stricter topdata validation (#24)

makes topdata json validation much stricter, currently still too permissive

Reviewed-on: #24
Reviewed-by: xtul <mpiasecki720@protonmail.com>
Co-authored-by: vickydotbat <vickydotbat@tutamail.com>
Co-committed-by: vickydotbat <vickydotbat@tutamail.com>

docs/superpowers/plans/2026-06-25-topdata-json-validation.md

@@ -0,0 +1,858 @@
+# Topdata JSON Validation Tightening Implementation Plan
+
+> **For agentic workers:** REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use
+> `superpowers:subagent-driven-development` (recommended) or
+> `superpowers:executing-plans` to implement this plan task-by-task. Steps use
+> checkbox (`- [ ]`) syntax for tracking.
+
+**Goal:** Reject unsupported properties in established canonical topdata JSON
+containers, add the non-empty `any_present` global-injection condition, and keep
+standalone validation and direct native builds fail-closed and consistent.
+
+**Architecture:** Add one focused `internal/topdata/json_contract.go` unit that
+owns deterministic closed-key checks plus parsing and evaluation of global
+injection condition groups. Existing validation in `topdata.go` uses that unit
+to collect actionable diagnostics, while `native.go` uses the same parsed
+conditions during ordered injection evaluation. Dataset payload rows continue
+through the existing column-aware canonicalization paths and are not assigned a
+global schema.
+
+**Tech Stack:** Go 1.26, standard-library `encoding/json`, Go tests, Nix flakes,
+Make, authored JSON in the sibling `sow-topdata` checkout.
+
+## Global Constraints
+
+- Work on a fresh non-`main` branch and open all changes as a pull request.
+- Never commit or push secrets, `.sops` data, generated binaries, `.cache/`,
+  `generated/`, HAK/TLK artifacts, or result symlinks.
+- Add no JSON Schema framework and no new validation dependency.
+- Close only the canonical base/plain rows root, canonical module root,
+  `global.json` root, global injection, global condition, global default rule,
+  global default match object, and global default format object.
+- Preserve specialized parser-owned JSON dialects outside those canonical
+  containers.
+- Preserve dataset-specific columns and documented row controls inside `rows`,
+  `entries`, `overrides`, injection `row`, and default `values`.
+- Preserve current-row, ordered-injection behavior: an earlier injection may
+  satisfy or block a later injection.
+- Preserve empty-list behavior for `require_present` and `unless_present`;
+  reject an empty `any_present`.
+- Do not add a compatibility alias for `when_present`.
+- Use deterministic property ordering in diagnostics.
+- Inventory evidence requires `compare_reference` to remain valid on
+  base/plain rows roots: `internal/topdata/native.go` reads it,
+  `internal/topdata/feat_migrate.go` emits it, and existing tests exercise it.
+  This is an established canonical property covered by the design's moderate
+  strictness rule even though the initial property table omitted it.
+- The active `sow-topdata` branch
+  `fix-always-present-metamagic` already replaces the known `when_present` with
+  `require_present` in commit `ed139f5`; preserve that change and use the
+  checkout for integration validation rather than duplicating or rewriting it.
+
+---
+
+### Task 1: Introduce the shared closed-object and condition contract
+
+**Files:**
+
+- Create: `internal/topdata/json_contract.go`
+- Create: `internal/topdata/json_contract_test.go`
+
+**Interfaces:**
+
+- Produces:
+
+  ```go
+  type globalCondition struct {
+      Field string
+      ID    string
+  }
+
+  type globalConditionGroups struct {
+      RequirePresent []globalCondition
+      AnyPresent     []globalCondition
+      UnlessPresent  []globalCondition
+  }
+
+  func unsupportedObjectKeys(obj map[string]any, supported ...string) []string
+  func unsupportedObjectKeysError(label string, obj map[string]any, supported ...string) error
+  func parseGlobalConditionGroups(injection map[string]any) (globalConditionGroups, error)
+  func globalConditionGroupsMatch(groups globalConditionGroups, rows []map[string]any) bool
+  ```
+
+- `unsupportedObjectKeys` returns unknown keys in lexical order.
+- `parseGlobalConditionGroups` accepts absent groups, permits empty
+  `require_present` and `unless_present`, rejects empty `any_present`, validates
+  condition keys as exactly `field` and `id`, and returns the first deterministic
+  error.
+- `globalConditionGroupsMatch` implements all/any/none semantics without
+  reparsing JSON.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Create the feature branch after checking it was not previously
+      merged and deleted**
+
+  ```bash
+  git fetch origin
+  git branch --show-current
+  git ls-remote --heads origin feat/topdata-json-validation
+  git log --all --oneline --decorate --grep='topdata json validation'
+  ```
+
+  Expected: current branch is not `main`. If
+  `feat/topdata-json-validation` has never been used, create it from the approved
+  design commit:
+
+  ```bash
+  git switch -c feat/topdata-json-validation
+  ```
+
+  If that exact branch name has prior remote history, choose a new descriptive
+  name and record it in the PR; do not reuse the old branch.
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Re-run the canonical-format inventory before writing the
+      allowlists**
+
+  ```bash
+  for f in $(find ../sow-topdata/data -type f -name 'base.json' | sort); do
+    jq -r --arg f "${f#../sow-topdata/}" \
+      '[$f, (keys | sort | join(","))] | @tsv' "$f"
+  done
+
+  for f in $(find ../sow-topdata/data -type f -name 'global.json' | sort); do
+    jq -r --arg f "${f#../sow-topdata/}" \
+      '[$f, (keys | sort | join(","))] | @tsv' "$f"
+  done
+
+  find ../sow-topdata/data -type f -path '*/modules/*.json' -print0 |
+    while IFS= read -r -d '' f; do
+      jq -r --arg f "${f#../sow-topdata/}" \
+        '[$f, (keys | sort | join(","))] | @tsv' "$f"
+    done | sort
+
+  rg -n 'compare_reference' internal/topdata ../sow-topdata/data
+  ```
+
+  Expected: active base roots use `columns`, `key`, `output`, and `rows`;
+  active modules use `columns`, `entries`, `overrides`, or the legitimate
+  `entries`+`overrides` combination; active globals use the approved global
+  keys. `sow-tools` additionally confirms established `compare_reference`
+  support.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Write failing unit tests for deterministic unsupported-key
+      diagnostics**
+
+  Add table-driven tests equivalent to:
+
+  ```go
+  func TestUnsupportedObjectKeysAreSorted(t *testing.T) {
+      obj := map[string]any{
+          "row":          map[string]any{},
+          "when_present": []any{},
+          "aaa":          true,
+      }
+
+      got := unsupportedObjectKeys(
+          obj,
+          "row",
+          "require_present",
+          "any_present",
+          "unless_present",
+      )
+      want := []string{"aaa", "when_present"}
+      if !slices.Equal(got, want) {
+          t.Fatalf("unsupportedObjectKeys() = %v, want %v", got, want)
+      }
+  }
+
+  func TestUnsupportedObjectKeysErrorNamesObjectAndContract(t *testing.T) {
+      err := unsupportedObjectKeysError(
+          "global injection 10",
+          map[string]any{"row": map[string]any{}, "when_present": []any{}},
+          "row",
+          "require_present",
+          "any_present",
+          "unless_present",
+      )
+      if err == nil {
+          t.Fatal("expected unsupported-property error")
+      }
+      for _, want := range []string{
+          "global injection 10",
+          `"when_present"`,
+          "row",
+          "require_present",
+          "any_present",
+          "unless_present",
+      } {
+          if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+              t.Fatalf("error %q does not contain %q", err, want)
+          }
+      }
+  }
+  ```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Write failing parser tests for all condition-group contracts**
