fix(workflow): fail-closed key version, strict incident evidence, archive-gated clear (#709)

Address formal review 438 REQUEST_CHANGES on PR #710 (F6/F7/F8).

F6 — HMAC key-version validation fails closed:
- verify_authorization_artifact validates key_version BEFORE any MAC work, so an
  attacker-chosen version can never select the signing key.
- Require exactly one nonempty, well-formed key-version field; missing, empty,
  unknown, malformed, duplicated (including identical-valued and nested
  aliases), and mismatched versions all fail. No versionless legacy fallback.
- Artifact version must equal the configured active version; production now
  requires GITEA_IRRECOVERABLE_AUTH_HMAC_KEY_VERSION explicitly (an implicit
  default made rotation ambiguous). Version stays inside the signed material.

F7 — strictly canonical incident evidence:
- Replace substring/first-match parsing with an exact schema: marker on line 1,
  every field once, fixed order, no duplicate/unknown/empty/conflicting fields
  in or outside the signed block. The parsed body is re-rendered and compared
  for exact equality before acceptance.
- content_digest now binds the full recovery scope: repository identity, PR,
  decision-lock identity, destroyed subject, recovery action, recorded and
  expected head, incident issue, evidence author, minting actor, key version,
  nonce and issued_at.
- Actor identity is the immutable user id with login consistency; conflicting
  ids/logins and display-name-only identities fail closed. Edited comments are
  rejected. The independent-author rule is preserved and enforced by stable id.
- build_canonical_incident_body is the single source of the accepted format and
  refuses to emit ambiguous evidence.

F8 — archival is a prerequisite for clearing terminal evidence:
- _clear_decision_lock_for_profile no longer swallows archive failures. It
  requires a successful write plus a durable read-back matching the PR/head,
  and otherwise returns a structured, retry-safe failure that retains the lock
  and records actionable recovery evidence.
- Fixes a latent bug the read-back exposed: the archive payload inherited the
  source lock's session_profile_lock, so save_state keyed the archive under the
  reviewer profile instead of the archive identity and it never read back.

Adversarial regressions added for every listed case: key-version missing/empty/
unknown/malformed/duplicate/rotation/wrong-key-after-restart, reordered fields,
duplicate identical and conflicting fields, conflicting actor ids/names,
digest-preserving substitution, decision-lock and recovery-action substitution,
cross-PR/repo/org/remote/head replay, archive exception/timeout/false/empty/
partial-readback with proof the lock survives, exactly-one permitted clear, and
retry after archive failure. No existing assertion was weakened.

Validation: focused 150 passed in three module orders; full tests/ 2809 passed,
6 skipped, 1 warning (pre-existing StarletteDeprecationWarning in
tests/test_webui_audit.py:8), 161 subtests passed.

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

.env.example

@@ -55,3 +55,12 @@ GITEA_MCP_PROFILE=prgs
 # GITEA_MERGER_WORKTREE=/path/to/repo/branches/merge-pr456
 # GITEA_RECONCILER_WORKTREE=/path/to/repo/branches/reconcile-pr456
 # GITEA_ACTIVE_WORKTREE=/path/to/repo/branches/session-override
+
+# Durable HMAC key for irrecoverable decision-lock provenance artifacts (#709 F4).
+# REQUIRED in production native MCP processes that mint or verify recovery
+# authorization (reconciler + merger must share the same key). Hex (preferred),
+# base64, or utf-8 literal (>=16 bytes). Never generate an ephemeral per-process
+# key — cross-process / post-restart verification would fail closed.
+# GITEA_IRRECOVERABLE_AUTH_HMAC_KEY=0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef
+# Optional key version string bound into the signature (for rotation).
+# GITEA_IRRECOVERABLE_AUTH_HMAC_KEY_VERSION=v1

final_report_validator.py

@@ -134,16 +134,22 @@ _TARGET_BRANCH_SHA_RE = re.compile(
     r"target branch sha\s*:\s*[0-9a-f]{40}",
     re.IGNORECASE,
 )
+# #698: structured proof is rendered in several equivalent shapes —
+# `workflow_hash: abc...`, `workflow_hash=abc...`, or JSON
+# `"workflow_hash": "abc..."`. Recognize all of them; demanding one exact
+# punctuation style rejects legitimate structured workflow-load proof.
 _WORKFLOW_LOAD_HELPER_RE = re.compile(
-    r"workflow[- ]load helper result\s*:",
+    r"workflow[-_ ]load[-_ ]helper[-_ ]result\s*[:=]",
     re.IGNORECASE,
 )
 _WORKFLOW_LOAD_HASH_RE = re.compile(
-    r"workflow[- ]load helper result[\s\S]{0,400}?workflow[_ ]hash\s*:\s*[0-9a-f]{12}",
+    r"workflow[-_ ]load[-_ ]helper[-_ ]result[\s\S]{0,400}?"
+    r"workflow[_ ]hash\"?\s*[:=]\s*\"?[0-9a-f]{12}",
     re.IGNORECASE,
 )
 _WORKFLOW_LOAD_BOUNDARY_RE = re.compile(
-    r"workflow[- ]load helper result[\s\S]{0,400}?boundary[_ ]status\s*:\s*(?:clean|violation)",
+    r"workflow[-_ ]load[-_ ]helper[-_ ]result[\s\S]{0,400}?"
+    r"boundary[_ ]status\"?\s*[:=]\s*\"?(?:clean|violation)",
     re.IGNORECASE,
 )
 _WORKFLOW_FILE_VIEW_NARRATIVE_RE = re.compile(
@@ -244,6 +250,59 @@ def _normalize_task_kind(task_kind: str | None) -> str:
     return _TASK_KIND_ALIASES.get(raw, raw)
 
