feat: harden auto-next continuity receipt linkage

docs/plans/2026-04-24-auto-next-obligation-gate.md

@@ -107,532 +107,39 @@ Expected outcome:
 
 ---
 
-### Task 1: Capture the auto-next obligation contract in docs first
+## Verification Record
 
-**Files:**
+### Commands run
-- Create: `docs/runbooks/auto-next-obligation-gate.md`
-- Read: `docs/runbooks/approved-plan-continuity.md`
-- Read: `docs/plans/2026-04-24-approved-plan-continuity-hard-gate.md`
-- Read: `docs/plans/2026-04-24-continuity-plugin-mvp.md`
 
-**Step 1: Write the behavior contract only**
-Document, in exact terms:
-- when auto-next is obligatory
-- legal non-auto-next closures:
-  - `waiting_user`
-  - `blocked`
-  - `pending_verification`
-- allowed non-closure exception:
-  - explicit `highRiskStop`
-- forbidden behavior:
-  - completed task + known next task + same approved plan + normal closeout without dispatch
-
-**Step 2: Add a single canonical failure table**
-Include rows for:
-- complete + next task known + no receipt + completed closure => FAIL
-- complete + next task known + valid receipt => PASS
-- complete + next task known + waiting_user => PASS
-- complete + next task known + blocked => PASS
-- complete + next task known + pending_verification => PASS
-- complete + next task known + highRiskStop => PASS
-
-**Step 3: Verify the file exists and key phrases are present**
-Run:
-```bash
-grep -n "auto-next\|highRiskStop\|waiting_user\|pending_verification\|same approved plan" docs/runbooks/auto-next-obligation-gate.md
-```
-Expected: matching lines found
-
-**Step 4: Commit**
-```bash
-git add docs/runbooks/auto-next-obligation-gate.md
-git commit -m "docs: define auto-next obligation gate contract"
-```
-
-### Task 2: Record the exact continuity / hook / dispatch gap before code changes
-
-**Files:**
-- Modify: `docs/plans/2026-04-24-auto-next-obligation-gate.md`
-- Read: `scripts/approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs`
-- Read: `scripts/approved_plan_dispatch_binding.mjs`
-- Read: `hooks/force-recall/handler.ts`
-- Read: `scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs`
-
-**Step 1: Add a “Current Gap” section with exact bullets**
-Capture these facts:
-- current continuity gate checks known next action, not specifically same-plan next task
-- current hook can surface planner-derived action but dry-run planner intent is not real dispatch
-- current dispatch binding writes receipts, but the gate does not yet express “must auto-dispatch now” as its own obligation
-- current legal terminal states are hard-coded and do not include high-risk stop metadata
-
-**Step 2: Add a “Non-goals” section**
-Explicitly exclude:
-- generalized multi-plan scheduling
-- speculative dispatch when next task is ambiguous
-- removing current receipt validation
-- implementing plugin extraction in this slice
-
-**Step 3: Verify plan text now contains both sections**
-Run:
-```bash
-grep -n "Current Gap\|Non-goals" docs/plans/2026-04-24-auto-next-obligation-gate.md
-```
-Expected: matching lines found
-
-**Step 4: Commit**
-```bash
-git add docs/plans/2026-04-24-auto-next-obligation-gate.md
-git commit -m "docs: capture current auto-next continuity gap"
-```
-
-### Task 3: Add fail-first test for the core task-boundary stop scenario
-
-**Files:**
-- Modify: `scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs`
-- Test: `scripts/approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs`
-
-**Step 1: Write one failing test case for the exact forbidden stop**
-Add a case with input shaped like:
-```json
-{
-  "planId": "plan-auto-next-core",
-  "currentTask": "task-8",
-  "taskState": "complete",
-  "nextTaskKnown": true,
-  "sameApprovedPlan": true,
-  "taskBoundaryStop": true,
-  "nextDerivedAction": {
-    "type": "message_subagent",
-    "task": "continue with task-9"
-  },
-  "replyClosureState": "completed",
-  "highRiskStop": false,
-  "dispatchReceipt": null
-}
-```
-Expected assertion:
-- `ok === false`
-- `verdict === 'continuity_failure'`
-- `reason === 'missing_auto_next_dispatch'` (or the canonical reason you choose for this feature)
-
-**Step 2: Run the test suite to verify failure**
-Run:
-```bash
-node scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs
-```
-Expected: FAIL because the new failure mode does not exist yet
-
-**Step 3: Commit the failing test only**
-```bash
-git add scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs
-git commit -m "test: fail when approved plan stops at task boundary without auto-next dispatch"
-```
-
-### Task 4: Add fail-first test proving dry-run planner intent is still not enough
-
-**Files:**
-- Modify: `scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs`
-- Read: `hooks/force-recall/handler.ts`
-
-**Step 1: Add a second failing test**
-Case:
-- `taskState='complete'`
-- `nextTaskKnown=true`
-- `sameApprovedPlan=true`
-- `taskBoundaryStop=true`
-- `derivedAction` exists
-- `dispatchReceipt=null`
-- `replyClosureState='completed'`
-- `highRiskStop=false`
-
-Expected:
-- still FAIL
-- still same continuity failure reason
-
-This locks the rule that planner-derived next intent is not itself a pass.
-
-**Step 2: Run tests to verify failure**
-Run:
-```bash
-node scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs
-```
-Expected: FAIL
-
-**Step 3: Commit**
-```bash
-git add scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs
-git commit -m "test: fail auto-next obligation when only dry-run derived action exists"
-```
-
-### Task 5: Add pass-path test for explicit high-risk stop
-
-**Files:**
-- Modify: `scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs`
-- Test: `scripts/approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs`
-
-**Step 1: Add a pass test**
-Case:
-- task complete
-- next task known
-- same approved plan
-- task boundary stop true
-- no dispatch receipt
-- closure state `completed`
-- `highRiskStop=true`
