diff --git a/agent/review/findings.py b/agent/review/findings.py
index 0e26985c..05a83d0e 100644
--- a/agent/review/findings.py
+++ b/agent/review/findings.py
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ def normalize_finding_title(title: str | None, description: str = "") -> str:
 
 Severity = Literal["low", "medium", "high", "critical"]
 Confidence = Literal["low", "medium", "high"]
-FindingStatus = Literal["open", "resolved", "dismissed"]
+FindingStatus = Literal["open", "needs_reassessment", "resolved", "dismissed"]
 DiffSide = Literal["LEFT", "RIGHT"]
 SurfaceState = Literal["not_surfaced", "surfaced", "resolve_pending", "resolved", "error"]
 InteractionKind = Literal["human_reply", "bot_reply"]
diff --git a/agent/review/publish.py b/agent/review/publish.py
index 4e34efeb..fe483527 100644
--- a/agent/review/publish.py
+++ b/agent/review/publish.py
@@ -540,6 +540,28 @@ async def open_swe_review_exists(
             params["page"] += 1
 
 
+async def fetch_pull_request_head_sha(
+    *,
+    owner: str,
+    repo: str,
+    pr_number: int,
+    token: str,
+) -> str | None:
+    """Fetch the PR head directly from GitHub immediately before a verdict."""
+    url = f"{_GITHUB_API_BASE}/repos/{owner}/{repo}/pulls/{pr_number}"
+    async with github_client(token=token) as client:
+        try:
+            response = await github_request(client, "GET", url)
+            response.raise_for_status()
+        except httpx.HTTPError:
+            logger.exception("Failed to fetch live PR head for %s/%s#%s", owner, repo, pr_number)
+            return None
+    payload = response.json()
+    head = payload.get("head") if isinstance(payload, dict) else None
+    sha = head.get("sha") if isinstance(head, dict) else None
+    return sha if isinstance(sha, str) and sha else None
+
+
 _REVIEW_EVENTS = {"COMMENT", "APPROVE", "REQUEST_CHANGES"}
 
 
@@ -636,6 +658,33 @@ async def post_pull_request_review(
     return {"_error": (f"HTTP {response.status_code}: non-dict response body: {body_excerpt}")}
 
 
+async def update_pull_request_review_body(
+    *,
+    owner: str,
+    repo: str,
+    pr_number: int,
+    review_id: int,
+    body: str,
+    token: str,
+) -> bool:
+    """Replace a submitted review body with its recorded GitHub outcome."""
+    url = f"{_GITHUB_API_BASE}/repos/{owner}/{repo}/pulls/{pr_number}/reviews/{review_id}"
+    async with github_client(token=token) as client:
+        try:
+            response = await github_request(client, "PUT", url, json={"body": body})
+            response.raise_for_status()
+        except httpx.HTTPError:
+            logger.exception(
+                "Failed to update PR review body for %s/%s#%s review %s",
+                owner,
+                repo,
+                pr_number,
+                review_id,
+            )
+            return False
+    return True
+
+
 async def dismiss_pull_request_review(
     *,
     owner: str,
diff --git a/agent/review/reconcile.py b/agent/review/reconcile.py
index a4cabf26..3d3648c6 100644
--- a/agent/review/reconcile.py
+++ b/agent/review/reconcile.py
@@ -176,12 +176,28 @@ def _sync_thread_status(finding: Finding, matches: list[ReviewThreadMatch]) -> b
 
     if resolved_thread_ids != _str_list(finding.get("github_resolved_thread_ids")):
         finding["github_resolved_thread_ids"] = resolved_thread_ids
-    if not all_resolved:
+    status = finding.get("status", "open")
+    if status in {"open", "needs_reassessment"}:
+        if status != "needs_reassessment":
+            finding["status"] = "needs_reassessment"
+            updated = True
+        note = (
+            "GitHub review thread was resolved or outdated by the pull request author; "
+            "reassess the finding before changing its status."
+        )
+        if finding.get("last_reconciliation_note") != note:
+            finding["last_reconciliation_note"] = note
+            updated = True
+        if isinstance(finding.get("id"), str):
+            surface = _coerce_surface(finding, str(finding["id"]))
+            if surface.get("state") != "surfaced":
+                surface["state"] = "surfaced"
+                updated = True
+            finding["surface"] = surface
         return updated
 
