diff --git a/docs/architecture/observability-readiness.md b/docs/architecture/observability-readiness.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..78f42c23
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/architecture/observability-readiness.md
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+# ECC 2.0 Observability Readiness
+
+ECC 2.0 should be observable before it becomes more autonomous. The local
+default is an opt-in, repo-owned readiness gate that checks whether the core
+signals are present without sending telemetry anywhere.
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+npm run observability:ready
+node scripts/observability-readiness.js --format json
+```
+
+The gate is deterministic and safe to run in CI. It only checks repository
+files and reports whether the release surface can expose the signals an
+operator needs.
+
+## Signal Model
+
+- Live status: `scripts/loop-status.js` can emit JSON, watch active loops, and
+  write snapshots for dashboards or handoffs.
+- Session traces: `scripts/session-inspect.js` can inspect Claude, dmux, and
+  adapter-backed sessions, then write canonical snapshots.
+- Harness baseline: `scripts/harness-audit.js` provides a repeatable scorecard
+  for tool coverage, context efficiency, quality gates, memory persistence,
+  eval coverage, security guardrails, and cost efficiency.
+- Tool activity: `scripts/hooks/session-activity-tracker.js` records local
+  `tool-usage.jsonl` events that ECC2 can sync.
+- Risk ledger: `ecc2/src/observability/mod.rs` scores tool calls and stores a
+  paginated ledger for review.
+
+## Reference Pressure
+
+The current agent-tooling ecosystem is converging on the same operating needs:
+
+- dmux, Orca, and Superset emphasize isolated worktrees plus one place to see
+  agent state and merge/review work.
+- Claude HUD makes context, tool activity, agent activity, and todo progress
+  visible inside the coding loop.
+- Autocontext records every run as durable traces, reports, artifacts, and
+  reusable improvements.
+- Meta-Harness treats the harness itself as something to evaluate and improve,
+  which requires clean logs of proposer behavior and outcomes.
+- Zed and OpenCode emphasize agent control surfaces, reviewable changes, and
+  harness-specific configuration that should still preserve portable project
+  knowledge.
+
+ECC's answer is not a hosted analytics dependency by default. The first
+release-candidate gate is local and file-backed. Hosted telemetry can come
+later, but only after the local event model is useful enough to trust.
+
+## Operator Workflow
+
+1. Run `npm run observability:ready`.
+2. Run `npm run harness:audit -- --format json` for the broader harness
+   scorecard.
+3. Run `node scripts/loop-status.js --json --write-dir .ecc/loop-status`
+   during longer autonomous batches.
+4. Run `node scripts/session-inspect.js --list-adapters` to confirm which
+   session surfaces are available.
+5. Use ECC2 tool logs for risky operations, conflict analysis, and handoff
+   review before increasing autonomy.
+
+The end-state is practical: before asking ECC to run larger multi-agent loops,
+the operator can prove the system has live status, durable session traces,
+baseline scorecards, and a local risk ledger.
diff --git a/docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/quickstart.md b/docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/quickstart.md
index 63aa80ac..85dd7630 100644
--- a/docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/quickstart.md
+++ b/docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/quickstart.md
@@ -31,6 +31,15 @@ Expected result: every test passes with zero failures. For release-specific drif
 node tests/docs/ecc2-release-surface.test.js
 ```
 
+Then check the local observability surface:
+
+```bash
+npm run observability:ready
+```
+
+This runs the [observability readiness gate](../../architecture/observability-readiness.md)
+for loop status, session traces, harness audit, and ECC2 tool-risk logs.
+
 ## First Skill
 
 Read `skills/hermes-imports/SKILL.md` first.
diff --git a/docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/release-notes.md b/docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/release-notes.md
index 3687a37e..b5f513cd 100644
--- a/docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/release-notes.md
+++ b/docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/release-notes.md
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ Claude Code remains a core target. Codex, OpenCode, Cursor, Gemini, and other ha
 - Clarified the split between ECC as the reusable substrate and Hermes as the operator shell.
