fix(gate): stop classifying stale-runtime blocks as permission denials (Closes #897)

Stale-runtime and runtime-mode mutation refusals previously shared the
permission-denial channel, so permission_report claimed a missing op the
active profile already held and recommended gitea_activate_profile.
Typed blocker_kind payloads report reconnect-only recovery for staleness,
omit permission_report for non-permission gates, and fail closed when a
permission_report would invent a missing permission the profile holds.

gitea_mcp_server.py

@@ -2068,6 +2068,7 @@ import lease_lifecycle  # noqa: E402
 import lease_policy  # noqa: E402
 import workflow_dashboard  # noqa: E402  # #605 live queue/lease dashboard
 import restart_coordinator  # noqa: E402  # #658 MCP restart coordinator/impact
+import drain_proof  # noqa: E402  # #661 pre-restart drain proof and hard gate
 import incident_bridge  # noqa: E402
 import sentry_observability  # noqa: E402  (#606 optional Sentry observability)
 import sentry_incident_bridge  # noqa: E402  (#607 Sentry→Gitea incident bridge)
@@ -9551,15 +9552,13 @@ def gitea_edit_pr(
     if closing:
         gate_reasons = _profile_operation_gate("gitea.pr.close")
         if gate_reasons:
-            return {
+            return _build_operation_gate_refusal(
-                "success": False,
+                "gitea.pr.close",
-                "performed": False,
+                gate_reasons,
-                "pr_number": pr_number,
+                pr_number=pr_number,
-                "requested_state": "closed",
+                requested_state="closed",
-                "required_permission": "gitea.pr.close",
+                required_permission="gitea.pr.close",
-                "reasons": gate_reasons,
+            )
-                "permission_report": _permission_block_report("gitea.pr.close"),
-            }
 
     h, o, r = _resolve(remote, host, org, repo)
     auth = _auth(h)
@@ -13822,13 +13821,17 @@ def gitea_view_issue(
 
 def _permission_block_report(required_operation: str,
                              identity: str | None = None) -> dict:
-    """Structured, LLM-safe explanation of a permission denial (#142).
+    """Structured, LLM-safe explanation of a permission denial (#142, #897).
 
     Built only after a gate has already refused; it adds guidance to the
     refusal and never widens any permission, performs network I/O, or
     raises (fail-soft: degrades to a minimal fail-closed report). Names
     configured profiles only — never auth references, tokens, endpoint
     URLs, or keychain IDs.
+
+    #897: never fabricate a missing permission when the active profile
+    already allows the operation. That path is a diagnostic defect (the
+    refusal was not a permission denial), not a cue to switch profiles.
     """
     report = {
         "requested_operation": required_operation,
@@ -13840,6 +13843,7 @@ def _permission_block_report(required_operation: str,
         "matching_configured_profiles": [],
         "runtime_switching_supported": False,
         "different_mcp_namespace_required": True,
+        "diagnostic_defect": False,
         "exact_safe_next_action": (
             "Ask the operator to fix GITEA_MCP_CONFIG/GITEA_MCP_PROFILE; "
             "the active profile could not be resolved (fail closed)."),
@@ -13854,6 +13858,32 @@ def _permission_block_report(required_operation: str,
     report["active_allowed_operations"] = (
         profile.get("allowed_operations") or [])
 
+    # #897: fail closed as a diagnostic defect when the active profile
+    # already holds the operation — callers must not invent "missing".
+    try:
+        holds, _hold_reason = gitea_config.check_operation(
+            required_operation,
+            profile.get("allowed_operations") or [],
+            profile.get("forbidden_operations") or [],
+        )
+    except Exception:
+        holds = False
+    if holds:
+        report["missing_permission"] = None
+        report["required_permission"] = required_operation
+        report["diagnostic_defect"] = True
+        report["different_mcp_namespace_required"] = False
+        report["exact_safe_next_action"] = (
+            "Diagnostic defect: the active profile already allows "
+            f"{required_operation}. This is not a permission denial — "
+            "inspect blocker_kind / reasons (stale-runtime or runtime-mode). "
+            "Do not call gitea_activate_profile or switch MCP sessions."
+        )
+        report["matching_configured_profiles"] = [
+            p for p in [profile.get("profile_name")] if p
+        ]
+        return report
+
     matching = []
     try:
         config = gitea_config.load_config() or {}
@@ -13902,6 +13932,205 @@ def _permission_block_report(required_operation: str,
     return report
 
 
+def _reason_is_stale_runtime(reason: str) -> bool:
+    """True when *reason* is a master-parity / stale-daemon refusal (#897)."""
+    r = (reason or "").lower()
+    if not r:
+        return False
+    if "stale relative to live master" in r:
+        return True
+    if "server code is stale" in r:
+        return True
+    if "daemon is stale" in r:
+        return True
+    if "started at commit" in r and "workspace master is now" in r:
+        return True
+    if "mcp server started at" in r and "stale" in r:
+        return True
+    if "restart the server to load the current capability gates" in r:
+        return True
+    if "restart/reconnect before mutating" in r:
+        return True
+    return False
+
+
+def _reason_is_runtime_mode(reason: str) -> bool:
+    """True when *reason* is a stable-control / runtime-mode refusal (#897)."""
+    r = (reason or "").lower()
+    if not r:
+        return False
+    if _reason_is_stale_runtime(reason):
+        return False
+    if "runtime mode could not be assessed" in r:
+        return True
+    if "runtime mode is" in r:
+        return True
+    if "stable control runtime" in r:
+        return True
+    if "dev-test" in r and ("runtime" in r or "production" in r):
+        return True
+    if "development worktree" in r or "dev worktree" in r:
+        return True
+    if "launched from a 'branches/" in r or "launched from a \"branches/" in r:
+        return True
+    if "process-root / active-workspace alignment" in r:
+        return True
+    if "namespace" in r and "reproof" in r:
+        return True
+    return False
+
+
+def _reason_is_permission(reason: str) -> bool:
+    """True when *reason* is a genuine profile-permission denial (#897)."""
+    r = (reason or "").lower()
+    if not r:
+        return False
+    if _reason_is_stale_runtime(reason) or _reason_is_runtime_mode(reason):
+        return False
+    if "profile could not be resolved" in r:
+        return True
+    if "profile has no configured allowed operations" in r:
+        return True
+    if "profile forbids" in r:
+        return True
+    if "profile is not allowed to" in r:
+        return True
+    if "unrecognized forbidden operation" in r:
+        return True
+    return False
+
+
+def _classify_operation_gate_reasons(reasons: list[str]) -> dict:
+    """Partition gate reasons into stale / runtime-mode / permission (#897)."""
+    stale: list[str] = []
+    runtime_mode: list[str] = []
+    permission: list[str] = []
+    other: list[str] = []
+    for reason in reasons or []:
+        if _reason_is_stale_runtime(reason):
+            stale.append(reason)
+        elif _reason_is_runtime_mode(reason):
+            runtime_mode.append(reason)
+        elif _reason_is_permission(reason):
+            permission.append(reason)
+        else:
+            other.append(reason)
+    return {
+        "stale_runtime": stale,
+        "runtime_mode": runtime_mode,
+        "permission": permission,
+        "other": other,
+    }
+
+
+def _stale_runtime_reconnect_action() -> str:
+    """Sanctioned recovery for a stale daemon — reconnect only (#685/#897)."""
+    return (
+        "Reconnect the IDE/client MCP session so the server reloads at the "
+        "current master head. Do not call gitea_activate_profile or switch "
+        "MCP role sessions — profile switching does not clear a stale daemon."
+    )
+
+
+def _build_operation_gate_refusal(
+    required_operation: str,
+    reasons: list[str],
+    **extra_fields,
+) -> dict:
+    """Structured gate refusal with typed blockers (#897).
+
+    Stale-runtime and runtime-mode refusals never attach a
+    ``permission_report`` and never recommend profile switching. True
+    permission denials still get ``permission_report``. When both apply,
+    causes are reported separately under distinct fields.
+    """
+    classified = _classify_operation_gate_reasons(reasons)
+    stale = classified["stale_runtime"]
+    runtime_mode = classified["runtime_mode"]
+    permission = classified["permission"]
+    other = classified["other"]
+
+    blocked: dict = {
+        "success": False,
+        "performed": False,
+        "reasons": list(reasons),
+        "mutation_performed": False,
+        "session_context_audit": session_ctx.mutation_context_audit_fields(),
+        "gate_reason_classes": {
+            "stale_runtime": list(stale),
+            "runtime_mode": list(runtime_mode),
+            "permission": list(permission),
+            "other": list(other),
+        },
+    }
+
+    if stale:
+        parity = _current_master_parity()
+        blocked["blocker_kind"] = "runtime_reconnect_required"
+        blocked["restart_required"] = True
+        blocked["stop_required"] = True
+        blocked["startup_head"] = parity.get("startup_head")
+        blocked["current_head"] = parity.get("current_head")
+        blocked["daemon_start_head"] = (
+            parity.get("daemon_start_head") or parity.get("startup_head")
+        )
+        blocked["local_head"] = (
+            parity.get("local_head") or parity.get("current_head")
+        )
+        blocked["live_remote_head"] = parity.get("live_remote_head")
+        blocked["live_stale"] = bool(parity.get("live_stale"))
+        blocked["live_known"] = bool(parity.get("live_known"))
+        blocked["exact_safe_next_action"] = _stale_runtime_reconnect_action()
+        if permission or other:
+            blocked["permission_block_reasons"] = list(permission) + list(other)
+            blocked["stale_runtime_reasons"] = list(stale)
+        # Never attach permission_report for a staleness refusal.
+        blocked.update(extra_fields)
+        return blocked
+
+    if runtime_mode:
+        blocked["blocker_kind"] = "runtime_mode_blocked"
+        blocked["restart_required"] = False
+        blocked["stop_required"] = True
+        blocked["exact_safe_next_action"] = (
+            "Real workflow mutations run only on the promoted stable control "
+            "runtime. Promote/reload the stable runtime; do not call "
+            "gitea_activate_profile or switch MCP role sessions to clear a "
+            "runtime-mode block."
+        )
+        if permission or other:
+            blocked["permission_block_reasons"] = list(permission) + list(other)
+            blocked["runtime_mode_reasons"] = list(runtime_mode)
+        blocked.update(extra_fields)
+        return blocked
+
+    # Pure permission (or unclassified-as-permission) denial.
+    blocked["blocker_kind"] = "permission_denied"
+    blocked["permission_report"] = _permission_block_report(required_operation)
+    blocked.update(extra_fields)
+    return blocked
+
+
+def _permission_report_for_gate_reasons(
+    required_operation: str,
+    reasons: list[str] | None,
+) -> dict | None:
+    """Attach ``permission_report`` only for true permission denials (#897).
+
+    Call sites that historically always attached a permission report after
+    ``_profile_operation_gate`` should use this so stale/runtime refusals
+    do not emit a fabricated missing-permission payload.
+    """
+    if not reasons:
+        return None
+    classified = _classify_operation_gate_reasons(reasons)
+    if classified["stale_runtime"] or classified["runtime_mode"]:
+        return None
+    if not (classified["permission"] or classified["other"]):
+        return None
+    return _permission_block_report(required_operation)
+
+
 def _role_for_operation(op: str) -> str | None:
     # Normalize op first
     try:
@@ -14078,7 +14307,7 @@ def _master_parity_block(op: str) -> list[str]:
 
