.dict(os.environ, self._env("author-profile")):
             res = mcp_server.gitea_submit_pr_review(
                 pr_number=42, action="approve", body="lgtm", remote="prgs",
@@ -272,7 +274,9 @@ class TestReviewCommentPathUsesCanonicalOp(PermissionReportBase):
             return PR_PAYLOAD
         mock_api.side_effect = fake_api
         mcp_server.init_review_decision_lock("prgs", "review_pr")
-        mcp_server.gitea_mark_final_review_decision(42, "comment", remote="prgs")
+        from tests.test_mcp_server import _seed_ready_review_decision
+
+        _seed_ready_review_decision(42, "comment", remote="prgs")
         with patch.dict(os.environ, self._env("author-profile")):
             res = mcp_server.gitea_submit_pr_review(
                 pr_number=42, action="comment", body="finding", remote="prgs",

tests/test_pr_lease_comments_non_list_guard.py

@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+"""Regression tests for non-list API payloads on PR/issue comment listing (#485)."""
+import os
+import sys
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(__import__("pathlib").Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+from mcp_server import (  # noqa: E402
+    _list_pr_lease_comments,
+    gitea_list_issue_comments,
+)
+
+FAKE_AUTH = "Basic dGVzdDp0ZXN0"
+AUTHOR_ENV = {
+    "GITEA_PROFILE_NAME": "gitea-author",
+    "GITEA_ALLOWED_OPERATIONS": "gitea.read,gitea.issue.comment",
+}
+
+
+class TestPrLeaseCommentsNonListGuard(unittest.TestCase):
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_request")
+    @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
+    def test_list_pr_lease_comments_non_list_payload_returns_empty(self, _auth, mock_api):
+        mock_api.return_value = {"message": "Unauthorized"}
+        result = _list_pr_lease_comments(
+            12, remote="prgs", host=None, org=None, repo=None)
+        self.assertEqual(result, [])
+
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_request")
+    @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
+    def test_list_pr_lease_comments_none_returns_empty(self, _auth, mock_api):
+        mock_api.return_value = None
+        result = _list_pr_lease_comments(
+            12, remote="prgs", host=None, org=None, repo=None)
+        self.assertEqual(result, [])
+
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_request")
+    @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
+    def test_list_pr_lease_comments_list_payload_unchanged(self, _auth, mock_api):
+        comment = {"id": 7, "body": "<!-- mcp-review-lease:v1 -->"}
+        mock_api.return_value = [comment]
+        result = _list_pr_lease_comments(
+            12, remote="prgs", host=None, org=None, repo=None, limit=5)
+        self.assertEqual(result, [comment])
+
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_request")
+    @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
+    def test_list_issue_comments_non_list_payload_returns_empty(self, _auth, mock_api):
+        mock_api.return_value = {"message": "Unauthorized"}
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, AUTHOR_ENV, clear=True):
+            result = gitea_list_issue_comments(issue_number=9, remote="prgs")
+        self.assertTrue(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["comments"], [])
+
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_request")
+    @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
+    def test_list_issue_comments_list_payload_unchanged(self, _auth, mock_api):
+        mock_api.return_value = [
+            {
+                "id": 101,
+                "user": {"login": "alice"},
+                "body": "hello",
+                "created_at": "2026-07-03T00:00:00Z",
+                "updated_at": "2026-07-03T01:00:00Z",
+            }
+        ]
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, AUTHOR_ENV, clear=True):
+            result = gitea_list_issue_comments(issue_number=9, remote="prgs")
+        self.assertTrue(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(len(result["comments"]), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(result["comments"][0]["author"], "alice")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_pr_queue_inventory.py

@@ -128,18 +128,29 @@ class TestPRQueueInventory(unittest.TestCase):
             "forbidden_operations": [],
             "base_url": None,
         }
+
+        from mcp_server import init_review_decision_lock
+        from tests.test_mcp_server import (
+            FULL_HEAD_SHA,
+            _install_owned_reviewer_lease,
+            _seed_ready_review_decision,
+        )
+        import reviewer_pr_lease
+
+        head_sha = FULL_HEAD_SHA
         mock_fetch.return_value = _final_page_fetch([
-            {"number": 1, "title": "PR 1", "state": "open", "head": {"ref": "branch1", "sha": "abc1"}, "base": {"ref": "master"}, "mergeable": True, "user": {"login": "other_user"}}
+            {"number": 1, "title": "PR 1", "state": "open",
+             "head": {"ref": "branch1", "sha": head_sha},
+             "base": {"ref": "master"}, "mergeable": True,
+             "user": {"login": "other_user"}}
         ])
-        # mock_api: inventory whoami, eligibility whoami, eligibility PR,
-        # POST review (#244: state + visible-verdict GET reviews).
         mock_api.side_effect = [
             {"login": "reviewer1"},
             {"login": "reviewer1"},
             {
                 "user": {"login": "other_user"},
                 "state": "open",
-                "head": {"sha": "abc1"},
+                "head": {"sha": head_sha},
                 "mergeable": True,
             },
             {"id": 100, "state": "APPROVED"},
@@ -148,17 +159,27 @@ class TestPRQueueInventory(unittest.TestCase):
                     "id": 100,
                     "user": {"login": "reviewer1"},
                     "state": "APPROVED",
-                    "commit_id": "abc1",
+                    "commit_id": head_sha,
                     "submitted_at": "2026-07-06T10:00:00Z",
                     "dismissed": False,
                 }
             ],
         ]
 
-        from mcp_server import init_review_decision_lock, gitea_mark_final_review_decision
+        with patch("mcp_server._authenticated_username", return_value="reviewer1"), \
+                patch("mcp_server._list_pr_lease_comments", return_value=[]):
             init_review_decision_lock("prgs", "review_pr")
-        gitea_mark_final_review_decision(1, "approve", remote="prgs")
+            _seed_ready_review_decision(1, "approve", sha=head_sha, remote="prgs")
-        result = gitea_review_pr(pr_number=1, event="APPROVE", remote="prgs", final_review_decision_ready=True)
+            lease_patch = _install_owned_reviewer_lease(
+                1, head_sha=head_sha, session_id="inventory-review-lease",
+            )
+            lease_patch.start()
+            self.addCleanup(lease_patch.stop)
+            self.addCleanup(reviewer_pr_lease.clear_session_lease)
+            result = gitea_review_pr(
+                pr_number=1, event="APPROVE", remote="prgs",
+                final_review_decision_ready=True,
+            )
         self.assertTrue(result["success"])
         self.assertIn("=== PR Queue Inventory ===", result["message"])
         self.assertIn("Repository:", result["message"])

