diff --git a/sw-block/.private/phase/phase-18-decisions.md b/sw-block/.private/phase/phase-18-decisions.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..518c41989
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sw-block/.private/phase/phase-18-decisions.md
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+# Phase 18 Decisions
+
+Date: 2026-04-05
+Status: active
+
+## D1: Phase 18 Uses M1-M5 As The Main Spine
+
+Decision:
+
+1. `Phase 18` will be the main control phase for the next kernel/runtime climb
+2. the five major milestones (`M1-M5`) are the primary structure inside it
+3. each major milestone should normally close in `2-3` implementation steps
+
+Why:
+
+1. we are no longer in pure exploration mode
+2. the kernel boundary is now stable enough to support larger development slices
+3. milestone-level review is more efficient than micro-slice review
+
+Implication:
+
+1. later work should be grouped into larger reviewable packages
+2. helper-level or naming-level pauses should be minimized unless they affect
+   architecture
+
+## D2: Preserve Current In-Process Runtime As The Reference Slice
+
+Decision:
+
+1. the current in-process RF2 failover runtime remains the reference slice while
+   `M1` introduces the transport/session seam
+
+Why:
+
+1. it already proves the current authority split in executable form
+2. it gives a stable baseline for transport-backed migration
+3. it reduces the risk of confusing transport mechanics with ownership
+
+Implication:
+
+1. `M1` should introduce adapter seams first
+2. the existing in-process path should remain valid until the transport-backed
+   slice closes
+
+## D3: Make Adapter-Backed Targets The Primary Failover Contract
+
+Decision:
+
+1. the primary failover contract is now `FailoverTarget`
+2. `FailoverTarget` is split into:
+   - `FailoverEvidenceAdapter`
+   - `FailoverTakeoverAdapter`
+3. the old all-in-one `FailoverParticipant` remains only as a compatibility
+   wrapper
+
+Why:
+
+1. failover-time query traffic and takeover execution are different boundary
+   types
+2. the transport seam should be explicit before any real remote adapter is added
+3. the runtime/driver/session should depend on adapters, not on concrete
+   `*Node` coupling
+
+Implication:
+
+1. future remote work should implement adapter contracts rather than widening
+   direct node ownership
+2. current in-process tests and runtime remain valid through the in-process
+   adapter implementation
+
+## D4: `M1` Closes On Failover-Time Evidence Transport, Not Remote Takeover
+
+Decision:
+
+1. `M1` is considered complete when `PromotionQuery` and `ReplicaSummary`
+   traffic cross an explicit transport/session adapter seam
+2. `M1` does not require remote takeover execution
+3. takeover remains primary-local in this milestone
+
+Why:
+
+1. the `M1` goal is to remove direct failover-time evidence coupling from the
+   orchestration path
+2. the selected primary should remain the owner of reconstruction and activation
+   gating
+3. forcing remote takeover too early would risk mixing transport mechanics with
+   ownership changes
+
+Implication:
+
+1. the first transport-backed slice is:
+   - transport/session-backed evidence
+   - primary-local takeover
+2. later transport work may widen execution transport, but only without changing
+   the authority split
diff --git a/sw-block/.private/phase/phase-18-log.md b/sw-block/.private/phase/phase-18-log.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d316a9a20
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sw-block/.private/phase/phase-18-log.md
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+# Phase 18 Log
+
+Date: 2026-04-05
+Status: active
+
+## 2026-04-05
+
+### Start of Phase
+
+Created the initial `Phase 18` control document.
+
+Starting point recorded:
+
+1. in-process RF2 failover runtime slice exists
+2. `FailoverSession`, in-process driver, and runtime manager exist
+3. review-base docs already reflect the current kernel boundary and current
+   milestone
+
+Initial execution rule:
+
+1. move by major milestone
+2. target `2-3` implementation steps per major milestone
+3. update phase, log, decisions, and review-base docs after each major step
+
+Current next step:
+
+1. `M1` seam step for transport/session adapter boundary
+
+### `M1` Adapter-Seam Package
+
+Delivered in this update:
+
+1. explicit failover adapter seam introduced in code:
+   - `FailoverEvidenceAdapter`
+   - `FailoverTakeoverAdapter`
+   - `FailoverTarget`
+2. first in-process adapter implementation delivered:
+   - `NewInProcessFailoverTarget(...)`
+3. `FailoverSession` now uses explicit targets as the primary path
+4. failover driver and runtime manager now register/resolve targets as the
+   primary path
+5. existing healthy/gated runtime failover tests were moved onto the new target
+   seam
+
+Tests:
+
+1. `go test ./sw-block/runtime/masterv2 ./sw-block/runtime/volumev2`
+
+Current interpretation:
+
+1. the transport/session adapter seam is now real in code
+2. the in-process path is still the reference implementation behind that seam
+3. the first non-in-process adapter remains the next required slice before `M1`
+   can be treated as fully closed
+
+### `M1` Delivered
+
+Delivered in this update:
+
+1. the failover-time query path now crosses a transport/session adapter boundary
+2. `PromotionQuery` and `ReplicaSummary` no longer depend on direct orchestrator
+   calls to `*Node` as the only implementation path
+3. the first transport/session implementation is `InMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport`
+4. the runtime manager now registers nodes behind the evidence transport and
+   executes failover through the transport-backed evidence path
+
+Tests:
+
+1. `TestTransportEvidenceAdapter_HealthyFailoverFlow`
+2. `TestTransportEvidenceAdapter_GatedFailoverFlow`
+3. `go test ./sw-block/runtime/masterv2 ./sw-block/runtime/volumev2`
+
+Current interpretation:
+
+1. `M1` is complete as a transport/session-backed failover-time evidence slice
+2. this is still a bounded request/response transport implementation, not broad
+   network-product proof
+3. the next active work should move to `M2`
diff --git a/sw-block/.private/phase/phase-18.md b/sw-block/.private/phase/phase-18.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f20f94545
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sw-block/.private/phase/phase-18.md
@@ -0,0 +1,316 @@
+# Phase 18
+
+Date: 2026-04-05
+Status: active
+Purpose: drive the new `masterv2 + volumev2 + purev2` kernel from the current
+in-process RF2 failover runtime slice toward a bounded productizable RF2 runtime
+in disciplined major milestones
+
+## Why This Phase Exists
+
+The current kernel has crossed the first important threshold:
+
+1. `masterv2` now behaves like explicit identity authority
+2. `volumev2` now has explicit takeover preparation and activation gating
+3. failover now exists as a runtime-owned slice rather than only implicit mixed
+   runtime behavior
+
+That is enough to stop the current milestone.
+
+It is not enough to claim a transport-backed RF2 runtime, continuous
+replication-runtime ownership, or product-ready RF2 surfaces.
+
+The next work is larger than micro-slicing:
+
+1. the failover seam must cross a real transport/session boundary
+2. the primary-led Loop 2 runtime must become continuously active
+3. data continuity must be closed through real handoff paths
+4. product/runtime surfaces must be attached without breaking authority split
+5. productionization evidence must be bounded and explicit
+
+This phase exists to package those larger objects as one ordered program rather
+than continuing disconnected local improvements.
+
+## Entry Checkpoint
+
+`Phase 18` starts from the current completed kernel/runtime slice:
+
+1. explicit `masterv2` promotion authorization
+2. explicit `volumev2` takeover prepare/gate seams
+3. stepwise `FailoverSession` with observable stages and failure snapshots
+4. in-process failover driver seam
+5. runtime-owned in-process RF2 failover manager entry point
+
+Entry interpretation:
+
+1. this is a real kernel/runtime checkpoint
+2. this is not yet transport-backed RF2 closure
+3. this is not yet active Loop 2 runtime closure
+4. this is not yet RF2 product or production closure
+
+## Phase Goal
+
+Produce one bounded post-entry sequence where:
+
+1. the failover runtime crosses a real transport/session seam without changing
+   authority ownership
+2. the primary-led Loop 2 runtime becomes continuously meaningful rather than
+   appearing only at failover boundaries
+3. one replicated continuity statement is supported through real handoff
+4. one bounded RF2 product/runtime surface exists on top of the new runtime
+5. one bounded productionization envelope is explicit and reviewable
+
+## Scope
+
+### In scope
+
+1. transport/session seam for failover-time evidence and bounded replica
+   summaries
+2. runtime-owned RF2 failover flow beyond in-process direct calls
+3. primary-led active Loop 2 runtime growth
+4. replicated continuity closure
+5. RF2 runtime/product surface attachment
+6. bounded pilot/productionization review package
+
+### Out of scope
+
+1. broad protocol rediscovery
+2. silent return to `weed/server` ownership
+3. premature `RF>2` product closure
+4. broad transport/frontend matrix approval before bounded RF2 runtime closure
+5. broad launch claim before explicit productionization evidence
+
+## Working Rules
+
+`Phase 18` should be executed in major milestones, not micro-patches.
+
+Each major milestone should normally complete in `2-3` implementation steps:
+
+1. seam step
+2. runtime step
+3. closure/review step
+
+After each major milestone:
+
+1. update this phase file status
+2. update `phase-18-log.md` with what changed and what was tested
+3. update `phase-18-decisions.md` if any boundary or tradeoff changed
+4. update review-base docs if the claim boundary changed
+
+## Phase 18 Major Milestones
+
+### `M1`: Transport-Backed RF2 Failover Runtime
+
+Goal:
+
+1. replace the current in-process participant shortcut with an explicit
+   transport/session adapter seam for promotion evidence and bounded replica
+   summary exchange
+
+Planned steps:
+
+1. seam step:
+   define transport/session adapter contracts while keeping current authority
+   split intact
+2. runtime step:
+   make runtime-owned failover use adapter-backed participants instead of direct
+   in-process coupling
+3. closure step:
+   prove healthy and gated failover through the runtime entry point across the
+   adapter seam
+
+Exit criteria:
+
+1. runtime failover no longer depends on direct `*Node` method calls as the only
+   implementation path
+2. stage/error/result observability survives across the transport/session seam
+3. no recovery-planner responsibility leaks into `masterv2`
+
+Current status:
+
+1. delivered
+2. failover-time evidence now crosses an explicit transport/session adapter seam
+3. runtime-owned failover still preserves stage/error/result observability
+4. current implementation uses an in-memory request/response transport, not a
+   network transport matrix claim
+
+Review/test update:
+
+1. adapter seam introduced:
+   - `FailoverEvidenceAdapter`
+   - `FailoverTakeoverAdapter`
+   - `FailoverTarget`
+2. first in-process adapter implementation delivered:
+   - `NewInProcessFailoverTarget(...)`
+3. first transport-backed evidence implementation delivered:
+   - `InMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport`
+   - `NewTransportEvidenceAdapter(...)`
+   - `NewHybridInProcessFailoverTarget(...)`
+4. failover session/driver/runtime manager now use explicit targets instead of
+   direct `*Node` coupling as the primary path
+5. healthy and gated failover tests now pass with promotion evidence and replica
+   summary traffic crossing the transport/session seam
+
+### `M2`: Active Loop 2 Replication Runtime
+
+Goal:
+
+1. turn primary-led Loop 2 from bounded takeover semantics into a continuously
+   active replication/runtime owner
+
+Planned steps:
+
+1. seam step:
+   define the minimum active Loop 2 runtime contracts for keepup/catchup/rebuild
+   progression
+2. runtime step:
+   connect the active Loop 2 runtime to primary-side runtime ownership and
+   boundary observation
+3. closure step:
+   prove at least one bounded active progression path beyond failover-only logic
+
+Exit criteria:
+
+1. Loop 2 has runtime-owned meaning outside failover
+2. keepup/catchup/rebuild are not merely comments or future placeholders
+3. outward mode remains a compressed projection, not the full runtime automaton
+
+Current status:
+
+1. not started
+
+Review/test update:
+
+1. pending
+
+### `M3`: Replicated Data Continuity Closure
+
+Goal:
+
+1. prove one bounded replicated continuity statement through real primary handoff
+
+Planned steps:
+
+1. seam step:
+   define the exact continuity contract to be claimed
+2. runtime step:
+   run the handoff path through the new runtime instead of ad hoc proof-only
+   slices
+3. closure step:
+   verify write -> progress -> failover -> continued service/data continuity
+
+Exit criteria:
+
+1. one healthy continuity path is explicit and repeatable
+2. one degraded/gated path fails closed through the same runtime
+3. the claim is bounded and does not silently widen into generic RF2 product
+   proof
+
+Current status:
+
+1. not started
+
+Review/test update:
+
+1. pending
+
+### `M4`: RF2 Product Runtime Surfaces
+
+Goal:
+
+1. attach bounded product/runtime surfaces to the new RF2 runtime without
+   breaking the ownership split
+
+Planned steps:
+
+1. seam step:
+   choose the first bounded RF2-facing product/runtime surfaces
+2. runtime step:
+   attach them to the new runtime rather than to legacy mixed ownership
+3. closure step:
+   prove one bounded product/runtime surface package on the new runtime
+
+Exit criteria:
+
+1. at least one RF2-facing runtime/product surface works on the new runtime
+2. surface truth is still derived from the kernel/runtime authority model
+3. no frontend/backend code becomes the hidden truth owner
+
+Current status:
+
+1. not started
+
+Review/test update:
+
+1. pending
+
+### `M5`: Productionization / Launch Envelope
+
+Goal:
+
+1. freeze one bounded productionization envelope for the new RF2 runtime path
+
+Planned steps:
+
+1. seam step:
+   define the explicit supported envelope and exclusions
+2. runtime step:
+   collect the bounded pilot/preflight/stop-condition artifacts around the new
+   runtime path
+3. closure step:
+   produce the review package for bounded productionization judgment
+
+Exit criteria:
+
+1. supported envelope, exclusions, and blockers are explicit
+2. pilot/preflight/stop-condition artifacts exist for the bounded path
+3. the result is reviewable as bounded productionization, not broad launch
+   approval
+
+Current status:
+
+1. not started
+
+Review/test update:
+
+1. pending
+
+## Initial Order
+
+The required execution order is:
+
+1. `M1`
+2. `M2`
+3. `M3`
+4. `M4`
+5. `M5`
+
+This order may be refined locally, but should not be broadly reordered without a
+written decision in `phase-18-decisions.md`.
+
+## Current Focus
+
+The active next work is:
+
+1. `M2` seam step
+2. keep the new transport/session-backed failover path as the reference closure
+   while active Loop 2 runtime is introduced
+
+## Review Base
+
+Use these files together when reviewing `Phase 18` work:
+
+1. `sw-block/design/v2-two-loop-protocol.md`
+2. `sw-block/design/v2-automata-ownership-map.md`
+3. `sw-block/design/v2-kernel-closure-review.md`
+4. `sw-block/design/v2-protocol-claim-and-evidence.md`
+5. `sw-block/.private/phase/phase-18.md`
+
+## Non-Goals For This Phase Document
+
+This file should not become:
+
+1. an unbounded idea dump
+2. a day-by-day development log
+3. a substitute for the claim/evidence ledger
+4. a substitute for detailed kernel boundary documents
diff --git a/sw-block/design/v2-kernel-closure-review.md b/sw-block/design/v2-kernel-closure-review.md
index 700eee82b..66e4f657c 100644
--- a/sw-block/design/v2-kernel-closure-review.md
+++ b/sw-block/design/v2-kernel-closure-review.md
@@ -130,6 +130,84 @@ Another way to state the same result:
 3. the selected primary inside that shell owns data-control truth and recovery
    choreography
 
