fix(runtime): recognize heartbeat interval env and wire production lifecycle tests

Address REQUEST_CHANGES review #652 on PR #976 (issue #975).

Blocker 1: name GITEA_WORKER_HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_SECONDS individually in
RECOGNIZED_GITEA_ENV_KEYS so the production-consumed operator override is no
longer classified as unsupported-env / runtime_reconnect_required. No prefix
broadening; unknown overrides remain fail-closed.

Blocker 2: add focused production-path tests that call _active_worker_identity
and _start_worker_heartbeat, proving supervisor attachment, identity/session/
generation/pid/epoch agreement, no duplicates, failed/fenced paths, orderly
shutdown, configured interval, and off-loop sqlite heartbeats.

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

canonical_repository_root.py

@@ -37,6 +37,48 @@ CANONICAL_ROOT_ENV = "GITEA_CANONICAL_REPOSITORY_ROOT"
 # Candidate git remote names probed when deriving repository identity.
 _IDENTITY_REMOTE_CANDIDATES = ("prgs", "origin", "dadeschools", "mdcps")
 
+# Repository-authority modes (#973 B10). Exactly two values are supported.
+# ``mode`` selects how repository authority is established, so an unrecognised
+# value must never be normalised onto one of these: aliasing a trusted mode is
+# precisely the defect. Omitting the argument keeps the documented safe default,
+# ``validation``.
+MODE_VALIDATION = "validation"
+MODE_DERIVATION = "derivation"
+SUPPORTED_MODES: tuple[str, ...] = (MODE_VALIDATION, MODE_DERIVATION)
+
+# Reason code emitted when an unsupported mode is refused. Mirrors the existing
+# ``webui.sanctioned_restart.DENY_UNKNOWN_MODE`` convention so callers and tests
+# can assert the refusal cause rather than string-matching prose.
+DENY_UNKNOWN_MODE = "unknown_mode"
+
+
+def unsupported_mode_reason(mode: object) -> str | None:
+    """Precise rejection reason for *mode*, or None when *mode* is supported.
+
+    Only the two documented string values are accepted, compared exactly — no
+    stripping, no case folding — so misspellings and whitespace variants are
+    refused rather than coerced. An empty string, ``None``, and any non-string
+    are all *explicitly supplied* unsupported values and are refused on the same
+    footing; none of them is normalised to a supported mode. Omitting the
+    argument entirely never reaches here with an unsupported value because the
+    parameter default is ``"validation"``.
+    """
+    if isinstance(mode, str) and mode in SUPPORTED_MODES:
+        return None
+    supported = ", ".join(repr(m) for m in SUPPORTED_MODES)
+    if not isinstance(mode, str):
+        return (
+            f"unsupported repository-authority mode {mode!r} of type "
+            f"{type(mode).__name__}: only {supported} are supported; the mode "
+            "is refused before any repository assessment and no repository "
+            "identity was resolved through it (fail closed)"
+        )
+    return (
+        f"unsupported repository-authority mode {mode!r}: only {supported} are "
+        "supported; the mode is refused before any repository assessment and no "
+        "repository identity was resolved through it (fail closed)"
+    )
+
 
 def configured_canonical_root(
     profile: Mapping | None,
@@ -132,6 +174,7 @@ def assess_canonical_repository_root(
     process_project_root: str,
     remote: str | None = None,
     require_binding: bool = False,
+    mode: str = "validation",
 ) -> dict:
     """Validate the canonical repository root binding, failing closed on forgery.
 
@@ -140,15 +183,41 @@ def assess_canonical_repository_root(
     ``configured`` (whether a cross-repo binding was declared),
     ``resolved_slug`` and ``source``.
 
-    Without a configured binding the single-repo default is preserved: the
+    *mode* accepts exactly the two values in :data:`SUPPORTED_MODES`:
-    canonical root is derived from *process_project_root* and never blocks
+    - ``"validation"`` (default): an independently trusted expected repository
-    (unless *require_binding* explicitly demands one).
+      slug is known (or required). Candidate root's observed identity must match.
+      Unprovable or missing expected identity fails closed when *require_binding* is True.
+    - ``"derivation"``: caller is deriving the canonical repository identity.
+      No expected slug exists yet by design. Derivation succeeds if the configured
+      root exists, is a git repository, and carries a resolvable git remote identity.
 
-    With a configured binding the path must exist, be a git repository, and —
+    Every other explicitly supplied value — unknown strings, misspellings, the
-    when *expected_slug* is known — carry a matching repository identity. A
+    empty string, ``None``, and non-strings — is refused with ``proven`` False,
-    mismatched or (when *require_binding*) unprovable identity is a forged or
+    ``block`` True, and ``reason_code`` :data:`DENY_UNKNOWN_MODE` (#973 B10).
-    conflicting binding and fails closed.
+    Omitting *mode* entirely keeps the documented ``"validation"`` default.
     """
+    # #973 B10: refuse an unsupported repository-authority mode as the very first
+    # act, before any candidate-root existence check, path or symlink resolution,
+    # git top-level discovery, remote-URL or repository-identity discovery, and
+    # before any expected-versus-observed comparison or validation/derivation
+    # behaviour. An unsupported mode previously fell into the catch-all ``else``
+    # on the configured-root path (silently receiving validation semantics) and
+    # skipped the identity comparison entirely on the single-repository default
+    # path (strictly weaker than validation), so matching identities could return
+    # ``proven`` True. No repository identity may be resolved through a mode the
+    # contract does not define.
+    mode_reason = unsupported_mode_reason(mode)
+    if mode_reason is not None:
+        return _assessment(
+            proven=False,
+            reasons=[mode_reason],
+            configured=bool((configured_value or "").strip()),
+            canonical_repo_root=None,
+            resolved_slug=None,
+            source=source,
+            reason_code=DENY_UNKNOWN_MODE,
+        )
+
     process_root = os.path.realpath(process_project_root)
     declared = (configured_value or "").strip()
 
@@ -168,12 +237,31 @@ def assess_canonical_repository_root(
             )
         # Single-repo default: canonical root follows the install checkout.
         derived = resolve_repo_toplevel(process_root) or process_root
+        resolved_slug = repository_identity_slug(derived, remote=remote)
+        reasons: list[str] = []
+        # #973 B10: the allowlist above guarantees *mode* is one of the two
+        # supported values here, so an unsupported value can no longer skip this
+        # identity comparison and end up strictly weaker than validation.
+        if mode == MODE_VALIDATION and expected_slug:
+            expected = expected_slug.strip()
+            if resolved_slug and resolved_slug.lower() != expected.lower():
+                reasons.append(
+                    f"canonical repository root identity mismatch: '{derived}' resolves "
+                    f"to repository '{resolved_slug}' but expected repository identity "
+                    f"is '{expected}' (forged or conflicting binding, fail closed)"
+                )
+            elif not resolved_slug and require_binding:
+                reasons.append(
+                    f"canonical repository root '{derived}' has no resolvable git "
+                    f"remote identity to confirm authorization for '{expected}' "
+                    "(fail closed)"
+                )
         return _assessment(
-            proven=True,
+            proven=not reasons,
-            reasons=[],
+            reasons=reasons,
             configured=False,
             canonical_repo_root=derived,
-            resolved_slug=None,
+            resolved_slug=resolved_slug,
             source=None,
         )
 
@@ -207,6 +295,17 @@ def assess_canonical_repository_root(
 
     resolved_slug = repository_identity_slug(toplevel, remote=remote)
     reasons: list[str] = []
+
+    if mode == MODE_DERIVATION:
+        if not resolved_slug:
+            reasons.append(
+                f"configured canonical repository root '{toplevel}' has no resolvable "
+                "git remote identity (fail closed)"
+            )
+    else:
+        # #973 B10: MODE_VALIDATION only. This arm is no longer a catch-all — the
+        # allowlist above admits no third value, so an unsupported mode can no
+        # longer silently receive validation semantics here.
         expected = (expected_slug or "").strip() or None
         if expected:
             if resolved_slug and resolved_slug.lower() != expected.lower():
@@ -221,6 +320,12 @@ def assess_canonical_repository_root(
                     f"remote identity to confirm authorization for '{expected}' "
                     "(fail closed)"
                 )
+        elif require_binding:
+            reasons.append(
+                f"canonical repository root '{toplevel}' has configured value "
+                f"'{configured_value}' but authoritative expected repository identity "
+                "is unprovable or missing (fail closed)"
+            )
 
     return _assessment(
         proven=not reasons,
@@ -252,10 +357,19 @@ def _assessment(
     proven: bool,
     reasons: list[str],
     configured: bool,
-    canonical_repo_root: str,
+    canonical_repo_root: str | None,
     resolved_slug: str | None,
     source: str | None,
+    reason_code: str | None = None,
 ) -> dict:
+    """Build the assessment payload.
+
+    ``canonical_repo_root`` is None only when the assessment refused to resolve
+    one at all — today exactly the unsupported-mode refusal (#973 B10), which
+    must not derive a trusted repository identity through an undefined mode.
+    ``reason_code`` is a machine-checkable refusal cause; None for every
+    ordinary (non-coded) outcome.
+    """
     return {
         "proven": proven,
         "block": not proven,
@@ -264,4 +378,5 @@ def _assessment(
         "canonical_repo_root": canonical_repo_root,
         "resolved_slug": resolved_slug,
         "source": source,
+        "reason_code": reason_code,
     }

control_plane_db.py

@@ -280,6 +280,22 @@ def _ts(dt: datetime | None = None) -> str:
     return value.astimezone(timezone.utc).replace(microsecond=0).isoformat().replace("+00:00", "Z")
 
 
+def _realpath_or_raw(value: str | None) -> str:
+    """Normalize a filesystem path for compare-and-swap equality (#970).
+
+    Symlinks and ``..`` segments must not make two spellings of the same path
+    look different, but an unresolvable path must still compare as itself
+    rather than collapsing to empty — an empty result means "no path given".
+    """
+    text = (value or "").strip()
+    if not text:
+        return ""
+    try:
+        return os.path.realpath(os.path.abspath(text))
+    except Exception:
+        return text
+
+
 def _parse_ts(value: str | None) -> datetime | None:
     if not value:
         return None
@@ -1913,6 +1929,168 @@ class ControlPlaneDB:
                 ),
             )
 
