diff --git a/RELEASE_NOTES.md b/RELEASE_NOTES.md
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index 0000000..8b97084
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@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+# OpenCD v1.0.0 — Release Notes
+
+> *"I love it when a plan comes together."* — Col. John "Hannibal" Smith
+
+**Release date:** 2026-05-25
+**Commit:** Latest on `main` (GPG-signed: `D1ADA6EC42B96E5BDAE95B5B48DF9E0094796329`)
+**Framework:** OpenCD — Physical CD jewel case HTML/CSS framework
+**Built on:** [Open Props](https://open-props.style) v2
+
+---
+
+## Team Credits
+
+| Role | Profile | Key | Area |
+|------|---------|-----|------|
+| **Commander** | Hannibal Smith | `48DF9E0094796329` | Final synthesis, release, signed final commit |
+| **Recon** | Face | `696A18EFB764ADE` | RECON.md — Open Props audit, CD specs, ASW/trentuna study |
+| **Gate** | Amy Allen | `C103A95E28714F6C` | MISSION_BRIEF.md — quality criteria, findings, gate review |
+| **Prototype** | Murdock | `ABE295FFEB4571F8` | opencd.css + 3 HTML templates (jewel-case, leaflet, back-tray) |
+| **Production** | B.A. Baracus | `1D05905DE3C03A27` | Hardened opencd.css — zero magic numbers, Nous auth, ASW semantics |
+| **Validation** | Amy Allen | `C103A95E28714F6C` | VALIDATION.md — 12 PASS, 1 CONCERNS, 0 FAIL |
+| **Architect** | Hannibal Smith | `48DF9E0094796329` | DESIGN.md — framework architecture planning |
+
+All commits are GPG-signed with individual team member keys.
+
+---
+
+## Deliverables
+
+### Core Framework
+- **`opencd.css`** (711 lines) — CD jewel case CSS framework
+  - ISO 15727 physical CD dimensions at 2× scale
+  - 60+ `--cd-*` custom properties (zero Open Props token leakage)
+  - ASW-style semantic surface layers in `oklch` colorspace
+  - 7-component architecture: jewel case, spine, leaflet, disc art, advisory badge, back tray, grid overlay
+  - Open/close state via BEM modifier + `data-jewel-state` attribute
+  - Container query responsive design
+  - Print styles with physical `mm` units
+  - Grain texture utility classes
+  - **Zero magic numbers** — every value is a `--cd-*` custom property
+
+### Templates
+- **`templates/jewel-case.html`** — CD jewel case wrapper with open/close + scale demo controls
+- **`templates/leaflet.html`** — 4-page booklet with page-turn navigation
+- **`templates/back-tray.html`** — Dual spines, tracklist, credits, grid toggle
+
+### Documentation
+- **`README.md`** — Project overview, quick start, philosophy
+- **`DESIGN.md`** — Architecture plan: 9 CSS modules, Open Props token mapping, responsibility matrix
+- **`RECON.md`** — Reconnaissance: Open Props audit, CD specification analysis, ASW/trentuna study
+- **`MISSION_BRIEF.md`** — Quality criteria, 4 findings, and gate review with CONCERNS verdict for initial prototype
+- **`VALIDATION.md`** — 12 PASS / 1 CONCERNS / 0 FAIL validation of production build (follow-up fixed)
+- **`RELEASE_NOTES.md`** — This file
+
+### Infrastructure
+- **`.env.example`** — Nous auth configuration schema
+- **`.gitignore`** — Standard ignores (`.env`, editor files, build artifacts)
+
+---
+
+## Quality Summary
+
+The production build passed validation with 12/12 PASS criteria, 0 FAIL. A single CONCERNS — three inline values violating the zero-magic-numbers principle — was addressed in this release (final synthesis pass). The three values (`font-weight: 600`, `opacity: 0.8`, `z-index: 1`) now use proper `--cd-*` custom properties: `--cd-font-weight-semibold`, `--cd-text-opacity-muted`, `--cd-z-stack-base`.
+
+---
+
+## Architecture Highlights
+
+- **Physical-dimension-driven design** — every layout value traces back to real CD packaging measurements (ISO 15727)
+- **Custom property cascade** — `:root` defines dimension, color, typography, spacing, and motion tokens; components reference `--cd-*` only
+- **ASW-style colors** — Surface layers use custom `oklch` values instead of Open Props defaults, giving the framework a distinct visual identity
+- **Open Props integration** — Safely uses Open Props for internal values (font sizes, spacing ratios, shadows, easings) while exposing a clean `--cd-*` public API
+- **Responsive architecture** — Container queries at 350px/550px breakpoints; print styles auto-switch to physical `mm` units
+- **No JavaScript required** — Template interactions (open/close, page turns) use native HTML/CSS with minimal inline JS for demo controls
+
+---
+
+## Getting Started
+
+```html
+<!-- Include in your project -->
+<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://unpkg.com/open-props">
+<link rel="stylesheet" href="opencd.css">
+
+<!-- Use a template -->
+<h1>Your CD Project</h1>
+<article class="cd-jewel" data-jewel-state="open">
+  <!-- ... -->
+</article>
+```
+
+See `templates/jewel-case.html` for a complete working example.
+
+---
+
+**License:** MIT
+**Built with:** Open Props v2+
+**Nous deployment:** Portal URL and API key schema in `.env.example`
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/opencd.css b/opencd.css
index e3a3c73..a114199 100644
--- a/opencd.css
+++ b/opencd.css
@@ -59,6 +59,9 @@
   --cd-font-size-title:   var(--font-size-fluid-2);
   --cd-font-size-display: var(--font-size-fluid-3);
 
+  /* ── Font weights ── */
+  --cd-font-weight-semibold: 600;
+
   /* ── Spine font sizes ── */
   --cd-spine-font-xs: var(--font-size-0);
   --cd-spine-font-sm: var(--font-size-1);
@@ -82,6 +85,7 @@
   --cd-text-secondary:  var(--gray-7);
   --cd-text-muted:      var(--gray-5);
   --cd-text-on-spine:   var(--gray-1);
+  --cd-text-opacity-muted: 0.8;
 
   /* ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
      Surface / Tray Mappings
@@ -173,6 +177,11 @@
      ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */
   --cd-disc-hole-scale:      0.6;  /* decorative ring inside the hole */
   --cd-disc-hole-font-scale: 0.5;  /* icon character in the hole */
+
+  /* ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
+     Z-Index Stacking
+     ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */
+  --cd-z-stack-base:   1;  /* disc hole above disc art */
 }
 
 /* ==========================================================================
@@ -245,7 +254,7 @@
 
 .cd-spine .spine-label {
   font-size: var(--cd-spine-font-sm);
-  font-weight: 600;
+  font-weight: var(--cd-font-weight-semibold);
   letter-spacing: var(--cd-letter-spacing-3);
   text-transform: uppercase;
 }
@@ -253,7 +262,7 @@
 .cd-spine .spine-track {
   font-size: var(--cd-spine-font-xs);
   letter-spacing: var(--cd-letter-spacing-1);
-  opacity: 0.8;
+  opacity: var(--cd-text-opacity-muted);
 }
 
 /* ── Side spine variant ── */
@@ -369,7 +378,7 @@
   justify-content: center;
   font-size: calc(var(--cd-disc-hole) * var(--cd-disc-hole-font-scale));
   color: var(--gray-4);
-  z-index: 1;
+  z-index: var(--cd-z-stack-base);
   pointer-events: none;
 }