diff --git a/docs/ARCH/11 - architecture_turnaround/20 - planner_autonomy_consolidation_2026-05-01.md b/docs/ARCH/11 - architecture_turnaround/20 - planner_autonomy_consolidation_2026-05-01.md
index ca821e6..44d48b4 100644
--- a/docs/ARCH/11 - architecture_turnaround/20 - planner_autonomy_consolidation_2026-05-01.md	
+++ b/docs/ARCH/11 - architecture_turnaround/20 - planner_autonomy_consolidation_2026-05-01.md	
@@ -118,6 +118,7 @@ The following consolidation step added catalog-level chain-template scoring:
 - document/movement/inventory/lifecycle templates can now be inspected as catalog search results, not only as local planner branch constants;
 - `assistantMcpDiscoveryPlanner` records the top catalog chain-template match in reason codes and exposes the ranked matches as `catalog_chain_template_matches` in the planner contract while preserving existing guarded execution behavior.
 - the ranked chain-template matches are now propagated into runtime loop state and debug attachment fields, so replay analysis can inspect catalog-fabric intent without parsing reason-code strings.
+- `catalog_chain_template_alignment` now records whether the selected chain is the top catalog match, its rank, and whether it appeared in the catalog search results; runtime loop state and debug summary expose the same verdict.
 
 ## Why This Matters
 
@@ -220,9 +221,16 @@ Latest validation after subject-aware bidirectional comparison arbitration:
 - `npm.cmd run build`: passed
 - graphify rebuild: `5940 nodes`, `12909 edges`, `137 communities`
 
+Latest validation after structured catalog chain-template alignment verdict:
+
+- targeted planner/runtime/debug tests: passed, `54 passed`
+- full MCP-discovery suite: passed, `282 passed`, `9 skipped`
+- `npm.cmd run build`: passed
+- graphify rebuild: `5941 nodes`, `12911 edges`, `136 communities`
+
 ## Next Step
 
-The next safe step is still to re-run live replay once the 1C side is actively polling the proxy. In parallel, local-only consolidation can continue by letting selected downstream arbitration consume `catalog_chain_template_matches` where this can be done without changing exact runtime behavior.
+The next safe step is still to re-run live replay once the 1C side is actively polling the proxy. In parallel, local-only consolidation can continue by using the alignment verdict to find remaining manual branches where selected chains diverge from reviewed catalog-fabric intent.
 
 Recommended order:
 
diff --git a/docs/ARCH/11 - architecture_turnaround/README.md b/docs/ARCH/11 - architecture_turnaround/README.md
index 229492b..56b15e0 100644
--- a/docs/ARCH/11 - architecture_turnaround/README.md	
+++ b/docs/ARCH/11 - architecture_turnaround/README.md	
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ It now documents a turnaround that is already operational in code, already mater
   - inventory catalog templates now bridge through existing exact inventory recipes (`41.01` scoped stock, supplier overlap, purchase provenance, and sale trace) inside the bounded MCP discovery pilot, while missing selected-item anchors still clarify instead of guessing;
   - unambiguous metadata surfaces can now infer the next reviewed lane from `Document.*`, `Register.*`, or `Catalog.*` objects even before upstream labels `downstream_route_family`, while mixed surfaces still do not guess;
   - catalog index now scores reviewed chain templates directly from fact/action/axis/comparison/ranking needs, and planner/runtime/debug surfaces expose ranked catalog chain matches through the structured `catalog_chain_template_matches` contract path instead of relying only on reason-code strings;
+  - planner/runtime/debug surfaces now expose `catalog_chain_template_alignment`, so semantic replay can see whether selected chains match the catalog top match, fall back to a lower-ranked template, or bypass catalog search;
   - explicit-counterparty incoming-vs-outgoing data-need graphs now select the reviewed `value_flow_comparison` chain instead of falling back to generic `value_flow`;
   - live map sync: [20 - planner_autonomy_consolidation_2026-05-01.md](./20%20-%20planner_autonomy_consolidation_2026-05-01.md)
 
