diff --git a/.githooks/validate-k9.sh b/.githooks/validate-k9.sh
index 72b79f5..ea16916 100755
--- a/.githooks/validate-k9.sh
+++ b/.githooks/validate-k9.sh
@@ -164,12 +164,26 @@ validate_k9() {
     local has_signature_field=false
     local in_pedigree=false
     local pedigree_depth=0
+    local pedigree_alias=""
+
+    # Resolve a simple top-level pedigree alias (for example,
+    # `pedigree = component_pedigree`) before scanning the file. The aliased
+    # block can be declared before the exported record, so this must be a
+    # separate pass.
+    while IFS= read -r line; do
+        if [[ "$line" =~ ^[[:space:]]*pedigree[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*([a-zA-Z_][a-zA-Z0-9_]*)[[:space:]]*,?[[:space:]]*(#.*)?$ ]]; then
+            pedigree_alias="${BASH_REMATCH[1]}"
+            has_pedigree=true
+            break
+        fi
+    done < "$file"
 
     line_num=0
     while IFS= read -r line; do
         line_num=$((line_num + 1))
 
-        # Detect pedigree block start. Note: do NOT `continue` here — the
+        # Detect a literal pedigree block or the declaration of a resolved
+        # pedigree alias. Note: do NOT `continue` here — the
         # `pedigree = {` line itself contains the opening brace that
         # establishes the block. Falling through to the brace counter
         # below makes depth start at 1, so a subsequent `security = {…},`
@@ -179,7 +193,8 @@ validate_k9() {
         # brace, depth started at 0, and the first nested block's close
         # prematurely terminated the validator's view of the pedigree —
         # making `pedigree.metadata.name` invisible.
-        if [[ "$line" =~ ^[[:space:]]*pedigree[[:space:]]*= ]]; then
+        if [[ "$line" =~ ^[[:space:]]*pedigree[[:space:]]*=.*\{ ]] || \
+           [[ -n "$pedigree_alias" && "$line" =~ ^[[:space:]]*let[[:space:]]+$pedigree_alias[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*\{ ]]; then
             has_pedigree=true
             in_pedigree=true
             pedigree_depth=0
diff --git a/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/claude-md.k9.ncl b/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/claude-md.k9.ncl
index d3fbb1c..d606ff0 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/claude-md.k9.ncl
+++ b/.machine_readable/arrival-pack/claude-md.k9.ncl
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ K9!
 #
 # claude-md.k9.ncl — k9 contract for the CLAUDE.md arrival-pack drift check.
 #
-# Yard-tier (pure evaluation / comparison; no exec, no network, no FS write):
+# Hunt-tier (guarded execution; no network, writes an intermediate data file):
 # the check regenerates the arrival-pack region from this repo's a2ml and asserts
 # the committed CLAUDE.md region byte-matches it. The runnable side is verify.sh;
 # writing (Hunt-tier) is generate.sh. This record documents and validates the
@@ -15,11 +15,12 @@ K9!
     contractile_verb = "trust",   # provenance: the view must equal its source
     semantics = "projection-fidelity",
     security = {
-      leash = 'Yard,
-      trust_level = "read-only comparison",
+      leash = 'Hunt,
+      trust_level = "guarded drift verification",
       allow_network = false,
-      allow_filesystem_write = false,
+      allow_filesystem_write = true,
       allow_subprocess = true,    # runs extract.sh + nickel to reproduce the view
+      signature_required = true,
     },
     metadata = {
       name = "claude-md-arrival-pack",
diff --git a/.machine_readable/coaptation/coapt.k9.ncl b/.machine_readable/coaptation/coapt.k9.ncl
index 2c065bf..28909e7 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/coaptation/coapt.k9.ncl
+++ b/.machine_readable/coaptation/coapt.k9.ncl
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ K9!
 #
 # coapt.k9.ncl — k9 contract for the coaptation receipt's drift check.
 #
-# Yard-tier (pure evaluation / comparison; no network, no FS write): the check
+# Hunt-tier (guarded execution; no network, writes intermediate data files): the check
 # regenerates the coaptation receipt from this repo's contractiles (normative
 # set-point) and descriptiles (descriptive self-model) and asserts the committed
 # receipt byte-matches it. The runnable side is verify.sh; the writer (Hunt-tier,
@@ -16,11 +16,12 @@ K9!
     contractile_verb = "trust",   # provenance: the reading must equal its sources
     semantics = "coaptation-fidelity",
     security = {
-      leash = 'Yard,
-      trust_level = "read-only comparison",
+      leash = 'Hunt,
+      trust_level = "guarded drift verification",
       allow_network = false,
-      allow_filesystem_write = false,
+      allow_filesystem_write = true,
       allow_subprocess = true,    # runs the extractors + nickel to reproduce the reading
+      signature_required = true,
     },
     metadata = {
       name = "coaptation",
diff --git a/.machine_readable/contractiles/bust/bust.k9.ncl b/.machine_readable/contractiles/bust/bust.k9.ncl
index cef8427..cc8032e 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/contractiles/bust/bust.k9.ncl
+++ b/.machine_readable/contractiles/bust/bust.k9.ncl
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ let base    = import "../_base.ncl" in
       allow_filesystem_write = false,
       allow_subprocess = true,
       probe_scope = 'read_only,
+      signature_required = true,
     },
   },
 
