diff --git a/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_approval_prep.py b/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_approval_prep.py
index 4b7e5686..e4a288f0 100644
--- a/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_approval_prep.py
+++ b/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_approval_prep.py
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@
     "package_registry_assembly_activation_prep": "docs/validation/milestone-e-package-publication-registry-assembly-activation-prep-validation-2026-06-21.md",
     "package_real_version_selection_prep": "docs/validation/milestone-e-package-publication-real-version-selection-prep-validation-2026-06-21.md",
     "package_tag_creation_prep": "docs/validation/milestone-e-package-publication-tag-creation-prep-validation-2026-06-21.md",
+    "package_decision_bundle_validation": "docs/validation/milestone-e-package-publication-decision-bundle-validation-2026-06-21.md",
 }
 EXPECTED_PUBLICATION_DECISION_INPUTS = {
     "decision_status": "not_approved_pending_exact_decision",
@@ -212,6 +213,65 @@
         "package publication remains blocked",
     ],
 }
+EXPECTED_PACKAGE_PUBLICATION_APPROVAL_REQUEST_PACKET = {
+    "packet_state": "approval_request_packet_recorded_publication_blocked",
+    "candidate_crates": [
+        "ethos-doc-core mapped from crates/ethos-core; package-name migration remains pending",
+        "ethos-verify mapped from crates/ethos-verify; dependency manifest activation remains pending",
+        "ethos-pdf mapped from crates/ethos-pdf; dependency manifest activation and PDFium boundary confirmation must remain current",
+    ],
+    "package_version_map": [
+        "ethos-doc-core has no selected package publication version",
+        "ethos-verify has no selected package publication version",
+        "ethos-pdf has no selected package publication version",
+    ],
+    "package_tag_name": "not selected; package tag creation remains blocked",
+    "package_tag_source_commit": "not selected; package tag binding remains blocked",
+    "package_tag_source_tree": "not selected; package source tree binding remains blocked",
+    "manifest_activation_diff": "not prepared; current Cargo manifests remain unchanged",
+    "registry_assembly_evidence": "not activated; registry-backed dependent package assembly remains blocked",
+    "public_installation_wording": "No public installation wording is approved; public installation remains blocked.",
+    "explicit_exclusions": [
+        "wheels",
+        "npm packages",
+        "binaries",
+        "hosted surfaces",
+        "production positioning",
+        "public benchmark reports",
+        "public benchmark claims",
+        "release artifacts",
+        "project-maintained PDFium builds",
+    ],
+    "required_before_approval": [
+        "exact package publication approval decision record",
+        "exact candidate crate list",
+        "exact SemVer package version or per-crate version map",
+        "exact package tag name and package_tag_source_commit",
+        "exact package-name migration diff for ethos-doc-core",
+        "exact dependency manifest activation diff for ethos-verify and ethos-pdf",
+        "exact registry-backed dependent package assembly evidence",
+        "posture and claims gates after exact public installation wording changes",
+    ],
+    "non_approvals": [
+        "this packet does not select a package publication version",
+        "this packet does not create a package tag",
+        "this packet does not change Cargo manifests",
+        "this packet does not activate package dependency manifests",
+        "this packet does not create a registry",
+        "this packet does not activate registry-backed dependent package assembly",
+        "this packet does not invite public installation",
+        "this packet does not approve package publication",
+    ],
+    "retained_blockers": [
+        "no package publication version is selected",
+        "no package tag is created",
+        "no package dependency manifest activation is approved",
+        "no registry-backed dependent package assembly activation is approved",
+        "public installation remains blocked",
+        "package publication remains blocked",
+        "real-version cargo publish remains blocked",
+    ],
+}
 
 FORBIDDEN_PREP_WORDING = [
     "public beta is approved",
@@ -541,6 +601,48 @@ def test_combined_package_publication_decision_prep_bundle_blocks_all_actions(se
         self.assertIn('name = "ethos-pdf"', pdf_manifest)
         self.assertIn('version = "0.1.0"', cargo)
 
+    def test_package_publication_approval_request_packet_keeps_all_actions_blocked(self) -> None:
+        packet = load_json(PREP)["package_publication_approval_request_packet"]
+        cargo = read(ROOT / "Cargo.toml")
+        core_manifest = read(ROOT / "crates/ethos-core/Cargo.toml")
+        verify_manifest = read(ROOT / "crates/ethos-verify/Cargo.toml")
+        pdf_manifest = read(ROOT / "crates/ethos-pdf/Cargo.toml")
+
+        self.assertEqual(EXPECTED_PACKAGE_PUBLICATION_APPROVAL_REQUEST_PACKET, packet)
+        self.assertEqual("approval_request_packet_recorded_publication_blocked", packet["packet_state"])
+        self.assertEqual(3, len(packet["candidate_crates"]))
+        self.assertIn("ethos-doc-core has no selected package publication version", packet["package_version_map"])
+        self.assertEqual(
+            "not selected; package tag creation remains blocked",
+            packet["package_tag_name"],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            "not selected; package tag binding remains blocked",
+            packet["package_tag_source_commit"],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            "not prepared; current Cargo manifests remain unchanged",
