diff --git a/src/phase_z2_pipeline.py b/src/phase_z2_pipeline.py
index 9265aad..c72a3e8 100644
--- a/src/phase_z2_pipeline.py
+++ b/src/phase_z2_pipeline.py
@@ -5770,11 +5770,111 @@ def _compute_applied_render_consistency(
     }
 
 
+# ── issue #15 — density/readability gate (Gitea #98 추천 1·2) ──────────
+# 기계 PASS vs 사람 "빽빽함" 판정의 간극(false-positive, MDX02 최악)을 잡는
+# 결정론적 신호. B5 slot metrics(#20) 부재 상태의 v0 휴리스틱:
+#   px_per_line = (zone 측정 높이 − 오버헤드) / 카드당 최대 추정 라인 수
+# 임계값은 mdx 01~05 실측 캘리브레이션 (2026-07-06, 사람 판정과 정렬):
+#   mdx03 105.8(ready) / mdx05 50~64(density 문제 아님) / mdx02 40~44(cramped)
+#   / mdx04 top 37(dense) / mdx01 bottom-right 11.5("bottom comparison dense")
+_DENSITY_PX_PER_LINE_DENSE = 16.0   # 물리적 한 줄 높이 미만 — 확실한 과밀
+_DENSITY_PX_PER_LINE_TIGHT = 45.0   # 사람 판정 cramped 경계 (mdx02 44.0 포함)
+_DENSITY_ZONE_OVERHEAD_PX = 56      # zone title + padding 추정 오버헤드
+_CARD_SLOT_RE = re.compile(r".+?_(\d+)_(label|body)$")
+
+
+def _estimate_max_card_lines(slot_payload: dict) -> int:
+    """카드/행 단위 최대 라인 수 추정 (휴리스틱 v0 — payload 결정론).
+
+    인식 형태: ``{prefix}_{n}_{label|body}`` repeat 슬롯, ``pillars`` 등
+    list-of-dict 컬럼, str 값의 ``<br>`` 라인. B5 marker(#20) 성숙 시 실측
+    DOM 라인으로 대체 예정.
+    """
+    if not isinstance(slot_payload, dict):
+        return 0
+    cards: dict[str, int] = {}
+    for key, value in slot_payload.items():
+        if key in ("title", "_slot_count") or not value:
+            continue
+        m = _CARD_SLOT_RE.match(str(key))
+        if m:
+            n_lines = (
+                len(value) if isinstance(value, list)
+                else str(value).count("<br>") + 1
+            )
+            cards[m.group(1)] = cards.get(m.group(1), 0) + n_lines
+            continue
+        if isinstance(value, list) and value and isinstance(value[0], dict):
+            for i, card in enumerate(value):
+                n = 0
+                for v in card.values():
+                    if not v:
+                        continue
+                    n += len(v) if isinstance(v, list) else str(v).count("<br>") + 1
+                cards[f"{key}[{i}]"] = n
+    return max(cards.values()) if cards else 0
+
+
+def _compute_density_gate(zones_data: list[dict], overflow: dict) -> dict:
+    """issue #15 — per-zone 밀도 판정 (dense / tight / comfortable).
+
+    측정 높이(run_overflow_check 의 clientHeight)와 payload 라인 추정만 사용
+    — 렌더/최종 HTML 에 영향 없는 순수 리포팅 계층 (slide_status 전용).
+    라인 추정 불가 zone(카드 패턴 아님)은 판정 제외 (not_measurable).
