feat(codable): broaden compatibility coverage

AGENTS.md

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ For code changes, load at minimum:
 - `docs/rules/testing.md`
 - `docs/rules/verification.md`
 - `docs/rules/commits.md`
+- `docs/rules/research-compatibility.md`
 
 ## What PureYAML Is
 
@@ -35,6 +36,10 @@ Do not copy C code or upstream Yams source into this public package.
 Keep attribution in `ATTRIBUTION.md` accurate when compatibility work references
 Yams or CYaml behavior.
 
+Compatibility work must start from that research source. Before changing parser,
+emitter, validation, or typed conversion behavior, inspect the matching
+PureYAMLResearch source or fixture and use it only to define behavior and tests.
+
 ## Namespace Rules
 
 Every public type lives under the `PureYAML` namespace tree and mirrors its

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -58,6 +58,12 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
   nested sequences and sequence properties on keyed structs.
 - Add a fixture-backed sequence typed-conversion test corpus and a
   forbidden-pattern verification gate for package, source, and test contracts.
+- Add broader Codable compatibility coverage for dynamic mapping keys, nested
+  container round trips, keyed super coders, default `super` coders, and
+  deterministic unsupported-shape errors.
+- Add an explicit research-compatibility rule requiring parser, emitter,
+  validation, and typed conversion work to start from PureYAMLResearch behavior
+  without copying implementation code.
 
 ### Changed
 
@@ -66,3 +72,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 - Harden duplicate-key validation to use set membership while preserving exact
   diagnostics.
 - Make validation rules immutable after construction.
+- Preserve keyed super-encoder field order even when delayed child encoders are
+  written in a different order than they were requested.
+- Make keyed default `superEncoder()` and `superDecoder()` use the standard
+  `super` mapping key instead of the current mapping.

README.md

@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ flowchart TB
   SuperEpic8["#8 Parser Replacement Roadmap"]:::epic
   Epic1["#1 Pure Swift Parse Core"]:::done
   Epic9["#9 Deterministic Emitter Core"]:::done
-  Epic10["#10 Typed Decoding and Encoding"]:::todo
+  Epic10["#10 Typed Decoding and Encoding"]:::done
   Epic11["#11 YAML Compatibility Corpus"]:::todo
   Epic12["#12 Usage and Migration Docs"]:::todo
   Epic13["#13 Release Readiness"]:::todo
@@ -61,24 +61,7 @@ flowchart TB
 
 #9 Deterministic Emitter Core is complete in main.
 
-#10 Typed Decoding and Encoding is active:
+#10 Typed Decoding and Encoding is complete in main.
-
-```mermaid
-flowchart TB
-  classDef done fill:#ddf9e4,stroke:#34c759,color:#111827
-  classDef review fill:#fff7d6,stroke:#ffcc00,color:#111827
-  classDef epic fill:#f2e5ff,stroke:#af52de,color:#111827
-  classDef todo fill:#f2f4f7,stroke:#8e8e93,color:#111827
-  Epic10["#10 Typed Decoding and Encoding"]:::epic
-  Scalar20["#20 Scalar Typed Conversion"]:::done
-  Keyed21["#21 Keyed Typed Conversion"]:::done
-  Unkeyed22["#22 Unkeyed Typed Conversion"]:::done
-  Compat23["#23 Broader Codable Compatibility"]:::todo
-  Epic10 --> Scalar20
-  Scalar20 --> Keyed21
-  Keyed21 --> Unkeyed22
-  Unkeyed22 --> Compat23
-```
 
 ## Status
 
@@ -121,7 +104,8 @@ try PureYAML.validate(document)
 ```
 
 Typed conversion is available for scalar values, keyed mapping-backed structs,
-and unkeyed sequences:
+dictionary-like string mappings, unkeyed sequences, nested containers, and
+keyed super coders:
 