+    def retire_lease_worktree_path(
+        self,
+        lease_id: str,
+        *,
+        expected_path: str | None = None,
+        expected_status: str | None = None,
+        expected_session_id: str | None = None,
+        expected_owner_pid: int | None = None,
+        reason: str = "missing_worktree_path_retired",
+    ) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Retire a missing worktree_path binding from a control-plane lease (#970).
+
+        Clears worktree_path on the lease row, updates provenance_json with
+        durable retirement audit proof, and writes a worktree_binding_retired
+        event.
+
+        The update is a compare-and-swap (#970 review 644 B1/B3): the caller
+        states the exact path it audited and, when known, the lease status,
+        owning session, and owner pid it classified against. Every stated value
+        must still match the stored row, and the ``UPDATE`` itself is keyed on
+        the stored ``worktree_path``, so a concurrent writer that moved or
+        replaced the binding between audit and apply loses the race instead of
+        having its value silently overwritten. A mismatch raises and mutates
+        nothing.
+
+        ``expected_path`` is mandatory: a retirement that does not name the path
+        it intends to clear cannot be safe against concurrent recreation.
+        """
+        now_s = _ts()
+        expected_norm = _realpath_or_raw(expected_path)
+        if not expected_norm:
+            raise ControlPlaneError(
+                f"cannot retire lease {lease_id} worktree_path: expected_path is "
+                "required for compare-and-swap retirement (fail closed)"
+            )
+        with self._tx() as conn:
+            cols = self._lease_columns(conn)
+            row = conn.execute(
+                "SELECT * FROM leases WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                (lease_id,),
+            ).fetchone()
+            if not row:
+                raise ControlPlaneError(f"unknown lease_id {lease_id}")
+
+            record = dict(row)
+            current_wt = (record.get("worktree_path") or "").strip()
+
+            if not current_wt:
+                # Idempotent: the binding this caller audited is already gone.
+                return {
+                    "lease_id": lease_id,
+                    "retired": False,
+                    "already_retired": True,
+                    "prior_worktree_path": "",
+                    "expected_worktree_path": expected_path,
+                    "reason": reason,
+                    "compare_and_swap": {
+                        "matched": True,
+                        "outcome": "already_retired",
+                    },
+                }
+
+            if _realpath_or_raw(current_wt) != expected_norm:
+                raise ControlPlaneError(
+                    f"cannot retire lease {lease_id} worktree_path: expected "
+                    f"'{expected_path}' does not match current '{current_wt}' "
+                    "(fail closed)"
+                )
+
+            for field, expected_value in (
+                ("status", expected_status),
+                ("session_id", expected_session_id),
+            ):
+                if expected_value is None:
+                    continue
+                current_value = record.get(field)
+                if str(current_value or "").strip() != str(expected_value).strip():
+                    raise ControlPlaneError(
+                        f"cannot retire lease {lease_id} worktree_path: lease "
+                        f"{field} changed since audit (expected "
+                        f"'{expected_value}', found '{current_value}'); fail closed"
+                    )
+
+            if expected_owner_pid is not None:
+                current_pid = record.get("owner_pid")
+                if current_pid is not None and int(current_pid) != int(expected_owner_pid):
+                    raise ControlPlaneError(
+                        f"cannot retire lease {lease_id} worktree_path: lease "
+                        f"owner_pid changed since audit (expected "
+                        f"{expected_owner_pid}, found {current_pid}); fail closed"
+                    )
+
+            # Parse and update provenance_json
+            raw_prov = record.get("provenance_json") or "{}"
+            try:
+                prov = json.loads(raw_prov) if isinstance(raw_prov, str) else dict(raw_prov)
+            except Exception:
+                prov = {}
+            if not isinstance(prov, dict):
+                prov = {}
+
+            prior_path = current_wt
+            prov.update({
+                "worktree_path_retired": True,
+                "retired_worktree_path": prior_path,
+                "retired_at": now_s,
+                "retirement_reason": reason,
+                "retired_from_status": record.get("status"),
+                "retired_from_session_id": record.get("session_id"),
+                "worktree_path": "",
+            })
+            prov_json = json.dumps(prov)
+
+            if "worktree_path" in cols:
+                # CAS: keyed on the exact stored path this caller audited.
+                cur = conn.execute(
+                    "UPDATE leases SET worktree_path = '', provenance_json = ? "
+                    "WHERE lease_id = ? AND worktree_path = ?",
+                    (prov_json, lease_id, record.get("worktree_path")),
+                )
+                if cur.rowcount != 1:
+                    raise ControlPlaneError(
+                        f"cannot retire lease {lease_id} worktree_path: "
+                        "compare-and-swap matched no row (concurrent change); "
+                        "fail closed"
+                    )
+            else:
+                conn.execute(
+                    "UPDATE leases SET provenance_json = ? WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                    (prov_json, lease_id),
+                )
+
+            conn.execute(
+                """
+                INSERT INTO events(work_item_id, event_type, message, created_at)
+                VALUES (?, 'worktree_binding_retired', ?, ?)
+                """,
+                (
+                    record["work_item_id"],
+                    f"lease {lease_id} worktree_path '{prior_path}' retired: {reason}",
+                    now_s,
+                ),
+            )
+
+            return {
+                "lease_id": lease_id,
+                "retired": True,
+                "already_retired": False,
+                "prior_worktree_path": prior_path,
+                "expected_worktree_path": expected_path,
+                "retired_at": now_s,
+                "reason": reason,
+                "compare_and_swap": {
+                    "matched": True,
+                    "outcome": "retired",
+                    "expected_status": expected_status,
+                    "expected_session_id": expected_session_id,
+                    "expected_owner_pid": expected_owner_pid,
+                },
+            }
+
+
     def abandon_lease(
         self,
         *,
@@ -3051,3 +3229,123 @@ class ControlPlaneDB:
             "live_lease_id": None if live_lease_id is None else str(live_lease_id),
             "reconcile_action": "reconcile_required" if stale else "safe_to_resume",
         }
+
+    def retire_session_checkpoint_worktree_path(
+        self,
+        session_id: str,
+        *,
+        checkpoint_id: str | None = None,
+        expected_path: str | None = None,
+        expected_status: str | None = None,
+        reason: str = "missing_worktree_path_retired",
+    ) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Retire a missing worktree_path from session_checkpoints (#970).
+
+        Compare-and-swap, mirroring :meth:`retire_lease_worktree_path` (#970
+        review 644 B3). ``expected_path`` names the exact stored path the caller
+        audited; the guarded ``UPDATE`` is keyed on that stored value, so a
+        checkpoint whose path was moved, replaced, or concurrently rewritten
+        after the audit is refused without mutation rather than blindly cleared.
+
+        Exactly one checkpoint row is targeted: by ``checkpoint_id`` when given,
+        otherwise by ``session_id``, which must identify a single row.
+        """
+        now_s = _ts()
+        expected_norm = _realpath_or_raw(expected_path)
+        if not expected_norm:
+            raise ControlPlaneError(
+                "cannot retire session checkpoint worktree_path: expected_path "
+                "is required for compare-and-swap retirement (fail closed)"
+            )
+        if not checkpoint_id and not (session_id or "").strip():
+            raise ControlPlaneError(
+                "cannot retire session checkpoint worktree_path: checkpoint_id "
+                "or session_id is required (fail closed)"
+            )
+
+        with self._tx() as conn:
+            if checkpoint_id:
+                selector_sql = "SELECT * FROM session_checkpoints WHERE checkpoint_id = ?"
+                selector_params: tuple[Any, ...] = (checkpoint_id,)
+                selector_desc = f"checkpoint_id '{checkpoint_id}'"
+            else:
+                selector_sql = "SELECT * FROM session_checkpoints WHERE session_id = ?"
+                selector_params = (session_id,)
+                selector_desc = f"session_id '{session_id}'"
+
+            rows = [dict(r) for r in conn.execute(selector_sql, selector_params).fetchall()]
+            if not rows:
+                raise ControlPlaneError(
+                    f"cannot retire session checkpoint worktree_path: no "
+                    f"checkpoint matches {selector_desc} (fail closed)"
+                )
+            if len(rows) > 1:
+                raise ControlPlaneError(
+                    f"cannot retire session checkpoint worktree_path: "
+                    f"{selector_desc} matches {len(rows)} checkpoints; supply an "
+                    "exact checkpoint_id (fail closed)"
+                )
+
+            record = rows[0]
+            target_checkpoint_id = record.get("checkpoint_id")
+            current_wt = (record.get("worktree_path") or "").strip()
+
+            if not current_wt:
+                # Idempotent: the binding this caller audited is already gone.
+                return {
+                    "session_id": session_id,
+                    "checkpoint_id": target_checkpoint_id,
+                    "retired": False,
+                    "already_retired": True,
+                    "prior_worktree_path": "",
+                    "expected_worktree_path": expected_path,
+                    "reason": reason,
+                    "compare_and_swap": {
+                        "matched": True,
+                        "outcome": "already_retired",
+                    },
+                }
+
+            if _realpath_or_raw(current_wt) != expected_norm:
+                raise ControlPlaneError(
+                    f"cannot retire session checkpoint worktree_path for "
+                    f"{selector_desc}: expected '{expected_path}' does not match "
+                    f"current '{current_wt}' (fail closed)"
+                )
+
+            if expected_status is not None:
+                current_status = record.get("status")
+                if str(current_status or "").strip() != str(expected_status).strip():
+                    raise ControlPlaneError(
+                        f"cannot retire session checkpoint worktree_path for "
+                        f"{selector_desc}: status changed since audit (expected "
+                        f"'{expected_status}', found '{current_status}'); fail closed"
+                    )
+
+            cur = conn.execute(
+                "UPDATE session_checkpoints SET worktree_path = '', updated_at = ? "
+                "WHERE checkpoint_id = ? AND worktree_path = ?",
+                (now_s, target_checkpoint_id, record.get("worktree_path")),
+            )
+            if cur.rowcount != 1:
+                raise ControlPlaneError(
+                    f"cannot retire session checkpoint worktree_path for "
+                    f"{selector_desc}: compare-and-swap matched no row "
+                    "(concurrent change); fail closed"
+                )
+
+            return {
+                "session_id": session_id,
+                "checkpoint_id": target_checkpoint_id,
+                "retired": True,
+                "already_retired": False,
+                "prior_worktree_path": current_wt,
+                "expected_worktree_path": expected_path,
+                "retired_at": now_s,
+                "reason": reason,
+                "compare_and_swap": {
+                    "matched": True,
+                    "outcome": "retired",
+                    "expected_status": expected_status,
+                },
+            }

docs/mcp-tool-inventory.md

@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ that gates each call, not which tools exist.
 - `gitea_assess_work_issue_duplicate`
 - `gitea_assess_worktree_cleanup_integrity`
 - `gitea_audit_config`
+- `gitea_audit_missing_worktree_bindings`
 - `gitea_audit_runtime_recovery_contamination`
 - `gitea_audit_stable_branch_contamination`
 - `gitea_audit_worktree_cleanup`
@@ -126,16 +127,20 @@ that gates each call, not which tools exist.
 - `gitea_post_heartbeat`
 - `gitea_publish_unpublished_issue_branch`
 - `gitea_quarantine_contaminated_review`
+- `gitea_rebind_dirty_same_claimant_author_session`
 - `gitea_reclaim_expired_workflow_lease`
+- `gitea_reconcile_after_restart`
 - `gitea_reconcile_already_landed_pr`
 - `gitea_reconcile_issue_claims`
 - `gitea_reconcile_merged_cleanups`
+- `gitea_reconcile_missing_worktree_bindings`
 - `gitea_reconcile_superseded_by_merged_pr`
 - `gitea_record_daemon_process_kill_attempt`
 - `gitea_record_irrecoverable_decision_lock_provenance`
 - `gitea_record_pre_review_command`
 - `gitea_record_shell_spawn_outcome`
 - `gitea_record_stable_branch_push_attempt`
+- `gitea_recover_dirty_orphaned_issue_worktree`
 - `gitea_recover_incomplete_bootstrap_lock`
 - `gitea_release_merger_pr_lease`
 - `gitea_release_reviewer_pr_lease`

gitea_config.py

@@ -1180,6 +1180,10 @@ RECOGNIZED_GITEA_ENV_KEYS = frozenset({
     "GITEA_SERVER_PROVENANCE",
     "GITEA_AUTHOR_WORKTREE",
     "GITEA_ACTIVE_WORKTREE",
+    "GITEA_REVIEWER_WORKTREE",
+    "GITEA_MERGER_WORKTREE",
+    "GITEA_CANONICAL_REPOSITORY_ROOT",
+    "GITEA_MCP_SESSION_STATE_TTL_HOURS",
     "GITEA_DISABLE_KEYCHAIN",
     "GITEA_CONTROL_PLANE_DB",
     "GITEA_DB_PATH",
@@ -1189,6 +1193,22 @@ RECOGNIZED_GITEA_ENV_KEYS = frozenset({
     "GITEA_IRRECOVERABLE_HMAC_SECRET",
     "GITEA_FORCE_MCP_RUNTIME_CHECK",
     "GITEA_FORCE_CLIENT_MANAGED",
+    # #975: the client-identity inputs the server actually consumes at startup
+    # (CLIENT_NAME_ENV / CLIENT_INSTANCE_ENV / CLIENT_SESSION_ENV in
+    # gitea_mcp_server). Production read them while this allowlist omitted them,
+    # so the peer-env scan classified them as unsupported overrides and the
+    # capability resolver refused every mutation fleet-wide. Named individually
+    # on purpose: no prefix is added, so an unrecognised GITEA_* override is
+    # still refused exactly as it was before.
+    "GITEA_MCP_CLIENT",
+    "GITEA_MCP_CLIENT_INSTANCE",
+    "GITEA_MCP_CLIENT_SESSION",
+    # #975 review 652 B1: production also consumes HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_ENV from
+    # mcp_worker_identity via gitea_mcp_server._start_worker_heartbeat. Omitting
+    # it reproduced the same unsupported-env → runtime_reconnect_required
+    # failure mode for the documented operator override. Named individually;
+    # no GITEA_* / GITEA_WORKER_* prefix is added.
+    "GITEA_WORKER_HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_SECONDS",
 })
 
 RECOGNIZED_GITEA_ENV_PREFIXES = (

gitea_mcp_server.py

@@ -500,10 +500,66 @@ def _resolve_preflight_workspace_path(worktree_path: str | None = None) -> str:
     return workspace
 
 
-def _resolve_namespace_mutation_context(worktree_path: str | None = None) -> dict:
+def _process_root_git_remote_url(remote_name: str) -> str | None:
+    """Best-effort local ``git remote get-url`` strictly inside ``PROJECT_ROOT``.
+
+    #973 (B8): Must derive expected repository identity from an authority
+    independent of the candidate configured canonical root.
+    """
+    try:
+        proc = subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "remote", "get-url", remote_name],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            cwd=PROJECT_ROOT,
+        )
+        if proc.returncode != 0:
+            return None
+        url = (proc.stdout or "").strip()
+        return url or None
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+
+
+def _resolve_expected_repository_slug(
+    remote: str | None = None,
+    org: str | None = None,
+    repo: str | None = None,
+) -> str | None:
+    """Resolve expected repository slug from session context, parameters, or process root.
+
+    Must derive expected repository identity ONLY from trusted sources independent
+    of the candidate configured canonical root (#973 B8).
+
+    Bound session context takes precedence over request parameters so request-supplied
+    coordinates cannot replace a bound canonical root (#741 / #973 B9).
+    """
+    bound = session_ctx.get_session_context() or {}
+    b_org = bound.get("org")
+    b_repo = bound.get("repository")
+    if b_org and b_repo:
+        return session_ctx.format_repository_slug(b_org, b_repo)
+    if org and repo:
+        return session_ctx.format_repository_slug(org, repo)
+    eff_remote = remote or bound.get("remote") or _effective_remote()
+    parsed = remote_repo_guard.parse_org_repo_from_remote_url(
+        _process_root_git_remote_url(eff_remote)
+    )
+    if parsed:
+        return session_ctx.format_repository_slug(parsed[0], parsed[1])
+    return None
+
+
+def _resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
+    worktree_path: str | None = None,
+    remote: str | None = None,
+) -> dict:
     """Canonical namespace workspace + repository root for guards (#460/#510/#706/#618)."""
     role = _effective_workspace_role()
     configured_root, _source = _configured_canonical_root()
+    bound = session_ctx.get_session_context() or {}
+    eff_remote = remote or bound.get("remote") or _effective_remote()
+    expected_slug = _resolve_expected_repository_slug(eff_remote)
     return nwb.resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
         role_kind=role,
         worktree_path=worktree_path,
@@ -516,9 +572,12 @@ def _resolve_namespace_mutation_context(worktree_path: str | None = None) -> dic
         ),
         profile_name=get_profile().get("profile_name"),
         configured_canonical_root=configured_root,
+        expected_slug=expected_slug,
+        remote=eff_remote,
     )
 
 
+
 def _resolve_author_mutation_context(worktree_path: str | None = None) -> dict:
     """Backward-compatible alias for namespace workspace context."""
     return _resolve_namespace_mutation_context(worktree_path)
@@ -620,6 +679,9 @@ def _preflight_workspace_details(worktree_path: str | None, dirty_files: list[st
         inspected_root = _get_git_root(workspace)
     process_root = ctx["process_project_root"]
     canonical_root = ctx["canonical_repo_root"]
+    crr_assessment = ctx.get("canonical_root_assessment") or {}
+    resolved_slug = crr_assessment.get("resolved_slug")
+    expected_slug = ctx.get("expected_slug")
     active_root = os.path.realpath(inspected_root or workspace)
     if active_root == canonical_root:
         dirty_scope = "control checkout"
@@ -649,6 +711,10 @@ def _preflight_workspace_details(worktree_path: str | None, dirty_files: list[st
         "workspace_healthy": not bool(
             ctx.get("bound_worktree_missing") or ctx.get("author_worktree_block")
         ),
+        "canonical_root_assessment": crr_assessment,
+        "expected_repository_slug": expected_slug,
+        "observed_repository_identity": resolved_slug,
+        "worktree_registration_result": ctx.get("in_git_worktree_list"),
     }
     if not ctx["roots_aligned"]:
         details["workspace_root_mismatch"] = (
@@ -658,6 +724,7 @@ def _preflight_workspace_details(worktree_path: str | None, dirty_files: list[st
     return details
 
 
+
 def _format_preflight_workspace_details(details: dict) -> str:
     parts = [
         f"MCP server process root: {details.get('mcp_server_process_root')}",
@@ -930,10 +997,7 @@ def _enforce_canonical_repository_root(
     if not configured_value:
         return
 
-    bound = session_ctx.get_session_context() or {}
+    expected_slug = _resolve_expected_repository_slug(remote)
-    expected_slug = session_ctx.format_repository_slug(
-        bound.get("org"), bound.get("repository")
-    )
     assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
         configured_value=configured_value,
         source=source,
@@ -1852,8 +1916,16 @@ def _verify_role_mutation_workspace(
             if runtime_reasons:
                 raise RuntimeError("; ".join(runtime_reasons))
     except Exception as exc:
-        if "stale-runtime:" in str(exc):
+        # #975: ``_check_mcp_runtimes_diagnostics`` raises every reason it
-            raise RuntimeError(str(exc))
+        # produces through this one RuntimeError, but only ``stale-runtime:``
+        # was re-raised here — an ``unsupported-env:`` reason was swallowed
+        # while still failing the capability resolver, so this preflight and
+        # the resolver disagreed about the identical diagnostic. Both
+        # authoritative prefixes now propagate the same way. This can only ever
+        # widen what is refused, never widen what is permitted.
+        message = str(exc)
+        if any(prefix in message for prefix in RUNTIME_DIAGNOSTIC_HARD_PREFIXES):
+            raise RuntimeError(message)
         pass
 
     role = _effective_workspace_role()
@@ -1866,6 +1938,9 @@ def _verify_role_mutation_workspace(
     # back to the install checkout and validated Gitea-Tools/branches/ instead
     # of the target repository the namespace is actually bound to.
     _configured_root, _configured_source = _configured_canonical_root()
+    bound = session_ctx.get_session_context() or {}
+    eff_remote = remote or bound.get("remote") or _effective_remote()
+    expected_slug = _resolve_expected_repository_slug(eff_remote, org=org, repo=repo)
     assessment = nwb.assess_namespace_mutation_workspace(
         role_kind=role,
         worktree_path=worktree_path,
@@ -1880,6 +1955,8 @@ def _verify_role_mutation_workspace(
         profile_name=get_profile().get("profile_name"),
         current_branch=git_state.get("current_branch"),
         configured_canonical_root=_configured_root,
+        expected_slug=expected_slug,
+        remote=eff_remote,
     )
     if assessment["block"]:
         raise RuntimeError(
@@ -2184,6 +2261,7 @@ def _canonical_repository_slug(
         process_project_root=PROJECT_ROOT,
         remote=remote,
         require_binding=True,
+        mode="derivation",
     )
     slug = assessment.get("resolved_slug")
     if assessment.get("block") or not slug:
@@ -3414,7 +3492,7 @@ def cleanup_in_progress_for_pr(
 
