diff --git a/.github/dependabot.yml b/.github/dependabot.yml
index 2aa6b8e..c4b5031 100644
--- a/.github/dependabot.yml
+++ b/.github/dependabot.yml
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ updates:
         patterns:
           - "*"
 
-  # Cargo workspace root: core `ordvec`, C ABI, Python binding, and repo-local
-  # manifest verifier (single workspace Cargo.lock). Group minor+patch into one
+  # Cargo workspace root: core `ordvec`, C ABI, Python binding, and manifest
+  # verifier crate (single workspace Cargo.lock). Group minor+patch into one
   # PR; majors stay separate for manual review.
   - package-ecosystem: "cargo"
     directory: "/"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index be03b53..406a9d3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -95,9 +95,9 @@ jobs:
         run: cargo clippy -p ordvec-ffi --all-targets -- -D warnings
 
   # ----------------------------------------------------------------------
-  # Repo-local manifest verifier. Kept out of default-members so the core
-  # crate's default no-system-deps contract stays unchanged; this explicit lane
-  # covers its no-default-features surface, optional SQLite support, and clippy.
+  # Manifest verifier crate. Kept out of default-members so the core crate's
+  # default no-system-deps contract stays unchanged; this explicit lane covers
+  # its no-default-features surface, optional SQLite support, and clippy.
   # ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   manifest:
     name: manifest verifier
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ jobs:
   # ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   # No-system-deps guarantee + packaging check. Fails if any forbidden
   # numerical/BLAS crate has crept into the dependency tree, then dry-runs
-  # the publish to catch packaging problems before a real release.
+  # the publishable crates to catch packaging problems before a real release.
   # ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   deps:
     name: deps (no-system-deps + publish dry-run)
@@ -255,9 +255,11 @@ jobs:
           echo "OK: no forbidden dependencies"
       - name: cargo publish --dry-run
         # Explicit -p ordvec: in a workspace, publish should never infer the package
-        # from the current directory. Only the core crate goes to crates.io
-        # (ordvec-python is publish = false and ships to PyPI via maturin).
+        # from the current directory. The Python binding remains publish = false
+        # and ships to PyPI via maturin.
         run: cargo publish -p ordvec --dry-run --locked
+      - name: cargo publish --dry-run -p ordvec-manifest
+        run: cargo publish -p ordvec-manifest --dry-run --locked
 
   # ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   # Pin the release-publish invariants. release.yml is tag-triggered (with the
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index a9f4f1f..c84d347 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -22,9 +22,9 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 ### Documentation
 
 - Added a pre-1.0 compatibility policy covering stable and experimental Rust
-  APIs, Python bindings, repo-local C/Go/Manifest sidecars, primitive persisted
-  formats, examples/docs, MSRV/feature changes, and release-note review
-  expectations.
+  APIs, Python bindings, the lockstep Manifest crate, repo-local C/Go sidecars,
+  primitive persisted formats, examples/docs, MSRV/feature changes, and
+  release-note review expectations.
 
 ### Security
 
@@ -40,10 +40,9 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 - Added `probe_index_metadata` to inspect persisted `Rank`, `RankQuant`,
   `Bitmap`, and `SignBitmap` headers without allocating payloads.
-- Added the repo-local, publish=false `ordvec-manifest` crate with a strict v1
-  JSON schema, artifact and row-identity verification, attestation shape
-  checks, a CLI, and optional SQLite cache/audit support with one active
-  manifest pointer.
+- Added the lockstep `ordvec-manifest` crate with a strict v1 JSON schema,
+  artifact and row-identity verification, attestation shape checks, a CLI, and
+  optional SQLite cache/audit support with one active manifest pointer.
 - Added optional typed calibration profile references to the v1 manifest
   schema, with path/hash/identity/compatibility verification but no statistical
   computation.
diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 01043e2..ab777b2 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -617,7 +617,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "ordvec-manifest"
-version = "0.0.0"
+version = "0.3.0"
 dependencies = [
  "chrono",
  "clap",
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 3b77332..129b827 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -79,10 +79,10 @@ opt-level = 3
 
