feat(interpreter): implement hybrid intent resolution with LLM and deterministic fallback

- Added new contracts for intent interpretation, including InterpreterOutput and ResolverMode. - Implemented deterministic intent resolver with clarity checks for ambiguous references and empty input. - Developed LLM intent resolver that communicates with an external model, handling JSON responses and fallback clarifications. - Created an interpretTurn function to manage intent resolution based on the selected resolver mode. - Introduced validation for interpreter output to ensure integrity before processing actions. - Established a turn manager to orchestrate turn processing, including action validation and world state mutation. - Added integration tests to verify the functionality of the new intent resolution system. Co-authored-by: Copilot <copilot@github.com>
2026-04-26 14:06:14 -04:00
parent ff9b86c3e9
commit fc10e46ccc
23 changed files with 1530 additions and 1012 deletions
--- a/Implementation_plan.md
+++ b/Implementation_plan.md
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
-# CharacterGarden — Iterative Implementation Plan
+# CharacterGarden — Iterative Implementation Plan (Updated)

-## Copilot Operating Rules
+## Planning Rules

 Work in small, reviewable steps.

-After every completed step:
+After each completed step:

-1. Update `thoughts.md`
+1. Update thoughts.md
 2. Record files changed
 3. Record assumptions made
 4. Record next step
@@ -16,388 +16,233 @@ Do not redesign the project without updating this plan.

 ---

-# Phase 1 — Contracts First
+# Phase 0 — Completed Baseline

-## Step 1.1 — Create contracts folder
+Status: COMPLETE

-Create:
-
-```txt
-app/src/contracts/
-```
-
-Add:
-
-```txt
-app/src/contracts/action.ts
-app/src/contracts/turn.ts
-app/src/contracts/validation.ts
-app/src/contracts/world.ts
-app/src/contracts/entity.ts
-```
-
-Goal: all shared types live here.
+- Contracts are established under app/src/contracts/
+- Deterministic truth engine is active
+- Rulebook-driven validation is active and editable
+- Core actions supported: inspect, move, open, take, introduce, describe, transfer
+- take createIfMissing path implemented with rulebook authorization
+- transfer action implemented with ownership/location checks
+- Turn orchestration moved behind turn manager seam
+- Interpreter contract and first interpreter module created
+- Docker container builds are passing for app and frontend

 ---

-## Step 1.2 — Define Action contract
+# Phase 1 — Intent Interpreter Boundary Hardening

-In `action.ts`:
+Status: IN PROGRESS

-```ts
-export type Action = {
-  actorId: string;
-  type: string;
-  targetId?: string;
-  locationId?: string;
-  metadata?: Record<string, unknown>;
-};
-```
+## Step 1.1 — Strict interpreter envelope validation

-No other action shape should be used.
+Goal:
+
+- Validate InterpreterOutput shape before it reaches validation/mutation.
+- Reject malformed interpreter payloads deterministically.
+
+Target files:
+
+- app/src/contracts/intent.ts
+- app/src/interpreter/interpretTurn.ts
+- app/src/turns/turnManager.ts
+
+## Step 1.2 — Clarification model expansion
+
+Goal:
+
+- Add structured clarification options and optional entity candidates.
+- Distinguish unrecognized-intent from reference ambiguity consistently.
+
+Target files:
+
+- app/src/contracts/intent.ts
+- app/src/interpreter/interpretTurn.ts
+
+## Step 1.3 — API compatibility for unresolved turns
+
+Goal:
+
+- Ensure /api/turn returns interpreter status and clarification payload reliably.
+- Keep existing fields backward-compatible for current frontend behavior.
+
+Target files:
+
+- app/src/turns/processTurn.ts
+- app/src/index.ts

 ---

-## Step 1.3 — Define ValidationResult contract
+# Phase 2 — Turn Trace and Persistence Enrichment

-In `validation.ts`:
+Status: NOT STARTED

-```ts
-export type ValidationResult = {
-  actionIndex: number;
-  success: boolean;
-  reason?: string;
-  message?: string;
-};
-```
+## Step 2.1 — Persist interpreter envelope per turn
+
+Goal:
+
+- Persist interpreter status, diagnostics, and clarification metadata.
+
+Target files:
+
+- app/src/db.ts
+- app/src/contracts/turn.ts
+- app/src/turns/turnManager.ts
+
+## Step 2.2 — Extend read models and API snapshots
+
+Goal:
+
+- Include interpreter trace data in turn history returned by /api/state.
+
+Target files:
+
+- app/src/db.ts
+- app/src/app.ts
+- app/src/index.ts
+
+## Step 2.3 — Frontend turn inspector updates
+
+Goal:
+
+- Display interpreter status and clarification prompts in timeline and latest result.
+
+Target files:
+
+- frontend/src/App.tsx

 ---

-## Step 1.4 — Define Turn contract
+# Phase 3 — Resolver Plug-in Architecture

-In `turn.ts`:
+Status: COMPLETE

-```ts
-import type { Action } from "./action";
-import type { ValidationResult } from "./validation";
+## Step 3.1 — Introduce resolver interface

-export type Turn = {
-  id: string;
-  rawText: string;
-  actions: Action[];
-  validation: ValidationResult[];
-  createdAt: number;
-};
-```
+Goal:
+
+- Define a stable resolver interface that returns InterpreterOutput.
+
+Target files:
+
+- app/src/interpreter/resolveIntent.ts (new)
+- app/src/interpreter/interpretTurn.ts
+
+## Step 3.2 — Deterministic adapter extraction
+
+Goal:
+
+- Move current parser-backed behavior into a deterministic adapter.
+
+Target files:
+
+- app/src/interpreter/adapters/deterministicResolver.ts (new)
+- app/src/interpreter/interpretTurn.ts
+
+## Step 3.3 — LLM resolver adapter
+
+Goal:
+
+- Add LLM adapter behind config, without making it authoritative over deterministic validation.
+
+Target files:
+
+- app/src/interpreter/adapters/llmResolver.ts (new)
+- app/src/app.ts
+
+## Step 3.4 — Fallback strategy
+
+Goal:
+
+- Support deterministic fallback when LLM resolver fails or is low confidence.
+
+Target files:
+
+- app/src/interpreter/interpretTurn.ts

 ---

-## Step 1.5 — Define Entity contract
+# Phase 4 — Rulebook Governance and Compatibility

-In `entity.ts`:
+Status: IN PROGRESS

-```ts
-export type Entity = {
-  id: string;
-  name: string;
-  type: string;
-  attributes: Record<string, unknown>;
-};
-```
+## Step 4.1 — Rulebook versioning
+
+Goal:
+
+- Add version field and migration path for existing saved rulebooks.
+
+Status: COMPLETE
+
+Target files:
+
+- app/src/contracts/rulebook.ts
+- app/src/defaultRulebook.ts
+- app/src/db.ts
+
+## Step 4.2 — Policy pack structure
+
+Goal:
+
+- Organize rules into policy packs (creation, transfer, social) while retaining current behavior.
+
+Target files:
+
+- app/src/defaultRulebook.ts
+
+## Step 4.3 — Rulebook editor affordances
+
+Goal:
+
+- Surface policy grouping and version in the frontend editor.
+
+Target files:
+
+- frontend/src/App.tsx

 ---

-## Step 1.6 — Define WorldState contract
+# Phase 5 — Docker-First Test Harness

-In `world.ts`:
+Status: NOT STARTED

-```ts
-import type { Entity } from "./entity";
+## Step 5.1 — Backend integration tests

-export type WorldState = {
-  id: string;
-  entities: Record<string, Entity>;
-  metadata: Record<string, unknown>;
-  createdAt: number;
-};
-```
+Goal:

---
+- Cover deterministic scenarios:
+  - unauthorized createIfMissing denied
+  - authorized createIfMissing allowed
+  - transfer success and failure matrix
+  - unresolved intent clarification behavior

-# Phase 2 — Enforce Layer Boundaries
+Target files:

-## Step 2.1 — Refactor truth engine imports
+- app/src/** tests (new)

-Update `truthEngine.ts` so it imports:
+## Step 5.2 — Containerized test commands

-```ts
-import type { Action } from "./contracts/action";
-import type { ValidationResult } from "./contracts/validation";
-import type { WorldState } from "./contracts/world";
-```
+Goal:

-Truth engine must only receive structured actions.
+- Provide canonical Docker commands for app/frontend build and tests.

---
+Target files:

-## Step 2.2 — Remove text parsing from truth engine
+- charactergarden/docker-compose.yml
+- project.md
+- thoughts.md

-Search `truthEngine.ts` for:
+## Step 5.3 — CI readiness checklist

-* string parsing
-* natural language interpretation
-* prompt logic
-* LLM calls
+Goal:

-Move any such logic out.
+- Ensure all checks are containerized and reproducible.

-Truth engine should expose:
+Deliverable:

-```ts
-export function validateActions(
-  actions: Action[],
-  worldState: WorldState
-): ValidationResult[] {
-  // deterministic validation only
-}
-```
-
---
-
-## Step 2.3 — Create parser layer
-
-Create:
-
-```txt
-app/src/parser/
-app/src/parser/parseTextToActions.ts
-```
-
-Function:
-
-```ts
-import type { Action } from "../contracts/action";
-
-export function parseTextToActions(text: string): Action[] {
-  // temporary simple parser
-  return [];
-}
-```
-
-For now, returning `[]` is acceptable.
-
---
-
-## Step 2.4 — Create world state engine
-
-Create:
-
-```txt
-app/src/world/
-app/src/world/applyActions.ts
-```
-
-Function:
-
-```ts
-import type { Action } from "../contracts/action";
-import type { ValidationResult } from "../contracts/validation";
-import type { WorldState } from "../contracts/world";
-
-export function applyActions(
-  actions: Action[],
-  results: ValidationResult[],
-  worldState: WorldState
-): WorldState {
-  // apply only successful actions
-  return worldState;
-}
-```
-
---
-
-# Phase 3 — Build First Deterministic Test Domain
-
-Use a simple door/key room before anything complex.
-
-## Step 3.1 — Seed initial world
-
-Create initial world state:
-
-* actor: `player`
-* room: `room_start`
-* door: `door_1`
-* key: `key_1`
-
-Door starts locked.
-
-Key starts in room.
-
-Player starts in room.
-
---
-
-## Step 3.2 — Support action types
-
-Truth engine should recognize:
-
-```txt
-inspect
-take
-open
-move
-```
-
-Unknown action types fail with:
-
-```txt
-reason: "unknown_action"
-```
-
---
-
-## Step 3.3 — Validate take action
-
-Rules:
-
-* Actor must exist
-* Target must exist
-* Target must be in same location
-* Target must be takeable
-
-Failure reasons:
-
-* `actor_not_found`
-* `target_not_found`
-* `not_in_same_location`
-* `not_takeable`
-
---
-
-## Step 3.4 — Validate open action
-
-Rules:
-
-* Actor must exist
-* Target must exist
-* Target must be openable
-* If locked, actor must have matching key
-
-Failure reasons:
-
-* `actor_not_found`
-* `target_not_found`
-* `not_openable`
-* `locked_requires_key`
-
---
-
-## Step 3.5 — Apply successful take
-
-If `take` succeeds:
-
-* move item into actor inventory
-
---
-
-## Step 3.6 — Apply successful open
-
-If `open` succeeds:
-
-* set door attribute `open: true`
-
---
-
-# Phase 4 — Wire Full Turn Processing
-
-## Step 4.1 — Create turn processor
-
-Create:
-
-```txt
-app/src/turns/processTurn.ts
-```
-
-Function:
-
-```ts
-export async function processTurn(rawText: string): Promise<Turn> {
-  // parse
-  // validate
-  // apply
-  // persist
-  // return turn
-}
-```
-
---
-
-## Step 4.2 — Enforce pipeline order
-
-The turn processor must call:
-
-```txt
-parseTextToActions
-validateActions
-applyActions
-persistTurn
-```
-
-In that order.
-
-No layer may skip ahead.
-
---
-
-## Step 4.3 — Add debug response
-
-API should return:
-
-```ts
-{
-  rawText,
-  actions,
-  validation,
-  worldState
-}
-```
-
-This is for MVP debugging.
-
---
-
-# Phase 5 — Persistence
-
-## Step 5.1 — Add database tables
-
-Minimum SQLite tables:
-
-```sql
-turns
-actions
-validation_results
-entities
-world_states
-```
-
---
-
-## Step 5.2 — Persist every turn
-
-Each call to `processTurn` must save:
-
-* raw text
-* parsed actions
-* validation results
-* resulting world state snapshot
-
---
-
-## Step 5.3 — Add reset endpoint
-
-Add an endpoint to reset world state to seed state.
-
-This is needed for testing.
+- One documented command sequence that reproduces local validation.

