diff --git a/docs/evidence/2026-10-03-platform-root-custody-delivery.md b/docs/evidence/2026-10-03-platform-root-custody-delivery.md
index 4fd74d3..94b9c90 100644
--- a/docs/evidence/2026-10-03-platform-root-custody-delivery.md
+++ b/docs/evidence/2026-10-03-platform-root-custody-delivery.md
@@ -139,3 +139,25 @@ approval applies; operator OIDC/MFA remains execution-only. Fresh receipt must
 show success. If the exposed historical local grant matches the current lane,
 coordinated existing credential recovery is required before provider proof;
 there is no automatic credential rotation or root authority change.
+
+## Failed attended finish and diagnostic correction
+
+Attempt185421Z333977 completed and revoked its operator login, but the finish
+child failed without a receipt. Owner audit proves custody, backup-lane and
+operator-backup reads all succeeded. The exact external-provider failure is
+unknown because the previous catch-all discarded diagnostics; no IAM widening
+or speculative protocol/status relaxation is warranted. Safe audit receipt:
+2026-10-03-root-custody-failed-finish-audit.json.
+
+The corrected silent wrapper runs a stdlib bootstrap that reserves a fresh
+private receipt before importing helper dependencies. Full main emits fixed
+allowlisted stage/error codes and safe HTTP/artifact metadata on failure,
+including partial owner-baseline success and any attempted created artifact.
+It never emits exception text, raw response, credential or provider coordinates.
+Private clean-environment full-main tests use the actual attended envelope
+predicate, real validator/system age and fake owner/provider boundaries; they
+cover success, denied owner read, quota, missing binary, upload, download,
+ciphertext/decrypt failure, startup imports, stale receipt and incident stop.
+A new fresh-path attended attempt can now identify the actual provider boundary
+without guessing or repeating opaque failure. Actual provider acceptance remains
+pending; simulated successful provider tests do not establish it.
diff --git a/docs/evidence/2026-10-03-root-custody-failed-finish-audit.json b/docs/evidence/2026-10-03-root-custody-failed-finish-audit.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..46afb61
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/evidence/2026-10-03-root-custody-failed-finish-audit.json
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+{
+  "events": [
+    {
+      "error_present": false,
+      "permission_denied": false,
+      "request_id": "b29f3261-7fd3-84e9-7aa4-493205e469a4",
+      "stage": "custody_read",
+      "time": "2026-10-03T18:54:37.880715204Z"
+    },
+    {
+      "error_present": false,
+      "permission_denied": false,
+      "request_id": "e474bc4b-9265-f3d9-d0f3-cdf6ec7eb038",
+      "stage": "backup_lane_read",
+      "time": "2026-10-03T18:54:38.14371374Z"
+    },
+    {
+      "error_present": false,
+      "permission_denied": false,
+      "request_id": "d4c3df09-30e0-36f7-c66f-8d000e23dfe2",
+      "stage": "operator_backup_read",
+      "time": "2026-10-03T18:54:38.4374245Z"
+    }
+  ],
+  "lookup_succeeded": true,
+  "raw_logs_emitted": false,
+  "scope": "failed-attended-finish-stage-audit"
+}
diff --git a/openbao/root-grant/README.md b/openbao/root-grant/README.md
index aa1c08c..ff9d3e8 100644
--- a/openbao/root-grant/README.md
+++ b/openbao/root-grant/README.md
@@ -192,3 +192,27 @@ upload and requires coordinated existing credential incident/cutover recovery,
 preserving consumers; it never rotates an uninformed predecessor. If different,
 the historical owner's revocation status remains unverified separately from
 root-grant authority. No credential-bearing coordinates are copied to evidence.
+
+## Finish failure receipts
+
+The first finish attempt failed after successful authenticated owner reads but
+before a receipt. Its exact provider cause was lost by the old catch-all; it is
+not evidence of missing IAM. The corrected wrapper reserves a fresh receipt
+before helper imports and always records safe stage/error codes. Inspect that
+receipt after execution even if the child returns nonzero. Failed upload or
+readback includes safe numeric HTTP status and generated artifact name when
+available; do not rerun with the same receipt path or weaken expected provider
+contract/status checks blindly. No token, share coordinates, private key, raw
+response or exception message is written. `helper_import` means startup failed;
+`backup_operator_read` means current owner credential retrieval failed;
+`provider_contract`, crypto, quota, upload/download or ciphertext/decrypt stages
+identify the remaining provider proof boundary. Login cleanup and task success
+remain separate, and only a verified fresh success receipt completes T05.