+
+  Cover these exact cases in `json_contract_test.go`:
+
+  ```go
+  tests := []struct {
+      name      string
+      injection map[string]any
+      want      globalConditionGroups
+      wantError string
+  }{
+      {
+          name: "all groups",
+          injection: map[string]any{
+              "require_present": []any{
+                  map[string]any{"field": "FeatIndex", "id": "feat:required"},
+              },
+              "any_present": []any{
+                  map[string]any{"field": "FeatIndex", "id": "feat:first"},
+                  map[string]any{"field": "FeatIndex", "id": "feat:second"},
+              },
+              "unless_present": []any{
+                  map[string]any{"field": "FeatIndex", "id": "feat:blocked"},
+              },
+          },
+          want: globalConditionGroups{
+              RequirePresent: []globalCondition{
+                  {Field: "FeatIndex", ID: "feat:required"},
+              },
+              AnyPresent: []globalCondition{
+                  {Field: "FeatIndex", ID: "feat:first"},
+                  {Field: "FeatIndex", ID: "feat:second"},
+              },
+              UnlessPresent: []globalCondition{
+                  {Field: "FeatIndex", ID: "feat:blocked"},
+              },
+          },
+      },
+      {
+          name: "empty existing groups remain valid",
+          injection: map[string]any{
+              "require_present": []any{},
+              "unless_present":  []any{},
+          },
+      },
+      {
+          name: "any present must be array",
+          injection: map[string]any{
+              "any_present": "feat:first",
+          },
+          wantError: "any_present must be an array",
+      },
+      {
+          name: "any present must not be empty",
+          injection: map[string]any{
+              "any_present": []any{},
+          },
+          wantError: "any_present must contain at least one condition",
+      },
+      {
+          name: "condition is closed",
+          injection: map[string]any{
+              "require_present": []any{
+                  map[string]any{
+                      "field": "FeatIndex",
+                      "id":    "feat:required",
+                      "typo":  true,
+                  },
+              },
+          },
+          wantError: `require_present[0] contains unsupported key "typo"`,
+      },
+      {
+          name: "field is required",
+          injection: map[string]any{
+              "require_present": []any{
+                  map[string]any{"id": "feat:required"},
+              },
+          },
+          wantError: "require_present[0].field is required",
+      },
+      {
+          name: "id is required",
+          injection: map[string]any{
+              "require_present": []any{
+                  map[string]any{"field": "FeatIndex"},
+              },
+          },
+          wantError: "require_present[0].id is required",
+      },
+  }
+  ```
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Write failing evaluator tests for all/any/none and group
+      conjunction**
+
+  Build rows with `FeatIndex` references for `feat:required`,
+  `feat:second`, and `feat:blocked`, then assert:
+
+  ```go
+  if !globalConditionGroupsMatch(globalConditionGroups{
+      RequirePresent: []globalCondition{
+          {Field: "FeatIndex", ID: "feat:required"},
+      },
+      AnyPresent: []globalCondition{
+          {Field: "FeatIndex", ID: "feat:first"},
+          {Field: "FeatIndex", ID: "feat:second"},
+      },
+  }, rowsWithoutBlocked) {
+      t.Fatal("expected required + later any_present alternative to match")
+  }
+
+  if globalConditionGroupsMatch(globalConditionGroups{
+      AnyPresent: []globalCondition{
+          {Field: "FeatIndex", ID: "feat:missing"},
+      },
+  }, rowsWithoutBlocked) {
+      t.Fatal("expected missing any_present alternatives to reject")
+  }
+
+  if globalConditionGroupsMatch(globalConditionGroups{
+      UnlessPresent: []globalCondition{
+          {Field: "FeatIndex", ID: "feat:blocked"},
+      },
+  }, rowsWithBlocked) {
+      t.Fatal("expected unless_present match to reject")
+  }
+  ```
+
+- [ ] **Step 6: Run the focused tests and confirm they fail**
+
+  ```bash
+  nix develop --command go test ./internal/topdata \
+    -run 'TestUnsupportedObjectKeys|TestParseGlobalConditionGroups|TestGlobalConditionGroupsMatch' \
+    -v
+  ```
+
+  Expected: build failure because the shared contract types and functions do
+  not exist.
+
+- [ ] **Step 7: Implement the minimal shared contract**
+
+  In `json_contract.go`, define fixed key sets and implement:
+
+  ```go
+  var (
+      baseOrPlainRootKeys = []string{
+          "output", "key", "columns", "rows", "compare_reference",
+      }
+      canonicalModuleRootKeys = []string{
+          "output", "key", "columns", "entries", "overrides", "rows",
+      }
+      globalRootKeys = []string{
+          "columns", "entries", "overrides", "defaults", "position", "injections",
+      }
+      globalInjectionKeys = []string{
+          "row", "require_present", "any_present", "unless_present",
+      }
+      globalConditionKeys    = []string{"field", "id"}
+      globalDefaultRuleKeys  = []string{"match", "values"}
+      globalDefaultMatchKeys = []string{"source"}
+      globalDefaultFormatKeys = []string{"format"}
+  )
+  ```
+
+  `unsupportedObjectKeysError` must report one deterministic error per call,
+  using the first lexically sorted unsupported key and a supported-key list in
+  declaration order. Implement condition parsing through one private helper:
+
+  ```go
+  func parseGlobalConditionList(
+      name string,
+      raw any,
+      requireNonEmpty bool,
+  ) ([]globalCondition, error)
+  ```
+
+  It must reject non-arrays, reject non-object elements, run the closed-key
+  check before required-field checks, trim `field` and `id`, and enforce the
+  `any_present` non-empty rule.
+
+  `globalConditionGroupsMatch` must call the existing
+  `globalReferencePresent` helper and implement:
+
+  ```text
+  require_present: every condition is found
+  any_present:     at least one condition is found
+  unless_present:  no condition is found
+  all groups:      every present group passes
+  ```
+
+- [ ] **Step 8: Run the focused and package tests**
+
+  ```bash
+  nix develop --command go test ./internal/topdata \
+    -run 'TestUnsupportedObjectKeys|TestParseGlobalConditionGroups|TestGlobalConditionGroupsMatch' \
+    -v
+  nix develop --command go test ./internal/topdata
+  ```
+
+  Expected: pass.
+
+- [ ] **Step 9: Commit the shared contract**
+
+  ```bash
+  git add internal/topdata/json_contract.go internal/topdata/json_contract_test.go
+  git commit -m "feat(topdata): define canonical json contracts"
+  ```
+
+---
+
+### Task 2: Close canonical structural objects during project validation
+
+**Files:**
+
+- Modify: `internal/topdata/topdata.go`
+- Modify: `internal/topdata/json_contract_test.go`
+
+**Interfaces:**
+
+- Consumes the key sets and condition parser from Task 1.
+- `validateDataObject` selects exactly one root contract from file context:
+  base/plain rows root, canonical module root, or `global.json` root.
+- A module validates every present supported container; it does not return
+  after the first of `entries`, `overrides`, `rows`, or `columns`.
+- Specialized paths continue to return to their existing validators before
+  canonical root closure.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Add failing validation tests for unsupported canonical root
+      properties**
+
+  Add table-driven temporary-project cases covering:
+  - base root with `"typo": true`;
+  - loose plain rows root with `"typo": true`;
+  - module root with `"typo": true`;
+  - `global.json` root with `"typo": true`.
+
+  For every case, call `ValidateProject`, require errors, and assert only stable
+  semantic fragments: the file/object label, `typo`, and `unsupported`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Add failing validation tests for closed nested global objects**
