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+---
+phase: 9
+slug: testing-qa
+status: draft
+nyquist_compliant: false
+wave_0_complete: false
+created: 2026-03-26
+---
+
+# Phase 9 — Validation Strategy
+
+> Per-phase validation contract for feedback sampling during execution.
+
+---
+
+## Test Infrastructure
+
+| Property | Value |
+|----------|-------|
+| **Framework** | Playwright + @axe-core/playwright + @lhci/cli |
+| **Config file** | `packages/portal/playwright.config.ts` |
+| **Quick run command** | `cd packages/portal && npx playwright test --project=chromium` |
+| **Full suite command** | `cd packages/portal && npx playwright test` |
+| **Estimated runtime** | ~3 minutes |
+
+---
+
+## Sampling Rate
+
+- **After every task commit:** Run `npx playwright test --project=chromium` (quick)
+- **After every plan wave:** Run full suite (all browsers)
+- **Before `/gsd:verify-work`:** Full suite green + Lighthouse scores passing
+- **Max feedback latency:** 60 seconds (single browser)
+
+---
+
+## Per-Task Verification Map
+
+| Task ID | Plan | Wave | Requirement | Test Type | Automated Command | File Exists | Status |
+|---------|------|------|-------------|-----------|-------------------|-------------|--------|
+| 09-xx | 01 | 1 | QA-01 | e2e | `npx playwright test` | ❌ W0 | ⬜ pending |
+| 09-xx | 02 | 1 | QA-02 | lighthouse | `npx lhci autorun` | ❌ W0 | ⬜ pending |
+| 09-xx | 02 | 1 | QA-03 | visual | `npx playwright test --update-snapshots` | ❌ W0 | ⬜ pending |
+| 09-xx | 02 | 1 | QA-04 | a11y | `npx playwright test` (axe checks) | ❌ W0 | ⬜ pending |
+| 09-xx | 01 | 1 | QA-05 | cross-browser | `npx playwright test` (3 projects) | ❌ W0 | ⬜ pending |
+| 09-xx | 01 | 1 | QA-06 | e2e | `npx playwright test` (state tests) | ❌ W0 | ⬜ pending |
+| 09-xx | 03 | 2 | QA-07 | ci | Gitea Actions pipeline | ❌ W0 | ⬜ pending |
+
+---
+
+## Wave 0 Requirements
+
+- [ ] `npm install -D @playwright/test @axe-core/playwright @lhci/cli`
+- [ ] `npx playwright install` (browser binaries)
+- [ ] `packages/portal/playwright.config.ts` — Playwright configuration
+- [ ] `packages/portal/e2e/` — test directory structure
+
+---
+
+## Manual-Only Verifications
+
+| Behavior | Requirement | Why Manual | Test Instructions |
+|----------|-------------|------------|-------------------|
+| CI pipeline runs on push to main | QA-07 | Requires Gitea runner | Push a commit, verify pipeline starts and completes |
+| Visual regression diffs reviewed | QA-03 | Human judgment on acceptable diffs | Review Playwright HTML report after baseline update |
+
+---
+
+## Validation Sign-Off
+
+- [ ] All tasks have `<automated>` verify or Wave 0 dependencies
+- [ ] Sampling continuity: no 3 consecutive tasks without automated verify
+- [ ] Wave 0 covers all MISSING references
+- [ ] No watch-mode flags
+- [ ] Feedback latency < 60s
+- [ ] `nyquist_compliant: true` set in frontmatter
+
+**Approval:** pending