 
+def _iter_action_entries(action_log: list | None) -> list[dict]:
+    """Yield only structured (dict) action-log entries (#698).
+
+    Callers must never crash on malformed entries (strings, numbers, null)
+    that reach the validator from LLM-composed or partially parsed logs;
+    :func:`sanitize_action_log` reports them separately.
+    """
+    return [e for e in (action_log or []) if isinstance(e, dict)]
+
+
+def sanitize_action_log(
+    action_log: list | None,
+) -> tuple[list[dict], list[dict[str, str]]]:
+    """Split an action log into structured entries and sanitized findings (#698).
+
+    Malformed entries become clear, sanitized ``warning`` findings — the
+    offending value's content is never echoed back (only its position and
+    type), so secrets or garbage in a broken log cannot leak into validation
+    errors, and validation itself proceeds without secondary exceptions.
+    """
+    if action_log is None:
+        return [], []
+    if not isinstance(action_log, (list, tuple)):
+        return [], [
+            validator_finding(
+                "shared.action_log_malformed",
+                "downgrade",
+                "Action log",
+                "action_log is not a list of structured entries "
+                f"(got {type(action_log).__name__}); it was ignored",
+                "pass action_log as a list of dict entries",
+            )
+        ]
+    entries: list[dict] = []
+    findings: list[dict[str, str]] = []
+    for index, entry in enumerate(action_log):
+        if isinstance(entry, dict):
+            entries.append(entry)
+            continue
+        findings.append(
+            validator_finding(
+                "shared.action_log_malformed",
+                "downgrade",
+                "Action log",
+                f"action_log entry {index} is not a structured mapping "
+                f"(got {type(entry).__name__}); the entry was ignored",
+                "repair the malformed action_log entry or drop it before "
+                "revalidating",
+            )
+        )
+    return entries, findings
+
+
 def validator_finding(
     rule_id: str,
     severity: str,
@@ -421,7 +480,7 @@ def _rule_shared_canonical_comment_post_claim(
     rejected_in_report = bool(_CANONICAL_VALIDATION_REJECTED_RE.search(text))
     rejected_in_log = False
     if action_log:
-        for entry in action_log:
+        for entry in _iter_action_entries(action_log):
             validation = entry.get("canonical_comment_validation") or {}
             if validation.get("allowed") is False:
                 rejected_in_log = True
@@ -475,9 +534,13 @@ def _rule_reviewer_vague_mutations_none(
     action_log: list[dict] | None = None,
     mutations_observed: bool = False,
 ) -> list[dict[str, str]]:
+    # #698: infer review mutations only from authoritative evidence — an
+    # entry proves a mutation only when it affirmatively records
+    # performed=true and was not gated. Read-only diagnostics and pre-API
+    # rejections (entries without a performed flag) are not mutations.
     performed = any(
-        e.get("performed") is not False and not e.get("gated_rejected")
-        for e in (action_log or [])
+        e.get("performed") is True and not e.get("gated_rejected")
+        for e in _iter_action_entries(action_log)
     )
     if not (mutations_observed or performed):
         return []
@@ -536,7 +599,7 @@ def _rule_reviewer_git_fetch_readonly(
     text = report_text or ""
     fetch_observed = any(
         _GIT_FETCH_RE.search(str(e.get("command") or e.get("action") or ""))
-        for e in (action_log or [])
+        for e in _iter_action_entries(action_log)
     ) or _GIT_FETCH_RE.search(text)
     if not fetch_observed:
         return []
@@ -977,7 +1040,7 @@ def _rule_reviewer_target_branch_freshness(
     fields = _handoff_fields(text)
     fetch_reported = bool(_GIT_FETCH_RE.search(text)) or any(
         _GIT_FETCH_RE.search(str(e.get("command") or e.get("action") or ""))
-        for e in (action_log or [])
+        for e in _iter_action_entries(action_log)
     )
     target_sha_reported = bool(_TARGET_BRANCH_SHA_RE.search(text)) or any(
         "target branch" in key and "sha" in key and _FULL_SHA_RE.search(value)
@@ -1735,6 +1798,12 @@ def assess_final_report_validator(
     checks: dict[str, Any] = {}
     findings: list[dict[str, str]] = []
 
+    # #698: malformed action_log data must never crash validation with a
+    # secondary exception; malformed entries surface as sanitized findings.
+    sanitized_action_log, action_log_findings = sanitize_action_log(action_log)
+    action_log = sanitized_action_log
+    findings.extend(action_log_findings)
+
     if normalized_kind == "issue_filing" and issue_filing_lock is not None:
         checks["issue_filing"] = assess_issue_filing_final_report(
             report_text,
@@ -1763,7 +1832,23 @@ def assess_final_report_validator(
     }
 
     for rule in _RULES_BY_TASK.get(normalized_kind, ()):
-        findings.extend(_call_rule(rule, report_text, normalized_kind, rule_kwargs))
+        try:
+            findings.extend(
+                _call_rule(rule, report_text, normalized_kind, rule_kwargs)
+            )
+        except Exception as exc:  # #698: fail closed with a sanitized error
+            findings.append(
+                validator_finding(
+                    "shared.validator_rule_error",
+                    "block",
+                    "Validator",
+                    f"validator rule '{getattr(rule, '__name__', 'unknown')}' "
+                    f"failed with {type(exc).__name__} (details withheld; "
+                    "sanitized)",
+                    "file a validator defect with the rule name; do not "
+                    "bypass final-report validation",
+                )
+            )
 
     grade, blocked, downgraded = _aggregate_grade(findings)
     reasons = [f"{f['rule_id']}: {f['reason']}" for f in findings]

mcp_session_state.py

@@ -36,7 +36,24 @@ KIND_REVIEW_DRAFT = "review_draft"
 # other session proofs; a contaminated session fails closed on gated mutations
 # until a reconciler audits and clears it.
 KIND_STABLE_BRANCH_CONTAMINATION = "stable_branch_contamination"
+# #709: archive prior terminal decision ledgers instead of silent overwrite.
+KIND_DECISION_LOCK_ARCHIVE = "review_decision_lock_archive"
+# #709: post-merge cleanup/audit reconciliation-required durable record.
+KIND_POST_MERGE_DECISION_RECOVERY = "post_merge_decision_recovery"
+# #709: truthful record when historical terminal evidence is irrecoverably gone.
+KIND_IRRECOVERABLE_DECISION_PROVENANCE = "irrecoverable_decision_provenance"
+# #709 F1: server-side non-forgeable authorization artifact for recovery.
+KIND_IRRECOVERABLE_PROVENANCE_AUTH = "irrecoverable_provenance_authorization"
 
+# Kinds that must survive the default session-state TTL (forensic / recovery).
+RECOVERY_CRITICAL_KINDS = frozenset(
+    {
+        KIND_DECISION_LOCK_ARCHIVE,
+        KIND_POST_MERGE_DECISION_RECOVERY,
+        KIND_IRRECOVERABLE_DECISION_PROVENANCE,
+        KIND_IRRECOVERABLE_PROVENANCE_AUTH,
+    }
+)
 
