diff --git a/.gds/bundle.lock.yaml b/.gds/bundle.lock.yaml
index 9d65406..9d6b1a1 100644
--- a/.gds/bundle.lock.yaml
+++ b/.gds/bundle.lock.yaml
@@ -4,14 +4,14 @@ schema_version: 1
 bundle:
   version: "0.9.7-dev"
   release_sequence: 0
-  source_tree_digest: "sha256:ff0bdb5a3aecc647e785a571e5b08f4d47afdf4b9865139b63670f7636ed0df0"
-  digest: "sha256:83833e3c808531d699accaa7bde3e31289a631da93553c4fae5d08d9ffe902cd"
+  source_tree_digest: "sha256:c8582e4ff6726dc451444553411d81bf681dbcb03db409987de1db35c016f723"
+  digest: "sha256:f8b44694166c4358ee247362f0d3ec725c421bc681018ad8bea526250440b16b"
 
 projection:
-  input_digest: "sha256:847d847bf309749351054160ec089ef7f7d22a1969c26a3eb82ca69fa58beb23"
-  output_digest: "sha256:469c17732e4509ca38c6f2903b590cc0e8670502f965ebf50b4b40833e3f2cb4"
+  input_digest: "sha256:033f6d802a41abddbad4bb0375ca2ad899c2c5651409c3e9541b229179a4248c"
+  output_digest: "sha256:3ff85f46591c1c6d1479bb305adf866d64537f94345fac5185acba78b0738a6f"
   files:
     - path: ".gds/compiled-policy.json"
       digest: "sha256:9f498788bdc34e52a0ab793c536e0e6a7b360c2e1a20446cbf03ed51986cdc6f"
     - path: ".github/workflows/gds-ci.yml"
-      digest: "sha256:75d8ce3e084bc5b3f1b33ce920b245d635915810cb97fb9887db0eba168d5f7a"
+      digest: "sha256:387375f2ea62d4971ae8051ad1d13aa3c0d42ef9e7695a6df40d636808cc06d6"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/gds-ci.yml b/.github/workflows/gds-ci.yml
index c326ce5..c5bf77b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/gds-ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/gds-ci.yml
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # GENERATED FILE - DO NOT EDIT DIRECTLY
 # generator: gds
 # bundle: 0.9.7-dev
-# source-tree-digest: sha256:ff0bdb5a3aecc647e785a571e5b08f4d47afdf4b9865139b63670f7636ed0df0
-# input-digest: sha256:847d847bf309749351054160ec089ef7f7d22a1969c26a3eb82ca69fa58beb23
+# source-tree-digest: sha256:c8582e4ff6726dc451444553411d81bf681dbcb03db409987de1db35c016f723
+# input-digest: sha256:033f6d802a41abddbad4bb0375ca2ad899c2c5651409c3e9541b229179a4248c
 # output-digest: sha256:4ef1ee2fcc42927eaedef9c85f7b421f87e5cc75ff7055ef520216a00f7d4b74
 # edit-source:
 #   - .gds/repository.yaml
diff --git a/core/app/projection_operations.go b/core/app/projection_operations.go
index b16ab7a..63dde7e 100644
--- a/core/app/projection_operations.go
+++ b/core/app/projection_operations.go
@@ -277,9 +277,11 @@ func (services *Services) projectionOperationContext(
 	if len(findings) != 0 {
 		return projectionContext{}, findings
 	}
-	compiled := services.Compiler.CompileDirectory(
-		root, anchor, version,
-	)
+	compilePolicy := services.Compiler.CompileDirectory
+	if source.released() {
+		compilePolicy = services.Compiler.CompileReleasedPublicDirectory
+	}
+	compiled := compilePolicy(root, anchor, version)
 	if len(compiled.Findings) != 0 {
 		return projectionContext{}, compiled.Findings
 	}
diff --git a/core/app/released_project_projection_test.go b/core/app/released_project_projection_test.go
index be0cb7d..63992a9 100644
--- a/core/app/released_project_projection_test.go
+++ b/core/app/released_project_projection_test.go
@@ -2,13 +2,78 @@ package app
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/NDDev-OpenNetwork/github-device-sync/core/bundle"
 )
 
+func TestReleasedPublicProjectGeneratesFromVerifiedPortableArtifact(t *testing.T) {
+	root := releasedProjectFixture(t, "public")
+	services, err := NewServices(DefaultClock)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	engine := appTestRepositoryRoot(t)
+	command := exec.Command("git", "-C", engine, "ls-files", "--",
+		"policies", "schemas/v1", "schemas/migrations", "templates/agents",
+		"templates/github-actions", "templates/harnesses", "skills/canonical",
+		"skills/registry.yaml", "harnesses", "plugins/gds-core",
+		"plugins/gds-estate-admin", "plugins/gds-module")
+	tracked, err := command.Output()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	options := bundle.BuildOptions{
+		BundleVersion: "1.0.0", ReleaseSequence: 1,
+		SourceCommit: strings.Repeat("a", 40), MinimumCLIVersion: "0.1.0",
+		Workflow: ".github/workflows/release-bundle.yml", SourceRef: "refs/heads/main",
