diff --git a/docs/product/current_run.md b/docs/product/current_run.md
index 6a89885..ea4a9bf 100644
--- a/docs/product/current_run.md
+++ b/docs/product/current_run.md
@@ -1,27 +1,23 @@
 # Current Run
 
-## Active Feature
-
-- Name: System Status (Golden Exemplar)
-- Backlog ID: B-000
-- Goal: Provide a robust, end-to-end full-stack slice that proves the frontend, backend, and testing architectures are fully operational and correctly mapped.
-- Operating Mode: Build
-
-## Linked Artifacts
-
-- Brief: docs/product/briefs/system_status.md
-- Contract: docs/product/contracts/system_status.md
-- Architecture: docs/product/architecture.md
-- Launch Checklist: docs/ops/launch_checklist.md
-
-## Definition Of Done
-
-- [x] Feature brief is current and accepted.
-- [x] Contract covers success, error, loading, and security-sensitive behavior.
-- [x] UI states are defined for configuration and validation.
-- [x] Live delivery path is implemented and tested.
-- [x] Failure path is explicitly tested end-to-end in the browser.
-
-## Active Tasks
-
-Golden Exemplar is complete and verified. Factory is ready for the next feature.
\ No newline at end of file
+<feature_spec id="B-000" mode="Build">
+  <name>System Status (Golden Exemplar)</name>
+  <goal>Provide a robust, end-to-end full-stack slice that proves the frontend, backend, and testing architectures are fully operational and correctly mapped.</goal>
+</feature_spec>
+
+<artifacts>
+  <link type="Brief">docs/product/briefs/system_status.md</link>
+  <link type="Contract">docs/product/contracts/system_status.md</link>
+  <link type="Architecture">docs/product/architecture.md</link>
+</artifacts>
+
+<definition_of_done>
+  <requirement status="complete">Feature brief is current and accepted.</requirement>
+  <requirement status="complete">Contract covers success, error, loading, and security-sensitive behavior.</requirement>
+  <requirement status="complete">UI states are defined for configuration and validation.</requirement>
+  <requirement status="complete">Live delivery path is implemented and tested.</requirement>
+</definition_of_done>
+
+<active_tasks>
+  Golden Exemplar is complete and verified. Factory is ready for the next feature.
+</active_tasks>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/engine/runtime.py b/engine/runtime.py
index dbee1a7..0bd6dcf 100644
--- a/engine/runtime.py
+++ b/engine/runtime.py
@@ -215,8 +215,9 @@ def run_os(user_input, flags=None):
         agent_queue.append("Engineering")
         teardown_prompt = user_input.replace("[TEARDOWN]", "").strip()
         current_prompt = teardown_prompt + "\n\nCRITICAL: Execute Teardown."
-    elif "[START:" in user_input:
-        match = re.search(r"\[START:\s*(.*?)\]", user_input)
+    elif "<forge_instruction" in user_input:
+        # Match the new Hybrid XML/MD data contract from Brain OS
+        match = re.search(r'<forge_instruction route="([^"]+)">', user_input, re.IGNORECASE)
         if match:
             agent_queue.append(match.group(1).strip())
             current_prompt = user_input
diff --git a/tests/engine/test_cli.py b/tests/engine/test_cli.py
index fcdf1eb..7bc0c56 100644
--- a/tests/engine/test_cli.py
+++ b/tests/engine/test_cli.py
@@ -4,10 +4,15 @@
 
 
 def test_cli_requires_prompt(monkeypatch, capsys):
+    from engine.cli import main
     monkeypatch.setattr("engine.cli.boot", lambda: None)
+    
+    # SHIFT-LEFT: Prevent the test from reading a stale handoff.md file on disk
+    monkeypatch.setattr("os.path.exists", lambda path: False)
 
+    # ADD "as excinfo" HERE:
     with pytest.raises(SystemExit) as excinfo:
-        main([])  # No args
+        main([])
 
     captured = capsys.readouterr()
     assert "Usage: python engine/cli.py 'Your prompt'" in captured.out
diff --git a/tests/engine/test_runtime.py b/tests/engine/test_runtime.py
index e78809b..f05dcd3 100644
--- a/tests/engine/test_runtime.py
+++ b/tests/engine/test_runtime.py
@@ -143,4 +143,4 @@ def call(self, agent_name, sys_prompt, user_prompt):
     runtime.run_os("[TEARDOWN] Remove the new feature")
 
     # 4. Test START OVERRIDE routing
-    runtime.run_os("[START: Design] Make it pretty")
+    runtime.run_os('<forge_instruction route="Design">Make it pretty</forge_instruction>')