 
 def _profile_operation_gate(op: str) -> list[str]:
-    """Profile permission check for a single gated operation (#126, #216, #420).
+    """Profile permission check for a single gated operation (#126, #216, #420, #897).
 
     Issue discussion comments are gated separately from the gitea.pr.*
     review/merge family: listing requires ``gitea.read``, creating requires
@@ -14091,21 +14320,26 @@ def _profile_operation_gate(op: str) -> list[str]:
     capability gate that has since been merged, and when the runtime itself is
     not the promoted stable control runtime (#615) -- a dev/test or unknown
     runtime holds production credentials but has not been promoted.
+
+    #897: collect *all* independent refusal classes (stale, runtime-mode,
+    permission) rather than short-circuiting after the first. Callers that
+    only need a boolean still treat any non-empty list as blocked; typed
+    consumers (``_build_operation_gate_refusal``) can separate causes.
     """
-    stale_reasons = _master_parity_block(op)
+    reasons: list[str] = []
-    if stale_reasons:
+    reasons.extend(_master_parity_block(op))
-        return stale_reasons
+    reasons.extend(_runtime_mode_block(op))
-    runtime_reasons = _runtime_mode_block(op)
-    if runtime_reasons:
-        return runtime_reasons
     try:
         profile = get_profile()
     except Exception as exc:
-        return [f"profile could not be resolved (fail closed): {_redact(str(exc))}"]
+        reasons.append(
+            f"profile could not be resolved (fail closed): {_redact(str(exc))}"
+        )
+        return reasons
     op_ok, op_reason = gitea_config.check_operation(
         op, profile["allowed_operations"], profile["forbidden_operations"])
     if op_ok:
-        return []
+        return reasons
 
     if _try_auto_switch_for_operation(op):
         try:
@@ -14113,17 +14347,26 @@ def _profile_operation_gate(op: str) -> list[str]:
             op_ok, op_reason = gitea_config.check_operation(
                 op, profile["allowed_operations"], profile["forbidden_operations"])
             if op_ok:
-                return []
+                return reasons
         except Exception as exc:
-            return [f"profile could not be resolved (fail closed): {_redact(str(exc))}"]
+            reasons.append(
+                f"profile could not be resolved (fail closed): {_redact(str(exc))}"
+            )
+            return reasons
 
     if op_reason == "no-allowed-operations":
-        return ["profile has no configured allowed operations (fail closed)"]
+        reasons.append(
-    if op_reason == "forbidden":
+            "profile has no configured allowed operations (fail closed)"
-        return [f"profile forbids '{op}'"]
+        )
-    if op_reason == "invalid-forbidden-entry":
+    elif op_reason == "forbidden":
-        return ["profile has an unrecognized forbidden operation entry (fail closed)"]
+        reasons.append(f"profile forbids '{op}'")
-    return [f"profile is not allowed to {op}"]
+    elif op_reason == "invalid-forbidden-entry":
+        reasons.append(
+            "profile has an unrecognized forbidden operation entry (fail closed)"
+        )
+    else:
+        reasons.append(f"profile is not allowed to {op}")
+    return reasons
 
 
 def _mutation_config_authority_block(required_operation: str) -> dict | None:
@@ -14343,10 +14586,14 @@ def _session_context_mutation_block(
 
 
 def _profile_permission_block(required_operation: str, **extra_fields) -> dict | None:
-    """Structured permission denial for gated tools (#69, #142).
+    """Structured operation-gate denial for gated tools (#69, #142, #897).
 
     Returns a block dict when the active profile forbids *required_operation*,
-    or ``None`` when the gate passes. Never performs network I/O.
+    the daemon is stale, or the runtime mode is not mutation-safe — or
+    ``None`` when the gate passes. Never performs network I/O.
+
+    #897: stale-runtime and runtime-mode refusals are typed
+    (``blocker_kind``) and never carry a ``permission_report``.
     """
     req_role = "reviewer" if any(required_operation.startswith(p) for p in (
         "gitea.pr.approve", "gitea.pr.merge", "gitea.pr.request_changes", "gitea.pr.review"
@@ -14356,15 +14603,9 @@ def _profile_permission_block(required_operation: str, **extra_fields) -> dict |
 
     reasons = _profile_operation_gate(required_operation)
     if reasons:
-        blocked = {
+        return _build_operation_gate_refusal(
-            "success": False,
+            required_operation, reasons, **extra_fields
-            "performed": False,
+        )
-            "reasons": reasons,
-            "permission_report": _permission_block_report(required_operation),
-            "session_context_audit": session_ctx.mutation_context_audit_fields(),
-        }
-        blocked.update(extra_fields)
-        return blocked
 
     auth_block = _mutation_config_authority_block(required_operation)
     if auth_block is not None:
@@ -14493,20 +14734,14 @@ def gitea_acquire_reviewer_pr_lease(
     """Acquire a per-PR reviewer lease before review/merge mutations (#407)."""
     read_block = _profile_operation_gate("gitea.read")
     if read_block:
-        return {
+        return _build_operation_gate_refusal(
-            "success": False,
+            "gitea.read", read_block, acquired=False
-            "acquired": False,
+        )
-            "reasons": read_block,
-            "permission_report": _permission_block_report("gitea.read"),
-        }
     comment_block = _profile_operation_gate("gitea.pr.comment")
     if comment_block:
-        return {
+        return _build_operation_gate_refusal(
-            "success": False,
+            "gitea.pr.comment", comment_block, acquired=False
-            "acquired": False,
+        )
-            "reasons": comment_block,
-            "permission_report": _permission_block_report("gitea.pr.comment"),
-        }
 
     # task=acquire_reviewer_pr_lease so verify_preflight_purity runs shared #604
     # anti-stomp for the declared lease-acquire mutation inventory entry.
@@ -14622,20 +14857,14 @@ def gitea_acquire_merger_pr_lease(
     """
     read_block = _profile_operation_gate("gitea.read")
     if read_block:
-        return {
+        return _build_operation_gate_refusal(
-            "success": False,
+            "gitea.read", read_block, acquired=False
-            "acquired": False,
+        )
-            "reasons": read_block,
-            "permission_report": _permission_block_report("gitea.read"),
-        }
     comment_block = _profile_operation_gate("gitea.pr.comment")
     if comment_block:
-        return {
+        return _build_operation_gate_refusal(
-            "success": False,
+            "gitea.pr.comment", comment_block, acquired=False
-            "acquired": False,
+        )
-            "reasons": comment_block,
-            "permission_report": _permission_block_report("gitea.pr.comment"),
-        }
     merge_block = _profile_operation_gate("gitea.pr.merge")
     if merge_block:
         return {
@@ -19374,14 +19603,12 @@ def gitea_update_pr_branch_by_merge(
     # Permission: author branch push / PR mutation surface.
     push_block = _profile_operation_gate("gitea.branch.push")
     if push_block:
-        return {
+        return _build_operation_gate_refusal(
-            "success": False,
+            "gitea.branch.push",
-            "performed": False,
+            push_block,
-            "mutation_allowed": False,
+            mutation_allowed=False,
-            "reasons": push_block,
+            role_kind=role,
-            "permission_report": _permission_block_report("gitea.branch.push"),
+        )
-            "role_kind": role,
-        }
 
     if role != "author":
         pre = pr_sync_status.assess_update_pr_branch_preflight(
@@ -22342,6 +22569,8 @@ def gitea_request_mcp_restart(
     request_override: bool = False,
     session_id: str | None = None,
     limit: int = 200,
+    drain_proof_json: str | None = None,
+    request_break_glass: bool = False,
 ) -> dict:
     """Evaluate a proposed MCP restart and return an impact preview (#658).
 
