diff --git a/coulomb_social/apps/spaces/date_backfill_journal.py b/coulomb_social/apps/spaces/date_backfill_journal.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5155c63
--- /dev/null
+++ b/coulomb_social/apps/spaces/date_backfill_journal.py
@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+"""Recoverable date correction primitive for a future supervised executor.
+
+Caller MUST fence every content/SQL writer and verify a fresh immutable backup
+before calling. This module neither grants admission nor proves that fencing.
+Pending journals require reconciliation before writers may resume.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import base64
+import hashlib
+import json
+import os
+import re
+import tempfile
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from django.db import transaction
+
+from .bubble_transfer import source_timestamp
+from .date_backfill import prepare_index_date_patch
+from .models import Space
+
+
+def _digest(data):
+    return hashlib.sha256(data).hexdigest()
+
+
+def _sync_directory(path):
+    fd = os.open(path, os.O_RDONLY | os.O_DIRECTORY)
+    try:
+        os.fsync(fd)
+    finally:
+        os.close(fd)
+
+
+def _replace(path, data):
+    previous = path.stat()
+    fd, temporary = tempfile.mkstemp(prefix=".date-patch-", dir=path.parent)
+    try:
+        with os.fdopen(fd, "wb") as stream:
+            os.fchown(stream.fileno(), previous.st_uid, previous.st_gid)
+            os.fchmod(stream.fileno(), previous.st_mode & 0o777)
+            stream.write(data)
+            stream.flush()
+            os.fsync(stream.fileno())
+        os.replace(temporary, path)
+        _sync_directory(path.parent)
+    finally:
+        if os.path.exists(temporary):
+            os.unlink(temporary)
+
+
+def _index(root, plan):
+    # Refuse symlinks at every component, not just at index.md.
+    root = Path(root).absolute()
+    if any(p.is_symlink() for p in [root, *root.parents]):
+        raise ValueError("Real content root required")
+    slug = plan["selection"]["space_slug"]
+    if not re.fullmatch(r"[a-z0-9]+(?:-[a-z0-9]+)*", slug):
+        raise ValueError("Invalid destination slug")
+    path = root / "spaces" / slug / "pages" / "index.md"
+    if any(p.is_symlink() for p in [path, *path.parents]):
+        raise ValueError("Symlink destination refused")
+    return path.resolve()
+
+
+def _check_pages(index, plan, permitted_index_hashes):
+    expected = {p["slug"]: p["observed_sha256"] for p in plan["pages"]}
+    if len(expected) != len(plan["pages"]) or "index" in expected:
+        raise ValueError("Ambiguous observed pages")
+    paths = list(index.parent.glob("*.md"))
+    if any(p.is_symlink() or not p.is_file() for p in paths):
+        raise ValueError("Real page files required")
+    observed = {p.stem: _digest(p.read_bytes()) for p in paths}
+    index_hash = observed.pop("index", None)
+    if observed != expected or index_hash not in permitted_index_hashes:
+        raise ValueError("Observed page bytes changed")
+
+
+def _target(plan):
+    selected = plan["selection"]
+    return Space.objects.select_for_update().get(
+        pk=selected["space_id"], tenant_id=selected["tenant_id"], slug=selected["space_slug"])
+
+
+def _journal_path(path):
+    path = Path(path).absolute()
+    if (any(p.is_symlink() for p in [path, *path.parents])
+            or path.parent.stat().st_mode & 0o077):
+        raise ValueError("Private real journal directory required")
+    return path.resolve()
+
+
+def apply_date_patch(root, plan, journal, *, backup_sha256, checkpoint=lambda phase: None):
+    """Single attempt. Never automatically retry a pending or completed journal.
+
+    backup_sha256 binds the caller's verified fresh-backup receipt, not its data.
+    The journal contains private original bytes and must stay outside public content.
+    checkpoint is a rehearsal fault injector; production callers leave it unset.
