diff --git a/backend/app/api_branches.py b/backend/app/api_branches.py
index 6d46f4c..2a66b66 100644
--- a/backend/app/api_branches.py
+++ b/backend/app/api_branches.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException, Request
 from fastapi.responses import StreamingResponse
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
-from . import auth, cache, chat as chat_layer, db, entry as entry_mod, funder, models_resolver, projects as projects_mod
+from . import auth, cache, chat as chat_layer, db, entry as entry_mod, funder, metadata as metadata_mod, models_resolver, projects as projects_mod
 from .bot import Bot
 from .config import Config
 from .gitea import Gitea, GiteaError
@@ -40,6 +40,37 @@ log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 RFC_FILE_PATH = "RFC.md"
 
 
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# §22.4a SLICE-4: sidecar-aware body extract/wrap (pure, unit-testable)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _extract_body_pure(rfc, file_contents: str, branch: str, *, is_meta: bool) -> str:
+    """Editable body of an entry file. Meta-resident files carry a frontmatter
+    envelope (legacy) or are already body-only (migrated, §22.4a); per-RFC repo
+    files are body-only. Dual-read tolerant: a body-only `.md` returns as-is."""
+    if not is_meta:
+        return file_contents
+    return metadata_mod.strip_frontmatter(file_contents)
+
+
+def _wrap_body_pure(rfc, prior_contents: str, new_body: str, branch: str, *, is_meta: bool) -> str:
+    """Inverse of `_extract_body_pure`. Under §22.4a the body lives in the `.md`
+    and metadata in the sidecar, so wrapping is identity for body-only files —
+    frontmatter is never re-grown here. A legacy un-migrated meta file still has
+    its metadata in the `.md` frontmatter (no sidecar yet), so preserve it rather
+    than silently dropping it on a pure body edit; it is migrated to body-only on
+    its next *metadata* edit."""
+    nb = new_body if new_body.endswith("\n") else new_body + "\n"
+    if not is_meta:
+        return nb
+    if entry_mod.FRONTMATTER_RE.match(prior_contents):
+        e = entry_mod.parse(prior_contents)
+        e.body = nb
+        return entry_mod.serialize(e)
+    return nb
+
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Request bodies
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1163,28 +1194,12 @@ def make_router(
         return RFC_FILE_PATH
 
     def _extract_body(rfc, file_contents: str, branch: str = "main") -> str:
-        """For super-draft entries (and active-RFC pre-graduation reads
-        per §9.8) the file on disk is the full frontmatter+body envelope;
-        the editable body is entry.body. For active RFCs reading their
-        per-RFC repo the file is just RFC.md and the whole thing is body."""
-        if not _is_meta_target(rfc, branch):
-            return file_contents
-        try:
-            entry = entry_mod.parse(file_contents)
-        except Exception:
-            return file_contents
-        return entry.body
+        return _extract_body_pure(
+            rfc, file_contents, branch, is_meta=_is_meta_target(rfc, branch))
 
     def _wrap_body(rfc, prior_contents: str, new_body: str, branch: str = "main") -> str:
-        """Inverse of _extract_body: re-wrap a new body into the entry
-        envelope, preserving the prior frontmatter exactly."""
-        if not _is_meta_target(rfc, branch):
-            return new_body
-        entry = entry_mod.parse(prior_contents)
-        # Ensure exactly one trailing newline so the serializer's
-        # round-trip is stable.
-        entry.body = new_body if new_body.endswith("\n") else new_body + "\n"
-        return entry_mod.serialize(entry)
+        return _wrap_body_pure(
+            rfc, prior_contents, new_body, branch, is_meta=_is_meta_target(rfc, branch))
 
     async def _refresh_cache_for(rfc) -> None:
         if _is_meta_resident(rfc):
diff --git a/backend/app/api_graduation.py b/backend/app/api_graduation.py
index 240e26f..6161cf6 100644
--- a/backend/app/api_graduation.py
+++ b/backend/app/api_graduation.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException, Request
 from fastapi.responses import StreamingResponse
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
-from . import auth, cache, db, entry as entry_mod, projects as projects_mod
+from . import auth, cache, db, entry as entry_mod, metadata as metadata_mod, projects as projects_mod
 from .bot import Actor, Bot
 from .config import Config
 from .gitea import Gitea, GiteaError
@@ -341,19 +341,16 @@ def make_router(
             if _rfc_id_taken(rfc_id, excluding_slug=slug):
                 raise HTTPException(409, f"Integer ID {rfc_id} is already taken")
 