@@ -93,8 +94,8 @@ Current honest status:
 - open-world bounded-autonomy readiness: `~85%`
 - Post-F semantic integrity module progress: `~99%` operationally closed, with remaining risk now treated as next-slice discovery rather than an open blocker inside the closed slice
 - active inventory-stock breadth slice progress: `100%` for the declared scenario pack, not for arbitrary inventory questions
-- Planner Autonomy Consolidation progress: `~83%` for the declared module, with catalog-fabric, value-flow arbitration, lifecycle bounded inference, broad-evaluation bridge, inventory catalog templates, inventory runtime-boundary honesty, exact inventory recipe bridging, unambiguous metadata-surface lane inference, catalog chain-template scoring, structured chain-match contract exposure, runtime/debug propagation, and subject-aware bidirectional comparison arbitration validated locally, but live replay for the new bridge is currently blocked by missing active 1C polling and broader unfamiliar 1C asks still need replay-backed growth
-- graph snapshot after latest rebuild: `5940 nodes`, `12909 edges`, `137 communities`
+- Planner Autonomy Consolidation progress: `~84%` for the declared module, with catalog-fabric, value-flow arbitration, lifecycle bounded inference, broad-evaluation bridge, inventory catalog templates, inventory runtime-boundary honesty, exact inventory recipe bridging, unambiguous metadata-surface lane inference, catalog chain-template scoring, structured chain-match contract exposure, runtime/debug propagation, subject-aware bidirectional comparison arbitration, and structured catalog-alignment verdicts validated locally, but live replay for the new bridge is currently blocked by missing active 1C polling and broader unfamiliar 1C asks still need replay-backed growth
+- graph snapshot after latest rebuild: `5941 nodes`, `12911 edges`, `136 communities`
 - current breakpoint:
   - the validated hot paths are no longer structurally broken;
   - flagship continuity collapse is no longer the primary risk;
@@ -143,6 +144,7 @@ Latest live proof now includes:
 - structured chain-template planner contract accepted locally: planner slice passed `36/36`; full MCP-discovery slice passed `282/282` with `9` skipped; build passed; graphify rebuilt to `5939 nodes`, `12906 edges`, `138 communities`
 - structured chain-template runtime/debug propagation accepted locally: runtime/debug slice passed `18/18`; full MCP-discovery slice passed `282/282` with `9` skipped; build passed; graphify rebuilt to `5940 nodes`, `12909 edges`, `137 communities`
 - subject-aware bidirectional comparison arbitration accepted locally: planner slice passed `36/36`; full MCP-discovery slice passed `282/282` with `9` skipped; build passed; graphify rebuilt to `5940 nodes`, `12909 edges`, `137 communities`
+- structured catalog-alignment verdict accepted locally: planner/runtime/debug slice passed `54/54`; full MCP-discovery slice passed `282/282` with `9` skipped; build passed; graphify rebuilt to `5941 nodes`, `12911 edges`, `136 communities`
 
 Current architectural reading:
 
