diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish.yml b/.github/workflows/publish.yml
index 7edcac9f..974bcdda 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/publish.yml
@@ -11,9 +11,11 @@ jobs:
   build:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     permissions:
-      contents: write
+      contents: read
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@34e114876b0b11c390a56381ad16ebd13914f8d5 # v4.3.1
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
       - uses: actions/setup-python@a26af69be951a213d495a4c3e4e4022e16d87065 # v5.6.0
         with:
           python-version: "3.13"
@@ -33,18 +35,30 @@ jobs:
           tar --sort=name --mtime="@${SOURCE_DATE_EPOCH}" --owner=0 --group=0 --numeric-owner \
             -C normalized-sdist -cf - "codex32-${GITHUB_REF_NAME#v}" | gzip -n > "$archive.new"
           mv "$archive.new" "$archive"
-      - name: Attach distributions to the GitHub release
-        run: gh release upload "$GITHUB_REF_NAME" dist/*
-        env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
       - uses: actions/upload-artifact@ea165f8d65b6e75b540449e92b4886f43607fa02 # v4.6.2
         with:
           name: distributions
           path: dist/
 
-  publish:
+  attach:
+    # Only this job, which runs no repository code, can write to the release.
     needs: build
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/download-artifact@d3f86a106a0bac45b974a628896c90dbdf5c8093 # v4.3.0
+        with:
+          name: distributions
+          path: dist/
+      - name: Attach distributions to the GitHub release
+        run: gh release upload "$GITHUB_REF_NAME" dist/* --repo "$GITHUB_REPOSITORY"
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+
+  publish:
+    needs: [build, attach]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     environment:
       name: pypi
       url: https://pypi.org/p/codex32
diff --git a/docs/developer/api.md b/docs/developer/api.md
index 51c9fb5c..8d46bf11 100644
--- a/docs/developer/api.md
+++ b/docs/developer/api.md
@@ -432,7 +432,7 @@ and reparses survivors. No meet-in-the-middle search is used.
 
