diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8976365..a72388a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 **A prompt+code system for producing tested, portable agent packages — with deterministic enforcement and lighter, conversation-first prompts.**
 
-Method Factory is the successor to [Process Engine](https://github.com/RedEyeNinja-BKK/Process-Engine). Process Engine proved the pipeline works through prompt-only experimentation and a successful end-to-end case study. Method Factory takes that proven design and adds a code layer: the state machine, gate enforcement, and manifest integrity are deterministic. The prompts are lighter, focused on conversation and content generation — not on enforcing their own rules.
+Method Factory is the successor to [Process Engine](https://github.com/RedEyeNinja-BKK/Process-Engine). Process Engine proved the pipeline works through prompt-only experimentation and a successful end-to-end case study. Method Factory takes that proven design and adds a code layer: the state machine, gate enforcement, manifest integrity, and persistence are deterministic. The prompts are lighter, focused on conversation and content generation — not on enforcing their own rules.
 
 > **Process Engine** remains the Turnstone-native, prompts-only reference implementation — active, not abandoned. It is the philosophical anchor. This repo builds outward from it.
 
@@ -12,14 +12,91 @@ Method Factory is the successor to [Process Engine](https://github.com/RedEyeNin
 
 Tell it what you want to build, share any material you have, and it produces a complete agent package — persona, skills, templates, and evaluation cases — through a gated pipeline:
 
+```mermaid
+flowchart TD
+    A[Intent] --> B[Collect]
+    B --> C[Clarify]
+    C --> D[Objective]
+    D --> E[Summary Gate]
+    E --> F[Pattern Author]
+    F --> G[Review]
+    G --> H[Trial]
+    H --> I[Ship]
+    I --> J[Triage]
 ```
-Intent → Collect → Clarify → Objective → Summary Gate → Pattern Author → Review → Trial → Ship → Triage
-```
+
+The spine is human-gated at every stage: the operator is the only authority for summary confirmation and shipping. Code owns deterministic state, gates, and persistence; prompts own conversation, clarification, and content generation. The model proposes; code validates, authorizes, persists, and verifies.
 
 The pipeline was discovered through prompt-only experimentation (Process Engine v1.0–v1.6.0) and validated in a real end-to-end case study. Method Factory hardens the gatekeeping logic into code while keeping the prompts conversation-first.
 
 ---
 
+## What is RC1 (`v2.0.0-rc.1`)?
+
+RC1 is the first release candidate of the SQLite persistence reset. It is a **pre-release** for product trials, not final `2.0.0`.
+
+**Implemented and verified:**
+
+- **SQLite canonical transactional store** — append-only event/history model with deterministic replay validation.
+- **Immutable content-addressed artifact storage** — blobs verified by SHA-256, never overwritten.
+- **v0.1.2 JSONL migration** — `mf migrate-store` migrates a public v0.1.2 store to SQLite with a durable receipt and no-clobber atomic publication.
+- **Deterministic event exports** — `mf export` with two formats:
+  - `method-factory-events-v1` (supported current export);
+  - `legacy-v012-jsonl` (v0.1.2-shaped evidence export that revalidates under the frozen legacy reader).
+- **Minimal supported CLI** — intentionally only:
+  - `mf migrate-store`;
+  - `mf export`.
+- **Python 3.11 and 3.12** supported and CI-tested.
+- **JSON Action Envelope** remains the state-changing protocol; prose is never a state transition.
+
+**Intentionally NOT in RC1:**
+
+- generic import;
+- backup/restore;
+- garbage collection;
+- lifecycle commands (`create`, `apply`, `status`, `summary`, `review`, `trial`, `ship`, `triage` are not exposed);
+- final `2.0.0` release.
+
+**Important non-claim:** the event hash chain is *internal consistency evidence*, not cryptographic authenticity. An attacker who replaces and rehashes the whole database would not be detected by the chain alone.
+
+---
+
+## Validation
+
+Method Factory reached RC1 through a sequence of bounded, operator-gated phases (foundation → corrections → invariant closure → migration/export → evidence closure → integration → release) and **seven mandatory code-review passes** over the migration/export surface (bug / security / performance / quality → verify → dedupe → sanity), finishing with **0 critical / 0 major** findings.
+
+- **420 tests** green on Python 3.11 and 3.12.
+- Fault-injection matrix over atomic publication; deterministic-export goldens; clean wheel build; isolated-install provenance; packaged migration/export smoke — all proven in CI on the exact released commit.
+- Release identity: `v2.0.0-rc.1` (tagged `c30332ba…`); package version `2.0.0rc1`.