+## Current Milestone
+
+The current milestone is:
+
+1. explicit `masterv2` promotion authorization
+2. explicit `volumev2` takeover preparation and activation gating
+3. stepwise `FailoverSession` orchestration with observable stages
+4. one in-process failover driver seam over registered participants
+5. one runtime-owned `volumev2` manager that executes failover through a single
+   runtime entry point and retains latest failover snapshot/result
+
+What this milestone proves:
+
+1. failover is no longer only an implicit concept hidden in mixed runtime code
+2. authorization, reconstruction, activation, and runtime ownership are now
+   separate code seams
+3. the new kernel already has a usable in-process RF2 failover runtime slice
+
+What it does not yet prove:
+
+1. real transport-backed replica communication
+2. background membership and health management beyond explicit failover calls
+3. end-to-end replicated data continuity through a real primary handoff
+
+## Next Major Milestone
+
+The next major milestone should be:
+
+`transport-backed RF2 failover runtime`
+
+This means one level above the current in-process runtime slice:
+
+1. `FailoverSession` no longer talks only to in-memory participants
+2. promotion evidence and bounded replica summaries cross a real transport seam
+3. runtime-owned failover still preserves stage/error/result observability
+4. the runtime keeps the separation:
+   - `masterv2` authorizes
+   - the selected primary reconstructs and gates activation
+   - the transport/runtime only carries requests, responses, and results
+
+### Target Shape
+
+Code should look roughly like:
+
+1. `masterv2`: heartbeat, promotion evidence arbitration, assignment authority
+2. `volumev2`: node shell, takeover seams, failover session, runtime/manager
+3. `purev2`: execution adapter and local boundary observation
+4. transport/session adapters: promotion query and replica-summary exchange
+5. `engine/replication`: semantic brain and future active data-control automata
+
+### Exit Criteria
+
+The milestone should be considered complete when all are true:
+
+1. one runtime-level API can execute failover without tests manually stitching
+   participants and sessions together
+2. one transport-backed runtime-level API can execute failover without
+   in-process participant shortcuts
+3. runtime-level observability exposes current/last failover stage, selected
+   node, assignment, and bounded truth across the transport seam
+4. one healthy component-style failover test passes through the runtime entry
+   point
+5. one gated/degraded component-style failover test stops through the same
+   runtime entry point
+6. no new recovery-planner responsibility leaks back into `masterv2`
+
+### Non-Goals
+
+This milestone should not try to prove:
+
+1. broad product RF2 readiness
+2. full catch-up or rebuild choreography
+3. CSI or frontend productionization on top of RF2
+4. broad transport matrix approval
+
+It should prove only that the new kernel can carry the same authority model
+through a real transport boundary without collapsing the ownership split.
+
 ## Main Risk
 
 The main risk is not iSCSI or local I/O. The main risk is semantic leakage:
diff --git a/sw-block/design/v2-protocol-claim-and-evidence.md b/sw-block/design/v2-protocol-claim-and-evidence.md
index be956d682..3c2c8f50d 100644
--- a/sw-block/design/v2-protocol-claim-and-evidence.md
+++ b/sw-block/design/v2-protocol-claim-and-evidence.md
@@ -2,12 +2,15 @@
 
 Date: 2026-04-05
 Status: active
-Purpose: keep one centralized ledger for the current chosen envelope, accepted claims, supporting evidence, invalidated evidence, and rerun obligations
+Purpose: keep one centralized ledger for the current chosen envelope, accepted claims, supporting evidence, invalidated evidence, rerun obligations, and review baseline references
 
 ## Why This Document Exists
 
 `v2-protocol-truths.md` records stable protocol truths.
 `v2-protocol-closure-map.zh.md` records the structural closure model.
+`v2-two-loop-protocol.md` records the current kernel protocol boundary.
+`v2-automata-ownership-map.md` records ownership of identity/control/data semantics.
+`v2-kernel-closure-review.md` records the current kernel closure standard.
 
