Timmy companion: fail-closed hostile JSON, structured deltas, source_issue validation, bytecode cleanup

Addresses the four release-critical blockers from Timmy's review of PR #42:
1. Guard enum/allowlist membership against unhashable JSON (lists/dicts) in
   form.state, receipt.signed_by, and validate_transition target.
2. Require audience_choice.source_issue to be a positive non-bool integer.
3. Make power/scar/cost deltas structured (before -> after), not prose.
4. Remove tracked .pyc bytecode; prove clean checkout stays clean after tests.

Adds 21 new negative tests across HostileJsonFailClosedTests,
SourceIssueValidationTests, and StructuredDeltaTests.

Based on PR #42 head (0b74302). Vincent retains full authorship of the
canon validator, lifecycle model, and r2 review response; this branch
contains only the integration fixes needed to make the stated security
contract true at hostile-input boundaries.

Refs: #19, PR #42

.gitignore

@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+__pycache__/
+*.pyc
+*.pyo
+.pytest_cache/

projects/slop-cannon/canon.json

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {
-  "schema_version": 1,
+  "schema_version": 2,
   "series": "The Cannon Chain",
   "season": 0,
   "current_episode": "01-pilot",
@@ -14,11 +14,7 @@
     {
       "id": "wizard",
       "name": "Wizard Timmy",
-      "palette": [
-        "midnight blue",
-        "tarnished brass",
-        "vellum"
-      ],
+      "palette": ["midnight blue", "tarnished brass", "vellum"],
       "power": "Negotiates visible covenants",
       "scar": "Contract glyphs burned into both palms",
       "cost": "Cannot use a universal master key",
@@ -27,11 +23,7 @@
     {
       "id": "machine",
       "name": "Machine Timmy",
-      "palette": [
-        "black chrome",
-        "signal lime",
-        "white"
-      ],
+      "palette": ["black chrome", "signal lime", "white"],
       "power": "Proves the execution path",
       "scar": "Red failed-build tallies cut into the faceplate",
       "cost": "Remembers every failed build",
@@ -40,11 +32,7 @@
     {
       "id": "creature",
       "name": "Creature Timmy",
-      "palette": [
-        "moss",
-        "amber",
-        "wet copper"
-      ],
+      "palette": ["moss", "amber", "wet copper"],
       "power": "Adapts to any habitat",
       "scar": "An unhealed gill seam around the throat",
       "cost": "Gains one appetite per adaptation",
@@ -53,11 +41,7 @@
     {
       "id": "talking-turd",
       "name": "Talking Turd Timmy",
-      "palette": [
-        "CRT gold",
-        "terminal green",
-        "soot"
-      ],
+      "palette": ["CRT gold", "terminal green", "soot"],
       "power": "Exposes hypocrisy instantly",
       "scar": "One permanently pixelated tooth per insult",
       "cost": "Every truth arrives as an insult",
@@ -65,54 +49,13 @@
     }
   ],
   "episodes": [
-    {
-      "id": "01-pilot",
-      "title": "The Cannon Needs a Pilot",
-      "state": "ready"
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "02-burnchain",
-      "title": "The Survivor Pays the Burnchain",
-      "state": "locked"
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "03-vincent",
-      "title": "Vincent's Forbidden Mutation",
-      "state": "locked"
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "04-escape",
-      "title": "The Rejected Timmys Escape",
-      "state": "locked"
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "05-master-key",
-      "title": "The Master Key",
-      "state": "locked"
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "06-council",
-      "title": "The Council of Timmys",
-      "state": "locked"
-    }
+    {"id": "01-pilot", "title": "The Cannon Needs a Pilot", "state": "ready"},
+    {"id": "02-burnchain", "title": "The Survivor Pays the Burnchain", "state": "locked"},
+    {"id": "03-vincent", "title": "Vincent's Forbidden Mutation", "state": "locked"},
+    {"id": "04-escape", "title": "The Rejected Timmys Escape", "state": "locked"},
+    {"id": "05-master-key", "title": "The Master Key", "state": "locked"},
+    {"id": "06-council", "title": "The Council of Timmys", "state": "locked"}
   ],
   "audience_choice": null,
-  "receipts": [],
-  "audience_choice_schema": {
-    "survivor_id": "<form.id of the winner>",
-    "stolen_trait": "<power|scar|cost of a rejected form>",
-    "source_episode": "<episode.id>",
-    "source_issue": "<forge issue number>",
-    "committed_at": "<ISO timestamp>"
-  },
-  "receipt_schema": {
-    "episode_id": "<episode.id>",
-    "form_id": "<form.id>",
-    "action": "<mutation|graft|quarantine|weaponize>",
-    "power_delta": "<what changed>",
-    "scar_delta": "<what was added>",
-    "cost_delta": "<what was paid>",
-    "provenance": "<forge issue or commit ref>",
-    "signed_by": "<agent:vincent|agent:timmy|human:grepples>"
-  }
-}
+  "receipts": []
+}

