From f53cecca862799b8cac70f1ecaa72b43b9e6ca50 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Jonathan D.A. Jewell" <6759885+hyperpolymath@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2026 23:04:46 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 1/9] Update and rename 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml to
 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed

Signed-off-by: Jonathan D.A. Jewell <6759885+hyperpolymath@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml | 58 ----------------------------------------------
 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed | 46 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 2 files changed, 46 insertions(+), 58 deletions(-)
 delete mode 100644 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml
 create mode 100644 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed

diff --git a/0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml b/0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml
deleted file mode 100644
index 26654a3ca..000000000
--- a/0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,58 +0,0 @@
-# STOP — CANONICAL MACHINE ENTRY POINT (read this first)
-
-**This is the canonical machine front door for `hyperpolymath/standards`.**
-The canonical *human* front door is `README.adoc`. Every other "what is this
-repo" doc (EXPLAINME.adoc, TOPOLOGY.adoc, QUICKSTART-*.adoc, llm-warmup-*.md) is a
-thin pointer back to one of these two.
-
-## WHAT IS THIS REPO?
-
-The organization-wide standards monorepo: ~30 specs that govern every
-Hyperpolymath project — K9 self-validating
-components, the protocols, the readiness-grading frameworks (ARG/FRG/CRG/TRG),
-RSR compliance, and the enforcement/CI that makes them stick.
-
-## ROUTING — where to go for X (machine index)
-
-| If you want… | Go to |
-|---|---|
-| K9 foundation (Stream 1) | `1-formats/k9/`, `1-formats/contractiles/` |
-| Language policy (Stream 2) | `.claude/CLAUDE.md` |
-| Protocols | `*-protocol/` |
-| Readiness grades | `adoption-readiness-grades/`, `foundations-readiness-grades/`, `component-readiness-grades/`, `toolchain-readiness-grades/` |
-| Multi-repository task scope | `docs/MULTI-REPOSITORY-SCOPE-STANDARD.adoc`; illustrative declaration: `docs/repo-scope.example.toml` |
-| Enforcement / CI | `.github/workflows/`, `hooks/` |
-| Drift / staleness automation | `hypatia-rules/`; reusable-pin freshness: `docs/decisions/ADR-003-workflow-pin-staleness-window.adoc`, `scripts/check-workflow-staleness.sh`, `scripts/propagate-workflow-pins.sh` |
-| Derived architecture map | `TOPOLOGY.adoc` (do not edit) |
-| Current project state | `.machine_readable/descriptiles/STATE.a2ml` |
-| Education layer (deep docs, by audience) | `docs/wikis/` (Users / Developers / Maintainers); machine mirror `docs/wikis/0.2-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml` |
-
-## CORE INVARIANTS
-
-1. **No A2ML duplication** — root must NOT contain STATE.a2ml, META.a2ml, etc.
-2. **Single source of truth** — `.machine_readable/descriptiles/` is authoritative for state.
-3. **Licence is Manual-Only for agents** — every file's licence/SPDX is set by
-   the owner. Agents NEVER edit, sweep, or relicense `LICENSE` files or SPDX
-   headers; licence drift is FLAG-ONLY (`:review`). See `LICENSE`,
-   `.machine_readable/licensing-policy.toml`, and `.claude/CLAUDE.md`.
-4. **Author attribution** — "Jonathan D.A. Jewell <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>".
-
-## SESSION STARTUP CHECKLIST
-
-- Read THIS file, then `README.adoc`.
-- Read `.machine_readable/descriptiles/STATE.a2ml` for current status + blockers.
-- Read `.machine_readable/descriptiles/AGENTIC.a2ml` for interaction patterns.
-- Read `.claude/CLAUDE.md` for the language + licence policy (binding).
-
-## ATTESTATION
-
-After reading, state: **"I have read the standards manifest. The human front
-door is README.adoc.
-Licence/SPDX is Manual-Only — I will flag, never edit."**
-
-## META
-
-- **Format Version:** 2.0.0
-- **Maintained By:** Jonathan D.A. Jewell (hyperpolymath) <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>
-- **Licence:** see `LICENSE`
-- **Protocol:** https://github.com/hyperpolymath/0-ai-gatekeeper-protocol
diff --git a/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed b/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..41e53f85f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+;; SPDX-FileCopyrightText: © 2026 Jonathan D.A. Jewell (hyperpolymath) <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>
+;; SPDX-License-Identifier: CC-BY-SA-4.0
+(repo-deed
+  :schema-version "1.0.0"
+  :canonical-name "github.com/hyperpolymath/standards"
+  :repo-uuid #u8"gv-clade-index:github.com/hyperpolymath/standards"
+  :beholding-chora #u5"estate/chora"
+
+  (purpose
+    "The organization-wide standards monorepo: ~30 specs that govern every Hyperpolymath project — K9 self-validating components, the protocols, the readiness-grading frameworks (ARG/FRG/CRG/TRG), RSR compliance, and the enforcement/CI that makes them stick.")
+
+  (front-doors
+    :machine "standards_chora.deed"
+    :human "README.adoc")
+
+  (routing
+    (k9-foundation "1-formats/k9/" "1-formats/contractiles/")
+    (language-policy ".claude/CLAUDE.md")
+    (protocols "*-protocol/")
+    (readiness-grades "adoption-readiness-grades/" "foundations-readiness-grades/" "component-readiness-grades/" "toolchain-readiness-grades/")
+    (multi-repository-scope "docs/MULTI-REPOSITORY-SCOPE-STANDARD.adoc" "docs/repo-scope.example.toml")
+    (enforcement-ci ".github/workflows/" "hooks/")
+    (drift-automation "hypatia-rules/" "docs/decisions/ADR-003-workflow-pin-staleness-window.adoc" "scripts/check-workflow-staleness.sh" "scripts/propagate-workflow-pins.sh")
+    (derived-architecture-map "TOPOLOGY.adoc")
+    (current-project-state ".machine_readable/descriptiles/STATE.deed")
+    (education-layer "docs/wikis/" "docs/wikis/0.2-AI-MANIFEST.deed"))
+
+  (invariants
+    (rule :priority 10 "No A2ML/DEED duplication — root must NOT contain STATE.deed, META.deed, etc.")
+    (rule :priority 20 "Single source of truth — .machine_readable/descriptiles/ is authoritative for state.")
+    (rule :priority 30 "Licence is Manual-Only for agents — every file's licence/SPDX is set by the owner. Agents NEVER edit, sweep, or relicense LICENSE files or SPDX headers; licence drift is FLAG-ONLY (:review). See LICENSE, .machine_readable/licensing-policy.toml, and .claude/CLAUDE.md.")
+    (rule :priority 40 "Author attribution — Jonathan D.A. Jewell <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>"))
+
+  (startup-checklist
+    "Read THIS file, then README.adoc."
+    "Read .machine_readable/descriptiles/STATE.deed for current status + blockers."
+    "Read .machine_readable/descriptiles/AGENTIC.deed for interaction patterns."
+    "Read .claude/CLAUDE.md for the language + licence policy (binding).")
+
+  (attestation
+    "I have read the standards manifest. The human front door is README.adoc. Licence/SPDX is Manual-Only — I will flag, never edit.")
+
+  (meta
+    :maintained-by "Jonathan D.A. Jewell (hyperpolymath) <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>"
+    :protocol "https://github.com/hyperpolymath/0-ai-gatekeeper-protocol")
+)