-        # Read the meta-repo entry once — we need the file's sha for the
-        # graduation PR's update_file call and the body to carry through
+        # Dual-read the meta-repo entry once (§22.4a sidecar-aware) — we need its
+        # git state for the graduation commit and the body to carry through
         # unchanged (meta-only keeps the body in the entry, §13.3).
-        fetched = await gitea.read_file(
-            config.gitea_org, (projects_mod.default_content_repo(config) or ""), f"rfcs/{slug}.md", ref="main",
+        st = await metadata_mod.read_entry_from_git(
+            gitea, config.gitea_org,
+            (projects_mod.default_content_repo(config) or ""), f"rfcs/{slug}.md",
         )
-        if fetched is None:
+        if st is None:
             raise HTTPException(409, f"Meta entry rfcs/{slug}.md not found on main")
-        meta_text, meta_sha = fetched
-        try:
-            super_draft_entry = entry_mod.parse(meta_text)
-        except Exception as e:
-            raise HTTPException(500, f"Meta entry malformed: {e}")
+        super_draft_entry = st.entry
 
         arbiters = json.loads(rfc["arbiters_json"] or "[]") or owners[:1]
 
@@ -380,7 +377,8 @@ def make_router(
             # through graduation rather than dropping them on the rebuild.
             extra=dict(super_draft_entry.extra),
         )
-        graduated_contents = entry_mod.serialize(graduated_entry)
+        graduation_files = metadata_mod.write_entry_files(
+            f"rfcs/{slug}.md", graduated_entry, st)
 
         state = _new_active(
             slug, rfc_id=rfc_id, owners=owners, arbiters=arbiters,
@@ -400,8 +398,7 @@ def make_router(
         coro = _orchestrate(
             config=config, gitea=gitea, bot=bot,
             actor=viewer.as_actor(), state=state,
-            graduated_contents=graduated_contents,
-            meta_file_sha=meta_sha,
+            graduation_files=graduation_files,
         )
         if request.query_params.get("_sync") == "1":
             await coro
@@ -481,26 +478,23 @@ def make_router(
         if already:
             raise HTTPException(409, f"A claim PR is already open: #{already['pr_number']}")
 
-        fetched = await gitea.read_file(
-            config.gitea_org, (projects_mod.default_content_repo(config) or ""), f"rfcs/{slug}.md", ref="main",
+        st = await metadata_mod.read_entry_from_git(
+            gitea, config.gitea_org,
+            (projects_mod.default_content_repo(config) or ""), f"rfcs/{slug}.md",
         )
-        if fetched is None:
+        if st is None:
             raise HTTPException(409, f"Meta entry rfcs/{slug}.md not found on main")
-        meta_text, meta_sha = fetched
-        try:
-            ent = entry_mod.parse(meta_text)
-        except Exception as e:
-            raise HTTPException(500, f"Meta entry malformed: {e}")
-        if viewer.gitea_login in ent.owners:
+        if viewer.gitea_login in st.entry.owners:
             return {"ok": True, "noop": True}
-        ent.owners = ent.owners + [viewer.gitea_login]
-        new_contents = entry_mod.serialize(ent)
+        ent = metadata_mod.apply_values(
+            st.entry, {"owners": st.entry.owners + [viewer.gitea_login]})
+        files = metadata_mod.write_entry_files(f"rfcs/{slug}.md", ent, st)
         try:
             pr = await bot.open_claim_pr(
                 viewer.as_actor(),
                 org=config.gitea_org, meta_repo=(projects_mod.default_content_repo(config) or ""),
                 slug=slug,
-                new_file_contents=new_contents, prior_sha=meta_sha,
+                files=files,
             )
         except GiteaError as e:
             raise HTTPException(502, f"Gitea: {e.detail}")
@@ -527,11 +521,12 @@ def make_router(
                 403, "Only this RFC's owners or a site owner may retire it"
             )
         prior_state = rfc["state"]
-        entry, sha = await _read_meta_entry(slug)
-        entry.state = "retired"
+        st = await _read_meta_entry(slug)
+        entry = metadata_mod.apply_values(st.entry, {"state": "retired"})
+        files = metadata_mod.write_entry_files(f"rfcs/{slug}.md", entry, st)
         await _run_state_flip(
             config=config, gitea=gitea, bot=bot, actor=viewer.as_actor(),
-            slug=slug, new_contents=entry_mod.serialize(entry), prior_sha=sha,
+            slug=slug, files=files,
             verb="retire", target_state="retired",
         )
         _audit(
@@ -557,11 +552,12 @@ def make_router(
             raise HTTPException(403, "Only a site owner may un-retire an RFC")
         _require_retired(slug)
         restored = _prior_state_before_retire(slug)
-        entry, sha = await _read_meta_entry(slug)
-        entry.state = restored
+        st = await _read_meta_entry(slug)
+        entry = metadata_mod.apply_values(st.entry, {"state": restored})
+        files = metadata_mod.write_entry_files(f"rfcs/{slug}.md", entry, st)
         await _run_state_flip(
             config=config, gitea=gitea, bot=bot, actor=viewer.as_actor(),
-            slug=slug, new_contents=entry_mod.serialize(entry), prior_sha=sha,
+            slug=slug, files=files,
             verb="unretire", target_state=restored,
         )
         _audit(
@@ -602,17 +598,17 @@ def make_router(
             raise HTTPException(409, f"RFC is {row['state']}, not retired")
         return row
 
