feat: prioritise follow-up questions by information value

lib/graph/apply-proposal.js

@@ -2,8 +2,10 @@ import { describeGraph } from "./builder.js";
 import { graphUpdateSchema, situationGraphSchema } from "./schema.js";
 import {
   applyGraphUpdate,
+  buildDeterministicQuestionForUnknown,
   detectDuplicateNodeIds,
   findAffectedNodes,
+  scoreUnknownCandidate,
   selectActiveUnknownCandidate,
   validateGraphReferences,
   validateGraphUpdate,
@@ -195,6 +197,20 @@ function validateSelectedQuestion(graph, proposal) {
     errors.push("selectedQuestion must be a single non-compound question");
   }
 
+  const resolvedNodeIds = [
+    ...(graph.resolvedNodeIds || []),
+    ...(proposal.resolvedUnknownNodeIds || []),
+  ];
+  const candidateScore = scoreUnknownCandidate(
+    {
+      ...graph,
+      nodes: [...graph.nodes, ...(proposal.addedNodes || [])],
+      edges: [...graph.edges, ...(proposal.addedEdges || [])],
+    },
+    node,
+    resolvedNodeIds,
+  );
+
   return { errors, selectedQuestionNodeId: selectedQuestion.nodeId };
 }
 
@@ -571,22 +587,32 @@ export function applyValidatedProposal({ situationGraph, proposal }) {
       )?.nodeId ?? null;
   }
 
-  if (
+  const deterministicSelection = selectActiveUnknownCandidate(
-    validatedProposal.selectedQuestion?.nodeId &&
+    updatedSituationGraph,
-    newActiveUnknownNodeId !== validatedProposal.selectedQuestion.nodeId
+    updatedSituationGraph.resolvedNodeIds,
-  ) {
+  );
-    return {
+
-      success: false,
+  if (deterministicSelection?.nodeId) {
-      stage: "proposal_compatibility",
+    newActiveUnknownNodeId = deterministicSelection.nodeId;
-      errors: [
-        `activeUnknownNodeId and selectedQuestion.nodeId disagree: "${newActiveUnknownNodeId}" vs "${validatedProposal.selectedQuestion.nodeId}"`,
-      ],
-    };
   }
 
   updatedSituationGraph.activeUnknownNodeId = newActiveUnknownNodeId;
   updatedSituationGraph.currentSummary = describeGraph(updatedSituationGraph);
 
+  const finalSelectedQuestion = deterministicSelection
+    ? {
+        nodeId: deterministicSelection.nodeId,
+        question:
+          deterministicSelection.question ||
+          buildDeterministicQuestionForUnknown(
+            updatedSituationGraph.nodes.find(
+              (node) => node.id === deterministicSelection.nodeId,
+            ),
+          ),
+        reason: deterministicSelection.reason,
+      }
+    : null;
+
   const resultGraphValidation = situationGraphSchema.safeParse(
     updatedSituationGraph,
   );
@@ -636,7 +662,7 @@ export function applyValidatedProposal({ situationGraph, proposal }) {
     resolvedUnknownNodeIds: validatedProposal.resolvedUnknownNodeIds,
     previousActiveUnknownNodeId,
     newActiveUnknownNodeId,
-    selectedQuestion: validatedProposal.selectedQuestion,
+    selectedQuestion: finalSelectedQuestion,
     changesApplied: buildChangesApplied(validatedProposal, affectedNodeIds),
     graphReferenceValidation: resultReferenceValidation,
   };

lib/graph/prompt-builder.js

@@ -101,15 +101,16 @@ The JSON object must contain exactly these top-level fields:
 13a. For every new unknown node, include at least one added edge that connects it to an existing updated/resolved node or to a newly added non-unknown node introduced from the answer.
 14. Do not invent evidence.
 15. Do not create unsupported causal edges.
-16. Select exactly one new active unknown in selectedQuestion when any consequential unresolved unknown exists.
+16. If consequential unresolved unknowns exist, selectedQuestion may identify one valid candidate unknown, but the engine will deterministically choose final priority after validation.
 17. selectedQuestion.nodeId must reference an unresolved unknown node that exists either already in the graph or in addedNodes.
 18. selectedQuestion.question must be one narrow non-compound question about that one unknown.
-19. Return selectedQuestion as null only when no consequential unresolved unknown remains.
+19. Do not prioritise downstream implementation, pricing, optimisation, or speculative branches ahead of prerequisite definitions, actors, success criteria, constraints, measures, or terminology.
-20. Use empty arrays when there are no changes in a category.
+20. Return selectedQuestion as null only when no consequential unresolved unknown remains.
-21. Never return null array entries.
+21. Use empty arrays when there are no changes in a category.
-22. Never use unknown enum values.
+22. Never return null array entries.
-23. Do not change existing IDs.
+23. Never use unknown enum values.
-24. Do not replace the whole graph, and do not restate unchanged graph content inside the proposal.
+24. Do not change existing IDs.
+25. Do not replace the whole graph, and do not restate unchanged graph content inside the proposal.
 
 ## Additional Guidance
 - If the answer only clarifies an existing unknown, prefer updatedNodes and resolvedUnknownNodeIds over creating duplicate nodes.
@@ -117,6 +118,7 @@ The JSON object must contain exactly these top-level fields:
 - If the answer creates a more specific decision situation, add the smallest set of new nodes and edges needed to represent that situation and only its most consequential unknowns.
 - If you add a new unknown, do not leave it floating: connect it with an added edge to the relevant decision/context node created or updated from the answer.
 - If you add a new unknown, its description must do two jobs in one sentence: what is unknown, and why resolving it matters for the case.
+- Treat selectedQuestion as a candidate only; the engine will apply deterministic information-value scoring after validation.
 - If the answer does not justify a change, return empty arrays for every category.
 
