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+---
+name: "Gate pipeline transitions on ensure_acceptance"
+---
+
+# Story 169: Gate pipeline transitions on ensure_acceptance
+
+## User Story
+
+As a project owner, I want story progression to be blocked unless ensure_acceptance passes, so that agents can't skip the testing workflow.
+
+## Acceptance Criteria
+
+- [ ] move_story_to_merge rejects stories that haven't passed ensure_acceptance
+- [ ] accept_story rejects stories that haven't passed ensure_acceptance
+- [ ] Rejection returns a clear error message telling the agent what's missing
+- [ ] Existing passing stories (all criteria checked, tests recorded) still flow through normally
+
+## Out of Scope
+
+- TBD