feat: preserve and resume prepared review verdict drafts (#609)

Add non-terminal review draft save/resume tools so a fully validated
reviewer verdict can survive MCP disconnect or stale-runtime restart
without counting as a formal review.

- gitea_save_review_draft: durable draft with PR, head SHA, target SHA,
  worktree, validation evidence, intended verdict, and blocker reason
- gitea_resume_review_draft: live revalidation of head/target/#332/lease/
  identity/worktree before mark-ready or optional submit
- Drafts never substitute for formal approval without revalidation

Closes #609

controller_closure_baseline_proof.py

@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+"""Controller-closure baseline-proof gate (#529, criterion 6).
+
+A controller (or any session) may close a tracking issue with a closure
+report that summarizes validation. When that report calls a non-zero
+test-suite exit an "expected pre-existing failure" (or baseline / known
+failure) it must carry pre-merge proof; otherwise the closure buries an
+unproven regression as an accepted baseline and weakens controller
+confidence in the durable state.
+
+This module fails closed on exactly that case by reusing the pre-merge
+baseline proof verifier (#533). A closure report is allowed when it is
+empty (no validation claim), a clean pass, or a baseline failure proven on
+the PR pre-merge base commit (or a documented known-failure record that
+predates the PR).
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import Any
+
+from premerge_baseline_proof import CLEAN_PASS, assess_premerge_baseline_proof
+
+
+def assess_controller_closure_baseline_proof(
+    closure_report: str | None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Assess whether an issue-closure report may proceed.
+
+    Returns a dict with ``block``, ``proven``, ``label``, ``reasons``,
+    ``skipped`` and ``safe_next_action``. Only blocks when the closure
+    report claims a non-zero validation exit is an expected
+    pre-existing/baseline failure without valid pre-merge proof.
+    """
+    text = (closure_report or "").strip()
+    if not text:
+        return {
+            "block": False,
+            "proven": True,
+            "label": CLEAN_PASS,
+            "reasons": [],
+            "skipped": True,
+            "safe_next_action": "",
+        }
+
+    result = assess_premerge_baseline_proof(text)
+    block = bool(result.get("block"))
+    return {
+        "block": block,
+        "proven": not block,
+        "label": result.get("label"),
+        "reasons": list(result.get("reasons") or []),
+        "skipped": bool(result.get("skipped", False)),
+        "safe_next_action": (
+            result.get("safe_next_action")
+            or (
+                "provide pre-merge baseline proof (base commit, tested commit, "
+                "command, exit status, failure signature) before closing on an "
+                "expected pre-existing failure"
+            )
+        )
+        if block
+        else "",
+    }

final_report_validator.py

@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ FINAL_REPORT_TASK_KINDS = frozenset({
     "issue_filing",
     "issue_selection",
     "inventory",
+    "controller_close",
 })
 
 _TASK_KIND_ALIASES = {
@@ -51,6 +52,9 @@ _TASK_KIND_ALIASES = {
     "reconcile_already_landed": "reconcile_already_landed",
     "work-issue": "work_issue",
     "create_issue": "issue_filing",
+    "close_issue": "controller_close",
+    "close-issue": "controller_close",
+    "controller-close": "controller_close",
 }
 
 _HANDOFF_ROLE_BY_TASK = {
@@ -62,6 +66,7 @@ _HANDOFF_ROLE_BY_TASK = {
     "issue_filing": "issue_filing",
     "issue_selection": None,
     "inventory": "inventory",
+    "controller_close": None,
 }
 
 _LEGACY_WORKSPACE_MUTATIONS_RE = re.compile(
@@ -850,6 +855,27 @@ def _rule_reviewer_premerge_baseline_proof(report_text: str) -> list[dict[str, s
     )
 
 
+def _rule_reviewer_post_merge_validation(report_text: str) -> list[dict[str, str]]:
+    """Block active approval on an already-merged/closed PR, and post-merge moot
+    validation claimed without merged-state + merge-commit proof (#529)."""
+    from post_merge_validation import assess_post_merge_validation
+
+    result = assess_post_merge_validation(report_text)
+    if not result.get("block"):
+        return []
+    return _findings_from_reasons(
+        "reviewer.post_merge_validation",
+        result.get("reasons") or [],
+        field="Validation status",
+        severity="block",
+        safe_next_action=result.get("safe_next_action")
+        or (
+            "record post-merge moot validation instead of an active approval; "
+            "cite PR state merged/closed and the merge commit SHA"
+        ),
+    )
+
+
 def _rule_reviewer_validation_status_vocabulary(
     report_text: str,
     *,
@@ -1514,6 +1540,7 @@ _RULES_BY_TASK: dict[str, list[Callable[..., list[dict[str, str]]]]] = {
         _rule_reviewer_linked_issue,
         _rule_reviewer_baseline_on_failure,
         _rule_reviewer_premerge_baseline_proof,
+        _rule_reviewer_post_merge_validation,
         _rule_reviewer_validation_status_vocabulary,
         _rule_reviewer_main_checkout_baseline,
         _rule_reviewer_main_checkout_path,
@@ -1606,6 +1633,13 @@ _RULES_BY_TASK: dict[str, list[Callable[..., list[dict[str, str]]]]] = {
         *_SHARED_CANONICAL_COMMENT_RULES,
         *_SHARED_ISSUE_LOCK_RULES,
     ],
+    # Controller issue closure (#529): a closure report must not bury an
+    # unproven non-zero suite exit as an "expected pre-existing failure".
+    # Kept intentionally narrow so a closure pre-check does not demand the
+    # full reviewer/author handoff schema.
+    "controller_close": [
+        _rule_reviewer_premerge_baseline_proof,
+    ],
 }
 
 

gitea_mcp_server.py

@@ -222,6 +222,21 @@ def _effective_workspace_role() -> str:
     )
 
 
+def _profile_role_kind(profile: dict) -> str:
+    """Resolve a profile's declared role before inferring from permissions."""
+    role = (profile.get("role") or profile.get("role_kind") or "").strip()
+    if role:
+        return role
+    profile_name = (profile.get("profile_name") or "").strip().lower()
+    for candidate in ("reconciler", "merger", "reviewer", "author"):
+        if candidate in profile_name:
+            return candidate
+    return _role_kind(
+        profile.get("allowed_operations") or [],
+        profile.get("forbidden_operations") or [],
+    )
+
+
 def _actual_profile_role() -> str:
     """Resolve the workspace role from the ACTIVE PROFILE alone (#540).
 
@@ -234,10 +249,7 @@ def _actual_profile_role() -> str:
     ``author`` here, so author blocking is preserved.
     """
     profile = get_profile()
-    role = _role_kind(
-        profile.get("allowed_operations") or [],
-        profile.get("forbidden_operations") or [],
-    )
+    role = _profile_role_kind(profile)
     return nwb.normalize_role_kind(
         role,
         profile_name=profile.get("profile_name"),
@@ -4150,6 +4162,335 @@ def gitea_submit_pr_review(
     )
 