 ## Example Constraint Reminder

lib/graph/utils.js

@@ -5,7 +5,171 @@
  * and these utilities apply them safely.
  */
 
-import { situationNodeSchema, situationEdgeSchema, situationGraphSchema } from "./schema.js";
+import {
+  situationNodeSchema,
+  situationEdgeSchema,
+  situationGraphSchema,
+} from "./schema.js";
+
+function normaliseText(value) {
+  return String(value || "")
+    .toLowerCase()
+    .replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, " ")
+    .trim();
+}
+
+function collectNodeText(node) {
+  return `${node?.label || ""} ${node?.description || ""}`.trim();
+}
+
+function countIncomingUnknownDependencies(graph, nodeId, resolvedNodeIds) {
+  const resolvedSet = new Set(resolvedNodeIds || []);
+  const nodesById = new Map(graph.nodes.map((node) => [node.id, node]));
+  const incoming = new Set();
+
+  for (const dependencyId of nodesById.get(nodeId)?.dependsOn || []) {
+    const dependencyNode = nodesById.get(dependencyId);
+    if (dependencyNode?.kind === "unknown" && !resolvedSet.has(dependencyId)) {
+      incoming.add(dependencyId);
+    }
+  }
+
+  for (const edge of graph.edges) {
+    if (edge.toNodeId !== nodeId) continue;
+    const dependencyNode = nodesById.get(edge.fromNodeId);
+    if (
+      dependencyNode?.kind === "unknown" &&
+      !resolvedSet.has(edge.fromNodeId)
+    ) {
+      incoming.add(edge.fromNodeId);
+    }
+  }
+
+  return incoming.size;
+}
+
+function classifyUnknownPriority(text) {
+  const normalised = normaliseText(text);
+
+  const matches = {
+    objective:
+      /\b(objective|goal|outcome|value|problem|job to be done|benefit|commercial value)\b/.test(
+        normalised,
+      ),
+    actor:
+      /\b(customer|user|buyer|actor|stakeholder|audience|recipient)\b/.test(
+        normalised,
+      ),
+    criteria:
+      /\b(success criteria|success threshold|threshold|decision criteria|criterion|justify|sufficient)\b/.test(
+        normalised,
+      ),
+    measure:
+      /\b(metric|measure|measurable|roi|demand|evidence|signal|proof)\b/.test(
+        normalised,
+      ),
+    terminology: /\b(define|definition|meaning|means|term|terminology)\b/.test(
+      normalised,
+    ),
+    constraint:
+      /\b(constraint|limit|budget|deadline|requirement|regulation)\b/.test(
+        normalised,
+      ),
+    pricing: /\b(price|pricing|price point|subscription|charge|pay for)\b/.test(
+      normalised,
+    ),
+    implementation:
+      /\b(implementation|build approach|architecture|stack|feature|technical design)\b/.test(
+        normalised,
+      ),
+    optimisation:
+      /\b(optimisation|optimi[sz]ation|improve|efficiency|performance|scale)\b/.test(
+        normalised,
+      ),
+    speculative:
+      /\b(maybe|possible|optional|future branch|nice to have|slogan|colour|color|ui)\b/.test(
+        normalised,
+      ),
+  };
+
+  return matches;
+}
+
+export function scoreUnknownCandidate(graph, node, resolvedNodeIds = []) {
+  const text = collectNodeText(node);
+  const matches = classifyUnknownPriority(text);
+  const downstreamCount = findDependentNodes(graph, node.id).length;
+  const unresolvedParentUnknownCount = countIncomingUnknownDependencies(
+    graph,
+    node.id,
+    resolvedNodeIds,
+  );
+
+  let score = downstreamCount * 4;
+
+  if (matches.objective) score += 12;
+  if (matches.actor) score += 10;
+  if (matches.criteria) score += 11;
+  if (matches.measure) score += 8;
+  if (matches.terminology) score += 7;
+  if (matches.constraint) score += 9;
+
+  if (matches.pricing) score -= 8;
+  if (matches.implementation) score -= 10;
+  if (matches.optimisation) score -= 9;
+  if (matches.speculative) score -= 12;
+
+  if (
+    matches.pricing &&
+    !matches.objective &&
+    !matches.criteria &&
+    !matches.actor
+  ) {
+    score -= 6;
+  }
+
+  score -= unresolvedParentUnknownCount * 7;
+
+  return {
+    nodeId: node.id,
+    label: node.label,
+    score,
+    downstreamCount,
+    unresolvedParentUnknownCount,
+    matches,
+  };
+}
+
+export function buildDeterministicQuestionForUnknown(node) {
+  const text = normaliseText(collectNodeText(node));
+
+  if (
+    /\b(success criteria|success threshold|threshold|decision criteria|criterion)\b/.test(
+      text,
+    )
+  ) {
+    return `What outcome would define success for ${node.label}?`;
+  }
+  if (
+    /\b(customer|user|buyer|actor|stakeholder|audience|recipient)\b/.test(text)
+  ) {
+    return `Who is the key actor or customer for ${node.label}?`;
+  }
+  if (
+    /\b(define|definition|meaning|means|term|terminology|value)\b/.test(text)
+  ) {
+    return `How should ${node.label} be defined for this decision?`;
+  }
+  if (
+    /\b(metric|measure|measurable|roi|demand|evidence|signal|proof)\b/.test(
+      text,
+    )
+  ) {
+    return `What evidence or measure would resolve ${node.label}?`;
+  }
+
+  return `What would resolve ${node.label}?`;
+}
 
 // ── Validate that all edge references point to existing nodes ──
 
@@ -15,16 +179,22 @@ export function validateGraphReferences(graph) {
 
   for (const node of graph.nodes) {
     if (node.parentId !== null && !nodeIds.has(node.parentId)) {
-      errors.push(`Node "${node.id}" references parentId "${node.parentId}" which does not exist`);
+      errors.push(
+        `Node "${node.id}" references parentId "${node.parentId}" which does not exist`,
+      );
     }
     for (const cid of node.childIds) {
       if (!nodeIds.has(cid)) {
-        errors.push(`Node "${node.id}" references childIds "${cid}" which does not exist`);
+        errors.push(
+          `Node "${node.id}" references childIds "${cid}" which does not exist`,
+        );
       }
     }
     for (const dep of node.dependsOn) {
       if (!nodeIds.has(dep)) {
-        errors.push(`Node "${node.id}" depends on "${dep}" which does not exist`);
+        errors.push(
+          `Node "${node.id}" depends on "${dep}" which does not exist`,
+        );
       }
     }
     for (const aff of node.affects) {
@@ -36,10 +206,14 @@ export function validateGraphReferences(graph) {
 
   for (const edge of graph.edges) {
     if (!nodeIds.has(edge.fromNodeId)) {
-      errors.push(`Edge "${edge.id}" references non-existent fromNodeId "${edge.fromNodeId}"`);
+      errors.push(
+        `Edge "${edge.id}" references non-existent fromNodeId "${edge.fromNodeId}"`,
+      );
     }
     if (!nodeIds.has(edge.toNodeId)) {
-      errors.push(`Edge "${edge.id}" references non-existent toNodeId "${edge.toNodeId}"`);
+      errors.push(
+        `Edge "${edge.id}" references non-existent toNodeId "${edge.toNodeId}"`,
+      );
     }
   }
 
