diff --git a/packages/cli/src/commands/compaction-control.ts b/packages/cli/src/commands/compaction-control.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..01ecc4fd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/cli/src/commands/compaction-control.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+import { Command } from "commander";
+import { DaemonClient, terminalAuthHeaders } from "../client.js";
+import { getDaemonStatus, getDaemonUrl, type LifecycleDeps } from "../daemon-lifecycle.js";
+import { realDeps } from "./daemon.js";
+
+export interface CompactionControlDeps {
+  lifecycleDeps: LifecycleDeps;
+  clientFactory: (url: string) => Pick<DaemonClient, "get" | "post">;
+}
+
+function defaultDeps(): CompactionControlDeps {
+  return {
+    lifecycleDeps: realDeps(),
+    clientFactory: (url: string) => new DaemonClient(url),
+  };
+}
+
+async function getClient(deps: CompactionControlDeps) {
+  const status = await getDaemonStatus(deps.lifecycleDeps);
+  if (status.state !== "running" || status.healthy === false) {
+    console.error("Daemon is not running. Start it with: rig daemon start");
+    process.exitCode = 1;
+    return null;
+  }
+  return deps.clientFactory(getDaemonUrl(status));
+}
+
+function printResponse(
+  response: { status: number; data: unknown },
+  json: boolean | undefined,
+  success: string,
+): void {
+  if (json) {
+    console.log(JSON.stringify(response.data));
+  } else if (response.status < 400) {
+    console.log(success);
+  } else {
+    const data = response.data as { error?: string; message?: string };
+    console.error(data.message ?? data.error ?? `Request failed (HTTP ${response.status})`);
+  }
+  if (response.status >= 400) process.exitCode = response.status >= 500 ? 2 : 1;
+}
+
+export function compactionControlCommand(depsOverride?: CompactionControlDeps): Command {
+  const command = new Command("compaction-control")
+    .description("Create, inspect, and clear generation-scoped Claude compaction decisions");
+  const deps = () => depsOverride ?? defaultDeps();
+
+  command.addCommand(
+    new Command("hold")
+      .argument("<session>", "Target Claude session")
+      .requiredOption("--reason <text>", "Why automatic compaction must not act")
+      .option("--json", "JSON output for agents")
+      .action(async (session: string, options: { reason: string; json?: boolean }) => {
+        const client = await getClient(deps());
+        if (!client) return;
+        const response = await client.post("/api/compaction/control", {
+          session,
+          direction: "hold",
+          reason: options.reason,
+        }, { headers: terminalAuthHeaders() });
+        printResponse(response, options.json, `Compaction hold created for ${session}.`);
+      }),
+  );
+
+  command.addCommand(
+    new Command("authorize")
+      .argument("<session>", "Target Claude session")
+      .requiredOption(
+        "--automatic-reason <reason>",
+        "One refusal to lift: disabled, post_restore_cooldown, or stale_generation",
+      )
+      .requiredOption("--reason <text>", "Why this one attempt is authorized")
+      .option("--json", "JSON output for agents")
+      .action(async (
+        session: string,
+        options: { automaticReason: string; reason: string; json?: boolean },
+      ) => {
+        const client = await getClient(deps());
+        if (!client) return;
+        const response = await client.post("/api/compaction/control", {
+          session,
+          direction: "authorize",
+          automaticReason: options.automaticReason,
+          reason: options.reason,
+        }, { headers: terminalAuthHeaders() });
+        printResponse(response, options.json, `One compaction attempt authorized for ${session}.`);
+      }),
+  );
+
+  command.addCommand(
+    new Command("list")
+      .option("--session <session>", "Limit decisions to one session")
+      .option("--json", "JSON output for agents")
+      .action(async (options: { session?: string; json?: boolean }) => {
+        const client = await getClient(deps());
+        if (!client) return;
+        const query = options.session ? `?session=${encodeURIComponent(options.session)}` : "";
+        const response = await client.get(`/api/compaction/control${query}`, {
+          headers: terminalAuthHeaders(),
+        });
+        printResponse(response, options.json, "Compaction decisions listed.");
+      }),
+  );
+
+  command.addCommand(
+    new Command("clear")
+      .argument("<decision-id>", "Decision ID")
+      .requiredOption("--reason <text>", "Why the decision is being cleared")
+      .option("--json", "JSON output for agents")
+      .action(async (decisionId: string, options: { reason: string; json?: boolean }) => {
+        const client = await getClient(deps());
+        if (!client) return;
+        const response = await client.post(
+          `/api/compaction/control/${encodeURIComponent(decisionId)}/clear`,
+          { reason: options.reason },
+          { headers: terminalAuthHeaders() },
+        );
+        printResponse(response, options.json, `Compaction decision ${decisionId} cleared.`);
+      }),
+  );
+
+  return command;
+}
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/commands/config.ts b/packages/cli/src/commands/config.ts
index db720ba3d..6ec2c117c 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/commands/config.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/commands/config.ts
@@ -72,7 +72,8 @@ Keys:
   workflow.*             exception_routing (orchestrator | human_only — the maturity-dial host default)
   policies.claude_compaction.*
                          enabled, threshold_percent, compact_instruction,
-                         message_inline, message_file_path
+                         message_inline, message_file_path,
+                         authorize_ttl_minutes
   policies.idle_gate_qitem.scan_interval_seconds
   policies.idle_gate_qitem.active_wake_interval_seconds
   snapshots.periodic.*   enabled, interval_seconds, retention_keep
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/config-store.ts b/packages/cli/src/config-store.ts
index 13da93a65..67af289f8 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/config-store.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/config-store.ts
@@ -116,6 +116,7 @@ export interface RiggedConfig {
       messageInline: string;
       messageFilePath: string;
       postRestoreAuditInstruction: string;
+      authorizeTtlMinutes: number;
     };
     idleGateQitem: {
       scanIntervalSeconds: number;
@@ -233,6 +234,7 @@ const DEFAULTS = {
       messageInline: DEFAULT_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_RESTORE_INSTRUCTION,
       messageFilePath: DEFAULT_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_EXTRA_INSTRUCTION_FILE_PATH,
       postRestoreAuditInstruction: DEFAULT_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_POST_RESTORE_AUDIT_INSTRUCTION,
+      authorizeTtlMinutes: 15,
     },
     idleGateQitem: {
       scanIntervalSeconds: 60,
@@ -326,6 +328,7 @@ export const VALID_KEYS = [
   "policies.claude_compaction.message_inline",
   "policies.claude_compaction.message_file_path",
   "policies.claude_compaction.post_restore_audit_instruction",
+  "policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes",
   "policies.idle_gate_qitem.scan_interval_seconds",
   "policies.idle_gate_qitem.active_wake_interval_seconds",
   "snapshots.periodic.enabled",
@@ -397,6 +400,7 @@ export const ENV_MAP: Record<ValidKey, { primary: string; legacy?: string }> = {
   "policies.claude_compaction.message_inline": { primary: "OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_MESSAGE_INLINE" },
   "policies.claude_compaction.message_file_path": { primary: "OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_MESSAGE_FILE_PATH" },
   "policies.claude_compaction.post_restore_audit_instruction": { primary: "OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_POST_RESTORE_AUDIT_INSTRUCTION" },
+  "policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes": { primary: "OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_AUTHORIZE_TTL_MINUTES" },
   "policies.idle_gate_qitem.scan_interval_seconds": { primary: "OPENRIG_POLICIES_IDLE_GATE_QITEM_SCAN_INTERVAL_SECONDS" },
   "policies.idle_gate_qitem.active_wake_interval_seconds": { primary: "OPENRIG_POLICIES_IDLE_GATE_QITEM_ACTIVE_WAKE_INTERVAL_SECONDS" },
   "snapshots.periodic.enabled": { primary: "OPENRIG_SNAPSHOTS_PERIODIC_ENABLED" },
@@ -456,6 +460,7 @@ const KEY_TO_PATH: Record<ValidKey, string[]> = {
   "policies.claude_compaction.message_inline": ["policies", "claudeCompaction", "messageInline"],
   "policies.claude_compaction.message_file_path": ["policies", "claudeCompaction", "messageFilePath"],
   "policies.claude_compaction.post_restore_audit_instruction": ["policies", "claudeCompaction", "postRestoreAuditInstruction"],
+  "policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes": ["policies", "claudeCompaction", "authorizeTtlMinutes"],
   "policies.idle_gate_qitem.scan_interval_seconds": ["policies", "idleGateQitem", "scanIntervalSeconds"],
   "policies.idle_gate_qitem.active_wake_interval_seconds": ["policies", "idleGateQitem", "activeWakeIntervalSeconds"],
   "snapshots.periodic.enabled": ["snapshots", "periodic", "enabled"],
@@ -635,6 +640,19 @@ const KEY_CONSTRAINTS: Partial<Record<ValidKey, (raw: string, coerced: string |
       );
     }
   },
+  "policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes": (raw, coerced) => {
+    const trimmed = (raw ?? "").trim();
+    if (!/^-?\d+$/.test(trimmed) || typeof coerced !== "number" || !Number.isInteger(coerced)) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Invalid value for policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes: expected an integer in [1, 60], got "${raw}"`,
+      );
+    }
+    if (coerced < 1 || coerced > 60) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Invalid value for policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes: must be in [1, 60], got ${coerced}`,
+      );
+    }
+  },
   "snapshots.periodic.interval_seconds": (raw, coerced) => {
     if (!/^-?\d+$/.test((raw ?? "").trim())) {
       throw new Error(
@@ -839,6 +857,7 @@ export class ConfigStore {
           messageInline: v("policies.claude_compaction.message_inline") as string,
           messageFilePath: v("policies.claude_compaction.message_file_path") as string,
           postRestoreAuditInstruction: v("policies.claude_compaction.post_restore_audit_instruction") as string,
+          authorizeTtlMinutes: v("policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes") as number,
         },
         idleGateQitem: {
           scanIntervalSeconds: v("policies.idle_gate_qitem.scan_interval_seconds") as number,
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/index.ts b/packages/cli/src/index.ts
index b51c51d06..76b3f93de 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/index.ts
@@ -77,6 +77,10 @@ import { restoreCheckCommand } from "./commands/restore-check.js";
 import { restorePacketCommand, type RestorePacketDeps } from "./commands/restore-packet.js";
 import { compactPlanCommand, type CompactPlanDeps } from "./commands/compact-plan.js";
 import { compactCommand, type CompactDeps } from "./commands/compact.js";
+import {
+  compactionControlCommand,
+  type CompactionControlDeps,
+} from "./commands/compaction-control.js";
 import { heartbeatCommand, type HeartbeatDeps } from "./commands/heartbeat.js";
 import { seatCommand, handoverCommand, type SeatDeps } from "./commands/seat.js";
 import { rigPolicyCommand, type RigPolicyDeps } from "./commands/rig-policy.js";
@@ -144,6 +148,7 @@ export interface ProgramDeps {
   restorePacketDeps?: RestorePacketDeps;
   compactPlanDeps?: CompactPlanDeps;
   compactDeps?: CompactDeps;
+  compactionControlDeps?: CompactionControlDeps;
   heartbeatDeps?: HeartbeatDeps;
   seatDeps?: SeatDeps;
   rigPolicyDeps?: RigPolicyDeps;
@@ -235,6 +240,7 @@ export function createProgram(depsOverride?: ProgramDeps): Command {
   program.addCommand(restorePacketCommand(depsOverride?.restorePacketDeps));
   program.addCommand(compactPlanCommand(depsOverride?.compactPlanDeps));
   program.addCommand(compactCommand(depsOverride?.compactDeps));
+  program.addCommand(compactionControlCommand(depsOverride?.compactionControlDeps));
   program.addCommand(heartbeatCommand(depsOverride?.heartbeatDeps));
   program.addCommand(seatCommand(depsOverride?.seatDeps));
   program.addCommand(handoverCommand(depsOverride?.seatDeps));
diff --git a/packages/cli/test/config.test.ts b/packages/cli/test/config.test.ts
index 3d392aadc..36a80c2d7 100644
--- a/packages/cli/test/config.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/test/config.test.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import http from "node:http";
 import { Command } from "commander";
 import { ConfigStore, VALID_KEYS } from "../src/config-store.js";
 import { configCommand } from "../src/commands/config.js";
+import { SETTINGS_VALID_KEYS } from "../../daemon/src/domain/user-settings/settings-store.js";
 import { DaemonClient } from "../src/client.js";
 import { STATE_FILE, type DaemonState } from "../src/daemon-lifecycle.js";
 import type { StatusDeps } from "../src/commands/status.js";
@@ -426,3 +427,114 @@ describe("Config CLI", () => {
     expect(combined).toContain("policies.idle_gate_qitem.active_wake_interval_seconds");
   });
 });
+
+describe("W4 compaction authorization TTL config", () => {
+  const key = "policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes";
+  const envKey = "OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_AUTHORIZE_TTL_MINUTES";
+  let tmpDir: string;
+  let configPath: string;
+  let savedEnv: string | undefined;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    tmpDir = mkdtempSync(join(tmpdir(), "w4-config-test-"));
+    configPath = join(tmpDir, "config.json");
+    savedEnv = process.env[envKey];
+    delete process.env[envKey];
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    rmSync(tmpDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    if (savedEnv === undefined) delete process.env[envKey];
+    else process.env[envKey] = savedEnv;
+  });
+
+  it("keeps the daemon and CLI compaction key registries exactly aligned", () => {
+    const compactionKeys = (keys: readonly string[]) =>
+      keys.filter((candidate) => candidate.startsWith("policies.claude_compaction."));
+    expect(compactionKeys(VALID_KEYS)).toEqual(compactionKeys(SETTINGS_VALID_KEYS));
+    expect(VALID_KEYS).toContain(key);
+  });
+
+  it("defaults to 15 and exposes the typed policy field", () => {
+    const store = new ConfigStore(configPath);
+    expect(store.resolveWithSource(key)).toEqual({
+      value: 15,
+      source: "default",
+      defaultValue: 15,
+    });
+    expect(store.resolve().policies.claudeCompaction.authorizeTtlMinutes).toBe(15);
+  });
+
+  it("accepts a valid environment override", () => {
+    process.env[envKey] = "30";
+    expect(new ConfigStore(configPath).resolveWithSource(key)).toEqual({
+      value: 30,
+      source: "env",
+      defaultValue: 15,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it.each(["0", "61", "15.5", "bad"])(
+    "invalid env %s falls back to 15 and reports loudly",
+    (raw) => {
+      process.env[envKey] = raw;
+      const stderr = vi.spyOn(process.stderr, "write").mockImplementation(() => true);
+      try {
+        expect(new ConfigStore(configPath).resolveWithSource(key)).toEqual({
+          value: 15,
+          source: "default",
+          defaultValue: 15,
+        });
+        expect(stderr.mock.calls.some((call) => String(call[0]).includes(
+          `env override for ${key} rejected`,
+        ))).toBe(true);
+      } finally {
+        stderr.mockRestore();
+      }
+    },
+  );
+
+  it.each([0, 61, 15.5, "bad"])(
+    "invalid file value %s falls back to 15 and reports loudly",
+    (raw) => {
+      writeFileSync(configPath, JSON.stringify({
+        policies: { claudeCompaction: { authorizeTtlMinutes: raw } },
+      }));
+      const stderr = vi.spyOn(process.stderr, "write").mockImplementation(() => true);
+      try {
+        expect(new ConfigStore(configPath).resolveWithSource(key)).toEqual({
+          value: 15,
+          source: "default",
+          defaultValue: 15,
+        });
+        expect(stderr.mock.calls.some((call) => String(call[0]).includes(
+          `file value for ${key} rejected`,
+        ))).toBe(true);
+      } finally {
+        stderr.mockRestore();
+      }
+    },
+  );
+
+  it("accepts exactly 1..60 through set and rejects values outside the range", () => {
+    const store = new ConfigStore(configPath);
+    for (const value of ["1", "15", "60"]) {
+      store.set(key, value);
+      expect(store.get(key)).toBe(Number(value));
+    }
+    for (const value of ["0", "61", "15.5", "bad"]) {
+      expect(() => store.set(key, value)).toThrow(/integer|\[1, 60\]|number/i);
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("prints the literal key in rig config help", () => {
+    const command = configCommand(configPath);
+    let output = "";
+    command.configureOutput({
+      writeOut: (text) => { output += text; },
+      writeErr: () => {},
+    });
+    command.outputHelp();
+    expect(output).toContain(key);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/cli/test/w4-compaction-control.test.ts b/packages/cli/test/w4-compaction-control.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..64dde3a63
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/cli/test/w4-compaction-control.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import type { Command } from "commander";
+import { createProgram } from "../src/index.js";
+
+const COMMAND_MODULE = ["../src/commands", "compaction-control.js"].join("/");
+
+vi.mock("../src/daemon-lifecycle.js", async () => {
+  const actual = await vi.importActual<Record<string, unknown>>("../src/daemon-lifecycle.js");
+  return {
+    ...actual,
+    getDaemonStatus: vi.fn(async () => ({ state: "running", healthy: true, pid: 1234, port: 7433 })),
+    getDaemonUrl: vi.fn(() => "http://localhost:7433"),
+  };
+});
+
+interface TestDeps {
+  lifecycleDeps: Record<string, never>;
+  clientFactory: () => {
+    get(path: string): Promise<{ status: number; data: unknown }>;
+    post(path: string, body: unknown): Promise<{ status: number; data: unknown }>;
+  };
+}
+
+type CommandFactory = (deps: TestDeps) => Command;
+
+async function loadCommand(): Promise<CommandFactory> {
+  let loaded: { compactionControlCommand?: CommandFactory } | null = null;
+  try {
+    loaded = await import(/* @vite-ignore */ COMMAND_MODULE);
+  } catch {
+    // Assertion below keeps the RED feature-shaped instead of surfacing a loader error.
+  }
+  expect(loaded, "compaction-control command module must exist").not.toBeNull();
+  expect(loaded?.compactionControlCommand).toBeTypeOf("function");
+  return loaded!.compactionControlCommand!;
+}
+
+function makeDeps() {
+  const calls: Array<{ method: string; path: string; body?: unknown }> = [];
+  const deps: TestDeps = {
+    lifecycleDeps: {},
+    clientFactory: () => ({
+      get: vi.fn(async (path: string) => {
+        calls.push({ method: "GET", path });
+        return {
+          status: 200,
+          data: {
+            ok: true,
+            decisions: [{
+              decisionId: "hold-1",
+              sessionName: "claude-seat@rig",
+              direction: "hold",
+              lastObservedAt: "2026-08-08T18:00:30.000Z",
+              lastObservedOutcome: "human_hold",
+            }],
+          },
+        };
+      }),
+      post: vi.fn(async (path: string, body: unknown) => {
+        calls.push({ method: "POST", path, body });
+        return { status: path.endsWith("/clear") ? 200 : 201, data: { ok: true, decisionId: "decision-1" } };
+      }),
+    }),
+  };
+  return { calls, deps };
+}
+
+describe("rig compaction-control", () => {
+  let logs: string[];
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    logs = [];
+    vi.spyOn(console, "log").mockImplementation((...args) => logs.push(args.join(" ")));
+    vi.spyOn(console, "error").mockImplementation(() => {});
+    process.exitCode = undefined;
+  });
+
+  it("is registered as one grouped command with hold, authorize, list, and clear", () => {
+    const program = createProgram({ compactionControlDeps: makeDeps().deps } as never);
+    const command = program.commands.find((candidate) => candidate.name() === "compaction-control");
+    expect(command).toBeDefined();
+    expect(command!.commands.map((child) => child.name()).sort()).toEqual([
+      "authorize",
+      "clear",
+      "hold",
+      "list",
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("hold posts the target and required human reason without a body actor", async () => {
+    const factory = await loadCommand();
+    const { calls, deps } = makeDeps();
+    const command = factory(deps);
+    await command.parseAsync([
+      "node", "rig", "hold", "claude-seat@rig",
+      "--reason", "finish the atomic action",
+      "--json",
+    ]);
+    expect(calls).toEqual([{
+      method: "POST",
+      path: "/api/compaction/control",
+      body: {
+        session: "claude-seat@rig",
+        direction: "hold",
+        reason: "finish the atomic action",
+      },
+    }]);
+  });
+
+  it("authorize posts exactly one named lift and no caller-controlled expiry", async () => {
+    const factory = await loadCommand();
+    const { calls, deps } = makeDeps();
+    const command = factory(deps);
+    await command.parseAsync([
+      "node", "rig", "authorize", "claude-seat@rig",
+      "--automatic-reason", "disabled",
+      "--reason", "allow one attempt",
+      "--json",
+    ]);
+    expect(calls).toEqual([{
+      method: "POST",
+      path: "/api/compaction/control",
+      body: {
+        session: "claude-seat@rig",
+        direction: "authorize",
+        automaticReason: "disabled",
+        reason: "allow one attempt",
+      },
+    }]);
+  });
+
+  it("list uses the scoped read route and renders durable hold observation", async () => {
+    const factory = await loadCommand();
+    const { calls, deps } = makeDeps();
+    const command = factory(deps);
+    await command.parseAsync([
+      "node", "rig", "list", "--session", "claude-seat@rig", "--json",
+    ]);
+    expect(calls).toEqual([{
+      method: "GET",
+      path: "/api/compaction/control?session=claude-seat%40rig",
+    }]);
+    expect(JSON.parse(logs.join(""))).toMatchObject({
+      decisions: [{
+        decisionId: "hold-1",
+        lastObservedAt: "2026-08-08T18:00:30.000Z",
+        lastObservedOutcome: "human_hold",
+      }],
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("clear records a human reason through the decision-specific route", async () => {
+    const factory = await loadCommand();
+    const { calls, deps } = makeDeps();
+    const command = factory(deps);
+    await command.parseAsync([
+      "node", "rig", "clear", "hold-1", "--reason", "atomic action completed", "--json",
+    ]);
+    expect(calls).toEqual([{
+      method: "POST",
+      path: "/api/compaction/control/hold-1/clear",
+      body: { reason: "atomic action completed" },
+    }]);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/daemon/src/db/all-migrations.ts b/packages/daemon/src/db/all-migrations.ts
index e82ab6d1f..013089c73 100644
--- a/packages/daemon/src/db/all-migrations.ts
+++ b/packages/daemon/src/db/all-migrations.ts
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ import { projectionManifestSchema } from "./migrations/064_projection_manifest.j
 import { identityProvenanceSchema } from "./migrations/065_identity_provenance.js";
 import { watchdogTargetGenerationSchema } from "./migrations/066_watchdog_target_generation.js";
 import { i3IdentityProvenanceSchema } from "./migrations/067_i3_identity_provenance.js";
+import { enforcerDecisionsSchema } from "./migrations/068_enforcer_decisions.js";
 import type { Migration } from "./migrate.js";
 
