Feat v0.9.8 conditional routing SDK primitive

Promote workflow branch-rule evaluation to a generic Starlark
routing.evaluate(rules, data) module available to all extensions.
10 operators, first-match-wins, no permission gate. 8 new tests.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -2,6 +2,58 @@
 
 All notable changes to Armature are documented here.
 
+## v0.9.8 — Conditional Routing → SDK Primitive
+
+Promotes the workflow branch-rule engine to a generic Starlark SDK
+module available to all extensions — no permission required.
+
+**New Starlark module: `routing`**
+
+- `routing.evaluate(rules, data)` — evaluates an ordered list of
+  condition rules against a data dict; returns the first matching
+  rule's `target` string, or `None` if no rule matches
+- 10 operators: `exists`, `not_exists`, `eq`, `neq`, `gt`, `lt`,
+  `gte`, `lte`, `in`, `contains`
+- First-match-wins semantics
+- Domain-agnostic: uses `target` (not `target_stage`) so any
+  extension can use it for feature flags, content routing, approval
+  logic, etc.
+- Always available — pure computation, no I/O, no permission gate
+
+**Tests:** 8 new unit tests covering all operators, type coercion,
+first-match-wins, empty/missing/bad input
+
+## v0.9.7 — Full Read/Write Workflow Starlark Module
+
+Extensions with `workflow.access` permission can now start, advance,
+cancel, and signoff workflow instances directly from Starlark scripts.
+
+**WorkflowEngine interface**
+
+- Defined in `sandbox` package to break the `workflow ↔ sandbox` circular
+  import (follows `NotificationSender` / `ConnectionResolver` pattern)
+- 4 methods: `Start`, `Advance`, `Cancel`, `SubmitSignoff`
+- `workflow.Engine` satisfies the interface implicitly — zero changes to
+  the engine package
+
+**New Starlark builtins**
+
+- `workflow.start(workflow_id, data={})` → instance dict
+- `workflow.advance(instance_id, data={})` → instance dict
+- `workflow.cancel(instance_id)` → None
+- `workflow.submit_signoff(instance_id, decision, comment="")` → signoff dict
+- All write ops require authenticated user context (`RunContext.UserID`)
+- Graceful errors when engine or user context unavailable
+
+**Refactors**
+
+- `instanceToDict` helper extracted — shared by `get_instance`, `start`,
+  `advance`
+- `signoffToDict` helper for signoff return values
+- `dictToJSON` helper for Starlark dict → `json.RawMessage` conversion
+
+**Tests:** 6 new unit tests (mock engine, happy path + error guards)
+
 ## v0.9.6 — Deprecate stage_type, Collapse stage_mode
 
 Simplifies the workflow stage classification model by removing

ROADMAP.md

@@ -129,16 +129,21 @@ Manifest `form_template` accepted at package level. 16 new tests.
 "review" mapped to "form" on input; review surface removed (~110 lines).
 Migration 018. 4 package manifests updated.
 
-**v0.9.7 — Full Read/Write Workflow Starlark Module**
+**v0.9.7 — Full Read/Write Workflow Starlark Module** *(completed)*
 
-Add `workflow.start()`, `workflow.advance()`, `workflow.cancel()`,
-`workflow.submit_signoff()` to the Starlark module. Extract engine
-interface to break circular import.
+`WorkflowEngine` interface extracted in sandbox package to break
+circular import. Four write builtins added: `workflow.start()`,
+`workflow.advance()`, `workflow.cancel()`, `workflow.submit_signoff()`.
+`instanceToDict` and `signoffToDict` helpers shared by read+write paths.
+6 new tests.
 
-**v0.9.8 — Conditional Routing → SDK Primitive**
+**v0.9.8 — Conditional Routing → SDK Primitive** *(completed)*
 
-Expose `routing.evaluate(rules, data)` as a Starlark SDK function.
-Branch rules become a reusable decision engine for any extension.
+`routing.evaluate(rules, data)` Starlark builtin — a generic decision
+engine reusable by any extension. 10 operators (exists, not_exists, eq,
+neq, gt, lt, gte, lte, in, contains), first-match-wins, returns target
+string or None. Always available (pure computation, no permission).
+8 new tests.
 
 **v0.9.9 — Surface Access via Roles**
 
@@ -213,23 +218,28 @@ Design doc: `docs/DESIGN-chat-v012x.md`.
 
 ### v0.13.x — Reference Libraries + Extensions
 
-Core libraries and remaining extensions. `llm-bridge` is the key
-delivery — extends both notes and chat through composability primitives,
-and introduces the **tool meta-tool** pattern: `sw.actions.list()` becomes
-the LLM tool registry, so installing an extension = granting AI a new
-capability. Zero configuration.
+Custom public root surface unblocks everything — anonymous visitors,
+landing pages, and the package registry. `llm-bridge` is the key
+library delivery — extends both notes and chat through composability
+primitives, and introduces the **tool meta-tool** pattern:
+`sw.actions.list()` becomes the LLM tool registry, so installing an
+extension = granting AI a new capability. Zero configuration.
+`armature.run` deployment is the dogfood gate at the end of the series.
 
