diff --git a/ai-lookup/index.md b/ai-lookup/index.md
index 005413b..5954b88 100644
--- a/ai-lookup/index.md
+++ b/ai-lookup/index.md
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ Quick reference for rdev concepts and facts.
 | Webhooks | [services/webhooks.md](./services/webhooks.md) | High | 2025-01 | Event subscriptions and delivery |
 | **Worker Infrastructure** |
 | Work Queue | [services/work-queue.md](./services/work-queue.md) | High | 2025-01 | Task queue for worker pool |
-| Worker Pool | [services/worker-pool.md](./services/worker-pool.md) | High | 2026-01 | Embedded work executor with queue maintenance and metrics |
+| Worker Pool | [services/worker-pool.md](./services/worker-pool.md) | High | 2026-02 | Standalone worker pods with claudebox sidecar, HTTP polling |
 | External Health | [services/external-health.md](./services/external-health.md) | High | 2026-02 | Background health monitoring of registry, CI, git |
 | CI Provider | [services/ci-provider.md](./services/ci-provider.md) | High | 2025-01 | Woodpecker auto-activation |
 | DNS / Cloudflare | [services/dns-cloudflare.md](./services/dns-cloudflare.md) | High | 2026-01 | Domain management for threesix.ai |
diff --git a/ai-lookup/services/worker-pool.md b/ai-lookup/services/worker-pool.md
index be631a7..b0e0a71 100644
--- a/ai-lookup/services/worker-pool.md
+++ b/ai-lookup/services/worker-pool.md
@@ -1,79 +1,193 @@
 # Worker Pool
 
-**Last Updated:** 2026-01-31
+**Last Updated:** 2026-02-06
 **Confidence:** High
 
 ## Summary
 
-Shared worker pool that executes build tasks for any project. Currently runs as an embedded WorkExecutor daemon inside rdev-api. Workers register with the worker registry, poll the work queue for tasks, execute Claude Code in pods via kubectl exec. Post-build git operations (commit/push) are programmatic via PodGitOperations, not LLM-driven.
+Distributed task execution system where standalone worker pods poll rdev-api for tasks and execute them via a claudebox sidecar. Supports horizontal scaling by adding more worker pods.
 
 **Key Facts:**
-- **LLM vs rdev boundary:** Claude writes code; rdev handles git ops programmatically (no LLM for runbook tasks)
-- Embedded WorkExecutor daemon runs inside rdev-api process
-- Workers poll work queue every 5 seconds, heartbeat every 30 seconds
-- Stale workers (no heartbeat for 2 minutes) automatically marked offline by QueueMaintenance
-- Stale tasks (running >30 min without completion) automatically requeued
-- Old tasks (>7 days) automatically cleaned up
-- Queue depth and worker counts exported as Prometheus metrics
-- Future: external worker binary for separate pod deployment
+- **Architecture:** Pull-based polling (not push/websocket)
+- **Sidecar pattern:** Worker + claudebox in same pod, communicate via localhost HTTP
+- **Atomic dequeue:** PostgreSQL `FOR UPDATE SKIP LOCKED` prevents duplicate claims
+- **Task types:** `build` (Claude Code prompts), `sdlc` (SDLC commands)
+- **Scaling:** Add replicas to handle more concurrent tasks
+- **Resilience:** Stale workers marked offline, stuck tasks re-queued automatically
 
-**File Pointers:**
-- Domain: `internal/domain/worker.go` (Worker, WorkerStatus)
-- Domain: `internal/domain/build.go` (BuildSpec, BuildResult)
-- Port: `internal/port/worker_registry.go` (WorkerRegistry interface)
-- Port: `internal/port/build_audit.go` (BuildAudit interface)
-- Adapter: `internal/adapter/postgres/worker_registry.go`
-- Adapter: `internal/adapter/postgres/build_audit.go`
-- Service: `internal/service/worker_service.go`
-- Service: `internal/service/build_service.go`
-- Executor: `internal/worker/work_executor.go` (poll loop, heartbeat, task routing)
-- Executor: `internal/worker/build_executor.go` (BuildSpec→AgentRequest)
-- Git: `internal/worker/pod_git_operations.go` (post-build commit/push via kubectl exec)
-- Maintenance: `internal/worker/queue_maintenance.go` (stale recovery, cleanup, metrics)
-- Handler: `internal/handlers/workers.go` (REST API for workers)
-- Handler: `internal/handlers/builds.go` (REST API for builds)
-- Handler: `internal/handlers/create_and_build.go` (combined create+build)
-- Migration: `internal/db/migrations/012_worker_registry.sql`
+## File Pointers
 