 # Workspace: the `ordvec-python` member holds the PyO3/maturin bindings shipped to
 # PyPI as `ordvec`; `ordvec-ffi` holds the C ABI; and `ordvec-manifest` is a
-# repo-local, publish=false sidecar verifier. `default-members = ["."]` keeps
-# bare `cargo build/test/clippy` scoped to the core crate, so the existing CI
-# gates are unaffected; non-core members get explicit CI lanes. The single
-# workspace `Cargo.lock` carries their transitive dependencies.
+# lockstep manifest verifier crate. `default-members = ["."]` keeps bare
+# `cargo build/test/clippy` scoped to the core crate, so the existing CI gates
+# are unaffected; non-core members get explicit CI lanes. The single workspace
+# `Cargo.lock` carries their transitive dependencies.
 [workspace]
 resolver = "2"
 members = ["ordvec-python", "ordvec-ffi", "ordvec-manifest"]
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b85e2bd..0a58c45 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -173,10 +173,10 @@ candidate slices passed to `Search` until the call returns.
   [`docs/INDEX_PROVENANCE.md`](https://github.com/Fieldnote-Echo/ordvec/blob/main/docs/INDEX_PROVENANCE.md),
   [`docs/determinism.md`](https://github.com/Fieldnote-Echo/ordvec/blob/main/docs/determinism.md),
   [`THREAT_MODEL.md`](https://github.com/Fieldnote-Echo/ordvec/blob/main/THREAT_MODEL.md)
-- **Repo-local manifest verifier, C ABI, and Go wrapper:**
-  available from the full GitHub checkout. These sidecars are not part of the
-  published core `.crate`; use the GitHub checkout for `ordvec-manifest/`,
-  `ordvec-ffi/`, `ordvec-go/`, and
+- **Manifest verifier, C ABI, and Go wrapper:**
+  `ordvec-manifest` is versioned in lockstep with the core crate and is
+  package-gated separately; use the GitHub checkout for `ordvec-ffi/`,
+  `ordvec-go/`, and
   [`docs/c-api.md`](https://github.com/Fieldnote-Echo/ordvec/blob/main/docs/c-api.md).
 - **Pre-1.0 compatibility policy:**
   [`docs/compatibility-policy.md`](docs/compatibility-policy.md) defines the
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ candidate slices passed to `Search` until the call returns.
   including its [`proof-spine`](https://github.com/Fieldnote-Echo/ordvec-formalization/blob/main/docs/proof-spine.md),
   [`theorem-map`](https://github.com/Fieldnote-Echo/ordvec-formalization/blob/main/docs/theorem-map.md),
   and [`reviewer brief`](https://github.com/Fieldnote-Echo/ordvec-formalization/blob/main/docs/reviewer-brief.md).
-- **API docs:** <https://docs.rs/ordvec>
+- **API docs:** <https://docs.rs/ordvec>, <https://docs.rs/ordvec-manifest>
 - **Paper (OrdVec / RankQuant):** _link TBD — see
   [Research collaboration](#research-collaboration)._
 