tests/test_pr_work_lease.py

@@ -0,0 +1,207 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Regression tests for conflict-fix and reviewer PR work leases (#399)."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import sys
+import unittest
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
+
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))))
+
+from pr_work_lease import (  # noqa: E402
+    CONFLICT_FIX_LEASE_MARKER,
+    REVIEWER_LEASE_MARKER,
+    assess_conflict_fix_final_report,
+    assess_conflict_fix_push,
+    assess_head_sha_equality,
+    assess_reviewer_mutation_blocked,
+    assess_reviewer_stale_head_final_report,
+    format_conflict_fix_lease_body,
+    parse_conflict_fix_lease_comment,
+    parse_reviewer_lease_comment,
+)
+
+HEAD_A = "a" * 40
+HEAD_B = "b" * 40
+NOW = datetime(2026, 7, 7, 15, 0, tzinfo=timezone.utc)
+
+
+def _reviewer_lease_body(*, phase: str = "validating", expires_minutes: int = 60) -> str:
+    expires = (NOW + timedelta(minutes=expires_minutes)).isoformat().replace("+00:00", "Z")
+    return "\n".join([
+        REVIEWER_LEASE_MARKER,
+        "pr: #376",
+        "phase: " + phase,
+        f"candidate_head: {HEAD_A}",
+        f"expires_at: {expires}",
+        "profile: prgs-reviewer",
+    ])
+
+
+def _conflict_fix_body(*, phase: str = "claimed", worktree: str = "branches/fix-376") -> str:
+    expires = (NOW + timedelta(minutes=60)).isoformat().replace("+00:00", "Z")
+    return "\n".join([
+        CONFLICT_FIX_LEASE_MARKER,
+        "pr: #376",
+        f"phase: {phase}",
+        f"worktree: {worktree}",
+        f"head_before: {HEAD_A}",
+        f"expires_at: {expires}",
+        "profile: prgs-author",
+    ])
+
+
+class TestLeaseParsing(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_parse_reviewer_lease(self):
+        parsed = parse_reviewer_lease_comment(_reviewer_lease_body())
+        self.assertEqual(parsed["pr_number"], 376)
+        self.assertEqual(parsed["phase"], "validating")
+        self.assertEqual(parsed["candidate_head"], HEAD_A)
+
+    def test_parse_conflict_fix_lease(self):
+        parsed = parse_conflict_fix_lease_comment(_conflict_fix_body())
+        self.assertEqual(parsed["pr_number"], 376)
+        self.assertEqual(parsed["phase"], "claimed")
+
+
+class TestConflictFixPushGate(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_blocks_push_during_active_reviewer_lease(self):
+        comments = [{"body": _reviewer_lease_body()}]
+        result = assess_conflict_fix_push(
+            pr_number=376,
+            comments=comments,
+            branch_head_before=HEAD_A,
+            branch_head_after=HEAD_B,
+            worktree_path="branches/fix-376",
+            push_cwd="/proj/branches/fix-376",
+            is_fast_forward=True,
+            now=NOW,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["push_allowed"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("reviewer lease" in r for r in result["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_rejects_non_fast_forward(self):
+        result = assess_conflict_fix_push(
+            pr_number=376,
+            comments=[],
+            branch_head_before=HEAD_A,
+            branch_head_after=HEAD_B,
+            worktree_path="branches/fix-376",
+            push_cwd="/proj/branches/fix-376",
+            is_fast_forward=False,
+            now=NOW,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["push_allowed"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("non-fast-forward" in r for r in result["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_wrong_cwd_push_attempt(self):
+        result = assess_conflict_fix_push(
+            pr_number=376,
+            comments=[],
+            branch_head_before=HEAD_A,
+            branch_head_after=HEAD_B,
+            worktree_path="branches/fix-376",
+            push_cwd="/proj/master",
+            is_fast_forward=True,
+            now=NOW,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["push_allowed"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("cwd" in r.lower() for r in result["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_sibling_conflict_fix_collision(self):
+        comments = [{"body": _conflict_fix_body(phase="pushing", worktree="branches/other")}]
+        result = assess_conflict_fix_push(
+            pr_number=376,
+            comments=comments,
+            branch_head_before=HEAD_A,
+            branch_head_after=HEAD_B,
+            worktree_path="branches/fix-376",
+            push_cwd="/proj/branches/fix-376",
+            is_fast_forward=True,
+            now=NOW,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["push_allowed"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("sibling conflict-fix" in r for r in result["reasons"]))
+
+
+class TestReviewerMutationGate(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_blocks_review_during_conflict_fix(self):
+        comments = [{"body": _conflict_fix_body(phase="pushing")}]
+        result = assess_reviewer_mutation_blocked(
+            pr_number=376,
+            comments=comments,
+            reviewed_head_sha=HEAD_A,
+            live_head_sha=HEAD_A,
+            mutation="approve",
+            now=NOW,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["mutation_allowed"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("conflict-fix lease" in r for r in result["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_stale_head_blocks_approval(self):
+        result = assess_reviewer_mutation_blocked(
+            pr_number=376,
+            comments=[],
+            reviewed_head_sha=HEAD_A,
+            live_head_sha=HEAD_B,
+            mutation="merge",
+            now=NOW,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["mutation_allowed"])
+        self.assertTrue(result["head_check"]["head_changed"])
+
+    def test_head_equality_required_fields(self):
+        result = assess_head_sha_equality(HEAD_A, HEAD_B)
+        self.assertFalse(result["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(result["head_changed"])
+
+
+class TestFinalReportProof(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_reviewer_stale_head_report_requires_fields(self):
+        result = assess_reviewer_stale_head_final_report("no head proof here")
+        self.assertFalse(result["proven"])
+
+    def test_reviewer_stale_head_report_passes(self):
+        report = "\n".join([
+            f"Reviewed head SHA: {HEAD_A}",
+            f"Final live head SHA before approval: {HEAD_A}",
+            f"Final live head SHA before merge: {HEAD_A}",
+            "Push occurred during validation: no",
+        ])
+        result = assess_reviewer_stale_head_final_report(report)
+        self.assertTrue(result["proven"])
+
+    def test_conflict_fix_report_requires_fields(self):
+        result = assess_conflict_fix_final_report("incomplete")
+        self.assertFalse(result["proven"])
+
+    def test_conflict_fix_report_passes(self):
+        report = "\n".join([
+            f"Branch head before push: {HEAD_A}",
+            f"Branch head after push: {HEAD_B}",
+            "Active reviewer lease status: none",
+            "Whether push was fast-forward: yes",
+            "Whether any reviewer was active: no",
+        ])
+        result = assess_conflict_fix_final_report(report)
+        self.assertTrue(result["proven"])
+
+
+class TestFormatLease(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_format_conflict_fix_lease_includes_marker(self):
+        body = format_conflict_fix_lease_body(
+            pr_number=376,
+            branch="feat/x",
+            worktree="branches/fix-376",
+            profile="prgs-author",
+            head_before=HEAD_A,
+        )
+        self.assertIn(CONFLICT_FIX_LEASE_MARKER, body)
+        parsed = parse_conflict_fix_lease_comment(body)
+        self.assertEqual(parsed["pr_number"], 376)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_preflight_read_survival.py

@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+"""#469: capability preflight survives interleaved read-only whoami calls."""
+
+import os
+import unittest
+
+import gitea_mcp_server as mcp_server
+
+
+class TestPreflightReadSurvival(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.orig_whoami = mcp_server._preflight_whoami_called
+        self.orig_capability = mcp_server._preflight_capability_called
+        self.orig_whoami_violation = mcp_server._preflight_whoami_violation
+        self.orig_capability_violation = mcp_server._preflight_capability_violation
+        self.orig_resolved_role = mcp_server._preflight_resolved_role
+        self.orig_resolved_task = mcp_server._preflight_resolved_task
+        self.orig_process_start = mcp_server._process_start_porcelain
+        self.orig_whoami_baseline = mcp_server._preflight_whoami_baseline_porcelain
+        self.orig_capability_baseline = mcp_server._preflight_capability_baseline_porcelain
+        for key in ("GITEA_TEST_FORCE_DIRTY", "GITEA_TEST_PORCELAIN"):
+            if key in os.environ:
+                del os.environ[key]
+        os.environ["GITEA_TEST_PORCELAIN"] = ""
+        mcp_server._preflight_whoami_called = False
+        mcp_server._preflight_capability_called = False
+        mcp_server._preflight_whoami_violation = False
+        mcp_server._preflight_capability_violation = False
+        mcp_server._preflight_resolved_role = None
+        mcp_server._preflight_resolved_task = None
+        mcp_server._process_start_porcelain = ""
+        mcp_server._preflight_whoami_baseline_porcelain = None
+        mcp_server._preflight_capability_baseline_porcelain = None
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        mcp_server._preflight_whoami_called = self.orig_whoami
+        mcp_server._preflight_capability_called = self.orig_capability
+        mcp_server._preflight_whoami_violation = self.orig_whoami_violation
+        mcp_server._preflight_capability_violation = self.orig_capability_violation
+        mcp_server._preflight_resolved_role = self.orig_resolved_role
+        mcp_server._preflight_resolved_task = self.orig_resolved_task
+        mcp_server._process_start_porcelain = self.orig_process_start
+        mcp_server._preflight_whoami_baseline_porcelain = self.orig_whoami_baseline
+        mcp_server._preflight_capability_baseline_porcelain = self.orig_capability_baseline
+        for key in ("GITEA_TEST_FORCE_DIRTY", "GITEA_TEST_PORCELAIN"):
+            if key in os.environ:
+                del os.environ[key]
+
+    def test_interleaved_whoami_preserves_capability(self):
+        mcp_server.record_preflight_check("whoami")
+        mcp_server.record_preflight_check(
+            "capability", resolved_role="reconciler", resolved_task="close_pr"
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(mcp_server._preflight_capability_called)
+        self.assertEqual(mcp_server._preflight_resolved_task, "close_pr")
+
+        mcp_server.record_preflight_check("whoami")
+        self.assertTrue(mcp_server._preflight_capability_called)
+        self.assertEqual(mcp_server._preflight_resolved_task, "close_pr")
+
+        mcp_server.verify_preflight_purity(task="close_pr")
+        self.assertFalse(mcp_server._preflight_capability_called)
+
+    def test_missing_capability_still_fails_closed(self):
+        mcp_server.record_preflight_check("whoami")
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
+            mcp_server.verify_preflight_purity(task="close_pr")
+        self.assertIn("has not been resolved", str(ctx.exception))
+
+    def test_task_mismatch_fails_closed(self):
+        mcp_server.record_preflight_check("whoami")
+        mcp_server.record_preflight_check(
+            "capability", resolved_role="author", resolved_task="create_issue"
+        )
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
+            mcp_server.verify_preflight_purity(task="close_pr")
+        self.assertIn("task mismatch", str(ctx.exception))
+
+    def test_capability_consumed_after_mutation_gate(self):
+        mcp_server.record_preflight_check("whoami")
+        mcp_server.record_preflight_check(
+            "capability", resolved_role="author", resolved_task="create_issue"
+        )
+        mcp_server.verify_preflight_purity(task="create_issue")
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
+            mcp_server.verify_preflight_purity(task="create_issue")
+        self.assertIn("has not been resolved", str(ctx.exception))
+
+    def test_whoami_recovery_after_violation_clears_capability(self):
+        os.environ["GITEA_TEST_FORCE_DIRTY"] = "1"
+        mcp_server.record_preflight_check("whoami")
+        self.assertTrue(mcp_server._preflight_whoami_violation)
+
+        del os.environ["GITEA_TEST_FORCE_DIRTY"]
+        os.environ["GITEA_TEST_PORCELAIN"] = ""
+        mcp_server.record_preflight_check("whoami")
+        self.assertFalse(mcp_server._preflight_whoami_violation)
+        self.assertFalse(mcp_server._preflight_capability_called)
+
+        mcp_server.record_preflight_check(
+            "capability", resolved_role="reviewer", resolved_task="review_pr"
+        )
+        mcp_server.verify_preflight_purity(task="review_pr")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_reconciler_close_workspace_guard.py

