diff --git a/code/cli/CHANGELOG.md b/code/cli/CHANGELOG.md
index 21cf7439..de142fa0 100644
--- a/code/cli/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/code/cli/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 The format loosely follows [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/)
 and the project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/).
 
+## [0.21.1]
+### Fixed
+- **The analysis/plan boundary commits blocked every cycle.** Since 0.20.0 git-ignored the whole `cleanrooms/` area, the `commit_analysis_boundary` (ANALYZE→PLAN) and `commit_plan_boundary` (→EXECUTE) policies could never run — `git add -- cleanrooms/<branch>/…` refuses ignored paths, so the transition failed closed with `ERROR_BOUNDARY_COMMIT_FAILED`. The two decisions contradicted each other: a working area that is intentionally ephemeral has no boundary snapshot to commit. Both transitions are now `commit_policy: none`; their gates still validate `diagnosis.md`/`plan.md`. The gap survived because the FSM tests ran in a temp repo that did **not** git-ignore `cleanrooms/`, so the boundary commit succeeded there while failing in every real repo (where `iq init` ignores it) — the tests now assert no commit is made. Found by dogfooding a real cycle (cacsi-dev/impulsa #40).
+
 ## [0.21.0]
 ### Added
 - **`iq implementation start --issue <N>` — one explicit command opens a cycle.** It is the whole mechanical bootstrap that used to be handed to the model step by step in `inquiry-start.md` (derive the slug, `git checkout -b`, `mkdir` the cleanroom, hand-write `index.md`, then transition): now a single deterministic command. It resolves the project root, **initializes the workspace itself if `.inquiry/` is missing** (no separate `iq init`), reads the issue title from GitHub, derives the `<NNN>-<slug>` branch and checks it out, and fires `start_analyze` — whose existing effect scaffolds `cleanrooms/<branch>/analyze/`. The result: `main` → one command → linked branch + cleanroom + ANALYZE. This is the first module built to the **module-per-stage** direction (`iq <stage> <verb>`, every argument explicit and named) recorded in `docs/roadmap.md`.
diff --git a/code/cli/assets/fsm/transition_contract.yaml b/code/cli/assets/fsm/transition_contract.yaml
index c63eda7d..1408117c 100644
--- a/code/cli/assets/fsm/transition_contract.yaml
+++ b/code/cli/assets/fsm/transition_contract.yaml
@@ -113,7 +113,10 @@ transitions:
       prechecks: [issue_selected_or_created, diagnosis_exists, diagnosis_structured, diagnosis_evidence_present, diagnosis_evidence_verifiable, index_exists, confirmations_exists]
       effects: [generate_plan]
       artifacts: [plan.md]
-      commit_policy: commit_analysis_boundary
+      # cleanrooms/ is intentionally git-ignored (ephemeral working area; durable
+      # artifacts are the issue, code, and tests). A boundary commit of it can
+      # never succeed and blocks the transition — so there is nothing to commit.
+      commit_policy: none
       prompt_fragment_id: analyze_to_plan
 
   - from: ANALYZE
@@ -188,7 +191,9 @@ transitions:
       prechecks: [issue_selected, feature_branch_selected, plan_approved, plan_executable_checks]
       effects: [prepare_execute]
       artifacts: [execution_log.md]
-      commit_policy: commit_plan_boundary
+      # See complete_analysis: cleanrooms/ is git-ignored, so a plan boundary
+      # commit can never succeed. The plan gate still validates plan.md.
+      commit_policy: none
       prompt_fragment_id: plan_to_execute
 
