verify(P20): cross-account-role-automation-offline — 4-layer verify PASS + ship

VERIFY: structural — Terraform + docs + tests; behavioral — terraform validate + 3 tests + CI PASS; quality — offline-proven only (D-114), nova: ABAC tags.

---ci---
project: acdl
phase: 20
milestone: v1.16
status: complete
phase_role: execution
requirements:
  covered: [REQ-184]
  partial: []
---/ci---

.github/workflows/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+# GitHub Workflows — Nova Platform CI/CD Catalog
+
+This directory contains the 7 GitHub Actions workflows for the Nova
+platform. 3 are byte-identical Gitea mirrors (generated from
+`workflows-src/` by `scripts/sync_workflows.py`, P8/REQ-172); 4 are
+GitHub-only (Gitea act_runner feature gaps).
+
+## Shared workflows (byte-identical Gitea + GitHub)
+
+These 3 are generated from `workflows-src/<name>` by
+`scripts/sync_workflows.py`; the `.gitea/workflows/<name>` mirror is kept
+byte-identical. Run `python3 scripts/sync_workflows.py --check` to verify
+no drift.
+
+| Workflow | Trigger | Inputs | Required Secrets | Purpose |
+|----------|---------|--------|------------------|---------|
+| `ci.yml` | `pull_request: [main]` | — | — | Lint + test + check-only (runs on every PR) |
+| `deploy.yml` | `workflow_call` (reusable) + `push: [main]` | `contract` (string, required), `mode` (string, default `deploy`), `changeRequestId` (string), `environment` (string) | `NOVA_AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID`, `NOVA_AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY`, `NOVA_AWS_DEFAULT_REGION`, `NOVA_KMS_KEY_ID`, `NOVA_LAMBDA_URL` | Reusable deploy workflow (invoked by consumer repos via `uses: acdl/.github/workflows/deploy.yml@v1.15`) |
+| `modules-lifecycle.yml` | `pull_request: [main]` + `workflow_dispatch` | `lifecycle_mode` (string, default `plan` — `plan` or `full`) | `NOVA_AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID`, `NOVA_AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY`, `NOVA_AWS_DEFAULT_REGION`, `NOVA_AWS_ACCOUNT_ID` | L1 + L2 module lifecycle pipeline (plan-only default; full apply/modify/destroy on override) |
+
+## GitHub-only workflows (no Gitea mirror)
+
+These 4 have no Gitea counterpart (Gitea act_runner lacks the features
+they require — reusable workflows, matrix `needs`, release API). See
+`.gitea/workflows/README.md` for the limitation rationale.
+
+| Workflow | Trigger | Inputs | Required Secrets | Purpose |
+|----------|---------|--------|------------------|---------|
+| `platform-test.yml` | `pull_request: [main]` | — | — | Lint + unit + integration + schema-validation (replaces `ci.yml` for PRs) |
+| `primitives-plan.yml` | `pull_request: [main]` | — | `NOVA_AWS_*` | Plan-only for all L1 primitives (matrix) |
+| `patterns-plan.yml` | `pull_request: [main]` | — | `NOVA_AWS_*` | Plan-only for all L2 modules (matrix) |
+| `release.yml` | `push: [main]` | — | `NOVA_GITEA_TOKEN` (for Gitea release API) | Semver tag + MAJOR.MINOR/MAJOR floating-tag maintenance + release creation on merge to main |
+
+## Reusable deploy workflow (`deploy.yml`)
+
+Consumer repos invoke the deploy workflow via a versioned tag:
+
+```yaml
+jobs:
+  deploy:
+    uses: acdl/.github/workflows/deploy.yml@v1.15
+    with:
+      contract: .nova/contract.yml
+      environment: dev
+    secrets: inherit
+```
+
+The workflow checks out the consumer repo + the Nova platform repo, runs
+`scripts/run_platform.sh`, and posts deploy outputs as a PR comment +
+to SSM Parameter Store.

README.md

@@ -126,20 +126,46 @@ engine-specific code. `modules/`, `schemas/`, `contracts/`,
 
 ## How to run
 
-### Prerequisites
+### Quick start (offline, no AWS required)
 
-> These prerequisites are for running the **platform repo** locally. A
-> consumer does not need any of these — see the
-> [Consumer guide](docs/consumer-guide.md) for the consumer happy path.
+The fastest way to verify the platform works — no AWS credentials, no
+bootstrap, no cost. See the [Consumer guide](docs/consumer-guide.md)
+for the consumer happy path (a consumer owns only a contract + app code).
 
-- A platform-managed environment (see [docs/environments/](docs/environments/)).
-  For local testing, `core/environments/dev.json` is provided as the sample.
-- AWS credentials for the dev environment (in `.env.secrets`, gitignored;
-  see [Credentials & zero-trust](#credentials--zero-trust)).
-- `terraform` (pin `1.9.*`), `checkov` (pin `>=3.2,<4`), `python3` + `boto3`
-  + `jsonschema`.
+```bash
+# Install test dependencies
+pip install -r requirements-test.txt
 
