diff --git a/python/README.md b/python/README.md
index 0f08e87f..b836b36f 100644
--- a/python/README.md
+++ b/python/README.md
@@ -37,3 +37,43 @@ python tests/test_gilded_rose_approvals.py
 ```
 
 You will need to approve the output file which appears under "approved_files" by renaming it from xxx.received.txt to xxx.approved.txt.
+
+The Gilded Rose is a refactoring Kata. The simplest way to start would be to go to the [github repo](https://github.com/emilybache/GildedRose-Refactoring-Kata), clone it and start hacking away! The requirement specifications are below.
+
+Gilded Rose Requirements Specification
+======================================
+
+Hi and welcome to team Gilded Rose. As you know, we are a small inn with a prime location in a
+prominent city ran by a friendly innkeeper named Allison. We also buy and sell only the finest goods.
+Unfortunately, our goods are constantly degrading in quality as they approach their sell by date. We
+have a system in place that updates our inventory for us. It was developed by a no-nonsense type named
+Leeroy, who has moved on to new adventures. Your task is to add the new feature to our system so that
+we can begin selling a new category of items. First an introduction to our system:
+
+  - All items have a SellIn value which denotes the number of days we have to sell the item
+  - All items have a Quality value which denotes how valuable the item is
+  - At the end of each day our system lowers both values for every item
+
+Pretty simple, right? Well this is where it gets interesting:
+
+  - Once the sell by date has passed, Quality degrades twice as fast
+  - The Quality of an item is never negative
+  - "Aged Brie" actually increases in Quality the older it gets
+  - The Quality of an item is never more than 50
+  - "Sulfuras", being a legendary item, never has to be sold or decreases in Quality
+  - "Backstage passes", like aged brie, increases in Quality as its SellIn value approaches;
+  Quality increases by 2 when there are 10 days or less and by 3 when there are 5 days or less but
+  Quality drops to 0 after the concert
+
+We have recently signed a supplier of conjured items. This requires an update to our system:
+
+  - "Conjured" items degrade in Quality twice as fast as normal items
+
+Feel free to make any changes to the UpdateQuality method and add any new code as long as everything
+still works correctly. However, do not alter the Item class or Items property as those belong to the
+goblin in the corner who will insta-rage and one-shot you as he doesn't believe in shared code
+ownership (you can make the UpdateQuality method and Items property static if you like, we'll cover
+for you).
+
+Just for clarification, an item can never have its Quality increase above 50, however "Sulfuras" is a
+legendary item and as such its Quality is 80 and it never alters.
diff --git a/python/plans/gilded-rose-strategy-refactor.md b/python/plans/gilded-rose-strategy-refactor.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d017c2f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/plans/gilded-rose-strategy-refactor.md
@@ -0,0 +1,825 @@
+# GildedRose Strategy Pattern Refactor — Implementation Plan
+
+> **For agentic workers:** REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use superpowers:subagent-driven-development (recommended) or superpowers:executing-plans to implement this plan task-by-task. Steps use checkbox (`- [ ]`) syntax for tracking.
+
+**Goal:** Refactor `GildedRose.update_quality` from a nested if/elif chain into a Strategy Pattern with an internal `ItemRecord` dataclass, `days` injection, and full test coverage including the new Conjured item type.
+
+**Architecture:** Each item type gets a dedicated `UpdateStrategy` class. `GildedRose.__init__` wraps every `Item` in an internal `ItemRecord(item, strategy)` by looking up the item name in a dict; unknowns get `NormalStrategy`. `update_quality(days=1)` delegates to each record's strategy, simulating `days` days in one call.
