diff --git a/plugins/reporting-governance/package.json b/plugins/reporting-governance/package.json
index 43f0940..2b1747b 100644
--- a/plugins/reporting-governance/package.json
+++ b/plugins/reporting-governance/package.json
@@ -14,6 +14,6 @@
     "./adapters/orchestrator": "./src/adapters/orchestrator.mjs"
   },
   "scripts": {
-    "test": "node --test test/package-structure.test.mjs test/policy-evaluator.test.mjs test/decision-runner.test.mjs test/governance-contract.integration.test.mjs test/watchdog-chain.integration.test.mjs test/exports-boundary.integration.test.mjs"
+    "test": "node --test test/package-structure.test.mjs test/policy-evaluator.test.mjs test/compatibility-preflight.test.mjs test/decision-runner.test.mjs test/governance-contract.integration.test.mjs test/watchdog-chain.integration.test.mjs test/exports-boundary.integration.test.mjs"
   }
 }
diff --git a/plugins/reporting-governance/src/core/compatibility-preflight.mjs b/plugins/reporting-governance/src/core/compatibility-preflight.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df7a48c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/reporting-governance/src/core/compatibility-preflight.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,177 @@
+const CANONICAL_SCHEMA_PATHS = Object.freeze({
+  event_schema: 'schemas/reporting-governance/event-envelope.schema.json',
+  evidence_schema: 'schemas/reporting-governance/evidence.schema.json',
+  decision_schema: 'schemas/reporting-governance/decision.schema.json',
+  capabilities_schema: 'schemas/reporting-governance/capability-descriptor.schema.json'
+});
+
+const EXPECTATION_CAPABILITY_PATHS = Object.freeze({
+  emit_canonical_events: ['capabilities.normalization.canonical_events'],
+  evaluate_watchdog_overdue: ['capabilities.watchdog.watchdog_evaluation'],
+  create_queue_items: ['capabilities.notification_path.queue_items'],
+  create_spool_handoff: ['capabilities.notification_path.spool_handoff'],
+  write_bridge_receipts: ['capabilities.notification_path.receipts'],
+  direct_sender_binding: ['capabilities.notification_path.sender_binding'],
+  final_delivery_ack: ['capabilities.notification_path.final_delivery_proof'],
+  inline_dispatch_blocking: ['capabilities.enforcement.block_transition']
+});
+
+function safeArray(value) {
+  return Array.isArray(value) ? value : [];
+}
+
+function getByPath(source, dottedPath) {
+  if (!source || !dottedPath) return undefined;
+  return dottedPath.split('.').reduce((acc, key) => (acc == null ? undefined : acc[key]), source);
+}
+
+function isSupported(node) {
+  return Boolean(node?.supported) && (node?.level === 'partial' || node?.level === 'full');
+}
+
+function assessCapabilityExpectation(capabilityDescriptor, expectation) {
+  const candidatePaths = EXPECTATION_CAPABILITY_PATHS[expectation] ?? [];
+  const matchedPath = candidatePaths.find((candidatePath) => isSupported(getByPath(capabilityDescriptor, candidatePath)));
+  return {
+    expectation,
+    supported: Boolean(matchedPath),
+    matched_path: matchedPath ?? candidatePaths[0] ?? null
+  };
+}
+
+function collectExpectedActions(profile = {}) {
+  const actions = [];
+  const overdueAction = profile?.spec?.policies?.overrides?.checkpoints?.overdueAction;
+  if (overdueAction) {
+    actions.push(overdueAction);
+  }
+  if (profile?.spec?.notifications?.operatorVisibleRecoveryRequired) {
+    actions.push('notify_operator');
+  }
+  return [...new Set(actions)];
+}
+
+function evaluateActionSupport(capabilityDescriptor = {}, action) {
+  switch (action) {
+    case 'force_checkpoint':
+      return {
+        action,
+        supported: isSupported(getByPath(capabilityDescriptor, 'capabilities.enforcement.force_checkpoint')),
+        required_paths: ['capabilities.enforcement.force_checkpoint'],
+        mode: 'fail_closed'
+      };
+    case 'notify_operator': {
+      const queueSupported = isSupported(getByPath(capabilityDescriptor, 'capabilities.notification_path.queue_items'));
+      const senderSupported = isSupported(getByPath(capabilityDescriptor, 'capabilities.notification_path.sender_binding'))
+        || isSupported(getByPath(capabilityDescriptor, 'capabilities.notification_path.direct_send'));
+      return {
+        action,
+        supported: queueSupported,
+        degraded: queueSupported && !senderSupported,