+            packet["manifest_activation_diff"],
+        )
+        self.assertIn("public installation remains blocked", packet["public_installation_wording"])
+        self.assertIn("release artifacts", packet["explicit_exclusions"])
+        self.assertIn("project-maintained PDFium builds", packet["explicit_exclusions"])
+        self.assertIn("exact package tag name and package_tag_source_commit", packet["required_before_approval"])
+        self.assertIn("posture and claims gates after exact public installation wording changes", packet["required_before_approval"])
+        self.assertIn("this packet does not change Cargo manifests", packet["non_approvals"])
+        self.assertIn("this packet does not invite public installation", packet["non_approvals"])
+        self.assertIn("this packet does not approve package publication", packet["non_approvals"])
+        self.assertIn("real-version cargo publish remains blocked", packet["retained_blockers"])
+        self.assertIn('"crates/ethos-core"', cargo)
+        self.assertIn('"crates/ethos-verify"', cargo)
+        self.assertIn('"crates/ethos-pdf"', cargo)
+        self.assertIn("publish = false", core_manifest)
+        self.assertIn("publish = false", verify_manifest)
+        self.assertIn("publish = false", pdf_manifest)
+        self.assertIn('name = "ethos-core"', core_manifest)
+        self.assertIn('name = "ethos-verify"', verify_manifest)
+        self.assertIn('name = "ethos-pdf"', pdf_manifest)
+
     def test_pdfium_boundary_keeps_ethos_pdf_held_until_confirmed(self) -> None:
         approved = load_json(PREP)["approved_package_publication_prep"]
         pdfium_boundary = " ".join(approved["pdfium_boundary"])
@@ -602,6 +704,10 @@ def test_schema_validation_covers_package_publication_prep(self) -> None:
             False,
             schema["$defs"]["package_publication_decision_prep_bundle"]["additionalProperties"],
         )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            False,
+            schema["$defs"]["package_publication_approval_request_packet"]["additionalProperties"],
+        )
         self.assertEqual(9, schema["properties"]["required_evidence"]["minItems"])
         self.assertEqual(13, schema["properties"]["explicit_blockers"]["minItems"])
         self.assertEqual(
@@ -628,6 +734,18 @@ def test_schema_validation_covers_package_publication_prep(self) -> None:
                 "required_decision_inputs"
             ]["minItems"],
         )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            8,
+            schema["$defs"]["package_publication_approval_request_packet"]["properties"][
+                "required_before_approval"
+            ]["minItems"],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            9,
+            schema["$defs"]["package_publication_approval_request_packet"]["properties"][
+                "explicit_exclusions"
+            ]["minItems"],
+        )
         self.assertIn("ethos-milestone-e-package-publication-approval-prep.schema.json", validate_examples)
         self.assertIn("docs\" / \"milestone-e-package-publication-approval-prep.json", validate_examples)
         self.assertIn("ethos-milestone-e-package-publication-approval-prep.schema.json", schemas_readme)
diff --git a/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_decision_bundle_validation_record.py b/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_decision_bundle_validation_record.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e3e34f81
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_decision_bundle_validation_record.py
@@ -0,0 +1,200 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+#
+# Copyright 2026 The Ethos maintainers
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+#
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import json
+import re
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from makefile_guard import target_block
+
+
+ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[2]
+PREP = ROOT / "docs/milestone-e-package-publication-approval-prep.json"
+RECORD = (
+    ROOT
+    / "docs/validation/"
+    "milestone-e-package-publication-decision-bundle-validation-2026-06-21.md"
+)
+VALIDATION_README = ROOT / "docs/validation/README.md"
+CI_WORKFLOW = ROOT / ".github/workflows/ci.yml"
+
+FORBIDDEN_SCOPE_EXPANSION = [
+    "public reports are approved",
+    "public result wording approved",
+    "release-ready",
+    "release artifact approved",
+    "package-ready",
+    "package publication is approved",
+    "package publication approved",
+    "packages are published",
+    "published packages",
+    "production-ready",
+    "production positioning approved",
+    "benchmark-validated",
+    "public benchmark pass",
+    "speed validated",
+    "fastest",
+    "launch-ready",
+    "hosted surface approved",
+    "hosted demo approved",
+    "demo-ready",
+    "performance validated",
+    "quality validated",
+    "footprint validated",
+    "table-quality validated",
+    "parser-quality validated",
+]
+
+
+def read(path: Path) -> str:
+    return path.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+
+def normalized(path: Path) -> str:
+    return re.sub(r"\s+", " ", read(path))
+
+
+def load_json(path: Path) -> dict:
+    return json.loads(path.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+
+
+class MilestoneEPackagePublicationDecisionBundleValidationRecordTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_decision_bundle_record_is_indexed(self) -> None:
+        readme = read(VALIDATION_README)
+        normalized_readme = re.sub(r"\s+", " ", readme)
+
+        self.assertIn(RECORD.name, readme)
+        self.assertIn(
+            "package publication decision-bundle validation for the combined decision inputs",
+            normalized_readme,
+        )
+
