test: make prerequisite lanes fail honestly

docs/release-gate.md

@@ -100,7 +100,22 @@ generator (the former chat/radar-only generators were redundant):
 $env:ACDREAM_REGENERATE_UI_FIXTURES = '1'
 $env:ACDREAM_DAT_DIR = 'C:\path\to\Asherons Call'
 dotnet test tests/AcDream.App.Tests/AcDream.App.Tests.csproj -c Release `
-  --filter 'Lane=Manual'
+  --filter 'Lane=Manual&ManualTask=FixtureGeneration'
+```
+
+The retained live-DAT probes are manual evidence, not InstalledDat regression
+contracts. Run each opt-in family independently so a probe command can never
+regenerate fixtures as a side effect:
+
+```powershell
+$env:ACDREAM_DAT_DIR = 'C:\path\to\Asherons Call'
+$env:ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT = '1'
+dotnet test tests/AcDream.App.Tests/AcDream.App.Tests.csproj -c Release `
+  --filter 'Lane=Manual&ManualTask=LiveMountProbe'
+
+$env:ACDREAM_PROBE_POWERBAR = '1'
+dotnet test tests/AcDream.App.Tests/AcDream.App.Tests.csproj -c Release `
+  --filter 'Lane=Manual&ManualTask=PowerbarProbe'
 ```
 
 Known failures (`Status=KnownFailure`) are never part of a green release total.
@@ -114,9 +129,9 @@ investigation output, and several methods require installed DATs:
 
 ```powershell
 dotnet test tests/AcDream.App.Tests/AcDream.App.Tests.csproj -c Release `
-  --filter 'Purpose=Diagnostic'
+  --filter 'Purpose=Diagnostic&Lane!=Manual'
 dotnet test tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/AcDream.Core.Tests.csproj -c Release `
-  --filter 'Purpose=Diagnostic'
+  --filter 'Purpose=Diagnostic&Lane!=Manual'
 ```
 
 Operating-system contracts are likewise explicit. Run `Lane=Windows` on a

docs/reviews/2026-08-18-r3-test-truth-ledger.md

@@ -38,27 +38,27 @@ pwsh ./tools/audit-test-inventory.ps1
 The generated JSON lives under ignored `artifacts/test-audit/`; it is not a
 second 6.8 MB checked-in source of truth. The script and this reviewed ledger
 are durable, while paths and line numbers regenerate after every batch. The
-inventory at commit `8f490240` reports:
+inventory refreshed for Batch G reports:
 
 | Syntax signal | Current count |
 |---|---:|
 | Tracked/parsed C# test files | 1,256 / 1,256 |
-| Attributed test methods (not expanded theory cases) | 11,455 |
+| Attributed test methods (not expanded theory cases) | 11,450 |
-| Methods containing at least one empty `return;` | 399 |
+| Methods containing at least one empty `return;` | 138 |
-| Empty-return sites | 426 |
+| Empty-return sites | 143 |
-| Prerequisite-return candidates | 282 |
+| Direct / same-file-helper prerequisite-return candidates | 2 / 1 |
-| Mechanical output-only candidates | 47 |
+| Mechanical output-only candidates | 2 |
-| Methods directly using `Thread.Sleep` / `Task.Delay` | 20 / 23 |
+| Reviewed diagnostic methods | 51 |
+| Methods directly using `Thread.Sleep` / `Task.Delay` | 15 / 23 |
 | Methods directly reading environment variables | 47 |
 | Methods directly reading `.cs` source text | 63 |
 
-The 282 prerequisite-return count is intentionally a review candidate set, not
+The three remaining prerequisite-return candidates are all reviewed branch
-a claim that all 399 methods are broken. It comprises 109 App, 125 Core, 29
+false positives: the two Windows/Linux factory assertions and the launcher's
-Content, 12 Launcher.Core, three Core.Net, three Bake, and one Headless method.
+cross-platform directory-link helper. Every true prerequisite return found by
-The classifier includes external-asset, opt-in, and platform gates; behavioral
+the inventory now fails explicitly inside its selected non-hermetic lane. The
-early exits inside callback tests remain outside that candidate set. Every
+remaining 143 empty returns are behavioral control flow, callback exits, or
-candidate still requires source inspection because `Directory.Exists`, for
+the three platform branches; they are not missing-prerequisite passes.
-example, can also be the behavior under test.
 
 The output-only classifier follows same-file helper calls, but it cannot decide
 whether an assertion merely establishes probe setup. The reviewed diagnostic
@@ -95,17 +95,16 @@ Installed-DAT skip distribution:
 | `TooltipLiveDatTests` | 7 |
 | `UiButtonCorpusSweepTests` | 3 |
 
-There are also 11 source sites that throw `SkipException.ForSkip` conditionally.
+The 11 source sites that conditionally threw `SkipException.ForSkip` were not
-They are not part of the current 77 because their prerequisites happened to be
+part of the R2 77 because their prerequisites happened to be available on that
-available on the R2 gate machine. R3 must retain their per-test reason and
+machine. Batch G preserves their reasons but replaces the misleading dynamic-
-assign them to the installed-DAT, prepared-package, system-font, or other
+skip exception with explicit lane-prerequisite failures. No static skip or
-explicit prerequisite lane; a future machine may report them as additional
+`SkipException.ForSkip` remains in current test source.
-skips.
 
 The lane vocabulary is deliberately orthogonal:
 
 - `Lane` states the execution environment (`InstalledDat`, `PreparedPackage`,
-  `Live`, or `Manual`);
+  `Live`, `Manual`, `Windows`, `Linux`, or `SystemFont`);
 - `Purpose=Diagnostic` marks output/investigation apparatus that cannot add to
   the contract-test pass count; and
 - `Status=KnownFailure` keeps a named executable oracle visible without making
@@ -127,7 +126,7 @@ identifiable in the lane report.
 | T-004 warning mismatches | resolved in R2 | Clean rebuild is zero-warning with repository-wide warnings-as-errors. |
 | T-005 unreachable panel stack | requires production reachability proof | Do not delete 52 meaningful tests until the dead presentation surface and any supported plugin compatibility promise are verified together. |
 | T-006 misleading installed-DAT reason | resolved in batch B | Shared opt-in is now `ACDREAM_RUN_INSTALLED_DAT_TESTS=1` (legacy switch retained), the reason names the lane, and all nine owners carry `Lane=InstalledDat`. |
-| T-007 271 silent passing gates | lane classification complete in batch D; body cleanup active | Of 282 current candidates, 280 are true prerequisite gates and now have an explicit lane. The two unlaned methods are reviewed false positives that assert the current Windows/Linux branch before returning. Empty-return removal remains, lane by lane. |
+| T-007 271 silent passing gates | resolved in batch G | All 280 directly found gates plus three later-reconciled sites now fail explicitly when their selected lane lacks its prerequisite. The only three syntax candidates left are reviewed cross-platform branch false positives. |
 | T-008 incapable-of-failing diagnostics | batch A plus diagnostic lane work | Delete the literal wiring smoke test; repair the GPU contract tautology; later re-home output-only apparatus. |
 | T-009 wall-clock double-click tests | resolved in batch E | Four sleeps were replaced by a deterministic test clock behind an internal factory overload. The production factory still reads `Environment.TickCount64` exactly as before. |
 | T-010 two useless cases | high-confidence cleanup batch A | Delete `SmokeTest.TestProject_IsWired` and `ChaseCameraTests.ImplementsICamera`; compilation already proves both claims. |
@@ -370,3 +369,57 @@ warnings/errors, the refreshed inventory reports two explicit known-failure
 methods and 15 remaining direct `Thread.Sleep` methods, and the no-retry
 hermetic gate passed 14,391/14,391 with zero skips or failures. The one-pass
 reduction is exactly #321 leaving the release lane.
+
+## Batch G honest prerequisite lanes
+
+Batch G removes every true silent prerequisite pass found by the direct and
+same-file-helper inventory. Across 101 test files, 283 lane-owned `return;`
+sites now report a prerequisite failure when that lane was explicitly
+selected: 261 installed-DAT, ten Linux, seven Windows, three Live, and two
+prepared-package methods. Seventeen platform guards throw
+`PlatformNotSupportedException`; the remaining gates use lane-specific
+assertion failures. Production behavior and every contract assertion after the
+guard are unchanged.
+
+The eleven conditional `SkipException.ForSkip` sites now use explicit
+prerequisite failures as well. Their asset, package, or font reason is retained,
+but a selected lane can no longer look green by dynamically skipping the
+contract. The refreshed syntax inventory finds zero true silent-prerequisite
+candidates. Its three remaining candidates are the reviewed Windows/Linux
+branch returns recorded in Batch E.
+
+The focused installed-DAT run also exposed a taxonomy error rather than a
+product failure: 19 interactive layout methods need a retail DAT directory but
+are operator-driven probes, not automated DAT contracts. They now live under
+`Lane=Manual`, divided into `ManualTask=LiveMountProbe` (13) and
+`ManualTask=PowerbarProbe` (6). The comprehensive existing generator is
+separately named `ManualTask=FixtureGeneration`, so selecting a probe cannot
+rewrite committed fixtures. Current attributed-method lane ownership is:
+
+| Lane | Methods |
+|---|---:|
+| `InstalledDat` | 317 |
+| `PreparedPackage` | 2 |
+| `Live` | 3 |
+| `Manual` | 20 |
+| `Windows` | 7 |
+| `Linux` | 10 |
+| `SystemFont` | 2 |
+
+Focused verification before the complete gate:
+
+- Release build of all 44 maintained projects: 0 warnings, 0 errors;
+- installed-DAT contracts: 311/311 passed (App 150, Bake 3, Content 28,
+  Core 130);
+- prepared-package contracts: 2/2 passed against the validated local package;
+- Windows contracts: 7/7 passed; system-font contracts: 2/2 passed;
+- manual live-mount probes: 13/13 passed; manual powerbar probes: 6/6 passed;
+- a Linux contract selected on Windows failed with the explicit wrong-host
+  reason; and
+- a Live contract selected without opt-in failed with the explicit
+  `ACDREAM_LIVE=1`/reachable-server prerequisite reason.
+
+The fixture-generation task was intentionally not executed: its documented
+purpose is to rewrite fixture files, while this R3 batch is review/test-only.