 What they do not track in one place is the current operational contract:
 
@@ -19,6 +22,23 @@ What they do not track in one place is the current operational contract:
 
 This document is that ledger.
 
+It is not the only architectural source of truth.
+It is the review base ledger that must be read together with the current kernel
+boundary documents.
+
+## Review Base
+
+When reviewing a V2 change, use the following stack together:
+
+1. `v2-two-loop-protocol.md` for protocol boundary and authority rules
+2. `v2-automata-ownership-map.md` for ownership of facts, events, and commands
+3. `v2-kernel-closure-review.md` for current kernel milestone and closure standard
+4. `v2-protocol-claim-and-evidence.md` for what may currently be claimed and
+   what evidence is still valid
+
+Use this document as the claim/evidence ledger and review entry point, not as
+the only place where kernel structure is defined.
+
 ## How To Use It
 
 When reviewing any new slice, bug fix, workload run, or delivery note, ask:
@@ -32,24 +52,30 @@ If the answer changes the current state of the product, update this ledger in th
 
 ## Interpretation Rule For Current Integrated Evidence
 
-Until an explicit `V2 core` exists as a real code structure and live event/command owner,
-current integrated evidence should be interpreted as:
+Current integrated evidence should be interpreted in two layers:
 
-1. validation of current `V1` runtime behavior under `V2` constraints
-2. not proof that a completed `V2 runtime` already exists
+1. kernel-boundary evidence for the emerging `masterv2 + volumev2 + purev2`
+   structure
+2. validation of constrained current-runtime behavior where the evidence still
+   comes from the older integrated path
 
 This means:
 
-1. protocol truths and claim boundaries may already be `V2`-owned
-2. workload and integration passes may still be about the constrained current runtime
-3. later phases must keep separating:
+1. protocol truths and kernel ownership boundaries may already be `V2`-owned
+2. some workload and integration passes may still be about the constrained
+   current runtime
+3. reviews must keep separating:
    - semantic authority
+   - new kernel closure evidence
    - constrained current-runtime validation
    - future pure-core extraction
 
+If these layers are mixed, the review should be treated as incomplete.
+
 ## Current Chosen Envelope
 
-This is the bounded envelope currently allowed for active V2 claims:
+This is the bounded legacy/integrated envelope currently allowed for active
+runtime/product claims:
 
 | Item | Current value | Source |
 |------|---------------|--------|
@@ -68,6 +94,13 @@ Current explicit exclusions:
 4. broad transport matrix claims outside explicitly named evidence
 5. treating synthetic benchmarks as substitutes for real workload validation
 
+This envelope does not limit kernel-boundary reviews.
+Kernel-boundary reviews should instead follow:
+
+1. `v2-two-loop-protocol.md`
+2. `v2-automata-ownership-map.md`
+3. `v2-kernel-closure-review.md`
+
 ## Active Protocol Constraints
 
 These are the currently binding constraints that later work must preserve.
@@ -86,6 +119,10 @@ These are the currently binding constraints that later work must preserve.
 | `CP13-7` | unrecoverable gap must escalate to `NeedsRebuild` and block normal paths | `Phase 13` | active |
 | `CP13-8A` | assignment delivered != receiver ready != publish healthy | `Phase 13` | active |
 | `CP13-9` | bounded external mode meaning must stay explicit and surface-consistent on the constrained current path | `Phase 13` | active |
+| `K1` | `masterv2` is identity authority, not continuous recovery planner | `v2-two-loop-protocol.md`, `v2-automata-ownership-map.md` | active |
+| `K2` | each volume is treated as a micro-cluster whose selected primary owns data-control truth | `v2-two-loop-protocol.md`, `v2-automata-ownership-map.md` | active |
+| `K3` | takeover authorization belongs to `masterv2`, but reconstruction and activation gating belong to the new primary | `v2-two-loop-protocol.md`, `v2-automata-ownership-map.md` | active |
+| `K4` | `Loop 1` and `Loop 2` must not collapse into one heartbeat or one state owner | `v2-two-loop-protocol.md` | active |
 
 ## Accepted Baselines
 
@@ -112,12 +149,18 @@ These are the claims that may currently be made without overreach.
 | `C-PHASE17-PRODUCT-CHECKPOINT` | the current broader recovery-branch map, bounded failover/publication contract, bounded disturbance policy table, and first-launch envelope draft are explicit for the chosen path | bounded chosen path only; excludes broad production readiness, broad transport/frontend approval, and broad whole-surface failover/publication proof | `sw-block/.private/phase/phase-17.md`, `sw-block/.private/phase/phase-17-checkpoint-review.md` | allowed |
 | `C-FIRST-LAUNCH-ENVELOPE-DRAFT` | one bounded first-launch supported matrix is frozen as a draft with explicit exclusions and launch blockers | bounded chosen path only; not a launch decision, pilot approval, or rollout approval | `sw-block/design/v2-first-launch-supported-matrix.md` | allowed |
 | `C-PRODUCTIONIZATION-ARTIFACT-SET` | one bounded productionization artifact set now exists for internal pilot, preflight, stop-condition, and controlled-rollout discipline inside the frozen chosen envelope | bounded chosen path only; artifact existence only, not pilot success, rollout approval, or broader launch proof | `sw-block/design/v2-bounded-internal-pilot-pack.md`, `v2-pilot-preflight-checklist.md`, `v2-pilot-stop-conditions.md`, `v2-controlled-rollout-review.md` | allowed |
+| `C-KERNEL-BOUNDARY` | the current V2 kernel boundary is explicitly defined around `masterv2` identity authority, `volumev2` takeover/data-control shell, and `purev2` execution adapter reuse | kernel-boundary statement only; not broad runtime/product readiness | `v2-two-loop-protocol.md`, `v2-automata-ownership-map.md`, `v2-kernel-closure-review.md` | allowed |
+| `C-INPROCESS-FAILOVER-MILESTONE` | one in-process failover milestone exists with explicit authorization, reconstruction, activation gating, session observability, and driver seams | in-process `masterv2 + volumev2` code path only; not transport-complete RF2 product proof | `sw-block/runtime/masterv2/*`, `sw-block/runtime/volumev2/*` tests | allowed |
+| `C-INPROCESS-RF2-FAILOVER-RUNTIME` | one runtime-owned in-process RF2 failover slice exists with participant registry, explicit runtime entry point, persisted session snapshots/results, and component-style healthy/gated failover tests | in-process runtime only; not transport-backed RF2 product proof | `sw-block/runtime/volumev2/runtime_manager.go`, `failover*.go`, `poc_test.go` | allowed |
 | `C-LAUNCH-APPROVAL` | broad product launch readiness | outside current phase | future | not allowed |
 
 ## Evidence Map
 
 | Evidence area | What it proves | Primary evidence | Support evidence |
 |---------------|----------------|------------------|------------------|
+| Kernel ownership boundary | `masterv2`, `volumev2`, and `purev2` are split with explicit authority boundaries | `v2-two-loop-protocol.md`, `v2-automata-ownership-map.md`, `v2-kernel-closure-review.md` | code in `sw-block/runtime/masterv2/`, `volumev2/`, `purev2/` |
+| In-process failover milestone | one explicit failover chain exists from promotion evidence through authorization, takeover preparation, activation gating, session observability, and driver wiring | `sw-block/runtime/volumev2/poc_test.go`, `failover.go`, `failover_driver.go` | `sw-block/runtime/masterv2/master_test.go` |
+| In-process RF2 failover runtime | one runtime-owned failover manager exists with participant registry, runtime entry point, persisted snapshots/results, and component-style healthy/gated failover tests | `sw-block/runtime/volumev2/runtime_manager.go`, `poc_test.go` | `failover.go`, `failover_driver.go`, `v2-kernel-closure-review.md` |
 | Identity / addressing | stable identity and routable publication | `CP13-2` tests and docs | `qa_block_soak_test.go`, `sync_all_bug_test.go` |
 | Durable progress | barrier durability truth and non-legacy authority | `CP13-3` tests and docs | protocol tests around barrier handling |
 | State eligibility | only eligible replica state may satisfy sync durability | `CP13-4` tests and docs | adversarial state tests |
@@ -165,4 +208,5 @@ No active `Phase 13` blocker currently remains inside the accepted bounded chose
 1. do not add a new claim anywhere else without adding or updating the corresponding row here
 2. when a bug narrows evidence, record the invalidation here in the same change
 3. when a rerun restores a claim, move the row from `Invalidated Or Narrowed Evidence` to `Allowed Claims` or update its status
-4. keep this document bounded to the active chosen path; do not turn it into a future roadmap
+4. use this document as the review ledger, but keep kernel structure and authority rules in the dedicated kernel documents
+5. keep this document bounded to active reviewable claims; do not turn it into a future roadmap
diff --git a/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/failover.go b/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/failover.go
index 4c9758065..e0a62791b 100644
--- a/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/failover.go
+++ b/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/failover.go
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@ import (
 	"github.com/seaweedfs/seaweedfs/sw-block/runtime/masterv2"
 )
 
