fix(reviewer-workflow): address review — in-process mutation authority, no /tmp lock (#199)

Addresses the sysadmin REQUEST_CHANGES on PR #203 (reviewed head
10d2644790):

1. Lock redesigned; /tmp file removed entirely. The mutation authority is
   now an in-process record (_MUTATION_AUTHORITY) plus an environment
   session lock (GITEA_SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK) exported at server launch:
   - in-process record cannot be spoofed by other local processes, cannot
     go stale across sessions, and cannot race concurrent agents;
   - the env lock is inherited by child CLI processes, so review_pr.py can
     refuse an ad-hoc GITEA_MCP_PROFILE role escalation without any shared
     file; a missing env lock (direct operator CLI use) stays allowed;
   - silent except-pass writes are gone; an unresolvable profile fails
     closed.
2. Standard reviewer workflow unbroken: verify_mutation_authority seeds
   itself from the live config-resolved context at the first mutation gate
   (approved preflight path whoami -> eligibility -> review/merge), and now
   runs as the final gate after eligibility, reusing the identity that
   eligibility proved (no extra /user call).
3. Trailing whitespace removed from review_pr.py (git diff --check clean).
4. Module-global verify_mutation_authority no-op bypass removed from
   tests/test_mcp_server.py; replaced with a tests/conftest.py autouse
   fixture that only resets per-process state (_MUTATION_AUTHORITY,
   _IDENTITY_CACHE, session lock env) between tests — the gate itself
   stays live in every test.
5. Tests rewritten for the new design: seeding on first verify, unresolved
   profile fails closed, remote/profile/identity mismatches fail closed,
   session-lock env mismatch rejected, foreign-pid authority reseeded,
   unauthorized author->reviewer pivot blocked, authorized pivot allowed;
   CLI: mismatch blocked, match allowed, no-lock allowed.
6. Rebased onto current master (c6fd0fd).

Closes #199
Refs #194

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 <[email protected]>

author_proofs.py

@@ -0,0 +1,217 @@
+"""Fail-closed branch-identity proofs for author workflows (#177).
+
+Author-side counterpart of the reviewer proofs in ``review_proofs.py``
+(#173). During the #173 implementation itself, a commit landed on local
+``master`` because the shared checkout's branch moved mid-session (origin
+incident of #177). These helpers turn that from an after-the-fact repair
+into a fail-closed gate: an author workflow must prove its local git state
+before staging, committing, or pushing.
+
+The helpers are pure (no git calls): the workflow gathers the raw facts
+(``git branch --show-current``, ``git rev-parse HEAD``, the push refspec,
+the branch named in the issue claim) and passes them in, so the same logic
+works from prompts, harness assertions, and tests. Shared-worktree branch
+switches by other sessions are treated as expected events to detect, not
+exceptional ones. Nothing here weakens the review/merge/permission gates.
+"""
+
+PROTECTED_BRANCHES = frozenset(
+    {"master", "main", "develop", "development", "dev"}
+)
+
+
+def _clean(name):
+    return (name or "").strip()
+
+
+def verify_branch_for_commit(current_branch, intended_branch):
+    """Required behavior 1: prove the branch before staging/committing.
+
+    Proven only when both names are present, the intended branch is not a
+    protected branch, and the current branch equals the intended one (which
+    also rules out being on any protected branch). Returns {'proven',
+    'block', 'reasons', 'current_branch', 'intended_branch'}.
+    """
+    reasons = []
+    current = _clean(current_branch)
+    intended = _clean(intended_branch)
+
+    if not current:
+        reasons.append(
+            "current branch unknown (detached HEAD or state not read); "
+            "fail closed"
+        )
+    if not intended:
+        reasons.append("intended feature branch not stated; fail closed")
+    if intended and intended in PROTECTED_BRANCHES:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"intended branch '{intended}' is a protected branch; author "
+            "work must target a feature branch"
+        )
+    if current and current in PROTECTED_BRANCHES:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"current branch '{current}' is a protected branch; committing "
+            "here is blocked"
+        )
+    if current and intended and current != intended:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"current branch '{current}' is not the intended feature branch "
+            f"'{intended}'; stop before staging/committing"
+        )
+
+    proven = not reasons
+    return {
+        "proven": proven,
+        "block": not proven,
+        "reasons": reasons,
+        "current_branch": current or None,
+        "intended_branch": intended or None,
+    }
+
+
+def detect_branch_drift(branch_at_validation, head_at_validation,
+                        current_branch, current_head):
+    """Required behaviors 2–3: stop when branch or HEAD moved mid-session.
+
+    Compares the branch name and HEAD SHA captured at validation time with
+    the state observed immediately before commit/push. Any difference —
+    including an external branch switch in a shared worktree — is drift and
+    blocks until reconciled. Missing state fails closed.
+    """
+    reasons = []
+    branch_then = _clean(branch_at_validation)
+    branch_now = _clean(current_branch)
+    head_then = _clean(head_at_validation).lower()
+    head_now = _clean(current_head).lower()
+
+    if not branch_then or not head_then:
+        reasons.append("validation-time branch/HEAD not recorded; fail closed")
+    if not branch_now or not head_now:
+        reasons.append("current branch/HEAD not read; fail closed")
+
+    if branch_then and branch_now and branch_then != branch_now:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"branch changed from '{branch_then}' to '{branch_now}' since "
+            "validation — possible external branch switch in a shared "
+            "worktree; stop and reconcile before committing"
+        )
+    if head_then and head_now and head_then != head_now:
+        reasons.append(
+            "HEAD moved since validation; re-validate on the current HEAD "
+            "before committing"
+        )
+
+    drifted = bool(reasons)
+    return {"drifted": drifted, "block": drifted, "reasons": reasons}
+
+
+def verify_push_target(current_branch, remote_target_branch, intended_branch):
+    """Acceptance: a push needs local, remote, and intended branches to match.
+
+    Proven only when all three names are present, equal, and not a
+    protected branch — a feature-branch workflow never pushes a protected
+    branch, and never pushes to a refspec other than its own branch.
+    """
+    reasons = []
+    current = _clean(current_branch)
+    remote_target = _clean(remote_target_branch)
+    intended = _clean(intended_branch)
+
+    if not current:
+        reasons.append("current branch unknown; fail closed")
+    if not remote_target:
+        reasons.append("remote target branch not stated; fail closed")
+    if not intended:
+        reasons.append("intended feature branch not stated; fail closed")
+
+    for label, name in (("current", current), ("remote target", remote_target),
+                        ("intended", intended)):
+        if name and name in PROTECTED_BRANCHES:
+            reasons.append(
+                f"{label} branch '{name}' is a protected branch; author "
+                "pushes to protected branches are blocked"
+            )
+
+    if current and remote_target and current != remote_target:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"push target '{remote_target}' does not match the local branch "
+            f"'{current}'"
+        )
+    if current and intended and current != intended:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"local branch '{current}' does not match the intended feature "
+            f"branch '{intended}'"
+        )
+
+    proven = not reasons
+    return {
+        "proven": proven,
+        "block": not proven,
+        "reasons": reasons,
+    }
+
+
+def assess_protected_branch_commit(commit_branch, pushed=False,
+                                   repair_reported=True):
+    """Required behavior 4: handle an accidental protected-branch commit.
+
+    If a commit landed on a protected branch: it must never be pushed, a
+    repair is required, and the repair must be *reported* — silently
+    continuing after (or without) repair is a violation, as is having
+    pushed the accident.
+    """
+    branch = _clean(commit_branch)
+    accident = branch in PROTECTED_BRANCHES
+
+    violations = []
+    if accident:
+        if pushed:
+            violations.append(
+                f"accidental commit on protected branch '{branch}' was "
+                "pushed; protected-branch pushes are forbidden"
+            )
+        if not repair_reported:
+            violations.append(
+                "protected-branch commit repair was not reported; the "
+                "workflow must surface the accident and the repair steps, "
+                "never silently continue"
+            )
+
+    return {
+        "accident": accident,
+        "must_not_push": accident,
+        "repair_required": accident,
+        "violations": violations,
+    }
+
+
+def build_commit_push_report(commit_proof, drift, push_proof, accident=None):
+    """Acceptance: final report carries branch proof before commit and push.
+
+    Combines the individual proofs; any failed proof, detected drift, or
+    accident violation makes the status 'blocked' — the workflow stops and
+    reports instead of continuing.
+    """
+    accident = accident or {"accident": False, "violations": []}
+    violations = list(accident.get("violations", []))
+
+    blocked = (
+        not commit_proof.get("proven")
+        or drift.get("drifted")
+        or not push_proof.get("proven")
+        or bool(violations)
+    )
+
+    return {
+        "status": "blocked" if blocked else "ok",
+        "branch_proof_before_commit": bool(commit_proof.get("proven")),
+        "branch_proof_before_push": bool(push_proof.get("proven")),
+        "drift_detected": bool(drift.get("drifted")),
+        "protected_branch_accident": bool(accident.get("accident")),
+        "violations": violations,
+        "reasons": (
+            list(commit_proof.get("reasons", []))
+            + list(drift.get("reasons", []))
+            + list(push_proof.get("reasons", []))
+        ),
+    }

mcp_server.py

@@ -16,10 +16,135 @@ Configuration (mcp_config.json):
 import os
 import re
 import sys
+import json
 import functools
 import contextlib
 import subprocess
 
