diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 4bb4bc1c3..b431ccedb 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -132,6 +132,7 @@ build/
 /gsd-core/bin/lib/phase-id.cjs
 /gsd-core/bin/lib/config-loader.cjs
 /gsd-core/bin/lib/model-resolver.cjs
+/gsd-core/bin/lib/loop-resolver.cjs
 /gsd-core/bin/lib/federated-config.cjs
 /gsd-core/bin/lib/phase-locator.cjs
 /gsd-core/bin/lib/roadmap-parser.cjs
diff --git a/CONTEXT.md b/CONTEXT.md
index a7b03af7c..18699859e 100644
--- a/CONTEXT.md
+++ b/CONTEXT.md
@@ -154,8 +154,8 @@ Generated central manifest projecting all co-located Capability declarations int
 ### Federated Config
 ADR-857 phase 3b seam that merges capability-declared config slices into the `loadConfig` return value. Implemented in `src/federated-config.cts` → `gsd-core/bin/lib/federated-config.cjs`. Exports `mergeFederatedConfig({ configSchema, isCentralKey, userConfig }) → { values, validKeys, warnings }`. Rules: central-schema keys are skipped with a `pending-migration` warning; malformed slices are skipped with a warning (never throws); valid federated keys (absent from the central schema) resolve to the user-supplied value (if type-matches) or the slice default. Object writes are guarded against prototype pollution with inline literal `__proto__`/`constructor`/`prototype` key checks. Wired into `loadConfig` as a true no-op today: every Capability config key is still in the central config-schema, so `isCentralKey()` returns true for all of them and `values` is always empty. The channel becomes live when a key is atomically removed from the central schema at cutover (the ADR-857 migration step). `loadConfig` exposes `_setFederatedRegistryForTests`/`_resetFederatedRegistryForTests` seams for injecting a synthetic registry in tests.
 
-### Loop Extension Point [Planned]
-A named, stable site on a host loop step (per-step `pre`/`post` plus per-wave in Execute; ~12 total) where Capabilities register hooks. Three hook kinds: `step` (runs as its own sequenced unit), `contribution` (injects into the core step's prompt/context), and `gate` (checks and optionally blocks via a declared `blocking` flag). Each hook declares the artifacts it produces and consumes; hook order is derived by topological sort of that produces/consumes graph (capability-id tiebreak), which also defines data flow — file-artifact based, surviving `/clear` and fresh executor contexts. Hooks are surfaced by runtime resolution with concrete projection: the workflow calls a query (extending the `init.*` resolution seam) that resolves the active hooks and returns fully-rendered, ordered markdown for the executor. Failure is default-resilient — a non-gate hook that errors is skipped with a warning; a hook may opt into `onError: halt`. Part of the Capability system.
+### Loop Extension Point
+A named, stable site on a host loop step (per-step `pre`/`post` plus per-wave in Execute; 12 total) where Capabilities register hooks. Three hook kinds: `step` (runs as its own sequenced unit), `contribution` (injects into the core step's prompt/context), and `gate` (checks and optionally blocks via a declared `blocking` flag). Each hook declares the artifacts it produces and consumes; hook order is derived by topological sort of that produces/consumes graph (capability-id tiebreak), which also defines data flow — file-artifact based, surviving `/clear` and fresh executor contexts. Hooks are surfaced by runtime resolution with concrete projection: the workflow calls a query that resolves the active hooks and returns fully-rendered, ordered markdown for the executor. Failure is default-resilient — a non-gate hook that errors is skipped with a warning; a hook may opt into `onError: halt`. Part of the Capability system. ADR-857 phase 3c ships the registry-consuming query layer: `gsd-core/bin/lib/loop-resolver.cjs` exposes `resolveLoopHooks({ point, registry, config })` (pure, no I/O), `renderLoopHooks(resolved)` (pure markdown renderer), and `cmdLoopRenderHooks(cwd, point, raw, opts)` (I/O entry point); activated via `gsd-tools loop render-hooks <point>` which emits `{ point, activeHooks[], rendered }`. Activation is driven by `when` (dotted config key resolved against `loadConfig`), with inline literal `__proto__`/`constructor`/`prototype` prototype-pollution guard. Wiring a workflow to call this query is the ADR-857 phase-6 cutover (out of scope here).
 
 ### Runtime Capability [Planned]
 A `role: runtime` variant of a Capability (a Capability carries `role: feature | runtime`) that projects GSD's produced artifacts (skills/agents/hooks/commands) onto one host CLI's conventions — config-surface format, artifact-layout kinds, command template, hooks manifest, sandbox tier. It is a declarative descriptor over a fixed first-party primitive vocabulary (not a code adapter); install composes active Feature Capabilities × the chosen Runtime Capability at the InstallPlan seam (ADR-0058). First-party runtimes are authored through the same descriptor a third party would write (dogfooding the interface); tier-1 (Claude Code, Codex, Antigravity) is fully tested, the other existing runtimes ship lower-tier, none dropped. Third-party runtime loading is deferred to a purely additive external loader + trust gate.
diff --git a/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md b/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md
index 2328a5fa0..145f7208f 100644
--- a/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md
+++ b/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md
@@ -372,6 +372,7 @@ Node.js CLI utility (`gsd-tools.cjs`) with domain modules split across `gsd-core
 | `profile-output.cjs`       | Profile rendering, USER-PROFILE.md and dev-preferences.md generation                                |
 | `loop-host-contract.cjs`   | Generated Loop Host Contract — 12 loop points, per-step agent roles, and core artifacts; emitted by `scripts/gen-loop-host-contract.cjs` from workflow markers (ADR-894 §3); consumed by `gen-capability-registry.cjs` |
 | `capability-registry.cjs`  | Generated central Capability Registry — role-partitioned index of all co-located capability declarations; emitted by `scripts/gen-capability-registry.cjs` (ADR-894 §5) |
+| `loop-resolver.cjs`        | Loop Extension Point resolver — ADR-857 phase 3c registry-consuming query; filters `byLoopPoint` by config activation, renders active hooks as markdown, emits `{ point, activeHooks, rendered }` envelope; `gsd-tools loop render-hooks <point>` |
 
 
 ---
diff --git a/docs/INVENTORY-MANIFEST.json b/docs/INVENTORY-MANIFEST.json
index a7e3bbc41..e44086525 100644
--- a/docs/INVENTORY-MANIFEST.json
+++ b/docs/INVENTORY-MANIFEST.json
@@ -309,6 +309,7 @@
       "learnings.cjs",
       "legacy-cleanup.cjs",
       "loop-host-contract.cjs",
+      "loop-resolver.cjs",
       "milestone.cjs",
       "model-catalog.cjs",
       "model-profiles.cjs",
diff --git a/docs/INVENTORY.md b/docs/INVENTORY.md
index 31def503e..01bd82715 100644
--- a/docs/INVENTORY.md
+++ b/docs/INVENTORY.md
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ The `gsd-planner` agent is decomposed into a core agent plus reference modules t
 
 ---
 
-## CLI Modules (100 shipped)
+## CLI Modules (101 shipped)
 
 Full listing: `gsd-core/bin/lib/*.cjs`.