+
+The finish helper also uses the established independent operator escrow at
+/home/worsch/.config/age/railiance-backup.key. It derives that key's public
+recipient in a captured subprocess, compares it with the current governed lane
+and decrypts the downloaded artifact with the independent key file. Only match
+and decryption booleans are recorded; the private key is never read into logs
+or replaced. A missing/different escrow is an explicit fixed-code recovery
+failure, not a request to create or reset a key implicitly.
diff --git a/scripts/root-custody-finish-attended.sh b/scripts/root-custody-finish-attended.sh
index 7c4ed1f..8f69415 100755
--- a/scripts/root-custody-finish-attended.sh
+++ b/scripts/root-custody-finish-attended.sh
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 set -euo pipefail
-exec python3 "$(dirname "$0")/root_custody_finish.py" "$@" >/dev/null 2>&1
+exec /usr/bin/python3 "$(dirname "$0")/root_custody_finish_entry.py" "$@" >/dev/null 2>&1
diff --git a/scripts/root_custody_finish.py b/scripts/root_custody_finish.py
index 033f156..0568e91 100644
--- a/scripts/root_custody_finish.py
+++ b/scripts/root_custody_finish.py
@@ -19,22 +19,23 @@ from migrate_nextcloud_backup_account import HOST, OPERATOR_PATH, LANE, quota, r
 
 VALIDATOR_DIGEST='9156e399c8d92a45b817bfc3738c89843487ce57e1718ed747f804f95cc719bb'
 SCHEMA_DIGEST='bb6cd6da5dc48eddcf118ae78c2cacfafd5f860098fd8a8368fe6bc845776d07'
+INDEPENDENT_ESCROW=Path('/home/worsch/.config/age/railiance-backup.key')
 
 
 def checked_bundle(state_path, validator):
     state=json.loads(state_path.read_text())
     if state.get('pending') or validator.validate(state['document']) or state['record_id']!=RECORD_ID or digest(state['document'])!=state['digest']:
-        raise ValueError('retained_state_invalid')
+        raise FinishFailure('retained_state_invalid')
     history=[]
     for path in sorted((state_path.parent/'history').glob('*.json')):
         if path.is_symlink() or path.stat().st_size>262144:
-            raise ValueError('history_invalid')
+            raise FinishFailure('history_invalid')
         receipt=json.loads(path.read_text())
         if validator.validate(receipt['document']) or receipt['record_id']!=RECORD_ID or receipt['digest']!=digest(receipt['document']):
-            raise ValueError('history_invalid')
+            raise FinishFailure('history_invalid')
         history.append(receipt)
     if state not in history:
-        raise ValueError('latest_history_missing')
+        raise FinishFailure('latest_history_missing')
     return state,json.dumps({'baseline':state,'history':history},sort_keys=True,separators=(',',':')).encode()
 
 
@@ -54,78 +55,169 @@ def historical_config_comparison(config_path, values):
                 "historical_credential_status":"comparison-unavailable"}
 
 
-def roundtrip(bundle, lane, operator, network=request, get_quota=quota):
+def roundtrip(bundle, lane, operator, network=None, get_quota=None, progress=lambda stage, **details: None):
+    network=request if network is None else network
+    get_quota=quota if get_quota is None else get_quota
+    progress('provider_contract')
     values=lane['data']
     if operator['BACKUP_USERNAME']!='Backup':
-        raise ValueError('governed_owner_mismatch')
+        raise FinishFailure('governed_owner_mismatch')
     auth=(operator['BACKUP_USERNAME'],operator['BACKUP_PASSWORD'])
     upload=values['NC_WEBDAV_URL']
     if not upload.startswith(HOST+'/public.php/dav/filesdrop/') or values['NC_WEBDAV_TOKEN']!=upload.rsplit('/',1)[-1]:
-        raise ValueError('current_lane_contract_mismatch')
+        raise FinishFailure('current_lane_contract_mismatch')
     key=(values['AGE_PRIVATE_KEY'].strip()+'\n').encode()
     def process(command,payload):
-        result=subprocess.run(command,input=payload,capture_output=True,timeout=30)
+        try:
+            result=subprocess.run(command,input=payload,capture_output=True,timeout=30)
+        except FileNotFoundError:
