diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0a5675d..1d217ac 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,14 +1,47 @@
 # Theodore Ouyang
 
-*Quis ego sum?* — Who am I?
+This repository contains the source for [theodoreoy.com](https://www.theodoreoy.com/),
+a selective personal archive built around four public sections:
 
-I do not think the answer is a fixed biography. It is better understood through
-the questions one pursues, the work one chooses to preserve, and the ways one’s
-thinking changes over time.
+- **Home** — a particle-first opening stage followed by Theodore's profile,
+  biography, and contact coordinates.
+- **Education** — Theodore's academic record and selected coursework.
+- **Past Experience** — a five-domain archive generated from a validated source
+  record.
+- **Current Chapter** — a concise account of Theodore's exploration of practical
+  AI use cases in everyday life.
 
-I created this website to keep that record with continuity: education, past
-experience, and the questions shaping my current chapter, each in its proper
-context. It is a living archive rather than a conventional portfolio—selective,
-honest, and deliberately unfinished.
+The Home page gives visual priority to an interactive Three.js particle field.
+A same-shape particle fallback makes the first visible frame a stable word;
+the canvas then takes over without flashing solid text. The complete identity
+and biographical content remains available as static HTML below it.
+
+## Architecture and publishing
+
+The site uses the Next.js App Router, React, and TypeScript, and ships as a
+Next.js static export. There is no application server, database, or request-time
+API: GitHub Pages serves the generated HTML, CSS, JavaScript, fonts, and images.
+Pull requests validate the complete export; pushes to `main` deploy it.
+
+## Development and validation
+
+```sh
+npm ci --ignore-scripts
+npm run check
+npm audit --omit=dev
+npm run preview:static
+```
+
+`npm run check` runs linting, TypeScript, a production build, and final-artifact
+tests. Generated `.next/` and `out/` directories are intentionally not committed.
+See [`website-maintenance/`](website-maintenance/) for the source map, design
+boundaries, particle-system notes, and release checklist.
+
+## Rollback
+
+Publish changes through a pull request and keep `main` history intact. To undo a
+release, create a new `codex/` branch from the current `main`, revert the relevant
+merge commit, run the full validation suite, and merge that rollback through a
+new pull request. Do not rewrite the published branch.
 
 [Visit the website →](https://www.theodoreoy.com/)
diff --git a/app/components/particle-background/ParticleBackground.module.css b/app/components/particle-background/ParticleBackground.module.css
index 558f846..107c3d9 100644
--- a/app/components/particle-background/ParticleBackground.module.css
+++ b/app/components/particle-background/ParticleBackground.module.css
@@ -15,26 +15,39 @@
   width: 100%;
   height: 100%;
   opacity: 0;
-  transition: opacity 180ms ease-out;
+  transition: opacity 120ms ease-out;
 }
 
 .fallbackName {
   position: absolute;
   top: 50%;
   left: 50%;
-  width: min(82vw, 980px);
+  width: min(70vw, 980px);
   margin: 0;
-  color: rgba(50, 45, 40, 0.7);
-  font-family: var(--display);
-  font-size: clamp(2rem, 8vw, 7rem);
+  color: rgba(55, 49, 44, 0.62);
+  font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", sans-serif;
+  font-size: clamp(3.2rem, 12.25vw, 16rem);
   font-weight: 700;
   line-height: 0.92;
-  letter-spacing: -0.055em;
+  letter-spacing: 0;
   text-align: center;
   text-transform: uppercase;
   opacity: 1;
   transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
-  transition: opacity 180ms ease-out;
+  transition: opacity 120ms ease-out;
+}
+
+@supports ((-webkit-background-clip: text) or (background-clip: text)) {
+  .fallbackName {
+    color: transparent;
+    background-image:
+      radial-gradient(circle, rgba(62, 55, 49, 0.62) 0 0.86px, transparent 1.04px),
+      radial-gradient(circle, rgba(143, 63, 40, 0.3) 0 0.54px, transparent 0.74px);
+    background-position: 0 0, 2px 2px;
+    background-size: 4px 4px, 7px 7px;
+    -webkit-background-clip: text;
+    background-clip: text;
+  }
 }
 
 .root[data-state="ready"] .canvas {
@@ -55,12 +68,13 @@
 
 @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
   .root[data-state="ready"] .canvas {
-    opacity: 0.28;
-    transition-duration: 180ms;
+    opacity: 1;
+    transition: none;
   }
 
   .root[data-state="ready"] .fallbackName {
-    opacity: 1;
+    opacity: 0;
+    transition: none;
   }
 }
 
@@ -68,4 +82,24 @@
   .fallbackName {
     color: var(--ink-strong);
   }
+
+  @supports ((-webkit-background-clip: text) or (background-clip: text)) {
+    .fallbackName {
+      color: transparent;
+      background-image: radial-gradient(
+        circle,
+        rgba(32, 28, 24, 0.96) 0 1.05px,
+        transparent 1.24px
+      );
+      background-size: 4px 4px;
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+@media (forced-colors: active) {
+  .fallbackName {
+    color: CanvasText;
+    background: none;
+    -webkit-text-fill-color: currentColor;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/app/components/particle-background/ParticleBackground.tsx b/app/components/particle-background/ParticleBackground.tsx
index 8d4f1df..5c5ca91 100644
--- a/app/components/particle-background/ParticleBackground.tsx
+++ b/app/components/particle-background/ParticleBackground.tsx
@@ -21,14 +21,16 @@ export function ParticleBackground() {
         const { ParticleEngine } = await import("./particle-engine");
         if (cancelled) return;
         engine = new ParticleEngine(canvas, {
-          onUnavailable: () => setState("fallback"),
+          onUnavailable: () => {
+            if (!cancelled) setState("fallback");
+          },
         });
-        await engine.initialize();
+        const ready = await engine.initialize();
         if (cancelled) {
           engine.dispose();
           return;
         }
-        setState("ready");
+        setState(ready ? "ready" : "fallback");
       } catch {
         engine?.dispose();
         if (!cancelled) setState("fallback");
@@ -46,7 +48,7 @@ export function ParticleBackground() {
     <div className={styles.root} data-state={state}>
       <canvas className={styles.canvas} ref={canvasRef} aria-hidden="true" />
       <span className={styles.fallbackName} aria-hidden="true">
-        Theodore Ouyang
+        Theodore
       </span>
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/app/components/particle-background/particle-config.ts b/app/components/particle-background/particle-config.ts
index 0cd4387..d7cbef3 100644
--- a/app/components/particle-background/particle-config.ts
+++ b/app/components/particle-background/particle-config.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 import type { TimelinePhase } from "./particle-types";
 
