diff --git a/research/viv_re150/README.md b/research/viv_re150/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1467546
--- /dev/null
+++ b/research/viv_re150/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# Research VIV driver — coupling contract (not production)
+
+`run.py` couples a 1-DOF undamped spring–mass (`viv.py`) to the production
+moving-circle API. Everything specific to fluid–structure coupling lives here,
+not in `src/`.
+
+- Per step: known (y_n, v_n) and the last completed force F_last → exact
+  harmonic candidate (y_{n+1}, v_{n+1}) → `set_body(offset=(0, y_{n+1}),
+  vy=y_{n+1} − y_n)` (interval wall velocity, lattice dt = 1) → `run(1)` →
+  commit y, v and F_last only after the step succeeded. One step of explicit
+  force lag (weak coupling); no sub-iteration.
+- Structural RHS = CME + Wen (y), read from `moving_diagnostics()` by the
+  names in `MovingTables.DIAG`; raw CME, the `obs` force and node terms are
+  logged as diagnostics. This is a stage choice, not a validated force law.
+- Production guarantees used: fail-closed target commit (synchronized step,
+  `no_donor == 0`), input rejection before mutation, a failed device step
+  marks the Simulation failed.
+- Not provided, by design: device-resident structure state or batched
+  (multi-step) coupling, strong/sub-iterated coupling (would need state
+  rollback), more than one DOF. These are future work and would be a separate
+  execution path, not an abstraction over this driver.
+- Recorded result and limits: `docs/validation/moving_bodies_stage1.md`;
+  predeclaration: `docs/validation/viv_re150_predeclare.md`.
diff --git a/research/viv_re150/run.py b/research/viv_re150/run.py
index 4e96a63..31b9586 100644
--- a/research/viv_re150/run.py
+++ b/research/viv_re150/run.py
@@ -65,7 +65,8 @@ def main():
         step_cap = args.steps
     centre = (30.0 * Dn, 0.5 * (ny - 1))
 
-    from CelerisLab.body.motion import Translation
+    from CelerisLab.body.motion import MovingTables, Translation
+    col = {k: MovingTables.DIAG.index(k) for k in ("cme_y", "wen_y", "cover_jy", "uncover_jy", "no_donor")}
     from CelerisLab.simulation import Simulation
     with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile("w", suffix=".json", delete=False) as fh:
         json.dump(cfg, fh)
@@ -95,9 +96,9 @@ def main():
             sim.run(1)                             # device failures raise and mark the Simulation failed
             d = sim.moving_diagnostics()[0]
             f_obs = sim.read_force(body)[1]
-            f_rhs = float(d[1] + d[3])             # CME + Wen (y)
-            row = (n, y1, v1, f_rhs, float(d[1]), float(d[3]), float(f_obs),
-                   float(d[7] - d[10]), float(d[13]))
+            f_rhs = float(d[col["cme_y"]] + d[col["wen_y"]])   # CME + Wen (y)
+            row = (n, y1, v1, f_rhs, float(d[col["cme_y"]]), float(d[col["wen_y"]]), float(f_obs),
+                   float(d[col["cover_jy"]] - d[col["uncover_jy"]]), float(d[col["no_donor"]]))
             if not viv.finite(row):                # every recorded output, not only the RHS
                 status = "fail_nonfinite_output"
                 break