diff --git a/crates/core/src/policy.rs b/crates/core/src/policy.rs
index 2ef98db..574e4fe 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/policy.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/policy.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
 
 use std::collections::HashSet;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
-use std::time::SystemTime;
 
 use regex::Regex;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
@@ -368,7 +367,8 @@ fn inspect_target(path: &std::path::Path, protected: bool) -> TargetInfo {
 pub struct PolicyStore {
     policy: Policy,
     path: Option<PathBuf>,
-    mtime: Option<SystemTime>,
+    source: Option<Vec<u8>>,
+    source_valid: bool,
     session_allow: HashSet<String>,
 }
 
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ pub enum Reload {
 
 impl PolicyStore {
     pub fn from_policy(policy: Policy) -> Self {
-        Self { policy, path: None, mtime: None, session_allow: HashSet::new() }
+        Self { policy, path: None, source: None, source_valid: true, session_allow: HashSet::new() }
     }
 
     /// Load from `path`, writing the example policy first if the file does not exist.
@@ -392,9 +392,9 @@ impl PolicyStore {
             }
             std::fs::write(path, EXAMPLE_POLICY)?;
         }
-        let policy = Policy::load(path)?;
-        let mtime = std::fs::metadata(path).and_then(|m| m.modified()).ok();
-        Ok(Self { policy, path: Some(path.to_path_buf()), mtime, session_allow: HashSet::new() })
+        let source = std::fs::read(path)?;
+        let policy = Self::parse_source(&source)?;
+        Ok(Self { policy, path: Some(path.to_path_buf()), source: Some(source), source_valid: true, session_allow: HashSet::new() })
     }
 
     pub fn policy(&self) -> &Policy {
@@ -405,20 +405,40 @@ impl PolicyStore {
         self.path.as_deref()
     }
 
