diff --git a/plots/root-locus-basic/implementations/altair.py b/plots/root-locus-basic/implementations/altair.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6904290538
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plots/root-locus-basic/implementations/altair.py
@@ -0,0 +1,317 @@
+""" pyplots.ai
+root-locus-basic: Root Locus Plot for Control Systems
+Library: altair 6.0.0 | Python 3.14.3
+Quality: 86/100 | Created: 2026-03-20
+"""
+
+import altair as alt
+import numpy as np
+import pandas as pd
+
+
+# Data - Root locus for G(s) = 1 / (s(s+1)(s+2))
+# Open-loop poles at s = 0, -1, -2; no zeros
+# Characteristic equation: s³ + 3s² + 2s + K = 0
+den_coeffs = [1.0, 3.0, 2.0, 0.0]
+
+gains = np.concatenate(
+    [
+        np.linspace(0.001, 0.5, 150),
+        np.linspace(0.5, 2, 200),
+        np.linspace(2, 6, 150),
+        np.linspace(6, 20, 150),
+        np.linspace(20, 80, 100),
+    ]
+)
+n_roots = 3
+all_roots = np.zeros((len(gains), n_roots), dtype=complex)
+
+for i, k in enumerate(gains):
+    poly = np.array(den_coeffs, dtype=float)
+    poly[-1] += k
+    all_roots[i] = np.roots(poly)
+
+# Sort roots into continuous branches via nearest-neighbor matching
+all_roots[0] = np.sort(all_roots[0].real)
+for i in range(1, len(gains)):
+    prev, curr = all_roots[i - 1], all_roots[i]
+    dist = np.abs(prev[:, None] - curr[None, :])
+    order = np.zeros(n_roots, dtype=int)
+    used = set()
+    for j in range(n_roots):
+        dists = [(dist[j, m], m) for m in range(n_roots) if m not in used]
+        _, best = min(dists)
+        used.add(best)
+        order[j] = best
+    all_roots[i] = curr[order]
+
+# Build branch dataframe
+rows = []
+for b in range(n_roots):
+    for i in range(len(gains)):
+        rows.append(
+            {
+                "real": float(all_roots[i, b].real),
+                "imaginary": float(all_roots[i, b].imag),
+                "gain": float(gains[i]),
+                "branch": f"Branch {b + 1}",
+                "idx": i,
+            }
+        )
+locus_df = pd.DataFrame(rows)
+
+# Open-loop poles
+poles_df = pd.DataFrame(
+    {"real": [0.0, -1.0, -2.0], "imaginary": [0.0, 0.0, 0.0], "label": ["Pole (s=0)", "Pole (s=−1)", "Pole (s=−2)"]}
+)
+
+# Imaginary axis crossing: ω = √2, K = 6
+omega_cross = np.sqrt(2)
+crossing_df = pd.DataFrame(
+    {"real": [0.0, 0.0], "imaginary": [omega_cross, -omega_cross], "label": ["jω = j√2 (K=6)", "jω = −j√2 (K=6)"]}
+)
+
+# Breakaway point: d/ds[s(s+1)(s+2)] = 3s²+6s+2 = 0 → s ≈ -0.423
+breakaway_df = pd.DataFrame({"bx": [(-6 + np.sqrt(12)) / 6], "by": [0.0], "label": ["Breakaway (s ≈ −0.42)"]})
+
+# Damping ratio guide lines (ζ = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8)
+damping_rows = []
+for zeta in [0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8]:
+    angle = np.pi - np.arccos(zeta)
+    for side, sign in [("upper", 1), ("lower", -1)]:
+        seg = f"ζ={zeta}_{side}"
+        damping_rows.append({"gx": 0.0, "gy": 0.0, "seg": seg, "ord": 0})
+        damping_rows.append({"gx": 5.0 * np.cos(angle), "gy": sign * 5.0 * np.sin(angle), "seg": seg, "ord": 1})
+damping_df = pd.DataFrame(damping_rows)
+
+# Damping ratio labels at end of guide lines
+damping_label_rows = []
+for zeta in [0.4, 0.8]:
+    angle = np.pi - np.arccos(zeta)
+    damping_label_rows.append({"lx": 4.6 * np.cos(angle), "ly": 4.6 * np.sin(angle), "label": f"ζ={zeta}"})
+damping_label_df = pd.DataFrame(damping_label_rows)
