diff --git a/docs/design/0036-warp-drift-ledger-crosslinks.md b/docs/design/0036-warp-drift-ledger-crosslinks.md
index a4a0d3d57..e776b5fc1 100644
--- a/docs/design/0036-warp-drift-ledger-crosslinks.md
+++ b/docs/design/0036-warp-drift-ledger-crosslinks.md
@@ -165,10 +165,12 @@ The witness for this cycle is small and explicit:
   - `docs/design/release-horizon-v20-v21.md`
 - the audit now says directly that it is the drift ledger rather than the
   canonical wall-chart
-- the ratchet test exists at
+- at cycle close, the ratchet coverage existed at
   `test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-crosslinks-shape.test.ts`
+- current successor coverage lives at
+  `test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-doc-graph.test.ts`
 
-Verification command:
+Historical verification command at cycle close:
 
 ```sh
 npm exec vitest run \
@@ -177,6 +179,15 @@ npm exec vitest run \
   test/unit/scripts/observer-geometry-ladder-shape.test.ts
 ```
 
+Current successor command:
+
+```sh
+npm exec vitest run \
+  test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-doc-graph.test.ts \
+  test/unit/scripts/glossary-shape.test.ts \
+  test/unit/scripts/observer-geometry-ladder-shape.test.ts
+```
+
 ### Agent playback
 
 Question:
diff --git a/docs/design/0037-remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting.md b/docs/design/0037-remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting.md
index b20ef78c4..a76cc3266 100644
--- a/docs/design/0037-remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting.md
+++ b/docs/design/0037-remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting.md
@@ -269,9 +269,12 @@ The witness for this cycle is the alignment across four surfaces:
 
 Ratchet test:
 
-- `test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-release-slotting-shape.test.ts`
+- at cycle close, `test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-release-slotting-shape.test.ts`
+  and `test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-crosslinks-shape.test.ts`
+- current successor coverage lives at
+  `test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-doc-graph.test.ts`
 
-Verification command:
+Historical verification command at cycle close:
 
 ```sh
 npm exec vitest run \
@@ -281,6 +284,15 @@ npm exec vitest run \
   test/unit/scripts/observer-geometry-ladder-shape.test.ts
 ```
 
+Current successor command:
+
+```sh
+npm exec vitest run \
+  test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-doc-graph.test.ts \
+  test/unit/scripts/glossary-shape.test.ts \
+  test/unit/scripts/observer-geometry-ladder-shape.test.ts
+```
+
 ### Agent playback
 
 Question:
diff --git a/docs/method/retro/0036-warp-drift-ledger-crosslinks/warp-drift-ledger-crosslinks.md b/docs/method/retro/0036-warp-drift-ledger-crosslinks/warp-drift-ledger-crosslinks.md
index 846e9f4b1..6b5f94478 100644
--- a/docs/method/retro/0036-warp-drift-ledger-crosslinks/warp-drift-ledger-crosslinks.md
+++ b/docs/method/retro/0036-warp-drift-ledger-crosslinks/warp-drift-ledger-crosslinks.md
@@ -48,19 +48,27 @@ The cycle succeeded because it kept those responsibilities distinct.
 ### The crosslink contract is now ratcheted
 
 The cycle added
-[warp-drift-crosslinks-shape.test.ts](../../../../test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-crosslinks-shape.test.ts)
-so the repo will fail loudly if those crosslinks disappear later.
+`test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-crosslinks-shape.test.ts` so the repo would fail
+loudly if those crosslinks disappeared later.
+
+That historical ratchet has since been retired. Current successor coverage lives
+at
+[warp-drift-doc-graph.test.ts](../../../../test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-doc-graph.test.ts).
 
 For a small docs hygiene slice, that is the right outcome: the fix is now
 structural instead of purely editorial.
 
 ## Verification
 
-Passed:
+Passed at cycle close:
 
 - `git diff --check`
 - `npm exec vitest run test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-crosslinks-shape.test.ts test/unit/scripts/glossary-shape.test.ts test/unit/scripts/observer-geometry-ladder-shape.test.ts`
 
+Current successor coverage:
+
+- `npm exec vitest run test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-doc-graph.test.ts test/unit/scripts/glossary-shape.test.ts test/unit/scripts/observer-geometry-ladder-shape.test.ts`
+
 Key witness commits:
 
 - `bf316356` — `docs(design): pull warp drift crosslink cycle`
diff --git a/docs/method/retro/0037-remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting/remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting.md b/docs/method/retro/0037-remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting/remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting.md
index b151bc1a6..7f5b7a473 100644
--- a/docs/method/retro/0037-remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting/remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting.md
+++ b/docs/method/retro/0037-remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting/remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting.md
@@ -61,11 +61,15 @@ That keeps `v19` from silently inflating into “everything after `v18`.”
 
 ## Verification
 
-Passed:
+Passed at cycle close:
 
 - `git diff --check`
 - `npm exec vitest run test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-release-slotting-shape.test.ts test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-crosslinks-shape.test.ts test/unit/scripts/glossary-shape.test.ts test/unit/scripts/observer-geometry-ladder-shape.test.ts`
 
+Current successor coverage:
+
+- `npm exec vitest run test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-doc-graph.test.ts test/unit/scripts/glossary-shape.test.ts test/unit/scripts/observer-geometry-ladder-shape.test.ts`
+
 Key witness commits:
 
