diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index b144e6a8..c74eee59 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -11,6 +11,23 @@ PyPI version — not the changelog header.
 
 ## [2026-07-09]
 
+### Added
+
+- **Exit-code contract foundation — failing commands can now exit non-zero
+  (issue #661, in progress).** CLI error paths printed an error but returned exit
+  `0`, so `$?`-checking callers (core to running `drone` as a subprocess) were
+  told success on failure. The dispatch contract was a 2-state bool (`handled` /
+  `not-mine`) with no way to say "handled *and* failed". `@cli` now exposes a
+  process-level failure flag + `resolve_exit(handled)` (→ `0`/`1`/`2`), and
+  `error()` auto-trips the flag — so any failure routed through `error()` gets a
+  correct non-zero exit with zero per-site edits, and it can't regress. Inert
+  until a branch's `main()` adopts it. `@seedgo` added an `output_routing`
+  standard (39th checker) flagging user-facing status output that bypasses the
+  cli helpers — 254 sites across 14 branches, the migration checklist. `devpulse`
+  is the first adopter (`main()`→`resolve_exit`, feedback migrated to `error()`,
+  exit `2`/`0`/`1` verified, 100% seedgo). Fleet migration to follow.
+  (built by @cli + @seedgo)
+
 ### Fixed
 
 - **macOS session lock-out: the boot wrapper can now see tmux sessions on
diff --git a/src/aipass/cli/apps/modules/__init__.py b/src/aipass/cli/apps/modules/__init__.py
index 566d4749..764cc9fd 100644
--- a/src/aipass/cli/apps/modules/__init__.py
+++ b/src/aipass/cli/apps/modules/__init__.py
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ from aipass.cli.apps.modules.display import console, err_console
 # Display functions
 from aipass.cli.apps.modules.display import header, success, error, warning, fatal, section
 
+# Exit-code failure-flag API
+from aipass.cli.apps.modules.display import mark_command_failed, command_failed, reset_command_state, resolve_exit
+
 # Operation templates
 from aipass.cli.apps.modules.templates import operation_start, operation_complete
 
@@ -40,6 +43,11 @@ __all__ = [
     "warning",
     "fatal",
     "section",
+    # Exit-code failure-flag API
+    "mark_command_failed",
+    "command_failed",
+    "reset_command_state",
+    "resolve_exit",
     # Templates
     "operation_start",
     "operation_complete",
diff --git a/src/aipass/cli/apps/modules/display.py b/src/aipass/cli/apps/modules/display.py
index 333fec27..cc7cde91 100755
--- a/src/aipass/cli/apps/modules/display.py
+++ b/src/aipass/cli/apps/modules/display.py
@@ -48,6 +48,36 @@ err_console = Console(stderr=True, force_terminal=sys.stderr.isatty())  # Stderr
 _TRIGGER = None
 _TRIGGER_LOADED = False
 
+# Process-level command failure flag — mutable container avoids global statement
+_CMD_STATE = {"failed": False}
+
+
+def mark_command_failed() -> None:
+    """Set the process-level failure flag (called automatically by error())."""
+    _CMD_STATE["failed"] = True
+
+
+def command_failed() -> bool:
+    """Return whether mark_command_failed() has been called since last reset."""
+    return _CMD_STATE["failed"]
+
+
+def reset_command_state() -> None:
+    """Reset the failure flag to False (for tests and main() entry)."""
+    _CMD_STATE["failed"] = False
+
+
+def resolve_exit(handled: bool) -> int:
+    """Map handled/failed state to an exit code.
+
+    Returns 1 if not handled, 2 if handled but failed, 0 otherwise.
+    """
+    if not handled:
+        return 1
+    if _CMD_STATE["failed"]:
+        return 2
+    return 0
+
 
 # ============================================================================
 # MODULE PATTERN FUNCTIONS (SEEDGO compliant)
@@ -341,6 +371,7 @@ def error(message: str, suggestion: str | None = None) -> None:
     Example:
         error('Branch not found', suggestion='Check branch name spelling')
     """
+    mark_command_failed()
     err_console.print(f"❌ [red bold]{message}[/red bold]")
     if suggestion:
         err_console.print(f"   [yellow]→ Try: {suggestion}[/yellow]")
@@ -411,6 +442,10 @@ __all__ = [
     "warning",
     "fatal",
     "section",
+    "mark_command_failed",
+    "command_failed",
+    "reset_command_state",
+    "resolve_exit",
 ]
 
 # ============================================================================
diff --git a/src/aipass/cli/tests/test_display.py b/src/aipass/cli/tests/test_display.py
index ebdf1eb7..bd561b05 100644
--- a/src/aipass/cli/tests/test_display.py
+++ b/src/aipass/cli/tests/test_display.py
@@ -522,3 +522,62 @@ class TestInfrastructureMocking:
         module_key = "aipass.cli.apps.modules.display"
         assert module_key in sys.modules
         assert sys.modules[module_key] is display
+
+
+# =============================================================================
+# Exit-code failure-flag tests
+# =============================================================================
+
+
+class TestCommandState:
+    """Verify the process-level failure flag and resolve_exit truth table."""
