diff --git a/backend/app/api.py b/backend/app/api.py
index 4e36942..09a66bc 100644
--- a/backend/app/api.py
+++ b/backend/app/api.py
@@ -51,6 +51,11 @@ class ProposeBody(BaseModel):
     slug: str = Field(min_length=1, max_length=80)
     pitch: str = Field(min_length=1)
     tags: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
+    # Roadmap #26: optional "What will you be using this RFC for?" — the
+    # concrete ground-truth use case, distinct from the `pitch`'s abstract
+    # "why is this needed." Optional (NULL/omitted accepted), no minimum,
+    # generous cap matching the pitch's free-text body bound.
+    proposed_use_case: str | None = Field(default=None, max_length=8000)
 
 
 class DeclineBody(BaseModel):
@@ -557,12 +562,36 @@ def make_router(
         ).fetchone()
         if row is None:
             raise HTTPException(404, "Not found")
-        return _serialize_rfc(row)
+        payload = _serialize_rfc(row)
+        # Roadmap #26: surface the optional propose-time use case on the
+        # RFC view. The idea PR closes on merge, but the canonical row in
+        # `proposed_use_cases` persists; look it up by slug (the latest
+        # 'rfc'-scope row for this slug). NULL == "left blank".
+        uc = db.conn().execute(
+            """
+            SELECT use_case FROM proposed_use_cases
+             WHERE scope = 'rfc' AND rfc_slug = ?
+             ORDER BY id DESC LIMIT 1
+            """,
+            (slug,),
+        ).fetchone()
+        payload["proposed_use_case"] = uc["use_case"] if uc else None
+        return payload
 
     # ---------------------------------------------------------------
     # §7.3 / §9.3: pending ideas
     # ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
+    def _proposal_use_case(pr_number: int) -> str | None:
+        """Roadmap #26: read the optional use case for an idea PR from the
+        canonical side table. Returns None when none was supplied (the
+        "left blank" sentinel the frontend renders tastefully)."""
+        row = db.conn().execute(
+            "SELECT use_case FROM proposed_use_cases WHERE scope = 'rfc' AND pr_number = ?",
+            (pr_number,),
+        ).fetchone()
+        return row["use_case"] if row else None
+
     @router.get("/api/proposals")
     async def list_proposals() -> dict[str, Any]:
         rows = db.conn().execute(
@@ -582,6 +611,7 @@ def make_router(
                     "description": r["description"],
                     "opened_by": r["opened_by"],
                     "opened_at": r["opened_at"],
+                    "proposed_use_case": _proposal_use_case(r["pr_number"]),
                 }
                 for r in rows
             ]
@@ -630,6 +660,7 @@ def make_router(
             "opened_at": row["opened_at"],
             "entry": entry_payload,
             "affordances": affordances,
+            "proposed_use_case": _proposal_use_case(pr_number),
         }
 
     # ---------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -706,6 +737,26 @@ def make_router(
         # cache write is idempotent.)
         await cache.refresh_meta_pulls(config, gitea)
 
+        # Roadmap #26: persist the optional use case to the canonical,
+        # reconcile-proof side table keyed by the idea PR number. NULL/
+        # blank simply writes no row (absence == "left blank"). Done after
+        # the refresh so the cache row exists; the mirror onto cached_prs
+        # keeps the cache column in parity for any read that uses it.
+        use_case = (payload.proposed_use_case or "").strip()
+        if use_case:
+            db.conn().execute(
+                """
+                INSERT INTO proposed_use_cases (scope, rfc_slug, pr_number, use_case)
+                VALUES ('rfc', ?, ?, ?)
+                ON CONFLICT(scope, pr_number) DO UPDATE SET use_case = excluded.use_case
+                """,
+                (slug, pr["number"], use_case),
+            )
+            db.conn().execute(
+                "UPDATE cached_prs SET proposed_use_case = ? WHERE pr_kind = 'idea' AND pr_number = ?",
+                (use_case, pr["number"]),
+            )
+
         return {"pr_number": pr["number"], "slug": slug}
 
