diff --git a/docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-managed-runtime-uv-prerequisite-contract.md b/docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-managed-runtime-uv-prerequisite-contract.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b3e1e0f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-managed-runtime-uv-prerequisite-contract.md
@@ -0,0 +1,647 @@
+# Managed Runtime uv Prerequisite Contract Implementation Plan
+
+> **For agentic workers:** REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use
+> superpowers:subagent-driven-development (recommended) or
+> superpowers:executing-plans to implement this plan task-by-task. Steps use
+> checkbox (`- [ ]`) syntax for tracking.
+
+**Goal:** Close the remaining npm-managed Python runtime open decision by
+making `uv` a documented, release-policy-checked prerequisite.
+
+**Architecture:** Keep the runtime installer behavior simple: the CLI locates
+`uv` on `PATH` and prints a focused error when it is missing. Encode that
+decision in `release-policy.json`, validate it during release readiness, use one
+shared runtime error message, and document the prerequisite in public docs.
+
+**Tech Stack:** Node 22 ESM scripts, `node:test`, TypeScript, Vitest, JSON
+release policy, Markdown.
+
+---
+
+## Existing status
+
+This plan is based on
+`docs/superpowers/specs/2026-05-11-npm-managed-python-runtime-design.md`.
+
+The following plan files are based on that spec and are already implemented in
+this worktree:
+
+- `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-bundled-python-runtime-wheel.md`
+- `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-managed-python-runtime-installer.md`
+- `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-managed-python-runtime-command-integration.md`
+- `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-managed-python-runtime-daemon-lifecycle.md`
+- `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-managed-local-embeddings-runtime.md`
+- `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-public-kaelio-ktx-npm-package.md`
+- `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-managed-python-runtime-release-smoke.md`
+- `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-managed-local-embeddings-release-smoke.md`
+- `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-managed-agent-mcp-semantic-runtime.md`
+- `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-managed-local-ingest-daemon-runtime.md`
+- `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-managed-runtime-docs-and-postgres-smoke-cleanup.md`
+- `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-published-package-managed-runtime-smoke.md`
+- `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-public-npm-release-handoff.md`
+- `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-11-managed-runtime-prune-smoke-and-docs.md`
+
+Implementation evidence found before writing this plan includes:
+
+- `packages/cli/assets/python/manifest.json` and the bundled
+  `kaelio_ktx-0.1.0-py3-none-any.whl`.
+- `packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.ts`, including runtime roots,
+  bundled wheel verification, install, status, doctor, and prune behavior.
+- `packages/cli/src/managed-python-command.ts`,
+  `packages/cli/src/managed-python-daemon.ts`,
+  `packages/cli/src/managed-local-embeddings.ts`, and
+  `packages/cli/src/managed-python-http.ts`.
+- `scripts/build-public-npm-package.mjs`, `scripts/package-artifacts.mjs`,
+  `scripts/published-package-smoke.mjs`,
+  `scripts/local-embeddings-runtime-smoke.mjs`, and
+  `scripts/publish-public-npm-package.mjs`.
+- `release-policy.json` is already in `npm-public-release-ready` mode for
+  `@kaelio/ktx` `0.1.0` and keeps Python package publishing disabled.
+- `README.md` and `examples/package-artifacts/README.md` document the managed
+  runtime command family, including `runtime prune`.
+
+The remaining spec gap is the open decision in
+`docs/superpowers/specs/2026-05-11-npm-managed-python-runtime-design.md`:
+
+```text
+KTX still needs a final decision on whether uv is a hard prerequisite or a
+bootstrap dependency that KTX downloads automatically.
+```
+
+This plan chooses the hard-prerequisite path for the first public release. KTX
+will not download `uv` automatically in this release.
+
+## File structure
+
+- Modify `release-policy.json`: add a `runtimeInstaller` policy section that
+  records the hard `uv` prerequisite decision.
+- Modify `scripts/release-readiness.mjs`: validate the runtime installer
+  policy, include it in readiness reports, and print it in text output.
+- Modify `scripts/release-readiness.test.mjs`: cover the accepted policy and
+  rejection paths for missing or bootstrap-style `uv` policies.
+- Modify `packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.ts`: export one shared
+  missing-`uv` message and use it for install and doctor output.
+- Modify `packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.test.ts`: cover install and
+  doctor behavior when `uv` is missing.
+- Modify `scripts/examples-docs.test.mjs`: require public docs to state the
+  hard `uv` prerequisite.