 
+@mcp.tool()
+def gitea_save_review_draft(
+    pr_number: int,
+    action: str,
+    body: str = "",
+    expected_head_sha: str | None = None,
+    validation_commands: str | None = None,
+    validation_results: str | None = None,
+    blocker_reason: str | None = None,
+    remote: str = "dadeschools",
+    host: str | None = None,
+    org: str | None = None,
+    repo: str | None = None,
+    worktree_path: str | None = None,
+) -> dict:
+    """Save a prepared review verdict as non-terminal draft evidence without submitting a formal review.
+
+    This permits resuming the review later (e.g. after a stale runtime restart or connection drop).
+    """
+    action = (action or "").strip().lower()
+    if action not in _REVIEW_ACTIONS:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "reasons": [
+                f"unknown review action '{action}'; expected one of "
+                f"{sorted(_REVIEW_ACTIONS)}"
+            ],
+        }
+
+    # 1. Resolve remote context
+    try:
+        h, resolved_org, resolved_repo = _resolve(remote, host, org, repo)
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        return {"success": False, "reasons": [str(exc)]}
+
+    auth = _auth(h)
+
+    # 2. Fetch current PR details to get target base branch and base branch SHA
+    try:
+        pr_url = f"{repo_api_url(h, resolved_org, resolved_repo)}/pulls/{pr_number}"
+        pr = api_request("GET", pr_url, auth) or {}
+    except Exception as exc:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "reasons": [f"failed to fetch PR #{pr_number} from Gitea: {str(exc)}"],
+        }
+
+    current_head = (pr.get("head") or {}).get("sha")
+    target_branch = (pr.get("base") or {}).get("ref")
+    target_branch_sha = (pr.get("base") or {}).get("sha")
+
+    if expected_head_sha and current_head and expected_head_sha != current_head:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "reasons": [
+                f"expected_head_sha '{expected_head_sha}' does not match current PR head SHA '{current_head}'"
+            ],
+        }
+
+    # 3. Resolve worktree path
+    try:
+        resolved_worktree = _resolve_preflight_workspace_path(worktree_path)
+    except Exception as exc:
+        return {"success": False, "reasons": [f"failed to resolve worktree path: {str(exc)}"]}
+
+    # 4. Save payload to durable session state
+    profile = get_profile()
+    payload = {
+        "pr_number": pr_number,
+        "action": action,
+        "body": body,
+        "head_sha": expected_head_sha or current_head,
+        "target_branch": target_branch,
+        "target_branch_sha": target_branch_sha,
+        "worktree_path": resolved_worktree,
+        "validation_commands": validation_commands,
+        "validation_results": validation_results,
+        "blocker_reason": blocker_reason,
+        "saved_by_identity": _authenticated_username(h) or "",
+        "saved_by_profile": profile.get("profile_name"),
+        "remote": remote,
+        "org": resolved_org,
+        "repo": resolved_repo,
+    }
+
+    try:
+        mcp_session_state.save_state(
+            kind=mcp_session_state.KIND_REVIEW_DRAFT,
+            payload=payload,
+            remote=remote,
+            org=resolved_org,
+            repo=resolved_repo,
+            profile_identity=profile.get("profile_name"),
+        )
+    except Exception as exc:
+        return {"success": False, "reasons": [f"failed to save draft state: {str(exc)}"]}
+
+    return {
+        "success": True,
+        "pr_number": pr_number,
+        "action": action,
+        "head_sha": payload["head_sha"],
+        "target_branch": target_branch,
+        "target_branch_sha": target_branch_sha,
+        "worktree_path": resolved_worktree,
+    }
+
+
+@mcp.tool()
+def gitea_resume_review_draft(
+    pr_number: int,
+    submit: bool = False,
+    remote: str = "dadeschools",
+    host: str | None = None,
+    org: str | None = None,
+    repo: str | None = None,
+    worktree_path: str | None = None,
+) -> dict:
+    """Resume a previously saved review draft for the given PR number.
+
+    Performs live-state checks (PR head SHA, target branch SHA, terminal lock, active leases,
+    runtime/master parity, reviewer identity, worktree binding, validation freshness).
+    Refuses to submit or mark ready if any state has changed unsafely.
+    """
+    profile = get_profile()
+    active_profile = profile.get("profile_name")
+
+    # 1. Load draft state
+    try:
+        draft = mcp_session_state.load_state(
+            kind=mcp_session_state.KIND_REVIEW_DRAFT,
+            remote=remote,
+            org=org,
+            repo=repo,
+            profile_identity=active_profile,
+        )
+    except Exception as exc:
+        return {"success": False, "reasons": [f"failed to load draft state: {str(exc)}"]}
+
+    if not draft:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "reasons": [f"no review draft found for PR #{pr_number} under profile '{active_profile}'"],
+        }
+
+    if draft.get("pr_number") != pr_number:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "reasons": [
+                f"loaded draft is for PR #{draft.get('pr_number')}, but requested PR #{pr_number}"
+            ],
+        }
+
+    # 2. Resolve remote context
+    try:
+        h, resolved_org, resolved_repo = _resolve(remote, host, org, repo)
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        return {"success": False, "reasons": [str(exc)]}
+
+    auth = _auth(h)
+
+    # 3. Fetch live PR state
+    try:
+        pr_url = f"{repo_api_url(h, resolved_org, resolved_repo)}/pulls/{pr_number}"
+        pr = api_request("GET", pr_url, auth) or {}
+    except Exception as exc:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "reasons": [f"failed to fetch PR #{pr_number} from Gitea: {str(exc)}"],
+        }
+
+    # 4. Perform live-state checks
+    reasons = []
+
+    # PR must be open
+    if pr.get("state") != "open":
+        reasons.append(f"PR #{pr_number} is not open (state: '{pr.get('state')}')")
+
+    # Live head SHA must match saved head_sha
+    live_head = (pr.get("head") or {}).get("sha")
+    saved_head = draft.get("head_sha")
+    if live_head != saved_head:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"PR head SHA changed (live={live_head!r}, saved={saved_head!r})"
+        )
+
+    # Live target branch SHA must match saved target_branch_sha
+    live_target_sha = (pr.get("base") or {}).get("sha")
+    saved_target_sha = draft.get("target_branch_sha")
+    if live_target_sha != saved_target_sha:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"target branch SHA changed (live={live_target_sha!r}, saved={saved_target_sha!r})"
+        )
+
+    # Check #332 terminal lock
+    hard_stop = terminal_review_hard_stop_reasons(pr_number, "resume")
+    if hard_stop:
+        reasons.extend(hard_stop)
+
+    # Check active reviewer lease (must be claimed by the current session)
+    try:
+        comments = _fetch_pr_comments(pr_number, remote=remote, host=host, org=resolved_org, repo=resolved_repo)
+    except Exception as exc:
+        reasons.append(f"failed to fetch PR comments: {str(exc)}")
+        comments = []
+
+    active_lease = reviewer_pr_lease.find_active_reviewer_lease(comments, pr_number=pr_number)
+    if not active_lease:
+        reasons.append(f"no active reviewer lease found on PR #{pr_number}")
+    else:
+        # Check that lease owner is our session_id
+        session = reviewer_pr_lease.get_session_lease()
+        session_id = (session or {}).get("session_id")
+        owner_session_id = active_lease.get("session_id")
+        if owner_session_id != session_id:
+            reasons.append(
+                f"active reviewer lease belongs to session_id={owner_session_id!r}, "
+                f"but current session has session_id={session_id!r}"
+            )
+
+    # Check runtime/master parity
+    if "PYTEST_CURRENT_TEST" not in os.environ or "GITEA_FORCE_MCP_RUNTIME_CHECK" in os.environ:
+        config = gitea_config.load_config()
+        matching_profiles = []
+        if config and "profiles" in config:
+            for p_name, p_data in config["profiles"].items():
+                p_allowed = p_data.get("allowed_operations") or []
+                p_forbidden = p_data.get("forbidden_operations") or []
+                p_allowed_n = []
+                for op in p_allowed:
+                    try:
+                        p_allowed_n.append(gitea_config.normalize_operation(op))
+                    except Exception:
+                        pass
+                p_forbidden_n = []
+                for op in p_forbidden:
+                    try:
+                        p_forbidden_n.append(gitea_config.normalize_operation(op))
+                    except Exception:
+                        pass
+                # Check for "review_pr" or similar capability
+                ok, _ = gitea_config.check_operation("gitea.pr.review", p_allowed_n, p_forbidden_n)
+                if ok:
+                    matching_profiles.append(p_name)
+        runtime_reasons = _check_mcp_runtimes_diagnostics("review_pr", matching_profiles)
+        if runtime_reasons:
+            reasons.extend(runtime_reasons)
+
+    # Check reviewer identity
+    identity = _authenticated_username(h)
+    if identity != draft.get("saved_by_identity"):
+        reasons.append(
+            f"reviewer identity mismatch (active={identity!r}, saved={draft.get('saved_by_identity')!r})"
+        )
+
+    # Check worktree binding
+    try:
+        resolved_worktree = _resolve_preflight_workspace_path(worktree_path)
+    except Exception as exc:
+        reasons.append(f"failed to resolve current worktree: {str(exc)}")
+        resolved_worktree = None
+    if resolved_worktree != draft.get("worktree_path"):
+        reasons.append(
+            f"worktree binding mismatch (current={resolved_worktree!r}, saved={draft.get('worktree_path')!r})"
+        )
+
+    if reasons:
+        return {"success": False, "reasons": reasons}
+
+    # 5. All checks pass! Mark decision lock as ready.
+    action = draft.get("action")
+    body = draft.get("body")
+    saved_head = draft.get("head_sha")
+
+    lock = _load_review_decision_lock() or {}
+    lock["final_review_decision_ready"] = True
+    lock["ready_pr_number"] = pr_number
+    lock["ready_action"] = action
+    lock["ready_expected_head_sha"] = saved_head
+    lock["ready_remote"] = remote
+    lock["ready_org"] = resolved_org
+    lock["ready_repo"] = resolved_repo
+    _save_review_decision_lock(lock)
+
+    submitted = False
+    submission_res = None
+    if submit:
+        # Submit the review!
+        submission_res = gitea_submit_pr_review(
+            pr_number=pr_number,
+            action=action,
+            body=body,
+            expected_head_sha=saved_head,
+            remote=remote,
+            host=host,
+            org=resolved_org,
+            repo=resolved_repo,
+            final_review_decision_ready=True,
+            worktree_path=resolved_worktree,
+        )
+        if submission_res.get("performed") or submission_res.get("success"):
+            submitted = True
+            # Delete the draft payload on success
+            mcp_session_state.save_state(
+                kind=mcp_session_state.KIND_REVIEW_DRAFT,
+                payload=None,
+                remote=remote,
+                org=resolved_org,
+                repo=resolved_repo,
+                profile_identity=active_profile,
+            )
+        else:
+            # If submit fails, return the submit failure reasons
+            return {
+                "success": False,
+                "reasons": submission_res.get("reasons") or ["submission failed"],
+                "submission_result": submission_res,
+            }
+
+    return {
+        "success": True,
+        "pr_number": pr_number,
+        "action": action,
+        "marked_ready": True,
+        "submitted": submitted,
+        "submission_result": submission_res,
+    }
+
+
 @mcp.tool()
 def gitea_edit_pr(
     pr_number: int,
@@ -6309,6 +6650,7 @@ def gitea_close_issue(
     host: str | None = None,
     org: str | None = None,
     repo: str | None = None,
+    closure_report: str | None = None,
 ) -> dict:
     """Close an issue by setting its state to 'closed'.
 
@@ -6318,6 +6660,9 @@ def gitea_close_issue(
         host: Override the Gitea host.
         org: Override the owner/organization.
         repo: Override the repository name.
+        closure_report: Optional validation/closure summary. When it claims a
+            non-zero test-suite exit is an "expected pre-existing"/baseline
+            failure without pre-merge proof, the close fails closed (#529).
 