     # ---------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/backend/app/api_prs.py b/backend/app/api_prs.py
index bb9c105..d15a7c0 100644
--- a/backend/app/api_prs.py
+++ b/backend/app/api_prs.py
@@ -42,6 +42,11 @@ RFC_FILE_PATH = "RFC.md"
 class OpenPRBody(BaseModel):
     title: str = Field(min_length=1, max_length=240)
     description: str = Field(max_length=8000)
+    # Roadmap #26: optional "What will you be using this change for?" —
+    # the concrete ground-truth use case sibling to the required
+    # "why is this change needed" (the `description`). Optional, generous
+    # cap matching the description bound.
+    proposed_use_case: str | None = Field(default=None, max_length=8000)
 
 
 class PRDescriptionBody(BaseModel):
@@ -173,6 +178,26 @@ def make_router(
             raise HTTPException(502, f"Gitea: {e.detail}")
 
         await _refresh_after_pr_write(rfc)
+
+        # Roadmap #26: persist the optional use case to the canonical,
+        # reconcile-proof side table keyed by the PR number. Blank/omitted
+        # writes no row (absence == "left blank"). The mirror onto
+        # cached_prs keeps the cache column in parity.
+        use_case = (body.proposed_use_case or "").strip()
+        if use_case:
+            db.conn().execute(
+                """
+                INSERT INTO proposed_use_cases (scope, rfc_slug, pr_number, use_case)
+                VALUES ('pr', ?, ?, ?)
+                ON CONFLICT(scope, pr_number) DO UPDATE SET use_case = excluded.use_case
+                """,
+                (slug, pr["number"], use_case),
+            )
+            db.conn().execute(
+                "UPDATE cached_prs SET proposed_use_case = ? WHERE rfc_slug = ? AND pr_number = ?",
+                (use_case, slug, pr["number"]),
+            )
+
         return {"pr_number": pr["number"], "slug": slug, "branch": branch}
 
     # -------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -300,6 +325,7 @@ def make_router(
             "pr_number": pr_number,
             "title": pr_row["title"],
             "description": pr_row["description"],
+            "proposed_use_case": _pr_use_case(pr_number),
             "state": pr_row["state"],
             "opened_by": pr_row["opened_by"],
             "opened_at": pr_row["opened_at"],
@@ -762,6 +788,17 @@ def _can_edit_pr_text(rfc, pr_row, viewer) -> bool:
     return _can_withdraw(rfc, pr_row, viewer)
 
