diff --git a/backlot/__init__.py b/backlot/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1d0c582a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backlot/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+"""Backlot — the living storyboard.
+
+A read-only, disk-derived production board for OpenMontage. A small local web
+server watches ``projects/`` and renders each production's pipeline stages,
+script, scene plan, generated assets, decisions, cost, and activity — live.
+
+Design contract (see internal/design/LIVING_STORYBOARD.md):
+- Observation, not reporting: all state derives from files the pipeline
+  already writes. Agents never update the UI.
+- Never block, never break: malformed or missing state degrades gracefully.
+- The agent's only duty: ``python -m backlot open <project>`` at pipeline init.
+"""
+
+__version__ = "0.1.0"
+
+DEFAULT_PORT = 4750
diff --git a/backlot/__main__.py b/backlot/__main__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6004ef3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backlot/__main__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+"""Backlot CLI.
+
+    python -m backlot open [project-id]   # start server if needed, open browser
+    python -m backlot serve [--port N]    # run the server in the foreground
+
+``open`` is idempotent and non-fatal by design: agents call it at pipeline
+initialization and must continue the production even if it fails.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+import os
+import subprocess
+import sys
+import time
+import urllib.request
+import webbrowser
+
+from backlot import DEFAULT_PORT
+
+
+def _port() -> int:
+    try:
+        return int(os.environ.get("BACKLOT_PORT", DEFAULT_PORT))
+    except ValueError:
+        return DEFAULT_PORT
+
+
+def _server_alive(port: int) -> bool:
+    try:
+        with urllib.request.urlopen(f"http://127.0.0.1:{port}/api/health", timeout=1.5) as resp:
+            return resp.status == 200
+    except Exception:
+        return False
+
+
+def _spawn_server(port: int) -> None:
+    """Start the server as a detached background process."""
+    cmd = [sys.executable, "-m", "backlot", "serve", "--port", str(port)]
+    kwargs: dict = {
+        "stdout": subprocess.DEVNULL,
+        "stderr": subprocess.DEVNULL,
+        "stdin": subprocess.DEVNULL,
+    }
+    if os.name == "nt":
+        kwargs["creationflags"] = (
+            subprocess.CREATE_NEW_PROCESS_GROUP | getattr(subprocess, "DETACHED_PROCESS", 0x00000008)
+        )
+    else:
+        kwargs["start_new_session"] = True
+    subprocess.Popen(cmd, **kwargs)
+
+
+def cmd_open(project_id: str | None) -> int:
+    port = _port()
+    if not _server_alive(port):
+        try:
+            _spawn_server(port)
+        except Exception as exc:
+            print(f"backlot: could not start server ({exc}) — continuing without the board")
+            return 1
+        deadline = time.time() + 15
+        while time.time() < deadline:
+            if _server_alive(port):
+                break
+            time.sleep(0.4)
+        else:
+            print("backlot: server did not come up in time — continuing without the board")
+            return 1
+    url = f"http://127.0.0.1:{port}/"
+    if project_id:
+        url = f"http://127.0.0.1:{port}/p/{project_id}"
+    try:
+        webbrowser.open(url)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+    print(f"backlot: {url}")
+    return 0
+
+
+def cmd_serve(port: int) -> int:
+    import uvicorn
+
+    uvicorn.run("backlot.server:app", host="127.0.0.1", port=port, log_level="warning")
+    return 0
+
+
+def main(argv: list[str] | None = None) -> int:
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(prog="backlot", description=__doc__)
+    sub = parser.add_subparsers(dest="command")
+
+    p_open = sub.add_parser("open", help="open the board in the browser (starts server if needed)")
+    p_open.add_argument("project_id", nargs="?", default=None)
+
+    p_serve = sub.add_parser("serve", help="run the Backlot server in the foreground")
+    p_serve.add_argument("--port", type=int, default=_port())
+
+    args = parser.parse_args(argv)
+    if args.command == "open":
+        return cmd_open(args.project_id)
+    if args.command == "serve":
+        return cmd_serve(args.port)
+    parser.print_help()
+    return 2
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    raise SystemExit(main())
diff --git a/backlot/server.py b/backlot/server.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e24e5b91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backlot/server.py
@@ -0,0 +1,217 @@
+"""Backlot server — FastAPI app: board state API, SSE change feed, media.
+
+The watcher observes ``projects/`` with watchfiles; on any change it bumps a
+per-project version and wakes SSE subscribers, who tell the browser to
+refetch state. The server never writes to project directories.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+import json
+import time
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Optional
+
+from fastapi import FastAPI, HTTPException, Request
+from fastapi.responses import FileResponse, StreamingResponse
+from fastapi.staticfiles import StaticFiles
+
+from backlot.state import PROJECTS_DIR, REPO_ROOT, list_projects, load_board_state
+
+UI_DIR = Path(__file__).resolve().parent / "ui"
+
+# Paths inside a project whose changes are pure noise for the board.
+_IGNORE_PARTS = {"node_modules", ".git", "__pycache__", ".cache"}
+
+SSE_HEARTBEAT_SECONDS = 15
+
+
+class ChangeHub:
+    """Fan-out of project-change notifications to SSE subscribers."""
