diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 17d79e9..8f9d1d9 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 
 [project]
 name = "dndwright"
-version = "0.25.2"
+version = "0.26.0"
 description = "Domain-neutral D&D 5e (2024) rules & character-sheet computation engine: a data-driven DAG of formulas (ability mods, proficiency, spell DC/slots, HP, AC)."
 readme = "README.md"
 requires-python = ">=3.10"
diff --git a/src/dndwright/__init__.py b/src/dndwright/__init__.py
index 51f197c..a6e437b 100644
--- a/src/dndwright/__init__.py
+++ b/src/dndwright/__init__.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
     validate_ruleset,
 )
 
-__version__ = "0.25.0"
+__version__ = "0.26.0"
 
 # homebrew validation (structural rules checks on LLM-generated components)
 from .rules.homebrew_validator import (
diff --git a/src/dndwright/rules/adapters.py b/src/dndwright/rules/adapters.py
index b7f5477..5ee5d79 100644
--- a/src/dndwright/rules/adapters.py
+++ b/src/dndwright/rules/adapters.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 import re
 
 
-import re
 
 
 def _resolve_hit_die(class_data: dict) -> int:
diff --git a/src/dndwright/rules/character_evaluator.py b/src/dndwright/rules/character_evaluator.py
index 80dad5b..89722a4 100644
--- a/src/dndwright/rules/character_evaluator.py
+++ b/src/dndwright/rules/character_evaluator.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 
 from .adapters import character_data_to_inputs, computed_values_to_sheet
 from .assembler import apply_modifiers
+from .compose import Component, compose, component_from_dict
 from .dnd_5e_2024 import DND_5E_2024_RULESET
 from .evaluator import evaluate
 from .theme_scaling import ThemeScalingLayer, apply_theme_scaling
@@ -178,6 +179,7 @@ def evaluate_character(
     *,
     strict: bool = False,
     scaling: ThemeScalingLayer | None = None,
+    components: list | None = None,
 ) -> dict:
     """Evaluate a character from session data → full computed character sheet.
 
@@ -218,8 +220,15 @@ def evaluate_character(
         equipment=fields["equipment"],
     )
 
-    # Evaluate the computation graph (theme-scaled when a scaling layer is supplied)
-    computed = evaluate(_ruleset_for(scaling), inputs)
+    # Compose any adopted item/equipment components onto the ruleset before evaluating —
+    # e.g. an allocated "+1 armor_class" or "resistance to fire" item snaps its modifier onto
+    # the computed sheet (each `component` is a Component, or a component_from_dict-shaped spec
+    # dict as persisted on a GraphComponent). Then evaluate the (theme-scaled) computation graph.
+    ruleset = _ruleset_for(scaling)
+    if components:
+        comps = [c if isinstance(c, Component) else component_from_dict(c) for c in components]
+        ruleset = compose(ruleset, *comps)
+    computed = evaluate(ruleset, inputs)
 
     # Apply NodeModifiers from feats, class features, etc.
     computed = apply_modifiers(computed, inputs)
diff --git a/src/dndwright/rules/homebrew_validator.py b/src/dndwright/rules/homebrew_validator.py
index 44cc07a..cf0d2e7 100644
--- a/src/dndwright/rules/homebrew_validator.py
+++ b/src/dndwright/rules/homebrew_validator.py
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ def validate_species_homebrew(species_data: dict[str, Any]) -> list[str]:
                 continue
             name = trait.get("name", "?")
             if not isinstance(name, str) or not name.strip():
-                problems.append(f"Species trait missing name")
+                problems.append("Species trait missing name")
 