+    """
+    heights = {
+        str(z.get("position")): z.get("clientHeight")
+        for z in (overflow.get("zones") or [])
+        if isinstance(z, dict)
+    }
+    zone_records: list[dict] = []
+    worst = "comfortable"
+    for zone in zones_data or []:
+        pos = str(zone.get("position"))
+        payload = zone.get("slot_payload") or {}
+        max_lines = _estimate_max_card_lines(payload)
+        height = heights.get(pos)
+        rec: dict = {
+            "position": pos,
+            "template_id": zone.get("template_id"),
+            "estimated_max_lines": max_lines,
+        }
+        if not max_lines or not isinstance(height, (int, float)) or height <= 0:
+            rec["verdict"] = "not_measurable"
+            zone_records.append(rec)
+            continue
+        px_per_line = (float(height) - _DENSITY_ZONE_OVERHEAD_PX) / max_lines
+        rec["zone_height_px"] = int(height)
+        rec["px_per_line"] = round(px_per_line, 1)
+        if px_per_line < _DENSITY_PX_PER_LINE_DENSE:
+            rec["verdict"] = "dense"
+            worst = "dense"
+        elif px_per_line < _DENSITY_PX_PER_LINE_TIGHT:
+            rec["verdict"] = "tight"
+            if worst != "dense":
+                worst = "tight"
+        else:
+            rec["verdict"] = "comfortable"
+        zone_records.append(rec)
+    return {
+        "passed": worst == "comfortable",
+        "worst_verdict": worst,
+        "zones": zone_records,
+        "thresholds": {
+            "dense_px_per_line": _DENSITY_PX_PER_LINE_DENSE,
+            "tight_px_per_line": _DENSITY_PX_PER_LINE_TIGHT,
+            "zone_overhead_px": _DENSITY_ZONE_OVERHEAD_PX,
+        },
+        "heuristic": "payload_line_estimate_v0",
+    }
+
+
 def _compute_design_readiness(
     *,
     units: list[CompositionUnit],
     rendered_text_coverage: dict,
     applied_render_consistency: dict,
+    density_gate: Optional[dict] = None,
 ) -> dict:
     """T20f: separate technical PASS from design-readiness.
 
@@ -5841,6 +5941,23 @@ def _compute_design_readiness(
                 "detail": "The rendered frame is selected from a reject/provisional path.",
             })
 
+    # issue #15 — density 신호 통합 (#98 추천 1: readiness 신호 통합).
+    # 사람 판정 캘리브레이션상 dense/tight 모두 needs_review 계층 (not_ready
+    # 아님 — mdx01 bottom 11.5px/line 도 사람 판정은 needs_review 였음).
+    if density_gate and not density_gate.get("passed", True):
+        for z in density_gate.get("zones") or []:
+            if z.get("verdict") in ("dense", "tight"):
+                warnings.append({
+                    "position": z.get("position"),
+                    "template_id": z.get("template_id"),
+                    "code": f"density_{z['verdict']}",
+                    "detail": (
+                        f"{z.get('px_per_line')}px/line "
+                        f"(max {z.get('estimated_max_lines')} lines/card in "
+                        f"{z.get('zone_height_px')}px zone) — 카드 과밀 신호"
+                    ),
+                })
+
     status = "ready"
     if warnings:
         status = "needs_review"
@@ -11025,10 +11142,14 @@ def run_phase_z2_mvp1(
         debug_zones=debug_zones,
     )
     slide_status["applied_render_consistency"] = applied_render_consistency
+    # issue #15 — density gate (payload 결정론 + 측정 높이, 리포팅 전용)
+    density_gate = _compute_density_gate(zones_data, overflow)
+    slide_status["density_gate"] = density_gate
     design_readiness = _compute_design_readiness(
         units=units,
         rendered_text_coverage=rendered_text_coverage,
         applied_render_consistency=applied_render_consistency,
+        density_gate=density_gate,
     )
     slide_status["design_readiness"] = design_readiness
     if not rendered_text_coverage.get("passed"):
@@ -11092,10 +11213,13 @@ def run_phase_z2_mvp1(
         and applied_render_consistency.get("passed")
     )
     slide_status["visual_pass"] = bool(overflow.get("passed"))
+    # issue #15 (#98 추천 1) — presentation_ready 에 density 통합: 기계 PASS
+    # 인데 사람 눈에 빽빽한 false-positive(MDX02) 차단.