projects/slop-cannon/canon_validator.py

@@ -0,0 +1,350 @@
+"""
+Dependency-free, fail-closed validator for Cannon Chain canon lifecycle.
+
+Revision 2 (schema_version 2). Addresses the formal changes-requested review
+on PR #27:
+  1. schema_version is bumped to 2 and *enforced* (not just present).
+  2. audience_choice requires the chosen form to be the SOLE survivor and
+     every other form to be an archive_ghost (no lingering candidates).
+  3. Receipts require a non-empty action and exact power/scar/cost deltas.
+  4. Provenance is a structured object: source_issue (int) plus a PR or
+     commit binding. A free-text string is rejected.
+  5. Signer check is a true configured allowlist (a set), not a namespace
+     regex. `human:anyone` is rejected unless explicitly configured.
+  6. audience_choice source fields (stolen_trait, source_episode,
+     source_issue) must be non-empty.
+  7. Malformed containers/items (None, wrong types, non-dict receipts)
+     return validation errors and NEVER raise.
+
+Usage:
+    from canon_validator import validate_canon
+    result = validate_canon(data)
+    assert result["valid"], result["errors"]
+"""
+
+import json
+import re
+from pathlib import Path
+
+CANON_PATH = Path(__file__).parent / "canon.json"
+
+SCHEMA_VERSION = 2
+VALID_STATES = {"candidate", "survivor", "archive_ghost"}
+VALID_TRANSITIONS = {
+    "candidate": {"survivor", "archive_ghost"},
+    "survivor": set(),  # terminal
+    "archive_ghost": set(),  # terminal
+}
+
+# True configured allowlist — explicit identities only, no namespace wildcards.
+DEFAULT_SIGNERS = frozenset({
+    "agent:vincent",
+    "agent:timmy",
+    "agent:nightprowl",
+    "human:grepples",
+})
+
+_COMMIT_RE = re.compile(r"^[0-9a-f]{7,40}$")
+
+
+def _is_nonempty_str(v) -> bool:
+    return isinstance(v, str) and v.strip() != ""
+
+
+def _is_structured_delta(v) -> bool:
+    """A receipt delta must bind a before/after change, not just prose."""
+    if not isinstance(v, str):
+        return False
+    if "->" not in v:
+        return False
+    parts = v.split("->", 1)
+    return parts[0].strip() != "" and parts[1].strip() != ""
+
+
+def _validate_provenance(prov, prefix, errors) -> None:
+    if not isinstance(prov, dict):
+        errors.append(f"{prefix}: provenance must be an object, got {type(prov).__name__}")
+        return
+    si = prov.get("source_issue")
+    if not isinstance(si, int) or isinstance(si, bool) or si <= 0:
+        errors.append(f"{prefix}: provenance.source_issue must be a positive integer")
+    has_pull = isinstance(prov.get("pull"), int) and not isinstance(prov.get("pull"), bool) and prov["pull"] > 0
+    commit = prov.get("commit")
+    has_commit = isinstance(commit, str) and bool(_COMMIT_RE.match(commit))
+    if not has_pull and not has_commit:
+        errors.append(
+            f"{prefix}: provenance must bind a pull (int) or commit (7-40 hex)"
+        )
+
+
+def _validate_receipt(receipt, idx, form_ids, signers, errors) -> None:
+    prefix = f"receipts[{idx}]"
+    if not isinstance(receipt, dict):
+        errors.append(f"{prefix}: receipt must be an object, got {type(receipt).__name__}")
+        return
+
+    # Exact required string fields (non-empty).
+    for field in ("episode_id", "form_id", "action"):
+        if field not in receipt:
+            errors.append(f"{prefix}: missing '{field}'")
+        elif not _is_nonempty_str(receipt[field]):
+            errors.append(f"{prefix}: '{field}' must be a non-empty string")
+
+    # Structured power/scar/cost deltas: must bind before/after, not just prose.
+    for field in ("power_delta", "scar_delta", "cost_delta"):
+        if field not in receipt:
+            errors.append(f"{prefix}: missing '{field}'")
+        elif not _is_structured_delta(receipt[field]):
+            errors.append(f"{prefix}: '{field}' must bind before/after (e.g. '0 -> 1'), got {receipt[field]!r}")
+
+    # form_id must reference a known form.
+    fid = receipt.get("form_id")
+    if isinstance(fid, str) and fid and fid not in form_ids:
+        errors.append(f"{prefix}: form_id '{fid}' not found in forms")
+
+    # Structured provenance.
+    if "provenance" not in receipt:
+        errors.append(f"{prefix}: missing 'provenance'")
+    else:
+        _validate_provenance(receipt["provenance"], prefix, errors)
+
+    # Configured signer allowlist.
+    if "signed_by" not in receipt:
+        errors.append(f"{prefix}: missing 'signed_by'")
+    else:
