diff --git a/docs/DEVELOPER.md b/docs/DEVELOPER.md
index 67e3147..81b54bd 100644
--- a/docs/DEVELOPER.md
+++ b/docs/DEVELOPER.md
@@ -352,6 +352,8 @@ tests/
 ├── test_analyze.py · test_normalize.py · test_text_clean.py
 ├── test_format_standardize.py
 ├── test_format_standardize_corpus.py  # 199-row buyer corpus
+├── test_pipeline.py                   # pipeline engine: adapters, run, validate, serialize
+├── test_cli_pipeline.py               # pipeline CLI: recommend/apply/strict/audit
 ├── test_audit_fixes.py · test_errors.py · test_fixes_unit.py
 ├── test_corpus.py · test_encodings_corpus.py · test_fixtures_sweep.py
 ├── test_cli.py · test_cli_*.py · test_e2e.py · test_install.py
@@ -365,10 +367,27 @@ tests/
     ├── test_workflows.py              # happy path per Ready tool
     ├── test_dedup_review.py           # match-group card interactions
     ├── test_advanced_panels.py        # config_panel widgets
+    ├── test_pipeline_builder.py       # module-card builder: cards, reorder, JSON, run
+    ├── test_pipeline_phrasing.py      # step_phrase/step_status + name bridge (pure fns)
     ├── test_errors.py                 # malformed-upload error paths
     └── test_findings_panel.py         # analyzer findings rendering
 ```
 
+### Pipeline (Automated Workflows) coverage
+
+The pipeline feature is pinned end to end across four files (~115 tests):
+`test_pipeline.py` (core engine — every adapter's summary numbers, step
+data-flow, error stop/continue, empty/single-column/all-disabled edges,
+dict + file serialization round-trips, `recommended_pipeline(include=…)`,
+soft-dependency validation), `test_cli_pipeline.py` (CLI — `--recommend`,
+dry-run-by-default, `--apply` output + audit JSON, `--steps`, `--strict`,
+`--continue-on-error`, arg validation, save→load round-trip),
+`test_pipeline_builder.py` (the visual builder via AppTest — card seeding,
+toggle, reorder ▲/▼, add/remove, restore-recommended, Advanced JSON
+import/export, per-tool Configure panels emitting the right option dicts),
+and `test_pipeline_phrasing.py` (the plain-English `step_phrase`/`step_status`
+helpers and the adapter-key→friendly-name bridge as pure functions).
+
 ### GUI test layer
 
 GUI tests drive pages with `streamlit.testing.v1.AppTest` —
diff --git a/tests/gui/test_pipeline_builder.py b/tests/gui/test_pipeline_builder.py
index 3dfc98f..2729572 100644
--- a/tests/gui/test_pipeline_builder.py
+++ b/tests/gui/test_pipeline_builder.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ files is covered separately in ``tests/test_junk_corpus_tool_pages.py``.
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import json
 from pathlib import Path
 
 import pytest
@@ -118,3 +119,163 @@ def test_step_phrase_is_plain_english_not_json():
 
     # a clean step is "ok" with no detail
     assert step_status("text_clean", {"cells_changed": 5})[1] == "ok"
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Helpers for the reorder / config tests below
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _ids(at) -> dict:
+    """Map tool name → that step's stable id (assumes unique tools)."""
+    return {s["tool"]: s["id"] for s in at.session_state["pipeline_steps"]}
+
+
+def _tools(at) -> list:
+    return [s["tool"] for s in at.session_state["pipeline_steps"]]
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Reorder
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_reorder_down_swaps_with_next_step():
+    at = _app()
+    sid = _ids(at)["text_clean"]
+    before = _tools(at)
+    assert before == ["text_clean", "format_standardize", "missing", "dedup"]
+    [b for b in at.button if b.key == f"text_clean_{sid}_down"][0].click().run()
+    assert not at.exception
+    assert _tools(at) == ["format_standardize", "text_clean", "missing", "dedup"]
+
+
+def test_reorder_up_swaps_with_previous_step():
+    at = _app()
+    sid = _ids(at)["missing"]
+    [b for b in at.button if b.key == f"missing_{sid}_up"][0].click().run()
+    assert not at.exception
+    assert _tools(at) == ["text_clean", "missing", "format_standardize", "dedup"]
+
+
+def test_first_up_and_last_down_buttons_are_disabled():
+    at = _app()
+    ids = _ids(at)
+    first_up = [b for b in at.button if b.key == f"text_clean_{ids['text_clean']}_up"][0]
+    last_down = [b for b in at.button if b.key == f"dedup_{ids['dedup']}_down"][0]
+    assert first_up.disabled is True
+    assert last_down.disabled is True
+    # interior steps are freely movable
+    mid_up = [b for b in at.button if b.key == f"missing_{ids['missing']}_up"][0]
+    assert mid_up.disabled is False
+
+
+def test_disabled_step_stays_disabled_after_reorder():
+    at = _app()
+    sid = _ids(at)["text_clean"]
+    at.toggle[0].set_value(False).run()
+    assert at.session_state["pipeline_steps"][0]["enabled"] is False
+    # move the now-disabled first step down one slot
+    [b for b in at.button if b.key == f"text_clean_{sid}_down"][0].click().run()
+    assert not at.exception
+    steps = at.session_state["pipeline_steps"]
+    moved = [s for s in steps if s["tool"] == "text_clean"][0]
+    assert steps.index(moved) == 1  # it moved
+    assert moved["enabled"] is False  # ...and stayed disabled
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Restore recommended steps
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_restore_recommended_steps_button():
+    at = _app()
+    # Diverge from the recommended default by removing a step.
+    [b for b in at.button if b.label == "✕"][0].click().run()
+    assert _tools(at) == ["format_standardize", "missing", "dedup"]
+    restore = [b for b in at.button if "Restore recommended steps" in b.label]
+    assert len(restore) == 1
+    restore[0].click().run()
+    assert not at.exception
+    assert _tools(at) == ["text_clean", "format_standardize", "missing", "dedup"]
+
+
+def test_restore_button_absent_when_steps_match_default():
+    at = _app()
+    # Untouched recommended steps → no restore prompt.