+		TrackedSources: strings.Fields(string(tracked)),
+	}
+	trust := bundle.TrustPolicy{
+		Source: bundle.TrustSource{Owner: "example-owner", Repository: "example-engine",
+			AllowedWorkflows: []string{options.Workflow}, AllowedRefs: []string{options.SourceRef}},
+		Release: bundle.TrustRelease{MinimumReleaseSequence: 1},
+	}
+	candidate, findings := bundle.Build(engine, options, trust, services.Schemas)
+	if len(findings) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("synthetic release build: %#v", findings)
+	}
+	directory := t.TempDir()
+	archive := filepath.Join(directory, "bundle.tar.gz")
+	envelope := filepath.Join(directory, "release-envelope.json")
+	raw, err := json.Marshal(candidate.Envelope)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(archive, candidate.Artifact, 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(envelope, raw, 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	source := ProjectionSourceOptions{BundleArchive: archive, ReleaseEnvelope: envelope}
+	t.Run("operation-plan-inputs", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolved, findings := services.projectionOperationContext(context.Background(), root, source)
+		if len(findings) != 0 || len(resolved.candidate.Files) != 2 {
+			t.Fatalf("public project projection: files=%d findings=%#v", len(resolved.candidate.Files), findings)
+		}
+	})
+	t.Run("read-only-generation", func(t *testing.T) {
+		envelope := services.GenerateRepository(context.Background(), root, false, source)
+		if envelope.ExitCode != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("public project generation: %#v", envelope.Findings)
+		}
+	})
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(root, ".gds", "compiled-policy.json")); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatalf("candidate generation wrote a projection: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestReleasedPublicProjectRequiresArtifactWithoutFallingBackToEstate(t *testing.T) {
 	root := releasedProjectFixture(t, "public")
 	services, err := NewServices(DefaultClock)
diff --git a/core/app/services.go b/core/app/services.go
index 693976b..a2e2fce 100644
--- a/core/app/services.go
+++ b/core/app/services.go
@@ -304,10 +304,10 @@ func (services *Services) GenerateRepository(
 			return envelopeForError("gds generate repository", path, infoErr)
 		}
 		anchor, findings = manifest.NewLoader(services.Schemas).LoadRepository(repositoryInfo.WorktreeRoot)
-		if len(findings) == 0 && !isPublicModuleProjection(anchor) {
+		if len(findings) == 0 && anchor.Classification.VisibilityContract != "public" {
 			findings = []domain.Finding{{
 				Code: "GDS_PROJECTION_RELEASE_TARGET_INVALID", Severity: domain.SeverityHigh,
-				Message: "Released projection sources are accepted only for public modules.",
+				Message: "Released projection sources are accepted only for public repositories.",
 			}}
 		}
 		var releasedManifest bundle.Manifest
@@ -323,9 +323,11 @@ func (services *Services) GenerateRepository(
 			"gds generate repository", classifyFindings(findings), nil, findings...,
 		)
 	}
-	compiled := services.Compiler.CompileDirectory(
-		root, anchor, version,
-	)
+	compilePolicy := services.Compiler.CompileDirectory
+	if options.released() {
+		compilePolicy = services.Compiler.CompileReleasedPublicDirectory
+	}
+	compiled := compilePolicy(root, anchor, version)
 	if len(compiled.Findings) != 0 {
 		return domain.NewEnvelope(
 			"gds generate repository", classifyFindings(compiled.Findings), nil,
diff --git a/core/compiler/compiler.go b/core/compiler/compiler.go
index 76435ef..555fbdf 100644
--- a/core/compiler/compiler.go
+++ b/core/compiler/compiler.go
@@ -54,6 +54,33 @@ func (compiler *Compiler) CompileDirectory(
 	root string,
 	anchor domain.RepositoryAnchor,
 	bundleVersion string,
+) CompileResult {
+	return compiler.compileDirectory(root, anchor, bundleVersion, isPublicModuleAnchor(anchor))
+}
+
+// CompileReleasedPublicDirectory compiles the portable policy inputs extracted
+// from a verified public release. Those inputs deliberately omit an estate's
+// owner register. Explicit owner selectors remain unresolvable and are rejected;
+// this does not permit a development estate to lose its owner register.
