diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 76d4c65..90450cf 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ Candidate trace note: candidate-level `sourceItemId` / `traceId`, `sourceTitle`
 
 Soft Scattermind labels are accepted at the bridge boundary so Scattermind does not need to use harsh verdict copy in its own product surface. Lens text can say `Continue first`, `Make tangible`, `Try next`, `Evidence next`, `Hold for later`, or `Set aside`; Build Order objects and direct bridge/envelope sections can use matching camel/snake-case keys such as `continueFirst`, `evidenceNext`, `holdForLater`, and `setAside`. Ranker maps those to `doFirst / validateNext / defer / park` while preserving the softer original label in `sourceQuote` or candidate source trace.
 
-Lane safety note: explicit Scattermind `defer` / `park` hints are hard rails, not mild suggestions. Source `nonGoals` / `avoid` guardrails are also hard enough to keep conflicting candidates out of Do first / Validate next even when their local scoring hints look attractive; the result will mark the lane source as `source-non-goal` so the handoff can explain that the candidate needs guardrail resolution before active work. Handoff `source.requiresSourceTrace` is true only when a real source artifact/title is present; plain idea-only ranking still warns about a missing artifact ID when it carries prompt provenance, but it does not spam source-section/evidence warnings meant for Scattermind artifacts. Handoff `readiness` now gives downstream bridge consumers a deterministic gate: `ready`, `usable-with-warnings`, `needs-source-context`, or `blocked`, with blockers and next checks for missing evidence, source trace, duplicate IDs, or active source-non-goal conflicts. Handoff `activeSlice` (`ranker-active-slice-v1`) is the compact machine-readable continuation unit: one active item, its proof/evidence/success/kill signals, source anchor, held-back items, readiness status, and the rule that only this slice is build-ready. For tired first-screen users, `brief.decisionReceipt` repeats the one active move, first proof step, evidence question, held-back items, source anchor, and the handoff rule that only Do first is active; use it as the compact result strip before showing the full lane board. For low-friction handoff, `/api/rank-feedback` also detects a raw Scattermind/Concept Map JSON object pasted into `idea`, `ideaText`, `optionsText`, or wrapper keys such as `payload`; it expands that object before ranking and reports `input.embeddedPayloadSource` so the public form can accept copy/paste exports without a custom import screen. If a Concept Map only carries `questions_to_sit_with` / `questionsToSitWith` / `openQuestions` and no explicit build-order lanes or action threads, Ranker converts those questions into Validate-next evidence actions with source trace instead of pretending they are software features.
+Lane safety note: explicit Scattermind `defer` / `park` hints are hard rails, not mild suggestions. Source `nonGoals` / `avoid` guardrails are also hard enough to keep conflicting candidates out of Do first / Validate next even when their local scoring hints look attractive; the result will mark the lane source as `source-non-goal` so the handoff can explain that the candidate needs guardrail resolution before active work. Handoff `source.requiresSourceTrace` is true only when a real source artifact/title is present; plain idea-only ranking still warns about a missing artifact ID when it carries prompt provenance, but it does not spam source-section/evidence warnings meant for Scattermind artifacts. Handoff `readiness` now gives downstream bridge consumers a deterministic gate: `ready`, `usable-with-warnings`, `needs-source-context`, or `blocked`, with blockers and next checks for missing evidence, source trace, duplicate IDs, or active source-non-goal conflicts. Handoff `activeSlice` (`ranker-active-slice-v1`) is the compact machine-readable continuation unit: one active item, its proof/evidence/success/kill signals, source anchor, held-back items, readiness status, and the rule that only this slice is build-ready. For tired first-screen users, `brief.decisionReceipt` repeats the one active move, first proof step, evidence question, held-back items, source anchor, and the handoff rule that only Do first is active; use it as the compact result strip before showing the full lane board. For low-friction handoff, `/api/rank-feedback` also detects a raw Scattermind/Concept Map JSON object pasted into `idea`, `ideaText`, `optionsText`, or wrapper keys such as `payload`; it expands that object before ranking and reports `input.embeddedPayloadSource` so the public form can accept copy/paste exports without a custom import screen. Exact free Snapshot JSON (`working_name`, `restated_idea`, `lenses.shape`, `questions_to_sit_with`, `reference_code`) is rankable too: Ranker derives a source-traced manual proof plus evidence-question candidates instead of rejecting the Snapshot for having fewer than two explicit next moves. If a Concept Map only carries `questions_to_sit_with` / `questionsToSitWith` / `openQuestions` and no explicit build-order lanes or action threads, Ranker converts those questions into Validate-next evidence actions with source trace instead of pretending they are software features.
 