 - Documented the cross-harness portability model for skills, hooks, MCPs, rules, and instructions.
 - Added a Hermes import playbook for turning local operator patterns into publishable ECC skills.
+- Added a local [observability readiness gate](../../architecture/observability-readiness.md) for loop status, session traces, harness audit, and ECC2 tool-risk logs.
 
 ## Why This Matters
 
@@ -50,6 +51,7 @@ What stays local:
 1. Follow the [rc.1 quickstart](quickstart.md).
 2. Read the [Hermes setup guide](../../HERMES-SETUP.md).
 3. Review the [cross-harness architecture](../../architecture/cross-harness.md).
-4. Start with one workflow lane: engineering, research, content, or outreach.
-5. Import only sanitized operator patterns into ECC skills.
-6. Treat `ecc2/` as an alpha control plane until release packaging and installer behavior are finalized.
+4. Run the [observability readiness gate](../../architecture/observability-readiness.md).
+5. Start with one workflow lane: engineering, research, content, or outreach.
+6. Import only sanitized operator patterns into ECC skills.
+7. Treat `ecc2/` as an alpha control plane until release packaging and installer behavior are finalized.
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index dd70c253..1541fabb 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@
     "scripts/ecc.js",
     "scripts/gemini-adapt-agents.js",
     "scripts/harness-audit.js",
+    "scripts/observability-readiness.js",
     "scripts/hooks/",
     "scripts/install-apply.js",
     "scripts/install-plan.js",
@@ -265,6 +266,7 @@
     "catalog:sync": "node scripts/ci/catalog.js --write --text",
     "lint": "eslint . && markdownlint '**/*.md' --ignore node_modules",
     "harness:audit": "node scripts/harness-audit.js",
+    "observability:ready": "node scripts/observability-readiness.js",
     "claw": "node scripts/claw.js",
     "orchestrate:status": "node scripts/orchestration-status.js",
     "orchestrate:worker": "bash scripts/orchestrate-codex-worker.sh",
diff --git a/scripts/ci/check-unicode-safety.js b/scripts/ci/check-unicode-safety.js
index 455cf415..6c7893e7 100644
--- a/scripts/ci/check-unicode-safety.js
+++ b/scripts/ci/check-unicode-safety.js
@@ -14,7 +14,9 @@ const ignoredDirs = new Set([
   'node_modules',
   '.dmux',
   '.next',
+  '.venv',
   'coverage',
+  'venv',
 ]);
 
 const textExtensions = new Set([
diff --git a/scripts/observability-readiness.js b/scripts/observability-readiness.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..537cd942
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/observability-readiness.js
@@ -0,0 +1,309 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env node
+'use strict';
+
+const fs = require('fs');
+const path = require('path');
+
+const RUBRIC_VERSION = '2026-05-11';
+
+function usage() {
+  console.log([
+    'Usage: node scripts/observability-readiness.js [--format <text|json>] [--root <dir>]',
+    '',
+    'Deterministic ECC 2.0 observability readiness gate.',
+    '',
+    'Options:',
+    '  --format <text|json>  Output format (default: text)',
+    '  --root <dir>          Repository root to inspect (default: cwd)',
+    '  --help, -h            Show this help'
+  ].join('\n'));
+}
+
+function readValue(args, index, flagName) {
+  const value = args[index + 1];
+  if (!value || value.startsWith('--')) {
+    throw new Error(`${flagName} requires a value`);
+  }
+  return value;
+}
+
+function parseArgs(argv) {
+  const args = argv.slice(2);
+  const parsed = {
+    format: 'text',
+    help: false,
+    root: path.resolve(process.cwd())
+  };
+
+  for (let index = 0; index < args.length; index += 1) {
+    const arg = args[index];
+
+    if (arg === '--help' || arg === '-h') {
+      parsed.help = true;
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    if (arg === '--format') {
+      parsed.format = readValue(args, index, arg).toLowerCase();
+      index += 1;
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    if (arg.startsWith('--format=')) {