@@ -285,12 +285,11 @@ checksum, MAC, or signature — by design.** The loaders validate *structure*
 (magic, version, bounds, exact-length payload) but not *origin*: a
 structurally valid file can still be untrusted. If an index file crosses a
 trust boundary (network transfer, shared storage), verify it before loading.
-The full GitHub checkout includes a publish=false sidecar CLI,
-`ordvec-manifest`, that binds an index file to a JSON manifest by SHA-256,
-header metadata, row identity, named auxiliary sidecars, and attestation shape
-checks. It does not sign artifacts, manage keys, or decide deployment trust
-policy. No in-format crypto is shipped because it would add key management the
-library can't own. See
+`ordvec-manifest` binds an index file to a JSON manifest by SHA-256, header
+metadata, row identity, named auxiliary sidecars, and attestation shape checks.
+It does not sign artifacts, manage keys, or decide deployment trust policy. No
+in-format crypto is shipped because it would add key management the library
+can't own. See
 [`docs/PERSISTED_FORMAT.md`](https://github.com/Fieldnote-Echo/ordvec/blob/main/docs/PERSISTED_FORMAT.md),
 [`docs/INDEX_PROVENANCE.md`](https://github.com/Fieldnote-Echo/ordvec/blob/main/docs/INDEX_PROVENANCE.md),
 and [`THREAT_MODEL.md`](https://github.com/Fieldnote-Echo/ordvec/blob/main/THREAT_MODEL.md)
diff --git a/RELEASING.md b/RELEASING.md
index da4a1c8..d614be2 100644
--- a/RELEASING.md
+++ b/RELEASING.md
@@ -126,9 +126,10 @@ filename. Until either is updated, the corresponding gated publish fails
      useful for this release;
    - distinguish `ordvec` primitive API/file compatibility from downstream
      application database behavior.
-3. Bump the version (crate `Cargo.toml`, and `ordvec-python` if the wheel
-   changed) and update `CHANGELOG.md` with migration notes for every
-   intentional compatibility break. Commit on `main`.
+3. Bump the version (crate `Cargo.toml`, `ordvec-manifest/Cargo.toml`, and
+   `ordvec-python` if the wheel changed) and update `CHANGELOG.md` with
+   migration notes for every intentional compatibility break. Commit on
+   `main`.
 4. Confirm CI is **green for current `main` HEAD**. `require-ci-green` checks
    `main` HEAD's SHA — which needs a **completed, successful** (not
    `cancelled`, not in-progress) run of `ci.yml`, `python.yml`, `fuzz.yml`, and
diff --git a/THREAT_MODEL.md b/THREAT_MODEL.md
index 2d7a58d..aac32c0 100644
--- a/THREAT_MODEL.md
+++ b/THREAT_MODEL.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 > **Status:** v0.3.0 (pre-1.0), 2026-05-29. This is the maintained threat model
 > for the `ordvec` Rust crate, C ABI, Go wrapper, PyO3/maturin Python bindings,
-> and the repo-local `ordvec-manifest` sidecar verifier. It is reviewed when the
+> and the `ordvec-manifest` sidecar verifier. It is reviewed when the
 > attack surface changes (new persistence formats, new `unsafe` kernels, new
 > FFI surface, or release-pipeline changes).
 >
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ absence of a second maintainer is itself a tracked supply-chain residual
 | Layer | Components | Trust boundary |
 |---|---|---|
 | **Deserialization** | `rank_io.rs` — `.tvr` / `.tvrq` / `.tvbm` / `.tvsb` loaders | Untrusted filesystem / network byte stream |
-| **Manifest verification** | `ordvec-manifest` — publish=false JSON sidecar verifier | Manifest + index + optional row-map files before load |
+| **Manifest verification** | `ordvec-manifest` — JSON sidecar verifier | Manifest + index + optional row-map files before load |
 | **Compute kernels** | `fastscan.rs`, `quant_kernels.rs`, `bitmap.rs`, `sign_bitmap.rs` | Trust established after format validation |
 | **Index API** | `rank.rs`, `quant.rs`, `bitmap.rs`, `sign_bitmap.rs` | Caller-controlled query embeddings |
 | **C ABI** | `ordvec-ffi` (`include/ordvec.h`) | C caller ↔ Rust boundary; raw pointers and opaque handles |
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ problem, not a parser problem. *Mitigation (no format change):*
 validates structure, not origin, and lists verification options (checksum
 manifest, artifact-store integrity, Sigstore / GitHub artifact attestation)
 for deployments where index files cross trust boundaries. The repo now includes
-`ordvec-manifest`, a publish=false sidecar verifier that binds an index file to
+`ordvec-manifest`, a sidecar verifier that binds an index file to
 JSON manifest metadata by SHA-256, allocation-resistant header probing, strict
 row identity checks, and attestation shape checks. It deliberately does **not**
 sign, manage keys, call networks, mutate index files, change the C ABI, or
diff --git a/docs/INDEX_PROVENANCE.md b/docs/INDEX_PROVENANCE.md
index a9b2cc4..3725fee 100644
--- a/docs/INDEX_PROVENANCE.md
+++ b/docs/INDEX_PROVENANCE.md
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ The loaders validate **structure, not origin or truth**:
 