+    """
+    if not re.fullmatch(r"[a-f0-9]{64}", backup_sha256):
+        raise ValueError("Verified backup receipt digest required")
+    index = _index(root, plan)
+    journal = _journal_path(journal)
+    if journal.is_relative_to(Path(root).resolve()):
+        raise ValueError("Journal must be outside served content")
+    original = index.read_bytes()
+    patched = prepare_index_date_patch(plan, original)
+    record = {
+        "schema": "coulomb.source-date-journal.v1", "state": "pending",
+        "plan": plan, "backup_receipt_sha256": backup_sha256,
+        "original": base64.b64encode(original).decode(),
+        "patched_sha256": _digest(patched),
+    }
+    # Durable intent is created before either store changes. Exclusive creation
+    # prevents accidental replay after a crash or a successful earlier attempt.
+    with transaction.atomic(durable=True):
+        target = _target(plan)
+        prior = source_timestamp(plan["observed_sql_created_at"])
+        desired = source_timestamp(plan["source_created_at"])
+        if target.created_at != prior:
+            raise ValueError("Observed SQL date changed")
+        _check_pages(index, plan, {_digest(original)})
+        fd = os.open(journal, os.O_WRONLY | os.O_CREAT | os.O_EXCL, 0o600)
+        with os.fdopen(fd, "wb") as stream:
+            stream.write(json.dumps(record, sort_keys=True).encode())
+            stream.flush()
+            os.fsync(stream.fileno())
+        _sync_directory(journal.parent)
+        checkpoint("intent")
+        if Space.objects.filter(pk=target.pk, created_at=prior).update(created_at=desired) != 1:
+            raise ValueError("SQL precondition changed")
+        checkpoint("sql")
+        _replace(index, patched)
+        checkpoint("file")
+    checkpoint("commit")
+    record["state"] = "completed"
+    _replace(journal, json.dumps(record, sort_keys=True).encode())
+
+
+def reconcile_date_patch(root, journal):
+    """With writers STILL fenced, use committed SQL to reconcile pending bytes.
+
+    Unknown SQL/file state refuses rather than overwriting a later edit. A lost
+    commit reply is resolved by the persisted SQL date. Keep the journal as proof.
+    """
+    journal = _journal_path(journal)
+    if journal.stat().st_mode & 0o077:
+        raise ValueError("Private journal required")
+    record = json.loads(journal.read_bytes())
+    if record["schema"] != "coulomb.source-date-journal.v1" or record["state"] != "pending":
+        raise ValueError("Pending journal required")
+    plan = record["plan"]
+    index = _index(root, plan)
+    if journal.is_relative_to(Path(root).resolve()):
+        raise ValueError("Journal must be outside served content")
+    original = base64.b64decode(record["original"], validate=True)
+    patched = prepare_index_date_patch(plan, original)
+    if _digest(patched) != record["patched_sha256"]:
+        raise ValueError("Journal patch binding changed")
+    with transaction.atomic(durable=True):
+        target = _target(plan)
+        prior = source_timestamp(plan["observed_sql_created_at"])
+        desired = source_timestamp(plan["source_created_at"])
+        _check_pages(index, plan, {_digest(original), _digest(patched)})
+        if target.created_at == desired:
+            result, data = "completed", patched
+        elif target.created_at == prior:
+            result, data = "rolled_back", original
+        else:
+            raise ValueError("Unknown SQL state; manual reconciliation required")
+        _replace(index, data)
+    record["state"] = result
+    _replace(journal, json.dumps(record, sort_keys=True).encode())
+    return result
diff --git a/docs/release/source-date-journal-rehearsal-2026-10-30.json b/docs/release/source-date-journal-rehearsal-2026-10-30.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b614dc6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/release/source-date-journal-rehearsal-2026-10-30.json
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+{
+  "schema": "coulomb.source-date-journal-rehearsal.v1",
+  "status": "synthetic_crash_recovery_verified",
+  "sources_sha256": {
+    "coulomb_social/apps/spaces/date_backfill.py": "84ce5d3369389e1af9ab999aad3804456fd2f66e654e290496be6930cd4885e4",
+    "coulomb_social/apps/spaces/date_backfill_journal.py": "f3eea06fb9f444d183c06f72ec95dd05e2be576cc8d40f93c935eea819f6d1be",
+    "tests/test_date_backfill_journal.py": "1d372817d7a72e5b04a53a7aa8a01ed7df10320d7304ed975abaef9fd3965c32",
+    "tests/conftest.py": "f59a53fa0b1db1eb642ce174da5e2c42ae34faffc00c23debdd5cc83a256a1a6"
+  },
+  "full_gate": {
+    "command": "make check",