+The no-retry complete hermetic Release gate passed 14,391/14,391 with zero
+skips or failures across all 12 test assemblies.

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Credentials/AppCredentialResolverTests.cs

@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ public sealed class AppCredentialResolverTests
     public void LinuxRejectsGroupOrOtherCredentialPermissions()
     {
         if (!OperatingSystem.IsLinux())
-            return;
+            throw new PlatformNotSupportedException("Lane=Linux requires a native Linux host.");
 
         string path = Path.Combine(
             Path.GetTempPath(),

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/ChargenPreviewControllerTests.cs

@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewControllerTests
     public void Rebuild_SameSelectionTwice_IsANoOpSecondTime()
     {
         if (!TryOpen(out DatCollection? dats, out DatCollectionAdapter? adapter))
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using (dats)
         using (adapter)
         {
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewControllerTests
     public void Rebuild_HeritageChange_ResetsCameraToTheNewHeritagesDefaultEye()
     {
         if (!TryOpen(out DatCollection? dats, out DatCollectionAdapter? adapter))
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using (dats)
         using (adapter)
         {
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewControllerTests
     public void Rebuild_AppearanceOnlyChange_LeavesTheCameraUntouched()
     {
         if (!TryOpen(out DatCollection? dats, out DatCollectionAdapter? adapter))
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using (dats)
         using (adapter)
         {
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewControllerTests
     public void Rebuild_PreservesZoomState_AcrossAnAppearanceOnlyChange()
     {
         if (!TryOpen(out DatCollection? dats, out DatCollectionAdapter? adapter))
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using (dats)
         using (adapter)
         {
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewControllerTests
     public void Rebuild_ThenRender_SeedsTheEntityHeadingToTheRetailDefault180Degrees()
     {
         if (!TryOpen(out DatCollection? dats, out DatCollectionAdapter? adapter))
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using (dats)
         using (adapter)
         {
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewControllerTests
     public void Rebuild_HeritageWithEnvironmentSetupId_SetsANonNullBackdrop()
     {
         if (!TryOpen(out DatCollection? dats, out DatCollectionAdapter? adapter))
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using (dats)
         using (adapter)
         {
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewControllerTests
     public void Rebuild_HeritageWithNoEnvironmentSetupId_LeavesTheBackdropAbsent()
     {
         if (!TryOpen(out DatCollection? dats, out DatCollectionAdapter? adapter))
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using (dats)
         using (adapter)
         {
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewControllerTests
     public void Rebuild_HeritageChange_SwapsTheBackdropEntity()
     {
         if (!TryOpen(out DatCollection? dats, out DatCollectionAdapter? adapter))
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using (dats)
         using (adapter)
         {
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewControllerTests
     public void Rebuild_AppearanceOnlyChange_DoesNotRebuildTheBackdrop()
     {
         if (!TryOpen(out DatCollection? dats, out DatCollectionAdapter? adapter))
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using (dats)
         using (adapter)
         {
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewControllerTests
     public void Render_WhilePageInvisible_SkipsRenderAndTexturePublication()
     {
         if (!TryOpen(out DatCollection? dats, out DatCollectionAdapter? adapter))
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using (dats)
         using (adapter)
         {

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/ChargenPreviewEntityBuilderTests.cs

@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewEntityBuilderTests
     public void TryBuild_AluvianMaleDefaultSelection_ProducesANonEmptyStaticPoseEntity()
     {
         string? datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewEntityBuilderTests
             ChargenPreviewEntityBuilder.SummaryPreviewBackdropRenderId);
 
         string? datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewEntityBuilderTests
     public void TryBuild_UnknownSetupId_ReturnsNull()
     {
         string? datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewEntityBuilderTests
     public void TryBuild_OlthoiHeritage_ResolvesADifferentRestPoseDidThanStandardHeritages()
     {
         string? datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewEntityBuilderTests
     public void TryBuildAnimated_AluvianMaleDefaultSelection_ResolvesARealIdleCycle()
     {
         string? datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewEntityBuilderTests
     public void TryBuildAnimated_UnknownSetupId_ReturnsNull()
     {
         string? datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewEntityBuilderTests
     public void OlthoiFamily_SharedIdleRestEnumKey_ResolvesToARealInstalledDid(uint sharedEnumKey)
     {
         string? datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewEntityBuilderTests
     public void TryBuildAnimated_OlthoiHeritage_ResolvesARealIdleAnimationToo()
     {
         string? datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewEntityBuilderTests
     public void TryBuildBackdrop_AluvianHeritage_ResolvesANonEmptyMesh()
     {
         string? datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewEntityBuilderTests
     public void TryBuildBackdrop_ExplicitRenderId_StampsThatIdOnTheEntity()
     {
         string? datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewEntityBuilderTests
     public void TryBuildBackdrop_UnsetEnvironmentSetupId_ReturnsNull()
     {
         string? datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewEntityBuilderTests
     public void TryBuildBackdrop_UnknownSetupId_ReturnsNull()
     {
         string? datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);
@@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenPreviewEntityBuilderTests
     public void TryBuildBackdrop_AllThirteenHeritages_ResolveOrAreReportedByName()
     {
         string? datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/CornerFloodReplayTests.cs

@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ public class CornerFloodReplayTests
     public void Diagnostic_TraceGoodVsGlitchStep()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = LoadBuilding(dats);
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ public class CornerFloodReplayTests
     public void CornerSweep_FloodIsCompleteAndMonotone()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = LoadBuilding(dats);
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ public class CornerFloodReplayTests
     public void PortalPlaneCrossings_InPlacePropagationConverges()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = LoadBuilding(dats);
@@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ public class CornerFloodReplayTests
     public void InCellDirectionSweep_InPlacePropagationConverges()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = LoadBuilding(dats);
@@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ public class CornerFloodReplayTests
     public void Diagnostic_Hop2Microscope()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = LoadBuilding(dats);
@@ -634,7 +634,7 @@ public class CornerFloodReplayTests
     public void Diagnostic_CornerPress_FloodAcrossDoorwayPlane()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = LoadBuilding(dats);

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/FramePacingControllerTests.cs

@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ public sealed class FramePacingControllerTests
     public void Windows_high_resolution_timer_arms_and_disposes_its_handle()
     {
         if (!OperatingSystem.IsWindowsVersionAtLeast(10, 0, 17134))
-            return;
+            throw new PlatformNotSupportedException("Lane=Windows requires a Windows host.");
 
         using var timer = WindowsHighResolutionFramePacingWaiter.Create();
         timer.Wait(1, System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.Frequency);

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/HouseExitWalkReplayTests.cs

@@ -372,7 +372,7 @@ public class HouseExitWalkReplayTests
     public void ExitWalk_PlayerStaysConeVisible_EveryStep()
     {
         var steps = RunExitWalk();
-        if (steps is null) return;
+        if (steps is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         var failures = steps.FindAll(s => !s.ConeVisible);
         if (failures.Count > 0)
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ public class HouseExitWalkReplayTests
     public void ExitWalk_PlayerSurvivesSealDepth_WhenConeVisible()
     {
         var steps = RunExitWalk();
-        if (steps is null) return;
+        if (steps is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         var applicable = steps.FindAll(s => s.DepthCheckApplies);
         _out.WriteLine($"depth check applies on {applicable.Count}/{steps.Count} steps");
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ public class HouseExitWalkReplayTests
     public void ExitWalk_StraddlingPlayerDrawsInOutsideStage()
     {
         var steps = RunExitWalk();
-        if (steps is null) return;
+        if (steps is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         var straddling = steps.FindAll(s =>
             s.RootCellId != 0u && MathF.Abs(s.CenterS) < PlayerSphereRadius);
@@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ public class HouseExitWalkReplayTests
     public void Diagnostic_ExitWalk_PerStepTable()
     {
         var steps = RunExitWalk();
-        if (steps is null) return;
+        if (steps is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         DumpSteps(steps);
         // transition summary
         int firstOutPlayer = steps.FindIndex(s => s.CenterS > 0f);
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ public class HouseExitWalkReplayTests
     public void Diagnostic_StaleRootWindow_EyeJustOutside()
     {
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = CornerFloodReplayTests.LoadBuilding(dats);

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/Issue113DrawingBspFilterTests.cs

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ public class Issue113DrawingBspFilterTests
     public void MeetingHall_OrphanStairPolys_AreExcludedFromDrawSet()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         var hall = dats.Get<DatReaderWriter.DBObjs.GfxObj>(0x010014C3u)!;
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ public class Issue113DrawingBspFilterTests
     public void HillCottage_OrphanPolys_AreExcludedFromDrawSet()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         var cottage = dats.Get<DatReaderWriter.DBObjs.GfxObj>(0x01000827u)!;

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/Issue113MeetingHallFloodTests.cs

@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ public class Issue113MeetingHallFloodTests
     public void WestApproach_HallCellSlices_HaveUsableClip()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = LoadHall(dats);

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests.cs

@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ public class Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests
     public void CapturedPingPongSites_Converge(uint landblock, uint lowA, uint lowB, float ex, float ey, float ez)
     {
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, landblock);
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ public class Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests
     {
         _ = ex; _ = ey; _ = ez; // geometric variant derives its own eyes
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, landblock);

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/Issue124LookInSeedRegionTests.cs

@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ public class Issue124LookInSeedRegionTests
     public void SeedRegion_ContainingAperture_Floods_DisjointRegion_DoesNot()
     {
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var (cells, exitCell, exitIdx, centroid, outward) = LoadFixture(dats);
         LoadedCell? Lookup(uint id) => cells.TryGetValue(id, out var c) ? c : null;
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ public class Issue124LookInSeedRegionTests
         // interior-root gather pass ALL nearby buildings including the
         // viewer's own without special-casing.