@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+"""Reconciler close_pr must not require author branches/ worktree (#468)."""
+import os
+import sys
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+import gitea_mcp_server as srv
+
+FAKE_AUTH = "token test"
+CONTROL_CHECKOUT_ROOT = str(Path(__file__).resolve().parents[3])
+
+RECONCILER_PROFILE = {
+    "profile_name": "prgs-reconciler",
+    "allowed_operations": ["gitea.read", "gitea.pr.close", "gitea.pr.comment"],
+    "forbidden_operations": [
+        "gitea.pr.approve",
+        "gitea.pr.merge",
+        "gitea.pr.review",
+        "gitea.pr.create",
+        "gitea.branch.push",
+        "gitea.repo.commit",
+    ],
+    "audit_label": "prgs-reconciler",
+}
+
+
+class TestReconcilerCloseWorkspaceGuard(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        srv._preflight_whoami_called = True
+        srv._preflight_capability_called = True
+        srv._preflight_whoami_violation = False
+        srv._preflight_capability_violation = False
+        self._orig_in_test = srv._preflight_in_test_mode
+        srv._preflight_in_test_mode = lambda: False
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        srv._preflight_in_test_mode = self._orig_in_test
+
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server._auth", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server._namespace_mutation_block", return_value=None)
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server.get_profile", return_value=RECONCILER_PROFILE)
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server.api_request")
+    def test_reconciler_close_pr_from_control_checkout_succeeds(
+        self, mock_api, _profile, _ns, _auth
+    ):
+        srv._preflight_resolved_role = "reconciler"
+        mock_api.return_value = {
+            "number": 414,
+            "title": "old",
+            "body": "",
+            "state": "closed",
+            "html_url": "https://gitea.example.com/pulls/414",
+        }
+        with patch.object(srv, "PROJECT_ROOT", CONTROL_CHECKOUT_ROOT):
+            with patch.dict(os.environ, {}, clear=False):
+                os.environ.pop("GITEA_AUTHOR_WORKTREE", None)
+                os.environ.pop("GITEA_ACTIVE_WORKTREE", None)
+                result = srv.gitea_edit_pr(414, state="closed", remote="prgs")
+        self.assertTrue(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["state"], "closed")
+        mock_api.assert_called_once()
+
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server._auth", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server._profile_permission_block", return_value=None)
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server._namespace_mutation_block", return_value=None)
+    @patch(
+        "gitea_mcp_server.role_session_router.check_author_mutation_after_reviewer_stop",
+        return_value=(True, []),
+    )
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server.api_get_all", return_value=[])
+    @patch(
+        "gitea_mcp_server.issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state",
+        return_value={"current_branch": "master"},
+    )
+    def test_author_create_issue_still_blocked_on_control_checkout(
+        self, _git, _get_all, _role, _ns, _prof, _auth
+    ):
+        srv._preflight_resolved_role = "author"
+        with patch.object(srv, "PROJECT_ROOT", CONTROL_CHECKOUT_ROOT):
+            with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
+                srv.gitea_create_issue(title="Test", body="body")
+        self.assertIn("stable control checkout", str(ctx.exception))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_review_feedback.py

@@ -115,6 +115,22 @@ class TestPRReviewFeedbackDiscovery(unittest.TestCase):
             result["latest_review_state_by_reviewer"], {"reviewer1": "APPROVED"})
         self.assertFalse(result["has_blocking_change_requests"])
         self.assertTrue(result["approval_visible"])
+        self.assertTrue(result["approval_at_current_head"])
+
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_request")
+    @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
+    @patch("mcp_server.get_profile")
+    def test_stale_approval_not_at_current_head(self, mock_get_profile, _auth, mock_api):
+        mock_get_profile.return_value = self._profile()
+        mock_api.side_effect = [
+            _pr_details(head_sha="newhead3"),
+            [_review("reviewer1", "APPROVED", commit_id="oldhead1")],
+        ]
+        result = gitea_get_pr_review_feedback(pr_number=5, remote="prgs")
+        self.assertTrue(result["approval_visible"])
+        self.assertFalse(result["approval_at_current_head"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["latest_approved_head_sha"], "oldhead1")
+        self.assertIn("stale approval", result["stale_approval_block_reason"])
 
     @patch("mcp_server.api_request")
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)

tests/test_review_final_report_schema.py

@@ -19,7 +19,11 @@ def _minimal_review_report(**overrides):
         "- Issue/PR: #182 / PR #203",
         "- Branch/SHA: feat/x @ 0fdc8f582026b72a229d59a172c0a63ac4aaeaf9",
         "- Files changed: review_proofs.py",
-        "- Validation: pytest tests/test_review_proofs.py -q in branches/review-203",
+        "- Validation: pass: pytest tests/test_review_proofs.py -q in branches/review-203",
+        "- Reviewed head SHA: 0fdc8f582026b72a229d59a172c0a63ac4aaeaf9",
+        "- Final live head SHA before approval: 0fdc8f582026b72a229d59a172c0a63ac4aaeaf9",
+        "- Final live head SHA before merge: 0fdc8f582026b72a229d59a172c0a63ac4aaeaf9",
+        "- Push occurred during validation: no",
         "- Mutations: review only",
         "- File edits by reviewer: none",
         "- Worktree/index mutations: none",
@@ -80,7 +84,7 @@ class TestReviewFinalReportSchema(unittest.TestCase):
 
     def test_reviewed_head_without_validation_blocks(self):
         report = _minimal_review_report().replace(
-            "- Validation: pytest tests/test_review_proofs.py -q in branches/review-203",
+            "- Validation: pass: pytest tests/test_review_proofs.py -q in branches/review-203",
             "- Validation: not run",
         )
         report += "\n- Pinned reviewed head: 0fdc8f582026b72a229d59a172c0a63ac4aaeaf9"