 
 _SAFE_SEGMENT_RE = re.compile(r"[^A-Za-z0-9._+-]+")
@@ -270,7 +287,11 @@ def identity_match_reasons(
         reasons.append("session state missing recorded_at timestamp (fail closed)")
     else:
         age = _now_utc() - recorded_at
-        if age > timedelta(hours=ttl_hours()):
+        kind = (record.get("kind") or "").strip()
+        ttl_exempt = kind in RECOVERY_CRITICAL_KINDS or bool(
+            record.get("recovery_critical")
+        )
+        if age > timedelta(hours=ttl_hours()) and not ttl_exempt:
             reasons.append(
                 f"session state expired after {ttl_hours():g}h (fail closed)"
             )
@@ -447,3 +468,177 @@ def clear_state(
         profile_identity=profile_identity,
         state_dir=state_dir,
     )
+
+def list_decision_lock_profile_identities(
+    state_dir: str | None = None,
+) -> list[str]:
+    """Return profile identities that have a durable review_decision_lock file (#709).
+
+    Filename form: ``review_decision_lock-<profile>.json`` (see ``state_key``).
+    Does not validate TTL or identity — callers must load via ``load_state``.
+    """
+    root = (state_dir or default_state_dir()).strip()
+    if not root or not os.path.isdir(root):
+        return []
+    prefix = f"{_sanitize_segment(KIND_DECISION_LOCK)}-"
+    suffix = ".json"
+    found: list[str] = []
+    try:
+        names = os.listdir(root)
+    except OSError:
+        return []
+    for name in names:
+        if not name.startswith(prefix) or not name.endswith(suffix):
+            continue
+        if name.endswith(".lock"):
+            continue
+        mid = name[len(prefix) : -len(suffix)]
+        if mid:
+            found.append(mid)
+    return sorted(set(found))
+
+
+def load_state_for_profile(
+    *,
+    kind: str,
+    profile_identity: str,
+    remote: str | None = None,
+    org: str | None = None,
+    repo: str | None = None,
+    state_dir: str | None = None,
+    skip_identity_match: bool = False,
+    enforce_repo_scope: bool = True,
+) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    """Load durable state for an explicit profile identity (#709 cross-profile).
+
+    When *skip_identity_match* is True, still requires the file's recorded
+    profile_identity to equal the requested profile (anti-stomp), but does not
+    require the *active* session identity to match — needed so a merger can
+    inspect a reviewer lock after merge.
+
+    #709 F3: remote/org/repo filter reasons are **enforced** (not merely
+    computed). When *enforce_repo_scope* is True (default) and the caller
+    supplies remote/org/repo, mismatches fail closed with ``None``.
+    """
+    # #709 F3: refuse traversal / malformed profile identities.
+    try:
+        from irrecoverable_provenance import assess_profile_path_identity
+
+        path_gate = assess_profile_path_identity(profile_identity)
+        if not path_gate.get("valid"):
+            return None
+    except Exception:
+        # Module may be mid-import in edge bootstraps; fall through to
+        # conservative checks below.
+        raw = str(profile_identity or "")
+        if ".." in raw or "/" in raw or "\\" in raw or "\x00" in raw:
+            return None
+
+    profile = current_profile_identity(profile_identity=profile_identity)
+    root = _ensure_state_dir(state_dir)
+    # Refuse symlink escape of the state root (#709 F3).
+    try:
+        real_root = os.path.realpath(root)
+        path = state_file_path(
+            kind=kind,
+            remote=remote,
+            org=org,
+            repo=repo,
+            profile_identity=profile,
+            state_dir=root,
+        )
+        real_path = os.path.realpath(path) if os.path.exists(path) else path
+        if os.path.exists(path) and not str(real_path).startswith(
+            str(real_root) + os.sep
+        ) and str(real_path) != str(real_root):
+            return None
+    except OSError:
+        return None
+
+    path = state_file_path(
+        kind=kind,
+        remote=remote,
+        org=org,
+        repo=repo,
+        profile_identity=profile,
+        state_dir=root,
+    )
+    lock_path = f"{path}.lock"
+    with _exclusive_file_lock(lock_path):
+        envelope = _read_json(path)
+    if not envelope:
+        return None
+    payload = envelope.get("payload")
+    if not isinstance(payload, dict):
+        return None
+    merged = dict(payload)
+    for key in (
+        "kind",
+        "remote",
+        "org",
+        "repo",
+        "profile_identity",
+        "session_profile_lock",
+        "recorded_at",
+        "updated_at",
+        "writer_pid",
+    ):
+        if key in envelope and key not in merged:
+            merged[key] = envelope[key]
+    stored = (merged.get("profile_identity") or "").strip()
+    if stored and stored != profile:
+        return None
+    if skip_identity_match:
+        # Enforce remote/org/repo when caller provides them (#709 F3).
+        # Drop only *active session* profile-identity mismatches; keep
+        # expiry, spoof, and repository-scope reasons.
+        scope_remote = remote if enforce_repo_scope else None
+        scope_org = org if enforce_repo_scope else None
+        scope_repo = repo if enforce_repo_scope else None
+        reasons = identity_match_reasons(
+            merged,
+            remote=scope_remote,
+            org=scope_org,
+            repo=scope_repo,
+            profile_identity=stored or profile,
+        )
+        filtered = [
+            r
+            for r in reasons
+            if "profile identity mismatch" not in r
+            or (stored and stored != profile)
+        ]
+        # When caller requested a specific remote/org/repo, also fail if the
+        # stored record lacks those identity fields entirely (legacy incomplete).
+        if enforce_repo_scope:
+            for field, want in (
+                ("remote", remote),
+                ("org", org),
+                ("repo", repo),
+            ):
+                want_s = (want or "").strip()
+                if not want_s:
+                    continue
+                have = (str(merged.get(field) or "")).strip()
+                if not have:
+                    filtered.append(
+                        f"session state {field} missing on durable record "
+                        f"(expected={want_s!r}; fail closed, #709 F3)"
+                    )
+                elif have != want_s:
+                    # identity_match_reasons already adds mismatch; ensure kept
+                    pass
+        if filtered:
+            return None
+        return merged
+    reasons = identity_match_reasons(
+        merged,
+        remote=remote,
+        org=org,
+        repo=repo,
+        profile_identity=profile,
+    )
+    if reasons:
+        return None
+    return merged
+

post_merge_cleanup_proof.py

@@ -86,6 +86,22 @@ _WRONG_BRANCH_RE = re.compile(
     r"deleted branch (?:does not match|!=|differs from) (?:merged )?pr head",
     re.IGNORECASE,
 )
+# #698: canonical reviewer lease lifecycle operations are NOT post-merge
+# cleanup. Releasing a reviewer PR lease (or posting its terminal
+# phase=released marker) happens after every review — merged or not — and
+# must never trigger the post-merge branch/worktree cleanup checklist.
+_LEASE_LIFECYCLE_RE = re.compile(
+    r"(?:gitea_release_reviewer_pr_lease|gitea_abandon_workflow_lease|"
+    r"release[d]? (?:the )?(?:reviewer|workflow) (?:pr )?lease|"
+    r"reviewer (?:pr )?lease release[d]?|"
+    r"lease (?:marker|comment).{0,40}phase\s*[:=]\s*released|"
+    r"phase\s*[:=]\s*released)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_CLEANUP_MUTATIONS_VALUE_RE = re.compile(
+    r"cleanup mutations\s*:\s*([^\n]+)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
 
 
 def _claims_remote_delete(text: str) -> bool:
@@ -204,16 +220,19 @@ def assess_post_merge_cleanup_proof(
             for field in _worktree_cleanup_fields_present(text)
         )
 
-    if (remote_delete or worktree_remove) and not (remote_delete or worktree_remove):
-        pass
-
     if not remote_delete and not worktree_remove:
-        cleanup_mutations = re.search(
-            r"cleanup mutations\s*:\s*(?!none\b)\S",
-            text,
-            re.IGNORECASE,
+        value_match = _CLEANUP_MUTATIONS_VALUE_RE.search(text)
+        value = (value_match.group(1).strip() if value_match else "")
+        value_lower = value.lower()
+        substantive = bool(value) and value_lower not in {
+            "none", "n/a", "not applicable",
+        }
+        # #698: reviewer lease release / terminal lease markers are lease
+        # lifecycle, not post-merge cleanup — no checklist owed.
+        lease_lifecycle_only = substantive and bool(
+            _LEASE_LIFECYCLE_RE.search(value)
         )
-        if cleanup_mutations:
+        if substantive and not lease_lifecycle_only:
             reasons.append(
                 "cleanup mutations reported without post-merge cleanup proof checklist"
             )

pr_work_lease.py

@@ -403,10 +403,37 @@ _REVIEWER_ACTIVE_RE = re.compile(
     r"whether any reviewer was active\s*:\s*(yes|no|true|false)",
     re.IGNORECASE,
 )
+# #698 phase detection for phase-specific head proofs.
+_NO_REVIEWED_HEAD_RE = re.compile(
+    r"(?:reviewed head sha|candidate head sha)\s*:\s*none\b",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_VERDICT_RECORDED_RE = re.compile(
+    r"review decision\s*:\s*(?:approve[d]?|request[_ ]changes)\b"
+    r"|review_status\s*:\s*(?:approved|request_changes)\b"
+    r"|terminal review mutation\s*:\s*(?!none\b)\S",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_MERGE_ATTEMPTED_RE = re.compile(
+    r"merge result\s*:\s*(?:merged|success|performed|failed|attempted)\b"
+    r"|merge mutations\s*:\s*(?!none\b|not applicable\b)\S",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_VALIDATION_STARTED_RE = re.compile(
+    r"validation\s*:\s*(?!none\b|not run\b|not applicable\b|not started\b)"
+    r"[^\n]*(?:pass|fail|ran|executed|\d+\s+passed)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
 
 
 def assess_reviewer_stale_head_final_report(report_text: str) -> dict[str, Any]:
-    """Final-report proof for reviewed vs live head SHAs (#399 AC 6)."""
+    """Final-report proof for reviewed vs live head SHAs (#399 AC 6).
+
+    #698: head proofs are phase-specific. A legitimately blocked run that
+    never began validation (no reviewed head, no formal verdict, no merge)
+    owes none of them; approval-time and merge-time live-head proofs are
+    owed only once the corresponding phase actually begins.
+    """
     text = report_text or ""
     reasons: list[str] = []
     reviewed = _normalize_sha(_REVIEWED_HEAD_RE.search(text).group(1) if _REVIEWED_HEAD_RE.search(text) else None)
@@ -422,15 +449,49 @@ def assess_reviewer_stale_head_final_report(report_text: str) -> dict[str, Any]:
     )
     push_during = _PUSH_DURING_VALIDATION_RE.search(text)
 