+    def test_record_names_validation_commands(self) -> None:
+        text = read(RECORD)
+
+        self.assertIn("Validated source HEAD before this record: `63d8647`", text)
+        self.assertIn(
+            "python3 .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_approval_prep.py",
+            text,
+        )
+        self.assertIn(
+            "python3 .github/scripts/"
+            "test_milestone_e_package_publication_decision_bundle_validation_record.py",
+            text,
+        )
+        self.assertIn("python3 .github/scripts/test_public_surface_posture.py", text)
+        self.assertIn("python3 .github/scripts/claims_gate.py", text)
+        self.assertIn("cargo build --locked -p ethos-cli", text)
+        self.assertIn("make milestone-e-prep PYTHON=<jsonschema-venv>/bin/python", text)
+        self.assertIn("git diff --check", text)
+
+    def test_record_matches_combined_decision_bundle_scope(self) -> None:
+        prep = load_json(PREP)
+        bundle = prep["package_publication_decision_prep_bundle"]
+        record = normalized(RECORD)
+
+        self.assertEqual("combined_decision_inputs_recorded_actions_blocked", bundle["decision_state"])
+        for boundary in bundle["review_boundary"]:
+            self.assertIn(boundary, record)
+        for decision_input in bundle["required_decision_inputs"]:
+            self.assertIn(decision_input, record)
+        for non_approval in bundle["non_approvals"]:
+            self.assertIn(non_approval, record)
+        for blocker in bundle["retained_blockers"]:
+            self.assertIn(blocker, record)
+        self.assertIn("Ethos remains source-only pre-alpha", record)
+        self.assertIn("Package publication remains blocked", record)
+        self.assertIn("Public installation remains blocked", record)
+
+    def test_record_matches_non_activating_approval_request_packet(self) -> None:
+        prep = load_json(PREP)
+        packet = prep["package_publication_approval_request_packet"]
+        record = normalized(RECORD)
+
+        self.assertEqual("approval_request_packet_recorded_publication_blocked", packet["packet_state"])
+        self.assertIn(packet["packet_state"], record)
+        for candidate in packet["candidate_crates"]:
+            self.assertIn(candidate, record)
+        for version in packet["package_version_map"]:
+            self.assertIn(version, record)
+        self.assertIn(packet["package_tag_name"], record)
+        self.assertIn(packet["package_tag_source_commit"], record)
+        self.assertIn(packet["package_tag_source_tree"], record)
+        self.assertIn(packet["manifest_activation_diff"], record)
+        self.assertIn(packet["registry_assembly_evidence"], record)
+        self.assertIn(packet["public_installation_wording"], record)
+        for exclusion in packet["explicit_exclusions"]:
+            self.assertIn(exclusion, record)
+        for required in packet["required_before_approval"]:
+            self.assertIn(required, record)
+        for non_approval in packet["non_approvals"]:
+            self.assertIn(non_approval, record)
+        for blocker in packet["retained_blockers"]:
+            self.assertIn(blocker, record)
+
+    def test_record_keeps_public_boundaries_explicit(self) -> None:
+        record = normalized(RECORD)
+
+        self.assertIn("Public reports remain blocked", record)
+        self.assertIn("Public result wording remains blocked", record)
+        self.assertIn("Release artifacts remain blocked", record)
+        self.assertIn("Binaries remain blocked", record)
+        self.assertIn("Wheels remain blocked", record)
+        self.assertIn("Npm packages remain blocked", record)
+        self.assertIn("Hosted surfaces remain blocked", record)
+        self.assertIn("Production positioning remains blocked", record)
+        self.assertIn("Public benchmark reports remain blocked", record)
+        self.assertIn("Public benchmark claims remain blocked", record)
+        self.assertIn("Project-maintained PDFium builds remain blocked", record)
+
+    def test_make_and_ci_run_record_guard_after_combined_prep(self) -> None:
+        make_block = target_block("milestone-e-prep")
+        ci = read(CI_WORKFLOW)
+        registry_activation_guard = (
+            "test_milestone_e_package_publication_registry_assembly_activation_prep.py"
+        )
+        record_guard = "test_milestone_e_package_publication_decision_bundle_validation_record.py"
+        command_guard = "test_milestone_e_validation_command_index.py"
+
+        for text, prefix in ((make_block, "$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/"), (ci, "python3 .github/scripts/")):
+            self.assertIn(prefix + record_guard, text)
+            self.assertEqual(1, text.count(prefix + record_guard))
+            self.assertLess(text.index(prefix + registry_activation_guard), text.index(prefix + record_guard))
+            self.assertLess(text.index(prefix + record_guard), text.index(prefix + command_guard))
+
+    def test_record_avoids_scope_expansion_language_or_private_paths(self) -> None:
+        lower = normalized(RECORD).lower()
+        raw = read(RECORD)
+
+        for phrase in FORBIDDEN_SCOPE_EXPANSION:
+            self.assertNotIn(phrase, lower)
+        self.assertNotIn("/Users/", raw)
+        self.assertNotIn("/private/tmp", raw)
+        self.assertNotIn("/private/var", raw)
+        self.assertNotIn("/var/folders", raw)
+        self.assertNotIn("saumildiwaker", raw)
+        self.assertNotIn("Desktop/Stuff", raw)
+        self.assertNotIn("project/repo/ethos", raw)
+        self.assertNotIn("docs/.roadmap.md.swp", raw)
+        self.assertNotIn("web/", raw)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()
diff --git a/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_prep_guard_sequence_index.py b/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_prep_guard_sequence_index.py