     slide_status["presentation_ready"] = bool(
         slide_status["technical_pass"]
         and slide_status["visual_pass"]
         and presentation_fit.get("passed")
+        and density_gate.get("passed", True)
     )
     slide_status["presentation_reselection"] = _build_t28_5c_reselection_trace(
         units=units,
@@ -11145,10 +11269,13 @@ def run_phase_z2_mvp1(
             rendered_html=final_html_for_status,
             debug_zones=debug_zones,
         )
+        # issue #15 — popup 승격 후 재계산 경로에도 density gate 동일 배선
+        density_gate = _compute_density_gate(zones_data, overflow)
         design_readiness = _compute_design_readiness(
             units=units,
             rendered_text_coverage=rendered_text_coverage,
             applied_render_consistency=applied_render_consistency,
+            density_gate=density_gate,
         )
         presentation_fit = _build_presentation_fit_report(
             overflow=overflow,
@@ -11158,6 +11285,7 @@ def run_phase_z2_mvp1(
         slide_status["text_coverage_passed"] = bool(rendered_text_coverage.get("passed"))
         slide_status["forbidden_rendered_syntax"] = forbidden_rendered_syntax
         slide_status["applied_render_consistency"] = applied_render_consistency
+        slide_status["density_gate"] = density_gate
         slide_status["design_readiness"] = design_readiness
         slide_status["presentation_fit"] = presentation_fit
         slide_status["technical_pass"] = bool(
@@ -11172,6 +11300,7 @@ def run_phase_z2_mvp1(
             slide_status["technical_pass"]
             and slide_status["visual_pass"]
             and presentation_fit.get("passed")
+            and density_gate.get("passed", True)
         )
         slide_status["presentation_reselection"] = _build_t28_5c_reselection_trace(
             units=units,
diff --git a/tests/test_phase_z2_issue15_density_gate.py b/tests/test_phase_z2_issue15_density_gate.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..69baacc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_phase_z2_issue15_density_gate.py
@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+"""issue #15 — density/readability gate 테스트 (Gitea #98 추천 1·2).
+
+계약:
+  - payload 결정론 + 측정 높이만 사용 (final.html 영향 0 — 리포팅 계층)
+  - 임계값은 mdx 01~05 실측 캘리브레이션: dense<16 / tight<45 px/line
+    (사람 판정 정렬: mdx03 105.8=ready, mdx02 40~44=cramped, mdx01 11.5=dense)
+  - dense/tight 는 design_readiness 의 warnings(needs_review) — not_ready 아님
+  - presentation_ready 는 density 실패 시 False (#98 추천 1: 신호 통합)
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from src.phase_z2_pipeline import (
+    _compute_density_gate,
+    _compute_design_readiness,
+    _estimate_max_card_lines,
+)
+
+
+def _overflow(heights: dict[str, int]) -> dict:
+    return {"passed": True, "zones": [
+        {"position": p, "clientHeight": h} for p, h in heights.items()
+    ]}
+
+
+# ── _estimate_max_card_lines ────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+def test_repeat_slot_pattern_lines():
+    payload = {
+        "title": "t", "_slot_count": 3,
+        "pill_1_label": "라벨", "pill_1_body": ["a", "b", "c"],
+        "pill_2_label": "라벨", "pill_2_body": ["a"],
+        "pill_3_label": "", "pill_3_body": [],
+    }
+    # pill_1: label 1 + body 3 = 4
+    assert _estimate_max_card_lines(payload) == 4
+
+
+def test_list_of_dict_columns_lines():
+    payload = {"pillars": [
+        {"label": "A", "lines": ["1", "2", "3"]},
+        {"label": "B", "lines": ["1"]},
+    ]}
+    assert _estimate_max_card_lines(payload) == 4  # label 1 + 3 lines
+
+
+def test_br_joined_string_lines():
+    payload = {"row_1_body": "가<br>나<br>다"}
+    assert _estimate_max_card_lines(payload) == 3
+
+
+def test_non_card_payload_not_measurable():
+    assert _estimate_max_card_lines({"title": "t", "body_text": "x"}) == 0
+
+
+# ── _compute_density_gate (실측 캘리브레이션 fixture) ─────────────────
+
+
+def _zone(pos: str, payload: dict, template="three_persona_benefits") -> dict:
+    return {"position": pos, "template_id": template, "slot_payload": payload}
+
+
+def test_mdx03_calibration_comfortable():
+    """mdx03 left: 585px, pillar 최대 5라인 → 105.8px/line = comfortable."""
