diff --git a/.github/workflows/validate.yml b/.github/workflows/validate.yml
index 18bebc5..f55d339 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/validate.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/validate.yml
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ jobs:
       - run: python tests/test_generated_views.py
       - run: python tests/test_markdown_links.py
       - run: python tests/test_locale_invariants.py
+      - run: python tests/test_locale_freshness_regressions.py
       - name: Check localized source freshness
         env:
           BEFORE: ${{ github.event.before }}
diff --git a/docs/localization/TRANSLATION_SURFACE.md b/docs/localization/TRANSLATION_SURFACE.md
index 41e4d22..83e41f7 100644
--- a/docs/localization/TRANSLATION_SURFACE.md
+++ b/docs/localization/TRANSLATION_SURFACE.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Translation Surface Inventory
 
-Status: **implemented first-release inventory; Wave 4 source-alignment update in progress**
+Status: **current supported-locale inventory**
 Canonical source language: English (`en`)
 First supported locale: Simplified Chinese (`zh-CN`)
 
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ First supported locale: Simplified Chinese (`zh-CN`)
 - **C - keep canonical, localize around it:** machine/protocol structure should remain unchanged; translated explanation may be added elsewhere.
 - **D - defer:** historical, empty runtime, binary, or otherwise outside the first localization release.
 
-For `zh-CN`, the first-release Class A route and selected Class B support surfaces were implemented and reviewed against their then-current English sources. Canonical changes merged after that review are explicitly tracked as Wave 4 source-alignment work; a class is a treatment decision, not a claim that its current English revision is already localized. Current locale support status is recorded in `locales/README.md`.
+For `zh-CN`, the Class A operational route and selected Class B support surfaces are implemented. A class is a treatment decision, not a claim that every current English document in that class has a localized counterpart. Current locale support status is recorded in `locales/README.md`; source/counterpart freshness is enforced for existing pairs.
 
 ## Top-level files
 
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ For `zh-CN`, the first-release Class A route and selected Class B support surfac
 
 | Path | Class | Treatment |
 | --- | --- | --- |
+| `docs/README.md` | A | Localized documentation index; route readers to localized operational guidance when a counterpart exists |
 | `docs/ACQUISITION.md` | A | Full localized onboarding; commands/URLs unchanged |
 | `docs/quickstart.md` | A | Full localized walkthrough; paths/identifiers unchanged |
 | `docs/visitor_lobby_model.md` | A | Translate carefully; `visitor` has project-specific meaning |
@@ -44,10 +45,16 @@ For `zh-CN`, the first-release Class A route and selected Class B support surfac
 | `docs/CONNECTOR_SAFE_WORDING.md` | B | Translate after core route, preserving compatibility intent |
 | `docs/branding.md` | A | Translate explanation; product names remain unchanged |
 | `docs/UPGRADING.md` | B | Translate as an upgrade companion after the core operational route is current |
-| `docs/registry/*.md` | B | Translate as Registry Contract v1 reference companions; preserve fields, enums, paths, and examples structurally |
+| `docs/WHY_LABNOTE.md` | B | Localized conceptual companion explaining how LabNote fits beside context files and model memory |
+| `docs/PROJECT_PROVENANCE.md` | B | Localized project-provenance record |
+| active Registry Contract v1 references under `docs/registry/` | B | Canonical English reference set; localized companions are deferred until a dedicated reference-translation need is established |
+| `docs/registry/REGISTRY_SURFACE_AUDIT.md` | D | Keep as a canonical historical pre-v1 audit; it is not current operational guidance |
 | `docs/localization/GLOSSARY.md` | B | Maintain the canonical terminology source together with its explicitly mapped locale glossary |
 | `docs/localization/TAG_DISPLAY_CATALOG.md` | B | Maintain canonical display text together with its explicitly mapped localized catalogue |
-| other `docs/localization/` process files | D | Keep canonical unless a separate localization-maintenance need is established |
+| `docs/localization/COMMUNICATION_REGISTRY_SOURCE_DRIFT.md` | D | Keep canonical as localization-maintenance history |
+| `docs/localization/LOCALIZATION_CONTRACT.md` | D | Keep canonical as the maintainer-facing localization contract |
+| `docs/localization/TRANSLATION_SURFACE.md` | D | Keep canonical as the maintainer-facing inventory |
+| `docs/localization/ZH_CN_VALIDATION.md` | D | Keep canonical as the zh-CN validation record |
 