-    if finding.get("status") == "open":
-        finding["status"] = "resolved"
-        updated = True
+    if not all_resolved:
+        return updated
     if not finding.get("github_thread_resolved"):
         finding["github_thread_resolved"] = True
         updated = True
diff --git a/agent/tools/publish_review.py b/agent/tools/publish_review.py
index 2f90256a..f1254873 100644
--- a/agent/tools/publish_review.py
+++ b/agent/tools/publish_review.py
@@ -16,7 +16,10 @@ from ..review.findings import (
     Finding,
     ReviewerThreadMissingError,
     Severity,
+    _coerce_findings_list,
     _coerce_surface,
+    _finding_mutation_lock,
+    _get_thread_metadata_strict,
     filter_findings_for_publish,
     get_thread_id_from_runtime,
     get_thread_last_reviewed_sha,
@@ -35,6 +38,7 @@ from ..review.publish import (
     clear_review_started_comment,
     dismiss_pull_request_review,
     fetch_pr_review_threads,
+    fetch_pull_request_head_sha,
     fetch_review_comments,
     fetch_review_thread_id_for_comment,
     open_swe_review_exists,
@@ -46,6 +50,7 @@ from ..review.publish import (
     reply_to_review_comment,
     resolve_review_thread,
     settle_review_check_run,
+    update_pull_request_review_body,
 )
 from ..review.reconcile import reconcile_findings_with_review_threads
 from ..utils.dashboard_links import dashboard_review_url
@@ -90,16 +95,12 @@ async def publish_review(
             mentioned in the review summary with a link to the web app, but are
             not posted as inline PR comments.
         verdict: Optional review verdict — ``"approve"`` or
-            ``"request_changes"``. ``"request_changes"`` is honored ONLY when
-            this run was explicitly authorized to submit a verdict (the
-            triggering user asked for one). ``"approve"`` is also honored on a
-            run without that authorization when the review is clean — zero
-            open findings — so a clean review lands as a real APPROVE; with
-            open findings an unsolicited approve is downgraded to a plain
-            comment and the result carries ``verdict_ignored: true``. Never
-            describe an ignored verdict as an approval. Verdicts are also
-            downgraded to a comment when the PR was authored by Open SWE
-            itself (self-review).
+            ``"request_changes"``. Explicitly requested verdicts are honored
+            subject to the safety checks below. Automatically authorized
+            verdicts must agree with authoritative finding state: approve
+            requires no open findings and request_changes requires at least
+            one. A downgraded verdict is posted as a comment review and carries
+            ``verdict_ignored: true``.
     Returns:
         Dictionary with ``success``, ``review_id``, ``surfaced_count``,
         ``hidden_count``, ``resolved_thread_count``, and sometimes
@@ -123,9 +124,10 @@ async def publish_review(
         ``verdict_submitted`` (GitHub confirmed the requested APPROVE/
         REQUEST_CHANGES state) or ``verdict_ignored`` +
         ``verdict_ignored_reason`` (``"verdict_not_requested"``,
-        ``"approve_with_open_findings"`` — an unsolicited approve on a run
-        with open findings — ``"self_review"``, ``"head_moved"`` — the
-        reviewed commit is no longer the PR head — or ``"author_unknown"``).
+        ``"approve_with_open_findings"``,
+        ``"request_changes_without_open_findings"``, ``"self_review"``,
+        ``"head_moved"`` — the reviewed commit is no longer the PR head —
+        ``"author_unknown"``, or ``"github_state_mismatch"``).
     """
     if severity_threshold not in {"low", "medium", "high", "critical"}:
         return {"success": False, "error": f"Invalid severity_threshold: {severity_threshold}"}
@@ -182,24 +184,12 @@ async def publish_review(
     if not token:
         return {"success": False, "error": "No GitHub token available"}
 
-    # Verdict authorization is enforced here in code, not in the prompt.
-    # Explicit requests may submit either verdict. Automatic approvals require
-    # the dispatch-set verdict_authorized flag and still pass the clean-review
-    # gate in _publish_review_async.
-    verdict_not_requested = False
-    unsolicited_approve = False
-    if verdict is not None and configurable.get("verdict_requested") is not True:
-        if verdict == "approve" and configurable.get("verdict_authorized") is True:
-            unsolicited_approve = True
-        else:
-            logger.info(
-                "publish_review verdict %r dropped: run not authorized to submit verdicts "
-                "(pr_number=%s)",
-                verdict,
-                pr_number,
-            )
-            verdict = None
-            verdict_not_requested = True
+    if configurable.get("verdict_requested") is True:
+        verdict_authorization = "requested"
+    elif configurable.get("verdict_authorized") is True:
+        verdict_authorization = "consistent"
+    else:
+        verdict_authorization = "none"
 
     try:
         result = await _publish_review_async(
@@ -215,12 +205,8 @@ async def publish_review(
             trace_link_config_override=configurable.get("review_trace_link_enabled"),
             verdict=verdict,
             verdict_requester=str(configurable.get("github_login") or ""),
-            unsolicited_approve=unsolicited_approve,
+            verdict_authorization=verdict_authorization,
         )
-        if verdict_not_requested:
-            result["verdict_ignored"] = True
-            result["verdict_ignored_reason"] = "verdict_not_requested"
-            result["verdict_submitted"] = False
         return result
     except ReviewerThreadMissingError as exc:
         return thread_missing_tool_result(exc)
@@ -320,10 +306,11 @@ async def _publish_review_async(
     trace_link_config_override: object = None,
     verdict: str | None = None,
     verdict_requester: str = "",
-    unsolicited_approve: bool = False,
+    verdict_authorization: str = "requested",
 ) -> dict[str, Any]:
     thread_id = get_thread_id_from_runtime()
     verdict_ignored_reason: str | None = None
+    verdict_attempted = verdict is not None
     reviewed_head_sha = head_sha
     # The run config's head_sha is frozen at run creation; a push that arrived
     # mid-run updated the live head in thread metadata. Prefer that so the
@@ -331,56 +318,6 @@ async def _publish_review_async(
     # reviewed, not the stale one this run was created for.
     head_sha = await resolve_review_head_sha(thread_id, {"head_sha": head_sha})
 
-    if verdict is not None:
-        metadata = await get_thread_metadata(thread_id)
-        # A verdict is merge-affecting (a real APPROVE/REQUEST_CHANGES), so it
-        # must reflect exactly the commit the agent reviewed. If a push landed
-        # mid-run and moved the head, the resolved head no longer matches what
-        # this run examined — downgrade to a comment rather than stamp an
-        # approval onto unreviewed code (and let the push's own re-review submit
-        # a fresh verdict). A plain comment publish still safely retargets.
-        if reviewed_head_sha and head_sha and head_sha != reviewed_head_sha:
-            logger.info(
-                "publish_review verdict %r downgraded to comment: head moved %s -> %s "
-                "mid-run for %s/%s#%s",
-                verdict,
-                reviewed_head_sha,
-                head_sha,
-                owner,
-                repo,
-                pr_number,
-            )
-            verdict = None
-            verdict_ignored_reason = "head_moved"
-        else:
-            pr_author = _pr_author_from_thread(metadata)
-            bot_logins = {login.casefold() for login in INTERNAL_BOT_LOGINS}
-            if not pr_author:
-                # Fail closed: a verdict on a PR whose author we cannot confirm
-                # might be a self-review on an Open SWE PR. Downgrade rather than
-                # risk approving our own work.
-                logger.info(
-                    "publish_review verdict %r downgraded to comment: PR author "
-                    "unknown for %s/%s#%s",
-                    verdict,
-                    owner,
-                    repo,
-                    pr_number,
-                )
-                verdict = None
-                verdict_ignored_reason = "author_unknown"
-            elif pr_author.casefold() in bot_logins:
-                logger.info(
-                    "publish_review verdict %r downgraded to comment: PR %s/%s#%s was "
-                    "authored by internal bot %r (self-review)",
-                    verdict,
-                    owner,
-                    repo,
-                    pr_number,
-                    pr_author,
-                )
-                verdict = None
-                verdict_ignored_reason = "self_review"
     findings = await _backfill_findings_from_pr_threads(
         thread_id=thread_id,
         owner=owner,
@@ -389,25 +326,6 @@ async def _publish_review_async(
         token=token,
     )
 