+
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self._subscribers: set[asyncio.Queue] = set()
+
+    def subscribe(self) -> asyncio.Queue:
+        q: asyncio.Queue = asyncio.Queue(maxsize=64)
+        self._subscribers.add(q)
+        return q
+
+    def unsubscribe(self, q: asyncio.Queue) -> None:
+        self._subscribers.discard(q)
+
+    def publish(self, project_id: str) -> None:
+        for q in list(self._subscribers):
+            try:
+                q.put_nowait(project_id)
+            except asyncio.QueueFull:
+                pass  # subscriber is behind; it will refetch on next event
+
+
+hub = ChangeHub()
+
+
+def _project_of_change(path_str: str) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Map a changed filesystem path to a project id (None = irrelevant)."""
+    try:
+        rel = Path(path_str).resolve().relative_to(PROJECTS_DIR.resolve())
+    except (ValueError, OSError):
+        return None
+    if not rel.parts:
+        return None
+    if _IGNORE_PARTS.intersection(rel.parts):
+        return None
+    return rel.parts[0]
+
+
+async def _watch_projects() -> None:
+    """Background task: watch projects/ and publish debounced changes."""
+    try:
+        from watchfiles import awatch
+    except ImportError:
+        return  # watcher unavailable → board still works via manual refresh
+    if not PROJECTS_DIR.is_dir():
+        return
+    async for changes in awatch(PROJECTS_DIR, recursive=True, step=400):
+        touched: set[str] = set()
+        for _change, path_str in changes:
+            pid = _project_of_change(path_str)
+            if pid:
+                touched.add(pid)
+        for pid in touched:
+            hub.publish(pid)
+
+
+def create_app() -> FastAPI:
+    app = FastAPI(title="Backlot", docs_url=None, redoc_url=None)
+
+    @app.on_event("startup")
+    async def _startup() -> None:
+        app.state.watch_task = asyncio.create_task(_watch_projects())
+
+    @app.on_event("shutdown")
+    async def _shutdown() -> None:
+        task = getattr(app.state, "watch_task", None)
+        if task:
+            task.cancel()
+
+    # ---- API ----------------------------------------------------------
+
+    @app.get("/api/health")
+    async def health() -> dict:
+        return {"ok": True, "app": "backlot"}
+
+    @app.get("/api/projects")
+    async def projects() -> list:
+        return await asyncio.to_thread(list_projects)
+
+    @app.get("/api/project/{project_id}/state")
+    async def project_state(project_id: str) -> dict:
+        project_dir = _safe_project_dir(project_id)
+        return await asyncio.to_thread(load_board_state, project_dir)
+
+    @app.get("/api/project/{project_id}/events")
+    async def project_events(project_id: str, request: Request) -> StreamingResponse:
+        _safe_project_dir(project_id)  # 404 early for unknown projects
+
+        async def stream():
+            q = hub.subscribe()
+            try:
+                yield _sse({"type": "hello", "project_id": project_id})
+                while True:
+                    if await request.is_disconnected():
+                        return
+                    try:
+                        changed = await asyncio.wait_for(q.get(), timeout=SSE_HEARTBEAT_SECONDS)
+                    except asyncio.TimeoutError:
+                        yield _sse({"type": "heartbeat", "ts": time.time()})
+                        continue
+                    if changed == project_id:
+                        # Coalesce bursts: drain anything queued for this project.
+                        while not q.empty():
+                            try:
+                                q.get_nowait()
+                            except asyncio.QueueEmpty:
+                                break
+                        yield _sse({"type": "change", "project_id": project_id})
+            finally:
+                hub.unsubscribe(q)
+
+        return StreamingResponse(stream(), media_type="text/event-stream", headers={
+            "Cache-Control": "no-cache",
+            "X-Accel-Buffering": "no",
+        })
+
+    @app.get("/api/library/events")
+    async def library_events(request: Request) -> StreamingResponse:
+        async def stream():
+            q = hub.subscribe()
+            try:
+                yield _sse({"type": "hello"})
+                while True:
+                    if await request.is_disconnected():
+                        return
+                    try:
+                        changed = await asyncio.wait_for(q.get(), timeout=SSE_HEARTBEAT_SECONDS)
+                    except asyncio.TimeoutError:
+                        yield _sse({"type": "heartbeat", "ts": time.time()})
+                        continue
+                    while not q.empty():
+                        try:
+                            q.get_nowait()
+                        except asyncio.QueueEmpty:
+                            break
+                    yield _sse({"type": "change", "project_id": changed})
+            finally:
+                hub.unsubscribe(q)
+
+        return StreamingResponse(stream(), media_type="text/event-stream", headers={
+            "Cache-Control": "no-cache",
+            "X-Accel-Buffering": "no",
+        })
+
+    # ---- Media (range requests handled by FileResponse) ---------------
+
+    @app.get("/media/{project_id}/{file_path:path}")
+    async def media(project_id: str, file_path: str) -> FileResponse:
+        project_dir = _safe_project_dir(project_id)
+        target = (project_dir / file_path).resolve()
+        try:
+            target.relative_to(project_dir.resolve())
+        except ValueError:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="path escapes project")
+        if not target.is_file():
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="media not found")
+        return FileResponse(target)
+
+    # ---- UI ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    @app.get("/p/{project_id}")
+    async def board_page(project_id: str) -> FileResponse:
+        return FileResponse(UI_DIR / "board.html")
+
+    @app.get("/")
+    async def library_page() -> FileResponse:
+        return FileResponse(UI_DIR / "index.html")
+
+    if UI_DIR.is_dir():
+        app.mount("/ui", StaticFiles(directory=UI_DIR), name="ui")
+
+    return app
+
+
+def _safe_project_dir(project_id: str) -> Path:
+    if "/" in project_id or "\\" in project_id or project_id in (".", ".."):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="invalid project id")
+    project_dir = PROJECTS_DIR / project_id
+    if not project_dir.is_dir():
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail=f"unknown project: {project_id}")
+    return project_dir
+
+
+def _sse(payload: dict) -> str:
+    return f"data: {json.dumps(payload)}\n\n"
+
+
+app = create_app()
diff --git a/backlot/state.py b/backlot/state.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3c93dcb0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backlot/state.py
@@ -0,0 +1,559 @@
+"""BoardState derivation — turn a project directory into renderable state.