 | Version | Title |
 |---------|-------|
-| v0.13.0 | `vector-store` Library |
-| v0.13.1 | `llm-bridge` Core Library |
-| v0.13.2 | `llm-bridge` → Chat: Multi-Persona Context + Tool Meta-Tool |
-| v0.13.3 | `llm-bridge` → Notes: AI Toolbar Actions |
-| v0.13.4 | `file-share` Extension |
-| v0.13.5 | `code-workspace` Extension |
-| v0.13.6 | `image-gen` + `image-edit` Extensions |
-| v0.13.7 | Tool Meta-Tool Hardening + Scoping |
-| v0.13.8 | Integration Quality Gate |
+| v0.13.0 | Custom Public Root Surface |
+| v0.13.1 | `vector-store` Library |
+| v0.13.2 | `llm-bridge` Core Library |
+| v0.13.3 | `llm-bridge` → Chat: Multi-Persona Context + Tool Meta-Tool |
+| v0.13.4 | `llm-bridge` → Notes: AI Toolbar Actions |
+| v0.13.5 | `file-share` Extension |
+| v0.13.6 | Package Registry Extension |
+| v0.13.7 | `code-workspace` Extension |
+| v0.13.8 | `image-gen` + `image-edit` Extensions |
+| v0.13.9 | Tool Meta-Tool Hardening + Scoping |
+| v0.13.10 | `armature.run` Deployment |
+| v0.13.11 | Integration Quality Gate |
 
 ---
 
@@ -351,6 +361,9 @@ These are candidates, not commitments. Each requires a design doc.
 | Layered prompt architecture (6 layers) | Admin safety not overridable. Clear separation: platform → space → character → context → tools → user. |
 | Personas in llm-bridge, not chat | Chat sees AI as just another participant_type. Persona identity is llm-bridge's concern. |
 | llm-bridge after notes + chat (v0.13.x) | Proves the composability hooks work without being designed for a specific consumer. |
+| Custom public root first in v0.13.x | Unblocks registry, landing page, and armature.run. Small kernel change, high leverage. |
+| Package registry as reference extension | Proves public surfaces work. Needs files module for .pkg storage. Self-referential: Armature's registry runs on Armature. |
+| armature.run as dogfood gate | If armature.run can't run on Armature, the platform isn't ready. Issues feed into quality gate fixes. |
 | Sidecar connect-inward | No K8s RBAC, no service mesh, no DNS discovery. Works on any deployment target. |
 | Sidecar HTTP/JSON, not gRPC | KISS. 4-endpoint contract. Every language has HTTP. |
 | User sidecars in v0.14.5 | Prove instance contract first, extend to users with same mechanism. |

VERSION

@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.9.6
+0.9.8

docs/STARLARK-REFERENCE.md

@@ -84,6 +84,24 @@ Returns `True` if the user has the permission, `False` otherwise (including
 when the user is not found). Resolves the user's groups and merges granted
 permissions — works for both kernel and extension-declared permissions.
 
+### routing
+
+Generic rule-based decision engine. Evaluates an ordered list of conditions
+against a data dict, returning the first matching rule's target string.
+
+```python
+result = routing.evaluate([
+    {"field": "priority", "op": "eq",  "value": "critical", "target": "escalation"},
+    {"field": "amount",   "op": "gt",  "value": 10000,      "target": "manager_review"},
+    {"field": "region",   "op": "in",  "value": ["EU", "UK"], "target": "gdpr_flow"},
+], stage_data)
+# Returns "escalation", "manager_review", "gdpr_flow", or None
+```
+
+Each rule is a dict with `field`, `op`, `value`, and `target`. Operators:
+`exists`, `not_exists`, `eq`, `neq`, `gt`, `lt`, `gte`, `lte`, `in`,
+`contains`. First-match-wins; returns `None` if no rule matches.
+
 ## Permission-gated modules
 
 These modules are only available if the package has the corresponding

server/main.go

@@ -451,6 +451,7 @@ func main() {
 
 		// ── Workflow Engine (shared by public + protected routes) ──
 		wfEngine := workflow.NewEngine(stores, bus, starlarkRunner)
+		starlarkRunner.SetWorkflowEngine(wfEngine)
 
 		// ── Public Workflow Entry ─────
 		publicWfH := handlers.NewWorkflowPublicHandler(wfEngine, stores)

