diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index fd04df43..4eff78bf 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "open-alice",
-  "version": "0.9.0-beta.6",
+  "version": "0.9.0-beta.7",
   "description": "File-based trading agent engine",
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
diff --git a/src/domain/trading/UnifiedTradingAccount.ts b/src/domain/trading/UnifiedTradingAccount.ts
index eb70987d..52a0c634 100644
--- a/src/domain/trading/UnifiedTradingAccount.ts
+++ b/src/domain/trading/UnifiedTradingAccount.ts
@@ -334,9 +334,9 @@ export class UnifiedTradingAccount {
 
   // ==================== aliceId management ====================
 
-  /** Construct aliceId: "{utaId}|{nativeKey}" */
+  /** Construct aliceId: "{utaId}|{nativeKey}" using broker's native identity. */
   private stampAliceId(contract: Contract): void {
-    const nativeKey = contract.localSymbol || contract.symbol || ''
+    const nativeKey = this.broker.getNativeKey(contract)
     contract.aliceId = `${this.id}|${nativeKey}`
   }
 
@@ -350,14 +350,12 @@ export class UnifiedTradingAccount {
   // ==================== Stage operations ====================
 
   stagePlaceOrder(params: StagePlaceOrderParams): AddResult {
-    const contract = new Contract()
-    contract.aliceId = params.aliceId
-    // Extract nativeKey from aliceId for broker resolution
+    // Resolve aliceId → full contract via broker (fills secType, exchange, currency, conId, etc.)
     const parsed = UnifiedTradingAccount.parseAliceId(params.aliceId)
-    if (parsed) {
-      contract.symbol = parsed.nativeKey
-      contract.localSymbol = parsed.nativeKey
-    }
+    const contract = parsed
+      ? this.broker.resolveNativeKey(parsed.nativeKey)
+      : new Contract()
+    contract.aliceId = params.aliceId
     if (params.symbol) contract.symbol = params.symbol
 
     const order = new Order()
@@ -394,13 +392,11 @@ export class UnifiedTradingAccount {
   }
 
   stageClosePosition(params: StageClosePositionParams): AddResult {
-    const contract = new Contract()
-    contract.aliceId = params.aliceId
     const parsed = UnifiedTradingAccount.parseAliceId(params.aliceId)
-    if (parsed) {
-      contract.symbol = parsed.nativeKey
-      contract.localSymbol = parsed.nativeKey
-    }
+    const contract = parsed
+      ? this.broker.resolveNativeKey(parsed.nativeKey)
+      : new Contract()
+    contract.aliceId = params.aliceId
     if (params.symbol) contract.symbol = params.symbol
 
     return this.git.add({
diff --git a/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/README.md b/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/README.md
index 56c2c426..67c6d561 100644
--- a/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/README.md
+++ b/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/README.md
@@ -52,11 +52,12 @@ it('places order', async ({ skip }) => {
 ## Market Hours
 
 - **Crypto (CCXT)**: 24/7, no market hours check needed
-- **Equities (Alpaca, IBKR)**: Split into two `describe` groups:
-  - **Connectivity** — runs any time (getAccount, getPositions, searchContracts, getMarketClock)
-  - **Trading** — requires market open (getQuote, placeOrder, closePosition)
+- **Equities (Alpaca, IBKR)**: Split into three `describe` groups:
+  - **Connectivity** — any time (getAccount, getPositions, searchContracts, getMarketClock)
+  - **Order lifecycle** — any time (limit order place → query → cancel — exchanges accept orders outside trading hours, they just don't fill)
+  - **Fill + position** — market hours only (market order → fill → verify position → close)
 
-Check `broker.getMarketClock().isOpen` in `beforeAll`, skip trading group via `beforeEach`.
+Check `broker.getMarketClock().isOpen` in `beforeAll`, skip fill group via `beforeEach`. Connectivity and order lifecycle always run.
 