 ---

--- a/charactergarden/app/package.json
+++ b/charactergarden/app/package.json
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@
  "scripts": {
    "dev": "ts-node-dev --respawn --transpile-only src/index.ts",
    "build": "tsc",
-    "start": "node dist/index.js"
+    "start": "node dist/index.js",
+    "test:integration": "npm run build && node dist/tests/integrationRunner.js"
  },
  "dependencies": {
    "fastify": "^4.28.1",
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/app.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/app.ts
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ export interface AppSnapshot {
 export interface CharacterGardenApp {
  db: CharacterGardenDatabase;
  getSnapshot(): AppSnapshot;
-  processTurn(rawText: string): ProcessTurnResponse;
+  processTurn(rawText: string): Promise<ProcessTurnResponse>;
  getRulebook(): SceneRulebook;
  upsertRulebook(rulebook: SceneRulebook): SceneRulebook;
  listRulebooks(): SceneRulebook[];
@@ -219,9 +219,9 @@ export function createCharacterGardenApp(dbPath: string): CharacterGardenApp {
      };
    },

-    processTurn(rawText: string) {
+    async processTurn(rawText: string) {
      const rulebook = loadActiveRulebook();
-      const result = processTurn(rawText, worldState, db, rulebook);
+      const result = await processTurn(rawText, worldState, db, rulebook);
      worldState = result.worldState;
      return result;
    },
@@ -231,7 +231,11 @@ export function createCharacterGardenApp(dbPath: string): CharacterGardenApp {
    },

    upsertRulebook(rulebook: SceneRulebook) {
-      const updated: SceneRulebook = { ...rulebook, updatedAt: Date.now() };
+      const updated: SceneRulebook = {
+        ...rulebook,
+        version: Number.isInteger(rulebook.version) ? rulebook.version : 1,
+        updatedAt: Date.now(),
+      };
      db.upsertRulebook(updated);
      activeRulebookId = updated.id;
      return updated;
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/contracts/intent.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/contracts/intent.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+import type { Action } from "./action";
+
+export type InterpreterStatus =
+  | "resolved"
+  | "needs_clarification"
+  | "rejected";
+
+export type ClarificationReasonCode =
+  | "UNRECOGNIZED_INTENT"
+  | "AMBIGUOUS_REFERENCE"
+  | "EMPTY_INPUT"
+  | "LOW_CONFIDENCE"
+  | "INTERNAL_INVALID_OUTPUT";
+
+export type ClarificationOption = {
+  id: string;
+  label: string;
+  value: string;
+  entityId?: string;
+  entityType?: "character" | "item" | "room" | "unknown";
+};
+
+export type ClarificationRequest = {
+  reasonCode: ClarificationReasonCode;
+  question: string;
+  field?: "verb" | "target" | "item" | "recipient" | "location";
+  options?: ClarificationOption[];
+};
+
+export type InterpreterCandidate = {
+  action: Action;
+  confidence: number;
+  rationale?: string;
+};
+
+export type InterpreterOutput = {
+  interpreterVersion: string;
+  rawText: string;
+  actorId: string;
+  resolutionSource: "deterministic" | "llm" | "hybrid";
+  minConfidence: number;
+  selectedConfidence?: number;
+  status: InterpreterStatus;
+  selectedActions: Action[];
+  candidates: InterpreterCandidate[];
+  diagnostics: string[];
+  clarification?: ClarificationRequest;
+};
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/contracts/rulebook.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/contracts/rulebook.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ export type EntityRole = "actor" | "target" | "actorRoom" | "targetRoom";
 *   sameLocation              — two entities share the same location attribute value
 *   actorIdIn                 — action.actorId is included in an allowed list
 *   actorNameIn               — actor.name matches one of an allowed list (case-insensitive)
+ *   actionMetadataEq          — action.metadata[key] === value
+ *   itemInInventory           — item entity referenced by metadata key is in inventory of holder role
 *   attributeRef              — entities[checkRole].attributes[prefix + entities[refRole].attributes[refAttribute]] === true
 *   metaValueNotInRoom        — no entity of entityType in actor's room has name === action.metadata[metaKey]
 */
@@ -38,6 +40,8 @@ export type ConditionExpr =
  | { op: "sameLocation"; roleA: EntityRole; roleB: EntityRole }
  | { op: "actorIdIn"; allowedIds: string[] }
  | { op: "actorNameIn"; allowedNames: string[] }
+  | { op: "actionMetadataEq"; key: string; value: unknown }
+  | { op: "itemInInventory"; itemMetadataKey: string; holderRole: EntityRole }
  | {
      op: "attributeRef";
      /** Entity whose attribute is being tested */
@@ -86,6 +90,8 @@ export type ActionRuleSet = {
 export type SceneRulebook = {
  id: string;
  worldId: string;
+  /** Increment when schema/policy format changes in breaking ways. */
+  version: number;
  name: string;
  description?: string;
  rules: ActionRuleSet[];
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/contracts/turn.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/contracts/turn.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import type { Action } from "./action";
+import type { InterpreterOutput } from "./intent";
 import type { ValidationResult } from "./validation";

 export type Turn = {
@@ -7,4 +8,5 @@ export type Turn = {
  actions: Action[];
  validation: ValidationResult[];
  createdAt: number;
+  interpreter?: InterpreterOutput;
 };
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/db.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/db.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import Database from "better-sqlite3";

 import type { Action } from "./contracts/action";
 import type { Entity } from "./contracts/entity";
+import type { InterpreterOutput } from "./contracts/intent";
 import type { SceneRulebook } from "./contracts/rulebook";
 import type { Turn } from "./contracts/turn";
 import type { ValidationResult } from "./contracts/validation";
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ export interface CharacterGardenDatabase {
  listEntities(): Entity[];
  insertTurn(turn: Turn): void;
  listTurns(): Turn[];
+  insertInterpreterOutput(turnId: string, interpreter: InterpreterOutput): void;
  insertActions(turnId: string, actions: Action[]): void;
  insertValidationResults(turnId: string, results: ValidationResult[]): void;
  insertWorldState(turnId: string | null, worldState: WorldState): void;
@@ -97,6 +99,7 @@ export function createDatabase(config: DatabaseConfig): CharacterGardenDatabase
      CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS rulebooks (
        id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
        world_id TEXT NOT NULL,
+        version INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 1,
        name TEXT NOT NULL,
        description TEXT,
        rules_json TEXT NOT NULL,
@@ -104,12 +107,27 @@ export function createDatabase(config: DatabaseConfig): CharacterGardenDatabase
        updated_at INTEGER NOT NULL
      )
    `,
+    `
+      CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS interpreter_events (
+        turn_id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
+        interpreter_json TEXT NOT NULL,
+        created_at INTEGER NOT NULL,
+        FOREIGN KEY(turn_id) REFERENCES turns(id)
+      )
+    `,
  ];

  for (const statement of initStatements) {
    sqlite.exec(statement);
  }

+  // Backward-compatible migration for pre-versioned databases.
+  try {
+    sqlite.exec("ALTER TABLE rulebooks ADD COLUMN version INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 1");
+  } catch {
+    // Column already exists.
+  }
+
  const clearEntitiesStatement = sqlite.prepare("DELETE FROM entities");
  const upsertEntityStatement = sqlite.prepare(`
    INSERT INTO entities (id, name, type, attributes_json)
@@ -137,6 +155,19 @@ export function createDatabase(config: DatabaseConfig): CharacterGardenDatabase
    ORDER BY created_at ASC
  `);

+  const listInterpreterEventsStatement = sqlite.prepare(`
+    SELECT turn_id, interpreter_json
+    FROM interpreter_events
+  `);
+
+  const insertInterpreterOutputStatement = sqlite.prepare(`
+    INSERT INTO interpreter_events (turn_id, interpreter_json, created_at)
+    VALUES (@turn_id, @interpreter_json, @created_at)
+    ON CONFLICT(turn_id) DO UPDATE SET
+      interpreter_json = excluded.interpreter_json,
+      created_at = excluded.created_at
+  `);
+
  const insertActionStatement = sqlite.prepare(`
    INSERT INTO actions (
      turn_id,
@@ -186,9 +217,10 @@ export function createDatabase(config: DatabaseConfig): CharacterGardenDatabase
  `);

  const upsertRulebookStatement = sqlite.prepare(`
-    INSERT INTO rulebooks (id, world_id, name, description, rules_json, created_at, updated_at)
-    VALUES (@id, @world_id, @name, @description, @rules_json, @created_at, @updated_at)
+    INSERT INTO rulebooks (id, world_id, version, name, description, rules_json, created_at, updated_at)
+    VALUES (@id, @world_id, @version, @name, @description, @rules_json, @created_at, @updated_at)
    ON CONFLICT(id) DO UPDATE SET
+      version = excluded.version,
      name = excluded.name,
      description = excluded.description,
      rules_json = excluded.rules_json,
@@ -196,13 +228,13 @@ export function createDatabase(config: DatabaseConfig): CharacterGardenDatabase
  `);

  const getRulebookStatement = sqlite.prepare(`
-    SELECT id, world_id, name, description, rules_json, created_at, updated_at
+    SELECT id, world_id, version, name, description, rules_json, created_at, updated_at
    FROM rulebooks
    WHERE id = @id
  `);

  const listRulebooksStatement = sqlite.prepare(`
-    SELECT id, world_id, name, description, rules_json, created_at, updated_at
+    SELECT id, world_id, version, name, description, rules_json, created_at, updated_at
    FROM rulebooks
    ORDER BY created_at ASC
  `);
@@ -224,6 +256,7 @@ export function createDatabase(config: DatabaseConfig): CharacterGardenDatabase

    wipe() {
      sqlite.exec(`
+        DELETE FROM interpreter_events;
        DELETE FROM validation_results;
        DELETE FROM actions;
        DELETE FROM world_states;
@@ -279,15 +312,33 @@ export function createDatabase(config: DatabaseConfig): CharacterGardenDatabase
        created_at: number;
      }>;

+      const interpreterRows = listInterpreterEventsStatement.all() as Array<{
+        turn_id: string;
+        interpreter_json: string;
+      }>;
+      const interpreterByTurnId = new Map<string, InterpreterOutput>();
+      for (const row of interpreterRows) {
+        interpreterByTurnId.set(row.turn_id, parseJson<InterpreterOutput>(row.interpreter_json));
+      }
+
      return rows.map((row) => ({
        id: row.id,
        rawText: row.raw_text,
        actions: [],
        validation: [],
        createdAt: row.created_at,
+        interpreter: interpreterByTurnId.get(row.id),
      }));
    },