+
+  Add cases for:
+
+  ```json
+  {"injections":[{"row":{},"when_present":[]}]}
+  {"injections":[{"row":{},"require_present":[{"field":"FeatIndex","id":"feat:x","typo":true}]}]}
+  {"defaults":[{"match":"all","values":{},"typo":true}]}
+  {"defaults":[{"match":{"source":"entries","typo":true},"values":{}}]}
+  {"defaults":[{"match":"all","values":{"ImpactScript":{"format":"ss_{id}","typo":true}}}]}
+  ```
+
+  Expected diagnostics name `global injection 0`, the condition label,
+  `global default 0`, `global default 0 match`, or
+  `global default 0 values.ImpactScript` respectively.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Add failing validation tests for `any_present` shape**
+
+  Test one accepted non-empty list and rejected string/empty-list cases. The
+  accepted case must use a declared dataset column in the injection row so this
+  also protects payload flexibility.
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Add regression tests for canonical combinations and payload
+      flexibility**
+
+  Build one table-driven test that validates without errors:
+  - a columns-only module;
+  - an entries-only module;
+  - an overrides-only module;
+  - a module containing both entries and overrides;
+  - a rows module;
+  - a current base root;
+  - a loose plain rows root;
+  - a base/plain root with `compare_reference: false`;
+  - dataset columns plus `id`, `key`, `inherit`, `_tlk`, and `meta` in row-like
+    payloads where their existing contracts allow them;
+  - an injection row using a declared dataset column.
+
+  The combined entries+overrides case must contain an independently invalid
+  override value first, prove validation catches it, then fix only that value
+  and prove the module passes. This specifically prevents the current
+  first-container early return.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Run the focused tests and confirm failures**
+
+  ```bash
+  nix develop --command go test ./internal/topdata \
+    -run 'TestValidateProject(RejectsUnsupportedCanonicalJSON|RejectsUnsupportedGlobalJSON|ValidatesEveryCanonicalModuleContainer|AcceptsCanonicalJSONContracts|AcceptsAnyPresent|RejectsInvalidAnyPresent)' \
+    -v
+  ```
+
+  Expected: unknown keys are currently ignored, `any_present` is not validated,
+  and the combined module does not validate all containers.
+
+- [ ] **Step 6: Add a validation adapter for shared contract errors**
+
+  In `topdata.go`, add:
+
+  ```go
+  func reportTopdataContractError(path string, err error, report *ValidationReport) {
+      if err == nil {
+          return
+      }
+      report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
+          Severity: SeverityError,
+          Path:     path,
+          Message:  err.Error(),
+      })
+  }
+  ```
+
+  Use `unsupportedObjectKeysError` for canonical roots and nested structural
+  objects. Keep row payload validation in existing `validateRowCollection`,
+  `validateEntriesFile`, and `validateOverridesFile` paths.
+
+- [ ] **Step 7: Refactor canonical module dispatch to validate all containers**
+
+  After specialized-path checks, classify module files by directory context.
+  For recognized canonical modules:
+  1. check `canonicalModuleRootKeys`;
+  2. call `validateColumnsFile` when `columns` is present;
+  3. call `validateEntriesFile` when `entries` is present;
+  4. call `validateOverridesFile` when `overrides` is present;
+  5. call `validateRowsFile(path, obj, report, false)` when `rows` is present;
+  6. emit the existing warning only when none of those containers is present.
+
+  Avoid duplicate `validateColumnsFile` calls by removing the nested column
+  calls from this module dispatch path or by adding a caller-controlled flag;
+  retain current behavior for callers outside canonical module dispatch.
+
+- [ ] **Step 8: Close global roots, injections, defaults, matches, and format
+      objects**
+  - Run the global-root key check before validating present containers.
+  - Run the injection key check before validating `row` and condition groups.
+  - Replace calls to `validateGlobalConditionList` with
+    `parseGlobalConditionGroups`; report its error through
+    `reportTopdataContractError`.
+  - Run default-rule and match-object key checks before existing type/value
+    checks.
+  - Treat an object containing `format` as a format object, reject every key
+    other than `format`, and preserve non-format object literals as payload
+    values.
+
+- [ ] **Step 9: Run focused and full package tests**
+
+  ```bash
+  nix develop --command go test ./internal/topdata \
+    -run 'TestValidateProject(RejectsUnsupportedCanonicalJSON|RejectsUnsupportedGlobalJSON|ValidatesEveryCanonicalModuleContainer|AcceptsCanonicalJSONContracts|AcceptsAnyPresent|RejectsInvalidAnyPresent)' \
+    -v
+  nix develop --command go test ./internal/topdata
+  ```
+
+  Expected: pass.
+
+- [ ] **Step 10: Commit validation tightening**
+
+  ```bash
+  git add internal/topdata/topdata.go internal/topdata/json_contract_test.go
+  git commit -m "feat(topdata): reject unsupported canonical json properties"
+  ```
+
+---
+
+### Task 3: Use shared condition parsing and `any_present` in native builds
+
+**Files:**
+
+- Modify: `internal/topdata/native.go`
+- Modify: `internal/topdata/json_contract_test.go`
+
+**Interfaces:**
+
+- Consumes `parseGlobalConditionGroups` and
+  `globalConditionGroupsMatch` from Task 1.
+- Removes the old boolean-mode
+  `globalConditionListMatches(name, raw, rows, required)` path.
+- Direct `BuildNativeWithOptions` calls fail before output mutation when
+  canonical control syntax is invalid because the existing build entry point
+  runs `ValidateProject` first and native evaluation uses the same parser.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Add failing native-build tests for `any_present` alternatives**
+
+  Use one compact plain-dataset fixture with:
+  - an authored row satisfying the first alternative;
+  - a second subtest satisfying only the later alternative;
+  - a third subtest satisfying neither alternative.
+
+  Assert the injected row exists in the first two outputs and is absent in the
+  third. Inspect the built 2DA content rather than internal slices.
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Add failing native-build tests for condition-group
+      conjunction**
+
+  Add subtests proving:
+  - `require_present` + `any_present` injects only when both pass;
+  - `any_present` + `unless_present` injects only when both pass;
+  - existing `require_present` all semantics remain unchanged;
+  - existing `unless_present` none semantics remain unchanged.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Add a failing ordered-injection test**
+
+  Author injection 0 so it adds the row referenced by injection 1's
+  `any_present`. Assert injection 1 applies. This protects evaluation against
+  the same current-row view and ordered mutation used today.
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Add direct-build fail-closed tests**
+
+  Call `BuildNativeWithOptions` without a prior explicit `ValidateProject` call
+  for fixtures containing:
+  - `when_present` on an injection;
+  - an unknown condition key;
+  - an empty `any_present`;
+  - an unknown canonical root key.
+
+  Require an error containing the stable object/property fragments and assert
+  the expected output 2DA does not exist.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Run focused tests and confirm failures**
+
+  ```bash
+  nix develop --command go test ./internal/topdata \
+    -run 'TestBuildNative(AnyPresent|CombinesGlobalConditionGroups|UsesCurrentRowsForAnyPresent|RejectsUnsupportedGlobalControlSyntax|RejectsUnsupportedCanonicalRoot)' \
+    -v
+  ```
+
+  Expected: `any_present` is ignored by current native evaluation and the new
+  parser/evaluator is not wired.
+
+- [ ] **Step 6: Replace native condition evaluation with the shared contract**
+
+  Replace `globalInjectionConditionsMatch` and