server/sandbox/routing_module.go

@@ -0,0 +1,190 @@
+package sandbox
+
+// routing_module.go
+//
+// Starlark routing module — a generic rule-based decision engine.
+// Always available (pure computation, no I/O).
+//
+// Starlark API:
+//   result = routing.evaluate(rules, data)
+//   # result → "target_string" or None
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	"go.starlark.net/starlark"
+	"go.starlark.net/starlarkstruct"
+)
+
+// BuildRoutingModule creates the "routing" Starlark module.
+// No permission required — pure computation.
+func BuildRoutingModule() *starlarkstruct.Module {
+	return MakeModule("routing", starlark.StringDict{
+		"evaluate": starlark.NewBuiltin("routing.evaluate", routingEvaluateBuiltin()),
+	})
+}
+
+// routingRule is the generic equivalent of workflow.Condition.
+// Uses "target" instead of "target_stage" to be domain-agnostic.
+type routingRule struct {
+	Field  string
+	Op     string
+	Value  any
+	Target string
+}
+
+func routingEvaluateBuiltin() func(*starlark.Thread, *starlark.Builtin, starlark.Tuple, []starlark.Tuple) (starlark.Value, error) {
+	return func(_ *starlark.Thread, b *starlark.Builtin, args starlark.Tuple, kwargs []starlark.Tuple) (starlark.Value, error) {
+		var rulesVal, dataVal starlark.Value
+		if err := starlark.UnpackPositionalArgs(b.Name(), args, kwargs, 2, &rulesVal, &dataVal); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+		// Convert rules list → []routingRule
+		rulesList, ok := rulesVal.(*starlark.List)
+		if !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("routing.evaluate: rules must be a list, got %s", rulesVal.Type())
+		}
+
+		rules := make([]routingRule, rulesList.Len())
+		for i := 0; i < rulesList.Len(); i++ {
+			ruleDict, ok := rulesList.Index(i).(*starlark.Dict)
+			if !ok {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("routing.evaluate: rules[%d] must be a dict, got %s", i, rulesList.Index(i).Type())
+			}
+			m := DictToMap(ruleDict)
+
+			field, _ := m["field"].(string)
+			op, _ := m["op"].(string)
+			target, _ := m["target"].(string)
+			if field == "" || op == "" || target == "" {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("routing.evaluate: rules[%d] must have field, op, and target", i)
+			}
+			rules[i] = routingRule{
+				Field:  field,
+				Op:     op,
+				Value:  m["value"],
+				Target: target,
+			}
+		}
+
+		// Convert data dict → Go map
+		dataDict, ok := dataVal.(*starlark.Dict)
+		if !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("routing.evaluate: data must be a dict, got %s", dataVal.Type())
+		}
+		data := DictToMap(dataDict)
+
+		// Evaluate rules — first match wins
+		for _, rule := range rules {
+			if evaluateRoutingCondition(rule, data) {
+				return starlark.String(rule.Target), nil
+			}
+		}
+
+		return starlark.None, nil
+	}
+}
+
+// ── Evaluation helpers (mirrored from workflow/routing.go) ─────────
+//
+// These are pure functions copied from the workflow package to avoid
+// a sandbox → workflow import cycle. The workflow package continues
+// using its own copy for ResolveNextStage.
+
+// evaluateRoutingCondition checks if a single rule matches against data.
+func evaluateRoutingCondition(rule routingRule, data map[string]any) bool {
+	val, exists := data[rule.Field]
+
+	switch rule.Op {
+	case "exists":
+		return exists
+	case "not_exists":
+		return !exists
+	}
+
+	if !exists {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	switch rule.Op {
+	case "eq":
+		return routingCompareEq(val, rule.Value)
+	case "neq":
+		return !routingCompareEq(val, rule.Value)
+	case "gt":
+		return routingCompareNum(val, rule.Value) > 0
+	case "lt":
+		return routingCompareNum(val, rule.Value) < 0
+	case "gte":
+		return routingCompareNum(val, rule.Value) >= 0
+	case "lte":
+		return routingCompareNum(val, rule.Value) <= 0
+	case "in":
+		return routingCompareIn(val, rule.Value)
+	case "contains":
+		return routingCompareContains(val, rule.Value)
+	default:
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
+func routingCompareEq(a, b any) bool {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%v", a) == fmt.Sprintf("%v", b)
+}
+
+func routingCompareNum(a, b any) int {
+	af := routingToFloat(a)
+	bf := routingToFloat(b)
+	if af == nil || bf == nil {
+		return 0
+	}
+	switch {
+	case *af < *bf:
+		return -1
+	case *af > *bf:
+		return 1
+	default:
+		return 0
+	}
+}
+
+func routingToFloat(v any) *float64 {
+	switch n := v.(type) {
+	case float64:
+		return &n
+	case int:
+		f := float64(n)
+		return &f
+	case int64:
+		f := float64(n)
+		return &f
+	case string:
+		var f float64
+		if _, err := fmt.Sscanf(n, "%f", &f); err == nil {
+			return &f
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func routingCompareIn(val, list any) bool {
+	arr, ok := list.([]any)
+	if !ok {
+		return false
+	}
+	vs := fmt.Sprintf("%v", val)
+	for _, item := range arr {
+		if fmt.Sprintf("%v", item) == vs {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func routingCompareContains(val, target any) bool {
+	s := fmt.Sprintf("%v", val)
+	t := fmt.Sprintf("%v", target)
+	return strings.Contains(s, t)
+}