 If you load index files that were produced elsewhere, transferred over a
 network, or stored on shared/mutable infrastructure, verify them **before**
-loading. The repo-local `ordvec-manifest` crate provides a sidecar verifier for
+loading. The lockstep `ordvec-manifest` crate provides a sidecar verifier for
 that pre-load step:
 
 ```sh
diff --git a/docs/compatibility-policy.md b/docs/compatibility-policy.md
index 2c2b033..3d6c660 100644
--- a/docs/compatibility-policy.md
+++ b/docs/compatibility-policy.md
@@ -5,10 +5,10 @@ changes. The project nevertheless treats downstream embedders as real users:
 patch releases should be safe for stable surfaces, and any intentional break
 must be visible in release notes before users discover it at build or load time.
 
-This policy covers the published Rust crate, the PyPI bindings, repo-local
-sidecars (C ABI, Go, and Manifest), the primitive persisted index formats, and
-project examples and documentation. It does not promise a database or
-application-store lifecycle outside `ordvec` itself.
+This policy covers the published Rust crates, the PyPI bindings, repo-local
+sidecars (C ABI and Go), the primitive persisted index formats, and project
+examples and documentation. It does not promise a database or application-store
+lifecycle outside `ordvec` itself.
 
 ## Versioning Rules
 
@@ -93,11 +93,11 @@ Python, NumPy, or wheel-platform floor changes are minor-release changes unless
 a supported upstream version has reached end-of-life or a security issue makes
 the old floor unsafe. Such changes require release-note migration text.
 
-### Repo-Local Sidecars (C ABI, Go, and Manifest)
+### Sidecars (C ABI, Go, and Manifest)
 
-`ordvec-ffi`, `ordvec-go`, and `ordvec-manifest` are repo-local sidecars, not
-part of the published core `.crate`. They are still consumed by embedders from
-the GitHub checkout, so their compatibility must be reviewed before releases.
+`ordvec-manifest` is a lockstep crate for manifest verification. `ordvec-ffi`
+and `ordvec-go` remain repo-local sidecars consumed by embedders from the
+GitHub checkout. All three surfaces must be reviewed before releases.
 
 The C ABI is versioned by `ORDVEC_ABI_VERSION`. ABI v1 currently supports
 loading persisted `RankQuant` and `Bitmap` files, metadata inspection, and
@@ -110,10 +110,11 @@ a new ABI version or clear migration notes.
 The Go wrapper follows the C ABI. Source-breaking Go API changes require the
 same compatibility classification in release notes.
 
-The `ordvec-manifest` CLI and its v1 JSON schema are also treated as stable
-repo-local surfaces. Patch releases should not introduce breaking changes to
-the CLI arguments, emitted error codes, or JSON schema structure. Minor
-releases may introduce schema or CLI updates with documented migration steps.
+The `ordvec-manifest` CLI, library API, and v1 JSON schema are treated as
+stable release surfaces. Patch releases should not introduce breaking changes
+to the CLI arguments, emitted error codes, library report shapes, or JSON
+schema structure. Minor releases may introduce schema, CLI, or library updates
+with documented migration steps.
 
 ### Primitive Persisted Formats
 
diff --git a/ordvec-manifest/Cargo.toml b/ordvec-manifest/Cargo.toml
index 12d52ca..bc883aa 100644
--- a/ordvec-manifest/Cargo.toml
+++ b/ordvec-manifest/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,11 +1,19 @@
 [package]
 name = "ordvec-manifest"
-version = "0.0.0"
+version = "0.3.0"
 edition = "2021"
 rust-version = "1.89"
-publish = false
 license = "MIT OR Apache-2.0"
-description = "Repo-local ordvec index manifest verifier"
+description = "Manifest verifier for ordvec index provenance and sidecar artifacts"
+repository = "https://github.com/Fieldnote-Echo/ordvec"
+homepage = "https://github.com/Fieldnote-Echo/ordvec"
+documentation = "https://docs.rs/ordvec-manifest"
+readme = "README.md"
+keywords = ["vector-search", "manifest", "provenance", "verification", "quantization"]
+categories = ["algorithms", "command-line-utilities", "data-structures"]
+
+[package.metadata.docs.rs]
+all-features = false
 
 [lib]
 name = "ordvec_manifest"
@@ -19,7 +27,7 @@ path = "src/main.rs"
 chrono = { version = "0.4.44", default-features = false, features = ["clock", "std"] }
 clap = { version = "4.6.1", features = ["derive"] }
 hex = "0.4.3"
-ordvec = { path = ".." }
+ordvec = { version = "0.3.0", path = ".." }
 rusqlite = { version = "0.39.0", optional = true }
 serde = { version = "1.0", features = ["derive"] }
 serde_json = "1.0"
diff --git a/ordvec-manifest/README.md b/ordvec-manifest/README.md
index b29af46..b640f28 100644
--- a/ordvec-manifest/README.md
+++ b/ordvec-manifest/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # ordvec-manifest
 
-Repo-local, publish=false sidecar verifier for ordvec index manifests.
+Manifest verifier for ordvec index provenance and caller-owned sidecar
+artifacts.
 
 It verifies index bytes, probed header metadata, row identity, named auxiliary
 artifacts, optional encoder distortion profile references, optional
@@ -9,16 +10,24 @@ ordvec index. It does not sign artifacts, manage keys, call networks, mutate
 index files, decide deployment trust policy, estimate encoder geometry, compute
 calibration statistics, or change the C ABI.
 
+`ordvec-manifest` is versioned in lockstep with the core `ordvec` crate. Before
+the first crates.io release that includes this package, use it from the GitHub
+workspace checkout; after that release, install it with `cargo install
+ordvec-manifest`.
+
 ```sh
-cargo run -p ordvec-manifest -- create \
+ordvec-manifest create \
   --index path/to/index.tvrq \
   --row-id-is-identity \
   --embedding-model bge-small-en-v1.5 \
   --out path/to/index.manifest.json
 