+    "tests": 328,
+    "failures": 0,
+    "errors": 0,
+    "skipped": 0
+  },
+  "postgres_focused": {
+    "version": "16.14",
+    "command": "pytest tests/test_date_backfill_journal.py tests/test_source_date_backfill.py with disposable PostgreSQL settings",
+    "tests": 30,
+    "failures": 0,
+    "errors": 0,
+    "skipped": 0
+  },
+  "real_child_process_exit_phases": [
+    "intent",
+    "sql",
+    "file",
+    "commit"
+  ],
+  "verified": [
+    "committed_sql_drives_reconciliation",
+    "unrelated_page_hashes_preserved",
+    "unrelated_sql_fields_preserved",
+    "later_edits_refused",
+    "unknown_sql_date_refused",
+    "replay_refused",
+    "private_journal_and_symlink_guards",
+    "file_mode_preserved"
+  ],
+  "production_access": false,
+  "production_writes": false,
+  "recovered_real_pair_rehearsed": false,
+  "supervised_live_executor_prepared": false,
+  "disposable_postgres_stopped": true
+}
diff --git a/docs/release/source-date-journal-review-2026-10-30.md b/docs/release/source-date-journal-review-2026-10-30.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a77b3b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/release/source-date-journal-review-2026-10-30.md
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+# Creation-date cross-store recovery journal
+
+Prepared source only. No productive date correction, deployment or acceptance.
+WP-0014-T04 still requires a supervised, backup-bound, quiesced executor and
+productive postflight. The sealed storage release proposal is unchanged.
+
+`date_backfill_journal.py` adds a correction primitive to the existing
+byte-preserving patch compiler. Its caller must first fence **all** SQL and
+content writers and verify a fresh immutable paired backup/readback. A backup
+receipt SHA256 is required and retained in the journal; the primitive does not
+verify the receipt, its freshness, its content binding or the writer fence. It is
+not exposed through a management command or product route.
+
+The operation locks the selected SQL row and checks its tenant, slug and observed
+creation date, plus the exact selected-space page inventory and hashes. It writes
+an exclusive, private, fsynced intent containing the original index bytes, plan
+and backup-receipt digest before either store changes. Then it updates only
+SQL `created_at`, atomically replaces the index with its compiled patch, fsyncs
+the file and parent, commits SQL, and marks the journal completed. Replacements
+preserve file ownership and mode. Symlink destinations, ambiguous page inventories,
+drift and journal replay refuse. Journal parents must be private; journals must
+stay outside served content because they contain original private page bytes.
+
+On interruption, keep writers fenced. `reconcile_date_patch` locks the row and
+uses its committed date: the original date restores original index bytes, while
+the corrected date finishes the patch. Both the index and every other observed
+page must still match their permitted hashes. Unknown SQL state or later edits
+refuse without overwriting those edits. A pending intent survives an uncertain
+commit result. Keep the terminal journal as evidence; do not retry the original
+plan automatically. A malformed/partially created journal requires manual
+inspection before writers resume. PostgreSQL/file durability depends on the
+underlying storage honoring fsync.
+
+Validation: `tests/test_date_backfill_journal.py` terminates actual child processes
+at durable intent, uncommitted SQL, replaced file and committed SQL. After death,
+the tests reconcile against persisted SQL and verify untouched page hashes.
+Other cases check successful correction, unrelated SQL fields, replay refusal,
+later-edit refusal, unknown SQL date, private permissions and symlinks. Together
+with the existing date planner/compiler tests, 30 focused cases pass on both
+SQLite and disposable PostgreSQL 16.14. The PostgreSQL instance used synthetic
+data, a temporary Docker container and a loopback-only port; it did not connect
+to any production/recovered database or provider. The full `make check` gate is
+recorded in the companion evidence JSON.
+
+Remaining wrapper requirements: bind exact reviewed source/plan/target and fresh
+backup/readback hashes; verify the external writer fence and full live SQL/content
+baseline; supervise the privileged action; refuse outstanding journal state;
+retain the journal on durable private storage; perform full unrelated-row/file
+postflight and resolve every pending state before resuming writers. Rehearse that
+wrapper against the independently recovered real pair before productive use.