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var (cells, exitCell, _, centroid, outward) = LoadFixture(dats);
         LoadedCell? Lookup(uint id) => cells.TryGetValue(id, out var c) ? c : null;

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/Issue130DoorwayStripTests.cs

@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ public class Issue130DoorwayStripTests
     public void Diagnostic_ExitDoorTopEdge_GateVsAperture()
     {
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = CornerFloodReplayTests.LoadBuilding(dats);
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ public class Issue130DoorwayStripTests
     public void UnliftedGate_LeavesTheStripAtTheDrawnTopEdge()
     {
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = CornerFloodReplayTests.LoadBuilding(dats);

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/Issue131SetupProbeTests.cs

@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ public class Issue131SetupProbeTests
     public void Diagnostic_LookInFlood_AdmitsHallPorchFromCottage()
     {
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         var cells = Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests.LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, 0xA9B40000u);
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public class Issue131SetupProbeTests
     public void Diagnostic_DumpOutstageCandidateSetups()
     {
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         uint[] candidates =

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/Issue176177FacilityHubFloodReplayTests.cs

@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public class Issue176177FacilityHubFloodReplayTests
     public void ScenarioA_StairApproach_AdmissionsFromCorridor()
     {
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests.LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, FacilityHub);
         Assert.True(cells.ContainsKey(FacilityHub | 0x0178u), "0x0178 not loaded");
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ public class Issue176177FacilityHubFloodReplayTests
     public void Diagnostic_ScenarioB_StairDescent_RampCellRetention()
     {
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests.LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, FacilityHub);
 
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ public class Issue176177FacilityHubFloodReplayTests
     public void Diagnostic_ScenarioC_CorridorSeamGazeSweep_Bistability()
     {
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests.LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, FacilityHub);
 
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ public class Issue176177FacilityHubFloodReplayTests
         uint rootLow, uint forwardLow, float planeX, float eyeZ)
     {
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests.LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, FacilityHub);
 
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ public class Issue176177FacilityHubFloodReplayTests
     public void Diagnostic_ScenarioD_CorridorWalk_PerStepChurn()
     {
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests.LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, FacilityHub);
 

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/Issue177StairDescentCameraFloodTests.cs

@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ public class Issue177StairDescentCameraFloodTests
     public void Diagnostic_StairCellComposition_ShellVsStatics()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         foreach (uint low in new uint[] { 0x01C8, 0x01C4, 0x01C9, 0x0210, 0x020E, 0x01C1, 0x01C0 })
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ public class Issue177StairDescentCameraFloodTests
     public void Diagnostic_RealStaircase_FineYawZoomSweep_FindKnifeEdge()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var renderCells = Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests.LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, FacilityHub);
         var engine = BuildHubEngine(dats);
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ public class Issue177StairDescentCameraFloodTests
     public void Diagnostic_FloodDepthFrom015E_VsRetail26()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var renderCells = Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests.LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, FacilityHub);
         var engine = BuildHubEngine(dats);
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ public class Issue177StairDescentCameraFloodTests
     public void EdgeOnCeilingPortal_DropsUpperCell_OffPlaneReadmits()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests.LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, FacilityHub);
         Func<uint, LoadedCell?> lookup = id => cells.TryGetValue(id, out var c) ? c : null;
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ public class Issue177StairDescentCameraFloodTests
     public void Diagnostic_StaircaseSweep_EyeClearanceFromCeilingPortal()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var renderCells = Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests.LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, FacilityHub);
         var engine = BuildHubEngine(dats);
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ public class Issue177StairDescentCameraFloodTests
     public void Diagnostic_ParkedYawZoomSweep_StairAdmission(float px, uint pcell, string label)
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var renderCells = Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests.LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, FacilityHub);
         var engine = BuildHubEngine(dats);
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ public class Issue177StairDescentCameraFloodTests
     public void Diagnostic_Descent_RealCameraSweep_StairCellRetention()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         var renderCells = Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests.LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, FacilityHub);

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/Issue181VisFlapReplayTests.cs

@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ public class Issue181VisFlapReplayTests
     public void Diagnostic_FlappingCellViewRegion_SliverOrLarge()
     {
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests.LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, FacilityHub);
         uint flapper = FacilityHub | 0x0181u;
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ public class Issue181VisFlapReplayTests
     public void Diagnostic_SubMillimeterEyePerturbation_MustNotChangeAdmission()
     {
         var datDir = CornerFloodReplayTests.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cells = Issue120ReciprocalPingPongTests.LoadAllInteriorCells(dats, FacilityHub);
         Assert.True(cells.ContainsKey(LiveRoot), "live root 0x0142 not loaded");

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/Issue181WallPressEquilibriumTests.cs

@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ public class Issue181WallPressEquilibriumTests
     public void Diagnostic_WallPressedCamera_EyeWanderAndViewerCellStability()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var (engine, _) = BuildCorridorEngine(dats);
 

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/Issue95DungeonFloodDiagnosticTests.cs

@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ public class Issue95DungeonFloodDiagnosticTests
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dat dir did not resolve (ACDREAM_DAT_DIR unset and "
                 + "%USERPROFILE%\\Documents\\Asheron's Call absent). No numbers measured.");
             // Diagnostic test: do not hard-fail when dats are absent (matches sibling harnesses).
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
         _out.WriteLine($"dat dir resolved: {datDir}");
 

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/LinuxMonotonicFramePacingWaiterTests.cs

@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ public sealed class LinuxMonotonicFramePacingWaiterTests
     public void LinuxWaitBlocksUntilRequestedMonotonicDeadline()
     {
         if (!OperatingSystem.IsLinux())
-            return;
+            throw new PlatformNotSupportedException("Lane=Linux requires a native Linux host.");
 
         LinuxMonotonicFramePacingWaiter waiter =
             LinuxMonotonicFramePacingWaiter.Create();
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ public sealed class LinuxMonotonicFramePacingWaiterTests
     public void LinuxWaiterRejectsUseAfterDisposal()
     {
         if (!OperatingSystem.IsLinux())
-            return;
+            throw new PlatformNotSupportedException("Lane=Linux requires a native Linux host.");
 
         LinuxMonotonicFramePacingWaiter waiter =
             LinuxMonotonicFramePacingWaiter.Create();

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/PortalTunnelAssetTests.cs

@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ using DatReaderWriter;
 using DatReaderWriter.DBObjs;
 using DatReaderWriter.Enums;
 using DatReaderWriter.Options;
-using Xunit.Sdk;
 
 namespace AcDream.App.Tests.Rendering;
 
@@ -57,8 +56,8 @@ public sealed class PortalTunnelAssetTests
     {
         string? datDir = ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            throw SkipException.ForSkip(
+            throw new InvalidOperationException(
-                "Installed client_portal.dat is required for the portal-space asset gate.");
+                "Lane=InstalledDat requires client_portal.dat for the portal-space asset gate; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         uint setupDid = RetailDataIdResolver.Resolve(

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/RetailParticleGeometryClassifierTests.cs

@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ using DatReaderWriter.DBObjs;
 using DatReaderWriter.Enums;
 using DatReaderWriter.Options;
 using DatReaderWriter.Types;
-using Xunit.Sdk;
 
 namespace AcDream.App.Tests.Rendering;
 
@@ -211,8 +210,8 @@ public sealed class RetailParticleGeometryClassifierTests
     {
         string? datDir = ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            throw SkipException.ForSkip(
+            throw new InvalidOperationException(
-                "Installed client_portal.dat is required for the Armor Self asset-chain gate.");
+                "Lane=InstalledDat requires client_portal.dat for the Armor Self asset-chain gate; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var tableResolver = new PhysicsScriptTableResolver(
@@ -270,7 +269,8 @@ public sealed class RetailParticleGeometryClassifierTests
     {
         string? datDir = ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            throw SkipException.ForSkip("Installed client_portal.dat is required.");
+            throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "Lane=InstalledDat requires client_portal.dat; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var resolver = new PhysicsScriptTableResolver(id => dats.Get<PhysicsScriptTable>(id));
@@ -285,7 +285,8 @@ public sealed class RetailParticleGeometryClassifierTests
     {
         string? datDir = ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            throw SkipException.ForSkip("Installed client_portal.dat is required.");
+            throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "Lane=InstalledDat requires client_portal.dat; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var emitters = new EmitterDescRegistry(dats);

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Rendering/RetailSelectionAssetTests.cs

@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ using AcDream.Core.Selection;
 using DatReaderWriter;
 using DatReaderWriter.DBObjs;
 using DatReaderWriter.Options;
-using Xunit.Sdk;
 using SysEnv = System.Environment;
 
 namespace AcDream.App.Tests.Rendering;
@@ -116,6 +115,7 @@ public sealed class RetailSelectionAssetTests
         if (File.Exists(Path.Combine(conventional, "client_portal.dat")))
             return conventional;
 
-        throw SkipException.ForSkip("Installed client_portal.dat is required.");
+        throw new InvalidOperationException(
+            "Lane=InstalledDat requires client_portal.dat; see docs/release-gate.md.");
     }
 }

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Streaming/LandblockBuildFactoryTests.cs

@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ using AcDream.Core.World;
 using DatReaderWriter;
 using DatReaderWriter.DBObjs;
 using DatReaderWriter.Types;
-using Xunit.Sdk;
 
 namespace AcDream.App.Tests.Streaming;
 
@@ -348,7 +347,8 @@ public sealed class LandblockBuildFactoryTests
     {
         string? datDirectory = ResolveDatDirectory();
         if (datDirectory is null)
-            throw SkipException.ForSkip("Installed retail DATs are required.");
+            throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "Lane=PreparedPackage requires installed retail DATs; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dat = new BoundedTestDatCollection(datDirectory);
         var bounded = (IDatReaderWriter)dat;
@@ -358,7 +358,8 @@ public sealed class LandblockBuildFactoryTests
         Assert.True(heights.Length >= 256);
         string? pakPath = ResolvePreparedPackagePath(datDirectory);
         if (pakPath is null)
-            throw SkipException.ForSkip("Installed acdream.pak is required.");
+            throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "Lane=PreparedPackage requires a validated acdream.pak; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using var prepared = new PakPreparedAssetSource(pakPath, bounded);
         var factory = new LandblockBuildFactory(
             bounded,

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/IconComposerTests.cs

@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ public class IconComposerTests
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;  // dats absent (CI) — skip cleanly
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");  // dats absent (CI) — skip cleanly
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         // TextureCache is not needed for the resolve path; pass a null-safe stub
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ public class IconComposerTests
     public void ResolveEffectDid_goldenValues_matchDat()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;  // dats absent (CI) — skip cleanly
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");  // dats absent (CI) — skip cleanly
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var composer = new IconComposer(dats, null!);
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ public class IconComposerTests
     public void TryGetEffectTile_noEffectBlack_magicalTextured()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;  // dats absent (CI) — skip cleanly
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");  // dats absent (CI) — skip cleanly
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var composer = new IconComposer(dats, null!);

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/CharacterLayoutImportProbe.cs

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ public sealed class CharacterLayoutImportProbe
     public void Selected_attribute_shows_raise_buttons_on_visible_footer_state()
     {
         var datDir = DatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var layout = LayoutImporter.Import(dats, CharacterLayout, _ => (1u, 30, 26), null);
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ public sealed class CharacterLayoutImportProbe
     public void Close_button_resolves_and_invokes_controller_close_callback()
     {
         var datDir = DatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var layout = LayoutImporter.Import(dats, CharacterLayout, _ => (1u, 30, 26), null);
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ public sealed class CharacterLayoutImportProbe
     public void Footer_title_exposes_retail_append_text_palette()
     {
         string? datDir = DatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         ImportedLayout? layout = LayoutImporter.Import(

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/ChatIndicatorButtonLiveMountProbeTests.cs

@@ -54,14 +54,15 @@ namespace AcDream.App.Tests.UI.Layout;
 /// see its own class doc) are unaffected.
