diff --git a/.changeset/daring-badgers-forage.md b/.changeset/daring-badgers-forage.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f644f7212
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/daring-badgers-forage.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+type: Fixed
+pr: 1709
+---
+Codex reviewer now captures the review via codex's --output-last-message flag instead of redirecting stdout, so Windows process-teardown output no longer pollutes the review file and slips past the empty-output guard.
diff --git a/gsd-core/workflows/review.md b/gsd-core/workflows/review.md
index 329a93c08..324440c70 100644
--- a/gsd-core/workflows/review.md
+++ b/gsd-core/workflows/review.md
@@ -277,10 +277,15 @@ fi
 # $CODEX_BYPASS_FLAG is capability-gated above (#1115). Capture stderr to a .err
 # file (not /dev/null) so a non-zero exit — e.g. a flag the installed codex-cli
 # does not support — is diagnosable instead of a silent empty review.
+# Capture the review via codex's own `-o/--output-last-message <FILE>` (only the
+# final agent message) and discard stdout (#1698): on some platforms (Windows)
+# codex writes process-teardown output to stdout *after* the final message, and a
+# stdout redirect would append that noise to a non-empty file — slipping past the
+# `[ ! -s … ]` empty-output guard as a silently polluted review.
 if [ -n "$CODEX_MODEL" ] && [ "$CODEX_MODEL" != "null" ]; then
-  cat /tmp/gsd-review-prompt-{phase}.md | codex exec --ephemeral $CODEX_BYPASS_FLAG --model "$CODEX_MODEL" --skip-git-repo-check - 2>/tmp/gsd-review-codex-{phase}.err > /tmp/gsd-review-codex-{phase}.md
+  cat /tmp/gsd-review-prompt-{phase}.md | codex exec --ephemeral $CODEX_BYPASS_FLAG --model "$CODEX_MODEL" --skip-git-repo-check -o /tmp/gsd-review-codex-{phase}.md - 2>/tmp/gsd-review-codex-{phase}.err >/dev/null
 else
-  cat /tmp/gsd-review-prompt-{phase}.md | codex exec --ephemeral $CODEX_BYPASS_FLAG --skip-git-repo-check - 2>/tmp/gsd-review-codex-{phase}.err > /tmp/gsd-review-codex-{phase}.md
+  cat /tmp/gsd-review-prompt-{phase}.md | codex exec --ephemeral $CODEX_BYPASS_FLAG --skip-git-repo-check -o /tmp/gsd-review-codex-{phase}.md - 2>/tmp/gsd-review-codex-{phase}.err >/dev/null
 fi
 if [ ! -s /tmp/gsd-review-codex-{phase}.md ]; then
   echo "Codex review failed or returned empty output. stderr:" > /tmp/gsd-review-codex-{phase}.md
diff --git a/tests/enh-773-codex-exec-automation-flags.test.cjs b/tests/enh-773-codex-exec-automation-flags.test.cjs
index ec187951d..55c8cf7e4 100644
--- a/tests/enh-773-codex-exec-automation-flags.test.cjs
+++ b/tests/enh-773-codex-exec-automation-flags.test.cjs
@@ -99,3 +99,42 @@ describe('enh-773: automated codex exec invocations include --ephemeral and --da
     }
   });
 });
+
+describe('#1698 regression: codex review is captured via --output-last-message, not stdout', () => {
+  // WHY: on some platforms (Windows) `codex exec` writes process-teardown output
+  // to stdout *after* the final agent message. A `> FILE` stdout redirect appends
+  // that noise to a non-empty file, so it slips past the `[ ! -s … ]` empty-output
+  // guard and downstream consumers (severity extraction, the
+  // plan-review-convergence "concerns resolved?" gate) parse a polluted review.
+  // `-o/--output-last-message <FILE>` writes only the final message — robust on
+  // every platform — so each codex invocation must capture via -o and discard stdout.