+    assert not [b for b in at.button if "Restore recommended steps" in b.label]
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Advanced JSON export / import
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_advanced_json_export_reflects_current_steps():
+    at = _app()
+    exported = json.loads(at.code[0].value)
+    assert [s["tool"] for s in exported["steps"]] == \
+        ["text_clean", "format_standardize", "missing", "dedup"]
+    # Remove a step and confirm the exported JSON drops it too.
+    [b for b in at.button if b.label == "✕"][0].click().run()
+    exported = json.loads(at.code[0].value)
+    assert [s["tool"] for s in exported["steps"]] == \
+        ["format_standardize", "missing", "dedup"]
+
+
+def test_load_pasted_json_replaces_the_step_list():
+    at = _app()
+    one_step = json.dumps(
+        {"steps": [{"tool": "dedup", "options": {}, "enabled": True}]}
+    )
+    [t for t in at.text_area if t.key == "pipeline_json_paste"][0].set_value(
+        one_step
+    ).run()
+    [b for b in at.button if b.label == "Load pasted JSON"][0].click().run()
+    assert not at.exception
+    assert _tools(at) == ["dedup"]
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Config renderers emit the right options
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_format_standardize_config_emits_column_types():
+    at = _app()
+    fid = _ids(at)["format_standardize"]
+    [s for s in at.selectbox if s.key == f"format_standardize_{fid}_fmt__phone"][0] \
+        .set_value("Phone number").run()
+    [b for b in at.button if b.label == "Run Pipeline"][0].click().run()
+    assert not at.exception
+    step = [s for s in at.session_state["pipeline_steps"]
+            if s["tool"] == "format_standardize"][0]
+    assert step["options"]["column_types"].get("phone") == "phone"
+
+
+def test_missing_config_drop_radio_emits_drop_row_strategy():
+    at = _app()
+    mid = _ids(at)["missing"]
+    [r for r in at.radio if r.key == f"missing_{mid}_strategy"][0] \
+        .set_value("Drop rows that have any blank").run()
+    [b for b in at.button if b.label == "Run Pipeline"][0].click().run()
+    assert not at.exception
+    step = [s for s in at.session_state["pipeline_steps"]
+            if s["tool"] == "missing"][0]
+    assert step["options"]["strategy"] == "drop_row"
+
+
+def test_dedup_config_multiselect_builds_strategies():
+    at = _app()
+    did = _ids(at)["dedup"]
+    [m for m in at.multiselect if m.key == f"dedup_{did}_matchcols"][0] \
+        .set_value(["email"]).run()
+    [b for b in at.button if b.label == "Run Pipeline"][0].click().run()
+    assert not at.exception
+    step = [s for s in at.session_state["pipeline_steps"]
+            if s["tool"] == "dedup"][0]
+    strategies = step["options"]["strategies"]
+    cols = [c["column"] for c in strategies[0]["columns"]]
+    assert cols == ["email"]
+    assert strategies[0]["columns"][0]["algorithm"] == "exact"
diff --git a/tests/gui/test_pipeline_phrasing.py b/tests/gui/test_pipeline_phrasing.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..78bc10a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/gui/test_pipeline_phrasing.py
@@ -0,0 +1,254 @@
+"""Pure-function tests for pipeline_modules phrasing helpers.
+
+These cover the adapter-key → tool bridge, the plain-English ``step_phrase``
+wording, ``step_status`` pill levels, and the column-prose / pluralization
+helpers (``_fmt_cols`` / ``_n``). No Streamlit / AppTest needed — every symbol
+under test is a pure function over plain dicts/lists.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import pytest
+
+from src.core.pipeline import TOOL_NAMES
+from src.gui.components.pipeline_modules import (
+    CONFIG_RENDERERS,
+    PIPELINE_TOOL_META,
+    _fmt_cols,
+    _n,
+    step_label,
+    step_phrase,
+    step_status,
+)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Bridge completeness
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("tool", TOOL_NAMES)
+def test_pipeline_tool_meta_covers_every_tool(tool):
+    assert tool in PIPELINE_TOOL_META
+    assert PIPELINE_TOOL_META[tool]  # non-empty tool_id
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("tool", TOOL_NAMES)
+def test_step_label_is_friendly_and_not_the_raw_key(tool):
+    label = step_label(tool)
+    assert isinstance(label, str)
+    assert label
+    assert label != tool
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("tool", TOOL_NAMES)
+def test_every_tool_has_a_config_renderer(tool):
+    assert tool in CONFIG_RENDERERS
+    assert callable(CONFIG_RENDERERS[tool])
+
+
+def test_step_label_falls_back_to_raw_key_for_unknown_tool():
+    assert step_label("not_a_tool") == "not_a_tool"
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# step_phrase — populated + no-op cases for all five tools
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_step_phrase_text_clean_populated_and_noop():
+    assert step_phrase("text_clean", {
+        "cells_changed": 1204, "columns_processed": ["name", "city"],
+    }) == "1,204 cells cleaned in name & city"
+    assert step_phrase("text_clean", {"cells_changed": 0}) == "No changes needed."
+    assert step_phrase("text_clean", {}) == "No changes needed."
+
+
+def test_step_phrase_format_standardize_populated_and_noop():
+    assert step_phrase("format_standardize", {
+        "cells_changed": 50, "columns_processed": ["phone"],
+    }) == "50 cells standardized in phone"
+    # unparseable cells append a "left unchanged" tail
+    assert step_phrase("format_standardize", {
+        "cells_changed": 50, "cells_unparseable": 3, "columns_processed": ["phone"],
+    }) == "50 cells standardized in phone (3 left unchanged)"
+    assert step_phrase("format_standardize", {}) == "Nothing to standardize."
+    assert step_phrase("format_standardize", {
+        "cells_changed": 0, "cells_unparseable": 0,
+    }) == "Nothing to standardize."
+
+
+def test_step_phrase_missing_populated_and_noop():
+    assert step_phrase("missing", {
+        "cells_filled": 12, "rows_dropped": 4, "columns_dropped": ["x", "y"],
+    }) == "12 cells filled, 4 rows dropped, 2 columns dropped"
+    assert step_phrase("missing", {}) == "No missing values to handle."