 ```swift
 struct Info: Codable {

Sources/Coding/SuperCodingKey.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+struct SuperCodingKey: CodingKey {
+    var stringValue: String
+    var intValue: Int?
+
+    init() {
+        stringValue = "super"
+        intValue = nil
+    }
+
+    init?(stringValue: String) {
+        self.stringValue = stringValue
+        intValue = nil
+    }
+
+    init?(intValue _: Int) {
+        nil
+    }
+}

Sources/Decoding/Decoding.KeyedContainer.swift

@@ -117,23 +117,18 @@ struct KeyedDecodingContainerImpl<Key: CodingKey>: KeyedDecodingContainerProtoco
     }
 
     func superDecoder() throws -> any Swift.Decoder {
-        PureYAML.Decoding.Decoder(
+        try decoder(for: SuperCodingKey())
-            value: .mapping(mapping),
-            codingPath: codingPath,
-            userInfo: userInfo,
-            validatesInput: validatesInput,
-        )
     }
 
     func superDecoder(forKey key: Key) throws -> any Swift.Decoder {
         try decoder(for: key)
     }
 
-    private func singleValue(for key: Key) throws -> any SingleValueDecodingContainer {
+    private func singleValue(for key: any CodingKey) throws -> any SingleValueDecodingContainer {
         try decoder(for: key).singleValueContainer()
     }
 
-    private func decoder(for key: Key) throws -> PureYAML.Decoding.Decoder {
+    private func decoder(for key: any CodingKey) throws -> PureYAML.Decoding.Decoder {
         try PureYAML.Decoding.Decoder(
             value: value(for: key),
             codingPath: codingPath + [key],
@@ -142,7 +137,7 @@ struct KeyedDecodingContainerImpl<Key: CodingKey>: KeyedDecodingContainerProtoco
         )
     }
 
-    private func value(for key: Key) throws -> PureYAML.Model.Value {
+    private func value(for key: any CodingKey) throws -> PureYAML.Model.Value {
         guard let value = mapping[key.stringValue] else {
             throw PureYAML.Decoding.Error.keyNotFound(
                 key: key.stringValue,
@@ -154,7 +149,7 @@ struct KeyedDecodingContainerImpl<Key: CodingKey>: KeyedDecodingContainerProtoco
 
     private func validateIfNeeded(
         _ value: PureYAML.Model.Value,
-        forKey key: Key,
+        forKey key: any CodingKey,
     ) throws {
         if validatesInput {
             try PureYAML.Decoding.validate(value, codingPath: codingPath + [key])

Sources/Encoding/Encoding.KeyedContainer.swift

@@ -130,14 +130,21 @@ struct KeyedEncodingContainerImpl<Key: CodingKey>: KeyedEncodingContainerProtoco
     }
 
     mutating func superEncoder() -> any Swift.Encoder {
-        PureYAML.Encoding.Encoder(
+        let key = SuperCodingKey()
-            codingPath: codingPath,
+        storage.set(.null, forKey: key.stringValue)
+        let childStorage = PureYAML.Encoding.Encoder.Storage(
+            parent: storage,
+            parentKey: key.stringValue,
+        )
+        return PureYAML.Encoding.Encoder(
+            codingPath: codingPath + [key],
             userInfo: userInfo,
-            storage: storage,
+            storage: childStorage,
         )
     }
 
     mutating func superEncoder(forKey key: Key) -> any Swift.Encoder {
+        storage.set(.null, forKey: key.stringValue)
         let childStorage = PureYAML.Encoding.Encoder.Storage(
             parent: storage,
             parentKey: key.stringValue,

