diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 1ff636e..85fa26f 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -27,14 +27,15 @@ touches `src/`.
 ## Verify your work — after every metadata change
 
 ```bash
-pnpm validate     # protocol schema + CEL predicates (record.<field> existence) + widget bindings
-pnpm lint         # data-model conventions: reserved vocabulary, titles, master-detail, select options
+pnpm validate        # protocol schema + CEL predicates (record.<field> existence) + widget bindings
+pnpm lint            # data-model conventions: reserved vocabulary, titles, master-detail, select options
 pnpm typecheck
+pnpm lint:i18n-gate  # zh-CN bundle completeness: a key missing there renders as English, not an error
 ```
 
-`validate` runs the same gates as `pnpm build` without emitting `dist/`. All three exit non-zero with a
-located, corrective message. **Never report a change as done, and never open a PR, until all three pass.**
-Paste the three green tails into the PR body.
+`validate` runs the same gates as `pnpm build` without emitting `dist/`. Each exits non-zero with a
+located, corrective message. **Never report a change as done, and never open a PR, until all of them
+pass.** Paste one green tail per gate into the PR body.
 
 ### ⛔ And then open it in a browser
 
@@ -126,7 +127,7 @@ docs/backlog/           work cards                     docs/requirements/
 | PR | **Draft** PR against `main`, title = issue title, body: what changed · gate output · `Fixes #<n>`. One issue per PR. |
 | Release notes | **None per PR.** `CHANGELOG.md` is written at release time by the maintainer. |
 | Files a code PR never touches | `LICENSE` · `CHANGELOG.md` · `DESIGN.md` §01–§04 without a `needs-user-decision` first |
-| Gates | `pnpm validate && pnpm lint && pnpm typecheck`. |
+| Gates | `pnpm validate && pnpm lint && pnpm typecheck && pnpm lint:i18n-gate`. |
 | Merge policy | **The loop merges its own green work** (maintainer, 2026-09-07, verbatim: 「你自己派发自己合并」 and 「改策略，让循环真的无人值守」). The PM seat squash-merges a PR when **all** of: CI green on the head · an ACCEPT review recorded on the issue · the diff touches no governed surface · it is not a second REWORK round. Anything else still goes to the maintainer. |
 | Governed surface (maintainer merges) | `DESIGN.md` §01–§04 · `AGENTS.md` · `CLAUDE.md` · `LICENSE` · `CHANGELOG.md` · `docs/design/**`. A PR touching any of these is ACCEPTed and left open with a `## 维护者速读` comment. |
 | Decisions stay with the maintainer | The merge authorization covers **merging**, not deciding. Product semantics, `DESIGN.md` §01–§04 wording, and anything on the escalation ladder still becomes a `needs-user-decision` card. |
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 16a72f5..0e60115 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -5,8 +5,9 @@ Three rules there must never be missed:
 
 ## ⛔ Gate every metadata change
 
-`pnpm validate && pnpm lint && pnpm typecheck` must all pass before a change is reported as done.
-Metadata mistakes fail silently at runtime; the gates are the only place they surface early.
+`pnpm validate && pnpm lint && pnpm typecheck && pnpm lint:i18n-gate` must all pass before a change
+is reported as done. Metadata mistakes fail silently at runtime; the gates are the only place they
+surface early.
 
 ## ⛔ Worktree-first, never `git stash`
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5bfff00..f90ea10 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -44,9 +44,10 @@ titles, so seeding one on top of the other gives you both books.
 Every metadata change is gated:
 
 ```bash
-pnpm validate     # protocol schema + CEL predicates + bindings
-pnpm lint         # data-model conventions (reserved vocabulary, titles, master-detail)
+pnpm validate        # protocol schema + CEL predicates + bindings
+pnpm lint            # data-model conventions (reserved vocabulary, titles, master-detail)
 pnpm typecheck
+pnpm lint:i18n-gate  # every zh-CN key present — a missing one renders as English, silently
 ```
 
 ## Layout
diff --git a/docs/backlog/README.md b/docs/backlog/README.md
index 4e8c31d..b8a73b6 100644
--- a/docs/backlog/README.md
+++ b/docs/backlog/README.md
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ dispatch is worth anything.
 | [13](./13-ai-skills.md) | AI participation: S1–S6 skills, the pre-review memo, MCP tool surface, honest degradation | M4 | 05 |
 | [14](./14-release.md) | Release: docs site, screenshots, feature inventory, marketplace publish | M4 | 10, 11, 12, 13 |
 
-Every card inherits the same acceptance floor: `pnpm validate && pnpm lint && pnpm typecheck` green,
-gate output pasted in the PR, one draft PR per card, no rider changes. Field lists, enum values and
-transitions are pinned in [`DESIGN.md`](../../DESIGN.md) §03–§06 — a card that needs a value not
-pinned there stops with `needs_decision` instead of inventing one.
+Every card inherits the same acceptance floor: `pnpm validate && pnpm lint && pnpm typecheck &&
+pnpm lint:i18n-gate` green, gate output pasted in the PR, one draft PR per card, no rider changes.
+Field lists, enum values and transitions are pinned in [`DESIGN.md`](../../DESIGN.md) §03–§06 — a
+card that needs a value not pinned there stops with `needs_decision` instead of inventing one.