diff --git a/crates/originweave-bap/tests/external_outcome_reconciliation.rs b/crates/originweave-bap/tests/external_outcome_reconciliation.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..da71ff85b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/originweave-bap/tests/external_outcome_reconciliation.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+use std::error::Error;
+
+use originweave_bap::{
+    BapExternalOutcome, BapExternalOutcomeError, BapRecoveryDirective, BapTaskEvent,
+    BapTaskLifecycle, BapTaskState,
+};
+
+fn running_lifecycle() -> Result<BapTaskLifecycle, Box<dyn Error>> {
+    let mut lifecycle = BapTaskLifecycle::new();
+    lifecycle.apply(BapTaskEvent::Admit)?;
+    lifecycle.apply(BapTaskEvent::Start)?;
+    Ok(lifecycle)
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn confirmed_no_side_effect_allows_retry_without_mutating_lifecycle() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>>
+{
+    let lifecycle = running_lifecycle()?;
+    let sequence = lifecycle.transition_sequence();
+
+    let directive =
+        lifecycle.classify_external_outcome(BapExternalOutcome::ConfirmedNoSideEffect)?;
+
+    assert_eq!(directive, BapRecoveryDirective::RetryCommand);
+    assert_eq!(lifecycle.state(), BapTaskState::Running);
+    assert_eq!(lifecycle.transition_sequence(), sequence);
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn confirmed_side_effect_requires_post_condition_verification_without_mutation()
+-> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
+    let lifecycle = running_lifecycle()?;
+    let sequence = lifecycle.transition_sequence();
+
+    let directive = lifecycle.classify_external_outcome(BapExternalOutcome::ConfirmedSideEffect)?;
+
+    assert_eq!(directive, BapRecoveryDirective::VerifyPostCondition);
+    assert_eq!(lifecycle.state(), BapTaskState::Running);
+    assert_eq!(lifecycle.transition_sequence(), sequence);
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn unknown_outcome_requires_explicit_reconciliation_transition() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
+    let mut lifecycle = running_lifecycle()?;
+
+    let directive = lifecycle.classify_external_outcome(BapExternalOutcome::Unknown)?;
+
+    assert_eq!(
+        directive,
+        BapRecoveryDirective::RequireReconciliation {
+            outcome: BapExternalOutcome::Unknown,
+        }
+    );
+    lifecycle.apply(BapTaskEvent::RequireReconciliation)?;
+    assert_eq!(lifecycle.state(), BapTaskState::ReconciliationRequired);
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn explicit_reconciliation_outcome_preserves_its_distinct_cause() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
+    let lifecycle = running_lifecycle()?;
+
+    let directive =
+        lifecycle.classify_external_outcome(BapExternalOutcome::ReconciliationRequired)?;
+
+    assert_eq!(
+        directive,
+        BapRecoveryDirective::RequireReconciliation {
+            outcome: BapExternalOutcome::ReconciliationRequired,
+        }
+    );
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn outcome_classification_fails_closed_outside_running_state() {
+    let lifecycle = BapTaskLifecycle::new();
+
+    let error = lifecycle
+        .classify_external_outcome(BapExternalOutcome::Unknown)
+        .err();
+
+    assert_eq!(
+        error,
+        Some(BapExternalOutcomeError::InvalidLifecycleState {
+            state: BapTaskState::Created,
+        })
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn outcome_error_has_stable_public_error_contract() {
+    let error = BapExternalOutcomeError::InvalidLifecycleState {
+        state: BapTaskState::WaitingForApproval,
+    };
+
+    assert_eq!(
+        error.to_string(),
+        "BAP external outcome cannot be classified from state WaitingForApproval"
+    );
+    assert!(error.source().is_none());
+}