+    insertInterpreterOutput(turnId, interpreter) {
+      insertInterpreterOutputStatement.run({
+        turn_id: turnId,
+        interpreter_json: JSON.stringify(interpreter),
+        created_at: Date.now(),
+      });
+    },
+
    insertActions(turnId, actions) {
      const tx = sqlite.transaction((actionList: Action[]) => {
        actionList.forEach((action, index) => {
@@ -343,6 +394,7 @@ export function createDatabase(config: DatabaseConfig): CharacterGardenDatabase
      upsertRulebookStatement.run({
        id: rulebook.id,
        world_id: rulebook.worldId,
+        version: rulebook.version,
        name: rulebook.name,
        description: rulebook.description ?? null,
        rules_json: JSON.stringify(rulebook.rules),
@@ -356,6 +408,7 @@ export function createDatabase(config: DatabaseConfig): CharacterGardenDatabase
        | {
            id: string;
            world_id: string;
+          version: number;
            name: string;
            description: string | null;
            rules_json: string;
@@ -367,6 +420,7 @@ export function createDatabase(config: DatabaseConfig): CharacterGardenDatabase
      return {
        id: row.id,
        worldId: row.world_id,
+        version: row.version ?? 1,
        name: row.name,
        description: row.description ?? undefined,
        rules: parseJson(row.rules_json),
@@ -379,6 +433,7 @@ export function createDatabase(config: DatabaseConfig): CharacterGardenDatabase
      const rows = listRulebooksStatement.all() as Array<{
        id: string;
        world_id: string;
+        version: number;
        name: string;
        description: string | null;
        rules_json: string;
@@ -388,6 +443,7 @@ export function createDatabase(config: DatabaseConfig): CharacterGardenDatabase
      return rows.map((row) => ({
        id: row.id,
        worldId: row.world_id,
+        version: row.version ?? 1,
        name: row.name,
        description: row.description ?? undefined,
        rules: parseJson(row.rules_json),
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/defaultRulebook.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/defaultRulebook.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ export function createDefaultRulebook(worldId: string): SceneRulebook {
  return {
    id: DEFAULT_RULEBOOK_ID,
    worldId,
+    version: 1,
    name: "Default Rulebook",
    description: "Built-in scene rules for the CharacterGarden engine. Edit freely — the engine re-evaluates on every turn.",
    createdAt: now,
@@ -27,23 +28,47 @@ export function createDefaultRulebook(worldId: string): SceneRulebook {
        enabled: true,
        checks: [
          {
-            id: "take_target_exists",
-            description: "Target entity must exist in the world",
-            condition: { op: "entityExists", role: "target" },
+            id: "take_target_exists_or_actor_can_create",
+            description: "Target must exist, or actor must be authorized to create it when createIfMissing is true",
+            condition: {
+              op: "or",
+              conditions: [
+                { op: "entityExists", role: "target" },
+                {
+                  op: "and",
+                  conditions: [
+                    { op: "actionMetadataEq", key: "createIfMissing", value: true },
+                    { op: "actorIdIn", allowedIds: ["player"] },
+                  ],
+                },
+              ],
+            },
            failReason: "target_not_found",
-            failMessage: "Target '{target.id}' does not exist.",
+            failMessage: "Target '{target.id}' does not exist, and actor '{actor.id}' is not allowed to create missing items.",
          },
          {
            id: "take_same_location",
-            description: "Actor and target must be in the same location",
-            condition: { op: "sameLocation", roleA: "actor", roleB: "target" },
+            description: "If target exists, actor and target must be in the same location",
+            condition: {
+              op: "or",
+              conditions: [
+                { op: "not", condition: { op: "entityExists", role: "target" } },
+                { op: "sameLocation", roleA: "actor", roleB: "target" },
+              ],
+            },
            failReason: "not_in_same_location",
            failMessage: "Target '{target.id}' is not in the same location as '{actor.id}'.",
          },
          {
            id: "take_takeable",
-            description: "Target must have takeable attribute set to true",
-            condition: { op: "eq", role: "target", attribute: "takeable", value: true },
+            description: "If target exists, it must have takeable attribute set to true",
+            condition: {
+              op: "or",
+              conditions: [
+                { op: "not", condition: { op: "entityExists", role: "target" } },
+                { op: "eq", role: "target", attribute: "takeable", value: true },
+              ],
+            },
            failReason: "not_takeable",
            failMessage: "Target '{target.id}' cannot be taken.",
          },
@@ -242,6 +267,41 @@ export function createDefaultRulebook(worldId: string): SceneRulebook {
          },
        ],
      },
+
+      {
+        actionType: "transfer",
+        enabled: true,
+        checks: [
+          {
+            id: "transfer_recipient_exists",
+            description: "Recipient must exist in the world",
+            condition: { op: "entityExists", role: "target" },
+            failReason: "target_not_found",
+            failMessage: "Recipient '{target.id}' does not exist.",
+          },
+          {
+            id: "transfer_recipient_character",
+            description: "Recipient must be a character",
+            condition: { op: "entityType", role: "target", requiredType: "character" },
+            failReason: "target_not_character",
+            failMessage: "Recipient '{target.id}' is not a character.",
+          },
+          {
+            id: "transfer_same_location",
+            description: "Actor and recipient must be in the same location",
+            condition: { op: "sameLocation", roleA: "actor", roleB: "target" },
+            failReason: "not_in_same_location",
+            failMessage: "Recipient '{target.id}' is not in the same location as '{actor.id}'.",
+          },
+          {
+            id: "transfer_actor_holds_item",
+            description: "Actor must currently hold the specified item in inventory",
+            condition: { op: "itemInInventory", itemMetadataKey: "itemId", holderRole: "actor" },
+            failReason: "item_not_in_inventory",
+            failMessage: "Actor '{actor.id}' is not holding the requested item.",
+          },
+        ],
+      },
    ],
  };
 }
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/index.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/index.ts
@@ -17,13 +17,13 @@ server.get("/api/state", async () => game.getSnapshot());
 server.post("/api/reset", async () => game.reset());

 server.post<{ Body: { input?: string } }>("/api/turn", async (request, reply) => {
-  const input = request.body?.input?.trim();
-  if (!input) {
+  const input = request.body?.input;
+  if (typeof input !== "string") {
    reply.code(400);
-    return { error: "input is required" };
+    return { error: "input is required and must be a string" };
  }

-  return game.processTurn(input);
+  return await game.processTurn(input);
 });

