diff --git a/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/bug.rs b/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/bug.rs
index 00fa4e74..8e313ebc 100644
--- a/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/bug.rs
+++ b/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/bug.rs
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ pub(crate) fn tool_create_bug(args: &Value, ctx: &AppContext) -> Result<String,
         steps_to_reproduce,
         actual_result,
         expected_result,
-        Some(&acceptance_criteria),
+        &acceptance_criteria,
         depends_on.as_deref(),
     )?;
 
@@ -218,6 +218,28 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(result.unwrap_err().contains("name"));
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn tool_create_bug_rejects_whitespace_only_name() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
+        let err = tool_create_bug(
+            &json!({
+                "name": "   ",
+                "description": "d",
+                "steps_to_reproduce": "s",
+                "actual_result": "a",
+                "expected_result": "e",
+                "acceptance_criteria": ["Bug fixed"]
+            }),
+            &ctx,
+        )
+        .unwrap_err();
+        assert!(
+            err.contains("empty") || err.contains("whitespace"),
+            "error should mention empty/whitespace, got: {err}"
+        );
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn tool_create_bug_missing_description() {
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
diff --git a/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/refactor.rs b/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/refactor.rs
index 9e2ee500..427a52e6 100644
--- a/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/refactor.rs
+++ b/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/refactor.rs
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ pub(crate) fn tool_create_refactor(args: &Value, ctx: &AppContext) -> Result<Str
         &root,
         name,
         description,
-        Some(&acceptance_criteria),
+        &acceptance_criteria,
         depends_on.as_deref(),
     )?;
 
@@ -78,6 +78,21 @@ mod tests {
     use crate::http::test_helpers::test_ctx;
     use serde_json::json;
 
+    #[test]
+    fn tool_create_refactor_rejects_whitespace_only_name() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
+        let err = tool_create_refactor(
+            &json!({"name": "   ", "acceptance_criteria": ["Code is clean"]}),
+            &ctx,
+        )
+        .unwrap_err();
+        assert!(
+            err.contains("empty") || err.contains("whitespace"),
+            "error should mention empty/whitespace, got: {err}"
+        );
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn tool_create_refactor_rejects_missing_acceptance_criteria() {
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
diff --git a/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/spike.rs b/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/spike.rs
index 69061660..74f73d8c 100644
--- a/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/spike.rs
+++ b/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/spike.rs
@@ -103,6 +103,21 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(result.unwrap_err().contains("alphanumeric"));
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn tool_create_spike_rejects_whitespace_only_name() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
+        let err = tool_create_spike(
+            &json!({"name": "   ", "acceptance_criteria": ["Findings documented"]}),
+            &ctx,
+        )
+        .unwrap_err();
+        assert!(
+            err.contains("empty") || err.contains("whitespace"),
+            "error should mention empty/whitespace, got: {err}"
+        );
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn tool_create_spike_creates_file() {
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
diff --git a/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/story/create.rs b/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/story/create.rs
index 921ec776..d72287a5 100644
--- a/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/story/create.rs
+++ b/server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/story/create.rs
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ pub(crate) fn tool_create_story(args: &Value, ctx: &AppContext) -> Result<String
         name,
         user_story,
         description,
-        Some(&acceptance_criteria),
+        &acceptance_criteria,
         depends_on.as_deref(),
         commit,
     )?;
@@ -138,6 +138,21 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(result.unwrap_err().contains("alphanumeric"));
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn tool_create_story_rejects_whitespace_only_name() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
+        let err = tool_create_story(
+            &json!({"name": "   ", "acceptance_criteria": ["AC1"]}),
+            &ctx,
+        )
+        .unwrap_err();
+        assert!(
+            err.contains("empty") || err.contains("whitespace"),
+            "error should mention empty/whitespace, got: {err}"
+        );
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn tool_create_story_rejects_missing_acceptance_criteria() {
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
diff --git a/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/bug.rs b/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/bug.rs
index 73ccfac1..20bd2f4f 100644
--- a/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/bug.rs
+++ b/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/bug.rs
@@ -2,11 +2,12 @@
 
 use std::path::Path;
 
-use super::super::{next_item_number, slugify_name, write_story_content};
+use super::super::create_item_in_backlog;
 