+
+    def setup_method(self):
+        display.reset_command_state()
+
+    def teardown_method(self):
+        display.reset_command_state()
+
+    def test_initial_state_is_not_failed(self):
+        assert display.command_failed() is False
+
+    def test_mark_command_failed_sets_flag(self):
+        display.mark_command_failed()
+        assert display.command_failed() is True
+
+    def test_reset_command_state_clears_flag(self):
+        display.mark_command_failed()
+        display.reset_command_state()
+        assert display.command_failed() is False
+
+    def test_resolve_exit_not_handled(self):
+        assert display.resolve_exit(handled=False) == 1
+
+    def test_resolve_exit_handled_ok(self):
+        assert display.resolve_exit(handled=True) == 0
+
+    def test_resolve_exit_handled_failed(self):
+        display.mark_command_failed()
+        assert display.resolve_exit(handled=True) == 2
+
+    def test_resolve_exit_not_handled_ignores_flag(self):
+        display.mark_command_failed()
+        assert display.resolve_exit(handled=False) == 1
+
+    def test_error_trips_failure_flag(self):
+        cons, _ = _make_capture_console()
+        with patch.object(display, "err_console", cons):
+            display.error("something broke")
+        assert display.command_failed() is True
+
+    def test_warning_does_not_trip_flag(self):
+        cons, _ = _make_capture_console()
+        with patch.object(display, "err_console", cons):
+            display.warning("just a warning")
+        assert display.command_failed() is False
+
+    def test_success_does_not_trip_flag(self):
+        cons, _ = _make_capture_console()
+        with patch.object(display, "CONSOLE", cons):
+            display.success("all good")
+        assert display.command_failed() is False
diff --git a/src/aipass/devpulse/.aipass/aipass_local_prompt.md b/src/aipass/devpulse/.aipass/aipass_local_prompt.md
index c35c8e70..49436858 100644
--- a/src/aipass/devpulse/.aipass/aipass_local_prompt.md
+++ b/src/aipass/devpulse/.aipass/aipass_local_prompt.md
@@ -79,6 +79,11 @@ drone @flow create . "Subject" aplan                       # APLAN (FPLAN/DPLAN
 drone @flow list open                                      # active plans
 ```
 
+# Dispatch — in-flight comms
+
+ - **Steer a working agent with `email` (no wake), NOT `dispatch`.** `dispatch` = send **+ wake** (hand NEW work to a sleeping agent). An agent already running is awake, so `drone @ai_mail email @target "Subject" "Msg"` reaches it mid-task via its hook — no re-wake, no interrupt. Forgot something / need to correct a brief / add context → **email it in-flight**, don't re-dispatch. (`drone @ai_mail --help`)
+ - **No backticks in dispatch/email body strings** — bash runs `` `word` `` as command-substitution and silently eats it. Use single quotes or plain text (hit this live: a backtick'd word vanished from a brief).
+
 # Watchdog
 
 Devpulse module. After dispatch, arm as a background task — it polls the dispatch lock and exits when the agent finishes. Resolves @target → branch path → `.ai_mail.local/.dispatch.lock`. Default timeout 1800s; `drone @devpulse watchdog --help` for the full reference.
diff --git a/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/devpulse.py b/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/devpulse.py
index cc62ce17..ae1bd565 100644
--- a/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/devpulse.py
+++ b/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/devpulse.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ if sys.platform == "win32":
             _reconfigure(encoding="utf-8", errors="replace")
 
 from aipass.prax import logger
-from aipass.cli.apps.modules import err_console
+from aipass.cli.apps.modules import err_console, resolve_exit, reset_command_state
 
 console = err_console
 
@@ -161,13 +161,14 @@ def _handle_command(command: str, args: list) -> bool:
 
 def main():
     """Main entry point - routes commands or shows help."""
+    reset_command_state()
     args = sys.argv[1:]
 
     if len(args) == 0:
         print_introspection()
         return 0
 
-    return 0 if _handle_command(args[0], args[1:]) else 1
+    return resolve_exit(_handle_command(args[0], args[1:]))
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
diff --git a/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/handlers/feedback/compose.py b/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/handlers/feedback/compose.py
index 84b751ef..0b8e4225 100644
--- a/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/handlers/feedback/compose.py
+++ b/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/handlers/feedback/compose.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ from aipass.devpulse.apps.handlers.feedback.storage import (
     generate_id,
 )
 
-from aipass.cli.apps.modules import err_console
+from aipass.cli.apps.modules import err_console, error
 from aipass.devpulse.apps.handlers.json import json_handler
 
 console = err_console
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ def reply_to(msg_id: str, body: str) -> bool:
             break
 
     if msg is None:
-        console.print(f"[red]Message {msg_id} not found.[/red]")
+        error(f"Message {msg_id} not found.")
         return False
 
     now = datetime.now(timezone.utc).strftime("%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S")
diff --git a/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/handlers/feedback/inbox.py b/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/handlers/feedback/inbox.py
index ac6cad9d..b7ab8abc 100644
--- a/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/handlers/feedback/inbox.py
+++ b/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/handlers/feedback/inbox.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ from rich.table import Table
 
 from aipass.devpulse.apps.handlers.feedback.storage import load_inbox, save_inbox
 
-from aipass.cli.apps.modules import err_console
+from aipass.cli.apps.modules import err_console, error
 from aipass.devpulse.apps.handlers.json import json_handler
 
 console = err_console
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ def view_message(msg_id: str) -> None:
 
     msg = _find_message(messages, msg_id)
     if msg is None:
-        console.print(f"[red]Message {msg_id} not found.[/red]")
+        error(f"Message {msg_id} not found.")