 ## Setup
 
diff --git a/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/alpaca-paper.e2e.spec.ts b/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/alpaca-paper.e2e.spec.ts
index ac680931..f9b5b23d 100644
--- a/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/alpaca-paper.e2e.spec.ts
+++ b/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/alpaca-paper.e2e.spec.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,10 @@
 /**
  * AlpacaBroker e2e — real orders against Alpaca paper trading.
  *
- * Split into two groups:
- * - Connectivity tests: run any time (account info, positions, search, clock)
- * - Trading tests: only when market is open (quotes, orders, close)
- *
- * Preconditions handled in beforeEach — individual tests don't need skip checks.
+ * Three groups:
+ * - Connectivity: any time (account, positions, search, clock)
+ * - Order lifecycle: any time (limit order place → query → cancel)
+ * - Fill + position: market hours only (market order → fill → close)
  *
  * Run: pnpm test:e2e
  */
@@ -68,9 +67,50 @@ describe('AlpacaBroker — connectivity', () => {
   })
 })
 
-// ==================== Trading (market hours only) ====================
+// ==================== Order lifecycle (any time — limit orders accepted outside market hours) ====================
+
+describe('AlpacaBroker — order lifecycle', () => {
+  beforeEach(({ skip }) => { if (!broker) skip('no Alpaca paper account') })
+
+  it('places limit buy → queries → cancels', async () => {
+    const contract = new Contract()
+    contract.symbol = 'AAPL'
+    contract.secType = 'STK'
+
+    // Place a limit buy at $1 — will never fill, safe to leave open briefly
+    const order = new Order()
+    order.action = 'BUY'
+    order.orderType = 'LMT'
+    order.lmtPrice = 1.00
+    order.totalQuantity = new Decimal('1')
+    order.tif = 'GTC'
+
+    const placed = await broker!.placeOrder(contract, order)
+    console.log(`  placeOrder LMT: success=${placed.success}, orderId=${placed.orderId}, status=${placed.orderState?.status}`)
+    expect(placed.success).toBe(true)
+    expect(placed.orderId).toBeDefined()
+
+    // Query order
+    await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 1000))
+    const detail = await broker!.getOrder(placed.orderId!)
+    console.log(`  getOrder: status=${detail?.orderState.status}`)
+    expect(detail).not.toBeNull()
+
+    // Batch query
+    const orders = await broker!.getOrders([placed.orderId!])
+    console.log(`  getOrders: ${orders.length} results`)
+    expect(orders.length).toBe(1)
+
+    // Cancel
+    const cancelled = await broker!.cancelOrder(placed.orderId!)
+    console.log(`  cancelOrder: success=${cancelled.success}, status=${cancelled.orderState?.status}`)
+    expect(cancelled.success).toBe(true)
+  }, 30_000)
+})
+
+// ==================== Fill + position (market hours only) ====================
 
-describe('AlpacaBroker — trading (market hours)', () => {
+describe('AlpacaBroker — fill + position (market hours)', () => {
   beforeEach(({ skip }) => {
     if (!broker) skip('no Alpaca paper account')
     if (!marketOpen) skip('market closed')
diff --git a/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/ibkr-paper.e2e.spec.ts b/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/ibkr-paper.e2e.spec.ts
index 921477f3..da20bc30 100644
--- a/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/ibkr-paper.e2e.spec.ts
+++ b/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/ibkr-paper.e2e.spec.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 /**
  * IbkrBroker e2e — real calls against TWS/IB Gateway paper trading.
  *
- * Split into two groups:
- * - Connectivity tests: run any time (account info, positions, search, clock)
- * - Trading tests: only when market is open (quotes, orders, close)
+ * Three groups:
+ * - Connectivity: any time (account, positions, search, clock)
+ * - Order lifecycle: any time (limit order place → query → cancel)
+ * - Fill + position: market hours only (market order → fill → close)
  *
  * Requires TWS or IB Gateway running with paper trading enabled.
  *
@@ -82,9 +83,52 @@ describe('IbkrBroker — connectivity', () => {
   })
 })
 