From 191e06918161b74f7eed5b88c68a64c082b112f7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "coderabbitai[bot]"
 <136622811+coderabbitai[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2026 22:13:29 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 2/9] docs: fix manifest links and clarify SPDX rules for new
 files

---
 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed | 6 +++---
 README.adoc        | 2 +-
 2 files changed, 4 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed b/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
index 41e53f85f..af8ba3e3f 100644
--- a/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
+++ b/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     "The organization-wide standards monorepo: ~30 specs that govern every Hyperpolymath project — K9 self-validating components, the protocols, the readiness-grading frameworks (ARG/FRG/CRG/TRG), RSR compliance, and the enforcement/CI that makes them stick.")
 
   (front-doors
-    :machine "standards_chora.deed"
+    :machine "0-AI-MANIFEST.deed"
     :human "README.adoc")
 
   (routing
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
   (invariants
     (rule :priority 10 "No A2ML/DEED duplication — root must NOT contain STATE.deed, META.deed, etc.")
     (rule :priority 20 "Single source of truth — .machine_readable/descriptiles/ is authoritative for state.")
-    (rule :priority 30 "Licence is Manual-Only for agents — every file's licence/SPDX is set by the owner. Agents NEVER edit, sweep, or relicense LICENSE files or SPDX headers; licence drift is FLAG-ONLY (:review). See LICENSE, .machine_readable/licensing-policy.toml, and .claude/CLAUDE.md.")
+    (rule :priority 30 "Licence changes are Manual-Only, owner-only. Agents may add the correct SPDX header when creating a new file, following the repo's licence classification. Agents NEVER edit, sweep, or relicense existing LICENSE files or SPDX headers; licence drift is FLAG-ONLY (:review). See LICENSE, .machine_readable/licensing-policy.toml, and .claude/CLAUDE.md.")
     (rule :priority 40 "Author attribution — Jonathan D.A. Jewell <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>"))
 
   (startup-checklist
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
     "Read .claude/CLAUDE.md for the language + licence policy (binding).")
 
   (attestation
-    "I have read the standards manifest. The human front door is README.adoc. Licence/SPDX is Manual-Only — I will flag, never edit.")
+    "I have read the standards manifest. The human front door is README.adoc. Licence/SPDX changes to existing files are Manual-Only — I will flag, never edit. I may add the correct SPDX header when creating a new file, following the repo's licence classification.")
 
   (meta
     :maintained-by "Jonathan D.A. Jewell (hyperpolymath) <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>"
diff --git a/README.adoc b/README.adoc
index 18db07c54..70bb5a765 100644
--- a/README.adoc
+++ b/README.adoc
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ routes off them:
 | You are… | Start at | Then
 
 | A **human** | this file (link:README.adoc[README.adoc]) | follow the routing table below
-| An **AI agent** | link:0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml[0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml] | then follow its routing table
+| An **AI agent** | link:0-AI-MANIFEST.deed[0-AI-MANIFEST.deed] | then follow its routing table
 |===
 
 Every other "what is this repo" doc is now a thin pointer back to these two

From 718e149b0b7a52801f85953ef1bd9b22455420b7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "coderabbitai[bot]"
 <136622811+coderabbitai[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2026 22:15:50 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 3/9] fix(must): check for 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed

---
 .machine_readable/contractiles/must/Mustfile.a2ml | 4 ++--
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.machine_readable/contractiles/must/Mustfile.a2ml b/.machine_readable/contractiles/must/Mustfile.a2ml
index 342002f0f..37351062a 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/contractiles/must/Mustfile.a2ml
+++ b/.machine_readable/contractiles/must/Mustfile.a2ml
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ requirements — CI and pre-commit hooks fail if any check fails.
 - severity: critical
 
 ### ai-manifest
-- description: 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml must exist
-- run: test -f 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml
+- description: 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed must exist
+- run: test -f 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
 - severity: critical
 
 ### machine-readable-dir

From a12a559aa897705f89ffa27bf4012d02bf79f17b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "coderabbitai[bot]"
 <136622811+coderabbitai[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2026 22:53:23 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 4/9] fix(deed): validate 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed as repo-deed

---
 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed                         | 36 +++++++++++-----------
 1-formats/deed/README.adoc                 | 18 +++++++++--
 1-formats/deed/spec/DEED-GRAMMAR-SPEC.adoc | 18 +++++++++--
 1-formats/deed/spec/abnf/deed.abnf         | 10 ++++--
 1-formats/deed/tools/README.adoc           |  2 +-
 1-formats/deed/tools/deed_lint.js          |  6 ++--
 1-formats/deed/tools/deed_lint.test.js     | 20 ++++++++++++
 standards-map.toml                         | 30 +++++++++---------
 8 files changed, 96 insertions(+), 44 deletions(-)

diff --git a/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed b/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
index af8ba3e3f..5586685c2 100644
--- a/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
+++ b/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
@@ -7,38 +7,38 @@
   :beholding-chora #u5"estate/chora"
 
   (purpose
-    "The organization-wide standards monorepo: ~30 specs that govern every Hyperpolymath project — K9 self-validating components, the protocols, the readiness-grading frameworks (ARG/FRG/CRG/TRG), RSR compliance, and the enforcement/CI that makes them stick.")
+    :text "The organization-wide standards monorepo: ~30 specs that govern every Hyperpolymath project — K9 self-validating components, the protocols, the readiness-grading frameworks (ARG/FRG/CRG/TRG), RSR compliance, and the enforcement/CI that makes them stick.")
 