         return
 
     # Mark as read
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ def clear_message(msg_id: str) -> None:
 
     msg = _find_message(messages, msg_id)
     if msg is None:
-        console.print(f"[red]Message {msg_id} not found.[/red]")
+        error(f"Message {msg_id} not found.")
         return
 
     was_unread = not msg.get("read")
diff --git a/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/modules/feedback.py b/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/modules/feedback.py
index 6dc7e297..876c3b9f 100644
--- a/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/modules/feedback.py
+++ b/src/aipass/devpulse/apps/modules/feedback.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ from aipass.devpulse.apps.handlers.feedback.compose import (
 )
 
 from aipass.prax import logger
-from aipass.cli.apps.modules import err_console
+from aipass.cli.apps.modules import err_console, error
 from aipass.devpulse.apps.handlers.json import json_handler
 
 console = err_console
@@ -93,14 +93,14 @@ def handle_command(command: str, args: list[str]) -> bool:
 
     if subcommand == "view":
         if not sub_args:
-            console.print("[red]Usage: feedback view <id>[/red]")
+            error("Usage: feedback view <id>")
             return True
         view_message(sub_args[0])
         return True
 
     if subcommand == "reply":
         if len(sub_args) < 2:
-            console.print('[red]Usage: feedback reply <id> "message"[/red]')
+            error('Usage: feedback reply <id> "message"')
             return True
         msg_id = sub_args[0]
         body = " ".join(sub_args[1:])
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ def handle_command(command: str, args: list[str]) -> bool:
 
     if subcommand == "clear":
         if not sub_args:
-            logger.error("Usage: feedback clear <id> | feedback clear --all")
+            error("Usage: feedback clear <id> | feedback clear --all")
             return True
         if sub_args[0] == "--all":
             clear_all_read()
@@ -120,8 +120,8 @@ def handle_command(command: str, args: list[str]) -> bool:
             clear_message(sub_args[0])
         return True
 
-    console.print(f"[red]Unknown feedback subcommand: {subcommand}[/red]")
-    console.print("Use [bold]feedback --help[/bold] for usage.")
+    logger.warning("[feedback] unknown subcommand: %s", subcommand)
+    error(f"Unknown feedback subcommand: {subcommand}", suggestion="Use 'feedback --help' for usage")
     return True
 
 
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ def _handle_send(args: list[str]) -> bool:
         bool: Always True (command was handled).
     """
     if len(args) < 2:
-        console.print('[red]Usage: feedback send "subject" "body"[/red]')
+        error('Usage: feedback send "subject" "body"')
         console.print("[dim]Tip: from_branch is auto-detected or pass as first arg.[/dim]")
         return True
 
diff --git a/src/aipass/seedgo/apps/handlers/aipass_standards/output_routing.md b/src/aipass/seedgo/apps/handlers/aipass_standards/output_routing.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6010a17d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/aipass/seedgo/apps/handlers/aipass_standards/output_routing.md
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+# Output Routing Standard
+
+**Status:** Active
+**Date:** 2026-07-09
+
+---
+
+## What This Standard Is
+
+User-facing error, success, and warning output must route through `@cli`'s semantic helpers (`error()`, `success()`, `warning()`) instead of raw `console.print()` with status markup or emojis.
+
+## Why It Matters
+
+1. **Consistent formatting** — all agents display errors, successes, and warnings the same way.
+2. **Exit-code correctness** — `error()` carries the GitHub #661 failure-flag fix. Raw `console.print("[red]...")` bypasses it, causing error paths to exit 0.
+3. **Stderr routing** — `error()` and `warning()` write to stderr; raw `console.print()` writes to stdout.
+
+## What the Checker Scans For
+
+Detects `console.print()` or `err_console.print()` calls containing status indicators:
+
+- `[red]` or `[bold red]` markup (error-style output)
+- Status emojis: `❌ ✅ ✓ ✗ ✘ ⚠ ✔`
+- `[green]` paired with check emojis (`✓ ✔ ✅`)
+- `[yellow]` paired with warning indicators (`⚠`, "warning", "WARN", "FAIL")
+
+### Exclusions
+
+- Lines inside docstrings (triple-quoted regions)
+- Comment lines (`# ...`)
+- `__init__.py` files
+- Test files (`test_*.py`, `*_test.py`, `conftest.py`)
+- `console.print()` with no status markup (tables, panels, informational text)
+- Non-status color like `[cyan]`, `[dim]`, `[blue]`
+
+## Code Examples
+
+### Violation
+
+```python
+console.print(f"[red]Error: {msg}[/red]")
+console.print("[bold red]Failed to process[/bold red]")
+console.print(f"[green]✓[/green] Task complete")
+console.print(f"❌ Something went wrong")
+```
+
+### Fix
+
+```python
+from aipass.cli.apps.modules import error, success, warning
+
+error(f"Error: {msg}")
+error("Failed to process")
+success("Task complete")
+error("Something went wrong")
+```
+
+## Scoring
+
+- Single check per file: pass (0 violations) or fail (any violations)
+- Score: 100 if passed, 0 if failed
+- Threshold: score >= 75 to pass overall
+- Line-level bypass filtering is supported
+
+## Bypass
+
+Add an entry to `.seedgo/bypass.json`:
+
+```json
+{"standard": "output_routing", "file": "path/to/file.py"}
+```
+
+Or bypass specific lines:
+
+```json
+{"standard": "output_routing", "file": "file.py", "lines": [42, 78]}
+```
+
+## Audit Scope
+
+`AUDIT_SCOPE = all_files` — runs against every `.py` file in the branch. Skips `__init__.py` and test files.
