diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8e9c6fc..76d4c65 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.
+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.
 
 Recommended payload shape:
 
diff --git a/scripts/check-rank-feedback.mjs b/scripts/check-rank-feedback.mjs
index 3cd57da..f8080c9 100644
--- a/scripts/check-rank-feedback.mjs
+++ b/scripts/check-rank-feedback.mjs
@@ -1254,6 +1254,37 @@ try {
   assert.equal(threadsFallback.handoff.readiness.status, 'ready');
   assert.deepEqual(threadsFallback.handoff.warnings, []);
 
+  const questionsFallbackResponse = await fetch(`${base}/api/rank-feedback`, {
+    method: 'POST',
+    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+    body: JSON.stringify({
+      reference_code: 'SM-QUESTIONS-1',
+      working_name: 'Question-only Concept Map',
+      ideaText: 'Scattermind produced questions rather than a labelled build order; Ranker should turn those into evidence actions, not fake features.',
+      context: 'Tired solo operator. Avoid dashboards and saved workspaces before evidence.',
+      conceptMap: {
+        questions_to_sit_with: [
+          'Can one tired user act on the first continuation move without opening a workspace?',
+          { question: 'Would a copyable handoff preserve enough source context to trust the order?', validationSteps: ['Paste the handoff into notes and ask one user what they would do next.'] },
+          'Should billing wait until one defended build-order handoff creates real follow-up?'
+        ],
+      },
+      mode: 'validation',
+    }),
+  });
+  assert.equal(questionsFallbackResponse.status, 200);
+  const questionsFallback = await questionsFallbackResponse.json();
+  assert.equal(questionsFallback.input.provenance.artifactId, 'SM-QUESTIONS-1');
+  assert.equal(questionsFallback.input.optionCount, 3);
+  assert.equal(questionsFallback.ranked[0].id, 'question-2');
+  assert.equal(questionsFallback.ranked[0].lane.id, 'do');
+  assert.equal(questionsFallback.ranked[0].provenance.sourceSection, 'concept-map.questionsToSitWith');
+  assert.match(questionsFallback.ranked[0].title, /^Answer:/);
+  assert.match(questionsFallback.ranked.find(item => item.id === 'question-1').factors.evidenceNeeded, /without opening a workspace/);
+  assert.equal(questionsFallback.ranked.find(item => item.id === 'question-1').provenance.sourceSection, 'concept-map.questionsToSitWith');
+  assert.equal(questionsFallback.handoff.readiness.status, 'ready');
+  assert.deepEqual(questionsFallback.handoff.warnings, []);
+
   const storedScattermindRowResponse = await fetch(`${base}/api/rank-feedback`, {
     method: 'POST',
     headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
@@ -1290,7 +1321,7 @@ 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, 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, 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 1f97579..f4d88a8 100644
--- a/server.js
+++ b/server.js
@@ -825,18 +825,24 @@ function cleanContextText(value = '') {
 }
 
 function meaningfulTokens(text = '') {
-  const stop = new Set(['the', 'and', 'with', 'from', 'that', 'this', 'into', 'before', 'after', 'until', 'user', 'users', 'idea', 'ideas', 'build', 'order', 'works', 'first', 'avoid', 'without', 'more', 'full', 'proof', 'manual', 'value', 'layer', 'result', 'sense', 'copyable', 'source', 'traced', 'source-traced']);
+  const stop = new Set(['the', 'and', 'with', 'from', 'that', 'this', 'into', 'before', 'after', 'until', 'user', 'users', 'idea', 'ideas', 'build', 'order', 'works', 'first', 'avoid', 'without', 'more', 'full', 'proof', 'manual', 'value', 'layer', 'result', 'sense', 'copyable', 'source', 'traced', 'source-traced', 'evidence']);
   return [...new Set(String(text).toLowerCase().match(/[a-z0-9][a-z0-9-]{3,}/g) || [])].filter(token => !stop.has(token)).slice(0, 8);
 }
 