server/sandbox/routing_module_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
+package sandbox
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"go.starlark.net/starlark"
+)
+
+func runRoutingScript(t *testing.T, script string) starlark.StringDict {
+	t.Helper()
+	mod := BuildRoutingModule()
+	predeclared := starlark.StringDict{"routing": mod}
+	globals, err := starlark.ExecFile(&starlark.Thread{Name: "test"}, "test.star", script, predeclared)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return globals
+}
+
+func runRoutingScriptErr(t *testing.T, script string) error {
+	t.Helper()
+	mod := BuildRoutingModule()
+	predeclared := starlark.StringDict{"routing": mod}
+	_, err := starlark.ExecFile(&starlark.Thread{Name: "test"}, "test.star", script, predeclared)
+	return err
+}
+
+func TestRoutingEvaluate_SingleMatch(t *testing.T) {
+	globals := runRoutingScript(t, `
+result = routing.evaluate([
+    {"field": "priority", "op": "eq", "value": "high", "target": "escalation"},
+], {"priority": "high"})
+`)
+	result := globals["result"]
+	if s, ok := result.(starlark.String); !ok || string(s) != "escalation" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 'escalation', got %v", result)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRoutingEvaluate_FirstMatchWins(t *testing.T) {
+	globals := runRoutingScript(t, `
+result = routing.evaluate([
+    {"field": "amount", "op": "gt", "value": 100, "target": "big"},
+    {"field": "amount", "op": "gt", "value": 50,  "target": "medium"},
+], {"amount": 200})
+`)
+	result := globals["result"]
+	if s, ok := result.(starlark.String); !ok || string(s) != "big" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 'big', got %v", result)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRoutingEvaluate_NoMatch(t *testing.T) {
+	globals := runRoutingScript(t, `
+result = routing.evaluate([
+    {"field": "status", "op": "eq", "value": "done", "target": "finish"},
+], {"status": "pending"})
+`)
+	if globals["result"] != starlark.None {
+		t.Fatalf("expected None, got %v", globals["result"])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRoutingEvaluate_EmptyRules(t *testing.T) {
+	globals := runRoutingScript(t, `
+result = routing.evaluate([], {"x": 1})
+`)
+	if globals["result"] != starlark.None {
+		t.Fatalf("expected None, got %v", globals["result"])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRoutingEvaluate_AllOperators(t *testing.T) {
+	globals := runRoutingScript(t, `
+# exists
+r1 = routing.evaluate([{"field": "x", "op": "exists", "value": "", "target": "yes"}], {"x": 1})
+# not_exists
+r2 = routing.evaluate([{"field": "x", "op": "not_exists", "value": "", "target": "yes"}], {"y": 1})
+# eq
+r3 = routing.evaluate([{"field": "s", "op": "eq", "value": "abc", "target": "yes"}], {"s": "abc"})
+# neq
+r4 = routing.evaluate([{"field": "s", "op": "neq", "value": "abc", "target": "yes"}], {"s": "xyz"})
+# gt
+r5 = routing.evaluate([{"field": "n", "op": "gt", "value": 10, "target": "yes"}], {"n": 20})
+# lt
+r6 = routing.evaluate([{"field": "n", "op": "lt", "value": 10, "target": "yes"}], {"n": 5})
+# gte
+r7 = routing.evaluate([{"field": "n", "op": "gte", "value": 10, "target": "yes"}], {"n": 10})
+# lte
+r8 = routing.evaluate([{"field": "n", "op": "lte", "value": 10, "target": "yes"}], {"n": 10})
+# in
+r9 = routing.evaluate([{"field": "s", "op": "in", "value": ["a", "b", "c"], "target": "yes"}], {"s": "b"})
+# contains
+r10 = routing.evaluate([{"field": "s", "op": "contains", "value": "ell", "target": "yes"}], {"s": "hello"})
+`)
+	for _, name := range []string{"r1", "r2", "r3", "r4", "r5", "r6", "r7", "r8", "r9", "r10"} {
+		v := globals[name]
+		if s, ok := v.(starlark.String); !ok || string(s) != "yes" {
+			t.Errorf("%s: expected 'yes', got %v", name, v)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRoutingEvaluate_TypeCoercion(t *testing.T) {
+	globals := runRoutingScript(t, `
+# Numeric string vs int
+r1 = routing.evaluate([
+    {"field": "n", "op": "gt", "value": 10, "target": "yes"},
+], {"n": "20"})
+
+# Int equality via string normalization
+r2 = routing.evaluate([
+    {"field": "n", "op": "eq", "value": 42, "target": "yes"},
+], {"n": 42})
+`)
+	for _, name := range []string{"r1", "r2"} {
+		v := globals[name]
+		if s, ok := v.(starlark.String); !ok || string(s) != "yes" {
+			t.Errorf("%s: expected 'yes', got %v", name, v)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRoutingEvaluate_BadInput(t *testing.T) {
+	// rules must be a list
+	err1 := runRoutingScriptErr(t, `routing.evaluate("bad", {})`)
+	if err1 == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error for non-list rules")
+	}
+
+	// data must be a dict
+	err2 := runRoutingScriptErr(t, `routing.evaluate([], "bad")`)
+	if err2 == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error for non-dict data")
+	}
+
+	// rule missing required fields
+	err3 := runRoutingScriptErr(t, `routing.evaluate([{"field": "x"}], {})`)
+	if err3 == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error for incomplete rule")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRoutingEvaluate_MissingFields(t *testing.T) {
+	globals := runRoutingScript(t, `
+# Field not in data — eq should not match
+r1 = routing.evaluate([
+    {"field": "absent", "op": "eq", "value": "x", "target": "bad"},
+], {"other": "y"})
+
+# not_exists matches when field is absent
+r2 = routing.evaluate([
+    {"field": "absent", "op": "not_exists", "value": "", "target": "good"},
+], {"other": "y"})
+`)
+	if globals["r1"] != starlark.None {
+		t.Fatalf("r1: expected None for missing field, got %v", globals["r1"])
+	}
+	if s, ok := globals["r2"].(starlark.String); !ok || string(s) != "good" {
+		t.Fatalf("r2: expected 'good', got %v", globals["r2"])
+	}
+}