 Each layer is charged `alignment_count * 32**E * C(M-E,S) * 31**S`, with `M`
 the mutable body length. All fixed, character, group and target-length layers
-share one admission ledger. Complete equal-volume batches are admitted only
+of both mixed-case interpretations share one admission ledger. Complete equal-volume batches are admitted only
 while their cumulative mass is at or below `1`. Integer scaling handles
 65-bit and 75-bit checksum spaces together. Consecutive fixed erasures are
 included in this ledger, with no independent allowance. Profile validation,
diff --git a/src/codex32/_cli_input.py b/src/codex32/_cli_input.py
index 0d2a41e4..304a3ccb 100644
--- a/src/codex32/_cli_input.py
+++ b/src/codex32/_cli_input.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
     parse_codex32,
     recover_secret,
 )
-from codex32.correction import CorrectionCandidate, CorrectionContext, _best, _capture_mass
+from codex32.correction import CorrectionCandidate, CorrectionContext, _best, _capture_mass, _validate_context
 from codex32.errors import (
     CodexError,
     DuplicateShareIndex,
@@ -432,9 +432,19 @@ def _correction_candidates(
     seed_candidates: Sequence[CorrectionCandidate] = (),
     required_only: bool = False,
     optional_only: bool = False,
+    shared_texts: Sequence[str] = (),
 ) -> tuple[tuple[CorrectionCandidate, ...], bool, float]:
     count = len(value.replace(" ", ""))
-    targets = _correction_plan(profile, byte_length, count, target)
+
+    def supported(length: int) -> bool:
+        # Like the public unknown-length path, skip lengths no codex32 string can have.
+        try:
+            _validate_context(CorrectionContext(profile, length))
+        except CodexError:
+            return False
+        return True
+
+    targets = tuple(filter(supported, _correction_plan(profile, byte_length, count, target)))
     deadline = monotonic() + 10 if deadline is None else deadline
     contexts = tuple(CorrectionContext(profile, length, immutable, excluded) for length in targets)
     from codex32.indel import _search_many
@@ -450,6 +460,7 @@ def _correction_candidates(
         seed_candidates=seed_candidates,
         required_only=required_only,
         optional_only=optional_only,
+        shared_texts=shared_texts,
     )
     if allowed is not None:
         candidates = tuple(candidate for candidate in candidates if allowed(candidate))
@@ -492,21 +503,28 @@ def _scheduled_candidates(
     if retry is not None:
         # Find required candidates for both case interpretations before either
         # full search can spend the shared deadline on optional alignment.
-        # These discovery passes deliberately do not charge capture_layers;
-        # the full searches below account each admitted frontier once.
-        for required_value in (first, retry):
+        # Both interpretations draw on one admission ledger. These discovery
+        # passes do not charge capture_layers; the full searches below account
+        # each admitted frontier once.
+        for required_value, other in ((first, retry), (retry, first)):
             seeded, complete, deadline = search(
-                required_value, deadline=deadline, seed_candidates=seeded, required_only=True
+                required_value,
+                deadline=deadline,
+                seed_candidates=seeded,
+                required_only=True,
+                shared_texts=(other,),
             )
             if not complete:
                 return (), False
     capture_layers: list[tuple[int, int]] = []
     full_search = partial(search, capture_layers=capture_layers, optional_only=retry is not None)
-    candidates, complete, deadline = full_search(first, deadline=deadline, seed_candidates=seeded)
+    candidates, complete, deadline = full_search(
+        first, deadline=deadline, seed_candidates=seeded, shared_texts=() if retry is None else (retry,)
+    )
     if retry is None:
         return candidates, complete
     retry_candidates, retry_complete, _deadline = full_search(
-        retry, deadline=deadline, seed_candidates=(*seeded, *candidates)
+        retry, deadline=deadline, seed_candidates=(*seeded, *candidates), shared_texts=(first,)
     )
     complete = complete and retry_complete
     annotated = []
diff --git a/src/codex32/_competitors.py b/src/codex32/_competitors.py
index b5895a9b..eac37107 100644
--- a/src/codex32/_competitors.py
+++ b/src/codex32/_competitors.py
@@ -182,7 +182,9 @@ def _search_competitors(
     completed: set[_Layer] = set()
     try:
         for state in states:
-            if not optional_only and _FIXED in state.counts:
+            # Coverage proofs read a missing witness as a failed decode, so the
+            # optional pass recomputes each fixed witness instead of omitting it.
+            if _FIXED in state.counts:
                 _check_deadline(deadline)
                 fixed[state.target] = _search_fixed(state, frontier, results, allowed)
         targets = {state.target: state for state in states}
diff --git a/src/codex32/correction.py b/src/codex32/correction.py
index 39fc2627..175fe37e 100644
--- a/src/codex32/correction.py
+++ b/src/codex32/correction.py
@@ -857,8 +857,8 @@ def _correct_complete(
     if interpretation is not None:
         # Establish both interpretations' fixed/required candidates before
         # either interpretation can spend the shared deadline on optional
-        # alignment work.  These discovery passes use a private accounting
-        # ledger; the full searches below account every admitted layer once.
+        # alignment work. Both interpretations draw on one admission ledger;
+        # only the full searches below account every admitted layer once.
         for input_context, value in inputs:
             preflight_contexts: tuple[CorrectionContext, ...]
             if input_context.expected_length is not None:
@@ -884,6 +884,7 @@ def _correct_complete(
                 observed_text=damaged_text,
                 seed_candidates=candidates,
                 required_only=True,
+                shared_texts=tuple(other for _context, other in inputs if other != value),
             )
             if not current_complete:
                 return (), False
@@ -912,6 +913,7 @@ def _correct_complete(
             observed_text=damaged_text,
             seed_candidates=candidates,
             optional_only=interpretation is not None,
+            shared_texts=tuple(other for _context, other in inputs if other != value),
         )
         complete &= current_complete
         if not current_complete and not candidates:
diff --git a/src/codex32/indel.py b/src/codex32/indel.py
index 98a63698..5ba5635c 100644
--- a/src/codex32/indel.py
+++ b/src/codex32/indel.py
@@ -333,24 +333,30 @@ def _layers(
 
 
 def _frontier(
-    states: Sequence[_Target], primary: frozenset[int]
+    states: Sequence[_Target], primary: frozenset[int], shared: Sequence[_Target] = ()
 ) -> dict[tuple[int, _StructuralClass, int, int], int]:
-    layers = tuple(layer for state in states for layer in _layers(state))
-    maximum = max((bits for _volume, bits, _key in layers), default=0)
+    """Admit layers by volume; ``shared`` interpretations spend the same ledger but are not returned."""
+    layers = tuple(
+        (*layer, own)
+        for own, group in ((True, states), (False, shared))
+        for state in group
+        for layer in _layers(state)
+    )
+    maximum = max((bits for _volume, bits, _key, _own in layers), default=0)
     admitted: dict[tuple[int, _StructuralClass, int, int], int] = {}
     cumulative = 0
 