-// ==================== Trading (market hours only) ====================
+// ==================== Order lifecycle (any time — limit orders accepted outside market hours) ====================
 
-describe('IbkrBroker — trading (market hours)', () => {
+describe('IbkrBroker — order lifecycle', () => {
+  beforeEach(({ skip }) => { if (!broker) skip('no IBKR paper account') })
+
+  it('places limit buy → queries → cancels', async () => {
+    // Discover contract via searchContracts to get conId
+    const results = await broker!.searchContracts('AAPL')
+    expect(results.length).toBeGreaterThan(0)
+    const contract = results[0].contract
+    console.log(`  resolved: symbol=${contract.symbol}, conId=${contract.conId}, secType=${contract.secType}`)
+
+    // Place a limit buy at $1 — will never fill, safe to leave open briefly
+    const order = new Order()
+    order.action = 'BUY'
+    order.orderType = 'LMT'
+    order.lmtPrice = 1.00
+    order.totalQuantity = new Decimal('1')
+    order.tif = 'GTC'
+
+    const placed = await broker!.placeOrder(contract, order)
+    console.log(`  placeOrder LMT: success=${placed.success}, orderId=${placed.orderId}, status=${placed.orderState?.status}`)
+    expect(placed.success).toBe(true)
+    expect(placed.orderId).toBeDefined()
+
+    // Query order
+    await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 1000))
+    const detail = await broker!.getOrder(placed.orderId!)
+    console.log(`  getOrder: status=${detail?.orderState.status}`)
+    expect(detail).not.toBeNull()
+
+    // Batch query
+    const orders = await broker!.getOrders([placed.orderId!])
+    console.log(`  getOrders: ${orders.length} results`)
+    expect(orders.length).toBe(1)
+
+    // Cancel
+    const cancelled = await broker!.cancelOrder(placed.orderId!)
+    console.log(`  cancelOrder: success=${cancelled.success}, status=${cancelled.orderState?.status}`)
+    expect(cancelled.success).toBe(true)
+  }, 30_000)
+})
+
+// ==================== Fill + position (market hours only) ====================
+
+describe('IbkrBroker — fill + position (market hours)', () => {
   beforeEach(({ skip }) => {
     if (!broker) skip('no IBKR paper account')
     if (!marketOpen) skip('market closed')
diff --git a/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/uta-alpaca.e2e.spec.ts b/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/uta-alpaca.e2e.spec.ts
index 0cd3b1cb..61edf3fc 100644
--- a/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/uta-alpaca.e2e.spec.ts
+++ b/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/uta-alpaca.e2e.spec.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 /**
  * UTA — Alpaca paper lifecycle e2e.
  *
- * Full Trading-as-Git flow: stage → commit → push → sync → verify
- * against Alpaca paper trading (US equities).
- *
- * Skips when market is closed — Alpaca paper won't fill orders outside trading hours.
+ * Two groups:
+ * - Order lifecycle (any time): limit order stage → commit → push → cancel
+ * - Full fill flow (market hours): market order → fill → verify → close
  *
  * Run: pnpm test:e2e
  */
@@ -15,20 +14,68 @@ import { UnifiedTradingAccount } from '../../UnifiedTradingAccount.js'
 import type { IBroker } from '../../brokers/types.js'
 import '../../contract-ext.js'
 