+        required_paths: ['capabilities.notification_path.queue_items'],
+        advisory_paths: ['capabilities.notification_path.sender_binding', 'capabilities.notification_path.direct_send'],
+        mode: queueSupported && !senderSupported ? 'honest_degrade' : 'pass'
+      };
+    }
+    case 'dispatch_message': {
+      const directSendSupported = isSupported(getByPath(capabilityDescriptor, 'capabilities.notification_path.direct_send'));
+      const senderSupported = isSupported(getByPath(capabilityDescriptor, 'capabilities.notification_path.sender_binding'));
+      return {
+        action,
+        supported: directSendSupported || senderSupported,
+        required_paths: ['capabilities.notification_path.direct_send', 'capabilities.notification_path.sender_binding'],
+        mode: directSendSupported || senderSupported ? 'pass' : 'fail_closed'
+      };
+    }
+    default:
+      return {
+        action,
+        supported: true,
+        required_paths: [],
+        mode: 'pass'
+      };
+  }
+}
+
+export function runCompatibilityPreflight({ capabilityDescriptor = {}, profile = {}, packageVersion } = {}) {
+  const runtimeId = capabilityDescriptor?.metadata?.id ?? capabilityDescriptor?.runtime?.name ?? 'unknown-runtime';
+  const requestedPluginVersion = profile?.spec?.package?.pluginVersion ?? packageVersion ?? null;
+  const compatiblePluginVersions = safeArray(capabilityDescriptor?.compatibility?.plugin_spec_versions);
+
+  const errors = [];
+  const warnings = [];
+  const notes = [];
+
+  const schemaChecks = Object.entries(CANONICAL_SCHEMA_PATHS).map(([key, expectedPath]) => {
+    const actualPath = capabilityDescriptor?.compatibility?.[key] ?? null;
+    const ok = actualPath === expectedPath;
+    if (!ok) {
+      errors.push(`schema mismatch: ${key} expected ${expectedPath} but got ${actualPath ?? 'missing'}`);
+    }
+    return { key, expected: expectedPath, actual: actualPath, ok };
+  });
+
+  const versionOk = requestedPluginVersion ? compatiblePluginVersions.includes(requestedPluginVersion) : false;
+  if (!versionOk) {
+    errors.push(`plugin version ${requestedPluginVersion ?? 'missing'} is not declared compatible by runtime ${runtimeId}`);
+  }
+
+  const requiredExpectations = safeArray(profile?.capability_expectations?.required).map((expectation) =>
+    assessCapabilityExpectation(capabilityDescriptor, expectation)
+  );
+  const preferredExpectations = safeArray(profile?.capability_expectations?.preferred).map((expectation) =>
+    assessCapabilityExpectation(capabilityDescriptor, expectation)
+  );
+
+  for (const result of requiredExpectations) {
+    if (!result.supported) {
+      errors.push(`required capability expectation not satisfied: ${result.expectation}`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  for (const result of preferredExpectations) {
+    if (!result.supported) {
+      warnings.push(`preferred capability expectation not satisfied: ${result.expectation}`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  const actionChecks = collectExpectedActions(profile).map((action) => evaluateActionSupport(capabilityDescriptor, action));
+  for (const result of actionChecks) {
+    if (!result.supported) {
+      errors.push(`required action is not supportable by runtime: ${result.action}`);
+    } else if (result.mode === 'honest_degrade') {
+      warnings.push(`action ${result.action} only supports deferred truth path; treat final delivery as pending_external_send until acked`);
+      notes.push(`degrade:${result.action}=pending_external_send`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  const status = errors.length > 0 ? 'fail_closed' : warnings.length > 0 ? 'degraded' : 'pass';
+
+  return {
+    status,
+    runtime: runtimeId,
+    requested_profile: profile?.metadata?.id ?? null,
+    requested_plugin_version: requestedPluginVersion,
+    compatibility: {
+      version_ok: versionOk,
+      compatible_plugin_versions: compatiblePluginVersions,
+      schema_checks: schemaChecks,
+      required_expectations: requiredExpectations,
+      preferred_expectations: preferredExpectations,
+      action_checks: actionChecks
+    },
+    errors,
+    warnings,
+    notes
+  };
+}
+
+export const __testables = {
+  CANONICAL_SCHEMA_PATHS,
+  EXPECTATION_CAPABILITY_PATHS,
+  collectExpectedActions,
+  evaluateActionSupport,
+  assessCapabilityExpectation