+
+Everything here is read-only and defensive: a malformed JSON file, a missing
+artifact, or a half-written checkpoint must degrade the board, never crash it
+(design principle: "never block, never break").
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import json
+import re
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Any, Optional
+
+from lib.events import read_events
+
+REPO_ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
+PROJECTS_DIR = REPO_ROOT / "projects"
+
+MEDIA_IMAGE_EXT = {".png", ".jpg", ".jpeg", ".webp", ".gif"}
+MEDIA_VIDEO_EXT = {".mp4", ".webm", ".mov"}
+MEDIA_AUDIO_EXT = {".mp3", ".wav", ".m4a", ".ogg"}
+
+# Directories inside a project we never scan for media (build noise).
+SCAN_EXCLUDE = {"node_modules", ".git", "__pycache__", "history", ".cache"}
+
+# Stages every pipeline shares (fallback rail when the manifest is unknown).
+FALLBACK_STAGES = [
+    "research", "proposal", "idea", "script", "scene_plan",
+    "assets", "edit", "compose", "publish",
+]
+
+# How long (seconds) without filesystem activity before a board reads "idle".
+LIVE_WINDOW_SECONDS = 5 * 60
+
+
+def _read_json(path: Path) -> Optional[dict]:
+    """Read a JSON file, returning None on any failure."""
+    try:
+        with open(path, encoding="utf-8", errors="replace") as f:
+            data = json.load(f)
+        return data if isinstance(data, dict) else None
+    except (OSError, json.JSONDecodeError, UnicodeError):
+        return None
+
+
+def _rel(project_dir: Path, path: Path) -> str:
+    """Project-relative POSIX path for media URLs."""
+    try:
+        return path.relative_to(project_dir).as_posix()
+    except ValueError:
+        return path.name
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Pipeline / stages
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _load_pipeline_meta(pipeline_type: Optional[str]) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Stage order + gate flags from the manifest; graceful fallback."""
+    if pipeline_type and pipeline_type != "unknown":
+        try:
+            from lib.pipeline_loader import load_pipeline
+            manifest = load_pipeline(pipeline_type)
+            stages = [
+                {
+                    "name": s["name"],
+                    "gated": bool(s.get("human_approval_default", False)),
+                }
+                for s in manifest.get("stages", [])
+            ]
+            if stages:
+                return {
+                    "pipeline_type": pipeline_type,
+                    "stages": stages,
+                    "known": True,
+                }
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+    return {
+        "pipeline_type": pipeline_type or "unknown",
+        "stages": [{"name": s, "gated": False} for s in FALLBACK_STAGES],
+        "known": False,
+    }
+
+
+def _resolve_artifact(project_dir: Path, value: Any) -> Optional[dict]:
+    """Checkpoint artifacts may be inline dicts or path strings — resolve both."""
+    if isinstance(value, dict):
+        return value
+    if isinstance(value, str) and value:
+        p = Path(value)
+        if not p.is_absolute():
+            p = project_dir / value
+        return _read_json(p)
+    return None
+
+
+def _collect_checkpoints(project_dir: Path) -> dict[str, dict]:
+    """Current checkpoint per stage (raw dicts, unvalidated by design)."""
+    out: dict[str, dict] = {}
+    for path in sorted(project_dir.glob("checkpoint_*.json")):
+        stage = path.stem[len("checkpoint_"):]
+        data = _read_json(path)
+        if data is not None:
+            data["_mtime"] = path.stat().st_mtime
+            out[stage] = data
+    return out
+
+
+def _collect_history(project_dir: Path) -> dict[str, list[dict]]:
+    """Archived checkpoint versions per stage (oldest first)."""