+
+# Natural frequency arcs (ωn = 1, 2, 3, 4) in left half-plane
+wn_rows = []
+for wn in [1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0]:
+    theta = np.linspace(np.pi / 2, 3 * np.pi / 2, 60)
+    for j, t in enumerate(theta):
+        wn_rows.append({"gx": wn * np.cos(t), "gy": wn * np.sin(t), "wn": f"ωn={wn}", "ord": j})
+wn_df = pd.DataFrame(wn_rows)
+
+# Real axis segments: (-1, 0) and (-∞, -2)
+real_axis_df = pd.DataFrame(
+    {
+        "rx": [-1.0, 0.0, -5.0, -2.0],
+        "ry": [0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0],
+        "seg": ["seg1", "seg1", "seg2", "seg2"],
+        "ord": [0, 1, 0, 1],
+    }
+)
+
+# Arrow direction indicators along complex branches
+arrows = []
+for b in range(n_roots):
+    for idx in [350, 500]:
+        if idx + 5 < len(gains):
+            r0 = all_roots[idx, b]
+            if abs(r0.imag) > 0.3:
+                arrows.append({"ax": float(r0.real), "ay": float(r0.imag), "branch": f"Branch {b + 1}"})
+arrow_df = pd.DataFrame(arrows) if arrows else pd.DataFrame({"ax": [], "ay": [], "branch": []})
+
+# Equal-scaling axes centered on origin (square canvas, equal domain = equal scaling)
+x_scale = alt.Scale(domain=[-5.0, 5.0], nice=False)
+y_scale = alt.Scale(domain=[-5.0, 5.0], nice=False)
+
+branch_palette = ["#306998", "#e07b39", "#2ca02c"]
+branch_domain = ["Branch 1", "Branch 2", "Branch 3"]
+
+# Layer: Locus branches — FIRST so its axis config takes effect
+locus_layer = (
+    alt.Chart(locus_df)
+    .mark_line(strokeWidth=2.8, opacity=0.92)
+    .encode(
+        x=alt.X(
+            "real:Q",
+            scale=x_scale,
+            title="Real Axis (σ)",
+            axis=alt.Axis(
+                labelFontSize=16,
+                titleFontSize=21,
+                titleFontWeight="bold",
+                titleColor="#2a2a2a",
+                labelColor="#444444",
+                grid=False,
+                tickCount=6,
+                titlePadding=14,
+                domainColor="#888888",
+                tickColor="#888888",
+            ),
+        ),
+        y=alt.Y(
+            "imaginary:Q",
+            scale=y_scale,
+            title="Imaginary Axis (jω)",
+            axis=alt.Axis(
+                labelFontSize=16,
+                titleFontSize=21,
+                titleFontWeight="bold",
+                titleColor="#2a2a2a",
+                labelColor="#444444",
+                grid=False,
+                tickCount=6,
+                titlePadding=14,
+                domainColor="#888888",
+                tickColor="#888888",
+            ),
+        ),
+        color=alt.Color(
+            "branch:N",
+            scale=alt.Scale(domain=branch_domain, range=branch_palette),
+            legend=alt.Legend(
+                title="Branch",
+                titleFontSize=16,
+                labelFontSize=14,
+                symbolSize=180,
+                symbolStrokeWidth=3,
+                orient="top-right",
+                offset=5,
+            ),
+        ),
+        order="idx:Q",
+        tooltip=[
+            alt.Tooltip("branch:N", title="Branch"),
+            alt.Tooltip("real:Q", title="σ", format=".3f"),
+            alt.Tooltip("imaginary:Q", title="jω", format=".3f"),
+            alt.Tooltip("gain:Q", title="Gain K", format=".2f"),
+        ],
+    )
+)
+
+# Layer: Damping ratio lines
+damping_layer = (
+    alt.Chart(damping_df)