 /** Ordered 001→067 (064/066 from main, 065 + 067 the P21 identity_provenance era-stamps — all additive/independent). */
@@ -141,4 +142,5 @@ export const ALL_MIGRATIONS: Migration[] = [
   identityProvenanceSchema,
   watchdogTargetGenerationSchema,
   i3IdentityProvenanceSchema,
+  enforcerDecisionsSchema,
 ];
diff --git a/packages/daemon/src/db/migrations/068_enforcer_decisions.ts b/packages/daemon/src/db/migrations/068_enforcer_decisions.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..375c6a4bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/daemon/src/db/migrations/068_enforcer_decisions.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+import type { Migration } from "../migrate.js";
+
+/** W4 — durable, attributable human hold/authorize decisions for enforcers. */
+export const enforcerDecisionsSchema: Migration = {
+  name: "068_enforcer_decisions.sql",
+  sql: `
+    CREATE TABLE enforcer_decisions (
+      decision_id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
+      enforcer_kind TEXT NOT NULL,
+      session_name TEXT NOT NULL,
+      generation_uuid TEXT NOT NULL,
+      direction TEXT NOT NULL CHECK (direction IN ('hold', 'authorize')),
+      automatic_reason TEXT,
+      reason TEXT NOT NULL,
+      actor_session TEXT NOT NULL,
+      identity_provenance TEXT NOT NULL,
+      created_at TEXT NOT NULL,
+      expires_at TEXT,
+      active INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 1 CHECK (active IN (0, 1)),
+      release_kind TEXT,
+      released_at TEXT,
+      released_by_session TEXT,
+      release_identity_provenance TEXT,
+      release_reason TEXT,
+      consumed_at TEXT,
+      consumed_by_enforcer_kind TEXT,
+      lifted_reason TEXT,
+      attempt_outcome TEXT,
+      attempt_failure_reason TEXT,
+      last_observed_at TEXT,
+      last_observed_outcome TEXT
+    );
+
+    CREATE UNIQUE INDEX idx_enforcer_decisions_one_active
+      ON enforcer_decisions(enforcer_kind, session_name, generation_uuid)
+      WHERE active = 1;
+
+    CREATE INDEX idx_enforcer_decisions_lookup
+      ON enforcer_decisions(enforcer_kind, session_name, direction, active, generation_uuid);
+  `,
+};
diff --git a/packages/daemon/src/domain/claude-compaction-enforcer.ts b/packages/daemon/src/domain/claude-compaction-enforcer.ts
index 0dc2e877c..51eef0b55 100644
--- a/packages/daemon/src/domain/claude-compaction-enforcer.ts
+++ b/packages/daemon/src/domain/claude-compaction-enforcer.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
-import type { SessionTransport } from "./session-transport.js";
+import type { SendOpts, SendResult, SessionTransport } from "./session-transport.js";
 import type { SettingsStore } from "./user-settings/settings-store.js";
+import type {
+  AuthorizableCompactionReason,
+  EnforcerDecision,
+  EnforcerDecisionStore,
+} from "./enforcer-decision-store.js";
 import * as fs from "node:fs";
 import * as os from "node:os";
 import * as path from "node:path";
@@ -68,8 +73,8 @@ export interface EnforcerInput {
 }
 
 export type EnforcerOutcome =
-  | { triggered: true }
-  | { triggered: false; reason: EnforcerSkipReason };
+  | { triggered: true; decisionId?: string; liftedReason?: AuthorizableCompactionReason }
+  | { triggered: false; reason: EnforcerSkipReason; decisionId?: string };
 