 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/interpreter/adapters/deterministicResolver.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/interpreter/adapters/deterministicResolver.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+import type { InterpreterOutput } from "../../contracts/intent";
+import type { ResolveIntentInput } from "../resolveIntent";
+import { parseTextToActions } from "../../parser/parseTextToActions";
+
+export const DETERMINISTIC_INTERPRETER_VERSION = "deterministic-v1";
+
+function hasAmbiguousReference(input: string): boolean {
+  return /\b(it|them|that|this|him|her|there|here)\b/i.test(input);
+}
+
+export function resolveDeterministicIntent(input: ResolveIntentInput): InterpreterOutput {
+  const trimmed = input.rawText.trim();
+
+  if (!trimmed) {
+    return {
+      interpreterVersion: DETERMINISTIC_INTERPRETER_VERSION,
+      rawText: input.rawText,
+      actorId: input.actorId,
+      resolutionSource: "deterministic",
+      minConfidence: input.minConfidence,
+      status: "rejected",
+      selectedActions: [],
+      candidates: [],
+      diagnostics: ["Input was empty after trimming whitespace."],
+      clarification: {
+        reasonCode: "EMPTY_INPUT",
+        question: "What would you like to do?",
+        field: "verb",
+      },
+    };
+  }
+
+  const actions = parseTextToActions(trimmed, input.actorId);
+  if (actions.length > 0) {
+    const candidates = actions.map((action) => ({
+      action,
+      confidence: 0.85,
+      rationale: "Matched deterministic parser pattern and normalized to canonical action.",
+    }));
+    const selectedConfidence = candidates.reduce((min, c) => Math.min(min, c.confidence), 1);
+
+    if (selectedConfidence < input.minConfidence) {
+      return {
+        interpreterVersion: DETERMINISTIC_INTERPRETER_VERSION,
+        rawText: input.rawText,
+        actorId: input.actorId,
+        resolutionSource: "deterministic",
+        minConfidence: input.minConfidence,
+        selectedConfidence,
+        status: "needs_clarification",
+        selectedActions: [],
+        candidates,
+        diagnostics: [
+          "Parser produced candidates but confidence did not meet threshold.",
+        ],
+        clarification: {
+          reasonCode: "LOW_CONFIDENCE",
+          question: "I found a possible action but confidence is low. Can you rephrase your intent?",
+          field: "verb",
+          options: [
+            { id: "inspect", label: "Inspect", value: "inspect" },
+            { id: "move", label: "Move", value: "move" },
+            { id: "take", label: "Take", value: "take" },
+            { id: "open", label: "Open", value: "open" },
+            { id: "introduce", label: "Introduce", value: "introduce" },
+            { id: "describe", label: "Describe", value: "describe" },
+            { id: "transfer", label: "Transfer", value: "transfer" },
+          ],
+        },
+      };
+    }
+
+    return {
+      interpreterVersion: DETERMINISTIC_INTERPRETER_VERSION,
+      rawText: input.rawText,
+      actorId: input.actorId,
+      resolutionSource: "deterministic",
+      minConfidence: input.minConfidence,
+      selectedConfidence,
+      status: "resolved",
+      selectedActions: actions,
+      candidates,
+      diagnostics: ["Resolved by deterministic parser rules."],
+    };
+  }
+
+  if (hasAmbiguousReference(trimmed)) {
+    return {
+      interpreterVersion: DETERMINISTIC_INTERPRETER_VERSION,
+      rawText: input.rawText,
+      actorId: input.actorId,
+      resolutionSource: "deterministic",
+      minConfidence: input.minConfidence,
+      status: "needs_clarification",
+      selectedActions: [],
+      candidates: [],
+      diagnostics: ["Could not resolve pronoun/reference to a concrete entity."],
+      clarification: {
+        reasonCode: "AMBIGUOUS_REFERENCE",
+        question: "I am not sure what that refers to. Which item, character, or location did you mean?",
+        field: "target",
+      },
+    };
+  }
+
+  return {
+    interpreterVersion: DETERMINISTIC_INTERPRETER_VERSION,
+    rawText: input.rawText,
+    actorId: input.actorId,
+    resolutionSource: "deterministic",
+    minConfidence: input.minConfidence,
+    status: "needs_clarification",
+    selectedActions: [],
+    candidates: [],
+    diagnostics: ["No parser pattern matched this input."],
+    clarification: {
+      reasonCode: "UNRECOGNIZED_INTENT",
+      question: "I could not map that to a known action. Try verbs like inspect, move, take, open, introduce, describe, or transfer.",
+      field: "verb",
+      options: [
+        { id: "inspect", label: "Inspect", value: "inspect" },
+        { id: "move", label: "Move", value: "move" },
+        { id: "take", label: "Take", value: "take" },
+        { id: "open", label: "Open", value: "open" },
+        { id: "introduce", label: "Introduce", value: "introduce" },
+        { id: "describe", label: "Describe", value: "describe" },
+        { id: "transfer", label: "Transfer", value: "transfer" },
+      ],
+    },
+  };
+}
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/interpreter/adapters/llmResolver.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/interpreter/adapters/llmResolver.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,282 @@
+import type { Action } from "../../contracts/action";
+import type { InterpreterOutput } from "../../contracts/intent";
+import type { ResolveIntentInput } from "../resolveIntent";
+
+export const LLM_INTERPRETER_VERSION = "llm-v1-ollama";
+
+type LlmClarification = {
+  reasonCode?: string;
+  question?: string;
+  field?: "verb" | "target" | "item" | "recipient" | "location";
+  options?: Array<{
+    id?: string;
+    label?: string;
+    value?: string;
+    entityId?: string;
+    entityType?: "character" | "item" | "room" | "unknown";
+  }>;
+};
+
+type LlmIntentResponse = {
+  status?: "resolved" | "needs_clarification" | "rejected";
+  selectedActions?: unknown;
+  selectedConfidence?: unknown;
+  clarification?: LlmClarification;
+  rationale?: string;
+};
+
+function fallbackClarification(input: ResolveIntentInput, diagnostic: string): InterpreterOutput {
+  return {
+    interpreterVersion: LLM_INTERPRETER_VERSION,
+    rawText: input.rawText,
+    actorId: input.actorId,
+    resolutionSource: "llm",
+    minConfidence: input.minConfidence,
+    status: "needs_clarification",
+    selectedActions: [],
+    candidates: [],
+    diagnostics: [diagnostic],
+    clarification: {
+      reasonCode: "UNRECOGNIZED_INTENT",
+      question: "I could not confidently resolve that intent. Please rephrase with a clear verb.",
+      field: "verb",
+      options: [
+        { id: "inspect", label: "Inspect", value: "inspect" },
+        { id: "move", label: "Move", value: "move" },
+        { id: "take", label: "Take", value: "take" },
+        { id: "open", label: "Open", value: "open" },
+        { id: "introduce", label: "Introduce", value: "introduce" },
+        { id: "describe", label: "Describe", value: "describe" },
+        { id: "transfer", label: "Transfer", value: "transfer" },
+      ],
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+function extractFirstJsonObject(text: string): string | null {
+  const trimmed = text.trim();
+  if (trimmed.startsWith("{") && trimmed.endsWith("}")) {
+    return trimmed;
+  }
+
+  const codeFenceMatch = trimmed.match(/```(?:json)?\s*([\s\S]*?)```/i);
+  if (codeFenceMatch?.[1]) {
+    const fenced = codeFenceMatch[1].trim();
+    if (fenced.startsWith("{") && fenced.endsWith("}")) {
+      return fenced;
+    }
+  }
+
+  const firstBrace = trimmed.indexOf("{");
+  const lastBrace = trimmed.lastIndexOf("}");
+  if (firstBrace >= 0 && lastBrace > firstBrace) {
+    return trimmed.slice(firstBrace, lastBrace + 1);
+  }
+
+  return null;
+}
+
+function toActionArray(value: unknown, actorId: string): Action[] {
+  if (!Array.isArray(value)) return [];
+
+  const actions: Action[] = [];
+  for (const item of value) {
+    if (!item || typeof item !== "object") continue;
+    const action = item as Record<string, unknown>;
+    const type = typeof action.type === "string" ? action.type.trim() : "";
+    if (!type) continue;
+
+    const normalized: Action = {
+      actorId,
+      type,
+    };
+
+    if (typeof action.actorId === "string" && action.actorId.trim()) {
+      normalized.actorId = action.actorId;
+    }
+    if (typeof action.targetId === "string" && action.targetId.trim()) {
+      normalized.targetId = action.targetId;
+    }
+    if (typeof action.locationId === "string" && action.locationId.trim()) {
+      normalized.locationId = action.locationId;
+    }
+    if (action.metadata && typeof action.metadata === "object" && !Array.isArray(action.metadata)) {
+      normalized.metadata = action.metadata as Record<string, unknown>;
+    }
+
+    actions.push(normalized);
+  }
+
+  return actions;
+}
+
+function toConfidence(value: unknown, fallback: number): number {
+  if (typeof value !== "number" || Number.isNaN(value)) {
+    return fallback;
+  }
+  if (value < 0) return 0;
+  if (value > 1) return 1;
+  return value;
+}
+
+function toReasonCode(value: string | undefined):
+  | "UNRECOGNIZED_INTENT"
+  | "AMBIGUOUS_REFERENCE"
+  | "EMPTY_INPUT"
+  | "LOW_CONFIDENCE"
+  | "INTERNAL_INVALID_OUTPUT" {
+  const normalized = (value ?? "").trim().toUpperCase();
+  switch (normalized) {
+    case "AMBIGUOUS_REFERENCE":
+      return "AMBIGUOUS_REFERENCE";
+    case "EMPTY_INPUT":
+      return "EMPTY_INPUT";
+    case "LOW_CONFIDENCE":
+      return "LOW_CONFIDENCE";
+    case "INTERNAL_INVALID_OUTPUT":
+      return "INTERNAL_INVALID_OUTPUT";
+    default:
+      return "UNRECOGNIZED_INTENT";
+  }
+}
+
+function buildPrompt(input: ResolveIntentInput): { system: string; user: string } {
+  const system = [
+    "You are an intent-to-actions resolver for a text adventure engine.",
+    "Return ONLY JSON with this shape:",
+    '{"status":"resolved|needs_clarification|rejected","selectedActions":[{"type":"inspect|move|take|open|introduce|describe|transfer","targetId":"optional","locationId":"optional","metadata":{"optional":"object"}}],"selectedConfidence":0.0,"clarification":{"reasonCode":"UNRECOGNIZED_INTENT|AMBIGUOUS_REFERENCE|EMPTY_INPUT|LOW_CONFIDENCE|INTERNAL_INVALID_OUTPUT","question":"string","field":"verb|target|item|recipient|location"},"rationale":"brief"}',
+    "If unresolved, selectedActions must be an empty array and clarification must be present.",
+    "Use canonical action types only. Do not invent fields.",
+  ].join(" ");
+
+  const user = [
+    `actorId: ${input.actorId}`,
+    `input: ${JSON.stringify(input.rawText)}`,
+    `minimum_confidence: ${input.minConfidence}`,
+  ].join("\n");
+
+  return { system, user };
+}
+
+export async function resolveLlmIntent(input: ResolveIntentInput): Promise<InterpreterOutput> {
+  const baseUrl = (process.env.LLM_RESOLVER_URL ?? process.env.OLLAMA_URL ?? "").trim();
+  const model = (process.env.LLM_RESOLVER_MODEL ?? "llama3.2:3b").trim();
+  const timeoutMs = Number(process.env.LLM_RESOLVER_TIMEOUT_MS ?? 6000);
+
+  if (!baseUrl) {
+    return fallbackClarification(input, "LLM resolver disabled: no LLM_RESOLVER_URL/OLLAMA_URL configured.");
+  }
+
+  const prompt = buildPrompt(input);
+  const controller = new AbortController();
+  const timeout = setTimeout(() => controller.abort(), Number.isFinite(timeoutMs) ? timeoutMs : 6000);
+
+  try {
+    const response = await fetch(`${baseUrl.replace(/\/$/, "")}/api/chat`, {
+      method: "POST",
+      headers: {
+        "content-type": "application/json",
+      },
+      body: JSON.stringify({
+        model,
+        stream: false,
+        format: "json",
+        options: {
+          temperature: 0,
+        },
+        messages: [
+          { role: "system", content: prompt.system },
+          { role: "user", content: prompt.user },
+        ],
+      }),
+      signal: controller.signal,
+    });
+
+    if (!response.ok) {
+      return fallbackClarification(
+        input,
+        `LLM resolver HTTP error: ${response.status} ${response.statusText}`
+      );
+    }
+
+    const payload = (await response.json()) as {
+      message?: { content?: string };
+    };
+    const text = payload.message?.content ?? "";
+    const jsonText = extractFirstJsonObject(text);
+    if (!jsonText) {
+      return fallbackClarification(input, "LLM resolver returned non-JSON content.");
+    }
+
+    let parsed: LlmIntentResponse;
+    try {
+      parsed = JSON.parse(jsonText) as LlmIntentResponse;
+    } catch {
+      return fallbackClarification(input, "LLM resolver returned malformed JSON.");
+    }
+
+    const status = parsed.status ?? "needs_clarification";
+    const selectedActions = toActionArray(parsed.selectedActions, input.actorId);
+    const selectedConfidence = toConfidence(parsed.selectedConfidence, 0.7);
+    const diagnostics = [
+      "Resolved via LLM resolver.",
+      ...(parsed.rationale ? [parsed.rationale] : []),
+    ];
+
+    if (status === "resolved" && selectedActions.length > 0 && selectedConfidence >= input.minConfidence) {
+      return {
+        interpreterVersion: LLM_INTERPRETER_VERSION,
+        rawText: input.rawText,
+        actorId: input.actorId,
+        resolutionSource: "llm",
+        minConfidence: input.minConfidence,
+        selectedConfidence,
+        status: "resolved",
+        selectedActions,
+        candidates: selectedActions.map((action) => ({
+          action,
+          confidence: selectedConfidence,
+          rationale: "Selected by configured LLM resolver.",
+        })),
+        diagnostics,
+      };
+    }
+
+    return {
+      interpreterVersion: LLM_INTERPRETER_VERSION,
+      rawText: input.rawText,
+      actorId: input.actorId,
+      resolutionSource: "llm",
+      minConfidence: input.minConfidence,
+      selectedConfidence,
+      status: status === "rejected" ? "rejected" : "needs_clarification",
+      selectedActions: [],
+      candidates: [],
+      diagnostics: [
+        "LLM resolver did not produce a high-confidence resolved action set.",
+        ...diagnostics,
+      ],
+      clarification: {
+        reasonCode: toReasonCode(parsed.clarification?.reasonCode),
+        question:
+          parsed.clarification?.question ??
+          "I need a clearer command. Please rephrase with a specific verb and target.",
+        field: parsed.clarification?.field,
+        options: parsed.clarification?.options
+          ?.filter((option) => !!option && typeof option.value === "string" && option.value.trim())
+          .map((option, index) => ({
+            id: option.id ?? `llm-option-${index + 1}`,
+            label: option.label ?? option.value ?? "Option",
+            value: option.value ?? "",
+            entityId: option.entityId,
+            entityType: option.entityType,
+          })),
+      },
+    };
+  } catch (error) {
+    const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Unknown LLM resolver error.";
+    return fallbackClarification(input, `LLM resolver request failed: ${message}`);
+  } finally {
+    clearTimeout(timeout);
+  }
+}
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/interpreter/interpretTurn.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/interpreter/interpretTurn.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+import type { InterpreterOutput } from "../contracts/intent";
+import { resolveDeterministicIntent } from "./adapters/deterministicResolver";
+import { resolveLlmIntent } from "./adapters/llmResolver";
+import {
+  type ResolverMode,
+  normalizeResolverMode,
+} from "./resolveIntent";
+
+const DEFAULT_MIN_CONFIDENCE = 0.65;
+
+type InterpretTurnOptions = {
+  mode?: ResolverMode;
+  minConfidence?: number;
+};
+
+function getResolverMode(options?: InterpretTurnOptions): ResolverMode {
+  if (options?.mode) {
+    return options.mode;
+  }
+  return normalizeResolverMode(process.env.INTENT_RESOLVER_MODE);
+}
+
+function buildInput(rawText: string, actorId: string, options?: InterpretTurnOptions) {
+  return {
+    rawText,
+    actorId,
+    minConfidence: options?.minConfidence ?? DEFAULT_MIN_CONFIDENCE,
+  };
+}
+
+export async function interpretTurn(
+  rawText: string,
+  actorId = "player",
+  options?: InterpretTurnOptions
+): Promise<InterpreterOutput> {
+  const mode = getResolverMode(options);
+  const input = buildInput(rawText, actorId, options);
+
+  if (mode === "deterministic") {
+    return resolveDeterministicIntent(input);
+  }
+
+  if (mode === "llm") {
+    return resolveLlmIntent(input);
+  }
+
+  // hybrid mode: prefer LLM when available, but deterministically fall back.
+  const llmOutput = await resolveLlmIntent(input);
+  if (llmOutput.status === "resolved") {
+    return {
+      ...llmOutput,
+      resolutionSource: "hybrid",
+      diagnostics: ["Hybrid mode: resolved via LLM adapter.", ...llmOutput.diagnostics],
+    };
+  }
+
+  const deterministicOutput = resolveDeterministicIntent(input);
+  return {
+    ...deterministicOutput,
+    resolutionSource: "hybrid",
+    diagnostics: [
+      "Hybrid mode: LLM adapter did not resolve intent; used deterministic fallback.",
+      ...deterministicOutput.diagnostics,
+      ...llmOutput.diagnostics,
+    ],
+  };
+}
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/interpreter/resolveIntent.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/interpreter/resolveIntent.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+import type { InterpreterOutput } from "../contracts/intent";
+
+export type ResolverMode = "deterministic" | "llm" | "hybrid";
+
+export type ResolveIntentInput = {
+  rawText: string;
+  actorId: string;
+  minConfidence: number;
+};
+
+export type IntentResolver = {
+  name: string;
+  resolve(input: ResolveIntentInput): Promise<InterpreterOutput> | InterpreterOutput;
+};
+
+export function normalizeResolverMode(value: string | undefined): ResolverMode {
+  const normalized = (value ?? "").trim().toLowerCase();
+  if (normalized === "deterministic" || normalized === "llm" || normalized === "hybrid") {
+    return normalized;
+  }
+  return "hybrid";
+}
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/interpreter/validateInterpreterOutput.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/interpreter/validateInterpreterOutput.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+import type { InterpreterOutput } from "../contracts/intent";
+
+const VALID_STATUSES = new Set(["resolved", "needs_clarification", "rejected"]);
+
+export type InterpreterValidation = {
+  isValid: boolean;
+  issues: string[];
+};
+
+/**
+ * Runtime guard for the interpreter boundary.
+ *
+ * The turn manager uses this to ensure malformed interpreter output never
+ * reaches deterministic validation/mutation logic.
+ */
+export function validateInterpreterOutput(output: InterpreterOutput): InterpreterValidation {
+  const issues: string[] = [];
+
+  if (!output || typeof output !== "object") {
+    return { isValid: false, issues: ["Interpreter output must be an object."] };
+  }
+
+  if (typeof output.interpreterVersion !== "string" || !output.interpreterVersion.trim()) {
+    issues.push("interpreterVersion must be a non-empty string.");
+  }
+
+  if (typeof output.rawText !== "string") {
+    issues.push("rawText must be a string.");
+  }
+
+  if (typeof output.actorId !== "string" || !output.actorId.trim()) {
+    issues.push("actorId must be a non-empty string.");
+  }
+
+  if (!VALID_STATUSES.has(output.status)) {
+    issues.push("status must be one of: resolved, needs_clarification, rejected.");
+  }
+
+  if (!Array.isArray(output.selectedActions)) {
+    issues.push("selectedActions must be an array.");
+  }
+
+  if (!Array.isArray(output.candidates)) {
+    issues.push("candidates must be an array.");
+  }
+
+  if (!Array.isArray(output.diagnostics)) {
+    issues.push("diagnostics must be an array.");
+  }
+
+  if (typeof output.minConfidence !== "number" || output.minConfidence < 0 || output.minConfidence > 1) {
+    issues.push("minConfidence must be a number between 0 and 1.");
+  }
+
+  if (output.selectedConfidence !== undefined) {
+    if (
+      typeof output.selectedConfidence !== "number" ||
+      output.selectedConfidence < 0 ||
+      output.selectedConfidence > 1
+    ) {
+      issues.push("selectedConfidence must be between 0 and 1 when provided.");
+    }
+  }
+
+  for (const candidate of output.candidates) {
+    if (typeof candidate.confidence !== "number" || candidate.confidence < 0 || candidate.confidence > 1) {
+      issues.push("Every candidate confidence must be between 0 and 1.");
+      break;
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (output.status === "resolved") {
+    if (output.selectedActions.length === 0) {
+      issues.push("resolved output must include at least one selected action.");
+    }
+    if (output.clarification) {
+      issues.push("resolved output must not include clarification.");
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (output.status !== "resolved") {
+    if (output.selectedActions.length > 0) {
+      issues.push("unresolved/rejected output must not include selected actions.");
+    }
+    if (!output.clarification) {
+      issues.push("unresolved/rejected output must include clarification.");
+    }
+  }
+
+  return {
+    isValid: issues.length === 0,
+    issues,
+  };
+}
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/parser/parseTextToActions.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/parser/parseTextToActions.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,16 @@ function toDisplayName(value: string): string {
    .join(" ");
 }