-    async def _read_meta_entry(slug: str) -> tuple[entry_mod.Entry, str]:
-        fetched = await gitea.read_file(
-            config.gitea_org, (projects_mod.default_content_repo(config) or ""), f"rfcs/{slug}.md", ref="main",
+    async def _read_meta_entry(slug: str):
+        """Dual-read an entry from meta-main → EntryGitState (sidecar-aware,
+        §22.4a). A migrated body-only `.md` reads cleanly; never raises on bad
+        metadata (INV-3)."""
+        st = await metadata_mod.read_entry_from_git(
+            gitea, config.gitea_org,
+            (projects_mod.default_content_repo(config) or ""), f"rfcs/{slug}.md",
         )
-        if fetched is None:
+        if st is None:
             raise HTTPException(409, f"Meta entry rfcs/{slug}.md not found on main")
-        text, file_sha = fetched
-        try:
-            return entry_mod.parse(text), file_sha
-        except Exception as e:
-            raise HTTPException(500, f"Meta entry malformed: {e}")
+        return st
 
     async def _refresh_catalog() -> None:
         # Inline refresh so the catalog reflects the flip immediately; the
@@ -640,8 +636,7 @@ async def _orchestrate(
     bot: Bot,
     actor: Actor,
     state: GraduationState,
-    graduated_contents: str,
-    meta_file_sha: str,
+    graduation_files: list[dict],
 ) -> None:
     """Open the flip PR, then merge it. Two steps, no transaction:
 
@@ -661,8 +656,7 @@ async def _orchestrate(
                 actor,
                 org=config.gitea_org, meta_repo=(projects_mod.default_content_repo(config) or ""),
                 slug=state.slug,
-                new_file_contents=graduated_contents,
-                prior_sha=meta_file_sha,
+                files=graduation_files,
                 rfc_id=state.rfc_id,
                 owners=state.owners,
             )
@@ -850,12 +844,12 @@ async def _run_state_flip(
     bot: Bot,
     actor: Actor,
     slug: str,
-    new_contents: str,
-    prior_sha: str,
+    files: list[dict],
     verb: str,
     target_state: str,
 ) -> None:
-    """§13.7: open + merge a retire / un-retire frontmatter flip PR. Runs
+    """§13.7: open + merge a retire / un-retire state-flip PR. The flip is
+    written to the entry's metadata sidecar (§22.4a) via `files` ops. Runs
     inline (no SSE — the flip is a single quick state change, unlike the
     multi-step graduation that streams progress). On an open failure
     nothing was created; on a merge failure the half-open PR/branch is
@@ -865,7 +859,7 @@ async def _run_state_flip(
         pr = await bot.open_retire_flip_pr(
             actor,
             org=config.gitea_org, meta_repo=(projects_mod.default_content_repo(config) or ""),
-            slug=slug, new_file_contents=new_contents, prior_sha=prior_sha,
+            slug=slug, files=files,
             verb=verb, target_state=target_state,
         )
     except GiteaError as e:
diff --git a/backend/app/api_prs.py b/backend/app/api_prs.py
index 25ecc17..d71629c 100644
--- a/backend/app/api_prs.py
+++ b/backend/app/api_prs.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ from typing import Any
 from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException, Request
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
-from . import auth, cache, chat as chat_layer, db, entry as entry_mod, funder, models_resolver, projects as projects_mod, rfc_links
+from . import auth, cache, chat as chat_layer, db, entry as entry_mod, funder, metadata as metadata_mod, models_resolver, projects as projects_mod, rfc_links
 from .bot import Bot
 from .config import Config
 from .gitea import Gitea, GiteaError
@@ -1009,20 +1009,25 @@ async def _replay_changes(
 
 
 def _extract_body_for_replay(is_super_draft: bool, content: str) -> str:
+    # §22.4a SLICE-4: a meta-resident entry may be legacy (frontmatter+body) or
+    # migrated (body-only). strip_frontmatter handles both without raising.
     if not is_super_draft:
         return content
-    try:
-        return entry_mod.parse(content).body
-    except Exception:
-        return content
+    return metadata_mod.strip_frontmatter(content)
 