 /// </para>
 /// </summary>
-[Trait("Lane", "InstalledDat")]
+[Trait("Lane", "Manual")]
+[Trait("ManualTask", "LiveMountProbe")]
 public sealed class ChatIndicatorButtonLiveMountProbeTests
 {
     [Fact]
     public void IndicatorButtons_ResolveNormalStateAtRest_ThroughTheLiveImportPath()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual live-mount probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/ChatOptionsDatDefaultsTests.cs

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 using AcDream.App.UI.Layout;
 using DatReaderWriter;
 using DatReaderWriter.Options;
-using Xunit.Sdk;
 using SysEnv = System.Environment;
 
 namespace AcDream.App.Tests.UI.Layout;
@@ -53,6 +52,7 @@ public sealed class ChatOptionsDatDefaultsTests
         if (File.Exists(Path.Combine(conventional, "client_portal.dat")))
             return conventional;
 
-        throw SkipException.ForSkip("Installed client_portal.dat is required.");
+        throw new InvalidOperationException(
+            "Lane=InstalledDat requires client_portal.dat; see docs/release-gate.md.");
     }
 }

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/FaPanelSlotProbeTests.cs

@@ -15,14 +15,15 @@ namespace AcDream.App.Tests.UI.Layout;
 /// and 0x10000263 (swear-allegiance button). Env-gated like the other probes.
 /// </summary>
 [Trait("Purpose", "Diagnostic")]
-[Trait("Lane", "InstalledDat")]
+[Trait("Lane", "Manual")]
+[Trait("ManualTask", "LiveMountProbe")]
 public sealed class FaPanelSlotProbeTests
 {
     [Fact]
     public void ProbePanelSlotTable()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual live-mount probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/InventoryFrameImportProbe.cs

@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ public class InventoryFrameImportProbe
     public void Paperdoll_equip_slots_resolve_to_item_lists()
     {
         var datDir = DatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;   // CI: no live dat — skip
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");   // CI: no live dat — skip
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var layout = LayoutImporter.Import(dats, Frame, _ => (0u, 0, 0), null);
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ public class InventoryFrameImportProbe
     public void Mounted_panels_sit_in_front_of_the_backdrop()
     {
         var datDir = DatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;   // CI: no live dat — skip (this is a smoke test)
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");   // CI: no live dat — skip (this is a smoke test)
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var layout = LayoutImporter.Import(dats, Frame, _ => (0u, 0, 0), null);
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ public class InventoryFrameImportProbe
     public void Close_button_resolves_and_invokes_controller_close_callback()
     {
         var datDir = DatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;   // CI: no live dat - skip
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");   // CI: no live dat - skip
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var layout = LayoutImporter.Import(dats, Frame, _ => (0u, 0, 0), null);

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/ItemAppraisalTextFormatterTests.cs

@@ -754,7 +754,7 @@ public sealed class ItemAppraisalTextFormatterTests
     {
         string? datDirectory = ResolveDatDirectory();
         if (datDirectory is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats =
             new AcDream.App.Tests.BoundedTestDatCollection(datDirectory);

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/ItemListCellTemplateTests.cs

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ public class ItemListCellTemplateTests
     public void Inventory_lists_resolve_a_real_nongeneric_empty_sprite()
     {
         var datDir = DatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;   // CI: no live dat — skip (smoke test)
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");   // CI: no live dat — skip (smoke test)
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ public class ItemListCellTemplateTests
     public void Inventory_lists_resolve_the_pinned_retail_sprites()
     {
         var datDir = DatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;   // CI: no live dat — skip
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");   // CI: no live dat — skip
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         // Pinned from the live dat + the 2026-06-22 visual gate. Contents = the 32x32 prototype's
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ public class ItemListCellTemplateTests
     public void Spell_favorite_list_resolves_its_cross_layout_pinned_empty_sprite()
     {
         var datDir = DatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;   // CI: no live dat — skip
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");   // CI: no live dat — skip
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         ElementInfo infos = Assert.IsType<ElementInfo>(
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ public class ItemListCellTemplateTests
     public void Shared_UIItem_resolves_all_ten_cooldown_overlays()
     {
         var datDir = DatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         ItemCooldownAssets? assets = ItemCooldownAssets.TryLoad(dats);

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/KeyboardConfigLiveMountProbeTests.cs

@@ -16,14 +16,15 @@ namespace AcDream.App.Tests.UI.Layout;
 /// rect + caption evidence for each observation. Env-gated like the other
 /// live probes so CI/dat-less runs skip it.
 /// </summary>
-[Trait("Lane", "InstalledDat")]
+[Trait("Lane", "Manual")]
+[Trait("ManualTask", "LiveMountProbe")]
 public sealed class KeyboardConfigLiveMountProbeTests
 {
     [Fact]
     public void ProbeKeyboardLiveMount()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual live-mount probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(
@@ -159,7 +160,7 @@ public sealed class KeyboardConfigLiveMountProbeTests
     public void ProbeKeyboardFontsAndKeyNameStrings()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual live-mount probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/MapHousePanelSlotProbeTests.cs

@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ namespace AcDream.App.Tests.UI.Layout;
 /// </para>
 /// </summary>
 [Trait("Purpose", "Diagnostic")]
-[Trait("Lane", "InstalledDat")]
+[Trait("Lane", "Manual")]
+[Trait("ManualTask", "LiveMountProbe")]
 public sealed class MapHousePanelSlotProbeTests
 {
     private const uint HostLayoutId = 0x2100006Eu;
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@ public sealed class MapHousePanelSlotProbeTests
     public void ProbeMapHousePanelSlot()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual live-mount probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/OptionsPanelLiveMountProbeTests.cs

@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ namespace AcDream.App.Tests.UI.Layout;
 /// page controller actually resolves. Env-gated like the fixture
 /// generator so CI/dat-less runs skip it.
 /// </summary>
-[Trait("Lane", "InstalledDat")]
+[Trait("Lane", "Manual")]
+[Trait("ManualTask", "LiveMountProbe")]
 public sealed class OptionsPanelLiveMountProbeTests
 {
     [Fact]
@@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ public sealed class OptionsPanelLiveMountProbeTests
     public void ProbeLiveMountShapes()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual live-mount probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(
@@ -99,7 +100,7 @@ public sealed class OptionsPanelLiveMountProbeTests
     public void ProbeConfigMenuChrome()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual live-mount probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(
@@ -176,7 +177,7 @@ public sealed class OptionsPanelLiveMountProbeTests
     public void ProbeConfigMenuPopupChrome()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual live-mount probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(
@@ -320,7 +321,7 @@ public sealed class OptionsPanelLiveMountProbeTests
     public void ProbeMenuPopupSizingAndTextStyle()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual live-mount probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(
@@ -452,7 +453,7 @@ public sealed class OptionsPanelLiveMountProbeTests
     public void ProbeChatOpacityCaptions()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual live-mount probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(
@@ -486,7 +487,7 @@ public sealed class OptionsPanelLiveMountProbeTests
     public void ProbeFilterLabelHome()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual live-mount probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/PaperdollClickMapTests.cs

@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ public sealed class PaperdollClickMapTests
                 Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.UserProfile),
                 "Documents",
                 "Asheron's Call");
-        if (!Directory.Exists(datDir)) return;
+        if (!Directory.Exists(datDir)) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         PaperdollClickMap map = Assert.IsType<PaperdollClickMap>(PaperdollClickMap.Load(dats));

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/PaperdollSlotBackgroundTests.cs

@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ public class PaperdollSlotBackgroundTests
         string datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.UserProfile),
                             "Documents", "Asheron's Call");
-        if (!Directory.Exists(datDir)) return;
+        if (!Directory.Exists(datDir)) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         IReadOnlyDictionary<uint, uint> actual = PaperdollSlotBackgrounds.ResolveEmptySprites(dats);

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/PowerbarLayoutProbeTests.cs

@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ namespace AcDream.App.Tests.UI.Layout;
 /// INSTALLED DAT, so the "Height"/"Power"/"Accuracy" fix binds exactly what
 /// retail authors instead of guessing.