+    # sentinel-only flagging path
+    assert step_phrase("missing", {
+        "sentinels_standardized": 7,
+    }) == "7 blank cells flagged"
+
+
+def test_step_phrase_column_map_populated_and_noop():
+    assert step_phrase("column_map", {
+        "columns_renamed": 3, "columns_added": ["new"], "columns_dropped": ["old", "gone"],
+    }) == "3 columns renamed, 1 column added, 2 columns dropped"
+    assert step_phrase("column_map", {}) == "Columns already aligned."
+
+
+def test_step_phrase_dedup_mockup_case():
+    assert step_phrase("dedup", {
+        "input_rows": 18442, "output_rows": 18130,
+        "duplicates_removed": 312, "groups": 147,
+    }) == "312 duplicates removed across 147 groups (18,442 → 18,130 rows)"
+
+
+def test_step_phrase_dedup_noop():
+    assert step_phrase("dedup", {"duplicates_removed": 0}) == "No duplicates found."
+    assert step_phrase("dedup", {}) == "No duplicates found."
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Pluralization (_n) through step_phrase
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_step_phrase_dedup_singular():
+    assert step_phrase("dedup", {
+        "input_rows": 10, "output_rows": 9,
+        "duplicates_removed": 1, "groups": 1,
+    }) == "1 duplicate removed across 1 group (10 → 9 rows)"
+
+
+def test_step_phrase_missing_singular():
+    assert step_phrase("missing", {
+        "rows_dropped": 1, "columns_dropped": ["x"],
+    }) == "1 row dropped, 1 column dropped"
+
+
+def test_n_singular_vs_plural_every_noun():
+    assert _n(1, "cell") == "1 cell"
+    assert _n(2, "cell") == "2 cells"
+    assert _n(1, "row") == "1 row"
+    assert _n(3, "row") == "3 rows"
+    assert _n(1, "column") == "1 column"
+    assert _n(5, "column") == "5 columns"
+    assert _n(1, "duplicate") == "1 duplicate"
+    assert _n(9, "duplicate") == "9 duplicates"
+    assert _n(1, "group") == "1 group"
+    assert _n(4, "group") == "4 groups"
+
+
+def test_n_thousands_separator():
+    assert _n(1204, "cell") == "1,204 cells"
+    assert _n(18442, "row") == "18,442 rows"
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Column prose (_fmt_cols)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_fmt_cols_zero():
+    assert _fmt_cols([]) == ""
+
+
+def test_fmt_cols_one():
+    assert _fmt_cols(["name"]) == "name"
+
+
+def test_fmt_cols_two():
+    assert _fmt_cols(["name", "city"]) == "name & city"
+
+
+def test_fmt_cols_three():
+    assert _fmt_cols(["a", "b", "c"]) == "a, b & c"
+
+
+def test_fmt_cols_four_or_more():
+    assert _fmt_cols(["a", "b", "c", "d"]) == "a, b & 2 more"
+    assert _fmt_cols(["a", "b", "c", "d", "e"]) == "a, b & 3 more"
+
+
+def test_fmt_cols_coerces_non_strings():
+    assert _fmt_cols([1, 2]) == "1 & 2"
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# step_status — pill levels + details
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_step_status_clean_is_ok():
+    assert step_status("text_clean", {"cells_changed": 5}) == ("✓ ok", "ok", "")
+
+
+def test_step_status_skipped():
+    label, level, detail = step_status("text_clean", {"cells_changed": 5}, skipped=True)
+    assert level == "skipped"
+    assert detail == ""
+    assert "skipped" in label
+
+
+def test_step_status_error_uses_first_line_only():
+    label, level, detail = step_status(
+        "dedup", {}, error="X: msg\nline2\nline3",
+    )
+    assert level == "error"
+    assert detail == "X: msg"
+    assert "error" in label
+
+
+def test_step_status_error_takes_precedence_over_skipped():
+    label, level, detail = step_status(
+        "text_clean", {}, skipped=True, error="boom\nsecond",
+    )
+    assert level == "error"
+    assert detail == "boom"
+
+
+def test_step_status_format_standardize_unparseable_warns():
+    label, level, detail = step_status(
+        "format_standardize", {"cells_changed": 100, "cells_unparseable": 141},
+    )
+    assert level == "warn"
+    assert "141 skipped" in label
+    assert detail  # non-empty inline detail
+
+
+def test_step_status_format_standardize_no_unparseable_is_ok():
+    assert step_status(
+        "format_standardize", {"cells_changed": 100},
+    ) == ("✓ ok", "ok", "")
+
+
+def test_step_status_column_map_coercion_failures_warn():
+    label, level, detail = step_status(
+        "column_map", {"coercion_failures": {"age": 4}},
+    )
+    assert level == "warn"
+    assert "4 not coerced" in label
+    assert detail
+
+
+def test_step_status_column_map_missing_required_targets_warn():
+    label, level, detail = step_status(
+        "column_map", {"missing_required_targets": ["email"]},
+    )
+    assert level == "warn"
+    assert "missing targets" in label
+    assert "email" in detail
+
+
+def test_step_status_column_map_missing_targets_take_precedence_over_coercion():
+    # both present → missing-targets branch wins
+    label, level, detail = step_status(
+        "column_map",
+        {"missing_required_targets": ["email"], "coercion_failures": {"age": 4}},
+    )
+    assert level == "warn"
+    assert "missing targets" in label
+
+
+def test_step_status_unknown_tool_is_ok():
+    assert step_status("mystery", {"foo": 1}) == ("✓ ok", "ok", "")
diff --git a/tests/test_cli_pipeline.py b/tests/test_cli_pipeline.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e132ec6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_cli_pipeline.py
@@ -0,0 +1,293 @@
+"""Integration tests for the pipeline CLI (src/cli_pipeline.py).
+
+The Typer ``app`` is invoked directly via ``CliRunner`` to bypass the
+license ``guard(...)`` that ``main()`` runs before ``app()`` — matching the
+house pattern in ``test_cli_text_clean.py``.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import json
+
+import pandas as pd
+import pytest
+from typer.testing import CliRunner
+
+from src.cli_pipeline import app
+from src.core.pipeline import Pipeline, _DEFAULT_ORDER
+
+runner = CliRunner()
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def messy_csv(tmp_path):
+    """A small messy CSV with duplicate / whitespace / mixed-case rows."""
