diff --git a/.sdlc/features/data-models/manifest.yaml b/.sdlc/features/data-models/manifest.yaml
index a506471..bb989a1 100644
--- a/.sdlc/features/data-models/manifest.yaml
+++ b/.sdlc/features/data-models/manifest.yaml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ slug: data-models
 title: Core Data Models & Persistence
 created: 2026-02-09T21:04:37.081370329Z
 branch: feature/data-models
-phase: ready
+phase: implementation
 phase_history:
     - phase: draft
       entered: 2026-02-09T21:04:37.081370329Z
@@ -15,6 +15,9 @@ phase_history:
       exited: 2026-02-09T21:06:07.215048365Z
     - phase: ready
       entered: 2026-02-09T21:06:07.215048365Z
+      exited: 2026-02-09T21:07:57.093691442Z
+    - phase: implementation
+      entered: 2026-02-09T21:07:57.093691442Z
 artifacts:
     audit:
         status: pending
diff --git a/.sdlc/state.yaml b/.sdlc/state.yaml
index e765d6f..bfab287 100644
--- a/.sdlc/state.yaml
+++ b/.sdlc/state.yaml
@@ -5,13 +5,13 @@ active_work:
     features:
         - slug: data-models
           branch: feature/data-models
-          phase: ready
+          phase: implementation
         - slug: task-management-ui
           phase: specified
 blocked: []
-last_updated: 2026-02-09T21:06:22.774515565Z
-last_action: APPROVE_ARTIFACT
-last_actor: user
+last_updated: 2026-02-09T21:07:57.095112196Z
+last_action: TRANSITION
+last_actor: cli
 history:
     - timestamp: 2026-02-09T21:04:37.081727351Z
       action: CREATE_FEATURE
@@ -73,3 +73,8 @@ history:
       feature: task-management-ui
       actor: user
       result: success
+    - timestamp: 2026-02-09T21:07:57.095111184Z
+      action: TRANSITION
+      feature: data-models
+      actor: cli
+      result: success