 /// </summary>
-[Trait("Lane", "InstalledDat")]
+[Trait("Lane", "Manual")]
+[Trait("ManualTask", "PowerbarProbe")]
 public sealed class PowerbarLayoutProbeTests
 {
     [Fact]
@@ -23,7 +24,7 @@ public sealed class PowerbarLayoutProbeTests
     public void ProbePowerbarAuthoredStrings()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_POWERBAR") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual powerbar probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_POWERBAR=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ public sealed class PowerbarLayoutProbeTests
     public void ProbeFriendsRowTemplate()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_POWERBAR") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual powerbar probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_POWERBAR=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(
@@ -81,7 +82,7 @@ public sealed class PowerbarLayoutProbeTests
     public void ProbeSecureTradeLayout()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_POWERBAR") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual powerbar probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_POWERBAR=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(
@@ -114,7 +115,7 @@ public sealed class PowerbarLayoutProbeTests
     public void ProbeTotalItemsTemplate()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_POWERBAR") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual powerbar probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_POWERBAR=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(
@@ -153,7 +154,7 @@ public sealed class PowerbarLayoutProbeTests
     public void ProbeUiItemCatalog()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_POWERBAR") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual powerbar probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_POWERBAR=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(
@@ -176,7 +177,7 @@ public sealed class PowerbarLayoutProbeTests
     public void ProbeCharacterSelectRowTemplate()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_POWERBAR") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual powerbar probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_POWERBAR=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/RetailLayoutFixtureGenerator.cs

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ namespace AcDream.App.Tests.UI.Layout;
 /// normal test runs deterministic and dat-independent.
 /// </summary>
 [Trait("Lane", "Manual")]
+[Trait("ManualTask", "FixtureGeneration")]
 public sealed class RetailLayoutFixtureGenerator
 {
     private static readonly (uint Id, string FileName)[] Layouts =

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/SocialPanelLiveMountProbeTests.cs

@@ -18,14 +18,15 @@ namespace AcDream.App.Tests.UI.Layout;
 /// its button→page pairing + default entry can be recorded — coordinator
 /// addendum, docs/research/2026-08-11-fa-panel-structure.md §10.
 /// </summary>
-[Trait("Lane", "InstalledDat")]
+[Trait("Lane", "Manual")]
+[Trait("ManualTask", "LiveMountProbe")]
 public sealed class SocialPanelLiveMountProbeTests
 {
     [Fact]
     public void ProbeLiveMountShapes()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual live-mount probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(
@@ -488,7 +489,7 @@ public sealed class SocialPanelLiveMountProbeTests
     public void ProbeSocialClickRouting()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Manual live-mount probe requires ACDREAM_PROBE_LIVE_MOUNT=1.");
 
         var datDir = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/Layout/SpellbookRowStyleTests.cs

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ public sealed class SpellbookRowStyleTests
         string datDir = System.Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(System.Environment.GetFolderPath(System.Environment.SpecialFolder.UserProfile),
                 "Documents", "Asheron's Call");
-        if (!Directory.Exists(datDir)) return;
+        if (!Directory.Exists(datDir)) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         SpellbookRowStyle style = Assert.IsType<SpellbookRowStyle>(
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ public sealed class SpellbookRowStyleTests
         string datDir = System.Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(System.Environment.GetFolderPath(System.Environment.SpecialFolder.UserProfile),
                 "Documents", "Asheron's Call");
-        if (!Directory.Exists(datDir)) return;
+        if (!Directory.Exists(datDir)) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         ElementInfo root = Assert.IsType<ElementInfo>(LayoutImporter.ImportInfos(

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/RetailCursorCatalogTests.cs

@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ public sealed class RetailCursorCatalogTests
     {
         string? datDir = ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         CursorFeedbackKind[] kinds =
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ public sealed class RetailCursorCatalogTests
     {
         string? datDir = ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var resolver = new RetailCursorResolver(dats, new object());

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/SpewBoxLayoutDumpDiagnostic.cs

@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ public sealed class SpewBoxLayoutDumpDiagnostic
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/UiDatFontBorderPixelTests.cs

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ public sealed class UiDatFontBorderPixelTests
     {
         string? datDir = ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         Assert.True(dats.TryGet<Font>(fontId, out Font? font), $"Font 0x{fontId:X8} not found");
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ public sealed class UiDatFontBorderPixelTests
         // correlation. Sweep the documented populated range (0x40000000-0x40000032).
         string? datDir = ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         int checkedCount = 0;

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/UI/UiRenderContextAlphaTests.cs

@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ using AcDream.App.Rendering.Gpu;
 using AcDream.App.Tests.Rendering.Gpu;
 using AcDream.App.UI;
 using DatReaderWriter.Types;
-using Xunit.Sdk;
 
 namespace AcDream.App.Tests.UI;
 
@@ -96,7 +95,8 @@ public sealed class UiRenderContextAlphaTests
     {
         byte[]? ttf = BitmapFont.TryLoadSystemMonospaceFont();
         if (ttf is null)
-            throw SkipException.ForSkip("No system TTF font found for BitmapFont construction.");
+            throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "Lane=SystemFont requires a host system TTF font; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         return new BitmapFont(device, ttf, pixelHeight: 16f);
     }
 

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/World/LiveEntityPresentationControllerTests.cs

@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ using AcDream.Runtime.Entities;
 using DatReaderWriter;
 using DatReaderWriter.DBObjs;
 using DatReaderWriter.Options;
-using Xunit.Sdk;
 
 namespace AcDream.App.Tests.World;
 
@@ -155,7 +154,8 @@ public sealed class LiveEntityPresentationControllerTests
         const uint magicPortal = 0x40000038u;
         string datDir = @"C:\Turbine\Asheron's Call";
         if (!File.Exists(Path.Combine(datDir, "client_portal.dat")))
-            throw SkipException.ForSkip("Installed retail DATs are required.");
+            throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "Lane=InstalledDat requires installed retail DATs; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         Setup setup = Assert.IsType<Setup>(dats.Get<Setup>(humanSetup));

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/World/RecallTeleportAnimationTests.cs

@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ using DatReaderWriter;
 using DatReaderWriter.DBObjs;
 using DatReaderWriter.Options;
 using DatReaderWriter.Types;
-using Xunit.Sdk;
 
 namespace AcDream.App.Tests.World;
 
@@ -190,7 +189,8 @@ public sealed class RecallTeleportAnimationTests
     {
         string datDir = @"C:\Turbine\Asheron's Call";
         if (!File.Exists(Path.Combine(datDir, "client_portal.dat")))
-            throw SkipException.ForSkip("Installed retail DATs are required.");
+            throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "Lane=InstalledDat requires installed retail DATs; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         Setup setup = Assert.IsType<Setup>(dats.Get<Setup>(HumanSetup));

tests/AcDream.Bake.Tests/BakeDeterminismTests.cs

@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ public sealed class BakeDeterminismTests : IDisposable {
     [Fact]
     public void Bake_SameIdSet_DifferentThreadCounts_ByteIdenticalPaks() {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return; // dats absent (CI) — skip, matching suite convention
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); // dats absent (CI) — skip, matching suite convention
 
         // Small mixed fixture: GfxObjs (incl. the #119 tricky ids), Setups
         // (door setup carries emitters -> exercises the side-staged preload
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ public sealed class BakeDeterminismTests : IDisposable {
     [Fact]
     public void Bake_RealDuplicateCells_ShareOneBlobAcrossLandblocksAndThreads() {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         // Full-bake discovery fixture: these eight cells span multiple
         // landblocks but have the same complete environment/structure/surface
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ public sealed class BakeDeterminismTests : IDisposable {
     {
         string? datDir = ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         string destination = NewTempPakPath();
         byte[] lastGood = [0x41, 0x43, 0x50, 0x4B, 1, 2, 3, 4];

tests/AcDream.Content.Tests/Ap155StaticSpherePopulationMeasurementTests.cs

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ public sealed class Ap155StaticSpherePopulationMeasurementTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             Console.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);

tests/AcDream.Content.Tests/CharGen/ChargenAppearanceCatalogColorTests.cs

@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenAppearanceCatalogColorTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenAppearanceCatalogColorTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenAppearanceCatalogColorTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenAppearanceCatalogColorTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenAppearanceCatalogColorTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenAppearanceCatalogColorTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);

tests/AcDream.Content.Tests/CharGen/ChargenAppearanceCatalogInstalledDatTests.cs

@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenAppearanceCatalogInstalledDatTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenAppearanceCatalogInstalledDatTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);

tests/AcDream.Content.Tests/CharGen/ChargenTableReaderInstalledDatTests.cs

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenTableReaderInstalledDatTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             Console.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenTableReaderInstalledDatTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             Console.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenTableReaderInstalledDatTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             Console.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenTableReaderInstalledDatTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             Console.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenTableReaderInstalledDatTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             Console.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenTableReaderInstalledDatTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             Console.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenTableReaderInstalledDatTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             Console.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenTableReaderInstalledDatTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             Console.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ public sealed class ChargenTableReaderInstalledDatTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             Console.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);

tests/AcDream.Content.Tests/InstalledPreparedCollisionCatalogTests.cs

@@ -12,11 +12,11 @@ public sealed class InstalledPreparedCollisionCatalogTests
     {
         string? datDir = ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=PreparedPackage requires installed retail DATs and a validated acdream.pak; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         string packagePath = Path.Combine(datDir, "acdream.pak");
         if (!File.Exists(packagePath))
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=PreparedPackage requires installed retail DATs and a validated acdream.pak; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);

tests/AcDream.Content.Tests/InstalledSetupBspPrimitiveDispatchTests.cs

@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ public sealed class InstalledSetupBspPrimitiveDispatchTests
     {
         string? datDir = ContentConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ public sealed class InstalledSetupBspPrimitiveDispatchTests
     {
         string? datDir = ContentConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 

tests/AcDream.Content.Tests/InstalledSetupCollisionReachabilityTests.cs