 - `10387c11` — `docs(design): pull remaining warp drift slotting cycle`
diff --git a/docs/method/retro/0076-delete-warpcore-runtime-bridge/delete-warpcore-runtime-bridge.md b/docs/method/retro/0076-delete-warpcore-runtime-bridge/delete-warpcore-runtime-bridge.md
index 12d3716ca..b2b163129 100644
--- a/docs/method/retro/0076-delete-warpcore-runtime-bridge/delete-warpcore-runtime-bridge.md
+++ b/docs/method/retro/0076-delete-warpcore-runtime-bridge/delete-warpcore-runtime-bridge.md
@@ -12,11 +12,14 @@
   so `WarpCore.open()` now adopts the explicit runtime product surface instead
   of linking onto the runtime bridge
 - updated the closeout and composition-root ratchets:
-  - [warpcore-runtime-bridge.test.ts](../../../../test/unit/scripts/warpcore-runtime-bridge.test.ts)
+  - `test/unit/scripts/warpcore-runtime-bridge.test.ts`
   - [openwarpgraph-composition-root.test.ts](../../../../test/unit/scripts/openwarpgraph-composition-root.test.ts)
 - advanced the runtime-kill chain so the remaining order is now:
   `API_delete-warpruntime-class` → `API_kill-warpruntime`
 
+Current successor coverage for the retired closeout ratchet lives in
+[publicReadingSurface.behavior.test.ts](../../../../test/unit/domain/publicReadingSurface.behavior.test.ts).
+
 ## Why it mattered
 
 This removes the last `WarpCore` dependency on the bridge-era runtime aliasing
@@ -25,6 +28,12 @@ the runtime class to masquerade as its substrate.
 