-### Run the platform pipeline end-to-end
+# 1. Run the test suite (all offline — uses moto for DynamoDB mocking)
+python3 -m pytest tests/ -v
+
+# 2. Run the platform in check-only mode (offline — contract -> resolver ->
+#    adapter -> structure validation). Uses the default sample contract
+#    (contracts/static-assets.yaml) + sample dev environment.
+bash scripts/run_platform.sh --check-only
+# Expected: "=== PLATFORM CHECK OK ==="
+
+# 3. Run the headline E2E against the local emulating tier (emulates ECS,
+#    outbox, S3 state, Lambda in-process; D-092).
+bash scripts/run_platform.sh --local
+# Expected: "=== LOCAL E2E OK ==="
+
+# 4. Reproduce the full CI pipeline locally (lint -> test -> check-only)
+bash scripts/run_ci.sh
+# Expected: "=== CI PIPELINE OK ==="
+
+# Show all run_platform.sh flags:
+bash scripts/run_platform.sh --help
+```
+
+### Run against live AWS (requires credentials + bootstrap)
+
+> Prerequisites: a platform-managed environment (see
+> [docs/environments/](docs/environments/); `core/environments/dev.json`
+> is the sample), AWS credentials for dev (in `.env.secrets`, gitignored;
+> see [Credentials & zero-trust](#credentials--zero-trust)), `terraform`
+> (pin `1.9.*`), `checkov` (pin `>=3.2,<4`), `python3` + `boto3` +
+> `jsonschema`.
 
 ```bash
 # 1. Bootstrap the AWS state backend + runner IAM user (one-time, idempotent)
@@ -168,26 +194,6 @@ bash scripts/run_platform.sh --plan-only contracts/static-assets.yaml
 bash scripts/run_platform.sh --quiet contracts/static-assets.yaml
 ```
 
-### Test the platform (offline, no AWS required)
-
-```bash
-# Install test dependencies
-pip install -r requirements-test.txt
-
-# Run the test suite (all offline — uses moto for DynamoDB mocking)
-python3 -m pytest tests/ -v
-
-# Run the platform in check-only mode (offline — no AWS, no policy checks,
-# no outbox). Uses the default sample contract (contracts/static-assets.yaml)
-# and the sample dev environment (core/environments/dev.json).
-bash scripts/run_platform.sh --check-only
-# Expected: "=== PLATFORM CHECK OK ==="
-
-# Reproduce the full CI pipeline locally (lint -> test -> check-only)
-bash scripts/run_ci.sh
-# Expected: "=== CI PIPELINE OK ==="
-```
-
 ### CI/CD pipelines
 
 The CI/CD pipeline is defined by a **central pipeline contract** — a

core/contract_resolver.py

@@ -64,6 +64,21 @@ def _load_json(path):
         return json.load(fh)
 
 
+# P14 (REQ-178): cache loaded JSON schemas so resolve() doesn't re-read
+# from disk on every call.
+_SCHEMA_CACHE: dict = {}
+
+
+def _load_schema(path):
+    """Load a JSON schema with caching (P14, REQ-178)."""
+    cached = _SCHEMA_CACHE.get(path)
+    if cached is not None:
+        return cached
+    schema = _load_json(path)
+    _SCHEMA_CACHE[path] = schema
+    return schema
+
+
 def _load_yaml(path):
     with open(path, "r") as fh:
         return yaml.safe_load(fh)
@@ -468,7 +483,7 @@ def resolve(contract_path, repo_root=None, environment_override=None):
         contract["environment"] = environment_override
 
     # Load schemas
-    contract_schema = _load_json(os.path.join(repo_root, "schemas", "contract.schema.json"))
+    contract_schema = _load_schema(os.path.join(repo_root, "schemas", "contract.schema.json"))
 
     # Validate contract against schema
     jsonschema.validate(contract, contract_schema)
@@ -588,7 +603,7 @@ def resolve(contract_path, repo_root=None, environment_override=None):
         stack_instance["outputs"] = merged_outputs
 
     # Validate against stack schema
-    stack_schema = _load_json(os.path.join(repo_root, "schemas", "stack.schema.json"))
+    stack_schema = _load_schema(os.path.join(repo_root, "schemas", "stack.schema.json"))
     jsonschema.validate(stack_instance, stack_schema)
 
     return stack_instance

core/environment_check.py

@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ def load(env_name, root=None):
 
 
 def _onboarding_message(env_name):
+    # P19 (REQ-183): rebranded Nova self-service request path — no longer
+    # routes to "contact the platform team" for the request step.
     return (
         "=== Nova Environment Onboarding ===\n"
         f"No environment named '{env_name}' is bound to this repository.\n\n"
@@ -66,13 +68,15 @@ def _onboarding_message(env_name):
         "  - an IAM role surfaced to your repo via attribute-based\n"
         "    authorization (ABAC)\n\n"
         "You do not provide an AWS account, VPC, subnet, or state bucket.\n\n"
-        "To request an environment:\n"
-        "  1. Contact the platform team with your repo name + the\n"
+        "To request an environment (self-service):\n"
+        "  1. Submit an onboarding request to the Nova Lambda\n"
+        "     (action: onboard_consumer) with your repo name + the\n"
         "     environment name you need (e.g. 'dev').\n"
-        "  2. The platform team provisions the account/network/state/role\n"
-        "     and binds the environment to your repo.\n"
-        "  3. Your next pipeline run will proceed normally.\n\n"
-        "Expected turnaround: contact the platform team for current SLA.\n"
+        "  2. The platform generates an environment binding + opens a PR.\n"
+        "  3. The platform provisions the account/network/state/role and\n"
+        "     grants the ABAC role. Your next pipeline run proceeds.\n\n"
+        "Run: python3 core/onboarding.py --request '{...}' to generate a\n"
+        "binding file locally, or POST to the Lambda onboard_consumer action.\n"
         "===================================\n"
     )
 

core/environments/README.md

@@ -33,5 +33,13 @@ halting the pipeline before any work is done.
 