index 0cc2cd65..cb510cae 100644
--- a/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_prep_guard_sequence_index.py
+++ b/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_prep_guard_sequence_index.py
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@
     "$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_tag_creation_prep.py",
     "$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_manifest_activation_prep.py",
     "$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_registry_assembly_activation_prep.py",
+    "$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_decision_bundle_validation_record.py",
     "$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_validation_command_index.py",
     "$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_validation_command_index_validation_record.py",
     "$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_validation_record_index.py",
diff --git a/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_prep_scope.py b/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_prep_scope.py
index 4d87c6b9..12281cc9 100644
--- a/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_prep_scope.py
+++ b/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_prep_scope.py
@@ -403,6 +403,7 @@ def test_make_target_is_narrow_and_guarded(self) -> None:
     "$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_tag_creation_prep.py",
     "$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_manifest_activation_prep.py",
     "$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_registry_assembly_activation_prep.py",
+    "$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_decision_bundle_validation_record.py",
     "$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_validation_command_index.py",
             "$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_validation_command_index_validation_record.py",
             "$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_validation_record_index.py",
diff --git a/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_validation_record_index.py b/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_validation_record_index.py
index add039a8..58aae6fd 100644
--- a/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_validation_record_index.py
+++ b/.github/scripts/test_milestone_e_validation_record_index.py
@@ -250,6 +250,10 @@ class RecordCoverage:
         "milestone-e-package-publication-registry-assembly-activation-prep-validation-2026-06-21.md",
         "test_milestone_e_package_publication_registry_assembly_activation_prep.py",
     ),
+    RecordCoverage(
+        "milestone-e-package-publication-decision-bundle-validation-2026-06-21.md",
+        "test_milestone_e_package_publication_decision_bundle_validation_record.py",
+    ),
     RecordCoverage(
         "milestone-e-validation-command-index-validation-2026-06-20.md",
         "test_milestone_e_validation_command_index_validation_record.py",
@@ -345,6 +349,9 @@ def test_index_guards_run_after_row_and_schema_records(self) -> None:
         package_registry_activation_guard = (
             "test_milestone_e_package_publication_registry_assembly_activation_prep.py"
         )
+        package_decision_bundle_guard = (
+            "test_milestone_e_package_publication_decision_bundle_validation_record.py"
+        )
         command_guard = "test_milestone_e_validation_command_index_validation_record.py"
         index_guard = "test_milestone_e_validation_record_index.py"
         index_record_guard = "test_milestone_e_validation_record_index_validation_record.py"
@@ -393,8 +400,12 @@ def test_index_guards_run_after_row_and_schema_records(self) -> None:
                 text.index(prefix + package_manifest_activation_guard),
                 text.index(prefix + package_registry_activation_guard),
             )
-            self.assertLess(text.index(prefix + package_registry_activation_guard), text.index(prefix + command_guard))
-            self.assertLess(text.index(prefix + package_registry_activation_guard), text.index(prefix + index_guard))
+            self.assertLess(
+                text.index(prefix + package_registry_activation_guard),
+                text.index(prefix + package_decision_bundle_guard),
+            )
+            self.assertLess(text.index(prefix + package_decision_bundle_guard), text.index(prefix + command_guard))
+            self.assertLess(text.index(prefix + package_decision_bundle_guard), text.index(prefix + index_guard))
             self.assertLess(text.index(prefix + package_manifest_activation_guard), text.index(prefix + command_guard))
             self.assertLess(text.index(prefix + package_manifest_activation_guard), text.index(prefix + index_guard))
             self.assertLess(text.index(prefix + package_tag_guard), text.index(prefix + command_guard))
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 9d741377..a59dadb7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -222,6 +222,8 @@ jobs:
         run: python3 .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_manifest_activation_prep.py
       - name: Milestone E package publication registry-assembly activation prep tests
         run: python3 .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_registry_assembly_activation_prep.py
+      - name: Milestone E package publication decision-bundle validation record tests
+        run: python3 .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_decision_bundle_validation_record.py
       - name: Milestone E validation-command index tests
         run: python3 .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_validation_command_index.py
       - name: Milestone E validation-command index validation record tests