-    if not reviewed:
+    # Phase detection from the report's own claims.
+    no_head_stated = bool(_NO_REVIEWED_HEAD_RE.search(text))
+    verdict_recorded = bool(_VERDICT_RECORDED_RE.search(text))
+    merge_attempted = bool(_MERGE_ATTEMPTED_RE.search(text))
+    validation_started = bool(reviewed) or bool(_VALIDATION_STARTED_RE.search(text))
+    blocked_before_validation = (
+        no_head_stated
+        and not reviewed
+        and not verdict_recorded
+        and not merge_attempted
+        and not validation_started
+    )
+
+    if blocked_before_validation:
+        return {
+            "proven": True,
+            "block": False,
+            "reasons": [],
+            "reviewed_head_sha": None,
+            "live_head_sha_before_approval": None,
+            "live_head_sha_before_merge": None,
+            "push_during_validation": (
+                push_during.group(1).lower() if push_during else None
+            ),
+            "phase": "blocked_before_validation",
+        }
+
+    if not reviewed and not no_head_stated:
+        # The head must always be STATED — either a SHA or an explicit
+        # 'none'. Silence is not a phase claim and fails closed.
+        reasons.append(
+            "reviewed head SHA not stated in final report "
+            "(state the SHA or an explicit 'none')"
+        )
+    elif not reviewed and (validation_started or verdict_recorded or merge_attempted):
         reasons.append("reviewed head SHA not stated in final report")
-    if not live_approval:
+    if verdict_recorded and not live_approval:
         reasons.append("final live head SHA before approval not stated")
-    if not live_merge:
+    if merge_attempted and not live_merge:
         reasons.append("final live head SHA before merge not stated")
-    if not push_during:
+    if validation_started and not push_during:
         reasons.append("whether push occurred during validation not stated")
-    elif reviewed and live_approval and reviewed != live_approval:
+    if reviewed and live_approval and reviewed != live_approval:
         reasons.append("live head before approval differs from reviewed head SHA")
     elif reviewed and live_merge and reviewed != live_merge:
         reasons.append("live head before merge differs from reviewed head SHA")

review_final_report_schema.py

@@ -25,8 +25,13 @@ _REVIEWED_HEAD_RE = re.compile(
     r"(?:pinned reviewed head|reviewed head sha)\s*:\s*([0-9a-f]{7,40})",
     re.IGNORECASE,
 )
+# #698: validation pass proof appears in several legitimate shapes —
+# "Validation: pass", "Validation: focused 50 passed; full 2665 passed",
+# or structured "validation_status: pass". Accept pass evidence anywhere in
+# the Validation field's value, not only as its first token.
 _VALIDATION_PASS_RE = re.compile(
-    r"validation\s*:\s*(?:pass|passed|strong|ok|green)",
+    r"validation(?:_status)?\s*:[^\n]{0,300}?"
+    r"(?:\bpass(?:ed)?\b|\bstrong\b|\bok\b|\bgreen\b|\d+\s+passed)",
     re.IGNORECASE,
 )
 _MERGED_CLAIM_RE = re.compile(

review_proofs.py

@@ -858,9 +858,16 @@ _WALKTHROUGH_ARTIFACT_RE = re.compile(r"walkthrough\.md", re.I)
 
 
 def _performed_file_mutations(action_log: list[dict] | None) -> list[dict]:
-    """Return performed local file mutations, excluding gated rejections."""
+    """Return performed local file mutations, excluding gated rejections.
+
+    Non-dict entries (malformed JSON, LLM mistakes) are ignored instead of
+    raising ``AttributeError`` (#698): a malformed ledger entry can never be
+    authoritative mutation evidence.
+    """
     performed: list[dict] = []
     for entry in action_log or []:
+        if not isinstance(entry, dict):
+            continue
         if entry.get("gated_rejected") or entry.get("performed") is False:
             continue
         action = (entry.get("action") or "").strip().lower()
@@ -2228,24 +2235,31 @@ HANDOFF_REVIEW_MUTATION_FIELDS = (
 )
 
 HANDOFF_ROLE_FIELDS = {
+    # #698: the review/merger required-field sets must stay aligned with the
+    # canonical schema (skills/llm-project-workflow/schemas/
+    # review-merge-final-report.md). The schema explicitly FORBIDS the legacy
+    # fields 'Pinned reviewed head', 'Scratch worktree used', and 'Workspace
+    # mutations' — a validator must never demand a field the schema bans.
     "review": (
         ("Selected PR", ("selected pr",)),
         ("Reviewer eligibility", ("reviewer eligibility", "eligibility")),
-        ("Pinned reviewed head", ("pinned reviewed head", "pinned head")),
-        ("Worktree path", ("worktree path", "starting worktree path")),
-        ("Worktree dirty", ("worktree dirty", "whether worktree was dirty")),
-        ("Scratch worktree used", ("scratch worktree used", "scratch clone used",
-                                   "scratch worktree")),
+        ("Reviewed head SHA", ("reviewed head sha", "candidate head sha")),
+        ("Review worktree path", ("review worktree path", "worktree path",
+                                  "starting worktree path")),
+        ("Review worktree dirty", ("review worktree dirty", "worktree dirty",
+                                   "whether worktree was dirty")),
         ("Unrelated local mutations", ("unrelated local mutations",
-                                       "unrelated files modified")),
+                                       "unrelated files modified",
+                                       "file edits by reviewer")),
         ("Review decision", ("review decision", "decision")),
         ("Merge result", ("merge result",)),
         ("Linked issue status", ("linked issue status", "linked issue")),
         ("Cleanup status", ("cleanup status", "cleanup")),
+        ("Safe next action", ("safe next action", "next")),
     ) + HANDOFF_REVIEW_MUTATION_FIELDS,
     "merger": (
         ("Selected PR", ("selected pr",)),
-        ("Pinned reviewed head", ("pinned reviewed head", "pinned head")),
+        ("Reviewed head SHA", ("reviewed head sha", "candidate head sha")),
         ("Active profile", ("active profile",)),
         ("Role kind", ("role kind",)),
         ("Merge capability source", ("merge capability source",)),
@@ -2433,9 +2447,22 @@ def assess_controller_handoff(report_text, role=None, local_edits=False):
         # Issue #320: reviewer and merger handoffs use the precise mutation categories
         # in HANDOFF_REVIEW_MUTATION_FIELDS instead of the legacy ambiguous
         # "Workspace mutations" field, which is rejected below.
+        # Issue #698: the canonical review-merge schema has no 'Mutations',
+        # 'Next', 'Issue/PR', 'Branch/SHA', or 'Files changed' fields — their
+        # content lives in the precise mutation categories, 'Safe next
+        # action', 'Selected PR'/'Linked issue', head-SHA fields, and 'Files
+        # reviewed'. Requiring the legacy names rejects canonical reports.
+        _non_canonical_for_review = {
+            "Workspace mutations",
+            "Mutations",
+            "Next",
+            "Issue/PR",
+            "Branch/SHA",
+            "Files changed",
+        }
         required = [
             field for field in required
-            if field[0] != "Workspace mutations"
+            if field[0] not in _non_canonical_for_review
         ]
         if any(label.startswith("workspace mutations") for label in labels):
             return {