 ## Witness
 
+Historical witness at cycle close:
+
 - `npm exec vitest run test/unit/scripts/warpcore-runtime-bridge.test.ts test/unit/scripts/openwarpgraph-composition-root.test.ts test/unit/domain/WarpCore.content.test.ts test/unit/domain/WarpCore.effectPipeline.test.ts test/unit/domain/WarpCore.emit.test.ts test/unit/domain/WarpGraph.strands.test.ts test/unit/domain/WarpGraph.conflicts.test.ts test/unit/domain/WarpGraph.worldline.test.ts test/unit/domain/WarpGraph.observerBoundary.test.ts test/unit/scripts/kill-warpruntime-split.test.ts`
 - `npm run typecheck`
 - `git diff --check`
+
+Current successor witness:
+
+- `npm exec vitest run test/unit/domain/publicReadingSurface.behavior.test.ts test/unit/scripts/openwarpgraph-composition-root.test.ts`
diff --git a/test/unit/domain/publicReadingSurface.behavior.test.ts b/test/unit/domain/publicReadingSurface.behavior.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1510b390d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/unit/domain/publicReadingSurface.behavior.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+import { TextDecoder } from 'node:util';
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+import WarpAppDefault, {
+  InMemoryGraphAdapter,
+  openWarpGraph,
+  openWarpWorldline,
+  WarpApp,
+  WarpCore,
+} from '../../../index.ts';
+
+function openOptions(graphName: string, writerId: string): Parameters<typeof WarpCore.open>[0] {
+  return {
+    persistence: new InMemoryGraphAdapter(),
+    graphName,
+    writerId,
+  };
+}
+
+describe('public reading surfaces', () => {
+  it('opens WarpGraph as a capability bag without public materialization or runtime escapes', async () => {
+    const graph = await openWarpGraph(openOptions('public-reading-graph', 'writer-graph'));
+
+    expect(Object.isFrozen(graph)).toBe(true);
+    expect(graph.revelation.query).toBe(graph.query);
+    expect(graph.commitment.patches).toBe(graph.patches);
+    expect(typeof graph.query.worldline).toBe('function');
+    expect(typeof graph.query.observer).toBe('function');
+    expect(typeof graph.sync.syncWith).toBe('function');
+    expect('materialize' in graph).toBe(false);
+    expect('_materializeGraph' in graph).toBe(false);
+    expect('_runtime' in graph).toBe(false);
+
+    await (await graph.patches.createPatch()).addNode('node:capability').commit();
+
+    await expect(graph.query.hasNode('node:capability')).rejects.toMatchObject({
+      code: 'E_NO_STATE',
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('opens a worldline-first handle that commits and reads through live worldline objects', async () => {
+    const worldline = await openWarpWorldline({
+      persistence: new InMemoryGraphAdapter(),
+      worldlineName: 'public-worldline',
+      writerId: 'writer-worldline',
+    });
+
+    await worldline.commit((patch) => {
+      patch.addNode('user:alice');
+      patch.setProperty('user:alice', 'role', 'admin');
+    });
+
+    expect('materialize' in worldline).toBe(false);
+    expect('materializeCoordinate' in worldline).toBe(false);
+    expect('_materializeGraph' in worldline).toBe(false);
+    await expect(worldline.live().hasNode('user:alice')).resolves.toBe(true);
+
+    const result = await worldline.live().query().match('user:*').select(['id', 'props']).run();
+    expect('nodes' in result).toBe(true);
+    if (!('nodes' in result)) {
+      return;
+    }
+    expect(result.nodes).toEqual([
+      { id: 'user:alice', props: { role: 'admin' } },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it('keeps WarpApp curated while WarpCore remains the explicit materialization escape hatch', async () => {
+    const app = await WarpApp.open(openOptions('public-reading-app', 'writer-app'));
+
+    await app.patch(async (patch) => {
+      patch.addNode('doc:readme');
+      await patch.attachContent('doc:readme', 'hello from the app facade', {
+        mime: 'text/plain',
+      });
+    });
+
+    expect(WarpAppDefault).toBe(WarpApp);
+    expect(app).toBeInstanceOf(WarpApp);
+    expect(app.core()).toBeInstanceOf(WarpCore);
+    expect('materialize' in app).toBe(false);
+    expect('query' in app).toBe(false);
+    expect('traverse' in app).toBe(false);
+
+    await app.core().materialize();
+    const content = await app.getContent('doc:readme');
+    expect(content).toBeInstanceOf(Uint8Array);
+    expect(new TextDecoder().decode(content ?? new Uint8Array())).toBe('hello from the app facade');
+  });
+
+  it('keeps WarpCore as the explicit substrate escape hatch with representative writes and reads', async () => {
+    const core = await WarpCore.open(openOptions('public-reading-core', 'writer-core'));
+
+    await core.patch((patch) => {
+      patch.addNode('core:node');
+      patch.setProperty('core:node', 'status', 'open');
+    });
+    await core.materialize();
+
+    expect(core).toBeInstanceOf(WarpCore);
+    expect(typeof core.materialize).toBe('function');
+    expect(typeof core.createPatch).toBe('function');
+    expect(typeof core.syncWith).toBe('function');
+    await expect(core.hasNode('core:node')).resolves.toBe(true);
+    await expect(core.getNodeProps('core:node')).resolves.toEqual({ status: 'open' });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/test/unit/scripts/v17-migration-script-behavior.test.ts b/test/unit/scripts/v17-migration-script-behavior.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..34dd4647a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/unit/scripts/v17-migration-script-behavior.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+import { execFile, type ExecFileException } from 'node:child_process';
+import { mkdtemp, mkdir, readFile, rm, writeFile } from 'node:fs/promises';
+import { tmpdir } from 'node:os';
+import { join, relative } from 'node:path';
+import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+import { walkMigrationFiles } from '../../../scripts/migrations/v17.0.0/MigrationFileWalker.ts';
+
+const REPO_ROOT = fileURLToPath(new URL('../../../', import.meta.url));
+
+type ScriptResult = {
+  readonly exitCode: number;
+  readonly stdout: string;
+  readonly stderr: string;
+};
+
+class MigrationFixture {
+  readonly samplePath: string;
+
+  constructor(readonly root: string) {
+    this.samplePath = join(root, 'src', 'sample.ts');
+  }
+
+  async sampleSource(): Promise<string> {
+    return await readFile(this.samplePath, 'utf8');
+  }
+}
+
+async function withMigrationFixture(
+  test: (fixture: MigrationFixture) => Promise<void>,
+): Promise<void> {
+  const root = await mkdtemp(join(tmpdir(), 'warp-v17-migration-'));
+  try {
+    await mkdir(join(root, 'src', 'nested'), { recursive: true });
+    await mkdir(join(root, 'node_modules', 'ignored'), { recursive: true });
+    await mkdir(join(root, '.git', 'ignored'), { recursive: true });
+    await writeFile(
+      join(root, 'src', 'sample.ts'),
+      [
+        "import { PatchBuilderV2, PatchV2, Lens } from '@git-stunts/git-warp/services/PatchBuilderV2.js';",
+        'const patch: PatchV2 = new PatchBuilderV2();',
+        'function useAperture(aperture: Lens): Lens { return aperture; }',
+        'void patch;',
+        'void useAperture;',
+        '',
+      ].join('\n'),
+      'utf8',
+    );
+    await writeFile(join(root, 'src', 'nested', 'extra.js'), 'const ok = true;\n', 'utf8');
+    await writeFile(join(root, 'README.md'), 'PatchV2 should not be scanned here.\n', 'utf8');