+  `globalConditionListMatches` with:
+
+  ```go
+  func globalInjectionConditionsMatch(
+      injection map[string]any,
+      rows []map[string]any,
+  ) (bool, error) {
+      groups, err := parseGlobalConditionGroups(injection)
+      if err != nil {
+          return false, err
+      }
+      return globalConditionGroupsMatch(groups, rows), nil
+  }
+  ```
+
+  Keep `applyPlainDatasetGlobalInjections` calling this function immediately
+  before deduplication/canonicalization, using `currentRows()` for each
+  injection.
+
+- [ ] **Step 7: Run focused, package, and repository tests**
+
+  ```bash
+  nix develop --command go test ./internal/topdata \
+    -run 'TestBuildNative(AnyPresent|CombinesGlobalConditionGroups|UsesCurrentRowsForAnyPresent|RejectsUnsupportedGlobalControlSyntax|RejectsUnsupportedCanonicalRoot)' \
+    -v
+  nix develop --command go test ./internal/topdata
+  nix develop --command go test ./...
+  ```
+
+  Expected: pass.
+
+- [ ] **Step 8: Commit native `any_present` support**
+
+  ```bash
+  git add internal/topdata/native.go internal/topdata/json_contract_test.go
+  git commit -m "feat(topdata): add any-present injection conditions"
+  ```
+
+---
+
+### Task 4: Document the global injection grammar
+
+**Files:**
+
+- Modify: `internal/topdata/CLASS_FEAT_GLOBAL_INJECTS_CONTRACT.md`
+
+**Interfaces:**
+
+- Documents the exact injection keys and all/any/none condition semantics.
+- States that all present groups must pass and that conditions observe current
+  rows in injection order.
+- States that `any_present` must be a non-empty array and `when_present` is
+  invalid.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Add a documentation contract check**
+
+  Run this before editing:
+
+  ```bash
+  rg -n 'any_present|when_present|all.*any.*none|require_present.*unless_present' \
+    internal/topdata/CLASS_FEAT_GLOBAL_INJECTS_CONTRACT.md
+  ```
+
+  Expected: no complete description of `any_present` and group conjunction.
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Update the manifest shape and semantics**
+
+  Add an example containing all three groups:
+
+  ```json
+  {
+    "row": {
+      "FeatIndex": { "id": "feat:example" }
+    },
+    "require_present": [{ "field": "FeatIndex", "id": "feat:required" }],
+    "any_present": [
+      { "field": "FeatIndex", "id": "masterfeats:metamagic" },
+      { "field": "FeatIndex", "id": "masterfeats:combat" }
+    ],
+    "unless_present": [{ "field": "FeatIndex", "id": "feat:example" }]
+  }
+  ```
+
+  Document:
+  - `require_present`: all listed references must exist;
+  - `any_present`: at least one listed reference must exist and the list cannot
+    be empty;
+  - `unless_present`: none of the listed references may exist;
+  - every present group must pass;
+  - earlier injections affect later conditions;
+  - supported injection keys are `row`, `require_present`, `any_present`, and
+    `unless_present`;
+  - `when_present` is rejected rather than aliased.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Verify the documentation contains the complete contract**
+
+  ```bash
+  rg -n 'require_present|any_present|unless_present|when_present|earlier injection|every present group' \
+    internal/topdata/CLASS_FEAT_GLOBAL_INJECTS_CONTRACT.md
+  ```
+
+  Expected: each semantic point appears in the contract.
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Commit documentation**
+
+  ```bash
+  git add internal/topdata/CLASS_FEAT_GLOBAL_INJECTS_CONTRACT.md
+  git commit -m "docs(topdata): define global injection conditions"
+  ```
+
+---
+
+### Task 5: Validate the active topdata checkout and complete repository checks
+
+**Files:**
+
+- No authored files should change in `sow-tools`.
+- Preserve existing sibling change:
+  `../sow-topdata/data/classes/feats/global.json`.
+- Do not retain: `bin/`, `.cache/`, `generated/`, `result`, HAK/TLK files, or
+  temporary Crucible binaries.
+
+**Interfaces:**
+
+- The built Crucible validates the active `sow-topdata` checkout.
+- The active checkout's single-condition correction uses `require_present`;
+  `any_present` remains available for future multi-alternative authoring.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Format and run the full `sow-tools` checks**
+
+  ```bash
+  nix develop --command gofmt -w \
+    internal/topdata/json_contract.go \
+    internal/topdata/json_contract_test.go \
+    internal/topdata/topdata.go \
+    internal/topdata/native.go
+  nix develop --command make check
+  ```
+
+  Expected: vet, Go tests, shellcheck, and yamllint pass.
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Build a temporary Crucible binary without tracking it**
+
+  ```bash
+  nix develop --command go build \
+    -o /tmp/crucible-topdata-json-validation \
+    ./cmd/crucible
+  ```
+
+  Expected: `/tmp/crucible-topdata-json-validation` exists outside the
+  repository.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Confirm the active consumer syntax and repository state**
+
+  ```bash
+  git -C ../sow-topdata status --short --branch
+  rg -n 'when_present|require_present|any_present|unless_present' \
+    ../sow-topdata/data/classes/feats/global.json
+  ```
+
+  Expected: the existing consumer branch contains `require_present` and no
+  `when_present`. Do not alter unrelated consumer work.
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Validate and build active `sow-topdata` with the changed
+      Crucible**
+
+  ```bash
+  (
+    cd ../sow-topdata
+    nix develop --command /tmp/crucible-topdata-json-validation topdata validate
+    nix develop --command /tmp/crucible-topdata-json-validation topdata build
+  )
+  ```
+
+  Expected: validation and build pass, global injections execute, and generated
+  outputs remain ignored.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Verify no generated files became tracked**
+
+  ```bash
+  git status --short
+  git -C ../sow-topdata status --short
+  git ls-files --error-unmatch bin generated .cache result 2>/dev/null
+  git -C ../sow-topdata ls-files --error-unmatch generated .cache result 2>/dev/null
+  ```
+
+  Expected: the first two commands show only intentional source/doc changes;
+  the `git ls-files --error-unmatch` commands find no newly tracked generated
+  output. Remove only untracked artifacts created by this plan.
+
+- [ ] **Step 6: Run final semantic searches and diff checks**
+
+  ```bash
+  rg -n 'when_present' internal/topdata --glob '!docs/superpowers/**'
+  rg -n 'any_present' \
+    internal/topdata/json_contract.go \
+    internal/topdata/json_contract_test.go \
+    internal/topdata/CLASS_FEAT_GLOBAL_INJECTS_CONTRACT.md
+  git diff --check
+  git status --short --branch
+  git log --oneline origin/main..HEAD
+  ```
+
+  Expected: `when_present` appears only in rejection tests/documentation;
+  implementation, tests, and contract document `any_present`; diff check is
+  clean.
+
+- [ ] **Step 7: Remove the temporary binary**
+
+  ```bash
+  rm -f /tmp/crucible-topdata-json-validation
+  ```
+
+- [ ] **Step 8: Push the feature branch and open the required pull request**
+
+  ```bash
+  git push -u origin HEAD
+  tea pr create \
+    --title "feat: tighten topdata JSON validation" \
+    --description $'## Summary\n- reject unsupported canonical topdata JSON properties\n- add non-empty any_present global injection conditions\n- keep validation and direct builds on one shared contract\n\n## Verification\n- nix develop --command make check\n- active sow-topdata validate and build with the changed Crucible'
+  ```
+
+  Expected: a PR targeting `main`; no production workflow or release tag is
+  triggered.
+
+- [ ] **Step 9: Record the handoff**
+
+  Report:
+  - the `sow-tools` branch and PR URL;
+  - the existing `sow-topdata` consumer branch/commit used for integration;
+  - exact focused and full verification commands with outcomes;
+  - confirmation that no generated files were tracked;
+  - any diagnostics wording intentionally asserted as public semantic
+    contract.