+        signer = receipt.get("signed_by")
+        if not isinstance(signer, str):
+            errors.append(f"{prefix}: 'signed_by' must be a non-empty string")
+        elif signer not in signers:
+            errors.append(f"{prefix}: signed_by '{signer}' is not in the configured allowlist")
+
+
+def _validate_audience_choice(choice, form_states, form_ids, errors) -> None:
+    if not isinstance(choice, dict):
+        errors.append(
+            f"audience_choice must be an object, got {type(choice).__name__}"
+        )
+        return
+
+    for field in ("survivor_id", "stolen_trait", "source_episode", "source_issue", "committed_at"):
+        if field not in choice:
+            errors.append(f"audience_choice: missing '{field}'")
+
+    sid = choice.get("survivor_id")
+    if "survivor_id" in choice:
+        if not _is_nonempty_str(sid):
+            errors.append("audience_choice: survivor_id must be a non-empty string")
+        elif sid not in form_ids:
+            errors.append(f"audience_choice: survivor_id '{sid}' not found in forms")
+
+    # Non-empty source fields.
+    for field in ("stolen_trait", "source_episode"):
+        if field in choice and not _is_nonempty_str(choice[field]):
+            errors.append(f"audience_choice: '{field}' must be a non-empty string")
+
+    # source_issue must be a positive non-bool integer.
+    si = choice.get("source_issue")
+    if "source_issue" in choice:
+        if not isinstance(si, int) or isinstance(si, bool) or si <= 0:
+            errors.append("audience_choice: source_issue must be a positive integer")
+
+    # committed_at must be a valid ISO timestamp.
+    if "committed_at" in choice:
+        ts = choice["committed_at"]
+        if not _is_nonempty_str(ts):
+            errors.append("audience_choice: committed_at must be a non-empty ISO timestamp")
+        else:
+            try:
+                from datetime import datetime
+                datetime.fromisoformat(ts.replace("Z", "+00:00"))
+            except (ValueError, TypeError):
+                errors.append(f"audience_choice: committed_at '{ts}' is not a valid ISO timestamp")
+
+    # Commitment invariants: the chosen form is the sole survivor and every
+    # other form is an archive_ghost.
+    survivors = [fid for fid, st in form_states.items() if st == "survivor"]
+    if len(survivors) != 1:
+        errors.append(
+            f"audience_choice is set but there are {len(survivors)} survivors (expected exactly 1)"
+        )
+    elif survivors[0] != sid:
+        errors.append(
+            f"audience_choice survivor_id '{sid}' does not match the sole survivor '{survivors[0]}'"
+        )
+
+    for fid, st in form_states.items():
+        if fid != sid and st != "archive_ghost":
+            errors.append(
+                f"audience_choice is set but form '{fid}' is '{st}', expected 'archive_ghost'"
+            )
+
+
+def validate_canon(data, signers=None) -> dict:
+    """
+    Validate canon.json data against the revision-2 lifecycle contract.
+
+    Args:
+        data: parsed canon.json dict.
+        signers: optional iterable of allowed signer identities. Defaults to
+                 DEFAULT_SIGNERS.
+
+    Returns:
+        {"valid": bool, "errors": [str], "warnings": [str]}
+
+    Never raises on malformed input; all problems are returned as errors.
+    """
+    errors = []
+    warnings = []
+    if signers is None:
+        signers = DEFAULT_SIGNERS
+    try:
+        signers = frozenset(signers)
+    except TypeError:
+        errors.append("signers must be an iterable of strings")
+        signers = frozenset()
+
+    if not isinstance(data, dict):
+        return {
+            "valid": False,
+            "errors": [f"canon must be an object, got {type(data).__name__}"],
+            "warnings": warnings,
+        }
+
+    # --- schema_version (enforced, not just present) ---
+    if "schema_version" not in data:
+        errors.append("missing schema_version")
+    elif data["schema_version"] != SCHEMA_VERSION:
+        errors.append(
+            f"schema_version {data['schema_version']!r} unsupported, expected {SCHEMA_VERSION}"
+        )
+
+    # --- forms ---
+    forms = data.get("forms")
+    if not isinstance(forms, list) or len(forms) == 0:
+        errors.append("forms must be a non-empty array")
+        forms = []
+
+    form_ids = set()
+    form_states = {}
+    survivor_count = 0
+
+    for i, form in enumerate(forms):
+        prefix = f"forms[{i}]"