+      parsed.format = arg.slice('--format='.length).toLowerCase();
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    if (arg === '--root') {
+      parsed.root = path.resolve(readValue(args, index, arg));
+      index += 1;
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    if (arg.startsWith('--root=')) {
+      parsed.root = path.resolve(arg.slice('--root='.length));
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    throw new Error(`Unknown argument: ${arg}`);
+  }
+
+  if (!['text', 'json'].includes(parsed.format)) {
+    throw new Error(`Invalid format: ${parsed.format}. Use text or json.`);
+  }
+
+  return parsed;
+}
+
+function fileExists(rootDir, relativePath) {
+  return fs.existsSync(path.join(rootDir, relativePath));
+}
+
+function readText(rootDir, relativePath) {
+  try {
+    return fs.readFileSync(path.join(rootDir, relativePath), 'utf8');
+  } catch (_error) {
+    return '';
+  }
+}
+
+function safeParseJson(text) {
+  if (!text || !text.trim()) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  try {
+    return JSON.parse(text);
+  } catch (_error) {
+    return null;
+  }
+}
+
+function includesAll(text, needles) {
+  return needles.every(needle => text.includes(needle));
+}
+
+function buildChecks(rootDir) {
+  const packageJsonText = readText(rootDir, 'package.json');
+  const packageJson = safeParseJson(packageJsonText) || {};
+  const packageFiles = Array.isArray(packageJson.files) ? packageJson.files : [];
+  const packageScripts = packageJson.scripts || {};
+  const loopStatus = readText(rootDir, 'scripts/loop-status.js');
+  const sessionInspect = readText(rootDir, 'scripts/session-inspect.js');
+  const harnessAudit = readText(rootDir, 'scripts/harness-audit.js');
+  const activityTracker = readText(rootDir, 'scripts/hooks/session-activity-tracker.js');
+  const observabilityRust = readText(rootDir, 'ecc2/src/observability/mod.rs');
+  const sessionStoreRust = readText(rootDir, 'ecc2/src/session/store.rs');
+  const sessionManagerRust = readText(rootDir, 'ecc2/src/session/manager.rs');
+  const readinessDoc = readText(rootDir, 'docs/architecture/observability-readiness.md');
+  const quickstart = readText(rootDir, 'docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/quickstart.md');
+  const releaseNotes = readText(rootDir, 'docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/release-notes.md');
+
+  return [
+    {
+      id: 'loop-status-live-signal',
+      category: 'Live Status',
+      points: 2,
+      path: 'scripts/loop-status.js',
+      description: 'Loop status supports JSON output, watch mode, and snapshot writes',
+      pass: fileExists(rootDir, 'scripts/loop-status.js')
+        && includesAll(loopStatus, ['--json', '--watch', '--write-dir']),
+      fix: 'Restore loop-status JSON/watch/write-dir support.'
+    },
+    {
+      id: 'session-inspect-adapter-registry',
+      category: 'Session Trace',
+      points: 2,
+      path: 'scripts/session-inspect.js',
+      description: 'Session inspection exposes registered adapters and writable snapshots',
+      pass: fileExists(rootDir, 'scripts/session-inspect.js')
+        && fileExists(rootDir, 'scripts/lib/session-adapters/registry.js')
+        && includesAll(sessionInspect, ['--list-adapters', '--write', 'inspectSessionTarget']),
+      fix: 'Restore session-inspect adapter registry, list-adapters, and write support.'
+    },
+    {
+      id: 'harness-audit-scorecard',
+      category: 'Harness Baseline',
+      points: 2,
+      path: 'scripts/harness-audit.js',
+      description: 'Harness audit emits deterministic text/JSON scorecards',
+      pass: fileExists(rootDir, 'scripts/harness-audit.js')
+        && packageScripts['harness:audit'] === 'node scripts/harness-audit.js'
+        && includesAll(harnessAudit, ['Deterministic harness audit', '--format', 'overall_score']),
+      fix: 'Restore the harness:audit package script and deterministic scorecard output.'