server/sandbox/runner.go

@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ type Runner struct {
 	workspaceRoot   string               // empty = workspace module unavailable
 	workspaceQuota  int                  // MB, 0 = unlimited
 	capabilities    map[string]bool      // detected environment capabilities
+	wfEngine        WorkflowEngine       // nil = workflow write ops unavailable
 }
 
 // NewRunner creates a runner with the given sandbox and dependencies.
@@ -139,6 +140,12 @@ func (r *Runner) SetCapabilities(caps map[string]bool) {
 	r.capabilities = caps
 }
 
+// SetWorkflowEngine attaches the workflow engine for write operations
+// (start/advance/cancel/submit_signoff) in the workflow Starlark module.
+func (r *Runner) SetWorkflowEngine(e WorkflowEngine) {
+	r.wfEngine = e
+}
+
 // SetAllowPrivateIPs disables the SSRF check that blocks connections to
 // private/loopback IPs. For self-hosted environments where extensions
 // reach internal services. Controlled by EXT_ALLOW_PRIVATE_IPS env var.
@@ -396,7 +403,7 @@ func (r *Runner) buildModulesWithLibCtx(ctx context.Context, packageID string, m
 			filesLevel = 2
 
 		case models.ExtPermWorkflowAccess:
-			modules["workflow"] = BuildWorkflowModule(ctx, r.stores)
+			modules["workflow"] = BuildWorkflowModule(ctx, r.stores, r.wfEngine, rc)
 
 		case models.ExtPermConnectionsRead:
 			if r.connResolver != nil && rc != nil && rc.UserID != "" {
@@ -460,6 +467,9 @@ func (r *Runner) buildModulesWithLibCtx(ctx context.Context, packageID string, m
 	// Always available — read-only team role queries
 	modules["teams"] = BuildTeamsModule(ctx, r.stores)
 
+	// Always available — pure-computation routing decision engine
+	modules["routing"] = BuildRoutingModule()
+
 	// Allows any starlark package to load declared library dependencies.
 	if lc != nil {
 		modules["lib"] = BuildLibModule(ctx, r, packageID, rc, lc)

server/sandbox/workflow_module.go

@@ -8,10 +8,11 @@ package sandbox
 // Starlark API:
 //   wf = workflow.get_definition(workflow_id)                            # returns dict
 //   inst = workflow.get_instance(instance_id)                           # returns dict
+//   instances = workflow.list_instances(workflow_id)                     # list instances
 //   inst = workflow.start(workflow_id, data={})                          # start new instance
 //   inst = workflow.advance(instance_id, data={})                        # advance to next stage
 //   workflow.cancel(instance_id)                                         # cancel instance
-//   instances = workflow.list_instances(workflow_id)    # list instances
+//   signoff = workflow.submit_signoff(instance_id, decision, comment="") # submit signoff
 
 import (
 	"context"
@@ -21,21 +22,37 @@ import (
 	"go.starlark.net/starlark"
 	"go.starlark.net/starlarkstruct"
 
+	"armature/models"
 	"armature/store"
 )
 
+// WorkflowEngine is the subset of the workflow engine needed by Starlark
+// write operations. Defined here (not in the workflow package) to avoid
+// circular imports — workflow imports sandbox for the Runner.
+type WorkflowEngine interface {
+	Start(ctx context.Context, workflowID string, initialData json.RawMessage, userID string) (*models.WorkflowInstance, error)
+	Advance(ctx context.Context, instanceID string, stageData json.RawMessage, userID string) (*models.WorkflowInstance, error)
+	Cancel(ctx context.Context, instanceID string, userID string) error
+	SubmitSignoff(ctx context.Context, instanceID, userID, decision, comment string) (*models.WorkflowSignoff, error)
+}
+
 // BuildWorkflowModule creates the "workflow" Starlark module for a package.
 // Requires the workflow.access permission.
 //
-// Mutating operations (start/advance/cancel) are available via HTTP API;
-// Starlark builtins for them will be added when the engine interface is
-// extracted to a shared package to avoid circular imports.
-func BuildWorkflowModule(ctx context.Context, stores store.Stores) *starlarkstruct.Module {
-	return MakeModule("workflow", starlark.StringDict{
+// Read operations use stores directly. Write operations delegate to the
+// WorkflowEngine interface (engine may be nil if not wired — write builtins
+// return an error in that case).
+func BuildWorkflowModule(ctx context.Context, stores store.Stores, engine WorkflowEngine, rc *RunContext) *starlarkstruct.Module {
+	members := starlark.StringDict{
 		"get_definition": starlark.NewBuiltin("workflow.get_definition", workflowGetDef(ctx, stores)),
 		"get_instance":   starlark.NewBuiltin("workflow.get_instance", workflowGetInstance(ctx, stores)),
 		"list_instances": starlark.NewBuiltin("workflow.list_instances", workflowListInstances(ctx, stores)),
-	})
+		"start":          starlark.NewBuiltin("workflow.start", workflowStart(ctx, engine, rc)),
+		"advance":        starlark.NewBuiltin("workflow.advance", workflowAdvance(ctx, engine, rc)),
+		"cancel":         starlark.NewBuiltin("workflow.cancel", workflowCancel(ctx, engine, rc)),
+		"submit_signoff": starlark.NewBuiltin("workflow.submit_signoff", workflowSubmitSignoff(ctx, engine, rc)),
+	}
+	return MakeModule("workflow", members)
 }
 