+function toItemSlug(value: string): string {
+  return (
+    value
+      .trim()
+      .toLowerCase()
+      .replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, "_")
+      .replace(/^_+|_+$/g, "") || "item"
+  );
+}
+
 function extractIntroducedCharacterName(input: string): string | undefined {
  const match = input.match(/(?:introduce|bring in|invite|have)\s+(?:the\s+|a\s+|an\s+)?(.+?)(?:\s+join)?$/);
  const rawName = match?.[1]?.trim();
@@ -29,6 +39,52 @@ function extractActorAndAction(sentence: string): { actorName?: string; action:
  return { action: normalized_sent };
 }

+function extractTakenItemName(input: string): string | undefined {
+  const match = input.match(/(?:take|pick up|grab)\s+(?:the\s+|a\s+|an\s+)?(.+)$/);
+  const rawName = match?.[1]?.trim();
+  if (!rawName) {
+    return undefined;
+  }
+  return rawName.replace(/^(the|a|an)\s+/, "").trim() || undefined;
+}
+
+function extractTransferParts(input: string): { itemName: string; recipientName: string } | undefined {
+  const match = input.match(
+    /(?:give|hand|pass|transfer)\s+(?:the\s+|a\s+|an\s+)?(.+?)\s+(?:to|over to)\s+(?:the\s+)?(.+)$/
+  );
+  if (!match) {
+    return undefined;
+  }
+
+  const itemName = match[1]?.trim().replace(/^(the|a|an)\s+/, "").trim();
+  const recipientName = match[2]?.trim().replace(/^(the|a|an)\s+/, "").trim();
+  if (!itemName || !recipientName) {
+    return undefined;
+  }
+  return { itemName, recipientName };
+}
+
+function toCharacterSlug(value: string): string {
+  return (
+    value
+      .trim()
+      .toLowerCase()
+      .replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, "_")
+      .replace(/^_+|_+$/g, "") || "character"
+  );
+}
+
+function resolveRecipientId(name: string): string {
+  const n = name.trim().toLowerCase();
+  if (n === "player" || n === "me" || n === "myself") {
+    return "player";
+  }
+  if (n === "groundskeeper") {
+    return "groundskeeper";
+  }
+  return `character_${toCharacterSlug(name)}`;
+}
+
 function parseSingleAction(actionText: string, defaultActorId: string): Action | undefined {
  const input = normalized(actionText);
  if (!input) {
@@ -60,9 +116,23 @@ function parseSingleAction(actionText: string, defaultActorId: string): Action |
    if (input.includes("key")) {
      return { actorId: defaultActorId, type: "take", targetId: "key_1" };
    }
+
+    const itemName = extractTakenItemName(input);
+    if (!itemName) {
      return undefined;
    }

+    return {
+      actorId: defaultActorId,
+      type: "take",
+      targetId: `item_${toItemSlug(itemName)}`,
+      metadata: {
+        itemName: toDisplayName(itemName),
+        createIfMissing: true,
+      },
+    };
+  }
+
  if (/(introduce|bring in|invite|have .* join)/.test(input)) {
    if (input.includes("groundskeeper")) {
      return { actorId: defaultActorId, type: "introduce", targetId: "groundskeeper" };
@@ -84,6 +154,26 @@ function parseSingleAction(actionText: string, defaultActorId: string): Action |
    };
  }

+  if (/(give|hand|pass|transfer)/.test(input)) {
+    const parts = extractTransferParts(input);
+    if (!parts) {
+      return undefined;
+    }
+
+    const itemId = parts.itemName.includes("key") ? "key_1" : `item_${toItemSlug(parts.itemName)}`;
+
+    return {
+      actorId: defaultActorId,
+      type: "transfer",
+      targetId: resolveRecipientId(parts.recipientName),
+      metadata: {
+        itemId,
+        itemName: toDisplayName(parts.itemName),
+        recipientName: toDisplayName(parts.recipientName),
+      },
+    };
+  }
+
  if (/(describe|is a|is an|has)/.test(input)) {
    // Match patterns like "describe the merchant as shrewd" or "the merchant is shrewd"
    const describeMatch = input.match(/(?:describe|tell about)\s+(?:the\s+)?([a-z\s_]+?)\s+as\s+(.+)$/) ||
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/rulebookEngine.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/rulebookEngine.ts
@@ -116,6 +116,19 @@ function evaluate(expr: ConditionExpr, ctx: EvalContext): boolean {
      return expr.allowedNames.some((name) => name.trim().toLowerCase() === actorName);
    }

+    case "actionMetadataEq": {
+      return ctx.action.metadata?.[expr.key] === expr.value;
+    }
+
+    case "itemInInventory": {
+      const holder = ctx.entities[expr.holderRole];
+      const itemId = ctx.action.metadata?.[expr.itemMetadataKey];
+      if (!holder || typeof itemId !== "string") return false;
+      const item = ctx.worldState.entities[itemId];
+      if (!item) return false;
+      return String(item.attributes.location ?? "") === `inventory:${holder.id}`;
+    }
+
    case "attributeRef": {
      const checkEntity = ctx.entities[expr.checkRole];
      const refEntity = ctx.entities[expr.refRole];
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/tests/integrationRunner.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/tests/integrationRunner.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+import assert from "node:assert/strict";
+import fs from "node:fs";
+import path from "node:path";
+
+import { createCharacterGardenApp } from "../app";
+import { interpretTurn } from "../interpreter/interpretTurn";
+
+async function run(): Promise<void> {
+  const resolved = await interpretTurn("look around", "player");
+  assert.equal(resolved.status, "resolved", "Expected 'look around' to resolve.");
+
+  const hybridResolved = await interpretTurn("look around", "player", { mode: "hybrid" });
+  assert.equal(hybridResolved.status, "resolved", "Expected hybrid mode to resolve via deterministic fallback when LLM is unavailable.");
+  assert.equal(hybridResolved.resolutionSource, "hybrid");
+
+  const empty = await interpretTurn("", "player");
+  assert.equal(empty.status, "rejected", "Expected empty input to be rejected.");
+  assert.equal(empty.clarification?.reasonCode, "EMPTY_INPUT");
+
+  const dbPath = path.join("/tmp", `charactergarden_integration_${Date.now()}.db`);
+  if (fs.existsSync(dbPath)) {
+    fs.unlinkSync(dbPath);
+  }
+
+  const app = createCharacterGardenApp(dbPath);
+
+  const unresolved = await app.processTurn("blorb invalid nonsense");
+  assert.equal(unresolved.interpreter.status, "needs_clarification");
+  assert.equal(unresolved.actions.length, 0);
+
+  const valid = await app.processTurn("look around");
+  assert.equal(valid.interpreter.status, "resolved");
+
+  const snapshot = app.getSnapshot();
+  assert.ok(snapshot.turns.length >= 2, "Expected persisted turns.");
+  const latestTurn = snapshot.turns[snapshot.turns.length - 1];
+  assert.ok(latestTurn.interpreter, "Expected interpreter payload persisted on turn.");
+
+  app.db.close();
+  console.log("Integration checks passed.");
+}
+
+void run().catch((error) => {
+  console.error("Integration checks failed:");
+  console.error(error);
+  process.exit(1);
+});
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/turns/processTurn.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/turns/processTurn.ts
@@ -1,50 +1,24 @@
-import { randomUUID } from "node:crypto";
-
 import type { CharacterGardenDatabase } from "../db";
 import type { Action } from "../contracts/action";
+import type { InterpreterOutput } from "../contracts/intent";
 import type { SceneRulebook } from "../contracts/rulebook";
-import type { Turn } from "../contracts/turn";
 import type { ValidationResult } from "../contracts/validation";
 import type { WorldState } from "../contracts/world";
-import { parseTextToActions } from "../parser/parseTextToActions";
-import { validateActions } from "../truthEngine";
-import { applyActions } from "../world/applyActions";
+import { runTurnManager } from "./turnManager";

 export type ProcessTurnResponse = {
  rawText: string;
  actions: Action[];
  validation: ValidationResult[];
  worldState: WorldState;
+  interpreter: InterpreterOutput;
 };