@@ -80,7 +254,12 @@ export function detectDuplicateEdges(edges) {
   for (const edge of edges) {
     const key = `${edge.fromNodeId}->${edge.toNodeId}:${edge.relationship}`;
     if (seen.has(key)) {
-      duplicates.push({ edgeId: edge.id, fromNodeId: edge.fromNodeId, toNodeId: edge.toNodeId, relationship: edge.relationship });
+      duplicates.push({
+        edgeId: edge.id,
+        fromNodeId: edge.fromNodeId,
+        toNodeId: edge.toNodeId,
+        relationship: edge.relationship,
+      });
     }
     seen.add(key);
   }
@@ -91,7 +270,9 @@ export function detectDuplicateEdges(edges) {
 // ── Find all nodes that depend on a given node (transitive) ──
 
 export function findDependentNodes(graph, nodeId) {
-  const direct = graph.nodes.filter((n) => n.dependsOn.includes(nodeId)).map((n) => n.id);
+  const direct = graph.nodes
+    .filter((n) => n.dependsOn.includes(nodeId))
+    .map((n) => n.id);
   const affected = new Set(direct);
 
   // Also propagate through edges where the relationship is depends_on
@@ -124,10 +305,14 @@ export function findDependentNodes(graph, nodeId) {
 export function findAffectedNodes(graph, nodeId) {
   // Direct effects: two sources
   // 1. Nodes that depend on this node (they list it in their dependsOn)
-  const directFromDepends = graph.nodes.filter((n) => n.id !== nodeId && n.dependsOn.includes(nodeId)).map((n) => n.id);
+  const directFromDepends = graph.nodes
+    .filter((n) => n.id !== nodeId && n.dependsOn.includes(nodeId))
+    .map((n) => n.id);
 
   // 2. Targets of the node's affects relationships (this node directly affects them)
-  const myAffectedTargets = new Set(graph.nodes.find((n) => n.id === nodeId)?.affects || []);
+  const myAffectedTargets = new Set(
+    graph.nodes.find((n) => n.id === nodeId)?.affects || [],
+  );
 
   // Merge: also add edge targets where this node is the source
   for (const edge of graph.edges) {
@@ -147,7 +332,11 @@ export function findAffectedNodes(graph, nodeId) {
     if (!current || !affected.has(current)) continue;
 
     for (const node of graph.nodes) {
-      if (node.id !== nodeId && !affected.has(node.id) && (node.dependsOn.includes(current) || node.affects.includes(current))) {
+      if (
+        node.id !== nodeId &&
+        !affected.has(node.id) &&
+        (node.dependsOn.includes(current) || node.affects.includes(current))
+      ) {
         affected.add(node.id);
         queue.push(node.id);
       }
@@ -184,26 +373,37 @@ export function resolveUnknownNode(graph, nodeId, newStatus, newValue, reason) {
 export function selectActiveUnknownCandidate(graph, resolvedNodeIds) {
   // Skip already resolved nodes
   const unresolved = graph.nodes.filter(
-    (n) => n.kind === "unknown" && !resolvedNodeIds.includes(n.id)
+    (n) => n.kind === "unknown" && !resolvedNodeIds.includes(n.id),
   );
 
   if (unresolved.length === 0) return null;
 
-  // Prioritise: critical unknowns first, then those that are depended upon most
+  const scoredCandidates = unresolved.map((node) => ({
-  const dependencyCount = unresolved.map((n) => {
+    node,
-    const deps = findDependentNodes(graph, n.id).length;
+    ...scoreUnknownCandidate(graph, node, resolvedNodeIds),
-    const importanceOrder = { critical: 3, important: 2, supporting: 1, incidental: 0 };
+  }));
-    const impScore = importanceOrder[n.confidence] || 0;
+
-    return { node: n, score: deps * 2 + impScore };
+  scoredCandidates.sort((a, b) => {
+    if (b.score !== a.score) return b.score - a.score;
+    if (b.downstreamCount !== a.downstreamCount) {
+      return b.downstreamCount - a.downstreamCount;
+    }
+    if (a.unresolvedParentUnknownCount !== b.unresolvedParentUnknownCount) {
+      return a.unresolvedParentUnknownCount - b.unresolvedParentUnknownCount;
+    }
+    return a.node.label.localeCompare(b.node.label);
   });
 
-  dependencyCount.sort((a, b) => b.score - a.score);
+  const best = scoredCandidates[0];
-  
-  // Return the highest-scoring unresolved unknown
-  const best = dependencyCount[0];
   if (!best) return null;
 
-  return { nodeId: best.node.id, label: best.node.label, score: best.score };
+  return {
+    nodeId: best.node.id,
+    label: best.node.label,
+    score: best.score,
+    question: buildDeterministicQuestionForUnknown(best.node),
+    reason: `Selected for highest information value (score ${best.score}) with ${best.downstreamCount} downstream dependency node(s) and ${best.unresolvedParentUnknownCount} unresolved prerequisite unknown(s).`,
+  };
 }
 
 // ── Apply a graph update deterministically ──
@@ -232,10 +432,14 @@ export function applyGraphUpdate(graph, update) {
   // Validate added edges reference existing or new nodes
   for (const edge of update.addedEdges) {
     if (!allNodeIds.has(edge.fromNodeId)) {
-      errors.push(`Added edge references non-existent fromNodeId: "${edge.fromNodeId}"`);
+      errors.push(
+        `Added edge references non-existent fromNodeId: "${edge.fromNodeId}"`,
+      );
     }
     if (!allNodeIds.has(edge.toNodeId)) {
-      errors.push(`Added edge references non-existent toNodeId: "${edge.toNodeId}"`);
+      errors.push(
+        `Added edge references non-existent toNodeId: "${edge.toNodeId}"`,
+      );
     }
   }
 
@@ -285,7 +489,9 @@ export function applyGraphUpdate(graph, update) {
   }
 
   // Add resolved node IDs
-  const newResolved = [...new Set([...graph.resolvedNodeIds, ...update.resolvedUnknownNodeIds])];
+  const newResolved = [
+    ...new Set([...graph.resolvedNodeIds, ...update.resolvedUnknownNodeIds]),
+  ];
 
   return {
     success: true,
@@ -320,10 +526,10 @@ export function validateGraphUpdate(graph, update) {
 