+    .mark_line(strokeWidth=0.8, strokeDash=[6, 4], color="#d0d0d0")
+    .encode(x=alt.X("gx:Q", scale=x_scale), y=alt.Y("gy:Q", scale=y_scale), detail="seg:N", order="ord:Q")
+)
+
+# Layer: Damping ratio labels
+damping_label_layer = (
+    alt.Chart(damping_label_df)
+    .mark_text(fontSize=12, color="#aaaaaa", fontStyle="italic", align="center")
+    .encode(x=alt.X("lx:Q", scale=x_scale), y=alt.Y("ly:Q", scale=y_scale), text="label:N")
+)
+
+# Layer: Natural frequency arcs
+wn_layer = (
+    alt.Chart(wn_df)
+    .mark_line(strokeWidth=0.8, strokeDash=[4, 4], color="#d0d0d0")
+    .encode(x=alt.X("gx:Q", scale=x_scale), y=alt.Y("gy:Q", scale=y_scale), detail="wn:N", order="ord:Q")
+)
+
+# Layer: Real axis segments
+real_axis_layer = (
+    alt.Chart(real_axis_df)
+    .mark_line(strokeWidth=5, color="#306998", opacity=0.25)
+    .encode(x=alt.X("rx:Q", scale=x_scale), y=alt.Y("ry:Q", scale=y_scale), detail="seg:N", order="ord:Q")
+)
+
+# Layer: Open-loop poles (× markers)
+poles_layer = (
+    alt.Chart(poles_df)
+    .mark_point(shape="cross", size=450, strokeWidth=3.5, color="#d62728", filled=False)
+    .encode(
+        x=alt.X("real:Q", scale=x_scale),
+        y=alt.Y("imaginary:Q", scale=y_scale),
+        tooltip=[alt.Tooltip("label:N", title=""), alt.Tooltip("real:Q", title="σ")],
+    )
+)
+
+# Layer: Imaginary axis crossings
+crossing_layer = (
+    alt.Chart(crossing_df)
+    .mark_point(shape="diamond", size=400, strokeWidth=2.5, color="#d62728", filled=True)
+    .encode(
+        x=alt.X("real:Q", scale=x_scale),
+        y=alt.Y("imaginary:Q", scale=y_scale),
+        tooltip=[alt.Tooltip("label:N", title="Crossing")],
+    )
+)
+
+# Layer: Crossing labels
+crossing_text = (
+    alt.Chart(crossing_df)
+    .mark_text(fontSize=17, fontWeight="bold", color="#c5211e", align="left", dx=20, font="sans-serif")
+    .encode(x=alt.X("real:Q", scale=x_scale), y=alt.Y("imaginary:Q", scale=y_scale), text="label:N")
+)
+
+# Layer: Breakaway point
+breakaway_layer = (
+    alt.Chart(breakaway_df)
+    .mark_point(shape="square", size=220, color="#555555", filled=True, opacity=0.8)
+    .encode(
+        x=alt.X("bx:Q", scale=x_scale), y=alt.Y("by:Q", scale=y_scale), tooltip=[alt.Tooltip("label:N", title="Point")]
+    )
+)
+
+# Layer: Arrow direction indicators
+arrow_up_df = arrow_df[arrow_df["ay"] > 0] if len(arrow_df) > 0 else arrow_df
+arrow_down_df = arrow_df[arrow_df["ay"] <= 0] if len(arrow_df) > 0 else arrow_df
+
+arrow_up_layer = (
+    alt.Chart(arrow_up_df)
+    .mark_point(shape="triangle-up", size=250, filled=True, opacity=0.85)
+    .encode(
+        x=alt.X("ax:Q", scale=x_scale),
+        y=alt.Y("ay:Q", scale=y_scale),
+        color=alt.Color("branch:N", scale=alt.Scale(domain=branch_domain, range=branch_palette), legend=None),
+    )
+)
+
+arrow_down_layer = (
+    alt.Chart(arrow_down_df)
+    .mark_point(shape="triangle-down", size=250, filled=True, opacity=0.85)
+    .encode(
+        x=alt.X("ax:Q", scale=x_scale),
+        y=alt.Y("ay:Q", scale=y_scale),
+        color=alt.Color("branch:N", scale=alt.Scale(domain=branch_domain, range=branch_palette), legend=None),
+    )
+)
+
+# Compose — locus_layer first so its axis config renders
+chart = (
+    (
+        locus_layer
+        + damping_layer
+        + damping_label_layer
+        + wn_layer
+        + real_axis_layer
+        + poles_layer
+        + crossing_layer
+        + crossing_text
+        + breakaway_layer