 /// Create a bug file and store it in the database.
 ///
-/// Also writes to the filesystem for backwards compatibility during migration.
+/// Routes through `create_item_in_backlog`, the single internal creation path.
+/// `acceptance_criteria` must be non-empty; an empty slice returns an error.
 /// Returns the bug_id (e.g. `"4"`).
 #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
 pub fn create_bug_file(
@@ -16,59 +17,53 @@ pub fn create_bug_file(
     steps_to_reproduce: &str,
     actual_result: &str,
     expected_result: &str,
-    acceptance_criteria: Option<&[String]>,
+    acceptance_criteria: &[String],
     depends_on: Option<&[u32]>,
 ) -> Result<String, String> {
-    let bug_number = next_item_number(root)?;
-    let slug = slugify_name(name);
+    let name_owned = name.to_string();
+    let description_owned = description.to_string();
+    let steps_owned = steps_to_reproduce.to_string();
+    let actual_owned = actual_result.to_string();
+    let expected_owned = expected_result.to_string();
+    let depends_on_owned: Option<Vec<u32>> = depends_on.map(<[u32]>::to_vec);
+    let acs_owned: Vec<String> = acceptance_criteria.to_vec();
 
-    if slug.is_empty() {
-        return Err("Name must contain at least one alphanumeric character.".to_string());
-    }
-
-    let bug_id = format!("{bug_number}");
-
-    let mut content = String::new();
-    content.push_str("---\n");
-    content.push_str("type: bug\n");
-    content.push_str(&format!("name: \"{}\"\n", name.replace('"', "\\\"")));
-    if let Some(deps) = depends_on.filter(|d| !d.is_empty()) {
-        let nums: Vec<String> = deps.iter().map(|n| n.to_string()).collect();
-        content.push_str(&format!("depends_on: [{}]\n", nums.join(", ")));
-    }
-    content.push_str("---\n\n");
-    content.push_str(&format!("# Bug {bug_number}: {name}\n\n"));
-    content.push_str("## Description\n\n");
-    content.push_str(description);
-    content.push_str("\n\n");
-    content.push_str("## How to Reproduce\n\n");
-    content.push_str(steps_to_reproduce);
-    content.push_str("\n\n");
-    content.push_str("## Actual Result\n\n");
-    content.push_str(actual_result);
-    content.push_str("\n\n");
-    content.push_str("## Expected Result\n\n");
-    content.push_str(expected_result);
-    content.push_str("\n\n");
-    content.push_str("## Acceptance Criteria\n\n");
-    if let Some(criteria) = acceptance_criteria {
-        for criterion in criteria {
-            content.push_str(&format!("- [ ] {criterion}\n"));
-        }
-    } else {
-        content.push_str("- [ ] Bug is fixed and verified\n");
-    }
-
-    // Write to database content store and CRDT.
-    write_story_content(root, &bug_id, "1_backlog", &content, Some(name));
-
-    // Sync depends_on to the typed CRDT register.
-    crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on(&bug_id, depends_on.unwrap_or(&[]));
-
-    // Story 933: typed CRDT register for item_type.
-    crate::crdt_state::set_item_type(&bug_id, Some("bug"));
-
-    Ok(bug_id)
+    create_item_in_backlog(
+        root,
+        "bug",
+        name,
+        acceptance_criteria,
+        depends_on,
+        move |bug_number| {
+            let mut content = String::new();
+            content.push_str("---\n");
+            content.push_str("type: bug\n");
+            content.push_str(&format!("name: \"{}\"\n", name_owned.replace('"', "\\\"")));
+            if let Some(ref deps) = depends_on_owned.filter(|d| !d.is_empty()) {
+                let nums: Vec<String> = deps.iter().map(|n| n.to_string()).collect();
+                content.push_str(&format!("depends_on: [{}]\n", nums.join(", ")));
+            }
+            content.push_str("---\n\n");
+            content.push_str(&format!("# Bug {bug_number}: {name_owned}\n\n"));
+            content.push_str("## Description\n\n");
+            content.push_str(&description_owned);
+            content.push_str("\n\n");
+            content.push_str("## How to Reproduce\n\n");
+            content.push_str(&steps_owned);
+            content.push_str("\n\n");
+            content.push_str("## Actual Result\n\n");
+            content.push_str(&actual_owned);
+            content.push_str("\n\n");
+            content.push_str("## Expected Result\n\n");
+            content.push_str(&expected_owned);
+            content.push_str("\n\n");
+            content.push_str("## Acceptance Criteria\n\n");
+            for criterion in &acs_owned {
+                content.push_str(&format!("- [ ] {criterion}\n"));
+            }
+            content
+        },
+    )
 }
 
 /// Returns true if the item stem is a bug item.
diff --git a/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/refactor.rs b/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/refactor.rs
index d5b5f5d8..0269ea8c 100644
--- a/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/refactor.rs
+++ b/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/refactor.rs
@@ -2,69 +2,62 @@
 
 use std::path::Path;
 
