diff --git a/get-shit-done/workflows/verify-work.md b/get-shit-done/workflows/verify-work.md
index c987293bf..3148aa18a 100644
--- a/get-shit-done/workflows/verify-work.md
+++ b/get-shit-done/workflows/verify-work.md
@@ -437,8 +437,17 @@ If `SECURITY_CFG` is `true` AND `SECURITY_FILE` exists: check frontmatter `threa
 ```
 
 If `SECURITY_CFG` is `false` OR (`SECURITY_FILE` exists AND `threats_open` is `0`):
+
+**Auto-transition: mark phase complete in ROADMAP.md and STATE.md**
+
+Execute the transition workflow inline (do NOT use Task — the orchestrator context already holds the UAT results and phase data needed for accurate transition):
+
+Read and follow `~/.claude/get-shit-done/workflows/transition.md`.
+
+After transition completes, present next-step options to the user:
+
 ```
-All tests passed. Ready to continue.
+All tests passed. Phase {phase} marked complete.
 
 - `/gsd-plan-phase {next}` — Plan next phase
 - `/gsd-execute-phase {next}` — Execute next phase
diff --git a/tests/verify-work-auto-transition.test.cjs b/tests/verify-work-auto-transition.test.cjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..860b49831
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/verify-work-auto-transition.test.cjs
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+'use strict';
+
+/**
+ * verify-work auto-transition tests (#2018)
+ *
+ * Validates that verify-work.md calls the transition workflow to mark the
+ * phase complete in ROADMAP.md and STATE.md when UAT passes with 0 issues.
+ */
+
+const { test, describe } = require('node:test');
+const assert = require('node:assert/strict');
+const fs = require('fs');
+const path = require('path');
+
+const VERIFY_WORK = path.join(__dirname, '..', 'get-shit-done', 'workflows', 'verify-work.md');
+
+describe('verify-work.md — auto-transition after UAT passes with 0 issues', () => {
+  test('workflow reads transition.md when issues == 0 and security gate cleared', () => {
+    const content = fs.readFileSync(VERIFY_WORK, 'utf-8');
+    assert.ok(
+      content.includes('transition.md'),
+      'verify-work.md must reference transition.md for phase completion when issues == 0'
+    );
+  });
+
+  test('transition call appears after complete_session section', () => {
+    const content = fs.readFileSync(VERIFY_WORK, 'utf-8');
+    const completeSessionIdx = content.indexOf('complete_session');
+    const transitionIdx = content.indexOf('transition.md');
+    assert.ok(
+      completeSessionIdx !== -1,
+      'verify-work.md must contain a complete_session section'
+    );
+    assert.ok(
+      transitionIdx !== -1,
+      'verify-work.md must reference transition.md'
+    );
+    assert.ok(
+      transitionIdx > completeSessionIdx,
+      'transition.md reference must appear after the complete_session section'
+    );
+  });
+
+  test('security gate check gates the transition (no auto-transition when security pending)', () => {
+    const content = fs.readFileSync(VERIFY_WORK, 'utf-8');
+    // The security check must appear before the transition reference
+    const securityCfgIdx = content.indexOf('SECURITY_CFG');
+    const transitionIdx = content.indexOf('transition.md');
+    assert.ok(
+      securityCfgIdx !== -1,
+      'verify-work.md must check SECURITY_CFG before transitioning'
+    );
+    assert.ok(
+      securityCfgIdx < transitionIdx,
+      'SECURITY_CFG check must appear before transition.md reference'
+    );
+  });
+
+  test('transition is only invoked when security gate is cleared or disabled', () => {
+    const content = fs.readFileSync(VERIFY_WORK, 'utf-8');
+    // Transition must be guarded by security check:
+    // Either SECURITY_CFG is false, or security file exists with 0 open threats
+    const hasGuardedTransition =
+      content.includes('transition.md') &&
+      (
+        content.includes("SECURITY_CFG") &&
+        (content.includes('threats_open') || content.includes('SECURITY_FILE'))
+      );
+    assert.ok(
+      hasGuardedTransition,
+      'transition.md invocation must be guarded by security gate checks'
+    );
+  });
+
+  test('transition is NOT suggested when security enforcement is enabled and no SECURITY.md exists', () => {
+    const content = fs.readFileSync(VERIFY_WORK, 'utf-8');
+    // The workflow should suggest /gsd-secure-phase when security is enabled but no file exists
+    assert.ok(
+      content.includes('gsd-secure-phase'),
+      'verify-work.md must suggest /gsd-secure-phase when security gate blocks transition'
+    );
+  });
+});