+            raise FinishFailure('crypto_binary_unavailable') from None
+        except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+            raise FinishFailure('crypto_command_timeout') from None
         if result.returncode:
-            raise ValueError('protected_process_failed')
+            raise FinishFailure('crypto_command_failed')
         return result.stdout
+    progress('derive_age_recipient')
     recipient=process(['age-keygen','-y','/dev/stdin'],key).decode().strip()
+    progress('encrypt_history')
     encrypted=process(['age','-r',recipient],bundle)
+    progress('independent_key_escrow')
+    if not INDEPENDENT_ESCROW.is_file():
+        raise FinishFailure('independent_key_escrow_missing')
+    independent_recipient=process(['age-keygen','-y',str(INDEPENDENT_ESCROW)],b'').decode().strip()
+    matched=hmac.compare_digest(recipient,independent_recipient)
+    progress('independent_key_escrow',independent_escrow_recipient_matches_current_lane=matched)
+    if not matched:
+        raise FinishFailure('independent_key_escrow_mismatch')
+    progress('provider_quota')
     if len(encrypted)>1048576 or get_quota(auth)['available_bytes']<len(encrypted):
-        raise ValueError('backup_size_or_quota_invalid')
+        raise FinishFailure('backup_size_or_quota_invalid')
     name='root-custody-history-'+datetime.now(timezone.utc).strftime('%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ')+'-'+uuid.uuid4().hex+'.json.age'
+    progress('provider_upload',artifact=name)
     status,_=network(upload+'/forgejo/'+name,'PUT',encrypted,(values['NC_WEBDAV_TOKEN'],''),{'Content-Type':'application/octet-stream','If-None-Match':'*'})
+    progress('provider_upload',upload_http_status=status)
     if status!=201:
-        raise ValueError('new_artifact_upload_failed')
+        raise FinishFailure('new_artifact_upload_failed')
+    progress('provider_download')
     status,fetched=network(HOST+'/remote.php/dav/files/Backup/railiance-backups/forgejo/'+name,'GET',auth=auth)
-    if status!=200 or hashlib.sha256(fetched).digest()!=hashlib.sha256(encrypted).digest():
-        raise ValueError('provider_readback_mismatch')
+    progress('provider_download',readback_http_status=status)
+    if status!=200:
+        raise FinishFailure('provider_download_failed')
+    progress('provider_ciphertext_check')
+    if hashlib.sha256(fetched).digest()!=hashlib.sha256(encrypted).digest():
+        raise FinishFailure('provider_ciphertext_mismatch')
+    progress('decrypt_and_compare_history')
     with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory(prefix='root-custody-recovery-') as tmp:
         cipher=Path(tmp)/'history.json.age'
         cipher.write_bytes(fetched)
         cipher.chmod(0o600)
-        restored=process(['age','-d','-i','/dev/stdin',str(cipher)],key)
+        restored=process(['age','-d','-i',str(INDEPENDENT_ESCROW),str(cipher)],b'')
     if restored!=bundle:
-        raise ValueError('decrypted_history_mismatch')
-    return {'provider':'existing-governed-nextcloud-backup','artifact':name,'upload_http_status':201,'readback_http_status':200,'ciphertext_sha256':hashlib.sha256(encrypted).hexdigest(),'decrypted_history_matches':True,'lane_kv_version':lane['metadata']['version'],'local_historical_rclone_used':False}
+        raise FinishFailure('decrypted_history_mismatch')
+    return {'provider':'existing-governed-nextcloud-backup','artifact':name,'upload_http_status':201,'readback_http_status':200,'ciphertext_sha256':hashlib.sha256(encrypted).hexdigest(),'decrypted_history_matches':True,'lane_kv_version':lane['metadata']['version'],'local_historical_rclone_used':False,'independent_escrow_recipient_matches_current_lane':True,'independent_escrow_decryption_verified':True}
 
 
-def main():
+STAGES = {
+    'startup', 'attended_envelope', 'operator_endpoint', 'canon_pins', 'validator_import',
+    'publisher_lock', 'retained_history', 'current_source_read', 'current_baseline_check',