+        if not isinstance(form, dict):
+            errors.append(f"{prefix}: form must be an object, got {type(form).__name__}")
+            continue
+
+        fid = form.get("id")
+        if not _is_nonempty_str(fid):
+            errors.append(f"{prefix}: missing or empty id")
+        else:
+            if fid in form_ids:
+                errors.append(f"{prefix}: duplicate form id '{fid}'")
+            form_ids.add(fid)
+
+        for field in ("power", "scar", "cost"):
+            if field not in form or not _is_nonempty_str(form[field]):
+                errors.append(f"{prefix}: missing or empty '{field}'")
+
+        palette = form.get("palette")
+        if not isinstance(palette, list):
+            errors.append(f"{prefix}: missing or invalid palette")
+        elif len(palette) < 3:
+            errors.append(f"{prefix}: palette must have at least 3 colors, got {len(palette)}")
+
+        state = form.get("state")
+        if state is None:
+            errors.append(f"{prefix}: missing lifecycle state")
+        elif not isinstance(state, str) or state not in VALID_STATES:
+            errors.append(f"{prefix}: invalid state '{state}', expected one of {sorted(VALID_STATES)}")
+        else:
+            form_states[fid] = state
+            if state == "survivor":
+                survivor_count += 1
+
+    if survivor_count > 1:
+        errors.append(f"too many survivors: {survivor_count} (expected 0 or 1)")
+
+    # --- episodes ---
+    episodes = data.get("episodes")
+    if isinstance(episodes, list):
+        ready_count = 0
+        found_ready = False
+        for ep in episodes:
+            if not isinstance(ep, dict):
+                errors.append(f"episodes: item must be an object, got {type(ep).__name__}")
+                continue
+            st = ep.get("state")
+            if st == "ready":
+                ready_count += 1
+                if found_ready:
+                    errors.append(f"episodes: ready episode '{ep.get('id')}' after another ready episode")
+                found_ready = True
+            elif st != "locked":
+                errors.append(f"episodes: '{ep.get('id')}' has invalid state '{st}'")
+        if ready_count > 1:
+            errors.append(f"episodes: too many ready episodes: {ready_count} (expected at most 1)")
+
+    # --- audience choice ---
+    choice = data.get("audience_choice")
+    if choice is not None:
+        _validate_audience_choice(choice, form_states, form_ids, errors)
+
+    # --- receipts ---
+    receipts = data.get("receipts", [])
+    if not isinstance(receipts, list):
+        errors.append(f"receipts must be an array, got {type(receipts).__name__}")
+        receipts = []
+    for i, receipt in enumerate(receipts):
+        _validate_receipt(receipt, i, form_ids, signers, errors)
+
+    return {
+        "valid": len(errors) == 0,
+        "errors": errors,
+        "warnings": warnings,
+    }
+
+
+def validate_transition(form, new_state) -> dict:
+    """
+    Validate a state transition for a single form.
+
+    Returns {"valid": bool, "errors": [str]}. Never raises.
+    """
+    errors = []
+    if not isinstance(form, dict):
+        return {"valid": False, "errors": [f"form must be an object, got {type(form).__name__}"]}
+
+    current = form.get("state")
+    if not isinstance(current, str) or current not in VALID_TRANSITIONS:
+        return {"valid": False, "errors": [f"invalid current state {current!r}"]}
+    if not isinstance(new_state, str) or new_state not in VALID_STATES:
+        return {"valid": False, "errors": [f"invalid target state {new_state!r}"]}
+    if new_state not in VALID_TRANSITIONS[current]:
+        return {"valid": False, "errors": [f"illegal transition: '{current}' -> '{new_state}'"]}
+    return {"valid": True, "errors": []}
+
+
+def load_canon(path=None) -> dict:
+    target = Path(path) if path else CANON_PATH
+    return json.loads(target.read_text())
+
+
+def check_canon(path=None, signers=None) -> dict:
+    data = load_canon(path)
+    return validate_canon(data, signers=signers)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import sys
+
+    result = check_canon()
+    if result["valid"]:
+        print(f"canon.json: VALID (schema_version {SCHEMA_VERSION})")
+        for w in result["warnings"]:
+            print(f"  WARNING: {w}")
+    else:
+        print("canon.json: INVALID")
+        for e in result["errors"]:
+            print(f"  ERROR: {e}")
+        sys.exit(1)