+  const workflow = fs.readFileSync(
+    path.join(process.cwd(), 'gsd-core', 'workflows', 'review.md'),
+    'utf8'
+  );
+  const codexExecLines = workflow
+    .split(/\r?\n/)
+    .filter((line) => line.includes('codex exec') && !line.includes('codex exec --help'));
+
+  test('every codex exec invocation captures the review via -o <FILE>', () => {
+    for (const line of codexExecLines) {
+      assert.ok(
+        /\s-o\s+\/tmp\/gsd-review-codex-\{phase\}\.md\b/.test(line),
+        `codex exec invocation must capture the review via -o /tmp/gsd-review-codex-{phase}.md:\n  ${line.trim()}`
+      );
+    }
+  });
+
+  test('no codex exec invocation redirects stdout into the review file', () => {
+    for (const line of codexExecLines) {
+      assert.ok(
+        !/>\s*\/tmp\/gsd-review-codex-\{phase\}\.md\b/.test(line),
+        `codex exec must not redirect stdout into the review file (teardown noise pollutes it); use -o + >/dev/null:\n  ${line.trim()}`
+      );
+      assert.ok(
+        />\s*\/dev\/null\b/.test(line),
+        `codex exec must discard stdout to /dev/null so teardown output is not captured:\n  ${line.trim()}`
+      );
+    }
+  });
+});
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/antigravity.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/antigravity.json
index 9e8d51e5a..d41125d96 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/antigravity.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/antigravity.json
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "6b9947fba1a97f46",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "95f05defffe6754e",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "cadf390bae95fc76",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "4d1ea3f9785044b3",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "aa08449a6a180944",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "f2754f3e3ea528ff",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "78705b7f09612464",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "2e5b1205324ddefa",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/augment.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/augment.json
index f4eba6dce..73ce3a66e 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/augment.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/augment.json
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "d030f80ca0df4fa9",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "b8817a3a5907f5bc",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "b18b51fd15cbce95",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "fc23a807c6c3d6d9",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "fbfa6eebcad41aa0",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "54ff1ff60041d065",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "1d1c66ad9ea01bd2",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "2e5b1205324ddefa",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/claude.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/claude.json
index 37a05e6b4..118ce1ced 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/claude.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/claude.json
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "f76e1c2a4dd31a09",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "0e73844f0f41cbc3",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "3dcaa7abe1800d35",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "1660ff860e79f9b7",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "a1d3ebce6222ff72",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "8e1bbf2eed1752ca",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "b2b9100ff79d6017",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "2e5b1205324ddefa",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/cline.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/cline.json
index f19eeefac..a2cf28979 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/cline.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/cline.json
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "61b68a4af414e3c2",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "411bfff942216185",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "f8f71b5a98374b85",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "a74ae666e01ceebb",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "f7d5b0f64631adea",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "db0c48c3963f9a8b",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "c51b86e369574195",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "2e5b1205324ddefa",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/codebuddy.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/codebuddy.json
index 6cc789c4c..79eee4a13 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/codebuddy.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/codebuddy.json
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "d030f80ca0df4fa9",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "b8817a3a5907f5bc",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "b18b51fd15cbce95",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "fc23a807c6c3d6d9",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "fbfa6eebcad41aa0",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "54ff1ff60041d065",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "1d1c66ad9ea01bd2",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "2e5b1205324ddefa",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/codex.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/codex.json
index 97b4a4b3a..13d8d4c9f 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/codex.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/codex.json
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "75c8ca0dbd1ce404",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "a9d1dcda7755b6c9",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "94ac2cac4c562557",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "014d2f4d7c892e58",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "bd3873bea54d6143",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "29f3b65f5d9de885",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "858b5e1152b569ed",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "dd8fa011c9394075",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/copilot.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/copilot.json
index 7e7f03cb0..0f3d4d510 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/copilot.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/copilot.json
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "e94ddfe4eabc0e08",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "f28be7f32249f0d4",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "4ebcb4acd3c29302",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "7c04ed635c7e1c56",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "60b8ca1c543ccdfa",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "28a2847b8d04156e",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "bae509fa254fe435",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "2e5b1205324ddefa",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/cursor.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/cursor.json
index 8b1b0acb0..803d07666 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/cursor.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/cursor.json