   (front-doors
     :machine "0-AI-MANIFEST.deed"
     :human "README.adoc")
 
   (routing
-    (k9-foundation "1-formats/k9/" "1-formats/contractiles/")
-    (language-policy ".claude/CLAUDE.md")
-    (protocols "*-protocol/")
-    (readiness-grades "adoption-readiness-grades/" "foundations-readiness-grades/" "component-readiness-grades/" "toolchain-readiness-grades/")
-    (multi-repository-scope "docs/MULTI-REPOSITORY-SCOPE-STANDARD.adoc" "docs/repo-scope.example.toml")
-    (enforcement-ci ".github/workflows/" "hooks/")
-    (drift-automation "hypatia-rules/" "docs/decisions/ADR-003-workflow-pin-staleness-window.adoc" "scripts/check-workflow-staleness.sh" "scripts/propagate-workflow-pins.sh")
-    (derived-architecture-map "TOPOLOGY.adoc")
-    (current-project-state ".machine_readable/descriptiles/STATE.deed")
-    (education-layer "docs/wikis/" "docs/wikis/0.2-AI-MANIFEST.deed"))
+    (k9-foundation :paths ("1-formats/k9/" "1-formats/contractiles/"))
+    (language-policy :paths (".claude/CLAUDE.md"))
+    (protocols :paths ("*-protocol/"))
+    (readiness-grades :paths ("adoption-readiness-grades/" "foundations-readiness-grades/" "component-readiness-grades/" "toolchain-readiness-grades/"))
+    (multi-repository-scope :paths ("docs/MULTI-REPOSITORY-SCOPE-STANDARD.adoc" "docs/repo-scope.example.toml"))
+    (enforcement-ci :paths (".github/workflows/" "hooks/"))
+    (drift-automation :paths ("hypatia-rules/" "docs/decisions/ADR-003-workflow-pin-staleness-window.adoc" "scripts/check-workflow-staleness.sh" "scripts/propagate-workflow-pins.sh"))
+    (derived-architecture-map :paths ("TOPOLOGY.adoc"))
+    (current-project-state :paths (".machine_readable/descriptiles/STATE.deed"))
+    (education-layer :paths ("docs/wikis/" "docs/wikis/0.2-AI-MANIFEST.deed")))
 
   (invariants
-    (rule :priority 10 "No A2ML/DEED duplication — root must NOT contain STATE.deed, META.deed, etc.")
-    (rule :priority 20 "Single source of truth — .machine_readable/descriptiles/ is authoritative for state.")
-    (rule :priority 30 "Licence changes are Manual-Only, owner-only. Agents may add the correct SPDX header when creating a new file, following the repo's licence classification. Agents NEVER edit, sweep, or relicense existing LICENSE files or SPDX headers; licence drift is FLAG-ONLY (:review). See LICENSE, .machine_readable/licensing-policy.toml, and .claude/CLAUDE.md.")
-    (rule :priority 40 "Author attribution — Jonathan D.A. Jewell <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>"))
+    (rule :priority 10 :text "No A2ML/DEED duplication — root must NOT contain STATE.deed, META.deed, etc.")
+    (rule :priority 20 :text "Single source of truth — .machine_readable/descriptiles/ is authoritative for state.")
+    (rule :priority 30 :text "Licence changes are Manual-Only, owner-only. Agents may add the correct SPDX header when creating a new file, following the repo's licence classification. Agents NEVER edit, sweep, or relicense existing LICENSE files or SPDX headers; licence drift is FLAG-ONLY (:review). See LICENSE, .machine_readable/licensing-policy.toml, and .claude/CLAUDE.md.")
+    (rule :priority 40 :text "Author attribution — Jonathan D.A. Jewell <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>"))
 
   (startup-checklist
-    "Read THIS file, then README.adoc."
+    :steps ("Read THIS file, then README.adoc."
     "Read .machine_readable/descriptiles/STATE.deed for current status + blockers."
     "Read .machine_readable/descriptiles/AGENTIC.deed for interaction patterns."
-    "Read .claude/CLAUDE.md for the language + licence policy (binding).")
+    "Read .claude/CLAUDE.md for the language + licence policy (binding)."))
 
   (attestation
-    "I have read the standards manifest. The human front door is README.adoc. Licence/SPDX changes to existing files are Manual-Only — I will flag, never edit. I may add the correct SPDX header when creating a new file, following the repo's licence classification.")
+    :text "I have read the standards manifest. The human front door is README.adoc. Licence/SPDX changes to existing files are Manual-Only — I will flag, never edit. I may add the correct SPDX header when creating a new file, following the repo's licence classification.")
 
   (meta
     :maintained-by "Jonathan D.A. Jewell (hyperpolymath) <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>"
diff --git a/1-formats/deed/README.adoc b/1-formats/deed/README.adoc
index b84792de3..23c8b0cf0 100644
--- a/1-formats/deed/README.adoc
+++ b/1-formats/deed/README.adoc
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 = DEED Grammar Specification
-:version: 0.2.2
+:version: 0.2.3
 :status: DRAFT
 :toc:
 :toclevels: 3
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ throughout and is *not* part of the v0.1 conformance surface.
 parsing. The EBNF in <<concrete-syntax>> is informative.
 +
 NOTE (standards#837): owner ruling 2026-09-19 brought the grammar files
-together — `deed.abnf` (now v1.1.0) is the sole normative grammar. The v0.1.0
+together — `deed.abnf` (now v1.2.0) is the sole normative grammar. The v0.1.0
 DRAFT archive lives at `archive/deed.abnf_v0.1.0-draft` under its true
 version (it was previously misnamed `deed.abnf_v1.0`).
 