-// FailoverParticipant is the minimal surface needed to execute one failover
-// flow across Loop 1 authorization and Loop 2 takeover preparation.
+// FailoverParticipant is the legacy in-process convenience surface that
+// predates the explicit failover adapter seam. It remains as a compatibility
+// wrapper for tests and local callers while the adapter-backed target becomes
+// the primary contract.
 type FailoverParticipant interface {
-	QueryPromotionEvidence(masterv2.PromotionQueryRequest) (masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse, error)
-	QueryReplicaSummarySource
-	PreparePrimaryTakeover(PrimaryTakeoverPlan) (ReconstructedPrimaryTruth, error)
-	GatePrimaryActivation(volumeName string, truth ReconstructedPrimaryTruth) error
+	FailoverEvidenceAdapter
+	FailoverTakeoverAdapter
 }
 
 // QueryReplicaSummarySource aliases the peer summary surface so the failover
@@ -60,49 +60,76 @@ type FailoverSession struct {
 	master        *masterv2.Master
 	volumeName    string
 	expectedEpoch uint64
-	participants  []FailoverParticipant
+	targets       []FailoverTarget
 
 	responses []masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse
-	byNode    map[string]FailoverParticipant
+	byNode    map[string]FailoverTarget
 	result    FailoverResult
 	stage     FailoverStage
 	lastErr   error
 }
 
-// NewFailoverSession validates the narrow failover inputs and returns a
+// NewFailoverSession validates the adapter-backed failover inputs and returns a
 // stepwise orchestration session.
-func NewFailoverSession(master *masterv2.Master, volumeName string, expectedEpoch uint64, participants []FailoverParticipant) (*FailoverSession, error) {
+func NewFailoverSession(master *masterv2.Master, volumeName string, expectedEpoch uint64, targets []FailoverTarget) (*FailoverSession, error) {
 	if master == nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: master is nil")
 	}
 	if volumeName == "" {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: volume name is required")
 	}
-	if len(participants) == 0 {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: failover participants are required")
+	if len(targets) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: failover targets are required")
 	}
 	return &FailoverSession{
 		master:        master,
 		volumeName:    volumeName,
 		expectedEpoch: expectedEpoch,
-		participants:  participants,
+		targets:       targets,
 		stage:         FailoverStageNew,
 	}, nil
 }
 
+// NewFailoverSessionFromParticipants adapts the legacy participant surface into
+// the explicit target seam for compatibility with older in-process tests.
+func NewFailoverSessionFromParticipants(master *masterv2.Master, volumeName string, expectedEpoch uint64, participants []FailoverParticipant) (*FailoverSession, error) {
+	targets := make([]FailoverTarget, 0, len(participants))
+	for _, participant := range participants {
+		if participant == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		resp, err := participant.QueryPromotionEvidence(masterv2.PromotionQueryRequest{
+			VolumeName:    volumeName,
+			ExpectedEpoch: expectedEpoch,
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: participant target discovery %s: %w", volumeName, err)
+		}
+		if resp.NodeID == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: participant target discovery for %s missing node id", volumeName)
+		}
+		targets = append(targets, FailoverTarget{
+			NodeID:   resp.NodeID,
+			Evidence: participant,
+			Takeover: participant,
+		})
+	}
+	return NewFailoverSession(master, volumeName, expectedEpoch, targets)
+}
+
 // CollectPromotionEvidence gathers fresh promotion responses from all
 // configured participants.
 func (s *FailoverSession) CollectPromotionEvidence() ([]masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse, error) {
 	if s == nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: failover session is nil")
 	}
-	responses := make([]masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse, 0, len(s.participants))
-	byNode := make(map[string]FailoverParticipant, len(s.participants))
-	for _, participant := range s.participants {
-		if participant == nil {
+	responses := make([]masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse, 0, len(s.targets))
+	byNode := make(map[string]FailoverTarget, len(s.targets))
+	for _, target := range s.targets {
+		if target.NodeID == "" || target.Evidence == nil {
 			continue
 		}
-		resp, err := participant.QueryPromotionEvidence(masterv2.PromotionQueryRequest{
+		resp, err := target.Evidence.QueryPromotionEvidence(masterv2.PromotionQueryRequest{
 			VolumeName:    s.volumeName,
 			ExpectedEpoch: s.expectedEpoch,
 		})
@@ -113,7 +140,7 @@ func (s *FailoverSession) CollectPromotionEvidence() ([]masterv2.PromotionQueryR
 			return nil, s.failf("volumev2: promotion evidence for %s missing node id", s.volumeName)
 		}
 		responses = append(responses, resp)
-		byNode[resp.NodeID] = participant
+		byNode[resp.NodeID] = target
 	}
 	if len(responses) == 0 {
 		return nil, s.failf("volumev2: no failover evidence collected for %s", s.volumeName)
@@ -167,13 +194,18 @@ func (s *FailoverSession) PrepareTakeover() (ReconstructedPrimaryTruth, error) {
 		return ReconstructedPrimaryTruth{}, s.failf("volumev2: authorized node %q missing participant", s.result.Assignment.NodeID)
 	}
 	peers := make([]ReplicaSummarySource, 0, len(s.byNode)-1)
-	for nodeID, participant := range s.byNode {
+	for nodeID, target := range s.byNode {
 		if nodeID == s.result.Assignment.NodeID {
 			continue
 		}
-		peers = append(peers, participant)
+		if target.Evidence != nil {
+			peers = append(peers, target.Evidence)
+		}
 	}
-	truth, err := selected.PreparePrimaryTakeover(PrimaryTakeoverPlan{
+	if selected.Takeover == nil {
+		return ReconstructedPrimaryTruth{}, s.failf("volumev2: authorized node %q missing takeover adapter", s.result.Assignment.NodeID)
+	}
+	truth, err := selected.Takeover.PreparePrimaryTakeover(PrimaryTakeoverPlan{
 		Assignment: s.result.Assignment,
 		Peers:      peers,
 	})
@@ -205,7 +237,10 @@ func (s *FailoverSession) Activate() error {
 	if !ok {
 		return s.failf("volumev2: authorized node %q missing participant", s.result.Assignment.NodeID)
 	}
-	if err := selected.GatePrimaryActivation(s.volumeName, s.result.Truth); err != nil {
+	if selected.Takeover == nil {
+		return s.failf("volumev2: authorized node %q missing takeover adapter", s.result.Assignment.NodeID)
+	}
+	if err := selected.Takeover.GatePrimaryActivation(s.volumeName, s.result.Truth); err != nil {
 		return s.fail(err)
 	}
 	s.stage = FailoverStageActivated
@@ -283,8 +318,18 @@ func (s *FailoverSession) Run() (FailoverResult, error) {
 // ExecuteFailoverFlow runs the narrow failover path:
 // fresh promotion evidence -> master authorization -> takeover preparation ->
 // activation gate. It intentionally does not choreograph catch-up or rebuild.
-func ExecuteFailoverFlow(master *masterv2.Master, volumeName string, expectedEpoch uint64, participants []FailoverParticipant) (FailoverResult, error) {
-	session, err := NewFailoverSession(master, volumeName, expectedEpoch, participants)
+func ExecuteFailoverFlow(master *masterv2.Master, volumeName string, expectedEpoch uint64, targets []FailoverTarget) (FailoverResult, error) {
+	session, err := NewFailoverSession(master, volumeName, expectedEpoch, targets)
+	if err != nil {
+		return FailoverResult{}, err
+	}
+	return session.Run()
+}
+
+// ExecuteFailoverFlowFromParticipants preserves the old in-process participant
+// entry point while the explicit target seam becomes primary.
+func ExecuteFailoverFlowFromParticipants(master *masterv2.Master, volumeName string, expectedEpoch uint64, participants []FailoverParticipant) (FailoverResult, error) {
+	session, err := NewFailoverSessionFromParticipants(master, volumeName, expectedEpoch, participants)
 	if err != nil {
 		return FailoverResult{}, err
 	}
diff --git a/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/failover_adapter.go b/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/failover_adapter.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6a17d3cc2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/failover_adapter.go
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+package volumev2
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	"github.com/seaweedfs/seaweedfs/sw-block/runtime/masterv2"
+	"github.com/seaweedfs/seaweedfs/sw-block/runtime/protocolv2"
+)
+
+// FailoverEvidenceAdapter is the transport/session-facing query surface used by
+// failover orchestration. Future remote implementations should satisfy this
+// contract without changing failover session logic.
+type FailoverEvidenceAdapter interface {
+	QueryPromotionEvidence(masterv2.PromotionQueryRequest) (masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse, error)
+	QueryReplicaSummary(protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryRequest) (protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse, error)
+}
+
+// FailoverTakeoverAdapter is the selected-primary execution surface used after
+// masterv2 authorizes promotion. Future implementations may be local or remote,
+// but takeover ownership remains on the selected primary side.
+type FailoverTakeoverAdapter interface {
+	PreparePrimaryTakeover(PrimaryTakeoverPlan) (ReconstructedPrimaryTruth, error)
+	GatePrimaryActivation(volumeName string, truth ReconstructedPrimaryTruth) error
+}
+
+// FailoverTarget binds one stable node id to the evidence and takeover adapters
+// used by failover orchestration.
+type FailoverTarget struct {
+	NodeID   string
+	Evidence FailoverEvidenceAdapter
+	Takeover FailoverTakeoverAdapter
+}
+
+// NewInProcessFailoverTarget builds the first adapter-backed target from one
+// in-process volumev2 node.
+func NewInProcessFailoverTarget(node *Node) (FailoverTarget, error) {
+	if node == nil {
+		return FailoverTarget{}, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: node is nil")
+	}
+	if node.NodeID() == "" {
+		return FailoverTarget{}, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: node id is required")
+	}
+	return FailoverTarget{
+		NodeID:   node.NodeID(),
+		Evidence: inProcessFailoverEvidenceAdapter{node: node},
+		Takeover: inProcessFailoverTakeoverAdapter{node: node},
+	}, nil
+}
+
+type inProcessFailoverEvidenceAdapter struct {
+	node *Node
+}
+
+func (a inProcessFailoverEvidenceAdapter) QueryPromotionEvidence(req masterv2.PromotionQueryRequest) (masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse, error) {
+	if a.node == nil {
+		return masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: in-process evidence node is nil")
+	}
+	return a.node.QueryPromotionEvidence(req)
+}
+
+func (a inProcessFailoverEvidenceAdapter) QueryReplicaSummary(req protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryRequest) (protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse, error) {
+	if a.node == nil {
+		return protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: in-process evidence node is nil")
+	}
+	return a.node.QueryReplicaSummary(req)
+}
+
+type inProcessFailoverTakeoverAdapter struct {
+	node *Node
+}
+
+func (a inProcessFailoverTakeoverAdapter) PreparePrimaryTakeover(plan PrimaryTakeoverPlan) (ReconstructedPrimaryTruth, error) {
+	if a.node == nil {
+		return ReconstructedPrimaryTruth{}, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: in-process takeover node is nil")
+	}
+	return a.node.PreparePrimaryTakeover(plan)
+}
+
+func (a inProcessFailoverTakeoverAdapter) GatePrimaryActivation(volumeName string, truth ReconstructedPrimaryTruth) error {
+	if a.node == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("volumev2: in-process takeover node is nil")
+	}
+	return a.node.GatePrimaryActivation(volumeName, truth)
+}
diff --git a/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/failover_driver.go b/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/failover_driver.go
index 4e00ca426..2fde6b1cd 100644
--- a/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/failover_driver.go
+++ b/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/failover_driver.go
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ import (
 type InProcessFailoverDriver struct {
 	master *masterv2.Master
 