-## Worker Lifecycle (Embedded)
+### Standalone Worker Binary
+- **Entry:** `cmd/rdev-worker/main.go` - Main binary, registration, heartbeat, poll loop
+- **API Client:** `internal/worker/api_client.go` - HTTP client to rdev-api
+- **Build Executor:** `internal/worker/http_build_executor.go` - Execute builds via claudebox
+- **SDLC Executor:** `internal/worker/http_sdlc_executor.go` - Execute SDLC tasks via claudebox
 
-1. rdev-api starts → WorkExecutor registers as worker in registry
-2. Heartbeat loop: every 30s sends heartbeat via WorkerService
-3. Poll loop: every 5s dequeues next task from work queue
-4. BuildExecutor: executes CodeAgent in pod, then programmatically commits/pushes if auto_commit
-5. Reports completion with BuildResult via WorkerService
-6. Graceful shutdown: deregisters worker on rdev-api stop
+### Claudebox Sidecar Client
+- **Client:** `internal/adapter/claudebox/client.go` - HTTP client to claudebox sidecar
+- **Endpoints:** `/health`, `/execute`, `/git/clone`, `/git/commit-and-push`, `/sdlc`
+
+### rdev-api Server-Side
+- **Handlers:** `internal/handlers/workers.go` - `/workers/*` endpoints
+- **Service:** `internal/service/worker_service.go` - Claim, complete, fail logic
+- **Registry:** `internal/adapter/postgres/worker_registry.go` - Worker state persistence
+- **Queue:** `internal/adapter/postgres/work_queue.go` - Task queue with atomic dequeue
+
+### Domain
+- **Worker:** `internal/domain/worker.go` - Worker, WorkerStatus
+- **Task:** `internal/domain/work.go` - WorkTask, WorkTaskType, WorkTaskStatus
+- **Build:** `internal/domain/build.go` - BuildSpec, BuildResult
+
+### Kubernetes
+- **Deployment:** `deployments/k8s/base/rdev-worker.yaml` - Worker + claudebox pod spec
+
+## Architecture
+
+```
+┌─────────────────────┐         HTTP Polling (5s)        ┌──────────────────────────┐
+│     rdev-api        │◄────────────────────────────────►│    Worker Pod            │
+│                     │                                   │  ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐ │
+│  POST /workers/register  ← Register at startup         │  │ worker  │→│claudebox│ │
+│  POST /workers/{id}/heartbeat  ← Every 30s             │  └─────────┘ └─────────┘ │
+│  POST /workers/{id}/claim  ← Poll for tasks            │      ↓ HTTP localhost    │
+│  POST /workers/{id}/complete/{taskId}  ← Success       │  Claude Code execution   │
+│  POST /workers/{id}/fail/{taskId}  ← Failure           └──────────────────────────┘
+│                     │
+│  PostgreSQL         │
+│  ├─ workers         │  (worker registry)
+│  ├─ work_queue      │  (task queue)
+│  └─ build_audit     │  (execution history)
+└─────────────────────┘
+```
+
+## Worker Lifecycle
+
+1. **Register:** Worker pod starts → `POST /workers/register` with ID, hostname, capabilities
+2. **Heartbeat:** Every 30s → `POST /workers/{id}/heartbeat` to stay alive
+3. **Poll:** Every 5s → `POST /workers/{id}/claim` to get next task
+4. **Execute:** Call claudebox sidecar HTTP API to run Claude Code / SDLC commands
+5. **Report:** `POST /workers/{id}/complete/{taskId}` or `/fail/{taskId}` with results
+6. **Shutdown:** Graceful wait for in-flight tasks via `sync.WaitGroup`
 
