diff --git a/.github/workflows/canonical-pr-remediator.lock.yml b/.github/workflows/canonical-pr-remediator.lock.yml
index f6d398408..23ca7284c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/canonical-pr-remediator.lock.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/canonical-pr-remediator.lock.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# gh-aw-metadata: {"schema_version":"v4","frontmatter_hash":"34a7466d6c5cdcc62b5f750959ba94c29bd1616262c5a8eddbae9d01011d6e83","body_hash":"6514dad4af8ea5d3df54b447c3a6a6ecec2c4cd7cb16f79fb2ae1fe38b42ed2a","compiler_version":"v0.82.14","strict":true,"agent_id":"codex","agent_model":"gpt-5.4","engine_versions":{"codex":"0.144.5"}}
+# gh-aw-metadata: {"schema_version":"v4","frontmatter_hash":"34a7466d6c5cdcc62b5f750959ba94c29bd1616262c5a8eddbae9d01011d6e83","body_hash":"016b9a92d28631cac6863ba3f3483610fdfc75aeba5764a43993e3eca739a061","compiler_version":"v0.82.14","strict":true,"agent_id":"codex","agent_model":"gpt-5.4","engine_versions":{"codex":"0.144.5"}}
 # gh-aw-manifest: {"version":1,"secrets":["CODEX_API_KEY","COPILOT_GITHUB_TOKEN","GH_AW_GITHUB_MCP_SERVER_TOKEN","GH_AW_GITHUB_TOKEN","GITHUB_TOKEN","OPENAI_API_KEY"],"actions":[{"repo":"actions/cache/restore","sha":"55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9","version":"v6.1.0"},{"repo":"actions/cache/save","sha":"55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9","version":"v6.1.0"},{"repo":"actions/checkout","sha":"9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0","version":"v7.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/download-artifact","sha":"3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c","version":"v8.0.1"},{"repo":"actions/github-script","sha":"3a2844b7e9c422d3c10d287c895573f7108da1b3","version":"v9.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/setup-node","sha":"820762786026740c76f36085b0efc47a31fe5020","version":"v7.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/upload-artifact","sha":"043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a","version":"v7.0.1"},{"repo":"github/gh-aw-actions/setup","sha":"b6d1443e05b8716267fa19425b99aa4f12006b4a","version":"v0.82.14"}],"containers":[{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/agent:0.27.37","digest":"sha256:0d35e8682845f183c1c634699a8e8a6cbe2c271b867031410df74533243c5f67","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/agent:0.27.37@sha256:0d35e8682845f183c1c634699a8e8a6cbe2c271b867031410df74533243c5f67"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/api-proxy:0.27.37","digest":"sha256:fc2970aadaeae05993e76697d29f03dc8bfb9248ff87a8f3d8b0975485a4b317","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/api-proxy:0.27.37@sha256:fc2970aadaeae05993e76697d29f03dc8bfb9248ff87a8f3d8b0975485a4b317"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/squid:0.27.37","digest":"sha256:5abc51995e5901c5d1daeefc957301ee409980e2e607391ec22c06cb2513327b","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/squid:0.27.37@sha256:5abc51995e5901c5d1daeefc957301ee409980e2e607391ec22c06cb2513327b"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-mcpg:v0.4.1","digest":"sha256:ad2a979c2cd8b50098e84938ca9c9c1580eb8e91526f101a90adfba7859b2c32","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-mcpg:v0.4.1@sha256:ad2a979c2cd8b50098e84938ca9c9c1580eb8e91526f101a90adfba7859b2c32"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-node","digest":"sha256:529d02eb970b1161aa25c593a9c3df57fdfad5a8add328cb3b6eccef66f3183b","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-node@sha256:529d02eb970b1161aa25c593a9c3df57fdfad5a8add328cb3b6eccef66f3183b"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:v1.6.0","digest":"sha256:2b0c48b070f61e9d3969269ead600f62d00fb237b60ac849ef3d166ee7de9ad3","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:v1.6.0@sha256:2b0c48b070f61e9d3969269ead600f62d00fb237b60ac849ef3d166ee7de9ad3"}]}
 # This file was automatically generated by gh-aw (v0.82.14). DO NOT EDIT. To debug this workflow, load the skill at https://github.com/github/gh-aw/blob/main/debug.md
 #
diff --git a/.github/workflows/canonical-pr-remediator.md b/.github/workflows/canonical-pr-remediator.md
index 7b6bd6995..4f776eb84 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/canonical-pr-remediator.md
+++ b/.github/workflows/canonical-pr-remediator.md
@@ -62,3 +62,19 @@ Return an in-depth remediation report that includes:
 - bounded patch plan (or explicit no-op)
 - test/check plan tied to the new head
 - why no unsafe action was taken
+
+## Terminal state contract
+
+Every run MUST finish by emitting at least one safe output. A run that emits
+nothing is not read as "healthy": the harness classifies it as `produced no
+safe outputs` and files a tracking issue, so silence produces noise instead of
+signal.
