chore: merge master into feat/issue-646-policy-guardrail-visibility (base sync)

Epics and parent issues whose body delegates implementation to children are
skipped before ranking with structured reason epic_or_child_only_container.
Title-only "epic" mentions without body/label evidence remain eligible.

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

allocator_service.py

@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ OUTCOME_CANDIDATE_SET_DRIFT = "candidate_set_drift"
 SKIP_CLAIMED_BY_OTHER_SESSION = "claimed_by_other_session"
 # #776: controller-supplied pre-rank exclusion.
 SKIP_EXCLUDED_BY_CONTROLLER = "excluded_by_controller"
+# #844: epic / child-only implementation container (pre-rank).
+SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER = "epic_or_child_only_container"
 
 # Ownership verdicts for a live claim on a candidate (#765).
 OWNERSHIP_OWN = "own"
@@ -130,6 +132,39 @@ ROLE_ACTIONS: dict[str, tuple[tuple[str, ...], tuple[str, ...]]] = {
 }
 
 
+# Body phrases that prove an issue is an implementation container, not a
+# unit of direct author work (#844). Matched case-insensitively against the
+# issue body. Title alone is never sufficient (ordinary issues may mention
+# "epic" incidentally).
+_CHILD_ONLY_BODY_MARKERS: tuple[str, ...] = (
+    "implementation is delivered via child issues only",
+    "implementation is delivered through child issues only",
+    "implementation is delivered via child issues",
+    "implementation is delivered through child issues",
+    "do not implement product features in this epic",
+    "do not implement product features in this epic issue itself",
+    "no product feature implementation is claimed complete solely on this epic",
+    "implementable child issues remain independently eligible",
+    "owns the product roadmap and linkage",
+    "this epic owns the product roadmap",
+    "coordination container",
+    "child-only container",
+    "implementation is delegated to child",
+)
+
+# Explicit epic / umbrella labels (structured evidence preferred over title).
+_EPIC_LABELS: frozenset[str] = frozenset(
+    {
+        "type:epic",
+        "epic",
+        "kind:epic",
+        "scope:epic",
+        "type:umbrella",
+        "umbrella",
+    }
+)
+
+
 @dataclass
 class WorkCandidate:
     """One assignable Gitea issue or PR presented to the allocator."""
@@ -139,6 +174,7 @@ class WorkCandidate:
     state: str = "open"
     labels: tuple[str, ...] = ()
     title: str = ""
+    body: str = ""
     priority: int = 0
     head_sha: str | None = None
     # Routing signals (callers derive from Gitea / review feedback).
@@ -158,6 +194,7 @@ class WorkCandidate:
         self.labels = tuple(
             str(x).strip().lower() for x in (self.labels or ()) if str(x).strip()
         )
+        self.body = str(self.body or "")
         if self.kind not in WORK_KINDS:
             raise InvalidWorkKindError(
                 f"candidate kind '{self.kind}' is not assignable; only "
@@ -171,6 +208,7 @@ class WorkCandidate:
             "state": self.state,
             "labels": list(self.labels),
             "title": self.title,
+            "body": self.body,
             "priority": self.priority,
             "head_sha": self.head_sha,
             "request_changes_current_head": self.request_changes_current_head,
@@ -184,6 +222,51 @@ class WorkCandidate:
         }
 
 
+def classify_epic_or_child_only_container(
+    c: WorkCandidate,
+) -> tuple[bool, str | None]:
+    """Return whether *c* is an epic / child-only implementation container (#844).
+
+    Exclusion uses structured evidence first (labels, body scope language).
+    A bare title containing the word "epic" is **not** enough — ordinary
+    implementable issues may mention epics incidentally. A title that is
+    explicitly prefixed ``Epic:`` only counts when the body also proves
+    child-only / no-direct-implementation scope (or an epic label is present).
+
+    PRs are never classified as containers here (they already have a head).
+    """
+    if c.kind != "issue":
+        return False, None
+
+    labels = set(c.labels)
+    epic_label = sorted(labels & _EPIC_LABELS)
+    body_l = (c.body or "").lower()
+    title = (c.title or "").strip()
+    title_l = title.lower()
+
+    body_hits = [m for m in _CHILD_ONLY_BODY_MARKERS if m in body_l]
+    title_epic_prefix = title_l.startswith("epic:") or title_l.startswith("epic ")
+
+    if epic_label:
+        detail = f"label={epic_label[0]}"
+        if body_hits:
+            detail = f"{detail}; body_marker={body_hits[0]!r}"
+        return True, detail
+
+    if body_hits:
+        # Body proves child-only / umbrella scope. Title "Epic:" is corroborating
+        # but not required — containers without the word still exclude.
+        detail = f"body_marker={body_hits[0]!r}"
+        if title_epic_prefix:
+            detail = f"title_epic_prefix; {detail}"
+        return True, detail
+
+    # Title-only "Epic:" without body scope evidence is insufficient (#844 AC:
+    # eligibility does not rely solely on the word "Epic" in a title).
+    # Similarly, incidental "epic" mid-title without markers stays eligible.
+    return False, None
+
+
 @dataclass
 class SkipRecord:
     kind: str
@@ -850,7 +933,8 @@ def allocate_next_work(
     ownership_defects: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
     controller_excluded: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
 
-    # #776 AC2: remove excluded numbers *before* ranking / selection / lease.
+    # #776 AC2 + #844: remove excluded numbers *and* epic/child-only containers
+    # *before* ranking / selection / lease so they never receive assignments.
     rankable: list[WorkCandidate] = []
     for c in candidates:
         if int(c.number) in exclude_set:
@@ -929,6 +1013,23 @@ def allocate_next_work(
                     },
                 }
             continue
+        # #844: epics / child-only containers are never direct implement targets.
+        is_container, container_detail = classify_epic_or_child_only_container(c)
+        if is_container:
+            detail = container_detail or "epic or child-only container"
+            reason = (
+                f"{c.kind}#{c.number} {SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER}: "
+                f"{detail}; implementation is delegated to child issues"
+            )
+            skipped.append(
+                SkipRecord(
+                    c.kind,
+                    c.number,
+                    reason,
+                    SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER,
+                )
+            )
+            continue
         rankable.append(c)
 
     ordered = sort_candidates(rankable)
@@ -1115,6 +1216,12 @@ def allocate_next_work(
             "reasons": [
                 "dry-run only (apply=false); no assignment/lease created — "
                 "call again with apply=true to reserve via control-plane DB"
+                + (
+                    "; after apply, the required-role worker consumes via "
+                    "gitea_adopt_workflow_lease (#843)"
+                    if mode == ALLOCATION_MODE_CROSS_ROLE and expected_role != role_norm
+                    else ""
+                )
             ],
             "skipped": [s.as_dict() for s in skipped],
             "terminal_pr": terminal_pr,
@@ -1146,6 +1253,9 @@ def allocate_next_work(
     # Atomic reserve via #613 substrate.
     ttl = lease_ttl_seconds if lease_ttl_seconds is not None else None
     try:
+        cross_role_handoff = (
+            mode == ALLOCATION_MODE_CROSS_ROLE and lease_role != role_norm
+        )
         kwargs: dict[str, Any] = {
             "session_id": session_id,
             "role": lease_role,
@@ -1157,7 +1267,8 @@ def allocate_next_work(
             "expected_head_sha": selected.head_sha,
             "allowed_actions": allowed,
             "forbidden_actions": forbidden,
-            "phase": "allocated",
+            # #843: mark cross-role allocations as awaiting independent consume
+            "phase": "awaiting_handoff" if cross_role_handoff else "allocated",
         }
         if ttl is not None:
             kwargs["lease_ttl_seconds"] = int(ttl)
@@ -1237,7 +1348,52 @@ def allocate_next_work(
         "lease_role": lease_role,
         "source": "control_plane_db.assign_and_lease",
     }
-    return {
+    consume_allocation = None
+    if cross_role_handoff and result.lease_id:
+        # Durable handoff marker so independent required-role workers can
+        # consume without sharing the controller session (#843).
+        handoff_prov = {
+            "cross_role_handoff": True,
+            "handoff_status": "pending",
+            "allocating_session_id": session_id,
+            "allocating_role": role_norm,
+            "required_role": expected_role,
+            "required_profile": selection["required_profile"],
+            "required_namespace": selection["required_namespace"],
+            "assignment_id": result.assignment_id,
+            "lease_id": result.lease_id,
+            "allocation_mode": mode,
+            "adopted_by_session_id": None,
+        }
+        try:
+            db.attach_lease_provenance(result.lease_id, handoff_prov)
+        except ControlPlaneError:
+            # Still return assignment evidence; consume path may be unavailable
+            handoff_prov["attach_failed"] = True
+        consume_allocation = {
+            "tool": "gitea_adopt_workflow_lease",
+            "lease_id": result.lease_id,
+            "assignment_id": result.assignment_id,
+            "required_role": expected_role,
+            "required_profile": selection["required_profile"],
+            "required_namespace": selection["required_namespace"],
+            "handoff_status": "pending",
+            "controller_session_required": False,
+            "instructions": (
+                f"From an independent {expected_role} session "
+                f"({selection['required_namespace']} / "
+                f"{selection['required_profile']}), call "
+                f"gitea_adopt_workflow_lease(lease_id={result.lease_id!r}) "
+                "to consume this controller allocation. The allocating "
+                "controller process does not need to remain alive. Wrong-role "
+                "and second-adoption attempts fail closed."
+            ),
+        }
+        lease_proof["cross_role_handoff"] = True
+        lease_proof["handoff_status"] = "pending"
+        lease_proof["consume_tool"] = "gitea_adopt_workflow_lease"
+
+    out = {
         "success": True,
         "outcome": OUTCOME_ASSIGNED,
         "apply": True,
@@ -1271,8 +1427,17 @@ def allocate_next_work(
             "lease_role": lease_role,
             "lease_proof": lease_proof,
             "selection_policy": SELECTION_POLICY,
+            "cross_role_handoff": bool(cross_role_handoff),
         },
-        "next_valid_command": _next_command(lease_role, selected),
+        "next_valid_command": (
+            (
+                f"consume lease {result.lease_id} via gitea_adopt_workflow_lease "
+                f"as {expected_role}, then "
+            )
+            + _next_command(lease_role, selected)
+            if cross_role_handoff
+            else _next_command(lease_role, selected)
+        ),
         "substrate": "control_plane_db",
         "file_lock_only": False,
         "comment_lease_only": False,
@@ -1287,9 +1452,14 @@ def allocate_next_work(
         "downstream_note": (
             "#612 incident bridge remains downstream of #600; "
             "allocator never assigns raw monitoring incidents; "
-            "controller routes only under cross_role (#840)"
+            "controller routes only under cross_role (#840); "
+            "cross-role assignments are consumable by independent "
+            "required-role workers via gitea_adopt_workflow_lease (#843)"
         ),
     }
+    if consume_allocation is not None:
+        out["consume_allocation"] = consume_allocation
+    return out
 
 
 def _next_command(role: str, c: WorkCandidate) -> str:
@@ -1341,6 +1511,7 @@ def candidate_from_dict(data: dict[str, Any]) -> WorkCandidate:
         state=str(data.get("state") or "open"),
         labels=tuple(data.get("labels") or ()),
         title=str(data.get("title") or ""),
+        body=str(data.get("body") or ""),
         priority=priority,
         head_sha=data.get("head_sha"),
         request_changes_current_head=bool(data.get("request_changes_current_head")),

control_plane_db.py

@@ -1637,11 +1637,13 @@ class ControlPlaneDB:
         provenance: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
         lease_ttl_seconds: int = DEFAULT_LEASE_TTL_SECONDS,
     ) -> dict[str, Any]:
-        """Transfer or refresh a lease with provenance (#601).
+        """Transfer or refresh a lease with provenance (#601 / #843).
 