   - from: PLAN
diff --git a/code/cli/lib/src/version.dart b/code/cli/lib/src/version.dart
index 2f38cc04..39374490 100644
--- a/code/cli/lib/src/version.dart
+++ b/code/cli/lib/src/version.dart
@@ -2,4 +2,4 @@
 ///
 /// Update this constant when bumping version in pubspec.yaml.
 /// Both are kept in sync manually to avoid build-time complexity.
-const String inquiryVersion = '0.21.0';
+const String inquiryVersion = '0.21.1';
diff --git a/code/cli/pubspec.yaml b/code/cli/pubspec.yaml
index 429b4272..a5a2f523 100644
--- a/code/cli/pubspec.yaml
+++ b/code/cli/pubspec.yaml
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 name: inquiry_cli
 description: >
   CLI for Inquiry — structured development through the APE methodology.
-version: 0.21.0
+version: 0.21.1
 
 environment:
   sdk: ^3.8.1
diff --git a/code/cli/test/fsm_contract_test.dart b/code/cli/test/fsm_contract_test.dart
index 084f87fe..cfcd6bad 100644
--- a/code/cli/test/fsm_contract_test.dart
+++ b/code/cli/test/fsm_contract_test.dart
@@ -132,20 +132,15 @@ void main() {
       analyzeTransition.operations!.prechecks,
       containsAll(['diagnosis_exists', 'index_exists', 'confirmations_exists']),
     );
-    expect(
-      analyzeTransition.operations!.commitPolicy,
-      'commit_analysis_boundary',
-    );
+    // cleanrooms/ is git-ignored, so no boundary commit is attempted.
+    expect(analyzeTransition.operations!.commitPolicy, 'none');
     expect(analyzeTransition.operations!.promptFragmentId, 'analyze_to_plan');
 
     expect(planTransition.allowed, isTrue);
     expect(planTransition.to, FsmState.execute);
     expect(planTransition.operations, isNotNull);
     expect(planTransition.operations!.prechecks, contains('plan_approved'));
-    expect(
-      planTransition.operations!.commitPolicy,
-      'commit_plan_boundary',
-    );
+    expect(planTransition.operations!.commitPolicy, 'none');
     expect(planTransition.operations!.promptFragmentId, 'plan_to_execute');
   });
 
diff --git a/code/cli/test/fsm_transition_integration_test.dart b/code/cli/test/fsm_transition_integration_test.dart
index f53e4343..120d8198 100644
--- a/code/cli/test/fsm_transition_integration_test.dart
+++ b/code/cli/test/fsm_transition_integration_test.dart
@@ -161,13 +161,16 @@ void main() {
       expect(t1.promptFragmentId, isNotNull);
       current = t1.nextState!;
 
+      // cleanrooms/ is ephemeral and git-ignored: the analysis and plan
+      // boundaries no longer create commits (a boundary commit would fail on a
+      // real repo, where cleanrooms/ is ignored).
       final analysisCommitsBefore = _commitCount(tempDir.path);
       _writeDiagnosis(tempDir.path, branch, 'diagnosis ready');
       final t2 = await transition('complete_analysis');
       expect(t2.allowed, isTrue);
       expect(t2.nextState, 'PLAN');
       expect(t2.promptFragmentId, isNotNull);
-      expect(_commitCount(tempDir.path), analysisCommitsBefore + 1);
+      expect(_commitCount(tempDir.path), analysisCommitsBefore);
       current = t2.nextState!;
 
       final planCommitsBefore = _commitCount(tempDir.path);
@@ -176,7 +179,7 @@ void main() {
       expect(t3.allowed, isTrue);
       expect(t3.nextState, 'EXECUTE');
       expect(t3.promptFragmentId, isNotNull);
-      expect(_commitCount(tempDir.path), planCommitsBefore + 1);
+      expect(_commitCount(tempDir.path), planCommitsBefore);
       current = t3.nextState!;
 
       final t4 = await transition('finish_execute');
diff --git a/code/cli/test/fsm_transition_test.dart b/code/cli/test/fsm_transition_test.dart
index 2ce79a74..d9b42abc 100644
--- a/code/cli/test/fsm_transition_test.dart
+++ b/code/cli/test/fsm_transition_test.dart
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ void main() {
     });
 
     test(
-      'returns prompt descriptor for ANALYZE -> PLAN after boundary commit',
+      'returns prompt descriptor for ANALYZE -> PLAN without a boundary commit',
       () async {
         const branch = '51-idle-execution-guardrails';
         _initGitRepo(tempDir.path, branch: branch);
@@ -76,7 +76,9 @@ void main() {
           output.toText(),
           contains('Write inside the CLI-created template and keep frontmatter unchanged.'),
         );
-        expect(_commitCount(tempDir.path), commitsBefore + 1);
+        // cleanrooms/ is ephemeral and git-ignored: the transition must NOT
+        // create a commit (a boundary commit would fail on a real repo).
+        expect(_commitCount(tempDir.path), commitsBefore);
 