@@ -40,6 +40,12 @@ Compatible with:
 |===
 | Version | Date | Changes
 
+| 0.2.3
+| 2026-10-16
+| Aligned to `deed.abnf` v1.2.0: the exact canonical machine front door
+  `0-AI-MANIFEST.deed` dispatches to `repo-deed`. Other filename rules
+  and clause syntax are unchanged.
+
 | 0.2.2
 | 2026-10-07
 | Aligned to `deed.abnf` v1.1.0 (owner rulings D305/D320): added the
@@ -316,6 +322,10 @@ case-sensitive.
 | `repo-deed`
 | Noun. What a repo IS. A record.
 
+| `0-AI-MANIFEST.deed` (exact)
+| `repo-deed`
+| The canonical machine front door, recording repository routing and invariants.
+
 | `ATLAS.deed` (exact)
 | `estate-atlas-deed`
 | Noun. The registry of all deeds.
@@ -337,6 +347,8 @@ implementation MUST test the exact name `estate_chora.deed` BEFORE the
 `*_chora.deed` pattern, and MUST NOT parse `estate_chora.deed` as a
 `repo-deed`. Equivalently, the repo form is `<prefix>_chora.deed` where
 `<prefix>` is any non-empty stem other than the exact string `estate`.
+The exact `0-AI-MANIFEST.deed` name also selects `repo-deed`; other plain
+`.deed` names remain invalid.
 
 [NOTE]
 ====
@@ -898,7 +910,7 @@ locally. Either the estate chora gains it, or `extends-vocabulary` lands.
 
 == References
 
-* link:spec/abnf/deed.abnf[DEED ABNF (v1.1.0, normative)] ·
+* link:spec/abnf/deed.abnf[DEED ABNF (v1.2.0, normative)] ·
   link:spec/abnf/archive/deed.abnf_v0.1.0-draft[v0.1.0 DRAFT archive]
 * link:https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7405[RFC 7405] (case-sensitive ABNF strings)
 * link:https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc4122[RFC 4122] §4.3 (UUID v5)
diff --git a/1-formats/deed/spec/DEED-GRAMMAR-SPEC.adoc b/1-formats/deed/spec/DEED-GRAMMAR-SPEC.adoc
index 7f6c132c4..1f7fef4d6 100644
--- a/1-formats/deed/spec/DEED-GRAMMAR-SPEC.adoc
+++ b/1-formats/deed/spec/DEED-GRAMMAR-SPEC.adoc
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 = DEED Grammar Specification
-:version: 0.2.2
+:version: 0.2.3
 :status: DRAFT
 :media-type: application/vnd.deed
 :toc:
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ throughout and is *not* part of the v0.1 conformance surface.
 parsing. The EBNF in <<concrete-syntax>> is informative.
 +
 NOTE (standards#837): owner ruling 2026-09-19 brought the grammar files
-together — `deed.abnf` (now v1.1.0) is the sole normative grammar. The v0.1.0
+together — `deed.abnf` (now v1.2.0) is the sole normative grammar. The v0.1.0
 DRAFT archive lives at `archive/deed.abnf_v0.1.0-draft` under its true
 version (it was previously misnamed `deed.abnf_v1.0`).
 
@@ -41,6 +41,12 @@ Compatible with:
 |===
 | Version | Date | Changes
 
+| 0.2.3
+| 2026-10-16
+| Aligned to `deed.abnf` v1.2.0: the exact canonical machine front door
+  `0-AI-MANIFEST.deed` dispatches to `repo-deed`. Other filename rules
+  and clause syntax are unchanged.
+
 | 0.2.2
 | 2026-10-07
 | Aligned to `deed.abnf` v1.1.0 (owner rulings D305/D320): added the
@@ -317,6 +323,10 @@ case-sensitive.
 | `repo-deed`
 | Noun. What a repo IS. A record.
 
+| `0-AI-MANIFEST.deed` (exact)
+| `repo-deed`
+| The canonical machine front door, recording repository routing and invariants.
+
 | `ATLAS.deed` (exact)
 | `estate-atlas-deed`
 | Noun. The registry of all deeds.
@@ -338,6 +348,8 @@ implementation MUST test the exact name `estate_chora.deed` BEFORE the
 `*_chora.deed` pattern, and MUST NOT parse `estate_chora.deed` as a
 `repo-deed`. Equivalently, the repo form is `<prefix>_chora.deed` where
 `<prefix>` is any non-empty stem other than the exact string `estate`.
+The exact `0-AI-MANIFEST.deed` name also selects `repo-deed`; other plain
+`.deed` names remain invalid.
 
 [NOTE]
 ====
@@ -899,7 +911,7 @@ locally. Either the estate chora gains it, or `extends-vocabulary` lands.
 
 == References
 
-* link:./abnf/deed.abnf[DEED ABNF (v1.1.0, normative)] ·
+* link:./abnf/deed.abnf[DEED ABNF (v1.2.0, normative)] ·
   link:./abnf/archive/deed.abnf_v0.1.0-draft[v0.1.0 DRAFT archive]
 * link:https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7405[RFC 7405] (case-sensitive ABNF strings)
 * link:https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc4122[RFC 4122] §4.3 (UUID v5)
diff --git a/1-formats/deed/spec/abnf/deed.abnf b/1-formats/deed/spec/abnf/deed.abnf
index 7b70af580..34f3747b7 100644
--- a/1-formats/deed/spec/abnf/deed.abnf
+++ b/1-formats/deed/spec/abnf/deed.abnf
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 ; SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
 ; SPDX-License-Identifier: CC-BY-SA-4.0
 ;
-; DEED grammar, v1.1.0
+; DEED grammar, v1.2.0
 ; Normative for parsing. Prose and rationale: ../DEED-GRAMMAR-SPEC.adoc
 ;
 ; NOTICE (standards#837): OWNER RULING 2026-09-19 — the grammar files have
@@ -17,6 +17,10 @@
 ; The only bracket is "(". A file using "=" as a field separator is not a deed.
 ; ("=" MAY appear INSIDE a symbol, e.g., a comparison operator.)
 ;
+; CHANGELOG (v1.1.0 → v1.2.0, 2026-10-16):
+;   - Added exact filename 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed -> repo-deed for the canonical
+;     machine front door. Existing filename dispatch and clause syntax remain.
+;
 ; CHANGELOG (v1.0.0 → v1.1.0, owner rulings D305/D320, 2026-10-07):
 ;   - Added uuid8 (#u8"domain:name"), the ADR-008 profile C literal. Additive:
 ;     uuid5 stays legal until its own cutover, so every v1.0.0 deed is a v1.1.0 deed.
@@ -54,6 +58,7 @@ doc-head      = %s"estate-deed"
                 ; filename dispatch (see deed-filename below).
                 ; estate_chora.deed → estate-deed
                 ; ATLAS.deed        → estate-atlas-deed
+                ; 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed → repo-deed
                 ; *_praxis.deed     → praxis-deed
                 ; *_chora.deed      → repo-deed
                 ; A mismatch is a validation error.
@@ -66,9 +71,10 @@ doc-head      = %s"estate-deed"
 ; ("_chora.deed", "_praxis.deed", etc.). Do NOT split on "." — the
 ; stem may contain dots (e.g., "my.project_chora.deed" → stem "my.project").
 