@@ -22351,10 +22580,15 @@ def gitea_request_mcp_restart(
     verdict, so the console (#642/#652) and operators can see what a restart
     would disrupt *before* any concurrent LLM work is destroyed.
 
-    This tool is **dry-run and never restarts anything.** The mutative apply
+    This tool **never restarts a process.** In dry-run (the default) it returns
-    path is a separate child gated by a drain proof (non-goal here); calling
+    only the impact preview. With ``dry_run=False`` it enforces the #661 hard
-    with ``dry_run=False`` still performs no restart and reports that apply is
+    gate: the apply request must present a valid, unexpired, clean drain proof
-    not yet available.
+    (``drain_proof_json``) or it is denied and a durable incident descriptor is
+    returned under ``incident``. Break-glass is the only bypass and is honoured
+    only when ``request_break_glass`` is set *and* the environment carries
+    ``GITEA_BREAKGLASS_RESTART_AUTHORIZATION``. Even an authorized gate performs
+    no restart here; actual execution is a further child. The gate outcome is
+    reported under ``apply_gate`` / ``apply_authorized``.
 
     Operator override authority is read from the process environment
     (``GITEA_OPERATOR_RESTART_OVERRIDE_AUTHORIZATION``), never self-asserted by
@@ -22473,12 +22707,54 @@ def gitea_request_mcp_restart(
     payload["requesting_session_id"] = sid
     payload["operator_override_requested"] = bool(request_override)
     payload["operator_override_authorized"] = operator_authorized
+    # Actual restart execution remains a further child; this tool never restarts
+    # a process. What #661 adds is the *hard gate*: an apply request (dry_run
+    # False) must present a valid, unexpired, clean drain proof, or it is denied
+    # and a durable incident is raised. Break-glass is the only bypass and its
+    # authorization is read from the environment, never self-asserted.
     payload["apply_supported"] = False
     if not dry_run:
-        payload["reasons"] = list(payload.get("reasons") or []) + [
+        proof_obj: dict | None = None
-            "apply requested but not supported: sanctioned restart apply is "
+        proof_parse_error: str | None = None
-            "gated by a drain proof (separate child); no restart performed (#658)"
+        if drain_proof_json:
-        ]
+            try:
+                parsed = json.loads(drain_proof_json)
+                proof_obj = parsed if isinstance(parsed, dict) else None
+                if proof_obj is None:
+                    proof_parse_error = "drain_proof_json is not a JSON object"
+            except (ValueError, TypeError) as exc:
+                proof_parse_error = f"invalid drain_proof_json: {_redact(str(exc))}"
+
+        break_glass_authorized = bool(
+            (
+                os.environ.get("GITEA_BREAKGLASS_RESTART_AUTHORIZATION") or ""
+            ).strip()
+        )
+        break_glass = bool(request_break_glass and break_glass_authorized)
+
+        expected_fp = drain_proof.impact_fingerprint(report.as_dict())
+        gate = drain_proof.gate_apply_restart(
+            proof=proof_obj,
+            break_glass=break_glass,
+            expected_impact_fingerprint=expected_fp,
+            requesting_session_id=sid,
+        )
+        gate_payload = gate.as_dict()
+        if proof_parse_error and not break_glass:
+            gate_payload["reasons"] = [proof_parse_error] + list(
+                gate_payload.get("reasons") or []
+            )
+        payload["apply_gate"] = gate_payload
+        payload["apply_authorized"] = gate.allow
+        payload["break_glass_requested"] = bool(request_break_glass)
+        payload["break_glass_authorized"] = break_glass_authorized
+        # Even an authorized gate performs no restart here: execution is a later
+        # child. The gate proves the apply path *would* be permitted.
+        payload["reasons"] = list(payload.get("reasons") or []) + list(
+            gate_payload.get("reasons") or []
+        )
+        if not gate.allow and gate.incident is not None:
+            payload["incident"] = gate.incident
     return payload
 
 

