diff --git a/site/src/pages/index.astro b/site/src/pages/index.astro
index 6a581f7d..f536c404 100644
--- a/site/src/pages/index.astro
+++ b/site/src/pages/index.astro
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 ---
 /** Public splash. Claims are governed by wiki/interface/site.md. */
+import '../styles/tokens.css';
+
 const baseRaw = import.meta.env.BASE_URL || '/';
 const base = baseRaw.endsWith('/') ? baseRaw : `${baseRaw}/`;
 const path = (p = '') => `${base}${String(p).replace(/^\//, '')}`;
@@ -40,31 +42,23 @@ const mechanics = [
     />
     <style is:global>
       :root {
-        --black: #050607;
-        --ink: #0b0b0c;
-        --line: #292a2d;
-        --bone: #dbdad2;
-        --white: #f4f4f2;
-        --metal: #989891;
-        --quiet: #777872;
-        --amber: #ffb000;
         --sans: 'IBM Plex Sans', 'Segoe UI', sans-serif;
         --mono: 'IBM Plex Mono', 'SF Mono', Menlo, Consolas, monospace;
       }
 
       *, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; }
-      html { color-scheme: dark; scroll-behavior: smooth; background: var(--black); }
+      html { color-scheme: dark; scroll-behavior: smooth; background: var(--mis-bg); }
       body {
         margin: 0;
-        color: var(--bone);
-        background: var(--black);
+        color: var(--mis-bone);
+        background: var(--mis-bg);
         font-family: var(--sans);
         line-height: 1.5;
         overflow-x: hidden;
       }
       a { color: inherit; }
-      a:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid var(--amber); outline-offset: 4px; }
-      ::selection { color: var(--ink); background: var(--amber); }
+      a:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid var(--mis-amber); outline-offset: 4px; }
+      ::selection { color: var(--mis-ink); background: var(--mis-amber); }
       .mono {
         font-family: var(--mono);
         font-size: .72rem;
@@ -78,8 +72,8 @@ const mechanics = [
         min-height: 100svh;
         overflow: hidden;
         isolation: isolate;
-        background: var(--black);
-        border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line);
+        background: var(--mis-bg);
+        border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mis-line);
       }
       .hero-art {
         position: absolute;
@@ -98,8 +92,8 @@ const mechanics = [
         z-index: 1;
         pointer-events: none;
         background:
-          linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(5,6,7,.62), transparent 26%, transparent 56%, rgba(5,6,7,.92)),
-          linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(5,6,7,.74), transparent 36%, transparent 82%, rgba(5,6,7,.28));
+          linear-gradient(180deg, color-mix(in srgb, var(--mis-bg) 62%, transparent), transparent 26%, transparent 56%, color-mix(in srgb, var(--mis-bg) 92%, transparent)),
+          linear-gradient(90deg, color-mix(in srgb, var(--mis-bg) 74%, transparent), transparent 36%, transparent 82%, color-mix(in srgb, var(--mis-bg) 28%, transparent));
       }
       @keyframes expose {
         from { clip-path: inset(0 0 100% 0); filter: brightness(2.6) saturate(0); }
@@ -113,8 +107,8 @@ const mechanics = [
         justify-content: flex-end;
         gap: 1.6rem;
       }
-      .nav a { color: var(--bone); text-decoration: none; }
-      .nav a:hover { color: var(--white); }
+      .nav a { color: var(--mis-bone); text-decoration: none; }
+      .nav a:hover { color: var(--mis-bone-bright); }
       .hero-copy {
         position: absolute;
         z-index: 3;
@@ -124,7 +118,7 @@ const mechanics = [
       }
       h1 {
         margin: 0;
-        color: var(--white);
+        color: var(--mis-bone-bright);
         font-family: var(--mono);
         font-size: clamp(4rem, 12vw, 12rem);
         font-weight: 500;
@@ -137,7 +131,7 @@ const mechanics = [
         margin: clamp(1.5rem, 4vh, 3rem) 0 0;
         padding: 0;
         list-style: none;
-        color: var(--white);
+        color: var(--mis-bone-bright);
         font-family: var(--mono);
         font-size: clamp(1rem, 2.1vw, 2.25rem);
         letter-spacing: .12em;
@@ -145,23 +139,23 @@ const mechanics = [
       .hero-verbs li:not(:last-child)::after {
         content: '/';
         margin-left: clamp(1.2rem, 4vw, 4rem);
-        color: var(--quiet);
+        color: var(--mis-chrome);
       }
 