-deed-filename = estate-file / atlas-file / praxis-file / repo-file
+deed-filename = estate-file / atlas-file / manifest-file / praxis-file / repo-file
 estate-file   = %s"estate_chora.deed"     ; -> estate-deed
 atlas-file    = %s"ATLAS.deed"            ; -> estate-atlas-deed
+manifest-file = %s"0-AI-MANIFEST.deed"    ; -> repo-deed
 praxis-file   = stem %s"_praxis.deed"     ; -> praxis-deed
 repo-file     = stem %s"_chora.deed"      ; -> repo-deed
 stem          = 1*( ALPHA / DIGIT / "-" / "." / "_" )
diff --git a/1-formats/deed/tools/README.adoc b/1-formats/deed/tools/README.adoc
index 4abf45501..62d041dde 100644
--- a/1-formats/deed/tools/README.adoc
+++ b/1-formats/deed/tools/README.adoc
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: CC-BY-SA-4.0
 = DEED conformance lane — tools
-Campaign: standards#837 · Grammar: link:../spec/abnf/deed.abnf[spec/abnf/deed.abnf (v1.1.0, normative)]
+Campaign: standards#837 · Grammar: link:../spec/abnf/deed.abnf[spec/abnf/deed.abnf (v1.2.0, normative)]
 
 == The lane's one property
 
diff --git a/1-formats/deed/tools/deed_lint.js b/1-formats/deed/tools/deed_lint.js
index 1f3cb1392..cb5fecbdf 100755
--- a/1-formats/deed/tools/deed_lint.js
+++ b/1-formats/deed/tools/deed_lint.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bun
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
 // Port of deed_lint.py to plain JavaScript (bun, zero dependencies).
-const DOC = String.raw`deed-lint — conformance validator for the DEED grammar (deed.abnf v1.1.0).
+const DOC = String.raw`deed-lint — conformance validator for the DEED grammar (deed.abnf v1.2.0).
 
 Stdlib-only. Implements the normative grammar faithfully:
   * header = 1* spdx-line                 (";;" SP "SPDX-" …)
@@ -418,6 +418,8 @@ export function checkFilenameDispatch(filename, head) {
     want = "estate-deed";
   } else if (base === "ATLAS.deed") {
     want = "estate-atlas-deed";
+  } else if (base === "0-AI-MANIFEST.deed") {
+    want = "repo-deed";
   } else if (base.endsWith("_praxis.deed")) {
     want = "praxis-deed";
   } else if (base.endsWith("_chora.deed")) {
@@ -428,7 +430,7 @@ export function checkFilenameDispatch(filename, head) {
   } else {
     throw new LintError(
       `filename ${pyRepr(base)} matches no deed dispatch pattern ` +
-        "(estate_chora.deed | ATLAS.deed | <stem>_chora.deed | <stem>_praxis.deed)",
+        "(estate_chora.deed | ATLAS.deed | 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed | <stem>_chora.deed | <stem>_praxis.deed)",
       1,
     );
   }
diff --git a/1-formats/deed/tools/deed_lint.test.js b/1-formats/deed/tools/deed_lint.test.js
index 91b31e8a0..18a8fea96 100644
--- a/1-formats/deed/tools/deed_lint.test.js
+++ b/1-formats/deed/tools/deed_lint.test.js
@@ -102,6 +102,20 @@ describe("extra rules", () => {
   test("filename matching no pattern", () => {
     expect(verdict(HDR + '(repo-deed :schema-version "1")\n', "x.deed")).toMatch(/no deed dispatch pattern/);
   });
+  test("canonical machine manifest selects repo-deed", () => {
+    expect(verdict(HDR + '(repo-deed :schema-version "1")\n', "0-AI-MANIFEST.deed")).toBeNull();
+    for (const head of ["estate-deed", "estate-atlas-deed", "praxis-deed"]) {
+      expect(verdict(HDR + `(${head} :schema-version "1")\n`, "0-AI-MANIFEST.deed")).toMatch(/mismatch/);
+    }
+  });
+  test("machine manifest filename is exact and case-sensitive", () => {
+    for (const name of ["0-ai-manifest.deed", "0-AI-MANIFEST-copy.deed", "1-AI-MANIFEST.deed"]) {
+      expect(verdict(HDR + '(repo-deed :schema-version "1")\n', name)).toMatch(/no deed dispatch pattern/);
+    }
+  });
+  test("machine manifest clauses still require named fields", () => {
+    expect(verdict(HDR + '(repo-deed :schema-version "1" (purpose "text"))\n', "0-AI-MANIFEST.deed")).toMatch(/expected field/);
+  });
   test("estate_chora.deed needs estate-deed", () => {
     expect(verdict(HDR + '(estate-deed :schema-version "1")\n', "estate_chora.deed")).toBeNull();
     expect(verdict(HDR + '(repo-deed :schema-version "1")\n', "estate_chora.deed")).toMatch(/mismatch/);
@@ -157,6 +171,12 @@ function cli(...args) {
 }
 
 describe("CLI", () => {
+  test("canonical machine manifest passes with its real filename", () => {
+    const manifest = join(HERE, "../../../0-AI-MANIFEST.deed");
+    const r = cli(manifest);
+    expect(r.code).toBe(0);
+    expect(r.out).toContain(`OK   ${manifest}`);
+  });
   test("valid fixture exits 0", () => {
     const p = join(FIX, "valid", "minimal_chora.deed");
     const r = cli(p);
diff --git a/standards-map.toml b/standards-map.toml
index 79dc98058..cbe839b1d 100644
--- a/standards-map.toml
+++ b/standards-map.toml
@@ -1401,17 +1401,17 @@ gate        = ""
 note        = "superseded 2026-06-02; retained for provenance, must not read as current"
 