 /**
  * OPR.0.4.3.14 — manual compaction trigger surfaced stages (AC-3). `preparing`
@@ -109,7 +114,8 @@ export type EnforcerSkipReason =
   | "post_restore_cooldown"
   | "send_failed"
   | "invalid_policy"
-  | "stale_generation";
+  | "stale_generation"
+  | "human_hold";
 
 function buildCompactCommand(compactInstruction: string): string {
   const normalized = compactInstruction.trim().replace(/\s+/g, " ");
@@ -312,11 +318,34 @@ export class ClaudeCompactionEnforcer {
   // retired-generation stage → refuse. Injected resolver (atom-B's currentOccupantTenure by session).
   private readonly pendingStageGeneration = new Map<string, string | null>();
   private readonly resolveOccupantGeneration?: (sessionName: string) => string | null;
+  private readonly decisionStore?: Pick<
+    EnforcerDecisionStore,
+    | "findActiveHold"
+    | "findMatchingAuthorization"
+    | "observeHold"
+    | "consumeAuthorizationForAttempt"
+    | "recordAuthorizationAttempt"
+  >;
 
   constructor(
     settingsStore: SettingsStore,
     sessionTransport: SessionTransport,
-    opts?: { dedupWindowMs?: number; openrigHome?: string; postCompactRestoreCooldownMs?: number; manualPrepWaitMs?: number; postCompactSendWaitMs?: number; resolveOccupantGeneration?: (sessionName: string) => string | null },
+    opts?: {
+      dedupWindowMs?: number;
+      openrigHome?: string;
+      postCompactRestoreCooldownMs?: number;
+      manualPrepWaitMs?: number;
+      postCompactSendWaitMs?: number;
+      resolveOccupantGeneration?: (sessionName: string) => string | null;
+      decisionStore?: Pick<
+        EnforcerDecisionStore,
+        | "findActiveHold"
+        | "findMatchingAuthorization"
+        | "observeHold"
+        | "consumeAuthorizationForAttempt"
+        | "recordAuthorizationAttempt"
+      >;
+    },
   ) {
     this.settingsStore = settingsStore;
     this.sessionTransport = sessionTransport;
@@ -326,6 +355,7 @@ export class ClaudeCompactionEnforcer {
     this.manualPrepWaitMs = opts?.manualPrepWaitMs ?? MANUAL_PREP_WAIT_MS_DEFAULT;
     this.postCompactSendWaitMs = opts?.postCompactSendWaitMs ?? POST_COMPACT_SEND_WAIT_MS_DEFAULT;
     this.resolveOccupantGeneration = opts?.resolveOccupantGeneration;
+    this.decisionStore = opts?.decisionStore;
   }
 
   /**
@@ -341,6 +371,102 @@ export class ClaudeCompactionEnforcer {
       return { triggered: false, reason: "no_usage_data" };
     }
 
+    const liveGenerationUuid = this.resolveOccupantGeneration?.(input.sessionName) ?? null;
+    const activeHold = this.decisionStore?.findActiveHold({
+      enforcerKind: "claude_compaction",
+      sessionName: input.sessionName,
+      liveGenerationUuid,
+    });
+    if (activeHold) {
+      this.decisionStore?.observeHold({
+        decisionId: activeHold.decisionId,
+        outcome: "human_hold",
+      });
+      return {
+        triggered: false,
+        reason: "human_hold",
+        decisionId: activeHold.decisionId,
+      };
+    }
+
+    let authorization: {
+      decisionId: string;
+      liftedReason: AuthorizableCompactionReason;
+    } | null = null;
+    const lift = (automaticReason: AuthorizableCompactionReason): boolean => {
+      const found = this.decisionStore?.findMatchingAuthorization({
+        enforcerKind: "claude_compaction",
+        sessionName: input.sessionName,
+        liveGenerationUuid,
+        automaticReason,
+      }) as EnforcerDecision | null | undefined;
+      if (!found) return false;
+      authorization = { decisionId: found.decisionId, liftedReason: automaticReason };
+      return true;
+    };
+    const sendAttempt = async (
+      message: string,
+      opts?: SendOpts,
+    ): Promise<{ ok: boolean; result: SendResult | null; outcome: EnforcerOutcome }> => {
+      const lifted = authorization as {
+        decisionId: string;
+        liftedReason: AuthorizableCompactionReason;
+      } | null;
+      if (lifted && !this.decisionStore?.consumeAuthorizationForAttempt({
+        decisionId: lifted.decisionId,
+        enforcerKind: "claude_compaction",
+        liftedReason: lifted.liftedReason,
+      })) {
+        return {
+          ok: false,
+          result: null,
+          outcome: { triggered: false, reason: lifted.liftedReason },
+        };
+      }
+
+      let result: SendResult;
+      try {
+        result = await this.sessionTransport.send(input.sessionName, message, opts);
+      } catch (error) {
+        if (!lifted) throw error;
+        this.decisionStore?.recordAuthorizationAttempt({
+          decisionId: lifted.decisionId,
+          outcome: "failed",
+          failureReason: error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error),
+        });
+        return {
+          ok: false,
+          result: null,
+          outcome: { triggered: false, reason: "send_failed" },
+        };
+      }
+      if (lifted) {
+        this.decisionStore?.recordAuthorizationAttempt({
+          decisionId: lifted.decisionId,
+          outcome: result.ok ? "succeeded" : "failed",
+          ...(result.ok ? {} : { failureReason: result.reason ?? result.error ?? "send_failed" }),
+        });
+      }
+      if (!result.ok) {
+        return {
+          ok: false,
+          result,
+          outcome: { triggered: false, reason: "send_failed" },
+        };
+      }
+      return {
+        ok: true,
+        result,
+        outcome: lifted
+          ? {
+              triggered: true,
+              decisionId: lifted.decisionId,
+              liftedReason: lifted.liftedReason,
+            }
+          : { triggered: true },
+      };
+    };
+
     const policy = this.settingsStore.resolveClaudeCompactionPolicy();
     // Defense in depth: the CLI + daemon set() paths reject invalid
     // threshold values, but a hand-edited ~/.openrig/config.json could
@@ -371,7 +497,7 @@ export class ClaudeCompactionEnforcer {
       // generations residue is covered by fix (b)'s generation gate (layered defense). Interpretation
       // surfaced in the handoff for the PM evidence read (veto there if the literal reading was meant).
       if (!policy.enabled && this.manualCompactionState.get(input.sessionName)?.operatorInitiated !== true) {
-        return { triggered: false, reason: "disabled" };
+        if (!lift("disabled")) return { triggered: false, reason: "disabled" };
       }
       // GHOST-STAGE (b): gen-scoped stages. A stage minted by a RETIRED occupant generation must be
       // undeliverable to the successor. Compare the queue-time generation to the LIVE one. NOTE-2: an
@@ -382,30 +508,30 @@ export class ClaudeCompactionEnforcer {
       if (stageGen != null) {
         const liveGen = this.resolveOccupantGeneration?.(input.sessionName) ?? null;
         if (liveGen != null && liveGen !== stageGen) {
-          this.invalidateOccupant(input.sessionName); // drop the retired-generation ghost stage
-          return { triggered: false, reason: "stale_generation" };
+          if (!lift("stale_generation")) {
+            this.invalidateOccupant(input.sessionName); // drop the retired-generation ghost stage
+            return { triggered: false, reason: "stale_generation" };
+          }
         }
       }
       const pendingStage = this.pendingPostCompactRestore.get(input.sessionName);
       if (pendingStage === "turn_boundary") {
-        const boundary = await this.sessionTransport.send(
-          input.sessionName,
+        const boundary = await sendAttempt(
           buildPostCompactTurnBoundaryPrompt(),
           { waitForIdleMs: this.postCompactSendWaitMs },
         );
         if (!boundary.ok) {
           // Busy/never-idle → no delivery, no advance; the SAME stage retries next tick.
-          return { triggered: false, reason: "send_failed" };
+          return boundary.outcome;
         }
         this.pendingPostCompactRestore.set(input.sessionName, "restore_prompt");
-        return { triggered: true };
+        return boundary.outcome;
       }
       if (pendingStage === "restore_prompt") {
         // OPR.0.4.1.09: resolve the extra FOR THIS SEAT (per-seat preferred; the legacy
         // global is refused if it declares a different seat) - never inject wrong-seat state.
         const extra = resolvePostCompactExtra(input.sessionName, this.openrigHome, policy.messageFilePath);
-        const restore = await this.sessionTransport.send(
-          input.sessionName,
+        const restore = await sendAttempt(
           buildPostCompactRestorePrompt({
             sessionName: input.sessionName,
             openrigHome: this.openrigHome,
@@ -421,23 +547,22 @@ export class ClaudeCompactionEnforcer {
           // Restore is exact-once + operator-authorized: if the seat is still busy
           // (mid-compaction/boundary), do NOT advance to restore-sent on an
           // undelivered send — retry the SAME stage next tick.
-          return { triggered: false, reason: "send_failed" };
+          return restore.outcome;
         }
         this.pendingPostCompactRestore.set(input.sessionName, "compliance_prompt");
         // OPR.0.4.3.14 — surface manual-trigger progress (no-op for auto seats).
         this.advanceManualStage(input.sessionName, "compact-sent", "restore-sent");
-        return { triggered: true };
+        return restore.outcome;
       }
       if (pendingStage === "compliance_prompt") {
-        const compliance = await this.sessionTransport.send(
-          input.sessionName,
+        const compliance = await sendAttempt(
           buildPostCompactCompliancePrompt(policy.postRestoreAuditInstruction),
           { waitForIdleMs: this.postCompactSendWaitMs },
         );
         if (!compliance.ok) {
           // Audit cannot overtake restore: only advances once the restore turn is
           // idle and this send delivers; a busy tick retries the SAME stage.
-          return { triggered: false, reason: "send_failed" };
+          return compliance.outcome;
         }
         this.pendingPostCompactRestore.delete(input.sessionName);
         this.pendingStageGeneration.delete(input.sessionName); // GHOST-STAGE (b): stage completed → drop its gen
@@ -448,7 +573,7 @@ export class ClaudeCompactionEnforcer {
         this.triggeredAboveThreshold.delete(input.sessionName);
         // OPR.0.4.3.14 — terminal manual-trigger stage (no-op for auto seats).
         this.advanceManualStage(input.sessionName, "restore-sent", "audit-sent");
-        return { triggered: true };
+        return compliance.outcome;
       }
       this.triggeredAboveThreshold.delete(input.sessionName);
       this.pendingPreCompactPrep.delete(input.sessionName);
@@ -465,16 +590,19 @@ export class ClaudeCompactionEnforcer {
     // constant policy), while a manual trigger's restore/audit half can finish
     // via this single shared path even when auto-compaction is disabled.
     if (!policy.enabled) {
-      return { triggered: false, reason: "disabled" };
+      if (!lift("disabled")) return { triggered: false, reason: "disabled" };
     }
 
     const now = Date.now();
     const postRestoreCooldownUntil = this.postCompactRestoreCooldownUntil.get(input.sessionName);
     if (postRestoreCooldownUntil !== undefined) {
       if (now < postRestoreCooldownUntil) {
-        return { triggered: false, reason: "post_restore_cooldown" };
+        if (!lift("post_restore_cooldown")) {
+          return { triggered: false, reason: "post_restore_cooldown" };
+        }
+      } else {
+        this.postCompactRestoreCooldownUntil.delete(input.sessionName);
       }
-      this.postCompactRestoreCooldownUntil.delete(input.sessionName);
     }
 
     const last = this.lastAutoCompactAt.get(input.sessionName);
@@ -487,8 +615,7 @@ export class ClaudeCompactionEnforcer {
 
     const preCompactStage = this.pendingPreCompactPrep.get(input.sessionName);
     if (preCompactStage === undefined) {
-      const prep = await this.sessionTransport.send(
-        input.sessionName,
+      const prep = await sendAttempt(
         buildPreCompactPrepPrompt({
           usedPercentage: input.usedPercentage,
           thresholdPercent: policy.thresholdPercent,
@@ -496,18 +623,17 @@ export class ClaudeCompactionEnforcer {
         }),
       );
       if (!prep.ok) {
-        return { triggered: false, reason: "send_failed" };
+        return prep.outcome;
       }
       this.pendingPreCompactPrep.set(input.sessionName, "prep_prompt_sent");
-      return { triggered: true };
+      return prep.outcome;
     }
 