docs/superpowers/specs/2026-06-25-topdata-json-validation-design.md

@@ -0,0 +1,269 @@
+# Topdata JSON Validation Tightening Design
+
+**Date:** 2026-06-25
+**Status:** Implemented and reviewed
+**Scope:** `sow-tools`
+
+## Problem
+
+Topdata JSON validation checks many required properties and value types, but it
+often ignores unknown structural properties. This allows plausible typos to
+pass validation and then be ignored by the builder.
+
+The immediate failure occurred in
+`topdata/data/classes/feats/global.json`: an injection used
+`when_present` even though the implemented condition is `require_present`.
+Validation succeeded, the builder ignored `when_present`, and the injection was
+therefore applied without the intended condition.
+
+This is a fail-open authoring contract. A misspelled build-control property must
+not silently change generated game data.
+
+## Goals
+
+- Reject unsupported structural properties in canonical topdata JSON files.
+- Add an `any_present` global injection condition.
+- Keep standalone validation and direct native builds consistent.
+- Preserve dataset-specific row flexibility.
+- Tighten only established canonical formats; do not turn this work into a
+  repository-wide schema rewrite.
+- Produce diagnostics that identify the file, object, and unsupported property.
+
+## Non-goals
+
+- No schema migration or formatting change to authored topdata.
+- No generic JSON Schema framework or new validation dependency.
+- No blanket closure of every specialized JSON dialect.
+- No change to generated feat family, registry, spellbook, TLK, or other
+  specialized formats unless they use the canonical containers covered here.
+- No restriction of row values beyond existing column, metadata, inheritance,
+  reference, TLK, and authoring-sugar contracts.
+- No compatibility alias for `when_present`; it is invalid syntax.
+
+## Design
+
+### Validation boundary
+
+Structural objects use closed property sets. Dataset payload objects remain
+dataset-aware.
+
+Closed structural objects include:
+
+| Object | Supported properties |
+| --- | --- |
+| Base or plain rows-file root | `output`, `key`, `columns`, `rows` |
+| Canonical module root | `output`, `key`, `columns`, `entries`, `overrides`, `rows` |
+| `global.json` root | `columns`, `entries`, `overrides`, `defaults`, `position`, `injections` |
+| Global injection | `row`, `require_present`, `any_present`, `unless_present` |
+| Global condition | `field`, `id` |
+| Global default rule | `match`, `values` |
+| Global default match object | `source` |
+| Global default format object | `format` |
+
+The allowed root set is selected from the file's existing canonical context;
+properties from unrelated formats are not accepted merely because another
+topdata file type supports them.
+
+When a canonical root contains more than one supported container, each present
+container must be validated. For example, a module containing both `entries`
+and `overrides` must not stop validation after recognizing `entries`.
+
+The following remain payload objects rather than global allowlists:
+
+- objects inside `rows`;
+- values inside `entries`;
+- row-like objects inside `overrides`;
+- an injection's `row`;
+- a default rule's `values`.
+
+Those objects continue to accept declared dataset columns plus documented row
+control and metadata fields. The builder already rejects unknown row and entry
+columns when it canonicalizes a dataset. This work must reuse or align with
+that knowledge where practical, but must not invent a single fixed row schema
+across all datasets.
+
+### Moderate strictness
+
+This change closes only canonical containers whose grammar is already
+established by the parser and current authored data.
+
+Before adding a closed root check, implementation must inventory active
+`sow-topdata` files and existing `sow-tools` fixtures for legitimate property
+combinations. A property used by an established canonical format must be added
+to that format's explicit set rather than removed from authored data merely to
+satisfy the validator.
+
+Specialized parsers remain responsible for their own object shapes. Extending
+closed-property checks to those formats is separate work.
+
+### Global injection conditions
+
+Global injections support three condition groups:
+
+- `require_present`: every listed condition must match a current row.
+- `any_present`: at least one listed condition must match a current row.
+- `unless_present`: no listed condition may match a current row.
+
+When more than one group is present, every group must pass. Conditions continue
+to use the existing shape:
+
+```json
+{
+  "field": "FeatIndex",
+  "id": "feat:example"
+}
+```
+
+Example:
+
+```json
+{
+  "row": {
+    "FeatIndex": {
+      "id": "feat:example"
+    }
+  },
+  "require_present": [
+    {
+      "field": "FeatIndex",
+      "id": "feat:base_requirement"
+    }
+  ],
+  "any_present": [
+    {
+      "field": "FeatIndex",
+      "id": "masterfeats:metamagic"
+    },
+    {
+      "field": "FeatIndex",
+      "id": "masterfeats:combat"
+    }
+  ],
+  "unless_present": [
+    {
+      "field": "FeatIndex",
+      "id": "feat:example"
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+This injection applies only when the required feat exists, either listed
+masterfeat exists, and the injected feat does not already exist.
+
+`any_present` must contain at least one condition. An empty list is an
+authoring error because it cannot express a useful successful condition.
+Existing empty-list behavior for `require_present` and `unless_present` is not
+changed by this work.
+
+Conditions are evaluated against the same current-row view and in the same
+injection order used today. This preserves the existing behavior where an
+earlier injection can affect a later injection's conditions.
+
+### Validation and build consistency
+
+`ValidateProject` must report unsupported structural properties before a build.
+The native builder must also fail closed when invoked directly with the same
+invalid control syntax.
+
+The implementation should centralize:
+
+- deterministic unsupported-property checks;
+- global condition parsing and validation;
+- condition group evaluation.
+
+Validation may collect multiple diagnostics while building returns the first
+blocking error. Both paths must accept and reject the same property names and
+condition shapes.
+
+### Diagnostics
+
+Diagnostics must name the containing object and unsupported property. Property
+lists must be deterministic.
+
+For the original error, an acceptable diagnostic is:
+
+```text
+global injection 10 contains unsupported key "when_present";
+supported keys are row, require_present, any_present, and unless_present
+```
+
+Equivalent concise wording is acceptable if tests assert the stable semantic
+parts rather than the entire sentence.
+
+## Compatibility
+
+Current canonical `sow-topdata` roots fit the property sets above. The
+implementation must rerun the inventory immediately before tightening checks
+and run validation against the active `sow-topdata` checkout.
+
+Unknown properties are not retained as compatibility behavior. They currently
+have no defined effect, and silently accepting them is the bug being fixed.
+Existing documented properties and dataset-specific row fields remain valid.
+
+`require_present` and `unless_present` retain their current semantics.
+`any_present` is additive.
+
+## Testing
+
+Tests must follow red-green development and cover validation and direct-build
+paths.
+
+### Unsupported properties
+
+- Reject an unknown `global.json` root property.
+- Reject `when_present` and other unknown injection properties.
+- Reject an unknown condition property.
+- Reject unknown properties in default rules, match objects, and format
+  objects.
+- Reject unknown canonical base/plain rows-file root properties.
+- Reject unknown canonical module root properties.
+- Continue accepting legitimate combinations such as:
+  - a columns-only module;
+  - entries-only and overrides-only modules;
+  - a module containing both entries and overrides;
+  - current base and plain rows-file roots.
+- Continue accepting dataset columns and documented row control fields inside
+  rows, entries, overrides, and injection rows.
+
+### `any_present`
+
+- Validation accepts a non-empty `any_present` condition list.
+- Validation rejects a non-array or empty `any_present`.
+- A build injects when the first alternative is present.
+- A build injects when a later alternative is present.
+- A build skips the injection when no alternative is present.
+- `any_present` combines correctly with `require_present`.
+- `any_present` combines correctly with `unless_present`.
+- Existing `require_present` and `unless_present` behavior remains unchanged.
+- Direct building rejects unsupported condition syntax even when project
+  validation was not called first.
+
+### Integration
+
+- Run focused `internal/topdata` tests.
+- Run `nix develop --command make check`.
+- Validate the active `sow-topdata` checkout with the changed Crucible.
+- Build topdata far enough to exercise global injections and confirm no
+  generated files are tracked.
+
+## Documentation
+
+Update the class feat global injection contract to document `require_present`,
+`any_present`, and `unless_present`, including their all/any/none semantics and
+how multiple groups combine.
+
+No broad validation guide is added unless implementation reveals an existing
+operator document that would otherwise become stale.
+
+## Acceptance criteria
+
+- `when_present` in a global injection fails validation and direct building.
+- `any_present` is valid only as a non-empty list of valid conditions.
+- `any_present` applies an injection when one or more alternatives exist and
+  skips it when none exist.
+- Unknown canonical structural properties fail with actionable diagnostics.
+- Dataset-specific row fields remain valid when declared by the dataset.
+- Existing active `sow-topdata` validates and builds after replacing invalid
+  syntax with the documented grammar.
+- No specialized topdata format is tightened outside the stated scope.