-use super::super::{next_item_number, slugify_name, write_story_content};
+use super::super::create_item_in_backlog;
 
 /// Create a refactor work item and store it in the database.
 ///
+/// Routes through `create_item_in_backlog`, the single internal creation path.
+/// `acceptance_criteria` must be non-empty; an empty slice returns an error.
 /// Returns the refactor_id (e.g. `"5"`).
 pub fn create_refactor_file(
     root: &Path,
     name: &str,
     description: Option<&str>,
-    acceptance_criteria: Option<&[String]>,
+    acceptance_criteria: &[String],
     depends_on: Option<&[u32]>,
 ) -> Result<String, String> {
-    let refactor_number = next_item_number(root)?;
-    let slug = slugify_name(name);
+    let name_owned = name.to_string();
+    let description_owned = description.map(str::to_string);
+    let depends_on_owned: Option<Vec<u32>> = depends_on.map(<[u32]>::to_vec);
+    let acs_owned: Vec<String> = acceptance_criteria.to_vec();
 
-    if slug.is_empty() {
-        return Err("Name must contain at least one alphanumeric character.".to_string());
-    }
-
-    let refactor_id = format!("{refactor_number}");
-
-    let mut content = String::new();
-    content.push_str("---\n");
-    content.push_str("type: refactor\n");
-    content.push_str(&format!("name: \"{}\"\n", name.replace('"', "\\\"")));
-    if let Some(deps) = depends_on.filter(|d| !d.is_empty()) {
-        let nums: Vec<String> = deps.iter().map(|n| n.to_string()).collect();
-        content.push_str(&format!("depends_on: [{}]\n", nums.join(", ")));
-    }
-    content.push_str("---\n\n");
-    content.push_str(&format!("# Refactor {refactor_number}: {name}\n\n"));
-    content.push_str("## Current State\n\n");
-    content.push_str("- TBD\n\n");
-    content.push_str("## Desired State\n\n");
-    if let Some(desc) = description {
-        content.push_str(desc);
-        content.push('\n');
-    } else {
-        content.push_str("- TBD\n");
-    }
-    content.push('\n');
-    content.push_str("## Acceptance Criteria\n\n");
-    if let Some(criteria) = acceptance_criteria {
-        for criterion in criteria {
-            content.push_str(&format!("- [ ] {criterion}\n"));
-        }
-    } else {
-        content.push_str("- [ ] Refactoring complete and all tests pass\n");
-    }
-    content.push('\n');
-    content.push_str("## Out of Scope\n\n");
-    content.push_str("- TBD\n");
-
-    // Write to database content store and CRDT.
-    write_story_content(root, &refactor_id, "1_backlog", &content, Some(name));
-
-    // Sync depends_on to the typed CRDT register.
-    crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on(&refactor_id, depends_on.unwrap_or(&[]));
-
-    // Story 933: typed CRDT register for item_type.
-    crate::crdt_state::set_item_type(&refactor_id, Some("refactor"));
-
-    Ok(refactor_id)
+    create_item_in_backlog(
+        root,
+        "refactor",
+        name,
+        acceptance_criteria,
+        depends_on,
+        move |refactor_number| {
+            let mut content = String::new();
+            content.push_str("---\n");
+            content.push_str("type: refactor\n");
+            content.push_str(&format!("name: \"{}\"\n", name_owned.replace('"', "\\\"")));
+            if let Some(ref deps) = depends_on_owned.filter(|d| !d.is_empty()) {
+                let nums: Vec<String> = deps.iter().map(|n| n.to_string()).collect();
+                content.push_str(&format!("depends_on: [{}]\n", nums.join(", ")));
+            }
+            content.push_str("---\n\n");
+            content.push_str(&format!("# Refactor {refactor_number}: {name_owned}\n\n"));
+            content.push_str("## Current State\n\n");
+            content.push_str("- TBD\n\n");
+            content.push_str("## Desired State\n\n");
+            if let Some(ref desc) = description_owned {
+                content.push_str(desc);
+                content.push('\n');
+            } else {
+                content.push_str("- TBD\n");
+            }
+            content.push('\n');
+            content.push_str("## Acceptance Criteria\n\n");
+            for criterion in &acs_owned {
+                content.push_str(&format!("- [ ] {criterion}\n"));
+            }
+            content.push('\n');
+            content.push_str("## Out of Scope\n\n");
+            content.push_str("- TBD\n");
+            content
+        },
+    )
 }
 