tests/test_drain_proof.py

@@ -0,0 +1,907 @@
+"""Tests for the pre-restart drain proof and hard gate (#661).
+
+Covers the acceptance criteria:
+
+1. Restart apply without a proof fails closed.
+2. A successful drain produces a verifiable proof.
+3. An open unsafe mutation makes the proof fail (multi-session fixture).
+4. Pass / fail / expired verification paths.
+
+Plus the security posture: forged/tampered proofs are rejected, break-glass is
+the only bypass and is never silent, a stale blast-radius fingerprint rejects a
+proof, and no per-process secret ever leaks into a serialized artifact.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import unittest
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
+
+import drain_proof as dp
+import restart_coordinator as rc
+
+
+NOW = datetime(2026, 7, 24, 6, 0, 0, tzinfo=timezone.utc)
+SECRET = b"unit-test-drain-proof-secret-0123456789abcdef"
+
+
+def _live_pid() -> int:
+    return os.getpid()
+
+
+def _clean_drain_state() -> dict:
+    """Every drain action succeeded, no sessions outstanding."""
+
+    return {
+        "assignments_stopped": True,
+        "checkpoints_complete": True,
+        "handoffs_verified": True,
+        "leases_handled": True,
+        "acks": {},  # no other live sessions to acknowledge
+        "ack_timeout_policy_applied": False,
+    }
+
+
+def _safe_report() -> dict:
+    """Impact report with no other live work: a restart here is safe."""
+
+    report = rc.evaluate_restart_impact(
+        {"sessions": [], "leases": [], "inventory_complete": True},
+        now=NOW,
+        requesting_session_id="prgs-controller-1-req",
+    )
+    return report.as_dict()
+
+
+def _unsafe_mutation_report() -> dict:
+    """Multi-session report: a second session holds a live author mutation."""
+
+    sessions = [
+        {
+            "session_id": "prgs-controller-1-req",
+            "role": "controller",
+            "profile": "prgs-controller",
+            "pid": _live_pid(),
+            "status": "active",
+            "last_heartbeat_at": NOW.isoformat(),
+        },
+        {
+            "session_id": "prgs-author-99",
+            "role": "author",
+            "profile": "prgs-author",
+            "pid": _live_pid(),
+            "status": "active",
+            "last_heartbeat_at": NOW.isoformat(),
+        },
+    ]
+    leases = [
+        {
+            "lease_id": "lease-mut",
+            "session_id": "prgs-author-99",
+            "role": "author",
+            "phase": "implementing",
+            "work_kind": "issue",
+            "work_number": 661,
+            "worktree_path": "branches/issue-661",
+            "freshness": {"freshness": "active"},
+        }
+    ]
+    report = rc.evaluate_restart_impact(
+        {"sessions": sessions, "leases": leases, "inventory_complete": True},
+        now=NOW,
+        requesting_session_id="prgs-controller-1-req",
+    )
+    return report.as_dict()
+
+
+class BuildDrainProofTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_clean_drain_produces_verifiable_clean_proof(self):
+        """AC#2: a successful drain produces a verifiable proof."""
+
+        proof = dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=_safe_report(),
+            drain_state=_clean_drain_state(),
+            requesting_session_id="prgs-controller-1-req",
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(proof.clean)
+        self.assertEqual(proof.failed_checks, [])
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {c.name for c in proof.checks}, set(dp.REQUIRED_CHECKS)
+        )
+        result = dp.verify_drain_proof(
+            proof.as_dict(), now=NOW, secret=SECRET
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result.valid, result.reasons)
+        self.assertFalse(result.expired)
+        self.assertFalse(result.tampered)
+
+    def test_open_mutation_makes_proof_unclean(self):
+        """AC#3: an unsafe mutation still in flight fails the proof."""
+
+        proof = dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=_unsafe_mutation_report(),
+            drain_state=_clean_drain_state(),
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(proof.clean)
+        self.assertIn(dp.CHECK_NO_INFLIGHT_MUTATIONS, proof.failed_checks)
+        # Leases-handled also fails: the report still shows a disruptive lease.
+        self.assertIn(dp.CHECK_LEASES_HANDLED, proof.failed_checks)
+        result = dp.verify_drain_proof(proof.as_dict(), now=NOW, secret=SECRET)
+        self.assertFalse(result.valid)
+
+    def test_incomplete_inventory_fails_no_mutations_check(self):
+        proof = dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report={"inventory_complete": False},
+            drain_state=_clean_drain_state(),
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(proof.clean)
+        self.assertIn(dp.CHECK_NO_INFLIGHT_MUTATIONS, proof.failed_checks)
+
+    def test_missing_checkpoint_flag_fails_closed(self):
+        state = _clean_drain_state()
+        del state["checkpoints_complete"]
+        proof = dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=_safe_report(), drain_state=state, now=NOW, secret=SECRET
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(proof.clean)
+        self.assertIn(dp.CHECK_CHECKPOINTS_COMPLETE, proof.failed_checks)
+
+    def test_non_true_flags_fail_closed(self):
+        """A truthy-but-not-True value (e.g. the string 'yes') must not pass."""
+
+        state = _clean_drain_state()
+        state["assignments_stopped"] = "yes"
+        proof = dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=_safe_report(), drain_state=state, now=NOW, secret=SECRET
+        )
+        self.assertIn(dp.CHECK_ASSIGNMENTS_STOPPED, proof.failed_checks)
+
+    def test_ack_timeout_policy_satisfies_ack_check(self):
+        state = _clean_drain_state()
+        state["acks"] = {"prgs-author-99": "pending"}
+        state["ack_timeout_policy_applied"] = True
+        proof = dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=_safe_report(), drain_state=state, now=NOW, secret=SECRET
+        )
+        names = {c.name: c.passed for c in proof.checks}
+        self.assertTrue(names[dp.CHECK_ACKS_OR_TIMEOUT])
+
+    def test_outstanding_acks_without_timeout_fail(self):
+        state = _clean_drain_state()
+        state["acks"] = {"prgs-author-99": "pending"}
+        state["ack_timeout_policy_applied"] = False
+        proof = dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=_safe_report(), drain_state=state, now=NOW, secret=SECRET
+        )
+        self.assertIn(dp.CHECK_ACKS_OR_TIMEOUT, proof.failed_checks)
+
+    def test_all_acked_satisfies_ack_check(self):
+        state = _clean_drain_state()
+        state["acks"] = {"prgs-author-99": "acked", "prgs-author-2": "acknowledged"}
+        proof = dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=_safe_report(), drain_state=state, now=NOW, secret=SECRET
+        )
+        names = {c.name: c.passed for c in proof.checks}
+        self.assertTrue(names[dp.CHECK_ACKS_OR_TIMEOUT])
+
+
+class VerifyDrainProofTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def _clean_proof_dict(self) -> dict:
+        return dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=_safe_report(),
+            drain_state=_clean_drain_state(),
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+        ).as_dict()
+
+    def test_missing_proof_is_invalid(self):
+        result = dp.verify_drain_proof(None, now=NOW, secret=SECRET)
+        self.assertFalse(result.valid)
+        self.assertIsNone(result.proof_id)
+
+    def test_expired_proof_is_invalid(self):
+        """AC#4: an expired proof fails verification."""
+
+        proof = self._clean_proof_dict()
+        later = NOW + timedelta(seconds=dp.DEFAULT_PROOF_TTL_SECONDS + 1)
+        result = dp.verify_drain_proof(proof, now=later, secret=SECRET)
+        self.assertFalse(result.valid)
+        self.assertTrue(result.expired)
+
+    def test_proof_valid_just_before_expiry(self):
+        proof = self._clean_proof_dict()
+        almost = NOW + timedelta(seconds=dp.DEFAULT_PROOF_TTL_SECONDS - 1)
+        result = dp.verify_drain_proof(proof, now=almost, secret=SECRET)
+        self.assertTrue(result.valid, result.reasons)
+
+    def test_wrong_secret_rejected(self):
+        """A proof minted in a prior process (different secret) will not verify."""
+
+        proof = self._clean_proof_dict()
+        result = dp.verify_drain_proof(proof, now=NOW, secret=b"other-secret")
+        self.assertFalse(result.valid)
+        self.assertTrue(result.tampered)
+
+    def test_flipping_clean_flag_is_detected(self):
+        """Forging clean=True on an unclean proof breaks the signature."""
+
+        unclean = dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=_unsafe_mutation_report(),
+            drain_state=_clean_drain_state(),
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+        ).as_dict()
+        self.assertFalse(unclean["clean"])
+        unclean["clean"] = True  # forge
+        result = dp.verify_drain_proof(unclean, now=NOW, secret=SECRET)
+        self.assertFalse(result.valid)
+        self.assertTrue(result.tampered)
+
+    def test_tampering_a_check_is_detected(self):
+        unclean = dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=_unsafe_mutation_report(),
+            drain_state=_clean_drain_state(),
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+        ).as_dict()
+        for c in unclean["checks"]:
+            if c["name"] == dp.CHECK_NO_INFLIGHT_MUTATIONS:
+                c["passed"] = True  # forge the failing check to pass
+        result = dp.verify_drain_proof(unclean, now=NOW, secret=SECRET)
+        self.assertFalse(result.valid)
+        self.assertTrue(result.tampered)
+
+    def test_missing_required_check_rejected(self):
+        proof = self._clean_proof_dict()
+        proof["checks"] = [
+            c for c in proof["checks"] if c["name"] != dp.CHECK_HANDOFFS_OK
+        ]
+        result = dp.verify_drain_proof(proof, now=NOW, secret=SECRET)
+        self.assertFalse(result.valid)
+
+    def test_stale_fingerprint_rejected(self):
+        proof = self._clean_proof_dict()
+        result = dp.verify_drain_proof(
+            proof,
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+            expected_impact_fingerprint="deadbeef",
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result.valid)
+
+    def test_matching_fingerprint_accepted(self):
+        report = _safe_report()
+        proof = dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=report,
+            drain_state=_clean_drain_state(),
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+        ).as_dict()
+        fp = dp.impact_fingerprint(report)
+        result = dp.verify_drain_proof(
+            proof, now=NOW, secret=SECRET, expected_impact_fingerprint=fp
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result.valid, result.reasons)
+
+
+class GateApplyRestartTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def _clean_proof_dict(self) -> dict:
+        return dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=_safe_report(),
+            drain_state=_clean_drain_state(),
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+        ).as_dict()
+
+    def test_apply_without_proof_denied(self):
+        """AC#1: restart apply without a proof fails closed + raises incident."""
+
+        decision = dp.gate_apply_restart(proof=None, now=NOW, secret=SECRET)
+        self.assertFalse(decision.allow)
+        self.assertEqual(decision.verdict, dp.GATE_DENY)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(decision.incident)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            decision.incident["kind"], "restart_drain_gate_denied"
+        )
+
+    def test_apply_with_valid_proof_allowed(self):
+        decision = dp.gate_apply_restart(
+            proof=self._clean_proof_dict(), now=NOW, secret=SECRET
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(decision.allow)
+        self.assertEqual(decision.verdict, dp.GATE_ALLOW)
+        self.assertIsNone(decision.incident)
+
+    def test_apply_with_expired_proof_denied_with_incident(self):
+        later = NOW + timedelta(seconds=dp.DEFAULT_PROOF_TTL_SECONDS + 5)
+        decision = dp.gate_apply_restart(
+            proof=self._clean_proof_dict(), now=later, secret=SECRET
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(decision.allow)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(decision.incident)
