diff --git a/.planning/phases/01-design-foundation-and-primitives/01-VALIDATION.md b/.planning/phases/01-design-foundation-and-primitives/01-VALIDATION.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3f15568
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.planning/phases/01-design-foundation-and-primitives/01-VALIDATION.md
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+---
+phase: 1
+slug: design-foundation-and-primitives
+status: draft
+nyquist_compliant: false
+wave_0_complete: false
+created: 2026-03-16
+---
+
+# Phase 1 — Validation Strategy
+
+> Per-phase validation contract for feedback sampling during execution.
+
+---
+
+## Test Infrastructure
+
+| Property | Value |
+|----------|-------|
+| **Framework** | None — no test framework installed |
+| **Config file** | none |
+| **Quick run command** | `npm run build` |
+| **Full suite command** | `npm run build && npm run lint` |
+| **Estimated runtime** | ~15 seconds |
+
+---
+
+## Sampling Rate
+
+- **After every task commit:** Run `npm run build`
+- **After every plan wave:** Run `npm run build && npm run lint`
+- **Before `/gsd:verify-work`:** Full suite must be green
+- **Max feedback latency:** 15 seconds
+
+---
+
+## Per-Task Verification Map
+
+| Task ID | Plan | Wave | Requirement | Test Type | Automated Command | File Exists | Status |
+|---------|------|------|-------------|-----------|-------------------|-------------|--------|
+| 01-01-01 | 01 | 1 | UI-DESIGN-01 | build | `npm run build` | N/A | ⬜ pending |
+| 01-01-02 | 01 | 1 | UI-DESIGN-01 | manual | OddContrast WCAG check | N/A | ⬜ pending |
+| 01-02-01 | 02 | 1 | UI-DASH-01 | build | `npm run build` | N/A | ⬜ pending |
+| 01-02-02 | 02 | 1 | UI-RESPONSIVE-01 | manual | Browser DevTools responsive | N/A | ⬜ pending |
+
+*Status: ⬜ pending · ✅ green · ❌ red · ⚠️ flaky*
+
+---
+
+## Wave 0 Requirements
+
+- No test framework exists. This is acceptable for a UI-only overhaul where verification is primarily visual.
+- The `build` command (`tsc -b && vite build`) serves as the primary automated validation: catches type errors, missing imports, and bundling failures.
+
+*Existing infrastructure covers automated build validation. Visual verification is manual.*
+
+---
+
+## Manual-Only Verifications
+
+| Behavior | Requirement | Why Manual | Test Instructions |
+|----------|-------------|------------|-------------------|
+| Color tokens pass WCAG 4.5:1 contrast | UI-DESIGN-01 | Visual/perceptual — requires external contrast tool | Use OddContrast with OKLCH values; verify each category color pair against white background |
+| Summary card grid responds to viewport | UI-RESPONSIVE-01 | Layout behavior — requires browser viewport testing | Open DevTools, resize from 1440px to 768px, verify cards reflow |
+| PageShell renders consistent header | UI-DESIGN-01 | Visual consistency — no automated assertion available | Navigate between pages, verify header pattern matches |
+| StatCard variance badges render correctly | UI-DASH-01 | Visual — semantic colors and badge positioning | View dashboard with budget data, verify green/red badges on cards |
+
+*All phase behaviors are primarily visual; automated validation is limited to build/type-check.*
+
+---
+
+## Validation Sign-Off
+
+- [ ] All tasks have `<automated>` verify or Wave 0 dependencies
+- [ ] Sampling continuity: no 3 consecutive tasks without automated verify
+- [ ] Wave 0 covers all MISSING references
+- [ ] No watch-mode flags
+- [ ] Feedback latency < 15s
+- [ ] `nyquist_compliant: true` set in frontmatter
+
+**Approval:** pending