+- Modify `README.md`: document that `uv` must be on `PATH` and KTX does not
+  download it automatically.
+- Modify `examples/package-artifacts/README.md`: document the artifact smoke
+  `uv` prerequisite.
+
+### Task 1: Encode the runtime installer policy
+
+**Files:**
+
+- Modify: `release-policy.json`
+- Modify: `scripts/release-readiness.test.mjs`
+- Modify: `scripts/release-readiness.mjs`
+- Test: `scripts/release-readiness.test.mjs`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Add failing release policy tests**
+
+In `scripts/release-readiness.test.mjs`, inside the `releasePolicy()` helper
+return value, add the `runtimeInstaller` object immediately after
+`publishedPackageSmoke`:
+
+```javascript
+    runtimeInstaller: {
+      uvStrategy: 'path-prerequisite',
+      bootstrapUv: false,
+      missingUvBehavior: 'focused-error',
+    },
+```
+
+In the three `assert.deepEqual(report, { ... })` expectations, add this field
+immediately after `publishedPackageSmokeGate`:
+
+```javascript
+        runtimeInstaller: {
+          uvStrategy: 'path-prerequisite',
+          bootstrapUv: false,
+          missingUvBehavior: 'focused-error',
+        },
+```
+
+Add these tests immediately after the
+`it('accepts the npm public release ready policy', async () => { ... })` block:
+
+```javascript
+  it('rejects npm public release ready mode without a runtime installer policy', async () => {
+    const root = await mkdtemp(join(tmpdir(), 'ktx-runtime-policy-missing-test-'));
+    try {
+      await writeReadyFixture(root, {
+        policy: releasePolicy({
+          releaseMode: 'npm-public-release-ready',
+          npm: {
+            publish: true,
+            registry: null,
+            access: 'public',
+            tag: 'latest',
+          },
+          publishedPackageSmoke: {
+            packageName: '@kaelio/ktx',
+            version: PUBLIC_NPM_PACKAGE_VERSION,
+            registry: null,
+          },
+          runtimeInstaller: undefined,
+          requiredBeforePublishing: [],
+        }),
+      });
+
+      await assert.rejects(
+        () => releaseReadinessReport(root),
+        /Release policy runtimeInstaller must be a JSON object/,
+      );
+    } finally {
+      await rm(root, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    }
+  });
+
+  it('rejects uv bootstrap download policy for the first public npm release', async () => {
+    const root = await mkdtemp(join(tmpdir(), 'ktx-runtime-policy-bootstrap-test-'));
+    try {
+      await writeReadyFixture(root, {
+        policy: releasePolicy({
+          releaseMode: 'npm-public-release-ready',
+          npm: {
+            publish: true,
+            registry: null,
+            access: 'public',
+            tag: 'latest',
+          },
+          publishedPackageSmoke: {
+            packageName: '@kaelio/ktx',
+            version: PUBLIC_NPM_PACKAGE_VERSION,
+            registry: null,
+          },
+          runtimeInstaller: {
+            uvStrategy: 'bootstrap-download',
+            bootstrapUv: true,
+            missingUvBehavior: 'download',
+          },
+          requiredBeforePublishing: [],
+        }),
+      });
+
+      await assert.rejects(
+        () => releaseReadinessReport(root),
+        /Release policy runtimeInstaller\.uvStrategy must be path-prerequisite/,
+      );
+    } finally {
+      await rm(root, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    }
+  });
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run the release readiness tests and verify failure**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+node --test scripts/release-readiness.test.mjs
+```
+
+Expected: FAIL because `releaseReadinessReport()` does not include
+`runtimeInstaller`, and `validateReleasePolicy()` does not validate the new
+policy section.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Validate the runtime installer policy**
+
+In `scripts/release-readiness.mjs`, add this function immediately after the
+`assertRequiredBeforePublishing(policy)` function definition:
+
+```javascript
+function assertRuntimeInstallerPolicy(policy) {
+  assertPlainObject(policy.runtimeInstaller, 'Release policy runtimeInstaller');
+  assertString(policy.runtimeInstaller.uvStrategy, 'Release policy runtimeInstaller.uvStrategy');
+  assertBoolean(policy.runtimeInstaller.bootstrapUv, 'Release policy runtimeInstaller.bootstrapUv');