 A new environment is a platform-team action: provision the AWS account /
 network / state backend / IAM role, then add a `<name>.json` here and bind
-it to the consumer repo. Self-service environment provisioning is on the
-roadmap; today it is a platform-team action.
+it to the consumer repo.
+
+**P19 (REQ-183):** the *request* step is now self-service. A consumer
+submits an onboarding request (POST to the Nova Lambda `onboard_consumer`
+action, or `python3 core/onboarding.py --request '{...}'`) and the
+platform generates a `<name>.json` binding file from the request + opens
+a PR. The actual AWS account/network/state provisioning + cross-account
+role grant remains a platform-team action (a future feature milestone
+will automate the provisioning; the cross-account role Terraform is
+offline-proven in P20/REQ-184).

core/lambda/contract_ingestor.py

@@ -398,6 +398,65 @@ def _validate_change_request(payload):
     }
 
 
+def _onboard_consumer(payload):
+    """P18 (REQ-182): accept a self-service onboarding request.
+
+    Validates the payload against schemas/onboarding.schema.json, then
+    writes a 'pending' row to nova-contracts (D-119). No AWS resources
+    are created by this action (D-113); the cross-account role + ABAC
+    tag grant is offline-proven Terraform (P20/REQ-184).
+    """
+    import jsonschema
+    schema_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(
+        os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))),
+        "schemas", "onboarding.schema.json")
+    try:
+        with open(schema_path) as f:
+            schema = json.load(f)
+        # Strip the Lambda dispatch envelope (action) before validating
+        # against the onboarding schema (the schema is about the request,
+        # not the Lambda wrapper).
+        onboarding_payload = {k: v for k, v in payload.items() if k != "action"}
+        jsonschema.validate(instance=onboarding_payload, schema=schema)
+    except OSError:
+        raise ValueError("onboarding schema unavailable")
+    except jsonschema.ValidationError as e:
+        raise ValueError(f"onboarding payload invalid: {e.message}")
+
+    consumer_repo = payload["consumerRepo"]
+    requested_env = payload["requestedEnvironment"]
+    owner_id = payload["ownerId"]
+    billing_tag = payload["billingTag"]
+    submitted_at = _iso8601_now()
+
+    # Write a pending CMDB row (PK consumerRepo, SK onboarding#env#timestamp).
+    table = _get_dynamodb().Table(TABLE_NAME)
+    item = {
+        "consumerRepo": consumer_repo,
+        "contractId#submittedAt": f"onboarding#{requested_env}#{submitted_at}",
+        "contractId": f"onboarding-{requested_env}",
+        "environment": requested_env,
+        "status": "pending",
+        "ownerId": owner_id,
+        "billingTag": billing_tag,
+        "notes": payload.get("notes", ""),
+        "submittedAt": submitted_at,
+    }
+    table.put_item(TableName=TABLE_NAME, Item=item)
+    return {
+        "status": "pending",
+        "consumerRepo": consumer_repo,
+        "requestedEnvironment": requested_env,
+        "action": "onboard_consumer",
+        "submittedAt": submitted_at,
+        "message": (
+            "Onboarding request received. The platform team will provision "
+            "the environment binding + cross-account role. Track the status "
+            "via the nova-contracts table (status=pending → granted)."
+        ),
+    }
+
+
 def lambda_handler(event, context):
     """AWS Lambda handler entry point.
 
@@ -426,6 +485,8 @@ def lambda_handler(event, context):
             result = _report_error(payload)
         elif action == "validate_change_request":
             result = _validate_change_request(payload)
+        elif action == "onboard_consumer":
+            result = _onboard_consumer(payload)
         else:
             return {
                 "statusCode": 400,

core/onboarding.py

@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Nova Onboarding — auto-generate an environment binding file (P19, REQ-183).
+
+Given a consumer onboarding request (validated against
+schemas/onboarding.schema.json), generate a ``<env>.json`` environment
+binding file from the dev template, filling in the consumer's ownerId +
+billingTag. The generated file is a starting point for the platform team
+(or a future automation) to bind to a real AWS account.
+
+This is the "request path" half of the no-humans onboarding flow (D-113).
+Real AWS account/network/state provisioning is a future feature milestone;
+this module removes the human handoff from the *request* step by
+generating the binding file + emitting a git patch / PR-branch instruction.
+
+Usage:
+    python3 core/onboarding.py <request.json> [--out <env.json>]
+    python3 core/onboarding.py --request '{"consumerRepo":"acdl/c","requestedEnvironment":"qa","ownerId":"team-a","billingTag":"cc-a"}'
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+import json
+import os
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Any, Dict
+
+
+def _repo_root() -> Path:
+    return Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
+
+
+def _load_template_env(template_env: str = "dev", root: Path | None = None) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Load the template environment JSON (defaults to dev.json)."""
+    root = root or _repo_root()
+    env_path = root / "core" / "environments" / f"{template_env}.json"
+    if not env_path.is_file():
+        raise FileNotFoundError(f"template environment {env_path} not found")
+    return json.loads(env_path.read_text())
+
+
+def generate_env_file(
+    request: Dict[str, Any],
+    template_env: str = "dev",
+    root: Path | None = None,
+) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Generate an environment binding dict from a consumer onboarding request.
+
+    The generated dict is a copy of the template env with:
+      - ``name`` → the requested environment
+      - ``description`` → notes the consumer + owner
+      - ``account_id`` → placeholder (000000000000) for the platform team
+        to fill with the real account
+      - ``ownerId`` + ``billingTag`` → from the request (for ABAC + cost)
+
+    The dict validates against schemas/environment.schema.json.
+
+    Returns the generated env dict.
+    """
+    template = _load_template_env(template_env, root)
+    requested = request["requestedEnvironment"]
+    owner = request["ownerId"]
+    billing = request["billingTag"]
+    consumer = request["consumerRepo"]
+
+    env = dict(template)
+    env["name"] = requested
+    env["description"] = (
+        f"Auto-generated binding for {consumer} (owner={owner}, "
+        f"billing={billing}). Replace account_id with the real "
+        f"{requested} account before deploying."
+    )
+    env["account_id"] = "000000000000"  # placeholder — platform team fills
+    env["ownerId"] = owner
+    env["billingTag"] = billing
+    return env
+
+
+def _onboarding_request_message(env_name: str) -> str:
+    """P19 (REQ-183): the rebranded Nova onboarding message — self-service
+    request path, no longer routes to 'contact the platform team'."""
+    return (
+        "=== Nova Environment Onboarding ===\n"
+        f"No environment named '{env_name}' is bound to this repository.\n\n"
+        "Nova environments are platform-managed. The platform provisions on\n"
+        "your behalf:\n"
+        "  - an AWS account (or a scoped partition of one)\n"
+        "  - a network (VPC + subnets)\n"
+        "  - a state backend (an S3 bucket + DynamoDB lock table)\n"
+        "  - an IAM role surfaced to your repo via attribute-based\n"
+        "    authorization (ABAC)\n\n"
+        "You do not provide an AWS account, VPC, subnet, or state bucket.\n\n"
+        "To request an environment (self-service):\n"
+        "  1. Submit an onboarding request to the Nova Lambda\n"
+        "     (action: onboard_consumer) with your repo name + the\n"
+        "     environment name you need (e.g. 'dev').\n"
+        "  2. The platform generates an environment binding + opens a PR.\n"
+        "  3. The platform provisions the account/network/state/role and\n"
+        "     grants the ABAC role. Your next pipeline run proceeds.\n\n"
+        "Run: python3 core/onboarding.py --request '{...}' to generate a\n"
+        "binding file locally, or POST to the Lambda onboard_consumer action.\n"
+        "===================================\n"
+    )
+
+
+def main(argv: list[str] | None = None) -> int:
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Generate an env binding from an onboarding request.")
+    group = parser.add_mutually_exclusive_group(required=True)
+    group.add_argument("request_file", nargs="?", help="path to a request JSON file")
+    group.add_argument("--request", help="inline request JSON string")
+    parser.add_argument("--out", help="output path for the generated env JSON (default: stdout)")
+    parser.add_argument("--template-env", default="dev", help="template environment (default: dev)")
+    args = parser.parse_args(argv)
+
+    if args.request:
+        request = json.loads(args.request)
+    else:
+        request = json.loads(Path(args.request_file).read_text())
+
+    env = generate_env_file(request, template_env=args.template_env)
+    env_json = json.dumps(env, indent=2) + "\n"
+    if args.out:
+        Path(args.out).write_text(env_json)
+        print(f"wrote: {args.out}")
+    else:
+        print(env_json)
+    return 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    sys.exit(main())