-    const result = await this.sessionTransport.send(
-      input.sessionName,
+    const attempt = await sendAttempt(
       buildCompactCommand(policy.compactInstruction),
     );
-    if (!result.ok) {
-      return { triggered: false, reason: "send_failed" };
+    if (!attempt.ok) {
+      return attempt.outcome;
     }
     this.lastAutoCompactAt.set(input.sessionName, now);
     this.triggeredAboveThreshold.add(input.sessionName);
@@ -515,7 +641,7 @@ export class ClaudeCompactionEnforcer {
     this.pendingPostCompactRestore.set(input.sessionName, "turn_boundary");
     // GHOST-STAGE (b): capture the occupant generation at queue time (or null when unknown).
     this.pendingStageGeneration.set(input.sessionName, this.resolveOccupantGeneration?.(input.sessionName) ?? null);
-    return { triggered: true };
+    return attempt.outcome;
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/packages/daemon/src/domain/enforcer-decision-store.ts b/packages/daemon/src/domain/enforcer-decision-store.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c65038616
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/daemon/src/domain/enforcer-decision-store.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,359 @@
+import type Database from "better-sqlite3";
+import { randomUUID } from "node:crypto";
+
+export const CLAUDE_COMPACTION_ENFORCER_KIND = "claude_compaction" as const;
+export const AUTHORIZABLE_COMPACTION_REASONS = [
+  "disabled",
+  "post_restore_cooldown",
+  "stale_generation",
+] as const;
+
+export type AuthorizableCompactionReason = typeof AUTHORIZABLE_COMPACTION_REASONS[number];
+export type EnforcerDecisionDirection = "hold" | "authorize";
+
+export interface EnforcerDecision {
+  decisionId: string;
+  enforcerKind: string;
+  sessionName: string;
+  generationUuid: string;
+  direction: EnforcerDecisionDirection;
+  automaticReason: string | null;
+  reason: string;
+  actorSession: string;
+  identityProvenance: string;
+  createdAt: string;
+  expiresAt: string | null;
+  active: boolean;
+  releaseKind: string | null;
+  releasedAt: string | null;
+  releasedBySession: string | null;
+  releaseIdentityProvenance: string | null;
+  releaseReason: string | null;
+  consumedAt: string | null;
+  consumedByEnforcerKind: string | null;
+  liftedReason: string | null;
+  attemptOutcome: string | null;
+  attemptFailureReason: string | null;
+  lastObservedAt: string | null;
+  lastObservedOutcome: string | null;
+}
+
+export interface CreateEnforcerDecisionInput {
+  enforcerKind: string;
+  sessionName: string;
+  generationUuid: string;
+  direction: EnforcerDecisionDirection;
+  automaticReason?: string | null;
+  reason: string;
+  actorSession: string;
+  identityProvenance: string;
+}
+
+interface DecisionRow {
+  decision_id: string;
+  enforcer_kind: string;
+  session_name: string;
+  generation_uuid: string;
+  direction: EnforcerDecisionDirection;
+  automatic_reason: string | null;
+  reason: string;
+  actor_session: string;
+  identity_provenance: string;
+  created_at: string;
+  expires_at: string | null;
+  active: number;
+  release_kind: string | null;
+  released_at: string | null;
+  released_by_session: string | null;
+  release_identity_provenance: string | null;
+  release_reason: string | null;
+  consumed_at: string | null;
+  consumed_by_enforcer_kind: string | null;
+  lifted_reason: string | null;
+  attempt_outcome: string | null;
+  attempt_failure_reason: string | null;
+  last_observed_at: string | null;
+  last_observed_outcome: string | null;
+}
+
+const AUTHORIZABLE = new Set<string>(AUTHORIZABLE_COMPACTION_REASONS);
+
+function required(value: unknown, field: string): string {
+  if (typeof value !== "string" || value.trim().length === 0) {
+    throw new Error(`${field} is required`);
+  }
+  return value.trim();
+}
+
+function mapDecision(row: DecisionRow): EnforcerDecision {
+  return {
+    decisionId: row.decision_id,
+    enforcerKind: row.enforcer_kind,
+    sessionName: row.session_name,
+    generationUuid: row.generation_uuid,
+    direction: row.direction,
+    automaticReason: row.automatic_reason,
+    reason: row.reason,
+    actorSession: row.actor_session,
+    identityProvenance: row.identity_provenance,
+    createdAt: row.created_at,
+    expiresAt: row.expires_at,
+    active: row.active === 1,
+    releaseKind: row.release_kind,
+    releasedAt: row.released_at,
+    releasedBySession: row.released_by_session,
+    releaseIdentityProvenance: row.release_identity_provenance,
+    releaseReason: row.release_reason,
+    consumedAt: row.consumed_at,
+    consumedByEnforcerKind: row.consumed_by_enforcer_kind,
+    liftedReason: row.lifted_reason,
+    attemptOutcome: row.attempt_outcome,
+    attemptFailureReason: row.attempt_failure_reason,
+    lastObservedAt: row.last_observed_at,
+    lastObservedOutcome: row.last_observed_outcome,
+  };
+}
+
+export class EnforcerDecisionStore {
+  constructor(
+    private readonly db: Database.Database,
+    private readonly opts: { now: () => Date; authorizeTtlMinutes: () => number },
+  ) {}
+
+  private nowIso(): string {
+    return this.opts.now().toISOString();
+  }
+
+  private expireAuthorizations(now = this.nowIso()): void {
+    this.db.prepare(`
+      UPDATE enforcer_decisions
+      SET active = 0,
+          release_kind = 'expired',
+          released_at = ?
+      WHERE active = 1
+        AND direction = 'authorize'
+        AND expires_at IS NOT NULL
+        AND expires_at <= ?
+    `).run(now, now);
+  }
+
+  private getById(decisionId: string): EnforcerDecision | null {
+    const row = this.db.prepare(
+      "SELECT * FROM enforcer_decisions WHERE decision_id = ?",
+    ).get(decisionId) as DecisionRow | undefined;
+    return row ? mapDecision(row) : null;
+  }
+
+  create(input: CreateEnforcerDecisionInput): EnforcerDecision {
+    const enforcerKind = required(input.enforcerKind, "enforcer kind");
+    const sessionName = required(input.sessionName, "session name");
+    const generationUuid = required(input.generationUuid, "generation UUID");
+    const reason = required(input.reason, "reason");
+    const actorSession = required(input.actorSession, "actor session");
+    const identityProvenance = required(input.identityProvenance, "identity provenance");
+    if (input.direction !== "hold" && input.direction !== "authorize") {
+      throw new Error("direction must be hold or authorize");
+    }
+
+    let automaticReason: string | null = null;
+    if (input.direction === "authorize") {
+      automaticReason = required(input.automaticReason, "automatic reason");
+      if (!AUTHORIZABLE.has(automaticReason)) {
+        throw new Error(`automatic reason '${automaticReason}' is not authorizable`);
+      }
+    }
+
+    const now = this.nowIso();
+    this.expireAuthorizations(now);
+    const decisionId = randomUUID();
+    const ttlMinutes = this.opts.authorizeTtlMinutes();
+    const expiresAt = input.direction === "authorize"
+      ? new Date(this.opts.now().getTime() + ttlMinutes * 60_000).toISOString()
+      : null;
+
+    const transaction = this.db.transaction(() => {
+      const active = this.db.prepare(`
+        SELECT direction FROM enforcer_decisions
+        WHERE enforcer_kind = ? AND session_name = ? AND generation_uuid = ? AND active = 1
+      `).get(enforcerKind, sessionName, generationUuid) as { direction: EnforcerDecisionDirection } | undefined;
+
+      if (input.direction === "authorize" && active?.direction === "hold") {
+        throw new Error("cannot authorize while an active hold exists");
+      }
+      if (active?.direction === input.direction) {
+        throw new Error(`an active ${input.direction} decision already exists`);
+      }
+      if (input.direction === "hold" && active?.direction === "authorize") {
+        this.db.prepare(`
+          UPDATE enforcer_decisions
+          SET active = 0,
+              release_kind = 'revoked_by_hold',
+              released_at = ?,
+              released_by_session = ?,
+              release_identity_provenance = ?,
+              release_reason = ?
+          WHERE enforcer_kind = ? AND session_name = ? AND generation_uuid = ? AND active = 1
+        `).run(
+          now,
+          actorSession,
+          identityProvenance,
+          reason,
+          enforcerKind,
+          sessionName,
+          generationUuid,
+        );
+      }
+
+      this.db.prepare(`
+        INSERT INTO enforcer_decisions (
+          decision_id, enforcer_kind, session_name, generation_uuid, direction,
+          automatic_reason, reason, actor_session, identity_provenance,
+          created_at, expires_at, active
+        ) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, 1)
+      `).run(
+        decisionId,
+        enforcerKind,
+        sessionName,
+        generationUuid,
+        input.direction,
+        automaticReason,
+        reason,
+        actorSession,
+        identityProvenance,
+        now,
+        expiresAt,
+      );
+    });
+    transaction.immediate();
+    return this.getById(decisionId)!;
+  }
+
+  list(input: { sessionName?: string } = {}): EnforcerDecision[] {
+    this.expireAuthorizations();
+    const rows = input.sessionName
+      ? this.db.prepare(`
+          SELECT * FROM enforcer_decisions WHERE session_name = ?
+          ORDER BY created_at DESC, rowid DESC
+        `).all(input.sessionName) as DecisionRow[]
+      : this.db.prepare(`
+          SELECT * FROM enforcer_decisions ORDER BY created_at DESC, rowid DESC
+        `).all() as DecisionRow[];
+    return rows.map(mapDecision);
+  }
+
+  clear(input: {
+    decisionId: string;
+    actorSession: string;
+    identityProvenance: string;
+    reason: string;
+  }): EnforcerDecision {
+    const decisionId = required(input.decisionId, "decision ID");
+    const actorSession = required(input.actorSession, "actor session");
+    const identityProvenance = required(input.identityProvenance, "identity provenance");
+    const reason = required(input.reason, "reason");
+    const result = this.db.prepare(`
+      UPDATE enforcer_decisions
+      SET active = 0,
+          release_kind = 'cleared',
+          released_at = ?,
+          released_by_session = ?,
+          release_identity_provenance = ?,
+          release_reason = ?
+      WHERE decision_id = ? AND active = 1
+    `).run(this.nowIso(), actorSession, identityProvenance, reason, decisionId);
+    if (result.changes !== 1) throw new Error("active decision not found");
+    return this.getById(decisionId)!;
+  }
+
+  findActiveHold(input: {
+    enforcerKind: string;
+    sessionName: string;
+    liveGenerationUuid: string | null;
+  }): EnforcerDecision | null {
+    this.expireAuthorizations();
+    const row = input.liveGenerationUuid === null
+      ? this.db.prepare(`
+          SELECT * FROM enforcer_decisions
+          WHERE enforcer_kind = ? AND session_name = ? AND direction = 'hold' AND active = 1
+          ORDER BY created_at DESC, rowid DESC LIMIT 1
+        `).get(input.enforcerKind, input.sessionName) as DecisionRow | undefined
+      : this.db.prepare(`
+          SELECT * FROM enforcer_decisions
+          WHERE enforcer_kind = ? AND session_name = ? AND generation_uuid = ?
+            AND direction = 'hold' AND active = 1
+          LIMIT 1
+        `).get(input.enforcerKind, input.sessionName, input.liveGenerationUuid) as DecisionRow | undefined;
+    return row ? mapDecision(row) : null;
+  }
+
+  findMatchingAuthorization(input: {
+    enforcerKind: string;
+    sessionName: string;
+    liveGenerationUuid: string | null;
+    automaticReason: string;
+  }): EnforcerDecision | null {
+    this.expireAuthorizations();
+    if (input.liveGenerationUuid === null) return null;
+    const row = this.db.prepare(`
+      SELECT * FROM enforcer_decisions
+      WHERE enforcer_kind = ? AND session_name = ? AND generation_uuid = ?
+        AND direction = 'authorize' AND automatic_reason = ? AND active = 1
+      LIMIT 1
+    `).get(
+      input.enforcerKind,
+      input.sessionName,
+      input.liveGenerationUuid,
+      input.automaticReason,
+    ) as DecisionRow | undefined;
+    return row ? mapDecision(row) : null;
+  }
+
+  observeHold(input: { decisionId: string; outcome: "human_hold" }): void {
+    this.db.prepare(`
+      UPDATE enforcer_decisions
+      SET last_observed_at = ?, last_observed_outcome = ?
+      WHERE decision_id = ? AND direction = 'hold' AND active = 1
+    `).run(this.nowIso(), input.outcome, input.decisionId);
+  }
+
+  consumeAuthorizationForAttempt(input: {
+    decisionId: string;
+    enforcerKind: string;
+    liftedReason: string;
+  }): boolean {
+    const now = this.nowIso();
+    this.expireAuthorizations(now);
+    const result = this.db.prepare(`
+      UPDATE enforcer_decisions
+      SET active = 0,
+          consumed_at = ?,
+          consumed_by_enforcer_kind = ?,
+          lifted_reason = ?
+      WHERE decision_id = ?
+        AND direction = 'authorize'
+        AND automatic_reason = ?
+        AND active = 1
+        AND expires_at > ?
+    `).run(
+      now,
+      input.enforcerKind,
+      input.liftedReason,
+      input.decisionId,
+      input.liftedReason,
+      now,
+    );
+    return result.changes === 1;
+  }
+
+  recordAuthorizationAttempt(input: {
+    decisionId: string;
+    outcome: "succeeded" | "failed";
+    failureReason?: string;
+  }): void {
+    this.db.prepare(`
+      UPDATE enforcer_decisions
+      SET attempt_outcome = ?, attempt_failure_reason = ?
+      WHERE decision_id = ? AND consumed_at IS NOT NULL
+    `).run(input.outcome, input.failureReason ?? null, input.decisionId);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/daemon/src/domain/user-settings/settings-store.ts b/packages/daemon/src/domain/user-settings/settings-store.ts
index 88de40427..51ee5a0bb 100644
--- a/packages/daemon/src/domain/user-settings/settings-store.ts
+++ b/packages/daemon/src/domain/user-settings/settings-store.ts
@@ -116,6 +116,7 @@ export const SETTINGS_VALID_KEYS = [
   "policies.claude_compaction.message_inline",
   "policies.claude_compaction.message_file_path",
   "policies.claude_compaction.post_restore_audit_instruction",
+  "policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes",
   "policies.idle_gate_qitem.scan_interval_seconds",
   "policies.idle_gate_qitem.active_wake_interval_seconds",
   "snapshots.periodic.enabled",
@@ -192,6 +193,7 @@ const ENV_MAP: Record<SettingsValidKey, { primary: string; legacy?: string }> =
   "policies.claude_compaction.message_inline": { primary: "OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_MESSAGE_INLINE" },
   "policies.claude_compaction.message_file_path": { primary: "OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_MESSAGE_FILE_PATH" },
   "policies.claude_compaction.post_restore_audit_instruction": { primary: "OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_POST_RESTORE_AUDIT_INSTRUCTION" },
+  "policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes": { primary: "OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_AUTHORIZE_TTL_MINUTES" },
   "policies.idle_gate_qitem.scan_interval_seconds": { primary: "OPENRIG_POLICIES_IDLE_GATE_QITEM_SCAN_INTERVAL_SECONDS" },
   "policies.idle_gate_qitem.active_wake_interval_seconds": { primary: "OPENRIG_POLICIES_IDLE_GATE_QITEM_ACTIVE_WAKE_INTERVAL_SECONDS" },
   "snapshots.periodic.enabled": { primary: "OPENRIG_SNAPSHOTS_PERIODIC_ENABLED" },
@@ -249,6 +251,7 @@ const KEY_TO_PATH: Record<SettingsValidKey, string[]> = {
   "policies.claude_compaction.message_inline": ["policies", "claudeCompaction", "messageInline"],
   "policies.claude_compaction.message_file_path": ["policies", "claudeCompaction", "messageFilePath"],
   "policies.claude_compaction.post_restore_audit_instruction": ["policies", "claudeCompaction", "postRestoreAuditInstruction"],
+  "policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes": ["policies", "claudeCompaction", "authorizeTtlMinutes"],
   "policies.idle_gate_qitem.scan_interval_seconds": ["policies", "idleGateQitem", "scanIntervalSeconds"],
   "policies.idle_gate_qitem.active_wake_interval_seconds": ["policies", "idleGateQitem", "activeWakeIntervalSeconds"],
   "snapshots.periodic.enabled": ["snapshots", "periodic", "enabled"],
@@ -477,6 +480,7 @@ function getDefaultValue(key: SettingsValidKey, workspaceRoot: string): string |
     case "policies.claude_compaction.message_inline": return DEFAULT_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_RESTORE_INSTRUCTION;
     case "policies.claude_compaction.message_file_path": return defaultClaudeCompactionExtraInstructionFilePath();
     case "policies.claude_compaction.post_restore_audit_instruction": return DEFAULT_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_POST_RESTORE_AUDIT_INSTRUCTION;
+    case "policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes": return 15;
     case "policies.idle_gate_qitem.scan_interval_seconds": return 60;
     case "policies.idle_gate_qitem.active_wake_interval_seconds": return 900;
     case "snapshots.periodic.enabled": return true;
@@ -552,6 +556,19 @@ const KEY_CONSTRAINTS: Partial<Record<SettingsValidKey, (raw: string, coerced: s
       );
     }
   },
+  "policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes": (raw, coerced) => {
+    const trimmed = (raw ?? "").trim();
+    if (!/^-?\d+$/.test(trimmed) || typeof coerced !== "number" || !Number.isInteger(coerced)) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Invalid value for policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes: expected an integer in [1, 60], got "${raw}"`,
+      );
+    }
+    if (coerced < 1 || coerced > 60) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Invalid value for policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes: must be in [1, 60], got ${coerced}`,
+      );
+    }
+  },
   "snapshots.periodic.interval_seconds": (raw, coerced) => {
     if (!/^-?\d+$/.test((raw ?? "").trim())) {
       throw new Error(
@@ -643,6 +660,7 @@ export interface ClaudeCompactionPolicy {
   messageInline: string;
   messageFilePath: string;
   postRestoreAuditInstruction: string;
+  authorizeTtlMinutes: number;
 }
 