+    'backup_lane_read', 'backup_operator_read', 'historical_share_comparison',
+    'provider_contract', 'derive_age_recipient', 'encrypt_history', 'independent_key_escrow', 'provider_quota',
+    'provider_upload', 'provider_download', 'provider_ciphertext_check', 'decrypt_and_compare_history', 'complete',
+}
+
+
+class FinishFailure(ValueError):
+    def __init__(self, code):
+        self.code = code
+
+
+ERROR_CODES = {'stage_failed', 'attended_envelope_required', 'approved_operator_endpoint_required',
+               'canon_pin_mismatch', 'current_backup_lane_incident', 'unexpected_stage',
+               'crypto_binary_unavailable','crypto_command_timeout','crypto_command_failed','independent_key_escrow_missing','independent_key_escrow_mismatch',
+               'provider_download_failed','provider_ciphertext_mismatch','decrypted_history_mismatch',
+               'retained_state_invalid','history_invalid','latest_history_missing',
+               'governed_owner_mismatch','current_lane_contract_mismatch','backup_size_or_quota_invalid','new_artifact_upload_failed'}
+
+
+def main(receipt_reserved=False):
     p=argparse.ArgumentParser()
     p.add_argument('--state',type=Path,required=True)
     p.add_argument('--net-kingdom',type=Path,required=True)
     p.add_argument('--receipt',type=Path,required=True)
     args=p.parse_args()
+    result={'ok':False,'stage':'startup','status':'started',
+            'recorded_at':datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat()}
+    def progress(stage, **details):
+        if stage not in STAGES:
+            raise FinishFailure('unexpected_stage')
+        result['stage']=stage
+        for key,value in details.items():
+            if key in {'upload_http_status','readback_http_status'} and type(value) is int and 100 <= value <= 599:
+                result[key]=value
+            elif key=='independent_escrow_recipient_matches_current_lane' and type(value) is bool:
+                result[key]=value
+            elif key=='artifact' and isinstance(value,str) and value.startswith('root-custody-history-') and value.endswith('.json.age'):
+                result[key]=value
+        atomic_json(args.receipt,result)
     try:
-        if args.receipt.exists() or args.receipt.is_symlink():
+        if args.receipt.is_symlink():
             return 1
-        require_attended()
+        if not receipt_reserved:
+            fd=os.open(args.receipt,os.O_CREAT|os.O_EXCL|os.O_WRONLY,0o600)
+            os.close(fd)
+        progress('attended_envelope')
+        try:
+            require_attended()
+        except Exception:
+            raise FinishFailure('attended_envelope_required') from None
+        progress('operator_endpoint')
         if os.getenv('BAO_ADDR')!='http://127.0.0.1:18200':
-            return 1
+            raise FinishFailure('approved_operator_endpoint_required')
+        progress('canon_pins')
         source=args.net_kingdom/'tools/custody-record/validate.py'
         schema=args.net_kingdom/'canon/schemas/custody-record_v0.1.schema.json'
         if hashlib.sha256(source.read_bytes()).hexdigest()!=VALIDATOR_DIGEST or hashlib.sha256(schema.read_bytes()).hexdigest()!=SCHEMA_DIGEST:
-            return 1
+            raise FinishFailure('canon_pin_mismatch')
+        progress('validator_import')
         spec=importlib.util.spec_from_file_location('custody_validator',source)
         validator=importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec);spec.loader.exec_module(validator)
         import fcntl
+        progress('publisher_lock')
         with (args.state.parent/'publisher.lock').open('a') as lock:
             fcntl.flock(lock,fcntl.LOCK_EX)
+            progress('retained_history')
             state,bundle=checked_bundle(args.state,validator)
             bao=Bao()
-            check_baseline(bao.read('platform/data/custody/net-kingdom/platform-root'),state,validator)
-            # Only current owner-held lane; no cached rclone config or caller token.