tests/test_reviewer_pr_lease.py

@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+"""Tests for per-PR reviewer leases (#407)."""
+
+import sys
+import unittest
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(__import__("pathlib").Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+import reviewer_pr_lease as leases
+
+
+def _lease_comment(
+    pr_number: int,
+    session_id: str,
+    *,
+    phase: str = "claimed",
+    minutes_ago: int = 0,
+    candidate_head: str = "a" * 40,
+) -> dict:
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc) - timedelta(minutes=minutes_ago)
+    body = leases.format_lease_body(
+        repo="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools",
+        pr_number=pr_number,
+        issue_number=295,
+        reviewer_identity="rev1",
+        profile="prgs-reviewer",
+        session_id=session_id,
+        worktree="branches/review-pr382",
+        phase=phase,
+        candidate_head=candidate_head,
+        target_branch="master",
+        target_branch_sha="b" * 40,
+        last_activity=now,
+    )
+    return {"id": 1, "body": body, "user": {"login": "rev1"}}
+
+
+class TestReviewerLeaseAcquire(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        leases.clear_session_lease()
+
+    def test_two_reviewers_cannot_lease_same_pr(self):
+        comments = [_lease_comment(382, "session-a")]
+        result = leases.assess_acquire_lease(
+            comments,
+            pr_number=382,
+            reviewer_identity="rev2",
+            profile="prgs-reviewer",
+            session_id="session-b",
+            repo="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools",
+            issue_number=295,
+            worktree="branches/review-pr382-b",
+            candidate_head="c" * 40,
+            target_branch="master",
+            target_branch_sha="d" * 40,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["acquire_allowed"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("already has active" in r for r in result["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_two_reviewers_can_lease_different_prs(self):
+        comments = [_lease_comment(382, "session-a")]
+        result = leases.assess_acquire_lease(
+            comments,
+            pr_number=383,
+            reviewer_identity="rev2",
+            profile="prgs-reviewer",
+            session_id="session-b",
+            repo="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools",
+            issue_number=296,
+            worktree="branches/review-pr383",
+            candidate_head="c" * 40,
+            target_branch="master",
+            target_branch_sha="d" * 40,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["acquire_allowed"])
+        self.assertIsNotNone(result["lease_body"])
+
+
+class TestReviewerLeaseFreshness(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_stale_warning_after_30_minutes(self):
+        lease = leases.parse_lease_comment(
+            _lease_comment(382, "session-a", minutes_ago=35)["body"]
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            leases.classify_lease_freshness(lease),
+            "stale_warning",
+        )
+
+    def test_reclaimable_after_60_minutes(self):
+        lease = leases.parse_lease_comment(
+            _lease_comment(382, "session-a", minutes_ago=65)["body"]
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            leases.classify_lease_freshness(lease),
+            "reclaimable",
+        )
+
+
+class TestReviewerLeaseMutationGate(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        leases.clear_session_lease()
+
+    def test_reviewer_without_lease_cannot_mutate(self):
+        head = "f" * 40
+        comments = [_lease_comment(382, "other-session", candidate_head=head)]
+        result = leases.assess_mutation_lease_gate(
+            pr_number=382,
+            comments=comments,
+            reviewer_identity="rev1",
+            session_id="my-session",
+            mutation="approve",
+            live_head_sha=head,
+            pinned_head_sha=head,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+
+    def test_owned_lease_allows_mutation(self):
+        head = "f" * 40
+        comments = [_lease_comment(382, "my-session", candidate_head=head)]
+        leases.record_session_lease({
+            "pr_number": 382,
+            "session_id": "my-session",
+            "candidate_head": head,
+            "target_branch": "master",
+        })
+        result = leases.assess_mutation_lease_gate(
+            pr_number=382,
+            comments=comments,
+            reviewer_identity="rev1",
+            session_id="my-session",
+            mutation="approve",
+            live_head_sha=head,
+            pinned_head_sha=head,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+
+    def test_head_change_invalidates_lease(self):
+        reviewed = "f" * 40
+        live = "e" * 40
+        comments = [_lease_comment(382, "my-session", candidate_head=reviewed)]
+        leases.record_session_lease({
+            "pr_number": 382,
+            "session_id": "my-session",
+            "candidate_head": reviewed,
+        })
+        result = leases.assess_mutation_lease_gate(
+            pr_number=382,
+            comments=comments,
+            reviewer_identity="rev1",
+            session_id="my-session",
+            mutation="merge",
+            live_head_sha=live,
+            pinned_head_sha=reviewed,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("head" in r.lower() for r in result["reasons"]))
+
+
+class TestReviewerLeaseMcpGate(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        leases.clear_session_lease()
+        patch("mcp_server.verify_preflight_purity").start()
+        patch("gitea_audit.audit_enabled", return_value=False).start()
+        mcp_server = __import__("mcp_server")
+        mcp_server._IDENTITY_CACHE.clear()
+        mcp_server.init_review_decision_lock("prgs", "review_pr")
+        mcp_server.record_preflight_check("whoami")
+        mcp_server.record_preflight_check("capability", "reviewer")
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        patch.stopall()
+        leases.clear_session_lease()
+
+    def test_reviewer_pr_lease_gate_helper_blocks_without_session(self):
+        import mcp_server
+        head = "a" * 40
+        with patch("mcp_server._fetch_pr_comments", return_value=[]):
+            reasons = mcp_server._reviewer_pr_lease_gate(
+                pr_number=382,
+                remote="prgs",
+                host=None,
+                org=None,
+                repo=None,
+                mutation="approve",
+                live_head_sha=head,
+                pinned_head_sha=head,
+            )
+        self.assertTrue(any("lease" in r.lower() for r in reasons))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_reviewer_validation_cwd_proof.py

@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+"""Tests for validation cwd/HEAD proof verifier (#398)."""
+import sys
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+from final_report_validator import assess_final_report_validator  # noqa: E402
+from reviewer_validation_cwd_proof import assess_validation_cwd_proof_report  # noqa: E402
+
+ROOT = "/Users/jasonwalker/Development/Gitea-Tools"
+WORKTREE = f"{ROOT}/branches/review-feat-issue-398"
+HEAD = "f5953549aad5e822f14f52d3ea3c6d7990109384"
+
+
+def _proof_backed_report() -> str:
+    return "\n".join([
+        f"Candidate head SHA: {HEAD}",
+        f"pwd: {WORKTREE}",
+        f"git rev-parse HEAD: {HEAD}",
+        "git status --short --branch: ## feat/issue-398...prgs/master",
+        f"Validation command: cd {WORKTREE} && venv/bin/python -m pytest tests/ -q",
+        "Result: 1497 passed, 6 skipped",
+    ])
+
+
+class TestValidationCwdProof(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_no_validation_claim_passes(self):
+        result = assess_validation_cwd_proof_report("Review decision: approve")
+        self.assertTrue(result["proven"])
+
+    def test_missing_cwd_proof_fails(self):
+        result = assess_validation_cwd_proof_report(
+            f"Validation command: pytest tests/\nCandidate head SHA: {HEAD}",
+            validation_session={"validation_ran": True, "expected_head_sha": HEAD},
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+
+    def test_main_checkout_cwd_blocks(self):
+        result = assess_validation_cwd_proof_report(
+            "\n".join([
+                f"Candidate head SHA: {HEAD}",
+                f"pwd: {ROOT}",
+                f"git rev-parse HEAD: {HEAD}",
+                "git status --short --branch: ## master",
+                "Validation command: pytest tests/ -q",
+            ]),
+            validation_session={"validation_ran": True, "expected_head_sha": HEAD},
+            project_root=ROOT,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(result["violations"])
+
+    def test_wrong_head_blocks(self):
+        wrong = "a" * 40
+        result = assess_validation_cwd_proof_report(
+            "\n".join([
+                f"Candidate head SHA: {HEAD}",
+                f"pwd: {WORKTREE}",
+                f"git rev-parse HEAD: {wrong}",
+                "git status --short --branch: clean",
+                f"Validation command: cd {WORKTREE} && pytest -q",
+            ]),
+            validation_session={"validation_ran": True, "expected_head_sha": HEAD},
+            project_root=ROOT,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(result["violations"])
+
+    def test_fully_proof_backed_passes(self):
+        result = assess_validation_cwd_proof_report(
+            _proof_backed_report(),
+            validation_session={"validation_ran": True, "expected_head_sha": HEAD},
+            project_root=ROOT,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["proven"], result["reasons"])
+
+    def test_baseline_without_cwd_fails(self):
+        result = assess_validation_cwd_proof_report(
+            "\n".join([
+                _proof_backed_report(),
+                "Baseline validation command: pytest tests/ -q",
+            ]),
+            validation_session={
+                "validation_ran": True,
+                "expected_head_sha": HEAD,
+                "baseline_validation_ran": True,
+            },
+            project_root=ROOT,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(
+            any("baseline" in r.lower() for r in result["reasons"])
+        )
+
+    def test_baseline_with_full_proof_passes(self):
+        result = assess_validation_cwd_proof_report(
+            "\n".join([
+                _proof_backed_report(),
+                f"Baseline worktree: {ROOT}/branches/baseline-master-pr376",
+                f"Baseline target SHA: {HEAD}",
+                f"Baseline validation command: cd {ROOT}/branches/baseline-master-pr376 && pytest -q",
+            ]),
+            validation_session={
+                "validation_ran": True,
+                "expected_head_sha": HEAD,
+                "baseline_validation_ran": True,
+            },
+            project_root=ROOT,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["proven"], result["reasons"])
+
+    def test_final_report_validator_integration(self):
+        result = assess_final_report_validator(
+            "Validation command: pytest tests/ -q",
+            "review_pr",
+            validation_session={"validation_ran": True},
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["blocked"] or result["downgraded"])
+        self.assertTrue(
+            any(
+                f.get("rule_id") == "reviewer.validation_cwd_proof"
+                for f in result.get("findings") or []
+            )
+        )
+
+    def test_exported_from_review_proofs(self):
+        from review_proofs import assess_validation_cwd_proof_report as exported
+
+        self.assertTrue(callable(exported))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_stacked_pr_support.py