 /// Returns true if the item stem is a refactor item.
diff --git a/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/spike.rs b/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/spike.rs
index 85cbe396..e7db17db 100644
--- a/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/spike.rs
+++ b/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/spike.rs
@@ -2,10 +2,12 @@
 
 use std::path::Path;
 
-use super::super::{next_item_number, slugify_name, write_story_content};
+use super::super::create_item_in_backlog;
 
 /// Create a spike file and store it in the database.
 ///
+/// Routes through `create_item_in_backlog`, the single internal creation path.
+/// `acceptance_criteria` must be non-empty; an empty slice returns an error.
 /// Returns the spike_id (e.g. `"4"`).
 pub fn create_spike_file(
     root: &Path,
@@ -14,60 +16,51 @@ pub fn create_spike_file(
     acceptance_criteria: &[String],
     depends_on: Option<&[u32]>,
 ) -> Result<String, String> {
-    let spike_number = next_item_number(root)?;
-    let slug = slugify_name(name);
+    let name_owned = name.to_string();
+    let description_owned = description.map(str::to_string);
+    let depends_on_owned: Option<Vec<u32>> = depends_on.map(<[u32]>::to_vec);
+    let acs_owned: Vec<String> = acceptance_criteria.to_vec();
 
-    if slug.is_empty() {
-        return Err("Name must contain at least one alphanumeric character.".to_string());
-    }
-
-    let spike_id = format!("{spike_number}");
-
-    let mut content = String::new();
-    content.push_str("---\n");
-    content.push_str("type: spike\n");
-    content.push_str(&format!("name: \"{}\"\n", name.replace('"', "\\\"")));
-    if let Some(deps) = depends_on.filter(|d| !d.is_empty()) {
-        let nums: Vec<String> = deps.iter().map(|n| n.to_string()).collect();
-        content.push_str(&format!("depends_on: [{}]\n", nums.join(", ")));
-    }
-    content.push_str("---\n\n");
-    content.push_str(&format!("# Spike {spike_number}: {name}\n\n"));
-    content.push_str("## Question\n\n");
-    if let Some(desc) = description {
-        content.push_str(desc);
-        content.push('\n');
-    } else {
-        content.push_str("- TBD\n");
-    }
-    content.push('\n');
-    content.push_str("## Hypothesis\n\n");
-    content.push_str("- TBD\n\n");
-    content.push_str("## Timebox\n\n");
-    content.push_str("- TBD\n\n");
-    content.push_str("## Investigation Plan\n\n");
-    content.push_str("- TBD\n\n");
-    content.push_str("## Findings\n\n");
-    content.push_str("- TBD\n\n");
-    content.push_str("## Recommendation\n\n");
-    content.push_str("- TBD\n\n");
-    content.push_str("## Acceptance Criteria\n\n");
-    if acceptance_criteria.is_empty() {
-        content.push_str("- [ ] TBD\n");
-    } else {
-        for criterion in acceptance_criteria {
-            content.push_str(&format!("- [ ] {criterion}\n"));
-        }
-    }
-
-    // Write to database content store and CRDT.
-    write_story_content(root, &spike_id, "1_backlog", &content, Some(name));
-
-    // Sync depends_on to the typed CRDT register.
-    crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on(&spike_id, depends_on.unwrap_or(&[]));
-
-    // Story 933: typed CRDT register for item_type.
-    crate::crdt_state::set_item_type(&spike_id, Some("spike"));
-
-    Ok(spike_id)
+    create_item_in_backlog(
+        root,
+        "spike",
+        name,
+        acceptance_criteria,
+        depends_on,
+        move |spike_number| {
+            let mut content = String::new();
+            content.push_str("---\n");
+            content.push_str("type: spike\n");
+            content.push_str(&format!("name: \"{}\"\n", name_owned.replace('"', "\\\"")));
+            if let Some(ref deps) = depends_on_owned.filter(|d| !d.is_empty()) {
+                let nums: Vec<String> = deps.iter().map(|n| n.to_string()).collect();
+                content.push_str(&format!("depends_on: [{}]\n", nums.join(", ")));
+            }
+            content.push_str("---\n\n");
+            content.push_str(&format!("# Spike {spike_number}: {name_owned}\n\n"));
+            content.push_str("## Question\n\n");
+            if let Some(ref desc) = description_owned {
+                content.push_str(desc);
+                content.push('\n');
+            } else {
+                content.push_str("- TBD\n");
+            }
+            content.push('\n');
+            content.push_str("## Hypothesis\n\n");
+            content.push_str("- TBD\n\n");
+            content.push_str("## Timebox\n\n");
+            content.push_str("- TBD\n\n");
+            content.push_str("## Investigation Plan\n\n");
+            content.push_str("- TBD\n\n");
+            content.push_str("## Findings\n\n");
+            content.push_str("- TBD\n\n");
+            content.push_str("## Recommendation\n\n");
+            content.push_str("- TBD\n\n");
+            content.push_str("## Acceptance Criteria\n\n");
+            for criterion in &acs_owned {
+                content.push_str(&format!("- [ ] {criterion}\n"));
+            }
+            content
+        },
+    )
 }
diff --git a/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/tests.rs b/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/tests.rs
index c7f1066d..c96d8bef 100644
--- a/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/tests.rs
+++ b/server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/tests.rs
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ fn create_bug_file_writes_correct_content() {
         "1. Go to /login\n2. Click submit",
         "Page crashes with 500 error",
         "Login succeeds",
-        Some(&["Login form submits without error".to_string()]),
+        &["Login form submits without error".to_string()],
         None,
     )
     .unwrap();
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ fn create_bug_file_rejects_empty_name() {
         "steps",
         "actual",
         "expected",
-        None,
+        &[],
         None,
     );
     assert!(result.is_err());
@@ -234,29 +234,23 @@ fn create_bug_file_rejects_empty_name() {
 }
 