   // Reject updates with no meaningful change
   const statusChanged = update.updatedNodes.some(
-    (u) => u.previousStatus !== null && u.newStatus !== u.previousStatus
+    (u) => u.previousStatus !== null && u.newStatus !== u.previousStatus,
   );
   const valueChanged = update.updatedNodes.some(
-    (u) => u.previousValue !== null && u.newValue !== u.previousValue
+    (u) => u.previousValue !== null && u.newValue !== u.previousValue,
   );
 
   const hasMeaningfulChange =
@@ -345,4 +551,3 @@ export function validateGraphUpdate(graph, update) {
 
   return { valid: errors.length === 0, errors };
 }
-

tests/graph/apply-proposal.test.js

@@ -546,7 +546,10 @@ describe("applyValidatedProposal", () => {
       ),
     ).toBe(true);
     expect(result.newActiveUnknownNodeId).toBe("n-commercial-value");
-    expect(result.selectedQuestion).toEqual(proposal.selectedQuestion);
+    expect(result.selectedQuestion?.nodeId).toBe("n-commercial-value");
+    expect(result.selectedQuestion?.question).toContain(
+      "Commercial value definition",
+    );
   });
 
   it("rejects more than 3 added unknowns", () => {
@@ -699,4 +702,92 @@ describe("applyValidatedProposal", () => {
     expect(result.success).toBe(true);
     expect(result.newActiveUnknownNodeId).toBe(result.selectedQuestion?.nodeId);
   });
+
+  it("replaces downstream pricing question with higher-value commercial-value question", () => {
+    const { graph, ids } = makeApplicationFixture();
+
+    const proposal = {
+      addedNodes: [
+        makeNode({
+          id: "n-commercial-value",
+          label: "Commercial value definition",
+          description:
+            "Need commercial value definition because the decision depends on it.",
+          kind: "unknown",
+          status: "unknown",
+          confidence: "high",
+        }),
+        makeNode({
+          id: "n-pricing",
+          label: "Target price point",
+          description:
+            "Need a price point because revenue assumptions depend on it.",
+          kind: "unknown",
+          status: "unknown",
+          confidence: "medium",
+          dependsOn: ["n-commercial-value"],
+        }),
+        makeNode({
+          id: "n-build-decision",
+          label: "Build Confidence Engine decision",
+          description: "Decision introduced by the answer.",
+          kind: "state",
+          status: "supported",
+          confidence: "medium",
+        }),
+      ],
+      updatedNodes: [
+        {
+          nodeId: ids.complaintRateUnknown,
+          previousStatus: "unknown",
+          newStatus: "resolved",
+          previousValue: null,
+          newValue: "Decision whether to build Confidence Engine",
+          reason: "The answer resolves the original context unknown.",
+        },
+      ],
+      addedEdges: [
+        makeEdge({
+          id: "e-build-commercial-value",
+          fromNodeId: "n-build-decision",
+          toNodeId: "n-commercial-value",
+          relationship: "depends_on",
+          confidence: "medium",
+          description: "The decision depends on defining commercial value.",
+        }),
+        makeEdge({
+          id: "e-commercial-value-pricing",
+          fromNodeId: "n-commercial-value",
+          toNodeId: "n-pricing",
+          relationship: "depends_on",
+          confidence: "medium",
+          description: "Pricing depends on commercial value definition.",
+        }),
+        makeEdge({
+          id: "e-build-pricing",
+          fromNodeId: "n-build-decision",
+          toNodeId: "n-pricing",
+          relationship: "depends_on",
+          confidence: "low",
+          description: "The decision also references pricing assumptions.",
+        }),
+      ],
+      removedEdgeIds: [],
+      resolvedUnknownNodeIds: [ids.complaintRateUnknown],
+      affectedNodeIds: [],
+      selectedQuestion: {
+        nodeId: "n-pricing",
+        question: "What is the target price point?",
+        reason: "Model chose a downstream leaf.",
+      },
+    };
+
+    const result = applyValidatedProposal({ situationGraph: graph, proposal });
+
+    expect(result.success).toBe(true);
+    expect(result.selectedQuestion?.nodeId).toBe("n-commercial-value");
+    expect(result.selectedQuestion?.question.toLowerCase()).not.toContain(
+      "price",
+    );
+  });
 });

tests/graph/orchestrator.test.js

@@ -582,14 +582,89 @@ describe("lib/graph/orchestrator startCase", () => {
     });
 
     expect(result.success).toBe(true);
-    expect(result.selectedQuestion).toEqual({
+    expect(result.selectedQuestion?.nodeId).toBe("n-commercial-value");
-      nodeId: "n-commercial-value",
-      question: "How should commercial value be defined for this decision?",
-      reason: "Consequential unresolved uncertainty remains.",
-    });
     expect(result.newActiveUnknownNodeId).toBe("n-commercial-value");
   });
 
+  it("deterministically prioritises customer value over pricing follow-up", async () => {
+    const { updateCase } = await import("@/lib/graph/orchestrator.js");
+    const provider = {
+      generateReconstruction: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(
+        makeProposal({
+          addedNodes: [
+            makeNode({
+              id: "n-value",
+              label: "Customer value",
+              description:
+                "Need customer value because purchase decisions depend on it.",
+              kind: "unknown",
+              status: "unknown",
+              confidence: "high",
+            }),
+            makeNode({
+              id: "n-price",
+              label: "Target price point",
+              description:
+                "Need a target price point because revenue assumptions depend on it.",
+              kind: "unknown",
+              status: "unknown",
+              confidence: "medium",
+              dependsOn: ["n-value"],
+            }),
+            makeNode({
+              id: "n-decision",
+              label: "Build Confidence Engine decision",
+              description: "Decision introduced by the answer.",
+              kind: "state",
+              status: "supported",
+              confidence: "medium",
+            }),
+          ],
+          addedEdges: [
+            {
+              id: "e-decision-value",
+              fromNodeId: "n-decision",
+              toNodeId: "n-value",
+              relationship: "depends_on",
+              confidence: "medium",
+              description: "The decision depends on customer value.",
+            },
+            {
+              id: "e-value-price",
+              fromNodeId: "n-value",
+              toNodeId: "n-price",
+              relationship: "depends_on",
+              confidence: "medium",
+              description: "Pricing depends on customer value.",
+            },
+            {
+              id: "e-decision-price",
+              fromNodeId: "n-decision",
+              toNodeId: "n-price",
+              relationship: "depends_on",
+              confidence: "low",
+              description: "The decision references pricing assumptions.",
+            },
+          ],
+          selectedQuestion: {
+            nodeId: "n-price",
+            question: "What is the price point?",
+            reason: "Model chose pricing.",
+          },
+        }),
+      ),
+    };
+
+    const result = await updateCase(makeUpdateRequest(), {
+      provider,
+      config: MOCK_CONFIG,
+      applyProposal: true,
+    });
+
+    expect(result.success).toBe(true);
+    expect(result.selectedQuestion?.nodeId).toBe("n-value");
+  });
+
   it("defaults to proposal-only mode", async () => {
     const { updateCase } = await import("@/lib/graph/orchestrator.js");
     const applyValidatedProposal = vi.fn();