+    },
+    {
+      id: 'hook-activity-jsonl',
+      category: 'Tool Activity',
+      points: 2,
+      path: 'scripts/hooks/session-activity-tracker.js',
+      description: 'Hook activity tracker writes tool usage JSONL for later sync',
+      pass: fileExists(rootDir, 'scripts/hooks/session-activity-tracker.js')
+        && includesAll(activityTracker, ['tool-usage.jsonl', 'session_id', 'tool_name']),
+      fix: 'Restore hook-side tool activity recording to metrics/tool-usage.jsonl.'
+    },
+    {
+      id: 'ecc2-tool-risk-ledger',
+      category: 'Tool Activity',
+      points: 3,
+      path: 'ecc2/src/observability/mod.rs',
+      description: 'ECC2 records tool calls with risk scoring and paginated queries',
+      pass: fileExists(rootDir, 'ecc2/src/observability/mod.rs')
+        && includesAll(observabilityRust, ['ToolCallEvent', 'RiskAssessment', 'ToolLogger'])
+        && includesAll(sessionStoreRust, ['insert_tool_log', 'query_tool_logs'])
+        && includesAll(sessionManagerRust, ['sync_tool_activity_metrics', 'tool-usage.jsonl']),
+      fix: 'Restore ECC2 tool logging, risk scoring, store queries, and metrics sync.'
+    },
+    {
+      id: 'release-observability-onramp',
+      category: 'Operator Onramp',
+      points: 2,
+      path: 'docs/architecture/observability-readiness.md',
+      description: 'Release docs explain the local observability readiness workflow',
+      pass: readinessDoc.includes('node scripts/observability-readiness.js --format json')
+        && quickstart.includes('observability-readiness.md')
+        && releaseNotes.includes('observability-readiness.md'),
+      fix: 'Add the observability readiness doc and link it from rc.1 release docs.'
+    },
+    {
+      id: 'package-exposes-readiness-gate',
+      category: 'Packaging',
+      points: 1,
+      path: 'package.json',
+      description: 'Package exposes the observability readiness gate',
+      pass: packageScripts['observability:ready'] === 'node scripts/observability-readiness.js'
+        && packageFiles.includes('scripts/observability-readiness.js'),
+      fix: 'Add scripts/observability-readiness.js to package files and observability:ready.'
+    }
+  ];
+}
+
+function buildReport(rootDir) {
+  const checks = buildChecks(rootDir);
+  const categories = {};
+
+  for (const check of checks) {
+    if (!categories[check.category]) {
+      categories[check.category] = {
+        score: 0,
+        max_score: 0,
+        passed: 0,
+        total: 0
+      };
+    }
+
+    categories[check.category].max_score += check.points;
+    categories[check.category].total += 1;
+
+    if (check.pass) {
+      categories[check.category].score += check.points;
+      categories[check.category].passed += 1;
+    }
+  }
+
+  const overallScore = checks
+    .filter(check => check.pass)
+    .reduce((sum, check) => sum + check.points, 0);
+  const maxScore = checks.reduce((sum, check) => sum + check.points, 0);
+  const failingChecks = checks.filter(check => !check.pass);
+
+  return {
+    schema_version: 'ecc.observability-readiness.v1',
+    rubric_version: RUBRIC_VERSION,
+    deterministic: true,
+    root_dir: fs.realpathSync(rootDir),
+    overall_score: overallScore,
+    max_score: maxScore,
+    ready: overallScore === maxScore,
+    categories,
+    checks,
+    top_actions: failingChecks
+      .sort((left, right) => right.points - left.points || left.id.localeCompare(right.id))
+      .slice(0, 3)
+      .map(check => ({
+        id: check.id,
+        path: check.path,
+        fix: check.fix
+      }))
+  };
+}
+
+function renderText(report) {
+  const lines = [
+    `Observability Readiness: ${report.overall_score}/${report.max_score}`,
