diff --git a/.github/workflows/dogfood-gate.yml b/.github/workflows/dogfood-gate.yml
index 9f449e5..b5afe8a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/dogfood-gate.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/dogfood-gate.yml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ jobs:
   # Job 1: A2ML manifest validation
   # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
   a2ml-validate:
-    name: Validate A2ML manifests
+    name: Validate DEED manifests
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
@@ -30,10 +30,10 @@ jobs:
       - name: Check for A2ML files
         id: detect
         run: |
-          COUNT=$(find . -name '*.a2ml' -not -path './.git/*' | wc -l)
+          COUNT=$(find . \( -name '*.a2ml' -o -name '*.deed' \) -not -path './.git/*' | wc -l)
           echo "count=$COUNT" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
           if [ "$COUNT" -eq 0 ]; then
-            echo "::warning::No .a2ml manifest files found. Every RSR repo should have 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml"
+            echo "::warning::No .a2ml/.deed manifest files found. Every RSR repo should have a repo deed (<reponame>_chora.deed); legacy 0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml accepted mid-migration — standards #837"
           fi
 
       - name: Validate A2ML manifests
@@ -46,14 +46,14 @@ jobs:
             cat <<'EOF' >> "$GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY"
           ## A2ML Validation
 
-          :warning: **No .a2ml files found.** Every RSR-compliant repo should have at least `0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml`.
+          :warning: **No .a2ml/.deed manifest files found.** Every RSR-compliant repo should have a repo deed (`<reponame>_chora.deed`) at its root.
 
-          Create one with: `a2mliser init` or copy from [rsr-template-repo](https://github.com/hyperpolymath/rsr-template-repo).
+          Copy it from [rsr-template-repo](https://github.com/hyperpolymath/rsr-template-repo).
           EOF
           else
             echo "## A2ML Validation" >> "$GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY"
             echo "" >> "$GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY"
-            echo "Scanned **${A2ML_COUNT}** .a2ml file(s). See step output for details." >> "$GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY"
+            echo "Scanned **${A2ML_COUNT}** manifest file(s) (.deed, or legacy .a2ml). See step output for details." >> "$GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY"
           fi
 
   # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ jobs:
             cat <<'EOF' >> "$GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY"
           ## K9 Contract Validation
 
-          :warning: **No K9 contract files found.** Repos with configuration files should have K9 contracts.
+          :warning: **No .a2ml/.deed manifest files found.** Every RSR-compliant repo should have a repo deed (`<reponame>_chora.deed`) at its root.
 
           Generate contracts with: `k9iser generate .`
           EOF
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ jobs:
           MAX=6
 
           # A2ML manifest present?
-          if find . -name '*.a2ml' -not -path './.git/*' | head -1 | grep -q .; then
+          if find . \( -name '*.a2ml' -o -name '*.deed' \) -not -path './.git/*' | head -1 | grep -q .; then
             SCORE=$((SCORE + 1))
             A2ML_STATUS=":white_check_mark:"
           else
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ jobs:
 
           | Tool/Format | Status | Notes |
           |-------------|--------|-------|
-          | A2ML manifest (0-AI-MANIFEST.a2ml) | ${A2ML_STATUS} | Required for all RSR repos |
+          | DEED repo deed (`<reponame>_chora.deed`) | ${A2ML_STATUS} | Required for all RSR repos |
           | K9 contracts | ${K9_STATUS} | Required for repos with config files |
           | .editorconfig | ${EC_STATUS} | Required for all repos |
           | Groove endpoint | ${GROOVE_STATUS} | Required for service repos |