Prepare combined Swift-JSON 1.7.0 release candidate

AGENTS.md

@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 # Contributor instructions
 
-Development source is 1.7.0-dev. This consolidation retains the stable 1.6.1 line
-separately; it is not a maintenance release or the frozen 6fe8067 RC. Preserve
-all source-bound qualification history. Main integration never publishes a version.
+Prepared release source is 1.7.0; publication is a separate owner action. Its
+parent development line is 1.7.0-dev and stable 1.6.1 remains separate. This is
+not a maintenance release or the frozen 6fe8067 RC. Preserve all source-bound
+qualification history; source integration never publishes a version.
 
 Swift-JSON requires Swift tools/compiler 6.4+, Swift language mode 6 and
 macOS/SDK 27+. Read README.md, CONTRIBUTING.md and the relevant contracts in

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Changelog
 
-## Unreleased — 1.7.0-dev consolidation
+## 1.7.0 — prepared source; publication separate
 
 - Reconcile admitted set/matrix APIs with the reviewed public directed graph,
   shared JSONTransform compiler/pull VM and optional exact value/schema DSLs.
@@ -11,7 +11,12 @@
 - Preserve finite exact semantics and all predecessor fixtures, failures and
   performance/platform holds. Require fresh combined-source qualification; a merge
   is development integration and does not publish a version.
-- See [combined qualification](Documentation/Qualification/Consolidation2026.md).
+- Prepare the combined source with CLI version1.7.0 and a regenerated deterministic
+  source digest. Record exact final-source outcomes in the
+  [release checklist](Documentation/Qualification/Release1.7Preparation.md) and
+  [release notes](Documentation/ReleaseNotes/1.7.0.md).
+- Preserve [consolidation qualification](Documentation/Qualification/Consolidation2026.md)
+  and every historical failed attempt; neither preparation nor CI creates a release.
 
 ### Historical JTX10 release-candidate checkpoint (unpublished)
 
@@ -29,6 +34,14 @@
 - See [candidate qualification](Documentation/Qualification/Release1.7.0.md) for
   source-bound gates, Apple/Linux/scoped WASI claims and historical holds.
 
+### Historical authored-DSL prototype checkpoint (unpublished)
+
+The value/schema DSL proposal was developed against the earlier 1.4-era source,
+but JSONValueDSL and JSONSchemaDSL are absent from the published 1.4.0, 1.5.0 and
+1.6.1 manifests. Their first combined public-product preparation is this 1.7 source.
+The prototype introduced trusted authored values/schema documents with native exact
+semantics and finite iterative finalization; staging/callbacks remain caller work.
+
 ### Historical JSONTransform extraction checkpoints
 
 - Add an optional public compiler/pull API over the single existing private query kernel.
@@ -113,11 +126,6 @@
 The protected public version tag exists; its separate GitHub release remains draft.
 These additive APIs are also included in the published 1.5.0 release.
 
-- Add opt-in JSONValueDSL and JSONSchemaDSL products for typed, trusted authored
-  values and Draft 2020-12 declarations. Exact values and schema semantics remain
-  owned by the existing engine. Finalization uses one finite iterative ledger;
-  authored staging and callbacks are explicitly outside its resource accounting.
-
 - Add E2's shallow JSON parsing, checked object construction, decimal-text and
   pre-parsed Pointer entry points; exact-key membership and three-state presence
   composition; and direct validation from an immutable compiled schema plan.

Documentation/Architecture/API.md

@@ -354,12 +354,22 @@ follows from this contract.
 
 ## 1.7.0 release-candidate authority
 
-This unpublished candidate retains the accepted Transform API (42 authored
-declarations) and Inspection API (95), with all 56 Navigation declarations
-unchanged. Historical provisional headings above remain stable link targets and
-checkpoint descriptions; the [candidate contract](../Qualification/Release1.7.0.md)
-and final compiler graphs determine current scope. API shape acceptance does not
-imply publication, measured allocations or unobserved platform execution.
+The current consolidated 1.7 source has twelve library products plus the CLI and
+thirteen DocC catalogs, including shared non-product JSONDSLCore. Its qualified
+compiler graphs contain 1,500 authored declarations: Transform 42, Inspection 162
+and Navigation 56, with the remaining declarations in the other catalogs.
+The [combined qualification contract](../Qualification/Consolidation2026.md) and
+[source-line matrix](../Qualification/ReleaseLines.md) define this source boundary.
+A final versioned candidate must bind its own inventory, checks and assets.
+
+Historical provisional headings above remain stable link targets. The earlier
+[frozen RC contract](../Qualification/Release1.7.0.md) belongs to `6fe8067`: ten
+libraries plus CLI, 1,214 authored declarations and Inspection 95. It is retained
+history, not the current consolidated inventory or a later-source pass.
+
+Transform's accepted 42 declarations and one compiler/VM remain unchanged.
+API shape acceptance does not imply publication, measured allocations or
+unobserved platform execution.
 