Tests/CodableCompatibilityFixtures.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,269 @@
+@testable import PureYAML
+
+let dynamicSettingsValue = PureYAML.Model.Value.mapping(.init([
+    .init(key: "/users", value: .int(2)),
+    .init(key: "name.with.dot", value: .int(3)),
+]))
+
+let nestedCompatibilityValue = PureYAML.Model.Value.mapping(.init([
+    .init(key: "title", value: .string("Typed YAML")),
+    .init(key: "metadata", value: .mapping(.init([
+        .init(key: "author", value: .string("Mihaela")),
+        .init(key: "rating", value: .int(5)),
+    ]))),
+    .init(key: "sections", value: .sequence([
+        .mapping(.init([
+            .init(key: "heading", value: .string("Intro")),
+            .init(key: "items", value: .sequence([
+                .string("one"),
+                .string("two"),
+            ])),
+        ])),
+        .mapping(.init([
+            .init(key: "heading", value: .string("Outro")),
+            .init(key: "items", value: .sequence([])),
+        ])),
+    ])),
+]))
+
+let nestedCompatibilityFixture = NestedCompatibilityDocument(
+    title: "Typed YAML",
+    metadata: .init(author: "Mihaela", rating: 5),
+    sections: [
+        .init(heading: "Intro", items: ["one", "two"]),
+        .init(heading: "Outro", items: []),
+    ],
+)
+
+let codingPathProbeValue = PureYAML.Model.Value.mapping(.init([
+    .init(key: "payload", value: .string("child")),
+    .init(key: "metadata", value: .mapping(.init([
+        .init(key: "author", value: .string("Mihaela")),
+    ]))),
+    .init(key: "items", value: .sequence([
+        .mapping(.init([
+            .init(key: "author", value: .string("Nested")),
+        ])),
+    ])),
+]))
+
+struct DynamicSettings: Codable, Equatable {
+    struct Entry: Equatable {
+        var key: String
+        var value: Int
+    }
+
+    var entries: [Entry]
+
+    init(entries: [Entry]) {
+        self.entries = entries
+    }
+
+    init(from decoder: any Decoder) throws {
+        let container = try decoder.container(keyedBy: DynamicCodingKey.self)
+        entries = try container.allKeys.map { key in
+            try Entry(
+                key: key.stringValue,
+                value: container.decode(Int.self, forKey: key),
+            )
+        }
+    }
+
+    func encode(to encoder: any Encoder) throws {
+        var container = encoder.container(keyedBy: DynamicCodingKey.self)
+        for entry in entries {
+            try container.encode(
+                entry.value,
+                forKey: DynamicCodingKey(entry.key),
+            )
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+struct NestedCompatibilityDocument: Codable, Equatable {
+    var title: String
+    var metadata: NestedCompatibilityMetadata
+    var sections: [NestedCompatibilitySection]
+}
+
+struct NestedCompatibilityMetadata: Codable, Equatable {
+    var author: String
+    var rating: Int
+}
+
+struct NestedCompatibilitySection: Codable, Equatable {
+    var heading: String
+    var items: [String]
+}
+
+struct SuperCodedPayload: Codable, Equatable {
+    var value: String
+}
+
+struct KeyedSuperBox: Codable, Equatable {
+    enum CodingKeys: String, CodingKey {
+        case payload
+    }
+
+    var payload: SuperCodedPayload
+
+    init(payload: SuperCodedPayload) {
+        self.payload = payload
+    }
+
+    init(from decoder: any Decoder) throws {
+        let container = try decoder.container(keyedBy: CodingKeys.self)
+        payload = try SuperCodedPayload(
+            from: container.superDecoder(forKey: .payload),
+        )
+    }
+
+    func encode(to encoder: any Encoder) throws {
+        var container = encoder.container(keyedBy: CodingKeys.self)
+        try payload.encode(to: container.superEncoder(forKey: .payload))
+    }
+}
+
+struct KeyedDefaultSuperBox: Codable, Equatable {
+    var payload: SuperCodedPayload
+
+    init(payload: SuperCodedPayload) {
+        self.payload = payload
+    }
+
+    init(from decoder: any Decoder) throws {
+        let container = try decoder.container(keyedBy: CodingPathProbeTopKey.self)
+        let superDecoder = try container.superDecoder()
+        expectCodingPath(superDecoder.codingPath, strings: ["super"], intValues: [nil])
+        payload = try SuperCodedPayload(from: superDecoder)
+    }
+
+    func encode(to encoder: any Encoder) throws {
+        var container = encoder.container(keyedBy: CodingPathProbeTopKey.self)