+
+## Reference
+
+- Checker: `output_routing_check.py`
+- Standards pack: seedgo standards (output_routing)
+- Related: GitHub #661 (error paths exit 0)
diff --git a/src/aipass/seedgo/apps/handlers/aipass_standards/output_routing_check.py b/src/aipass/seedgo/apps/handlers/aipass_standards/output_routing_check.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9c2091e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/aipass/seedgo/apps/handlers/aipass_standards/output_routing_check.py
@@ -0,0 +1,222 @@
+# =================== AIPass ====================
+# Name: output_routing_check.py
+# Description: Output Routing Standards Checker Handler
+# Version: 1.0.0
+# Created: 2026-07-09
+# Modified: 2026-07-09
+# =============================================
+
+"""
+Output Routing Standards Checker Handler
+
+Detects user-facing error/success/warning output that bypasses @cli's
+semantic helpers (error(), success(), warning()) by using raw
+console.print() with status markup or status emojis.
+"""
+
+import re
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Dict
+
+from aipass.prax import logger
+from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.json import json_handler
+from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.bypass.utils import is_bypassed
+
+if sys.stdout and hasattr(sys.stdout, "reconfigure"):
+    sys.stdout.reconfigure(encoding="utf-8")  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+if sys.stderr and hasattr(sys.stderr, "reconfigure"):
+    sys.stderr.reconfigure(encoding="utf-8")  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+
+AUDIT_SCOPE = "all_files"
+
+_TEST_FILE_RE = re.compile(r"^(test_.+|.+_test|conftest)\.py$")
+
+# console.print( or err_console.print( at any indentation
+_CONSOLE_PRINT_RE = re.compile(r"(?:console|err_console)\.print\(")
+
+# Status color markup — error indicators
+_RED_MARKUP_RE = re.compile(r"\[(?:bold\s+)?red(?:\s+bold)?\]")
+
+# Status color markup — warning indicators
+_YELLOW_STATUS_RE = re.compile(r"\[yellow\].*(?:⚠|[Ww]arning|WARN|FAIL)")
+
+# Status emojis: ❌ ✅ ✓ ✗ ✘ ⚠ ✔
+_STATUS_EMOJI_RE = re.compile(r"[❌✅✓✗✘⚠✔]")
+
+# Green check pattern: [green] followed by check emoji
+_GREEN_CHECK_RE = re.compile(r"\[green\].*[✓✔✅]")
+
+
+def _is_status_console_print(code: str) -> bool:
+    if not _CONSOLE_PRINT_RE.search(code):
+        return False
+    if _RED_MARKUP_RE.search(code):
+        return True
+    if _STATUS_EMOJI_RE.search(code):
+        return True
+    if _YELLOW_STATUS_RE.search(code):
+        return True
+    if _GREEN_CHECK_RE.search(code):
+        return True
+    return False
+
+
+def _scan_file(file_path: Path) -> tuple[list[int], str | None]:
+    try:
+        source = file_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8", errors="ignore")
+    except OSError as exc:
+        logger.info("Cannot read %s: %s", file_path, exc)
+        return [], f"cannot read: {exc}"
+
+    lines = source.splitlines()
+    hit_lines: list[int] = []
+    in_docstring = False
+    docstring_char: str | None = None
+
+    for lineno, line in enumerate(lines, start=1):
+        stripped = line.strip()
+
+        for tq in ('"""', "'''"):
+            count = line.count(tq)
+            if count == 0:
+                continue
+            if not in_docstring:
+                in_docstring = True
+                docstring_char = tq
+                if count >= 2:
+                    in_docstring = False
+                    docstring_char = None
+            elif docstring_char == tq:
+                in_docstring = False
+                docstring_char = None
+
+        if in_docstring:
+            continue
+
+        if stripped.startswith("#"):
+            continue
+
+        code_part = line.split("#")[0]
+
+        if _is_status_console_print(code_part):
+            hit_lines.append(lineno)
+
+    return hit_lines, None
+
+
+def check_module(module_path: str, bypass_rules: list | None = None) -> Dict:
+    """Check a Python file for user-facing output bypassing @cli helpers."""