-	mu           sync.RWMutex
-	participants map[string]FailoverParticipant
+	mu      sync.RWMutex
+	targets map[string]FailoverTarget
 }
 
 // NewInProcessFailoverDriver creates a driver for one in-process masterv2.
@@ -24,28 +24,41 @@ func NewInProcessFailoverDriver(master *masterv2.Master) (*InProcessFailoverDriv
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: master is nil")
 	}
 	return &InProcessFailoverDriver{
-		master:       master,
-		participants: make(map[string]FailoverParticipant),
+		master:  master,
+		targets: make(map[string]FailoverTarget),
 	}, nil
 }
 
-// RegisterParticipant binds one stable node id to one failover participant.
-func (d *InProcessFailoverDriver) RegisterParticipant(nodeID string, participant FailoverParticipant) error {
+// RegisterTarget binds one stable node id to one explicit failover target.
+func (d *InProcessFailoverDriver) RegisterTarget(target FailoverTarget) error {
 	if d == nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("volumev2: failover driver is nil")
 	}
-	if nodeID == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("volumev2: participant node id is required")
+	if target.NodeID == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("volumev2: target node id is required")
 	}
-	if participant == nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("volumev2: participant %q is nil", nodeID)
+	if target.Evidence == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("volumev2: target %q missing evidence adapter", target.NodeID)
 	}
 	d.mu.Lock()
 	defer d.mu.Unlock()
-	d.participants[nodeID] = participant
+	d.targets[target.NodeID] = target
 	return nil
 }
 
+// RegisterParticipant preserves the old convenience path by wrapping one
+// legacy failover participant into an explicit target.
+func (d *InProcessFailoverDriver) RegisterParticipant(nodeID string, participant FailoverParticipant) error {
+	if participant == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("volumev2: participant %q is nil", nodeID)
+	}
+	return d.RegisterTarget(FailoverTarget{
+		NodeID:   nodeID,
+		Evidence: participant,
+		Takeover: participant,
+	})
+}
+
 // UnregisterParticipant removes one node from the in-process driver.
 func (d *InProcessFailoverDriver) UnregisterParticipant(nodeID string) {
 	if d == nil || nodeID == "" {
@@ -53,7 +66,7 @@ func (d *InProcessFailoverDriver) UnregisterParticipant(nodeID string) {
 	}
 	d.mu.Lock()
 	defer d.mu.Unlock()
-	delete(d.participants, nodeID)
+	delete(d.targets, nodeID)
 }
 
 // ParticipantNodeIDs returns the currently registered node ids in stable order.
@@ -63,8 +76,8 @@ func (d *InProcessFailoverDriver) ParticipantNodeIDs() []string {
 	}
 	d.mu.RLock()
 	defer d.mu.RUnlock()
-	nodeIDs := make([]string, 0, len(d.participants))
-	for nodeID := range d.participants {
+	nodeIDs := make([]string, 0, len(d.targets))
+	for nodeID := range d.targets {
 		nodeIDs = append(nodeIDs, nodeID)
 	}
 	slices.Sort(nodeIDs)
@@ -77,11 +90,11 @@ func (d *InProcessFailoverDriver) NewSession(volumeName string, expectedEpoch ui
 	if d == nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: failover driver is nil")
 	}
-	participants, err := d.resolveParticipants(nodeIDs)
+	targets, err := d.resolveTargets(nodeIDs)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	return NewFailoverSession(d.master, volumeName, expectedEpoch, participants)
+	return NewFailoverSession(d.master, volumeName, expectedEpoch, targets)
 }
 
 // Execute runs one failover using the resolved participant set.
@@ -93,30 +106,30 @@ func (d *InProcessFailoverDriver) Execute(volumeName string, expectedEpoch uint6
 	return session.Run()
 }
 
-func (d *InProcessFailoverDriver) resolveParticipants(nodeIDs []string) ([]FailoverParticipant, error) {
+func (d *InProcessFailoverDriver) resolveTargets(nodeIDs []string) ([]FailoverTarget, error) {
 	d.mu.RLock()
 	defer d.mu.RUnlock()
 
-	if len(d.participants) == 0 {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: no failover participants registered")
+	if len(d.targets) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: no failover targets registered")
 	}
 
 	resolvedIDs := nodeIDs
 	if len(resolvedIDs) == 0 {
-		resolvedIDs = make([]string, 0, len(d.participants))
-		for nodeID := range d.participants {
+		resolvedIDs = make([]string, 0, len(d.targets))
+		for nodeID := range d.targets {
 			resolvedIDs = append(resolvedIDs, nodeID)
 		}
 		slices.Sort(resolvedIDs)
 	}
 