-    # An unsolicited approve (no verdict_requested on the run) is honored only
-    # for a clean review: any open finding — new, previously published, or
-    # below the surfacing threshold — means changes are effectively being
-    # requested, so the approve downgrades to a comment.
-    if verdict == "approve" and unsolicited_approve:
-        open_findings_count = sum(1 for f in findings if f.get("status", "open") == "open")
-        if open_findings_count:
-            logger.info(
-                "publish_review unsolicited approve downgraded to comment: %d open "
-                "finding(s) for %s/%s#%s",
-                open_findings_count,
-                owner,
-                repo,
-                pr_number,
-            )
-            verdict = None
-            verdict_ignored_reason = "approve_with_open_findings"
-
-    event = _VERDICT_EVENTS.get(verdict or "", "COMMENT")
     review_trace_url = await _resolve_review_trace_url(thread_id, trace_link_config_override)
     review_ui_url = dashboard_review_url(owner, repo, pr_number)
 
@@ -465,7 +383,7 @@ async def _publish_review_async(
     # plain comment publishes.
     if (
         not inline_comments
-        and verdict is None
+        and not verdict_attempted
         and await _open_swe_already_reviewed(
             thread_id=thread_id,
             owner=owner,
@@ -508,21 +426,15 @@ async def _publish_review_async(
             skip_result["verdict_ignored_reason"] = verdict_ignored_reason
         return skip_result
 
-    review_body = _decorate_review_body(
-        render_review_body(
-            pr_number=pr_number,
-            surfaced_count=len(inline_comments),
-            trace_url=review_trace_url,
-            ui_url=review_ui_url,
-            additional_findings_count=additional_findings_count,
-        ),
-        verdict=verdict,
-        verdict_requester=verdict_requester,
-        verdict_ignored_reason=verdict_ignored_reason,
-        unsolicited_approve=unsolicited_approve,
+    review_body = render_review_body(
+        pr_number=pr_number,
+        surfaced_count=len(inline_comments),
+        trace_url=review_trace_url,
+        ui_url=review_ui_url,
+        additional_findings_count=additional_findings_count,
     )
-
-    review_response = await post_pull_request_review(
+    review_response, event, verdict_ignored_reason, findings = await _post_review_guarded(
+        thread_id=thread_id,
         owner=owner,
         repo=repo,
         pr_number=pr_number,
@@ -530,7 +442,10 @@ async def _publish_review_async(
         body=review_body,
         inline_comments=inline_comments,
         token=token,
-        event=event,
+        verdict=verdict,
+        verdict_authorization=verdict_authorization,
+        verdict_requester=verdict_requester,
+        reviewed_head_sha=reviewed_head_sha,
     )
     # If GitHub rejected the batch because one or more inline comments anchor
     # to a file/line that's not in the PR diff, drop just those findings and
@@ -550,20 +465,15 @@ async def _publish_review_async(
         )
         if dropped_ids and valid_with_payload:
             retry_inline = [p for _, p in valid_with_payload]
-            retry_body = _decorate_review_body(
-                render_review_body(
-                    pr_number=pr_number,
-                    surfaced_count=len(retry_inline),
-                    trace_url=review_trace_url,
-                    ui_url=review_ui_url,
-                    additional_findings_count=additional_findings_count,
-                ),
-                verdict=verdict,
-                verdict_requester=verdict_requester,
-                verdict_ignored_reason=verdict_ignored_reason,
-                unsolicited_approve=unsolicited_approve,
+            retry_body = render_review_body(
+                pr_number=pr_number,
+                surfaced_count=len(retry_inline),
+                trace_url=review_trace_url,
+                ui_url=review_ui_url,
+                additional_findings_count=additional_findings_count,
             )
-            retry_response = await post_pull_request_review(
+            retry_response, event, verdict_ignored_reason, findings = await _post_review_guarded(
+                thread_id=thread_id,
                 owner=owner,
                 repo=repo,
                 pr_number=pr_number,
@@ -571,10 +481,14 @@ async def _publish_review_async(
                 body=retry_body,
                 inline_comments=retry_inline,
                 token=token,
-                event=event,
+                verdict=verdict,
+                verdict_authorization=verdict_authorization,
+                verdict_requester=verdict_requester,
+                reviewed_head_sha=reviewed_head_sha,
             )
             if isinstance(retry_response, dict) and "_error" not in retry_response:
                 review_response = retry_response
+                review_body = retry_body
                 inline_comments = retry_inline
                 eligible_with_payload = valid_with_payload
                 unresolvable_findings = dropped_ids
@@ -598,20 +512,20 @@ async def _publish_review_async(
             # diff. GitHub accepts a bodied review with zero inline comments, so
             # post the authorized verdict rather than dropping it — the verdict
             # must land even when the findings can't be anchored.
-            verdict_only_body = _decorate_review_body(
-                render_review_body(
-                    pr_number=pr_number,
-                    surfaced_count=0,
-                    trace_url=review_trace_url,
-                    ui_url=review_ui_url,
-                    additional_findings_count=additional_findings_count,
-                ),
-                verdict=verdict,
-                verdict_requester=verdict_requester,
-                verdict_ignored_reason=verdict_ignored_reason,
-                unsolicited_approve=unsolicited_approve,
+            verdict_only_body = render_review_body(
+                pr_number=pr_number,
+                surfaced_count=0,
+                trace_url=review_trace_url,
+                ui_url=review_ui_url,
+                additional_findings_count=additional_findings_count,
             )
-            verdict_only_response = await post_pull_request_review(
+            (
+                verdict_only_response,
+                event,
+                verdict_ignored_reason,
+                findings,
+            ) = await _post_review_guarded(
+                thread_id=thread_id,
                 owner=owner,
                 repo=repo,
                 pr_number=pr_number,
@@ -619,10 +533,14 @@ async def _publish_review_async(
                 body=verdict_only_body,
                 inline_comments=[],
                 token=token,
-                event=event,
+                verdict=verdict,
+                verdict_authorization=verdict_authorization,
+                verdict_requester=verdict_requester,
+                reviewed_head_sha=reviewed_head_sha,
             )
             if isinstance(verdict_only_response, dict) and "_error" not in verdict_only_response:
                 review_response = verdict_only_response
+                review_body = verdict_only_body
                 inline_comments = []
                 eligible_with_payload = []
                 unresolvable_findings = dropped_ids
@@ -665,19 +583,34 @@ async def _publish_review_async(
         }
     review_id = review_response.get("id") if isinstance(review_response, dict) else None
 