 
@@ -420,6 +420,7 @@ Full listing: `gsd-core/bin/lib/*.cjs`.
 | `learnings.cjs` | Cross-phase learnings extraction for `/gsd-extract-learnings` |
 | `legacy-cleanup.cjs` | Detect and remove leftover get-shit-done-cc artifacts; exports `planLegacyCleanup` (pure scan) and `applyLegacyCleanup` (thin IO applier) that root out stale files from the old package across every GSD-managed runtime config directory (#607) |
 | `loop-host-contract.cjs` | Generated Loop Host Contract — 12 loop points, per-step agent roles, and core artifacts for the five-step pipeline (discuss/plan/execute/verify/ship); emitted by `scripts/gen-loop-host-contract.cjs --write` (ADR-894 §3); consumed by `gen-capability-registry.cjs` |
+| `loop-resolver.cjs` | Loop Extension Point resolver — ADR-857 phase 3c registry-consuming query; given a canonical loop point, filters `byLoopPoint` by config activation (`when` key traversal with prototype-pollution guard), returns `{ point, activeHooks, rendered }` envelope; `resolveLoopHooks` and `renderLoopHooks` are pure (no I/O); command surface: `gsd-tools loop render-hooks <point>` |
 | `milestone.cjs` | Milestone archival, requirements marking |
 | `model-catalog.cjs` | CJS adapter over the shared model catalog JSON; exports canonical runtime tier defaults, agent profile maps, alias maps, and routing metadata for all CLI consumers |
 | `model-profiles.cjs` | Backward-compatible profile helpers derived from `model-catalog.cjs`; no longer owns its own model table |
diff --git a/eslint.config.mjs b/eslint.config.mjs
index 876d53be2..644bf64aa 100644
--- a/eslint.config.mjs
+++ b/eslint.config.mjs
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ export default tseslint.config(
       'gsd-core/bin/lib/config-schema.cjs',
       'gsd-core/bin/lib/model-profiles.cjs',
       'gsd-core/bin/lib/model-resolver.cjs',
+      'gsd-core/bin/lib/loop-resolver.cjs',
       'gsd-core/bin/lib/federated-config.cjs',
       'gsd-core/bin/lib/installer-migrations/002-codex-legacy-hooks-json.cjs',
       'gsd-core/bin/lib/installer-migrations/003-rename-get-shit-done-to-gsd-core.cjs',
diff --git a/gsd-core/bin/gsd-tools.cjs b/gsd-core/bin/gsd-tools.cjs
index 7d50dffcd..33907e867 100755
--- a/gsd-core/bin/gsd-tools.cjs
+++ b/gsd-core/bin/gsd-tools.cjs
@@ -163,6 +163,12 @@
  *   learnings prune --older-than <dur>   Remove entries older than duration (e.g. 90d)
  *   learnings delete <id>                Delete a learning by ID
  *
+ * Loop Extension Point Queries (ADR-857 phase 3c):
+ *   loop render-hooks <point>            Resolve + render active Capability hooks at a loop point
+ *                                        Returns JSON envelope { point, activeHooks, rendered }
+ *                                        Valid points: discuss:pre/post, plan:pre/post,
+ *                                        execute:pre/wave:pre/wave:post/post, verify:pre/post, ship:pre/post
+ *
  * GSD-2 Migration:
  *   from-gsd2 [--path <dir>] [--force] [--dry-run]
  *             Import a GSD-2 (.gsd/) project back to GSD v1 (.planning/) format
@@ -201,6 +207,7 @@ const { routeVerifyCommand } = require('./lib/verify-command-router.cjs');
 const { routeVerificationCommand } = require('./lib/verification-command-router.cjs');
 const verification = require('./lib/verification.cjs');
 const { routeInitCommand } = require('./lib/init-command-router.cjs');
+const loopResolver = require('./lib/loop-resolver.cjs');
 const { routePhaseCommand } = require('./lib/phase-command-router.cjs');
 const { routePhasesCommand } = require('./lib/phases-command-router.cjs');
 const { routeValidateCommand } = require('./lib/validate-command-router.cjs');
@@ -379,7 +386,7 @@ async function main() {
     'current-timestamp, detect-custom-files, docs-init, effort, extract-messages, find-phase, ' +
     'from-gsd2, frontmatter, gap-analysis, generate-claude-md, generate-claude-profile, ' +
     'generate-dev-preferences, generate-slug, graphify, history-digest, init, intel, ' +
-    'classify-confidence, learnings, list-todos, milestone, package-legitimacy, phase, phase-plan-index, phases, profile-questionnaire, ' +
+    'classify-confidence, learnings, list-todos, loop, milestone, package-legitimacy, phase, phase-plan-index, phases, profile-questionnaire, ' +
     'profile-sample, progress, prompt-budget, requirements, research-plan, research-store, resolve-granularity, resolve-model, roadmap, scaffold, state, ' +
     'task, template, validate, verify, verify-path-exists, verify-summary, workstream, worktree\n\n' +
     'Global flags:\n' +
@@ -1118,6 +1125,20 @@ async function runCommand(command, args, cwd, raw, defaultValue, originalCommand
       break;
     }
 
+    case 'loop': {
+      // loop render-hooks <point>
+      const loopSubcommand = args[1];
+      if (loopSubcommand === 'render-hooks') {
+        loopResolver.cmdLoopRenderHooks(cwd, args[2], raw, {});
+      } else {
+        error(
+          `Unknown loop subcommand: ${loopSubcommand}. Available: render-hooks`,
+          core.ERROR_REASON ? core.ERROR_REASON.SDK_UNKNOWN_COMMAND : undefined,
+        );
+      }
+      break;
+    }
+
     case 'phase-plan-index': {
       phase.cmdPhasePlanIndex(cwd, args[1], raw);
       break;
diff --git a/src/loop-resolver.cts b/src/loop-resolver.cts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6dbedee3e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/loop-resolver.cts
@@ -0,0 +1,533 @@
+/**
+ * Loop Resolver — ADR-857 phase 3c registry-consuming query
+ *
+ * Given a loop point (one of the 12 canonical points from loop-host-contract.cjs),
+ * filters the materialized Capability Registry by config activation and returns
+ * the active hooks as a JSON envelope with a rendered-markdown field.
+ *
+ * REGISTRY-ONLY: no workflow calls this yet (phase-6 cutover is out of scope).
+ *
+ * Command surface: gsd-tools loop render-hooks <point>
+ *
+ * Exports (three things):
+ *   resolveLoopHooks({ point, registry, config }) → { point, activeHooks }
+ *   renderLoopHooks(resolved) → markdown string
+ *   cmdLoopRenderHooks(cwd, point, raw, options) — I/O entry point
+ *
+ * Both pure functions (resolveLoopHooks, renderLoopHooks) take explicit
+ * registry/config arguments so they are trivially testable without I/O.
+ *
+ * Dependencies (leaf modules only — no core.cjs circular risk):
+ *   - node:fs / node:path  (raw config.json read for capability-key activation)
+ *   - ./config-loader.cjs  (loadConfig)
+ *   - ./planning-workspace.cjs  (planningDir — to locate config.json)
+ *   - ./core.cjs           (output, error)
+ *   - loop-host-contract.cjs (CANONICAL_POINTS via LOOP_HOST_CONTRACT)
+ *   - capability-registry.cjs (byLoopPoint, consumed at call time)
+ */
+
+import fs from 'node:fs';
+import path from 'node:path';
+
+// eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-require-imports
+import core = require('./core.cjs');
+const { output: coreOutput, error: coreError } = core;
+
+// eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-require-imports
+import configLoaderModule = require('./config-loader.cjs');
+const { loadConfig } = configLoaderModule;
+
+// eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-require-imports
+import planningWorkspaceMod = require('./planning-workspace.cjs');
+const { planningDir, planningRoot } = planningWorkspaceMod;
+
+// ─── Canonical points (derived from LOOP_HOST_CONTRACT — authoritative 12) ───
+
+// FIX 2: Derive the authoritative canonical set from LOOP_HOST_CONTRACT so it
+// cannot drift from the host contract. CANONICAL_POINTS_FALLBACK is kept as an
+// alias for backward compatibility in tests and exports.
+// eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-require-imports
+const _loopHostContract = require('./loop-host-contract.cjs') as { LOOP_HOST_CONTRACT: Array<{ points: string[] }> };
+const CANONICAL_POINTS: ReadonlyArray<string> = (() => {
+  try {
+    const contract = _loopHostContract.LOOP_HOST_CONTRACT;
+    if (Array.isArray(contract)) {
+      const pts: string[] = [];
+      for (const step of contract) {
+        if (step && Array.isArray(step.points)) {
+          for (const p of step.points) {
+            if (typeof p === 'string') pts.push(p);
+          }
+        }
+      }
+      if (pts.length > 0) return pts;
+    }
+  } catch { /* fall through to hardcoded fallback */ }
+  return [
+    'discuss:pre',
+    'discuss:post',
+    'plan:pre',
+    'plan:post',
+    'execute:pre',
+    'execute:wave:pre',
+    'execute:wave:post',
+    'execute:post',
+    'verify:pre',
+    'verify:post',
+    'ship:pre',
+    'ship:post',
+  ];
+})();
+
+// Alias for backward compatibility (tests import this name)
+const CANONICAL_POINTS_FALLBACK: ReadonlyArray<string> = CANONICAL_POINTS;
+
+// FIX 2: _getCanonicalPoints now returns the authoritative CANONICAL_POINTS set
+// derived from LOOP_HOST_CONTRACT — not the registry's byLoopPoint keys.