+
+---
+
+## Getting started
+
+```bash
+pip install methodfactory-2.0.0rc1-py3-none-any.whl   # or: pip install -e ".[test]"
+mf --version                                          # methodfactory 2.0.0rc1
+```
+
+**Migrate an old v0.1.2 store:**
+
+```bash
+mf migrate-store --source <legacy-root> [--dest <sqlite-path>]
+```
+
+The destination defaults to `<source>/methodfactory.sqlite3`; migration refuses to overwrite an existing destination and never mutates the legacy source.
+
+**Export evidence:**
+
+```bash
+mf export --store <root> --output events.jsonl --format method-factory-events-v1
+mf export --store <root> --output legacy.jsonl --format legacy-v012-jsonl
+```
+
+Both exports are deterministic and read-only.
+
+---
+
 ## How it differs from Process Engine
 
 | | Process Engine | Method Factory |
@@ -29,33 +106,30 @@ The pipeline was discovered through prompt-only experimentation (Process Engine
 | **Prompts** | Include enforcement rules | Conversation + content only |
 | **State machine** | Prompts describe it | Code enforces it |
 | **Manifest** | LLM reads/writes TOML | Validated schema + code I/O |
+| **Persistence** | JSONL experiments | SQLite canonical store |
 | **Trials** | Prompt-described | Code-driven harness |
-| **Status** | Active reference | Under development |
+| **Status** | Active reference | RC1 release candidate |
 
 ---
 
 ## Architecture
 
 ```
-Code owns:  state machine, gate enforcement, manifest I/O, trial harness
+Code owns:  state machine, gate enforcement, manifest I/O, persistence, exports
 Prompts own: conversation, clarifying questions, content generation, tone
 ```
 
 Design principle: the model should not be responsible for enforcing its own constraints. Code enforces the rules; prompts guide the work.
 
+For developers: [Architecture reset status](docs/architecture-reset-status.md) (current state + full gate history), [Public surface & error contract](docs/public-surface.md), [ADR-0012 persistence architecture](docs/adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md).
+
 ---
 
 ## Origin
 
 Method Factory is built from the domain knowledge captured in [Process Engine](https://github.com/RedEyeNinja-BKK/Process-Engine) — specifically the pipeline design (Intent → Collect → Clarify → Objective → Summary Gate → Pattern → Review → Trial → Ship → Triage) that emerged from hundreds of prompt-only experiments and was validated in a [real end-to-end run](https://github.com/RedEyeNinja-BKK/Process-Engine/blob/main/evals/case-study-first-run.md).
 
-The prompt-only phase was not a shortcut — it was the discovery method. We didn't guess the architecture. We ran real interactions until the lifecycle proved itself. Now we're hardening the guarantees into code.
-
----
-
-## Status
-
-**Under active development.** This repo contains migrated content from Process Engine v1.9.1 and is being restructured around the prompt+code architecture. The initial code layer (state machine, manifest validation, gate enforcement) is under construction.
+The prompt-only phase was not a shortcut — it was the discovery method. We didn't guess the architecture. We ran real interactions until the lifecycle proved itself. Now the guarantees are hardened into code.
 
 ---
 
@@ -67,7 +141,9 @@ MIT — see [LICENSE](LICENSE).
 
 ## Docs
 
-- [Architecture](docs/architecture.md)
-- [Migration from Process Engine](docs/migration-from-process-engine.md)
-- [Spec compliance](docs/spec-compliance.md)
-- [Case study: first live run](evals/case-study-first-run.md)
+- [Architecture reset status — current state + gate history](docs/architecture-reset-status.md)
+- [Public surface and stable error contract](docs/public-surface.md)
+- [ADR-0012 — persistence architecture](docs/adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md)
+- [Action Envelope — prompt/code protocol](docs/action-envelope.md)
+- [Manifest contract v0.1](docs/manifest-contract-v0.1.md)
+- [Migration from Process Engine (historical)](docs/migration-from-process-engine.md)
diff --git a/docs/adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md b/docs/adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md
index 8dd1555..4c7e27c 100644
--- a/docs/adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md
+++ b/docs/adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # ADR-0012 — Persistence architecture reset: SQLite canonical store
 
-**Status:** Accepted in principle (2026-08-07 senior-review direction; operator-authorized controlled publication). Implementation pending ADR review from the pushed branch.
+**Status:** Accepted; implemented and released as `v2.0.0-rc.1` (2026-08-08). This ADR remains authoritative for persistence.
 **Supersedes:** the JSONL journal-first canonical-store decision in ADR-0008 (and the review-held `8a7e916` remediation branch).