 [[entry]]
-from        = "0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml"
-target      = "0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml"
+from        = "0-AI-MANIFEST.deed"
+target      = "0-AI-MANIFEST.deed"
 district    = "onramp"
 kind        = "onramp"
 files       = 1
 lifecycle   = "versioned"
 canonical   = true
 canon_slot  = ""
-canonical_doc = "0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml"
+canonical_doc = "0-AI-MANIFEST.deed"
 gate        = "canon-self-conformance"
-note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
+note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
 
 [[entry]]
 from        = "AGENTS.adoc"
@@ -1424,7 +1424,7 @@ canonical   = true
 canon_slot  = ""
 canonical_doc = "AGENTS.adoc"
 gate        = "canon-self-conformance"
-note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
+note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
 
 [[entry]]
 from        = "CHANGELOG.adoc"
@@ -1437,7 +1437,7 @@ canonical   = true
 canon_slot  = ""
 canonical_doc = "CHANGELOG.adoc"
 gate        = "canon-self-conformance"
-note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
+note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
 
 [[entry]]
 from        = "EXPLAINME.adoc"
@@ -1450,7 +1450,7 @@ canonical   = true
 canon_slot  = ""
 canonical_doc = "EXPLAINME.adoc"
 gate        = "canon-self-conformance"
-note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
+note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
 
 [[entry]]
 from        = "QUICKSTART-DEV.adoc"
@@ -1463,7 +1463,7 @@ canonical   = true
 canon_slot  = ""
 canonical_doc = "QUICKSTART-DEV.adoc"
 gate        = "canon-self-conformance"
-note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
+note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
 
 [[entry]]
 from        = "QUICKSTART-MAINTAINER.adoc"
@@ -1476,7 +1476,7 @@ canonical   = true
 canon_slot  = ""
 canonical_doc = "QUICKSTART-MAINTAINER.adoc"
 gate        = "canon-self-conformance"
-note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
+note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
 
 [[entry]]
 from        = "QUICKSTART-USER.adoc"
@@ -1489,7 +1489,7 @@ canonical   = true
 canon_slot  = ""
 canonical_doc = "QUICKSTART-USER.adoc"
 gate        = "canon-self-conformance"
-note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
+note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
 
 [[entry]]
 from        = "README.adoc"
@@ -1502,7 +1502,7 @@ canonical   = true
 canon_slot  = ""
 canonical_doc = "README.adoc"
 gate        = "canon-self-conformance"
-note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
+note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
 
 [[entry]]
 from        = "ROADMAP.adoc"
@@ -1515,7 +1515,7 @@ canonical   = true
 canon_slot  = ""
 canonical_doc = "ROADMAP.adoc"
 gate        = "canon-self-conformance"
-note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
+note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
 
 [[entry]]
 from        = "TOPOLOGY.adoc"
@@ -1528,7 +1528,7 @@ canonical   = true
 canon_slot  = ""
 canonical_doc = "TOPOLOGY.adoc"
 gate        = "canon-self-conformance"
-note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
+note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
 
 [[entry]]
 from        = "llm-warmup-dev.adoc"
@@ -1541,7 +1541,7 @@ canonical   = true
 canon_slot  = ""
 canonical_doc = "llm-warmup-dev.adoc"
 gate        = "canon-self-conformance"
-note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
+note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
 
 [[entry]]
 from        = "llm-warmup-user.adoc"
@@ -1554,7 +1554,7 @@ canonical   = true
 canon_slot  = ""
 canonical_doc = "llm-warmup-user.adoc"
 gate        = "canon-self-conformance"
-note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
+note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
 
 [[entry]]
 from        = "www"

From f5aca26e6a4f93f85b342f9d04ab371586d53ba2 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "coderabbitai[bot]"
 <136622811+coderabbitai[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2026 10:30:25 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 5/9] docs(deed): document filename dispatch rules and errors

---
 1-formats/deed/tools/deed_lint.js | 12 +++++++++++-
 1 file changed, 11 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/1-formats/deed/tools/deed_lint.js b/1-formats/deed/tools/deed_lint.js
index cb5fecbdf..2a11adfd7 100755
--- a/1-formats/deed/tools/deed_lint.js
+++ b/1-formats/deed/tools/deed_lint.js
@@ -410,7 +410,17 @@ export function validate(text, filename = null) {
   return [head, items];
 }
 
-/** estate-file exact-first; stems may contain dots (split on the final suffix). */
+/**
+ * Check a parsed doc-head against the case-sensitive basename of `filename`.
+ * Exact names take precedence: estate_chora.deed requires estate-deed,
+ * ATLAS.deed requires estate-atlas-deed, and 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed requires
+ * repo-deed. Otherwise, _praxis.deed selects praxis-deed and _chora.deed
+ * selects repo-deed; stems may contain dots (split on the final suffix).
+ * Returns undefined on success.
+ * @throws {LintError} At line 1 for an unrecognised filename, an empty or
+ * illegal _chora.deed stem (only ASCII letters, digits, hyphens, dots and
+ * underscores are allowed), or a doc-head mismatch.
+ */
 export function checkFilenameDispatch(filename, head) {
   const base = basename(filename);
   let want;

From 3bc3678c09ae42bbbd9d8448a7bc36290123ee47 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "coderabbitai[bot]"
 <136622811+coderabbitai[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2026 10:33:33 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 6/9] fix(manifest): Add 2-protocols/ to protocol routing