-describe('UTA — Alpaca lifecycle (AAPL)', () => {
-  let broker: IBroker | null = null
-  let marketOpen = false
-
-  beforeAll(async () => {
-    const all = await getTestAccounts()
-    const alpaca = filterByProvider(all, 'alpaca')[0]
-    if (!alpaca) return
-    broker = alpaca.broker
-    const clock = await broker.getMarketClock()
-    marketOpen = clock.isOpen
-    console.log(`UTA Alpaca: market ${marketOpen ? 'OPEN' : 'CLOSED'}`)
-  }, 60_000)
+let broker: IBroker | null = null
+let marketOpen = false
+
+beforeAll(async () => {
+  const all = await getTestAccounts()
+  const alpaca = filterByProvider(all, 'alpaca')[0]
+  if (!alpaca) return
+  broker = alpaca.broker
+  const clock = await broker.getMarketClock()
+  marketOpen = clock.isOpen
+  console.log(`UTA Alpaca: market ${marketOpen ? 'OPEN' : 'CLOSED'}`)
+}, 60_000)
+
+// ==================== Order lifecycle (any time) ====================
+
+describe('UTA — Alpaca order lifecycle', () => {
+  beforeEach(({ skip }) => { if (!broker) skip('no Alpaca paper account') })
+
+  it('limit order: stage → commit → push → cancel', async () => {
+    const uta = new UnifiedTradingAccount(broker!)
+    const nativeKey = broker!.getNativeKey({ symbol: 'AAPL' } as any)
+    const aliceId = `${uta.id}|${nativeKey}`
+
+    // Stage a limit buy at $1 (won't fill)
+    const addResult = uta.stagePlaceOrder({
+      aliceId,
+      symbol: 'AAPL',
+      side: 'buy',
+      type: 'limit',
+      price: 1.00,
+      qty: 1,
+      timeInForce: 'gtc',
+    })
+    expect(addResult.staged).toBe(true)
+
+    const commitResult = uta.commit('e2e: limit buy 1 AAPL @ $1')
+    expect(commitResult.prepared).toBe(true)
+    console.log(`  committed: hash=${commitResult.hash}`)
+
+    const pushResult = await uta.push()
+    console.log(`  pushed: submitted=${pushResult.submitted.length}, status=${pushResult.submitted[0]?.status}`)
+    expect(pushResult.submitted).toHaveLength(1)
+    expect(pushResult.rejected).toHaveLength(0)
+    expect(pushResult.submitted[0].orderId).toBeDefined()
+
+    const orderId = pushResult.submitted[0].orderId!
+
+    // Cancel the order
+    uta.stageCancelOrder({ orderId })
+    uta.commit('e2e: cancel limit order')
+    const cancelPush = await uta.push()
+    console.log(`  cancel pushed: submitted=${cancelPush.submitted.length}, status=${cancelPush.submitted[0]?.status}`)
+    expect(cancelPush.submitted).toHaveLength(1)
+
+    // Verify log has 2 commits
+    expect(uta.log().length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(2)
+  }, 30_000)
+})
+
+// ==================== Full fill flow (market hours only) ====================
 
+describe('UTA — Alpaca fill flow (AAPL)', () => {
   beforeEach(({ skip }) => {
     if (!broker) skip('no Alpaca paper account')
     if (!marketOpen) skip('market closed')
@@ -36,6 +83,8 @@ describe('UTA — Alpaca lifecycle (AAPL)', () => {
 
   it('buy → sync → verify → close → sync → verify', async () => {
     const uta = new UnifiedTradingAccount(broker!)
+    const nativeKey = broker!.getNativeKey({ symbol: 'AAPL' } as any)
+    const aliceId = `${uta.id}|${nativeKey}`
 
     // Record initial state
     const initialPositions = await broker!.getPositions()
@@ -44,7 +93,7 @@ describe('UTA — Alpaca lifecycle (AAPL)', () => {
 
     // === Stage + Commit + Push: buy 1 AAPL ===
     const addResult = uta.stagePlaceOrder({
-      aliceId: `${uta.id}|AAPL`,
+      aliceId,
       symbol: 'AAPL',
       side: 'buy',
       type: 'market',
@@ -79,7 +128,7 @@ describe('UTA — Alpaca lifecycle (AAPL)', () => {
     expect(aaplPos!.quantity.toNumber()).toBe(initialAaplQty + 1)
 