 func workflowGetDef(ctx context.Context, stores store.Stores) func(*starlark.Thread, *starlark.Builtin, starlark.Tuple, []starlark.Tuple) (starlark.Value, error) {
@@ -98,7 +115,12 @@ func workflowGetInstance(ctx context.Context, stores store.Stores) func(*starlar
 		if err != nil {
 			return starlark.None, fmt.Errorf("workflow.get_instance: %w", err)
 		}
+		return instanceToDict(inst), nil
+	}
+}
 
+// instanceToDict converts a WorkflowInstance to a Starlark dict.
+func instanceToDict(inst *models.WorkflowInstance) *starlark.Dict {
 	d := starlark.NewDict(8)
 	d.SetKey(starlark.String("id"), starlark.String(inst.ID))
 	d.SetKey(starlark.String("workflow_id"), starlark.String(inst.WorkflowID))
@@ -122,9 +144,20 @@ func workflowGetInstance(ctx context.Context, stores store.Stores) func(*starlar
 	if inst.EntryToken != nil {
 		d.SetKey(starlark.String("entry_token"), starlark.String(*inst.EntryToken))
 	}
-
-		return d, nil
+	return d
 }
+
+// signoffToDict converts a WorkflowSignoff to a Starlark dict.
+func signoffToDict(s *models.WorkflowSignoff) *starlark.Dict {
+	d := starlark.NewDict(7)
+	d.SetKey(starlark.String("id"), starlark.String(s.ID))
+	d.SetKey(starlark.String("instance_id"), starlark.String(s.InstanceID))
+	d.SetKey(starlark.String("stage"), starlark.String(s.Stage))
+	d.SetKey(starlark.String("user_id"), starlark.String(s.UserID))
+	d.SetKey(starlark.String("decision"), starlark.String(s.Decision))
+	d.SetKey(starlark.String("comment"), starlark.String(s.Comment))
+	d.SetKey(starlark.String("created_at"), starlark.String(s.CreatedAt.Format("2006-01-02T15:04:05Z07:00")))
+	return d
 }
 
 func workflowListInstances(ctx context.Context, stores store.Stores) func(*starlark.Thread, *starlark.Builtin, starlark.Tuple, []starlark.Tuple) (starlark.Value, error) {
@@ -155,5 +188,113 @@ func workflowListInstances(ctx context.Context, stores store.Stores) func(*starl
 	}
 }
 