 ## Worker Statuses
 
-- `idle` - available for new tasks
-- `busy` - currently executing a task
-- `draining` - not accepting new tasks (pre-shutdown)
-- `offline` - missed heartbeat threshold
+| Status | Meaning |
+|--------|---------|
+| `idle` | Ready to claim new tasks |
+| `busy` | Currently executing a task |
+| `draining` | Not accepting new tasks (pre-shutdown) |
+| `offline` | Missed heartbeat threshold (>90s) |
+
+## Task Types
+
+### Build Tasks (`WorkTaskTypeBuild`)
+
+Execute Claude Code prompts with optional git operations.
+
+**Spec:**
+```json
+{
+  "prompt": "Build a React app with...",
+  "auto_commit": true,
+  "auto_push": false,
+  "git_clone_url": "https://gitea.../repo.git"
+}
+```
+
+**Execution Flow:**
+1. Clone repo via `claudebox /git/clone`
+2. Execute prompt via `claudebox /execute` (streaming)
+3. Commit/push via `claudebox /git/commit-and-push`
+
+### SDLC Tasks (`WorkTaskTypeSDLC`)
+
+Execute SDLC CLI commands.
+
+**Spec:**
+```json
+{
+  "command": "feature",
+  "args": ["init", "feature-name"],
+  "git_clone_url": "https://gitea.../repo.git"
+}
+```
+
+**Execution Flow:**
+1. Clone repo via `claudebox /git/clone`
+2. Run SDLC command via `claudebox /sdlc`
+3. Commit/push changes
 
 ## API Endpoints
 
 | Method | Path | Description |
 |--------|------|-------------|
-| GET | `/workers` | List all workers with status summary |
-| GET | `/workers/{workerId}` | Get worker details |
-| POST | `/workers/{workerId}/drain` | Set worker to draining |
-| POST | `/projects/{id}/builds` | Start build for project |
-| GET | `/projects/{id}/builds` | List builds for project |
-| GET | `/builds/{taskId}` | Get build status |
-| POST | `/project/create-and-build` | Create project + start build |
+| POST | `/workers/register` | Register new worker |
+| POST | `/workers/{id}/heartbeat` | Keep worker alive |
+| POST | `/workers/{id}/claim` | Claim next available task (204 if none) |
+| POST | `/workers/{id}/complete/{taskId}` | Report successful completion |
+| POST | `/workers/{id}/fail/{taskId}` | Report failure |
+| GET | `/workers` | List all workers |
+| GET | `/workers/{id}` | Get worker details |
+| POST | `/workers/{id}/drain` | Set worker to draining |
+
+## Kubernetes Deployment
+
+```yaml
+# deployments/k8s/base/rdev-worker.yaml
+spec:
+  replicas: 1  # Scale by increasing
+  strategy:
+    type: RollingUpdate  # RWX PVC enables multi-pod mounts
+    rollingUpdate:
+      maxSurge: 2
+      maxUnavailable: 0
+  containers:
+    - name: worker
+      image: registry.threesix.ai/rdev/worker:latest
+      env:
+        - RDEV_API_URL: http://rdev-api.rdev.svc.cluster.local:8080
+        - CLAUDEBOX_URL: http://localhost:8080
+        - WORKER_POLL_INTERVAL: 5s
+        - WORKER_HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL: 30s
+        - WORKER_TASK_TIMEOUT: 15m
+    - name: claudebox
+      image: registry.threesix.ai/rdev/claudebox:latest
+      volumeMounts:
+        - /workspace (EmptyDir)
+        - /root/.claude (RWX PVC - shared Claude auth)
+```
+
+**Storage:** The `claudebox-claude-config` PVC uses `ReadWriteMany` (RWX) access mode with Longhorn NFS, allowing multiple worker pods to share Claude OAuth credentials.
+
+## Error Classification
+
+Failed tasks are classified for smart retry logic:
+
+| Code | Trigger | Retryable |
+|------|---------|-----------|
+| `RATE_LIMITED` | "rate limit", "quota exceeded" | Yes (with backoff) |
+| `AUTH_FAILED` | "unauthorized", "invalid api key" | No |
+| `TIMEOUT` | "context deadline exceeded" | Yes |
+| `AGENT_ERROR` | Generic error | Yes (limited retries) |
 
 ## Queue Maintenance
 
-The QueueMaintenance worker runs inside rdev-api alongside the WorkExecutor:
-- **Stale task recovery** (every 1m): Requeues tasks running >30m without completion. Also syncs build_audit status to "pending" so API correctly reflects requeued state.
-- **Stale worker marking** (every 1m): Marks workers offline after 2m without heartbeat
-- **Old task cleanup** (every 1m): Removes completed/failed/cancelled tasks >7 days old
-- **Metrics refresh** (every 15s): Updates Prometheus gauges for queue depth and worker counts
+Background goroutine in rdev-api:
+- **Stale worker marking:** Workers without heartbeat >90s → `offline`
+- **Stale task recovery:** Tasks running >30m without completion → re-queued
+- **Old task cleanup:** Completed/failed tasks >7 days → deleted
+- **Metrics refresh:** Queue depth and worker counts → Prometheus
 