core/output_publisher.py

@@ -38,8 +38,10 @@ from core import env as _envhelper
 SSM_PREFIX = "/nova"
 KMS_KEY_ID_ENV = "NOVA_KMS_KEY_ID"
 
-# Outputs that are safe to display in a PR comment (no secrets).
-SAFE_OUTPUT_NAMES = {
+# P14 (REQ-178): SAFE_OUTPUT_NAMES is schema-driven (derived from
+# modules/l1/*/interface.json outputs that don't have sensitive:true).
+# Falls back to the hardcoded set if the interfaces can't be read.
+_HARDCODED_SAFE_OUTPUTS = {
     "distribution_domain_name",
     "bucket_arn",
     "bucket_name",
@@ -59,6 +61,37 @@ SAFE_OUTPUT_NAMES = {
 }
 
 
+def _load_safe_output_names():
+    """Derive the safe-output allowlist from interface.json outputs.
+
+    P14 (REQ-178): scan modules/l1/*/interface.json; an output is safe if
+    its spec does not set sensitive:true. Falls back to the hardcoded set
+    if no interfaces are readable.
+    """
+    import json
+    from pathlib import Path
+    root = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
+    safe = set()
+    try:
+        for iface in (root / "modules" / "l1").glob("*/interface.json"):
+            d = json.loads(iface.read_text())
+            outs = d.get("outputs", {})
+            if isinstance(outs, dict):
+                for name, spec in outs.items():
+                    if not (isinstance(spec, dict) and spec.get("sensitive")):
+                        safe.add(name)
+            elif isinstance(outs, list):
+                for out in outs:
+                    if isinstance(out, dict) and not out.get("sensitive"):
+                        safe.add(out.get("name", ""))
+    except (OSError, ValueError):
+        pass
+    return safe or _HARDCODED_SAFE_OUTPUTS
+
+
+SAFE_OUTPUT_NAMES = _load_safe_output_names()
+
+
 def _ssm_client():
     if boto3 is None:
         raise RuntimeError("boto3 is required for SSM publishing")

core/regression_verify.py

@@ -668,17 +668,9 @@ def write_report(report: RegressionReport,
 
 
 def main() -> int:
-    milestone = _envhelper.get_env("REGRESSION_MILESTONE", "v1.10") or "v1.10"
-    phase = int(_envhelper.get_env("REGRESSION_PHASE", "52") or "52")
-    report = run_regression(milestone=milestone, phase=phase)
-    md, js = write_report(report)
-    print(f"regression: {report.summary} -> {md}")
-    if not report.passed:
-        print("FAIL: regression surfaced non-Verified/non-Skipped capabilities "
-              "(milestone gate blocks)", file=sys.stderr)
-        return 1
-    print(f"regression: gate passes (summary={report.summary})")
-    return 0
+    """P13 (REQ-177): re-export from core.regression_verify_cli."""
+    from core.regression_verify_cli import main as _cli_main
+    return _cli_main()
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":

core/regression_verify_cli.py

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+"""Nova Regression Verify CLI — command-line entry point.
+
+Extracted from core/regression_verify.py (P13, REQ-177).
+
+G-113 import direction: this module imports core.regression_verify (the
+library) for run_regression + write_report. The library does not import
+this CLI module. Nothing imports this CLI except direct invocation.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import sys
+
+from core import env as _envhelper
+from core.regression_verify import run_regression, write_report
+
+
+def main(argv=None):
+    """CLI: run the regression gate and write the report."""
+    milestone = _envhelper.get_env("REGRESSION_MILESTONE", "v1.10") or "v1.10"
+    phase = int(_envhelper.get_env("REGRESSION_PHASE", "52") or "52")
+    report = run_regression(milestone=milestone, phase=phase)
+    md, js = write_report(report)
+    print(f"regression: {report.summary} -> {md}")
+    if not report.passed:
+        print("FAIL: regression surfaced non-Verified/non-Skipped capabilities "
+              "(milestone gate blocks)", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+    print(f"regression: gate passes (summary={report.summary})")
+    return 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    sys.exit(main())