@@ -0,0 +1,185 @@
+"""Unit tests for stacked-PR base policy (#484)."""
+import unittest
+
+import stacked_pr_support as sps
+
+
+def _pr(number, branch, state="open"):
+    return {"number": number, "state": state, "head": {"ref": branch}}
+
+
+OPEN_PRS = [
+    _pr(479, "feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell"),
+    _pr(481, "feat/issue-477-lock-adoption-proof"),
+]
+
+# Motivating case (#482 stacked on #479 / #478).
+STACKED_BODY = (
+    "Closes #482.\n\n"
+    "Stacked on PR #479 / issue #478.\n"
+    "Base branch: feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell\n"
+    "Head branch: feat/issue-482-skip-stale-request-changes-pr\n"
+    "Do not merge before PR #479 lands."
+)
+
+
+class TestIsBaseBranch(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_master_main_dev_are_base(self):
+        for b in ("master", "main", "dev"):
+            self.assertTrue(sps.is_base_branch(b))
+
+    def test_feature_branch_is_not_base(self):
+        self.assertFalse(sps.is_base_branch("feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell"))
+
+
+class TestStackedBaseDeclaration(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_no_declaration_is_normal_path(self):
+        out = sps.assess_stacked_base_declaration(
+            stacked_base_branch=None, stacked_base_pr=None, open_prs=OPEN_PRS
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(out["block"])
+        self.assertFalse(out["declared"])
+        self.assertIsNone(out["approved"])
+
+    def test_valid_open_pr_base_is_approved(self):
+        out = sps.assess_stacked_base_declaration(
+            stacked_base_branch="feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell",
+            stacked_base_pr=479,
+            open_prs=OPEN_PRS,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(out["block"])
+        self.assertEqual(out["approved"]["branch"], "feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell")
+        self.assertEqual(out["approved"]["pr_number"], 479)
+        self.assertTrue(out["approved"]["verified_open"])
+
+    def test_missing_pr_number_blocks(self):
+        out = sps.assess_stacked_base_declaration(
+            stacked_base_branch="feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell",
+            stacked_base_pr=None,
+            open_prs=OPEN_PRS,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(out["block"])
+        self.assertIn("without stacked_base_pr", out["reasons"][0])
+
+    def test_arbitrary_branch_with_no_open_pr_blocks(self):
+        out = sps.assess_stacked_base_declaration(
+            stacked_base_branch="feat/random-unrelated-branch",
+            stacked_base_pr=999,
+            open_prs=OPEN_PRS,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(out["block"])
+        self.assertIn("does not correspond to any OPEN pull request", out["reasons"][0])
+
+    def test_stale_merged_base_blocks(self):
+        merged = [_pr(479, "feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell", state="closed")]
+        out = sps.assess_stacked_base_declaration(
+            stacked_base_branch="feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell",
+            stacked_base_pr=479,
+            open_prs=merged,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(out["block"])
+        self.assertIsNone(out["approved"])
+
+    def test_pr_number_mismatch_blocks(self):
+        out = sps.assess_stacked_base_declaration(
+            stacked_base_branch="feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell",
+            stacked_base_pr=481,  # wrong PR for this branch
+            open_prs=OPEN_PRS,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(out["block"])
+        self.assertIn("does not match the open", out["reasons"][0])
+
+    def test_declaring_a_base_branch_blocks(self):
+        out = sps.assess_stacked_base_declaration(
+            stacked_base_branch="master", stacked_base_pr=1, open_prs=OPEN_PRS
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(out["block"])
+        self.assertIn("already a normal base branch", out["reasons"][0])
+
+
+class TestStackedPrBody(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_complete_body_has_no_missing_fields(self):
+        missing = sps.assess_stacked_pr_body(
+            STACKED_BODY, base_branch="feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell", pr_number=479
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(missing, [])
+
+    def test_missing_all_fields(self):
+        missing = sps.assess_stacked_pr_body(
+            "just some text", base_branch="feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell", pr_number=479
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(len(missing), 3)
+
+    def test_missing_merge_ordering_only(self):
+        body = "Base branch feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell for PR #479"
+        missing = sps.assess_stacked_pr_body(
+            body, base_branch="feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell", pr_number=479
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(len(missing), 1)
+        self.assertIn("merge-ordering", missing[0])
+
+
+class TestCreatePrBase(unittest.TestCase):
+    APPROVED = {"branch": "feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell", "pr_number": 479, "verified_open": True}
+
+    def test_master_base_passes_without_stacked_metadata(self):
+        out = sps.assess_create_pr_base(
+            base="master", approved_stacked_base=None, body="Closes #1", open_prs=[]
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(out["block"])
+        self.assertFalse(out["stacked"])
+
+    def test_non_base_without_approval_blocks(self):
+        out = sps.assess_create_pr_base(
+            base="feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell",
+            approved_stacked_base=None,
+            body=STACKED_BODY,
+            open_prs=OPEN_PRS,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(out["block"])
+        self.assertIn("no approved stacked base", out["reasons"][0])
+
+    def test_non_base_mismatched_approval_blocks(self):
+        out = sps.assess_create_pr_base(
+            base="feat/some-other-branch",
+            approved_stacked_base=self.APPROVED,
+            body=STACKED_BODY,
+            open_prs=OPEN_PRS,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(out["block"])
+        self.assertIn("does not match the issue lock's approved stacked base", out["reasons"][0])
+
+    def test_approved_base_with_good_body_passes(self):
+        out = sps.assess_create_pr_base(
+            base="feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell",
+            approved_stacked_base=self.APPROVED,
+            body=STACKED_BODY,
+            open_prs=OPEN_PRS,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(out["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(out["stacked"])
+        self.assertEqual(out["stacked_base_pr"], 479)
+
+    def test_approved_base_now_stale_blocks(self):
+        out = sps.assess_create_pr_base(
+            base="feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell",
+            approved_stacked_base=self.APPROVED,
+            body=STACKED_BODY,
+            open_prs=[_pr(479, "feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell", state="merged")],
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(out["block"])
+        self.assertIn("no longer corresponds to an OPEN", out["reasons"][0])
+
+    def test_approved_base_with_incomplete_body_blocks(self):
+        out = sps.assess_create_pr_base(
+            base="feat/issue-478-mcp-menu-shell",
+            approved_stacked_base=self.APPROVED,
+            body="Closes #482 only",
+            open_prs=OPEN_PRS,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(out["block"])
+        self.assertIn("must document the stack", out["reasons"][0])
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_terminal_review_hard_stop.py

@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ from unittest.mock import patch
 
 import mcp_server
 
+HEAD_SHA = "a" * 40
+
 
 def _lock(mutations=None, correction=False):
     return {
@@ -127,10 +129,20 @@ def _feedback(blocking, stale=False, success=True):
         "success": success,
         "has_blocking_change_requests": blocking,
         "review_feedback_stale": stale,
-        "current_head_sha": "abc123",
+        "current_head_sha": HEAD_SHA,
     }
 