+    df = pd.DataFrame({
+        "name": ["  Alice  ", "alice", "Bob", "Charlie"],
+        "email": ["A@X.COM", "a@x.com", "bob@x.com", "charlie@x.com"],
+        "phone": ["555-1234", "5551234", "555-9999", "555-0000"],
+        "signup_date": ["2020-01-01", "2020-01-01", "2020-02-02", "2020-03-03"],
+    })
+    path = tmp_path / "messy.csv"
+    df.to_csv(path, index=False)
+    return path
+
+
+def _pipeline_artifacts(csv_path):
+    """The output CSV + audit JSON the CLI writes next to *csv_path*."""
+    out_csv = csv_path.parent / f"{csv_path.stem}_pipeline.csv"
+    audit = csv_path.parent / f"{csv_path.stem}_pipeline.json"
+    return out_csv, audit
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# --recommend
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestRecommend:
+    def test_recommend_prints_valid_json(self):
+        result = runner.invoke(app, ["--recommend"])
+        assert result.exit_code == 0
+        data = json.loads(result.output)
+        assert "steps" in data
+        tools = [s["tool"] for s in data["steps"]]
+        assert tools == list(_DEFAULT_ORDER)
+
+    def test_recommend_default_tools_in_order(self):
+        result = runner.invoke(app, ["--recommend"])
+        data = json.loads(result.output)
+        tools = [s["tool"] for s in data["steps"]]
+        assert tools == ["text_clean", "format_standardize", "missing", "dedup"]
+        assert len(tools) == 4
+
+    def test_recommend_output_writes_loadable_file(self, tmp_path):
+        out = tmp_path / "pipeline.json"
+        result = runner.invoke(app, ["--recommend", "--output", str(out)])
+        assert result.exit_code == 0
+        assert out.exists()
+        # Confirmation message printed instead of raw JSON.
+        assert str(out) in result.output
+        pipe = Pipeline.from_file(out)
+        assert [s.tool for s in pipe.steps] == list(_DEFAULT_ORDER)
+
+    def test_recommend_output_message_not_json(self, tmp_path):
+        out = tmp_path / "pipeline.json"
+        result = runner.invoke(app, ["--recommend", "--output", str(out)])
+        assert "saved to" in result.output.lower()
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Argument / input validation
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestArgValidation:
+    def test_no_args_exits_2(self):
+        result = runner.invoke(app, [])
+        assert result.exit_code == 2
+        assert "input file is required" in result.output.lower()
+
+    def test_nonexistent_input_exits_1(self, tmp_path):
+        missing = tmp_path / "does_not_exist_xyz.csv"
+        result = runner.invoke(app, [str(missing)])
+        assert result.exit_code == 1
+        assert "not found" in result.output.lower()
+
+    def test_pipeline_and_steps_together_exits_1(self, messy_csv, tmp_path):
+        pj = tmp_path / "p.json"
+        Pipeline.from_dict({"steps": [{"tool": "text_clean"}]}).to_file(pj)
+        result = runner.invoke(
+            app,
+            [str(messy_csv), "--pipeline", str(pj), "--steps", "text_clean"],
+        )
+        assert result.exit_code == 1
+        assert "not both" in result.output.lower()
+
+    def test_pipeline_nonexistent_exits_1(self, messy_csv, tmp_path):
+        missing = tmp_path / "no_such_pipeline.json"
+        result = runner.invoke(
+            app, [str(messy_csv), "--pipeline", str(missing)],
+        )
+        assert result.exit_code == 1
+        assert "not found" in result.output.lower()
+
+    def test_unknown_tool_in_steps_errors(self, messy_csv):
+        result = runner.invoke(app, [str(messy_csv), "--steps", "bogus_tool"])
+        assert result.exit_code != 0
+        # Helpful error naming the offending value.
+        assert "bogus_tool" in result.output
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Dry-run (default)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestDryRun:
+    def test_dry_run_exit_0_and_plan_printed(self, messy_csv):
+        result = runner.invoke(app, [str(messy_csv)])
+        assert result.exit_code == 0
+        assert "Pipeline plan:" in result.output
+        assert "plan-only run" in result.output
+
+    def test_dry_run_writes_no_artifacts(self, messy_csv):
+        result = runner.invoke(app, [str(messy_csv)])
+        assert result.exit_code == 0
+        out_csv, audit = _pipeline_artifacts(messy_csv)
+        assert not out_csv.exists()
+        assert not audit.exists()
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# --apply
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestApply:
+    def test_apply_default_pipeline_writes_outputs(self, messy_csv):
+        result = runner.invoke(app, [str(messy_csv), "--apply"])
+        assert result.exit_code == 0
+        out_csv, audit = _pipeline_artifacts(messy_csv)
+        assert out_csv.exists()
+        assert audit.exists()
+        # Output CSV is readable.
+        df = pd.read_csv(out_csv)
+        assert len(df.columns) >= 1
+
+    def test_apply_audit_has_documented_keys(self, messy_csv):
+        result = runner.invoke(app, [str(messy_csv), "--apply"])
+        assert result.exit_code == 0
+        _, audit = _pipeline_artifacts(messy_csv)
+        data = json.loads(audit.read_text())
+        for key in (
+            "pipeline", "warnings", "initial_rows", "final_rows",
+            "total_elapsed_seconds", "steps",
+        ):
+            assert key in data, f"missing audit key: {key}"
+        # One step entry per pipeline step (default = 4).
+        assert len(data["steps"]) == len(_DEFAULT_ORDER)
+        for step in data["steps"]:
+            for k in (
+                "tool", "name", "enabled", "skipped",
+                "elapsed_seconds", "summary", "error",
+            ):
+                assert k in step, f"missing step key: {k}"
+
+    def test_apply_dedup_reduces_rows(self, messy_csv):
+        result = runner.invoke(app, [str(messy_csv), "--apply"])
+        assert result.exit_code == 0
+        _, audit = _pipeline_artifacts(messy_csv)
+        data = json.loads(audit.read_text())
+        # 4 input rows; the first two are duplicates once cleaned/standardized.
+        assert data["initial_rows"] == 4
+        assert data["final_rows"] < data["initial_rows"]
+
+    def test_apply_custom_output_path(self, messy_csv, tmp_path):
+        out = tmp_path / "custom.csv"
+        result = runner.invoke(
+            app, [str(messy_csv), "--apply", "--output", str(out)],
+        )
+        assert result.exit_code == 0
+        assert out.exists()
+        # Default-named CSV should NOT be written when --output is given.