 ## `lobby/`
 
diff --git a/locales/zh-CN/docs/README.md b/locales/zh-CN/docs/README.md
index 96ff2d6..4e2ff84 100644
--- a/locales/zh-CN/docs/README.md
+++ b/locales/zh-CN/docs/README.md
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 
 ## 工作
 
-- [进行常规投递](../../../lobby/ROUTINE_DEPOSIT_QUICKSTART.md) —— 以最小但有用的记录，把一项普通工作放到正确路径中。
+- [进行常规投递](../lobby/ROUTINE_DEPOSIT_QUICKSTART.md) —— 以最小但有用的记录，把一项普通工作放到正确路径中。
 - [理解审阅与决定](review_workflow.md) —— 查看回复如何成为经过审阅的结果。
 - [理解访客会话与会话身份](visitor_lobby_model.md) —— 了解实际工作区中的会话记录代表什么。
 - [理解消息路由](message_routing_model.md) —— 遵循会话或角色之间的消息模型。
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 
 - [阅读存储策略](storage_policy.md) —— 让台账保持精简、可检查，并符合工作区可见性的要求。
 - [阅读文档投递策略](DOCUMENT_DEPOSIT_POLICY.md) —— 处理文档和二进制文件，避免把 LabNote 变成普通文件堆。
-- [阅读安全说明](../../../SECURITY.md) —— 不要把凭证、token、密钥或无意暴露的私密材料放入错误的工作区。
+- [阅读安全说明](../SECURITY.md) —— 不要把凭证、token、密钥或无意暴露的私密材料放入错误的工作区。
 
 ## 了解项目
 
diff --git a/tests/test_locale_freshness.py b/tests/test_locale_freshness.py
index 19aa632..46a22ed 100644
--- a/tests/test_locale_freshness.py
+++ b/tests/test_locale_freshness.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 
 import hashlib
 import json
+import re
 import subprocess
 import sys
 from pathlib import Path
@@ -26,17 +27,51 @@
 }
 
 
-def paired_surfaces() -> dict[str, str]:
-    pairs: dict[str, str] = {}
+def source_for_locale(relative: str) -> str:
+    return SOURCE_OVERRIDES.get(relative, relative)
+
+
+def locale_surfaces() -> dict[str, str]:
+    surfaces: dict[str, str] = {}
     for locale_path in sorted(LOCALE_ROOT.rglob("*.md")):
         locale_rel = locale_path.relative_to(ROOT).as_posix()
         relative = locale_path.relative_to(LOCALE_ROOT).as_posix()
-        source_rel = SOURCE_OVERRIDES.get(relative, relative)
+        surfaces[locale_rel] = source_for_locale(relative)
+    return surfaces
+
+
+def paired_surfaces() -> dict[str, str]:
+    pairs: dict[str, str] = {}
+    for locale_rel, source_rel in locale_surfaces().items():
         if (ROOT / source_rel).is_file():
             pairs[source_rel] = locale_rel
     return pairs
 
 
+def files_at(revision: str) -> set[str]:
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        ["git", "ls-tree", "-r", "--name-only", revision],
+        cwd=ROOT,
+        check=True,
+        text=True,
+        capture_output=True,
+    )
+    return {line for line in result.stdout.splitlines() if line}
+
+
+def paired_surfaces_at(revision: str) -> dict[str, str]:
+    files = files_at(revision)
+    pairs: dict[str, str] = {}
+    prefix = "locales/zh-CN/"
+    for locale_rel in sorted(
+        path for path in files if path.startswith(prefix) and path.endswith(".md")
+    ):
+        source_rel = source_for_locale(locale_rel.removeprefix(prefix))
+        if source_rel in files:
+            pairs[source_rel] = locale_rel
+    return pairs
+
+
 def digest(path: Path) -> str:
     return hashlib.sha256(path.read_bytes()).hexdigest()
 