     def add(
-        pool: Sequence[tuple[int, int, tuple[int, _StructuralClass, int, int]]],
+        pool: Sequence[tuple[int, int, tuple[int, _StructuralClass, int, int], bool]],
     ) -> None:
         nonlocal cumulative
         for _rank, grouped in groupby(sorted(pool, key=lambda item: item[0]), key=lambda item: item[0]):
             batch = tuple(grouped)
-            increment = sum(volume << (maximum - bits) for volume, bits, _key in batch)
+            increment = sum(volume << (maximum - bits) for volume, bits, _key, _own in batch)
             if _FALSE_BOUND_DENOMINATOR * (cumulative + increment) > 1 << maximum:
                 break
             cumulative += increment
-            admitted.update((key, volume) for volume, _bits, key in batch)
+            admitted.update((key, volume) for volume, _bits, key, own in batch if own)
 
     add(tuple(layer for layer in layers if layer[2][0] in primary))
     add(tuple(layer for layer in layers if layer[2][0] not in primary))
@@ -407,7 +413,8 @@ def _normalize(context: CorrectionContext, damaged_text: str) -> tuple[str, int]
         return None
     prefix = context.immutable_prefix or f"{context.hrp}1"
     matches = text.startswith(prefix) if context.immutable_prefix else text.lower().startswith(prefix)
-    if not matches or not target - 8 <= len(text) <= target + 8:
+    # Bech32 separates at the last "1"; a later one enters a different HRP.
+    if not matches or text.rfind("1") != len(context.hrp) or not target - 8 <= len(text) <= target + 8:
         return None
     return text, len(prefix)
 
@@ -561,34 +568,32 @@ def _search_many(
     seed_candidates: Sequence[CorrectionCandidate] = (),
     required_only: bool = False,
     optional_only: bool = False,
+    shared_texts: Sequence[str] = (),
 ) -> tuple[tuple[CorrectionCandidate, ...], bool]:
     deadline = monotonic() + 10 if deadline is None else deadline
-    states = tuple(
-        state
-        for context in contexts
-        if (
-            state := _prepare(
-                context,
-                damaged_text,
-                _CLASSES,
-                observed_text,
-            )
+
+    def prepare(text: str) -> tuple[_Target, ...]:
+        return tuple(
+            state
+            for context in contexts
+            if (state := _prepare(context, text, _CLASSES, observed_text)) is not None
         )
-        is not None
-    )
+
+    states = prepare(damaged_text)
+    # Every case interpretation and pass draws on one complete admission ledger.
+    frontier = _frontier(states, primary, tuple(state for text in shared_texts for state in prepare(text)))
     if required_only:
+
+        def required(shape: _StructuralClass) -> bool:
+            return shape == _FIXED or shape.unit == 4 or shape.distance <= 2
+
         states = tuple(
             replace(
-                state,
-                counts={
-                    shape: values
-                    for shape, values in state.counts.items()
-                    if shape == _FIXED or shape.unit == 4 or shape.distance <= 2
-                },
+                state, counts={shape: values for shape, values in state.counts.items() if required(shape)}
             )
             for state in states
         )
-    frontier = _frontier(states, primary)
+        frontier = {key: volume for key, volume in frontier.items() if required(key[1])}
     layers_accounted = [] if capture_layers is None else capture_layers
     widths = {state.target: 5 * state.degree for state in states}
     layers_accounted.extend((volume, widths[key[0]]) for key, volume in frontier.items())
diff --git a/tests/test_cli_lengths.py b/tests/test_cli_lengths.py
index 6fa10899..af99612b 100644
--- a/tests/test_cli_lengths.py
+++ b/tests/test_cli_lengths.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 import pytest
 
 from codex32 import Profile
-from codex32._cli_input import InputError, _parse, _prefixed_input_error
+from codex32._cli_input import InputError, _parse, _prefixed_input_error, _suggestions
 from codex32.errors import InvalidChecksum, InvalidLength
 
 
@@ -45,3 +45,11 @@ def test_reported_invalid_length_vector_in_neutral_entry():
 def test_unknown_profile_does_not_replace_checksum_failure_with_a_length_guess():
     with pytest.raises(InputError, match="The checksum does not match"):
         _parse("zz10fauxs" + "x" * 87, (Profile.MS,))
+
+
+def test_opaque_correction_skips_lengths_inside_the_checksum_gap():
+    # 90 characters: nearby targets 92 and 93 would expand to the forbidden 94/95.
+    source = "zz10tests" + "q" * 68 + "eqq7qmrek3dw3"
+    damaged = source[:87] + "p" + source[88:]
+
+    assert [candidate.artifact.text for candidate in _suggestions(damaged, "", None, [])] == [source]
diff --git a/tests/test_competitors.py b/tests/test_competitors.py
index 033cce0e..2a518dc6 100644
--- a/tests/test_competitors.py
+++ b/tests/test_competitors.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """CLI competitor scheduling, proof boundaries, and differential scoring."""
 