-export function processTurn(
+export async function processTurn(
  rawText: string,
  worldState: WorldState,
  db: CharacterGardenDatabase,
  rulebook?: SceneRulebook
-): ProcessTurnResponse {
-  const actions = parseTextToActions(rawText);
-  const validation = validateActions(actions, worldState, rulebook);
-  const nextWorldState = applyActions(actions, validation, worldState);
-
-  const turn: Turn = {
-    id: randomUUID(),
-    rawText,
-    actions,
-    validation,
-    createdAt: Date.now(),
-  };
-
-  db.insertTurn(turn);
-  db.insertActions(turn.id, actions);
-  db.insertValidationResults(turn.id, validation);
-  db.upsertEntities(Object.values(nextWorldState.entities));
-  db.insertWorldState(turn.id, nextWorldState);
-
-  return {
-    rawText,
-    actions,
-    validation,
-    worldState: nextWorldState,
-  };
+): Promise<ProcessTurnResponse> {
+  return runTurnManager(rawText, worldState, db, rulebook);
 }
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/turns/turnManager.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/turns/turnManager.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+import { randomUUID } from "node:crypto";
+
+import type { CharacterGardenDatabase } from "../db";
+import type { Action } from "../contracts/action";
+import type { InterpreterOutput } from "../contracts/intent";
+import type { SceneRulebook } from "../contracts/rulebook";
+import type { Turn } from "../contracts/turn";
+import type { ValidationResult } from "../contracts/validation";
+import type { WorldState } from "../contracts/world";
+import { interpretTurn } from "../interpreter/interpretTurn";
+import { validateInterpreterOutput } from "../interpreter/validateInterpreterOutput";
+import { validateActions } from "../truthEngine";
+import { applyActions } from "../world/applyActions";
+
+export type TurnManagerResponse = {
+  rawText: string;
+  actions: Action[];
+  validation: ValidationResult[];
+  worldState: WorldState;
+  interpreter: InterpreterOutput;
+};
+
+function persistTurn(
+  db: CharacterGardenDatabase,
+  turn: Turn,
+  interpreter: InterpreterOutput,
+  actions: Action[],
+  validation: ValidationResult[]
+): void {
+  db.insertTurn(turn);
+  db.insertInterpreterOutput(turn.id, interpreter);
+  db.insertActions(turn.id, actions);
+  db.insertValidationResults(turn.id, validation);
+}
+
+export async function runTurnManager(
+  rawText: string,
+  worldState: WorldState,
+  db: CharacterGardenDatabase,
+  rulebook?: SceneRulebook
+): Promise<TurnManagerResponse> {
+  const interpreted = await interpretTurn(rawText, "player");
+  const boundaryCheck = validateInterpreterOutput(interpreted);
+  const interpreter: InterpreterOutput = boundaryCheck.isValid
+    ? interpreted
+    : {
+        interpreterVersion: interpreted.interpreterVersion,
+        rawText,
+        actorId: interpreted.actorId || "player",
+        resolutionSource: interpreted.resolutionSource,
+        minConfidence: interpreted.minConfidence,
+        status: "rejected",
+        selectedActions: [],
+        candidates: [],
+        diagnostics: [
+          "Interpreter output failed boundary validation.",
+          ...boundaryCheck.issues,
+        ],
+        clarification: {
+          reasonCode: "INTERNAL_INVALID_OUTPUT",
+          question: "The interpreter returned an invalid output shape. Please retry the turn.",
+          field: "verb",
+        },
+      };
+
+  if (interpreter.status !== "resolved") {
+    const turn: Turn = {
+      id: randomUUID(),
+      rawText,
+      actions: [],
+      validation: [],
+      createdAt: Date.now(),
+    };
+
+    persistTurn(db, turn, interpreter, [], []);
+
+    return {
+      rawText,
+      actions: [],
+      validation: [],
+      worldState,
+      interpreter,
+    };
+  }
+
+  const actions = interpreter.selectedActions;
+  const validation = validateActions(actions, worldState, rulebook);
+  const nextWorldState = applyActions(actions, validation, worldState);
+
+  const turn: Turn = {
+    id: randomUUID(),
+    rawText,
+    actions,
+    validation,
+    createdAt: Date.now(),
+  };
+
+  persistTurn(db, turn, interpreter, actions, validation);
+  db.upsertEntities(Object.values(nextWorldState.entities));
+  db.insertWorldState(turn.id, nextWorldState);
+
+  return {
+    rawText,
+    actions,
+    validation,
+    worldState: nextWorldState,
+    interpreter,
+  };
+}
--- a/charactergarden/app/src/world/applyActions.ts
+++ b/charactergarden/app/src/world/applyActions.ts
@@ -43,6 +43,25 @@ function createCharacterId(worldState: WorldState, baseName: string): string {
  return `${baseId}_${suffix}`;
 }

+function toDisplayName(value: string): string {
+  return value
+    .split(/[_\s]+/)
+    .filter(Boolean)
+    .map((part) => part.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + part.slice(1))
+    .join(" ");
+}
+
+function inferItemName(action: Action): string {
+  const itemName = action.metadata?.itemName;
+  if (typeof itemName === "string" && itemName.trim()) {
+    return itemName.trim();
+  }
+  if (action.targetId?.startsWith("item_")) {
+    return toDisplayName(action.targetId.replace(/^item_/, ""));
+  }
+  return "Generated Item";
+}
+
 function getActionCharacterName(action: Action): string | undefined {
  const displayName = action.metadata?.displayName;
  if (typeof displayName === "string" && displayName.trim()) {
@@ -93,6 +112,18 @@ export function applyActions(
          if (target.id === "key_1") {
            actor.attributes.has_key_1 = true;
          }
+        } else if (actor && action.targetId && action.metadata?.createIfMissing === true) {
+          nextState.entities[action.targetId] = {
+            id: action.targetId,
+            name: inferItemName(action),
+            type: "item",
+            attributes: {
+              location: `inventory:${actor.id}`,
+              takeable: true,
+              created_by_action: "take",
+              created_by_actor: actor.id,
+            },
+          };
        }
        break;
      case "open":
@@ -137,6 +168,19 @@ export function applyActions(
          }
        }
        break;
+      case "transfer":
+        if (target) {
+          const itemId = action.metadata?.itemId;
+          if (typeof itemId === "string") {
+            const item = nextState.entities[itemId];
+            if (item) {
+              item.attributes.location = `inventory:${target.id}`;
+              item.attributes.last_transferred_by = action.actorId;
+              item.attributes.last_transferred_to = target.id;
+            }
+          }
+        }
+        break;
      case "inspect":
      default:
        break;
--- a/charactergarden/frontend/src/App.tsx
+++ b/charactergarden/frontend/src/App.tsx
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ type Turn = {
  actions: Action[];
  validation: ValidationResult[];
  createdAt: number;
+  interpreter?: {
+    status: "resolved" | "needs_clarification" | "rejected";
+  };
 };

 type WorldState = {
@@ -46,6 +49,21 @@ type ProcessTurnResponse = {
  actions: Action[];
  validation: ValidationResult[];
  worldState: WorldState;
+  interpreter: {
+    interpreterVersion: string;
+    status: "resolved" | "needs_clarification" | "rejected";
+    selectedConfidence?: number;
+    diagnostics: string[];
+    clarification?: {
+      reasonCode: string;
+      question: string;
+      options?: Array<{
+        id: string;
+        label: string;
+        value: string;
+      }>;
+    };
+  };
 };

 type RuleCheck = {
@@ -65,6 +83,7 @@ type ActionRuleSet = {
 type SceneRulebook = {
  id: string;
  worldId: string;
+  version: number;
  name: string;
  description?: string;
  rules: ActionRuleSet[];
@@ -75,6 +94,7 @@ type SceneRulebook = {
 const starterPrompts = [
  "look around",
  "take key",
+  "give key to groundskeeper",
  "open door",
  "move to exit",
 ];
@@ -220,6 +240,12 @@ function RulebookEditor() {
              <p className="rule-hint">
                For character permissions, use <code>{`{"op":"actorIdIn","allowedIds":["player"]}`}</code> or <code>{`{"op":"actorNameIn","allowedNames":["Player"]}`}</code>.
              </p>
+              <p className="rule-hint">
+                For conditional creation, use <code>{`{"op":"actionMetadataEq","key":"createIfMissing","value":true}`}</code> together with actor checks.
+              </p>
+              <p className="rule-hint">
+                For transfer ownership checks, use <code>{`{"op":"itemInInventory","itemMetadataKey":"itemId","holderRole":"actor"}`}</code>.
+              </p>
              {ruleSet.checks.length > 0 ? (
                <ul className="check-list">
                  {ruleSet.checks.map((check) => (
@@ -354,6 +380,23 @@ export default function App() {
          <section className="result-card">
            <h2>Latest result</h2>
            <p><strong>Input:</strong> {latest.rawText}</p>
+            <p>
+              <strong>Interpreter:</strong> {latest.interpreter.status}
+              {typeof latest.interpreter.selectedConfidence === "number"
+                ? ` (${Math.round(latest.interpreter.selectedConfidence * 100)}% confidence)`
+                : ""}
+            </p>
+            {latest.interpreter.clarification ? (
+              <p>
+                <strong>Clarification:</strong> {latest.interpreter.clarification.question}
+              </p>
+            ) : null}
+            {latest.interpreter.clarification?.options?.length ? (
+              <p>
+                <strong>Options:</strong>{" "}
+                {latest.interpreter.clarification.options.map((o) => o.label).join(", ")}
+              </p>
+            ) : null}
            <ul className="timeline-list compact">
              {latest.validation.map((v) => (
                <li key={v.actionIndex}>
@@ -361,8 +404,19 @@ export default function App() {
                  {v.message ? ` - ${v.message}` : ""}
                </li>
              ))}
-              {latest.validation.length === 0 ? <li>No actions parsed.</li> : null}
+              {latest.validation.length === 0 ? (
+                <li>
+                  {latest.interpreter.status === "resolved"
+                    ? "No actions parsed."
+                    : "Turn requires clarification before any action can be validated."}
+                </li>
+              ) : null}
            </ul>
+            {latest.interpreter.diagnostics.length > 0 ? (
+              <p>
+                <strong>Diagnostics:</strong> {latest.interpreter.diagnostics.join(" | ")}
+              </p>
+            ) : null}
          </section>
        ) : null}