 #[test]
-fn create_bug_file_uses_default_acceptance_criterion() {
+fn create_bug_file_rejects_empty_acceptance_criteria() {
     let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-    setup_git_repo(tmp.path());
-
-    let bug_id = create_bug_file(
+    let err = create_bug_file(
         tmp.path(),
         "Some Bug",
         "desc",
         "steps",
         "actual",
         "expected",
-        None,
+        &[],
         None,
     )
-    .unwrap();
-
-    let contents = crate::db::read_content(&bug_id).expect("bug content should exist");
-
+    .unwrap_err();
     assert!(
-        contents.starts_with("---\ntype: bug\nname: \"Some Bug\"\n---"),
-        "bug file must have YAML front matter with type field"
+        err.contains("acceptance criterion"),
+        "error should mention acceptance criterion, got: {err}"
     );
-    assert!(contents.contains("- [ ] Bug is fixed and verified"));
 }
 
 // ── create_spike_file tests ────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -269,7 +263,7 @@ fn create_spike_file_writes_correct_content() {
         tmp.path(),
         "Filesystem Watcher Architecture",
         None,
-        &[],
+        &["Architecture documented".to_string()],
         None,
     )
     .unwrap();
@@ -302,8 +296,14 @@ fn create_spike_file_uses_description_when_provided() {
     let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
     let description = "What is the best approach for watching filesystem events?";
 
-    let spike_id =
-        create_spike_file(tmp.path(), "FS Watcher Spike", Some(description), &[], None).unwrap();
+    let spike_id = create_spike_file(
+        tmp.path(),
+        "FS Watcher Spike",
+        Some(description),
+        &["Findings documented".to_string()],
+        None,
+    )
+    .unwrap();
 
     let contents = crate::db::read_content(&spike_id)
         .or_else(|| {
@@ -319,7 +319,14 @@ fn create_spike_file_uses_description_when_provided() {
 #[test]
 fn create_spike_file_uses_placeholder_when_no_description() {
     let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-    let spike_id = create_spike_file(tmp.path(), "My Spike", None, &[], None).unwrap();
+    let spike_id = create_spike_file(
+        tmp.path(),
+        "My Spike",
+        None,
+        &["Findings documented".to_string()],
+        None,
+    )
+    .unwrap();
 
     let contents = crate::db::read_content(&spike_id)
         .or_else(|| {
@@ -335,16 +342,22 @@ fn create_spike_file_uses_placeholder_when_no_description() {
 #[test]
 fn create_spike_file_rejects_empty_name() {
     let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-    let result = create_spike_file(tmp.path(), "!!!", None, &[], None);
-    assert!(result.is_err());
-    assert!(result.unwrap_err().contains("alphanumeric"));
+    // Name "!!!" has no alphanumeric chars — fails before AC check.
+    let err = create_spike_file(tmp.path(), "!!!", None, &["AC".to_string()], None).unwrap_err();
+    assert!(err.contains("alphanumeric"), "got: {err}");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn create_spike_file_with_special_chars_in_name_produces_valid_yaml() {
     let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
     let name = "Spike: compare \"fast\" vs slow encoders";
-    let result = create_spike_file(tmp.path(), name, None, &[], None);
+    let result = create_spike_file(
+        tmp.path(),
+        name,
+        None,
+        &["Findings documented".to_string()],
+        None,
+    );
     assert!(result.is_ok(), "create_spike_file failed: {result:?}");
 
     let spike_id = result.unwrap();
@@ -364,7 +377,14 @@ fn create_spike_file_increments_from_existing_items() {
         crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Existing"),
     );
 