+    await writeFile(join(root, 'node_modules', 'ignored', 'package.ts'), 'const stale: PatchV2 = null;\n', 'utf8');
+    await writeFile(join(root, '.git', 'ignored', 'hook.ts'), 'const stale: PatchV2 = null;\n', 'utf8');
+
+    await test(new MigrationFixture(root));
+  } finally {
+    await rm(root, { recursive: true, force: true });
+  }
+}
+
+function runMigrationScript(scriptPath: string, args: readonly string[]): Promise<ScriptResult> {
+  return new Promise((resolve) => {
+    execFile(
+      process.execPath,
+      [join(REPO_ROOT, scriptPath), ...args],
+      { cwd: REPO_ROOT, encoding: 'utf8' },
+      (error: ExecFileException | null, stdout: string, stderr: string) => {
+        const exitCode = typeof error?.code === 'number' ? error.code : 0;
+        resolve({ exitCode, stdout, stderr });
+      },
+    );
+  });
+}
+
+describe('v17 migration script behavior', () => {
+  it('walks migration source files while skipping markdown, node_modules, and git internals', async () => {
+    await withMigrationFixture(async (fixture) => {
+      const visited: string[] = [];
+
+      for await (const filePath of walkMigrationFiles(fixture.root)) {
+        visited.push(relative(fixture.root, filePath));
+      }
+
+      expect(visited.sort()).toEqual([
+        'src/nested/extra.js',
+        'src/sample.ts',
+      ]);
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('reports stale v16 APIs, rewrites them, and verifies the migrated fixture', async () => {
+    await withMigrationFixture(async (fixture) => {
+      const stale = await runMigrationScript('scripts/migrations/v17.0.0/verify.ts', [
+        '--dir',
+        fixture.root,
+      ]);
+      expect(stale.exitCode).toBe(1);
+      expect(stale.stdout).toContain('PatchBuilderV2.js renamed to PatchBuilder.ts');
+      expect(stale.stdout).toContain('PatchV2 renamed to Patch');
+
+      const imports = await runMigrationScript('scripts/migrations/v17.0.0/fix-imports.ts', [
+        '--dir',
+        fixture.root,
+      ]);
+      expect(imports).toMatchObject({ exitCode: 0, stderr: '' });
+      expect(imports.stdout).toContain('1 imports updated across 1 files');
+
+      const renames = await runMigrationScript('scripts/migrations/v17.0.0/fix-renames.ts', [
+        '--dir',
+        fixture.root,
+      ]);
+      expect(renames).toMatchObject({ exitCode: 0, stderr: '' });
+      expect(renames.stdout).toContain('3 renames across 1 files');
+
+      const migrated = await fixture.sampleSource();
+      expect(migrated).toContain("from '@git-stunts/git-warp/services/PatchBuilder.ts'");
+      expect(migrated).toContain('PatchBuilder');
+      expect(migrated).toContain('Patch');
+      expect(migrated).toContain('Aperture');
+      expect(migrated).not.toContain('PatchBuilderV2');
+      expect(migrated).not.toContain('PatchV2');
+      expect(migrated).not.toContain('Lens');
+
+      const clean = await runMigrationScript('scripts/migrations/v17.0.0/verify.ts', [
+        '--dir',
+        fixture.root,
+      ]);
+      expect(clean).toMatchObject({ exitCode: 0, stderr: '' });
+      expect(clean.stdout).toContain('No v16 migration issues found');
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/test/unit/scripts/v17-migration-script-hygiene.test.ts b/test/unit/scripts/v17-migration-script-hygiene.test.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index cc4cb8ef4..000000000
--- a/test/unit/scripts/v17-migration-script-hygiene.test.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,41 +0,0 @@
-import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs';
-import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
-import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
-
-const repoRoot = fileURLToPath(new URL('../../../', import.meta.url));
-
-function readRepoFile(relativePath: string): string {
-  return readFileSync(`${repoRoot}${relativePath}`, 'utf8');
-}
-
-const migrationScriptPaths = [
-  'scripts/migrations/v17.0.0/fix-imports.ts',
-  'scripts/migrations/v17.0.0/fix-renames.ts',
-  'scripts/migrations/v17.0.0/verify.ts',
-] as const;
-
-describe('v17 migration script hygiene', () => {
-  it('uses custom script errors instead of raw Error construction in touched release scripts', () => {
-    const paths = [
-      ...migrationScriptPaths,
-      'scripts/smoke-packed-artifact.sh',
-    ] as const;
-
-    for (const path of paths) {
-      expect(readRepoFile(path), path).not.toContain('new Error(');
-    }
-  });
-
-  it('shares one migration file walker instead of duplicating recursive traversal', () => {
-    for (const path of migrationScriptPaths) {
-      const source = readRepoFile(path);
-
-      expect(source, path).toContain("from './MigrationFileWalker.ts'");
-      expect(source, path).not.toContain('async function* walkFiles');
-    }
-
-    expect(readRepoFile('scripts/migrations/v17.0.0/MigrationFileWalker.ts')).toContain(
-      'export async function* walkMigrationFiles',
-    );
-  });
-});
diff --git a/test/unit/scripts/v17-public-reading-surface.test.ts b/test/unit/scripts/v17-public-reading-surface.test.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 4fa70446a..000000000
--- a/test/unit/scripts/v17-public-reading-surface.test.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,36 +0,0 @@
-import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs';
-import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
-import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
-
-const repoRoot = fileURLToPath(new URL('../../../', import.meta.url));
-
-function readRepoFile(relativePath: string): string {
-  return readFileSync(`${repoRoot}${relativePath}`, 'utf8');
-}
-
-describe('v17 public reading surface', () => {
-  it('keeps openWarpGraph focused on readings instead of materialization', () => {
-    const warpGraphSource = readRepoFile('src/domain/WarpGraph.ts');
-    const runtimeProductSource = readRepoFile('src/domain/warp/RuntimeHostProduct.ts');
-    const runtimeBridgeSource = readRepoFile('src/domain/warp/WarpGraphRuntimeProduct.ts');
-
-    expect(warpGraphSource).not.toContain('MaterializeCapability');
-    expect(warpGraphSource).not.toContain('bindMaterializeCapability');
-    expect(warpGraphSource).not.toMatch(/\breadonly materialize:/u);
-    expect(warpGraphSource).not.toMatch(/\bfolding:\s*Object\.freeze\(\{\s*materialize/u);
-    expect(runtimeProductSource).not.toContain('MaterializeCapability');
-    expect(runtimeBridgeSource).not.toMatch(/\bmaterialize(?:Coordinate|At)?\s*:/u);
-  });
-
-  it('documents the v17 migration as optic and query readings, not graph materialization', () => {
-    const migrationGuide = readRepoFile('docs/migrations/v17.0.0.md');
-    const apiReference = readRepoFile('docs/API_REFERENCE.md');
-
-    expect(migrationGuide).toContain('graph.query');
-    expect(migrationGuide).toContain('worldline');
-    expect(migrationGuide).not.toContain('graph.materialize');
-    expect(migrationGuide).not.toContain('SnapshotWarpState');
-    expect(apiReference).not.toContain('| `graph.materialize` |');
-    expect(apiReference).not.toContain('graph.materialize.materialize');
-  });
-});
diff --git a/test/unit/scripts/v17-worldline-reading-surface.test.ts b/test/unit/scripts/v17-worldline-reading-surface.test.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 7f87ea772..000000000