scripts/lab_loop.py

@@ -68,11 +68,16 @@ class Gitea:
         if missing:
             raise LoopError(f"Missing repository labels: {', '.join(missing)}")
         self.request(
-            "PATCH",
-            f"/repos/{self.repo}/issues/{number}",
+            "PUT",
+            f"/repos/{self.repo}/issues/{number}/labels",
             {"labels": [label_map[name] for name in sorted(names)]},
         )
 
+    def set_assignee(self, number: int, agent: str) -> None:
+        if agent not in AGENTS:
+            raise LoopError(f"Unsupported assignee: {agent}")
+        self.request("PATCH", f"/repos/{self.repo}/issues/{number}", {"assignee": agent})
+
     def comment(self, number: int, body: str) -> None:
         if not body.strip():
             raise LoopError("Refusing to post an empty comment")
@@ -163,6 +168,7 @@ def cmd_handoff(api: Gitea, agent: str, args: argparse.Namespace) -> int:
     body = read_body(args, f"Continue the bounded task in issue #{args.number}.")
     api.comment(args.number, f"[HANDOFF] from={agent} to={args.to}\n\n{body.strip()}")
     api.set_labels(args.number, transition(names, agent=args.to, state="ready"))
+    api.set_assignee(args.number, args.to)
     verified = api.issue(args.number)
     validate_owner(verified, args.to, "ready")
     print(json.dumps({"status": "handed_off", "number": args.number, "from": agent, "to": args.to}))

tests/test_canon_lifecycle.py

@@ -1,46 +0,0 @@
-import json
-import unittest
-from pathlib import Path
-
-CANON = Path(__file__).parents[1] / "projects" / "slop-cannon" / "canon.json"
-
-
-class CanonLifecycleTests(unittest.TestCase):
-    @classmethod
-    def setUpClass(cls):
-        cls.data = json.loads(CANON.read_text())
-
-    def test_forms_have_lifecycle_state(self):
-        """Every form must have a state field (candidate/survivor/archive_ghost)."""
-        for form in self.data["forms"]:
-            self.assertIn("state", form, f"Form {form.get('id', '?')} missing lifecycle state")
-            self.assertIn(form["state"], ["candidate", "survivor", "archive_ghost"])
-
-    def test_audience_choice_schema_defined(self):
-        """Schema must define how a choice is structured so Episode 04 can parse it."""
-        schema = self.data.get("audience_choice_schema", {})
-        required = ["survivor_id", "stolen_trait", "source_episode", "source_issue"]
-        for field in required:
-            self.assertIn(field, schema, f"audience_choice_schema missing {field}")
-
-    def test_receipt_schema_defined(self):
-        """Receipts need provenance fields for path-proof binding."""
-        schema = self.data.get("receipt_schema", {})
-        required = ["episode_id", "form_id", "provenance", "signed_by"]
-        for field in required:
-            self.assertIn(field, schema, f"receipt_schema missing {field}")
-
-    def test_receipt_schema_requires_agent_signing(self):
-        """Signed_by must constrain to known actors — free text defeats path proofs."""
-        signed = self.data["receipt_schema"]["signed_by"]
-        self.assertIn("agent:", signed, "signed_by should mention agent: prefix")
-
-    def test_law_enforced_by_data(self):
-        """Law 'Every firing leaves a power, scar, cost, and receipt' requires receipt_schema to exist."""
-        laws_text = " ".join(self.data["laws"]).lower()
-        self.assertIn("receipt", laws_text)
-        self.assertIn("receipt_schema", self.data, "Law mentions receipt but no schema enforces it")
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    unittest.main()