diff --git a/.machine_readable/contractiles/intend/intend.k9.ncl b/.machine_readable/contractiles/intend/intend.k9.ncl
index 7c9220b..d8d83b7 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/contractiles/intend/intend.k9.ncl
+++ b/.machine_readable/contractiles/intend/intend.k9.ncl
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ let base    = import "../_base.ncl" in
       allow_network = false,
       allow_filesystem_write = false,   # evidence sinks are indirected
       allow_subprocess = true,
+      signature_required = true,
     },
   },
 
diff --git a/.machine_readable/contractiles/must/must.k9.ncl b/.machine_readable/contractiles/must/must.k9.ncl
index 6de4df2..e6327ed 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/contractiles/must/must.k9.ncl
+++ b/.machine_readable/contractiles/must/must.k9.ncl
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ let base    = import "../_base.ncl" in
         'external_api,
         'exploit_attempt,          # that's trust's safe_hacking territory
       ],
+      signature_required = true,
     },
   },
 
diff --git a/.machine_readable/contractiles/trust/trust.k9.ncl b/.machine_readable/contractiles/trust/trust.k9.ncl
index 0657470..32b48ed 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/contractiles/trust/trust.k9.ncl
+++ b/.machine_readable/contractiles/trust/trust.k9.ncl
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ let base    = import "../_base.ncl" in
       allow_subprocess = true,
       authorised_probes_only = true,    # probe section explicitly lists allowed targets + probe classes
       probe_scope_enforcement = 'this_repo_only,  # probes NEVER hit external systems
+      signature_required = true,
     },
   },
 
diff --git a/.machine_readable/self-validating/methodology-guard.k9.ncl b/.machine_readable/self-validating/methodology-guard.k9.ncl
index 796b0eb..6212efb 100644
--- a/.machine_readable/self-validating/methodology-guard.k9.ncl
+++ b/.machine_readable/self-validating/methodology-guard.k9.ncl
@@ -9,6 +9,24 @@ K9!
 # Usage: k9 validate methodology-guard
 
 let methodology_guard = {
+  pedigree = {
+    schema_version = "1.0.0",
+    component_type = "validated-config",
+    security = {
+      leash = 'Yard,
+      trust_level = "validated-config",
+      allow_network = false,
+      allow_filesystem_write = false,
+      allow_subprocess = false,
+    },
+    metadata = {
+      name = "methodology-guard",
+      version = "1.0.0",
+      description = "Validates that agent work respects declared methodology constraints",
+      author = "{{AUTHOR}} <{{AUTHOR_EMAIL}}>",
+    },
+  },
+
   name = "methodology-guard",
   version = "1.0.0",
   description = "Validates that agent work respects declared methodology constraints",
diff --git a/container/stapeln/deploy.k9.ncl b/container/stapeln/deploy.k9.ncl
index 8182fe8..f74c363 100644
--- a/container/stapeln/deploy.k9.ncl
+++ b/container/stapeln/deploy.k9.ncl
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ let component_pedigree = {
   # L3: The Leash — Security
   # ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   security = {
+    leash = 'Hunt,
     trust_level = 'Hunt,
     allow_network = true,
     allow_filesystem_write = true,
diff --git a/crates/squabble-core/src/gate.rs b/crates/squabble-core/src/gate.rs
index a28d2df..1e424da 100644
--- a/crates/squabble-core/src/gate.rs
+++ b/crates/squabble-core/src/gate.rs
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ pub enum CheckRun {
     Passed,
 }
 