 from dataclasses import replace
+from math import comb
 from time import monotonic
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
@@ -8,6 +9,7 @@
 
 from codex32 import CorrectionContext, MasterSeed, Profile, Share, indel
 from codex32 import _competitors as search
+from codex32._cli_input import _case_interpretation, _scheduled_candidates
 from codex32.bech32 import CHARSET
 from codex32.correction import _correct_fixed
 from codex32.profiles.ms32 import TEXT_LENGTHS
@@ -342,3 +344,22 @@ def test_pruning_does_not_change_mass_admission():
     search._search_competitors((state,), frontier, monotonic() + 10, None)
     assert frontier == original
     assert sum(frontier.values()) <= 2**65
+
+
+def test_mixed_case_optional_pass_keeps_fixed_witnesses():
+    damaged = list(SOURCE)
+    for left, right in ((11, 12), (23, 34)):
+        damaged[left], damaged[right] = damaged[right], damaged[left]
+    lowercase = "".join(damaged)
+    mixed = lowercase[:40] + lowercase[40].upper() + lowercase[41:]
+    interpretation = _case_interpretation(mixed, "", (Profile.MS,), None)
+    assert interpretation is not None
+    _direct, normalized, erased, _prefix = interpretation
+    assert normalized == lowercase
+
+    candidates, complete = _scheduled_candidates(normalized, erased, Profile.MS, None, "ms1", target=48)
+
+    assert complete
+    assert [candidate.artifact.text for candidate in candidates] == [SOURCE]
+    # One adjacent and one distant swap among 45 body characters, ordered two ways.
+    assert candidates[0].capture_volume == 2 * 44 * comb(44, 2)
diff --git a/tests/test_correction_indel.py b/tests/test_correction_indel.py
index d15c6225..08d9b233 100644
--- a/tests/test_correction_indel.py
+++ b/tests/test_correction_indel.py
@@ -229,6 +229,15 @@ def test_immutable_confirmed_header_reduces_domains_and_cannot_be_repaired() ->
     assert correct(context, SOURCE[:5] + "?" + SOURCE[6:]) == ()
 
 
+def test_later_separator_enters_another_namespace_and_is_not_repaired() -> None:
+    # Bech32 splits at the last "1", so this text no longer carries the ms HRP.
+    damaged = SOURCE[:15] + "1" + SOURCE[16:]
+
+    assert correct(CONTEXT, damaged) == ()
+    assert correct(CorrectionContext(Profile.MS), damaged) == ()
+    assert correct(CONTEXT, damaged.upper()) == ()
+
+
 def test_header_pruning_is_a_lossless_lower_bound() -> None:
     ordinary = [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
     ordinary[0] = 15  # threshold 0
diff --git a/tests/test_mixed_case_deadline.py b/tests/test_mixed_case_deadline.py
index f812096f..10b05df5 100644
--- a/tests/test_mixed_case_deadline.py
+++ b/tests/test_mixed_case_deadline.py
@@ -5,8 +5,9 @@
 
 import pytest
 
-from codex32 import Profile
+from codex32 import CorrectionContext, MasterSeed, Profile
 from codex32._cli_input import _case_interpretation, _correction_candidates, _scheduled_candidates
+from codex32.correction import _correct_complete
 
 SOURCE = "ms10testsxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx4nzvca9cmczlw"
 
@@ -81,3 +82,26 @@ def truncated_first(value: str, *_args: object, **kwargs: object) -> tuple[objec
     assert [(candidate.artifact.text, candidate.search_complete) for candidate in candidates] == [
         (SOURCE, False)
     ]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("entry", ("public", "cli"))
+def test_case_interpretations_share_one_admission_ledger(entry: str) -> None:
+    # Thirteen minority-case symbols: alone, the erased reading admits a
+    # whole-checksum completion; the normalized reading must share that mass.
+    source = MasterSeed.from_seed(bytes(16), identifier="test").text
+    damaged = source[:10] + "P" * 13 + source[23:]
+    deadline = monotonic() + 1
+    if entry == "public":
+        candidates, _complete = _correct_complete(
+            CorrectionContext(Profile.MS, 48), damaged, deadline=deadline
+        )
+    else:
+        interpretation = _case_interpretation(damaged, "", (Profile.MS,), None)
+        assert interpretation is not None
+        _direct, normalized, erased, _prefix = interpretation
+        candidates, _complete = _scheduled_candidates(
+            normalized, erased, Profile.MS, None, "ms1", target=48, deadline=deadline
+        )
+
+    for candidate in candidates:
+        assert candidate.cumulative_capture_volume <= 1 << candidate.capture_space_bits