+    path = Path(module_path)
+
+    if is_bypassed(module_path, "output_routing", bypass_rules=bypass_rules):
+        return {
+            "passed": True,
+            "checks": [
+                {
+                    "name": "Bypassed",
+                    "passed": True,
+                    "message": "Standard bypassed via .seedgo/bypass.json",
+                }
+            ],
+            "score": 100,
+            "standard": "OUTPUT_ROUTING",
+        }
+
+    if path.name == "__init__.py":
+        return {
+            "passed": True,
+            "checks": [
+                {
+                    "name": "Output routing",
+                    "passed": True,
+                    "message": "__init__.py skipped",
+                }
+            ],
+            "score": 100,
+            "standard": "OUTPUT_ROUTING",
+        }
+
+    if _TEST_FILE_RE.match(path.name):
+        return {
+            "passed": True,
+            "checks": [
+                {
+                    "name": "Output routing",
+                    "passed": True,
+                    "message": "Test file skipped",
+                }
+            ],
+            "score": 100,
+            "standard": "OUTPUT_ROUTING",
+        }
+
+    if not path.exists():
+        return {
+            "passed": False,
+            "checks": [
+                {
+                    "name": "File exists",
+                    "passed": False,
+                    "message": f"File not found: {module_path}",
+                }
+            ],
+            "score": 0,
+            "standard": "OUTPUT_ROUTING",
+        }
+
+    hit_lines, error = _scan_file(path)
+
+    if error is not None:
+        return {
+            "passed": False,
+            "checks": [
+                {
+                    "name": "File readable",
+                    "passed": False,
+                    "message": f"Error reading file: {error}",
+                }
+            ],
+            "score": 0,
+            "standard": "OUTPUT_ROUTING",
+        }
+
+    non_bypassed = [ln for ln in hit_lines if not is_bypassed(module_path, "output_routing", ln, bypass_rules)]
+
+    checks: list[Dict] = []
+
+    if not non_bypassed:
+        checks.append(
+            {
+                "name": "Output routing",
+                "passed": True,
+                "message": "All user-facing status output uses @cli helpers",
+            }
+        )
+    else:
+        sample = ", ".join(str(ln) for ln in non_bypassed[:5])
+        suffix = f" (and {len(non_bypassed) - 5} more)" if len(non_bypassed) > 5 else ""
+        checks.append(
+            {
+                "name": "Output routing",
+                "passed": False,
+                "message": f"{len(non_bypassed)} raw status output(s) on lines {sample}{suffix}",
+            }
+        )
+
+    passed_checks = sum(1 for c in checks if c["passed"])
+    total_checks = len(checks)
+    score = int(passed_checks / total_checks * 100) if total_checks > 0 else 0
+    overall_passed = score >= 75
+
+    json_handler.log_operation(
+        "check_completed",
+        {"file": str(module_path), "score": score, "standard": "output_routing"},
+    )
+
+    return {
+        "passed": overall_passed,
+        "checks": checks,
+        "score": score,
+        "standard": "OUTPUT_ROUTING",
+    }
diff --git a/src/aipass/seedgo/apps/handlers/aipass_standards/output_routing_content.py b/src/aipass/seedgo/apps/handlers/aipass_standards/output_routing_content.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0ec57e87
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/aipass/seedgo/apps/handlers/aipass_standards/output_routing_content.py
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+# =================== AIPass ====================
+# Name: output_routing_content.py
+# Description: Output Routing Standards Content Handler
+# Version: 1.0.0
+# Created: 2026-07-09
+# Modified: 2026-07-09
+# =============================================
+
+"""
+Output Routing Standards Content Handler
+
+Provides formatted Output Routing standards content.
+Module orchestrates, handler implements.
+"""
+
+import sys
+
+from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.json import json_handler
+
+if sys.stdout and hasattr(sys.stdout, "reconfigure"):
+    sys.stdout.reconfigure(encoding="utf-8")  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+if sys.stderr and hasattr(sys.stderr, "reconfigure"):
+    sys.stderr.reconfigure(encoding="utf-8")  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+
+
+def get_output_routing_standards() -> str:
+    """Return formatted output_routing standards content with Rich markup
+
+    Returns:
+        str: Formatted standards text with Rich styling
+    """
+    lines = [
+        "[bold cyan]CORE PRINCIPLE:[/bold cyan]",
+        "  User-facing error, success, and warning output MUST route through",
+        "  @cli's semantic helpers — [dim]error()[/dim], [dim]success()[/dim],",
+        "  [dim]warning()[/dim] — not raw [red]console.print()[/red] with",
+        "  status markup or emojis.",
+        "",
+        "[bold cyan]WHY IT MATTERS:[/bold cyan]",
+        "  1. [yellow]Consistent formatting[/yellow] across all agents",
+        "  2. [yellow]Exit-code correctness[/yellow] — error() carries the #661",
+        "     failure-flag fix; raw markup bypasses it (errors exit 0)",
+        "  3. [yellow]Stderr routing[/yellow] — error()/warning() write to stderr;",
+        "     raw console.print() writes to stdout",
+        "",
+        "[bold cyan]WHAT IT CHECKS:[/bold cyan]",
+        "  Scans every .py file for [dim]console.print()[/dim] or",
+        "  [dim]err_console.print()[/dim] calls containing status indicators:",
+        "",
+        "  [red]Flagged patterns:[/red]",