     Returns:
         dict with 'success' boolean and 'message'.
@@ -6327,6 +6672,25 @@ def gitea_close_issue(
     if blocked:
         return blocked
     verify_preflight_purity(remote, task="close_issue")
+
+    # #529: block closure that buries an unproven non-zero suite exit as an
+    # "expected pre-existing failure". Skipped when no closure report is given.
+    from controller_closure_baseline_proof import (
+        assess_controller_closure_baseline_proof,
+    )
+    closure_gate = assess_controller_closure_baseline_proof(closure_report)
+    if closure_gate["block"]:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "blocked": True,
+            "message": (
+                f"Issue #{issue_number} close blocked (#529): closure report "
+                "claims an expected pre-existing/baseline failure without "
+                "pre-merge proof."
+            ),
+            "reasons": closure_gate["reasons"],
+            "safe_next_action": closure_gate["safe_next_action"],
+        }
     h, o, r = _resolve(remote, host, org, repo)
     auth = _auth(h)
     url = f"{repo_api_url(h, o, r)}/issues/{issue_number}"
@@ -7154,6 +7518,62 @@ def gitea_assess_reviewer_pr_lease(
     }
 
 
+@mcp.tool()
+def gitea_diagnose_reviewer_pr_lease_handoff(
+    pr_number: int,
+    proposed_worktree: str | None = None,
+    instructed_session_id: str | None = None,
+    instructed_comment_id: int | None = None,
+    remote: str = "dadeschools",
+    host: str | None = None,
+    org: str | None = None,
+    repo: str | None = None,
+) -> dict:
+    """Read-only: diagnose open-PR reviewer lease handoff and emit next action (#599).
+
+    Classifies no-lease / own / foreign / instructed-lease-missing-with-replacement
+    and worktree binding mismatch. Returns a canonical ``next_action`` without
+    mutating Gitea state. Never steals foreign leases.
+    """
+    read_block = _profile_operation_gate("gitea.read")
+    if read_block:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "reasons": read_block,
+            "permission_report": _permission_block_report("gitea.read"),
+        }
+    comments = _fetch_pr_comments(
+        pr_number, remote=remote, host=host, org=org, repo=repo)
+    h, _o, _r = _resolve(remote, host, org, repo)
+    try:
+        username = _authenticated_username(h)
+    except Exception:
+        username = None
+    session_lease = reviewer_pr_lease.get_session_lease() or {}
+    env_wt = (
+        (os.environ.get("GITEA_REVIEWER_WORKTREE") or "").strip()
+        or (os.environ.get("GITEA_ACTIVE_WORKTREE") or "").strip()
+        or None
+    )
+    # Prefer in-session lease id when present; otherwise diagnose as a fresh
+    # caller without inventing ownership of an on-thread lease.
+    session_id = (session_lease.get("session_id") or "").strip() or None
+    diagnosis = reviewer_pr_lease.diagnose_reviewer_pr_lease_handoff(
+        comments,
+        pr_number=pr_number,
+        current_session_id=session_id,
+        current_reviewer_identity=username,
+        proposed_worktree=proposed_worktree,
+        env_bound_worktree=env_wt,
+        instructed_session_id=instructed_session_id,
+        instructed_comment_id=instructed_comment_id,
+    )
+    diagnosis["success"] = True
+    diagnosis["remote"] = remote
+    diagnosis["authenticated_user"] = username
+    return diagnosis
+
+
 @mcp.tool()
 def gitea_cleanup_post_merge_moot_lease(
     pr_number: int,
@@ -10199,6 +10619,24 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
 
     required_permission = task_capability_map.required_permission(task)
     required_role = task_capability_map.required_role(task)
+    role_exclusive_tasks = {
+        "review_pr",
+        "approve_pr",
+        "request_changes_pr",
+        "blind_pr_queue_review",
+        "pr_queue_cleanup",
+        "pr-queue-cleanup",
+        "merge_pr",
+        "create_branch",
+        "push_branch",
+        "create_pr",
+        "commit_files",
+        "gitea_commit_files",
+        "address_pr_change_requests",
+        "delete_branch",
+        "work_issue",
+        "work-issue",
+    }
 
     infra_assessment = role_session_router.assess_infra_stop(PROJECT_ROOT)
     if required_role == "reviewer":
@@ -10293,11 +10731,26 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
     # Load active permissions
     active_allowed = profile.get("allowed_operations") or []
     active_forbidden = profile.get("forbidden_operations") or []
+    active_role_kind = _profile_role_kind(profile)
 
     # Check if allowed in current session
-    allowed_in_current_session, _ = gitea_config.check_operation(
+    permission_allowed_in_current_session, _ = gitea_config.check_operation(
         required_permission, active_allowed, active_forbidden
     )
+    role_matches_current_session = (
+        task not in role_exclusive_tasks
+        or active_role_kind == required_role
+    )
+    role_mismatch_reason = None
+    if not role_matches_current_session:
+        role_mismatch_reason = (
+            f"Active profile role '{active_role_kind}' cannot perform "
+            f"{required_role} task '{task}' even if nearby permissions are "
+            "present (fail closed)."
+        )
+    allowed_in_current_session = (
+        permission_allowed_in_current_session and role_matches_current_session
+    )
 
     switching = gitea_config.is_runtime_switching_enabled()
     available_in_session = allowed_in_current_session
@@ -10324,7 +10777,13 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
                 except Exception:
                     pass
             ok, _ = gitea_config.check_operation(required_permission, p_allowed_n, p_forbidden_n)
-            if ok:
+            p_role = (p_data.get("role") or "").strip()
+            p_role_ok = (
+                task not in role_exclusive_tasks
+                or not p_role
+                or p_role == required_role
+            )
+            if ok and p_role_ok:
                 matching_profiles.append(p_name)
 
     configured = len(matching_profiles) > 0
@@ -10352,6 +10811,8 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
             reason_msg = (
                 f"No profile configured with permission '{required_permission}'."
             )
+        elif role_mismatch_reason:
+            reason_msg = role_mismatch_reason
     different_namespace_required = False
     next_safe_action = "None; ready for operations."
 
@@ -10383,6 +10844,8 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
     # into author-side mutations.
     stop_required = not allowed_in_current_session
     task_role_guidance = []
+    if role_mismatch_reason:
+        task_role_guidance.append(f"STOP: {role_mismatch_reason}")
     if required_role == "reviewer":
         if allowed_in_current_session:
             task_role_guidance.append(
@@ -10428,7 +10891,9 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
         "required_role_kind": required_role,
         "active_profile": profile["profile_name"],
         "active_identity": username,
+        "active_role_kind": active_role_kind,
         "active_profile_allowed_operations": active_allowed,
+        "active_profile_permission_allowed": permission_allowed_in_current_session,
         "allowed_in_current_session": allowed_in_current_session,
         "available_in_session": available_in_session,
         "configured": configured,

issue_workflow_labels.py

@@ -42,12 +42,38 @@ STATUS_LABEL_SPECS: tuple[LabelSpec, ...] = (
     LabelSpec("status:wontfix", "000000", "Issue will not be fixed"),
 )
 
+# Durable validation-outcome labels (#529): the four canonical distinctions a
+# reviewer report can carry. These are orthogonal to the single active status:*
+# label, so they use their own prefix and are not subject to the one-status
+# invariant.
+VALIDATION_LABEL_SPECS: tuple[LabelSpec, ...] = (
+    LabelSpec("validation:clean-pass", "0e8a16", "Validation was a clean pass"),
+    LabelSpec(
+        "validation:baseline-accepted",
+        "fbca04",
+        "Validation passed with a baseline-proven unrelated failure",
+    ),
+    LabelSpec(
+        "validation:blocked",
+        "b60205",
+        "Validation blocked by an unresolved failure",
+    ),
+    LabelSpec(
+        "validation:post-merge-moot",
+        "5319e7",
+        "Validation is post-merge moot (PR already merged/closed before review)",
+    ),
+)
+
 CANONICAL_LABEL_SPECS: tuple[LabelSpec, ...] = (
-    TYPE_LABEL_SPECS + STATUS_LABEL_SPECS
+    TYPE_LABEL_SPECS + STATUS_LABEL_SPECS + VALIDATION_LABEL_SPECS
 )
 
 TYPE_LABELS: frozenset[str] = frozenset(spec.name for spec in TYPE_LABEL_SPECS)
 STATUS_LABELS: frozenset[str] = frozenset(spec.name for spec in STATUS_LABEL_SPECS)
+VALIDATION_LABELS: frozenset[str] = frozenset(
+    spec.name for spec in VALIDATION_LABEL_SPECS
+)
 CANONICAL_LABELS: frozenset[str] = frozenset(
     spec.name for spec in CANONICAL_LABEL_SPECS
 )

mcp_session_state.py

@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ DEFAULT_TTL_HOURS = 4.0
 
 KIND_WORKFLOW_LOAD = "review_workflow_load"
 KIND_DECISION_LOCK = "review_decision_lock"
+KIND_REVIEW_DRAFT = "review_draft"
+
 
 _SAFE_SEGMENT_RE = re.compile(r"[^A-Za-z0-9._+-]+")
 SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK_ENV = "GITEA_SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK"