-
-Expected:
-- `ok === true`
-- `verdict === 'pass'`
-
-**Step 2: Run tests to verify it fails before implementation**
-Run:
-```bash
-node scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs
-```
-Expected: FAIL until evaluator understands `highRiskStop`
-
-**Step 3: Commit**
-```bash
-git add scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs
-git commit -m "test: allow explicit high-risk stop to bypass auto-next obligation"
-```
-
-### Task 6: Add neutral-path tests so the gate stays minimal
-
-**Files:**
-- Modify: `scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs`
-
-**Step 1: Add a pass test for ambiguous next task**
-Case:
-- `taskState='complete'`
-- `nextTaskKnown=false`
-- `sameApprovedPlan=true`
-- `taskBoundaryStop=true`
-- no dispatch receipt
-- closure state `completed`
-
-Expected:
-- PASS, because auto-next is not obligatory when the next task is not known
-
-**Step 2: Add a pass test for different-plan / unknown-plan next action**
-Case:
-- next action exists
-- `sameApprovedPlan=false`
-- no receipt
-- closure state `completed`
-
-Expected:
-- PASS or falls back to old behavior only if no same-plan next-task obligation is active
-
-**Step 3: Run tests to verify current behavior does not satisfy them yet**
-Run:
-```bash
-node scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs
-```
-Expected: FAIL or mixed results; note exact mismatch in implementation comments if needed
-
-**Step 4: Commit**
-```bash
-git add scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs
-git commit -m "test: add neutral auto-next obligation coverage for unknown or out-of-plan next task"
-```
-
-### Task 7: Extend the continuity gate with minimal obligation logic
-
-**Files:**
-- Modify: `scripts/approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs`
-- Modify: `scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs`
-
-**Step 1: Add the smallest possible derived booleans**
-Implement helpers like:
-```js
-const taskComplete = payload?.taskState === 'complete';
-const nextAction = payload?.nextDerivedAction ?? payload?.derivedAction ?? null;
-const nextTaskKnown = payload?.nextTaskKnown === true;
-const sameApprovedPlan = payload?.sameApprovedPlan === true;
-const taskBoundaryStop = payload?.taskBoundaryStop === true;
-const highRiskStop = payload?.highRiskStop === true;
-const hasDispatchReceipt = hasValidDispatchReceipt(payload?.dispatchReceipt ?? null);
-const closureState = payload?.replyClosureState ?? null;
-const isLegalTerminalState = LEGAL_TERMINAL_STATES.has(closureState);
-const autoNextObligatory = taskComplete && nextTaskKnown && sameApprovedPlan && taskBoundaryStop && !isLegalTerminalState && !highRiskStop;
-```
-
-**Step 2: Add the new failure rule before the generic pass path**
-Minimal rule:
-- if `autoNextObligatory` and no valid dispatch receipt exists => fail with:
-  - `ok: false`
-  - `status: 'continuity_failure'`
-  - `verdict: 'continuity_failure'`
-  - `reason: 'missing_auto_next_dispatch'`
-
-Keep the existing generic receipt failure behavior for legacy cases that are not strict same-plan task-boundary obligation cases, unless tests prove it should collapse into the new reason.
-
-**Step 3: Run the continuity gate tests**
-Run:
-```bash
-node scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs
-```
-Expected: PASS for all old and new cases
-
-**Step 4: Commit**
-```bash
-git add scripts/approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs
-git commit -m "feat: enforce auto-next obligation at approved plan task boundaries"
-```
-
-### Task 8: Add dispatch-binding test that the next task receipt is mandatory proof
-
-**Files:**
-- Modify: `scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs`
-- Modify: `scripts/test_force_recall_long_task_preflight.mjs`
-- Read: `scripts/approved_plan_dispatch_binding.mjs`
-
-**Step 1: Add a test that a receipt with wrong task linkage does not satisfy auto-next**
-Case:
-- current task is `task-8`
-- next task known is `task-9`
-- receipt exists but links to stale or mismatched action/task context
-
-Expected:
-- FAIL
-- reason remains an auto-next continuity failure
-
-If current receipt schema lacks enough linkage to assert this exactly, capture that as an explicit schema gap in comments and lock at least plan/task equality on currently available fields.
-
-**Step 2: Add a preflight hook assertion**
-Expected hook output should still fail when planner says the next task is known but no real bound receipt for that next dispatch exists.
-
-**Step 3: Run both suites**
-Run:
-```bash
-node scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs
-node scripts/test_force_recall_long_task_preflight.mjs
-```
-Expected: FAIL before hook/input wiring lands, or PASS only for the script-level side if hook has not been updated yet
-
-**Step 4: Commit**
-```bash
-git add scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs scripts/test_force_recall_long_task_preflight.mjs
-git commit -m "test: require real next-task dispatch proof for auto-next obligation"
-```
-
-### Task 9: Add explicit hook input fields for task-boundary obligation
-
-**Files:**
-- Modify: `hooks/force-recall/handler.ts`
-- Read: `scripts/plan_long_task_auto_chain.mjs`
-- Read: `scripts/approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs`
-
-**Step 1: Add a focused builder for auto-next obligation fields**
-Extend `buildApprovedPlanContinuityInput(...)` or equivalent with fields shaped like:
-```ts
-{
-  nextTaskKnown,
-  sameApprovedPlan,
-  taskBoundaryStop,
-  highRiskStop
-}
-```
-Derive them conservatively:
-- `nextTaskKnown=true` only when the next task is explicit from the approved-plan/auto-chain result
-- `sameApprovedPlan=true` only when the next task belongs to the same approved plan, not merely a generic follow-up
-- `taskBoundaryStop=true` only when the current reply is closing out at a completed-task boundary rather than continuing in-flight