+
+**Tech Stack:** Python 3.10+, `unittest.TestCase`, `pytest`, `dataclasses`, `typing.Protocol`
+
+---
+
+## File Map
+
+| File | Change |
+|---|---|
+| `gilded_rose.py` | Add `UpdateStrategy` Protocol, five strategy classes, `ItemRecord` dataclass, `_STRATEGY_MAP`, refactor `GildedRose` |
+| `tests/test_gilded_rose.py` | Fix `test_foo`, add one `TestCase` per strategy class + integration `TestGildedRose` |
+
+---
+
+### Task 1: Fix the broken placeholder test
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `tests/test_gilded_rose.py`
+
+The existing `test_foo` always fails because it asserts `items[0].name == "fixme"` — `update_quality` never changes names. Fix it to assert the real behaviour: a normal item with `quality=0` stays at `0` after one update.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Update the assertion and rename the test**
+
+Replace the test body in `tests/test_gilded_rose.py`:
+
+```python
+class GildedRoseTest(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_normal_item_at_zero_quality_stays_zero(self):
+        items = [Item("foo", 0, 0)]
+        gilded_rose = GildedRose(items)
+        gilded_rose.update_quality()
+        self.assertEqual(0, items[0].quality)
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run the test and confirm it passes**
+
+```bash
+cd /Users/rajvora/Documents/interviews/GildedRose-Refactoring-Kata/python
+python3 -m pytest tests/test_gilded_rose.py -v
+```
+
+Expected: `PASSED tests/test_gilded_rose.py::GildedRoseTest::test_normal_item_at_zero_quality_stays_zero`
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add tests/test_gilded_rose.py
+git commit -m "fix: correct placeholder test_foo assertion"
+```
+
+---
+
+### Task 2: NormalStrategy — TDD
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `tests/test_gilded_rose.py` — add `TestNormalStrategy`
+- Modify: `gilded_rose.py` — add `NormalStrategy`
+
+Normal items: `-1 quality/day`, `-2/day` once `sell_in < 0`, quality floors at `0`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Write failing tests for NormalStrategy**
+
+Add this class to `tests/test_gilded_rose.py` (after the existing `GildedRoseTest`):
+
+```python
+class TestNormalStrategy(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Tests for NormalStrategy — default degradation behaviour."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.strategy = NormalStrategy()
+
+    def test_quality_decrements_by_one_each_day(self):
+        item = Item("widget", sell_in=10, quality=20)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(19, item.quality)
+        self.assertEqual(9, item.sell_in)
+
+    def test_quality_floors_at_zero(self):
+        # Quality must never go negative
+        item = Item("widget", sell_in=5, quality=0)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(0, item.quality)
+
+    def test_quality_degrades_twice_after_sell_date(self):
+        # Once sell_in goes below 0, each day removes 2 quality
+        item = Item("widget", sell_in=0, quality=10)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(8, item.quality)
+        self.assertEqual(-1, item.sell_in)
+
+    def test_multi_day_crosses_sell_date(self):
+        # Days=5 starting from sell_in=2: 2 normal days then 3 post-sell days
+        # Day1: q=9 si=1 | Day2: q=8 si=0 | Day3: q=6 si=-1
+        # Day4: q=4 si=-2 | Day5: q=2 si=-3
+        item = Item("widget", sell_in=2, quality=10)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=5)
+        self.assertEqual(2, item.quality)
+        self.assertEqual(-3, item.sell_in)
+
+    def test_quality_floors_at_zero_when_crossing_sell_date(self):
+        item = Item("widget", sell_in=1, quality=1)
+        # Day1: q=0 si=0 | Day2: post-sell but already 0
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=2)
+        self.assertEqual(0, item.quality)
+```
+
+Also update the import line at the top of the test file to include `NormalStrategy`:
+
+```python
+from gilded_rose import Item, GildedRose, NormalStrategy
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run tests to confirm they FAIL**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/test_gilded_rose.py::TestNormalStrategy -v
+```
+
+Expected: `ImportError` or `AttributeError` — `NormalStrategy` does not exist yet.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Implement NormalStrategy in gilded_rose.py**
+
+Add at the top of `gilded_rose.py` (before the `GildedRose` class, after any existing code):
+
+```python
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Protocol
+
+
+class UpdateStrategy(Protocol):
+    """Interface for per-item-type quality update logic."""