     // === Close 1 AAPL ===
-    uta.stageClosePosition({ aliceId: `${uta.id}|AAPL`, qty: 1 })
+    uta.stageClosePosition({ aliceId, qty: 1 })
     uta.commit('e2e: close 1 AAPL')
     const closePush = await uta.push()
     console.log(`  close pushed: status=${closePush.submitted[0]?.status}`)
diff --git a/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/uta-ibkr.e2e.spec.ts b/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/uta-ibkr.e2e.spec.ts
index 21c1eb4f..b551eb9c 100644
--- a/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/uta-ibkr.e2e.spec.ts
+++ b/src/domain/trading/__test__/e2e/uta-ibkr.e2e.spec.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 /**
  * UTA — IBKR paper lifecycle e2e.
  *
- * Full Trading-as-Git flow: stage → commit → push → sync → verify
- * against IBKR paper trading (US equities via TWS/Gateway).
- *
- * Skips when market is closed — TWS paper won't fill orders outside trading hours.
+ * Two groups:
+ * - Order lifecycle (any time): limit order stage → commit → push → cancel
+ * - Full fill flow (market hours): market order → fill → verify → close
  *
  * Run: pnpm test:e2e
  */
@@ -15,20 +14,73 @@ import { UnifiedTradingAccount } from '../../UnifiedTradingAccount.js'
 import type { IBroker } from '../../brokers/types.js'
 import '../../contract-ext.js'
 
-describe('UTA — IBKR lifecycle (AAPL)', () => {
-  let broker: IBroker | null = null
-  let marketOpen = false
-
-  beforeAll(async () => {
-    const all = await getTestAccounts()
-    const ibkr = filterByProvider(all, 'ibkr')[0]
-    if (!ibkr) return
-    broker = ibkr.broker
-    const clock = await broker.getMarketClock()
-    marketOpen = clock.isOpen
-    console.log(`UTA IBKR: market ${marketOpen ? 'OPEN' : 'CLOSED'}`)
-  }, 60_000)
+let broker: IBroker | null = null
+let marketOpen = false
+
+beforeAll(async () => {
+  const all = await getTestAccounts()
+  const ibkr = filterByProvider(all, 'ibkr')[0]
+  if (!ibkr) return
+  broker = ibkr.broker
+  const clock = await broker.getMarketClock()
+  marketOpen = clock.isOpen
+  console.log(`UTA IBKR: market ${marketOpen ? 'OPEN' : 'CLOSED'}`)
+}, 60_000)
+
+// ==================== Order lifecycle (any time) ====================
+
+describe('UTA — IBKR order lifecycle', () => {
+  beforeEach(({ skip }) => { if (!broker) skip('no IBKR paper account') })
+
+  it('limit order: stage → commit → push → cancel', async () => {
+    const uta = new UnifiedTradingAccount(broker!)
+
+    // Discover AAPL contract to get conId-based aliceId
+    const results = await broker!.searchContracts('AAPL')
+    expect(results.length).toBeGreaterThan(0)
+    const nativeKey = broker!.getNativeKey(results[0].contract)
+    const aliceId = `${uta.id}|${nativeKey}`
+    console.log(`  resolved: nativeKey=${nativeKey}, aliceId=${aliceId}`)
 