         * Same owner + active → refresh (owner-resume).
+        * Cross-role handoff pending + matching required role → atomic consume
+          (even while the allocating controller session still "owns" the lease).
         * Expired/abandoned/released → create new assignment+lease with provenance.
-        * Active foreign → raise ForeignLeaseError (never silent steal).
+        * Active foreign (non-handoff) → raise ForeignLeaseError (never silent steal).
         """
         now = _utc_now()
         now_s = _ts(now)
@@ -1677,7 +1679,35 @@ class ControlPlaneDB:
                 status = "expired"
 
             owner = lease["session_id"]
-            if status == "active" and owner != adopter_session_id:
+            # Parse durable provenance for cross-role handoff consume (#843).
+            lease_prov: dict[str, Any] = {}
+            if "provenance_json" in lease.keys() and lease["provenance_json"]:
+                try:
+                    loaded = json.loads(lease["provenance_json"])
+                    if isinstance(loaded, dict):
+                        lease_prov = loaded
+                except (TypeError, json.JSONDecodeError):
+                    lease_prov = {}
+            handoff_pending = bool(lease_prov.get("cross_role_handoff")) and (
+                str(lease_prov.get("handoff_status") or "pending").strip().lower()
+                == "pending"
+            )
+            already_adopted = bool(
+                (lease["adopted_by_session_id"] if "adopted_by_session_id" in lease.keys() else None)
+                or lease_prov.get("adopted_by_session_id")
+            )
+            required_role = str(
+                lease_prov.get("required_role") or lease["role"] or ""
+            ).strip().lower()
+            adopter_role = (role or "").strip().lower()
+            cross_role_consume = (
+                handoff_pending
+                and not already_adopted
+                and status == "active"
+                and owner != adopter_session_id
+            )
+
+            if status == "active" and owner != adopter_session_id and not cross_role_consume:
                 raise ForeignLeaseError(
                     f"cannot adopt active foreign lease {lease_id} owned by {owner}"
                 )
@@ -1761,6 +1791,142 @@ class ControlPlaneDB:
                     "reasons": ["owner-resume: refreshed lease with provenance"],
                 }
 
+            # #843: controller→required-role handoff consume (atomic, same lease_id)
+            if cross_role_consume:
+                if not required_role:
+                    raise ControlPlaneError(
+                        f"cross-role handoff lease {lease_id} missing required_role"
+                    )
+                if adopter_role != required_role:
+                    raise ForeignLeaseError(
+                        f"wrong role for cross-role handoff consume: "
+                        f"required={required_role} adopter={adopter_role or 'none'} "
+                        f"(fail closed)"
+                    )
+                # CAS: only transfer if still owned by allocating session and unadopted
+                cols = self._lease_columns(conn)
+                adopted_col_null = (
+                    "(adopted_by_session_id IS NULL OR adopted_by_session_id = '')"
+                    if "adopted_by_session_id" in cols
+                    else "1=1"
+                )
+                cas = conn.execute(
+                    f"""
+                    UPDATE leases
+                    SET session_id = ?,
+                        heartbeat_at = ?,
+                        expires_at = ?,
+                        phase = ?,
+                        role = ?
+                    WHERE lease_id = ?
+                      AND status = 'active'
+                      AND session_id = ?
+                      AND {adopted_col_null}
+                    """,
+                    (
+                        adopter_session_id,
+                        now_s,
+                        expires,
+                        "adopted",
+                        required_role,
+                        lease_id,
+                        owner,
+                    ),
+                )
+                if cas.rowcount != 1:
+                    raise ForeignLeaseError(
+                        f"cross-role handoff consume lost race for lease {lease_id} "
+                        "(already adopted or no longer pending; fail closed)"
+                    )
+                if "adopted_from_session_id" in cols:
+                    conn.execute(
+                        """
+                        UPDATE leases
+                        SET adopted_from_session_id = ?, adopted_by_session_id = ?
+                        WHERE lease_id = ?
+                        """,
+                        (owner, adopter_session_id, lease_id),
+                    )
+                if "worktree_path" in cols and worktree_path:
+                    conn.execute(
+                        "UPDATE leases SET worktree_path = ? WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                        (worktree_path, lease_id),
+                    )
+                if "owner_pid" in cols and owner_pid is not None:
+                    conn.execute(
+                        "UPDATE leases SET owner_pid = ? WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                        (owner_pid, lease_id),
+                    )
+                if "expected_head_sha" in cols and expected_head_sha:
+                    conn.execute(
+                        "UPDATE leases SET expected_head_sha = ? WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                        (expected_head_sha, lease_id),
+                    )
+                # Merge handoff provenance + caller provenance
+                merged = dict(lease_prov)
+                merged.update(provenance or {})
+                merged["cross_role_handoff"] = True
+                merged["handoff_status"] = "adopted"
+                merged["adopted_from_session_id"] = owner
+                merged["adopted_by_session_id"] = adopter_session_id
+                merged["required_role"] = required_role
+                if "provenance_json" in cols:
+                    conn.execute(
+                        "UPDATE leases SET provenance_json = ? WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                        (json.dumps(merged), lease_id),
+                    )
+                # Transfer active assignment ownership atomically
+                asn_cas = conn.execute(
+                    """
+                    UPDATE assignments
+                    SET session_id = ?, role = ?
+                    WHERE lease_id = ? AND status = 'active' AND session_id = ?
+                    """,
+                    (adopter_session_id, required_role, lease_id, owner),
+                )
+                if asn_cas.rowcount < 1:
+                    # Fail closed: assignment must move with the lease
+                    raise ControlPlaneError(
+                        f"cross-role handoff: no active assignment for lease {lease_id} "
+                        f"owned by {owner}"
+                    )
+                lease2 = conn.execute(
+                    "SELECT * FROM leases WHERE lease_id = ?", (lease_id,)
+                ).fetchone()
+                asn = conn.execute(
+                    """
+                    SELECT * FROM assignments
+                    WHERE lease_id = ? AND status = 'active'
+                    ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 1
+                    """,
+                    (lease_id,),
+                ).fetchone()
+                conn.execute(
+                    """
+                    INSERT INTO events(work_item_id, event_type, message, created_at)
+                    VALUES (?, 'lease_adopted', ?, ?)
+                    """,
+                    (
+                        lease["work_item_id"],
+                        f"cross-role handoff: {adopter_session_id} consumed "
+                        f"{lease_id} from {owner} as {required_role}",
+                        now_s,
+                    ),
+                )
+                return {
+                    "outcome": "adopted_cross_role_handoff",
+                    "lease": dict(lease2) if lease2 else dict(lease),
+                    "assignment": dict(asn) if asn else None,
+                    "reasons": [
+                        "cross-role handoff: independent required-role worker consumed "
+                        "controller allocation without abandonment"
+                    ],
+                    "adopted_by_session_id": adopter_session_id,
+                    "adopted_from_session_id": owner,
+                    "required_role": required_role,
+                    "handoff_status": "adopted",
+                }
+
             # Non-active: create new lease + assignment (transfer)
             new_lease_id = f"lease-{uuid.uuid4().hex[:16]}"
             new_asn_id = f"asn-{uuid.uuid4().hex[:16]}"

docs/webui-local-dev.md

@@ -65,6 +65,8 @@ status, onboarding checklist state, and the fail-closed error payloads (#635).
 | `/api/prompts` | JSON prompt export with workflow hashes |
 | `/runtime` | MCP runtime health and stale detection (#430) |
 | `/api/runtime` | JSON runtime health export |
+| `/policy` | Workflow policy and guardrail configuration visibility (#646) |
+| `/api/v1/policy` | Versioned JSON guardrail inventory (redacted, read-only) |
 | `/audit` | Report audit paste + validator preview (#431) |
 | `/api/audit` | JSON validator preview (POST `report_text`, optional `task_kind`) |
 | `/worktrees` | Worktree hygiene dashboard (#432) |
@@ -233,6 +235,19 @@ health, workflow/schema SHA-256 hashes, and stale-runtime warnings when the
 checkout is behind merged safety-gate changes. Restart guidance links to #420;
 no tokens or MCP restart actions are exposed.
 
+## Policy & guardrail visibility (#646)
+
+`/policy` (HTML) and `/api/v1/policy` (JSON) surface a **read-only** projection
+of the major workflow guardrails — role separation/RBAC, lease lifecycle,
+author worktree binding, merge confirmation, secret redaction, contamination
+containment, allocator policy, audit logging, and mutation gating. Each entry
+carries source pointers to the file/module/doc that owns it, a compact active
+value derived from the existing safe policy accessors, and — where a documented
+default is declared — a diff of active vs documented. The whole payload is run
+through the console redaction pass before it is emitted, so a planted or
+accidental secret degrades to the placeholder rather than reaching a client.
+The view never edits policy and exposes no gate-weakening toggle.
+
 ## Deployment boundary (#435)
 
 MVP serves on loopback by default. Binding `0.0.0.0` or `::` is **refused**

gitea_mcp_server.py

@@ -19912,6 +19912,7 @@ def _allocator_candidates_from_gitea(
                         state="open",
                         labels=tuple(labels),
                         title=title,
+                        body=body,
                         priority=20 if "status:ready" in labels else 1,
                         blocked=blocked,
                         dependency_unmet=dep_unmet,
@@ -21148,10 +21149,21 @@ def gitea_adopt_workflow_lease(
     remote: str = "dadeschools",
     host: str | None = None,
 ) -> dict:
-    """Adopt a control-plane lease through the sanctioned path (#601).
+    """Adopt a control-plane lease through the sanctioned path (#601 / #843).
 
-    Same-owner resume refreshes provenance. Foreign active leases are refused.
-    Expired leases may be reclaimed; provenance records adopted_from/by.
+    Same-owner resume refreshes provenance. Foreign active leases are refused
+    unless the lease is a pending controller cross-role handoff and the caller
+    holds the required role (independent consume without sharing the
+    controller session). Expired leases may be reclaimed; provenance records
+    adopted_from/by. Terminal (abandoned/released) leases cannot be adopted.
+
+    #843 F1: the adopter role is derived authoritatively from the active
+    authenticated profile — never from caller input. A supplied ``role`` that
+    does not exactly match the profile-derived role is rejected (no silent
+    accept or reinterpretation), and handoff provenance ``required_profile`` /
+    ``required_namespace`` restrictions are validated against the same
+    authoritative caller context. Caller-supplied role/profile/namespace can
+    never grant authority.
     """
     read_block = _profile_operation_gate("gitea.read")
     if read_block:
@@ -21160,25 +21172,64 @@ def gitea_adopt_workflow_lease(
             "reasons": read_block,
             "permission_report": _permission_block_report("gitea.read"),
         }
+    profile = get_profile()
+    profile_name = (profile.get("profile_name") or "").strip() or "session"
+    active_role = (_profile_role_kind(profile) or "").strip().lower()
+    if not active_role:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "outcome": "blocked",
+            "mutation_performed": False,
+            "reasons": [
+                "active profile role could not be derived authoritatively; "
+                "refusing lease adoption (fail closed, #843)"
+            ],
+            "lease_id": lease_id,
+            "authoritative_source": "control_plane_db",
+            "file_lock_only": False,
+            "comment_lease_only": False,
+        }
+    if role is not None and str(role).strip():
+        supplied_role = str(role).strip().lower()
+        if supplied_role != active_role:
+            return {
+                "success": False,
+                "outcome": "blocked",
+                "mutation_performed": False,
+                "profile_role_kind": active_role,
+                "supplied_role": supplied_role,
+                "reasons": [
+                    f"caller-supplied role '{supplied_role}' does not match "
+                    f"the authenticated profile-derived role '{active_role}'; "
+                    "caller-supplied role/profile/namespace can never grant "
+                    "authority (fail closed, #843)"
+                ],
+                "lease_id": lease_id,
+                "authoritative_source": "control_plane_db",
+                "file_lock_only": False,
+                "comment_lease_only": False,
+            }
     db, errs = _control_plane_db_or_error()
     if db is None:
         return {"success": False, "reasons": errs}
-    profile = get_profile()
-    profile_name = (profile.get("profile_name") or "").strip() or "session"
-    active_role = _profile_role_kind(profile) or "author"
     sid = (session_id or "").strip() or (
         f"{profile_name}-{os.getpid()}-{uuid.uuid4().hex[:8]}"
     )
+    adopter_namespace = allocator_service.DEFAULT_ROLE_NAMESPACES.get(
+        active_role, f"gitea-{active_role}"
+    )
     try:
         return lease_lifecycle.adopt_lease(
             db,
             lease_id=lease_id,
             adopter_session_id=sid,
-            role=(role or active_role).strip() or "author",
+            role=active_role,
             worktree_path=worktree_path,
             expected_head_sha=expected_head_sha,
             owner_pid=os.getpid(),
             operator_authorized=bool(operator_authorized),
+            adopter_profile_name=profile_name,
+            adopter_namespace=adopter_namespace,
         )
     except (lease_lifecycle.LeaseLifecycleError, control_plane_db.ControlPlaneError) as exc:
         return {

