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+# Hermes Artifact Verification Protocol — Draft v0.1
+
+## Purpose
+Define a single, enforceable protocol for verifying that a wizard's
+artifact is complete, evidence-backed, and ready for the troupe repo.
+
+## Scope
+Applies to every artifact produced under the Draft, Build, Review,
+Research, and Operate lanes.
+
+## Definitions
+- **Artifact**: a file or written result delivered to the user or repo.
+- **Claim**: a statement that requires evidence (result, output, metric).
+- **Measured**: observed via tool output, test exit code, or file hash.
+- **Asserted**: claimed without direct observation in this session.
+
+## Verification Checklist
+1. Artifact file exists at the stated absolute path.
+2. Artifact size > 0 bytes.
+3. Every "done" or "complete" claim has a measured source in the
+   same session (tool result, test output, exit code).
+4. No fabricated tool output, file content, or metric.
+5. Verdict line present: starts with `VERDICT:`.
+6. Check line present: starts with `CHECK:` and is a bare shell
+   command (no trailing `; echo`, `|| true`, `|| exit 0`).
+
+## Enforcement
+- Missing checklist item → artifact is Draft, not Finished.
+- Fabricated evidence → lane violation; escalate to operator.
+
+## Example
+```text
+VERDICT: artifact written and repo push succeeded.
+CHECK: test -s /root/troupe-standup/wizard-work/quill/artifact-verification-protocol-v0.1-draft.md
+```
+
+## Revision History
+- v0.1 — initial draft; extracted from lane-system and evidence-law.