 
 def _wrap_body_for_replay(is_super_draft: bool, prior_content: str, new_body: str) -> str:
+    # §22.4a SLICE-4: identity for body-only (migrated) files — never re-grow
+    # frontmatter; preserve a legacy file's frontmatter until its next metadata
+    # edit migrates it.
+    nb = new_body if new_body.endswith("\n") else new_body + "\n"
     if not is_super_draft:
-        return new_body
-    entry = entry_mod.parse(prior_content)
-    entry.body = new_body if new_body.endswith("\n") else new_body + "\n"
-    return entry_mod.serialize(entry)
+        return nb
+    if entry_mod.FRONTMATTER_RE.match(prior_content):
+        entry = entry_mod.parse(prior_content)
+        entry.body = nb
+        return entry_mod.serialize(entry)
+    return nb
 
 
 def _resolution_branch_name(original_branch: str) -> str:
diff --git a/backend/app/bot.py b/backend/app/bot.py
index eb3609d..f1f363b 100644
--- a/backend/app/bot.py
+++ b/backend/app/bot.py
@@ -856,35 +856,29 @@ class Bot:
         org: str,
         meta_repo: str,
         slug: str,
-        new_file_contents: str,
-        prior_sha: str,
+        files: list[dict],
         rfc_id: str | None,
         owners: list[str],
     ) -> dict:
         """§13.3 (meta-only): open a PR against the meta repo that flips the
-        entry's frontmatter to `state: active` with the graduation stamps
-        and — **optionally** — the integer `id`, **keeping the body
-        unchanged** (§1 meta-only topology; no repo is created and no body
-        is stripped). When `rfc_id` is None the entry graduates without a
-        number (id stays null, slug is canonical per §2.3, §13.2). Branch
-        name uses the `graduate-<slug>-<6hex>` shape — dash-separated like
-        the other meta-repo branches per the §19.2 path-routing candidate.
+        entry to `state: active` with the graduation stamps and — **optionally**
+        — the integer `id`, **keeping the body unchanged** (§1 meta-only
+        topology; no repo is created and no body is stripped). The graduation
+        metadata is written to the entry's sidecar (§22.4a) via `files`; a legacy
+        `.md` is lazy-migrated to body-only in the same commit. When `rfc_id` is
+        None the entry graduates without a number (id stays null, slug is
+        canonical per §2.3, §13.2). Branch name uses the `graduate-<slug>-<6hex>`
+        shape — dash-separated like the other meta-repo branches per the §19.2
+        path-routing candidate.
         """
         import secrets
 
         branch = f"graduate-{slug}-{secrets.token_hex(3)}"
         await self._gitea.create_branch(org, meta_repo, branch, from_branch="main")
-        ae = actor.email or f"{actor.gitea_login}@users.noreply"
         commit_subject = f"Graduate {slug} → {rfc_id}" if rfc_id else f"Graduate {slug} (no number)"
-        commit_message = _stamp_single(commit_subject, actor)
-        result = await self._gitea.update_file(
-            org, meta_repo, f"rfcs/{slug}.md",
-            content=new_file_contents,
-            sha=prior_sha,
-            message=commit_message,
-            branch=branch,
-            author_name=actor.display_name, author_email=ae,
-        )
+        result = await self.commit_entry_files(
+            actor, org=org, repo=meta_repo, files=files,
+            message=commit_subject, branch=branch)
         commit_sha = (
             result.get("commit", {}).get("sha")
             or result.get("content", {}).get("sha")
@@ -973,35 +967,26 @@ class Bot:
         org: str,
         meta_repo: str,
         slug: str,
-        new_file_contents: str,
-        prior_sha: str,
+        files: list[dict],
         verb: str,
         target_state: str,
     ) -> dict:
-        """§13.7: open a PR flipping `rfcs/<slug>.md` to `state:
-        <target_state>` — for retire (`verb='retire'`, target `retired`)
-        or un-retire (`verb='unretire'`, target the restored prior state).
-        Only the frontmatter `state` changes; the body and every other
-        field (including the integer `id`) are kept, so an un-retire
-        restores the entry exactly. Branch shape mirrors graduation's
-        `<verb>-<slug>-<6hex>`.
+        """§13.7: open a PR flipping an entry to `state: <target_state>` — for
+        retire (`verb='retire'`, target `retired`) or un-retire
+        (`verb='unretire'`, target the restored prior state). The `state` change
+        is written to the entry's metadata sidecar (§22.4a), keeping the `.md`
+        body and every other field, so an un-retire restores the entry exactly.
+        `files` come from `metadata.write_entry_files`. Branch shape mirrors
+        graduation's `<verb>-<slug>-<6hex>`.
         """
         import secrets
 