lease_lifecycle.py

@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ SAFE_RELEASE_OWNED = "release_owned"
 SAFE_STALE_PROMPT = "stale_prompt_lease"
 SAFE_UNKNOWN = "inspect_only"
 SAFE_NO_AUTHORITY = "file_or_comment_not_authoritative"
+SAFE_CONSUME_CROSS_ROLE = "consume_cross_role_handoff"
 
 LEASE_STATUS_ACTIVE = "active"
 LEASE_STATUS_RELEASED = "released"
@@ -250,6 +251,23 @@ def decide_safe_next_action(
                 "same_owner": True,
                 "also_allowed": [SAFE_ABANDON_ALLOWED, SAFE_RELEASE_OWNED],
             }
+        handoff = is_pending_cross_role_handoff({"lease": lease})
+        if handoff:
+            return {
+                "safe_next_action": SAFE_CONSUME_CROSS_ROLE,
+                "reasons": [
+                    f"controller allocation pending handoff (freshness={status}); "
+                    "required-role worker may consume without abandon/reassign; "
+                    f"required_role={handoff['required_role']}"
+                ],
+                "block": False,
+                "same_owner": False,
+                "owner_session_id": owner,
+                "required_role": handoff["required_role"],
+                "cross_role_handoff": True,
+                "handoff_status": "pending",
+                "also_allowed": [SAFE_ABANDON_ALLOWED],
+            }
         return {
             "safe_next_action": SAFE_ABANDON_ALLOWED,
             "reasons": [
@@ -272,6 +290,24 @@ def decide_safe_next_action(
         }
 
     if not same_owner and status == "active":
+        # #843: pending cross-role handoff is consumable by required role
+        handoff = is_pending_cross_role_handoff({"lease": lease})
+        if handoff:
+            return {
+                "safe_next_action": SAFE_CONSUME_CROSS_ROLE,
+                "reasons": [
+                    "controller cross-role allocation pending handoff; "
+                    f"required_role={handoff['required_role']}; "
+                    "consume via gitea_adopt_workflow_lease without "
+                    "abandonment or sharing the controller session"
+                ],
+                "block": False,
+                "same_owner": False,
+                "owner_session_id": owner,
+                "required_role": handoff["required_role"],
+                "cross_role_handoff": True,
+                "handoff_status": "pending",
+            }
         return {
             "safe_next_action": SAFE_WAIT_FOREIGN,
             "reasons": [
@@ -440,6 +476,84 @@ def list_active_leases(
     }
 
 
+
+def parse_lease_provenance(lease_or_state: Mapping[str, Any] | None) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Return durable lease provenance dict (empty when absent/unparseable)."""
+    if not lease_or_state:
+        return {}
+    if "provenance" in lease_or_state and isinstance(lease_or_state.get("provenance"), dict):
+        return dict(lease_or_state["provenance"])
+    raw = None
+    if "provenance_json" in lease_or_state:
+        raw = lease_or_state.get("provenance_json")
+    elif "lease" in lease_or_state and isinstance(lease_or_state.get("lease"), Mapping):
+        raw = lease_or_state["lease"].get("provenance_json")
+    if not raw:
+        return {}
+    if isinstance(raw, dict):
+        return dict(raw)
+    try:
+        loaded = json.loads(raw)
+    except (TypeError, json.JSONDecodeError):
+        return {}
+    return dict(loaded) if isinstance(loaded, dict) else {}
+
+
+def is_pending_cross_role_handoff(
+    state: Mapping[str, Any] | None,
+) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    """Return handoff evidence when a controller allocation awaits consume (#843).
+
+    A pending handoff is identified by durable provenance written at
+    cross-role apply time — not by title heuristics or session-id guessing.
+    """
+    if not state:
+        return None
+    lease = state.get("lease") if isinstance(state.get("lease"), Mapping) else state
+    if not isinstance(lease, Mapping):
+        return None
+    status = str(lease.get("status") or "").strip().lower()
+    if status in (LEASE_STATUS_ABANDONED, LEASE_STATUS_RELEASED, LEASE_STATUS_EXPIRED):
+        return None
+    prov = parse_lease_provenance(state)
+    if not prov and isinstance(lease, Mapping):
+        prov = parse_lease_provenance(lease)
+    if not prov.get("cross_role_handoff"):
+        return None
+    handoff_status = str(prov.get("handoff_status") or "pending").strip().lower()
+    if handoff_status != "pending":
+        return None
+    adopted_by = (
+        lease.get("adopted_by_session_id")
+        or prov.get("adopted_by_session_id")
+        or ""
+    )
+    if str(adopted_by).strip():
+        return None
+    required_role = str(
+        prov.get("required_role") or lease.get("role") or ""
+    ).strip().lower()
+    if not required_role:
+        return None
+    return {
+        "cross_role_handoff": True,
+        "handoff_status": "pending",
+        "required_role": required_role,
+        "allocating_session_id": str(
+            prov.get("allocating_session_id") or lease.get("session_id") or ""
+        ),
+        "allocating_role": str(prov.get("allocating_role") or "controller"),
+        "lease_id": str(lease.get("lease_id") or ""),
+        "assignment_id": (
+            str(state["assignment"]["assignment_id"])
+            if isinstance(state.get("assignment"), Mapping)
+            and state["assignment"].get("assignment_id")
+            else None
+        ),
+        "provenance": prov,
+    }
+
+
 def adopt_lease(
     db: cpd.ControlPlaneDB,
     *,
@@ -450,8 +564,17 @@ def adopt_lease(
     expected_head_sha: str | None = None,
     owner_pid: int | None = None,
     operator_authorized: bool = False,
+    adopter_profile_name: str | None = None,
+    adopter_namespace: str | None = None,
 ) -> dict[str, Any]:
-    """Sanctioned adopt path with provenance; never silent foreign steal."""
+    """Sanctioned adopt path with provenance; never silent foreign steal.
+
+    #843 F1: for a pending cross-role handoff, ``role`` must be the
+    authoritative profile-derived role supplied by the MCP boundary — never
+    caller-asserted authority. When the handoff provenance declares
+    ``required_profile`` / ``required_namespace`` and the caller context is
+    provided, both are validated exactly; a mismatch fails closed.
+    """
     state = db.get_lease_workflow_state(lease_id)
     if not state:
         raise LeaseLifecycleError(
@@ -463,11 +586,8 @@ def adopt_lease(
     owner = str(lease.get("session_id") or "")
     same_owner = owner == str(adopter_session_id)
 
-    if freshness["freshness"] == "active" and not same_owner:
-        raise LeaseLifecycleError(
-            f"refusing to steal active foreign lease {lease_id} owned by "
-            f"{owner} (fail closed)"
-        )
+    handoff = is_pending_cross_role_handoff(state)
+    adopter_role = (role or "").strip().lower()
 
     if freshness["freshness"] in ("abandoned", "released"):
         raise LeaseLifecycleError(
@@ -475,13 +595,64 @@ def adopt_lease(
             "(fail closed)"
         )
 
-    # Expired or stale: require abandon-style safety before ownership transfer
-    # when not same owner; same owner may reclaim.
-    if not same_owner and freshness["freshness"] in (
+    if handoff and not same_owner:
+        # Terminal statuses already rejected above. Freshness may be
+        # active OR stale_dead_process (controller exited) — both are
+        # consumable without abandonment when handoff is still pending.
+        if freshness["freshness"] not in (
+            "active",
+            "stale_dead_process",
+            "stale_missing_worktree",
+        ):
+            raise LeaseLifecycleError(
+                f"lease {lease_id} freshness={freshness['freshness']}; "
+                "terminal or non-active allocation cannot be handoff-consumed "
+                "(fail closed)"
+            )
+        required = handoff["required_role"]
+        if adopter_role != required:
+            raise LeaseLifecycleError(
+                f"wrong role for cross-role handoff consume of {lease_id}: "
+                f"required={required} adopter={adopter_role or 'none'} "
+                "(fail closed)"
+            )
+        # #843 F1: provenance profile/namespace restrictions are validated
+        # against the authoritative caller context when declared. Caller
+        # input can never widen authority; a mismatch fails closed.
+        handoff_prov = handoff.get("provenance") or {}
+        required_profile = str(
+            handoff_prov.get("required_profile") or ""
+        ).strip()
+        if required_profile and adopter_profile_name is not None:
+            if str(adopter_profile_name).strip() != required_profile:
+                raise LeaseLifecycleError(
+                    f"wrong profile for cross-role handoff consume of "
+                    f"{lease_id}: required_profile={required_profile} "
+                    f"adopter_profile={adopter_profile_name} (fail closed)"
+                )
+        required_namespace = str(
+            handoff_prov.get("required_namespace") or ""
+        ).strip()
+        if required_namespace and adopter_namespace is not None:
+            if str(adopter_namespace).strip() != required_namespace:
+                raise LeaseLifecycleError(
+                    f"wrong namespace for cross-role handoff consume of "
+                    f"{lease_id}: required_namespace={required_namespace} "
+                    f"adopter_namespace={adopter_namespace} (fail closed)"
+                )
+        reason = "cross-role-handoff-consume"
+    elif freshness["freshness"] == "active" and not same_owner:
+        raise LeaseLifecycleError(
+            f"refusing to steal active foreign lease {lease_id} owned by "
+            f"{owner} (fail closed)"
+        )
+    elif not same_owner and freshness["freshness"] in (
         "expired",
         "stale_dead_process",
         "stale_missing_worktree",
     ):
+        # Expired or stale (non-handoff): require abandon-style safety before
+        # ownership transfer when not same owner; same owner may reclaim.
         if not operator_authorized and freshness["freshness"] == "expired":
             # Deterministic reclaim of expired foreign lease is allowed
             # without operator flag (sanctioned expire reclaim).
@@ -492,6 +663,9 @@ def adopt_lease(
                 f"lease {lease_id} freshness={freshness['freshness']}; "
                 "use abandon with proof before foreign adopt (fail closed)"
             )
+        reason = "sanctioned-reclaim-adopt"
+    else:
+        reason = "owner-resume-adopt" if same_owner else "sanctioned-reclaim-adopt"
 