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ public sealed class InstalledSetupCollisionReachabilityTests
     {
         string? datDir = ContentConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 

tests/AcDream.Content.Tests/Issue334NeftetFormationCellMembershipTests.cs

@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ public sealed class Issue334NeftetFormationCellMembershipTests
     {
         string? datDir = ContentConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         Assert.True(

tests/AcDream.Content.Tests/PakEquivalenceTests.cs

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ public sealed class PakEquivalenceTests {
     [Fact]
     public void LiveExtraction_MatchesPakRoundTrip_OnFixtureIdSet() {
         var datDir = ContentConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return; // dats absent (CI) — skip, matching suite convention
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); // dats absent (CI) — skip, matching suite convention
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         // The unified AcDream.Content.DatCollectionAdapter — same class the

tests/AcDream.Content.Tests/SolidColorTextureCacheTests.cs

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ public sealed class SolidColorTextureCacheTests {
     [Fact]
     public void GetOrCreateSolidColorTexture_SameColor_ReturnsSameSharedArray() {
         var datDir = ContentConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return; // dats absent (CI) — skip, matching suite convention
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); // dats absent (CI) — skip, matching suite convention
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ public sealed class SolidColorTextureCacheTests {
     [Fact]
     public void GetOrCreateSolidColorTexture_DifferentColors_ReturnDistinctArrays() {
         var datDir = ContentConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return; // dats absent (CI) — skip, matching suite convention
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); // dats absent (CI) — skip, matching suite convention
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var adapter = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);

tests/AcDream.Content.Tests/Spells/RetailSpellMetadataProjectorTests.cs

@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ public sealed class RetailSpellMetadataProjectorTests
     {
         string? datDir = ResolveDatDir();
         string? csvPath = ResolveRepoFile("docs", "research", "data", "spells.csv");
-        if (datDir is null || csvPath is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null || csvPath is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var rawDats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var dats = new DatCollectionAdapter(rawDats);
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ public sealed class RetailSpellMetadataProjectorTests
     {
         string? datDir = ResolveDatDir();
         string? csvPath = ResolveRepoFile("docs", "research", "data", "spells.csv");
-        if (datDir is null || csvPath is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null || csvPath is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var rawDats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var dats = new DatCollectionAdapter(rawDats);

tests/AcDream.Content.Tests/Vfx/RetailDatLoaderTests.cs

@@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ public sealed class RetailDatLoaderTests
     {
         string? datDir = ResolveDatDirectory();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var boundedDats = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);

tests/AcDream.Core.Net.Tests/LiveHandshakeTests.cs

@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ public class LiveHandshakeTests
     public void Live_LoginRequest_ReceivesConnectRequestFromServer()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_LIVE") != "1")
-            return;  // skipped — not a failure
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Live requires ACDREAM_LIVE=1 and a reachable configured server.");  // skipped — not a failure
 
         var host = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_TEST_HOST") ?? "127.0.0.1";
         var portStr = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_TEST_PORT") ?? "9000";
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ public class LiveHandshakeTests
     public void Live_FullThreeWayHandshake_ReachesConnectedState()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_LIVE") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Live requires ACDREAM_LIVE=1 and a reachable configured server.");
 
         var host = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_TEST_HOST") ?? "127.0.0.1";
         var portStr = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_TEST_PORT") ?? "9000";
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ public class LiveHandshakeTests
     public void Live_CharacterEnterWorld_ReceivesCreateObjectFlood()
     {
         if (Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_LIVE") != "1")
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=Live requires ACDREAM_LIVE=1 and a reachable configured server.");
 
         var host = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_TEST_HOST") ?? "127.0.0.1";
         var portStr = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_TEST_PORT") ?? "9000";

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Audio/EnvCellSoundEmitterInventoryTests.cs

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ public sealed class EnvCellSoundEmitterInventoryTests
     {
         string? datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(new DatCollectionOptions
         {
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ public sealed class EnvCellSoundEmitterInventoryTests
     {
         string? datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(new DatCollectionOptions
         {
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ public sealed class EnvCellSoundEmitterInventoryTests
     {
         string? datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(new DatCollectionOptions
         {

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Audio/UiSoundTableResolutionTests.cs

@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ public sealed class UiSoundTableResolutionTests
     {
         string? datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;   // dats absent (CI) — nothing to resolve
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");   // dats absent (CI) — nothing to resolve
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(new DatCollectionOptions
         {

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Conformance/CottageDoorwayCharacterizationTests.cs

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ public class CottageDoorwayCharacterizationTests
     public void Characterize_CottageNeighborhood_PrintStructure()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ public class CottageDoorwayCharacterizationTests
     public void Characterize_Doorway_FindInteriorPoints()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         foreach (var id in new[] { Vestibule0170, Room0171 })
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ public class CottageDoorwayCharacterizationTests
     public void Doorway_Topology_IsPinned()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = new PhysicsDataCache();
 
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ public class CottageDoorwayCharacterizationTests
     public void Doorway_InteriorPoints_ArePinned()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = new PhysicsDataCache();
 

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Conformance/DatConcurrencyStressTests.cs

@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ public class DatConcurrencyStressTests
     public void ConcurrentRawReads_MatchSingleThreadedGolden()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return; // dats absent (CI) — skip, matching suite convention
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); // dats absent (CI) — skip, matching suite convention
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var refs = BuildIdSet(dats);
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ public class DatConcurrencyStressTests
     public void ConcurrentTypedReads_MatchSingleThreadedGolden()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return; // dats absent (CI) — skip
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); // dats absent (CI) — skip
 
         // FileCachingStrategy.Never: every TryGet<T> re-reads + re-unpacks from disk,
         // matching the worst-case production path and keeping the hammer honest

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Conformance/DungeonLandblockDatProbeTests.cs

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ public sealed class DungeonLandblockDatProbeTests
     public void Probe_Dungeon0125_vs_Holtburg_A9B4()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         foreach (uint lb in new uint[] { 0x0125u, 0xA9B4u })

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Conformance/FindCellListConformanceTests.cs

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ public class FindCellListConformanceTests
     public void FindCellList_DeepInsideRoom0171_Returns0171()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = LoadThresholdBuilding(dats);
 
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ public class FindCellListConformanceTests
     public void FindCellList_DeepInsideVestibule0170_Returns0170()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = LoadThresholdBuilding(dats);
 
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ public class FindCellListConformanceTests
     public void FindCellList_InVestibule_SeededFromRoom_Returns0170()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = LoadThresholdBuilding(dats);
 

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Conformance/HoltburgTorchFalloffProbeTests.cs

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ public sealed class HoltburgTorchFalloffProbeTests
     public void Dump_Holtburg_StaticLight_Falloffs()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         // The meeting hall sits in the Holtburg town landblocks. Sweep a small

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Conformance/Issue107SpawnDiagnosticTests.cs

@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ public sealed class Issue107SpawnDiagnosticTests
     public void SpawnPosition_IsInside0171_NotInside0162_PickRecoversFromGoodSeed()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = new PhysicsDataCache();
 
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ public sealed class Issue107SpawnDiagnosticTests
     public void SeenOutside_IsPopulated_ForGroundFloorInteriors()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = new PhysicsDataCache();
 
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ public sealed class Issue107SpawnDiagnosticTests
         // mid-population "any cell present" disambiguator, since removed) —
         // this test pins the hydrated-path correctness.
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = new PhysicsDataCache();
         for (uint low = 0x0100; low <= 0x01FF; low++)
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ public sealed class Issue107SpawnDiagnosticTests
     public void PoisonedClaim_IsADifferentBuilding_55mAway()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         var claim = dats.Get<DatReaderWriter.DBObjs.EnvCell>(PoisonedClaim);

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Conformance/Issue112MembershipTests.cs

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ public sealed class Issue112MembershipTests
     public void A9B3CottageGap_AtDoorway_StraddlesExitPlane_DemotesRetailFaithfully()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = LoadLandblockInteriors(dats, 0xA9B30000u);
 
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ public sealed class Issue112MembershipTests
     public void A9B3Cottage_GapBeyondStraddleDistance_KeepsCurrCell_RetailGate()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = LoadLandblockInteriors(dats, 0xA9B30000u);
 
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ public sealed class Issue112MembershipTests
     public void FindTransitCellsSphere_ExitPortalStraddleGate_MatchesRetail()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = LoadLandblockInteriors(dats, 0xA9B30000u);
 
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ public sealed class Issue112MembershipTests
         // interior (the transparent cottage), promoting only on touching a
         // portal-adjacent cell's own volume (the captured late 0x102 flip).
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = LoadLandblockInteriors(dats, 0xA9B30000u);
         RegisterBuildings(dats, cache, 0xA9B30000u);
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ public sealed class Issue112MembershipTests
         // absorbing outdoor-deep-inside state the user sat in (transparent
         // cottage until randomly touching a portal-adjacent room).
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = LoadLandblockInteriors(dats, 0xA9B30000u);
         RegisterBuildings(dats, cache, 0xA9B30000u);
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ public sealed class Issue112MembershipTests
         // evolving pick, and which landcells had buildings. Names the first
         // step where retail would promote vs where ours does.
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = LoadLandblockInteriors(dats, 0xA9B30000u);
         RegisterBuildings(dats, cache, 0xA9B30000u);
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ public sealed class Issue112MembershipTests
         // is the only container). The transparency at THIS exact spot is a
         // RENDER question (outdoor root at a doorway), not membership.