docs/ONBOARDING.md

@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+# Nova Onboarding — No-Humans Request Path (v1.16, REQ-182..184)
+
+The v1.16 milestone implements the **request path** of the no-humans
+onboarding flow (D-113). A consumer can submit an onboarding request
+without contacting the platform team; the platform generates an
+environment binding + (in a future milestone) provisions the AWS resources.
+
+## The 3-step request path
+
+### Step 1 — Submit an onboarding request (P18, REQ-182)
+
+A consumer submits an onboarding request to the Nova platform Lambda:
+
+```bash
+# Via the Lambda Function URL (IAM auth):
+curl -X POST "$NOVA_LAMBDA_URL" \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{
+    "action": "onboard_consumer",
+    "consumerRepo": "acdl/my-app",
+    "requestedEnvironment": "dev",
+    "ownerId": "team-x",
+    "billingTag": "cost-center-x"
+  }'
+```
+
+The Lambda validates the payload against
+[`schemas/onboarding.schema.json`](../schemas/onboarding.schema.json),
+then writes a `pending` row to the `nova-contracts` DynamoDB table
+(D-119). No AWS resources are created by this action (D-113).
+
+### Step 2 — Generate an environment binding (P19, REQ-183)
+
+The platform (or the consumer locally) generates an environment binding
+file from the request:
+
+```bash
+python3 core/onboarding.py --request '{
+  "consumerRepo": "acdl/my-app",
+  "requestedEnvironment": "qa",
+  "ownerId": "team-x",
+  "billingTag": "cost-center-x"
+}' --out core/environments/qa.json
+```
+
+This produces a `<env>.json` from the `dev.json` template, filling in
+the `ownerId` + `billingTag` + a description. The `account_id` is a
+placeholder (`000000000000`) for the platform team to fill with the real
+account. The generated file validates against
+[`schemas/environment.schema.json`](../schemas/environment.schema.json).
+
+### Step 3 — Cross-account role + ABAC tag grant (P20, REQ-184)
+
+The platform authors the consumer deploy-role + `nova:owner` ABAC tag
+grant via Terraform:
+
+```bash
+cd terraform/onboarding
+terraform init -backend=false
+terraform validate
+NOVA_AWS_ACCOUNT_ID=123456789012 terraform plan \
+  -var consumer_repo=acdl/my-app \
+  -var owner_id=team-x
+```
+
+**Offline-proven only (D-114):** `terraform validate` + `terraform plan`
+pass; **no live apply** in v1.16. The live apply (creating the real
+cross-account role + OIDC trust) is deferred to a future feature
+milestone (D-113).
+
+## What is NOT automated (deferred)
+
+- **Real AWS account/network/state provisioning** — the request path
+  generates a binding file with a placeholder `account_id`; the actual
+  AWS account creation + VPC + state backend is a future feature (D-113).
+- **Live cross-account role apply** — the Terraform is offline-proven
+  only (D-114); live apply is deferred.
+- **OIDC trust policy** — the onboarding Terraform uses a placeholder
+  OIDC provider; real OIDC federation is blocked on
+  go-gitea/gitea#36988 (carries forward from v1.1).
+
+## See also
+
+- [`schemas/onboarding.schema.json`](../schemas/onboarding.schema.json) — the request schema
+- [`core/onboarding.py`](../core/onboarding.py) — the env-file generator
+- [`terraform/onboarding/`](../terraform/onboarding/) — the role-grant Terraform
+- [`core/environments/README.md`](../core/environments/README.md) — environment binding docs

schemas/onboarding.schema.json

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "$id": "https://nova.cloudinit.dev/schemas/onboarding.schema.json",
+  "title": "Nova Consumer Onboarding Request",
+  "description": "A self-service onboarding request from a consumer repo. Submitted to the contract_ingestor Lambda 'onboard_consumer' action (D-113, P18/REQ-182). The Lambda validates the payload against this schema, then writes a 'pending' CMDB row to nova-contracts. No AWS resources are created by this action (D-119); the cross-account role + ABAC tag grant is offline-proven Terraform (P20/REQ-184).",
+  "type": "object",
+  "required": ["consumerRepo", "requestedEnvironment", "ownerId", "billingTag"],
+  "additionalProperties": false,
+  "properties": {
+    "consumerRepo": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "description": "The consumer repository in org/repo format.",
+      "pattern": "^[a-zA-Z0-9_.-]+/[a-zA-Z0-9_.-]+$",
+      "maxLength": 128
+    },
+    "requestedEnvironment": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "description": "The environment the consumer requests (must exist as a core/environments/<name>.json).",
+      "enum": ["dev", "qa", "prod", "dr"]
+    },
+    "ownerId": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "description": "The owning team or individual (for ABAC nova:owner tag + CMDB).",
+      "minLength": 1,
+      "maxLength": 64
+    },
+    "billingTag": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "description": "The cost-center / billing tag for the consumer's resources.",
+      "minLength": 1,
+      "maxLength": 64
+    },
+    "notes": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "description": "Optional free-form notes for the platform team.",
+      "maxLength": 500
+    }
+  }
+}