 ## Optional Dual DSL P1.2
 

Documentation/CLI.md

@@ -46,8 +46,17 @@ source, compiler and architecture; library WASI results are a separate boundary.
 
 ## Version and source identity
 
-This candidate reports `1.7.0`; latest stable remains `1.6.1`. The source version
-does not establish a published version tag. See the [candidate scope and exception](Qualification/Release1.7.0.md).
+Development main and a versioned release candidate are distinct sources. Read
+`--version` and `--version --json` from the selected checkout: development main
+uses `1.7.0-dev`, while a separately frozen 1.7.0 candidate uses `1.7.0` after its
+version metadata and source identity are updated and qualified. Neither value
+establishes publication. Latest stable remains `1.6.1`.
+
+The [source-line matrix](Qualification/ReleaseLines.md) and
+[consolidation contract](Qualification/Consolidation2026.md) describe the current
+twelve-library source. The [older RC contract](Qualification/Release1.7.0.md)
+retains its ten-library inventory and scoped performance exception as history;
+it does not qualify a later combined candidate.
 
 The frozen 1.5.0 executable reports `1.4.0-dev` and revision `unknown`; its release
 notes disclose that limitation. The 1.5.1 maintenance release corrects it, and

Documentation/Performance/README.md

@@ -28,5 +28,9 @@ pattern and aggregate-byte quotas; sharing does not bypass admission or work.
 Logical retained bytes differ from process RSS. Darwin ru_maxrss is cumulative;
 allocator end observations are not isolated workload allocations. These results
 make no cross-machine throughput or OS-enforced memory guarantee. Source-attached structural views in unreleased Inspection carry no performance
-claim (G4 HOLD). P2 matrix/graph/store/set/retrieval and JSON text-sequence framing
-remain deferred.
+claim (G4 HOLD). Consolidated 1.7 source includes set/matrix and directed graph
+capabilities in JSONInspection, plus package-only store construction/preparation.
+Their source admission does not close G4 or establish a speed, allocation or RSS
+claim. Public store/follow, wider retrieval/persistence, NAV13 batches and JSON
+text-sequence framing remain separately gated, unadmitted work. See the
+[combined scope and holds](../Qualification/Consolidation2026.md).