@@ -408,6 +462,9 @@ export default function App() {
                {snapshot?.turns.slice().reverse().map((turn) => (
                  <li key={turn.id}>
                    <strong>{turn.rawText}</strong>
+                    {turn.interpreter ? (
+                      <span> [interp:{turn.interpreter.status}]</span>
+                    ) : null}
                    {turn.validation.map((v) => (
                      <span key={v.actionIndex}> [{v.success ? "ok" : v.reason}]</span>
                    ))}
@@ -426,210 +483,3 @@ export default function App() {
    </main>
  );
 }
-
-type Entity = {
-  id: string;
-  type: string;
-  name: string;
-  attributes: Record<string, unknown>;
-};
-
-type Action = {
-  actorId: string;
-  type: string;
-  targetId?: string;
-  locationId?: string;
-};
-
-type ValidationResult = {
-  actionIndex: number;
-  success: boolean;
-  reason?: string;
-  message?: string;
-};
-
-type Turn = {
-  id: string;
-  rawText: string;
-  actions: Action[];
-  validation: ValidationResult[];
-  createdAt: number;
-};
-
-type WorldState = {
-  id: string;
-  entities: Record<string, Entity>;
-  metadata: Record<string, unknown>;
-  createdAt: number;
-};
-
-type AppSnapshot = {
-  worldState: WorldState;
-  turns: Turn[];
-};
-
-type ProcessTurnResponse = {
-  rawText: string;
-  actions: Action[];
-  validation: ValidationResult[];
-  worldState: WorldState;
-};
-
-const starterPrompts = [
-  "look around",
-  "take key",
-  "open door",
-  "move to exit",
-];
-
-async function fetchJson<T>(input: RequestInfo, init?: RequestInit): Promise<T> {
-  const response = await fetch(input, init);
-  if (!response.ok) {
-    throw new Error(`Request failed: ${response.status}`);
-  }
-  return response.json() as Promise<T>;
-}
-
-export default function App() {
-  const [snapshot, setSnapshot] = useState<AppSnapshot | null>(null);
-  const [latest, setLatest] = useState<ProcessTurnResponse | null>(null);
-  const [input, setInput] = useState("look around");
-  const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
-  const [submitting, setSubmitting] = useState(false);
-  const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
-
-  useEffect(() => {
-    void fetchJson<AppSnapshot>("/api/state")
-      .then((data) => {
-        setSnapshot(data);
-        setLoading(false);
-      })
-      .catch((fetchError: Error) => {
-        setError(fetchError.message);
-        setLoading(false);
-      });
-  }, []);
-
-  async function onSubmit(event: FormEvent<HTMLFormElement>) {
-    event.preventDefault();
-    setSubmitting(true);
-    setError(null);
-
-    try {
-      const result = await fetchJson<ProcessTurnResponse>("/api/turn", {
-        method: "POST",
-        headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
-        body: JSON.stringify({ input }),
-      });
-      setLatest(result);
-      const nextSnapshot = await fetchJson<AppSnapshot>("/api/state");
-      setSnapshot(nextSnapshot);
-    } catch (submitError) {
-      setError(submitError instanceof Error ? submitError.message : "Unknown error");
-    } finally {
-      setSubmitting(false);
-    }
-  }
-
-  async function onReset() {
-    setError(null);
-    try {
-      const result = await fetchJson<AppSnapshot>("/api/reset", {
-        method: "POST",
-        headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
-        body: JSON.stringify({}),
-      });
-      setSnapshot(result);
-      setLatest(null);
-    } catch (resetError) {
-      setError(resetError instanceof Error ? resetError.message : "Unknown error");
-    }
-  }
-
-  const entities = snapshot ? Object.values(snapshot.worldState.entities) : [];
-
-  return (
-    <main className="page-shell">
-      <section className="hero-panel">
-        <p className="eyebrow">CharacterGarden</p>
-        <h1>Bootable narrative sandbox</h1>
-        <p className="lede">
-          Submit a turn, inspect world state, and verify how the truth engine is mutating state.
-        </p>
-
-        <form className="turn-form" onSubmit={onSubmit}>
-          <label htmlFor="turn-input">Turn input</label>
-          <textarea
-            id="turn-input"
-            value={input}
-            onChange={(event) => setInput(event.target.value)}
-            rows={4}
-            placeholder="Type what the player does..."
-          />
-          <div className="actions-row">
-            <button type="submit" disabled={submitting}>
-              {submitting ? "Submitting..." : "Run turn"}
-            </button>
-            <button type="button" className="chip" onClick={onReset}>
-              Reset world
-            </button>
-            <div className="chips">
-              {starterPrompts.map((prompt) => (
-                <button key={prompt} type="button" className="chip" onClick={() => setInput(prompt)}>
-                  {prompt}
-                </button>
-              ))}
-            </div>
-          </div>
-        </form>
-
-        {latest ? (
-          <section className="result-card">
-            <h2>Latest result</h2>
-            <p><strong>Input:</strong> {latest.rawText}</p>
-            <ul className="timeline-list compact">
-              {latest.validation.map((v) => (
-                <li key={v.actionIndex}>
-                  Action {v.actionIndex}: {v.success ? "ok" : `failed (${v.reason ?? "unknown"})`}
-                  {v.message ? ` - ${v.message}` : ""}
-                </li>
-              ))}
-              {latest.validation.length === 0 ? <li>No actions parsed.</li> : null}
-            </ul>
-          </section>
-        ) : null}
-
-        {error ? <p className="error-banner">{error}</p> : null}
-      </section>
-
-      <section className="inspector-grid">
-        <article className="panel">
-          <h2>World state</h2>
-          {loading && !snapshot ? <p>Loading...</p> : null}
-          <ul className="entity-list">
-            {entities.map((entity) => (
-              <li key={entity.id}>
-                <strong>{entity.name}</strong> <span>{entity.type}</span>
-                <pre>{JSON.stringify(entity.attributes, null, 0)}</pre>
-              </li>
-            ))}
-          </ul>
-        </article>
-
-        <article className="panel">
-          <h2>Turn log</h2>
-          <ul className="timeline-list">
-            {snapshot?.turns.slice().reverse().map((turn) => (
-              <li key={turn.id}>
-                <strong>{turn.rawText}</strong>
-                {turn.validation.map((v) => (
-                  <span key={v.actionIndex}> [{v.success ? "ok" : v.reason}]</span>
-                ))}
-              </li>
-            ))}
-          </ul>
-        </article>
-      </section>
-    </main>
-  );
-}
--- a/project.md
+++ b/project.md
@@ -1,364 +1,138 @@
-# CharacterGarden MVP — Strict Architecture
+# CharacterGarden MVP - Current Architecture (April 2026)

-## 🧠 Core Principle
+## Core Principle

-> The system is a **deterministic simulation engine**.  
-> The LLM is **not a source of truth**. It is an **input/output translator only**.
+The simulation engine is deterministic and authoritative.
+The LLM layer is an intent interpreter and resolver, not a source of truth.

---
-
-# 🧩 System Architecture
+## Live System Layers

 User / LLM Input (Prose)
-        ↓
-[Parser Layer]
-        ↓
-[Normalization Layer]
-        ↓
-[Truth Engine (Validation)]
-        ↓
-[State Mutation Engine]
-        ↓
+        |
+[Intent Interpreter Layer]
+        |
+[Turn Manager]
+        |
+[Truth Engine + Scene Rulebook Validation]
+        |
+[World Mutation Engine]
+        |
 [Persistence Layer]
-        ↓
-[LLM Output Generation]
+        |
+[Frontend/API Response]

---
+## Non-Negotiable Rules

-# 🔒 Non-Negotiable Rules
+1. Truth engine must never parse natural language.
+2. Only structured actions can mutate world state.
+3. Every mutation must pass validation before apply.
+4. Rulebook rules are data-driven and editable.
+5. Interpreter output is traceable and never auto-trusted when unresolved.
+6. Every turn remains replayable end-to-end.

-1. Truth Engine MUST NEVER parse natural language
-2. Only structured Actions may mutate world state
-3. All mutations must be validated before execution
-4. World state is modified ONLY through engine functions
-5. LLM output is never trusted without validation
-6. Every turn must be fully traceable
+## Current Canonical Actions

---
+- inspect
+- move
+- open
+- take
+- introduce
+- describe
+- transfer

-# 📦 Core Data Contracts
+## Action Contracts (Current)

-## Action (STRICT UNION TYPE)
+- Action shape is contract-based in app/src/contracts/action.ts
+- Validation contracts in app/src/contracts/validation.ts
+- Turn contracts in app/src/contracts/turn.ts
+- Interpreter contracts in app/src/contracts/intent.ts

-```ts
-export type Action =
-  | { type: "move"; actorId: string; targetId: string }
-  | { type: "take"; actorId: string; targetId: string }
-  | { type: "open"; actorId: string; targetId: string }
-  | { type: "close"; actorId: string; targetId: string }
-  | { type: "use"; actorId: string; targetId: string; toolId?: string }
-  | { type: "speak"; actorId: string; content: string }
-  | { type: "introduce"; actorId: string; targetId?: string; metadata?: Record<string, unknown> };
-```
+## Scene Rulebook (Data-Driven Validation)

-⚠️ DO NOT use generic `type: string` actions.
+Validation is now externalized into SceneRulebook definitions.

---
+Key capabilities already implemented:

-## NormalizedAction
+- Actor authorization checks (actorIdIn, actorNameIn)
+- Conditional creation checks (actionMetadataEq)
+- Inventory ownership checks (itemInInventory)
+- Existing deterministic checks (entity type/exists, same location, attribute checks)

-```ts
-export type NormalizedAction = Action;
-```
+This supports:

-If invalid → reject BEFORE validation.
+- Restricting who can introduce characters
+- Restricting who can create missing items via take
+- Validating transfer only when actor owns item and recipient is valid

---
+## Turn Execution (Current)

-## ValidationResult
+1. Interpret raw turn text using interpreter module.
+2. If unresolved:
+   - return clarification/rejection state
+   - persist trace turn with no applied actions
+3. If resolved:
+   - validate actions with truth engine + active rulebook
+   - apply successful actions
+   - persist turn, actions, validation results, and world state

-```ts
-export type ValidationResult = {
-  success: boolean;
-  reasonCode:
-    | "OK"
-    | "NOT_FOUND"
-    | "NOT_PRESENT"
-    | "LOCKED"
-    | "INVALID_TARGET"
-    | "MISSING_REQUIREMENT"
-    | "OUT_OF_TURN"
-    | "UNKNOWN";
-  message: string;
-};
-```
+## Interpreter + Turn Manager (New)

---
+- Interpreter module: app/src/interpreter/interpretTurn.ts
+- Turn manager orchestrator: app/src/turns/turnManager.ts
+- processTurn delegates to turn manager: app/src/turns/processTurn.ts

-## Turn (Traceable Execution Unit)
+Current interpreter statuses:

-```ts
-export type Turn = {
-  id: string;
-  rawText: string;
+- resolved
+- needs_clarification
+- rejected

-  parsedActions: unknown[];
-  normalizedActions: NormalizedAction[];
+## Current Domain Behaviors

-  validationResults: ValidationResult[];
+- take can create missing items when createIfMissing is present and actor is authorized by rulebook
+- introduce can create missing characters when rulebook allows
+- transfer moves items between inventories when rulebook checks pass

-  appliedActions: NormalizedAction[];
+## Persistence (Current)

-  timestamp: number;
-};
-```
+SQLite tables already backing turns and world snapshots:

---
-
-# 🌍 World State (STRICT SCHEMA)
-
-```ts
-export type Entity = {
-  id: string;
-  name: string;
-  locationId?: string;
-  attributes?: Record<string, unknown>;
-};
-
-export type Location = {
-  id: string;
-  name: string;
-  connectedTo: string[];
-};
-
-export type WorldState = {
-  entities: Record<string, Entity>;
-  locations: Record<string, Location>;
-  inventory: Record<string, string[]>; // actorId → itemIds
-  flags: Record<string, boolean>;
-};
-```
-
---
-
-# 🧠 System Layers
-
---
-
-## 1. Parser Layer (`parser/`)
-
-**Responsibility:**
- Convert prose → rough actions
- May use LLM
-
-**Output:**
-```ts
-unknown[]
-```
-
-⚠️ Parser output is NOT trusted.
-
---
-
-## 2. Normalization Layer (`parser/normalizeActions.ts`)
-
-**Responsibility:**
- Enforce schema
- Resolve references (`he` → `john`)
- Fill missing fields
- Reject invalid structures
-
-**Input:**
-```ts
-unknown[]
-```
-
-**Output:**
-```ts
-NormalizedAction[]
-```
-
---
-
-## 3. Truth Engine (`engine/validate.ts`)
-
-**Responsibility:**
- Determine if action is valid
- MUST be deterministic
- MUST NOT mutate state
-
-**Input:**
-```ts
-NormalizedAction + WorldState
-```
-
-**Output:**
-```ts
-ValidationResult
-```
-
---
-
-## 4. Mutation Engine (`engine/apply.ts`)
-
-**Responsibility:**
- Apply ONLY successful actions
- Mutate world state
-
-**Input:**
-```ts
-NormalizedAction + WorldState
-```
-
-**Output:**
-```ts
-WorldState
-```
-
---
-
-## 5. Persistence Layer (`storage/`)
-
-**Responsibility:**
- Store:
-  - world state
 - turns
-  - history
+- actions
+- validation_results
+- entities
+- world_states
+- rulebooks

---
+## API Surface (Current)

-# 🔄 Turn Execution Pipeline
+- GET /api/state
+- POST /api/turn
+- POST /api/reset
+- GET /api/rulebook
+- PUT /api/rulebook
+- GET /api/rulebooks

-```ts
-function processTurn(rawText: string): Turn {
-  const parsed = parse(rawText);
+## Operational Rule: Validation in Docker

-  const normalized = normalize(parsed);
+Build and runtime checks should run in containers, not host Node.