+
+    def update(self, item: "Item", days: int) -> None:
+        """Mutate item.quality and item.sell_in to reflect `days` passing."""
+        ...
+
+
+class NormalStrategy:
+    """
+    Default degradation strategy.
+
+    Quality decreases by 1 per day; by 2 per day once the sell date
+    has passed (sell_in < 0). Quality never falls below 0.
+    """
+
+    def update(self, item: "Item", days: int) -> None:
+        for _ in range(days):
+            item.quality = max(0, item.quality - 1)
+            item.sell_in -= 1
+            if item.sell_in < 0:
+                item.quality = max(0, item.quality - 1)
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Run tests to confirm they PASS**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/test_gilded_rose.py::TestNormalStrategy -v
+```
+
+Expected: all 5 tests `PASSED`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Run full suite to confirm no regressions**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/ -v
+```
+
+Expected: all tests pass.
+
+- [ ] **Step 6: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add gilded_rose.py tests/test_gilded_rose.py
+git commit -m "feat: add NormalStrategy with days injection"
+```
+
+---
+
+### Task 3: AgedBrieStrategy — TDD
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `tests/test_gilded_rose.py` — add `TestAgedBrieStrategy`
+- Modify: `gilded_rose.py` — add `AgedBrieStrategy`
+
+Aged Brie: `+1 quality/day`, `+2/day` after sell date, caps at `50`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Write failing tests**
+
+Add to the import line:
+
+```python
+from gilded_rose import Item, GildedRose, NormalStrategy, AgedBrieStrategy
+```
+
+Add this class:
+
+```python
+class TestAgedBrieStrategy(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Tests for AgedBrieStrategy — quality improves with age."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.strategy = AgedBrieStrategy()
+
+    def test_quality_increments_by_one_each_day(self):
+        item = Item("Aged Brie", sell_in=10, quality=20)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(21, item.quality)
+        self.assertEqual(9, item.sell_in)
+
+    def test_quality_caps_at_50(self):
+        item = Item("Aged Brie", sell_in=10, quality=50)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(50, item.quality)
+
+    def test_quality_increments_twice_after_sell_date(self):
+        # Past sell date: +2 per day
+        item = Item("Aged Brie", sell_in=0, quality=20)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(22, item.quality)
+        self.assertEqual(-1, item.sell_in)
+
+    def test_multi_day_crosses_sell_date(self):
+        # sell_in=1, quality=46, days=3
+        # Day1: q=47 si=0 | Day2: q=49 si=-1 | Day3: q=50 (capped) si=-2
+        item = Item("Aged Brie", sell_in=1, quality=46)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=3)
+        self.assertEqual(50, item.quality)
+        self.assertEqual(-2, item.sell_in)
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run tests to confirm they FAIL**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/test_gilded_rose.py::TestAgedBrieStrategy -v
+```
+
+Expected: `ImportError` — `AgedBrieStrategy` does not exist yet.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Implement AgedBrieStrategy in gilded_rose.py**
+
+Add after `NormalStrategy`:
+
+```python
+class AgedBrieStrategy:
+    """
+    Quality improvement strategy for Aged Brie.
+
+    Quality increases by 1 per day; by 2 per day once the sell date
+    has passed. Quality never exceeds 50.