tests/graph/prompt-builder.test.js

@@ -107,5 +107,8 @@ describe("buildGraphUpdatePrompt", () => {
     expect(prompt).toContain(
       "selectedQuestion.question must be one narrow non-compound question",
     );
+    expect(prompt).toContain(
+      "the engine will deterministically choose final priority after validation",
+    );
   });
 });

tests/graph/utils.test.js

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import {
   validateGraphReferences,
   detectDuplicateNodeIds,
   detectDuplicateEdges,
+  scoreUnknownCandidate,
   findDependentNodes,
   findAffectedNodes,
   resolveUnknownNode,
@@ -28,8 +29,18 @@ function makeTestGraph() {
   // n4 is an unknown not depended on
   // n5 is an unknown depended upon by n3 indirectly
 
-  const e1 = makeEdge({ id: "e1", fromNodeId: n1.id, toNodeId: n2.id, relationship: "depends_on" });
+  const e1 = makeEdge({
-  const e2 = makeEdge({ id: "e2", fromNodeId: n3.id, toNodeId: n1.id, relationship: "supports" });
+    id: "e1",
+    fromNodeId: n1.id,
+    toNodeId: n2.id,
+    relationship: "depends_on",
+  });
+  const e2 = makeEdge({
+    id: "e2",
+    fromNodeId: n3.id,
+    toNodeId: n1.id,
+    relationship: "supports",
+  });
 
   return makeGraph({
     centralStatement: "Test graph",
@@ -55,7 +66,9 @@ describe("validateGraphReferences", () => {
     graph.nodes[0].parentId = "nonexistent-parent";
     const result = validateGraphReferences(graph);
     expect(result.valid).toBe(false);
-    expect(result.errors.some(e => e.includes("nonexistent-parent"))).toBe(true);
+    expect(result.errors.some((e) => e.includes("nonexistent-parent"))).toBe(
+      true,
+    );
   });
 
   it("detects invalid childIds reference", () => {
@@ -84,7 +97,7 @@ describe("validateGraphReferences", () => {
     graph.edges[0].fromNodeId = "ghost-node";
     const result = validateGraphReferences(graph);
     expect(result.valid).toBe(false);
-    expect(result.errors.some(e => e.includes("ghost-node"))).toBe(true);
+    expect(result.errors.some((e) => e.includes("ghost-node"))).toBe(true);
   });
 
   it("detects edge referencing non-existent toNodeId", () => {
@@ -154,8 +167,18 @@ describe("detectDuplicateEdges", () => {
   it("detects duplicate edge (same from, to, relationship)", () => {
     const n1 = makeNode({ id: "n1", label: "A" });
     const n2 = makeNode({ id: "n2", label: "B" });
-    const e1 = makeEdge({ id: "e1", fromNodeId: n1.id, toNodeId: n2.id, relationship: "supports" });
+    const e1 = makeEdge({
-    const e2 = makeEdge({ id: "e2", fromNodeId: n1.id, toNodeId: n2.id, relationship: "supports" });
+      id: "e1",
+      fromNodeId: n1.id,
+      toNodeId: n2.id,
+      relationship: "supports",
+    });
+    const e2 = makeEdge({
+      id: "e2",
+      fromNodeId: n1.id,
+      toNodeId: n2.id,
+      relationship: "supports",
+    });
 
     const dups = detectDuplicateEdges([e1, e2]);
     expect(dups.length).toBe(1);
@@ -164,8 +187,18 @@ describe("detectDuplicateEdges", () => {
   it("allows same nodes with different relationship types", () => {
     const n1 = makeNode({ id: "n1", label: "A" });
     const n2 = makeNode({ id: "n2", label: "B" });
-    const e1 = makeEdge({ id: "e1", fromNodeId: n1.id, toNodeId: n2.id, relationship: "supports" });
+    const e1 = makeEdge({
-    const e2 = makeEdge({ id: "e2", fromNodeId: n1.id, toNodeId: n2.id, relationship: "weakens" });
+      id: "e1",
+      fromNodeId: n1.id,
+      toNodeId: n2.id,
+      relationship: "supports",
+    });
+    const e2 = makeEdge({
+      id: "e2",
+      fromNodeId: n1.id,
+      toNodeId: n2.id,
+      relationship: "weakens",
+    });
 
     const dups = detectDuplicateEdges([e1, e2]);
     expect(dups.length).toBe(0);
@@ -174,8 +207,18 @@ describe("detectDuplicateEdges", () => {
   it("detects reversed direction as different edge", () => {
     const n1 = makeNode({ id: "n1", label: "A" });
     const n2 = makeNode({ id: "n2", label: "B" });
-    const e1 = makeEdge({ id: "e1", fromNodeId: n1.id, toNodeId: n2.id, relationship: "supports" });
+    const e1 = makeEdge({
-    const e2 = makeEdge({ id: "e2", fromNodeId: n2.id, toNodeId: n1.id, relationship: "supports" });
+      id: "e1",
+      fromNodeId: n1.id,
+      toNodeId: n2.id,
+      relationship: "supports",
+    });
+    const e2 = makeEdge({
+      id: "e2",
+      fromNodeId: n2.id,
+      toNodeId: n1.id,
+      relationship: "supports",
+    });
 
     const dups = detectDuplicateEdges([e1, e2]);
     expect(dups.length).toBe(0);
@@ -270,7 +313,14 @@ describe("findAffectedNodes (transitive)", () => {
 
   it("handles empty graph", () => {
     // build a minimal graph without triggering schema validation for this edge case
-    const graph = { centralStatement: "Empty", nodes: [], edges: [], resolvedNodeIds: [], currentSummary: "", activeUnknownNodeId: null };
+    const graph = {
+      centralStatement: "Empty",
+      nodes: [],
+      edges: [],
+      resolvedNodeIds: [],
+      currentSummary: "",
+      activeUnknownNodeId: null,
+    };
     const affected = findAffectedNodes(graph, "any-node");
     expect(affected.length).toBe(0);
   });
@@ -279,7 +329,13 @@ describe("findAffectedNodes (transitive)", () => {
 describe("resolveUnknownNode", () => {
   it("returns success for valid node id", () => {
     const graph = makeTestGraph();
-    const result = resolveUnknownNode(graph, "n4", "resolved", "Confirmed", "User confirmed");
+    const result = resolveUnknownNode(
+      graph,
+      "n4",
+      "resolved",
+      "Confirmed",
+      "User confirmed",
+    );
     expect(result.success).toBe(true);
     expect(result.newStatus).toBe("resolved");
     expect(result.reason).toBe("User confirmed");
@@ -287,7 +343,13 @@ describe("resolveUnknownNode", () => {
 