     provenance = build_adopt_provenance(
         adopted_from_session_id=owner,
@@ -504,10 +678,14 @@ def adopt_lease(
         worktree_path=worktree_path,
         expected_head_sha=expected_head_sha or lease.get("expected_head_sha"),
         prior_lease_id=lease_id,
-        reason=(
-            "owner-resume-adopt" if same_owner else "sanctioned-reclaim-adopt"
-        ),
+        reason=reason,
     )
+    if handoff and not same_owner:
+        provenance["cross_role_handoff"] = True
+        provenance["handoff_status"] = "adopted"
+        provenance["required_role"] = handoff["required_role"]
+        provenance["allocating_session_id"] = handoff["allocating_session_id"]
+        provenance["allocating_role"] = handoff["allocating_role"]
 
     result = db.adopt_lease(
         lease_id=lease_id,
@@ -518,7 +696,7 @@ def adopt_lease(
         owner_pid=owner_pid if owner_pid is not None else os.getpid(),
         provenance=provenance,
     )
-    return {
+    out = {
         "success": True,
         "outcome": result.get("outcome"),
         "same_owner": same_owner,
@@ -531,6 +709,24 @@ def adopt_lease(
         "comment_lease_only": False,
         "reasons": result.get("reasons") or [],
     }
+    if handoff and not same_owner:
+        out["cross_role_handoff"] = True
+        out["handoff_status"] = "adopted"
+        out["required_role"] = handoff["required_role"]
+        out["adopted_by_session_id"] = adopter_session_id
+        out["adopted_from_session_id"] = owner
+        lease_row = result.get("lease") or {}
+        if isinstance(lease_row, Mapping):
+            out["read_after_write"] = {
+                "lease_id": lease_row.get("lease_id"),
+                "session_id": lease_row.get("session_id"),
+                "role": lease_row.get("role"),
+                "status": lease_row.get("status"),
+                "adopted_by_session_id": lease_row.get("adopted_by_session_id"),
+                "adopted_from_session_id": lease_row.get("adopted_from_session_id"),
+                "phase": lease_row.get("phase"),
+            }
+    return out
 
 
 def release_lease(

tests/test_allocator_epic_container_exclusion.py

@@ -0,0 +1,243 @@
+"""Allocator epic / child-only container pre-rank exclusion (#844).
+
+Covers:
+* Issue #631-shaped child-only epic is excluded before ranking.
+* Implementable child issues remain eligible and can be selected.
+* Ordinary issues that merely mention "epic" in title/body are not excluded.
+* Excluded containers never receive assignments or workflow leases.
+* Structured skip reason ``epic_or_child_only_container`` is reported.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+
+from allocator_service import (
+    OUTCOME_ASSIGNED,
+    OUTCOME_PREVIEW,
+    SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER,
+    WorkCandidate,
+    allocate_next_work,
+    classify_epic_or_child_only_container,
+)
+from control_plane_db import ControlPlaneDB
+
+REMOTE = "prgs"
+ORG = "Scaled-Tech-Consulting"
+REPO = "Gitea-Tools"
+
+# Minimal body mirroring issue #631 authoritative scope language.
+_EPIC_631_BODY = """
+## Scope (umbrella)
+
+This epic owns the **product roadmap and linkage** for the Web Console.
+Implementation is delivered via child issues only.
+
+## Explicit non-goals
+
+* Do not implement product features in this epic issue itself.
+* No product feature implementation is claimed complete solely on this epic.
+"""
+
+_CHILD_BODY = """
+## Problem
+
+Operators need a workflow-event timeline model for Phase 1.
+
+## Acceptance criteria
+
+- [ ] Timeline model API exists
+"""
+
+
+def _issue(
+    number: int,
+    *,
+    title: str = "",
+    body: str = "",
+    labels: tuple[str, ...] = ("status:ready", "type:feature"),
+    priority: int = 20,
+) -> WorkCandidate:
+    return WorkCandidate(
+        kind="issue",
+        number=number,
+        state="open",
+        labels=labels,
+        title=title or f"issue {number}",
+        body=body,
+        priority=priority,
+    )
+
+
+class ClassifyEpicContainerTest(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_631_shaped_body_and_title_is_container(self) -> None:
+        c = _issue(
+            631,
+            title="Epic: MCP Control Plane Web Console",
+            body=_EPIC_631_BODY,
+        )
+        is_c, detail = classify_epic_or_child_only_container(c)
+        self.assertTrue(is_c)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(detail)
+        self.assertIn("body_marker", detail or "")
+
+    def test_body_markers_without_epic_title(self) -> None:
+        c = _issue(
+            900,
+            title="Control plane roadmap tracker",
+            body="Implementation is delivered via child issues only.",
+        )
+        is_c, _ = classify_epic_or_child_only_container(c)
+        self.assertTrue(is_c)
+
+    def test_epic_label_alone_is_container(self) -> None:
+        c = _issue(
+            901,
+            title="Roadmap linkage",
+            body="Track children.",
+            labels=("status:ready", "type:epic"),
+        )
+        is_c, detail = classify_epic_or_child_only_container(c)
+        self.assertTrue(is_c)
+        self.assertIn("type:epic", detail or "")
+
+    def test_title_epic_prefix_alone_not_container(self) -> None:
+        """Title-only 'Epic:' without body scope evidence stays eligible (#844)."""
+        c = _issue(
+            902,
+            title="Epic: something mentioned only in title",
+            body="Implement a concrete fix for the allocator skip list.",
+        )
+        is_c, detail = classify_epic_or_child_only_container(c)
+        self.assertFalse(is_c)
+        self.assertIsNone(detail)
+
+    def test_incidental_epic_word_not_container(self) -> None:
+        c = _issue(
+            903,
+            title="Document epic handoff conventions",
+            body=(
+                "Update the docs so implementable issues that mention an epic "
+                "remain independently executable."
+            ),
+        )
+        is_c, _ = classify_epic_or_child_only_container(c)
+        self.assertFalse(is_c)
+
+    def test_prs_never_classified(self) -> None:
+        pr = WorkCandidate(
+            kind="pr",
+            number=10,
+            state="open",
+            title="Epic: fake",
+            body="Implementation is delivered via child issues only.",
+            head_sha="a" * 40,
+            priority=5,
+        )
+        is_c, _ = classify_epic_or_child_only_container(pr)
+        self.assertFalse(is_c)
+
+
+class AllocateEpicContainerExclusionTest(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self) -> None:
+        self._tmp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.addCleanup(self._tmp.cleanup)
+        self.db = ControlPlaneDB(os.path.join(self._tmp.name, "cp.sqlite3"))
+
+    def _alloc(self, candidates, **kwargs):
+        defaults = dict(
+            session_id="sess-844",
+            role="author",
+            remote=REMOTE,
+            org=ORG,
+            repo=REPO,
+            profile_name="prgs-author",
+            username="jcwalker3",
+            claims={},
+            apply=False,
+        )
+        defaults.update(kwargs)
+        return allocate_next_work(self.db, candidates=candidates, **defaults)
+
+    def test_631_shaped_epic_excluded_child_selected(self) -> None:
+        epic = _issue(
+            631,
+            title="Epic: MCP Control Plane Web Console",
+            body=_EPIC_631_BODY,
+        )
+        child = _issue(
+            637,
+            title="Web Console: Workflow-event timeline model (Phase 1)",
+            body=_CHILD_BODY,
+        )
+        res = self._alloc([epic, child], apply=False)
+        self.assertTrue(res["success"], res)
+        self.assertEqual(res["outcome"], OUTCOME_PREVIEW)
+        self.assertEqual(res["selected"]["number"], 637)
+        skipped = {s["number"]: s for s in res["skipped"]}
+        self.assertIn(631, skipped)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            skipped[631]["reason_code"], SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER
+        )
+        self.assertIn(SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER, skipped[631]["reason"])
+
+    def test_container_cannot_receive_assignment_or_lease(self) -> None:
+        epic = _issue(
+            631,
+            title="Epic: MCP Control Plane Web Console",
+            body=_EPIC_631_BODY,
+        )
+        res = self._alloc([epic], apply=True)
+        self.assertTrue(res["success"], res)
+        # Only container present → no safe work; never assigned_work.
+        self.assertNotEqual(res["outcome"], OUTCOME_ASSIGNED)
+        self.assertIsNone(res.get("assignment"))
+        self.assertIsNone(res.get("selected"))
+        skipped = {s["number"]: s for s in res["skipped"]}
+        self.assertEqual(
+            skipped[631]["reason_code"], SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER
+        )
+        # No lease row for the epic.
+        leases = self.db.list_active_leases(
+            remote=REMOTE, org=ORG, repo=REPO
+        ) if hasattr(self.db, "list_active_leases") else []
+        # Prefer generic inventory if available.
+        if not leases and hasattr(self.db, "list_leases"):
+            leases = self.db.list_leases(remote=REMOTE, org=ORG, repo=REPO)
+        for lease in leases or []:
+            work_number = lease.get("work_number") if isinstance(lease, dict) else None
+            self.assertNotEqual(work_number, 631)
+
+    def test_incidental_epic_title_remains_eligible(self) -> None:
+        ordinary = _issue(
+            700,
+            title="Document epic handoff conventions",
+            body="Write runbook text about epic vs child issues.",
+        )
+        res = self._alloc([ordinary], apply=False)
+        self.assertTrue(res["success"], res)
+        self.assertEqual(res["selected"]["number"], 700)
+        self.assertEqual(res["skipped"], [])
+
+    def test_apply_selects_child_not_epic(self) -> None:
+        epic = _issue(
+            631,
+            title="Epic: MCP Control Plane Web Console",
+            body=_EPIC_631_BODY,
+        )
+        child = _issue(
+            637,
+            title="Web Console: Workflow-event timeline model (Phase 1)",
+            body=_CHILD_BODY,
+        )
+        res = self._alloc([epic, child], apply=True)
+        self.assertTrue(res["success"], res)
+        self.assertEqual(res["outcome"], OUTCOME_ASSIGNED)
+        self.assertEqual(res["selected"]["number"], 637)
+        self.assertEqual(res["assignment"]["work_number"], 637)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_issue_843_cross_role_handoff.py