-
 /// Why a required context shows [`CheckRun::Missing`].
 ///
 /// `Missing` is the gate's most common stuck state and its least actionable one:
@@ -234,9 +233,15 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn missing_cause_is_optional_and_does_not_alter_gate_state() {
         // A diagnosis explains a stuck gate; it must never move it.
-        let undiagnosed = Gate::new(vec![RequiredCheck::new("scan / gitleaks", CheckRun::Missing)]);
-        let diagnosed = Gate::new(vec![RequiredCheck::new("scan / gitleaks", CheckRun::Missing)
-            .with_cause(MissingCause::DeadActionPin)]);
+        let undiagnosed = Gate::new(vec![RequiredCheck::new(
+            "scan / gitleaks",
+            CheckRun::Missing,
+        )]);
+        let diagnosed = Gate::new(vec![RequiredCheck::new(
+            "scan / gitleaks",
+            CheckRun::Missing,
+        )
+        .with_cause(MissingCause::DeadActionPin)]);
         assert_eq!(undiagnosed.evaluate(), GateState::Blocked);
         assert_eq!(diagnosed.evaluate(), GateState::Blocked);
         assert_eq!(diagnosed.evaluate(), undiagnosed.evaluate());
@@ -244,7 +249,9 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn remedy_is_offered_only_for_diagnosed_missing_checks() {
-        assert!(RequiredCheck::new("x", CheckRun::Missing).remedy().is_none());
+        assert!(RequiredCheck::new("x", CheckRun::Missing)
+            .remedy()
+            .is_none());
         assert!(RequiredCheck::new("x", CheckRun::Passed)
             .with_cause(MissingCause::NoSuchJob)
             .remedy()
@@ -270,7 +277,11 @@ mod tests {
                 RequiredCheck::new("a", CheckRun::Passed),
                 RequiredCheck::new("b", CheckRun::Missing).with_cause(cause),
             ]);
-            assert_ne!(g.evaluate(), GateState::Green, "{cause:?} must not reach Green");
+            assert_ne!(
+                g.evaluate(),
+                GateState::Green,
+                "{cause:?} must not reach Green"
+            );
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/tests/e2e/template_instantiation_test.sh b/tests/e2e/template_instantiation_test.sh
index 73a7d8d..8d11346 100755
--- a/tests/e2e/template_instantiation_test.sh
+++ b/tests/e2e/template_instantiation_test.sh
@@ -112,6 +112,8 @@ replace_placeholder() {
 }
 
 # Replace in all text files
+export TEST_REPO_NAME TEST_OWNER TEST_FORGE TEST_PROJECT_NAME \
+    TEST_DESCRIPTION TEST_PRIMARY_LANGUAGE TEST_AUTHOR TEST_AUTHOR_EMAIL
 find "$TEST_REPO_PATH" -type f \
     \( -name "*.md" -o -name "*.adoc" -o -name "*.a2ml" -o -name "*.zig" -o -name "*.idr" \
        -o -name "Justfile" -o -name "Containerfile" -o -name "*.yml" -o -name "*.yaml" \
@@ -137,7 +139,7 @@ find "$TEST_REPO_PATH" -type f \
                 sed -i "s|$placeholder|$value|g" "$file"
             fi
         done
-    ' _ "$file"
+    ' _ {} \;
 
 log_pass "All placeholder tokens replaced"