-**Build Audit Sync:** When stale tasks are requeued, both `work_queue` and `build_audit` tables are updated atomically. This prevents builds from appearing stuck in "running" when the underlying task has been requeued for retry due to worker death.
+## Graceful Shutdown
+
+Worker uses `sync.WaitGroup` to track in-flight tasks:
+1. Receive SIGTERM/SIGINT
+2. Cancel context (stops polling)
+3. Wait for WaitGroup with timeout (`WORKER_TASK_TIMEOUT`)
+4. Log success or timeout warning
 
 ## Related Topics
 
-- [Work Queue](./work-queue.md)
-- [Build Orchestration](../features/build-orchestration.md)
+- [Work Queue](./work-queue.md) - Task queue implementation
+- [Build Orchestration](../features/build-orchestration.md) - Build API and specs
+- [SDLC Orchestration](./sdlc.md) - SDLC task integration
diff --git a/cookbooks/trees/slackpath-5-full-lifecycle.yaml b/cookbooks/trees/slackpath-5-full-lifecycle.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e4941c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cookbooks/trees/slackpath-5-full-lifecycle.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,536 @@
+name: full-lifecycle
+description: "Slack Path 5: The Full Lifecycle. Tests all 10 SDLC phases with explicit artifact approvals."
+version: 1
+
+vars:
+  project_name: ""
+  feature_slug: "user-preferences"
+  feature_title: "User Preferences API"
+
+steps:
+  # ============================================================
+  # INFRASTRUCTURE
+  # ============================================================
+  create-project:
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: /project
+    body:
+      name: "{{ .vars.project_name }}"
+      description: "Slack Path 5: Full SDLC Lifecycle"
+    outputs:
+      - project_id: .data.name
+      - domain: .data.domain
+
+  add-db:
+    description: Add database for preferences storage
+    depends_on: [create-project]
+    on_error: continue
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/components"
+    body:
+      type: postgres
+      name: "main-db"
+
+  add-service:
+    description: Add API service
+    depends_on: [add-db]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/components"
+    body:
+      type: service
+      name: "preferences-api"
+
+  wait-init:
+    depends_on: [add-service]
+    action: wait_pipeline
+    project_id: "{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}"
+
+  # ============================================================
+  # PHASE 1: DRAFT
+  # Create feature (starts in draft phase)
+  # ============================================================
+  create-feature:
+    description: "Create feature in draft phase"
+    depends_on: [wait-init]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features"
+    body:
+      slug: "{{ .vars.feature_slug }}"
+      title: "{{ .vars.feature_title }}"
+    outputs:
+      - feature_phase: .data.phase
+
+  verify-draft:
+    description: "Verify feature is in draft phase"
+    depends_on: [create-feature]
+    action: shell
+    command: |
+      PHASE="{{ .outputs.create-feature.feature_phase }}"
+      if [ "$PHASE" == "draft" ]; then
+        echo "Feature created in draft phase"
+        exit 0
+      else
+        echo "Expected draft, got $PHASE"
+        exit 1
+      fi
+
+  # ============================================================
+  # PHASE 2: DRAFT → SPECIFIED
+  # Agent writes spec, API approves, transition
+  # ============================================================
+  write-spec:
+    description: "Agent writes the spec artifact"
+    depends_on: [verify-draft]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/builds"
+    body:
+      prompt: "/spec-feature {{ .vars.feature_slug }} --requirements 'CRUD API for user preferences. GET/PUT /preferences/{user_id}. Preferences are key-value pairs stored in DB. Support theme, language, notifications settings.'"
+      auto_commit: true
+      auto_push: true
+      git_clone_url: "https://git.threesix.ai/jordan/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}.git"
+    outputs:
+      - build_id: .data.task_id
+
+  wait-spec:
+    depends_on: [write-spec]
+    action: wait_build
+    build_id: "{{ .outputs.write-spec.build_id }}"
+    max_attempts: 60
+    poll_interval: 5
+
+  approve-spec:
+    description: "API approves the spec artifact"