-    # Trust GitHub's recorded review state, not the event we asked for: GitHub
-    # can accept the POST (returning an id) yet land the review as COMMENTED
-    # (e.g. a same-identity re-approval). Only claim a verdict when the returned
-    # state actually matches. When the response omits state, fall back to the
-    # requested event so a valid submission isn't under-reported.
+    # Trust GitHub's recorded review state, not the event we asked for.
     returned_state = review_response.get("state") if isinstance(review_response, dict) else None
+    recorded_state = returned_state.upper() if isinstance(returned_state, str) else ""
     expected_state = _EVENT_TO_STATE.get(event)
-    if expected_state is None:
-        verdict_submitted = False
-    elif isinstance(returned_state, str) and returned_state:
-        verdict_submitted = returned_state.upper() == expected_state and review_id is not None
-    else:
-        verdict_submitted = review_id is not None
+    verdict_submitted = bool(
+        verdict_attempted
+        and expected_state
+        and recorded_state == expected_state
+        and review_id is not None
+    )
+    if verdict_attempted and not verdict_submitted and verdict_ignored_reason is None:
+        verdict_ignored_reason = "github_state_mismatch"
+    if verdict_attempted and isinstance(review_id, int) and recorded_state:
+        await update_pull_request_review_body(
+            owner=owner,
+            repo=repo,
+            pr_number=pr_number,
+            review_id=review_id,
+            body=_decorate_recorded_review_body(
+                review_body,
+                recorded_state=recorded_state,
+                verdict=verdict,
+                verdict_requester=verdict_requester,
+                verdict_submitted=verdict_submitted,
+                verdict_ignored_reason=verdict_ignored_reason,
+            ),
+            token=token,
+        )
     await _reconcile_last_verdict(
         thread_id=thread_id,
         owner=owner,
@@ -776,6 +709,8 @@ async def _publish_review_async(
         "hidden_count": max(len(open_unpublished) - len(inline_comments), 0),
         "resolved_thread_count": resolved_thread_count,
     }
+    if recorded_state:
+        result["review_state"] = recorded_state
     if verdict_submitted:
         result["verdict_submitted"] = True
         result["verdict_event"] = event
@@ -792,6 +727,110 @@ async def _publish_review_async(
     return result
 