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 4206a020..5ef8211e 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -218,6 +218,7 @@ milestone-e-prep:
 	$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_tag_creation_prep.py
 	$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_manifest_activation_prep.py
 	$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_registry_assembly_activation_prep.py
+	$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_decision_bundle_validation_record.py
 	$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_validation_command_index.py
 	$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_validation_command_index_validation_record.py
 	$(PYTHON) .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_validation_record_index.py
diff --git a/docs/milestone-e-package-publication-approval-prep.json b/docs/milestone-e-package-publication-approval-prep.json
index 2006b798..6709ed67 100644
--- a/docs/milestone-e-package-publication-approval-prep.json
+++ b/docs/milestone-e-package-publication-approval-prep.json
@@ -77,7 +77,8 @@
     "package_registry_assembly_prep": "docs/validation/milestone-e-package-publication-registry-assembly-prep-validation-2026-06-21.md",
     "package_registry_assembly_activation_prep": "docs/validation/milestone-e-package-publication-registry-assembly-activation-prep-validation-2026-06-21.md",
     "package_real_version_selection_prep": "docs/validation/milestone-e-package-publication-real-version-selection-prep-validation-2026-06-21.md",
-    "package_tag_creation_prep": "docs/validation/milestone-e-package-publication-tag-creation-prep-validation-2026-06-21.md"
+    "package_tag_creation_prep": "docs/validation/milestone-e-package-publication-tag-creation-prep-validation-2026-06-21.md",
+    "package_decision_bundle_validation": "docs/validation/milestone-e-package-publication-decision-bundle-validation-2026-06-21.md"
   },
   "publication_approval_decision_inputs": {
     "decision_status": "not_approved_pending_exact_decision",
@@ -200,6 +201,65 @@
       "package publication remains blocked"
     ]
   },
+  "package_publication_approval_request_packet": {
+    "packet_state": "approval_request_packet_recorded_publication_blocked",
+    "candidate_crates": [
+      "ethos-doc-core mapped from crates/ethos-core; package-name migration remains pending",
+      "ethos-verify mapped from crates/ethos-verify; dependency manifest activation remains pending",
+      "ethos-pdf mapped from crates/ethos-pdf; dependency manifest activation and PDFium boundary confirmation must remain current"
+    ],
+    "package_version_map": [
+      "ethos-doc-core has no selected package publication version",
+      "ethos-verify has no selected package publication version",
+      "ethos-pdf has no selected package publication version"
+    ],
+    "package_tag_name": "not selected; package tag creation remains blocked",
+    "package_tag_source_commit": "not selected; package tag binding remains blocked",
+    "package_tag_source_tree": "not selected; package source tree binding remains blocked",
+    "manifest_activation_diff": "not prepared; current Cargo manifests remain unchanged",
+    "registry_assembly_evidence": "not activated; registry-backed dependent package assembly remains blocked",
+    "public_installation_wording": "No public installation wording is approved; public installation remains blocked.",
+    "explicit_exclusions": [
+      "wheels",
+      "npm packages",
+      "binaries",
+      "hosted surfaces",
+      "production positioning",
+      "public benchmark reports",
+      "public benchmark claims",
+      "release artifacts",
+      "project-maintained PDFium builds"
+    ],
+    "required_before_approval": [
+      "exact package publication approval decision record",
+      "exact candidate crate list",
+      "exact SemVer package version or per-crate version map",
+      "exact package tag name and package_tag_source_commit",
+      "exact package-name migration diff for ethos-doc-core",
+      "exact dependency manifest activation diff for ethos-verify and ethos-pdf",
+      "exact registry-backed dependent package assembly evidence",
+      "posture and claims gates after exact public installation wording changes"
+    ],
+    "non_approvals": [
+      "this packet does not select a package publication version",
+      "this packet does not create a package tag",
+      "this packet does not change Cargo manifests",
+      "this packet does not activate package dependency manifests",
+      "this packet does not create a registry",
+      "this packet does not activate registry-backed dependent package assembly",
+      "this packet does not invite public installation",
+      "this packet does not approve package publication"
+    ],
+    "retained_blockers": [
+      "no package publication version is selected",
+      "no package tag is created",
+      "no package dependency manifest activation is approved",
+      "no registry-backed dependent package assembly activation is approved",
+      "public installation remains blocked",
+      "package publication remains blocked",
+      "real-version cargo publish remains blocked"
+    ]
+  },
   "public_boundary": [
     "public reports remain blocked",
     "release artifacts remain blocked",
diff --git a/docs/validation/README.md b/docs/validation/README.md
index 2480b57b..b9baddd9 100644
--- a/docs/validation/README.md
+++ b/docs/validation/README.md
@@ -314,6 +314,11 @@ inventory, metadata/readiness, dry-run planning, version/tag policy, and PDFium
 - `milestone-e-package-publication-tag-creation-prep-validation-2026-06-21.md` - package
   publication tag-creation prep validation for future package tag review; the record keeps package
   publication and public installation blocked while recording that no package tag is created.
