diff --git a/docs/architecture/IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md b/docs/architecture/IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md
index 3805376..0f3c821 100644
--- a/docs/architecture/IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md
+++ b/docs/architecture/IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 - INSIGHT-MAP §3 — [`PHASE-Q-INSIGHT-TO-22STEP-MAP.md`](PHASE-Q-INSIGHT-TO-22STEP-MAP.md) (G3 AI repair fallback infra registry row, normal path = no).
 - 22-step pipeline — [`PHASE-Z-PIPELINE-OVERVIEW.md`](PHASE-Z-PIPELINE-OVERVIEW.md) Step 12 (lines 280-287), Step 16 (lines 318-325), Step 17 (lines 326-333).
 - Pattern shape reference (Phase Q Archive — link-only, do not port) — `src/content_editor.py:21,318` (httpx + retry shape, imports `sse_utils`) + `src/sse_utils.py:16-50` (SSE token parser).
-- Route hint emission site — `src/phase_z2_pipeline.py:564` (`restructure` → `ai_adaptation_required` route hint; deterministic emission today, AI consumer deferred to IMP-17).
+- Route hint surface (current anchors) — `src/phase_z2_pipeline.py:570` (conceptual comment), `:572` (`_IMP05_ROUTE_HINTS` table), `:575` (`restructure` → `ai_adaptation_required`), `:580` (`_imp05_route_hint`), `:664` (candidate_evidence emission). Deterministic emission today; AI consumer deferred to IMP-17 (this carve-out). Anchor pin: `tests/orchestrator_unit/test_imp17_comment_anchor.py`.
 