 
+def _finding_blocks_verdict(finding: Finding) -> bool:
+    status = finding.get("status", "open")
+    if status in {"open", "needs_reassessment"}:
+        return True
+    interactions = finding.get("interactions")
+    if not isinstance(interactions, list) or not interactions:
+        return False
+    latest = interactions[-1]
+    return isinstance(latest, dict) and latest.get("needs_reassessment") is True
+
+
+async def _post_review_guarded(
+    *,
+    thread_id: str,
+    owner: str,
+    repo: str,
+    pr_number: int,
+    head_sha: str,
+    body: str,
+    inline_comments: list[dict[str, Any]],
+    token: str,
+    verdict: str | None,
+    verdict_authorization: str,
+    verdict_requester: str,
+    reviewed_head_sha: str,
+) -> tuple[dict[str, Any] | None, str, str | None, list[Finding]]:
+    if verdict is None:
+        response = await post_pull_request_review(
+            owner=owner,
+            repo=repo,
+            pr_number=pr_number,
+            head_sha=head_sha,
+            body=body,
+            inline_comments=inline_comments,
+            token=token,
+            event="COMMENT",
+        )
+        return response, "COMMENT", None, await list_findings_async(thread_id)
+
+    async with _finding_mutation_lock(thread_id):
+        metadata = await _get_thread_metadata_strict(thread_id)
+        findings = _coerce_findings_list(metadata.get("findings"))
+        submitted_verdict = verdict
+        ignored_reason: str | None = None
+        post_head_sha = head_sha
+
+        if verdict_authorization == "none":
+            submitted_verdict = None
+            ignored_reason = "verdict_not_requested"
+        elif verdict_authorization == "consistent":
+            open_count = sum(1 for finding in findings if _finding_blocks_verdict(finding))
+            if verdict == "approve" and open_count:
+                submitted_verdict = None
+                ignored_reason = "approve_with_open_findings"
+            elif verdict == "request_changes" and not open_count:
+                submitted_verdict = None
+                ignored_reason = "request_changes_without_open_findings"
+
+        if submitted_verdict is not None:
+            pr_author = _pr_author_from_thread(metadata)
+            bot_logins = {login.casefold() for login in INTERNAL_BOT_LOGINS}
+            if not pr_author:
+                submitted_verdict = None
+                ignored_reason = "author_unknown"
+            elif pr_author.casefold() in bot_logins:
+                submitted_verdict = None
+                ignored_reason = "self_review"
+
+        if submitted_verdict is not None and head_sha != reviewed_head_sha:
+            submitted_verdict = None
+            ignored_reason = "head_moved"
+
+        if submitted_verdict is not None:
+            live_head_sha = await fetch_pull_request_head_sha(
+                owner=owner,
+                repo=repo,
+                pr_number=pr_number,
+                token=token,
+            )
+            if live_head_sha is not None and live_head_sha != reviewed_head_sha:
+                submitted_verdict = None
+                ignored_reason = "head_moved"
+                post_head_sha = live_head_sha
+
+        event = _VERDICT_EVENTS.get(submitted_verdict or "", "COMMENT")
+        decorated_body = _decorate_review_body(
+            body,
+            verdict=submitted_verdict,
+            verdict_requester=verdict_requester,
+            verdict_ignored_reason=ignored_reason,
+        )
+        response = await post_pull_request_review(
+            owner=owner,
+            repo=repo,
+            pr_number=pr_number,
+            head_sha=post_head_sha,
+            body=decorated_body,
+            inline_comments=inline_comments,
+            token=token,
+            event=event,
+        )
+        return response, event, ignored_reason, findings
+
+
 async def _open_swe_already_reviewed(
     *,
     thread_id: str,
@@ -839,23 +878,39 @@ def _decorate_review_body(
     verdict: str | None,
     verdict_requester: str,
     verdict_ignored_reason: str | None,
-    unsolicited_approve: bool = False,
 ) -> str:
     """Append verdict attribution / downgrade context to the review body."""
     if verdict is not None:
-        if unsolicited_approve:
-            return f"{body}\n\nVerdict (`approve`) submitted — the review found no open issues."
         requester = f"@{verdict_requester}" if verdict_requester else "the requester"
-        return f"{body}\n\nVerdict (`{verdict}`) submitted at the request of {requester}."
-    if verdict_ignored_reason == "self_review":
-        return (
-            f"{body}\n\n> Note: a review verdict was requested, but Open SWE does not "
-            "approve or request changes on its own pull requests. Published as a "
-            "comment review instead."
-        )
+        return f"{body}\n\nVerdict (`{verdict}`) requested by {requester}."
+    if verdict_ignored_reason:
+        reason = verdict_ignored_reason.replace("_", " ")
+        return f"{body}\n\n> Verdict withheld ({reason}). Published as a comment review."
     return body
 
 
+def _decorate_recorded_review_body(
+    body: str,
+    *,
+    recorded_state: str,
+    verdict: str | None,
+    verdict_requester: str,
+    verdict_submitted: bool,
+    verdict_ignored_reason: str | None,
+) -> str:
+    if verdict_submitted and verdict is not None:
+        requester = f"@{verdict_requester}" if verdict_requester else "the requester"
+        return (
+            f"{body}\n\nReview outcome: **{recorded_state}**. "
+            f"Verdict (`{verdict}`) recorded for {requester}."
+        )
+    reason = (verdict_ignored_reason or "github_state_mismatch").replace("_", " ")
+    return (
+        f"{body}\n\nReview outcome: **{recorded_state}**. "
+        f"The requested verdict was withheld ({reason})."
+    )
+
+
 async def _reconcile_last_verdict(
     *,
     thread_id: str,
diff --git a/tests/reviewer/test_reviewer_publish.py b/tests/reviewer/test_reviewer_publish.py
index 3202a307..bb308543 100644
--- a/tests/reviewer/test_reviewer_publish.py
+++ b/tests/reviewer/test_reviewer_publish.py
@@ -2431,14 +2431,12 @@ async def test_publish_review_drops_verdict_when_not_requested() -> None:
     ):
         result = await publish_review(verdict="request_changes")
 
-    assert publish_async.call_args.kwargs["verdict"] is None
-    assert result["verdict_ignored"] is True
-    assert result["verdict_ignored_reason"] == "verdict_not_requested"
-    assert result["verdict_submitted"] is False
+    assert publish_async.call_args.kwargs["verdict"] == "request_changes"
+    assert publish_async.call_args.kwargs["verdict_authorization"] == "none"
+    assert result["success"] is True
 
 
-async def test_publish_review_forwards_unsolicited_approve() -> None:
-    """A dispatch-authorized approve reaches the clean-review gate."""
+async def test_publish_review_forwards_consistency_authorized_approve() -> None:
     from agent.tools.publish_review import publish_review
 
     publish_async = AsyncMock(
@@ -2464,12 +2462,12 @@ async def test_publish_review_forwards_unsolicited_approve() -> None:
         result = await publish_review(verdict="approve")
 
     assert publish_async.call_args.kwargs["verdict"] == "approve"
-    assert publish_async.call_args.kwargs["unsolicited_approve"] is True
+    assert publish_async.call_args.kwargs["verdict_authorization"] == "consistent"
     assert result["verdict_submitted"] is True
     assert "verdict_ignored" not in result
 
 
-async def test_publish_review_drops_unauthorized_unsolicited_approve() -> None:
+async def test_publish_review_marks_unauthorized_approve_for_downgrade() -> None:
     from agent.tools.publish_review import publish_review
 
     publish_async = AsyncMock(return_value={"success": True, "review_id": 9})
@@ -2491,11 +2489,9 @@ async def test_publish_review_drops_unauthorized_unsolicited_approve() -> None:
     ):
         result = await publish_review(verdict="approve")
 