 
+def _mark(action, pr_number=6, **kwargs):
+    kwargs.setdefault("expected_head_sha", HEAD_SHA)
+    no_lease_block = {"block": False, "reasons": [], "mutation_allowed": True}
+    with patch("mcp_server._list_pr_lease_comments", return_value=[]), \
+            patch("mcp_server._pr_work_lease_reviewer_block", return_value=no_lease_block):
+        return mcp_server.gitea_mark_final_review_decision(
+            pr_number=pr_number, action=action, remote="prgs", **kwargs
+        )
+
+
 class TestDuplicateRequestChangesSuppression(unittest.TestCase):
     def tearDown(self):
         mcp_server._save_review_decision_lock(None)
@@ -139,8 +151,7 @@ class TestDuplicateRequestChangesSuppression(unittest.TestCase):
         _seed()
         with patch.object(mcp_server, "gitea_get_pr_review_feedback",
                           return_value=_feedback(blocking=True, stale=False)):
-            result = mcp_server.gitea_mark_final_review_decision(
+            result = _mark("request_changes")
-                pr_number=6, action="request_changes", remote="prgs")
         self.assertFalse(result["marked_ready"])
         self.assertTrue(
             any("duplicate" in r for r in result["reasons"]),
@@ -150,16 +161,14 @@ class TestDuplicateRequestChangesSuppression(unittest.TestCase):
         _seed()
         with patch.object(mcp_server, "gitea_get_pr_review_feedback",
                           return_value=_feedback(blocking=True, stale=True)):
-            result = mcp_server.gitea_mark_final_review_decision(
+            result = _mark("request_changes")
-                pr_number=6, action="request_changes", remote="prgs")
         self.assertTrue(result["marked_ready"], result.get("reasons"))
 
     def test_request_changes_allowed_when_no_blocker(self):
         _seed()
         with patch.object(mcp_server, "gitea_get_pr_review_feedback",
                           return_value=_feedback(blocking=False)):
-            result = mcp_server.gitea_mark_final_review_decision(
+            result = _mark("request_changes")
-                pr_number=6, action="request_changes", remote="prgs")
         self.assertTrue(result["marked_ready"], result.get("reasons"))
 
     def test_request_changes_fails_closed_when_feedback_unavailable(self):
@@ -167,8 +176,7 @@ class TestDuplicateRequestChangesSuppression(unittest.TestCase):
         with patch.object(mcp_server, "gitea_get_pr_review_feedback",
                           return_value=_feedback(blocking=False,
                                                  success=False)):
-            result = mcp_server.gitea_mark_final_review_decision(
+            result = _mark("request_changes")
-                pr_number=6, action="request_changes", remote="prgs")
         self.assertFalse(result["marked_ready"])
         self.assertTrue(
             any("could not verify" in r for r in result["reasons"]),
@@ -178,8 +186,7 @@ class TestDuplicateRequestChangesSuppression(unittest.TestCase):
         _seed()
         with patch.object(mcp_server, "gitea_get_pr_review_feedback",
                           side_effect=AssertionError("must not be called")):
-            result = mcp_server.gitea_mark_final_review_decision(
+            result = _mark("approve")
-                pr_number=6, action="approve", remote="prgs")
         self.assertTrue(result["marked_ready"], result.get("reasons"))
 
 

tests/test_validation_status_vocabulary.py

@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+"""Tests for validation status vocabulary (#406)."""
+import sys
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+from final_report_validator import assess_final_report_validator  # noqa: E402
+from validation_status_vocabulary import (  # noqa: E402
+    STATUS_BASELINE_EQUIVALENT,
+    STATUS_FAILED,
+    STATUS_MERGE_SIM_RESOLVED,
+    STATUS_PASSED,
+    STATUS_TRANSIENT_PASS,
+    assess_validation_status_vocabulary,
+)
+
+
+def _handoff(**extra):
+    fields = {
+        "Task": "review PR #386",
+        "Validation status": STATUS_PASSED,
+        "Raw PR-head validation result": "passed",
+        "Merge simulation result": "not run",
+        "Baseline worktree used": "none",
+    }
+    fields.update(extra)
+    lines = ["## Controller Handoff", ""]
+    lines.extend(f"- {key}: {value}" for key, value in fields.items())
+    return "\n".join(lines)
+
+
+class TestValidationStatusVocabulary(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_raw_head_pass_status(self):
+        report = _handoff()
+        result = assess_validation_status_vocabulary(report)
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["status_claimed"], STATUS_PASSED)
+
+    def test_raw_head_failure_with_baseline_match(self):
+        report = _handoff(
+            **{
+                "Validation status": STATUS_BASELINE_EQUIVALENT,
+                "Raw PR-head validation result": "failed",
+                "Baseline worktree used": "branches/baseline-master-pr386",
+                "Baseline target SHA": "a" * 40,
+                "Baseline failures": "test_foo failed",
+                "PR failures": "test_foo failed",
+                "Failure signatures match": "true",
+            }
+        )
+        result = assess_validation_status_vocabulary(report)
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(result["baseline_proof_complete"])
+
+    def test_baseline_equivalent_without_baseline_proof_blocked(self):
+        report = _handoff(
+            **{
+                "Validation status": STATUS_BASELINE_EQUIVALENT,
+                "Raw PR-head validation result": "failed",
+            }
+        )
+        result = assess_validation_status_vocabulary(report)
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        self.assertIn("baseline-equivalent", result["reasons"][0])
+
+    def test_merge_simulation_resolution_passes(self):
+        report = "\n".join([
+            _handoff(
+                **{
+                    "Validation status": STATUS_MERGE_SIM_RESOLVED,
+                    "Raw PR-head validation result": "failed",
+                    "Merge simulation result": "passed",
+                }
+            ),
+            "Worktree/index mutations: merge simulation in branches/review-pr386",
+            "Worktree path: branches/review-pr386",
+            "Pre-simulation clean status: clean",
+            "Merge result: clean merge",
+            "Abort command: git merge --abort",
+            "Post-abort clean status: clean",
+        ])
+        command_log = [
+            {"command": "git merge --no-commit prgs/master"},
+            {"command": "git merge --abort"},
+        ]
+        result = assess_validation_status_vocabulary(
+            report, command_log=command_log
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(result["merge_simulation_passed"])
+
+    def test_merge_simulation_failure_stays_failed(self):
+        report = _handoff(
+            **{
+                "Validation status": STATUS_FAILED,
+                "Raw PR-head validation result": "failed",
+                "Merge simulation result": "failed",
+            }
+        )
+        result = assess_validation_status_vocabulary(report)
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+
+    def test_failed_status_with_passing_merge_sim_blocked(self):
+        report = "\n".join([
+            _handoff(
+                **{
+                    "Validation status": STATUS_FAILED,
+                    "Raw PR-head validation result": "failed",
+                    "Merge simulation result": "passed",
+                }
+            ),
+            "Worktree/index mutations: merge simulation",
+            "Worktree path: branches/review-pr386",
+            "Pre-simulation clean status: clean",
+            "Merge result: clean",
+            "Abort command: git merge --abort",
+            "Post-abort clean status: clean",
+        ])
+        result = assess_validation_status_vocabulary(
+            report,
+            command_log=[{"command": "git merge --no-commit prgs/master"}],
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+
+    def test_transient_failure_then_pass(self):
+        report = _handoff(
+            **{
+                "Validation status": STATUS_TRANSIENT_PASS,
+                "Raw PR-head validation result": "passed",
+                "Transient validation failure history": (
+                    "first run failed with infra flake; rerun passed"
+                ),
+            }
+        )
+        result = assess_validation_status_vocabulary(report)
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+
+    def test_transient_pass_without_history_blocked(self):
+        report = _handoff(
+            **{
+                "Validation status": STATUS_TRANSIENT_PASS,
+                "Raw PR-head validation result": "passed",
+            }
+        )
+        result = assess_validation_status_vocabulary(report)
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+
+    def test_bare_passed_after_raw_failure_blocked(self):
+        report = _handoff(
+            **{
+                "Validation status": STATUS_PASSED,
+                "Raw PR-head validation result": "failed",
+            }
+        )
+        result = assess_validation_status_vocabulary(report)
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+
+    def test_wrong_baseline_label_when_merge_sim_used_blocked(self):
+        report = "\n".join([
+            _handoff(
+                **{
+                    "Validation status": STATUS_BASELINE_EQUIVALENT,
+                    "Raw PR-head validation result": "failed",
+                    "Merge simulation result": "passed",
+                }
+            ),
+            "Worktree/index mutations: merge simulation",
+            "Worktree path: branches/review-pr386",
+            "Pre-simulation clean status: clean",
+            "Merge result: clean",
+            "Abort command: git merge --abort",
+            "Post-abort clean status: clean",
+        ])
+        result = assess_validation_status_vocabulary(
+            report,
+            command_log=[{"command": "git merge --no-commit prgs/master"}],
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        joined = " ".join(result["reasons"]).lower()
+        self.assertTrue(
+            "misleading" in joined or "baseline-equivalent" in joined
+        )
+
+    def test_final_report_validator_integration_blocks_misleading_label(self):
+        report = _handoff(
+            **{
+                "Validation status": STATUS_BASELINE_EQUIVALENT,
+                "Raw PR-head validation result": "failed",
+            }
+        )
+        result = assess_final_report_validator(report, "review_pr")
+        blocked_ids = {f["rule_id"] for f in result["findings"]}
+        self.assertIn("reviewer.validation_status_vocabulary", blocked_ids)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_workspace_guard_alignment.py