--- a/test/unit/scripts/v17-worldline-reading-surface.test.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs';
-import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
-import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
-
-const repoRoot = fileURLToPath(new URL('../../../', import.meta.url));
-
-function readRepoFile(relativePath: string): string {
-  return readFileSync(`${repoRoot}${relativePath}`, 'utf8');
-}
-
-describe('v17 worldline reading surface', () => {
-  it('does not expose a public Worldline.materialize read path', () => {
-    const worldlineSource = readRepoFile('src/domain/services/Worldline.ts');
-    const apiReference = readRepoFile('docs/API_REFERENCE.md');
-    const migrationGuide = readRepoFile('docs/migrations/v17.0.0.md');
-
-    expect(worldlineSource).not.toMatch(/\basync\s+materialize\b/u);
-    expect(worldlineSource).not.toMatch(/\bmaterializeSource\b/u);
-    expect(apiReference).not.toContain('Worldline.materialize()');
-    expect(migrationGuide).not.toContain('worldline.materialize');
-  });
-
-});
diff --git a/test/unit/scripts/v7-dead-file-guard.test.ts b/test/unit/scripts/v7-dead-file-guard.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..369f4def3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/unit/scripts/v7-dead-file-guard.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import { existsSync } from 'node:fs';
+import { join } from 'node:path';
+import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+
+const REPO_ROOT = fileURLToPath(new URL('../../../', import.meta.url));
+
+type DeadFileGuard = {
+  readonly path: string;
+  readonly reason: string;
+};
+
+const deletedV7Artifacts: readonly DeadFileGuard[] = Object.freeze([
+  {
+    path: 'src/domain/services/Reducer.js',
+    reason: 'schema:1 LWW reducer replaced by schema:2 join reduction',
+  },
+  {
+    path: 'src/domain/services/StateSerializer.js',
+    reason: 'schema:1 state serialization replaced by current state model',
+  },
+  {
+    path: 'src/domain/EmptyGraphWrapper.js',
+    reason: 'legacy commit-per-node wrapper replaced by WarpCore',
+  },
+  {
+    path: 'src/domain/services/GraphService.js',
+    reason: 'legacy commit-per-node engine replaced by WarpCore',
+  },
+  {
+    path: 'src/domain/legacy',
+    reason: 'legacy module directory must not return',
+  },
+]);
+
+describe('V7 dead-file deletion guard', () => {
+  for (const artifact of deletedV7Artifacts) {
+    it(`keeps ${artifact.path} deleted`, () => {
+      const fullPath = join(REPO_ROOT, artifact.path);
+
+      expect(existsSync(fullPath), artifact.reason).toBe(false);
+    });
+  }
+});
diff --git a/test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-crosslinks-shape.test.ts b/test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-crosslinks-shape.test.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index bb6acfa72..000000000
--- a/test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-crosslinks-shape.test.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,26 +0,0 @@
-import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs';
-import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
-import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
-
-function readDoc(relativePath: string): string {
-  return readFileSync(fileURLToPath(new URL(`../../../${relativePath}`, import.meta.url)), 'utf8');
-}
-
-const driftAudit = readDoc('docs/audits/WARP_DRIFT.md');
-
-describe('WARP drift ledger crosslinks', () => {
-  it('keeps the audit as a drift ledger while pointing at the canonical noun and ladder docs', () => {
-    expect(driftAudit).toContain('This file is the **drift ledger**, not the canonical noun wall-chart or');
-    expect(driftAudit).toContain('- [GLOSSARY](../GLOSSARY.md)');
-    expect(driftAudit).toContain('- [observer-geometry-architecture-ladder](../design/0035-observer-geometry-architecture-ladder.md)');
-    expect(driftAudit).toContain('- [release-horizon-v20-v21](../design/release-horizon-v20-v21.md)');
-  });
-
-  it('references the new wall-chart artifacts in backlog capture status and relevant design context', () => {
-    expect(driftAudit).toContain('The canonical noun and runtime-planning surfaces for this drift now live in:');
-    expect(driftAudit).toContain('## Relevant design context');
-    expect(driftAudit).toContain('- [GLOSSARY](../GLOSSARY.md)');
-    expect(driftAudit).toContain('- [observer-geometry-architecture-ladder](../design/0035-observer-geometry-architecture-ladder.md)');
-    expect(driftAudit).toContain('- [release-horizon-v20-v21](../design/release-horizon-v20-v21.md)');
-  });
-});
diff --git a/test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-doc-graph.test.ts b/test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-doc-graph.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4aa2bbd77
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-doc-graph.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+import { existsSync } from 'node:fs';
+import { dirname, join, normalize } from 'node:path';
+import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+import MarkdownDocument from '../../helpers/MarkdownDocument.ts';
+
+const REPO_ROOT = fileURLToPath(new URL('../../../', import.meta.url));
+
+type SlottingRow = {
+  readonly driftArea: string;
+  readonly releaseHome: string;
+};
+
+function readMarkdownDoc(relativePath: string): MarkdownDocument {
+  return MarkdownDocument.fromFile(join(REPO_ROOT, relativePath));
+}
+
+function readDoc(relativePath: string): string {
+  return readMarkdownDoc(relativePath).text;
+}
+
+function resolveDocLink(sourcePath: string, href: string): string {
+  return normalize(join(dirname(sourcePath), href));
+}
+
+function linkTargets(sourcePath: string): Set<string> {
+  return new Set(
+    readMarkdownDoc(sourcePath)
+      .links()
+      .filter((link) => !link.target.startsWith('http'))
+      .map((link) => resolveDocLink(sourcePath, link.target)),
+  );
+}
+
+function parseSlottingRows(markdown: string): readonly SlottingRow[] {
+  const rows: SlottingRow[] = [];
+  let inMatrix = false;
+
+  for (const line of markdown.split('\n')) {
+    if (line.trim() === '## Slotting matrix') {
+      inMatrix = true;
+      continue;
+    }
+    if (inMatrix && line.startsWith('## ')) {
+      break;
+    }
+    if (!inMatrix || !line.startsWith('|')) {
+      continue;
+    }
+    const cells = line.split('|').slice(1, -1).map((cell) => cell.trim());
+    if (cells.length !== 3 || cells[0] === 'Drift area' || cells[0]?.startsWith('---')) {
+      continue;
+    }
+    const driftArea = cells[0];
+    const releaseHome = cells[1];
+    if (driftArea !== undefined && releaseHome !== undefined) {
+      rows.push({ driftArea, releaseHome: releaseHome.replaceAll('`', '') });
+    }
+  }
+
+  return rows;
+}
+
+describe('WARP drift documentation graph', () => {
+  it('resolves the drift ledger links to canonical noun, ladder, slotting, and horizon docs', () => {
+    const sourcePath = 'docs/audits/WARP_DRIFT.md';
+    const targets = linkTargets(sourcePath);
+    const requiredTargets = [
+      'docs/GLOSSARY.md',
+      'docs/design/0035-observer-geometry-architecture-ladder.md',
+      'docs/design/0037-remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting.md',
+      'docs/design/release-horizon-v20-v21.md',
+    ] as const;
+
+    for (const target of requiredTargets) {
+      expect(targets.has(target), target).toBe(true);