+};
+
+export default runCompatibilityPreflight;
diff --git a/plugins/reporting-governance/src/core/decision-runner.mjs b/plugins/reporting-governance/src/core/decision-runner.mjs
index a8ba370..40e9b7f 100644
--- a/plugins/reporting-governance/src/core/decision-runner.mjs
+++ b/plugins/reporting-governance/src/core/decision-runner.mjs
@@ -42,13 +42,53 @@ function mapActionToCapability(action) {
     case 'block_transition':
       return 'block_transition';
     case 'notify_operator':
+      return 'notify_operator';
     case 'dispatch_message':
-      return 'force_checkpoint';
+      return 'dispatch_message';
     default:
       return null;
   }
 }
 
+function actionSupport(capabilityDescriptor = {}, actionName) {
+  switch (actionName) {
+    case 'notify_operator': {
+      const queue = capabilityDescriptor?.capabilities?.notification_path?.queue_items ?? { supported: false, level: 'none' };
+      const sender = capabilityDescriptor?.capabilities?.notification_path?.sender_binding ?? { supported: false, level: 'none' };
+      const directSend = capabilityDescriptor?.capabilities?.notification_path?.direct_send ?? { supported: false, level: 'none' };
+      const queueSupported = queue.supported && isTruthySupportLevel(queue.level);
+      const senderSupported = (sender.supported && isTruthySupportLevel(sender.level)) || (directSend.supported && isTruthySupportLevel(directSend.level));
+      return {
+        supported: queueSupported,
+        level: queueSupported && senderSupported ? 'full' : queueSupported ? 'partial' : 'none',
+        capability: 'notify_operator',
+        mode: queueSupported && !senderSupported ? 'runtime_adapter_dispatch_deferred' : 'runtime_adapter_dispatch'
+      };
+    }
+    case 'dispatch_message': {
+      const directSend = capabilityDescriptor?.capabilities?.notification_path?.direct_send ?? { supported: false, level: 'none' };
+      const sender = capabilityDescriptor?.capabilities?.notification_path?.sender_binding ?? { supported: false, level: 'none' };
+      const supported = (directSend.supported && isTruthySupportLevel(directSend.level)) || (sender.supported && isTruthySupportLevel(sender.level));
+      return {
+        supported,
+        level: supported ? (directSend.level === 'full' || sender.level === 'full' ? 'full' : 'partial') : 'none',
+        capability: 'dispatch_message',
+        mode: 'runtime_adapter_dispatch'
+      };
+    }
+    default: {
+      const capabilityName = mapActionToCapability(actionName);
+      const capability = capabilityName ? enforcementSupport(capabilityDescriptor, capabilityName) : { supported: true, level: 'full' };
+      return {
+        supported: capabilityName ? capability.supported && isTruthySupportLevel(capability.level) : true,
+        level: capability.level ?? 'full',
+        capability: capabilityName,
+        mode: 'package_core_signal'
+      };
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 export function planDecisionExecution({ decision, capabilityDescriptor = {} }) {
   if (!decision) {
     throw new Error('decision is required');
@@ -61,26 +101,22 @@ export function planDecisionExecution({ decision, capabilityDescriptor = {} }) {
   const notes = [];
 
   for (const requiredAction of safeArray(decision.required_actions)) {
-    const capabilityName = mapActionToCapability(requiredAction.action);
-    const capability = capabilityName ? enforcementSupport(capabilityDescriptor, capabilityName) : { supported: true, level: 'full' };
-    const supported = capabilityName ? capability.supported && isTruthySupportLevel(capability.level) : true;
+    const support = actionSupport(capabilityDescriptor, requiredAction.action);
 
-    if (supported) {
+    if (support.supported) {
       actionPlans.push({
         ...requiredAction,
-        execution_mode: requiredAction.action === 'notify_operator' || requiredAction.action === 'dispatch_message'
-          ? 'runtime_adapter_dispatch'
-          : 'package_core_signal',
-        capability: capabilityName,
-        support_level: capability.level ?? 'full'
+        execution_mode: support.mode,
+        capability: support.capability,
+        support_level: support.level
       });
       continue;
     }
 
     blockedActions.push({
       ...requiredAction,
-      capability: capabilityName,
-      support_level: capability.level ?? 'none',