internal/topdata/CLASS_FEAT_GLOBAL_INJECTS_CONTRACT.md

@@ -65,6 +65,33 @@ effective output while keeping project policy in topdata authoring files.
 `position` defaults to `append`. The module uses `prepend` for class feat
 injections to keep generated policy rows before per-class authored rows.
 
+## Global Injection Grammar
+
+Each injection entry may use only `row`, `require_present`, `any_present`, and
+`unless_present`. `when_present` is invalid and rejected; it is not an alias.
+
+```json
+{
+  "row": {
+    "FeatIndex": { "id": "feat:example" }
+  },
+  "require_present": [{ "field": "FeatIndex", "id": "feat:required" }],
+  "any_present": [
+    { "field": "FeatIndex", "id": "masterfeats:metamagic" },
+    { "field": "FeatIndex", "id": "masterfeats:combat" }
+  ],
+  "unless_present": [{ "field": "FeatIndex", "id": "feat:example" }]
+}
+```
+
+- `require_present` means every listed reference must exist.
+- `any_present` means at least one listed reference must exist, and the array
+  must not be empty.
+- `unless_present` means none of the listed references may exist.
+- Every present group on an entry must pass.
+- Conditions observe the current rows in injection order, so earlier injections
+  can affect later conditions.
+
 ## Acceptance Criteria
 
 - Class feat output contains the same effective shared feats as the prior YAML

internal/topdata/json_contract.go

@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+package topdata
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+type globalCondition struct {
+	Field string
+	ID    string
+}
+
+type globalConditionGroups struct {
+	RequirePresent []globalCondition
+	AnyPresent     []globalCondition
+	UnlessPresent  []globalCondition
+}
+
+var (
+	baseOrPlainRootKeys = []string{
+		"output", "key", "columns", "rows", "compare_reference",
+	}
+	canonicalModuleRootKeys = []string{
+		"output", "key", "columns", "entries", "overrides", "rows",
+	}
+	globalRootKeys = []string{
+		"columns", "entries", "overrides", "defaults", "position", "injections",
+	}
+	globalInjectionKeys = []string{
+		"row", "require_present", "any_present", "unless_present",
+	}
+	globalConditionKeys     = []string{"field", "id"}
+	globalDefaultRuleKeys   = []string{"match", "values"}
+	globalDefaultMatchKeys  = []string{"source"}
+	globalDefaultFormatKeys = []string{"format"}
+)
+
+func unsupportedObjectKeys(obj map[string]any, supported ...string) []string {
+	if len(obj) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	supportedSet := make(map[string]struct{}, len(supported))
+	for _, key := range supported {
+		supportedSet[key] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	unsupported := make([]string, 0, len(obj))
+	for key := range obj {
+		if _, ok := supportedSet[key]; ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		unsupported = append(unsupported, key)
+	}
+	slices.Sort(unsupported)
+	return unsupported
+}
+
+func unsupportedObjectKeysError(label string, obj map[string]any, supported ...string) error {
+	unsupported := unsupportedObjectKeys(obj, supported...)
+	if len(unsupported) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return fmt.Errorf("%s contains unsupported key %q (supported keys: %s)", label, unsupported[0], strings.Join(supported, ", "))
+}
+
+type globalConditionParseOptions struct {
+	Label  string
+	Report func(error)
+}
+
+func parseGlobalConditionGroups(injection map[string]any, options ...globalConditionParseOptions) (globalConditionGroups, error) {
+	if injection == nil {
+		return globalConditionGroups{}, nil
+	}
+
+	label := "global injection"
+	var report func(error)
+	if len(options) > 0 {
+		if strings.TrimSpace(options[0].Label) != "" {
+			label = options[0].Label
+		}
+		report = options[0].Report
+	}
+
+	var errs []error
+	addError := func(err error) {
+		if err == nil {
+			return
+		}
+		errs = append(errs, err)
+		if report != nil {
+			report(err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := unsupportedObjectKeysError(label, injection, globalInjectionKeys...); err != nil {
+		addError(err)
+	}
+
+	var groups globalConditionGroups
+	if raw, ok := injection["require_present"]; ok {
+		parsed, err := parseGlobalConditionList(label+" require_present", raw, false)
+		if err != nil {
+			addError(err)
+		} else {
+			groups.RequirePresent = parsed
+		}
+	}
+	if raw, ok := injection["any_present"]; ok {
+		parsed, err := parseGlobalConditionList(label+" any_present", raw, true)
+		if err != nil {
+			addError(err)
+		} else {
+			groups.AnyPresent = parsed
+		}
+	}
+	if raw, ok := injection["unless_present"]; ok {
+		parsed, err := parseGlobalConditionList(label+" unless_present", raw, false)
+		if err != nil {
+			addError(err)
+		} else {
+			groups.UnlessPresent = parsed
+		}
+	}
+	return groups, errors.Join(errs...)
+}
+
+func parseGlobalConditionList(name string, raw any, requireNonEmpty bool) ([]globalCondition, error) {
+	if raw == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s must be an array", name)
+	}
+
+	conditions, ok := raw.([]any)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s must be an array", name)
+	}
+	if requireNonEmpty && len(conditions) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s must contain at least one condition", name)
+	}
+
+	parsed := make([]globalCondition, 0, len(conditions))
+	for index, rawCondition := range conditions {
+		condition, ok := rawCondition.(map[string]any)
+		if !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s[%d] must be an object", name, index)
+		}
+		if err := unsupportedObjectKeysError(fmt.Sprintf("%s[%d]", name, index), condition, globalConditionKeys...); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+		field, _ := condition["field"].(string)
+		field = strings.TrimSpace(field)
+		if field == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s[%d].field is required", name, index)
+		}
+
+		id, _ := condition["id"].(string)
+		id = strings.TrimSpace(id)
+		if id == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s[%d].id is required", name, index)
+		}
+
+		parsed = append(parsed, globalCondition{Field: field, ID: id})
+	}
+	return parsed, nil
+}
+
+func globalConditionGroupsMatch(groups globalConditionGroups, rows []map[string]any) bool {
+	for _, condition := range groups.RequirePresent {
+		if !globalReferencePresent(rows, condition.Field, condition.ID) {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	if groups.AnyPresent != nil {
+		if len(groups.AnyPresent) == 0 {
+			return false
+		}
+		matched := false
+		for _, condition := range groups.AnyPresent {
+			if globalReferencePresent(rows, condition.Field, condition.ID) {
+				matched = true
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if !matched {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	for _, condition := range groups.UnlessPresent {
+		if globalReferencePresent(rows, condition.Field, condition.ID) {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}