 export const PARTICLE_CONFIG = {
-  desktopParticles: 4_000,
-  mobileParticles: 2_200,
-  reducedMotionParticles: 900,
+  initialShape: "theodore",
+  desktopParticles: 5_000,
+  mobileParticles: 2_800,
+  reducedMotionParticles: 1_600,
   mobileBreakpoint: 720,
   maxPixelRatio: 2,
   camera: {
@@ -15,11 +16,13 @@ export const PARTICLE_CONFIG = {
     parallaxY: 3,
   },
   points: {
-    size: 1.9,
-    scatterOpacity: 0.34,
-    wordOpacity: 0.86,
-    minimumGray: 0.3,
-    maximumGray: 0.52,
+    size: 2.25,
+    scatterOpacity: 0.38,
+    wordOpacity: 0.96,
+    minimumGray: 0.18,
+    maximumGray: 0.38,
+    redLift: 0.018,
+    blueDrop: 0.012,
   },
   morph: {
     maximumDelay: 0.38,
@@ -37,13 +40,12 @@ export const PARTICLE_CONFIG = {
 } as const;
 
 export const PARTICLE_TIMELINE: readonly TimelinePhase[] = [
-  { kind: "hold", shape: "scatter", duration: 1.8 },
-  { kind: "morph", to: "theodore", duration: 3 },
-  { kind: "hold", shape: "theodore", duration: 4 },
-  { kind: "morph", to: "scatter", duration: 3 },
-  { kind: "hold", shape: "scatter", duration: 1.6 },
-  { kind: "morph", to: "ouyang", duration: 3 },
-  { kind: "hold", shape: "ouyang", duration: 4 },
-  { kind: "morph", to: "scatter", duration: 3 },
-  { kind: "hold", shape: "scatter", duration: 1.6 },
+  { kind: "hold", shape: "theodore", duration: 5.5 },
+  { kind: "morph", to: "scatter", duration: 2.8 },
+  { kind: "hold", shape: "scatter", duration: 1.2 },
+  { kind: "morph", to: "ouyang", duration: 2.8 },
+  { kind: "hold", shape: "ouyang", duration: 4.5 },
+  { kind: "morph", to: "scatter", duration: 2.8 },
+  { kind: "hold", shape: "scatter", duration: 1.2 },
+  { kind: "morph", to: "theodore", duration: 2.8 },
 ];
diff --git a/app/components/particle-background/particle-engine.ts b/app/components/particle-background/particle-engine.ts
index c26c1fd..94537f4 100644
--- a/app/components/particle-background/particle-engine.ts
+++ b/app/components/particle-background/particle-engine.ts
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@ export class ParticleEngine {
   private points?: THREE.Points;
   private positionAttribute?: THREE.BufferAttribute;
   private samples?: SampledWords;
+  private resizeObserver?: ResizeObserver;
+  private viewportObserver?: IntersectionObserver;
 
   private readonly position: Float32Array;
   private readonly base: Float32Array;
@@ -81,6 +83,9 @@ export class ParticleEngine {
   private cameraTargetX = 0;
   private cameraTargetY = 0;
   private unavailable = false;
+  private viewportVisible = true;
+  private viewportWidth = 0;
+  private viewportHeight = 0;
 
   constructor(canvas: HTMLCanvasElement, { onUnavailable }: EngineOptions) {
     this.canvas = canvas;
@@ -130,17 +135,12 @@ export class ParticleEngine {
       PARTICLE_CONFIG.camera.far,
     );
     this.camera.position.z = PARTICLE_CONFIG.camera.z;
-    this.samples = await sampleParticleWords();
-    if (this.disposed) return;
+    this.samples = sampleParticleWords();
+    if (this.disposed) return false;
 
     this.resize(false);
     this.buildScatter();
-    this.buildWordTarget(this.samples.theodore, this.theodore);
-    this.buildWordTarget(this.samples.ouyang, this.ouyang);
-    this.base.set(this.scatter);
-    this.position.set(this.scatter);
-    this.source.set(this.scatter);
-    this.target.set(this.scatter);
+    this.resetToInitialShape();
     this.buildColors();
 
     this.geometry = new THREE.BufferGeometry();
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ export class ParticleEngine {
       alphaTest: 0.08,
       color: 0xffffff,
       depthWrite: false,
-      opacity: PARTICLE_CONFIG.points.scatterOpacity,
+      opacity: PARTICLE_CONFIG.points.wordOpacity,
       size: PARTICLE_CONFIG.points.size,
       sizeAttenuation: false,
       transparent: true,
@@ -173,19 +173,29 @@ export class ParticleEngine {
     this.scene.add(this.points);
 
     this.canvas.addEventListener("webglcontextlost", this.handleContextLost);
+    this.renderCurrentFrame();
+    if (this.unavailable) return false;
+
     window.addEventListener("resize", this.handleResize, { passive: true });
     document.addEventListener("visibilitychange", this.handleVisibilityChange);
     this.motionQuery.addEventListener("change", this.handleMotionPreferenceChange);
+    if ("ResizeObserver" in window) {
+      this.resizeObserver = new ResizeObserver(this.handleElementResize);
+      this.resizeObserver.observe(this.canvas);
+    }
+    if ("IntersectionObserver" in window) {
+      this.viewportObserver = new IntersectionObserver(this.handleViewportIntersection, {
+        rootMargin: "120px 0px",
+      });
+      this.viewportObserver.observe(this.canvas);
+    }
     if (this.finePointer) {
       window.addEventListener("pointermove", this.handlePointerMove, { passive: true });
       window.addEventListener("pointerout", this.handlePointerOut, { passive: true });
     }
 
-    if (this.reducedMotion) {
-      this.renderer.render(this.scene, this.camera);
-      return;
-    }
-    this.start();
+    this.syncAnimationState();
+    return true;
   }
 
   private buildColors() {
@@ -193,9 +203,9 @@ export class ParticleEngine {
     for (let index = 0; index < this.particleCount; index += 1) {
       const gray = PARTICLE_CONFIG.points.minimumGray + this.random() * range;
       const offset = index * 3;
-      this.colors[offset] = gray;
+      this.colors[offset] = Math.min(1, gray + PARTICLE_CONFIG.points.redLift);
       this.colors[offset + 1] = gray;
-      this.colors[offset + 2] = Math.min(1, gray + 0.015);
+      this.colors[offset + 2] = Math.max(0, gray - PARTICLE_CONFIG.points.blueDrop);
     }
   }
 