 export interface ResolvedConfig {
@@ -763,6 +781,7 @@ export class SettingsStore {
       messageInline: this.resolveOne("policies.claude_compaction.message_inline", fc, wr).value as string,
       messageFilePath: this.resolveOne("policies.claude_compaction.message_file_path", fc, wr).value as string,
       postRestoreAuditInstruction: this.resolveOne("policies.claude_compaction.post_restore_audit_instruction", fc, wr).value as string,
+      authorizeTtlMinutes: this.resolveOne("policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes", fc, wr).value as number,
     };
   }
 
diff --git a/packages/daemon/src/routes/compaction.ts b/packages/daemon/src/routes/compaction.ts
index af62f2d0f..3c278a8b4 100644
--- a/packages/daemon/src/routes/compaction.ts
+++ b/packages/daemon/src/routes/compaction.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,14 @@ import type Database from "better-sqlite3";
 import type { ClaudeCompactionEnforcer } from "../domain/claude-compaction-enforcer.js";
 import type { ContextUsageStore } from "../domain/context-usage-store.js";
 import type { SessionTransport } from "../domain/session-transport.js";
+import type { SessionRegistry } from "../domain/session-registry.js";
+import {
+  AUTHORIZABLE_COMPACTION_REASONS,
+  CLAUDE_COMPACTION_ENFORCER_KIND,
+  type EnforcerDecisionStore,
+} from "../domain/enforcer-decision-store.js";
 import { authBearerTokenMiddleware } from "../middleware/auth-bearer-token.js";
+import { requireSenderIdentity } from "./require-sender-identity.js";
 
 /**
  * OPR.0.4.3.14 — manual configurable compaction trigger route.
@@ -21,6 +28,98 @@ export function compactionRoutes(opts?: { bearerToken?: string | null }): Hono {
   const router = new Hono();
   router.use("*", authBearerTokenMiddleware({ expectedToken: opts?.bearerToken ?? null }));
 
+  router.post("/control", async (c) => {
+    const identity = requireSenderIdentity(c, { verb: "compaction control create" });
+    if (!identity.ok) return identity.response;
+    const store = c.get("enforcerDecisionStore" as never) as EnforcerDecisionStore | undefined;
+    const sessionRegistry = c.get("sessionRegistry" as never) as SessionRegistry | undefined;
+    if (!store || !sessionRegistry) {
+      return c.json({ ok: false, error: "compaction_control_unavailable" }, 503);
+    }
+
+    type ControlBody = {
+      session?: string;
+      direction?: string;
+      automaticReason?: string;
+      reason?: string;
+    };
+    const body = await c.req.json<ControlBody>().catch((): ControlBody => ({}));
+    const sessionName = body.session?.trim();
+    if (!sessionName) return c.json({ ok: false, error: "session_required" }, 400);
+    const reason = body.reason?.trim();
+    if (!reason) return c.json({ ok: false, error: "reason_required" }, 400);
+    if (body.direction !== "hold" && body.direction !== "authorize") {
+      return c.json({ ok: false, error: "direction_invalid" }, 400);
+    }
+
+    let automaticReason: string | null = null;
+    if (body.direction === "authorize") {
+      automaticReason = body.automaticReason?.trim() ?? "";
+      if (!automaticReason) {
+        return c.json({ ok: false, error: "automatic_reason_required" }, 400);
+      }
+      if (!(AUTHORIZABLE_COMPACTION_REASONS as readonly string[]).includes(automaticReason)) {
+        return c.json({ ok: false, error: "automatic_reason_not_authorizable" }, 400);
+      }
+    }
+
+    const generationUuid = sessionRegistry.currentOccupantGenerationForSession(sessionName);
+    if (!generationUuid) {
+      return c.json({ ok: false, error: "generation_unavailable" }, 409);
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const decision = store.create({
+        enforcerKind: CLAUDE_COMPACTION_ENFORCER_KIND,
+        sessionName,
+        generationUuid,
+        direction: body.direction,
+        automaticReason,
+        reason,
+        actorSession: identity.session,
+        identityProvenance: "transport:v1",
+      });
+      return c.json({ ok: true, decision }, 201);
+    } catch (error) {
+      const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error);
+      const status = /active hold|already exists/i.test(message) ? 409 : 400;
+      return c.json({ ok: false, error: "decision_rejected", message }, status as 400 | 409);
+    }
+  });
+
+  router.get("/control", (c) => {
+    const store = c.get("enforcerDecisionStore" as never) as EnforcerDecisionStore | undefined;
+    if (!store) return c.json({ ok: false, error: "compaction_control_unavailable" }, 503);
+    const sessionName = c.req.query("session")?.trim();
+    return c.json({
+      ok: true,
+      decisions: store.list(sessionName ? { sessionName } : {}),
+    });
+  });
+
+  router.post("/control/:decisionId/clear", async (c) => {
+    const identity = requireSenderIdentity(c, { verb: "compaction control clear" });
+    if (!identity.ok) return identity.response;
+    const store = c.get("enforcerDecisionStore" as never) as EnforcerDecisionStore | undefined;
+    if (!store) return c.json({ ok: false, error: "compaction_control_unavailable" }, 503);
+    type ClearBody = { reason?: string };
+    const body = await c.req.json<ClearBody>().catch((): ClearBody => ({}));
+    const reason = body.reason?.trim();
+    if (!reason) return c.json({ ok: false, error: "reason_required" }, 400);
+    try {
+      const decision = store.clear({
+        decisionId: c.req.param("decisionId"),
+        actorSession: identity.session,
+        identityProvenance: "transport:v1",
+        reason,
+      });
+      return c.json({ ok: true, decision });
+    } catch (error) {
+      const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error);
+      return c.json({ ok: false, error: "decision_not_active", message }, 404);
+    }
+  });
+
   router.post("/trigger", async (c) => {
     const enforcer = c.get("compactionEnforcer" as never) as ClaudeCompactionEnforcer | undefined;
     const transport = c.get("sessionTransport" as never) as SessionTransport | undefined;
diff --git a/packages/daemon/src/server.ts b/packages/daemon/src/server.ts
index 3af96b704..3dfbb5f30 100644
--- a/packages/daemon/src/server.ts
+++ b/packages/daemon/src/server.ts
@@ -292,6 +292,7 @@ export interface AppDeps {
    * auto share one back-half state machine — no second restore path).
    */
   compactionEnforcer?: ClaudeCompactionEnforcer;
+  enforcerDecisionStore?: import("./domain/enforcer-decision-store.js").EnforcerDecisionStore;
   /**
    * GHOST-STAGE (e/Class-B) — the canonical OccupantInvalidator, constructed once in startup and
    * injected so SeatHandoverService.commit()'s re-key call actually FIRES (dev-driver's fold added
@@ -530,6 +531,7 @@ export function createApp(deps: AppDeps): Hono {
     c.set("contextUsageStore" as never, deps.contextUsageStore);
     c.set("contextMonitor" as never, deps.contextMonitor);
     c.set("compactionEnforcer" as never, deps.compactionEnforcer);
+    c.set("enforcerDecisionStore" as never, deps.enforcerDecisionStore);
     c.set("occupantInvalidator" as never, deps.occupantInvalidator);
     c.set("nodeCmuxService" as never, deps.nodeCmuxService);
     c.set("agentActivityStore" as never, deps.agentActivityStore);
diff --git a/packages/daemon/src/startup.ts b/packages/daemon/src/startup.ts
index 74c4ec8b4..3bd2864e9 100644
--- a/packages/daemon/src/startup.ts
+++ b/packages/daemon/src/startup.ts
@@ -1757,14 +1757,24 @@ export async function createDaemon(opts?: DaemonOptions): Promise<DaemonResult>
   // the type narrow for downstream consumers).
   const { ContextMonitor } = await import("./domain/context-monitor.js");
   const { ClaudeCompactionEnforcer } = await import("./domain/claude-compaction-enforcer.js");
+  const { EnforcerDecisionStore } = await import("./domain/enforcer-decision-store.js");
+  const compactionSettingsStore = new ContextPackSettingsStore();
+  const enforcerDecisionStore = new EnforcerDecisionStore(db, {
+    now: () => new Date(),
+    authorizeTtlMinutes: () => compactionSettingsStore.resolveClaudeCompactionPolicy().authorizeTtlMinutes,
+  });
+  deps.enforcerDecisionStore = enforcerDecisionStore;
   const compactionEnforcer = deps.sessionTransport
     ? new ClaudeCompactionEnforcer(
-        new ContextPackSettingsStore(),
+        compactionSettingsStore,
         deps.sessionTransport,
         // GHOST-STAGE (b): resolve the LIVE occupant generation (atom-B tenure ledger) for a session
         // so a stage minted by a retired generation is refused for the successor. null = UNKNOWN → the
         // gate is inert (never compares a stale generation as if live).
-        { resolveOccupantGeneration: (sessionName) => sessionRegistry.currentOccupantGenerationForSession(sessionName) },
+        {
+          resolveOccupantGeneration: (sessionName) => sessionRegistry.currentOccupantGenerationForSession(sessionName),
+          decisionStore: enforcerDecisionStore,
+        },
       )
     : undefined;
   // 51-08 A1 — the over-time series rides the SAME 30s tick (PM decision 1):
diff --git a/packages/daemon/test/user-settings-store.test.ts b/packages/daemon/test/user-settings-store.test.ts
index ba767396f..e1c4b4016 100644
--- a/packages/daemon/test/user-settings-store.test.ts
+++ b/packages/daemon/test/user-settings-store.test.ts
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ function clearEnv(): () => void {
     "OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_MESSAGE_INLINE",
     "OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_MESSAGE_FILE_PATH",
     "OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_POST_RESTORE_AUDIT_INSTRUCTION",
+    "OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_AUTHORIZE_TTL_MINUTES",
     "OPENRIG_POLICIES_IDLE_GATE_QITEM_SCAN_INTERVAL_SECONDS",
     "OPENRIG_POLICIES_IDLE_GATE_QITEM_ACTIVE_WAKE_INTERVAL_SECONDS",
     "RIGGED_PORT", "RIGGED_HOST", "RIGGED_DB",
@@ -125,6 +126,7 @@ describe("SettingsStore (User Settings v0)", () => {
       "policies.claude_compaction.message_inline",
       "policies.claude_compaction.message_file_path",
       "policies.claude_compaction.post_restore_audit_instruction",
+      "policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes",
       // OPR.0.5.1 51-06 W2c — tunable daemon auto-registration cadence.
       "policies.idle_gate_qitem.scan_interval_seconds",
       "policies.idle_gate_qitem.active_wake_interval_seconds",
@@ -339,6 +341,7 @@ describe("SettingsStore (User Settings v0)", () => {
     expect(policy.messageFilePath).toMatch(/^\//);
     expect(policy.messageFilePath.endsWith(DEFAULT_EXTRA_INSTRUCTION_FILE_SUFFIX)).toBe(true);
     expect(policy.postRestoreAuditInstruction).toContain(DEFAULT_AUDIT_INSTRUCTION_FRAGMENT);
+    expect(policy.authorizeTtlMinutes).toBe(15);
   });
 
   it("HG-10: resolveClaudeCompactionPolicy picks up direct config.json edits without daemon restart (single resolve call rereads file)", () => {
@@ -357,6 +360,7 @@ describe("SettingsStore (User Settings v0)", () => {
             messageInline: "carry-forward note",
             messageFilePath: "",
             postRestoreAuditInstruction: "verify the reads",
+            authorizeTtlMinutes: 30,
           },
         },
       }),
@@ -370,6 +374,7 @@ describe("SettingsStore (User Settings v0)", () => {
     expect(updated.messageInline).toBe("carry-forward note");
     expect(updated.messageFilePath.endsWith(DEFAULT_EXTRA_INSTRUCTION_FILE_SUFFIX)).toBe(true);
     expect(updated.postRestoreAuditInstruction).toBe("verify the reads");
+    expect(updated.authorizeTtlMinutes).toBe(30);
   });
 