+      expect(existsSync(join(REPO_ROOT, target)), target).toBe(true);
+    }
+  });
+
+  it('keeps release slotting as structured v19, v20, and v21 rows', () => {
+    const rows = parseSlottingRows(readDoc('docs/design/0037-remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting.md'));
+
+    expect(rows).toEqual([
+      { driftArea: 'Observer surface still snapshot/materialize/filter', releaseHome: 'v19' },
+      { driftArea: 'Public noun split only partially realized in code', releaseHome: 'v19' },
+      { driftArea: 'Slice-first runtime realization and fragment reuse', releaseHome: 'v20' },
+      { driftArea: 'Strand semantics centered on frozen pinned base', releaseHome: 'v20 to v21' },
+      { driftArea: 'Braiding as pinned-base equality', releaseHome: 'v21' },
+      { driftArea: 'Sync as frontier + patches rather than witnessed admission', releaseHome: 'v19 to v21' },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it('connects the horizon and v19 lane back to the slotting doc as data links', () => {
+    const horizonTargets = linkTargets('docs/design/release-horizon-v20-v21.md');
+    const v19Targets = linkTargets(
+      'docs/archive/backlog/github-issue-migration-2026-06-01/docs/method/backlog/v19.0.0/README.md',
+    );
+
+    expect(horizonTargets.has('docs/design/0037-remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting.md')).toBe(true);
+    expect(v19Targets.has(
+      'docs/archive/backlog/github-issue-migration-2026-06-01/docs/method/backlog/v20.0.0/PROTO_playback-head-alignment.md',
+    )).toBe(true);
+    expect(v19Targets.has(
+      'docs/archive/backlog/github-issue-migration-2026-06-01/docs/method/backlog/v21.0.0/PROTO_local-site-object-for-neighborhoods.md',
+    )).toBe(true);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-release-slotting-shape.test.ts b/test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-release-slotting-shape.test.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 620e244f1..000000000
--- a/test/unit/scripts/warp-drift-release-slotting-shape.test.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,49 +0,0 @@
-import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs';
-import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
-import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
-
-function readDoc(relativePath: string): string {
-  return readFileSync(fileURLToPath(new URL(`../../../${relativePath}`, import.meta.url)), 'utf8');
-}
-
-const slotting = readDoc('docs/design/0037-remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting.md');
-const driftAudit = readDoc('docs/audits/WARP_DRIFT.md');
-const horizon = readDoc('docs/design/release-horizon-v20-v21.md');
-const v19Lane = readDoc(
-  'docs/archive/backlog/github-issue-migration-2026-06-01/docs/method/backlog/v19.0.0/README.md'
-);
-
-describe('Remaining WARP drift release slotting docs', () => {
-  it('assigns the unresolved drift families to v19, v20, and v21 explicitly', () => {
-    expect(slotting).toContain('# Remaining WARP Drift Release Slotting');
-    expect(slotting).toContain('| Observer surface still snapshot/materialize/filter');
-    expect(slotting).toContain('| Slice-first runtime realization and fragment reuse');
-    expect(slotting).toContain('| Braiding as pinned-base equality');
-    expect(slotting).toContain('| Sync as frontier + patches rather than witnessed admission');
-  });
-
-  it('is linked from the drift ledger as part of the relevant design context', () => {
-    expect(driftAudit).toContain(
-      '- [remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting](../design/0037-remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting.md)'
-    );
-  });
-
-  it('sharpens the release horizon and v19 lane handoff', () => {
-    expect(horizon).toContain('Read this note together with:');
-    expect(horizon).toContain(
-      '- [0037-remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting.md](./0037-remaining-warp-drift-release-slotting.md)'
-    );
-    expect(horizon).toContain('- `v20` = operational slice-first runtime');
-    expect(horizon).toContain(
-      '- `v21` = plural/distributed observer geometry and admission reality'
-    );
-    expect(v19Lane).toContain('## Release handoff');
-    expect(v19Lane).toContain(
-      '- `v19` owns doctrine/runtime correction and the first honest observer/admission surfaces'
-    );
-    expect(v19Lane).toContain('- `v20` owns operational slice-first runtime realization');
-    expect(v19Lane).toContain(
-      '- `v21` owns plural/distributed semantics such as common-basis braid and fuller admission reality'
-    );
-  });
-});
diff --git a/test/unit/scripts/warpapp-capability-bridge.test.ts b/test/unit/scripts/warpapp-capability-bridge.test.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 30fcf096e..000000000
--- a/test/unit/scripts/warpapp-capability-bridge.test.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,17 +0,0 @@
-import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
-import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs';
-import { join } from 'node:path';
-
-const warpAppPath = join(process.cwd(), 'src/domain/WarpApp.ts');
-const warpAppSource = readFileSync(warpAppPath, 'utf8');
-
-describe('WarpApp capability bridge', () => {
-  it('does not import WarpRuntime directly', () => {
-    expect(warpAppSource).not.toContain("import type WarpRuntime");
-    expect(warpAppSource).not.toContain("import WarpRuntime");
-  });
-
-  it('does not use callInternalRuntimeMethod for content reads', () => {
-    expect(warpAppSource).not.toContain('callInternalRuntimeMethod');
-  });
-});
diff --git a/test/unit/scripts/warpcore-runtime-bridge.test.ts b/test/unit/scripts/warpcore-runtime-bridge.test.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index c5b5c401d..000000000
--- a/test/unit/scripts/warpcore-runtime-bridge.test.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
-import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs';
-import { existsSync } from 'node:fs';
-import { join } from 'node:path';
-
-const warpCorePath = join(process.cwd(), 'src/domain/WarpCore.ts');
-const warpCoreSource = readFileSync(warpCorePath, 'utf8');
-const warpCoreBridgePath = join(process.cwd(), 'src/domain/warp/WarpCoreRuntimeBridge.ts');
-
-describe('WarpCore runtime bridge', () => {
-  it('does not depend on the deleted runtime bridge file', () => {
-    expect(existsSync(warpCoreBridgePath)).toBe(false);
-    expect(warpCoreSource).not.toContain('./warp/WarpCoreRuntimeBridge.ts');
-  });
-
-  it('does not route through callInternalRuntimeMethod', () => {
-    expect(warpCoreSource).not.toContain('callInternalRuntimeMethod');
-  });
-
-  it('declares an explicit structural product surface instead of prototype linking', () => {
-    expect(warpCoreSource).toContain("from './warp/WarpCoreRuntimeProduct.ts'");
-    expect(warpCoreSource).not.toContain('linkWarpCorePrototype');
-    expect(warpCoreSource).not.toContain("from './warp/WarpCoreRuntimeBridge.ts'");
-  });
-});
diff --git a/test/unit/scripts/warpgraph-capability-seam.test.ts b/test/unit/scripts/warpgraph-capability-seam.test.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 26f41ef6b..000000000
--- a/test/unit/scripts/warpgraph-capability-seam.test.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,33 +0,0 @@