+            progress('current_source_read')
+            actual=bao.read('platform/data/custody/net-kingdom/platform-root')
+            progress('current_baseline_check')
+            check_baseline(actual,state,validator)
+            result.update(record_id=RECORD_ID,revision=state['revision'],kv_version=state['kv_version'],
+                          digest=state['digest'],current_live_baseline_matches=True)
+            progress('backup_lane_read')
             lane=bao.read(LANE)
+            progress('backup_operator_read')
             operator=bao.read(OPERATOR_PATH)['data']
+            progress('historical_share_comparison')
             comparison=historical_config_comparison(Path('/home/worsch/.config/rclone/rclone.conf'),lane['data'])
+            result.update(comparison)
             if comparison['historical_share_matches_current_lane'] is True:
-                atomic_json(args.receipt,{'ok':False,'current_live_baseline_matches':True,**comparison,
-                   'error':'current_backup_lane_requires_coordinated_existing_incident_recovery','recorded_at':datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat()})
-                return 1
-            receipt={**roundtrip(bundle,lane,operator),**comparison}
-        atomic_json(args.receipt,{'ok':True,'scope':'current-owner-read-and-governed-history-provider-roundtrip','record_id':RECORD_ID,'revision':state['revision'],'kv_version':state['kv_version'],'digest':state['digest'],'current_live_baseline_matches':True,'history_entries':len(json.loads(bundle)['history']),'recorded_at':datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),**receipt})
+                raise FinishFailure('current_backup_lane_incident')
+            receipt=roundtrip(bundle,lane,operator,progress=progress)
+        result.update(ok=True,status='verified',stage='complete',finished_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),
+           scope='current-owner-read-and-governed-history-provider-roundtrip',
+           history_entries=len(json.loads(bundle)['history']),**receipt)
+        atomic_json(args.receipt,result)
         return 0
-    except Exception:
-        # Server/credential/HTTP/process diagnostics are never disclosed.
+    except FileExistsError:
+        # Never change an old success receipt or claim it belongs to this attempt.
+        return 1
+    except Exception as error:
+        result.update(status='failed',finished_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),error_code=error.code if isinstance(error,FinishFailure) and error.code in ERROR_CODES else 'stage_failed')
+        try:
+            atomic_json(args.receipt,result)
+        except Exception:
+            pass
         return 1
 
 
diff --git a/scripts/root_custody_finish_entry.py b/scripts/root_custody_finish_entry.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..22d859d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/root_custody_finish_entry.py
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Stdlib-only silent bootstrap; reserves a new safe receipt before imports."""
+import importlib.util
+import json
+import os
+from pathlib import Path
+import sys
+from datetime import datetime,timezone
+
+
+def main():
+    receipt=None
+    fd=None
+    try:
+        for index,arg in enumerate(sys.argv[1:],start=1):
+            if arg=='--receipt' and index+1<len(sys.argv):
+                receipt=Path(sys.argv[index+1])
+            elif arg.startswith('--receipt='):
+                receipt=Path(arg.split('=',1)[1])
+        if receipt is None or receipt.is_symlink():
+            return 1
+        fd=os.open(receipt,os.O_CREAT|os.O_EXCL|os.O_WRONLY,0o600)
+        result={'ok':False,'status':'started','stage':'helper_import','recorded_at':datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat()}
+        os.write(fd,json.dumps(result).encode());os.fsync(fd);os.close(fd);fd=None
+        spec=importlib.util.spec_from_file_location('custody_finish',Path(__file__).with_name('root_custody_finish.py'))
+        helper=importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec);spec.loader.exec_module(helper)