 
+def _pr_use_case(pr_number: int) -> str | None:
+    """Roadmap #26: the optional propose-PR use case from the canonical
+    side table, or None when the change was opened without one ("left
+    blank")."""
+    row = db.conn().execute(
+        "SELECT use_case FROM proposed_use_cases WHERE scope = 'pr' AND pr_number = ?",
+        (pr_number,),
+    ).fetchone()
+    return row["use_case"] if row else None
+
+
 def _pr_capabilities(rfc, pr_row, viewer) -> dict:
     return {
         "can_merge": _can_merge(rfc, viewer) and pr_row["state"] == "open",
diff --git a/backend/migrations/021_proposed_use_case.sql b/backend/migrations/021_proposed_use_case.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fe540c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/migrations/021_proposed_use_case.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+-- Roadmap #26 (rfc-app v0.22.0): the optional "What will you be using
+-- this for?" capture on the two propose surfaces.
+--
+-- The roadmap's framing names "the rfcs table" and "the PR-metadata
+-- table" for a `proposed_use_case TEXT NULL` column. In this deployment
+-- those two surfaces are the cache tables `cached_rfcs` and `cached_prs`
+-- (002_cache.sql). We add the nullable column to each, matching the
+-- existing naming convention (no NOT NULL, no default — NULL is the
+-- "left blank" sentinel the view surfaces render tastefully).
+--
+-- BUT: those tables are *cache*, rebuilt from Gitea by the §4.1
+-- reconciler (cache.py). The reconciler's INSERT...ON CONFLICT DO UPDATE
+-- sets only the columns it knows about, so an unlisted column is
+-- preserved on the update path — yet a propose/open never *writes* the
+-- column through the cache (the write path is endpoint -> Gitea ->
+-- reconcile, and the reconciler does not carry this field). So the cache
+-- column alone would always read NULL.
+--
+-- The durable home is therefore a dedicated app-truth table the propose
+-- /open endpoints write directly (keyed by the PR number, which is the
+-- stable identity for both idea PRs and rfc_branch PRs) and the view
+-- endpoints read back. This is not cache — it is canonical and survives
+-- any reconcile. The cache columns are added too for parity with the
+-- roadmap's literal shape and for any future reconciler that learns to
+-- carry the field, but the side table is the source of truth read at
+-- view time.
+
+ALTER TABLE cached_rfcs ADD COLUMN proposed_use_case TEXT;
+ALTER TABLE cached_prs ADD COLUMN proposed_use_case TEXT;
+
+-- Canonical, reconcile-proof store. One row per propose/open that
+-- supplied a use case. `scope` distinguishes the propose-RFC surface
+-- ('rfc') from the propose-PR-against-an-RFC surface ('pr'); `pr_number`
+-- is the join key the endpoints already have in hand. NULL/omitted use
+-- cases simply never write a row here, so absence == "left blank".
+CREATE TABLE proposed_use_cases (
+    id              INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
+    scope           TEXT NOT NULL CHECK (scope IN ('rfc', 'pr')),
+    rfc_slug        TEXT NOT NULL,
+    pr_number       INTEGER NOT NULL,
+    use_case        TEXT NOT NULL,
+    created_at      TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT (datetime('now')),
+    UNIQUE (scope, pr_number)
+);
+
+CREATE INDEX idx_proposed_use_cases_lookup ON proposed_use_cases (scope, pr_number);
+CREATE INDEX idx_proposed_use_cases_slug ON proposed_use_cases (scope, rfc_slug);
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_proposed_use_case_vertical.py b/backend/tests/test_proposed_use_case_vertical.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..edfd623
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/tests/test_proposed_use_case_vertical.py
@@ -0,0 +1,161 @@
+"""End-to-end vertical for roadmap #26 (rfc-app v0.22.0): the optional
+"What will you be using this for?" capture on the two propose surfaces.
+
+Reuses the FakeGitea + session helpers from test_propose_vertical.py and
+the active-RFC seed from test_rfc_view_vertical.py. Proves:
+
+  (a) propose-RFC persists and returns `proposed_use_case` when supplied,
+      and the value survives onto the merged super-draft's RFC view;
+  (b) propose-RFC accepts a NULL / omitted use case ("left blank");
+  (c) propose-PR persists and returns `proposed_use_case` when supplied,
+      and accepts a NULL / omitted one.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from test_propose_vertical import (  # noqa: F401
+    FakeGitea,
+    app_with_fake_gitea,
+    provision_user_row,
+    sign_in_as,
+    tmp_env,
+)
+from test_pr_flow_vertical import _cut_branch_and_accept_change
+from test_rfc_view_vertical import SEED_BODY, seed_active_rfc
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# propose-RFC
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_propose_rfc_persists_and_returns_use_case(app_with_fake_gitea):
+    from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+
+    app, _fake = app_with_fake_gitea
+    with TestClient(app) as client:
+        provision_user_row(user_id=2, login="alice", role="contributor")
+        provision_user_row(user_id=1, login="ben", role="owner")
+        sign_in_as(client, user_id=2, gitea_login="alice", display_name="Alice", role="contributor", email="alice@test")
+
+        r = client.post("/api/rfcs/propose", json={
+            "title": "Open Human Model",
+            "slug": "open-human-model",
+            "pitch": "A shared definition of what we mean by *human*.",