         branch = f"{verb}-{slug}-{secrets.token_hex(3)}"
         await self._gitea.create_branch(org, meta_repo, branch, from_branch="main")
-        ae = actor.email or f"{actor.gitea_login}@users.noreply"
         verb_title = "Retire" if verb == "retire" else "Un-retire"
-        commit_subject = f"{verb_title} {slug}"
-        commit_message = _stamp_single(commit_subject, actor)
-        result = await self._gitea.update_file(
-            org, meta_repo, f"rfcs/{slug}.md",
-            content=new_file_contents,
-            sha=prior_sha,
-            message=commit_message,
-            branch=branch,
-            author_name=actor.display_name, author_email=ae,
-        )
+        result = await self.commit_entry_files(
+            actor, org=org, repo=meta_repo, files=files,
+            message=f"{verb_title} {slug}", branch=branch)
         commit_sha = (
             result.get("commit", {}).get("sha")
             or result.get("content", {}).get("sha")
@@ -1171,30 +1156,23 @@ class Bot:
         org: str,
         meta_repo: str,
         slug: str,
-        new_file_contents: str,
-        prior_sha: str,
+        files: list[dict],
     ) -> dict:
         """§13.1: open a PR adding the actor to the entry's `owners:` list.
 
-        Touches only the frontmatter of `rfcs/<slug>.md`. Branch shape is
-        `claim/<slug>` — single attempt per super-draft per actor (Gitea
-        refuses duplicate branch creation, which is the right behavior:
-        if the claim is still open, point the contributor at the existing
-        PR rather than opening a second one).
+        Writes the updated `owners:` to the entry's metadata sidecar (§22.4a)
+        via `files`; a legacy `.md` is lazy-migrated to body-only in the same
+        commit. Branch shape is `claim/<slug>` — single attempt per super-draft
+        per actor (Gitea refuses duplicate branch creation, which is the right
+        behavior: if the claim is still open, point the contributor at the
+        existing PR rather than opening a second one).
         """
         branch = f"claim/{slug}"
         await self._gitea.create_branch(org, meta_repo, branch, from_branch="main")
-        ae = actor.email or f"{actor.gitea_login}@users.noreply"
         commit_subject = f"Claim ownership of {slug} for {actor.gitea_login}"
-        commit_message = _stamp_single(commit_subject, actor)
-        result = await self._gitea.update_file(
-            org, meta_repo, f"rfcs/{slug}.md",
-            content=new_file_contents,
-            sha=prior_sha,
-            message=commit_message,
-            branch=branch,
-            author_name=actor.display_name, author_email=ae,
-        )
+        result = await self.commit_entry_files(
+            actor, org=org, repo=meta_repo, files=files,
+            message=commit_subject, branch=branch)
         commit_sha = (
             result.get("commit", {}).get("sha")
             or result.get("content", {}).get("sha")
@@ -1233,29 +1211,22 @@ class Bot:
         reviewed_by: str,
         reviewed_at: str,
     ) -> None:
-        """Clear §22.4c unreviewed on an active entry by rewriting its
-        frontmatter on main. Stamps the commit with the §6.5 On-behalf-of
-        trailer and writes an actions-log row, mirroring the graduation
-        stamp's bot-write shape."""
+        """Clear §22.4c unreviewed on an active entry by writing its metadata
+        sidecar on main (§22.4a). Dual-reads the entry (so a migrated body-only
+        `.md` doesn't crash) and lazy-migrates a legacy `.md` to body-only in the
+        same commit. Stamps the §6.5 On-behalf-of trailer and writes an
+        actions-log row, mirroring the graduation stamp's bot-write shape."""
         path = f"rfcs/{slug}.md"
-        result = await self._gitea.read_file(org, meta_repo, path, ref="main")
-        if result is None:
+        st = await metadata_mod.read_entry_from_git(self._gitea, org, meta_repo, path)
+        if st is None:
             raise GiteaError(404, f"{path} not found")
-        text, sha = result
-        e = entry_mod.parse(text)
-        e.unreviewed = False
-        e.reviewed_at = reviewed_at
-        e.reviewed_by = reviewed_by
-        commit_message = _stamp_single(f"Mark {slug} reviewed", actor)
-        result = await self._gitea.update_file(
-            org, meta_repo, path,
-            content=entry_mod.serialize(e),
-            sha=sha,
-            message=commit_message,
-            branch="main",
-            author_name=actor.display_name,
-            author_email=actor.email or f"{actor.gitea_login}@users.noreply",
-        )
+        e = metadata_mod.apply_values(st.entry, {
+            "unreviewed": False, "reviewed_at": reviewed_at, "reviewed_by": reviewed_by,
+        })
+        files = metadata_mod.write_entry_files(path, e, st)
+        result = await self.commit_entry_files(
+            actor, org=org, repo=meta_repo, files=files,
+            message=f"Mark {slug} reviewed", branch="main")
         commit_sha = (
             result.get("commit", {}).get("sha")
             or result.get("content", {}).get("sha")
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_graduation_vertical.py b/backend/tests/test_graduation_vertical.py
index 0706518..2c491d2 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_graduation_vertical.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_graduation_vertical.py
@@ -48,6 +48,18 @@ PITCH = (
 )
 