+
+    def test_apply_with_unclean_proof_denied(self):
+        """AC#3 at the gate: an unsafe-mutation proof is denied."""
+
+        unclean = dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=_unsafe_mutation_report(),
+            drain_state=_clean_drain_state(),
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+        ).as_dict()
+        decision = dp.gate_apply_restart(proof=unclean, now=NOW, secret=SECRET)
+        self.assertFalse(decision.allow)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(decision.incident)
+
+    def test_break_glass_allows_without_proof_but_records_bypass(self):
+        decision = dp.gate_apply_restart(
+            proof=None, now=NOW, secret=SECRET, break_glass=True
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(decision.allow)
+        self.assertEqual(decision.verdict, dp.GATE_BREAK_GLASS)
+        self.assertTrue(decision.break_glass)
+        self.assertIsNone(decision.incident)
+        self.assertTrue(decision.audit_record["break_glass"])
+
+    def test_denied_gate_carries_stale_fingerprint_reason(self):
+        decision = dp.gate_apply_restart(
+            proof=self._clean_proof_dict(),
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+            expected_impact_fingerprint="not-the-fingerprint",
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(decision.allow)
+
+
+class SecretHygieneTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_secret_never_serialized(self):
+        proof = dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=_safe_report(),
+            drain_state=_clean_drain_state(),
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+        )
+        blob = dp._canonical(proof.as_dict())
+        self.assertNotIn(SECRET.decode(), blob)
+        # The signature is a hex digest, not the raw secret.
+        self.assertNotIn(SECRET.hex(), blob)
+
+    def test_incident_descriptor_has_no_secret(self):
+        decision = dp.gate_apply_restart(proof=None, now=NOW, secret=SECRET)
+        blob = dp._canonical(decision.incident)
+        self.assertNotIn(SECRET.decode(), blob)
+
+
+def _drained_report_with_live_sessions(count: int) -> dict:
+    """Report with ``count`` other live sessions but nothing in flight.
+
+    Every other checklist item passes against this report, so a failure
+    isolates the acknowledgement check rather than tripping on mutations.
+    """
+
+    sessions = [
+        {
+            "session_id": "prgs-controller-1-req",
+            "role": "controller",
+            "profile": "prgs-controller",
+            "pid": _live_pid(),
+            "status": "active",
+            "last_heartbeat_at": NOW.isoformat(),
+        }
+    ]
+    for index in range(count):
+        sessions.append(
+            {
+                "session_id": f"prgs-author-{index}",
+                "role": "author",
+                "profile": "prgs-author",
+                "pid": _live_pid(),
+                "status": "active",
+                "last_heartbeat_at": NOW.isoformat(),
+            }
+        )
+    report = rc.evaluate_restart_impact(
+        {"sessions": sessions, "leases": [], "inventory_complete": True},
+        now=NOW,
+        requesting_session_id="prgs-controller-1-req",
+    )
+    return report.as_dict()
+
+
+class AcknowledgementFailClosedTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Acknowledgement evidence must fail closed unless explicitly verified.
+
+    Regression cover for the reviewed fail-open on PR #882: an absent ``acks``
+    key collapsed to ``{}`` and was read as "no other live sessions required to
+    acknowledge", so a proof minted clean and the restart gate allowed while the
+    impact report still showed other live sessions.
+    """
+
+    def _state(self, **overrides) -> dict:
+        state = _clean_drain_state()
+        state.pop("acks", None)
+        state["ack_timeout_policy_applied"] = False
+        state.update(overrides)
+        return state
+
+    def _acks_check(self, proof) -> dp.DrainCheck:
+        return next(c for c in proof.checks if c.name == dp.CHECK_ACKS_OR_TIMEOUT)
+
+    def _build(self, report: dict, state: dict):
+        return dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=report, drain_state=state, now=NOW, secret=SECRET
+        )
+
+    def assertAcksFailClosed(self, report: dict, state: dict) -> None:
+        proof = self._build(report, state)
+        self.assertFalse(self._acks_check(proof).passed)
+        self.assertIn(dp.CHECK_ACKS_OR_TIMEOUT, proof.failed_checks)
+        self.assertFalse(proof.clean)
+
+    # --- missing / null / empty / malformed ------------------------------
+
+    def test_missing_acks_key_with_live_sessions_fails_closed(self):
+        """The exact reviewed defect: absent key, three other live sessions."""
+        report = _drained_report_with_live_sessions(3)
+        self.assertEqual(report["counts"]["sessions_live_other"], 3)
+        state = self._state()
+        self.assertNotIn("acks", state)
+        proof = self._build(report, state)
+        check = self._acks_check(proof)
+        self.assertFalse(check.passed)
+        self.assertNotIn("no other live sessions", check.detail)
+        self.assertIn("fail closed", check.detail)
+        self.assertFalse(proof.clean)
+        self.assertEqual(proof.failed_checks, [dp.CHECK_ACKS_OR_TIMEOUT])
+
+    def test_none_acks_with_live_sessions_fails_closed(self):
+        self.assertAcksFailClosed(
+            _drained_report_with_live_sessions(2), self._state(acks=None)
+        )
+
+    def test_empty_acks_with_live_sessions_fails_closed(self):
+        self.assertAcksFailClosed(
+            _drained_report_with_live_sessions(1), self._state(acks={})
+        )
+
+    def test_malformed_acks_fail_closed(self):
+        for malformed in ([], "ack", 7, ("ack",), True):
+            with self.subTest(malformed=malformed):
+                self.assertAcksFailClosed(
+                    _drained_report_with_live_sessions(1),
+                    self._state(acks=malformed),
+                )
+
+    # --- stale / unproven values -----------------------------------------
+
+    def test_stale_or_unproven_ack_values_fail_closed(self):
+        for value in ("pending", "stale", "unknown", "", None, True, 1, NOW):
+            with self.subTest(value=value):
+                self.assertAcksFailClosed(
+                    _drained_report_with_live_sessions(1),
+                    self._state(acks={"prgs-author-0": value}),
+                )
+
+    def test_partial_coverage_fails_closed(self):
+        """Fewer acknowledgements than the report's live-session count."""
+        self.assertAcksFailClosed(
+            _drained_report_with_live_sessions(3),
+            self._state(acks={"prgs-author-0": "ack"}),
+        )
+
+    def test_one_unacked_entry_among_many_fails_closed(self):
+        self.assertAcksFailClosed(
+            _drained_report_with_live_sessions(2),
+            self._state(acks={"prgs-author-0": "ack", "prgs-author-1": "pending"}),
+        )
+
+    def test_unproven_live_session_count_fails_closed(self):
+        """A missing or malformed count cannot prove nobody had to acknowledge."""
+        malformed_counts = (
+            None,
+            {},
+            {"sessions_live_other": None},
+            {"sessions_live_other": "3"},
+            {"sessions_live_other": -1},
+            {"sessions_live_other": True},
+        )
+        for counts in malformed_counts:
+            with self.subTest(counts=counts):
+                report = _drained_report_with_live_sessions(0)
+                if counts is None:
+                    report.pop("counts", None)
+                else:
+                    report["counts"] = counts
+                self.assertAcksFailClosed(report, self._state())
+
+    # --- valid evidence still passes -------------------------------------
+
+    def test_complete_valid_acks_pass(self):
+        report = _drained_report_with_live_sessions(2)
+        state = self._state(
+            acks={"prgs-author-0": "ack", "prgs-author-1": "acknowledged"}
+        )
+        proof = self._build(report, state)
+        self.assertTrue(self._acks_check(proof).passed)
+        self.assertTrue(proof.clean)
+        self.assertEqual(proof.failed_checks, [])
+
+    def test_no_other_live_sessions_still_passes(self):
+        """Intended behavior retained: zero live sessions needs no acks."""
+        report = _drained_report_with_live_sessions(0)
+        self.assertEqual(report["counts"]["sessions_live_other"], 0)
+        proof = self._build(report, self._state())
+        check = self._acks_check(proof)
+        self.assertTrue(check.passed)
+        self.assertIn("sessions_live_other=0", check.detail)
+        self.assertTrue(proof.clean)
+
+    # --- timeout policy cannot become a second fail-open ------------------
+
+    def test_unproven_timeout_policy_cannot_open_the_gate(self):
+        for value in (None, "true", "yes", 1, "True", [], {}):
+            with self.subTest(value=value):
+                self.assertAcksFailClosed(
+                    _drained_report_with_live_sessions(2),
+                    self._state(ack_timeout_policy_applied=value),
+                )
+
+    def test_explicit_timeout_policy_permits(self):
+        proof = self._build(
+            _drained_report_with_live_sessions(2),
+            self._state(ack_timeout_policy_applied=True),
+        )
+        check = self._acks_check(proof)
+        self.assertTrue(check.passed)
+        self.assertIn("timeout policy", check.detail)
+        self.assertTrue(proof.clean)
+
+    # --- the gate itself must deny ---------------------------------------
+
+    def test_failed_ack_check_denies_the_restart_gate(self):
+        report = _drained_report_with_live_sessions(3)
+        proof = self._build(report, self._state())
+        self.assertFalse(proof.clean)
+        decision = dp.gate_apply_restart(
+            proof=proof.as_dict(),
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+            expected_impact_fingerprint=dp.impact_fingerprint(report),
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(decision.allow)
+        self.assertEqual(decision.verdict, dp.GATE_DENY)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(decision.incident)
+
+    def test_unclean_ack_proof_fails_verification(self):
+        report = _drained_report_with_live_sessions(3)
+        proof = self._build(report, self._state())
+        result = dp.verify_drain_proof(
+            proof.as_dict(),
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+            expected_impact_fingerprint=dp.impact_fingerprint(report),
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result.valid)
+        self.assertFalse(result.clean)
+
+
+def _identity_report(*, requester: str, others: tuple[str, ...]) -> dict:
+    """Report with explicitly named requester and other live sessions.
+
+    Unlike :func:`_drained_report_with_live_sessions`, the session ids are
+    chosen by the caller so a test can supply acknowledgements for the *wrong*
+    identities while keeping the count correct.
+    """
+
+    sessions = [
+        {
+            "session_id": requester,
+            "role": "controller",
+            "profile": "prgs-controller",
+            "pid": _live_pid(),
+            "status": "active",
+            "last_heartbeat_at": NOW.isoformat(),
+        }
+    ]
+    for session_id in others:
+        sessions.append(
+            {
+                "session_id": session_id,
+                "role": "author",
+                "profile": "prgs-author",
+                "pid": _live_pid(),
+                "status": "active",
+                "last_heartbeat_at": NOW.isoformat(),
+            }
+        )
+    report = rc.evaluate_restart_impact(
+        {"sessions": sessions, "leases": [], "inventory_complete": True},
+        now=NOW,
+        requesting_session_id=requester,
+    )
+    return report.as_dict()
+
+
+class AcknowledgementIdentityBindingTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Acknowledgement coverage must be bound to session identity, not counted.
+
+    Regression cover for the second reviewed fail-open on PR #882 (review 582,
+    blocker B1): coverage compared ``acked_count`` against
+    ``counts.sessions_live_other``, so acknowledgements supplied for the
+    requesting session and for ids that do not exist satisfied the obligations