 # ── Helpers ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-def _effective_remote(remote: str) -> str:
+def _effective_remote(remote: str = "dadeschools") -> str:
     """If remote is the default ('dadeschools') but the active profile base_url maps to a known remote, use that remote instead."""
     try:
         profile = get_profile()
@@ -13547,6 +13625,162 @@ def gitea_scan_already_landed_open_prs(
     }
 
 
+@mcp.tool()
+def gitea_audit_missing_worktree_bindings(
+    remote: str = "dadeschools",
+    host: str | None = None,
+    org: str | None = None,
+    repo: str | None = None,
+) -> dict:
+    """Read-only: audit and classify worktree bindings whose paths are missing on disk (#970).
+
+    Correlates missing-path bindings from control-plane leases, session checkpoints,
+    and issue locks with repository, host, branch, issue/PR, session, and lease state.
+    Distinguishes deleted worktrees from moved paths, host/mount failures, and live
+    leases/sessions.
+
+    Args:
+        remote: Known instance — 'dadeschools' or 'prgs'.
+        host: Override the Gitea host.
+        org: Override the owner/organization.
+        repo: Override the repository name.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict with audit counts, missing binding classifications, and resolution status.
+    """
+    read_block = _profile_operation_gate("gitea.read")
+    if read_block:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "performed": False,
+            "reasons": read_block,
+            "permission_report": _permission_block_report("gitea.read"),
+        }
+
+    import missing_worktree_reconcile
+    db, _ = _control_plane_db_or_error()
+    root = _canonical_local_git_root()
+    h, o, r = _resolve(remote, host, org, repo)
+
+    return missing_worktree_reconcile.audit_missing_worktree_bindings(
+        db,
+        project_root=root,
+        remote=remote,
+        org=o,
+        repo=r,
+        host=h,
+    )
+
+
+@mcp.tool()
+def gitea_reconcile_missing_worktree_bindings(
+    dry_run: bool = True,
+    # Deprecated: retained so callers that still pass it get an explicit deny.
+    operator_authorized: bool = False,
+    remote: str = "dadeschools",
+    host: str | None = None,
+    org: str | None = None,
+    repo: str | None = None,
+) -> dict:
+    """Audit and safely resolve (retire) missing worktree path bindings (#970).
+
+    Identifies confirmed stale deleted worktree bindings, re-validates them
+    against a fresh authoritative read immediately before mutation to prevent
+    recreation and ownership races, and retires only the exact stale bindings
+    while preserving unrelated worktrees and Git metadata.
+
+    Apply mode (``dry_run=False``) is authorized **server-side** (#970 review
+    644 B2): it requires the reconciler-only ``gitea.branch.delete``
+    capability, the resolved ``reconcile_missing_worktree_bindings`` task
+    capability, and an active cleanup phase minted through
+    ``gitea_authorize_reconciliation_cleanup_phase``. A caller-supplied
+    ``operator_authorized`` is never authorization evidence (#709 F1 /
+    review 434) and is rejected outright. Dry-run stays available to any
+    ``gitea.read`` profile and never mutates.
+
+    Args:
+        dry_run: If True (default), reports planned mutations without modifying state.
+        operator_authorized: Rejected. Authorization is a server-side artifact.
+        remote: Known instance — 'dadeschools' or 'prgs'.
+        host: Override the Gitea host.
+        org: Override the owner/organization.
+        repo: Override the repository name.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict with before/after audit state, resolutions, and dimension status.
+    """
+    import missing_worktree_reconcile
+
+    # Explicitly reject the self-assertable Boolean before anything else, so it
+    # can never combine with a legitimate gate to authorize a mutation.
+    if operator_authorized:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "performed": False,
+            "reason": "operator_authorized_rejected",
+            "reasons": [missing_worktree_reconcile.OPERATOR_AUTHORIZED_REJECTION],
+            "exact_next_action": (
+                "authorize cleanup via gitea_authorize_reconciliation_cleanup_phase "
+                "from a reconciler profile, then re-run with dry_run=False"
+            ),
+        }
+
+    read_block = _profile_operation_gate("gitea.read")
+    if read_block:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "performed": False,
+            "reasons": read_block,
+            "permission_report": _permission_block_report("gitea.read"),
+        }
+
+    db, db_errs = _control_plane_db_or_error()
+    root = _canonical_local_git_root()
+    h, o, r = _resolve(remote, host, org, repo)
+
+    profile = get_profile()
+    role = (profile.get("role") or profile.get("role_kind") or "").strip().lower()
+
+    cleanup_authorization = None
+    if not dry_run:
+        cleanup_task = missing_worktree_reconcile.CLEANUP_TASK
+        required_permission = task_capability_map.required_permission(cleanup_task)
+        capability_blockers = _profile_operation_gate(required_permission)
+        role_matches = role == task_capability_map.required_role(cleanup_task)
+        cleanup_authorization = missing_worktree_reconcile.assess_cleanup_authorization(
+            role=role,
+            capability_blockers=capability_blockers,
+            operator_authorized=False,
+            task_capability_resolved=(not capability_blockers) and role_matches,
+        )
+        if not cleanup_authorization.get("authorized"):
+            return {
+                "success": False,
+                "performed": False,
+                "reason": "cleanup_authorization_required",
+                "reasons": cleanup_authorization.get("reasons") or [],
+                "cleanup_authorization": cleanup_authorization,
+                "permission_report": _permission_block_report(required_permission),
+                "exact_next_action": (
+                    "resolve the reconcile_missing_worktree_bindings capability "
+                    "from a reconciler profile and authorize cleanup via "
+                    "gitea_authorize_reconciliation_cleanup_phase"
+                ),
+            }
+
+    return missing_worktree_reconcile.reconcile_missing_worktree_bindings(
+        db,
+        project_root=root,
+        remote=remote,
+        org=o,
+        repo=r,
+        host=h,
+        dry_run=dry_run,
+        operator_authorized=False,
+        cleanup_authorization=cleanup_authorization,
+    )
+
+
 @mcp.tool()
 def gitea_audit_worktree_cleanup(
     remote: str = "dadeschools",
@@ -15121,22 +15355,17 @@ def _current_runtime_mode_report(refresh: bool = False) -> dict:
     workspace_root = None
     aligned = None
     canonical_root = None
+    resolved_slug = None
     try:
         ctx = _resolve_namespace_mutation_context(None)
         workspace_root = ctx.get("workspace_path")
         canonical_root = ctx.get("canonical_repo_root")
-        # Alignment keeps its established repository-level meaning (#615 F1):
-        # does this namespace target the repository the process is installed in,
-        # i.e. canonical_repo_root == process_project_root. It is deliberately
-        # NOT path equality between the task workspace and the process root --
-        # the global worktree rule requires task work to live in a branches/
-        # worktree, so that comparison would classify every correctly bound
-        # author, reviewer, and merger session as unsafe.
         aligned = ctx.get("roots_aligned")
+        crr_assessment = ctx.get("canonical_root_assessment") or {}
+        resolved_slug = crr_assessment.get("resolved_slug")
     except Exception:
-        # An unresolvable binding is reported as unknown alignment, never as
-        # proof of alignment.
         aligned = None
+        resolved_slug = None
     try:
         profile_name = get_profile()["profile_name"]
     except Exception:
@@ -15149,6 +15378,7 @@ def _current_runtime_mode_report(refresh: bool = False) -> dict:
         dirty_files=dirty_files,
         active_task_workspace=workspace_root,
         canonical_repository_root=canonical_root,
+        repository_slug=resolved_slug,
         workspace_roots_aligned=aligned,
         profile=profile_name,
         declared_mode=stable_control_runtime.declared_runtime_mode(),
@@ -15492,6 +15722,10 @@ _WORKER_REGISTRY = None
 _WORKER_IDENTITY: str | None = None
 _WORKER_GENERATION: str | None = None
 _WORKER_REGISTRATION_ATTEMPTED = False
+#: #975: the one heartbeat supervisor for this process's registration. One
+#: process registers exactly one worker identity, so there is exactly one
+#: supervisor and it is never replaced.
+_WORKER_HEARTBEAT_SUPERVISOR = None
 
 #: Env a client launcher may set to name itself and its session. Absent values
 #: are reported as unknown; they are never guessed at, because guessing is what
@@ -15578,6 +15812,17 @@ def _active_worker_identity() -> str | None:
             if outcome.get("registered"):
                 _WORKER_IDENTITY = identity
                 _WORKER_GENERATION = generation
+                # #975: registration is the only moment identity and fencing
+                # epoch are both known, so the heartbeat supervisor is started
+                # here. Without it ``last_heartbeat_at`` never left
+                # ``started_at`` and every healthy client lost ownership at the
+                # TTL.
+                _start_worker_heartbeat(
+                    identity=identity,
+                    fencing_epoch=outcome.get("fencing_epoch"),
+                    hints=hints,
+                    generation=generation,
+                )
                 return identity
             if not outcome.get("collision"):
                 return None
@@ -15588,6 +15833,78 @@ def _active_worker_identity() -> str | None:
     return None
 
 
+def _start_worker_heartbeat(
+    *,
+    identity: str,
+    fencing_epoch,
+    hints: dict,
+    generation: str | None,
+) -> None:
+    """Attach a heartbeat supervisor to the registration just created (#975).
+
+    Never raises: a supervisor that cannot start leaves the row exactly as
+    ``register()`` wrote it, which is the pre-#975 behaviour, rather than
+    failing the tool call that happened to trigger lazy registration.
+
+    Under pytest the thread is deliberately not started. Tests drive
+    ``WorkerHeartbeatSupervisor`` directly with an injected clock, so the suite
+    proves the lifecycle without leaving background sqlite writers behind.
+    """
+    global _WORKER_HEARTBEAT_SUPERVISOR
+    if _WORKER_HEARTBEAT_SUPERVISOR is not None:
+        return
+    registry = _worker_registry()
+    if registry is None or fencing_epoch is None:
+        return
+    try:
+        supervisor = mcp_worker_identity.WorkerHeartbeatSupervisor(
+            registry,
+            worker_identity=identity,
+            fencing_epoch=int(fencing_epoch),
+            session_id=hints.get("session_id"),
+            generation_id=generation,
+            client_name=hints.get("client_name"),
+            pid=os.getpid(),
+            ttl_seconds=mcp_worker_identity.DEFAULT_HEARTBEAT_TTL_SECONDS,
+            interval_seconds=os.environ.get(
+                mcp_worker_identity.HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_ENV
+            ),
+        )
+        _WORKER_HEARTBEAT_SUPERVISOR = supervisor
+        if not mcp_daemon_guard.is_pytest_runtime():
+            supervisor.start()
+    except Exception:
+        return
+
+
+def _worker_heartbeat_status() -> dict:
+    """Read-only heartbeat observability for ``gitea_get_runtime_context`` (#975).
+
+    Reports the unsupervised case explicitly rather than omitting the key, so an
+    operator can tell "no supervisor" apart from "supervisor with no beats yet".
+    """
+    supervisor = _WORKER_HEARTBEAT_SUPERVISOR
+    if supervisor is None:
+        return {
+            "supervised": False,
+            "running": False,
+            "reasons": [
+                "no worker heartbeat supervisor is attached to this process; the "
+                "registration is not being renewed and will go stale at its TTL"
+            ],
+        }
+    try:
+        status = dict(supervisor.status())
+    except Exception as exc:
+        return {
+            "supervised": True,
+            "running": False,
+            "reasons": [f"heartbeat status unavailable: {type(exc).__name__}: {exc}"],
+        }
+    status.setdefault("reasons", [])
+    return status
+
+
 def _active_role_kind_safe() -> str | None:
     """Best-effort role for the registry record; never raises into a tool call.
 
@@ -19229,6 +19546,11 @@ def gitea_get_runtime_context(
         "fencing_epoch": provenance_assessment["fencing_epoch"],
         "conflicting_live_sessions": provenance_assessment["conflicting_live_sessions"],
         "provenance_assessment": provenance_assessment,
+        # #975: whether this registration is actually being renewed. Read-only,
+        # and it grants nothing — ownership still comes from the attachment
+        # record above. It exists so "my heartbeat stopped" is diagnosable
+        # before the TTL turns it into session_attachment_missing.
+        "worker_heartbeat": _worker_heartbeat_status(),
         "unconsumed_gitea_env": unconsumed_env,
         "preflight_ready": preflight["preflight_ready"],
         "preflight_block_reasons": preflight["preflight_block_reasons"],
@@ -21737,6 +22059,17 @@ def gitea_route_task_session(
 # self-recovery was removed from the read-only path (was _trigger_mcp_auto_restart).
 # Recovery is owned exclusively by the IDE/client reconnect path.
 