 **Applies to:** Method Factory persistence layer, post-v0.1.x overhaul.
 
diff --git a/docs/architecture.md b/docs/architecture.md
index 4e06eea..6126509 100644
--- a/docs/architecture.md
+++ b/docs/architecture.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Architecture
 
+> **Historical / superseded.** This document describes the Process Engine era. Current Method Factory architecture and release state: see [architecture-reset-status.md](architecture-reset-status.md) and [ADR-0012](adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md).
+
 Process Engine is an agent-skill framework: a persona, six skills, seven
 references, and six session templates that drive a gated authoring pipeline.
 It is **runtime-aware**: the same core content deploys three ways.
diff --git a/docs/evaluator-freeze-policy.md b/docs/evaluator-freeze-policy.md
index 95049bb..5fc826a 100644
--- a/docs/evaluator-freeze-policy.md
+++ b/docs/evaluator-freeze-policy.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # First-Response Evaluator — FROZEN v1.9.1
 
+> **Historical / superseded.** This document describes the Process Engine era. Current Method Factory architecture and release state: see [architecture-reset-status.md](architecture-reset-status.md) and [ADR-0012](adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md).
+
 **Purpose:** Detect regressions in prompt binding, domain routing, operator control,
 non-authoring, non-deployment and critical workflow entry.
 
diff --git a/docs/governance-usage.md b/docs/governance-usage.md
index 3a1c765..c6d8682 100644
--- a/docs/governance-usage.md
+++ b/docs/governance-usage.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Governance Usage — Process Engine × Turnstone's Governance Surface
 
+> **Historical / superseded.** This document describes the Process Engine era. Current Method Factory architecture and release state: see [architecture-reset-status.md](architecture-reset-status.md) and [ADR-0012](adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md).
+
 > **Status:** PARTIALLY DEPLOYED (2026-08-01). Live: prompt policy
 > `process-engine-context` (content-only, priority 1) + heuristic rule
 > `process-engine-authoring` (advisory, review, low risk) + judge surface
diff --git a/docs/migration-from-process-engine.md b/docs/migration-from-process-engine.md
index 08d82ba..10fc439 100644
--- a/docs/migration-from-process-engine.md
+++ b/docs/migration-from-process-engine.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Migration from Process Engine
 
+> **Historical / superseded.** This document describes the Process Engine era. Current Method Factory architecture and release state: see [architecture-reset-status.md](architecture-reset-status.md) and [ADR-0012](adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md).
+
 **Date:** 2026-08-03  
 **Source:** [Process Engine](https://github.com/RedEyeNinja-BKK/Process-Engine) at tag `v1.9.1` — commit `240520e`  
 **Split point:** Process Engine at commit `69de7bc` — the version behind the [Etsy store case study](https://github.com/RedEyeNinja-BKK/Process-Engine/blob/main/evals/case-study-first-run.md)
diff --git a/docs/package-manifest-schema.md b/docs/package-manifest-schema.md
index a2aba3f..5e166ee 100644
--- a/docs/package-manifest-schema.md
+++ b/docs/package-manifest-schema.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Package Manifest Schema
 
+> **Historical / superseded.** This document describes the Process Engine era. Current Method Factory architecture and release state: see [architecture-reset-status.md](architecture-reset-status.md) and [ADR-0012](adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md).
+
 > The durable state record that connects every pipeline stage. Every package
 > generated by Process Engine carries a manifest from intent through deployment.
 
diff --git a/docs/portability-test-hermes-openclaw-20260802.md b/docs/portability-test-hermes-openclaw-20260802.md
index dbc2385..fe63bc4 100644
--- a/docs/portability-test-hermes-openclaw-20260802.md
+++ b/docs/portability-test-hermes-openclaw-20260802.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Portability test — Hermes + OpenClaw (executed 2026-08-02)
 
+> **Historical / superseded.** This document describes the Process Engine era. Current Method Factory architecture and release state: see [architecture-reset-status.md](architecture-reset-status.md) and [ADR-0012](adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md).
+
 **Status: EXECUTED — behavioral portability demonstrated on Hermes and OpenClaw.**
 
 This replaces the prior "provisioned, not executed" state. The six
diff --git a/docs/portable-install-test-20260801.md b/docs/portable-install-test-20260801.md
index 76bd531..510ad47 100644
--- a/docs/portable-install-test-20260801.md
+++ b/docs/portable-install-test-20260801.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Portable install test — 20260801
 
+> **Historical / superseded.** This document describes the Process Engine era. Current Method Factory architecture and release state: see [architecture-reset-status.md](architecture-reset-status.md) and [ADR-0012](adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md).