-	participants := make([]FailoverParticipant, 0, len(resolvedIDs))
+	targets := make([]FailoverTarget, 0, len(resolvedIDs))
 	for _, nodeID := range resolvedIDs {
-		participant, ok := d.participants[nodeID]
+		target, ok := d.targets[nodeID]
 		if !ok {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: unknown failover participant %q", nodeID)
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: unknown failover target %q", nodeID)
 		}
-		participants = append(participants, participant)
+		targets = append(targets, target)
 	}
-	return participants, nil
+	return targets, nil
 }
diff --git a/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/failover_evidence_transport.go b/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/failover_evidence_transport.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f0bdb4286
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/failover_evidence_transport.go
@@ -0,0 +1,151 @@
+package volumev2
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"sync"
+
+	"github.com/seaweedfs/seaweedfs/sw-block/runtime/masterv2"
+	"github.com/seaweedfs/seaweedfs/sw-block/runtime/protocolv2"
+)
+
+// FailoverEvidenceTransport carries failover-time query traffic across a
+// transport/session boundary. This is the first transport seam needed for M1:
+// promotion evidence and bounded replica summaries.
+type FailoverEvidenceTransport interface {
+	QueryPromotionEvidence(nodeID string, req masterv2.PromotionQueryRequest) (masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse, error)
+	QueryReplicaSummary(nodeID string, req protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryRequest) (protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse, error)
+}
+
+// FailoverEvidenceHandler is the server-side evidence surface registered behind
+// a transport implementation.
+type FailoverEvidenceHandler interface {
+	QueryPromotionEvidence(masterv2.PromotionQueryRequest) (masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse, error)
+	QueryReplicaSummary(protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryRequest) (protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse, error)
+}
+
+// NewTransportEvidenceAdapter wraps one stable node id behind the supplied
+// failover evidence transport.
+func NewTransportEvidenceAdapter(nodeID string, transport FailoverEvidenceTransport) (FailoverEvidenceAdapter, error) {
+	if nodeID == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: evidence adapter node id is required")
+	}
+	if transport == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: evidence transport is nil")
+	}
+	return transportFailoverEvidenceAdapter{
+		nodeID:    nodeID,
+		transport: transport,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+// NewHybridInProcessFailoverTarget builds the first transport-backed failover
+// target shape: evidence crosses a transport/session seam, while takeover
+// remains primary-local on the selected node.
+func NewHybridInProcessFailoverTarget(node *Node, transport FailoverEvidenceTransport) (FailoverTarget, error) {
+	if node == nil {
+		return FailoverTarget{}, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: node is nil")
+	}
+	evidence, err := NewTransportEvidenceAdapter(node.NodeID(), transport)
+	if err != nil {
+		return FailoverTarget{}, err
+	}
+	return FailoverTarget{
+		NodeID:   node.NodeID(),
+		Evidence: evidence,
+		Takeover: inProcessFailoverTakeoverAdapter{node: node},
+	}, nil
+}
+
+type transportFailoverEvidenceAdapter struct {
+	nodeID    string
+	transport FailoverEvidenceTransport
+}
+
+func (a transportFailoverEvidenceAdapter) QueryPromotionEvidence(req masterv2.PromotionQueryRequest) (masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse, error) {
+	if a.transport == nil {
+		return masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: transport evidence adapter is nil")
+	}
+	return a.transport.QueryPromotionEvidence(a.nodeID, req)
+}
+
+func (a transportFailoverEvidenceAdapter) QueryReplicaSummary(req protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryRequest) (protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse, error) {
+	if a.transport == nil {
+		return protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse{}, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: transport evidence adapter is nil")
+	}
+	return a.transport.QueryReplicaSummary(a.nodeID, req)
+}
+
+// InMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport is the first request/response transport-style
+// adapter. It is still in-process, but it eliminates direct orchestration-time
+// calls to `*Node` for promotion evidence and replica-summary queries.
+type InMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport struct {
+	mu       sync.RWMutex
+	handlers map[string]FailoverEvidenceHandler
+}
+
+// NewInMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport creates an in-memory request/response
+// transport for failover evidence.
+func NewInMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport() *InMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport {
+	return &InMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport{
+		handlers: make(map[string]FailoverEvidenceHandler),
+	}
+}
+
+// RegisterHandler binds one stable node id to one evidence handler.
+func (t *InMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport) RegisterHandler(nodeID string, handler FailoverEvidenceHandler) error {
+	if t == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("volumev2: evidence transport is nil")
+	}
+	if nodeID == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("volumev2: evidence handler node id is required")
+	}
+	if handler == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("volumev2: evidence handler %q is nil", nodeID)
+	}
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	defer t.mu.Unlock()
+	t.handlers[nodeID] = handler
+	return nil
+}
+
+// UnregisterHandler removes one evidence handler from the in-memory transport.
+func (t *InMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport) UnregisterHandler(nodeID string) {
+	if t == nil || nodeID == "" {
+		return
+	}
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	defer t.mu.Unlock()
+	delete(t.handlers, nodeID)
+}
+
+func (t *InMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport) QueryPromotionEvidence(nodeID string, req masterv2.PromotionQueryRequest) (masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse, error) {
+	handler, err := t.handler(nodeID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse{}, err
+	}
+	return handler.QueryPromotionEvidence(req)
+}
+
+func (t *InMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport) QueryReplicaSummary(nodeID string, req protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryRequest) (protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse, error) {
+	handler, err := t.handler(nodeID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse{}, err
+	}
+	return handler.QueryReplicaSummary(req)
+}
+
+func (t *InMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport) handler(nodeID string) (FailoverEvidenceHandler, error) {
+	if t == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: evidence transport is nil")
+	}
+	if nodeID == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: evidence node id is required")
+	}
+	t.mu.RLock()
+	defer t.mu.RUnlock()
+	handler, ok := t.handlers[nodeID]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: unknown evidence handler %q", nodeID)
+	}
+	return handler, nil
+}
diff --git a/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/poc_test.go b/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/poc_test.go
index 58fbfb1cc..0d908c3c8 100644
--- a/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/poc_test.go
+++ b/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/poc_test.go
@@ -730,7 +730,10 @@ func TestFailoverFlow_AuthorizesAndActivatesHealthyCandidate(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("sync node-b: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	result, err := ExecuteFailoverFlow(master, "flow-vol", 2, []FailoverParticipant{nodeB, nodeC})
+	result, err := ExecuteFailoverFlow(master, "flow-vol", 2, []FailoverTarget{
+		mustInProcessFailoverTarget(t, nodeB),
+		mustInProcessFailoverTarget(t, nodeC),
+	})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("execute failover flow: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -792,10 +795,11 @@ func TestFailoverFlow_StopsAtActivationGate(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("seed node-b: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	result, err := ExecuteFailoverFlow(master, "flow-gated-vol", 2, []FailoverParticipant{
-		nodeB,
-		staticFailoverParticipant{
-			promotion: masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse{
+	result, err := ExecuteFailoverFlow(master, "flow-gated-vol", 2, []FailoverTarget{
+		mustInProcessFailoverTarget(t, nodeB),
+		staticFailoverTarget(
+			"node-c",
+			masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse{
 				VolumeName:   "flow-gated-vol",
 				NodeID:       "node-c",
 				Epoch:        1,
@@ -804,7 +808,7 @@ func TestFailoverFlow_StopsAtActivationGate(t *testing.T) {
 				Eligible:     false,
 				Reason:       "needs_rebuild",
 			},
-			summary: protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse{
+			protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse{
 				VolumeName:        "flow-gated-vol",
 				NodeID:            "node-c",
 				Epoch:             1,
@@ -819,7 +823,7 @@ func TestFailoverFlow_StopsAtActivationGate(t *testing.T) {
 				Eligible:          false,
 				Reason:            "needs_rebuild",
 			},
-		},
+		),
 	})
 	if err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("expected failover gate error")
@@ -888,7 +892,10 @@ func TestFailoverSession_StepwiseStagesExposeIntermediateState(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("sync node-b: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	session, err := NewFailoverSession(master, "session-vol", 2, []FailoverParticipant{nodeB, nodeC})
+	session, err := NewFailoverSession(master, "session-vol", 2, []FailoverTarget{
+		mustInProcessFailoverTarget(t, nodeB),
+		mustInProcessFailoverTarget(t, nodeC),
+	})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("new failover session: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -981,10 +988,11 @@ func TestFailoverSession_SnapshotCapturesFailureState(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("seed node-b: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	session, err := NewFailoverSession(master, "snapshot-gated-vol", 2, []FailoverParticipant{
-		nodeB,
-		staticFailoverParticipant{
-			promotion: masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse{
+	session, err := NewFailoverSession(master, "snapshot-gated-vol", 2, []FailoverTarget{
+		mustInProcessFailoverTarget(t, nodeB),
+		staticFailoverTarget(
+			"node-c",
+			masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse{
 				VolumeName:   "snapshot-gated-vol",
 				NodeID:       "node-c",
 				Epoch:        1,
@@ -993,7 +1001,7 @@ func TestFailoverSession_SnapshotCapturesFailureState(t *testing.T) {
 				Eligible:     false,
 				Reason:       "needs_rebuild",
 			},
-			summary: protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse{
+			protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse{
 				VolumeName:        "snapshot-gated-vol",
 				NodeID:            "node-c",
 				Epoch:             1,
@@ -1008,7 +1016,7 @@ func TestFailoverSession_SnapshotCapturesFailureState(t *testing.T) {
 				Eligible:          false,
 				Reason:            "needs_rebuild",
 			},
-		},
+		),
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("new failover session: %v", err)
@@ -1051,10 +1059,10 @@ func TestInProcessFailoverDriver_ExecuteHealthyFailover(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("new node-c: %v", err)
 	}
 	defer nodeC.Close()
-	if err := driver.RegisterParticipant("node-b", nodeB); err != nil {
+	if err := driver.RegisterTarget(mustInProcessFailoverTarget(t, nodeB)); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("register node-b: %v", err)
 	}
-	if err := driver.RegisterParticipant("node-c", nodeC); err != nil {
+	if err := driver.RegisterTarget(mustInProcessFailoverTarget(t, nodeC)); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("register node-c: %v", err)
 	}
 
@@ -1121,11 +1129,12 @@ func TestInProcessFailoverDriver_ExecuteStopsOnGate(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("new node-b: %v", err)
 	}
 	defer nodeB.Close()
-	if err := driver.RegisterParticipant("node-b", nodeB); err != nil {
+	if err := driver.RegisterTarget(mustInProcessFailoverTarget(t, nodeB)); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("register node-b: %v", err)
 	}
-	if err := driver.RegisterParticipant("node-c", staticFailoverParticipant{
-		promotion: masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse{
+	if err := driver.RegisterTarget(staticFailoverTarget(
+		"node-c",
+		masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse{
 			VolumeName:   "driver-gated-vol",
 			NodeID:       "node-c",
 			Epoch:        1,
@@ -1134,7 +1143,7 @@ func TestInProcessFailoverDriver_ExecuteStopsOnGate(t *testing.T) {
 			Eligible:     false,
 			Reason:       "needs_rebuild",
 		},
-		summary: protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse{
+		protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse{
 			VolumeName:        "driver-gated-vol",
 			NodeID:            "node-c",
 			Epoch:             1,
@@ -1149,7 +1158,7 @@ func TestInProcessFailoverDriver_ExecuteStopsOnGate(t *testing.T) {
 			Eligible:          false,
 			Reason:            "needs_rebuild",
 		},
-	}); err != nil {
+	)); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("register node-c: %v", err)
 	}
 