+        + arrow_up_layer
+        + arrow_down_layer
+    )
+    .properties(
+        width=1200,
+        height=1200,
+        title=alt.Title(
+            "root-locus-basic · altair · pyplots.ai",
+            fontSize=28,
+            fontWeight="bold",
+            color="#1a1a1a",
+            subtitle="G(s) = 1 / s(s+1)(s+2)  ·  Closed-Loop Pole Trajectories vs Gain K",
+            subtitleFontSize=18,
+            subtitleColor="#555555",
+            subtitlePadding=10,
+            anchor="start",
+            offset=10,
+        ),
+    )
+    .configure_view(strokeWidth=0)
+    .interactive()
+)
+
+chart.save("plot.png", scale_factor=3.0)
+chart.save("plot.html")
diff --git a/plots/root-locus-basic/metadata/altair.yaml b/plots/root-locus-basic/metadata/altair.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..95ccf7827b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plots/root-locus-basic/metadata/altair.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,220 @@
+library: altair
+specification_id: root-locus-basic
+created: '2026-03-20T21:26:28Z'
+updated: '2026-03-20T22:11:12Z'
+generated_by: claude-opus-4-5-20251101
+workflow_run: 23362981953
+issue: 4414
+python_version: 3.14.3
+library_version: 6.0.0
+preview_url: https://storage.googleapis.com/pyplots-images/plots/root-locus-basic/altair/plot.png
+preview_thumb: https://storage.googleapis.com/pyplots-images/plots/root-locus-basic/altair/plot_thumb.png
+preview_html: https://storage.googleapis.com/pyplots-images/plots/root-locus-basic/altair/plot.html
+quality_score: 86
+review:
+  strengths:
+  - Excellent spec compliance — all required root locus features present and correctly
+    implemented
+  - Strong data storytelling with labeled crossings, breakaway point, and transfer
+    function in subtitle
+  - Clean layered architecture with well-separated concerns per chart layer
+  - Proper engineering notation on axes and annotations
+  - Deterministic, mathematically correct root computation with appropriate gain range
+  weaknesses:
+  - Right half-plane is mostly empty, wasting some canvas space
+  - Damping ratio labels only shown for two of four guide lines
+  - Axis spines still present; removing top/right would improve visual refinement
+  image_description: 'The plot displays a root locus diagram on a square canvas with
+    equal axis scaling from -6 to 6 on both axes. Three branches are shown in distinct
+    colors: Branch 1 (blue) runs along the negative real axis from the origin leftward
+    toward negative infinity, Branch 2 (orange) curves upward into the upper half-plane,
+    and Branch 3 (green) curves downward into the lower half-plane. Open-loop poles
+    are marked with red cross markers at s=0, s=-1, and s=-2 on the real axis. Red
+    diamond markers indicate imaginary axis crossings at jω = ±j√2 (K=6) with bold
+    red labels. A gray square marks the breakaway point near s ≈ -0.42. Light dashed
+    gray lines show constant damping ratio guide lines radiating from the origin (ζ=0.4
+    and ζ=0.8 labeled) and natural frequency arcs (semicircles for ωn=1,2,3,4). Real
+    axis segments of the root locus are shown as thick semi-transparent blue lines
+    between (-1, 0) and from -2 leftward. Triangle markers indicate direction of increasing
+    gain on the complex branches. Title reads "root-locus-basic · altair · pyplots.ai"
+    with subtitle showing the transfer function and description.'