   it("returns error for non-existent node", () => {
     const graph = makeTestGraph();
-    const result = resolveUnknownNode(graph, "ghost-node", "resolved", null, "reason");
+    const result = resolveUnknownNode(
+      graph,
+      "ghost-node",
+      "resolved",
+      null,
+      "reason",
+    );
     expect(result.success).toBe(false);
     expect(result.error).toContain("not found");
   });
@@ -297,13 +359,25 @@ describe("resolveUnknownNode", () => {
     // n5 depends on... actually let's set up properly
     graph.nodes[3].affects.push("n1"); // Unknown depends on Actor A
     graph.nodes[3].dependsOn.push("n2"); // Unknown depends on State B
-    const result = resolveUnknownNode(graph, "n4", "resolved", "Yes", "Clarified");
+    const result = resolveUnknownNode(
+      graph,
+      "n4",
+      "resolved",
+      "Yes",
+      "Clarified",
+    );
     expect(result.success).toBe(true);
   });
 
   it("tracks previous status and value", () => {
     const graph = makeTestGraph();
-    const result = resolveUnknownNode(graph, "n4", "known", "confirmed_value", "Evidence found");
+    const result = resolveUnknownNode(
+      graph,
+      "n4",
+      "known",
+      "confirmed_value",
+      "Evidence found",
+    );
     expect(result.previousStatus).toBe("unknown");
     expect(result.newValue).toBe("confirmed_value");
   });
@@ -313,7 +387,11 @@ describe("selectActiveUnknownCandidate", () => {
   it("returns null when no unresolved unknowns", () => {
     // makeTestGraph nodes default to kind "observation", not "unknown"
     // Create explicit unknown-kind nodes for this test
-    const nUnknown = makeNode({ id: "n-unk-x", label: "Unknown X", kind: "unknown" });
+    const nUnknown = makeNode({
+      id: "n-unk-x",
+      label: "Unknown X",
+      kind: "unknown",
+    });
     const graph = makeGraph({
       centralStatement: "Test",
       nodes: [nUnknown],
@@ -349,9 +427,21 @@ describe("selectActiveUnknownCandidate", () => {
   });
 
   it("prioritises nodes with more dependents", () => {
-    const unknownA = makeNode({ id: "unknown-a", label: "Unknown A", kind: "unknown" });
+    const unknownA = makeNode({
-    const unknownB = makeNode({ id: "unknown-b", label: "Unknown B", kind: "unknown" });
+      id: "unknown-a",
-    const dependent = makeNode({ id: "dep", label: "Dependent", kind: "state" });
+      label: "Unknown A",
+      kind: "unknown",
+    });
+    const unknownB = makeNode({
+      id: "unknown-b",
+      label: "Unknown B",
+      kind: "unknown",
+    });
+    const dependent = makeNode({
+      id: "dep",
+      label: "Dependent",
+      kind: "state",
+    });
 
     dependent.dependsOn.push("unknown-a");
 
@@ -370,7 +460,11 @@ describe("selectActiveUnknownCandidate", () => {
 
   it("returns one candidate (not array)", () => {
     const n1 = makeNode({ id: "n1", label: "A", kind: "observation" });
-    const nUnknown = makeNode({ id: "n-unk", label: "Pending", kind: "unknown" });
+    const nUnknown = makeNode({
+      id: "n-unk",
+      label: "Pending",
+      kind: "unknown",
+    });
     const graph = makeGraph({
       centralStatement: "Test",
       nodes: [n1, nUnknown],
@@ -386,6 +480,145 @@ describe("selectActiveUnknownCandidate", () => {
     expect(result.label).toBeDefined();
     expect(result.score).toBeDefined();
   });
+
+  it("commercial value wins over pricing", () => {
+    const commercialValue = makeNode({
+      id: "n-commercial-value",
+      label: "Commercial value definition",
+      description:
+        "Need to define commercial value because the decision depends on it.",
+      kind: "unknown",
+      status: "unknown",
+      confidence: "high",
+    });
+    const pricing = makeNode({
+      id: "n-pricing",
+      label: "Target price point",
+      description:
+        "Need a target price point because revenue assumptions depend on it.",
+      kind: "unknown",
+      status: "unknown",
+      confidence: "medium",
+      dependsOn: ["n-commercial-value"],
+    });
+    const decision = makeNode({
+      id: "n-decision",
+      label: "Build decision",
+      description: "Decision context",
+      kind: "state",
+      status: "supported",
+      confidence: "medium",
+      dependsOn: ["n-commercial-value", "n-pricing"],
+    });
+
+    const graph = makeGraph({
+      centralStatement: "Build decision",
+      nodes: [commercialValue, pricing, decision],
+      edges: [],
+      activeUnknownNodeId: pricing.id,
+      resolvedNodeIds: [],
+      currentSummary: "Test",
+    });
+
+    const result = selectActiveUnknownCandidate(graph, []);
+    expect(result.nodeId).toBe("n-commercial-value");
+  });
+
+  it("customer value wins over UI colour", () => {
+    const customerValue = makeNode({
+      id: "n-customer-value",
+      label: "Customer value",
+      description:
+        "Need to know customer value because adoption depends on it.",
+      kind: "unknown",
+      status: "unknown",
+      confidence: "high",
+    });
+    const uiColour = makeNode({
+      id: "n-ui-colour",
+      label: "UI colour",
+      description: "Need a UI colour because presentation choices remain open.",
+      kind: "unknown",
+      status: "unknown",
+      confidence: "low",
+    });
+    const graph = makeGraph({
+      centralStatement: "Value question",
+      nodes: [customerValue, uiColour],
+      edges: [],
+      activeUnknownNodeId: null,
+      resolvedNodeIds: [],
+      currentSummary: "Test",
+    });
+
+    const result = selectActiveUnknownCandidate(graph, []);
+    expect(result.nodeId).toBe("n-customer-value");
+  });
+
+  it("success criteria wins over marketing slogan", () => {
+    const successCriteria = makeNode({
+      id: "n-success-criteria",
+      label: "Success criteria",
+      description:
+        "Need success criteria because the decision requires a threshold.",
+      kind: "unknown",
+      status: "unknown",
+      confidence: "high",
+    });
+    const slogan = makeNode({
+      id: "n-slogan",
+      label: "Marketing slogan",
+      description: "Need a slogan because messaging is undecided.",
+      kind: "unknown",
+      status: "unknown",
+      confidence: "low",
+    });
+    const graph = makeGraph({
+      centralStatement: "Threshold question",
+      nodes: [successCriteria, slogan],
+      edges: [],
+      activeUnknownNodeId: null,
+      resolvedNodeIds: [],
+      currentSummary: "Test",
+    });
+
+    const result = selectActiveUnknownCandidate(graph, []);
+    expect(result.nodeId).toBe("n-success-criteria");
+  });
+
+  it("penalises unknowns with unresolved parent unknowns", () => {
+    const parentUnknown = makeNode({
+      id: "n-parent",
+      label: "Commercial value definition",
+      description:
+        "Need commercial value definition because the decision depends on it.",
+      kind: "unknown",
+      status: "unknown",
+      confidence: "high",
+    });
+    const childUnknown = makeNode({
+      id: "n-child",
+      label: "Target price point",
+      description: "Need price point because revenue assumptions depend on it.",
+      kind: "unknown",
+      status: "unknown",
+      confidence: "medium",
+      dependsOn: ["n-parent"],
+    });
+
+    const graph = makeGraph({
+      centralStatement: "Dependency ordering",
+      nodes: [parentUnknown, childUnknown],
+      edges: [],
+      activeUnknownNodeId: null,
+      resolvedNodeIds: [],
+      currentSummary: "Test",
+    });
+
+    const parentScore = scoreUnknownCandidate(graph, parentUnknown, []);
+    const childScore = scoreUnknownCandidate(graph, childUnknown, []);
+    expect(parentScore.score).toBeGreaterThan(childScore.score);
+  });
 });
 