+- `milestone-e-package-publication-decision-bundle-validation-2026-06-21.md` - package
+  publication decision-bundle validation for the combined decision inputs; the record keeps
+  package publication and public installation blocked while recording that no package publication
+  version is selected, no package tag is created, no Cargo manifest is changed, no registry is
+  created, no registry-backed assembly is activated, and no public installation is invited.
 - `milestone-e-validation-command-index-validation-2026-06-20.md` - internal Milestone E
   validation-command index validation passed through command-alignment checks, schema enum checks,
   row-record checks, public-surface posture checks, `make milestone-e-prep`, and diff hygiene; the
diff --git a/docs/validation/milestone-e-package-publication-decision-bundle-validation-2026-06-21.md b/docs/validation/milestone-e-package-publication-decision-bundle-validation-2026-06-21.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a47a6e6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/validation/milestone-e-package-publication-decision-bundle-validation-2026-06-21.md
@@ -0,0 +1,149 @@
+# Milestone E Package Publication Decision-Bundle Validation - 2026-06-21
+
+## Purpose
+
+Record validation for the combined package publication decision-prep bundle without approving
+package publication.
+
+This record validates that the combined decision inputs are recorded before any later dedicated
+package publication approval. It does not select a package publication version, create a package
+tag, change Cargo manifests, activate package dependency manifests, create a registry, activate
+registry-backed dependent package assembly, approve public installation, approve package
+publication, publish binaries, publish wheels, publish npm packages, approve hosted surfaces,
+approve production positioning, approve public benchmark reports, approve public benchmark claims,
+or approve public result wording. It does not resolve or soften blockers outside this
+decision-prep bundle.
+
+## Status
+
+Status: **pass for package publication decision-bundle validation with publication blocked**.
+
+Ethos remains source-only pre-alpha outside the approved source-only public beta surface and
+internal package publication prep boundary.
+
+Package publication remains blocked.
+
+Public installation remains blocked.
+
+## Subject
+
+- Repository: `docushell/ethos`
+- Validated source HEAD before this record: `63d8647`
+- Lane: package publication decision-prep bundle
+- Evidence area: combined package tag, manifest activation, registry assembly, and public
+  installation decision inputs with retained blocked actions
+
+## Evidence Review
+
+- package tag and source-commit decision inputs are recorded while creating no package tag
+- package dependency manifest activation inputs are recorded while changing no Cargo manifest
+- registry-backed dependent package assembly inputs are recorded while creating no registry and
+  activating no assembly
+- public installation wording and exclusion inputs are recorded while inviting no public
+  installation
+
+Required decision inputs retained for later dedicated approval:
+
+- exact package tag name
+- exact source commit for package tag binding
+- exact package-name migration diff for ethos-doc-core
+- exact dependency manifest activation diff for ethos-verify and ethos-pdf
+- exact registry-backed dependent package assembly evidence for ethos-doc-core before ethos-verify
+  and ethos-pdf
+- exact public installation wording limited to a later approved package surface
+- exact exclusion list for wheels, npm packages, binaries, hosted surfaces, production
+  positioning, public benchmark reports, public benchmark claims, and project-maintained PDFium
+  builds
+- posture and claims gates after exact public installation wording changes
+
+## Approval Request Packet
+
+The non-activating package publication approval request packet is recorded with:
+
+- packet state: `approval_request_packet_recorded_publication_blocked`
+- candidate crates:
+  - ethos-doc-core mapped from crates/ethos-core; package-name migration remains pending
+  - ethos-verify mapped from crates/ethos-verify; dependency manifest activation remains pending
+  - ethos-pdf mapped from crates/ethos-pdf; dependency manifest activation and PDFium boundary
+    confirmation must remain current
+- package version map:
+  - ethos-doc-core has no selected package publication version
+  - ethos-verify has no selected package publication version
+  - ethos-pdf has no selected package publication version
+- package tag name: not selected; package tag creation remains blocked
+- package tag source commit: not selected; package tag binding remains blocked
+- package tag source tree: not selected; package source tree binding remains blocked
+- manifest activation diff: not prepared; current Cargo manifests remain unchanged
+- registry assembly evidence: not activated; registry-backed dependent package assembly remains
+  blocked
+- public installation wording: No public installation wording is approved; public installation
+  remains blocked.