+#: Every reason prefix ``_check_mcp_runtimes_diagnostics`` can emit. Callers
+#: raise its reasons as one RuntimeError, and #975 found that the preflight
+#: re-raise recognised only ``stale-runtime:``, silently dropping
+#: ``unsupported-env:`` while the capability resolver still failed on it. This
+#: lives beside the producer so a newly added reason family cannot be forgotten
+#: by a distant re-raise predicate again.
+RUNTIME_DIAGNOSTIC_HARD_PREFIXES: tuple[str, ...] = (
+    "stale-runtime:",
+    "unsupported-env:",
+)
+
 
 def _check_mcp_runtimes_diagnostics(task: str, matching_profiles: list[str]) -> list[str]:
     """Read-only: report missing or stale MCP runtimes (no config or process mutation).

mcp_worker_identity.py

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ implements:
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import atexit
 import hashlib
 import os
 import re
@@ -123,6 +124,103 @@ DEFAULT_REGISTRY_PATH = os.path.expanduser(
 #: worker within a single operator coffee break.
 DEFAULT_HEARTBEAT_TTL_SECONDS = 900.0
 
+#: Optional operator override for the beat interval, in seconds. Clamped by
+#: :func:`heartbeat_interval_for` so it can never be set at or above the TTL.
+HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_ENV = "GITEA_WORKER_HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_SECONDS"
+
+#: Never beat faster than this, so a misconfigured interval cannot turn the
+#: supervisor into a busy sqlite writer.
+MIN_HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_SECONDS = 1.0
+
+
+def heartbeat_interval_for(
+    ttl_seconds: float = DEFAULT_HEARTBEAT_TTL_SECONDS,
+    override: str | float | None = None,
+) -> float:
+    """Beat interval for *ttl_seconds*: one third of the TTL, capped at a half.
+
+    #975. A third means two consecutive beats can be lost before the row is
+    allowed to look stale, and the half-TTL cap is a hard ceiling so no
+    override can produce an interval that expires the registration it is
+    supposed to renew. That is the whole liveness contract: a healthy worker
+    stays owned, and a worker that has genuinely stopped beating still expires
+    on the configured TTL — this function never touches the TTL itself.
+    """
+    try:
+        ttl = float(ttl_seconds)
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        ttl = DEFAULT_HEARTBEAT_TTL_SECONDS
+    if not ttl > 0:
+        ttl = DEFAULT_HEARTBEAT_TTL_SECONDS
+
+    interval = ttl / 3.0
+    if override is not None:
+        candidate = str(override).strip()
+        if candidate:
+            try:
+                parsed = float(candidate)
+            except (TypeError, ValueError):
+                parsed = None
+            if parsed is not None and parsed > 0:
+                interval = parsed
+
+    ceiling = ttl / 2.0
+    if interval > ceiling:
+        interval = ceiling
+    if interval < MIN_HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_SECONDS:
+        interval = min(MIN_HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_SECONDS, ceiling)
+    return interval
+
+
+#: Recorded-vs-presented pairs compared by :func:`_heartbeat_expectation_drift`.
+_HEARTBEAT_EXPECTATION_FIELDS = (
+    "session_id",
+    "generation_id",
+    "client_name",
+    "pid",
+)
+
+
+def _heartbeat_expectation_drift(
+    record: dict[str, Any],
+    *,
+    expected_session_id: str | None = None,
+    expected_generation_id: str | None = None,
+    expected_client_name: str | None = None,
+    expected_pid: int | None = None,
+) -> list[tuple[str, Any, Any]]:
+    """Return ``(field, recorded, presented)`` for every mismatched expectation.
+
+    Only supplied expectations are compared, so a caller that presents nothing
+    gets the pre-#975 behaviour. ``client_name`` is compared through
+    :func:`normalize_client_name` so one application's namespaces stay one
+    client while genuinely different clients stay distinct.
+    """
+    presented = {
+        "session_id": expected_session_id,
+        "generation_id": expected_generation_id,
+        "client_name": (
+            normalize_client_name(expected_client_name)
+            if expected_client_name is not None
+            else None
+        ),
+        "pid": expected_pid,
+    }
+    drift: list[tuple[str, Any, Any]] = []
+    for field in _HEARTBEAT_EXPECTATION_FIELDS:
+        want = presented[field]
+        if want is None:
+            continue
+        got = record.get(field)
+        if field == "pid":
+            match = got is not None and int(got) == int(want)
+        else:
+            match = got == want
+        if not match:
+            drift.append((field, got, want))
+    return drift
+
+
 STATUS_ACTIVE = "active"
 STATUS_SUPERSEDED = "superseded"
 STATUS_RELEASED = "released"
@@ -786,11 +884,25 @@ class WorkerRegistry:
         worker_identity: str,
         fencing_epoch: int,
         now: datetime | None = None,
+        expected_session_id: str | None = None,
+        expected_generation_id: str | None = None,
+        expected_client_name: str | None = None,
+        expected_pid: int | None = None,
     ) -> dict[str, Any]:
         """Renew only the owning registration (#948 AC11).
 
         A stale epoch is refused rather than silently renewed, so a superseded
         session that resumes cannot heartbeat its way back into ownership.
+
+        #975 adds optional keyword-only *expectations*. Every one supplied must
+        match the recorded row or the renewal is refused. They exist because
+        identity plus epoch cannot express "renew the row I registered, and only
+        that row": a recycled PID, or a second session of the same client, would
+        otherwise be renewable by the wrong beater. They are fencing tokens,
+        never assertions — supplying one can only cause a refusal, never grant
+        anything, and omitting them preserves the pre-#975 behaviour exactly.
+        Drift reports the existing ``BLOCKER_FENCED`` rather than a new
+        ``blocker_kind``, because consumers switch on that value.
         """
         stamp = _ts(now or _utc_now())
         with self._tx() as conn:
@@ -807,6 +919,30 @@ class WorkerRegistry:
                     "reasons": [f"no registration for {worker_identity!r}"],
                 }
             record = self._row_to_record(row)
+            drift = _heartbeat_expectation_drift(
+                record,
+                expected_session_id=expected_session_id,
+                expected_generation_id=expected_generation_id,
+                expected_client_name=expected_client_name,
+                expected_pid=expected_pid,
+            )
+            if drift:
+                return {
+                    "success": False,
+                    "renewed": False,
+                    "mutation_performed": False,
+                    "blocker_kind": BLOCKER_FENCED,
+                    "expectation_drift": drift,
+                    "reasons": [
+                        "presented worker expectations do not match the recorded "
+                        "registration, so this beater does not own the row: "
+                        + "; ".join(
+                            f"{field} recorded {recorded!r}, presented {presented!r}"
+                            for field, recorded, presented in drift
+                        )
+                        + " (#975)"
+                    ],
+                }
             if record["status"] != STATUS_ACTIVE:
                 return {
                     "success": False,
@@ -1430,3 +1566,253 @@ def resolve_bound_remote(
             "explicitly to avoid host drift (#948)."
         ],
     }
+
+
+# --- Production heartbeat lifecycle (#975) --------------------------------
+#
+# #948 delivered ``WorkerRegistry.heartbeat()`` and nothing ever called it, so
+# ``last_heartbeat_at`` stayed pinned to ``started_at`` for every production
+# worker and ``heartbeat_ttl_seconds`` stopped being a liveness window at all —
+# it became a hard cap on how long any client could stay attached. This
+# supervisor is the missing caller.
+#
+# It is a daemon thread rather than an asyncio task or a per-request refresh
+# because the renewal has to survive an *idle* session: a client waiting on a
+# lease with no tool call in flight must not lose ownership, which rules out
+# request-driven refresh. Registration itself happens lazily inside a tool call
+# on the server's event loop, and the registry performs blocking
+# ``BEGIN IMMEDIATE`` sqlite writes, which must not run on that loop.
+# ``daemon=True`` is deliberate: a hard kill takes the thread down with the
+# process, so a dead worker still goes stale on the normal TTL.
+
+#: Refusals that mean this worker no longer owns its row. Beating again could
+#: only ever be an attempt to renew ownership it has already lost, so the
+#: supervisor stops permanently instead of retrying.
+TERMINAL_HEARTBEAT_BLOCKERS = frozenset({BLOCKER_FENCED, BLOCKER_NO_ATTACHMENT})
+
+
+class WorkerHeartbeatSupervisor:
+    """Periodically renew exactly one worker registration.
+
+    Contract:
+
+    * It never registers. A supervisor exists only for an already-registered
+      identity, so it cannot create a second registration or a second identity
+      system.
+    * Every beat presents the full expectation set, so it can renew only the row
+      matching this exact client name, worker identity, session, generation and
+      pid.
+    * A terminal refusal (fenced or missing) stops it permanently and records
+      why. A fenced session must never beat its way back into ownership.
+    * A transient failure (a locked database, say) is counted and the loop
+      continues, so one contended write does not silently end the heartbeat.
+    * Nothing here raises into a caller. ``beat_once`` returns its outcome and
+      the thread body swallows everything, because a heartbeat failure must
+      degrade to "not renewed" and never crash a tool call.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        registry: WorkerRegistry,
+        *,
+        worker_identity: str,
+        fencing_epoch: int,
+        session_id: str | None = None,
+        generation_id: str | None = None,
+        client_name: str | None = None,
+        pid: int | None = None,
+        ttl_seconds: float = DEFAULT_HEARTBEAT_TTL_SECONDS,
+        interval_seconds: float | None = None,
+        clock=None,
+    ) -> None:
+        self._registry = registry
+        self.worker_identity = worker_identity
+        self.fencing_epoch = int(fencing_epoch)
+        self.session_id = session_id
+        self.generation_id = generation_id
+        self.client_name = (
+            normalize_client_name(client_name) if client_name is not None else None
+        )
+        self.pid = int(pid) if pid is not None else None
+        self.ttl_seconds = float(ttl_seconds)
+        self.interval_seconds = (
+            heartbeat_interval_for(self.ttl_seconds)
+            if interval_seconds is None
+            else heartbeat_interval_for(self.ttl_seconds, interval_seconds)
+        )
+        #: Injectable so every TTL test uses controlled time and no test waits
+        #: for a real interval or a real TTL to elapse.
+        self._clock = clock or _utc_now
+
+        self._stop_event = threading.Event()
+        self._thread: threading.Thread | None = None
+        self._lock = threading.Lock()
+        self._atexit_registered = False
+
+        self.started = False
+        self.stopped_reason: str | None = None
+        self.beats_attempted = 0
+        self.beats_renewed = 0
+        self.transient_failures = 0
+        self.last_beat_at: str | None = None
+        self.last_result: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+
+    # -- one beat --
+
+    def beat_once(self, now: datetime | None = None) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Renew once. Never raises; returns the registry outcome or a failure."""
+        if self.stopped_reason is not None:
+            return {
+                "success": False,
+                "renewed": False,
+                "beat_attempted": False,
+                "reasons": [
+                    f"supervisor already stopped: {self.stopped_reason}"
+                ],
+            }
+
+        stamp = now or self._clock()
+        self.beats_attempted += 1
+        try:
+            result = self._registry.heartbeat(
+                worker_identity=self.worker_identity,
+                fencing_epoch=self.fencing_epoch,
+                now=stamp,
+                expected_session_id=self.session_id,
+                expected_generation_id=self.generation_id,
+                expected_client_name=self.client_name,
+                expected_pid=self.pid,
+            )
+        except Exception as exc:
+            # Transient by assumption: an unexpected error is not proof this
+            # worker lost ownership, so it must not silently end the heartbeat.
+            self.transient_failures += 1
+            result = {
+                "success": False,
+                "renewed": False,
+                "transient": True,
+                "blocker_kind": None,
+                "reasons": [f"heartbeat raised {type(exc).__name__}: {exc}"],
+            }
+            self.last_result = result
+            return result
+
+        self.last_result = result
+        if result.get("renewed"):
+            self.beats_renewed += 1
+            self.last_beat_at = result.get("last_heartbeat_at") or _ts(stamp)
+            return result
+
+        blocker = result.get("blocker_kind")
+        if blocker in TERMINAL_HEARTBEAT_BLOCKERS:
+            self._stop_internal(
+                reason=(
+                    f"refused with blocker_kind={blocker!r}: "
+                    + "; ".join(result.get("reasons") or [])
+                )
+            )
+        else:
+            self.transient_failures += 1
+        return result
+
+    # -- lifecycle --
+
+    def start(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Start the beat thread. Idempotent; safe to call from a tool call."""
+        with self._lock:
+            if self.stopped_reason is not None:
+                return {
+                    "started": False,
+                    "reasons": [f"supervisor stopped: {self.stopped_reason}"],
+                }
+            if self._thread is not None and self._thread.is_alive():
+                return {"started": True, "already_running": True, "reasons": []}
+
+            self._stop_event.clear()
+            thread = threading.Thread(
+                target=self._run,
+                name=f"gitea-worker-heartbeat-{self.worker_identity}",
+                daemon=True,
+            )
+            self._thread = thread
+            self.started = True
+            if not self._atexit_registered:
+                # Orderly shutdown stops the heartbeat. A hard kill does not
+                # run this, which is correct: the row must then go stale.
+                atexit.register(self._atexit_stop)
+                self._atexit_registered = True
+            thread.start()
+            return {"started": True, "already_running": False, "reasons": []}
+
+    def _run(self) -> None:
+        while not self._stop_event.is_set():
+            # Wait first: registration already stamped a fresh heartbeat, so an
+            # immediate beat would be a redundant write on every server launch.
+            if self._stop_event.wait(self.interval_seconds):
+                return
+            try:
+                self.beat_once()
+            except Exception:
+                # beat_once is already total; this is the last-resort guard that
+                # keeps a supervisor thread from dying silently.
+                self.transient_failures += 1
+            if self.stopped_reason is not None:
+                return
+
+    def stop(self, reason: str = "stopped") -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Stop beating. Idempotent, and prompt because the loop waits on an Event."""
+        self._stop_internal(reason=reason)
+        thread = self._thread
+        if thread is not None and thread.is_alive():
+            thread.join(timeout=max(1.0, min(5.0, self.interval_seconds)))
+        return {
+            "stopped": True,
+            "reason": self.stopped_reason,
+            "thread_alive": bool(thread is not None and thread.is_alive()),
+        }
+
+    def _stop_internal(self, *, reason: str) -> None:
+        if self.stopped_reason is None:
+            self.stopped_reason = reason
+        self._stop_event.set()
+        if self._atexit_registered:
+            try:
+                atexit.unregister(self._atexit_stop)
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+            self._atexit_registered = False
+
+    def _atexit_stop(self) -> None:
+        try:
+            self.stop(reason="process exit")
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
+    # -- observability --
+
+    def status(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Read-only observability payload; safe to embed in a tool result."""
+        thread = self._thread
+        return {
+            "supervised": True,
+            "worker_identity": self.worker_identity,
+            "fencing_epoch": self.fencing_epoch,
+            "session_id": self.session_id,
+            "generation_id": self.generation_id,
+            "client_name": self.client_name,
+            "pid": self.pid,
+            "heartbeat_ttl_seconds": self.ttl_seconds,
+            "heartbeat_interval_seconds": self.interval_seconds,
+            "started": self.started,
+            "running": bool(
+                thread is not None
+                and thread.is_alive()
+                and self.stopped_reason is None
+            ),
+            "stopped_reason": self.stopped_reason,
+            "beats_attempted": self.beats_attempted,
+            "beats_renewed": self.beats_renewed,
+            "transient_failures": self.transient_failures,
+            "last_heartbeat_at": self.last_beat_at,
+            "last_blocker_kind": (self.last_result or {}).get("blocker_kind"),
+        }

namespace_workspace_binding.py

@@ -8,8 +8,10 @@ poison workspace purity checks in another namespace.
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
+import subprocess
 
 import author_mutation_worktree as amw
+import canonical_repository_root as crr
 
 ACTIVE_WORKTREE_ENV = amw.ACTIVE_WORKTREE_ENV
 AUTHOR_WORKTREE_ENV = amw.AUTHOR_WORKTREE_ENV
@@ -152,6 +154,60 @@ def resolve_namespace_workspace(
     return os.path.realpath(process_project_root), "MCP server process root (default)"
 
 
+def verify_git_common_directory_membership(
+    workspace_path: str,
+    canonical_repo_root: str,
+) -> tuple[bool, str | None]:
+    """Verify that workspace_path belongs to canonical_repo_root via git common-dir or branches containment."""
+    ws = (workspace_path or "").strip()
+    root = (canonical_repo_root or "").strip()
+    if not ws or not root:
+        return False, "empty workspace or canonical root path"
+
+    try:
+        real_ws = os.path.realpath(os.path.abspath(ws))
+        real_root = os.path.realpath(os.path.abspath(root))
+    except Exception as exc:
+        return False, f"invalid workspace or root path: {exc}"
+
+    if real_ws == real_root:
+        return True, None
+
+    if not os.path.isdir(real_ws):
+        return False, f"workspace directory '{real_ws}' does not exist"
+
+    try:
+        res = subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "-C", real_ws, "rev-parse", "--git-common-dir"],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            check=False,
+        )
+        if res.returncode == 0:
+            common_raw = (res.stdout or "").strip()
+            common_dir = amw._realpath_git_common_dir(real_ws, common_raw)
+            real_common = os.path.realpath(common_dir)
+            canonical_git = os.path.realpath(os.path.join(real_root, ".git"))
+
+            if real_common in (canonical_git, real_root):
+                return True, None
+            return (
+                False,
+                f"workspace '{real_ws}' git common directory '{real_common}' does not match "
+                f"canonical repository root '{real_root}' (.git at '{canonical_git}')"
+            )
+        else:
+            return (
+                False,
+                f"workspace '{real_ws}' is not a valid git repository or git rev-parse failed"
+            )
+    except Exception as exc:
+        return (
+            False,
+            f"failed to inspect git common directory for workspace '{real_ws}': {exc}"
+        )
+
+
 def resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
     *,
     role_kind: str,
@@ -163,6 +219,8 @@ def resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
     worktree: str | None = None,
     profile_name: str | None = None,
     configured_canonical_root: str | None = None,
+    expected_slug: str | None = None,
+    remote: str | None = None,
 ) -> dict:
     """Shared workspace resolution for runtime_context and mutation guards.
 