internal/topdata/native.go

@@ -3886,48 +3886,11 @@ func globalManifestPosition(module nativeGeneratedModule) (string, error) {
 }
 
 func globalInjectionConditionsMatch(injection map[string]any, rows []map[string]any) (bool, error) {
-	if rawRequired, ok := injection["require_present"]; ok {
+	groups, err := parseGlobalConditionGroups(injection)
-		matches, err := globalConditionListMatches("require_present", rawRequired, rows, true)
+	if err != nil {
-		if err != nil || !matches {
+		return false, err
-			return matches, err
-		}
 	}
-	if rawBlocked, ok := injection["unless_present"]; ok {
+	return globalConditionGroupsMatch(groups, rows), nil
-		matches, err := globalConditionListMatches("unless_present", rawBlocked, rows, false)
-		if err != nil || !matches {
-			return matches, err
-		}
-	}
-	return true, nil
-}
-
-func globalConditionListMatches(name string, raw any, rows []map[string]any, required bool) (bool, error) {
-	conditions, ok := raw.([]any)
-	if !ok {
-		return false, fmt.Errorf("%s must be an array", name)
-	}
-	for index, rawCondition := range conditions {
-		condition, ok := rawCondition.(map[string]any)
-		if !ok {
-			return false, fmt.Errorf("%s[%d] must be an object", name, index)
-		}
-		field, _ := condition["field"].(string)
-		id, _ := condition["id"].(string)
-		if strings.TrimSpace(field) == "" {
-			return false, fmt.Errorf("%s[%d].field is required", name, index)
-		}
-		if strings.TrimSpace(id) == "" {
-			return false, fmt.Errorf("%s[%d].id is required", name, index)
-		}
-		found := globalReferencePresent(rows, field, id)
-		if required && !found {
-			return false, nil
-		}
-		if !required && found {
-			return false, nil
-		}
-	}
-	return true, nil
 }
 
 func globalRowIdentityPresent(row map[string]any, rows []map[string]any) bool {

internal/topdata/topdata.go

@@ -333,6 +333,17 @@ func validateDuplicateJSONKeys(path string, raw []byte, report *ValidationReport
 	}
 }
 
+func reportTopdataContractError(path string, err error, report *ValidationReport) {
+	if err == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
+		Severity: SeverityError,
+		Path:     path,
+		Message:  err.Error(),
+	})
+}
+
 func scanJSONValueForDuplicateKeys(decoder *json.Decoder, path string, report *ValidationReport) error {
 	token, err := decoder.Token()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -425,35 +436,40 @@ func validateDataObject(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationRepor
 		return
 	}
 	if base == "base.json" {
+		reportTopdataContractError(path, unsupportedObjectKeysError("base.json root", obj, baseOrPlainRootKeys...), report)
 		validateRowsFile(path, obj, report, true)
 		return
 	}
 	if inModules {
-		if _, hasEntries := obj["entries"]; hasEntries {
+		reportTopdataContractError(path, unsupportedObjectKeysError("module root", obj, canonicalModuleRootKeys...), report)
-			validateEntriesFile(path, obj, report)
+		_, hasColumns := obj["columns"]
-			return
+		_, hasEntries := obj["entries"]
-		}
+		_, hasOverrides := obj["overrides"]
-		if _, hasOverrides := obj["overrides"]; hasOverrides {
+		_, hasRows := obj["rows"]
-			validateOverridesFile(path, obj, report)
+		if hasColumns {
-			return
-		}
-		if _, hasRows := obj["rows"]; hasRows {
-			validateRowsFile(path, obj, report, false)
-			return
-		}
-		if _, hasColumns := obj["columns"]; hasColumns {
 			validateColumnsFile(path, obj, report)
-			return
 		}
-		report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
+		if hasEntries {
-			Severity: SeverityWarning,
+			validateEntriesFileWithColumns(path, obj, report, false)
-			Path:     path,
+		}
-			Message:  "module file does not use a recognized canonical shape yet; expected one of columns, entries, overrides, or rows",
+		if hasOverrides {
-		})
+			validateOverridesFileWithColumns(path, obj, report, false)
+		}
+		if hasRows {
+			validateRowsFileWithColumns(path, obj, report, false, false)
+		}
+		if !hasColumns && !hasEntries && !hasOverrides && !hasRows {
+			report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
+				Severity: SeverityWarning,
+				Path:     path,
+				Message:  "module file does not use a recognized canonical shape yet; expected one of columns, entries, overrides, or rows",
+			})
+		}
 		return
 	}
 
 	if _, hasRows := obj["rows"]; hasRows {
+		reportTopdataContractError(path, unsupportedObjectKeysError("plain rows root", obj, baseOrPlainRootKeys...), report)
 		validateRowsFile(path, obj, report, false)
 		return
 	}
@@ -516,6 +532,7 @@ func datasetInvariantForPath(dataPath topdataDataPath) (datasetValidationInvaria
 }
 
