diff --git a/manifests/context-packs/skill-triggers@1.json b/manifests/context-packs/skill-triggers@1.json
index 2571cddbe..e4688c620 100644
--- a/manifests/context-packs/skill-triggers@1.json
+++ b/manifests/context-packs/skill-triggers@1.json
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     "id": "hand-seeded",
     "source": "manual-curation-pending-regeneration"
   },
-  "registryDigest": "5d93820285d52a85a9e4525f465c3e083e42edcadcfa901efbd328fbc20d55b6",
+  "registryDigest": "bfc82befc37cd6c742b3acab6965190027589252c77352604d6ed24863ae2e4f",
   "schemaVersion": 1,
   "triggers": {
     "skill:agent-runtime-gateway-smoke-test": [
diff --git a/pi/core/skills/verification-loop/SKILL.md b/pi/core/skills/verification-loop/SKILL.md
index 35cb4b773..32c1c5da8 100644
--- a/pi/core/skills/verification-loop/SKILL.md
+++ b/pi/core/skills/verification-loop/SKILL.md
@@ -94,6 +94,19 @@ Review each changed file for:
 - Missing error handling
 - Potential edge cases
 
+## Target Acceptance
+
+When the requested outcome requires deployment or target-environment verification,
+report target acceptance separately from local checks. Record the environment and
+installed version when known, the evidence, and the next permitted check or precise
+access dependency. Passing local checks, review, merge, or release does not establish
+target acceptance. Report VERIFIED or FAILED for an executed target check, with its evidence.
+Do not access production or make external changes without authorization. For
+local-only tasks, mark target acceptance as not applicable.
+
+For example: local checks PASS; staging verification NOT PERFORMED (no access);
+next step: an authorized maintainer runs the staging smoke test.
+
 ## Output Format
 
 After running all phases, produce a verification report:
@@ -110,6 +123,8 @@ Security:  [PASS/FAIL] (X issues)
 Diff:      [X files changed]
 
 Overall:   [READY/NOT READY] for PR
+Target:    [VERIFIED/FAILED/NOT PERFORMED/NOT APPLICABLE] (environment/version, evidence)
+Next permitted step: [check or access dependency; none if complete/not applicable]
 
 Issues to Fix:
 1. ...
diff --git a/skills/verification-loop/SKILL.md b/skills/verification-loop/SKILL.md
index 1fbef6582..32c1c5da8 100644
--- a/skills/verification-loop/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/verification-loop/SKILL.md
@@ -98,8 +98,9 @@ Review each changed file for:
 
 When the requested outcome requires deployment or target-environment verification,
 report target acceptance separately from local checks. Record the environment and
-installed version, the evidence, and the next permitted check or precise access
-dependency. Passing tests, review, merge, or release does not verify that target.
+installed version when known, the evidence, and the next permitted check or precise
+access dependency. Passing local checks, review, merge, or release does not establish
+target acceptance. Report VERIFIED or FAILED for an executed target check, with its evidence.
 Do not access production or make external changes without authorization. For
 local-only tasks, mark target acceptance as not applicable.