diff --git a/agents/gsd-verifier.md b/agents/gsd-verifier.md
index 17afa2948..58639ec72 100644
--- a/agents/gsd-verifier.md
+++ b/agents/gsd-verifier.md
@@ -86,9 +86,25 @@ must_haves:
       via: "fetch in useEffect"
 ```
 
-**Option B: Derive from phase goal**
+**Option B: Use Success Criteria from ROADMAP.md**
 
-If no must_haves in frontmatter:
+If no must_haves in frontmatter, check for Success Criteria:
+
+```bash
+PHASE_DATA=$(node ~/.claude/get-shit-done/bin/gsd-tools.js roadmap get-phase "$PHASE_NUM" --raw)
+```
+
+Parse the `success_criteria` array from the JSON output. If non-empty:
+1. **Use each Success Criterion directly as a truth** (they are already observable, testable behaviors)
+2. **Derive artifacts:** For each truth, "What must EXIST?" — map to concrete file paths
+3. **Derive key links:** For each artifact, "What must be CONNECTED?" — this is where stubs hide
+4. **Document must-haves** before proceeding
+
+Success Criteria from ROADMAP.md are the contract — they take priority over Goal-derived truths.
+
+**Option C: Derive from phase goal (fallback)**
+
+If no must_haves in frontmatter AND no Success Criteria in ROADMAP:
 
 1. **State the goal** from ROADMAP.md
 2. **Derive truths:** "What must be TRUE?" — list 3-7 observable, testable behaviors
diff --git a/get-shit-done/bin/gsd-tools.js b/get-shit-done/bin/gsd-tools.js
index 9db630719..c969369b8 100755
--- a/get-shit-done/bin/gsd-tools.js
+++ b/get-shit-done/bin/gsd-tools.js
@@ -882,12 +882,19 @@ function cmdRoadmapGetPhase(cwd, phaseNum, raw) {
     const goalMatch = section.match(/\*\*Goal:\*\*\s*([^\n]+)/i);
     const goal = goalMatch ? goalMatch[1].trim() : null;
 
+    // Extract success criteria as structured array
+    const criteriaMatch = section.match(/\*\*Success Criteria\*\*[^\n]*:\s*\n((?:\s*\d+\.\s*[^\n]+\n?)+)/i);
+    const success_criteria = criteriaMatch
+      ? criteriaMatch[1].trim().split('\n').map(line => line.replace(/^\s*\d+\.\s*/, '').trim()).filter(Boolean)
+      : [];
+
     output(
       {
         found: true,
         phase_number: phaseNum,
         phase_name: phaseName,
         goal,
+        success_criteria,
         section,
       },
       raw,
diff --git a/get-shit-done/workflows/verify-phase.md b/get-shit-done/workflows/verify-phase.md
index 31d658d6a..59a018b3b 100644
--- a/get-shit-done/workflows/verify-phase.md
+++ b/get-shit-done/workflows/verify-phase.md
@@ -59,9 +59,25 @@ Returns JSON: `{ truths: [...], artifacts: [...], key_links: [...] }`
 
 Aggregate all must_haves across plans for phase-level verification.
 
-**Option B: Derive from phase goal**
+**Option B: Use Success Criteria from ROADMAP.md**
 
-If no must_haves in frontmatter (MUST_HAVES returns error or empty):
+If no must_haves in frontmatter (MUST_HAVES returns error or empty), check for Success Criteria:
+
+```bash
+PHASE_DATA=$(node ~/.claude/get-shit-done/bin/gsd-tools.js roadmap get-phase "${phase_number}" --raw)
+```
+
+Parse the `success_criteria` array from the JSON output. If non-empty:
+1. Use each Success Criterion directly as a **truth** (they are already written as observable, testable behaviors)
+2. Derive **artifacts** (concrete file paths for each truth)
+3. Derive **key links** (critical wiring where stubs hide)
+4. Document the must-haves before proceeding
+
+Success Criteria from ROADMAP.md are the contract — they override PLAN-level must_haves when both exist.
+
+**Option C: Derive from phase goal (fallback)**
+
+If no must_haves in frontmatter AND no Success Criteria in ROADMAP:
 1. State the goal from ROADMAP.md
 2. Derive **truths** (3-7 observable behaviors, each testable)
 3. Derive **artifacts** (concrete file paths for each truth)