stale_review_decision_lock.py

@@ -438,3 +438,252 @@ def format_cleanup_audit_comment(audit: dict[str, Any]) -> str:
         "This path only clears a lock when the referenced PR is merged/closed.",
     ]
     return "\n".join(lines)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# #709 cross-profile cleanup, overwrite protection, recovery provenance
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def has_unresolved_terminal_evidence(lock: dict | None) -> bool:
+    """True when *lock* still carries a terminal live mutation ledger."""
+    return last_terminal_mutation(lock) is not None
+
+
+def assess_init_overwrite(
+    existing_lock: dict | None,
+    *,
+    force: bool = False,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Whether init_review_decision_lock may replace an existing durable lock (#709 AC2).
+
+    Unresolved terminal evidence must never be silently replaced by an empty
+    initialized lock. *force* does not authorize destruction of terminal
+    ledgers — only explicit cleanup / archive transitions may remove them.
+    """
+    result: dict[str, Any] = {
+        "overwrite_allowed": True,
+        "has_existing": existing_lock is not None,
+        "has_unresolved_terminal": False,
+        "reasons": [],
+        "last_terminal_pr": None,
+        "last_terminal_action": None,
+        "existing_profile_identity": None,
+    }
+    if existing_lock is None:
+        result["reasons"].append("no existing lock; empty init allowed")
+        return result
+    result["existing_profile_identity"] = (
+        existing_lock.get("profile_identity")
+        or existing_lock.get("session_profile_lock")
+        or existing_lock.get("session_profile")
+    )
+    last = last_terminal_mutation(existing_lock)
+    if last is None:
+        result["reasons"].append(
+            "existing lock has no terminal mutations; re-init allowed"
+        )
+        return result
+    result["has_unresolved_terminal"] = True
+    result["overwrite_allowed"] = False
+    result["last_terminal_pr"] = last.get("pr_number")
+    result["last_terminal_action"] = last.get("action")
+    result["reasons"].append(
+        "refuse empty re-init: unresolved terminal decision-lock evidence "
+        f"present ({last.get('action')} on PR #{last.get('pr_number')}); "
+        "use gitea_cleanup_stale_review_decision_lock when moot, or archive "
+        f"via sanctioned recovery — force={force!r} does not authorize overwrite "
+        "(#709 AC2)"
+    )
+    return result
+
+
+def lock_targets_merged_pr_approval(
+    lock: dict | None,
+    *,
+    pr_number: int,
+    expected_head_sha: str | None = None,
+) -> bool:
+    """True when *lock*'s last terminal mutation is approve of *pr_number*.
+
+    When *expected_head_sha* is provided, a **recorded** terminal head must
+    match. Legacy same-repo approve locks with no recorded head do **not**
+    match (fail closed, #709 F3 residual / review 435) — callers must use the
+    strict secondary path that refuses no-head clears.
+    """
+    last = last_terminal_mutation(lock)
+    if last is None:
+        return False
+    if last.get("action") != "approve":
+        return False
+    if last.get("pr_number") != pr_number:
+        return False
+    if expected_head_sha:
+        want = normalize_head_sha(expected_head_sha)
+        if not want:
+            return False
+        locked = mutation_head_sha(last, lock)
+        # Require recorded-head match; unrecorded head is not a match (#709 F3).
+        if not locked or not heads_equal(locked, want):
+            return False
+    return True
+
+
+def build_post_merge_recovery_record(
+    *,
+    pr_number: int,
+    head_sha: str | None,
+    merge_commit_sha: str | None,
+    target_profile_identity: str | None,
+    failed_step: str,
+    error: str | None,
+    remote: str | None,
+    org: str | None,
+    repo: str | None,
+    actor_username: str | None,
+    profile_name: str | None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Durable recovery-required payload after irreversible merge (#709 AC3)."""
+    return {
+        "event": "post_merge_decision_lock_recovery_required",
+        "status": "recovery_required",
+        "issue_ref": "#709",
+        "recovery_critical": True,
+        "applied": False,  # never claim historical cleanup succeeded
+        "timestamp": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),
+        "pr_number": pr_number,
+        "head_sha": normalize_head_sha(head_sha),
+        "merge_commit_sha": merge_commit_sha,
+        "target_profile_identity": target_profile_identity,
+        "failed_step": failed_step,
+        "error": error,
+        "remote": remote,
+        "org": org,
+        "repo": repo,
+        "actor_username": actor_username,
+        "profile_name": profile_name,
+        "required_recovery_action": (
+            "retry cross-profile decision-lock cleanup and audit publication "
+            "for the merged PR; if terminal evidence is gone, use "
+            "gitea_record_irrecoverable_decision_lock_provenance"
+        ),
+    }
+
+
+def build_irrecoverable_provenance_record(
+    *,
+    pr_number: int,
+    head_sha: str | None,
+    remote: str | None,
+    org: str | None,
+    repo: str | None,
+    actor_username: str | None,
+    profile_name: str | None,
+    reason: str,
+    incident_ref: str | None = None,
+    # Deprecated kwargs retained only so stale call sites fail closed:
+    operator_authorized: bool | None = None,
+    # Required for merger-acceptable records (#709 F1):
+    authorization: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
+    incident_issue: int | None = None,
+    incident_comment_id: int | None = None,
+    destroyed_subject: str | None = None,
+    historical_provenance_subject: str | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Truthful absence-of-proof record (#709 AC5). Never sets applied=True.
+
+    Caller-supplied ``operator_authorized`` is **ignored** as authorization
+    evidence (review 434 F1). Prefer
+    :func:`irrecoverable_provenance.build_irrecoverable_provenance_record`
+    with a verified server-side authorization artifact.
+    """
+    # Explicitly ignore deprecated self-assertable Boolean.
+    _ = operator_authorized
+    if authorization is not None and incident_issue is not None and incident_comment_id is not None:
+        from irrecoverable_provenance import (
+            build_irrecoverable_provenance_record as _build,
+        )
+
+        return _build(
+            pr_number=int(pr_number),
+            head_sha=str(head_sha or ""),
+            remote=str(remote or ""),
+            org=str(org or ""),
+            repo=str(repo or ""),
+            actor_username=actor_username,
+            profile_name=profile_name,
+            reason=reason,
+            incident_issue=int(incident_issue),
+            incident_comment_id=int(incident_comment_id),
+            authorization=authorization,
+            destroyed_subject=destroyed_subject,
+            historical_provenance_subject=historical_provenance_subject
+            or destroyed_subject,
+        )
+    # Fail-closed skeleton when no server authorization is supplied: never
+    # sets merger_may_accept True (even if operator_authorized was True).
+    return {
+        "event": "irrecoverable_decision_lock_provenance",
+        "status": "provenance_irrecoverable",
+        "record_type": "irrecoverable_decision_provenance",
+        "operator_recovery_required": True,
+        "issue_ref": "#709",
+        "recovery_critical": True,
+        "applied": False,
+        "historical_cleanup_proven": False,
+        "timestamp": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),
+        "pr_number": pr_number,
+        "head_sha": normalize_head_sha(head_sha),
+        "remote": remote,
+        "org": org,
+        "repo": repo,
+        "actor_username": actor_username,
+        "profile_name": profile_name,
+        "reason": reason,
+        "incident_ref": incident_ref,
+        "incident_issue": incident_issue,
+        "incident_comment_id": incident_comment_id,
+        "authorization_verified": False,
+        "merger_may_accept": False,
+        "acceptance_rule": (
+            "Merger may accept this record only when a server-side "
+            "authorization artifact verifies for remote/org/repo/PR/exact "
+            "head/incident, the record is durable and read back, and normal "
+            "merge gates still pass. Caller Booleans never authorize. This "
+            "does not prove historical cleanup."
+        ),
+    }
+
+
+def format_irrecoverable_audit_comment(record: dict[str, Any]) -> str:
+    """Markdown body for irrecoverable provenance audit (no applied=true claim)."""
+    from irrecoverable_provenance import (
+        format_irrecoverable_audit_comment as _fmt,
+    )
+
+    return _fmt(record)
+
+
+def format_post_merge_recovery_comment(record: dict[str, Any]) -> str:
+    """Markdown body for post-merge recovery-required audit."""
+    lines = [
+        "## Post-merge decision-lock recovery required (#709)",
+        "",
+        "Status: **RECOVERY_REQUIRED** (merge is irreversible; cleanup/audit incomplete)",
+        "",
+        f"- actor: `{record.get('actor_username')}`",
+        f"- profile: `{record.get('profile_name')}`",
+        f"- timestamp: `{record.get('timestamp')}`",
+        f"- PR: `#{record.get('pr_number')}`",
+        f"- head_sha: `{record.get('head_sha')}`",
+        f"- merge_commit_sha: `{record.get('merge_commit_sha')}`",
+        f"- target_profile_identity: `{record.get('target_profile_identity')}`",
+        f"- failed_step: `{record.get('failed_step')}`",
+        f"- error: `{record.get('error')}`",
+        "",
+        f"Required action: {record.get('required_recovery_action')}",
+        "",
+        "applied=false — do not treat this as successful cleanup evidence.",
+    ]
+    return "\n".join(lines)
+