+func (compiler *Compiler) CompileReleasedPublicDirectory(
+	root string,
+	anchor domain.RepositoryAnchor,
+	bundleVersion string,
+) CompileResult {
+	if anchor.Classification.VisibilityContract != "public" {
+		return CompileResult{Findings: []domain.Finding{{
+			Code: "GDS_POLICY_RELEASE_TARGET_INVALID", Severity: domain.SeverityHigh,
+			Message: "Portable released policy requires a public target repository.",
+		}}}
+	}
+	return compiler.compileDirectory(root, anchor, bundleVersion, true)
+}
+
+func (compiler *Compiler) compileDirectory(
+	root string,
+	anchor domain.RepositoryAnchor,
+	bundleVersion string,
+	allowMissingOwnerRegister bool,
 ) CompileResult {
 	sources, findings := compiler.loader.Load(root)
 	if len(findings) != 0 {
@@ -63,7 +90,7 @@ func (compiler *Compiler) CompileDirectory(
 	if len(ownerFindings) != 0 {
 		ownerDirectory := filepath.Join(root, "estate", "owners")
 		_, ownerErr := os.Stat(ownerDirectory)
-		if !(isPublicModuleAnchor(anchor) && os.IsNotExist(ownerErr) &&
+		if !(allowMissingOwnerRegister && os.IsNotExist(ownerErr) &&
 			allFindingCodes(ownerFindings, "GDS_POLICY_OWNER_REGISTER_UNAVAILABLE")) {
 			return CompileResult{Findings: ownerFindings}
 		}
diff --git a/core/compiler/released_public_directory_test.go b/core/compiler/released_public_directory_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea805c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/compiler/released_public_directory_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+package compiler
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func releasedPolicyDirectory(t *testing.T) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(root, "policies", "base"), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	raw, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(testRepositoryRoot(t), "policies", "base", "repository-default.yaml"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(root, "policies", "base", "repository-default.yaml"), raw, 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return root
+}
+
+func TestReleasedPublicProjectCompilesWithoutEstateOwners(t *testing.T) {
+	anchor := testAnchor("repository-default")
+	anchor.Classification.VisibilityContract = "public"
+	anchor.Repository.Roles = []string{"project"}
+	result := New(testSchemas(t)).CompileReleasedPublicDirectory(releasedPolicyDirectory(t), anchor, "1.0.0")
+	if len(result.Findings) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("released public project: %#v", result.Findings)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDevelopmentPublicProjectStillRequiresEstateOwners(t *testing.T) {
+	anchor := testAnchor("repository-default")
+	anchor.Classification.VisibilityContract = "public"
+	anchor.Repository.Roles = []string{"project"}
+	result := New(testSchemas(t)).CompileDirectory(releasedPolicyDirectory(t), anchor, DevelopmentBundleVersion)
+	assertFinding(t, result.Findings, "GDS_POLICY_OWNER_REGISTER_UNAVAILABLE")
+}
+
+func TestReleasedDirectoryRejectsPrivateTarget(t *testing.T) {
+	anchor := testAnchor("repository-default")
+	anchor.Classification.VisibilityContract = "private"
+	result := New(testSchemas(t)).CompileReleasedPublicDirectory(releasedPolicyDirectory(t), anchor, "1.0.0")
+	assertFinding(t, result.Findings, "GDS_POLICY_RELEASE_TARGET_INVALID")
+}
+
+func TestReleasedDirectoryRejectsCorruptExistingOwnerRegister(t *testing.T) {
+	root := releasedPolicyDirectory(t)
+	directory := filepath.Join(root, "estate", "owners")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(directory, 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(directory, "invalid.yaml"), []byte("owner: ["), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	anchor := testAnchor("repository-default")
+	anchor.Classification.VisibilityContract = "public"
+	result := New(testSchemas(t)).CompileReleasedPublicDirectory(root, anchor, "1.0.0")
+	assertFinding(t, result.Findings, "GDS_POLICY_OWNER_REGISTER_UNAVAILABLE")
+}
+
+func TestReleasedDirectoryDoesNotInventAnOwnerIdentity(t *testing.T) {
+	root := releasedPolicyDirectory(t)
+	policy := `schema_version: 1
+policy:
+  id: owner-selected
+  tier: owner
+  priority: 100
+  distribution: public
+match:
+  owner: owner:example-declared
+apply:
+  rollout:
+    mode: pull-request
+`
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(root, "policies", "owner-selected.yaml"), []byte(policy), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	anchor := testAnchor("repository-default", "owner-selected")
+	anchor.Classification.VisibilityContract = "public"
+	result := New(testSchemas(t)).CompileReleasedPublicDirectory(root, anchor, "1.0.0")
+	assertFinding(t, result.Findings, "GDS_POLICY_PROFILE_NOT_APPLICABLE")
+}
diff --git a/docs/contracts/projections-v1.md b/docs/contracts/projections-v1.md
index 5049efb..f349ef7 100644
--- a/docs/contracts/projections-v1.md
+++ b/docs/contracts/projections-v1.md
@@ -91,6 +91,12 @@ content-set digest and attestation identity. Plan/apply/verify require the same
 two immutable input paths so precondition re-observation cannot change source.
 Private targets cannot use this standalone boundary.
 
+Portable released compilation does not require the private estate owner
+register. Profiles without an owner selector can apply; an explicit owner
+selector remains unresolvable and is rejected rather than deriving an identity
+from the GitHub login. A development public project still requires its estate
+owner register, and a corrupt existing register is always rejected.
+
 ## Manual drift
 
 Verification uses `lstat`, rejects symlinks and non-regular files, confines