+- explicit exclusions: wheels, npm packages, binaries, hosted surfaces, production positioning,
+  public benchmark reports, public benchmark claims, release artifacts, and project-maintained
+  PDFium builds
+- required before approval: exact package publication approval decision record, exact candidate
+  crate list, exact SemVer package version or per-crate version map, exact package tag name and
+  package_tag_source_commit, exact package-name migration diff for ethos-doc-core, exact dependency
+  manifest activation diff for ethos-verify and ethos-pdf, exact registry-backed dependent package
+  assembly evidence, and posture and claims gates after exact public installation wording changes
+
+Non-approvals retained:
+
+- this bundle does not select a package publication version
+- this bundle does not create a package tag
+- this bundle does not change Cargo manifests
+- this bundle does not activate package dependency manifests
+- this bundle does not create a registry
+- this bundle does not activate registry-backed dependent package assembly
+- this bundle does not invite public installation
+- this bundle does not approve package publication
+- this packet does not select a package publication version
+- this packet does not create a package tag
+- this packet does not change Cargo manifests
+- this packet does not activate package dependency manifests
+- this packet does not create a registry
+- this packet does not activate registry-backed dependent package assembly
+- this packet does not invite public installation
+- this packet does not approve package publication
+
+## Blockers Retained
+
+- no package publication version is selected
+- no package tag is created
+- no package dependency manifest activation is approved
+- no registry-backed dependent package assembly activation is approved
+- public installation remains blocked
+- package publication remains blocked
+- real-version cargo publish remains blocked
+- `ethos-doc` and `ethos-rag` remain reserved placeholders until package owners, manifests, README
+  files, metadata, and support expectations are prepared.
+- Project-maintained PDFium builds remain blocked.
+
+## Commands
+
+```sh
+python3 .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_approval_prep.py
+python3 .github/scripts/test_milestone_e_package_publication_decision_bundle_validation_record.py
+python3 .github/scripts/test_public_surface_posture.py
+python3 .github/scripts/claims_gate.py
+cargo build --locked -p ethos-cli
+make milestone-e-prep PYTHON=<jsonschema-venv>/bin/python
+git diff --check
+```
+
+## Explicit Boundaries
+
+- Public reports remain blocked.
+- Public result wording remains blocked.
+- Package publication remains blocked.
+- Public installation remains blocked.
+- real-version cargo publish remains blocked
+- Release artifacts remain blocked.
+- Binaries remain blocked.
+- Wheels remain blocked.
+- Npm packages remain blocked.
+- Hosted surfaces remain blocked.
+- Production positioning remains blocked.
+- Public benchmark reports remain blocked.
+- Public benchmark claims remain blocked.
+- Project-maintained PDFium builds remain blocked.
diff --git a/schemas/ethos-milestone-e-package-publication-approval-prep.schema.json b/schemas/ethos-milestone-e-package-publication-approval-prep.schema.json
index 72cceb2a..1db1fed4 100644
--- a/schemas/ethos-milestone-e-package-publication-approval-prep.schema.json
+++ b/schemas/ethos-milestone-e-package-publication-approval-prep.schema.json
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
     "candidate_crate_surface_review",
     "semver_package_version_decision_prep",
     "package_publication_decision_prep_bundle",
+    "package_publication_approval_request_packet",
     "public_boundary",
     "approval_scope",
     "required_evidence",
@@ -68,6 +69,9 @@
     "package_publication_decision_prep_bundle": {
       "$ref": "#/$defs/package_publication_decision_prep_bundle"
     },
+    "package_publication_approval_request_packet": {
+      "$ref": "#/$defs/package_publication_approval_request_packet"
+    },
     "public_boundary": {
       "type": "array",
       "minItems": 10,
@@ -273,7 +277,8 @@
         "package_registry_assembly_prep",
         "package_registry_assembly_activation_prep",
         "package_real_version_selection_prep",
-        "package_tag_creation_prep"
+        "package_tag_creation_prep",
+        "package_decision_bundle_validation"
       ],
       "additionalProperties": false,
       "properties": {
@@ -309,6 +314,9 @@
         },
         "package_tag_creation_prep": {
           "const": "docs/validation/milestone-e-package-publication-tag-creation-prep-validation-2026-06-21.md"
+        },
+        "package_decision_bundle_validation": {
+          "const": "docs/validation/milestone-e-package-publication-decision-bundle-validation-2026-06-21.md"
         }
       }
     },
@@ -474,6 +482,84 @@
         }
       }
     },
+    "package_publication_approval_request_packet": {
+      "type": "object",
+      "required": [
+        "packet_state",
+        "candidate_crates",
+        "package_version_map",
+        "package_tag_name",
+        "package_tag_source_commit",
+        "package_tag_source_tree",
+        "manifest_activation_diff",
+        "registry_assembly_evidence",
+        "public_installation_wording",
+        "explicit_exclusions",
+        "required_before_approval",
+        "non_approvals",
+        "retained_blockers"
+      ],
+      "additionalProperties": false,
+      "properties": {
+        "packet_state": { "const": "approval_request_packet_recorded_publication_blocked" },
+        "candidate_crates": {
+          "type": "array",
+          "minItems": 3,
+          "maxItems": 3,
+          "items": { "$ref": "#/$defs/packet_candidate_crate" },
+          "uniqueItems": true
+        },
+        "package_version_map": {
+          "type": "array",
+          "minItems": 3,
+          "maxItems": 3,
+          "items": { "$ref": "#/$defs/packet_package_version" },
+          "uniqueItems": true
+        },
+        "package_tag_name": { "const": "not selected; package tag creation remains blocked" },
+        "package_tag_source_commit": { "const": "not selected; package tag binding remains blocked" },
+        "package_tag_source_tree": {
+          "const": "not selected; package source tree binding remains blocked"
+        },
+        "manifest_activation_diff": {
+          "const": "not prepared; current Cargo manifests remain unchanged"
+        },
+        "registry_assembly_evidence": {
+          "const": "not activated; registry-backed dependent package assembly remains blocked"
+        },
+        "public_installation_wording": {
+          "const": "No public installation wording is approved; public installation remains blocked."