task_capability_map.py

@@ -127,6 +127,32 @@ TASK_CAPABILITY_MAP: dict[str, dict[str, str]] = {
         "permission": "gitea.pr.review",
         "role": "reviewer",
     },
+    # #709: truthful absence-of-proof recovery (server-side auth + record + consume).
+    # Dedicated mutation capability — gitea.read is insufficient (review 434 F1).
+    "issue_irrecoverable_provenance_authorization": {
+        "permission": "gitea.decision_lock.irrecoverable_recovery",
+        "role": "reconciler",
+    },
+    "gitea_issue_irrecoverable_provenance_authorization": {
+        "permission": "gitea.decision_lock.irrecoverable_recovery",
+        "role": "reconciler",
+    },
+    "record_irrecoverable_decision_lock_provenance": {
+        "permission": "gitea.decision_lock.irrecoverable_recovery",
+        "role": "reconciler",
+    },
+    "gitea_record_irrecoverable_decision_lock_provenance": {
+        "permission": "gitea.decision_lock.irrecoverable_recovery",
+        "role": "reconciler",
+    },
+    "consume_irrecoverable_decision_lock_provenance": {
+        "permission": "gitea.pr.merge",
+        "role": "merger",
+    },
+    "gitea_consume_irrecoverable_decision_lock_provenance": {
+        "permission": "gitea.pr.merge",
+        "role": "merger",
+    },
     "delete_branch": {
         "permission": "gitea.branch.delete",
         "role": "author",