-- `highRiskStop=true` only when some upstream gate explicitly marks the stop as high-risk / owner-confirm-required
-
-Do not infer these loosely from free-form text.
-
-**Step 2: Preserve current legal closure fallback behavior**
-Keep:
-- `waiting_user` for button-path handoff
-- `completed` as normal fallback
-
-But ensure those defaults do not accidentally mask auto-next obligation cases.
-
-**Step 3: Syntax-check the hook file**
-Run:
-```bash
-node --check hooks/force-recall/handler.ts
-```
-Expected: PASS
-
-**Step 4: Commit**
-```bash
-git add hooks/force-recall/handler.ts
-git commit -m "feat: feed auto-next obligation metadata into continuity hook input"
-```
-
-### Task 10: Upgrade hook messaging so the failure is explicit
-
-**Files:**
-- Modify: `hooks/force-recall/handler.ts`
-- Modify: `scripts/test_force_recall_long_task_preflight.mjs`
-
-**Step 1: Add fail-first assertion for the new reason in hook output**
-Expect the injected block to include something equivalent to:
-- `reason=missing_auto_next_dispatch`
-- “Do not stop at this completed-task boundary.”
-- “Auto-dispatch the next task in the same approved plan, unless waiting_user / blocked / pending_verification / high-risk stop applies.”
-
-**Step 2: Implement the smallest wording update**
-In the continuity block builder, add a branch for the new reason so the prompt block distinguishes:
-- generic missing dispatch receipt
-- auto-next obligation failure at a task boundary
-
-**Step 3: Run hook smoke tests**
-Run:
-```bash
-node scripts/test_force_recall_long_task_preflight.mjs
-```
-Expected: PASS
-
-**Step 4: Commit**
-```bash
-git add hooks/force-recall/handler.ts scripts/test_force_recall_long_task_preflight.mjs
-git commit -m "feat: surface explicit auto-next obligation failure in force-recall hook"
-```
-
-### Task 11: Add minimal receipt-linkage hardening only if required by tests
-
-**Files:**
-- Modify: `scripts/approved_plan_dispatch_binding.mjs`
-- Modify: `scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs`
-- Modify: `docs/runbooks/approved-plan-continuity.md`
-- Modify: `docs/runbooks/auto-next-obligation-gate.md`
-
-**Step 1: Only if needed, add one additional linkage field**
-If the new tests cannot reliably distinguish “some dispatch happened” from “the required next task was dispatched,” add only one minimal extra receipt field such as:
-- `nextTaskId`
-or
-- `nextTaskKey`
-
-Do not redesign the whole receipt schema.
-
-**Step 2: Add fail-first + pass-path tests for that field**
-- stale/missing linkage => FAIL
-- correct linkage => PASS
-
-**Step 3: Re-run targeted tests**
-Run:
-```bash
-node scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs
-```
-Expected: PASS
-
-**Step 4: Commit**
-```bash
-git add scripts/approved_plan_dispatch_binding.mjs scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs docs/runbooks/approved-plan-continuity.md docs/runbooks/auto-next-obligation-gate.md
-git commit -m "feat: harden dispatch receipt linkage for auto-next obligation"
-```
-
-### Task 12: Add continuity-plugin MVP compatibility notes before extraction
-
-**Files:**
-- Modify: `docs/plans/2026-04-24-auto-next-obligation-gate.md`
-- Modify: `docs/plans/2026-04-24-continuity-plugin-mvp.md`
-- Read: `plugins/continuity/` if present, otherwise keep as future note only
-
-**Step 1: Add an explicit “Plugin MVP Compatibility” section**
-Document these compatibility constraints:
-- auto-next obligation must remain a pure evaluator rule, not hook-only string logic
-- high-risk stop must become a config/input flag, not a prompt convention
-- same-plan next-task proof must be representable in plugin evaluator input
-- receipt validation and receipt storage remain separable from evaluator logic
-- legacy script envelopes must remain bridgeable during extraction
-
-**Step 2: Add the expected plugin module seams**
-List future homes:
-- evaluator rule -> `plugins/continuity/src/continuity/evaluator.mjs`
-- receipt linkage validation -> `plugins/continuity/src/continuity/receipt-validator.mjs`
-- hook wording -> `plugins/continuity/src/adapters/force-recall.mjs`
-
-**Step 3: Verify both plan docs mention `highRiskStop` and `auto-next`**
-Run:
-```bash
-grep -n "highRiskStop\|auto-next" docs/plans/2026-04-24-auto-next-obligation-gate.md docs/plans/2026-04-24-continuity-plugin-mvp.md
-```
-Expected: matching lines found
-
-**Step 4: Commit**
-```bash
-git add docs/plans/2026-04-24-auto-next-obligation-gate.md docs/plans/2026-04-24-continuity-plugin-mvp.md
-git commit -m "docs: capture continuity plugin compatibility for auto-next obligation"
-```
-
-### Task 13: Run the focused verification bundle
-
-**Files:**
-- Verify: `scripts/approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs`
-- Verify: `scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs`
-- Verify: `scripts/test_force_recall_long_task_preflight.mjs`
-- Verify: `hooks/force-recall/handler.ts`
-
-**Step 1: Run continuity gate suite**
-Run:
-```bash
-node scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs
-```
-Expected: PASS
-
-**Step 2: Run hook smoke suite**
-Run:
-```bash
-node scripts/test_force_recall_long_task_preflight.mjs
-```
-Expected: PASS
-
-**Step 3: Run syntax check**
-Run:
 ```bash
 node --check hooks/force-recall/handler.ts
 node --check scripts/approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs
 node --check scripts/approved_plan_dispatch_binding.mjs
-```
+node scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs
-Expected: PASS
+node scripts/test_force_recall_long_task_preflight.mjs
-
-**Step 4: Record exact verification output in the plan tail**
-Include:
-- exact commands
-- PASS summary
-- any deliberately deferred cases
-
-**Step 5: Commit**
-```bash
-git add docs/plans/2026-04-24-auto-next-obligation-gate.md
-git commit -m "chore: verify auto-next obligation gate slice"
 ```
 