+        let superEncoder = container.superEncoder()
+        expectCodingPath(superEncoder.codingPath, strings: ["super"], intValues: [nil])
+        try payload.encode(to: superEncoder)
+    }
+}
+
+struct DelayedKeyedSuperEncoders: Encodable {
+    enum CodingKeys: String, CodingKey {
+        case first
+        case second
+    }
+
+    func encode(to encoder: any Encoder) throws {
+        var container = encoder.container(keyedBy: CodingKeys.self)
+        let first = container.superEncoder(forKey: .first)
+        let second = container.superEncoder(forKey: .second)
+        try "two".encode(to: second)
+        try "one".encode(to: first)
+    }
+}
+
+struct MissingPayloadBox: Decodable {
+    enum CodingKeys: String, CodingKey {
+        case payload
+    }
+
+    init(from decoder: any Decoder) throws {
+        let container = try decoder.container(keyedBy: CodingKeys.self)
+        _ = try container.superDecoder(forKey: .payload)
+    }
+}
+
+struct MissingDefaultSuperBox: Decodable {
+    init(from decoder: any Decoder) throws {
+        let container = try decoder.container(keyedBy: CodingPathProbeTopKey.self)
+        _ = try container.superDecoder()
+    }
+}
+
+struct NoValueEncoded: Encodable {
+    func encode(to _: any Encoder) throws {}
+}
+
+struct KeyedCodingPathEncodingProbe: Encodable {
+    func encode(to encoder: any Encoder) throws {
+        expectCodingPath(encoder.codingPath, strings: [], intValues: [])
+
+        var container = encoder.container(keyedBy: CodingPathProbeTopKey.self)
+        expectCodingPath(container.codingPath, strings: [], intValues: [])
+
+        let superEncoder = container.superEncoder(forKey: .payload)
+        expectCodingPath(superEncoder.codingPath, strings: ["payload"], intValues: [nil])
+
+        var metadata = container.nestedContainer(
+            keyedBy: CodingPathProbeNestedKey.self,
+            forKey: .metadata,
+        )
+        expectCodingPath(metadata.codingPath, strings: ["metadata"], intValues: [nil])
+        try metadata.encode("Mihaela", forKey: .author)
+
+        var items = container.nestedUnkeyedContainer(forKey: .items)
+        expectCodingPath(items.codingPath, strings: ["items"], intValues: [nil])
+
+        var item = items.nestedContainer(keyedBy: CodingPathProbeNestedKey.self)
+        expectCodingPath(item.codingPath, strings: ["items", "0"], intValues: [nil, 0])
+        try item.encode("Nested", forKey: .author)
+
+        try "child".encode(to: superEncoder)
+    }
+}
+
+struct KeyedCodingPathDecodingProbe: Decodable {
+    init(from decoder: any Decoder) throws {
+        expectCodingPath(decoder.codingPath, strings: [], intValues: [])
+
+        let container = try decoder.container(keyedBy: CodingPathProbeTopKey.self)
+        expectCodingPath(container.codingPath, strings: [], intValues: [])
+
+        let superDecoder = try container.superDecoder(forKey: .payload)
+        expectCodingPath(superDecoder.codingPath, strings: ["payload"], intValues: [nil])
+        _ = try superDecoder.singleValueContainer().decode(String.self)
+
+        let metadata = try container.nestedContainer(
+            keyedBy: CodingPathProbeNestedKey.self,
+            forKey: .metadata,
+        )
+        expectCodingPath(metadata.codingPath, strings: ["metadata"], intValues: [nil])
+        _ = try metadata.decode(String.self, forKey: .author)
+
+        var items = try container.nestedUnkeyedContainer(forKey: .items)
+        expectCodingPath(items.codingPath, strings: ["items"], intValues: [nil])
+
+        let item = try items.nestedContainer(keyedBy: CodingPathProbeNestedKey.self)
+        expectCodingPath(item.codingPath, strings: ["items", "0"], intValues: [nil, 0])
+        _ = try item.decode(String.self, forKey: .author)
+    }
+}
+
+enum CodingPathProbeTopKey: String, CodingKey {
+    case payload
+    case metadata
+    case items
+}
+
+enum CodingPathProbeNestedKey: String, CodingKey {
+    case author
+}
+
+struct DynamicCodingKey: CodingKey {
+    var stringValue: String
+    var intValue: Int?
+
+    init(_ stringValue: String) {
+        self.stringValue = stringValue
+        intValue = nil
+    }
+
+    init?(stringValue: String) {
+        self.stringValue = stringValue
+        intValue = nil
+    }
+
+    init?(intValue: Int) {
+        stringValue = "\(intValue)"
+        self.intValue = intValue
+    }
+}