-// workflowRoute routes the workflow to a named stage.
-// Starlark: workflow.route(instance_id, target_stage, reason)
+// ── Instance Write API ──────────────
+
+// workflowWriteGuard checks that the engine and user context are available.
+func workflowWriteGuard(engine WorkflowEngine, rc *RunContext) error {
+	if engine == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("workflow engine not available")
+	}
+	if rc == nil || rc.UserID == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("workflow write operations require an authenticated user context")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// dictToJSON converts a Starlark dict to json.RawMessage.
+func dictToJSON(d *starlark.Dict) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+	m := DictToMap(d)
+	b, err := json.Marshal(m)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return json.RawMessage(b), nil
+}
+
+func workflowStart(ctx context.Context, engine WorkflowEngine, rc *RunContext) func(*starlark.Thread, *starlark.Builtin, starlark.Tuple, []starlark.Tuple) (starlark.Value, error) {
+	return func(_ *starlark.Thread, _ *starlark.Builtin, args starlark.Tuple, kwargs []starlark.Tuple) (starlark.Value, error) {
+		var workflowID string
+		data := starlark.NewDict(0)
+		if err := starlark.UnpackArgs("workflow.start", args, kwargs,
+			"workflow_id", &workflowID,
+			"data?", &data,
+		); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if err := workflowWriteGuard(engine, rc); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("workflow.start: %w", err)
+		}
+		dataJSON, err := dictToJSON(data)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("workflow.start: marshal data: %w", err)
+		}
+		inst, err := engine.Start(ctx, workflowID, dataJSON, rc.UserID)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("workflow.start: %w", err)
+		}
+		return instanceToDict(inst), nil
+	}
+}
+
+func workflowAdvance(ctx context.Context, engine WorkflowEngine, rc *RunContext) func(*starlark.Thread, *starlark.Builtin, starlark.Tuple, []starlark.Tuple) (starlark.Value, error) {
+	return func(_ *starlark.Thread, _ *starlark.Builtin, args starlark.Tuple, kwargs []starlark.Tuple) (starlark.Value, error) {
+		var instanceID string
+		data := starlark.NewDict(0)
+		if err := starlark.UnpackArgs("workflow.advance", args, kwargs,
+			"instance_id", &instanceID,
+			"data?", &data,
+		); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if err := workflowWriteGuard(engine, rc); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("workflow.advance: %w", err)
+		}
+		dataJSON, err := dictToJSON(data)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("workflow.advance: marshal data: %w", err)
+		}
+		inst, err := engine.Advance(ctx, instanceID, dataJSON, rc.UserID)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("workflow.advance: %w", err)
+		}
+		return instanceToDict(inst), nil
+	}
+}
+
+func workflowCancel(ctx context.Context, engine WorkflowEngine, rc *RunContext) func(*starlark.Thread, *starlark.Builtin, starlark.Tuple, []starlark.Tuple) (starlark.Value, error) {
+	return func(_ *starlark.Thread, _ *starlark.Builtin, args starlark.Tuple, kwargs []starlark.Tuple) (starlark.Value, error) {
+		var instanceID string
+		if err := starlark.UnpackPositionalArgs("workflow.cancel", args, kwargs, 1, &instanceID); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if err := workflowWriteGuard(engine, rc); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("workflow.cancel: %w", err)
+		}
+		if err := engine.Cancel(ctx, instanceID, rc.UserID); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("workflow.cancel: %w", err)
+		}
+		return starlark.None, nil
+	}
+}
+
+func workflowSubmitSignoff(ctx context.Context, engine WorkflowEngine, rc *RunContext) func(*starlark.Thread, *starlark.Builtin, starlark.Tuple, []starlark.Tuple) (starlark.Value, error) {
+	return func(_ *starlark.Thread, _ *starlark.Builtin, args starlark.Tuple, kwargs []starlark.Tuple) (starlark.Value, error) {
+		var instanceID, decision string
+		comment := ""
+		if err := starlark.UnpackArgs("workflow.submit_signoff", args, kwargs,
+			"instance_id", &instanceID,
+			"decision", &decision,
+			"comment?", &comment,
+		); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if err := workflowWriteGuard(engine, rc); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("workflow.submit_signoff: %w", err)
+		}
+		signoff, err := engine.SubmitSignoff(ctx, instanceID, rc.UserID, decision, comment)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("workflow.submit_signoff: %w", err)
+		}
+		return signoffToDict(signoff), nil
+	}
+}