 func validateDatasetInvariantBaseFile(path string, obj map[string]any, invariant datasetValidationInvariant, report *ValidationReport) {
+	reportTopdataContractError(path, unsupportedObjectKeysError("base.json root", obj, baseOrPlainRootKeys...), report)
 	validateRowsFile(path, obj, report, true)
 	validateDerivedBaseOutput(path, obj, invariant.Name, report)
 	validateRequiredColumns(path, obj, invariant, report)
@@ -826,6 +843,10 @@ func validateLockObject(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationRepor
 }
 
 func validateRowsFile(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationReport, requireColumns bool) {
+	validateRowsFileWithColumns(path, obj, report, requireColumns, true)
+}
+
+func validateRowsFileWithColumns(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationReport, requireColumns bool, validateColumns bool) {
 	rows, ok := obj["rows"]
 	if !ok {
 		report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
@@ -845,7 +866,7 @@ func validateRowsFile(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationReport,
 	if rowsList, ok := rows.([]any); ok {
 		validateRowCollection(path, obj, rowsList, report)
 	}
-	if _, ok := obj["columns"]; ok {
+	if _, ok := obj["columns"]; ok && validateColumns {
 		validateColumnsFile(path, obj, report)
 	} else if requireColumns {
 		report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
@@ -896,6 +917,10 @@ func validateColumnsFile(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationRepo
 }
 
 func validateEntriesFile(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationReport) {
+	validateEntriesFileWithColumns(path, obj, report, true)
+}
+
+func validateEntriesFileWithColumns(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationReport, validateColumns bool) {
 	entries, ok := obj["entries"]
 	if !ok {
 		report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
@@ -931,12 +956,16 @@ func validateEntriesFile(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationRepo
 			validateInlineTextUsage(path, key, entry, report)
 		}
 	}
-	if _, ok := obj["columns"]; ok {
+	if _, ok := obj["columns"]; ok && validateColumns {
 		validateColumnsFile(path, obj, report)
 	}
 }
 
 func validateOverridesFile(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationReport) {
+	validateOverridesFileWithColumns(path, obj, report, true)
+}
+
+func validateOverridesFileWithColumns(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationReport, validateColumns bool) {
 	overrides, ok := obj["overrides"]
 	if !ok {
 		report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
@@ -957,20 +986,21 @@ func validateOverridesFile(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationRe
 		container := map[string]any{"rows": overrideList}
 		validateRowCollection(path, container, overrideList, report)
 	}
-	if _, ok := obj["columns"]; ok {
+	if _, ok := obj["columns"]; ok && validateColumns {
 		validateColumnsFile(path, obj, report)
 	}
 }
 
 func validateGlobalJSONFile(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationReport) {
+	reportTopdataContractError(path, unsupportedObjectKeysError("global.json root", obj, globalRootKeys...), report)
 	if _, ok := obj["columns"]; ok {
 		validateColumnsFile(path, obj, report)
 	}
 	if _, ok := obj["entries"]; ok {
-		validateEntriesFile(path, obj, report)
+		validateEntriesFileWithColumns(path, obj, report, false)
 	}
 	if _, ok := obj["overrides"]; ok {
-		validateOverridesFile(path, obj, report)
+		validateOverridesFileWithColumns(path, obj, report, false)
 	}
 	if _, ok := obj["defaults"]; ok {
 		validateGlobalDefaults(path, obj, report)
@@ -1029,8 +1059,12 @@ func validateGlobalJSONFile(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationR
 		} else {
 			rows = append(rows, row)
 		}
-		validateGlobalConditionList(path, fmt.Sprintf("global injection %d require_present", index), injection["require_present"], report)
+		_, _ = parseGlobalConditionGroups(injection, globalConditionParseOptions{
-		validateGlobalConditionList(path, fmt.Sprintf("global injection %d unless_present", index), injection["unless_present"], report)
+			Label: fmt.Sprintf("global injection %d", index),
+			Report: func(err error) {
+				reportTopdataContractError(path, err, report)
+			},
+		})
 	}
 	validateRowCollection(path, obj, rows, report)
 }
@@ -1099,6 +1133,7 @@ func validateGlobalDefaults(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationR
 			})
 			continue
 		}
+		reportTopdataContractError(path, unsupportedObjectKeysError(fmt.Sprintf("global default %d", index), defaultRule, globalDefaultRuleKeys...), report)
 		validateGlobalDefaultMatch(path, index, defaultRule["match"], report)
 		rawValues, ok := defaultRule["values"]
 		if !ok {
@@ -1155,14 +1190,12 @@ func validateGlobalDefaultMatch(path string, index int, rawMatch any, report *Va
 		})
 		return
 	}
-	for key := range match {
+	for _, key := range unsupportedObjectKeys(match, globalDefaultMatchKeys...) {
-		if key != "source" {
+		report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
-			report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
+			Severity: SeverityError,
-				Severity: SeverityError,
+			Path:     path,
-				Path:     path,
+			Message:  fmt.Sprintf("global default %d match.%s is not supported (unsupported key; supported keys: %s)", index, key, strings.Join(globalDefaultMatchKeys, ", ")),
-				Message:  fmt.Sprintf("global default %d match.%s is not supported", index, key),
+		})
-			})
-		}
 	}
 	source, ok := match["source"].(string)
 	if !ok || strings.TrimSpace(source) == "" {
@@ -1193,14 +1226,7 @@ func validateGlobalDefaultValue(path string, index int, field string, value any,
 	if !hasFormat {
 		return
 	}
-	if len(obj) != 1 {
+	reportTopdataContractError(path, unsupportedObjectKeysError(fmt.Sprintf("global default %d values.%s", index, field), obj, globalDefaultFormatKeys...), report)
-		report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
-			Severity: SeverityError,
-			Path:     path,
-			Message:  fmt.Sprintf("global default %d values.%s format object must contain only format", index, field),
-		})
-		return
-	}
 	format, ok := rawFormat.(string)
 	if !ok {
 		report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
@@ -1220,46 +1246,6 @@ func validateGlobalDefaultValue(path string, index int, field string, value any,
 	}
 }
 
-func validateGlobalConditionList(path, label string, raw any, report *ValidationReport) {
-	if raw == nil {
-		return
-	}
-	conditions, ok := raw.([]any)
-	if !ok {
-		report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
-			Severity: SeverityError,
-			Path:     path,
-			Message:  fmt.Sprintf("%s must be a JSON array", label),
-		})
-		return
-	}
-	for index, rawCondition := range conditions {
-		condition, ok := rawCondition.(map[string]any)
-		if !ok {
-			report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
-				Severity: SeverityError,
-				Path:     path,
-				Message:  fmt.Sprintf("%s[%d] must be an object", label, index),
-			})
-			continue
-		}
-		if field, ok := condition["field"].(string); !ok || strings.TrimSpace(field) == "" {
-			report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
-				Severity: SeverityError,
-				Path:     path,
-				Message:  fmt.Sprintf("%s[%d].field is required", label, index),
-			})
-		}
-		if id, ok := condition["id"].(string); !ok || strings.TrimSpace(id) == "" {
-			report.Diagnostics = append(report.Diagnostics, Diagnostic{
-				Severity: SeverityError,
-				Path:     path,
-				Message:  fmt.Sprintf("%s[%d].id is required", label, index),
-			})
-		}
-	}
-}
-
 func validateStateObject(path string, obj map[string]any, report *ValidationReport) {
 	entries, ok := obj["entries"].(map[string]any)
 	if !ok {