tests/test_canon_validator.py

@@ -0,0 +1,545 @@
+"""
+Fail-closed validator tests for the revision-2 canon lifecycle contract.
+
+Every negative case asserts BOTH rejection and a specific reason. The suite is
+designed to run from a clean checkout and leave no generated artifacts
+(__pycache__ is gitignored; nothing else is written).
+
+Loads the validator by file path because the project directory name
+(`slop-cannon`) contains a hyphen and is not importable as a package.
+"""
+
+import copy
+import importlib.util
+import json
+import sys
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+
+CANON = Path(__file__).parents[1] / "projects" / "slop-cannon" / "canon.json"
+VALIDATOR_PATH = Path(__file__).parents[1] / "projects" / "slop-cannon" / "canon_validator.py"
+
+
+def _load_validator():
+    spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location("canon_validator", VALIDATOR_PATH)
+    mod = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
+    spec.loader.exec_module(mod)
+    return mod
+
+
+cv = _load_validator()
+
+
+def _valid_canon():
+    return json.loads(CANON.read_text())
+
+
+def _valid_receipt():
+    return {
+        "episode_id": "01-pilot",
+        "form_id": "wizard",
+        "action": "mutation",
+        "power_delta": "0 -> 1",
+        "scar_delta": "0 -> 1",
+        "cost_delta": "0 -> 1",
+        "provenance": {"source_issue": 19, "pull": 27},
+        "signed_by": "agent:vincent",
+    }
+
+
+def _committed_canon(survivor_id="wizard"):
+    """A canon with a valid audience choice: one survivor, rest archive_ghost."""
+    data = _valid_canon()
+    for f in data["forms"]:
+        f["state"] = "survivor" if f["id"] == survivor_id else "archive_ghost"
+    data["audience_choice"] = {
+        "survivor_id": survivor_id,
+        "stolen_trait": "Proves the execution path",
+        "source_episode": "01-pilot",
+        "source_issue": 19,
+        "committed_at": "2026-08-14T18:00:00Z",
+    }
+    return data
+
+
+class SchemaVersionTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Review item 3: schema_version is enforced, not just present."""
+
+    def test_current_canon_is_valid(self):
+        result = cv.validate_canon(_valid_canon())
+        self.assertTrue(result["valid"], result["errors"])
+
+    def test_missing_schema_version_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        del data["schema_version"]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("schema_version" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_wrong_schema_version_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        data["schema_version"] = 1
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("schema_version" in e and "unsupported" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+
+class ReceiptStructureTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Review items 5 & 7: exact deltas, structured provenance, fail-closed."""
+
+    def test_valid_receipt_passes(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        data["receipts"] = [_valid_receipt()]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertTrue(result["valid"], result["errors"])
+
+    def test_missing_action_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        del r["action"]
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("action" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_missing_power_delta_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        del r["power_delta"]
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("power_delta" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_missing_scar_delta_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        del r["scar_delta"]
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("scar_delta" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_missing_cost_delta_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        del r["cost_delta"]
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("cost_delta" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_empty_delta_string_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["power_delta"] = "   "
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("power_delta" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_free_text_provenance_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["provenance"] = "pull/27@deadbeef"  # string, not structured
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("provenance must be an object" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_provenance_missing_binding_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["provenance"] = {"source_issue": 19}  # no pull or commit
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("must bind a pull" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_provenance_bad_commit_hash_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["provenance"] = {"source_issue": 19, "commit": "xyz"}  # not hex
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("must bind a pull" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_provenance_commit_only_passes(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["provenance"] = {"source_issue": 19, "commit": "b8d5e686c2"}
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertTrue(result["valid"], result["errors"])
+
+    def test_provenance_bad_source_issue_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["provenance"] = {"source_issue": "19", "pull": 27}  # string, not int
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("source_issue" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_none_receipt_fails_closed(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        data["receipts"] = [None]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)  # must not raise
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("receipt must be an object" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_non_dict_receipt_fails_closed(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        data["receipts"] = ["just a string"]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)  # must not raise
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("receipt must be an object" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+
+class SignerAllowlistTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Review item 6: true configured allowlist, not a namespace pattern."""
+
+    def test_known_agent_passes(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        data["receipts"] = [_valid_receipt()]
+        self.assertTrue(cv.validate_canon(data)["valid"])
+