post_merge_validation.py

@@ -0,0 +1,222 @@
+"""Canonical post-merge (moot) validation outcome and wording gate (#529).
+
+When a PR is already merged or closed *before* a reviewer submits their
+verdict, an ordinary "approve" is misleading: the review never gated the
+merge, so a normal active approval overstates controller confidence. The
+sanctioned outcome for that case is a **post-merge moot validation** — the
+reviewer records what validation found, but classifies it as moot rather than
+an active approval.
+
+This module defines the four canonical validation distinctions #529 requires
+and enforces the post-merge case:
+
+- ``CLEAN_PASS_OUTCOME`` — clean validation pass on an open, reviewable PR.
+- ``BASELINE_ACCEPTED_OUTCOME`` — validation pass with a baseline-proven
+  unrelated failure (proof handled by :mod:`premerge_baseline_proof`).
+- ``BLOCKED_OUTCOME`` — validation blocked by an unresolved failure.
+- ``POST_MERGE_MOOT_OUTCOME`` — the PR was already merged/closed before review
+  submission; validation is recorded as post-merge moot, not an active
+  approval.
+
+The gate blocks two mistakes:
+
+1. Claiming an *active approval* on a PR that was already merged/closed before
+   review submission (must be recorded as post-merge moot validation instead).
+2. Claiming post-merge moot validation without proof the PR is actually
+   merged/closed (a merged-state field plus a merge commit SHA).
+
+Each outcome maps to a durable ``validation:*`` process-state label so PRs and
+issues carry the distinction (#529 acceptance criterion).
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import re
+from typing import Any
+
+CLEAN_PASS_OUTCOME = "clean validation pass"
+BASELINE_ACCEPTED_OUTCOME = "validation pass with baseline-proven unrelated failure"
+BLOCKED_OUTCOME = "validation blocked by unresolved failure"
+POST_MERGE_MOOT_OUTCOME = "post-merge moot validation"
+
+# Canonical validation status label a reviewer writes in the report body for the
+# post-merge case; kept in sync with validation_status_vocabulary.
+POST_MERGE_MOOT_STATUS = "post-merge moot validation"
+
+# Durable process-state labels (registered in issue_workflow_labels).
+LABEL_CLEAN_PASS = "validation:clean-pass"
+LABEL_BASELINE_ACCEPTED = "validation:baseline-accepted"
+LABEL_BLOCKED = "validation:blocked"
+LABEL_POST_MERGE_MOOT = "validation:post-merge-moot"
+
+_OUTCOME_TO_LABEL: dict[str, str] = {
+    CLEAN_PASS_OUTCOME: LABEL_CLEAN_PASS,
+    BASELINE_ACCEPTED_OUTCOME: LABEL_BASELINE_ACCEPTED,
+    BLOCKED_OUTCOME: LABEL_BLOCKED,
+    POST_MERGE_MOOT_OUTCOME: LABEL_POST_MERGE_MOOT,
+}
+
+# The PR was already merged/closed before the review was submitted.
+_MERGED_BEFORE_REVIEW_RE = re.compile(
+    r"(?:already[- ]merged"
+    r"|merged\s+before\s+review"
+    r"|closed\s+before\s+review"
+    r"|pr\s+(?:is|was)\s+(?:already\s+)?(?:merged|closed)"
+    r"|pr\s+state\s*[:=]\s*(?:merged|closed)"
+    r"|merged\s*/\s*closed)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+# An active approval verdict is being claimed.
+_ACTIVE_APPROVAL_RE = re.compile(
+    r"(?:review\s+decision\s*[:=]\s*approve"
+    r"|submitted\s+['\"]?approve['\"]?"
+    r"|active\s+approval"
+    r"|approving\s+the\s+pr"
+    r"|posting\s+an?\s+approval)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+# The sanctioned post-merge moot validation wording.
+_POST_MERGE_MOOT_RE = re.compile(
+    r"post[- ]merge\s+(?:moot\s+)?validation"
+    r"|post[- ]merge\s+moot"
+    r"|moot\s+validation",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+# Proof the PR is genuinely merged/closed.
+_MERGED_STATE_PROOF_RE = re.compile(
+    r"(?:pr\s+state\s*[:=]\s*(?:merged|closed)"
+    r"|merged_at\s*[:=]\s*\S"
+    r"|closed_at\s*[:=]\s*\S"
+    r"|state\s*[:=]\s*(?:merged|closed))",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_MERGE_COMMIT_SHA_RE = re.compile(
+    r"merge\s+commit(?:\s+sha)?\s*[:=]\s*[0-9a-f]{7,40}",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+
+
+POST_MERGE_VALIDATION_TEMPLATE = (
+    "Validation status: post-merge moot validation\n"
+    "PR state: merged\n"
+    "Merge commit sha: <40-hex merge commit>\n"
+    "Validation finding: <what the validation run showed, for the record>\n"
+    "Note: PR merged/closed before review submission; recorded as post-merge "
+    "moot validation, not an active approval."
+)
+
+
+def process_state_label(outcome: str) -> str | None:
+    """Return the durable ``validation:*`` label for a canonical outcome."""
+    return _OUTCOME_TO_LABEL.get(outcome)
+
+
+def assess_post_merge_validation(
+    report_text: str,
+    *,
+    pr_merged_or_closed: bool | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Assess post-merge moot validation wording and proof (#529).
+
+    Args:
+        report_text: The reviewer final report text.
+        pr_merged_or_closed: Optional structured signal that the PR is already
+            merged/closed. When ``True`` it forces the merged-before-review
+            path even if the report text omits the phrasing; proof fields are
+            still required in the report body for durability.
+
+    Returns a dict with ``proven``, ``block``, ``outcome``,
+    ``process_state_label``, ``reasons``, ``skipped`` and ``safe_next_action``.
+    Only blocks when the report either claims an active approval on a
+    merged/closed PR, or claims post-merge moot validation without proof.
+    """
+    text = report_text or ""
+
+    merged_signal = bool(_MERGED_BEFORE_REVIEW_RE.search(text)) or bool(
+        pr_merged_or_closed
+    )
+    active_approval = bool(_ACTIVE_APPROVAL_RE.search(text))
+    moot_wording = bool(_POST_MERGE_MOOT_RE.search(text))
+
+    # Nothing about merged-state or moot validation — not applicable here.
+    if not merged_signal and not moot_wording:
+        return {
+            "proven": True,
+            "block": False,
+            "outcome": None,
+            "process_state_label": None,
+            "reasons": [],
+            "skipped": True,
+            "safe_next_action": "",
+        }
+
+    # An active approval on a PR already merged/closed before review, without
+    # the sanctioned moot wording, overstates confidence.
+    if merged_signal and active_approval and not moot_wording:
+        return {
+            "proven": False,
+            "block": True,
+            "outcome": POST_MERGE_MOOT_OUTCOME,
+            "process_state_label": LABEL_POST_MERGE_MOOT,
+            "reasons": [
+                "PR was already merged/closed before review submission; an "
+                "active approval overstates confidence — record 'post-merge "
+                "moot validation' instead of a normal approval"
+            ],
+            "skipped": False,
+            "safe_next_action": (
+                "classify the outcome as post-merge moot validation (not an "
+                "active approval); cite PR state merged/closed and the merge "
+                "commit SHA. Template:\n" + POST_MERGE_VALIDATION_TEMPLATE
+            ),
+        }
+
+    # Post-merge moot validation claimed — require merged-state + commit proof.
+    if moot_wording:
+        reasons: list[str] = []
+        if not _MERGED_STATE_PROOF_RE.search(text):
+            reasons.append(
+                "post-merge moot validation claimed without merged/closed state "
+                "proof (state: merged/closed, or merged_at/closed_at)"
+            )
+        if not _MERGE_COMMIT_SHA_RE.search(text):
+            reasons.append(
+                "post-merge moot validation claimed without a merge commit SHA"
+            )
+        if reasons:
+            return {
+                "proven": False,
+                "block": True,
+                "outcome": POST_MERGE_MOOT_OUTCOME,
+                "process_state_label": LABEL_POST_MERGE_MOOT,
+                "reasons": reasons,
+                "skipped": False,
+                "safe_next_action": (
+                    "prove the PR is merged/closed: cite PR state and the merge "
+                    "commit SHA. Template:\n" + POST_MERGE_VALIDATION_TEMPLATE
+                ),
+            }
+        return {
+            "proven": True,
+            "block": False,
+            "outcome": POST_MERGE_MOOT_OUTCOME,
+            "process_state_label": LABEL_POST_MERGE_MOOT,
+            "reasons": [],
+            "skipped": False,
+            "safe_next_action": "",
+        }
+
+    # Merged signal present but no approval claim and no moot wording yet —
+    # guide toward the moot outcome without blocking.
+    return {
+        "proven": True,
+        "block": False,
+        "outcome": POST_MERGE_MOOT_OUTCOME,
+        "process_state_label": LABEL_POST_MERGE_MOOT,
+        "reasons": [],
+        "skipped": False,
+        "safe_next_action": (
+            "PR appears merged/closed; if submitting a verdict, record "
+            "post-merge moot validation rather than an active approval"
+        ),
+    }