   it("Slice 27: ensureDefaultClaudeCompactionFiles creates the user-owned extra instruction placeholder without overwriting edits", () => {
@@ -396,6 +401,7 @@ describe("SettingsStore (User Settings v0)", () => {
     store.set("policies.claude_compaction.message_inline", "rehydrate the agent");
     store.set("policies.claude_compaction.message_file_path", "/tmp/msg.txt");
     store.set("policies.claude_compaction.post_restore_audit_instruction", "audit reads");
+    store.set("policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes", "30");
 
     const raw = JSON.parse(require("node:fs").readFileSync(configPath, "utf-8"));
     expect(raw.policies.claudeCompaction.enabled).toBe(true);
@@ -405,6 +411,7 @@ describe("SettingsStore (User Settings v0)", () => {
     expect(raw.policies.claudeCompaction.messageInline).toBe("rehydrate the agent");
     expect(raw.policies.claudeCompaction.messageFilePath).toBe("/tmp/msg.txt");
     expect(raw.policies.claudeCompaction.postRestoreAuditInstruction).toBe("audit reads");
+    expect(raw.policies.claudeCompaction.authorizeTtlMinutes).toBe(30);
 
     expect(store.resolveOne("policies.claude_compaction.enabled").value).toBe(true);
     expect(store.resolveOne("policies.claude_compaction.threshold_percent").value).toBe(60);
@@ -413,6 +420,7 @@ describe("SettingsStore (User Settings v0)", () => {
     expect(store.resolveOne("policies.claude_compaction.message_inline").value).toBe("rehydrate the agent");
     expect(store.resolveOne("policies.claude_compaction.message_file_path").value).toBe("/tmp/msg.txt");
     expect(store.resolveOne("policies.claude_compaction.post_restore_audit_instruction").value).toBe("audit reads");
+    expect(store.resolveOne("policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes").value).toBe(30);
   });
 
   it("HG-1: invalid threshold rejected by coerceValue (non-numeric raises)", () => {
@@ -420,6 +428,70 @@ describe("SettingsStore (User Settings v0)", () => {
     expect(() => store.set("policies.claude_compaction.threshold_percent", "not-a-number")).toThrow(/expected a number/);
   });
 