+  assertString(
+    policy.runtimeInstaller.missingUvBehavior,
+    'Release policy runtimeInstaller.missingUvBehavior',
+  );
+
+  if (policy.runtimeInstaller.uvStrategy !== 'path-prerequisite') {
+    throw new Error('Release policy runtimeInstaller.uvStrategy must be path-prerequisite');
+  }
+  if (policy.runtimeInstaller.bootstrapUv !== false) {
+    throw new Error('Release policy runtimeInstaller.bootstrapUv must be false');
+  }
+  if (policy.runtimeInstaller.missingUvBehavior !== 'focused-error') {
+    throw new Error('Release policy runtimeInstaller.missingUvBehavior must be focused-error');
+  }
+}
+```
+
+In `validateReleasePolicy(policy)`, add this call immediately after
+`assertRequiredBeforePublishing(policy);`:
+
+```javascript
+  assertRuntimeInstallerPolicy(policy);
+```
+
+In `releaseReadinessReport(rootDir = scriptRootDir())`, add
+`runtimeInstaller` to the returned object immediately after
+`publishedPackageSmokeGate`:
+
+```javascript
+    runtimeInstaller: policy.runtimeInstaller,
+```
+
+In `main()`, add these lines immediately after the published package smoke
+registry line:
+
+```javascript
+  process.stdout.write(`Runtime uv strategy: ${report.runtimeInstaller.uvStrategy}\n`);
+  process.stdout.write(
+    `Runtime uv bootstrap: ${report.runtimeInstaller.bootstrapUv ? 'enabled' : 'disabled'}\n`,
+  );
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Encode the policy in `release-policy.json`**
+
+Replace `release-policy.json` with this exact content:
+
+```json
+{
+  "schemaVersion": 1,
+  "releaseMode": "npm-public-release-ready",
+  "npm": {
+    "publish": true,
+    "registry": null,
+    "access": "public",
+    "tag": "latest",
+    "packages": ["@kaelio/ktx"]
+  },
+  "python": {
+    "publish": false,
+    "repository": null,
+    "packages": ["ktx-sl", "ktx-daemon", "kaelio-ktx"]
+  },
+  "publishedPackageSmoke": {
+    "packageName": "@kaelio/ktx",
+    "version": "0.1.0",
+    "registry": null
+  },
+  "runtimeInstaller": {
+    "uvStrategy": "path-prerequisite",
+    "bootstrapUv": false,
+    "missingUvBehavior": "focused-error"
+  },
+  "requiredBeforePublishing": []
+}
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Run the release readiness tests and verify success**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+node --test scripts/release-readiness.test.mjs
+```
+
+Expected: PASS.
+
+- [ ] **Step 6: Commit the release policy contract**
+
+```bash
+git add release-policy.json scripts/release-readiness.mjs scripts/release-readiness.test.mjs
+git commit -m "chore: encode uv runtime prerequisite policy"
+```
+
+### Task 2: Centralize missing-uv runtime output
+
+**Files:**
+
+- Modify: `packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.test.ts`
+- Modify: `packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.ts`
+- Test: `packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.test.ts`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Add failing missing-uv runtime tests**
+
+In `packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.test.ts`, add
+`MISSING_UV_RUNTIME_INSTALL_MESSAGE` to the import from
+`./managed-python-runtime.js`:
+
+```typescript
+import {
+  MISSING_UV_RUNTIME_INSTALL_MESSAGE,
+  doctorManagedPythonRuntime,
+  installManagedPythonRuntime,
+  managedPythonRuntimeLayout,
+  pruneManagedPythonRuntimes,
+  readManagedPythonRuntimeStatus,
+  verifyRuntimeAsset,
+  type ManagedPythonRuntimeExec,
+} from './managed-python-runtime.js';
+```
+
+Inside `describe('installManagedPythonRuntime', () => { ... })`, add this test
+after the local embeddings test:
+
+```typescript
+  it('fails with the hard-prerequisite message when uv is missing', async () => {
+    const { assetDir } = await writeAsset(tempDir, 'core-wheel');
+    const commands: Array<{ command: string; args: string[] }> = [];
+    const exec: ManagedPythonRuntimeExec = vi.fn(async (command, args) => {
+      commands.push({ command, args });
+      throw new Error('spawn uv ENOENT');
+    });
+
+    await expect(
+      installManagedPythonRuntime({
+        cliVersion: '0.2.0',
+        runtimeRoot: join(tempDir, 'runtime'),
+        assetDir,
+        features: ['core'],
+        exec,
+      }),
+    ).rejects.toThrow(MISSING_UV_RUNTIME_INSTALL_MESSAGE);
+
+    expect(commands).toEqual([{ command: 'uv', args: ['--version'] }]);
