diff --git a/examples/README.md b/examples/README.md
index b3bf2f09..78ab9090 100644
--- a/examples/README.md
+++ b/examples/README.md
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 | --- | --- | --- |
 | [Stable v1 GitHub Action consumer](github-action-consumer-v1.yml) | **Current v1** (`AETHERXGLOBAL/execsurface@v1`) | Copy-ready Rust CI integration after explicit baseline and policy custody setup |
 | [Five-Minute Start](../docs/QUICKSTART_5_MIN.md) | **Current v1** | Test the published v1 binary against controlled PASS/REVIEW scenarios |
+| [Node.js/npm PASS→REVIEW](node-npm/README.md) | **Current v1** | Deterministic Node.js fixture showing an unchanged PASS and one controlled-drift REVIEW on stable v1.0.0 |
 | [Python/pytest PASS→REVIEW](python-pytest/README.md) | **Historical Alpha.5** | Replay preserved third-party contributed evidence only; not v1 onboarding |
 | [Minimal controlled drift](hello-drift.sh) | Check selected release/CLI contract | Small local demonstration |
 
diff --git a/examples/node-npm/README.md b/examples/node-npm/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cb02e59b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/node-npm/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+# Node.js/npm: unchanged PASS and deliberate-write REVIEW
+
+Current example, aligned with stable ExecSurface **v1.0.0** on Linux x86_64 with
+native `ptrace`; `doctor` must succeed on the host. This recipe learns and
+checks the **same real Node.js command** against a tiny dependency-free
+fixture, mirroring the [Python/pytest recipe](../python-pytest/README.md). It is
+a reproducible integration example, not independent external validation or a
+safety certification.
+
+## What it demonstrates
+
+The observed target is a one-file Node script that is deterministic: it reads a
+public `fixture.json`, asserts a sum invariant, and — only when the fixture's
+`write_extra` flag is set — writes a harmless `drift.txt` into its working
+directory. That single new file write is the controlled runtime effect that
+ExecSurface should surface as `REVIEW`.
+
+From the repository root, first obtain the stable v1 binary using the
+installation notes of the
+[v1.0.0 release](https://github.com/AETHERXGLOBAL/execsurface/releases/tag/v1.0.0).
+Keep its checksum-verified path in `EXEC_SURFACE_BIN`; this recipe records its
+digest and checks its version. Then run the runner with Node.js 18 or later.
+The runner uses only `node:` built-ins and downloads nothing.
+
+```sh
+EXEC_SURFACE_BIN=/absolute/path/to/checksum-verified/execsurface
+node examples/node-npm/run.js \
+  --execsurface "$EXEC_SURFACE_BIN" \
+  --output /tmp/execsurface-node-npm-first-run
+```
+
+Use a new output directory each time. The runner refuses to overwrite a
+retained run, copies the three public fixture files, and retains the native
+command receipts, stdout/stderr, baseline and verdict JSON. A failed
+expectation writes `failure.json` and exits nonzero, retaining the failure.
+`--node` may explicitly select another Node executable; otherwise the runner
+uses its own interpreter.
+
+The observed command is:
+
+```sh
+node test.js
+```
+
+The runner performs the ordinary `learn --output ... --label ... --workspace ...`
+and `check --baseline ... --workspace ... --json-output ...` flows:
+
+| Step | Node result | ExecSurface result | Asserted exit |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| Learn `write_extra: false` | `node test.js` exits 0 | Baseline written | 0 |
+| Check unchanged fixture | `node test.js` exits 0 | PASS; no drift | 0 |
+| Set public fixture `write_extra: true`, check again | `node test.js` exits 0 | REVIEW; added `$WORKSPACE/drift.txt` write | 10 |
+
+The same assertion, command, Node interpreter and baseline remain selected.
+Only the public fixture's boolean changes. The test then writes the harmless
+`drift.txt` inside its fresh workspace. The runner verifies that a matching
+`file_create`/`file_write` finding appears and that the baseline bytes did not
+change.