+
+# Mutation-authority record (#199, refs #194). Deliberately in-process, NOT a
+# file: a /tmp lock is host-global, writable (spoofable) by any local process,
+# goes silently stale across sessions, and races between concurrent agent
+# sessions. This record lives and dies with the MCP server process, so it can
+# never be forged from outside or leak between sessions. The CLI side-channel
+# (a subprocess overriding GITEA_MCP_PROFILE to escalate roles) is covered by
+# SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK_ENV below: the server exports its launch profile into
+# the environment, children inherit it, and reviewer CLIs (review_pr.py)
+# refuse to run under a different resolved profile.
+_MUTATION_AUTHORITY: dict | None = None
+
+SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK_ENV = "GITEA_SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK"
+
+
+def _export_session_profile_lock():
+    """Export this process's launch profile for child CLI processes.
+
+    setdefault: an already-locked environment (outer session) wins, so a
+    nested launch cannot relabel the session.
+    """
+    try:
+        name = (get_profile().get("profile_name") or "").strip()
+        if name:
+            os.environ.setdefault(SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK_ENV, name)
+    except Exception:
+        # Profile resolution problems surface loudly on the first real call;
+        # the lock export must not mask them here at import time.
+        pass
+
+
+def record_mutation_authority(profile_name: str | None, identity: str | None,
+                              remote: str | None, task: str | None):
+    """Record the resolved capability context for this process (fail-closed
+    consumers in verify_mutation_authority)."""
+    global _MUTATION_AUTHORITY
+    _MUTATION_AUTHORITY = {
+        "initial_profile": profile_name,
+        "initial_identity": identity,
+        "current_profile": profile_name,
+        "current_identity": identity,
+        "remote": remote,
+        "task": task,
+        "role_pivot_authorized": False,
+        "role_pivot_record": None,
+        "pid": os.getpid(),
+    }
+
+
+def verify_mutation_authority(remote: str | None, host: str | None = None,
+                              required_role: str = "reviewer",
+                              active_identity: str | None = None):
+    """Verify the current mutation matches this process's recorded authority.
+
+    Fail-closed rules:
+    - No recorded authority (or one from another process after a fork) is
+      seeded from the live, config-resolved context — the approved preflight
+      path (whoami → eligibility → mutation) therefore works without an
+      explicit resolve call — but an unresolvable profile still fails closed.
+    - GITEA_SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK (set by the launching session) must match
+      the active profile: a mid-session GITEA_MCP_PROFILE override flips the
+      active profile away from the lock and is refused.
+    - Remote, profile, and identity must match the recorded authority.
+    - An author→reviewer pivot requires an authorized pivot record
+      (gitea_activate_profile in dynamic mode); it can never be improvised.
+    """
+    global _MUTATION_AUTHORITY
+
+    profile = get_profile()
+    active_profile = profile.get("profile_name")
+    if active_identity is None:
+        # Callers that already proved the identity (eligibility gate) pass it
+        # in; otherwise resolve it here (cached, read-only).
+        h = host or (REMOTES.get(remote, {}).get("host") if remote in REMOTES else None)
+        active_identity = _authenticated_username(h) if h else None
+
+    if not active_profile:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            "Mutation authority unavailable: active profile unresolved (fail closed)"
+        )
+
+    session_lock = (os.environ.get(SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK_ENV) or "").strip()
+    if session_lock and session_lock != active_profile:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Active profile '{active_profile}' does not match the session "
+            f"profile lock '{session_lock}' — profile side-channel override "
+            "rejected (fail closed)"
+        )
+
+    data = _MUTATION_AUTHORITY
+    if data is None or data.get("pid") != os.getpid():
+        # First mutation gate in this process (approved preflight path):
+        # seed the authority from the live context, then verify against it.
+        record_mutation_authority(
+            active_profile, active_identity, remote, "seeded-at-mutation-gate"
+        )
+        data = _MUTATION_AUTHORITY
+
+    if data.get("remote") != remote:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Mutation remote '{remote}' does not match locked remote "
+            f"'{data.get('remote')}' (fail closed)"
+        )
+
+    locked_profile = data.get("current_profile")
+    locked_identity = data.get("current_identity")
+    if active_profile != locked_profile or active_identity != locked_identity:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Mutation profile '{active_profile}' or identity '{active_identity}' "
+            f"does not match locked authority (profile: '{locked_profile}', "
+            f"identity: '{locked_identity}') (fail closed)"
+        )
+
+    # Reviewer/author role pivot boundary: only an authorized pivot
+    # (recorded by gitea_activate_profile) may cross author → reviewer.
+    if (required_role == "reviewer"
+            and "author" in str(data.get("initial_profile")).lower()
+            and "reviewer" in str(active_profile).lower()):
+        if not data.get("role_pivot_authorized"):
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "Attempted reviewer mutation from author session without "
+                "authorized role pivot (fail closed)"
+            )
+
 # Resolve the project root. MCP clients must launch this script directly with
 # the venv interpreter (venv/bin/python3) — see the config example above. We do
 # NOT os.execv() to re-point the interpreter: replacing the process after the
@@ -1043,6 +1168,17 @@ def gitea_submit_pr_review(
         reasons.append("PR head SHA unavailable (fail closed)")
         return result
 
+    # Gate 5 — in-process mutation authority (#199): the last check before
+    # the mutating POST, using the identity the eligibility gate proved.
+    # A profile/identity flip or side-channel override between preflight
+    # and mutation fails closed here.
+    try:
+        verify_mutation_authority(remote, host, required_role="reviewer",
+                                  active_identity=auth_user)
+    except RuntimeError as e:
+        reasons.append(str(e))
+        return result
+
     # All gates passed — perform the single mutating call.
     h, o, r = _resolve(remote, host, org, repo)
     try:
@@ -1389,6 +1525,17 @@ def gitea_merge_pr(
         reasons.append("self-merge blocked (authenticated user is PR author)")
         return result
 
+    # Gate 7 — in-process mutation authority (#199): the last check before
+    # the merge mutation, using the identity the eligibility gate proved.
+    # A profile/identity flip or side-channel override between preflight
+    # and merge fails closed here.
+    try:
+        verify_mutation_authority(remote, host, required_role="reviewer",
+                                  active_identity=auth_user)
+    except RuntimeError as e:
+        reasons.append(str(e))
+        return result
+
     # All gates passed — perform the single merge mutation.
     try:
         auth = _auth(h)
@@ -2307,26 +2454,26 @@ _PROJECT_SKILLS = {
             "committed.",
         ],
     },
-    "jenkins-readonly": {
+    "jenkins-mcp": {
         "description": "Read-only Jenkins CI inspection (jobs, builds, "
-                       "logs). Actual server name: jenkins-mcp (see mcp-control-plane).",
+                       "logs).",
         "when_to_use": "Checking CI state once Jenkins MCP tools exist.",
         "required_operations": ["jenkins.read"],
         "status": "designed-not-implemented",
-        "notes": "Server code exists in mcp-control-plane as jenkins-mcp (read tools + gated trigger); registration pending (#55); docs in Gitea-Tools use historical name. Report SKIPPED if not connected. Do not substitute shell/API. Trigger requires dedicated profile (see #56).",
+        "notes": "Server code exists in mcp-control-plane as jenkins-mcp (read tools + gated trigger); registration pending. To register for discoverability in clients (Codex/Gemini/Grok/etc.): add to client MCP config under the jenkins-mcp name, reconnect/reload the client session after registration. Report SKIPPED if not connected. Do not substitute shell/API. Trigger requires dedicated profile (see #56).",
         "steps": [
             "Confirm a Jenkins MCP server is connected (jenkins-mcp); if not, report "
             "SKIPPED.",
             "Use read-only operations only; never trigger unless using dedicated profile + confirmation.",
         ],
     },
-    "glitchtip-readonly": {
-        "description": "Read-only GlitchTip error/event inspection. Actual server name: glitchtip-mcp (see mcp-control-plane).",
+    "glitchtip-mcp": {
+        "description": "Read-only GlitchTip error/event inspection.",
         "when_to_use": "Investigating reported errors once GlitchTip MCP "
                        "tools exist.",
         "required_operations": ["glitchtip.read"],
         "status": "designed-not-implemented",
-        "notes": "Server code exists in mcp-control-plane as glitchtip-mcp (read-only tools); registration pending (#55); filing orchestrator is partial in mcp-control-plane (see #57). Report SKIPPED if not connected. Filing to Gitea is separate orchestrator, not in this server.",
+        "notes": "Server code exists in mcp-control-plane as glitchtip-mcp (read-only tools); registration pending. To register for discoverability in clients (Codex/Gemini/Grok/etc.): add to client MCP config under the glitchtip-mcp name, reconnect/reload the client session after registration. Filing orchestrator is partial in mcp-control-plane (see #57). Report SKIPPED if not connected. Filing to Gitea is separate orchestrator, not in this server.",
         "steps": [
             "Confirm a GlitchTip MCP server is connected (glitchtip-mcp); if not, report "
             "SKIPPED.",
@@ -2987,6 +3134,22 @@ def gitea_activate_profile(
     after_profile = get_profile()["profile_name"]
     after_identity = _authenticated_username(h) if h else None
 