 Recommended payload shape:
 
diff --git a/scripts/check-rank-feedback.mjs b/scripts/check-rank-feedback.mjs
index f8080c9..c80c8aa 100644
--- a/scripts/check-rank-feedback.mjs
+++ b/scripts/check-rank-feedback.mjs
@@ -1285,6 +1285,37 @@ try {
   assert.equal(questionsFallback.handoff.readiness.status, 'ready');
   assert.deepEqual(questionsFallback.handoff.warnings, []);
 
+  const freeSnapshotResponse = await fetch(`${base}/api/rank-feedback`, {
+    method: 'POST',
+    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+    body: JSON.stringify({
+      working_name: 'Free Snapshot Bridge',
+      restated_idea: 'A free Scattermind Snapshot clarified a rough service idea, but it has not produced a paid Build Order yet.',
+      lenses: {
+        shape: {
+          title: 'Product Shape',
+          content: 'Start with a manual promise test for one service buyer. Do not build accounts, saved workspaces, or a dashboard before someone reacts to the offer.',
+        },
+      },
+      questions_to_sit_with: ['Will one target buyer ask for the manual promise after seeing the short explanation?'],
+      reference_code: 'SM-FREE-SNAPSHOT-1',
+      tags: ['manual proof', 'buyer signal'],
+      mode: 'mvp',
+    }),
+  });
+  assert.equal(freeSnapshotResponse.status, 200);
+  const freeSnapshot = await freeSnapshotResponse.json();
+  assert.equal(freeSnapshot.input.provenance.artifactId, 'SM-FREE-SNAPSHOT-1');
+  assert.equal(freeSnapshot.input.provenance.snapshotTitle, 'Free Snapshot Bridge');
+  assert.match(freeSnapshot.input.provenance.sourceSummary, /rough service idea/);
+  assert.equal(freeSnapshot.input.optionCount, 2);
+  assert.equal(freeSnapshot.ranked[0].id, 'snapshot-manual-proof');
+  assert.equal(freeSnapshot.ranked[0].provenance.sourceSection, 'snapshot.lenses.shape');
+  assert.match(freeSnapshot.ranked[0].factors.evidenceNeeded, /target buyer/);
+  assert.equal(freeSnapshot.ranked.find(item => item.id === 'question-1').lane.id, 'test');
+  assert.equal(freeSnapshot.handoff.readiness.status, 'ready');
+  assert.deepEqual(freeSnapshot.handoff.warnings, []);
+
   const storedScattermindRowResponse = await fetch(`${base}/api/rank-feedback`, {
     method: 'POST',
     headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
@@ -1321,7 +1352,7 @@ try {
   assert.equal(storedScattermindRow.handoff.readiness.status, 'ready');
   assert.deepEqual(storedScattermindRow.handoff.warnings, []);
 
-  console.log(JSON.stringify({ ok: true, top: data.ranked[0].id, hintedTop: hinted.ranked[0].id, actionTop: actions.ranked[0].id, nestedConceptTop: nestedConcept.ranked[0].id, nonGoalTop: nonGoal.ranked[0].id, structuredContextTop: structuredContext.ranked[0].id, lensOnlyTop: lensOnly.ranked[0].id, scattermindPaidShapeTop: scattermindPaidShape.ranked[0].id, mergedContextTop: mergedContext.ranked[0].id, embeddedJsonTop: embeddedJson.ranked[0].id, fencedJsonTop: fencedJson.ranked[0].id, embeddedSnapshotTop: embeddedSnapshot.ranked[0].id, sourceExcerptTop: sourceExcerpt.ranked[0].id, snakeCaseBridgeTop: snakeCaseBridge.ranked[0].id, nextStepsAliasTop: nextStepsAlias.ranked[0].id, summaryGuardrailTop: summaryGuardrail.ranked[0].id, bridgeEnvelopeTop: bridgeEnvelope.ranked[0].id, directEnvelopeSectionsTop: directEnvelopeSections.ranked[0].id, softDirectLaneAliasesTop: softDirectLaneAliases.ranked[0].id, threadsFallbackTop: threadsFallback.ranked[0].id, questionsFallbackTop: questionsFallback.ranked[0].id, storedScattermindRowTop: storedScattermindRow.ranked[0].id, duplicateIds: duplicateIds.ranked.map(item => item.id), readiness: data.handoff.readiness.status, provenance: data.input.provenance, buildOrder: data.buildOrder }, null, 2));
+  console.log(JSON.stringify({ ok: true, top: data.ranked[0].id, hintedTop: hinted.ranked[0].id, actionTop: actions.ranked[0].id, nestedConceptTop: nestedConcept.ranked[0].id, nonGoalTop: nonGoal.ranked[0].id, structuredContextTop: structuredContext.ranked[0].id, lensOnlyTop: lensOnly.ranked[0].id, scattermindPaidShapeTop: scattermindPaidShape.ranked[0].id, mergedContextTop: mergedContext.ranked[0].id, embeddedJsonTop: embeddedJson.ranked[0].id, fencedJsonTop: fencedJson.ranked[0].id, embeddedSnapshotTop: embeddedSnapshot.ranked[0].id, sourceExcerptTop: sourceExcerpt.ranked[0].id, snakeCaseBridgeTop: snakeCaseBridge.ranked[0].id, nextStepsAliasTop: nextStepsAlias.ranked[0].id, summaryGuardrailTop: summaryGuardrail.ranked[0].id, bridgeEnvelopeTop: bridgeEnvelope.ranked[0].id, directEnvelopeSectionsTop: directEnvelopeSections.ranked[0].id, softDirectLaneAliasesTop: softDirectLaneAliases.ranked[0].id, threadsFallbackTop: threadsFallback.ranked[0].id, questionsFallbackTop: questionsFallback.ranked[0].id, freeSnapshotTop: freeSnapshot.ranked[0].id, storedScattermindRowTop: storedScattermindRow.ranked[0].id, duplicateIds: duplicateIds.ranked.map(item => item.id), readiness: data.handoff.readiness.status, provenance: data.input.provenance, buildOrder: data.buildOrder }, null, 2));
 } finally {
   server.kill('SIGTERM');
 }
diff --git a/server.js b/server.js
index f4d88a8..6b03b27 100644
--- a/server.js
+++ b/server.js
@@ -1050,6 +1050,47 @@ function optionsFromQuestionsToSitWith(items = [], sourceSection = 'concept-map.
   }).filter(item => item.action && item.evidence);
 }
 