-  const validationResults = normalized.map(action =>
-    validate(action, worldState)
-  );
+- Backend build: docker compose run --rm app npm run build
+- Frontend build: docker compose run --rm frontend npm run build

-  const successfulActions = normalized.filter((_, i) =>
-    validationResults[i].success
-  );
+## Immediate Path Forward

-  const newState = apply(successfulActions, worldState);
+1. LLM adapter hardening
+- Tune prompt/schema validation for model drift.
+- Add configurable model + timeout policy per environment.

-  const turn: Turn = {
-    id: generateId(),
-    rawText,
-    parsedActions: parsed,
-    normalizedActions: normalized,
-    validationResults,
-    appliedActions: successfulActions,
-    timestamp: Date.now()
-  };
+2. Rulebook governance
+- Keep versioned rulebook migration path active as rule schema evolves.
+- Split rules into policy packs: creation, transfer, social.

-  persist(turn, newState);
-
-  return turn;
-}
-```
-
---
-
-# 🧠 Reference Resolution Rules
-
-Handled in normalization layer.
-
-Examples:
-
-| Input        | Output        |
-|-------------|--------------|
-| "he"        | actorId      |
-| "the door"  | door_1       |
-| "my key"    | key_owned_by_actor |
-
-Must be:
- deterministic
- context-aware
- testable
-
---
-
-# 🧪 Debug & Traceability (REQUIRED)
-
-Every turn MUST store:
-
- raw input
- parsed output
- normalized actions
- validation results
- applied actions
-
-This enables:
- replay
- debugging
- AI correction
-
---
-
-# ⚙️ Initial Action Rules (MVP)
-
-## move
- actor must exist
- target must be connected location
-
-## take
- item must be in same location
- item not already owned
-
-## open
- target must exist
- if locked → fail unless key present
-
-## introduce
- creates entity OR brings into scene
-
---
-
-# 🚫 Anti-Patterns (DO NOT DO)
-
-❌ Let LLM mutate state  
-❌ Store unvalidated actions  
-❌ Use dynamic/untyped actions  
-❌ Skip normalization  
-❌ Combine validation + mutation  
-❌ Allow hidden side effects  
-
---
-
-# 🚀 Future Extensions (Planned)
-
- Memory system (vector + summaries)
- Belief vs truth separation
- Multi-agent turns
- Time-based simulation
- Rule plugins per scenario
- UI action inspector
-
---
-
-# 🧠 Mental Model
-
-This system is:
-
-> A deterministic simulation engine with LLM-based I/O
-
-NOT:
-
-> A chatbot with memory
-
---
-
-# ✅ Definition of Done (MVP)
-
- [ ] Actions fully typed
- [ ] Normalization layer implemented
- [ ] Validation fully deterministic
- [ ] State mutation isolated
- [ ] Turn trace persisted
- [ ] Simple scenario (door + key) works
-
---
-
-# 💬 Guidance for Copilot
-
-When generating code:
-
- Prefer explicit types over generic objects
- Avoid dynamic structures
- Keep functions pure where possible
- Do not introduce hidden state
- Follow pipeline strictly
+3. Testing depth
+- Expand Docker-executed integration tests for:
+-  createIfMissing authorization matrix
+-  transfer ownership/location checks
+-  unresolved clarification flows
+-  multi-action turn behavior
--- a/thoughts.md
+++ b/thoughts.md
@@ -1,89 +1,88 @@
 # thoughts.md

-## Current Status (clean-break)
- Backend is running the new contract-native API shape:
-  - `GET /api/state` -> `{ worldState, turns }`
-  - `POST /api/turn` -> `{ rawText, actions, validation, worldState }`
- Runtime blocker is resolved:
-  - old SQLite schema conflict (`turns.raw_text`) was fixed by wiping old DB state
-  - stale legacy files removed from backend source tree:
-    - `app/src/types.ts`
-    - `app/src/latentEntities.ts`
-    - `app/src/llmAdapter.ts`
- Door/key MVP smoke checks pass:
-  - `open door` before key -> `locked_requires_key`
-  - `take key` -> success
-  - `open door` after key -> success
- Scene-entry support added:
-  - `introduce` is now a first-class action
-  - rooms can declare `is_joinable`
-  - characters can declare `is_social`
-  - successful introduction moves a character from offstage into the actor's current room
-  - `introduce` can also create a new social character when the named target does not already exist
+## Documentation Sync

-## Architecture Now
- Core contracts in `app/src/contracts/`:
-  - `action.ts`
-  - `validation.ts`
-  - `turn.ts`
-  - `entity.ts`
-  - `world.ts`
- Deterministic truth engine:
-  - `app/src/truthEngine.ts` with `validateActions(actions, worldState)`
- Ordered turn pipeline:
-  - `app/src/turns/processTurn.ts` parse -> validate -> apply -> persist
- World mutation:
-  - `app/src/world/applyActions.ts`
- Persistence:
-  - `app/src/db.ts` with tables `turns`, `actions`, `validation_results`, `entities`, `world_states`
- App seed domain:
-  - `app/src/app.ts` door/key world (`room_start`, `room_exit`, `room_offstage`, `player`, `groundskeeper`, `door_1`, `key_1`)
+- Implementation plan refreshed in Implementation_plan.md to match current codebase state.
+- Next executable phase is Phase 1: Intent Interpreter Boundary Hardening.

-## Scene Entry Rules
- `introduce` validates against deterministic affordances:
-  - target must exist
-  - target must be a character
-  - target must have `is_social: true`
-  - actor must be in a valid room
-  - room must have `is_joinable: true`
-  - target must not already be in that room
- If no existing target entity is resolved but a character name is present, `introduce` may create a new character directly into the current room.
+## Current Snapshot (April 2026)

-## Character Description (NEW)
- `describe` action adds traits to characters:
-  - Syntax: `"describe the merchant as shrewd and quick"`
-  - Traits are stored in `character.attributes.traits[]`
-  - Multi-sentence support: `"introduce a merchant. describe the merchant as shrewd and quick."`
- Validation rules:
-  - target character must exist (or will be created by introduce in same turn)
-  - actor and target must be in same room (for existing targets)
-  - supports forward-reference to entities created in the same turn
- Multi-action parsing:
-  - Sentences split on `/[.!?]+/`
-  - Each sentence becomes a separate action
-  - Validation accounts for entities created by introduce actions in the same turn
- On success:
-  - target location becomes the actor's location
-  - `in_scene` is set to `true`
-  - `last_introduced_by` is recorded
-  - newly created characters default to `type: character`, `is_social: true`, `in_scene: true`
+### What is now working

-## New Endpoint
- Added `POST /api/reset` in `app/src/index.ts`
- App-level reset implementation in `app/src/app.ts`
- DB wipe support in `app/src/db.ts`
- Verified reset behavior:
-  - returns `{ worldState, turns }`
-  - `turns` is empty after reset
-  - `player` and `key_1` return to `room_start`
+- Rulebook-driven validation is active and editable through API/frontend.
+- Character authorization rules are in place (actorIdIn / actorNameIn).
+- take supports createIfMissing, gated by rulebook permissions.
+- transfer action is live with ownership + recipient + location validation.
+- Turn processing now goes through a dedicated turn manager layer.
+- Intent interpreter contract exists with resolved / needs_clarification / rejected statuses.
+- Interpreter envelopes are persisted per turn and surfaced to the UI timeline.
+- LLM resolver now calls an HTTP model backend (Ollama-compatible) with hybrid deterministic fallback.
+- Rulebooks now include a version field with backward-compatible DB migration.

-## Frontend Migration Notes
- `frontend/src/App.tsx` migrated to consume new backend contracts.
- Removed dependencies on old fields (`narration`, `events`, `beliefs`, `summaries`, `parser_feedback`).
- Turn submit flow now refreshes snapshot via `GET /api/state` after `POST /api/turn`.
- Reset call now sends JSON body/content-type to satisfy Fastify media-type validation.
+### Confirmed via containerized validation

-## Remaining Checks
-1. Frontend build pass completed in container (`docker compose exec frontend npm run build`).
-2. Validate inspector UX manually against the door/key plus introduce flow.
-3. Expand parser coverage only within current clean MVP domain.
+- Backend build passes in Docker:
+  - docker compose run --rm app npm run build
+- Frontend build passes in Docker:
+  - docker compose run --rm frontend npm run build
+- Host Node build is intentionally not relied on.
+
+## Architecture Feedback
+
+### Good decisions worth keeping
+
+1. Rulebook externalization
+- Pulling edge-case logic out of hardcoded truth engine branches was the right move.
+- It now supports editable policy without code deployment.
+
+2. Explicit authorization checks in rules
+- Authorization for creation-style actions now belongs to policy, not parser guesswork.
+- This aligns with deterministic governance.
+
+3. Introducing transfer as first-class action
+- This avoids overloading take semantics and keeps intent/action boundaries cleaner.
+
+4. Turn manager seam
+- processTurn delegating to a turn manager creates a stable orchestration point for interpreter upgrades.
+
+### Risks / cleanup still needed
+
+1. Frontend contract drift risk
+- App.tsx has historically duplicated blocks during rapid edits.
+- Keep one canonical component and avoid append-style merges.
+
+2. Interpreter observability depth
+- Interpreter traces are persisted, but aggregate analytics/counters are still missing.
+
+3. Rulebook migration strategy
+- Existing DBs may hold older rulebooks missing new action rule sets.
+- Need explicit upgrade path/versioning.
+
+## Path Forward (Next 3 Iterations)
+
+### Iteration 1: LLM adapter hardening
+
+- Harden prompt + response schema handling for model drift and malformed JSON.
+- Add environment-specific model/timeouts and failure policy guidance.
+- Add tests covering unavailable model backend and malformed payload fallback.
+
+### Iteration 2: Traceability + observability
+
+- Surface interpreter status in frontend turn log.
+- Add reason-code analytics counters for failed validations and unresolved intents.
+
+### Iteration 3: Rulebook lifecycle and test harness
+
+- Add policy packs (creation, transfer, social).
+- Add Docker-run integration tests for:
+  - unauthorized createIfMissing
+  - authorized createIfMissing
+  - transfer success/failure matrix
+  - clarification path for ambiguous/unrecognized input
+
+## Operating Guidance
+
+- Keep all build/test checks containerized.
+- Treat interpreter as replaceable adapter behind a stable contract.
+- Keep truth engine deterministic and side-effect free.
+- Keep mutation logic pure relative to validated actions only.