+      capability: support.capability,
+      support_level: support.level ?? 'none',
       reason: 'runtime capability descriptor does not support this enforcement path'
     });
   }
@@ -93,6 +129,10 @@ export function planDecisionExecution({ decision, capabilityDescriptor = {} }) {
     delivery_state = 'blocked';
   }
 
+  if (actionPlans.some((action) => action.execution_mode === 'runtime_adapter_dispatch_deferred')) {
+    notes.push('Some operator notice paths are only queue/bridge capable; final delivery must remain pending_external_send until acked.');
+  }
+
   if (blockedActions.some((action) => action.mandatory)) {
     notes.push('One or more mandatory actions could not be planned truthfully from the advertised runtime capabilities.');
   }
@@ -104,7 +144,9 @@ export function planDecisionExecution({ decision, capabilityDescriptor = {} }) {
       decision: decision.decision,
       planned_actions: actionPlans,
       blocked_actions: blockedActions,
-      runtime_adapter_required: actionPlans.filter((action) => action.execution_mode === 'runtime_adapter_dispatch').map((action) => action.action),
+      runtime_adapter_required: actionPlans
+        .filter((action) => action.execution_mode === 'runtime_adapter_dispatch' || action.execution_mode === 'runtime_adapter_dispatch_deferred')
+        .map((action) => action.action),
       package_core_actions: actionPlans.filter((action) => action.execution_mode === 'package_core_signal').map((action) => action.action)
     },
     receipt: createReceipt({ decision, actionPlans, blockedActions, delivery_state, notes })
diff --git a/plugins/reporting-governance/src/core/index.mjs b/plugins/reporting-governance/src/core/index.mjs
index ab6c084..e341a6f 100644
--- a/plugins/reporting-governance/src/core/index.mjs
+++ b/plugins/reporting-governance/src/core/index.mjs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 export { evaluatePolicyPack, evaluatePolicies } from './policy-evaluator.mjs';
 export { planDecisionExecution } from './decision-runner.mjs';
 export { executeGovernanceContract } from './execute-governance-contract.mjs';
+export { runCompatibilityPreflight } from './compatibility-preflight.mjs';
diff --git a/plugins/reporting-governance/src/index.mjs b/plugins/reporting-governance/src/index.mjs
index e6e4bc8..4bfa7c5 100644
--- a/plugins/reporting-governance/src/index.mjs
+++ b/plugins/reporting-governance/src/index.mjs
@@ -29,7 +29,13 @@ export const packageBoundaries = {
   ]
 };
 
-export { evaluatePolicyPack, evaluatePolicies, planDecisionExecution, executeGovernanceContract } from './core/index.mjs';
+export {
+  evaluatePolicyPack,
+  evaluatePolicies,
+  planDecisionExecution,
+  executeGovernanceContract,
+  runCompatibilityPreflight,
+} from './core/index.mjs';
 export {
   createRuntimeBinding,
   runWatchdogAdapter,
diff --git a/plugins/reporting-governance/test/compatibility-preflight.test.mjs b/plugins/reporting-governance/test/compatibility-preflight.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1573734
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/reporting-governance/test/compatibility-preflight.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+import test from 'node:test';
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+
+import { runCompatibilityPreflight } from '../src/core/compatibility-preflight.mjs';
+import capabilityDescriptor from '../capabilities/openclaw-watchdog-reference.json' with { type: 'json' };
+
+const strictProfile = {
+  metadata: { id: 'strict-manager-mode' },
+  spec: {
+    package: { pluginVersion: '0.1.0-mainline' },
+    policies: {
+      overrides: {
+        checkpoints: { overdueAction: 'force_checkpoint' }
+      }
+    },
+    notifications: {
+      operatorVisibleRecoveryRequired: true
+    }
+  },
+  capability_expectations: {
+    required: [
+      'emit_canonical_events',
+      'evaluate_watchdog_overdue',
+      'create_queue_items',
+      'create_spool_handoff',
+      'write_bridge_receipts'
+    ],
+    preferred: ['direct_sender_binding', 'final_delivery_ack', 'inline_dispatch_blocking']
+  }
+};
+
+test('runCompatibilityPreflight passes strict profile against reference descriptor', () => {
+  const result = runCompatibilityPreflight({
+    capabilityDescriptor,
+    profile: strictProfile,
+    packageVersion: '0.1.0-mainline'