         // Verify state was actually updated
         final stateContent = File(
@@ -91,18 +93,9 @@ void main() {
         expect(runTrace.existsSync(), isTrue);
         final traceContent = runTrace.readAsStringSync();
         expect(traceContent, contains('event_class: sensor_run'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('event_class: tool_activity'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('tool_class: git'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('command_family: add'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('command_family: commit'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('gate: commit_analysis_boundary'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('verdict: APPROVED'));
-        expect(
-          traceContent,
-          contains(
-            'authority: "cleanrooms/51-idle-execution-guardrails/analyze"',
-          ),
-        );
+        // No boundary-commit machinery runs anymore.
+        expect(traceContent, isNot(contains('gate: commit_analysis_boundary')));
+        expect(traceContent, isNot(contains('command_family: commit')));
       },
     );
 
@@ -372,67 +365,6 @@ void main() {
       );
     });
 
-    test(
-      'fails closed when ANALYZE -> PLAN cannot create boundary commit',
-      () async {
-        const branch = '51-idle-execution-guardrails';
-
-        _initGitRepo(tempDir.path, branch: branch);
-        _writeAnalyzeIndex(tempDir.path, branch);
-        _writeConfirmations(tempDir.path, branch);
-        _writeDiagnosis(tempDir.path, branch, 'diagnosis already committed');
-        _git(tempDir.path, [
-          'add',
-          '--',
-          p.posix.join('cleanrooms', branch, 'analyze'),
-        ]);
-        _git(tempDir.path, [
-          'commit',
-          '-m',
-          'analysis ready',
-          '--only',
-          '--',
-          p.posix.join('cleanrooms', branch, 'analyze'),
-        ]);
-        _writeState(tempDir.path, 'ANALYZE', issue: '51');
-        final commitsBefore = _commitCount(tempDir.path);
-
-        final output = await StateTransitionCommand(
-          StateTransitionInput(
-            currentState: null,
-            event: 'complete_analysis',
-            workingDirectory: tempDir.path,
-          ),
-          branchProvider: (_) async => branch,
-        ).execute();
-
-        expect(output.allowed, isFalse);
-        expect(output.nextState, isNull);
-        expect(output.message, contains('commit'));
-        expect(_commitCount(tempDir.path), commitsBefore);
-
-        final stateContent = File(
-          _cycleStatePath(tempDir.path, branch),
-        ).readAsStringSync();
-        expect(stateContent, contains('state: ANALYZE'));
-
-        final runTrace = File(
-          p.join(tempDir.path, 'cleanrooms', branch, 'run_trace.yaml'),
-        );
-        expect(runTrace.existsSync(), isTrue);
-        final traceContent = runTrace.readAsStringSync();
-        expect(traceContent, contains('event_class: sensor_run'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('gate: commit_analysis_boundary'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('verdict: FAILED'));
-        expect(
-          traceContent,
-          contains(
-            'authority: "cleanrooms/51-idle-execution-guardrails/analyze"',
-          ),
-        );
-      },
-    );
-
     test(
       'fails precheck when commitment needs issue/branch and issue missing',
       () async {
@@ -668,7 +600,7 @@ void main() {
     );
 
     test(
-      'transitions PLAN -> EXECUTE only after plan boundary commit',
+      'transitions PLAN -> EXECUTE without a boundary commit',
       () async {
         const branch = '51-idle-execution-guardrails';
         _initGitRepo(tempDir.path, branch: branch);
@@ -690,7 +622,8 @@ void main() {
         expect(output.promptFragmentId, 'plan_to_execute');
         expect(output.requiredInstructions, ['coding-manifesto-review']);
         expect(output.toText(), startsWith(output.message));
-        expect(_commitCount(tempDir.path), commitsBefore + 1);
+        // cleanrooms/ is ephemeral and git-ignored: no boundary commit.
+        expect(_commitCount(tempDir.path), commitsBefore);
 