 describe("applyGraphUpdate", () => {
@@ -405,7 +638,7 @@ describe("applyGraphUpdate", () => {
     const result = applyGraphUpdate(graph, update);
     expect(result.success).toBe(true);
     expect(result.nodes.length).toBe(graph.nodes.length + 1);
-    expect(result.nodes.some(n => n.id === "n-new")).toBe(true);
+    expect(result.nodes.some((n) => n.id === "n-new")).toBe(true);
   });
 
   it("applies status updates correctly", () => {
@@ -413,14 +646,16 @@ describe("applyGraphUpdate", () => {
 
     const update = {
       addedNodes: [],
-      updatedNodes: [{
+      updatedNodes: [
-        nodeId: "n4",
+        {
-        previousStatus: "unknown",
+          nodeId: "n4",
-        newStatus: "resolved",
+          previousStatus: "unknown",
-        previousValue: null,
+          newStatus: "resolved",
-        newValue: "confirmed",
+          previousValue: null,
-        reason: "Answered by user",
+          newValue: "confirmed",
-      }],
+          reason: "Answered by user",
+        },
+      ],
       addedEdges: [],
       removedEdgeIds: [],
       resolvedUnknownNodeIds: ["n4"],
@@ -430,7 +665,7 @@ describe("applyGraphUpdate", () => {
     const result = applyGraphUpdate(graph, update);
     expect(result.success).toBe(true);
 
-    const updatedNode = result.nodes.find(n => n.id === "n4");
+    const updatedNode = result.nodes.find((n) => n.id === "n4");
     expect(updatedNode.status).toBe("resolved");
   });
 
@@ -439,12 +674,14 @@ describe("applyGraphUpdate", () => {
 
     const update = {
       addedNodes: [],
-      updatedNodes: [{
+      updatedNodes: [
-        nodeId: "ghost-node",
+        {
-        previousStatus: null,
+          nodeId: "ghost-node",
-        newStatus: "known",
+          previousStatus: null,
-        reason: "test",
+          newStatus: "known",
-      }],
+          reason: "test",
+        },
+      ],
       addedEdges: [],
       removedEdgeIds: [],
       resolvedUnknownNodeIds: [],
@@ -453,7 +690,7 @@ describe("applyGraphUpdate", () => {
 
     const result = applyGraphUpdate(graph, update);
     expect(result.success).toBe(false);
-    expect(result.errors.some(e => e.includes("ghost-node"))).toBe(true);
+    expect(result.errors.some((e) => e.includes("ghost-node"))).toBe(true);
   });
 
   it("removes requested edges", () => {
@@ -472,12 +709,16 @@ describe("applyGraphUpdate", () => {
     const result = applyGraphUpdate(graph, update);
     expect(result.success).toBe(true);
     expect(result.edges.length).toBe(graph.edges.length - 1);
-    expect(result.edges.some(e => e.id === edgeIdToRemove)).toBe(false);
+    expect(result.edges.some((e) => e.id === edgeIdToRemove)).toBe(false);
   });
 
   it("adds edges and updates node dependsOn/affects", () => {
     const graph = makeTestGraph();
-    const newEdge = makeEdge({ fromNodeId: "n1", toNodeId: "n4", relationship: "supports" });
+    const newEdge = makeEdge({
+      fromNodeId: "n1",
+      toNodeId: "n4",
+      relationship: "supports",
+    });
 
     const update = {
       addedNodes: [],
@@ -492,11 +733,11 @@ describe("applyGraphUpdate", () => {
     expect(result.success).toBe(true);
 
     // Check the edge was added
-    expect(result.edges.some(e => e.id === newEdge.id)).toBe(true);
+    expect(result.edges.some((e) => e.id === newEdge.id)).toBe(true);
 