+            "tags": ["identity"],
+            "proposed_use_case": "Wiring OHM into the OpenXML consent surface.",
+        })
+        assert r.status_code == 200, r.text
+        pr_number = r.json()["pr_number"]
+
+        # The pending-idea list carries the use case.
+        items = client.get("/api/proposals").json()["items"]
+        assert items[0]["proposed_use_case"] == "Wiring OHM into the OpenXML consent surface."
+
+        # The pending-idea detail view carries it too.
+        proposal = client.get(f"/api/proposals/{pr_number}").json()
+        assert proposal["proposed_use_case"] == "Wiring OHM into the OpenXML consent surface."
+
+        # Merge as owner; the use case survives onto the RFC view (looked
+        # up by slug from the canonical side table, since the idea PR
+        # closes on merge).
+        sign_in_as(client, user_id=1, gitea_login="ben", display_name="Ben", role="owner", email="ben@test")
+        r = client.post(f"/api/proposals/{pr_number}/merge")
+        assert r.status_code == 200, r.text
+
+        view = client.get("/api/rfcs/open-human-model").json()
+        assert view["proposed_use_case"] == "Wiring OHM into the OpenXML consent surface."
+
+
+def test_propose_rfc_use_case_optional(app_with_fake_gitea):
+    from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+
+    app, _fake = app_with_fake_gitea
+    with TestClient(app) as client:
+        provision_user_row(user_id=3, login="carol", role="contributor")
+        sign_in_as(client, user_id=3, gitea_login="carol", display_name="Carol", role="contributor")
+
+        # Omitted entirely.
+        r = client.post("/api/rfcs/propose", json={
+            "title": "No Use Case", "slug": "no-use-case", "pitch": "p", "tags": [],
+        })
+        assert r.status_code == 200, r.text
+        pr_a = r.json()["pr_number"]
+
+        # Explicit null.
+        r = client.post("/api/rfcs/propose", json={
+            "title": "Null Use Case", "slug": "null-use-case", "pitch": "p",
+            "tags": [], "proposed_use_case": None,
+        })
+        assert r.status_code == 200, r.text
+        pr_b = r.json()["pr_number"]
+
+        # Blank/whitespace — treated as "left blank", no row written.
+        r = client.post("/api/rfcs/propose", json={
+            "title": "Blank Use Case", "slug": "blank-use-case", "pitch": "p",
+            "tags": [], "proposed_use_case": "   ",
+        })
+        assert r.status_code == 200, r.text
+        pr_c = r.json()["pr_number"]
+
+        for pr in (pr_a, pr_b, pr_c):
+            assert client.get(f"/api/proposals/{pr}").json()["proposed_use_case"] is None
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# propose-PR (against an active RFC)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_propose_pr_persists_and_returns_use_case(app_with_fake_gitea):
+    from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+
+    app, fake = app_with_fake_gitea
+    with TestClient(app) as client:
+        provision_user_row(user_id=2, login="alice", role="contributor")
+        seed_active_rfc(fake, slug="ohm", title="OHM", body=SEED_BODY)
+        sign_in_as(client, user_id=2, gitea_login="alice", display_name="Alice", role="contributor")
+
+        branch, _ = _cut_branch_and_accept_change(
+            client, fake, slug="ohm",
+            original="Open Human Model is a framework for representing humans.",
+            proposed="Open Human Model is a framework for representing humans across systems.",
+        )
+        r = client.post(
+            f"/api/rfcs/ohm/branches/{branch}/open-pr",
+            json={
+                "title": "Tighten the opening",
+                "description": "Scope to systems.",
+                "proposed_use_case": "Building a cross-system consent registry.",
+            },
+        )
+        assert r.status_code == 200, r.text
+        pr_number = r.json()["pr_number"]
+
+        pr = client.get(f"/api/rfcs/ohm/prs/{pr_number}").json()
+        assert pr["proposed_use_case"] == "Building a cross-system consent registry."
+
+
+def test_propose_pr_use_case_optional(app_with_fake_gitea):
+    from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+
+    app, fake = app_with_fake_gitea
+    with TestClient(app) as client:
+        provision_user_row(user_id=2, login="alice", role="contributor")
+        seed_active_rfc(fake, slug="ohm", title="OHM", body=SEED_BODY)
+        sign_in_as(client, user_id=2, gitea_login="alice", display_name="Alice", role="contributor")
+
+        branch, _ = _cut_branch_and_accept_change(
+            client, fake, slug="ohm",
+            original="It defines consent, trait, and agency in compatible terms.",
+            proposed="It defines consent, trait, harm, and agency in compatible terms.",
+        )
+        # No proposed_use_case key at all.
+        r = client.post(
+            f"/api/rfcs/ohm/branches/{branch}/open-pr",
+            json={"title": "Add harm", "description": "Name harm explicitly."},
+        )
+        assert r.status_code == 200, r.text
+        pr_number = r.json()["pr_number"]
+
+        pr = client.get(f"/api/rfcs/ohm/prs/{pr_number}").json()
+        assert pr["proposed_use_case"] is None
diff --git a/frontend/src/api.js b/frontend/src/api.js
index b5d9cb4..27e6881 100644
--- a/frontend/src/api.js
+++ b/frontend/src/api.js
@@ -166,11 +166,19 @@ export async function getProposal(prNumber) {
   return jsonOrThrow(await fetch(`/api/proposals/${prNumber}`))
 }
 