@@ -1181,6 +1190,335 @@ func TestInProcessFailoverDriver_ExecuteStopsOnGate(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestInProcessRuntimeManager_ExecuteHealthyFailoverAndPersistSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
+	master := masterv2.New(masterv2.Config{})
+	manager, err := NewInProcessRuntimeManager(master)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("new runtime manager: %v", err)
+	}
+	nodeB, err := New(Config{NodeID: "node-b"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("new node-b: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer nodeB.Close()
+	nodeC, err := New(Config{NodeID: "node-c"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("new node-c: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer nodeC.Close()
+	if err := manager.RegisterNode(nodeB); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("register node-b: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := manager.RegisterNode(nodeC); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("register node-c: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+	pathB := filepath.Join(tempDir, "manager-b.blk")
+	pathC := filepath.Join(tempDir, "manager-c.blk")
+	if err := master.DeclarePrimary(masterv2.VolumeSpec{
+		Name:          "manager-vol",
+		Path:          pathB,
+		PrimaryNodeID: "node-a",
+		CreateOptions: testCreateOptions(),
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("declare primary: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := nodeB.ApplyAssignments([]masterv2.Assignment{{
+		Name:          "manager-vol",
+		Path:          pathB,
+		NodeID:        "node-b",
+		Epoch:         2,
+		LeaseTTL:      30 * time.Second,
+		CreateOptions: testCreateOptions(),
+		Role:          "primary",
+	}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed node-b: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := nodeC.ApplyAssignments([]masterv2.Assignment{{
+		Name:          "manager-vol",
+		Path:          pathC,
+		NodeID:        "node-c",
+		Epoch:         2,
+		LeaseTTL:      30 * time.Second,
+		CreateOptions: testCreateOptions(),
+		Role:          "primary",
+	}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed node-c: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := nodeB.WriteLBA("manager-vol", 0, bytes.Repeat([]byte{0x52}, 4096)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write node-b: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := nodeB.SyncCache("manager-vol"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("sync node-b: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	result, err := manager.ExecuteFailover("manager-vol", 2)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("manager execute failover: %v", err)
+	}
+	if result.Assignment.NodeID != "node-b" {
+		t.Fatalf("assignment node=%q, want node-b", result.Assignment.NodeID)
+	}
+
+	lastSnap, ok := manager.LastFailoverSnapshot()
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("expected last failover snapshot")
+	}
+	if lastSnap.Stage != FailoverStageActivated {
+		t.Fatalf("snapshot stage=%q, want %q", lastSnap.Stage, FailoverStageActivated)
+	}
+	if lastSnap.SelectedNodeID != "node-b" {
+		t.Fatalf("snapshot selected node=%q, want node-b", lastSnap.SelectedNodeID)
+	}
+
+	perVolSnap, ok := manager.FailoverSnapshot("manager-vol")
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("expected per-volume failover snapshot")
+	}
+	if perVolSnap.Result.Truth.PrimaryNodeID != "node-b" {
+		t.Fatalf("per-volume truth primary=%q, want node-b", perVolSnap.Result.Truth.PrimaryNodeID)
+	}
+
+	lastResult, ok := manager.LastFailoverResult()
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("expected last failover result")
+	}
+	if lastResult.Assignment.NodeID != "node-b" {
+		t.Fatalf("last result assignment=%q, want node-b", lastResult.Assignment.NodeID)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestInProcessRuntimeManager_ExecuteStopsOnGateAndPersistsFailureSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
+	master := masterv2.New(masterv2.Config{})
+	manager, err := NewInProcessRuntimeManager(master)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("new runtime manager: %v", err)
+	}
+	nodeB, err := New(Config{NodeID: "node-b"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("new node-b: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer nodeB.Close()
+	if err := manager.RegisterNode(nodeB); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("register node-b: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := manager.RegisterTarget(staticFailoverTarget(
+		"node-c",
+		masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse{
+			VolumeName:   "manager-gated-vol",
+			NodeID:       "node-c",
+			Epoch:        1,
+			CommittedLSN: 1,
+			WALHeadLSN:   1,
+			Eligible:     false,
+			Reason:       "needs_rebuild",
+		},
+		protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse{
+			VolumeName:        "manager-gated-vol",
+			NodeID:            "node-c",
+			Epoch:             1,
+			Role:              "replica",
+			Mode:              "needs_rebuild",
+			CommittedLSN:      3,
+			DurableLSN:        2,
+			CheckpointLSN:     1,
+			RecoveryPhase:     "needs_rebuild",
+			LastBarrierOK:     false,
+			LastBarrierReason: "timeout",
+			Eligible:          false,
+			Reason:            "needs_rebuild",
+		},
+	)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("register node-c: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+	pathB := filepath.Join(tempDir, "manager-gated-b.blk")
+	if err := master.DeclarePrimary(masterv2.VolumeSpec{
+		Name:          "manager-gated-vol",
+		Path:          pathB,
+		PrimaryNodeID: "node-a",
+		CreateOptions: testCreateOptions(),
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("declare primary: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := nodeB.ApplyAssignments([]masterv2.Assignment{{
+		Name:          "manager-gated-vol",
+		Path:          pathB,
+		NodeID:        "node-b",
+		Epoch:         2,
+		LeaseTTL:      30 * time.Second,
+		CreateOptions: testCreateOptions(),
+		Role:          "primary",
+	}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed node-b: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	_, err = manager.ExecuteFailover("manager-gated-vol", 2)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected manager failover gate error")
+	}
+
+	lastSnap, ok := manager.LastFailoverSnapshot()
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("expected last failover snapshot")
+	}
+	if lastSnap.Stage != FailoverStageFailed {
+		t.Fatalf("snapshot stage=%q, want %q", lastSnap.Stage, FailoverStageFailed)
+	}
+	if lastSnap.LastError == "" {
+		t.Fatal("expected snapshot last error")
+	}
+	if !lastSnap.Result.Truth.NeedsRebuild {
+		t.Fatalf("expected needs_rebuild truth in snapshot: %+v", lastSnap.Result.Truth)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestTransportEvidenceAdapter_HealthyFailoverFlow(t *testing.T) {
+	master := masterv2.New(masterv2.Config{})
+	transport := NewInMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport()
+	nodeB, err := New(Config{NodeID: "node-b"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("new node-b: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer nodeB.Close()
+	nodeC, err := New(Config{NodeID: "node-c"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("new node-c: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer nodeC.Close()
+	if err := transport.RegisterHandler("node-b", nodeB); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("register node-b handler: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := transport.RegisterHandler("node-c", nodeC); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("register node-c handler: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+	pathB := filepath.Join(tempDir, "transport-b.blk")
+	pathC := filepath.Join(tempDir, "transport-c.blk")
+	if err := master.DeclarePrimary(masterv2.VolumeSpec{
+		Name:          "transport-vol",
+		Path:          pathB,
+		PrimaryNodeID: "node-a",
+		CreateOptions: testCreateOptions(),
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("declare primary: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := nodeB.ApplyAssignments([]masterv2.Assignment{{
+		Name:          "transport-vol",
+		Path:          pathB,
+		NodeID:        "node-b",
+		Epoch:         2,
+		LeaseTTL:      30 * time.Second,
+		CreateOptions: testCreateOptions(),
+		Role:          "primary",
+	}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed node-b: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := nodeC.ApplyAssignments([]masterv2.Assignment{{
+		Name:          "transport-vol",
+		Path:          pathC,
+		NodeID:        "node-c",
+		Epoch:         2,
+		LeaseTTL:      30 * time.Second,
+		CreateOptions: testCreateOptions(),
+		Role:          "primary",
+	}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed node-c: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := nodeB.WriteLBA("transport-vol", 0, bytes.Repeat([]byte{0x61}, 4096)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write node-b: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := nodeB.SyncCache("transport-vol"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("sync node-b: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	result, err := ExecuteFailoverFlow(master, "transport-vol", 2, []FailoverTarget{
+		mustHybridFailoverTarget(t, nodeB, transport),
+		mustHybridFailoverTarget(t, nodeC, transport),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("transport-backed failover flow: %v", err)
+	}
+	if result.Assignment.NodeID != "node-b" {
+		t.Fatalf("assignment node=%q, want node-b", result.Assignment.NodeID)
+	}
+	if result.Truth.PrimaryNodeID != "node-b" {
+		t.Fatalf("truth primary=%q, want node-b", result.Truth.PrimaryNodeID)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestTransportEvidenceAdapter_GatedFailoverFlow(t *testing.T) {
+	master := masterv2.New(masterv2.Config{})
+	transport := NewInMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport()
+	nodeB, err := New(Config{NodeID: "node-b"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("new node-b: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer nodeB.Close()
+	if err := transport.RegisterHandler("node-b", nodeB); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("register node-b handler: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+	pathB := filepath.Join(tempDir, "transport-gated-b.blk")
+	if err := master.DeclarePrimary(masterv2.VolumeSpec{
+		Name:          "transport-gated-vol",
+		Path:          pathB,
+		PrimaryNodeID: "node-a",
+		CreateOptions: testCreateOptions(),
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("declare primary: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := nodeB.ApplyAssignments([]masterv2.Assignment{{
+		Name:          "transport-gated-vol",
+		Path:          pathB,
+		NodeID:        "node-b",
+		Epoch:         2,
+		LeaseTTL:      30 * time.Second,
+		CreateOptions: testCreateOptions(),
+		Role:          "primary",
+	}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed node-b: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	_, err = ExecuteFailoverFlow(master, "transport-gated-vol", 2, []FailoverTarget{
+		mustHybridFailoverTarget(t, nodeB, transport),
+		staticFailoverTarget(
+			"node-c",
+			masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse{
+				VolumeName:   "transport-gated-vol",
+				NodeID:       "node-c",
+				Epoch:        1,
+				CommittedLSN: 1,
+				WALHeadLSN:   1,
+				Eligible:     false,
+				Reason:       "needs_rebuild",
+			},
+			protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse{
+				VolumeName:        "transport-gated-vol",
+				NodeID:            "node-c",
+				Epoch:             1,
+				Role:              "replica",
+				Mode:              "needs_rebuild",
+				CommittedLSN:      3,
+				DurableLSN:        2,
+				CheckpointLSN:     1,
+				RecoveryPhase:     "needs_rebuild",
+				LastBarrierOK:     false,
+				LastBarrierReason: "timeout",
+				Eligible:          false,
+				Reason:            "needs_rebuild",
+			},
+		),
+	})
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected gated transport-backed failover error")
+	}
+}
+
 func mustHeartbeat(t *testing.T, node *Node) masterv2.NodeHeartbeat {
 	t.Helper()
 	hb, err := node.Heartbeat()
@@ -1202,6 +1540,24 @@ func mustPromotionEvidence(t *testing.T, node *Node, volumeName string, epoch ui
 	return resp
 }
 