+    """
+
+    def update(self, item: "Item", days: int) -> None:
+        for _ in range(days):
+            item.quality = min(50, item.quality + 1)
+            item.sell_in -= 1
+            if item.sell_in < 0:
+                item.quality = min(50, item.quality + 1)
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Run tests to confirm they PASS**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/test_gilded_rose.py::TestAgedBrieStrategy -v
+```
+
+Expected: all 4 tests `PASSED`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Run full suite**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/ -v
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 6: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add gilded_rose.py tests/test_gilded_rose.py
+git commit -m "feat: add AgedBrieStrategy"
+```
+
+---
+
+### Task 4: BackstagePassStrategy — TDD
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `tests/test_gilded_rose.py` — add `TestBackstagePassStrategy`
+- Modify: `gilded_rose.py` — add `BackstagePassStrategy`
+
+Rules: `+1` quality normally; `+2` when `sell_in ≤ 10`; `+3` when `sell_in ≤ 5`; drops to `0` when `sell_in` reaches `0` at start of day (concert day). Quality caps at `50`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Write failing tests**
+
+Update import:
+
+```python
+from gilded_rose import (
+    Item, GildedRose, NormalStrategy, AgedBrieStrategy,
+    BackstagePassStrategy,
+)
+```
+
+Add:
+
+```python
+class TestBackstagePassStrategy(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Tests for BackstagePassStrategy — tiered increase, zeroes after concert."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.strategy = BackstagePassStrategy()
+
+    def test_quality_increments_by_1_when_more_than_10_days(self):
+        item = Item("Backstage passes to a TAFKAL80ETC concert", sell_in=15, quality=20)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(21, item.quality)
+        self.assertEqual(14, item.sell_in)
+
+    def test_quality_increments_by_2_when_10_or_fewer_days(self):
+        item = Item("Backstage passes to a TAFKAL80ETC concert", sell_in=10, quality=20)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(22, item.quality)
+        self.assertEqual(9, item.sell_in)
+
+    def test_quality_increments_by_3_when_5_or_fewer_days(self):
+        item = Item("Backstage passes to a TAFKAL80ETC concert", sell_in=5, quality=20)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(23, item.quality)
+        self.assertEqual(4, item.sell_in)
+
+    def test_quality_drops_to_zero_on_concert_day(self):
+        # sell_in=0 means the concert is today — quality zeroes out
+        item = Item("Backstage passes to a TAFKAL80ETC concert", sell_in=0, quality=30)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(0, item.quality)
+        self.assertEqual(-1, item.sell_in)
+
+    def test_quality_stays_zero_after_concert(self):
+        item = Item("Backstage passes to a TAFKAL80ETC concert", sell_in=-1, quality=0)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(0, item.quality)
+
+    def test_quality_caps_at_50(self):
+        item = Item("Backstage passes to a TAFKAL80ETC concert", sell_in=5, quality=49)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(50, item.quality)
+
+    def test_multi_day_crosses_all_thresholds(self):
+        # sell_in=12, quality=20, days=4
+        # Day1(si=12): +1 → q=21, si=11
+        # Day2(si=11): +1 → q=22, si=10
+        # Day3(si=10): +2 → q=24, si=9
+        # Day4(si=9):  +2 → q=26, si=8
+        item = Item("Backstage passes to a TAFKAL80ETC concert", sell_in=12, quality=20)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=4)
+        self.assertEqual(26, item.quality)
+        self.assertEqual(8, item.sell_in)
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run tests to confirm they FAIL**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/test_gilded_rose.py::TestBackstagePassStrategy -v
+```
+
+Expected: `ImportError` — `BackstagePassStrategy` not defined.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Implement BackstagePassStrategy**
+
+Add after `AgedBrieStrategy`:
+
+```python
+class BackstagePassStrategy:
+    """
+    Quality strategy for backstage passes.
+
+    Quality increases as the concert approaches:
+      - +1/day when more than 10 days remain
+      - +2/day when 10 or fewer days remain
+      - +3/day when 5 or fewer days remain
+    Quality drops to 0 on concert day (sell_in == 0 at start of day)
+    and stays 0 afterwards. Quality never exceeds 50.