server/sandbox/workflow_module_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,262 @@
+package sandbox
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"go.starlark.net/starlark"
+
+	"armature/models"
+	"armature/store"
+)
+
+// ── Mock Engine ──────────────────────
+
+type mockWorkflowEngine struct {
+	startResult   *models.WorkflowInstance
+	advanceResult *models.WorkflowInstance
+	signoffResult *models.WorkflowSignoff
+
+	lastMethod     string
+	lastWorkflowID string
+	lastInstanceID string
+	lastUserID     string
+	lastData       json.RawMessage
+	lastDecision   string
+	lastComment    string
+}
+
+func (m *mockWorkflowEngine) Start(_ context.Context, workflowID string, data json.RawMessage, userID string) (*models.WorkflowInstance, error) {
+	m.lastMethod = "Start"
+	m.lastWorkflowID = workflowID
+	m.lastData = data
+	m.lastUserID = userID
+	return m.startResult, nil
+}
+
+func (m *mockWorkflowEngine) Advance(_ context.Context, instanceID string, data json.RawMessage, userID string) (*models.WorkflowInstance, error) {
+	m.lastMethod = "Advance"
+	m.lastInstanceID = instanceID
+	m.lastData = data
+	m.lastUserID = userID
+	return m.advanceResult, nil
+}
+
+func (m *mockWorkflowEngine) Cancel(_ context.Context, instanceID string, userID string) error {
+	m.lastMethod = "Cancel"
+	m.lastInstanceID = instanceID
+	m.lastUserID = userID
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *mockWorkflowEngine) SubmitSignoff(_ context.Context, instanceID, userID, decision, comment string) (*models.WorkflowSignoff, error) {
+	m.lastMethod = "SubmitSignoff"
+	m.lastInstanceID = instanceID
+	m.lastUserID = userID
+	m.lastDecision = decision
+	m.lastComment = comment
+	return m.signoffResult, nil
+}
+
+// ── Helpers ──────────────────────────
+
+func testInstance() *models.WorkflowInstance {
+	return &models.WorkflowInstance{
+		ID:              "inst-1",
+		WorkflowID:      "wf-1",
+		WorkflowVersion: 2,
+		CurrentStage:    "review",
+		Status:          "active",
+		StartedBy:       "user-1",
+		StageData:       json.RawMessage(`{"key":"val"}`),
+	}
+}
+
+func testSignoff() *models.WorkflowSignoff {
+	return &models.WorkflowSignoff{
+		ID:         "sig-1",
+		InstanceID: "inst-1",
+		Stage:      "review",
+		UserID:     "user-1",
+		Decision:   "approve",
+		Comment:    "LGTM",
+		CreatedAt:  time.Date(2026, 4, 3, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC),
+	}
+}
+
+func runWorkflowScript(t *testing.T, engine WorkflowEngine, rc *RunContext, script string) (starlark.StringDict, error) {
+	t.Helper()
+	mod := BuildWorkflowModule(context.Background(), store.Stores{}, engine, rc)
+	predeclared := starlark.StringDict{"workflow": mod}
+	globals, err := starlark.ExecFile(&starlark.Thread{Name: "test"}, "test.star", script, predeclared)
+	return globals, err
+}
+
+// ── Tests ────────────────────────────
+
+func TestWorkflowStart(t *testing.T) {
+	mock := &mockWorkflowEngine{startResult: testInstance()}
+	rc := &RunContext{UserID: "user-1"}
+
+	globals, err := runWorkflowScript(t, mock, rc, `
+result = workflow.start("wf-1", data={"key": "val"})
+`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	if mock.lastMethod != "Start" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected Start, got %s", mock.lastMethod)
+	}
+	if mock.lastWorkflowID != "wf-1" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected wf-1, got %s", mock.lastWorkflowID)
+	}
+	if mock.lastUserID != "user-1" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected user-1, got %s", mock.lastUserID)
+	}
+
+	// Verify data was marshaled
+	var d map[string]interface{}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(mock.lastData, &d); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if d["key"] != "val" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected data key=val, got %v", d)
+	}
+
+	// Verify returned dict
+	result := globals["result"].(*starlark.Dict)
+	id, _, _ := result.Get(starlark.String("id"))
+	if id.(starlark.String).GoString() != "inst-1" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected id=inst-1, got %v", id)
+	}
+	status, _, _ := result.Get(starlark.String("status"))
+	if status.(starlark.String).GoString() != "active" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected status=active, got %v", status)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWorkflowAdvance(t *testing.T) {
+	inst := testInstance()
+	inst.CurrentStage = "complete"
+	mock := &mockWorkflowEngine{advanceResult: inst}
+	rc := &RunContext{UserID: "user-1"}
+
+	globals, err := runWorkflowScript(t, mock, rc, `
+result = workflow.advance("inst-1", data={"step": 2})
+`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	if mock.lastMethod != "Advance" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected Advance, got %s", mock.lastMethod)
+	}
+	if mock.lastInstanceID != "inst-1" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected inst-1, got %s", mock.lastInstanceID)
+	}
+
+	result := globals["result"].(*starlark.Dict)
+	stage, _, _ := result.Get(starlark.String("current_stage"))
+	if stage.(starlark.String).GoString() != "complete" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected current_stage=complete, got %v", stage)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWorkflowCancel(t *testing.T) {
+	mock := &mockWorkflowEngine{}
+	rc := &RunContext{UserID: "user-1"}
+
+	globals, err := runWorkflowScript(t, mock, rc, `
+result = workflow.cancel("inst-1")
+`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	if mock.lastMethod != "Cancel" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected Cancel, got %s", mock.lastMethod)
+	}
+	if mock.lastInstanceID != "inst-1" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected inst-1, got %s", mock.lastInstanceID)
+	}
+	if mock.lastUserID != "user-1" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected user-1, got %s", mock.lastUserID)
+	}
+
+	if globals["result"] != starlark.None {
+		t.Fatalf("expected None, got %v", globals["result"])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWorkflowSubmitSignoff(t *testing.T) {
+	mock := &mockWorkflowEngine{signoffResult: testSignoff()}
+	rc := &RunContext{UserID: "user-1"}
+
+	globals, err := runWorkflowScript(t, mock, rc, `
+result = workflow.submit_signoff("inst-1", "approve", comment="LGTM")
+`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	if mock.lastMethod != "SubmitSignoff" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected SubmitSignoff, got %s", mock.lastMethod)
+	}
+	if mock.lastDecision != "approve" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected approve, got %s", mock.lastDecision)
+	}
+	if mock.lastComment != "LGTM" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected LGTM, got %s", mock.lastComment)
+	}
+
+	result := globals["result"].(*starlark.Dict)
+	decision, _, _ := result.Get(starlark.String("decision"))
+	if decision.(starlark.String).GoString() != "approve" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected decision=approve, got %v", decision)
+	}
+	comment, _, _ := result.Get(starlark.String("comment"))
+	if comment.(starlark.String).GoString() != "LGTM" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected comment=LGTM, got %v", comment)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWorkflowWrite_NoUser(t *testing.T) {
+	mock := &mockWorkflowEngine{startResult: testInstance()}
+
+	_, err := runWorkflowScript(t, mock, nil, `
+result = workflow.start("wf-1")
+`)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error for nil RunContext")
+	}
+	if got := err.Error(); !contains(got, "authenticated user context") {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %s", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWorkflowWrite_NoEngine(t *testing.T) {
+	rc := &RunContext{UserID: "user-1"}
+
+	_, err := runWorkflowScript(t, nil, rc, `
+result = workflow.start("wf-1")
+`)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error for nil engine")
+	}
+	if got := err.Error(); !contains(got, "engine not available") {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %s", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// contains is a test helper — strings.Contains without importing strings.
+func contains(s, substr string) bool {
+	for i := 0; i <= len(s)-len(substr); i++ {
+		if s[i:i+len(substr)] == substr {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}