+// The registry's byLoopPoint is only used to READ hooks, not to define valid points.
+function _getCanonicalPoints(_registry: Record<string, unknown>): ReadonlyArray<string> {
+  return CANONICAL_POINTS;
+}
+
+// ─── Prototype-pollution guard (inline literal, CodeQL barrier) ───────────────
+
+/**
+ * Traverse a dotted config key through a nested config object.
+ * E.g. "workflow.ui_phase" in { workflow: { ui_phase: true } } → { found: true, value: true }
+ * Returns { found: false } if any segment is a forbidden key or not an own property.
+ */
+function _getNestedConfigValue(
+  config: Record<string, unknown>,
+  dotKey: string,
+): { found: boolean; value: unknown } {
+  const segments = dotKey.split('.');
+  let current: unknown = config;
+  for (const seg of segments) {
+    // Inline literal prototype-pollution guard (CodeQL barrier)
+    if (seg === '__proto__' || seg === 'constructor' || seg === 'prototype') {
+      return { found: false, value: undefined };
+    }
+    if (typeof current !== 'object' || current === null) {
+      return { found: false, value: undefined };
+    }
+    const cur = current as Record<string, unknown>;
+    if (!Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(cur, seg)) {
+      return { found: false, value: undefined };
+    }
+    current = cur[seg];
+  }
+  return { found: true, value: current };
+}
+
+// ─── Single-key activation resolver (FIX 1) ───────────────────────────────────
+
+/**
+ * Warn-once set for raw config.json parse errors.
+ * Avoids noisy per-call stderr from a single malformed file.
+ */
+const _warnedRawConfigPaths = new Set<string>();
+
+/**
+ * Read a raw config.json file and perform a guarded nested-lookup of a single
+ * dotted key. Returns { found: false } if the file is missing (ENOENT) or if
+ * the key is absent/forbidden. On a genuine JSON parse error: warns once to
+ * stderr and returns { found: false } — never throws.
+ */
+function _readRawConfigKey(
+  filePath: string,
+  dotKey: string,
+): { found: boolean; value: unknown } {
+  try {
+    const raw = fs.readFileSync(filePath, 'utf8');
+    let parsed: Record<string, unknown>;
+    try {
+      parsed = JSON.parse(raw) as Record<string, unknown>;
+    } catch {
+      if (!_warnedRawConfigPaths.has(filePath)) {
+        _warnedRawConfigPaths.add(filePath);
+        try {
+          process.stderr.write(
+            `gsd-tools: warning: failed to parse ${filePath} as JSON — skipping for activation resolution\n`,
+          );
+        } catch { /* stderr might be closed */ }
+      }
+      return { found: false, value: undefined };
+    }
+    return _getNestedConfigValue(parsed, dotKey);
+  } catch {
+    // ENOENT (missing file) is expected → skip silently. All other errors → also skip (defensive).
+    return { found: false, value: undefined };
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * FIX 1: Resolve the effective value for a hook's `when` key using the
+ * four-level precedence:
+ *
+ * 1. loadConfig result (`config` arg) — guarded nested-lookup of the dotted key.
+ *    This is the post-cutover federated path (covers keys that loadConfig now exposes).
+ * 2. Raw workstream `.planning/.../config.json` — guarded single-key lookup.
+ *    Workstream wins over root (mirrors loadConfig inheritance).
+ * 3. Raw root `.planning/config.json` — guarded single-key lookup.
+ * 4. `registry.configSchema[when]?.default` — schema default.
+ *    A `default: true` hook is active out-of-the-box without any config.
+ * 5. Absent → inactive (return false).
+ *
+ * Never constructs a merged object from raw JSON keys — only reads the single
+ * leaf value at the guarded dotted path.  Prototype-pollution sink is eliminated.
+ */
+function _resolveActivationValue(
+  dotKey: string,
+  config: Record<string, unknown>,
+  cwd: string | undefined,
+  registry: Record<string, unknown>,
+): boolean {
+  // Level 1: loadConfig result
+  const fromConfig = _getNestedConfigValue(config, dotKey);
+  if (fromConfig.found) return Boolean(fromConfig.value);
+
+  // Level 2 + 3: raw config.json files (only when cwd is available)
+  if (cwd) {
+    // Level 2: workstream config (planningDir respects GSD_WORKSTREAM env)
+    const wsConfigPath = path.join(planningDir(cwd), 'config.json');
+    // Level 3: root config (planningRoot = cwd/.planning always)
+    const rootConfigPath = path.join(planningRoot(cwd), 'config.json');
+
+    // Workstream wins over root (mirroring loadConfig root→workstream precedence:
+    // workstream overlays root, so workstream value takes precedence).
+    const fromWs = _readRawConfigKey(wsConfigPath, dotKey);
+    if (fromWs.found) return Boolean(fromWs.value);
+
+    // Only read root if it differs from the workstream path (avoids double-read
+    // when no workstream is active and both paths resolve to the same file).
+    if (wsConfigPath !== rootConfigPath) {
+      const fromRoot = _readRawConfigKey(rootConfigPath, dotKey);
+      if (fromRoot.found) return Boolean(fromRoot.value);
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Level 4: registry configSchema default
+  const schemaEntry = (registry['configSchema'] as Record<string, unknown> | undefined)?.[dotKey];
+  if (schemaEntry && typeof schemaEntry === 'object' && schemaEntry !== null) {
+    const def = (schemaEntry as Record<string, unknown>)['default'];
+    if (def !== undefined) return Boolean(def);
+  }
+
+  // Level 5: absent → inactive
+  return false;
+}
+
+// ─── Types ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+interface HookRef {
+  skill?: string;
+  [key: string]: unknown;
+}
+
+interface RawHook {
+  capId?: unknown;
+  point?: unknown;
+  ref?: unknown;
+  into?: unknown;
+  produces?: unknown;
+  consumes?: unknown;
+  when?: unknown;
+  onError?: unknown;
+  blocking?: unknown;
+  check?: unknown;
+}
+
+type HookKind = 'step' | 'contribution' | 'gate';
+
+interface ActiveHook {
+  capId: string;
+  kind: HookKind;
+  ref?: HookRef;
+  into?: string;
+  when?: string;
+  produces?: string[];
+  consumes?: string[];
+  blocking?: boolean;
+  check?: unknown;
+  onError?: string;
+}
+
+interface ResolveLoopHooksInput {
+  point: string;
+  registry: Record<string, unknown>;
+  config: Record<string, unknown>;
+  /** Optional cwd — enables raw config.json fallback reads (FIX 1 precedence level 2). */
+  cwd?: string;
+}
+
+interface ResolveLoopHooksResult {
+  point: string;
+  activeHooks: ActiveHook[];
+}
+
+// ─── Pure resolver ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+/**
+ * Pure resolver: given a point, registry, and config, returns the active hooks.
+ *
+ * Throws if `point` is not one of the 12 canonical points (caller converts to
+ * core.error). Never throws for malformed registry/hook entries — skips and
+ * continues.
+ *
+ * Ordering: steps first, then contributions, then gates. Within each array,
+ * the materialized registry order is preserved.
+ *
+ * Activation: a hook with no `when` is always active. With `when` (dotted key),
+ * resolved against `config`; active iff truthy. Inactive hooks are filtered out.