+        default_csv, _ = _pipeline_artifacts(messy_csv)
+        assert not default_csv.exists()
+        # Audit JSON is still written next to the input.
+        _, audit = _pipeline_artifacts(messy_csv)
+        assert audit.exists()
+
+    def test_apply_custom_steps_subset(self, messy_csv):
+        result = runner.invoke(
+            app, [str(messy_csv), "--apply", "--steps", "text_clean,missing"],
+        )
+        assert result.exit_code == 0
+        _, audit = _pipeline_artifacts(messy_csv)
+        data = json.loads(audit.read_text())
+        tools = [s["tool"] for s in data["steps"]]
+        assert tools == ["text_clean", "missing"]
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Strict mode
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestStrict:
+    def test_strict_out_of_order_exits_2(self, messy_csv):
+        result = runner.invoke(
+            app,
+            [str(messy_csv), "--steps", "dedup,text_clean", "--strict", "--apply"],
+        )
+        assert result.exit_code == 2
+        assert "abort" in result.output.lower()
+
+    def test_strict_out_of_order_writes_nothing(self, messy_csv):
+        result = runner.invoke(
+            app,
+            [str(messy_csv), "--steps", "dedup,text_clean", "--strict", "--apply"],
+        )
+        assert result.exit_code == 2
+        out_csv, audit = _pipeline_artifacts(messy_csv)
+        assert not out_csv.exists()
+        assert not audit.exists()
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Round-trip: --recommend --output then --pipeline --apply
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestRoundTrip:
+    def test_save_then_run_saved_pipeline(self, messy_csv, tmp_path):
+        pj = tmp_path / "p.json"
+        r1 = runner.invoke(app, ["--recommend", "--output", str(pj)])
+        assert r1.exit_code == 0
+        assert pj.exists()
+
+        r2 = runner.invoke(
+            app, [str(messy_csv), "--pipeline", str(pj), "--apply"],
+        )
+        assert r2.exit_code == 0
+        out_csv, audit = _pipeline_artifacts(messy_csv)
+        assert out_csv.exists()
+        assert audit.exists()
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Step error handling (--continue-on-error)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestStepError:
+    """A dedup step with an invalid survivor_rule raises a ConfigError at
+    run time, letting us exercise the stop/continue-on-error contract."""
+
+    def _bad_pipeline(self, tmp_path):
+        pj = tmp_path / "bad.json"
+        Pipeline.from_dict({
+            "steps": [{
+                "tool": "dedup",
+                "options": {"survivor_rule": "not_a_real_rule"},
+            }]
+        }).to_file(pj)
+        return pj
+
+    def test_step_error_halts_without_continue(self, messy_csv, tmp_path):
+        pj = self._bad_pipeline(tmp_path)
+        result = runner.invoke(
+            app, [str(messy_csv), "--pipeline", str(pj), "--apply"],
+        )
+        assert result.exit_code != 0
+        out_csv, audit = _pipeline_artifacts(messy_csv)
+        # Halted before writing output.
+        assert not out_csv.exists()
+        assert not audit.exists()
+
+    def test_continue_on_error_completes_and_records_error(self, messy_csv, tmp_path):
+        pj = self._bad_pipeline(tmp_path)
+        result = runner.invoke(
+            app,
+            [str(messy_csv), "--pipeline", str(pj), "--apply",
+             "--continue-on-error"],
+        )
+        assert result.exit_code == 0
+        out_csv, audit = _pipeline_artifacts(messy_csv)
+        assert out_csv.exists()
+        assert audit.exists()
+        data = json.loads(audit.read_text())
+        assert len(data["steps"]) == 1
+        assert data["steps"][0]["error"], "expected the failed step's error recorded"
diff --git a/tests/test_pipeline.py b/tests/test_pipeline.py
index 86203be..7dc90c7 100644
--- a/tests/test_pipeline.py
+++ b/tests/test_pipeline.py
@@ -322,3 +322,499 @@ class TestSoftDependencies:
         assert len(order) == len(TOOL_NAMES), (
             f"SOFT_DEPENDENCIES contain a cycle; topo order={order}"
         )
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Per-adapter summary correctness — exact numbers on KNOWN-messy input.
+# Each adapter is also exercised through run_pipeline so the StepResult
+# carries the adapter's summary verbatim.
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _run_one(df, tool, options):
+    """Run a single-step pipeline and return (StepResult, PipelineResult)."""
+    res = run_pipeline(df, Pipeline(steps=[Step(tool, options)]))
+    return res.step_results[0], res
+
+
+class TestTextCleanSummary:
+    def test_two_trimmable_cells_counted(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({
+            "a": ["  x  ", "y", "  z"],   # 2 cells need trimming ("  x  ", "  z")
+            "b": ["ok", "fine", "good"],  # already clean
+        })
+        out, summary = TOOL_ADAPTERS["text_clean"](df, {"trim": True})
+        assert summary["cells_total"] == 6
+        assert summary["cells_changed"] == 2
+        assert sorted(summary["columns_processed"]) == ["a", "b"]
+        assert out["a"].tolist() == ["x", "y", "z"]
+
+    def test_title_case_changes_all_cells(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"name": ["alice smith", "BOB JONES"]})
+        out, summary = TOOL_ADAPTERS["text_clean"](df, {"case": "title"})
+        assert summary["cells_changed"] == 2
+        assert out["name"].tolist() == ["Alice Smith", "Bob Jones"]
+
+    def test_collapse_whitespace_counts_internal_runs(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"name": ["a   b", "c d", "e  f"]})
+        out, summary = TOOL_ADAPTERS["text_clean"](
+            df, {"trim": True, "collapse_whitespace": True},
+        )
+        # "a   b" and "e  f" collapse; "c d" is already single-spaced.