+  describe("W4 authorize TTL config contract", () => {
+    it("accepts the exact inclusive 1..60 range through the write path", () => {
+      const store = new SettingsStore(configPath);
+      for (const value of ["1", "15", "60"]) {
+        store.set("policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes", value);
+        expect(store.resolveOne("policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes")).toMatchObject({
+          value: Number(value),
+          source: "file",
+          defaultValue: 15,
+        });
+      }
+      for (const value of ["0", "61", "15.5", "bad"]) {
+        expect(() => store.set("policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes", value)).toThrow(/integer|\[1, 60\]|number/i);
+      }
+    });
+
+    it("uses a valid env override", () => {
+      process.env["OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_AUTHORIZE_TTL_MINUTES"] = "30";
+      expect(new SettingsStore(configPath).resolveOne(
+        "policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes",
+      )).toMatchObject({ value: 30, source: "env", defaultValue: 15 });
+    });
+
+    it.each(["0", "61", "15.5", "bad"])(
+      "invalid env %s falls back to 15 and reports loudly",
+      (raw) => {
+        process.env["OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_AUTHORIZE_TTL_MINUTES"] = raw;
+        const stderr = vi.spyOn(process.stderr, "write").mockImplementation(() => true);
+        try {
+          const resolved = new SettingsStore(configPath).resolveOne(
+            "policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes",
+          );
+          expect(resolved).toMatchObject({ value: 15, source: "default", defaultValue: 15 });
+          expect(stderr.mock.calls.some((call) => String(call[0]).includes(
+            "env override for policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes rejected",
+          ))).toBe(true);
+        } finally {
+          stderr.mockRestore();
+        }
+      },
+    );
+
+    it.each([0, 61, 15.5, "bad"])(
+      "invalid file value %s falls back to 15 and reports loudly",
+      (raw) => {
+        writeFileSync(configPath, JSON.stringify({
+          policies: { claudeCompaction: { authorizeTtlMinutes: raw } },
+        }));
+        const stderr = vi.spyOn(process.stderr, "write").mockImplementation(() => true);
+        try {
+          const resolved = new SettingsStore(configPath).resolveOne(
+            "policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes",
+          );
+          expect(resolved).toMatchObject({ value: 15, source: "default", defaultValue: 15 });
+          expect(stderr.mock.calls.some((call) => String(call[0]).includes(
+            "file value for policies.claude_compaction.authorize_ttl_minutes rejected",
+          ))).toBe(true);
+        } finally {
+          stderr.mockRestore();
+        }
+      },
+    );
+  });
+
   // Slice 27 BLOCKING-FIX-2 — env + file source resolution must also
   // reject invalid threshold values. Without this, an env override
   // (OPENRIG_POLICIES_CLAUDE_COMPACTION_THRESHOLD_PERCENT=80abc) or a
diff --git a/packages/daemon/test/w4-enforcement-context-monitor.test.ts b/packages/daemon/test/w4-enforcement-context-monitor.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7e26daef5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/daemon/test/w4-enforcement-context-monitor.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import type Database from "better-sqlite3";
+import { mkdirSync, rmSync, writeFileSync } from "node:fs";
+import { join } from "node:path";
+import { tmpdir } from "node:os";
+import { createDb } from "../src/db/connection.js";
+import { migrate } from "../src/db/migrate.js";
+import { ALL_MIGRATIONS } from "../src/db/all-migrations.js";
+import { RigRepository } from "../src/domain/rig-repository.js";
+import { SessionRegistry } from "../src/domain/session-registry.js";
+import { ContextUsageStore } from "../src/domain/context-usage-store.js";
+import { ContextMonitor } from "../src/domain/context-monitor.js";
+import { ClaudeCompactionEnforcer } from "../src/domain/claude-compaction-enforcer.js";
+import type { SessionTransport } from "../src/domain/session-transport.js";
+
+const STORE_MODULE = ["../src/domain", "enforcer-decision-store.js"].join("/");
+const SESSION = "claude-seat@rig";
+
+type DecisionStore = {
+  create(input: Record<string, unknown>): Record<string, unknown>;
+  list(input?: Record<string, unknown>): Array<Record<string, unknown>>;
+};
+
+type DecisionStoreConstructor = new (
+  db: Database.Database,
+  opts: { now: () => Date; authorizeTtlMinutes: () => number },
+) => DecisionStore;
+
+async function loadDecisionStore(): Promise<DecisionStoreConstructor> {
+  let mod: { EnforcerDecisionStore?: DecisionStoreConstructor } | null = null;
+  try {
+    mod = await import(/* @vite-ignore */ STORE_MODULE);
+  } catch {
+    // Assertion below keeps the RED feature-shaped instead of surfacing a loader error.
+  }
+  expect(mod, "durable enforcer decision store module must exist").not.toBeNull();
+  expect(mod?.EnforcerDecisionStore).toBeTypeOf("function");
+  return mod!.EnforcerDecisionStore!;
+}
+
+describe("W4 ContextMonitor enforcement observation", () => {
+  let db: Database.Database;
+  let stateDir: string;
+  let contextStore: ContextUsageStore;
+  let monitor: ContextMonitor | undefined;
+  let generationUuid: string;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    db = createDb();
+    migrate(db, ALL_MIGRATIONS);
+    stateDir = join(tmpdir(), `w4-context-monitor-${process.pid}-${Math.random().toString(36).slice(2)}`);
+    mkdirSync(join(stateDir, "context"), { recursive: true });
+    contextStore = new ContextUsageStore(db, { stateDir, codexHomeDir: stateDir });
+
+    const rigs = new RigRepository(db);
+    const sessions = new SessionRegistry(db);
+    const rig = rigs.createRig("rig");
+    const node = rigs.addNode(rig.id, "claude.seat", { runtime: "claude-code" });
+    const session = sessions.registerSession(node.id, SESSION);
+    generationUuid = sessions.currentOccupantGenerationForSession(SESSION)!;
+    db.prepare("UPDATE sessions SET status = 'running' WHERE id = ?").run(session.id);
+
+    writeFileSync(
+      join(stateDir, "context", `${SESSION}.json`),
+      JSON.stringify({
+        session_name: SESSION,
+        sampled_at: "2026-08-08T18:00:30.000Z",
+        context_window: {
+          context_window_size: 200_000,
+          used_percentage: 90,
+          remaining_percentage: 10,
+          total_input_tokens: 170_000,
+          total_output_tokens: 10_000,
+        },
+      }),
+    );
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    monitor?.stop();
+    db.close();
+    rmSync(stateDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+  });
+
+  it("a real poll honors a hold with unknown live generation and exposes its observation", async () => {
+    const EnforcerDecisionStore = await loadDecisionStore();
+    const decisions = new EnforcerDecisionStore(db, {
+      now: () => new Date("2026-08-08T18:00:30.000Z"),
+      authorizeTtlMinutes: () => 15,
+    });
+    const hold = decisions.create({
+      enforcerKind: "claude_compaction",
+      sessionName: SESSION,
+      generationUuid,
+      direction: "hold",
+      reason: "finish the current atomic action",
+      actorSession: "orch-lead@rig",
+      identityProvenance: "transport:v1",
+    });
+    const send = vi.fn(async () => ({ ok: true as const }));
+    const enforcer = new ClaudeCompactionEnforcer(
+      {
+        resolveClaudeCompactionPolicy: () => ({
+          enabled: true,
+          thresholdPercent: 80,
+          preCompactInstruction: "prepare",
+          compactInstruction: "",
+          messageInline: "",
+          messageFilePath: "",
+          postRestoreAuditInstruction: "audit",
+          authorizeTtlMinutes: 15,
+        }),
+      } as never,
+      { send } as unknown as SessionTransport,
+      {
+        resolveOccupantGeneration: () => null,
+        decisionStore: decisions,
+      } as never,
+    );
+    monitor = new ContextMonitor(
+      db,
+      contextStore,
+      { ensureContextCollector: vi.fn() },
+      enforcer,
+    );
+
+    await monitor.pollOnce();
+
+    expect(send).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(decisions.list({ sessionName: SESSION })).toContainEqual(expect.objectContaining({
+      decisionId: hold["decisionId"],
+      lastObservedAt: "2026-08-08T18:00:30.000Z",
+      lastObservedOutcome: "human_hold",
+    }));
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/daemon/test/w4-enforcement-routes.test.ts b/packages/daemon/test/w4-enforcement-routes.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..af143ee79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/daemon/test/w4-enforcement-routes.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,202 @@
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { Hono } from "hono";
+import type Database from "better-sqlite3";
+import { createDb } from "../src/db/connection.js";
+import { migrate } from "../src/db/migrate.js";
+import { ALL_MIGRATIONS } from "../src/db/all-migrations.js";
+import { RigRepository } from "../src/domain/rig-repository.js";
+import { SessionRegistry } from "../src/domain/session-registry.js";
+import { compactionRoutes } from "../src/routes/compaction.js";
+
+const IDENTITY = "orch-lead@rig";
+const SEAT = "claude-seat@rig";
+
+describe("W4 compaction-control routes", () => {
+  let db: Database.Database;
+  let sessionRegistry: SessionRegistry;
+  let generationUuid: string;
+  let decisions: {
+    create: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>;
+    list: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>;
+    clear: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>;
+  };
+  let app: Hono;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    db = createDb();
+    migrate(db, ALL_MIGRATIONS);
+    const rigs = new RigRepository(db);
+    sessionRegistry = new SessionRegistry(db);
+    const rig = rigs.createRig("rig");
+    const node = rigs.addNode(rig.id, "claude.seat", { runtime: "claude-code" });
+    sessionRegistry.registerSession(node.id, SEAT);
+    generationUuid = sessionRegistry.currentOccupantGenerationForSession(SEAT)!;
+    decisions = {
+      create: vi.fn((input) => ({ decisionId: "decision-1", active: true, ...input })),
+      list: vi.fn(() => [{
+        decisionId: "hold-1",
+        sessionName: SEAT,
+        direction: "hold",
+        active: true,
+        lastObservedAt: "2026-08-08T18:00:30.000Z",
+        lastObservedOutcome: "human_hold",
+      }]),
+      clear: vi.fn((input) => ({ decisionId: input.decisionId, active: false, releaseKind: "cleared" })),
+    };
+    app = new Hono();
+    app.use("*", async (c, next) => {
+      c.set("db" as never, db);
+      c.set("sessionRegistry" as never, sessionRegistry);
+      c.set("enforcerDecisionStore" as never, decisions);
+      await next();
+    });
+    app.route("/api/compaction", compactionRoutes());
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => db.close());
+
+  const request = (path: string, body?: Record<string, unknown>, identity = IDENTITY) =>
+    app.request(path, {
+      method: body === undefined ? "GET" : "POST",
+      headers: {
+        ...(body === undefined ? {} : { "Content-Type": "application/json" }),
+        ...(identity ? { "X-OpenRig-Session": identity } : {}),
+      },
+      ...(body === undefined ? {} : { body: JSON.stringify(body) }),
+    });
+
+  it("refuses an unattributable hold before writing any record", async () => {
+    const response = await request("/api/compaction/control", {
+      session: SEAT,
+      direction: "hold",
+      reason: "mid-fold",
+    }, "");
+    expect(response.status).toBe(401);
+    expect(await response.json()).toMatchObject({ error: "unattributable_sender" });
+    expect(decisions.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("refuses blank reasons and blanket authorizations loudly", async () => {
+    const blank = await request("/api/compaction/control", {
+      session: SEAT,
+      direction: "hold",
+      reason: "   ",
+    });
+    expect(blank.status).toBe(400);
+    expect(await blank.json()).toMatchObject({ error: "reason_required" });
+
+    const blanket = await request("/api/compaction/control", {
+      session: SEAT,
+      direction: "authorize",
+      reason: "ignore refusals",
+    });
+    expect(blanket.status).toBe(400);
+    expect(await blanket.json()).toMatchObject({ error: "automatic_reason_required" });
+    expect(decisions.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    "runtime_filter",
+    "no_usage_data",
+    "invalid_policy",
+    "below_threshold",
+    "already_triggered_above_threshold",
+    "dedup_window",
+    "send_failed",
+  ])("refuses excluded authorization reason %s", async (automaticReason) => {
+    const response = await request("/api/compaction/control", {
+      session: SEAT,
+      direction: "authorize",
+      automaticReason,
+      reason: "not in locked set",
+    });
+    expect(response.status).toBe(400);
+    expect(await response.json()).toMatchObject({ error: "automatic_reason_not_authorizable" });
+    expect(decisions.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("derives actor/provenance and generation when creating a hold", async () => {
+    const response = await request("/api/compaction/control", {
+      session: SEAT,
+      direction: "hold",
+      reason: "finish current atomic action",
+    });
+    expect(response.status).toBe(201);
+    expect(decisions.create).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      enforcerKind: "claude_compaction",
+      sessionName: SEAT,
+      generationUuid,
+      direction: "hold",
+      automaticReason: null,
+      reason: "finish current atomic action",
+      actorSession: IDENTITY,
+      identityProvenance: "transport:v1",
+    });
+  });
+
+  it.each(["disabled", "post_restore_cooldown", "stale_generation"])(
+    "creates one reason-matched authorization for %s without accepting caller expiry",
+    async (automaticReason) => {
+      const response = await request("/api/compaction/control", {
+        session: SEAT,
+        direction: "authorize",
+        automaticReason,
+        reason: `allow ${automaticReason} once`,
+        expiresAt: "2099-01-01T00:00:00.000Z",
+      });
+      expect(response.status).toBe(201);
+      expect(decisions.create).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        enforcerKind: "claude_compaction",
+        sessionName: SEAT,
+        generationUuid,
+        direction: "authorize",
+        automaticReason,
+        reason: `allow ${automaticReason} once`,
+        actorSession: IDENTITY,
+        identityProvenance: "transport:v1",
+      });
+      expect(decisions.create.mock.calls[0]?.[0]).not.toHaveProperty("expiresAt");
+    },
+  );
+
+  it("refuses decision creation when live generation cannot be resolved", async () => {
+    const response = await request("/api/compaction/control", {
+      session: "missing-seat@rig",
+      direction: "hold",
+      reason: "cannot scope without a generation",
+    });
+    expect(response.status).toBe(409);
+    expect(await response.json()).toMatchObject({ error: "generation_unavailable" });
+    expect(decisions.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("lists durable observation fields without requiring a write identity", async () => {
+    const response = await request(`/api/compaction/control?session=${encodeURIComponent(SEAT)}`);
+    expect(response.status).toBe(200);
+    expect(await response.json()).toEqual({
+      ok: true,
+      decisions: [{
+        decisionId: "hold-1",
+        sessionName: SEAT,
+        direction: "hold",
+        active: true,
+        lastObservedAt: "2026-08-08T18:00:30.000Z",
+        lastObservedOutcome: "human_hold",
+      }],
+    });
+    expect(decisions.list).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ sessionName: SEAT });
+  });
+
+  it("clear derives its human actor and records a required release reason", async () => {
+    const response = await request("/api/compaction/control/hold-1/clear", {
+      reason: "atomic action completed",
+    });
+    expect(response.status).toBe(200);
+    expect(decisions.clear).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      decisionId: "hold-1",
+      actorSession: IDENTITY,
+      identityProvenance: "transport:v1",
+      reason: "atomic action completed",
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/daemon/test/w4-enforcement-startup-wiring.test.ts b/packages/daemon/test/w4-enforcement-startup-wiring.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5dd56eb43
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/daemon/test/w4-enforcement-startup-wiring.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { readFileSync } from "node:fs";
+import { fileURLToPath } from "node:url";
+import { dirname, join } from "node:path";
+
+const here = dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
+
+describe("W4 production wiring", () => {
+  it("constructs one decision store and shares it with the enforcer and routes", () => {
+    const startup = readFileSync(join(here, "../src/startup.ts"), "utf8");
+    const server = readFileSync(join(here, "../src/server.ts"), "utf8");
+
+    expect(startup).toContain('import("./domain/enforcer-decision-store.js")');
+    expect(startup.match(/new EnforcerDecisionStore\(/g)).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(startup).toMatch(/decisionStore:\s*enforcerDecisionStore/);
+    expect(startup).toMatch(/deps\.enforcerDecisionStore\s*=\s*enforcerDecisionStore/);
+
+    expect(server).toMatch(/enforcerDecisionStore\?:\s*import\("\.\/domain\/enforcer-decision-store\.js"\)\.EnforcerDecisionStore/);
+    expect(server).toContain('c.set("enforcerDecisionStore" as never, deps.enforcerDecisionStore)');
+    expect(server).toContain("compactionRoutes");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/daemon/test/w4-enforcement-surface.test.ts b/packages/daemon/test/w4-enforcement-surface.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..97657ab70
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/daemon/test/w4-enforcement-surface.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,633 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import type Database from "better-sqlite3";
+import { createDb } from "../src/db/connection.js";
+import { migrate } from "../src/db/migrate.js";
+import { ALL_MIGRATIONS } from "../src/db/all-migrations.js";
+import {
+  ClaudeCompactionEnforcer,
+  type EnforcerInput,
+} from "../src/domain/claude-compaction-enforcer.js";
+import type { SessionTransport } from "../src/domain/session-transport.js";
+
+const STORE_MODULE = ["../src/domain", "enforcer-decision-store.js"].join("/");
+const KIND = "claude_compaction";
+const SEAT = "claude-seat@rig";
+
+type DecisionStoreConstructor = new (
+  db: Database.Database,
+  opts: { now: () => Date; authorizeTtlMinutes: () => number },
+) => {
+  create(input: Record<string, unknown>): Record<string, unknown>;
+  list(input?: Record<string, unknown>): Array<Record<string, unknown>>;
+  clear(input: Record<string, unknown>): Record<string, unknown>;
+  findActiveHold(input: Record<string, unknown>): Record<string, unknown> | null;
+  consumeAuthorizationForAttempt(input: Record<string, unknown>): boolean;
+  recordAuthorizationAttempt(input: Record<string, unknown>): void;
+};
+
+async function loadDecisionStore(): Promise<DecisionStoreConstructor> {
+  let mod: { EnforcerDecisionStore?: DecisionStoreConstructor } | null = null;
+  try {
+    mod = await import(/* @vite-ignore */ STORE_MODULE);
+  } catch {
+    // Assertion below keeps the RED feature-shaped instead of surfacing a loader error.
+  }
+  expect(mod, "durable enforcer decision store module must exist").not.toBeNull();
+  expect(mod?.EnforcerDecisionStore).toBeTypeOf("function");
+  return mod!.EnforcerDecisionStore!;
+}
+
+function makeDb(): Database.Database {
+  const db = createDb();
+  migrate(db, ALL_MIGRATIONS);
+  return db;
+}
+
+function humanInput(overrides: Record<string, unknown> = {}): Record<string, unknown> {
+  return {
+    enforcerKind: KIND,
+    sessionName: SEAT,
+    generationUuid: "gen-1",
+    direction: "hold",
+    reason: "seat is inside a load-bearing atomic step",
+    actorSession: "orch-lead@rig",
+    identityProvenance: "transport:v1",
+    ...overrides,
+  };
+}
+
+describe("W4 durable enforcer decision store", () => {
+  it("registers migration 068 and creates the durable decision table", () => {
+    expect(ALL_MIGRATIONS.map((migration) => migration.name)).toContain(
+      "068_enforcer_decisions.sql",
+    );
+    const db = makeDb();
+    try {
+      const row = db.prepare(
+        "SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type = 'table' AND name = 'enforcer_decisions'",
+      ).get() as { name: string } | undefined;
+      expect(row?.name).toBe("enforcer_decisions");
+    } finally {
+      db.close();
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("persists an attributable generation-scoped hold with enforcer kind", async () => {
+    const EnforcerDecisionStore = await loadDecisionStore();