-export async function proposeRFC({ title, slug, pitch, tags }) {
+export async function proposeRFC({ title, slug, pitch, tags, proposedUseCase }) {
   const res = await fetch('/api/rfcs/propose', {
     method: 'POST',
     headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
-    body: JSON.stringify({ title, slug, pitch, tags: tags || [] }),
+    // #26: proposed_use_case is optional; send null when blank so the
+    // backend treats it as "left blank".
+    body: JSON.stringify({
+      title,
+      slug,
+      pitch,
+      tags: tags || [],
+      proposed_use_case: proposedUseCase || null,
+    }),
   })
   return jsonOrThrow(res)
 }
@@ -492,13 +500,14 @@ export async function draftPRText(slug, branch) {
   return jsonOrThrow(res)
 }
 
-export async function openPR(slug, branch, { title, description }) {
+export async function openPR(slug, branch, { title, description, proposedUseCase }) {
   const res = await fetch(
     `/api/rfcs/${slug}/branches/${encodeURIComponent(branch)}/open-pr`,
     {
       method: 'POST',
       headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
-      body: JSON.stringify({ title, description }),
+      // #26: proposed_use_case is optional; null when blank.
+      body: JSON.stringify({ title, description, proposed_use_case: proposedUseCase || null }),
     },
   )
   return jsonOrThrow(res)
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/PRModal.jsx b/frontend/src/components/PRModal.jsx
index 23ba78c..1506268 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/PRModal.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/PRModal.jsx
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ import { EVENTS, track } from '../lib/analytics'
 export default function PRModal({ slug, branch, branchIsPrivate, onClose, onOpened }) {
   const [title, setTitle] = useState('')
   const [description, setDescription] = useState('')
+  // #26: optional ground-truth use case for this change.
+  const [useCase, setUseCase] = useState('')
   const [drafting, setDrafting] = useState(true)
   const [submitting, setSubmitting] = useState(false)
   const [confirmed, setConfirmed] = useState(!branchIsPrivate)
@@ -39,7 +41,11 @@ export default function PRModal({ slug, branch, branchIsPrivate, onClose, onOpen
     setSubmitting(true)
     setError(null)
     try {
-      const { pr_number } = await openPR(slug, branch, { title: title.trim(), description: description.trim() })
+      const { pr_number } = await openPR(slug, branch, {
+        title: title.trim(),
+        description: description.trim(),
+        proposedUseCase: useCase.trim() || null,
+      })
       // v0.15.0 — analytics: fire on §10.2 PR-open success. slug
       // and pr_number are the join keys; title/description stay out.
       track(EVENTS.PR_OPENED, { rfc_slug: slug, pr_number })
@@ -104,6 +110,20 @@ export default function PRModal({ slug, branch, branchIsPrivate, onClose, onOpen
             what was argued, what shifted, what the arbiters are asked
             to consider.
           </p>
+          <label className="modal-label">What will you be using this change for? (optional)</label>
+          <textarea
+            className="modal-textarea"
+            value={useCase}
+            onChange={e => setUseCase(e.target.value)}
+            placeholder="The concrete thing this change unlocks for you. Optional."
+            disabled={drafting || submitting}
+            rows={3}
+            maxLength={8000}
+          />
+          <p className="field-help">
+            #26: the concrete ground-truth use case — distinct from "why
+            it's needed" above. Leave blank if you'd rather not say.
+          </p>
           {error && <p className="field-error">{error}</p>}
         </div>
         <div className="modal-actions">
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/PRView.jsx b/frontend/src/components/PRView.jsx
index 813ed8c..7cbc25a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/PRView.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/PRView.jsx
@@ -220,6 +220,17 @@ export default function PRView({ viewer }) {
               {pr.description && (
                 <p className="pr-description">{pr.description}</p>
               )}
+              {/* #26: the optional ground-truth use case for this change,
+                  captured when the PR was opened. Muted "left blank"
+                  treatment when none was supplied. */}
+              <div className="pr-use-case" style={{ margin: '6px 0', fontSize: 13 }}>
+                <span style={{ fontWeight: 700, color: '#888', textTransform: 'uppercase', letterSpacing: '0.05em', fontSize: 11 }}>
+                  Intended use case:
+                </span>{' '}
+                {pr.proposed_use_case
+                  ? <span style={{ whiteSpace: 'pre-wrap' }}>{pr.proposed_use_case}</span>
+                  : <span style={{ color: '#999', fontStyle: 'italic' }}>left blank</span>}
+              </div>
               {pr.capabilities?.can_edit_text && (
                 <button className="btn-link" onClick={startHeaderEdit}>Edit title & description</button>
               )}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ProposalView.jsx b/frontend/src/components/ProposalView.jsx
index 2567bec..40640bd 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ProposalView.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ProposalView.jsx
@@ -163,6 +163,14 @@ export default function ProposalView({ viewer, onChange }) {
         className="entry-body"
         dangerouslySetInnerHTML={{ __html: marked.parse(data.entry?.body || '') }}
       />
+
+      {/* #26: the optional ground-truth use case the proposer supplied. */}
+      <h3 style={{ fontSize: 13, fontWeight: 700, color: '#888', textTransform: 'uppercase', letterSpacing: '0.05em', marginTop: 24 }}>
+        Intended use case
+      </h3>
+      {data.proposed_use_case
+        ? <div className="entry-body" dangerouslySetInnerHTML={{ __html: marked.parse(data.proposed_use_case) }} />
+        : <p style={{ color: '#999', fontStyle: 'italic' }}>Left blank by the proposer.</p>}
     </article>
   )
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ProposeModal.jsx b/frontend/src/components/ProposeModal.jsx
index c42b8ab..78deee9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ProposeModal.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ProposeModal.jsx
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ export default function ProposeModal({ viewer, onClose, onSubmitted }) {
   const [slug, setSlug] = useState('')
   const [slugEdited, setSlugEdited] = useState(false)
   const [pitch, setPitch] = useState('')
+  // #26: optional ground-truth use case, sibling to the required pitch.
+  const [useCase, setUseCase] = useState('')
   const [tagInput, setTagInput] = useState('')
   const [tags, setTags] = useState([])
   const [submitting, setSubmitting] = useState(false)
@@ -52,6 +54,7 @@ export default function ProposeModal({ viewer, onClose, onSubmitted }) {
         slug,
         pitch: pitch.trim(),
         tags,
+        proposedUseCase: useCase.trim() || null,
       })
       // v0.15.0 — analytics: fire on the §9.1 propose-RFC submit.
       // Slug is a stable, low-cardinality identifier (kebab-case
@@ -105,6 +108,19 @@ export default function ProposeModal({ viewer, onClose, onSubmitted }) {
               required
             />
 