+        '  - [dim]console.print(f"[red]Error: ...[/red]")[/dim] → use error()',
+        '  - [dim]console.print("[bold red]Failed[/bold red]")[/dim] → use error()',
+        '  - [dim]console.print("[green]...[/green]")[/dim] with check emojis → use success()',
+        '  - [dim]console.print("...")[/dim] with status emojis → use helpers',
+        "",
+        "  [green]NOT flagged (legitimate Rich usage):[/green]",
+        "  - [dim]console.print(table)[/dim] — Rich Table objects",
+        "  - [dim]console.print(Panel(...))[/dim] — decorative panels",
+        '  - [dim]console.print(f"[cyan]Info...[/cyan]")[/dim] — non-status color',
+        '  - [dim]console.print(f"[dim]...[/dim]")[/dim] — decorative formatting',
+        "  - Lines inside docstrings, comments, test files",
+        "",
+        "[bold cyan]VIOLATIONS:[/bold cyan]",
+        "",
+        "  [red]Bad — raw status output:[/red]",
+        '  [dim]console.print(f"[red]Error: {msg}[/red]")[/dim]',
+        '  [dim]console.print("[green]...[/green] Done")[/dim]',
+        '  [dim]console.print("... Failed")[/dim]',
+        "",
+        "  [green]Good — use @cli helpers:[/green]",
+        "  [dim]from aipass.cli.apps.modules import error, success, warning[/dim]",
+        '  [dim]error(f"Error: {msg}")[/dim]',
+        '  [dim]success("Done")[/dim]',
+        '  [dim]warning("Check configuration")[/dim]',
+        "",
+        "[bold cyan]HOW TO FIX:[/bold cyan]",
+        "  1. Import the helpers: [dim]from aipass.cli.apps.modules import error, success, warning[/dim]",
+        '  2. Replace [dim]console.print(f"[red]...")[/dim] with [dim]error(msg)[/dim]',
+        "  3. Replace status-emoji prints with [dim]success(msg)[/dim] or [dim]warning(msg)[/dim]",
+        "  4. Keep [dim]console.print()[/dim] for tables, panels, and non-status output",
+        "",
+        "[yellow]SCOPE:[/yellow]",
+        "  AUDIT_SCOPE = [bold]all_files[/bold]",
+        "  Runs against every .py file in the branch.",
+        "  Skips __init__.py and test files (test_*.py, *_test.py, conftest.py).",
+        "",
+        "[bold cyan]SCORING:[/bold cyan]",
+        "  Single check per file: [green]pass[/green] (0 violations) or [red]fail[/red]",
+        "  Score: 100 if passed, 0 if failed",
+        "  Threshold: score >= 75 to pass overall",
+        "  Line-level bypass filtering is supported.",
+        "",
+        "[bold cyan]BYPASS:[/bold cyan]",
+        "  Add an entry to [dim].seedgo/bypass.json[/dim]:",
+        '  [dim]{"standard": "output_routing", "file": "path/to/file.py"}[/dim]',
+        "  Or bypass specific lines:",
+        '  [dim]{"standard": "output_routing", "file": "file.py", "lines": [42]}[/dim]',
+        "",
+        "[bold cyan]REFERENCE:[/bold cyan]",
+        "  [dim]See: seedgo standards pack (output_routing)[/dim]",
+        "  [dim]Checker: output_routing_check.py[/dim]",
+        "  [dim]Related: GitHub #661 (error paths exit 0)[/dim]",
+    ]
+
+    json_handler.log_operation("standard_content_queried", {"standard": "output_routing"})
+    return "\n".join(lines)
diff --git a/src/aipass/seedgo/tests/test_output_routing.py b/src/aipass/seedgo/tests/test_output_routing.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8c199c72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/aipass/seedgo/tests/test_output_routing.py
@@ -0,0 +1,424 @@
+"""Tests for output_routing_check.py."""
+
+# =================== META ====================
+# Name: test_output_routing.py
+# Description: Unit tests for output_routing_check
+# Version: 1.0.0
+# Created: 2026-07-09
+# Modified: 2026-07-09
+# =============================================
+
+import pytest
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Fixtures
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def _mock_infrastructure(monkeypatch):
+    """Mock heavy infrastructure imports for standards checkers."""
+    import sys
+
+    mock_logger = MagicMock()
+    mock_json_handler = MagicMock()
+    mock_json_handler.log_operation = MagicMock(return_value=True)
+
+    prax_mod = MagicMock()
+    prax_mod.logger = mock_logger
+    monkeypatch.setitem(sys.modules, "aipass.prax", prax_mod)
+
+    json_pkg = MagicMock()
+    json_pkg.json_handler = mock_json_handler
+    monkeypatch.setitem(sys.modules, "aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.json", json_pkg)
+    json_mod = MagicMock()
+    json_mod.log_operation = mock_json_handler.log_operation
+    monkeypatch.setitem(sys.modules, "aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.json.json_handler", json_mod)
+
+    from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.bypass.utils import is_bypassed as real_is_bypassed
+
+    bypass_pkg = MagicMock()
+    bypass_utils = MagicMock()
+    bypass_utils.is_bypassed = real_is_bypassed
+    bypass_pkg.utils = bypass_utils
+    bypass_ignore = MagicMock()
+    bypass_ignore.get_template_ignore_patterns = MagicMock(return_value=[])
+    bypass_pkg.ignore_handler = bypass_ignore
+    monkeypatch.setitem(sys.modules, "aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.bypass", bypass_pkg)
+    monkeypatch.setitem(sys.modules, "aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.bypass.utils", bypass_utils)
+    monkeypatch.setitem(
+        sys.modules,
+        "aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.bypass.ignore_handler",
+        bypass_ignore,
+    )
+
+    for mod_name in [
+        "aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check",
+    ]:
+        monkeypatch.delitem(sys.modules, mod_name, raising=False)
+
+
+# ===========================================================================
+# 1. _is_status_console_print — detection logic
+# ===========================================================================
+
+
+class TestIsStatusConsolePrint:
+    """Tests for the _is_status_console_print helper."""