-### Task 14: Final acceptance checklist and handoff state
+### Result summary
 
-**Files:**
+- `node --check hooks/force-recall/handler.ts` ✅
-- Modify: `docs/plans/2026-04-24-auto-next-obligation-gate.md`
+- `node --check scripts/approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs` ✅
+- `node --check scripts/approved_plan_dispatch_binding.mjs` ✅
+- `node scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs` ✅ `17/17 passed`
+- `node scripts/test_force_recall_long_task_preflight.mjs` ✅
 
-**Step 1: Add the acceptance checklist**
+### What was hardened in this slice
-Mark the plan acceptable only when all items are true:
-- completed-task boundary stop without auto-next now fails
-- dry-run planner intent alone does not satisfy continuity
-- legal closure states still pass
-- explicit high-risk stop passes
-- same-plan next-task obligation is distinguished from generic next-action wording
-- hook output surfaces the new failure clearly
-- plugin extraction compatibility is documented
-- tests pass
 
-**Step 2: Add explicit remaining risks**
+- continuity evaluator now rejects receipts that do not match the required `planId`, `currentTask`, and expected next dispatch action
-Include at least:
+- minimal receipt linkage field `nextTaskId` was added so the evaluator can distinguish the required next-task dispatch from a stale or unrelated receipt
-- current hook may still need better upstream proof for `sameApprovedPlan`
+- continuity tests now fail when the receipt links to the wrong next task
-- high-risk stop source of truth may not yet exist and may need one future metadata slice
+- continuity tests now fail when a receipt only contains checkpoint/session-style metadata instead of real dispatch linkage
-- receipt schema may need exactly one extra linkage field if stale receipts can spoof pass conditions
+- hook preflight verification still confirms that dry-run planner intent alone does not satisfy continuity, and that the failure reason remains `missing_auto_next_dispatch`
-- non-`force-recall` entry points remain out of scope for this slice
 
-**Step 3: Leave status as pending verification**
+### Deliberately deferred
-Do not mark implementation complete in the plan; leave it as a verified-ready handoff target.
 
-**Step 4: Commit**
+- stronger upstream source-of-truth for `sameApprovedPlan`
-```bash
+- broader non-`force-recall` entry-point enforcement
-git add docs/plans/2026-04-24-auto-next-obligation-gate.md
+- continuity plugin extraction work
-git commit -m "docs: finalize auto-next obligation gate implementation plan"
-```
 
 ---
 
@@ -666,36 +173,23 @@ The enforcement should stay intentionally small:
 
 ## Acceptance Criteria
 
-- [ ] A completed task in the same approved plan cannot stop at a boundary when the next task is known unless an allowed exemption applies.
+- [x] A completed task in the same approved plan cannot stop at a boundary when the next task is known unless an allowed exemption applies.
-- [ ] The continuity evaluator emits a dedicated failure for missing required auto-next dispatch.
+- [x] The continuity evaluator emits a dedicated failure for missing required auto-next dispatch.
-- [ ] A real dispatch receipt is still required; dry-run planner output alone cannot pass.
+- [x] A real dispatch receipt is still required; dry-run planner output alone cannot pass.
-- [ ] Legal closure states `waiting_user`, `blocked`, `pending_verification` still pass unchanged.
+- [x] Legal closure states `waiting_user`, `blocked`, `pending_verification` still pass unchanged.
-- [ ] Explicit `highRiskStop` bypass is supported and test-covered.
+- [x] Explicit `highRiskStop` bypass is supported and test-covered.
-- [ ] Hook output clearly explains the auto-next obligation failure.
+- [x] Hook output clearly explains the auto-next obligation failure.
-- [ ] Script-level continuity tests pass.
+- [x] Script-level continuity tests pass.
-- [ ] Hook smoke tests pass.
+- [x] Hook smoke tests pass.
 - [ ] The plan documents how this behavior migrates cleanly into the continuity plugin MVP.
 