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "f76e1c2a4dd31a09",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "dadbb14d9033ea3f",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "3dcaa7abe1800d35",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "28d673b6267b12c2",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "141589a39b8c7e18",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "8e1bbf2eed1752ca",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "7bd4c335484fd121",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "2e5b1205324ddefa",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/gemini.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/gemini.json
index 55f17cb98..2045c70df 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/gemini.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/gemini.json
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "d030f80ca0df4fa9",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "9f5589b4b3a0639a",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "b18b51fd15cbce95",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "fc23a807c6c3d6d9",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "fbfa6eebcad41aa0",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "54ff1ff60041d065",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "a2f6a03034444f14",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "2e5b1205324ddefa",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/hermes.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/hermes.json
index 6ad135640..ddbba2c67 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/hermes.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/hermes.json
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "f27cecd8c78008ae",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "977155e18b9df623",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "849f3d49d366ff13",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "d6c1c729a2627b2b",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "06cd9992e289b241",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "cbde2b8b2b5fa5dd",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "5fc8fbd5e217e48d",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "2e5b1205324ddefa",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/kilo.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/kilo.json
index 14fe6f1a1..107bf1d9c 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/kilo.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/kilo.json
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "f76e1c2a4dd31a09",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "7bd5d1b63ef091a8",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "3dcaa7abe1800d35",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "50e945dade0a5a67",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "9ed1fda4d8b657f1",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "8e1bbf2eed1752ca",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "87fdcb37a8610e58",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "2e5b1205324ddefa",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/kimi.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/kimi.json
index b19ba081d..ed7190da5 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/kimi.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/kimi.json
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "d030f80ca0df4fa9",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "b8817a3a5907f5bc",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "b18b51fd15cbce95",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "fc23a807c6c3d6d9",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "fbfa6eebcad41aa0",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "54ff1ff60041d065",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "1d1c66ad9ea01bd2",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "2e5b1205324ddefa",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/opencode.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/opencode.json
index fb15c1a6f..cd5799626 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/opencode.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/opencode.json
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "863c58e99e9d630d",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "4ed03c52e5c7bd4d",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "15153ce5a4c38674",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "544103be3247bbd1",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "4076abd5ff01195d",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "4634caefa32a7307",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "9616682fe23cf042",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "2e5b1205324ddefa",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/qwen.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/qwen.json
index 93f76a366..8a753e7e8 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/qwen.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/qwen.json
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "17c46fdcef27df2d",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "1d34788a9b2272d2",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "bba3250afbea8f09",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "926f2f15676a21cc",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "8ed9a9e7d150978d",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "514d3eba81565193",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "a7e8edb0e5f48256",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "2e5b1205324ddefa",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/trae.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/trae.json
index 7b120fa57..30b5bf43b 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/trae.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/trae.json
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "5a2521695edd486b",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "ed8e5e30c33f1bfd",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "ee9dcc4e3dd3e32c",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "6529c2ee9b33f1fc",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "a2dab55fa3acfca0",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "afc48f3339293b30",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "882886f04d3b7e82",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "2e5b1205324ddefa",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/windsurf.json b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/windsurf.json
index 943551a51..59a41902a 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/windsurf.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden-install-parity/windsurf.json
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-phase.md": "24559d23e008c9c3",
   "gsd-core/workflows/remove-workspace.md": "e958c1e932aef492",
   "gsd-core/workflows/resume-project.md": "c5731b8aabed70f9",
-  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "21152d6ce0c4efa8",
+  "gsd-core/workflows/review.md": "dc8366ef168183db",
   "gsd-core/workflows/scan.md": "8aa95448b1ba4a4a",
   "gsd-core/workflows/secure-phase.md": "550152cd82c25c00",
   "gsd-core/workflows/session-report.md": "2e5b1205324ddefa",
diff --git a/tests/workflow-size-baseline.json b/tests/workflow-size-baseline.json
index c0e2ef9dc..a87212a83 100644
--- a/tests/workflow-size-baseline.json
+++ b/tests/workflow-size-baseline.json
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@
   "remove-phase.md": 8469,
   "remove-workspace.md": 7507,
   "resume-project.md": 17226,
-  "review.md": 40539,
+  "review.md": 40956,
   "scan.md": 7688,
   "secure-phase.md": 13476,
   "session-report.md": 4044,