+    history_dir = project_dir / "history"
+    out: dict[str, list[dict]] = {}
+    if not history_dir.is_dir():
+        return out
+    for path in sorted(history_dir.glob("checkpoint_*.json")):
+        m = re.match(r"checkpoint_(.+?)_\d", path.stem)
+        stage = m.group(1) if m else path.stem[len("checkpoint_"):]
+        data = _read_json(path)
+        if data is not None:
+            out.setdefault(stage, []).append(data)
+    return out
+
+
+def _build_stage_rail(
+    pipeline_meta: dict,
+    checkpoints: dict[str, dict],
+    history: dict[str, list[dict]],
+) -> list[dict]:
+    """One entry per manifest stage with derived status + gate audit."""
+    rail = []
+    manifest_stage_names = {s["name"] for s in pipeline_meta["stages"]}
+    for stage_def in pipeline_meta["stages"]:
+        name = stage_def["name"]
+        cp = checkpoints.get(name)
+        versions = history.get(name, [])
+        status = cp.get("status") if cp else "pending"
+        entry: dict[str, Any] = {
+            "name": name,
+            "gated": stage_def["gated"],
+            "status": status or "pending",
+            "timestamp": cp.get("timestamp") if cp else None,
+            "review": cp.get("review") if cp else None,
+            "cost_snapshot": cp.get("cost_snapshot") if cp else None,
+            "error": cp.get("error") if cp else None,
+            "human_approved": cp.get("human_approved") if cp else None,
+            "partial_progress": (cp.get("metadata") or {}).get("partial_progress") if cp else None,
+            "versions": len(versions) + (1 if cp else 0),
+        }
+        # Gate audit: a gated stage that completed without ever passing
+        # through awaiting_human (current or archived) was gate-skipped.
+        if (
+            stage_def["gated"]
+            and cp is not None
+            and cp.get("status") == "completed"
+        ):
+            saw_wait = any(v.get("status") == "awaiting_human" for v in versions)
+            approved = bool(cp.get("human_approved"))
+            entry["gate_skipped"] = not (saw_wait or approved)
+        rail.append(entry)
+
+    # Checkpoints for stages the manifest doesn't declare (legacy runs,
+    # pipeline mismatch) still deserve a slot at the end.
+    for name, cp in checkpoints.items():
+        if name not in manifest_stage_names:
+            rail.append({
+                "name": name,
+                "gated": False,
+                "status": cp.get("status") or "unknown",
+                "timestamp": cp.get("timestamp"),
+                "review": cp.get("review"),
+                "cost_snapshot": cp.get("cost_snapshot"),
+                "error": cp.get("error"),
+                "human_approved": cp.get("human_approved"),
+                "partial_progress": None,
+                "versions": 1 + len(history.get(name, [])),
+                "undeclared": True,
+            })
+    return rail
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Artifacts
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+ARTIFACT_FILES = {
+    "research_brief": "research_brief.json",
+    "brief": "brief.json",
+    "proposal_packet": "proposal_packet.json",
+    "script": "script.json",
+    "scene_plan": "scene_plan.json",
+    "asset_manifest": "asset_manifest.json",
+    "edit_decisions": "edit_decisions.json",
+    "render_report": "render_report.json",
+    "final_review": "final_review.json",
+    "publish_log": "publish_log.json",
+    "decision_log": "decision_log.json",
+}
+
+
+def _collect_artifacts(project_dir: Path, checkpoints: dict[str, dict]) -> dict[str, dict]:
+    """Artifacts from artifacts/*.json, backfilled from checkpoint payloads."""
+    artifacts: dict[str, dict] = {}
+    art_dir = project_dir / "artifacts"
+    for name, filename in ARTIFACT_FILES.items():
+        data = _read_json(art_dir / filename)
+        if data is not None:
+            artifacts[name] = data
+    # decision_log historically also lives at project root
+    if "decision_log" not in artifacts:
+        data = _read_json(project_dir / "decision_log.json")
+        if data is not None:
+            artifacts["decision_log"] = data
+    # Backfill from checkpoint-embedded artifacts.
+    for cp in checkpoints.values():
+        for name, value in (cp.get("artifacts") or {}).items():
+            if name not in artifacts:
+                resolved = _resolve_artifact(project_dir, value)
+                if resolved is not None:
+                    artifacts[name] = resolved
+    return artifacts
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Storyboard join
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _asset_entry(project_dir: Path, asset: dict) -> dict:
+    """Normalize a manifest asset entry + resolve file existence."""
+    raw_path = asset.get("path") or ""
+    file_path = Path(raw_path)
+    if not file_path.is_absolute():
+        file_path = project_dir / raw_path
+    exists = file_path.is_file()
+    kind = asset.get("type") or ""
+    if not kind and file_path.suffix:
+        ext = file_path.suffix.lower()
+        if ext in MEDIA_IMAGE_EXT:
+            kind = "image"
+        elif ext in MEDIA_VIDEO_EXT:
+            kind = "video"
+        elif ext in MEDIA_AUDIO_EXT:
+            kind = "audio"
+    return {
+        "id": asset.get("id"),
+        "type": kind,
+        "scene_id": asset.get("scene_id"),
+        "path": _rel(project_dir, file_path) if exists else raw_path,
+        "exists": exists,
+        "prompt": asset.get("prompt"),
+        "model": asset.get("model"),
+        "source_tool": asset.get("source_tool"),
+        "provider": asset.get("provider"),
+        "cost_usd": asset.get("cost_usd"),
+        "quality_score": asset.get("quality_score"),
+        "duration_seconds": asset.get("duration_seconds"),
+        "resolution": asset.get("resolution"),
+    }
+
+
+def _find_script_section(scene: dict, sections: list[dict]) -> Optional[dict]:
+    """Join scene → script section by id, falling back to timing overlap."""