@@ -0,0 +1,682 @@
+"""Cross-role allocation handoff consumable by independent workers (#843).
+
+Regression coverage for the controller→required-role consume path:
+
+* controller allocates author work; independent author adopts successfully
+* author adoption succeeds after allocating controller process exits
+* author adoption without sharing controller session identity
+* wrong-role adoption rejected
+* concurrent/second adoption rejected without state corruption
+* terminal allocation adoption rejected
+* successful adoption produces authoritative ownership evidence
+* genuine abandoned-lease recovery remains valid
+* process_work_queue / allocate results include consume identifiers
+* same-role allocation behavior remains compatible
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+from datetime import timedelta
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+from allocator_service import (
+    ALLOCATION_MODE_CROSS_ROLE,
+    ALLOCATION_MODE_ROLE_SCOPED,
+    OUTCOME_ASSIGNED,
+    ROLE_AUTHOR,
+    ROLE_CONTROLLER,
+    ROLE_REVIEWER,
+    WorkCandidate,
+    allocate_next_work,
+)
+from control_plane_db import ControlPlaneDB, ForeignLeaseError, _ts, _utc_now
+import lease_lifecycle as ll
+
+
+class CrossRoleHandoffTest(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self) -> None:
+        self._tmp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.db_path = os.path.join(self._tmp.name, "cp.sqlite3")
+        self.db = ControlPlaneDB(self.db_path)
+        self.db.upsert_session(
+            session_id="ctrl-session",
+            role="controller",
+            profile="prgs-controller",
+            pid=99999999,  # dead-looking pid
+        )
+        self.db.upsert_session(
+            session_id="author-worker",
+            role="author",
+            profile="prgs-author",
+            pid=os.getpid(),
+        )
+        self.db.upsert_session(
+            session_id="author-worker-2",
+            role="author",
+            profile="prgs-author",
+            pid=os.getpid(),
+        )
+        self.db.upsert_session(
+            session_id="reviewer-worker",
+            role="reviewer",
+            profile="prgs-reviewer",
+            pid=os.getpid(),
+        )
+        self.wt = self._tmp.name
+
+    def tearDown(self) -> None:
+        self._tmp.cleanup()
+
+    def _ready_issue(self, number: int = 843, title: str = "handoff target") -> WorkCandidate:
+        return WorkCandidate(
+            kind="issue",
+            number=number,
+            labels=("status:ready", "type:bug"),
+            title=title,
+            priority=20,
+        )
+
+    def _controller_allocate(self, number: int = 843, **kwargs):
+        defaults = dict(
+            db=self.db,
+            session_id="ctrl-session",
+            role=ROLE_CONTROLLER,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            candidates=[self._ready_issue(number)],
+            apply=True,
+            profile_name="prgs-controller",
+            username="controller-user",
+            allocation_mode=ALLOCATION_MODE_CROSS_ROLE,
+        )
+        defaults.update(kwargs)
+        return allocate_next_work(**defaults)
+
+    def test_controller_allocates_author_independent_author_adopts(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate()
+        self.assertEqual(res["outcome"], OUTCOME_ASSIGNED)
+        self.assertEqual(res["required_role"], ROLE_AUTHOR)
+        self.assertIn("consume_allocation", res)
+        consume = res["consume_allocation"]
+        self.assertEqual(consume["tool"], "gitea_adopt_workflow_lease")
+        self.assertEqual(consume["required_role"], ROLE_AUTHOR)
+        self.assertFalse(consume["controller_session_required"])
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        self.assertEqual(consume["lease_id"], lid)
+        self.assertIn(lid, res["next_valid_command"])
+
+        adopted = ll.adopt_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(adopted["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(adopted["outcome"], "adopted_cross_role_handoff")
+        self.assertEqual(adopted["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(adopted["adopted_from_session_id"], "ctrl-session")
+        raw = adopted["read_after_write"]
+        self.assertEqual(raw["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(raw["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(raw["status"], "active")
+        self.assertEqual(raw["phase"], "adopted")
+
+        # Authoritative re-read
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["assignment"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["provenance"]["handoff_status"], "adopted")
+
+    def test_author_adoption_after_controller_process_exits(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=900)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        # Force owner_pid dead + freshness stale_dead_process
+        import sqlite3
+
+        conn = sqlite3.connect(self.db_path)
+        try:
+            conn.execute(
+                "UPDATE leases SET owner_pid = 99999999 WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                (lid,),
+            )
+            conn.commit()
+        finally:
+            conn.close()
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        fr = ll.classify_lease_freshness(
+            state["lease"], pid_checker=lambda _p: False
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(fr["freshness"], "stale_dead_process")
+
+        adopted = ll.adopt_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(adopted["outcome"], "adopted_cross_role_handoff")
+        self.assertEqual(adopted["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker")
+        # No abandon required
+        state2 = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state2["lease"]["status"], "active")
+        self.assertNotEqual(state2["lease"]["status"], "abandoned")
+
+    def test_adoption_without_sharing_controller_session_identity(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=901)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        adopted = ll.adopt_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertNotEqual(adopted["adopted_by_session_id"], "ctrl-session")
+        self.assertFalse(adopted["same_owner"])
+        self.assertEqual(adopted["adopted_from_session_id"], "ctrl-session")
+
+    def test_wrong_role_adoption_rejected(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=902)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        with self.assertRaises(ll.LeaseLifecycleError) as ctx:
+            ll.adopt_lease(
+                self.db,
+                lease_id=lid,
+                adopter_session_id="reviewer-worker",
+                role=ROLE_REVIEWER,
+            )
+        self.assertIn("wrong role", str(ctx.exception).lower())
+        # State unchanged
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], "ctrl-session")
+        self.assertIsNone(state["lease"].get("adopted_by_session_id") or None)
+        self.assertEqual(state["provenance"]["handoff_status"], "pending")
+
+    def test_second_adoption_rejected_without_corruption(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=903)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        first = ll.adopt_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(first["outcome"], "adopted_cross_role_handoff")
+        with self.assertRaises(ll.LeaseLifecycleError):
+            ll.adopt_lease(
+                self.db,
+                lease_id=lid,
+                adopter_session_id="author-worker-2",
+                role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+                worktree_path=self.wt,
+            )
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["assignment"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["status"], "active")
+
+    def test_terminal_allocation_adoption_rejected(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=904)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        # Abandon as terminal
+        proof = ll.AbandonProof(
+            dead_process=True,
+            missing_worktree=True,
+            no_open_pr=True,
+            no_live_mutation_risk=True,
+            owner_pid=99999999,
+            worktree_path="/nonexistent/for-843",
+        )
+        # Attach dead pid / missing wt for abandon eligibility
+        import sqlite3
+
+        conn = sqlite3.connect(self.db_path)
+        try:
+            conn.execute(
+                "UPDATE leases SET owner_pid = 99999999, worktree_path = ? WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                ("/nonexistent/for-843", lid),
+            )
+            conn.commit()
+        finally:
+            conn.close()
+        abandoned = ll.abandon_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            requester_session_id="author-worker",
+            proof=proof,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(abandoned["outcome"], "abandoned")
+        with self.assertRaises(ll.LeaseLifecycleError) as ctx:
+            ll.adopt_lease(
+                self.db,
+                lease_id=lid,
+                adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+                role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            )
+        self.assertIn("abandoned", str(ctx.exception).lower())
+
+    def test_successful_adoption_read_after_write_ownership(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=905)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        adopted = ll.adopt_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        raw = adopted["read_after_write"]
+        self.assertEqual(raw["lease_id"], lid)
+        self.assertEqual(raw["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(raw["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(raw["adopted_from_session_id"], "ctrl-session")
+        # Re-fetch proves durable write
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], raw["session_id"])
+        self.assertEqual(
+            state["lease"]["adopted_by_session_id"], raw["adopted_by_session_id"]
+        )
+
+    def test_genuine_abandoned_recovery_still_valid(self) -> None:
+        """Same-role author lease abandoned remains reclaimable via abandon path."""
+        same = allocate_next_work(
+            self.db,
+            session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            candidates=[self._ready_issue(906, "same-role")],
+            apply=True,
+            profile_name="prgs-author",
+            username="author-user",
+            allocation_mode=ALLOCATION_MODE_ROLE_SCOPED,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(same["outcome"], OUTCOME_ASSIGNED)
+        lid = same["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        import sqlite3
+
+        conn = sqlite3.connect(self.db_path)
+        try:
+            conn.execute(
+                "UPDATE leases SET owner_pid = 99999999, worktree_path = ? WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                ("/nonexistent/same-role", lid),
+            )
+            conn.commit()
+        finally:
+            conn.close()
+        proof = ll.AbandonProof(
+            dead_process=True,
+            missing_worktree=True,
+            no_open_pr=True,
+            no_live_mutation_risk=True,
+            owner_pid=99999999,
+            worktree_path="/nonexistent/same-role",
+        )
+        abandoned = ll.abandon_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            requester_session_id="author-worker-2",
+            proof=proof,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(abandoned["outcome"], "abandoned")
+        # Foreign author cannot handoff-consume an abandoned non-handoff lease
+        with self.assertRaises(ll.LeaseLifecycleError):
+            ll.adopt_lease(
+                self.db,
+                lease_id=lid,
+                adopter_session_id="author-worker-2",
+                role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            )
+        # Reclaim path still works for expired/abandoned after force-expire
+        reclaimed = ll.reclaim_expired_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="author-worker-2",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(reclaimed["outcome"], "reclaimed")
+        self.assertEqual(reclaimed["assignment"]["session_id"], "author-worker-2")
+
+    def test_allocate_payload_includes_consume_identifiers(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=907)
+        self.assertIn("consume_allocation", res)
+        c = res["consume_allocation"]
+        for key in (
+            "tool",
+            "lease_id",
+            "assignment_id",
+            "required_role",
+            "required_profile",
+            "required_namespace",
+            "instructions",
+            "handoff_status",
+        ):
+            self.assertIn(key, c)
+        self.assertEqual(c["required_namespace"], "gitea-author")
+        self.assertEqual(c["required_profile"], "prgs-author")
+        self.assertIn("gitea_adopt_workflow_lease", c["instructions"])
+        self.assertTrue(res["lease_proof"]["cross_role_handoff"])
+        self.assertEqual(res["lease_proof"]["handoff_status"], "pending")
+
+    def test_same_role_allocation_remains_compatible(self) -> None:
+        res = allocate_next_work(
+            self.db,
+            session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            candidates=[self._ready_issue(908)],
+            apply=True,
+            profile_name="prgs-author",
+            username="author-user",
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(res["outcome"], OUTCOME_ASSIGNED)
+        self.assertNotIn("consume_allocation", res)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        # No cross-role handoff provenance
+        prov = state.get("provenance") or {}
+        self.assertFalse(prov.get("cross_role_handoff"))
+        # Owner resume still works
+        resume = ll.adopt_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(resume["same_owner"])
+        self.assertEqual(resume["outcome"], "adopted_owner_resume")
+
+    def test_inspect_points_required_role_at_consume(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=909)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        decision = ll.inspect_lease(
+            self.db, lid, caller_session_id="author-worker"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            decision["safe_next_action"], ll.SAFE_CONSUME_CROSS_ROLE
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(decision["block"])
+        self.assertEqual(decision["required_role"], ROLE_AUTHOR)
+
+    def test_db_cas_rejects_concurrent_second_consume(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=910)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        # First consume via DB layer directly
+        first = self.db.adopt_lease(
+            lease_id=lid,
+            adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+            provenance={
+                "cross_role_handoff": True,
+                "handoff_status": "adopted",
+                "required_role": "author",
+            },
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(first["outcome"], "adopted_cross_role_handoff")
+        # Second CAS must fail
+        with self.assertRaises(ForeignLeaseError):
+            self.db.adopt_lease(
+                lease_id=lid,
+                adopter_session_id="author-worker-2",
+                role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+                worktree_path=self.wt,
+                provenance={
+                    "cross_role_handoff": True,
+                    "handoff_status": "pending",
+                    "required_role": "author",
+                },
+            )
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+
+
+class MCPBoundaryAdoptRoleBindingTest(unittest.TestCase):
+    """#843 F1: MCP-boundary role binding for ``gitea_adopt_workflow_lease``.
+
+    The library-level wrong-role test calls ``lease_lifecycle.adopt_lease``
+    directly. These tests prove the MCP entry point derives the adopter role
+    authoritatively from the active authenticated profile and rejects any
+    caller-supplied role that disagrees, so a reviewer/merger profile cannot
+    consume an author handoff by passing ``role="author"``.
+    """
+
+    AUTHOR_PROFILE = {
+        "profile_name": "prgs-author",
+        "role": "author",
+        "allowed_operations": [
+            "gitea.read",
+            "gitea.pr.create",
+            "gitea.branch.push",
+        ],
+        "forbidden_operations": [],
+    }
+    REVIEWER_PROFILE = {
+        "profile_name": "prgs-reviewer",
+        "role": "reviewer",
+        "allowed_operations": [
+            "gitea.read",
+            "gitea.pr.review",
+            "gitea.pr.approve",
+            "gitea.pr.request_changes",
+        ],
+        "forbidden_operations": ["gitea.pr.create", "gitea.branch.push"],
+    }
+    MERGER_PROFILE = {
+        "profile_name": "prgs-merger",
+        "role": "merger",
+        "allowed_operations": ["gitea.read", "gitea.pr.merge"],
+        "forbidden_operations": ["gitea.pr.create", "gitea.branch.push"],
+    }
+    FOREIGN_AUTHOR_PROFILE = {
+        "profile_name": "dadeschools-author",
+        "role": "author",
+        "allowed_operations": [
+            "gitea.read",
+            "gitea.pr.create",
+            "gitea.branch.push",
+        ],
+        "forbidden_operations": [],
+    }
+
+    def setUp(self) -> None:
+        self._tmp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.db_path = os.path.join(self._tmp.name, "cp.sqlite3")
+        self.db = ControlPlaneDB(self.db_path)
+        self.db.upsert_session(
+            session_id="ctrl-session",
+            role="controller",
+            profile="prgs-controller",
+            pid=99999999,
+        )
+        self.db.upsert_session(
+            session_id="author-worker",
+            role="author",
+            profile="prgs-author",
+            pid=os.getpid(),
+        )
+        self.wt = self._tmp.name
+
+    def tearDown(self) -> None:
+        self._tmp.cleanup()
+
+    def _ready_issue(self, number: int) -> WorkCandidate:
+        return WorkCandidate(
+            kind="issue",
+            number=number,
+            labels=("status:ready", "type:bug"),
+            title="handoff target",
+            priority=20,
+        )
+
+    def _handoff_lease(self, number: int = 843) -> str:
+        res = allocate_next_work(
+            db=self.db,
+            session_id="ctrl-session",
+            role=ROLE_CONTROLLER,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            candidates=[self._ready_issue(number)],
+            apply=True,
+            profile_name="prgs-controller",
+            username="controller-user",
+            allocation_mode=ALLOCATION_MODE_CROSS_ROLE,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(res["outcome"], OUTCOME_ASSIGNED)
+        self.assertEqual(res["required_role"], ROLE_AUTHOR)
+        return res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+
+    def _call_adopt_tool(self, profile: dict, **kwargs):
+        import gitea_mcp_server as mcp_server
+
+        with (
+            patch.object(mcp_server, "get_profile", return_value=profile),
+            patch.object(
+                mcp_server,
+                "_control_plane_db_or_error",
+                return_value=(self.db, []),
+            ),
+        ):
+            return mcp_server.gitea_adopt_workflow_lease(
+                remote="prgs", **kwargs
+            )
+
+    def _assert_handoff_untouched(self, lease_id: str) -> None:
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lease_id)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], "ctrl-session")
+        self.assertIsNone(state["lease"].get("adopted_by_session_id") or None)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["status"], "active")
+        self.assertEqual(state["provenance"]["handoff_status"], "pending")
+
+    def test_reviewer_profile_cannot_consume_author_handoff_via_role_author(
+        self,
+    ) -> None:
+        lid = self._handoff_lease(920)
+        result = self._call_adopt_tool(
+            self.REVIEWER_PROFILE,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="reviewer-worker",
+            role="author",
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], "blocked")
+        self.assertEqual(result["profile_role_kind"], "reviewer")
+        self.assertEqual(result["supplied_role"], "author")
+        self.assertIn("does not match", result["reasons"][0])
+        self._assert_handoff_untouched(lid)
+
+    def test_merger_profile_cannot_consume_author_handoff_via_role_author(
+        self,
+    ) -> None:
+        lid = self._handoff_lease(921)
+        result = self._call_adopt_tool(
+            self.MERGER_PROFILE,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="merger-worker",
+            role="author",
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], "blocked")
+        self.assertEqual(result["profile_role_kind"], "merger")
+        self._assert_handoff_untouched(lid)
+
+    def test_reviewer_profile_rejected_without_role_argument(self) -> None:
+        """Even without a spoofed role, the profile-derived role binds."""
+        lid = self._handoff_lease(922)
+        result = self._call_adopt_tool(
+            self.REVIEWER_PROFILE,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="reviewer-worker",
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], "blocked")
+        self.assertIn("wrong role", result["reasons"][0].lower())
+        self._assert_handoff_untouched(lid)
+
+    def test_author_profile_mismatching_supplied_role_rejected(self) -> None:
+        lid = self._handoff_lease(923)
+        result = self._call_adopt_tool(
+            self.AUTHOR_PROFILE,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="author-worker",
+            role="reviewer",
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], "blocked")
+        self.assertEqual(result["profile_role_kind"], "author")
+        self.assertEqual(result["supplied_role"], "reviewer")
+        self._assert_handoff_untouched(lid)
+
+    def test_foreign_profile_name_rejected_for_author_handoff(self) -> None:
+        """Provenance required_profile binds even when the role matches."""
+        lid = self._handoff_lease(924)
+        result = self._call_adopt_tool(
+            self.FOREIGN_AUTHOR_PROFILE,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="foreign-author-worker",
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], "blocked")
+        self.assertIn("wrong profile", result["reasons"][0].lower())
+        self._assert_handoff_untouched(lid)
+
+    def test_author_profile_consumes_author_handoff(self) -> None:
+        lid = self._handoff_lease(925)
+        result = self._call_adopt_tool(
+            self.AUTHOR_PROFILE,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="author-worker",
+            role="author",
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], "adopted_cross_role_handoff")
+        self.assertEqual(result["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(result["adopted_from_session_id"], "ctrl-session")
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(
+            state["lease"]["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(state["assignment"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["provenance"]["handoff_status"], "adopted")
+
+    def test_author_profile_consumes_author_handoff_without_role_argument(
+        self,
+    ) -> None:
+        lid = self._handoff_lease(926)
+        result = self._call_adopt_tool(
+            self.AUTHOR_PROFILE,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="author-worker",
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], "adopted_cross_role_handoff")
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["role"], "author")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_webui_policy_visibility.py