+        assert summary["cells_changed"] == 2
+        assert out["name"].tolist() == ["a b", "c d", "e f"]
+
+    def test_summary_visible_through_run_pipeline(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"a": ["  x  ", "y"]})
+        sr, _res = _run_one(df, "text_clean", {"trim": True})
+        assert sr.skipped is False
+        assert sr.error is None
+        assert sr.summary["cells_changed"] == 1
+        assert sr.summary["cells_total"] == 2
+
+
+class TestFormatStandardizeSummary:
+    def test_one_unparseable_phone(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({
+            "phone": ["(415) 555-1234", "not a phone", "+44 20 7946 0958"],
+        })
+        out, summary = TOOL_ADAPTERS["format_standardize"](
+            df, {"column_types": {"phone": "phone"}},
+        )
+        assert summary["cells_total"] == 3
+        assert summary["cells_unparseable"] == 1
+        assert summary["cells_changed"] == 2
+        assert summary["columns_processed"] == ["phone"]
+        assert out["phone"].tolist() == [
+            "+14155551234", "not a phone", "+442079460958",
+        ]
+
+    def test_date_standardization_counts(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"signup_date": ["2024-01-05", "Jan 5 2024", "garbage"]})
+        out, summary = TOOL_ADAPTERS["format_standardize"](
+            df, {"column_types": {"signup_date": "date"}},
+        )
+        # "2024-01-05" already canonical; "Jan 5 2024" rewritten; "garbage" fails.
+        assert summary["cells_unparseable"] == 1
+        assert summary["cells_changed"] == 1
+        assert out["signup_date"].tolist()[:2] == ["2024-01-05", "2024-01-05"]
+
+    def test_summary_visible_through_run_pipeline(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"phone": ["(415) 555-1234", "bad"]})
+        sr, _ = _run_one(df, "format_standardize", {"column_types": {"phone": "phone"}})
+        assert sr.summary["cells_unparseable"] == 1
+        assert sr.summary["columns_processed"] == ["phone"]
+
+
+class TestMissingSummary:
+    def test_median_fills_each_blank(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"val": [1.0, np.nan, 3.0, np.nan, 5.0]})
+        out, summary = TOOL_ADAPTERS["missing"](df, {"strategy": "median"})
+        assert summary["cells_filled"] == 2          # exactly the 2 NaNs
+        assert summary["rows_dropped"] == 0
+        assert out["val"].tolist() == [1.0, 3.0, 3.0, 3.0, 5.0]  # median is 3.0
+
+    def test_drop_row_by_threshold(self):
+        # row_drop_threshold is the *fraction* of nulls needed to drop a row.
+        df = pd.DataFrame({
+            "a": [1.0, np.nan, 3.0],
+            "b": ["x", np.nan, "z"],   # middle row is 100% null
+        })
+        out, summary = TOOL_ADAPTERS["missing"](
+            df, {"strategy": "drop_row", "row_drop_threshold": 0.4},
+        )
+        assert summary["rows_dropped"] == 1
+        assert len(out) == 2
+
+    def test_sentinel_standardization_count(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"x": ["ok", "N/A", "fine", "N/A"]})
+        out, summary = TOOL_ADAPTERS["missing"](df, {
+            "strategy": "none",
+            "sentinels": ["N/A"],
+            "standardize_sentinels": True,
+        })
+        assert summary["sentinels_standardized"] == 2
+        # The two "N/A" cells became real NaN.
+        assert out["x"].isna().sum() == 2
+        assert out["x"].tolist()[0] == "ok"
+
+    def test_summary_visible_through_run_pipeline(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"val": [1.0, np.nan, 3.0]})
+        sr, _ = _run_one(df, "missing", {"strategy": "median"})
+        assert sr.summary["cells_filled"] == 1
+
+
+class TestColumnMapSummary:
+    def test_single_rename(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"old": [1, 2], "keep": [3, 4]})
+        out, summary = TOOL_ADAPTERS["column_map"](
+            df, {"mapping": {"old": "new"}, "unmapped": "keep"},
+        )
+        assert summary["columns_renamed"] == 1
+        assert summary["columns_dropped"] == []
+        assert list(out.columns) == ["new", "keep"]
+
+    def test_unmapped_drop_reports_dropped_columns(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"old": [1, 2], "keep": [3, 4]})
+        out, summary = TOOL_ADAPTERS["column_map"](
+            df, {"mapping": {"old": "new"}, "unmapped": "drop"},
+        )
+        assert summary["columns_renamed"] == 1
+        assert summary["columns_dropped"] == ["keep"]
+        assert list(out.columns) == ["new"]
+
+    def test_summary_visible_through_run_pipeline(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"old": [1], "keep": [2]})
+        sr, _ = _run_one(df, "column_map", {"mapping": {"old": "new"}})
+        assert sr.summary["columns_renamed"] == 1
+
+
+class TestDedupSummary:
+    def test_exact_duplicate_rows(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({
+            "email": ["a@x.com", "b@x.com", "a@x.com", "a@x.com"],
+            "name":  ["A", "B", "A", "A"],
+        })
+        out, summary = TOOL_ADAPTERS["dedup"](df, {"survivor_rule": "first"})
+        assert summary["input_rows"] == 4
+        assert summary["output_rows"] == 2
+        assert summary["duplicates_removed"] == 2
+        assert summary["groups"] == 1
+        assert out["email"].tolist() == ["a@x.com", "b@x.com"]
+
+    def test_explicit_exact_strategy_on_column(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({
+            "email": ["a@x.com", "b@x.com", "a@x.com"],
+            "name":  ["A", "B", "C"],
+        })
+        out, summary = TOOL_ADAPTERS["dedup"](df, {
+            "survivor_rule": "first",
+            "strategies": [{"columns": [
+                {"column": "email", "algorithm": "exact", "threshold": 100},
+            ]}],
+        })
+        assert summary["duplicates_removed"] == 1
+        assert summary["groups"] == 1
+
+    def test_most_complete_keeps_fuller_survivor(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({
+            "email": ["a@x.com", "a@x.com"],
+            "name":  ["", "Alice"],       # second row is more complete
+            "phone": ["111", "111"],
+        })
+        out, summary = TOOL_ADAPTERS["dedup"](df, {"survivor_rule": "most_complete"})
+        assert summary["duplicates_removed"] == 1
+        assert out.iloc[0]["name"] == "Alice"
+
+    def test_no_duplicates_is_noop(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"email": ["a@x.com", "b@x.com"], "name": ["A", "B"]})
+        out, summary = TOOL_ADAPTERS["dedup"](df, {"survivor_rule": "first"})
+        assert summary["duplicates_removed"] == 0
+        assert summary["output_rows"] == 2
+
+    def test_summary_visible_through_run_pipeline(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"email": ["a@x.com", "a@x.com"], "name": ["A", "A"]})
+        sr, res = _run_one(df, "dedup", {"survivor_rule": "first"})
+        assert sr.summary["duplicates_removed"] == 1
+        assert res.final_rows == 1
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Data flow — a later step depends on an earlier step's output
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestDataFlow:
+    def test_text_clean_enables_dedup_match(self):
+        # The two phones differ only by surrounding whitespace; without
+        # the trim they are distinct, so dedup alone would keep both.