reviewer_pr_lease.py

@@ -522,4 +522,241 @@ def assess_lease_inventory(
         "active_review_leases": active,
         "stale_review_leases": stale,
         "reclaimable_review_leases": reclaimable,
-    }
+    }
+
+# Canonical next-action vocabulary for reviewer lease handoff (#599).
+NEXT_ACTION_ACQUIRE = "acquire"
+NEXT_ACTION_WAIT = "wait"
+NEXT_ACTION_RESUME_EXACT_OWNER_SESSION = "resume_exact_owner_session"
+NEXT_ACTION_RELEASE_EXPIRED_LEASE = "release_expired_lease"
+NEXT_ACTION_OPERATOR_AUTHORIZED_CLEANUP = "operator_authorized_cleanup"
+NEXT_ACTION_REPAIR_WORKTREE_BINDING = "repair_worktree_binding"
+
+_HANDOFF_CLASSIFICATIONS = frozenset({
+    "no_lease",
+    "own_active",
+    "own_expired",
+    "foreign_active",
+    "foreign_reclaimable",
+    "foreign_expired",
+    "instructed_lease_missing_with_replacement",
+    "worktree_binding_mismatch",
+})
+
+
+def _norm_path(value: str | None) -> str:
+    text = (value or "").strip()
+    if not text:
+        return ""
+    return os.path.normpath(text.rstrip("/"))
+
+
+def diagnose_reviewer_pr_lease_handoff(
+    comments: list[dict],
+    *,
+    pr_number: int,
+    current_session_id: str | None,
+    current_reviewer_identity: str | None,
+    proposed_worktree: str | None = None,
+    env_bound_worktree: str | None = None,
+    instructed_session_id: str | None = None,
+    instructed_comment_id: int | None = None,
+    now: datetime | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Classify open-PR reviewer lease handoff and emit a canonical next action (#599).
+
+    Read-only diagnosis. Never steals, releases, or adopts a foreign lease.
+    Fail-closed acquisition rules for active foreign leases remain intact.
+
+    Returns a structured diagnosis with:
+    - classification
+    - next_action (one of wait / resume_exact_owner_session /
+      release_expired_lease / operator_authorized_cleanup /
+      repair_worktree_binding / acquire)
+    - active_lease identity fields when present
+    - worktree_binding match result
+    - instructed-lease mismatch flags
+    """
+    now = now or datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    session_id = (current_session_id or "").strip()
+    identity = (current_reviewer_identity or "").strip()
+    instructed_sid = (instructed_session_id or "").strip()
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+
+    active = find_active_reviewer_lease(comments, pr_number=pr_number, now=now)
+    session_lease = get_session_lease()
+
+    # Worktree binding: env-bound vs proposed vs active lease worktree.
+    env_wt = _norm_path(env_bound_worktree)
+    prop_wt = _norm_path(proposed_worktree)
+    lease_wt = _norm_path((active or {}).get("worktree") if active else None)
+    binding_mismatch = False
+    binding_details: dict[str, Any] = {
+        "env_bound_worktree": env_bound_worktree or None,
+        "proposed_worktree": proposed_worktree or None,
+        "lease_worktree": (active or {}).get("worktree") if active else None,
+        "match": True,
+    }
+    paths = [p for p in (env_wt, prop_wt, lease_wt) if p]
+    if len(paths) >= 2 and len(set(paths)) > 1:
+        binding_mismatch = True
+        binding_details["match"] = False
+        reasons.append(
+            "worktree binding mismatch: env/proposed/lease worktree paths disagree"
+        )
+
+    # Instructed lease gone while a different lease is active (PR #592-style).
+    instructed_missing_with_replacement = False
+    if instructed_sid or instructed_comment_id is not None:
+        if not active:
+            reasons.append(
+                "instructed lease is gone and no active replacement lease remains"
+            )
+        else:
+            owner = (active.get("session_id") or "").strip()
+            cid = active.get("comment_id")
+            sid_mismatch = bool(instructed_sid and owner and owner != instructed_sid)
+            cid_mismatch = (
+                instructed_comment_id is not None
+                and cid is not None
+                and int(cid) != int(instructed_comment_id)
+            )
+            if sid_mismatch or cid_mismatch:
+                instructed_missing_with_replacement = True
+                reasons.append(
+                    "instructed lease is gone; a different active lease replaced it "
+                    f"(active session_id={owner}, comment_id={cid})"
+                )
+
+    # Classification + next_action.
+    classification = "no_lease"
+    next_action = NEXT_ACTION_ACQUIRE
+
+    if active:
+        owner = (active.get("session_id") or "").strip()
+        freshness = active.get("freshness") or classify_lease_freshness(
+            active, now=now
+        )
+        owner_identity = (active.get("reviewer_identity") or "").strip()
+        is_own = bool(session_id and owner and owner == session_id)
+        # Same identity alone is NOT ownership for resume; session_id must match.
+        same_identity = bool(
+            identity and owner_identity and identity == owner_identity
+        )
+
+        if is_own and freshness in {"active", "stale_warning"}:
+            classification = "own_active"
+            next_action = NEXT_ACTION_RESUME_EXACT_OWNER_SESSION
+        elif is_own and freshness in {"reclaimable", "expired"}:
+            classification = "own_expired"
+            next_action = NEXT_ACTION_RELEASE_EXPIRED_LEASE
+            reasons.append(
+                f"own lease freshness is '{freshness}'; release via "
+                "gitea_release_reviewer_pr_lease then re-acquire"
+            )
+        elif not is_own and freshness in {"active", "stale_warning"}:
+            classification = "foreign_active"
+            next_action = NEXT_ACTION_WAIT
+            reasons.append(
+                f"foreign active reviewer lease (session_id={owner}, "
+                f"phase={active.get('phase')}, freshness={freshness}); "
+                "do not submit; do not steal"
+            )
+            if same_identity:
+                reasons.append(
+                    "lease identity matches current reviewer but session_id differs; "
+                    "resume only from the exact owner session_id or wait"
+                )
+        elif not is_own and freshness == "reclaimable":
+            classification = "foreign_reclaimable"
+            next_action = NEXT_ACTION_RELEASE_EXPIRED_LEASE
+            reasons.append(
+                f"foreign reclaimable lease (session_id={owner}); clear only via "
+                "sanctioned gitea_release_reviewer_pr_lease when reclaimable"
+            )
+        elif not is_own and freshness == "expired":
+            classification = "foreign_expired"
+            next_action = NEXT_ACTION_RELEASE_EXPIRED_LEASE
+            reasons.append(
+                f"foreign expired lease (session_id={owner}); use sanctioned release"
+            )
+        else:
+            classification = "foreign_active"
+            next_action = NEXT_ACTION_WAIT
+            reasons.append(
+                f"unclassified active lease state (session_id={owner}, "
+                f"freshness={freshness}); wait fail-closed"
+            )
+
+        if instructed_missing_with_replacement and classification.startswith(
+            "foreign"
+        ):
+            classification = "instructed_lease_missing_with_replacement"
+            # Foreign active still means wait; reclaimable still release.
+            if next_action == NEXT_ACTION_WAIT:
+                reasons.append(
+                    "replacement foreign lease is active — wait; "
+                    "operator_authorized_cleanup only with explicit operator authority"
+                )
+    else:
+        classification = "no_lease"
+        next_action = NEXT_ACTION_ACQUIRE
+        reasons.append("no active reviewer lease; acquire via gitea_acquire_reviewer_pr_lease")
+
+    # Binding mismatch is a first-class blocker before submit, but does not
+    # erase foreign-lease wait/release guidance. Override next_action only when
+    # the session would otherwise be free to acquire or resume (submit path).
+    if binding_mismatch:
+        if next_action in {
+            NEXT_ACTION_ACQUIRE,
+            NEXT_ACTION_RESUME_EXACT_OWNER_SESSION,
+        }:
+            classification = "worktree_binding_mismatch"
+            next_action = NEXT_ACTION_REPAIR_WORKTREE_BINDING
+        else:
+            reasons.append(
+                "also repair worktree binding before submit "
+                f"(next_action remains {next_action})"
+            )
+
+    lease_summary = None
+    if active:
+        lease_summary = {
+            "comment_id": active.get("comment_id"),
+            "session_id": active.get("session_id"),
+            "phase": active.get("phase"),
+            "candidate_head": active.get("candidate_head"),
+            "expires_at": active.get("expires_at"),
+            "last_activity": active.get("last_activity"),
+            "freshness": active.get("freshness")
+            or classify_lease_freshness(active, now=now),
+            "reviewer_identity": active.get("reviewer_identity"),
+            "profile": active.get("profile"),
+            "worktree": active.get("worktree"),
+            "blocker": active.get("blocker"),
+        }
+
+    return {
+        "pr_number": pr_number,
+        "classification": classification,
+        "next_action": next_action,
+        "active_lease": lease_summary,
+        "session_lease": session_lease,
+        "worktree_binding": binding_details,
+        "instructed_session_id": instructed_session_id,
+        "instructed_comment_id": instructed_comment_id,
+        "instructed_lease_missing_with_replacement": instructed_missing_with_replacement,
+        "mutation_allowed": (
+            next_action == NEXT_ACTION_RESUME_EXACT_OWNER_SESSION
+            and not binding_mismatch
+            and bool(session_lease)
+        ),
+        "reasons": reasons,
+        "forbidden": [
+            "manual lock deletion",
+            "raw API bypass",
+            "mtime manipulation",
+            "direct _SESSION_LEASE seeding",
+            "silent foreign lease steal",
+        ],
+    }

role_session_router.py

@@ -55,7 +55,6 @@ def skip_python_scan_walk_root(project_root: str, walk_root: str) -> bool:
 
 REVIEWER_TASKS = frozenset({
     "review_pr",
-    "merge_pr",
     "blind_pr_queue_review",
     "pr_queue_cleanup",
     "pr-queue-cleanup",
@@ -63,6 +62,10 @@ REVIEWER_TASKS = frozenset({
     "approve_pr",
 })
 
+MERGER_TASKS = frozenset({
+    "merge_pr",
+})
+
 AUTHOR_TASKS = frozenset({
     "create_issue",
     "comment_issue",
@@ -98,7 +101,7 @@ TASK_REQUIRED_ROLE = {
     "address_pr_change_requests": "author",
     "delete_branch": "author",
     "review_pr": "reviewer",
-    "merge_pr": "reviewer",
+    "merge_pr": "merger",
     "blind_pr_queue_review": "reviewer",
     "pr_queue_cleanup": "reviewer",
     "pr-queue-cleanup": "reviewer",
@@ -128,6 +131,10 @@ WRONG_ROLE_RECONCILER_MSG = (
     "MCP namespace/profile with exact close capability."
 )
 
+WRONG_ROLE_MERGER_MSG = (
+    "Wrong role/session for merger task. Launch merger MCP namespace."
+)
+
 _session_last_route: dict | None = None
 
 
@@ -243,6 +250,25 @@ def route_task_session(
         _record_route(result)
         return result
 
+    if required_role == "merger":
+        result = {
+            "task_type": task_type,
+            "required_role": required_role,
+            "active_role": active_role_kind,
+            "active_profile": active_profile,
+            "route_result": ROUTE_WRONG_ROLE,
+            "downstream_allowed": False,
+            "reasons": [
+                WRONG_ROLE_MERGER_MSG,
+                "Merger tasks cannot run in author or reviewer sessions.",
+            ],
+            "message": WRONG_ROLE_MERGER_MSG,
+            "runtime_switching_supported": runtime_switching_supported,
+            "profile_switch_blocked": not runtime_switching_supported,
+        }
+        _record_route(result)
+        return result
+
     if required_role == "author":
         route = ROUTE_TO_AUTHOR
         message = (