+    sid = scene.get("script_section_id")
+    if sid:
+        for s in sections:
+            if s.get("id") == sid:
+                return s
+    start = scene.get("start_seconds")
+    end = scene.get("end_seconds")
+    if start is None or end is None:
+        return None
+    best, best_overlap = None, 0.0
+    for s in sections:
+        s0, s1 = s.get("start_seconds"), s.get("end_seconds")
+        if s0 is None or s1 is None:
+            continue
+        overlap = min(end, s1) - max(start, s0)
+        if overlap > best_overlap:
+            best, best_overlap = s, overlap
+    return best
+
+
+def _build_storyboard(
+    project_dir: Path,
+    artifacts: dict[str, dict],
+    events: list[dict],
+) -> Optional[dict]:
+    """Scene cards: scene_plan × script × asset_manifest (+ live events)."""
+    scene_plan = artifacts.get("scene_plan")
+    if not scene_plan or not isinstance(scene_plan.get("scenes"), list):
+        return None
+    sections = (artifacts.get("script") or {}).get("sections") or []
+    manifest_assets = (artifacts.get("asset_manifest") or {}).get("assets") or []
+
+    assets_by_scene: dict[str, list[dict]] = {}
+    for asset in manifest_assets:
+        if not isinstance(asset, dict):
+            continue
+        entry = _asset_entry(project_dir, asset)
+        key = str(entry.get("scene_id") or "")
+        assets_by_scene.setdefault(key, []).append(entry)
+
+    # A scene is "generating" if its most recent event is an unfinished start.
+    generating: dict[str, dict] = {}
+    for ev in events:
+        sid = ev.get("scene_id")
+        if not sid:
+            continue
+        if ev.get("event") == "start":
+            generating[sid] = ev
+        elif ev.get("event") in ("finish", "error"):
+            generating.pop(sid, None)
+
+    cards = []
+    for scene in scene_plan["scenes"]:
+        if not isinstance(scene, dict):
+            continue
+        sid = str(scene.get("id") or "")
+        section = _find_script_section(scene, sections)
+        scene_assets = assets_by_scene.get(sid, [])
+        visuals = [a for a in scene_assets if a["type"] in ("image", "video", "diagram", "animation")]
+        audio = [a for a in scene_assets if a["type"] in ("audio", "narration", "music", "sfx")]
+        # Takes: multiple visual assets for the same slot, ordered as listed.
+        active_visual = visuals[-1] if visuals else None
+        cards.append({
+            "id": sid,
+            "type": scene.get("type"),
+            "description": scene.get("description"),
+            "start_seconds": scene.get("start_seconds"),
+            "end_seconds": scene.get("end_seconds"),
+            "duration_seconds": (
+                (scene.get("end_seconds") or 0) - (scene.get("start_seconds") or 0)
+                if scene.get("end_seconds") is not None and scene.get("start_seconds") is not None
+                else None
+            ),
+            "hero_moment": bool(scene.get("hero_moment")),
+            "shot_language": scene.get("shot_language"),
+            "shot_intent": scene.get("shot_intent"),
+            "framing": scene.get("framing"),
+            "movement": scene.get("movement"),
+            "narration": (section or {}).get("text"),
+            "section_label": (section or {}).get("label"),
+            "required_assets": scene.get("required_assets") or [],
+            "visual": active_visual,
+            "takes": visuals,
+            "audio": audio,
+            "generating": generating.get(sid) is not None,
+            "generating_tool": (generating.get(sid) or {}).get("tool"),
+        })
+
+    total = scene_plan.get("metadata", {}).get("total_duration_seconds")
+    if total is None and cards:
+        ends = [c["end_seconds"] for c in cards if c["end_seconds"] is not None]
+        total = max(ends) if ends else None
+    return {
+        "scenes": cards,
+        "total_duration_seconds": total,
+        "style_playbook": scene_plan.get("style_playbook"),
+    }
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Media discovery
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _scan_media(project_dir: Path) -> dict[str, list[dict]]:
+    """Discovered media files (renders, loose assets, snapshots)."""
+    renders: list[dict] = []
+    snapshots: list[dict] = []
+    music: list[dict] = []
+
+    renders_dir = project_dir / "renders"
+    if renders_dir.is_dir():
+        for f in sorted(renders_dir.iterdir()):
+            if f.suffix.lower() in MEDIA_VIDEO_EXT and f.is_file():
+                renders.append({"path": _rel(project_dir, f), "size": f.stat().st_size,
+                                "mtime": f.stat().st_mtime})
+    # Atelier heuristic: deliverables at project root.