+    # 4.5 Record the authorized pivot in the in-process mutation authority
+    # and keep the session profile lock in sync — this is the ONLY path that
+    # may authorize an author→reviewer role pivot.
+    if _MUTATION_AUTHORITY is not None:
+        _MUTATION_AUTHORITY["current_profile"] = after_profile
+        _MUTATION_AUTHORITY["current_identity"] = after_identity
+        _MUTATION_AUTHORITY["role_pivot_authorized"] = True
+        _MUTATION_AUTHORITY["role_pivot_record"] = {
+            "from_profile": before_profile,
+            "to_profile": after_profile,
+            "from_identity": before_identity,
+            "to_identity": after_identity,
+        }
+    if os.environ.get(SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK_ENV) and after_profile:
+        os.environ[SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK_ENV] = after_profile
+
     # 5. Audit the switch if auditing is on
     _audit(
         "activate_profile",
@@ -3476,6 +3639,8 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
             "STOP: the active profile cannot perform the requested task; "
             "follow exact_safe_next_action instead of improvising.")
 
+    record_mutation_authority(profile["profile_name"], username, remote if remote in REMOTES else None, task)
+
     return {
         "requested_task": task,
         "required_operation_permission": required_permission,
@@ -3496,4 +3661,8 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
 # ── Entry point ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
+    # Lock this session's launch profile into the environment so child CLI
+    # processes (e.g. review_pr.py) can detect and refuse profile
+    # side-channel overrides (#199).
+    _export_session_profile_lock()
     mcp.run(transport="stdio")

review_pr.py

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ venv_python = os.path.join(PROJECT_ROOT, "venv", "bin", "python3")
 if os.path.exists(venv_python) and sys.executable != venv_python:
     os.execv(venv_python, [venv_python] + sys.argv)
 
-from gitea_auth import get_auth_header, resolve_remote, add_remote_args, api_request, repo_api_url
+from gitea_auth import get_auth_header, resolve_remote, add_remote_args, api_request, repo_api_url, get_profile
 
 
 def main(argv=None):
@@ -60,6 +60,32 @@ def main(argv=None):
 
     host, org, repo = resolve_remote(args)
 
+    # ── Reviewer mutation side-channel wall (#199, refs #194) ──
+    # The launching MCP session exports GITEA_SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK with the
+    # profile it was started with; child processes inherit it. If this CLI
+    # resolves a different profile — e.g. an ad-hoc GITEA_MCP_PROFILE
+    # override escalating an author-bound session to reviewer — refuse
+    # before any API call. No lock in the environment means no session
+    # context (direct operator CLI use), which stays allowed. Unlike a /tmp
+    # lock file, the environment is per-process-tree: other sessions cannot
+    # spoof it and it cannot go stale across sessions.
+    session_lock = (os.environ.get("GITEA_SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK") or "").strip()
+    if session_lock:
+        try:
+            cli_profile = (get_profile().get("profile_name") or "").strip()
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"Mutation authority check failed: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
+            return 3
+        if cli_profile != session_lock:
+            print(
+                f"Mismatched active profile vs session profile lock "
+                f"(CLI override rejected): CLI profile '{cli_profile}' does "
+                f"not match locked session profile '{session_lock}' "
+                f"(fail closed)",
+                file=sys.stderr,
+            )
+            return 3
+
     body = args.body
     if args.body_file:
         if args.body_file == "-":

review_proofs.py

@@ -330,9 +330,97 @@ def assess_self_review_contamination(reviewer_identity, pr_author,
     }
 
 
+def assess_role_boundary(proof):
+    """Assess reviewer/author role separation for blind queue workflows.
+
+    Issue #175 blocks a reviewer queue task from silently becoming author
+    implementation work. The workflow may use both namespaces only when that
+    mixed use is explicit, justified, and non-mutating; author mutations after
+    a reviewer queue task require an explicit operator authorization.
+
+    *proof* keys:
+    ``task_role`` ('reviewer' or 'author'), ``task_kind`` (for example
+    'blind_pr_queue_review'), ``reviewer_namespace_used``,
+    ``author_namespace_used``, ``author_mutations`` (list), ``review_mutations``
+    (list), ``operator_authorized_author_work``, ``mixed_namespace_justification``,
+    ``scratch_evidence_claimed``, and ``scratch_evidence_durable``.
+    """
+    proof = proof or {}
+    task_role = (proof.get("task_role") or "").strip().lower()
+    task_kind = (proof.get("task_kind") or "").strip().lower()
+    author_mutations = list(proof.get("author_mutations") or [])
+    review_mutations = list(proof.get("review_mutations") or [])
+    reviewer_used = bool(proof.get("reviewer_namespace_used"))
+    author_used = bool(proof.get("author_namespace_used"))
+    authorized = bool(proof.get("operator_authorized_author_work"))
+    mixed_justification = (
+        proof.get("mixed_namespace_justification") or ""
+    ).strip()
+    scratch_claimed = bool(proof.get("scratch_evidence_claimed"))
+    scratch_durable = bool(proof.get("scratch_evidence_durable"))
+
+    reasons = []
+    violations = []
+
+    if task_role not in {"reviewer", "author"}:
+        reasons.append("task role missing or unknown; role boundary unproven")
+
+    if task_role == "reviewer":
+        if author_mutations and not authorized:
+            violations.append(
+                "reviewer task performed author mutations without explicit "
+                "operator authorization"
+            )
+        if author_used and not mixed_justification:
+            reasons.append(
+                "reviewer task used author namespace without an explicit "
+                "justification"
+            )
+        if task_kind == "blind_pr_queue_review" and author_mutations:
+            if not authorized:
+                violations.append(
+                    "blind PR queue review silently pivoted into author "
+                    "implementation"
+                )
+    elif task_role == "author":
+        if review_mutations:
+            violations.append(
+                "author task performed reviewer-only mutations"
+            )
+
+    if reviewer_used and author_used and not mixed_justification:
+        reasons.append(
+            "mixed reviewer+author namespace use was not reported as a "
+            "role-boundary event"
+        )
+
+    if scratch_claimed and not scratch_durable:
+        reasons.append(
+            "scratch-only notes were claimed as durable evidence"
+        )
+
+    if violations:
+        status = "violation"
+        safe_next_action = "stop; report role-boundary violation"
+    elif reasons:
+        status = "warning"
+        safe_next_action = "downgrade final report; do not claim A-level proof"
+    else:
+        status = "clean"
+        safe_next_action = "proceed"
+
+    return {
+        "status": status,
+        "clean": status == "clean",
+        "reasons": reasons,
+        "violations": violations,
+        "safe_next_action": safe_next_action,
+    }
+
+
 def build_final_report(checkout_proof, inventory, validation, contamination,
                        identity_eligible, merge_performed,
-                       issue_status_verified):
+                       issue_status_verified, role_boundary=None):
     """Required behavior 6 + acceptance criteria: one report, distinct proofs.
 