+ */
+function resolveLoopHooks(input: ResolveLoopHooksInput): ResolveLoopHooksResult {
+  const { point, registry, config, cwd } = input;
+
+  // Validate point
+  const canonicalPoints = _getCanonicalPoints(registry);
+  if (!canonicalPoints.includes(point)) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Invalid loop point: "${point}". Valid points: ${canonicalPoints.join(', ')}`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  // Guard: registry missing byLoopPoint
+  const byLoopPoint = registry['byLoopPoint'];
+  if (!byLoopPoint || typeof byLoopPoint !== 'object' || Array.isArray(byLoopPoint)) {
+    return { point, activeHooks: [] };
+  }
+  const byLoopPointMap = byLoopPoint as Record<string, unknown>;
+
+  // Guard: point missing in registry
+  const entry = byLoopPointMap[point];
+  if (!entry || typeof entry !== 'object' || Array.isArray(entry)) {
+    return { point, activeHooks: [] };
+  }
+  const entryMap = entry as Record<string, unknown>;
+
+  const activeHooks: ActiveHook[] = [];
+
+  // Helper: check activation using single-key precedence resolver (FIX 1 + FIX 3)
+  function isActive(hook: RawHook): boolean {
+    const when = hook['when'];
+    // No `when` → unconditional hook, always active
+    if (when === undefined || when === null) return true;
+    // FIX 3: `when` present but not a non-empty string → malformed registry data → INACTIVE
+    if (typeof when !== 'string' || when.length === 0) return false;
+    return _resolveActivationValue(when, config, cwd, registry);
+  }
+
+  // Helper: safe string array
+  function toStringArray(v: unknown): string[] {
+    if (!Array.isArray(v)) return [];
+    return v.filter((x): x is string => typeof x === 'string');
+  }
+
+  // Process steps
+  const stepsRaw = entryMap['steps'];
+  const steps: RawHook[] = Array.isArray(stepsRaw) ? (stepsRaw as RawHook[]) : [];
+  for (const hook of steps) {
+    if (!hook || typeof hook !== 'object') continue;
+    if (!isActive(hook)) continue;
+    const capId = typeof hook['capId'] === 'string' ? hook['capId'] : '';
+    const ref = (typeof hook['ref'] === 'object' && hook['ref'] !== null)
+      ? (hook['ref'] as HookRef)
+      : undefined;
+    const when = typeof hook['when'] === 'string' ? hook['when'] : undefined;
+    const produces = toStringArray(hook['produces']);
+    const consumes = toStringArray(hook['consumes']);
+    const onError = typeof hook['onError'] === 'string' ? hook['onError'] : undefined;
+    const active: ActiveHook = { capId, kind: 'step' };
+    if (ref !== undefined) active.ref = ref;
+    if (when !== undefined) active.when = when;
+    if (produces.length > 0) active.produces = produces;
+    if (consumes.length > 0) active.consumes = consumes;
+    if (onError !== undefined) active.onError = onError;
+    activeHooks.push(active);
+  }
+
+  // Process contributions
+  const contributionsRaw = entryMap['contributions'];
+  const contributions: RawHook[] = Array.isArray(contributionsRaw) ? (contributionsRaw as RawHook[]) : [];
+  for (const hook of contributions) {
+    if (!hook || typeof hook !== 'object') continue;
+    if (!isActive(hook)) continue;
+    const capId = typeof hook['capId'] === 'string' ? hook['capId'] : '';
+    const into = typeof hook['into'] === 'string' ? hook['into'] : undefined;
+    const when = typeof hook['when'] === 'string' ? hook['when'] : undefined;
+    const produces = toStringArray(hook['produces']);
+    const consumes = toStringArray(hook['consumes']);
+    const onError = typeof hook['onError'] === 'string' ? hook['onError'] : undefined;
+    const active: ActiveHook = { capId, kind: 'contribution' };
+    if (into !== undefined) active.into = into;
+    if (when !== undefined) active.when = when;
+    if (produces.length > 0) active.produces = produces;
+    if (consumes.length > 0) active.consumes = consumes;
+    if (onError !== undefined) active.onError = onError;
+    activeHooks.push(active);
+  }
+
+  // Process gates
+  const gatesRaw = entryMap['gates'];
+  const gates: RawHook[] = Array.isArray(gatesRaw) ? (gatesRaw as RawHook[]) : [];
+  for (const hook of gates) {
+    if (!hook || typeof hook !== 'object') continue;
+    if (!isActive(hook)) continue;
+    const capId = typeof hook['capId'] === 'string' ? hook['capId'] : '';
+    const when = typeof hook['when'] === 'string' ? hook['when'] : undefined;
+    const check = hook['check'] !== undefined ? hook['check'] : undefined;
+    const blocking = typeof hook['blocking'] === 'boolean' ? hook['blocking'] : undefined;
+    const onError = typeof hook['onError'] === 'string' ? hook['onError'] : undefined;
+    const active: ActiveHook = { capId, kind: 'gate' };
+    if (when !== undefined) active.when = when;
+    if (check !== undefined) active.check = check;
+    if (blocking !== undefined) active.blocking = blocking;
+    if (onError !== undefined) active.onError = onError;
+    activeHooks.push(active);
+  }
+
+  return { point, activeHooks };
+}
+
+// ─── Pure renderer ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+/**
+ * Pure renderer: given a resolved result, returns a deterministic markdown string.
+ *
+ * Empty active set → returns a "no active hooks" placeholder line.
+ * Steps: heading with ordinal + skill ref + capId, produces/consumes lines.
+ * Contributions: labeled block.
+ * Gates: check name, blocking flag, onError.
+ */
+function renderLoopHooks(resolved: ResolveLoopHooksResult): string {
+  const { point, activeHooks } = resolved;
+
+  if (activeHooks.length === 0) {
+    return `_No active hooks at ${point}._`;
+  }
+
+  const lines: string[] = [];
+  let stepOrdinal = 0;
+
+  for (const hook of activeHooks) {
+    if (hook.kind === 'step') {
+      stepOrdinal += 1;
+      const refStr = hook.ref?.skill
+        ? `skill:${hook.ref.skill}`
+        : JSON.stringify(hook.ref ?? {});
+      lines.push(`### Step ${stepOrdinal}: ${refStr} (${hook.capId})`);
+      if (hook.produces && hook.produces.length > 0) {
+        lines.push(`- produces: ${hook.produces.join(', ')}`);
+      }
+      if (hook.consumes && hook.consumes.length > 0) {
+        lines.push(`- consumes: ${hook.consumes.join(', ')}`);
+      }
+      if (hook.when) {
+        lines.push(`- when: \`${hook.when}\``);
+      }
+      if (hook.onError) {
+        lines.push(`- onError: ${hook.onError}`);
+      }
+      lines.push('');
+    } else if (hook.kind === 'contribution') {
+      lines.push(`<contribution from="${hook.capId}" into="${hook.into ?? '(unset)'}"/>`);
+      if (hook.produces && hook.produces.length > 0) {
+        lines.push(`- produces: ${hook.produces.join(', ')}`);
+      }
+      if (hook.consumes && hook.consumes.length > 0) {
+        lines.push(`- consumes: ${hook.consumes.join(', ')}`);
+      }
+      if (hook.when) {
+        lines.push(`- when: \`${hook.when}\``);
+      }
+      lines.push('');
+    } else if (hook.kind === 'gate') {
+      let checkStr = '(none)';
+      if (hook.check !== undefined && hook.check !== null) {
+        checkStr = typeof hook.check === 'object'
+          ? JSON.stringify(hook.check)
+          : typeof hook.check === 'string' || typeof hook.check === 'number' || typeof hook.check === 'boolean'
+            ? String(hook.check)
+            : '(complex)';
+      }
+      lines.push(`**Gate** (${hook.capId}): check=${checkStr}, blocking=${String(hook.blocking ?? false)}, onError=${hook.onError ?? 'skip'}`);
+      if (hook.when) {
+        lines.push(`- when: \`${hook.when}\``);
+      }
+      lines.push('');
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Trim trailing blank line
+  while (lines.length > 0 && lines[lines.length - 1] === '') {
+    lines.pop();
+  }
+
+  return lines.join('\n');
+}
+
+// ─── I/O command handler ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+/**
+ * Command entry point: load registry + config, resolve + render, emit envelope.
+ *
+ * Envelope: { point, activeHooks, rendered }
+ * On invalid point, emits core.error instead of throwing.
+ *
+ * Config note: FIX 1 replaced _loadMergedConfig (whole-config deep-merge) with a
+ * per-hook single-key activation resolver (_resolveActivationValue). The resolver
+ * checks loadConfig result first, then raw config.json files directly (workstream
+ * then root), then the registry's configSchema default. This eliminates the
+ * merged-object-from-untrusted-keys security concern and correctly handles
+ * pre-cutover keys like `workflow.ui_phase` that live in config.json but are not
+ * yet exposed through loadConfig's whitelist.
+ */
+function cmdLoopRenderHooks(
+  cwd: string,
+  point: string,
+  raw: boolean,
+  _options: Record<string, unknown> = {},
+): void {
+  if (!point) {
+    coreError('loop render-hooks requires a <point> argument. Valid points: ' + CANONICAL_POINTS.join(', '));
+    return;
+  }
+
+  // Load registry at call time (generated file, not at module load time)
+  // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-require-imports
+  const registry = require('./capability-registry.cjs') as Record<string, unknown>;
+  // FIX 1: Pass loadConfig result as `config` (level 1 of precedence);
+  // raw config.json reads (levels 2+3) happen per-hook inside _resolveActivationValue
+  // via the `cwd` argument passed to resolveLoopHooks.