@@ -0,0 +1,222 @@
+"""Tests for the read-only workflow policy/guardrail visibility view (#646).
+
+Covers issue #646 acceptance criteria:
+
+1. Console lists major guardrails with source pointers.
+2. Secrets redacted.
+3. Tests ensure sample secrets never appear.
+4. Docs explain read-only nature (asserted here for the page copy; the doc
+   itself is covered by inspection).
+"""
+
+import json
+import sys
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+from starlette.testclient import TestClient
+
+from webui import console_redaction
+from webui import policy_inventory
+from webui.app import create_app
+from webui.policy_inventory import (
+    PolicyEntry,
+    PolicyInventorySnapshot,
+    SourcePointer,
+    load_policy_inventory,
+    snapshot_to_dict,
+)
+from webui.policy_views import render_policy_page
+
+
+def _entry(key, category, *, active=None, error=None):
+    return PolicyEntry(
+        key=key,
+        title=key.replace("_", " ").title(),
+        category=category,
+        summary=f"summary for {key}",
+        sources=(SourcePointer("src", f"{key}.py", "module"),),
+        active=active,
+        documented_default=None,
+        diff=None,
+        error=error,
+    )
+
+
+def _snapshot(entries):
+    return PolicyInventorySnapshot(
+        schema_version=1,
+        read_only=True,
+        note="read-only projection",
+        entries=tuple(entries),
+        categories=tuple(dict.fromkeys(e.category for e in entries)),
+        build_errors=(),
+    )
+
+# The guardrail categories issue #646 names as in-scope.
+_EXPECTED_CATEGORIES = {
+    "role_separation",
+    "lease_rules",
+    "worktree_rules",
+    "merge_confirmation",
+    "redaction",
+    "contamination",
+    "allocator_policy",
+    "audit_logging",
+    "mutation_gating",
+}
+
+
+class TestPolicyInventoryModel(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_major_guardrails_present(self):
+        snapshot = load_policy_inventory()
+        categories = {e.category for e in snapshot.entries}
+        self.assertEqual(_EXPECTED_CATEGORIES, categories)
+        self.assertGreaterEqual(len(snapshot.entries), len(_EXPECTED_CATEGORIES))
+
+    def test_every_guardrail_has_source_pointers(self):
+        # AC1: source attribution (file/module/doc) for every guardrail.
+        snapshot = load_policy_inventory()
+        for entry in snapshot.entries:
+            with self.subTest(entry=entry.key):
+                self.assertTrue(entry.sources, "guardrail must carry source pointers")
+                for source in entry.sources:
+                    self.assertTrue(source.path)
+                    self.assertIn(source.kind, {"module", "doc", "script", "config"})
+
+    def test_diff_reported_where_documented_default_declared(self):
+        snapshot = load_policy_inventory()
+        checked_any = False
+        for entry in snapshot.entries:
+            if entry.documented_default is None:
+                self.assertIsNone(entry.diff)
+                continue
+            checked_any = True
+            self.assertIsNotNone(entry.diff)
+            self.assertEqual(
+                entry.diff["status"],
+                "matches_documented_default",
+                f"{entry.key} drifted from its documented default: {entry.diff}",
+            )
+        self.assertTrue(checked_any, "at least one guardrail should declare a default")
+
+    def test_live_projections_populate_active(self):
+        snapshot = load_policy_inventory()
+        by_key = {e.key: e for e in snapshot.entries}
+        for key in ("role_separation", "redaction", "audit_logging"):
+            self.assertIsNone(by_key[key].error, f"{key} projection failed")
+            self.assertIsInstance(by_key[key].active, dict)
+
+    def test_build_entry_is_fail_soft_on_projection_error(self):
+        def _boom():
+            raise RuntimeError("projection exploded")
+
+        row = (
+            "redaction",
+            "Secret redaction",
+            "redaction",
+            "summary",
+            (SourcePointer("x", "webui/console_redaction.py", "module"),),
+            _boom,
+            {"redact_before_persist": True},
+        )
+        entry = policy_inventory._build_entry(row)
+        self.assertIsNone(entry.active)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(entry.error)
+        self.assertEqual(entry.diff["status"], "active_unavailable")
+
+
+class TestPolicyRedaction(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_real_snapshot_has_no_secret_shapes(self):
+        # AC3: the real emitted payload never carries a known secret shape.
+        payload = snapshot_to_dict(load_policy_inventory())
+        self.assertEqual(console_redaction.scan_for_secrets(payload), [])
+
+    def test_planted_keychain_secret_is_redacted(self):
+        # AC2/AC3: a secret planted in an active projection is masked before emit.
+        snapshot = _snapshot([
+            _entry(
+                "redaction",
+                "redaction",
+                active={"leaked": "keychain:prgs-author-super-secret", "roles": ["author"]},
+            )
+        ])
+        payload = snapshot_to_dict(snapshot)
+        blob = json.dumps(payload)
+        self.assertNotIn("keychain:prgs-author-super-secret", blob)
+        self.assertEqual(console_redaction.scan_for_secrets(payload), [])
+
+    def test_planted_credential_assignment_is_redacted(self):
+        snapshot = _snapshot([
+            _entry(
+                "audit_logging",
+                "audit_logging",
+                active={"leaked": "token=abcd1234efgh5678", "append_only": True},
+            )
+        ])
+        payload = snapshot_to_dict(snapshot)
+        blob = json.dumps(payload)
+        self.assertNotIn("abcd1234efgh5678", blob)
+        self.assertEqual(console_redaction.scan_for_secrets(payload), [])
+
+
+class TestPolicyRoutes(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.client = TestClient(create_app())
+
+    def test_policy_html_lists_guardrails_with_sources(self):
+        response = self.client.get("/policy")
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+        text = response.text
+        self.assertIn("Workflow policy", text)
+        self.assertIn("Role separation and RBAC", text)
+        self.assertIn("Source pointers", text)
+        self.assertIn("task_capability_map.py", text)
+        self.assertIn("docs/safety-model.md", text)
+
+    def test_policy_html_states_read_only(self):
+        # AC4: the page explains its read-only nature.
+        text = self.client.get("/policy").text
+        self.assertIn("read-only", text.lower())
+        self.assertNotIn("<form", text.lower())
+
+    def test_policy_html_has_no_secret_shapes(self):
+        text = self.client.get("/policy").text
+        self.assertEqual(console_redaction.scan_for_secrets(text), [])
+
+    def test_api_v1_policy_returns_inventory(self):
+        response = self.client.get("/api/v1/policy")
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+        data = response.json()
+        self.assertEqual(data["schema_version"], policy_inventory.SCHEMA_VERSION)
+        self.assertTrue(data["read_only"])
+        self.assertEqual(data["entry_count"], len(data["entries"]))
+        self.assertEqual(set(data["categories"]), _EXPECTED_CATEGORIES)
+
+    def test_policy_is_read_only_no_post(self):
+        # AC4 / non-goal: no mutation endpoint.
+        response = self.client.post("/policy")
+        self.assertIn(response.status_code, (404, 405))
+
+    def test_nav_links_policy(self):
+        text = self.client.get("/").text
+        self.assertIn('href="/policy"', text)
+
+
+class TestPolicyViewFailSoft(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_page_renders_when_a_projection_errors(self):
+        snapshot = _snapshot([
+            _entry("role_separation", "role_separation", error="active projection unavailable: boom"),
+            _entry("redaction", "redaction", active={"redact_before_persist": True}),
+        ])
+        page = render_policy_page(snapshot)
+        # The errored guardrail surfaces its error; other guardrails still render.
+        self.assertIn("Active value unavailable", page)
+        self.assertIn("Redaction", page)
+        self.assertIn("Workflow policy", page)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