tests/test_issue_698_report_validator_schema_alignment.py

@@ -0,0 +1,461 @@
+"""Regression tests for #698: final-report validator vs canonical schema.
+
+Covers the original #698 lead plus the independent reproduction recorded
+during the PR #703 formal review (issue #698 comment 11246):
+
+1. non-dict ``action_log`` entries must fail structured, never crash;
+2. the validator must not demand legacy fields the canonical schema forbids
+   (``Pinned reviewed head``, ``Scratch worktree used``, ``Worktree path``,
+   ``Worktree dirty``, ``Mutations``, ``Next``);
+3. a legitimately blocked report (``Candidate head SHA: none``, no formal
+   verdict) must not owe approval/merge live-head proofs;
+4. canonical reviewer lease release must not be misclassified as post-merge
+   cleanup;
+5. structured workflow-load and validation proof must be recognized;
+6. review mutations are inferred only from authoritative evidence.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import sys
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+import final_report_validator as frv  # noqa: E402
+import post_merge_cleanup_proof as pmcp  # noqa: E402
+import pr_work_lease as pwl  # noqa: E402
+import review_proofs as rp  # noqa: E402
+from review_final_report_schema import (  # noqa: E402
+    assess_review_final_report_schema,
+)
+
+REVIEWED_HEAD = "a" * 40
+LIVE_HEAD = "a" * 40
+
+
+def _pr703_style_report(
+    *,
+    decision: str = "request_changes",
+    cleanup_mutations: str = (
+        "released reviewer PR lease via gitea_release_reviewer_pr_lease "
+        "(terminal lease marker phase=released posted)"
+    ),
+) -> str:
+    """Canonical-schema report modeled on the PR #703 formal review handoff."""
+    return f"""
+Formal review completed with a REQUEST_CHANGES verdict submitted and read
+back via the native review API.
+
+## Controller Handoff
+
+- Task: review-merge-pr
+- Repo: Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools
+- Role: reviewer
+- Identity: sysadmin / prgs-reviewer
+- Active profile: prgs-reviewer
+- Runtime context: neutral workspace binding
+- Selected PR: 703
+- Linked issue: #702 open
+- Eligibility class: reviewable
+- Queue ordering policy: oldest eligible first
+- Inventory pagination proof: has_more=false, total_count=8
+- Earlier PRs skipped: none
+- Candidate head SHA: {REVIEWED_HEAD}
+- Reviewed head SHA: {REVIEWED_HEAD}
+- Target branch: master
+- Target branch SHA: {"2" * 40}
+- Already-landed gate: not landed
+- Author-safety result: pass (author differs from reviewer)
+- Prior request-changes state: none
+- Review worktree used: true
+- Review worktree path: branches/review-pr-703-independent
+- Review worktree inside branches: true
+- Review worktree HEAD state: detached at pinned head
+- Review worktree dirty before validation: clean
+- Review worktree dirty after validation: clean
+- Baseline worktree used: false
+- Baseline worktree path: none
+- Files reviewed: 4
+- Validation: focused 50 passed; related 94 passed; full 2665 passed, 6 skipped
+- Official validation integrity status: intact
+- Terminal review mutation: one REQUEST_CHANGES review submitted and read back
+- Review decision: {decision}
+- Merge preflight: not run
+- Merge result: none
+- Linked issue status: open (live fetch proof: gitea_view_issue)
+- Main checkout branch: master
+- Main checkout dirty state: clean
+- Main checkout updated: false
+- File edits by reviewer: none
+- Worktree/index mutations: none
+- Git ref mutations: git fetch prgs (recorded)
+- MCP/Gitea mutations: review submission and lease comments only
+- Review mutations: one formal REQUEST_CHANGES verdict
+- Merge mutations: none
+- Cleanup mutations: {cleanup_mutations}
+- External-state mutations: none
+- Read-only diagnostics: gitea_view_pr, gitea_get_pr_review_feedback
+- Blockers: findings F1-F6 recorded on the PR thread
+- Current status: review complete; author remediation required
+- Safe next action: author addresses findings and pushes a new head
+- Safety statement: no merge attempted; no self-review; no root-checkout edits
+- Workflow-load helper result: workflow_hash=da045d1e1f1f boundary_status=clean
+- Live head SHA before approval: {LIVE_HEAD}
+- Pushes occurred during validation: no
+"""
+
+
+def _blocked_preflight_report() -> str:
+    """Blocked-run report modeled on the #702 comment 11164 reproduction."""
+    return """
+Fresh review preflight stopped before any worktree or validation work.
+
+## Controller Handoff
+
+- Task: review-merge-pr
+- Repo: Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools
+- Role: reviewer
+- Identity: sysadmin / prgs-reviewer
+- Active profile: prgs-reviewer
+- Runtime context: stale workspace binding detected
+- Selected PR: 701
+- Linked issue: #699 open
+- Eligibility class: blocked-before-validation
+- Queue ordering policy: oldest eligible first
+- Inventory pagination proof: has_more=false, total_count=8
+- Earlier PRs skipped: none
+- Candidate head SHA: none
+- Reviewed head SHA: none
+- Target branch: master
+- Target branch SHA: none
+- Already-landed gate: not run
+- Author-safety result: not run
+- Prior request-changes state: none
+- Review worktree used: false
+- Review worktree path: none
+- Review worktree inside branches: not applicable
+- Review worktree HEAD state: not applicable
+- Review worktree dirty before validation: not applicable
+- Review worktree dirty after validation: not applicable
+- Baseline worktree used: false
+- Baseline worktree path: none
+- Files reviewed: 0
+- Validation: not run
+- Official validation integrity status: not applicable
+- Terminal review mutation: none
+- Review decision: none
+- Merge preflight: not run
+- Merge result: none
+- Linked issue status: open (live fetch proof: gitea_view_issue)
+- Main checkout branch: master
+- Main checkout dirty state: clean
+- Main checkout updated: false
+- File edits by reviewer: none
+- Worktree/index mutations: none
+- Git ref mutations: none
+- MCP/Gitea mutations: none
+- Review mutations: none
+- Merge mutations: none
+- Cleanup mutations: none
+- External-state mutations: none
+- Read-only diagnostics: gitea_view_pr, gitea_get_runtime_context
+- Blockers: runtime bound to a foreign task worktree; mutation prohibited
+- Current status: stopped before validation began
+- Next actor: operator
+- Next action: repair the runtime workspace binding, then rerun the full
+  review workflow in a fresh reviewer session
+- Next prompt: Act as REVIEWER for PR 701 after the operator repairs the
+  runtime binding; acquire the lease before any validation.
+- Safe next action: operator repairs runtime binding, then a fresh reviewer
+  reruns the full workflow
+- Safety statement: no lease acquired; no verdict recorded; no source edits
+- Workflow-load helper result: workflow_hash=da045d1e1f1f boundary_status=clean
+"""
+
+
+class TestActionLogRobustness(unittest.TestCase):
+    """#698 original lead: non-dict action_log must not crash validation."""
+
+    MALFORMED = [
+        "git fetch prgs",
+        42,
+        None,
+        {"action": "edit", "path": "x.py", "performed": True, "tracked": True},
+    ]
+
+    def test_assess_final_report_validator_survives_malformed_entries(self):
+        result = frv.assess_final_report_validator(
+            _pr703_style_report(),
+            "review_pr",
+            action_log=self.MALFORMED,
+        )
+        self.assertIsInstance(result, dict)
+        rule_ids = {f["rule_id"] for f in result["findings"]}
+        self.assertIn("shared.action_log_malformed", rule_ids)
+
+    def test_malformed_entry_errors_are_sanitized(self):
+        _entries, findings = frv.sanitize_action_log(["secret-token-abc123"])
+        self.assertEqual(len(findings), 1)
+        reason = findings[0]["reason"]
+        self.assertNotIn("secret-token-abc123", reason)
+        self.assertIn("str", reason)
+        self.assertIn("entry 0", reason)
+
+    def test_non_list_action_log_is_reported_not_raised(self):
+        entries, findings = frv.sanitize_action_log("not-a-list")
+        self.assertEqual(entries, [])
+        self.assertEqual(len(findings), 1)
+        self.assertIn("not a list", findings[0]["reason"])
+
+    def test_performed_file_mutations_skips_non_dict_entries(self):
+        performed = rp._performed_file_mutations(
+            ["oops", {"action": "edited", "path": "a.py"}]
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(len(performed), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(performed[0]["path"], "a.py")
+
+    def test_schema_entrypoint_survives_string_only_log(self):
+        result = assess_review_final_report_schema(
+            _pr703_style_report(),
+            action_log=["just a string", "another string"],
+        )
+        self.assertIsInstance(result, dict)
+
+
+class TestLegacyFieldRequirementsRemoved(unittest.TestCase):
+    """#698: prohibited legacy fields must not be REQUIRED of reports."""
+
+    PROHIBITED = (
+        "Pinned reviewed head",
+        "Scratch worktree used",
+        "Worktree path",
+        "Worktree dirty",
+        "Workspace mutations",
+        "Mutations",
+        "Next",
+        "Issue/PR",
+        "Branch/SHA",
+        "Files changed",
+    )
+
+    def test_review_role_field_table_has_no_prohibited_requirements(self):
+        names = [name for name, _ in rp.HANDOFF_ROLE_FIELDS["review"]]
+        for prohibited in ("Pinned reviewed head", "Scratch worktree used",
+                           "Worktree path", "Worktree dirty"):
+            self.assertNotIn(prohibited, names)
+
+    def test_merger_role_field_table_has_no_pinned_reviewed_head(self):
+        names = [name for name, _ in rp.HANDOFF_ROLE_FIELDS["merger"]]
+        self.assertNotIn("Pinned reviewed head", names)
+
+    def test_canonical_report_missing_fields_never_include_prohibited(self):
+        result = rp.assess_controller_handoff(
+            _pr703_style_report(), role="review"
+        )
+        for prohibited in self.PROHIBITED:
+            self.assertNotIn(prohibited, result.get("missing_fields") or [])
+
+    def test_canonical_pr703_report_satisfies_required_fields(self):
+        result = rp.assess_controller_handoff(
+            _pr703_style_report(), role="review"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result.get("missing_fields") or [], [])
+        self.assertEqual(result.get("verdict"), "complete")
+
+
+class TestBlockedReportAccepted(unittest.TestCase):
+    """#698: blocked run with no reviewed head / verdict is legitimate."""
+
+    def test_stale_head_proof_waived_before_validation(self):
+        result = pwl.assess_reviewer_stale_head_final_report(
+            _blocked_preflight_report()
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["proven"])
+        self.assertEqual(result.get("phase"), "blocked_before_validation")
+
+    def test_blocked_report_passes_schema_validation(self):
+        result = assess_review_final_report_schema(_blocked_preflight_report())
+        blocking = [
+            f for f in result["findings"] if f["severity"] == "block"
+        ]
+        self.assertEqual(blocking, [], blocking)
+
+    def test_verdict_phase_still_demands_approval_head_proof(self):
+        report = _blocked_preflight_report().replace(
+            "- Review decision: none",
+            "- Review decision: approve",
+        ).replace(
+            "- Candidate head SHA: none",
+            f"- Candidate head SHA: {REVIEWED_HEAD}",
+        )
+        result = pwl.assess_reviewer_stale_head_final_report(report)
+        self.assertFalse(result["proven"])
+        joined = " ".join(result["reasons"])
+        self.assertIn("before approval", joined)
+
+    def test_merge_phase_still_demands_merge_head_proof(self):
+        report = _pr703_style_report().replace(
+            "- Merge result: none",
+            "- Merge result: merged",
+        )
+        result = pwl.assess_reviewer_stale_head_final_report(report)
+        self.assertFalse(result["proven"])
+        self.assertIn(
+            "final live head SHA before merge not stated",
+            result["reasons"],
+        )
+
+    def test_validation_phase_demands_push_disclosure(self):
+        report = _pr703_style_report().replace(
+            "- Pushes occurred during validation: no\n", ""
+        )
+        result = pwl.assess_reviewer_stale_head_final_report(report)
+        self.assertFalse(result["proven"])
+        self.assertIn(
+            "whether push occurred during validation not stated",
+            result["reasons"],
+        )
+
+
+class TestLeaseReleaseVsPostMergeCleanup(unittest.TestCase):
+    """#698 (PR #703 review reproduction): lease release is not cleanup."""
+
+    def test_lease_release_cleanup_mutations_do_not_demand_checklist(self):
+        result = pmcp.assess_post_merge_cleanup_proof(_pr703_style_report())
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"], result["reasons"])
+
+    def test_release_tool_name_alone_is_recognized(self):
+        report = _pr703_style_report(
+            cleanup_mutations="gitea_release_reviewer_pr_lease comment 11244"
+        )
+        result = pmcp.assess_post_merge_cleanup_proof(report)
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"], result["reasons"])
+
+    def test_substantive_non_lease_cleanup_still_demands_checklist(self):
+        report = _pr703_style_report(
+            cleanup_mutations="deleted stale scratch directory manually"
+        )
+        result = pmcp.assess_post_merge_cleanup_proof(report)
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+
+    def test_remote_branch_delete_claims_still_demand_full_proof(self):
+        report = _pr703_style_report(
+            cleanup_mutations="gitea_delete_branch removed the remote branch"
+        )
+        result = pmcp.assess_post_merge_cleanup_proof(report)
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(
+            any("remote branch deletion missing" in r for r in result["reasons"])
+        )
+
+    def test_full_schema_run_accepts_lease_release_report(self):
+        result = assess_review_final_report_schema(_pr703_style_report())
+        lease_cleanup_blocks = [
+            f for f in result["findings"]
+            if f["rule_id"] == "reviewer.post_merge_cleanup_proof"
+        ]
+        self.assertEqual(lease_cleanup_blocks, [], lease_cleanup_blocks)
+
+
+class TestStructuredProofRecognition(unittest.TestCase):
+    """#698: structured workflow-load and validation proof must be accepted."""
+
+    def test_key_value_workflow_proof_recognized(self):
+        findings = frv._rule_reviewer_workflow_load_boundary(
+            _pr703_style_report()
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(findings, [], findings)
+
+    def test_colon_form_workflow_proof_still_recognized(self):
+        report = _pr703_style_report().replace(
+            "- Workflow-load helper result: workflow_hash=da045d1e1f1f "
+            "boundary_status=clean",
+            "- Workflow-load helper result: workflow_hash: da045d1e1f1f, "
+            "boundary_status: clean",
+        )
+        findings = frv._rule_reviewer_workflow_load_boundary(report)
+        self.assertEqual(findings, [], findings)
+
+    def test_incomplete_structured_proof_still_blocks(self):
+        report = _pr703_style_report().replace(
+            "workflow_hash=da045d1e1f1f boundary_status=clean",
+            "workflow_hash=da045d1e1f1f",
+        )
+        findings = frv._rule_reviewer_workflow_load_boundary(report)
+        self.assertTrue(findings)
+        self.assertIn("boundary_status", findings[0]["reason"])
+
+    def test_validation_counts_accepted_as_pass_proof(self):
+        # "Validation: focused 50 passed; ..." must satisfy the reviewed-head
+        # validation-proof rule (PR #703 reproduction).
+        result = assess_review_final_report_schema(_pr703_style_report())
+        head_blocks = [
+            f for f in result["findings"]
+            if f["rule_id"] == "reviewer.reviewed_head_without_validation"
+        ]
+        self.assertEqual(head_blocks, [], head_blocks)
+
+
+class TestAuthoritativeMutationInference(unittest.TestCase):
+    """#698: review mutations inferred only from authoritative evidence."""
+
+    def test_read_only_entries_do_not_imply_mutations(self):
+        report = "## Controller Handoff\n- Mutations: none\n"
+        findings = frv._rule_reviewer_vague_mutations_none(
+            report,
+            action_log=[
+                {"action": "gitea_view_pr"},
+                {"action": "gitea_get_pr_review_feedback", "performed": False},
+            ],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(findings, [], findings)
+
+    def test_performed_mutation_still_blocks_vague_none(self):
+        report = "## Controller Handoff\n- Mutations: none\n"
+        findings = frv._rule_reviewer_vague_mutations_none(
+            report,
+            action_log=[{"action": "edit", "path": "a.py", "performed": True}],
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(findings)
+
+    def test_gated_rejection_is_not_a_mutation(self):
+        report = "## Controller Handoff\n- Mutations: none\n"
+        findings = frv._rule_reviewer_vague_mutations_none(
+            report,
+            action_log=[
+                {"action": "edit", "path": "a.py", "performed": True,
+                 "gated_rejected": True},
+            ],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(findings, [], findings)
+
+
+class TestValidatorRuleErrorContainment(unittest.TestCase):
+    """#698: a defective rule fails closed with a sanitized error."""
+
+    def test_rule_exception_becomes_sanitized_block_finding(self):
+        def _boom(report_text):
+            raise ValueError("raw secret detail that must not leak")
+
+        original = frv._RULES_BY_TASK["review_pr"]
+        frv._RULES_BY_TASK["review_pr"] = [_boom]
+        try:
+            result = frv.assess_final_report_validator(
+                "report body", "review_pr"
+            )
+        finally:
+            frv._RULES_BY_TASK["review_pr"] = original
+        self.assertTrue(result["blocked"])
+        finding = next(
+            f for f in result["findings"]
+            if f["rule_id"] == "shared.validator_rule_error"
+        )
+        self.assertNotIn("raw secret detail", finding["reason"])
+        self.assertIn("ValueError", finding["reason"])
+        self.assertIn("_boom", finding["reason"])
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_review_proofs.py