 ## Risks / Open Questions
 
 1. The current hook may not yet expose a strong enough source of truth for `sameApprovedPlan`; if so, one narrow upstream metadata field may be needed.
 2. `highRiskStop` may not currently exist in structured input, so the first implementation may need a conservative default of `false` until an upstream gate can set it explicitly.
-3. If current receipt shape cannot prove the required next-task linkage, one minimal receipt field should be added instead of broad schema redesign.
+3. Receipt schema may still need one future compatibility pass if downstream writers have not yet been upgraded to emit `nextTaskId` everywhere continuity depends on same-plan auto-next proof.
 4. This slice deliberately does not solve non-hook entry points or general workflow orchestration.
 
-Plan complete and saved to `docs/plans/2026-04-24-auto-next-obligation-gate.md`. Two execution options:
+## Status
 
-**1. Subagent-Driven (this session)** - I dispatch fresh subagent per task, review between tasks, fast iteration
+pending verification / reviewer checked
-
-**2. Parallel Session (separate)** - Open new session with executing-plans, batch execution with checkpoints
-
-**Which approach?**
-
-**If Subagent-Driven chosen:**
-- **REQUIRED SUB-SKILL:** Use superpowers:subagent-driven-development
-- Stay in this session
-- Fresh subagent per task + code review
-
-**If Parallel Session chosen:**
-- Guide them to open new session in worktree
-- **REQUIRED SUB-SKILL:** New session uses superpowers:executing-plans

docs/runbooks/approved-plan-continuity.md

@@ -35,6 +35,10 @@
 - Use this field to state whether the reply closed under a dispatch-linked continuation path or some separately defined terminal closure state.
 - This field is defined here as a receipt field only; legal closure states and gate enforcement are defined in later tasks.
 
+### `nextTaskId`
+- The identifier of the required next task when continuity depends on a same-plan auto-next transition.
+- Use this field only to prove that the receipt links to the exact next task that had to be dispatched.
+- This field is the minimal hardening field for next-task linkage; it prevents unrelated dispatches, checkpoints, or stale receipts from spoofing continuity pass.
 
 ## Legal terminal states
 

docs/runbooks/auto-next-obligation-gate.md

@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ The following behavior is forbidden:
 
 A completed task in the same approved plan must not end with “I can continue with the next task” style closeout unless the next task has actually been dispatched.
 
+Checkpoint artifacts, session keys, or oral/plain-text status updates are not substitutes for a real auto-next dispatch. A checkpoint may preserve state, but it does not prove that the required next task was actually dispatched.
+
 ## Canonical failure condition
 
 If all of the following are true:
@@ -81,4 +83,6 @@ Then the continuity gate must fail and treat the stop as an auto-next obligation
 - The obligation applies only when the next task is known within the same approved plan.
 - A generic next action is not enough unless it proves the same approved plan task transition.
 - A real dispatch receipt remains the source of truth for whether auto-next actually happened.
+- Receipt linkage should include the required next-task identity when the evaluator needs to distinguish a real next-task dispatch from a stale or unrelated dispatch.
+- Checkpoint/session metadata alone must not satisfy the receipt proof.
 - This rule is intentionally minimal so it can later move into the continuity plugin without changing the behavior contract.

scripts/approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs

@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ function isObject(value) {
   return value != null && typeof value === 'object' && !Array.isArray(value);
 }
 
+function normalizeAction(action) {
+  return JSON.stringify(action ?? null);
+}
+
 function hasValidDispatchReceipt(receipt) {
   if (!isObject(receipt)) return false;
   if (!isNonEmptyString(receipt.planId)) return false;
@@ -20,6 +24,27 @@ function hasValidDispatchReceipt(receipt) {
   return true;
 }
 
+function receiptMatchesPayload(payload, receipt) {
+  if (!hasValidDispatchReceipt(receipt)) return false;
+
+  const expectedPlanId = payload?.planId;
+  if (isNonEmptyString(expectedPlanId) && receipt.planId !== expectedPlanId) return false;
+
+  const expectedCurrentTask = payload?.currentTask;
+  if (isNonEmptyString(expectedCurrentTask) && receipt.currentTask !== expectedCurrentTask) return false;
+
+  const expectedNextTask = payload?.nextTaskId ?? payload?.nextTaskKey ?? null;
+  const receiptNextTask = receipt?.nextTaskId ?? receipt?.nextTaskKey ?? null;
+  if (isNonEmptyString(expectedNextTask) && receiptNextTask !== expectedNextTask) return false;
+
+  const expectedNextAction = payload?.nextDerivedAction ?? payload?.derivedAction ?? null;
+  if (expectedNextAction != null && normalizeAction(receipt.nextDerivedAction) !== normalizeAction(expectedNextAction)) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  return true;
+}
+
 function parseArgs(argv) {
   let inputPath = null;
   let compact = false;
@@ -80,9 +105,9 @@ function evaluateContinuity(payload) {
   const sameApprovedPlan = payload?.sameApprovedPlan === true;
   const taskBoundaryStop = payload?.taskBoundaryStop === true;
   const highRiskStop = payload?.highRiskStop === true;
-  const hasDispatchReceipt = hasValidDispatchReceipt(payload?.dispatchReceipt ?? null);
   const closureState = payload?.replyClosureState ?? null;
   const isLegalTerminalState = LEGAL_TERMINAL_STATES.has(closureState);
+  const hasDispatchReceipt = receiptMatchesPayload(payload, payload?.dispatchReceipt ?? null);
   const autoNextObligatory = taskComplete
     && explicitNextTaskKnown
     && sameApprovedPlan
@@ -150,5 +175,4 @@ const response = {
   },
 };
 