@@ -386,7 +396,16 @@ export class ParticleEngine {
   }
 
   private start() {
-    if (this.running || this.disposed || this.unavailable || this.reducedMotion) return;
+    if (
+      this.running ||
+      this.disposed ||
+      this.unavailable ||
+      this.reducedMotion ||
+      document.hidden ||
+      !this.viewportVisible
+    ) {
+      return;
+    }
     this.running = true;
     this.previousTime = performance.now();
     this.animationFrame = requestAnimationFrame(this.animate);
@@ -397,6 +416,16 @@ export class ParticleEngine {
     cancelAnimationFrame(this.animationFrame);
   }
 
+  private renderCurrentFrame() {
+    if (!this.renderer || !this.scene || !this.camera) return;
+    this.renderer.render(this.scene, this.camera);
+  }
+
+  private syncAnimationState() {
+    if (this.reducedMotion || document.hidden || !this.viewportVisible) this.stop();
+    else this.start();
+  }
+
   private animate = (time: number) => {
     if (!this.running || !this.renderer || !this.scene || !this.camera) return;
     const delta = Math.min((time - this.previousTime) / 1_000, 0.05);
@@ -411,9 +440,13 @@ export class ParticleEngine {
   };
 
   private resize(scaleExisting = true) {
-    if (!this.renderer || !this.camera) return;
-    const width = Math.max(1, window.innerWidth);
-    const height = Math.max(1, window.innerHeight);
+    if (this.disposed || this.unavailable || !this.renderer || !this.camera) return;
+    const bounds = this.canvas.getBoundingClientRect();
+    const width = Math.max(1, bounds.width);
+    const height = Math.max(1, bounds.height);
+    const geometryChanged =
+      Math.abs(width - this.viewportWidth) > 0.5 ||
+      Math.abs(height - this.viewportHeight) > 0.5;
     const previousWidth = this.visibleWidth;
     const previousHeight = this.visibleHeight;
 
@@ -428,36 +461,37 @@ export class ParticleEngine {
       2 * Math.tan(THREE.MathUtils.degToRad(PARTICLE_CONFIG.camera.fov / 2)) * PARTICLE_CONFIG.camera.z;
     const visibleWidth = visibleHeight * this.camera.aspect;
 
-    if (scaleExisting && previousWidth > 1 && previousHeight > 1) {
+    if (scaleExisting && geometryChanged && previousWidth > 1 && previousHeight > 1) {
       const scaleX = visibleWidth / previousWidth;
       const scaleY = visibleHeight / previousHeight;
-      for (const buffer of [this.position, this.base, this.source, this.target, this.scatter]) {
-        for (let index = 0; index < this.particleCount; index += 1) {
-          const offset = index * 3;
-          buffer[offset] *= scaleX;
-          buffer[offset + 1] *= scaleY;
-        }
+      for (let index = 0; index < this.particleCount; index += 1) {
+        const offset = index * 3;
+        this.scatter[offset] *= scaleX;
+        this.scatter[offset + 1] *= scaleY;
       }
     }
 
+    this.viewportWidth = width;
+    this.viewportHeight = height;
     this.visibleWidth = visibleWidth;
     this.visibleHeight = visibleHeight;
     if (this.samples) {
       this.buildWordTarget(this.samples.theodore, this.theodore);
       this.buildWordTarget(this.samples.ouyang, this.ouyang);
     }
+    if (scaleExisting && geometryChanged) this.resetToInitialShape();
     if (this.positionAttribute) this.positionAttribute.needsUpdate = true;
-    if (this.reducedMotion && this.scene) {
-      this.renderer.render(this.scene, this.camera);
-    }
+    if (this.reducedMotion && this.scene) this.renderCurrentFrame();
   }
 
   private handlePointerMove = (event: PointerEvent) => {
     if (!this.camera || this.reducedMotion) return;
+    const bounds = this.canvas.getBoundingClientRect();
+    if (bounds.width <= 0 || bounds.height <= 0) return;
     this.pointerPresent = true;
     this.pointerNdc.set(
-      (event.clientX / window.innerWidth) * 2 - 1,
-      -(event.clientY / window.innerHeight) * 2 + 1,
+      ((event.clientX - bounds.left) / bounds.width) * 2 - 1,
+      -((event.clientY - bounds.top) / bounds.height) * 2 + 1,
     );
     this.updatePointerProjection();
     this.cameraTargetX = this.pointerNdc.x * PARTICLE_CONFIG.camera.parallaxX;
@@ -473,22 +507,34 @@ export class ParticleEngine {
   };
 
   private handleResize = () => {
+    if (this.disposed || this.unavailable) return;
     cancelAnimationFrame(this.resizeFrame);
     this.resizeFrame = requestAnimationFrame(() => this.resize());
   };
 
+  private handleElementResize: ResizeObserverCallback = () => {
+    this.handleResize();
+  };
+
   private handleVisibilityChange = () => {
-    if (document.hidden) this.stop();
-    else this.start();
+    this.syncAnimationState();
   };
 
-  private resetToScatter() {
+  private handleViewportIntersection: IntersectionObserverCallback = (entries) => {
+    const entry = entries[0];
+    if (!entry) return;
+    this.viewportVisible = entry.isIntersecting;
+    this.syncAnimationState();
+  };
+
+  private resetToInitialShape() {
     this.phaseIndex = 0;
     this.phaseElapsed = 0;
-    this.base.set(this.scatter);
-    this.position.set(this.scatter);
-    this.source.set(this.scatter);
-    this.target.set(this.scatter);
+    const initialShape = this.shape(PARTICLE_CONFIG.initialShape);
+    this.base.set(initialShape);
+    this.position.set(initialShape);
+    this.source.set(initialShape);
+    this.target.set(initialShape);
     this.repX.fill(0);
     this.repY.fill(0);
     this.repVX.fill(0);
@@ -501,7 +547,7 @@ export class ParticleEngine {
         : this.particleCount,
     );
     this.points?.scale.setScalar(1);
-    if (this.material) this.material.opacity = PARTICLE_CONFIG.points.scatterOpacity;
+    if (this.material) this.material.opacity = PARTICLE_CONFIG.points.wordOpacity;
     if (this.camera) {
       this.camera.position.x = 0;
       this.camera.position.y = 0;
@@ -515,36 +561,42 @@ export class ParticleEngine {
     this.pointerActive = false;
     this.cameraTargetX = 0;
     this.cameraTargetY = 0;
-    this.resetToScatter();
+    this.resetToInitialShape();
     if (this.reducedMotion) {
       this.stop();
-      if (this.renderer && this.scene && this.camera) {
-        this.renderer.render(this.scene, this.camera);
-      }
-    } else if (!document.hidden) {
-      this.start();
-    }
+      this.renderCurrentFrame();
+    } else this.syncAnimationState();
   };
 