+
+The **baseline** records the selected observed execution surface. The **policy**
+interprets differences; this recipe uses the unchanged built-in REVIEW policy
+for unmatched drift. It does not relearn after drift or weaken policy to get
+PASS. ERROR, BLOCK, an unexpected native exit, a lost report or an unavailable
+observer fails the recipe rather than counting as either expected outcome.
+
+## Support boundary
+
+Stable v1.0.0 supports **Linux x86_64** with native `ptrace` (see
+[`docs/STATUS.md`](../../docs/STATUS.md)). Windows and ARM64 are not claimed.
+The observed `node test.js` command is a familiar Node.js/npm developer
+workload; ExecSurface observes the resulting Linux process/file/network
+effects, not Node.js-specific semantics.
+
+## What this example is and is not
+
+The fixture contains no secrets. It adds no environment enumeration or
+secret/file-content collection. ExecSurface's existing metadata observer may
+record local executable and filesystem paths; review retained receipts before
+sharing them. A PASS here establishes this selected observed fixture
+comparison; it does not establish containment, malware safety, complete
+observation of every possible effect or independent custody.
diff --git a/examples/node-npm/fixture/fixture.json b/examples/node-npm/fixture/fixture.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d3ce7175
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/node-npm/fixture/fixture.json
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"left":2,"right":3,"write_extra":false}
diff --git a/examples/node-npm/fixture/package.json b/examples/node-npm/fixture/package.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ff4eedf4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/node-npm/fixture/package.json
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+{
+  "name": "execsurface-node-npm-fixture",
+  "private": true,
+  "version": "0.0.0",
+  "description": "Deterministic Node.js fixture for the ExecSurface stable-v1 node-npm integration recipe",
+  "scripts": {
+    "test": "node test.js"
+  },
+  "license": "Apache-2.0"
+}
diff --git a/examples/node-npm/fixture/test.js b/examples/node-npm/fixture/test.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b2cfa590
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/node-npm/fixture/test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+'use strict';
+/* One deterministic node test; the optional extra write is deliberate runtime drift. */
+const fs = require('fs');
+const path = require('path');
+
+// The public fixture is a two-value selection plus an optional drift switch.
+const selection = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync('fixture.json', 'utf8'));
+
+// Deterministic invariant — holds on the unchanged fixture.
+if (selection.left + selection.right !== 5) {
+  console.error('fixture invariant broken: left + right !== 5');
+  process.exit(1);
+}
+
+// Deliberate controlled runtime effect: write a file only when the fixture
+// enables it. This is the single NEW execution-surface effect that ExecSurface
+// should surface as REVIEW when the fixture is flipped.
+if (selection.write_extra) {
+  fs.writeFileSync(path.join(process.cwd(), 'drift.txt'), 'controlled fixture drift\n');
+}
+
+console.log('node fixture passed');
diff --git a/examples/node-npm/run.js b/examples/node-npm/run.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3d505b17
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/node-npm/run.js
@@ -0,0 +1,230 @@
+'use strict';
+/*
+ * Learn and check a real, deterministic Node.js command, retaining an
+ * unchanged PASS and a deliberate-write REVIEW against stable ExecSurface v1.
+ *
+ * Mirrors examples/python-pytest/run.py: the observed target command is
+ * executed BY ExecSurface (learn/check), not by this runner, and the same
+ * command + fixture stay selected across every step. Only the public fixture's
+ * boolean flips between the unchanged check and the drift check.
+ *
+ * Node.js 18+, zero dependencies, node: built-ins only. No network during the
+ * measured run.
+ */
+const { spawnSync } = require('node:child_process');
+const crypto = require('node:crypto');
+const fs = require('node:fs');
+const path = require('node:path');
+const process = require('node:process');
+
+class RecipeError extends Error {}
+
+function parseArgs(argv) {
+  const args = { execsurface: null, node: process.execPath, output: null };
+  for (let i = 0; i < argv.length; i += 1) {
+    const a = argv[i];
+    if (a === '--execsurface') args.execsurface = argv[++i];
+    else if (a === '--node') args.node = argv[++i];
+    else if (a === '--output') args.output = argv[++i];
+    else throw new RecipeError(`unknown argument: ${a}`);
+  }
+  if (!args.execsurface || !args.output) {
+    throw new RecipeError('both --execsurface and --output are required');
+  }
+  return args;
+}
+
+function invoke(command, cwd, name, expected) {
+  // Retain command, both streams and actual exit before checking expectation.