+  const config = loadConfig(cwd);
+
+  let resolved: ResolveLoopHooksResult;
+  try {
+    resolved = resolveLoopHooks({ point, registry, config, cwd });
+  } catch (err: unknown) {
+    const msg = (err instanceof Error) ? err.message : String(err);
+    coreError(msg);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const rendered = renderLoopHooks(resolved);
+  const envelope = {
+    point: resolved.point,
+    activeHooks: resolved.activeHooks,
+    rendered,
+  };
+
+  coreOutput(envelope, raw);
+}
+
+export = {
+  resolveLoopHooks,
+  renderLoopHooks,
+  cmdLoopRenderHooks,
+  // Exported for tests
+  _getNestedConfigValue,
+  _resolveActivationValue,
+  _readRawConfigKey,
+  CANONICAL_POINTS_FALLBACK,
+  CANONICAL_POINTS,
+};
diff --git a/tests/loop-render-hooks.test.cjs b/tests/loop-render-hooks.test.cjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8e75784e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/loop-render-hooks.test.cjs
@@ -0,0 +1,777 @@
+'use strict';
+
+/**
+ * loop-render-hooks.test.cjs — behavioral tests for loop-resolver.cjs.
+ *
+ * ADR-857 phase 3c.
+ * Uses node:test + node:assert/strict.
+ * Pure-function tests (resolveLoopHooks, renderLoopHooks) pass registry+config
+ * directly — no I/O. End-to-end tests use cmdLoopRenderHooks + a temp project.
+ */
+
+const { describe, test, before, after } = require('node:test');
+const assert = require('node:assert/strict');
+const fs = require('node:fs');
+const os = require('node:os');
+const path = require('node:path');
+
+const { cleanup } = require('./helpers.cjs');
+
+const {
+  resolveLoopHooks,
+  renderLoopHooks,
+  _getNestedConfigValue,
+  _resolveActivationValue,
+  _readRawConfigKey,
+  CANONICAL_POINTS_FALLBACK,
+  CANONICAL_POINTS,
+} = require('../gsd-core/bin/lib/loop-resolver.cjs');
+
+// The real registry for integration tests
+const realRegistry = require('../gsd-core/bin/lib/capability-registry.cjs');
+
+// ─── Synthetic registry fixtures ─────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+/**
+ * Build a minimal synthetic registry with a single step hook at a given point.
+ * Optionally include a configSchema for testing default-based activation.
+ */
+function makeRegistry({ point = 'plan:pre', steps = [], contributions = [], gates = {}, configSchema = {} } = {}) {
+  const byLoopPoint = {};
+  for (const p of CANONICAL_POINTS_FALLBACK) {
+    byLoopPoint[p] = { steps: [], contributions: [], gates: [] };
+  }
+  if (steps.length) byLoopPoint[point].steps = steps;
+  if (contributions.length) byLoopPoint[point].contributions = contributions;
+  if (gates[point]) byLoopPoint[point].gates = gates[point];
+  return { byLoopPoint, configSchema };
+}
+
+// ─── Temp project helpers ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+let tmpProjectDir;
+// A project with NO .planning/config.json — relies on schema defaults
+let tmpEmptyProjectDir;
+// A project where ui_phase is explicitly false in root config
+let tmpFalseConfigProjectDir;
+
+before(() => {
+  tmpProjectDir = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'loop-resolver-test-'));
+  const planningDir = path.join(tmpProjectDir, '.planning');
+  fs.mkdirSync(planningDir, { recursive: true });
+  // Write minimal config.json with all UI flags enabled
+  fs.writeFileSync(
+    path.join(planningDir, 'config.json'),
+    JSON.stringify({ workflow: { ui_phase: true, ui_review: true, ui_safety_gate: true } }),
+    'utf8',
+  );
+
+  // Empty project — no config.json: schema defaults drive activation
+  tmpEmptyProjectDir = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'loop-resolver-empty-'));
+  fs.mkdirSync(path.join(tmpEmptyProjectDir, '.planning'), { recursive: true });
+
+  // False config project — ui_phase explicitly false in root config
+  tmpFalseConfigProjectDir = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'loop-resolver-false-'));
+  const falseConfigPlanningDir = path.join(tmpFalseConfigProjectDir, '.planning');
+  fs.mkdirSync(falseConfigPlanningDir, { recursive: true });
+  fs.writeFileSync(
+    path.join(falseConfigPlanningDir, 'config.json'),
+    JSON.stringify({ workflow: { ui_phase: false, ui_review: false, ui_safety_gate: false } }),
+    'utf8',
+  );
+});
+
+after(() => {
+  if (tmpProjectDir) cleanup(tmpProjectDir);
+  if (tmpEmptyProjectDir) cleanup(tmpEmptyProjectDir);
+  if (tmpFalseConfigProjectDir) cleanup(tmpFalseConfigProjectDir);
+});
+
+// ─── 1. Canonical-point validation ───────────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe('canonical point validation', () => {
+  test('all 12 canonical points are accepted by resolveLoopHooks with empty registry', () => {
+    const emptyRegistry = makeRegistry();
+    const config = {};
+    for (const p of CANONICAL_POINTS_FALLBACK) {
+      const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: p, registry: emptyRegistry, config });
+      assert.strictEqual(result.point, p);
+      assert.deepEqual(result.activeHooks, []);
+    }
+  });
+
+  test('12 canonical points total', () => {
+    assert.strictEqual(CANONICAL_POINTS_FALLBACK.length, 12);
+  });
+
+  test('invalid point throws with a clear message', () => {
+    const emptyRegistry = makeRegistry();
+    assert.throws(
+      () => resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:mid', registry: emptyRegistry, config: {} }),
+      (err) => {
+        assert.ok(err instanceof Error);
+        assert.match(err.message, /Invalid loop point/);
+        assert.match(err.message, /plan:mid/);
+        return true;
+      },
+    );
+  });
+
+  test('empty string point throws', () => {
+    const emptyRegistry = makeRegistry();
+    assert.throws(
+      () => resolveLoopHooks({ point: '', registry: emptyRegistry, config: {} }),
+      /Invalid loop point/,
+    );
+  });
+
+  test('close typo throws', () => {
+    const emptyRegistry = makeRegistry();
+    assert.throws(
+      () => resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre ', registry: emptyRegistry, config: {} }),
+      /Invalid loop point/,
+    );
+  });
+
+  // FIX 2: non-canonical point rejected even if the registry has it as a byLoopPoint key
+  test('non-canonical point in registry byLoopPoint is still rejected', () => {
+    // Craft a registry that has a synthetic non-canonical key in byLoopPoint
+    const registry = {
+      byLoopPoint: {
+        // All canonical points (needed so the registry is well-formed)
+        ...Object.fromEntries(CANONICAL_POINTS_FALLBACK.map(p => [p, { steps: [], contributions: [], gates: [] }])),
+        // A non-canonical key that a malformed registry might inject
+        'inject:arbitrary': { steps: [{ capId: 'evil', ref: { skill: 'bad' } }], contributions: [], gates: [] },
+      },
+    };
+    assert.throws(
+      () => resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'inject:arbitrary', registry, config: {} }),
+      /Invalid loop point/,
+    );
+  });
+
+  // FIX 2: all 12 canonical points are listed in the error message
+  test('invalid point error lists the canonical 12', () => {
+    const emptyRegistry = makeRegistry();
+    assert.throws(
+      () => resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'not:real', registry: emptyRegistry, config: {} }),
+      (err) => {
+        assert.ok(err instanceof Error);
+        for (const p of CANONICAL_POINTS_FALLBACK) {
+          assert.ok(err.message.includes(p), `Expected "${p}" in error message: ${err.message}`);
+        }
+        return true;
+      },
+    );
+  });
+
+  // CANONICAL_POINTS is derived from LOOP_HOST_CONTRACT, not from registry keys
+  test('CANONICAL_POINTS and CANONICAL_POINTS_FALLBACK are the same 12 points', () => {
+    assert.deepEqual(CANONICAL_POINTS, CANONICAL_POINTS_FALLBACK);
+    assert.strictEqual(CANONICAL_POINTS.length, 12);
+  });
+});
+
+// ─── 2. Activation tests ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe('activation filter', () => {
+  test('hook with no "when" is always active', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'test-cap', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'my-skill' } }],
+    });
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks[0].capId, 'test-cap');
+  });
+
+  test('hook with when="mytool.on", config{mytool:{on:true}} → active', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'test-cap', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'my-skill' }, when: 'mytool.on' }],
+    });
+    const config = { mytool: { on: true } };
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks[0].kind, 'step');
+  });
+