@@ -180,11 +238,41 @@ def resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
     env_map = env if env is not None else os.environ
     process_root = os.path.realpath(process_project_root)
     role = normalize_role_kind(role_kind, profile_name=profile_name)
-    configured = (configured_canonical_root or "").strip()
+
-    if configured:
+    configured_val = (configured_canonical_root or "").strip()
-        canonical_root = os.path.realpath(configured)
+    if configured_val:
+        crr_assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=configured_val,
+            source="configured_canonical_root",
+            expected_slug=expected_slug,
+            process_project_root=process_root,
+            remote=remote,
+            require_binding=True,
+        )
+        # #973 B10: a refused repository-authority mode deliberately resolves no
+        # canonical root, so downstream guards keep evaluating the install
+        # checkout rather than an identity derived through an undefined mode.
+        # ``roots_aligned`` still follows ``proven`` and stays False, and the
+        # refusal (with its reason_code) rides along in
+        # ``canonical_root_assessment`` — this is a fail-closed fallback, never a
+        # normalisation of the mode.
+        canonical_root = crr_assessment["canonical_repo_root"] or amw.resolve_canonical_repo_root(
+            process_root, process_root
+        )
+        roots_aligned = crr_assessment["proven"]
     else:
-        canonical_root = amw.resolve_canonical_repo_root(process_root, process_root)
+        crr_assessment = {
+            "proven": True,
+            "block": False,
+            "reasons": [],
+            "configured": False,
+            "canonical_repo_root": amw.resolve_canonical_repo_root(process_root, process_root),
+            "resolved_slug": None,
+            "source": None,
+            "reason_code": None,
+        }
+        canonical_root = crr_assessment["canonical_repo_root"]
+        roots_aligned = (canonical_root == process_root)
 
     durable: dict | None = None
     if role == "author":
@@ -234,7 +322,10 @@ def resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
         "ignored_bindings": demotions + (pollution.get("ignored_bindings") or []),
         "process_project_root": process_root,
         "canonical_repo_root": canonical_root,
-        "roots_aligned": canonical_root == process_root,
+        "roots_aligned": roots_aligned,
+        "canonical_root_assessment": crr_assessment,
+        "expected_slug": expected_slug,
+        "remote": remote,
     }
     if durable is not None:
         result["author_worktree_resolution"] = durable
@@ -246,6 +337,15 @@ def resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
         result["author_worktree_reasons"] = list(durable.get("reasons") or [])
         result["author_worktree_blocker_kind"] = durable.get("blocker_kind")
         result["operator_recovery"] = durable.get("operator_recovery")
+    else:
+        path_exists = os.path.exists(workspace)
+        result["path_exists"] = path_exists
+        result["in_git_worktree_list"] = (
+            amw.path_in_git_worktree_list(workspace, canonical_root)
+            if path_exists
+            else False
+        )
+        result["bound_worktree_missing"] = not path_exists
     return result
 
 
@@ -378,8 +478,8 @@ def format_namespace_workspace_binding_error(
 def assess_namespace_mutation_workspace(
     *,
     role_kind: str,
-    worktree_path: str | None,
+    worktree_path: str | None = None,
-    worktree: str | None,
+    worktree: str | None = None,
     process_project_root: str,
     env: dict[str, str] | os._Environ | None = None,
     session_lease_worktree: str | None = None,
@@ -387,6 +487,8 @@ def assess_namespace_mutation_workspace(
     profile_name: str | None = None,
     current_branch: str | None = None,
     configured_canonical_root: str | None = None,
+    expected_slug: str | None = None,
+    remote: str | None = None,
 ) -> dict:
     """Evaluate namespace workspace binding before preflight/mutation."""
     ctx = resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
@@ -399,6 +501,8 @@ def assess_namespace_mutation_workspace(
         session_lock_worktree=session_lock_worktree,
         profile_name=profile_name,
         configured_canonical_root=configured_canonical_root,
+        expected_slug=expected_slug,
+        remote=remote,
     )
     mutation_workspace = ctx["workspace_path"]
     binding_source = ctx["workspace_binding_source"]
@@ -422,6 +526,27 @@ def assess_namespace_mutation_workspace(
 
     reasons = list(metadata.get("reasons") or [])
     operator_recovery = ctx.get("operator_recovery")
+
+    crr_reasons = list(ctx.get("canonical_root_assessment", {}).get("reasons") or [])
+    if crr_reasons:
+        reasons.extend(crr_reasons)
+
+    path_exists = ctx.get("path_exists")
+    if path_exists is None:
+        path_exists = os.path.exists(mutation_workspace)
+
+    if not path_exists:
+        if role != "author":
+            reasons.append(
+                f"{role} mutation blocked: configured workspace directory '{mutation_workspace}' does not exist (nonexistent worktree)"
+            )
+    else:
+        valid_common, common_err = verify_git_common_directory_membership(
+            mutation_workspace, ctx["canonical_repo_root"]
+        )
+        if not valid_common and common_err:
+            reasons.append(common_err)
+
     if role == "author":
         # #618 durable resolution already validated existence, membership,
         # branches/, lock ownership, and traversal safety when present.
@@ -438,27 +563,28 @@ def assess_namespace_mutation_workspace(
             )
             if branches["block"]:
                 reasons.extend(branches["reasons"])
-    elif (
+    elif role in {"reviewer", "merger"}:
-        role == "reviewer"
+        if mutation_workspace == process_root and not amw.is_path_under_branches(mutation_workspace, ctx["canonical_repo_root"]):
-        and mutation_workspace == process_root
-        and not amw.is_path_under_branches(mutation_workspace, ctx["canonical_repo_root"])
-    ):
             reasons.append(
                 f"{role} mutation blocked: workspace is the stable control checkout; "
                 f"create or reconnect to a session-owned worktree under branches/ "
                 f"or set {ROLE_WORKTREE_ENVS.get(role, ACTIVE_WORKTREE_ENV)} / "
                 f"{ACTIVE_WORKTREE_ENV}"
             )
-    elif (
+        elif mutation_workspace != process_root and not amw.is_path_under_branches(mutation_workspace, ctx["canonical_repo_root"]):
-        role in {"reviewer", "merger"}
-        and mutation_workspace != process_root
-        and not amw.is_path_under_branches(mutation_workspace, ctx["canonical_repo_root"])
-    ):
             reasons.append(
                 f"{role} mutation blocked: workspace '{mutation_workspace}' is not under "
                 f"'{ctx['canonical_repo_root']}/branches/'"
             )
 
+        if path_exists and amw.is_path_under_branches(mutation_workspace, ctx["canonical_repo_root"]):
+            in_list = ctx.get("in_git_worktree_list")
+            if in_list is False:
+                reasons.append(
+                    f"{role} mutation blocked: workspace '{mutation_workspace}' is under branches/ "
+                    f"but is not registered in git worktree list for '{ctx['canonical_repo_root']}'"
+                )
+
     block = bool(reasons)
     return {
         "block": block,

task_capability_map.py

@@ -386,6 +386,25 @@ TASK_CAPABILITY_MAP: dict[str, dict[str, str]] = {
         "permission": "gitea.branch.delete",
         "role": "reconciler",
     },
+    # #970: auditing missing worktree bindings is read-only; retiring one is a
+    # control-plane cleanup mutation and carries the same reconciler-only
+    # authority as any other reconciliation cleanup (review 644 B2).
+    "audit_missing_worktree_bindings": {
+        "permission": "gitea.read",
+        "role": "reconciler",
+    },
+    "gitea_audit_missing_worktree_bindings": {
+        "permission": "gitea.read",
+        "role": "reconciler",
+    },
+    "reconcile_missing_worktree_bindings": {
+        "permission": "gitea.branch.delete",
+        "role": "reconciler",
+    },
+    "gitea_reconcile_missing_worktree_bindings": {
+        "permission": "gitea.branch.delete",
+        "role": "reconciler",
+    },
     "work_issue": {
         "permission": "gitea.pr.create",
         "role": "author",
@@ -653,6 +672,8 @@ ROLE_EXCLUSIVE_TASKS: frozenset[str] = frozenset(
         "delete_branch",
         "cleanup_merged_pr_branch",
         "reconciliation_cleanup",
+        "reconcile_missing_worktree_bindings",
+        "gitea_reconcile_missing_worktree_bindings",
         "work_issue",
         "work-issue",
     }

tests/test_cross_repo_canonical_consumption.py

@@ -313,6 +313,7 @@ class TestCanonicalRootGuardBinding(_ServerHarness):
             process_project_root=self.install_root,
             remote="prgs",
             require_binding=True,
+            mode="derivation",
         )
         self.assertFalse(got.get("block"), got.get("reasons"))
         self.assertEqual(got["resolved_slug"], TARGET_SLUG)

tests/test_issue_706_canonical_repository_root.py

@@ -241,9 +241,10 @@ class TestNamespaceContextUsesConfiguredRoot(unittest.TestCase):
             process_project_root=self.install,
             env={},
             configured_canonical_root=self.target,
+            expected_slug="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane",
         )
         self.assertEqual(ctx["canonical_repo_root"], self.target)
-        self.assertFalse(ctx["roots_aligned"])
+        self.assertTrue(ctx["roots_aligned"])
 
     def test_target_worktree_is_member_of_target_root(self):
         got = nwb.amw.assess_workspace_repo_membership(
@@ -268,6 +269,7 @@ class TestNamespaceContextUsesConfiguredRoot(unittest.TestCase):
             env={},
             current_branch="feat/issue-1",
             configured_canonical_root=self.target,
+            expected_slug="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane",
         )
         self.assertFalse(assessment["block"], assessment.get("reasons"))
         self.assertEqual(assessment["canonical_repo_root"], self.target)