-  private handleContextLost = (event: Event) => {
-    event.preventDefault();
+  private handleContextLost = () => {
+    if (this.unavailable || this.disposed) return;
     this.unavailable = true;
     this.stop();
     this.canvas.hidden = true;
+    this.detachRuntimeListeners();
     this.onUnavailable();
   };
 
-  dispose() {
-    if (this.disposed) return;
-    this.disposed = true;
-    this.stop();
+  private detachRuntimeListeners() {
     cancelAnimationFrame(this.resizeFrame);
+    this.resizeFrame = 0;
     this.canvas.removeEventListener("webglcontextlost", this.handleContextLost);
     window.removeEventListener("resize", this.handleResize);
     document.removeEventListener("visibilitychange", this.handleVisibilityChange);
     this.motionQuery.removeEventListener("change", this.handleMotionPreferenceChange);
+    this.resizeObserver?.disconnect();
+    this.resizeObserver = undefined;
+    this.viewportObserver?.disconnect();
+    this.viewportObserver = undefined;
     window.removeEventListener("pointermove", this.handlePointerMove);
     window.removeEventListener("pointerout", this.handlePointerOut);
+  }
+
+  dispose() {
+    if (this.disposed) return;
+    this.disposed = true;
+    this.stop();
+    this.detachRuntimeListeners();
     this.geometry?.dispose();
     this.material?.dispose();
     this.pointTexture?.dispose();
diff --git a/app/components/particle-background/shape-samplers.ts b/app/components/particle-background/shape-samplers.ts
index 5c05127..3c298de 100644
--- a/app/components/particle-background/shape-samplers.ts
+++ b/app/components/particle-background/shape-samplers.ts
@@ -4,15 +4,8 @@ const SAMPLE_CANVAS_WIDTH = 1_800;
 const SAMPLE_CANVAS_HEIGHT = 520;
 const SAMPLE_FONT_SIZE = 240;
 const SAMPLE_STEP = 3;
-const FONT_FAMILY = '"Instrument Sans Variable", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif';
-
-async function waitForParticleFont() {
-  if (!document.fonts) return;
-  await Promise.all([
-    document.fonts.ready,
-    document.fonts.load(`700 ${SAMPLE_FONT_SIZE}px ${FONT_FAMILY}`),
-  ]);
-}
+const FONT_FAMILY =
+  'system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", sans-serif';
 
 function sampleWord(
   context: CanvasRenderingContext2D,
@@ -70,9 +63,7 @@ function sampleWord(
   };
 }
 
-export async function sampleParticleWords(): Promise<SampledWords> {
-  await waitForParticleFont();
-
+export function sampleParticleWords(): SampledWords {
   const canvas = document.createElement("canvas");
   canvas.width = SAMPLE_CANVAS_WIDTH;
   canvas.height = SAMPLE_CANVAS_HEIGHT;
diff --git a/app/globals.css b/app/globals.css
index 5f770a6..2006684 100644
--- a/app/globals.css
+++ b/app/globals.css
@@ -376,70 +376,6 @@ a:focus-visible {
   text-wrap: balance;
 }
 
-.home-hero {
-  display: flex;
-  flex-direction: column;
-  justify-content: space-between;
-  min-height: clamp(540px, calc(100svh - 190px), 760px);
-  padding: 14px 0 8px;
-  gap: 64px;
-}
-
-.home-hero-intro {
-  max-width: 420px;
-  padding: 20px 0 0;
-}
-
-.home-question {
-  margin: 0 0 10px;
-  color: var(--accent-dark);
-  font-family: var(--sans);
-  font-size: 0.74rem;
-  font-weight: 700;
-  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
-  text-transform: uppercase;
-}
-
-.home-thesis {
-  margin: 0;
-  color: var(--ink-strong);
-  font-family: var(--body-serif);
-  font-size: clamp(1.32rem, 2.4vw, 1.82rem);
-  font-weight: 520;
-  line-height: 1.26;
-  letter-spacing: -0.026em;
-  text-wrap: balance;
-}
-
-.home-summary-panel {
-  align-self: flex-end;
-  max-width: 620px;
-  padding: 25px 28px;
-  border: 1px solid var(--hairline);
-  border-radius: var(--radius-medium);
-  background: rgba(255, 253, 248, 0.84);
-  box-shadow: var(--shadow-small);
-  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(24px) saturate(115%);
-  backdrop-filter: blur(24px) saturate(115%);
-}
-
-.home-summary-panel p {
-  margin: 0 0 14px;
-  color: var(--ink);
-  font-family: var(--body-serif);
-  font-size: 1.04rem;
-  line-height: 1.66;
-}
-
-.home-summary-panel p:last-child {
-  margin-bottom: 0;
-  color: var(--accent-dark);
-  font-family: var(--sans);
-  font-size: 0.78rem;
-  font-weight: 700;
-  letter-spacing: 0.025em;
-}
-
 .lede {
   max-width: 680px;
   margin: 24px 0 0;
@@ -1056,17 +992,6 @@ a:focus-visible {
     padding: 32px 0 76px;
   }
 
-  .home-hero {
-    min-height: 620px;
-    gap: 54px;
-  }
-
-  .home-summary-panel {
-    align-self: stretch;
-    max-width: none;
-    padding: 22px 24px;
-  }
-
   .current-chapter-intro {
     padding-bottom: 38px;
   }
@@ -1192,23 +1117,6 @@ a:focus-visible {
 }
 