+    // Stage a limit buy at $1 (won't fill)
+    const addResult = uta.stagePlaceOrder({
+      aliceId,
+      symbol: 'AAPL',
+      side: 'buy',
+      type: 'limit',
+      price: 1.00,
+      qty: 1,
+      timeInForce: 'gtc',
+    })
+    expect(addResult.staged).toBe(true)
+
+    const commitResult = uta.commit('e2e: limit buy 1 AAPL @ $1')
+    expect(commitResult.prepared).toBe(true)
+    console.log(`  committed: hash=${commitResult.hash}`)
+
+    const pushResult = await uta.push()
+    console.log(`  pushed: submitted=${pushResult.submitted.length}, status=${pushResult.submitted[0]?.status}`)
+    expect(pushResult.submitted).toHaveLength(1)
+    expect(pushResult.rejected).toHaveLength(0)
+    expect(pushResult.submitted[0].orderId).toBeDefined()
+
+    const orderId = pushResult.submitted[0].orderId!
+
+    // Cancel the order
+    uta.stageCancelOrder({ orderId })
+    uta.commit('e2e: cancel limit order')
+    const cancelPush = await uta.push()
+    console.log(`  cancel pushed: submitted=${cancelPush.submitted.length}, status=${cancelPush.submitted[0]?.status}`)
+    expect(cancelPush.submitted).toHaveLength(1)
+
+    // Verify log has 2 commits
+    expect(uta.log().length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(2)
+  }, 30_000)
+})
+
+// ==================== Full fill flow (market hours only) ====================
+
+describe('UTA — IBKR fill flow (AAPL)', () => {
   beforeEach(({ skip }) => {
     if (!broker) skip('no IBKR paper account')
     if (!marketOpen) skip('market closed')
@@ -37,6 +89,11 @@ describe('UTA — IBKR lifecycle (AAPL)', () => {
   it('buy → sync → verify → close → sync → verify', async () => {
     const uta = new UnifiedTradingAccount(broker!)
 
+    // Discover AAPL contract to get conId-based aliceId
+    const results = await broker!.searchContracts('AAPL')
+    const nativeKey = broker!.getNativeKey(results[0].contract)
+    const aliceId = `${uta.id}|${nativeKey}`
+
     // Record initial state
     const initialPositions = await broker!.getPositions()
     const initialAaplQty = initialPositions.find(p => p.contract.symbol === 'AAPL')?.quantity.toNumber() ?? 0
@@ -44,7 +101,7 @@ describe('UTA — IBKR lifecycle (AAPL)', () => {
 
     // === Stage + Commit + Push: buy 1 AAPL ===
     const addResult = uta.stagePlaceOrder({
-      aliceId: `${uta.id}|AAPL`,
+      aliceId,
       symbol: 'AAPL',
       side: 'buy',
       type: 'market',
@@ -79,7 +136,7 @@ describe('UTA — IBKR lifecycle (AAPL)', () => {
     expect(aaplPos!.quantity.toNumber()).toBe(initialAaplQty + 1)
 
     // === Close 1 AAPL ===
-    uta.stageClosePosition({ aliceId: `${uta.id}|AAPL`, qty: 1 })
+    uta.stageClosePosition({ aliceId, qty: 1 })
     uta.commit('e2e: close 1 AAPL')
     const closePush = await uta.push()
     console.log(`  close pushed: status=${closePush.submitted[0]?.status}`)
diff --git a/src/domain/trading/brokers/alpaca/AlpacaBroker.ts b/src/domain/trading/brokers/alpaca/AlpacaBroker.ts
index 3ef70914..cfda3ba2 100644
--- a/src/domain/trading/brokers/alpaca/AlpacaBroker.ts
+++ b/src/domain/trading/brokers/alpaca/AlpacaBroker.ts
@@ -367,6 +367,16 @@ export class AlpacaBroker implements IBroker {
   }
 
 
+  // ---- Contract identity ----
+
+  getNativeKey(contract: Contract): string {
+    return contract.symbol
+  }
+
+  resolveNativeKey(nativeKey: string): Contract {
+    return makeContract(nativeKey)
+  }
+
   // ---- Internal ----
 
   private mapOpenOrder(o: AlpacaOrderRaw): OpenOrder {
diff --git a/src/domain/trading/brokers/ccxt/CcxtBroker.ts b/src/domain/trading/brokers/ccxt/CcxtBroker.ts
index 70ee1740..e1716cdc 100644
--- a/src/domain/trading/brokers/ccxt/CcxtBroker.ts
+++ b/src/domain/trading/brokers/ccxt/CcxtBroker.ts
@@ -540,6 +540,22 @@ export class CcxtBroker implements IBroker<CcxtBrokerMeta> {
     }
   }
 