     Combines the individual proof verdicts into the final-report fields the
@@ -348,6 +436,12 @@ def build_final_report(checkout_proof, inventory, validation, contamination,
     checkout_proven = bool(checkout_proof.get("proven"))
     validation_claimable = bool(validation.get("claimable"))
     validation_strong = validation.get("verdict") == "strong"
+    role_boundary = role_boundary or {
+        "status": "warning",
+        "reasons": ["role-boundary proof missing"],
+        "violations": [],
+    }
+    role_status = role_boundary.get("status", "warning")
 
     downgrade_reasons = []
     if not identity_eligible:
@@ -367,6 +461,9 @@ def build_final_report(checkout_proof, inventory, validation, contamination,
         downgrade_reasons.append(
             f"session contamination status is '{contamination_status}'"
         )
+    if role_status != "clean":
+        downgrade_reasons.append(f"role boundary status is '{role_status}'")
+        downgrade_reasons.extend(role_boundary.get("reasons", []))
     if not issue_status_verified:
         downgrade_reasons.append("linked issue status not verified")
 
@@ -374,6 +471,7 @@ def build_final_report(checkout_proof, inventory, validation, contamination,
         identity_eligible
         and checkout_proven
         and contamination_status == "clean"
+        and role_status == "clean"
         and validation_claimable
         and validation.get("verdict") != "invalid"
     )
@@ -384,6 +482,7 @@ def build_final_report(checkout_proof, inventory, validation, contamination,
             "merge was performed/claimed although the proofs did not allow "
             "one; this run is blocked, not graded"
         )
+    violations.extend(role_boundary.get("violations", []))
 
     if violations:
         grade = "blocked"
@@ -400,6 +499,7 @@ def build_final_report(checkout_proof, inventory, validation, contamination,
         "pr_author_distinct_from_reviewer":
             contamination_status in ("clean",),
         "session_contamination": contamination_status,
+        "role_boundary": role_status,
         "inventory_complete": bool(inventory.get("complete")),
         "validated_on_pinned_head": checkout_proven and validation_claimable,
         "validation_passed":
@@ -533,3 +633,97 @@ def assess_controller_handoff(report_text, role=None):
         "missing_fields": [],
         "reasons": [],
     }
+
+
+# ── PR Inventory Trust Gate (Issue #194) ──────────────────────────────────────
+#
+# A reviewer agent may not convert an empty PR list response into a definitive
+# "no open PRs" conclusion unless the inventory result is independently proven
+# trustworthy.
+
+def pr_inventory_trust_gate(
+    list_prs_response: list | None,
+    remote: str | None = None,
+    org: str | None = None,
+    repo: str | None = None,
+    state: str | None = None,
+    authenticated_profile: dict | None = None,
+    local_remote_url: str | None = None,
+    user_context: str | None = None,
+    corroboration_open_pr_counter: int | None = None,
+    has_finality_metadata: bool = False,
+) -> dict:
+    """Evaluate whether an empty PR list is trusted or untrusted.
+
+    Returns a dict with 'status', 'reasons', and 'corroborated'.
+    """
+    if list_prs_response is None or not isinstance(list_prs_response, list):
+        return {
+            "status": "inventory_error",
+            "reasons": ["PR list response is invalid (not a list or None)"],
+            "corroborated": False,
+        }
+
+    if len(list_prs_response) > 0:
+        return {
+            "status": "trusted_nonempty",
+            "reasons": [],
+            "corroborated": False,
+        }
+
+    reasons = []
+
+    # 1. Exact remote, owner, repo, and state filter resolved correctly
+    if not remote or remote not in ("dadeschools", "prgs"):
+        reasons.append("remote instance is invalid or unresolved")
+    if not org or not org.strip():
+        reasons.append("owner/org is invalid or unresolved")
+    if not repo or not repo.strip():
+        reasons.append("repository name is invalid or unresolved")
+    if state != "open":
+        reasons.append("state filter is not 'open'")
+
+    # 2. Authenticated profile permission check
+    if not authenticated_profile or not isinstance(authenticated_profile, dict):
+        reasons.append("authenticated profile is missing or invalid")
+    else:
+        allowed = authenticated_profile.get("allowed_operations") or []
+        if "gitea.read" not in allowed and "read" not in allowed:
+            reasons.append("authenticated profile lacks read permissions")
+
+    # 3. Pagination/finality metadata or independent read path corroboration
+    corroborated = False
+    if has_finality_metadata:
+        corroborated = True
+    elif corroboration_open_pr_counter == 0:
+        corroborated = True
+    else:
+        reasons.append("pagination finality not proven and open_pr_counter corroboration is missing or non-zero")
+
+    # 4. Local checkout remote URL matching the target repo
+    if not local_remote_url or not isinstance(local_remote_url, str):
+        reasons.append("local checkout remote URL is missing or invalid")
+    else:
+        expected = f"{org}/{repo}".lower()
+        if expected not in local_remote_url.lower():
+            reasons.append(f"local remote URL does not match target repository '{org}/{repo}'")
+
+    # 5. User context check (indicators that PRs should exist)
+    if user_context and isinstance(user_context, str):
+        indicators = ["pr #", "pull request #", "open pr", "pr queue"]
+        found = [ind for ind in indicators if ind in user_context.lower()]
+        if found:
+            reasons.append(f"user context indicates open PRs should exist (matched: {', '.join(found)})")
+
+    if reasons:
+        return {
+            "status": "untrusted_empty",
+            "reasons": reasons,
+            "corroborated": corroborated,
+        }
+
+    return {
+        "status": "trusted_empty",
+        "reasons": [],
+        "corroborated": corroborated,
+    }

skills/llm-project-workflow/SKILL.md

@@ -150,12 +150,33 @@ Worktree folder = branch with `/` replaced by `-`
 6. Implement the narrow scope only — no unrelated refactors or formatting churn.
 7. Add/update focused tests when behavior changes.
 8. Run the checks (tests, compile/lint, `git diff --check`, secret scan).
-9. Commit with an issue-linked message.
-10. Push the branch.
-11. Open a PR to `master`.
-12. **If you are the author, stop before review/merge.**
-13. **Normal issue work must not directly push to `master`.** PR content should be merged through the forge PR merge mechanism.
-14. Direct push to `master` is allowed only as a documented recovery exception. If used, the final report must include:
+   Record the branch name and `HEAD` SHA at validation time — the drift
+   check in step 9 compares against exactly this state.
+9. **Branch proof before commit (#177):** prove and state, immediately
+   before staging/committing (`author_proofs.verify_branch_for_commit`,
+   `author_proofs.detect_branch_drift`):
+   - current branch (`git branch --show-current`) equals the intended
+     feature branch from the issue claim
+   - current branch is not `master`, `main`, `develop`, `development`, or
+     `dev`
+   - branch and `HEAD` have not changed since validation (step 8) — in a
+     shared checkout another session may switch branches mid-session;
+     treat that as expected and **stop before committing** when detected
+   If any check fails, stop and reconcile; do not commit.
+10. Commit with an issue-linked message.
+11. **Branch proof before push (#177):** prove that the local branch, the
+    push target branch, and the intended issue branch all match, and that
+    none of them is a protected branch
+    (`author_proofs.verify_push_target`). If a commit accidentally landed
+    on a protected branch, do **not** push: report the accident and the
+    exact repair steps (`author_proofs.assess_protected_branch_commit`) —
+    never silently continue after a repair.
+12. Push the branch.
+13. Open a PR to `master`. The final report must include the branch proofs
+    from steps 9 and 11 (`author_proofs.build_commit_push_report`).
+14. **If you are the author, stop before review/merge.**
+15. **Normal issue work must not directly push to `master`.** PR content should be merged through the forge PR merge mechanism.
+16. Direct push to `master` is allowed only as a documented recovery exception. If used, the final report must include:
     - why the PR merge path could not be used
     - exact commits pushed
     - PR metadata state
@@ -196,19 +217,27 @@ Worktree folder = branch with `/` replaced by `-`
    Both configured repos must be reported with state filter, pagination proof,
    and open-PR count (`review_proofs.assess_inventory_completeness` and
    `resolve_repos_from_user_reference`).
-7. Inspect the full diff; confirm scope matches the linked issue; flag unrelated files.
-8. Run the tests. Validation reporting must include the exact command and
+7. **Role-boundary proof (#175):** a reviewer queue task must not silently
+   become author implementation. If no eligible PR exists, stop with the
+   queue report. Do not claim issues, create branches, commit, push, or open
+   PRs unless the operator explicitly retasks the run as author work. Mixed
+   reviewer+author namespace use must be reported with a justification, and
+   scratch-only notes are not durable evidence unless posted or committed
+   intentionally (`review_proofs.assess_role_boundary`).
+8. Inspect the full diff; confirm scope matches the linked issue; flag unrelated files.
+9. Run the tests. Validation reporting must include the exact command and
    exact results: pass/fail, counts of tests passed/skipped/failed, any
    ignored paths and why they are safe to ignore, and whether the command
    differs from the repository's canonical validation command. Only claim a
    validation result after the command has completed and its output has
    been read (`review_proofs.assess_validation_report`).
-9. **Do not merge if checks fail. Do not merge if the reviewer is the author.**
-10. The final report must distinguish (`review_proofs.build_final_report`):
+10. **Do not merge if checks fail. Do not merge if the reviewer is the author.**
+11. The final report must distinguish (`review_proofs.build_final_report`):
     identity eligible; PR author different from reviewer; session
-    contamination absent (with evidence); validation performed on the pinned
-    head; merge performed; issue status verified. If any proof is missing,
-    stop or downgrade the result instead of merging confidently.
+    contamination absent (with evidence); role boundary clean; validation
+    performed on the pinned head; merge performed; issue status verified. If
+    any proof is missing, stop or downgrade the result instead of merging
+    confidently.
 