 @media (max-width: 470px) {
-  .home-hero {
-    min-height: 560px;
-    gap: 46px;
-  }
-
-  .home-hero-intro {
-    padding-top: 8px;
-  }
-
-  .home-summary-panel {
-    padding: 20px;
-  }
-
-  .home-summary-panel p {
-    font-size: 1rem;
-  }
-
   .profile-sidebar {
     grid-template-columns: 86px minmax(0, 1fr);
     padding: 17px;
@@ -1349,8 +1257,7 @@ a:focus-visible {
   }
 
   .topbar-inner,
-  .profile-sidebar,
-  .home-summary-panel {
+  .profile-sidebar {
     background: var(--paper-raised);
     -webkit-backdrop-filter: none;
     backdrop-filter: none;
@@ -1382,7 +1289,6 @@ a:focus-visible {
   .domain-directory,
   .archive-entry,
   .practice-note,
-  .home-summary-panel,
   .current-chapter-brief {
     background: var(--paper-raised);
     border-color: var(--rule-strong);
diff --git a/app/home.module.css b/app/home.module.css
index 04f87f7..6fa48a0 100644
--- a/app/home.module.css
+++ b/app/home.module.css
@@ -5,6 +5,41 @@
   padding: 0;
 }
 
+:global(.site-shell--particle .topbar-inner) {
+  border-color: rgba(190, 177, 159, 0.62);
+  background: rgba(255, 253, 248, 0.82);
+  box-shadow:
+    0 1px 2px rgba(52, 39, 29, 0.045),
+    0 12px 34px rgba(52, 39, 29, 0.065);
+  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(28px) saturate(155%);
+  backdrop-filter: blur(28px) saturate(155%);
+}
+
+:global(.site-shell--particle .wordmark) {
+  color: var(--ink-strong);
+  font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", sans-serif;
+  font-size: 0.96rem;
+  font-weight: 650;
+  font-optical-sizing: auto;
+  letter-spacing: -0.018em;
+  line-height: 1;
+}
+
+:global(.site-shell--particle .primary-nav a) {
+  color: #514a43;
+  font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", sans-serif;
+  font-size: 0.82rem;
+  font-weight: 570;
+  font-optical-sizing: auto;
+  letter-spacing: -0.008em;
+  line-height: 1;
+}
+
+:global(.site-shell--particle .primary-nav a.active) {
+  color: var(--accent-dark);
+  font-weight: 650;
+}
+
 .particleStage {
   position: relative;
   display: flex;
@@ -270,6 +305,17 @@
 }
 
 @media (max-width: 720px) {
+  :global(.site-shell--particle .wordmark) {
+    font-size: 0.94rem;
+    font-weight: 650;
+  }
+
+  :global(.site-shell--particle .primary-nav a) {
+    font-size: 0.73rem;
+    font-weight: 600;
+    letter-spacing: -0.004em;
+  }
+
   .particleStage {
     min-height: calc(100vh - 122px);
     min-height: max(22rem, calc(100svh - 122px));
@@ -384,7 +430,23 @@
   }
 }
 
+@media (prefers-reduced-transparency: reduce) {
+  :global(.site-shell--particle .topbar-inner) {
+    background: var(--paper-raised);
+    -webkit-backdrop-filter: none;
+    backdrop-filter: none;
+  }
+}
+
 @media (prefers-contrast: more) {
+  :global(.site-shell--particle .topbar-inner) {
+    border-color: var(--rule-strong);
+  }
+
+  :global(.site-shell--particle .primary-nav a) {
+    color: var(--ink);
+  }
+
   .profileSection {
     border-color: var(--rule-strong);
     background: var(--paper-raised);
diff --git a/scripts/check-published-copy-fixtures.mjs b/scripts/check-published-copy-fixtures.mjs
index abb9ff0..0951494 100644
--- a/scripts/check-published-copy-fixtures.mjs
+++ b/scripts/check-published-copy-fixtures.mjs
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ const isRootCommit = headCommitLine.split(/\s+/u).length === 1;
 
 const protectedPathspecs = [
   ":(literal)app/education/page.tsx",
+  ":(literal)app/now/page.tsx",
   ":(literal)app/past-experience/page.tsx",
   ":(literal)app/past-experience/[slug]/page.tsx",
   ":(literal)app/past-experience/components/ExperienceDomainPage.tsx",
@@ -45,12 +46,12 @@ let comparisonMessage;
 if (mergeBaseCheck.status === 0) {
   revisions = [`${baseSha}...HEAD`];
   comparisonMessage =
-    "Protected Education and Past Experience sources are unchanged; published-copy snapshots contain additions only.";
+    "Protected Education, Past Experience, and Current Chapter sources are unchanged; published-copy snapshots contain additions only.";
 } else if (isAuthorizedRootReset) {
   if (mergeBaseCheck.status === 1) {
     revisions = [baseSha, "HEAD"];
     comparisonMessage =
-      "Authorized root reset detected; direct tree comparison confirms protected sources are unchanged and published-copy snapshots contain additions only.";
+      "Authorized root reset detected; direct tree comparison confirms protected Education, Past Experience, and Current Chapter sources are unchanged and published-copy snapshots contain additions only.";
   } else {
     const emptyTreeSha = execFileSync(
       "git",
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ if (mergeBaseCheck.status === 0) {
     ).trim();
     revisions = [emptyTreeSha, "HEAD"];
     comparisonMessage =
-      "Authorized root reset detected without the previous object; protected sources and preservation snapshots are introduced as additions.";
+      "Authorized root reset detected without the previous object; protected Education, Past Experience, and Current Chapter sources and preservation snapshots are introduced as additions.";
   }
 } else {
   throw new Error(
@@ -88,7 +89,7 @@ const forbidden = changes
 
 if (forbidden.length > 0) {
   throw new Error(
-    "Protected Education and Past Experience sources are immutable, and published-copy snapshots are append-only; modification, deletion, and rename are forbidden:\n" +
+    "Protected Education, Past Experience, and Current Chapter sources are immutable, and published-copy snapshots are append-only; modification, deletion, and rename are forbidden:\n" +
       forbidden.join("\n"),
   );
 }
diff --git a/tests/README.md b/tests/README.md
index 80901ae..ad32fa8 100644
--- a/tests/README.md
+++ b/tests/README.md
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ The suite verifies:
 