webui/app.py

@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@ from webui.worktree_scanner import load_hygiene_snapshot, snapshot_to_dict as wo
 from webui.worktree_views import render_worktrees_page
 from webui.runtime_health import load_runtime_snapshot, snapshot_to_dict as runtime_snapshot_to_dict
 from webui.runtime_views import render_runtime_page
+from webui.policy_inventory import load_policy_inventory, snapshot_to_dict as policy_snapshot_to_dict
+from webui.policy_views import render_policy_page
 from webui.system_health import (
     API_PATH as SYSTEM_HEALTH_API_PATH,
     load_system_health,
@@ -74,6 +76,7 @@ async def home(_request: Request) -> HTMLResponse:
         "<li><strong>Projects</strong> — registry and onboarding (#427)</li>"
         "<li><strong>Prompts</strong> — canonical workflow prompt library (#428)</li>"
         "<li><strong>Runtime</strong> — MCP health and stale-runtime detection (#430)</li>"
+        "<li><strong>Policy</strong> — workflow guardrail configuration visibility (#646)</li>"
         "<li><strong>Audit</strong> — final-report paste and validator preview (#431)</li>"
         "<li><strong>Worktrees</strong> — branch hygiene dashboard (#432)</li>"
         "<li><strong>Leases</strong> — collision and lease visibility (#433)</li>"
@@ -243,6 +246,17 @@ async def api_runtime(_request: Request) -> JSONResponse:
     return JSONResponse(runtime_snapshot_to_dict(load_runtime_snapshot()))
 
 
+async def policy(_request: Request) -> HTMLResponse:
+    snapshot = load_policy_inventory()
+    return HTMLResponse(
+        render_page(title="Policy", body_html=render_policy_page(snapshot))
+    )
+
+
+async def api_v1_policy(_request: Request) -> JSONResponse:
+    return JSONResponse(policy_snapshot_to_dict(load_policy_inventory()))
+
+
 async def _parse_audit_form(request: Request) -> tuple[str, str | None]:
     if request.method == "GET":
         return "", None
@@ -449,6 +463,8 @@ def create_app(*, bind_host: str | None = None) -> Starlette:
             Route("/api/prompts", api_prompts, methods=["GET"]),
             Route("/runtime", runtime, methods=["GET"]),
             Route("/api/runtime", api_runtime, methods=["GET"]),
+            Route("/policy", policy, methods=["GET"]),
+            Route("/api/v1/policy", api_v1_policy, methods=["GET"]),
             Route("/audit", audit, methods=["GET", "POST"]),
             Route("/api/audit", api_audit, methods=["GET", "POST"]),
             Route("/worktrees", worktrees, methods=["GET"]),

webui/layout.py

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ NAV_ITEMS = (
     ("/projects", "Projects"),
     ("/prompts", "Prompts"),
     ("/runtime", "Runtime"),
+    ("/policy", "Policy"),
     ("/audit", "Audit"),
     ("/worktrees", "Worktrees"),
     ("/leases", "Leases"),