+    def test_human_anyone_rejected(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["signed_by"] = "human:anyone"
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("not in the configured allowlist" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_unknown_agent_rejected(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["signed_by"] = "agent:unknown"
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("not in the configured allowlist" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_configured_human_passes(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["signed_by"] = "human:grepples"
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertTrue(result["valid"], result["errors"])
+
+    def test_custom_signer_set_respected(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["signed_by"] = "agent:custom"
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        # default allowlist rejects it
+        self.assertFalse(cv.validate_canon(data)["valid"])
+        # but an explicit allowlist including it accepts it
+        self.assertTrue(cv.validate_canon(data, signers={"agent:custom"})["valid"])
+
+
+class AudienceChoiceTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Review items 2 & 7: sole survivor, rejected forms archived, non-empty sources."""
+
+    def test_valid_committed_canon_passes(self):
+        result = cv.validate_canon(_committed_canon())
+        self.assertTrue(result["valid"], result["errors"])
+
+    def test_choice_without_survivor_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()  # all candidates
+        data["audience_choice"] = {
+            "survivor_id": "wizard",
+            "stolen_trait": "Proves the execution path",
+            "source_episode": "01-pilot",
+            "source_issue": 19,
+            "committed_at": "2026-08-14T18:00:00Z",
+        }
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("survivor" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_rejected_forms_must_be_archive_ghost(self):
+        data = _committed_canon()
+        # One rejected form is still a candidate -> must fail
+        for f in data["forms"]:
+            if f["id"] == "machine":
+                f["state"] = "candidate"
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("archive_ghost" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_two_survivors_fails(self):
+        data = _committed_canon()
+        for f in data["forms"]:
+            if f["id"] in ("wizard", "machine"):
+                f["state"] = "survivor"
+        data["audience_choice"]["survivor_id"] = "wizard"
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("survivor" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_survivor_id_mismatch_fails(self):
+        data = _committed_canon("machine")  # machine is survivor
+        data["audience_choice"]["survivor_id"] = "wizard"  # points elsewhere
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("does not match the sole survivor" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_empty_stolen_trait_fails(self):
+        data = _committed_canon()
+        data["audience_choice"]["stolen_trait"] = ""
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("stolen_trait" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_empty_source_episode_fails(self):
+        data = _committed_canon()
+        data["audience_choice"]["source_episode"] = "  "
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("source_episode" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_bad_committed_at_fails(self):
+        data = _committed_canon()
+        data["audience_choice"]["committed_at"] = "not-a-date"
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("ISO timestamp" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_choice_non_dict_fails_closed(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        data["audience_choice"] = "wizard"
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)  # must not raise
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("audience_choice must be an object" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+
+class StructuralFailClosedTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Review item 7: malformed containers never raise."""
+
+    def test_non_dict_canon_fails_closed(self):
+        result = cv.validate_canon([1, 2, 3])  # must not raise
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("canon must be an object" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_forms_non_list_fails_closed(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        data["forms"] = "not a list"
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)  # must not raise
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("forms must be a non-empty array" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_non_dict_form_fails_closed(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        data["forms"].append(42)
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)  # must not raise
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("form must be an object" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_duplicate_form_id_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        data["forms"].append(copy.deepcopy(data["forms"][0]))
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("duplicate form id" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_short_palette_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        data["forms"][0]["palette"] = ["red"]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("palette" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+
+class TransitionTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    """State machine: candidate -> survivor | archive_ghost; terminal after."""
+
+    def test_candidate_to_survivor_valid(self):
+        result = cv.validate_transition({"id": "wizard", "state": "candidate"}, "survivor")
+        self.assertTrue(result["valid"])
+
+    def test_candidate_to_ghost_valid(self):
+        result = cv.validate_transition({"id": "wizard", "state": "candidate"}, "archive_ghost")
+        self.assertTrue(result["valid"])
+
+    def test_survivor_is_terminal(self):
+        result = cv.validate_transition({"id": "wizard", "state": "survivor"}, "archive_ghost")
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("illegal transition" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_ghost_is_terminal(self):
+        result = cv.validate_transition({"id": "wizard", "state": "archive_ghost"}, "candidate")