+    depends_on: [wait-spec]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/artifacts/spec/approve"
+    body:
+      comment: "Spec approved by automation"
+
+  transition-to-specified:
+    description: "Transition from draft to specified"
+    depends_on: [approve-spec]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/transition"
+    body:
+      phase: "specified"
+    outputs:
+      - new_phase: .data.phase
+
+  # ============================================================
+  # PHASE 3: SPECIFIED → PLANNED
+  # Agent writes design, tasks, qa_plan. API approves each.
+  # ============================================================
+  write-design:
+    description: "Agent writes the design artifact"
+    depends_on: [transition-to-specified]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/builds"
+    body:
+      prompt: "/design-feature {{ .vars.feature_slug }}"
+      auto_commit: true
+      auto_push: true
+      git_clone_url: "https://git.threesix.ai/jordan/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}.git"
+    outputs:
+      - build_id: .data.task_id
+
+  wait-design:
+    depends_on: [write-design]
+    action: wait_build
+    build_id: "{{ .outputs.write-design.build_id }}"
+    max_attempts: 60
+    poll_interval: 5
+
+  approve-design:
+    description: "API approves the design artifact"
+    depends_on: [wait-design]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/artifacts/design/approve"
+    body:
+      comment: "Design approved by automation"
+
+  write-tasks:
+    description: "Agent breaks down into tasks"
+    depends_on: [approve-design]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/builds"
+    body:
+      prompt: "/breakdown-feature {{ .vars.feature_slug }}"
+      auto_commit: true
+      auto_push: true
+      git_clone_url: "https://git.threesix.ai/jordan/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}.git"
+    outputs:
+      - build_id: .data.task_id
+
+  wait-tasks:
+    depends_on: [write-tasks]
+    action: wait_build
+    build_id: "{{ .outputs.write-tasks.build_id }}"
+    max_attempts: 60
+    poll_interval: 5
+
+  approve-tasks:
+    description: "API approves the tasks artifact"
+    depends_on: [wait-tasks]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/artifacts/tasks/approve"
+    body:
+      comment: "Tasks approved by automation"
+
+  write-qa-plan:
+    description: "Agent writes QA plan"
+    depends_on: [approve-tasks]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/builds"
+    body:
+      prompt: "/create-qa-plan {{ .vars.feature_slug }}"
+      auto_commit: true
+      auto_push: true
+      git_clone_url: "https://git.threesix.ai/jordan/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}.git"
+    outputs:
+      - build_id: .data.task_id
+
+  wait-qa-plan:
+    depends_on: [write-qa-plan]
+    action: wait_build
+    build_id: "{{ .outputs.write-qa-plan.build_id }}"
+    max_attempts: 60
+    poll_interval: 5
+
+  approve-qa-plan:
+    description: "API approves the QA plan artifact"
+    depends_on: [wait-qa-plan]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/artifacts/qa_plan/approve"
+    body:
+      comment: "QA plan approved by automation"
+
+  transition-to-planned:
+    description: "Transition from specified to planned"
+    depends_on: [approve-qa-plan]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/transition"
+    body:
+      phase: "planned"
+    outputs:
+      - new_phase: .data.phase
+
+  # ============================================================
+  # PHASE 4: PLANNED → READY
+  # No new artifacts needed, just transition
+  # ============================================================
+  transition-to-ready:
+    description: "Transition from planned to ready"
+    depends_on: [transition-to-planned]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/transition"
+    body:
+      phase: "ready"
+    outputs:
+      - new_phase: .data.phase
+
+  # ============================================================
+  # PHASE 5: READY → IMPLEMENTATION
+  # Agent implements all tasks
+  # ============================================================
+  implement-feature:
+    description: "Agent implements all tasks for the feature"
+    depends_on: [transition-to-ready]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/builds"
+    body:
+      prompt: "/implement-feature {{ .vars.feature_slug }}"
+      auto_commit: true