-import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs';
-import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
-import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
-
-const warpGraphSource = readFileSync(
-  fileURLToPath(new URL('../../../src/domain/WarpGraph.ts', import.meta.url)),
-  'utf8',
-);
-
-const apiReference = readFileSync(
-  fileURLToPath(new URL('../../../docs/API_REFERENCE.md', import.meta.url)),
-  'utf8',
-);
-
-describe('WarpGraph public capability seam', () => {
-  it('does not import WarpRuntime directly', () => {
-    expect(warpGraphSource).not.toContain("import type WarpRuntime");
-    expect(warpGraphSource).not.toContain("import WarpRuntime");
-  });
-
-  it('does not expose _runtime on the public WarpGraph surface', () => {
-    expect(warpGraphSource).not.toContain('readonly _runtime:');
-  });
-
-  it('does not use as unknown as when wiring capabilities', () => {
-    expect(warpGraphSource).not.toContain('as unknown as');
-  });
-
-  it('teaches direct sync through the capability bag, not graph._runtime', () => {
-    expect(apiReference).not.toContain('graphB._runtime');
-    expect(apiReference).toContain('graphA.sync.syncWith(graphB)');
-  });
-});
diff --git a/test/unit/scripts/warpgraph-factory-closeout.test.ts b/test/unit/scripts/warpgraph-factory-closeout.test.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 987feef12..000000000
--- a/test/unit/scripts/warpgraph-factory-closeout.test.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,48 +0,0 @@
-import { existsSync, readFileSync } from 'node:fs';
-import { join } from 'node:path';
-import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
-
-const factoryNotePath = join(
-  process.cwd(),
-  'docs/archive/backlog/v17.0.0-residual-backlog/API_warpgraph-factory.md'
-);
-const barrel = readFileSync(join(process.cwd(), 'index.ts'), 'utf8');
-const readme = readFileSync(join(process.cwd(), 'README.md'), 'utf8');
-const releaseLedger = readFileSync(join(process.cwd(), 'docs/releases/v17.0.0/README.md'), 'utf8');
-const workloads = readFileSync(
-  join(
-    process.cwd(),
-    'docs/archive/backlog/github-issue-migration-2026-06-01/docs/method/backlog/WORKLOADS.md'
-  ),
-  'utf8'
-);
-
-describe('warpgraph factory closeout', () => {
-  it('removes the stale live factory card', () => {
-    expect(existsSync(factoryNotePath)).toBe(false);
-  });
-
-  it('keeps openWarpGraph as the advanced compatibility composition root', () => {
-    expect(barrel).toContain('openWarpGraph,');
-    expect(barrel).toContain('First-use application code should open a named worldline');
-    expect(readme).toContain(
-      "import { GitGraphAdapter, openWarpWorldline } from '@git-stunts/git-warp';"
-    );
-    expect(readme).toContain('`openWarpGraph()`. That surface is supported for compatibility');
-  });
-
-  it('removes completed factory work from the workload inventory', () => {
-    expect(workloads).not.toContain('API_warpgraph-factory');
-    expect(workloads).not.toContain('WL-30-v17-provider-foundations');
-  });
-
-  it('preserves shipped history without stale composition-root residue', () => {
-    expect(releaseLedger).toContain('[x] API_warpgraph-factory');
-    expect(releaseLedger).toContain('cycle 0089 retired stale live card');
-    expect(releaseLedger).toContain('runtime/composition-root residue');
-    expect(releaseLedger).not.toContain(
-      'The remaining\n                                          work is the `openWarpGraph()`'
-    );
-    expect(releaseLedger).not.toContain('`WarpRuntime` composition-root residue');
-  });
-});
diff --git a/test/unit/v7-guards.test.ts b/test/unit/v7-guards.test.ts
index 974973215..2eb31a3b6 100644
--- a/test/unit/v7-guards.test.ts
+++ b/test/unit/v7-guards.test.ts
@@ -1,150 +1,56 @@
-/**
- * V7 Contract Guards
- *
- * These tests enforce V7 invariants by failing if legacy engine
- * components are reintroduced. See docs/V7_CONTRACT.md.
- *
- * "Temporary things are forever. Delete, don't wrap."
- */
-
-import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
-import { existsSync } from 'node:fs';
-import { dirname, join } from 'node:path';
-import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
-
-const __dirname = dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
-const srcDir = join(__dirname, '..', '..', 'src');
-
-// Task 0.5 (Schema:1 Extermination) is complete:
-// - Reducer.js, StateSerializer.js have been deleted
-// - PatchBuilder.js is the v2 builder (renamed from PatchBuilderV2.js)
-// - No schema:1 artifacts are exported from index.js
-const SCHEMA1_EXTERMINATION_COMPLETE = true;
-
-// Task 4 (Delete split engine) is COMPLETE:
-// - EmptyGraphWrapper.js, GraphService.js have been deleted
-// - WarpCore is the only supported API
-const ENGINE_DELETION_COMPLETE = true;
-
-describe('V7 Contract Guards', () => {
-  describe('Schema:1 files must not exist', () => {
-    const schema1Files = [
-      {
-        path: 'domain/services/Reducer.js',
-        reason: 'Schema:1 LWW reducer (tombstones, not OR-Set)',
-      },
-      {
-        path: 'domain/services/StateSerializer.js',
-        reason: 'Schema:1 state serialization',
-      },
-    ];
-
-    const testFn = SCHEMA1_EXTERMINATION_COMPLETE ? it : it.skip;
-
-    for (const { path, reason } of schema1Files) {
-      testFn(`should not contain ${path}`, () => {
-        const fullPath = join(srcDir, path);
-        const exists = existsSync(fullPath);
-
-        expect(exists, `\n\nV7 CONTRACT VIOLATION\n\nFile exists: ${fullPath}\nReason banned: ${reason}\n\nSee docs/V7_CONTRACT.md for V7 invariants.\n`).toBe(false);
-      });
-    }
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+import * as publicApi from '../../index.ts';
+import {
+  InMemoryGraphAdapter,
+  PatchBuilder,
+  WarpCore,
+} from '../../index.ts';
+
+function openCore(graphName: string): Promise<WarpCore> {
+  return WarpCore.open({
+    persistence: new InMemoryGraphAdapter(),
+    graphName,
+    writerId: 'v7-writer',
   });
-
-  describe('Legacy engine files must not exist', () => {
-    const engineFiles = [
-      {
-        path: 'domain/EmptyGraphWrapper.js',
-        reason: 'Legacy wrapper over commit-per-node engine',
-      },
-      {
-        path: 'domain/services/GraphService.js',
-        reason: 'Commit-per-node engine (nodes are commits)',
-      },
-      {
-        path: 'legacy',
-        reason: 'Legacy module directory',
-      },
-    ];
-
-    const testFn = ENGINE_DELETION_COMPLETE ? it : it.skip;
-
-    for (const { path, reason } of engineFiles) {
-      testFn(`should not contain ${path}`, () => {
-        const fullPath = join(srcDir, path);
-        const exists = existsSync(fullPath);
-
-        expect(exists, `\n\nV7 CONTRACT VIOLATION\n\nFile exists: ${fullPath}\nReason banned: ${reason}\n\nSee docs/V7_CONTRACT.md for V7 invariants.\n`).toBe(false);
-      });
-    }
-
+}
+
+describe('V7 schema-2 public contract', () => {
+  it('exports the schema-2 PatchBuilder without schema-1 public artifacts', () => {
+    expect(publicApi.PatchBuilder).toBe(PatchBuilder);
+    expect(Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(publicApi, 'Reducer')).toBe(false);
+    expect(Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(publicApi, 'StateSerializer')).toBe(false);
+    expect(Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(publicApi, 'createPatchV1')).toBe(false);
   });
 