-    /// Re-read the file if its mtime changed. Keeps the old policy on failure.
+    pub fn source_valid(&self) -> bool {
+        self.source_valid
+    }
+
+    fn parse_source(source: &[u8]) -> Result<Policy, PolicyError> {
+        let text = std::str::from_utf8(source)
+            .map_err(|e| std::io::Error::new(std::io::ErrorKind::InvalidData, e))?;
+        Policy::parse(text)
+    }
+
+    /// Compare contents: timestamps can coalesce across consecutive policy edits.
+    /// Keep the last valid policy on failure, but prohibit environment grants.
     pub fn maybe_reload(&mut self) -> Reload {
         let Some(path) = &self.path else { return Reload::Unchanged };
-        let mtime = std::fs::metadata(path).and_then(|m| m.modified()).ok();
-        if mtime == self.mtime {
+        let source = match std::fs::read(path) {
+            Ok(source) => source,
+            Err(error) => {
+                let changed = self.source.take().is_some() || self.source_valid;
+                self.source_valid = false;
+                return if changed { Reload::Failed(error.into()) } else { Reload::Unchanged };
+            }
+        };
+        if self.source.as_ref() == Some(&source) {
             return Reload::Unchanged;
         }
-        self.mtime = mtime;
-        match Policy::load(path) {
-            Ok(p) => {
-                self.policy = p;
+        let parsed = Self::parse_source(&source);
+        self.source = Some(source);
+        self.source_valid = parsed.is_ok();
+        match parsed {
+            Ok(policy) => {
+                self.policy = policy;
                 Reload::Reloaded
             }
-            Err(e) => Reload::Failed(e),
+            Err(error) => Reload::Failed(error),
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/crates/core/src/session/environment_review.rs b/crates/core/src/session/environment_review.rs
index cfed8e1..fbe0b5c 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/session/environment_review.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/session/environment_review.rs
@@ -50,7 +50,10 @@ impl Session {
         if !self.process_alive {
             return Err(SessionError::ProcessExited);
         }
-        if self.conn_kind(conn) != Some(ConnKind::Agent) || !self.review_required() {
+        if self.conn_kind(conn) != Some(ConnKind::Agent)
+            || !self.review_required()
+            || !self.policy.source_valid()
+        {
             return Err(SessionError::InvalidInput(
                 "environment_review_unavailable".into(),
             ));
@@ -120,7 +123,8 @@ impl Session {
         now: Instant,
     ) -> Option<&EnvironmentReviewGrant> {
         self.environment_grants.get(&conn).filter(|g| {
-            g.conn == conn
+            self.policy.source_valid()
+                && g.conn == conn
                 && now < g.expires
                 && g.revision == self.environment_revision
                 && g.profile_revision == self.profile_revision
diff --git a/crates/core/tests/environment_review.rs b/crates/core/tests/environment_review.rs
index 4c164c6..a5d6622 100644
--- a/crates/core/tests/environment_review.rs
+++ b/crates/core/tests/environment_review.rs
@@ -320,11 +320,24 @@ fn policy_reload_cancels_queued_command_before_any_enter() {
     let KeyResult::Scheduled { exec_id, .. } = submit(&mut h, "echo queued") else {
         panic!()
     };
+    let modified = std::fs::metadata(&path).unwrap().modified().unwrap();
     std::fs::write(&path, "deny:\n  - command: echo\n    label: changed policy\ndefault: allow\nrequire_intent: false\n").unwrap();
+    std::fs::File::options()
+        .write(true)
+        .open(&path)
+        .unwrap()
+        .set_modified(modified)
+        .unwrap();
     h.session.tick(Instant::now() + Duration::from_secs(11));
     assert!(h.session.execute_now_scheduled(&exec_id).is_err());
     assert!(!h.pty_str().contains('\r'));
     assert!(h.session.status().environment_review.is_empty());
+    std::fs::write(&path, "confirm: [\n").unwrap();
+    assert!(h.session.start_environment_review(1).is_err());
+    std::fs::remove_file(&path).unwrap();
+    assert!(h.session.start_environment_review(1).is_err());
+    std::fs::write(&path, Harness::test_policy()).unwrap();
+    assert!(h.session.start_environment_review(1).is_ok());
 }
 #[test]
 fn queued_profile_change_and_participant_removal_retain_input_without_execution() {
diff --git a/crates/core/tests/policy.rs b/crates/core/tests/policy.rs
index 4af7431..c94a267 100644
--- a/crates/core/tests/policy.rs
+++ b/crates/core/tests/policy.rs
@@ -65,3 +65,32 @@ fn session_allow_lifts_confirm_but_never_deny() {
     assert!(matches!(store.evaluate("rm -rf /"), Decision::Deny { .. }));
     assert_eq!(store.session_allows(), vec!["delete root".to_string(), "recursive delete".to_string()]);
 }
+
+#[test]
+fn reload_detects_same_timestamp_and_length_and_tracks_invalid_source() {
+    let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+    let path = dir.path().join("policy.yaml");
+    std::fs::write(&path, "default: allow\n").unwrap();
+    let mut store = PolicyStore::open(&path).unwrap();
+    let modified = std::fs::metadata(&path).unwrap().modified().unwrap();
+    for source in ["default: deny \n", "confirm: [\n", "default: allow\n"] {
+        std::fs::write(&path, source).unwrap();
+        std::fs::File::options().write(true).open(&path).unwrap().set_modified(modified).unwrap();
+        let result = store.maybe_reload();
+        if source.starts_with("confirm") {
+            assert!(matches!(result, Reload::Failed(_)));
+            assert!(!store.source_valid());
+            assert!(matches!(store.evaluate("echo x"), Decision::Deny { .. }));
+        } else {
+            assert!(matches!(result, Reload::Reloaded));
+            assert!(store.source_valid());
+        }
+    }
+    std::fs::remove_file(&path).unwrap();
+    assert!(matches!(store.maybe_reload(), Reload::Failed(_)));
+    assert!(!store.source_valid());
+    assert!(matches!(store.maybe_reload(), Reload::Unchanged));
+    std::fs::write(&path, "default: allow\n").unwrap();
+    assert!(matches!(store.maybe_reload(), Reload::Reloaded));
+    assert!(store.source_valid());
+}
diff --git a/docs/release-0.9.0-validation.md b/docs/release-0.9.0-validation.md
index 720f1b3..ca8a30b 100644
--- a/docs/release-0.9.0-validation.md
+++ b/docs/release-0.9.0-validation.md
@@ -23,3 +23,13 @@ Implementation base: `744fa22f4396a3d4e762a29d6156ba4e12fcdb8b`, independently c
 Linux Chromium evidence does not establish native macOS/Windows interaction, Wayland, installed-app upgrades or all nested remote transitions. Unknown final host changes remain undetectable. No live user grant was enabled. Audit additions contain only decision identifiers, duration/revision and end reason.
 