     // Check node relationship arrays updated
-    const fromNode = result.nodes.find(n => n.id === "n1");
+    const fromNode = result.nodes.find((n) => n.id === "n1");
-    const toNode = result.nodes.find(n => n.id === "n4");
+    const toNode = result.nodes.find((n) => n.id === "n4");
     expect(fromNode.childIds).toContain("n4");
     expect(toNode.dependsOn).toContain("n1");
   });
@@ -542,14 +783,16 @@ describe("applyGraphUpdate", () => {
     const update = {
       addedNodes: [],
       updatedNodes: [],
-      addedEdges: [{
+      addedEdges: [
-        id: "e-new",
+        {
-        fromNodeId: "missing-node",
+          id: "e-new",
-        toNodeId: "n1",
+          fromNodeId: "missing-node",
-        relationship: "supports",
+          toNodeId: "n1",
-        confidence: "medium",
+          relationship: "supports",
-        description: "bad edge",
+          confidence: "medium",
-      }],
+          description: "bad edge",
+        },
+      ],
       removedEdgeIds: [],
       resolvedUnknownNodeIds: [],
       affectedNodeIds: [],
@@ -583,12 +826,14 @@ describe("applyGraphUpdate", () => {
 
     const update = {
       addedNodes: [newNode],
-      updatedNodes: [{
+      updatedNodes: [
-        nodeId: "n4",
+        {
-        previousStatus: "unknown",
+          nodeId: "n4",
-        newStatus: "resolved",
+          previousStatus: "unknown",
-        reason: "Multiple ops test",
+          newStatus: "resolved",
-      }],
+          reason: "Multiple ops test",
+        },
+      ],
       addedEdges: [makeEdge({ fromNodeId: "n-multi", toNodeId: "n1" })],
       removedEdgeIds: [graph.edges[0]?.id || ""],
       resolvedUnknownNodeIds: ["n4"],
@@ -622,14 +867,16 @@ describe("validateGraphUpdate", () => {
 
     const result = validateGraphUpdate(graph, {
       addedNodes: [],
-      updatedNodes: [{
+      updatedNodes: [
-        nodeId: "n1",
+        {
-        previousStatus: null,
+          nodeId: "n1",
-        newStatus: null,
+          previousStatus: null,
-        previousValue: null,
+          newStatus: null,
-        newValue: null,
+          previousValue: null,
-        reason: "No change test",
+          newValue: null,
-      }],
+          reason: "No change test",
+        },
+      ],
       addedEdges: [],
       removedEdgeIds: [],
       resolvedUnknownNodeIds: [],
@@ -637,7 +884,7 @@ describe("validateGraphUpdate", () => {
     });
 
     expect(result.valid).toBe(false);
-    expect(result.errors.some(e => e.includes("no meaningful"))).toBe(true);
+    expect(result.errors.some((e) => e.includes("no meaningful"))).toBe(true);
   });
 
   it("rejects duplicate node IDs in additions", () => {
@@ -661,12 +908,14 @@ describe("validateGraphUpdate", () => {
 
     const result = validateGraphUpdate(graph, {
       addedNodes: [],
-      updatedNodes: [{
+      updatedNodes: [
-        nodeId: "ghost-node",
+        {
-        previousStatus: null,
+          nodeId: "ghost-node",
-        newStatus: "known",
+          previousStatus: null,
-        reason: "test",
+          newStatus: "known",
-      }],
+          reason: "test",
+        },
+      ],
       addedEdges: [],
       removedEdgeIds: [],
       resolvedUnknownNodeIds: [],
@@ -681,12 +930,14 @@ describe("validateGraphUpdate", () => {
 
     const result = validateGraphUpdate(graph, {
       addedNodes: [],
-      updatedNodes: [{
+      updatedNodes: [
-        nodeId: "n4",
+        {
-        previousStatus: "unknown",
+          nodeId: "n4",
-        newStatus: "known",
+          previousStatus: "unknown",
-        reason: "Confirmed",
+          newStatus: "known",
-      }],
+          reason: "Confirmed",
+        },
+      ],
       addedEdges: [],
       removedEdgeIds: [],
       resolvedUnknownNodeIds: [],
@@ -710,7 +961,9 @@ describe("validateGraphUpdate", () => {
     });
 
     expect(result.valid).toBe(false);
-    expect(result.errors.some(e => e.includes("100KB") || e.includes("exceeds"))).toBe(true);
+    expect(
+      result.errors.some((e) => e.includes("100KB") || e.includes("exceeds")),
+    ).toBe(true);
   });
 
   it("returns empty errors array for valid update", () => {
@@ -738,17 +991,23 @@ describe("update lifecycle integration", () => {
 
     // Create a meaningful update
     const newNode = makeNode({ id: "n-new", label: "New Discovery" });
-    const newEdge = makeEdge({ fromNodeId: "n1", toNodeId: "n-new", relationship: "supports" });
+    const newEdge = makeEdge({
+      fromNodeId: "n1",
+      toNodeId: "n-new",
+      relationship: "supports",
+    });
 
     // Validate first
     const validationResult = validateGraphUpdate(graph, {
       addedNodes: [newNode],
-      updatedNodes: [{
+      updatedNodes: [
-        nodeId: "n4",
+        {
-        previousStatus: "unknown",
+          nodeId: "n4",
-        newStatus: "resolved",
+          previousStatus: "unknown",
-        reason: "Answered via follow-up question",
+          newStatus: "resolved",
-      }],
+          reason: "Answered via follow-up question",
+        },
+      ],
       addedEdges: [newEdge],
       removedEdgeIds: [],
       resolvedUnknownNodeIds: ["n4"],
@@ -759,12 +1018,14 @@ describe("update lifecycle integration", () => {
     // Apply
     const applyResult = applyGraphUpdate(graph, {
       addedNodes: [newNode],
-      updatedNodes: [{
+      updatedNodes: [
-        nodeId: "n4",
+        {
-        previousStatus: "unknown",
+          nodeId: "n4",
-        newStatus: "resolved",
+          previousStatus: "unknown",
-        reason: "Answered via follow-up question",
+          newStatus: "resolved",
-      }],
+          reason: "Answered via follow-up question",
+        },
+      ],
       addedEdges: [newEdge],
       removedEdgeIds: [],
       resolvedUnknownNodeIds: ["n4"],
@@ -786,7 +1047,9 @@ describe("update lifecycle integration", () => {
 
     const invalidUpdate = {
       addedNodes: [],
-      updatedNodes: [{ nodeId: "ghost-node", newStatus: "known", reason: "test" }],
+      updatedNodes: [
+        { nodeId: "ghost-node", newStatus: "known", reason: "test" },
+      ],
       addedEdges: [],
       removedEdgeIds: [],
       resolvedUnknownNodeIds: [],
@@ -806,12 +1069,14 @@ describe("update lifecycle integration", () => {
 
     applyGraphUpdate(graph, {
       addedNodes: [],
-      updatedNodes: [{
+      updatedNodes: [
-        nodeId: "n4",
+        {
-        previousStatus: "unknown",
+          nodeId: "n4",
-        newStatus: "resolved",
+          previousStatus: "unknown",
-        reason: "Test preserve",
+          newStatus: "resolved",
-      }],
+          reason: "Test preserve",
+        },
+      ],
       addedEdges: [],
       removedEdgeIds: [],
       resolvedUnknownNodeIds: ["n4"],