-    let spike_id = create_spike_file(tmp.path(), "My Spike", None, &[], None).unwrap();
+    let spike_id = create_spike_file(
+        tmp.path(),
+        "My Spike",
+        None,
+        &["Findings documented".to_string()],
+        None,
+    )
+    .unwrap();
     assert!(
         spike_id.chars().all(|c| c.is_ascii_digit()),
         "spike ID must be numeric-only, got: {spike_id}"
@@ -391,7 +411,7 @@ fn create_bug_file_with_depends_on_persists_to_crdt() {
         "steps",
         "actual",
         "expected",
-        None,
+        &["Bug fixed".to_string()],
         Some(&[42, 43]),
     )
     .unwrap();
@@ -412,7 +432,7 @@ fn create_bug_file_without_depends_on_omits_field() {
         "steps",
         "actual",
         "expected",
-        None,
+        &["Bug fixed".to_string()],
         None,
     )
     .unwrap();
@@ -438,8 +458,14 @@ fn create_refactor_file_with_depends_on_persists_to_crdt() {
     let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
     setup_git_repo(tmp.path());
 
-    let refactor_id =
-        create_refactor_file(tmp.path(), "Dep Refactor", None, None, Some(&[99])).unwrap();
+    let refactor_id = create_refactor_file(
+        tmp.path(),
+        "Dep Refactor",
+        None,
+        &["Refactoring complete".to_string()],
+        Some(&[99]),
+    )
+    .unwrap();
 
     let view = crate::crdt_state::read_item(&refactor_id).expect("CRDT entry should exist");
     assert_eq!(view.depends_on(), &[99]);
@@ -450,8 +476,14 @@ fn create_refactor_file_without_depends_on_omits_field() {
     let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
     setup_git_repo(tmp.path());
 
-    let refactor_id =
-        create_refactor_file(tmp.path(), "No Dep Refactor", None, None, None).unwrap();
+    let refactor_id = create_refactor_file(
+        tmp.path(),
+        "No Dep Refactor",
+        None,
+        &["Refactoring complete".to_string()],
+        None,
+    )
+    .unwrap();
 
     let contents = crate::db::read_content(&refactor_id)
         .or_else(|| {
diff --git a/server/src/http/workflow/mod.rs b/server/src/http/workflow/mod.rs
index c9c8796a..8604b976 100644
--- a/server/src/http/workflow/mod.rs
+++ b/server/src/http/workflow/mod.rs
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ pub use story_ops::{
 pub use test_results::{read_test_results_from_story_file, write_test_results_to_story_file};
 
 pub(crate) use utils::{
-    create_section_content, next_item_number, read_story_content, replace_or_append_section,
-    replace_section_content, slugify_name, story_stage, write_story_content,
+    create_item_in_backlog, create_section_content, next_item_number, read_story_content,
+    replace_or_append_section, replace_section_content, slugify_name, story_stage,
+    write_story_content,
 };
diff --git a/server/src/http/workflow/story_ops/create.rs b/server/src/http/workflow/story_ops/create.rs
index 68421e38..720fb8de 100644
--- a/server/src/http/workflow/story_ops/create.rs
+++ b/server/src/http/workflow/story_ops/create.rs
@@ -1,80 +1,71 @@
 //! create_story_file: write new story to CRDT/content store.
 
-#[allow(unused_imports)]
-use super::super::{
-    create_section_content, next_item_number, read_story_content, replace_section_content,
-    slugify_name, story_stage, write_story_content,
-};
+use super::super::create_item_in_backlog;
 
 /// Write a new story file to the CRDT content store and return the generated story ID.
+///
+/// Routes through `create_item_in_backlog`, the single internal creation path.
+/// Validates non-empty title and ≥ 1 acceptance criterion before writing anything.
 pub fn create_story_file(
     root: &std::path::Path,
     name: &str,
     user_story: Option<&str>,
     description: Option<&str>,
-    acceptance_criteria: Option<&[String]>,
+    acceptance_criteria: &[String],
     depends_on: Option<&[u32]>,
     _commit: bool,
 ) -> Result<String, String> {
-    let story_number = next_item_number(root)?;
-    let slug = slugify_name(name);
+    let name_owned = name.to_string();
+    let user_story_owned = user_story.map(str::to_string);
+    let description_owned = description.map(str::to_string);
+    let depends_on_owned: Option<Vec<u32>> = depends_on.map(<[u32]>::to_vec);
+    let acs_owned: Vec<String> = acceptance_criteria.to_vec();
 