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 3609b64..3133098 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ def django_db_modify_db_settings(
     """
     from django.conf import settings
 
+    if settings.DATABASES["default"]["ENGINE"] != "django.db.backends.sqlite3":
+        return
     directory = tmp_path_factory.mktemp("csoc-test-db")
     settings.DATABASES["default"].setdefault("TEST", {})["NAME"] = str(
         directory / "test.sqlite3"
diff --git a/tests/test_date_backfill_journal.py b/tests/test_date_backfill_journal.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..799ddbb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_date_backfill_journal.py
@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+"""Real process exits across the SQL/filesystem boundary; synthetic data only."""
+
+import hashlib
+import json
+import os
+import subprocess
+import sys
+
+import pytest
+from django.conf import settings
+
+from coulomb_social.apps.spaces.bubble_transfer import source_timestamp
+from coulomb_social.apps.spaces.date_backfill_journal import apply_date_patch, reconcile_date_patch
+from coulomb_social.apps.spaces.models import Space
+from tests.test_source_date_backfill import patch_fixture
+
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.django_db(transaction=True)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def prepared(tmp_path):
+    plan, original = patch_fixture()
+    space = Space.objects.create(tenant_id="tenant:synthetic", slug="accepted", title="Local title")
+    plan["selection"]["space_id"] = str(space.pk)
+    plan["proposed_changes"][0]["space_id"] = str(space.pk)
+    Space.objects.filter(pk=space.pk).update(
+        created_at=source_timestamp(plan["observed_sql_created_at"]))
+    root = tmp_path / "content"
+    pages = root / "spaces/accepted/pages"
+    pages.mkdir(parents=True)
+    (pages / "index.md").write_bytes(original)
+    (pages / "index.md").chmod(0o640)
+    for page in plan["pages"]:
+        (pages / (page["slug"] + ".md")).write_bytes(b"Synthetic edited bytes")
+    private = tmp_path / "private"
+    private.mkdir(mode=0o700)
+    plan_path = private / "plan.json"
+    plan_path.write_text(json.dumps(plan))
+    return root, plan, private / "journal.json", plan_path, original, space
+
+
+def test_success_preserves_other_bytes_and_sql_fields_and_refuses_replay(prepared):
+    root, plan, journal, _, original, space = prepared
+    before = Space.objects.values().get(pk=space.pk)
+    apply_date_patch(root, plan, journal, backup_sha256="a" * 64)
+    after = Space.objects.values().get(pk=space.pk)
+    assert after.pop("created_at") == source_timestamp(plan["source_created_at"])
+    before.pop("created_at")
+    assert after == before
+    assert json.loads(journal.read_bytes())["state"] == "completed"
+    assert journal.stat().st_mode & 0o777 == 0o600
+    assert (root / "spaces/accepted/pages/index.md").stat().st_mode & 0o777 == 0o640
+    assert (root / "spaces/accepted/pages/copy.md").read_bytes() == b"Synthetic edited bytes"
+    assert original in (root / "spaces/accepted/pages/index.md").read_bytes().replace(
+        b"source_created_at: 1700000000123\n", b"", 1)
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        apply_date_patch(root, plan, journal, backup_sha256="a" * 64)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("phase", ["intent", "sql", "file", "commit"])
+def test_actual_process_death_reconciles_from_committed_sql(prepared, phase):
+    root, plan, journal, plan_path, original, space = prepared
+    code = '''
+import json, os, sys
+from django.conf import settings
+settings.DATABASES["default"] = json.loads(sys.argv[1])
+import django
+django.setup()
+from coulomb_social.apps.spaces.date_backfill_journal import apply_date_patch
+from pathlib import Path
+apply_date_patch(Path(sys.argv[2]), json.loads(Path(sys.argv[3]).read_bytes()),
+                 Path(sys.argv[4]), backup_sha256="a"*64,
+                 checkpoint=lambda phase: os._exit(73) if phase == sys.argv[5] else None)
+'''
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        [sys.executable, "-c", code, json.dumps(settings.DATABASES["default"], default=str),
+         str(root), str(plan_path), str(journal), phase],
+        env={**os.environ, "DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE": "coulomb_social.settings.test"},
+        capture_output=True, timeout=30)