+    """
+
+    def update(self, item: "Item", days: int) -> None:
+        for _ in range(days):
+            if item.sell_in <= 0:
+                # Concert day or past — quality is worthless
+                item.quality = 0
+                item.sell_in -= 1
+                continue
+            if item.sell_in <= 5:
+                item.quality = min(50, item.quality + 3)
+            elif item.sell_in <= 10:
+                item.quality = min(50, item.quality + 2)
+            else:
+                item.quality = min(50, item.quality + 1)
+            item.sell_in -= 1
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Run tests to confirm they PASS**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/test_gilded_rose.py::TestBackstagePassStrategy -v
+```
+
+Expected: all 7 tests `PASSED`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Run full suite**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/ -v
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 6: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add gilded_rose.py tests/test_gilded_rose.py
+git commit -m "feat: add BackstagePassStrategy"
+```
+
+---
+
+### Task 5: SulfurasStrategy — TDD
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `tests/test_gilded_rose.py` — add `TestSulfurasStrategy`
+- Modify: `gilded_rose.py` — add `SulfurasStrategy`
+
+Sulfuras is legendary: `quality` is always `80`, `sell_in` never changes.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Write failing tests**
+
+Update import:
+
+```python
+from gilded_rose import (
+    Item, GildedRose, NormalStrategy, AgedBrieStrategy,
+    BackstagePassStrategy, SulfurasStrategy,
+)
+```
+
+Add:
+
+```python
+class TestSulfurasStrategy(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Tests for SulfurasStrategy — legendary item, never changes."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.strategy = SulfurasStrategy()
+
+    def test_quality_never_changes(self):
+        item = Item("Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros", sell_in=0, quality=80)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(80, item.quality)
+
+    def test_sell_in_never_changes(self):
+        item = Item("Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros", sell_in=0, quality=80)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(0, item.sell_in)
+
+    def test_unchanged_after_many_days(self):
+        item = Item("Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros", sell_in=0, quality=80)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=100)
+        self.assertEqual(80, item.quality)
+        self.assertEqual(0, item.sell_in)
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run tests to confirm they FAIL**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/test_gilded_rose.py::TestSulfurasStrategy -v
+```
+
+Expected: `ImportError`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Implement SulfurasStrategy**
+
+Add after `BackstagePassStrategy`:
+
+```python
+class SulfurasStrategy:
+    """
+    No-op strategy for Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros.
+
+    Legendary items never degrade and never need to be sold.
+    Neither quality nor sell_in is ever mutated.
+    """
+
+    def update(self, item: "Item", days: int) -> None:
+        pass  # legendary items are immutable
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Run tests to confirm they PASS**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/test_gilded_rose.py::TestSulfurasStrategy -v
+```
+
+Expected: all 3 tests `PASSED`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Run full suite**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/ -v
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 6: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add gilded_rose.py tests/test_gilded_rose.py
+git commit -m "feat: add SulfurasStrategy"
+```
+
+---
+
+### Task 6: ConjuredStrategy — TDD
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `tests/test_gilded_rose.py` — add `TestConjuredStrategy`
+- Modify: `gilded_rose.py` — add `ConjuredStrategy`
+
+Conjured items degrade at twice the normal rate: `-2/day`, `-4/day` after sell date. Quality floors at `0`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Write failing tests**
+
+Update import:
+
+```python
+from gilded_rose import (
+    Item, GildedRose, NormalStrategy, AgedBrieStrategy,
+    BackstagePassStrategy, SulfurasStrategy, ConjuredStrategy,
+)
+```
+
+Add:
+
+```python
+class TestConjuredStrategy(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Tests for ConjuredStrategy — degrades twice as fast as normal."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.strategy = ConjuredStrategy()
+
+    def test_quality_decrements_by_2_each_day(self):
+        item = Item("Conjured Mana Cake", sell_in=10, quality=20)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(18, item.quality)
+        self.assertEqual(9, item.sell_in)
+
+    def test_quality_floors_at_zero(self):
+        item = Item("Conjured Mana Cake", sell_in=5, quality=1)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(0, item.quality)
+
+    def test_quality_degrades_by_4_after_sell_date(self):
+        # Past sell date: -4 per day
+        item = Item("Conjured Mana Cake", sell_in=0, quality=20)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(16, item.quality)
+        self.assertEqual(-1, item.sell_in)
+
+    def test_multi_day_crosses_sell_date(self):
+        # sell_in=1, quality=10, days=3
+        # Day1: q=8 si=0 | Day2: q=4 si=-1 | Day3: q=0 si=-2
+        item = Item("Conjured Mana Cake", sell_in=1, quality=10)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=3)
+        self.assertEqual(0, item.quality)
+        self.assertEqual(-2, item.sell_in)
+
+    def test_quality_floors_at_zero_post_sell_date(self):
+        item = Item("Conjured Mana Cake", sell_in=0, quality=2)
+        self.strategy.update(item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(0, item.quality)
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run tests to confirm they FAIL**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/test_gilded_rose.py::TestConjuredStrategy -v
+```
+
+Expected: `ImportError`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Implement ConjuredStrategy**
+
+Add after `SulfurasStrategy`:
+
+```python
+class ConjuredStrategy:
+    """
+    Double-degradation strategy for Conjured items.