+        return helper.main(receipt_reserved=True)
+    except FileExistsError:
+        return 1
+    except BaseException:
+        if receipt is not None:
+            try:
+                if fd is not None:os.close(fd)
+                result={'ok':False,'status':'failed','stage':'helper_import','error_code':'helper_startup_failed','recorded_at':datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat()}
+                with receipt.open('w') as out:json.dump(result,out);out.flush();os.fsync(out.fileno())
+            except Exception:pass
+        return 1
+
+
+if __name__=='__main__':raise SystemExit(main())
diff --git a/tests/test_root_custody_finish.py b/tests/test_root_custody_finish.py
index a1d054b..1224de3 100644
--- a/tests/test_root_custody_finish.py
+++ b/tests/test_root_custody_finish.py
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ from pathlib import Path
 import sys
 import tempfile
 import subprocess
+import os
+import shutil
 import unittest
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
@@ -51,9 +53,13 @@ class FinishTests(unittest.TestCase):
                 stored['encrypted']=body
                 return 201,b''
             return 200,stored['encrypted']
-        receipt=finish.roundtrip(b'{"nonsecret":"receipt-fixture"}',lane,
-            {'BACKUP_USERNAME':'Backup','BACKUP_PASSWORD':'DISPOSABLE-PASSWORD'},
-            network=memory_provider,get_quota=lambda auth:{'available_bytes':1048576})
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmp:
+            escrow=Path(tmp)/'escrow.age.key'
+            escrow.write_text(key);escrow.chmod(0o600)
+            with patch.object(finish,'INDEPENDENT_ESCROW',escrow):
+                receipt=finish.roundtrip(b'{"nonsecret":"receipt-fixture"}',lane,
+                    {'BACKUP_USERNAME':'Backup','BACKUP_PASSWORD':'DISPOSABLE-PASSWORD'},
+                    network=memory_provider,get_quota=lambda auth:{'available_bytes':1048576})
         self.assertTrue(receipt['decrypted_history_matches'])
         self.assertNotIn(key,json.dumps(receipt))
         self.assertNotIn('DISPOSABLE-SHARE',json.dumps(receipt))
@@ -66,4 +72,144 @@ class FinishTests(unittest.TestCase):
             with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
                 finish.checked_bundle(path,validator)
 
+class MainIntegrationTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.temp=tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.directory=Path(self.temp.name)
+        shutil.copytree(ROOT/'docs/evidence/root-custody-history',self.directory/'holder')
+        self.state=self.directory/'holder/baseline.json'
+        self.receipt=self.directory/'receipt.json'
+        self.args=['finish','--state',str(self.state),'--net-kingdom',str(ROOT.parent/'net-kingdom'),'--receipt',str(self.receipt)]
+        self.baseline=json.loads(self.state.read_text())
+        key=subprocess.run(['/usr/bin/age-keygen'],capture_output=True,check=True).stdout.decode()
+        self.lane={'data':{'NC_WEBDAV_URL':finish.HOST+'/public.php/dav/filesdrop/TEST-SHARE',
+                   'NC_WEBDAV_TOKEN':'TEST-SHARE','AGE_PRIVATE_KEY':key},'metadata':{'version':4}}
+        self.operator={'data':{'BACKUP_USERNAME':'Backup','BACKUP_PASSWORD':'TEST-PASSWORD'}}
+        self.escrow=self.directory/'disposable-escrow.key'
+        self.escrow.write_text(key);self.escrow.chmod(0o600)
+        self.stored={}
+    def tearDown(self):self.temp.cleanup()
+    def read(self,path):
+        if path==finish.LANE:return self.lane
+        if path==finish.OPERATOR_PATH:return self.operator
+        return {'data':{'document':self.baseline['document']},'metadata':{'version':1}}
+    def provider(self,url,method='GET',body=None,auth=None,headers=None):
+        if method=='PUT':self.stored['encrypted']=body;return 201,b''
+        return 200,self.stored['encrypted']
+    def invoke(self,reader=None,provider=None,quota_failure=None,comparison=None):
+        # The actual attended-envelope predicate runs with private fake home;
+        # only owner I/O boundaries are doubled. System deps and age stay real.