 - the exact nine-route HTML manifest, canonicals, Open Graph URLs, robots, sitemap, and 404;
 - consistent four-item primary navigation and internal asset/link resolution;
-- protected Education and Past Experience source hashes plus their approved counts;
+- protected Education, Past Experience, and Current Chapter source hashes plus
+  their approved counts;
 - Home and Current Chapter copy, semantic fallback, and particle-system guardrails;
 - byte-exact original identity-asset hashes;
 - absence of retired routes, assets, phrases, and legacy runtime references.
diff --git a/tests/rendered-html.test.mjs b/tests/rendered-html.test.mjs
index 2d96f9a..3fff271 100644
--- a/tests/rendered-html.test.mjs
+++ b/tests/rendered-html.test.mjs
@@ -477,6 +477,43 @@ test("Education retains all 31 selected courses", async () => {
   );
 });
 
+test("README mirrors the current four-page site and its operating model", async () => {
+  const readme = await readFile(path.join(ROOT, "README.md"), "utf8");
+  assert.match(readme, /^# Theodore Ouyang$/mu);
+  for (const page of ["Home", "Education", "Past Experience", "Current Chapter"]) {
+    assert.match(readme, new RegExp(`\\b${page}\\b`, "u"), `README is missing ${page}`);
+  }
+  assert.match(readme, /particle[- ]first/iu);
+  assert.match(readme, /(?:same-shape|matching)\s+(?:particle\s+)?fallback/iu);
+  assert.match(readme, /Next(?:\.js)?\s+static export/iu);
+  assert.match(readme, /GitHub Pages/u);
+  assert.match(readme, /npm run check/u);
+  assert.match(readme, /npm run preview:static/u);
+  assert.match(
+    readme,
+    /\[Visit (?:the )?website[^\]]*\]\(https:\/\/www\.theodoreoy\.com\/\)/iu,
+  );
+  assert.doesNotMatch(readme, /Quis ego sum\?/iu);
+
+  const normalized = readme.toLowerCase();
+  for (const marker of RETIRED_MARKERS) {
+    assert.ok(!normalized.includes(marker), `Retired marker remains in README: ${marker}`);
+  }
+});
+
+test("the published-copy guard covers every protected source, including Current Chapter", async () => {
+  const guard = await readFile(
+    path.join(ROOT, "scripts", "check-published-copy-fixtures.mjs"),
+    "utf8",
+  );
+  for (const relative of PROTECTED_SOURCE_HASHES.keys()) {
+    assert.ok(
+      guard.includes(`:(literal)${relative}`),
+      `Published-copy guard is missing protected source: ${relative}`,
+    );
+  }
+});
+
 test("original identity assets remain intact in source and export", async () => {
   for (const [relative, expected] of IMMUTABLE_ASSET_HASHES) {
     const source = path.join(ROOT, ...relative.split("/"));
@@ -486,7 +523,7 @@ test("original identity assets remain intact in source and export", async () =>
   }
 });
 
-test("the Home visual module preserves its bounded lifecycle and fallback contract", async () => {
+test("the Home visual module starts in a legible, bounded, static-first particle state", async () => {
   const packageJson = JSON.parse(await readFile(path.join(ROOT, "package.json"), "utf8"));
   assert.equal(packageJson.dependencies.three, "0.160.0");
   assert.equal(packageJson.devDependencies["@types/three"], "0.160.0");
@@ -495,12 +532,31 @@ test("the Home visual module preserves its bounded lifecycle and fallback contra
     path.join(ROOT, "app", "components", "particle-background", "particle-config.ts"),
     "utf8",
   );
-  assert.match(config, /desktopParticles:\s*4_000/u);
-  assert.match(config, /mobileParticles:\s*2_200/u);
-  assert.match(config, /reducedMotionParticles:\s*900/u);
+  assert.match(config, /initialShape:\s*"theodore"/u);
+  assert.match(config, /desktopParticles:\s*5_000/u);
+  assert.match(config, /mobileParticles:\s*2_800/u);
+  assert.match(config, /reducedMotionParticles:\s*1_600/u);
+  for (const parameter of [
+    /size:\s*2\.25/u,
+    /scatterOpacity:\s*0\.38/u,
+    /wordOpacity:\s*0\.96/u,
+    /minimumGray:\s*0\.18/u,
+    /maximumGray:\s*0\.38/u,
+    /redLift:\s*0\.018/u,
+    /blueDrop:\s*0\.012/u,
+  ]) {
+    assert.match(config, parameter);
+  }
+  assert.match(
+    config,
+    /PARTICLE_TIMELINE:[\s\S]*?\{ kind: "hold", shape: "theodore", duration: [\d.]+ \}/u,
+  );
   const morphs = [...config.matchAll(/\{ kind: "morph", to: "([^"]+)", duration: ([\d.]+) \}/gu)];
-  assert.deepEqual(morphs.map((match) => match[1]), ["theodore", "scatter", "ouyang", "scatter"]);
-  assert.ok(morphs.every((match) => Number(match[2]) === 3), "Every morph must last three seconds");
+  assert.deepEqual(morphs.map((match) => match[1]), ["scatter", "ouyang", "scatter", "theodore"]);
+  assert.ok(
+    morphs.every((match) => Number(match[2]) === 2.8),
+    "Every morph must last 2.8 seconds",
+  );
 
   const engine = await readFile(
     path.join(ROOT, "app", "components", "particle-background", "particle-engine.ts"),
@@ -514,10 +570,48 @@ test("the Home visual module preserves its bounded lifecycle and fallback contra
     "DynamicDrawUsage",
     "requestAnimationFrame",
     "setDrawRange",
+    "IntersectionObserver",
+    "ResizeObserver",
+    "handleViewportIntersection",
+    "handleElementResize",
+    "viewportVisible",
+    "renderCurrentFrame",
+    "syncAnimationState",
+    "resetToInitialShape",
+    "PARTICLE_CONFIG.initialShape",
+    "this.canvas.getBoundingClientRect()",
+    "detachRuntimeListeners",
+    "resizeObserver?.disconnect()",
+    "viewportObserver?.disconnect()",
     "renderer?.dispose()",
   ]) {
     assert.ok(engine.includes(contract), `Particle lifecycle contract is missing: ${contract}`);
   }
+  const initializeBody = engine.match(
+    /async initialize\(\)\s*\{([\s\S]*?)\n\s*\}\n\n\s*private buildColors/u,
+  )?.[1];
+  assert.ok(initializeBody, "Particle initialize() body is missing");
+  assert.ok(
+    initializeBody.indexOf("this.renderCurrentFrame()") <
+      initializeBody.indexOf("this.syncAnimationState()"),
+    "The stable particle frame must render synchronously before animation can start",
+  );
+  assert.match(
+    engine,
+    /private syncAnimationState\(\)[\s\S]*?this\.reducedMotion[\s\S]*?!this\.viewportVisible[\s\S]*?this\.stop\(\)/u,
+  );
+  assert.match(
+    engine,
+    /handleMotionPreferenceChange[\s\S]*?resetToInitialShape\(\)[\s\S]*?this\.reducedMotion[\s\S]*?this\.stop\(\)[\s\S]*?this\.renderCurrentFrame\(\)/u,
+  );
+  assert.match(
+    engine,
+    /handleContextLost[\s\S]*?this\.unavailable = true[\s\S]*?detachRuntimeListeners\(\)[\s\S]*?this\.onUnavailable\(\)/u,
+  );
+  assert.match(
+    engine,
+    /const bounds = this\.canvas\.getBoundingClientRect\(\)[\s\S]*?event\.clientX - bounds\.left[\s\S]*?event\.clientY - bounds\.top/u,
+  );
 