+    `Ready: ${report.ready ? 'yes' : 'no'}`,
+    '',
+    'Categories:'
+  ];
+
+  for (const [name, category] of Object.entries(report.categories)) {
+    lines.push(`- ${name}: ${category.score}/${category.max_score} (${category.passed}/${category.total})`);
+  }
+
+  lines.push('', 'Checks:');
+  for (const check of report.checks) {
+    lines.push(`- ${check.pass ? 'PASS' : 'FAIL'} ${check.id}: ${check.description}`);
+  }
+
+  if (report.top_actions.length > 0) {
+    lines.push('', 'Top Actions:');
+    for (const action of report.top_actions) {
+      lines.push(`- ${action.path}: ${action.fix}`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  return `${lines.join('\n')}\n`;
+}
+
+function main() {
+  const args = parseArgs(process.argv);
+
+  if (args.help) {
+    usage();
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const report = buildReport(args.root);
+
+  if (args.format === 'json') {
+    console.log(JSON.stringify(report, null, 2));
+  } else {
+    process.stdout.write(renderText(report));
+  }
+}
+
+if (require.main === module) {
+  try {
+    main();
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error(`Error: ${error.message}`);
+    process.exit(1);
+  }
+}
+
+module.exports = {
+  buildChecks,
+  buildReport,
+  parseArgs,
+  renderText
+};
diff --git a/tests/scripts/check-unicode-safety.test.js b/tests/scripts/check-unicode-safety.test.js
index dca3e679..753e6766 100644
--- a/tests/scripts/check-unicode-safety.test.js
+++ b/tests/scripts/check-unicode-safety.test.js
@@ -109,6 +109,27 @@ if (
   passed++;
 else failed++;
 
+if (
+  test('skips Python virtual environments', () => {
+    const root = makeTempRoot('ecc-unicode-venv-');
+    fs.mkdirSync(path.join(root, '.venv', 'lib', 'python3.12', 'site-packages'), { recursive: true });
+    fs.mkdirSync(path.join(root, 'venv', 'lib', 'python3.12', 'site-packages'), { recursive: true });
+    fs.writeFileSync(
+      path.join(root, '.venv', 'lib', 'python3.12', 'site-packages', 'package.py'),
+      `message = "hello ${rocketEmoji}"\n`
+    );
+    fs.writeFileSync(
+      path.join(root, 'venv', 'lib', 'python3.12', 'site-packages', 'package.py'),
+      `message = "hello ${rocketEmoji}"\n`
+    );
+
+    const result = runCheck(root);
+    assert.strictEqual(result.status, 0, result.stdout + result.stderr);
+  })
+)
+  passed++;
+else failed++;
+
 console.log(`\nPassed: ${passed}`);
 console.log(`Failed: ${failed}`);
 process.exit(failed > 0 ? 1 : 0);
diff --git a/tests/scripts/npm-publish-surface.test.js b/tests/scripts/npm-publish-surface.test.js
index 03b0d710..68f9e0cc 100644
--- a/tests/scripts/npm-publish-surface.test.js
+++ b/tests/scripts/npm-publish-surface.test.js
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ function buildExpectedPublishPaths(repoRoot) {
     "scripts/install-plan.js",
     "scripts/list-installed.js",
     "scripts/loop-status.js",
+    "scripts/observability-readiness.js",
     "scripts/skill-create-output.js",
     "scripts/repair.js",
     "scripts/harness-audit.js",
diff --git a/tests/scripts/observability-readiness.test.js b/tests/scripts/observability-readiness.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..87df17d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/scripts/observability-readiness.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,209 @@
+/**
+ * Tests for scripts/observability-readiness.js
+ */
+
+const assert = require('assert');
+const fs = require('fs');
+const os = require('os');
+const path = require('path');
+const { execFileSync, spawnSync } = require('child_process');
+
+const SCRIPT = path.join(__dirname, '..', '..', 'scripts', 'observability-readiness.js');
+const { buildReport, parseArgs } = require(SCRIPT);