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = LoadLandblockInteriors(dats, 0xA9B30000u);
         RegisterBuildings(dats, cache, 0xA9B30000u);
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ public sealed class Issue112MembershipTests
     public void ThresholdCottage_AdjacentClaim_LaterallyRecovers_ViaStabGraph()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = LoadLandblockInteriors(dats, 0xA9B40000u);
 

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Conformance/Issue113DoorVanishDiagnosticTests.cs

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ public sealed class Issue113DoorVanishDiagnosticTests
     public void DumpDoorSetup_DrawingBspCoverage()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         var setup = dats.Get<DatReaderWriter.DBObjs.Setup>(DoorSetupId);
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ public sealed class Issue113DoorVanishDiagnosticTests
     public void DumpHoltburgBuildings_OrphanGeometry()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         var modelIds = new SortedSet<uint>();
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ public sealed class Issue113DoorVanishDiagnosticTests
     public void Diagnostic_ReplicateProductionEmission_OnPortalFills()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         foreach (uint mid in new uint[] { 0x010014C3u, 0x01000827u })
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ public sealed class Issue113DoorVanishDiagnosticTests
     public void DumpPortalFillSurfaceTypes()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         foreach (uint mid in new uint[] { 0x010014C3u, 0x01000827u, 0x0100082Eu, 0x01000C17u })
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ public sealed class Issue113DoorVanishDiagnosticTests
     public void DumpControls_HallAndCottage()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         DumpGfxObjBspCoverage(dats, 0x010014C3u);   // meeting hall shell

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Conformance/Issue113PhantomStairsDumpTests.cs

@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ public sealed class Issue113PhantomStairsDumpTests
     public void DumpA9B3_Buildings_And_InteriorCells()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         var lbi = dats.Get<DatLandBlockInfo>(Landblock | 0xFFFEu);
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ public sealed class Issue113PhantomStairsDumpTests
     public void DumpA9B3_Statics_OutdoorStabs_And_ShellModel()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         var lbi = dats.Get<DatLandBlockInfo>(Landblock | 0xFFFEu);
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ public sealed class Issue113PhantomStairsDumpTests
     public void Dump_Cell104_ExteriorPortalPlane_Vs_GapPoint()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         foreach (uint low in new uint[] { 0x0104, 0x0102, 0x0105, 0x0100 })
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ public sealed class Issue113PhantomStairsDumpTests
     public void DumpAAB3_Buildings_And_StairScan()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         const uint lb = 0xAAB30000u;
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ public sealed class Issue113PhantomStairsDumpTests
     public void DumpAAB3_Watchtower_DoorAlignment_And_RampFaces()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         const uint lb = 0xAAB30000u;
@@ -565,7 +565,7 @@ public sealed class Issue113PhantomStairsDumpTests
     public void DumpAAB3_Watchtower_TopDownMap()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         const uint lb = 0xAAB30000u;
@@ -686,7 +686,7 @@ public sealed class Issue113PhantomStairsDumpTests
     public void DumpHallModel_PolyFlagHistogram()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         foreach (uint mid in new uint[] { 0x010014C3u, 0x01000827u })

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Conformance/Issue119TowerDumpTests.cs

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ public sealed class Issue119TowerDumpTests
     public void DumpTowerCellNeighbourhood()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         var lbi = dats.Get<DatLandBlockInfo>(Landblock | 0xFFFEu);
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ public sealed class Issue119TowerDumpTests
     public void DumpTowerStairSetups(uint setupId)
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         Assert.True(dats.Portal.TryGet<DatReaderWriter.DBObjs.Setup>(setupId, out var setup) && setup is not null,

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Conformance/Issue119UpNullGfxObjDumpTests.cs

@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ public sealed class Issue119UpNullGfxObjDumpTests
     public void DumpUpNullGfxObj(uint id)
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         Assert.True(dats.Portal.TryGet<GfxObj>(id, out var gfx) && gfx is not null,
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ public sealed class Issue119UpNullGfxObjDumpTests
     public void ShellModel_NoTexturedPolyIsDropped(uint id)
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         Assert.True(dats.Portal.TryGet<GfxObj>(id, out var gfx) && gfx is not null,

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Conformance/StipplingSurfaceEquivalenceTests.cs

@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ public sealed class StipplingSurfaceEquivalenceTests
     public void NoPosStippling_Equals_UntexturedSurface_OnBuildingsAndCells()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("dats unavailable — skipped"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         int polysChecked = 0;

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Conformance/ThresholdDivergenceDiagnosticTests.cs

@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ public class ThresholdDivergenceDiagnosticTests
     public void Diagnose_ThresholdTransitions()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         var fixturePath = System.IO.Path.Combine(ConformanceDats.FixturesDir, "find-cell-list-threshold.log");
-        if (!System.IO.File.Exists(fixturePath)) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: capture pending"); return; }
+        if (!System.IO.File.Exists(fixturePath)) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: capture pending"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = new PhysicsDataCache();

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Conformance/ThresholdPortalCrossingReplayTests.cs

@@ -108,9 +108,9 @@ public class ThresholdPortalCrossingReplayTests
     public void ProductionPath_IndoorCrossings_MatchRetail()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         var fixturePath = Path.Combine(ConformanceDats.FixturesDir, "find-cell-list-threshold.log");
-        if (!File.Exists(fixturePath)) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: capture pending"); return; }
+        if (!File.Exists(fixturePath)) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: capture pending"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var (engine, _) = BuildBuildingEngine(dats);

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Input/RetailActionIdentityRoundTripTests.cs

@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ public sealed class RetailActionIdentityRoundTripTests
     public void MappedActions_DatUnionDefaultBindings_MatchRetailDefaults()
     {
         string? datDir = Conformance.ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir);
         var source = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Input/RetailActionMapReaderTests.cs

@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ public sealed class RetailActionMapReader_LiveDatTests
     public void Read_AgainstInstalledDats_MatchesPinnedShape()
     {
         string? datDir = Conformance.ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return; // CI / no local install — skip cleanly.
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); // CI / no local install — skip cleanly.
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir);
         var source = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/Ap157SortingSphereFloodMeasurementTests.cs

@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ public sealed class Ap157SortingSphereFloodMeasurementTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             Console.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/BoxIntersectsCellBspDifferentialTests.cs

@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ public sealed class BoxIntersectsCellBspDifferentialTests
     {
         string? datDirectory = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDirectory is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDirectory, DatAccessType.Read);
         var random = new Random(0x4230_5820);

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/CameraCornerSealReplayTests.cs

@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ public class CameraCornerSealReplayTests
     public void Diagnostic_DispatchTrace_LeakPath_vs_Controls()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var (engine, cache, envCells) = BuildBuildingEngine(dats);
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ public class CameraCornerSealReplayTests
     public void ViewerSweep_ThroughOpenings_PassesWithoutCollision()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var (engine, _, _) = BuildBuildingEngine(dats);
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ public class CameraCornerSealReplayTests
     public void HoltburgCottageExit_ViewerSweep_AdvancesFromAlcoveToOutdoor()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var graphCache = new PhysicsDataCache();

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/CellTransitFindTransitCellsBoxTests.cs

@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ public sealed class CellTransitFindTransitCellsBoxTests
     {
         string? datDirectory = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDirectory is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDirectory, DatAccessType.Read);
         var cache = new PhysicsDataCache();

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/CellTransitTests.cs

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ public class CellTransitTests
     public void DeepInteriorSphere_NoStraddle_AddsNoOutdoorCells()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         // Hydrate the cells in the portal chain.
         //   0xA9B4013F — deep interior cell (the old over-penetration tick)
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ public class CellTransitTests
     public void AlcoveSphere_StraddlesExitPortal_ReachesDoorOutdoorCell()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         // The alcove cell 0xA9B40150 IS the cell with the exit portal, and
         // at this captured position the foot sphere straddles its plane

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/DoorBugTrajectoryReplayTests.cs

@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ public class DoorBugTrajectoryReplayTests
     public void LiveCompare_DoorOffCenterWalkthrough_Tick13558()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         // BR-7 / A6.P4 (2026-06-11) — FLIPPED from match-the-capture to
         // assert-the-fix. The capture IS the #99 bug (live walked through:
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ public class DoorBugTrajectoryReplayTests
     public void LiveCompare_DoorBlocksFromOutside_Tick22760()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         // BR-7 / A6.P4 (2026-06-11) — narrowed from full-capture match to
         // the blocking invariant. The capture (the WORKING outdoor side)
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ public class DoorBugTrajectoryReplayTests
     public void Diagnostic_Tick22760_DumpEngineInternals()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         PhysicsDiagnostics.ProbeResolveEnabled   = true;
         PhysicsDiagnostics.ProbeBuildingEnabled  = true;
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ public class DoorBugTrajectoryReplayTests
     public void Diagnostic_Tick13558_DumpEngineInternals()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         PhysicsDiagnostics.ProbeResolveEnabled   = true;
         PhysicsDiagnostics.ProbeBuildingEnabled  = true;
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ public class DoorBugTrajectoryReplayTests
     public void FindTransitCellsSphere_IndoorExitPortal_AddsOutsideForCapturedSpherePos()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         // ── 1. Hydrate cell 0xA9B40150 from the real dat ────────────
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@ public class DoorBugTrajectoryReplayTests
     public void InsideOut_Tick3254_WithCottageWalls_ShouldBlock()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         var (engine, cache) = BuildFaithfulDoorEngine(datDir);
 
@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ public class DoorBugTrajectoryReplayTests
     public void CornerSlide_AlcoveEastToCottageNorth_ShouldBlock()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         var (engine, cache) = BuildFaithfulDoorEngine(datDir);
 
@@ -781,7 +781,7 @@ public class DoorBugTrajectoryReplayTests
     public void Geometric_DoorSlabAtSphereHeight_OverlapsInZ()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         DatReaderWriter.Types.Frame partFrame;
         float slabLocalZMin = float.MaxValue;
@@ -833,7 +833,7 @@ public class DoorBugTrajectoryReplayTests
     public void Directional_OutsideIn_SouthApproach_BlocksAtSlabSouthFace()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         var (engine, _) = BuildFaithfulDoorEngine(datDir);
 
@@ -861,7 +861,7 @@ public class DoorBugTrajectoryReplayTests
     public void Directional_InsideOut_NorthApproach_BlocksAtSlabNorthFace()
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         var (engine, _) = BuildFaithfulDoorEngine(datDir);
 

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/DoorCollisionApparatusTests.cs

@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public class DoorCollisionApparatusTests
     [Fact]
     public void Apparatus_DeadCenter_FrontApproach_BlocksOnBSP()
     {
-        if (!TryBuildScenario(out var ctx)) return;
+        if (!TryBuildScenario(out var ctx)) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         // Door at world (12, 12, 0). The frame's BSP slab extends
         // entity-local Y∈[-0.009, 0.252] (poly Y range plus frame[0] offset).
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ public class DoorCollisionApparatusTests
     [Fact]
     public void Apparatus_SingleLargeTickJump_DeadCenter_StillBlocksOnBSP()
     {
-        if (!TryBuildScenario(out var ctx)) return;
+        if (!TryBuildScenario(out var ctx)) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         var start = new Vector3(12f, 11f, 0.5f);
         // The full 20-tick × 0.10 m approach in ONE resolve call.
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ public class DoorCollisionApparatusTests
     [Fact]
     public void Apparatus_50cmOffCenter_FrontApproach_BlocksOnBSP()
     {
-        if (!TryBuildScenario(out var ctx)) return;
+        if (!TryBuildScenario(out var ctx)) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         // Same setup, but start 0.5 m off-center in X. Slab X range
         // is approximately [11.05, 12.97] (frame[0].X offset = -0.006).