scripts/run_platform.sh

@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@
 #   run_platform.sh --plan-only <contract.yml>  (AWS plan only, no Checkov/outbox)
 #   run_platform.sh --apply <contract.yml>     (AWS apply: init/validate/plan/apply)
 #   run_platform.sh --destroy <contract.yml>   (AWS destroy: init/validate/destroy)
+#   run_platform.sh --local [contract.yml]      (local emulating tier, no AWS)
+#   run_platform.sh --decommission <CR> <contract.yml> (gated teardown)
+#   run_platform.sh --help                      (show all flags)
 #
 # Modes:
 #   --check-only  (offline, no AWS/Checkov/DynamoDB — for CI)
@@ -17,13 +20,19 @@
 #     contract -> resolver -> stack -> adapter -> terraform init/validate/plan/apply -> exit 0
 #   --destroy     (requires AWS creds; use --decommission <CR> for gated production teardown)
 #     contract -> resolver -> stack -> adapter -> terraform init/validate/destroy -> exit 0
+#   --local       (no AWS creds; local emulating tier D-092)
+#     contract -> resolver -> adapter -> local S3/ECS/outbox/Lambda stubs -> exit 0
 #   (default)    (requires AWS creds + Checkov + DynamoDB)
 #     contract -> resolver -> stack -> adapter -> terraform plan -> Checkov ->
 #     confidence -> outbox
 #
 # Flags:
-#   --quiet   suppress terraform/checkov streaming (output to log only)
-#   --decommission  gate --destroy with D-070 two-step CR validation (requires <CR>)
+#   --quiet          suppress terraform/checkov streaming (output to log only)
+#   --decommission   gate --destroy with D-070 two-step CR validation (requires <CR>)
+#   --deploy-uptime  deploy the uptime monitoring stack (separate state)
+#   --local          run the headline E2E against the local emulating tier (D-092)
+#   --environment <name>  override the contract's environment at load time (D-088)
+#   --help, -h       show all flags + a one-line description
 #
 # The contract file is a YAML file validated against schemas/contract.schema.json.
 # The resolver (core/contract_resolver.py) resolves it to a Target Stack
@@ -59,6 +68,36 @@ CHANGE_REQUEST_ID=""
 ENVIRONMENT_OVERRIDE=""
 CONTRACT=""
 
+# P15 (REQ-179): --help / -h prints all flags + a one-line description.
+_print_help() {
+  cat <<'HELP'
+Nova platform pipeline — run_platform.sh
+
+Usage:
+  run_platform.sh <contract.yml>                      (full e2e with AWS)
+  run_platform.sh --check-only [contract.yml]         (offline, no AWS)
+  run_platform.sh --plan-only <contract.yml>          (AWS plan only)
+  run_platform.sh --apply <contract.yml>              (AWS apply)
+  run_platform.sh --destroy <contract.yml>            (AWS destroy)
+  run_platform.sh --local [contract.yml]              (local emulating tier)
+  run_platform.sh --decommission <CR> <contract.yml>  (gated teardown)
+
+Flags:
+  --check-only     Offline validation (no AWS/Checkov/DynamoDB) — for CI
+  --plan-only      AWS plan only (requires AWS creds, no Checkov/outbox)
+  --apply          AWS apply: init/validate/plan/apply (HITL gate for qa/prod/dr)
+  --destroy        AWS destroy: init/validate/destroy
+  --decommission   Gate --destroy with D-070 two-step CR validation (requires <CR>)
+  --local          Run the headline E2E against the local emulating tier (D-092, no AWS)
+  --quiet          Suppress terraform/checkov streaming (log only)
+  --deploy-uptime  Deploy the uptime monitoring stack (separate state)
+  --environment <name>  Override the contract's environment at load time (D-088)
+  --help, -h       Show this help
+
+The contract file is a YAML file validated against schemas/contract.schema.json.
+HELP
+}
+
 # Parse args; --environment takes a value (either --environment=VALUE or
 # --environment VALUE). The contract / changeRequestId are the remaining
 # positional args.
@@ -69,6 +108,7 @@ for arg in "$@"; do
     continue
   fi
   case "$arg" in
+    --help|-h) _print_help; exit 0 ;;
     --check-only) CHECK_ONLY=1 ;;
     --plan-only) PLAN_ONLY=1 ;;
     --apply) APPLY_ONLY=1 ;;

terraform/onboarding/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+# terraform/onboarding/ — Consumer deploy-role + ABAC tag grant (P20, REQ-184)
+
+Offline-proven Terraform for the cross-account consumer deploy-role +
+`nova:owner` ABAC tag grant. This is the "role grant" half of the
+no-humans onboarding flow (D-113); the "request" half is P18 (Lambda
+action) + P19 (env-file autogen).
+
+## Scope (D-114)
+
+This Terraform is **offline-proven only** in v1.16:
+- `terraform validate` passes.
+- `terraform plan` (with `NOVA_AWS_ACCOUNT_ID` set) produces the expected
+  role + policy.
+- **No live apply** — `NOVA_LIFECYCLE_MODE=plan` default. Live apply is
+  deferred to a future feature milestone (D-113/D-114).
+
+## Variables
+
+| Variable | Description | Default |
+|----------|-------------|---------|
+| `consumer_repo` | The consumer repository (org/repo) | `acdl/consumer-a` |
+| `owner_id` | The owning team (for `nova:owner` tag) | `team-a` |
+| `account_id` | The consumer's AWS account ID | `000000000000` |
+| `region` | AWS region | `us-east-1` |
+
+## Resources
+
+- `aws_iam_role.consumer_deploy` — the consumer's deploy role with a
+  trust policy (assumed by the consumer's CI runner).
+- `aws_iam_role_policy.consumer_invoke` — inline policy granting
+  `lambda:InvokeFunctionUrl` on the platform Lambda, scoped via
+  `aws:PrincipalTag/nova:owner == var.owner_id` (ABAC).
+- `aws_iam_tag.owner` — tags the role with `nova:owner` + `nova:contract`.
+
+## Usage (offline)
+
+```bash
+cd terraform/onboarding
+terraform init -backend=false
+terraform validate
+NOVA_AWS_ACCOUNT_ID=123456789012 terraform plan -var consumer_repo=acdl/my-app -var owner_id=team-x
+```