---
 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed b/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
index 5586685c2..33647d2d7 100644
--- a/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
+++ b/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
   (routing
     (k9-foundation :paths ("1-formats/k9/" "1-formats/contractiles/"))
     (language-policy :paths (".claude/CLAUDE.md"))
-    (protocols :paths ("*-protocol/"))
+    (protocols :paths ("2-protocols/" "*-protocol/"))
     (readiness-grades :paths ("adoption-readiness-grades/" "foundations-readiness-grades/" "component-readiness-grades/" "toolchain-readiness-grades/"))
     (multi-repository-scope :paths ("docs/MULTI-REPOSITORY-SCOPE-STANDARD.adoc" "docs/repo-scope.example.toml"))
     (enforcement-ci :paths (".github/workflows/" "hooks/"))

From 702fce8f409cf7c5bcb0cb978b66006dfdd60a0f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Jonathan D.A. Jewell" <6759885+hyperpolymath@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2026 16:31:23 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 7/9] fix(metadata): add standards repo deed and clarify
 licence-change authority

---
 .claude/CLAUDE.md                       |  2 +-
 .machine_readable/licensing-policy.toml |  2 +-
 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed                      | 14 ++++++-------
 3-practice/LICENCE-POLICY.adoc          |  4 ++--
 standards_chora.deed                    | 26 +++++++++++++++++++++++++
 5 files changed, 37 insertions(+), 11 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 standards_chora.deed

diff --git a/.claude/CLAUDE.md b/.claude/CLAUDE.md
index e59ea3929..9f686822c 100644
--- a/.claude/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/.claude/CLAUDE.md
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 ### Hard rules for agents
 
 - **NEVER generate licence-change PRs without prior owner approval.** Manual,
-  per-file, owner-only. Triggered by neurophone#99 (auto-PR reverting PMPL →
+  per-file, restricted to registered codeowner-admins. Triggered by neurophone#99 (auto-PR reverting PMPL →
   MPL-2.0 across ~140 files; closed by owner 2026-06-02).
 - **NEVER sweep SPDX headers in bulk.** Every prior LLM sweep has scrambled
   identifiers, mis-licensed third-party code, or reverted owner decisions.
diff --git a/.machine_readable/licensing-policy.toml b/.machine_readable/licensing-policy.toml
index 7e82ba5d5..514280eae 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/licensing-policy.toml
+++ b/.machine_readable/licensing-policy.toml
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ kept_mit = "(a) third-party — lol/* © Asgari, palimpsest-license tooling © S
 
 [automation]                             # Addendum A2
 allowed = false
-rule = "no bulk/sed/script/agent licence-SPDX changes ever; remediation is manual, per-file, owner-only"
+rule = "no bulk/sed/script/agent licence-SPDX changes ever; remediation is manual, per-file, restricted to registered codeowner-admins"
 exception = "an agent may author NEW files with correct SPDX; a brand-new repo's own top-level LICENSE may be set"
 
 [debt]                                   # Addendum A3 — the ONLY licence debt
diff --git a/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed b/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
index 33647d2d7..055a6a5bd 100644
--- a/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
+++ b/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     :text "The organization-wide standards monorepo: ~30 specs that govern every Hyperpolymath project — K9 self-validating components, the protocols, the readiness-grading frameworks (ARG/FRG/CRG/TRG), RSR compliance, and the enforcement/CI that makes them stick.")
 
   (front-doors
-    :machine "0-AI-MANIFEST.deed"
+    :machine "standards_chora.deed"
     :human "README.adoc")
 
   (routing
@@ -22,23 +22,23 @@
     (enforcement-ci :paths (".github/workflows/" "hooks/"))
     (drift-automation :paths ("hypatia-rules/" "docs/decisions/ADR-003-workflow-pin-staleness-window.adoc" "scripts/check-workflow-staleness.sh" "scripts/propagate-workflow-pins.sh"))
     (derived-architecture-map :paths ("TOPOLOGY.adoc"))
-    (current-project-state :paths (".machine_readable/descriptiles/STATE.deed"))
+    (current-project-state :paths ("standards_chora.deed"))
     (education-layer :paths ("docs/wikis/" "docs/wikis/0.2-AI-MANIFEST.deed")))
 
   (invariants
     (rule :priority 10 :text "No A2ML/DEED duplication — root must NOT contain STATE.deed, META.deed, etc.")
-    (rule :priority 20 :text "Single source of truth — .machine_readable/descriptiles/ is authoritative for state.")
-    (rule :priority 30 :text "Licence changes are Manual-Only, owner-only. Agents may add the correct SPDX header when creating a new file, following the repo's licence classification. Agents NEVER edit, sweep, or relicense existing LICENSE files or SPDX headers; licence drift is FLAG-ONLY (:review). See LICENSE, .machine_readable/licensing-policy.toml, and .claude/CLAUDE.md.")
+    (rule :priority 20 :text "The repo deed routes to state evidence; generated metadata does not confer normative authority.")
+    (rule :priority 30 :text "Initial licence assignment is permitted: agents may add the correct SPDX header to new files under the repository policy and set a brand-new repository's initial LICENSE. Changes to existing licences, LICENSE files or SPDX declarations are Manual-Only and restricted to registered codeowner-admins. Agents must flag licence drift for review; never sweep or relicense existing content. See LICENSE, .machine_readable/licensing-policy.toml, and .claude/CLAUDE.md.")
     (rule :priority 40 :text "Author attribution — Jonathan D.A. Jewell <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>"))
 
   (startup-checklist
     :steps ("Read THIS file, then README.adoc."
-    "Read .machine_readable/descriptiles/STATE.deed for current status + blockers."
-    "Read .machine_readable/descriptiles/AGENTIC.deed for interaction patterns."
+    "Read standards_chora.deed for repository metadata and state-source routing."
+    "Read the legacy .machine_readable/descriptiles/AGENTIC.a2ml for interaction patterns; do not extend it."
     "Read .claude/CLAUDE.md for the language + licence policy (binding)."))
 
   (attestation
-    :text "I have read the standards manifest. The human front door is README.adoc. Licence/SPDX changes to existing files are Manual-Only — I will flag, never edit. I may add the correct SPDX header when creating a new file, following the repo's licence classification.")
+    :text "I have read the standards manifest. The human front door is README.adoc. Licence/SPDX changes to existing files are Manual-Only and restricted to registered codeowner-admins — I will flag, never edit. I may add the correct SPDX header when creating a new file, following the repo's licence classification.")
 
