# β closeout — Cycle 421

**Cycle:** [cnos#421](https://github.com/usurobor/cnos/issues/421) — Track A1 of [cnos#405](https://github.com/usurobor/cnos/issues/405)
**Branch:** `cycle/421`
**Reviewer:** β (collapsed γ+α+β on δ)
**Verdict:** **APPROVE — Round 1**
**Date:** 2026-05-23

## What β verified

All 11 ACs from [cnos#421](https://github.com/usurobor/cnos/issues/421) mechanically passed at review time. See [`beta-review.md`](beta-review.md) for the substantive review and [`self-coherence.md`](self-coherence.md) for the mechanical pass-set.

## Implementation-contract verification (Rule 7)

Every pinned axis on `gamma-scaffold.md`'s implementation contract conforms to the diff:

- Language = Markdown — only `.md` files added.
- CLI integration target = None — no CLI changes.
- Package scoping = `docs/gamma/design/` + `.cdd/unreleased/421/` — exactly those paths.
- Existing-binary disposition = N/A — no binary touched.
- Runtime dependencies = None — no runtime additions.
- JSON/wire contract = N/A — no schemas.
- Backward compat (no src/packages, no schemas, no CCNF kernel, no cnos.handoff) — all four diffs are 0 lines.

No severity-D `implementation-contract` findings.

## What β did NOT find

- No silent rule changes.
- No CCNF kernel edits.
- No handoff edits.
- No #405 tracker body edits.
- No protocol-gap surfaces (`protocol_gap_count = 0`; `cdd-iteration.md` is a courtesy stub).
- No broken citations in the survey doc (six high-leverage citations spot-checked in `beta-review.md`).
- No undercount in §2 (20 ≥ 15) or §3 (6 = 6) or §6 (6 = 6).

## Coherence with the #404 / #405 boundary

The survey's surface inventory matrix (§2) correctly classifies 7 rows as "H — handoff-resident; CCNF-O may type, handoff owns". This confirms the boundary `cnos.handoff/skills/handoff/HANDOFF.md` §"Boundary vs CCNF-O" declares — the two packages have different reasons to change. The cycle did not push back on that boundary; it codified it from the CCNF-O side.

## Approval

`APPROVE — Round 1` for merge.

## Merge instruction

Operator: merge `cycle/421` → `main` with `--no-ff`:

```
Merge cycle/421: Track A1 of #405 — CCNF-O survey + name-pick + sub-issue queue. Closes #421.
```

#405 remains open. Tracks A2 and B1 become dispatchable.