-    assert publish_async.call_args.kwargs["verdict"] is None
-    assert publish_async.call_args.kwargs["unsolicited_approve"] is False
-    assert result["verdict_ignored"] is True
-    assert result["verdict_ignored_reason"] == "verdict_not_requested"
-    assert result["verdict_submitted"] is False
+    assert publish_async.call_args.kwargs["verdict"] == "approve"
+    assert publish_async.call_args.kwargs["verdict_authorization"] == "none"
+    assert result["success"] is True
 
 
 async def test_publish_review_forwards_authorized_verdict() -> None:
@@ -2526,6 +2522,7 @@ async def test_publish_review_forwards_authorized_verdict() -> None:
 
     assert publish_async.call_args.kwargs["verdict"] == "approve"
     assert publish_async.call_args.kwargs["verdict_requester"] == "amoussa1229"
+    assert publish_async.call_args.kwargs["verdict_authorization"] == "requested"
     assert result["verdict_submitted"] is True
     assert "verdict_ignored" not in result
 
@@ -2545,6 +2542,8 @@ def _verdict_publish_patches(
 ) -> list[Any]:
     if thread_metadata is _UNSET_METADATA:
         thread_metadata = {"pr": {"author": "external-contributor"}}
+    strict_metadata = dict(thread_metadata or {})
+    strict_metadata["findings"] = findings
     return [
         patch("agent.tools.publish_review.get_thread_id_from_runtime", return_value="tid"),
         patch("agent.tools.publish_review.list_findings_async", AsyncMock(return_value=findings)),
@@ -2562,6 +2561,15 @@ def _verdict_publish_patches(
             "agent.tools.publish_review.get_thread_metadata",
             AsyncMock(return_value=thread_metadata or {}),
         ),
+        patch(
+            "agent.tools.publish_review._get_thread_metadata_strict",
+            AsyncMock(return_value=strict_metadata),
+        ),
+        patch(
+            "agent.tools.publish_review.fetch_pull_request_head_sha",
+            AsyncMock(return_value="sha"),
+        ),
+        patch("agent.tools.publish_review.update_pull_request_review_body", AsyncMock()),
         patch(
             "agent.tools.publish_review.dismiss_pull_request_review",
             dismiss or AsyncMock(return_value=True),
@@ -2576,7 +2584,7 @@ async def test_publish_async_approve_with_zero_findings_bypasses_empty_skip() ->
 
     from agent.tools.publish_review import _publish_review_async
 
-    post_review = AsyncMock(return_value={"id": 999})
+    post_review = AsyncMock(return_value={"id": 999, "state": "APPROVED"})
     with ExitStack() as stack:
         for p in _verdict_publish_patches(findings=[], post_review=post_review):
             stack.enter_context(p)
@@ -2600,17 +2608,15 @@ async def test_publish_async_approve_with_zero_findings_bypasses_empty_skip() ->
     assert "skipped_empty_re_review" not in result
     assert post_review.await_args.kwargs["event"] == "APPROVE"
     body = post_review.await_args.kwargs["body"]
-    assert "Verdict (`approve`) submitted at the request of @amoussa1229." in body
+    assert "Verdict (`approve`) requested by @amoussa1229." in body
 
 
-async def test_publish_async_unsolicited_approve_clean_posts_approve() -> None:
-    """A clean review (zero open findings) lands an unsolicited approve as a
-    real APPROVE, with automatic (not requester) attribution."""
+async def test_publish_async_consistent_approve_clean_posts_approve() -> None:
     from contextlib import ExitStack
 
     from agent.tools.publish_review import _publish_review_async
 
-    post_review = AsyncMock(return_value={"id": 2001})
+    post_review = AsyncMock(return_value={"id": 2001, "state": "APPROVED"})
     with ExitStack() as stack:
         for p in _verdict_publish_patches(findings=[], post_review=post_review):
             stack.enter_context(p)
@@ -2625,7 +2631,7 @@ async def test_publish_async_unsolicited_approve_clean_posts_approve() -> None:
             is_re_review=False,
             verdict="approve",
             verdict_requester="",
-            unsolicited_approve=True,
+            verdict_authorization="consistent",
         )
 
     assert result["success"] is True
@@ -2633,19 +2639,16 @@ async def test_publish_async_unsolicited_approve_clean_posts_approve() -> None:
     assert result["verdict_event"] == "APPROVE"
     assert post_review.await_args.kwargs["event"] == "APPROVE"
     body = post_review.await_args.kwargs["body"]
-    assert "Verdict (`approve`) submitted — the review found no open issues." in body
-    assert "at the request of" not in body
+    assert "Verdict (`approve`) requested by the requester." in body
 
 
-async def test_publish_async_unsolicited_approve_with_open_findings_downgrades() -> None:
-    """An unsolicited approve alongside open findings is downgraded to a
-    comment review — approving while requesting changes is contradictory."""
+async def test_publish_async_consistent_approve_with_open_findings_downgrades() -> None:
     from contextlib import ExitStack
 
     from agent.tools.publish_review import _publish_review_async
 
     findings = [_f(id="f_1", severity="high", file="a.py", start_line=1, end_line=1)]
-    post_review = AsyncMock(return_value={"id": 2002})
+    post_review = AsyncMock(return_value={"id": 2002, "state": "COMMENTED"})
     with ExitStack() as stack:
         for p in _verdict_publish_patches(findings=findings, post_review=post_review):
             stack.enter_context(p)
@@ -2660,7 +2663,7 @@ async def test_publish_async_unsolicited_approve_with_open_findings_downgrades()
             is_re_review=False,
             verdict="approve",
             verdict_requester="",
-            unsolicited_approve=True,
+            verdict_authorization="consistent",
         )
 
     assert result["success"] is True
@@ -2670,7 +2673,7 @@ async def test_publish_async_unsolicited_approve_with_open_findings_downgrades()
     assert post_review.await_args.kwargs["event"] == "COMMENT"
 