+
+function createTempDir(prefix) {
+  return fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), prefix));
+}
+
+function cleanup(dirPath) {
+  fs.rmSync(dirPath, { recursive: true, force: true });
+}
+
+function writeFile(rootDir, relativePath, content) {
+  const targetPath = path.join(rootDir, relativePath);
+  fs.mkdirSync(path.dirname(targetPath), { recursive: true });
+  fs.writeFileSync(targetPath, content);
+}
+
+function run(args = [], options = {}) {
+  return execFileSync('node', [SCRIPT, ...args], {
+    cwd: options.cwd || path.join(__dirname, '..', '..'),
+    encoding: 'utf8',
+    stdio: ['pipe', 'pipe', 'pipe'],
+    timeout: 10000
+  });
+}
+
+function runProcess(args = [], options = {}) {
+  return spawnSync('node', [SCRIPT, ...args], {
+    cwd: options.cwd || path.join(__dirname, '..', '..'),
+    encoding: 'utf8',
+    stdio: ['pipe', 'pipe', 'pipe'],
+    timeout: 10000
+  });
+}
+
+function seedMinimalRepo(rootDir, overrides = {}) {
+  const files = {
+    'package.json': JSON.stringify({
+      name: 'everything-claude-code',
+      files: ['scripts/observability-readiness.js'],
+      scripts: {
+        'harness:audit': 'node scripts/harness-audit.js',
+        'observability:ready': 'node scripts/observability-readiness.js'
+      }
+    }, null, 2),
+    'scripts/loop-status.js': '--json --watch --write-dir',
+    'scripts/session-inspect.js': '--list-adapters --write inspectSessionTarget',
+    'scripts/lib/session-adapters/registry.js': 'module.exports = {};',
+    'scripts/harness-audit.js': 'Deterministic harness audit --format overall_score',
+    'scripts/hooks/session-activity-tracker.js': 'tool-usage.jsonl session_id tool_name',
+    'ecc2/src/observability/mod.rs': 'ToolCallEvent RiskAssessment ToolLogger',
+    'ecc2/src/session/store.rs': 'insert_tool_log query_tool_logs',
+    'ecc2/src/session/manager.rs': 'sync_tool_activity_metrics tool-usage.jsonl',
+    'docs/architecture/observability-readiness.md': 'node scripts/observability-readiness.js --format json',
+    'docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/quickstart.md': 'observability-readiness.md',
+    'docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/release-notes.md': 'observability-readiness.md'
+  };
+
+  for (const [relativePath, content] of Object.entries({ ...files, ...overrides })) {
+    if (content === null) {
+      continue;
+    }
+    writeFile(rootDir, relativePath, content);
+  }
+}
+
+function test(name, fn) {
+  try {
+    fn();
+    console.log(`  ✓ ${name}`);
+    return true;
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.log(`  ✗ ${name}`);
+    console.log(`    Error: ${error.message}`);
+    return false;
+  }
+}
+
+function runTests() {
+  console.log('\n=== Testing observability-readiness.js ===\n');
+
+  let passed = 0;
+  let failed = 0;
+
+  if (test('parseArgs accepts supported forms and rejects invalid input', () => {
+    const rootDir = createTempDir('observability-readiness-args-');
+
+    try {
+      assert.strictEqual(parseArgs(['node', 'script', '--help']).help, true);
+      assert.strictEqual(parseArgs(['node', 'script', '-h']).help, true);
+
+      const spaced = parseArgs(['node', 'script', '--format', 'json', '--root', rootDir]);
+      assert.strictEqual(spaced.format, 'json');
+      assert.strictEqual(spaced.root, path.resolve(rootDir));
+
+      const equals = parseArgs(['node', 'script', '--format=json', `--root=${rootDir}`]);
+      assert.strictEqual(equals.format, 'json');
+      assert.strictEqual(equals.root, path.resolve(rootDir));
+
+      assert.throws(() => parseArgs(['node', 'script', '--format', 'xml']), /Invalid format: xml/);