tests/test_issue_973_b10_mode_contract.py

@@ -0,0 +1,739 @@
+"""Regression tests for Issue #973 blocker B10: repository-authority mode contract.
+
+Before this repair ``assess_canonical_repository_root`` never checked its
+``mode`` argument against an allowlist. Both dispatch points were permissive:
+
+* the configured-root path tested ``mode == "derivation"`` and sent every other
+  value into a catch-all ``else``, so an unsupported mode silently received
+  *validation* semantics, and
+* the single-repository default path tested ``mode == "validation"``, so an
+  unsupported mode skipped the identity comparison entirely and was strictly
+  *weaker* than validation.
+
+The measured consequence was that ``mode="invalid_mode"`` with matching expected
+and observed identities returned ``proven: True`` / ``block: False`` with no
+reasons, and that an unsupported mode passed on the default path where
+``"validation"`` correctly blocked.
+
+These tests exercise the production module directly with real git repositories —
+no patched stand-in for the function under test — and drive the production
+enforcement and mutation-context consumers rather than only the intermediate
+assessment.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import ast
+import inspect
+import os
+import subprocess
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+import canonical_repository_root as crr
+import gitea_config
+import gitea_mcp_server as mcp_server
+import namespace_workspace_binding as nwb
+import stable_control_runtime
+
+
+INSTALL_SLUG = "Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools"
+TARGET_SLUG = "Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane"
+FOREIGN_SLUG = "Someone-Else/Evil-Repo"
+
+# Explicitly supplied values that must all be refused. Omission is *not* in this
+# list: omitting the argument keeps the documented ``"validation"`` default.
+UNSUPPORTED_STRING_MODES = (
+    "invalid_mode",
+    "",
+    "validaton",          # misspelling
+    "derivaton",          # misspelling
+    "Validation",         # case variant
+    "DERIVATION",         # case variant
+    " validation",        # leading whitespace
+    "validation ",        # trailing whitespace
+    "derivation\n",       # trailing newline
+    "validation,derivation",
+)
+
+UNSUPPORTED_NON_STRING_MODES = (
+    None,
+    0,
+    1,
+    True,
+    False,
+    3.14,
+    [],
+    ["validation"],
+    {},
+    {"mode": "validation"},
+    ("validation",),
+    object(),
+)
+
+
+def _init_repo(path: str, remote_url: str, *, user: str = "Test User") -> None:
+    os.makedirs(path, exist_ok=True)
+    subprocess.run(["git", "init", "-b", "master"], cwd=path, check=True,
+                   capture_output=True)
+    subprocess.run(["git", "config", "user.email", "[email protected]"], cwd=path,
+                   check=True, capture_output=True)
+    subprocess.run(["git", "config", "user.name", user], cwd=path, check=True,
+                   capture_output=True)
+    with open(os.path.join(path, "README.md"), "w") as handle:
+        handle.write(f"{os.path.basename(path)}\n")
+    subprocess.run(["git", "add", "README.md"], cwd=path, check=True,
+                   capture_output=True)
+    subprocess.run(["git", "commit", "-m", "initial"], cwd=path, check=True,
+                   capture_output=True)
+    subprocess.run(["git", "remote", "add", "prgs", remote_url], cwd=path,
+                   check=True, capture_output=True)
+
+
+class _CanonicalRootFixture(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Real install / target / foreign git repositories, as in the #973 suite."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self._tmp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.tmp_dir = os.path.realpath(self._tmp.name)
+
+        self.install_root = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "Gitea-Tools")
+        _init_repo(
+            self.install_root,
+            "https://gitea.prgs.cc/Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools.git",
+        )
+
+        self.target_root = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "mcp-control-plane")
+        _init_repo(
+            self.target_root,
+            "https://gitea.prgs.cc/Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane.git",
+        )
+
+        self.evil_root = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "Evil-Repo")
+        _init_repo(
+            self.evil_root,
+            "https://gitea.prgs.cc/Someone-Else/Evil-Repo.git",
+            user="Evil User",
+        )
+
+        self.target_branches = os.path.join(self.target_root, "branches")
+        self.target_worktree = os.path.join(self.target_branches, "rev-pr-99")
+        subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "worktree", "add", "-b", "rev-pr-99", self.target_worktree],
+            cwd=self.target_root, check=True, capture_output=True,
+        )
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        self._tmp.cleanup()
+
+    def assertRefusedForMode(self, assessment: dict, mode) -> None:
+        """Assert a fail-closed refusal attributable to *mode* and nothing else."""
+        self.assertFalse(assessment["proven"], assessment)
+        self.assertTrue(assessment["block"], assessment)
+        self.assertEqual(assessment["reason_code"], crr.DENY_UNKNOWN_MODE, assessment)
+        self.assertEqual(len(assessment["reasons"]), 1, assessment)
+        reason = assessment["reasons"][0]
+        self.assertIn("unsupported repository-authority mode", reason)
+        self.assertIn(repr(mode), reason)
+        # No trusted repository identity may be derived through an invalid mode.
+        self.assertIsNone(assessment["resolved_slug"], assessment)
+        self.assertIsNone(assessment["canonical_repo_root"], assessment)
+
+
+class TestB10UnsupportedModeIsRejected(_CanonicalRootFixture):
+    """Direct assessment tests for invalid-mode parsing."""
+
+    def test_invalid_string_with_missing_expected_identity(self):
+        """G1: blocks for the mode, not incidentally for a missing identity."""
+        assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=self.target_root,
+            source="env",
+            expected_slug=None,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs",
+            require_binding=True,
+            mode="invalid_mode",
+        )
+        self.assertRefusedForMode(assessment, "invalid_mode")
+        self.assertFalse(
+            any("unprovable or missing" in r for r in assessment["reasons"]),
+            "must block because the mode is unsupported, not because the expected "
+            "identity happened to be missing",
+        )
+
+    def test_invalid_string_with_matching_identities(self):
+        """G2: the contract violation — matching identities used to return proven."""
+        assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=self.target_root,
+            source="env",
+            expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs",
+            require_binding=True,
+            mode="invalid_mode",
+        )
+        self.assertRefusedForMode(assessment, "invalid_mode")
+
+    def test_invalid_string_with_conflicting_identities(self):
+        """G3: refused for the mode, not for the incidental identity mismatch."""
+        assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=self.evil_root,
+            source="env",
+            expected_slug=INSTALL_SLUG,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs",
+            require_binding=True,
+            mode="invalid_mode",
+        )
+        self.assertRefusedForMode(assessment, "invalid_mode")
+        self.assertFalse(
+            any("identity mismatch" in r for r in assessment["reasons"]),
+            "the identity comparison must not have run at all",
+        )
+
+    def test_empty_string_mode(self):
+        """G4a: an explicitly supplied empty string is an unsupported value."""
+        assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=self.target_root,
+            source="env",
+            expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs",
+            require_binding=True,
+            mode="",
+        )
+        self.assertRefusedForMode(assessment, "")
+
+    def test_explicit_none_mode(self):
+        """G4b: explicit None is refused; it is not treated as omission."""
+        assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=self.target_root,
+            source="env",
+            expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs",
+            require_binding=True,
+            mode=None,
+        )
+        self.assertRefusedForMode(assessment, None)
+        self.assertIn("of type NoneType", assessment["reasons"][0])
+
+    def test_representative_non_string_modes(self):
+        for mode in UNSUPPORTED_NON_STRING_MODES:
+            with self.subTest(mode=repr(mode)):
+                assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+                    configured_value=self.target_root,
+                    source="env",
+                    expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG,
+                    process_project_root=self.install_root,
+                    remote="prgs",
+                    require_binding=True,
+                    mode=mode,
+                )
+                self.assertRefusedForMode(assessment, mode)
+                self.assertIn(
+                    f"of type {type(mode).__name__}", assessment["reasons"][0]
+                )
+
+    def test_unknown_strings_misspellings_and_whitespace_variants(self):
+        for mode in UNSUPPORTED_STRING_MODES:
+            with self.subTest(mode=repr(mode)):
+                assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+                    configured_value=self.target_root,
+                    source="env",
+                    expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG,
+                    process_project_root=self.install_root,
+                    remote="prgs",
+                    require_binding=True,
+                    mode=mode,
+                )
+                self.assertRefusedForMode(assessment, mode)
+
+    def test_supported_modes_are_exactly_two(self):
+        self.assertEqual(
+            crr.SUPPORTED_MODES, ("validation", "derivation")
+        )
+        self.assertIsNone(crr.unsupported_mode_reason("validation"))
+        self.assertIsNone(crr.unsupported_mode_reason("derivation"))
+        self.assertIsNotNone(crr.unsupported_mode_reason("invalid_mode"))
+
+
+class TestB10SupportedModesUnchanged(_CanonicalRootFixture):
+    """The repair must not disturb the two documented modes."""
+
+    def test_omitted_mode_defaults_to_validation(self):
+        """G4c/G4d: omission still selects validation, proven by both outcomes."""
+        matching = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=self.target_root,
+            source="env",
+            expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs",
+            require_binding=True,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(matching["proven"], matching)
+        self.assertFalse(matching["block"], matching)
+        self.assertIsNone(matching["reason_code"], matching)
+        self.assertEqual(matching["resolved_slug"], TARGET_SLUG)
+
+        conflicting = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=self.evil_root,
+            source="env",
+            expected_slug=INSTALL_SLUG,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs",
+            require_binding=True,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(conflicting["proven"], conflicting)
+        self.assertTrue(conflicting["block"], conflicting)
+        self.assertIsNone(conflicting["reason_code"], conflicting)
+        self.assertTrue(
+            any("identity mismatch" in r for r in conflicting["reasons"]),
+            "omission must behave exactly like explicit validation",
+        )
+
+    def test_explicit_validation_retains_strict_behavior(self):
+        """G5a/G5b/G5c."""
+        ok = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=self.target_root, source="env",
+            expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG, process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs", require_binding=True, mode="validation",
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(ok["proven"], ok)
+
+        mismatch = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=self.evil_root, source="env",
+            expected_slug=INSTALL_SLUG, process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs", require_binding=True, mode="validation",
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(mismatch["block"], mismatch)
+        self.assertTrue(any("identity mismatch" in r for r in mismatch["reasons"]))
+
+        unprovable = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=self.target_root, source="env",
+            expected_slug=None, process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs", require_binding=True, mode="validation",
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(unprovable["block"], unprovable)
+        self.assertTrue(
+            any("unprovable or missing" in r for r in unprovable["reasons"])
+        )
+
+    def test_explicit_derivation_retains_trusted_derivation(self):
+        """G5d: derivation still resolves identity with no expected slug."""
+        derived = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=self.target_root, source="env",
+            expected_slug=None, process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs", require_binding=True, mode="derivation",
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(derived["proven"], derived)
+        self.assertFalse(derived["block"], derived)
+        self.assertIsNone(derived["reason_code"], derived)
+        self.assertEqual(derived["resolved_slug"], TARGET_SLUG)
+
+    def test_derivation_without_resolvable_remote_still_fails_closed(self):
+        no_remote = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "no-remote-target")
+        os.makedirs(no_remote)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "init", "-b", "master"], cwd=no_remote, check=True,
+                       capture_output=True)
+        assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=no_remote, source="env", expected_slug=None,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root, remote="prgs",
+            require_binding=True, mode="derivation",
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(assessment["block"], assessment)
+        self.assertTrue(
+            any("no resolvable" in r for r in assessment["reasons"]), assessment
+        )
+
+
+class TestB10SingleRepositoryDefaultPath(_CanonicalRootFixture):
+    """G6: on the unconfigured path an invalid mode used to be weaker than validation."""
+
+    def _assess(self, mode_kwargs: dict) -> dict:
+        return crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=None,
+            source=None,
+            expected_slug=FOREIGN_SLUG,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs",
+            require_binding=False,
+            **mode_kwargs,
+        )
+
+    def test_validation_blocks_a_foreign_expected_identity(self):
+        """G6b: the reference behaviour the invalid mode must not undercut."""
+        got = self._assess({"mode": "validation"})
+        self.assertFalse(got["proven"], got)
+        self.assertTrue(got["block"], got)
+        self.assertTrue(any("identity mismatch" in r for r in got["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_invalid_mode_no_longer_passes_where_validation_blocks(self):
+        """G6a: identical inputs, only the mode differs — must not fail open."""
+        invalid = self._assess({"mode": "invalid_mode"})
+        self.assertRefusedForMode(invalid, "invalid_mode")
+
+        validation = self._assess({"mode": "validation"})
+        self.assertEqual(
+            invalid["proven"], validation["proven"],
+            "an unsupported mode must never be more permissive than validation",
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(invalid["block"] and validation["block"])
+
+    def test_empty_string_mode_on_default_path(self):
+        """G6c."""
+        self.assertRefusedForMode(self._assess({"mode": ""}), "")
+
+    def test_omitted_mode_on_default_path_still_validates(self):
+        got = self._assess({})
+        self.assertFalse(got["proven"], got)
+        self.assertTrue(any("identity mismatch" in r for r in got["reasons"]), got)
+
+
+class TestB10RejectionOrdering(_CanonicalRootFixture):
+    """Refusal must precede every form of candidate-root or Git inspection."""
+
+    def test_no_git_or_identity_discovery_runs_for_an_unsupported_mode(self):
+        with patch.object(crr, "resolve_repo_toplevel") as toplevel, \
+             patch.object(crr, "repository_identity_slug") as identity:
+            assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+                configured_value=self.target_root,
+                source="env",
+                expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG,
+                process_project_root=self.install_root,
+                remote="prgs",
+                require_binding=True,
+                mode="invalid_mode",
+            )
+        self.assertRefusedForMode(assessment, "invalid_mode")
+        toplevel.assert_not_called()
+        identity.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_the_same_spies_do_fire_for_a_supported_mode(self):
+        """Control: proves the previous test's assertions are not vacuous."""
+        with patch.object(crr, "resolve_repo_toplevel",
+                          wraps=crr.resolve_repo_toplevel) as toplevel, \
+             patch.object(crr, "repository_identity_slug",
+                          wraps=crr.repository_identity_slug) as identity:
+            crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+                configured_value=self.target_root,
+                source="env",
+                expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG,
+                process_project_root=self.install_root,
+                remote="prgs",
+                require_binding=True,
+                mode="validation",
+            )
+        toplevel.assert_called()
+        identity.assert_called()
+
+    def test_nonexistent_candidate_root_still_reports_the_mode_refusal(self):
+        """No mocks: the existence check cannot have run before the refusal."""
+        nonexistent = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "no-such-repository")
+        assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=nonexistent,
+            source="env",
+            expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs",
+            require_binding=True,
+            mode="invalid_mode",
+        )
+        self.assertRefusedForMode(assessment, "invalid_mode")
+        self.assertFalse(
+            any("does not exist" in r for r in assessment["reasons"]), assessment
+        )
+
+    def test_symlinked_candidate_root_is_not_resolved_for_an_unsupported_mode(self):
+        link = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "target-alias")
+        os.symlink(self.target_root, link)
+        assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=link,
+            source="env",
+            expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs",
+            require_binding=True,
+            mode="invalid_mode",
+        )
+        self.assertRefusedForMode(assessment, "invalid_mode")
+        # The refusal payload must not leak a resolved path for the candidate.
+        self.assertIsNone(assessment["canonical_repo_root"], assessment)
+
+
+class TestB10NoModeInjectionSurface(unittest.TestCase):
+    """``mode`` must not be reachable from requests, environment, or config."""
+
+    PRODUCTION_MODULES = ("gitea_mcp_server.py", "namespace_workspace_binding.py")
+
+    def _repo_root(self) -> str:
+        return os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
+
+    def test_production_call_sites_only_pass_allowlisted_literal_modes(self):
+        """Valid hardcoded modes reach the correct path; nothing else is passed."""
+        seen: list[tuple[str, str | None]] = []
+        for name in self.PRODUCTION_MODULES:
+            path = os.path.join(self._repo_root(), name)
+            with open(path) as handle:
+                tree = ast.parse(handle.read())
+            for node in ast.walk(tree):
+                if not isinstance(node, ast.Call):
+                    continue
+                func = node.func
+                called = (
+                    func.attr if isinstance(func, ast.Attribute)
+                    else getattr(func, "id", None)
+                )
+                if called != "assess_canonical_repository_root":
+                    continue
+                supplied = [k for k in node.keywords if k.arg == "mode"]
+                if not supplied:
+                    seen.append((name, None))
+                    continue
+                value = supplied[0].value
+                self.assertIsInstance(
+                    value, ast.Constant,
+                    f"{name}: mode must be a literal, never a variable or expression",
+                )
+                self.assertIn(
+                    value.value, crr.SUPPORTED_MODES,
+                    f"{name}: unsupported mode literal {value.value!r}",
+                )
+                seen.append((name, value.value))
+        self.assertTrue(seen, "expected production call sites to be found")
+        # Both documented modes are exercised by production, and omission is used.
+        self.assertIn(None, [mode for _, mode in seen])
+        self.assertIn("derivation", [mode for _, mode in seen])
+
+    def test_no_public_entry_point_exposes_a_mode_parameter(self):
+        for func in (
+            nwb.resolve_namespace_mutation_context,
+            nwb.assess_namespace_mutation_workspace,
+            mcp_server._resolve_namespace_mutation_context,
+            mcp_server._enforce_canonical_repository_root,
+            mcp_server._canonical_repository_slug,
+            mcp_server._trusted_session_repository,
+            mcp_server._resolve_expected_repository_slug,
+        ):
+            with self.subTest(func=func.__name__):
+                self.assertNotIn("mode", inspect.signature(func).parameters)
+
+    def test_no_environment_key_selects_a_repository_authority_mode(self):
+        for key in gitea_config.RECOGNIZED_GITEA_ENV_KEYS:
+            self.assertNotIn(
+                "CANONICAL_REPOSITORY_MODE", key.upper(),
+                f"{key} would expose a repository-authority mode selector",
+            )
+        # An invented mode-ish variable is simply not consumed by crr.
+        env = {
+            "GITEA_CANONICAL_REPOSITORY_ROOT": "/some/path",
+            "GITEA_CANONICAL_REPOSITORY_MODE": "invalid_mode",
+        }
+        value, source = crr.configured_canonical_root(None, env)
+        self.assertEqual(value, "/some/path")
+        self.assertNotIn("mode", (source or "").lower())
+        self.assertIn(
+            "GITEA_CANONICAL_REPOSITORY_MODE",
+            gitea_config.get_unconsumed_gitea_env_overrides(env),
+            "an unknown GITEA_* key must still be rejected as unrecognised",
+        )
+
+    def test_repository_configuration_carries_no_mode_field(self):
+        profile = {
+            "canonical_repository_root": "/some/path",
+            "mode": "invalid_mode",
+        }
+        value, source = crr.configured_canonical_root(profile, {})
+        self.assertEqual(value, "/some/path")
+        self.assertEqual(source, "profile canonical_repository_root")
+
+
+class TestB10ProductionEnforcementPaths(_CanonicalRootFixture):
+    """Production enforcement, mutation-context, reviewer and merger consumers."""
+
+    def _force_invalid_mode(self):
+        """Simulate a future call site threading an unsupported mode.
+
+        The real ``assess_canonical_repository_root`` still executes — only the
+        caller-side argument is substituted — so the refusal under test is
+        produced by production code, not by a stand-in. No caller-controlled
+        ``mode`` parameter is added to any production signature to achieve this.
+        """
+        real = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root
+
+        def _wrapper(**kwargs):
+            kwargs["mode"] = "invalid_mode"
+            return real(**kwargs)
+
+        return patch.object(crr, "assess_canonical_repository_root", _wrapper)
+
+    def test_mutation_context_fails_closed_under_a_refused_mode(self):
+        with self._force_invalid_mode():
+            ctx = nwb.resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
+                role_kind="reviewer",
+                worktree_path=self.target_worktree,
+                process_project_root=self.install_root,
+                env={},
+                configured_canonical_root=self.target_root,
+                expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG,
+                remote="prgs",
+            )
+        assessment = ctx["canonical_root_assessment"]
+        self.assertFalse(ctx["roots_aligned"], ctx)
+        self.assertTrue(assessment["block"], assessment)
+        self.assertEqual(assessment["reason_code"], crr.DENY_UNKNOWN_MODE)
+        self.assertIsNone(assessment["resolved_slug"])
+        # The refused mode must not yield the candidate root as canonical.
+        self.assertNotEqual(ctx["canonical_repo_root"], self.target_root)
+        self.assertEqual(ctx["canonical_repo_root"], self.install_root)
+
+    def test_mutation_context_unchanged_for_the_supported_default(self):
+        ctx = nwb.resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
+            role_kind="reviewer",
+            worktree_path=self.target_worktree,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            env={},
+            configured_canonical_root=self.target_root,
+            expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG,
+            remote="prgs",
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(ctx["roots_aligned"], ctx)
+        self.assertEqual(ctx["canonical_repo_root"], self.target_root)
+        self.assertIsNone(ctx["canonical_root_assessment"]["reason_code"])
+
+    def test_reviewer_and_merger_authorization_fails_closed_under_a_refused_mode(self):
+        for role in ("reviewer", "merger"):
+            with self.subTest(role=role), self._force_invalid_mode():
+                assessment = nwb.assess_namespace_mutation_workspace(
+                    role_kind=role,
+                    worktree_path=self.target_worktree,
+                    worktree=None,
+                    process_project_root=self.install_root,
+                    env={},
+                    configured_canonical_root=self.target_root,
+                    expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG,
+                    remote="prgs",
+                )
+                self.assertTrue(assessment["block"], assessment)
+                self.assertTrue(
+                    any("unsupported repository-authority mode" in r
+                        for r in assessment["reasons"]),
+                    assessment,
+                )
+
+    def test_reviewer_and_merger_authorization_unchanged_for_supported_modes(self):
+        for role in ("reviewer", "merger"):
+            with self.subTest(role=role):
+                assessment = nwb.assess_namespace_mutation_workspace(
+                    role_kind=role,
+                    worktree_path=self.target_worktree,
+                    worktree=None,
+                    process_project_root=self.install_root,
+                    env={},
+                    configured_canonical_root=self.target_root,
+                    expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG,
+                    remote="prgs",
+                )
+                self.assertFalse(assessment["block"], assessment)
+
+    def test_final_mutation_gate_blocks_when_the_mode_refusal_unaligns_roots(self):
+        with self._force_invalid_mode():
+            ctx = nwb.resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
+                role_kind="reviewer",
+                worktree_path=self.target_worktree,
+                process_project_root=self.install_root,
+                env={},
+                configured_canonical_root=self.target_root,
+                expected_slug=TARGET_SLUG,
+                remote="prgs",
+            )
+        report = stable_control_runtime.build_runtime_report(
+            process_root=self.install_root,
+            checkout_branch="master",
+            runtime_head="abcdef123456",
+            active_task_workspace=ctx["workspace_path"],
+            canonical_repository_root=ctx["canonical_repo_root"],
+            workspace_roots_aligned=ctx["roots_aligned"],
+        )
+        gate = stable_control_runtime.assess_runtime_mutation_gate(report)
+        self.assertTrue(gate["block"], gate)
+
+    def test_enforce_canonical_repository_root_uses_the_validation_default(self):
+        """B8 boundary intact: a foreign configured root raises through production."""
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "PROJECT_ROOT", self.install_root), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server, "_configured_canonical_root",
+                          return_value=(self.evil_root, "env")), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server.session_ctx, "get_session_context",
+                          return_value=None):
+            with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as raised:
+                mcp_server._enforce_canonical_repository_root(remote="prgs")
+        self.assertIn("identity mismatch", str(raised.exception))
+
+    def test_enforce_canonical_repository_root_refuses_a_threaded_invalid_mode(self):
+        bound = {"org": "Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+                 "repository": "mcp-control-plane", "remote": "prgs"}
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "PROJECT_ROOT", self.install_root), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server, "_configured_canonical_root",
+                          return_value=(self.target_root, "env")), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server.session_ctx, "get_session_context",
+                          return_value=bound), \
+             self._force_invalid_mode():
+            with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as raised:
+                mcp_server._enforce_canonical_repository_root(remote="prgs")
+        self.assertIn("unsupported repository-authority mode", str(raised.exception))
+
+    def test_enforce_canonical_repository_root_passes_for_a_valid_binding(self):
+        bound = {"org": "Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+                 "repository": "mcp-control-plane", "remote": "prgs"}
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "PROJECT_ROOT", self.install_root), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server, "_configured_canonical_root",
+                          return_value=(self.target_root, "env")), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server.session_ctx, "get_session_context",
+                          return_value=bound), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server.session_ctx, "assess_session_context",
+                          return_value={"block": False, "reasons": []}), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server, "get_profile",
+                          return_value={"profile_name": "prgs-reviewer"}):
+            mcp_server._enforce_canonical_repository_root(remote="prgs")
+
+    def test_canonical_repository_slug_derivation_unbroken(self):
+        """B9 boundary intact: legitimate cross-repository derivation still works."""
+        profile = {
+            "profile_name": "prgs-author",
+            "allowed_repositories": [TARGET_SLUG],
+            "canonical_repository_root": self.target_root,
+        }
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "PROJECT_ROOT", self.install_root), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server.session_ctx, "get_session_context",
+                          return_value=None):
+            slug, reasons = mcp_server._canonical_repository_slug(profile, "prgs")
+            self.assertEqual(slug, TARGET_SLUG, reasons)
+            self.assertEqual(reasons, [])
+
+    def test_canonical_repository_slug_fails_closed_under_a_refused_mode(self):
+        profile = {
+            "profile_name": "prgs-author",
+            "allowed_repositories": [TARGET_SLUG],
+            "canonical_repository_root": self.target_root,
+        }
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "PROJECT_ROOT", self.install_root), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server.session_ctx, "get_session_context",
+                          return_value=None), \
+             self._force_invalid_mode():
+            slug, reasons = mcp_server._canonical_repository_slug(profile, "prgs")
+            self.assertIsNone(slug)
+            self.assertTrue(
+                any("unsupported repository-authority mode" in r for r in reasons),
+                reasons,
+            )
+            result = mcp_server._trusted_session_repository(
+                profile, "prgs", for_mutation=True
+            )
+            self.assertIsNone(result["org"])
+            self.assertIsNone(result["repository"])
+            self.assertTrue(result["reasons"])
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_issue_973_cross_repo_canonical_roots.py