+    of the live sessions that never answered. The required identities are
+    carried by the report itself — ``ack_state`` keys and ``affected_sessions``
+    filtered on ``live and not is_requester`` — and only an acknowledgement
+    keyed by one of those ids may count for it.
+    """
+
+    def _state(self, **overrides) -> dict:
+        state = _clean_drain_state()
+        state.pop("acks", None)
+        state["ack_timeout_policy_applied"] = False
+        state.update(overrides)
+        return state
+
+    def _acks_check(self, proof) -> dp.DrainCheck:
+        return next(c for c in proof.checks if c.name == dp.CHECK_ACKS_OR_TIMEOUT)
+
+    def _build(self, report: dict, state: dict):
+        return dp.build_drain_proof(
+            impact_report=report, drain_state=state, now=NOW, secret=SECRET
+        )
+
+    def assertAcksFailClosed(self, report: dict, state: dict) -> dp.DrainCheck:
+        """Failure must propagate through the check, the proof, and the gate."""
+
+        proof = self._build(report, state)
+        check = self._acks_check(proof)
+        self.assertFalse(check.passed)
+        self.assertFalse(proof.clean)
+        self.assertIn(dp.CHECK_ACKS_OR_TIMEOUT, proof.failed_checks)
+        decision = dp.gate_apply_restart(
+            proof=proof.as_dict(),
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+            expected_impact_fingerprint=dp.impact_fingerprint(report),
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(decision.verdict, dp.GATE_DENY)
+        self.assertFalse(decision.allow)
+        return check
+
+    # --- the reviewer's exact reproduction --------------------------------
+
+    def test_requester_plus_unknown_id_cannot_satisfy_two_live_sessions(self):
+        """Review 582 B1 verbatim: requester + a nonexistent session.
+
+        ``sessions_live_other=2`` with ``ack_state`` naming ``other-0`` and
+        ``other-1``; the drain state supplies an acknowledgement from the
+        requesting session itself and from a session that does not exist. The
+        count matches, the identities do not.
+        """
+
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0", "other-1"))
+        self.assertEqual(report["counts"]["sessions_live_other"], 2)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            report["ack_state"], {"other-0": "pending", "other-1": "pending"}
+        )
+        state = self._state(acks={"req": "ack", "totally-bogus-session": "ack"})
+        check = self.assertAcksFailClosed(report, state)
+        self.assertIn("other-0", check.detail)
+        self.assertIn("other-1", check.detail)
+        self.assertIn("fail closed", check.detail)
+
+    # --- wrong / unknown / requester identities ---------------------------
+
+    def test_sufficient_count_of_wrong_ids_fails_closed(self):
+        """Right cardinality, wrong identities: two acks, neither required."""
+
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0", "other-1"))
+        state = self._state(acks={"ghost-a": "ack", "ghost-b": "ack"})
+        check = self.assertAcksFailClosed(report, state)
+        self.assertIn("do not count", check.detail)
+
+    def test_more_acks_than_required_still_fails_on_wrong_ids(self):
+        """Coverage cannot be bought with volume: five acks, none required."""
+
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0", "other-1"))
+        state = self._state(acks={f"ghost-{i}": "acknowledged" for i in range(5)})
+        self.assertAcksFailClosed(report, state)
+
+    def test_partial_identity_match_fails_closed(self):
+        """One required id acknowledged, the rest padded with unknown ids."""
+
+        report = _identity_report(
+            requester="req", others=("other-0", "other-1", "other-2")
+        )
+        state = self._state(
+            acks={"other-0": "ack", "ghost-1": "ack", "ghost-2": "ack"}
+        )
+        check = self.assertAcksFailClosed(report, state)
+        self.assertIn("other-1", check.detail)
+        self.assertIn("other-2", check.detail)
+
+    def test_requester_ack_never_satisfies_another_sessions_obligation(self):
+        """The requester is excluded from the required set and stays excluded."""
+
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0",))
+        requester_rows = [s for s in report["affected_sessions"] if s["is_requester"]]
+        self.assertEqual([s["session_id"] for s in requester_rows], ["req"])
+        self.assertNotIn("req", report["ack_state"])
+        check = self.assertAcksFailClosed(report, self._state(acks={"req": "ack"}))
+        self.assertIn("other-0", check.detail)
+
+    def test_fabricated_ids_do_not_count_toward_coverage(self):
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0",))
+        for bogus in ("", " ", "other-0 extra", "OTHER-0", "other-01", "0"):
+            with self.subTest(bogus=bogus):
+                self.assertAcksFailClosed(report, self._state(acks={bogus: "ack"}))
+
+    # --- per-session state must be explicitly valid ------------------------
+
+    def test_unproven_per_session_states_fail_closed(self):
+        """A required id present but not explicitly acknowledged fails closed."""
+
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0", "other-1"))
+        for value in ("pending", "stale", "unknown", "", None, True, 1, NOW):
+            with self.subTest(value=value):
+                self.assertAcksFailClosed(
+                    report,
+                    self._state(acks={"other-0": "ack", "other-1": value}),
+                )
+
+    def test_report_ack_state_placeholder_is_never_read_as_an_ack(self):
+        """``ack_state`` values are the report's own placeholders, not evidence."""
+
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0",))
+        report["ack_state"] = {"other-0": "ack"}
+        self.assertAcksFailClosed(report, self._state())
+
+    # --- missing / malformed / contradictory identity evidence -------------
+
+    def test_missing_identity_evidence_fails_closed(self):
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0",))
+        report.pop("ack_state", None)
+        report.pop("affected_sessions", None)
+        check = self.assertAcksFailClosed(report, self._state(acks={"other-0": "ack"}))
+        self.assertIn("no session-identity evidence", check.detail)
+
+    def test_malformed_ack_state_fails_closed(self):
+        for malformed in ([], "other-0", 7, None, ("other-0",)):
+            with self.subTest(malformed=malformed):
+                report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0",))
+                report["ack_state"] = malformed
+                self.assertAcksFailClosed(
+                    report, self._state(acks={"other-0": "ack"})
+                )
+
+    def test_non_string_ack_state_key_fails_closed(self):
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0",))
+        report["ack_state"] = {7: "pending"}
+        self.assertAcksFailClosed(report, self._state(acks={"other-0": "ack"}))
+
+    def test_malformed_affected_sessions_fails_closed(self):
+        for malformed in ("sessions", 7, {"session_id": "other-0"}, [None], [7]):
+            with self.subTest(malformed=malformed):
+                report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0",))
+                report.pop("ack_state", None)
+                report["affected_sessions"] = malformed
+                self.assertAcksFailClosed(
+                    report, self._state(acks={"other-0": "ack"})
+                )
+
+    def test_affected_sessions_without_explicit_booleans_fails_closed(self):
+        """``live``/``is_requester`` must be real booleans, never inferred."""
+
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0",))
+        report.pop("ack_state", None)
+        for row in report["affected_sessions"]:
+            if row["session_id"] == "other-0":
+                row["is_requester"] = "false"
+        self.assertAcksFailClosed(report, self._state(acks={"other-0": "ack"}))
+
+    def test_affected_sessions_missing_live_flag_fails_closed(self):
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0",))
+        report.pop("ack_state", None)
+        for row in report["affected_sessions"]:
+            row.pop("live", None)
+        self.assertAcksFailClosed(report, self._state(acks={"other-0": "ack"}))
+
+    def test_contradictory_ack_state_and_affected_sessions_fails_closed(self):
+        """Both views present and disagreeing is unresolvable, not a tie-break."""
+
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0", "other-1"))
+        report["ack_state"] = {"other-0": "pending", "other-9": "pending"}
+        check = self.assertAcksFailClosed(
+            report, self._state(acks={"other-0": "ack", "other-9": "ack"})
+        )
+        self.assertIn("contradicts itself", check.detail)
+
+    def test_identity_count_mismatch_fails_closed(self):
+        """Identity evidence that cannot be reconciled with the count denies."""
+
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0", "other-1"))
+        report["counts"] = dict(report["counts"], sessions_live_other=1)
+        check = self.assertAcksFailClosed(
+            report, self._state(acks={"other-0": "ack", "other-1": "ack"})
+        )
+        self.assertIn("cannot be reconciled", check.detail)
+
+    def test_broken_identity_evidence_outranks_timeout_policy(self):
+        """The sanctioned timeout path cannot paper over an unreadable report."""
+
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0",))
+        report["ack_state"] = "not-a-mapping"
+        self.assertAcksFailClosed(report, self._state(ack_timeout_policy_applied=True))
+
+    # --- legitimate success is preserved -----------------------------------
+
+    def test_every_required_session_acknowledged_passes(self):
+        report = _identity_report(
+            requester="req", others=("other-0", "other-1", "other-2")
+        )
+        state = self._state(
+            acks={
+                "other-0": "ack",
+                "other-1": "acked",
+                "other-2": "acknowledged",
+            }
+        )
+        proof = self._build(report, state)
+        check = self._acks_check(proof)
+        self.assertTrue(check.passed)
+        self.assertTrue(proof.clean)
+        self.assertEqual(proof.failed_checks, [])
+        self.assertIn("acknowledged by identity", check.detail)
+        decision = dp.gate_apply_restart(
+            proof=proof.as_dict(),
+            now=NOW,
+            secret=SECRET,
+            expected_impact_fingerprint=dp.impact_fingerprint(report),
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(decision.verdict, dp.GATE_ALLOW)
+        self.assertTrue(decision.allow)
+
+    def test_required_session_ack_tolerates_surrounding_whitespace(self):
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0",))
+        proof = self._build(report, self._state(acks={" other-0 ": " ACK "}))
+        self.assertTrue(self._acks_check(proof).passed)
+        self.assertTrue(proof.clean)
+
+    def test_no_other_live_sessions_still_passes_with_identity_evidence(self):
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=())
+        self.assertEqual(report["counts"]["sessions_live_other"], 0)
+        self.assertEqual(report["ack_state"], {})
+        proof = self._build(report, self._state())
+        check = self._acks_check(proof)
+        self.assertTrue(check.passed)
+        self.assertIn("sessions_live_other=0", check.detail)
+        self.assertTrue(proof.clean)
+
+    def test_explicit_timeout_policy_retains_intended_behavior(self):
+        """Valid, correctly typed timeout evidence still permits the check."""
+
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0", "other-1"))
+        proof = self._build(report, self._state(ack_timeout_policy_applied=True))
+        check = self._acks_check(proof)
+        self.assertTrue(check.passed)
+        self.assertIn("timeout policy", check.detail)
+        self.assertTrue(proof.clean)
+
+    def test_timeout_policy_still_strictly_typed_under_identity_binding(self):
+        report = _identity_report(requester="req", others=("other-0",))
+        for value in (None, "true", "True", 1, [], {}):
+            with self.subTest(value=value):
+                self.assertAcksFailClosed(
+                    report, self._state(ack_timeout_policy_applied=value)
+                )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_issue_897_permission_stale_runtime_classification.py