-    if slug.is_empty() {
-        return Err("Name must contain at least one alphanumeric character.".to_string());
-    }
+    create_item_in_backlog(
+        root,
+        "story",
+        name,
+        acceptance_criteria,
+        depends_on,
+        move |story_number| {
+            let mut content = String::new();
+            content.push_str("---\n");
+            content.push_str("type: story\n");
+            content.push_str(&format!("name: \"{}\"\n", name_owned.replace('"', "\\\"")));
+            if let Some(ref deps) = depends_on_owned.filter(|d| !d.is_empty()) {
+                let nums: Vec<String> = deps.iter().map(|n| n.to_string()).collect();
+                content.push_str(&format!("depends_on: [{}]\n", nums.join(", ")));
+            }
+            content.push_str("---\n\n");
+            content.push_str(&format!("# Story {story_number}: {name_owned}\n\n"));
 
-    let story_id = format!("{story_number}");
+            content.push_str("## User Story\n\n");
+            if let Some(ref us) = user_story_owned {
+                content.push_str(us);
+                content.push('\n');
+            } else {
+                content.push_str("As a ..., I want ..., so that ...\n");
+            }
+            content.push('\n');
 
-    let mut content = String::new();
-    content.push_str("---\n");
-    content.push_str("type: story\n");
-    content.push_str(&format!("name: \"{}\"\n", name.replace('"', "\\\"")));
-    if let Some(deps) = depends_on.filter(|d| !d.is_empty()) {
-        let nums: Vec<String> = deps.iter().map(|n| n.to_string()).collect();
-        content.push_str(&format!("depends_on: [{}]\n", nums.join(", ")));
-    }
-    content.push_str("---\n\n");
-    content.push_str(&format!("# Story {story_number}: {name}\n\n"));
+            if let Some(ref desc) = description_owned {
+                content.push_str("## Description\n\n");
+                content.push_str(desc);
+                content.push('\n');
+                content.push('\n');
+            }
 
-    content.push_str("## User Story\n\n");
-    if let Some(us) = user_story {
-        content.push_str(us);
-        content.push('\n');
-    } else {
-        content.push_str("As a ..., I want ..., so that ...\n");
-    }
-    content.push('\n');
+            content.push_str("## Acceptance Criteria\n\n");
+            for criterion in &acs_owned {
+                content.push_str(&format!("- [ ] {criterion}\n"));
+            }
+            content.push('\n');
 
-    if let Some(desc) = description {
-        content.push_str("## Description\n\n");
-        content.push_str(desc);
-        content.push('\n');
-        content.push('\n');
-    }
-
-    content.push_str("## Acceptance Criteria\n\n");
-    if let Some(criteria) = acceptance_criteria {
-        for criterion in criteria {
-            content.push_str(&format!("- [ ] {criterion}\n"));
-        }
-    } else {
-        content.push_str("- [ ] TODO\n");
-    }
-    content.push('\n');
-
-    content.push_str("## Out of Scope\n\n");
-    content.push_str("- TBD\n");
-
-    // Write to database content store and CRDT.
-    write_story_content(root, &story_id, "1_backlog", &content, Some(name));
-
-    // Sync depends_on to the typed CRDT register.
-    crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on(&story_id, depends_on.unwrap_or(&[]));
-
-    // Story 933: typed CRDT register for item_type.
-    crate::crdt_state::set_item_type(&story_id, Some("story"));
-
-    Ok(story_id)
+            content.push_str("## Out of Scope\n\n");
+            content.push_str("- TBD\n");
+            content
+        },
+    )
 }
 
 /// Check off the Nth unchecked acceptance criterion in a story.
@@ -187,7 +178,8 @@ mod tests {
         crate::crdt_state::init_for_test();
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
         let name = "Server-owned agent completion: remove report_completion dependency";
-        let result = create_story_file(tmp.path(), name, None, None, None, None, false);
+        let acs = vec!["Completion handled server-side".to_string()];
+        let result = create_story_file(tmp.path(), name, None, None, &acs, None, false);
         assert!(result.is_ok(), "create_story_file failed: {result:?}");
 