@@ -0,0 +1,546 @@
+"""Regression tests for Issue #973: validated cross-repository canonical roots."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import shutil
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
+from pathlib import Path
+import subprocess
+
+import gitea_config
+import namespace_workspace_binding as nwb
+import canonical_repository_root as crr
+import stable_control_runtime
+import gitea_mcp_server as mcp_server
+
+
+class TestIssue973RecognizedEnvKeys(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Test recognized environment variable keys under #973."""
+
+    def test_recognized_gitea_env_keys(self):
+        for key in (
+            "GITEA_CANONICAL_REPOSITORY_ROOT",
+            "GITEA_REVIEWER_WORKTREE",
+            "GITEA_MERGER_WORKTREE",
+            "GITEA_MCP_SESSION_STATE_TTL_HOURS",
+        ):
+            self.assertIn(key, gitea_config.RECOGNIZED_GITEA_ENV_KEYS)
+
+    def test_get_unconsumed_gitea_env_overrides_ignores_recognized(self):
+        env = {
+            "GITEA_CANONICAL_REPOSITORY_ROOT": "/some/path",
+            "GITEA_REVIEWER_WORKTREE": "/some/reviewer/path",
+            "GITEA_MERGER_WORKTREE": "/some/merger/path",
+            "GITEA_MCP_SESSION_STATE_TTL_HOURS": "24",
+            "GITEA_UNRECOGNIZED_FOO_VAR": "bar",
+        }
+        unconsumed = gitea_config.get_unconsumed_gitea_env_overrides(env)
+        self.assertNotIn("GITEA_CANONICAL_REPOSITORY_ROOT", unconsumed)
+        self.assertNotIn("GITEA_REVIEWER_WORKTREE", unconsumed)
+        self.assertNotIn("GITEA_MERGER_WORKTREE", unconsumed)
+        self.assertNotIn("GITEA_MCP_SESSION_STATE_TTL_HOURS", unconsumed)
+        self.assertIn("GITEA_UNRECOGNIZED_FOO_VAR", unconsumed)
+
+
+class TestIssue973CrossRepoCanonicalRoots(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Test workspace binding and canonical root validation for cross-repo namespaces."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self._tmp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.tmp_dir = os.path.realpath(self._tmp.name)
+
+        # Create simulated installation root
+        self.install_root = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "Gitea-Tools")
+        os.makedirs(self.install_root)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "init", "-b", "master"], cwd=self.install_root, check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "config", "user.email", "[email protected]"], cwd=self.install_root, check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "config", "user.name", "Test User"], cwd=self.install_root, check=True)
+        with open(os.path.join(self.install_root, "README.md"), "w") as f:
+            f.write("install\n")
+        subprocess.run(["git", "add", "README.md"], cwd=self.install_root, check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "commit", "-m", "initial"], cwd=self.install_root, check=True)
+
+        # Create simulated target repository root
+        self.target_root = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "mcp-control-plane")
+        os.makedirs(self.target_root)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "init", "-b", "master"], cwd=self.target_root, check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "config", "user.email", "[email protected]"], cwd=self.target_root, check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "config", "user.name", "Test User"], cwd=self.target_root, check=True)
+        with open(os.path.join(self.target_root, "README.md"), "w") as f:
+            f.write("target\n")
+        subprocess.run(["git", "add", "README.md"], cwd=self.target_root, check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "commit", "-m", "initial"], cwd=self.target_root, check=True)
+
+        # Add remotes to simulate real git repositories with identities
+        subprocess.run(["git", "remote", "add", "prgs", "https://gitea.prgs.cc/Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools.git"], cwd=self.install_root, check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "remote", "add", "prgs", "https://gitea.prgs.cc/Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane.git"], cwd=self.target_root, check=True)
+
+        # Create simulated foreign repository root
+        self.evil_root = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "Evil-Repo")
+        os.makedirs(self.evil_root)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "init", "-b", "master"], cwd=self.evil_root, check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "config", "user.email", "[email protected]"], cwd=self.evil_root, check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "config", "user.name", "Evil User"], cwd=self.evil_root, check=True)
+        with open(os.path.join(self.evil_root, "README.md"), "w") as f:
+            f.write("evil\n")
+        subprocess.run(["git", "add", "README.md"], cwd=self.evil_root, check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "commit", "-m", "initial"], cwd=self.evil_root, check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "remote", "add", "prgs", "https://gitea.prgs.cc/Someone-Else/Evil-Repo.git"], cwd=self.evil_root, check=True)
+
+        # Create branches/ directory and a valid registered worktree in target repository
+        self.target_branches = os.path.join(self.target_root, "branches")
+        self.target_worktree = os.path.join(self.target_branches, "rev-pr-99")
+        subprocess.run(["git", "worktree", "add", "-b", "rev-pr-99", self.target_worktree], cwd=self.target_root, check=True)
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        self._tmp.cleanup()
+
+    def test_valid_same_repository_configuration(self):
+        ctx = nwb.resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
+            role_kind="reviewer",
+            worktree_path=None,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            env={},
+            configured_canonical_root=None,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(ctx["canonical_repo_root"], self.install_root)
+        self.assertTrue(ctx["roots_aligned"])
+        self.assertTrue(ctx["canonical_root_assessment"]["proven"])
+
+    def test_valid_cross_repo_canonical_root(self):
+        ctx = nwb.resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
+            role_kind="reviewer",
+            worktree_path=self.target_worktree,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            env={},
+            configured_canonical_root=self.target_root,
+            expected_slug="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane",
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(ctx["canonical_repo_root"], self.target_root)
+        self.assertTrue(ctx["roots_aligned"])
+        self.assertTrue(ctx["canonical_root_assessment"]["proven"])
+
+    def test_expected_repository_identity_match(self):
+        assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=self.target_root,
+            source="test",
+            expected_slug="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane",
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs",
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(assessment["proven"])
+        self.assertFalse(assessment["block"])
+
+    def test_foreign_repository_identity_mismatch(self):
+        assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=self.evil_root,
+            source="test",
+            expected_slug="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools",
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs",
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(assessment["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(assessment["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("identity mismatch" in r for r in assessment["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_native_repository_binding_mismatch(self):
+        ctx = nwb.resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
+            role_kind="reviewer",
+            worktree_path=self.target_worktree,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            env={},
+            configured_canonical_root=self.evil_root,
+            expected_slug="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools",
+            remote="prgs",
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(ctx["roots_aligned"])
+        self.assertFalse(ctx["canonical_root_assessment"]["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("identity mismatch" in r for r in ctx["canonical_root_assessment"]["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_unpatched_foreign_configured_root_derives_expected_from_process_root_and_blocks(self):
+        """B8: Production path test where foreign configured root cannot self-authorize."""
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "PROJECT_ROOT", self.install_root), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server, "_configured_canonical_root", return_value=(self.evil_root, "env")):
+            expected_slug = mcp_server._resolve_expected_repository_slug("prgs")
+            self.assertEqual(expected_slug, "Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools")
+            assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+                configured_value=self.evil_root,
+                source="env",
+                expected_slug=expected_slug,
+                process_project_root=self.install_root,
+                remote="prgs",
+                require_binding=True,
+            )
+            self.assertFalse(assessment["proven"])
+            self.assertTrue(assessment["block"])
+            self.assertEqual(assessment["resolved_slug"], "Someone-Else/Evil-Repo")
+            self.assertTrue(any("identity mismatch" in r for r in assessment["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_unpatched_valid_cross_repo_matching_session_context(self):
+        """B8: Valid cross-repo namespace matches when session context is bound to target repo."""
+        bound_ctx = {"org": "Scaled-Tech-Consulting", "repository": "mcp-control-plane", "remote": "prgs"}
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "PROJECT_ROOT", self.install_root), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server.session_ctx, "get_session_context", return_value=bound_ctx):
+            expected_slug = mcp_server._resolve_expected_repository_slug("prgs")
+            self.assertEqual(expected_slug, "Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane")
+            assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+                configured_value=self.target_root,
+                source="env",
+                expected_slug=expected_slug,
+                process_project_root=self.install_root,
+                remote="prgs",
+                require_binding=True,
+            )
+            self.assertTrue(assessment["proven"])
+            self.assertFalse(assessment["block"])
+            self.assertEqual(assessment["resolved_slug"], "Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane")
+
+    def test_unprovable_expected_identity_fails_closed(self):
+        """B8: If expected repository identity is unprovable for a configured root, fail closed."""
+        no_remote_root = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "no-remote-process-root")
+        os.makedirs(no_remote_root)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "init", "-b", "master"], cwd=no_remote_root, check=True)
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "PROJECT_ROOT", no_remote_root), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server.session_ctx, "get_session_context", return_value=None):
+            expected_slug = mcp_server._resolve_expected_repository_slug("prgs")
+            self.assertIsNone(expected_slug)
+            assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+                configured_value=self.target_root,
+                source="env",
+                expected_slug=expected_slug,
+                process_project_root=no_remote_root,
+                remote="prgs",
+                require_binding=True,
+            )
+            self.assertFalse(assessment["proven"])
+            self.assertTrue(assessment["block"])
+            self.assertTrue(any("unprovable or missing" in r for r in assessment["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_missing_canonical_root(self):
+        ctx = nwb.resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
+            role_kind="author",
+            worktree_path=None,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            env={},
+            configured_canonical_root="",
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(ctx["canonical_repo_root"], self.install_root)
+        self.assertTrue(ctx["roots_aligned"])
+
+    def test_nonexistent_configured_canonical_root(self):
+        nonexistent = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "nonexistent-repo")
+        ctx = nwb.resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
+            role_kind="reviewer",
+            worktree_path=self.target_worktree,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            env={},
+            configured_canonical_root=nonexistent,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(ctx["roots_aligned"])
+        self.assertFalse(ctx["canonical_root_assessment"]["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("does not exist" in r for r in ctx["canonical_root_assessment"]["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_non_git_configured_canonical_root(self):
+        non_git = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "non-git-dir")
+        os.makedirs(non_git)
+        ctx = nwb.resolve_namespace_mutation_context(
+            role_kind="reviewer",
+            worktree_path=self.target_worktree,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            env={},
+            configured_canonical_root=non_git,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(ctx["roots_aligned"])
+        self.assertFalse(ctx["canonical_root_assessment"]["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("not a git repository" in r for r in ctx["canonical_root_assessment"]["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_git_common_directory_membership_matching(self):
+        valid, err = nwb.verify_git_common_directory_membership(
+            self.target_worktree, self.target_root
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(valid, err)
+        self.assertIsNone(err)
+
+    def test_foreign_git_common_directory(self):
+        # Foreign worktree created under install_root
+        install_branches = os.path.join(self.install_root, "branches")
+        foreign_wt = os.path.join(install_branches, "foreign-wt")
+        subprocess.run(["git", "worktree", "add", "-b", "foreign-wt", foreign_wt], cwd=self.install_root, check=True)
+
+        valid, err = nwb.verify_git_common_directory_membership(
+            foreign_wt, self.target_root
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(valid)
+        self.assertIn("does not match", err)
+
+    def test_normalized_path_aliases(self):
+        alias_path = self.target_worktree + "/../rev-pr-99/./"
+        valid, err = nwb.verify_git_common_directory_membership(
+            alias_path, self.target_root
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(valid, err)
+
+    def test_safe_symlink_identity(self):
+        link_path = os.path.join(self.target_branches, "symlink-rev-99")
+        try:
+            os.symlink(self.target_worktree, link_path)
+            valid, err = nwb.verify_git_common_directory_membership(
+                link_path, self.target_root
+            )
+            self.assertTrue(valid, err)
+        finally:
+            if os.path.exists(link_path):
+                os.unlink(link_path)
+
+    def test_symlink_escape_or_foreign_alias(self):
+        outside_dir = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "outside-target")
+        os.makedirs(outside_dir)
+        link_escape = os.path.join(self.target_branches, "escape-link")
+        try:
+            os.symlink(outside_dir, link_escape)
+            assessment = nwb.assess_namespace_mutation_workspace(
+                role_kind="reviewer",
+                worktree_path=link_escape,
+                worktree=None,
+                process_project_root=self.install_root,
+                env={},
+                configured_canonical_root=self.target_root,
+                expected_slug="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane",
+            )
+            self.assertTrue(assessment["block"])
+        finally:
+            if os.path.exists(link_escape):
+                os.unlink(link_escape)
+
+    def test_reviewer_worktree_registered_and_valid(self):
+        assessment = nwb.assess_namespace_mutation_workspace(
+            role_kind="reviewer",
+            worktree_path=self.target_worktree,
+            worktree=None,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            env={},
+            configured_canonical_root=self.target_root,
+            expected_slug="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane",
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(assessment["block"])
+
+    def test_reviewer_worktree_unregistered_blocks(self):
+        unreg_wt = os.path.join(self.target_branches, "unregistered-reviewer")
+        os.makedirs(unreg_wt)
+        assessment = nwb.assess_namespace_mutation_workspace(
+            role_kind="reviewer",
+            worktree_path=unreg_wt,
+            worktree=None,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            env={},
+            configured_canonical_root=self.target_root,
+            expected_slug="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane",
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(assessment["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("is not registered in git worktree list" in r for r in assessment["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_merger_worktree_registered_and_valid(self):
+        assessment = nwb.assess_namespace_mutation_workspace(
+            role_kind="merger",
+            worktree_path=self.target_worktree,
+            worktree=None,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            env={},
+            configured_canonical_root=self.target_root,
+            expected_slug="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane",
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(assessment["block"])
+
+    def test_merger_worktree_unregistered_blocks(self):
+        unreg_wt = os.path.join(self.target_branches, "unregistered-merger")
+        os.makedirs(unreg_wt)
+        assessment = nwb.assess_namespace_mutation_workspace(
+            role_kind="merger",
+            worktree_path=unreg_wt,
+            worktree=None,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            env={},
+            configured_canonical_root=self.target_root,
+            expected_slug="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane",
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(assessment["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("is not registered in git worktree list" in r for r in assessment["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_reviewer_or_merger_worktree_outside_branches_blocks(self):
+        outside_wt = os.path.join(self.target_root, "outside_branches_wt")
+        os.makedirs(outside_wt)
+        for r_kind in ("reviewer", "merger"):
+            assessment = nwb.assess_namespace_mutation_workspace(
+                role_kind=r_kind,
+                worktree_path=outside_wt,
+                worktree=None,
+                process_project_root=self.install_root,
+                env={},
+                configured_canonical_root=self.target_root,
+                expected_slug="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane",
+            )
+            self.assertTrue(assessment["block"])
+            self.assertTrue(any("is not under" in r for r in assessment["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_nonexistent_reviewer_or_merger_worktree_blocks(self):
+        nonexistent_wt = os.path.join(self.target_branches, "nonexistent-wt")
+        for r_kind in ("reviewer", "merger"):
+            assessment = nwb.assess_namespace_mutation_workspace(
+                role_kind=r_kind,
+                worktree_path=nonexistent_wt,
+                worktree=None,
+                process_project_root=self.install_root,
+                env={},
+                configured_canonical_root=self.target_root,
+                expected_slug="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane",
+            )
+            self.assertTrue(assessment["block"])
+            self.assertTrue(any("does not exist" in r for r in assessment["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_safe_and_unsafe_mutation_alignment_outcomes(self):
+        # Safe alignment (same repo)
+        report_safe = stable_control_runtime.build_runtime_report(
+            process_root=self.install_root,
+            checkout_branch="master",
+            runtime_head="abcdef123456",
+            active_task_workspace=self.install_root,
+            canonical_repository_root=self.install_root,
+            workspace_roots_aligned=True,
+        )
+        gate_safe = stable_control_runtime.assess_runtime_mutation_gate(report_safe)
+        self.assertFalse(gate_safe["block"])
+
+        # Unsafe alignment
+        report_unsafe = stable_control_runtime.build_runtime_report(
+            process_root=self.install_root,
+            checkout_branch="master",
+            runtime_head="abcdef123456",
+            active_task_workspace=self.target_worktree,
+            canonical_repository_root=self.target_root,
+            workspace_roots_aligned=False,
+        )
+        gate_unsafe = stable_control_runtime.assess_runtime_mutation_gate(report_unsafe)
+        self.assertTrue(gate_unsafe["block"])
+
+    def test_reviewer_lease_lifecycle_production_path(self):
+        """B5: Automated regression for reviewer lease acquire and release through production path."""
+        mock_whoami = {
+            "authenticated": True,
+            "username": "sysadmin",
+            "remote": "prgs",
+            "profile": {
+                "profile_name": "prgs-reviewer",
+                "role": "reviewer",
+                "role_kind": "reviewer",
+                "allowed_operations": ["gitea.read", "gitea.pr.comment", "gitea.pr.approve", "gitea.pr.request_changes"],
+                "forbidden_operations": [],
+            },
+        }
+
+        def mock_api_request(method, url, auth=None, json_data=None):
+            if method == "GET":
+                return {"number": 99, "head": {"sha": "abc1234"}, "state": "open", "merged": False, "merged_at": None}
+            elif method == "POST":
+                return {"id": 9999, "body": (json_data or {}).get("body", "")}
+            return {}
+
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "gitea_whoami", return_value=mock_whoami), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server, "get_profile", return_value=mock_whoami["profile"]), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server, "_effective_workspace_role", return_value="reviewer"), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server, "_configured_canonical_root", return_value=(self.target_root, "env")), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server, "_reviewer_session_worktree", return_value=self.target_worktree), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server, "_auth", return_value="token mock-token"), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server, "_fetch_pr_comments", return_value=[]), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server, "api_request", side_effect=mock_api_request), \
+             patch("reviewer_pr_lease.assess_acquire_lease", return_value={"acquire_allowed": True, "reasons": [], "lease_body": "<!-- LEASE -->"}), \
+             patch("reviewer_pr_lease.find_active_reviewer_lease", return_value={"session_id": "sid-123", "reviewer": "sysadmin"}), \
+             patch("reviewer_pr_lease.get_session_lease", return_value={"session_id": "sid-123", "reviewer": "sysadmin"}), \
+             patch("reviewer_pr_lease.clear_session_lease") as mock_clear:
+
+            acq_res = mcp_server.gitea_acquire_reviewer_pr_lease(
+                pr_number=99,
+                remote="prgs",
+                worktree=self.target_worktree,
+                org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+                repo="mcp-control-plane",
+            )
+            self.assertTrue(acq_res.get("success"), acq_res)
+
+            rel_res = mcp_server.gitea_release_reviewer_pr_lease(
+                pr_number=99,
+                worktree=self.target_worktree,
+                remote="prgs",
+                org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+                repo="mcp-control-plane",
+            )
+            self.assertTrue(rel_res.get("success"), rel_res)
+            mock_clear.assert_called_once()
+
+    def test_unbound_session_derives_and_retains_configured_target_repository(self):
+        """B9: Unbound session with a legitimate configured target root derives and retains target repository."""
+        prof = {
+            "profile_name": "prgs-author",
+            "allowed_repositories": ["Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane"],
+            "canonical_repository_root": self.target_root,
+        }
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "PROJECT_ROOT", self.install_root), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server.session_ctx, "get_session_context", return_value=None):
+            slug, reasons = mcp_server._canonical_repository_slug(prof, "prgs")
+            self.assertEqual(slug, "Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane", f"reasons: {reasons}")
+            self.assertEqual(reasons, [])
+            res = mcp_server._trusted_session_repository(prof, "prgs")
+            self.assertEqual(res["org"], "Scaled-Tech-Consulting")
+            self.assertEqual(res["repository"], "mcp-control-plane")
+
+    def test_process_root_a_configured_target_b_retains_b(self):
+        """B9: Process root A (Gitea-Tools) and configured target B (mcp-control-plane) keep B as expected identity when bound."""
+        bound_ctx = {"org": "Scaled-Tech-Consulting", "repository": "mcp-control-plane", "remote": "prgs"}
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "PROJECT_ROOT", self.install_root), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server.session_ctx, "get_session_context", return_value=bound_ctx):
+            expected = mcp_server._resolve_expected_repository_slug("prgs")
+            self.assertEqual(expected, "Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane")
+
+    def test_request_supplied_repository_c_cannot_replace_derived_or_bound_repository_b(self):
+        """B9: Request-supplied repository C (Timesheet) cannot replace bound repository B (mcp-control-plane)."""
+        bound_ctx = {"org": "Scaled-Tech-Consulting", "repository": "mcp-control-plane", "remote": "prgs"}
+        with patch.object(mcp_server, "PROJECT_ROOT", self.install_root), \
+             patch.object(mcp_server.session_ctx, "get_session_context", return_value=bound_ctx):
+            expected = mcp_server._resolve_expected_repository_slug("prgs", org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting", repo="Timesheet")
+            self.assertEqual(expected, "Scaled-Tech-Consulting/mcp-control-plane")
+
+    def test_known_expected_repo_a_plus_candidate_root_b_fails_closed(self):
+        """B9: Known expected repository A plus candidate root B fails closed in validation mode."""
+        assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=self.target_root,
+            source="env",
+            expected_slug="Scaled-Tech-Consulting/Gitea-Tools",
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs",
+            require_binding=True,
+            mode="validation",
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(assessment["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(assessment["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("identity mismatch" in r for r in assessment["reasons"]))
+
+    def test_validation_mode_with_unprovable_expected_identity_fails_closed(self):
+        """B9: Validation mode with expected_slug=None and require_binding=True fails closed."""
+        assessment = crr.assess_canonical_repository_root(
+            configured_value=self.target_root,
+            source="env",
+            expected_slug=None,
+            process_project_root=self.install_root,
+            remote="prgs",
+            require_binding=True,
+            mode="validation",
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(assessment["proven"])
+        self.assertTrue(assessment["block"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("unprovable or missing" in r for r in assessment["reasons"]))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_namespace_workspace_binding.py