+    for f in sorted(project_dir.glob("*.mp4")):
+        renders.append({"path": _rel(project_dir, f), "size": f.stat().st_size,
+                        "mtime": f.stat().st_mtime, "at_root": True})
+    for f in sorted(project_dir.glob("*.mp3")):
+        music.append({"path": _rel(project_dir, f), "at_root": True})
+    music_dir = project_dir / "assets" / "music"
+    if music_dir.is_dir():
+        for f in sorted(music_dir.iterdir()):
+            if f.suffix.lower() in MEDIA_AUDIO_EXT:
+                music.append({"path": _rel(project_dir, f)})
+
+    for dirname in ("snapshots", "verify"):
+        d = project_dir / dirname
+        if d.is_dir():
+            for f in sorted(d.iterdir()):
+                if f.suffix.lower() in MEDIA_IMAGE_EXT and f.is_file():
+                    snapshots.append({"path": _rel(project_dir, f)})
+
+    renders.sort(key=lambda r: r.get("mtime", 0), reverse=True)
+    return {"renders": renders, "snapshots": snapshots, "music": music}
+
+
+def _find_poster(project_dir: Path, state: dict) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Best poster image for the library card."""
+    board = state.get("storyboard") or {}
+    for card in board.get("scenes", []):
+        visual = card.get("visual")
+        if visual and visual.get("exists") and visual.get("type") == "image":
+            return visual["path"]
+    for snap in (state.get("media") or {}).get("snapshots", []):
+        return snap["path"]
+    images_dir = project_dir / "assets" / "images"
+    if images_dir.is_dir():
+        for f in sorted(images_dir.iterdir()):
+            if f.suffix.lower() in MEDIA_IMAGE_EXT:
+                return _rel(project_dir, f)
+    return None
+
+
+def _last_activity(project_dir: Path) -> float:
+    """Most recent mtime among state-bearing files (bounded scan)."""
+    latest = 0.0
+    try:
+        candidates = list(project_dir.glob("checkpoint_*.json"))
+        candidates.append(project_dir / "events.jsonl")
+        art = project_dir / "artifacts"
+        if art.is_dir():
+            candidates.extend(art.glob("*.json"))
+        for p in candidates:
+            try:
+                latest = max(latest, p.stat().st_mtime)
+            except OSError:
+                continue
+    except OSError:
+        pass
+    return latest
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Public API
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def load_board_state(project_dir: Path) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Full BoardState for one project. Never raises."""
+    project_dir = Path(project_dir)
+    project_id = project_dir.name
+
+    marker = _read_json(project_dir / "project.json") or {}
+    meta_json = _read_json(project_dir / "meta.json") or {}
+
+    checkpoints = _collect_checkpoints(project_dir)
+    history = _collect_history(project_dir)
+
+    pipeline_type = marker.get("pipeline_type")
+    if not pipeline_type:
+        for cp in checkpoints.values():
+            pt = cp.get("pipeline_type")
+            if pt and pt != "unknown":
+                pipeline_type = pt
+                break
+    pipeline_meta = _load_pipeline_meta(pipeline_type)
+
+    artifacts = _collect_artifacts(project_dir, checkpoints)
+    events = read_events(project_dir, limit=250)
+    storyboard = _build_storyboard(project_dir, artifacts, events)
+    media = _scan_media(project_dir)
+
+    stages = _build_stage_rail(pipeline_meta, checkpoints, history)
+
+    # Cost: latest checkpoint snapshot wins; fall back to manifest total.
+    cost = None
+    for cp in sorted(checkpoints.values(), key=lambda c: c.get("_mtime", 0), reverse=True):
+        if cp.get("cost_snapshot"):
+            cost = cp["cost_snapshot"]
+            break
+    if cost is None:
+        total = (artifacts.get("asset_manifest") or {}).get("total_cost_usd")
+        if total is not None:
+            cost = {"total_spent_usd": total}
+
+    import time
+    last_activity = _last_activity(project_dir)
+    now = time.time()
+
+    state: dict[str, Any] = {
+        "project_id": project_id,
+        "title": marker.get("title") or meta_json.get("name") or project_id.replace("-", " ").title(),
+        "pipeline": pipeline_meta,
+        "style_playbook": marker.get("style_playbook"),
+        "created_at": marker.get("created_at"),
+        "has_marker": bool(marker),
+        "has_pipeline_state": bool(checkpoints),
+        "stages": stages,
+        "artifacts": artifacts,
+        "storyboard": storyboard,
+        "media": media,
+        "events": events,
+        "cost": cost,
+        "last_activity": last_activity,
+        "live": bool(last_activity and (now - last_activity) < LIVE_WINDOW_SECONDS),
+    }
+    state["poster"] = _find_poster(project_dir, state)
+    return state
+
+
+def summarize_project(project_dir: Path) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Cheap library-card summary (no full artifact parse of big files)."""