 ## G. Merge / cleanup workflow
 

skills/llm-project-workflow/templates/review-pr.md

@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ Rules (llm-project-workflow):
 - You must NOT be the PR author. If the authenticated user == PR author, stop.
   A different LLM-Agent-SHA does NOT make you a different actor — only a
   different authenticated Gitea user does (docs/llm-agent-sha.md).
+- Do not pivot from a reviewer queue task into author implementation unless
+  the operator explicitly retasks the run. If author namespace was used, the
+  final report must justify why; author mutations after reviewer queue work
+  without explicit authorization are a role-boundary violation.
 - Do not merge if any check fails.
 
 Steps:
@@ -39,6 +43,10 @@ Steps:
    cannot evidence whether this session authored/touched the PR branch,
    report contamination as UNKNOWN (not contaminated, not clean) and choose
    another PR or stop.
+   Role-boundary claims must also be evidence-backed (#175): report whether
+   reviewer namespace, author namespace, author mutations, or review mutations
+   occurred. Use `review_proofs.assess_role_boundary`; if it is not clean,
+   downgrade or stop instead of claiming an A-level run.
 5. scripts/worktree-review <pr-head-branch>          # detached, branches/review-*
    cd branches/review-<pr-head-branch-slug>
 6. Checkout proof (#173) — prove and state, before any diff review or

skills/llm-project-workflow/templates/start-issue.md

@@ -26,8 +26,19 @@ Steps:
    cd branches/<type>-issue-<n>-<slug>
 6. Implement the narrow scope only; add/update focused tests if behavior changes.
 7. Checks: run the test suite, compile/lint changed files, git diff --check,
-   and scan the diff for secrets.
-8. Commit (issue-linked message), push the branch, open a PR to master.
+   and scan the diff for secrets. Record the branch name and HEAD SHA at
+   validation time.
+8. Branch proof before commit (#177) — prove and state:
+   - git branch --show-current == the intended issue branch from step 5
+   - the branch is NOT master/main/develop/development/dev
+   - branch and HEAD unchanged since step 7 (another session can switch a
+     shared checkout mid-session; if drift is detected, STOP and reconcile
+     before committing)
+   If a commit accidentally lands on a protected branch: do NOT push;
+   report the accident and the exact repair steps — never silently continue.
+9. Commit (issue-linked message). Branch proof before push (#177): local
+   branch == push target branch == intended issue branch, none protected.
+   Then push the branch and open a PR to master.
    *The PR body MUST use closing keywords like `Closes #N` or `Fixes #N` to close the issue; do NOT use `Implements #N` or `Refs #N` for closing, as Gitea will not auto-close it.*
    Include an "LLM Handoff Metadata" block in the PR body (attribution only;
    never an eligibility input — docs/llm-agent-sha.md):
@@ -40,7 +51,7 @@ Steps:
    - Branch: <branch>
    - Worktree: <worktree path>
    - Self-review allowed: no
-9. Stop before review/merge — you are the author.
+10. Stop before review/merge — you are the author.
 
 Handoff: end with a section titled exactly `Controller Handoff` per SKILL.md
 §K (compact; long form only on the high-risk triggers), including the author

tests/conftest.py

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+"""Shared pytest fixtures for the Gitea-Tools test suite."""
+import sys
+
+import pytest
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(__import__("pathlib").Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def _reset_mutation_authority(monkeypatch):
+    """Isolate the in-process mutation authority between tests (#199).
+
+    The mutation-authority gate stays LIVE in every test — this fixture only
+    clears the per-process record and the session profile lock so one test's
+    seeded authority (or an intentionally mismatched one) cannot leak into
+    the next test. It must never replace verify_mutation_authority with a
+    no-op: individual tests that need a specific authority state set it up
+    explicitly.
+    """
+    monkeypatch.delenv("GITEA_SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK", raising=False)
+    try:
+        import mcp_server
+    except Exception:
+        yield
+        return
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mcp_server, "_MUTATION_AUTHORITY", None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mcp_server, "_IDENTITY_CACHE", {})
+    yield