tests/test_controller_closure_baseline_proof.py

@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+"""Controller-closure baseline-proof gate tests (#529, criterion 6)."""
+
+import unittest
+
+from controller_closure_baseline_proof import (
+    assess_controller_closure_baseline_proof,
+)
+from premerge_baseline_proof import (
+    CLEAN_PASS,
+    PREMERGE_BASELINE_PROVEN_FAILURE,
+    UNRESOLVED_REGRESSION_RISK,
+)
+from final_report_validator import assess_final_report_validator
+
+# Complete pre-merge proof fields for a baseline claim (see #533).
+_PROOF_FIELDS = (
+    "Pre-merge base commit: 1a2b3c4d5e6f7a8b9c0d1e2f3a4b5c6d7e8f9a0b\n"
+    "Tested commit: 1a2b3c4d5e6f7a8b9c0d1e2f3a4b5c6d7e8f9a0b\n"
+    "Command: venv/bin/python -m pytest tests/test_foo.py -q\n"
+    "Exit status: 1\n"
+    "Failure signature: AssertionError: None is not true\n"
+)
+
+
+class TestControllerClosureBaselineProof(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_empty_report_skipped_and_allowed(self):
+        result = assess_controller_closure_baseline_proof("")
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(result["skipped"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["label"], CLEAN_PASS)
+
+    def test_none_report_allowed(self):
+        result = assess_controller_closure_baseline_proof(None)
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(result["skipped"])
+
+    def test_clean_pass_closure_allowed(self):
+        result = assess_controller_closure_baseline_proof(
+            "Closing #529. Validation: full suite passed, exit status 0. Clean pass."
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["label"], CLEAN_PASS)
+
+    def test_expected_preexisting_failure_without_proof_blocked(self):
+        report = (
+            "Closing #529. Full suite: 1 failed. This is an expected "
+            "pre-existing failure, safe to close."
+        )
+        result = assess_controller_closure_baseline_proof(report)
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        self.assertFalse(result["proven"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["label"], UNRESOLVED_REGRESSION_RISK)
+        self.assertTrue(result["reasons"])
+        self.assertTrue(result["safe_next_action"])
+
+    def test_current_master_reproduction_only_blocked(self):
+        report = (
+            "Closing #529. Full suite: 1 failed. Pre-existing baseline failure — "
+            "reproduced on current master after merge.\n"
+            "Command: venv/bin/python -m pytest tests/test_foo.py -q\n"
+            "Exit status: 1\n"
+            "Failure signature: AssertionError: None is not true\n"
+        )
+        result = assess_controller_closure_baseline_proof(report)
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+
+    def test_proven_baseline_closure_allowed(self):
+        report = (
+            "Closing #529. Full suite: 1 failed, an expected pre-existing "
+            "baseline failure proven on the PR pre-merge base commit.\n"
+            + _PROOF_FIELDS
+        )
+        result = assess_controller_closure_baseline_proof(report)
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["label"], PREMERGE_BASELINE_PROVEN_FAILURE)
+
+
+class TestControllerCloseTaskKind(unittest.TestCase):
+    """The composable validator must cover the controller_close task kind."""
+
+    def test_controller_close_blocks_unproven_baseline(self):
+        report = (
+            "Full suite: 1 failed. Expected pre-existing failure, closing the "
+            "tracking issue."
+        )
+        result = assess_final_report_validator(report, "controller_close")
+        self.assertTrue(result["blocked"])
+        self.assertTrue(
+            any(
+                "premerge_baseline_proof" in f["rule_id"]
+                for f in result["findings"]
+            )
+        )
+
+    def test_controller_close_alias_close_issue(self):
+        report = (
+            "Full suite: 1 failed. Expected pre-existing failure, closing the "
+            "tracking issue."
+        )
+        result = assess_final_report_validator(report, "close_issue")
+        self.assertTrue(result["blocked"])
+
+    def test_controller_close_allows_proven_baseline(self):
+        report = (
+            "Full suite: 1 failed, expected pre-existing baseline failure proven "
+            "on the PR pre-merge base commit.\n" + _PROOF_FIELDS
+        )
+        result = assess_final_report_validator(report, "controller_close")
+        self.assertFalse(result["blocked"])
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_mcp_server.py

@@ -2733,6 +2733,56 @@ class TestTrackerHygieneCleanup(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(res["success"])
         self.assertEqual(res["cleanup_status"].get(1), "not present")
 
+    def test_close_issue_blocks_unproven_expected_preexisting_failure(self):
+        # #529: a closure report calling a non-zero suite exit an "expected
+        # pre-existing failure" without pre-merge proof must fail closed and
+        # never PATCH the issue state.
+        patched = []
+
+        def api_side_effect(method, url, auth, payload=None):
+            if method == "PATCH":
+                patched.append(url)
+            return {}
+        self.mock_api.side_effect = api_side_effect
+
+        res = gitea_close_issue(
+            issue_number=1,
+            closure_report=(
+                "Full suite: 1 failed. Expected pre-existing failure, safe to close."
+            ),
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(res["success"])
+        self.assertTrue(res.get("blocked"))
+        self.assertTrue(res.get("reasons"))
+        self.assertFalse(
+            patched, "must not PATCH issue state when the closure gate blocks"
+        )
+
+    def test_close_issue_allows_proven_baseline_closure(self):
+        def api_side_effect(method, url, auth, payload=None):
+            if method == "PATCH" and "issues/1" in url:
+                return {"state": "closed"}
+            if method == "GET" and "labels" in url and "issues" not in url:
+                return [{"name": "bug", "id": 2}]
+            if method == "GET" and "issues/1" in url:
+                return {"labels": [{"name": "bug"}]}
+            return {}
+        self.mock_api.side_effect = api_side_effect
+
+        res = gitea_close_issue(
+            issue_number=1,
+            closure_report=(
+                "Full suite: 1 failed, expected pre-existing baseline failure "
+                "proven on the PR pre-merge base commit.\n"
+                "Pre-merge base commit: 1a2b3c4d5e6f7a8b9c0d1e2f3a4b5c6d7e8f9a0b\n"
+                "Tested commit: 1a2b3c4d5e6f7a8b9c0d1e2f3a4b5c6d7e8f9a0b\n"
+                "Command: venv/bin/python -m pytest -q\n"
+                "Exit status: 1\n"
+                "Failure signature: AssertionError: None is not true\n"
+            ),
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(res["success"])
+
     def test_merge_pr_with_closes_removes_label(self):
         import reviewer_pr_lease
 

tests/test_post_merge_validation.py

@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+"""Post-merge moot validation wording + label tests (#529, criteria 1/4/5)."""
+
+import unittest
+
+from post_merge_validation import (
+    BASELINE_ACCEPTED_OUTCOME,
+    BLOCKED_OUTCOME,
+    CLEAN_PASS_OUTCOME,
+    LABEL_BASELINE_ACCEPTED,
+    LABEL_BLOCKED,
+    LABEL_CLEAN_PASS,
+    LABEL_POST_MERGE_MOOT,
+    POST_MERGE_MOOT_OUTCOME,
+    assess_post_merge_validation,
+    process_state_label,
+)
+from final_report_validator import assess_final_report_validator
+from issue_workflow_labels import CANONICAL_LABELS, VALIDATION_LABELS
+
+_MOOT_PROOF = (
+    "Validation status: post-merge moot validation\n"
+    "PR state: merged\n"
+    "Merge commit sha: 1a2b3c4d5e6f7a8b9c0d1e2f3a4b5c6d7e8f9a0b\n"
+    "Validation finding: full suite passed, for the record.\n"
+)
+
+
+class TestPostMergeValidation(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_not_applicable_when_no_merged_or_moot_signal(self):
+        result = assess_post_merge_validation(
+            "Review decision: approve. Validation: full suite passed."
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(result["skipped"])
+
+    def test_active_approval_on_merged_pr_blocked(self):
+        report = (
+            "PR is already merged. Review decision: approve. "
+            "Validation: full suite passed."
+        )
+        result = assess_post_merge_validation(report)
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], POST_MERGE_MOOT_OUTCOME)
+        self.assertEqual(result["process_state_label"], LABEL_POST_MERGE_MOOT)
+
+    def test_active_approval_on_merged_pr_via_structured_signal_blocked(self):
+        report = "Review decision: approve. Validation: full suite passed."
+        result = assess_post_merge_validation(report, pr_merged_or_closed=True)
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+
+    def test_moot_wording_without_proof_blocked(self):
+        report = "Recording post-merge moot validation for this PR."
+        result = assess_post_merge_validation(report)
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(result["reasons"])
+
+    def test_moot_wording_with_full_proof_allowed(self):
+        result = assess_post_merge_validation(_MOOT_PROOF)
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], POST_MERGE_MOOT_OUTCOME)
+
+    def test_merged_signal_only_guides_without_blocking(self):
+        result = assess_post_merge_validation(
+            "PR was already merged before review; recording findings."
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(result["safe_next_action"])
+
+    def test_process_state_label_mapping(self):
+        self.assertEqual(process_state_label(CLEAN_PASS_OUTCOME), LABEL_CLEAN_PASS)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            process_state_label(BASELINE_ACCEPTED_OUTCOME), LABEL_BASELINE_ACCEPTED
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(process_state_label(BLOCKED_OUTCOME), LABEL_BLOCKED)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            process_state_label(POST_MERGE_MOOT_OUTCOME), LABEL_POST_MERGE_MOOT
+        )
+        self.assertIsNone(process_state_label("nonsense"))
+
+
+class TestValidationLabelsRegistered(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_validation_labels_are_canonical(self):
+        for label in (
+            LABEL_CLEAN_PASS,
+            LABEL_BASELINE_ACCEPTED,
+            LABEL_BLOCKED,
+            LABEL_POST_MERGE_MOOT,
+        ):
+            self.assertIn(label, VALIDATION_LABELS)
+            self.assertIn(label, CANONICAL_LABELS)
+
+
+class TestPostMergeValidationWiredIntoReview(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_review_pr_blocks_active_approval_on_merged_pr(self):
+        report = (
+            "PR is already merged. Review decision: approve. "
+            "Validation: full suite passed."
+        )
+        result = assess_final_report_validator(report, "review_pr")
+        self.assertTrue(result["blocked"])
+        self.assertTrue(
+            any(
+                f["rule_id"] == "reviewer.post_merge_validation"
+                for f in result["findings"]
+            )
+        )
+
+    def test_review_pr_allows_proven_post_merge_moot(self):
+        result = assess_final_report_validator(_MOOT_PROOF, "review_pr")
+        self.assertFalse(
+            any(
+                f["rule_id"] == "reviewer.post_merge_validation"
+                for f in result["findings"]
+            )
+        )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_resolve_task_capability.py

@@ -287,6 +287,49 @@ class TestResolveTaskCapability(unittest.TestCase):
             self.assertEqual(res["required_operation_permission"], "gitea.pr.merge")
             self.assertEqual(res["required_role_kind"], "merger")
 