-  describe('Schema:1 must not be exported', () => {
-    const exportTestFn = SCHEMA1_EXTERMINATION_COMPLETE ? it : it.skip;
-
-    exportTestFn('should export PatchBuilder (schema:2, renamed from PatchBuilderV2)', async () => {
-      const indexModule = (await import('../../index.ts') as any);
-      expect(indexModule.PatchBuilder).toBeDefined();
-    });
-
-    exportTestFn('should not export Reducer (schema:1)', async () => {
-      const indexModule = (await import('../../index.ts') as any);
-      expect(indexModule.Reducer).toBeUndefined();
-    });
+  it('builds schema-2 patches through the current public graph API', async () => {
+    const core = await openCore('v7-schema-patch');
+    const builder = await core.createPatch();
+    builder.addNode('v7:node');
+    builder.setProperty('v7:node', 'status', 'open');
 
-    exportTestFn('should not export createPatch with schema:1 support', async () => {
-      const indexModule = (await import('../../index.ts') as any);
-      // If createPatch exists, it should only support schema:2
-      // This is tested elsewhere; here we just ensure no explicit schema:1 export
-      expect(indexModule.createPatchV1).toBeUndefined();
-    });
+    const patch = builder.build();
 
-    exportTestFn('should not export StateSerializer (schema:1)', async () => {
-      const indexModule = (await import('../../index.ts') as any);
-      expect(indexModule.StateSerializer).toBeUndefined();
-    });
+    expect(patch.schema).toBe(2);
+    expect(patch.writer).toBe('v7-writer');
+    expect(patch.ops.length).toBe(2);
+    expect(patch.context).toEqual({ 'v7-writer': 1 });
   });
 
-  describe('V7 required components must exist', () => {
-    const requiredFiles = [
-      {
-        path: 'domain/services/PatchBuilder.ts',
-        reason: 'Schema:2 patch builder with dots and OR-Set',
-      },
-      {
-        path: 'domain/services/JoinReducer.ts',
-        reason: 'Schema:2 OR-Set reducer',
-      },
-      {
-        path: 'domain/WarpCore.ts',
-        reason: 'Main WARP API',
-      },
-      {
-        path: 'domain/crdt/ORSet.ts',
-        reason: 'OR-Set CRDT implementation',
-      },
-      {
-        path: 'domain/crdt/VersionVector.ts',
-        reason: 'Version vector for causality',
-      },
-      {
-        path: 'domain/crdt/Dot.ts',
-        reason: 'Dot notation for unique events',
-      },
-      {
-        path: 'domain/services/index/WarpStateIndexBuilder.ts',
-        reason: 'Task 6: Index built from WarpState, not commit DAG',
-      },
-    ];
+  it('applies schema-2 node, edge, and property operations through WarpCore', async () => {
+    const core = await openCore('v7-current-api');
 
-    for (const { path, reason } of requiredFiles) {
-      it(`should contain ${path}`, () => {
-        const fullPath = join(srcDir, path);
-        const exists = existsSync(fullPath);
+    await core.patch((patch) => {
+      patch.addNode('v7:source');
+      patch.addNode('v7:target');
+      patch.addEdge('v7:source', 'v7:target', 'relates');
+      patch.setProperty('v7:source', 'status', 'current');
+      patch.setEdgeProperty('v7:source', 'v7:target', 'relates', 'weight', 7);
+    });
+    await core.materialize();
 
-        expect(exists, `\n\nV7 REQUIRED COMPONENT MISSING\n\nFile missing: ${fullPath}\nRequired for: ${reason}\n\nSee docs/V7_CONTRACT.md for V7 invariants.\n`).toBe(true);
-      });
-    }
+    await expect(core.hasNode('v7:source')).resolves.toBe(true);
+    await expect(core.hasNode('v7:target')).resolves.toBe(true);
+    await expect(core.getNodeProps('v7:source')).resolves.toEqual({ status: 'current' });
+    await expect(core.getEdgeProps('v7:source', 'v7:target', 'relates')).resolves.toEqual({ weight: 7 });
   });
 });