+  // ---- Contract identity ----
+
+  getNativeKey(contract: Contract): string {
+    return contract.localSymbol || contract.symbol
+  }
+
+  resolveNativeKey(nativeKey: string): Contract {
+    const market = this.markets[nativeKey]
+    if (market) return marketToContract(market, this.exchange.id)
+    // Fallback: construct minimal contract from symbol string
+    const c = new Contract()
+    c.localSymbol = nativeKey
+    c.symbol = nativeKey.split('/')[0] ?? nativeKey
+    return c
+  }
+
   // ---- Provider-specific methods ----
 
   async getFundingRate(contract: Contract): Promise<FundingRate> {
diff --git a/src/domain/trading/brokers/ibkr/IbkrBroker.ts b/src/domain/trading/brokers/ibkr/IbkrBroker.ts
index 8e459d74..ad39239e 100644
--- a/src/domain/trading/brokers/ibkr/IbkrBroker.ts
+++ b/src/domain/trading/brokers/ibkr/IbkrBroker.ts
@@ -97,6 +97,9 @@ export class IbkrBroker implements IBroker {
   }
 
   async getContractDetails(query: Contract): Promise<ContractDetails | null> {
+    if (!query.exchange) query.exchange = 'SMART'
+    if (!query.currency) query.currency = 'USD'
+
     const reqId = this.bridge.allocReqId()
     const promise = this.bridge.requestCollector<ContractDetails>(reqId)
     this.client.reqContractDetails(reqId, query)
@@ -107,6 +110,14 @@ export class IbkrBroker implements IBroker {
   // ==================== Trading operations ====================
 
   async placeOrder(contract: Contract, order: Order): Promise<PlaceOrderResult> {
+    // TWS requires exchange and currency on the contract. Upstream layers
+    // (staging, AI tools) typically only populate symbol + secType.
+    // Default to SMART routing. Currency defaults to USD — non-USD markets
+    // (LSE/GBP, TSE/JPY) and forex (CASH secType) will need the caller
+    // to specify currency explicitly.
+    if (!contract.exchange) contract.exchange = 'SMART'
+    if (!contract.currency) contract.currency = 'USD'
+
     try {
       const orderId = this.bridge.getNextOrderId()
       const promise = this.bridge.requestOrder(orderId)
@@ -233,6 +244,9 @@ export class IbkrBroker implements IBroker {
   }
 
   async getQuote(contract: Contract): Promise<Quote> {
+    if (!contract.exchange) contract.exchange = 'SMART'
+    if (!contract.currency) contract.currency = 'USD'
+
     const reqId = this.bridge.allocReqId()
     const promise = this.bridge.requestSnapshot(reqId)
     this.client.reqMktData(reqId, contract, '', true, false, [])
@@ -251,8 +265,15 @@ export class IbkrBroker implements IBroker {
   }
 
   async getMarketClock(): Promise<MarketClock> {
-    const serverTime = await this.bridge.requestCurrentTime()
-    const now = new Date(serverTime * 1000)
+    // TODO: per-contract trading hours via ContractDetails.tradingHours
+    // For now, use local time with NYSE schedule as a baseline.
+    let now: Date
+    try {
+      const serverTime = await this.bridge.requestCurrentTime(3000)
+      now = new Date(serverTime * 1000)
+    } catch {
+      now = new Date()
+    }
 
     // NYSE hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-16:00 ET
     const etParts = new Intl.DateTimeFormat('en-US', {
@@ -283,6 +304,31 @@ export class IbkrBroker implements IBroker {
     }
   }
 