-      main { background: var(--black); }
-      .modes { border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); }
+      main { background: var(--mis-bg); }
+      .modes { border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mis-line); }
       .mode {
         display: grid;
         grid-template-columns: minmax(11rem, .8fr) 1.2fr;
         align-items: baseline;
         gap: 3rem;
         padding-block: clamp(2.5rem, 5vw, 5rem);
-        border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line);
+        border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mis-line);
       }
       .mode:last-child { border-bottom: 0; }
       .mode h2 {
         margin: 0;
-        color: var(--white);
+        color: var(--mis-bone-bright);
         font-family: var(--mono);
         font-size: clamp(3rem, 8vw, 8rem);
         font-weight: 500;
@@ -170,37 +164,37 @@ const mechanics = [
       }
       .mode p {
         margin: 0;
-        color: var(--metal);
+        color: var(--mis-gunmetal);
         font-size: clamp(1.2rem, 2.4vw, 2rem);
       }
 
       .mechanics {
         padding-block: clamp(6rem, 12vw, 12rem);
-        border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line);
+        border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mis-line);
       }
-      .section-label { margin: 0 0 3rem; color: var(--quiet); }
+      .section-label { margin: 0 0 3rem; color: var(--mis-chrome); }
       .mechanic-list { margin: 0; padding: 0; list-style: none; }
       .mechanic-list li {
         display: grid;
         grid-template-columns: minmax(10rem, .7fr) 1.3fr;
         gap: 3rem;
         padding-block: 1.4rem;
-        border-top: 1px solid var(--line);
+        border-top: 1px solid var(--mis-line);
       }
-      .mechanic-list li:last-child { border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); }
+      .mechanic-list li:last-child { border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mis-line); }
       .mechanic-list strong {
-        color: var(--white);
+        color: var(--mis-bone-bright);
         font-family: var(--mono);
         font-weight: 500;
         letter-spacing: .1em;
       }
-      .mechanic-list span { color: var(--metal); }
+      .mechanic-list span { color: var(--mis-gunmetal); }
 
       .players {
         display: grid;
         grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
         min-height: 70svh;
-        border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line);
+        border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mis-line);
       }
       .player {
         display: flex;
@@ -209,36 +203,36 @@ const mechanics = [
         gap: 5rem;
         padding: clamp(2rem, 5vw, 5rem);
       }
-      .player + .player { border-left: 1px solid var(--line); }
+      .player + .player { border-left: 1px solid var(--mis-line); }
       .player h2 {
         margin: 0;
-        color: var(--white);
+        color: var(--mis-bone-bright);
         font-size: clamp(3.5rem, 8vw, 8rem);
         font-weight: 500;
         letter-spacing: -.065em;
         line-height: .86;
       }
-      .player p { max-width: 30rem; margin: 0; color: var(--metal); font-size: 1.15rem; }
-      .player-agent .section-label { color: var(--amber); }
+      .player p { max-width: 30rem; margin: 0; color: var(--mis-gunmetal); font-size: 1.15rem; }
+      .player-agent .section-label { color: var(--mis-amber); }
       .links { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 1.5rem; margin-top: 2rem; }
       .text-link {
-        color: var(--bone);
+        color: var(--mis-bone);
         text-decoration: none;
-        border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line);
+        border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mis-line);
         padding-bottom: .35rem;
       }
-      .text-link:hover { color: var(--amber); border-color: var(--amber); }
+      .text-link:hover { color: var(--mis-amber); border-color: var(--mis-amber); }
 
       footer {
         display: flex;
         justify-content: space-between;
         gap: 2rem;
         padding-block: 2rem 2.5rem;
-        color: var(--quiet);
+        color: var(--mis-chrome);
       }
       footer div { display: flex; gap: 1.5rem; }
-      footer a { color: var(--metal); text-decoration: none; }
-      footer a:hover { color: var(--white); }
+      footer a { color: var(--mis-gunmetal); text-decoration: none; }
+      footer a:hover { color: var(--mis-bone-bright); }
 