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_request", return_value={"login": "reviewer-user"})
+    @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value="token reviewer-pass")
+    def test_reviewer_role_with_merge_permission_still_cannot_merge(self, _auth, _api):
+        # #539: exact permission alone is insufficient. The active profile
+        # role must also be merger for merge_pr.
+        config = json.loads(json.dumps(CONFIG_RESOLVER))
+        config["profiles"]["reviewer-with-merge"] = {
+            "enabled": True,
+            "context": "ctx",
+            "role": "reviewer",
+            "username": "reviewer-user",
+            "auth": {"type": "env", "name": "GITEA_TOKEN_REVIEWER"},
+            "allowed_operations": [
+                "gitea.read", "gitea.pr.review", "gitea.pr.approve",
+                "gitea.pr.merge",
+            ],
+            "forbidden_operations": ["gitea.pr.create", "gitea.branch.push"],
+            "execution_profile": "reviewer-with-merge",
+        }
+        self._write_config(config)
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, self._env("reviewer-with-merge")):
+            res = mcp_server.gitea_resolve_task_capability(
+                task="merge_pr", remote="prgs"
+            )
+        self.assertEqual(res["required_role_kind"], "merger")
+        self.assertEqual(res["active_role_kind"], "reviewer")
+        self.assertTrue(res["active_profile_permission_allowed"])
+        self.assertFalse(res["allowed_in_current_session"])
+        self.assertTrue(res["stop_required"])
+        self.assertIn("cannot perform merger task", " ".join(res["task_role_guidance"]))
+
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_request", return_value={"login": "merger-user"})
+    @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value="token merger-pass")
+    def test_merger_profile_can_resolve_merge_task(self, _auth, _api):
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, self._env("merger-profile")):
+            res = mcp_server.gitea_resolve_task_capability(
+                task="merge_pr", remote="prgs"
+            )
+        self.assertEqual(res["required_role_kind"], "merger")
+        self.assertEqual(res["active_role_kind"], "merger")
+        self.assertTrue(res["allowed_in_current_session"])
+        self.assertFalse(res["stop_required"])
+
     @patch("mcp_server.api_request")
     def test_self_review_blocked_structured(self, mock_api):
         # Test that self-approve (self-review gate) is blocked and returns structured reasons

tests/test_review_drafts.py

@@ -0,0 +1,386 @@
+"""Tests for preserving and resuming prepared Gitea review drafts (#609)."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import sys
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
+
+sys_path_root = str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent)
+if sys_path_root not in sys.path:
+    sys.path.insert(0, sys_path_root)
+
+import mcp_session_state
+import gitea_mcp_server
+import reviewer_pr_lease
+
+
+class TestReviewDrafts(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self._tmpdir = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.state_dir = self._tmpdir.name
+        self._env = patch.dict(
+            os.environ,
+            {
+                mcp_session_state.STATE_DIR_ENV: self.state_dir,
+                mcp_session_state.SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK_ENV: "prgs-reviewer",
+                "GITEA_MCP_PROFILE": "prgs-reviewer",
+                "GITEA_PROFILE_NAME": "prgs-reviewer",
+                "PYTEST_CURRENT_TEST": "1",  # skip runtime stale checks
+            },
+            clear=False,
+        )
+        self._env.start()
+        
+        # Mock workspace binding to pass in test context
+        self._nwb_patch = patch(
+            "gitea_mcp_server.nwb.assess_namespace_mutation_workspace",
+            return_value={"block": False, "mutation_workspace": "/tmp/test-worktree"},
+        )
+        self._nwb_patch.start()
+
+        # Mock authentication headers
+        self._auth_patch = patch(
+            "gitea_mcp_server.get_auth_header",
+            return_value="Bearer mock-token",
+        )
+        self._auth_patch.start()
+
+        self._username_patch = patch(
+            "gitea_mcp_server._authenticated_username",
+            return_value="sysadmin",
+        )
+        self._username_patch.start()
+        
+        # Clear/Mock local session lease in-memory state
+        reviewer_pr_lease.clear_session_lease()
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        self._username_patch.stop()
+        self._auth_patch.stop()
+        self._nwb_patch.stop()
+        self._env.stop()
+        self._tmpdir.cleanup()
+        reviewer_pr_lease.clear_session_lease()
+
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server.api_request")
+    def test_save_draft_success(self, mock_api):
+        mock_api.return_value = {
+            "head": {"sha": "headsha1234567890"},
+            "base": {"ref": "master", "sha": "basesha0987654321"},
+        }
+        res = gitea_mcp_server.gitea_save_review_draft(
+            pr_number=587,
+            action="approve",
+            body="Good changes",
+            expected_head_sha="headsha1234567890",
+            validation_commands="pytest tests/",
+            validation_results="all pass",
+            blocker_reason="stale daemon",
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/test-worktree",
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(res.get("success"))
+        self.assertEqual(res.get("head_sha"), "headsha1234567890")
+        
+        # Load draft and verify fields
+        draft = mcp_session_state.load_state(
+            kind=mcp_session_state.KIND_REVIEW_DRAFT,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            profile_identity="prgs-reviewer",
+        )
+        self.assertIsNotNone(draft)
+        self.assertEqual(draft.get("pr_number"), 587)
+        self.assertEqual(draft.get("action"), "approve")
+        self.assertEqual(draft.get("body"), "Good changes")
+        self.assertEqual(draft.get("validation_commands"), "pytest tests/")
+        self.assertEqual(draft.get("validation_results"), "all pass")
+        self.assertEqual(draft.get("blocker_reason"), "stale daemon")
+        self.assertEqual(os.path.realpath(draft.get("worktree_path")), os.path.realpath("/tmp/test-worktree"))
+
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server.api_request")
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server._fetch_pr_comments")
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server.gitea_submit_pr_review")
+    def test_resume_draft_and_submit_success(self, mock_submit, mock_comments, mock_api):
+        # 1. Save draft
+        mock_api.return_value = {
+            "state": "open",
+            "head": {"sha": "headsha1234567890"},
+            "base": {"ref": "master", "sha": "basesha0987654321"},
+        }
+        
+        gitea_mcp_server.gitea_save_review_draft(
+            pr_number=587,
+            action="approve",
+            body="Good changes",
+            expected_head_sha="headsha1234567890",
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/test-worktree",
+        )
+        
+        # Seed local session lease
+        reviewer_pr_lease.record_session_lease({
+            "pr_number": 587,
+            "session_id": "session-1234",
+        })
+        
+        # Mock Gitea comments to return active reviewer lease owned by us
+        mock_comments.return_value = [
+            {
+                "id": 1,
+                "user": {"username": "sysadmin"},
+                "body": (
+                    "<!-- mcp-review-lease:v1 -->\n"
+                    "repo: Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools\n"
+                    "pr: #587\n"
+                    "reviewer_identity: sysadmin\n"
+                    "profile: prgs-reviewer\n"
+                    "session_id: session-1234\n"
+                    "phase: claimed\n"
+                ),
+            }
+        ]
+        
+        mock_submit.return_value = {"performed": True, "success": True}
+        
+        # 2. Resume draft
+        res = gitea_mcp_server.gitea_resume_review_draft(
+            pr_number=587,
+            submit=True,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/test-worktree",
+        )
+        
+        self.assertTrue(res.get("success"))
+        self.assertTrue(res.get("marked_ready"))
+        self.assertTrue(res.get("submitted"))
+        mock_submit.assert_called_once()
+        
+        # Verify draft was deleted after successful submit
+        draft = mcp_session_state.load_state(
+            kind=mcp_session_state.KIND_REVIEW_DRAFT,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            profile_identity="prgs-reviewer",
+        )
+        self.assertIsNone(draft)
+
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server.api_request")
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server._fetch_pr_comments")
+    def test_resume_draft_fails_checks(self, mock_comments, mock_api):
+        # Save a draft
+        mock_api.return_value = {
+            "state": "open",
+            "head": {"sha": "headsha1234567890"},
+            "base": {"ref": "master", "sha": "basesha0987654321"},
+        }
+        gitea_mcp_server.gitea_save_review_draft(
+            pr_number=587,
+            action="approve",
+            body="Good changes",
+            expected_head_sha="headsha1234567890",
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/test-worktree",
+        )
+        
+        # Seed local session lease
+        reviewer_pr_lease.record_session_lease({
+            "pr_number": 587,
+            "session_id": "session-1234",
+        })
+        
+        # Mock Gitea comments to return active reviewer lease owned by us
+        mock_comments.return_value = [
+            {
+                "id": 1,
+                "user": {"username": "sysadmin"},
+                "body": (
+                    "<!-- mcp-review-lease:v1 -->\n"
+                    "repo: Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools\n"
+                    "pr: #587\n"
+                    "reviewer_identity: sysadmin\n"
+                    "profile: prgs-reviewer\n"
+                    "session_id: session-1234\n"
+                    "phase: claimed\n"
+                ),
+            }
+        ]
+        
+        # Case A: PR closed
+        mock_api.return_value = {
+            "state": "closed",
+            "head": {"sha": "headsha1234567890"},
+            "base": {"ref": "master", "sha": "basesha0987654321"},
+        }
+        res = gitea_mcp_server.gitea_resume_review_draft(
+            pr_number=587,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/test-worktree",
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(res.get("success"))
+        self.assertIn("PR #587 is not open", res.get("reasons")[0])
+        
+        # Case B: Head changed
+        mock_api.return_value = {
+            "state": "open",
+            "head": {"sha": "headsha_NEW"},
+            "base": {"ref": "master", "sha": "basesha0987654321"},
+        }
+        res = gitea_mcp_server.gitea_resume_review_draft(
+            pr_number=587,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/test-worktree",
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(res.get("success"))
+        self.assertIn("PR head SHA changed", res.get("reasons")[0])
+        
+        # Case C: Target branch changed
+        mock_api.return_value = {
+            "state": "open",
+            "head": {"sha": "headsha1234567890"},
+            "base": {"ref": "master", "sha": "basesha_NEW"},
+        }
+        res = gitea_mcp_server.gitea_resume_review_draft(
+            pr_number=587,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/test-worktree",
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(res.get("success"))
+        self.assertIn("target branch SHA changed", res.get("reasons")[0])
+        
+        # Case D: Worktree mismatch
+        mock_api.return_value = {
+            "state": "open",
+            "head": {"sha": "headsha1234567890"},
+            "base": {"ref": "master", "sha": "basesha0987654321"},
+        }
+        res = gitea_mcp_server.gitea_resume_review_draft(
+            pr_number=587,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/different-worktree",
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(res.get("success"))
+        self.assertIn("worktree binding mismatch", res.get("reasons")[0])
+
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server.api_request")
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server._fetch_pr_comments")
+    def test_resume_draft_foreign_lease(self, mock_comments, mock_api):
+        mock_api.return_value = {
+            "state": "open",
+            "head": {"sha": "headsha1234567890"},
+            "base": {"ref": "master", "sha": "basesha0987654321"},
+        }
+        gitea_mcp_server.gitea_save_review_draft(
+            pr_number=587,
+            action="approve",
+            body="Good changes",
+            expected_head_sha="headsha1234567890",
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/test-worktree",
+        )
+        reviewer_pr_lease.record_session_lease({
+            "pr_number": 587,
+            "session_id": "my-session",
+        })
+        mock_comments.return_value = [
+            {
+                "id": 9,
+                "user": {"username": "sysadmin"},
+                "body": (
+                    "<!-- mcp-review-lease:v1 -->\n"
+                    "repo: Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools\n"
+                    "pr: #587\n"
+                    "reviewer_identity: sysadmin\n"
+                    "profile: prgs-reviewer\n"
+                    "session_id: foreign-session-999\n"
+                    "phase: claimed\n"
+                ),
+            }
+        ]
+        res = gitea_mcp_server.gitea_resume_review_draft(
+            pr_number=587,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/test-worktree",
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(res.get("success"))
+        self.assertTrue(
+            any("foreign-session-999" in r or "session_id" in r for r in (res.get("reasons") or []))
+        )
+
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server.api_request")
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server._fetch_pr_comments")
+    @patch("gitea_mcp_server.terminal_review_hard_stop_reasons")
+    def test_resume_draft_terminal_lock_blocks(self, mock_hard_stop, mock_comments, mock_api):
+        mock_api.return_value = {
+            "state": "open",
+            "head": {"sha": "headsha1234567890"},
+            "base": {"ref": "master", "sha": "basesha0987654321"},
+        }
+        gitea_mcp_server.gitea_save_review_draft(
+            pr_number=587,
+            action="approve",
+            body="Good changes",
+            expected_head_sha="headsha1234567890",
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/test-worktree",
+        )
+        reviewer_pr_lease.record_session_lease({
+            "pr_number": 587,
+            "session_id": "session-1234",
+        })
+        mock_comments.return_value = [
+            {
+                "id": 1,
+                "user": {"username": "sysadmin"},
+                "body": (
+                    "<!-- mcp-review-lease:v1 -->\n"
+                    "repo: Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools\n"
+                    "pr: #587\n"
+                    "reviewer_identity: sysadmin\n"
+                    "profile: prgs-reviewer\n"
+                    "session_id: session-1234\n"
+                    "phase: claimed\n"
+                ),
+            }
+        ]
+        mock_hard_stop.return_value = [
+            "terminal review mutation already recorded for PR #587 (approve); #332 hard-stop"
+        ]
+        res = gitea_mcp_server.gitea_resume_review_draft(
+            pr_number=587,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/test-worktree",
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(res.get("success"))
+        self.assertTrue(any("#332" in r or "terminal" in r for r in (res.get("reasons") or [])))
+