diff --git a/llm_normalizer/backend/dist/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachment.js b/llm_normalizer/backend/dist/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachment.js
index 8c24fd2..a30f397 100644
--- a/llm_normalizer/backend/dist/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachment.js
+++ b/llm_normalizer/backend/dist/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachment.js
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ function buildAssistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachmentFields(input) {
     const entryPoint = resolveEntryPoint(input);
     const bridge = toRecordObject(entryPoint?.bridge);
     const planner = toRecordObject(bridge?.planner);
+    const chainAlignment = toRecordObject(planner?.catalog_chain_template_alignment);
     const answerDraft = toRecordObject(bridge?.answer_draft);
     return {
         assistant_mcp_discovery_entry_point_v1: entryPoint,
@@ -55,6 +56,8 @@ function buildAssistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachmentFields(input) {
         mcp_discovery_bridge_status: toNonEmptyString(bridge?.bridge_status),
         mcp_discovery_selected_chain_id: toNonEmptyString(planner?.selected_chain_id),
         mcp_discovery_catalog_chain_template_matches: toStringArray(planner?.catalog_chain_template_matches),
+        mcp_discovery_catalog_chain_top_match: toNonEmptyString(chainAlignment?.top_chain_template_match),
+        mcp_discovery_catalog_chain_selected_matches_top: chainAlignment?.selected_chain_matches_top === true,
         mcp_discovery_answer_mode: toNonEmptyString(answerDraft?.answer_mode),
         mcp_discovery_business_fact_answer_allowed: bridge?.business_fact_answer_allowed === true,
         mcp_discovery_user_facing_response_allowed: bridge?.user_facing_response_allowed === true,
diff --git a/llm_normalizer/backend/dist/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryPlanner.js b/llm_normalizer/backend/dist/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryPlanner.js
index d923ac7..ad4583d 100644
--- a/llm_normalizer/backend/dist/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryPlanner.js
+++ b/llm_normalizer/backend/dist/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryPlanner.js
@@ -359,6 +359,17 @@ function catalogChainTemplateMatchesForContract(input, recipe) {
         aggregation_need: dataNeedGraph.aggregation_need
     });
 }
+function catalogChainTemplateAlignmentForContract(recipe, matches) {
+    const selectedChainIsCatalogTemplate = recipe.chainId !== "metadata_lane_clarification";
+    const selectedIndex = matches.indexOf(recipe.chainId);
+    return {
+        top_chain_template_match: matches[0] ?? null,
+        selected_chain_template_rank: selectedIndex >= 0 ? selectedIndex + 1 : null,
+        selected_chain_is_catalog_template: selectedChainIsCatalogTemplate,
+        selected_chain_in_catalog_matches: selectedIndex >= 0,
+        selected_chain_matches_top: selectedIndex === 0
+    };
+}
 function routeFamilyFromThinMetadataSurfaceInput(input) {
     const surface = input.metadataSurface ?? null;
     const surfaceRouteFamily = routeFamilyFromMetadataSurfaceRef(surface);
@@ -974,6 +985,7 @@ function planAssistantMcpDiscovery(input) {
     const dataNeedGraph = input.dataNeedGraph ?? null;
     const metadataSurface = input.metadataSurface ?? null;
     const catalogChainTemplateMatches = catalogChainTemplateMatchesForContract(input, recipe);
+    const catalogChainTemplateAlignment = catalogChainTemplateAlignmentForContract(recipe, catalogChainTemplateMatches);
     const reasonCodes = [];
     pushReason(reasonCodes, recipe.reason);
     for (const reason of recipe.extraReasons ?? []) {
@@ -1037,6 +1049,7 @@ function planAssistantMcpDiscovery(input) {
         selected_chain_id: recipe.chainId,
         selected_chain_summary: recipe.chainSummary,
         catalog_chain_template_matches: catalogChainTemplateMatches,
+        catalog_chain_template_alignment: catalogChainTemplateAlignment,
         proposed_primitives: recipe.primitives,
         required_axes: recipe.axes,
         discovery_plan: plan,
diff --git a/llm_normalizer/backend/dist/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryRuntimeBridge.js b/llm_normalizer/backend/dist/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryRuntimeBridge.js
index 73e9eb6..8951d78 100644
--- a/llm_normalizer/backend/dist/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryRuntimeBridge.js
+++ b/llm_normalizer/backend/dist/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryRuntimeBridge.js
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ function buildLoopState(planner, pilot, bridgeStatus) {
         loop_status: loopStatusFor(bridgeStatus),
         selected_chain_id: planner.selected_chain_id,
         catalog_chain_template_matches: [...planner.catalog_chain_template_matches],
+        catalog_chain_template_alignment: planner.catalog_chain_template_alignment,
         pilot_scope: pilot.pilot_scope,
         asked_domain_family: planner.discovery_plan.turn_meaning_ref?.asked_domain_family ?? null,
         asked_action_family: planner.discovery_plan.turn_meaning_ref?.asked_action_family ?? null,
diff --git a/llm_normalizer/backend/src/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachment.ts b/llm_normalizer/backend/src/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachment.ts
index e4f7751..27b5fc6 100644
--- a/llm_normalizer/backend/src/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachment.ts
+++ b/llm_normalizer/backend/src/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachment.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ export interface AssistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachmentFields {
   mcp_discovery_bridge_status: string | null;
   mcp_discovery_selected_chain_id: string | null;
   mcp_discovery_catalog_chain_template_matches: string[];
+  mcp_discovery_catalog_chain_top_match: string | null;
+  mcp_discovery_catalog_chain_selected_matches_top: boolean;
   mcp_discovery_answer_mode: string | null;
   mcp_discovery_business_fact_answer_allowed: boolean;
   mcp_discovery_user_facing_response_allowed: boolean;
@@ -73,6 +75,7 @@ export function buildAssistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachmentFields(
   const entryPoint = resolveEntryPoint(input);
   const bridge = toRecordObject(entryPoint?.bridge);
   const planner = toRecordObject(bridge?.planner);
+  const chainAlignment = toRecordObject(planner?.catalog_chain_template_alignment);
   const answerDraft = toRecordObject(bridge?.answer_draft);
 