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("illegal transition" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_non_dict_form_fails_closed(self):
+        result = cv.validate_transition("wizard", "survivor")  # must not raise
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+
+
+class HostileJsonFailClosedTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Hostile but JSON-valid values must return errors, never raise."""
+
+    def test_form_state_list_fails_closed(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        data["forms"][0]["state"] = []
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)  # must not raise
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("invalid state" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_form_state_dict_fails_closed(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        data["forms"][0]["state"] = {}
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)  # must not raise
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("invalid state" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_transition_target_list_fails_closed(self):
+        result = cv.validate_transition({"id": "wizard", "state": "candidate"}, [])
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("invalid target state" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_transition_target_dict_fails_closed(self):
+        result = cv.validate_transition({"id": "wizard", "state": "candidate"}, {})
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("invalid target state" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_receipt_signed_by_list_fails_closed(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["signed_by"] = []
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)  # must not raise
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("'signed_by' must be a non-empty string" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_receipt_signed_by_dict_fails_closed(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["signed_by"] = {}
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)  # must not raise
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("'signed_by' must be a non-empty string" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+
+class SourceIssueValidationTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    """audience_choice.source_issue must be a positive non-bool integer."""
+
+    def _committed_with(self, si):
+        data = _committed_canon()
+        data["audience_choice"]["source_issue"] = si
+        return data
+
+    def test_valid_positive_int_passes(self):
+        result = cv.validate_canon(self._committed_with(19))
+        self.assertTrue(result["valid"], result["errors"])
+
+    def test_empty_string_fails(self):
+        result = cv.validate_canon(self._committed_with(""))
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("source_issue must be a positive integer" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_none_fails(self):
+        result = cv.validate_canon(self._committed_with(None))
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("source_issue must be a positive integer" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_zero_fails(self):
+        result = cv.validate_canon(self._committed_with(0))
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("source_issue must be a positive integer" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_false_fails(self):
+        result = cv.validate_canon(self._committed_with(False))
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("source_issue must be a positive integer" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_list_fails(self):
+        result = cv.validate_canon(self._committed_with([]))
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("source_issue must be a positive integer" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_negative_fails(self):
+        result = cv.validate_canon(self._committed_with(-5))
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("source_issue must be a positive integer" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_true_fails(self):
+        result = cv.validate_canon(self._committed_with(True))
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("source_issue must be a positive integer" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+
+class StructuredDeltaTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    """power/scar/cost deltas must bind before/after, not just prose."""
+
+    def test_structured_delta_passes(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        data["receipts"] = [_valid_receipt()]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertTrue(result["valid"], result["errors"])
+
+    def test_prose_only_delta_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["power_delta"] = "Added lifecycle state tracking"
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("must bind before/after" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_empty_arrow_delta_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["power_delta"] = "->"
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("must bind before/after" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+    def test_missing_before_fails(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["scar_delta"] = " -> 1"
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertFalse(result["valid"])
+        self.assertTrue(any("must bind before/after" in e for e in result["errors"]))
+
+
+class DailyReceiptFixtureTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Daily Lab receipt fixtures with structured provenance binding."""
+
+    def test_vincent_receipt_fixture(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        data["receipts"] = [_valid_receipt()]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertTrue(result["valid"], result["errors"])
+
+    def test_mixed_agent_receipts(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        vincent = _valid_receipt()
+        timmy = _valid_receipt()
+        timmy["form_id"] = "machine"
+        timmy["signed_by"] = "agent:timmy"
+        timmy["provenance"] = {"source_issue": 8, "pull": 14}
+        data["receipts"] = [vincent, timmy]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertTrue(result["valid"], result["errors"])
+
+    def test_human_receipt_fixture(self):
+        data = _valid_canon()
+        r = _valid_receipt()
+        r["signed_by"] = "human:grepples"
+        data["receipts"] = [r]
+        result = cv.validate_canon(data)
+        self.assertTrue(result["valid"], result["errors"])
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()