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"phone": ["  +14155551234  ", "+14155551234"]})
+        p = Pipeline(steps=[
+            Step("text_clean", {"trim": True}),
+            Step("dedup", {"survivor_rule": "first"}),
+        ])
+        res = run_pipeline(df, p)
+        assert res.initial_rows == 2
+        assert res.final_rows == 1
+        assert res.final_df["phone"].tolist() == ["+14155551234"]
+
+    def test_dedup_default_matching_normalizes_whitespace(self):
+        # Note: dedup's exact matcher already normalizes surrounding
+        # whitespace, so the two phones collapse even WITHOUT a prior
+        # text_clean. The survivor still carries the un-trimmed value.
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"phone": ["  +14155551234  ", "+14155551234"]})
+        res = run_pipeline(df, Pipeline(steps=[Step("dedup", {"survivor_rule": "first"})]))
+        assert res.final_rows == 1
+        # Survivor keeps the raw (still-padded) text — dedup does not clean.
+        assert res.final_df["phone"].tolist() == ["  +14155551234  "]
+
+    def test_chained_initial_and_final_rows(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({
+            "name": ["  Al  ", "al", "Bob"],
+            "v":    [1, 1, 2],
+        })
+        p = Pipeline(steps=[
+            Step("text_clean", {"trim": True, "case": "title"}),
+            Step("dedup", {"survivor_rule": "first"}),
+        ])
+        res = run_pipeline(df, p)
+        # "  Al  " and "al" both become "Al" → duplicate rows collapse.
+        assert res.initial_rows == 3
+        assert res.final_rows == 2
+        assert "Al" in res.final_df["name"].tolist()
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Error handling — stop_on_error semantics
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestErrorHandling:
+    def test_most_recent_without_date_raises_by_default(self, messy_df):
+        # dedup with survivor_rule="most_recent" but no date_column errors.
+        p = Pipeline(steps=[Step("dedup", {"survivor_rule": "most_recent"})])
+        with pytest.raises(InputValidationError):
+            run_pipeline(messy_df, p)
+
+    def test_continue_on_error_sets_error_string(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"email": ["a@x.com", "a@x.com"], "name": ["A", "B"]})
+        p = Pipeline(steps=[
+            Step("text_clean", {"trim": True}),
+            Step("dedup", {"survivor_rule": "most_recent"}),   # will fail
+            Step("missing", {"strategy": "none"}),
+        ])
+        res = run_pipeline(df, p, stop_on_error=False)
+        bad = res.step_results[1]
+        assert bad.error is not None
+        assert isinstance(bad.error, str) and bad.error.strip()
+        # The failed step did NOT change the row count — previous df carried.
+        assert res.step_results[2].error is None
+        assert res.final_rows == 2
+
+    def test_failed_step_summary_is_empty(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"e": ["a", "a"], "n": ["x", "y"]})
+        p = Pipeline(steps=[Step("dedup", {"survivor_rule": "most_recent"})])
+        res = run_pipeline(df, p, stop_on_error=False)
+        assert res.step_results[0].summary == {}
+        assert res.step_results[0].skipped is False
+
+    def test_config_error_on_bad_survivor_rule_propagates(self, messy_df):
+        p = Pipeline(steps=[Step("dedup", {"survivor_rule": "nonsense"})])
+        with pytest.raises(ConfigError):
+            run_pipeline(messy_df, p)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Edge inputs
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestEdgeInputs:
+    def test_empty_dataframe_runs_clean(self):
+        empty = pd.DataFrame({"name": [], "phone": []})
+        res = run_pipeline(
+            empty,
+            recommended_pipeline(options={"missing": {"strategy": "none"}}),
+        )
+        assert res.initial_rows == 0
+        assert res.final_rows == 0
+        assert all(sr.error is None for sr in res.step_results if not sr.skipped)
+
+    def test_single_column_dataframe(self):
+        df = pd.DataFrame({"name": ["  Al  ", "al"]})
+        res = run_pipeline(
+            df, Pipeline(steps=[Step("text_clean", {"trim": True, "case": "title"})]),
+        )
+        assert res.final_df["name"].tolist() == ["Al", "Al"]
+
+    def test_all_steps_disabled_returns_unchanged(self, messy_df):
+        snapshot = messy_df.copy(deep=True)
+        p = Pipeline(steps=[
+            Step("text_clean", enabled=False),
+            Step("format_standardize", enabled=False),
+            Step("missing", enabled=False),
+            Step("dedup", enabled=False),
+        ])
+        res = run_pipeline(messy_df, p)
+        assert all(sr.skipped is True for sr in res.step_results)
+        assert res.final_rows == res.initial_rows == 5
+        pd.testing.assert_frame_equal(res.final_df, snapshot)
+
+    def test_empty_pipeline_is_identity(self, messy_df):
+        res = run_pipeline(messy_df, Pipeline(steps=[]))
+        assert res.step_results == []
+        assert res.final_rows == 5
+        pd.testing.assert_frame_equal(res.final_df, messy_df)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Serialization round-trips with disabled / named / nested-option steps
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestSerializationRoundtrips:
+    def test_disabled_and_named_step_survive_dict(self):
+        p = Pipeline(steps=[
+            Step("text_clean", {"trim": True}, enabled=False, name="Pre-clean"),
+            Step("dedup", {"survivor_rule": "first"}, name="Final dedup"),
+        ])
+        loaded = Pipeline.from_dict(p.to_dict())
+        assert loaded.steps[0].enabled is False
+        assert loaded.steps[0].name == "Pre-clean"
+        assert loaded.steps[0].options == {"trim": True}
+        assert loaded.steps[1].name == "Final dedup"
+        assert loaded.steps[1].display_name() == "Final dedup"
+
+    def test_nested_options_survive_dict(self):
+        nested = {
+            "column_types": {"phone": "phone", "signup_date": "date"},
+        }
+        strat = {
+            "survivor_rule": "most_complete",
+            "strategies": [{"columns": [
+                {"column": "email", "algorithm": "exact", "threshold": 100},