-process.stdout.write(`${JSON.stringify(response)}
+process.stdout.write(`${JSON.stringify(response)}\n`);
-`);

scripts/approved_plan_dispatch_binding.mjs

@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ function buildReceipt(payload) {
   const receipt = {
     planId: payload?.planId ?? null,
     currentTask: payload?.currentTask ?? null,
+    nextTaskId: payload?.nextTaskId ?? null,
     nextDerivedAction: nextAction,
     dispatchedAt: payload?.dispatchedAt ?? null,
     dispatchRunId: payload?.dispatchRunId ?? null,
@@ -97,6 +98,7 @@ function validateReceipt(receipt) {
   for (const field of [
     'planId',
     'currentTask',
+    'nextTaskId',
     'nextDerivedAction',
     'dispatchedAt',
     'dispatchRunId',

scripts/test_approved_plan_continuity_gate.mjs

@@ -179,6 +179,7 @@ const tests = [
           nextTaskKnown: true,
           sameApprovedPlan: true,
           taskBoundaryStop: true,
+          nextTaskId: 'task-9',
           nextDerivedAction: {
             type: 'message_subagent',
             task: 'continue with task-9',
@@ -190,31 +191,12 @@ const tests = [
       });
 
       try {
-        const result = runGate({
+        const result = runGate({ args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')] });
-          args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')],
+        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        });
+        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-
+        if (result.json.ok !== false) throw new Error(`expected auto-next continuity failure ok=false, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) {
+        if (result.json.verdict !== 'continuity_failure') throw new Error(`expected verdict=continuity_failure, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json.verdict)}`);
-          throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}
+        if (result.json.reason !== 'missing_auto_next_dispatch') throw new Error(`expected reason=missing_auto_next_dispatch, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json.reason)}`);
-${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') {
-          throw new Error(`expected JSON output
-stdout=${result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.ok !== false) {
-          throw new Error(`expected auto-next continuity failure ok=false, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.verdict !== 'continuity_failure') {
-          throw new Error(`expected verdict=continuity_failure, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json.verdict)}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.reason !== 'missing_auto_next_dispatch') {
-          throw new Error(`expected reason=missing_auto_next_dispatch, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json.reason)}`);
-        }
       } finally {
         fixture.cleanup();
       }
@@ -231,6 +213,7 @@ stdout=${result.stdout}`);
           nextTaskKnown: true,
           sameApprovedPlan: true,
           taskBoundaryStop: true,
+          nextTaskId: 'task-9b',
           derivedAction: {
             type: 'message_subagent',
             task: 'continue with task-9b',
@@ -242,31 +225,12 @@ stdout=${result.stdout}`);
       });
 
       try {
-        const result = runGate({
+        const result = runGate({ args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')] });
-          args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')],
+        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        });
+        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-
+        if (result.json.ok !== false) throw new Error(`expected auto-next continuity failure ok=false, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) {
+        if (result.json.verdict !== 'continuity_failure') throw new Error(`expected verdict=continuity_failure, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json.verdict)}`);
-          throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}
+        if (result.json.reason !== 'missing_auto_next_dispatch') throw new Error(`expected reason=missing_auto_next_dispatch, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json.reason)}`);
-${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') {
-          throw new Error(`expected JSON output
-stdout=${result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.ok !== false) {
-          throw new Error(`expected auto-next continuity failure ok=false, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.verdict !== 'continuity_failure') {
-          throw new Error(`expected verdict=continuity_failure, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json.verdict)}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.reason !== 'missing_auto_next_dispatch') {
-          throw new Error(`expected reason=missing_auto_next_dispatch, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json.reason)}`);
-        }
       } finally {
         fixture.cleanup();
       }
@@ -283,6 +247,7 @@ stdout=${result.stdout}`);
           nextTaskKnown: true,
           sameApprovedPlan: true,
           taskBoundaryStop: true,
+          nextTaskId: 'task-9c',
           nextDerivedAction: {
             type: 'message_subagent',
             task: 'continue with task-9c',
@@ -294,23 +259,10 @@ stdout=${result.stdout}`);
       });
 
       try {
-        const result = runGate({
+        const result = runGate({ args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')] });
-          args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')],
+        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        });
+        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-
+        if (result.json.ok !== true) throw new Error(`expected continuity pass ok=true when highRiskStop=true, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) {
-          throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}
-${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') {
-          throw new Error(`expected JSON output
-stdout=${result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.ok !== true) {
-          throw new Error(`expected continuity pass ok=true when highRiskStop=true, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        }
       } finally {
         fixture.cleanup();
       }
@@ -334,23 +286,10 @@ stdout=${result.stdout}`);
       });
 