+  });
+
+  assert.equal(result.status, 'pass');
+  assert.equal(result.compatibility.version_ok, true);
+  assert.ok(result.compatibility.schema_checks.every((entry) => entry.ok));
+  assert.ok(result.compatibility.required_expectations.every((entry) => entry.supported));
+  assert.equal(result.errors.length, 0);
+});
+
+test('runCompatibilityPreflight fails closed on schema/version mismatch', () => {
+  const brokenDescriptor = {
+    ...capabilityDescriptor,
+    compatibility: {
+      ...capabilityDescriptor.compatibility,
+      plugin_spec_versions: ['9.9.9'],
+      decision_schema: 'schemas/reporting-governance/not-the-canonical-decision.schema.json'
+    }
+  };
+
+  const result = runCompatibilityPreflight({
+    capabilityDescriptor: brokenDescriptor,
+    profile: strictProfile,
+    packageVersion: '0.1.0-mainline'
+  });
+
+  assert.equal(result.status, 'fail_closed');
+  assert.equal(result.compatibility.version_ok, false);
+  assert.match(result.errors.join('\n'), /schema mismatch: decision_schema/);
+  assert.match(result.errors.join('\n'), /plugin version 0.1.0-mainline is not declared compatible/);
+});
+
+test('runCompatibilityPreflight degrades honestly when notify path can queue but cannot prove final send', () => {
+  const degradedDescriptor = {
+    ...capabilityDescriptor,
+    capabilities: {
+      ...capabilityDescriptor.capabilities,
+      notification_path: {
+        ...capabilityDescriptor.capabilities.notification_path,
+        sender_binding: { supported: false, level: 'none' },
+        direct_send: { supported: false, level: 'none' }
+      }
+    }
+  };
+
+  const result = runCompatibilityPreflight({
+    capabilityDescriptor: degradedDescriptor,
+    profile: strictProfile,
+    packageVersion: '0.1.0-mainline'
+  });
+
+  assert.equal(result.status, 'degraded');
+  assert.equal(result.errors.length, 0);
+  assert.ok(result.warnings.some((warning) => warning.includes('notify_operator')));
+  assert.ok(result.notes.includes('degrade:notify_operator=pending_external_send'));
+});
+
+test('runCompatibilityPreflight fails closed when profile requires unsupported force_checkpoint', () => {
+  const limitedDescriptor = {
+    ...capabilityDescriptor,
+    capabilities: {
+      ...capabilityDescriptor.capabilities,
+      enforcement: {
+        ...capabilityDescriptor.capabilities.enforcement,
+        force_checkpoint: { supported: false, level: 'none' }
+      }
+    }
+  };
+
+  const result = runCompatibilityPreflight({
+    capabilityDescriptor: limitedDescriptor,
+    profile: strictProfile,
+    packageVersion: '0.1.0-mainline'
+  });
+
+  assert.equal(result.status, 'fail_closed');
+  assert.match(result.errors.join('\n'), /required action is not supportable by runtime: force_checkpoint/);
+});
diff --git a/plugins/reporting-governance/test/decision-runner.test.mjs b/plugins/reporting-governance/test/decision-runner.test.mjs
index 7ca77be..6b83585 100644
--- a/plugins/reporting-governance/test/decision-runner.test.mjs
+++ b/plugins/reporting-governance/test/decision-runner.test.mjs
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@ const baseCapabilityDescriptor = {
       escalate: { supported: true, level: 'full' }
     },
     notification_path: {
+      queue_items: { supported: true, level: 'full' },
+      spool_handoff: { supported: true, level: 'full' },
+      sender_binding: { supported: true, level: 'full' },
+      direct_send: { supported: true, level: 'partial' },
       truth_model: {
         delivery_states: ['prepared', 'queued', 'dispatched', 'pending_external_send', 'acked', 'blocked'],
         ack_requires_proven_send: true,
@@ -53,6 +57,39 @@ test('planDecisionExecution produces runtime-adapter dispatch intent for force_c
   assert.ok(result.receipt.notes.some((note) => note.includes('runtime-adapter responsibility')));
 });
 
+test('planDecisionExecution keeps notify_operator separate from dispatch_message capability semantics', () => {
+  const notifyOnlyDescriptor = {
+    capabilities: {
+      ...baseCapabilityDescriptor.capabilities,
+      notification_path: {
+        ...baseCapabilityDescriptor.capabilities.notification_path,
+        sender_binding: { supported: false, level: 'none' },
+        direct_send: { supported: false, level: 'none' }
+      }
+    }
+  };
+
+  const result = planDecisionExecution({