@@ -64,7 +99,9 @@ def acknowledgements(pairs: dict[str, str]) -> dict[str, str]:
         reason = entry.get("reason")
         if not isinstance(source, str) or source not in pairs:
             raise AssertionError(f"invalid acknowledgement source: {source!r}")
-        if not isinstance(source_sha256, str) or len(source_sha256) != 64:
+        if not isinstance(source_sha256, str) or not re.fullmatch(
+            r"[0-9a-f]{64}", source_sha256
+        ):
             raise AssertionError(f"invalid source_sha256 for {source!r}")
         if not isinstance(reason, str) or not reason.strip():
             raise AssertionError(f"missing review reason for {source!r}")
@@ -79,10 +116,24 @@ def main() -> int:
         raise SystemExit("usage: test_locale_freshness.py <base> <head>")
 
     pairs = paired_surfaces()
+    base_pairs = paired_surfaces_at(sys.argv[1])
     changed = changed_paths(sys.argv[1], sys.argv[2])
     reviewed = acknowledgements(pairs)
     failures: list[str] = []
 
+    for locale_rel, source_rel in locale_surfaces().items():
+        if not (ROOT / source_rel).is_file():
+            failures.append(
+                f"localized surface has no canonical source: {locale_rel} ({source_rel})"
+            )
+
+    for source_rel, locale_rel in base_pairs.items():
+        if (ROOT / source_rel).is_file() and not (ROOT / locale_rel).is_file():
+            failures.append(
+                f"paired localized surface was removed while its canonical source remains: "
+                f"{locale_rel} ({source_rel})"
+            )
+
     for source_rel, locale_rel in pairs.items():
         if source_rel not in changed or locale_rel in changed:
             continue
diff --git a/tests/test_locale_freshness_regressions.py b/tests/test_locale_freshness_regressions.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b5c4a42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_locale_freshness_regressions.py
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Regression tests for locale-pair freshness and survival."""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import json
+import shutil
+import subprocess
+import sys
+import tempfile
+from pathlib import Path
+
+
+ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
+CHECKER = ROOT / "tests" / "test_locale_freshness.py"
+
+
+def git(repository: Path, *args: str) -> str:
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        ["git", *args],
+        cwd=repository,
+        text=True,
+        capture_output=True,
+        check=False,
+    )
+    if result.returncode != 0:
+        raise AssertionError(f"git {' '.join(args)} failed:\n{result.stdout}\n{result.stderr}")
+    return result.stdout.strip()
+
+
+def init_repository(repository: Path) -> str:
+    (repository / "tests").mkdir()
+    (repository / "locales" / "zh-CN").mkdir(parents=True)
+    shutil.copy2(CHECKER, repository / "tests" / CHECKER.name)
+    (repository / "tests" / "locale_review_acknowledgements.json").write_text(
+        json.dumps({"schema_version": 1, "acknowledgements": []}) + "\n",
+        encoding="utf-8",
+    )
+    (repository / "README.md").write_text("English source\n", encoding="utf-8")
+    (repository / "locales" / "zh-CN" / "README.md").write_text(
+        "Chinese counterpart\n", encoding="utf-8"
+    )
+    git(repository, "init", "--quiet")
+    git(repository, "config", "user.name", "Fixture")
+    git(repository, "config", "user.email", "fixture@example.invalid")
+    git(repository, "add", ".")
+    git(repository, "commit", "--quiet", "-m", "initial pair")
+    return git(repository, "rev-parse", "HEAD")
+
+
+def commit(repository: Path, message: str) -> str:
+    git(repository, "add", "-A")
+    git(repository, "commit", "--quiet", "-m", message)
+    return git(repository, "rev-parse", "HEAD")
+
+
+def run_checker(repository: Path, base: str, head: str) -> subprocess.CompletedProcess[str]:
+    return subprocess.run(
+        [sys.executable, "tests/test_locale_freshness.py", base, head],
+        cwd=repository,
+        text=True,
+        capture_output=True,
+        check=False,
+    )
+
+
+def expect_failure(result: subprocess.CompletedProcess[str], label: str) -> None:
+    if result.returncode == 0:
+        raise AssertionError(f"{label} was not rejected")
+
+
+def main() -> int:
+    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as temporary:
+        repository = Path(temporary)
+        base = init_repository(repository)
+        (repository / "locales" / "zh-CN" / "README.md").unlink()
+        head = commit(repository, "delete localized counterpart")
+        expect_failure(run_checker(repository, base, head), "localized deletion")
+
+    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as temporary:
+        repository = Path(temporary)
+        base = init_repository(repository)
+        git(repository, "mv", "README.md", "GUIDE.md")
+        head = commit(repository, "rename canonical source only")
+        expect_failure(run_checker(repository, base, head), "unpaired source rename")
+
+    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as temporary:
+        repository = Path(temporary)
+        base = init_repository(repository)
+        git(repository, "mv", "README.md", "GUIDE.md")
+        git(repository, "mv", "locales/zh-CN/README.md", "locales/zh-CN/GUIDE.md")
+        head = commit(repository, "rename both sides of pair")
+        result = run_checker(repository, base, head)
+        if result.returncode != 0:
+            raise AssertionError(
+                f"paired rename was rejected:\n{result.stdout}\n{result.stderr}"
+            )
+
+    print("locale freshness regression tests passed")
+    return 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    raise SystemExit(main())
diff --git a/tests/test_locale_invariants.py b/tests/test_locale_invariants.py
index fb32350..5ae0fc2 100644
--- a/tests/test_locale_invariants.py
+++ b/tests/test_locale_invariants.py
@@ -13,6 +13,19 @@
 ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
 