+  // ==================== Contract identity ====================
+
+  getNativeKey(contract: Contract): string {
+    // conId is IBKR's globally unique contract identifier
+    if (contract.conId) return String(contract.conId)
+    return contract.symbol
+  }
+
+  resolveNativeKey(nativeKey: string): Contract {
+    const c = new Contract()
+    const asNum = parseInt(nativeKey, 10)
+    if (!isNaN(asNum) && String(asNum) === nativeKey) {
+      // Numeric nativeKey = conId — TWS resolves everything else from this
+      c.conId = asNum
+    } else {
+      // String nativeKey = symbol — fill in routing defaults.
+      // Assumes STK; other secTypes should use conId for unambiguous resolution.
+      c.symbol = nativeKey
+      c.secType = 'STK'
+      c.exchange = 'SMART'
+      c.currency = 'USD'
+    }
+    return c
+  }
+
   // ==================== Internal ====================
 
   private downloadAccount(): Promise<AccountDownloadResult> {
diff --git a/src/domain/trading/brokers/mock/MockBroker.ts b/src/domain/trading/brokers/mock/MockBroker.ts
index 6c960485..dcfb9701 100644
--- a/src/domain/trading/brokers/mock/MockBroker.ts
+++ b/src/domain/trading/brokers/mock/MockBroker.ts
@@ -386,6 +386,19 @@ export class MockBroker implements IBroker {
     return DEFAULT_CAPABILITIES
   }
 
+  // ==================== Contract identity ====================
+
+  getNativeKey(contract: Contract): string {
+    return contract.symbol
+  }
+
+  resolveNativeKey(nativeKey: string): Contract {
+    const c = new Contract()
+    c.symbol = nativeKey
+    c.secType = 'STK'
+    return c
+  }
+
   // ==================== Test helpers ====================
 
   /** Inject a quote for a symbol. Used to control fill prices for market orders. */
diff --git a/src/domain/trading/brokers/types.ts b/src/domain/trading/brokers/types.ts
index ae775747..263a67c4 100644
--- a/src/domain/trading/brokers/types.ts
+++ b/src/domain/trading/brokers/types.ts
@@ -191,4 +191,14 @@ export interface IBroker<TMeta = unknown> {
   // ---- Capabilities ----
 
   getCapabilities(): AccountCapabilities
+
+  // ---- Contract identity ----
+
+  /** Extract the broker-native unique key from a contract (for aliceId construction).
+   *  Each broker defines its own uniqueness: Alpaca = ticker, CCXT = unified symbol, IBKR = conId. */
+  getNativeKey(contract: Contract): string
+
+  /** Reconstruct a trade-ready contract from a nativeKey (for aliceId resolution).
+   *  Broker fills in secType, exchange, currency, conId, etc. as needed. */
+  resolveNativeKey(nativeKey: string): Contract
 }
diff --git a/vitest.e2e.config.ts b/vitest.e2e.config.ts
index 6f412c40..2b18bbf0 100644
--- a/vitest.e2e.config.ts
+++ b/vitest.e2e.config.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
-import { defineConfig } from 'vitest/config'
 import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url'
 import { resolve, dirname } from 'node:path'
 
 const __dirname = dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url))
 
-export default defineConfig({
+// Single process, sequential execution. E2E tests share stateful broker
+// connections (IBKR TCP + clientId, REST API sessions). Module-level
+// singletons in setup.ts require same-process to actually share state.
+export default {
   resolve: {
     alias: {
       '@': resolve(__dirname, './src'),
@@ -13,6 +15,8 @@ export default defineConfig({
   test: {
     include: ['src/**/*.e2e.spec.*'],
     testTimeout: 60_000,
-    fileParallelism: false,  // e2e tests share exchange APIs — run sequentially
+    fileParallelism: false,
+    pool: 'forks',
+    poolOptions: { forks: { singleFork: true } },
   },
-})
+}