Documentation/Qualification/Release1.7Preparation.md

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+# 1.7.0 combined release preparation
+
+This contract records preparation of the combined twelve-library1.7.0 source,
+not historical RC6fe8067. At preparation, latest stable remains1.6.1. Final source
+identity, gate outcomes and performance decisions belong to the qualification
+receipt; publication is established by the official release. Preparing a candidate
+does not authorize a protected merge, tag or GitHub release publication.
+
+## Candidate scope
+
+The release includes JSON, JSONSchema, JSONSchemaExamples, JSONStreaming,
+JSONPatch, JSONHTML, JSONBridges, JSONNavigation, JSONInspection, JSONTransform,
+JSONValueDSL, JSONSchemaDSL and swift-json. JSONDSLCore is a shared public module
+without a product. Root dependencies remain empty. Preserve Swift 6.4+/language 6,
+macOS/iOS 27 minima, Apache-2.0 and all upstream notices.
+
+Navigation 56, Inspection 162, Transform 42 and the total 1,500 authored declarations
+are the current reviewed baseline. No new store/follow, batches, persistence,
+query grammar, resolver, platform or public API is added during preparation.
+Store construction/preparation stays package-only. All existing operation, source
+identity, error, cancellation, concurrency and finite-budget contracts remain.
+
+## Shared source ownership
+
+Use one final-source candidate. Navigation/Inspection preparation owns the common
+freeze ledger, version/CLI identity, release envelope and combined qualification
+binding. Transform review owns API/lifecycle/accounting/shared-kernel findings,
+its targeted documentation and the scoped performance evidence/disposition
+proposal. Integrate only reviewed focused commits, never whole obsolete drafts.
+Do not edit shared main or rewrite the frozen RC.
+
+## Final freeze checklist
+
+| Gate | Required evidence |
+| --- | --- |
+| Source lease | Current main/base/head/tree, branch/ruleset/check/thread review; no protected-ref changes |
+| Transform review | Explicit current-source findings and resolution of concrete contract failures; no speculative feature expansion |
+| Version and identity | Candidate CLI 1.7.0, matching literal regression and site metadata, deterministic digest regenerated after final Source/manifest edits |
+| Public boundary | Compiler-derived 1,500 declarations preserved; optional import boundaries, private stores/constructors/runtime/context inaccessible |
+| Behavior and safety | Native Debug/Release, ASan, TSan, strict/lifetime, ownership full codegen; complete identities and parameter populations |
+| Portability | Actual Linux ARM64/x86_64 and explicitly source-bound WASI/Apple scopes; SDK compilation is not device runtime |
+| Resource/conformance | All 49 core caps, 16 CLI metrics, 126 restoration identities, pinned independent cases and ordinary-invalid/operational-error separation |
+| Consumers and docs | Actual final revision consumers, executable guide/README blocks,13 catalogs, full comments and verified routes/indexes/links |
+| Performance disposition | Source-bound G4/P4 measured outcome or explicit applicable maintainer decision; no allocation/RSS/speed claim from partial telemetry |
+| Reproducibility | Actual source archive, embedded manifest, byte-equal rebuild, clean Git-free qualification and actual provider receipts |
+| Public envelope | Reviewed release notes, source/compiled DocC archives, sanitized public qualification summary, checksums, notices/dependencies/privacy |
+| Integration/tag/publication | Separate deliberate owner actions after final-head review and all applicable gates; no automatic release from preparation/CI |
+
+Baseline main qualification is evidence for its exact source. A changed candidate
+needs a fresh binding; an unchanged-source reuse must identify precisely which
+inputs, flags, commands and scopes are equal. Never relabel an old source run as
+a new execution. Preserve every failed attempt and its successful retry separately.
+
+Current expected roots remain 975 native / 959 Linux / 871 WASI, 390 native/Linux and
+353 WASI parameter invocations, targeted sharing 60/59. These are discovery
+requirements, not preclaimed final-candidate outcomes. Public declaration counts
+exclude compiler synthesis; catalog/module count differs from product count.
+
+## Performance and platform limits
+
+Navigation G4 remains HOLD, with zero accepted controlled timing samples.
+The original Transform P4 waiver applies to its historical scoped candidate;
+later 44/150 and 119/150 windows remain separate partial populations with the
+original incomplete-output incident retained. Neither is a new candidate's
+allocation/overhead pass. Record any final-source scope mapping and decision
+explicitly under the unchanged 10% review trigger. Logical retained bytes are
+not process RSS or heap allocation totals; caller work is not an owned instruction
+quota. Do not benchmark a busy host or manufacture measurements.
+
+Retain the historical approximately 11% streaming disposition. Do not broaden
+mobile/device, full-root WasmKit, WASI sanitizer, CLI/file-I/O, browser, Embedded
+Swift or lower-deployment claims beyond actual source-bound evidence. The physical
+iPad deferral remains explicit; simulator output is not physical-device evidence.
+
+## Assets and publication boundary
+
+The private working ledger may contain local paths, approvals, raw crash traces
+and provider archives. None belongs in public release assets. Publishable assets
+need a public-safe receipt with actual commands, source/fixture/toolchain pins,
+counts and limitations. Verify every archive/checksum byte before upload.
+
+A path/revision consumer does not prove a nonexistent 1.7.0 version tag. Actual tag
+resolution, asset downloads, released DocC and Swift Package Index checks follow
+separately authorized tag/publication. Stable1.6.1 remains unchanged throughout.

Documentation/Qualification/ReleaseLines.md

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 | Published 1.6.0 | `f975ac1c5a18af9b422db0994cbc551fd37eee2f` | Eight libraries plus CLI, eight catalogs, 1,077 authored declarations |
 | Published 1.6.1 (latest stable) | `e431f157ececc0cf3d061192420b0e36a9062f83` | Same eight-library public API and runtime as 1.6.0; no Inspection |
 | Consolidated development source | Main, retaining N2 admitted at `2b24f47e7405821240cf8dfc66b840c9a7f8efa5` | Twelve libraries plus CLI; thirteen catalogs including shared JSONDSLCore; compiler-derived API inventory required |
+| Prepared combined 1.7.0 source | Final candidate SHA/tree belongs to its qualification receipt; no tag implied | Same twelve libraries plus CLI, thirteen catalogs and expected 1,500 authored declarations; see current preparation checklist |
 
 Source versions do not establish publication. Consult the
 [official releases](https://github.com/ThorFuchs/Swift-JSON/releases) for published
@@ -37,6 +38,20 @@ Stable 1.6.1 has neither. Consolidated development source stays 1.7.0-dev with t
 performance remains HOLD without speed claims; this is distinct from technical
 qualification and does not authorize any release/tag.
 