Tests/CodableCompatibilityTests.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,247 @@
+@testable import PureYAML
+import Testing
+
+@Suite("Codable Compatibility")
+struct CodableCompatibilityTests {
+    @Test("Dictionary-like dynamic keys decode from ordered mappings")
+    func test_dictionaryLikeDynamicKeysDecodeFromOrderedMappings() throws {
+        let decoded = try PureYAML.decode(
+            DynamicSettings.self,
+            from: dynamicSettingsValue,
+        )
+
+        #expect(decoded == DynamicSettings(entries: [
+            .init(key: "/users", value: 2),
+            .init(key: "name.with.dot", value: 3),
+        ]))
+    }
+
+    @Test("Dictionary-like dynamic keys encode exact values and YAML")
+    func test_dictionaryLikeDynamicKeysEncodeExactValuesAndYAML() throws {
+        let settings = DynamicSettings(entries: [
+            .init(key: "/users", value: 2),
+            .init(key: "name.with.dot", value: 3),
+        ])
+
+        let yaml = try PureYAML.encodeToYAML(settings)
+
+        #expect(try PureYAML.encode(settings) == dynamicSettingsValue)
+        #expect(yaml == """
+        /users: 2
+        name.with.dot: 3
+
+        """)
+        #expect(yaml.contains("/users: 2"))
+        #expect(yaml.contains("name.with.dot: 3"))
+        #expect(!yaml.contains("\"name.with.dot\""))
+        #expect(!yaml.contains("null"))
+    }
+
+    @Test("Dictionary values decode where YAML mapping semantics allow them")
+    func test_dictionaryValuesDecodeWhereYAMLSemanticsAllowThem() throws {
+        let decoded = try PureYAML.decode(
+            [String: Int].self,
+            from: .mapping(.init([
+                .init(key: "count", value: .int(2)),
+            ])),
+        )
+
+        #expect(decoded == ["count": 2])
+    }
+
+    @Test("Nested keyed unkeyed and single-value interactions round trip exactly")
+    func test_nestedKeyedUnkeyedAndSingleValueInteractionsRoundTripExactly() throws {
+        let decoded = try PureYAML.decode(
+            NestedCompatibilityDocument.self,
+            from: nestedCompatibilityValue,
+        )
+        let yaml = try PureYAML.encodeToYAML(nestedCompatibilityFixture)
+
+        #expect(decoded == nestedCompatibilityFixture)
+        #expect(try PureYAML.encode(nestedCompatibilityFixture) == nestedCompatibilityValue)
+        #expect(yaml == """
+        title: "Typed YAML"
+        metadata:
+          author: "Mihaela"
+          rating: 5
+        sections:
+          -
+            heading: "Intro"
+            items:
+              - "one"
+              - "two"
+          -
+            heading: "Outro"
+            items:
+
+        """)
+        #expect(yaml.contains("sections:"))
+        #expect(!yaml.contains("summary:"))
+    }
+
+    @Test("Dynamic-key decoding reports exact punctuation paths")
+    func test_dynamicKeyDecodingReportsExactPunctuationPaths() {
+        expectDecodingError(
+            .typeMismatch(
+                expected: "Int",
+                actual: "string",
+                path: .init([.key("/users")]),
+            ),
+        ) {
+            _ = try PureYAML.decode(DynamicSettings.self, from: .mapping(.init([
+                .init(key: "/users", value: .string("two")),
+            ])))
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Test("Dynamic-key decoding validates duplicate punctuation keys")
+    func test_dynamicKeyDecodingValidatesDuplicatePunctuationKeys() {
+        expectValidationError {
+            _ = try PureYAML.decode(DynamicSettings.self, from: .mapping(.init([
+                .init(key: "/users", value: .int(1)),
+                .init(key: "/users", value: .int(2)),
+            ])))
+        } check: { collection in
+            #expect(collection.issues == [
+                .init(
+                    severity: .error,
+                    reason: "Duplicate mapping key '/users'",
+                    path: .init([.key("/users")]),
+                ),
+            ])
+            #expect(collection.description == "error: Duplicate mapping key '/users' at $[\"/users\"]")
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Test("Keyed super decoders and encoders preserve exact payloads")
+    func test_keyedSuperDecodersAndEncodersPreserveExactPayloads() throws {
+        let value = PureYAML.Model.Value.mapping(.init([
+            .init(key: "payload", value: .mapping(.init([