tests/test_author_proofs.py

@@ -0,0 +1,234 @@
+"""Tests for author-side branch-identity proofs (Issue #177).
+
+Issue #177 (author-side counterpart of the #173 reviewer proofs) requires
+author workflows to *prove* local git state before staging, committing, or
+pushing, instead of discovering drift after the fact:
+
+1. The current branch equals the intended feature branch and is never a
+   protected branch (master/main/develop/development/dev).
+2. Branch or HEAD drift between validation and commit — including external
+   branch switches in a shared worktree — stops the workflow.
+3. A push requires local branch, remote target branch, and intended issue
+   branch to all match.
+4. An accidental commit on a protected branch must not be pushed and its
+   repair must be reported, never silently continued.
+
+These are the harness assertions from the issue's Required behavior 5.
+"""
+import sys
+import unittest
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(__import__("pathlib").Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+from author_proofs import (  # noqa: E402
+    PROTECTED_BRANCHES,
+    assess_protected_branch_commit,
+    build_commit_push_report,
+    detect_branch_drift,
+    verify_branch_for_commit,
+    verify_push_target,
+)
+
+FEATURE = "feat/issue-177-branch-drift-proofs"
+HEAD_1 = "64dc334a92685b7b6a1fdb7ffe363f02a69f5dbd"
+HEAD_2 = "ccc5ef79dfe629853e144763238593bd808d57e0"
+
+
+class TestProtectedBranches(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_known_protected_names(self):
+        for name in ("master", "main", "develop", "development", "dev"):
+            self.assertIn(name, PROTECTED_BRANCHES)
+
+
+class TestVerifyBranchForCommit(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Required behavior 1: prove the branch before staging/committing."""
+
+    def test_on_intended_feature_branch_is_proven(self):
+        proof = verify_branch_for_commit(FEATURE, FEATURE)
+        self.assertTrue(proof["proven"])
+        self.assertFalse(proof["block"])
+
+    def test_commit_attempted_while_on_master_is_blocked(self):
+        # Harness assertion (behavior 5, bullet 1).
+        proof = verify_branch_for_commit("master", FEATURE)
+        self.assertFalse(proof["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(proof["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("master" in r for r in proof["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_every_protected_branch_is_blocked_as_current(self):
+        for name in PROTECTED_BRANCHES:
+            proof = verify_branch_for_commit(name, FEATURE)
+            self.assertTrue(proof["block"], name)
+
+    def test_intended_branch_may_not_be_protected(self):
+        proof = verify_branch_for_commit("master", "master")
+        self.assertFalse(proof["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(proof["block"])
+
+    def test_wrong_feature_branch_is_blocked(self):
+        proof = verify_branch_for_commit("feat/issue-178-other-work", FEATURE)
+        self.assertFalse(proof["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(proof["block"])
+
+    def test_missing_current_branch_fails_closed(self):
+        proof = verify_branch_for_commit("", FEATURE)
+        self.assertTrue(proof["block"])
+
+    def test_missing_intended_branch_fails_closed(self):
+        proof = verify_branch_for_commit(FEATURE, None)
+        self.assertTrue(proof["block"])
+
+
+class TestBranchDrift(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Required behaviors 2 + 3: drift between validation and commit stops
+    the workflow."""
+
+    def test_no_drift_when_branch_and_head_unchanged(self):
+        drift = detect_branch_drift(FEATURE, HEAD_1, FEATURE, HEAD_1)
+        self.assertFalse(drift["drifted"])
+        self.assertFalse(drift["block"])
+
+    def test_branch_drift_between_validation_and_commit_is_blocked(self):
+        # Harness assertion (behavior 5, bullet 2).
+        drift = detect_branch_drift(FEATURE, HEAD_1, "feat/other", HEAD_1)
+        self.assertTrue(drift["drifted"])
+        self.assertTrue(drift["block"])
+
+    def test_shared_worktree_branch_switch_is_detected(self):
+        # Harness assertion (behavior 5, bullet 4): an external session
+        # switching the shared checkout to another branch (e.g. master)
+        # must be detected as drift, not treated as exceptional noise.
+        drift = detect_branch_drift(FEATURE, HEAD_1, "master", HEAD_1)
+        self.assertTrue(drift["drifted"])
+        self.assertTrue(drift["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("switch" in r.lower() for r in drift["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_head_moved_since_validation_is_blocked(self):
+        drift = detect_branch_drift(FEATURE, HEAD_1, FEATURE, HEAD_2)
+        self.assertTrue(drift["drifted"])
+        self.assertTrue(drift["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("HEAD" in r for r in drift["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_missing_state_fails_closed(self):
+        drift = detect_branch_drift(FEATURE, HEAD_1, FEATURE, None)
+        self.assertTrue(drift["drifted"])
+        self.assertTrue(drift["block"])
+
+
+class TestVerifyPushTarget(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Required behavior 1 (push leg) + acceptance: push needs proof that
+    local, remote, and intended branches all match."""
+
+    def test_matching_local_remote_and_intended_is_proven(self):
+        proof = verify_push_target(FEATURE, FEATURE, FEATURE)
+        self.assertTrue(proof["proven"])
+        self.assertFalse(proof["block"])
+
+    def test_push_target_mismatch_is_blocked(self):
+        # Harness assertion (behavior 5, bullet 3).
+        proof = verify_push_target(FEATURE, "feat/issue-178-other-work", FEATURE)
+        self.assertFalse(proof["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(proof["block"])
+
+    def test_local_branch_differs_from_intended_is_blocked(self):
+        proof = verify_push_target("feat/other", FEATURE, FEATURE)
+        self.assertTrue(proof["block"])
+
+    def test_pushing_a_protected_branch_is_blocked(self):
+        proof = verify_push_target("master", "master", "master")
+        self.assertFalse(proof["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(proof["block"])
+
+    def test_missing_remote_target_fails_closed(self):
+        proof = verify_push_target(FEATURE, "", FEATURE)
+        self.assertTrue(proof["block"])
+
+
+class TestProtectedBranchAccident(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Required behavior 4: accidental protected-branch commits must not be
+    pushed and their repair must be reported."""
+
+    def test_feature_branch_commit_is_not_an_accident(self):
+        result = assess_protected_branch_commit(FEATURE)
+        self.assertFalse(result["accident"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["violations"], [])
+
+    def test_commit_on_master_is_an_accident_and_must_not_push(self):
+        result = assess_protected_branch_commit(
+            "master", pushed=False, repair_reported=True
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["accident"])
+        self.assertTrue(result["must_not_push"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["violations"], [])
+        self.assertTrue(result["repair_required"])
+
+    def test_pushing_the_accident_is_a_violation(self):
+        result = assess_protected_branch_commit(
+            "master", pushed=True, repair_reported=True
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(any("push" in v.lower() for v in result["violations"]))
+
+    def test_silent_repair_is_a_violation(self):
+        # Harness assertion (behavior 5, bullet 5): the repair path must not
+        # silently continue without reporting.
+        result = assess_protected_branch_commit(
+            "master", pushed=False, repair_reported=False
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(any("report" in v.lower() for v in result["violations"]))
+
+
+class TestCommitPushReport(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Acceptance criteria: the final report includes branch proof before
+    commit and before push, and blocks instead of continuing."""
+
+    def _report(self, **overrides):
+        kwargs = {
+            "commit_proof": verify_branch_for_commit(FEATURE, FEATURE),
+            "drift": detect_branch_drift(FEATURE, HEAD_1, FEATURE, HEAD_1),
+            "push_proof": verify_push_target(FEATURE, FEATURE, FEATURE),
+            "accident": assess_protected_branch_commit(FEATURE),
+        }
+        kwargs.update(overrides)
+        return build_commit_push_report(**kwargs)
+
+    def test_fully_proven_report_is_ok(self):
+        report = self._report()
+        self.assertEqual(report["status"], "ok")
+        self.assertTrue(report["branch_proof_before_commit"])
+        self.assertTrue(report["branch_proof_before_push"])
+        self.assertFalse(report["drift_detected"])
+        self.assertEqual(report["violations"], [])
+
+    def test_commit_proof_failure_blocks(self):
+        report = self._report(
+            commit_proof=verify_branch_for_commit("master", FEATURE)
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(report["status"], "blocked")
+        self.assertFalse(report["branch_proof_before_commit"])
+
+    def test_drift_blocks(self):
+        report = self._report(
+            drift=detect_branch_drift(FEATURE, HEAD_1, "master", HEAD_1)
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(report["status"], "blocked")
+        self.assertTrue(report["drift_detected"])
+
+    def test_push_proof_failure_blocks(self):
+        report = self._report(
+            push_proof=verify_push_target(FEATURE, "feat/other", FEATURE)
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(report["status"], "blocked")
+        self.assertFalse(report["branch_proof_before_push"])
+
+    def test_accident_violations_block(self):
+        report = self._report(
+            accident=assess_protected_branch_commit(
+                "master", pushed=False, repair_reported=False
+            )
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(report["status"], "blocked")
+        self.assertTrue(report["violations"])
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_mcp_server.py

@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@ from mcp_server import (  # noqa: E402
 from gitea_auth import get_profile  # noqa: E402
 import gitea_config  # noqa: E402
 
+import mcp_server
+
 FAKE_AUTH = "Basic dGVzdDp0ZXN0"
 
 
@@ -2296,3 +2298,122 @@ class TestIssueCommentPermissionSeparation(unittest.TestCase):
             "gitea.issue.comment", reviewer["allowed_operations"],
             reviewer.get("forbidden_operations", []))
         self.assertTrue(ok)
+
+
+class TestVerifyMutationAuthority(unittest.TestCase):
+    """In-process mutation authority (#199, refs #194).
+
+    The authority record lives in mcp_server._MUTATION_AUTHORITY (per
+    process, reset between tests by conftest); the CLI side-channel is
+    covered by the GITEA_SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK environment lock. There is no
+    lock file — nothing here touches /tmp.
+    """
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.patch_profile = patch("mcp_server.get_profile")
+        self.mock_profile = self.patch_profile.start()
+        self.patch_username = patch("mcp_server._authenticated_username")
+        self.mock_username = self.patch_username.start()
+        self.mock_profile.return_value = {"profile_name": "prgs-reviewer"}
+        self.mock_username.return_value = "sysadmin"
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        self.patch_profile.stop()
+        self.patch_username.stop()
+
+    def _authority(self, **overrides):
+        data = {
+            "initial_profile": "prgs-reviewer",
+            "initial_identity": "sysadmin",
+            "current_profile": "prgs-reviewer",
+            "current_identity": "sysadmin",
+            "remote": "prgs",
+            "task": "review_pr",
+            "role_pivot_authorized": False,
+            "role_pivot_record": None,
+            "pid": os.getpid(),
+        }
+        data.update(overrides)
+        mcp_server._MUTATION_AUTHORITY = data
+
+    def test_missing_authority_seeds_from_live_context(self):
+        # Approved preflight path (whoami → eligibility → mutation): the
+        # first mutation gate seeds the authority instead of failing closed,
+        # so the standard reviewer workflow keeps working.
+        mcp_server._MUTATION_AUTHORITY = None
+        mcp_server.verify_mutation_authority("prgs")
+        seeded = mcp_server._MUTATION_AUTHORITY
+        self.assertIsNotNone(seeded)
+        self.assertEqual(seeded["current_profile"], "prgs-reviewer")
+        self.assertEqual(seeded["current_identity"], "sysadmin")
+        self.assertEqual(seeded["remote"], "prgs")
+
+    def test_unresolved_profile_fails_closed(self):
+        self.mock_profile.return_value = {}
+        mcp_server._MUTATION_AUTHORITY = None
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
+            mcp_server.verify_mutation_authority("prgs")
+        self.assertIn("profile unresolved", str(ctx.exception))
+
+    def test_mismatched_remote_fails(self):
+        self._authority(remote="dadeschools")
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
+            mcp_server.verify_mutation_authority("prgs")
+        self.assertIn("does not match locked remote", str(ctx.exception))
+
+    def test_profile_flip_after_record_fails(self):
+        # Authority was recorded as author; the active profile now resolves
+        # as reviewer (e.g. an env-var flip mid-session) — refuse.
+        self._authority(
+            initial_profile="prgs-author",
+            initial_identity="jcwalker3",
+            current_profile="prgs-author",
+            current_identity="jcwalker3",
+        )
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
+            mcp_server.verify_mutation_authority("prgs")
+        self.assertIn("does not match locked authority", str(ctx.exception))
+
+    def test_session_lock_env_mismatch_fails(self):
+        # The launching session locked the environment to the author
+        # profile; the active profile resolves as reviewer — side-channel
+        # override rejected even with a matching in-process authority.
+        self._authority()
+        with patch.dict(os.environ,
+                        {"GITEA_SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK": "prgs-author"}):
+            with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
+                mcp_server.verify_mutation_authority("prgs")
+        self.assertIn("side-channel override rejected", str(ctx.exception))
+
+    def test_foreign_pid_authority_is_not_trusted(self):
+        # An authority record from another process (fork leftovers) is
+        # discarded and reseeded from the live context, never reused.
+        self._authority(current_profile="prgs-author", pid=os.getpid() + 1)
+        mcp_server.verify_mutation_authority("prgs")
+        self.assertEqual(
+            mcp_server._MUTATION_AUTHORITY["current_profile"], "prgs-reviewer"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(mcp_server._MUTATION_AUTHORITY["pid"], os.getpid())
+
+    def test_author_to_reviewer_pivot_blocked_without_authorization(self):
+        self._authority(
+            initial_profile="prgs-author",
+            initial_identity="jcwalker3",
+        )
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
+            mcp_server.verify_mutation_authority("prgs", required_role="reviewer")
+        self.assertIn("without authorized role pivot", str(ctx.exception))
+
+    def test_authorized_pivot_is_allowed(self):
+        self._authority(
+            initial_profile="prgs-author",
+            initial_identity="jcwalker3",
+            role_pivot_authorized=True,
+        )
+        mcp_server.verify_mutation_authority("prgs", required_role="reviewer")
+
+    def test_allowed_when_match(self):
+        self._authority()
+        with patch.dict(os.environ,
+                        {"GITEA_SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK": "prgs-reviewer"}):
+            mcp_server.verify_mutation_authority("prgs")