+        actor=self.directory/'.warden-attended-login/operator'
+        with patch.object(sys,'argv',self.args), patch.object(owner.Path,'home',return_value=actor), \
+             patch.dict(os.environ,{'BAO_ADDR':'http://127.0.0.1:18200','PATH':'/usr/bin:/bin'},clear=True), \
+             patch.object(finish.Bao,'read',side_effect=reader or self.read), \
+             patch.object(finish,'request',side_effect=provider or self.provider), \
+             patch.object(finish,'INDEPENDENT_ESCROW',self.escrow), \
+             patch.object(finish,'quota',side_effect=quota_failure,return_value={'available_bytes':1048576}), \
+             patch.object(finish,'historical_config_comparison',return_value=comparison or {'historical_config_present':False,'historical_share_matches_current_lane':None}):
+            return finish.main()
+    def test_full_attended_main_success_real_crypto_fake_owner_and_provider(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.invoke(),0)
+        receipt=json.loads(self.receipt.read_text())
+        self.assertTrue(receipt['ok']);self.assertEqual(receipt['stage'],'complete')
+        self.assertTrue(receipt['current_live_baseline_matches'])
+        self.assertTrue(receipt['decrypted_history_matches'])
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['upload_http_status'],201)
+        self.assertNotIn('TEST-PASSWORD',self.receipt.read_text())
+    def test_permission_or_backend_error_writes_safe_exact_stage(self):
+        def failure(path):
+            if path==finish.OPERATOR_PATH:raise RuntimeError('DO-NOT-LOG-CREDENTIAL-OR-BACKEND-TEXT')
+            return self.read(path)
+        self.assertEqual(self.invoke(reader=failure),1)
+        receipt=json.loads(self.receipt.read_text())
+        self.assertFalse(receipt['ok']);self.assertEqual(receipt['stage'],'backup_operator_read')
+        self.assertTrue(receipt['current_live_baseline_matches'])
+        self.assertNotIn('DO-NOT-LOG',self.receipt.read_text())
+    def test_upload_failure_has_status_and_artifact_without_raw_error(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.invoke(provider=lambda *args,**kwargs:(403,b'NEVER-LOG-RESPONSE')),1)
+        receipt=json.loads(self.receipt.read_text())
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['stage'],'provider_upload');self.assertEqual(receipt['upload_http_status'],403)
+        self.assertIn('artifact',receipt);self.assertNotIn('NEVER-LOG',self.receipt.read_text())
+    def test_download_failure_preserves_successful_created_artifact(self):
+        def failure(url,method='GET',body=None,auth=None,headers=None):
+            return (201,b'') if method=='PUT' else (401,b'RAW-SECRET')
+        self.assertEqual(self.invoke(provider=failure),1)
+        receipt=json.loads(self.receipt.read_text())
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['stage'],'provider_download');self.assertEqual(receipt['upload_http_status'],201)
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['readback_http_status'],401);self.assertIn('artifact',receipt)
+    def test_quota_failure_has_safe_stage_and_no_secret(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.invoke(quota_failure=RuntimeError('PRIVATE-QUOTA-URL')),1)
+        receipt=json.loads(self.receipt.read_text())
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['stage'],'provider_quota')
+        self.assertNotIn('PRIVATE-QUOTA-URL',self.receipt.read_text())
+    def test_missing_crypto_binary_is_identified_without_exception_text(self):
+        with patch.object(finish.subprocess,'run',side_effect=FileNotFoundError('SECRET-ENV-PATH')):
+            self.assertEqual(self.invoke(),1)
+        receipt=json.loads(self.receipt.read_text())
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['stage'],'derive_age_recipient')
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['error_code'],'crypto_binary_unavailable')
+        self.assertNotIn('SECRET-ENV',self.receipt.read_text())
+    def test_ciphertext_mismatch_never_decrypts_or_claims_backup(self):
+        def bad_download(url,method='GET',body=None,auth=None,headers=None):
+            return (201,b'') if method=='PUT' else (200,b'WRONG-CIPHERTEXT')
+        self.assertEqual(self.invoke(provider=bad_download),1)
+        receipt=json.loads(self.receipt.read_text())
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['stage'],'provider_ciphertext_check')
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['error_code'],'provider_ciphertext_mismatch')
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['upload_http_status'],201)
+    def test_decryption_failure_reports_fixed_code_after_matching_download(self):
+        original=subprocess.run
+        def protected_process(command,*args,**kwargs):