   return {
@@ -83,6 +86,8 @@ export function buildAssistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachmentFields(
     mcp_discovery_bridge_status: toNonEmptyString(bridge?.bridge_status),
     mcp_discovery_selected_chain_id: toNonEmptyString(planner?.selected_chain_id),
     mcp_discovery_catalog_chain_template_matches: toStringArray(planner?.catalog_chain_template_matches),
+    mcp_discovery_catalog_chain_top_match: toNonEmptyString(chainAlignment?.top_chain_template_match),
+    mcp_discovery_catalog_chain_selected_matches_top: chainAlignment?.selected_chain_matches_top === true,
     mcp_discovery_answer_mode: toNonEmptyString(answerDraft?.answer_mode),
     mcp_discovery_business_fact_answer_allowed: bridge?.business_fact_answer_allowed === true,
     mcp_discovery_user_facing_response_allowed: bridge?.user_facing_response_allowed === true,
diff --git a/llm_normalizer/backend/src/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryPlanner.ts b/llm_normalizer/backend/src/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryPlanner.ts
index ebafc55..57a84bf 100644
--- a/llm_normalizer/backend/src/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryPlanner.ts
+++ b/llm_normalizer/backend/src/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryPlanner.ts
@@ -38,6 +38,14 @@ export interface AssistantMcpDiscoveryMetadataSurfaceRef {
   ambiguity_entity_sets: string[];
 }
 
+export interface AssistantMcpDiscoveryCatalogChainTemplateAlignment {
+  top_chain_template_match: AssistantMcpCatalogChainTemplateId | null;
+  selected_chain_template_rank: number | null;
+  selected_chain_is_catalog_template: boolean;
+  selected_chain_in_catalog_matches: boolean;
+  selected_chain_matches_top: boolean;
+}
+
 export type AssistantMcpDiscoveryChainId =
   | "metadata_inspection"
   | "catalog_drilldown"
@@ -71,6 +79,7 @@ export interface AssistantMcpDiscoveryPlannerContract {
   selected_chain_id: AssistantMcpDiscoveryChainId;
   selected_chain_summary: string;
   catalog_chain_template_matches: AssistantMcpCatalogChainTemplateId[];
+  catalog_chain_template_alignment: AssistantMcpDiscoveryCatalogChainTemplateAlignment;
   proposed_primitives: AssistantMcpDiscoveryPrimitive[];
   required_axes: string[];
   discovery_plan: AssistantMcpDiscoveryPlanContract;
@@ -555,6 +564,21 @@ function catalogChainTemplateMatchesForContract(
   });
 }
 