+  });
+```
+
+Inside `describe('doctorManagedPythonRuntime', () => { ... })`, add this test
+after the existing doctor test:
+
+```typescript
+  it('reports uv as a hard prerequisite when uv is missing', async () => {
+    const { assetDir } = await writeAsset(tempDir, 'core-wheel');
+    const exec: ManagedPythonRuntimeExec = vi.fn(async () => {
+      throw new Error('spawn uv ENOENT');
+    });
+
+    const checks = await doctorManagedPythonRuntime({
+      cliVersion: '0.2.0',
+      runtimeRoot: join(tempDir, 'runtime'),
+      assetDir,
+      exec,
+    });
+
+    expect(checks[0]).toEqual({
+      id: 'uv',
+      label: 'uv',
+      status: 'fail',
+      detail: MISSING_UV_RUNTIME_INSTALL_MESSAGE,
+      fix: 'Install uv, make sure it is on PATH, and run: ktx runtime install --yes',
+    });
+  });
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run the runtime tests and verify failure**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+pnpm --filter @ktx/cli run test -- src/managed-python-runtime.test.ts
+```
+
+Expected: FAIL because the shared message constant does not exist and the
+doctor fix text still uses the older message.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Add the shared missing-uv message**
+
+In `packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.ts`, add this export immediately
+after the `ManagedPythonRuntimePruneResult` interface:
+
+```typescript
+export const MISSING_UV_RUNTIME_INSTALL_MESSAGE =
+  'uv is required to install the KTX Python runtime. KTX does not download uv automatically. Install uv, make sure it is on PATH, and retry: ktx runtime install --yes';
+```
+
+Replace the body of the `catch` block in `ensureUv()` with:
+
+```typescript
+    throw new Error(MISSING_UV_RUNTIME_INSTALL_MESSAGE);
+```
+
+In `doctorManagedPythonRuntime()`, replace the `fix` value for the `uv` check
+with:
+
+```typescript
+        fix: 'Install uv, make sure it is on PATH, and run: ktx runtime install --yes',
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Run the runtime tests and verify success**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+pnpm --filter @ktx/cli run test -- src/managed-python-runtime.test.ts
+```
+
+Expected: PASS.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Commit the runtime output contract**
+
+```bash
+git add packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.ts packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.test.ts
+git commit -m "fix: clarify missing uv runtime error"
+```
+
+### Task 3: Document the hard uv prerequisite
+
+**Files:**
+
+- Modify: `scripts/examples-docs.test.mjs`
+- Modify: `README.md`
+- Modify: `examples/package-artifacts/README.md`
+- Test: `scripts/examples-docs.test.mjs`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Add failing docs assertions**
+
+In `scripts/examples-docs.test.mjs`, inside
+`it('documents public npm and managed runtime usage in the README', ... )`, add
+these assertions immediately after the existing `ktx runtime prune --yes`
+assertion:
+
+```javascript
+    assert.match(rootReadme, /KTX requires `uv` on `PATH`/);
+    assert.match(rootReadme, /KTX doesn't download `uv` automatically/);
+```
+
+Inside `it('documents the public package artifact smoke shape', ... )`, add
+this assertion immediately after the `managed Python runtime` assertion:
+
+```javascript
+    assert.match(readme, /requires `uv` on `PATH`/);
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run the docs test and verify failure**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+node --test scripts/examples-docs.test.mjs
+```
+
+Expected: FAIL because the README files do not state the hard `uv`
+prerequisite.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Update the root README runtime section**
+
+In `README.md`, in the `## Managed Python runtime` section, replace this
+paragraph:
+
+```markdown
+KTX installs its Python runtime only when a Python-backed command needs it.
+The runtime lives outside the npm cache, is versioned by the installed CLI
+version, and is managed by `ktx runtime` commands:
+```
+
+With:
+
+```markdown
+KTX installs its Python runtime only when a Python-backed command needs it.
+The runtime lives outside the npm cache, is versioned by the installed CLI
+version, and is managed by `ktx runtime` commands.