+
+    def test_red_markup_detected(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert _is_status_console_print('console.print(f"[red]Error: {msg}[/red]")')
+
+    def test_bold_red_detected(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert _is_status_console_print('console.print("[bold red]Failed[/bold red]")')
+
+    def test_red_bold_order_detected(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert _is_status_console_print('console.print("[red bold]Error[/red bold]")')
+
+    def test_status_emoji_cross_detected(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert _is_status_console_print('console.print("❌ Something failed")')
+
+    def test_status_emoji_check_detected(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert _is_status_console_print('console.print("✅ Done")')
+
+    def test_status_emoji_checkmark_detected(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert _is_status_console_print('console.print("✓ Complete")')
+
+    def test_status_emoji_cross_mark_detected(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert _is_status_console_print('console.print("✗ Failed")')
+
+    def test_green_check_pattern_detected(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert _is_status_console_print('console.print("[green]✓[/green] Done")')
+
+    def test_yellow_warning_detected(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert _is_status_console_print('console.print("[yellow]⚠ Warning: check config[/yellow]")')
+
+    def test_err_console_detected(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert _is_status_console_print('err_console.print(f"[red]Error[/red]")')
+
+    def test_plain_console_print_not_flagged(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert not _is_status_console_print('console.print("Hello world")')
+
+    def test_cyan_markup_not_flagged(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert not _is_status_console_print('console.print(f"[cyan]Info: {msg}[/cyan]")')
+
+    def test_dim_markup_not_flagged(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert not _is_status_console_print('console.print(f"[dim]{details}[/dim]")')
+
+    def test_table_object_not_flagged(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert not _is_status_console_print("console.print(table)")
+
+    def test_panel_object_not_flagged(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert not _is_status_console_print("console.print(Panel(title))")
+
+    def test_no_console_print_not_flagged(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert not _is_status_console_print('logger.info("[red]error[/red]")')
+
+    def test_green_without_check_emoji_not_flagged(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert not _is_status_console_print('console.print("[green]name[/green]")')
+
+    def test_yellow_without_warning_not_flagged(self):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import (
+            _is_status_console_print,
+        )
+
+        assert not _is_status_console_print('console.print("[yellow]note[/yellow]")')
+
+
+# ===========================================================================
+# 2. _scan_file — file scanning
+# ===========================================================================
+
+
+class TestScanFile:
+    """Tests for the _scan_file helper."""
+
+    def test_detects_red_markup(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import _scan_file
+
+        f = tmp_path / "test.py"
+        f.write_text('console.print(f"[red]Error: {e}[/red]")\n', encoding="utf-8")
+        lines, err = _scan_file(f)
+        assert err is None
+        assert lines == [1]
+
+    def test_skips_docstrings(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import _scan_file
+
+        f = tmp_path / "test.py"
+        f.write_text(
+            '"""\nconsole.print("[red]error[/red]")\n"""\npass\n',
+            encoding="utf-8",
+        )
+        lines, err = _scan_file(f)
+        assert err is None
+        assert lines == []
+
+    def test_skips_comments(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import _scan_file
+
+        f = tmp_path / "test.py"
+        f.write_text('# console.print("[red]error[/red]")\n', encoding="utf-8")
+        lines, err = _scan_file(f)
+        assert err is None
+        assert lines == []
+
+    def test_skips_inline_comment(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import _scan_file
+
+        f = tmp_path / "test.py"
+        f.write_text('x = 1  # console.print("[red]error[/red]")\n', encoding="utf-8")
+        lines, err = _scan_file(f)
+        assert err is None
+        assert lines == []
+
+    def test_detects_multiple_lines(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import _scan_file
+
+        f = tmp_path / "test.py"
+        f.write_text(
+            'x = 1\nconsole.print("[red]a[/red]")\ny = 2\nconsole.print("✅ done")\n',
+            encoding="utf-8",
+        )
+        lines, err = _scan_file(f)
+        assert err is None
+        assert lines == [2, 4]
+
+    def test_clean_file(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import _scan_file
+
+        f = tmp_path / "test.py"
+        f.write_text('console.print("[cyan]info[/cyan]")\nprint("hello")\n', encoding="utf-8")
+        lines, err = _scan_file(f)
+        assert err is None
+        assert lines == []
+
+    def test_unreadable_file(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import _scan_file
+
+        f = tmp_path / "missing.py"
+        lines, err = _scan_file(f)
+        assert err is not None
+        assert lines == []
+
+
+# ===========================================================================
+# 3. check_module — full checker
+# ===========================================================================
+
+
+class TestCheckModule:
+    """Tests for check_module."""