+                .init(key: "value", value: .string("child")),
+            ]))),
+        ]))
+        let box = KeyedSuperBox(payload: .init(value: "child"))
+
+        #expect(try PureYAML.decode(KeyedSuperBox.self, from: value) == box)
+        #expect(try PureYAML.encode(box) == value)
+        #expect(try PureYAML.encodeToYAML(box) == """
+        payload:
+          value: "child"
+
+        """)
+    }
+
+    @Test("Keyed default super coders use the super key")
+    func test_keyedDefaultSuperCodersUseTheSuperKey() throws {
+        let value = PureYAML.Model.Value.mapping(.init([
+            .init(key: "super", value: .mapping(.init([
+                .init(key: "value", value: .string("child")),
+            ]))),
+        ]))
+        let box = KeyedDefaultSuperBox(payload: .init(value: "child"))
+
+        #expect(try PureYAML.decode(KeyedDefaultSuperBox.self, from: value) == box)
+        #expect(try PureYAML.encode(box) == value)
+        #expect(try PureYAML.encodeToYAML(box) == """
+        super:
+          value: "child"
+
+        """)
+    }
+
+    @Test("Keyed super encoders reserve distinct keys before values are written")
+    func test_keyedSuperEncodersReserveDistinctKeysBeforeValuesAreWritten() throws {
+        #expect(try PureYAML.encode(DelayedKeyedSuperEncoders()) == .mapping(.init([
+            .init(key: "first", value: .string("one")),
+            .init(key: "second", value: .string("two")),
+        ])))
+    }
+
+    @Test("Nested coders expose exact coding paths")
+    func test_nestedCodersExposeExactCodingPaths() throws {
+        #expect(try PureYAML.encode(KeyedCodingPathEncodingProbe()) == codingPathProbeValue)
+
+        _ = try PureYAML.decode(
+            KeyedCodingPathDecodingProbe.self,
+            from: codingPathProbeValue,
+        )
+    }
+
+    @Test("Unsupported missing super decoder payload reports exact errors")
+    func test_unsupportedMissingSuperDecoderPayloadReportsExactErrors() {
+        expectDecodingError(
+            .keyNotFound(key: "payload", path: .init([.key("payload")])),
+        ) {
+            _ = try PureYAML.decode(MissingPayloadBox.self, from: .mapping(.init()))
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Test("Unsupported missing default super decoder reports exact errors")
+    func test_unsupportedMissingDefaultSuperDecoderReportsExactErrors() {
+        expectDecodingError(
+            .keyNotFound(key: "super", path: .init([.key("super")])),
+        ) {
+            _ = try PureYAML.decode(MissingDefaultSuperBox.self, from: .mapping(.init()))
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Test("Unsupported empty encodable reports exact errors")
+    func test_unsupportedEmptyEncodableReportsExactErrors() {
+        expectEncodingError(.noValueEncoded(path: .root)) {
+            _ = try PureYAML.encode(NoValueEncoded())
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+private func expectDecodingError(
+    _ expected: PureYAML.Decoding.Error,
+    operation: () throws -> some Any,
+) {
+    do {
+        _ = try operation()
+        recordIssue("expected decoding error")
+    } catch let error as PureYAML.Decoding.Error {
+        #expect(error == expected)
+        #expect(error.description == expected.description)
+    } catch {
+        recordIssue("unexpected error \(error)")
+    }
+}
+
+private func expectEncodingError(
+    _ expected: PureYAML.Encoding.Error,
+    operation: () throws -> some Any,
+) {
+    do {
+        _ = try operation()
+        recordIssue("expected encoding error")
+    } catch let error as PureYAML.Encoding.Error {
+        #expect(error == expected)
+        #expect(error.description == expected.description)
+    } catch {
+        recordIssue("unexpected error \(error)")
+    }
+}
+
+private func expectValidationError(
+    operation: () throws -> some Any,
+    check: (PureYAML.Validation.Issue.Collection) -> Void,
+) {
+    do {
+        _ = try operation()
+        recordIssue("expected validation error")
+    } catch let collection as PureYAML.Validation.Issue.Collection {
+        check(collection)
+    } catch {
+        recordIssue("unexpected error \(error)")
+    }
+}
+
+func expectCodingPath(
+    _ path: [any CodingKey],
+    strings: [String],
+    intValues: [Int?],
+) {
+    #expect(path.map(\.stringValue) == strings)
+    #expect(path.map(\.intValue) == intValues)
+}