+      assert.throws(() => parseArgs(['node', 'script', '--root']), /--root requires a value/);
+      assert.throws(() => parseArgs(['node', 'script', '--unknown']), /Unknown argument: --unknown/);
+    } finally {
+      cleanup(rootDir);
+    }
+  })) passed++; else failed++;
+
+  if (test('cli help exits cleanly and invalid cli args exit with stderr', () => {
+    const help = runProcess(['--help']);
+    assert.strictEqual(help.status, 0);
+    assert.strictEqual(help.stderr, '');
+    assert.ok(help.stdout.includes('Usage: node scripts/observability-readiness.js'));
+
+    const invalid = runProcess(['--format', 'xml']);
+    assert.strictEqual(invalid.status, 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(invalid.stdout, '');
+    assert.ok(invalid.stderr.includes('Error: Invalid format: xml. Use text or json.'));
+  })) passed++; else failed++;
+
+  if (test('current repo reports a complete readiness score', () => {
+    const parsed = JSON.parse(run(['--format=json']));
+
+    assert.strictEqual(parsed.schema_version, 'ecc.observability-readiness.v1');
+    assert.strictEqual(parsed.deterministic, true);
+    assert.strictEqual(parsed.ready, true);
+    assert.strictEqual(parsed.overall_score, parsed.max_score);
+    assert.strictEqual(parsed.top_actions.length, 0);
+  })) passed++; else failed++;
+
+  if (test('text output includes summary, categories, and checks', () => {
+    const output = run();
+
+    assert.ok(output.includes('Observability Readiness:'));
+    assert.ok(output.includes('Categories:'));
+    assert.ok(output.includes('Checks:'));
+    assert.ok(output.includes('PASS loop-status-live-signal'));
+  })) passed++; else failed++;
+
+  if (test('minimal seeded repo passes all checks', () => {
+    const projectRoot = createTempDir('observability-readiness-pass-');
+
+    try {
+      seedMinimalRepo(projectRoot);
+      const report = buildReport(projectRoot);
+
+      assert.strictEqual(report.ready, true);
+      assert.strictEqual(report.overall_score, report.max_score);
+      assert.deepStrictEqual(report.top_actions, []);
+    } finally {
+      cleanup(projectRoot);
+    }
+  })) passed++; else failed++;
+
+  if (test('missing tool logger surfaces become prioritized top actions', () => {
+    const projectRoot = createTempDir('observability-readiness-fail-');
+
+    try {
+      seedMinimalRepo(projectRoot, {
+        'ecc2/src/observability/mod.rs': 'ToolCallEvent only'
+      });
+      const report = buildReport(projectRoot);
+
+      assert.strictEqual(report.ready, false);
+      assert.ok(report.top_actions.some(action => action.id === 'ecc2-tool-risk-ledger'));
+      assert.ok(report.checks.some(check => check.id === 'ecc2-tool-risk-ledger' && !check.pass));
+    } finally {
+      cleanup(projectRoot);
+    }
+  })) passed++; else failed++;
+
+  if (test('missing release onramp fails without disturbing core tool checks', () => {
+    const projectRoot = createTempDir('observability-readiness-doc-fail-');
+
+    try {
+      seedMinimalRepo(projectRoot, {
+        'docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/quickstart.md': 'quickstart without link'
+      });
+      const report = buildReport(projectRoot);
+
+      assert.strictEqual(report.ready, false);
+      assert.ok(report.checks.some(check => check.id === 'release-observability-onramp' && !check.pass));
+      assert.ok(report.checks.some(check => check.id === 'loop-status-live-signal' && check.pass));
+    } finally {
+      cleanup(projectRoot);
+    }
+  })) passed++; else failed++;
+
+  console.log('\nResults:');
+  console.log(`  Passed: ${passed}`);
+  console.log(`  Failed: ${failed}`);
+
+  if (failed > 0) {
+    process.exit(1);
+  }
+}
+
+if (require.main === module) {
+  runTests();
+}