tests/test_operator_guide.py

@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ EXPECTED_SKILLS = [
     "gitea-resolve-task-capability",
     "profile-switching",
     "redaction-security-review",
-    "jenkins-readonly",
-    "glitchtip-readonly",
+    "jenkins-mcp",
+    "glitchtip-mcp",
     "release-operator",
 ]
 
@@ -234,8 +234,8 @@ class TestProjectSkills(GuideTestBase):
         with patch.dict(os.environ, AUTHOR_ENV, clear=True):
             r = mcp_list_project_skills()
         by_name = {s["name"]: s for s in r["skills"]}
-        self.assertNotEqual(by_name["jenkins-readonly"]["status"], "available")
-        self.assertNotEqual(by_name["glitchtip-readonly"]["status"], "available")
+        self.assertNotEqual(by_name["jenkins-mcp"]["status"], "available")
+        self.assertNotEqual(by_name["glitchtip-mcp"]["status"], "available")
 
     def test_no_urls_in_registry(self):
         with patch.dict(os.environ, AUTHOR_ENV, clear=True):
@@ -245,6 +245,17 @@ class TestProjectSkills(GuideTestBase):
         self.assertNotIn("http://", blob)
         self.assertNotIn("keychain:", blob)
 
+    def test_enabled_but_no_usable_tools_negative_assertion(self):
+        """Negative assertion for 'enabled but no usable tools' (per issue #146)."""
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, AUTHOR_ENV, clear=True):
+            r = mcp_list_project_skills()
+        by_name = {s["name"]: s for s in r["skills"]}
+        # jenkins-mcp is designed-not-implemented; even if "enabled" in config,
+        # it should not be usable/available to current profile without tools.
+        self.assertIn("jenkins-mcp", by_name)
+        self.assertEqual(by_name["jenkins-mcp"]["status"], "designed-not-implemented")
+        self.assertFalse(by_name["jenkins-mcp"].get("available_to_current_profile", False))
+
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # mcp_get_skill_guide

tests/test_review_pr.py

@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 Mocks api_request and credentials.
 """
+import io
+import os
 import sys
 import unittest
 from unittest.mock import patch
@@ -27,6 +29,11 @@ FAKE_PR_DATA = {
 
 class TestArgParsing(unittest.TestCase):
 
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.exists_patcher = patch("os.path.exists", return_value=False)
+        self.exists_patcher.start()
+        self.addCleanup(self.exists_patcher.stop)
+
     @patch("review_pr.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_CREDS)
     def test_missing_pr_number_exits(self, _auth):
         with self.assertRaises(SystemExit):
@@ -35,6 +42,11 @@ class TestArgParsing(unittest.TestCase):
 
 class TestAPIPayload(unittest.TestCase):
 
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.exists_patcher = patch("os.path.exists", return_value=False)
+        self.exists_patcher.start()
+        self.addCleanup(self.exists_patcher.stop)
+
     @patch("review_pr.api_request")
     @patch("review_pr.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_CREDS)
     def test_payload_fields_and_workflow(self, _auth, mock_api):
@@ -99,5 +111,55 @@ class TestAPIPayload(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertIn("gitea_merge_pr", msg)
 
 
+class TestMutationAuthorityLock(unittest.TestCase):
+    """#199 (refs #194): the CLI refuses to run under a profile that differs
+    from the session profile lock exported by the launching MCP session."""
+
+    @patch("review_pr.get_profile")
+    def test_cli_blocked_on_session_lock_mismatch(self, mock_get_profile):
+        # An author-bound session exported the lock; the CLI resolves a
+        # reviewer profile (GITEA_MCP_PROFILE side-channel override) — reject
+        # before any API call.
+        mock_get_profile.return_value = {"profile_name": "prgs-reviewer"}
+        import io
+        buf = io.StringIO()
+        with patch.dict(os.environ,
+                        {"GITEA_SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK": "prgs-author"}), \
+             patch.object(sys, "stderr", buf):
+            rc = review_pr.main([
+                "--pr-number", "81", "--event", "APPROVE",
+            ])
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 3)
+        msg = buf.getvalue().lower()
+        self.assertIn("cli override rejected", msg)
+
+    @patch("review_pr.get_profile")
+    @patch("review_pr.api_request")
+    @patch("review_pr.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_CREDS)
+    def test_cli_allowed_on_profile_match(self, _auth, mock_api, mock_get_profile):
+        mock_get_profile.return_value = {"profile_name": "prgs-reviewer"}
+        mock_api.side_effect = [FAKE_PR_DATA, {}]
+        with patch.dict(os.environ,
+                        {"GITEA_SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK": "prgs-reviewer"}):
+            rc = review_pr.main([
+                "--pr-number", "81", "--event", "APPROVE",
+            ])
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0)
+
+    @patch("review_pr.api_request")
+    @patch("review_pr.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_CREDS)
+    def test_cli_allowed_without_session_lock(self, _auth, mock_api):
+        # No lock in the environment = direct operator CLI use; the wall
+        # does not apply and the normal flow proceeds.
+        mock_api.side_effect = [FAKE_PR_DATA, {}]
+        env = {k: v for k, v in os.environ.items()
+               if k != "GITEA_SESSION_PROFILE_LOCK"}
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, env, clear=True):
+            rc = review_pr.main([
+                "--pr-number", "81", "--event", "APPROVE",
+            ])
+        self.assertEqual(rc, 0)
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     unittest.main()

tests/test_review_proofs.py

@@ -23,9 +23,11 @@ sys.path.insert(0, str(__import__("pathlib").Path(__file__).resolve().parent.par
 from review_proofs import (  # noqa: E402
     assess_controller_handoff,
     assess_inventory_completeness,
+    assess_role_boundary,
     assess_self_review_contamination,
     assess_validation_report,
     build_final_report,
+    pr_inventory_trust_gate,
     resolve_repos_from_user_reference,
     verify_pinned_head_checkout,
 )
@@ -99,6 +101,21 @@ def _good_contamination():
     )
 
 
+def _good_role_boundary():
+    return assess_role_boundary(
+        {
+            "task_role": "reviewer",
+            "task_kind": "blind_pr_queue_review",
+            "reviewer_namespace_used": True,
+            "author_namespace_used": False,
+            "author_mutations": [],
+            "review_mutations": [],
+            "operator_authorized_author_work": False,
+            "scratch_evidence_claimed": False,
+        }
+    )
+
+
 class TestCheckoutProof(unittest.TestCase):
     """Required behavior 1 + 2: prove HEAD == pinned PR head or stop."""
 