 ## Carve-out boundary
 
diff --git a/docs/architecture/IMP-31-GATE-AUDIT.md b/docs/architecture/IMP-31-GATE-AUDIT.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..25a503f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/architecture/IMP-31-GATE-AUDIT.md
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+# IMP-31 — AI-assisted frame-aware adaptation activation gate audit
+
+**Status**: design-only audit. IMP-31 (#40) = IMP-17 carve-out activation tracking issue. No new design slot. No runtime AI code lands until the 3-condition AND gate clears.
+
+**Source**
+- Gitea issue [#40](https://gitea.hmac.kr/Kyeongmin/C.E.L_Slide_test2/issues/40) IMP-31 — AI-assisted frame-aware adaptation (restructure / reject routes).
+- Carve-out boundary spec: [`IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md`](IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md) (allowed / forbidden / activation gate).
+- Backlog row: [`PHASE-Z-IMPLEMENTATION-ISSUE-BACKLOG.md`](PHASE-Z-IMPLEMENTATION-ISSUE-BACKLOG.md):68 (IMP-17 — carve-out, normal path 밖, soft link IMP-04 + IMP-05).
+- Stage 1 / Stage 2 exit reports: `.orchestrator/issues/40_stage_problem-review_exit.md` (Stage 1 binding contract).
+
+## Issue-body anchor drift (axis C1)
+
+Issue body cites `src/phase_z2_pipeline.py:452` for IMP-05 L5 `_imp05_route_hint()`. Current anchor surface (commit `1efbf67`):
+
+- `:570` — conceptual comment ("restructure → AI-assisted frame-aware adaptation (deferred to IMP-17 …)").
+- `:572` — `_IMP05_ROUTE_HINTS: dict[str, str] = {` declaration.
+- `:575` — `"restructure": "ai_adaptation_required"` entry.
+- `:580` — `def _imp05_route_hint(label: Optional[str]) -> Optional[str]:`.
+- `:664` — `"route_hint": _imp05_route_hint(match.label)` candidate_evidence emission.
+
+Anchor pin: `tests/orchestrator_unit/test_imp17_comment_anchor.py`. Synced in [`IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md`](IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md):10 (Stage 3 u1).
+
+## 3-condition AND gate state (this cycle)
+
+| # | Condition | State | Evidence |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| 1 | User GO — explicit activation request | **NOT CLEAR** | No axis activation directive in #40. Stage 1 root_cause: runtime consumer = 0. |
+| 2 | B4 frame_selection evidence integration complete | **NOT CLEAR** (⚠ partial) | [`PHASE-Z-PIPELINE-STATUS-BOARD.md`](PHASE-Z-PIPELINE-STATUS-BOARD.md):48 Step 9 ⚠ partial; :82 "B4 frame_selection 의 V4 evidence 미통합"; :126 (j) ❌ pending. |
+| 3 | IMP-04 catalog expansion + IMP-05 V4 fallback live | **AMBIGUOUS** | `templates/phase_z2/catalog/frame_contracts.yaml` = 11 `template_id:` entries vs 32 target. IMP-05 V4 rank-2/3 fallback selector logic live, but catalog coverage gates real semantics. |
+
+**Verdict**: gate **NOT CLEAR**. Runtime AI adaptation remains design-only. `src/phase_z2_ai_fallback/` = declaration-only path (not created this cycle).
+
+## Issue-body axis verdict
+
+| Axis | Issue-body line | Verdict | Binding boundary |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| A1 | restructure → ai_adaptation_required actual adaptation route | **gate-blocked** | Allowed only inside [`IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md`](IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md) Step 12 fallback path; runtime AI consumer not added this cycle. |
+| A2 | reject → design_reference_only | **gate-blocked + frontend ownership** | Reject route = design reference only. Frontend zone-level override remains IMP-29 scope ([`PHASE-Z-PIPELINE-OVERVIEW.md`](PHASE-Z-PIPELINE-OVERVIEW.md) Step 12). |
+| A3 | AI call provider | **Anthropic API only** | Kei API / `EDITOR_PROMPT` / Kei-API endpoint forbidden (Phase Q Kei persona 영구 단절 — [`IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md`](IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md) §"AI 격리 + Kei persona 단절 contract"). |
+| A4 | candidate_evidence[].route_hint | **live (deterministic emission)** | Emission anchored at `src/phase_z2_pipeline.py:570/:572/:575/:580/:664`; AI consumer deferred. Anchor pin: `tests/orchestrator_unit/test_imp17_comment_anchor.py`. |
+| A5 | MDX content preservation = strict | **locked** | No invent / rewrite / compress / summarize ([`IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md`](IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md) §Forbidden; memory `feedback_phase_z_spacing_direction`). |
+| A6 | AI prompt = frame-aware placement only, not "rewrite content" | **locked** | Output = content_object → Internal Region / Frame Slot placement proposal at content-object granularity ([`IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md`](IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md) §Allowed). HTML / CSS / layout / zone topology / frame selection X. |
+| A7 | popup / details / zone-resize routing when content cannot fit | **deferred to Step 17 fallback** | Deterministic actions exhausted (zone_ratio_retry / layout_adjust / frame_reselect / details_popup_escalation / image_fit_candidate / frame_internal_fit_candidate) before AI proposal ([`IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md`](IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md) §Allowed Step 16/17). |
+| A8 | no `calculate_fit` migration | **locked** | IMP-05 selector uses V4 labels + frame-contract presence + Phase Z capacity precheck only (`src/phase_z2_pipeline.py:587` `lookup_v4_match_with_fallback` declaration; :599 docstring "it does not call calculate_fit"; secondary anchors :3093 / :4871). |
