diff --git a/.sdlc/features/data-models/manifest.yaml b/.sdlc/features/data-models/manifest.yaml
index b184229..e375b24 100644
--- a/.sdlc/features/data-models/manifest.yaml
+++ b/.sdlc/features/data-models/manifest.yaml
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 slug: data-models
 title: Core Data Models & Persistence
 created: 2026-02-09T13:49:20.497880778Z
-phase: ready
+phase: implementation
 phase_history:
     - phase: draft
       entered: 2026-02-09T13:49:20.497880778Z
@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@ phase_history:
       exited: 2026-02-09T13:51:05.571834505Z
     - phase: ready
       entered: 2026-02-09T13:51:05.571834505Z
+      exited: 2026-02-09T13:52:15.518031787Z
+    - phase: implementation
+      entered: 2026-02-09T13:52:15.518031787Z
 artifacts:
     audit:
         status: pending
diff --git a/.sdlc/state.yaml b/.sdlc/state.yaml
index 78130a7..71087ab 100644
--- a/.sdlc/state.yaml
+++ b/.sdlc/state.yaml
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@ project:
 active_work:
     features:
         - slug: data-models
-          phase: ready
+          phase: implementation
         - slug: task-management-ui
           phase: specified
 blocked: []
-last_updated: 2026-02-09T13:51:20.503839406Z
-last_action: APPROVE_ARTIFACT
-last_actor: user
+last_updated: 2026-02-09T13:52:15.519350209Z
+last_action: TRANSITION
+last_actor: cli
 history:
     - timestamp: 2026-02-09T13:49:20.498142942Z
       action: CREATE_FEATURE
@@ -72,3 +72,8 @@ history:
       feature: task-management-ui
       actor: user
       result: success
+    - timestamp: 2026-02-09T13:52:15.519348295Z
+      action: TRANSITION
+      feature: data-models
+      actor: cli
+      result: success