+
+KTX requires `uv` on `PATH` to create the managed runtime. Install `uv` with
+your system package manager or the official installer before running Python-
+backed KTX commands. KTX doesn't download `uv` automatically; run
+`ktx runtime doctor` if runtime installation fails:
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Update the package artifact smoke README**
+
+In `examples/package-artifacts/README.md`, replace this paragraph:
+
+```markdown
+The managed Python runtime smoke isolates `KTX_RUNTIME_ROOT`, verifies
+`ktx runtime status`, runs `ktx sl query --yes` to install the core runtime from
+the bundled wheel, checks `ktx runtime doctor`, starts and reuses the managed
+daemon, stops it, previews a stale runtime with `ktx runtime prune --dry-run`,
+verifies confirmation is required, and removes the stale runtime with
+`ktx runtime prune --yes`.
+```
+
+With:
+
+```markdown
+The managed Python runtime smoke requires `uv` on `PATH`, isolates
+`KTX_RUNTIME_ROOT`, verifies `ktx runtime status`, runs `ktx sl query --yes` to
+install the core runtime from the bundled wheel, checks `ktx runtime doctor`,
+starts and reuses the managed daemon, stops it, previews a stale runtime with
+`ktx runtime prune --dry-run`, verifies confirmation is required, and removes
+the stale runtime with `ktx runtime prune --yes`.
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Run the docs test and verify success**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+node --test scripts/examples-docs.test.mjs
+```
+
+Expected: PASS.
+
+- [ ] **Step 6: Commit the public docs update**
+
+```bash
+git add README.md examples/package-artifacts/README.md scripts/examples-docs.test.mjs
+git commit -m "docs: document uv runtime prerequisite"
+```
+
+### Task 4: Verify the completed contract
+
+**Files:**
+
+- Verify: `release-policy.json`
+- Verify: `scripts/release-readiness.mjs`
+- Verify: `scripts/release-readiness.test.mjs`
+- Verify: `packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.ts`
+- Verify: `packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.test.ts`
+- Verify: `scripts/examples-docs.test.mjs`
+- Verify: `README.md`
+- Verify: `examples/package-artifacts/README.md`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Run focused verification**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+node --test scripts/release-readiness.test.mjs scripts/examples-docs.test.mjs
+pnpm --filter @ktx/cli run test -- src/managed-python-runtime.test.ts
+```
+
+Expected: PASS.
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Verify release readiness text output**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+pnpm run release:readiness
+```
+
+Expected output includes:
+
+```text
+KTX release mode: npm-public-release-ready
+Runtime uv strategy: path-prerequisite
+Runtime uv bootstrap: disabled
+NPM publish target: @kaelio/ktx@0.1.0 (latest)
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Verify no pre-commit config is required**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+rg --files -g '.pre-commit-config.yaml' -g 'pre-commit-config.yaml'
+```
+
+Expected: no output and exit code 1. No Python files changed, so the repository
+Python pre-commit requirement does not apply.
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Review the final diff**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+git diff --stat
+git diff -- release-policy.json scripts/release-readiness.mjs scripts/release-readiness.test.mjs packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.ts packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.test.ts scripts/examples-docs.test.mjs README.md examples/package-artifacts/README.md
+```
+
+Expected: only the runtime installer policy, missing-`uv` message/tests, and
+public docs changed.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Commit final verification notes if needed**
+
+If Task 4 produces only verification output and no file changes, skip this
+step. If a correction was made during verification, commit it:
+
+```bash
+git add release-policy.json scripts/release-readiness.mjs scripts/release-readiness.test.mjs packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.ts packages/cli/src/managed-python-runtime.test.ts scripts/examples-docs.test.mjs README.md examples/package-artifacts/README.md
+git commit -m "chore: finish uv prerequisite release contract"
+```
+
+## Self-review
+
+Spec coverage:
+
+- The earlier implemented plans cover the single public npm package, bundled
+  Python wheel, managed runtime installer, runtime commands, daemon lifecycle,
+  local embeddings, Python-backed command integration, release smoke, published
+  smoke, docs cleanup, release handoff, and prune coverage.
+- This plan closes the spec's remaining `uv` open decision by choosing
+  `path-prerequisite`, recording that decision in release policy, validating it
+  in release readiness, using one CLI error message, and documenting it.
+- The plan keeps Python package publication disabled and keeps KTX-owned Python
+  code bundled in the npm package.
+
+Placeholder scan:
+
+- No task contains deferred implementation markers.
+- Each code-changing step names exact files and includes the concrete code to
+  add or replace.
+
+Type consistency:
+
+- The release policy field is consistently named `runtimeInstaller`.
+- The chosen strategy is consistently `path-prerequisite`.
+- The shared CLI message constant is consistently
+  `MISSING_UV_RUNTIME_INSTALL_MESSAGE`.