+function optionsFromSnapshotReading(source = {}, sourceSection = 'snapshot') {
+  const reading = objectFrom(source);
+  const lenses = objectFrom(reading.lenses);
+  const rawShapeLens = lenses.shape || reading.lens || reading.shape;
+  const shapeLens = objectFrom(rawShapeLens);
+  const shapeText = cleanMultiline(lensContent(rawShapeLens), 700);
+  const workingName = cleanText(reading.working_name || reading.workingName || reading.snapshotTitle || reading.snapshot_title || reading.title || reading.name || '', 90);
+  const restatedIdea = cleanText(reading.restated_idea || reading.restatedIdea || reading.ideaText || reading.idea_text || reading.idea || '', 260);
+  const questions = cleanFlexibleTextList(reading.questions_to_sit_with || reading.questionsToSitWith || reading.openQuestions || reading.open_questions, 4, 240);
+  const hasSnapshotShape = Boolean(workingName || restatedIdea || shapeText || questions.length);
+  if (!hasSnapshotShape || (!shapeText && !restatedIdea && questions.length < 1)) return [];
+
+  const firstQuestion = questions[0] || 'What smallest manual proof would show this is worth building first?';
+  const proofTitle = workingName
+    ? `Manual proof for ${workingName}`
+    : restatedIdea
+      ? `Manual proof: ${restatedIdea}`
+      : questionActionTitle(firstQuestion);
+  const proofExcerpt = shapeText || restatedIdea || firstQuestion;
+  const proofOption = {
+    id: 'snapshot-manual-proof',
+    action: proofTitle,
+    why: restatedIdea || shapeText || 'The Snapshot clarified a possible direction, but it still needs a small real-world proof before product machinery.',
+    evidence: firstQuestion,
+    validationSteps: ['Run one manual version before building supporting UI', 'Ask 3 target users what they would do next'],
+    suggestedLane: 'do-first',
+    rankerHints: { value: 8, effort: 2, confidence: 6, urgency: 7, risk: 3 },
+    sourceSection: `${sourceSection}.lenses.shape`,
+    sourceItemId: `${sourceSection}.lenses.shape#1`,
+    sourceTitle: cleanText(shapeLens.title || 'Snapshot shape', 140),
+    sourceExcerpt: proofExcerpt,
+  };
+  const questionOptions = optionsFromQuestionsToSitWith(
+    questions.slice(0, 3),
+    `${sourceSection}.questionsToSitWith`,
+    'Snapshot decision question'
+  );
+  const options = [proofOption, ...questionOptions].slice(0, 4);
+  return options.length >= 2 ? options : [];
+}
+
 function optionsFromBody(body = {}) {
   const envelope = bridgeEnvelopeFrom(body);
   const featureSet = featureSetFrom(body);
@@ -1162,6 +1203,11 @@ function optionsFromBody(body = {}) {
     'Question to sit with'
   );
   if (questionOptions.length >= 2) return normalizeCandidateGroup([{ items: questionOptions, sourceSection: 'concept-map.questionsToSitWith', defaultLane: 'validate-next' }]);
+  const nestedSnapshotReadingOptions = optionsFromSnapshotReading(snapshot, 'snapshot');
+  const snapshotReadingOptions = nestedSnapshotReadingOptions.length
+    ? nestedSnapshotReadingOptions
+    : optionsFromSnapshotReading(body, 'snapshot');
+  if (snapshotReadingOptions.length >= 2) return normalizeCandidateGroup([{ items: snapshotReadingOptions, sourceSection: 'snapshot', defaultLane: 'validate-next' }]);
   if (Array.isArray(body.options)) {
     return normalizeOptionIds(body.options.slice(0, 24).map((item, index) => normalizeFeatureOption(item, index, 'option', 'options')).filter(item => item.title));
   }