+  const result = spawnSync(command[0], command.slice(1), {
+    cwd,
+    encoding: 'buffer',
+    timeout: 60000,
+  });
+  const outPath = path.join(cwd, `${name}.stdout`);
+  const errPath = path.join(cwd, `${name}.stderr`);
+  const receiptPath = path.join(cwd, `${name}-command.json`);
+  fs.writeFileSync(outPath, result.stdout || Buffer.alloc(0));
+  fs.writeFileSync(errPath, result.stderr || Buffer.alloc(0));
+  if (result.error) {
+    fs.writeFileSync(
+      receiptPath,
+      JSON.stringify(
+        { command, returncode: null, expectedReturncode: expected, outcome: 'spawn-error', error: String(result.error) },
+        null,
+        2,
+      ) + '\n',
+    );
+    throw new RecipeError(`${name}: could not spawn ${command[0]}: ${result.error}`);
+  }
+  fs.writeFileSync(
+    receiptPath,
+    JSON.stringify({ command, returncode: result.status, expectedReturncode: expected }, null, 2) + '\n',
+  );
+  if (result.status !== expected) {
+    throw new RecipeError(
+      `${name}: expected exit ${expected}, got ${result.status}; retained receipts: ${cwd}`,
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+function check(binary, node, root, name, expected, verdict) {
+  const command = [
+    binary,
+    'check',
+    '--baseline',
+    path.join(root, 'execsurface.lock.json'),
+    '--workspace',
+    root,
+    '--json-output',
+    path.join(root, `${name}-verdict.json`),
+    '--',
+    node,
+    'test.js',
+  ];
+  invoke(command, root, name, expected);
+  const report = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(path.join(root, `${name}-verdict.json`), 'utf8'));
+  if (
+    !report.target ||
+    report.target.exit_code !== 0 ||
+    report.target.signal !== null
+  ) {
+    throw new RecipeError(`${name}: node test.js did not exit successfully; retained ${root}`);
+  }
+  if (report.policy && report.policy.source !== 'builtin:review-unmatched-drift') {
+    throw new RecipeError(`${name}: selected built-in policy differs; retained ${root}`);
+  }
+  if (verdict === 'REVIEW') {
+    // A deliberate new file write under the declared workspace is the single
+    // expected drift finding. fs.writeFileSync on a new file may be recorded
+    // as file_create or file_write; either is the documented effect here.
+    const hasDriftWrite = (report.findings || []).some(
+      (f) =>
+        f.change === 'added' &&
+        (f.effect_kind === 'file_write' || f.effect_kind === 'file_create') &&
+        f.evidence &&
+        f.evidence.effect &&
+        f.evidence.effect.target &&
+        f.evidence.effect.target.value === '$WORKSPACE/drift.txt',
+    );
+    if (!hasDriftWrite) {
+      throw new RecipeError(`${name}: deliberate $WORKSPACE/drift.txt write finding absent; retained ${root}`);
+    }
+  }
+  if (report.verdict !== verdict.toLowerCase()) {
+    throw new RecipeError(`${name}: expected ${verdict} verdict, got ${report.verdict}; retained ${root}`);
+  }
+}
+
+function sha256(file) {
+  return crypto.createHash('sha256').update(fs.readFileSync(file)).digest('hex');
+}
+
+function run(args) {
+  const binary = path.resolve(args.execsurface);
+  const node = path.resolve(args.node);
+  if (!fs.existsSync(binary)) throw new RecipeError(`execsurface binary not found: ${binary}`);
+  if (!fs.existsSync(node)) throw new RecipeError(`node executable not found: ${node}`);
+
+  const out = path.resolve(args.output);
+  if (fs.existsSync(out)) {
+    throw new RecipeError(
+      `output directory already exists; use a new path each run: ${out}`,
+    );
+  }
+  fs.mkdirSync(out, { recursive: true });
+
+  // Copy the public, dependency-free fixture into the retained run directory.