         let story_id = result.unwrap();
@@ -202,12 +194,13 @@ mod tests {
     fn create_story_with_depends_on_persists_to_crdt() {
         crate::crdt_state::init_for_test();
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let acs = vec!["Dependent criterion".to_string()];
         let story_id = create_story_file(
             tmp.path(),
             "Dependent Story",
             None,
             None,
-            None,
+            &acs,
             Some(&[489]),
             false,
         )
@@ -224,7 +217,8 @@ mod tests {
     fn create_story_file_returns_numeric_only_id() {
         crate::db::ensure_content_store();
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        let result = create_story_file(tmp.path(), "My Feature", None, None, None, None, false);
+        let acs = vec!["Feature works".to_string()];
+        let result = create_story_file(tmp.path(), "My Feature", None, None, &acs, None, false);
         assert!(
             result.is_ok(),
             "create_story_file should succeed: {result:?}"
@@ -241,8 +235,9 @@ mod tests {
         crate::crdt_state::init_for_test();
         crate::db::ensure_content_store();
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let acs = vec!["Type validated".to_string()];
         let story_id =
-            create_story_file(tmp.path(), "Type Test Story", None, None, None, None, false)
+            create_story_file(tmp.path(), "Type Test Story", None, None, &acs, None, false)
                 .unwrap();
         let view = crate::crdt_state::read_item(&story_id).expect("CRDT entry must exist");
         assert_eq!(
@@ -252,5 +247,38 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn create_story_file_rejects_empty_title() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let acs = vec!["Some criterion".to_string()];
+        let err = create_story_file(tmp.path(), "", None, None, &acs, None, false).unwrap_err();
+        assert!(
+            err.contains("empty") || err.contains("whitespace"),
+            "error should mention empty/whitespace, got: {err}"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn create_story_file_rejects_whitespace_only_title() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let acs = vec!["Some criterion".to_string()];
+        let err = create_story_file(tmp.path(), "   ", None, None, &acs, None, false).unwrap_err();
+        assert!(
+            err.contains("empty") || err.contains("whitespace"),
+            "error should mention empty/whitespace, got: {err}"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn create_story_file_rejects_empty_acceptance_criteria() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let result = create_story_file(tmp.path(), "Valid Title", None, None, &[], None, false);
+        assert!(result.is_err(), "empty ACs should be rejected");
+        assert!(
+            result.unwrap_err().contains("acceptance criterion"),
+            "error should mention acceptance criterion"
+        );
+    }
+
     // ── Story 504: native JSON types in front_matter ───────────────────────────
 }
diff --git a/server/src/http/workflow/utils.rs b/server/src/http/workflow/utils.rs
index ef5b9636..e87cb07b 100644
--- a/server/src/http/workflow/utils.rs
+++ b/server/src/http/workflow/utils.rs
@@ -222,6 +222,55 @@ pub(crate) fn next_item_number(_root: &std::path::Path) -> Result<u32, String> {
     Ok(crate::db::next_item_number())
 }
 
+/// Single internal entry point for creating a new pipeline work item in the backlog.
+///
+/// This is the canonical creation path. All `create_*_file` functions for pipeline
+/// item types (story, bug, spike, refactor) route through here. On validation failure
+/// this function returns `Err` and writes nothing.
+///
+/// Validates:
+/// - `name` is not empty or whitespace-only
+/// - `name` contains at least one alphanumeric character
+/// - `acceptance_criteria` has at least one entry
+/// - `item_type` is a known pipeline item type
+///
+/// `build_content` receives the assigned item number and returns the full markdown
+/// content to persist (including front matter and all type-specific sections).
+pub(crate) fn create_item_in_backlog(
+    root: &Path,
+    item_type: &str,
+    name: &str,
+    acceptance_criteria: &[String],
+    depends_on: Option<&[u32]>,
+    build_content: impl FnOnce(u32) -> String,
+) -> Result<String, String> {
+    if name.trim().is_empty() {
+        return Err("Title must not be empty or whitespace-only.".to_string());
+    }
+    if slugify_name(name).is_empty() {
+        return Err("Title must contain at least one alphanumeric character.".to_string());
+    }
+    if acceptance_criteria.is_empty() {
+        return Err("At least one acceptance criterion is required.".to_string());
+    }
+    const VALID_TYPES: &[&str] = &["story", "bug", "spike", "refactor"];
+    if !VALID_TYPES.contains(&item_type) {
+        return Err(format!(
+            "Invalid item type '{item_type}': must be one of story, bug, spike, refactor."
+        ));
+    }
+
+    let item_number = next_item_number(root)?;
+    let item_id = format!("{item_number}");
+    let content = build_content(item_number);
+
+    write_story_content(root, &item_id, "1_backlog", &content, Some(name));
+    crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on(&item_id, depends_on.unwrap_or(&[]));
+    crate::crdt_state::set_item_type(&item_id, Some(item_type));
+
+    Ok(item_id)
+}
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;