+  criteria_checklist:
+    visual_quality:
+      score: 27
+      max: 30
+      items:
+      - id: VQ-01
+        name: Text Legibility
+        score: 7
+        max: 8
+        passed: true
+        comment: Font sizes explicitly set throughout; damping labels slightly small
+          at 12pt
+      - id: VQ-02
+        name: No Overlap
+        score: 6
+        max: 6
+        passed: true
+        comment: All text elements clearly separated
+      - id: VQ-03
+        name: Element Visibility
+        score: 5
+        max: 6
+        passed: true
+        comment: All elements visible; guide lines intentionally subtle
+      - id: VQ-04
+        name: Color Accessibility
+        score: 4
+        max: 4
+        passed: true
+        comment: Blue/orange/green colorblind-safe palette
+      - id: VQ-05
+        name: Layout & Canvas
+        score: 3
+        max: 4
+        passed: true
+        comment: Square canvas correct for root locus; right half mostly empty
+      - id: VQ-06
+        name: Axis Labels & Title
+        score: 2
+        max: 2
+        passed: true
+        comment: Descriptive with engineering notation
+    design_excellence:
+      score: 13
+      max: 20
+      items:
+      - id: DE-01
+        name: Aesthetic Sophistication
+        score: 5
+        max: 8
+        passed: true
+        comment: Custom palette, thoughtful typography, above defaults
+      - id: DE-02
+        name: Visual Refinement
+        score: 4
+        max: 6
+        passed: true
+        comment: View stroke removed, grid disabled, subtle guide lines
+      - id: DE-03
+        name: Data Storytelling
+        score: 4
+        max: 6
+        passed: true
+        comment: Clear engineering story with labeled crossings and breakaway
+    spec_compliance:
+      score: 15
+      max: 15
+      items:
+      - id: SC-01
+        name: Plot Type
+        score: 5
+        max: 5
+        passed: true
+        comment: Correct root locus plot
+      - id: SC-02
+        name: Required Features
+        score: 4
+        max: 4
+        passed: true
+        comment: All spec features present
+      - id: SC-03
+        name: Data Mapping
+        score: 3
+        max: 3
+        passed: true
+        comment: Correct real/imaginary mapping
+      - id: SC-04
+        name: Title & Legend
+        score: 3
+        max: 3
+        passed: true
+        comment: Correct title format and legend
+    data_quality:
+      score: 14
+      max: 15
+      items:
+      - id: DQ-01
+        name: Feature Coverage
+        score: 5
+        max: 6
+        passed: true
+        comment: Shows breakaway, complex branches, crossing, real axis segments
+      - id: DQ-02
+        name: Realistic Context
+        score: 5
+        max: 5
+        passed: true
+        comment: Classic textbook transfer function
+      - id: DQ-03
+        name: Appropriate Scale
+        score: 4
+        max: 4
+        passed: true
+        comment: Appropriate gain range and pole locations
+    code_quality:
+      score: 10
+      max: 10
+      items:
+      - id: CQ-01
+        name: KISS Structure
+        score: 3
+        max: 3
+        passed: true
+        comment: Flat structure, no functions/classes
+      - id: CQ-02
+        name: Reproducibility
+        score: 2
+        max: 2
+        passed: true
+        comment: Fully deterministic polynomial roots
+      - id: CQ-03
+        name: Clean Imports
+        score: 2
+        max: 2
+        passed: true
+        comment: Only altair, numpy, pandas — all used
+      - id: CQ-04
+        name: Code Elegance
+        score: 2
+        max: 2
+        passed: true
+        comment: Clean, well-organized code
+      - id: CQ-05
+        name: Output & API
+        score: 1
+        max: 1
+        passed: true
+        comment: Saves as plot.png and plot.html
+    library_mastery:
+      score: 7
+      max: 10
+      items:
+      - id: LM-01
+        name: Idiomatic Usage
+        score: 4
+        max: 5
+        passed: true
+        comment: Good declarative grammar usage with layers, encodings, tooltips
+      - id: LM-02
+        name: Distinctive Features
+        score: 3
+        max: 5
+        passed: true
+        comment: Layer composition, interactive exploration, tooltip encoding
+  verdict: APPROVED
+impl_tags:
+  dependencies: []
+  techniques:
+  - layer-composition
+  - annotations
+  - hover-tooltips
+  - custom-legend
+  - html-export
+  patterns:
+  - data-generation
+  - iteration-over-groups
+  dataprep: []
+  styling:
+  - grid-styling
+  - alpha-blending