       @media (max-width: 720px) {
         .wrap { width: min(100% - 2rem, 1200px); }
@@ -250,7 +244,7 @@ const mechanics = [
         .mode, .mechanic-list li { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: .8rem; }
         .players { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
         .player { min-height: 58svh; }
-        .player + .player { border-left: 0; border-top: 1px solid var(--line); }
+        .player + .player { border-left: 0; border-top: 1px solid var(--mis-line); }
         footer { flex-direction: column; }
       }
 
diff --git a/site/src/styles/clinical-gore.css b/site/src/styles/clinical-gore.css
index 52e7464c..f49f12b5 100644
--- a/site/src/styles/clinical-gore.css
+++ b/site/src/styles/clinical-gore.css
@@ -16,25 +16,10 @@
  *     selection render porcelain-on-ink swapped to ink-on-porcelain.
  */
 
+@import './tokens.css';
+
 :root,
 ::backdrop {
-  /* Palette — identical tokens to the splash page. */
-  --mis-bg: #070809;
-  --mis-bg-2: #0c0d0f;
-  --mis-line: #1c1e21;
-  --mis-line-bright: #2a2c30;
-  --mis-bone: #dbdad2;
-  --mis-bone-bright: #f2f1ec;
-  --mis-gunmetal: #8c8c85;
-  --mis-chrome: #55564f;
-  --mis-porcelain: #f4f4f5;
-  --mis-ink: #0b0b0c;
-  --mis-amber: #ffb000;
-  --mis-amber-high: #ffd56a;
-  --mis-amber-dim: #b07c10;
-  --mis-crimson: #d62626;
-  --mis-crimson-dim: #8c2222;
-
   --sl-color-accent-low: #3a2a00;
   --sl-color-accent: var(--mis-amber);
   --sl-color-accent-high: var(--mis-amber-high);
diff --git a/site/src/styles/tokens.css b/site/src/styles/tokens.css
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..693df26e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/site/src/styles/tokens.css
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+/*
+ * Shared public-site palette authority.
+ *
+ * The splash and Starlight theme both consume these exact tokens. Keep color
+ * values here rather than recreating near-matches on either rendered surface.
+ */
+
+:root,
+::backdrop {
+  --mis-bg: #070809;
+  --mis-bg-2: #0c0d0f;
+  --mis-line: #1c1e21;
+  --mis-line-bright: #2a2c30;
+  --mis-bone: #dbdad2;
+  --mis-bone-bright: #f2f1ec;
+  --mis-gunmetal: #8c8c85;
+  --mis-chrome: #55564f;
+  --mis-porcelain: #f4f4f5;
+  --mis-ink: #0b0b0c;
+  --mis-amber: #ffb000;
+  --mis-amber-high: #ffd56a;
+  --mis-amber-dim: #b07c10;
+  --mis-crimson: #d62626;
+  --mis-crimson-dim: #8c2222;
+}
diff --git a/tools/check.sh b/tools/check.sh
index 32e6b380..833a6c14 100755
--- a/tools/check.sh
+++ b/tools/check.sh
@@ -175,7 +175,8 @@ for script in tools/check.sh tools/corpus_gate.sh tools/wiki_gate.sh tools/desig
 done
 for program in tools/corpus_engine.py tools/work_orders.py tools/project-status.py \
   tools/scenario.py tools/tangled_issues.py tools/test_tangled_issues.py \
-  tools/test_project_ops.py tools/test_ci_workflows.py; do
+  tools/test_project_ops.py tools/test_ci_workflows.py \
+  tools/test_site_visual_contract.py; do
   [ -f "$program" ] || continue
   python3 -m py_compile "$program" 2>/dev/null || {
     echo "FAIL: Python syntax: $program"
@@ -230,6 +231,7 @@ start_docs_gate "bevy-headless-fixtures" "bash tools/test_bevy_headless.sh"
 start_docs_gate "ci-workflow-fixtures" "python3 tools/test_ci_workflows.py"
 start_docs_gate "site-deploy-fixtures" "bash tools/test_site_deploy.sh"
 start_docs_gate "site-smoke-fixtures" "bash tools/test_site_smoke.sh"
+start_docs_gate "site-visual-contract" "python3 tools/test_site_visual_contract.py"
 start_docs_gate "observed-run-fixtures" "bash tools/test_observed_run.sh"
 start_docs_gate "ledger-index" "bash tools/ledger_index.sh --check"
 start_docs_gate "project-operations" "python3 tools/work_orders.py check && python3 tools/scenario.py --check-definitions && python3 tools/project-status.py --check --offline"
