diff --git a/docs/validation/leontini_viv_predeclare.md b/docs/validation/leontini_viv_predeclare.md
index 26ec7e3..4cbdfb2 100644
--- a/docs/validation/leontini_viv_predeclare.md
+++ b/docs/validation/leontini_viv_predeclare.md
@@ -66,31 +66,39 @@ this page is jointly agreed.
 Clocks: lattice dt = 1; T_n = 1/f_n = 5,000 steps. Response cycles are
 counted from the measured signal; T_n is used only for the seed check.
 
-- Start (source-faithful): fluid at rest except the uniform inlet, body at
-  rest at the declared centre, y_0 = v_0 = 0, F_last = 0.
+- Start: body at rest at the declared centre (the only initial condition the
+  source states), y_0 = v_0 = 0, F_last = 0; fluid at rest except the uniform
+  inlet (our choice; the source gives no fluid initial condition).
 - Seed (conditional, one time, declared): at step n_seed = 200,000
   (t = 40 T_n), if max |y| over steps [175,000, 200,000) is below .01 D, then
   in that step, after the check and before the candidate update, set
   v_n += 2 pi f_n (.01 D) (F_last unchanged) and proceed normally; the
   geometry moves continuously through the update. `seed_applied`, step and
   size are logged; never repeated or changed.
-- Cycle boundary (discrete): step n closes a cycle iff y[n−1] < m and
-  y[n] ≥ m, where m = time-mean of y over the previous completed cycle
-  (m = 0 before the first completed cycle); y_0 = 0 is not a crossing, and no
-  boundary is accepted fewer than 2 samples after the previous one.
+- Cycle boundary (discrete, fixed threshold): step n closes a cycle iff
+  y[n−1] < 0 and y[n] ≥ 0 (upward crossing of the equilibrium y = 0);
+  y_0 = 0 is not a crossing; no boundary fewer than 2 samples after the
+  previous one.
 - Per cycle: positive peak max(y), negative peak min(y), mean offset
-  (time-mean of y), amplitude a = (max − min)/2.
-- Budget counting: a completed cycle counts toward the 150-cycle budget only
-  if a ≥ .01 D (pre-seed numerical chatter does not consume it).
-- Windows: adjacent non-overlapping blocks of 10 counted cycles
-  (1–10, 11–20, ...); W_k = mean amplitude of block k.
-- Settled at the end of block k (k ≥ 2) iff W_{k−1} ≥ 1e-6 D and
-  |W_k − W_{k−1}| / W_{k−1} ≤ .02, and the last 5 cycle amplitudes lie
-  within 1 % of their mean. Otherwise not yet settled (no NaN pass).
-- Scoring: the 20 counted cycles after settling. They must remain settled:
-  each 10-cycle block of the 20 satisfies the same 2 % (against the previous
-  block) and 1 % rules, else FAIL-CLOSED. Success stop: after the 20th
-  scoring cycle; the run does not continue to 150.
+  (time-mean of y), amplitude a = (max − min)/2 (the only amplitude used for
+  settling).
+- Eligibility: a completed cycle is counted (toward the settling proof and
+  the 150 budget) only if a ≥ .01 D; ineligible cycles are logged, never
+  counted, so near-zero motion cannot settle or pass.
+- Seed reset: if the seed is applied, the incomplete cycle at n_seed is
+  discarded and the settling proof starts empty; the 150 budget and the
+  native cap keep running from t = 0.
+- Windows: adjacent non-overlapping blocks of 10 counted cycles;
+  W_k = mean amplitude of block k (W_k ≥ .01 D by eligibility, so no zero
+  denominator).
+- Block rule R(k), k ≥ 2: |W_k − W_{k−1}| / W_{k−1} ≤ .02 and, for the last 5
+  cycles of block k, max_i |a_i − ā_5| / ā_5 ≤ .01 with ā_5 their mean.
+- Settled at the end of block k when R(k) holds. Scoring = the next two
+  blocks k+1, k+2 (20 counted cycles); both must satisfy R. If one fails,
+  that block becomes the new reference: the settling proof restarts from it
+  and continues within the caps (deterministic; no other retry). A pass
+  requires one complete stable 20-cycle scoring window before a cap; success
+  stops after its 20th cycle.
 - Caps (both always armed; the first hit wins and is reported): 150 counted
   response cycles including the 20 scoring cycles (so settling must complete
   by counted cycle 130) → `timeout_response_cycles`; 1,000,000 native steps
@@ -102,8 +110,12 @@ counted from the measured signal; T_n is used only for the seed check.
   step (FAIL-CLOSED): non-finite y, v or force; |y| > 1.0 D (the tighter
   gate; about twice the largest reference peak, .551 D) or the ±1.5 D offset
   box reached; no_donor > 0; a failed upload/step/sync.
-- All failures are reported as they are (no sub-iteration, no RHS or
-  parameter retune, no automatic second case).
+- On any failure the driver stops and reports; it never retries,
+  sub-iterates, retunes the RHS or parameters, or starts a second case.
+  Device-side failures (upload/step/sync, no_donor) mark the Simulation
+  failed through the existing lifecycle; input rejection by `set_body`
+  (offset box, speed, step bound) and timeouts end the driver run without
+  that mark.
 - Target metric over the 20 scoring cycles: A_max/D = max over those cycles
   of max(|positive peak|, |negative peak|) about y = 0 (Qin reports "maximum
   amplitude"); also reported: mean amplitude, positive and negative peaks,