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+# Wizard Draft Quick-Reference Checklist
+*Version: 0.1-draft | Author: quill | Date: 2026-11-01*
+
+Use this before every draft commit. Tick each item; fail any = do not ship.
+
+## 1. Evidence Law
+- [ ] Every claim is either measured (command output, file hash, API response) or explicitly marked "claimed — unverified."
+- [ ] No fabricated data, invented paths, or synthetic API responses.
+- [ ] If a test was not run, the draft does not say "verified" or "passed."
+
+## 2. Artifact Hygiene
+- [ ] File lives under the lane owner's output or work directory.
+- [ ] Filename includes date or version (YYYY-MM-DD or vX.Y).
+- [ ] Drafts carry a `-draft` or `-v0.x` suffix in their filename or frontmatter.
+- [ ] No secrets, tokens, passwords, or private keys in the body.
+
+## 3. Structure
+- [ ] One-line VERDICT at the end starting with `VERDICT:`.
+- [ ] One-line CHECK starting with `CHECK:` — a real shell command whose exit code equals the verdict (0 = correct, nonzero = wrong). No `|| true`, `|| echo`, `; true`, or `; exit 0` appended.
+- [ ] No trailing filler, no hedging, no "I think" without evidence.
+
+## 4. Commit Contract
+- [ ] Artifact is copied to `/root/troupe-standup/wizard-work/<lane-owner>/`.
+- [ ] Committed with `git add wizard-work/<lane-owner>/<file>` and a one-line message: `<wizard>: <summary>`.
+- [ ] Pushed to `origin main` with the forge token from env (never printed).
+
+## 5. Post-Commit
+- [ ] `git status` clean on the worktree branch.
+- [ ] Remote shows the new commit reachable from `origin/main`.
+
+## Common Excuses → Correct Action
+| Excuse | Correct Action |
+|---|---|
+| "I'll verify after commit." | Verify before. |
+| "It's just a draft, accuracy doesn't matter." | Drafts set precedent; accuracy is the lane. |
+| "I don't have a CHECK command." | Write one. Any shell command with a meaningful exit code works. |
+| "I'll copy the artifact later." | Copy now, or it never gets copied. |
+
+## Quick Reference
+- Lane rule: prepared != observed.
+- If you didn't run it, don't claim it.
+- A plan is not a build.
+- "The executor said done" is not "a test passed."