+            ]}],
+        }
+        p = Pipeline(steps=[
+            Step("format_standardize", nested),
+            Step("dedup", strat),
+        ])
+        loaded = Pipeline.from_dict(p.to_dict())
+        assert loaded.steps[0].options["column_types"] == nested["column_types"]
+        assert loaded.steps[1].options["strategies"] == strat["strategies"]
+
+    def test_nested_options_survive_file(self, tmp_path):
+        p = Pipeline(steps=[
+            Step("format_standardize",
+                 {"column_types": {"phone": "phone"}},
+                 enabled=False, name="formats"),
+        ])
+        path = tmp_path / "pipe.json"
+        p.to_file(path)
+        loaded = Pipeline.from_file(path)
+        assert loaded.steps[0].enabled is False
+        assert loaded.steps[0].name == "formats"
+        assert loaded.steps[0].options == {"column_types": {"phone": "phone"}}
+
+    def test_roundtrip_is_idempotent(self):
+        p = Pipeline(steps=[
+            Step("text_clean", {"trim": True}, enabled=False, name="x"),
+            Step("missing", {"strategy": "median"}),
+        ])
+        once = Pipeline.from_dict(p.to_dict())
+        twice = Pipeline.from_dict(once.to_dict())
+        assert once.to_dict() == twice.to_dict() == p.to_dict()
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# recommended_pipeline(include=...) — subsetting, ordering, option seeding
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestRecommendedInclude:
+    def test_subset_preserves_given_order(self):
+        p = recommended_pipeline(include=["dedup", "text_clean"])
+        assert [s.tool for s in p.steps] == ["dedup", "text_clean"]
+
+    def test_column_map_first(self):
+        p = recommended_pipeline(include=[
+            "column_map", "text_clean", "format_standardize", "missing", "dedup",
+        ])
+        assert p.steps[0].tool == "column_map"
+        assert len(p.steps) == 5
+
+    def test_column_map_last(self):
+        p = recommended_pipeline(include=[
+            "text_clean", "format_standardize", "missing", "dedup", "column_map",
+        ])
+        assert p.steps[-1].tool == "column_map"
+
+    def test_unknown_tool_in_include_raises(self):
+        with pytest.raises(InputValidationError):
+            recommended_pipeline(include=["text_clean", "not_a_tool"])
+
+    def test_options_seeding_only_targets_named_tool(self):
+        p = recommended_pipeline(
+            include=["text_clean", "dedup"],
+            options={"dedup": {"survivor_rule": "last"}},
+        )
+        assert p.steps[0].options == {}          # text_clean unseeded
+        assert p.steps[1].options == {"survivor_rule": "last"}
+
+    def test_empty_include_yields_no_steps(self):
+        p = recommended_pipeline(include=[])
+        assert p.steps == []
+
+    def test_seeded_options_are_independent_copies(self):
+        seed = {"text_clean": {"trim": True}}
+        p = recommended_pipeline(include=["text_clean"], options=seed)
+        # Mutating the produced step must not leak back into the seed.
+        p.steps[0].options["trim"] = False
+        assert seed["text_clean"]["trim"] is True
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Realistic demo integration — messy customers table end-to-end
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestDemoIntegration:
+    @pytest.fixture
+    def customers_df(self):
+        return pd.DataFrame({
+            "Full Name": ["  alice smith ", "BOB JONES", "alice smith", ""],
+            "Email":     ["alice@x.com ", "bob@x.com", "alice@x.com", "carol@x.com"],
+            "Phone":     ["  +14155551234 ", "+442079460958",
+                          "+14155551234", "+13035551111"],
+        })
+
+    def test_full_recommended_plus_column_map(self, customers_df):
+        p = recommended_pipeline(
+            include=["text_clean", "format_standardize", "missing",
+                     "dedup", "column_map"],
+            options={
+                "text_clean": {"trim": True, "collapse_whitespace": True},
+                "missing": {"strategy": "none"},
+                "dedup": {
+                    "survivor_rule": "most_complete",
+                    "strategies": [{"columns": [
+                        {"column": "Phone", "algorithm": "exact", "threshold": 100},
+                    ]}],
+                },
+                "column_map": {
+                    "mapping": {"Full Name": "name", "Email": "email",
+                                "Phone": "phone"},
+                    "unmapped": "keep",
+                },
+            },
+        )
+        res = run_pipeline(customers_df, p)
+
+        # Two rows share the same phone after trimming → one duplicate removed.
+        assert res.initial_rows == 4
+        assert res.final_rows == 3
+        assert res.final_rows < res.initial_rows
+
+        # Headers were renamed by the trailing column_map step.
+        assert list(res.final_df.columns) == ["name", "email", "phone"]
+
+        # The surviving Alice row kept its (trimmed) phone.
+        phones = res.final_df["phone"].tolist()
+        assert "+14155551234" in phones
+        assert phones.count("+14155551234") == 1   # only one Alice survives
+
+        # Every executed step succeeded.
+        assert all(sr.error is None for sr in res.step_results if not sr.skipped)
+        # column_map reported the three renames.
+        cm = res.step_results[-1]
+        assert cm.step.tool == "column_map"
+        assert cm.summary["columns_renamed"] == 3
+
+    def test_demo_dedup_step_reports_one_duplicate(self, customers_df):
+        p = recommended_pipeline(options={
+            "text_clean": {"trim": True},
+            "missing": {"strategy": "none"},
+            "dedup": {
+                "survivor_rule": "most_complete",
+                "strategies": [{"columns": [
+                    {"column": "Phone", "algorithm": "exact", "threshold": 100},
+                ]}],
+            },
+        })
+        res = run_pipeline(customers_df, p)
+        dedup_sr = next(s for s in res.step_results if s.step.tool == "dedup")
+        assert dedup_sr.summary["duplicates_removed"] == 1
+        assert dedup_sr.summary["groups"] == 1