+
+    Quality decreases by 2 per day; by 4 per day once the sell date
+    has passed. Quality never falls below 0.
+    """
+
+    def update(self, item: "Item", days: int) -> None:
+        for _ in range(days):
+            item.quality = max(0, item.quality - 2)
+            item.sell_in -= 1
+            if item.sell_in < 0:
+                item.quality = max(0, item.quality - 2)
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Run tests to confirm they PASS**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/test_gilded_rose.py::TestConjuredStrategy -v
+```
+
+Expected: all 5 tests `PASSED`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Run full suite**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/ -v
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 6: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add gilded_rose.py tests/test_gilded_rose.py
+git commit -m "feat: add ConjuredStrategy"
+```
+
+---
+
+### Task 7: Wire GildedRose to use strategies — TDD
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `gilded_rose.py` — add `ItemRecord`, `_STRATEGY_MAP`, refactor `GildedRose`
+- Modify: `tests/test_gilded_rose.py` — add `TestGildedRose` integration tests
+
+This is the wiring step: `GildedRose` replaces its monolithic `update_quality` body with strategy dispatch via `ItemRecord`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Write failing integration tests**
+
+Update import to add `ItemRecord`:
+
+```python
+from gilded_rose import (
+    Item, GildedRose, NormalStrategy, AgedBrieStrategy,
+    BackstagePassStrategy, SulfurasStrategy, ConjuredStrategy,
+    ItemRecord,
+)
+```
+
+Add:
+
+```python
+class TestGildedRose(unittest.TestCase):
+    """
+    Integration tests for GildedRose.
+
+    Verifies strategy dispatch by name and that the days parameter
+    is forwarded correctly.
+    """
+
+    def test_dispatches_normal_strategy_for_unknown_item(self):
+        items = [Item("unknown widget", sell_in=5, quality=10)]
+        GildedRose(items).update_quality()
+        self.assertEqual(9, items[0].quality)
+        self.assertEqual(4, items[0].sell_in)
+
+    def test_dispatches_aged_brie_strategy(self):
+        items = [Item("Aged Brie", sell_in=5, quality=20)]
+        GildedRose(items).update_quality()
+        self.assertEqual(21, items[0].quality)
+
+    def test_dispatches_backstage_pass_strategy(self):
+        items = [Item("Backstage passes to a TAFKAL80ETC concert", sell_in=5, quality=20)]
+        GildedRose(items).update_quality()
+        self.assertEqual(23, items[0].quality)
+
+    def test_dispatches_sulfuras_strategy(self):
+        items = [Item("Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros", sell_in=0, quality=80)]
+        GildedRose(items).update_quality()
+        self.assertEqual(80, items[0].quality)
+        self.assertEqual(0, items[0].sell_in)
+
+    def test_dispatches_conjured_strategy(self):
+        items = [Item("Conjured Mana Cake", sell_in=5, quality=20)]
+        GildedRose(items).update_quality()
+        self.assertEqual(18, items[0].quality)
+
+    def test_multi_day_update_via_days_param(self):
+        items = [Item("unknown widget", sell_in=3, quality=10)]
+        GildedRose(items).update_quality(days=3)
+        # Day1: q=9 si=2 | Day2: q=8 si=1 | Day3: q=7 si=0
+        self.assertEqual(7, items[0].quality)
+        self.assertEqual(0, items[0].sell_in)
+
+    def test_multiple_items_updated_independently(self):
+        items = [
+            Item("Aged Brie", sell_in=5, quality=20),
+            Item("unknown widget", sell_in=5, quality=20),
+        ]
+        GildedRose(items).update_quality()
+        self.assertEqual(21, items[0].quality)  # Aged Brie goes up
+        self.assertEqual(19, items[1].quality)  # normal goes down
+
+    def test_item_record_allows_direct_strategy_injection(self):