     return problems
 
diff --git a/tests/test_api_contract.py b/tests/test_api_contract.py
index a0c9665..a7020d1 100644
--- a/tests/test_api_contract.py
+++ b/tests/test_api_contract.py
@@ -179,7 +179,8 @@ def test_evaluate_takes_ruleset_and_inputs(self):
     "evaluate": "(ruleset: 'Ruleset', input_values: 'dict[str, Any]') -> 'dict[str, Any]'",
     "evaluate_character": (
         "(session_data: 'dict', *, strict: 'bool' = False, "
-        "scaling: 'ThemeScalingLayer | None' = None) -> 'dict'"
+        "scaling: 'ThemeScalingLayer | None' = None, "
+        "components: 'list | None' = None) -> 'dict'"
     ),
     "generate_library": (
         "(llm: 'JsonLLM', classes: 'int' = 6, species: 'int' = 6, creatures: 'int' = 12) "
diff --git a/tests/test_evaluate_character_components.py b/tests/test_evaluate_character_components.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6e91bcd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_evaluate_character_components.py
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+"""evaluate_character(..., components=[...]) — compose allocated item modifiers onto the sheet.
+
+Covers the v0.26 `components` kwarg: an allocated item's dndwright Component (or a
+component_from_dict-shaped spec dict, as persisted on a storyflow GraphComponent) is composed
+onto the ruleset before evaluation, so its modifier lands on the computed sheet. `None`/[]
+is a pure no-op (default behaviour unchanged).
+"""
+
+from dndwright.rules.character_evaluator import evaluate_character
+from dndwright.rules.compose import (
+    Component,
+    component_from_content,
+    component_to_dict,
+    modifier,
+)
+
+# Wizard, DEX 14 (+2) → unarmored AC 12; deterministic base.
+CHAR = {
+    "ability_scores": {"strength": 8, "dexterity": 14, "constitution": 14,
+                       "intelligence": 18, "wisdom": 12, "charisma": 10},
+    "class_data": {"class_name": "wizard"},
+    "species_data": {"name": "Human", "speed": 30},
+    "level": 5,
+}
+
+
+def _plus1_ac() -> Component:
+    return component_from_content({"component": [{"target": "armor_class", "mode": "add", "amount": 1}]})
+
+
+def test_no_components_is_a_noop():
+    assert evaluate_character(CHAR) == evaluate_character(CHAR, components=None)
+    assert evaluate_character(CHAR) == evaluate_character(CHAR, components=[])
+
+
+def test_plus1_ac_component_object_composes():
+    base = evaluate_character(CHAR)["armor_class"]
+    composed = evaluate_character(CHAR, components=[_plus1_ac()])["armor_class"]
+    assert composed == base + 1, f"expected +1 AC ({base + 1}), got {composed}"
+
+
+def test_plus1_ac_serialized_dict_composes():
+    """A component_to_dict-round-tripped spec (as stored on a GraphComponent) composes too."""
+    base = evaluate_character(CHAR)["armor_class"]
+    spec = component_to_dict(_plus1_ac())
+    composed = evaluate_character(CHAR, components=[spec])["armor_class"]
+    assert composed == base + 1, f"expected +1 AC ({base + 1}) from serialized spec, got {composed}"
+
+
+def test_two_unique_ac_items_stack():
+    """Two DISTINCT-id AC items stack (+1 +1 = +2). Item components MUST carry unique ids —
+    dndwright namespaces each component's nodes by ``component.id``, so two components sharing
+    an id (e.g. the ``component_from_content`` default ``"item"``) collide and cross-contaminate.
+    storyflow uses each owned GraphComponent's unique node id, so real allocations are safe."""
+    base = evaluate_character(CHAR)["armor_class"]
+    comps = [
+        modifier("shield_of_vantor", target="armor_class", amount=1),
+        modifier("ring_of_protection", target="armor_class", amount=1),
+    ]
+    composed = evaluate_character(CHAR, components=comps)["armor_class"]
+    assert composed == base + 2, f"two +1-AC items should stack to +2 ({base + 2}), got {composed}"
+
+
+# SCOPE NOTE (inc-4 v1): item components compose onto the computed graph, but only targets the
+# character-sheet reshape reads from computed NODES surface on the sheet — confirmed: `armor_class`
+# and `initiative` do; `hp_max`/`speed`/ability-scores/`resistances` compose the node but the
+# reshape reads those from input/other keys, so they don't yet surface. inc-4 targets AC (the
+# "+1 shield → +1 AC" headline). Ability-score-setting + resistance items (sheet-reshape to read
+# composed values) are a tracked dndwright follow-up in the items workstream.
diff --git a/tests/test_homebrew_validator.py b/tests/test_homebrew_validator.py
index f4416b5..4d3d478 100644
--- a/tests/test_homebrew_validator.py
+++ b/tests/test_homebrew_validator.py
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 """Tests for homebrew validators."""
-import pytest
 from dndwright.rules.homebrew_validator import (
     validate_class_homebrew,
     validate_species_homebrew,