+
+When the correct outcome is to take no action -- healthy CI, unchanged state, a
+canceled or superseded run, or a preflight early exit -- call `noop` with a
+one-line reason instead of returning silently. `noop` is the explicit,
+deduplicated "nothing to do" record and is always the correct terminal state
+for a no-change run.
+
+Skip `noop` only when you have already emitted another safe output
+(`add_comment`, `create_issue`, `update_issue`, or `create_check_run`).
diff --git a/.github/workflows/eventrelay-ci-investigator.lock.yml b/.github/workflows/eventrelay-ci-investigator.lock.yml
index 550e95a7e..40658848a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/eventrelay-ci-investigator.lock.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/eventrelay-ci-investigator.lock.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# gh-aw-metadata: {"schema_version":"v4","frontmatter_hash":"ae74088a4ad234760e5514280445197a19fdc82bef5b48dd8ccd0b30ba0aea43","body_hash":"db86ab41ca32e4ef5905d00ea66edbc4f150a3776b3a87011795bbf5997ed92b","compiler_version":"v0.82.14","strict":true,"agent_id":"codex","agent_model":"gpt-5.4","engine_versions":{"codex":"0.144.5"}}
+# gh-aw-metadata: {"schema_version":"v4","frontmatter_hash":"ae74088a4ad234760e5514280445197a19fdc82bef5b48dd8ccd0b30ba0aea43","body_hash":"61f9bc77605dd935bb802e16370d8f7c3133312581fd4dd8c44286c140faaba4","compiler_version":"v0.82.14","strict":true,"agent_id":"codex","agent_model":"gpt-5.4","engine_versions":{"codex":"0.144.5"}}
 # gh-aw-manifest: {"version":1,"secrets":["CODEX_API_KEY","COPILOT_GITHUB_TOKEN","GH_AW_GITHUB_MCP_SERVER_TOKEN","GH_AW_GITHUB_TOKEN","GITHUB_TOKEN","OPENAI_API_KEY"],"actions":[{"repo":"actions/cache/restore","sha":"55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9","version":"v6.1.0"},{"repo":"actions/cache/save","sha":"55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9","version":"v6.1.0"},{"repo":"actions/checkout","sha":"9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0","version":"v7.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/download-artifact","sha":"3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c","version":"v8.0.1"},{"repo":"actions/github-script","sha":"3a2844b7e9c422d3c10d287c895573f7108da1b3","version":"v9.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/setup-node","sha":"820762786026740c76f36085b0efc47a31fe5020","version":"v7.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/upload-artifact","sha":"043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a","version":"v7.0.1"},{"repo":"github/gh-aw-actions/setup","sha":"b6d1443e05b8716267fa19425b99aa4f12006b4a","version":"v0.82.14"}],"containers":[{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/agent:0.27.37","digest":"sha256:0d35e8682845f183c1c634699a8e8a6cbe2c271b867031410df74533243c5f67","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/agent:0.27.37@sha256:0d35e8682845f183c1c634699a8e8a6cbe2c271b867031410df74533243c5f67"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/api-proxy:0.27.37","digest":"sha256:fc2970aadaeae05993e76697d29f03dc8bfb9248ff87a8f3d8b0975485a4b317","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/api-proxy:0.27.37@sha256:fc2970aadaeae05993e76697d29f03dc8bfb9248ff87a8f3d8b0975485a4b317"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/squid:0.27.37","digest":"sha256:5abc51995e5901c5d1daeefc957301ee409980e2e607391ec22c06cb2513327b","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/squid:0.27.37@sha256:5abc51995e5901c5d1daeefc957301ee409980e2e607391ec22c06cb2513327b"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-mcpg:v0.4.1","digest":"sha256:ad2a979c2cd8b50098e84938ca9c9c1580eb8e91526f101a90adfba7859b2c32","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-mcpg:v0.4.1@sha256:ad2a979c2cd8b50098e84938ca9c9c1580eb8e91526f101a90adfba7859b2c32"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-node","digest":"sha256:529d02eb970b1161aa25c593a9c3df57fdfad5a8add328cb3b6eccef66f3183b","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-node@sha256:529d02eb970b1161aa25c593a9c3df57fdfad5a8add328cb3b6eccef66f3183b"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:v1.6.0","digest":"sha256:2b0c48b070f61e9d3969269ead600f62d00fb237b60ac849ef3d166ee7de9ad3","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:v1.6.0@sha256:2b0c48b070f61e9d3969269ead600f62d00fb237b60ac849ef3d166ee7de9ad3"}]}
 # This file was automatically generated by gh-aw (v0.82.14). DO NOT EDIT. To debug this workflow, load the skill at https://github.com/github/gh-aw/blob/main/debug.md
 #
diff --git a/.github/workflows/eventrelay-ci-investigator.md b/.github/workflows/eventrelay-ci-investigator.md
index 58c9f9d64..ce1a86e1c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/eventrelay-ci-investigator.md
+++ b/.github/workflows/eventrelay-ci-investigator.md
@@ -83,10 +83,28 @@ Publish one deduplicated blocker update that includes:
 
 ## Behavioral constraints
 
-- Never create duplicate issues/comments for unchanged healthy state.
-- Exit before expensive analysis if preflight detects no state change.
+- Never create duplicate issues/comments for unchanged healthy state;
+  record that state with `noop` instead.
+- Exit before expensive analysis if preflight detects no state change, and
+  emit `noop` on that path rather than exiting silently.
 - Keep response report-first, deterministic, and SHA-bound.
 
+## Terminal state contract
+
+Every run MUST finish by emitting at least one safe output. A run that emits
+nothing is not read as "healthy": the harness classifies it as `produced no
+safe outputs` and files a tracking issue, so silence produces noise instead of
+signal.
+
+When the correct outcome is to take no action -- healthy CI, unchanged state, a
+canceled or superseded run, or a preflight early exit -- call `noop` with a
+one-line reason instead of returning silently. `noop` is the explicit,
+deduplicated "nothing to do" record and is always the correct terminal state
+for a no-change run.
+
+Skip `noop` only when you have already emitted another safe output
+(`add_comment`, `create_issue`, `update_issue`, or `create_check_run`).
+
 ## Jules reporting requirement
 
 Return a detailed completion report with:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/focused-coverage-controller.lock.yml b/.github/workflows/focused-coverage-controller.lock.yml
index 349b8d445..aa42e2da7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/focused-coverage-controller.lock.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/focused-coverage-controller.lock.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# gh-aw-metadata: {"schema_version":"v4","frontmatter_hash":"df33ebc8485a32f06deee2d6380ca71cfce81ba2cb8ec1c48d6a2e621c364c53","body_hash":"423fb9a3df19a84b185977bd53f9f7a46bd4f70633766742d313a0949f476693","compiler_version":"v0.82.14","strict":true,"agent_id":"codex","agent_model":"gpt-5.4","engine_versions":{"codex":"0.144.5"}}
+# gh-aw-metadata: {"schema_version":"v4","frontmatter_hash":"df33ebc8485a32f06deee2d6380ca71cfce81ba2cb8ec1c48d6a2e621c364c53","body_hash":"d5d8662a7f477128a4aeb44052e0614c67672dd072a2d98018f8c71101d36c98","compiler_version":"v0.82.14","strict":true,"agent_id":"codex","agent_model":"gpt-5.4","engine_versions":{"codex":"0.144.5"}}