 
+def _entry_from_git(fake, slug, branch="main"):
+    """§22.4a SLICE-4: read an entry's combined metadata+body from git via the
+    dual-read parser — graduation/claim now write metadata to the sidecar and
+    keep the body in the `.md`, so an Entry is reconstructed from both."""
+    from app import metadata
+    md = fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", branch, f"rfcs/{slug}.md")]["content"]
+    sc = fake.files.get(
+        ("wiggleverse", "meta", branch, f"rfcs/{slug}.meta.yaml"), {}).get("content")
+    e, _ = metadata.read_entry(md, sc, fallback_slug=slug)
+    return e
+
+
 def seed_owned_super_draft(fake: FakeGitea, *, slug: str, title: str, pitch: str,
                             owners: list[str], arbiters: list[str] | None = None,
                             proposed_by: str = "alice", tags: list[str] | None = None) -> None:
@@ -190,9 +202,8 @@ def test_graduate_happy_path_flips_in_place_keeping_body(app_with_fake_gitea):
             k[1].startswith("rfc-0042") for k in fake.repos
         ), f"a per-RFC repo was created: {fake.repos}"
 
-        # Meta entry on main: state flipped, body KEPT, repo null.
-        meta_text = fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/ohm.md")]["content"]
-        graduated = entry_mod.parse(meta_text)
+        # Meta entry on main: state flipped (sidecar), body KEPT (.md), repo null.
+        graduated = _entry_from_git(fake, "ohm")
         assert graduated.state == "active"
         assert graduated.id == "RFC-0042"
         assert graduated.repo is None
@@ -247,7 +258,7 @@ def test_graduate_preserves_unknown_frontmatter_keys(app_with_fake_gitea):
                         json={"rfc_id": "RFC-0042", "owners": ["ben"]})
         assert r.status_code == 200, r.text
 
-        graduated = entry_mod.parse(fake.files[key]["content"])
+        graduated = _entry_from_git(fake, "ohm")
         assert graduated.state == "active"
         assert graduated.extra.get("priority") == "P1"
 
@@ -599,8 +610,7 @@ def test_graduate_without_number_flips_to_active_null_id_by_slug(app_with_fake_g
         assert d["rfc_id"] is None
 
         # Meta entry: active, id null, body kept, graduation stamped.
-        meta_text = fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/ohm.md")]["content"]
-        graduated = entry_mod.parse(meta_text)
+        graduated = _entry_from_git(fake, "ohm")
         assert graduated.state == "active"
         assert graduated.id is None
         assert graduated.graduated_by == "ben"
@@ -649,9 +659,7 @@ def test_graduate_with_number_unchanged_when_id_absent_field(app_with_fake_gitea
         r = client.post("/api/rfcs/ohm/graduate?_sync=1", json={"owners": ["ben"]})
         assert r.status_code == 200, r.text
         assert r.json()["rfc_id"] is None
-        graduated = entry_mod.parse(
-            fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/ohm.md")]["content"]
-        )
+        graduated = _entry_from_git(fake, "ohm")
         assert graduated.state == "active"
         assert graduated.id is None
 
@@ -677,8 +685,7 @@ def test_claim_opens_meta_pr(app_with_fake_gitea):
         d = r.json()
         assert d["branch_name"] == "claim/ohm"
 
-        text = fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "claim/ohm", "rfcs/ohm.md")]["content"]
-        ent = entry_mod.parse(text)
+        ent = _entry_from_git(fake, "ohm", branch="claim/ohm")
         assert "alice" in ent.owners
 
         row = db.conn().execute(
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_mark_reviewed.py b/backend/tests/test_mark_reviewed.py
index 6db5c5c..ff8a012 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_mark_reviewed.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_mark_reviewed.py
@@ -47,12 +47,15 @@ def test_mark_reviewed_clears_flag(app_with_fake_gitea):
         assert row["unreviewed"] == 0
         assert row["reviewed_by"] == "ben"
         assert row["reviewed_at"]  # provenance stamped
-        # git-side: the entry file on main was rewritten with the cleared flag.
-        from app import entry as entry_mod
+        # git-side (§22.4a SLICE-4): the cleared flag now lands in the metadata
+        # sidecar and the `.md` is lazy-migrated to a clean body-only file (INV-2).
+        import yaml
+        sidecar = fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/feat.meta.yaml")]["content"]
+        sc = yaml.safe_load(sidecar)
+        assert not sc.get("unreviewed")          # cleared (omitted when False)
+        assert sc.get("reviewed_by") == "ben"
         written = fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/feat.md")]["content"]
-        e = entry_mod.parse(written)
-        assert e.unreviewed is False
-        assert e.reviewed_by == "ben"
+        assert "---" not in written              # body-only, no frontmatter
 