+  test('hook with when="mytool.on", config{mytool:{on:false}} → filtered', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'test-cap', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'my-skill' }, when: 'mytool.on' }],
+    });
+    const config = { mytool: { on: false } };
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0);
+  });
+
+  test('hook with when="mytool.on", config{} (absent key) → filtered', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'test-cap', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'my-skill' }, when: 'mytool.on' }],
+    });
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0);
+  });
+
+  test('hook with when="mytool.on", config{mytool:{}} → filtered (key absent)', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'test-cap', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'my-skill' }, when: 'mytool.on' }],
+    });
+    const config = { mytool: {} };
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0);
+  });
+
+  // FIX 3: non-string `when` → INACTIVE (not always-active)
+  test('hook with when=true (boolean) → inactive (FIX 3: malformed non-string when)', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'test-cap', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'my-skill' }, when: true }],
+    });
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0, 'non-string when=true must be treated as inactive');
+  });
+
+  test('hook with when=42 (number) → inactive (FIX 3)', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'test-cap', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'my-skill' }, when: 42 }],
+    });
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0, 'non-string when=42 must be inactive');
+  });
+
+  test('hook with when={} (object) → inactive (FIX 3)', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'test-cap', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'my-skill' }, when: {} }],
+    });
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0, 'non-string when={} must be inactive');
+  });
+
+  // FIX 4: configSchema default=true → active with absent config (no cwd → level 4 applies)
+  test('configSchema default=true + absent config → active', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'test-cap', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'my-skill' }, when: 'mytool.on' }],
+      configSchema: {
+        'mytool.on': { type: 'boolean', default: true, description: 'Enable mytool.' },
+      },
+    });
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 1, 'schema default=true should activate the hook');
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks[0].capId, 'test-cap');
+  });
+
+  // FIX 4: configSchema default=false → inactive with absent config
+  test('configSchema default=false + absent config → inactive', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'test-cap', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'my-skill' }, when: 'mytool.on' }],
+      configSchema: {
+        'mytool.on': { type: 'boolean', default: false, description: 'Disabled by default.' },
+      },
+    });
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0, 'schema default=false should keep hook inactive');
+  });
+
+  // FIX 4: configSchema default=true but explicit config override=false → inactive (config wins)
+  test('configSchema default=true but config override false → inactive (config wins)', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'test-cap', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'my-skill' }, when: 'mytool.on' }],
+      configSchema: {
+        'mytool.on': { type: 'boolean', default: true, description: 'Enabled by default.' },
+      },
+    });
+    const config = { mytool: { on: false } };
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0, 'explicit config=false overrides schema default=true');
+  });
+});
+
+// ─── 3. UI pilot integration tests ───────────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe('UI pilot integration', () => {
+  test('plan:pre with workflow.ui_phase=true → ui-phase step active', () => {
+    const config = { workflow: { ui_phase: true, ui_review: true, ui_safety_gate: true } };
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry: realRegistry, config });
+    const uiStep = result.activeHooks.find(h => h.capId === 'ui' && h.kind === 'step');
+    assert.ok(uiStep, 'Expected ui step at plan:pre');
+    assert.deepEqual(uiStep.ref, { skill: 'ui-phase' });
+    assert.ok(Array.isArray(uiStep.produces));
+    assert.ok(uiStep.produces.includes('UI-SPEC.md'));
+  });
+
+  test('plan:pre with workflow.ui_phase=false → ui-phase step filtered', () => {
+    const config = { workflow: { ui_phase: false, ui_review: true, ui_safety_gate: true } };
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry: realRegistry, config });
+    const uiStep = result.activeHooks.find(h => h.capId === 'ui' && h.kind === 'step');
+    assert.strictEqual(uiStep, undefined, 'Expected ui step to be filtered');
+  });
+
+  // FIX 4 INVERSION: empty config + real registry → ui-phase IS active (schema default=true)
+  test('plan:pre with empty config + real registry → ui-phase step active by default (FIX 4)', () => {
+    // realRegistry has configSchema['workflow.ui_phase'].default === true
+    // So with no config and no cwd, the schema default kicks in → active
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry: realRegistry, config: {} });
+    const uiStep = result.activeHooks.find(h => h.capId === 'ui' && h.kind === 'step');
+    assert.ok(
+      uiStep,
+      'Expected ui step to be active by default (configSchema.default=true). Got: ' +
+        JSON.stringify(result.activeHooks),
+    );
+    assert.strictEqual(uiStep.when, 'workflow.ui_phase');
+  });
+
+  test('execute:wave:post with workflow.ui_safety_gate=true → ui gate active', () => {
+    const config = { workflow: { ui_phase: true, ui_review: true, ui_safety_gate: true } };
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'execute:wave:post', registry: realRegistry, config });
+    const uiGate = result.activeHooks.find(h => h.capId === 'ui' && h.kind === 'gate');
+    assert.ok(uiGate, 'Expected ui gate at execute:wave:post');
+    assert.strictEqual(uiGate.blocking, true);
+    assert.strictEqual(uiGate.onError, 'halt');
+  });
+
+  test('execute:wave:post with workflow.ui_safety_gate=false → ui gate filtered', () => {
+    const config = { workflow: { ui_phase: true, ui_review: true, ui_safety_gate: false } };
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'execute:wave:post', registry: realRegistry, config });
+    const uiGate = result.activeHooks.find(h => h.capId === 'ui' && h.kind === 'gate');
+    assert.strictEqual(uiGate, undefined, 'Expected ui gate to be filtered');
+  });
+
+  // FIX 4: execute:wave:post with empty config → ui gate active by schema default
+  test('execute:wave:post with empty config → ui gate active by schema default', () => {
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'execute:wave:post', registry: realRegistry, config: {} });
+    const uiGate = result.activeHooks.find(h => h.capId === 'ui' && h.kind === 'gate');
+    assert.ok(uiGate, 'Expected ui gate active by default (configSchema.default=true)');
+    assert.strictEqual(uiGate.blocking, true);
+  });
+});
+
+// ─── 4. Ordering tests ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe('hook ordering', () => {
+  test('steps appear before contributions before gates', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      point: 'plan:pre',
+      steps: [{ capId: 'c1', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'sk1' } }],
+      contributions: [{ capId: 'c2', point: 'plan:pre', into: 'planner' }],
+      gates: { 'plan:pre': [{ capId: 'c3', point: 'plan:pre', check: { query: 'some-gate' }, blocking: false }] },
+    });
+    const config = {};
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 3);
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks[0].kind, 'step');
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks[1].kind, 'contribution');
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks[2].kind, 'gate');
+  });
+
+  test('within steps, registry order is preserved', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      point: 'plan:pre',
+      steps: [
+        { capId: 'cap-a', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'a' } },
+        { capId: 'cap-b', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'b' } },
+        { capId: 'cap-c', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'c' } },
+      ],
+    });
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    assert.deepEqual(result.activeHooks.map(h => h.capId), ['cap-a', 'cap-b', 'cap-c']);