+function isGuardrailAvoidanceMention(lowerText = '', token = '') {
+  if (!token) return false;
+  const escaped = token.replace(/[.*+?^${}()|[\]\\]/g, '\\$&');
+  return new RegExp(`\\b(without|avoid(?:ing)?|no|not|skip|defer|wait(?:ing)?|hold(?:ing)?|before adding|before building)\\b[^.!?]{0,60}\\b${escaped}\\b`, 'i').test(lowerText);
+}
+
 function nonGoalConflicts(optionText, decisionContext = {}) {
   const lower = String(optionText || '').toLowerCase();
   return (decisionContext.nonGoals || []).filter(nonGoal => {
     const tokens = meaningfulTokens(nonGoal);
     return tokens.length > 0 && tokens.some(token => {
-      if (lower.includes(token)) return true;
       const singular = token.endsWith('ies') ? `${token.slice(0, -3)}y` : token.replace(/(?:es|s)$/, '');
-      return singular.length >= 4 && lower.includes(singular);
+      const forms = [token, singular].filter(form => form.length >= 4);
+      return forms.some(form => lower.includes(form) && !isGuardrailAvoidanceMention(lower, form));
     });
   });
 }
@@ -1015,6 +1021,35 @@ function optionsFromActionThreads(items = [], sourceSection = 'concept-map.threa
   }).filter(item => item.action);
 }
 
+function questionActionTitle(text = '') {
+  const cleaned = cleanText(text.replace(/\?+$/g, ''), 180);
+  if (!cleaned) return '';
+  if (/^(can|could|will|would|should|does|do|is|are|what|where|when|who|how|why)\b/i.test(cleaned)) return cleanText(`Answer: ${cleaned}`, 140);
+  return cleanText(cleaned, 140);
+}
+
+function optionsFromQuestionsToSitWith(items = [], sourceSection = 'concept-map.questionsToSitWith', sourceTitle = 'Question to sit with') {
+  if (!Array.isArray(items)) return [];
+  return items.slice(0, 8).map((item, index) => {
+    const raw = typeof item === 'string' || typeof item === 'number' ? String(item) : '';
+    const objectItem = objectFrom(item);
+    const question = cleanMultiline(raw || objectItem.question || objectItem.text || objectItem.content || objectItem.title || '', 420);
+    return {
+      id: `question-${index + 1}`,
+      action: questionActionTitle(question),
+      why: 'Scattermind left this as an open question; Ranker treats it as evidence to collect, not a build feature.',
+      evidence: question,
+      validationSteps: cleanTextList(objectItem.validationSteps || objectItem.validation_steps || objectItem.steps || objectItem.proofSteps || objectItem.proof_steps, 4, 180),
+      suggestedLane: 'validate-next',
+      rankerHints: { value: 6, effort: 2, confidence: 5, urgency: 5, risk: 3 },
+      sourceSection,
+      sourceItemId: `${sourceSection}#${index + 1}`,
+      sourceTitle: cleanText(objectItem.sourceTitle || objectItem.source_title || sourceTitle, 140),
+      sourceExcerpt: question,
+    };
+  }).filter(item => item.action && item.evidence);
+}
+
 function optionsFromBody(body = {}) {
   const envelope = bridgeEnvelopeFrom(body);
   const featureSet = featureSetFrom(body);
@@ -1121,6 +1156,12 @@ function optionsFromBody(body = {}) {
     'Thread to hold'
   );
   if (actionThreadOptions.length >= 2) return normalizeCandidateGroup([{ items: actionThreadOptions, sourceSection: 'concept-map.threadsToHold' }]);
+  const questionOptions = optionsFromQuestionsToSitWith(
+    body.questions_to_sit_with || body.questionsToSitWith || body.openQuestions || body.open_questions || conceptMap.questions_to_sit_with || conceptMap.questionsToSitWith || conceptMap.openQuestions || conceptMap.open_questions,
+    conceptMap.questions_to_sit_with || conceptMap.questionsToSitWith || conceptMap.openQuestions || conceptMap.open_questions ? 'concept-map.questionsToSitWith' : 'questionsToSitWith',
+    'Question to sit with'
+  );
+  if (questionOptions.length >= 2) return normalizeCandidateGroup([{ items: questionOptions, sourceSection: 'concept-map.questionsToSitWith', 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));
   }