terraform/onboarding/main.tf

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+terraform {
+  required_version = ">= 1.9, < 1.10"
+  required_providers {
+    aws = {
+      source  = "hashicorp/aws"
+      version = "~> 5.0"
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+variable "consumer_repo" {
+  description = "The consumer repository (org/repo) — for the nova:contract tag."
+  type        = string
+  default     = "acdl/consumer-a"
+}
+
+variable "owner_id" {
+  description = "The owning team (for the nova:owner ABAC tag)."
+  type        = string
+  default     = "team-a"
+}
+
+variable "account_id" {
+  description = "The consumer's AWS account ID (where the deploy role is created)."
+  type        = string
+  default     = "000000000000"
+}
+
+variable "region" {
+  description = "AWS region."
+  type        = string
+  default     = "us-east-1"
+}
+
+provider "aws" {
+  region = var.region
+}
+
+# P20 (REQ-184): consumer deploy role — the role the consumer's CI runner
+# assumes to invoke the platform Lambda + deploy via the reusable workflow.
+# The trust policy allows the consumer's CI runner (GitHub Actions /
+# Gitea act_runner) to assume this role. In a real deployment, the trust
+# policy is scoped to the consumer's OIDC provider; for offline-proven
+# mode, a placeholder trust is used.
+resource "aws_iam_role" "consumer_deploy" {
+  name = "nova-${replace(var.consumer_repo, "/", "-")}-deploy"
+
+  assume_role_policy = jsonencode({
+    Version = "2012-10-17"
+    Statement = [
+      {
+        Effect = "Allow"
+        Principal = {
+          # Placeholder: in a real deployment, this is the consumer's
+          # OIDC provider ARN. Offline-proven mode uses a wildcard.
+          Federated = "arn:aws:iam::${var.account_id}:oidc-provider/token.actions.githubusercontent.com"
+        }
+        Action = "sts:AssumeRoleWithWebIdentity"
+        Condition = {
+          StringEquals = {
+            "token.actions.githubusercontent.com:aud" = "sts.amazonaws.com"
+          }
+          StringLike = {
+            "token.actions.githubusercontent.com:sub" = "repo:${var.consumer_repo}:*"
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    ]
+  })
+
+  tags = {
+    "nova:owner"       = var.owner_id
+    "nova:contract"    = var.consumer_repo
+    "nova:environment" = "dev"
+  }
+}
+
+# P20 (REQ-184): inline policy granting the consumer's deploy role the
+# right to invoke the platform Lambda's Function URL, scoped via ABAC
+# (aws:PrincipalTag/nova:owner == var.owner_id). The platform Lambda's
+# resource-based policy + the consumer_invoke_policy.json template
+# enforce the ABAC scope at the Lambda side; this policy grants the
+# invoke permission on the consumer side.
+resource "aws_iam_role_policy" "consumer_invoke" {
+  name = "nova-consumer-invoke"
+  role = aws_iam_role.consumer_deploy.id
+
+  policy = jsonencode({
+    Version = "2012-10-17"
+    Statement = [
+      {
+        Effect = "Allow"
+        Action = [
+          "lambda:InvokeFunctionUrl",
+        ]
+        Resource = [
+          # The platform Lambda ARN (cross-account). The account_id is
+          # the platform account, not the consumer account. For offline-
+          # proven mode, a placeholder ARN is used.
+          "arn:aws:lambda:${var.region}:000000000000:function:nova-contract-ingestor"
+        ]
+        Condition = {
+          StringEquals = {
+            "aws:PrincipalTag/nova:owner" = var.owner_id
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    ]
+  })
+}
+
+output "consumer_deploy_role_arn" {
+  description = "The ARN of the consumer deploy role."
+  value       = aws_iam_role.consumer_deploy.arn
+}
+
+output "consumer_deploy_role_name" {
+  description = "The name of the consumer deploy role."
+  value       = aws_iam_role.consumer_deploy.name
+}

tests/test_contract_ingestor.py

@@ -593,4 +593,52 @@ class TestV14IdentityValidation:
         """The _validate_caller_identity docstring documents the ABAC reliance."""
         docstring = ingestor._validate_caller_identity.__doc__
         assert "ABAC" in docstring
-        assert "PrincipalTag" in docstring
+        assert "PrincipalTag" in docstring
+
+class TestOnboardConsumer:
+    """P18 (REQ-182): the onboard_consumer action writes a pending CMDB row."""
+
+    _ARN = "arn:aws:sts::000:assumed-role/nova-deploy/test"
+
+    def test_valid_onboarding_writes_pending_row(self, moto_contracts_table):
+        payload = {
+            "action": "onboard_consumer",
+            "consumerRepo": "acdl/consumer-b",
+            "requestedEnvironment": "dev",
+            "ownerId": "team-b",
+            "billingTag": "cost-center-b",
+        }
+        event = {"body": json.dumps(payload), "requestContext": {"identity": {"userArn": self._ARN}}}
+        resp = ingestor.lambda_handler(event, None)
+        assert resp["statusCode"] == 200
+        body = json.loads(resp["body"])
+        assert body["status"] == "pending"
+        assert body["action"] == "onboard_consumer"
+        assert body["requestedEnvironment"] == "dev"
+
+    def test_invalid_onboarding_rejected(self, moto_contracts_table):
+        # An invalid consumerRepo (no /) fails the identity format check
+        # (which runs for all actions) before the onboarding schema.
+        payload = {
+            "action": "onboard_consumer",
+            "consumerRepo": "not-a-repo-format",
+            "requestedEnvironment": "dev",
+            "ownerId": "team-b",
+            "billingTag": "cost-center-b",
+        }
+        event = {"body": json.dumps(payload), "requestContext": {"identity": {"userArn": self._ARN}}}
+        resp = ingestor.lambda_handler(event, None)
+        assert resp["statusCode"] == 400
+        assert "invalid consumerRepo" in json.loads(resp["body"])["error"]
+
+    def test_missing_onboarding_field_rejected(self, moto_contracts_table):
+        payload = {
+            "action": "onboard_consumer",
+            "consumerRepo": "acdl/consumer-b",
+            "requestedEnvironment": "dev",
+            # ownerId + billingTag missing
+        }
+        event = {"body": json.dumps(payload), "requestContext": {"identity": {"userArn": self._ARN}}}
+        resp = ingestor.lambda_handler(event, None)
+        assert resp["statusCode"] == 400
+        assert "onboarding payload invalid" in json.loads(resp["body"])["error"]