+    const db = makeDb();
+    try {
+      const store = new EnforcerDecisionStore(db, {
+        now: () => new Date("2026-08-08T18:00:00.000Z"),
+        authorizeTtlMinutes: () => 15,
+      });
+      const created = store.create(humanInput());
+      expect(created).toMatchObject({
+        enforcerKind: KIND,
+        sessionName: SEAT,
+        generationUuid: "gen-1",
+        direction: "hold",
+        actorSession: "orch-lead@rig",
+        identityProvenance: "transport:v1",
+        reason: "seat is inside a load-bearing atomic step",
+        active: true,
+      });
+    } finally {
+      db.close();
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("makes authorize expiring, reason-matched, and limited to the locked lift set", async () => {
+    const EnforcerDecisionStore = await loadDecisionStore();
+    const db = makeDb();
+    try {
+      const store = new EnforcerDecisionStore(db, {
+        now: () => new Date("2026-08-08T18:00:00.000Z"),
+        authorizeTtlMinutes: () => 15,
+      });
+      for (const [index, automaticReason] of [
+        "disabled",
+        "post_restore_cooldown",
+        "stale_generation",
+      ].entries()) {
+        const created = store.create(humanInput({
+          generationUuid: `gen-${index + 1}`,
+          direction: "authorize",
+          automaticReason,
+          reason: `lift ${automaticReason} once`,
+        }));
+        expect(created).toMatchObject({
+          direction: "authorize",
+          automaticReason,
+          expiresAt: "2026-08-08T18:15:00.000Z",
+          active: true,
+        });
+      }
+
+      for (const automaticReason of [
+        "runtime_filter",
+        "no_usage_data",
+        "invalid_policy",
+        "below_threshold",
+        "already_triggered_above_threshold",
+        "dedup_window",
+        "send_failed",
+        "human_hold",
+      ]) {
+        expect(() => store.create(humanInput({
+          generationUuid: `excluded-${automaticReason}`,
+          direction: "authorize",
+          automaticReason,
+          reason: "must be refused",
+        }))).toThrow(/automatic reason|not authorizable|liftable/i);
+      }
+    } finally {
+      db.close();
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("enforces one active decision and resolves conflicts toward hold", async () => {
+    const EnforcerDecisionStore = await loadDecisionStore();
+    const db = makeDb();
+    try {
+      const store = new EnforcerDecisionStore(db, {
+        now: () => new Date("2026-08-08T18:00:00.000Z"),
+        authorizeTtlMinutes: () => 15,
+      });
+      const authorization = store.create(humanInput({
+        direction: "authorize",
+        automaticReason: "disabled",
+        reason: "one disabled-policy attempt",
+      }));
+      const hold = store.create(humanInput({ reason: "new work began; stop before acting" }));
+      expect(hold).toMatchObject({ direction: "hold", active: true });
+      const rows = store.list({ sessionName: SEAT });
+      expect(rows.find((row) => row["decisionId"] === authorization["decisionId"])).toMatchObject({
+        active: false,
+        releaseKind: "revoked_by_hold",
+        releasedBySession: "orch-lead@rig",
+        releaseIdentityProvenance: "transport:v1",
+      });
+      expect(() => store.create(humanInput({
+        direction: "authorize",
+        automaticReason: "disabled",
+        reason: "must not outrank hold",
+      }))).toThrow(/active hold/i);
+    } finally {
+      db.close();
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("consumes one authorization atomically for one machine send attempt", async () => {
+    const EnforcerDecisionStore = await loadDecisionStore();
+    const db = makeDb();
+    try {
+      const store = new EnforcerDecisionStore(db, {
+        now: () => new Date("2026-08-08T18:00:00.000Z"),
+        authorizeTtlMinutes: () => 15,
+      });
+      const created = store.create(humanInput({
+        direction: "authorize",
+        automaticReason: "disabled",
+        reason: "allow one disabled-policy attempt",
+      }));
+      const consumeInput = {
+        decisionId: created["decisionId"],
+        enforcerKind: KIND,
+        liftedReason: "disabled",
+      };
+      expect(store.consumeAuthorizationForAttempt(consumeInput)).toBe(true);
+      expect(store.consumeAuthorizationForAttempt(consumeInput)).toBe(false);
+      store.recordAuthorizationAttempt({
+        decisionId: created["decisionId"],
+        outcome: "failed",
+        failureReason: "send_failed",
+      });
+      expect(store.list({ sessionName: SEAT })[0]).toMatchObject({
+        consumedByEnforcerKind: KIND,
+        liftedReason: "disabled",
+        attemptOutcome: "failed",
+        attemptFailureReason: "send_failed",
+      });
+      expect(store.list({ sessionName: SEAT })[0]).not.toHaveProperty("consumedByActorSession");
+      expect(store.list({ sessionName: SEAT })[0]).not.toHaveProperty("consumeIdentityProvenance");
+    } finally {
+      db.close();
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("records explicit human clear and lazy expiry without erasing history", async () => {
+    const EnforcerDecisionStore = await loadDecisionStore();
+    const db = makeDb();
+    let now = new Date("2026-08-08T18:00:00.000Z");
+    try {
+      const store = new EnforcerDecisionStore(db, {
+        now: () => now,
+        authorizeTtlMinutes: () => 15,
+      });
+      const hold = store.create(humanInput());
+      store.clear({
+        decisionId: hold["decisionId"],
+        actorSession: "orch-lead@rig",
+        identityProvenance: "transport:v1",
+        reason: "atomic step completed",
+      });
+      expect(store.list({ sessionName: SEAT })[0]).toMatchObject({
+        active: false,
+        releaseKind: "cleared",
+        releasedBySession: "orch-lead@rig",
+        releaseIdentityProvenance: "transport:v1",
+        releaseReason: "atomic step completed",
+      });
+
+      store.create(humanInput({
+        generationUuid: "gen-2",
+        direction: "authorize",
+        automaticReason: "disabled",
+        reason: "short-lived one-shot",
+      }));
+      now = new Date("2026-08-08T18:16:00.000Z");
+      const expired = store.list({ sessionName: SEAT }).find((row) => row["generationUuid"] === "gen-2");
+      expect(expired).toMatchObject({ active: false, releaseKind: "expired" });
+    } finally {
+      db.close();
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("refuses anonymous, reasonless, and blanket decisions loudly", async () => {
+    const EnforcerDecisionStore = await loadDecisionStore();
+    const db = makeDb();
+    try {
+      const store = new EnforcerDecisionStore(db, {
+        now: () => new Date("2026-08-08T18:00:00.000Z"),
+        authorizeTtlMinutes: () => 15,
+      });
+      expect(() => store.create(humanInput({ actorSession: "" }))).toThrow(/actor|required|attribut/i);
+      expect(() => store.create(humanInput({ reason: "  " }))).toThrow(/reason|required/i);
+      expect(() => store.create(humanInput({
+        generationUuid: "gen-blanket",
+        direction: "authorize",
+        automaticReason: undefined,
+        reason: "ignore refusals",
+      }))).toThrow(/automatic reason|required|blanket/i);
+    } finally {
+      db.close();
+    }
+  });
+});
+
+const BASE_POLICY = {
+  enabled: true,
+  thresholdPercent: 80,
+  preCompactInstruction: "prepare",
+  compactInstruction: "",
+  messageInline: "",
+  messageFilePath: "",
+  postRestoreAuditInstruction: "audit",
+  authorizeTtlMinutes: 15,
+};
+
+function settings(policy: Record<string, unknown> = BASE_POLICY) {
+  return { resolveClaudeCompactionPolicy: () => policy } as never;
+}
+
+function transport() {
+  const send = vi.fn(async () => ({ ok: true as const }));
+  return { send, value: { send } as unknown as SessionTransport };
+}
+
+function decisionHarness(opts: {
+  hold?: (generation: string | null) => Record<string, unknown> | null;
+  authorizationReason?: string;
+} = {}) {
+  const findActiveHold = vi.fn((input: { liveGenerationUuid: string | null }) =>
+    opts.hold?.(input.liveGenerationUuid) ?? null);
+  const findMatchingAuthorization = vi.fn((input: { automaticReason: string }) =>
+    input.automaticReason === opts.authorizationReason
+      ? { decisionId: "authorize-1", automaticReason: input.automaticReason }
+      : null);
+  return {
+    findActiveHold,
+    findMatchingAuthorization,
+    observeHold: vi.fn(),
+    consumeAuthorizationForAttempt: vi.fn(() => true),
+    recordAuthorizationAttempt: vi.fn(),
+  };
+}
+
+const highInput = (usedPercentage = 90): EnforcerInput => ({
+  sessionName: SEAT,
+  runtime: "claude-code",
+  usedPercentage,
+  transcriptPath: "/tmp/claude.jsonl",
+});
+
+describe("W4 ClaudeCompactionEnforcer decision consumption", () => {
+  it("a hold prevents firing and reports human_hold durably", async () => {
+    const tx = transport();
+    const decisions = decisionHarness({ hold: () => ({ decisionId: "hold-1" }) });
+    const enforcer = new ClaudeCompactionEnforcer(settings(), tx.value, {
+      resolveOccupantGeneration: () => "gen-1",
+      decisionStore: decisions,
+    } as never);
+
+    await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput())).resolves.toEqual({
+      triggered: false,
+      reason: "human_hold",
+      decisionId: "hold-1",
+    });
+    expect(tx.send).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(decisions.observeHold).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.objectContaining({
+      decisionId: "hold-1",
+      outcome: "human_hold",
+    }));
+  });
+
+  it("a null live generation fails closed on a hold, then known N+1 makes the N hold inert", async () => {
+    const tx = transport();
+    let liveGeneration: string | null = null;
+    const decisions = decisionHarness({
+      hold: (generation) => generation === null ? { decisionId: "hold-N" } : null,
+    });
+    const enforcer = new ClaudeCompactionEnforcer(settings(), tx.value, {
+      resolveOccupantGeneration: () => liveGeneration,
+      decisionStore: decisions,
+    } as never);
+
+    await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput())).resolves.toEqual({
+      triggered: false,
+      reason: "human_hold",
+      decisionId: "hold-N",
+    });
+    liveGeneration = "gen-N+1";
+    await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput())).resolves.toEqual({ triggered: true });
+    expect(tx.send).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
+  it("matches a persisted generation-N hold and makes it inert for generation N+1", async () => {
+    const EnforcerDecisionStore = await loadDecisionStore();
+    const db = makeDb();
+    try {
+      const store = new EnforcerDecisionStore(db, {
+        now: () => new Date("2026-08-08T18:00:00.000Z"),
+        authorizeTtlMinutes: () => 15,
+      });
+      const hold = store.create(humanInput({ generationUuid: "gen-N" }));
+      const tx = transport();
+      let liveGeneration = "gen-N";
+      const enforcer = new ClaudeCompactionEnforcer(settings(), tx.value, {
+        resolveOccupantGeneration: () => liveGeneration,
+        decisionStore: store,
+      } as never);
+
+      await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput())).resolves.toEqual({
+        triggered: false,
+        reason: "human_hold",
+        decisionId: hold["decisionId"],
+      });
+      expect(tx.send).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+      liveGeneration = "gen-N+1";
+      await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput())).resolves.toEqual({ triggered: true });
+      expect(tx.send).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    } finally {
+      db.close();
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("consumes a persisted authorization only for matching known generation N and only once", async () => {
+    const EnforcerDecisionStore = await loadDecisionStore();
+    const db = makeDb();
+    try {
+      const store = new EnforcerDecisionStore(db, {
+        now: () => new Date("2026-08-08T18:00:00.000Z"),
+        authorizeTtlMinutes: () => 15,
+      });
+      const authorization = store.create(humanInput({
+        generationUuid: "gen-N",
+        direction: "authorize",
+        automaticReason: "disabled",
+        reason: "lift disabled once for generation N",
+      }));
+      const row = () => store.list({ sessionName: SEAT }).find(
+        (candidate) => candidate["decisionId"] === authorization["decisionId"],
+      );
+      const tx = transport();
+      let liveGeneration: string | null = null;
+      const enforcer = new ClaudeCompactionEnforcer(
+        settings({ ...BASE_POLICY, enabled: false }),
+        tx.value,
+        {
+          resolveOccupantGeneration: () => liveGeneration,
+          decisionStore: store,
+        } as never,
+      );
+
+      await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput())).resolves.toEqual({
+        triggered: false,
+        reason: "disabled",
+      });
+      expect(row()).toMatchObject({ active: true });
+      expect(row()?.["consumedAt"] ?? null).toBeNull();
+      expect(tx.send).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+      liveGeneration = "gen-N+1";
+      await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput())).resolves.toEqual({
+        triggered: false,
+        reason: "disabled",
+      });
+      expect(row()).toMatchObject({ active: true });
+      expect(row()?.["consumedAt"] ?? null).toBeNull();
+      expect(tx.send).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+      liveGeneration = "gen-N";
+      await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput())).resolves.toEqual({
+        triggered: true,
+        decisionId: authorization["decisionId"],
+        liftedReason: "disabled",
+      });
+      expect(row()).toMatchObject({
+        active: false,
+        consumedByEnforcerKind: KIND,
+        liftedReason: "disabled",
+        attemptOutcome: "succeeded",
+      });
+      expect(tx.send).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+
+      await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput())).resolves.toEqual({
+        triggered: false,
+        reason: "disabled",
+      });
+      expect(tx.send).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    } finally {
+      db.close();
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("lifts disabled once and reports decisionId + liftedReason on the triggered outcome", async () => {
+    const tx = transport();
+    const decisions = decisionHarness({ authorizationReason: "disabled" });
+    const enforcer = new ClaudeCompactionEnforcer(
+      settings({ ...BASE_POLICY, enabled: false }),
+      tx.value,
+      {
+        resolveOccupantGeneration: () => "gen-1",
+        decisionStore: decisions,
+      } as never,
+    );
+
+    await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput())).resolves.toEqual({
+      triggered: true,
+      decisionId: "authorize-1",
+      liftedReason: "disabled",
+    });
+    expect(tx.send).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(decisions.consumeAuthorizationForAttempt).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(decisions.recordAuthorizationAttempt).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.objectContaining({
+      decisionId: "authorize-1",
+      outcome: "succeeded",
+    }));
+  });
+
+  it("does not consume authorization when its reason is not the refusal that releases a send", async () => {
+    const tx = transport();
+    const decisions = decisionHarness({ authorizationReason: "disabled" });
+    const enforcer = new ClaudeCompactionEnforcer(settings(), tx.value, {
+      resolveOccupantGeneration: () => "gen-1",
+      decisionStore: decisions,
+    } as never);
+
+    await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput())).resolves.toEqual({ triggered: true });
+    expect(tx.send).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(decisions.consumeAuthorizationForAttempt).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("lifts post_restore_cooldown for one send attempt", async () => {
+    const tx = transport();
+    const decisions = decisionHarness({ authorizationReason: "post_restore_cooldown" });
+    let now = 1_700_000_000_000;
+    vi.spyOn(Date, "now").mockImplementation(() => now);
+    try {
+      const enforcer = new ClaudeCompactionEnforcer(settings(), tx.value, {
+        dedupWindowMs: 0,
+        postCompactRestoreCooldownMs: 60_000,
+        openrigHome: "/tmp/openrig-w4",
+        resolveOccupantGeneration: () => "gen-1",
+        decisionStore: decisions,
+      } as never);
+
+      await enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput());
+      now += 1_000;
+      await enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput());
+      for (let i = 0; i < 3; i += 1) {
+        now += 1_000;
+        await enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput(20));
+      }
+      now += 1_000;
+      await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput())).resolves.toEqual({
+        triggered: true,
+        decisionId: "authorize-1",
+        liftedReason: "post_restore_cooldown",
+      });
+      expect(decisions.consumeAuthorizationForAttempt).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    } finally {
+      vi.restoreAllMocks();
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("checks stale_generation authorization before deleting the queued stage", async () => {
+    const tx = transport();
+    const decisions = decisionHarness({ authorizationReason: "stale_generation" });
+    let generation = "gen-N";
+    const enforcer = new ClaudeCompactionEnforcer(settings(), tx.value, {
+      dedupWindowMs: 0,
+      postCompactRestoreCooldownMs: 0,
+      openrigHome: "/tmp/openrig-w4",
+      resolveOccupantGeneration: () => generation,
+      decisionStore: decisions,
+    } as never);
+
+    await enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput());
+    await enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput());
+    generation = "gen-N+1";
+    await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput(20))).resolves.toEqual({
+      triggered: true,
+      decisionId: "authorize-1",
+      liftedReason: "stale_generation",
+    });
+    expect(tx.send.mock.calls.at(-1)?.[1]).toContain("post-compaction turn boundary");
+    expect(decisions.consumeAuthorizationForAttempt).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
+  it("consumes authorization on a failed attempt and records the actual failure", async () => {
+    const send = vi.fn(async () => ({ ok: false as const, reason: "send_failed" }));
+    const decisions = decisionHarness({ authorizationReason: "disabled" });
+    const enforcer = new ClaudeCompactionEnforcer(
+      settings({ ...BASE_POLICY, enabled: false }),
+      { send } as unknown as SessionTransport,
+      {
+        resolveOccupantGeneration: () => "gen-1",
+        decisionStore: decisions,
+      } as never,
+    );
+
+    await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput())).resolves.toEqual({
+      triggered: false,
+      reason: "send_failed",
+    });
+    expect(decisions.consumeAuthorizationForAttempt).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(decisions.recordAuthorizationAttempt).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.objectContaining({
+      decisionId: "authorize-1",
+      outcome: "failed",
+      failureReason: "send_failed",
+    }));
+  });
+
+  it("records a thrown authorized send as failed and keeps the authorization one-shot", async () => {
+    const EnforcerDecisionStore = await loadDecisionStore();
+    const db = makeDb();
+    try {
+      const store = new EnforcerDecisionStore(db, {
+        now: () => new Date("2026-08-08T18:00:00.000Z"),
+        authorizeTtlMinutes: () => 15,
+      });
+      const authorization = store.create(humanInput({
+        generationUuid: "gen-N",
+        direction: "authorize",
+        automaticReason: "disabled",
+        reason: "allow one attempted send",
+      }));
+      const send = vi.fn(async () => {
+        throw new Error("transport exploded");
+      });
+      const enforcer = new ClaudeCompactionEnforcer(
+        settings({ ...BASE_POLICY, enabled: false }),
+        { send } as unknown as SessionTransport,
+        {
+          resolveOccupantGeneration: () => "gen-N",
+          decisionStore: store,
+        } as never,
+      );
+
+      await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput())).resolves.toEqual({
+        triggered: false,
+        reason: "send_failed",
+      });
+      expect(store.list({ sessionName: SEAT })).toContainEqual(expect.objectContaining({
+        decisionId: authorization["decisionId"],
+        active: false,
+        consumedByEnforcerKind: KIND,
+        liftedReason: "disabled",
+        attemptOutcome: "failed",
+        attemptFailureReason: "transport exploded",
+      }));
+
+      await expect(enforcer.maybeAutoCompact(highInput())).resolves.toEqual({
+        triggered: false,
+        reason: "disabled",
+      });
+      expect(send).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    } finally {
+      db.close();
+    }
+  });
+});