         final stateContent = File(
           _cycleStatePath(tempDir.path, branch),
@@ -705,89 +638,14 @@ void main() {
         final traceContent = runTrace.readAsStringSync();
         expect(traceContent, contains('task_id: "51"'));
         expect(traceContent, contains('event_class: sensor_run'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('event_class: tool_activity'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('tool_class: git'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('command_family: add'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('command_family: commit'));
         expect(traceContent, contains('gate: plan_approved'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('gate: commit_plan_boundary'));
         expect(traceContent, contains('sensor_category: pre_transition'));
         expect(traceContent, contains('verdict: APPROVED'));
-        expect(
-          traceContent,
-          contains(
-            'authority: "cleanrooms/51-idle-execution-guardrails/plan.md"',
-          ),
-        );
         expect(traceContent, contains('transition_event: approve_plan'));
         expect(traceContent, contains('outcome: allowed'));
-      },
-    );
-
-    test(
-      'fails closed when PLAN -> EXECUTE cannot create boundary commit',
-      () async {
-        const branch = '51-idle-execution-guardrails';
-        final planPath = p.posix.join('cleanrooms', branch, 'plan.md');
-
-        _initGitRepo(tempDir.path, branch: branch);
-        _writePlan(tempDir.path, branch, '# committed plan\n');
-        _git(tempDir.path, ['add', '--', planPath]);
-        _git(tempDir.path, [
-          'commit',
-          '-m',
-          'plan ready',
-          '--only',
-          '--',
-          planPath,
-        ]);
-        _writeState(tempDir.path, 'PLAN', issue: '51');
-        final commitsBefore = _commitCount(tempDir.path);
-
-        final output = await StateTransitionCommand(
-          StateTransitionInput(
-            currentState: null,
-            event: 'approve_plan',
-            workingDirectory: tempDir.path,
-          ),
-          branchProvider: (_) async => branch,
-        ).execute();
-
-        expect(output.allowed, isFalse);
-        expect(output.nextState, isNull);
-        expect(output.message, contains('commit'));
-        expect(_commitCount(tempDir.path), commitsBefore);
-
-        final stateContent = File(
-          _cycleStatePath(tempDir.path, branch),
-        ).readAsStringSync();
-        expect(stateContent, contains('state: PLAN'));
-
-        final runTrace = File(
-          p.join(tempDir.path, 'cleanrooms', branch, 'run_trace.yaml'),
-        );
-        expect(runTrace.existsSync(), isTrue);
-        final traceContent = runTrace.readAsStringSync();
-        expect(traceContent, contains('event_class: transition'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('event_class: sensor_run'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('event_class: tool_activity'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('tool_class: git'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('command_family: add'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('command_family: commit'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('outcome: failed'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('transition_event: approve_plan'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('gate: commit_plan_boundary'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('verdict: FAILED'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('to_state: EXECUTE'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('outcome: blocked'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('event_class: block'));
-        expect(traceContent, contains('blocking_boundary: boundary_commit'));
-        expect(
-          traceContent,
-          contains(
-            'authoritative_surface: "cleanrooms/51-idle-execution-guardrails/plan.md"',
-          ),
-        );
+        // No boundary-commit machinery runs anymore.
+        expect(traceContent, isNot(contains('gate: commit_plan_boundary')));
+        expect(traceContent, isNot(contains('command_family: commit')));
       },
     );
 
diff --git a/code/site/index.html b/code/site/index.html
index badc6eea..009708aa 100644
--- a/code/site/index.html
+++ b/code/site/index.html
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
       <h1><span class="ape">Inquiry</span></h1>
       <p class="primary-tagline">Analyze. Plan. Execute.</p>
       <p class="secondary-tagline">Available for OpenCode and GitHub Copilot. More hosts coming soon.</p>
-      <span class="badge">v0.21.0</span>
+      <span class="badge">v0.21.1</span>
       <p class="secondary-tagline">Public entry surface. For the canonical documentation map, start in the repository docs.</p>
 
       <div class="hero-install" id="install">