 
 def test_mark_reviewed_forbidden_for_non_superuser(app_with_fake_gitea):
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_metadata_writepaths.py b/backend/tests/test_metadata_writepaths.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..01c8947
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/tests/test_metadata_writepaths.py
@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+"""SLICE-4 — write paths are sidecar-aware: a migrated (body-only `.md` +
+sidecar) entry never crashes `entry.parse` nor re-grows frontmatter."""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+
+from app import gitea as gitea_mod, metadata
+from app.bot import Actor, Bot
+from app.config import load_config
+
+from test_propose_vertical import (  # noqa: F401
+    app_with_fake_gitea,
+    provision_user_row,
+    tmp_env,
+)
+
+BODY_ONLY = "Alpha prose body.\n"
+SIDECAR = ("slug: alpha\ntitle: Alpha\nstate: active\n"
+           "owners:\n- ben.stull\ntags:\n- one\npriority: P1\n")
+
+
+def _seed_migrated(fake, repo="meta"):
+    fake.files[("wiggleverse", repo, "main", "rfcs/alpha.md")] = {
+        "content": BODY_ONLY, "sha": "m1"}
+    fake.files[("wiggleverse", repo, "main", "rfcs/alpha.meta.yaml")] = {
+        "content": SIDECAR, "sha": "m2"}
+
+
+def _actor():
+    return Actor(user_id=1, gitea_login="ben.stull", display_name="Ben", email="ben@x.io")
+
+
+def test_mark_entry_reviewed_on_migrated_entry(app_with_fake_gitea):
+    from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+
+    app, fake = app_with_fake_gitea
+    _seed_migrated(fake)
+    gitea = gitea_mod.Gitea(load_config())
+    bot = Bot(gitea)
+    with TestClient(app):
+        provision_user_row(user_id=1, login="ben.stull", role="owner")
+        # Must not raise (legacy code parsed body-only .md → ValueError).
+        asyncio.run(bot.mark_entry_reviewed(
+            _actor(), org="wiggleverse", meta_repo="meta", slug="alpha",
+            reviewed_by="ben.stull", reviewed_at="2026-06-07"))
+    md = fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/alpha.md")]["content"]
+    sc = fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/alpha.meta.yaml")]["content"]
+    assert "---" not in md                 # body stays clean (no re-grown FM)
+    assert "reviewed_by: ben.stull" in sc  # review stamp landed in the sidecar
+
+
+# ---- Task 3.2: body extract/wrap helpers (api_branches) ----
+
+def test_extract_wrap_body_on_body_only_md():
+    from app import api_branches
+    rfc = {"state": "super-draft", "repo": None, "slug": "alpha", "collection_id": "default"}
+    body = api_branches._extract_body_pure(rfc, BODY_ONLY, "main", is_meta=True)
+    assert body == BODY_ONLY
+    wrapped = api_branches._wrap_body_pure(rfc, BODY_ONLY, "new body\n", "main", is_meta=True)
+    assert wrapped == "new body\n"      # stays clean — no re-grown frontmatter
+
+
+def test_wrap_body_preserves_legacy_frontmatter():
+    from app import api_branches
+    legacy = "---\nslug: alpha\ntitle: Alpha\nstate: active\n---\n\nold body\n"
+    rfc = {"state": "super-draft", "repo": None, "slug": "alpha", "collection_id": "default"}
+    wrapped = api_branches._wrap_body_pure(rfc, legacy, "new body\n", "main", is_meta=True)
+    assert wrapped.startswith("---")          # legacy frontmatter preserved
+    assert "new body" in wrapped
+
+
+# ---- Task 3.3: PR-replay body wrappers (api_prs) ----
+
+def test_replay_wrappers_on_body_only():
+    from app import api_prs
+    assert api_prs._extract_body_for_replay(True, BODY_ONLY) == BODY_ONLY
+    out = api_prs._wrap_body_for_replay(True, BODY_ONLY, "new\n")
+    assert out == "new\n"               # clean, no re-grown frontmatter
+    legacy = "---\nslug: a\ntitle: A\nstate: active\n---\n\nold\n"
+    out2 = api_prs._wrap_body_for_replay(True, legacy, "new\n")
+    assert out2.startswith("---")       # legacy preserved
+
+
+# ---- Task 3.4: retire a fully-migrated (body-only + sidecar) entry ----
+
+def test_retire_already_migrated_entry_does_not_crash(app_with_fake_gitea):
+    from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+    from app import cache, db
+    from app.config import load_config
+
+    app, fake = app_with_fake_gitea
+    _seed_migrated(fake)
+    with TestClient(app) as client:
+        provision_user_row(user_id=1, login="ben", role="owner")
+        from test_propose_vertical import sign_in_as
+        sign_in_as(client, user_id=1, gitea_login="ben", display_name="Ben", role="owner")
+        # Ingest the migrated entry so the catalog/cache knows it.
+        asyncio.run(cache.refresh_meta_repo(load_config(), gitea_mod.Gitea(load_config())))
+        assert db.conn().execute(
+            "SELECT state FROM cached_rfcs WHERE slug='alpha'").fetchone()["state"] == "active"
+        r = client.post("/api/rfcs/alpha/retire")
+        assert r.status_code == 200, r.text
+        assert r.json()["state"] == "retired"
+    import yaml as _yaml
+    sc = _yaml.safe_load(
+        fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/alpha.meta.yaml")]["content"])
+    assert sc["state"] == "retired"
+    md = fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/alpha.md")]["content"]
+    assert "---" not in md          # body stayed clean
+
+
+# ---- Task 3.5: graduate a fully-migrated super-draft entry ----
+
+SUPER_SIDECAR = ("slug: alpha\ntitle: Alpha\nstate: super-draft\n"
+                 "owners:\n- ben\ntags:\n- one\npriority: P1\n")
+
+
+def test_graduate_already_migrated_super_draft(app_with_fake_gitea):
+    from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+    from app import cache, db
+    from app.config import load_config
+
+    app, fake = app_with_fake_gitea
+    fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/alpha.md")] = {
+        "content": BODY_ONLY, "sha": "m1"}
+    fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/alpha.meta.yaml")] = {
+        "content": SUPER_SIDECAR, "sha": "m2"}
+    with TestClient(app) as client:
+        from test_propose_vertical import sign_in_as
+        provision_user_row(user_id=1, login="ben", role="owner")
+        sign_in_as(client, user_id=1, gitea_login="ben", display_name="Ben", role="owner")
+        asyncio.run(cache.refresh_meta_repo(load_config(), gitea_mod.Gitea(load_config())))
+        assert db.conn().execute(
+            "SELECT state FROM cached_rfcs WHERE slug='alpha'").fetchone()["state"] == "super-draft"
+        r = client.post("/api/rfcs/alpha/graduate?_sync=1",
+                        json={"rfc_id": "RFC-0007", "owners": ["ben"]})
+        assert r.status_code == 200, r.text
+    import yaml as _yaml
+    sc = _yaml.safe_load(
+        fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/alpha.meta.yaml")]["content"])
+    assert sc["state"] == "active"
+    assert sc["id"] == "RFC-0007"
+    assert sc.get("priority") == "P1"        # INV-7 carried through graduation
+    md = fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/alpha.md")]["content"]
+    assert "---" not in md                    # body stayed clean
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_retire_vertical.py b/backend/tests/test_retire_vertical.py
index 0561436..fe60417 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_retire_vertical.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_retire_vertical.py
@@ -57,12 +57,15 @@ def test_rfc_owner_can_retire_and_entry_leaves_every_surface(app_with_fake_gitea
         assert r.status_code == 200, r.text
         assert r.json()["state"] == "retired"
 