+function catalogChainTemplateAlignmentForContract(
+  recipe: PlannerRecipe,
+  matches: AssistantMcpCatalogChainTemplateId[]
+): AssistantMcpDiscoveryCatalogChainTemplateAlignment {
+  const selectedChainIsCatalogTemplate = recipe.chainId !== "metadata_lane_clarification";
+  const selectedIndex = matches.indexOf(recipe.chainId as AssistantMcpCatalogChainTemplateId);
+  return {
+    top_chain_template_match: matches[0] ?? null,
+    selected_chain_template_rank: selectedIndex >= 0 ? selectedIndex + 1 : null,
+    selected_chain_is_catalog_template: selectedChainIsCatalogTemplate,
+    selected_chain_in_catalog_matches: selectedIndex >= 0,
+    selected_chain_matches_top: selectedIndex === 0
+  };
+}
+
 function routeFamilyFromThinMetadataSurfaceInput(
   input: AssistantMcpDiscoveryPlannerInput
 ): AssistantMcpDiscoveryMetadataRouteFamily | null {
@@ -1216,6 +1240,7 @@ export function planAssistantMcpDiscovery(
   const dataNeedGraph = input.dataNeedGraph ?? null;
   const metadataSurface = input.metadataSurface ?? null;
   const catalogChainTemplateMatches = catalogChainTemplateMatchesForContract(input, recipe);
+  const catalogChainTemplateAlignment = catalogChainTemplateAlignmentForContract(recipe, catalogChainTemplateMatches);
   const reasonCodes: string[] = [];
   pushReason(reasonCodes, recipe.reason);
   for (const reason of recipe.extraReasons ?? []) {
@@ -1283,6 +1308,7 @@ export function planAssistantMcpDiscovery(
     selected_chain_id: recipe.chainId,
     selected_chain_summary: recipe.chainSummary,
     catalog_chain_template_matches: catalogChainTemplateMatches,
+    catalog_chain_template_alignment: catalogChainTemplateAlignment,
     proposed_primitives: recipe.primitives,
     required_axes: recipe.axes,
     discovery_plan: plan,
diff --git a/llm_normalizer/backend/src/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryRuntimeBridge.ts b/llm_normalizer/backend/src/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryRuntimeBridge.ts
index 23babfc..d013f70 100644
--- a/llm_normalizer/backend/src/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryRuntimeBridge.ts
+++ b/llm_normalizer/backend/src/services/assistantMcpDiscoveryRuntimeBridge.ts
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ export interface AssistantMcpDiscoveryLoopStateContract {
   loop_status: AssistantMcpDiscoveryLoopStatus;
   selected_chain_id: AssistantMcpDiscoveryChainId;
   catalog_chain_template_matches: AssistantMcpDiscoveryPlannerContract["catalog_chain_template_matches"];
+  catalog_chain_template_alignment: AssistantMcpDiscoveryPlannerContract["catalog_chain_template_alignment"];
   pilot_scope: AssistantMcpDiscoveryPilotExecutionContract["pilot_scope"];
   asked_domain_family: string | null;
   asked_action_family: string | null;
@@ -179,6 +180,7 @@ function buildLoopState(
     loop_status: loopStatusFor(bridgeStatus),
     selected_chain_id: planner.selected_chain_id,
     catalog_chain_template_matches: [...planner.catalog_chain_template_matches],
+    catalog_chain_template_alignment: planner.catalog_chain_template_alignment,
     pilot_scope: pilot.pilot_scope,
     asked_domain_family: planner.discovery_plan.turn_meaning_ref?.asked_domain_family ?? null,
     asked_action_family: planner.discovery_plan.turn_meaning_ref?.asked_action_family ?? null,
diff --git a/llm_normalizer/backend/tests/assistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachment.test.ts b/llm_normalizer/backend/tests/assistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachment.test.ts
index 8f4294a..5e62f8d 100644
--- a/llm_normalizer/backend/tests/assistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachment.test.ts
+++ b/llm_normalizer/backend/tests/assistantMcpDiscoveryDebugAttachment.test.ts
@@ -16,7 +16,14 @@ function entryPointContract(overrides: Record<string, unknown> = {}) {
       requires_user_clarification: false,
       planner: {
         selected_chain_id: "value_flow_ranking",
-        catalog_chain_template_matches: ["value_flow_ranking", "value_flow"]
+        catalog_chain_template_matches: ["value_flow_ranking", "value_flow"],
+        catalog_chain_template_alignment: {
+          top_chain_template_match: "value_flow_ranking",
+          selected_chain_template_rank: 1,
+          selected_chain_is_catalog_template: true,
+          selected_chain_in_catalog_matches: true,
+          selected_chain_matches_top: true
+        }
       },
       answer_draft: {
         answer_mode: "confirmed_with_bounded_inference"
@@ -43,6 +50,8 @@ describe("assistant MCP discovery debug attachment", () => {
     expect(debug.mcp_discovery_bridge_status).toBe("answer_draft_ready");
     expect(debug.mcp_discovery_selected_chain_id).toBe("value_flow_ranking");
     expect(debug.mcp_discovery_catalog_chain_template_matches).toEqual(["value_flow_ranking", "value_flow"]);
+    expect(debug.mcp_discovery_catalog_chain_top_match).toBe("value_flow_ranking");
+    expect(debug.mcp_discovery_catalog_chain_selected_matches_top).toBe(true);
     expect(debug.mcp_discovery_answer_mode).toBe("confirmed_with_bounded_inference");
     expect(debug.mcp_discovery_business_fact_answer_allowed).toBe(true);
     expect(debug.mcp_discovery_user_facing_response_allowed).toBe(true);
@@ -62,6 +71,8 @@ describe("assistant MCP discovery debug attachment", () => {
     expect(debug.mcp_discovery_bridge_status).toBeNull();
     expect(debug.mcp_discovery_selected_chain_id).toBeNull();
     expect(debug.mcp_discovery_catalog_chain_template_matches).toEqual([]);
+    expect(debug.mcp_discovery_catalog_chain_top_match).toBeNull();
+    expect(debug.mcp_discovery_catalog_chain_selected_matches_top).toBe(false);
     expect(debug.mcp_discovery_answer_mode).toBeNull();
     expect(debug.mcp_discovery_business_fact_answer_allowed).toBe(false);
     expect(debug.mcp_discovery_user_facing_response_allowed).toBe(false);
diff --git a/llm_normalizer/backend/tests/assistantMcpDiscoveryPlanner.test.ts b/llm_normalizer/backend/tests/assistantMcpDiscoveryPlanner.test.ts
index b50c786..6d21e03 100644
--- a/llm_normalizer/backend/tests/assistantMcpDiscoveryPlanner.test.ts
+++ b/llm_normalizer/backend/tests/assistantMcpDiscoveryPlanner.test.ts
@@ -48,6 +48,13 @@ describe("assistant MCP discovery planner", () => {
     expect(result.discovery_plan.answer_may_use_raw_model_claims).toBe(false);
     expect(result.data_need_graph?.business_fact_family).toBe("value_flow");
     expect(result.catalog_chain_template_matches[0]).toBe("value_flow");
+    expect(result.catalog_chain_template_alignment).toMatchObject({
+      top_chain_template_match: "value_flow",
+      selected_chain_template_rank: 1,
+      selected_chain_is_catalog_template: true,
+      selected_chain_in_catalog_matches: true,
+      selected_chain_matches_top: true
+    });
     expect(result.discovery_plan.execution_budget.max_probe_count).toBe(30);
     expect(result.reason_codes).toContain("planner_enabled_chunked_coverage_probe_budget");
     expect(result.reason_codes).toContain("planner_consumed_data_need_graph_v1");
@@ -150,6 +157,7 @@ describe("assistant MCP discovery planner", () => {
     expect(result.reason_codes).toContain("planner_instantiated_catalog_chain_template_document_evidence");
     expect(result.reason_codes).toContain("planner_catalog_chain_template_search_top_document_evidence");
     expect(result.catalog_chain_template_matches[0]).toBe("document_evidence");
+    expect(result.catalog_chain_template_alignment.selected_chain_matches_top).toBe(true);
     expect(result.reason_codes).not.toContain("planner_fell_back_to_recipe_primitives_after_empty_catalog_search");
   });
 