+            <label htmlFor="propose-use-case">What will you be using this RFC for? (optional)</label>
+            <textarea
+              id="propose-use-case"
+              value={useCase}
+              onChange={e => setUseCase(e.target.value)}
+              placeholder="The concrete thing you intend to build or do with this RFC. Optional, but it helps ground the work."
+              rows={3}
+            />
+            <p className="field-help">
+              The concrete ground-truth use case — distinct from "why it's
+              needed" above. Leave blank if you'd rather not say.
+            </p>
+
             <label htmlFor="propose-tag">Tags (optional)</label>
             <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: 6, alignItems: 'center', marginBottom: 4 }}>
               <input
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/RFCView.jsx b/frontend/src/components/RFCView.jsx
index 0884536..8d9ff28 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/RFCView.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/RFCView.jsx
@@ -669,6 +669,19 @@ export default function RFCView({ viewer }) {
                 : 'main is read-only — PRs are the only path to change it. Open a branch to propose edits.'}
             </div>
           )}
+          {/* #26: the optional ground-truth use case captured at propose
+              time. Shown on the canonical (main) view; muted "left blank"
+              treatment when the proposer didn't supply one. */}
+          {branchParam === 'main' && (
+            <div className="rfc-use-case" style={{ margin: '8px 0 16px', padding: '10px 14px', borderLeft: '3px solid #e0e0e0', background: '#fafafa' }}>
+              <div style={{ fontSize: 11, fontWeight: 700, color: '#888', textTransform: 'uppercase', letterSpacing: '0.05em', marginBottom: 4 }}>
+                Intended use case
+              </div>
+              {entry.proposed_use_case
+                ? <div style={{ whiteSpace: 'pre-wrap' }}>{entry.proposed_use_case}</div>
+                : <span style={{ color: '#999', fontStyle: 'italic' }}>Left blank by the proposer.</span>}
+            </div>
+          )}
           {inDiscuss && branchParam !== 'main' && (
             <div className="discuss-mode-banner">
               Discuss mode on <strong>{branchParam}</strong> — chat freely;