docs/rules/research-compatibility.md

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+# Research Compatibility Rules
+
+PureYAML replaces behavior that is currently studied in the private
+`PureYAMLResearch` repository. Compatibility work must be research-led and
+implementation-independent.
+
+## Mandatory Start Point
+
+Before changing parser, scanner, composer, emitter, validation, or typed
+Codable conversion behavior:
+
+- inspect the matching source, tests, or fixtures in `PureYAMLResearch`;
+- identify the observable behavior PureYAML should match or deliberately reject;
+- write PureYAML tests that pin that behavior before or with the implementation;
+- keep all public-package code original and dependency-free.
+
+## Copying Boundary
+
+Do not copy source from Yams, CYaml, libyaml, or research-only references into
+`Sources/`. Use the research repository for behavior discovery only.
+
+Allowed:
+
+- exact behavioral assertions in PureYAML tests;
+- attribution in `ATTRIBUTION.md` and design docs;
+- small independently written fixtures that describe input and expected output.
+
+Forbidden:
+
+- copied parser, scanner, emitter, or encoder implementation code;
+- C files, generated parser files, or external SwiftPM dependencies;
+- compatibility claims that were not checked against the research source or a
+  deliberate PureYAML design decision.
+
+## Test Contract
+
+Every compatibility test must pin at least one of:
+
+- exact parsed value tree;
+- exact emitted YAML;
+- exact decoded Swift value;
+- exact encoded value tree;
+- exact validation issue;
+- exact path-aware decoding or encoding error;
+- exact required absence check for fields that must not appear.