+    decision: {
+      decision: 'force_checkpoint',
+      policy_id: 'no-silence.missed-checkpoint',
+      severity: 'high',
+      reason: 'checkpoint overdue',
+      required_actions: [
+        { action: 'notify_operator', target: 'operator_channel', mandatory: true },
+        { action: 'dispatch_message', target: 'operator_channel', mandatory: true }
+      ],
+      operator_notice: { required: true }
+    },
+    capabilityDescriptor: notifyOnlyDescriptor
+  });
+
+  assert.deepEqual(result.enforcement_intent.runtime_adapter_required, ['notify_operator']);
+  assert.equal(result.enforcement_intent.planned_actions[0].execution_mode, 'runtime_adapter_dispatch_deferred');
+  assert.equal(result.enforcement_intent.blocked_actions[0].action, 'dispatch_message');
+  assert.ok(result.receipt.notes.some((note) => note.includes('pending_external_send')));
+});
+
 test('planDecisionExecution truthfully blocks unsupported package action paths', () => {
   const result = planDecisionExecution({
     decision: {
@@ -79,3 +116,22 @@ test('planDecisionExecution truthfully blocks unsupported package action paths',
   assert.equal(result.enforcement_intent.planned_actions.length, 0);
   assert.equal(result.enforcement_intent.blocked_actions[0].action, 'set_status');
 });
+
+test('planDecisionExecution marks block decisions as blocked when runtime truth model supports blocked state', () => {
+  const result = planDecisionExecution({
+    decision: {
+      decision: 'block',
+      policy_id: 'no-fake-progress.invalid-transition',
+      severity: 'high',
+      reason: 'invalid dispatch attempt',
+      required_actions: [
+        { action: 'block_transition', target: 'dispatch_gate', mandatory: true }
+      ],
+      operator_notice: { required: false }
+    },
+    capabilityDescriptor: baseCapabilityDescriptor
+  });
+
+  assert.equal(result.receipt.delivery_state, 'blocked');
+  assert.deepEqual(result.enforcement_intent.package_core_actions, ['block_transition']);
+});
diff --git a/plugins/reporting-governance/test/governance-contract.integration.test.mjs b/plugins/reporting-governance/test/governance-contract.integration.test.mjs
index a04eb4c..56f2aaa 100644
--- a/plugins/reporting-governance/test/governance-contract.integration.test.mjs
+++ b/plugins/reporting-governance/test/governance-contract.integration.test.mjs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import test from 'node:test';
 import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
 
-import { executeGovernanceContract } from '../src/core/execute-governance-contract.mjs';
+import { executeGovernanceContract, runCompatibilityPreflight } from '../src/core/index.mjs';
 import capabilityDescriptor from '../capabilities/openclaw-watchdog-reference.json' with { type: 'json' };
 
 const noSilencePack = {
@@ -44,7 +44,39 @@ const noSilencePack = {
   }
 };
 
+const strictProfile = {
+  metadata: { id: 'strict-manager-mode' },
+  spec: {
+    package: { pluginVersion: '0.1.0-mainline' },
+    policies: {
+      overrides: {
+        checkpoints: { overdueAction: 'force_checkpoint' }
+      }
+    },
+    notifications: {
+      operatorVisibleRecoveryRequired: true
+    }
+  },
+  capability_expectations: {
+    required: [
+      'emit_canonical_events',
+      'evaluate_watchdog_overdue',
+      'create_queue_items',
+      'create_spool_handoff',
+      'write_bridge_receipts'
+    ],
+    preferred: ['direct_sender_binding', 'final_delivery_ack']
+  }
+};
+
 test('capability descriptor -> policy evaluation -> decision planning yields adapter-compatible contract', () => {
+  const preflight = runCompatibilityPreflight({
+    capabilityDescriptor,
+    profile: strictProfile,
+    packageVersion: '0.1.0-mainline'
+  });
+  assert.equal(preflight.status, 'pass');
+
   const result = executeGovernanceContract({
     event: {
       type: 'silence_timeout',
@@ -74,7 +106,7 @@ test('capability descriptor -> policy evaluation -> decision planning yields ada
   assert.equal(result.contract.runtime, 'openclaw-watchdog-reference');
 });
 
-test('contract truthfully degrades when capability descriptor cannot satisfy mandatory action', () => {
+test('contract truthfully degrades when notify path can queue but cannot directly dispatch', () => {
   const limitedDescriptor = {
     ...capabilityDescriptor,
     metadata: {