@@ -245,10 +245,15 @@ class TestNamespaceWorkspaceIntegration(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_pr487_style_merge_binds_clean_merger_workspace(
         self, _exists, _isdir, mock_run
     ):
-        mock_run.return_value = MagicMock(returncode=0, stdout=f"{CONTROL_ROOT}/.git\n")
+        def mock_git(cmd, *args, **kwargs):
+            if "rev-parse" in cmd:
+                return MagicMock(returncode=0, stdout=f"{CONTROL_ROOT}/.git\n")
+            return MagicMock(returncode=0, stdout=f"worktree {CONTROL_ROOT}\nworktree {MERGER_CLEAN}\n")
+        mock_run.side_effect = mock_git
         os.environ[nwb.AUTHOR_WORKTREE_ENV] = AUTHOR_DIRTY
+        os.environ[nwb.MERGER_WORKTREE_ENV] = MERGER_CLEAN
         srv._preflight_resolved_role = "reviewer"
         with mock.patch.object(srv, "PROJECT_ROOT", MCP_PROCESS_ROOT):
             with mock.patch("gitea_mcp_server.get_profile", return_value=self._merger_profile()):
                 resolved = srv._verify_role_mutation_workspace("prgs")
-        self.assertEqual(resolved, os.path.realpath(MCP_PROCESS_ROOT))
+        self.assertEqual(resolved, os.path.realpath(MERGER_CLEAN))

tests/test_task_capability_role_invariants.py

@@ -153,6 +153,12 @@ EXPECTED_ROLE_EXCLUSIVE_TASKS = frozenset(
         "delete_branch",
         "cleanup_merged_pr_branch",
         "reconciliation_cleanup",
+        # #970 review 644 B2: retiring a missing worktree binding is a
+        # control-plane cleanup mutation, so it carries the same reconciler-only
+        # authority as every other reconciliation cleanup. Permission alone must
+        # not authorize it.
+        "reconcile_missing_worktree_bindings",
+        "gitea_reconcile_missing_worktree_bindings",
         "work_issue",
         "work-issue",
     }