+      auto_push: true
+      git_clone_url: "https://git.threesix.ai/jordan/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}.git"
+    outputs:
+      - build_id: .data.task_id
+
+  wait-implement:
+    depends_on: [implement-feature]
+    action: wait_build
+    build_id: "{{ .outputs.implement-feature.build_id }}"
+    max_attempts: 120
+    poll_interval: 5
+
+  wait-deploy-impl:
+    description: "Wait for implementation to deploy"
+    depends_on: [wait-implement]
+    action: wait_pipeline
+    project_id: "{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}"
+
+  transition-to-implementation:
+    description: "Transition to implementation phase (marks code complete)"
+    depends_on: [wait-deploy-impl]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/transition"
+    body:
+      phase: "implementation"
+    outputs:
+      - new_phase: .data.phase
+
+  # ============================================================
+  # PHASE 6: IMPLEMENTATION → REVIEW
+  # Agent writes code review
+  # ============================================================
+  write-review:
+    description: "Agent writes code review"
+    depends_on: [transition-to-implementation]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/builds"
+    body:
+      prompt: "/review-feature {{ .vars.feature_slug }}"
+      auto_commit: true
+      auto_push: true
+      git_clone_url: "https://git.threesix.ai/jordan/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}.git"
+    outputs:
+      - build_id: .data.task_id
+
+  wait-review:
+    depends_on: [write-review]
+    action: wait_build
+    build_id: "{{ .outputs.write-review.build_id }}"
+    max_attempts: 60
+    poll_interval: 5
+
+  approve-review:
+    description: "API approves the review"
+    depends_on: [wait-review]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/artifacts/review/approve"
+    body:
+      comment: "Review approved by automation"
+
+  transition-to-review:
+    description: "Transition to review phase"
+    depends_on: [approve-review]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/transition"
+    body:
+      phase: "review"
+    outputs:
+      - new_phase: .data.phase
+
+  # ============================================================
+  # PHASE 7: REVIEW → AUDIT
+  # Agent writes security/architecture audit
+  # ============================================================
+  write-audit:
+    description: "Agent writes security audit"
+    depends_on: [transition-to-review]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/builds"
+    body:
+      prompt: "/audit-feature {{ .vars.feature_slug }}"
+      auto_commit: true
+      auto_push: true
+      git_clone_url: "https://git.threesix.ai/jordan/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}.git"
+    outputs:
+      - build_id: .data.task_id
+
+  wait-audit:
+    depends_on: [write-audit]
+    action: wait_build
+    build_id: "{{ .outputs.write-audit.build_id }}"
+    max_attempts: 60
+    poll_interval: 5
+
+  approve-audit:
+    description: "API approves the audit"
+    depends_on: [wait-audit]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/artifacts/audit/approve"
+    body:
+      comment: "Audit approved by automation"
+
+  transition-to-audit:
+    description: "Transition to audit phase"
+    depends_on: [approve-audit]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/transition"
+    body:
+      phase: "audit"
+    outputs:
+      - new_phase: .data.phase
+
+  # ============================================================
+  # PHASE 8: AUDIT → QA
+  # Agent runs QA tests
+  # ============================================================
+  run-qa:
+    description: "Agent runs QA plan"
+    depends_on: [transition-to-audit]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/builds"
+    body:
+      prompt: "/run-qa {{ .vars.feature_slug }}"
+      auto_commit: true
+      auto_push: true
+      git_clone_url: "https://git.threesix.ai/jordan/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}.git"
+    outputs:
+      - build_id: .data.task_id
+
+  wait-qa:
+    depends_on: [run-qa]
+    action: wait_build
+    build_id: "{{ .outputs.run-qa.build_id }}"
+    max_attempts: 60
+    poll_interval: 5
+
+  transition-to-qa:
+    description: "Transition to QA phase"
+    depends_on: [wait-qa]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/transition"