@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+"""Tests for runtime_context / mutation-guard workspace alignment (#460)."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import sys
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+from unittest import mock
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+import author_mutation_worktree as amw  # noqa: E402
+import gitea_mcp_server as srv  # noqa: E402
+
+CONTROL_ROOT = str(Path(__file__).resolve().parents[3])
+BRANCHES_WORKTREE = str(Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1])
+MCP_PROCESS_ROOT = BRANCHES_WORKTREE
+
+
+class TestCanonicalRepoRoot(unittest.TestCase):
+    @mock.patch("subprocess.run")
+    def test_resolves_main_repo_from_branches_worktree(self, mock_run):
+        mock_run.return_value = MagicMock(
+            returncode=0,
+            stdout=f"{CONTROL_ROOT}/.git\n",
+        )
+        root = amw.resolve_canonical_repo_root(BRANCHES_WORKTREE, MCP_PROCESS_ROOT)
+        self.assertEqual(root, CONTROL_ROOT)
+
+    def test_falls_back_when_git_unavailable(self):
+        root = amw.resolve_canonical_repo_root("/missing/path", MCP_PROCESS_ROOT)
+        self.assertEqual(root, os.path.realpath(MCP_PROCESS_ROOT))
+
+
+class TestWorkspaceRepoMembership(unittest.TestCase):
+    @mock.patch("os.path.isdir", return_value=True)
+    @mock.patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
+    @mock.patch("subprocess.run")
+    def test_valid_branches_worktree_accepted(self, mock_run, *_exists):
+        mock_run.return_value = MagicMock(
+            returncode=0,
+            stdout=f"{CONTROL_ROOT}/.git\n",
+        )
+        result = amw.assess_workspace_repo_membership(
+            workspace_path=BRANCHES_WORKTREE,
+            canonical_repo_root=CONTROL_ROOT,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["proven"])
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+
+    @mock.patch("os.path.isdir", return_value=True)
+    @mock.patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
+    @mock.patch("subprocess.run")
+    def test_wrong_repo_rejected(self, mock_run, *_exists):
+        mock_run.return_value = MagicMock(
+            returncode=0,
+            stdout="/other/repo/.git\n",
+        )
+        result = amw.assess_workspace_repo_membership(
+            workspace_path=BRANCHES_WORKTREE,
+            canonical_repo_root=CONTROL_ROOT,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        self.assertIn("does not belong", result["reasons"][0])
+
+    @mock.patch("os.path.exists", return_value=False)
+    def test_missing_worktree_rejected(self, *_exists):
+        result = amw.assess_workspace_repo_membership(
+            workspace_path=f"{CONTROL_ROOT}/branches/missing-worktree",
+            canonical_repo_root=CONTROL_ROOT,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        self.assertIn("does not exist", result["reasons"][0])
+
+
+class TestRuntimeContextGuardAlignment(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        srv._preflight_whoami_called = True
+        srv._preflight_capability_called = True
+        srv._preflight_resolved_role = "author"
+        self._orig_in_test = srv._preflight_in_test_mode
+        srv._preflight_in_test_mode = lambda: False
+        self._env_patch = mock.patch.dict(
+            os.environ,
+            {},
+            clear=False,
+        )
+        self._env_patch.start()
+        os.environ.pop("GITEA_ACTIVE_WORKTREE", None)
+        os.environ.pop("GITEA_AUTHOR_WORKTREE", None)
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        srv._preflight_in_test_mode = self._orig_in_test
+        self._env_patch.stop()
+
+    def test_runtime_context_and_guard_share_resolved_workspace(self):
+        with mock.patch.object(srv, "PROJECT_ROOT", MCP_PROCESS_ROOT):
+            ctx = srv._resolve_author_mutation_context(BRANCHES_WORKTREE)
+            status = srv.assess_preflight_status(worktree_path=BRANCHES_WORKTREE)
+        self.assertEqual(ctx["workspace_path"], os.path.realpath(BRANCHES_WORKTREE))
+        self.assertEqual(ctx["canonical_repo_root"], CONTROL_ROOT)
+        self.assertFalse(ctx["roots_aligned"])
+        self.assertEqual(
+            status["preflight_workspace"]["active_task_workspace_root"],
+            os.path.realpath(BRANCHES_WORKTREE),
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            status["preflight_workspace"]["canonical_repository_root"],
+            CONTROL_ROOT,
+        )
+        self.assertIn("workspace_root_mismatch", status["preflight_workspace"])
+
+    @mock.patch("subprocess.run")
+    @mock.patch("os.path.isdir", return_value=True)
+    @mock.patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
+    def test_declared_branches_worktree_passes_when_mcp_root_differs(
+        self, _exists, _isdir, mock_run
+    ):
+        mock_run.return_value = MagicMock(
+            returncode=0,
+            stdout=f"{CONTROL_ROOT}/.git\n",
+        )
+        with mock.patch.object(srv, "PROJECT_ROOT", MCP_PROCESS_ROOT):
+            with mock.patch.dict("os.environ", {"GITEA_TEST_PORCELAIN": ""}, clear=False):
+                srv.verify_preflight_purity(worktree_path=BRANCHES_WORKTREE)
+
+    def test_stable_checkout_still_rejected(self):
+        with mock.patch.object(srv, "PROJECT_ROOT", CONTROL_ROOT):
+            with mock.patch.dict("os.environ", {"GITEA_TEST_PORCELAIN": ""}, clear=False):
+                with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
+                    srv.verify_preflight_purity()
+        self.assertIn("stable control checkout", str(ctx.exception))
+
+    @mock.patch("os.path.isdir", return_value=True)
+    @mock.patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
+    @mock.patch("subprocess.run")
+    def test_non_branches_worktree_rejected(self, mock_run, *_exists):
+        outside = "/tmp/outside-repo-checkout"
+        mock_run.return_value = MagicMock(
+            returncode=0,
+            stdout=f"{CONTROL_ROOT}/.git\n",
+        )
+        with mock.patch.object(srv, "PROJECT_ROOT", CONTROL_ROOT):
+            with mock.patch.dict("os.environ", {"GITEA_TEST_PORCELAIN": ""}, clear=False):
+                with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
+                    srv.verify_preflight_purity(worktree_path=outside)
+        self.assertIn("not under", str(ctx.exception))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_worktrees.py

@@ -20,33 +20,50 @@ def run(script, *args):
             branch = arg
             break
 
-    lock_file = Path("/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json")
+    lock_dir_ctx = None
-    created_lock = False
+    extra_env = os.environ.copy()
     if script == "worktree-start" and branch:
         import re
-        import json
+        import tempfile
+        import issue_lock_store
+
         m = re.search(r"issue-(\d+)", branch)
         if not m:
             m = re.search(r"pr-(\d+)", branch)
         issue_num = int(m.group(1)) if m else 999
-        lock_file.write_text(json.dumps({
+        lock_dir_ctx = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        extra_env["GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR"] = lock_dir_ctx.name
+        record = {
             "issue_number": issue_num,
             "branch_name": branch,
             "remote": "prgs",
             "org": "Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
-            "repo": "Gitea-Tools"
+            "repo": "Gitea-Tools",
-        }), encoding="utf-8")
+            "worktree_path": "/tmp/test-worktree",
-        created_lock = True
+            "work_lease": {
+                "operation_type": "author_issue_work",
+                "expires_at": "2999-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+            },
+        }
+        path = issue_lock_store.lock_file_path(
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            issue_number=issue_num,
+            lock_dir=lock_dir_ctx.name,
+        )
+        issue_lock_store.save_lock_file(path, record)
 
     try:
         proc = subprocess.run(
             ["bash", str(SCRIPTS / script), *args],
             capture_output=True, text=True, cwd=str(REPO),
+            env=extra_env,
         )
         return proc.returncode, proc.stdout, proc.stderr
     finally:
-        if created_lock and lock_file.exists():
+        if lock_dir_ctx is not None:
-            lock_file.unlink()
+            lock_dir_ctx.cleanup()
 
