diff --git a/tools/policy/foreign-exceptions.txt b/tools/policy/foreign-exceptions.txt
index 67c0fbb78c..5808861104 100644
--- a/tools/policy/foreign-exceptions.txt
+++ b/tools/policy/foreign-exceptions.txt
@@ -489,3 +489,11 @@ scripts/tri_loop/t27b_rules.py
 # that makes `tri claw` live must lower MAX_DEAD_TRI 141 -> 140 in the same commit -- a one-constant ratchet
 # move inside this existing gate tool, machinery, not new logic. Same pattern as the #9279 entries above.
 tools/check_documented_commands_exist.py
+
+# owner 2026-10-18, chat instruction relayed by the coordinating session ("do everything yourself", "merge
+# autonomously yourself, I allow everything", translated), issue #9634: activation record for ONE change, the
+# deletion of the unit test `the_motivating_workflow_records_its_own_reason` (19 lines deleted, 0 lines of Rust
+# added) in cli/tri/src/gates.rs. It include_str!s .github/workflows/brain-seal-refresh.yml, which #9117 deleted,
+# so the cli-tri test build fails on master. Not a standing permission for any other edit of this file; the
+# foreign-line budget still applies. Remove this entry once that change has merged.
+cli/tri/src/gates.rs