+    zones = [_zone("left", {"pillars": [
+        {"label": "L", "lines": ["1", "2", "3", "4"]},
+    ]})]
+    gate = _compute_density_gate(zones, _overflow({"left": 585}))
+    assert gate["passed"] is True
+    assert gate["zones"][0]["verdict"] == "comfortable"
+    assert gate["zones"][0]["px_per_line"] == 105.8
+
+
+def test_mdx02_calibration_tight():
+    """mdx02 bottom: 339px, intro 7라인 → 40.4px/line = tight (사람: cramped)."""
+    zones = [_zone("bottom", {"intro_sections": [
+        {"label": "a", "lines": ["1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6"]},  # 7 lines
+        {"label": "b", "lines": ["1", "2"]},
+    ]})]
+    gate = _compute_density_gate(zones, _overflow({"bottom": 339}))
+    assert gate["passed"] is False
+    assert gate["worst_verdict"] == "tight"
+    assert gate["zones"][0]["px_per_line"] == 40.4
+
+
+def test_mdx01_calibration_dense():
+    """mdx01 bottom-right: 286px 표 20라인 → 11.5px/line = dense
+    (#98 사람 판정 'bottom comparison dense')."""
+    zones = [_zone("bottom-right", {"rows": [
+        {"cell": "<br>".join(str(i) for i in range(20))},
+    ]}, template="bim_dx_comparison_table")]
+    gate = _compute_density_gate(zones, _overflow({"bottom-right": 286}))
+    assert gate["worst_verdict"] == "dense"
+    assert gate["zones"][0]["px_per_line"] == 11.5
+
+
+def test_unmeasurable_zone_does_not_fail_gate():
+    zones = [_zone("top", {"title": "only-title"})]
+    gate = _compute_density_gate(zones, _overflow({"top": 300}))
+    assert gate["passed"] is True
+    assert gate["zones"][0]["verdict"] == "not_measurable"
+
+
+def test_missing_height_not_measurable():
+    zones = [_zone("top", {"pill_1_label": "L", "pill_1_body": ["a"]})]
+    gate = _compute_density_gate(zones, _overflow({}))
+    assert gate["zones"][0]["verdict"] == "not_measurable"
+    assert gate["passed"] is True
+
+
+# ── design_readiness 통합 ────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+def _readiness(density_gate):
+    return _compute_design_readiness(
+        units=[],
+        rendered_text_coverage={"passed": True},
+        applied_render_consistency={"passed": True},
+        density_gate=density_gate,
+    )
+
+
+def test_tight_zone_downgrades_to_needs_review():
+    gate = {"passed": False, "zones": [
+        {"position": "bottom", "template_id": "t", "verdict": "tight",
+         "px_per_line": 40.4, "estimated_max_lines": 7, "zone_height_px": 339},
+    ]}
+    r = _readiness(gate)
+    assert r["status"] == "needs_review"  # not_ready 아님 (사람 판정 정렬)
+    assert any(w["code"] == "density_tight" for w in r["warnings"])
+
+
+def test_dense_zone_also_needs_review_not_not_ready():
+    gate = {"passed": False, "zones": [
+        {"position": "br", "template_id": "t", "verdict": "dense",
+         "px_per_line": 11.5, "estimated_max_lines": 20, "zone_height_px": 286},
+    ]}
+    r = _readiness(gate)
+    assert r["status"] == "needs_review"
+    assert any(w["code"] == "density_dense" for w in r["warnings"])
+
+
+def test_comfortable_gate_keeps_ready():
+    gate = {"passed": True, "zones": [
+        {"position": "left", "verdict": "comfortable"},
+    ]}
+    r = _readiness(gate)
+    assert r["status"] == "ready"
+
+
+def test_density_gate_none_backward_compat():
+    r = _compute_design_readiness(
+        units=[],
+        rendered_text_coverage={"passed": True},
+        applied_render_consistency={"passed": True},
+    )
+    assert r["status"] == "ready"