 Release workflow, signing, checksums, exact-release package runtime and website publication are verified after the tagged pipeline; final status is recorded in the delivery report rather than inferred from local builds.
+
+## Tagged-run corrections
+
+The first tagged run `40354039491` failed and created no public release. Windows exposed that mtime-only policy reload could miss a fast policy edit before queued Enter. Policy reload now compares source bytes, including equal-length edits with unchanged timestamps, and refuses environment grants while the source is invalid or unreadable. The queue regression preserves the timestamp deliberately. Last-good policy fallback otherwise remains intact.
+
+The header regression failed only on extra trailing empty viewport rows during dock layout. The assertion now checks identical non-padding contents, cursor and column count, retaining both rejected-input checks. This does not waive input or cursor changes.
+
+macOS received notarization Accepted and completed stapling, but validation exited 68. An Apple service connection failure is a possible cause, not a confirmed diagnosis from the sanitized log. Ticket validation retries exit 68 at most twice; other failures and exhausted retries still block packaging. No signature, ticket, Gatekeeper or contained-DMG check is removed. Native success must still be established by the corrected release pipeline.
+
+Local correction checks: portable `cargo test` passed; 82 release-tool tests passed; all 15 header/input browser regressions passed. A full workspace native attempt remains blocked by missing local GTK development libraries. The original unpublished v0.9.0 tag is retained pending an explicit retag decision; no public artifacts were replaced.
diff --git a/scripts/macos_sign.py b/scripts/macos_sign.py
index 34d480a..6a51328 100644
--- a/scripts/macos_sign.py
+++ b/scripts/macos_sign.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 import shutil
 import subprocess
 import sys
+import time
 import tempfile
 import uuid
 
@@ -71,6 +72,12 @@ def import_failure_category(stderr: str) -> str:
     return "unclassified-import-error"
 
 
+class NativeCommandError(release.ReleaseError):
+    def __init__(self, message, returncode):
+        super().__init__(message)
+        self.returncode = returncode
+
+
 def command(args, label, timeout=120, *, input_text=None):
     # Do not echo args or captured output: security/notarytool arguments can carry
     # secrets. All errors name only the fixed stage and numeric exit status.
@@ -82,7 +89,7 @@ def command(args, label, timeout=120, *, input_text=None):
         raise release.ReleaseError(f"{label} could not complete") from None
     if result.returncode != 0:
         category = f"; category: {import_failure_category(result.stderr)}" if args[:2] == ["security", "import"] else ""
-        raise release.ReleaseError(f"{label} failed (exit {result.returncode}){category}; no release artifacts will be uploaded")
+        raise NativeCommandError(f"{label} failed (exit {result.returncode}){category}; no release artifacts will be uploaded", result.returncode)
     return result
 
 
@@ -204,6 +211,19 @@ def verify_signature(path: Path, team: str, runtime=True, deep=False):
     return parse_signature(shown.stdout + shown.stderr, team, runtime)
 