+            if command[0]=='age' and command[1]=='-d':
+                return subprocess.CompletedProcess(command,1,b'',b'RAW-KEY-MUST-NOT-LOG')
+            return original(command,*args,**kwargs)
+        with patch.object(finish.subprocess,'run',side_effect=protected_process):
+            self.assertEqual(self.invoke(),1)
+        receipt=json.loads(self.receipt.read_text())
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['stage'],'decrypt_and_compare_history')
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['error_code'],'crypto_command_failed')
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['upload_http_status'],201)
+        self.assertNotIn('RAW-KEY-MUST-NOT-LOG',self.receipt.read_text())
+
+    def test_current_incident_stops_before_any_provider_action(self):
+        comparison={'historical_config_present':True,'historical_share_matches_current_lane':True,
+                    'historical_credential_status':'current-lane-incident'}
+        provider=unittest.mock.Mock()
+        self.assertEqual(self.invoke(provider=provider,comparison=comparison),1)
+        receipt=json.loads(self.receipt.read_text())
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['stage'],'historical_share_comparison')
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['error_code'],'current_backup_lane_incident')
+        provider.assert_not_called()
+    def test_independent_escrow_missing_does_not_upload(self):
+        self.escrow.unlink()
+        provider=unittest.mock.Mock()
+        self.assertEqual(self.invoke(provider=provider),1)
+        receipt=json.loads(self.receipt.read_text())
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['stage'],'independent_key_escrow')
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['error_code'],'independent_key_escrow_missing')
+        provider.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_failed_attended_envelope_writes_safe_receipt(self):
+        with patch.object(sys,'argv',self.args),patch.object(finish,'require_attended',side_effect=RuntimeError('TOKEN-DO-NOT-LOG')):
+            self.assertEqual(finish.main(),1)
+        receipt=json.loads(self.receipt.read_text())
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['stage'],'attended_envelope')
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['error_code'],'attended_envelope_required')
+        self.assertNotIn('TOKEN-DO-NOT-LOG',self.receipt.read_text())
+    def test_old_success_receipt_is_preserved(self):
+        self.receipt.write_text('{"ok":true}')
+        self.assertEqual(self.invoke(),1)
+        self.assertEqual(self.receipt.read_text(),'{"ok":true}')
+    def test_bootstrap_dependency_import_failure_still_writes_receipt(self):
+        entry=self.directory/'root_custody_finish_entry.py'
+        shutil.copy2(ROOT/'scripts/root_custody_finish_entry.py',entry)
+        (self.directory/'root_custody_finish.py').write_text('raise RuntimeError("IMPORT-MUST-NOT-LOG")')
+        result=subprocess.run(['/usr/bin/python3',str(entry),*self.args[1:]],capture_output=True)
+        self.assertEqual(result.returncode,1)
+        receipt=json.loads(self.receipt.read_text())
+        self.assertEqual(receipt['stage'],'helper_import');self.assertEqual(receipt['error_code'],'helper_startup_failed')
+        self.assertEqual(result.stdout,b'');self.assertEqual(result.stderr,b'')
+        self.assertNotIn('IMPORT-MUST-NOT-LOG',self.receipt.read_text())
+
+
 if __name__=='__main__':unittest.main()
diff --git a/workplans/RPF-WP-0049-platform-root-custody-record-delivery.md b/workplans/RPF-WP-0049-platform-root-custody-record-delivery.md
index 512c299..54041b0 100644
--- a/workplans/RPF-WP-0049-platform-root-custody-record-delivery.md
+++ b/workplans/RPF-WP-0049-platform-root-custody-record-delivery.md
@@ -190,3 +190,14 @@ owner baseline and direct governed history provider roundtrip receipt. No new
 generic approval, storage service or credential is requested. If the historical
 exposed grant matches current lane, existing coordinated owner incident flow
 must resolve it before backup proof; authority remains no-grant meanwhile.
+
+## Failed finish diagnosed safely — 2026-10-03
+
+First attended finish child failed without a receipt. Audit verifies all three
+OpenBao reads succeeded; provider failure boundary was not retained. Corrected
+stdlib startup bootstrap and full-main stage/error receipts eliminate that gap;
+closed diagnostic allowlist preserves secret suppression. No IAM change or
+provider protocol relaxation is made. Private full-main tests with actual age
+and fake owner/provider I/O verify success and each meaningful failure boundary.
+T05 still waits on actual governed provider roundtrip; exact command unchanged,
+with a fresh receipt path mandatory.