+  });
+});
+
+// ─── 5. Envelope shape ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe('envelope shape', () => {
+  test('envelope has point, activeHooks, rendered from renderLoopHooks', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'cap-a', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'my-skill' }, produces: ['A.md'], consumes: ['B.md'] }],
+    });
+    const resolved = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    const rendered = renderLoopHooks(resolved);
+    assert.strictEqual(resolved.point, 'plan:pre');
+    assert.ok(Array.isArray(resolved.activeHooks));
+    assert.strictEqual(typeof rendered, 'string');
+  });
+
+  test('empty activeHooks → rendered is non-empty placeholder string', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry(); // all empty
+    const resolved = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    const rendered = renderLoopHooks(resolved);
+    assert.strictEqual(resolved.activeHooks.length, 0);
+    assert.ok(rendered.length > 0, 'rendered should be a non-empty placeholder');
+    assert.match(rendered, /plan:pre/);
+  });
+
+  test('rendered contains hook content when hooks are active', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'ui', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'ui-phase' }, produces: ['UI-SPEC.md'], consumes: ['CONTEXT.md'], when: 'workflow.ui_phase', onError: 'skip' }],
+    });
+    const config = { workflow: { ui_phase: true } };
+    const resolved = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config });
+    const rendered = renderLoopHooks(resolved);
+    assert.match(rendered, /ui-phase/);
+    assert.match(rendered, /ui/);
+    assert.match(rendered, /UI-SPEC\.md/);
+  });
+
+  test('rendered for UI pilot at plan:pre with all flags on', () => {
+    const config = { workflow: { ui_phase: true, ui_review: true, ui_safety_gate: true } };
+    const resolved = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry: realRegistry, config });
+    const rendered = renderLoopHooks(resolved);
+    assert.match(rendered, /ui-phase/);
+    assert.match(rendered, /UI-SPEC\.md/);
+  });
+});
+
+// ─── 6. Malformed registry resilience ────────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe('malformed registry resilience', () => {
+  test('missing byLoopPoint → no throw, empty activeHooks', () => {
+    const badRegistry = {}; // no byLoopPoint
+    // No throw — but point validation falls back to CANONICAL_POINTS_FALLBACK
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry: badRegistry, config: {} });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0);
+  });
+
+  test('null hook in steps array → skipped', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [null, { capId: 'ok', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'ok-skill' } }, undefined],
+    });
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks[0].capId, 'ok');
+  });
+
+  test('byLoopPoint[point] missing arrays → no throw, empty result', () => {
+    const registry = { byLoopPoint: { 'plan:pre': {} } }; // no steps/contributions/gates keys
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0);
+  });
+
+  test('byLoopPoint[point] has non-array steps → treated as empty', () => {
+    const registry = { byLoopPoint: { 'plan:pre': { steps: 'bad', contributions: [], gates: [] } } };
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0);
+  });
+
+  test('byLoopPoint[point] is null → no throw, empty result', () => {
+    const registry = { byLoopPoint: { 'plan:pre': null } };
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0);
+  });
+});
+
+// ─── 7. Prototype-pollution guard ────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe('prototype-pollution guard', () => {
+  test('when="__proto__.x" does not pollute Object.prototype', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'attacker', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'evil' }, when: '__proto__.x' }],
+    });
+    const config = { x: 'injected' };
+    // Should not throw and should not activate (guard returns found:false)
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0);
+    // Object.prototype must not be polluted
+    assert.strictEqual(({}).x, undefined);
+  });
+
+  test('when="constructor.x" does not pollute', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'attacker', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'evil' }, when: 'constructor.x' }],
+    });
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0);
+  });
+
+  test('when="prototype.x" does not pollute', () => {
+    const registry = makeRegistry({
+      steps: [{ capId: 'attacker', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'evil' }, when: 'prototype.x' }],
+    });
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {} });
+    assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0);
+  });
+
+  test('_getNestedConfigValue: __proto__ segment returns found:false', () => {
+    const r = _getNestedConfigValue({}, '__proto__.x');
+    assert.strictEqual(r.found, false);
+  });
+
+  test('_getNestedConfigValue: constructor segment returns found:false', () => {
+    const r = _getNestedConfigValue({}, 'constructor.toString');
+    assert.strictEqual(r.found, false);
+  });
+
+  test('_getNestedConfigValue: normal dotted key traversal works', () => {
+    const config = { workflow: { ui_phase: true } };
+    const r = _getNestedConfigValue(config, 'workflow.ui_phase');
+    assert.strictEqual(r.found, true);
+    assert.strictEqual(r.value, true);
+  });
+
+  // FIX 4: raw config.json with __proto__ key does not pollute via _readRawConfigKey
+  test('raw config.json with "__proto__" key does not pollute Object.prototype', () => {
+    const tmpDir = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'loop-resolver-proto-'));
+    try {
+      // Write a raw config.json containing __proto__ at top level and nested
+      // (JSON.parse of {"__proto__":{"x":"polluted"}} does NOT set prototype in modern Node,
+      // but we verify our guarded traversal returns found:false for such keys)
+      const maliciousConfig = '{"__proto__":{"x":"polluted"},"workflow":{"ui_phase":true}}';
+      fs.writeFileSync(path.join(tmpDir, 'config.json'), maliciousConfig, 'utf8');
+      // _readRawConfigKey with '__proto__.x' should return found:false (guard)
+      const r1 = _readRawConfigKey(path.join(tmpDir, 'config.json'), '__proto__.x');
+      assert.strictEqual(r1.found, false, '__proto__ lookup must be guarded');
+      // Normal key should work
+      const r2 = _readRawConfigKey(path.join(tmpDir, 'config.json'), 'workflow.ui_phase');
+      assert.strictEqual(r2.found, true);
+      assert.strictEqual(r2.value, true);
+      // Object.prototype must not be polluted
+      assert.strictEqual(({}).x, undefined);
+    } finally {
+      cleanup(tmpDir);
+    }
+  });
+
+  // FIX 4: _resolveActivationValue with cwd pointing to project with __proto__ config key
+  test('_resolveActivationValue: raw config with __proto__ key does not pollute', () => {
+    const tmpDir = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'loop-resolver-proto2-'));
+    try {
+      const planningDir = path.join(tmpDir, '.planning');
+      fs.mkdirSync(planningDir, { recursive: true });
+      fs.writeFileSync(
+        path.join(planningDir, 'config.json'),
+        '{"__proto__":{"y":"polluted2"}}',
+        'utf8',
+      );
+      const registry = makeRegistry({
+        steps: [{ capId: 'test', point: 'plan:pre', ref: { skill: 'sk' }, when: '__proto__.y' }],
+      });
+      const result = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry, config: {}, cwd: tmpDir });
+      assert.strictEqual(result.activeHooks.length, 0, '__proto__ when must be inactive');
+      assert.strictEqual(({}).y, undefined, 'Object.prototype.y must not be polluted');
+    } finally {
+      cleanup(tmpDir);
+    }
+  });
+});
+
+// ─── 7b. Raw config.json override paths (FIX 4) ──────────────────────────────
+
+describe('raw config.json override paths (FIX 4)', () => {
+  // FIX 4: user sets workflow.ui_phase=false in root config.json → hook filtered
+  test('root config.json with ui_phase=false overrides schema default=true → inactive', () => {
+    // tmpFalseConfigProjectDir has .planning/config.json { workflow: { ui_phase: false } }
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({
+      point: 'plan:pre',
+      registry: realRegistry,
+      config: {}, // empty loadConfig result (simulating pre-cutover)
+      cwd: tmpFalseConfigProjectDir,
+    });
+    const uiStep = result.activeHooks.find(h => h.capId === 'ui' && h.kind === 'step');