webui/policy_inventory.py

@@ -0,0 +1,387 @@
+"""Read-only workflow policy and guardrail inventory for the web UI (#646).
+
+Policy and guardrails live in code, profiles, docs, and skills. An operator
+cannot *see* the active workflow policy configuration from the console without
+reading the repository tree. This module projects the major guardrails into a
+redacted, machine-readable inventory with source attribution (file / module /
+doc), so the console can render them as HTML tables with source pointers.
+
+Design constraints (Phase 3, #646):
+
+- **Read-only projection.** Nothing here edits policy or exposes a toggle that
+  could weaken a gate. It reports what is already enforced elsewhere.
+- **Source attribution without secrets.** Every guardrail carries pointers to
+  the file/module/doc that owns it. Live values are compact summaries derived
+  from the safe policy accessors that already exist (``rbac_matrix``,
+  ``redaction_policy``, ``audit_policy``); raw regex, tokens, and endpoints are
+  never embedded.
+- **Redact before emit.** ``snapshot_to_dict`` runs the whole payload through
+  ``console_redaction.redact_payload`` so a planted or accidental secret in any
+  projected value degrades to the placeholder rather than reaching a client.
+- **Fail soft.** A projection that raises is recorded as a per-entry error and
+  never takes the page down; a guardrail is still listed with its sources.
+- **Diff vs documented defaults where feasible.** When a guardrail declares a
+  documented invariant, the active projection is compared against it and the
+  result is reported; otherwise the diff is explicitly ``None`` with a reason.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Any, Callable
+
+from webui import console_audit
+from webui import console_authz
+from webui import console_redaction
+
+SCHEMA_VERSION = 1
+
+READ_ONLY_NOTE = (
+    "Read-only projection of guardrails enforced in code, profiles, docs, and "
+    "skills. This view never edits policy and exposes no gate-weakening toggle."
+)
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class SourcePointer:
+    """Where a guardrail is defined. Attribution only — never a secret."""
+
+    label: str
+    path: str
+    kind: str  # "module" | "doc" | "script" | "config"
+    anchor: str | None = None
+
+    def to_dict(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        return {
+            "label": self.label,
+            "path": self.path,
+            "kind": self.kind,
+            "anchor": self.anchor,
+        }
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class PolicyEntry:
+    key: str
+    title: str
+    category: str
+    summary: str
+    sources: tuple[SourcePointer, ...]
+    active: dict[str, Any] | None
+    documented_default: dict[str, Any] | None
+    diff: dict[str, Any] | None
+    error: str | None = None
+
+    def to_dict(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        return {
+            "key": self.key,
+            "title": self.title,
+            "category": self.category,
+            "summary": self.summary,
+            "sources": [s.to_dict() for s in self.sources],
+            "active": self.active,
+            "documented_default": self.documented_default,
+            "diff": self.diff,
+            "error": self.error,
+        }
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class PolicyInventorySnapshot:
+    schema_version: int
+    read_only: bool
+    note: str
+    entries: tuple[PolicyEntry, ...]
+    categories: tuple[str, ...]
+    build_errors: tuple[str, ...]
+
+
+def _diff_active_vs_default(
+    active: dict[str, Any] | None,
+    documented_default: dict[str, Any] | None,
+) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    """Compare only the keys the documented default declares.
+
+    Returns ``None`` when no documented default is declared (diff not feasible)
+    or when the active projection is unavailable. Otherwise reports, per
+    declared key, whether the active value matches the documented invariant.
+    """
+    if not documented_default:
+        return None
+    if not active:
+        return {"status": "active_unavailable", "checked": {}}
+    checked: dict[str, Any] = {}
+    matches = True
+    for key, expected in documented_default.items():
+        observed = active.get(key)
+        ok = observed == expected
+        matches = matches and ok
+        checked[key] = {"expected": expected, "observed": observed, "matches": ok}
+    return {
+        "status": "matches_documented_default" if matches else "drift_detected",
+        "checked": checked,
+    }
+
+
+# ── Live projections (compact, safe, fail-soft) ──────────────────────────────
+# Each returns a small dict of already-safe machine values. They are module
+# level so tests can substitute one to prove the redaction pass runs.
+
+
+def _project_role_separation() -> dict[str, Any]:
+    matrix = console_authz.rbac_matrix()
+    return {
+        "model_version": matrix.get("model_version"),
+        "active_phase": matrix.get("active_phase"),
+        "roles": [r.get("role") for r in matrix.get("roles", [])],
+        "privileged_action_count": len(matrix.get("privileged_actions", [])),
+        "default_decision": matrix.get("default_decision"),
+        "execution_enabled": matrix.get("execution_enabled"),
+    }
+
+
+def _project_redaction() -> dict[str, Any]:
+    policy = console_redaction.redaction_policy()
+    return {
+        "policy_version": policy.get("policy_version"),
+        "placeholder": policy.get("placeholder"),
+        "applies_to": policy.get("applies_to"),
+        "console_detector_count": len(policy.get("console_rules", [])),
+        "redact_before_persist": policy.get("redact_before_persist"),
+        "failure_mode": policy.get("failure_mode"),
+    }
+
+
+def _project_audit() -> dict[str, Any]:
+    policy = console_audit.audit_policy()
+    return {
+        "schema_version": policy.get("schema_version"),
+        "required_field_count": len(policy.get("required_fields", [])),
+        "results": policy.get("results"),
+        "retention_defaults_days": policy.get("retention_defaults_days"),
+        "append_only": policy.get("append_only"),
+        "redact_before_persist": policy.get("redact_before_persist"),
+        "enabled": policy.get("enabled"),
+    }
+
+
+def _static(value: dict[str, Any]) -> Callable[[], dict[str, Any]]:
+    return lambda: dict(value)
+
+
+# ── Guardrail catalog ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# One row per major guardrail. ``project`` yields the active value (may raise;
+# caught per entry). ``documented_default`` drives the feasible diff.
+
+_CatalogRow = tuple[
+    str,
+    str,
+    str,
+    str,
+    tuple[SourcePointer, ...],
+    Callable[[], dict[str, Any]] | None,
+    dict[str, Any] | None,
+]
+
+_CATALOG: tuple[_CatalogRow, ...] = (
+    (
+        "role_separation",
+        "Role separation and RBAC",
+        "role_separation",
+        "Author, reviewer, merger, and reconciler capabilities are disjoint and "
+        "role-exclusive; self-review and self-merge are always blocked. The "
+        "console RBAC model defaults to deny.",
+        (
+            SourcePointer("task capability map", "task_capability_map.py", "module"),
+            SourcePointer("role/namespace gate", "role_namespace_gate.py", "module"),
+            SourcePointer("console RBAC", "webui/console_authz.py", "module"),
+        ),
+        _project_role_separation,
+        {"default_decision": "deny", "execution_enabled": False},
+    ),
+    (
+        "lease_rules",
+        "Issue and PR lease lifecycle",
+        "lease_rules",
+        "Durable work is claimed through issue locks and control-plane leases "
+        "with freshness, expiry, and dead-session recovery; abandoned or stale "
+        "claims are reclaimed only through the sanctioned recovery path.",
+        (
+            SourcePointer("issue lock store", "issue_lock_store.py", "module"),
+            SourcePointer("branch cleanup guard", "branch_cleanup_guard.py", "module"),
+            SourcePointer("safety model §5", "docs/safety-model.md", "doc", "5-mutation-gating"),
+        ),
+        None,
+        None,
+    ),
+    (
+        "worktree_rules",
+        "Author worktree binding",
+        "worktree_rules",
+        "Author mutations require a validated worktree under branches/ derived "
+        "from the active issue lock; silent fallback to the stable control "
+        "checkout or master is forbidden (#618).",
+        (
+            SourcePointer("author worktree gate", "author_mutation_worktree.py", "module"),
+            SourcePointer("worktree bootstrap", "scripts/worktree-start", "script"),
+            SourcePointer("workflow scope guard", "workflow_scope_guard.py", "module"),
+        ),
+        None,
+        None,
+    ),
+    (
+        "merge_confirmation",
+        "Explicit merge confirmation",
+        "merge_confirmation",
+        "A merge fails closed unless the caller passes the exact confirmation "
+        "phrase for that PR; reviewing never implies merging.",
+        (
+            SourcePointer("merge path", "merge_pr.py", "module"),
+            SourcePointer("merge tool gate", "gitea_mcp_server.py", "module"),
+        ),
+        _static({"required_confirmation_format": "MERGE PR <n>", "auto_merge": False}),
+        {"auto_merge": False},
+    ),
+    (
+        "redaction",
+        "Secret redaction",
+        "redaction",
+        "Every console surface runs the shared gitea_audit pass then console "
+        "patterns before any payload, HTML, log line, or audit record leaves "
+        "the server; unredactable values fail closed to the placeholder.",
+        (
+            SourcePointer("console redaction", "webui/console_redaction.py", "module"),
+            SourcePointer("shared redaction", "gitea_audit.py", "module"),
+            SourcePointer("safety model §3", "docs/safety-model.md", "doc", "3-secret-redaction"),
+        ),
+        _project_redaction,
+        {"redact_before_persist": True},
+    ),
+    (
+        "contamination",
+        "Contamination containment",
+        "contamination",
+        "A session contaminated by a direct stable-branch push or a manual MCP "
+        "daemon kill is blocked from review, merge, close, and completion "
+        "mutations until cleared (reconciler-exempt).",
+        (
+            SourcePointer("contamination gates", "gitea_mcp_server.py", "module"),
+            SourcePointer("stable-branch audit", "workflow_scope_guard.py", "module"),
+        ),
+        None,
+        None,
+    ),
+    (
+        "allocator_policy",
+        "Work allocation policy",
+        "allocator_policy",
+        "Workers do not self-select exclusive work; the controller-owned "
+        "allocator ranks the complete queue by priority then PRs-before-issues "
+        "then ascending number, honoring dependency edges and foreign claims.",
+        (
+            SourcePointer("allocator", "gitea_mcp_server.py", "module"),
+            SourcePointer("safety model §5", "docs/safety-model.md", "doc", "5-mutation-gating"),
+        ),
+        _static(
+            {
+                "self_select_exclusive_work": False,
+                "ranking": "priority desc, PRs before issues, number asc",
+                "respects_dependency_edges": True,
+                "respects_foreign_claims": True,
+            }
+        ),
+        {"self_select_exclusive_work": False},
+    ),
+    (
+        "audit_logging",
+        "Audit logging",
+        "audit_logging",
+        "Console intent and authorization outcomes are recorded to an "
+        "append-only, redact-before-persist audit log; MCP mutations are "
+        "recorded by gitea_audit and correlated by request id.",
+        (
+            SourcePointer("console audit", "webui/console_audit.py", "module"),
+            SourcePointer("MCP audit", "gitea_audit.py", "module"),
+            SourcePointer("safety model §1", "docs/safety-model.md", "doc", "1-audit-logging-and-confirmation"),
+        ),
+        _project_audit,
+        {"append_only": True, "redact_before_persist": True},
+    ),
+    (
+        "mutation_gating",
+        "Mutation gating and master parity",
+        "mutation_gating",
+        "Mutations fail closed while the running server is stale relative to "
+        "master, and every mutation is preceded by identity and capability "
+        "resolution in a fixed pre-flight order.",
+        (
+            SourcePointer("mutation gate", "gitea_mcp_server.py", "module"),
+            SourcePointer("safety model §5", "docs/safety-model.md", "doc", "5-mutation-gating"),
+        ),
+        _static(
+            {
+                "stale_runtime_blocks_mutations": True,
+                "preflight_order": "whoami -> resolve_task_capability -> mutation",
+            }
+        ),
+        {"stale_runtime_blocks_mutations": True},
+    ),
+)
+
+
+def _build_entry(row: _CatalogRow) -> PolicyEntry:
+    key, title, category, summary, sources, project, documented_default = row
+    active: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+    error: str | None = None
+    if project is not None:
+        try:
+            active = project()
+        except Exception as exc:  # noqa: BLE001 — fail soft; never take the page down
+            active = None
+            error = f"active projection unavailable: {exc}"
+    diff = _diff_active_vs_default(active, documented_default)
+    return PolicyEntry(
+        key=key,
+        title=title,
+        category=category,
+        summary=summary,
+        sources=sources,
+        active=active,
+        documented_default=documented_default,
+        diff=diff,
+        error=error,
+    )
+
+
+def load_policy_inventory() -> PolicyInventorySnapshot:
+    """Build the read-only guardrail inventory. Never raises for one bad entry."""
+    entries: list[PolicyEntry] = []
+    build_errors: list[str] = []
+    for row in _CATALOG:
+        try:
+            entries.append(_build_entry(row))
+        except Exception as exc:  # noqa: BLE001 — one row must not break the rest
+            build_errors.append(f"{row[0]}: {exc}")
+    categories = tuple(dict.fromkeys(e.category for e in entries))
+    return PolicyInventorySnapshot(
+        schema_version=SCHEMA_VERSION,
+        read_only=True,
+        note=READ_ONLY_NOTE,
+        entries=tuple(entries),
+        categories=categories,
+        build_errors=tuple(build_errors),
+    )
+
+
+def snapshot_to_dict(snapshot: PolicyInventorySnapshot) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Serialize the snapshot, redacting the entire payload before it is emitted."""
+    payload = {
+        "schema_version": snapshot.schema_version,
+        "read_only": snapshot.read_only,
+        "note": snapshot.note,
+        "categories": list(snapshot.categories),
+        "entry_count": len(snapshot.entries),
+        "entries": [entry.to_dict() for entry in snapshot.entries],
+        "build_errors": list(snapshot.build_errors),
+    }
+    return console_redaction.redact_payload(payload)

webui/policy_views.py

@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+"""HTML views for the workflow policy and guardrail inventory (#646)."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import html
+import json
+
+from webui.policy_inventory import PolicyEntry, PolicyInventorySnapshot
+
+
+def _source_pointer(source) -> str:
+    path = source.path
+    if source.anchor:
+        path = f"{path}#{source.anchor}"
+    return (
+        f"<li>{html.escape(source.label)} — "
+        f"<code>{html.escape(path)}</code> "
+        f"<span class='muted'>({html.escape(source.kind)})</span></li>"
+    )
+
+
+def _active_block(entry: PolicyEntry) -> str:
+    if entry.error:
+        return (
+            "<p class='muted'><strong>Active value unavailable:</strong> "
+            f"{html.escape(entry.error)}</p>"
+        )
+    if not entry.active:
+        return "<p class='muted'>No live projection for this guardrail.</p>"
+    pretty = json.dumps(entry.active, indent=2, sort_keys=True, default=str)
+    return f"<pre class='prompt-text'>{html.escape(pretty)}</pre>"
+
+
+def _diff_block(entry: PolicyEntry) -> str:
+    if entry.diff is None:
+        if entry.documented_default is None:
+            return "<p class='muted'>Diff vs documented default: not feasible (no declared default).</p>"
+        return "<p class='muted'>Diff vs documented default: unavailable.</p>"
+    status = entry.diff.get("status", "unknown")
+    badge = "badge-claimed" if status == "matches_documented_default" else "badge-blocked"
+    rows = []
+    for key, cell in (entry.diff.get("checked") or {}).items():
+        marker = "✓" if cell.get("matches") else "✗"
+        rows.append(
+            "<tr>"
+            f"<td><code>{html.escape(str(key))}</code></td>"
+            f"<td><code>{html.escape(str(cell.get('expected')))}</code></td>"
+            f"<td><code>{html.escape(str(cell.get('observed')))}</code></td>"
+            f"<td>{marker}</td>"
+            "</tr>"
+        )
+    table = ""
+    if rows:
+        table = (
+            "<table class='detail'><thead><tr>"
+            "<th>Key</th><th>Documented</th><th>Active</th><th>Match</th>"
+            "</tr></thead><tbody>"
+            f"{''.join(rows)}</tbody></table>"
+        )
+    return (
+        f"<p class='meta'>Diff vs documented default: "
+        f"<span class='badge {badge}'>{html.escape(status)}</span></p>"
+        f"{table}"
+    )
+
+
+def _entry_card(entry: PolicyEntry) -> str:
+    sources = "".join(_source_pointer(s) for s in entry.sources)
+    return (
+        "<div class='prompt-card'>"
+        f"<h3>{html.escape(entry.title)} "
+        f"<span class='badge'>{html.escape(entry.category)}</span></h3>"
+        f"<p>{html.escape(entry.summary)}</p>"
+        "<p class='meta'><strong>Source pointers</strong></p>"
+        f"<ul>{sources}</ul>"
+        "<p class='meta'><strong>Active configuration</strong></p>"
+        f"{_active_block(entry)}"
+        f"{_diff_block(entry)}"
+        "</div>"
+    )
+
+
+def render_policy_page(snapshot: PolicyInventorySnapshot) -> str:
+    categories = ", ".join(html.escape(c) for c in snapshot.categories) or "none"
+    cards = "".join(_entry_card(e) for e in snapshot.entries)
+    build_errors = ""
+    if snapshot.build_errors:
+        items = "".join(
+            f"<li>{html.escape(err)}</li>" for err in snapshot.build_errors
+        )
+        build_errors = (
+            "<div class='stub'><p><strong>Some guardrails could not be built:"
+            f"</strong></p><ul>{items}</ul></div>"
+        )
+    return (
+        "<h2>Workflow policy &amp; guardrails</h2>"
+        f"<p class='muted'>{html.escape(snapshot.note)}</p>"
+        f"<p class='meta'>Schema v{snapshot.schema_version} · "
+        f"{len(snapshot.entries)} guardrails · categories: {categories}</p>"
+        f"{build_errors}"
+        f"{cards}"
+        "<p class='muted'>This page is read-only. It reports enforced policy "
+        "and never edits or weakens a gate. Secret values are redacted.</p>"
+    )