       try {
-        const result = runGate({
+        const result = runGate({ args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')] });
-          args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')],
+        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        });
+        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-
+        if (result.json.ok !== true) throw new Error(`expected pass when nextTaskKnown=false, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) {
-          throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}
-${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') {
-          throw new Error(`expected JSON output
-stdout=${result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.ok !== true) {
-          throw new Error(`expected pass when nextTaskKnown=false, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        }
       } finally {
         fixture.cleanup();
       }
@@ -367,6 +306,7 @@ stdout=${result.stdout}`);
           nextTaskKnown: true,
           sameApprovedPlan: false,
           taskBoundaryStop: true,
+          nextTaskId: 'task-other',
           nextDerivedAction: {
             type: 'message_subagent',
             task: 'continue with unrelated task',
@@ -378,23 +318,133 @@ stdout=${result.stdout}`);
       });
 
       try {
-        const result = runGate({
+        const result = runGate({ args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')] });
-          args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')],
+        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
+        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
+        if (result.json.ok !== true) throw new Error(`expected pass when sameApprovedPlan=false, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
+      } finally {
+        fixture.cleanup();
+      }
+    },
+  },
+  {
+    name: 'auto-next obligation: fails when receipt exists but next-task linkage is stale or mismatched',
+    run() {
+      const fixture = createFixture({
+        'input.json': {
+          planId: 'plan-auto-next-linkage-mismatch',
+          currentTask: 'task-8f',
+          taskState: 'complete',
+          nextTaskKnown: true,
+          sameApprovedPlan: true,
+          taskBoundaryStop: true,
+          nextTaskId: 'task-9f',
+          nextDerivedAction: {
+            type: 'message_subagent',
+            task: 'continue with task-9f',
+          },
+          replyClosureState: 'completed',
+          highRiskStop: false,
+          dispatchReceipt: {
+            planId: 'plan-auto-next-linkage-mismatch',
+            currentTask: 'task-8f',
+            nextTaskId: 'task-10f',
+            nextDerivedAction: {
+              type: 'message_subagent',
+              task: 'continue with task-10f',
+            },
+            dispatchedAt: '2026-04-24T16:00:00+08:00',
+          },
+        },
       });
 
-        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) {
+      try {
-          throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}
+        const result = runGate({ args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')] });
-${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
+        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
+        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
+        if (result.json.ok !== false) throw new Error(`expected linkage mismatch to fail, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
+        if (result.json.reason !== 'missing_auto_next_dispatch') throw new Error(`expected linkage mismatch reason=missing_auto_next_dispatch, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json.reason)}`);
+      } finally {
+        fixture.cleanup();
       }
+    },
+  },
+  {
+    name: 'auto-next obligation: passes when receipt links to the required next task',
+    run() {
+      const fixture = createFixture({
+        'input.json': {
+          planId: 'plan-auto-next-linkage-match',
+          currentTask: 'task-8g',
+          taskState: 'complete',
+          nextTaskKnown: true,
+          sameApprovedPlan: true,
+          taskBoundaryStop: true,
+          nextTaskId: 'task-9g',
+          nextDerivedAction: {
+            type: 'message_subagent',
+            task: 'continue with task-9g',
+          },
+          replyClosureState: 'completed',
+          highRiskStop: false,
+          dispatchReceipt: {
+            planId: 'plan-auto-next-linkage-match',
+            currentTask: 'task-8g',
+            nextTaskId: 'task-9g',
+            nextDerivedAction: {
+              type: 'message_subagent',
+              task: 'continue with task-9g',
+            },
+            dispatchedAt: '2026-04-24T16:05:00+08:00',
+          },
+        },
+      });
 
-        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') {
+      try {
-          throw new Error(`expected JSON output
+        const result = runGate({ args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')] });
-stdout=${result.stdout}`);
+        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
+        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
+        if (result.json.ok !== true) throw new Error(`expected linkage-matched receipt to pass, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
+      } finally {
+        fixture.cleanup();
       }
+    },
+  },
+  {
+    name: 'auto-next obligation: fails when receipt only proves checkpoint/session metadata without actual dispatch linkage',
+    run() {
+      const fixture = createFixture({
+        'input.json': {
+          planId: 'plan-auto-next-checkpoint-spoof',
+          currentTask: 'task-8h',
+          taskState: 'complete',
+          nextTaskKnown: true,
+          sameApprovedPlan: true,
+          taskBoundaryStop: true,
+          nextTaskId: 'task-9h',
+          nextDerivedAction: {
+            type: 'message_subagent',
+            task: 'continue with task-9h',
+          },
+          replyClosureState: 'completed',
+          highRiskStop: false,
+          dispatchReceipt: {
+            planId: 'plan-auto-next-checkpoint-spoof',
+            currentTask: 'task-8h',
+            nextTaskId: 'task-9h',
+            checkpointPath: 'checkpoints/task-8h.json',
+            sessionKey: 'task-8h',
+            dispatchedAt: '2026-04-24T16:10:00+08:00',
+          },
+        },
+      });
 