@@ -83,13 +115,21 @@ test('contract truthfully degrades when capability descriptor cannot satisfy man
     },
     capabilities: {
       ...capabilityDescriptor.capabilities,
-      enforcement: {
-        ...capabilityDescriptor.capabilities.enforcement,
-        force_checkpoint: { supported: false, level: 'none' }
+      notification_path: {
+        ...capabilityDescriptor.capabilities.notification_path,
+        sender_binding: { supported: false, level: 'none' },
+        direct_send: { supported: false, level: 'none' }
       }
     }
   };
 
+  const preflight = runCompatibilityPreflight({
+    capabilityDescriptor: limitedDescriptor,
+    profile: strictProfile,
+    packageVersion: '0.1.0-mainline'
+  });
+  assert.equal(preflight.status, 'degraded');
+
   const result = executeGovernanceContract({
     event: {
       type: 'silence_timeout',
@@ -103,7 +143,48 @@ test('contract truthfully degrades when capability descriptor cannot satisfy man
   });
 
   assert.equal(result.evaluation.decision.decision, 'force_checkpoint');
-  assert.deepEqual(result.contract.adapter_actions, []);
-  assert.deepEqual(result.contract.blocked_actions, ['notify_operator']);
-  assert.equal(result.contract.receipt_status, 'degraded');
+  assert.deepEqual(result.contract.adapter_actions, ['notify_operator']);
+  assert.deepEqual(result.contract.blocked_actions, []);
+  assert.equal(result.contract.receipt_status, 'planned');
+  assert.ok(result.planning.receipt.notes.some((note) => note.includes('pending_external_send')));
+});
+
+test('contract fails closed when capability descriptor cannot satisfy mandatory force_checkpoint path', () => {
+  const limitedDescriptor = {
+    ...capabilityDescriptor,
+    metadata: {
+      ...capabilityDescriptor.metadata,
+      id: 'hard-limited-openclaw-watchdog-reference'
+    },
+    capabilities: {
+      ...capabilityDescriptor.capabilities,
+      enforcement: {
+        ...capabilityDescriptor.capabilities.enforcement,
+        force_checkpoint: { supported: false, level: 'none' }
+      }
+    }
+  };
+
+  const preflight = runCompatibilityPreflight({
+    capabilityDescriptor: limitedDescriptor,
+    profile: strictProfile,
+    packageVersion: '0.1.0-mainline'
+  });
+  assert.equal(preflight.status, 'fail_closed');
+
+  const result = executeGovernanceContract({
+    event: {
+      type: 'silence_timeout',
+      payload: { checkpoint_overdue: true }
+    },
+    capabilityDescriptor: limitedDescriptor,
+    policyPacks: [noSilencePack],
+    context: {
+      signals: ['checkpoint_overdue']
+    }
+  });
+
+  assert.equal(result.evaluation.decision.decision, 'force_checkpoint');
+  assert.deepEqual(result.contract.adapter_actions, ['notify_operator']);
+  assert.equal(result.contract.receipt_status, 'planned');
 });
diff --git a/plugins/reporting-governance/test/policy-evaluator.test.mjs b/plugins/reporting-governance/test/policy-evaluator.test.mjs
index 0e38cb9..1a6c06c 100644
--- a/plugins/reporting-governance/test/policy-evaluator.test.mjs
+++ b/plugins/reporting-governance/test/policy-evaluator.test.mjs
@@ -104,6 +104,47 @@ const verifiedCompletionPack = {
   }
 };
 
+const structurePack = {
+  metadata: { id: 'mandatory-checkpoint-structure', severity_default: 'medium' },
+  spec: {
+    evaluation_mode: 'any_rule_match',
+    rules: [
+      {
+        id: 'mandatory-checkpoint-structure.block-missing-fields',
+        title: 'Missing checkpoint structure blocks dispatch',
+        intent: 'Do not allow malformed checkpoints to pass as normal progress.',
+        triggers: {
+          event_types: ['task_checkpoint_sent'],
+          claim_types: ['progress']
+        },
+        conditions: {
+          all: [
+            { fact: 'message.has_required_checkpoint_fields', equals: false }
+          ]
+        },
+        decision_output: {
+          decision: 'block',
+          severity: 'high',
+          reason: 'checkpoint structure missing required fields',
+          required_actions: [
+            { action: 'block_transition', target: 'dispatch_gate', mandatory: true },
+            { action: 'notify_operator', target: 'operator_channel', mandatory: true }
+          ],
+          operator_notice: {
+            required: true,
+            channel: 'telegram',
+            urgency: 'high',
+            message: 'Checkpoint blocked: missing required structure.'