@@ -0,0 +1,453 @@
+"""#897: stale-runtime / runtime-mode refusals must not look like permission denials.
+
+Acceptance criteria (issue #897):
+
+* Stale-runtime and runtime-mode refusals are typed distinctly from
+  profile-permission refusals (distinct ``blocker_kind``).
+* A refusal caused by staleness or runtime mode never emits a
+  ``permission_report`` and never names a permission the active profile holds.
+* ``_permission_block_report`` verifies the active profile actually lacks the
+  operation before reporting it missing.
+* A stale-runtime refusal reports reconnect-only recovery and never recommends
+  ``gitea_activate_profile`` or an MCP session switch.
+* The blocker payload states the observed heads (parity fields).
+* Matrix across author / reviewer / merger / reconciler profiles.
+* Regression: ``gitea_create_issue`` on a stale daemon under ``prgs-author``
+  never returns ``missing_permission: gitea.issue.create``.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import sys
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(__import__("pathlib").Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+import gitea_config  # noqa: E402
+import gitea_mcp_server as mcp_server  # noqa: E402
+
+SHA_START = "7af40fb5ff7debd5e9165fe97d9c7c279358e175"
+SHA_LIVE = "2f4dec832327513118f2fe92b74da25d124a01cb"
+
+ROLE_MATRIX = (
+    (
+        "prgs-author",
+        "author",
+        "gitea.issue.create",
+        [
+            "gitea.read",
+            "gitea.issue.create",
+            "gitea.issue.comment",
+            "gitea.issue.close",
+            "gitea.branch.create",
+            "gitea.branch.push",
+            "gitea.pr.create",
+            "gitea.pr.comment",
+            "gitea.repo.commit",
+        ],
+        ["gitea.pr.approve", "gitea.pr.merge", "gitea.pr.request_changes"],
+        "gitea.pr.merge",  # forbidden op for pure-permission case
+    ),
+    (
+        "prgs-reviewer",
+        "reviewer",
+        "gitea.pr.review",
+        [
+            "gitea.read",
+            "gitea.pr.review",
+            "gitea.pr.approve",
+            "gitea.pr.request_changes",
+            "gitea.pr.comment",
+            "gitea.issue.comment",
+        ],
+        ["gitea.branch.push", "gitea.pr.create"],
+        "gitea.branch.push",
+    ),
+    (
+        "prgs-merger",
+        "merger",
+        "gitea.pr.merge",
+        [
+            "gitea.read",
+            "gitea.pr.merge",
+            "gitea.pr.comment",
+            "gitea.issue.comment",
+        ],
+        ["gitea.pr.approve", "gitea.branch.push", "gitea.pr.create"],
+        "gitea.branch.push",
+    ),
+    (
+        "prgs-reconciler",
+        "reconciler",
+        "gitea.branch.delete",
+        [
+            "gitea.read",
+            "gitea.branch.delete",
+            "gitea.pr.comment",
+            "gitea.issue.comment",
+            "gitea.pr.close",
+            "gitea.issue.close",
+        ],
+        ["gitea.pr.approve", "gitea.pr.merge"],
+        "gitea.pr.merge",
+    ),
+)
+
+
+def _profile(name: str, role: str, allowed: list[str], forbidden: list[str]) -> dict:
+    return {
+        "profile_name": name,
+        "role": role,
+        "role_kind": role,
+        "allowed_operations": list(allowed),
+        "forbidden_operations": list(forbidden),
+        "identity": "test-user",
+    }
+
+
+def _config(profiles: dict) -> dict:
+    return {
+        "version": 2,
+        "profiles": {
+            name: {
+                "role": p["role"],
+                "allowed_operations": p["allowed_operations"],
+                "forbidden_operations": p["forbidden_operations"],
+            }
+            for name, p in profiles.items()
+        },
+        "rules": {"allow_runtime_switching": True},
+    }
+
+
+class Issue897Helpers(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_classify_stale_reason_strings(self):
+        stale = (
+            f"live remote master is {SHA_LIVE[:12]} but the MCP server started "
+            f"at {SHA_START[:12]}; the daemon is stale relative to live master "
+            "-- restart/reconnect before mutating"
+        )
+        classified = mcp_server._classify_operation_gate_reasons([stale])
+        self.assertEqual(classified["stale_runtime"], [stale])
+        self.assertEqual(classified["permission"], [])
+        self.assertEqual(classified["runtime_mode"], [])
+
+    def test_classify_permission_reason(self):
+        reason = "profile is not allowed to gitea.pr.merge"
+        classified = mcp_server._classify_operation_gate_reasons([reason])
+        self.assertEqual(classified["permission"], [reason])
+        self.assertEqual(classified["stale_runtime"], [])
+
+    def test_classify_runtime_mode_reason(self):
+        reason = (
+            "runtime mode is 'dev-test' and the mutation targets the "
+            "production repository; dev/test runtimes must not mutate real "
+            "issues or PRs (ADR: stable control runtime vs dev runtime)"
+        )
+        classified = mcp_server._classify_operation_gate_reasons([reason])
+        self.assertEqual(classified["runtime_mode"], [reason])
+        self.assertEqual(classified["stale_runtime"], [])
+
+
+class Issue897PermissionBlockReport(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_holds_op_is_diagnostic_defect_not_missing_permission(self):
+        profile = _profile(
+            "prgs-author",
+            "author",
+            ["gitea.read", "gitea.issue.create", "gitea.issue.comment"],
+            [],
+        )
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "get_profile", return_value=profile), patch.object(
+            mcp_server.gitea_config, "load_config", return_value=_config({"prgs-author": profile})
+        ), patch.object(
+            mcp_server.gitea_config, "is_runtime_switching_enabled", return_value=True
+        ):
+            report = mcp_server._permission_block_report("gitea.issue.create")
+        self.assertTrue(report.get("diagnostic_defect"), report)
+        self.assertIsNone(report.get("missing_permission"), report)
+        action = (report.get("exact_safe_next_action") or "").lower()
+        # Must not *recommend* profile switching; mentioning the forbidden
+        # action in a "do not call" instruction is fine.
+        self.assertNotIn("call gitea_activate_profile with", action)
+        self.assertNotIn("switch to the author mcp session", action)
+        self.assertNotIn("switch to the reviewer mcp session", action)
+        self.assertIn("diagnostic defect", action)
+
+    def test_true_missing_permission_still_reports(self):
+        profile = _profile(
+            "prgs-author",
+            "author",
+            ["gitea.read", "gitea.issue.create"],
+            ["gitea.pr.merge"],
+        )
+        reviewer = _profile(
+            "prgs-reviewer",
+            "reviewer",
+            ["gitea.read", "gitea.pr.merge", "gitea.pr.approve"],
+            [],
+        )
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "get_profile", return_value=profile), patch.object(
+            mcp_server.gitea_config,
+            "load_config",
+            return_value=_config({"prgs-author": profile, "prgs-reviewer": reviewer}),
+        ), patch.object(
+            mcp_server.gitea_config, "is_runtime_switching_enabled", return_value=True
+        ):
+            report = mcp_server._permission_block_report("gitea.pr.merge")
+        self.assertFalse(report.get("diagnostic_defect"), report)
+        self.assertEqual(report.get("missing_permission"), "gitea.pr.merge")
+        self.assertIn("prgs-reviewer", report.get("matching_configured_profiles") or [])
+
+
+class Issue897GateRefusalMatrix(unittest.TestCase):
+    def _stale_parity(self) -> dict:
+        return {
+            "in_parity": True,
+            "stale": False,
+            "restart_required": True,
+            "determinable": True,
+            "startup_head": SHA_START,
+            "current_head": SHA_START,
+            "daemon_start_head": SHA_START,
+            "local_head": SHA_START,
+            "live_remote_head": SHA_LIVE,
+            "live_known": True,
+            "live_stale": True,
+            "mutation_safe": False,
+            "reasons": [
+                f"live remote master is {SHA_LIVE[:12]} but the MCP server "
+                f"started at {SHA_START[:12]}; the daemon is stale relative "
+                "to live master -- restart/reconnect before mutating"
+            ],
+        }
+
+    def test_stale_plus_permitted_op_all_roles(self):
+        for name, role, permitted_op, allowed, forbidden, _forbidden_op in ROLE_MATRIX:
+            with self.subTest(profile=name, op=permitted_op):
+                profile = _profile(name, role, allowed, forbidden)
+                parity = self._stale_parity()
+                with patch.object(mcp_server, "get_profile", return_value=profile), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server, "_current_master_parity", return_value=parity
+                ), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server, "_master_parity_block", return_value=list(parity["reasons"])
+                ), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server, "_runtime_mode_block", return_value=[]
+                ), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server, "_ensure_matching_profile", return_value=None
+                ), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server.session_ctx,
+                    "mutation_context_audit_fields",
+                    return_value={"session_profile": name},
+                ):
+                    blocked = mcp_server._profile_permission_block(permitted_op)
+                self.assertIsNotNone(blocked, name)
+                assert blocked is not None
+                self.assertEqual(
+                    blocked.get("blocker_kind"),
+                    "runtime_reconnect_required",
+                    blocked,
+                )
+                self.assertNotIn("permission_report", blocked, blocked)