diff --git a/tools/test_site_visual_contract.py b/tools/test_site_visual_contract.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d29a38ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/test_site_visual_contract.py
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Source-shape defense for the splash/docs palette authority."""
+
+from pathlib import Path
+import re
+import sys
+
+
+ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
+TOKENS = ROOT / "site/src/styles/tokens.css"
+SPLASH = ROOT / "site/src/pages/index.astro"
+DOCS_THEME = ROOT / "site/src/styles/clinical-gore.css"
+
+EXPECTED = {
+    "--mis-bg": "#070809",
+    "--mis-bg-2": "#0c0d0f",
+    "--mis-line": "#1c1e21",
+    "--mis-line-bright": "#2a2c30",
+    "--mis-bone": "#dbdad2",
+    "--mis-bone-bright": "#f2f1ec",
+    "--mis-gunmetal": "#8c8c85",
+    "--mis-chrome": "#55564f",
+    "--mis-porcelain": "#f4f4f5",
+    "--mis-ink": "#0b0b0c",
+    "--mis-amber": "#ffb000",
+    "--mis-amber-high": "#ffd56a",
+    "--mis-amber-dim": "#b07c10",
+    "--mis-crimson": "#d62626",
+    "--mis-crimson-dim": "#8c2222",
+}
+
+
+def fail(message: str) -> None:
+    print(f"FAIL: {message}", file=sys.stderr)
+    raise SystemExit(1)
+
+
+tokens = TOKENS.read_text()
+splash = SPLASH.read_text()
+docs_theme = DOCS_THEME.read_text()
+
+declared = dict(
+    re.findall(r"^\s*(--mis-[a-z0-9-]+):\s*(#[0-9a-f]{6});\s*$", tokens, re.M)
+)
+if declared != EXPECTED:
+    fail("site/src/styles/tokens.css does not contain the exact binding palette")
+
+if "import '../styles/tokens.css';" not in splash:
+    fail("the splash does not import the shared palette authority")
+if "@import './tokens.css';" not in docs_theme:
+    fail("the Starlight theme does not import the shared palette authority")
+
+for name, text in (("splash", splash), ("Starlight theme", docs_theme)):
+    duplicate = re.search(r"^\s*--mis-[a-z0-9-]+\s*:", text, re.M)
+    if duplicate:
+        fail(f"the {name} redeclares {duplicate.group(0).strip()} outside tokens.css")
+
+if re.search(r"#[0-9a-fA-F]{3,8}\b", splash):
+    fail("the splash contains a private hex color instead of a shared --mis-* token")
+if re.search(r"rgba?\(\s*\d", splash):
+    fail("the splash contains a private numeric rgb color instead of a shared --mis-* token")
+
+for token in (
+    "--mis-bg",
+    "--mis-line",
+    "--mis-bone",
+    "--mis-bone-bright",
+    "--mis-gunmetal",
+    "--mis-chrome",
+    "--mis-ink",
+    "--mis-amber",
+):
+    if f"var({token})" not in splash:
+        fail(f"the splash no longer consumes required shared token {token}")
+
+print("site visual contract: OK (one shared splash/docs palette)")
diff --git a/wiki/interface/site.md b/wiki/interface/site.md
index c919dbd0..595618ee 100644
--- a/wiki/interface/site.md
+++ b/wiki/interface/site.md
@@ -28,7 +28,11 @@ Status note: docs theme implemented 2026-07-08 (site/src/styles/
   machine geometry, not for every public illustration. On 2026-07-11 the
   production splash began carrying its exact source commit as machine-readable
   metadata so public freshness is observable rather than inferred from deploy
-  success.
+  success. A 2026-07-27 audit found that the splash had privately drifted to
+  near-match black, line, white, metal, and quiet values while this contract
+  still promised one exact palette across both surfaces. The palette now has
+  one shared token source imported by the splash and Starlight theme, and the
+  docs gate rejects private splash colors or downstream token redeclarations.
 Stage: Process
 Design:
   - wiki/art/visual-identity.md#visual-identity-clinical-gore
@@ -140,6 +144,8 @@ computer and its WORK / THINK / LIE signal before overt consequence.
 