+    assert result.returncode == 73, result.stderr.decode()
+    assert json.loads(journal.read_bytes())["state"] == "pending"
+    committed = phase == "commit"
+    assert reconcile_date_patch(root, journal) == ("completed" if committed else "rolled_back")
+    space.refresh_from_db()
+    assert space.created_at == source_timestamp(
+        plan["source_created_at"] if committed else plan["observed_sql_created_at"])
+    data = (root / "spaces/accepted/pages/index.md").read_bytes()
+    assert (data != original) == committed
+    for page in plan["pages"]:
+        assert hashlib.sha256((root / "spaces/accepted/pages" / (
+            page["slug"] + ".md")).read_bytes()).hexdigest() == page["observed_sha256"]
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="Pending journal"):
+        reconcile_date_patch(root, journal)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("drift", ["index", "other_page", "sql"])
+def test_recovery_refuses_later_edits_or_unknown_sql(prepared, drift):
+    root, plan, journal, _, _, space = prepared
+
+    def interrupt(phase):
+        if phase == "file":
+            raise RuntimeError("interrupted")
+
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError):
+        apply_date_patch(root, plan, journal, backup_sha256="a" * 64, checkpoint=interrupt)
+    if drift == "sql":
+        Space.objects.filter(pk=space.pk).update(created_at=source_timestamp(1600000000000))
+    else:
+        path = root / "spaces/accepted/pages" / (
+            "index.md" if drift == "index" else "copy.md")
+        path.write_bytes(b"later local edit")
+    before = journal.read_bytes()
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        reconcile_date_patch(root, journal)
+    assert journal.read_bytes() == before
+    if drift != "sql":
+        assert path.read_bytes() == b"later local edit"
+
+
+def test_private_directory_and_destination_symlinks_refused_before_writes(prepared):
+    root, plan, journal, _, _, _ = prepared
+    journal.parent.chmod(0o755)
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="Private"):
+        apply_date_patch(root, plan, journal, backup_sha256="a" * 64)
+    assert not journal.exists()
+    journal.parent.chmod(0o700)
+    index = root / "spaces/accepted/pages/index.md"
+    held = index.with_suffix(".held")
+    index.rename(held)
+    index.symlink_to(held)
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="Symlink"):
+        apply_date_patch(root, plan, journal, backup_sha256="a" * 64)
+    assert not journal.exists()
diff --git a/workplans/CSOC-WP-0014-cohort-transfer-bubble-offramp.md b/workplans/CSOC-WP-0014-cohort-transfer-bubble-offramp.md
index c5c1f56..fbcd2ae 100644
--- a/workplans/CSOC-WP-0014-cohort-transfer-bubble-offramp.md
+++ b/workplans/CSOC-WP-0014-cohort-transfer-bubble-offramp.md
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ status: active
 owner: codex
 topic_slug: coulomb-social
 created: "2026-10-08"
-updated: "2026-10-29"
+updated: "2026-10-30"
 origin: residual
 origin_ref: CSOC-WP-0008
 state_hub_workstream_id: "db6b85dc-f2f0-5283-ac52-3a6af28eb5b5"
@@ -164,6 +164,18 @@ docs/release/source-date-backfill-rehearsal-2026-10-29.json and its companion re
 note. Production is untouched. A supervised quiesced executor with a durable
 cross-store recovery journal and fresh backup binding remains required.
 
+2026-10-30: Added a durable cross-store date journal primitive. Intent is fsynced
+before SQL/file mutation; pending recovery uses committed SQL to restore or finish
+the byte-preserving index patch and refuses later edits. Private journal storage,
+complete selected-page hashes, SQL row locking, replay refusal and file ownership/
+mode preservation are enforced. Actual child-process exits at intent/SQL/file/
+commit boundaries recover correctly on both SQLite and disposable PostgreSQL;
+30 focused planner/journal cases pass. No productive/recovered dataset was changed.
+Review/evidence: docs/release/source-date-journal-review-2026-10-30.md and
+source-date-journal-rehearsal-2026-10-30.json. The supervised wrapper, verified
+writer fence, fresh backup binding, recovered-real-pair rehearsal and productive
+postflight remain required; this primitive does not establish those prerequisites.
+
 ## Completion
 
 Finish when every task above has its stated evidence and acceptance, or hand off any newly discovered residual to a live work record first. Cross-owner dependencies remain their existing canonical records.