+        },
+        "explicit_exclusions": {
+          "type": "array",
+          "minItems": 9,
+          "maxItems": 9,
+          "items": { "$ref": "#/$defs/packet_explicit_exclusion" },
+          "uniqueItems": true
+        },
+        "required_before_approval": {
+          "type": "array",
+          "minItems": 8,
+          "maxItems": 8,
+          "items": { "$ref": "#/$defs/packet_required_before_approval" },
+          "uniqueItems": true
+        },
+        "non_approvals": {
+          "type": "array",
+          "minItems": 8,
+          "maxItems": 8,
+          "items": { "$ref": "#/$defs/packet_non_approval" },
+          "uniqueItems": true
+        },
+        "retained_blockers": {
+          "type": "array",
+          "minItems": 7,
+          "maxItems": 7,
+          "items": { "$ref": "#/$defs/packet_retained_blocker" },
+          "uniqueItems": true
+        }
+      }
+    },
     "reserved_identifier": {
       "enum": [
         "ethos-doc-core",
@@ -622,6 +708,68 @@
         "package publication remains blocked"
       ]
     },
+    "packet_candidate_crate": {
+      "enum": [
+        "ethos-doc-core mapped from crates/ethos-core; package-name migration remains pending",
+        "ethos-verify mapped from crates/ethos-verify; dependency manifest activation remains pending",
+        "ethos-pdf mapped from crates/ethos-pdf; dependency manifest activation and PDFium boundary confirmation must remain current"
+      ]
+    },
+    "packet_package_version": {
+      "enum": [
+        "ethos-doc-core has no selected package publication version",
+        "ethos-verify has no selected package publication version",
+        "ethos-pdf has no selected package publication version"
+      ]
+    },
+    "packet_explicit_exclusion": {
+      "enum": [
+        "wheels",
+        "npm packages",
+        "binaries",
+        "hosted surfaces",
+        "production positioning",
+        "public benchmark reports",
+        "public benchmark claims",
+        "release artifacts",
+        "project-maintained PDFium builds"
+      ]
+    },
+    "packet_required_before_approval": {
+      "enum": [
+        "exact package publication approval decision record",
+        "exact candidate crate list",
+        "exact SemVer package version or per-crate version map",
+        "exact package tag name and package_tag_source_commit",
+        "exact package-name migration diff for ethos-doc-core",
+        "exact dependency manifest activation diff for ethos-verify and ethos-pdf",
+        "exact registry-backed dependent package assembly evidence",
+        "posture and claims gates after exact public installation wording changes"
+      ]
+    },
+    "packet_non_approval": {
+      "enum": [
+        "this packet does not select a package publication version",
+        "this packet does not create a package tag",
+        "this packet does not change Cargo manifests",
+        "this packet does not activate package dependency manifests",
+        "this packet does not create a registry",
+        "this packet does not activate registry-backed dependent package assembly",
+        "this packet does not invite public installation",
+        "this packet does not approve package publication"
+      ]
+    },
+    "packet_retained_blocker": {
+      "enum": [
+        "no package publication version is selected",
+        "no package tag is created",
+        "no package dependency manifest activation is approved",
+        "no registry-backed dependent package assembly activation is approved",
+        "public installation remains blocked",
+        "package publication remains blocked",
+        "real-version cargo publish remains blocked"
+      ]
+    },
     "in_tree_reconciliation": {
       "enum": [
         "ethos-doc-core maps to the in-tree ethos-core crate before any future publish prep can advance",