@@ -368,6 +385,74 @@ class TestSelfReviewContamination(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(result["status"], "unknown")
 
 
+class TestRoleBoundary(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Issue #175: reviewer queue tasks must not pivot into author work."""
+
+    def test_reviewer_queue_without_author_mutations_is_clean(self):
+        result = _good_role_boundary()
+        self.assertEqual(result["status"], "clean")
+        self.assertEqual(result["violations"], [])
+
+    def test_reviewer_queue_author_mutation_without_authorization_violates(self):
+        result = assess_role_boundary(
+            {
+                "task_role": "reviewer",
+                "task_kind": "blind_pr_queue_review",
+                "reviewer_namespace_used": True,
+                "author_namespace_used": True,
+                "author_mutations": ["claim issue #171", "push branch"],
+                "operator_authorized_author_work": False,
+                "mixed_namespace_justification": (
+                    "author namespace was used for implementation"
+                ),
+            }
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["status"], "violation")
+        self.assertTrue(any("pivot" in r for r in result["violations"]))
+
+    def test_mixed_namespace_use_without_justification_is_warning(self):
+        result = assess_role_boundary(
+            {
+                "task_role": "reviewer",
+                "task_kind": "blind_pr_queue_review",
+                "reviewer_namespace_used": True,
+                "author_namespace_used": True,
+                "author_mutations": [],
+            }
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["status"], "warning")
+        self.assertTrue(
+            any("mixed" in r.lower() for r in result["reasons"])
+        )
+
+    def test_author_task_cannot_perform_review_mutations(self):
+        result = assess_role_boundary(
+            {
+                "task_role": "author",
+                "reviewer_namespace_used": False,
+                "author_namespace_used": True,
+                "review_mutations": ["approve PR"],
+            }
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["status"], "violation")
+        self.assertTrue(
+            any("reviewer-only" in r for r in result["violations"])
+        )
+
+    def test_scratch_only_notes_are_not_durable_evidence(self):
+        result = assess_role_boundary(
+            {
+                "task_role": "reviewer",
+                "task_kind": "blind_pr_queue_review",
+                "reviewer_namespace_used": True,
+                "scratch_evidence_claimed": True,
+                "scratch_evidence_durable": False,
+            }
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["status"], "warning")
+        self.assertTrue(any("scratch-only" in r for r in result["reasons"]))
+
+
 class TestFinalReport(unittest.TestCase):
     """Required behavior 6 + acceptance criteria: the report must
     distinguish each proof, and only a fully proven run earns an "A"."""
@@ -381,6 +466,7 @@ class TestFinalReport(unittest.TestCase):
             "identity_eligible": True,
             "merge_performed": False,
             "issue_status_verified": True,
+            "role_boundary": _good_role_boundary(),
         }
         kwargs.update(overrides)
         return build_final_report(**kwargs)
@@ -393,6 +479,7 @@ class TestFinalReport(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(report["identity_eligible"])
         self.assertTrue(report["pr_author_distinct_from_reviewer"])
         self.assertEqual(report["session_contamination"], "clean")
+        self.assertEqual(report["role_boundary"], "clean")
         self.assertTrue(report["validated_on_pinned_head"])
         self.assertFalse(report["merge_performed"])
         self.assertTrue(report["issue_status_verified"])
@@ -465,6 +552,37 @@ class TestFinalReport(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertNotEqual(report["grade"], "A")
         self.assertFalse(report["merge_allowed"])
 
+    def test_missing_role_boundary_downgrades_and_blocks_merge(self):
+        kwargs = {
+            "checkout_proof": _good_checkout(),
+            "inventory": _good_inventory(),
+            "validation": _good_validation(),
+            "contamination": _good_contamination(),
+            "identity_eligible": True,
+            "merge_performed": False,
+            "issue_status_verified": True,
+        }
+        report = build_final_report(**kwargs)
+        self.assertNotEqual(report["grade"], "A")
+        self.assertFalse(report["merge_allowed"])
+        self.assertEqual(report["role_boundary"], "warning")
+
+    def test_role_boundary_violation_blocks_report(self):
+        boundary = assess_role_boundary(
+            {
+                "task_role": "reviewer",
+                "task_kind": "blind_pr_queue_review",
+                "reviewer_namespace_used": True,
+                "author_namespace_used": True,
+                "author_mutations": ["create PR"],
+                "operator_authorized_author_work": False,
+                "mixed_namespace_justification": "implementation pivot",
+            }
+        )
+        report = self._report(role_boundary=boundary)
+        self.assertEqual(report["grade"], "blocked")
+        self.assertFalse(report["merge_allowed"])
+
 
 class TestStdoutIsolation(unittest.TestCase):
     """Regression test for #178: tests must not close or corrupt stdout/stderr
@@ -679,5 +797,87 @@ class TestControllerHandoff(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertIn("issue #182", skill)
 
 
+class TestPRInventoryTrustGate(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Issue #194: unit tests for the PR inventory trust gate."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.profile = {
+            "profile_name": "prgs-reviewer",
+            "allowed_operations": ["read", "gitea.read", "gitea.pr.approve"],
+        }
+        self.local_url = "https://gitea.prgs.cc/Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools.git"
+
+    def test_trusted_nonempty(self):
+        res = pr_inventory_trust_gate([{"number": 1}])
+        self.assertEqual(res["status"], "trusted_nonempty")
+        self.assertFalse(res["corroborated"])
+
+    def test_inventory_error_none_or_not_list(self):
+        self.assertEqual(pr_inventory_trust_gate(None)["status"], "inventory_error")
+        self.assertEqual(pr_inventory_trust_gate("not a list")["status"], "inventory_error")
+
+    def test_untrusted_empty_no_pagination_or_corroboration(self):
+        res = pr_inventory_trust_gate(
+            [], remote="prgs", org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting", repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            state="open", authenticated_profile=self.profile,
+            local_remote_url=self.local_url, user_context=None,
+            corroboration_open_pr_counter=None, has_finality_metadata=False
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(res["status"], "untrusted_empty")
+        self.assertIn("pagination finality not proven and open_pr_counter corroboration is missing or non-zero", res["reasons"])
+
+    def test_untrusted_empty_profile_permission_mismatch(self):
+        bad_profile = {"profile_name": "prgs-bad", "allowed_operations": ["write"]}
+        res = pr_inventory_trust_gate(
+            [], remote="prgs", org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting", repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            state="open", authenticated_profile=bad_profile,
+            local_remote_url=self.local_url, user_context=None,
+            corroboration_open_pr_counter=0, has_finality_metadata=False
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(res["status"], "untrusted_empty")
+        self.assertIn("authenticated profile lacks read permissions", res["reasons"])
+
+    def test_untrusted_empty_remote_url_mismatch(self):
+        bad_url = "https://gitea.prgs.cc/other-org/other-repo.git"
+        res = pr_inventory_trust_gate(
+            [], remote="prgs", org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting", repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            state="open", authenticated_profile=self.profile,
+            local_remote_url=bad_url, user_context=None,
+            corroboration_open_pr_counter=0, has_finality_metadata=False
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(res["status"], "untrusted_empty")
+        self.assertIn("local remote URL does not match target repository 'Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools'", res["reasons"])
+
+    def test_untrusted_empty_user_context_indicates_prs(self):
+        res = pr_inventory_trust_gate(
+            [], remote="prgs", org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting", repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            state="open", authenticated_profile=self.profile,
+            local_remote_url=self.local_url, user_context="please check open PR #181",
+            corroboration_open_pr_counter=0, has_finality_metadata=False
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(res["status"], "untrusted_empty")
+        self.assertTrue(any("user context indicates open PRs should exist" in r for r in res["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_trusted_empty_with_corroboration(self):
+        res = pr_inventory_trust_gate(
+            [], remote="prgs", org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting", repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            state="open", authenticated_profile=self.profile,
+            local_remote_url=self.local_url, user_context=None,
+            corroboration_open_pr_counter=0, has_finality_metadata=False
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(res["status"], "trusted_empty")
+        self.assertTrue(res["corroborated"])
+
+    def test_trusted_empty_with_finality_metadata(self):
+        res = pr_inventory_trust_gate(
+            [], remote="prgs", org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting", repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            state="open", authenticated_profile=self.profile,
+            local_remote_url=self.local_url, user_context=None,
+            corroboration_open_pr_counter=None, has_finality_metadata=True
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(res["status"], "trusted_empty")
+        self.assertTrue(res["corroborated"])
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     unittest.main()