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+# Acceptance Criteria Audit Template
+
+## Status
+
+**Applies to:** Aegis SDK (`@aegis/sdk`)
+**Companion to:** [Pull Request Evidence Checklist](./pr-evidence-checklist.md), Section 6
+
+---
+
+## Purpose
+
+Section 6 of the [PR Evidence Checklist](./pr-evidence-checklist.md#6-acceptance-criteria-coverage)
+requires every acceptance criterion from the linked issue to be addressed. A
+plain checked-off list makes it easy to mark a criterion done without
+showing *how*. This template replaces the checklist with a per-criterion
+audit row, so a reviewer can verify completeness without re-reading the
+whole diff.
+
+---
+
+## How to use this template
+
+For each acceptance criterion in the linked issue, copy the criterion text
+verbatim and fill in one row. Do not merge two criteria into one row, even
+if a single change satisfies both -- reviewers check rows against the issue
+one at a time.
+
+| Criterion | Evidence | Status |
+|---|---|---|
+| *(copied verbatim from the issue)* | *(file/diff/test that satisfies it)* | *(see status values below)* |
+
+| Requirement | Every row must show implementation evidence, and test or documentation evidence where applicable. |
+|---|---|
+| **Why** | A criterion marked "done" with no evidence is unverifiable -- the reviewer either re-derives it from the diff themselves or takes it on faith. Neither scales. |
+| **How to satisfy** | Point to something concrete: a file path and symbol name, a test name plus the command that runs it, or a doc section. If none of those apply, say why in the evidence cell rather than leaving it blank. |
+| **Acceptable evidence** | `src/client.ts` exports `X` -- not "implemented client changes." `tests/client.test.ts::handles timeout` -- not "added tests." |
+
+---
+
+## Status values
+
+| Status | Meaning |
+|---|---|
+| **Done** | Criterion is fully implemented and its evidence is verifiable in this PR. |
+| **Partial** | Some but not all of the criterion is addressed in this PR. |
+| **Deferred** | Intentionally out of scope for this PR; requires a follow-up. |
+| **N/A** | Criterion does not apply to this change -- explain why in the evidence cell. |
+
+A criterion should not be marked **Done** if its evidence cell is empty or
+vague. If you are unsure whether something counts as sufficient evidence,
+under-claim (mark **Partial**) rather than over-claim.
+
+---
+
+## Handling incomplete criteria
+
+If any row is **Partial** or **Deferred**:
+
+1. The PR description must use `Relates to #N`, not `Closes #N` or `Fixes #N`.
+2. The evidence cell for that row states what remains.
+3. If a follow-up issue already exists, link it. If not, say so explicitly
+   so a maintainer can decide whether to open one -- don't silently drop it.
+
+A PR should never claim an issue is fully resolved (`Closes #N`) while any
+row in its own audit table says otherwise.
+
+---
+
+## Worked example
+
+Issue acceptance criteria:
+- Add retry logic to `fetchBalance`.
+- Document the retry behaviour.
+
+Audit:
+
+| Criterion | Evidence | Status |
+|---|---|---|
+| Add retry logic to `fetchBalance`. | `src/client.ts`: `fetchBalance` now retries up to 3 times on `NetworkError`; see `tests/client.test.ts::retries on network error`. | Done |
+| Document the retry behaviour. | `docs/network-failures.md` section "Retry policy" describes the 3-attempt backoff. | Done |
+
+If retry logic had been added without updating the docs criterion, that
+second row would read:
+
+| Criterion | Evidence | Status |
+|---|---|---|
+| Document the retry behaviour. | Not yet written; tracking in follow-up. | Deferred |
+
+-- and the PR description would say `Relates to #N`, not `Closes #N`.
+
+---
+
+## Related Documentation
+
+- [Pull Request Evidence Checklist](./pr-evidence-checklist.md) -- the full
+  six-item PR requirement list this template supports.
+- [Contributing Guide](../CONTRIBUTING.md) -- development workflow and PR
+  process.
diff --git a/docs/pr-evidence-checklist.md b/docs/pr-evidence-checklist.md
index bef6d79..96e6410 100644
--- a/docs/pr-evidence-checklist.md
+++ b/docs/pr-evidence-checklist.md
@@ -124,7 +124,8 @@ reviewer notes section so reviewers do not attribute them to your PR.
 
 ### Partial completion
 
-If a PR intentionally addresses only some criteria, it must:
+If a PR intentionally addresses only some criteria, use the audit
+template's **Partial** or **Deferred** statuses. It must also:
 
 1. Use `Relates to #N` instead of `Closes #N`.
 2. List all criteria and mark incomplete rows as **Partial** or **Not started**.