-cargo run -p ordvec-manifest -- verify --manifest path/to/index.manifest.json
+ordvec-manifest verify --manifest path/to/index.manifest.json
 ```
 
+From a pre-release workspace checkout, prefix the same commands with
+`cargo run -p ordvec-manifest --`.
+
 The schema version is `ordvec.index_manifest.v1`. Relative paths resolve from
 the manifest file's directory, absolute paths are rejected by default, and
 relative paths may not escape the manifest directory unless explicitly allowed.
diff --git a/ordvec-manifest/src/lib.rs b/ordvec-manifest/src/lib.rs
index d0214a5..72457b6 100644
--- a/ordvec-manifest/src/lib.rs
+++ b/ordvec-manifest/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,19 @@
+//! Manifest verification for ordvec index artifacts.
+//!
+//! This crate verifies JSON manifests that bind an ordvec index file to
+//! SHA-256 digests, probed loader metadata, row identity, caller-owned
+//! auxiliary artifacts, optional encoder-distortion profiles, optional
+//! calibration profiles, and attestation-shape metadata. It is intentionally a
+//! verifier, not a trust oracle: it does not sign artifacts, manage keys, call
+//! networks, mutate index files, estimate model geometry, or decide deployment
+//! policy.
+//!
+//! Library callers can use [`load_manifest_file_with_options`] and
+//! [`verify_document_for_load`], or use [`verify_for_load`] when they need a
+//! verified snapshot of the canonical artifact path and related load metadata.
+//! The `ordvec-manifest` binary exposes the same bounded verification surfaces
+//! for command-line use.
+
 use chrono::{DateTime, SecondsFormat, Utc};
 use ordvec::{
     probe_index_metadata, IndexKind as CoreIndexKind, IndexMetadata as CoreIndexMetadata,