+| C1 | Anchor drift `:452` → current | **synced** | Stage 3 u1 — [`IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md`](IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md):10. |
+| C2 | Backlog + status-board cross-ref | **planned (u3)** | Cross-ref discoverability surfaces only; no verdict duplication. |
+
+## Out of scope (this cycle)
+
+Runtime AI module, `src/phase_z2_ai_fallback/` directory creation, prompt implementation, `candidate_evidence` schema change, Phase Q file mutation, Kei API reuse, frontend zone override (IMP-29 scope), IMP-30 invariant change, `calculate_fit` migration.
+
+## Future activation path (declaration only)
+
+When the 3-condition AND gate clears (User GO ∧ B4 V4 evidence integrated ∧ catalog 32/32 + IMP-05 V4 fallback live):
+
+- Runtime AI module path = `src/phase_z2_ai_fallback/` (not created this cycle).
+- Provider = Anthropic API only. Prompt design starts fresh (no Phase Q `EDITOR_PROMPT` import).
+- Output granularity = content_object → Internal Region / Frame Slot placement proposal. Frame / layout / zone topology selection remains deterministic.
+- Activation tracker = this issue (#40, IMP-31). No new IMP ID issued.
diff --git a/docs/architecture/PHASE-Z-IMPLEMENTATION-ISSUE-BACKLOG.md b/docs/architecture/PHASE-Z-IMPLEMENTATION-ISSUE-BACKLOG.md
index 55bf114..b543f8b 100644
--- a/docs/architecture/PHASE-Z-IMPLEMENTATION-ISSUE-BACKLOG.md
+++ b/docs/architecture/PHASE-Z-IMPLEMENTATION-ISSUE-BACKLOG.md
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
 | IMP-14 | A-4 slide-base iframe mode | Step 13 | §3 새로 만들기 | ↓ low | `slide-base.html` conditional CSS (embedded vs standalone) | Claude / Phase R' HTML generation 회귀 X / Jinja2 deterministic | none | implemented |
 | IMP-15 | Step 14 visual_check 보강 | Step 14, 21 | §3 H1 Reference Only | medium | image_aspect_mismatch / tabular_overflow 검사 추가 | AI/Kei classification 회귀 X / deterministic 검사 + trace | soft link: IMP-01 (Step 14 측정/trace layer 공유) | implemented |
 | IMP-16 | B-2 verification 보조 axis | Step 1, 2, 14, 21, 22 | §3 H3 Reference Only | ↓ low | B-2 reverse path 의 verification 보조. main reverse path 는 IMP-07, 본 issue 는 text/visual/trace 검증 layer | AI/Kei verification 회귀 X / utility deterministic | hard link: IMP-07 (B-2 main 활성 시점 의미) | documented:dormant |
-| **IMP-17** | **AI repair fallback infra** (**carve-out — normal path 밖**) | Step 12, 16, 17 | §3 G3 | (별 axis priority — pending) | [carve-out boundary + activation gate](IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md) (3-cond AND: User GO ∧ B4 frame_selection evidence ∧ IMP-04/05 live — full def in u2 doc) — `httpx` + SSE streaming + retry + JSON parse pattern reference — light_edit / restructure proposal | **normal path AI 호출 0 — 본 axis = fallback only, normal path 와 분리 설계** / Kei persona 단절 (Phase Q 자산과 단절) | soft link: IMP-04 + IMP-05 (catalog 확장 + V4 fallback 활성 시 의미) | documented (deferred) |
+| **IMP-17** | **AI repair fallback infra** (**carve-out — normal path 밖**) | Step 12, 16, 17 | §3 G3 | (별 axis priority — pending) | [carve-out boundary + activation gate](IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md) (3-cond AND: User GO ∧ B4 frame_selection evidence ∧ IMP-04/05 live — full def in u2 doc) — `httpx` + SSE streaming + retry + JSON parse pattern reference — light_edit / restructure proposal. Activation tracker = IMP-31 (#40); current gate state in [`IMP-31-GATE-AUDIT.md`](IMP-31-GATE-AUDIT.md) | **normal path AI 호출 0 — 본 axis = fallback only, normal path 와 분리 설계** / Kei persona 단절 (Phase Q 자산과 단절) | soft link: IMP-04 + IMP-05 (catalog 확장 + V4 fallback 활성 시 의미) | documented (deferred) |
 | IMP-18 | I3 SVG 좌표 보강 | Step 0, 9 | §3 Reference Only | ↓ low | `renderer._preprocess_svg_data` 패턴 reference — frame_partials SVG 좌표 사전 박힘 — [gap report](IMP-18-SVG-GAP-REPORT.md) | Phase R' (renderer.py) 회귀 X | soft link: IMP-04 (frame_partials 등록 후 의미 ↑) | documented |
 | IMP-19 | I4 zone 비중 분배 | Step 8 | §3 Reference Only | ↓ low | `renderer._group_blocks_by_area` 패턴 reference — zone-level ratio 분배 — [reference doc](IMP-19-ZONE-RATIO-REFERENCE.md) | Phase O 컨테이너 회귀 X / 직접 통합 X | soft link: IMP-09 (zone 비중 분배 영역 공유) | documented |
 | IMP-20 | H2 frame contract validation | Step 10 | §3 Reference Only | ↓ low | `content_verifier.verify_structure` pattern reference — Phase Z frame contract 검증 pattern — [reference doc](IMP-20-FRAME-CONTRACT-VALIDATION-REFERENCE.md) | Phase Q `REQUIRED_PATTERNS` 값 회귀 X / Phase Z 자체 pattern dict 설계 | soft link: IMP-04 (확장 catalog 적용 시 검증 범위 확대) | documented |
diff --git a/docs/architecture/PHASE-Z-PIPELINE-STATUS-BOARD.md b/docs/architecture/PHASE-Z-PIPELINE-STATUS-BOARD.md
index dd11a3c..4835c21 100644
--- a/docs/architecture/PHASE-Z-PIPELINE-STATUS-BOARD.md
+++ b/docs/architecture/PHASE-Z-PIPELINE-STATUS-BOARD.md
@@ -157,6 +157,8 @@ Step 0 (사전 준비) 의 Figma → HTML 변환은 *precondition phase 의 작
 
 다른 step 에서의 AI 호출은 본 도면 안에 *없음*.
 
+> **Activation status reference** : runtime AI fallback (Step 12 light_edit / restructure) 는 IMP-17 carve-out infra + IMP-31 activation tracker (#40) 로 관리. carve-out boundary = [`IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md`](IMP-17-CARVE-OUT.md). current 3-condition AND gate state + issue-body axis verdict = [`IMP-31-GATE-AUDIT.md`](IMP-31-GATE-AUDIT.md). 본 board 는 verdict 중복 X — gate / axis 판정은 audit doc 따름.
+
 ---
 
 ## 6. 현재 병목 (한 줄)