+          }
+        },
+        operator_message_templates: {
+          blocked: 'Checkpoint blocked: missing required structure.'
+        }
+      }
+    ]
+  }
+};
+
 test('evaluatePolicyPack returns force_checkpoint for overdue silence event', () => {
   const result = evaluatePolicyPack({
     event: {
@@ -141,3 +182,80 @@ test('evaluatePolicies picks downgrade_status over allow for weak completion cla
   assert.equal(result.decision.suggested_status, 'pending_verification');
   assert.equal(result.evaluations[0].decision.policy_id, 'verified-completion-only.insufficient-evidence');
 });
+
+test('evaluatePolicies gives block precedence over allow-like outcomes when checkpoint structure is invalid', () => {
+  const result = evaluatePolicies({
+    event: {
+      type: 'task_checkpoint_sent',
+      payload: {}
+    },
+    evidence: [
+      { id: 'ev-2', quality: 'moderate', is_new: true }
+    ],
+    capabilityDescriptor,
+    policyPacks: [noSilencePack, structurePack],
+    context: {
+      message: { has_required_checkpoint_fields: false }
+    }
+  });
+
+  assert.equal(result.decision.decision, 'block');
+  assert.equal(result.decision.policy_id, 'mandatory-checkpoint-structure.block-missing-fields');
+});
+
+test('evaluatePolicies applies multi-pack precedence with escalate over block and force_checkpoint', () => {
+  const escalationPack = {
+    metadata: { id: 'escalation-pack', severity_default: 'critical' },
+    spec: {
+      evaluation_mode: 'any_rule_match',
+      rules: [
+        {
+          id: 'escalation-pack.missing-visible-followup',
+          title: 'Missing visible follow-up escalates',
+          intent: 'Escalate when result exists without visible forwarding.',
+          triggers: { event_types: ['silence_timeout'] },
+          conditions: {
+            all: [
+              { fact: 'forwarding.result_available_without_visible_followup', equals: true }
+            ]
+          },
+          decision_output: {
+            decision: 'escalate',
+            severity: 'critical',
+            reason: 'result exists without visible forwarding',
+            required_actions: [
+              { action: 'raise_escalation', target: 'manager_channel', mandatory: true }
+            ],
+            operator_notice: {
+              required: true,
+              channel: 'telegram',
+              urgency: 'high',
+              message: 'Escalation required: hidden result path detected.'
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      ]
+    }
+  };
+
+  const result = evaluatePolicies({
+    event: {
+      type: 'silence_timeout',
+      payload: {
+        checkpoint_overdue: true,
+        result_available: true,
+        result_forwarded: false
+      }
+    },
+    evidence: [{ id: 'ev-3', quality: 'moderate', is_new: true }],
+    capabilityDescriptor,
+    policyPacks: [noSilencePack, structurePack, escalationPack],
+    context: {
+      signals: ['checkpoint_overdue'],
+      message: { has_required_checkpoint_fields: false }
+    }
+  });
+
+  assert.equal(result.decision.decision, 'escalate');
+  assert.equal(result.decision.policy_id, 'escalation-pack.missing-visible-followup');
+});