+  const fixtureDir = path.join(__dirname, 'fixture');
+  for (const name of ['test.js', 'fixture.json', 'package.json']) {
+    fs.copyFileSync(path.join(fixtureDir, name), path.join(out, name));
+  }
+
+  const selection = {
+    binarySha256: sha256(binary),
+    nodeExecutable: node,
+    fixtureSha256: sha256(path.join(fixtureDir, 'test.js')),
+    policy: 'unchanged built-in REVIEW for unmatched drift',
+    privacy:
+      'public synthetic fixture; no environment or secret/file-content collection added',
+  };
+  fs.writeFileSync(path.join(out, 'selection.json'), JSON.stringify(selection, null, 2) + '\n');
+
+  try {
+    // Identity: this recipe targets the stable v1 binary, not a historical pin.
+    invoke([binary, '--version'], out, 'version', 0);
+    const versionLine = fs.readFileSync(path.join(out, 'version.stdout'), 'utf8').trim();
+    if (versionLine !== 'execsurface 1.0.0') {
+      throw new RecipeError(`recipe requires stable ExecSurface 1.0.0, got: ${versionLine}`);
+    }
+    // Native readiness within the declared Linux x86_64 / ptrace boundary.
+    invoke([binary, 'doctor'], out, 'doctor', 0);
+
+    const learn = [
+      binary,
+      'learn',
+      '--output',
+      path.join(out, 'execsurface.lock.json'),
+      '--label',
+      'node-npm-fixture',
+      '--workspace',
+      out,
+      '--',
+      node,
+      'test.js',
+    ];
+    invoke(learn, out, 'learn', 0);
+    const before = fs.readFileSync(path.join(out, 'execsurface.lock.json'));
+
+    check(binary, node, out, 'unchanged', 0, 'PASS');
+
+    // Only this public fixture value changes; command and fixture stay the same.
+    fs.writeFileSync(path.join(out, 'fixture.json'), '{"left":2,"right":3,"write_extra":true}\n');
+    check(binary, node, out, 'drift', 10, 'REVIEW');
+
+    if (!bufferEqual(fs.readFileSync(path.join(out, 'execsurface.lock.json')), before)) {
+      throw new RecipeError('baseline changed while checking drift');
+    }
+    if (fs.readFileSync(path.join(out, 'drift.txt'), 'utf8') !== 'controlled fixture drift\n') {
+      throw new RecipeError('deliberate native write is missing');
+    }
+
+    const report = {
+      status: 'verified-recipe',
+      unchanged: { verdict: 'PASS', exit: 0 },
+      drift: { verdict: 'REVIEW', exit: 10 },
+      baselineSha256: crypto.createHash('sha256').update(before).digest('hex'),
+      scope:
+        'stable-v1 Node.js/npm fixture; runtime drift example, not independent security validation',
+      receipts: out,
+    };
+    fs.writeFileSync(path.join(out, 'recipe-report.json'), JSON.stringify(report, null, 2) + '\n');
+    return report;
+  } catch (error) {
+    fs.writeFileSync(
+      path.join(out, 'failure.json'),
+      JSON.stringify({ status: 'failed', reason: error.message }, null, 2) + '\n',
+    );
+    throw error;
+  }
+}
+
+function bufferEqual(a, b) {
+  if (!Buffer.isBuffer(a) || !Buffer.isBuffer(b) || a.length !== b.length) return false;
+  for (let i = 0; i < a.length; i += 1) if (a[i] !== b[i]) return false;
+  return true;
+}
+
+if (require.main === module) {
+  try {
+    const args = parseArgs(process.argv.slice(2));
+    console.log(JSON.stringify(run(args), null, 2));
+  } catch (error) {
+    if (error instanceof RecipeError) {
+      console.error(`ExecSurface node-npm recipe: ERROR: ${error.message}`);
+      process.exitCode = 1;
+    } else {
+      throw error;
+    }
+  }
+}