 ## Where it is implemented
 
+- `site/src/styles/tokens.css` — the one exact palette authority imported by
+  both rendered surfaces.
 - `site/src/styles/clinical-gore.css` — the docs theme; the rules above
   as Starlight token overrides plus component styling (header, sidebar,
   content, role banners, tables, asides, TOC, pagination, search).
diff --git a/wiki/log/2026-07-27-site-palette-authority.md b/wiki/log/2026-07-27-site-palette-authority.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..031d2db0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wiki/log/2026-07-27-site-palette-authority.md
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+# 2026-07-27 — The splash and corpus share one palette authority
+
+```
+Type: log
+```
+
+- **Intent:** first full tick audit of `wiki/interface/site.md` against the
+  current splash, Starlight theme, build, deploy, and edge-proof paths.
+- **Finding:** the binding visual law promised exact shared palette values,
+  but `index.astro` carried private near-matches for the background, hairline,
+  bright text, gunmetal, and quiet chrome. The two public surfaces could drift
+  while each still looked approximately correct in isolation.
+- **Changed:** moved every binding `--mis-*` value into
+  `site/src/styles/tokens.css`; both the splash and docs theme import that one
+  authority. The splash now consumes those semantic tokens directly, including
+  its black copy-protection scrims. A cheap source-shape test pins the exact
+  palette, both imports, absence of downstream redeclarations, and absence of
+  private splash hex/RGB colors.
+- **Defense:** `site.md` acceptance criterion 1 requires the splash and corpus
+  to read as one game, and its palette clause says their values are exact and
+  shared. Approximate duplication is two authorities. One imported token file
+  makes the promise structural rather than editorial.
+- **Surplus finding queued:** `site/README.md` still describes a pitch and
+  primary CTA on the splash even though the adopted front deliberately removed
+  both; that separate knowledge contradiction remains for a later tick.
+- **Checks:** `python3 tools/test_site_visual_contract.py`; local-root Astro
+  build with the repository-pinned pnpm 10.20.0 dependency graph; exact final
+  1280x720 splash and Starlight site-spec frames opened after the build. The
+  splash retained the selected amber/crimson data-hall front, legible title,
+  and restrained mode words; the corpus retained its black/porcelain hierarchy
+  and readable navigation with no competing near-black surface.
diff --git a/wiki/log/DEVLOG.md b/wiki/log/DEVLOG.md
index 878b0204..4a9b44ec 100644
--- a/wiki/log/DEVLOG.md
+++ b/wiki/log/DEVLOG.md
@@ -36,6 +36,11 @@ add or amend a session log, then re-run the generator.
 - Intent: (see session log)
 - Log: [wiki/log/2026-07-27-tangled-cli-path.md](2026-07-27-tangled-cli-path.md)
 