+    state = load_board_state(project_dir)
+    active = next((s for s in state["stages"] if s["status"] in ("in_progress", "awaiting_human")), None)
+    done = [s for s in state["stages"] if s["status"] == "completed"]
+    return {
+        "project_id": state["project_id"],
+        "title": state["title"],
+        "pipeline_type": state["pipeline"]["pipeline_type"],
+        "has_pipeline_state": state["has_pipeline_state"],
+        "poster": state["poster"],
+        "live": state["live"],
+        "last_activity": state["last_activity"],
+        "active_stage": active["name"] if active else None,
+        "awaiting_human": bool(active and active["status"] == "awaiting_human"),
+        "stage_states": [
+            {"name": s["name"], "status": s["status"]}
+            for s in state["stages"] if not s.get("undeclared")
+        ],
+        "completed_count": len(done),
+        "render_count": len(state["media"]["renders"]),
+        "scene_count": len((state["storyboard"] or {}).get("scenes", [])),
+    }
+
+
+def list_projects(projects_dir: Optional[Path] = None) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
+    """Library view: every project directory, live-first then recency."""
+    root = Path(projects_dir) if projects_dir else PROJECTS_DIR
+    if not root.is_dir():
+        return []
+    summaries = []
+    for entry in sorted(root.iterdir()):
+        if not entry.is_dir() or entry.name.startswith(("_", ".")):
+            continue
+        try:
+            summaries.append(summarize_project(entry))
+        except Exception:
+            summaries.append({
+                "project_id": entry.name,
+                "title": entry.name.replace("-", " ").title(),
+                "pipeline_type": "unknown",
+                "has_pipeline_state": False,
+                "poster": None,
+                "live": False,
+                "last_activity": 0,
+                "active_stage": None,
+                "awaiting_human": False,
+                "stage_states": [],
+                "completed_count": 0,
+                "render_count": 0,
+                "scene_count": 0,
+                "error": "unreadable",
+            })
+    summaries.sort(key=lambda s: (not s["live"], -(s["last_activity"] or 0)))
+    return summaries
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index b0ac36ad..e7f2b802 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -7,3 +7,8 @@ Pillow>=10.0
 numpy>=1.24
 requests>=2.31
 google-auth>=2.0       # service-account auth for Google TTS + Imagen (Vertex AI)
+
+# Backlot — the living storyboard (local board server)
+fastapi>=0.110
+uvicorn>=0.29
+watchfiles>=0.21
diff --git a/tests/backlot/test_state.py b/tests/backlot/test_state.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a5382cf9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/backlot/test_state.py
@@ -0,0 +1,190 @@
+"""Unit tests for Backlot BoardState derivation (backlot/state.py)."""
+
+import json
+import time
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import pytest
+
+from backlot import state as state_mod
+from backlot.state import list_projects, load_board_state, summarize_project
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def projects_root(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    root = tmp_path / "projects"
+    root.mkdir()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(state_mod, "PROJECTS_DIR", root)
+    return root
+
+
+def _make_project(root: Path, pid: str) -> Path:
+    p = root / pid
+    (p / "artifacts").mkdir(parents=True)
+    (p / "assets" / "images").mkdir(parents=True)
+    (p / "renders").mkdir()
+    return p
+
+
+def _write(p: Path, data: dict) -> None:
+    p.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    p.write_text(json.dumps(data), encoding="utf-8")
+
+
+SCENE_PLAN = {
+    "version": "1.0",
+    "scenes": [
+        {"id": "sc1", "type": "generated", "description": "opening",
+         "start_seconds": 0, "end_seconds": 4, "script_section_id": "s1",
+         "hero_moment": False},
+        {"id": "sc2", "type": "generated", "description": "climax",
+         "start_seconds": 4, "end_seconds": 10, "hero_moment": True},
+    ],
+}
+
+SCRIPT = {
+    "version": "1.0", "title": "Test Film", "total_duration_seconds": 10,
+    "sections": [
+        {"id": "s1", "text": "It begins.", "start_seconds": 0, "end_seconds": 4},
+        {"id": "s2", "text": "It ends.", "start_seconds": 4, "end_seconds": 10},
+    ],
+}
+
+
+class TestBoardState:
+    def test_full_project(self, projects_root):
+        p = _make_project(projects_root, "film")
+        _write(p / "project.json", {"project_id": "film", "title": "My Film",
+                                    "pipeline_type": "cinematic", "created_at": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"})
+        _write(p / "artifacts" / "scene_plan.json", SCENE_PLAN)
+        _write(p / "artifacts" / "script.json", SCRIPT)
+        img = p / "assets" / "images" / "sc1.png"
+        img.write_bytes(b"fake")
+        _write(p / "artifacts" / "asset_manifest.json", {
+            "version": "1.0",
+            "assets": [
+                {"id": "a1", "type": "image", "path": "assets/images/sc1.png",
+                 "scene_id": "sc1", "source_tool": "t", "cost_usd": 0.1},
+                {"id": "a2", "type": "image", "path": "assets/images/missing.png",
+                 "scene_id": "sc2", "source_tool": "t"},
+            ],
+            "total_cost_usd": 0.1,
+        })
+        _write(p / "checkpoint_script.json", {
+            "version": "1.0", "project_id": "film", "pipeline_type": "cinematic",
+            "stage": "script", "status": "completed", "timestamp": "2026-01-01T01:00:00Z",
+            "human_approved": True, "artifacts": {},
+        })
+
+        s = load_board_state(p)
+        assert s["title"] == "My Film"
+        assert s["pipeline"]["pipeline_type"] == "cinematic"
+        assert s["pipeline"]["known"] is True
+        board = s["storyboard"]
+        assert len(board["scenes"]) == 2
+        sc1, sc2 = board["scenes"]
+        assert sc1["narration"] == "It begins."