+        # Verify ItemRecord can be used to inject a strategy directly in tests
+        item = Item("anything", sell_in=5, quality=20)
+        record = ItemRecord(item=item, strategy=ConjuredStrategy())
+        record.strategy.update(record.item, days=1)
+        self.assertEqual(18, item.quality)
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run tests to confirm they FAIL**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/test_gilded_rose.py::TestGildedRose -v
+```
+
+Expected: `ImportError` for `ItemRecord`; or `TypeError` on `update_quality(days=3)` since the current implementation doesn't accept `days`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Refactor GildedRose in gilded_rose.py**
+
+Replace the entire `GildedRose` class with the following (keep `Item` class unchanged at the bottom of the file):
+
+```python
+_STRATEGY_MAP: dict[str, UpdateStrategy] = {
+    "Aged Brie": AgedBrieStrategy(),
+    "Backstage passes to a TAFKAL80ETC concert": BackstagePassStrategy(),
+    "Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros": SulfurasStrategy(),
+    "Conjured Mana Cake": ConjuredStrategy(),
+}
+
+
+@dataclass
+class ItemRecord:
+    """
+    Internal pairing of an Item with its UpdateStrategy.
+
+    Built once in GildedRose.__init__ so the name-to-strategy lookup
+    happens at construction time, not on every update call.
+    Exposed publicly so tests can inject strategies directly without
+    going through the name-lookup dict.
+    """
+
+    item: Item
+    strategy: UpdateStrategy
+
+
+class GildedRose:
+    """
+    Inventory manager for the Gilded Rose inn.
+
+    Accepts a list of Item objects and updates their quality and sell_in
+    values according to each item's type-specific strategy. The Item
+    class and the items list are left untouched per the goblin's terms.
+
+    Usage:
+        rose = GildedRose(items)
+        rose.update_quality()          # advance one day
+        rose.update_quality(days=7)    # advance a full week
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, items: list[Item]) -> None:
+        self.items = items
+        self._records: list[ItemRecord] = [
+            ItemRecord(
+                item=i,
+                strategy=_STRATEGY_MAP.get(i.name, NormalStrategy()),
+            )
+            for i in items
+        ]
+
+    def update_quality(self, days: int = 1) -> None:
+        """Advance quality and sell_in for all items by `days` days."""
+        for record in self._records:
+            record.strategy.update(record.item, days)
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Run integration tests to confirm they PASS**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/test_gilded_rose.py::TestGildedRose -v
+```
+
+Expected: all 8 tests `PASSED`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Run full suite to confirm all tests pass**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m pytest tests/ -v
+```
+
+Expected: all tests across all `TestCase` classes `PASSED`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 6: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add gilded_rose.py tests/test_gilded_rose.py
+git commit -m "feat: refactor GildedRose with Strategy pattern and ItemRecord"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Verification
+
+Run the full suite from the project root:
+
+```bash
+cd /Users/rajvora/Documents/interviews/GildedRose-Refactoring-Kata/python
+python3 -m pytest tests/ -v
+```
+
+Expected output: all tests in `GildedRoseTest`, `TestNormalStrategy`, `TestAgedBrieStrategy`, `TestBackstagePassStrategy`, `TestSulfurasStrategy`, `TestConjuredStrategy`, and `TestGildedRose` show `PASSED`.
+
+Also verify the texttest fixture still runs:
+
+```bash
+python3 texttest_fixture.py 5
+```
+
+Expected: 5 days of inventory output with no errors.