diff --git a/.github/workflows/dogfood-gate.yml b/.github/workflows/dogfood-gate.yml
index da5723f..0599c0f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/dogfood-gate.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/dogfood-gate.yml
@@ -128,9 +128,22 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           # Inline invisible character detection (from empty-linter's core patterns).
           # Checks for: zero-width spaces, zero-width joiners, BOM, soft hyphens,
-          # non-breaking spaces, null bytes, and other invisible Unicode in source files.
-          set +e
+          # non-breaking spaces, null bytes, C0 controls and other invisible
+          # Unicode in source files.
+          #
+          # `(*UTF)` makes PCRE match code points, not bytes, whatever the
+          # runner locale is; `-a` stops grep treating a NUL-bearing file as
+          # binary and silently matching nothing. Both were missing before
+          # #90 and the gate had matched nothing in its life.
           PATTERNS='(*UTF)[\x00-\x08\x0B\x0C\x0E-\x1F\x{a0}\x{ad}\x{200b}-\x{200f}\x{202a}-\x{202f}\x{2060}\x{2066}-\x{2069}\x{feff}]'
+
+          # Planted positive: the pattern must fire on a known NBSP, or this
+          # gate cannot fire at all and must fail closed rather than pass.
+          if ! printf 'x\xc2\xa0y' | grep -aqP "$PATTERNS"; then
+            echo "::error::invisible-character pattern did not match a planted NBSP; the gate cannot fire, failing closed"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
           find "$GITHUB_WORKSPACE" \
             -not -path '*/.git/*' -not -path '*/node_modules/*' \
             -not -path '*/.deno/*' -not -path '*/target/*' \
@@ -141,23 +154,27 @@ jobs:
               -o -name '*.yml' -o -name '*.yaml' -o -name '*.md' -o -name '*.adoc' \
               -o -name '*.idr' -o -name '*.zig' -o -name '*.v' -o -name '*.jl' \
               -o -name '*.gleam' -o -name '*.hs' -o -name '*.ml' -o -name '*.sh' \) \
-            -exec grep -aPrl "$PATTERNS" {} \; > /tmp/empty-lint-results.txt 2>/dev/null
-          EL_EXIT=$?
-          set -e
+            -exec grep -aPrl "$PATTERNS" {} \; > /tmp/empty-lint-results.txt
 
-          FINDINGS=$(wc -l < /tmp/empty-lint-results.txt 2>/dev/null || echo 0)
+          FINDINGS=$(grep -c . /tmp/empty-lint-results.txt || true)
           echo "findings=$FINDINGS" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-          echo "exit_code=$EL_EXIT" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
           echo "ready=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
 
-          # Emit annotations for each file with invisible chars
+          # One annotation per offending file, then FAIL: a gate that only
+          # warns is not a gate.
           while IFS= read -r filepath; do
             [ -z "$filepath" ] && continue
             REL_PATH="${filepath#$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/}"
-            echo "::warning file=${REL_PATH}::Invisible Unicode characters detected (zero-width space, BOM, NBSP, etc.)"
+            echo "::error file=${REL_PATH}::Invisible Unicode characters detected (zero-width space, BOM, NBSP, soft hyphen, C0 control, NUL)"
           done < /tmp/empty-lint-results.txt
 
+          if [ "$FINDINGS" -gt 0 ]; then
+            echo "::error::${FINDINGS} file(s) contain invisible Unicode characters (listed above). This gate fails the job."
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
       - name: Write summary
+        if: always()
         run: |
           if [ "${{ steps.lint.outputs.ready }}" = "true" ]; then
             FINDINGS="${{ steps.lint.outputs.findings }}"
diff --git a/LICENSING.adoc b/LICENSING.adoc
index 6896254..df43fad 100644
--- a/LICENSING.adoc
+++ b/LICENSING.adoc
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ distribution 3. Provide attribution as specified in your chosen license
 
 === Clarifications
 
-*Q: Can I mix and match terms from both licenses?* A: No. Choose one
+*Q: Can I mix and match terms from both licenses?* A: No. Choose one
 license and follow its terms entirely.
 
 *Q: What if I’m unsure which to use?* A: MIT is the simpler, more widely
diff --git a/PROJECT_SUMMARY.adoc b/PROJECT_SUMMARY.adoc
index edea269..b0451f0 100644
--- a/PROJECT_SUMMARY.adoc
+++ b/PROJECT_SUMMARY.adoc
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ timing patterns
 
 ==== Scheduling
 
-✅ Occupation-based activity schedules ✅ Weekday vs. weekend patterns
+✅ Occupation-based activity schedules ✅ Weekday vs. weekend patterns
 ✅ Hour-based active periods ✅ Activity intensity modulation ✅
 Schedule-aware simulation
 
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ calculation ✅ Data export functionality
 ==== Privacy & Security
 
 ✅ All data stored locally ✅ No external API calls ✅ Separate storage
-for real vs. simulated data ✅ Configurable privacy modes ✅ Activity
+for real vs. simulated data ✅ Configurable privacy modes ✅ Activity
 can be disabled instantly
 
 ==== Analytics Dashboard
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ for future development
 . *Complete WASM Integration*
 * Load actual compiled module
 * Test performance
-* Benchmark vs. mock implementation
+* Benchmark vs. mock implementation
 . *Design Assets*
 * Create professional icons
 * Add branding
diff --git a/SECURITY.adoc b/SECURITY.adoc
index 2a46cae..2575585 100644
--- a/SECURITY.adoc
+++ b/SECURITY.adoc
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ security considerations:
 simulated) - Storage injection attacks (malicious data in
 chrome.storage) - WASM sandbox escapes - Content script injection
 vulnerabilities - Extension permission abuse - Timing side-channels
-revealing real vs. simulated activity
+revealing real vs. simulated activity
 
 *Out of Scope*: - Physical access attacks - Browser zero-days (rely on
 browser vendor patches) - Social engineering of users - Cryptographic