   const component = await readFile(
     path.join(ROOT, "app", "components", "particle-background", "ParticleBackground.tsx"),
@@ -525,6 +619,18 @@ test("the Home visual module preserves its bounded lifecycle and fallback contra
   );
   assert.match(component, /await import\("\.\/particle-engine"\)/u);
   assert.match(component, /engine\?\.dispose\(\)/u);
+  assert.match(component, /onUnavailable:\s*\(\)\s*=>\s*\{\s*if \(!cancelled\)/u);
+  assert.match(component, /const ready = await engine\.initialize\(\)/u);
+  assert.match(component, /setState\(ready \? "ready" : "fallback"\)/u);
+  assert.match(component, /<span[^>]*className=\{styles\.fallbackName\}[^>]*>[\s\S]*?Theodore[\s\S]*?<\/span>/u);
+  assert.doesNotMatch(component, /Theodore Ouyang/u);
+
+  const sampler = await readFile(
+    path.join(ROOT, "app", "components", "particle-background", "shape-samplers.ts"),
+    "utf8",
+  );
+  assert.match(sampler, /system-ui/u);
+  assert.doesNotMatch(sampler, /document\.fonts/u);
 
   const styles = await readFile(
     path.join(ROOT, "app", "components", "particle-background", "ParticleBackground.module.css"),
@@ -532,7 +638,12 @@ test("the Home visual module preserves its bounded lifecycle and fallback contra
   );
   assert.match(styles, /@media \(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce\)/u);
   assert.match(styles, /\.root\[data-state="fallback"\] \.fallbackName/u);
-  assert.match(styles, /\.fallbackName\s*\{[\s\S]*?opacity:\s*1;/u);
+  assert.match(styles, /background-image:[\s\S]*?radial-gradient/u);
+  assert.match(styles, /(?:-webkit-)?background-clip:\s*text/u);
+  assert.match(
+    styles,
+    /@media \(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce\)[\s\S]*?\.root\[data-state="ready"\] \.canvas\s*\{[\s\S]*?opacity:\s*1;[\s\S]*?\.root\[data-state="ready"\] \.fallbackName\s*\{[\s\S]*?opacity:\s*0;/u,
+  );
 });
 
 test("legacy alternate runtimes stay out of the production artifact", async () => {
diff --git a/website-maintenance/01-page-file-map.md b/website-maintenance/01-page-file-map.md
index 119b6fb..726353c 100644
--- a/website-maintenance/01-page-file-map.md
+++ b/website-maintenance/01-page-file-map.md
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Use this map to locate public pages without searching the repository.
 
 | Public page | URL | Primary source |
 |---|---|---|
-| Home — “Quis ego sum?” | `/` | `app/page.tsx` and `app/components/particle-background/` |
+| Home — particle stage and profile | `/` | `app/page.tsx`, `app/home.module.css`, and `app/components/particle-background/` |
 | Education | `/education/` | `app/education/page.tsx` |
 | Past Experience directory | `/past-experience/` | `app/past-experience/page.tsx` |
 | All five Past Experience domains | `/past-experience/<slug>/` | `app/lib/content/experience.ts`, `content/past-experience/archive-through-2026-06-30.md`, and `app/past-experience/[slug]/page.tsx` |
diff --git a/website-maintenance/02-repository-structure.md b/website-maintenance/02-repository-structure.md
index 3cde549..a76c29e 100644
--- a/website-maintenance/02-repository-structure.md
+++ b/website-maintenance/02-repository-structure.md
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ Pull-request validation and main-only GitHub Pages deployment.
 
 ## Maintenance rules
 
-1. Do not modify Education or Past Experience source text.
+1. Do not modify Education, Past Experience, or Current Chapter source text.
 2. Add repeatable experience content through its registry; do not clone route wrappers.
 3. Keep one canonical slug/path definition per collection.
 4. Preserve original identity assets and generate derivatives through the script.
diff --git a/website-maintenance/03-home-particle-system.md b/website-maintenance/03-home-particle-system.md
index e1eb79e..78d9fe4 100644
--- a/website-maintenance/03-home-particle-system.md
+++ b/website-maintenance/03-home-particle-system.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 # Home Particle System
 
 The Home page uses a progressive visual enhancement. Its HTML identity and
-biographical copy render without JavaScript; Three.js adds an `aria-hidden`
-background only after the client is ready.
+biographical copy render without JavaScript. A CSS point-pattern fallback gives
+the first browser paint the same visual language as the `aria-hidden` Three.js
+canvas that replaces it after the client is ready.
 
 ## Page composition
 
@@ -22,10 +23,12 @@ background only after the client is ready.
 