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ public class DoorCollisionApparatusTests
     [Fact]
     public void Apparatus_DeadCenter_BackApproach_BlocksOnBSP()
     {
-        if (!TryBuildScenario(out var ctx)) return;
+        if (!TryBuildScenario(out var ctx)) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         // Start past the door at Y=13, walk back toward -Y.
         var start = new Vector3(12f, 13f, 0.5f);
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ public class DoorCollisionApparatusTests
     [Fact]
     public void Apparatus_DiagnosticDump_FrontApproach()
     {
-        if (!TryBuildScenario(out var ctx)) return;
+        if (!TryBuildScenario(out var ctx)) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         PhysicsDiagnostics.ProbeResolveEnabled    = true;
         PhysicsDiagnostics.ProbeBuildingEnabled   = true;
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ public class DoorCollisionApparatusTests
     [Fact]
     public void Apparatus_Grounded_50cmOffCenter_FrontApproach_Blocks()
     {
-        if (!TryBuildScenario(out var ctx)) return;
+        if (!TryBuildScenario(out var ctx)) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         PhysicsDiagnostics.ProbeResolveEnabled  = true;
         PhysicsDiagnostics.ProbeBuildingEnabled = true;

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/DoorSetupGfxObjInspectionTests.cs

@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ public class DoorSetupGfxObjInspectionTests
         if (!Directory.Exists(datDir))
         {
             _out.WriteLine($"SKIP: dat directory not found at {datDir}");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ public class DoorSetupGfxObjInspectionTests
         if (!Directory.Exists(datDir))
         {
             _out.WriteLine($"SKIP: dat directory not found at {datDir}");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ public class DoorSetupGfxObjInspectionTests
         if (!Directory.Exists(datDir))
         {
             _out.WriteLine($"SKIP: dat directory not found at {datDir}");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/FlatBspQueryDifferentialTests.cs

@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ public sealed class FlatBspQueryDifferentialTests
     {
         string? datDirectory = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDirectory is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDirectory, DatAccessType.Read);
         var random = new Random(0x4934_4253);

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/FlatCollisionInstalledDatTests.cs

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ public sealed class FlatCollisionInstalledDatTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _output.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ public sealed class FlatCollisionInstalledDatTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _output.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/HumanoidMotionTableRootMotionTests.cs

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ public sealed class HumanoidMotionTableRootMotionTests
     {
         string? datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         MotionTable table = Assert.IsType<MotionTable>(dats.Get<MotionTable>(HumanoidMotionTable));
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ public sealed class HumanoidMotionTableRootMotionTests
     {
         string? datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         using var boundedDats = new DatCollectionAdapter(dats);
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ public sealed class HumanoidMotionTableRootMotionTests
     {
         string? datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
         if (datDir is null)
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         MotionTable table = Assert.IsType<MotionTable>(dats.Get<MotionTable>(HumanoidMotionTable));

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/Issue108CellarAscentViewerReplayTests.cs

@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ public class Issue108CellarAscentViewerReplayTests
     public void Diagnostic_CellarAscent_PerStepTable()
     {
         var steps = RunAscent(BoomDistance, pathLagMeters: 0f);
-        if (steps is null) return;
+        if (steps is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         uint lastPlayer = 0; uint lastViewer = 0xFFFFFFFFu; var lastBranch = (ViewerBranch)(-1);
         int suspicious = 0;
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ public class Issue108CellarAscentViewerReplayTests
             foreach (float lag in new[] { 0f, 0.30f })
             {
                 var steps = RunAscent(dist, lag);
-                if (steps is null) return;
+                if (steps is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
                 int grass = steps.FindAll(s => s.EyeBelowGrade && s.ViewerOutdoorOrNull).Count;
                 int okFalse = steps.FindAll(s => !s.Viewer.Sweep.Ok).Count;
                 int fb = steps.FindAll(s => s.Viewer.Branch != ViewerBranch.Sweep).Count;
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ public class Issue108CellarAscentViewerReplayTests
     public void CellarAscent_ViewerStaysInterior_WhileEyeBelowGrade()
     {
         var steps = RunAscent(BoomDistance, pathLagMeters: 0f);
-        if (steps is null) return;
+        if (steps is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         var failures = steps.FindAll(s => s.EyeBelowGrade && s.ViewerOutdoorOrNull);
         if (failures.Count > 0)

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/Issue137CorridorSeamInspectionTests.cs

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ public class Issue137CorridorSeamInspectionTests
         if (!Directory.Exists(datDir))
         {
             _out.WriteLine($"SKIP: dat directory not found at {datDir}");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ public class Issue137CorridorSeamInspectionTests
         if (!Directory.Exists(datDir))
         {
             _out.WriteLine($"SKIP: dat directory not found at {datDir}");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ public class Issue137CorridorSeamInspectionTests
         if (!Directory.Exists(datDir))
         {
             _out.WriteLine($"SKIP: dat directory not found at {datDir}");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ public class Issue137CorridorSeamInspectionTests
         if (!Directory.Exists(datDir))
         {
             _out.WriteLine($"SKIP: dat directory not found at {datDir}");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ public class Issue137CorridorSeamInspectionTests
         if (!Directory.Exists(datDir))
         {
             _out.WriteLine($"SKIP: dat directory not found at {datDir}");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ public class Issue137CorridorSeamInspectionTests
         if (!Directory.Exists(datDir))
         {
             _out.WriteLine($"SKIP: dat directory not found at {datDir}");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -475,7 +475,7 @@ public class Issue137CorridorSeamInspectionTests
         if (!Directory.Exists(datDir))
         {
             _out.WriteLine($"SKIP: dat directory not found at {datDir}");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/Issue137CorridorSeamReplayTests.cs

@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ public class Issue137CorridorSeamReplayTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dat directory not found");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ public class Issue137CorridorSeamReplayTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dat directory not found");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ public class Issue137CorridorSeamReplayTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dat directory not found");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ public class Issue137CorridorSeamReplayTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dat directory not found");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ public class Issue137CorridorSeamReplayTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dat directory not found");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/Issue147ArwicBuildingsDumpTests.cs

@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ public sealed class Issue147ArwicBuildingsDumpTests
         var datDir = Env.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACDREAM_DAT_DIR")
             ?? Path.Combine(Env.GetFolderPath(Env.SpecialFolder.UserProfile),
                             "Documents", "Asheron's Call");
-        if (!Directory.Exists(datDir)) { _out.WriteLine($"SKIP: no dats at {datDir}"); return; }
+        if (!Directory.Exists(datDir)) { _out.WriteLine($"SKIP: no dats at {datDir}"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var info = dats.Get<LandBlockInfo>(0xC6A9FFFEu);   // Arwic landblock info

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/Issue175HubDoorPoseInspectionTests.cs

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ public class Issue175HubDoorPoseInspectionTests
         if (!Directory.Exists(datDir))
         {
             _out.WriteLine($"SKIP: dat directory not found at {datDir}");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ public class Issue175HubDoorPoseInspectionTests
         if (!Directory.Exists(datDir))
         {
             _out.WriteLine($"SKIP: dat directory not found at {datDir}");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/Issue176177SeamTransitLagTests.cs

@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ public class Issue176177SeamTransitLagTests
     public void RunAcrossSeam_CellFlipPosition(int direction)
     {
         var datDir = ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var engine = BuildEngine(dats);
         var body = GroundedBody();

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/Issue180CorridorSweepHysteresisReplayTests.cs

@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ public class Issue180CorridorSweepHysteresisReplayTests
     public void ClippedStop_IsTheContactPoint_NotAStepBoundary()
     {
         var datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: dats unavailable"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var (engine, _) = BuildCorridorEngine(dats);

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/Issue186ConnectorCellGeometryInspectionTests.cs

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ public class Issue186ConnectorCellGeometryInspectionTests
     public void Dump_ConnectorCells_ShellAndCollision()
     {
         var datDir = DatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         foreach (uint cellId in new[] { 0xF6820116u, 0xF6820117u, 0xF6820118u })
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ public class Issue186ConnectorCellGeometryInspectionTests
     public void PortalSide_CentroidVsDatBit_AtGreyEye()
     {
         var datDir = DatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         // Live grey-pose eye (fresh HEAD capture + retail cdb trace both ~here).

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/Issue188FadingDoorMotionTableInspectionTests.cs

@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ public class Issue188FadingDoorMotionTableInspectionTests
     public void Dump_PedestalWeakSpot_MotionTable_HookContents()
     {
         var datDir = DatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); return; }
+        if (datDir is null) { _out.WriteLine("SKIP: no dat dir"); Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md."); }
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
 
         const uint MotionTableId = 0x090000F9u; // live-captured from the Pedestal Weak Spot entity

tests/AcDream.Core.Tests/Physics/Issue337NeftetRockGeometryInspectionTests.cs

@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ public sealed class Issue337NeftetRockGeometryInspectionTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -402,7 +402,7 @@ public sealed class Issue337NeftetRockGeometryInspectionTests
         if (datDir is null)
         {
             _out.WriteLine("SKIP: installed retail DAT directory is unavailable.");
-            return;
+            Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
         }
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
@@ -554,7 +554,7 @@ public sealed class Issue337NeftetRockGeometryInspectionTests
     public void TheBspQueryReturnsAHitAtThePositionTheClientFellThrough()
     {
         string? datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;   // CI without dats — the sibling dumps skip too.
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");   // CI without dats — the sibling dumps skip too.
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var info = dats.Get<LandBlockInfo>((Landblock & 0xFFFF0000u) | 0xFFFEu);
@@ -627,7 +627,7 @@ public sealed class Issue337NeftetRockGeometryInspectionTests
     public void TheOldBroadphaseMeasuredToTheOriginAndSoRejectedGeometryItStoodOn()
     {
         string? datDir = ConformanceDats.ResolveDatDir();
-        if (datDir is null) return;
+        if (datDir is null) Assert.Fail("Lane=InstalledDat requires an installed retail DAT directory; see docs/release-gate.md.");
 
         using var dats = new DatCollection(datDir, DatAccessType.Read);
         var info = dats.Get<LandBlockInfo>((Landblock & 0xFFFF0000u) | 0xFFFEu);