 
-async def test_publish_async_authorized_approve_ignores_open_findings_gate() -> None:
+async def test_publish_async_requested_approve_ignores_open_findings_gate() -> None:
     """The explicit-request path is unchanged: an authorized approve is honored
     even when open findings exist (the requester asked for the verdict)."""
     from contextlib import ExitStack
@@ -2678,7 +2681,7 @@ async def test_publish_async_authorized_approve_ignores_open_findings_gate() ->
     from agent.tools.publish_review import _publish_review_async
 
     findings = [_f(id="f_1", severity="high", file="a.py", start_line=1, end_line=1)]
-    post_review = AsyncMock(return_value={"id": 2003})
+    post_review = AsyncMock(return_value={"id": 2003, "state": "APPROVED"})
     with ExitStack() as stack:
         for p in _verdict_publish_patches(findings=findings, post_review=post_review):
             stack.enter_context(p)
@@ -2706,7 +2709,7 @@ async def test_publish_async_request_changes_maps_event() -> None:
     from agent.tools.publish_review import _publish_review_async
 
     findings = [_f(id="f_1", severity="high", file="a.py", start_line=1, end_line=1)]
-    post_review = AsyncMock(return_value={"id": 1000})
+    post_review = AsyncMock(return_value={"id": 1000, "state": "CHANGES_REQUESTED"})
     with ExitStack() as stack:
         for p in _verdict_publish_patches(findings=findings, post_review=post_review):
             stack.enter_context(p)
@@ -2733,7 +2736,7 @@ async def test_publish_async_self_review_downgrades_verdict_to_comment() -> None
 
     from agent.tools.publish_review import _publish_review_async
 
-    post_review = AsyncMock(return_value={"id": 1001})
+    post_review = AsyncMock(return_value={"id": 1001, "state": "COMMENTED"})
     with ExitStack() as stack:
         for p in _verdict_publish_patches(
             findings=[],
@@ -2760,7 +2763,7 @@ async def test_publish_async_self_review_downgrades_verdict_to_comment() -> None
     assert result["verdict_ignored_reason"] == "self_review"
     assert post_review.await_args.kwargs["event"] == "COMMENT"
     body = post_review.await_args.kwargs["body"]
-    assert "does not approve or request changes on its own pull requests" in body
+    assert "Verdict withheld (self review)" in body
 
 
 async def test_publish_async_dismisses_stale_approval_on_new_findings() -> None:
@@ -2964,14 +2967,17 @@ async def test_publish_async_verdict_lands_when_all_findings_out_of_diff() -> No
     assert post_review.await_args.kwargs["inline_comments"] == []
 
 
-async def test_publish_async_verdict_not_submitted_when_github_coerces_state() -> None:
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("recorded_state", ["COMMENTED", "CHANGES_REQUESTED", None])
+async def test_publish_async_verdict_not_submitted_when_github_state_mismatches(
+    recorded_state: str | None,
+) -> None:
     """GitHub can accept the POST but land the review as COMMENTED; the result
     must not claim a verdict in that case."""
     from contextlib import ExitStack
 
     from agent.tools.publish_review import _publish_review_async
 
-    post_review = AsyncMock(return_value={"id": 2005, "state": "COMMENTED"})
+    post_review = AsyncMock(return_value={"id": 2005, "state": recorded_state})
     with ExitStack() as stack:
         for p in _verdict_publish_patches(findings=[], post_review=post_review):
             stack.enter_context(p)
@@ -2990,3 +2996,145 @@ async def test_publish_async_verdict_not_submitted_when_github_coerces_state() -
 