+        assert sc1["visual"]["exists"] is True
+        # sc2 has no script_section_id -> joined by timing overlap
+        assert sc2["narration"] == "It ends."
+        assert sc2["hero_moment"] is True
+        assert sc2["visual"]["exists"] is False  # missing file flagged
+        script_stage = next(x for x in s["stages"] if x["name"] == "script")
+        assert script_stage["status"] == "completed"
+
+    def test_gate_skip_detection(self, projects_root):
+        p = _make_project(projects_root, "sneaky")
+        # completed on a gated stage with no awaiting_human history and no
+        # human_approved -> gate_skipped flag
+        _write(p / "checkpoint_script.json", {
+            "version": "1.0", "project_id": "sneaky", "pipeline_type": "cinematic",
+            "stage": "script", "status": "completed",
+            "timestamp": "2026-01-01T01:00:00Z", "artifacts": {},
+        })
+        s = load_board_state(p)
+        script_stage = next(x for x in s["stages"] if x["name"] == "script")
+        assert script_stage["gate_skipped"] is True
+
+        # with an archived awaiting_human version, the gate was honored
+        _write(p / "history" / "checkpoint_script_20260101.json", {
+            "stage": "script", "status": "awaiting_human",
+        })
+        s2 = load_board_state(p)
+        script_stage2 = next(x for x in s2["stages"] if x["name"] == "script")
+        assert script_stage2["gate_skipped"] is False
+
+    def test_generating_state_from_events(self, projects_root):
+        p = _make_project(projects_root, "live")
+        _write(p / "artifacts" / "scene_plan.json", SCENE_PLAN)
+        events = [
+            {"ts": "t1", "tool": "img", "event": "start", "scene_id": "sc1"},
+            {"ts": "t2", "tool": "img", "event": "finish", "scene_id": "sc1"},
+            {"ts": "t3", "tool": "img", "event": "start", "scene_id": "sc2"},
+        ]
+        (p / "events.jsonl").write_text(
+            "\n".join(json.dumps(e) for e in events) + "\n", encoding="utf-8")
+        s = load_board_state(p)
+        cards = {c["id"]: c for c in s["storyboard"]["scenes"]}
+        assert cards["sc1"]["generating"] is False
+        assert cards["sc2"]["generating"] is True
+        assert cards["sc2"]["generating_tool"] == "img"
+
+    def test_degraded_project_never_crashes(self, projects_root):
+        p = projects_root / "bare"
+        p.mkdir()
+        (p / "something.mp4").write_bytes(b"x")
+        (p / "artifacts").mkdir()
+        (p / "artifacts" / "script.json").write_text("NOT JSON", encoding="utf-8")
+        s = load_board_state(p)
+        assert s["has_pipeline_state"] is False
+        assert s["storyboard"] is None
+        assert s["media"]["renders"][0]["path"] == "something.mp4"
+        assert s["media"]["renders"][0]["at_root"] is True
+
+    def test_undeclared_stage_surfaces(self, projects_root):
+        p = _make_project(projects_root, "legacy")
+        _write(p / "checkpoint_idea.json", {
+            "version": "1.0", "project_id": "legacy", "pipeline_type": "cinematic",
+            "stage": "idea", "status": "completed",
+            "timestamp": "2026-01-01T01:00:00Z", "artifacts": {},
+        })
+        s = load_board_state(p)
+        idea = next(x for x in s["stages"] if x["name"] == "idea")
+        assert idea.get("undeclared") is True
+
+
+class TestLibrary:
+    def test_list_projects_sorts_live_first(self, projects_root):
+        old = _make_project(projects_root, "old-film")
+        _write(old / "checkpoint_script.json", {"stage": "script", "status": "completed"})
+        # backdate everything in old-film
+        import os
+        past = time.time() - 60 * 60 * 24 * 30
+        for f in old.rglob("*"):
+            if f.is_file():
+                os.utime(f, (past, past))
+
+        fresh = _make_project(projects_root, "fresh-film")
+        _write(fresh / "checkpoint_script.json", {"stage": "script", "status": "in_progress"})
+
+        projects = list_projects(projects_root)
+        assert [p["project_id"] for p in projects][0] == "fresh-film"
+        assert projects[0]["live"] is True
+        assert projects[1]["live"] is False
+
+    def test_underscore_dirs_skipped(self, projects_root):
+        (projects_root / "_analysis").mkdir()
+        _make_project(projects_root, "real")
+        ids = [p["project_id"] for p in list_projects(projects_root)]
+        assert ids == ["real"]
+
+    def test_summary_shape(self, projects_root):
+        p = _make_project(projects_root, "sum")
+        _write(p / "project.json", {"title": "Sum", "pipeline_type": "cinematic"})
+        _write(p / "checkpoint_script.json", {
+            "stage": "script", "status": "awaiting_human",
+            "timestamp": "2026-01-01T01:00:00Z", "artifacts": {},
+        })
+        summary = summarize_project(p)
+        assert summary["awaiting_human"] is True
+        assert summary["active_stage"] == "script"