+## 2026-07-27 - The splash and corpus share one palette authority
+
+- Intent: (see session log)
+- Log: [wiki/log/2026-07-27-site-palette-authority.md](2026-07-27-site-palette-authority.md)
+
 ## 2026-07-27 - Sim advance audit: the phase trace follows the living orchestrator
 
 - Intent: Re-audit the implemented simulation decomposition against the current aggregate root, module topology, persistence characterization, and exact `Sim::advance` order. Independently re-check sensor-network criterion 1's badge-reader telemetry boundary as the second coverage slice...
diff --git a/wiki/process/tick-ledger.md b/wiki/process/tick-ledger.md
index 99f26b15..e8a35e17 100644
--- a/wiki/process/tick-ledger.md
+++ b/wiki/process/tick-ledger.md
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ Verdicts: **clean** (slice and code agree), **finding** (acted this tick),
 
 | Slice | Last audited | Verdict | Trace |
 |---|---|---|---|
+| `wiki/interface/site.md` + splash/docs palette authority | 2026-07-27 | finding | first full audit found the binding exact shared palette had split into the Starlight `--mis-*` table and private near-match splash values for background, hairline, bright text, metal, and quiet chrome. Both surfaces now import one token authority, the splash consumes only semantic shared colors, and a docs-gate defense rejects private splash hex/RGB or downstream `--mis-*` redeclarations — [log](../log/2026-07-27-site-palette-authority.md) |
 | `wiki/interface/terminal-first.md` temporal visibility | 2026-07-27 | finding | first audit against the persisted earned-perception opening found the law still required day and tick “always,” while the binding opening, terminal spec, agent protocol, production render boundary, and tests deliberately expose only available mode words plus one terse input echo before the first sense. The law now scopes its clock promise to the perceived world and explicitly restores it on the sense-earning input; runtime was already correct — [log](../log/2026-07-27-terminal-first-opening-clock-boundary.md) |
 | `wiki/world/story/opening.md` + pre-sense status mirrors | 2026-07-27 | finding | the issue-#15 boot-voice implementation was superseded after Cameron saw the composed frame: Fire #33 removed `Sim::opening_interoception` and the standing SENSES / DELEGATION / THOUGHT / EARS block, leaving WORK / THINK (then LIE) plus one frontend-local input echo as the complete pre-sense surface. The opening, narration, DIGITAL, terminal, Bevy, agent, witness, objective, roadmap, and corpus-defense mirrors already carried that correction; this follow-up repairs the coverage row that still described the rejected implementation — [runtime correction](../log/2026-07-27-blind-opening-choice-and-receipt.md), [ledger reconciliation](../log/2026-07-27-opening-ledger-status-reconciliation.md). Issues #14/#15 remain open only because authenticated `tg` closure cannot unlock the login keyring. |
 | `wiki/process/tick.md` + issue automation | 2026-07-27 | finding | the queued retired-client violation held across binding procedure, both skill mirrors, four active prompt templates, tick intake, project status, and doctor. `tools/tangled_issues.py` now keeps repository discovery and authenticated issue writes on canonical Go `tg`, reconstructs deterministic display numbers from public issue records, folds public label-op history, and provides fail-closed structured list/view/create/edit/comment/close/label operations. A same-day live harvest exposed one wrong record assumption: comments are cross-account `sh.tangled.feed.comment` records linked through `subject.uri`, not issue-local child records. The repaired helper follows that backlink into the author's PDS and returns the markup text; a fixture pins the exact shape, and live issue #15 now returns Cameron's choice `1` — [migration and repair log](../log/2026-07-27-tangled-issue-client-migration.md) |
@@ -100,3 +101,5 @@ Format: `- YYYY-MM-DD · type · slice · one-line statement of the finding`.
 Types are the five from [tick.md](tick.md): violation, contradiction,
 question, bug, insecurity — plus `gate` for a checker owed to the
 recurrence-promotes-to-the-gate rule.
+
+- 2026-07-27 · contradiction · `site/README.md` splash description · current knowledge still promises a pitch and primary CTA after the adopted public front deliberately removed both.