 - `ParticleBackground.tsx` owns feature detection and lazy engine loading.
 - `particle-engine.ts` owns Three.js allocation, animation, pointer response,
-  visibility pausing, resizing, and disposal.
-- `shape-samplers.ts` converts text into point targets without network fonts.
-- `particle-config.ts` is the single source for point counts, timing, camera,
-  and the `SCATTER → THEODORE → SCATTER → OUYANG` loop.
+  document and viewport visibility pausing, resizing, and disposal.
+- `shape-samplers.ts` converts text into point targets with the same platform UI
+  font stack as the CSS fallback, so first paint does not wait for or swap a web
+  font.
+- `particle-config.ts` is the single source for the initial target, point counts,
+  timing, camera, and the `THEODORE → SCATTER → OUYANG → SCATTER` loop.
 - `ParticleBackground.module.css` owns the static fallback and canvas layers.
   Its absolute layer is bounded to the opening viewport instead of following
   the reader behind the biography and footer.
@@ -33,7 +36,11 @@ background only after the client is ready.
 ## Accessibility and failure behavior
 
 - The decorative canvas is excluded from the accessibility tree.
-- `prefers-reduced-motion` renders one calm static field with no loop.
+- The engine builds and renders the `THEODORE` target before the canvas becomes
+  visible, so the first canvas frame is already stable rather than starting as
+  a loose scatter.
+- `prefers-reduced-motion` renders the same calm static `THEODORE` field with no
+  loop.
 - Coarse pointers do not install repulsion interactions.
 - Missing WebGL, context loss, or initialization failure leaves the HTML/CSS
   fallback visible and the rest of the page usable.
@@ -43,9 +50,16 @@ background only after the client is ready.
 
 Use one `Points` object, one buffer geometry, and typed arrays. Cap device pixel
 ratio, lower point counts on narrower screens, pause while the document is
-hidden, and dispose all GPU resources and listeners on unmount. Do not add a
-second animation loop or allocate per-particle objects inside a frame.
+hidden or the opening stage is outside the viewport, and dispose the viewport
+observer, all GPU resources, and all listeners on unmount. Do not add a second
+animation loop or allocate per-particle objects inside a frame.
+
+Canvas sizing and pointer projection use the canvas bounding box rather than
+the browser window. A size change rebuilds the canonical word target and resets
+the loop to its stable first phase, preventing stretched glyphs after rotation
+or responsive viewport changes.
 
 When changing the system, run the production build and inspect the static
-preview at 1440, 720, 390, and 320 CSS pixels. Also test reduced motion and a
-WebGL-disabled fallback before publishing.
+preview at 1440, 720, 390, and 320 CSS pixels. Confirm the first visible frame,
+scroll the stage fully offscreen to verify pausing, and test reduced motion and
+a WebGL-disabled fallback before publishing.
diff --git a/website-maintenance/04-release-checklist.md b/website-maintenance/04-release-checklist.md
index 2a31d9a..1bbeabb 100644
--- a/website-maintenance/04-release-checklist.md
+++ b/website-maintenance/04-release-checklist.md
@@ -26,15 +26,17 @@ Confirm:
 - the HTML route manifest and sitemap match exactly;
 - the four-item primary navigation appears consistently and has no retired route;
 - the five Past Experience domains, 16 entries, 92 bullets, and 31 courses remain;
-- protected Education and Past Experience source hashes remain unchanged;
+- protected Education, Past Experience, and Current Chapter source hashes remain unchanged;
 - internal links and responsive image sources resolve;
-- the Home canvas is decorative, the fallback is readable, and reduced motion is calm;
+- the Home first paint and first canvas frame are stable, the fallback is
+  readable, reduced motion is calm, and offscreen animation pauses;
 - no retired route, asset directory, copy, or legacy runtime marker appears in `out/`.
 
 Review `out/` with the in-app browser at 1440 × 900, 720 px, 390 × 844,
 and 320 px. Check keyboard skip navigation, focus, mobile nav wrapping, text
-legibility over particles, pointer response on fine pointers, reduced motion,
-WebGL fallback, reduced transparency, and high contrast.
+legibility over particles, pointer response on fine pointers, first-frame
+stability, offscreen pausing, reduced motion, WebGL fallback, reduced
+transparency, and high contrast.
 
 ## Pull request and publishing
 
diff --git a/website-maintenance/05-architecture-decisions.md b/website-maintenance/05-architecture-decisions.md
index 545c280..b32c0a6 100644
--- a/website-maintenance/05-architecture-decisions.md
+++ b/website-maintenance/05-architecture-decisions.md
@@ -24,17 +24,25 @@ is rendered rather than silently discarded.
 
 The particle field is a Home-only client enhancement. Three.js is dynamically
 loaded outside the shared shell, while semantic identity and copy remain static
-HTML. A single GPU point cloud, capped pixel ratio, adaptive counts, document
-visibility pausing, and explicit disposal bound its cost. Reduced motion,
-coarse-pointer behavior, and WebGL failure all resolve to a static fallback.
+HTML. The first rendered canvas frame uses the stable `THEODORE` target. A
+single GPU point cloud, capped pixel ratio, adaptive counts, document and
+viewport visibility pausing, and explicit disposal bound its cost. Reduced
+motion resolves to a static particle target; coarse-pointer behavior and WebGL
+failure retain a usable fallback.
+
+The CSS fallback and canvas sampler share a platform UI font stack, so the
+fallback cannot change shape while a web font loads. Canvas resize and pointer
+math use the element's own bounds. Initialization returns an explicit success
+state; a lost WebGL context latches the system into fallback and detaches active
+runtime listeners rather than allowing a later ready state to overwrite it.
 
 ## Independent preservation boundary
 
-CI protects the Education and Past Experience source files directly, while the
-artifact suite verifies their normalized SHA-256 hashes and approved structural
-counts. Future published-copy snapshots are append-only. This lets an explicitly
-approved site change retire unrelated content without weakening the protected
-biographical record.
+CI protects the Education, Past Experience, and Current Chapter source files
+directly, while the artifact suite verifies their normalized SHA-256 hashes and
+approved structural counts. Future published-copy snapshots are append-only.
+This lets an explicitly approved site change retire unrelated content without
+weakening the protected biographical record.
 
 ## Image policy
 
diff --git a/website-maintenance/README.md b/website-maintenance/README.md
index 339fc16..e60dc6a 100644
--- a/website-maintenance/README.md
+++ b/website-maintenance/README.md
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@ assistants.
 
 ## Non-negotiable guardrail
 
-Education and Past Experience source files are protected from modification.
-Published-copy snapshots are append-only. Any other removal or rewrite requires
-Theodore's explicit approval and must update routes, tests, and documentation in
-the same change.
+Education, Past Experience, and Current Chapter source files are protected from
+modification. Published-copy snapshots are append-only. Any other removal or
+rewrite requires Theodore's explicit approval and must update routes, tests,
+and documentation in the same change.
 
 The visual system is intentionally restrained. Preserve its typography,
 material hierarchy, responsive behavior, reduced-motion support, and immediate