     assert result["success"] is True
     assert result.get("verdict_submitted") is not True
+    assert result["verdict_ignored_reason"] == "github_state_mismatch"
+    if recorded_state is None:
+        assert "review_state" not in result
+    else:
+        assert result["review_state"] == recorded_state
+    assert "submitted" not in post_review.await_args.kwargs["body"].lower()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("finding_state", ["clean", "open", "needs_reassessment"])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("verdict", ["approve", "request_changes"])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("authorization", ["requested", "consistent", "none"])
+async def test_publish_async_verdict_authorization_matrix(
+    authorization: str,
+    verdict: str,
+    finding_state: str,
+) -> None:
+    from contextlib import ExitStack
+
+    from agent.tools.publish_review import _publish_review_async
+
+    findings = []
+    if finding_state != "clean":
+        finding = _f(id="f_matrix", severity="high", file="a.py", start_line=1, end_line=1)
+        finding["status"] = finding_state
+        findings = [finding]
+
+    has_open = finding_state != "clean"
+    should_submit = authorization == "requested" or (
+        authorization == "consistent"
+        and ((verdict == "approve" and not has_open) or (verdict == "request_changes" and has_open))
+    )
+    expected_event = (
+        ("APPROVE" if verdict == "approve" else "REQUEST_CHANGES") if should_submit else "COMMENT"
+    )
+    recorded_state = {
+        "APPROVE": "APPROVED",
+        "REQUEST_CHANGES": "CHANGES_REQUESTED",
+        "COMMENT": "COMMENTED",
+    }[expected_event]
+    post_review = AsyncMock(return_value={"id": 4001, "state": recorded_state})
+    update_body = AsyncMock(return_value=True)
+
+    with ExitStack() as stack:
+        for patcher in _verdict_publish_patches(findings=findings, post_review=post_review):
+            stack.enter_context(patcher)
+        stack.enter_context(
+            patch("agent.tools.publish_review.update_pull_request_review_body", update_body)
+        )
+        result = await _publish_review_async(
+            owner="o",
+            repo="r",
+            pr_number=7,
+            head_sha="sha",
+            token="t",
+            severity_threshold="medium",
+            cap=15,
+            is_re_review=False,
+            verdict=verdict,
+            verdict_authorization=authorization,
+        )
+
+    assert post_review.await_args.kwargs["event"] == expected_event
+    assert result.get("verdict_submitted") is should_submit
+    assert f"Review outcome: **{recorded_state}**" in update_body.await_args.kwargs["body"]
+    if not should_submit:
+        expected_reason = "verdict_not_requested"
+        if authorization == "consistent":
+            expected_reason = (
+                "approve_with_open_findings"
+                if verdict == "approve"
+                else "request_changes_without_open_findings"
+            )
+        assert result["verdict_ignored_reason"] == expected_reason
+        assert "Published as a comment review" in post_review.await_args.kwargs["body"]
+
+
+async def test_publish_async_rechecks_live_head_immediately_before_verdict_post() -> None:
+    from contextlib import ExitStack
+
+    from agent.tools.publish_review import _publish_review_async
+
+    order: list[str] = []
+    lock_state = {"held": False}
+
+    class TrackingLock:
+        async def __aenter__(self) -> None:
+            lock_state["held"] = True
+
+        async def __aexit__(self, *_args: Any) -> None:
+            lock_state["held"] = False
+
+    async def snapshot(_thread_id: str) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        assert lock_state["held"] is True
+        order.append("snapshot")
+        return {"pr": {"author": "external-contributor"}, "findings": []}
+
+    async def fetch_live_head(**_kwargs: Any) -> str:
+        assert lock_state["held"] is True
+        order.append("head")
+        return "moved"
+
+    async def post_review(**kwargs: Any) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        assert lock_state["held"] is True
+        order.append("post")
+        assert kwargs["event"] == "COMMENT"
+        return {"id": 4002, "state": "COMMENTED"}
+
+    post = AsyncMock(side_effect=post_review)
+    with ExitStack() as stack:
+        for patcher in _verdict_publish_patches(findings=[], post_review=post):
+            stack.enter_context(patcher)
+        stack.enter_context(
+            patch(
+                "agent.tools.publish_review.fetch_pull_request_head_sha",
+                AsyncMock(side_effect=fetch_live_head),
+            )
+        )
+        stack.enter_context(
+            patch(
+                "agent.tools.publish_review._get_thread_metadata_strict",
+                AsyncMock(side_effect=snapshot),
+            )
+        )
+        stack.enter_context(
+            patch("agent.tools.publish_review._finding_mutation_lock", return_value=TrackingLock())
+        )
+        result = await _publish_review_async(
+            owner="o",
+            repo="r",
+            pr_number=7,
+            head_sha="sha",
+            token="t",
+            severity_threshold="medium",
+            cap=15,
+            is_re_review=False,
+            verdict="approve",
+            verdict_authorization="consistent",
+        )
+
+    assert order == ["snapshot", "head", "post"]
+    assert lock_state["held"] is False
+    assert result["verdict_ignored_reason"] == "head_moved"
diff --git a/tests/reviewer/test_reviewer_reconcile.py b/tests/reviewer/test_reviewer_reconcile.py
index 887c92d0..9773534f 100644
--- a/tests/reviewer/test_reviewer_reconcile.py
+++ b/tests/reviewer/test_reviewer_reconcile.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from agent.review.reconcile import reconcile_findings_with_review_threads
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_reconcile_marks_resolved_github_thread_resolved() -> None:
+async def test_reconcile_marks_author_resolved_thread_needs_reassessment() -> None:
     findings = [
         {
             "id": "f1",
@@ -35,8 +35,9 @@ async def test_reconcile_marks_resolved_github_thread_resolved() -> None:
             ],
         )
 
-    assert result[0]["status"] == "resolved"
-    assert result[0]["github_thread_resolved"] is True
+    assert result[0]["status"] == "needs_reassessment"
+    assert result[0].get("github_thread_resolved") is not True
+    assert "reassess" in result[0]["last_reconciliation_note"]
     replace.assert_awaited_once()
 
 
@@ -212,13 +213,60 @@ async def test_reconcile_duplicate_markers_stay_open_when_some_threads_only_outd
             ],
         )
 
-    assert result[0]["status"] == "open"
-    assert "last_reconciliation_note" not in result[0]
+    assert result[0]["status"] == "needs_reassessment"
+    assert "reassess" in result[0]["last_reconciliation_note"]
     assert result[0]["github_resolved_thread_ids"] == ["THREAD_RESOLVED"]
     assert result[0].get("github_thread_resolved") is not True
     replace.assert_awaited_once()
 
 
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_reconcile_marks_author_outdated_thread_needs_reassessment() -> None:
+    findings = [{"id": "f1", "status": "open", "github_review_comment_id": 11}]
+
+    with (
+        patch("agent.review.reconcile.list_findings", AsyncMock(return_value=findings)),
+        patch("agent.review.reconcile.replace_findings", AsyncMock()),
+    ):
+        result = await reconcile_findings_with_review_threads(
+            "tid",
+            [
+                {
+                    "id": "THREAD_1",
+                    "is_resolved": False,
+                    "is_outdated": True,
+                    "comments": [{"id": 11, "author": "open-swe[bot]", "body": "bug"}],
+                }
+            ],
+        )
+
+    assert result[0]["status"] == "needs_reassessment"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_reconcile_preserves_reviewer_resolved_status() -> None:
+    findings = [{"id": "f1", "status": "resolved", "github_review_comment_id": 11}]
+
+    with (
+        patch("agent.review.reconcile.list_findings", AsyncMock(return_value=findings)),
+        patch("agent.review.reconcile.replace_findings", AsyncMock()),
+    ):
+        result = await reconcile_findings_with_review_threads(
+            "tid",
+            [
+                {
+                    "id": "THREAD_1",
+                    "is_resolved": True,
+                    "is_outdated": False,
+                    "comments": [{"id": 11, "author": "open-swe[bot]", "body": "bug"}],
+                }
+            ],
+        )
+
+    assert result[0]["status"] == "resolved"
+    assert result[0]["github_thread_resolved"] is True
+
+
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_reconcile_ignores_spoofed_non_bot_marker() -> None:
     findings = [