 
 class TestWorktreeStart(unittest.TestCase):

validation_status_vocabulary.py

@@ -0,0 +1,205 @@
+"""Precise validation-status vocabulary for reviewer final reports (#406)."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import re
+from typing import Any
+
+from reviewer_merge_simulation import assess_merge_simulation_report
+
+STATUS_PASSED = "passed"
+STATUS_FAILED = "failed"
+STATUS_BASELINE_EQUIVALENT = "baseline-equivalent failure accepted"
+STATUS_MERGE_SIM_RESOLVED = "raw-head failure resolved by merge simulation"
+STATUS_TRANSIENT_PASS = "passed after transient failure investigation"
+
+ALLOWED_VALIDATION_STATUSES = frozenset({
+    STATUS_PASSED,
+    STATUS_FAILED,
+    STATUS_BASELINE_EQUIVALENT,
+    STATUS_MERGE_SIM_RESOLVED,
+    STATUS_TRANSIENT_PASS,
+})
+
+_STATUS_FIELD_RE = re.compile(
+    r"^\s*[-*]?\s*(?:validation status|pr-head validation status|"
+    r"official validation status)\s*:\s*(.+?)\s*$",
+    re.IGNORECASE | re.MULTILINE,
+)
+_RAW_HEAD_RESULT_RE = re.compile(
+    r"^\s*[-*]?\s*raw pr-head validation result\s*:\s*(.+?)\s*$",
+    re.IGNORECASE | re.MULTILINE,
+)
+_MERGE_SIM_RESULT_RE = re.compile(
+    r"^\s*[-*]?\s*merge simulation result\s*:\s*(.+?)\s*$",
+    re.IGNORECASE | re.MULTILINE,
+)
+_BASELINE_WORKTREE_USED_RE = re.compile(
+    r"^\s*[-*]?\s*baseline (?:validation )?worktree(?: used)?\s*:\s*(.+?)\s*$",
+    re.IGNORECASE | re.MULTILINE,
+)
+_BASELINE_TARGET_SHA_RE = re.compile(
+    r"^\s*[-*]?\s*baseline target sha\s*:\s*([0-9a-f]{7,40})\s*$",
+    re.IGNORECASE | re.MULTILINE,
+)
+_FAILURE_SIGNATURE_RE = re.compile(
+    r"failure signatures match\s*:\s*(true|yes)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_BASELINE_FAILURES_RE = re.compile(
+    r"baseline failures\s*:",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_TRANSIENT_HISTORY_RE = re.compile(
+    r"(?:transient validation failure|earlier validation failure|"
+    r"prior failure|failure history|failed then passed)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_FULL_SHA = re.compile(r"^[0-9a-f]{40}$", re.IGNORECASE)
+
+
+def _first_match(pattern: re.Pattern[str], text: str) -> str:
+    match = pattern.search(text or "")
+    return (match.group(1).strip() if match else "")
+
+
+def _normalize_status_label(raw: str) -> str:
+    text = (raw or "").strip().lower()
+    for status in ALLOWED_VALIDATION_STATUSES:
+        if text == status.lower():
+            return status
+    return raw.strip()
+
+
+def _baseline_proof_complete(text: str, baseline_proof: dict | None) -> bool:
+    proof = baseline_proof or {}
+    worktree = (
+        (proof.get("worktree_path") or "").strip()
+        or _first_match(_BASELINE_WORKTREE_USED_RE, text)
+    ).lower()
+    if not worktree or worktree in {"none", "n/a", "not used", "not applicable"}:
+        return False
+    if "branches/" not in worktree and not worktree.startswith("branches/"):
+        return False
+    target_sha = (proof.get("baseline_target_sha") or "").strip()
+    if not target_sha:
+        target_sha = _first_match(_BASELINE_TARGET_SHA_RE, text)
+    if not _FULL_SHA.match(target_sha or ""):
+        return False
+    if proof.get("failure_signatures_match") is True:
+        return True
+    if _FAILURE_SIGNATURE_RE.search(text) and _BASELINE_FAILURES_RE.search(text):
+        return True
+    return False
+
+
+def _merge_simulation_passed(text: str, command_log: list | None) -> bool:
+    merge_result = _first_match(_MERGE_SIM_RESULT_RE, text).lower()
+    if merge_result in {"passed", "pass", "clean", "succeeded", "success"}:
+        sim = assess_merge_simulation_report(text, command_log=command_log)
+        return sim.get("proven") and not sim.get("block")
+    if "pass" in merge_result and "fail" not in merge_result:
+        sim = assess_merge_simulation_report(text, command_log=command_log)
+        return sim.get("proven") and not sim.get("block")
+    return False
+
+
+def _raw_head_failed(text: str) -> bool:
+    raw = _first_match(_RAW_HEAD_RESULT_RE, text).lower()
+    if raw in {"failed", "fail", "failure"}:
+        return True
+    if "fail" in raw and "pass" not in raw:
+        return True
+    return bool(re.search(r"\bfailed\b.*pr-head validation", text, re.IGNORECASE))
+
+
+def _raw_head_passed(text: str) -> bool:
+    raw = _first_match(_RAW_HEAD_RESULT_RE, text).lower()
+    return raw in {"passed", "pass", "success"}
+
+
+def assess_validation_status_vocabulary(
+    report_text: str,
+    *,
+    command_log: list | None = None,
+    baseline_proof: dict | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Bind validation-status labels to the proof path that actually ran (#406)."""
+    text = report_text or ""
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+    status_raw = _first_match(_STATUS_FIELD_RE, text)
+    status = _normalize_status_label(status_raw) if status_raw else ""
+
+    if status_raw and status not in ALLOWED_VALIDATION_STATUSES:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"unknown validation status {status_raw!r}; use one of "
+            f"{sorted(ALLOWED_VALIDATION_STATUSES)}"
+        )
+
+    if status == STATUS_BASELINE_EQUIVALENT:
+        if not _baseline_proof_complete(text, baseline_proof):
+            reasons.append(
+                "baseline-equivalent failure accepted requires baseline "
+                "worktree path, baseline target SHA, and matching failure "
+                "signatures (#406)"
+            )
+
+    if status == STATUS_MERGE_SIM_RESOLVED:
+        if not _raw_head_failed(text):
+            reasons.append(
+                "raw-head failure resolved by merge simulation requires "
+                "raw PR-head validation result: failed (#406)"
+            )
+        if not _merge_simulation_passed(text, command_log):
+            reasons.append(
+                "raw-head failure resolved by merge simulation requires "
+                "passing merge simulation with worktree/index mutation proof "
+                "(#317/#406)"
+            )
+
+    if status == STATUS_TRANSIENT_PASS:
+        if not _TRANSIENT_HISTORY_RE.search(text):
+            reasons.append(
+                "passed after transient failure investigation requires "
+                "documented earlier validation failure history (#396/#406)"
+            )
+
+    if status == STATUS_PASSED and _raw_head_failed(text):
+        reasons.append(
+            "validation status passed contradicts raw PR-head validation "
+            "failure; use a precise status (#406)"
+        )
+
+    if status == STATUS_BASELINE_EQUIVALENT and _merge_simulation_passed(
+        text, command_log
+    ) and not _baseline_proof_complete(text, baseline_proof):
+        reasons.append(
+            "baseline-equivalent failure accepted is misleading when only "
+            "merge simulation resolved the failure; use "
+            "'raw-head failure resolved by merge simulation' (#406)"
+        )
+
+    if status == STATUS_FAILED and _merge_simulation_passed(text, command_log):
+        reasons.append(
+            "validation status failed contradicts passing merge simulation; "
+            "report the precise resolution status (#406)"
+        )
+
+    block = bool(reasons)
+    return {
+        "block": block,
+        "proven": not block,
+        "status_claimed": status or None,
+        "raw_status_label": status_raw or None,
+        "raw_head_failed": _raw_head_failed(text),
+        "raw_head_passed": _raw_head_passed(text),
+        "merge_simulation_passed": _merge_simulation_passed(text, command_log),
+        "baseline_proof_complete": _baseline_proof_complete(text, baseline_proof),
+        "reasons": reasons,
+        "safe_next_action": (
+            "use a validation status that matches the proof path executed "
+            "(baseline worktree, merge simulation, or transient history)"
+            if reasons
+            else "proceed"
+        ),
+    }