+
+    def test_clean_file_passes(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import check_module
+
+        f = tmp_path / "clean.py"
+        f.write_text('from aipass.cli.apps.modules import error\nerror("fail")\n', encoding="utf-8")
+        result = check_module(str(f))
+        assert result["passed"] is True
+        assert result["score"] == 100
+        assert result["standard"] == "OUTPUT_ROUTING"
+
+    def test_violation_detected(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import check_module
+
+        f = tmp_path / "bad.py"
+        f.write_text('console.print(f"[red]Error: {e}[/red]")\n', encoding="utf-8")
+        result = check_module(str(f))
+        assert result["passed"] is False
+        assert result["score"] == 0
+
+    def test_init_py_skipped(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import check_module
+
+        f = tmp_path / "__init__.py"
+        f.write_text('console.print("[red]error[/red]")\n', encoding="utf-8")
+        result = check_module(str(f))
+        assert result["passed"] is True
+        assert result["score"] == 100
+
+    def test_test_file_skipped(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import check_module
+
+        f = tmp_path / "test_something.py"
+        f.write_text('console.print("[red]error[/red]")\n', encoding="utf-8")
+        result = check_module(str(f))
+        assert result["passed"] is True
+        assert result["score"] == 100
+
+    def test_conftest_skipped(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import check_module
+
+        f = tmp_path / "conftest.py"
+        f.write_text('console.print("[red]error[/red]")\n', encoding="utf-8")
+        result = check_module(str(f))
+        assert result["passed"] is True
+        assert result["score"] == 100
+
+    def test_bypass_returns_100(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import check_module
+
+        f = tmp_path / "bypassed.py"
+        f.write_text('console.print("[red]error[/red]")\n', encoding="utf-8")
+        bypass = [{"standard": "output_routing", "file": str(f)}]
+        result = check_module(str(f), bypass_rules=bypass)
+        assert result["passed"] is True
+        assert result["score"] == 100
+
+    def test_missing_file(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import check_module
+
+        result = check_module(str(tmp_path / "no_such.py"))
+        assert result["passed"] is False
+        assert result["score"] == 0
+
+    def test_line_bypass_all_lines_pass(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import check_module
+
+        f = tmp_path / "partial.py"
+        f.write_text(
+            'console.print("[red]a[/red]")\nconsole.print("[red]b[/red]")\n',
+            encoding="utf-8",
+        )
+        bypass = [{"standard": "output_routing", "file": "partial.py", "lines": [1, 2]}]
+        result = check_module(str(f), bypass_rules=bypass)
+        assert result["passed"] is True
+
+    def test_violation_message_shows_lines(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import check_module
+
+        f = tmp_path / "multi.py"
+        f.write_text('console.print("[red]a[/red]")\nconsole.print("✅ b")\n', encoding="utf-8")
+        result = check_module(str(f))
+        assert "2 raw" in result["checks"][0]["message"]
+        assert "1, 2" in result["checks"][0]["message"]
+
+    def test_more_than_five_violations_truncated(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import check_module
+
+        f = tmp_path / "many.py"
+        lines = [f'console.print("[red]err{i}[/red]")\n' for i in range(8)]
+        f.write_text("".join(lines), encoding="utf-8")
+        result = check_module(str(f))
+        assert "and 3 more" in result["checks"][0]["message"]
+
+
+# ===========================================================================
+# 4. False-positive avoidance
+# ===========================================================================
+
+
+class TestFalsePositiveAvoidance:
+    """Verify that legitimate patterns are NOT flagged."""
+
+    def test_table_print_not_flagged(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import check_module
+
+        f = tmp_path / "tables.py"
+        f.write_text("console.print(table)\nconsole.print(Panel(content))\n", encoding="utf-8")
+        result = check_module(str(f))
+        assert result["passed"] is True
+
+    def test_blue_markup_not_flagged(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import check_module
+
+        f = tmp_path / "blue.py"
+        f.write_text('console.print("[blue]Processing...[/blue]")\n', encoding="utf-8")
+        result = check_module(str(f))
+        assert result["passed"] is True
+
+    def test_empty_console_print_not_flagged(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import check_module
+
+        f = tmp_path / "blank.py"
+        f.write_text('console.print("")\nconsole.print()\n', encoding="utf-8")
+        result = check_module(str(f))
+        assert result["passed"] is True
+
+    def test_docstring_with_markup_not_flagged(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import check_module
+
+        f = tmp_path / "docs.py"
+        content = '"""\nconsole.print("[red]error[/red]")\n"""\ndef foo(): pass\n'
+        f.write_text(content, encoding="utf-8")
+        result = check_module(str(f))
+        assert result["passed"] is True
+
+    def test_green_text_without_emoji_not_flagged(self, tmp_path):
+        from aipass.seedgo.apps.handlers.aipass_standards.output_routing_check import check_module
+
+        f = tmp_path / "green.py"
+        f.write_text('console.print("[green]branch_name[/green]")\n', encoding="utf-8")
+        result = check_module(str(f))
+        assert result["passed"] is True