+    body:
+      phase: "qa"
+    outputs:
+      - new_phase: .data.phase
+
+  # ============================================================
+  # PHASE 9: QA → MERGE
+  # Merge feature branch to main
+  # ============================================================
+  merge-feature:
+    description: "Merge feature branch to main"
+    depends_on: [transition-to-qa]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/merge"
+    body:
+      strategy: "squash"
+    outputs:
+      - merge_commit: .data.commit_sha
+
+  transition-to-merge:
+    description: "Transition to merge phase"
+    depends_on: [merge-feature]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/transition"
+    body:
+      phase: "merge"
+    outputs:
+      - new_phase: .data.phase
+
+  # ============================================================
+  # PHASE 10: MERGE → RELEASED
+  # Archive the feature
+  # ============================================================
+  wait-final-deploy:
+    description: "Wait for merged code to deploy"
+    depends_on: [transition-to-merge]
+    action: wait_pipeline
+    project_id: "{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}"
+
+  archive-feature:
+    description: "Archive the completed feature"
+    depends_on: [wait-final-deploy]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/archive"
+
+  transition-to-released:
+    description: "Transition to released phase"
+    depends_on: [archive-feature]
+    action: api
+    method: POST
+    endpoint: "/projects/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}/sdlc/features/{{ .vars.feature_slug }}/transition"
+    body:
+      phase: "released"
+    outputs:
+      - final_phase: .data.phase
+
+  # ============================================================
+  # VERIFICATION
+  # ============================================================
+  verify-service-running:
+    description: "Verify the preferences API is running"
+    depends_on: [transition-to-released]
+    action: shell
+    command: |
+      DOMAIN="{{ .outputs.create-project.domain }}"
+      HEALTH=$(curl -s "https://$DOMAIN/api/preferences-api/health" | jq -r '.data.status // empty')
+      if [ "$HEALTH" == "healthy" ]; then
+        echo "Service healthy"
+        exit 0
+      else
+        echo "Service not healthy: $HEALTH"
+        exit 1
+      fi
+
+  verify-preferences-api:
+    description: "Test CRUD operations on preferences"
+    depends_on: [verify-service-running]
+    on_error: continue
+    action: shell
+    command: |
+      DOMAIN="{{ .outputs.create-project.domain }}"
+      BASE_URL="https://$DOMAIN/api/preferences-api"
+      USER_ID="test-user-123"
+
+      # PUT preferences
+      echo "Setting preferences..."
+      PUT_RESP=$(curl -s -X PUT "$BASE_URL/preferences/$USER_ID" \
+        -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+        -d '{"theme":"dark","language":"en","notifications":true}')
+      echo "PUT response: $PUT_RESP"
+
+      # GET preferences
+      echo "Getting preferences..."
+      GET_RESP=$(curl -s "$BASE_URL/preferences/$USER_ID")
+      echo "GET response: $GET_RESP"
+
+      # Verify theme is dark
+      THEME=$(echo "$GET_RESP" | jq -r '.theme // .data.theme // empty')
+      if [ "$THEME" == "dark" ]; then
+        echo "Preferences API working correctly"
+        exit 0
+      else
+        echo "Expected theme=dark, got: $THEME"
+        exit 1
+      fi
+
+  verify-lifecycle-complete:
+    description: "Verify feature reached released phase"
+    depends_on: [verify-preferences-api]
+    action: shell
+    command: |
+      FINAL_PHASE="{{ .outputs.transition-to-released.final_phase }}"
+      if [ "$FINAL_PHASE" == "released" ]; then
+        echo "SUCCESS: Feature completed full lifecycle (draft → released)"
+        echo "All 10 phases traversed with explicit approvals"
+        exit 0
+      else
+        echo "FAIL: Expected released, got $FINAL_PHASE"
+        exit 1
+      fi
+
+teardown:
+  - action: api
+    method: DELETE
+    endpoint: "/project/{{ .outputs.create-project.project_id }}"
diff --git a/deployments/k8s/base/kustomization.yaml b/deployments/k8s/base/kustomization.yaml
index b21235d..c313bc7 100644
--- a/deployments/k8s/base/kustomization.yaml
+++ b/deployments/k8s/base/kustomization.yaml
@@ -6,9 +6,11 @@ namespace: rdev
 resources:
   - namespace.yaml
 