 # gh-aw-manifest: {"version":1,"secrets":["CODEX_API_KEY","COPILOT_GITHUB_TOKEN","GH_AW_GITHUB_MCP_SERVER_TOKEN","GH_AW_GITHUB_TOKEN","GITHUB_TOKEN","OPENAI_API_KEY"],"actions":[{"repo":"actions/cache/restore","sha":"55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9","version":"v6.1.0"},{"repo":"actions/cache/save","sha":"55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9","version":"v6.1.0"},{"repo":"actions/checkout","sha":"9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0","version":"v7.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/download-artifact","sha":"3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c","version":"v8.0.1"},{"repo":"actions/github-script","sha":"3a2844b7e9c422d3c10d287c895573f7108da1b3","version":"v9.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/setup-node","sha":"820762786026740c76f36085b0efc47a31fe5020","version":"v7.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/upload-artifact","sha":"043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a","version":"v7.0.1"},{"repo":"github/gh-aw-actions/setup","sha":"b6d1443e05b8716267fa19425b99aa4f12006b4a","version":"v0.82.14"}],"containers":[{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/agent:0.27.37","digest":"sha256:0d35e8682845f183c1c634699a8e8a6cbe2c271b867031410df74533243c5f67","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/agent:0.27.37@sha256:0d35e8682845f183c1c634699a8e8a6cbe2c271b867031410df74533243c5f67"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/api-proxy:0.27.37","digest":"sha256:fc2970aadaeae05993e76697d29f03dc8bfb9248ff87a8f3d8b0975485a4b317","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/api-proxy:0.27.37@sha256:fc2970aadaeae05993e76697d29f03dc8bfb9248ff87a8f3d8b0975485a4b317"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/squid:0.27.37","digest":"sha256:5abc51995e5901c5d1daeefc957301ee409980e2e607391ec22c06cb2513327b","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/squid:0.27.37@sha256:5abc51995e5901c5d1daeefc957301ee409980e2e607391ec22c06cb2513327b"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-mcpg:v0.4.1","digest":"sha256:ad2a979c2cd8b50098e84938ca9c9c1580eb8e91526f101a90adfba7859b2c32","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-mcpg:v0.4.1@sha256:ad2a979c2cd8b50098e84938ca9c9c1580eb8e91526f101a90adfba7859b2c32"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-node","digest":"sha256:529d02eb970b1161aa25c593a9c3df57fdfad5a8add328cb3b6eccef66f3183b","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-node@sha256:529d02eb970b1161aa25c593a9c3df57fdfad5a8add328cb3b6eccef66f3183b"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:v1.6.0","digest":"sha256:2b0c48b070f61e9d3969269ead600f62d00fb237b60ac849ef3d166ee7de9ad3","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:v1.6.0@sha256:2b0c48b070f61e9d3969269ead600f62d00fb237b60ac849ef3d166ee7de9ad3"}]}
 # This file was automatically generated by gh-aw (v0.82.14). DO NOT EDIT. To debug this workflow, load the skill at https://github.com/github/gh-aw/blob/main/debug.md
 #
diff --git a/.github/workflows/focused-coverage-controller.md b/.github/workflows/focused-coverage-controller.md
index 0c86f2d6f..8a3a35e67 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/focused-coverage-controller.md
+++ b/.github/workflows/focused-coverage-controller.md
@@ -85,3 +85,19 @@ Return an in-depth status report with:
 - exact failing or passing gate names
 - smallest next test-only increment
 - explicit stop reason if prerequisites are missing
+
+## Terminal state contract
+
+Every run MUST finish by emitting at least one safe output. A run that emits
+nothing is not read as "healthy": the harness classifies it as `produced no
+safe outputs` and files a tracking issue, so silence produces noise instead of
+signal.
+
+When the correct outcome is to take no action -- healthy CI, unchanged state, a
+canceled or superseded run, or a preflight early exit -- call `noop` with a
+one-line reason instead of returning silently. `noop` is the explicit,
+deduplicated "nothing to do" record and is always the correct terminal state
+for a no-change run.
+
+Skip `noop` only when you have already emitted another safe output
+(`add_comment`, `create_issue`, `update_issue`, or `create_check_run`).