+    assert.strictEqual(
+      uiStep,
+      undefined,
+      'root config.json override false must beat schema default=true',
+    );
+  });
+
+  // FIX 4: root config.json with ui_phase=true (explicit) → hook active
+  test('root config.json with ui_phase=true → active (raw config read path)', () => {
+    // tmpProjectDir has .planning/config.json { workflow: { ui_phase: true } }
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({
+      point: 'plan:pre',
+      registry: realRegistry,
+      config: {}, // empty loadConfig result (simulating pre-cutover)
+      cwd: tmpProjectDir,
+    });
+    const uiStep = result.activeHooks.find(h => h.capId === 'ui' && h.kind === 'step');
+    assert.ok(uiStep, 'root config.json ui_phase=true should activate hook');
+  });
+
+  // FIX 4: no config.json at all → falls through to schema default=true → active
+  test('no config.json → schema default=true → hook active', () => {
+    // tmpEmptyProjectDir has .planning/ directory but no config.json
+    const result = resolveLoopHooks({
+      point: 'plan:pre',
+      registry: realRegistry,
+      config: {}, // empty loadConfig result
+      cwd: tmpEmptyProjectDir,
+    });
+    const uiStep = result.activeHooks.find(h => h.capId === 'ui' && h.kind === 'step');
+    assert.ok(uiStep, 'no config.json → schema default=true → hook should be active');
+  });
+
+  // FIX 4: _readRawConfigKey returns found:false for missing file (ENOENT — silent)
+  test('_readRawConfigKey: missing file → found:false, no throw', () => {
+    const result = _readRawConfigKey('/nonexistent/path/config.json', 'workflow.ui_phase');
+    assert.strictEqual(result.found, false);
+  });
+
+  // FIX 4: _readRawConfigKey returns found:false for malformed JSON, warns once
+  test('_readRawConfigKey: malformed JSON → found:false, no throw', () => {
+    const tmpDir = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'loop-resolver-malformed-'));
+    try {
+      const malformedPath = path.join(tmpDir, 'config.json');
+      fs.writeFileSync(malformedPath, '{ invalid json }', 'utf8');
+      const result = _readRawConfigKey(malformedPath, 'workflow.ui_phase');
+      assert.strictEqual(result.found, false, 'malformed JSON should return found:false');
+    } finally {
+      cleanup(tmpDir);
+    }
+  });
+});
+
+// ─── 8. Renderer tests ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe('renderLoopHooks', () => {
+  test('step hook renders skill ref, capId, produces, consumes', () => {
+    const resolved = {
+      point: 'plan:pre',
+      activeHooks: [{
+        capId: 'ui',
+        kind: 'step',
+        ref: { skill: 'ui-phase' },
+        when: 'workflow.ui_phase',
+        produces: ['UI-SPEC.md'],
+        consumes: ['CONTEXT.md'],
+        onError: 'skip',
+      }],
+    };
+    const rendered = renderLoopHooks(resolved);
+    assert.match(rendered, /Step 1/);
+    assert.match(rendered, /skill:ui-phase/);
+    assert.match(rendered, /\(ui\)/);
+    assert.match(rendered, /UI-SPEC\.md/);
+    assert.match(rendered, /CONTEXT\.md/);
+    assert.match(rendered, /workflow\.ui_phase/);
+    assert.match(rendered, /skip/);
+  });
+
+  test('contribution hook renders into role', () => {
+    const resolved = {
+      point: 'plan:pre',
+      activeHooks: [{
+        capId: 'contrib-cap',
+        kind: 'contribution',
+        into: 'planner',
+      }],
+    };
+    const rendered = renderLoopHooks(resolved);
+    assert.match(rendered, /contribution/);
+    assert.match(rendered, /contrib-cap/);
+    assert.match(rendered, /planner/);
+  });
+
+  test('gate hook renders check, blocking, onError', () => {
+    const resolved = {
+      point: 'execute:wave:post',
+      activeHooks: [{
+        capId: 'ui',
+        kind: 'gate',
+        check: { query: 'ui.safety-gate' },
+        blocking: true,
+        onError: 'halt',
+      }],
+    };
+    const rendered = renderLoopHooks(resolved);
+    assert.match(rendered, /Gate/);
+    assert.match(rendered, /ui/);
+    assert.match(rendered, /blocking=true/);
+    assert.match(rendered, /halt/);
+  });
+
+  test('multiple hooks in order render with correct ordinals', () => {
+    const resolved = {
+      point: 'plan:pre',
+      activeHooks: [
+        { capId: 'cap-a', kind: 'step', ref: { skill: 'a' }, produces: ['A.md'], consumes: [] },
+        { capId: 'cap-b', kind: 'step', ref: { skill: 'b' }, produces: ['B.md'], consumes: ['A.md'] },
+      ],
+    };
+    const rendered = renderLoopHooks(resolved);
+    assert.match(rendered, /Step 1/);
+    assert.match(rendered, /Step 2/);
+    const idx1 = rendered.indexOf('Step 1');
+    const idx2 = rendered.indexOf('Step 2');
+    assert.ok(idx1 < idx2, 'Step 1 should appear before Step 2');
+  });
+
+  test('empty hooks returns placeholder containing the point name', () => {
+    const rendered = renderLoopHooks({ point: 'ship:post', activeHooks: [] });
+    assert.match(rendered, /ship:post/);
+    assert.ok(rendered.length > 0);
+  });
+
+  test('rendered is deterministic (same input → same output)', () => {
+    const config = { workflow: { ui_phase: true, ui_review: true, ui_safety_gate: true } };
+    const resolved = resolveLoopHooks({ point: 'plan:pre', registry: realRegistry, config });
+    const r1 = renderLoopHooks(resolved);
+    const r2 = renderLoopHooks(resolved);
+    assert.strictEqual(r1, r2);
+  });
+});
+
+// ─── 9. End-to-end cmdLoopRenderHooks (via gsd-tools subprocess) ─────────────
+
+const { spawnSync } = require('node:child_process');
+const ROOT = path.resolve(__dirname, '..');
+const GSD_TOOLS = path.join(ROOT, 'gsd-core', 'bin', 'gsd-tools.cjs');
+
+describe('cmdLoopRenderHooks end-to-end (via gsd-tools)', () => {
+  test('loop render-hooks plan:pre returns JSON envelope with ui-phase step active', () => {
+    const result = spawnSync(
+      process.execPath,
+      [GSD_TOOLS, 'loop', 'render-hooks', 'plan:pre', '--cwd', tmpProjectDir],
+      { cwd: ROOT, encoding: 'utf8' },
+    );
+    assert.strictEqual(result.status, 0, 'Expected exit 0. stderr: ' + (result.stderr || ''));
+    const envelope = JSON.parse(result.stdout.trim());
+    assert.strictEqual(envelope.point, 'plan:pre');
+    assert.ok(Array.isArray(envelope.activeHooks));
+    assert.strictEqual(typeof envelope.rendered, 'string');
+    // With ui_phase=true in tmpProjectDir config, ui-phase step should be active
+    const uiStep = envelope.activeHooks.find(h => h.capId === 'ui' && h.kind === 'step');
+    assert.ok(uiStep, 'Expected ui step in activeHooks. Got: ' + JSON.stringify(envelope.activeHooks));
+    assert.match(envelope.rendered, /ui-phase/);
+  });
+
+  // FIX 4: schema-default activation — no config.json in project → ui-phase step active by default
+  test('loop render-hooks plan:pre with no config.json → ui-phase step active by schema default', () => {
+    const result = spawnSync(
+      process.execPath,
+      [GSD_TOOLS, 'loop', 'render-hooks', 'plan:pre', '--cwd', tmpEmptyProjectDir],
+      { cwd: ROOT, encoding: 'utf8' },
+    );
+    assert.strictEqual(result.status, 0, 'Expected exit 0. stderr: ' + (result.stderr || ''));
+    const envelope = JSON.parse(result.stdout.trim());
+    const uiStep = envelope.activeHooks.find(h => h.capId === 'ui' && h.kind === 'step');
+    assert.ok(
+      uiStep,
+      'Expected ui step active by default. Got: ' + JSON.stringify(envelope.activeHooks),
+    );
+    assert.match(envelope.rendered, /ui-phase/);
+  });
+
+  // FIX 4: explicit false in config.json overrides schema default
+  test('loop render-hooks plan:pre with ui_phase=false in config.json → ui-phase step absent', () => {
+    const result = spawnSync(
+      process.execPath,
+      [GSD_TOOLS, 'loop', 'render-hooks', 'plan:pre', '--cwd', tmpFalseConfigProjectDir],
+      { cwd: ROOT, encoding: 'utf8' },
+    );
+    assert.strictEqual(result.status, 0, 'Expected exit 0. stderr: ' + (result.stderr || ''));
+    const envelope = JSON.parse(result.stdout.trim());
+    const uiStep = envelope.activeHooks.find(h => h.capId === 'ui' && h.kind === 'step');
+    assert.strictEqual(
+      uiStep,
+      undefined,
+      'ui-phase step should be absent when config.json sets ui_phase=false',
+    );
+  });
+
+  test('loop render-hooks invalid-point exits non-zero', () => {
+    const result = spawnSync(
+      process.execPath,
+      [GSD_TOOLS, 'loop', 'render-hooks', 'plan:mid', '--cwd', tmpProjectDir],
+      { cwd: ROOT, encoding: 'utf8' },
+    );
+    assert.notStrictEqual(result.status, 0, 'Expected non-zero exit for invalid point');
+    assert.match(result.stderr, /plan:mid|Invalid loop point/);
+  });
+});