 
+def validate_ticket(path: Path, label: str):
+    # stapler exit 68 can report an Apple service connection failure even after
+    # successful stapling. Retry that status only; never skip ticket validation.
+    for attempt in range(3):
+        try:
+            command(["xcrun", "stapler", "validate", path], label)
+            return
+        except NativeCommandError as error:
+            if error.returncode != 68 or attempt == 2:
+                raise
+            time.sleep(5)
+
+
 def app_evidence(app: Path, team: str):
     if app.is_symlink() or not app.is_dir():
         raise release.ReleaseError("Expected a regular Conn app bundle")
@@ -217,7 +237,7 @@ def app_evidence(app: Path, team: str):
         raise release.ReleaseError("Expected distinct desktop executable and Conn sidecar")
     result = {"bundle": verify_signature(app, team, deep=True),
               "desktop": verify_signature(executable, team), "sidecar": verify_signature(sidecar, team)}
-    command(["xcrun", "stapler", "validate", app], "Validate app notarization ticket")
+    validate_ticket(app, "Validate app notarization ticket")
     command(["spctl", "--assess", "--type", "execute", app], "Assess app with Gatekeeper")
     result.update({"stapled": True, "gatekeeperAccepted": True})
     return result
@@ -307,7 +327,7 @@ def finish(target: str, path: Path, out: Path, root=release.ROOT, env=os.environ
     dmg_signature = verify_signature(dmg, team, runtime=False)
     dmg_notary = notarize(dmg, state)
     command(["xcrun", "stapler", "staple", dmg], "Staple DMG notarization ticket")
-    command(["xcrun", "stapler", "validate", dmg], "Validate DMG notarization ticket")
+    validate_ticket(dmg, "Validate DMG notarization ticket")
     command(["spctl", "--assess", "--type", "open", "--context", "context:primary-signature", dmg], "Assess DMG with Gatekeeper")
     verify_signature(dmg, team, runtime=False)
     inspect_dmg(dmg, team, app)
diff --git a/tests/collaboration/scripts/header-input-regressions.mjs b/tests/collaboration/scripts/header-input-regressions.mjs
index a162de9..0f57db7 100644
--- a/tests/collaboration/scripts/header-input-regressions.mjs
+++ b/tests/collaboration/scripts/header-input-regressions.mjs
@@ -108,10 +108,14 @@ try {
   await human('',['Control+c']);await human(text,keys);await control(agent);await run(agent,'REGRESSION_'+name.replaceAll('-','_'));await capture('input-'+name);
  }
  await human('',['Control+c']);await human("printf '%s\\n' HUMAN_SUFFIX",['Home','Control+u']);await control(agent);
- const before=(await agent.tool('snapshot')).screen;
+ const before=await agent.tool('snapshot');
  assert.match((await agent.tool('type',{text:"printf '%s\\n' AGENT_PREFIX; "})).error,/input_pending/);
  assert.match((await agent.tool('send_key',{key:'ENTER',intent:'Check retained input protection.'})).error,/input_pending/);
- assert.deepEqual((await agent.tool('snapshot')).screen,before);await capture('retained-input-blocked');await human('',['Control+c']);
+ const after=await agent.tool('snapshot');
+ // Dock layout may resize viewport padding while rejected input must leave content and cursor intact.
+ const content=screen=>{const rows=[...screen];while(rows.at(-1)==='')rows.pop();return rows;};
+ assert.equal(after.size.cols,before.size.cols);assert.deepEqual(after.cursor,before.cursor);
+ assert.deepEqual(content(after.screen),content(before.screen));await capture('retained-input-blocked');await human('',['Control+c']);
  for(let count=2;count<=5;count++){await attach('same-agent');await layout(count);}
  await capture('repeated-five-summary');
  for(let count=6;count<=7;count++)await attach('long-agent-name-repeated-for-overflow-abcdefghijklmnopqrst');
diff --git a/tests/release/test_macos_sign.py b/tests/release/test_macos_sign.py
index 4d2eeac..bdf1867 100644
--- a/tests/release/test_macos_sign.py
+++ b/tests/release/test_macos_sign.py
@@ -129,6 +129,19 @@ def test_notarization_requires_accepted_status_and_submission_uuid(self):
             with self.assertRaises(release.ReleaseError):
                 signing.accepted_submission(invalid)
 
+    def test_ticket_service_retry_never_skips_validation(self):
+        failure = signing.NativeCommandError("ticket service unavailable", 68)
+        with patch.object(signing, "command", side_effect=[failure, SimpleNamespace()]) as run, patch.object(signing.time, "sleep") as sleep:
+            signing.validate_ticket(Path("Conn.app"), "Validate app ticket")
+        self.assertEqual(run.call_count, 2)
+        self.assertTrue(all(call.args[0][2] == "validate" for call in run.call_args_list))
+        sleep.assert_called_once_with(5)
+        for status, attempts in [(68, 3), (65, 1)]:
+            with patch.object(signing, "command", side_effect=signing.NativeCommandError("ticket invalid", status)) as run, patch.object(signing.time, "sleep"):
+                with self.assertRaisesRegex(release.ReleaseError, "ticket invalid"):
+                    signing.validate_ticket(Path("Conn.app"), "Validate app ticket")
+            self.assertEqual(run.call_count, attempts)
+
     def test_dmg_mounts_without_accepting_a_license_and_is_detached(self):
         dmg = Path(self.temporary.name) / "Conn.dmg"
         dmg.write_bytes(b"signed-dmg-fixture")