+  # Storage classes (must be applied before PVCs)
+  - storageclass-rwx.yaml
+
   # Shared worker claudebox (runs all project builds)
   - pvc.yaml
-  - pvc-shared-claude.yaml
   - claudebox.yaml
   - configmaps.yaml
 
diff --git a/deployments/k8s/base/pvc-shared-claude.yaml b/deployments/k8s/base/pvc-shared-claude.yaml
deleted file mode 100644
index da6e88f..0000000
--- a/deployments/k8s/base/pvc-shared-claude.yaml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,29 +0,0 @@
-# Shared Claude credentials PVC
-# v0.6 - All claudebox pods share this for auth
-# Commands/skills/agents live in /workspace/.claude (per-project, in git)
-#
-# IMPORTANT: ReadWriteMany (RWX) requires Longhorn with NFS enabled.
-# Verify with: kubectl get settings -n longhorn-system rwx-volume-fast-failover
-# If RWX is not available, either:
-#   1. Enable Longhorn NFS: kubectl apply -f longhorn-nfs-provisioner.yaml
-#   2. Or use separate PVCs per pod (revert to per-project claude-config PVCs)
-#
-# RWX is needed because multiple claudebox pods mount this simultaneously
-# to share Claude authentication credentials.
-
-apiVersion: v1
-kind: PersistentVolumeClaim
-metadata:
-  name: claudebox-shared-claude-config
-  namespace: rdev
-  labels:
-    app.kubernetes.io/name: claudebox
-    app.kubernetes.io/part-of: rdev
-    rdev.orchard9.ai/type: shared-config
-spec:
-  accessModes:
-    - ReadWriteMany  # Multiple pods can mount simultaneously
-  storageClassName: longhorn
-  resources:
-    requests:
-      storage: 1Gi
diff --git a/deployments/k8s/base/pvc.yaml b/deployments/k8s/base/pvc.yaml
index b430a4d..b378510 100644
--- a/deployments/k8s/base/pvc.yaml
+++ b/deployments/k8s/base/pvc.yaml
@@ -14,6 +14,12 @@ spec:
     requests:
       storage: 20Gi
 ---
+# Claude config PVC - shared across claudebox and worker pods
+# RWX (ReadWriteMany) allows multiple pods to mount simultaneously
+# Contains Claude subscription OAuth credentials (~/.claude)
+#
+# IMPORTANT: Requires longhorn-rwx StorageClass (see storageclass-rwx.yaml)
+# After recreating this PVC, re-authenticate with: claude login
 apiVersion: v1
 kind: PersistentVolumeClaim
 metadata:
@@ -22,10 +28,11 @@ metadata:
   labels:
     app.kubernetes.io/name: claudebox
     app.kubernetes.io/part-of: rdev
+    rdev.orchard9.ai/type: shared-config
 spec:
   accessModes:
-    - ReadWriteOnce
-  storageClassName: longhorn
+    - ReadWriteMany
+  storageClassName: longhorn-rwx
   resources:
     requests:
       storage: 1Gi
diff --git a/deployments/k8s/base/rdev-worker.yaml b/deployments/k8s/base/rdev-worker.yaml
index 5448477..46d5720 100644
--- a/deployments/k8s/base/rdev-worker.yaml
+++ b/deployments/k8s/base/rdev-worker.yaml
@@ -10,10 +10,13 @@ metadata:
     app.kubernetes.io/part-of: rdev
 spec:
   replicas: 1
-  # Recreate strategy required: claudebox-claude-config PVC is RWO (ReadWriteOnce)
-  # and cannot be attached to multiple pods simultaneously
+  # RollingUpdate enabled by RWX (ReadWriteMany) PVC for claude-config
+  # See: deployments/k8s/base/pvc.yaml and storageclass-rwx.yaml
   strategy:
-    type: Recreate
+    type: RollingUpdate
+    rollingUpdate:
+      maxSurge: 2
+      maxUnavailable: 0
   selector:
     matchLabels:
       app: rdev-worker
diff --git a/deployments/k8s/base/storageclass-rwx.yaml b/deployments/k8s/base/storageclass-rwx.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d655266
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deployments/k8s/base/storageclass-rwx.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# RWX (ReadWriteMany) StorageClass for shared volumes
+# Enables multiple pods to mount the same PVC simultaneously
+# Used for: claudebox-claude-config (shared Claude auth credentials)
+#
+# Prerequisites:
+#   - Longhorn 1.4.0+ with NFS support
+#   - Verify: kubectl get settings -n longhorn-system | grep -i rwx
+#
+# If RWX is not available, enable it:
+#   kubectl patch -n longhorn-system settings rwx-volume-fast-failover --type merge -p '{"value":"true"}'
+
+apiVersion: storage.k8s.io/v1
+kind: StorageClass
+metadata:
+  name: longhorn-rwx
+  labels:
+    app.kubernetes.io/part-of: rdev
+provisioner: driver.longhorn.io
+allowVolumeExpansion: true
+reclaimPolicy: Retain
+parameters:
+  numberOfReplicas: "2"
+  staleReplicaTimeout: "30"
+  nfsOptions: "vers=4.1,noresvport"