   (meta
     :maintained-by "Jonathan D.A. Jewell (hyperpolymath) <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>"
diff --git a/3-practice/LICENCE-POLICY.adoc b/3-practice/LICENCE-POLICY.adoc
index d492bf154..04dab98cd 100644
--- a/3-practice/LICENCE-POLICY.adoc
+++ b/3-practice/LICENCE-POLICY.adoc
@@ -310,12 +310,12 @@ act. Never touch, normalise, label, add SPDX to, scan, or include 007
 in any report or sweep. Surface to the owner only. This overrides
 Rules 1–3 for 007.
 
-=== A2 — Licence edits are manual, owner-only, never automated
+=== A2 — Licence edits are manual, restricted to registered codeowner-admins
 
 No automated or bulk SPDX/licence change (sed sweep, script, agent
 pass) on any estate repo, ever. Prior automated attempts falsified
 third-party licence authorship — a legal-integrity hazard. Remediation
-is manual, per-file, by the owner. An agent may author *new* files with
+is manual, per-file, and restricted to registered codeowner-admins. An agent may author *new* files with
 the correct SPDX from birth, and may set a brand-new repo's own
 top-level LICENSE — that is authoring, not relicensing.
 
diff --git a/standards_chora.deed b/standards_chora.deed
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b116359fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/standards_chora.deed
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+;; SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+;; SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2026 Jonathan D.A. Jewell (hyperpolymath) <j.d.a.jewell@open.ac.uk>
+(repo-deed
+  :schema-version "1.0.0"
+  :canonical-name "standards"
+  :repo-uuid #u8"gv-clade-index:github.com/hyperpolymath/standards"
+  :beholding-chora #u5"estate/chora"
+  (identity :owner "hyperpolymath" :primary-forge github)
+  (front-doors :human "README.adoc" :agent "0-AI-MANIFEST.deed")
+  (authority
+    :constitution "0-canon/constitution/"
+    :licensing "3-practice/LICENCE-POLICY.adoc"
+    :agent-policy ".claude/CLAUDE.md")
+  (routing
+    :deed "1-formats/deed/"
+    :contracts "1-formats/k9/"
+    :coordination "2-protocols/k9-coordination/"
+    :enforcement ".github/workflows/")
+  (status
+    :evidence-source ".machine_readable/descriptiles/STATE.a2ml"
+    :interaction-source ".machine_readable/descriptiles/AGENTIC.a2ml"
+    :evidence-status "Legacy source pointers, not revalidated readiness claims; A2ML is retired and must not be extended.")
+  (policies
+    (licensing
+      :initial-assignment "Agents may author new files with the correct SPDX under repository policy, and initialise a brand-new repository's LICENSE."
+      :existing-declarations "Manual-Only; changes restricted to registered codeowner-admins. Agents flag drift and never sweep or relicense existing content.")))

From 38a63f9d3b8aa5b7580d44e57251c8b451e98217 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Jonathan D.A. Jewell" <6759885+hyperpolymath@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2026 16:46:24 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 8/9] fix(metadata): reconcile canonical identity and remaining
 authority wording

---
 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed             | 2 +-
 3-practice/LICENCE-POLICY.adoc | 3 ++-
 2 files changed, 3 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed b/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
index 055a6a5bd..3b1c3fd2e 100644
--- a/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
+++ b/0-AI-MANIFEST.deed
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 ;; SPDX-License-Identifier: CC-BY-SA-4.0
 (repo-deed
   :schema-version "1.0.0"
-  :canonical-name "github.com/hyperpolymath/standards"
+  :canonical-name "standards"
   :repo-uuid #u8"gv-clade-index:github.com/hyperpolymath/standards"
   :beholding-chora #u5"estate/chora"
 
diff --git a/3-practice/LICENCE-POLICY.adoc b/3-practice/LICENCE-POLICY.adoc
index 04dab98cd..bae89227c 100644
--- a/3-practice/LICENCE-POLICY.adoc
+++ b/3-practice/LICENCE-POLICY.adoc
@@ -236,7 +236,8 @@ Confirmed by the owner 2026-08-26, verified against each repo's root
 
 ==== Execution constraint
 
-Per A2, the four flips above are **manual, per-file, owner-only**. No
+Per A2, the four flips above are **manual, per-file, and restricted to
+registered codeowner-admins**. No
 agent or script may perform them. This section records *what* is to
 change and *why it is correct*; it does not authorise an automated sweep,
 and the presence of a name in the table above must never be read as one.

From 590bbd98de939b3c2995583d319f94cb896ad2ba Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "coderabbitai[bot]"
 <136622811+coderabbitai[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2026 15:50:38 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 9/9] fix(metadata): register standards_chora.deed in standards
 map

---
 standards-map.toml | 15 ++++++++++++++-
 1 file changed, 14 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/standards-map.toml b/standards-map.toml
index cbe839b1d..900178ff5 100644
--- a/standards-map.toml
+++ b/standards-map.toml
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 [map]
 repo        = "hyperpolymath/standards"
 version     = "1.0.0"
-entry_count = 127
+entry_count = 128
 generated   = false   # hand-curated; the district index.adoc files ARE generated
 checked_by  = "scripts/check-standards-map.sh"
 
@@ -1413,6 +1413,19 @@ canonical_doc = "0-AI-MANIFEST.deed"
 gate        = "canon-self-conformance"
 note        = "two canonical front doors (README.adoc human, 0-AI-MANIFEST.deed machine); every other doc is a thin pointer"
 
+[[entry]]
+from        = "standards_chora.deed"
+target      = "standards_chora.deed"
+district    = "5-machine"
+kind        = "index"
+files       = 1
+lifecycle   = "versioned"
+canonical   = false
+canon_slot  = ""
+canonical_doc = "standards_chora.deed"
+gate        = "deed-conformance"
+note        = "repository identity and state-source routing; evidence pointers do not confer normative authority"
+
 [[entry]]
 from        = "AGENTS.adoc"
 target      = "AGENTS.adoc"