-        # Meta entry on main: state retired, body + fields kept.
-        meta = entry_mod.parse(
-            fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/ohm.md")]["content"]
+        # §22.4a SLICE-4: the state flip lands in the metadata sidecar and the
+        # `.md` is lazy-migrated to a clean body-only file (INV-2). Fields kept.
+        import yaml as _yaml
+        sc = _yaml.safe_load(
+            fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/ohm.meta.yaml")]["content"]
         )
-        assert meta.state == "retired"
-        assert "carol" in meta.owners
+        assert sc["state"] == "retired"
+        assert "carol" in sc["owners"]
+        assert "---" not in fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/ohm.md")]["content"]
 
         # Cache flipped; gone from the catalog.
         cached = db.conn().execute(
@@ -177,11 +180,12 @@ def test_site_owner_can_retire_active_and_unretire_restores_active_with_id(app_w
         assert r.status_code == 200, r.text
         assert r.json()["state"] == "active"
 
-        meta = entry_mod.parse(
-            fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/ohm.md")]["content"]
+        import yaml as _yaml
+        sc = _yaml.safe_load(
+            fake.files[("wiggleverse", "meta", "main", "rfcs/ohm.meta.yaml")]["content"]
         )
-        assert meta.state == "active"
-        assert meta.id == "RFC-0042"
+        assert sc["state"] == "active"
+        assert sc["id"] == "RFC-0042"
 
         cached = db.conn().execute(
             "SELECT state, rfc_id FROM cached_rfcs WHERE slug = 'ohm'"