diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 31215f6..125098e 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,6 +9,24 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 
 ---
 
+## [0.30.4] - 2026-02-12
+
+### Fixed (0.30.4)
+
+- **Backlog refine mixed-format parsing hardening**
+  - Prevented duplicate `Notes` content in normalized writeback output when mixed `## Description` + inline `**Notes**:` formatting is returned by Copilot.
+  - Preserved internal headings (for example `## Risks`) inside label-style `Notes:` blocks instead of truncating at the heading line.
+  - Improved parser section-boundary handling so label capture flushes only at canonical section boundaries.
+- **Copilot refinement instruction quality**
+  - Added explicit expected output scaffold for refinement responses.
+  - Added explicit rule to omit unknown metadata fields (no placeholders such as `(unspecified)` or `provide area path`).
+
+### Changed (0.30.4)
+
+- **Version**: Bumped to `0.30.4` (patch).
+
+---
+
 ## [0.30.3] - 2026-02-12
 
 ### Fixed (0.30.3)
diff --git a/MEMORY.md b/MEMORY.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d0621eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/MEMORY.md
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+# MEMORY.md — Non-Negotiable Guardrails
+
+This file survives context compression. Re-read on every interaction.
+
+## 1. OpenSpec Gate (HARD BLOCK)
+
+**Do NOT edit any codebase file** unless an active OpenSpec change in `openspec/changes/` explicitly covers the requested scope. If none exists, stop and ask:
+- a) Create new change (`/opsx:new`)
+- b) Continue an existing change
+- c) Add a delta to an existing change
+
+Skip ONLY when the user says `"skip openspec"` or `"implement without openspec change"`.
+
+Read `openspec/CHANGE_ORDER.md` first — it is the single source of truth for sequencing, blockers, and archive status. Update it in the same commit as any change lifecycle event.
+
+## 2. Branch Protection
+
+`dev` and `main` are protected. Never commit directly. Always use:
+- `feature/` → minor version bump
+- `bugfix/` → patch version bump
+- `hotfix/` → patch version bump
+
+## 3. Pre-Commit Checklist (ordered, all must pass)
+
+1. `hatch run format`
+2. `hatch run type-check`
+3. `hatch run lint`
+4. `hatch run yaml-lint`
+5. `hatch run contract-test`
+6. `hatch run smart-test` (or `smart-test-full` for larger changes)
+
+## 4. Contract-First Development
+
+- All public APIs: `@icontract` (`@require`, `@ensure`, `@invariant`) + `@beartype`
+- Contracts are the primary validation; unit tests are secondary
+- Never write redundant tests that just re-check what contracts enforce
+
+## 5. No print() — Ever
+
+Use `from specfact_cli.common import get_bridge_logger`. Debug logs go to `~/.specfact/logs/specfact-debug.log`.
+
+## 6. Version Sync
+
+Bump in lockstep: `pyproject.toml`, `setup.py`, `src/specfact_cli/__init__.py`. Update `CHANGELOG.md` in the same commit as the version bump.
+
+## 7. Commits & Style
+
+- Conventional Commits: `feat:`, `fix:`, `docs:`, `test:`, `refactor:`
+- Python 3.11+, line length 120, Google-style docstrings
+- Pydantic `BaseModel` for all data structures
+- `rich~=13.5.2` is pinned — do not upgrade without checking semgrep compat
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 8893981..2e2878e 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 
 [project]
 name = "specfact-cli"
-version = "0.30.3"
+version = "0.30.4"
 description = "The swiss knife CLI for agile DevOps teams. Keep backlog, specs, tests, and code in sync with validation and contract enforcement for new projects and long-lived codebases."
 readme = "README.md"
 requires-python = ">=3.11"
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 6bf118e..9e2af69 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     _setup = setup(
         name="specfact-cli",
-        version="0.30.3",
+        version="0.30.4",
         description=(
             "The swiss knife CLI for agile DevOps teams. Keep backlog, specs, tests, and code in sync with "
             "validation and contract enforcement for new projects and long-lived codebases."
diff --git a/src/__init__.py b/src/__init__.py
index 534238e..06a2ff7 100644
--- a/src/__init__.py
+++ b/src/__init__.py
@@ -3,4 +3,4 @@
 """
 
 # Package version: keep in sync with pyproject.toml, setup.py, src/specfact_cli/__init__.py
-__version__ = "0.30.3"
+__version__ = "0.30.4"
diff --git a/src/specfact_cli/__init__.py b/src/specfact_cli/__init__.py
index b86071b..5eeac3a 100644
--- a/src/specfact_cli/__init__.py
+++ b/src/specfact_cli/__init__.py
@@ -8,6 +8,6 @@
 - Supporting agile ceremonies and team workflows
 """
 
-__version__ = "0.30.3"
+__version__ = "0.30.4"
 
 __all__ = ["__version__"]