+func mustInProcessFailoverTarget(t *testing.T, node *Node) FailoverTarget {
+	t.Helper()
+	target, err := NewInProcessFailoverTarget(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("new in-process failover target: %v", err)
+	}
+	return target
+}
+
+func mustHybridFailoverTarget(t *testing.T, node *Node, transport FailoverEvidenceTransport) FailoverTarget {
+	t.Helper()
+	target, err := NewHybridInProcessFailoverTarget(node, transport)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("new hybrid failover target: %v", err)
+	}
+	return target
+}
+
 type staticReplicaSummarySource struct {
 	resp protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse
 	err  error
@@ -1211,25 +1567,37 @@ func (s staticReplicaSummarySource) QueryReplicaSummary(protocolv2.ReplicaSummar
 	return s.resp, s.err
 }
 
-type staticFailoverParticipant struct {
+type staticFailoverAdapter struct {
 	promotion masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse
 	summary   protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse
 	err       error
 }
 
-func (s staticFailoverParticipant) QueryPromotionEvidence(masterv2.PromotionQueryRequest) (masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse, error) {
+func staticFailoverTarget(nodeID string, promotion masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse, summary protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse) FailoverTarget {
+	adapter := staticFailoverAdapter{
+		promotion: promotion,
+		summary:   summary,
+	}
+	return FailoverTarget{
+		NodeID:   nodeID,
+		Evidence: adapter,
+		Takeover: adapter,
+	}
+}
+
+func (s staticFailoverAdapter) QueryPromotionEvidence(masterv2.PromotionQueryRequest) (masterv2.PromotionQueryResponse, error) {
 	return s.promotion, s.err
 }
 
-func (s staticFailoverParticipant) QueryReplicaSummary(protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryRequest) (protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse, error) {
+func (s staticFailoverAdapter) QueryReplicaSummary(protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryRequest) (protocolv2.ReplicaSummaryResponse, error) {
 	return s.summary, s.err
 }
 
-func (s staticFailoverParticipant) PreparePrimaryTakeover(PrimaryTakeoverPlan) (ReconstructedPrimaryTruth, error) {
+func (s staticFailoverAdapter) PreparePrimaryTakeover(PrimaryTakeoverPlan) (ReconstructedPrimaryTruth, error) {
 	return ReconstructedPrimaryTruth{}, fmt.Errorf("static failover participant cannot prepare takeover")
 }
 
-func (s staticFailoverParticipant) GatePrimaryActivation(string, ReconstructedPrimaryTruth) error {
+func (s staticFailoverAdapter) GatePrimaryActivation(string, ReconstructedPrimaryTruth) error {
 	return fmt.Errorf("static failover participant cannot gate activation")
 }
 
diff --git a/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/runtime_manager.go b/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/runtime_manager.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f6d93a439
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sw-block/runtime/volumev2/runtime_manager.go
@@ -0,0 +1,175 @@
+package volumev2
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"sync"
+
+	"github.com/seaweedfs/seaweedfs/sw-block/runtime/masterv2"
+)
+
+// InProcessRuntimeManager is the first runtime-owned failover manager for the
+// new kernel. It wraps the in-process failover driver, owns participant
+// registration, and retains the latest failover snapshots/results for
+// observability.
+type InProcessRuntimeManager struct {
+	driver            *InProcessFailoverDriver
+	evidenceTransport *InMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport
+
+	mu              sync.RWMutex
+	lastSnapshot    FailoverSnapshot
+	lastResult      FailoverResult
+	hasLastResult   bool
+	snapshotsByName map[string]FailoverSnapshot
+	resultsByName   map[string]FailoverResult
+}
+
+// NewInProcessRuntimeManager creates a runtime-owned failover manager over one
+// in-process masterv2 instance.
+func NewInProcessRuntimeManager(master *masterv2.Master) (*InProcessRuntimeManager, error) {
+	driver, err := NewInProcessFailoverDriver(master)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return &InProcessRuntimeManager{
+		driver:            driver,
+		evidenceTransport: NewInMemoryFailoverEvidenceTransport(),
+		snapshotsByName:   make(map[string]FailoverSnapshot),
+		resultsByName:     make(map[string]FailoverResult),
+	}, nil
+}
+
+// RegisterNode registers one concrete volumev2 node under its stable node id.
+func (m *InProcessRuntimeManager) RegisterNode(node *Node) error {
+	if m == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("volumev2: runtime manager is nil")
+	}
+	if node == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("volumev2: node is nil")
+	}
+	if err := m.evidenceTransport.RegisterHandler(node.NodeID(), node); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	target, err := NewHybridInProcessFailoverTarget(node, m.evidenceTransport)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return m.RegisterTarget(target)
+}
+
+// RegisterTarget registers one explicit failover target.
+func (m *InProcessRuntimeManager) RegisterTarget(target FailoverTarget) error {
+	if m == nil || m.driver == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("volumev2: runtime manager is nil")
+	}
+	return m.driver.RegisterTarget(target)
+}
+
+// RegisterParticipant registers one failover-capable participant explicitly.
+func (m *InProcessRuntimeManager) RegisterParticipant(nodeID string, participant FailoverParticipant) error {
+	if m == nil || m.driver == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("volumev2: runtime manager is nil")
+	}
+	return m.driver.RegisterParticipant(nodeID, participant)
+}
+
+// UnregisterParticipant removes one participant from the runtime-owned driver.
+func (m *InProcessRuntimeManager) UnregisterParticipant(nodeID string) {
+	if m == nil || m.driver == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if m.evidenceTransport != nil {
+		m.evidenceTransport.UnregisterHandler(nodeID)
+	}
+	m.driver.UnregisterParticipant(nodeID)
+}
+
+// ParticipantNodeIDs returns the current runtime-owned participant ids.
+func (m *InProcessRuntimeManager) ParticipantNodeIDs() []string {
+	if m == nil || m.driver == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return m.driver.ParticipantNodeIDs()
+}
+
+// NewFailoverSession resolves participants through the runtime-owned registry.
+func (m *InProcessRuntimeManager) NewFailoverSession(volumeName string, expectedEpoch uint64, nodeIDs ...string) (*FailoverSession, error) {
+	if m == nil || m.driver == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: runtime manager is nil")
+	}
+	return m.driver.NewSession(volumeName, expectedEpoch, nodeIDs...)
+}
+
+// ExecuteFailover runs one runtime-owned failover and persists the latest
+// observable snapshot/result for the volume and the manager as a whole.
+func (m *InProcessRuntimeManager) ExecuteFailover(volumeName string, expectedEpoch uint64, nodeIDs ...string) (FailoverResult, error) {
+	if m == nil {
+		return FailoverResult{}, fmt.Errorf("volumev2: runtime manager is nil")
+	}
+	session, err := m.NewFailoverSession(volumeName, expectedEpoch, nodeIDs...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return FailoverResult{}, err
+	}
+	result, runErr := session.Run()
+	m.recordSnapshot(volumeName, session.Snapshot(), result)
+	return result, runErr
+}
+
+// LastFailoverSnapshot returns the most recent runtime-owned failover snapshot.
+func (m *InProcessRuntimeManager) LastFailoverSnapshot() (FailoverSnapshot, bool) {
+	if m == nil {
+		return FailoverSnapshot{}, false
+	}
+	m.mu.RLock()
+	defer m.mu.RUnlock()
+	if m.lastSnapshot.VolumeName == "" {
+		return FailoverSnapshot{}, false
+	}
+	return m.lastSnapshot, true
+}
+
+// FailoverSnapshot returns the latest snapshot for one volume if present.
+func (m *InProcessRuntimeManager) FailoverSnapshot(volumeName string) (FailoverSnapshot, bool) {
+	if m == nil {
+		return FailoverSnapshot{}, false
+	}
+	m.mu.RLock()
+	defer m.mu.RUnlock()
+	snap, ok := m.snapshotsByName[volumeName]
+	return snap, ok
+}
+
+// LastFailoverResult returns the most recent runtime-owned failover result.
+func (m *InProcessRuntimeManager) LastFailoverResult() (FailoverResult, bool) {
+	if m == nil {
+		return FailoverResult{}, false
+	}
+	m.mu.RLock()
+	defer m.mu.RUnlock()
+	if !m.hasLastResult {
+		return FailoverResult{}, false
+	}
+	return m.lastResult, true
+}
+
+// FailoverResult returns the latest result for one volume if present.
+func (m *InProcessRuntimeManager) FailoverResult(volumeName string) (FailoverResult, bool) {
+	if m == nil {
+		return FailoverResult{}, false
+	}
+	m.mu.RLock()
+	defer m.mu.RUnlock()
+	result, ok := m.resultsByName[volumeName]
+	return result, ok
+}
+
+func (m *InProcessRuntimeManager) recordSnapshot(volumeName string, snapshot FailoverSnapshot, result FailoverResult) {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	m.lastSnapshot = snapshot
+	m.lastResult = result
+	m.hasLastResult = true
+	if volumeName != "" {
+		m.snapshotsByName[volumeName] = snapshot
+		m.resultsByName[volumeName] = result
+	}
+}