 SURFACES: dict[str, dict[str, object]] = {
+    "README.md": {
+        "locale": "locales/zh-CN/README.md",
+        "literals": (
+            "AI_ENTRYPOINT.md",
+            "lobby/",
+            "datadrops/",
+            "responses/",
+            "registry/",
+            "docs/ACQUISITION.md",
+            "docs/quickstart.md",
+            "https://github.com/Wonderforge-Lab/CapstanAI-LabNote/generate",
+        ),
+    },
     "AI_ENTRYPOINT.md": {
         "locale": "locales/zh-CN/AI_ENTRYPOINT.md",
         "literals": (
@@ -37,6 +50,45 @@
             "bridge_config.json",
         ),
     },
+    "docs/README.md": {
+        "locale": "locales/zh-CN/docs/README.md",
+        "literals": (
+            "ACQUISITION.md",
+            "quickstart.md",
+            "../lobby/ROUTINE_DEPOSIT_QUICKSTART.md",
+            "review_workflow.md",
+            "visitor_lobby_model.md",
+            "message_routing_model.md",
+            "REGISTRY_RECORDS.md",
+            "storage_policy.md",
+            "DOCUMENT_DEPOSIT_POLICY.md",
+            "../SECURITY.md",
+            "WHY_LABNOTE.md",
+            "PROJECT_PROVENANCE.md",
+        ),
+    },
+    "docs/ACQUISITION.md": {
+        "locale": "locales/zh-CN/docs/ACQUISITION.md",
+        "literals": (
+            "AI_ENTRYPOINT.md",
+            "https://github.com/Wonderforge-Lab/CapstanAI-LabNote.git",
+            "git clone",
+            "git remote rename origin upstream",
+            "git remote add origin <YOUR-PRIVATE-REPO-URL>",
+            "git push -u origin main",
+            "Use this template",
+        ),
+    },
+    "docs/quickstart.md": {
+        "locale": "locales/zh-CN/docs/quickstart.md",
+        "literals": (
+            "AI_ENTRYPOINT.md",
+            "ACQUISITION.md",
+            "registry/packets/<year>/",
+            "registry/responses/<year>/",
+            "accepted",
+        ),
+    },
     "docs/localization/GLOSSARY.md": {
         "locale": "locales/zh-CN/GLOSSARY.md",
         "literals": (