+                self.assertTrue(blocked.get("restart_required"), blocked)
+                self.assertEqual(blocked.get("startup_head"), SHA_START, blocked)
+                self.assertEqual(blocked.get("live_remote_head"), SHA_LIVE, blocked)
+                action = (blocked.get("exact_safe_next_action") or "").lower()
+                self.assertIn("reconnect", action)
+                self.assertNotIn("call gitea_activate_profile with", action)
+                self.assertNotIn("switch to the author mcp session", action)
+                self.assertNotIn("switch to the reviewer mcp session", action)
+
+    def test_fresh_plus_forbidden_op_all_roles(self):
+        for name, role, _permitted, allowed, forbidden, forbidden_op in ROLE_MATRIX:
+            with self.subTest(profile=name, op=forbidden_op):
+                profile = _profile(name, role, allowed, forbidden)
+                with patch.object(mcp_server, "get_profile", return_value=profile), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server, "_master_parity_block", return_value=[]
+                ), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server, "_runtime_mode_block", return_value=[]
+                ), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server, "_ensure_matching_profile", return_value=None
+                ), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server.session_ctx,
+                    "mutation_context_audit_fields",
+                    return_value={"session_profile": name},
+                ), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server.gitea_config,
+                    "load_config",
+                    return_value=_config({name: profile}),
+                ), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server.gitea_config, "is_runtime_switching_enabled", return_value=False
+                ):
+                    blocked = mcp_server._profile_permission_block(forbidden_op)
+                self.assertIsNotNone(blocked, name)
+                assert blocked is not None
+                self.assertEqual(blocked.get("blocker_kind"), "permission_denied", blocked)
+                self.assertIn("permission_report", blocked, blocked)
+                report = blocked["permission_report"]
+                self.assertEqual(report.get("missing_permission"), forbidden_op, report)
+                self.assertFalse(report.get("diagnostic_defect"), report)
+                # No runtime reconnect fields for pure permission denial
+                self.assertNotEqual(
+                    blocked.get("blocker_kind"), "runtime_reconnect_required"
+                )
+
+    def test_stale_plus_forbidden_op_both_causes_separated(self):
+        for name, role, _permitted, allowed, forbidden, forbidden_op in ROLE_MATRIX:
+            with self.subTest(profile=name, op=forbidden_op):
+                profile = _profile(name, role, allowed, forbidden)
+                parity = self._stale_parity()
+                stale_reason = parity["reasons"][0]
+                with patch.object(mcp_server, "get_profile", return_value=profile), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server, "_current_master_parity", return_value=parity
+                ), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server, "_master_parity_block", return_value=[stale_reason]
+                ), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server, "_runtime_mode_block", return_value=[]
+                ), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server, "_ensure_matching_profile", return_value=None
+                ), patch.object(
+                    mcp_server.session_ctx,
+                    "mutation_context_audit_fields",
+                    return_value={"session_profile": name},
+                ):
+                    # Gate collects both classes; force permission reason too.
+                    with patch.object(
+                        mcp_server,
+                        "_profile_operation_gate",
+                        return_value=[
+                            stale_reason,
+                            f"profile is not allowed to {forbidden_op}",
+                        ],
+                    ):
+                        blocked = mcp_server._profile_permission_block(forbidden_op)
+                self.assertIsNotNone(blocked)
+                assert blocked is not None
+                self.assertEqual(
+                    blocked.get("blocker_kind"), "runtime_reconnect_required", blocked
+                )
+                self.assertNotIn("permission_report", blocked, blocked)
+                self.assertIn("permission_block_reasons", blocked, blocked)
+                self.assertIn("stale_runtime_reasons", blocked, blocked)
+                classes = blocked.get("gate_reason_classes") or {}
+                self.assertTrue(classes.get("stale_runtime"), classes)
+                self.assertTrue(classes.get("permission"), classes)
+
+    def test_runtime_mode_block_no_permission_report(self):
+        profile = _profile(
+            "prgs-author",
+            "author",
+            ["gitea.read", "gitea.issue.create"],
+            [],
+        )
+        runtime_reason = (
+            "runtime mode is 'dev-test' and the mutation targets the "
+            "production repository; dev/test runtimes must not mutate real "
+            "issues or PRs (ADR: stable control runtime vs dev runtime)"
+        )
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "get_profile", return_value=profile), patch.object(
+            mcp_server, "_master_parity_block", return_value=[]
+        ), patch.object(
+            mcp_server, "_runtime_mode_block", return_value=[runtime_reason]
+        ), patch.object(
+            mcp_server, "_ensure_matching_profile", return_value=None
+        ), patch.object(
+            mcp_server.session_ctx,
+            "mutation_context_audit_fields",
+            return_value={"session_profile": "prgs-author"},
+        ):
+            blocked = mcp_server._profile_permission_block("gitea.issue.create")
+        self.assertIsNotNone(blocked)
+        assert blocked is not None
+        self.assertEqual(blocked.get("blocker_kind"), "runtime_mode_blocked", blocked)
+        self.assertNotIn("permission_report", blocked, blocked)
+        action = (blocked.get("exact_safe_next_action") or "").lower()
+        self.assertNotIn("call gitea_activate_profile with", action)
+        self.assertIn("stable control runtime", action)
+
+
+class Issue897CreateIssueRegression(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_create_issue_stale_daemon_never_missing_issue_create(self):
+        """Regression AC: stale prgs-author create_issue must not claim missing create."""
+        profile = _profile(
+            "prgs-author",
+            "author",
+            [
+                "gitea.read",
+                "gitea.issue.create",
+                "gitea.issue.comment",
+                "gitea.branch.create",
+                "gitea.branch.push",
+                "gitea.pr.create",
+                "gitea.pr.comment",
+                "gitea.repo.commit",
+            ],
+            [],
+        )
+        stale_reason = (
+            f"live remote master is {SHA_LIVE[:12]} but the MCP server started "
+            f"at {SHA_START[:12]}; the daemon is stale relative to live master "
+            "-- restart/reconnect before mutating"
+        )
+        parity = {
+            "in_parity": True,
+            "stale": False,
+            "restart_required": True,
+            "determinable": True,
+            "startup_head": SHA_START,
+            "current_head": SHA_START,
+            "daemon_start_head": SHA_START,
+            "local_head": SHA_START,
+            "live_remote_head": SHA_LIVE,
+            "live_known": True,
+            "live_stale": True,
+            "mutation_safe": False,
+            "reasons": [stale_reason],
+        }
+
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "get_profile", return_value=profile), patch.object(
+            mcp_server, "_current_master_parity", return_value=parity
+        ), patch.object(
+            mcp_server, "_master_parity_block", return_value=[stale_reason]
+        ), patch.object(
+            mcp_server, "_runtime_mode_block", return_value=[]
+        ), patch.object(
+            mcp_server, "_ensure_matching_profile", return_value=None
+        ), patch.object(
+            mcp_server.session_ctx,
+            "mutation_context_audit_fields",
+            return_value={"session_profile": "prgs-author"},
+        ), patch.object(
+            mcp_server, "_mutation_config_authority_block", return_value=None
+        ), patch.object(
+            mcp_server, "_session_context_mutation_block", return_value=None
+        ):
+            blocked = mcp_server._profile_permission_block(
+                "gitea.issue.create", remote="prgs"
+            )
+
+        self.assertIsNotNone(blocked)
+        assert blocked is not None
+        self.assertEqual(blocked.get("blocker_kind"), "runtime_reconnect_required")
+        self.assertNotIn("permission_report", blocked)
+        # Even if a caller still built a raw report, holds-check must not claim missing.
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "get_profile", return_value=profile):
+            raw = mcp_server._permission_block_report("gitea.issue.create")
+        self.assertIsNone(raw.get("missing_permission"), raw)
+        self.assertNotEqual(raw.get("missing_permission"), "gitea.issue.create")
+
+    def test_permission_report_for_gate_reasons_skips_stale(self):
+        stale = (
+            f"live remote master is {SHA_LIVE[:12]} but the MCP server started "
+            f"at {SHA_START[:12]}; the daemon is stale relative to live master "
+            "-- restart/reconnect before mutating"
+        )
+        self.assertIsNone(
+            mcp_server._permission_report_for_gate_reasons(
+                "gitea.issue.comment", [stale]
+            )
+        )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()