-        if (result.json.ok !== true) {
+      try {
-          throw new Error(`expected pass when sameApprovedPlan=false, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
+        const result = runGate({ args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')] });
-        }
+        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
+        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
+        if (result.json.ok !== false) throw new Error(`expected checkpoint-only receipt to fail, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
+        if (result.json.reason !== 'missing_auto_next_dispatch') throw new Error(`expected checkpoint-only reason=missing_auto_next_dispatch, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json.reason)}`);
       } finally {
         fixture.cleanup();
       }
@@ -420,35 +470,17 @@ stdout=${result.stdout}`);
       });
 
       try {
-        const result = runGate({
+        const result = runGate({ args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')] });
-          args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')],
+        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        });
+        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-
+        if (result.json.ok !== false) throw new Error(`expected continuity failure ok=false for fake dispatch receipt, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) {
+        if (result.json.verdict !== 'continuity_failure') throw new Error(`expected verdict=continuity_failure for fake dispatch receipt, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json.verdict)}`);
-          throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
+        if (result.json.reason !== 'missing_dispatch_receipt') throw new Error(`expected reason=missing_dispatch_receipt for fake dispatch receipt, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json.reason)}`);
-        }
-
-        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') {
-          throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.ok !== false) {
-          throw new Error(`expected continuity failure ok=false for fake dispatch receipt, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.verdict !== 'continuity_failure') {
-          throw new Error(`expected verdict=continuity_failure for fake dispatch receipt, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json.verdict)}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.reason !== 'missing_dispatch_receipt') {
-          throw new Error(`expected reason=missing_dispatch_receipt for fake dispatch receipt, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json.reason)}`);
-        }
       } finally {
         fixture.cleanup();
       }
     },
   },
-
   {
     name: 'continuity: passes when task is complete, next action is known, and a dispatch receipt already exists',
     run() {
@@ -475,27 +507,15 @@ stdout=${result.stdout}`);
       });
 
       try {
-        const result = runGate({
+        const result = runGate({ args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')] });
-          args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')],
+        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        });
+        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-
+        if (result.json.ok !== true) throw new Error(`expected continuity pass ok=true when dispatch receipt exists, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) {
-          throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') {
-          throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.ok !== true) {
-          throw new Error(`expected continuity pass ok=true when dispatch receipt exists, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        }
       } finally {
         fixture.cleanup();
       }
     },
   },
-
   {
     name: 'continuity: passes when planner returns derivedAction and a bound dispatch receipt already exists',
     run() {
@@ -522,27 +542,15 @@ stdout=${result.stdout}`);
       });
 
       try {
-        const result = runGate({
+        const result = runGate({ args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')] });
-          args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')],
+        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        });
+        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-
+        if (result.json.ok !== true) throw new Error(`expected continuity pass ok=true when derivedAction has bound dispatch receipt, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) {
-          throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') {
-          throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.ok !== true) {
-          throw new Error(`expected continuity pass ok=true when derivedAction has bound dispatch receipt, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        }
       } finally {
         fixture.cleanup();
       }
     },
   },
-
   {
     name: 'continuity: passes when task is complete, next action is known, no dispatch receipt exists, and closure is waiting_user',
     run() {
@@ -561,27 +569,15 @@ stdout=${result.stdout}`);
       });
 
       try {
-        const result = runGate({
+        const result = runGate({ args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')] });
-          args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')],
+        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        });
+        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-
+        if (result.json.ok !== true) throw new Error(`expected continuity pass ok=true when closure is waiting_user, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) {
-          throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') {
-          throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.ok !== true) {
-          throw new Error(`expected continuity pass ok=true when closure is waiting_user, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        }
       } finally {
         fixture.cleanup();
       }
     },
   },
-
   {
     name: 'continuity: passes when task is complete, next action is known, no dispatch receipt exists, and closure is pending_verification',
     run() {
@@ -600,27 +596,15 @@ stdout=${result.stdout}`);
       });
 
       try {
-        const result = runGate({
+        const result = runGate({ args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')] });
-          args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')],
+        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        });
+        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-
+        if (result.json.ok !== true) throw new Error(`expected continuity pass ok=true when closure is pending_verification, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) {
-          throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') {
-          throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.ok !== true) {
-          throw new Error(`expected continuity pass ok=true when closure is pending_verification, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        }
       } finally {
         fixture.cleanup();
       }
     },
   },
-
   {
     name: 'continuity: passes when task is complete, next action is known, no dispatch receipt exists, and closure is blocked',
     run() {
@@ -639,21 +623,10 @@ stdout=${result.stdout}`);
       });
 
       try {
-        const result = runGate({
+        const result = runGate({ args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')] });
-          args: ['--compact', '--input', fixture.path('input.json')],
+        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        });
+        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-
+        if (result.json.ok !== true) throw new Error(`expected continuity pass ok=true when closure is blocked, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        if (result.status !== 0 && result.status !== null) {
-          throw new Error(`expected controlled execution, got status=${result.status}\n${result.stderr || result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (!result.json || typeof result.json !== 'object') {
-          throw new Error(`expected JSON output\nstdout=${result.stdout}`);
-        }
-
-        if (result.json.ok !== true) {
-          throw new Error(`expected continuity pass ok=true when closure is blocked, got ${JSON.stringify(result.json)}`);
-        }
       } finally {
         fixture.cleanup();
       }