+## Combined 1.7.0 preparation
+
+The [current preparation checklist](Release1.7Preparation.md) and
+[draft release notes](../ReleaseNotes/1.7.0.md) describe the twelve-library candidate
+being prepared from current main. Its final source is not yet frozen. They are
+separate from the historical ten-library RC contract below; latest stable remains
+1.6.1 until actual publication.
+
+## Forward release plan
+
+See the [1.7–2.0 roadmap](../ReleaseRoadmap.md) for the proposed shared-version
+sequence, current product inventory, direct Navigation ownership and remaining
+source-bound release gates. The proposal creates no release or new API approval.
+
 ## Historical JTX10 unpublished 1.7.0 candidate
 
 The isolated JTX10 successor integrates main

Documentation/ReleaseNotes/1.7.0.md

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+# Swift-JSON 1.7.0 — release notes
+
+These notes describe the combined1.7.0 source. They do not establish publication;
+consult the official release and its source-bound qualification asset. The
+[release checklist](../Qualification/Release1.7Preparation.md) defines the gates.
+
+## Included capabilities
+
+- Add JSONInspection as an opt-in library: factual complete/prefix array evidence,
+  source-attached structural snapshots, checked trees/sparse object tables,
+  first-occurrence exact structural sets, exact numeric matrix orientation and
+  source-bound directed graphs with bounded complete BFS.
+- Add JSONTransform over the existing shared compiler/pull VM, with guarded
+  invocation-owned execution, exact native output and cumulative CLI accounting.
+- Add JSONValueDSL and JSONSchemaDSL for trusted authored values/schema documents.
+  Finite checked finalization uses existing exact values and native schema
+  compilation/validation; authored staging/callbacks remain caller work.
+- Retain every existing core/schema/example/stream/Patch/HTML/bridge/Navigation
+  product and the CLI. Twelve libraries plus CLI share the release version;
+  JSONDSLCore provides shared public generic structure without its own product.
+
+## Compatibility and scope
+
+The public API is additive to stable 1.6.1. Exact bounded decimals, decoded scalar
+identity, ordered object storage/order-independent equality, strict UTF-8, offline
+immutable schema plans, operation budgets and source-map coherence remain binding.
+Default profiles remain finite. Construction and each separately reported read
+retain their documented admission boundaries; caller pipelines are not implicitly
+one ledger. Missing, explicit null, typed shape failures, operational exhaustion
+and cancellation remain distinct.
+
+Apple baselines remain tools/compiler 6.4+, language 6 and macOS/iOS/iPadOS 27+.
+Linux and WASI claims retain their qualified architecture/runtime/host scopes.
+The final receipt must state actual supported-lane outcomes rather than deriving
+mobile runtime, full CLI/WASI, browser or sanitizer guarantees from compilation.
+No runtime package dependencies or new backend are introduced.
+
+Private configured-store preparation/construction remains internal to the package.
+Public store/follow, NAV13 aggregate access, persistence, retrieval and text-sequence
+framing are not part of this release. No matrix arithmetic, graph serializer or
+alternative JSON/query semantic authority is added.
+
+## Qualification and known limits
+
+Final-source Native/Linux/safety/ownership/consumer/DocC/archive and scoped portable
+receipts are required before release. Independent suite policy exclusions are
+separate from evaluated successes. Swift Build planner incidents and successful
+unchanged-source retries remain visible; no unconfirmed toolchain fix is claimed.
+
+Controlled Navigation performance remains HOLD. Transform's historical scoped
+P4 waiver and later partial sampling windows are not an allocation pass. The
+final-source performance disposition belongs to the qualification receipt; no
+speed/throughput/allocation-
+efficiency/RSS claim is made. Logical accounting is not physical memory.
+The existing streaming regression disposition and 10% review trigger are unchanged.
+
+Final source, public qualification, compiled documentation and checksum assets
+will be attached only after their actual byte/source checks and the maintainer's
+separate release actions. See [the roadmap](../ReleaseRoadmap.md) for later waves.