tests/test_reviewer_pr_lease.py

@@ -237,5 +237,113 @@ class TestReviewerLeaseMcpGate(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(any("lease" in r.lower() for r in reasons))
 
 
+
+class TestReviewerLeaseHandoffDiagnose(unittest.TestCase):
+    """#599: canonical next-action diagnosis for open-PR lease handoff."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        leases.clear_session_lease()
+
+    def test_no_lease_next_action_acquire(self):
+        result = leases.diagnose_reviewer_pr_lease_handoff(
+            [],
+            pr_number=592,
+            current_session_id="me-1",
+            current_reviewer_identity="sysadmin",
+            proposed_worktree="branches/review-pr-592",
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["classification"], "no_lease")
+        self.assertEqual(result["next_action"], leases.NEXT_ACTION_ACQUIRE)
+        self.assertIsNone(result["active_lease"])
+
+    def test_foreign_active_wait_pr592_style(self):
+        # Instructed lease gone; newer foreign claim is active.
+        old = _lease_comment(592, "23139-da018dab43ba", phase="released")
+        old["id"] = 8640
+        active = _lease_comment(592, "51515-2bfb70f0685f", phase="claimed")
+        active["id"] = 8647
+        result = leases.diagnose_reviewer_pr_lease_handoff(
+            [old, active],
+            pr_number=592,
+            current_session_id="fresh-session",
+            current_reviewer_identity="sysadmin",
+            proposed_worktree="branches/review-pr-592-issue-590",
+            instructed_session_id="23139-da018dab43ba",
+            instructed_comment_id=8640,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            result["classification"],
+            "instructed_lease_missing_with_replacement",
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["next_action"], leases.NEXT_ACTION_WAIT)
+        self.assertTrue(result["instructed_lease_missing_with_replacement"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["active_lease"]["session_id"], "51515-2bfb70f0685f")
+        self.assertEqual(result["active_lease"]["comment_id"], 8647)
+        self.assertFalse(result["mutation_allowed"])
+
+    def test_foreign_reclaimable_release_expired(self):
+        reclaim = _lease_comment(
+            592, "foreign-old", phase="claimed", minutes_ago=65
+        )
+        reclaim["id"] = 99
+        result = leases.diagnose_reviewer_pr_lease_handoff(
+            [reclaim],
+            pr_number=592,
+            current_session_id="me-1",
+            current_reviewer_identity="sysadmin",
+            proposed_worktree="branches/review-pr-592",
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["classification"], "foreign_reclaimable")
+        self.assertEqual(
+            result["next_action"], leases.NEXT_ACTION_RELEASE_EXPIRED_LEASE
+        )
+
+    def test_own_active_resume(self):
+        head = "a" * 40
+        claim = _lease_comment(592, "me-1", phase="claimed", candidate_head=head)
+        claim["id"] = 10
+        leases.record_session_lease({
+            "pr_number": 592,
+            "session_id": "me-1",
+            "candidate_head": head,
+            "comment_id": 10,
+        }, lease_provenance=mla.build_lease_provenance(
+            source=mla.SOURCE_ACQUIRE,
+            comment_id=10,
+        ))
+        result = leases.diagnose_reviewer_pr_lease_handoff(
+            [claim],
+            pr_number=592,
+            current_session_id="me-1",
+            current_reviewer_identity="rev1",
+            proposed_worktree="branches/review-pr382",
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["classification"], "own_active")
+        self.assertEqual(
+            result["next_action"], leases.NEXT_ACTION_RESUME_EXACT_OWNER_SESSION
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["mutation_allowed"])
+
+    def test_worktree_binding_mismatch(self):
+        claim = _lease_comment(592, "me-1", phase="claimed")
+        claim["id"] = 11
+        # _lease_comment uses branches/review-pr382
+        result = leases.diagnose_reviewer_pr_lease_handoff(
+            [claim],
+            pr_number=592,
+            current_session_id="me-1",
+            current_reviewer_identity="rev1",
+            proposed_worktree="branches/review-pr-592-issue-590",
+            env_bound_worktree="branches/review-pr-538",
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["classification"], "worktree_binding_mismatch")
+        self.assertEqual(
+            result["next_action"], leases.NEXT_ACTION_REPAIR_WORKTREE_BINDING
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["worktree_binding"]["match"])
+        self.assertFalse(result["mutation_allowed"])
+
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     unittest.main()

tests/test_role_session_router.py

@@ -52,6 +52,20 @@ CONFIG = {
             ],
             "execution_profile": "prgs-reviewer",
         },
+        "prgs-merger": {
+            "enabled": True,
+            "context": "ctx",
+            "role": "merger",
+            "username": "sysadmin",
+            "auth": {"type": "env", "name": "GITEA_TOKEN_MERGER"},
+            "allowed_operations": [
+                "gitea.read", "gitea.pr.merge", "gitea.issue.comment",
+            ],
+            "forbidden_operations": [
+                "gitea.pr.create", "gitea.branch.push", "gitea.pr.approve",
+            ],
+            "execution_profile": "prgs-merger",
+        },
         "prgs-reconciler": {
             "enabled": True,
             "context": "ctx",
@@ -104,6 +118,7 @@ class TestRoleSessionRouter(unittest.TestCase):
             "GITEA_MCP_PROFILE": profile,
             "GITEA_TOKEN_AUTHOR": "author-pass",
             "GITEA_TOKEN_REVIEWER": "reviewer-pass",
+            "GITEA_TOKEN_MERGER": "merger-pass",
             "GITEA_TOKEN_RECONCILER": "reconciler-pass",
         }
 
@@ -227,6 +242,31 @@ class TestRoleSessionRouter(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(route["route_result"], role_session_router.ROUTE_ALLOWED)
         self.assertTrue(route["downstream_allowed"])
 
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_request", return_value={"login": "sysadmin"})
+    @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value="token reviewer-pass")
+    def test_merge_task_under_reviewer_profile_wrong_role_stop(self, _auth, _api):
+        # #539: a reviewer session must not pass the pre-task merge route
+        # even if its config accidentally includes gitea.pr.merge.
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, self._env("prgs-reviewer")):
+            route = mcp_server.gitea_route_task_session(
+                task_type="merge_pr", remote="prgs"
+            )
+        self.assertEqual(route["required_role"], "merger")
+        self.assertEqual(route["route_result"], role_session_router.ROUTE_WRONG_ROLE)
+        self.assertFalse(route["downstream_allowed"])
+        self.assertIn("merger", route["message"].lower())
+
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_request", return_value={"login": "sysadmin"})
+    @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value="token merger-pass")
+    def test_merge_task_under_merger_profile_allowed(self, _auth, _api):
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, self._env("prgs-merger")):
+            route = mcp_server.gitea_route_task_session(
+                task_type="merge_pr", remote="prgs"
+            )
+        self.assertEqual(route["required_role"], "merger")
+        self.assertEqual(route["route_result"], role_session_router.ROUTE_ALLOWED)
+        self.assertTrue(route["downstream_allowed"])
+
     @patch("mcp_server.api_request", return_value={"login": "sysadmin"})
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value="token reviewer-pass")
     def test_author_task_under_reviewer_profile_routes_to_author(self, _auth, _api):
@@ -334,4 +374,4 @@ class TestCheckMidMerge(unittest.TestCase):
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    unittest.main()
+    unittest.main()