+
 **Status:** provisioned, not executed (operator deferred external-client testing 2026-08-01).
 
 ## Target
diff --git a/docs/provenance-schema.md b/docs/provenance-schema.md
index 6842966..79c04cd 100644
--- a/docs/provenance-schema.md
+++ b/docs/provenance-schema.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Canonical Provenance Schema
 
+> **Historical / superseded.** This document describes the Process Engine era. Current Method Factory architecture and release state: see [architecture-reset-status.md](architecture-reset-status.md) and [ADR-0012](adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md).
+
 **Version:** 1.9.0
 
 This document defines the single authoritative provenance contract for an
diff --git a/docs/public-surface.md b/docs/public-surface.md
index aacc040..2382b4b 100644
--- a/docs/public-surface.md
+++ b/docs/public-surface.md
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 # Public Surface and Stable Error Contract
 
-Phase 2 foundation closure (review 4879440857, Finding 4). This table is the
-authoritative public error boundary for the currently supported package and
-storage APIs.
+This table is the authoritative public error boundary for the currently
+supported package and storage APIs (RC1, package identity `2.0.0rc1`).
 
 **Boundary rule:** every supported public operation surfaces **only**
 `methodfactory.domain.errors.MethodFactoryError` subclasses (stable
@@ -38,9 +37,10 @@ exception contract and are not part of the supported surface.
 > with an explicitly DIFFERENT instant is `PACKAGE_EXISTS`; a retry that omits
 > `created_at` replays using the stored creation time. This is a deliberate
 > pre-release breaking change to the SQLite store format (revision-0
-> `action_json` payload now carries `created_at`); no released stores exist
-> (PR #1 Draft, v2.0.0a1), so no migration is required — any pre-A1 test store
-> must be recreated. The authoritative chain validator binds
+> `action_json` payload now carries `created_at`); no stores were released
+> under the earlier alpha format (the first release is `v2.0.0-rc.1`), so no
+> migration is required — any pre-A1 test store must be recreated. The
+> authoritative chain validator binds
 > `payload.created_at` to the indexed row `created_at`.
 | `SqliteManifestStore.apply(envelope)` | `dict` (parsed Action Envelope) | complete resulting manifest `dict` | `InvalidEnvelopeError` (`INVALID_ENVELOPE`), `InvalidPayloadError` (`INVALID_PAYLOAD`), `PackageNotFoundError` (`PACKAGE_NOT_FOUND`), `StaleActionError` (`STALE_ACTION`), `IllegalTransitionError` (`ILLEGAL_TRANSITION`), `GateUnsatisfiedError` (`GATE_UNSATISFIED`), `ActionIdConflictError` (`ACTION_ID_CONFLICT`), `SerializationError` (`SERIALIZATION`), `ArtifactVerificationError` (`ARTIFACT_VERIFICATION`), `ManifestInvalidError` (`MANIFEST_INVALID`), `ConcurrencyError` (`CONCURRENCY`), `StorageError` (`STORAGE_ERROR`) | `TypeError`/`ValueError`/`UnicodeError`/`RecursionError`, `OSError`, `sqlite3.Error` (incl. locked -> `CONCURRENCY`) |
 | `SqliteManifestStore.load(package_id)` | str | complete current manifest `dict` | `PackageNotFoundError` (`PACKAGE_NOT_FOUND`), `ManifestInvalidError` (`MANIFEST_INVALID`), `StorageError` (`STORAGE_ERROR`) | `TypeError`/`ValueError`/`UnicodeError`/`RecursionError`, `sqlite3.Error` |
diff --git a/docs/spec-compliance.md b/docs/spec-compliance.md
index 62dc1b8..d114928 100644
--- a/docs/spec-compliance.md
+++ b/docs/spec-compliance.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Spec compliance
 
+> **Historical / superseded.** This document describes the Process Engine era. Current Method Factory architecture and release state: see [architecture-reset-status.md](architecture-reset-status.md) and [ADR-0012](adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md).
+
 Every skill this engine generates complies with the
 [Agent Skills open format standard](https://github.com/agentskills/agentskills)
 (originally developed by Anthropic; code Apache-2.0, docs CC-BY-4.0).
diff --git a/docs/standards.md b/docs/standards.md
index fcfe9c1..1bb7655 100644
--- a/docs/standards.md
+++ b/docs/standards.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Process Engine standards
 
+> **Historical / superseded.** This document describes the Process Engine era. Current Method Factory architecture and release state: see [architecture-reset-status.md](architecture-reset-status.md) and [ADR-0012](adr/ADR-0012-persistence-architecture.md).
+
 This document summarizes the release-facing standards checklist. The canonical
 skill reference is [`../references/standards.md`](../references/standards.md).