@@ -564,6 +572,7 @@ describe("assistant MCP discovery planner", () => {
     expect(result.reason_codes).toContain("planner_selected_bidirectional_value_flow_comparison_from_data_need_graph");
     expect(result.reason_codes).toContain("planner_instantiated_catalog_chain_template_value_flow_comparison");
     expect(result.catalog_chain_template_matches[0]).toBe("value_flow_comparison");
+    expect(result.catalog_chain_template_alignment.selected_chain_matches_top).toBe(true);
   });
 
   it("does not collapse a ranking-shaped value graph into entity-resolution just because no subject is preselected", () => {
@@ -635,6 +644,7 @@ describe("assistant MCP discovery planner", () => {
     expect(result.reason_codes).toContain("planner_selected_top_ranked_value_flow_from_data_need_graph");
     expect(result.reason_codes).toContain("planner_instantiated_catalog_chain_template_value_flow_ranking");
     expect(result.catalog_chain_template_matches[0]).toBe("value_flow_ranking");
+    expect(result.catalog_chain_template_alignment.selected_chain_matches_top).toBe(true);
   });
 
   it("does not collapse incoming-vs-outgoing comparison into entity-resolution when no counterparty is preselected", () => {
@@ -942,6 +952,12 @@ describe("assistant MCP discovery planner", () => {
     expect(result.planner_status).toBe("needs_clarification");
     expect(result.discovery_plan.plan_status).toBe("needs_clarification");
     expect(result.catalog_chain_template_matches).toEqual([]);
+    expect(result.catalog_chain_template_alignment).toMatchObject({
+      top_chain_template_match: null,
+      selected_chain_template_rank: null,
+      selected_chain_in_catalog_matches: false,
+      selected_chain_matches_top: false
+    });
     expect(result.reason_codes).toContain("planner_needs_more_user_or_scope_context");
   });
 
diff --git a/llm_normalizer/backend/tests/assistantMcpDiscoveryRuntimeBridge.test.ts b/llm_normalizer/backend/tests/assistantMcpDiscoveryRuntimeBridge.test.ts
index 6bfb916..7c205e3 100644
--- a/llm_normalizer/backend/tests/assistantMcpDiscoveryRuntimeBridge.test.ts
+++ b/llm_normalizer/backend/tests/assistantMcpDiscoveryRuntimeBridge.test.ts
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@ describe("assistant MCP discovery runtime bridge", () => {
     expect(result.loop_state.pending_axes).toContain("organization");
     expect(result.loop_state.provided_axes).toContain("aggregate_axis");
     expect(result.loop_state.catalog_chain_template_matches[0]).toBe("value_flow_ranking");
+    expect(result.loop_state.catalog_chain_template_alignment.selected_chain_matches_top).toBe(true);
     expect(result.reason_codes).toContain("runtime_bridge_loop_state_awaiting_clarification");
   });