@@ -957,17 +957,20 @@ class TestControllerHandoff(unittest.TestCase):
             if not line.startswith("- Workspace mutations:"))
         result = assess_controller_handoff(review_base, role="review")
         self.assertEqual(result["verdict"], "incomplete")
-        self.assertIn("Pinned reviewed head", result["missing_fields"])
-        self.assertIn("Worktree path", result["missing_fields"])
+        # #698: the canonical schema forbids the legacy fields, so the
+        # validator must demand the canonical names instead.
+        self.assertIn("Reviewed head SHA", result["missing_fields"])
+        self.assertIn("Review worktree path", result["missing_fields"])
         self.assertIn("Merge result", result["missing_fields"])
+        for legacy in ("Pinned reviewed head", "Scratch worktree used"):
+            self.assertNotIn(legacy, result["missing_fields"])
 
         complete = review_base + "\n" + "\n".join([
             "- Selected PR: #999",
             "- Reviewer eligibility: passed",
-            "- Pinned reviewed head: 0fdc8f582026b72a229d59a172c0a63ac4aaeaf9",
-            "- Worktree path: /repo/branches/review-pr-999",
-            "- Worktree dirty: no",
-            "- Scratch worktree used: yes (/repo/branches/review-pr-999)",
+            "- Reviewed head SHA: 0fdc8f582026b72a229d59a172c0a63ac4aaeaf9",
+            "- Review worktree path: /repo/branches/review-pr-999",
+            "- Review worktree dirty before validation: no",
             "- Unrelated local mutations: none",
             "- Review decision: approve",
             "- Merge result: merged",
@@ -1125,10 +1128,9 @@ class TestReviewHandoffPreciseMutationCategories(unittest.TestCase):
         "- Safety: no self-review; no self-merge; no secrets",
         "- Selected PR: #999",
         "- Reviewer eligibility: passed",
-        "- Pinned reviewed head: 0fdc8f582026b72a229d59a172c0a63ac4aaeaf9",
+        "- Reviewed head SHA: 0fdc8f582026b72a229d59a172c0a63ac4aaeaf9",
         "- Worktree path: /repo/branches/review-pr-999",
         "- Worktree dirty: no",
-        "- Scratch worktree used: yes (/repo/branches/review-pr-999)",
         "- Unrelated local mutations: none",
         "- Review decision: approve",
         "- Merge result: none",