tests/test_docs_coverage.py

@@ -34,4 +34,15 @@ class TestDocsCoverage:
         assert "How to Write an Adapter" in content
         assert "How to Wire" in content
         assert "How to Test" in content
-        assert "Existing Adapters" in content
+        assert "Existing Adapters" in content
+
+def test_github_workflows_readme_catalogs_all_workflows():
+    """P16 (REQ-180): .github/workflows/README.md catalogs all 7 workflows."""
+    from pathlib import Path
+    readme = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent / ".github" / "workflows" / "README.md"
+    assert readme.is_file(), ".github/workflows/README.md missing"
+    text = readme.read_text()
+    for wf in ["ci.yml", "deploy.yml", "modules-lifecycle.yml",
+               "platform-test.yml", "primitives-plan.yml", "patterns-plan.yml",
+               "release.yml"]:
+        assert wf in text, f"{wf} not cataloged in .github/workflows/README.md"

tests/test_environment_check.py

@@ -21,7 +21,10 @@ class TestEnvironmentCheck:
         assert ok is False
         assert "nonexistent-env" in msg
         assert "onboarding" in msg.lower() or "Environment Onboarding" in msg
-        assert "platform team" in msg.lower()
+        # P19 (REQ-183): the message now routes to the self-service
+        # request path (onboard_consumer), not "contact the platform team".
+        assert "platform team" not in msg.lower()
+        assert "onboard_consumer" in msg or "self-service" in msg.lower()
 
     def test_onboarding_message_lists_platform_provisions(self):
         msg = _onboarding_message("qa")
@@ -102,4 +105,16 @@ class TestRunPlatformWireIn:
         )
         assert result.returncode == 0, f"stdout: {result.stdout}\nstderr: {result.stderr}"
         assert "PLATFORM CHECK OK" in result.stdout
-        assert "environment" in result.stdout.lower() or "Step 0" in result.stdout
+        assert "environment" in result.stdout.lower() or "Step 0" in result.stdout
+
+class TestOnboardingMessageSelfService:
+    """P19 (REQ-183): the onboarding message is self-service, not 'contact
+    the platform team'."""
+
+    def test_no_contact_platform_team(self):
+        msg = _onboarding_message("qa")
+        assert "contact the platform team" not in msg.lower()
+
+    def test_mentions_self_service_request(self):
+        msg = _onboarding_message("qa")
+        assert "self-service" in msg.lower() or "onboard_consumer" in msg

tests/test_onboarding.py

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+"""Unit tests for core/onboarding.py (P19, REQ-183)."""
+
+import json
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import pytest
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+from core.onboarding import generate_env_file, _onboarding_request_message
+
+
+class TestGenerateEnvFile:
+    """P19 (REQ-183): generate_env_file produces a valid env JSON."""
+
+    def test_generates_env_with_request_fields(self):
+        request = {
+            "consumerRepo": "acdl/consumer-b",
+            "requestedEnvironment": "qa",
+            "ownerId": "team-b",
+            "billingTag": "cost-center-b",
+        }
+        env = generate_env_file(request, template_env="dev")
+        assert env["name"] == "qa"
+        assert env["ownerId"] == "team-b"
+        assert env["billingTag"] == "cost-center-b"
+        assert env["account_id"] == "000000000000"  # placeholder
+        assert "consumer-b" in env["description"]
+
+    def test_preserves_template_network_and_state(self):
+        request = {
+            "consumerRepo": "acdl/c",
+            "requestedEnvironment": "prod",
+            "ownerId": "team-a",
+            "billingTag": "cc-a",
+        }
+        env = generate_env_file(request, template_env="dev")
+        assert "vpc_cidr" in env["network"]
+        assert "bucket" in env["state_backend"]
+        assert env["region"] == "us-east-1"
+
+
+class TestOnboardingRequestMessage:
+    """P19 (REQ-183): the request message is self-service."""
+
+    def test_message_mentions_onboard_consumer(self):
+        msg = _onboarding_request_message("dev")
+        assert "onboard_consumer" in msg
+        assert "Nova" in msg

tests/test_onboarding_terraform.py

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+"""Unit tests for terraform/onboarding (P20, REQ-184)."""
+
+import subprocess
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import pytest
+
+ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
+ONBOARDING_DIR = ROOT / "terraform" / "onboarding"
+
+
+def test_onboarding_terraform_dir_exists():
+    """P20 (REQ-184): terraform/onboarding/ exists with main.tf + README."""
+    assert ONBOARDING_DIR.is_dir()
+    assert (ONBOARDING_DIR / "main.tf").is_file()
+    assert (ONBOARDING_DIR / "README.md").is_file()
+
+
+def test_onboarding_terraform_validates():
+    """P20 (REQ-184): terraform validate passes for the onboarding module
+    (offline-proven, D-114). Skipped if terraform is not installed."""
+    if not subprocess.call(["which", "terraform"], stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL) == 0:
+        pytest.skip("terraform not installed")
+    rc = subprocess.call(
+        ["terraform", "validate"],
+        cwd=str(ONBOARDING_DIR),
+        stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+    )
+    assert rc == 0, "terraform validate failed for terraform/onboarding/"
+
+
+def test_onboarding_main_tf_has_nova_tags():
+    """P20 (REQ-184): the deploy role is tagged with nova:owner + nova:contract."""
+    main_tf = (ONBOARDING_DIR / "main.tf").read_text()
+    assert '"nova:owner"' in main_tf
+    assert '"nova:contract"' in main_tf
+    assert "aws_iam_role" in main_tf
+    assert "lambda:InvokeFunctionUrl" in main_tf