diff --git a/.github/workflows/close-draft-prs.yml b/.github/workflows/close-draft-prs.yml
index 690ae5fbf..f2d361e89 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/close-draft-prs.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/close-draft-prs.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,10 @@ permissions:
 jobs:
   close-if-draft:
     name: Reject draft PRs
-    if: github.event.pull_request.draft == true
+    # Maintainers may use draft PRs for internal coordination.
+    if: >-
+      github.event.pull_request.draft == true &&
+      contains(fromJSON('["OWNER","MEMBER","COLLABORATOR"]'), github.event.pull_request.author_association) == false
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Comment and close draft PR
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pr-target-validator.yml b/.github/workflows/pr-target-validator.yml
index 18b59d6cf..ade2c8fea 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pr-target-validator.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pr-target-validator.yml
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ permissions:
 
 jobs:
   validate-target:
+    # Maintainers may open internal release/backport coordination PRs against main.
+    if: >-
+      contains(fromJSON('["OWNER","MEMBER","COLLABORATOR"]'), github.event.pull_request.author_association) == false
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     timeout-minutes: 2
     env:
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 179dffffa..3d3944604 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,28 +1,3 @@
-> # Project Continuity Notice
->
-> GSD Core is maintained by the **open-gsd** team at:
-> **`open-gsd/gsd-core`**
->
-> Use only these package names:
->
-> - npm (main): `@opengsd/gsd-core`
-> - npm (sdk): `@opengsd/gsd-sdk`
->
-> The legacy upstream is outside open-gsd control. Based on public transition announcements and repository ownership reality, we strongly recommend removing legacy packages and migrating to `@opengsd/*`.
->
-> Security status:
->
-> - maintainers completed an internal security audit
-> - maintainers report an independent review pass
-> - no known active exploit was found in tracked source during those passes
->
-> See:
->
-> - continuity announcement: https://github.com/open-gsd/gsd-core/discussions/109
-> - audit transparency report: https://github.com/open-gsd/gsd-core/discussions/119
->
-> ---
-
 <div align="center">
 
 # GSD Core
@@ -77,18 +52,6 @@ npx @opengsd/gsd-core@latest
 
 ---
 
-## Why We Continue Building GSD Core
-
-GSD Core exists to help solo builders and small teams ship reliably with AI: clear specs, controlled context, and verification before release.
-
-In May 2026, maintainers published a continuity announcement and migrated active development to `open-gsd/gsd-core` after trust and ownership concerns around the former upstream, including a meme-coin rug-pull incident publicly associated with that ecosystem.
-
-The former creator and legacy lineage are no longer part of this program. This repository is the maintained continuation under open-gsd governance.
-
-The current team continues release operations, triage, and security hardening in public. Audit status and follow-up security work are documented in Discussion #119 and linked issues.
-
----
-
 ## How It Works
 
 The loop is six commands. Each one does exactly one thing.
diff --git a/tests/workflow-maintainer-skip.test.cjs b/tests/workflow-maintainer-skip.test.cjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..64233d25c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/workflow-maintainer-skip.test.cjs
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+// allow-test-rule: source-text-is-the-product
+// These workflow files are deployed policy; the tests lock the maintainer
+// carve-out so future edits do not accidentally re-enable enforcement.
+'use strict';
+
+const { describe, test } = require('node:test');
+const assert = require('node:assert/strict');
+const fs = require('node:fs');
+const path = require('node:path');
+
+const MAINTAINER_SKIP_EXPR = 'contains(fromJSON(\'["OWNER","MEMBER","COLLABORATOR"]\'), github.event.pull_request.author_association) == false';
+
+function readWorkflow(relativePath) {
+  return fs.readFileSync(path.join(process.cwd(), relativePath), 'utf8');
+}
+
+function assertMaintainerSkip(source) {
+  assert.ok(
+    source.includes(MAINTAINER_SKIP_EXPR),
+    `Expected workflow to include maintainer skip expression: ${MAINTAINER_SKIP_EXPR}`
+  );
+}
+
+describe('PR policy workflow maintainer carve-outs', () => {
+  test('draft PR auto-close does not run for maintainer-authored PRs', () => {
+    const workflow = readWorkflow('.github/workflows/close-draft-prs.yml');
+
+    assert.match(workflow, /github\.event\.pull_request\.draft == true/);
+    assertMaintainerSkip(workflow);
+  });
+
+  test('PR target validator does not run for maintainer-authored PRs', () => {
+    const workflow = readWorkflow('.github/workflows/pr-target-validator.yml');
+
+    assertMaintainerSkip(workflow);
+  });
+});